T-B-R Thursday (7)

It's T-B-R Thursday once again!

This is the day of the week that I add a new book to my To-Be-Read pile, which growing by leaps and bounds. I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to books. You might find a romance, a bestseller or even a classic adding to my pile each week.

A new book on my radar this week:

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (Releasing on Feb. 9th)

Here is the info courtesy of Barnes & Noble:

Product Details

• Pub. Date: February 09, 2010
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Format: Hardcover, 336pp
• Sales Rank: 561

• ISBN-13: 9780399156199
• ISBN: 0399156194

Synopsis

Those who carry the truth sometimes bear a terrible burden...

Filled with stunning parallels to today's world, The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.

On the eve of the United States's entrance into World War II in 1940, Iris James, the postmistress of Franklin, a small town on Cape Cod, does the unthinkable: She doesn't deliver a letter.

In London, American radio gal Frankie Bard is working with Edward R. Murrow, reporting on the Blitz. One night in a bomb shelter, she meets a doctor from Cape Cod with a letter in his pocket, a letter Frankie vows to deliver when she returns from Germany and France, where she is to record the stories of war refugees desperately trying to escape.

The residents of Franklin think the war can't touch them- but as Frankie's radio broadcasts air, some know that the war is indeed coming. And when Frankie arrives at their doorstep, the two stories collide in a way no one could have foreseen.

The Postmistress is an unforgettable tale of the secrets we must bear, or bury. It is about what happens to love during war-time, when those we cherish leave. And how every story-of love or war-is about looking left when we should have been looking right.

Review: Shift

My Synopsis:

Shift by Rachel Vincent (Shifter Series - Book 5)

(ARC for review from Mira)

Shift is the highly anticipated 5th book in the Shifter Series by Rachel Vincent. Shift will be released in March 2010.

In this book we find Faythe Sanders and the entire South Central Pride about to become embroiled in a fight with Calvin Malone and his cohorts. A civil war between the werecats is inevitable with the death of Faythe’s brother fresh on the minds of everyone involved.

The lines are drawn for a political fight as well, as Faythe’s father tries to regain his council seat. But, they are about to be surprised by the entry of a new foe, the thunderbirds. It’s up to Faythe to figure out how to make peace with this new enemy even though her personal life is in turmoil as well.

How will this new enemy effect their fight with an old foe? Will Faythe be forced to decide between the two men in her life? Will the thunderbirds get revenge for the death of a member of their flight? You’ll have to read the new book to find out!

My Thoughts:

Book 5 of The Shifter series certainly did not disappoint. We have seen Faythe’s character change so much over the course of the series. In this book we see her learning to make some really tough choices, as she matures. She has to decide between what is right for herself and what is right for the pride.

On top of everything else her personal life is in turmoil. Mark’s return from exile has created quite a love triangle for Faythe. Finding comfort from the pain over her brother’s death has brought about some serious choices in Faythe’s life. Readers will definitely identify with the struggle Faythe has with what her heart is telling her and what her mind is telling her about her relationships.

Faythe’s relationship with Kaci has become more than just protective in nature. She has taken on the role of “mother” whether she wants it or not. When it becomes a choice of whether to let an innocent Tabby die for the crime of another, or finding the proof to set her free, Faythe is forced into action.

I really loved this book. It was definitely my favorite from the series so far and the ending just left we wanting more. The final book in the Shifter Series, Alpha will tie it all together. I hate to see the end in sight with this Series. It has become one of my all time favorites.

I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag and recommend it highly to my readers. If you are into the paranormal you won’t want to miss this entire series.

Pre-order your copy of Shift today, from your favorite bookseller!

Review: The Black Moth

My Synopsis:

It’s hard to believe that beloved novelist Georgette Heyer wrote her first novel at the age of 15. Historical fiction would not be the same without Georgette Heyer’s Regency Romances. Mrs. Heyer wrote her first novel, The Black Moth to entertain her brother who was convalescing at the time.

In The Black Moth, Heyer introduces us to some very memorable characters. The highwayman, who just happens to be an Earl, Jack Carstares. The damsel in distress, Diana Beauleigh. The handsome Irishman, Miles O’Hara and ’The Devil’ himself, The Duke of Andover.

Jack Carstares left England in disgrace when he took the blame for his brothers indiscretion. Being considered a cheat was no laughing matter. Carstares eventually turns to the way of the highwayman to amuse and distract himself, giving the money to the poor. The Black Moth centers around the Earl’s return to grace, his love for the beautiful Diana and his relationship with his adversary, The Duke of Andover.

My Thoughts:

This was my first experience with a Georgette Heyer book. I had often heard of her in historical fiction circles and knew she sounded like an author I would enjoy. This book was excellent! Some people have a hard time with the style of writing from this period, the book was originally published in 1921, but I didn’t find it hard to follow at all.

