Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Book Review: I'll Walk Alone - Mary Higgins Clark

I have just realize i missed the release date for this book :(
It's out sometime ago, last April if i'm not wrong..
And yet, i just know it today! What a awful fan..

Storyline

Alexandra Moreland, known as Zan to her close friends, was already separated with her husband Edward "Ted" Carpenter when she noticed that she's pregnant. When her husband offered her to take a responsibility of the kid, Zan refuses him, as she though he wasn't expecting it. But Ted has been nice and accepted her refusal. So they lived separatedly, and Ted was in a state where he had to pretend to love an artist under his management, Melissa Knight.  Melissa was a huge and famous artist, she was irreplaceable in his company, and he needed the money he get from taking care her. All three of them lived quite peacefully, until one day, when Zan was in a hurry for a meeting with a potential client, she let their son, Matthew, to be taken care by Tiffany. Tiffany was a girl Zan trusted, she's been babysitting Matthew several times. But that day Tiffany was a bit sick, so Zan gave her a drink, and a flu medicine.
Later that afternoon, Matthew was sleeping at the baby carriage, and Tiff take him to the park. Tiff fallen asleep as well, and wake up two hours later, finding that Matthew is gone! It put her into a very stressful condition, and she just didn't know how she's going to tell Zan.

Two years later, Matthew is still gone. No one heard anything about him.
On the other side, Matthew was save with Gloria. All Matthew knew was they're hiding from bad people. And Glory was there to help him hide. They have been moving around several times, and Matthew missed her mother so much. He's been putting soap under his pillow, because it smells just like mommy.

Gloria was an make-up artist, so she could do imposter very well. This task started to iritate her, because it was longer than it intended to do. She also started to like this little boy, as he's so smart. But at the same time, she wanted it all to be done, and went on with her career as an actress. The man who plan all of this said it's going to be done soon. And it will end with a death!

As a catholic, Gloria went to church, she felt guilty. When she saw the Father, Father Aiden O'Brien, at the Reconciliation Room, she was just able to say "I know a murder that someone is planning to commit and I can't stop it." And feeling guily, she didn't tell him the rest. Father Aiden was left in shocked.

It was on Matthew's 5th birthday, that Ted called Zan up for a dinner. And so they had it. In the middle of the dinner, Josh, Zan's dear assistant, rushed in. He showed them a picture taken by a tourist when the day Matthew gone. It seems that the woman taking Matthew from the baby carriage was Zan! Ted can't believe it, and he just went mad at her.

Since then, Zan's life was shaken. It seems that all evidence shown that it was indeed her, kindapping Matthew. Even the baby sitter, Tiff, started to say bad about her, how it is possible that Zan put a sleeping pills into the pepsi she drank. Tiff was a bit irritated because these years, people has been accusing her for being careless. Ted didn't believe her as well. Zan's also getting her bank account drawn by unknown hacker, and some strange purchases appeared on her credit card. The key witness who Zan was talking with during Matthew's kidnap suddenly said Zan was late on their meeting. Her ex-bos, Barthley Longe, has did his best to beat her in every project she's going. Even the new potential customer, Kevin, who first thought he'll give the project to Zan, decided to choose Longe because of these matter. The world seems to be against her.

After dreadful details, Zan was put into jail, but Willy Meehan bailed him out. Willy and Alvirah were a good friend of Zan, since Zan wrote to Alvirah on how she loves Alvirah's article on kidnap. Alvirah liked Zan, and ordered her to re-do their apartment. Since then they're good friends.

Then Zan realized someone has set this trap for her. It was in her mind that the one to blame was her ex-bos, Longe. However, no one believed her, not even the detectives.
With Kevin, Willy, and Alvirah's help, and also the lawyer, Charles, they started to seek for the truth..

For sure, it wasn't Zan. If she said it wasn't her, so it can't be her, they trusted her.
And at the end, it was proved that some one did imposter her. It started with an ex-cop saying that there was 2 woman looked like Zan.. Which is ofcourse Gloria and Zan..
And Kevin found out that Ted was the one behind this all, since he found a spy-camera in Zan's rooms.

But there is only small time left, will the police able to reach Gloria's house and safe Matthew before Ted's man come and kill them? Will Zan ever saw her son again?


