Book review: When Bruce met Cyn by Lori Foster

When Bruce Met Cyn… - Lori Foster

Synopsis:
Beautiful and fiery Cynthia Potter, otherwise known as Cyn, is only seventeen when she runs away from home, and her mother’s abusive boyfriend Palmer Oaks. Living in squalor and selling her body to make ends meet, she begins to view all men as the same, and as a result becomes extremely distrusting and disillusioned.
After five years of living in this fashion, and with enough money finally saved, Cyn decides to travel to the small town of Visitation in North Carolina, hoping to start life anew and leave behind the horrible memories of her past.
While there, she meets Bruce Kelly, a preacher who has spent most of his life helping women in need, although he has met none as independent or sexy as Cyn.
Determined to help her assimilate into the close-knit community, Bruce has to resist his growing attraction to her, hoping to show Cyn that he can give her the respect that she deserves.
But their growing relationship comes under threat when Cyn’s past comes back to haunt her, and she finds her life, and the lives of her newfound friends, in mortal danger.

What I gained from reading this book:
Cyn is a survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, as well as the local reverend, and regrettably this theme still resonates in today’s society, where adults who hold a position of trust sometimes abuse children and manage to get away with it. Unfortunately for Cyn, no measures are taken to protect her until she decides that enough is enough and she stands up for herself.
While it is unlikely that many abused children will have the ability to stand up for themselves against cruel adults, this only serves to show that we, as a society, have to be aware of domestic abuse and be vigilant about uncovering such mistreatment.
Bruce sees the trauma that Cyn has faced as a result of this abuse and strives to show her that he, unlike Palmer Oaks and Reverend Thorne, is in the majority of good and moral men. He helps to boost her confidence and self-esteem, effectively driving away any lingering fears of neglect or distrust.

Positives:
The character of Cyn is sassy, strong and fiercely independent, despite the problems that she has faced during her young life, and this creates an instant rapport between her and readers. There is also plenty of sexual awareness between Cyn and Bruce from the beginning, which makes their developing relationship even more exciting.

Negatives:
People looking for an instant romance may be disappointed as it takes quite a while for Bruce to show Cyn exactly how strong his lust for her is. Out of fear of showing her disrespect or taking advantage of her, he holds off on their first kiss for as long as he possibly can, although I believe this only serves to heighten the sexual tension.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Genre: Romance

Recommended for: Any fans of Lori Foster




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Book review: Just say yes by Myretta Robens

Just Say Yes - Myretta Robens

Synopsis:
Cassie Hartwell is the youngest daughter of the Vicar in the small rural town of Oakleigh. With her social-climbing mother constantly trying to set up matches between her and all the eligible bachelors in the county, Cassie is disheartened with love and instead spends her time renaming and playing with her neighbours’ friendly dogs. One day she comes across one of the dogs, Brummell, sitting on top of the new land steward, Geoffrey Dorton, and instantly forms an attraction to the handsome man. But she doesn’t realise that Geoffrey’s real name is Geoffrey Dorrington, Earl of Cheriton, and that he is working under the alias to prove himself as more than just socially elite. As the future duke, Geoffrey knows that a relationship with the Vicar’s daughter is out of the question but as he begins to fall in love with her, Geoffrey realises he has to tell Cassie the truth about who he really is, and risk losing his anonymity in the county. Will love win out?

What I gained from reading this book:
This book shows that social standing should not stand in the way of love. Geoffrey initially considers forgetting about Cassie as she is only the Vicar’s daughter and therefore does not possess the graces to become a future duchess. But he eventually realises that you can’t chose who you fall in love with, and that class shouldn’t be an obstacle. The ideas in this novel could be related to modern life, where people in a higher socio-economic demographic could just as easily fall in love with someone a lot less fortunate than themselves. In other words, this book shows that it is okay to break down social barriers in the name of love.

