So a lot of people haven’t been waiting until the end of the week to answers the burning questions commenters have been leaving. So I’m not going to either. If you missed my Weekly Geeks #12 post, the check it out for the list of books people are providing questions for. You can still leave questions regarding any of the novels and I’ll post another answer session at the end of the week.
On to the Q&A:
Dewey asks: In When He Was Bad, what are some of your favorite ways that the He characters were bad? How is The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty related to the traditional Sleeping Beauty tale?
Since When He was Bad is currently sitting on my TBR shelf, it means I haven’t gotten to it yet, but the cover looks good. As for some of my favorite ways man can be bad….there are just so many that maybe I shouldn’t go into it. ;P
As for The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, it really doesn’t relate to the traditional Sleepy Beauty tale at all. In Roquelaure’s version, a Prince claims Beauty, which makes her wake up and restores her father’s kingdom, but her revival doesn’t come without cost. There is no Prince Charming, just a sadist bastard who believes he’s paying Beauty the ultimate compliment by the way he treats her. The reader would definitely need to have an open mind when picking up this book.
Alessandra asks: I’m curious about The Angel and the Prince. I read on Amazon it’s an historical romance. What’s the setting? How did you like the book? Which character did you mostly relate to?
Great questions. Although I don’t think I could relate to either of the characters since both the Angel and the Prince are seasoned soldiers, but that’s part of it’s draw. The Angel is trying to make up for not being a boy (and failing miserably) and the Prince “is driven by a desire for conquest and revenge”. My father isn’t upset that I’m a girl and I’m not really consumed by conquest…now maybe the conquest of a really good book I’ve been waiting for, I could see that. (Watch out world, I’m on the hunt for a copy of Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It’s going to be a jungle out there. :) ) The novel itself takes place during the period when the British were trying to conqueror the French and there were a lot of hostilities between the two. The Angel is French and the Prince is British, so you can imagine the sparks flying when the two meet and have to deal with each other.
I have to be honest, it’s been so long since I read the book that I can’t remember a lot of it. However, I do remember enjoying it so much that parts of it’s plot and storyline keeps coming back to me and just seeing it in a box made me want to read it again. When a book does this to me, then it deserves a chance to be re-read and reviewed.
Jennie asks: How does the use of language affect your enjoyment of romance novels? I find that what an author calls acts or fluids or body parts can really turn me off a book. Did any of these titles have any language issues? Are any of these authors truly gifted with description during the naughty bits?
First off, make sure you’re not getting erotica mixed up with romance novels. Granted, a lot of romance books do tend to have the sex scenes in them, but the really good ones usually only allude to it or there are maybe 1-3 scenes total in a book. Now if you want to get into erotica, then you’re going to find pages dedicated to sex and some graphic details.
I really don’t have many issues with an author going on and on during the sex scenes. I usually end up skimming those pages if it gets to be pretty ridiculous, but overall the use of language really doesn’t bother my enjoying of romance novels. It’s not really about the words to a point; it’s about the romance and the guaranteed Happy Ever After ending that I generally look forward to. Sometimes you just need to know that something works out even if there is no way it would in real life.
Imani asks: Ooo, I love “Montana Sky” one of my favourite Nora Roberts. Have you read a lot of her books — a lot of those “three women” novels or trilogies she does so well. And if so how would you rank “Montana Sky” among them? For standalone novels I only like “The Three Fates” more.
Nora Roberts is one of the few romance authors I still read. Montana Sky was alright in my opinion, but it’s been awhile since I’ve read it, so my memories are a little vague. Personally, I love her Dream trilogy (Daring to Dream, Holding the Dream, and Finding the Dream) and the Born In series (Born in Fire, Born in Ice, and Born in Shame). I’m not sure why, but I keep going back to those ones and they continue to stick out in my head. Have I read a lot of her trilogy series, uhhh, let me count them since I just unpacked them – I have 12 sets that I see at the moment. :) I like to buy them when they are all contained in one novel. I love her The Villa as a stand alone novel.
Suey asks: I don’t have questions for your first list… never heard of any of them! 
