THE EYE OF GOD BY JAMES ROLLINS

  What's better than a great adventure story? Why two of course! Two blended into one book and working towards each other for a successful finale! James Rollins books are always a good read. His stories of discovering antiquities that can change or save the world don't ever feel like "it's been done before". Beware, tho....this is one of those "can't put it down" books. I was getting frequent interruptions towards the end when things were really heating up so I can definitely say...take the phone off the hook...send the kids out to a friends...or a movie...tell everyone to leave you alone and then lock yourself in your room and enjoy!!! PS...James Rollins also includes some true facts in this one. Love those additional touches he explains in his author's note.

PRIDE AND PLEASURE BY SYLVIA DAY

Sylvia Day writes erotica and historical fiction. This is historical fiction with a touch of erotica thrown in. This was also an enjoyable read. After all, who doesn't like a hero who has a secret and a heroine who has a spine! I'll be looking for more historical fiction by Sylvia Day.

From the back...
Wealth has it's dangers...
There are disadvantages to being an heiress, as Eliza Martin knows well. Fortune hunters corner her, friends become opportunistic, and lately, someone is engineering "accidents" to propel her into marriage. Not one to be bullied, Eliza needs the right man to infiltrate the nest of suitors...
...so do certain men
By all measures, Jasper Bond is the wrong man for the job. He can't dance, isn't known for his restraint, and his blood heats whenever he's near his latest employer. Eliza Martin insists no one will believe an intellectual like her could be seduced by a man of action like Jasper, but the combination of his desire and her mystery makes the case one he can't resist. Client satisfaction is a point of pride and it's his pleasure to prove he's just the man she needs after all...

Travelling to Infinity: The True Story Behind The Theory of Everything by Jane Hawking

I've always had a deep appreciation and admiration for Stephen Hawking and his discoveries. When I heard of the movie, "The Theory of Everything", I wanted to see it. I'm glad I didn't have an opportunity before reading this book. As always, the book is better than the movie. I finished the book last week, and two days later watched the movie. The movie is good as far as it goes and I was interested to hear that both Stephen and Jane were impressed by the actors who portrayed them. Their comments are part of the bonuses on the DVD. The movie was enjoyable but as always, there is a lot that has to be left out. The book is so much more interesting and intense. To read Jane Hawking's story of their meeting and subsequent life together is nothing short of amazing. One cannot help but feel for this brilliant young man when he is diagnosed with ALS and given two years to live. Boy did he ever prove them wrong! One also cannot help but admire his and Jane's strength and determination through everything to make it work no matter the cost. Jane is herself a very intelligent, strong and determined woman who loved Stephen dearly and worked hard to give him everything she could throughout all their trials. Maybe I'm saying to much...maybe not enough. Would you read this book if I say you won't regret it? I know I won't.

One Last Breath by Stephen Booth

This is #5 in the Ben Cooper / Diane Fry series of British Police Procedurals by Stephen Booth. From the back...The vast labyrinth of caverns, passages and subterranean rivers beneath the Peak District are a major tourist attraction. But this summer not all the darkness is underground, and not all the devils are folk legends. Mingling with the holidaymakers is a convicted killer, bent on revenge. Fourteen years ago Mansell Quinn was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his lover. Now he's out under licence, whereabouts unknown, and his ex-wife has been murdered. As they try to anticipate the fugitive's next move, detectives Diane Fry and Ben Cooper become increasingly puzzled by the case. Why did Quinn's two friends refuse to back up his alibi? And why did nobody visit him in prison for the last ten years of his sentence? Nobody, that is, except one of those two friends: ex-soldier Will Thorpe, now living rough somewhere in the Hope Valley. Overstretched and unable to apprehend a killer who moves around the area with impunity, the police can do little but warn other potential victims to be on their guard.

It was an interesting and a bit convoluted who-dun-it that kept me guessing. Although I enjoyed the story, I found it a bit tedious at times with all the descriptions of places. Possibly those who are familiar with the locale would have a better connection. I must say the writing was well done and I was definitely surprised at the ending. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy British procedurals.

I'M BAAAACK!!!

Yes, it's been approximately two years since I last posted. A lot of struggles, a lot of losses, but as they say...What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! The one thing that never changes is that I AM Never Without A Book! The reading continues...I hope you enjoy my posts and don't mind if I go off track now and then. Two beautiful granddaughters can do that to a person! LOL Check them out here...

