Becoming Vanessa by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Becoming Vanessa by Vanessa Brantley-Newton 29 pages On Vanessa's first day of school, her parents tell her it will be easy to make friends. Vanessa isn't so sure. She wears her fanciest outfit so her new classmates will notice her right away. They notice, but the attention isn't what she'd hoped for. As the day goes on, she feels more self-conscious. Her clothes are too bright, her feather boa has way too many feathers, and even her name is too hard to write. The next day, she picks out a plain outfit, and tells her mom that her name is too long. She just wants to blend in, with a simple name like the other girls--why couldn't her parents have named her Megan or Bella? But when her mother tells her the meaning behind her name, it gives her the confidence she needs to introduce her classmates to the real Vanessa. Perfect for readers of Alma and How She Got Her Name and The King of Kindergarten Vanessa needs to realize that she is accepted for who she is and she is a very important person.

Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh

Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh - 156 Pages

"In this tender, bittersweet, full-color graphic novel, a young woman named Clementine discovers herself and the elusive magic of love when she meets a confident blue-haired girl named Emma: a lesbian love story for the ages that bristles with the energy of youth and rebellion and the eternal light of desire."

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb - 374 pages

When the 16 year-old daughter of a newly promoted police captain is brutally murdered, Eve Dallas is requested to head up the investigation.  Why would anyone kill such an innocent girl?  Surely, it is a case of revenge against her father . . . .

I enjoyed this entry in the Eve Dallas mystery series by J.D. Robb (aka - Nora Roberts).  It took a little longer to unravel the mystery in this book which I enjoyed rather than the characters figuring out the killer immediately. 

Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts

Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts - 438 pages

Thirteen years ago, three boys went on a rampage in a mall killing and injuring many before taking their own lives.  Now the sister of the "ringleader" is out to complete their mission by killing those who escaped that day.

I listened to this on audio.  I really enjoyed the book.  The villain was very chilling.  The main characters were multi-faceted.  And the romance was well integrated into the story.

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb - 373 pages

Detective Eve Dallas has a new murder case to solve.  A Catholic priest was murdered during a funeral service while taking communion.  The investigation takes many twists as turns as identities are questions and ties are found to a bombing from twenty years ago.

I enjoyed this volume in the Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts).  The twists and turns were interesting.  I also found the various characters' views on religion interesting.

The Art of Deception by Nora Roberts

The Art of Deception by Nora Roberts - 274 pages

Adam is looking for a missing painting but keeps getting distracted by fellow artist Kirby.

This is one of Nora Roberts early romances.  It is very dated in its viewpoints, yet was still interesting to read.

Deception by Amanda Quick

Deception by Amanda Quick - 432 pages

A search for a missing treasure is complicated by secret identities, embezzlement, revenge, and love.

This is a historical romance by author Jayne Ann Krentz under her pen name Amanda Quick.  It was fun to listen to the story.  I really enjoyed the twists and turns the story takes.

Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie

Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie - 256 pages

Tess is the typical crusader out to save the world.  So she's never understood why she is so attracted to conservative lawyer Nick.  When he proposes they pretend to be engaged for a business deal she reluctantly agrees . . .

This is another one of Jennifer Crusie's early romances.  This one didn't age quite as well as Getting Rid of Bradley.  It was also a little confusing as one moment the book was making fun of conservatives who wanted to succeed in business and the next making fun of those who wanted to work to better the world.  Still, I did enjoy reading the book.

Light in Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz

Light in Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz - 369 pages

Zoe hires Ethan when she discovers that her interior design client killed his wife.  What she doesn't tell Ethan is that she knew this because she sensed the violence in the room where she was killed.  She also doesn't tell him her biggest secret -- that she escaped from a mental hospital where she was committed against her will by her in-laws.  But now, that secret is out and Ethan must help her escape the thugs from that mental hospital and her former family to keep her safe.

This is actually the first book in a two book series by Jayne Ann Krentz.  I had listened to the second book Truth or Dare a couple weeks ago on audio.  I would definitely suggest starting with this book first as it gives a lot of background that would have been useful in reading the second book. 

To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn

To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn - 377 pages

Caroline is running away from her odious guardian and his son when she is mistaken for a spy by English espionage agent Blake Ravenscroft.  However, this is fine with her as it will mean she's hidden away for a time and her guardian won't be able to find her.  Ravenscroft is horrified to discover the mistake and that she will then have to spend even more time his company -- horrified as he is starting to fall in love with her.

I found this historical novel to be fun and amusing.  Although the subject matter of espionage, treason, and rape are incredibly serious, the book was very humorous. 

How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn

How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn - 375 pages


Elizabeth Hotchkiss needs to marry a wealthy man to provide for her sisters and brother.  They are nearly penniless and will soon lose their house.  So when she finds a book titled "How to Marry a Marquis" she decides it might be the answer to her prayers.  The only problem is that she is practicing on her employer's estate manager and she's starting to fall in love.  Too bad he is the wrong man for her.

