2008 Book 101: Temperatures Rising

Book #:	101
Book Title:	Temperatures Rising
Author:	Sandra Brown
Publisher:	Bantam
Pub. Date:	1989 (original); 2006 (my version)
Pages:	214
Started:	November 23, 2008
Finished:	November 24, 2008
Time to Read:	2 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Darkly handsome with an arrogant edge, architectural engineer Scout Ritland is the kind of American man who spells trouble. Chantal duPont should know, for she has experienced the best and worst of the country and its people - including one who broke her heart. Yet here she is, home on sultry Parrish Island, putting herself in the way of another bold Yankee. This time, however, it's for a good cause: Scout is the one man who can help her village, and she's not about to let him get the better of her - no matter how much she may want to. Fresh from completing his work on the island's new luxury resort, Scout's ready for a little recreation - though being kidnapped and shot isn't on his agenda. But when he catches sight of an exotic beauty with electric blue eyes, events quickly spin out of control. Scout should be outraged to find himself held captive, but an abductor as alluring as Chantal makes it hard to stay angry. Soon Scout is swept up by Chantal's need to help her people - and the role he is to play in her ambitious plan. With each passing day, the work and the woman present him with challenges he could never find at home. But as the project progresses, intrigue and adventure burn hotter than the island's volcano - and two people who have met their match in each other face a future that could tear them apart."
Stars:	*
Review:	I'm a fan of Sandra Brown - of the Sandra Brown, that is, who wrote Fat Tuesday and Hello Darkness. Those books are mostly suspense with a bit of romance thrown in. Funny, witty characters with a few steamy scenes. Temperatures Rising is a distinct departure from this. This book is mostly romance with a bit of porn thrown in. Seriously! My step-mother-in-law tried to pick it up while I was reading it and I about died of shame. Interesting characters, interesting use of Stockholm syndrome, beautiful setting, porn. That about sums it up. If you like porn on paper, get a copy!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 91: The Perfect Summer

Book #:	91
Book Title:	The Perfect Summer
Author:	Luanne Rice
Publisher:	Bantam
Pub. Date:	2003
Pages:	429
Started:	October 11, 2008
Finished:	October 13, 2008
Time to Read:	3 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Bay McCabe relishes life's simple pleasures, her children, her home by the sea. She has never forgotten the values of her Irish granny - the everyday happiness of family, good friends, and hard work. Bay and her husband, Sean, have weathered rough spells and moved on. Now a perfect summer, filled with the scent of beach roses, lies before them. Charming and ambitious, Sean splits his energy between the town bank, his old fishing boat, and the family he seems to adore - until he leaves his young daughter stranded at school. As troubling memories resurface, a phone call confirms that Sean is missing. So begins a season that will change everything. As the door to all Bay cherishes seems to close forever, another opens, and an old love steps through. Embraced by enduring friendships, Bay will discover the truth of who she is - what love is - and how life's deepest mysteries are often those closest to home."
Stars:	***
Review:	I'm not terribly impressed with Luanne Rice as a writer, to be honest. I like her fundamental story lines, but I find that some of her situations make me say "who would do/think/say that." Bay is a likable main character, but she's just a bit too naive to be believable at times. New/old love interest Dan is just not the most, well, interesting person. The kids...I want to throttle and tell "pull it together." And the villains? Way too stereotypical. Still gets 3 stars, however, because despite it all, I couldn't put it down.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 78: The Best Laid Plans

Book #:	78
Book Title:	The Best Laid Plans
Author:	Sidney Sheldon
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	1997
Pages:	372
Started:	September 7, 2008
Finished:	September 11, 2008
Time to Read:	5 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Dear Diary: This morning I met the man I am going to marry. That declaration sets Leslie Stewart on a destiny she could never have imagined. For she is engaged to Oliver Russell, a man fated to rise to the pinnacle of world power, the office of the President of the United States. And, in the aftermath of the shattering betrayal that follows, Leslie will amass her own towering media empire, dedicated to a single purpose - the downfall of Oliver Russell, on the eve of his most dazzling triumph. From Sidney Sheldon, the unchallenged master of bestselling fiction, comes a story of blazing ambitions and thwarted lover that enthralls and surprises with every page..."
Stars:	**
Review:	Sidney Sheldon is a great writer...this just isn't a great book. Did you read the synopsis (back cover blurb) from above? Ok, you've just learned the entire story. Seriously! The difference between reading the blurb and reading the book is simply a few hours of your life. So why did it take me so long to get through this? Ack, I've been busier than heck this week, and unlike books that captivate me, I was able to put this one down for long stretches of time and indeed forget to pick it back up. Ok, so here's what I liked: cute story, clever writing at times. Here's what I didn't like: someone, get me a scorecard! There are so many characters in this book...and bouncing points of view...that I'm dizzy from trying to keep up. Also, someone please get Sheldon a scorecard as well...I think he may have confused a couple details at times! This isn't a bad read, and if you're looking for a throwaway novel to while away a boring day, this may be a good bet. Just don't expect deep literature.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 56: The Walker in Shadows

Book #:	56
Book Title:	The Walker in Shadows
Author:	Barbara Michaels
Publisher:	Berkley
Pub. Date:	1992 (my copy); 1979 (original)
Pages:	308
Started:	June 13, 2008
Finished:	June 14, 2008
Time to Read:	2 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"The house next door stood empty for years, an eerie mirror image of Pat Robbins' well-tended home. Until the day the Friedrichses moved in. Pat's teenaged son fell head over heels for Kathy, his new neighbor. But in a furious battle of wills, Kathy's father made his message clear: stay away. Even the house seemed to be warning them of the deadly secrets among its shadows - and the evil within it heart."
Stars:	*****
Review:	When the past literally comes alive, how will it affect the present? What can be done when the wrongs that must be righted exist one hundred years in the past? And how can two fragile families survive a battle with a force they cannot understand? Those questions sought to be answered throughout the course of this well-woven novel that combines two parts history, two parts paranormal, one part mystery and a dash (ok, a liberal sprinkling) of romance. Barbara Michaels is at the top of her craft in the writing of this book. Incidentally, I have had this book since the 7th grade. I got it at a Scholastic book fair. Doing the math, that was <> years ago and the book has probably been read a dozen or more times since then...and I love it just as well each time. I think you'll enjoy!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 52: The Daddy Spell

Book #:	52
Book Title:	The Daddy Spell
Author:	Patti Ann Colt
Publisher:	The Wild Rose Press
Pub. Date:	2007
Pages:	210
Started:	June 2, 2008
Finished:	June 3, 2008
Time to Read:	2 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Five-year-old sisters Boo and Lindy want a daddy - and anything goes in their quest, including a secret spell known only to the twins. On a lonely country road, Chad Applegate appears out of nowhere to help the girls and their mother rescue an injured dog. Robin Harmon's stubborn independence and breathtaking curves mesmerize the handsome pumpkin farmer, and her daughters charm him. They, in turn, are fascinated by his tales of pumpkin magic. Despite Chad's captivating blue eyes and tender kisses, Robin cannot believe his happily-ever-after promises. Experience has proven those kinds of dreams never come true. Will Robin deny the possibility of forever or will her daughters' daddy spell work its magic?"
Stars:	****
Review:	The Daddy Spell is a fun and lighthearted romance that provides a getaway into a world where pumpkin magic can make dreams come true. Robin Harmon is an easy-to-commiserate with single mom who has endured a heck of a tough road in life. As a mom who would go through Heaven and Hell to provide for her twin daughters, she's naturally suspicious when there's suddenly a hot man who is interested not only in her but in building a life together. While her daughters are growing more attached to the rugged pumpkin farmer with a heart made of gold, she's pushing away as hard as she can, trying to ignore the signals coming from her heart. The story moves briskly forward as the reader wonders if a world filled with not-so-fun situations actually has room for happily every after. This is Colt's debut novel and the first in the Echo Falls series. With her next release due out in time for Valentine's Day 2009, you'll want to grab this book in advance to start your adventure with the members of this unique community.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 46: At First Sight

