Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Senator’s Wife

The Senator’s Wife by Sue Miller

What was this book about?

Delia Naughton is in her 70’s and lives alone. She spent most of her life married to a senator who wanted nothing more then to run around on her. When a couple moves next door to her she cannot help being friends with them. Meri is a woman who knows her husband well, but is not getting what she wants from him. When she becomes pregnant she begins to visit Delia’s house and learn more about her. She wants Delia to be her friend, fit in her life. The relationships on both sides are complicated but they all grow from the circumstances that surround them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

At some point I really thought that Delia and Meri were going to be friends. But they just aren’t. They are too different of people. Meri has major issues both with her self and her idea of what motherhood should or should not be. She can’t seem to get past that and that is damaging to relationships. Meanwhile Delia has lived a somewhat secret life with her adulterer husband – and she can’t seem to let him go.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: B-, Parts I really enjoyed but other parts were just odd..

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Learning Curves

Learning Curves by Cindi Myers

What was this book about?

Shelly is the average woman. She is no size 4 but instead a size 12. For most women it wouldn’t be as big of a deal – but Shelly is in the TV industry and everyone seems to have a comment about her weight. Meanwhile, Jack is tired of being the beautiful guy on TV. He wants to be thought of for his journalism not for being a “stud”. When he starts his own PBS show he hires Shelly to be his co-anchor.

Neither of them can fight the attraction that they have for each other. But with everyone’s thoughts of what Shelly should look like – can she get past that and move on so that she can be happy in her life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed the message of this book. It isn’t what you look like. You don’t have to be 100 pounds and skinny to have a good life, a good man, and a good career. In fact others may project their own feelings of insecurity on you but you shouldn’t let that affect how you feel about yourself. And even more then that whether you are good looking, overweight, or just the average person – everyone has problems with the way they look.

What genre would you consider this?

Contemporary Romance

Overall:
B

Friday, June 27, 2008

Hold Tight

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

What was this book about?

Having a teen can be difficult work. When Mike and Tia’s son, Adam, begins acting weird they want to do everything they can to help him. His best friend recently committed suicide and they will do anything to keep him from repeating that mistake. So they decide to put a spy program on his computer. That way they can keep track of him.

Betsy Hill the mother of the teen who died of suicide – just wants to figure out what happened to her son. She figures out that Adam may have something to do with it and must track him down.

Next door neighbor Lucas Loriman is about to die if he doesn’t get a kidney transplant. But his father and him do not know what secrets his mother has – that could prevent it from happening.

When Adam disappears things are brought to a head. There is a lot going on in this neighborhood of what seems to be perfect, quiet families.


What did you like/dislike about the book?

I like how it all wrapped up at the end. Everything was brought in. They seemed to be almost divergent stories that you may not realize have something that makes them all intertwined.


What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall:
B

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Immediate Family

Immediate Family by Eileen Goudge

What was this book about?

Four friends since college, begin telling their story at their 15 year college reunion. They have always been close but they learn that they are more then just friends – they are a family.

Jay is married to Viv and is about to have his first child. Things seem great on the surface, but Viv has way more energy then him. He would love to stay home and just relax as a family while she wants to have plans every night.

Franny wants nothing more then to have a child. She has a career but has yet to find love. Jay and Viv offer to help her by letting her have Jay’s child. What could be better a best friend and your child’s father?

Emerson grew up as the child of affluent parents. Then her father dies and she finds out the truth – they are broke. But her mother still would like to pretend everything is the way it was. Emerson has a good job and can now afford to get her mother everything she needs – even a nurse – because her mother is dieing. She has a good relationship with her ex-husband and a daughter she loves. What else could she want?

Lastly there is Stevie. Stevie has spent her entire life not knowing her her father was. When she finally finds out who he is – she can’t help but want to exonerate him from the gossip that has surrounded his life. Can her relationship with her father help her in her daily living? She can’t seem to commit to anyone – no marriage, no children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really enjoyed it. In some ways it brought me back to my college years. The friends, the relationships, the binding of people in a way that goes beyond blood. I found it to be quite enjoyable. If you want to read something about relationships this is the thing to read.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Family Tree

Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky

What was this book about?

Hugh grew up the child of two affluent people. He has always known his history, his ancestors, and in fact his father has made a living from it. Dana on the other hand was raised by her grandmother after her mother died, and has never known her father (or even who he was). She embraces Hugh’s history as her own because she has never really had one.

