The Collector by Nora Roberts

Title: The Collector

Author: Nora Roberts

Type: Novel
Genre: Romance

Series: No

Pages: 483
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from Good reads
From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a novel of a woman who needs nothing, a man who sees everything, and the web of deceit, greed, and danger that brings them together—and could tear them apart . . .

When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one. . . .

Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn’t capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Ash longs to paint her as intensely as he hungers to touch her. But their investigation draws them into a rarified circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away, and stolen, where what you possess is who you are, and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession. . . .

Feelings:
Like with most of the Nora Roberts books of the last 5 or so years there is a bit of murder mixed in. I enjoy the suspense it adds. However, it means there are less hot and sweaty scenes. As long as it has at least one scene I'm happy. If the romance wasn't actually a romance but lead me to believe it was a romance but then there were only glances and accidental brushing of arms as they walked next to each other. This book delivered on the glances and touches and they built nicely and were released.

I enjoyed the characters in the story, writer Lila and artist Ashton were just unique enough to keep me wanting to spend time with them. Having Lila write young adult novels was interesting to me and I enjoyed reading about her thinking about her story. Makes me wonder if Nora Roberts would consider writing the young adult novel her character was writing. There was a lot of it planned out in the novel. I'm guessing the answer is no, I don't see werewolves as something she would write.

I would recommend this novel to those that enjoy romance with a bit of mystery in the mix. It was an enjoyable read with characters I wouldn't mind sharing a glass of wine with on a lovely balcony in New York City.

Fruits Basket Volume 11 by Natsuki Takaya

Title: Fruits Basket, Volume 11 
Author: Natsuki Takaya 
Type: Manga 
Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Yes, Vol. 11 of 23 
Pages: 206 
Copyright: 2005 
Publisher: TOKYOPOP Inc. 
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
The world's most popular shojo manga continues! While at the Sohma vacation home, Tohru is caught in a whirlwind of family strife. Can she relax and put the "fun" in dysfunctional? None of the Sohmas are going to make it easy, including an angry horse that attacks Tohru. Could this be a new member of the Zodiac? Meanwhile, in a fierce argument with Akito, Kyo reveals his true feelings for Tohru. Will Akito tell Tohru about Kyo's secret crush? And speaking of secrets, Akito makes a major announcement - one that will reveal his true identity and change the Sohma family forever!

Feelings:
At the summer home Akito has interrupted a good summer vacation and all the members of the zodiac are forced to spend time with him leaving Tohru by herself or with Kyo.  She as always makes the best of the situation and seems to have fun even by herself.

At the end of the volume we have the much waited for revelation of why Akito is the head of the Sohma family. I will not reveal it here but I was beginning to think it had to be something like that.

I'm still really enjoying the series and hope it continues to be as good.

Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford

Title: Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrator: Raul Colon

Type: Children's book
Genre: Non-Fiction

Series: No

Pages: 40
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
A stunning picture-book biography of iconic African American opera star Leontyne Price.

Born in a small town in Mississippi in 1927, the daughter of a midwife and a sawmill worker, Leontyne Price might have grown up singing the blues. But Leontyne had big dreams—and plenty to be thankful for—as she surrounded herself with church hymns and hallelujahs, soaked up opera arias on the radio, and watched the great Marian Anderson grace the stage. 
           
While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne’s wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world—most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.

From award-winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Raul Colón comes the story of a little girl from Mississippi who became a beloved star—one whose song soared on the breath of her ancestors and paved the way for those who followed.

Feelings:
I thought I would be able to use this book for a student but upon reading it I found that while I enjoyed the book it was written to show the language of the time and the language of the South and that doesn't really work for someone that is trying to learn English.

The images in the book fit well with the time that the book was written about. Leontyne Price's story is that of the civil rights movement as well as that of a woman trying to make her own way int he world. She was an inspiring woman. I didn't feel like the story was quite on par with the individual though. 

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: Deep Blue 
Author: Jennifer Donnelly 
Type: Young Adult Novel 
Genre: Fantasy 
Series: Waterfire Saga #1 
Pages: 340 
Copyright: 2014 
Publisher: Disney Press 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

Feelings: 
This story was not what I was expecting. Having read some of Jennifer Donnelly's adult fiction I was curious what the story would be like. In my head I was thinking "Little Mermaid" I'm not sure why but this story was nothing like that. I'm glade it wasn't.

There is conflict between the humans and the Mer but that is not the major conflict. The major conflict comes from the fact that someone one is killing the Mer people and it appears that it is the different nations of Mer going to war. Serafina the Princess of the Miromarans finds herself caught in the struggle and she must find it in herself to believe in what she thought was just a children's story to scar children that didn't listen to their parents.

This is just the beginning of the story and I'm looking forward to seeing where that story goes in the next book.

Fruits Basket Volume 10 by Natsuki Takaya

Title: Fruits Basket, Volume 10 
Author: Natsuki Takaya 
Type: Manga 
Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Yes, Vol. 10 of 23 
Pages: 202 
Copyright: 2005 
Publisher: TOKYOPOP Inc. 
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
The world's number one shojo manga continues, as Tohru and the Sohmas spend time at the Sohma's summerhouse. Alas, it's not all fun in the sun on this little trip. Akito pays a surprise visit, causing a commotion for the rest of the family. Shigure takes a stroll down memory lane with an old friend, remembering the days when Hatori wasn't so aloof. Meanwhile, Tohru begins to wonder: What must life be like for the loved ones of a cursed member of the Sohma family? Can life with this family truly be happy while bearing such a burden?

Feelings:
This volume begins to have Tohru question what her life will be like if she says with the Sohma family. Akito is getting to be a bigger character in the series as well. However, he and Tohru don't really have many interactions. I keep wondering how Akito got to be the head of the Sohma family. It doesn't make much sense to me that he is the head.

I enjoyed this volume of Fruits Basket. The characters are growing and the summer vacation looked like they were having fun until Akito showed up.

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Anselm Grun

Title: The Legend of Saint Nicholas 
Author: Anselm Grun

Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri   
Type: Children's book 
Genre: Non-Fiction 
Series: No 
Pages: 26 
Copyright: 2014 
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers 
Rating: 2.5 out of 5


Summary: from good reads
Many stories are told about Saint Nicholas -- stories about his generosity and his miracles, stories about the concern he showed for those in poverty. This warm, inviting books tells many of these stories, both familiar and lesser-known. It recounts how he ended a famine by multiplying grain from a merchant ship and how he walked on water to rescue sailors from a terrible storm. And, of course, it tells the story of how Nicholas gave his inheritance to prevent a desperate man from selling his daughters into slavery.Anselm Grun's simple, graceful text and Giuliano Ferri's beautiful paintings combine to provide the perfect way to introduce young readers to the rich life of this beloved saint.
 
Feelings:
This was a different story of Saint Nicholas than what I had been previously familiar with. I liked that it shows him as an individual that gave what he could to help others. The art work fit the story well in my opinion. I did like the story but it seemed to be lacking something that made it shine and stick out among other books about Saint Nicholas.