"Juliet" by Anne Fortier

Book Club Read for March

Of all the great Love stories ever told,

hers is perhaps the most famous.

To me, she is the key to my family's fate.

To you, she is Juliet.

When a young woman inherits the key to a safety deposit box in Siena,

she is told it will lead to an old family treasure.

This mysterious legacy leads her on a dangerous journey into the past -

and to the true story of her ancestor, Giulietta, whose love for a

young man named Romeo turned medieval Siena upside down.

In Siena, the past and the present collide as she crosses paths

with the descendants of the families involved in the blood feud that inspired

Shakespeare's famous tragedy. It soon becomes clear that the

notorious curse "A plague on both your houses" is still at work -

and she is the next target. Only someone like Romeo,

it seems, could save her from a dreaded fate, but his story

ended long ago. Or did it?

me, the missing and the dead by Jenny Valentine (41/2)

Fifteen-year-old Lucas Swain hasn’t seen his father for five years. One day, his dad just vanished. And the strange thing is, except for Lucas, nobody seems to care.

Then things really take a turn for the bizaree when Lucas discovers someone who might be able to help find his father. Her name is Violet, and she's reaching out to Lucas. But it would all be so much easier if Violet wasn't a pile of ashes in an urn.

I purchased this book because: Saw it on another blog site and was curious

Opening lines: The minicab office was up a cobbled alley with little flat houses on either side. That's where I first met Violet Park, what was left of her.

Pages in Novel: 201

This is a short wee book but one that I really loved .... I can see how it was shortlisted to be a finalist in the William C Morris Debut award ... I felt it was abit jumpy at the start of the novel but then the storyline picked up and it flowed lovely after that ....

The story is about a young boy Lucas who finds an urn of a woman and is strangely draw en towards finding out about her. This curiosity leads Lucas on a journey to discover not only who Violet is but also alot about himself.

There are some really funny parts in this book but still manages to keep the serious side to some of the issues that are touched upon ... It is quite an honest book in its story-telling which I found really refreshing ...

I loved the banter between Lucas and his grandparents especially with his grandmother .... Very funny and touching at the same time .... And for a wee novel of just 201 pages there is alot hidden between its pages ...

Some of my favourite quotes are:

But doesn't getting up that early just mean there are more hours to fill with being old? Pg 12

If you think about it, a person being dead isn't any barrier to finding out what they are like. Half the people we learn about in school have been dead for ages. Pg 28

I've said it before - it's the not knowing that drives you mad. It's the imagining things that you wish you couldn't think up all by yourself. pg 64

Thug - I said he should tell her that we learned about thugs in history, and they were actually this amazing caste of assassins in India a hundred or so years ago. They strangled people with a long scarf with a rupee sewn into each end. It was their destiny to be a thug. They had no choice and they accepted it as their role in the order of things. Pg 70

For every decision I make there's the other thing, the alternative route, and I find myself hankering after it as soon as it's gone. Pg 79

It occurs to me that all most people do when they grow up is fix on something impossible and then hunger after it. Pg 115

This is a great wee book and I really liked it ... It is written beautifully and you cannot help but love the main character of Lucas and get invested into his world .... I would definitely go out and purchase another book by this author ...

I rate this book 4 1/2 ****

"Jane" by April Lindner [5]

Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge come-back. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.

But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing revelation from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?

I couldn't put it down...

Jane Eyre is my favourite love story of all time and when Irish told me that a modern version is being written, well I just had to give it a try. You will not be disappointed...

This book has been so cleverly written into a modern day version of the wonderful classic story of Jane Eyre. You will be swept up into it right until the amazing, and truly satisfying end. Jane has all the mystery, romance and laughter that the original has and will enchant you all over again.

Jane is a young girl who has had a very sad and unhappy childhood, while away at college her parents are killed and Jane is forced to find work. Applying for a nanny position she is sent to Thornfield Park to look after young Maddy, there she meets her brooding and handsome employer Nico Rathburn. He is a famous rock star who has an interesting past, and slowly Jane falls in love with him. There are dark secrets in Nico's life that will keep these two apart, but will love triumph in the end...that is the decision that Jane will have to make for herself. You will totally fall in love with these two characters they are remarkable.

This novel stays true to all the poignant parts from the original and has been cleverly brought into the modern times...so well written and very easy to read...you won't be able to put it down until your finished. I just can't rave enough about this book...if you don't read anything else for the year, please read this one, you will just love it. This would be a awesome Christmas present for the person who loves romance and a great introduction to the younger generation of a truly marvellous classic love story.

