Review: Mary Balogh’s At Last Comes Love

Just to be fair, I adore Mary Balogh’s books. I had high hopes, as I did not read the series, her books never disappoint. This one, sadly did just that.  The characters Margaret and Duncan were not given a chance to have any passion whatsoever. For life or for love. I never felt the happy tingle that a first embrace feels, instead I read her apologizing for her unknowing ways. He did not have feelings for her, or her for him almost the entire book except for regret and respect.  He and her had no real passion for each other and she even called him ugly on at least 5 different times. All I heard of the taste of either of them was wine . As much as I wanted to have him fall deeply, he did not. As much as I wanted her to fall deeply, she did not. The story at the end about Toby was somewhat as unbelievable as the kindly happy honest family that was hers.    I think the characters were unjustly written and I would challenge Mary to a duel to make her change them.  🙂

Sex, there is not a lot of that, and when it happens, I was left feeling that it was not all that important.

Violence.  Not any of that either. No real drama, challenge, heartfelt bitterness or anything unladylike except for the bluntness each of them were cast to as the book moved on. She was not a virgin, but she was not exactly schooled, and I did not get the feeling that it mattered at all.

I hope that I feel more for more of her books, this one left me with an unhappiness I cannot seem to describe.

 

 

And Then He… Romancingmyself ~ The Why.

I bought an enormous amount of romance novels. Mostly from the 80’s, some from the 90’s and the rest from the 2000’s. I could not resist the temptation. Don’t judge me. Have you ever read a really good romance novel? One that make you flush and get hot and bothered? Usually happens at the most unfortunate time. Like when you are devastatingly surrounded by sweet old ladies and grandparents, and children who are curious to your flushed skin.   How about getting a tingling inside your stomach that feels like your on a roller coaster that just dropped ten stories?  There is also the sweet satisfaction of the quick words your hero or heroine throws out there that makes you squeal  with delight. What about the shock of a scene that makes you take a quick breath as something unique and beautiful happens?  I have. And I love the feeling.  It makes me pick up another book, in hopes to feel that feeling again. It is an addiction now. I am, as they say, hooked. So, My posts are going to be for the books I am reading. This is why I made this blog. So here goes….