The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

You live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people’s houses.You’ve known your neighbors for years and you trust them. Implicitly. You think your children are safe. But are they really?

I really enjoyed The Girls in the Garden. I decided to read this one after reading Lisa Jewell's novel, "Then She Was Gone" and it won't be the last book of hers I read. Thirteen-year-old, Grace, is found unconscious and undressed in the park's garden after a community party. The story goes back before the assault and is told through multiple point of views to uncover what happened. I especially enjoyed the setting of the story, set in the communal park and garden with all of the interesting characters weaved throughout. Definitely one of those books you don't want to put down. I will say though, the ending was a bit of a letdown with Grace. I found the buildup to be more thrilling than what actually happened. I was expecting more of a twist or finality, which didn't happen. Aside from the ending, The Girls in the Garden, was a great book and lived up to my expectations.

Pinch me, please. Is any of this real?

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich

So, I was slightly disappointed with Crazy Rich Asians. Was it terrible? No. Did I enjoy it? Sure. With that being said, I was left wanting more. I decided to add this one to my pile amid all the hype with both the book and movie that came out. However, in the end it was just...ok. First of all, it's way, way, WAY too long. 400+ pages too long. I'm not a fan of super long books to begin with, as they tend to drag on and I lose interest... but, Crazy Rich Asians takes the cake. I'd say I was about half way through when I began getting bored - nothing was happening. I did enjoy Nick and Rachel's relationship, and how humble Nick was - especially compared to his family. But, I didn't  particularly care for any of the other characters, including Astrid and Colin. All in all I'd say it was an okay read, but I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel.

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

“The real horror of my life is not that I’ve killed some terrible people. The real horror is that the people I’ve loved didn’t love me back.”

Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him. In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: true love. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice…

Funny story - before "You" became the popular Lifetime/Netflix series, I had read Hidden Bodies several months prior - not even aware that it was a sequel featuring Joe Goldberg, the obsessed stalker boyfriend . And I loved it. Seriously, I was completely drawn into Joe's story and his serial killer ways. After reading "You", I have to say, I did enjoy the first book of the series more..but nonetheless, Hidden Bodies was great. I didn't particularly care for Love, Joe's love interest in the book, and the ending keeps you hanging which makes me wonder - will this be a trilogy? I certainly hope so. It has to be a great book and series when you root for the stalker killer, right? I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys the thriller genre.

Daughters of the Lake

Daughters of the Lake by Wendy Webb
After the end of her marriage, Kate Granger has retreated to her parents’ home on Lake Superior to pull herself together—only to discover the body of a murdered woman washed into the shallows. Tucked in the folds of the woman’s curiously vintage gown is an infant, as cold and at peace as its mother. No one can identify the woman. Except for Kate. She’s seen her before. In her dreams…

One hundred years ago, a love story ended in tragedy, its mysteries left unsolved. It’s time for the lake to give up its secrets. As each mystery unravels, it pulls Kate deeper into the eddy of a haunting folktale that has been handed down in whispers over generations. Now, it’s Kate’s turn to listen. As the drowned woman reaches out from the grave, Kate reaches back. They must come together, if only in dreams, to right the sinister wrongs of the past.


Man, did I love this book. I read a ton of books, some better than others, and then every once in awhile I stumble across a story I become completely enraptured in and can't put down - this is one of those books. Daughters of the Lake truly has everything for everyone - from romance, to mystery, even a little fantasy thrown in there - who doesn't love a good mysterious sea creature? Oh, and did I mention ghosts?

I especially love books with alternating stories from the past to present and in this case, I was not disappointed with either story. Of course, this book revolves around the main character, Kate, stumbling across a murdered woman, Addie, washed ashore with an infant. If that's not creepy and horrifying enough, Kate has seen this woman before; in her dreams. Kate becomes an instant suspect - because I mean, who has dreams about a dead woman from years ago? Thus begins Kate's quest to find out who Addie is, why she's dreaming of this mysterious woman and the special affinity women in Kate's family have for water.

