Dance Upon the Air - Nora Roberts

Yes, I know...another trilogy by Nora Roberts. But this one is really good too. It is the Three Sisters Island trilogy with the first in the series - Dance Upon the Air. It is a wonderful blend of magic, intrigue, and passion.

Not only is this a romance with a little bit of magic thrown in, but there is also an underlying message about abuse. Spousal abuse can happen to anyone. The book sends a message that women don't have to "take it" or "live with it" - there is a way out.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4/5
Pages: 373
Completed: 4/28/08

Jewels of the Sun - Nora Roberts

For a taste of Ireland - the myths, folklore, and legends - try Nora Roberts' Jewel of the Sun. It is the first in a trilogy of books set in Ireland. Based on the legend of Lady Gwen and the King of the faeries, Carrick. After proposing to Lady Gwen and being denied three times - Carrick cursed their love and Lady Gwen has roamed the earth alone for 300 years waiting for three couples to find their true love. The stories revolve around the Gallaghers - Aiden, Shawn, and Darcy - will they find their hearts' desire and set Lady Gwen free? Find out by picking up the series and sitting back and letting the beauty of Ireland flow through you.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 384
Completed: 4/24/08

The Master of Blacktower - Barbara Michaels

Due to many recommendations about Barbara Michaels, I decided to pick up her first book (written in 1967) and try it out. I am one of those crazy people that have to read books in order even though they aren't in a series. Anyway, Barbara Michaels is another name that Barbara Mertz writes under (she also writes under Elizabeth Peters - Amelia Peabody series).

Even though this was written in 1967, I really liked the book. It was filled with lots of intrigue and suspense. It is a blend of romance and gothic mystery set in the 1800's. Wasn't quite sure how this one was going to end - which I definitely love in a good mystery.



You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4/5
Pages: 250
Completed: 4/18/08

Someone to Love - Jude Deveraux

I finished this book a couple of days ago. It left me kind of wanting...I loved the first mystery in the book - great build up of mystery and suspense. But the second myster in the book - the one about the ghosts - ended a little abruptly. However, Jude Deveraux is a "masterful storyteller."

Jace Montgomery is still grieving over his finacee's mysterious suicide. But, while flipping through one of her old paperbacks, he discovers a photo of a house located in England. There was a cryptic message on the back...what secrets was his fiancee hiding and was it really a suicide?

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 308
Completed: 4/16/08

Smoke Thief - Shana Abe

Finished The Smoke Thief a couple of days ago and really enjoyed reading it. This is a new author for me and I am definitely getting the next in the series. For all you dragon lovers out there - this is a must read.

It involves a notorious jewel thief, an Alpha leader of the drakon, a relationship that risks banishment from the tribe, suspense, intrigue, and a great romance. This is a historical romance set in Darkfrith, England in 1737. I am not a big historical romance reader, but Shana Abe's wonderful imagination, lyrical prose, and descriptive writing pulled my in from the beginning.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 5/5
Pages: 292
Completed: 4/15/08

Never Change - Elizabeth Berg

I really enjoyed this book, although I do have to warn that it is definitely a tear-jerker. I identifed with the main character in so many ways.

Mira Lipinsky is a fifty-one year old woman who immerses herself in her career as a visiting nurse and dotes on her dog Frank. She is reasonably content - or so she thinks - until Chip Reardon shows up in her life again. This time as her patient.


The New Yorker is quoted as saying, "...comes a wry and beautifully distilled portrait of one woman's resilience in the face of loneliness, and of a union that transcends life's most unexpected and challenging circumstances."

Here is a quote from the book:

"You know people like me. I'm the one who sat in a folding chair out in the hall selling tickets to the prom but never going, the one everybody liked but no one wanted to be with."

You can read my full review here.


I am definitely listing this as one of my Top Ten reads of the year.

Rating: 5/5
Pages: 214
Completed: 4/13/08

I Heard it Through the Grapevine Challenge 2008

COMPLETED 11/30/08

I came across this little gem of a challenge being hosted by Lynne and decided, "What the Heck, what's another challenge?"

This one doesn't start until June 1, 2008 and runs through November 30. The rules are simple. Read 3 books that are new to you and recommended by someone else. It can be an author that you have read before, but not the book. By signing up before June 1, you can be included in the prize drawing at the end of the challenge.

