
Welcome to my online journal! Please join me while I discuss the writing process and life as a Florida resident. I look forward to hearing your comments in return. Now, let's go shmooze!
Here are my Recent Reads. One can never have too many books!
DARLING JIM by Christian Moerk (suspense novel)
Debut novelist Christian Moerk has written a fascinating tale of three sisters, their deranged aunt, and the lethal charmer who ensnares them all. Darling Jim will hold you in its grip until the satisfying conclusion. Suspense, love, and murder: this story offers you all three on a plate along with a pint of Guinness. The Irish setting adds to the mystique when the narrative jumps between sisters and to the postman who finds their diaries after their tragic deaths. How did they die? Why did their aunt keep them chained in their rooms? Were they murderers as gossip claimed? And if so, what set these three innocent sisters on the path to destruction? Character studies of each personality involved are detailed and believable as you come to understand what motivated their actions. Would you have done the same if you were in their shoes? How desperate would you have to be to kill someone? As for the true murderer, did he really have a choice, or was it in his nature to hunt prey like a wolf? This story will haunt your mind long after it’s over.
HER ROYAL SPYNESS by Rhys Bowen (mystery)
A delightful mystery introducing amateur sleuth Lady Georgiana, cousin to the royal House of Windsor in 1930's London. Tapped to be a spy for the Queen while trying to clear her brother of a murder charge, Georgiana must fend off attacks on her life so that she can determine why someone wants her dead. Disguising herself as a housemaid to earn money after being cast out by her sister-in-law, she overhears conversations not meant for her ears. The meaning only becomes clear in her final confrontation with a killer.
WIZARD’S FIRST RULE by Terry Goodkind (fantasy)
Inspired by the Legend of the Seeker television show, I picked up the first volume in Terry Goodkind’s The Sword of Truth series and soon became immersed in the world of Richard Cypher and friends. Richard is a simple woodsman until his father is killed and he learns his destiny. Reminding me at times of Star Wars (Episode IV) due to the hero’s journey structure of the novel (see Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey), I didn’t want to put the book down. When I finished, I had to buy the next installment. How joyous that I have ten more volumes or so to catch up on this saga. The world building is done so well you feel you’re there. What keeps you turning pages, aside from the evil Darken Rahl’s attempts to kill Richard and the other nefarious creatures he encounters, is the forbidden love story between Richard and Kaylan. This weaves a spell on you to see if they can defeat the magic that keeps them apart.
ON MY LADY’S HONOR by Kate Silver (historical romance)
French noblewoman Sophie Delamanse pretends to be her deceased twin brother, a soldier in the King’s Musketeers. But when she’s assigned a mission leading to murder, she turns for support to Count Lamotte, the man she’d once pledged her betrothal. He insists they marry and travel together on a dangerous mission to save a princess.
Dear Bengali: I am writing a new mystery series and hope to find a home for it soon. Meanwhile, check out these authors for some fun mystery reads: