All Consuming : Sonja Foust

Good world (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:07:27 GMT

by Cory Doctorow

I really enjoyed reading about the world the author has imagined. He explores some interesting problems, like, “If you didn’t have to die, would you want to live forever?” and, “How important IS what other people think of you?” (In the world he has created, what other people think of you is everything.)

The character development left me a little cold. I was unclear as to why the narrator allowed things to end as they did.

All in all though, good, fun read, and neat world.

Fun romp (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:58:28 GMT

The Courtesan's Daughter

by Claudia Dain

I heard the author refer to this book as a “romp,” and I couldn’t agree more. The playful, fast-paced back and forth between the large cast of characters will keep you turning pages and laughing as you go. Enjoyable read, well done, and lots of fun!

A story about "Cat in the Mist"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:39:31 GMT

Cat in the Mist

by Sonja Foust

Available at TheWildRosePress.com

A review of "Secrets of a Summer Night" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:48:45 GMT

Secrets of a Summer Night

by Lisa Kleypas

It was refreshing to read a Regency era romance that colors outside the lines. I’d always taken the fact that peers marry peers as sort of a rule for that period, but this book breaks the rules and does a marvelous job of it. I loved the story and really enjoyed learning some of the history of the period too, without having to wade through a lot of narrative or info dump. Expertly done.

Better and better! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:46:26 GMT

Beware a Scot's Revenge (School for Heiresses)

by Sabrina Jeffries

One of Sabrina Jeffries’ trademarks is strong heroines, and she doesn’t disappoint here. Venetia is one of the best yet, and she goes blow for blow with the roguish Scottish hero. This was a fun adventure with a touching love story. Jeffries just keeps getting better!

A story about "Love in Shadow"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:21:00 GMT

Love in Shadow

by Sonja Foust

Available at TheWildRosePress.com

A review of "The Desert Sheikh's Captive Wife (Harlequin Presents)" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:53:42 GMT

The Desert Sheikh's Captive Wife (Harlequin Presents)

by Lynne Graham

Not as bad as the title would lead you to believe, really. Both characters are lovable in their way and the story is compelling. The writing isn’t spectacular, but sometimes that’s not necessary.

A review of "The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:56:35 GMT

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

by Anne Stuart

Rarely do you find a romance that makes you laugh and cry and curl your toes all at once. This one is not only that, but it’s THREE of them, with a villain to boot. I loved the concept, the characters, and the story. Well done, nicely put together, and great fun.

Not Just Sugar-Plums (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:59:18 GMT

Must Love Mistletoe

by Christie Ridgway

Great story—I thought I’d be picking up a sugary-sweet low-on-drama Christmas read, but I was surprised to find developed back-stories, realistic dramas, and hard-hitting emotions. In fact, my only complaint about the book is that there are some pieces of drama and back-story I felt like didn’t completely get resolved. Overall though, I loved it. Cute and funny, but also touching and dramatic. Great read!

Well Done! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:29:38 GMT

The Devil Inside

by Jenna Black

Let me preface all of this by saying I LOVED this. I sat down and read it all in one day.

But I don’t think everyone will love it. It deals with tough issues of religion and sex, and there are some difficult scenes. All of them are very well done and treated expertly, but they’re still hard to read sometimes.

At the core, I think this is a story about power more than anything—power in human relationships and power between our realm and the Demon Realm. What I appreciated most about the book was how Morgan’s struggle with the “higher powers” (demons, in this case) mirrors a religious struggle: Morgan can’t decide if it’s heroic or stupid to let a higher power take over. Sure it makes you stronger, but are you still you?

If you’re willing to explore some tough issues you may not have given much thought to, and have a wild Urban Fantasy ride at the same time, you’ll really enjoy The Devil Inside.

A review of "Pride and Prejudice"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:58:33 GMT

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Honestly, it took me a while to get into this, but once I did, I really liked it. Austen leaves a lot to the imagination (tone of voice, etc.) but the savvy reader will pick up on it quickly. The love story, of course, was one of the best I’ve ever read.

A review of "Married Or Not? (Silhouette Desire)" (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:56:55 GMT

Married Or Not? (Silhouette Desire)

by Annette Broadrick

The plot wasn’t so bad, but I didn’t like the writing style.