They couldn’t be happier – they are expecting their first child – but imagine their surprise when the child is born and has African American features. There has to be some African American blood in her from somewhere.

Of course that is when the finger pointing begins. Dana just loves her child and doesn’t understand the big deal. But feels forced to figure out her history. Her husband’s history is well known. But even within Hugh’s family hard feelings begin to be had. Hugh even doubts whether he is the baby’s father. What should be a happy occasion has turned into something much more.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


In some ways it scares me. That something that should be such a happy time can be shattered by a bunch of bigoted and evil people. I really don’t know if I could forgive my husband if he started to doubt that our first child was his, just based on what she/he looked like.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: B, I enjoyed it overall.

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

What was this book about?

Aislinn has always been able to see faeries. They are scary and can never know her secret. One day she realizes that a faery king wants nothing else but to be with her. To have him bring back the Summer realm from his evil mother the Winter Queen. Aislinn may be the one the prophesies have spoken of – the only one that can save him and Summer from an endless winter.

Aislinn wants nothing to do with him. Her friend Seth is finally turning out to be more then a friend. She hates the faery folk. But it is too late – Keenan has already started the process. Aislinn can either join him as his Summer Queen (and risk turning into one of the girls that fail) or be one of his groupies. There are no other choices.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It took me a while to really like this book. But by the middle I didn’t want to put it down. I am hoping that she will continue this series on so that we can see how things play out between Seth, Aislinn, Keenan and Donia.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal/Teen Paranormal

Overall:
B+

Monday, June 23, 2008

Goodnight Nobody

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

What was this book about?

Stay at home mom (and former journalist) Kate Klein found herself in the position she is currently in – through no planning of her own. She went from being an up-and-coming city girl to a stay at home suburban mother of three children under the age of 5. Kate is doing everything she can to fit in with the suburban mom crowd but she just doesn’t seem to get it right.

Then everything changes when one of her neighbors and mother is killed and Kate is the one that finds her. Kate cannot help but be drawn into the story – she wants to find the truth. With the help of her friend carpet heiress Janie Segal she will find everything out. Her neighbor definitely had many secrets.

When one of these secrets puts Kate back in touch with her former flame, Eric McKenna, Kate must make a decision. Is the family that she has built worth the excitement that she is missing.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

For me in some parts it was just a little slow. You never know much about the killed housewife until she died (which may be good – no time to mourn her). But it just seems odd that it is that small of a world – that they are all connected.

What genre would you consider this?

Mystery/Fiction

Overall: B-

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Wicked Game

Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready

What was this book about?

Ciara Griffin is a con artist who is trying to make her life better. She has been attending college (and still pulling a few cons). She needs to get a job in her career of marketing. She ends up finding a job in a radio station that hasn’t been doing so well. The DJ’s spend most of their time playing old music and they seem to be stuck in a time warp.

Ciara soon realizes that the DJ’s aren’t what they seemed to be – they are vampires. She wants to help them keep their radio station running so she comes up with an excellent marketing ploy. Lets tell the world that the DJs’ are vampires. No one would really believe it but it would definitely make for some good press.

Ciara also can’t fight her attraction to Shane – one of the vampires. But she is in a mess of trouble with the vampire community for her plan and she may not get out alive.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

After thinking I had read almost everything about vampires this book has brought up some interesting twists. Vampires are dependent on staying rooted both in their own time (the time they died) and the current state of being. They have OCD and just can’t change. It was kinda fun not to just see the beautiful, dark, and mysterious vampire community but instead some sort of flawed existence.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal/Paranormal Romance

Overall:
B+

Friday, June 20, 2008

Predatory Game

Predatory Game by Christine Feehan (GhostWalker Book)

What was this book about?

Jess Calhoun and Saber Wynter are Ghostwalkers – people who have been genetically enhanced in order to give them psychic powers. Saber doesn’t realize what Jess is at first – she only knows she is incredibly attracted to him. She doesn’t want to be a GhostWalker and has been abused since she was a small child by the man who gave them all their powers. She will do anything to stay out of his clutches.

Meanwhile Jess just wants to take care of Saber. They have had an attraction since the beginning. Jess is on his own journey as well. After being injured in a mission he is now confined to a wheel chair and will try anything to get out of it.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed seeing Ken and Mari again. Also the whole transition from being a person who kills others to someone who can heal them is great. It is truly something that can happen in that there is little difference between someone who wants to heal and someone who wants to hurt – other than intention.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:
B

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch


What was this book about?


