Rich character development......and they are likable too!
593204
I am the 27th reviewer of this book. Most of them have said everything that needs to be said about this book...but I promised the author I would write a review if I purchased the book. So here it is....buy the book! It is unlikely that you will be disappointed. Although I did not fall in love with this book like many of the other reviewers I certainly would not hesitate to recommend it. I look forward to the next in the series which hopefully will not take the three years that it took for this book to be written. Congrats to JR on her debut!!!
2917244
I ran across this title earlier this evening and after reading a review or two I purchased it.  In no time at all I was hopelessly hooked!  I read it all before taking a break.  Admittedly the characters get heavily involved in some activities which I enjoy immensely, but they are characters whom I like.....very much so.  Entertaining and funny, with some real "feel good" thrown in with a plate full of adventure.
1344911
Great character development...makes you love and root or dislike and boo some of the lawyer characters! Colin is gifted in conveying visceral descriptions...I could see, smell and feel some of the scenes. Holiday cards are late in being sent out because I would read late into the night, not wanting to leave the storyline. Unexpected plot twists. Nelson's love and knowledge of jazz and courtroom proceedings comes through. I was learning as I read! Readers won't be disappointed. Would be a great book to have in published in paper form and "holdable."
1480749
It's always really cool when you read a book by an author you've never heard of and it turns out to be effin' fantastic. Of late, I've read more urban fantasy than anything else, but recently re-read Redmann's _Death by the Riverside_ and decided I wanted something in a similar vein. (BTW, Redmann's book is just as amazing the third time around.) The result: Wow! The plot -- butch ex-cop and sorta fem blind psychologist join forces to rescue the cop's 14YO cousin and fall in love along the way -- sounds a little vanilla at first glance,right? Turns out, BLtB is an extremely complex book, largely due to character development, and is excellent on many levels: The two major elements, one, solving the mystery and two, the developing romance are neatly intertwined and given equal weight. The mystery itself is well-plotted and satisfactorily resolved, though side issues raise more than enough questions to make the reader want to much learn more about these characters. In this first novel about Liz and Erik, we learn just enough about the paths that have brought them to this point in their lives to be intriguing. Each brings her own personal baggage to the relationship, but they're able to put that on the back burner and focus on the task of saving Ashley, the missing girl. I'm impressed with how the author gradually allows us to discover these two women as they discover each other. By the end of the book, we've come to really care for Liz and Erik, and I, for one, definitely want to visit their lives again.

The writing itself is well done from a technical standpoint, structurally and grammatically sound. (One jarring note in the Kindle edition: in one scene, Erik's Aunt Sheila becomes "Sylvia".) Though there's a large amount of expository detail, it's handled very smoothly, and, for the most part, we're shown rather than told, the mark of a skilled writer. There's more than enough adequate detail to make the reader feel s/he's really "there." Little things like Erik reading Kate Delafield novels, and Liz having the Unte Reader in her office's waiting room make the story seem more real. Lots of humor adds to the reader's enjoyment, and the amount of sex seems just right.

It's a real shame that books as good as this get relegated to the "genre" fiction niche, or, in this case, *two* niches. That inevitably limits the audience, and the lesbian aspect probably even alienates some mystery fans. Too bad. It's their lose. So, obviously, very highly recommended. (Readers of my reviews know that five stars is quite rare, and that should speak for itself.)
1475105
I got this book solely on the reviews and kept an open mind about how I would feel about it, but I can tell you this..... the reviews did not lie!!

While the story may seem quite far-fetched (a wealthy CEO agreeing to marry a stranger to save his career and family business), I loved the quick progression and growth of character development.  I am, by no means saying, that this book offers a steamy romp in the sheets in the first few chapters... oh no, this book grabs your attention, connects you to the characters and takes you on a journey that has you reading from beginning to end rather quickly.

Not to offer spoilers here, but there will be a bit of drama as well as a fairy tale romance that goes from 0 to 60 rather fast.  Totally enjoyable and highly recommendable to anyone looking for something that does not feel dragged out in the least when it comes to internal thought of the hero and heroine.  I am glad I took the chance to read this book and I have already ordered the next in the series.
186947
Overall I really liked this series and thought that the author did a really good job.  All of the characters showed a tremendous amount of personal growth from book one to book four, especially Julius and Lucy.  Those two grew both in maturity and in developing a moral compass allowing them to be loyal to the one that always had their back, Natalia.  Initially my thoughts about Natalia were that as likeable of a person as she was and as kind hearted as she was to everyone, there were just moments when if I could I would have shaken her to hopefully give her some common sense.  She was too trusting and naive to have gone through the things that she went through.  She comprised her family, herself, and Julius because she refused to relinquish her sophomoric attitude of not trusting her instincts.  She knew from the beginning River was suspect but instead of listening to her intuition she knowingly placed herself in a situation that could have ultimately resulted in the demise of her entire family.  Same thing with the secret keeping she knew what her husband did for a living but instead of heeding his warning of ceasing contact with Brax she continued to do business with him. Now mind you I said initially(meaning up until this point of my review) but while writing this I begin to think that there are some people who are just blessed to only look for good in everything and everyone they encounter.  To us more jaded individuals we immediately assess them as being naive and lacking common sense but in actuality they possess a gift that the majority of us lose well before reaching adulthood.  They are able to view the world in a child like wonder through rose tinted glasses.  As rare as this quality is they must have someone in their corner that is willing to take on the ugliness of the world head first on their behalf.  I think that for Natalia that person was Julius.  That is why she was able to love him unconditionally, forgive him countless times for his infidelities, and continue to love a mother that never reciprocated.  Its the only way she knows how to deal with life.  With that being said I salute Ms. Latrice for showcasing this unique quality in Natalia.  Very well done.  Do I smell a spinoff with Leah and her mother retuning to retaliate, introducing new characters and bringing twice the drama?????(hint, hint). At any rate you can't go wrong with this series.  Kudos Ms Latrice!!!
1663471
I found the characters really enjoyable.  Much development to the quirks and qualities of the good guys; the fact that the bad guys weren't fleshed out much wasn't at all missed.  It was refreshing and engaging to have the good guys understood and not as a reader find yourself sauted and dipped in evil distilled.  After nearly finishing it and thinking how the heroine Genevieve was quite unique and special, I realized she was  a sort-of pretty female "Monk" with her abilities, focus, phobias and her social inadequacies.  I really loved the character, and the other quirk-o's (though less so) who make up her team.  Good story, layered crimes, nice solution.  Don't really see the bad guys suffer, die or fry either....a less nightmare-enriching fare than most of the genre.
Was happy to see she had sequels following this first, a little put off that the next were double the price of most sequels of the freebies of this genre on Kindle.  Would prefer she priced hers in the typical $3.00 price range too.
Anyhow, really enjoyed it, expect you will too.
1072772
4.5. Good character development throughout, although the reader may not understand the character and their actions until well into the story.  I certainly didn't!  Here in the clash between good and evil, we seem to have the sides clearly identified.  But do we?  I'm rooting for Kate, and the kids and the Atlanteans to be on the side of good and humankind, and the Imari to be the clear bad guys, but I'm not holding my breath.

Very entertaining read and I'm looking forward to the next book.
1632281
This is the second book in the Iris Series, and I was looking forward to this one, as I was impressed with Ayanna from book one. She is funny, feisty, beautiful, yet a little insecure, and the chemistry between her and Jonathan was intense. Their first few interactions always ended in an argument;  and because Ayanna was not used to men not falling all over her once she made up her mind to woo them with her charm and beauty, she didn't know how to respond and it just fed into her insecurities. Jonathan is charming, endearing, smart and extremely handsome, and it frustrates him that Ayanna gets under his skin, and as much as he hates it, each interaction ends in his snarly comments and more frustration. Ryann is completely taken aback, as this behavior is so out of character for her friend, and she see the effect it has on her best friend Ayanna, who wants a good man to love her for herself. Ayanna makes the decision to go introspective and work on herself for the next 40 days, giving up the two things that she loves the most, as a sacrifice to lead her to the life she so desires with a good man to love and love her. It is during this time, that she and Jon form a truce, and become friends. This is when things start to heat up, and so many things in Ayanna's life begin to evolve.
I enjoyed the back and forth between Yan and Jon; once they did get together, their was lots of intimate scenes (almost overkill for me, but maybe not for the next reader). I did enjoy the secondary characters, and the authors had done a good job introducing couples for future installments. Looks like the next one will be Emily, Jonathan's cousin and Michael, detective and brother of Janie, Ayanna's business partner. It was a long story, but it flowed well, and read quickly. The story has a little drama that made it interesting, and again the secondary characters were interesting; would love a story for Dev, Yan's brother and Mark, Jon's brother (maybe they are a couple, who knows;) anyway I'm sure the authors have more in store for us. Good story!
4970223
These are not great pieces of literature , but hey aren't trying to be.  It's just really fun and interesting characters that you can get involved with easily and stories that move along and hold your interest !  .Read all 10 of them ...i!!
3803970
Sharon Shinn has a gift for using simple, easy language to build rich characters and wonderful relationships and communities.  It took less than a day to read, but this book has depth, is well-plotted, and joyful, without glossing over evil and pain.  Kellen, the main character, seems androgynous, but always knows who she really is, and is amazing at caring about other people and wishing wonderful things for them.  I wish I could take a vacation in this world and go stay in a village inn for Wintermoon, and visit Wodenberry for Summermoon.

As other reviewers have noted, this is the third book set in the same kingdom (after "The Safe-Keeper's Secret" and "The Truth-Teller's Tale"), and each book is set just a few years later than the one before it.  While some characters recur, along with places and customs, the books are each centered on different characters and have different themes.  They're young adult books, about teenagers, but so deep and rich that adults will find them rewarding.
1308735
Okay, book 3 really pulled me into the series fully. There is much to like here, even with the flaws. It is still a bit more recap than I needed. It is something I will just have to deal with in the series.

The romance takes more of a front seat here, getting more into the relationship for Darcy and Nick. We also see more of Ve and her love life. This book also introduces us to Flora and Tera crafters who are into growing things, plus illumi crafters who are intriguing with their talents. With this story there are plenty of twists and turns. Just when you think you know who the bad guy is, things take a turn. Not everything is as it seems.

All those new characters are fun to follow. I hope we see more of them as time passes in the series. The supporting cast is always a delight and I adore the familiars!! I am enchanted by this series, regardless of the slight flaws in the story telling. On the upside, things are getting better and more fan to read.

I am getting used to the quirks of narrator Coleen Marlo as well. She is not my favorite, but she has grown on my with each new book. She has a swift pace, which I enjoy. She has a terrific energy that she adds to the story and keeps things moving.

