I usually don’t read while drafting a novel. But I took a break from drafting in the middle of March-a-thon for . . . well, mostly for my sanity! Here’s what I read:
I picked up Sarah Eden’s latest novel, Drops of Gold, when the Kindle edition was on sale, and it was exactly what I needed that Sunday. (At $4.99, it’s still a pretty good deal!)
When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do–make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood–governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of Farland Meadows. Her idyllic daydream vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the long-forgotten joy of those within.
Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton’s heart whispers that this is the woman he’s destined to love. But when Layton’s fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter his and Marion’s blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?
My take: I don’t normally read a lot of Regency romance, but I really loved this. I especially loved the heroine’s characterization. Despite the tragedy she’s seen, she’s so full of life that it comes out in her stories, her laugh and even her unruly hair! Seriously, she’s just such a rounded, integrated character, that even if I hadn’t really enjoyed the story, I would’ve been glad I read the book.
Fortunately, I also enjoyed the story! The heroine is so well-suited to the hero’s emotional wound, as well. And yes, I cried. A bunch. (I’m a mom who never sleeps. It doesn’t take much.) But amazingly, I didn’t actually resent these tears. That’s saying a lot.
I also finished Spy the Lie by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, & Susan Carnicero. I’ve mentioned it a couple times, but now that I’m done, I can safely say I loved how this book flouted conventional wisdom about lying with empirical facts. The typical things we think of or see on TV as indicators of lying are often unreliable. You do have to watch body language—and word choice!—very carefully when you’re trying to detect deception, and this book tells you how.
As I mentioned, I picked my copy up from the library, but I liked it so much, I put it on my list to buy.
Another library read was The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. This YA paranormal thriller came as a recommendation from a friend. The book follows Aurora “Rory” Devaux who leaves small town Louisiana for a London boarding school. And if that’s not enough of an adventure, a copycat killer is recreating the Jack the Ripper murders right in her neighborhood.
When Rory discovers she’s the only person who can stop the killer, she has to embrace a strange new life and then risk it all to keep the city safe.
The Name of the Star is the first in the Shades of London series. The second book came out just a couple weeks ago: The Madness Underneath. I’m looking forward to it!
I had one more non-fiction read from the library, an oldie but a goodie on parenting, Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman. Really, my only quibble with the book is that we’re not supposed to use the emotion coaching techniques when we’re pressed for time, too tired, or in front of an audience. When you have three or four kids, when is that not the case?!
So I’ve knocked out an electronic TBR item and all my library books! Hooray for small victories!
What have you read this month? Anything you’d read over and over again—or recommend I stay far, far away from? Come share!