Positives:
In this novel, Robens portrays Cassie as a fiery young woman and Geoffrey as nobility in disguise and this premise works well in her story of love and status. Her other characters, the arrogant and obnoxious Rodney Gilbert, and his esteemed but haughty uncle Sir Edmund, contrast with the purity of Cassie and Geoffrey, and help readers to determine that being the richest person doesn’t necessarily mean being the kindest or happiest one.

Negatives:
Although this book was published in 2005, it’s set in the era of Pride And Prejudice, when people attended balls and women were accompanied when on walks with men. If you generally dislike reading about people during these times, then this book will not be of interest to you.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Genre: Epic Romance

Recommended for: People who enjoy reading old-fashioned style romance stories set in the 1800s


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Book review: A tribute to Heath Ledger - the illustrated biography by Chris Roberts

A Tribute To Heath Ledger: The Illustrated Biography - Chris Roberts

Synopsis:
This biography details the extremely short life of talented Australian actor Heath Ledger, who tragically died from a prescription drug overdose in January, 2008.
Printed alongside the lists of television and film roles that made Ledger famous are snippets of reviews, interspersed among the minutiae of his personal life.
This information is framed with a collection of photographs of the star taken from the paparazzi, press conferences, red carpets and the sets of his films.

What I gained from reading this book:
As an Australian who has followed Heath Ledger’s progression from small independent films to fame in Hollywood, I remember being deeply shocked when I saw the initial news reports about his death. I picked up this book more than a year after his death as a way of commemorating his brilliant life and as a way to learn more about him. Like River Phoenix, James Dean, and Marilyn Monroe before him, Heath Ledger’s life has been immortalised in film and his death serves as a reminder that no one is immune to death, no matter their age or success.

Positives:
This book showcases a varied assortment of photographs of Ledger: from early headshots to film and television stills, and from film premier photographs to paparazzi shots of him walking down the street with the various women of his life, including his daughter Matilda.

Negatives:
Although this book holds all the vital information about Ledger, it is nowhere near as comprehensive as you would expect, and you can’t help but get the feeling that this book was written quickly and rushed out in order to capitalise on the interest surrounding Ledger’s death. The book is filled with photographs of the star, most of which take up half of the page, if not the full page. It is also made obvious through the text that the author had never met Ledger and has never been in contact with his family, through the detached way in which the book is written. Instead, Roberts relies heavily on interviews and reviews from websites, newspapers and magazines to back up his claims. Despite this, the author definitely has strong research skills and wields the ability to piece together all the information he has collected, in order to produce a clear and coherent book about Ledger’s life.

Rating: 5 out of 10

Genre: Biography

Recommended for: Heath Ledger fans

Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: The unexpected elements of love by Kate Legge

The Unexpected Elements Of Love - Kate Legge

Synopsis:
Janet presents the weather on television and although she enjoys her job, she finds it difficult to balance her home life and work life.
Janet’s young son Harry is extremely temperamental and fears changes in the weather that could bring on floods and tsunamis.
Janet’s friend, a psychologist named Dale wishes to have children, but her lone existence evades her wishes.
Dale’s mother Beth, crippled by arthritis and longing for grandchildren, is witness to her husband Roy’s mental deterioration and feels helpless to prevent it.
Roy, a renowned sculptor, is working on his final commissioned artwork, but his forgetfulness is threatening to ruin his hard work, and splinter his relationship with Beth.
Throughout all these trials, each has to struggle with their place in life, and the problems and successes that come with living.

What I gained from reading this book:
Despite the strong emphasis on global warming and its effect on changing climates, there are also strong references in this novel regarding whether drugs are the right solution to some childhood disorders, in particular Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Janet is told several times that pills will be the solution to Harry’s behavioural problems, and she has to make the difficult choice about whether she should sacrifice his outgoing and admittedly hyperactive personality for the sake of peace and quiet. Another issue raised is that of ageism and all its resulting problems- including public perceptions of the elderly, searching for the right nursing home, dementia, and the stark possibilities of euthanasia. All of these themes are designed to make the reader think about the issues that many people deal with on a daily basis.