Randy Pausch is a husband, a father of three, and a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University. He is invited to participate in their “Last Lecture” Series where professors speak for an hour about what they want to pass on or teach their students if they knew they were going to die shortly. The twist with Randy is that he knows he has only 3 – 6 months to live. He has been diagnosed with cancer and has 10 tumors in his liver alone.

Randy takes the time out of his last days with his family to prepare his last lecture. This book is essentially a replay of the knowledge that he wanted to pass on. This isn’t just for his students but is also something that his children (all quite young) can remember for years. It is like having a little piece of their father that is always available to them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


This book is quite inspirational. He doesn’t just think about how his time is flying away, except as it applies to the time he wishes he could spend with his wife and children. I spent the entire time chocked up, but at the same time just thinking the thoughts in this book are happy.

What genre would you consider this?

Inspirational

Overall: A

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book I Want to Give my Mother for Christmas

Queen of the Darkness

Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop (Book 3 of the
Black Jewels Trilogy)


What was this book about?

Janelle has established her kingdom and is finally ready to take on Dorothea and Hekatah. She would rather not go to war, because she knows that her power could wreak havoc on the kingdom. Meanwhile Daemon has returned and is ready to take on the role of being the Queen’s consort. The history the two have together, as well as individually is definitely going to play a part in how the whole reunion goes.

Janelle must rely on her inner circle of Queens and Warlords to protect her. And must rely even more on her “brother” , “father” and consort. Daemon is a unknown to his brother and father and they aren’t really sure what side he may be on.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


It was nice to see things wrapped up. It didn’t go to quickly, giving the appropriate amount of detail. But it was what you were expecting. You knew that Janelle would have to go to battle and save them all.

What genre would you consider this?


Paranormal

Overall: B+, my favorite in the trilogy I think.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

To Bed a Beauty

To Bed a Beauty by Nicole Jordan


What was this book about?

Middle sister, Roslyn Loring, has had a history of her parents not loving each other and the repercussions of that hurting her sisters and herself. She is convinced that she wants not only to get married, but to find someone who loves her and she can love. No mistresses for her husband – she will do whatever it takes to keep him interested in her.

Roslyn sets out with the help of family friend and courtesan Fanny to find out what men really want. She meets her brother-in-law’s best friend Drew Moncrief, a true disbeliever in love. Drew finds out her task and sets to “instructing” her on seduction so she can get the catch she really wants. Over time though he doesn’t want her getting the man she originally set out to catch – he wants her.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Part of me just really enjoys the premise. Women in that time could only do so much – but part of what Roslyn does is just try to find out what is going on in the world of love – experiment even. Then to start an attraction with the idea that one will teach the other, only to fall in love with each other is just a fun idea.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Overall:
B+

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Names My Sisters Call Me

Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane

What was this book about?

Courtney is the youngest of three sisters. She has felt as if she was always the oddball in her family – her father left her mother before she was even born. She can’t help but love them all just the way they are. Her mother – seems to have always been sad that her Courtney’s father has left and threw herself into her life. Norah, the oldest child, is used to being in control and having her directions followed. Raine the middle child has always been a little out of control, more worried about her artistic endeavors and being free then the feelings of those around her.

When Courtney becomes engaged she begins to want to pull her family back together. Raine has been an outcast for over 6 years now. She decides to visit Raine, also visiting her past – a boyfriend of hers that is best friends with Raine.

Courtney is forced to evaluate where she stands in life. Should she have made different decisions? Why did she do what she did? Why did her family members make the decisions that they did? Have they moved forward at all or are they all still the same hurt little girls?

What did you like/dislike about the book?


Everyone has some sort of dysfunction in their family. Whether it is secret loves, outrageous siblings, embarrassing parents. There are of course different extremes in this, but is difficult both for someone to embrace these differences as well as the person that they would like to spend their lives with.

This book addresses some of the things in your life that you thought you always wanted, but what would have happened if you really had gotten them? Are you happy where you are or are things going to be always “grass is always greener”.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

Monday, June 16, 2008

Her Only Desire


Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley (Knight Family Novel)


What was this book about?

