"The Stuff That Never Happened" by Maddie Dawson

336 pages

In her head, Annabelle knows that she's lucky. She has a faithful husband a career that she loves, and two loving grown children. Her heart, however, can't let go of a man she loved more than twenty-five years ago. Her feelings for Jeremiah never really left, but they've intensified as her husband, Grant, has begun writing a book and become completely engrossed in his work, leaving Annabelle lonely and isolated. Then Annabelle leaves their home in New Hampshire to take care of their daughter in New York during her high-risk pregnancy, putting even more literal and figurative distance between Annabelle and Grant. And when Annabelle runs into Jeremiah on the streets of the city, she's forced to confront her past with him and decide where her future will take her.

This isn’t the type of book I normally read, but I enjoyed it. I myself often feel paralyzed when making big decisions that will affect the rest of my life, so I sympathize with Annabelle as she struggles to figure out what to do about her marriage. She seems like a real person, as do her daughter and son. Grant and Jeremiah, however, seem very two-dimensional to me. One of the big problems I have with this book is that neither of the two men Annabelle feels torn between is really as wonderful as she’s made them out to be in her mind. Grant is so obsessed with writing his book that he’s downright neglectful, and Jeremiah just seems completely selfish. I also didn’t like the repetitiveness that comes up occasionally—Annabelle rehashes the same thoughts over and over, which is realistic but not fun to read. Still, I thought it was nice to read a book that describes marriage as it is in real life, with problems and flawed people, instead of the fairy-tale stuff that we often find in fiction. 

When She Woke

When She Woke
by Hillary Jordan
352 pages

I could not put this book down! In a possibly not so distant future US, Hannah Payne has just been turned into a Chrome. Chromes are criminals who have been injected with a virus that turns their color a certain color-each color represents a certain level of criminal activity. Hannah has been turned Red-for the murder of her unborn child. Facing the prejudice that comes with being a Chrome, Hannah starts to question everything she was raised to believe, mainly her faith. I think the main question of the book is: is free will rebellion against God or a gift from Him? Hannah is someone I think everyone can relate to because everyone has questioned their beliefs at some point, or faltered in their faith. I think it's just human nature.

Sex With the Queen

Sex With the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics
by Eleanor Herman
322 pages

The title pretty much says it all. This is a book  that goes behind the closed doors of the queens of Europe. It talks about Anne Boleyn, Catherine the Great, and some other lesser known queens and royalty.  It discusses how some queens took a lover looking for love, and how some queens accused of adultry (mainly Anne Boleyn) were actually innocent but other factions of court wanted to get rid of them.

This was a pretty interesting read, especially since it discussed queens that I had never learned of.  I'm obsessed with royal history so I found this book fascinating.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

by Milan Kundera, 314 pages

This story is set during the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.  It follows the lives of four characters, Tomas,a womanizing doctor, his wife Tereza, his mistress Sabina, and her lover Franz.

Kundera created each of his characters around an idea.  Each embodies a particular philosophy.  Physical descriptions are spare except where they are essential to characterization.

This is a compelling read full of ideas, concepts and emotions.  Not all of the characters are easily likable, but they are all interesting.  Pick this one up if you're interested in existentialism.

P.S.  I hear it's nothing like the movie (which leaves out one of the main characters!)

A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh

You've all heard the story. Girl from meager means (Hannah) snags one of the richest men in the country who just happens to be really, really old. When he finally dies Hannah is now the Duchess of Dumbarton and she is very wealthy and has a reputation for taking lovers and being an ice princess. What no one knows is that this time, the rumors are true-she is going to take a lover and she's set on Constantine Huxtable. Will he be up to the challenge or dismiss her ridiculous power plays?

This is #5 in the Huxtable series but it easily stands on its own. Engaging characters, quick pace and situations that are far fetched in this day and age but focus on the core kindness of humanity. A nice introductory author into historical romance. Very tame on the sexual content. 2010, 352 pages.