Moonraker's Bride

I have to admit, I was skeptical when I began reading ‘Moonraker’s Bride’ by Madeleine Brent. It had been recommended to my sister, who had read it and then gave it to me to read. I started reading it about a week ago, but it took me a few days to get into it. By the time I got to page 100 I was intrigued. By page 200 I was captivated. I seriously could not put it down. Moonraker’s Bride is about a young English woman (Lucy) who is raised in China after her missionary parents are killed (I think in the late 1800’s). At the age of 18 she moves to England and faces many struggles as she learns to fit into a culture very different from the one she has always known.

This book is incredibly written, and has lots of little twists and turns that keep you guessing (I was reading it at work and there was a part where I literally jumped up and yelled "WHAT!?!?) It is a historical/mystery/romance novel all rolled into one. It is also really funny, which I was not expecting! I would highly recommend it to anyone who is lucky enough to come across it!

It’s an older book (published in 1973) and completely out of print. Apparently it’s hard to find which makes me sad as I would really like to own this book myself (and I don’t buy books very often!) While Madeleine Brent did write several books, and most of them have incredible reviews, it seems they are all difficult to come by. I wish they would keep books like this in print!

Hooray for well written/entertaining/clean books!

I Heard That Song Before

This week is spring break, so what you think I am doing? Working. Yep, a full 40 hours! It has actually been good, as my job allows me to answer phones and study or read, or write at the same time (truly, an ideal job). Even though I didn’t go anywhere exciting for spring break, I did decide that I was not going to do ANY homework. Instead I have been using the time at work to get in some much needed fun reading (aka, non textbook reading!)

I love Mary Higgins Clark books and was super excited to find one a the library that came out when I was in Brazil, called I heard that Song Before. I checked it out, and started reading it Wednesday night. I worked 9 ½ hours yesterday, giving me lots of time to read all day and I finished it. I have to say, work has never gone so quickly!

I heard that Song Before is a story about a young woman, Kay, who has a whirlwind romance and marries the love of her life, Peter (a very handsome billionaire). Within the first month of their marriage Peter is charged with two murders (both of which happened 22 years ago, and one of which involves a person very close to Kay) and is a person of interest in another.

Kay is convinced of her husband’s innocence, and will do anything to free him from the charges and bring him safely home. But as Kay digs deeper and deeper into the case, she finds that it may be her own safety that is in jeopardy.

I give this book a full five stars. I LOVED it! Like I said, I am a huge Clark fan. Sometimes I find her books a little gruesome for me, but this one was not at all. I am always surprised at how Clark manages to keep you guessing who the murderer is until the very end. I always think I know, and I am always wrong.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery!

Happy Reading!

Austenland

So for those of you who don't know, I am a slightly obsessive reader. I have a book with me at almost all times. As soon as I finish one, I must start another. I just LOVE books, and have ever since I was a kid. So I will likely write a lot about my current choices.

I just finished a book called "Austenland", by Shannon Hale, recommended to me by my dear Sis. Austenland is about a woman, Jane, who is very obsessive about Pride and Prejudice. She has never had any luck with guys (Always comparing them to the perfect Mr. Darcy), and is about ready to give up on love. Then she receives a three-week stay at “Austenland”, a resort in England where you become a character in one of Jane Austen’s novels. You step back in time, leave all your modern technology behind, put on some period clothing, and jump right in. At first Jane doesn’t know how to act in her newfound surroundings, but soon enough she settles into the part, and is living her dreams.

As a lover of Jane Austen books myself, I really enjoyed this book. It's really fun because Jane never knows (so you as a reader don't know as either) what is reality and what is fantasy. It’s a quick read, less than 200 pages, and it is really quite humorous. Each chapter starts out with a description of each of Jane’s ex-boyfriends, which leaves you anxious for each new chapter. My favorite line of the whole book is when Colonel Andrews (Such a gentleman) is dancing with the slightly clumsy Miss Charming and says . . .

“I beg your pardon, Miss Charming, I seem to have stuck my foot under yours yet again.”

Hehehehe. I couldn’t stop laughing. This really is a good book to read if you need a pick me up. Its not a stay-up-late-forget-all-other-responsibilities-until-I-finish-it kind of book, but it is a feel good book, that makes you want to watch Pride and Prejudice again (Which I did upon finishing)

YAY FOR BOOKS!