An Epic Journey Begins

Book Info: New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan. Published by Tor Fantasy in 2005.

My first semester of Grad school is finally over so I have some time to myself. This means I can go back to reading books that I want to read instead of text books.

I figured this was as good a time as any to start my re-reading of the Wheel of Time Series. I began reading this series in 1998 and quickly purchased all that were available at the time. It wasn't until years later that I learned there was no end in sight for the series. By 2003, I was only purchasing the books as they became available in paperback and promising to read them when they were finished. Then Tragedy struck! Robert Jordan died, with the series unfinished! The torch was passed to Brandon Sanderson and the final book is to be released

 in January. This means I won't get my hands on a paperback copy for a while. But, I can probably snag it on my kindle once I have finished the 11,004 pages of the 14 other novels.

In that vein, I read the prequel novel last night. New Spring was written about half way through the series, though it takes place 20 years before the first Novel. It is also considerably shorter then any of the other novels. (In Mass Market Paperback it is only 334 pages. The next closest is The Path of Daggers which has 672 pages). While, it is not necessary to start with this novel, it provides certain insights to major characters in the series. Readers meet the young Accepted Moiraine and Siuan and learn how their quest began. The reasoning behind their actions, as well as Lan's actions becomes clear.  The story is fun. Since I have knowledge of these characters already it was nice to see their beginnings, but it wasn't necessary. Personally, I will always start my re-read here, but I am not sure those who have never read the books would benefit from beginning here.

Of the writing style, well, it is Robert Jordan. It is definitely an epic fantasy novel. The description is amazing, and sometimes overwhelming.  All those years ago, I learned to skim reading these novels. Last night, I found myself reverting to that old reading style once again. Jordan's description can get repetitive, but he makes sure the images he is creating are complete in your mind.

Another in the Hamilton Parade

Book Info: Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1998

Things began to change in The Killing Dance and here is another transition book. The next book, Obsidian Butterfly, will be the last of the transitions and then we are into the new phase of Anita's world.

In this book, Anita gets called out of town again. She travels to Tennessee to help Richard who has been charged with rape. Of course it turns out to be an ugly plot that involves rotting vampires, crooked cops, and an evil demon.

One of the major issues I have with this book is that I am not a Richard fan. That is not to say he isn't an interesting character, he just tends to get on my nerves. I understand the desire not to be a monster, but by now he needs to get over it. You can't change your genetic make-up (well he can't go back to being just human) so he needs to stop the whining and learn to accept himself. He and Anita are in this constant love war. He loves her, he is jealous. She loves him but she is jealous. And we are not even half way through the currently released books.  It is apparent that they are trying to work on the issue, but I have the least amount of sympathy for this relationship. They do sleep together, which leads to yet another power upgrade, but sex doesn't solve anything.

Yet, we have a few interesting character developments in this novel. We learn more about Damien and his connection to Anita. Anita has a control over him that no one else does, and that scares not only him, but her as well. Damien maneuvers Anita into ordering him to tell her the whole truth about the marks which she has been given. Unfortunately, the truth just leads to more questions, which leads to more frustration because Anita feels left out of the loop. The connection to Damien will play an important role in the future.

Also we see Anita trying to understand her role as Nimir-Ra (leader) of the were-leopards as well as lupa of the were-wolves. She seems to understand the violence needed for the wolves but her leopards are walking wounded and she struggles being what they need. Her connection to Nathaniel is strengthened but she is still flabbergasted by the young man.

The final scene is key in the growth of Anita's character. Richard's mother (Charlotte) and brother (Daniel) are kidnapped by the bad guys... not only the corrupt cops but the evil guys. One of the corrupt cops informs Anita of the events by bringing her a lock of Daniel's hair and one of Charlotte's fingers. He tells her to get out of town or things will continue. He also lets her know that both victims had already been raped. Anita tortures the location of the hostages from the corrupt cop by cutting off his fingers one at a time until he tells and then shoots him. She isn't alone in her actions, but she takes full responsibility for them. After she finishes she contemplates her actions..

I threw up in the corner until there was nothing but bile and my head felt like it was going to explode. And I knew that I'd finally done something that I wouldn't recover from. Somewhere between the first blow or the second, I'd broken something inside myself that would never heal. And I was content with it. If we got Daniel and Charlotte back, I was content with it. (391) 

For all her shootings and killings, she had never taken this step before. She only took it now in an effort to save those that she knew and cared for. Yet, what does she do to her own soul in an effort to save others? Where do we stand on the line? This becomes a sore subject between Richard and Anita for many books. To save Richard's family, Anita did what Richard could not. Did that make her stronger, or more of a monster?

This scene is offset by the rescue of Charlotte. When Anita finds her, Charlotte is tied in a circle being sacrificed to a demon. The circle protects against evil, therefore those that are evil cannot cross it. The demon can't get out, and evil can't get in. Yet, Anita can step across it. Her, Charlotte, and all the good guys quote religious scriptures and recite prayers (from all sorts of faiths) as a protection from the demon.  Up until this point in the series, Anita has been questioning her own righteousness. Especially in the aftermath of the torture. Here the author provides readers with the truth of the situation. Whatever she is, Anita is not evil. I think it shocks more than one character, but the bad guy clears it up for everyone:

     He licked his lips, and it took him two tries to speak. "How did you pass the circle?"
     "It was meant to trap evil inside or keep it out. I'm not evil."
     "You raise the dead," he said.
     "I'm a necromancer. I was kind of doubting where that put me on the scale of good and evil, but apparently God's okay with it."
     "You stepped into the circle not knowing if you would be safe?" He was frowning, clearly puzzled.
     "I couldn't just sit there and watch Charlotte die."
     "You would have sacrificed yourself for her?"
     I thought about that for a second or two. "I didn't think about it that clearly, but I couldn't let her die, not if I could save her." (410)

It seems that, in this world, the line between good and evil is drawn by what the person is willing to do to protect those around them. Whether they are protecting the weak and helpless, or the strong and morally upright, it is about what they are willing to sacrifice for someone else. Apparently Anita is willing to sacrifice all.

Yet Another Two-fer

I was visiting family this weekend, so I didn't have time to write. Here is what I read:

Book Info:  The Killing Dance by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1997

Here Hamilton has incorporated all aspects of Anita's life into one story plot. Anita is dating both Jean-Claude and Richard, and since each man is a major player in is preternatural community, Anita becomes involved in each of those communities as well.  Jean-Claude brings a sick vampire to visit Anita in hopes of her healing him. This is the first time we see Anita in the healer role. She is quite often the protecter and savior, but this is the first real opportunity for her to be more.

Richard is still battling for the Alpha role of his pack and is trying to keep Anita out of it. Here we get a chance to see why Richard frustrates Anita so much. Anita doesn't trust anyone to keep her safe but herself. Therefore, withholding information that could get her killed is yet another breach of her trust. If you are trying to protect her it means you don't think she can handle herself. If you aren't trying to protect her you are hiding secrets. It might not be very fair, but in a world where everyone around you is a million times stronger, I can understand her need to know everything. You can't be prepared for what you don't know. To top that off, I think she fears that the current leader will use her against Richard in some way, and Anita hates to be used by anyone, but especially when she is used to harm someone she cares for. Richard also still has the naiveté to believe that everyone is inherently good; that a world of vampires and shape-shifters can live without violence. Though Anita encourages the loss of such innocence, she is still saddened by it.

Edward shows up when he is contacted for a hit on Anita. While I am still not sure that Edward understands friendship, I do believe he has friendly feelings towards Anita. Even if it is only because he "gets to kill more people guarding [Anita]" (19).