Positives:
This novel is challenging, in that it takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you think twice about some of the things you may ordinarily ignore. This novel also deals with taboo topics such as euthanasia- making the reader look at the issue from a different perspective, and not simply as a way of getting out of an unsatisfactory life.

Negatives:
With all the characters whose stories are shared and interwoven in this novel, it is sometimes difficult to keep a grasp on all of the people in their lives and their significance to each other. But people who persist with this will find that this is what makes each moment in the book so important to the overall story.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Genre: Family/ Relationships

Recommended for: People facing similar personal hardships in their day-to-day lives.



Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: Cold as Death by T.J. MacGregor

Cold As Death - T.J. MacGregor

Synopsis:
After psychic and bookshop owner, Mira Morales, has a vision of a burning house, a woman on fire, and a boy being kidnapped, she finds herself searching through the old house on Mango Hill where she discovers the dead body of a woman, whose spirit still hovers in the room where she was murdered.
But unlike in her vision, this woman is not burnt, and Mira discovers that she was the housekeeper of Oscar-winning actress Suki Nichols, her womanising husband Paul, and their 13-year-old son Adam, who is now missing.
Along with FBI agent and former lover Wayne Sheppard, Mira tries to work out how her initial vision is linked to Adam’s kidnapping, and tries to sort through the flood of following apparitions in order to determine the young boy’s whereabouts.
With Adam missing, his dangerous captor after Mira, and the death toll rising, they have to solve the case before something happens that none of them can predict.

What I gained from reading this book:
Mira’s psychic abilities are showcased to the extreme in this book, and it made me think of the many times when psychics have provided the missing links in murder and kidnapping cases. Although I maintain a healthy scepticism about most supposed psychics, I believe that there are some people out there who have a gift. Considering these people have helped to solve similar cases, it’s quite interesting to read about Mira’s experiences, and imagine that they have been recreated in real life at one time or another.

Positives:
The author is very skilled at mixing the murder mystery genre with paranormal themes that extend along the lines of ghosts, psychic visions and supernatural energy.
Through Mira’s ability to see things from the past, readers are able to piece together the story and connect the characters to their roles in the drama.

Negatives:
There were several spelling mistakes in the copy of the book that I read, especially towards the end, which distracted me from the storyline. Besides these errors, there wasn’t too much that stopped me from enjoying the novel. People who dislike novels that deal with ghosts and the supernatural however, may not enjoy the book as much, especially since these themes run throughout the story.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Genre: Paranormal Thriller

Recommended for: Anybody in need of a ghost story with interweaving storylines, murder and mayhem.

Book review: Simon Says by Lori Foster

Simon Says - Lori Foster

Synopsis:
Simon ‘Sublime’ Evans is an ex-SBC (Supreme Battle Championship) fighter whose chiselled good looks have made him the poster-boy for all sorts of endorsement deals, and the object of many women’s affections.
When Simon discovers that his girlfriend of five years has cheated on him, he decides to rejoin the fight circuit to fulfil his sudden need for physical competition, and begins to focus on the gruelling training schedule ahead.
However, his training is interrupted by the arrival of stunning and gutsy Dakota Dream, who has been hired by her former stepfather (and Simon’s biological father) to find him. Simon has no plans on making the situation easy for her, and flatly refuses to help her, but after somebody attempts to kill Dakota, Simon finds himself doing everything he can to protect the strange woman who has captured his heart.

What I gained from reading this book:
Fame and fortune has its downfalls, as the author rightly shows in this novel. Simon’s life is always in the spotlight- whether he is being filmed in television interviews, promoting energy or sports drinks, or attending VIP parties. In every instance, there is somebody on the side trying to get a taste of the fame that engulfs him, and I think it is important to note that, despite all the hubbub that surrounds his celebrity, Simon manages to stay grounded amidst his close friends and family. Even more important, Dakota’s relationship with Simon is based on love, appreciation and, eventually, trust. This is significantly different to the basis of his relationship with Bonnie, the ex-girlfriend, who favours the spotlight that shines over him, rather than whatever good qualities he possesses.

