The Loves of Charles II by Jean Plaidy

This is an omnibus of three books - The Wandering Prince, A Health Unto His Majesty, and, Here Lies Our Sovereign Lord.

Overall this is a great book albeit a long one but, it didn't feel after I had finished it that I had read three books. Of them all the last one was the best for me as it featured the lovely Nell Gywn.

The book starts with how Charles come to become Charles II and the relationship with his sister, I really liked this as though I have read a little of Charles it has mostly been about his later reign, the second book moves on to the telling of Charles wife, Catherine (I believe Jean Plaidy has written a book about her seperately which I intend to get so hope its not too much a repeat of this), though being an admirer of Nell Gywn I never knew a great deal about Catherine but, I really rather felt for her as she had trouble bearing Charles an heir.

Here Lies Our sovereign Lord as I said was my favourite of the three and focusses mainly on Nell though also Moll Davies.

Charles was a very colourful king and it is easy to see why he was so popular, this is a big read but, it really doesn't seem it - if you love this period of history (which I do, I would love to have lived in London during this period, much nicer than it is now!!).

Courtesan by Diane Haeger

SYNOPSIS
Amid the disapproving gossip of the Court, a royal romance defies all obstacles.

The Court of François I is full of lust, intrigue, and bawdy bon temps—a different world from the quiet country life Diane de Poitiers led with her elderly husband. Now a widow, the elegant Diane is called back to Court, where the King’s obvious interest marks her as an enemy to the King’s favourite, Anne d’Heilly. The Court is soon electrified by rumors of their confrontations. As Anne calls on her most venomous tricks to drive Diane away, Diane finds an ally in the one member of Court with no allegiance to the King’s mistress: his teenage second son, Henri.

Neglected by his father and disliked by his brothers, Prince Henri expects little from his life. But as his friendship with Diane deepens into infatuation and then a romance that scandalizes the Court, the Prince begins to discover hope for a future with Diane. But fate and his father have other plans for Henri—including a political marriage with Catherine de Medici. Despite daunting obstacles, Henri’s devotion to Diane never wanes; their passion becomes one of the most legendary romances in the history of France.

MY VIEW
Although in historical fiction circles Diane Haeger is not regarded as one of the best historical fiction authors this was a darn good read. The story of King Henry II of France and Diane de Poitiers, his mistress. This is a royal romance I know very little about in fact I only found out about it after Googling Diane to find a little background about the book. So that means I don't know if there were any historical inaccuracies, although from other reviews I believe there was although some say there wasn't.

But, whether or not there were lots of historical accuracies the love Diane and Henri shared seemed so powerful and a really beautiful love story. Diane did seem to be portrayed as quite perfect, whether she was in reality I don't know. I think possibly the author was very sympathetic to Diane as we have seen in other authors who are sympathetic to their subject.

It is a beautiful telling of a 30 year love affair with a woman and a man 16 years her junior, I would love to read more about them I understand there is another book about them by Princess Michael of Kent but, apparently its awful, pretty much like the woman herself (my opinion!)

The Gift by Cecelia Aherne

SYNOPSIS
Step into the magical world of Cecelia Ahern If you could wish for one gift this Christmas, what would it be? Everyday Lou Suffern battled with the clock. He always had two places to be at the same time. He always had two things to do at once. When asleep he dreamed. In between dreams, he ran through the events of the day while making plans for the next. When at home with his wife and family, his mind was always someplace else. On his way into work one early winter morning, Lou meets Gabe, a homeless man sitting outside the office building. Intrigued by him and on discovering that he could also be very useful to have around, Lou gets Gabe a job in the post room. But soon Lou begins to regret helping Gabe. His very presence unsettles Lou and how does Gabe appear to be in two places at the same time? As Christmas draws closer, Lou starts to understand the value of time. He sees what is truly important in life yet at the same time he learns the harshest lesson of all. This is a story about people who not unlike parcels, hide secrets.They cover themselves in layers until the right person unwraps them and discovers what's inside.Sometimes you have to be unravelled in order to find out who you really are. For Lou Suffern, that took time.

MY VIEW
As one of those people who absolutely adores Christmas I couldn't not get this book! The only thing I regret is not leaving it until Christmas to read it. The way the book is marketed is quite cute just like a gift with a red ribbon.

Now on to the actual book I have been just a little disappointed with cecelia's books of late and haven't found anything to match Where Rainbows End and PS I Love You and whilst this still isn't as good as those I definitely preferred it to the more recent ones.

