Lost & Found

Lost & Found by Jane Sigaloff (2004)

Description: Her diary had never let her down, never told her it was too busy, never not been there for her unlike men! Now the unthinkable had happened...

For high-flying London lawyer (and self-confessed control freak) Sam Washington, accidentally leaving her diary in a New York hotel room is a fate worse than death! Tormented by the idea of a stranger reading her innermost thoughts, she knows there's also a secret in her little black book that, in the wrong hands, would devastate her best friend and cause a tabloid sensation...

Alarm bells start ringing when TV producer Ben Fisher turns up on her doorstep - fresh off the plane from New York... and desperately seeking Sam. They're complete strangers, yet he seems to know more than a little about her. Has he found her diary? Has he read it? Sam resolves to find out by getting closer to Ben - who seems happy to oblige!

Review: This really is a cute little romantic comedy that is similar to Bridget Jones' Diary. The characters are very interesting and well written. The only real problem I had was with the character of Sam. She could be a nice person, but the way she dealt with Ben made me so frustrated. He was such a cute, lovable guy and she treated him poorly. I was glad for the cute little movie ending. It did put a smile on my face. If you are looking for a nice light read, this is really a best bet.

Score: 3 out of 5

Christine Feehan Romances Manga Fans

Until recently, Christine Feehan was hardly a name anyone—including the author herself—would expect to see on the cover of a bestselling manga book. But Fans of Feehan’s romances helped propel Dark Hunger, her first manga, published by Berkley Books, to the top of the Amazon graphic novels chart and the #11 slot on PW Comics Week's November comics bestseller list.

It appears that Feehan's loyal fans aren't as interested in her new venture as others may be.

Eclipse

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (2007)

Description: As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Review: Another great romance from Stephenie Meyer. Like New Moon, this book takes off from the last time we were with Edward and Bella. Not only does Bella have to worry about normal everyday teen life, she also has to deal with the darker issues (i.e. vampires and werewolves). I have to say this book started to really frustrate me. I mean, Bella is supposed to be so in love with Edward but she is hesitant to marry him. Then she "discovers" that she is in love with Jacob too. Its really starting to get ridiculous. I can't wait for the fourth book to come out so that I can find out if she will really marry Edward (or disappoint me further by going down this other love road). All in all, its really a good book and definitely worth a look.

Score: 4 out of 5

New Moon

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (2006)

Description: Recovered from the vampire attack that hospitalized her in the conclusion of Twilight, Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step.

Review: Another great book from Stephenie Meyer. This was also a very fast read, but still has a lot of substance. The story continues on from when Twilight left off. Naturally, werewolves are brought into this story (although I did see that coming) as apparently we cannot have vampires without werewolves. While I enjoyed most of the book, I just didn't like the direction that it was going with Jacob Black and Bella. I do like his character, however I see where this love triangle is really being formed. I am glad with the ending though. This wasn't as good as Twilight, but still a really great book. I really recommend picking this one up.

Score: 4 out of 5

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2005)

Description: Headstrong, sun-loving, 17-year-old Bella declines her mom's invitation to move to Florida, and instead reluctantly opts to move to her dad's cabin in the dreary, rainy town of Forks, WA. She becomes intrigued with Edward Cullen, a distant, stylish, and disarmingly handsome senior, who is also a vampire. When he reveals that his specific clan hunts wildlife instead of humans, Bella deduces that she is safe from his blood-sucking instincts and therefore free to fall hopelessly in love with him. The feeling is mutual, and the resulting volatile romance smolders as they attempt to hide Edward's identity from her family and the rest of the school.

Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. I knew that this was popular with the young adults from my time at Borders, and now I know why. The romance between Edward and Bella is just very well written. Meyer did a wonderful job creating her characters and making the audience really care what happens to them. As for a vampire story, it was very interesting her version of the vampire lore. The notion that it is venom that causes vampires to be made instead of just a bite is very interesting. Actually, I found most of her "rules" to be interesting. I am excited to read the next installments to see what is in store for these characters.

Score: 5 out of 5

North and South

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1854)

Description: (From Amazon) North and South is a novel about rebellion. Moving from the industrial riots of discontented millworkers through to the unsought passions of a middle-class woman, and from religious crises of conscience to the ethics of naval mutiny, it poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience. Through the story of Margaret Hale, the middle-class southerner who moves to the northern industrial town of Milton, Gaskell skilfully explores issues of class and gender in the conflict between Margaret's ready sympathy with the workers and her growing attraction to the charismatic mill ownder, John Thornton. This new revised and expanded edition sets the novel in the context of Victorian social and medical debate.

Review: I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. Part of the reason I loved it so much is that it is a topic I am very close to. Even though this novel takes place over 150 years ago, it still rings true today. My parents were both part of unions and I was as well for a short time. So I know how the workers (or "hands") felt. Milton also felt a lot like home to me. Milwaukee is very much like Milton (or was). So I really felt like I knew the characters of Higgins and the other workers. I too feel the same way that Thornton feels about the North (or Milton). I too am from a similar type of city and I don't know how people can survive in the country. This book has a warm place in my heart and I wish I would have known about it a long time ago. I highly recommend this book.

Score: 5 out of 5

Movie Connections: Brian Percival made an outstanding miniseries on BBC based on thsi book. To read my comments, visit my Video Journal. I recommend seeing the movie as well.

North & South (2004)
North & South (1975)

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Description: (From Back of Book) It is 1772, the eve of the American Revolution, and the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Governor Josiah Martin calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But there is one problem: Jamie Fraser's wife, Claire, is a time-traveler, as are his daughter and son-in-law. And Jamie knows that three years hence, the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the end of it all will be independence--with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. Beyond everything else, though, looms the threat of a tiny clipping from the Wilmington Gazette dated 1776, which reports the destruction of th house on Fraser's Ridge and the death by fire of James Fraser and all his family.