This is another humorous historical romance by Julia Quinn.  I really enjoyed this book as it featured one of the author's most interesting secondary characters -- Lady Danbury.  Although you know how the book will end, it is fun to read towards that ending.

Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts

Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts - 388 pages

Nell Channing is done with running when she reaches Three Sisters Island.  She finds a job at the local bookstore as the manager of the cafe and a friend in the store's owner.  She starts to set down roots for the first time in long time.  Then she meets the sheriff Zack Todd and starts to fall in love.  Will her secrets tear them apart?

This is the first in book in Nora Roberts supernatural romance series about three witches who must work together to save their island.  It's also one of her earlier trilogies that I hadn't read yet.  I look forward to finishing the series.

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn - 370 pages

Amelia has been engaged to the Duke of Wyndham since a baby.  She's been waiting for years for Thomas, the duke, to finally marry her.  Now, just when she thinks they might be making some progress, his long lost cousin has appeared.  He might be the real Duke of Wyndham and the man she's really engaged to . . .

This is the companion novel to The Lost Duke of Wyndham.  Julia Quinn often overlaps her books in time and plots, however, these are the first two books that intentionally tell the same story from the points of view of the two different couples.  I found that I liked this volume better than the first one I read.  However, I also believe that if I hadn't read the other book first, I might have been pretty lost and have a lot of questions.

Lisolette & Witch's Forest, v. 1 by Natsuki Takaya

Lisolette & Witch's Forest, v. 1 by Natsuki Takaya - 192 pages

Lisolette has moved to the east of the east of east with twin children Alto and Anna.  There the nearby forest is full of witches.  Lisolette is rescued from a witch that attacks her by Engetsu, who looks very familiar to an old friend.

This is the first book in Natsuki Takaya's new series.  You can tell that the first book is mainly world building and that there is still some to do in future volumes.

Girl Defined: God's Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity by Kristen Clark, Bethany Baird

Girl Defined: God's Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity by Kristen Clark, Bethany Baird -- 240 pages

Most of the principles that sisters Kristen and Bethany share in "Girl Defined" are not new or novel to a lot of Christian girls I know, but compiled in this easy-to-read (and pretty) little book, it is certainly ideal for young girls who seek to discover their purpose as a girl. Along with the same themes that run in other solid Christian books, Kristen and Bethany share their own stories that drive home different points, and leave journal space to write your own similar experiences or thoughts.

Midnight Jewels by Jayne Ann Krentz

Midnight Jewels by Jayne Ann Krentz - 380 pages

Croft Falconer is amazed to discover a rare book advertised to be on sale in Mercy Pennington's shop.  He thought it had been destroyed in a fire three years ago.  Once he determines that she doesn't know the true value of the book, he determines to protect her while trying to find out who her mysterious buyer might be.

This was one of Krentz's first romances.  I found it to be horribly dated in its views of women and relationships.  If it had not fit this month's challenge (travel) I would not have finished the book.

Afterschool Charisma, v.3-5 by Kumiko Suekane

Afterschool Charisma, v.3 by Kumiko Suekane - 200 pages
Afterschool Charisma, v.4 by Kumiko Suekane - 208 pages
Afterschool Charisma, v.5 by Kumiko Suekane - 208 pages

It's time for the St. Kleio Academy's Expo where the clones all show off their school projects.  But right in the middle of a presentation, terrorists attack trying to kill all the clones.

After a first book that really didn't grab me, I am really getting into this series.  It is very quick to read with lots of action and character development.  I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series and figuring out all the conspiracies and secrets.

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

The Obsession by Nora Roberts - 453 pages

Naomi's life was turned upside down when she follows her dad one night and discovers that he is a notorious serial rapist and killer.  After nearly twenty years, she is finally ready to try to settle down in a town and try to make a life for herself including a relationship.  Then someone starts raping and kidnapping women from her town . . .

I listened to this on audio.  I enjoyed the story although it was fairly obvious who the killer was early on in the book.  I thought the narrator did a great job although she didn't differentiate between the characters as much towards the end of the book as she did at the beginning.

The River Knows by Amanda Quick

The River Knows by Amanda Quick - 422 pages

Louisa Bryce is sure that Anthony Stalbridge must be pretending interest in her as a diversion for some other plan.  Turns out he is investigating his fiance's death a year earlier.  His investigation however is threatening to uncover her own secret.

I enjoyed this historical romance.  It was quick and fun to read.  Some of the mystery was fairly easy to figure out early on, but there were also aspects of the story that were a surprise at the end.

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

The Obsession by Nora Roberts - 453 pages

Naomi's life was turned upside down when as a child she followed her father one night and discovered his secret - he was a notorious serial killer.  She has spent her whole life trying to put the incident in her past and hiding her true identity from everybody she meets.  Then she settles in Sunrise Cove.  It's the first time since college that she has settled in one place for more than three months.  She makes friends and even starts a relationship.  Then women start disappearing and being killed . . . reminiscent of her father's killing style.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it is one of Nora Roberts' best books in years.  It was engrossing enough that I finished it in one day.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes romance or suspense.