This book has a story contained within another story we start of seeing a child throwing a turkey at his fathers house and the second story is of the policeman telling the story to the child. The story follows throughout the Christmas period and whilst it may not sound very exciting it really is a brilliant story.

I always find with Cecelia's books that though they can be quite light hearted and easy to follow there is always an underlying message for us all especially at the festive time of year.

Captive Queen of Scots by Jean Plaidy

SYNOPSIS
Scotland has been torn apart by civil war and the young and passionate Catholic Mary Queen of Scots is in the hands of her enemies. Under duress, Mary abdicates in favour of her son, James VI, and fleeing to England she boldly seeks refuge from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. But Elizabeth has never trusted the ambitious Mary, and consequently has her imprisoned. So begins a treacherous battle between two of history's most powerful and ruthless women. Without once meeting her cousin, Mary is held captive for nineteen years, whilst Elizabeth rules in the shadow of countless Catholic plots against her life...

MY VIEW
As an admirer of Elizabeth I this book (and its predecessor) is rather biased towards Mary QoS however, having said that it was rather interesting to see things from Marys side I did find myself sympathising with her. I found Elizabeth in this book to be portrayed as rather jealous, if she was really like that I do not know but, possibly.

I did find this book a little drawn out in places and somewhat tedious but, overall it was as I said interesting to see things from Mary's side. I have yet to read Margaret George's fictional account of this story so will be moving that up my TBR list quite a bit as I do find Mary QoS rather intriguing.

And you cannot help but, feel sad at the end of this at Mary's beheading and her poor little dog who never ate after her death!

Royal Road to Fotheringay by Jean Plaidy

SYNOPSIS
At just six days old, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scots. At just six years old she was betrothed to the Dauphin Francois, the future King of France. Reluctantly leaving Scotland, Mary is raised in the decadent French court in preparation to become the Queen of France. But her reign with Francois is short-lived. Widowed at just eighteen years old, Mary is once again forced to leave her home to return to Scotland. Now a Catholic queen of a Protestant country, Mary must rule with caution and choose her next husband prudently...

MY VIEW
Royal Road to Fotheringay is the telling of Mary, Queen of Scots childhood and her early days as Queen.Having moved to France Mary became the King's little darling and then marrying the Dauphin only for him to die so tragically young and for Mary then to flee back to Scotland but, Mary was every inch the little young french lady and remained so something which was disapproved of by so many.

Later Mary marries Darnley who was probably not right for her from the outset and I think we all know how Darnleys life came to end.

I have to admit I do not know a huge amount of info about Mary, Queen of Scots except the main facts of her story so this was a very interesting insight into her life and though I have a huge interest and fascination for Elizabeth I Marys life was so tragic and I felt for her so much.

This was an amazing book and loved it, of all the Jean Plaidy books I have read so far this has to be one of my favourites.

The Firemasters Mistress by Christie Dickason

SYNOPSIS
In the troubled year of 1605, Papist plots are rife in the gaudy streets of Shakespeare's London as the fifth of November approaches ! Francis Quoynt, Firemaster, is recently returned from Flanders and dreaming of making fireworks rather than war. Instead, Quoynt is recruited by Robert Cecil, First Minister, to spy on Guido Fawkes and his fellow conspirators. Meanwhile, Sir Francis Bacon is scheming for high position and spying on Quoynt. Kate Peach, a glove maker, was Quoynt's lover before war took him away. Now living in Southwark, she is brought into grave danger. She is a secret Catholic. A fugitive Jesuit is concealed in her rooms. While Francis hopes to prevent the death of King James I and everyone in his parliament, Kate will have to save herself !

MY VIEW
Based on the famous Gunpowder Plot to try and blow up James I and his parliament, the two main characters being Francis & Kate, Kate Peach is a glove maker and Francis Quoynt is hired to prevent the Gunpowder Plot from happening.

But, of course the story is more than that and it is so brilliantly weaved, if I am totally honest I didn't think this book would be that great and in fact I only bought it because it was on a 3 for 2 in Waterstones and was frantically searching for the third when I saw the cover and Philippa Gregory quoting her thoughts on the book and thought it had to be a winner, I never even read the blurb on the back before buying it!

This book for those who like me only know the basics of the details of the Gunpowder Plot is really interesting to see the details more in depth and the background of how the Gunpowder Plot came about and what happened before and after.

