The Lighthouse Keeper : A Reckoning Death (A Grace Marsden Mystery) - By Luisa Buehler

With a troubled marriage, and the haunting memories of ghosts, bones, and dead bodies, Grace Marsden needs solace. The invitation from her childhood friend presents Grace with an opportunity for respite on Christian Island.

Georgian Bay in the off-season provides a perfect venue for relaxation, until a fluke snowstorm shatters the serenity. Grace and nine other people find themselves trapped on the island and the prime suspects in the mysterious death of an island Elder.An ancient Indian tragedy, island ghost sightings, and modern day treachery twist lives until more deaths and more danger make Grace unsure of whom she can trust.

When the spirit of the lighthouse keeper beckons to her– is it to warn her or harm her?

The Lighthouse Keeper chooses to blend it's array of mystery into the familiar warm and cozy tale, complete with cabins, snow, a close knit of friends, and even endless cups of tea with the supernaturally inclined (ghosts). While the plot was flawed in certain areas, the overall picture was one worth admiring, enriched with captivating tales of old family legends, potential ghosts and psychic abilities, small island prejudices, and endless red herrings. Akin to the type of Ten Little Indian story Christie was well known for writing, the heroine even thinks to herself at times that they were in a similar situation to that particular novel.

Character-wise, Grace is a different sort of heroine. Awkward with a tendency to chomp down on her Nikes when in social settings, she often makes the wrong choices. It's easy to emphasize with someone who's not perfect, and she's certainly not, particularly when it comes to her severe obsessive compulsive disorder. This level of the disorder (outside of the TV show Monk, but really there aren’t enough similarities to compare. ) isn't really explored well in many books I've read. She did irritate me at times with her presumptions about her brother Marty, but overall she's one I rooted for all the way. Marty as the big brother was a lot of fun, which oddly cute protectiveness toward his older sister. He did have the tendency to delve into improper flirting with their friends wives, but hey, all in good fun right? The others sort of blended together, all nice (well, except for the villains of course). King could get on my nerves at times, but toward the end I found myself falling in love with his persona.

Buehler did well with suspense laden scenes, stringing it tightly in certain spots, especially the snow-shovel incident. I'm not sure why, but the cave scenario where Gracie was lost gave me the creeps, reminding me a bit of The Howling 4. The plots aren't the same at all, but it had that same disturbing element of when they were lost in the tunnels. Violence is kept to a minimum on "page", instead with bodies found afterwards.

At first I feared the mystery itself would be cliché and too dramatic, but through the middle of the book it picked up with some killer twists. Sadly I struggled through some of the story, as the endless twists seemed to at times twist amongst themselves. The result, rather than being simply a hearty helping of mystery-laden story, instead became a confusing labyrinth that almost grew exhausting. The Lighthouse Keeper starts with strength, attempting a fierce grab of the reader's attention. Unfortunately I found the first few chapters dangerously veering toward melodrama and forced reaction, but thankfully Buehler was able to smooth the way with little effort later on. Able to grasp on to each character and be intrigued by their personalities enough to follow the mystery, I held patience for it to become more complex. It did, almost like it was spiced with street drugs, becoming extremely clever.

Red herrings galore, continuous changes to keep a reader on their toes, and strangly bizarre incidents kept me hooked. Buehler's style of writing is worthy and, even if it does border of melodrama at times and with certain dialogue phrases, it strays from becoming overly poetic/cloying. Pacing was muffled at first, but then sped to an almost apocalyptic speed that forces the reader to pay attention, else they lose their way. Enriched with a comforting, warm feeling toward the end, The Lighthouse Keeper ultimately succeeds in achieving its goal as being an entertaining read.

Sorry...

Sorry I've been so dead around here guys. Thankfully, I'm not literally dead and haven't lost interest in the blog. I've been mainly unemployed the past few months and things have been ultra hectic. I've been going through a phase where I'm forcing myself to read. I have a stack of books that need reviews done that I never seem to muster energy to complete. I plan to remedy this soon, just hold in there!

