“Wild Orchids” by Jude Deveraux

“Wild Orchids” by Jude Deveraux
2003, Atria Books
ISBN: 0-7434-3712-8

I’ve read a lot of books and most of them have been pretty good. Some have been absolutely fabulous. That’s what “Wild Orchids” by Jude Deveraux is. Absolutely fabulous. I don’t even want to tell you much about it so as not to spoil the story at all for you. I think I’ve been holding my breath for the last 50 pages or so. I just let it out.

Look into my eyes. You want to read this book.

Ford is the writer. Jackie is his assistant. They didn’t start out that way. The story goes back and forth from Ford’s point of view to Jackie’s. That in itself was interesting as hell to me.

Look into my eyes. You want to read this book.

My usual benchmark of a good book as to the amount of it I spend with a Kleenex in hand was spot on. This was definitely a three-hanky tearjerker. But, it appears there might be a new standard for me to judge good books; how often I find I’m holding my breath. “Wild Orchids” kept me on the edge of my seat.

It’s a rollicking good story. I was hooked from the first page and stayed that way to the last. It is a certainty that I will be seeking out other books by Jude Deveraux to read.

Normally I would say something about the story. Today I will not. What I want to know is that you’re intrigued enough to go find it at your library.

Look into my eyes. You want to read this book.

“A Man to Call My Own” by Johanna Lindsey

“A Man to Call My Own” by Johanna Lindsey
2003, Atria Books
ISBN: 0-7434-5633-5

Although I’ve read Johanna Lindsey before “A Man to Call My Own” isn’t a book I would recommend. I did not like the recurring themes that occurred throughout the story; petty jealousies, insecurity and an immaturity in the characters that reminded me of what it was like to be in the 9th grade. I’d hoped for more. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

“Daddy’s Little Girl” by Mary Higgins Clark

“Daddy's Little Girl” by Mary Higgins Clark
2002, Pocket Books
ISBN: 0-7434-6052-9

“Daddy's Little Girl” by Mary Higgins Clark was a terrific book. This is a murder mystery and the first time I’ve ever read Mary Higgins Clark. I’m hooked. And, the best part is she's written tons of books.

“Daddy's Little Girl” is about the sister of a murder victim who cannot let go. Ellie was 7 years old when her older sister Andrea was murdered. Now, she’s 30 years old. Every time the Rob Westerfield came up for parole she was there to see that he didn’t get out. But, now he’s served his time and is ready to assume his place as the golden haired boy in his wealthy and influential family.

Ellie had become an investigative reporter and taking her skills as a writer and as an investigator she tries to ensure that Rob Westerfield’s life on the outside doesn’t become one of wealth and luxury. His family is out to see that his record is expunged of the crime he was convicted of.

Suddenly she is being followed and threatened. People around her are in danger. She’s fighting the monster Rob is and the town she grew up in as the memories of the crime come back for everyone to face again. There are even those who don’t believe her. It’s a mess and as it turns out gets a whole lot messier. But, she can’t give up and this is one whirl wind story.

Naturally, it’s got a happy ending, but getting there is going to have you turning pages in this book and ignoring as much of the outside world as you can before you get to the end.

“The Third Circle” by Amanda Quick

“The Third Circle” by Amanda Quick
2008, Penguin Books
ISBN: 978-0-399-15484-3

I got all tingly when I saw this in my library. Amanda Quick is one of my favorite authors and I have never once been disappointed by anything she’s written. “The Third Circle” was especially delightful. Ms. Quick has a tendency to show characteristics that show up in her characters from one genre to another. She writes under different names for the different time periods. When she’s writing about futuristic stuff she writes under the name of Jayne Castle. What happened in “The Third Circle” was that the paranormal stuff going on in the future is shown to be first happening in Victorian times.

I just love it. Especially as I’m a psychic and can relate to this stuff presented as far out author’s license and imagination or not. It happens. And, I’m thrilled to know of these things on another level too. Amanda Quick just takes it all that extra step beyond to where the normal reader is going to say, “Oh, man, this is just so far out, but I’ll buy into it for this story.” I love these characters anyway. I love how they relate to each other. I love the suspense of the stories. Another Amanda Quick book? Yeah, I want to read it now!”