At this point I am resolved to read the rest of the series, it is just too endearing to stop.
505244
I almost didn't buy this book since I hadn't really enjoyed the last few Jeanne Savery Regency novels. But in the end, I'm glad that I did as "Miss Seldon's Suitors" turned out to be a truly charming and delightful read, and is, I think, one of the authour's best efforts yet.
Miss Matilda 'Matty' Seldon finds herself in dire straits indeed when an unscrupulous person pretending to be her cousin, steals her meager inheritance and leaves her penniless and stranded in a village where she knows virtually no one. Fortunately for Matty, the vicar of the village comes to her rescue and brings her plight to the attention of Lady Wilmington and a Miss Abigail Abernathy. It is the vicar's hope that the very respectable Lady Wilmington will take pity on Matty and offer her employment and a refuge. Unfortunately (for the vicar) it is not Lady Wilmington who is moved by Matty's circumstances but the very eccentric Miss Abernathy, and she offers Matty a temporary home. Miss Abernathyhas a plan: to try and untangle Matty's affairs and to also promote a match between Matty and a good friend of hers, Charles North. But even the best of plans go slightly awry when unexpected elements come into play. Two of Miss Abernathy's nephews come for a visit, and both seem to have fallen under Matty's spell. Suddenly, kind and sensible Matty Seldon has not one but four suitors, when even the shallow and toadying vicar begins to court her. For any young woman who had thought to remain a spinster all her life, such a surfeit of suitors would be enough to turn anyone's head. But for Matty, there can be only one man for her -- if only she were more worthy of such an excellent and worthy gentleman...
I really enjoyed this novel even though things did get a little bogged down in the middle romance wise. Used to thinking of herself as a village vicar's sensible daughter, and not really rating her worth very high, Matty finds it difficult indeed to believe that the gentleman she's fallen for (I'm not going to say which one so as to not spoil things) would actually return her feelings. And since the gentleman concerned has decided that a long and slow courtship where both parties would get to know each other intimately (character-wise) would be best, that whole bit of the novel does take a while to unwind and get resolved. Fortunately, there are other plot gambits to keep things humming, like the episodes that involve the Mr. Collins (from Austen's "Pride and Prejudice")-like vicar -- Jeanne Savery's splendid portrayal of this character will definitely amuse -- and the subplot involving Miss Abernathy's nephews. Also brilliantly done was the portrayal of the intriguing Miss Abernathy. Who is this woman, and what is her story? We learn some of her history but since there are going to be a few more books in this series, I'm sure that there is still a lot more to learn, and I'm really looking forward to that! Best of all however was the portrayal of Matty and her young man and their romance. Matty Seldon is not one of those feisty and headstrong beauties we've been reading a lot about lately (they're all right, but I'm rather tired of reading about such heroines all the time), but a kind, sensible, intelligent and attractive young woman, and it was a real treat to read about (and empathise with) such a heroine and root for her to have her 'happily ever-after' ending. And I liked the young man that Matty fell in love with matched her so perfectly in character and spirit. No growling and glowering alpha-male here -- I'm a little tired of those as well. So, thank you, Jeanne Savery for this wonderful and heart-warming read.
205729
I am enjoying the way the characters develop and interact. A bit of grit but I appreciate the POV that has strong ethical characters that don't have to indulge in unreal actions. I'm going to read the next one though I usually listen on whispersync and the next one isn't available in audio. Btw excellently read as well.
664867
Those are the three words I would choose to describe both this book and its cast of fun, real characters. Each one reminded me of someone I know and I could see the events truly unfolding. Our heroine, Gladie, is a great mixture of smart, daring, sassy, and a little too curious for her own good. Her and her friends - and Grandma Zelda! - provide plenty of moments that feel genuine and unexpected, not to mention laugh out loud funny! I could sympathize with Gladies feelings of being out of place and not knowing what your future held. She definitely gets to join my list of Lovable Heroines and I cant wait to read more of her adventures in the next books. If I was merely rating the cast of characters, Id award 5 stars.

As for the story itself, though, the mystery was compelling and, of course, I wanted to know whodunnit. However, there were times when the story rushed by so quickly, jumping from here to there in a blur. Then, miraculously, at the end, everything is figured out and solved. I was left scratching my head a couple of times, asking myself, when did that happen? When did we get that information? There were a few questions that Never got answered (in the sequels, perhaps?) but they referred to the characters relationships, not the mystery. All that being said, I can forgive these small flaws for an otherwise excellent story. I will be looking into the next book in the series.
3943523
Scott and TJ are such lovely characters. One of the things I find most appealing about them is their strong social conscience. Neither want to lose any of the boys in their programme (and yes, I cried at moments in this book).

This is the aspect that really makes this book for me. The programme sounds real and valuable and I enjoyed these secondary characters who are integral to the growth of the relationsip between Scott and TJ. I love that TJ is different to the 'usual' female protagonist. Steel-capped boots and overalls don't detract from her femininity but heels and high hair are equally great -- Scott loves both, and so did I.

And I can't wait for Detective Mark's story. He strikes me as a real catch. What will the woman who wins him be like?
2864312
I really love these characters,  funny & entertaining read!