Recent Reads {The Forgotten Ones}

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard - This book was free for Kindle quite some time ago and the brief description interested me enough that I grabbed it when I had the chance. I then promptly forgot about it till a couple of weeks ago - St Patrick's Day - when I was browsing for something rather "Irish" to read. While I don't see that this is specifically intended for a Young Adult audience, that was my impression as I read it.

Allison is a very serious 21-year-old who is planning to go to grad school and then get a good job so she can take care of her schizophrenic mother. She keeps to herself and tries not to get involved with the social life of her cousin Nicole, and certainly doesn't want to get into a relationship with Ethan, despite the fact that she's been in love with him since childhood. When her long-lost father unexpectedly shows up, and claims that he can help Allison's mother, she is initially quite distrustful. Liam (her father) has other claims that are even more fantastic - he has been missing and unknown for all her life because he was living with the "fairy folk" of Ireland, the Tuatha de Danaan. And now that he has returned, Allison and her mother and even Ethan may be in danger. When Allison's mother disappears, she needs to trust Liam and some of the Tuatha de Danaan for their help in rescuing her.

This was another book that was slow to truly get my attention, but eventually it did. I found it difficult to keep track of some of the fairy folk characters, and I thought it odd that the Pronunciation Guide for the Irish names was at the END of the book rather than the beginning. Overall, I was impressed with the quality of writing, especially for a first novel, and was very glad that the editing had been done well (if there were any grammatical errors, I don't remember them.)! Another plus in my opinion was that the book was clean - no filthy language, and no gratuitous bedroom scenes. It was a fun, fantasy-fiction read and one I think would be enjoyed by young adult and adult readers who like fantasy and fairy magic tales. It is the first in a planned trilogy (I believe the second book is planned for late this year.) so I expected a somewhat "open" ending to lead into the next installment, but it was a more abrupt and cliff-hanger ending than I would have liked. I prefer to have a better wrap-up of one story with teasers to encourage me to read the next. This book ends more with a feeling that there has been only a temporary resolution and that I'll "have to" read the next book to truly find out what happens. Whether I will or not remains to be seen - if I remember to pick up the next book when it's available, I would like to see what's next for Allison. 

(Book #13 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {City of Jasmine}

City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn - Five years ago, Evie eloped with Gabriel Starke and they were crazy in love. Less than a year later, they were in China and she felt as if he was a stranger. Divorce was threatened, and a bewildered Evie meekly went back home to England, and later received the news that Gabriel had been on the Lusitania when it sank. She built a new life for herself and learned to fly aeroplanes from the pilots at the convalescent hospital. When the story opens in the early 1920s, Evie is a famous aviatrix on a highly publicized tour flying over the Seven Seas. But then a photograph appears in her mail, a recent photograph of Gabriel, and she revisits her doubts that he really died on that ship. Evie and her entourage (her eccentric Aunt Dove, Aunt Dove's cranky pet parrot, and her mechanic Wally) detour to Damascus, where the photograph was supposedly taken and Evie tries to unravel clues about where Gabriel is and what he is up to. Evie sets off to an archeological dig outside of Damascus, in search of more answers about Gabriel, and stumbles into one dangerous situation after another. Gabriel claims to have found a valuable ancient relic, but can she trust him? Is there anyone she can trust?

It took me a little longer to get truly invested in this story than usual with this author. Maybe three chapters or so, but once I hit my stride, I couldn't stop turning the pages. Gabriel reminded me of Indiana Jones, except that one couldn't be completely sure whether he was completely trustworthy or above corruption. Evie was a delightful character, even though it took me awhile to warm up to her. She was incredibly naive and careless in some things, and a tough and focused adventuress in others. A combination of quirky adventure story, mystery, and romantic comedy, City of Jasmine kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering how many twists and turns it could possibly take in the pages remaining; and if Gabriel and Evie would ever admit that they had never stopped loving each other.

By the same author: Whisper of Jasmine, Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

(Book #12 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

WWW Wednesdays - March 26, 2014

Should Be Reading hosts this weekly update on what we're reading, what we recently finished reading, and what's next.

• What are you currently reading? I'm really enjoying City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn. Last week I started on The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard on my Kindle. I wasn't greatly excited by it in the first few chapters, but I'm about halfway through now and it's been getting better. I have just barely started Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber. It's the second in the series that started with The Anatomist's Wife.