I definitely rate this book 5 stars.

"The Counterfeit Guest" by Rose Melikan [3 1/2]

Spring 1797. The War

with France deepens, the

Channel Fleet has mutinied

... and a ruthless traitor lurks

within fashionable London society.

Such matters should not concern young Mary Finch, who has recently inherited an unexpected fortune. But her new status brings her little pleasure, and she longs for freedom and adventure.

Mary's restless spirit leads her to a meeting with an elusive spymaster, who offers her an intriguing proposal. With England's security and a friend's safety at risk, Mary arrives at the exotic Champian Hall, determined to uncover its dark secrets. But the knowledge that she seeks is deadly, especially when the hunter becomes the hunted.

So this is the third book from the four month challenge and it came under the title of historical fiction. This is actually quite an interesting series as usually I like historical romances but this series is more of a mystery ... it does have a little romance thrown in!

OK so why have I only given it a 3 1/2, well I think it get too bogged down in all the descriptive details. The story is terrific, the characters are brilliant, the attention to detail about this time period is spot on, it just takes you forever to read about what is going on. Every thought and feeling is written down and for me it is just a little too much. With just over 400 pages and a slightly bigger than normal paperback ... well it took me a few days to get through it and by the end your kind of glad it's finished.

The drama and suspense are terrific and the mystery that's woven through it all is irresistible. Mary Finch is one of those characters that you wish you could know in real life, she is a wonderfully kind hearted person, but has the heart of a lion and longs for adventure in her life. Captain Holland is the handsome and brooding hero of the story and the love interest for Mary. While these two characters are probably perfect for each other I could sometimes just smack Captain Holland ... for me he just lacks something ... maybe it's because he always seems like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders and he seems a little high and mighty with Mary occasionally.

Apart from some personal dislikes it really is a good historical mystery and worth reading the series. The next installment is entitled " The Mistaken Wife."

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

'No Place Like Home' by Mary Higgins Clark [31/2]

Celia Nolan has a terrible secret.

Aged 10, she shot her mother dead. Known then

as Liza Barton, she claimed she was protecting them both

from her violent stepfather and was aquitted by the courts.

Everyone else, however, believed it to be murder.

Now, twenty-four years later, with a new name,

new family and new life, Celia thinks the past is forgotten.

But when her husband Alex buys her a house, she is

horrified to find it is the exact same one in which she

ended her mother's life.

Worse still, someone else knows; someone who is

willing to kill to unleash the truth, beginning with the

brutal murder of the estate agent who sold the house.

Celia becomes prime suspect, putting Alex and her

young son Jack in danger.

As the body count rises, she is thrust into a race against

time to clear her name and prevent herself and her family

from becoming the next victims of a vicious killer.

A killer who believes some secrets should never stay buried...

First time that I have read this author and I really enjoyed it.

It's a crime novel mixed with mystery and an ending you wont see coming!

It's not a long novel...just over 350 pages, so you could read it in one sitting if you have the time.

I did, and only because I couldn't put it down, I had to know what happens in the end.

Really well written, you won't guess the plot until your nearly finished and then you hope it's not true...

The characters are all interesting and you want to find out more about them.

Definitely will read some more novels from this author.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Discussion Questions for The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

1. Warning Spoiler alert: Some of these questions contain spoilers so if you haven't finished the book do not read any further ......

1. If you have read The Da Vinci Code or Angels & Demons, how do you think The Lost Symbol compared to Brown's other books?
2. Katherine Solomon worked in a field called Noetic Science. Do you think it is possible that the human brain can transform matter? Would you consider Noetics a real science?

3. How would it change the world if there were more tangible evidence of the spiritual world? How is Katherine Solomon's perception of science different from Robert Langdon's?

4. Do you think that a secret knowledge could exist, such as the Ancient Mysteries?

5. Are you surprised by how many of America's founders were Freemasons? What do you think of all the Masonic imagery in American art and architecture?

6. How familiar were you with Freemasonry before reading the novel? How did your impressions of the organization shift throughout the book, from the chilling prologue to Peter Solomon’s philosophical comments near the end?

7. Do you think it would actually cause a "national security crisis" if somebody had a video of high level government officials participating in the rituals described in The Lost Symbol? Why or why not?

8. Discuss the novel's grand theme of architecture. How did The Lost Symbol change the way you think about the way buildings are designed and the intention of their architects (creators)? What most surprised you about the tributes to the past—and visions of the future—that are captured in the landmarks of Washington, D.C.?

