Coming Soon: May 28

If you are interested in historical romances there is a book coming out next week called A Night Like This that might be of interest to you. This is Julia Quinn's second book to follow the romances of the Smythe-Smith musicians. The first book Just Like Heaven has received great reviews.  This time a beautiful pianist catches the eye of a haunted, hunted man who is in desperate need of redemption. The Smythe-Smith musicians have musical fame. yet are bad musicians. Quinn's books are full of Wit and humour, and have page turning story lines with engaging characters that are easy to love.

 

Popular author Philippa Gregory has written many historical fiction books based on European history. Her books may be fiction but are full of real people, real facts and real events. Her most popular, The Other Boleyn Girl was turned into a movie, but she has many other great books including The Red Queen, The White Queen, The Queen's Fool and The Lady of the Rivers. This time she is making a slight change and writing a series for young adults. Changeling is the first book in the Order of Darkness series. Set in Italy in 1453 Luca Vero has been cast away by his family and religion for using science to question their beliefs and superstitions. On his own 17 year old Luca is recruited by a secret sect called The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and strange occurrences across Europe.

Luca is sent to a nunnery investage Isolde, a young woman who was sent to the nunnery so she can not inherit her father's fortune. The nuns have been walking in their sleep and seeing strange visions and Isolde is accused of witchcraft. Luca finds himself in the position to plot her escape. Luca and Isolde travel across England with their two companions.  On their travels towards a real life historical figure, the four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers, and the relationship between Luca and Isolde begins to grow.

Before I go to Sleep by S.J Watson

I just started this book on Monday and I am done already. I took the train to visit my parents so had lots of time to read uninterrupted.

I really liked this book! It started off a little slow. The main ccharacter Christine wakes up every morning with no memory of the past. Each day she has be told her past, and relive all the pain of what had happened to her. (similar like the movie Memento) The book starts in the present day when Christine gets a phone call from a doctor, who tells her that she has a diary hidden in the house that will explain everything to her. From that point on we read Christine's diary starting a few weeks in the past. The book had me hooked because each day Christine learns more and more about the past she has forgotten. As she starts to learn more and is able to retain it through the use of the diary, new questions keep arising. A mystery begins to unfold, and like Christine I was unsure who she could trust in her life. Lies are being told and truths are kept hidden from her, knowing she will forget it all the next morning. In the third part of the book you finish reading the diary and are back in the present day, with all the knowledge she had collected over the past few weeks. Its at this point she must use all the collected information and finally discover what is going on.

The last part of this book was great. Everything she learns all comes together in a surprising and exciting conclusion. Unfortunately the ending really disappointed me. When I finish a book I expect everything to be tied up nicely. The mystery was resolved but the fate of the characters was left open. It reminded me of the end of inception. Were they in a dream the whole time or not? This book would make a great movie. I checked IMDB and it looks like they are thinking of making one but nothing has been decided yet.

The Fifty Shades Series by E.L James

I am going to combine my reviews for Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed into one post. I read the three books back to back, so where one ended and the next began is a blur to me.

My review of these two book are similar to what I said for the first. What was different in Darker, was that we learn more about Christians past, which helps a lot in understanding the way he acts. In Freed we get to see them build a life together, and how Ana deals with Christians moods and how Christian learns to take part in a real relationship.

I can say for sure that the third one was my favourite. It went beyond the romance genre and added some action to the story. I stayed up past my bedtime a few times because I couldn't put the book down until I knew everything was going to be okay. A lot of people who liked the first two books didn't like the third as much, but I thought it was good.

Instead of reviewing I would like to address some of the negative complaints the books have generated. I know not everyone is going to like it, and that is okay. I just don't like when people go all out and bash something. It has faults of course, I am not going to deny that. I agree that is was not the best written book I've read, but I choose my favourite books based on the story more then the writing style. I also agree that Ana can be very immature at times, but that is her character, if you changed that she wouldn't be the same person. Also her inner goddess could be really annoying.

In one guy's review I read, he was very disturbed about the contract in the first book. Now this I can see both sides. If any normal guy was to ask for this I would have been very creeped out as well. But considering the extreme things he wanted to do I think I was a good idea to address what was and was not acceptable. So in case any lines were crossed you can go back and prove what you agreed too. As he said it was for her protection as well. Also in the case of being sticking rich I would like to have some guarantee my business is not going to be leaked all over the papers when the girl gets dumped.

I was also very offended when this same person claimed the reason the books were so popular was because Christian is very good looking, and if he was ugly they books wouldn't be as well received.. I would like to remind him that this is a book, and in fact we can not actually see Christian at all, if it was a movie I might agree more. And for his information I picture all main characters in books as very good looking, this book was no exception. I do not read or enjoy books more based on how the physical appearance of the characters is described, that is just stupid.

