The Present

Rating:
Summary: Too Many Plotlines, Not Enough Romance
Review: It's hard to compare "The Present" to the last 5 Malory novels, since "The Present" is a novella with three storylines: one involving the Malory family at Christmas, another continuing Jason and Molly's secret love affair from "Say You Love Me," and the third revolving around The Present itself, which is the tale of how grandparents Christopher and Anastasia Malory defied social convention to marry. I very much enjoyed the Malory family reunion, which introduced all our past hero's and heroine's new babies, as well as included much-loved bickering between Anthony and James. However, I think it's safe to say only someone who has read all the Malory novels will appreciate (and be able to follow) the MANY characters present at Haverston for Christmas. I'm also glad "The Present" tied up loose ends with Jason and Molly, as their situation seemed so sad in "say You Love Me."

That said, this being a short book, with so many different characters, I think that the romance between the actual hero and heroine of this book - namely, Lord Christopher and the Gypsy Anastasia - was definitely short-changed. Christopher pretty much lusted after Anastasia, while Anastasia had only one day to pick an Englishman to marry to save herself from a brutal Gypsy bridegroom. This is hardly romantic, especially since Christopher was so drunk he didn't even remember marrying her. In fact, their love (or lust) affair flies by so quick you might miss it if you blink. Their bizarre courtship could be forgiven if it were drawn out and filled in with seriously steamy love scenes, as JL has done many times before in other books. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Something else I noticed about "The Present" were some questionable items in the family trees. Can anyone explain why Warren Anderson's children have Malory last names, why George's twins aren't even listed on the Anderson Family tree, and why it is written that Warren and Amy have an older son named Eric, yet only the twins were mentioned in the story? Very odd.

Anyway, "The Present" is a light, fast read (two hours for me) that most likely would appeal to Malory fans; anyone who has never read a Malory novel would be better off starting with #1 "Love Only Once" and working your way through some AWESOME Malory novels ("Tender Rebel," "Gentle Rogue") before you get to #6 "The Present."

Rating:
Summary: I thought this book was a great ending....
Review: I thought this book was a great ending for the Malory Brothers and a great beginning for their children. I have read all of the Malory books and I have to say I am partial to James and George. I hope that Ms. Lindsey will continue writing about this intriguing family. I would like to see how the brothers handle their daughters and the men in their lives.