The Darlings

The Darlings

By: Cristina Alger

338 Pages

Now that he's married to Merrill Darling, daughter of billionaire financier Carter Darling, attorney Paul Ross has grown accustomed to New York society and all of its luxuries: a Park Avenue apartment, weekends in the Hamptons, bespoke suits. When Paul loses his job, Carter offers him the chance to head the legal team at his hedge fund. Thrilled with his good fortune in the midst of the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression, Paul accepts the position.

But Paul's luck is about to shift: a tragic event catapults the Darling family into the media spotlight, a regulatory investigation, and a red-hot scandal with enormous implications for everyone involved. Suddenly, Paul must decide where his loyalties lie-will he save himself while betraying his wife and in-laws or protect the family business at all costs? -- bn.com

I had a hard time getting into this book. I'm not one who understands the stock market or the financial circuit, so I'm not surprised that I struggled. The story breaks down the days and hours in the aftermath of Morty Reis's suicide. It comes as a shock to everyone who knew him.

I was really hoping to get The Darlings. However, I just wasn't able to do it. The whole financial plot was just not one that sucked me in.
I hope you have better luck than I did. This is definitely a book I'll be routing for, despite my not being able to finish it. I know there are tons of people who love these books, and I think those are the readers who will be able to appreciate The Darlings. 

The Garden Intrigue

The Garden Intrigue
By: Lauren Willig
378 pages

Summary:
Napoleon is planning to invade England. When the "OK" is given sooner than expected, The Pink Carantion's team sets out to foil the plot. Augustus, who poses as a poetically challenged poet, must secure an invitation to Malmaison. Enter in Emma. A widow who has close ties with Napoleon's wife and daughter. What is supposed to be a simple mission becomes more than either Augustus or Emma expected.

I've been a fan of The Pink Carnation series from the first book. I've always loved how Lauren Willig weaves history, romance, spies, and great characters together. Between the historical plot and the modern day plot, you are always in for a good read. I'm happy to say The Garden Intrigue is no different.

Emma is the girl who ran off with a man at 15 years old. Not quite prepared for real life after the fun of wooing, Emma runs away. While she eventually comes to her senses and returns to her husband and new life, she doesn't know that time is running out for them. Her husband dies shortly after their reunion. Since becoming a widow, Emma had a brief and regretful affair. An affair she was happy to see end, but Georges was not. Now she is at a crossroads. Not wanting to return home to the United States, but knowing the life she has built in France is changing, she doesn't know what to do. Enter Augustus.

Augustus is a man of poetry. Rather bad poetry, but it has served him well so far. His poetry is really the cover and code for his being a spy. He works with The Pink Carnation and is given a mission: Get the plans of the device Napoleon intends to test at a party held at Malmaison. Upon his arrival he is exposed to a critical Emma. As if that isn't frustrating enough, she is his ticket to gaining access to Malmaison. She has been asked to write a Masque that will be performed at the party. He offers his assistance, and she eventually takes him up on it.

The predictable plot of the book is that they fall in love and survive a few road blocks. Predictable, yes, but enjoyable, too. I love the banter these two had. They played very well off each other throughout the entire book.

The less predictable storyline is the modern day one between Eloise and Colin. Colin's family is related to The Pink Carnation and has all the research she needs for her dissertation. But while she was researching the famous spy, she was also falling in love with Colin. Now a wrench threatens to cause big problems for their future. She's been offered a head teaching job in her hometown of Cambridge, MA. That means moving back to US. Will she take it? Or will she risk it all for the sake of love?

I enjoyed the latest installment in this series. It was a great way to spend my weekend. Lauren Willig's books are ones I look forward to and count down the days for when the release is on the horizon. She does a phenomenal job of taking history and turning it into a story that you can't walk away from.

Rating: Borrow From Library

The Orchid House

The Orchid House
By: Lucinda Riley
464 Pages

Summary:

As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.

When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come. -- bn.com

Reading this book was truly like traveling all over the emotional map. From the highs and lows to the good and bad, I was hooked. I don't think a book has had such a grip on me since I read Gone With The Wind. I  had to put the book down at times just to catch my breath from the latest surprise twist. Lucinda is an unbelievably talented and gifted writer who penned such a stunning book. Riley's writing style is poetic and visual. The plot she wove and all the twists and surprises she throws at you will keep you turning the pages. From start to finish, the surprises never ceased. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, you find out you may not have been correct. Not a page was wasted and every word was fully dedicated to the plot.

Julia is reeling from the devastating loss of not only her husband, but her beloved son, as well. Finally, after the better part of a year, she is beginning to feel human again. A trip to Wharton Park, a house she visited numerous times in her childhood, holds surprises: finding artwork she later learns were done by her mother; running into Kit (current Wharton Park co-owner - whom she met on a visit to the house. Several days after their meeting, Kit shows up at Julia's house with a discovery he's made. The house he's renovating was once home to her Grandparents, so he assumes a journal he found underneath old floorboards belongs to Julia's Grandfather. When Julia visits with her Grandmother she not only learns the journal wasn't her Grandfather's, but she also learns the story written within it's pages.