I loved this book from beginning to end and was so engrossed a really brilliant historical fiction novel!

Dark Fire by C J Sansom

SYNOPSIS
From the acclaimed author of Dissolution comes a new sixteenth-century thriller featuring hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake. In 1540, during the reign of Henry VIII, Shardlake is asked to help a young girl accused of murder. She refuses to speak in her defense even when threatened with torture. But just when the case seems lost, Thomas Cromwell, the king's feared vicar general, offers Shardlake two more weeks to prove his client's innocence. In exchange, Shardlake must find a lost cache of "Dark Fire," a legendary weapon of mass destruction. What ensues is a page-turning adventure, filled with period detail and history.

My View
Again another brilliant view of Tudor London and the life of the hunchbunk lawyer Matthew Shardlake. It took me a little longer to get into this one than it took me to get into Dissolution and I didn't enjoy this one as much I felt it was just a little too long however, still a very good book.

This book begins three years after Dissolution ends and we see Shardlake back working for Cromwell who is slowly falling from the King's favour after his disastrous marriage to Anne of Cleves. The mix of fact and fiction works so well and despite feeling it was a tad too long it was still very enjoyable and a fantastic murder mystery that keeps you guessing right up to the end!

Dissolution by C J Sansom

SYNOPSIS
Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church and the country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers ever seen. Under the order of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent through the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: the monasteries are to be dissolved. But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's Commissioner Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege - a black cockerel sacrificed on the alter, and the disappearance of Scarnsea's Great Relic. Dr Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell into this atmosphere of treachery and death. But Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes ...

My View
Shardlake is a humpback investigator who works under Thomas Cromwell and is sent to investigate initially a murder at a monastery in Scarnsea, he takes with him a young assistant, Mark who gets rather friendly with Alice who works at the monastery which makes Shardlake rather jealous.

Set in one of the most interesting periods of English hisory makes for a very interesting backdrop, though if Iam honest one of my primary reasons for reading this was because it was set in Tudor times, C J Sansom paints a very believable and interesting scene of life back then.

I loved it, the characters were really good especially Shardlake I did feel for him sometimes!

A Visit To The North

I will be away after today on my bi-annual trip to the lake district, one of my favourite places in the UK, I work in London all week so you couldn't get further away from the environment I work in to the environment I will be going to.

I am a very keen photographer as some of you may know and there are a million opportunities for photo's up there so I may well post some when I get back, I doubt I will get much reading done up there so will have to catch up when I get back.

Tribute by Nora Roberts

SYNOPSIS
Sometimes those closest to us can do the most harm ...The granddaughter of world famous movie star Janet Hardy, Cilla McGowan has long accepted that her own talents lie elsewhere. She's persuaded her mother to sell her Little Farm, which was Hardy's retreat from the cut-throat world of Hollywood. Cilla is determined to restore the house to its former glory, in tribute to her grandmother. Janet Hardy was a screen legend - glamorous, brilliant and deeply troubled - and she died in mysterious circumstances at the farm. As Cilla settles in, she finds herself dreaming of the grandmother she never really knew and wondering exactly what happened to her. But someone else in the community wants Cilla to leave the past alone, and she becomes the target of several brutal acts. Together with her neighbour, Ford Sawyer, she must find out who is trying to threatening her and why ...

My View
After Nora's last few romance thrillers I found this to be a bit of a letdown, it is the usual male/female romance we see in most of her stand alones (High Noon, Angel Falls etc) but, this one for me lacked the punch a little.

Much of the book is about Cilla restoring her grandmothers house to its former glory, which if your interested in that type of thing you will probably love but, in all honesty I did find it a little tedious.

Nora remains one of my favourite authors, indeed if I'm ever in a book reading rut and not sure what book to read next 9 times out of 10 I will reach for Nora but, this one just didn't cut it I am afraid. :(

The Sweet Scent of Blood

SYNOPSIS
Genevieve Taylor is a Sidhe, one of the noble fae, and she's unusual, even in present-day London where celebrity vampires, eccentric goblins and scheming lesser fae mix freely with the human population. Genny is a rising star at Spellcrackers.com, where she finds the M' in magic - and that invariably leads to mischief, malice and - too often - murder.

