October 2010

1. Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare
Stud Club trilogy, Book 2

The story of the battle scarred war hero Rhys St. Maur, now Lord Ashworth and Meredith "Merry" Lane Maddox. Merry is the daughter of the stable master who cared for the horses of the Ashwood's estate in Buckleigh-in-the-Moor when Rhys was a young man. Several years his younger, Merry has been in love with Rhys since she was 12 although he's never known. Rhys' mother died when he was young and was then subjected to constant, severe beatings from his father. When he was big  enough and old enough to put a stop to it, he left the estate to join the army where he finally released his pent up anger as a soldier. While Rhys returned to society as a war hero, he felt everything but. Still tormented by his childhood and now by his memories of war, he tries to make a new start of things as heir of the family estate, including making Merry his wife. Merry has her ghosts from her past as well, and while this is what she's always dreamed of, she refuses to be Rhys' wife because he has nothing better to do with his life anymore. Not my favorite story written by Dare, but still a great story, written beautifully.

2. The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros
Classic stolen bride and her captor fall in love...

3. Linger by Maggie Steifvater
Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, book 2

The second book in the trilogy returns to Mercy Falls, Minnesota in spring time. Sam is now permanently a human, having been "cured" of the wolf "toxin" for lack of a better term. He and Grace are closer than ever, gingerly planning a future together, hoping to marry some day. The wolves that Beck turned at the end of Shiver are now starting to shift back to human with the onset of springtime temperatures. Isabel establishes contact with one of the wolves who so desperately wants to be a wolf all the time. Since her brother died in Shiver in a vain attempt to stay permanently human, this puts Isabel and Cole at odds with each other, although they find a connection due to their angry, strong, and desperate natures. All the while Grace is struggling with intense feelings of malaise, trying to hide it from Sam and her friends... The story is told in alternating viewpoints from Sam, Grace, Cole and Isabel, which I loved. The story ended with a heart wrenching cliffhanger... Forever, the final book in the trilogy, comes out sometime in the distant 2011. :(

4. Room by Emma Donoghue

A compelling novel about a young woman who was abducted and kept captive in an 11 x 11 ft. shed for seven years by her captor, an obviously sick and evil man. While in captivity, the woman had a son named Jack. The story is told from Jack's point of view and opens with Jack celebrating his 5th birthday with Ma in Room... the only world Jack has ever known. Jack's view of the world is understandably very narrow, the only things he knows are real are Ma, himself, Room and everything in it, and the nightly visits from "Old Nick" while he sleeps in Wardrobe. Something happens that has Jack's mother re-evaluate their situation and they have to escape as soon as possible. Told from the young boy's perspective, the story isn't as sad or depressing as it sounds. Like most children, young Jack has an unbiased view of the world and takes the drastic changes in his life in stride. Room is in interesting perspective of coping mechanisms and survival ... and how a mother and child's love for each other is one of the most powerful things in the world.

5. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas
A new contemporary romance series set in the Pacific Northwest featuring three brothers. This adorable story is about the oldest brother, Mark Nolan who becomes the legal guardian of his sister Victoria's 6 year old daughter when she dies in a tragic car accident. Not father-type material, he accepts his responsibility for his niece Holly and he easily slips into his role as father. Holly loves her uncles, but asks Santa to bring her a mom for Christmas. Mark thinks he can provide her with that. After all, he does have a candidate in mind through his girlfriend Shelby. Yet there's something a little bit magical about the interesting and insightful woman from the toy store, Maggie Conroy... Will Holly get her Christmas wish?

6. Stringz by Michael Wenberg
A contemporary young adult novel about a teenage boy named Jace Adams whose most loyal companion is his cello. An accomplished cellist, Jace is constantly moving and switching schools whenever his mom breaks up with a boyfriend or finds a better job, which is sometimes two or more times in a school year. He and his mom recently moved from L.A. to Seattle and are living with Aunt Beatrice where Jace continues to struggle to fit in. Not only that, but it seems his teachers can't take him seriously just because he's the new kid and black, too. A great little coming of age story from a teenage boys perspective.

7. Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare
The final book in the Stud Club trilogy, this is the love story of the notorious scoundrel Jullian Bellamy and Lady Lily Chatwick, the twin sister of Leo Chatwick whose murder in a London alley at the opening of the first book in the trilogy, brought the three men of this series together in search of Leo's killer. As always, Ms. Dare delivers a beautifully written romance with well developed characters and a substantial plot. This particular book had a wonderful ending with a smart and charming albeit poignant twist as well as providing delightful closure to the entire trilogy. The ending of this particular book and the series as a whole is really just wonderful. Would love to see a future book for Claudia...