Really Unusual Bad Boys by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Really Unusual Bad Boys

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava 2005

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 240

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library

Fun, breezy read featuring an alternate? universe, the Sandlands, and three princes. Oh an by the way the princes change form into giant cats (think jaguar and not house cats). A fun romp for a lazy Sunday. Definitely nothing I would brag about or own. But I did enjoy it. Good little stories. My one big complaint about the book: it felt too short. Three stories, while related, not the same story crammed into 240 pages. I felt like the idea and storyline could have been expanded. Maybe that would have pushed my star rating higher. Oh well. It was a fun couple hours of reading. On to something else.

Under Cover by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Under Cover

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava 2003

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 294

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Contemporary Romance; A to Z Titles: U

I enjoyed this fun little read. Action adventure romance. I've decided that I like this type of contemporary romance over all the others. I want something besides the sex scenes. Those are nice, but I need plot. I need a conflict. I need something else to be driving the characters.

This volume included three stories populated by the same large group of characters. Like all short story anthologies, the stories appealed to me differently.

1. "Sweet Strangers" -- This story was okay. I liked the main female character, Renee Jardin. My only issue--Renee and Eric jumping into bed (metaphorically, as there was no bed involved) within ~two hours of meeting. I know this can happen in real life, but this story felt a bit rushed. On the other hand, the plot was interesting and did a good job of introducing the characters for the next two stories.

2. "Lovely Lies" -- Definitely my favorite of the three stories. I loved Lori and Peter. Lori felt like a real character. Peter was enough of a thug for his background, but with a real soft spot inside. Great characters, good plot, interesting dialogue. I was really into this story. Read it in one setting way past my bedtime.

3. "Delightful Deception" -- Dr. Jimmy Scrye was hands down my favorite male character. But Dr. Thea Foster just didn't connect to me. I know she was supposed to be IQ (the Ice Queen). However, she was too icy. I just couldn't see how Scrye could really fall for her. I just didn't see it at all. On the other hand (yeah I know back and forth and back and forth in these stories) I loved the dialogue in this story. Snappy, imaginative, and full of sarcasm.

So far, I've read many Davidson books, and I must say I think she's really hit and miss for me. I liked the Alaskan Royals trilogy. I liked the Fred the Mermaid trilogy. I liked the first Cyborg adventure and couldn't finish the second one. I'll probably get around to the rest of her books soon. They're short, they're fun, they have fun characters, they have good sex scenes. Overall a decent author for a beach read. (Now to find a beach to read on)

Fish Out of Water by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Fish Out of Water (Fred the Mermaid #3)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Jove Books 2008

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 270

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; March Fantasy Month; A to Z Titles: F

Fred the Mermaid has taken the bait and chosen to date Artur, Prince of the Black Sea, over human marine biologist Thomas. And just in time. The existence of the Undersea Folk is no longer a secret, and someone needs to keep them from floundering in the media spotlight. Fred has all the right skills for that job, but has a hard time when her real father surfaces and tries to overthrow Artur’s regime.

The conclusion to Fredrika the Mermaid's story was a fun read for the day. During the second book, I was concerned about the direction of the love story. Thankfully, the love story righted itself and ended well. A fun fantasy with a failed royal coup and the appearance of long-thought-dead relatives. I really enjoyed reading Fred's journey out in the open. Now, I really think it's time to move on to something a bit more deep.... (wait for the next review, you'll get the joke)

Fred the Mermaid

Swimming without a Net by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Swimming without a Net (Fred the Mermaid #2)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Jove Books 2007

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 271

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; March Fantasy Month

As Fred the Mermaid tries to fit in with her own kind, she finds herself hooked on both Artur, the High Prince of the undersea realm, and Thomas, a hunky marine biologist. She's also caught between two factions of merfolk: those happy with swimming under the radar-and those who want to bring their existence to the surface.