Book #:	46
Book Title:	At First Sight
Author:	Nicholas Sparks
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	October 2005
Pages:	277
Started:	May 21, 2008
Finished:	May 22, 2008
Time to Read:	2 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Ther are a few things Jeremy Marsh was sure he'd never do: he'd never leave New York City; never give his heart away after barely surviving one failed marriage; and, never become a parent. Now Jeremy is living in the tiny town of Boone Creek, North Carolina, engaged to Lexie Darnell, the love of his life, and anticipating the start of their family. But just as his life seems to be settling into a blissful pattern, a mysterious and disturbing e-mail sets off a chain of events that will change the course of this young couple's marriage. How well do we really know the ones we love? How do we handle the inevitable doubts, fears concerning parenthood, and stumbling blocks that are sometimes placed in our way? Continuing the story of the young couple introduced in Spark's bestselling True Believer, this novel captures all the heartbreak, tension, romance, and surprises of those who are newly wed. An astonishing tale about the love between a man and a woman and between a parent and a child, AT FIRST SIGHT is about endings that bring new beginnings...tragedies that lead to unexpected job...and, most of all, the magic of everlasting love."
Stars:	*****
Review:	Get your tissues ready. When I reviewed this book's predecessor twenty-five books ago, I somewhat complained that unlike typical Sparks fare, it wasn't a tearjerker. Boy...does this sequel make up for that! I'm serious when I tell you to get your tissues ready - this is the most heartwrenching story that I've read in a long time, and I don't mind telling you that I had to put the book down at one point and cry my eyes out for a good half hour. Jeremy still shows some of his selfish and callous nature that we saw in True Believer, but how he grows and deepens is a great part of this novel. Lexie is vibrant and quirky and cute and you'll love following her pregnancy. But, oh! The ending! You won't, in a million years, see it coming. Fabulous work, fabulous book. Get a copy today!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 41: Hello, Darkness

Book #:	41
Book Title:	Hello, Darkness
Author:	Sandra Brown
Publisher:	Pocket Books
Pub. Date:	August 2004
Pages:	473
Started:	May 13, 2008
Finished:	May 15, 2008
Time to Read:	3 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Since moving to Austin to ease the pain of tragic mistakes, Paris Gibson has led a life of virtual isolation, coming alive only at night when she hosts her popular radio show. Then one listener - who identifies himself as "Valentino" - tells Paris that the girl he loves jilted him because of Paris's on-air advice. He intends to exact revenge by killing the girl and then coming after Paris. Desperate to stop the sinister Valentino, Paris enlists the help of the police - including crime psychologist Dean Malloy, the very man she had hoped never to meet again..."
Stars:	****
Review:	I have to tell you that I bought this book at a used book sale simply because I loved the play on Simon & Garfunkle - the song it quotes, "The Sounds of Silence", is one of my favorites. I'm happy to say that this book goes far beyond just a whim purchase...it's a fabulous read! Paris Gibson is that anonymous voice in the radio - think Delilah - and that's exactly what she wants. Formerly a television reporter, she now craves simply to be left alone - except for the several hours each night that her show is broadcast. Running from a past that is tragic and overwhelming, she does her best to lay low and remain a loner. But when a psychologically-twisted madman horns his way into her life via her show, she's forced to out herself...and to allow a man back into her life whose very presence unburies all that she's worked so hard to run from in the past. Sandra Brown is a fabulous writer. Her characters are believable, her plot moves at a great pace, and her sense of suspense is unbeaten. Grab a copy today!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 39: Sam's Letters to Jennifer