Why would someone want to kill Anita? Well, doesn't everyone? It sure seems that she pisses off more people then she befriends. As usual the plot line twists and turns so you don't know your rear-end from your elbow by the time everything unfolds. What you do know is that, though she loves Richard, she is not going to end up with him in the way everyone hoped. There will be no white picket fence and happily ever after for that couple. Anita makes her choice. Though, the choice is the result of her not being able to handle Richard in all his glory, she still makes the choice. Oh... and we get our first sex scene in this book.... Dear me.

A small subplot with huge consequences is that of Raina and Gabriel. These two are bad, so bad that I would almost call them evil. Gabriel and Raina set it up so Anita gets to be the star of yet another snuff film. Which means that Anita ends up killing both of them to save her self, as well as Richard and Jean-Claude. She doesn't understand the consequences of these actions right away, but they do have some longstanding effects.

I really enjoyed this book but there were a few minor issues that frustrated me. As before they are detail things, but where in book 1 and 2 I was more forgiving, this is book 6. By now, Hamilton should have a better grasp on some things and her editor should be catching others. For example, Anita and Richard end up at a dinner party hosted by her friend Catherine. Anita says this is Catherine's first party since her wedding. Unfortunately, Anita's first date with Richard was to be a halloween costume party hosted by Catherine in The Circus of the Damned. Anita and Richard might not have been able to attend, but Catherine still had a party before this dinner party. Like the car issue in Circus of the Damned they need to get a handle on the details of their own stories.

I still enjoyed it, but unlike my first reading of these books, I don't get pulled into the story. That doesn't mean I will stop reading them.

Book Info: Burnt Offerings by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1998.

Anita is now sleeping with Jean Claude, and Richard is avoiding her as much as possible. Anita was declared lupa of the were-wolves (sort of female leader) but Richard has cut her out of the pack by not including her. Richard has also left for the summer to work on his master's degree. He leaves Sylvie in charge of the pack in his absence.
Unfortunately, the big baddies come to town. We get to meet some of the Vampire Council and learn a bit more about vampire politics. Along with the Council comes a few key players: The Master of Beasts, who calls all the were-animals to him. Only Rafael and Sylvie refuse to give up their respective packs. Elizabeth gives up the leopards and there are disastrous results. Torture seems to be the weapon of choice and all of the animals suffer. We also get to meet Asher. Asher and Jean-Claude were once part of a triumverate (similar to Richard, Anita, and Jean-Claude) and the outcome was horrible. Asher holds a grudge against Jean-Claude.
All of this is playing against the backdrop of a city in flames. Vampire and shifter businesses all over the city are being burned in an effort to cleanse the city. It is the re-creation of an incident from centuries ago.

This book is better written then The Killing Dance, though it doesn't seem as intense. The important plot points are that:

1. Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard have a great deal of power, yet they can't work together
2. The were-leopards have been left on their own because Anita killed their protector. Therefore Anita takes on the role. 
3. We meet Nathaniel.
4. The wolves are forced to respect Anita because she is willing to kill and die for them. 
5. Raina is not truly gone, and she gets off on torturing Anita emotionally and mentally.
6. Anita's human friends are questioning her. Both Dolph and Ronnie do not approve of her lifestyle.
7. Anita is stil questioning herself. The fear that she has become a monster is always on her mind.

I think number 7 is one of the long lasting themes of these novels. We will see it in almost every book. Some have complained that Anita needs to get over her self doubt, but for me I can understand it. Anita's upbringing would cause her to question herself and her actions. 

Also the introduction of Nathaniel is an important one. With Nathaniel's appearance the books take a turn. At the author signing I went to last month, Laurell K. talked about how Nathaniel came about. She explained that she had read an article about a man who was a submissive to the extent that he required a dominant. When his dominant died he disappeared. No one knows what happened to him. Laurell K incorporated a way for her to save this man in fiction. But by doing so, she introduced an entire culture to Anita. One that would have to be learned in order to completely save Nathaniel. From here on out, the themes of the books change. Though she still doubts herself, Anita takes a more sexual role in the books then ever before. 

I have finished the next book but don't have time to write it up. Maybe tomorrow.

A Two-fer

I have finished another 3 books by Hamilton but haven't written them up. So you get a quick two-for-one deal tonight.

Book Info: The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1996

And we return to the shape-shifters yet again. Hamilton cranks up the sexual tension (or frustrations) in her novel as Anita dates both Richard and Jean-Claude. She doesn't sleep with either of them... so don't get your hopes up. That doesn't' happen for another 2 books.

Here we have rampaging were-animals, snuff films, illegal hunters, and a jealous vampire. Richard proposes and Anita accepts, until they push things off. Richard has to change in front of Anita and be able to accept all that he is. 

We also meet Gabriel, the leader of the were-leapards. Talk about major creepy. But his character is essential to the progression of the novel. 

and finally we begin to understand Anita's mindset. We see her worry about becoming too much like Edward. 

Book Info: Bloody Bones by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1996

Hamilton returns to Anita's roots of zombie raising by having her travel out of state for a job. She has been asked to raise an entire cemetery that includes some who have been dead more than 300 years. It is interesting to note that Hamilton takes this as an opportunity to explain how impressive Anita's powers truly are. Not only are readers introduced to the top 3 Animators in the country but it is explained that Anita is number 1. She can do what the others can't. Therefore the argument of why she is always up against the worst of the worst is explained: She is the top of her field.

Of course there are vampires in this novel and Jean-Claude and Jason (the were-wolf) join Anita and Larry (the animator in training) for the out of town job, in hopes of getting help from the local vampires. This of course don't work out and we learn Anita's greatest desire. We also learn that she has more power then even she thought.


The writing style is still the first person narrative which people are referring to as "an overly simplistic style." I enjoy it but I am seeing a few issues. There are some repeats of descriptors that shouldn't happen, and some of the descriptions get a little too deep for me... I don't need to know the color of her jogging socks or of the swoosh on her Nikes. Though I do see how the character of Anita would think that she would need to color-cordinate the swoosh and her shirt for her personal monochromatic style.

A different kind of Circus

Book Info: Circus of the Damned by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1995

So we started with Vampires, then moved to Zombies, and now we are back to Vampires with a bit of shapeshifter thrown in.

Anita finds herself the unwilling participant of a turf war, but not just any turf war. Jean-Claude is fighting for control of the city. The vampire world knows that he cannot control his human servant, and Anita doesn't care.  She has no desire to be a human servant and therefore no desire to help Jean-Claude. But an effort to change her mind goes awry and Anita hands Jean-Claude over to the bad guys. She then realizes, that there are worse things then Jean-Claude, much worse.
On another track, we are introduced to another hate group, Humans First. These guys have no qualms about killing those they deem not human and Edward is hired (again) to kill the Master of the City. Throw in a few immortal snake gods and a battle to the death and thats the story in a nutshell.

Much like the first two books, there is a lot of gore and scary situations, but this isn't one of Hamilton's best. There are a few mistakes in the story. One glaringly obvious mistake is the car issue. In Chapter 25 her new co-worker Larry has to drive her home because she had totaled her own car. She even laments over how her car will never be parked in it's spot again. Yet, in Chapter 29, it is the next day and she has driven to meet someone in the middle of nowhere. Then, the day after that, Larry is driving her around again. Now she could have gotten a cab the first time, but she talks about following someone in her car therefore she had to have something that was left in a lot. Maybe it was a rental, but she really didn't have time for that. Plus, if she had gotten a rental, why would Larry be driving her the next day? It's a minor mistake but by not clarifying she throws the reader.

While such mistakes might be annoying, this is a necessary book in the series. In this book we meet the bane of many fans (including me), the famous Richard Zeeman. Richard will become Anita's on again, off again boyfriend. Richard appears to be a mild-mannered junior high school science teacher with a wicked smile and soft lips. But it will become apparent in future books that he is more than meets the eye. We also learn that Jean-Claude gets jealous and the marks tying Anita to Jean-Claude can and are broken. Therefore, Anita is no longer attached to him in any way by the end of this novel. She has a choice going forward. And finally we see what four marks will do to Anita. Her "master" had no control over her. The question that will come: Could she have controlled him?

A whole new level

Book info: The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1994.

Years ago when I first read these books, they took me to a whole new level of gore. At that point, I had never really gotten into horror or cop dramas. It would be years before I was comfortable watching shows like Criminal Minds or Law and Order: SVU. Re-reading them now I realize that became my measuring stick. These are as scary as I go. I don't do creepier than Laurell K. and this book is definitely creepy.

As usual there are 2 separate story lines moving through this novel which come together in the end. On one hand Anita is assisting the cops on a set of gruesome murders. The goriest scenes she has ever visited with the bodies of adults and children ripped apart and partially eaten. She determines that they must be the work of a zombie but unlike any zombie she has ever heard about. On the other hand, a very rich man names Harold Gaynor wants to pay Anita a million dollars to raise a corpse that is almost 300 years old. Though Anita's boss is all for it, once Anita explains that a corpse that old would require a human sacrifice, the deal is off the table. But as anyone knows, anyone willing to do a human sacrifice isn't going to take no for an answer.
More then just a gory story, Hamilton is still building her world and fine tuning her craft. These are her first novels. She builds on the world she had created in the first book and each character seems to have a bit more depth. We come to understand the reality of Anita's job, as animator, as executioner, and as paranormal expert for the police. While she is one of the best in her field, it is obvious that the field is still young. There seems to be quite a bit she just doesn't know. Even more there are things she doesn't want to know. We are also introduced to other practitioners of the art (animators) and we see the varying levels associated with it. As with all jobs, there are good people and bad people. Anita seems to want to be on the side of the good people but she is beginning to compromise. For the first time we se her philosophy plainly explained:

     "I have no personal stake in these people, Jean-Claude, but they are people. Good, bad, or indifferent, they are alive and no one has the right to just arbitrarily snuff them out."
     "So it is the sanctity of life you cling to?"
     I nodded. "That and the fact that every human being is special. Every death is a loss of something precious and irreplaceable."
     "You have killed before, Anita. You have destroyed that which is irreplaceable."
     "I'm irreplaceable too," I said. "No one has the right to kill me either."

This seems to be the mantra that lives through the rest of the series. She does expand some to include all beings, but the theme remains the same. Everyone is irreplaceable, shapeshifter, vampire or human. Anita will fight to protect them all. Yet, she has the right to defend herself as well. Therefore, if you are going to try to take out any of those that she deems hers, you better take her down first. Because you won't get a second chance. Hence the final scene when she makes sure to eradicate those that were willing to kill her.

Anita Blake, the ultimate badass

Book Info: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books 1993

I was introduced to the books of Laurell K Hamilton about 5 or 6 years ago and was intrigued by the humor and horror of the world the author created. While I rarely suggest these books to any (I have actually discouraged some friends who wanted to try them) I continue to purchase each book as it is released. Why would I discourage anyone from reading a book? Let's just say these come with an adult label. Some reviews call them an R-rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer and expect them to be a romance version of the show. But it isn't really.
The cover shot I have included is the one I actually read. It is the 2nd iteration of the cover. So far, there have been 3 different covers.



Guilty Pleasures sets the stage for the rest of the 21 books (and counting) in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Readers are introduced to a Saint Louis, Missouri unlike anything we know. A world where the United States has granted vampires a legal status and they are currently fighting for the suffrage. We are introduced to various characters that represent the various opinions society has about the things that go bump in the night. Some are sympathetic to the cause because vampires are just "fanged people"(100). Others like the Humans Against Vampires (HAV) fight in the legal world to eradicate the vampires. One vampire even started a church and they recruit "like the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses" (135). Some people seem to like the idea of never dying. To others it is a tourist thing, it becomes a novelty. Get your hair and nails done by a vampire or go to a strip club to see a vampire stripper. Some have even chosen getting bitten by a vampire as a their drug of choice. In this reality, it becomes an addiction like alcohol or tobacco. Others kill the vampires out right. And in this first book we meet the bogeymen of the vampire world. Edward hangs out on the non-legal side of the line. He is the hit man of the paranormal world. Anita refers to him as "Death itself" (85). And then, on the legal side of the line, is our heroine, Anita Blake. A short, sarcastic woman who raises the dead for a living (zombies not Lazarus) and is referred to by the vampires as The Executioner. She is who the law calls when there is a warrant to execute a vampire legally. Meaning: when vampires rampage Anita is called in to kick ass.

All of this information is filtered through the internal dialogue of Anita herself. The plot is written in a first-person narrative that some people have called whiny. I prefer to see it as a form of sarcasm. I think it is interesting to see Anita's diagnosis of herself and each situation. She is an awkward woman and doesn't seem to fit the role society would like her to play. She raises zombie and carries a gun. She is in her mid 20's and single with no plans to marry. She is religious and carries a blessed cross as protection (which can only be of use to someone who has faith). She works with the men on the police squad to help with preternatural crimes. She hates dresses and pink and yet, much to her dismay, she blushes easily. There is no way to hide the main characters fears or insecurities in this type of narrative. They are displayed for each reader. With that, one hopes, readers will also understand her choices when dealing with certain situations. Anita seems to have an innate desire for justice and to protect those she deems weaker then herself. Which apparently includes almost everyone she comes in contact with. While some may call her a "Mary Sue," I think the author's use of the first person narrative provides a depth to the character that many ignore. This is not a super woman with no faults. This is a woman who struggles with her role in society and her understanding of right and wrong. All while getting her butt kicked repeatedly. Granted she wins in the end but has a few new scars to add to her collection, including a new one on her heart.

The Warning Label:

As with all of the rest of the books in the series this book is full of gore. The things that go bump in the night are alive and well in this world and they are out for blood, or in one instance rape. With Vampires, Lycanthropes, and hit squads it is not shocking that battles must be fought. I will admit to having to put the book down in the middle of the night because it got to creepy for me. These are not for the faint of heart.
Also, while this book does not have any sex in it, nor do the next couple of books in the series, by book 7 or so there is not only sex but I believe there are even some full scale orgies. It is not shocking that, though they began as books that were suggested to young women as a strong role model, they are now kept in the adult only section. Many people can not handle some of the later scenes. But I think readers should understand what is coming so as not to get sucked into a world they are not going to be able to handle in a few books time.

Another Game in the series

Book Info: Samurai Game by Christine Feehan. Published by Jove Books 2012.

This is yet another installment of a Christine Feehan series. I did not do re-read of the entire series at this time because there are only 10 books in the series and it wasn't necessary. I have read these books so many times I have lost count. I enjoy them for what they are. Paranormal/military romances that deal with some dark issues. For example, all of the heroes are in the military and have been enhanced physically and psychically by a mad scientist who is in hiding. The heroines have undergone the same procedures, but years earlier. Sadly, all of the women were purchased from orphanages around the world as small children and experimented on. While these stories deal with the alpha male mentality found in the military, they are thrown up against the abused women who have had to learn to fend for themselves against a mad man.