Love AND Growing Up (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 22:49:46 GMT

A Kiss to Die for (Leisure Historical Romance)

by Claudia Dain

You don’t often find romances willing to explore “timid” women, even in historicals. This Western historical romance tackles a timid woman who comes into her own by the end. In many ways, it’s not just a romance but also a coming of age story. Anne, the heroine, has a beautiful character arc and that was the part of the story I enjoyed reading most. Claudia Dain not only creates lovable characters, but characters that are accurate to their time period. This was a pleasure to read and I can’t wait to read Dain’s The Courtesan’s Daughter next!

The Leopard's Story (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:55:37 GMT

The Leopard Prince

by Elizabeth Hoyt

I read one review of this that said Harry Pye (the hero) was awesome but Lady Georgina (the heroine) was boring. I beg to differ. I mean, truly, it is Harry Pye’s story. He’s even the subject of the title (debatably—He is SYMBOLICALLY the leopard prince). Still, I enjoyed reading Lady Georgina just as much as reading Harry Pye. I thought she was a compelling heroine, especially given the difficult situation of being gentry in love with a commoner. Great story, lots of politics and class issues, good villains, and even some really great funny moments. I enjoyed it very much!

A review of "Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (P.S.)" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:25:35 GMT

Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (P.S.)

by Marya Hornbacher

I’m sad that anyone would feel so bad about herself that she would abuse her body this way, but at the same time, I see a lot of the same neuroses in myself. Just a little shove, or a little bit different circumstances in my life might have pushed me this way. In the end, I’m glad to have read this. It makes me think harder about the way I think of and treat my body, and the way I think of other women. A point I got from this book is that we women are too hard on each other. Instead of comparing diets and pants sizes, maybe we ought to be just loving each other.

A book every woman should read (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:31:33 GMT

Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence

by Gavin De Becker

I really do think the world would be a better place if everyone read this book. It connects you to violence in a sometimes disturbing way, but the overall message is one of empowerment. I admit to being more afraid than I was before I read this book, until I got to the last chapter on dismissing the kinds of fear that you don’t need: worry, paranoia, and anxiety. Now I feel safe in the knowledge that I will prevent the violence I can, and live without worry of what I can’t prevent. I know my life will be better for having read this book.

A review of "Montana Sky" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:02:20 GMT

Montana Sky

by Nora Roberts

Loved it! But how could you not love a family saga with lots of love and adventure and mystery? Plus the setting was gorgeous. I’m hopping a plane to Montana next chance I get.

Hot stuff! (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:47:45 GMT

The Millionaire's Indecent Proposal (Silhouette Desire)

by Emilie Rose

So far, this is my favorite Emilie Rose and my favorite Desire yet. Not only was it super sensual, but the setting was gorgeously done and I LOVED the hero. Great story, great relationship, and lovely conclusion!

Surprising, in a good way!

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:13:55 GMT

The Husband Trap: A Novel

by Tracy Anne Warren

At first I must admit I was skeptical about the premise of this book: a mistaken identity. This can sometimes be a death knell, in that a mistaken identity doesn’t often provide enough conflict for a full story. I have to say, though, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself turning pages and reading for longer than I prudently should have at a time. (Sorry, boss.) I enjoyed the characters and the plot and thought that there was plenty of conflict and enough reasons to make it believable. Well done!

Nice chemistry (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:06:10 GMT

The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell

by Samantha James

I enjoyed reading the story of Anne and Simon’s marriage based on one scandalous kiss. I like that they got caught right away and forced into marriage. So often that doesn’t happen in Regencies. I did like the characters in general, though their inner monologues started repeating about halfway through the book. It got just a bit old. Overall, an enjoyable read with a lot of really nice chemistry between the characters.

Funny and entertaining

nobody@allconsuming.net (Sonja Foust) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:24:45 GMT

Bite Me If You Can (Avon Romance)

by Lynsay Sands

I had a great time following the adventure of a newly turned vampire and her prickly vampire protector. Funny and sexy, without really venturing into the land of chick lit, this was a satisfying read with a lot of great moments.