BUT… as for your second list, I say read Eragon and Eldest right away! Then you’ll be all ready for the third one which comes out in September. I can’t wait!
I’ve heard a lot of the hype for this series and I’m interested because I like these types of books, but they keep sitting on my shelf. Maybe because I’m borrowing them from my cousin instead of the library, but I’m thinking I’ll get to the soon. Have you seen the movie? Is it as good as the book? Worse?
bybee asks: I see Nora Roberts’ novels everywhere, but I’ve never read one. I know she’s written several. Does she have a typical style or story? What’s the big attraction?
Personally, Roberts is a very formulaic writer. Especially once she involves three woman. In all of her trilogies, you’ll find a outgoing girl, the shy girl, and the responsible one. That’s even true for her Chesapeake Bay series. I think the big attraction for Roberts is she’s a romance novelist, but she doesn’t plague the book with sex scenes. She focuses on the romance, the courtship, and adds a lot of drama to keep a reader interested. She’s really good at adding mystery and throwing out curve balls. Personally, if you want to try her and see what’s she likes, then I would read The Villa. It’s a little thicker than a lot of her novels, but well worth the read.
Maree asks: I don’t read romance novels usually, I find them annoying. Of the ones you’ve listed, which would you recommend for someone like me?
Honestly, if I had to recommend one, it wouldn’t be any of the ones I listed, but it would be by Nora Roberts. If you’re interested in romance, but find the whole genre “annoying” (I can see that), then I would try The Villa. It has a lot of intrigue and mystery, more so than most of her novels. That’s one I would like to see on Lifetime. (also, see my answer to bybee)
Kim asks: I read lots and lots of Danielle Steel many years ago, but eventually got tired of the formula she used in her books. Have you read her and if so, how is Nora the same or different from Danielle?
Honestly, I’ve never read anything by Danielle Steele or if I have, I don’t remember any of it. Although, Roberts does tend to have a formula for her novels. Especially in her trilogies. There’s always a shy one, an outgoing one, the responsible one; but while she is a little formulaic, the drama/mystery she includes with her novels are not always so. So while I would say her characters can be a bit cookie cutterish, her storylines are pretty original.
Joanne asks: My question is about an author rather than a particular book, seeing that you have quite a few Nora Roberts books to review I am curious whether you also read the books she writes as JD Robb? Do you enjoy one more than the other? And also for someone who has never read Nora Roberts which book would you recommend as a “Must-Read”?
I have not read anything by JD Robb, her other novels, yet. Honestly, up until a couple of months ago, I didn’t realize that she was writing as someone else. I actually check to see when the first In Death novel was and was surprised to find it was published in the early 90s. I have the series on my TBR list and I keep hearing good things about it, so hopefully I’ll enjoy them.
As for a must read by Roberts. It would have to be The Villa. I know I keep saying that, but that’s the one novel I keep going back to whenever I’m looking for a romance and a good story.
Chris asks: How did the Nora Roberts compare to each other? Was one better than the rest? I’d say pick the Sleeping Beauty One since it’s Anne Rice writing as Roquelaure.
All of the Roberts books are pretty good. You tend to know what kind of characters you’re going to get, depending on whether it’s a stand alone or a series novels. The two series that stands out for me are the Dream trilogy (Daring to Dream, Holding the Dream, and Finding the Dream) and the Born In series (Born in Fire, Born in Ice, and Born in Shame).
As for the Roquelaure book, I’m actually reading it right now, sorta. It’s one of those novels where you can’t just pick it up and read it straight through. It’s a novel you have to go back to in between other novels. It’s very detail rich and conflicting, almost to the point of mental exhaustion. That’s not exactly true either. It’s not a difficult read, but it’s not easy either. Does any of that make sense?
Rachel asks: I’d like to read the Eragon series. I believe I own them but haven’t picked them up yet. I’m also interested in the Sleeping Beauty book. I haven’t read Anne Rice in a long time, and I’m wondering about her growth as a writer. I used to devour everything she wrote.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is nothing like any of her books that I have attempted to read. It’s straight up erotica and very hardcore. Like I just said, the novel isn’t exactly an easy read and it’s going to test a lot of your limits. There’s a lot of nudity and degradation, both male and female, going on, so it takes alot out of a person. I started reading it and I had to put it down for a bit after a couple of chapters and read something else. It’s definitely a book to read inbetween novels. Or when you want something to read, but you’re really not in the mood for it so you don’t want to get engulfed in a novel.
