An Echo in the Bone

Title: An Echo in the Bone
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander (Book 7)
Genre: Historical Romance/Time Travel



Jamie and Claire continue to try and walk the line through a very dangerous America. The duo (and sometimes Ian) bounce all over America and try to navigate battles to the best of Claire's knowledge. They decide at one point to go back to Scotland and return "Young" Ian to his family. Unfortunately, that homecoming is not as sweet as it should have been. When all is said and done they are again in America at the end of Echo.

Brianna and Roger are having an interesting time adjusting to the times. They buy Lallybroch in present day and there is something lurking about that is terrifying Mandy. Jem gets in trouble for yelling at his teacher in Galic, and Roger finds a new calling.

A fair amount of the story also follows William, Jamie's son. I wasn't impressed with most of his passages because they told mostly of the war. One thing I've mentioned before, is that I dislike the books that are centered more on the war and happenings then the relationships. I understand that they are an essential part to the stories, but sometimes I wish there was a little less battle description.

I felt like the last 100 pages or so were just amazing. Fast paced and full of action. I cried again this book, and hate when a beloved character is killed off in a less than peaceful way.

I think that this book seems like the climax of their stories. So much happened and so many things are left open. I never felt like any of the other books were too much of cliffhangers, but this book is definitely a cliff hanger.

Time to wait for book 8.

No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales From A Stand-Up Dad

Title: No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales from a Stand-Up Dad
Author: Jay Mohr
Series: None
Genre: Non-Fiction, Comedy



I had stumbled across this book being mentioned in a couple of blogs that I read, so I felt like I too had to read it. It was funny, it made me laugh out loud. I don't even have kids and I enjoyed it still.

There are some superb ideas such as the "Crowns" the name of a Crayola box of crayons with classic colors such as: wed, lellow, gween, ect. I think Crayola should totally do this. Not to mention the, "I'm going to s**t my pants lane," similar to the carpool lane, but a lane that every once in a while we really do need.

Goddess of Spring

Title: Goddess of Spring
Author: P.C. Cast
Series: Goddess Summoning (Book 2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Carolina is a middle aged bakery owner who just found out she owes the IRS a lot of money. She's decided to do something to expand her bakery to make more money to pay them off. She finds a Goddess Cookbook and follows the ritual, which includes making a offering to a Goddess, to make a new type of pizza. Near the end of this ritual a Narcissus grows on a tree. Lina smells it and is whisked away to trade places with Persephone.

Persephone needs to grow up and her Mother has concocted the plan of Lina and Persephone switching places for 6 months. Lina wall travel to the Underworld to bring joy to the undead while Persephone will try and breathe new life into the bakery.

The story then follows pretty much only Lina and her Underworld Adventures. On her way to meet Hades, she meets a young spirit who she adopts as a keeper of sorts. Then she meets Hades.

Who would have thought that he could be a romantic love interest? And a fabulous one at that. This book blew me away. I had gotten it from the library once, but returned it before I read it. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing. Hades is a majorly lovable (yet often gruff) character. So many interactions between he and Lina made me laugh out loud, or sometimes burn with lust. I also enjoyed all the contractions that were made from the mythology stories that I already knew.

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage

Title: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures (Book 2)
Genre: Historical Romance



Lady Isabella left her husband Mac Mackenzie three and a half years ago because it just wasn't working for her. They are legally separated, with Mac supporting Isabella and the two constantly avoiding each other. This doesn't mean that the two of them are not completely aware of each other.

Isabella discovers that someone is making forgeries (paintings Mac has never done, signed in his name) of Mac's art. She brings this to his attention, she just can't stand it. Mac doesn't seem much harm in it, he's going through a dry spell anyway. That is until the suspect burns down Mac's house and harms Isabella. This man wants to essentially steal Mac's identity.

I felt like this book touched on several issues that are modern, but in a historical way. I'm not a big history buff, so I'm not sure that they could be considered historical still, but it appeared legit.

I loved the idea of the two main characters already knowing each other so well and being married, but having to learn how to make their marriage work. Most romance novels seem to just focus on the getting together part and then they live happily ever after, even when you encounter them in a later novel (if a series). I have never read another romance novel that focuses on making the whirlwind romantic marriage actually work. Props to Jennifer Ashley for approaching it in such an interesting manner.

Secondly, the idea of stolen identity. Although perhaps not the same as today with social security numbers and credit card information over the internet, but a modern idea none the less.

The series seems to be revolving around the Mackenzie brothers, so I'm guessing there will be 2 more in the series, Cam and Hart. I look forward to them, because if anything this series has shown to be quite out of the box.

Married by Morning

Title: Married by Morning
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: Hathaway Series (Book 4)
Genre: Romance


Leo, the only brother of the Hathaways has had a hard life. He watched his fiance die in his arms from scarlet fever, contracted the fever himself and had a death wish. For most of the previous books in the series, he's been destructive and out living a fairly despicable life. In this book it seems he's made a 180 and is now a fairly nice and loving brother who cares for his family more openly and wants to do what he can to help them and keep them safe.

Catherine Marks is the governess/companion of the youngest and only remaining unmarried sister, Beatrice. She has her secrets and to keep those in tact she dies her hair and tries to disappear at public functions. At home she and Leo are constantly bickering and disagreeing with each other. Until one day they find that they agree fairly well after a stolen kiss in the gardens.

The Hathaway family gets some bad news, even though Leo has inherited the title and land, he has no inherited the house they are living in and have essentially brought back to life. It looks like Leo needs to find a wife and produce an heir in less than a year to keep the house.

I loved the interaction between the couple in this story. I usually love the stories of the withdrawn quiet woman finding love and blossoming, which is exactly what happens with Catherine. I did not feel that Leo's dilemma with finding a wife and having an heir was the driving force between him and Catherine, but instead that it was just inevitable, the workings of fate.

I also adored the role that Dodger, the ferret played in this role. By the end I wanted to be cuddling up with him. He's such a remarkable and loyal little fellow.

Midnight's Master

Title: Midnight's Master
Author: Cynthia Eden
Series: Midnight (Book 3)
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Niol is a level 10 demon and pretty much the biggest bad ass in town. He's also the owner of Paradise, an Other bar that has come up often in the other books in the series. He's not particularly proud of the life he's lived, but he's had to do what he's had to do.

Holly Storm is a reporter, who knows about the Others and uses many of them for sources. She's drawn to Niol and is aware of the less than stand up things he's done in the past, but he's also saved her life several times. Things start to go sour for Holly when her sources start getting murdered.

Holly and Niol decide to team up to find this demon killer. They "pretend" to be dating, even though they pretty much really are. It works to both of their advantages being able to get into places they otherwise would not. Not surprisingly, the killer turns their attentions to Niol and Holly.

Cynthia Eden is just such a hot writer. Her scenes between the main characters simply sizzle and this was another book that was finished in one sitting. I had no trouble jumping right back in, even though I've been waiting for my library to get this book for over a year.

I loved the relationship between Niol and Holly, they didn't want to be attracted to each other, but didn't fight it either. They let things take a natural course.

Tap & Gown

Title: Tap & Gown
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Series: Ivy League (Book 4)
Genre: Fiction



The Ivy League series follows Amy Haskel, a student at Eli, an Ivy League University. In the first book she is initiated into a previously all male secret society, Rose & Grave. The first three books follow all of the struggles that this new co-ed class has to go through. I read them before I ever started my blog.

I've been waiting for years for my library to get the fourth book in and I finally joined a different library that had the book. It was a bit difficult to get into right away, it'd been so long I had a hard time remembering who everyone was, especially since they all have their Barbarian names and their secret society names. Whew!

After all that, I found myself engrossed in the groups latest difficulties. They are looking for new knights to tap and initiate into the society to take their place. Of course there is lots of competition with the other secret societies and more craziness in Amy's love life. I was really upset at one point, but did feel that the series wrapped up nicely. It was a quick read that I couldn't put down. Finished it in one sitting.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Title: A Breath of Snow and Ashes
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander (Book 6)
Genre: Historical Romance/Time Travel


The families on Fraser's Ridge are still in full swing. There is the impending doom of the Civil War, and Jamie's ability to walk the line and needing the learn when to change sides. The Civil War doesn't completely break out in this book, I'm thinking that's the next installment.

I loved the way that Claire, Brianna and Roger try to make things around the Ridge a little more "modern." Brianna's "invention" of matches, Roger making little toy Vrooms (cars) and Claire's continued research with Penicillin and her newest - ether. I really felt like this helped to connect to the characters, because they're going through the same thing that I would be thinking about it I found myself in the 1700's in America.

As with all the Outlander books, there is death, marriage, new babies and skirmishes. All following the lives of this group of people following somewhat of a story line, but not completely. We finally come to the fated day of Claire and Jamie's death as "foretold" by the newspaper.

I thought this was another fantastic addition to the series. I feel like the books have been either hit or miss, but this one was mostly another hit. I was a little disappointed in the events that led up to the ending, but depending on what happens in the next book it could work out okay.