Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

 

Book Title:  Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Published By: Public Domain Books

Date Published: June 1st 1998

Genre: Classics, British Literature,  Romance

Pages: 333

Recommended Age: Young Adult, Adult

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: C/3

One of the true classics.

It is one of my Kindle books.

Summary:

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets Fitzwilliam Darcy she finds him arrogant and conceited, and he tries not to be persuaded by her good looks and intelligent mind. Elizabeth begins to believe the lies she is told about Darcy because they match her first impression of him, and when she finds out that he has planted himself in the middle of her favorite sister, Jane and Bingley’s complicated relationship she is determined to dislike him even more.

My Thoughts:

I liked the story very much because it is a realistic tale. Who has not misjudged people or held prejudices against someone for one reason or another?  What shy person hasn’t been called proud and conceited by people who don’t really know them? Jane Austen did an excellent job of telling a tale involving these two flaws that some, if not all people have had at one time or another.

I gave Pride and Prejudice three stars and a grad of C because there are too many characters to keep up with.  It took me several chapters to sort the characters out and to figure out that this story was mainly about Elizabeth and Darcy.  The story also has a slow start.  Pride and Prejudice does not begin to get interesting until the reader is almost half way through the story, then it starts flowing. This is why it took me a bit longer to read this book than it usually takes me to read.  If you enjoy the great classics, I recommend Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Parents:

Language: none

Adult Content: None

Violence: None

Giant George: Life with World's Biggest Dog, by Dave Nasser

 

Giant George: Life with the World’s Biggest Dog

Author: Dave Nasser with Lynne Barrett-Lee

Published By:  Grand Central Publishing

Date Published:  April 10, 2012

Genre:  Biography, Non-fiction

Pages: 252

Recommended Age:  Young Adults, Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: B/4

 "When two hundred and forty-five pounds of dog gets a twinkle in his eyes, size matters.  Boy, does size matter!!!"--From Giant George

 I got the book from the library.

Summary:

This is a humorous story of George, a Great Dane who won the title the World’s Tallest Dog-ever. George was the runt of his litter and Dave and Christie Nasser chose him because not only was he cute but they believed he we wouldn’t get very big. Surprising everyone, even the vet, George became almost five feet tall, seven feet long, and 245 pounds.  Being such a playful dog he brought joy to the Nasser’s lives and showing them that even huge dogs has their fears. George is scared of water, dogs littler than him and, of being left alone. He even has a bladder that every dog and human would envy.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed ready about Giant George.  Dave Nassir did a fantastic job of writing this book about his beloved pet. He told the story of Giant George so well that the reader can actually see Giant George enjoying Christmas so much that takes down the tree by accident. 

I gave Giant George four stars and a grade of B because this book has caused be to laugh quite often throughout the chapters.  The reader is able to see the tremendous amount of love the Nassers have for their giant pooch just by the sacrifices they make for him at every turn. If you are a dog lover or have read the book A Dog’s Purpose and enjoyed it then I recommend Giant George: Life with the World’s Biggest Dog by Dave Nasser.  This is one reader who can’t wait for the sequel.

Parents:

Language: very little

Adult Content: None

Violence: None

Forever Knight: Intimations of Morality, by Susan M. Garrett

Book Title: Forever Knight: Intimations of Morality

Author: Susan M. Garrett

Published By: The Berkley Publishing Group.

Date Published:  November 1, 1997

Genre: Fan Fiction, Paranormal, Vampires

Pages: 284

Recommended Age: Adults

Read & Reviewed By:  Me

Rating: B/4

I got the book from the library.

Summary:

Nick Knight is a 800 year old vampire who is a homicide detective on the night shift in Toronto.  Nick is constantly searching for his way back to mortality. He has come across a strange doll that was given to him by a mysterious woman.  She says the doll will grant him is heart’s desire. Nick ends up having a series of dreams that leave him baffled.  In the dreams he is a mortal, while everyone else in the police department are vampires, even his dear friend Dr. Natalie Lambert is a vampire and she wants to be the one to bring him over.  Even more surprisingly, LaCroix is a mortal as well and a leader of an underground group of humans who are fighting their morality.

Nick can’t tell what is real and what the dream is anymore.  What is the price he is willing to pay to be human once again?

My Thoughts:

I truly enjoyed this book.  I believe it to be the best out of the Forever Knight books.  It had just the right amount of fantasy to keep my attention.  I love how Susan M. Garrett used the subject of dreams as the main plot.  Dreaming is something everyone can relate to.  Everyone dreams even if they do not recall their dreams. (That is if they get the proper amount of sleep.)  Intimations of Morality gives us an insight of what if Nick’s reality was inversed.  The character of LaCroix was kept true to himself.  Even as a human, he will still sacrifice anyone for his cause.

I gave Forever Knight: Intimations of Morality four stars and a grade of B because I really liked it. Garrett is a fantastic storyteller and is quite sad that we will not be seeing anymore of her work.  I had just found out recently she passed away from cancer so unless she has many unpublished writers her family has yet to get published for her, her talent for storytelling is lost to us, the reader.  If you enjoyed the TV show Forever Knight or just like stories of vampires, I recommend reading Intimations of Mortality, the second book in a line of three books that was written based on the TV series.

Parents:

Language: No

Adult Content: Adult Subject Matter, Heavy topics

Violence: violent scenes or acts and their intensity

Betrayal, by Danielle Steel

 

Book Title: Betrayal

Author:  Danielle Steel

Published By: Random House Publishing Group

Date Published: March 27, 2012

Genre: Fiction, Romance

Pages: 321

Recommended Age: Adults

Read & Reviewed By:  Me

Rating: A/5

 "[...]if you can't trust an FBI agent, who can you trust?"- Special Agent Jim Kingston

 I got the book from the library.

Summary:

Tallie Jones is a successful film director.  She is happy person with no interest in the perks that come with her profession. She has a good, loving relationship with her daughter, whom is in college, and with her father.  She also has a loving and caring relationship with her boyfriend producer of four years.  He personal assistant is her long-time best friend from college.  Tallie believes everything in her life is good until an audit is performed on her finances and she finds that someone is stealing money from her.  Who among her is betraying her?

My Thoughts:

I loved it!  Danielle Steel did an awesome job once again.  I could not put this book down.  I was up until 3:30 in the morning reading this book.  I first told myself that I would put the book down when I got to page 150, but when I got to page 150 I was in the middle of a chapter.  So I said to myself “I’ll finish this chapter then go to sleep,” but of course that didn’t happen. The characters are so well written I was surprised at the true villian. Steel has a capability to write books without he usage of foul language; therefore, a high school student can read this book if she has a high reading level.

I gave Betrayal five stars and a grade of A because I loved it so much. I always loved reading Steel’s books.  She has a knack for writing about real life issues and invoking an emotional bond with her characters.  I cried a few times.  If you like novels about real issues with a touch of “emotional” romance without the sexual passion, or if you are just a fan of Danielle Steel, I recommend reading Betrayal.  I must warn you it will keep you at night.

Parents:

Language: None

Adult Content: very little

Violence: None

Forever Knight: A Stirring of Dust, by Susan Sizemore

 

Book Title: Forever Knight: A Stirring of Dust

Author: Susan Sizemore

Published By: The Berkley Publishing Company

Date Published: April 1987

Genre: Fan Fiction,  Paranormal, Vampires

Pages: 252

Recommended Age: Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: C/3

I got the book from the library.

Summary:

Nick Knight is a 800 year old vampire who is a homicide detective on the night shift in Toronto. He has come across a gruesome and bizarre case: murder victims all found decapitated. Are they committed by a man recently released from prison who had killed his wife the same way, or are they committed by one of his own kind?

My Thoughts:

I usually do not read fan faction.  There are very few shows I will read the books that were based on them.  Since I recall loving the short-lived drama, Forever Knight when it was on in the nineties and have started watching the DVDs from of the show recently, I decided to pick up the first book written on the series.  I enjoyed reading this book.  It was closely knitted to the TV show, even keeping to the fact that Nick’s first partner died in an airplane bombing and has a new partner. Her name is Tracy Vetter and she is blind as a bat.  What bugs me is how his partner Tracy can hang out with a vampire, Vachon, but she can’t see that her own partner, Nick is a vampire. This just shows me that humans see what they want to see and the writers of the TV and book series knew this. 

I gave A Stirring of Dust a grade of C and three stars.  As much as I liked it, I believe the story line could have been better written.  It could have been more horrifying or maybe just more familiar.  Maybe I read the book before I had watched the episodes where Tracy and Vachon came onto the scene and had my memory refreshed.  As it stood, I couldn’t picture in my head the newer characters. Plus, my little annoyance with Tracy may have played a part as well.  If you enjoy reading about vampires and loved the TV series Forever Knight, I recommend reading A Stirring of Dust, the first book in a line of three books that were written based on the TV series.

Parents:

Language: No

Adult Content: Adult Subject Matter, Heavy topics

Violence: Any violent scenes or acts and their intensity

Wild Desire, by Lori Brighton

 

Book Title:  Wild Desire

Author:  Lori Brighton

Published By: Zebra

Genre: Romance

Date Published:  March, 1, 2011

Pages: 392

Recommended Age: Mature Adults

Read and Reviewed By: Me

Rating: D/ 2

I borrowed this book from the library

Summary:

Beatrice Edmund is a proper English lady who has been tucked away in a Scottish castle with her grandmother for years because of her grandfather’s wishes.  When her long dead cousin, Leo, shows up with his new bride, Ella, for a visit they convince her to travel to India with them.  In India she finds all the adventure a lady could possibly image and more.

Colin Fitch is Ella’s cousin whom they meet in India. He and Bea do not hit it off well when they first meet, but circumstances thrust them together for a week when they are separated from Leo and Ella. 

My Thoughts:

I didn’t really care for this book and have regretted requesting it at the library.   It was a well written story, but I didn’t care for the mystical elements of the book.  I was not able to lose myself in the book because the mystical part made it all seem unrealistic, but it had some good elements. 

I gave Wild Desire two stars and a grade of D because it was filled with adventure.  Bea and Colin are chased by shady characters and the reader is taken to isolated temples throughout the jungles of India. The descriptions of the women’s sari and the castle’s were vivid.  If you enjoy romance with a bit Mystic atmosphere I recommend Wild Desire by Lori Brighton. If you don’t, then stay away from it, but it does make a good beach book.

Parents:

 Language: Some swear words

Adult Content: Sexual Content,

Violence: characters being shot and falling to their deaths