As usual, Feehan creates a parallel world for her series. Running over these 10 novels she sets up the fact that the good guys are formed into 4 different teams. The women seem to have no set location. Some of them are controlled by the bad guys in facilities. Others were adopted out to families, though they are still controlled in some ways by the bad guys. The heroine of this book was thrown away by the bad guys and left for dead. The novels jump from team to team and you never know which one the next story will be about. Lucky for us, in this book, we get to go back to our first team and get an HEA for a character we have known for a while.

Yet, there were some problems with this book that I didn't have with the others. With a mad scientist running loose and military men, you can only image the technical jargon that is thrown around. I am a History and English Lit major. I took my required Biology and Astronomy and called it quits on the sciences. But I have been reading military histories since I was a teenager so the language and acronyms of soldiers were not new to me. There were times I had to look some of the military things up but I usually let the science techno babble go over my head as it was usually explained to the soldiers in a way I could understand. In this book, however, it is obvious that the author now has someone that she can discuss real world ops with. In her acknowledgements she specifically mentions that she discussed the military scenes with someone from the Rangers. While I am all for using real world terms etc, I think this caused a few problems in the story itself. The scenes I am thinking of are towards the end of the novel. The soldiers receive orders to go into the jungle and...  Well, so as not to give anything away,  let's just say they are going to do some stuff. The men gather in the "war room" and plan. Which one would expect. Yet, here we get a does of military jargon that readers haven't ever had in Feehan's novels. Which means a lot of acronyms that have to be explained. Now I am all for explaining things that might be unclear... such as the difference between a HALO and HAHO. But in the middle of the war room, no leader would have to make such an explanation. And to have it in the background breaks the flow of the story.  For example, taken from page 310:

     "You'll make a HALO insertion from a CIA Gulstream C-11. The crew will be squawking a Yemen business transponder code to cover us."
      A HALO was a high altitude low opening jump.
      "Normal business men you are," Gator snickered.

The use of the acronym HALO would be considered normal for this type of meeting and, because everyone there knew it's meaning, it wouldn't need to be explained. Yet, some readers might not understand and therefore the explanation is added. Unfortunately, it pulls the reader from the meeting and then tries to throw them right back in with Gator's comment. That doesn't work. The reader is stuck trying to jump between reality and story and in the end just stays in reality. The struggle continues with references to the TOT, DZ, PZ and RP. (Time over Target, Drop Zone, Pickup Zone and Rally Points respectively.) She also includes the descriptions of what each man is carrying. Now I imagine that this scene might be fairly accurate for a military meeting but it is not consistent with the world she has created in the 9 previous books. If she had started using these acronyms or this type of set up in her first books, readers would be comfortable with them by this point. But to add them at this late a date means you have to add the explanations which kills the story. Yet, how to fix this problem is definitely a dilemma. I guess she could do what other authors have done and add a glossary of military terms. That way readers can look them up if they have questions. (I believe she has done this with her Dark Series as well.) Or maybe include a character that these things needs to be explained to like she did with the science and computer stuff. Either way would have created a better flow to the story then the odd explanations dropped into the storyline.

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others in the series, I will probably still continue to read the novels. For now I will just have to skim over the explanations of the military jargon. In the end, I give her bonus points for accuracy but dock her points for the inclusions of the explanations into the storyline.

Caught off guard

Book Info: Betty & Veronica by Elena Aitken. Published by Ink Blot Communications in 2011

So while traveling last week I carried my kindle instead of my usual couple of paperbacks. It was odd, but it did give me a chance to re-read some of my "trashy novels." One night in an effort to read something new, I chose this short story. I had picked this one up awhile back for free from Amazon. I had assumed it was a short romance novel, and hadn't read the description.

Well, I was in for quite a shock. Rather than a love story, this is a story of lasting friendship. On the beach for their yearly vacation, Addison informs her best friend Rori that she has breast cancer. The rest of the story stumbles through the reality of cancer. Addison moves in with Rori, so Rori can take care of her friend through the struggles of chemo and radiation therapy.  Addison even convinces Rori to train and run the 10k for the Race for the Cure.

Each scene with the two friends illuminates the relationship women have with each other. As I read I was reminded of my own friends. There is very little I wouldn't do for my friends and therefore I felt I could relate to Rori in that way.

I don't want to give the ending away, but suffice to say it didn't shock me. There was sufficient foreshadowing to prepare you for the eventual outcome. Yet, I wasn't prepared for how it happened. The author provided a twist that surprised me, and yet I understood each woman's actions.

I will probably read this one again, though not anytime soon. Tears are really not my thing.

An Old Favorite.

Book Info: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. Published by St. Martin's Press in 2004.

4 or 5 years ago, my friend Sarah suggested I try Jennifer Crusie. I told her I would and then never did. About 3 years ago she loaned me Bet Me and told me to try it. But not until I had left over Chicken Marsala in the fridge, as the book would cause a craving. So one night, after a trip to the Olive Garden, I picked up this book. It is one of those quick reads. You know the kind.... you sit down and all of a sudden you have lost 3 hours and you are almost done with the book. It is cute and charming, and yes, I did crave Chicken Marsala by the time I was halfway through it. Though not as much as I craved Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Lol! Crusie weaves us a wonderful little fairy tale. So wonderful that this little nugget was added to my kindle last week. ( Since moving to grad school, I have told myself I can't by more books.... and I am trying to stick to it by buying e-books instead. Lol!) As I am still traveling, I decided to re-read it and see if it was as good as I remember.

So, what is the story? The stage revolves around Cal and Minerva. Minerva is 33 and her boyfriend dumps her because she isn't putting out. (I thought that ended with high school, but apparently not.) Cal, was given the ultimatum by his girlfriend, marriage or nothing. He chose the later option.  Minerva's ex-slimeball, David, bets Cal $10,000 that Cal can't get Minerva to sleep with him in 30 days. Cal declines, repeatedly. But Minerva overhears only part of the conversation and therefore believes that Cal accepted the bet... at a rate of $10. Cal does accept a bet for $10 that he can get Minerva to leave the bar with him (which he wins) But... this creates the old "Boy meets Girl, Boy and girl go to dinner, boy and girl vow not to see each other again, boy and girl protect each other from their respective families, which leads to boy and girl fall in love" scenario. You've heard of that one right? Okay probably not. It is fun. It is light. It is interesting. I suggest it.

Plus, Minerva isn't a skinny minnie... She is a heroine that comes to love herself. I always like those stories. And Cal, doesn't expect her to starve herself to become something that isn't achievable. I like that about him.

So I would say read it. It is a good one. I plan to read it again. Maybe tonight. ;)

From the road.

So I am traveling this week, but I finished a book this morning before I started my road trip and wanted to get a quick review up.

Book Info:  Burning Wild by Christine Feehan (Leopard Series). Published by Jove in 2009.

This one I just did a quick review read. It was something to read to help me fall asleep and then to finish quickly this morning before I hit the road. I have read it many times before so the story wasn't new and I was braced for the violence. I even skimmed the romance scenes because I wasn't in the mood.