Booking Through Thursday, Feb 21, 2008

All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?

Truth be told I prefer paperbacks. They're much less awkward to read than hardcovers. They take up a lot less room, and I think ones in good condition look just as nice. I guess if I had a nice large library I'd need some hardcovers to look good though, particularly the old leather bound editions.

It's my birthday!

Yep, today is the day for my birthday. I would say I'm excited, and in a way I am, but everyone understands that once you reach 25 you're anxious for the birthdays to stop Today I'll be 28. Two more years before the big 3-0. I seem to get a lot of food for my birthday. Last night boyfriend took me out for dinner to a very nice expensive place. Today my mother and aunt are supposed to take me out to lunch. And next week my best friends taking me out to dinner.

Booking Through Thursday, February 14, 2008

This question comes from Chris:

Here’s something for Valentine’s Day.

Have you ever fallen out of love with a favorite author? Was the last book you read by the author so bad, you broke up with them and haven’t read their work since? Could they ever lure you back?

Hmmmm. Well, yes. I was a huge fan of Anita Blake up until book 10. Actually I read the series back to back twice, which I had never done before. For the next year or so I was obsessed with these books. The sequels came out and so much had changed that it was disheartening to say the least. I was even on the message forums at Hamilton's website. I became so disappointed with each new book I decided to stop and had no interest reading further into the series, because the change of characters was starting to ruin the memories I had of the good times with the series. I haven't read the last two books now, and don't really want to. I could be lured back but only if sooo much was changed, which I doubt will happen.

Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Lane (A Psychic Eye Mystery, Book #1)

In Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit, thirtysomething Abby Cooper lives a life that's kind of like vanilla ice cream - good enough, but a little bland. Her work as a P.I. - Psychic Intuitive - can be rewarding, but she feels like somehow she's missing out on the hot-fudge topping...

Now she's getting what she wished for - when a client winds up dead and the clues start pointing in Abby's direction.Turns out she knows too many details about the murder for her own good. To make matters worse, the hot blind date she just met is the lead investigator on the case. And gorgeous Detective Dutch Rivers is convinced she's a fraud.

No matter how great her psychic abilities, Abby doesn't know if she can solve this case. Unfortunately for her, though, the killer thinks she can....

Whoever has mused that covers attract hasn't lied, for I admit the cover of this book is what first drew me to it. I always am a sucker for cozy mysteries, and this proved to be a fun one.

Abby's personality is a contagious mixture of bubbling awkwardness, firm self-assurance, and strong sense of humanity. Although she's a psychic, she's sure to limit her clients to only two visits per year, in order to prove to them true answers lie within themselves, and not to fall into the trap of being a scam artist causing others to depend on pyschics for all their endless answers. Detective Dutch Rivers was a fun, protective guy...what is it about detectives that usually ends up so hot in most books? His personality was great, from the awkward set-up date to the interrogations and, finally, to the ultimate revelation of his feelings.

The mystery itself was great, as it was hard to pinpoint who the culprit was. As Abby tried on a few red herrings for size - and enraged the detective at the same time - it was good times. The slow unraveling of clues produced a decent mystery that wasn't conveniently answered, and the suspense scenes when shown (there weren't many), were well-written. Thankfully Abby did the clever thing when she was threatened at the end, not being overly heroic (read: silly and stupid). This gave her a depth of realism I always like to read about with my characters.

Not to mention, the pyschic ability itself was just plain cool! Okay, I know there's misconceptions about pyschics, but this is an ability I'd kill to have. She doesn't get strange premonitions out of the blue by touching various objects like overly-dramatic lifetime movie renditions, but instead it's just a natural flow of things for her. She's a strong psychic, as well, and I always like when it seems realistic.