9. Were you surprised to find out that Mal'akh was actually Zachary Solomon?

10. Mal'akh considers the polarity of angels and demons noting that “the guardian angel who conquered your enemy in battle was perceived by your enemy as a demon destroyer.” What does this indicate about Mal’akh’s perception of himself in the world? How can his evil nature be explained? Why is he only able to consider his own suffering, while relishing the suffering of others?

11. At the heart of the novel is a quest to unlock wisdom, and the need to keep it "locked" because it can be used for destructive purposes. Do you believe that freedom of knowledge (Wikipedia, a world wide web) is a blessing or a curse?

12. The novel's epigraph, from Manly Hall’s The Secret Teachings of All Ages, encourages readers to become aware of the meaning of the world. What mysteries about the world, and life, do you think are the most important ones to explore?

13. The final chapter raises intriguing questions about the possibility of a multi-faceted God and the potential to find God in all of humanity. Can there be a universal definition of enlightenment?

14. While interpreting the Masonic Pyramid's final inscription, Robert Langdon tries to bring order out of chaos by interpreting each symbol as a metaphor. Peter Solomon instructs him to be literal and accept the inscription as a true map. What does this exchange say about the best way to interpret all sacred messages?

15. What truths do Katherine Solomon and Robert Langdon experience in the epilogue, at sunrise, atop America's ultimate symbol? From your perspective, what does the Capitol symbolize?

16. What does The Lost Symbol indicate about the power of the Word—both ancient texts and bestselling twenty-first-century novels?

17. What common thread runs through this and each of Dan Brown's previous works? What makes The Lost Symbol unique? How has Robert Langdon's perspective changed from Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code?

18. Rate The Lost Symbol on a scale of 1 to 5.

Many thanks to Dan Browns site for some of these discussion questions :)

"The Silver Blade" by Sally Gardner [4 1/2]

The blade of the guillotine falls on the neck of the King himself, and the spirit of the French Revolution lies in tatters. The reign of Terror has begun.

Yann Margoza, the mysterious young man known as the magician, is helping desperate people to escape to England, where Sido, the girl he loves, waits to hear from him.

But Yann's past haunts him. He is in grave danger, and so is Sido. For under the streets of Paris, in the catacombs, the howl of a great beast can be heard. And a boy with angelic looks and an evil heart is ready to do the bidding of a man who has made a pact with the devil.

An enjoyable second novel.

When we left Yann at the end of the first novel he had rescued Sido and taken her to England to live with her aunt and Uncle. Yann decides to return to Paris to help evacuate those that are innocently being sent to the guillotine. Things don't go as smoothly as they hope and soon Yann and his friends lives are in risk.

Sally Gardner did a good job finishing the story off from the first novel.

Just like her first it is full of murder, magic, secrets and passion and you are swept away into a time of utter terror, where just a wrong look at your neighbour could send you to the guillotine.

Wonderfully written and easily read you will be totally lost inside the story.

Well worth a read.

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

"The Red necklace" by Sally Gardner [5]

Paris 1789

While the aristocracy dine, dance, gossip, and

gamble their way to disaster, the poor and starving

dream of revolution.

Enter the boy Yann Margoza, destined to be a hero;

Tetu the dwarf, his friend and mentor;

Sido, unloved daughter of the foolish Marquis de Villeduval;

and the sinister Count Kalliovski, who holds

half the aristocracy in thrall to him.

The drama moves from Paris to London and back,

as the Revolution gathers momentum, and the hope of liberty

and the dream of equality are crushed

beneath the wheel of terror.

This is a story that has everything, murder, mystery, passion and even a little magic.

Beautifully written... you will breeze through this novel before you even realize that you have finished.

From the very start to the finish you are transported into the terrifying world of the French Revolution...

Her characters are people that you identify with straight away...

You eagerly encourage Yann to fulfill his destiny...

Your heart breaks for Sido, all she wants is to be loved by her cruel father...

You cringe when the evil Count Kalliovski comes calling at Sido's home to make her father an offer...

Laugh at the antics of Tetu and his friends...

This book leaves you wanting more...literally...

Her story continues with "The Sliver Blade"

For me it is a must read, totally captivating.

I rate this book 5 stars.

"The Angel's Game" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon [4]

In an abandoned Barcelona mansion David Martin is working himself to ill health

churning out steamy melodramas under a pseudonym, while yearning for the unattainable Cristina. When his own novel is published, to scathing reviews, David is close to despair.