The Black Moth had all the adventure and romance of any contemporary tale. The characters were well developed and the story did not move too quickly. I became invested in Diana’s character almost immediately. The young girl at the mercy of the handsome Duke. Not only that, but in love with a disgraced man. The stylish Earl dressed as a highwayman who couldn’t bring himself to rob women or old men, was also a very winning character. I even found myself wishing that ‘The Devil,’ The Duke of Andover would somehow find the straight and narrow path.

An great story, set in a decadent time period. What more can you ask for in a great romance?

Sourcebooks is reissuing several Georgette Heyer novels in 2010. Check them out at your favorite bookseller.

I give this book 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Review: All Night Long

My Synopsis:

All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz

(On audio from the public library)

Irene Stenson and Pamela Webb had been friends for one summer when they were teenagers. It ended on the tragic night that Irene came home to find her parents dead. The town of Dunster was quick to rule it a murder-suicide, but Irene was never convinced.

Several years later, Irene receives a cryptic e-mail from Pamela asking her to meet her in Dursley. She has information about the past and used a super-secret teenage code from their past to let Irene know it was very important.

Irene, who is now a reporter and her new found friend, Luke Danner, ex-marine and owner of the local lodge must piece together the events of that long ago summer night and figure out a new mystery that has surfaced right along with their passionate feelings for each other.

Will Irene find out what really happened to her parents? What does Pamela have to do with it all? Is Luke interested in Irene or in connecting the dots? You'll have to read to find out...

My Thoughts:

This my first experience with Jayne Ann Krentz and I find that I really like her style. It is easy to see why she is considered one of the best in her genre. All Night Long is a book that is about romance, mystery, and family dynamics.

Krentz allows the reader to follow not only the main story that involves the murder of Irene's parents, but the underlying theme of how some families appear to be perfect on the outside, but are far from it behind closed doors.

I found it interesting that both the hero, Luke and the heroine, Irene, suffered from symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), certainly not a theme that is found very often in the typical romance. But, this book was a lot more. I would probably term it more of romantic thriller.

The passion was hot, but not too steamy. Just enough to get the reader to the point of using their own imagination and I certainly indulged and used mine LOL...

Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I give it 4 out 5 apples from my book bag.

Teaser Tuesday (8)

Teaser Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Go to a random page

Share two (2) "teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give away too much! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and the author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

My teaser this week comes from Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson, page 111.

By then all her friends and the universe at large would know her "little" secret. And by then Sophie would be a great big portion of supersized humiliation.

Review: Songs Of Deliverance

My Synopsis:

Songs of Deliverance by Marilynn Griffin continues the story of Zeely, Ron, Grace and Brian and all the other people who interact in their lives from Griffin's novel Rhythms of Grace. This novel ties together all the stories that left readers wanting more. It can be read and easily understood as a stand alone book as well.

Zeely and Ron face the fact that they are both in love with each other, yet they are engaged to other people. Their relationship is one of loss and heartache, yet at it's center there is a deep abiding love for each other and their faith.

Grace struggles with who she really is and must face up to her past and the circumstances that brought her back to the town of Testimony. Brian watches and waits as he tries to help Grace find the true meaning of love.

My Thoughts:

This book has many layers. The story of each character is intertwined with the other in complicated and interesting ways. I found myself wondering who was related to who and how many twists and turns the story would make.

It seemed as though the action in the story began on the first page and never stopped. Revelation after revelation continued on each page. It was a bit daunting to try to figure out how the story would end. The fast paced rhythm was different from most novels and definitely kept me interested.

The issue of faith in this book was handled in a very open manner. It was central to the story and tied everything together. The characters explored how they felt about their faith and how that faith was to be manifest in their daily lives. I found this refreshing.

Another underlying theme of the book was tolerance and being able to judge people, not based on what color they were or where they came from, but on their hearts and what they believed and did in their lives.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Overall I thought this was a wonderful book. I give it 4 out 5 apples from my Book Bag.

Simply Marvelous Monday (8)

J. Kaye's Book Blog gets all the credit for this one...

On Simply Marvelous Monday's at Debbie's Book Bag, we want to know what you're reading???

FINISHED LAST WEEK:

Dreams That Won't Let Go ( Jubilant Soul Series - Book 3) by Stacy Hawkins Adams (for review from Revell)

All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz (audio book from the Library)

Didn't get as much read as I would have liked to this week. Still finishing up my galley of Shift, which is 443 pages. Should finish that one today. Still met my goal of at least two books for the week though.

READING OR LISTENING TO THIS WEEK:

Shift (Shifter Series - Book 5) by Rachel Vincent (E-book Galley for review from Mira)

Second Sight (Arcane Society Series - Book 1) by Amanda Quick (a.k.a Jayne Ann Krentz) (on Audio from the Library)

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (for review from Revell)

I usually am reading a print book, an e-book and listening to an audio book each week. That doesn't mean I won't still be reading or listening to one or the other next week, but it's generally my goal to finish at least two books a week.

UP NEXT:

What My Mother Never Told Me (Sequel to Rhythms) by Donna Hill (E-book Galley for review from Kimani)

I choose only one up next selection a week, because I am never really sure what I will read next.