The requisite romance, meeting of unmatchable hero with unmatchable heroine and the sparks fly. If you’ve never read Amanda Quick check out your local library. They’re sure to have one by her. And, if you’re really lucky you’ll get to check out, “The Third Circle”. And, Jayne Ann Krentz is such a prolific writer whatever book you pick out of hers to read I can absolutely guarantee, if you are a fan of the romance and suspenseful story, you will love it.

“Ten Big Ones” by Janet Evanovich

“Ten Big Ones” by Janet Evanovich
2004, St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ISBN: 0-312-93622-2

You know how sometimes you feel like eating something in particular and only the one thing is going to satisfy you? I had a craving and only “Ten Big Ones” by Janet Evanovich fit the bill. I spent the weekend snorting and making funny noises in the back of the house. I had to do my reading away from my husband because I really annoy him when I read any of Janet Evanovich’s novels. This one was no different.

Stephanie Plum is off on another adventure. She’s a bounty hunter in New Jersey and works with a colorful group of characters. These folks are always in her books and I’ve grown to expect them to be there. Ranger is another bounty hunter; a very mysterious guy who watches and protects Stephanie because she’s like the Lucy Ricardo of bounty hunters. Joe Morelli, a cop, is her boyfriend.

Every time you turn around something bad is happening to her. She’s like a trouble magnet. In the book there is the main conflict that lasts throughout. This one was Stephanie is able to recognize the Red Devil Bandit. And, subsequently a contract is taken out on her. In between trying to catch this particular bad guy she goes around apprehending the FTA’s (Failure to Appear) folks who’ve violated their bonds. I loved the one about the lady who held up a Frito Lay truck and took all the bags of Fritos because she was having a fit.

But, what I really admire about Stephanie is her resilience. She can bounce back quickly from anything. She doesn’t hold a grudge except for the bimbo Joyce Barnhardt who boinked Stephanie’s husband early on in their short-lived marriage. Lula, an ex ho who is now employed to do filing in the bail bonds office Stephanie works out of frequently hot foots it out the door to help Stephanie on her bounty adventures. Lula always has some sort of weapon in her purse and isn’t afraid to use it.

Connie runs the bail bonds office and is connected to the mob so she is able to offer advice connected to those sorts of situations. Vinne is a slime ball. He is Stephanie’s cousin who owns the bail bond office.

Joe Morrelli is Stephanie’s main man. She’s been in love with him since they were kids, though their relationship is many times an on again off again one. In this book it is mostly on. But, Ranger’s interest intervenes and Stephanie is caught like a deer in the headlights because she is attracted to him in a major way too. Great romantic conflict.

You’ve also got Stephanie’s immediate family; her mother who despairs of the job her daughter has and all the trouble that seems to follow her around and would much rather she get a job at the button factory. Her father who doesn’t want to hear about it. Her Grandma Mazer who lives with Stephanie’s mother and father and who loves to go on bounty hunts with her granddaughter and who counts funeral parlor viewings as a part of her active social life. Valerie is Stephanie’s sister who in this book is living in Stephanie’s apartment while she waits to get married. Stephanie is living with Joe and that only lasts so long.

Anyway, I don’t want to get into everything that is happening in the book. There need to be some surprises for you. Those were just the folks in the book. I am serious if you’ve never read a Stephanie Plum book pick this one or any of them up. They are all 100% quality writing that will have you making very strange noises as you laugh and snort your way through the book.

“Walter the Farting Dog” by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

“Walter the Farting Dog” by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
2001, Frog, Ltd.
ISBN: 978-1583-94053-2

Dee Dude (my husband) purchased “Walter the Farting Dog” by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray as a birthday gift for a friend. The cover says it is a #1 New York Times bestseller and that more than one million copies have been sold.

The book came with a stuffed toy of Walter the Farting Dog. Walter really farts. My cats were not actually that impressed when I showed them. You squeeze his middle to produce a particularly raunchy sounding fart.

I read the book and was enchanted. I actually teared up a little at the end of the story. Not because of any farts in the area, just because it tugged at my heart strings. This is a terrific book for children of any age.

Turns out there are a series of Walter books too. What child isn’t interested in farts? Even those who’ve seen the better side of 50.