Yet, as with all the other Feehan novels, I still enjoyed it. The leopard series that Feehan writes revolves around a society of shape shifters. They are both human and leopard and they must learn to control their own animalistic nature. The nature of the leopard, for the purpose of these stories, is possessive of their mates and very domineering. There are many critics of these stories for that reason. As a romance writer, Feehan steps into an in-between world. She is not a BDSM author, yet these leopard stories, especially the story of Jake and Emma, include aspects of a Dominant/Submissive relationship. Not completely, and from what I understand (which is very little), those that truly understand that type of life style would not consider this relationship to be such. Yet, for those uninitiated, it can be considered too extreme and therefore get categorized as such.
I tend to disagree with the rest of the uninitiated. I don't believe this is a Dom/Sub story. This is the story of a woman who teaches a man, not only how to love, but how to understand love. The character of Jake was a tortured soul. He was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused for most of his life. He has trained himself to cut off all emotion as a protection. In true romance genre fashion, Emma must teach him how to understand and to even express his own emotions.

From A Stray....

Book Info: A Little Ray of Sunshine by Lani Diane Rich. Published by NAL Trade in 2008.

I picked up this book on a whim. It was mentioned on one of my yahoo book groups and I thought why not? It was a free e-book through Amazon.com. Today, as I gave into the desire to continue to stay in bed, I picked up my kindle and it was at the top of the page. So again, I thought, why not?

The story itself is an interesting one. A young woman named Emmy James (EJ) gave up her life 6 years ago to travel from place to place working odd jobs. She is cynical and obviously running from some sort of past. Enter secondary character Jess, who believes she is an angel of sorts. Jess travels the country as well, though she does so in search of people she can help. This unlikely pair ends up together on a cross country journey to attend the 8th wedding of EJ's mother, Lily to her childhood friend, the widowed Danny.The life that EJ had given up all those years ago included Danny and his two sons David (Digs) and Luke.

Luke, who EJ had been engaged to marry. Luke, who took two years to get over the devastation of losing EJ. Danny had been stand in father for EJ for years, every time Lily decided to dump her unwanted daughter for awhile. Therefore EJ's disappearance with out contact for six years caused a lot of hurt and anger.  Lily was a child star who was a critical and unloving mother. Hence EJ getting left with Danny and the boys so often. It is, therefore, quite a set of shocks for EJ to find out that, 1- Her mother is marrying Danny and, 2 - Her mother has changed drastically.

Jess is the kind of friend that everyone hopes for. She talks to EJ and forces her to face Lily. Which is not easy. While the changes to Lily seem drastic, it is obvious that she is still far from okay. Yet, using an outsiders view allows readers to understand that Lily's comments are more a reflection of personal fears then a commentary on those she is talking to. Towards the end of the story, we find out that Jess is running from her own demons which must be faced. EJ tries to be the good friend and help Jess talk but it doesn't work... until it has to.

Criticisms: 

Editing: There were grammatical errors that should have been corrected during an editing process. There weren't many, but enough of them for me to stop and have to re-write the sentences in my head so they made sense. If you have to do that, then you lose the magic of letting the story take you away. 

The Cover: I like everything except for the fact that the girl has a cigarette in her hand. In the story the main character gets a tad upset when offered a cigarette, reminding everyone that she gave it up 7 years before. It is a personal pet peeve of mine that the cover artists don't actually read the books they are creating covers for. 

My only other issue was the beginning was written in such a way as to confuse the reader. With no understanding  of the main characters choices, her remarks about them make very little sense. It is taken on faith that the author will explain them at some point. Which she does. It is just a touch unsettling at first.
Any other criticism comes from being caught off guard by the topic. I wasn't aware that it would hit a tad close to home for me and therefore it was like getting slammed with a frying pan on this dreary Sunday morning. It was a kind of emotional roller coaster for me. There was a scene in particular that brought a tear to even my jaded eye. When Jess is forced to face her demons, EJ is stuck facing her greatest fear: she is helpless. She has no idea what to do to help her friend. And therefore she turns to her mother. With the horror of Jess's past so apparent, Lily's takes Jess in her arms and lets Jess mourn. There is quite a bit of crying... the ugly kind of crying. Lily holds Jess and Danny holds EJ as both girls cry. And it is there that EJ recognizes the extent of the changes in Lily, and the changes that this trip have brought to her own life:

Mom cuddled Jess as though she were a small child, holding onto her, whispering words of encouragement and pride in her ear, selflessly giving every bit of strength she had to this motherless girl. She didn't cry a single tear, just held onto Jess and was a mom. The mom I never had. But still, there she was, fixing the unfixable, saving Jess's life, saving me. I leaned against Danny, felt him strong and solid next to me, and a bone-deep relief flowed through me. This was what it was like, I marveled, to have parents who would catch you, no matter what. This was what it was like to be loved so powerfully that it even transferred to the stray little angels you brought home with you.                                                                                       (A Little Ray of Sunshine, page 274 (e-Location 5765)  

As I read that scene, my eyes teared up and I had to put down the Kindle. Not because I was EJ, but because I was Jess. I was the stray that had been brought home and cared for. I would not be the person I am today except for people out there who have taken me under their wing. I can only hope that those of us that are lost can find the Lily and Danny's of the world. The mama and papa Thorne's of my world who catch us when the world shifts beneath our feet. 

A Slice of Life

Book Info: Beginnings and Ends (Troubleshooter Short Story) by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2012.

Yet again we see Brockmann take on the controversial topic of gay relationships with style. Here we have a short peek at the lives of her beloved characters Jules and Robin Cassidy.

As with her previous short stories we don't have the multiple story lines. This is purely a look a a few days in the lives of our favorite couple. Jules is still working for the FBI and Robin is still working on his TV series Shadowlands. 


We see the turmoil of Robin's onscreen character, an A-list actor who believes he must hide the fact that he is gay if he wants to continue to be an A-list-er. We see the struggles and mishaps that Robin must face when dealing with his own alcoholism. In fact,  there is a mix up on set which leads to a mouthful of whiskey. It's not a good day for Robin.

And even cooler, we see Jules and Robin decide to have a family. To share the bond they have with a child. Though short, it is a great little slice of life.

Celebration

Book Info: When Tony Met Adam (Troubleshooters Short Story) By Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2011

This is a quick story to celebrate the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010.
Tony V is a young SEAL that has to hide for fear of losing the career that he obviously enjoys. Adam is the ex of both Robin Chadwick and Jules Cassidy that have featured in many of Suz's books.

Here Brockmann provides a glimpse of the difficulties that are caused by DADT. On the surface, DADT seems like a good idea.We just don't ask about sexual orientation, right? Bit the truth behind that is far more restrictive. As Jay Lopez states in the story:

I'm pissed at the system. How was your evening? How's Callie? How many times did I ask him that? We all did. And he couldn't answer any of us honestly. Can you imagine not being able to talk about what you did last night, or over the weekend? ...
Can you imagine? ... For all I know, T's married, and because he wants to serve our country, he can't introduce the love of his life to any of us. He can't even whisper his name. And that's just wrong."

This is again emphasized when Tony gets injured while on an op. Adam has to worry about who sees him go visit Tony in the hospital for fear it will out Tony. No one should have to hide like that. So while I am glad it DADT was repealed, what I would real like to hear is that it is more then just a house of cards. As in, we say the words to make the changes but the changes never actually happen.

The end of an era

Book Info: Breaking the Rules (Troubleshooters Book 16) by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2011

The final full length novel in the Troubleshooters Saga and the end of any such full length novels for the foreseeable future.  While I have 2 more short stories that I was to read and report on, this is the end of the line for these books. It is a little sad for me. I have been reading these books for over a decade now. And while this book does tie up a some of the loose ends, no one wants to actually see it end. Well, maybe there are those that are ready to be done, but I am not one of them.

