Endymion Spring-matthew Spring

Who or what is Enymion Spring? Young Blake becomes caught up in answering this question at the same time he is trying to come to terms with his changig family life and living in a new city.

It is a story that began hundreds of years before Blake is born and yet one which he might end up finishing if all goes right. It all has to do with powerful secrets, figuring out who's the bad guy, a magical chest, a blank book and a dragon.

Recommended for all ages and in particular 8 years and upwards.

Emma Brown-Clare Boylan

Beginning with the first 2 chapters of an unfinished book written by Charlotte Bronte, Clare Boylan continues the story of a young apparently rich young lady, who has just began her education at a new ladies'school.

The mystery ensues when inquiries are made as to where young Miss Matilda Fitzgibbon is to spend her christmas holidays and the letter is returned-no such address. Who is Matilda? Why was she enrolled under false pretenses? And by whom?

I enjoyed this story. Holds general appeal.

Bloody Bones-Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake is hired to settle a dispute over land. Her job, raise everyone in it and ask them who their ancestors. However, nothing is ever this simple.

Three teenagers are found in some nearby woods. Killed in a way that Ms Blake hadn't seen before.

Then, there's another murder. Or is it? Are these deaths linked?

Not as many characters to assimilate, which makes it easier reading. Nicely captured vampire characteristics. Almost makes me believe the monsters are real.

The only thing that doesn't do it for me, are the detailed descriptions of what everyone is wearing. Gets a bit tiresome. It's understandable with the vampires and the meetings with vampires and I understand that the author is trying to reveal character through clothing but I didn't think it was necessary every single time.

Making the a-list - Tyne O'Connell

Saskia Williams likes to make lists beginning with 'Things I long to experience before turning thirty', through to-'The a-list of people you should know by thirty' and including 'a hit-list';A must for any advocate of the 'new immorality'.

As her thirtieth birthday draws near, Saskia starts to feel ever more desperate about her relationships or lack thereof, the likelihood of not being married and therefore fulfilling all of her mother's expectations and her job prospects.

Out of 10, I'd give this book a 4. It rambles a lot or rather 'Saskia' rambles a lot, so the book doesn't really get started until a third of the way through. Plus, I tire of reading about english women whose big concern is designer clothes, being overweight, drinking too much and being seen with the 'right people'.

If you enjoy Marianne Keyes novels, this book might appeal to you.

The Trouble with Catherine-Andes Hruby

Catherine Lacey is a fishmonger and she loves it. She is independent, speaks her mind, is tough and confident. So much so that she is often accused of being masculine. She's never really cared before, but now that she is nearing her 30th birthday, things are starting to look different. Things like marriage.

Is she getting married for love?or because this might be her last chance to get hitched?

Catherine is a bit slutty, but it is in keeping with her character. It was an okay read.

genre-drama

Burnt Offerings-Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake is a vampire slayer and an animator of zombies. In her line of work she meets all sorts of interesting 'people' and it also puts her in many dangerous situations. She has the scars to prove.

A lot is going on in 'Burnt Offerings';The 'council' have come to town and they are the stuff even nightmares are scared of;Anita Blake is having relationship problems;and someone is setting vampire businesses and other vampire hangouts on fire.

As a fantasy novel I really liked Laurell K. Hamilton's 'Burnt Offerings'. I liked the different types of vampires, werewolves etc. that they had and the way that they are a kind of accepted part of society.It's a nice take and an interesting idea of how these "mythic" beasts would fit in modern day society.

It is not the first in the series. I would recommend reading some of the others first, although, this story is written well enough, that it's not necessary. Not for the squeamish, contains violent sexual acts and other violent acts. Descriptions may be too graphic for some.

Dark Desire-Christine Feehan

Shea O'Halloran experiences a horrendous pain as if she was being tortured. So painful that it causes her to pass out. And so begins her contact with Jacques Dubrinsky. A Carpathian male he was tortured and then buried alive. Somehow, he has psychically linked with Shea, and it is all that is keeping him from complete insanity.

Through this psychic link Jacques calls to Shea to come to him.

Although the story is a bit repetitive, it is still a good read.
Genre-romance/fantasy