"Diana" by RF Delderfield

10-2-11 to 11-25-11 This book reminded me a little of Jane Austin's Emma. Throughout the reading I really never liked her, Diana. I didn't trust her not to hurt John. I didn't like the fact that she called him Jan from the Lorna Doone character. I didn't like her scheming and self-centeredness. I felt protective of John.

I don't know if Delderfield expected us to feel that way or if  I am a snob for the working class and don't trust that people with money and power ever fall for love. She was raised in a station above John and I only saw trouble and hurt for him. I also felt that she didn't deserve the loyalty and trust bestow on her by John and Drip, her governess.

Don't get me wrong, I did like the book but I am not sure if I was supposed to like Diana and forgive all the things she did to John. The book is written from John's perspective as a series of recollections that at moments give a somber feel. I do wish that Delderfield had ended the book more definitely rather leaving it some what unfinished.

Read the book...

"Honored Enemy" by Raynmond E. Feist and William Forstchen

01-22-11 to 01-29-11 I love these books! I stumbled on to Fiest's books a while back. I have read all the ones prior to "Honored Enemy" and have all the ones following it. I don't know how Fiest does but I am hooked from page five and find myself reading when I should be doing other things.

Oddly, I usually don't like stories that are one long battle or chase and yet this one worked. The relationships between the two opposing captains and the delimma of what do with a mutual enemy chasing them both worked in building relationships around battle and running. The ending worries me a little because I do want more of Dennis Hartraft and Asayaga. While more could be written, this book seemed to wrap up and finish these characters. Nothing was left hanging, which is good - but I want more!

I always know when I want the story to continue the writter has done well with the characters. I found myself yelling at Dennis to be nice or knock it off - it made him true for me. I loved Asayaga dealing with a known spy in his ranks from headquarters and dancing the political dance we've all danced to in our life.

Great characters, great book!

Read the book!

"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!

"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]!!!!

"Seeker" by Jack McDevitt

09.18.08 to 11.23.08 - Anytime it takes me two months to read a 300+ page book, you will know that I am not totally into it. This one is set thousands of years in the future where human live all over that galaxy and our characters of interest are antique dealers who go on a treasure hunt for a lost civilization known as the Margolians. Ehhh, it wasn't a bad book or a bad plot but it didn't hold my interest much. I had to force myself to read a few pages each night. Want a challenge? Read the book.

"The Assassin King" by Elizabeth Hadon

09.20.08 to 10.01.08 - Read the book! It's chapters 9 and 10 of a 15 chapter book. In other words nothing was solved just a continuation of the Requiem. Annoyed a little, have to wait for Chapters 11 and 15 since they are published yet.

Alas, read the book but know its a transition book.

"Requiem for the Sun" by Elizbeth Haydon

09.07.08 to 09.18.08 - Let me start off by saying that every book that is a sequel of some kind should have a page in the front of the book that says "You must first read book 1, book 2, and book 3." I spent the first part of this book saying "I know that" and "Yeah, yeah, yeah, get on with it." This is not the Authors fault, she has to reestablish the characters in case an idiot reads the books out of order [and I have been guilty of this] but when your excited about the story it can be frustrating.

Requiem is just as good as the other three. Achmed and Ashe had a larger role and Rhapsody was not in the forefront and it was nice. I love the expansion of Anborn's character and even the revival of Waste of Breath!

In this book, Rhapsody gets herself pregnant [of course with the help of Ashe] and gets the mother of all morning sickness that effects much of her ability to fend off Michael, Wind of Death, plan to kidnap her. His obsession in possessing her causes for great acts of cruelty.

Ashe and Achmed join forces to rescue her. Ashe does it out of love for his wife. Achmed does it out of friendship and duty to his Dhracian bloodline.

Don't read this book until you have all three of this trilogy in your possession as you will want to close Requiem and open "Elegy for a Lost Star." Read the book!

"A Scholar of Magics" by Caroline Stevermer

08.24.08 to 09.07.08 - This books was just as fun as the first, "A College of Magics." However you should not expect to be hooked until page 100 or so. Once again, Jane Brailsford must save the day. The problem is that this time its not her best friend she is helping - its a couple of silly boys who are somewhat relucent to accept her help. Sam Lambert, a sharp shooter, brought to Glasscastle college for an research project. Nicholas Fell is Lambert's friend, roommate and the next Warden of the West. It a good read with a woman driver too boot!

Read the book.

"Charlie Come Home" by R.F. Delderfield

07.10.08 to 08.24.08 - When you've read as many Delderfield books as I have, you have to recommend all of them. "Charlie Come Home" didn't capture me as his other books. Based on a disgruntled bank employee, Charlie, and the Cafe's owners and step siblings, Delphine and Beppo. The unlikely trio embark on a plan to rob the bank but when Charlie comes to his senses and backs out that is when the things heat up.

It has many twist and turns but what I liked the most was the sweet tone the end of the book.

Read the book.

"A College of Magics" by Caroline Stevermer

07.05.08 to 07.10.08 - O H M Y G O S H!!! What a great book! The title doesn't do it justice, it should be "Read Me!" If you like Rhaposody, you will like this. Base in Greenlaw, Galazon and Aravis - don't know if any of these places exist on our Earth but there is also Paris, England and it set sometime at the beginning of automobiles.

The cast of characters include Faris and her friend Jane attending college to become witches and the magic that ensues in much fun. Faris is nobility waiting to come of age and fire her uncle who has being running Galazon in her minority. With many twist and turns, trips, spells and exploding hats - I couldn't but this one down.

Read the book!

"Lord of the Dead" by Tom Holland

05.18.08 to 06.12.08 - This novel was rather neat. Lord Bryon tells of life as vampire to Rebecca. So it is a story within a story. Well written with a lot of action but oddly slow at the same time, if that's possible. I really don't know how to describe this but to say I wanted to finish this book but it was one a could put down. That's why this small book according to my standards took two weeks to finish.

I did like the twist of Bryon as the bad guy with Shelley thrown in and the use of real life facts wove into the story. Yeah, read this book.

"The Etruscan Chimera" by Lyn Hamilton

05.01.08 to 05.17.08 - This one was surprising and refreshing! I rarely read books that are based in what I call "my world." If there are things that are in my world phones, cars, TVs, I don't want to read it. I accidentally got this book at the Friends of the Library book sale and if you have ever been to this sale you know you have only seconds to decide if you want the book before someone is pushing you to move on down the row.

Lara, the main character, found herself mixed up in a plot to discredit a billionaire and steal one of Italy's antiquities and where her roll was the pawn. The twists and turns where engaging and the little old lady was a good hook for me to stay involved...I needed to know what happened to Lola!

Read the book!

"Destiny" by Elizabeth Haydon

04.21.08 to 05.01.08 - TaaaaDaaaa! I finished this trilogy. It was worth the read but this one, ironically since it was tying up loose ends and revealing plots, fell a little flat. Book 2, "Prophecy" was so good that when I finished it, I immediately pick up this one to finish the story. I do feel much was left unfinished [to hook us into the next sequel, Requiem for the Sun. I am not sure I am falling for it]. Overall, it was good.

If anyone out there read these books, don't you feel that Achmed and Grunthor deserved an ending.

Read the book.

"Prophecy" by Elizabeth Haydon

04.04.08 to 04.21.08 - This is book two that started with "Rhapsody." Anytime you read a sequel your scared to death that it will come up short. "Phophecy" doesn't. It is a bit slow at first but definately picks up and is a good ride! The three main characters, Rhapsody, Achmed and Grunthor are all back but Ashe becomes a leading character that adds to the story. Lots of sword play, banter and more sword play. And add an unknown bad guy to make for a good mystery. Oh did I mention the dragons?

Read the book!

"Stop at a Winner" by R.F. Delderfield

03.09.08 to 04.03.08 - This Delderfield was not one one his masterpieces but since it was uncharacteristically short, I am glad I read it. This book revolves around grifter Horace and gypsy Pedlar who get drafted or join the British RAF during WWII. Horace leads Pope through a series of "fiddles" at base after base and even when they shipped to the continent to fight the Jerrys [Germans]. The loyalty in between the two was like your favorite pair of shoes, you must break them in first. Horace wasn't the more scrupulous man around but grew to be a good man.

Not the best Delderfield but I still say read the book!