Spellcrackers.com is affiliated to the Witch Council, whose ancient tenets prohibit any contact with vampires. Genny also works as a volunteer at a clinic which treats victims of vampire attacks. Then there's her extra-curricular activity, extracting vulnerable fae lured by the local fang gangs. Genny certainly doesn't wants any closer involvement with the vampire community. But when Mr October, one of the hot calendar pin-up vamps, is accused of violently murdering his girlfriend, Genny's called on to repay an old debt and prove his innocence. And that means consorting with some of the sexiest vamps in London!

My View
This was great, I only picked it up after looking for a third book on a 3 for 2 in Waterstones, anyway ...

This was interesting and if you love Vampires just get it! Most of the Vamp books I have read have been based in USA so was an interesting slant to read a UK based one. Genny is an interesting character, some of the supporting characters were a little boring in places but, overall a pretty good read.

Solstice at Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Synopsis
The "Stonewylde" series, now into its third title, has developed a huge cult following. It's enjoyed equally by men, women and teenagers, and retailers find it hard to decide where to position the books in-store. The series defies categorisation because it has something for everyone and spans several genres. But above all, it has the secret ingredient essential to a best-selling series - an absolutely riveting plot that makes the books "unputdownable". "Solstice at Stonewylde" continues the story of Sylvie and Yul, their developing love for each other, and their battle to survive the cruelty and domination of Magus. Yul was left hovering at the gates of death in the last book - now he is subjected to a terrifying ordeal in the Stone Circle at Samhain (Hallowe'en) as Magus attempts to negate the old prophecy.The Villagers rally around Yul and ill-feeling towards Magus grows, fuelled by his appalling treatment of his own son. Desperate to keep Sylvie safe from Magus at the full moon, Yul inadvertently harms her himself, which destroys her faith in him. Their young love falters as Sylvie becomes entranced by Magus' charms.
Magus has been grooming Sylvie carefully, heaping luxury and privilege on her so that his true intentions are masked. Mother Heggy, the old crone, helps Yul to maintain his resolve - to overthrow Magus at the time of the Winter Solstice. But the wise woman has her own worries. She repeatedly sees five in everything, and knows that there will be five deaths at the Solstice.The question is - whose? Sylvie, glittering with diamonds and starved into submission, realises her mistake in trusting Magus. But too late. She's in his clutches and then his real unspeakable intentions are revealed. Clip rallies round and finally learns to challenge his evil half-brother, but is it too late? Is Magus unstoppable, now that his clever manipulation of the situation has ensured Sylvie's compliance?As the Winter Solstice approaches the tension mounts unbearably. The reader is held on a knife-edge as the plot gallops away, drawing in the characters towards a truly explosive climax. And as for those five deaths - they're not who the reader would imagine and come as quite a shock.

My View
The final published book (though there are 2 more to follow I believe) and I had to pick this up straight away @MoonDance' was left on such a cliffhamger and if you do get to read this don't do what I done before the book and read the note from Kit at the back, it didn't totally ruin it for me but, I would rather not have known, my fault totally!

Anyway, this just gets better and better the first two were fast paced this was like a roller coaster ride. Set around one of my favourite times of year the winter solstice again evoking great pictures in my minds eye of that time of year.

Definitely the best book out of the three, so much going on! We see Sylvie staying with someone I hadn't expected her to, I won't say anymore as it may spoil it for you but, I am sure you will be saying much the same things I was if you sympathise with Sylvie's character.

The series could definitely have wound up with this book but, I am really glad the series is continuing can't wait for the next instalment!

Moondance at Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Synopsis
"Moondance of Stonewylde" is the second in this series of five titles, and follows on from "Magus of Stonewylde". The story is picked up again at the Summer Solstice, where Yul has incurred Magus' wrath by challenging him for the leadership of the community. The sunrise ceremony amongst the great standing stones was a disaster for Magus, with Yul lighting the Solstice Fire and receiving the powerful earth energy in his place. But Magus still holds the power, and embarks on another attempt to subdue the rebellious Village boy. The story unfolds throughout the glorious summer at Stonewylde, where crops are grown organically and the people are self-sufficient and productive. Beautiful descriptions flow of this idyllic place, a community steeped in magic and time-honoured traditions. There's an exhilarating cricket match on the Village Green at Lammas, and the harvesting of wheat in honour of the Corn Mother.Yul proves worthy of the wise-woman's prophecies, hardening himself to the brutality that Magus inflicts so casually, and waiting with growing impatience for the time when his destiny can be fulfilled.
But Magus discovers Sylvie's secret gift, bestowed during the rising of each full moon, and sees a way to exploit her to boost his own waning power. His attempts to harness the young girl's magic are aided by his shaman half-brother, who is weak and easily bribed with the addictive hallucinogenic cakes that are part of every pagan festival at Stonewylde. Sylvie grows fragile and thin again, and Yul seems powerless to save her from Magus' cruelty. The Autumn Equinox sees the harvesting of apples in the great orchards at Stonewylde, and Sylvie realises she has a rival for Yul's affections.Her innocent and evocative relationship with the boy is developing into something more adult, and both struggle to control their powerful feelings for each other. Meanwhile Sylvie's mother Miranda remains besotted with Magus, his baby growing inside her, and abandons any attempts to protect her daughter from the man's exploitation. As Samhain (Hallowe'en) approaches, the tension notches even higher when Yul makes a disastrous attempt to rescue Sylvie from the clutches of the two men. By the end of the book, his life hangs by a whisker as Magus gives free rein to his excesses.The reader is left feverish to discover what happens next.