As for a Roberts book, have you read The Villa?
Well, these last two aren’t really questions, but they were worth commenting on:
Imani said: Oh, what a coincidence she’s one of the few I still read too! I went on a bit of a binge lately because I really do love reading romance books but find it so hard these days to find authors who can write prose that doesn’t have me laughing from the front page or hackneyed plots. Somehow, Nora Roberts keeps me interested.
If you’re looking for some good romance authors, I have a few that I simply adore. One is Jane Feather. There are three of her series I own that I love because all of her woman are strong and independent. All three are in different periods, but they very much hold a “woman’s lib” characteristic. The three series are:
- Bride Trilogy (The Hostage Bride, The Accidental Bride, and Least Likely Bride)
- Kiss trilogy (Widow’s Kiss, To Kiss a Spy, and Kissed by Shadows)
- Matchmaking trilogy (The Bachelor List, The Bride Hunt, and The Wedding Game).
Another good author is Julia Quinn. Her Bridgerton Family Series is really fun and the novels are really mixed up in their story lines, characters, etc. I am also a fan of Amanda Quick. I love her Lake & March series (Slightly Shady, Don’t Look Back, Late for the Wedding). I mean, when was the last time you encountered a series revolving around mesmerism?
Tasses said: In the interest of total honesty, I have to say that I’m not a romance reader, but I have always wondered what the big fuss was with Nora Roberts. My best friend owns a used bookstore and she can’t keep the woman in stock! Romance seems to make me uncomfortable. I must be a prude!
As to your picks for later… I really liked Eragon. But you pretty-much have to be a fantasy reader as it’s high fantasy. Try not to see the movie. It is horrible. All my fantasy loving friends hated what the movie folks did to a really great book.
I have to ask, is it the romance that bothers you or the sex? If it’s the sex, then you might be able to handle a Roberts novel. She doesn’t focus on the intimate details, but it’s more about the relationship, the courtship, of her characters and a lot of time she doesn’t just focus on one set. She also includes a lot of mystery or realistic drama. Some of it is very soap operish, but there are others where someone in the world could actually relate to it. She also likes to add a lot of mystery to her novels and when she does, the plot stays pretty focused on the mystery. The romance is secondary. This is especially true in The Villa (the one I have been recommending to everyone).
As for Eragon….I’m a fantasy reader as well. I love RA Salvatore and a lot of the Dungeons and Dragons novels (i.e. Margaret Weiss & Tracy Hickman). I’ll make sure I read the book before I check out the movie. I have heard the movie wasn’t as good as the book, but if you didn’t know about the book beforehand, would the movie still have been bad?
So, would you recommend The Villa? (sorry, couldn’t help myself)
In Roquelaure’s version, a Prince claims Beauty, which makes her wake up and restores her father’s kingdom, but her revival doesn’t come without cost. There is no Prince Charming, just a sadist bastard who believes he’s paying Beauty the ultimate compliment by the way he treats her.
Wow, guess you *really* didn’t like this one. It’s squarely in the category of BDSM erotica, light on plot and not what I’d call a romance. So if you’re not into that, you’d definitely want to avoid it. Still, there’s a kinky sort of character development and the “world-building,” if you will, puts the Prince’s kingdom in an interesting context. There have always been deeply sexual interpretations of various fairy tales, whether you agree with them or not, and the waking of Sleeping Beauty particularly doesn’t take much extrapolation to see it.
Like most of Anne Rice’s work, I always see more potential than what gets delivered. There’s a lot of room in this trilogy to compare sexual power games with political ones, but it’s only alluded to in the broadest hints.
I have no problem reading about sadist bastards and their treatment of woman, I just can’t read it all in one sitting like I can the majority of the books I read. I’m still reading the novel and I haven’t formulated an opinion yet. I’m still planning on doing a review once I get through it. I already have some notes and the post has been started, I just need to finish it.