Patterson's Soft Side

Who know that James Patterson, one of the most popular modern mystery writers harbored the ability to compose a romantic novel that inspires tears? I sure didn't and was pleasantly surprised when I read my very first James Patterson novel: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas.

Katie works in New York City and has fallen deeply in love with Matt. The two of them have more fun together than she could have ever imagined. Just when things are reaching levels of happiness beyond comprehension, Matt drops a bombshell on Katie. He's married. With no other explanation, he leaves Katie. Katie is, of course, distraught and completely heartbroken. She vows to get over Matt. But then a package arrives for her with his handwriting on the outside. Inside is a diary with a note attached to it. Matt tells Katie that if she really wanted to understand about why Matt never told her about his marriage, she needed to read the diary: his wife Suzanne's diary for his son Nicholas. The diary details the couple's meeting, dating, marriage, and child birth, with a few extra little twists thrown in.

I liked this book and could not put it down. It reads much like a Nicholas Sparks novel. Almost the entire book was read before I had to ask myself, "Okay, I still am not figuring out where this is going." Patterson uses his master mystery mind to hold reader's in suspense until the very last ten pages.

I won't lie and say that this was a fantastic book. I was engaged with it and had to keep reading to find out what happens next, but it isn't literary genius by any means. It's a fun, fast, effortless read. And let's face it, sometimes that's all us avid readers need. I recommend this book to Nicholas Sparks and James Patterson fans! It's worth the read.

Plaidy = Historical Fiction Perfection!

The Rose Without A Thorn, by Jean Plaidy

This is the story of Katherine Howard, a lowly member of a prominent English family who would later become Queen of England. Katherine began her life living with her numerous brothers and sisters. Her father and mother, though Howards, did not have the wealth which is usually attributed to such a family. Even at a young age, Katherine exhibited immense beauty and resembled her beautiful cousin, Anne Boleyn (who would serve as her predicesor). Taken in by her grandmother, the Duchess, Katherine learned more than just how to play the lute. Here, she was exposed to all sorts of sexual behaviors, even at the young age of fourteen. The matter was quickly hushed up when Katherine was granted a spot at Court in Henry VIII's fourth queen's, Anne of Cleves, retinue. Unhappy with his German queen, Henry quickly divorced her and married the sensual Katherine. Needless to say, her wicked past caught up with her and led her to the same fate her cousin met: beheading at the block.

I am a huge Jean Plaidy fan. She is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to blend the worlds of history and fiction so well. The Rose Without A Thorn is no exception. There are not many historical fiction books out there that details the life of Henry's other wives. Because Anne Boleyn is arguably the most interesting of his six brides, historical fiction writers tend to focus on her. Not that I am complaining... everyone knows I love a good Anne Boleyn novel. But it is refreshing to read about the others: Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, Catherine Parr, and my personal favorite for some reason Jane Seymour.

I would definitely recommend this book to any Tudor lover. I finished it in a matter of a few days. It's a quick and satisfying read. It will quench any historical fiction fan's thirst for courtly intrigue!

Aren't I The Lucky One?

I certainly am feeling lucky! This week I scored huge at my local library and bargain shopping with finding some wonderful books that I have not read yet. I have had these books on my TBR list for ages. Now that I own them, perhaps it will be easier to get around to them. This also gives me some great options to take to Mexico with me at the end of May. So here are the books I scored:

*Laurien Gardner - The Spanish Bride
*Sara Gruen - Water for Elephants
*Kristin Hannah - The Things We Do For Love
*Karen Harper - The Last Princess of Wales
*Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner
*Dennis Lehane - Shutter Island
*Jodi Picoult - Vanishing Acts

I am so excited to get reading these. Though I know that I cannot begin reading them until I finish the fifth installment of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I'll tell you what, I love her books without question. But they sure do take a while to read, especially when practically balancing two jobs. The Fiery Cross is an excellent book, though not nearly as wonderful as the others in the series, but I confess that I am anxious to be done with it. I hate that feeling; it makes me feel as though I am cheating on my significant other. So I'm sorry, The Fiery Cross, but can we just get this over with? I'm ready to move on.

With love,

Up For A Challenge?

I am, I am!!! Although I doubt I will be able to complete the challenge, I will do my best!



The challenge is to read at least 100 books by December 31, 2010. There aren't too many rules. You may reread a book that you read in a previous year. However, you cannot read the same book twice in 2010 and count it twice. So, the one rule is that the 100 books you read must all be different.