There's humor, too, but not to where it's cloying. Some amusing situations that fit with the ironic side of life, but nothing forced and too comedic to where it takes over the book. Nothing overly violent - there are deaths, of course - but no descriptive phrases that would make the violence-weary shudder in their beds. It's an addictive book that's easy to get through; I read it in one day. The length isn't atrociously short, being 295 pages, but something about the subject and the author's great writing style made it easy to breeze through quickly. I can't wait for more of this series!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone has a great one

Falcon Royal by Catherine Darby (Falcon Saga #5)

Review of A Falcon For A Witch, Book One, Here

Falcon Royal is the 5th in a series of brilliant historical-gothic romances by one of England's foremost authors.

Victorian England Scandalized!

After nearly 100 years of war and social upheaval, England settled into one of its rare periods of peace. It was the time of the Reform Bill and social conscience and the new horrors brought forth by the Industrial Revolution.

Lord James Falcon, master of Kingsmead, was a kind and generous man and a leading figure in Parliament in the fight to bring equality and justice and humane living conditions to the working class. He was loved and honored by all who knew him. But beneath the surface of fine manners and respectability burned a jealous and passionate soul. When the staid atmosphere of Kingsmead was shattered by rape, murder, fire, and adultery only the mysterious and beautiful Willow knew the cause. But before she realized it, she too was swept up by a force as ancient and corrupt as the terrible history of the Falcon family, a force that drove them beyond the boundaries of polite society and enslaved them to their own sensuous appetites.

Fairing better than the first novel, Falcon Royal focuses on the story of Felice, hired by the Falcons as a personal assistant, little Willow, a half-relative living on the grounds, Lady Mair, the lady of the Falcon house, and of course the husband James Falcon. Still haunted by the curse began by the witch Margred years previous, Willow is an evil little thing, delighting in bugging Lady Mair and uncovering general mischief. Encouraged by the story of the witch, and that she herself bears the same half-crescent moon marking on her person, she hopes to eventually unlock the full magic and become the lady of the house. Felice is actually a delightful person, but of course in this saga generally delightful people meet the worst ends.

There is never usually something breathtaking about any characters in these novels; they usually have something so horrendous about their personalities that it's impossible to latch onto them emotionally. The same can be said here for both Willow and to an extent Lady Mair. Other people you just end up feeling bitter for, as they are washed away by deceit of some sort, leaving behind only memories of "ugh". Each book focuses on several parts, of time lines, showing the lives and deaths of major characters and how they age.

Feeling slightly rushed because of this, the pacing is a bizarre animal. At times slow and with build-up to show characterization and purpose, yet housed in a small book where at least two generations live, I can't say the book is a fast-paced creation, but it's not slow either. The strange miscellany makes it fun to read on one hand, while baffling on another. Being a 70's Gothic book, the story and writing style match the Gothic, old-world tone exactly. Told in third-person, no one seems to be a cut out character, but it's unique in the way they're handled. You never know them truly well, for everyone - even the nice ones - are off-standish for the reader.

The series seems to focus more on women than men, perhaps because the main heroine who began the curse was a witch - and the writer is a woman - but ultimately it seems that men somehow cause all the women go through (usually without knowing it). In the first book, for example, Henry made the mistake of falling in love with someone other than his wife, giving in to greed for self-survival, and ultimately paying the worst sort of price. Here James is a nice guy who would never resort to scandalizing actions such as illicit affairs, but his general manner is his doom. Not having much of a backbone and protective of all, he goes head-to-head in mild arguments against his wife Lady Mair. While I can understand her viewpoint on a few occasions, she's just not that likable of a woman. Her betrayal comes not from him betraying her in a direct sense like Harry did to Margred, but instead he betrays her through being overtly passive in life. Different route but ultimately the same destination.

As always the end is bittersweet, leaving a dull lump in the throat. Frankly this series is just depressing. I've always loved the old Gothic traditions and atmospheres, with large looming castles, dashingly handsome men, coy and sweet women...but that's generally not found here. Still it's interesting, as almost all books telling a families movement are. It left off with more evil witting from Willow, leaving me craving more in its sequel. If you're a fan of the Gothic stories, this popular series from the seventies (that spawned 12 books) is worth a look, but be warned it's far different from most books experienced.