Journey back in time to WWII. Harry Crawford is next in line to run Wharton Place. Harry falls prey to the power of innocent suggestion and proposes to Olivia when his mother tells him what a wonderful match it could be. The marriage is anything but ideal. Everything is threatened when Olivia sees her husband kissing someone else. Months of tense estrangement lie ahead before Harry is able to talk to Olivia about it. A spur of the moment trip to the beach becomes the setting for the pair to reconnect and try again. However, their reunion is brief. War is declared, Harry is sent overseas, and Olivia is left behind to help run Wharton Park while pregnant.

Harry becomes a POW and imprisoned for 3 years. He wakes up in a Thailand hospital having almost died from dengue fever. Once healthy enough, Harry is taken to a hotel in Bangkok to recover before going back home to England. It is at this hotel Harry meets Lidia, a maid. They fall in love and Harry decides to forsake his inheritance and divorce Olivia so he and Lidia can spend the rest of their lives together. 

Wharton Park has survived the war, but is in desperate need of repair. Harry returns home to discover his father is dying and reality awaits him: Harry can't leave. The house and everyone who works on the estate is counting on him for their lively hood. A heartbroken Harry gets desperate when letters from Lidia suddenly stop coming. Is something wrong? Is she OK? In desperate need for answers, Harry sends his faithful servant, Bill, to find her. No one is prepared for the devastation this journey brings. Life will never be the same for anyone at Wharton Park.

As this story is unveiled, Julia falls in love with Kit. He selflessly cares for her when she falls seriously ill. The two begin a life together. However, all that is threatened when she decides to sell the house she shared with her husband and son. Will Julia be able to find the happiness she deserves?

Once you start The Orchid House,  you are in for the read of a lifetime. You will not want to put it down. This book will stay with you long after you read the last page. I urge you to read this book and step in to the world of Wharton Park. I have no doubt you will fall in love with it, just as I have.

Rating: BUY IT!!!!

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens!!

Today is the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens. An author who has brought us some of the most memorable books in history. Mr. Dickens has the honor of being among those who are known by name- regardless if you've ever read any of his books.

So this has me wondering. I have only read one of his books, A Christmas Carol, but millions of readers have read all of his work. I want to know: What is your favorite Charles Dickens book? Tell me what it is and what made it stand out with you. Feel free to give me a recommendation on which book you think I should read of his next.

Midnight In Austenland

Midnight In Austenland

By: Shannon Hale

272 Pages

Summary:

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love? --- bn.com

I am saddened to say this, but I wasn't able to get into this book. Being a fan of Jane Austen, I thought I would devour this book and enjoy every minute. Sadly, I was wrong. I have no idea if it's because this book is a sequel to Austenland, which I haven't read. I don't know why I wasn't able to finish this book, but I wasn't.

Jane Austen has a large and dedicated following. I am hoping they are able to love this book and enjoy every minute of it. 

Tales Of A Grumpy Reader...

Under normal circumstances, I am a slow reader. It isn't uncommon for me to take awhile to get through a 400+ page book. Under normal circumstances, I get restless when I've been reading the same book for a week when I could've had it done by then. Regardless how good the book is, I do reach a point when I'm ready to tackle the piles of other books waiting to be read. 

My past week has had me reading under anything but normal circumstances. In fact, it has turned me into a Grumpy Reader!! I hate being a grumpy reader. I'm reading such a good book and I'm loving every minute of it. However, I feel like my reading time is constantly diminished or interrupted by life. Whether it's been my temperamental car having a few issues, or life dipping into my few stolen moments of reading time, I have been reading the same book for too long! I want nothing more than to curl up and ravish the story that awaits me. Instead, I'm defusing interruption after another. MAKE IT STOP!!! THIS GIRL WANTS TO FINISH A BOOK!

Granted, I'd rather be a Grumpy Reader with a good book, than a bad one. Still, I miss getting quality chunks of time to devour this wonderful book.

Paris, My Sweet

Paris, My Sweet
By: Amy Thomas
304 Pages

Summary:
Part love letter to New York, part love letter to Paris, and total devotion to all things sweet. Hello, My Sweets is a personal and moveable feast that's a treasure map for anyone who loves fresh cupcakes and fine chocolate, New York and Paris, and life in general. --bn.com

Amy Thomas loves chocolate and sweets. So much so that she centered a vacation to Paris around them. (Now that is my kind of vacation!)  She is a literal directory of all the best places to go to in New York and Paris for various desserts and chocolates. When she's transferred to Paris for work, she gets to spend even more time exploring the different places to fuel her love of chocolate and sweets.

Paris, My Sweet documents her life once she makes the move to Paris. From the difficulties with the language and making friends to finding excellent places to eat her sorrows away. She takes you along for her ride- all the good and bad of it. And she doesn't just stop with Paris. She tells you where to go when it comes to New York, as well. For both Paris and New York she gives you the history for several of the more successful shops and their owners. 
By the time I finished this book I was craving chocolate cake and wanting to travel to New York to check out the places she mentions. I loved reading how some of the shops came to be in both locations.

Rating: Borrow From Library/Buy It