Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Historical Fiction

Although Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is set in 19th century China during the time women’s feet were still bound I found it to be a story of women everywhere. Within this story of two friends are elements that are universal. In the story we see how women will follow tradition even when it can cause harm or even death, how one best friend can betray another, and how a women form their own society.

In the story are seldom seen glimpses of the kind of life women lived in China when foot binding was common. Much of the story revolves around two friends who use nu shu a secret women’s language that was hidden from men for over 1000 years. It follows them from childhood, through marriage, motherhood, and old age. I think any of us can see a little and learn a little about of ourselves from the women portrayed in the book.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan would be a good choice for discussion in a book club.

Random House published Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (http://www.lisasee.com/snowflower.htm) in 2005.

Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair

Science Fiction Romance

Hope’s Follyby Linnea Sinclair (http://www.linneasinclair.com/books.html) is the third book in the Dock Five Universe. The first two are Gabriel’s Ghost and Shades of Dark. I think it adds to the story if you have read the first two, but Hope’s Folly stands on it’s own.

Philip Guthrie was a supporting character in both Gabriel’s Ghost and Shades of Dark. Linnea in one of her post’s said that Philip visited her office one day and said that he wanted his own story. Hope’s Folly is the result.

Admiral Philip Guthrie is a changed character in Hope’s Folly. Taking on a leading role in the rebellion against Imperial forces he is aware of his past mistakes and hoping to make amends for some of his decisions. His first job is to get aboard and move Hope’s Folly to the rebel shipyards for re-fitting. At Kirro Station Philip and some of his new crew are attacked trying to board the shuttle taking them to Hope’s Folly. Rya Bennton a former ImSec officer (polite, professional and prepared to kill) is among those joining his crew and helps Philip defend everyone as they board the shuttle. Nothing goes smoothly; there is a traitor in the crew, the ship has problems and two different groups are trying to keep them from arriving at the shipyard for repairs. In addition, there is an immediate attraction between Philip’s and Rya. Rya has had a crush on Philip since she was a child but does not think he could be interested in her. Philip fights the attraction because Rya is the daughter of an old friend and 15 years his junior. Their attraction adds tension to the story. Just a comment on my part. This is a very different Philip. He frequently calls himself a “galactic sized ass” for some of the things that take place between he and Rya. He would not even have thought that in the first two books.

In Hope’s Folly Linnea Sinclair has written another excellent story blending romance and science fiction. Like all of Linnea’s books the story has a fast pace, a great plot, well-written characters, humor, and gripping action. Hope's Folly joins other Linnea Sinclair books on my favorite's shelf.

Bantam (http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/results.pperl?x=9&y=8&title_subtitle_auth_isbn=Linnea+Sinclair)published Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair in 2009.

If you would like another view of Hope’s Folly go visit Frances Writes (frances-writes.blogspot.com)to see her review.

Phenomenal Girl 5 by A. J. Menden

Action Romance

I read the first chapter of Phenomenal Girl 5 on line at A.J. Menden's web site (http://www.ajmenden.com/pg5excerpt.html) and was hooked on the premise immediately. The book lived up to the sample.


A.J. Mendan has created a world where superheroes are common. Phenomenal Girl 5’s (real name Lainey Livingston) has just realized her dream of becoming a part of the top group of superheroes, the Elite Hands of Justice. Her training requires her to work for two years with the Reincarnist, a man who every time he dies reappears almost immediately as a 20 year old with scattered memories of his past lives. On their first patrol together a new super villain who plans to unleash chaos appears. Lainey and the Reincarnist have to find a way to stop the impending doom. At first they are the only ones who are worried about the threat but gradually the other members of the Elite Hands are drawn into the fight. There is action, romance that does not run smoothly, and a great cast of characters. A world full of Superheroes who have widely varying powers add additional interest to this action romance read.

Shomi (http://www.shomifiction.com/phenomenal.html) published Phenomenal Girl 5 by A.J. Menden in 2008. Check out the free sample at her web site and see if you are hooked on the story.

Broken Wing by Judith James

Historical Romance

There are two reasons I’ve had trouble writing the recommendation for Broken Wing by Judith James. First, I wanted to make sure I did justice to the story. Second, every time I picked up Broken Wing to write a recommendation I ended up re-reading the book. So far I have probably read the story 4 or 5 times. Broken Wing is more than a romance; it is a beautiful touching love story. After reading my recommendation I hope you will want to read Broken Wing.

