Review: An Infidel in Paradise by S. J. Laidlaw

Synopsis: Set in Pakistan, this is the story of a teen girl living with her mother and siblings in a diplomatic compound. As if getting used to another new country and set of customs and friends isn't enough, she must cope with an increasingly tense political situation that becomes dangerous with alarming speed. Her life and those of her sister and brother depend on her resourcefulness and the unexpected help of an enigmatic Muslim classmate. (from Amazon)

Review: Laidlaw’s book stirs up the emotions in a spectacular way. Her prose took me through the gambit – laughter, sorrow, anger, wonder, fear, love and finally – hope. She creates real characters, people I feel I might meet one day. She drew a picture of Pakistan both heavy and light, filled with sorrow and joy – which in my limit time in the country, I know to be a true representation of that place. She places a common trauma - the dissolution of a couple’s marriage – into a unique setting – a broiling Islamic nation – and she does it well.
Laidlaw’s prose is surprisingly polished for a first time fiction author, although it retained some roughness of inexperience. However, if this is her first attempt, I shall eagerly await her future endeavors.
I highly recommend this book, in particular anyone with interest in Central Asia.
I received this book free as part of the EarlyReveiwer Program on LibraryThing, in exhcnage for my fair and personal review.

Bookmarks: 7.5 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 2-3-2013
Pages: 320

Review: The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer

Synopsis: When the irascible Lord Darracott's eldest son dies unexpectedly, the noble family must accept their estranged Yorkshire cousin as heir apparent. They are convinced he will prove to be a sadly vulgar person, but nothing could have prepared the beleaguered family for the arrival of Major Hugo Darracott . His clever and beautiful cousin Anthea is sure there's more to the gentle giant than Hugo's innocent blue eyes and broad Yorkshire brogue would lead one to believe. But even she doesn't guess what he's capable of, until a family crisis arises and only Hugo can preserve the family's honor, leading everybody on a merry chase in the process . . .  (from the back of the book)
Review: Heyer is, of course, a favorite author. I'll read anything by her and I'm assured an enjoyable time. While this wasn't my favorite of her work, it was everything I expected - humorous, warm, charming, intriguing and all that nonsense. If you enjoy Jane Austen or Agatha Christie, you will enjoy this.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 1-28-2013
Pages: 384

Review: The Lady Most Willing....by Julia Quinn, Elosia James and Connie Brockway

Synopsis: Taran Ferguson, laird of his clan, is determined that his ancient (if not so honorable) birthright be secured before he dies. When both his nephews refuse to wed, the old reprobate takes matters into his own hands: he raids a ball and makes off with four likely brides . . .

Miss Marilla Chisholm—the bonniest lass in Scotland, and an heiress to boot.

Miss Fiona Chisholm—her older sister, another fine choice (but for that tiny stain on her reputation).

Lady Cecily Tarleton—true, she's an English beauty, but very, very rich.

Miss Catriona Burns—without name or fortune, clearly someone made a mistake.

Oh, yes. And one very irate duke.

Because somewhere there must be one lady most willing to love a Scottish lord. (from the back of the book)

Review: I picked this up because 1) It's Julia Quinn and 2) I read the other novel-in-three-parts she wrote and enjoyed it. This was humorous, sweet and slightly beyond the bounds of believability - but then, we don't read romance novels because they are believable, right? A light, easy, warm-fuzzy read, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to romance novel readers.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 1-9-2013
Pages: 384

Review: Libromancer by Jim C. Hines

Synopsis: Isaac Vainio is a Libriomancer, a member of the secret organization founded five centuries ago by Johannes Gutenberg. Libriomancers are gifted with the ability to magically reach into books and draw forth objects. When Isaac is attacked by vampires that leaked from the pages of books into our world, he barely manages to escape. To his horror he discovers that vampires have been attacking other magic-users as well, and Gutenberg has been kidnapped.

With the help of a motorcycle-riding dryad who packs a pair of oak cudgels, Isaac finds himself hunting the unknown dark power that has been manipulating humans and vampires alike. And his search will uncover dangerous secrets about Libriomancy, Gutenberg, and the history of magic. . . . (from the back of the book)

Review: There isn't a lot I can say about this book that will be anything other than the dribble of a rabid fan girl. Hines' created a world that every bibliophile dreams of and he did it was imagination, warmth, humor and adventure. Buy this book. Read it. That's the only way you will understand.
PS: Hines' get serious points for using one of my favorite books of all time as a pivotal plot point.

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: None (Yet)

Date Finished: 12-31-20132
Pages: 400

Review: Christmas Stories ed. by Diana Secker Tesdell

Synopsis: A collection of stories revolving around Christmas. Each has a unique flavor, setting, moral and tone. The stories span authors from the past 200 years, including Dickens, Tolstoy, O'Henry etc.

Review: I read this just before Christmas because, well, obviously. I didn't like it. The stories seemed abnormally morose, as if the editor wanted us all depressed for the holidays. I can't recall one that I enjoyed. This is a shame. The book itself is handsome, small and solid, quite pretty. But the stories - eesh. I can handle poignant, bittersweet, even sad - but bleak and meloncholy? Not very Christmas-y to me.

Bookmarks: 4 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 12-17-2012
Pages: 40o

Ramble: Deep Fried Behinds

I'm rather behind on my book reviewing.

Okay, not rather behind. Very Behind. Egregiously Behind. So Behind I'm being lapped....

Yes, that was a NASCAR reference. No, I don't watch it. But I'm related by blood and law to people who do. And no one does Red-Neck Food like a racetrack. Whoa, boy - you need something deep fried that was never intended to be deep fried - a racetrack is the place to find it. 

Where was I? Right, book reviews....

11. That's how many books I've read and not reviewed. Actually, the number is 9 because 2 books I wrote a review of for LibraryThing because they gave me the books free if I wrote a one.

Which is AWESOME! Because...FREE BOOKS! And all you have to do is give an opinion. Which I do anyway. always. about everything.

My third one arrives in a few weeks. YEE-HAW!

Where was I? Right, book reviews...

I'm going to write them. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my....oh, look! New book in the mail. Be right back.

Aquisitions: Gift Cards are the BEST!

I have not been diligent about my Acquisitions posts. Perhaps because I acquire so many books, it is a bit trying to post every time I add a new tome to my collection.

That being said, I'm going to attempt to keep up - as I'm using only gift cards and Christmas money for my year's book buying needs. Of course, when I run out of money there, I'll just pilfer the home coffers for my purchases.

Now, on to the more serious business of my most recent phat lewtz.*

Amazon Gift Card:

Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair

The Tainted City by Courtney Schafer (The Shattered Sigil, Book Two)

The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance ed. by Trisha Telep

Barking Mad: A Reginald Spiffington Mystery by Jamieson Ridenhour

Barnes and Noble Gift Card:
Reven (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Book One)

Deceived (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Book Two)

Fatal Alliance (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Book Three)

Hard Contact (Star Wars: Republic Commando, Book One)

*This horrific spelling is an inside joke. I'm sure all you properly read folk cringed. You'll get over it.