My review
It's been quite sometime since the last time i read Mary Higgins Clark's book. I recall last time, I could guessed easily who is the bad guy. But this time, i think i lose that ability :p
I fall miserably by believing that it was Barthley Longe who set up all these plots against Zan.
But I do like how Mrs. Clark put all the small details, like how Tiff notice the sandals that Zan's imposter looked different. Or how Father O'Brien notice the woman's hand is smaller than Zan's hand..
And she use Alvirah again! Alvirah is still one of my favourite character.. And it's good to imagine how she did good again..
But after finishing the book, and thinking for several seconds, it seems that Mrs. Clark was back at her usual plots after all. She hasn't changed! She put the small details that made us guessed the wrong person, and the bad guy was actually the guy we thought was kind, and how the police was wrong but able to resolve the problems at the end..
Anyway, this book is definetly shouldn't be missed if you're a Mary Higgins Clark's fan
:)

Saturday, 21 May 2011

Book Summary: The Viscount who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series) - Julia Quinn

The Viscount who Loved Me is the second book from Bridgerton Series..
Julia Quinn did impress me with how she manage to collaborate all her books, and relate between one and others.

Anyway, this book is about Anthony, trying to find a wife..
If you recall, on the first book, Lord Bridgerton (Edmund - the father) passed away when all his children are still small.
However, Anthony, being the first kid, felt that he has a deeper bond with his father. Seeing how his adorable, lively, strong father passed away because of bee's stung, made him realize, his life will also ended young. Therefor, he decided not to love anyone. He saw how his mother, Lady Bridgerton (Violet) had to bear losing a person she care most, a person she loved most.

One day Anthony decided it is time to find a wife, and fulfill his duty as a viscount, to have children. The brightest young debutantee at the moment was Edwina Sheffield. Eighteen, smart, blond hair, blue eyes and lovely face, she will be a very good Lady Bridgerton. And most important, he will  respect her, but not love her.

However, all the tons knew that if one wants to marry Edwina, he shall pass her sister's, Kate. Kate was Edwina's step-sister. Both live together with Edwina's mother, Mary. Due to their economic condition, Kate must wait until Edwina's reaching the age of 18 and debuted together in London's season.

Kate simply hate Anthony. For goodness sake, He was a well-known rake. His reputation is so bad, that she can't resist having him in her presence. However, Colin (The third son of Bridgerton), naughty as he is, lied to Anthony and said how Kate adored him. And Colin simply dragged Anthony, and introduced both of them. After several conversation, Anthony realized how Kate hate him.

When Anthony visitted The Sheffield's residence, he brought three roses, one for Mary, one for Edwina, and one for Kate. This simple act touched Kate's heart. No one has ever given her flower. She's usually behind Edwina's shadow. But, she also realize, this prove how good Anthony is in influencing ladies, and that indeed he is a rake.

Several things happened, and Anthony realized how he can't removed Kate from his mind.
Violet, Lady Bridgerton, knew that Anthony had interest in Edwina, and so she invited the Sheffields to Aubrey Hall. During their visit there, Kate and Edwina found how bad the Bridgerton could be when they play Pall Mall. How one try to beat others, and ofcourse, in fun ways.

Also, one time, Kate was out with Anthony, and she decided to told him that she approved him courting Edwina. She realize, deep down, Anthony is a good and loyal man. However, a bee stung her. Anthony still can't get the image of his father's death by a bee's stung, and tried to remove the bee's potion from Kate. They were caught in a questionable position, which lead to the decision of Anthony marrying Kate in the next week.

Since the beginning, before the marriage, Anthony told Kate clearly that he can be a good loyal husband, he will give everything Kate wanted, except one. He can't loved him.
On that moment, Kate realized she loved him, and can't lived without him. Their journey was just started, will Kate be able to remove the bar that Anthony set from them? Will Kate able to stick in a love unreplied?

Friday, 20 May 2011

Book Summary: To Sir Philip, With Love (Bridgerton Series) - Julia Quinn

This book is the 5th book of 8 Bridgerton Series writen by Julia Quinn..
Another lovely historical romance, with the setting mainly in London, around early 1800.