Sarah, Lady Munroe and her half-brother Ross, Lord Huntington, have come from England to rescue their 10 year old brother Jamie. Jamie went missing five years ago and they have finally traced him to a brothel in Paris.

Sarah is known as the Gypsy Countess “on account of her unfortunate parentage and her even more unfortunate behavior. She left her elderly husband only a week after her nuptials. It was widely rumored since that she dressed as a man, consorted with pirates, and counted among her numerous lover her own half brother, Ross. All but the last charge were true.” On the other hand Ross is very conventional.

Gabriel was sold to the brothel as a young boy. He has built up an icy defense to protect himself from all the pain and hurt. His only escapes from the realities of his life are books and his goal of protecting Jamie from all the things that he himself has had to endure. Now Jamie’s family has come to take him home and Gabriel see only a empty future.

When they arrive at the brothel they find Jamie untouched. Jamie states that he will not leave without his protector, Gabriel. When Sarah and Ross tell Gabriel Jamie wants him to come with them he is stunned and we see his reaction. “He steeled himself immediately, crushing a sudden stab of hope.” When Sarah pushes the offer she sees “past kohl, artifice, and carefully constructed defenses, to a heartbreaking vulnerability” and offers him 10,000 pounds to come with them for a year. Gabriel accepts knowing this is his last chance to leave a world that has left him empty.

The story unfolds gradually. Gabriel has no experience with the world he is now in. At first he is only comfortable with Jamie and avoids contact with the rest of the family. He hides behind the walls he has built to protect himself from the people who only used him. Sarah senses his deep unhappiness, wants to help him adjust but does not know how.

The first break through comes when Ross calls Gabriel into his study. Gabriel thinks the worse and is surprised when Ross tells him “It is my intention that you continue your education as a gentleman”. Ross goes on to list Gabriel’s strengths: ““You have exquisite manners when you choose to use them; you have a classical education at least the equal of most of the young fops passing for gentlemen these days; You are largely self-taught…This is much to your credit; You are an accomplished musical; you dance; and you ride.” Ross also states that the Captain of the ship they took to England mentioned Gabriel’s affinity for the sea. Ross and Sarah’s cousin Davey will soon be anchoring in the harbor below the house for the winter. Ross wants Gabriel train with Davey to see if he would like a career at sea.

For Gabriel the meeting is surreal. “As far as he was aware, he’d never been noticed for anything, other than his body and his face. He’d never been praised for anything, other than that, or his skill with his hands, his mouth or his prick. Hearing Huntington listing his accomplishments and planning his future when he’d come expecting anger and retribution left him feeling buffeted and bewildered. He could make no sense of the new world, no matter how hard he tried. He had no map, no compass, no idea of what to expect next.”

Late that same night Sarah is in the kitchen gathering up food to eat while she watches a meteor shower. When Gabriel comes in she invites him up to her balcony to watch. While Sarah just wants someone to share the beauty of the night, Gabriel thinks that she wants to use him for sex. When they get to the balcony Gabriel realizes his mistake. Gabriel for the first time enjoys sharing an innocent experience with another person and finds that innocence “it was a new and heady flavor, and he liked it tremendously”.

Despite their backgrounds and experiences innocence is what makes Gabriel’s and Sarah’s story so compelling. As they fall in love Sarah and Gabriel share their most painful secrets. The story is not rushed. They start holding hands while talking, after several months they kiss, they fall in love over the course of a year and just when everything seems to be resolved something happens to separate them.

This is Judith James’ first published novel and it does have some flaws. None of those flaws detract from the beauty of Sarah and Gabriel’s love story. I am looking forward to Judith James’ next book. Broken Wing is a must read love story.

Published by Medallion Press, Inc (http://www.medallionpress.com/authors/james.html) in 2008 Broken Wing was written by Judith James (http://www.judithjamesauthor.com/).

Countdown by Michelle Maddox

Futuristic Action Romance

Countdown was a P.E.A.R.L. finalist in 2008. None of the libraries in my area had Countdown and it was not in stock at any of the bookstores. I added it to my last Amazon order and it came last week. Countdown was written by Michelle Maddox and published by Shomi (www.shomifiction.com) in 2008.