Positives:
Dakota’s secret, dark past provides an interesting storyline in this otherwise ordinary tale of love and fame. Readers will want to keep on reading to discover exactly who is after her and why, and to see how Dakota’s history affects her relationship with Simon, as their love progresses.

Negatives:
Some of the themes of violence and abuse that come from Dakota’s past may be unsettling for some readers, especially if they have experienced similar situations to the ones that she did. However, Dakota’s strength and ability to overcome these experiences is encouraging, and helps to ease the pain of what she went through- therefore recreating the storyline from being one of abuse to one of courage and resilience.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Genre: Romance

Recommended for: Anybody interested in a romance where the woman has to overcome obstacles from her past, in order to help her current relationship survive.



Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: The piano man by Marcia Preston

The Piano Man - Marcia Preston

Synopsis:
When 17-year-old Nathan O’Neal is killed in a tragic car accident, his young mother Claire is left to cope with the loss. As a way of dealing with the trauma of losing her only child, Claire shifts house and creates a shrine to her beloved teenage son. She also encounters strange hallucinations of him, where they are able to talk about what’s happening in their lives, but never anything about the night of the accident.
Three years after Nathan’s death, Claire comes across a forgotten letter tucked away in a photo album. The letter, sent by the wife of a man who received Nathan’s heart, fills Claire with the hope that by seeing the heart recipient, a talented violinist named Mason McKinnon, she will be able to feel closer to Nathan. But when she finds Mason, she discovers that he is playing piano in a seedy bar, having given up his symphony career, and survives on cigarettes, beer and the occasional frozen meal. Claire takes it upon herself to look after the cynical man and change his attitude towards his second chance at life.

What I gained from reading this book:
Claire’s grief in this novel is overwhelming and I think Preston has done very well in portraying some of the different ways in which people deal with loss. Not only does she focus on Claire’s way of recovering, but she also approaches the grieving processes followed by Nathan’s former girlfriend, his usually absent father, his best friend who suffers survivor’s guilt following the crash and the man who feels responsible for the way that Nathan was killed. Preston also provides an insight into how Mason feels regarding Nathan’s death, providing another angle to the story and helping readers to see both the strains of guilt and relief that come from being an organ recipient.

Positives:
This novel is special, in that it tackles the very real situation that some people find themselves in regarding organ donorship. At the time of Nathan’s death, Claire is distraught and although she is not happy with Nathan’s prior decision to be an organ donor, she allows the doctors to take his heart and pass it on to somebody who needs it. It isn’t until three years later that she finds the letter that reminds her that Nathan’s heart is still out there and she seeks to find it, in order to give Nathan’s death some meaning. Claire’s resulting relationship with Mason is touching and heartfelt and shows that sometimes the biggest tragedies for some people can be the biggest stroke of fortune for others.

Negatives:
Some people may wonder how a seemingly strong character like Claire can seem so fragile and weak at times, especially when she hallucinates and sees her deceased son. The way I see it, this is simply Claire’s way of coping with Nathan’s death, despite how strange it might seem to some people.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Genre: Family/ Relationships

Recommended for: Anybody who is dealing with the loss of a loved one, or is interested in seeing another side to organ donation.


Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: Spicing it up by Tanya Michaels

Spicing It Up - Tanya Michaels

Synopsis:
Chef Miriam Scott loves her job at Spicy Seas, a restaurant she runs with her fiancé Trevor Baines. But when he dumps her, claiming she doesn’t live up to his aesthetic standards, Miriam decides to get her own back, and publishes a book of recipes guaranteed to spice up a relationship. Unfortunately for average-looking Miriam, she doesn’t evoke the sex-goddess look, and so her editor enlists the help of sexy Dylan Kincaid, whose job it is to make her look presentable, glamorous, and publicity-friendly. With Dylan’s assistance, Miriam is soon looking and feeling confident, and Dylan finds himself starting to fall in love with her. But does he love the real Miriam, or is he duping himself into loving the Miriam that he’s presenting to the world?