The Immortals: The Gathering by Jennifer Ashley (Book Four)

Created at the dawn of time to protect humanity, the ancient warriors have been nearly forgotten, though magic lives on - in vampires, werewolves, the Celtic Sidhe, and other beings. But now one of their own has turned rogue, and the world is again in desperate need of the IMMORTALS. He was known as the crazy one. And Leda Stowe could see why after finding the stunning half-naked warrior in her lion's pen - unarmed and completely unafraid. Though he could somehow soothe the temperamental beast, nothing could calm the desire that sparked through her body at his touch. She wished they could hide away together on her island forever, but the world thrummed with danger. Before Leda could claim Hunter for herself, they would have to join the other Immortals to face the greatest trail yet: THE GATHERING.

The fourth book in the series, written by Jennifer Ashley (Book 2 and 3 were written by other authors), explores the life of Hunter, a more fun type of Immortal. The fourth book in the series, written by Jennifer Ashley (Book 2 and 3 were written by other authors), explores the life of Hunter, a more fun type of Immortal. Still hurt by the tragic death of his wife and children some 900 years back, Hunter eagerly beds women he lusts for, spending time with them without emotion. From day one it's clear he's going to have trouble doing that with Leda, an "air witch", but plot-wise the angst wasn't too strong in this department.

The story itself is a fascinating one, with five brothers sharing different goddess mothers, each immortal, each possessing outstanding power and lifeforce. In previous books other brothers have found their mate, all witches with different elements (fire, water, etc.), and of course it is now Hunter's turn. After their time on the island (not terribly interesting all the time), the story picks up as the couple go to find their brother Adrian, to assist in the retrieval of their other brother Tain, who by now has gone mad and on the deep end with a devious demon determined to steal the lifeforce from the world. Yes, a dramatic story for sure, but interesting in several angles. Much is at stake, and fans of the series will be delighted to see all previous characters brought back together for a reunion of sorts. Sadly, because of the number of beings and the time frame, the intriguing personalities of each aren't allowed to shine through so much.

Character-wise Hunter is great fun, with a sarcastic wit, no-worry attitude, an obvious lust for life and fun, but expectantly hampered by past disappointments. His unique way with animals was enjoyable as well, and the lion Mukasa was a blast. Leda was another "good" character, although nothing overtly impressive. There's just something extremely ordinary and off about her. She seemed to agree to the bedding of Hunter too easily, and her fascinating back-story with dark magic staining her soul could have taken a much more powerful direction if explored differently. However, with Hunter's great power I guess it wasn't an obstacle for them, but I still would have liked seeing that as maybe a sub-plot to be explored. There are a multitude of sensual scenes, but the story in no way focuses on bedroom bliss, instead filled to the brim with one bizarre scenario after another.

Sadly, because of the bed-hopping so early on, the romance isn't overly strong. It's just hard for me to believe in such strong connections from the first meeting, and I would have been pleased with a little more excitement in that department. In romance I enjoy foreshadowing and gradual build-up, rather than being granted my present without begging for it first.

On the action and pacing angle, much happens after the first few chapters, almost too much, but it's not a book you'd want to put down for lack of interest. There's clearly much as stake but I never felt the nail-grinding tension I'd like to have. Not sure why exactly, but I suspect it was the odd marriage of so many characters and elements without feeling as serious as it should have. The ending was a wonderfully sweet wrap-up, although a bit too convenient with how it fell into place so perfectly in two pages. Sex scenes are tantalizing to a degree, but nothing that would be worth fantasizing about. Hunter provides the most humor, and when humor's used it's not laugh out loud material, but still enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend this book for fans of the fantastical world Ashley initially created, and while overall the book isn't so memorable you'd remember details a year later, it's still a fun way to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.