The Choice

The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks, revolves around the implications of seemingly ordinary choices made by veterinarian Travis Parker and his new next-door neighbor Gabrielle Holland, a physician’s assistant.  After an unpromising first meeting, the two end up falling for each other. Already dating someone else, Gabby is faced with the dilemma of whether to stick with longtime boyfriend Kevin, or get involved with Travis. The book is split into two parts. The first part follows her decision-making process and its effects on Travis and Gabby’s lives. Part Two takes place 11 years later when Travis faces a life and death decision following a car accident.

This is a fairly quick read. As with most Nicholas Sparks’ books, this is a romance novel with real-life issues, decisions, and consequences mixed in. Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author, so of course I loved this book. If you enjoy romance-type books with a real-life grounding about them, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

Breaking the Rules

If you’ve never read Suzanne Brockmann novels, you should try one out!  I haven’t read too many of her books, but that will soon change. The latest I’ve read is one called Breaking the Rules. It has romance, action and suspense all rolled into one great read!  Navy Seal Izzy Zanella and his estranged wife, Eden Gillman, are set on saving her abused teenaged brother even if that means reconciling with each other to prove to a court that they can give him better care than anyone else. But just as their hearts begin to mend, the makeshift family gets caught up in saving another youth from a crime ring in Las Vegas and ends up with a group of dangerous men on their trail.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Beauty: a retelling of the story of Beauty & the beast

I’ve always loved fairy tales.  One of my favorite books growing up was a collection of folk and fairy tales from around the world.  So, I suppose it’s no surprise that when I found Beauty: a retelling of the story of Beauty & the beast, a children’s/YA novel by first-time Warren, Ohio author Robin McKinley, I decided to give it a try.  That was back in the early 1980s and since then I’ve probably reread it at least 3-4 times.  McKinley has a way of making her world completely believable and she has a way with words that totally draws me in to her character’s lives.   In McKinley’s version of the tale, Beauty (her real name is Honour) is the youngest of three daughters of a widowed merchant.  When his shipping business goes belly-up they must leave the city and venture inland to a country village where magic is still to be found.  Those who know the story can guess that she will meet up with The Beast and break the spell that binds him.  If you enjoy a well-written old-fashioned romance with a touch of magic, give this a try.  By the way, McKinley went on to write a Newbery Medal winner, The Hero and the Crown. I could have told you she was destined for greatness!

-Janet M