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.

Murder for Christmas.....

Book Info: Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb. Originally published by Berkley in 1998.

     The time has come...... This 7th book begins to have a repetitive feel. Just like the previous 6 books, Eve catches a nasty case and overworks herself, Roarke bullies her into sleep and taking care of her self, and various friends and colleagues put in their appearances.

     Along those lines, even the case itself has flashbacks to previous books. Here we see a man that dresses as Santa to gain entrance to homes, where he than rapes and murders his victims. Loose the santa and the crimes scenes have an eerie connection to Robb's first book in the series.

     With that in mind, Robb is able to keep the reader guessing. In this novel we see all our favorite secondary characters: Feeney, Whitney, Mira, Summerset, Mavis and Leonardo, McNabb and Peabody. Charles Monroe, the charming LC from Glory in Death who gets away with calling Eve Lieutenant Sugar, makes a reappearance. We get to see that even LC's have a heart and want someone to love them.

     Other interesting tidbits: Peabody and McNabb keep going round, though McNabb is outed by Roarke. It is now know to all (except Peabody) that McNabb has the hots for her. Peabody gets her first undercover assignment. And it is noted that Peabody's position as Eve's aide has boosted her standing in the department, as well as giving her the nickname Dallas' Pet.  Since it is Christmas in the novel, Eve is learning how to handle all of these new friends that have appeared on her horizon. Not only does she have to figure out how to eke out time for a personal life, but she also has to figure out how to Christmas shop for each of them. True to format, we see that the strongest of women can't handle it all alone. Just like Roarke needed Eve when his world took a nasty curve in Vengeance in Death, the rape of these women takes Eve to a place where the memories are horrible. Roarke, is too observant to miss this and much to Roarke not to try and help Eve through it.

All in all... I enjoyed this one and will probably continue on this path for a while. I hope to have one of the non-fiction books read to put up here soon but school keeps getting in the way.