Georgiana Knight is the niece of the renowned “Hawkscliffe Harlotte”. She wants to be more then just a quiet society woman. She has grown up in India and would like to help the people that she has met there. She knows that the British government hasn’t treated them the way that she should.

Georgie meets up with family friend Ian Prescott. Ian is a governmental man that helps negotiate peace treaties. She is going to help him whether he wants her to or not. When their governmental intrigue presents itself as dangerous – Georgie must leave the country (and return to England) in order to protect herself. But that still may not be far enough.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


Georgie is a strong woman character. She will give in (and isn’t just in it to be stubborn) she has intelligence which drives her.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Overall: B

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Devil Takes a Bride

Devil Takes a Bride by Gaelen Foley (Knight Family Book)

What was this book about?

Devil Strathmore has had a tough life. His family is killed in an accidental fire (that he blames himself for) when he was a teen. Now his only loved one is his Aunt – Dowager Viscountess Strathmore. He loves her but is afraid to show his love because he doesn’t want the people he loves to leave him (and they have a history of doing so). During one visit to his aunt he meets her lady’s companion Lizzie Carlisle.

Lizzy is everything he could want in a woman (which means his aunt is going to try her best to make sure that they end up together). What Lizzie doesn’t know is that Dev has figured out what really happened the night that his parents were murdered. And he is ready to reek his vengeance. This plan though could but them both in danger as he tries to get close to those who really were at fault.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It was a nice romantic novel. The characters were fun and yet flawed (as we all are). There wasn’t too much extra stuff going on – but also wasn’t boring.

What genre would you consider this?


Historical Romance

Overall: B

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Otherwise Engaged

Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge

What was this book about?
Jessie Holland and Erin Delahanty both have lives which others would probably envy. Jessie is a published writer, lives in New York City, has a hot boyfriend. Erin owns a bed and breakfast with her husband Skip and her teen Kayla. But neither of their lives are as perfect as they (or others) think they are.

Jessie is in a writing slump. Erin’s husband has left her. So best friends since they were young, they decide to switch places so that Jessie can write an article about their adventures. Maybe a switch in venue will help them find themselves.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read – that showed the complexity of relationships and life. Things are never what they look like on the surface. Stepping out of the box can reap great rewards (even if it is a little scary).

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall:
B+

Friday, June 13, 2008

Valiant

Valiant by Holly Black (A Modern Tale of Faerie)

What was this book about?

Val Russell needs to escape from life as she knows it. Her mother, her boyfriend, and her best friend have destroyed her trust and her life as she knows it. She escapes/runs away into New York City, only because she has no where else to go.

In New York she meets several teens that have an interesting story. They speak of faeries and trolls, of this drug called Never. They introduce her into this life. Val must find herself so that she can save them all.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

The beginning was so slow. I almost put the book down and said “Done with this”. But then things started to pick up. Part of my problem was my lack of being able to identify or even like the characters. Val was interesting. But the kids she was with had drug problems, stole and were just generally unlikable. Her former best friend was horrible to her. It just all seemed to be too much.

What genre would you consider this?


Teen Paranormal

Overall:
B-. I think I am going to try another one just to see where things go. Hopefully this just needed a slow start to get rolling.

Spoilers: There is teen sex (with adults), drug use and other things that I wouldn’t want a young person necessarily reading.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Lady Elizabeth


The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir


What was this book about?

Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII, starts out life as a princess. But court intrigue, and her fathers wish to have a son soon changes that. She becomes Lady Elizabeth, a bastard child. Her mother is killed and she lives in fear for her life everyday.

Alison Weir tells the story of Elizabeth from her days as a small child until she ascends to the throne. No one really knows some of the truth of Elizabeth’s life, we can only hypothesize. Yet this book does it’s best to put you in her place.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I generally love the history of Elizabeth I. She is an interesting character in that we know a lot about her, but don’t necessarily no the truth of the whole story. This book tells her story in a way that can keep you interested, move forward quickly, and not bore you with too many facts. Is there anything “new” in this story. Not really. So for me who has read many, many books about Elizabeth – it was just another recap of her life.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Fiction

Overall:
B

Monday, June 9, 2008

Certain Girls

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner


What was this book about?