For once, Jamie Fraser hopes the time-travelers in his family are wrong about the future-- but only time will tell.

Review: Wow, what a roller coaster ride! This book was great and I couldn't put it down. There were so many parts that I just got so excited that I had to keep reading. Many things were tied up with this book, which was nice. The end, however, left me feeling slightly melancholy. The next book should be interesting, to say the least. The characters were formed so well in this book that I really got into them. I'm glad to see that Gabaldon was back on her game for this one.

Score: 5 out of 5

The Fiery Cross

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

Description: (From Back of Book) The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser's wife tells hims o. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy--a time-traveler's certain knowledge. Claire's unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past; her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead--or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes...

Review: This book got me back into the series. I was more into the oncoming revolutionary war and most definitely with all of the little things that ignited the flame. I found it to be very interesting, historically speaking, as well. There wasn't as much action, but it still held my interest. I was surprised to see such a low rating on Amazon, but once I read a few of them, I figured out why they didn't like it as much... not enough sex and too much history. Well, I thought it was good and a must read for those interested in the series.

Score: 4 out of 5

Drums of Autumn

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

Description: (From Back of Book) It began at an ancient Scottish stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past--or the grave. Dr. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once but twice. Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became a legend--a tale of tragic passion that ended with her return to the present to bear his child. Her second journey, two decades later, brought them together again in the American colonies. But Claire had left someone behind in the twentieth century. Their daughter, Brianna...

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the circle of stones and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she is risking her own future to try to change history... and to save their lives. But as Brianna plunges into an uncharted wilderness, a heartbreaking encounter may strand her forever in the past... or root her in the place she should be, where her heart and soul belong...

Review: I did not care for this book as well as the others. I'm not exactly sure why, but there was just something about it. I think part of it has to do with the absolute melodrama of it. There were so many situations that seemed out of the ordinary that really just irritated me. It was interesting though to hear about places that are close to where I live now. I've actually been to some of the places spoke of in the book, so I found that to be interesting. Overall, its a good read for those interested in the series, but to be honest, you could probably skip it and really not miss too much.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

Voyager

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Description: (From Back of Book) Their love affair happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her... and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.

When she discovers that Jamie may have survived, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face what awaits her... the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland... and the daring voyager into the dark unknown that lies beyond the standing stones.

Review: I started to listen to this book on audio from the library. I only got part one (which was 18 disks) and it was really good. It stopped at such a horrible part (by that I mean a really good part), that I had to go and get the book to finish it. It was well worth it. I thought this was a really great adult story. Showing how years apart can change people and yet they somehow remain the same. I thought it was a great story about how grown-ups relate to each other and how much men and women really don't know how to be with each other. This was one of my favorites of the series.

Score: 5 out of 5

Dragonfly in Amber

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Description: (From Publishers Weekly) This immensely long, compulsively readable sequel to Outlander follows time-traveler Claire Randall and her 18th-century Scottish husband, James Fraser, to the court of Louis XV in 1744, as they seek to forestall the disaster due to overtake the Scottish Highlands at the battle of Culloden Moor the following year. Having learned from Claire about the forthcoming disaster, James, the son of a Highland chief, gains Prince Charles's friendship in order to subtly sabotage Jacobite efforts to raise funds for an invasion of Britain. When James is banished after dueling with his nemesis, Jack Randall, ancestor of Claire's modern-day husband, he and Claire leave France convinced they have accomplished their purpose. They settle back in Scotland, looking forward to peace, only to learn of Prince Charles's landing in Scotland and his signing of James's name to a declaration of the Stewart right to rule, effectively forcing the couple to the Jacobite cause and a fate they are unable to prevent. Portraying life in court and hut and on the battlefield through the eyes of a strong-minded, modern participant, Gabaldon offers a fresh and offbeat historical view, framed by an intriguing contemporary issue of Claire's daughter's paternity.

Review: What a great book. I seriously could not put it down. Yes, it was very large and kinda scary to look at (size wise), it went really quickly. I think I finished this one in three days. The story was really great but heartbreaking. Gabaldon has me totally engrossed and I need to read more. I am now waiting on the next book in the series, Voyager to come to the library. I will not be satisfied until I have read them all. I will admit that Dragonfly is not really a romance, but regular fiction. I think the Outlander series is really worth a look at. I know I'm glad that I did.

Score: 5 out of 5

Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Description:  (From Back of Book) The Year is 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon - when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles.  Suddenly she is a Sassenach - an "outlander" - in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clan in the year of Our Lord... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart.  For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Review:  Wow.  This was one mega novel at 627 pages (QP version).  I seriously read it in about two days.  I could not put it down.  Gabaldon wrote one hell of a book.  I never thought that I would ever have read this book (or any of the series for that matter) due in large part to my dealings with it at Borders.  This is a downfall about being a boosk seller.  Sometimes you get turned off about a book due to the number you have to display and sticker or the fact that the people who read it (or ask for it) are sort of, well, off.  The reason I gave this book a chance is due to its author.  I had the opportunity to actually meet Diana Gabaldon last week during our National Library Week celebration.  After hearing her speak, I just had to get a copy of the book.  She is such an interesting person and a very engaging speaker.  So finally I have read the book and crave more!  I have to know how this story goes.  I am anxiously waiting for the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, to arrive at the library so I can continue on the story.  I highly reccomend this book.

Score:  5 out of 5