To the outside world, Elizabeth Marvin Mulholland had it all. Adopted into a wealthy New England family, the young Elizabeth was afforded the luxury many people only realize in their dreams. She joined her family on lavish European vacations, lived in a finely decorated home, grew up in a world heavily infiltrated by power and money, and hob-knobbed with celebrities. As a close friend of Katherine Hepburn’s niece, she gained an inside look into Katherine Hepburn’s guarded inner life, which she details in Surviving High Society.
Her real life, however, was not the fantasy it seemed to others. Elizabeth grew up in a volatile household. Her adopted brother attempted to murder her mother and remained estranged in the decades to follow. Her father, who was her strongest ally, died suddenly when she was twenty-two. And, until her death, Elizabeth’s mother used all means possible to exert control over her life. Her mother bounced Elizabeth in and out of psychiatric facilities and used her wealth to persuade doctors to keep Elizabeth locked up and medicated. Throughout, Elizabeth struggled to keep the pieces of her life together.

After her mother disinherits Elizabeth, she successfully seeks to find freedom and a life of her own away from her mother s ever-watchful gaze. Her life becomes a life without fantastic riches, filled with its own obstacles and triumphs. But it is now her life.

I do not usually read memoirs; it’s not a genre I dabble in very often. But when I saw this book come across my review choices it got my interest so I requested it. And I have to say I was not disappointed. The book is a fast read, and an interesting look into a young woman’s life.

I feel the only thing missing from this book was a level of anger that must have been felt. If my mother treated me the way Elizabeth’s treated her I would have been bubbling over with anger. Perhaps it just show that she is a bigger woman than myself. But over the entire book is a good one, and if you enjoy memoirs you will enjoy it.

Holly Frick just went through the worst kind of divorce: the kind where you’re still in love with the person divorcing you. Alex had left her on January 3rd, like a benevolent CEO who holds off the pink slips until after the holidays. Holly is left to wonder if she’ll everfind happiness again. Like Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, Holly is intimately involved in the lives of those around her, and she’s compelled to give advice with unwavering moral certainty. And, like Emma, she is often completely off the mark. Soon, her advice will get her in over her head, and she’ll find herself playing therapist to her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend while at the same time falling for her married friend’s lover. Smart and touching, SECRETS TO HAPPINESS is a hilarious look at the funny things people do to be happy.

The most likeable thing about the book? The dogs. They are the saving grace over all. I could leave the rest of the book and not feel like I have missed anything. There truly are no secrets to be revealed in the Secrets to Happiness. This hit’s the skip it shelf on my list of books. And if you do feel like plugging through I wish you luck.

She dreams of a quiet life with her beloved George, but war looms…

He Took Her By Surprise

Robert Hamilton, Earl of Westbrooke, has no intention of being tricked into marriage by a detestable female, and if he has to flee naked across a rooftop, he will. Jolly good there’s an open window waiting — as well as an undressed, slightly drunk, and alluringly beautiful Lady Elizabeth. Oh dear. If they are caught together, he might have to marry her. The idea is delicious… and the temptation is irresistible…

It is time to wander around with some more naked nobility. This time I have set my sights on the third book in the series, and we will talk more in depth with The Earl of Westbrooke, Robbie. Robbie was seen as a character in both The Naked Duke and The Naked Marquis, and in those stories he saw his to best friends get the terrifying leg shackle. Something Robbie reverently avoids, he has become very adapt at escaping the parsons mousetrap.

The Naked Earl is a fantastic story, just like the other two books. It does have a few small points that drag a little bit. But other than that it is titillating. And like The Naked Duke it steps out of some of the normal’s of the romance genre. We have a very bad villain, and also a villainess. You will even find a few soft mentions to BDSM, nothing to terrify your senses. But the villains to make a mention of it. Over all if you have enjoyed the other books in the series you will like this one. If you havent read the others you will want to so you know who all the characters are. Although you could get away with just reading The Naked Duke. So if you’re a romance reader join me in giggling at the romps of the Naked Nobles, Robbie is sure to make you laugh!

