Book Hangover

Book Hangover 
book hang-o-ver noun
a severe headache or other after effects caused by reading an excessively good book into the wee hours of the morning.

“I have the worst book hangover! But it was so worth it!”

This summer has been a bit of a challenge, but it has given me the opportunity to read more. (We call that research in the writing world. And it's my favorite kind!) There have been some decent books, and then there have been some of those that resulted in a book hangover like none other. Do I regret it? Nope. It's all the name of art, my friends!

They're all clean reads and they feature at least a spark of romance. In case you're looking for something fabulous to read, here's what I'd had my nose in lately:

Painting Kisses by Melanie Jacobson (YA Romance)
Lia Carswell is good at what she does. The popular waitress works hard and with her witty personality and good looks, she's something of an enigma to the male customers who vie for her attention. Lia keeps her distance, with one exception. Aidan's clever teasing draws Lia's attention, though Lia would never let their relationship get serious, especially since he's not the only one trying to catch her eye. Then her old New York artist life comes knocking. It would ensure financial security for her family, but Lia doesn't know if she wants that life anymore. When she undertakes one final project, she reawakens her heart and soul. And as she finds herself falling in love and needing an outlet more and more, she realizes her paintings might be her saving grace.

My review: 5 stars! This is my top summer read! Melanie is gifted at creating strong yet fragile heroines. The romance that blossoms throughout the story is complex and beautiful and keeps a girl reading far into the night. I adored it! Possibly my favorite aspect of Painting Kisses was seeing the world through Lia's artist's eyes. It was beautiful and amazing.

Forbidden, Kimberley Griffiths Little (YA Fiction)
In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden's tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden's turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe's leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family's position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden's heart. Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden's heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb's increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden's every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.
My review: 5 stars! A truly wonderful read. It's clear that Kimberley has done some amazing research and weaves it together with an enchanting story of her own making. Intrigue, romance, and tradition draw the reader in and yes, keep you reading well into the night!

Ignite, Sara B. Larson (YA Fiction)
Alexa continues to harbor a secret love for the newly crowned King Damian, yet she remains by his side as his guard and ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people. However, when a new threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on the once friendly nation of Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. Once again the fate of her country hangs in the balance. Will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

My review: 5 stars! I absolutely loved Defy, the first book in the series as well as Ignite. Action/adventure and romance surrounding a truly fantastic main character makes for a great story. For more, read my posts Ignite and Tragically Flawed Or Not.

Victoria's Promise, Julie Wright (Christian Fiction)

A luxurious mansion. Thirty stunning bachelorettes. One very eligible bachelor. All of the ingredients are in place for a successful reality dating show, and behind the scenes, Tori Winters is set to pull the strings as assistant director of Vows. Despite her distaste for public exhibitions of love, Tori intends to give the public exactly what they want: scintillating footage of a bevvy of beauties vying for the attention of Christopher Caine. But Chris, a consummate Southern gentleman and the star of Vows, seems almost too good to be true—and soon, even Tori finds herself falling under his spell. With the support of her friends in the Newport Ladies Book Club, Tori must decide if she is willing to jeopardize all she’s worked for in order to embrace her own fairy-tale ending.

My review: 4 stars. I appreciated Julie's skill as a writer. And a behind-the-scenes story of reality TV? Well, that's bound to be interesting. Definitely a quick, breezy, romantic read. However, I didn't jive as well with this story as I did with the others. But it is part of a series of books all about the Newport Ladies Book Club, which I'd enjoy reading.

Sophia, Paula Kremser (Historical Fiction)

Small-town Sophia Spencer can't believe her luck when an unexpected inheritance sweeps her up into the glittering London social scene. With more invitations to balls, parties, and country drives than she can keep up with, Sophia is soon lost in the swirl of dresses and dances, friendships and flirtations. But her happiness comes to an abrupt halt the moment she's caught napping in a gentleman's bedroom—and forced into an engagement to protect her reputation! 

My review: 3.5 stars. Honestly, I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one. It had a lovely cover and the storyline was compelling (seriously, hand me anything Regency Romance/Clean Read and I'm all over it!) but the beginning didn't grab me. Fifty pages in and I was hooked! Sophia is a fun character with a mind of her own in a time when reputation meant the difference between life and death. According to society anyway.

Anything sound interesting? I've linked all the titles to Amazon, so you can easily check them out or purchase them if you're interested. Any hey, Becoming Beauty is also a sassy summer romance that has been known to result in the occasional book hangover. I really am enjoying my summer of reading and if I get my act together, there may even be another collection of amazing books coming your way!

In case none of these float your boat, here are some other books that I've reviewed: Miranda Hart, Letters To My Future Husband, Where Life Takes You, Persuaded, The Rent Collector, and Not My Type.