Another by Frederick Pohl...

THE DAY THE MARTIANS CAME
*SPOILER ALERT*

I don't ususally do spoilers, but in this case it's kind of hard to avoid. The Martians come to Earth. Says so in the title. However, the story isn't so much about the day the Martians came, as it is about the discovery of the Martians and how people on Earth respond to the astronauts bringing them back to Earth. I found the different viewpoints interesting and thought-provoking. In the end, tho, the Martians do come to Earth. The part of the story devoted to them on Earth is minimal. I'm thinking the important part is how Earthlings handle the news and relate to the Martians. An enjoyable story otherwise, considering it was pieced together from several short stories. I didn't know that going in, but it does explain the couple of instances where the story seemed to jump with no connection to another "scene", and why some of the chapters didn't flow evenly together. A tribute to the author that the story is cohesive despite those instances.

Frederick Pohl again!

This time it was "Jem", and what a gem of a book it is! I thoroughly enjoyed this story of man's attempt to settle on another planet. It amazes me that I'm only now discovering Pohl's writing. I guess I just haven't been moving in the right circles! The stories are wonderful and the issues being dealt with are issues we could find being dealt with in our world today. I love that I never feel like the story is dated or that the attitudes of the characters are out-dated. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Frederick Pohl was and is ahead of his time. If you really want to understand what I'm meaning, try "Jem". Let me know what you think!

Do you focus on one author sometimes?

I'm a Science Fiction fan but it's not the only genre I read. That being said, I was in a reading funk lately...starting several books but not really into any of them. That's when Frederick Pohl's book "Homegoing" crossed my counter. It caught my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a story of a 20-something young man who has been raised from a zygote...rescued by the aliens as his parents died...and is now being returned to Earth. The adventures and antics involved kept me interested despite the dated feeling of the story. It was written in the '80's, but still talked about some of the relevant concerns we have today. I liked the story so much, that I'm now reading another of Frederick Pohl's books, "Jem". On deck I also have 5 other novels by Frederick Pohl. Yes, I'm focusing on him for the moment! :) Happy Reading everyone!

Catching up...

I've been away from my blog for a long time it seems! What have I been doing you might ask? Well, reading...yes...always that, but also running a used bookstore. What troubled times we're in these days. Used bookstores closing all around. I can name several in my area (city/surrounding towns) that have closed for one reason or another. The scary part is that I'm in a similar postition and right now fighting to stay open while also preparing to shut down the brick and mortar store much to the dismay of my customers. I will continue to fight to the bitter end to keep the store open, tho, and therefore am working hard to bring in the sales. If you're in my neighborhood and reading this, come take advantage of some great bargains! Who knows? You may just be instrumental in keeping the doors open! :) Just in case you are in this area, the big sale is buy up to $50 and get 25% off or buy over $50 and get 50% off! New today....all pocketbooks are $2 until the end of the month! A fantastic deal!

Island of Flowers by Nora Roberts

A newer cover pictured here than the actual book I read, but that's ok. This is one of Nora Roberts earlier works, and fits very well into the light romance genre it was published under. This was Book 10 in the Language of Love series. Romantic, a little twist to provide some tension, and the beautiful setting of Hawaii! What more could you ask? Oh...yes...boy does get girl in the end...but you knew that....right?

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

This followup book to "The Friday Night Knitting Club" was good, but a bit light for my taste. I found that the story seemed to skip around a lot, although in the end all those loose ends tied themselves together quite nicely and I liked that. We pick up the story again a few years further down the road and check in to see how all the Knitting Club members are doing and what changes have happened in themselves, and their lives. "Knit Two" is a comfortable, light read. Good for a quiet evening. I think it's necessary to read "The Friday Night Knitting Club" first, tho, to put this one in it's proper perspective.

The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are at it again, but this time they've left their usual environment and so part of the story revolves around how to solve the crime when you don't have all the resources you are used to. Some time has passed since the last story, as well, and so we are given tiny glimpses into the progression of the relationship between Rhyme and Sachs. (No first names...as Rhyme would say...it's bad luck)

Keep you guessing until the last chapter....even the last page! That seems to be Jeffery Deaver's modus operandi. It works. Although I wasn't as taken with "The Empty Chair" as I have been with the first two books in this series, it was still an enjoyable book. I'll be picking up the next in the series for sure! No disappointment here.

