July 2009

1. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

The Black Jewels Trilogy, book 1 

A fantasy novel set in a world with several realms--including a pyschic realm called the Twisted Kingdom.  There exists an intricate hierarchy among the people, some of whom derive unique power from Jewels that they are bestowed at significant turning points in their lives. The characters are realistic and ordinary in their desires and needs, but at the same time, each are unique in what they offer the world and the people they choose to serve and love. Lots of secrets, betrayals--some motivated out of love and honor, others out of selfishness and the desire for power. A very exciting and thought provoking novel. I was so glad to already have Heir of Shadows on my bookshelf upon finishing Daughter of the Blood. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. 

2. Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop

The Black Jewels Trilogy, book 2 

This series is immensely engrossing! I love Jaenelle... she's a fantastic character.

I need to go get Book 3 .... like NOW! 

3. Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries.

The School of Heiresses Series, book 6

A wonderful final installment to this series, even if I only read the book previous to this one. Miss Charlotte and her mysterious benefactor, "Cousin Michael" have a shared past from a long time ago... from a time when they were young and misguided. Years later, after both are widowed, they finally have a second chance at love and are rewarded with a beautiful happily ever after. I appreciated the maturity of the couple and found both of them learned from their mistakes and were willing to admit it and fix things. I loved that they were both willing to say sorry and forgive each other. Important life lessons right there. 

4. Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop. 

The Black Jewels Trilogy, book 3

A wonderful ending to this mesmerizing, dark fantasy trilogy. The ending was so emotional and so beautiful. Not only is this series of stories extremely creative and captivating, but it's also very spiritually thought provoking. I'm so glad that there are more books in this "series" past the trilogy. I'd love to read the story of Lucifer and Marian's love, more about Surreal finding complete happiness, and of course, I'd like to read more about Jaenelle and Daemon. 

5. Broken Wing by Judith James.

One of the most beautiful and memorable historical romances I've ever read. James' writing is fantastic--from her impeccable use of language to her extensive historical detail to her compelling story telling voice. The development of the story was perfectly paced and the characters were phenomenal. Sarah and Gabriel's love story simply stole my heart. Broken Wing is not a simple story of romance and happily ever afters. It takes place over several years and even revisits the past at times, chronicling the dark adventures of the protagonist, Gabriel St. Croix, a young man who has experienced tragedies that no one should experience. It also chronicles how this young man, despite all this travesty, finds true, unconditional love and acceptance in an amazing woman, Lady Sarah Munroe, who's words and affections heal and nurture him in ways he never imagined.  An achingly beautiful, epic romantic tale of survival and love.

6. Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins.

My second Higgins novel and I loved it just as much as Catch of the Day. Like Catch of the Day, the story is told from the first person point of view of the female protagonist--a perspective that really helps Higgins' story telling voice shine. The lead of Too Good To Be True, Grace Emerson, is a warm, sensitive and intelligent woman who often puts her family's needs and feelings ahead of her own, yet she's also assertive enough to speak her mind and do what she has to to move forward in life. Having been dumped by her fiance three weeks before her wedding because he fell for her younger sister whom she loves very much, Grace does an amazingly selfless thing in the name of true love. She recognizes the "kablammy" of love at first sight between her sister and her ex-fiance and actually encourages them to get together. Which they do. In the meantime, Grace goes through some amazing hoops to avoid pity and convince her family she's fine with it. She makes up an imaginary boyfriend, goes out on several horrible dates, and inadvertently falls for her new neighbor, Callahan O'Shea, who happens to be an ex-con. It's a fun, sweet story that is full of "I can't believe she did that, said that" moments, but also full of very heartwarming, loving, selfless moments. Great story. 

7. The Old Man In The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. 

I read this well known, classic short novel, because my eldest read it for her required reading for Honors English in September and she needed some help with the study guide. Imagine a 16 page study guide for a book that's only 124 pages long! It was fairly boring at parts, I admit, but at the same time, the book served as a colorful metaphor life. I think because I spent most of my childhood summers on a sailboat, Hemingway's prose about life on the sea was even more vivid for me. I could really see, hear and almost smell everything described in the book. 

8. Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater. 

A young adult novel by debut author Maggie Steifvater that was simply phenomenal. Beautifully written with descriptions of the world that Deidre Monaghan lives in and the curious, beautiful and scary world of the fae that she gets thrown into come to life right off the pages of the book. A story of family, friendship, love, and self discovery that griped me from the very beginning and swept me along to the very end. Stiefvater's second novel in this gripping world is titled Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie and is to be released on October 1, 2009. My birthday. ;)

9. Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton.

Stolen Trilogy, Book 1.

A smart and sassy romantic suspense novel with a complex plot and complex characters. Really a fantastic read. I can't wait to read more by this author! 

10. The Scandals of an Innocent by Nicole Cornick.

The Brides of Fortune Trilogy, Book 2.

The love story of the maidservant turned heiress, Miss Alice Lister and the renowned scoundrel, Lord Miles Vickery. It didn't seem likely that Miles could ever prove himself worthy of the love of a decent woman, or that he could offer anything more than his name to her... yet he succeeds at both by the end of this novel. Alice made this story so worthwhile. She is smart, genuine, and a true friend. She deserved her happily ever after and in the end, I'm glad she found it with the likes of Miles.