Book #:	39
Book Title:	Sam's Letters to Jennifer
Author:	James Patterson
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date:	2004
Pages:	263
Started:	May 8, 2008
Finished:	May 10, 2008
Time to Read:	3 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Dear Reader, Have you ever gotten a letter that changed your life completely? It happened to me once. I can still feel the urgency that overtook me as I opened the envelope and the hunger I felt for whatever that letter would say. It seemed as if my entire life hung in the balance as I read. Sam's Letters to Jennifer is a novel about that kind of drama. In it, a woman is summoned back to the town where she grew up. And in the house where she spent her most magical years she finds a series of letters addressed to her. Each of those letters is a piece of a story that will completely upend the world she thought she knew - and throw her into a love more powerful than she ever imagined could be possible. Two extraordinary love stories are entwined here, full of hope and pain and emotions that never die down. I hope you'll enjoy this novel as much as I've enjoyed writing it. It's not often that you get a letter that changes your life. But it should happen to everyone at least once. Yours, (x) James Patterson (x)
Stars:	****
Review:	Nope, I didn't accidentally leave my finger on the star key for two long - here is an example of a Patterson book I truly enjoyed! It's odd, however. With this book, as well as when I read a borrowed copy of Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas a few years ago, I feel like this isn't even Patterson writing. Not only is the style markedly different, it's as though Nicholas Sparks briefly inhabits his body and forces him to put out something that's worth reading! Jennifer is beyond shaken when a phone call demands her return to the lakeside town where she spent her childhood. Her only remaining family, her grandmother and best friend, is on death's door, and this leaves her frantic to call on the ties they've shared in the past. But her grandmother has secrets to reveal - through a series of short letters - that could turn Jennifer's world upside down. All the while, romance comes to find Jennifer, originating most unexpectedly. But when that romance encounters a hiccup that threatens to turn into a hemorrhage, Jennifer faces the prospect of losing it all, all at once. How she pushes through and pieces together her own life at the end is what makes this story magical. Definitely recommend.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 22: Truly, Madly Manhattan

Book #:	22
Book Title:	Truly, Madly Manhattan
Author:	Nora Roberts
Publisher:	Silhouette
Pub. Date:	2007
Pages:	488
Started:	March 19, 2008
Finished:	March 21, 2008
Time to Read:	3 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Local Hero Comic-book writer Mitch Dempsey creates heroes, but he's never seen himself as one - that is, until Hester Wallace moves into the apartment upstairs. When Hester's son, Radley, finds out his new neighbor is the brains behind his favorite superhero...well, Mitch might as well be Commander Zark. He can do no wrong as far as Radley is concerned, but Hester isn't as easy to win over. Still, there's something about the shy, single mom that intrigues Mitch...and makes him long to love, honor and protect her forever. Dual Image Playing Booth DeWitt's cruel ex-wife in his semiautobiographical film is a dream come true for actor Ariel Kirkwood. Not only is it a giant boon for her career, but she also gets to work with Booth - and since she's gotten to know him, Ariel can't get the aloof, sexy screenwriter out of her mind. She wants to be his leading lady for life, but Booth seems more distant with each passing day. Now Ariel must convince Booth to see her for the woman she truly is, not the one she was hired to portray."
Stars:	**
Review:	This is my first attempt at reading Nora Roberts. Just not my style, I think. The illogic of romance just eludes my mind. I simply don't believe that someone can meet and fall in love with another person as quickly as most romance novels portray. And this whole bit of people falling into bed with other people they've barely gotten to know and aren't sure if they love yet? Ugh. I guess I'm just not a romantic. Story-line wise, kind of interesting. Not enough depth in the short settings of a novella. Too much story for too little space. And unlike the front of this book, I would certainly not call these two novellas "classic novels". But if you're unlike me and DO like romance, I suspect you'd like this book. Give it a whirl.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 20: True Believer

Book #:	20
Book Title:	True Believer
Author:	Nicholas Sparks
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	2005
Pages:	322
Started:	March 12, 2008
Finished:	March 15, 2008
Time to Read:	4 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Jeremy Marsh is the ultimate young New Yorker: handsome, almost always dressed in black, and part of the media elite. An expert on debunking the supernatural with a regular column in Scientific American, he's just made his first appearance on national TV. When he receives a letter from the tiny town of Boone Creek, North Carolina, about ghostly lights that appear in a legend-shrouded cemetery, he can't resist driving down to investigate. Here, in this tightly knit community, Lexie Darnell runs the town's library, just as her mother did before the accident that left Lexie an orphan. Disappointed by past relationships, including one that lured her away from home, she is sure of one thing: her future is in Boone Creek, close to her grandmother and all the other people she loves. Jeremy expects to spend a quick week in "the sticks" before speeding back to the city. But from the moment he sets eyes on Lexie, he is intrigued and attracted to this beautiful woman who speaks with a soft drawl and confounding honesty. And Lexie, while hesitating to trust this outsider, finds herself thinking of Jeremy more than she cares to admit. Now, if they are to be together, Jeremy Marsh must make a difficult choice: return to the life he knows, or do something he's never done before - take a giant leap of faith. A story about taking chances and following your heart, TRUE BELIEVER will make you, too, believe in the miracle of love."
Stars:	***
Review:	No one dies. Not a single darn person. No one even has a terrible illness. And death mentioned occurred years and years ago. I read an entire Nicholas Sparks book AND DIDN'T CRY! What the heck! Despite the lack of a sob story, this was an enjoyable novel - quite a bit longer than his typical length - and is a great study on fast-paced modern city life clashing with relaxed and old(er)-fashioned rural life. I honestly thought it a bit impractical at times, but it was enjoyable and the characters, as Sparks's always are, were loveable and seemed like the guy next door. Give it a try.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 19: Sandcastles

