Mary Westmacott - Absent in Spring

Returning from a visit to her daughter in Iraq, Joan Scudamore finds herself unexpectedly alone and stranded in an isolated rest house by flooding of the railway tracks. This sudden solitude compels Joan to assess her life for the first time ever and face up to many of the truths about herself. Looking back over the years, Joan painfully re-examines her attitudes, relationships and actions and becomes increasingly uneasy about the person who is revealed to her.

Comment: I got this book at a book fair this summer and I was quite curious about it, since it's written by the master Agatha Christie, even if under a pseudonym (that everyone knows, though). Now that I have read it, I must say it was truly incredible and I'm now even more eager to try other books she wrote under this romance author pseudonym.

In this book we have the simple story of Joan Scudamore, a middle aged woman who is returning from Baghdad after helping her daughter but who sees herself stuck in a small station near the desert while the train tracks are being cleared so travels can re start.

The story is mostly regarding Joan's thoughts about her life and what happened so far to her and those she is familiar with but with so long to just think, Joan finally makes some discoveries about herself...

I really liked this book. It's, without a doubt, one of the best I've read this year despite being short.

This is one of those stories that reads almost as a monologue of sorts, except the epilogue, which is told mostly according to the POV of Joan's husband. 

The POV is not first person, though. It's third but focusing on the actions of Joan and her thoughts and not as much what others think...but, of course, Joan often thinks about situations where she wasn't the only one involved, which means we are able to read between the lines not only what others probably think and also what isn't actually said.

This said, Joan is a fascinating character. She is quite adamant on thinking about everything around her as part of the outside world and her opinions are always correct or at least more correct than other people's. This is also true for her family and those she considers not as prudent and considerate as she thinks herself.

It was quite a psychological game, to be able to see things through Joan's eyes but she is not mean or bad or negative. Joan is one of those people who just can't seem to see ahead in terms of expectations, she can't think there are other ways to think about something nor can she understand there's more to life than simple acceptance and she does act as having only tunnel vision regarding her choices and take on life.

This is a little challenged when Joan sees herself alone in a train stop somewhere and without other people to talk to, only servants who don't talk with her about serious issues and nothing to be distracted with. It's quite well done this idea that if we did have time to just think, we would discover a lot about ourselves and our opinions.

I can appreciate the idea behind using this to develop a plot and the author was really a genius about how to play out certain notions. The question is, after so much thinking and analyzing her behavior and how others act around her, which conclusions did Joan reach and how can she become a less oblivious person to her surroundings and the wants and desires of those around her and not just what would suit them in her opinion?

This is a great story, which has made an impact on me, I can still think about the outcome of Joan's self read of who she is and how that affected and affects those around her.

The story is rich in little details, little words here and there that simply convey everything at the same time. I'm looking for to read more books the author wrote under this pseudonym, for certain.

Grade: 10/10

Read once and read often

Two books to briefly talk about this time around.
The first is a book I've read for the first time days ago and the other is one of those so called comfort reads I often re-read, or I try to re-read my favorite parts.

The Spanish House is known to locals as an architectural folly, and it is now nearly derelict to boot. When its reclusive owner dies intestate the Spanish House is left to his city-dwelling niece. For the recently-widowed Isabel, the house is a potential lifeline. For her neighbour Matt McCarthy, the house is revenge.

Comment: I liked this book but that's it. I can't say I'll remember it very fondly in the future because, to be honest, the characters didn't win me over. I think I can consider myself a fan of the author, I've liked all her books to some extend but I've come to realize the more contemporary work of Jojo Moyes appeal the most to me, unlike her older titles which seem (the three I've tried) more cynical and whose characters feel less interesting.

In this book we have Isabel as a key character and although I enjoyed seeing she goes from an almost self centered person to a more attentive and responsible one, the plot about an old house and the sleazy male character that wants it at any cost just didn't win me over. I disliked some of the character's behavior as well so it was difficult for me to empathize or to want to see them succeed. I was glad when the last page was turned.

Grade: 5/10

-//-

It wasn't the best time for Karen to visit her elderly friend. With a burning fever and a broken down

car, she shuddered to think what could have happened if Brice hadn't pulled her from the drifts. As a doctor, his healing instincts took over. But being snowbound with the man who once tried to have her jailed was dangerous territory. Sometimes fate offers the chance to heal, forgive, and understand that things happen for a reason.

Comment: I can't remember anymore when was the first time I've read this book. Somewhere along 2006 or 2007, meaning after I've learned to do online shopping and after my binging on Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown. Then I got to Barbara Delinsky but I can say her more recent work isn't as appealing to me.

This book is the definition of perfection to my romance reader's eyes. Yes, many others don't agree but it's amazing for me because the plot makes sense and the romance too. I can see the flaws too but they are almost pointless to me.

I loved this story of a young woman trying to make ends' meet and a man who helps her without second intentions but while he takes care of her health, they discuss their previous antagonism and they fall in love. Yes, I'd change one detail here, another there but overall this is the perfect comfort read and I read this often just because.  Love it!

Grade: 10/10

Ilona Andrews - Wildfire

Just when Nevada Baylor has finally come to accept the depths of her magical powers, she also realizes she’s fallen in love. Connor “Mad” Rogan is in many ways her equal when it comes to magic, but she’s completely out of her elements when it comes to her feelings for him. To make matters more complicated, an old flame comes back into Rogan’s life…
Rogan knows there’s nothing between him and his ex-fiance, Rynda Sherwood. But as Nevada begins to learn more about her past, her power, and her potential future, he knows she will be faced with choices she never dreamed of and the promise of a life spent without him.
As Nevada and Rogan race to discover the whereabouts of Rynda’s kidnapped husband and are forced to confront Nevada’s grandmother, who may or may not have evil motives, these two people must decide if they can trust in each other or allow everything to go up in smoke. 

Comment: This will be a short comment because I don't have much more to say besides "this is perfection", which sort of makes it difficult to keep writing and writing about what can be summarized with the word "perfection" like I said.

This the third installment in the Hidden legacy series, (well at least I hope it's a series and not just the so far trilogy) and in this book Nevada finally faces the reality and makes the request to start a House with her family. She is also tasked with finding her boyfriend's ex fiancé's husband and she needs to deal with the fact her paternal grandmother is after her and her family because of their magic. Thankfully, Nevada is smart, resourceful and she has people and family with her...

This is an excellent addition to the series. I know I already said so, but this felt perfect to em, especially when it comes to plot structure and details intertwined together so well it just feels and seems so easy when countless not so good books out there proof it isn't so.

The authors must have a great technique when it comes to communicate what they want to achieve, what details to use and can grab the reader's attention the best.

The thing is, the books by these authors all feel they could only go the way they do and each little detail, every sentence, even the ones used to portray a comedy scene are chosen to better highlight the story. It really feels that way. 

One could say there lots of details, especially related to some character's powers or other more domestic situations not directly related to the main plot that are irrelevant but honestly, it feels that is the reason why the books seem so vibrant and the characters alive. It just paints a picture that is so easy to imagine and wonder what it would be like to be part of.

As for the main plot, I think it followed the expected path, the characters keep surprising us and I loved how we get glimpses of everyone, and that makes them more realistic to us.

I think the end isn't as definite as it could, so I hope more books will come. I loved how some details in several scenes only made me more curious about the characters and what they go do in the future. I just love this world and how everything is expected to work out. Some of the best hours I've spent reading!

Grade: 10/10