     

• What did you recently finish reading?  I finished The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis. It wasn't great, but just decent. (Read my thoughts on this book.)

• What do you think you'll read next? I've had The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu, and The Shadow Lamp by Stephen R Lawhead sitting on my to-read pile for awhile. I had expected to start on Boianju next, but Mortal Arts showed up at the library and I know that I won't be able to renew it. And I just came back from the library, where I picked up more books to read! I've added to my stack: Mr Darcy's Little Sister by C.Allyn Pierson; I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis; and Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick. All that to say... I have no idea which one I'll pick up next!
   


    


What are you reading? Anyone can join in this link-up by answering these three questions. Visit Should Be Reading to find out more.

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesday - March 25, 2014

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It says anyone can play along, so I am! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

Within moments we were seated on the same cheap Turkish rug, eating precisely the same food as the previous meal. In fact, I suspected it was exactly the same dinner, warmed over and served again.
~City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn, page 182


I did not reply - not knowing what to say - but I was more certain than ever that the conflicting emotions I had seen in Michael's face had been real, and I was intensely curious as to why. Was the possibility of losing his fiancee all that distressed him, or was there something more?
~Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber, page 21

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {The Scarlet Contessa}

The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis - I've read at least one other book by Kalogridis and had high expectations for this one. After all, it's supposed to be a novelization of the life of Caterina Sforza, an intriguing woman warrior of the Italian Renaissance, and one of the few who challenged the Borgia family. However, I found the book difficult to get into. The story is told by Dea, Caterina's lady-in-waiting and spends far more time on this fictional character than on anything really insightful on Caterina or the other historical characters until nearly halfway through. In many places it reads more like a cheap bodice-ripper that just happens to be set in the household of a historical figure, and very few of those lascivious "bedroom" scenes had any import to the story itself. Dea has the gift of being able to read the tarot cards (or triumph cards, as they were apparently called during that time), has prophetic visions, and has a special talent for reading and memorizing ciphers as well, so there is also a great focus on mysticism and magic throughout, including many over-the-top foreshadowing visions. There are few characters to sympathize with or even like very much, and Caterina was a widow well into the second half of the book before I found any redeeming qualities in her. Mostly she is portrayed as a selfish, scheming, cold-hearted and promiscuous spoiled snob. The Borgias, the Medicis, and Niccolo Macchiavelli all make appearances in the story.

Not the page-turner I was expecting, and it really took until the final chapter before I was truly interested in the political intrigues.

By the same author: The Devil's Queen

(Book #11 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

WWW Wednesdays - March 19, 2014

In order to get me writing on this blog more regularly, I am going to be trying to keep up with a couple of simple weekly link-ups. This one is hosted at Should Be Reading and is simply an update on what we're reading, what we recently finished reading, and what's next.

• What are you currently reading? I'm finally nearing the end of The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis. It hasn't been my favorite read, but I'm determined to get through it by the end of the week! I'm more excited about reading City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn. I started working on one of the books downloaded to my Kindle quite awhile ago - The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard. So far it's.... meh.... but I've barely started.

  

• What did you recently finish reading?  I finished  Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin (on my Kindle) on Saturday. (Read my thoughts on this book.)

• What do you think you'll read next? I'm ready to get started on The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu. The newest Stephen R Lawhead book is still sitting on my to-read pile. Since I own that one, I probably won't start it until I've finished my Raybourn book.

   

What are you reading? Anyone can join in this link-up by answering these three questions. Visit Should Be Reading to find out more.

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesdays - March 18, 2014

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It says anyone can play along, so I am going to try it! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

The Frenchman's death troubled me greatly, but not in the manner I suspected. I spent little time worrying over whether Girolamo would strike again, unexpectedly, by poisoning Caterina now that he no longer suspected her of infidelity.