Book #:	19
Book Title:	Sandcastles
Author:	Luanne Rice
Publisher:	Bantam
Pub. Date:	2006
Pages:	441
Started:	March 9, 2008
Finished:	March 12, 2008
Time to Read:	4
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Painter Honor Sullivan had the perfect love, the perfect life, with her husband, a renowned photogrpher and sculptor - until the day John's passions led him to disaster, shattering their family and her heart. Since then, Honor has struggled to make a safe haven for herself and their three daughters at Star of the Sea Academy on the magical Connecticut shore. Now, years later, a mysterious letter in a familiar hand hints at John's return to the family he's always loved more than anything on earth. It will take nothing short of a miracle to heal the rift between father and daughters, husband and wife, the past and the present - but a miracle is exactly what is in the making at Star of the Sea Academy. The only question is: Do you believe?"
Stars:	*
Review:	Skip it. Pass. Unfortunately, even a semi-interesting plot can't save this book. The characters are shallow, the writing is poor, and the story line is jumpy. Instead of establishing Honor as a character to be pities, I feel only scorn. She's not much of a wife if she cuts of contact with her husband simply because he's in jail for killing a man in defense of their daughter. I mean, seriously. This is a book that makes much ado about nothing. The author attempts to build suspense and hint at the paranormal, but fails. Pass.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 17: Kill Time

Book #:	17
Book Title:	Kill Time
Author:	T.J. MacGregor
Publisher:	Pinnacle Books
Pub. Date:	2007
Pages:	408
Started:	March 2, 2008
Finished:	March 6, 2008
Time to Read:	5 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"NOWHERE TO RUN... Nora McKee has never forgotten the terrible day her mother was abducted by government agents and "disappeared." Now it's happening again. In a crowded cafe on an ordinary street, they've come for her husband, Jake, a man who knows too much. And the last thing he says to Nora before he vanishes is a chilling warning...Run, Nora, run... NOWHERE TO HIDE... Alone and hunted by a shadow organization that will stop at nothing to find her, Nora is in a fight for survival far more important than she knows. For she is a link to a discovery beyond all human imagining...a brilliant experiment that has suddenly crossed the line into uncontrollable nightmare... NOWHERE IS SAFE..."
Stars:	*
Review:	This is going to be a fairly short review...because the book didn't grab me enough to write an in-depth analysis. On the positive side: the plot is somewhat intriguing. Wanting to know the outcome is the only reason I kept reading. On the negative: the writing is not good. The language isn't well put together. The dialogue is choppy. The story is too jumpy. The in-between details are not compelling. All-in-all, if you're a fan of science-ish fiction mixed with an odd twist of romance and a conspiracy-based story, try it for yourself. Otherwise, skip.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 16: The Choice

Book #:	16
Book Title:	The Choice
Author:	Nicholas Sparks
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Pub. Date:	2007
Pages:	272
Started:	February 28, 2008
Finished:	March 2, 2008
Time to Read:	4 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life - boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his close buddies - he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is until Gabby Holland moves next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the attractive redhead seems to have a grudge against him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Still, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, THE CHOICE ultimately confronts us with the most heart-wrenching question of all: How far should you go to keep the hope of love alive?"
Stars:	****
Review:	This book was actually at the center of my Christmas gift-giving this year. I found the hardcover, on sale, at the bookstore near my eye doctor while collecting stuff for Chris. And since he and I both love Nicholas Sparks, I scooped it right up, even though it was a month before Christmas and shopping that early violates my principle of waiting until the weekend before Christmas to rush through my gift list. On Christmas Day, with my father-in-law and step-mother-in-law visiting, we began opening presents early before the rest o' the family showed up for brunch at our house. Chris opened his copy...and was delighted. Imagine my surprise when, a present or two later, I also tore open a copy of the very same book! Our mutual interest in authors defeated us! We briefly toyed with returning one copy, but decided it was a cute story to keep both. Getting back to the story...this is typical Nicholas Sparks...but not really. In this book, I kept waiting for the catch...for the twist...for the other shoe to drop. The entire first half of the book was entirely too happy to be from the pen of Sparks - surely, a pesky boyfriend wasn't enough angst to break up a burgeoning romance. But then...the second half. And WHAMMO. Dear Hubby reads slower than I do, and I really enjoyed watching him making his way through this book after I finished. When he got to that big turn...his reaction was priceless. I'd always recommend Nicholas Sparks. Run out for this one soon!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 11: Fat Tuesday

Book #:	11
Book Title:	Fat Tuesday
Author:	Sandra Brown
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	1997
Pages:	454
Started:	February 6, 2008
Finished:	February 9, 2008
Time to Read:	4 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Sandra Brown's acclaim and popularity continue to soar. With 50 million copies of her books in print worldwide, and 27 New York Times bestsellers in a row, Brown mesmerizes us with plots infused with passionate, brilliantly drawn characters. In her new blockbuster, she captures a seething world of corruption and desire in New Orleans, where a desperate man and a lonely woman are caught in a haunting drama that will reach its climax on...Fat Tuesday. It's the day of sin, when sexuality explodes on the streets and no one is who they seem. For a cop turned outlaw, and for a beautiful woman held captive in a loveless marriage, New Orleans's Mardi Gras will offer them their last chance for freedom - and each other. Burke Basile is the hard-bitten cop whose world shattered when a fellow officer died from a bullet fired from Burke's own handgun. When his unhappy marriage crumbles, and he has nothing left to lose, Burke focuses his rage on his nemesis: Pinkie Duvall, a sinister, flamboyant defense attorney who has just helped a known killer get away with another murder. Determined to bring the powerful Duvall down, Burke strikes at the attorney's most vulnerable spot: the gorgeous wife Duvall pampers but keeps prisoner, a woman whose love Pinkie will never have. Remy Duvall was destitute and at the mercy of New Orleans's streets before Duvall made her his trophy. When Burke strikes, taking Remy as his captive, it sets off a duel between the criminal lawyer and the ex-cop that explodes from the streets of the French Quarter and intensifies in the steamy swamps. For Burke, who is struggling with his own anguished spirit, his fight with Duvall is a matter of honor. But the one thing he could never have imagined is the passion that erupts between himself and Duvall's wife. AS dozens of players - from the innocent to the corrupt - are drawn into the drama, Burke and Remy have one way out: through a desperate confrontation in the middle of Mardi Gras madness. A novel of wrenching emotion and relentless action, FAT TUESDAY is Sandra Brown's most powerful novel to date - and a work that secures her palce as an important contemporary fiction writer."
Stars:	***
Review:	Ironically, I read this book only just shortly before Fat Tuesday! Sandra Brown amazes me - for as fast as she puts out new books, no quality is ever lost in production. Her characters have wonderful depth, the storyline is well thought out, and the ending is always unexpected but anxiously anticipated. In Fat Tuesday, Burke is a character who is hard to love and but easy to feel sorry for. Remy is built as sympathetic as they come...even in a horrible situation. And the story? It's hard to control your anger at times while reading this book...the story line is that believable and that easy to get into.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 7: Here I Stay