Then he receives an extraordinary proposal from a reclusive French editor

named Andreas Corelli - a proposal that could bring hi great wealth and fame.

But David has discovered photographs and letters hidden in his house that hint at a sinister

mystery. And, like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones.

Fifth book read in the romance reading challenge.

What an interesting book this has turned out to be. I initially picked this book up because the cover intrigued me and when I read the back I thought I'd read it for this challenge. It hasn't turned out to be a romance in the true sense of romance novels, but nevertheless it does still come under that title....it has a lot of mystery woven into it too!

David Martin is a struggling author who writes short story's for the newspaper he is working for.

He is befriended by a well known author and taken under his wings. He meets and falls in love with Christina who's father is the driver for the novelist. Over the next 10 years or so of his life changes occur and decisions are made that don't bring him any closer to his beloved Christina.

Then one day he gets involved with a French author and his life takes a dramatic turn and it's a race to save all he loves.

This is a bewitching novel that will keep you guessing until the end and even then you'll

Intrigue, passion, humour and suspense it has it all. Thoroughly enjoyable novel that has twists and plots enough to keep anyone guessing and in between is this romance that is seemingly unattainable.

Well worth the read.

I rated this book 4 stars.

"The Book of Tomorrow" by Cecelia Ahern [4]

Tamara Goodwin has always lived in the here and now,

never giving a second thought to tomorrow.

Until a travelling library arrives in her tiny village,

bringing with it a mysterious, large leather-bound book

locked with a gold clasp and padlock.

What she discovers within the pages takes

her breath away and shakes her world to its core.

Tamara Goodwin is your typical spoilt rich kid, who thinks that the world owes her everything,

and when she doesn't get it, she takes it out on her father and who ever else is around.

Her world is shattered when she finds her father has committed suicide and left her and her mother in financial ruin.

They move to the country and live with Tamara's aunt and uncle.

They live in what was called a gatehouse next to the castle ruins of Kilsaney Castle.

Tamara is bored and lonely and wanting her life back in Dublin, but things change when a travelling library passes through.
Tamara uncovers deep secrets from the past that will affect her world forever...through a mysterious leather bound book.

A really wonderful story of how tomorrow can effect today.

How stepping out of your comfort zone can make you a better person.

A wonderful book that all young adults should read.

A quick warning...there is a little bad language.

I rate this book 4 stars.

"Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran [4 1/2]

At the tender age of fifteen, Nefertiti marries Akhenaten, the Prince of Egypt, her dreams coming true as she rises to fame and fortune. Bathed and decorated by a team of body servants, her natural beauty is enhanced until she becomes mesmerizing. She is soon the darling of the people and her husband's closest confidant.

But when her husband breaks with a thousand years of tradition, defying the priests and the military, it will take all Nefertiti's wiles to keep the nation from being torn apart. She's prepared to sacrifice her sister to strengthen her power and this act will lock the two women in a feud that only death can break...

A hugely enjoyable and compelling story that will keep you riveted until the end.

Written from Nefertiti's sisters point of view, it is the story of how one young woman rose from being a princess to a ruling Pharaoh. The author has stayed true to the facts as much as possible.

It truly amazes me that at 15 years old Nefertiti is married and soon starts to have children...six girls in the end...not a son in sight.

What is interesting is how she is able to manipulate her husband Amunhotep into becoming

co regent...which has never been done before.

The wealth that these people had to be able to build cities in the middle of a desert and then it is just left to be destroyed by the sands of time, and they just don't blink an eye...

The author has a wonderful way of telling what life was like back in Egypt 1351B.C, you feel like you are living it yourself.

A compulsively readable novel.

I rated this book 4 1/2 stars.

"Prophecy of the Sisters" by Michelle Zink [4 1/2]

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become

orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover

their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters

against each other, the girls find themselves uncovering a lifetime of secrets.

Secrets that could destroy everything.

Lia and Alice don't know who they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other!

An interesting story that is set in America around 1890. Twin sisters Lia and Alice and their younger brother Henry are left orphans after their fathers death. The girls have never been really close like twins often are, but things get stranger and they become even more separate from each other after their fathers death.

Lia makes some unusual discoveries that will change their lives forever.

A really interesting story with sister against sister and a fight to save the world.

Well written and enjoyable to read. The only problem is.... it's a series and now you have to wait to see what happens....AAAAHHH!

Look forward to the next one!

I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.