What I gained from reading this book:
Even though Miriam undergoes a makeover in order to gain publicity for her book, and this gives her a confidence boost, she still remains true to herself and I think this is an important aspect to the novel. While some people may get carried away with the hysteria of sudden fame, Miriam keeps her feet on the ground and doesn’t let her ego get too big. While she may be slightly overwhelmed by all the sudden interest in her life, she manages to ground herself with her passion for cooking, and her will to teach others the way of successful food preparation. Despite writing about love and lust, she is also inexperienced with it, which helps readers to relate to the sexually insecure woman and feel for her throughout the novel.

Positives:
This novel is entertaining and the storyline is engrossing. Readers will really feel for Miriam as, with Dylan’s help, she transforms from an ugly duckling into an elegant swan, and gets back at her obnoxious and conniving ex-fiancé. It’s also an interesting read if you want to know about some of the vegetable kingdom’s natural aphrodisiacs, or how to whip up a tasty meal that will work wonders in the bedroom.

Negatives:
Although the story is written well, it’s a tad predictable towards the end.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Genre: Romance

Recommended for: Culinary fans who also enjoy a dash of romance

Book review: Late Night Talking by Leslie Schnur

Late Night Talking - Leslie Schnur

Synopsis:
Jeannie Sterling is the host of a late-night New York City radio program, where she discusses topics to do with bad behaviour and everyday social injustices. Having grown up as the only child of free-spirited parents in California, Jeannie believes it is her duty to change the world, one annoying person at a time, and she vents with her listeners about poor gym etiquette, negligent pet owners, and bad drivers. But when she has a run-in with business mogul Nicholas Moss, who later buys the radio station that she works at, everything begins to unravel. Jeannie is encouraged to push her show to the limits, and although she has no qualms about doing so, she finds that it is at the expense of her long-standing alliance with best friend Luce, her relationship with her wayward father, and her new romance with old friend Tommy.
Jeannie has to decide which is more important in her life- adjusting the world by changing morals and attitudes, or adjusting herself to suit the world that she already lives in.

What I gained from reading this book:
Jeannie is a firm believer in what is right and wrong behaviour. I think this is a valuable lesson that the book teaches although the author shows that having such a black and white perspective on things can also create problems. Jeannie’s sense of what she believes helps create a more vigilant public, but it also helps to create barriers between her and the people she cares for. This book highlights the balance that needs to be drawn when considering what is right and wrong, and determines how far moralistic behaviour can be pushed before it can turn into chaos or provoke vigilantism.

Positives:
This novel has several interesting storylines, including Jeannie’s relationship with her parents and the way that it has shaped her life. Flashbacks to Jeannie’s childhood show how her feminist and hippy mother handled her life in a way that not many other mothers would- she allowed her daughter to grow up in a regime-free and unconventional way but wouldn’t allow her the privileges of an ordinary teenage girl like wearing makeup, or going to the prom. The reader is shown how this affects some of Jeannie’s judgements in her adult years.
Jeannie’s friendships with Luce and Tommy, and her agitation with Nicholas Moss also provide some interesting storylines- all of which tie in with one another, and show that not everyone is who you think they are.

Negatives:
Some of Jeannie’s ‘moral’ rants can be annoying, and sometimes even hypocritical, especially when she picks on things that everybody has done at one time or another, herself included. But reading the lists of immoral things also highlights some of the annoying behaviours that people have to put up with every day, and may not even think of until they see it written. So maybe this ultimately isn’t a negative if people read the list and try to avoid doing the things on it.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Genre: Romance/ Relationships

Recommended for: People with a strong inner moral compass who are similar in character to Jeannie and who want to make the world a better place, free of rudeness and bad etiquette.



Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

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Book review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis:
When Isabella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to rainy Forks to live with her dad, she is immediately drawn to the mysterious Cullen family, whose mere presence in the town is treated with whispers and rumours.
On meeting Edward Cullen, she feels his dissatisfaction at her presence, and is surprised when he takes a long absence from school, only to return again a changed young man. Once she gets to know him better, Bella discovers that beneath his pale skin, golden eyes and intense good looks is a dark secret- he and his family are century-old vampires- and if Edward had remained at school, Bella would now be dead. As time goes on, Bella and Edward embark on a tentative relationship, where Edward must struggle to oppress his instinctive urges to drink Bella’s apparently tempting blood. But just as things start to go well for the couple, a predatory gang of vampires who haven’t adopted the Cullen’s’ taste for ‘vegetarianism’ decide to visit the tiny town of Forks- and they want Bella’s blood.

What I gained from reading this book:
I have read so many books where vampires are portrayed as soulless, evil beings, and it’s refreshing to see someone has created a more ‘human’ type of vampire, capable of feeling love for another. Meyer has also put an interesting spin on the vampire fable, dismissing some of the common folklore that surrounds vampirism (such as garlic and crosses as repellents) and making the Cullens into a family unit intent on remaining ‘vegetarian’ and assimilating into everyday life. This only highlights the fact that although sometimes people may seem different, everyone feels the need to belong as an active member of society.

Positives:
This love story is beyond anything I have ever read before, which is probably why it has such a cult following. Meyer has a talent for highlighting the unresolved sexual tension between Bella and Edward, as well as making clear the danger that is involved through their union.

Negatives:
This novel is probably not a good choice for someone whose interests lie in blood-sucking vampires and gore. Although towards the end of the book there are scenes that extend towards this theme, Meyer tends to focus more on the growing relationship between Bella and Edward.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Recommended for: People interested in a unique love story

Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: The birdman's daughter by Cindi Myers

The Birdman’s Daughter - Cindi Myers

Synopsis:
After champion bird-watcher Martin Engel suffers a debilitating stroke, his daughter Karen rushes back to the family home in Texas to take care of him, despite the fact that Martin has never shared a close relationship with either her brother or herself.
Leaving behind her husband Tom, her sons Matt and Casey, and the family landscaping business in Denver, Karen returns after a sixteen-year absence to help her father with his rehabilitation. But she also hopes to find something that she feels has been missing from her life- a connection with her father, who was often absent during her childhood while in pursuit of his passion for bird-watching.
During her stay in Texas, Karen reconnects with old friends, deals with her unreliable brother and thinks of what life could have been had she not married and moved away at the age of eighteen. Karen also discovers why her father is so withdrawn amongst his flesh and blood but so extroverted in the birding community, and learns to appreciate the tranquillity and assurance that come from watching and identifying birds.

What I gained from reading this book:
This book highlights the importance of family and unconditional love. Even while she laments that he missed some of the most important moments in her life, including the births of her sons, because he was bird watching abroad, Karen still travels across the country to help Martin. Although Karen has never been close to her father, she feels obligated to help him recover from his stroke, and this portrayal of familial love resonates strongly throughout the novel. Myers also demonstrates throughout the novel that people can show their love for others in different and sometimes unconventional ways, and this is most obvious in the relationship between Martin and his son Del.

Positives:
If you live with somebody who seems to care about their hobby more than they seem to care for you, then you will probably relate to this book and the hardships that Karen faces in her pursuit for a connection with her father.

Negatives:
Myers mentions birds in this book- a lot. So if you are not a fan of feathered creatures, and are not particularly interested in one man’s relationship with birds or his fascination for birding, then this book may not be the best choice for you.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Genre: Family/ Relationships

Recommended for: People whose hobbies can sometimes take over their lives.

