The Betrayal of the Blood Lily

Okay, so I finished The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig today. I must say that it surpassed my expectations. I was really looking forward to reading it, but at the same time I was kind of hesitant because of how different from the previous books it was - completely different setting, the main character already being married. But it was really good. The character development was more pronounced in this novel than the previous, for both Penelope and Captain Reid. Once I started, I could barely put the book down, which is slightly detrimental to the whole going to class and doing homework and working thing that I'm apparently expected to do as a college student. No one seems to take into account that I would rather be reading. More's the pity. Ha. Thus I have read this novel over the dragging pace of three days. It was brutal to have to pause to do practical things like class. But anyway, I would definitely recommend this book as well as the rest of the Pink Carnation series. Unlike some series where the quality of the books steadily declines the more that are written, I have found that each installment in the Pink Carnation series meets, indeed surpasses, expectations, not a small feat when there are already six books out. :)

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

So, I am currently rereading Lauren Willig's fantastic Pink Carnation series in preparation for the newest release in January, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily. Every time I open one of Lauren Willig's books, I am drawn in. I've read this series countless times but I continually turn back to read it again. I can't wait until the next book is released. I preordered it online and it seems like January 10th can't come fast enough. So, I'm passing the time by going back to the beginning, back to Amy and Richard. I'm excited at that prospect, too. I'm even having Nick, my boyfriend, read the series. He's not too thrilled (he doesn't like "girly books" and apparently if it has a flower in the title, it's girly.), but I agreed to read a Star Wars book in return, which will doubtlessly be an interesting endeavor.