Beyond the Horizon: Connie Mason

"Red and white, Indian and settler, male and female, they came together in a fierce clash of wills as the wagons trains rolled ever westward, following the dream of a new life...

"As the sheltered daughter of the once prosperous Branigan family; beautiful Shannon was ill-prepared for the rigors of the Oregon Trail, but she was still less prepared for half-breed scout Swift Blade. His dark eyes seemed to pierce her very soul, stripping away layers of civilization and baring her hidden longing to his savage gaze. His bronzed arms were forbidden to her, his searing kisses just a tantalizing fantasy; but as the countless miles passed beneath the wagon wheels, taking them to the heart of Indian territory, Shannon sensed that this untamed land would give her new strength and freedom to love the one man who could fulfill her wild desire."

Anyone who has read some of my other blog posts knows that I love Connie Mason. Though this book took me a while to get through, I really ended up enjoying it. Blade was a good, tortured character who was haunted by things he could not change, no matter how hard he tried. However, sometimes, Shannon fell a little flat. I loved her attitude in some parts, but she occasionally stumbled into the role of "thick-headed female lead". That didn't deter me from the plot, however. I'm not usually one for "Western" novels, but this one was good. It flowed well and kept me interested. It was a bit long...though I ended up liking it. As usual, I will keep on reading Mason's wonderful works!

***I had a feeling that there was more to the story of Shannon's family, but wasn't sure until I read the note from Connie Mason at the end of the book. Apparently, this book was some sort of a continuation of a book written by another author--Robin Lee Hatcher--titled "Promised Sunrise". It's the story of Shannon's older brother, Tucker. I really wish I had read that book first (that there had been some sort of note on her site or something), but oh well...I'll just have to go out and get that one now. I'll let you know how it is!***

Knight Swam: Katya Lezin

"In middle school, at least the one Drew attends, smart is not cool. In fact, smart is about as uncool as you can get. SCRABBLE Club is the one refuge in his socially ostracizing day and ends up spelling out his salvation and redemption. SCRABBLE also provides a shared outlit for Lily and her autistic brother, Jeremy. Competing together in the National School SCRABBLE Championship, these two bright, out-of-the-box students learn as much about themselves as they do words like mbaqanga and ouabain."

My aunt gave me this book while I was visiting her this past week. It was written by one of her friends and she wanted me to read it before I met her so we would have something to talk about (I am trying to get my own book published and my aunt thought Katya might be able to give me some pointers. It also only seemed logical that I know what she wrote so I didn't look like I was trying to get something from her). This book is so not what I usually read, but it was actually a very good, quick read. It did not take me long at all. However, I found that I loved the characters and truly enjoyed the plot. I think it's actually something that many children of the middle school age should read. It has relevant issues and fun little twists that kept me reading.

(Sorry that I don't have a picture of the cover. I actually wasn't able to find one!)

Talk to the Snail--Ten Commandments for Understanding the French: Stephen Clarke

"DON'T GO TO FRANCE WITHOUT READING THIS BOOK!

"Have you ever walked into a half-empty Parisian restaurant, only to be told that it's 'complet'? Attempted to say 'merci beaucoup' and accidentally complimented someone's physique? Been over-looked at the boulangerie due to your adherence to the bizarre foreign custom of waiting in line?

"Well, you're not alone. Internationally best-selling author Stephen Clarke has been there too, and he is here to help. In Talk to the Snail, Clarke distills the fruits of years spent in the French trenches into a handy (and hilarious) book of comentary and advice. Read this book, and find out how to get good service from the grumpiest waitor; be exquisitely polite and brutally rude at the same time; and employ the language of l'amour and le sexe. Clarke also illuminates some of the reasons the French get under our skins: How they work only thirty-five hours a week and yet still go on strike? Why are they so convinced of their own superiority? And what's this myth about French women not getting fat?

"Packed with useful phrases, candid tips, and deft intercultural analysis, Talk to the Snail is a must-have guide to getting what you want from the French."

I picked up this book at work for something to do when it was really slow. Little did I know that I would have to put it down many times because I was laughing too loudly in a library. It was HILARIOUS!!! I loved the wit and character that this book contained. The "commandments" themselves are only a hint at the laughter to come:

1) Thou Shalt Be Wrong (if you are not French): Why every Frenchman is 'Monsieur Right'
2) Thou Shalt Not Work: Why long weekends are good for the French economy
3) Thou Shalt Eat: Just because it smells of pig's droppings doesn't mean it'll taste like them
4) Thou Shalt Be Ill: Getting the best out of the French national drug habit
5) Thou Shalt Speak French: Fun ways to mispronounce words and offend people
6) Thou Shalt Not Sing (in tune, anyway): A French artiste says: 'Pretentious, moi?'
7) Thou Shalt Not Know: Don't mention the war, nuclear power, tax or structural surveys
8) Thou Shalt Not Love Thy Neighbor: Oui, I am smoking into your dinner, et alors?
9) Thou Shalt Not Be Served: Garcon? Waiter? Bonjour? Oh, forget it
10) Thou Shalt Be Polite (and simultaneously rude): Bonjour, Madame, vous etes une idiote
11) Thou Shalt Say 'I Love You': The perils of French-style amour

I have to say that number seven is one of my favorites, but all of the ten (though there are really 11...go figure...) commandments were awesome.

I REALLY recommend this book for anyone who likes to travel, plans to go to France, or is just looking for a REALLY good laugh!

:D