Power Play by Catherine Coulter

I recently read (well actually listened to the audio CD on a long road trip to PA) <em>Power Play</em>. The book was about this US Ambassador, who in the midst of some personal issues and threats, happens to come across FBI Agent Davis Sullivan in a chance encounter. They form a friendship and she asks him to help her out with her problem. During this, the ambassador's daughter becomes a target, and Davis must protect her as well. Throughout this, there is some tension of the male/female sort, which adds just enough interest to satisfy the romantic in me.  

The book is quite thrilling and leaves you on the edge of your seat--for me, literally, as I was driving. When I got to my destination, I wasn't done with the book yet, and I found myself anxious to get on the road again just so I could finish it! 

On a side note, Catherine Coulter's FBI thrillers are all great books. Each one has its own plot (so she isn't one of those authors to use the sake plot line over and over again) and is exciting, suspenseful, humorous, and has just enough of a romantic touch that makes me happy. She's like a female James Patterson, but better. They make great reads for a variety of readers!

"Fast Track" by Julie Garwood

While on vacation this past week, I read my brand new Julie Garwood book, <em>Fast Track</em>. It is the latest in her modern romantic fiction Buchanan series. Being set in the summer and much of it in a warmer climate, it was a great beach read. 

The book was about Cordelia, the last of the female Chicago trio to find a mate. Cordie finds a secret about her mother from her dying father, and the plot follows her journey to find her mother. What she doesn't expect is to be almost killed, or to be (of course because it wouldn't be a romance book without it) paired with her longtime crush from afar. 

As far as books go, <em>Fast Track</em> was predictable, followed similar patterns to most of Julie Garwood's books, and a bit unrealistic when it comes to the male lead. However, it was still enjoyable to read. I recommend it for a good vacation read, and if you like an easy romantic fiction read.

For mystery/ thriller lovers

I started reading some of Catherine Coulter's FBI thriller books, such as The Cove, Blowout, Whiplash. I have to say, I am really enjoying them! I think I have found a new go-to mystery novelist. 

The books I have read so far are- ahem- thrilling and mysterious. They are very exciting, and they definitely keep me on the edge of my seat. So far, in the ones I have read, there has been an element of romance, which is of importance to me. Catherine Coulter writes with wit and description, and she gives a tease of information that will either help solve the mystery, or lead off track. Her thrillers often include the married agents Savich and Sherlock, who are pretty bad a$$, pardon my language. At times, her male characters can seem larger than life, but they have qualities that make them seem just like the average person. The female leads are very likeable and have down to earn characteristics. 

I recommend the FBI thrillers to people who like action and mystery, as well as the aspect of government agencies. I feel that men and women might enjoy thia; however, I'm coming at it from the female perspective. Though there is nothing R-rated about it, I feel that adults would enjoy these books more, as the main characters are often in their later 20s or older. 

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

I decided to read <em>Fifty Shades of Grey</em>. I'm not really sure why, as it was more popular about two years ago. I remember several of my students raving about it. However, I read it as an electronic version on my iPad, as I didn't want people to see what was reading. 

The book is about Ana, who is getting ready to graduate college, and does a favor for a friend. This favor leads her to meet Christian Grey, a local billionaire and Adonis. Christian tries to pursue a type of relationship with Ana, and she finds out that this relationship involves BDSM and kinky sex. The first book covers their budding relationship and Ana's reluctance to begin this type of sex relationship. 

Surprisingly, the books were not bad. I expected the trilogy to be all about sex and not well written, with a flimsy plot and weak characters. I was pleasantly surprised. However, there is a LOT of sex described in detail in the books. I think the books would have still been good if this had been toned down to even R-rated, but more like PG-13.  Ana, the protagonist and narrator is actually pretty likeable. She's got a sense of humor, and she is pretty strong as she tries to resist Christian's (ahem) "charms." Furthermore, I wanted to dislike Christian for his lifestyle choices; however, I saw him more as an adult child of abuse and had sympathy for him. The fact that he was also seeing a therapist was encouraging. As for the quality of writing, I certainly didn't expect words like "loquacious" or for there to be symbolism. There were a few moments where the book was "Twilight-esque" in that Ana's world quickly becomes all about Christian; although, Ana actually has a spine and a brain, unlike Bella. 

Recommendations. When I undertook this task of reading <em>Fifty Shades</em>, I expected to say that I would only recommend this to porn stars.  There is a lot of gratuitous detail on the sex. With that said, I would actually recommend this if people can look past the sex scenes, but I wouldn't recommend that people under 18 read this. If I'm being honest, the plot was not bad, and I found myself liking it despite my original conceptions. I believe there is a movie coming out, but If it goes by the book, it might be porn. If they make it, I hope they make it more "appropriate," which is what the books could have been in the first place. So, if you like modern romantic fiction and/or erotica, you should read these books.

For historical fiction lovers

A series of books I recommend for people who love historical fiction, as well as modern fiction, romance, and adventure is The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. These are probably some of my absolute favorite books. 

The series takes place in the early 1800s during the reign of Bonaparte. The heroines and heroes are all somehow  (however distant or willing) involved in plots to save England with the help of the most elusive spy, the Pink Carnation. In addition, they all manage to fall in love. Throughout the series, the modern fiction piece is woven with the
heroine on the hunt for the identity of the Pink Carnation. Her story often parallels the historical part, and we see both heroines in their adventures and mishaps and loves. One thing I love about each story's main character is the fact that they are normal.  As a reader I can always relate to them and their struggles. All of the books are playful and humorous, while revealing intricate plots and developments and containing a wealth of historical knowledge and background. 

I recommend these books for people who love history, fiction, romance, adventure, humor, and vocabulary (you'll learn a lot of new words!). These books probably also relate more to the female reader and, more specifically, to the female reader who is over 18, as there are some parts that may be a bit risqué. 

What is a bibliophile?

In a strategies class for struggling readers I taught this past spring, we covered root words, prefixes, and suffixes. My students didn't really enjoy this as much as I did. I tried to get them to enjoy the mystery of figuring out unknown words using clues you know (roots), but they didn't as see it as fun. One day when I was teaching them, I told them I was a bibliophile. They were a little disturbed because, using prior knowledge, they knew a pedophile is something bad. However, we broke down the word. I taught them about "biblio" which refers to books and "phile" which is "lover of." So my kids now knew I was a book lover.

In this blog, I will post about the various books I read and what kind of reader they would be appropriate for. I hope you learn!