Moser (Mozart’s Sister) frames this novel as a journal written by Jane Austen, following her life from when she falls in love with Tom Lefroy at age 20 until she is an established writer in her late 30s. Those familiar with Austen’s life will recognize many of the circumstances—the loss of the beloved family home at Steventon when her father retired to Bath, the death of her sister Cassandra’s fiancé, her mother’s many illnesses. However, they may not recognize Moser’s Austen, who mopes about pining after guys, resents her parents, worries regularly about whether she is a real writer and reflects on her faith in God (which was important to Austen, but which she was reticent to discuss). Austen’s voice comes through in extensive quotes from her letters—paragraphs and even occasionally pages. Since these are mostly unmarked, readers may not recognize them as Austen’s words, but their vivacity and wit often make them stand out from the rest of the writing. Some aspects of the book are charming, and it is an easy introduction to Austen’s life. However, it fails to be compelling as it devolves into simply tracking events as they occur, and does not capture Austen’s spirit. It will likely disappoint both Austen devotees and historical fiction fans. (Sept.)
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Schuyler Van Alen is starting to get more comfortable with her newfound vampire powers, but she still has many unanswered questions. A trip to Italy in search of her grandfather only serves to make things more confusing. What secrets are the leaders of The Committee hiding? Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball. In true Blue Blood fashion, the ball is totally fab, complete with masks and hidden behind this masquerade is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire’s destiny.

The thrilling sequel in Melissa de la Cruz’s vampire mythology has all the glamour, attitude, and vampire lore that made the first book a hit.

Masquerade is the second book in the Blue Bloods series, and we once again find Schuyler dealing with the issues that have been thrust upon her by the change. When we come upon her at first she is in Venice looking for her grandfather. The effort seems fruitless until a chance meeting at an art gallery. Or perhaps it is not chance?

Unfortunately for everyone in the books The Silver Blood is still on the prowl and the person that they thought it was is not it. The book is not a stand alone you need to have read the first one to read it, and the book does not end fully on its own. You are left wide open and hanging for the third book in the series. Normally this is not my favorite way for a book to wrap, but over all the book is good.

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs–like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend …or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

Any girl who has seen Pride and Prejudice or read the Jane Austen novel knows that the much misunderstood Mr. Darcy is the ideal gentleman. But is it possible to find your own Mr. Darcy in today’s world of geeks and goons? With smart tips, spiritual insights, and discussions of Jane Austen’s popular stories and movies, best-selling author Sarah Arthur equips young women to gauge a guy’s Darcy Potential (DP) according to his relationships with family, friends, and God.

I am not in need of dating advice, but this book seemed fun read. And it was. And I do have to say that for any woman who likes reading, and maybe even if you don’t Mr. Darcy is one of the world’s perfect men. Oh sure his initial aloofness leaves a lot to be desired, but over all he is a great choice of man. Sarah Arthur does a fine job of interlacing literature, humor, wit and useful tips into her book.

Weather you’re a single girl or not you can use this book as something to look at. It really does offer some practical advice to dating and just relationships in general. And if you’re a Jane Austen fan there is no doubt that you will enjoy the references to it. Dating Mr. Darcy was a fun and fast read that if you have just a couple of hours you can knock it off and have fun while doing it.

Schuyler Van Alen is a freshman at the prestigious Duchesne School. A loner by nature, she finds her life thrown into turmoil when she turns 15. Suddenly she is allergic to the sun, craves raw food, and if she cuts herself, her blood is blue. Schuyler has no idea what is happening to her. As more and more curious things happen, Schuyler must confront her family and friends to discover the truth behind her blue blood. But there are bigger problems soon to be faced. When a girl in school is found dead, with mysterious bite marks on her neck, Schuyler is more confused than ever about her heritage…and her destiny.