Book review: The stone prince by Gena Showalter

The Stone Prince - Gena Showalter

Synopsis:
Tomboy Katie James suffers from First-Date Syndrome, meaning that she is unable to show an interest in a man past the first date, and always manages to find a fault in each one. With this problem seemingly plaguing her chances of ever finding the man of her dreams, Katie throws herself into buying and renovating old houses for a living.
After she purchases an old mansion that features a garden filled with erotically- positioned statues, Katie becomes intrigued with a statue of one man in particular, forming an attraction to it that even she recognises as bizarre.
One night, after repeatedly ignoring temptation, Katie finds herself kissing the statue, only for it to come to life, breaking the curse that had trapped an alien man known as Jorlan en Sarr within. With sexy warrior Jorlan now free from the statue’s confines, Katie learns that his jealous half-brother, a Druinn High Priest, had cursed him to a life of stone for centuries until a fair maiden’s kiss could set him free.
Now Jorlan only has two weeks to make Katie fall in love with him, and break his evil brother’s curse forever, or risk being trapped in marble for all eternity.

What I gained from reading this book:
This book is proof that people have different perceptions of what beauty is, and shows that attractions can come in many forms. Katie believes herself to be too tall and plain, yet Jorlan sees her for the beautiful woman that she is. Likewise, she is able to see beyond his good looks and discover the true, softer nature that he hides deep within his warrior exterior.

Positives:
Showalter’s knack for weaving paranormal tales out of seemingly ordinary circumstances continues to astound me. Her novels all feature strong and determined women who are able to find love in the most extraordinary places, and despite the fact that her novels involve magic and enchantments, Showalter is able to make the stories seem almost believable.

Negatives:
This book has strong supernatural themes so if you don’t really appreciate romance novels with magical elements then this probably is not the best choice for you.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Recommended for: Any Gena Showalter fan

Book review: July by Karen Roberts

July - Karen Roberts

Synopsis:
This novel, which is set in Sri Lanka, follows the lives of two young people, Priyanthi and Niranjan, as they grow up in the relatively peaceful suburb of Araliya Gardens, near Colombo. Living next door to each other, their families are friendly and extremely close to one another, despite the fact that Niranjan’s family are Christian Tamils, and considered a minority in the country, which is largely populated by the Sinhalese. When Priyanthi is thirteen, the two families go on a rare holiday to the sea. While Hemantha, Priyanthi’s protective older brother and Niranjan’s best friend, smokes cigarettes and tries to attract female tourists, Priyanthi and Niranjan form a special bond with a local man, Sena, who works among the coconut trees.

Through this bond with Sena, the two also create a bond with each other, which eventually grows into love. But despite the closeness between their families, they know that their relationship will not be tolerated due to a society that thrives on ethnic divisions.
One hot day in July, racism and prejudice in Sri Lanka reach boiling point, and the streets of Colombo erupt into violence. As frenzied mobs murder Tamils and burn and loot the city, Priyanthi and Niranjan’s secret love also comes under attack, and the hatred that storms the streets finds its way into their lives.

What I gained from reading this book:
This book serves to highlight the inanity of racism and prejudice. Throughout the novel, Roberts allows the reader to see people who are strongly opposed to having Tamils in Sri Lanka, those who are indifferent to the matter, and those who empathise with the Tamils but are too afraid to say anything in case of retribution.

Through the characters of Priyanthi and Niranjan, Roberts personalises the struggles that both the Sinhalese and Tamil people face in such a turbulent and ethnically divided society. She allows the reader to see the characters as human beings with their own hopes and dreams, rather than categorising them into religious or political groups, effectively making a connection for the reader with the character, and making the characters’ circumstances all the more heartbreaking. The fact that this civil unrest still continues in Sri Lanka, long after the book is set, makes the themes in this book even more confronting to anybody who reads it.

Positives:
This novel, while disturbing in its reality, also provides interesting views on the situation in Sri Lanka, and is beautifully written. I didn’t really know much about Sri Lanka before I read this book and it allowed me to learn about the culture and some of the history of the country while also telling a very moving human story.

Negatives:
Some of the descriptions of violence towards the end of the book can be disturbing and unsettling, so this book is probably not a good choice for those who have weak stomachs or who are unable to handle violence in any form.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended for: People who want to see a human perspective on the civil unrest in Sri Lanka. This novel could also be considered an alternative Romeo and Juliet story.