Packing my beach bag.........

It's that time of year again......trying to find a happy balance with the the kids' summer activities and a little rest and relaxation. We have a wonderful family vacation planned in paradise soon, so I'm packing my beach bag with all the essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course, great books! When I travel, I always like to bring an interesting mix of topics and genres to match whatever mood I'm in.

Here's a sampling of what's in my beach bag this year:

A contemporary romance..........Paradise by Judith McNaught

A romantic medieval novella e-book.......Lavender Vows by Colleen Gleason

A re-read of a Jazz Age favorite (and anticipating the new movie).......The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A fun, relaxing historical romance and adventure........The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

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Hope you have some great reading ahead in the coming months......I'll be a bit scarce on my blog this summer but hopefully will still stop in from time to time to visit your blog........in the meantime....aloha!

Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught

"Elizabeth Cameron.....The Countess of Havenhurst possessed a rare gentleness and fierce courage to match her exquisite beauty. But her reputation is shattered when she is discovered in the arms of Ian Thorton, a notorious gambler and social outcast.

Ian Thorton.....A dangerously handsome man of secret wealth and mysterious lineage, his voyage to Elizabeth's heart is fraught with intrigue, scandal, and a venomous revenge.

Destined for each other, yet wary of each other's motives, Elizabeth and Ian engage in a dance of suspicion and passion that tests the very soul of their star-crossed love. As a twisting path of secrets takes them from London's drawing rooms to the mysterious Scottish Highlands, Elizabeth must learn the truth: is Ian merely a ruthless fortune hunter at heart?" (from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Looking for the perfect summertime read? Grab a glass of iced tea and relax with a Judith McNaught novel, and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Her books hook me right from the first page, and the plot is always tightly woven threads that all fall neatly into place for a satisfying ending. Her characters always seem to be three-dimensional and, of course, beautiful. Lavish settings with dukes and duchesses, exquisite ballgowns glowing in candlelight, and ladies and gentlemen waltzing the evening away....until a shocking scandal and the mother of all misunderstandings disrupts what would have been a delightful evening and a promising future. Their road to recovering from the scandal and finding their way back to each other makes Almost Heaven an entertaining and poignant read.

My only minor complaint with the storyline was the silly turn of events near the very end -- without giving away a major spoiler, the heroine, Elizabeth, must take the witness stand and decides to play the part of a witless chit (translation: too stupid to live) and I think it came across as very silly and unnecessary in an otherwise really delightful tale of star-crossed lovers.

4/5 stars

Title: Almost Heaven
Author: Judith McNaught
Pocket Books
1990
517 pages
genre: historical romance

Once and Always by Judith McNaught

"In this beloved novel, bestselling author Judith McNaught powerfully brings to life the fiery passion of a free-spirited American beauty and a troubled lord. Theirs is one of McNaught's most masterful and moving love stories." (from the publisher)



my thoughts:

Judith McNaught is a new-to-me author, and I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to her romance writings. She has a very engaging writing style and a fast-moving plot, and I will defintely be reading more of McNaught's novels.

Set in England in 1815, Lord Jason Fielding is rich, powerful, arrogant, and married to an exquisitely beautiful and shallow woman.....she spends most of her time in the arms of other men, and Lord Fielding couldn't care less. Theirs is a miserable relationship, and the only thing in the world that Jason loves is his little son, Jamie. His life is one that is tortured and haunted by painful childhood secrets and a cold and unfaithful wife.

Victoria Seaton is a distant cousin of Lord Fielding that is being raised in America by her English mother and American father. She is a spirited and kind-hearted soul and in love with her childhood sweetheart, Andrew Bainbridge. Together, they plan their future and intend to one day marry.

When tragedy occurs for both Lord Feilding and Victoria, fate steps in and places Victoria on a boat to Wakefield,to the beautiful English estate owned by her notorious cousin, Jason Fielding. It is here, at Wakefield, that Victoria comes to learn of her mother's sorrowful and star-crossed past, and she is embraced by her uncle, Charles, who would love nothing more than to have her married to Lord Fielding. Her uncle devises a plan to announce their betrothal without their knowledge or consent. However, Jason wants nothing to do with her, and Victoria is confident that Andrew will still be her husband one day.

Victoria is confused by her feelings for Jason...she is frightened of his chilling and arrogant demeanor, but is drawn to him and senses his hidden pain. He, too, finds that Victoria stirs conflicting emotions in him; she is beautiful and desirable, but still in love with another man. Jason is not the kind of man to fall in love, but once he does, it will be for always.

Many lively, three-dimensional characters and lies, treachery, and family secrets make this a very enjoyable tale of love and passion.

4/5 stars

Title: Once and Always
Author: Judith McNaught
375 pages
1987
Pocket Books
genre: historical romance