Candace Havens

Terrific story. I loved the way it started out and how Ben and Ainsley met. Ben lost a bet with his friends, which left him doing the Christmas shopping for his unit's Toys for Tots donations and the local retirement homes. He was in way over his head as he stood in the Barbie aisle at the toy store. I loved seeing him talking to himself and all but pulling his hair out. Luckily for him, a fellow shopper came to his rescue. Ainsley is a professional shopper, and Ben's situation tugs at her show more heart. I loved seeing her step in and walk him through it all.

Both Ben and Ainsley are career-focused, with no plans for any serious relationships in their immediate futures. But they can't deny the attraction that flares between them. They also suffer from over-zealous friends and family who keep throwing potential dates and mates at them. They form a quick friendship and mutual support team, as they promise to be each other's "plus one" during the holidays. I loved seeing them get to know each other and discover just how much they had in common. Both are hard workers who have plans for their futures. Both of them are big into helping other people. Their conversations are fun and flirty, and they really seem to understand each other. But each of them has a hot-button issue. Ben is a little bit insecure about his background. He grew up poor and joined the Marines right out of high school as a way to take care of his mom and sister. He's a little bit intimidated by the wealth that Ainsley comes from. Ainsley's problem is that of trying to prove and maintain her independence, especially against her father's machinations. She tends to get pretty huffy with anyone who wants to "take care of her."

There were some terrific scenes of Ben and Ainsley together. I especially enjoyed the night of the bachelor auction and watching Ben go all out to help Ainsley make her goal. I liked seeing Ainsley with Ben's friends and how well she fit in with them. But I could also see that there was trouble brewing as the night of her family's Christmas party drew nearer. I ached for Ben, whose insecurities got quite a workout when he saw her parents' house. I liked how Ainsley did her best to put him at ease. I was furious at her father's interference and the terrible things he said to Ben. Ben might have gotten through that okay, but he then had to listen to some pretentious jerk putting the moves on Ainsley. His insecurities collided with his jealousy, and he said some really boneheaded and hurtful things to her. I ached for Ainsley who was blindsided by his words and actions.

I liked seeing how both of them dealt with what had happened. I cheered when Ainsley had it out with her dad, and loved the support she got from her sister. I also liked seeing her brain start to work again, and how she thought about the things said and what may have driven them. I laughed at Ben's arrival home and how his mom and sister pried the story of what happened out of him. I especially enjoyed the insight of his seventeen-year-old sister. That same sister had a very effective way of getting Ben and Ainsley back together. I loved their big moment at the end and seeing the calm and cool Ainsley totally lose it. The epilogue was a terrific wrap up to the story.

I liked Ainsley's friend Bebe and Ben's friend Jake. I especially enjoyed Bebe's unexpected arrival the evening Ben and Ainsley were "cooking" in the kitchen. Her unflappable reaction was hilarious. I liked the close friendship between Jake and Ben. It was great fun to see Jake tease Ben about how much he was into Ainsley. show less

An interesting but somewhat fluffy look at Joss Whedon's career. This book has the same almost naive as the Mary Tyler Moore biography I read last year. The book was written at a time when Buffy and Angel were both on the air. Firefly though floundering was still on the air but there's no mention of the upcoming film, Serenity.

What the book doesn't admit to is the possibility that Joss could burn out -- which it appears he has from recent interviews. Joss is clearly very driven and clearly show more loves his work but does he know how to slow down?

I found the insights into the storylines fascinating. Joss clearly lives by the adage of "write what you know" and it shows in his work. Can you tell that I'm a fan? :) show less

Rubenesque paranormal romance is a fave, but this dragged for a bit and the angst dried up a little too quickly for my tastes. The world-building was a little spotty with the h being in the dark for the majority of the book, and the sexual tension led to a pretty abrupt sex scene. Still, there seems to be hints at a series, and I liked it enough to give it another go. (2.5 stars)

I almost didn't bother with this second Caruthers Sisters book since I was so disappointed with The Demon King and I. But in the end I'm glad I did. Dragons Prefer Blonds was much better. Possibly simply because much of the premise was established in book one so more of the story could be dedicated to Alex and her adventures and less to describing the family's basic awesomeness.

I still felt like there was some shaky plotting going on. Bailey was said to have invented so much that I was left show more wondering if previous Guardian Keys fought with stone axes and pointy sticks. Despite it being stated numerous times that there were other Guardians, and even two of them showcased here, it felt like the Caruthers fought all alone. No one else ever seemed to be called to council meetings and such--things like that.

I also liked Alex. She was a bloodthirsty heroine and I could appreciate that. She did pull a couple stupid female stunts...turning around so fast she tripped over her own feet and fell into the rock hard chest of her heart throb, etc. I mean really, who does that? That stuff always annoys me. But I liked how willing to storm into battle she was and that she chose the human over the paranormal hotly. That's unusual, though it does bring the title into question.

I also thought that, while not absent, the family's social life wasn't played so heavily here. So I was more able to concentrate on the good versus evil aspect of the story. Though, it did feel unfinished in the end. Sure they killed the presumed leader of the kidnapping ring, but that seemed a drop in the pond compared to the evil at work on the whole. I guess that's what the rest of the series is for. The problem is that, while the reader is told how horrible it is, we don't see much of it.

Final say: not as bad a book one, not topping my most-loved list, but not a bomb either. It's a fun enough bit of fluff. show less