The next time I hear a guy complain about this book I might be tempted to point out that the really reason he hates them is because he doesn't understand women, and what they want. Loving these books does not mean you secretly want to be spanked, beaten, and controlled. It means you want a man who loves you unconditionally, wants the best for you, puts your happiness first (in and out of bed ), will do anything to protect you, and will change for you. The control freak aspect is disappointing, but everyone has faults and she handles it well.

Please leave me comments and let me know if you love or hate this series.

Live Chat on Goodreads with Ann Patchett

I blogged about the upcoming book by Ann Patchett on the weekend named State of Wonder. You can read the description of the book here.

Next week on May 16, 5PM E.T, Goodreads is having a live chat with her to discuss her new book. If you are interested to learn more about the author here is a link to the website, with the live video stream.

Coming Soon: May 7

The second book in the Clifton Chronicles series, The Sins of the Father, is coming out next week. The first book Only Time will Tell was released at the end of last year. I blogged about that release here. This one received mixed reviews.

This book follows the story of Harry Clifton. Harry realizes that he will never be able to marry his love Emma, so to escape a family of secrets he joins the Navy days before Britain declares war on Germany. When his ship is sunk by a u-boat and most of the crew dies, Harry sees an opportunity. An American cruise ship rescues him along with Tom Bradshaw and when Bradshaw dies in the night, Harry takes the mans identify in order to escape his past.

The idea which seemed great at the time turns out to be a big mistake, when Harry arrives
in New York and finds out that Tom Bradshaw had a past just as bad, or
even worse, then Harry. Now Harry is chained to a past that isn't his without any
way to prove who he really is.





 

Dr. Marina Singh is sent into the Amazon to find her old mentor, who disappeared while researching a new drug. The last person sent never returned, Marina leaves a little scared and unsure about the journey is about to take.

Dr. Swanson has taken charge of her team and a group of natives. In her seventies she is still as threatening as ever, and Marina is finding she still cant live up to her mentors hopes. Dr. Swanson is asking Marina, and her self to sacrifice a lot for her mission. State of Wonder, is a book that is full of adventure.

Coming Soon: April 30

The 13th installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series is coming out.  In this book titled Deadlocked, a dead boby is found on Eric's front lawn and Sookie, with the help of her ex Bill, must try to clear his name.

It started with the arrival of the vampire king, Felipe de Castro. First Sookie is summoned by Eric to help welcome his guests into his Shreveport home. When she gets there she is shocked to find Eric drinking the blood of a much younger woman and downstairs the king with his own group of humans. She has a lot to say about it, but has to wait because now that same girl is dead on the front lawn. She wants to think the murder has nothing to do with her, but she is wrong. Sookie has an enemy who want to see her world come crashing down. 

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L James

I finished the book last week and am already half way through the second, but only now am I finally writing my review of Fifty Shades of Grey.

No surprise, like lots of women I loved this book. If you have seen or heard talk of this book at all, it is labeled in the stores as for mature readers only. I have also heard it called housewife porn. I wanted to talk about this first to address anyone who is considering reading it but is put off by these labels. It is true that the characters Ana and Christian take advantage of every opportunity to get into bed together. They are extremely attracted to each other and almost very time they make eye contact they want to jump each other right there. I think they mange to get it on almost every chapter. But at the same time, I never found their encounters vulgar. The sex scenes are not dry, or repetitive. Nor are they the kind you just skip past to get on with the story. They explore each other and try new things  In lots of ways the sex is the story, because it is how they learn about each other and test their limits. It is how the make up and fight. 

Ana and Christian are on two very opposite sides of the spectrum. Ana is sweet, innocent and inexperienced, and Christian is intense, controlling, and troubled. They have to learn to meet somewhere in the middle, both stepping outside of what they find comfortable. Their attraction was sudden and strong, but as much sex as they have, and how fulfilling it is to them both, a relationship is more then just what happens in bed, or in their case a large number of places.

This book is about compromise and slowing learning all there is about someone. the good and the bad. When you agree to love someone you have to accept them for who they are. The relationship they have is like a roller coaster ride, one minute they are having crazy sex and the next there is crying and yelling.

I think the reason this book has attracted so much attention is because it has a lifestyle that is not to often displayed in mainstream books, something everyday people may not understand and be afraid of, and introduces it to someone just like the reader. Ana is us, but she is brave enough to try. We all have fantasies about the sexy, rich and dangerous man who will sweep us off our feet. Ana found him, but this takes our fantasy farther and shows us that for all the wonderful times you can have there are also bad ones, and problems that you have to deal with,

This is book was great, It was hot and sexy, and romantic too. Some people can't seem to get past the dark side of Christian, and call it abuse. They seem to forget that Ana is a consenting adult who was amply warned and choose to carry on. If you are easily offended maybe you shouldn't read this, but if you have an open mind and are willing to explore something outside of the norm, I think it is an eye opener that will make you think.

