Customer Reviews

Mad, Bad and Blonde (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I usually do not review books, instead preferring to read the synopsis (synopsii?) already written. However, this book made me nuts and almost made the DNF pile. My main gripe is the constant references to the the hero's former Marine status. I almost - just to prove my point - went back through and counted how many references to being a former Marine, a warrior, or some other needless reference to Marine-dom. My husband was a Marine (I was Navy), we met in A School and I lived next door to the Marine barracks, and I don't think we've said the word Marine as much as the author did in this book. I get that he's tough and hard-core, I don't need reminders every other paragraph. A lot of snappy dialogue, with luke-warm love scenes. And honestly, this may very well be my own issue with the book, especially since I tend to gravitate toward authors like Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole who write about real bad-a$$ guys and there is very little dialogue used to have to convince the reader of that, plus the love scenes are, um, lovelier ;).

This is my first book by Cathie Linz. Though the storyline involves some unhappy times, the bulk of this book is just plain fun! It's full of laugh-out-loud moments and witty remarks, along with characters (both lead and secondary) that are charming and entertaining from the first page to the last. It's one of those books that just leaves a smile on your face and to me, that's what makes a worthwhile afternoon of reading!

I read an exerpt and that was enough to make me go out and get the book. I did not want to stop reading it. It was that good. Caine is a sexy Alpha male hero and Faith is feisty and fun, and a good match for Caine. This was the first book of Cathie Linz's that I've read, but it won't be the last.

In Chicago, her fiancé Alan sends Faith West a text message that he is not coming to marry her as she waits at the altar. Rather than weep, the sharp-shooting librarian decides to go on her honeymoon to Positano, Italy by herself.

There she meets Caine Hunter, who gives the Heimlich to some guy trying to impress Faith by choking on a French fry. Caine and Faith share a heated night, but in the morning she checks into her new paramour. He works for her father's rival insuring she does not steal a client from them. However, that is only the shallow segue of what he wants. He believes her father caused his dad to commit suicide after accusing him of embezzlement so he plots to destroy West through his daughter.

Mad, Bad and Blonde is an interesting lighthearted contemporary romance that looks at how far family loyalties should go. Fans will want to know whether the Dark Knight or the kick butt librarian is right about their dads while also wondering how Jane Austen would feel attending games at Wrigley Field writing about the Cubs.

Harriet Klausner

Cathie Linz has penned another lovely story in Mad, Bad and Blonde.

Children's Librarian Faith West receives the ultimate betrayal when she is left at the altar. Faith decides to go ahead on her Italian Honeymoon. She thought it would do her some good to get away from it all. Faith didn't think she would be attracted to a stranger so soon. What Faith doesn't know is Caine Hunter has been sent to keep a close eye on her.

PI Caine Hunter followed Faith West to Italy for his boss. Caine also has an ulterior motive to be keeping an eye on Faith. Caine holds Faith's PI father responsible for his own father's death. Caine hadn't planned on falling into bed with the enemy's daughter. Once the truth comes out can he get back in her good graces?

Back in Chicago, Caine and Faith join forces to find out the truth about Caine's fathers alleged suicide. Spending so much time together has them both learning to trust each other.

Mad, Bad and Blonde is a romance lovers delight. Faith and Cain start out explosive and when the truth comes out they have to reconnect on a different level. Their dialogue is fresh and witty. The family connections are another treat in this special story. I can't wait to read Megan's story.

Faith's fiance leaves her at the alter via text - she takes her honeymoon alone to Italy and meets Mr. Right or is it Mr. Wrong. This book will make you smile with a nice romance, dash of mystery and excellent cast of character. Here are a few of my favorite by this author;Big Girls Don't Cry (Berkley Sensation),Smart Girls Think Twice (Berkley Sensation),Good Girls Do (Berkley Sensation), Bad Girls Don't (Berkley Sensation) - All Excellent!

What a delight from start to finish. Fun characters, interesting situation, super dialogue,
a fast paced gallop through the whole story. Loved the chemistry between the h/h. Loved the 'loyalty'
theme. Loved Aunt Lorraine. :) Hated to finish the book, because it was a savor-er from the first page. Yeah, Cathie Linz!

My first book by Cathie Linz - and you can believe I'll be getting all her others to read. I just hope they are all as fun as this one. I loved everything about this book, all the little facts shared about the characters. I loved the librarian tidbits, the ipod tunes, favorite books and movies, trivia references, etc., etc. And the quick repartee between the hero and heroine were fun, too. I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of light, romantic fiction with mystery thrown in. Thank you, Cathie Linz.

I became friends with Cathie Linz on facebook. Whenever I become friends with an author I check out what their books are about and all that. Her book sounded really interesting so I finally saved up my pennies and got a copy. I am so happy I did this.

Now, my opinion! This book, to me, really stressed women empowerment. Faith, (and yes I find it funny that my main character in Vampyre Kisses is also named Faith ::giggles::) started out in this book feeling weak and vulnerable. Show of hands, how many have you felt that way? Cause I know I have! The reason I could really relate to her was also because she didn't know what she wanted but she wanted to do what would make her happy. She wanted to go "where your heart lies" (page 270) and I think some of us forget this.

We take jobs that are good enough for us because they pay the bills, but not because they make us happy. I for one want to find what Faith ended up finding. I think I have with my writing but I don't really get paid well enough to do that. But she didn't give up. She made decisions that were right for her. Even when they weren't the right decisions after all she still took what she could learn from them and kept going. That to me is a really amazing trait in a person.

The dynamic between Faith and Cain was a lot of fun to read. They hate each other but they just can't keep their hands off one another. That was so much fun cause you never knew where or when they were going to kiss next! It also holds you in suspense of wondering if they will be able to be together. Something you will have to read the book to figure out.

Also, the story line was fantastic. Personally, I'm a great detective when I what NCIS and read books. I normally figure out the ending pretty quick. I had a feeling I knew where this book was going but in the end I couldn't figure out how Cain was going to react. That was what really pushed me to finish this book; because depending on his reaction would make him able to be with Faith or not.

Truly, I really enjoyed reading this book. I am a slow reader to begin with but the longer I take on a book normally means it isn't really exciting me. I finished this book in four days. It would have been sooner but I had a Roller Derby bout on Saturday and went to Frightland on Sunday. I hope my review gets you hyped up to read this book. I truly can't wait for the second one to come out!

Best quote from book: "Faith was such a strange combination of vulnerability and strength, of power and empathy, of primness and passion. And he loved her, God help him." (page 253)

I think that quote explains the way the reader ends up feeling about Faith in the book as well. At least, it did for me. '

Happy Reading!

Liz Kolodziej ^_^
[...]

Faith is left at the altar by her fiance, who thinks she's boring and leaves for Bali to "find himself." Determined not to let this ruin her, Faith goes on her honeymoon alone. While on her honeymoon, she meets hunky former Marine, Caine Hunter. What she doesn't know is that he has his own agenda when it comes to her.

Faith is smart and witty, and she was able to push forward after a situation that would have broken most people. I truly liked how she kept thinking and regarding life in terms of "what would Jane Austen do." The chemistry between Faith and Caine was smoking hot and more than just sexually charged. The two of them had this dry, witty back and forth interactions with each that was hilarious at times. Especially while working together.

I loved these two together from the start. Caine was the perfect fit for Faith. Someone who could go toe-to-toe with her and still let her be herself.

Another interesting thing about Faith, not only did she think in terms of Jane Austen, but in music as well. She had a soundtrack for every aspect of her life. Every mood had a song. There were references for every song you could imagine. I Hate Everything About You, Don't Speak, A Life Less Ordinary, Jump, Irreplaceable, You Give Love a Bad Name, Don't Stop Believin', just to name a few. Maybe I need to get a playlist for my life.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the follow up to this one, Luck Be a Lady.