"The Lance Thrower" and "The Eagle" by Jack Whyte

08-03-10 to 11-07-10 What awesome two months! I love Jack Whyte's books. I have complete the Camulod Chronicles and I am a bit sad. These two books focus around Clothar the Frank, Seur Clothar, Clothar of Gaul or in more recent lore Sir Lancelot.

Whyte has a marvelous way of taking fantasy and lore that we know of the King Arthur legend and wrapping it around history. I liked the way he tells this story in a way that you could see actually happening and he also used the myths to show how history can distort. It is full of heroes and villains but most of all deep and real friendship and the loyalty that goes with.

If your are a fan of Camelot and magic and lore - try this on for size. You will not have your magic or witches or wizards, what you will have is a unique view of the Arthurian Legend. It is well grounded in reality, he explains how Merlyn becomes known as a Sorcerer while the reader is fully aware of his humanity. I will never give up on my myth and the fun that ensues but all the same, I would encourage all to read the entire chronicles as they are well written and very engrossing!!!

Read the books - start at the beginning and read them all.

The Skystone
The Singing Sword
The Eagles' Brood
The Saxon Shore
The Fort at River's Bend
The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis
Uther
The Lance Thrower
The Eagle

"I miss them all."  - From "The Eagle" by Jack Whyte

"The Bonesetters Daughter" by Amy Tan

06-06-10 to 08-01-10 As usual Amy Tan created a fascinating read but it was tough for me. Unbelievably my parents where in the middle of a difficult care taking position. My 96 year old great-aunt had come live with them until they could get her in an assisted living home. She was clear minded and cruel, and that was hard.

I use books to escape but this on mirrored something that were happening to us. This book is a story within a story and I loved the twists and turns of LuLing's life before immigrating to America. What was also magnificent was the mother / daughter conflicts and undeniable love and loyalty even when she frustrates you more than anyone else can.

The human dynamics in the book are real and wonderful.

Read the book.

"A Feast In Exile" by Chelsea Quinn Yarbor

05.31.10 to 06.07.10 - Another vampire book from Ms. Yarbro and another fun ride! I really like these series and must find more. The ever so considerate Sanat Ji Mani began to wear though, at some point when he and Tulsi were traveling I wanted him to just scream "I want this" or "I want that" - the "whatever you want" got old. I didn't want him to take her blood without consent just more assertive and Tulsi neediness was agrevating but I did enjoy the book.

I prefer the points were Sanat Ji Mani and Rojire were together. Even though its a master/servant relationship its much more that all knowing of Rojire's made and how he took care of Sanat Ji Mani was the portion of the book I enjoyed the most.

IF you like vampire books without the horror, and struggles of the heroes who have are running from evil Sultan out to conquer the world then this book is for you.

Read the book!

Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

05.15.10 to 05.17.10 "Eargon"
05.17.10 to 05.12.10 "Eldest"
05.21.10 to 05.27.10 "Brisinger"

More than 1,800 pages later, I emerge from Paolini's wonderful dragon, elf, dwarf and yeah human adventure. I thought I bought a complete series but just my luck another book in to go [write Paolini write!]. With Tolkien-ist fashion, we go on the adventure to defeat the evil all the while endure what seems impossible.

I loved the fact that Eargon, the dragon rider, was real and stupid on occasion - one has to learn how to be a hero. I love that Saphira, the dragon, can be snippy and playful. I love that Roran is an unassuming and accidental hero. I love Angela most of all! The characters in this book come to life with such vibrant colors that you see and feel the story unfold.

Prepare yourself before you read this book for hours on hours of read for you can't put the books down. Read the books!

"Sorcery & Cecelia" by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

01.24.10 to 01.30.10 - "Sorcery & Cecelia" was a little disconcerting when I first started reading it. I did not like the fact that the entire story was written in letter form. Cecy's letters to Kate; Kate's letter to Cecy. I was wrong. If you pick up this book, hang in there the story developes and it is a fun ride.

I have read other books by Stevermer and loved them and this is no exception. I loved it that smacks of Jane Austin with a magic twist. I also loved how the reader could see the love interest developing but the young girls couldn't - it just rang true for me.

Read the Book!

"A Trust Betrayed" by Candace Robb

01.25.10 to 01.29.10 - Ever read a great book that has no ending? I just did. "A Trust Betrayed" was very good story, right until the end. I am not sure if I am supposed to know who Margret "Maggie" Sinclair is in terms of Scottish history or what. The story is based around her search to for her missing husband in Edinburgh. Through the crooks and turns and a couple of murders, she learns that her husband is alive and in the service Robert Bruce....That's all I know. Does he go home, does she go home, do they have kids, do they separate?????

I was really good up until the last page and nothing is finished. Dang it, don't read it.

"All Over the Town" by R.F. Delderfield

11-19-09 to 01-24-10 - This one was tough. I love Delderfield. I rank at the top with Dumas, Gabaldon, Austin and Tolkien but...it didn't get going till about a hundred pages in. Thankfully, it was rather short for him, and when I made it to page 100, I only had another 100 to go and the story finally got good.

This one was set at the end of WWII England seashore of Sandcombe. Nat was returning to town and his old job as a newspaper reporter. Delderfield got it right with all the different personalities small town, I could relate to [he's a master at that] but the story took too long to develop. All that being said I still think you should read the book.

"An Echo in the Bone" by Diana Gabaldon

11-20-09 to 01-18-10 - When you wait for a year and a half or longer for your favorite author to finish the next book, episode, edition call it what you want {I needed my Jamie and Claire fix], you want it to be the greatest thing ever. After lovingly slaved over 800 pages of this book, I realize there is absolutely no way that she will be able to wrap up all the story lines. Crap, another three years of freaking anticipation! I have read all of Gabaldon's books and really become addicted but I came to the series late, which means I was able to read book one, two, three, four, five, in a row and had to wait for six and seven. I don't know if I can do it again - write fast Diana!

Here's the story in a nut shell girl passes [accidentally] through time from the 1940s to 1700s, gets kidnapped, falls in love and marries kidnapper and lives the most envious and horrible life you could ever imagine between war, separation, witchcraft and family. Jamie and Claire have a bond even the most modern of women would want.

You cannot describe these books, they must be lived! Read the book [but start with the first one, Outlander]!!!!