Told from the perspective of Cannie (from her previous book Good in Bed) and Cannie’s daughter Joy this book covers a lot of ground. Cannie is dealing with the beginning’s of the classic teenage daughter – not a bad daughter, just one who is concerned with what other people think, that her mother doesn’t fit in like she wishes she does, and just wants to rebel. Cannie and her husband Peter also want to have another child. This is especially difficult because after Joy’s birth she had to have a hysterectomy. Which means while she may have viable eggs she cannot actually have the child herself.

Then there is Joy. An average 13 year old who is looking forward to her bat mitzvah. Then she finds out from some kids at school that the book her mother wrote 10 years ago tells the story of her mother’s life (which it really doesn’t exactly do). Joy has always known about the book but been told it was too adult for her. When she does read it she finds out all sorts of things that throw her world topsy-turvey. In an effort to find the truth she does investigative work to see what it is that her mother’s past really is.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book was great. I thought at first it was all about the mother/daughter dynamic. But truly it was a book about growing up. Realizing things aren’t always what they seem to be, but then again there is more depth to them then most people realize. There are reasons for what people do, there are thoughts and feelings behind history, some emotions can change over time to be better or wose.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be:
Book I would need a box of Kleenex to read.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Suddenly

Suddenly by Barbara Delinsky

What was this book about?

This book is a book of relationships. A small town is torn apart when doctor, friend, and mentor Mara O’Neill commits suicide. Everyone thought they knew her – especially her best friend Page Pfeiffer, but they had no idea the thoughts and secrets that she had hidden away in her mind.

We learn about how this affects Page. We follow Noah Perrine the headmaster of the private school in town. Noah can’t help but be attracted to Page, but Page has her own ideas about where her life is going and how things should move forward.

Other doctors in the practice Angie and Peter also have their own problems. Their lives aren’t as perfect as they thought they were. Angie’s marriage is falling apart and she hadn’t even noticed it. Peter has been in love with Mara, but has his own issues about his life and coming from a small town that he needs to get past before he can truly love anyone.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

The dynamic of the relationships were interesting. It seemed so real. All of those things happen: the person who seems fine but has a wall and secrets that make them kill themselves, the person who can’t open themselves up to love because of the plans they have made, the person whose marriage is falling apart partially because of focus on their child and lack of focus on the person they are in a relationship with. It all just seems so real.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: B+

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Seduction of An Unknown Lady

The Seduction of An Unknown Lady by Samantha James

What was this book about?

Fiona Hawkes has many secrets. After her father passed away, she and her mother were left alone. Her mother was unable to take the loss of her father and became both an emotional as well as financial burder on Fiona.

Fiona then opened a bookstore and began writing under an assumed name. Her books have become famous, but only because no one knows who the writer truly is.

When walking alone at night she meets Lord Aidan McBride. He is both persistent as well as inquisitive. He likes Fiona too much to let her keep her secrets. Especially when they figure out these secrets are risking her life. Can he get her to open up to him before it is too late.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I thought Fiona was both a strong woman and a woman who was able to have emotions. Her strength didn’t mean she couldn’t feel – just that she had to be careful when she let herself do it. Both of them have their baggage and they have to figure out a way to move past it in a way that can help them and their relationship to each other.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Overall: B

Friday, June 6, 2008

The Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

What was this book about?

Aliens have come to the planet earth to infect us. They are a parasitic creature that essentially consists mainly of a “soul”. These souls take over the human body, and in some cases the original soul of the person leaves to give room to it, while others have to co-exist (this is very rare). These souls come to claim planets because they are kind, caring, have no war, and can exist in a moneyless society. Almost a Utopia of sorts.

Wanderer, or Wanda as they like to call her, is one of these alien souls. She has existed on many planets and for very many years. When she is placed in Melanie’s body she has no idea what is going to happen. Melanie is the rare human who has rebelled. They learned what is going on and they are hiding out trying to stay away from these “evil” aliens. Melanie is captured but she is willing to fight for her part of Wanda’s existence. It is a tough fight though. Wanda retains all of Melanie’s memories and can’t help but begin to feel the emotional entanglements that Melanie has always felt.

This means Jared, Melanie’s love and Jamie her little brother are in danger. Traditionally the soul gives up these other humans who have rebelled. Wanda cannot make herself do that. Instead she wants to find Jared and Jamie and help them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

When I finished the book I realized how much I really liked the whole thing. The beginning was a little slow but something that was required.

