Monday, August 15, 2011

Dragon and Judge & Dragon and Liberator by: Timothy Zahn

These are the last two books in this series. I have enjoyed this adventure through the galaxy Mr. Zahn has created for us.
The adventures of Jack and Draycos, their developing relationship as Jack gets used to having a full time symbiot, and their race to save Draycos's race from their enemies and the super weapon Jack and "Dragos must  destroy keeps you reading.
I must say when Alison  came into the story Mr. Zahn really keeps you guessing about her. Then when she acquires her own symbiot dragon, Taneem, you start rooting for her to be on the good guys team.
I had to read all the way to the end of the last book for all the details that Mr. Zahn kept us guessing about throughout the series, but I must say he tied all the loose ends very neatly together and left us with a happy ending. Which you know by now--I love happy endings.
Even though this is billed as a Young Adult series, I found it to be a fun read with just enough sci-fi techno stuff to keep the adventure true to that genre.
If you decide to read this series I think you will find it to be a fun read.

Happy reading,
Beverly G ♥

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Orchid Affair by: Lauren Willig

It is with a heavy heart that I close the last page on this fun series because the next one doesn't hit the shelves until February 2012.
We went to France this time with Laurie Grey, Governess, recently recruited spy for the Pink Carnations group.
Laurie is tired of being a governess, but low and behold that's exactly what the Pink Carnation needs Laurie to do. Infiltrate Andre Jaouren's household as the teacher of his children while she's looking for information to foil the latest plot that the Pink Carnation has discovered.
However, Laurie is the daughter of famous parents and as that comes to light and she reunites with old friends she still has to keep her new purposes a secret.
We can't forget Eloise and Colin in all this either. Eloise is our intrepid researcher still trying to pull her dissertation together and enjoying her new boyfriend at the same time. Before she and Colin can enjoy some romantic one on one time in Paris they have to meet Colin's mother and her 2nd husband who also happens to be Colin's cousin. Yes, you will have to read the books to get the whole low down on that.
This was a fun adventure through the streets and countryside of Paris and as usual Ms. Willig has given us a happy ending.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily & The Mischief of the Mistletoe by: Lauren Willig

Lauren Willig is writing full time now and when you read these next two novels in the series you will be able to tell. With each novel her craftsmanship goes up a notch.
In the Blood Lily we are following Penelope Deveraux in her continuing adventures of trying to find her place in society.
Of all Ms. Willig's women characters I think Penelope has the truest Swashbuckling spirit of all so far. Penelope has made some bad decisions, but is trying to make the best of what she has created for herself.
We've traveled to India at the turn of the nineteenth century for this adventure. I like the way Ms. Willig has taken her stories from England to France and now to India. Since I'm not able to travel in real life I enjoy traveling through books and not trying to spoil any of the stories for you, but I do like how she gives us happy endings.
As you read each novel in the series you want to make sure you keep all the characters in mind because like in the Mischief of the Misletoe she brings back characters to the fore. In this story we follow Turnip Fitzhugh, who has been the brunt of everyone's jokes through the whole series. Again not to spoil the story for you, but it's nice to see how Ms. Willig has brought Turnip forward with another minor character Arabella and brought them together showing us that sometimes people true selves are not always seen by everyone only the special people in our lives.
One thing I would like to point out--I don't ever read the last chapter in a book before I start, but I have found that Ms. Willig has put a Historical Note at the end of each book and I have found that reading that first gives me some nice background to place the story as I read along. I should have told you that at the beginning of this reading adventure, but I bet there are some of you who look in the back of the book before beginning your read ;-)

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Monday, August 1, 2011

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by: Lauren Willig

I'm back to The Secret History of the Pink Carnation series. This is the fifth book in this series.
In this book Eloise our intrepid researcher, who is still gathering information for her dissertation is  following Charlotte and Robert.
Charlotte lives with the Dowager Duchess at Girdings. The Dowager is in residence until Robert returns from India to take his place as Duke. Charlotte has been secretly in love with Robert since they were children and upon Robert's return Charlotte begins to hear trumpets.
Robert is on a quest to right a wrong and Charlotte becomes unknowingly involved.
Ms. Willig's heroes and heroines have strong personalities which keeps the stories moving along at a good pace.
She also keeps all the families and friends that she has brought into the previous stories moving through the series with a wonderful continuity.
We're also following Henrietta, Charlotte's friend who is ever the headstrong one of the bunch, who doesn't take anyone's advice and that's why she leads us straight into the next book in the series-The Betrayal of the Blood Lily.
Be sure to start this series from Book One.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