My View
A fantastic sequel to 'Magus', I enjoyed this instalment even more, and I did not think that was possible!

The book starts practically where 'Magus' left off.The same great storytelling as 'Magus', completely had me gripped! I won't bore you by explaining the story as it is summed up in the Sypnosis suffice to add Sylvie is getting more interesting, I was a bit concerned at first that she would just beome another whiny teen but, she isn't and I really love her character.

Although this and the others are based heavily on Paganism I don't think you need to be a Pagan to read this, after all there were millions who read Harry Potter that were not Wizards, and who knows it might make you more interested in the way of a Pagan.

Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Synopsis
"Magus of Stonewylde" is the first title in a series of five. Written in an untapped genre, it's contemporary fiction set in an authentic pagan context. The book appeals to both males and females, from young teens to senior adults. Stonewylde is an alternative community, a vast country estate hidden away in Dorset and enclosed behind high boundary walls. Ruled by the charismatic Magus, life here is simple and seems idyllic. Into this magical world come Sylvie and her mother, trying to escape the stresses of modern inner-city life. Sylvie suffers from chronic eczema and a strange malaise, but soon begins to heal in the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful Dorset countryside. She and her mother are entranced, both by their new life in a place where time seems to have stood still, and by their attractive benefactor.But then Sylvie befriends Yul, a dark and rebellious Village lad, and slowly she begins to see that Stonewylde, and particularly Magus, are not quite what they appeared to be. Why is Yul so damaged? What secret is he trying to protect?
And is the old crone on the hill a powerful wise-woman or simply a demented hag bent on destroying the equilibrium with her wild prophecies? Sylvie and her mother Miranda are initiated into the community at Beltane, which is celebrated in a great Stone Circle hidden amongst the oak trees. They take part in the pagan festivals that are an element of everyday life here, and Miranda is introduced to the full moon rituals by Magus himself. Sylvie has her own problems to contend with at the full moon, which has always affected her in a strange way. She discovers a special standing stone where the hares dance to the moon and with Yul's help realises that she is in fact moongazy.But this brings the wrath of two men on Yul's head, and the boy is taken away for punishment of a barbaric kind. Sylvie must learn to fight, and Yul must learn to bide his time. As the young pair's friendship deepens into something more, Miranda realises she is expecting Magus' child. The old crone's ramblings take on a new meaning and Sylvie realises the full extent of Magus' ruthlessness, and just how much danger Yul is in. Only she can save him.

If not, the boy will be destroyed by the dark forces that Magus has at his command.The first book in the "Stonewylde" series ends in an exciting and satisfying manner, and yet leaves the reader longing for the next book to take the story further. Meticulous research ensures authenticity to every detail of rural Dorset life, which makes the dazzling setting seem so real. Earth energy, moon magic - strange stuff, and yet all seems possible at Stonewylde.

My View
This book has had amazing reviews on Amazon and I was a bit dubious at first as I always feel let down by overhyped books but, totally not here!

Kit Berry has created an amazing story, there are sadly few books around that capture the true Pagan way of life in the way Kit has and which Pagan would not want to live in Stonewylde I know I would.

Sylvie is a great character it did take me a little while to warm to her but, over the three books her character really does develop, all the characters were brilliant and unlike some books I could not guess where the plot was going which was good.

The descriptions of all the Pagan festivals were brilliant really capturing the sense of the occasion.

