The White Queen - Philippa Gregory

I'm torn. While I love the Tudor series, I didn't get that same sense of accomplishment when I finished this book. It also seemed to come to an abrupt end like The Constant Princess. It was almost as if Ms. Gregory said to herself, "Oh, I probably should finish this," and just stopped writing.

It's the story of England before it becomes a united land under Henry VII. Edward marries in secret and brings his bride to the court afterward. And all hell breaks loose from there. Brothers betray each other. Secrets are let out. There is murder, mayhem, and witchcraft to deal with.

I had a difficult time getting through this one. I found Queen Elizabeth too conniving for me. Or maybe I'm just tired of the intrigue found at England's court. I don't know. As this is the first in a new series, I may just wait to pick up the second book.

Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts

OK. I've been on a total NR kick lately. I listen to a LOT of her audiobooks in the car on the way to work. I tend to read books and then go and listen to the audiobook later.

I preordered Bed of Roses and felt that little tingle of anticipation. New release from one of my favorite authors? What's not to love, right? So I got the box from Amazon (a day early from their shipping estimate, might I add), opened it and the packaging inside, picked up the book and settled down to read. I think my husband brought me food at one point. It appeared in front of me anyway.

I wanted to love it. But I didn't. It is the story of Emma Grant and Jack Cooke. She is the florist at Vows, a successful wedding planning company and venue in CT. She creates all the arrangements for the company for their various events from weddings to baby showers to 50th anniversary parties. Jack is a friend of the group and their architect when they need space planning or additions created.

They come together in the book and it was ... predictable. I think what bothered me most was that there wasn't enough of a struggle on Emma's part. She had a fairy tale life, a fairy tale job tailored to her, and pretty much fell in love effortlessly. There was a bit of annoyance when it came to Jack's hesitation but that was it.

I liked it. I think I may have to read it again. But this is the first NR book in a while I didn't automatically love the first time out. So now I'm sad.

Black Hills - Nora Roberts

I just finished listening to this a few days ago. I liked it but I think I prefer her trilogies better. It's a fairly simple reason why too. I just like getting to know the characters more thoroughly in a series. Nora Roberts writes complex characters, especially her female leads and I feel that some of them need a longer story arc to shine.

Lil was one of those characters. Dr. Lillian Chance set her mind to her life's work when she was just a child. It was fascinating to read through her childhood and young adulthood to see that purpose solidify. There was a man though. There's always a man. :o) His name was Cooper Sullivan and he was troubled as a kid. A product of a broken home, his grandparents provided the stability he longed for. He became a cop in defiance of his father's wishes and then resigned after a terrible accident over which he had no control.

Lil and Coop came together early in their 20s, too early perhaps. It didn't last. Couldn't as he had something to prove to people. Mostly himself. When he came back in his 30s, he'd proven "it" whatever it was. His new focus was to work on the farm, the only place he'd ever considered home after his grandfather was unable to do so.

As it happens, Lil came under siege because of a misguided man. They had a connection in his mind, as warped as it was. He threatened her and all she'd built. The refuge where abused animals were offered sanctuary. Her staff. Herself. Her family. All threatened due to their connection with her.

As usual, there's suspense and romance in a Nora Roberts novel. All told with that special something Ms. Roberts brings into her stories. They make me wish I could write like that. Maybe someday.

I'm tossing myself into the creative pool again

I'm participating in NaNoWriMo. It stands for National Novel Writing Month. Basically, it's the writing equivalent of the 100 yard dash. You get one month (November) to get to 50,000 words. Once you do and your word count is verified, you win. Not money. You get the pride in yourself that you were able to achieve something that most people dream of. Writing The Great American Novel.

Some from Nano have had their novels published. Check out the website www.nanowrimo.org ... it's a great time. It's nuts and you'll make yourself crazy if you decide to participate but completely satisfying.

Maybe this year I'll actually finish. I started it last year and abandoned it as I wound up hating my characters. This year, I'm doing a series of short stories. Either way, I'm determined to make to 50K.

See you all at the finish line!

