The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

I always read Alice Sebold's books with a bit of trepidation. She is, after all, the author who wrote a story of a 14 year-old rape/murder victim where the victim narrates the story. This story proves to be just as unsettling and shocking.

Helen, a body model at the local college, takes care of her mother. Something she has done for the majority of her life. Her mother has struggled with depression and agoraphobia most of Helen's life. The story unfolds with Helen having stopped by to check on her mother, as she does everyday. During the course of their conversation, her mother soils herself. And something within Helen snaps. Before she knows it, she has smothered and broken her mother's nose. Unsettling, jarring, thought provoking. The story, told over 24 hours, weaves back and forth between time, where come to understand how Helen might do what she did. But does it make it right?

In this century many adult children are taking care of their parents on a day to day basis. What toll does this take on the child? Taking care of the person who once took care of you, who has become dependent on you for every little thing; what type of pressure does that put one under? Add to the mix, past resentments, both real and imagined and what could happen when said child reaches their breaking point?

While Ms. Sebold may make us uncomfortable with the topics she writes about; she always makes us think and confront something within ourselves we'd rather not. I gave the book 3 out of 4 stars. I can't say I love it because it did make me that uncomfortable. But I do give it 3 because she writes a hell of a story.

Queen Betsy series by MaryJanice Davidson

Who says all vampires have to be dark & brooding? Elizabeth Taylor (Queen Betsy- Queen of the Vampires) is anything but dark or brooding. She come off a bit superficial and vacuous. However, she's not vacuous, she can just do things that the other vampires cannot. Like wear a cross, say God and Jesus, pray, drink blood once a week and sneeze when someone throws holy water at her. She is however, a bit superficial (aren't they all) and is a complete shoe whore. (Love that!!)

If you are looking for fast, easy and entertaining- these are your books. Did I mention that her half sister is the daughter of the devil? No? Well, read the books and find out how that happened. And I think her new baby brother, also a half, is going to have something a bit hinky about him.

Marie-Therese, Child of Terror: The Fate of Marie Antoinette's Daughter-Susan Nagel

From Publisher's weekly: What was the fate of Marie-Thérèse (1778–1851) after the beheadings of her parents, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette of France? Nagel, professor of humanities at Marymount Manhattan College, relates the dramatic highs and lows experienced by the woman known as Madame Royale. Her uncle, the Austrian emperor, wanted her to marry his brother, when she escaped from the Temple Prison at age 17 after three hellish years. Instead, she endured a loveless and childless marriage to her Bourbon cousin the Duc d'Angoulême, but became the close political ally of their uncle, Louis XVIII, whom she joined in his peripatetic exile and saw in his triumphant return to France in 1814 as king. Marie Thérèse survived the 1830 abdication of her father-in-law, Charles X, and died in exile. Known for her kindness and wit, she also endured persistent rumors that she was not the real Marie-Thérèse and the constant threat of abduction and assassination.

To be very honest, with all of the French history I've read, it never came to mind to wonder what happened to this particular child of King Louis and Marie Antoinette. In fact, I thought all of their children died. So I was quite happy to read this book and find that it was not so. The above review from Publisher's Weekly called the prose plodding. I completely disagree.

In that there is so much back and side stories going on, I felt Ms. Nagel did a superlative job at tying all the pieces together. Her accounting of the horrific time spent in the prison by Louis Charles and Marie Therese made me want to cry for these long people of history. Marie Therese steadfastness in trying to have the Bourbon lineage reinstated to the throne was inspiring. If you enjoy history, and in particular French history, do pick this book up.

Real men do write historical fiction

I received an email from someone who read my blog and he let me know that he writes historical fiction. When I choose an HF book I don't check to see if it's written by a man or a woman. I'm only reading the blurb on the back and perhaps a page or 2 to see if it holds my interest. But I never stop to think is it written by a man or a woman. Men write just as well, if at times, not better, HF than woman. Jude Morgan's writings come to mind.....sublime and vivid imagery.

I cut my historical fiction teeth so to speak on Louis L'Amour. My father was a huge fan and I used to read them as quickly as he was finished. I didn't know at the time they could be construed as HF. I just thought of them as westerns, which of course they are that as well. But it dawned on me after reading the email that I have quite a few male writers of Historical Fiction. Jude Morgan, Colin Falconer, Steven Pressfield, Christian Jacq, John Speed, Wilbur Smith and James Clavell to name a few.

I am appreciative of the email sender for reminding me that men have their foot planted firmly in this genre as well. Male or female, it doesn't matter to me. Just continue to give me good stories. I am most appreciative.

The Thirteenth- L. A. Banks

After eleven books of non stop, ass kicking action the final story in the Vampire Huntress Legend series has been told. Or has it? I, for one, hope not.

While the non stop, ass kicking action was still there, it lacked pop and sizzle. The excitement of reading about the Neterus and the Warriors of the Light Guardians seemed a bit blase. To be honest the whole book felt rushed and seemed to fall a bit flat. I hate writing this, as L. A. Banks is one of my favorite writers. Her stories are always fun to read and they make you think a bit too. Even the bad guys seemed tired and wore out. But perhaps, this was Ms. Banks intention. After eleven books of action and ass kicking, perhaps she was conveying to us how tired both sides were. Perhaps, she was caught up in the new series she's writing, Crimson Moon, and didn't have the juice left for The Thirteenth. While I am a bit disappointed,I would tell you to still read this book or the series if you haven't. All told- It's a hell of a story.

While the majority of the unanswered questions get answered, with the addition of the newest little characters, new questions and possible story lines abound. It is my hope, and probably many others, that she will once again write about the Neterus and the Guardians. Here's hoping that Ms. Banks will continue on with this series.

The Night huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

The night huntress series is the story of Cat Crawford, who is half human, half vampire. In the first book, Halfway to the grave she meets Bones, who personally,reminds me a bit of Spike from the Buffy series. Bones teaches Cat how to kill vampires (the bad ones) and come to terms with who and what she is. Along the way they fall in love, only to be spilt apart at the end.

In one foot in the grave, flash forward 4 years and Cat is now a special agent, who works for a secret government agency-killing vampires. Cat is to kill a vampire who has killed some human servants. Lo and behold, he is the sire of Bones, her one true love. Instead of killing the vampire, she passes a message through him to Bones. Guess who shows back up in her life? But instead of becoming a hinderance, Bones, helps to make the secret agency better by sharing knowledge and blood.

At grave's end has Cat and Bones planning a wedding, theirs, and fighting off the vampiric spells and becoming co-leaders of Bones line. Death does seem to follow these two at a non stop rate.

An interesting and steamy series that has me hooked and awaiting the next book in the series. Interesting characters, good plots, a kick ass 1/2 vamp, 1/2 human female and her sexy vampire lover. What more could you ask for?

In the meantime...

Iyanla Vanzant writes a very helpful book. By this, I mean she lays out what is required by someone to make through meantime situations. Meantime meaning, those times when life is in chaos and turmoil and you have no idea how to get yourself back on track. While the topic is about finding love, I felt it was more about finding love of self and going from there. Her use of a house for the analogy of self was great. Starting in the basement and moving upwards, cleaning out garbage, grease and crap along the way. The book makes you think and that is not a bad thing.

Overall, very good to read when you are having a meantime moment.