~The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis, page 235

I had kept my hand under the pillow, and as the figure moved, I curled my fingers around the grip of the tiny mother-of-pearl pistol Aunt Dove had given me in Italy. With one smooth gesture, I leaped up to a sitting position, opening the lantern and levelling the pistol at Mr. Rowan.
~City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn, page 79

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {Gods & Kings}

Gods & Kings by Lynn Austin - This novel is based on the account of the reigns of King Ahaz and King Hezekiah of Judah, as found in the Old Testament book of II Kings. Austin imagines the supporting characters and background to the few historical details given in the Bible, and weaves an intriguing story. What the Bible tells us is that King Ahaz was a very wicked king who leads the nation into idolatry, even sacrificing children to the false god Molech. We are also given information about the political situation at the time - that Ahaz was besieged but not conquered, and that later he became a vassal of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser. We know that Ahaz was an idolater throughout his reign, but that his son Hezekiah succeeded him as a king that loved the Lord and tried to follow in King David's footsteps as a righteous king. Austin's novelized telling of the story offers some possible answers to the questions of how Hezekiah learned the law of God and about Temple worship during the godless reign of his father. In Austin's story, Hezekiah's mother was the daughter of a Levite, and she and her father give Hezekiah a firm grounding in the Law. Although his mother dies while he is still young and Hezekiah is removed from his grandfather's influence for the remainder of his childhood up until he takes the throne; Hezekiah remembers enough about Yahweh that he turns back to him as soon as he becomes king. Palace intrigue and spiritual compromise are the background to much of the novel, and there's the hint of romance in the next book in the series, as Hezekiah's wife is hopelessly in love with him but is barely noticed.

(Book #10 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

WWW Wednesdays - March 12, 2014

In order to get me writing on this blog more regularly, I am going to be trying to keep up with a couple of simple weekly link-ups. This one is hosted at Should Be Reading and is simply an update on what we're reading, what we recently finished reading, and what's next.

• What are you currently reading? I'm working on a couple of books right now - I'm about halfway through The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis. I'm finding it rather slow going, truthfully, and although I intend to finish the book, it only holds my interest for a chapter or so at a time. I had started Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin (on my Kindle) and City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn shortly before the Kalogridis book, and I'm still reading those, but trying to focus on the (not very likable) contessa's story a bit more. 

    

• What did you recently finish reading?  The most recent book that I finished was The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd, and that was over a week ago! (Read my thoughts on this book.)

• What do you think you'll read next? I've got The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu ready to go. I will probably wait to start that until I'm closer to the end of one of my other novels. I also have the newest Stephen R Lawhead book sitting on my to-read pile. Since I own that one, I probably won't start it until I've finished my Raybourn book.

   

What are you reading? Anyone can join in this link-up by answering these three questions. Visit Should Be Reading to find out more.

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {The Headmistress of Rosemere}

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd - Having finished the first book in this Whispers on the Moors series, I was eager to dive into the second. This story centers around William Sterling, the brother of the male lead in The Heiress of Winterwood, and Patience Creighton, the acting headmistress of a girls' boarding school located on Sterling's estate. 

William has spent the last several years living irresponsibly, drinking and gambling, and the opening chapter finds him beginning to pay the price, as thugs set upon him to give him a 'reminder' to pay his considerable gambling debt. Injured and disoriented, William finds his way to the closest building, Rosemere, and Patience tends to his wounds. Patience has had the running of the girls' school since her father's death. Her mother has shut herself off in her grief, and her older brother has gone to London and hasn't been heard from since. Patience realizes that love and romance have likely passed her by and she throws herself into the running of the school. She does an excellent job too, even when faced with crises such as the Rosemere stable burning down. 

Throughout the book, William is trying to face his responsibilities and make his past mistakes right. The added motivation of his interest in Patience moves the story along even as it complicates William's efforts. The development and maturing of both characters was very well done, although I was a little surprised at how completely calm Patience was at hearing a major revelation of William's past. I can't say much more without it being a spoiler, but it seemed to me that such news would have occasioned rather more shock and dismay than she displayed. Although this is the second in the series, and featuring the brother of a character in the first book, this stands completely on its own, with only a passing reference near the beginning of Graham and Amelia (the romantic pair from the first book). However, those who have read the first book may find it odd, as I did, that even as dire as William's situation becomes, he does not even consider the possibility of going to his brother and sister-in-law for a loan. 

Overall, this was a quick and satisfying read, well-paced and with strong characters. Shades of Jane Eyre, but with a much lighter tone throughout. I look forward to the third in the series later this year.

By the same author: The Heiress of Winterwood

(Book #9 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/