'A Curse Dark as Gold' by Elizabeth C. Bunce [4]

The gold thread shimmers in the fading light.

It promises Charlotte Miller a way out of debt, a chance to save her family's beloved woolen mill. It promises a future for her sister, livelihood for her townsfolk, security against her sinuous and grasping uncle. It might even promise what she didn't know she needed: lasting hope and true love.

But at what cost?

To get the thread, Charlotte must strike a bargain with it's maker, the mysterious Jack Spinner. But the gleam of gold conjures a shadowy past - secrets and bonds ensnaring generations of Millers. And Charlotte's mill, her family, her friends, her love... What do those matter to a powerful stranger who can spin straw into gold?

This is a wonderful debut novel that weaves a spellbinding fairy tale, spun with mystery and shot through with romance. It is a charming retelling of the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin. With the authors wonderful poetic style of writing and the thickly detailed life at the mill it provides a perfect backdrop for this tale of dark magic. Set in the late period of the Industrial Revolution it is completely believable.

Charlotte is a good strong heroine, fighting to save her livelihood and everyone dear to her. A beautiful read from start to finish and she even has an ending that will satisfy all.

'Instruments of Darkness' by Imogen Robertson [3]

Thornleigh Hall, the forbidding seat of the Earl of Sussex, dominates the surrounding countryside. It's heir is missing, and the once vigorous family is reduced to a cripple, his whore and his alcoholic second son, but its power endures.

Impulsive Harriet Westerman has felt the Hall's menace long before she happens upon the dead man bearing the Thornleigh arms. The grim discovery cries out for justice, and she persuades reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther to her cause, much against his better judgement; he knows a dark path lies before those who stray from society's expectations. That same day, Alexander Adams is killed in a London music shop, leaving his young children orphaned. His death will lead back to Sussex, and an explosive secret that has already destroyed one family and threatens many others.

A rich and thrilling historical novel of secrets and lies.

I was quite taken by the cover of this novel and then by the title, so I then turned it over to read it was a historical mystery... well that took my fancy straight away. Quite enjoyed reading this book, not an author I have read before. Flowed nicely along, but took a few days to read through.

I did love the character of Harriet, she is a strong minded woman, who is not idle to let things pass by. Crowther's is also an interesting character and I enjoyed the by-play between the two of them. The two main characters seemed unlikely to become friends but that is what happens as they solve the mystery together.

Good read.

'The Blackstone Key' by Rose Melikan [4]

1795, and a young teacher called Mary Finch travels in haste to the Suffolk coast to meet her wealthy uncle - and so end a bitter family estrangement. But when she meets a dying man on the road, she is soon drawn into a world of intrigue and treachery. Why does this stranger carry a watch bearing her uncle's initials? And why does he hint that Mary is in terrible danger?

When his warning proves true, Mary finds herself at the mercy of a ruthless conspiracy, determined to gain the treasure guarded by the mysterious Blackstone Key. Will Mary's courage, wit and steady nerve be enough to save her? And can she trust the two men who have offered her their protection?

The first book in an exciting new mystery series.

With a beautiful cover that just captivates you straight away, you are drawn into the wonderful historical novel as soon as you open the page. Mary is a delightful heroine, that is witty, sensible, intelligent and forthright, she is a breath of fresh air.

I have not read a historical novel that wasn't a romance and this was something completely different. The author writes in period detail really well and it was a joy to read. Looking forward to the next one.

'The Counterfeit Guest'.

I rate this book 4 stars.

'The Season' by Sarah MacLean [5]

Seventeen- year-old Lady Alexander Stafford doesn't fit into the world of Regency London - she's strong willed, sharped tongued, and she absolutely loathes dress fittings. Unfortunately, her mother has been waiting years for Alex to be old enough to take part in the social whirlwind of a London season so she can be married off to someone safe, respectable, wealthy, and almost certainly boring. But Alex is much more interested in adventure than romance.

Between sumptuous balls, lavish dinner parties, and country weekends, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get entangled in her biggest scrape yet. When the Earl of Blackmoor is killed in a puzzling accident, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. It's a mystery brimming with espionage, murder, and suspicion. As she and Gavin grow closer, will Alex's heart be stolen in the process?

Romance and danger fill the air, as this year's season begins!

Boys, ballgowns, romance and mystery....

What more can you want in a romance novel. But the core heart of this story is about female friendship and the strong ties that last throughout the centuries.

I loved every aspect of this novel... the way it has been written, the characters, the plot, the back drop... everything!

