The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Genre:  Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Published:  2004, 277 pp. by Picador USA
Source:  Personal library
Review:  3/5 stars

Brief Summary:  It's hard to give a good brief description of this book without giving away too much.  If you've seen the movie previews you know that Charlie St. Cloud can see and talk to is younger brother who is dead.  I think I'll leave it at that to avoid any spoilers.

My Thoughts:  We read this for my neighborhood book club.  I liked the premise and the ideas the author, Ben Sherwood, put forth about what happens after we die.  I really liked the relationship between Charlie and his brother, Sam.  Their conversations were fun and witty and I enjoyed all the parts when they are together.  I thought the romance part of the book wasn't as well developed but I still enjoyed it.

Recommendations:  I liked this book and it kept me interested but I can't say I would recommend it to many people.  There is a sex scene that isn't really graphic but is still descriptive enough that it made me a little uncomfortable. Not for teens.

Rating:  3.1.3  Unmarried, descriptive sexual relations and moderate profanity.


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Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Genre: Romance, YA

Published:  Mar. 2012 by Shadow Mountain,  240 pp.
Source:  ARC from publisher
Review:  4.5/5 stars

Brief Summary: (From goodreads.com) Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.


My Thoughts:  I have to admit that I read more than my share of romances as a teenager. Some were more than questionable in content and I'm ashamed that I ever read them. In search of cleaner fare, I discovered that there was this sub-genre of romance novels called Regency.  The stories were set in Regency England (early 19th century) and were inspired by Jane Austen's works dealing with the noble and rich, the genteel but poor, gentleman and ladies, rakes and spinsters, the season, the ton, Almack's, London and Bath, manners and propriety.  I loved Regency romances because they were usually clean, romantic, and I loved the world they transported me to.

I don't read Regencies much anymore with the exception of the Georgette Heyer novels I've discovered in the last few years so when I got the chance to review Edenbrooke, I jumped on it.  I loved it.  There are a few silly or cheesy parts and it's fairly predictable but overall I still enjoyed every minute of reading it.  The heroine is smart, witty, and completely unaware of her charms.  The hero is very swoon worthy (one of my favorite leading men I've encountered in recent months.)  My 12 year old daughter loved it too so maybe there's still hope that I can eventually introduce her to Jane Austen.  (Right now she rolls her eyes when I mention Pride and Prejudice.)

Recommendations:  I recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet, clean romance.  Don't expect great literature, but you can expect to be entertained.     


Ratings:  2.2.1  As the subtitle says, this is a "proper romance."  There is one part where a woman is threatened in a way that suggests a sexual assault but it's not explicit.


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Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman

Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: Jan. 2002 by Berkley Trade (First published 1947), 320 pp.
Source: Library
Review: 5/5 stars

Brief Summary: (From Goodreads.com) A moving love story set in the Canadian wilderness, Mrs. Mike is a classic tale that has enchanted millions of readers worldwide. It brings the fierce, stunning landscape of the Great North to life-and tenderly evokes the love that blossoms between Sergeant Mike Flannigan and beautiful young Katherine Mary O'Fallon.


My Thoughts: The reason I posted a review of These Is My Words recently was because I wanted to be able to compare it to Mrs. Mike.  I loved this book.  I read it several years ago when I was pregnant with my first child.  I really liked it then but my taste in books has changed a little over the last few years so I wasn't sure if I would like it as much this time around.  It was just as good, if not better.  To me, Mrs. Mike and These Is My Words are very similar in the following ways:

• Both are told by a young female protagonist in first person
• Similar historic time period (one set in late 1800's, the other in early 1900's)
• Both protagonists absolutely adore their husbands
• Each of them endure severe trials
• Both married peace-keeping military men

Even though they are similar I much prefer Mrs. Mike.  She seemed so much more real to me than Sarah Prine did.  Maybe that's just because Katherine Flannigan was a real person but many fictional characters can seem very real.  Katherine had flaws and I enjoyed watching her overcome them.  Sarah was always just too perfect and too strong for every occasion.  I also preferred Katherine and Sergeant Mike's relationship over Sarah and Captain Elliot's relationship.

Mrs. Mike made me laugh out loud but also made me cry.  That's a great combination in my book.

Recommendations:  I would recommend this book to all those who loved, or didn't love, These Is My Words.  If you haven't read that book but you like a sweet romance and a historical book that will make you laugh and cry, then this is a great book for you.  The best part, it's a clean read.


Ratings:  1.3.2  There is a some violence dealing with the dangers of frontier life, and there's also some profanity but fairly mild if I remember right.


Thanks for reading!

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Published:  Oct. 2011, 272 pp.
Source:  Review request by author
Review:  3.5/5 stars

Brief Summary:  (From Goodreads)  Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination...

My Thoughts:  First of all, thank goodness for a YA stand-alone book!
I liked this ghostly romance.  I haven't read many books with ghosts but I thought this was an interesting take on the classic ghost story.  The characters are likable, realistic and the romance is sweet.


Recommendations:  What I like most about this book is that it's one that I can read and enjoy as well as my 12 year-old daughter whose new reading obsession is romance.  Help me!  :)


Ratings:  1.2.1  Includes some kissing scenes, there is some description of blood and violence, and very little profanity.

Thanks for reading!