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Review Date: 9/3/2010
This book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize back in 1984, and understadably so. Our title character is ensconsed in an epic midlife crisis. Researching an academic article Mark falls in love with the very young, very non-intellectualy Carrie, whose grandfather's papers Mark is reviewing. And so... our hero and his young miss run off to Paris, have fabulous sex, and Mark returns to his wife, while Carrie falls madly in love with a new man and has the relationship for which Mark yearns. These characters are wonderfully drawn, and their bliss and their pain is beatifully rendered and compelling. Highly recommend this one.
Review Date: 7/2/2010
Helpful Score: 4
This is a beautiful book from the author of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Scotty is a seven-year-old whose mother simply ups and leaves after his 7th birthday. The mother is no prize, she is totally focused on herself and her art (and on drinking it appears) but he loves her as all 7 year old boys love their mothers. Scotty's pain is not eased by the withdrawal of his older sisters and his father who are coping in their own ways. So Scotty copes by pouring all of his energy into his search for his mother. The book is heartbreaking in the way of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", but like that book (and the excellent movie adaptation) it is also filled with the purity of love and hope. Though not humorless in the least, this is not a comic romp. It is a serious story that will make you think about the true meaning of love, and pain and the costs of promises broken versus promises withheld. I cannot say enough good things about this one
Review Date: 7/8/2010
Helpful Score: 2
Let me start by saying I am not generally a fan of paranormal erotic romance. I respect everyone's preference, and I do understand how appealing shape-shifters, immortals, and the like can be, I just usually prefer stories firmly planted in the real world. That said, I really love Shayla Black, and I found this book at a library sale, so I figured I would give it a whirl. I am SO glad I did! First off, this story is funny. Though our hero is humorless, he is surrounded by charming and hilarious characters. Olivia and Marrock were just fine in the lead -- really sexy and unexpected -- but I adored Bram and can't wait to see what will happen with him in the next installments (I just got books 2 and 3.) This is a solid 4-star.
Review Date: 7/8/2010
Black's Decadent is a favorite of mine, very sexy and love the characters. This book was not quite up to that level, but still a great read. Jack is hot, confident, knows what he wants. It is hard to imagine the two leads have any connection other than sex (and possible prophecy), for for purposes of this story, that seems to be enough. All in all, pretty darn yummy if you enjoy a little gentle D/s in your "girl porn."
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