The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham

I am a sucker for historical fiction.  This one got me a little with all of the people and who they belonged to and at what times.  It takes place while King Edward IV is reigning and all the twists and turns of his marriage and who is in alliance with each other.  It fascinates me how quickly loyalties change and how quick those in power could judge and kill.  There was such a tremendous amount of violence during that time and it was so visceral.  I think that I enjoyed the fictional part more than the historical just because there were so many kings and queens and dukes and duchesses, it was very hard to keep straight and Higginbotham seemed to include everyone.  Because of that I am not sure if I will be seeking out more of her books.  If you can get past all of the names, the story was great. (NOOK)

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

This was a collection of eight stories.  The last three were tied together.  There was only one that I did not really like, I just felt very unsettled and uncomfortable with how it ended.  I was drawn into these stories and really felt a part of what was going on.  The subjects of families and friends and time passing were relevant, it made me not want the stories to end.  Lahiri wrote beautifully and it felt like she was talking just to you.  Her style was free flowing and never felt contrived or disjointed.  I am looking forward to finding more of her books and being drawn into her world.

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

I saw the movie first.  I am always skeptical about books turned into movies, so reading this now I was not sure what to expect.  I was happy that the movie really did follow the book.  A boy gets sick on the way home and a woman takes care of him.  This leads to a relationship through some of his teen years and then abruptly ends.  The next time he sees her he is in college and she is at trial for things done during the war.  The characters are very well developed and move through time in a way that you don't feel like you miss anything.  It is hard during the trial to think of things that happened in Germany and you question your knowledge and thoughts on that time period.  I am glad that I took the time to read the book, it gives you a deeper connection to the story over the movie.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

This was a wonderful story about a girl, her imaginary friend and growing up.  The only time that Jane spends time with her mother is on Sunday afternoons, the rest of the time she is left to her own devices.  We go from little girl Jane to grown up Jane and she is still trying to live up to her mother.  One thing happens to her that she thought was never possible and it leads her down a wonderful road of discovery and freedom.  This has your wonderful, happy ending and I would not have wanted it any other way. (NOOK)

The Other Woman by Jane Green

What a funny book, and at times quite sad and whiny.  It is about a girl who meets a boy and they are going to get married.  She thinks she is marrying into this wonderful family, she never really had a cohesive one herself.  Well, his mother is one that just wants to take control of it all and Ellie is the perfect people pleaser.  Unfortunately she takes it out on Dan all the time who just does not want to get in between his mother and her.  At times I can feel for Ellie and at other times I wish she would just grow up.  It was a fun and easy read and I do look forward to reading more of Green's books.

The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid

This was a freebie I picked up and I am glad that I did.  It took me a few chapters to get into it and then I really had a hard time putting it down.  There are two stories going on and they are woven together beautifully.  The basis of the story is about a woman, Jane, who is a Wordsworth's scholar and has a theory about a lost manuscript.  A body shows up in a peat bog that spurns on her theory and an amazing tale rolls out from there.  There is mystery and death, conspiracy and revelation and a book that is hard to let go. 

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

From the title I was not sure what to expect.  Then when I started reading I was really not sure what to expect.  The basis of the story is about a woman who has not had good luck at love and her friend tries to help.  They bring to life a Greek god-like man who should take care of her every desire.  Well, Grace, the main character, was going to have nothing of that and really got to know Julian, the Greek god-like man.  Through out the book you learn about both of them along with some Greek mythology.  It was a fun book and there was a light erotica feel at times but nothing that would really make you blush.  There was substance and fun and it was a great escape from anything and everything. (NOOK)