Okay so onto the book: This novel again shows the various relationships that abound in the Troubleshooters world. But it is mainly focused on the worlds of Izzy Zanella and Dan Gillman. Since Izzy's wife is Dan's sister we finally get to se the reality behind their family dynamic. We also see the truth that lies behind Eden's "it's just sex" thinking. In book 13, Into the Fire, Eden had come running to Dan for help and had found Izzy instead. They end up married and her blasé attitude about sex immediately set my teeth on edge. It was obvious that there had been issues in her past. In this book the truth comes out. It is offset by the secondary plot of a young girl who had been sold in to the sex trade at the age of 8. There is no way to measure the horrors of either young woman. We also learn about the verbal and physical abuse of Danny's childhood. Which, though doesn't excuse, somewhat explains his actions and reactions to certain situations. Though Gillman will never be my favorite character, at least he is willing to man up and accept responsibility for his actions, as well as recognize his need for outside help. I love that Brockmann, in all of her books, is so open about the need for outside help when dealing with the shit of childhood. Whether it is an alcoholic parent or verbal, physical or sexual abuse, it is not something that can be overcome with out help. And even superSEALs can ask for help.

My love for Izzy solidifies with this novel. Not only does he sacrifice his life for his arch nemesis (aka his brother-in-law, aka Dan Gillman), he repeatedly tries to do what he thinks is best for all parties involved. Granted, at one point he thinks what is best is to get out of dodge, but that is just because he doesn't have the whole story. He figures it out.

Another aspect of this novel that is a reoccurring theme for Brockmann, is the difficulty of being an openly gay person in this day and age. In past novels we read about Robin, Jules, and even Tony. Here we see a whole different perspective - that of the teenage boy. The youngest Gillman, Ben, comes out of the closet and sets off a chain reaction that horrifies me. Here we catch a glimpse of the hate that can be caused by other's homophobic tendencies. The only thing I thought was missing, was someone that Ben could talk to that might understand him. Not that Jenn, Eden, Izzy, or Dan loved Ben any less, but it is hard to be the odd man out whatever the circumstances and therefore it might have been a nice conversation. Granted the era of this novel was during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" bull, so the guys couldn't have called Tony to swing by Vegas. But Jules or Robin might have been helpful when trying to deal with the craptastic step-father. Though the conversation with Peter Sinclair III is one that I won't forget anytime soon. While only a page or two in the book, the scene of poor Peter talking about his boyfriend back in Connecticut, while cuffed to a bed with bandages around his wrists from him trying to kill himself, is one to remember.

The Shift

Book Info: Hot Pursuit (Troubleshooters Book 15) by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2009.

While each of Brockmann's books have been placed on a backdrop of trouble, in my opinion, this is the first book where the relationships take a backseat to that trouble. Granted the serial killer Brockmann names The Dentist, has appeared in a couple of the short stories she has written. Yet, this is the first time where the story seems to be about the bad guy with a secondary plot of individual problems. Yes, we see Dan and Izzy and Lopez again. Yes, we see the progression of Jules and Robin's relationship. Yes, we also get more on Sam and Alyssa - Ashton even takes his first steps. But that is not the focus of her novel here. Earlier books seemed to concentrate on the relationships, and how the trauma of the situation highlighted that relationship. Culminating in the couple understanding each other and working together towards an end.

The new relationships that this novel has focused on do not resolve happily and they contrast directly with the established relationships that we do see. Brockmann has always been very good at providing a view of contrasting relationships. Here, Izzy is approached for a marriage of convenience while he is pining for Eden. Dan, on the other hand is a total douchebag, in my opinion. He seduces Jenni for the sake of getting laid and then clinically explains to Izzy how he does it. Shocker of the century Jenni over hears it and Dan is upset when she doesn't accept his apology right away. These are offset by Sam working to contain his inner caveman and let Alyssa do her dangerous job and Robin just trying to help Jules do that very same dangerous job.

Again we see another contrast between the Alpha and Beta relationships. Sam and Alyssa are both very Alpha and that is what frustrates Sam. He could step in and help but knows that he should allow Alyssa to do it her way. Robin and Jules, on the other hand, are Beta and Alpha. Robin knows that he can do nothing but wait and pray that Jules returns safe. He does use his intelligence to help, but he can't hunt down the bad guy and save the day like Sam.

It is interesting to see Gillman talk of his family. As one who comes from a .... well let's just say a dysfunctional background, I can see his issues and even understand them to some extent. Yet, in my opinion, his choices make him more of a douche and less of someone who garners sympathy. As a matter of fact, Izzy has gotten my support from the beginning. Dan makes me want to smack him in the head.

It looks like the next book with be Dan and Jenni and Izzy and Eden again. And then it appears she is down with her TS world for awhile. I do have two short stories to read by Brockmann before her collection is released next year. So I will review those as well before moving on to the next author..... I can't decide who it will be.

Dave the Super Spy....

Book Info: Dark of Night (Troubleshooters Book 14) by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2009.

And here I thought the cliff hanger would be resolved. Book 13 leaves us wondering what will happen to Izzy and Eden. Yet, Book 14 is about Tess and Nash, Dave and Sophia, and, shockingly enough, Decker and Tracy Shapiro. Not that I am complaining, well at least not too much, but there wasn't even a glimpse of Izzy and Eden.

But we finally have a resolution for the story arc of Sophia and Deck. Both come to terms with their baggage and *spoiler* they end up with OTHER PEOPLE. Now that kind of threw me. I must admit I was pretty sure this massive story line would end up with them happily ever after together, but I like this ending better. The baggage between them would have been a horrific strain on any sort of romantic relationship. Plus, Deck really needs someone who doesn't look at him as a hero, more as a man. Who wants to deal with idol worship in a romance? Ugh, get me off the pedestal, right?

But my favorite part of the book, other than the fact that there is more action than smooching, is Dave. Quiet, ex-CIA agent, Dave Malkoff takes off his mask and we see why he is always invited to the SuperSEAL party. Hoo-friggin-yah! Brockmann immediately captures the readers attention with the torture of Dave by the bad guys..... and then backing up FOUR days. So we know that at some point something will happen to put Dave in jeopardy but we don't know what or when. Add to that, we are also following the plots of the no-so-dead- Nash and Tess, plus, Decker and the only other person to figure out that Nash isn't dead: Tracy. It makes for an interesting, edge-of-your-seat type ride.

One thing I hav noticed mentioned by critics of this novel is the turnaround of Tracy's character. No longer the ditzy slut, in this novel she is not only competent but also extremely intelligent. It seems a bit of a stretch, but then as an admin myself, I see the truth that the admins are the ones who know all the secrets. Paying that type of attention is in the job description. Yet, while I never thought Tracy was stupid, I didn't see her as the person she becomes in this novel. It is suggested by the author that this amazing change is due to her traumatic experience during book 10, Into the Storm. For me, that doesn't stretch the bounds of my imagination too far. It could happen. I also understand, though, that for others it doesn't work. So While not a complaint for me, it deserves a mention.

Brockmann Continues

Book Info: Into the Fire (Troubleshooters Book 13), by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2008.

Another day, another book.  This was only my 2nd time reading Into the Fire.  This came out just before I headed back to school, and I didn't have time to keep up with any of the following books. While I own all of them, I just haven't had a chance to read them yet. On top of that, here is yet another book that deals with harsh realities. Unlike your usual romance books, here we deal with the reality of a Marine whose wife was shot ( in Hot Target book 8), the reality of actually being permanently damaged at work, the death of friends while on an op, the scare of child abuse, and the panic caused by an unplanned pregnancy. While not your normal fare for a light and fluffy romance, this seems to be par for the course for Ms. Brockmann's Troubleshooters. Not that I don't enjoy the story lines, this one is just overloaded with trauma, and therefore not one I would suggest picking up when your are prone to tears.


