Leyland's Log

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Mon June 15th, 2009, 7:35 pm

#26 Nethergate by Norah Lofts. Very interesting plotting told in several parts over two generations by different first person POVs. Good story! The link to the review contains spoilers without giving away enjoyment of the story, if interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Nethergate-Norah- ... 103&sr=1-7

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Mon June 15th, 2009, 9:25 pm

I read that one a few months ago, and definitely the best luck I've had with Lofts to date. Can't recall why I wasn't inclined to write a review, but I seem to recall that one review on Amazon already told so much of the story I was like *why bother*?

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Wed June 17th, 2009, 7:31 pm

#27 Third Degree by Greg Isles. A contemporary drama/thriller by an interesting writer who resides in and sets his novels in Mississippi.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Tue June 23rd, 2009, 3:58 pm

#28 Ice Hunt by James Rollins. Excellent contemporary military action/thriller set in Arctic polar cap and includes a nest of mysterious beasts around which a 1930's research lab was founded, only to be abandoned in WWII. Some of the action (and there's a ton of it) reminded me of Dan Simmons' The Terror.

Will find more Rollins to read for sure!

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Sun June 28th, 2009, 12:42 pm

#29 Black Order by James Rollins. I'm on a Rollins roll now! He's got a well crafted scientific thriller/Indiana Jones thing going on that's pulling me into some fun summer reading. Just started another one of his after a trip to a used bookstore for more.

#30 and #31 were two more Rollins: Excavation and Amazonia. Intelligent and thrilling adventures. I do not want to ever tour the Amazon jungle - all those nasty bugs!

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Wed July 8th, 2009, 12:23 pm

#32 Legacy by Susan Kay. I agree with other forum members regarding its excellence as a very well written, informative and entertaining portrait of Elizabeth I's origins and life. However, I put it down at page 500 due to Bess fatigue! I'm sure I'll complete it one day - just need a bit of a break.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Wed July 22nd, 2009, 11:19 pm

#33 through #42 were contemp suspense/romance

Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards
Night's Landing by Carla Neggers
Alpha Female by April Christofferson - a great Yellowstone Park setting!
Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

And a half dozen urban fantasy/paranormal suspense books that I won't bother to list! A couple of the better authors were Jocelynn Drake and Lisa Shearin.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Sat August 22nd, 2009, 2:12 pm

#43 The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. A likable tale about a seriously warped family and filled with lovely gothic elements and touches for book lovers. Probably not a keeper.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Mon August 31st, 2009, 11:42 pm

#44 Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles. I had to force myself to finish this novel due to the author's writing style. The Missouri setting at the end of the American Civil War and the horrific, rarely kind, events endured by a young woman escaping by foot southward to her family home after being incarcerated as a Confederate spy were very interesting. Quite unusual even.

However, the author didn't use quotation marks for dialogue and I kept getting confused as to whether a character was speaking or thinking or performing some action. I had to go back and re-read sections in order to get it straight. She used a stark and unemotional style to describe surroundings that became so flat and uninteresting to the point that I had to force myself to keep going. Reminded me of Cormac McCarthy in a way. Not a keeper for me.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Sun September 13th, 2009, 10:52 pm

#45 Sandstorm by James Rollins. Interesting and far fetched (as usual).

and

#46 In the Woods by Tana French. I've gotten into contemporary Irish authors lately. I plan to read her next crime drama novel, The Likeness, as well.