That Summer by Lauren Willig

Published: June 3rd, 2014

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Pages: 352

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

2009: When Julia Conley hears that she has inherited a house outside London from an unknown great-aunt, she assumes it’s a joke. She hasn't been back to England since the car crash that killed her mother when she was six, an event she remembers only in her nightmares. But when she arrives at Herne Hill to sort through the house—with the help of her cousin Natasha and sexy antiques dealer Nicholas—bits of memory start coming back. And then she discovers a pre-Raphaelite painting, hidden behind the false back of an old wardrobe, and a window onto the house's shrouded history begins to open...1849: Imogen Grantham has spent nearly a decade trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man, Arthur. The one bright spot in her life is her step-daughter, Evie, a high-spirited sixteen year old who is the closest thing to a child Imogen hopes to have. But everything changes when three young painters come to see Arthur's collection of medieval artifacts, including Gavin Thorne, a quiet man with the unsettling ability to read Imogen better than anyone ever has. When Arthur hires Gavin to paint her portrait, none of them can guess what the hands of fate have set in motion.From modern-day England to the early days of the Preraphaelite movement, Lauren Willig's That Summer takes readers on an un-put-downable journey through a mysterious old house, a hidden love affair, and one woman’s search for the truth about her past—and herself.

One particular type of novel that I enjoy is where a present day storyline solves a past problem or mystery, with both stories being told at simultaneously.  Lauren Willig is an absolute master at this, (so is Barbara Erskine if you like this style) as anyone who is a fan of her Pink Carnation series can attest.

'That Summer' is a lovely stand-alone novel in that same style, that grabbed me from the get-go and carried me along to the conclusion.  In 2009 Julia inherits a house in England and finds somthing hidden in the back of a wardrobe.  Why is it there and where did it come from?  In 1849, Imogen is trapped in a loveless marriage.  How are the two things related.

2 love stories.  2 mysteries. 2 solutions.  All wrapped up in the nice little bundle that is 'That Summer'.

It's a fairly gentle read that won't take you long to finish and you migh guess the solutions to the mysteries, but you'll enjoy the read while you do.  I'm going to be recommending this one a lot.

Frozen Solid by James Tabor

Published: March 2013

Publisher: Ballentine

Pages: 336

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodread

The nationally bestselling author of The Deep Zone returns with a heart-stopping new Hallie Leland adventure: a chilling tale of suspense set against the forbidding backdrop of the South Pole—perfect for fans of James Rollins and Brad Thor.

An international group of scientists known as Triage believes that overpopulation is dooming the planet, causing climate change, water scarcity, famine, pandemics, and more. For civilization to survive, the scientists conclude that the earth’s population must be reduced—drastically and without delay. But killing is not part of their agenda. Instead, they will genetically engineer and disseminate a common virus that is really a carrier for something much more sinister.

After the mysterious death of a colleague, microbiologist Hallie Leland is dispatched to the South Pole to continue her friend’s research. What she uncovers are alarming details of Triage’s plot, which pits her against forces more terrible than she could have imagined. Now, in one of earth’s loneliest and most treacherous places, where high altitude and extreme environmental conditions can play tricks on the mind, Hallie finds that she has only five days to stop the shocking plan from taking hold.


'Frozen Solid' is a psychological bio thriller that will knock your socks off.  It was one of those books that spooled like a movie through my mind as I was reading.  Within the first few pages we are introduced to the harshest of Antarctic temperatures and someone dies in the most horrifying way.  There are creepy stalkerish killers hiding from sight;  underground salt water lakes full of strange  biological wonders never seen before;  conspiracies afoot that are almost at completion and of course several red herrings to get us going in the wrong direction.  No-one knows who to trust, especially not Hallie, and then it looks like nature just might be against them as well.  

I was sitting shivering at one point because I could almost feel the minus 70 temperatures that were being talked about. and I had to go and  get my copy of the movie The Thing and watch it, just to remind myself what it was about when it was mentioned. (It seems cheesy now, but I saw it when it first came out and it was terrifying all those years ago, before CGI)

'Frozen Solid' was a fairly quick read that offers a somewhat extreme solution to a legitimate global problem and I for one sincerely hope that it never comes to pass.  Great fun and would someone please make it into a movie - I'll go and see it for sure.

  

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Published: June 2011
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Copy: Arc received for review
Summary: Goodreads


From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.



The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.


For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.


With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Witches of East End for review a few weeks ago and had fun reading this newest novel by Melissa de la Cruz, this time written for an adult audience, instead of YA. The premise of Witches is your basic Good vs Evil, but there is really nothing basic about it.

Joanna, Ingrid and Freya are strong, interesting women, who happen to be witches, but with a lot more to them than meets the eye.  The story gives nods to the Salem witch trials and Norse mythology,  (which seemed strangely apt after having just watched 'Thor' at the movies) .  Wait a minute you're saying - Norse mythology in a book about witches.  Yep - I said there was more going on than meets the eye.  Weird things are happening in North Hampton, and part of the appeal of this story is the 'who dunnit' aspect.  There's murder, mystery and mayhem and so much more.

Romance - you betcha!  Ingrid and Freya are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to dating.  I particularly loved the crazy bumblings of Ingrid and Matt - they are just so cute!  Freya and ??? - you'll have to read it to find out what's going on there. Every time I thought I had worked out where things were going, something changed, which kept the story interesting and fun.

All in all I really enjoyed Witches of East End.  A great summer read. It might also be a nice cross-over novel for older YA's - no more or less sex and violence than in most YA's and a lot less language.  But Melissa, what's with the epilogue?  Are you trying to kill me?