Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman

Sophie is so focused on her current life that she has pretty much forgotten her best friend Carrie. They have not talked in a long time so Sophie is completely shocked when she finds out Carrie died in a car accident. As the social worker is reminding her of the agreement she had made on Bella’s Christening day, Sophie is not sure what to do. She does not want to see the two girls hurt but is unsure if she can take care of them.

Ms. Coleman writes a compelling story and a situation that could happen at any time. I loved the storyline since the emotions came across as very real. Sophie has a lot of struggles and that is what makes her so interesting.

Sophie is career focused but finds out that it is not important. She does not want anything bad to happen to either girl and that is what makes her decide to take them. She wants the father involved and so does her own search to find him. Bella and Izzy are a handful but both well behaved girls. Bella acts older than six and that is what broke my heart. She wanted to stay strong for her little sister. Izzy is having a more difficult time with it than Bella since she does not understand what happened. I wanted to wrap my arms around both girls. To lose their mom at such a young age was so sad. Louis had a lot of responsibility to take on being the father and having left his wife and kids. He now realizes how stupid it was of him and is trying to make things better but will it work?

I was swept up in this book immediately. This premise has written quite a few times but I felt that Ms. Coleman had put her own spin on it. I was pleased with the book and how it ended. That is not always easy to do is to make people happy. You have your own ideas and so you put them on the page. I will definitely want to read more by this author.
Rowan Coleman/ New Author/ Kids/432 pages/ 5 out of 5

I read this one last week but with my crazy work schedule I never got it typed up till now. :)

The Art Thief by Noah Charney

Pieces of art are being stolen and nothing seems connected. Or is it? That is the job of Inspector Wickenden. Genevieve Delacloche takes care of the society dedicated to the painter Kasimir Malevich. When one of his best paintings is stolen, she gets help from not only the Inspector but she has him call in Gabriel Coffin. Yet all seems right in the end, but is there truly honor among thieves?

Mr. Charney has done a fabulous job of confusing me until the end. Things that I thought were right were not. Having the knowledge about art truly helped me understand how they verify paintings once they acquire them from either people who donate them or if they win them through an auction.

Genevieve works for this society because her father at one time sold a painting to be able to take care of some debts. It happened to be by the painter Malevich and now working for the society she can keep an eye on all his paintings and hopefully acquire the one that was sold. Inspector Wickenden is the only man I did not see with any fault. He wanted the truth to be solved and put his whole heart into it. I really appreciated his efforts to do what he needed to but he never crossed the line. Gabriel Coffin helps solve cases but he also lectures all around the world. He tries to bring in as much income as he can. His secrets are very surprising.

I was disappointed in a couple of these characters. I expected better but was left flat. I knew people would do anything to get what they want but I felt the ones who were behind it all went way too stinking far! It almost got to the point where it pissed me off. I have read a quick blurb for his next book and I hope it will be much better. I don’t like giving up on authors.

Noah Charney, New Author, Art, Thieves, 304 pages, Simon and Schuster, 3 out of 5

Next up is Four Wives by Wenday Walker. :) After that finally a review book for CTR.