Here is my list of books:

1. Talk Before Sleep - Elizabeth Berg - recommended by Lezlie Completed 6/25/08; Review

2. Annie's Song - Catherine Anderson - recommended by Romance Bookclub Completed 9/1/08; Review

3. Delicious - Susan Mallery - recommended by Romance Bookclub Completed 9/9/08; Review

4. Line of Scrimmage - Marie Force - recommended by J. Kaye Completed 10/5/08; Review

I don't think I will have a problem completing the challenge as I am always reading about recommendations on all the message boards that I am a member of. And a few of my challenges are ending before that date, so I won't be overburdened (yeah...right!!)

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

I finished Twilight by Stephenie Meyer this morning, and I have to say that I totally loved it. I didn't think I would enjoy reading a "Teen" book, but I did and plan on reading more in the future.



Bella's emotions seemed to reflect what some teenagers feel today, awkwardness, not liked, not pretty enough...I enjoyed reading about a not-so-perfect girl getting the handsome guy. Most of the romances you read are about the "perfect" woman and the "perfect" man. Here's one for us not-so-perfect girls!!!

You can read my full review here.

Rated: 4.5/5
Pages: 498
Completed: 4/9/08

Read for your Dreams Challenge 2008

I belong to a reading group called A Novel Challenge and one of the participants, Wendy, keeps track of all the reading challenges out there. She created a "link" database and posts when the challenges will start. This is not good news for me! LOL - it puts me in touch with more challenges out there and I have already over-extended myself as it is.

However, through this group, I came across another challenge that I am definitely interested in. It is called Read For Your Dreams. The rules of the challenge are to read 10 books (either fiction or non-fiction) that relate to your dream. Choose one thing you dream about doing (traveling, living in Italy, becoming a chef, etc.) and read 10 books the directly relate to that dream. They can either be fiction (a character that is living out your dream) or non-fiction. The challenge runs from April 1 to December 31, 2008.

My dream is to either live in Scotland or Ireland. I know, two subjects, but I really can't decide between the two - I love both places so much. Most of my reading about Scotland dates back to medieval times. I like the rich history and the celtic mythology. With Ireland, I usually read both current and historical books.

So, here is my tentative list:

Scotland:

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
2. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue 12/7/08; Review
3. The Master of Blacktower by Barbara Michaels 4/18/08; Review
4. Taming the Highlander by Terri Brisbin 8/15/08; Review
5. Highland Destiny by Hannah Howell 9/11/08; Review

Ireland:

1. Jewels of the Sun - Nora Roberts 04/24/08; Review

Celebrate the Author - Sue Grafton

It's April, and I have chosen Sue Grafton to celebrate this month.

I love her Kinsey Millhone series. This month I read "C" is for Corpse. Bobby Callahan thinks someone is out to murder him. One attempt has already been made on his life, and he wants Kinsey to help him. However, he can't give her many details about the case because he suffered a brain trauma that affected his memory. He knows he holds the key to something that made him dangerous to the killer.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 243

Completed: 4/7/08

Light of the Moon - Luanne Rice

This book will definitely be in the Top 10 reads of the year. It moved me to tears almost as much as The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Luanne Rice is a new author to me and after reading Light of the Moon, I am definitely seeking out more of her books!!!

The book is set in Camargue, France and revolves around their beloved slave-saint, Saint Sarah. Suzanne comes to Camargue to fulfill the dying wish of her mother and finds a part of herself she hadn't known she had lost. Grey is a rancher suffering from a devastating loss of his own and is struggling to raise his troubled young daughter.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 5/5
Pages: 386
Completed: 4/2/08

Novella Challenge 2008

COMPLETED 9/30/08

I have decided to join another challenge. This one will be easy because we are reading Novellas and I think I can work a few of those in my reading schedule. It is being hosted by Trish.

The rules of the challenge are to read 6 Novellas between April 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008. A Novella can be anywhere from 100 to 250 pages (give or take a few pages). It is approximately 17,500 to 40,000 words.

Here is my tentative list:

1. A Whole New Light by Sandra Brown 6/16/08
2. Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg 6/25/08; Review

3. Irish Thoroughbred - Nora Roberts 7/12/08; Review

4. Untamed - Nora Roberts 7/20/08; Review

5. Sam's Letters to Jennifer - James Patterson 7/21/08; Review

6. The Australian's Housekeeper Bride - Lindsay Armstrong 7/30/08; Review

I will be adding the rest when I have had more time to think about what I want to read. This sounds like a fun challenge and I can't wait to get started