the reader’s nook

I finally finished “Royal Treatment”. I decided to take a break before I more on to reading the second of the series, “Royal Pain”.

“Royal Treatment” tells the story of Christina, who loses her job after complaining she was being sexually harassed by her boss, meets the “disguised” King of Alaska, and gets an offer to stay with the royal family. The king wants Christina to marry his son, David. David doesn’t seem to mind, but Christina doesn’t seem to want to.

I mentioned before that I am not a fan of Mary Janice Davidson’s writing style. Normally, when I finish a book, I feel a twinge of regret because, man, it’s over too soon. When I finished “Royal Treatment,” I was regretful because I feel like there wasn’t any rapport between me and the characters.

I didn’t feel like I knew David at all, aside from the fact that he has a Phd. in Marine Biology, likes penguins and for some reason designs jewelry. I feel like I know his father and their major domo, Eduard, more, which in my opinion, doesn’t say much for characterization considering he is supposed to be the main character alongside Christina.

I can’t say this was a fast paced book, but more of hurried. Fast paced stories may be quick and action packed, but well written for the reader to become acquainted with the characters: who they are, what their personalities and quirks are, how they think. Sure, David is odd with his love for penguins, and Christina is rather brash.

Think of it this way. As a reader, you somehow feel that the characters you’re reading are people. They become your friends as the story goes along, right? When the story ends, you want to read it again because you want to hang out with them, and as you read, you are assured that their story does end with a happy ever after. With “Royal Treatment”, I feel like Christina and David are more into a fling than anything else.

Which is rather disappointing since the plot is interesting. Imagine, Alaska is an independent country and is ruled by royalty? Other writers would create new countries or situate their characters in places that already have established royalties, but this is unique. That’s why I wish there was more meat to the story.

I’m currently reading Mary Janice Davidson’s “Royal Treatment“. I first came across this through a sneak preview in one of Kensington-Brava’s anthologies, and I finally got my hands on one.

I can’t really say that I’m a fan of Ms. Davidson’s work. As much as I like the plot of her stories, I personally do not enjoy her writing style. Blame it on being spoiled with the rather poetic and artistic writing style of Nora Roberts.

I was trying to pinpoint the reason why I am so dissatisfied with Ms. Davidson’s work. Going through “Royal Treatment” I finally realized why.

First off, the rapidfire conversations that confuse me. I know it’s a normal practice in writing conversation not to include the “he said, she said” parts,

“I don’t think I can make it,” he said.
She replied, “Yes you can! You can do it!”

especially if there’s only two people in the conversation. But then, the conversations in many of MJD’s work is like a real life conversation where two people talking and can’t seem to follow a coherent train of thought. That’s the second point, which is so closely tied up to the first that it’s hard to separate them. Many of the words in the conversation are unnecessary. It does establish a relationship, or rapport if you will, between the two characters, but I find it confusing at times. Often, I skim through the conversation and finish the story and I don’t feel like I missed anything.

I’m still finishing the story. Like I said, I like the plot of MJD’s stories, but writing style-wise, I’m still not sold. Then again, I’m not much of a writer myself, but as I reader, I do know what I like.