In addition to Kate's story in the present, I loved Addie and Jessy's story in the past and the shocking secret and surprise we learn involving Addie's murder and how exactly it relates to Kate's own family history and story. There were so many twists and turns, I couldn't wait to find out what happened. Why did Addie wash ashore now when she was murdered years ago? Who is the baby? Who murdered Addie? So many questions which were all answered in the best possible way. Truly a great book which I would recommend to anyone.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Nikki, a law school dropout, impulsively takes a job teaching a "creative writing" course at the community center in the beating heart of London’s close-knit Punjabi community. Because of a miscommunication, the proper Sikh widows who show up are expecting to learn basic English literacy, not the art of short-story writing. When one of the widows finds a book of sexy stories in English and shares it with the class, Nikki realizes that beneath their white dupattas, her students have a wealth of fantasies and memories. Eager to liberate these modest women, she teaches them how to express their untold stories, unleashing creativity of the most unexpected—and exciting—kind. As more women are drawn to the class, Nikki warns her students to keep their work secret from the Brotherhood, a group of highly conservative young men who have appointed themselves the community’s "moral police." But when the widows’ gossip offers shocking insights into the death of a young wife—a modern woman like Nikki—and some of the class erotica is shared among friends, it sparks a scandal that threatens them all.

I decided to pick up this gem after seeing it highlighted in Reese's bookclub (Reese Witherspon) and boy, am I happy I did. What a great story about romance, friendship, and breaking stereotypes. The story revolves around Nikki, a young law school dropout, who decides to become a creative writing teacher for the Sikh community center. Of course, this comes with a twist: all of her students are Punjabi widows who begin telling erotic stories of their sexual lives. I know, funny right? A bunch of old grandmothers divulging their most hidden sexual fantasies? What kind of book is this, you ask? Well, an amazing one. And there's so much more to this novel than the erotic stories.

As these classes and their stories draw attention throughout the community, it brings criticism and fear from a conservative group of young men known as the Brotherhood. Also, secrets and scandal come to light involving the death of a young woman.

I can't speak more highly of this book. Is it steamy? Oh, yes! But, it's also inspiring, funny and suspenseful. This is definitely a page turner and one of those books you can't put down. The friendship and bond the widows form throughout the story is truly heartwarming. Love, love, loved it!

Followed by Frost

Followed by Frost by Charlie N Holmberg

 

 Seventeen-year-old Smitha's wealth, status, and beauty make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha's desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?

I absolutely loooved this book! Definitely reminded me of Frozen. Right from the start, I could not put it down - I felt like I was in the middle of a Fairy Tale. I loved the message behind the book, and the love story between Smitha and Lo. I could not recommend this book highly enough. Fantasy, romance and life lessons all in one!

Dark Places

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Libby Day was just seven years old when her older brother massacred her family while she hid in a cupboard. Her evidence helped put him away. Ever since then she has been drifting, surviving for over 20 years on the proceeds of the 'Libby Day fund'. But now the money is running out and Libby is desperate. When she is offered $500 to do a guest appearance, she feels she has to accept. But this is no ordinary gathering. The Kill Club is a group of true-crime obsessives who share information on notorious murders, and they think her brother Ben is innocent.

Ben was a social misfit, ground down by the small-town farming community in which he lived. But he did have a girlfriend - a brooding heavy metal fan called Diondra. Through her, Ben became involved with drugs and the dark arts. When the town suddenly turned against him, his thoughts turned black. But was he capable of murder? Libby must delve into her family's past to uncover the truth - no matter how painful...  

Hmm. So, I definitely have mixed feelings about this book. I haven't read much crime thrillers/mysteries, aside from a few here and there (Stephen King, Paula Hawkins), and after reading Dark Places, now I know why. Well first of all, let me just say that I could NOT put this book down, I felt like I was watching a movie and HAD to find out the ending. But as much as I enjoyed Flynn's writing, I was left oddly disturbed towards the end. Seriously. Is she a secret serial killer or something? Who thinks of this crap? I was not a fan of the cow massacre (traumatized), not to mention the descriptive murder scene of chopping up a little girl's body. UGH. I honestly despised all of the characters, including Libby, and don't get me started on Ben. However, I think that says a lot about what a good author Gillian Flynn is - to have the reader react so emotionally towards characters is pretty impressive. In the end, as disturbing as it was I can't take anything away from the actual story. There were so many twists and turns that kept me reading through the night, and I really enjoyed it (if that's the word for it). I'll be on the lookout for more of her stories, but for now I think I'll go back to my beloved chick lit.