I as a reader feel a bit of unhappiness when one of my favorite authors moves from a series that I love to work on something else. I am sitting her waiting to find out what is next and sometimes I just feel like “What is going on? I want you to tell me more about them and instead you are wasting your time writing this new thing”. It makes it hard to truly look past that and like something new.

But, despite all this I have to say I like this. I would be willing to read this series if she starts writing it as well as her Vampire series.

What genre would you consider this?

Teen Paranormal

Overall: A-

Thursday, June 5, 2008

White Heat


White Heat by Cherry Adair


What was this book about?

Renowned art restorer Emily Green has a history with Mad Aries. Max is the son of her mentor and father figure Daniel Aries. Max reentered Daniels life a few years ago and met Emily – where they had an affair. What Emily doesn’t know is he did it because Max is part of a counter terrorist organization. He needed Emily’s connections to get in with a certain group.

Daniel has died of an apparent suicide and Emily calls Max back to Italy. It takes him a while to get the messages and when he finally does get there he interrupts an apparent murder attempt.

Emily is brought into Max’s life as they both work to both save the world as well as Emily, her family, and friends. Her murder attempt was more than just an attack on Emily, she is now part of a much bigger story.

What did you like/dislike about the book?


While I generally enjoyed the book there was a lot of blood. And a lot of killing. I didn’t know who I should get to like (besides the main characters) because I didn’t know who was going to live. I am sure it is a realistic story, it just made it hard to identify with the people.

What genre would you consider this?

Thriller

Overall: B-

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Heir to the Shadows

Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop (Book 2 of the Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?
At the end of the first book Janelle is broken by the rape and abuse that she is subjected to. Daemon, who loves her feels he has betrayed her and isn’t sure what exactly happened to her. Sataen knows he loves Janelle and must save her at all costs.

Janelle now is back and starting to feel better, even though parts of the attack are hidden away in her mind. She has been loved and loved many of her friends and they help her recover in ways that no one else could.

Evil is still trying to get to her. She is so powerful that many want to be her advisors. Can Janelle be the Witch that they all need her to be?

What did you like/dislike about the book?


I feel like I have been able to get more into this book. I know more about the characters and what had happened. So I felt drawn to reading this to see how things turn out. Each book can be read on its own and be a great story – but together they arch over a time allowing you to truly get to know the people and the story.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall:
B+

Monday, June 2, 2008

Seaview Inn

Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods

What was this book about?

Hannah Matthews returns to her hometown to convince her grandmother to close the family owned business “Seaview Inn”. Her grandmother is getting older, her mother has just died of breast cancer, and she herself just finished fighting it.

Things aren’t that easy though. Grandma Jennie has her own idea of how things should work out. Throw in a daughter who needs more then anything to find herself and Hannah realizes that this short trip to close things up isn’t going to work out that way.

Meanwhile Grandma Jennie has her first guest in a while, Iraq vet and doctor Luke Stevens. Luke felt the need to serve his country and by doing so his whole life fell apart. When he returns to his hometown and Seaview Inn things begin to fall in place – including a relationship with Hannah. But to continue on Hannah must face her fears.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this book. This isn’t just the story of Hannah and Luke though they are forefront in the novel. This is a book about a family. How we don’t know our parents as well as we sometimes think we do. How sometimes it is good to go back to a place you couldn’t wait to leave. That secrets and mistakes can sometimes turn out to be the best things in our lives.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: A-

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Daughter of the Blood

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop (Book 1 of the Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?
They are the blood, a special race born to powers that are held and used by jewels. The darker the the jewel they wear, the more power. For many years they have lived in a world that is been ruled by ruthless and power hungry Queens. There is a prophesy that one day a Queen would come with extraordinary powers – and everyone has different reasons for wanting to find her.

Janelle is that witch. She is torn between the world that she has grown up in and the world she only wishes she could be in. A world where her family believes she is crazy and institutionalizes her at every turn. A world where the other girls in the institution rely on her to help them, as they are only pawns in a man’s game.

Saetan is a powerful man who loves Janelle as a daughter and wants to help her rule her powers. He is also considered by the pain he sees in her eyes. He needs to make sure she doesn’t let the power rule her. He cannot trust his son Daemon, but Daemon also loves Janelle.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

There is so much going on. So many people, special knowledge, etc that sometimes it is hard to keep track of. Not to mention the characters are complex in that you don’t know if they are good or bad, and many times you cannot just label them one or the other, as they are both. This can be both good and bad depending on what expectations you have of things.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B