The Plight of the Darcy Brothers by Marsha Altman

"The Plight of the Darcy Brothers" is a wonderful sequel to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." I especially enjoyed the trip to France and Italy with Darcy and Elizabeth. Although I felt very sad about the reason for their trip. Poor Mary Bennett comes home to see and talk to her sister Jane with the worse news ever. Of course, this problem will have to involve the whole family's input. There is no way to keep such scandalous news hidden from servants and other people who might visit Chatton or Pemberley.

This isn't just a gossipy novel with women drinking tea and whispering about marriages. There is quite a bit of reality in this Marsha Altman's book. Before Lizzy and Darcy travel there is the talk of wills. I really found myself unprepared to think of death happening to any of these characters. When it did happen to a new character,I cried. She didn't deserved to be judged by other people. During this time Dr. Maddox, Caroline's husband, and herself prove the meaning of active love toward neighbor.

Although quite a bit of the book is very serious: mending of family ties, forgiveness for imperfect parents and the life of those who choose to serve as monks or priests, there is also laughter. The children are a large part of the book. The families are growing and growing.

I laughed at Geoffrey and the cousins. The splashing of blue and red ink on Charles Bingley left me to wonder what would Geoffrey and Georgie become like as adults. There is more I want to know about these families. I'm anxious for another sequel. Marsha Altman has only made me more curious about these beloved families.

My Cousin Caroline by Rebecca Ann Collins

My Cousin Caroline
After recently reading a book about Pemberley, I felt afraid this book, "My Cousin Caroline," would seem boring. After all, what else could happen? As far as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, their material needs are met: lovely children, a beautiful estate, servants, gardens, etc. What else could happen? What would come next after love and marriage and the babies in a baby carriage? Was there more to thread on to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" yarn?

I can say a resounding yes there is more to learn about the inhabitants of Pemberley and surrounding homes and villages. "My Cousin Caroline by Rebecca Ann Collins is a page turner. Caroline is very different from Elizabeth, Jane and most of the females I had met in "Pride and Prejudice." Caroline knows she has a mind. She knows her mind is made to be used for more than a bonnet frilled with lace and ribbons. By golly, she wants to use it. When political conversations go on around her, she is unafraid to speak up. Caroline shares opinions about working hours for the poor, the mills and the health and welfare of poor and unhealthy children. Hearing Caroline speak out walked me in to a different world from the one where women whispered about husbands and wealth while embroidering or lifting a tea cup. There is quite a bit about the slavery question too.

However, I loved the other world too. I loved the gossip about who would marry whom, what widow didn't have a dime and what girl was altogether too flighty. So, to satisfy me there was a little this and a little that in "My Cousin Caroline." Still, Rebecca Ann Collins begins to pull apart the myth that women are incapable of keeping a happy husband, raising children and caring about the outside world.

I liked "My Cousin Caroline" because I could feel a frantic and quicker pace. Each day there is a new struggle to face, a new change to make or not make. To me, it seemed like all of the English villagers were on the move, literally or figuratively. There is talk of reform constantly. There is the poorhouse, education for children and working businessmen without one ethical bone in their bodies and there is a coming war. I really felt as though my world had become a part of their world. "With the onset of a recession, unemployment was increasing..."

I could go on and on writing about "My Cousin Caroline." I loved this book. Rebecca Ann Collins' sequel to "Pride and Prejudice" is just overwhelmingly spellbinding.

Darcy and Anne by Judith Brocklehurst

Darcy and Anne
Judith Brocklehurst, the author of "Darcy And Anne" is a wonderful writer. While reading this sequel, I had to keep shaking myself and telling myself that Jane Austen had not written this book. Judith Brocklehurst smoothly writes about the Regency Period and the characters of "Pride and Prejudice" just as, I think, Jane Austen would have done it herself.

Visiting Pemberley all over again was wonderful. At Pemberley, Darcy and Anne are extremely happy. Truly, this is a marriage made in heaven. I think Anne, Darcy's cousin, wants the same situation for herself. Sadly, during this period a woman saying she wants to marry for more than rank and money mystifies other people. Why marry for love and romance? If it comes along later during the marriage, fine. If it never comes, fine. After all, you have a man to take care of you, a home and friends.

This book is mainly about Anne. Anne proves to be a very interesting character. We see her grow from dependence to independence. Lady Catherine is her mother. In my eyes, a very controlling woman. With the support of friends, Anne speaks out and speaks out again.

Guess who else makes an appearance? Mr. Bennett, Elizabeth's father. I like him. I especially like him because he loves books shops. I also love him because he is there at Pemberley waiting when Elizabeth and Darcy need him big time. Then, there is Darcy. Darcy is still handsome. He is also full of wonderful character traits. He uses these traits to help his family survive the hardest of times: when there is lively gossip and when there is need of advice.

Along with the characters, there is a bit of history about Barbados and the slave question during that time. Judith Brocklehurst knows this period well. She also knows how to entertain a reader. Thank you Judith Brocklehurst.

Sea Robber: The Adventures of Hector Lynch, Pirate Tim Severin

SEA ROBBER: by Tim Severin is a wonderful adventure story. Hector Lynch is the starring pirate. He's kind, smart, romantic and tough too If a woman wants a pirate for a beau or hubby, Hector Lynch is the perfect model.. Sadly, Hector's heart belongs to Maria, a Spanish girl. Maria saved him from Spanish captivity. Later, she is captured by islanders. Hector will have to choose whether to forget the woman he once loved or whether to go after her. It's one thing for Hector to be a brave, handsome pirate. What really matters is whether Hector loves forever or just for a day.