Let me begin with introducing our heroine:
Eloise - the 5th children of Lady Bridgerton (Violet), warm, friendly, chatty..
Philip Crane - Husband of one of Eloise's far cousin, Marina, who just recently passed away..

It all begin with a letter..

Marina passed away at February 1823. Eloise wrote a comforting letter to Philip, offering her deepest condolences, without expecting any reply.. But ofcourse, the manner requires Philip to reply..
His reply, accompanied by a simple red campion flower (Silene dioca), a wild flower that Marina like, surprise Eloise.. She can't ignore how Philip mentioned the flower's name, and asked on her reply, whether Philip is love botanical..

And so the correspondence begin..

Until.. Eloise received a letter, or an invitation to be precise, from Philip, to go to his place, the Romney Hall. He's saying that Eloise and him could determine whether they will be fit, and that Eloise might want to be his wife..

Eloise, being Eloise, can not resist her curiousity. She decided to run, whithout any chaperone, and went to Romney Hall.
Philip, being surprised, was forced to accept her. However, it was him, who invited Eloise.

Philip's children, Amanda and Oliver Crane, do not like her presence. They did some tricks to her. But ofcourse, living with other 7 Bridgerton, Eloise is able to make a sweet revenge. Until, one of their tricks make Eloise fall, and injured her leg and face..

During these, Eloise gets to know, how Philip was never in a good relation with his children. He doesn't even know that his kids are able to swim. Simply said, Philip doesn't know how to be good father, as he do not have a good model from his father. And how he blamed, not his child, not his father, but himself..

Anthony, Benedict, and Gregory come, with a rush and rage. They thought Eloise did another silly things.. And they only offer one solution.. Eloise and Philip have to get married..
They will, ofcourse, but not without proper courting, and it means involving both Amanda and Oliver..

After the marriage, there are several things revealed, on Marina's death, Philip's deepest feeling, his kids' need, and ofcourse their brittle relationship.. These has to be taken care by Eloise, who's learning to be patient.. Eloise.. Patient? Can she? :)

Book Review- Bridgerton Family Series by Julia Quinn

I read different genre of book. I have many favourite author. Julia Quinn is one of them, who i enjoy her words, and how she make connection between her books. Her book will be in historical romance genre.

One of my favourite Julia Quinn Collection is the Bridgerton Family Series..

Lady Bridgerton has total 8 children. Her husband, Lord Bridgerton passed away because of a bee' stung him.. Not a fancy way to die! And during the mourning, Lady Bridgerton (or Violet) found out that she's pregnant.. The Brigerton was famous for their appearance. They are wealthy, well-known, and you can't missed the girl's beautiful faces, or the man's handsomeness (if that even a word)..

List of the Children (and the Book list):
*Click on the title to find a sneak peak of the story
1. Anthony (Book 2 - The Viscount who Loved Me)
2. Benedict (Book 3 - An Offer from a Gentleman)
3. Colin (Book 4 - Romancing Mister Bridgerton)
4. Daphne (Book 1 - The Duke and I)
5. Eloise (Book 5 - To Sir Philip, With Love)
6. Francesca (Book 6 - When He was Wicked)
7. Gregory (Book 8 - On the Way to the Wedding)
8. Hyacinth (Book 7 - It's in His Kiss)

One of the pleasure reading these series is how Julia Quinn managed to trap me into this illution of the warmth and joy becoming one of the Bridgerton Family.. They might seem playing around with Violet, their mom, but for sure they all love her. I also adore how the eldest son, Anthony, showed how he manage to run the family, show his strength and capability as the head of the family. The three elder brother, Anthony, Bennedict, and Colin, reminds me of brothers that i wanted.. Although they aren't good at showing it, they are full of love, taken their pride of their sisters, will definetly fight for their sister's honor. Each one of the Bridgerton, have a warm soul, lovely in their own characteristic, and at the end, ended with good, passionate spouse.. Well, that's what fictions are for, i guess..

It's been a pleasure for me reading these books again, I have re-read 5 of them in these 3 days   6 of them in 4 days  7 of them in 5 days (just realize one copy is missing), and will had write the story line and a bit of my opinion for each books when i have time in front of computer and link it afterwards
:)