Another fun breezy read. This one focusing on Frederika Bimm's introduction into the Undersea Folks' world. It was interesting to see how she attempted to fit into the Undersea Folks with the discussion of her background and her bio-dad. And the addition of some new characters like Tennian and King Mekkam breathed new life into the story. Read in a day... not too memorable, but a good rainy day's read.

Fred the Mermaid

Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Sleeping with the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid #1)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Jove Books 2006

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 268

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; March Fantasy Month

Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.
While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.

Fun book. Reminded me of Davidson's Alaskan Royal Family series. Lighthearted most of the time, a cute love story, a steamy sex scene (one and not even involving the man character) and a sort of wrap-up. A fun, distracting read for a icky day. Davidson is definitely a go-to author of light breezy entertaining reads.

There's not a whole lot to say about the book, but I did enjoy it. Of course there are two more books in this series. And I have both from the library. So, guess what I'm reading next? Yep, next up is Swimming without a Net.

Fred the Mermaid

Sleeping with the Fishes
Swimming without a Net
Fish Out of Water

Hello, Gorgeous! by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: Hello, Gorgeous!

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava 2005

Genre: Cyborg Romance

Pages: 195

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library

One minute I'm out with my sorority sisters; the next there's a terrible accident (beyond my friend Stacey's outfit) and I'm waking up in some weird clinic transformed into a human cyborg--with a mission: to stop evil and stuff. Uh, hello? I've got a beauty salon to run.
Granted, it is cool to run faster than a Ford Mustang when I need to, even if it's totally hard on my shoes. But then I have to bring in another human cyborg on the run? One who happens to be male, totally gorgeous, smart, funny--and, um, his "enhancements"?--as if!

Okay pretty entertaining. Not a "stay-with-me-forever" read, but definitely fun for a day read. I enjoyed Davidson's Alaskan Royalty trilogy. This was the beginning of the Cyborg series. Like the Royal series, this was one was funny. Full of crazy adventures, quirky characters, and funny dialogue. I really liked the main character, Caitlyn. She's just wild enough, but still likeable.

I started the second book, but just couldn't get into it. I eventually stopped reading it after about 70 pages. Just like the Royal series, there was a wild difference in likeability. Oh well, on to the next book.

Cyborg series (DNFed series)

#1 Hello, Gorgeous
#2 Drop Dead, Gorgeous

The Royal Mess by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: The Royal Mess (Alaskan Royal Family #3)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava Books (Kensington) 2007

Genre: Romance

Pages: 210

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Contemporary Romance; February Romance Month

Jeffrey Rodinov is descended from one of the oldest families in Alaska, and a Rodinov has been protecting a Baranov for generations. No one ever sees Jeffrey Rodinov coming, and no one-not even a mouthy, illegitimate princess-is going to keep him from playing bodyguard when his king decrees it.
But no Rodinov ever had to protect Princess Nicole Krenski. Her credentials? Hunting guide in the Alaskan wilderness. Smart. Stubborn bordering on exasperating. The lady says she doesn’t need a bodyguard, but that’s where she’s wrong. Someone needs to watch her and show her the royal ropes. Someone who can make her feel like a queen-in and out of bed.

Final book in the Alaskan royals trilogy was a fun read. Nothing too deep. Nothing too sad or happy. Just a fun little romance romp in 210 pages (really less if you count all the white space). I enjoyed the other two books in the trilogy (The Royal Treatment and The Royal Pain) but this one was probably my favorite. The characters were fun; not in a "I connected to them" way, but funny characters. The rest of the royal family was a hoot, per usual. I still think my favorite character in the entire trilogy is Prince Nicholas, something about being the rebel of the family is very endearing. A good, fun read for Valentine's Day (and yes I read the entire book on Valentine's Day, just took me a day to get around to the review).