The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

SYNOPSIS
At the centre of this novel is Mary Queen of Scotland, forced to flee into England. Mary, a devout Catholic, is, of course, a living threat to the rule of her cousin Elisabeth, whose Protestant reign is uncertain. We’ve been here before, of course, in various books and films. But Philippa Gregory’s story this time has a different emphasis: Elizabeth’s chief advisor, Cecil, formulates a plan in which the destabilising Mary will live under guard with his faithful friend, Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a remarkable woman herself; someone who has forged her own destiny, and is now in her fourth marriage, to the distinguished Earl of Shrewsbury. But soon Bess and Mary find themselves plunged into very different personal crises – with Bess’s marriage under considerable strain.

MY VIEW
Philippa Gregory is one of my favourite authors, it was she who brought me to the wonderful genre of historical fiction and I have loved pretty much all of her books some of course are better than others but, never have I come across one of her books that have bored me and it pains me to say that frankly I was glad to get to the end!

The characters I feel were not very well developed and Bess irritated the hell out of me, I found her extremely shallow, I wanted to feel for Mary but, I really couldn't it got to the point where I couldn't care about what happened to any of the characters.

George was really not a great deal better, overall I guess the book wasn't terribly bad (compared to Suzannah Dunn's lastest offering this was better) but, compared to Philippa's usual standard this was not really good, I absolutely loved her last book (The Boleyn Inheritance) but, sad to say this will not be one I will re-read.

Sorry Philippa :(

The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir

Synopsis
Alison Weir was already one of Britain's most popular historians when she wrote her first novel, "Innocent Traitor", which hit the "Sunday Times" bestseller list to a chorus of praise. Now, in her second novel, Alison Weir goes to the heart of Tudor England at its most dangerous and faction-riven in telling the story of Elizabeth I before she became queen. The towering capricious figure of Henry VIII dominates her childhood, but others play powerful roles: Mary, first a loving sister, then as queen a lethal threat; Edward, the rigid and sad little King; Thomas Seymour, the Lord High Admiral, whose ambitions, both political and sexual, are unbridled. And, an ever-present ghost, the enigmatic, seductive figure of her mother Anne Boleyn, executed by Henry, whose story Elizabeth must unravel. Elizabeth learns early that the adult world contains many threats that have to be negotiated if she is to keep her heart and her head.


My View
I totally loved this book, as a fan of Elizabeth I this was such an engrossing read, detailing Elizabeth's life from very early childhood up until when she was crowned Queen. Very detailed and beautifully descriptive.

Most books that I have come across concentrate for the most part on Elizabeth's reign as Queen so it was refreshing to read a fictional account of Elizabeth's story before she became Queen. Depending on your view of what happened during the course of this book you may or may not think it is historically accurate particuarly regarding Elizabeth's relationship with Thomas Seymour and whether or not she became pregnant.

All that said I did prefer An Innocent Traitor and the way it was laid out from each different viewpoint but, still brilliant and can't wait for Alison't next fiction work!

Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon

Synopsis
Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century - and a lover in another...In 1945, Claire Randall is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon in Scotland. Innocently, she walks through a stone circle in the Highlands, and finds herself in a violent skirmish taking place in 1743. Suddenly, she is a Sassenach, an outlander, in a country torn by war and by clan feuds. A wartime nurse, Claire can deal with the bloody wounds that face her. But it is harder to deal with the knowledge that she is in Jacobite Scotland and the carnage of Culloden is looming. Marooned amid the passion and violence, the superstition, the shifting allegiances and the fervent loyalties, Claire is in danger from Jacobites and Redcoats - and from the shock of her own desire for James Fraser, a gallant and courageous young Scots warrior. Jamie shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire, and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My View
This is one book I have heard so much about and so many seem to love it, sometimes that puts me off a book as in the past I have been so disappointed by a book that I have maybe expected too much so I kept putting this one off and also its quite a chunky book too but, wow it was brilliant!

Its deemed to be historical fiction though in this book how much of it is accurate I do not know as its not an era I have a huge amount of knowledge about but, its a brilliant story and the only thing that disappointed me was after Claire goes through the stone circle you don't get to find out what happened to Frank (until the next book) but, as the book is Claire's story I guess you wouldn't!

Jamie is a very interesting character and extremely likeable! The tender scenes of Claire & jamie''s first night together were so beautifully written and worded.