During the journey to recover his lost love Hector and his crew face every danger imaginable. There is never one dull moment on one boat or another ship. There are storms, hunger, disease, etc. One pirate wakes up with opens sores on his wrists and other parts of the body. There is scurvy and the shivering illness. Also, Hector and gang face unknown ships. There is no unfurled flag. Are the shipmen barbaric, stealing pirates or men you can barter with for muskets and food?

There is also the fact that Capt. Cook and Hector, Jacques and the Hollander didn't have the sophisticated instruments like we do today. Hector does own a compass. Hector kind of charts his way as he goes. Hoping he is not making any mistaken directions because he's always guessing whether there in Spain, China or somewhere else. I think one day his chart blew away and out to sea. There was no getting it back.

Then, there is always one rotten apple in the bunch. In this instance, it's the captain. He's full of negativity. There are untouched island where there are barbaric tribes who might choose you for dinner. There is no knowing who is friend or foe. There are ships with no flags of identity. This is one of the frightening experiences in the book. It was especially interesting to read about a castaway on Hector's ship. He points the crew to his home island. Little would I have guessed what was going to happen to him.

One peaceable moment was the passing of dolphins beside the boat as Hector and his seamen traveled. While the dolphin are swimming pass the men find catching fish easy to catch because the dolphin are stirring up the water looking for their dinner.

I loved the ending. For some reason this one island reminded me of the people in "The King and I." These people dress in beautiful colors, have a commanding sultan and love ceremonies. Thank goodness the pirates have a gift of a clock to give the sultan. The clock is fashioned like a hen with her chicks.

I have heard of women pirates. After reading this book, in no way do I wish to be a pirate(smile). After all, I might have to eat sea slugs, as a delicacy, for dinner. This is the third book in the series. I'm looking forward to starting with Book I. I'm not ready to leave Hector Lynch yet. Another adventure is calling me.

Fearless:Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado is a wonderfully inspiring book for any person who actively lives with fear everyday. I don't mind admitting it. I deal with anxiety everyday. Throughout the night I worry about my children and grandchildren. While I worry, my husband sleeps peacefully. Of course Christian radio is always on in his car too.

However, Max Lucado's book, "Fearless" is proof that our lives go through seasons. It is not impossible for Jesus to change a person of fear. He can make any person full of courage. The process begins with the opening of this magnificent book.

I have read "Fearless" daily. Each time I read Max Lucado's book I walk away feeling strong enough to kill any Goliath in my path. I also have learned many of my Goliaths are shaped only by my colorful imagination. Half of what I worry about never happens. I could have avoided the headaches, swaying tummy and shaking hands just with a prayer on my lips and a remembrance of one of the stories in the Bible where Jesus so often saves those in trouble.

Hey, who says we can't whisper a prayer every moment of the day? Jesus never quantified prayer. According to Max Lucado Jesus lovingly left us examples of Him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter crying out for Him on the water and Mary remembering her Son, Jesus, immediately when the wedding almost became a disaster to be talked about for months. "Fearless" is a reminder there is plenty of "real" catastrophes in the world, but we can overcome the world.

On The Line by Serena Williams with Daniel Paisner

Serena Williams' book, ON THE LINE, is spectacular. As she would say "I was all over it." From cover to cover there isn't one page that isn't important. Serena Williams with Daniel Paisner starts from the beginning of her tennis life and ends with her present life as a tennis star.

Serena doesn't mince words. She tells about the wonderful days and the awful days. This is one reason I loved the book. Serena Williams didn't package a book to make herself look good. She wrote an honest book. She wants it understood she is a work in progress. She is far from ready to say her future in tennis or not tennis. In so many words she writes that she doesn't know what tomorrow will bring her way. I am really interested in following her career. Who knows in what other place she might bloom or how she will continue to bloom in her present place.

Serena Williams' philosophies on how to react to life are breathtaking for a woman her age. She gives a lot of credit for her way of handling life by giving credit to her dad and mom, her sisters and her religion. She recalls the gentle and firm voice of her father when she began to play tennis. The stamina of her mother during her home schooling days. The strength of her mother and the family after the death of their daughter and sister.

This is a really good book about the sister relationship. She and Venus compete against one another just as though they were competing against any other tennis player. Later, they are able to talk about the game or put the game behind them and do what sisters do the best together, live life together with a lot of love.

There isn't a lot in this book about Venus. After all, this is Serena's life story. Perhaps, one day Venus will want to write her autobiography. Still, Serena didn't leave Venus out. There is just enough to let you know Venus is a very sweet sister. One time Serena won a silver trophy, and Venus won the gold. Serena writes she wanted that gold trophy so badly. She couldn't keep her eyes off it. Finally, Venus comes over to Serena. Venus offers to give her gold trophy for Serena's silver trophy. I had to laugh. Serena kindly accepted the trophy.

After reading the book, I had a better understanding about sports. While playing tennis, Serena deals with all sorts of painful circumstances: unpleasant crowds, playing with a blistered toe that's driving her nuts with pain, weight issues, bad weather causing games to be set at a different time, accidents off the tennis court, rumours went by the press especially in Australia and Britain and dealing with the heart pain of losing a loved one in an unexpected death.

Whatever is happening life goes on for the professional tennis player. Serena has to really keep in touch with her positive side. Some of these thoughts are made in what she calls "matchbox entries." One of these statements are at the beginning of each chapter.

Did I learn anything while reading this book? Yes, there is the wisdom and faith of a grandparent on every page.