Thursday, January 1, 2015

The Husband List - Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56

15793075
When I hear "Janet Evanovich," I don't think of historical romance. But she has teamed up with Dorien Kelly to write two books in this genre. I'm about halfway through The Husband List, and it's moving slowly. However, since I don't read a lot of historical romance, maybe I'm not a good judge of the genre. The story has its entertaining moments, but I'm feeling like the first 150 pages could have been written in fifty. It's not bad; it's just not grabbing me. This is the second book in a series and, of course, I haven't read the first one! 


Beginning:
Close your eyes and think of chocolate cake, Caroline Maxwell told herself. It was the only way she could get through this tedious dress fitting. Even in the advanced year of 1894, an American heiress had certain rules to follow, and allowing herself to be a pincushion for the House of Worth seemed to be one of them. What Caroline really wanted was adventure, independence and to see the world. But she doubted her parents would ever come to their senses enough to set her free.

Friday 56 (page 56 in my hardback copy - found on Barnes & Nobles' bargain table):
With the butler ushering the way, Caroline and her sisters followed Mama and her little dog like silk-and-lace-garbed ducklings into the salon, in which someone--likely not Mrs. Longhorne--had shown an admirable restraint in the placement of decorations so that the view of the ocean was the room's focus.

Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 309 Pages
Amazon Link: The Husband List

Synopsis from Amazon:
    Based on the family from the bestselling Love In A Nutshell, the story of an heiress longing to marry for love or not at all
     From The New York Times bestselling writing duo Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly, comes the story of a young woman’s search for true love. Caroline Maxwell would like nothing more than to join her brother, Eddie, and his friend, Jack Culhane, on their adventures. While Jack and Eddie are off seeing the world, buying up businesses and building wildly successful careers, Caroline's stuck at home frightening off the men her mother hopes will ask for her hand in marriage.  When her mother sets her sights on the questionable Lord Bremerton as a possible suitor, Caroline struggles with her instincts and the true nature of her heart.  She longs for adventure, passion, love, and most of all . . . Jack Culhane, an unconventional Irish-American bachelor with new money and no title. A completely unacceptable suitor in the eyes of Caroline's mother. But Caroline's dark hair, brilliant eyes and quick wit have Jack understanding just why it is people fall in love and get married.
    Set in New York City in 1894, The Husband List is an American gilded age romantic mystery. It evokes memories of the lavish lifestyles and social expectations of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers—a time when new money from the Americas married Old World social prestige and privilege. Dresses by Worth, transcontinental ocean voyages, lavish parties, a little intrigue, and a lot of romance await in, The Husband List.

                            

Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56.
Click HERE to connect to other Book Beginnings posts (sponsored by Rose City Reader)
Click HERE to join other Friday 56 bloggers (sponsored by Freda's Voice)

20 comments:

  1. I am curious about this one, and I don't often read historical fiction either. This one might be too slow of a pace for me after reading so many intense mysteries lately...LOL. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since I read a fast-paced novel before reading this one, maybe that's why it seems so slow! I'll keep reading to find out how the hero and heroine reach happily ever after.

      Delete
  2. The writing doesn't grab my attention, so I'd let it pass, but thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing. I had no idea she wrote historical romance. I recently got One for the Money - never read anything by her by I do plan on looking into that series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard good things about Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series but haven't read any of the books. I guess I was expecting a similar character in this book. I guess that's not realistic for 1894!

      Delete
  4. This sounds good. I do like a historical romance every once in a while. However, I wouldn't have expected this from the author of the Stephanie Plum books. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have found some of Evanvoich's books to be slow and the Plum series to be treading water. Always a mystery but no forward movement in her love life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm still trying to picture those little ducklings in my mind. Story flow can be everything sometimes. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I haven't read a historical romance in awhile either and I definitely wouldn't have expected a historical to come from Janet Evanovich! Sorry to hear it's moving slowly. I hope that it's picking up and that you're enjoying it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like both the Book Beginning and the Friday 56. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't read anything by this author, and I rarely pick up historical romances, but I could see how authors, in trying to capture the timely setting, could slow the plot down. I hope it works out for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right. The pace is probably right for historical romance and I'm just not used to it. I'll keep reading.

      Delete
  10. I don't associate Evanovich with historical romance either and frankly I have a hard time picturing it. But I like the opener, I'd continue on with it. I hope the pace picks up and you like it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Janet Evanovich, but I didn't know she wrote historical romances. Sounds like it might be good, although I'm not much of an historical reader.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This sounds good. I love the first line about chocolate and the advanced year of 1894. LOL!!

    ENJOY, and Happy New Year!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Book Beginnings

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really like the tone of the voice in the narration, and that beginning is lovely in how it sets the mood for the prose :) Happy New Year Sandra!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I absolutely love that opening! Really grabs me in even though I don't like chocolate! Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hear great things about this author all the time, and I even have a book or two to read, but haven't read anything yet.
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Like how the book started. This looks interesting :)

    BookBeginning@EverythingNyze

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Janet and I don't think of historical romance when I hear her name. If it was in front of me, I would probably read it. I am not a huge fan of the genre, but I can always be surprised by a good writer. Thanks for sharing and I hope you enjoyed your holidays.
    sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting "Writing With a Texas Twang." All comments are sincerely appreciated. Tell me what you think!