 The book made me fell jealous of her rich and handsome boyfriend, but at the same time sad for all the insecurities that the lifestyle brings to her. Christian has problems and it makes life hard, but she has some as well.  Is great sex enough when there is so much baggage that comes with it?

I don't have a point system, but if I did it would have five hearts, and maybe a whipping sound effect.

Coming Soon: Week of April 23

Did you ever read Stephan King's Dark Tower series? I read the first four when I was I was in high school, then later read the last three when they came out in 2003 and 2004. I loved the older ones that he had written in the 70s, Roland the gunslinger was a fascinating character, the more I read the books the more I wanted to know his past. Then came Jake, the kid from our world, who becomes a companion to Roland. As the books unfold Roland acquires new companions on his journey from different points in time, together they become his ka-tet.

Now Stephen King as written a new book for the series. This book can also act as a stand alone from the series. Roland and the rest of the group, Jake, Susanna, Eddie and Oy (As I remember is some kind of cross between a dog and a raccoon, but very smart) are travelling to the Outer Baronies when they get caught in a storm and must take shelter. While taking refuge Roland decides to tell his ka-tet two stories. In these stories readers finally get to find out more about Roland's past.

In his early years as a gunslinger Roland is sent by his father to investigate a shape shifter who is plaguing the population of Debano. There is one survivor of the beasts latest attack and Roland prepares the boy for the next day's trials by telling him a story. Roland starts by telling Bill Streeter "a person is never to old for stories." He is right, Because the tale that he tells, The legend of Tim Stoutheart, is a timeless story for all ages.

For those who love the epic story that is the Dark Tower series, this is a great addition that will finally tell us more about the mysterious gunslinger. For those who haven't read them, this book might convince you to go back and read what King describes as his magnum opus.

The Casual Vacancy - J.K Rowling's next book

J.K Rowling's new book will be for adults. There is no magical land here; it is a 'blackly comedy' surrounding the politics of a small town at war. Not a literal war, but one involving the people.

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Like many people, I am curious what this book will offer. The magic that Harry Potter had, (it's popularity, not actual magic) was because of the unique and creative world that Rowling had created. Like Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Twilight she created a new world hidden behind our own. There were new creatures to meet, rules to discover, something beyond our everyday.

It is not that our world does not have mystery and suspense to uncover, but Rowling is obviously very creative with a large imagination, and I am excited to see how it will reveal itself in this work. I am expecting in depth characters, and an engaging storyline with several unexpected twists.

Mark your calendars for September 27th to pick up The Casual Vacancy... well, maybe September 28th if you don't want to stand in line.

Coming Soon: April 16

Nora Roberts new thriller is The Witness. Young Elizabeth grew up with a controlling mother, finally one night she lets loose and goes to a bar to get drunk. While there she lets a strange man with a Russian accent seduce her and bring her back to his house. The decision she made that night changed her life forever.

Now twelve years later, a woman known as Abigail Lowery lives a secluded life in the Ozarks. She earns a living by creating sophisticated security systems. She is very private and lives alone with a guard dog and an assortment of guns. By all outward accounts she wants to be left alone but her mysterious life catches the attention of the police chief Brooks Gleason. He is fascinated by her, she is secretive and logical, and he guesses that she is protecting herself from something. There is a story behind her, and he wants to know what it is.

 

Another book by Iris Johnson featuring two characters from the Eve/Quinn/Bonnie Trilogy I read, as well as other books. Catherine Ling and John Gallo were my favourite two, they had great chemistry and it would be nice to get to know them better since they weren't the focus of the trilogy.

This book focuses on Catherine, the beautiful but deadly woman who was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at the age of four. She learned to survive on her own, and as a teenager came under the guidance of a mysterious man named Hu Chang, an assassin and master in poisoner.  Recruited by the CIA she deals with information and is one of the best operatives they have, but she is smart and knows that she is expendable by those she deals with. When Hu Chang creates something so deadly, there is a race to get it first.  John Gallo is on the hunt too, and Catherine finds herself pitted against people so evil she is not sure if she will be able to survive.

This book is by David Baldacci. It is about a hitman who goes soft. The plot line kind of reminds me of a movie I saw once with a similar idea.

Will Robie works for the U.S government, his job is to kill those that the military and the FBI can't touch, and he never questions  his orders. This time is different. His target is close by, in Washington D.C. Something about it just doesn't feel right and for the first time in his career he decides to disobey the order. The decision puts him in the cross hairs for a change. While fleeing the scene he runs into a teenage girl. She is a runaway from a foster home, but Robie begins to believe she is in the middle of a cover-up. Her parents were murdered and now her life is in danger too. Out of character Robie rescues her and is thinking about putting his own life in danger to help her.