Book #89 - Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson

I have to say I had no idea who the bad guy/gal was until the author told me. Perhaps it was because she didn't give me enough details to figure it out, but the villain wasn't even on my list of suspects. This book seemed like it had a 380 page build up followed by a 20 page wrap up. It was almost like the author had been told by her publisher to wind it up even though she'd spent a huge amount of time building the plot. I don't think this was one of her best, and it almost felt like she's gotten into a rut on the "caterer who solves murders". There are only so many ways that a caterer can discover a dead body and only so often she knows more than the local police. But, this book allowed me to read without having to think, so it solved its purposed.

Book #88 - Private Scandals by Nora Roberts

This was a fascinating and fast moving short novel. Again amazing that this story was nothing like any of the others I've read by her. How does she do it? How does she come up with these stories that are from all walks of life, all different genres, and all different types of characters. I often think when I start a new novel by Nora Roberts that at some point, the story line has to be a repeat or very similar to others I've read. I have to say that for the first time, I was on to who the bad guy was....but still wouldn't have bet money on it until I got to the end.

Book #87 - Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts

This book was one of the best of her's I've read for quite awhile. The plot drew me right in, and I was captivated and entranced until I got to find out how it would end. Of course, the hero and heroine wound up living happily ever after, but there were several heartbreaking twists in the plot. Very interesting to weave it around the life of magicians who doubled as jewelry theives. I wonder how she thinks of all of the different plot lines that she writes about. Again, she always makes you feel a connection to the characters and a deep yearning to make sure all will end well. As always, I wanted an epilogue to assure me that all ends well....but, that's just not her thing.

Book #86 - The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan

As you can tell by the time that has past between entries, this book just did not do it for me. It was not particularly long, but it has taken me almost 4 weeks to read. I picked this one up based on a recommendation from Amazon, and others who had read it gave it pretty good reviews. I was disappointed. All the makings were there for a very good, fast-paced adventure, but I felt the author dropped the ball. It seemed as though he was far more concerned with using this book as a tool for evangelism to the Christian Faith rather than tell a great story. I had a hard time with the sheer number of times that the main character asked God for guidance, and then would have visions of what to do next. Perhaps the author has had interactions like that with God himself, but I cannot say that God has ever "spoken" to me in such a human way. Anyway, I think the books would have greatly benefited from a map of ancient and modern day Jerusalem. I kept getting lost as to where the characters were at any given time. In addition, a glossary of terms would have been useful as well as seen in other books of this type. I can't give my recommendation for this one...won't even pass it on to my brother.

Book #85 - Tempting Fate by Nora Roberts

This is the sequel to the book I read several weeks ago called "Playing the Odds." I really think this was a better overall story than the other one. The main characters, Caine and Diane, are siblings to the lovers from the other book, and its is their story of falling in love and finding each other. It was an easy read and an enjoyable story. As usual, Nora didn't let me down. Can't think of one of her books that was terrible...amazing since she's written so many. The only other author I can think of that has written so many books is Patterson, and he's had several duds in the last few years.

Book #84 - Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

I actually finished this book two days ago, but it has taken me this amount of time to collect my thoughts. First, I should say that this was another outstanding historical novel from Michelle Moran. This is the story of the twin children of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony who are taken to Rome as "prisoners" of Octavian (Augustus Caesar). This book was an eye opener as to the day to day life in Rome. In history class, you only hear how great the Roman Empire was and that Rome was the city of that time. The description is of a dirty, unlawful, corrupt, and heartbreaking city where the wealthy rule and everyone else is left to beg for scraps of food. The incredible journey of the princess of Egypt and her fight to save herself, remain valuable to Caesar, avoid an arranged marriage, cope with the loss of both parents and all of her siblings, and somehow escape Rome. The ending of this book was so intense and my hopes for Selena (main character) were so high that all would end well...which it did. The great thing about it is that it is based on true events in time, so Selena and the man she married, Juba, returned and ruled Egypt for decades. This author is fantastic and really illuminates strong and resilient women of ancient times. I have to say she is the best author in this genre that I have read. Her books are packed with culture and adventure...incredible combination.

Book #83 - Anything Goes by Jill Churchill

When I was in middle school, I read a book called "The Westing Game". It was an interesting mystery where you were introduced to a whole bunch of characters and the main character had to figure out who committed the murder. This book reminded me of that one very much. It is a short, who-done-it set in 1931. The main character and her brother were formerly living large off their father's extravagant wealth are left penniless and skill-less after the stock marked crash. These two find out their long lost uncle has died and has left his home and vast fortune to them, if they can survive 10 years living in his house. As they arrive to this small town outside of NYC, they find out that the uncle may have been murdered, and they set out to find out who did it. I suspected who had done it, but didn't put it all together until the author finally clued us in. Good little short one that is quite entertaining but doesn't require much brain power...just what I need right now.