One of the more interesting parts of this book is the spectrum of relationship issues that are revealed here in this book. You have Vinh Murphy, whose wife, Angelina (relationship 1), was shot and killed in front of him a few years prior to the timeline of this book. Murphy also has a relationship with Hannah, his best friend (relationship 2). This is contrasted by the relationships we see which surround Sophia Ghaffari. There is Sophia and Decker (relationship 3), Sophia and Dave (relationship 4), and even Sophia and Gillman (relationship 5). Throw in the turbulent relationships of Tess and Nash (relationship 6) and Izzy and Eden (relationship 7), as well as the mention of the various previous relationships: Tom and Kelly (relationship 8), Jenk and Lindsey (relationship 9), Ric and Annie (relationship 10), Max and Gina (relationship 11) and many others and Brockmann has provided readers with a cornucopia of relationship possibilities. And not all of them end happily. Especially not when dealing with trauma. Yet, we also see that things can work out, through hard work relationships can be happy.

Yet hand in hand with this cornucopia is a format that can frustrate as well as intrigue. Brockmann jumps from relationship to relationship, Scene to scent, fight to fight. The jarring pace seems to reflect not only the chaos that surrounds these types of situations, but also the frenetic pace that must be playing out in Murphy's head.

Now the other major frustration is the ending. For the first time since reading Brockmann's books she leaves us with a cliff hanger. What will happen to Izzy and Eden. Does Sophia give up on Deck and start with Dave? What about Tess and Nash.... and Deck? How do they get out of the CF that has been caused by the Agency?

I am not keen on cliff hangers, and therefore I am very glad that I will be starting the next book as soon as I finish typing this. But I am hoping this didn't become a trend for the author.

Playing Catch Up.

It has been months since I last posted and I don't have the time to go through all of the books that I have read since my last post. Let's just say that the rest of the Feehan Drake Sisters novels,  plus her Night series were read at various times. I am not so worried that they will never be reviewed here, as hers are ones that I read and re-read frequently. Since graduation I have started a re-read of Suzanne Brockmann's books. I did a quick read of her Team Ten books, but again they will have to be written up at a later time. These are ones that I own, not only in their original paperback but also on my kindle, so they joined me on my move to grad school. Once those were complete, I started on the Team Sixteen/Troubleshooters books. Since I arrived in San Antonio, I have completed 6 of her books. So I will start with the one I finished today.

Book Info All Through The Night: A Troubleshooter's Christmas (Troubleshooters Book 12), by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2007.

Suzanne Brockmann is yet another author that is on my auto-buy list. Regardless of the title, or series, or plot, I purchase every new book she publishes. Her Team Ten novels are my favorite, but I love the way her Team Sixteen novels involve so many different plot lines. 

Many of her early books also include a secondary story line that revolves around a WWII plot. From the french resistance to beginnings of the frog men her early books suck any history buff in. More than once, I have spent days researching something that I read about in her novels. The subplot in her novel The Defiant Hero sent me searching for more information on the miracle of Dunkirk. 

But this novel has nothing to do with any of that. While, this reading makes my third for this novel, I must admit it has nothing to do with history nor does it come up to par for her other action sequences. Not that this isn't a wonderful novel. It is just more of a dose of the reality back at home, instead of the heroes out saving the world. The terrorists of the world win and lose in this novel in a very short scene... and the crazies of the world lose their fight to remove the robotic aliens from the world. (You'll have to read it to understand that one.)

Yet, what makes this book so remarkable is the upfront way it handles the issues of today. I have loved Agent Jules Cassidy since he first walked into the trouble shooters world in The Defiant Hero. Cassidy was not a picture of perfection, though many might think of him that way. Yet, he reminds me of many of my friends who were *gasp* gay. He exudes an the attitude that "I am not going to hide who I am." Book after book, Cassidy tells us that he wants to live in the sunlight. He will not hide in a closet. Time and again readers understand that no one should be required to hide who they are. Robin Chadwick on the other hand, battles himself for years. Though he doesn't appear until Hot Target, it is quickly obvious that Chadwick is using alcohol and indiscriminate sex to blot out who he is. It is a long road for Robin to travel before he is comfortable with himself, let alone anyone else. Their relationship as well as their interactions with everyone else illuminates the struggles of the gay community. A community which would include every person who has a family member or friend who is gay. This book is the culmination of all of those interactions. We see the various reactions people have to gay marriage. This isn't a book seen through rose-colored glasses, nor is it just a slam on current society. It shows the gamut of emotions felt by society. I think my favorite moment which elucidates this point is when Sam Starrett (Jules formerly-homophobic best friend) meets Robin for the first time (page 24-32). 1 - It shows how far Robin had truly come. 2 - It shows how far Sam had come. 3 - It is an interesting look at the assumptions people can make on both sides. While this book is a touching love story, it is also a bold look at how society doesn't have the right to make assumptions about anyone. The reality of sexual orientation is that it is none of anyones business but those involved in the relationship. 

The second reality that this novel look at is the recovery process. This is not the first time that Alcoholics Anonymous meetings make an appearance in Brockmann's novels. Book 4, Out of Control, shows the battle of Sam Starrett's first wife Mary Lou. We see her a couple of years into her process. And at the end of the previous book, Force of Nature, we see Chadwick begin his process by entering rehab. This book is just a mere year later. So, though Robin is no longer in rehab, life is not easy. In a novel about a marriage, Brockmanm chooses not to gloss over the hard work that comes with being a recovering alcoholic. Each new struggle is accompanied attending meetings and a recognition of the difficulty. There is also time spent dealing with the reality of childhood trauma. Life is not easy for anyone, but dealing with the fallout from childhood is not an easy thing.  Though it isn't an excuse for the actions of the adult, it can be an explanation. Victims of child abuse must live with the reality they were raised in. As adults they battle with breaking the cycle of abuse as well as counter acting the beliefs that have been ingrained. We see the Robin work through his issues, and not just once but over and over again. I have seen some reviews that call Robin whiney, but in reality, you don't just work through an issue once. Those issues rear their ugly heads time an again and can even catch you completely by surprise. If an individual can't confront those issues when they do show up, they will just build up until they explode. Heaven forbid a man accept and understand his own issues before they turn into a violent outburst. 

I could probably ramble on this for a while longer but instead I am going to start her next book. 

The power of the Drake sisters

Book Info: The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan. Published by Pocket Star in 2003.

I came across Christine Feehan so long ago I can't remember how it actually happened. I have read and re-read her books so many times I think I have parts of them memorized. Her men are handsome and usually troubled. Her women are successful, independent and insecure all at once. The fears her characters experience seem to resonate with me as I will mention when I talk about specific books. Because I have read these books so many times I no longer have to read them in order. Therefore, when a night comes that I feel a bit sad I can pick up the novel of my choice. It is almost like the choose your own adventure books. I know all the adventures and romances and therefore I just decide which one I want to read.

Last Sunday I wanted to read about Kate Drake and Matt Granite and so I picked up Book 2 in the Drake Sisters series. The Drake Sisters series is about 7 sisters who were born and raised in a small town on the coast of northern California called Sea Haven. Each sister was born with magical abilities. Books one and two were originally novellas and therefore they are not as long as the rest of the books. They are also not as well written as the others. I have found that Mrs. Feehan's writing gets better as her series continue. Usually by her third or fourth book she is in the groove, but all of the background is laid out in the first two books.
So now onto book two.

Kate Drake is a world famous author. She travels around the world researching for her murder mystery novels. She is very shy and tries to stay out of the public eye. She now has returned home bought an old mill to turn into a bookstore.

Matt Granite, a few years older than Kate, has travelled the world courtesy of Uncle Sam, as an U.S. Army Ranger. He has returned home to take his place in his families construction company. Matt has also been in love with Kate since she was 15 and he a college student.

As they meet again, an entity is released that threatens the town. Kate and her sisters must battle the evil that lives in the fog. Matt feels helpless while trying to battle an enemy he can't touch, while trying to convince Kate that a relationship between them is possible. Battle after battle drains Kate's energy as she tries to bring peace to the troubled soul. As for the relationship, she worries how Matt would be happy with her when she prefers to live in her world of books and avoid the dangers and excitement of Matt's world.

One of the interesting things about this book is the Christmas poem that ties it together. The poem in it's entirety can be found in the beginning of the book. Yet, each chapter is titled with a stanza from the poem. The chapter then reflects the title (or stanza). It is interesting to have this extra theme to tie this story together as well as to the Drake history.

Katniss takes the stage...

Book Info: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collin. Published by Scholastic Press in 2008

In 2008, I had friends reading this book and telling me it was a must read. By then I had learned my lesson and refused to read an incomplete trilogy. This, however, did not prevent me from purchasing the books as they were released. They sat prettily on my shelf and I finally picked them up to read, for the first time, the night before Mockingjay was released. I then proceeded to finish all three books in a 24 hour period. Since that time, a societal craze has begun with everyone reading these books. Which means I try to steer clear of the crazies.

But with the movie coming out soon, I knew that I had to re-read and prepare myself. 

The dystopian novels that I enjoy so much are not often on my list of re-reads. Usually because they are not the things that one would read before bed to cause happy dreams. Also because they are so intense they take quite a bit of attention. Yesterday, I had a couple of hours between things and picked up this book to read. Again I will try to stay away from the actual plot line, and stick with the interesting details. 

The character of Katniss is quite a fascinating one to me. Here you are see a survivor. She does the best with what she has, and she has very little to work with. She is from the poor part of her town, her father has died, and she has taken over the care of her mother and sister. She carries the weight of her family on her shoulders and she takes that responsibility very seriously. Her fears of trusting anyone else are natural in one who lost her father and was failed by her mother so early in her life. When those around you fail you (or you think that they fail you), you  learn to only trust yourself and in it is very difficult to trust others. It is not shocking that she would step in to volunteer for her sister. Her need to protect little Prim would be a driving force in her life. The connection she finds with little Rue in the arena would mirror the connection she had with Prim. Rue’s death is probably one of the most poignant scenes of the novel. The death of the small girl is the one thing that Katniss fears most for her Prim. The helplessness that she feels is compounded by her anger at the Capitol for forcing the situation. Her respect for the death of an innocent is portrayed as rebellion. Though they create the seeds of rebellion, her actions were not focused on that. It is her honest reaction to the true horror of the games themselves that resonate with the people of Panem. 

Where Katniss displays only a few moments of true emotion, Peeta seems to be almost transparent in this area. The boy with the bread focuses his entire being on the protection of Katniss. His emotions are apparent to readers from the moment we read of his willingness to take a beating to provide for Katniss. Katniss’ inability to recognize the truth of his sweet declaration of love during the interviews makes her seem harsh in comparison. Yet, it is understandable. For as Peeta says, “She has no idea. The effect she can have.” (pg 91) Katniss doesn’t see how her actions are perceived. She is too focused on keeping her family alive, and then keeping herself alive. She does recognize the need for her to act in specific ways to make sure that her and Peeta stay alive but she believes that Peeta is acting out of that same need. While there are moments where she seems to catch a glimpse of both her and Peeta’s true emotions, she can’t understand that Peeta might not be focused on keeping himself alive.

When these first books came out there was the thought that this was a love triangle. Reality states that there is no triangle because Katniss hasn’t come to terms with actual emotions. Her relationship with Gale is based on a mutual need to stay alive. While they are not just friends, neither of them are in love either. In a world such as theirs, it would be hard to think beyond survival to love. While Gale has just gotten to the point of running away, Katniss hasn’t yet begun to think of that type of reality. Gale is getting past his need to protect his family. He is seeing a life for himself away from the world with their government has created. Katniss is still too focused on survival, hers and those she cares about. She truly does care for both Gale and Peeta but there is no triangle because the caring has not matured into love. There doesn't seem to be a way for Katniss to understand such emotions just yet.

More than a study of survival, these books are an interesting look at a dystopian society. I am excite to start Catching Fire today.

Eve is put to the test....

Book Info: Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb. Originally published by Bereklwy in 1999

For Eve 2059 has started and with it another case. This time she is searching for a murderer who is killing what others are considereing the useless. Bodies of the homeless and LC's are found in various cities with organs missing.  One of the top surgeons is cutting them out and leaving the “donors” to die. This means we get to meet the medical elite. Unfortunately, Eve’s determination gets her in trouble. First a droid is sent to kill her.... and when that doesn’t succeed the murderer goes after her professionally. Using a cop who is mentally unstable, Eve’s career is jeopardized.

 Points of interest: Charles and Peabody are still dating, though McNabb is well I wouldn’t call it pining... though he is definitely interested. Eve also looses her badge at one point in the novel during an investigation of her actions towards another cop. For a person who built her entire identity around being a cop, this is a devastating blow. And finally we get to meet Dr. Louise Dimatto. Baxter also appears in his first major role.

 I think this means our reoccurring cast of characters have all been introduced.
 Going forward we will have:

• Lieutenant Eve Dallas 
• Roarke 
• Lawrence Summerset 
• Officer Delia Peabody
• Captain Ryan Feeney
• Detective Ian McNabb 
• Officer Troy Trueheart 
• Officer David Baxter 
• Commander Whitney (and His wife Anna) 
•  Chief Tibble 
•  Dr. Charlotte Mira (though her husband Dennis has yet to make an appearance and he will appear repeatedly as well. 
• Charles Monroe
• Dr. Louise Dimatto 
• Mavis Freestone 
• Leonardo 
• Nadine Furst

There will be other characters as that we see more than once, but I believe these are our main core.

Novellas before bed.....

Book Info: "Midnight in Death" by J.D. Robb. Originally published in the anthology Silent Night by Jove publications in 1998

This short 90 page novella begins just 6 short hours after Holiday in Death ends. Christmas has come and with it a face from Eve's past. Dave Palmer a psychotic serial killer that Eve had captured 3 years beforeescapes prison with the plan to make
Eve his victim on New Year's Eve. With Peabody still recovering from her experiences on Christmas Eve, Roarke is brought on board to help out and stays to protect.

While previous books have indicated that Dr. Mira has maternal feelings for Eve, Eve's feelings for Dr. Mira have never truly been explored. When Dr. Mira's name ends up on the hit list, Eve must face those feelings. For once she ends up in Roarke's shoes. Her fear for Mira almost overpowers her cop instincts.
My favorite bit of side story is the empty box that Roarke gave Eve for Christmas. This empty box signifies one day. One whole day for Eve and Roarke to be together wherever and in whatever manner Eve chooses. The greatest gift he can give her is time together.... Everyone all together now.... Awwww. It should be noted that Eve also received a stack of other presents, therefore Roarke cannot be considered a cheapskate. Though joking aside, it is truly a magnificent gift.