I Did the "Impossible!" Just in time for the Holidays and "The Noel Diary!"

I can't believe it took me nearly 8 months to read Danielle Steel's "Impossible!"  Actually, the book was accurately titled.  It was boring and predictable.  It's been proven that men are less mature than women.  I don't know what made a 40-something year old woman (Sasha) think that her relationship with a man almost a decade younger (Liam) would work out!  Liam declared himself a "wacky artist" and was constantly accusing Sasha of picking on him.  It doesn't help that 3 people were killed off in the first 2 chapters: both of Sasha's parents, along with her husband!  Nothing more needs to be said about this book, and I am eager to begin reading "The Noel Diary," the newest book written by my favorite author, Richard Paul Evans.  In this much-anticipated new Christmas story from beloved storyteller Richard Paul Evans, a man receives the best present he could ask for: a chance to rewrite the past.  Bestselling romance author Jacob Churcher hasn't been home for almost 20 years--not since his mentally ill mother kicked him out of the house when he was just sixteen.  When a lawyer calls a few weeks before Christmas to inform him that his estranged mother has passed away and left her house to him, Jacob returns not just to settle the estate but to try to reconcile with the past and the pain and abuse he experienced as a child.  Also, maybe cleaning out her house will be slightly less depressing than spending the holidays alone, watching reruns of Christmas classics.  But as it turns out, the house holds more than just difficult memories.  Jacob's mother had become a hoarder, and he must excavate through two decades' worth of clutter.  As Jacob digs through the detritus like an archaeologist, he uncovers many puzzling items, including a diary left by someone named Noel, a young woman of whom he has no recollection who stayed with Jacob's family during her pregnancy.  And that's not the only echo from the past.  Jacob has an unexpected visitor: Rachel, a woman looking for the mother who put her up for adoption thirty years before.  United by their quest to make sense of the past and  rewrite their futures, Jacob and Rachel begin a search for Noel.  Along the way they find more than they could possibly have imagined, including grace, forgiveness, and a chance at love.   I suspect that I'm going to need a box of tissues the entire time I'm reading this book.  After all, there is a reason that Richard Paul Evans is known as the "King of Kleenex!"  Reading "The Noel Diary" is an early Christmas gift to myself, and I can't wait to take the "Journey!"

"The Fall Of Hades" Leads Me To The "Impossible!"

I finished reading "Michael Vey: The Fall of Hades" last night.  Richard Paul Evans does it again!  Pull the reader in, then leave them wanting more, wondering what's going to happen next!  I predict that in the final book, some of Hatch's remaining kids--Taylor's sister Tara included--will betray Hatch and join the Electroclan!  However, I won't find out the truth until September!  Ugh!  The agony of anticipation!  Oh, well!  Until then, I will satisfy myself by seeing how "Impossible" Danielle Steel can be!  When a high-powered gallery owner collides with a wildly offbeat artist, it's the perfect recipe for disaster.  But in her 63rd bestselling novel, Danielle Steel proves that when two hopelessly mismatched people share a love for art, a passion for each other, and a city like Paris, nothing is truly impossible...or is it?  Everything Sasha does is within the boundaries of tradition.  Liam is sockless in December.  Sasha, is widowed, a woman who knows she was lucky enough to be married to the most wonderful man in the world and thankful for every moment they had.  Liam is half in and half out of a marriage that only a "wacky" artist could manage, and that his own impossibly impulsive behavior has helped tear apart.  But while Sasha ha been methodically building her father' Parisian art gallery into an intercontinental success story, Liam has been growing into one of the most original and striking  young painters of his time.  So while the two are utterly unalike--and a nine-year age difference stares them squarely in the face-the miracle of art brings them crashing together.  Now the question is, can Sasha guard her reputation while juggling a secret, somewhat scandalous relationship?  And how can Liam, who lives for the moment, put up with a woman who insists on  having things her own way, in her own style, and at her own time?  For Sasha, it's a matter of keeping Liam hidden from her grown children and well-heeled clientele as she commutes between New York and Paris and two thriving galleries.  For Liam, it's about creating chaos out of order, bringing out the wild streak that Sasha barely knows she has, of choosing pizza over foie gras, and making love when others are busy making money.  That is, until a family tragedy suddenly alters Liam's life--and forces a choice and a sacrifice that neither one of them could have expected.  But from the snow falling on the Tuileries to the joy of eating ice cream by candlelight, the artist and the art dealer have tasted perfection.  And giving up now might just be the most impossible thing of all. I'd better hurry up and get started on this "Impossible" journey!  There's not a moment to lose! 

2017 Is Off To A "Storm"-y Start! And The "Fall Of Hades" is At Hand!

Tuesday night, I finished reading "Michael Vey: Storm Of Lightning," the 5th book in the young adult series by Richard Paul Evans.  It might seem odd for a woman in her 30s to be reading a young adult novel, but RPE is my favorite author, so I refuse to let age recommendations stop me.  I'm eager to get started on the 6th book in the series-"Michael Vey: Fall Of Hades!"  Michael and the Electroclan are about to embark on their deadliest mission yet.  Some of then may not make it back.  The head of the resistance, known only as The Voice, believes that the best way to wipe out the Elgen is to steal their money.  That means capturing the Joule, the Elgen boat that serves as a floating treasury.  To do this, Michael and his friends will need help...a lot of help.  They've learned about a highly placed member of the Elite Global Guard named Welch who wants to defect.  They also know that three of the Elgen electric youth have been condemned to death.  If the Electroclan can rescue them and get to Welch first, them just might be able to steal the Joule. Bit it's a big if...Speaking of if, if you are wondering about the identity of The Voice, the answer to that question lies within the first 10 pages of  The Fall of Hades!"  No, it isn't Michael's father, as I and probably many of those who are keeping up with the series have supposed.  It's a new character, presumed dead by his colleagues.  To say more would be to spoil the story, so come along on my "Journey Through A Book" and witness firsthand "The Fall Of Hades!"