The Good: Julie Garwood always makes strong likable characters and these two are no exception. The side characters, such as Gigi and the glimpse of former main characters, is great. I thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes that involved not only Gigi but the previous "stars."
The mystery/suspense was convoluted enough in this one that I finally didn't guess the bad guy before halfway through the novel, which was a first with a Garwood suspense.

The Bad: The synopsis doesn't quite match the book, at least in my humble opinion. So I was misled on what was going to happen where and felt confused for much of the beginning of the book. I spent quite a few chapters wondering if this was the part where she actually delved into the mystery the cover promised.

Secondly, they don't develop a relationship throughout the book, it is just there. Some sort of cosmic connection that manifests itself in overwhelming lust and true love. (yeah that was sarcasm)
I prefer when she actually takes the time to make the people work at their romance and it would have been nice had these two actually spent some time together before deciding they were destined to have really hot sex and a happily-ever-after.

Overall: I enjoyed the read, even when I spent much time confused. Garwood's characters are always interesting with a strong personality and great sense of humor. While I was dissatisfied with some parts of the book I still have to stay it is a good one to read, especially if you have read her other contemporary romantic suspense novels.

Pending Reads:
New:
Playing with Fire - Gena Showalter
Twice as Hot - Gena Showalter
Last Snow - Eric Van Lustbader
Taken - Barbara Freethy
Played - Barbara Freethy
Rainwater - Sandra Brown
The Breath of Allah - Tempest O'Rourke

Re-read:
(none atm)


February's Reads:
Street Game - Christine Feehan [review:pending]
Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts [review:pending]
Warprize - Elizabeth Vaughan [review:none]
Warlord - Elizabeth Vaughan [review:none]
Play Dirty - Sandra Brown [review:none]

March's Reads:
Ecstasy Unveiled - Larissa Ione [review:pending]
Warlord - Angela Knight [review:none]
Bought:Destitute yet Defiant - Sarah Morgan (Harlequin Presents #2902) [review:none]
The Innocent's Surrender - Sara Craven (Harlequin Presents #2903) [review:none]
Marchese's Forgotten Bride - Michelle Reid (Harlequin Presents #2899) [review:none]

The Good: This book explores the story of the current ultimate bad guy in World of Warcraft. It explains his downfall from favored prince to hated leader of the scourge.
I would have to say my favorite parts were the beginning and the end of the story, which is relayed as being his time spent upon the throne of ice. He arises in the end as the Lich King.

The Bad: Much of this story was already known to anyone who has ever played the game of Warcraft (in any form, be it the mmo or the rts). I learned very little, if anything new, about Arthas. He had well established lore long before this book came out, lots of the dialogue in the book existed from the games and was familiar.
The romance aspect with Jaina felt a bit put on, in my opinion. Arthas, as portrayed in this book, is too self-centered and two dimensional to have a relationship with anyone, let alone a "romance" of any type. I honestly felt he had more feeling for his horse than he did for the girl, which it turns out he did. Go figure.
The layout of the story was awkward for me, as well. The sections were labeled as if the story was going to center around that character (female) in his life but it truly didn't and I am not sure why it was even sectioned in the manner it was.

Overall: I would have to say, while I enjoyed the book, I definitely could have lived without reading it as well. It was good but not great. It gave slightly to the already established lore of Arthas, but not a lot. This is one that can filed under the "take it or leave it" listing.

I will be hosting my first contest! Woo whee! So watch up coming posts for an awesome book contest!