It makes you realize how important it is for us girls to have the companionship of other women in our lives and to share things with each other without fear of judgement.

I truly hope that the author is writing a second novel to this one, as it would be wonderful to follow the lives of Alex's girlfriends.

Can't rave enough about this book....

Wonderful cover, hardback copy a bonus.

Please read if you love these type of books.

5*****

Triskellion by Will Peterson 3***

Rachel and Adam are sent from their New York home to stay with their grandmother, following their parents' bitter divorce. But the quiet English village where their mother was born is a sinister and unsettling place. Is there a genuinely dark heart beating beneath the thatched roofs of the picturesque village of Triskellion?

Against a brooding background of very real danger, the two young outsiders follow an incredible trail on an archaeological adventure with a startling paranormal twist. In a community that has existed in the same place for centuries, many terrible secrets lie hidden, and the villagers of Triskellion have a great deal to protect...

The front cover of this young teenagers book is what drew me too it, beautifully done with bees over it. {11,12,13 yr olds}

While I enjoyed reading the story I found it was probably a little young for my taste. Well written and easy to follow the young teenagers will quite enjoy reading it. Apparently there will be two more that will follow on from this novel.

One for the kids...

The Conjuror's Bird by Martin Davies 3***

Journeys begin in many different ways. It was Cook, a man experienced in preparations for a long sea expedition, who persuaded Joseph Banks to return to Revesby before they sailed; so that summer of 1768, two months before they were due to depart, he made the journey back to Lincolnshire; back to the woods and fields that for the next three years were what he thought of when he thought of home.

It was an interesting first novel, not quite what I was expecting.

The author has mixed current day life with past historical intrigue.

He managed to intertwine both stories so that you never got lost in either. I did enjoy it

but It wouldn't be one of my all time favourites.

I rate this book 3***

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settlefield (41/2)

Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once home to the March family - fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, brutal, dangerous Charlie, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But Angelfield House hides a chilling secret which strikes at the very heart of each of them, tearing their lives apart... Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past - and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has Angelfield been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic writer Vida Winter? And what is the secret that strikes at the heart of Margaret's own, troubled life? As Margaret digs deeper, two parallel stories unfold, and the tale she uncovers sheds a disturbing light on her own life...

I have seen this book floating around for a while and when I saw the cover I just had to purchase it .... It is hard to believe that this is a first novel as it is written so well and grips you from the very first page!!!

This book is definitely a page turner and will have you guessing the whole way through!!! I really loved it ... It did remind me of Wuthering Heights but only not as depressing but surprisingly enjoyable and making you yearn to uncover the mystery ....

The characters are really likeable and the main Character of Margaret is a delight and you really go along with her as she tries to unfold the truth !!! There are many twists and turns in the plot which I loved and just when you think you have it figured you realise that you don't !!! I love reading Historical novels and getting whisked away into that time period !!!

So if you love mystery books, Gothic novels and a little suspense this book is well worth the read !!!

I rate this book 4 1/2 ****

Dashing through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark (4)

From beloved mother-daughter duo Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark comes a holiday treat you won't want to miss.

In the picturesque village of Branscombe, New Hampshire, the townsfolk are all pitching in to prepare for the first (and many hope annual) Festival of Joy. The night before the festival begins, a group of employees at the local market learn that they have won $160 million in the lottery. One of their co-workers, Duncan, decided at the last minute, on the advice of a pair of crooks masquerading as financial advisers, not to play. Then he goes missing. A second winning lottery ticket was purchased in the next town, but the winner hasn't come forward. Could Duncan have secretly bought it?

The Clarks' endearing heroes -- Alvirah Meehan, the amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly -- have arrived in Branscombe for the festival. They are just the people to find out what is amiss. As they dig beneath the surface, they find that life in Branscombe is not as tranquil as it appears. So much for an old-fashioned weekend in the country.

Well what a great wee read ... To be honest I picked this book up mainly because of the cover and it was a nice hard backed book ... I had read some of Mary Higgins Clark books before a long time ago and I am so glad that I decided that I have rediscovered her again ...

The story is set in a small town where the communty all know each other and there still is the feeling of everyone helping each other out ... And now is a prefect time of year to read this book as it is set around Christmas ...

The book is really easy to read and just flows nicely ... There are really loveable characters along with other characters that you love to hate ... There is mystery, plotting and money involved which is a prefect recipe for a good story ...

This is a cute wee book that shows that people do have heart !!!

A rate this book 4 stars ****