The Executioner's Song

The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer

Mailer brings the life of Gary Gilmore to the page. Gilmore became infamous after killing 2 men in 1976 and then demanding to be killed by the government, instead of serving time in prison. He felt he had a right to request a speedy death and his fight for this right is what makes his crime notable.

I picked up this book and wow…is it LONG. Apparently it won a Pulitzer Prize, so I thought I would be intrigued by this story…but not so much. I can appreciate Mailer’s talent, but I was bored from the beginning. I felt like I was reading a 1,000+ page newspaper article, so I had to do a lot of skimming.

Reading the wikipedia article would have sufficed. The guy killed people, didn’t want to live the rest of his life in prison, asked for his death sentence to be carried out immediately, was denied that right, fought it, and ended up dying by firing squad ten years later. I didn’t find the book particularly thought provoking on the right to die issue. Either you think he should be able to request immediate death or he should not. It isn’t terribly controversial. And I just saved you over 1,000 pages of reading!

Once and Always

Once and Always by Judith McNaught

Amazon Description:

“Across the vast ocean sailed Victoria Seaton, a free-spirited American beauty left suddenly orphaned and alone. Eager to claim her long-lost heritage, she was amazed at the formal elegance of Wakefield, the sumptuous English estate of her distant cousin...the notorious Lord Jason Fielding. Sought after at plays, operas, and balls by London's most fashionable ladies, Jason remained a mystery to Victoria. Bewildered by his arrogant demeanor, yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she came to sense the searingly painful memories that smoldered in the depths of his jade-green eyes. Unable to resist her spitfire charm, Jason gathered her at last into his powerful arms, ravishing her lips with his kisses, arousing in her a sweet, insistent hunger. Wed in desire, they were enfolded in a fierce, consuming joy, free at last from the past's cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of blinding anguish, Victoria discovered the shocking treachery that lay at the heart of their love...a love she had dreamed would triumph...Once And Always”

My Thoughts:

I didn't love this one. Too many misunderstandings and weak character development…

The Ideal Man

The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

Amazon.com Description:

“Dr. Ellie Sullivan has witnessed the shooting of an FBI agent in pursuit of a ruthless modern-day Bonnie and Clyde known as the Landrys. The only person to see the shooter’s face, Ellie is suddenly thrust into the center of a criminal investigation spearheaded by the no-nonsense, by-the-book, and tantalizingly handsome agent Max Daniels. With the Landrys captured, she’ll be called to testify. But the Landrys have been caught before, and each time the witnesses are scared into silence—or disappear. Now Max vows to be Ellie’s shadow, promising never to leave her side until the trial. But that could be dangerous for both of them, and it isn’t long before the sparks—and the bullets—fly.”

My Thoughts:

Garwood is a treat, as always. This was a cute story; I really liked Ellie and Max together. Love to get my “happy ending” stories in!!

Match Me If You Can

Match Me If you Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips  

Yet another by Susan Elizabeth Phillips creation that I love. Her characters are always emotionally engaging. Annabelle was adorable and Heath was desirable. I really enjoyed the secondary romance. I wish she would have given that couple their own book. I can get completely swept away in her stories…

Amazon.com Description:

“Annabelle's endured dead-end jobs, a broken engagement . . . even her hair's a mess! But that's going to change now that she's taken over her late grandmother's matchmaking business. All Annabelle has to do is land the Windy City's hottest bachelor as her client, and she'll be the most sought-after matchmaker in town.Why does the wealthy, driven, and gorgeous sports agent Heath Champion need a matchmaker, especially a red-haired screw-up like Annabelle Granger? True, she's entertaining, and she does have a certain quirky appeal. But Heath is searching for the ultimate symbol of success -- the perfect wife. And to make an extraordinary match, he needs an extraordinary matchmaker, right? Soon everyone in Chicago has a stake in the outcome, and a very big question: When the determined matchmaker promised she'd do anything to keep her star client happy . . . did she mean anything? If Annabelle isn't careful, she just might find herself going heart-to-heart with the toughest negotiator in town.”

Pictures of You

Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

Amazon Description:

“Two women running away from their marriages collide on a foggy highway, killing one of them. The survivor, Isabelle, is left to pick up the pieces, not only of her own life, but of the lives of the devastated husband and fragile son that the other woman, April, has left behind. Together, they try to solve the mystery of where April was running to, and why. As these three lives intersect, the book asks, How well do we really know those we love—and how do we forgive the unforgivable?”

My Thoughts:

I found this book mediocre, at best. The emotion was very superficial, the relationships strained and the dialogue shallow. The plot moves at an incredibly slow pace...I kept skimming...hoping for something notable to occur. Not a recommend.

Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf by Linwood Barclay

This is the third installment of the Zack Walker series. I didn’t love the first, liked the second ok…this one was boring. I’m checking out of this series!

The Viper

The Viper by Monica Mccarty

Description from Amazon.com

“Prized for his snakelike stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation—and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again. Passionate and devoted, Bella has defied Britain’s king and her own husband to place the crown on Bruce’s head, and for this she pays a terrible price: Losing her daughter and her freedom to her husband’s vengeance. Imprisoned with barbaric cruelty, she vows to reclaim her child, even if it means selling her soul—and her body—to a dark, lethal warrior whose eyes glint like steel, but who makes her skin tingle and her breath race. Together they embark on a rogue mission with sinister twists and turns that threatens not only Bella’s gamble to save her daughter—but also her heart.”

My thoughts:

I’m still digging this Highland Guard series. I really liked this one…Lachlan is the type of male lead I love. Historical romance lovers…give McCarty a try.