Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict- Laurie Viera Rigler

A closet Jane Austen addict, Courteney Stone delves into J.A's novels whenever she needs solace, comfort, or anything really.So it seems inevitable that one day she wakes up and she seems to actually be living the life of someone who could certainly have been one of Austen's characters. Is she dreaming?delusional?drunk? Read it for yourself and find out.

Romanitas - Sophia McDougall

'This is the first of three books set in a Roman Empire which never fell but spread to take in half the world.'

The story begins with Marcus age 16, who's parents have both just been killed and whose coffins are making a slow procession throughout the city. Now Rome is left with the question of who will be the next Emperor. Marcus? One of his uncles? A cousin?

Meanwhile, a young man is waiting to be crucified and a young malnourished girl is making her slow and painful way through the city. For what purpose?

I didn't realise that this was the first of 3 books so I was taken by surprise when the story ended long before I was ready for it. Not that I felt that the story was unfinished, but because I still wanted to know more about the characters.

It took me a few pages to get into the story, but I'm glad that I persevered. Plus it took me a little while to get my head around a futuristic Rome.

Dragon Blood (The Hurog Duology, Book 2)- Patricia Briggs

Sequel to Dragon Bones. Ward has been Hurogmeten for a few years now. He is slowly rebuilding his keep. And the land is also recovering from the curse of the Dragon Bones. So all should be well. Except that Jakoven still reigns and he is as power hungry and vengeful as ever.

It's a good sequel. I still enjoyed the first story more but not by much more.
recommended reading - teen fiction
anyone who likes fantasy

Motor Mouth - Janet Evanovich

Alexandra Barnaby is back.

Alex has a passion for cars and an engineering degree. She works for Sam Hooker who is a NASCAR driver and also used to be her boyfriend until he was caught cheating on her.

Part of Alex's job description is working as a spotter doing a race. When she is asked to do a fellow spotter a favour, little does she know just how complicated this one little favour is going to make her life.

It's a fun story, with good characters.
Recommended reading for all Evanovich fans and romance readers.

Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, Book 1) by Tamora Pierce

Sandry is one of 4 young people who is found to have a different type of magic which is appropriate considering that Sandry herself is also a little different from children of her own age.

Although this book is called Sandry's Book, the story concentrates equally on Sandry, Tris, Daja and Briar.

It's a good story about friendship,diversity and conflict with magic, adventure and mystery thrown in for good measure. It has good general appeal unless you really don't like stories about magic.
genre=teen fiction
recommended= general appeal

last chance saloon by Marian Keyes

Not about one of the sisters in her other series.

It's about a group of friends who each have their own set of weaknesses or nutjob headcases.

Tara has a fear of being alone and would rather have a jerk who mistreats and takes huge advantage of her, than be without a boyfriend. Katherine would rather be alone than risk her heart and Fintan is gay and actually his life is not too shabby.

Everything changes when Fintan becomes ill and with the thought of only 6 months left to live, everyones perspective on their lives, changes.

Not a great read, the characters are too wussy but not a terrible read. Put it in the "meh" pile.

My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult tackles the ethics of having another child basically in order to have a ready made donor for their other chronically ill daughter.

But Anna throws a spanner in the works when she turns 13 and hires a lawyer to defend her right to decide for herself what happens to her body.

It's worth a read but it would be better if Jodi didn't keep including a "twist" at the end. Sometimes it feels like the twist is really just added for the sensation factor. I feel that the story doesn't really benefit much from it.
Genre-Drama