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

Memorial Day, 1938: New York socialite Lily Dane has just returned with her family to the idyllic oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island, expecting another placid summer season among the familiar traditions and friendships that sustained her after heartbreak.

That is, until Greenwalds decide to take up residence in Seaview.

Nick and Budgie Greenwald are an unwelcome specter from Lily’s past: her former best friend and her former fiancé, now recently married—an event that set off a wildfire of gossip among the elite of Seaview, who have summered together for generations. Budgie’s arrival to restore her family’s old house puts her once more in the center of the community’s social scene, and she insinuates herself back into Lily's friendship with an overpowering talent for seduction...and an alluring acquaintance from their college days, Yankees pitcher Graham Pendleton. But the ties that bind Lily to Nick are too strong and intricate to ignore, and the two are drawn back into long-buried dreams, despite their uneasy secrets and many emotional obligations.

Under the scorching summer sun, the unexpected truth of Budgie and Nick’s marriage bubbles to the surface, and as a cataclysmic hurricane barrels unseen up the Atlantic and into New England, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional cyclone of their own, which will change their worlds forever.

I really, really loved this book. Right from the very first pages, I could not put it down. I loved Nick and Lily's love story and wanted nothing more throughout the novel, for them to have their happy ending. I feel like this would have been a great summer beach read given the Rhode Island coastal town setting. Even with a few things from the story that I could have gone without (Budgie and Kiki), I still loved every minute. Perfect story of long lost love and a happily ever after romance.

The truth finds its way into the light, no matter what you’ve done to contain it

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb

 

 Recently widowed and rendered penniless by her Ponzi-scheming husband, Julia Bishop is eager to start anew. So when a stranger appears on her doorstep with a job offer, she finds herself accepting the mysterious yet unique position: caretaker to his mother, Amaris Sinclair, the famous and rather eccentric horror novelist whom Julia has always admired…and who the world believes is dead.

When she arrives at the Sinclairs' enormous estate on Lake Superior, Julia begins to suspect that there may be sinister undercurrents to her "too-good-to-be-true" position. As Julia delves into the reasons of why Amaris chose to abandon her successful writing career and withdraw from the public eye, her search leads to unsettling connections to her own family tree, making her wonder why she really was invited to Havenwood in the first place, and what monstrous secrets are still held prisoner within its walls.

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb was an enjoyable read for me. That being said, I wasn't necessarily blown away. I decided to read this book leading up to Halloween, hoping it would give me a few scares, but in the end nothing really frightened me. I'm a complete horror movie buff, so maybe I'm biased, but given the setting of an old creepy haunted mansion, I would expect the author to live up the setting and create a spooky atmosphere. Honestly, for me that didn't happen. I wasn't scared or surprised at all throughout the story (some of the scenes were cliche and corny). Still though, I'd say I liked it. Maybe not as a horror novel, but definitely as a thriller or suspense read. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns throughout the novel revolving around the main characters Julia and the eccentric, Amarise Sinclair. Overall, I felt it could be better but still an enjoyable read for a rainy day.

Perfume is the key to our memories

The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown

High in the hills of Valencia, a forgotten house guards its secrets. Untouched since Franco's forces tore through Spain in 1936, the whitewashed walls have crumbled, the garden, laden with orange blossom, grown wild.Emma Temple is the first to unlock its doors in seventy years. Guided by a series of letters and a key bequeathed in her mother's will, she has left her job as London's leading perfumier to restore this dilapidated villa to its former glory. It is the perfect retreat: a wilderness redolent with strange and exotic scents, heavy with the colours and sounds of a foreign time. But for her grandmother, Freya, a British nurse who stayed here during Spain's devastating civil war, Emma's new home evokes terrible memories. As the house begins to give up its secrets, Emma is drawn deeper into Freya's story: one of crushed idealism, lost love, and families ripped apart by war. She soon realises it is one thing letting go of the past, but another when it won't let go of you.
Absolutely adored this book. This is my first time reading anything by Kate Lord Brown and it won't be the last. I really loved the backdrop of Spain and the alternating time lapses between the present time and 1930s Spain. All of the details, an old decrepit house , beautiful scenery, European attitude, all of it, definitely reminded me of Under the Tuscan Sun (which I loved). I'm an avid fan of historical fiction so I particularly loved the alternate story revolving around Rosa and Freya during the Spanish civil war. However, I loved Emma's story as well, especially regarding the loss of her mother and reconnecting with her through Liberty's letters. Her relationship with Luca was adorable, and I found myself rooting for them to be together throughout the story. And the perfume! The perfume! Oh I loved it so much. I felt like I was in the garden with Emma creating my own magical scents. I thoroughly enjoyed The Perfume Garden, and would highly recommend.