I am off to a dismal start so far but am optimistic about catching up during my vacation to Mexico and during the summer when life calms down a little bit. This will be the first summer in six years that I have not had to worry about moving! What a relief it is too. I cannot wait to relax by the pool and read some of the books that have sat ignored on my bookshelf.

I will try to complete the challenge, and I challenge you to do the same! Periodically, I will post my progress... if you have some suggestions on books I should read this year, feel free to drop me a message!

I've Got The Beach... Just Need A Book!

Greetings all! Two posts within the same week? Shocking coming from me. But I am in need of your help. Being the person that I am, I am already planning the logistics of my trip to Mexico this June. For any of us avid readers, the hardest part about going on vacation is choosing how many and which books to take with us! Do I try to tackle that classic that I've been dying to read? Or do I take it easy and relax with some mindless chick lit? Or do I find some middle ground with a good historical fiction read that doesn't take itself too seriously? OR do I just take up all of the extra room in my suitcase and pack ten books and choose which fits my mood that day?

AHH! What's a girl to do?

So here's where I need as much help as I can get. I have some books that have been sitting on my bookshelf forever. I prefer taking books I own on vacation in case I lose them or damage them in some way. There's something horrible about damaging a library book to me. However, for a good book, I am more than willing to take the risk. Here are the books that I was thinking about... please comment with your opinion!

Laurien Gardner - The Spanish Bride (a novel about Katherine of Aragon)
Kristin Hannah - True Colors (chick lit to the extreme)
Jane Austen - Emma (I cannot believe I have never read this!)
Georgette Heyer - Lady of Quality (historical fiction... Heyer is a genius)
Diana Gabaldon - The Fiery Cross (need to finish the Outlander series)
Markus Zusak - The Book Thief (Holocaust lit... maybe not so good for vacation?)
Jodi Picoult - Perfect Match (definitely good for girls)
Dennis Lehane - Shutter Island (movie was fantastic, book must be too!)
Jennifer Weiner - Good In Bed (chick lit)

That's what I have so far... but I need your input!

Calling All Outlander Fans!

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series manages to suffocate her readers in a Scottish blanket whether they want to be suffocated or not. Every time we put one of these books down, we find our thoughts being formed in a crazy Scottish accent. In fact, it drives those we socialize with on the regular absolutely crazy. SO, this bit of news may only further our love for Jamie and Claire!



This is some of the artwork from Diana's blog that will appear in the graphic novel The Exile. The graphic novel retells the first book in the series but will focus largely on what happens from Jamie's perspective. Diana has promised that there are new scenes that will answer some questions about what Jamie was up to while we were following Claire around the Scottish highlands. The graphic novel is sure to be a success with devoted Outlander fans. I mean, just look at those abs!

Perhaps one of the greatest things about the new graphic novel? We don't have to wait too long to get our hands on it! The Exile is due to hit book stores in the US and in the UK in September of this year!

For more information about Outlander, The Exile, or about Diana, check out her blog at: http://voyagesoftheartemis.blogspot.com/

Happy reading!

Another Hit By Heyer

Georgette Heyer - Sylvester

It's been a while since I have read a Heyer novel. My local library does not carry too many of her books. Recently, however, a patron with impecable literary taste donated some of her books to the library's collection. Among those books was a new Heyer novel: Sylvester. Needless to say, I grabbed it immediately and devoured it as quickly as I could.

"Sylvester, Duke of Salford, seeks with unconscious arrogance a bride worthy of the honour of becoming his Duchess. He journeys to Wiltshire to inspect the Hon Phoebe Marlow, unaware that he has met her before and instantly forgotten the tongue-tied girl without beauty or elegance to recommend her."

This incredibly brief synopsis of the novel does it absolutely no justice whatsoever. Heyer's Sylvester is so like Fitzwilliam Darcy, as her Phoebe brings to mind Elizabeth Bennet. The entire time I was reading this novel, I found that I kept making comparisons to Pride & Prejudice. You can tell that Heyer was inspired by Austen's novel when she wrote this novel back in 1957. Sylvester, though heavy with Austen-ish characteristics, is a wonderful novel. I found myself rooting for Phoebe and Sylvester. As the reader, I wanted them to realize they were in love and to just get over their pride.

Let me put it this way, if you liked Pride & Prejudice, I highly recommend that you read this book.

What's up next for Miss Holly? Well, it has been an extremely long time since I've read any Jean Plaidy, so I've two of her novels up next to read. Up first is Murder Most Royal, which novelizes Henry VIII's marriages to Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard. Happy reading!