Everest: Book One: The Contest by Gordon Korman

A good Young Adult for the young adventurer in your life. A contest...a win...a dream come true. Who will be the next youngest person to climb Everest? There's actually a contest within a contest here. First you have to win by collecting the words that spell EVEREST, and then once you've one, you're competing with others to see who will be in the final pick to do the actual climb with a chance to be the youngest to ever climb everest, and therein lies the story. A group of adolescents who are competing against each other for those few spots include a troublemaker, a few with various problems, and a few to whom climbing is everything! Who wins the coveted spots, and how does it all work out? I'm off to read the next one in the series! Know any young adventurous types who might like a cool story to read and be entertained by?

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

I had to give this story some time to settle once I finished reading it. The story catches you up in the first few pages and you are mesmerized as you follow the lives of a father, a mother, a son, dealing with the loss of a daughter, a twin sister. A loss that is a lie known only to the father. A lie that becomes a catalyst unknown to those affected by it. How that lie can gain a life of it's own and create ripples of distruction throughout those lives. It is also a story of a woman with the courage to correct a wrong. To stand up for what's right while still keeping the lie secret. To love, care and fight for another's rights. This is the kind of story that will not leave you unaffected...good or bad. Yes, I recommend it.

The Scent of Jasmine by Jude Deveraux

This is the fifth book in the Edilean Series. The first three were great, but I think this one is even better. Now that I've sort of figured out the back and forth in history, I'm enjoying the series more. I think each book could be read on it's own, or in a different order with the same enjoyment. I loved the development of the relationship between Cay and Alex. The story moved quickly and the plot outcome unexpected...well, until we get to the boy and girl live happily ever after part. :) Book 4 is a Vook which I am not able to view and so I'm sorry that I'll be missing that part of the story, but not sure if it matters. Since this book was so great, I'm eagerly awaiting book 6, due out in Aug. 2011. I'll be interested to see where Ms Deveraux takes the story next.

Island in the Sky by Ernest K. Gann

Although this book is around 60 yrs old, at this time, the story is still vibrant and alive! The author, Ernest K. Gann, takes you into the heart of what being a pilot is. The comraderie, the love of flying, the risks taken and lengths they were willing to go to to save one of their own. The story is set during WWII when even airline pilots were called to duty, flying to support the war effort. When one of their own goes down in bad weather and an unknown location, they all come together to search for the crew with a "never say die" attitude. If you have a love of flying, if you understand what brings a pilot to the skies, then don't miss this book.

*PS. Many thanks to Karl Friedrich for reminding me of this great author! I'll be on the lookout for more books by Ernest K. Gann.

The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver

Well, Book two in the Lincoln Rhyme series did not disappoint! I enjoyed The Coffin Dancer every bit as much as The Bone Collector. The action is fast paced and the setting was particularly interesting since I love planes and flying. Once again, the story keeps you going, thinking you know who dunit and you find out in the end....well....you wouldn't really want me to tell you...would you? ;) If there's a movie of this book, I'll be watching it. I'm looking forward to the third installment in this series and can't wait! That should tell you all you really need to know!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline was a fun and entertaining quick read. The story is well-written, but if I had only read the cover notes, I would hesitate to recommend it to some children, even tho it's written for Young Adults. It's hard to feel comfortable recommending a book that has "One of the most frightening books ever written (New York Times Book Review)" at the top of the front cover. It is tense, it is imaginative, but I didn't find it frightening. I would not hesitate to recommend this book for children 12 and up...maybe younger if they enjoy scary books! LOL I haven't seen the movie and don't think I'll run out and rent it, but the book was worth the read.

Scarlett Nights by Jude Deveraux

I've enjoyed this book, once again returning to Edilean. I felt that this story had more to it than the previous two, but then again the others are building background for this one as well. I found the relationship between Sara and Mike to be fun and believable. I loved the added touch of a mystery and a bad guy who seems to know more about it than anyone else. A fun read and I'll be looking for the next in the series.

The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

Wow! I can't believe I haven't discovered this author before now. This book is great and I'm not surprised there's a movie. I've probably got to see that soon. The book is practically written to be made into a movie! There are elements in it that you find in such shows as Criminal Minds, CSI, The Mentalist and Bones and yet it is completely different. I was hooked from the beginning and totally absorbed by the time things were coming together to solve the crime. I'm definitely continuing on with this series.