Yes it is a long book and very descriptive but, then I love books like that I am a massive fan of Cecilia Dart-Thornton who writes very long descriptive books so there you go! That said I didn't think the story was slow moving which is what sometimes can happen with descriptive books.

I'm so glad I loved this seeing as I have the rest of the series awaiting to be read!

Date read: 9-12 September 2008

Rogue by Rachel Vincent

Synopsis
Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet

I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I've made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I'm working harder than ever , though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on and off duty.

But not all my mistakes are behind me. We're beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women, and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...

My View
After reading (and loving) Stray I could not wait to read this, lucky for me I packed both of them in my suitcase!

Rogue starts just a few months after Stray has ended. As good as the previous, which for me is rare I often find the middle books of series the weakest, and this one is a lot less like Kelly Armstrongs series than the previous. Faythe's boyfriend Marc is a great but, he derserves a medal for putting up with Faythe!

Again fast paced and not as long as Stray you will find yourself zipping through this one only to get to the end which is left with a cliffhanger making you desperately want to read thre next instalment, Pride which is not released until 2009 - damn!

Date read: 5-7 September 2008

Stray by Rachel Vincent

Synopsis
Faythe Sanders likes to pretend she's a normal college co-ed, but that's only half the truth. It's the other half that matters when her former lover appears on campus, sent to pull her back into a life her classmates could never understand, or even imagine. He has come to take her home, to where hunting doesn’t involve guns, the night isn’t for sleeping, and fur is much more than just a fashion statement.

Female werecats are disappearing from all over the south, and the Pride is helpless to find its missing members and stop the stray responsible. Confined to home for her own protection, Faythe must face everything she went to school to escape: the family she left behind, the love she turned her back on, and the destiny tradition says she's bound to fulfill. And when it all becomes too much to handle, an emotionally charged error in judgment leads her into the unsheathed claws of the stray himself. Now, armed with nothing but animal instinct and a serious attitude, Faythe must free herself and stop the kidnappers before their horrific plot robs her Pride of its most valuable asset: its own continued existence.

My View
This was brilliant yes I guess there are quite a lot of this genre of books out there and it is pretty easy to overlook this one but, don't! I found it quite similar to the first books of Kelly Armstrong's Otherworld Women series which I loved and this is equally as good and just a tadge different.

Faythe Sanders is an interesting character she is far from perfect (as if any of us are!) she is also quite feisty and there is really never a dull moment here, even though the book is 618 pages long because I felt it was very fast paced it seemed more like half that.

Faythe is one of the last eight breeding werecats and a stray attacks Faythe and she gets pulled back home, more for her safety than anything. Faythe is in her late teens so does come a cross as a bit of a whinger at times but, that doesn't make her any less likeable as she is a great character.

Just read it!

Date read: 2-4 September 2008

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

Synopsis
From Kinsella (Shopaholic & Baby, 2007, etc.), a rags-to-riches fable with a twist.Self-proclaimed "sucker" Lexi Smart has a thankless job and a boyfriend known as "Loser Dave." When the book opens, our plucky-in-spite-of-it-all heroine is wrapping up a night out with gal pals in London. Struggling to find a taxi in the rain to take her home, Lexi slips on the slick pavement and wakes up with retrograde amnesia three years later. Seems Lexi has been busy in recent years - too bad she remembers none of it. When she opens her eyes, she's in a first-class hospital room, the victim, doctors say, of a car wreck in her Mercedes. No longer a working-class drone, Lexi now has a Louis Vuitton handbag, and her previously humdrum body is toned and tanned. As she switches into freak-out mode, her sister notifies Lexi that she is also married - to a square-jawed, hunky millionaire. Talk about getting lucky! Hilarity ensues as Lexi attempts to reclaim her past and negotiate her dazzling present, while contemplating an even more wondrous romance with a black-jeans-clad architect. That Lexi discovers that her transformation from worker to boss turned her from good buddy to bitch adds a bit of morality-tale vinegar to this sugar-shock tale.Cute.

My View

I loved this, we see a new character from Sophie in the shape of Lexi Smart, I was a bit dubious at first wondering if she could top the Shopaholic and Domestic Goddess and whilst I don't think she has done better with either of those here this was still a fabulous read!

Yes maybe the story is a little too far fetched but, thats why we read isn't it to escape from real life? Its funny, it moves you and its easy to read. The characters were great and added to the story.

The book has had lots of mixed reviews but, personally I loved it I think its probably one of those books you will either love or hate.

Date read: August 31st 2008.