Charming BlueAuthor: Kristine Grayson
Release Date: Sept. 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Charming Series #4
ISBN: #978-1402263743
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
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About the book:
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He lived through ages with the curse of attracting women…who end up dead…
One upon a time, he was the most handsome of princes, destined for great things. But now he’s a lonely legend, hobbled by a dark history. With too many dead in his wake, Bluebeard escapes the only way he knows how—through the evil spell of alcohol. But it’s a far different kind of spell that’s been ruining his life for centuries.
How will she survive this killer Prince Charming?
Jodi Walters is a fixer, someone who can put magic back in order. She’s the best in Hollywood at her game. But Blue has a problem she’s never encountered before—and worse, she finds herself perilously attractived to him.
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What B is talking about:
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Jodi Walters, descendant of Chatelaines and the number one liaison between the magical creatures of LA and the Hollywood execs who employ them, has seen just about everything. Except, of course, a sober (and washed!) Bluebeard the Pirate. But, even her impressive ability to make things right may not be enough to compete with the sinister magic behind what’s troubling him.
Bluebeard (aka “Blue,” aka “John Franklin”) has spent his time in the Greater World either in rehab, or working hard to get there. Where else would a serial killer prince with a conscience want to be? As with most fairy tales, however, things are never what they seem. Now, with the help of his friend “Tank,” and the beautiful woman who believes in him despite the odds, he just might have a chance at a happily ever after all his own.
In this most recent addition to the Charming series, Ms. Grayson continues her merry stomp across familiar fairy tales, putting to rights the misinformation perpetuated by the slanderous Brothers Grimm along the way. She uses unpredictability to its best advantage, keeping Charming Blue entertaining by combining good storytelling with random doses of the funny and absurd. The story seems designed to keep the reader off balance; one of my favorite, and admittedly juvenile, examples being the interruption of a serious discussion about a stalker and murderer by the production of windshield-obscuring purple fairy farts.
Many of the high points of Charming Blue come from the secondary characters, Cantankerous Belle (or “Tank,” for short) and Ramon, in particular, who threaten to outshine the main characters on more than one occasion. Jodi and Blue are interesting characters, too, but they might have had stronger personalities if they had slightly less colorful friends. However, the story wouldn’t have been nearly so much fun without them just as they are.
As with the other novels in the series I’ve had the pleasure to read so far, Charming Blue is filled with comedy, suspense, romance, and quite a few hilariously awkward moments. While the ending wasn’t quite what I’d hoped it would be, I enjoyed the mystery behind crimes Jodi and Blue are trying to solve a great deal. With plenty more fairy tales just waiting for their turn, I’m certain it will be a hoot to see what Ms. Grayson comes up with next.
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B’s Rating:
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Liked it – recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
My review is going up last week. I adored this book right up till the end, then it lost me. I thought it was just too simple of a conclusion, but Blue broke my heart.
Meant to say, my review is going up next week. *sigh*
C: Time for more coffee!
Thanks for the great review! I’m sooo far behind on this series. It got buried in the TBR mountain range. Gotta go get a helmet and dig em out 🙂
Thank you!! This is a really fun series! I’m looking forward to reading other reviews to see what some other thoughts are on the book. It’s snarky and quirky, which I always like.
My TBR mountain range is currently a very daunting prospect, as well. But, this story is definitely worth digging out. 🙂