An Echo in the Bone - Diana Gabaldon (no big spoilers)

Good EFFIN Lord! I have to wait another THREE YEARS to find out what happened? Really? REALLY?

I didn't realize how much I missed Jamie and Claire until I opened this book. I found Roger a bit whiny at first. I know he's been through a lot but I guess I don't really get how a trip back through the stones would be enough to shake the foundation of his faith and make him turn away from being a minister. Maybe I missed that part.

There was so much going on in this book. You can really see how closely Ms. Gabaldon is starting to weave the net that binds them all together. It is like that net is being slowly tightened around the characters and pulling them closer & closer to each other.

I'm not giving away too much except for the fact that I enjoyed it. The roller coaster was in effect for this one as well. I found the Lord John bits a tad boring but then I'm not a fan of his as a whole. I feel sorry for William and can't wait to find out where Jamie went and what they're up to.

OK ... really. I'm not giving away anything else. But MUST you make us wait so long for the next one?

The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

I like Robert Langdon. I really do. But even I'm not sure why he chose to blindly accept that the person on the other end of the phone was his friend's assistant. lol ... Of course, I'm not at that level where one of my friends would HAVE an assistant to make calls. So I think that's the only problem I have with the book.

Langdon is once again thrust into a seemingly impossible situation. Discover the greatest secret of the Masons or die trying. This book takes place in Washington DC and it was nice to read about places I'm more familiar with. Even if it's been a while, I've BEEN to the Capital so I've seen the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Monument and a variety of other places there firsthand.

He also always seems to attract the attention of a strong, intelligent woman in the midst of the trials & tribulations. Katherine Solomon is no different. Together, they unravel the mysteries placed before them.

I'm not going into great detail but I liked this book. Even if it is a bit formulaic. Most books are so that doesn't bother me. I would like to see Langdon stick with one of these women as I think they are more than a match for him intellectually. But then again, "wartime" intimacy never forms a lasting bond, does it?

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

(I listened to this on audiobook rather than reading it so I apologize if I spell any names wrong.)

Katniss is a teenager living in what remains of the United States. After war, disease, starvation, etc., it is decimated and a new country called Panem is formed. There is a Capital district which I believe is near the Rockies and 12 other districts fan out from it. Katniss lives in District 12 or the West Virginia/Appalachian region of the country. The main industry is coal mining and everyone there services that industry & the workers within it.

She lost her father in a coal mining accident several years before and never really got over it. Everything in her life was defined by that accident and it has shaped who she's become. She's 16 and cares for her younger sister and her mother. She hunts, barters, trades, and brings in food to her home.

At the time the novel starts, there is something going on. It's called the Reaping. Let me take a step back here. As part of The Capital rising in dominion over the Districts, they defeated the districts in a war. Each District had to sign something called the Treaty of Treason in which they basically admit they suck and that the Capital has the right to rule them. (OK, I'm blatantly downplaying this a bit but that's the general idea.) As part of that rule, the Capital has determined that each district will send two teenagers (tributes) to the Capital to participate in something called The Hunger Games.

Basically, this is to remind the Districts that the Capital rules all and can dictate the course of their lives forever. They are not in control of their own destinies. The Capital is. The Reaping is the selection process in each of the Districts to provide the tributes for these bloody, violent, cruel games. (Think the Olympics where your only chance to win is to survive & kill everyone around you.) One boy and one girl are chosen. At the time of selection, volunteers may come forward to take the place of someone chosen but they rarely do.

For District 12, the unthinkable happens. Katniss's younger sister, Prim, is chosen. She's 12 and completely unsuited to participating in the Hunger Games. Without thinking, Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place. Along with a townsperson named Peeta, she sets out to the Capital & the arena where she'll meet her destiny.

It's a violent and cruel mindgame that the game makers and the other tributes play with all of the participants. I won't tell you how it ends but I didn't enjoy this at all. I have a difficult time dealing with senseless torture of innocent people. Katniss winds up enmeshed so deeply in the game itself that she's completely at a loss as to who to trust or not. Horrible, horrible book. I'm not going to read the rest of the series.