Alaskan Royal Family

The Royal Pain by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: The Royal Pain (Alaskan Royal Family #2)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava (Kensington Publishing Corp.) 2005

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 252

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Titles: R

Marine biologist Dr. Shel (“Never Sheldon”) Rivers has a problem. Some princess expects him to wait on her, hand and dimpled foot. His boss is taken with the royal redhead—brunette, whatever, it's not like he keeps track of that stuff—and nobody realizes that he just wants to be left alone in his lab. All alone. All the time. Weekends, holidays…it's all good.
Now here's Miss Royalpants, insisting that he escort her around the marine institute, explain what he's doing, kiss her until her toes curl…no, wait, that was his idea. She's not even apologetic about being born into a royal family! Says it's his problem to overcome, not hers. Which leaves him with one option: to kiss her again. And again. And…
So she's nothing like he expected. In fact, Dr. Rivers can see that this fantastic, exasperating woman has problems no princess should ever have to deal with. And he has an idea to help her get some much-needed sleep. Of course, it involves getting very, very tired beforehand, but if she's up to it, then so is he…

Kinda disappointed in this one. I read the first book in the series and absolutely loved it. The second book felt a little flat. I think I just couldn't connect to the two main characters. Princess Alex is very unlikable. I know the character is supposed to be complicated, but it seems like she has too many problems. I found myself wanting to reach into the book and smack her. Get a grip, woman! As for the male interest, Dr. Sheldon Rivers is an arrogant ass and never changed through the whole book. The one scene that sticks out is where they start arguing and as they argue they undress to have sex. Ugh! The entire scene was so fake and orchestrated. I wanted to like the book. Really I did... but I just couldn't. I read to the end hoping the characters would come to their senses, but nothing really changed. I saw that there's a third one in the series. I got it from the library. but have put it at the bottom of the stack for right now. I am changing gears and going to go for some paranormal book.

Alaskan Royal Family

The Royal Treatment by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: The Royal Treatment (Alaskan Royal Family #!)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava (Kensington Publishing Corp.) 2004

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 268

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Authors: D

In a world nearly identical to ours, the North won the Civil War, Ben Affleck is the sexiest man alive, and Russia never sold Alaska to the U.S. Instead, Alaska is a rough, beautiful country ruled by a famously eccentric royal family, and urgently in need of a bride for the Crown Prince. But they have no idea what they're in for when they offer the job to a feisty commoner...a girl who's going to need...
The Royal TreatmentThe Princess-To-Be Primer,
Or, Things I've Learned Really Quick, As Compiled by Her Future Royal Highness--Yeah, Whatever--Christina. That's me.
1. Telling jokes you picked up from the guys on the fishing boat doesn't go over really well at a fancy ball.
2. Must learn to curtsy, stifle burps, and tell the difference between a salad fork and a fruit knife.
3. Must not keep thinking about Prince David's amazing eyes, lips, hands, shoulders, uh...wait, can I start over?
4. Becoming a princess is a lot harder than it looks.
5. Falling in love is a whole lot easier...

I've not read much contemporary romance that didn't have an paranormal aspect to it, so this is definitely new to me. If the rest are like this book, I am going to love the genre!

I found the characters likable and real. Each had faults, but that made them more likable. There's nothing worse than a character who's seemingly perfect. How is the reader supposed to connect with someone who doesn't have any problems? They can't and it usually makes the book boring. Davidson allows her characters (even the love interests) to be interesting. And because of that interestingness (I know not a word, but I like it) the reader connects to them.

The story itself is fun: an adventure in romance and royalty. The universe Davidson created does differ from our own in that Alaska is a separate country ruled by a royal family. But that's more of a plot device instaed of an aspect of fantasy. The plot is classic: lost girl, seemingly stuffy guy, meddling family, aspects of danger, and a romance all thrown into one.

I really like this book and saw that Davidson made a trilogy all set in this slightly alternative universe. I picked up the other two books: The Royal Pain and The Royal Kiss and plan on reading them next! Then I think it's time to move to real fantasy or science fiction or maybe even zombies for a change of pace.

Alaskan Royal Family

The Royal Treatment
The Royal Pain
The Royal Mess