Sabrina Jeffries is a long time favorite of mine. I read and reread and reread her books. All of them have things that are distinctly SJ and yet display her amazing growth as a writer with each new book. I was talking to Stephanie about this the other day and I came to the conclusion that growth doesn’t have to mean exorcism-author doesn't have to jump through hoops to write in a whole new way. If it ain’t broke... ya know?I’ve read a few authors say that the reason people don’t like their new books is because they’re ‘growing’ as authors. I don’t think writing a new style of book always equals growth. I don’t think switching genres even equals growth 100% of the time.
Improving and growing is expected, of course. For me it’s even celebrated! But SJ is my example of what growth truly is at its finest.
There are things I have come to expect from an SJ novel. There will be hot sex, crackling sexual tension, some hilarious jokes and masterful conflicts for the hero and heroine to overcome.
But SJ changes and, yes, grows with every single one of her books without sacrificing who she is as a writer. Without throwing out her ‘voice’ , if you will. Without changing what makes her unique and distinctive. I would know an SJ book even if there were no title and name attached to it.
Her newest book, Wed Him Before You Bed Him, blew me away. I was shocked by who Cousin Michael wound up being. And she had seeded hints everywhere in the preceding School For Heiresses series. I just missed them. Missed them by A LOT!SJ has grown in the types of characters she constructs. They’re deeper and some of them are downright dark. They have unique backgrounds that are a joy to learn about. She weaves more and more complex plots. You won’t find many two-dimensional characters in her books and situations are always more complex than you’d expect. And further, her newest example of growth is in her ability to keep the continuity of a series and not let it get stale. She also, as previously stated, managed to keep a character's identity secret while offering clues until said character's book over the course of the whole series. Wow.
In WHBYBH Charlotte has a lot of baggage that keeps her from realizing a relationship with the 'one'- the love of her life- for far more years than it should have taken.
The hero(I won’t give his name because I want to hear back from you if it surprises you or not) is so in love, but it gets so mixed up in hurt and resentment and hate(in the beginning of their break) that he doesn’t act for years on what he’s truly known all along: she is it for him.
This is a reunion tale and it’s probably the most well done one I’ve come across in a long time(other than EJ's TDOM!!!). Recently a reunion story came out that I had been anticipating for years. Seriously, YEARS! And it was such a huge disappointment that I couldn’t even finish it. So I came into this story knowing that after a five book and two novella setup, this book stood to fail miserably. Thank goodness it didn’t!!
I recommend this book so highly that it actually makes me feel awful to think I’m setting this book up for failure. Offering this much praise and hype can only lead to others being completely disappointed. But no matter what angle I look at this novel from, I can’t find a flaw.
Another you all need to read is What Happens In London… JQ’s newest masterpiece. I won’t review it because I know many haven’t read it yet and I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING!It's not that there are any shocks to the plot, the jokes are just more fun if you experience them firsthand with fresh eyes. JQ is another example of an author that grows but still maintains the magic that all of her books own. If after reading the first chapter of WHIL you’re not hooked, I’ll be shocked. So amazingly good.
Happy reading!
Any books you’re anticipating? Any books you want to gush about? This Tuesday is a big one. Lots of fantabulous new books coming out. Good luck finding me online during this week. I’m pulling a 24/7 reading session. lol. Not really, but the books are deserving.
PS: Anyone else have a David Bowie song stuck in their head?
10 comments:
I was fortunate to get to talk to Sabrina quite a bit during Nationals last year, and even on the plane back across the country. She is one of the nicest and funniest people you'll ever meet. But I still haven't gotten around to her books! I can't wait to dive in and I'm hearing great things about this book everywhere.
I was also lucky to get a pre-release download of Julia's book, but couldn't get the download thing to work. *sigh* When I tried again, it said I already had the book. So I gave up. LOL! I'll just have to pick up a copy in DC.
Terri, you'll love the books! Contrary to what Kel says, I really don't think she's setting the book(s) up for failure. Sabrina's books live up to their reputation and it's so much more fun having met her and knowing her personality. I was just gushing about SJ to my mum the other day and I really think you'll see everything that we love about SJ in her books.
What a great review, Kel!
I seriously adore Sabrina Jeffries. Back when I was a beginning Romance reader and didn't yet read reviews, my reading choices were pretty blind - pretty covers, back copy, and blurbs were my only decision-makers. She's one of those authors I discovered through randomly picking up her book from a B&N kiosk years ago. The book was The Dangerous Lord and I've been hooked ever since!
WHBYBH is sitting on my Kindle right now, waiting for me to finish with other reads. So glad to know the build-up was worth it...and that Cousin Michael turns out to be such a delightful hero!
And, Ter, you sat next to her on the plane back from RWA? Color me jealous! She really is a hilarious woman...I was cracking up the whole JQ lunch last year, when she was sitting across the table!
Mary - Actually Sabrina was a few rows in front of J Perry and I, but she hung out inn the aisle talking to us for most of the trip. It was almost traumatic when we got to the Atlanta airport and we all three had to go our seperate ways!
Girls, you are so lucky to have met SJ and I'm glad to hear she lives up to my preconceived expectations.lol.
Ter, I had difficulty reading the JQ e-ARC as well. Plus, I wanted it on my Kindle and it wouldn't go. Reading off the my computer monitor is not fun. Luckily JQ is good enough to make me forget that I'm in Hell.lol.
Steph, I so hope you're right. Setting books up for failure is a big concern of mine because when I read glowing reviews I am typically disappointed with the final project. This is why I love negative reviews.*g*
Mer, yes! I randomly picked up SJ books and got hooked,too. My initiation into romance was from my good friend at the time who would point me in the direction of the books with the most sex.lol. Well, she ran out of books to recommend after a while and I found myself flying blind in Wal-Mart trying to feed my new habit. Pretty covers and interestig blurbs sucked me in-though in truth, I pretty much bought everything that was on the shelves.
I came to the web really late in my addiction. But boy is it great that we have it now!!
Ter, awww that's sweet. J Perry must be hysterical too, though! I find her blogs to be hilarious! And she's your bf so you'd know.:)
I read Romance for years using the "pretty cover/good blurb" method and only realized after getting online that's I'd missed a TON of authors. I still have no idea how that happened. I'm blaming Jo Beverly and Nora for taking all my time searching out their backlists. LOL!
J Perry is my BFF and she is AWESOME! LOL! It's like having this adorable, hysterical, highly intelligent cheerleader with me at all times. LOL!
I don't think I've ever read a Sabrina Jeffries novel, but obviously I am seriously missing out--what a great homage!
And I didn't know JQ had another one out!
Alyssa! No SJ? Wow! You are so lucky to get to read her for the first time!!
Run buy the new JQ! WHIL is a masterpiece.:)
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