Shomi calls Countdown an action romance and it lives up to its label. As the book starts Kira, a small time thief, and Rogan, a convicted mass murderer, are chained to a wall in a dark room. When the lights come on they find that each has a key to the other’s chain. They have 60 seconds to exchange keys and escape the room or they will die. That task was Level One of the Countdown game and the start of non-stop fast-paced action. Kira and Rogan have to work together to survive all six levels of the Countdown. In addition, they have to outsmart a computer that has taken over the game and wants to take over the world. There is fact-paced action, love and betrayal as they work to survive the game. The need to shut down the computer and end the game forever adds another layer of suspense to the story. Kira and Rogan are both strong characters and neither is entirely what they seem. There is not a lot of world building but that does not detract from the story as the game and the computer are the important elements of the book.

If you like action and romance this is a good book to read. I can see why it was nominated for the P.E.A.R.L.

For more information visit Michelle Maddox at her web site www.michellemaddox.com. She also writes Paranormal Romances as Michelle Rowen.

A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball

Women’ Fiction

A Year On Ladybug Farm tells the story of three life long friends who find themselves at a turning point in life. All are divorced or widowed, their children are grown, and they start to look back at the choices they made in life. All three have things they never took a chance on. On a trip through Virginia they find a turn of the century house they all love. It is out in the country on 14 acres. Bridget loves the great kitchen, Lindsay likes the old dairy building that could be turned into an art studio, and for Cici there are a lot of do it yourself projects to get the place in shape.

They decide to make a drastic change in their lives by selling their houses, pooling their resources, buying the house and moving from the city to the country. Their attorney helps them draw up a contract that covers the first year in the house. The contract binds them for one year and after that year they will decide if they want to stay. The year brings new friends, hard challenges, and changes with their families. They find they own sheep, try to grow a garden, end up with a pet deer, make numerous repairs, and add new people to the mix living in the house.

I found A Year on Ladybug Farm to be a pleasant read. This is a good addition to the books that have been written about women banding together. Unlike many of the books on the same theme the story does not include a romance. .

A Year on Ladybug Farm was written by Donna Ball and published by Berkley Books in 2009. You can visit Donna at her website www.donnaball.net.

Mr. Complete by Sheridon Smythe

Romance

Romance books all have the same destination. The difference in each romance book is the journey to that destination. The journey in Mr. Complete is filled great characters, a great story and many laugh out loud moments. Luke Reynolds is the owner of Mr. Complete's Escort Services. Mrs. Scuttle is his seventy-eight year old secretary. Luke‘s prime rule is that his escorts do not become romantically involved with the clients. His step-brother who is also his arch enemy is trying to put Luke out of business. Two employees accepted bribes from the stepbrother and violated that prime rule. Lydia Carmichael’s aunt had her heart broken by one of those employees. Lydia decides to pose as a client in order to prove that Mr. Complete is in the business of selling sex and breaking hearts. Luke gets wind of her plan and the stage is set. The book is filled with male hunks, sexy dialogue and Mrs. Scuttle adds more than one laugh out loud moment. This is a wonderful lighthearted read.

Wildrose Press published Mr. Complete in 2008. Mr. Complete is currently available only as an eBook. I purchased the book from Fictionwise. I liked Mr. Complete so much I purchased a second book by the authors. Mr. Hyde’ Assets was just as enjoyable a read as Mr. Complete. Romance readers should look for books by Sheridon Smythe.

Sherri Eddington and Donna Smith are friends who write using the name Sheridon Smythe

Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn

Fantasy

I talked in an earlier post about how much I had enjoyed hearing Sharon Shinn at two Science Fiction Conventions. At that time I had never read any of her books. I started with one of the books in her Archangels series and I just read Mystic and Rider the first book in her Twelve Houses series.

This promises to be a delightful series. Mystic and Rider sets the stage for additional books. The king has sent Senneth one of his mystics on a journey to find out what is causing the unrest in the Southern region of the kingdom of Gillengaria. Five others join Senneth on the journey. Justin and Tayse are King’s Riders, highborn Kirrea is a healer and shape shifter, lowborn Donnal is another shape shifter and Cammon is a young mystic they rescue at the beginning of the story. As they start on the journey there is a tension between the members of the group. Each new situation highlights their individual strengths and they start to operate as a strong team. They find new unrest and meet old enemies. I loved the characters and hope to meet them again in future volumes. The journey has adventure and suspense and builds a vivid picture of the kingdom of Gillengaria. The characters are well developed and their interaction lends texture and diversity to the story. The book can stand-alone but there are many unanswered question that leave room for future volumes.

Mystic and Rider was published by Ace in 2005. If you had not tried any of Sharon Shinn’s books Mystic and Rider is a good place to start.