Cover Love - Halloween

Ever since I was a little girl I had wanted to be

Sweet Water by Christine Baker Kline

When a grandfather she never knew bequeaths her a house and 60 acres of land in Sweetwater, Tenn., a restless young artist leaves New York to recover her past and rethink her future. Cassie Simon's mother Ellen died when Cassie was only three; raised in Boston by her grieving father, she never knew her maternal relatives. Unprepared for the thick veil of mystery that surrounds them, Cassie is especially bewildered by her brusque grandmother, whom rumor credits with hiding a terrible secret about Ellen's death. In alternating sections told from their respective points of view, Cassie and her grandmother fight their separate battles to cope with the truth about the tragedy

I had high expectations for Sweet Water based on Christine Baker Kline's other novel, Orphan Train, which I was a fan of. I had hoped that Sweet Water would hold up to the same promise, but sadly, it completely missed the mark for me. The whole premise drew me in, a young artist leaving New York to recover her past in the south, sounds like something I would love, right? But wow, the plot fell short. It was a REAL struggle getting through this one. I couldn't relate or sympathize with any of the characters, and ok, I'm sorry, but what is up with the whole relationship between Cassie and her cousin (adopted or not, REALLY?!!?), can you say redneck stereotype? Very odd, and kind of creepy honestly. I found myself skipping pages and skimming the last few chapters, which can't be a good sign. In the end I was left disappointed. Sweet Water was forgettable to me.

Upcoming reads

The Perfume Garden by Kathleen Lord Kent High in the hills of Valencia, a forgotten house guards its secrets. Untouched since Franco's forces tore through Spain in 1936, the whitewashed walls have crumbled, the garden, laden with orange blossom, grown wild.Emma Temple is the first to unlock its doors in seventy years. Guided by a series of letters and a key bequeathed in her mother's will, she has left her job as London's leading perfumier to restore this dilapidated villa to its former glory. It is the perfect retreat: a wilderness redolent with strange and exotic scents, heavy with the colours and sounds of a foreign time. But for her grandmother, Freya, a British nurse who stayed here during Spain's devastating civil war, Emma's new home evokes terrible memories. As the house begins to give up its secrets, Emma is drawn deeper into Freya's story: one of crushed idealism, lost love, and families ripped apart by war. She soon realises it is one thing letting go of the past, but another when it won't let go of you. Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey Late on a frozen February evening, a young woman is running through the streets of London. Having fled from her abusive boyfriend and with nowhere to go, Jess stumbles onto a forgotten lane where a small, clearly unlived in old house offers her best chance of shelter for the night. The next morning, a mysterious letter arrives and when she can’t help but open it, she finds herself drawn inexorably into the story of two lovers from another time. In London 1942, Stella meets Dan, a US airman, quite by accident, but there is no denying the impossible, unstoppable love that draws them together. Dan is a B-17 pilot flying his bomber into Europe from a British airbase; his odds of survival at one in five. The odds are stacked against the pair; the one thing they hold onto is the letters they write to each other. Fate is unkind and they are separated by decades and continents. In the present, Jess becomes determined to find out what happened to them. Her hope—inspired by a love so powerful it spans a lifetime—will lead her to find a startling redemption in her own life in a powerfully moving novel perfect for fans of Sarah Jio and Kate Morton. Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams In the summer of 1966, Christina Hardcastle—“Tiny” to her illustrious family—stands on the brink of a breathtaking future. Of the three Schuyler sisters, she’s the one raised to marry a man destined for leadership, and with her elegance and impeccable style, she presents a perfect camera-ready image in the dawning age of television politics. Together she and her husband, Frank, make the ultimate power couple: intelligent, rich, and impossibly attractive. It seems nothing can stop Frank from rising to national office, and he’s got his sights set on a senate seat in November. But as the season gets underway at the family estate on Cape Cod, three unwelcome visitors appear in Tiny’s perfect life: her volatile sister Pepper, an envelope containing incriminating photograph, and the intimidating figure of Frank’s cousin Vietnam-war hero Caspian, who knows more about Tiny’s rich inner life than anyone else. As she struggles to maintain the glossy façade on which the Hardcastle family’s ambitions are built, Tiny begins to suspect that Frank is hiding a reckless entanglement of his own…one that may unravel both her own ordered life and her husband’s promising career.

I shall miss you. I shall miss the possibility of you

A Wedding in December - Anita Shreve
At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather to celebrate a wedding—a reunion that becomes the occasion of astonishing revelations as the friends collectively recall a long-ago night that indelibly marked each of their lives. Written with the fluent narrative artistry that distinguishes all of Anita Shreve's bestselling novels, A Wedding in December acutely probes the mysteries of the human heart and the endless allure of paths not taken.

As usual, I was completely captivated by Shreve's writing style. I love, love her - definitely one of my favorite authors! But... as far as the actual story? Yeah, completely missed the mark for me. I just didn't get it. At all. The seven friends that reunite for the weekend wedding, were extremely unlikable to me. Honestly, I despised them and their adulterous ways. Even the groom-to-be is a complete ass, who leaves his wife and daughter so he can marry his 'high school sweetheart'. I just don't get the message of this book.. adultery is okay and justifiable? Sorry, I completely and utterly disagree.

The most enjoyable part of this novel for me, was probably the story within a story, which involves one of the character's, Agnes, and her new novel, which depicts the Halifax Explosion of 1917. In the telling of her story, I became more attached towards her fictional character, Ines, than any of the main characters taking part in the wedding-reunion. I think that tells a lot about how I feel for this book. When you like the side story better than the main plot, that's probably not a good sign... I honestly could care less about what happens to Bill and Bridget, Harrison and Nora, or any of the other friends that reunited. Just very, very disappointed in this one! Hopefully the next Shreve novel I read will be better.

So here's how this one ends: happily, I should warn you.

Sunday's at Tiffany's - James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet
Jane Margaux is a lonely girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever, though. On Jane's ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she'll forget him soon. Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets a man, a handsome, comforting, funny man. He's perfect—

I don't know what I was expecting with this book, but after reading several negative reviews, I honestly wasn't expecting much (although I've read more than a few wonderful reviews as well!). I was actually, pleasantly surprised. It didn't blow me away or anything, but I enjoyed it. I loved the premise--what if your imaginary friend from childhood was real? The romance between Jane and her imaginary hero Michael, was very, very sweet! It faintly reminded me of Drop Dead Fred, one of my favorite childhood movies and which initially sparked my interest in this book.

This is my first time reading James Patterson and it definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed his writing style (although, it did tend to get juvenile at times) and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books in the future, particularly, Along Came a Spider, which has been on my wish list for a while now! Sunday's at Tiffany's is just a very cute, adorable story and a fun, light-hearted read!

"Just because life is hard, and always ends in a bad way, doesn't mean that all stories have to, even if that's what they tell us in school and in the New York Times Book Review. In fact, it's a good thing that stories are different as we are, one from another." p. 300

Love is an all-consuming affair...How do grown-ups fall in love and work at the same time?

Rooftops of Tehran - Mahbod Seraji
In a middle-class neighborhood of Iran's sprawling capital city, 17-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his best friend Ahmed, joking around one minute and asking burning questions about life the next. He also hides a secret love for his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been betrothed since birth to another man. But the bliss of Pasha and Zari's stolen time together is shattered when Pasha unwittingly acts as a beacon for the Shah's secret police. The violent consequences awaken him to the reality of living under a powerful despot, and lead Zari to make a shocking choice...

WOW! What an amazing story & debut novel by Mahbod Seraji. I absolutely love, love, LOVED this book! From the first few pages I was instantly immersed into the Persian culture and political backdrop of 1970s Iran. I felt like I was a part of the actual story, living right along with the characters in their Tehran alley.

The love story between Pasha and Zari was so mesmerizing, and so haunting - made all the more special by being a forbidden romance. I adored all of the quirky characters who grabbed my attention and heart right from the very beginning. Particularly, Ahmed, Pasha's best friend who was absolutely HIGH-larious! So many special and interesting people whose lives were touched with tragedy, yet continued to live on through love and hope.

I can't say enough about this story - it was funny, it was beautiful, it was heartbreaking. It has absolutely everything for everyone and I DEFINITELY recommend it to everyone. The ending was SO surprising and so wonderful, I was left feeling deliriously happy! Do not miss out on this book - it is amazing, and unforgettable.

"'She's the most beautiful woman on the planet,' I blurt out. 'She has blue eyes, a lovely chin and great cheekbones.' I notice that she stops peeling for a few seconds, and fear that I've gone too far. After all, she's the only girl in our alley with blue eyes. 'She sounds great. Where does she live?' she asks, keeping her back to me. 'Close by,' I say, hesitantly. 'What do you like about her, besides her looks of course?' she continues, her tone a bit more serious. 'Everything,' I admit. 'She reminds me of snow, pure and clean; of rivers, calm and flowing; of rain, revitalizing and refreshing; of a mountain, strong and majestic; and of flowers, delicate and soft.' Zari turns around and stares right at me with a puzzled but thoughtful, crooked smile." p. 55

As we drifted apart, I was becoming more desperate to save what we once had shared

Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life—until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life. .

So in one sense, I loved this book. But in another sense, I absolutely hated it. More than anything I'm just left feeling very confused. I really liked the storyline, as predictable and cliche as it was; Boy meets girl, they fall completely & utterly in love. But then of course, in typical Sparks fashion, tragedy and heartbreak has to go and ruin everything. I'm honestly growing extremely weary of these depressing endings. I totally get it, Sparks is trying to portray a realistic picture of life, and every once in a while, I like that in a book. Just not necessarily in the romance genre. And not necessarily in every one of his stories. But I'll admit I'm definitely one of *those* girls, who not only believes, but wishes for a happily ever after -- especially when it comes to a love story. I can't help it...

As far as the actual story, it was a cute romance. I completely fell in love with John Tyree! What an amazing character, seriously. As for Savannah.. um, yeah.. let's just say that I didn't care for her. Like, at all. I thought that she would grow on me a bit as the story went on, but honestly my opinion only grew worse. Right from the beginning she was just so self-righteous and a tad too 'Little Miss Perfect' for my tastes - it was very off-putting. And do I have to mention the infamous Dear John letter? (sent while John was fighting in Iraq, no less)

But nonetheless, I found myself rooting for them as a couple, if that makes sense. (Which, I'm sure it doesn't because it doesn't make sense to me and I'm the one who read it) why am I rooting for them as a couple when I despise the female love interest? You can see why I am so very confused. I don't know, maybe it was just all of the hype and hoopla over the movie, but Dear John was honestly a big disappointment.

My Heart gave one appalling lurch and stopped beating altogether

The Seance - John Harwood
Wraxford Hall, a decaying mansion in the English countryside, has a sinister reputation. Once, a family disappeared there. And now Constance Langton has inherited this dark place as well as the mysteries surrounding it.
Having grown up in a house marked by the death of her sister, Constance is no stranger to mystery, secrets, and the dark magic around us. Her father was distant. Her mother was in perpetual morning for her lost child. In a desperate attempt to coax her mother back to health, Constance took her to a seance hoping she would find supernatural comfort. But tragic consequences followed, leaving her alone in the world— alone with Wraxford Hall. Saddled with this questionable bequest, she must find the truth at the heart of all these disappearances, apparitions, betrayal, blackmail, and villainy, even if it costs her life.

Hmm... so this book was just okay for me. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't really love it either. More than anything, I was left feeling disappointed. I got the impression that it was going to be a classic Victorian ghost story, but really it was a thriller more than anything else. When I think of a Victorian ghost story, I think... spooky mansion, weird noises, ghosts, supernatural occurrences, etc. And although certain parts definitely gave me chills, the story mainly revolved around the history of Wraxford Hall and it's descendants, as well as it's very sinister and deceiving heir. I also didn't care for the whole 'Seance' experiment and alchemy references.

I did enjoy the Gothic feel and atmosphere to it, however. Harwood is an excellent writer and I will definitely be looking out for his books in the near future (The Ghost Writer has amazing reviews!). I also liked the different character narratives of Wraxford Hall and how they all intertwined with one another. There were more than a few surprising twists and it's actually a great book.. (I'd recommend to any fans of the Gothic genre or novels set in 19th century England).. but for me, it was just a good read. Not great, but good. It just wasn't what I was expecting..

"--I was sitting up in bed reading when my grandmother came into the room and sat down in the chair beside me, looking exactly as she had when I was a little girl....The Chair creaked as she settled herself in it, smiled at me and took up her work, just as if she had only been gone five minutes, rather than resting in Kensal Green Cemetery for the past fifteen years." p104

But with its persistent beauty, Far surpasses and finally tames the flame

The Flame and the Flower - Kathleen Woodiwiss
Doomed to a life of unending toil, Heather Simmons fears for her innocence—until a shocking, desperate act forces her to flee... and to seek refuge in the arms of a virile and dangerous stranger. A lusty adventurer married to the sea, Captain Brandon Birmingham courts scorn and peril when he abducts the beautiful fugitive from the tumultuous London dockside. But no power on Earth can compel him to relinquish his exquisite prize. For he is determined to make the sapphire-eyed prize. For he is determined to make the sapphire-eyed lovely his woman...and to carry her off to far, uncharted realms of sensuous, passionate love.

As I’ve mentioned before I am a huge, HUGE fan of Historical Romance. I really have a love for all genres, but HR has a special place in my heart! I just love everything about it – the different time periods, the culture, the love stories, etc., etc. The Flame and The Flower is no exception to my obsession: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It’s pretty incredible to think this is Kathleen Woodiwiss’s debut novel, the first book in her brilliant career and the first of her many amazing love stories!!

I absolutely love the plot and especially the romance/relationship between the two main characters, Brandon and Heather. Of course, I am completely in love with Brandon Birmingham. Okay, so yes, he’s somewhat of a pompous asshole…..but dealing with Heather who at times was VERY naive and clueless when it came to life & love, (and pretty much EVERYTHING else) I can’t really blame him. Maybe that’s what I actually liked about their relationship? That is the whole premise of the novel; the flower taming the flame. I just love how Brandon, president of the Mr. Arrogant club becomes totally smitten and whipped by sweet little innocent Heather. It’s quite amusing (and oh so romantic!) and such a classic tale!

A la “Shanna” & “The Reluctant Suitor” there are tons of twists & turns that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. Definitely one of those books that I had a hard time parting with at the end of the night. A totally captivating love story and I cannot wait to get my hands on “Elusive Flame” the second book in the Birmingham series!

Waiting on Wednesday - Dead in the Family

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

My "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Dead in the Family - Charlaine Harris
Pub. Date: 05/04/2010
Sookie Stackhouse has finally settled into a relationship with the Viking vampire Eric, and her errant brother Jason seems to have his life in order, too. But all the other people in Sookie’s life – Eric himself, her former lover Bill, her friend and boss Sam – are having family problems. Eric’s maker shows up with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow, the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling, and Sam’s brother’s marriage is about to take place …or will it? The furor raised by the coming out of the two-natured has yet to settle; some people are just not ready to sit down to dinner with a man who turns into a dog. And Sookie herself is still recovering from her last ordeal. She’s definitely improving, physically and mentally, but she’s always going to have some dark moments now. The werewolves tell her that there have been strange and ominous passers-by in the Stackhouse woods; now Sookie is about to come face-to-face with one of her more distant relatives…

Seriously, maybe I should start a countdown since I can barely contain my giddiness over this release!! Eric = HAPPINESS.