Angel of Death Row by Andrea D. Lyon

Title: Angel of Death Row

Genre: Biography

Plot: Lawyer of death row inmates tells why they shouldn’t be executed

Distributor: Kaplan

Length: long

Rating: PG 18 (no sex but a very raw look at how low some humanity can fall)

Author: Andrea D. Lyon

Starring: Andrea Lyons, lots of inmates, fellow lawyers, judges, cops, etc.

Theme: Thou Shall Not Kill

Comments: As someone who is for the death penalty, this book was eye opening. She didn’t completely change my mind. But, the number of innocent people who are on death row and the reasons they are there make me step back and say, revamp. However, you can’t revamp when dealing with humans. There are always going to be bad cops, cocky lawyers, and prejudiced judges. Luckily, there are even more good cops, dedicated lawyers, and fair judges. Book was well-written, though, at times, it got both a little jargonized and a little preachy.

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

Title: The Virgin's Lover
Genre: Historical Faction
Plot: Queen Elizabeth’s court: the first decade
Distributor: Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: Long
Rating: R
Author: Philippa Gregory
Starring: Queen Elizabeth, Robert Dudley, his wife Amy, and William Cecil
Theme: Woman Ruler
Comments: Epic writing that take Elizabeth from Bloody Mary’s death to the realization that her life is not her own because she is queen. It starts with the masses hating her, she has to win them over. She almost does but then starts an affair with a married man. She does little to keep this a secret and feels little guilt. She’s a wishy/washy ruler but maybe that’s because she’s young in this novel. Even the sanest character, William Cecil has an evil side and is willing to commit murder for the throne. Amy, Dudley’s wife portrays how little control and how dedicated to a man a woman have and be. Dudley is pompous but is portrayed as charismatic. Lots of good details.

The Cowboy's Courtship by Brenda Minton

Title: The Cowboy’s Courtship
Genre: Contemporary series romance
Plot: Her life has never been her own. An injury makes him unable to live the life he’s always claimed as his own. Together, love heals a lot of wounds.
Distributor: Harlequin’s Love Inspired Romance
Length: 215 pages
Rating: G
Author: Brenda Minton
Starring: Alyson and Jason, plus a secret twin named Andie
Theme: Wounded hero and exploited heroine
Comments: It’s a little painful to watch a homecoming when the heroine should always have known about her home. It’s a little painful to watch a bull rider struggle with an eight minute memory instead of an eight second ride. It’s not longer painful when both Alyson and Jason realize they’re in love.

The Cowboy's Family by Brenda Minton

Title: The Cowboy’s Family
Genre: Contemporary series romance
Plot: He needs help raising his kids; she needs to be needed. Love happens along the way.
Distributor: Harlequin’s Love Inspired Romance
Length: 218 pages
Rating: G
Author: Brenda Minton
Starring: Wyatt, Rachel, Molly, and Kat
Theme: Wounded hero and heroine
Comments: She’s never felt at home anywhere else but Dawson. He’s come home to give stability to his two girls after their mother commits suicide. He’s trying, but sadness is a tangible presence in their lives until Wyatt’s brother hires Rachel to clean their house. Soon, everywhere Wyatt turns, Rachel is there. Soon, his heart turns to love.

The Cowby's Sweetheart by Brenda Minton

Title: The Cowboy’s Sweetheart
Genre: Contemporary series romance
Plot: Two people who have always loved each other have to realize they’re marrying for love and not just because they’re about to become parents.
Distributor: Harlequin’s Love Inspired Romance
Length: 217 pages
Rating: G
Author: Brenda Minton
Starring: Andie and Ryder
Theme: Secret baby
Comments: A single night changes the lives of Andie and Ryder. Andie has abandonment issues because of her mother walking out on her. Ryder’s family name is tainted because of his father. They’ve been friends forever. Part of the reason they’ve never been romantic is because they don’t want to risk their one-of-a-kind friendship. Then, Andie gets pregnant and now Ryder has to figure out he’s asking her to marry him because he loves her and not because she’s pregnant.

Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly

Title: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat
Genre: Cozy
Plot: New-to-town librarian discovers a body, becomes a detective, and winds up solving the crime with the help of her magical cats.
Distributor: Penguin
Length: 324 pages
Rating: G
Author: Sofie Kelly
Starring: Kathleen Paulson and her two cats
Theme: Amateur detective
Comments: Book was purchased from the Poison Pen bookstore during a lovely walk-about. It has a great cover, plus I’m a cat lover so seeing the brand “A magical cats mystery” pretty much assured a sale. I’m a lover of paranormal, right now, and this cozy didn’t have as much as I like, but I got the idea that later books delve more into the house on Wisteria and how the cats become magical.