Thirteen Books

At Some Disputed Barricade by Anne Perry ~ Joseph has to prove the innoncence of 11 men and the guilt of one. This book ends on a hopeful note. I am off to read the final book in the series.

We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry ~ the Peacemaker is unmasked. Joseph and Judith make personal sacrifices to be with the people they love.

A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry ~ Charlotte Pitt's vinegar tongued Grandmama, Mariah Ellison, shows her metal and solves a murder.

A Christmas Visitor by Anne Perry ~ Henry Rathbone (Oliver Rathbone's Father from the Monk series) is visiting his Goddaughter after the death of his husband. Henry must clear her husbands name of a false charge and prove that his death wasn't an accident but murder to prevent the truth from coming out.

Brisingr (Fire) by Christopher Paolini ~ This was suppose to be the last book in the Inheritance Trilogy, disappointingly enough the trilogy has turned into a cycle so now I am stuck waiting for him to write yet another book. Hopefully it will not take as long. For those of you unfamiliar with Christopher Paolini and his work he has been homeschooled his whole life, graduated at 15 and wrote Eragon. He became a New York Times best selling author at 19, and Eragon was made into a movie (which I haven't seen). In Book I (Eragon) Eragon finds a Dragon Egg, the egg hatches and out emerges Saphira. When the Ra'zac attack the village Eragon, Saphira, and Brom the storyteller escape. Eragon learns that Brom was once a Dragon Rider and he teaches Eragon & Saphira some of the stuff they will need to stay alive. Before they can reach safety Brom is killed, and Murtagh (a young boy slightly older then Eragon) drives the Ra'zac away helping Eragon and Saphira escape. They rescue Arya (an elf) and flee to the Beor Mountains, where they are taken in by the Varden (rebels). There it is revealed that Murtagh is the son of Morzan, Galbatorix's evil henchman. Murtagh however has denounced his dead father's villainy and fled the Empire. In Book II (Eldest) Murtagh has been enslaved by Galbatorix and is forced to serve him along with his dragon, Thorn. Murtagh has also learned that he and Eragon share the same Mother. Eragon and Saphira go to the elves to be trained by the only surviving Dragon Rider and his Dragon; Oromis and Glaedr. The dragons turn Eragon into an elf-human hybrid in order to heal his wounds. Eragon's cousin Roran has convinced the surviving villagers to join the Varden and vows to rescue his fiancee Katrina from the Ra'zac. Murtagh & Thorn defeat Eragon and Saphira but he overcomes Galbatorix's hold long enough to let Eragon and Saphira go and spare their life. Book III (Brisingr) ~Eragon, Saphira, and Roran rescue Katrina. Roran marries Katrina and becomes a leader of the Varden. Eragon gets a riders sword which erupts into flames when he says it's name, Brisingr. Oromis and Glaedr reveal where Galbatorix gets his power and Glaedr gives his heart of hearts to Eragon & Saphira. Oromis & Glaedr come out of hiding and engage Murtagh & Thorn in battle. Oromis tries to break Galbatorix's hold on Murtagh, but Galbatorix takes control of Murtagh and slays Oromis and Thorn kills Glaedr's body. Eragon discovers who his father was.

Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel - An earthquake tears one couple apart and brings two very unlikely couples together. Overall a good book although the couple who supposedly "lost everything" had enough money to get two nice apartments, buy nice Christmas presents and continue employing their Nanny. Obviously Steel's idea of losing everything and mine are vastly different. The couple was no longer Mega Rich. Hubby did go to prison though so they did lose a lot that money can't buy.

Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ Talon is a Celtic Chieftain who was betrayed by his tribe and cursed by the God Camulus (after he killed Camulus' son). Now Camulus, Dionysus and Styxx have joined forces in hopes of killing Ash and releasing the Atlantean Destroyer (too bad they don't know who Ash really is or they would realize how stupid their plan is). In order to distract Talon they have brought him together with Sunshine (the reincarnation of his dead wife Nynia). But what Camulus doesn't know about Sunshine & Ash will be his undoing.

Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ Artemis (the heifer Goddess, I love it when Simi calls her that) has sent Thanatos and the Blood Squires to kill Zarek, even though she has agreed to allow Astrid to judge him. When Ash finds out she tries to recall Thanatos but he refuses to return to his prison. Because Ash gave Artemis his word he can't leave Mount Olympus. Ash sends Simi to protect Zarek and Astrid from Thanatos but tells Simi not to talk to Zarek or kill Thanatos to appease Artemis. Simi who takes Ash's orders literally doesn't talk to Zarek but she does show him the memories that Ash erased that show what really happened to Zarek's village. Not knowing that Artemis stole Ash's dagger (the only thing that can kill Simi) and gave it to Thanatos he doesn't realize Simi's life is in danger until she is mortally wounded by Thanatos. Zarek gets Simi to safty and Artemis agrees to bring her to Ash leaving Zarek and Astrid undefended. Zarek sends Astrid to safety and prepares to die until Ash gives him the power and the knowledge to kill Thanatos, but with Ash's powers he merely imprisons Thanatos instead of killing him. For his mercy and his protection of Astrid and Simi Themis allows Astrid's innocent verdict to stand, even though Astrid violated her impartiality oath. Now all Astrid and Zarek have to do is get Artemis to give them Zarek's soul, so they can live happily ever after.

A Dark Hunter Christmas - Gallagher learns that families come in all shapes and sizes.