Book #:	7
Book Title:	Here I Stay
Author:	Barbara Michaels
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Pub. Date:	1983
Pages:	338
Started:	January 25, 2008
Finished:	January 26, 2008
Time to Read:	2 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Turning a decrepit old mansion into a beautiful country inn isn't easy, but for Amanda Torgesen, the hard work is exactly what her younger brother, Jim, needs after a serious car accident. Or, so she think - until Jim is haunted by unearthly voices and eerie visions, and becomes obsessed with a long-neglected graveyard. Suddenly, the impossible becomes terrifyingly possible and Andrea must battle an evil force that threatens to destroy their lives."
Stars:	*****
Review:	I love Barbara Michaels. I have since middle school. She's one of the only authors that writes both romance and paranormal that I actually enjoy. And boy do I enjoy her...all of my Barbara Michaels books have been read so many times that their spines are totally busted and some are even held together by binder clips. In Here I Stay, the reader is immediately and intimately drawn into the world of Jim and Andrea Torgeson, a brother and sister who literally depend upon one another for survival. Andrea has raised Jim since an accident claimed their father and step-mother when he was quite young...and now the struggles of his younger years pale in comparison to the new life they must forge after Jim loses a leg in a car wreck and sees his active life dwindle to a stop. The character emotions are raw, believable, and totally bring the story to life. The story line - although set over two decades ago - is set in a timeless manner and will captivate readers for years to come. You won't want to put down this story until you reach the last page - and when you reach the end, you'll be left wondering what to do next, now that the story is over. With a twist both heartwarming and heartwrenching (who knew the two could co-exist), you're in for a treat from start to finish.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 6: To Have and to Hold

Book #:	6
Book Title:	To Have and to Hold
Author:	Fern Michaels
Publisher:	Ballantine Books
Pub. Date:	1994
Pages:	346
Started:	January 23, 2008
Finished:	January 25, 2008
Time to Read:	3 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"Bestselling author Fern Michaels has won the hearts of readers worldwide with her sweeping novels of women coping with the challenges of love. To Have and to Hold is Fern Michaels at her most entertaining and compelling best: the story of a woman very much of her generation, a woman who harnesses tragedy and grows courageously into the nineties - strong, independent, and free to love. It is 1970 and Kate Starr is determined to be the perfect wife, the perfect mother, and the perfect housekeeper. Her husband, Patrick, is her whole world - even when he departs for a tour of duty in Vietnam. But when Patrick is listed as MIA, Kate must rely on herself for the first time in her life. It's an uphill struggle from the start - emotionally, physically, financially. Kate feels she has no talent, no job qualifications - all she knows is how to be a wife and mother. But the bureaucracy, red tape, and utter callousness of the U.S. government's policy regarding MIAs fuels Kate's rage. She organizes a support group and fights the system, determined to make noise any way she can. It is the beginning of a new Kate Starr. Five years, ten years, fifteen years pass...and Kate continues to transform herself: she raises her two daughters, puts herself through school, and starts a successful business. She also continues to love her husband - until finally, she realizes she must move on. Twenty years after her husband disappears in action, Kate finds love again. It is the passionate, fulfilling love of an adult woman, a love unlike any she has experienced before...and a love that will bring with it the most momentous decision of Kate's life... In this poignant, triumphant, and very real story, Fern Michaels proves her immense talent once again."
Stars:	*
Review:	First of all, I have to tell you that I bought this book for $1 in a used bookstore in Coeur d'Alene, ID last spring. So I don't feel all that gypped. Next, I have to tell you that I really can't understand why I own like 15 Fern Michaels novels... Fern Michaels is to modern fiction like Cliff Notes are to the Classics. Watered down. Stereotypical. Cut and dried with no glance spared for practicality. Impractical. And typically, poorly edited. I really am sorry to say that...but I think Fern Michaels popularity is more due to her quick reads and mindless story lines than her ability to write captivating text. For me, I pick up a Fern Michaels novel whenever my brain is so overloaded that I can't comprehend much else. They're books I can read quickly (this one only took three days because I was sick...) and I don't have to give them much thought. Specifically to this book, since you're here to read a book review and not an author-attack, I'd have to say that the characters are flat, the storyline is predictable, and it's nearly impossible to really feel the emotions. 346 pages is not enough to cover 15 years and glaring gaps and inconsistencies dot the pages as proof. Folks, if you're looking for an easy read, this, or almost any other Fern Michaels book, is a good choice. But if you're looking for a great story to draw you in and make you think, move along.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany