The Royal Treatment by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: The Royal Treatment (Alaskan Royal Family #!)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava (Kensington Publishing Corp.) 2004

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 268

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Authors: D

In a world nearly identical to ours, the North won the Civil War, Ben Affleck is the sexiest man alive, and Russia never sold Alaska to the U.S. Instead, Alaska is a rough, beautiful country ruled by a famously eccentric royal family, and urgently in need of a bride for the Crown Prince. But they have no idea what they're in for when they offer the job to a feisty commoner...a girl who's going to need...

The Royal TreatmentThe Princess-To-Be Primer,

Or, Things I've Learned Really Quick, As Compiled by Her Future Royal Highness--Yeah, Whatever--Christina. That's me.

1. Telling jokes you picked up from the guys on the fishing boat doesn't go over really well at a fancy ball.

2. Must learn to curtsy, stifle burps, and tell the difference between a salad fork and a fruit knife.

3. Must not keep thinking about Prince David's amazing eyes, lips, hands, shoulders, uh...wait, can I start over?

4. Becoming a princess is a lot harder than it looks.

5. Falling in love is a whole lot easier...

I've not read much contemporary romance that didn't have an paranormal aspect to it, so this is definitely new to me.  If the rest are like this book, I am going to love the genre!

I found the characters likable and real.  Each had faults, but that made them more likable.  There's nothing worse than a character who's seemingly perfect.  How is the reader supposed to connect with someone who doesn't have any problems?  They can't and it usually makes the book boring.  Davidson allows her characters (even the love interests) to be interesting.  And because of that interestingness (I know not a word, but I like it) the reader connects to them.

The story itself is fun: an adventure in romance and royalty.  The universe Davidson created does differ from our own in that Alaska is a separate country ruled by a royal family.  But that's more of a plot device instaed of an aspect of fantasy.  The plot is classic: lost girl, seemingly stuffy guy, meddling family, aspects of danger, and a romance all thrown into one.

I really like this book and saw that Davidson made a trilogy all set in this slightly alternative universe.  I picked up the other two books: The Royal Pain and The Royal Kiss and plan on reading them next!  Then I think it's time to move to real fantasy or science fiction or maybe even zombies for a change of pace.

Alaskan Royal Family

1. The Royal Treatment
2. The Royal Pain
3. The Royal Mess

The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble

Title: The Lightkeeper's Bride (Mercy Falls #2)

Author: Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction; Christian; Romance

Pages: 284

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Historical Fiction; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Titles: L

Katie Russell loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. But since childhood she has been expected to marry well. Her family presses for an engagement to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster and though he doesn't stir her heart, their engagement promises a secure financial future.

Working the phone lines one evening, Katie overhears a chilling exchange between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie soon learns that Eliza has disappeared, and the crime may be linked to another investigation by handsome new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Katie and Will soon form an alliance. An alliance that slowly blossoms into something more.

Despite the danger surrounding her, Katie is powerfully drawn to Will. But she is not at liberty to marry for love. And though society forbids their growing affection, Katie can't help but notice Will's sense of peace. It's a peace that rests on his trust in God—a trust that Katie has never had to depend on, with her future so clearly mapped out before her.

But the more Katie uncovers of the mystery, the more she discovers about herself, her past, and the brilliant future that could be hers if only she has the courage to trust in God and follow where her heart so fearlessly leads.

The second book in Coble's Mercy Falls series reads just as well as the first.  I find that I am really enjoying the mix of Christian romance and mystery/thriller.  The second novel's heroine makes a brief appearance in the first novel as Addie's new friend.  Katie Russell is a great character, full of stubbornness but a caretaker's heart.  I really connected with this character.  of course, the male interest is also intriguing.  I could exactly picture Will Jesperson in my mind throughout the story.   His quiet strength and determination are a perfect match for Katie.

Of course, Coble packs the novel with red herrings and obvious suspicions, leading the reading on a twisting and turning ride to the truth.  The revelations of the villains didn't fail to satisfy and surprise.  I enjoyed the ride.  And I heard there's a third Mercy Falls novel coming out this year.  I look forward to it!

Mercy Falls

1. The Lightkeeper's Daughter
2. The Lightkeeper's Bride
3. The Lightkeeper's Ball

The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

Title: The Lightkeeper's Daughter (A Mercy Falls Novel)

Author: Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 2009

Genre: Historical Fiction; Christian; Romance

Pages: 306

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Historical Fiction; A to Z Authors: C; Support Your Local Library

Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endures her mother's bitterness, until the night a storm brings an injured stranger and a dark secret to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather "Julia Eaton"—the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family. Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the mystery.

Addie loves the Eatons' palatial home tucked away among the California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the young boy who is her charge as governess, and finds romance with his father John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie's joy. As dusty rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest love she's ever known.

I read a lot of Christian historical fiction.  It's quick, easy, and guaranteed to have a good message.  Unfortunately, a lot of the genre falls into a very formulaic structure.  By the end, I often want to chew my arm off because of the predictability.

That being said, The Lightkeeper's Daughter was a refreshing change.  Maybe it was because the characters weren't stereotypes of people.  Maybe because the writing, specifically the dialogue, didn't seem forced and from an 8th grader.  Maybe because the story had many twists and turns to which I didn't know who was the villain.  Maybe because the story was saved from being overly sermonized (is that a word?, it is now); the Christian message was still there, but subtle.

Whatever the reason, I enjoyed the book immensely.  I found out there was another book released in the Mercy Falls series.  Of course, I ran to the library to get that one too.  It's next on my reading list: The Lightkeeper's Bride. I give The Lightkeeper's Daughter 4 out of 5 stars.  I definitely recommend to anyone loving mysteries with a bit of romance and without all the sex and violence of my other authors.  Enjoy reading!  And don't worry I won't give away the ending. You just have to find that out for yourselves.

Mercy Falls

1. The Lightkeeper's Daughter
2. The Lightkeeper's Bride
3. The Lightkeeper's Ball

Confessions and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Recently I picked up these two books at the library.  I am a sucker now for anything Jane Austen related.  With "Jane Austen" in the title, how could I resist?

Basic Premise: Two women, Jane Mansfield, a contemporary of Jane Austen although she's never met the author, and Courtney Stone, an Austen fan in present day LA, switch bodies a la Freaky Friday.  From there, each woman has to learn to navigate the new society and life.  Hilarity, confusion, and a sweet story evolve from there.

I enjoyed the new experiences each woman faced.  Even though Courtney is an Austen addict, she has now idea of what life was really like back in the Regency era.  Likewise, Jane cannot even fathom life in the 21st century.  Specifically Courtney is appalled at the hygiene of the 19th century (something I know I would never get used to; I love indoor plumbing and soap).  Although Jane has muscle memory for things like driving a car, her amazement at the new fangled gadgets of our time are delightful.  It's almost like a kid discovering a new trick or phrase.  Her glee at figuring out the "new" is infectious.  

The characters were likable, flaws and all.  Each woman had her misconceptions and prejudices that the other had to deal with in order to be happy in that life or her original.  The supporting cast had a good blend of obvious cads, close friends, meddling parents, potential love interests, and enemies.  I enjoyed the exchanges between characters, especially when the women were insistent that each was someone else.

The setting descriptions were realistic and attentive without dwelling too much on the detail.  The author obviously did her research on Regency era England settings.  I could really picture the places in my mind.  LA was, well, LA, but that's okay.  It was a nice dichotomy of the worlds, time and place.  Even the characters comment on the settings, which is definitely appropriate considering the circumstances.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed these books.  I didn't realize when I read the first one that there would be a sequel.  I am glad I happened upon it at the library or I never would have known Jane's side of the story.  A definite must read for all Jane Austen addicts out there.

Castles by Tracie Peterson

Another Christian historical romance down... but this one was a bit different.  Since it was unusual, I thought I would share.

The Same

Same type of plot.  Same type of characters.  Four novellas connected through characters -- same set up for the novella collections.

The Different

The setting: Most of the Christian historical romance that I have been reading is set in the United States in the 1800s.  They are usually set in a "wilderness," a newly explored/settled area such as Alaska or Montana.  This one was set in Medieval times in England.  There were many references to the politics of the time, i.e. the church versus kings versus high and low classes.  I loved the little tidbits of information here and there about daily life in the castle.  The change was refreshing.

The content: Usually the books are very heavy handed with the sermon-like content.  Two characters get into a discussion about whatever, and it ends up that one character recites a sermon in the guise of a discussion.  Sometimes these "discussions" get a little over the top.  If they take up three pages, it's too much.  This one was much lighter on the sermon front.  The characters still talked about their faith and attempted to sway another character, but it was much lighter.  The books focused more on the action and those of the characters.  I enjoyed the change.

Overall I really like this book.  I think my favorite novella was the first one -- Arianne.  It felt the most "real."  I hope I find more like this one.  Now, to move on to more "literary" fare...

Book Lust and More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl

I picked these two reference books up last week at the library.  I am a sucker for lists of books that I should be reading.  These two did not disappoint.  The author picked specific authors or gave some examples of good reads based on topics. I love making lists.  My mother thinks I am weird.  I've always loved making lists.  Lists for school projects, lists of movies I've read, lists of good restaurants, lists of great reads, lists of bad reads, etc.  These books really allowed for some good reading lists.

Examples of some great categories:

• Famous Alices
• Armchair Travel
• Books About Books
• Dinosaur Hunting
• King Arthur
• People You Ought to Meet

At this point I probably have a "To Read" list of over 2000 books.  I'll never get to all of them, but that's kind of the beauty of the lsits.  I tend to pick books based on my mood.  I have a list of books to look for every time I go to the library.  I find a book, review the summary or check out the cover.  If it strikes my fancy, I check it out.  Once I get it home, I start in to the book.  If the book doesn't catch me within about 40 pages, I close it for good.  I don't feel the need to finish every book I start.  If I don't like it, I move on to the next one.  So every time I go to the library I usually get 10+ books.  Out of those books, on average, I finihs about 6 of them.  My ridiculously long list offers lots of selections.

I've gotten at least 400 book selections out of these reference books.  But next week, I will probably get another reading list book and add to the "To Read" list.  And that's all part of the fun of reading!

Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith

I'll admit it... I am very resistant to the Jane Austenesque books.  I love Jane Austen and cannot imagine some other author destroying her original works.  I love her descriptions, the character word play, the predictable but still so enjoyable plot twists.  I love everything about Jane Austen.  Along with my addiction to Jane Austen, I love zombies.  Anything about zombies really.  Even those Z-grade horror movies.  I love zombies. And so, a few months ago I finally picked up and read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Steve Hockensmith.  Fine, fine, I actually enjoyed it.  I found Hockensmith's blend of zombie inspired text with Austen's own words entertaining.  It didn't destroy Jane Austen... not at all.  In fact, it actually added to my Austen universe.

Last week, while browsing at the library, I ran across the sequel, er.... prequel.  Dawn of the Dreadfuls opens four years before Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  The book details the Bennet sisters' rise to warrior status.  The dialogue and writing style perfectly mirrors Austen.  She could have written this book.  I'm actually kind of disappointed that she didn't.  But that's okay.  I loved it anyway.

Plus both books have fun illustrations of zombies and dismemberment.  Always a bonus.

Now I'm wondering if I should try the other revisions of classics.  Maybe I should tackle Sense and Sensability and Sea Monsters.... Check back with me in a few weeks.