The Lost Queen (The Lost Queen Trilogy, #1)

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loosely based on the legend of King Arthur. Languoreth and her twin brother Lailoken (Merlin) have an idyllic childhood as the children of King Morken. The book begins with their Mother's death and the end of the idyllic childhood they knew. Languoreth grieves that as the only daughter of the King she cannot become a Wisdom Keeper like her brother Lail but must make an advantageous marriage instead (interesting fact she will inherit her Father's property).

Languoreth's Foster Brother Gwenddolau joins his Father's (King Ceidio) allies Emrys Pendragon and his Dragon Riders. Languoreth gives her love to Maelgwn, one of the Dragon Riders, before wedding Rhydderch, son of the High King Tutgual ( a highly despicable man). Languoreth gives birth to 4 children with her eldest son Rhys secretly being Maelgwn's. When Emrys Pendragon dies after being poisoned Gwenddolau succeeds him as Uther Pendragon (the other Pendragon). And Lail is his Wisdom Keeper. Languoreth's youngest daughter Angharad will be fostered by her brother Lail in order for her to become a Wisdom Keeper. Cyan and Gladys are still at home with Languoreth at the end of the book.

When Christianity first came to the country the Christians and those who followed the Old Gods coexisted in Peace, but Mungo destroyed the peace when he attacked a sacred groove cutting down the Oaks and burying a body in the sacred ground. His numerous attacks on Languoreth's family culminates in the hanging of Cathan (her family's Wisdom Keeper) and an attack on a pregnant Languoreth. Rhydderch manages to hunt down and kill most of the attackers but High King Tutgual refuses to allow Bishop Mungo to be executed and only exiles him.

Rhydderch loves his young wife and is sympathetic to the Old Gods but as the second son of the High King he has to walk a fine line between the Supporters of the Old Gods and the Christian God his Father supports. When High King Tutgual agrees to go to War against Uther Pendragon Rhydderch and his eldest son Rhys ride with him even though it means fighting against his wife's brother and Foster Brother and attacking a fortress that houses his youngest daughter. Languoreth risk everything in order to send a groom with a message to Gwenddolau and Lail warning of the attack.

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The Fires of Heaven (Wheel of Time, #5)

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Since Rand is the main character I will start with his group. Rand, Asmodean (one of the Foresaken who is training Rand and posing as his bard), Moiraine, Lan, Egwene al'Vere, Mat and Aviendha (one of the Aiel). Rand and Aviendha become lovers, but Aviendha refuses to marry him and insist he belongs to her friend Elayne. When Lanfear attacks Rand Moiraine saves his life by pushing Lanfear through the door (ter'angreal) falling through herself Moiraine is presumed dead and Lan discovers that she has bound him to another Aes Sedai and he sets out to find her, not realizing it's Nynaeve he tells Rand to tell Nynaeve that he has found someone else. Mat becomes a hero in his own right leading Rand's armies. Believing that Rahvin (who was posing as Gaebril, Morgase's lover and proclaimed King after Morgase disappeared) killed Queen Morgase, Rand goes after him and with Nynaeve's help in the dream world kills him. Since Rand killed Rahvin with Balfire Matt, Aviendha and Asmodean come back to life BUT Asmodean is later killed when he goes to get wine.

Elayne, Nynaeve, Birgitte, Uno, Thom, and Juilin are looking for the Aes Sedai that left that tower after the Black Ajah took over. In order to hide from their enemies they join a menagerie. In the dream world Elayne and Nynaeve can meet with Elayne and visit the tower to find out information on one of their trips Nynaeve meets Birgitte (one of the heroes of the ages who is waiting to be reborn) and enlist her aid in finding Moghedien (another of the Forsaken) when Moghedien springs a trap Birgitte is harmed and is sent back with Nynaeve in the flesh and near death. In order to save Birgitte's life Elayne bonds her to her as a Warder. When they find the Aes Sedai in Salidar they don't receive the warm welcome they expected but are instructed to teach the Aes Sedai how to enter the dream world. Siuan who is manipulating the Aes Sedai also wants them to instruct her how to use the ring to enter the dream world. While Nynaeve is giving Siuan a lesson she catches sight of Moghedien and send Siuan back to the waking world but is trapped by Moghedien, Birgitte comes to rescue her but is no match for Moghedien. Just when it looks as if Moghedien will kill them both Nynaeve is able to put a collar on Moghedien and control her. Brigitte isn't able to stay in the dream world but Nynaeve does and learns of the trap Rahvin is springing on Rand. She forces Moghedien to take her to help Rand and since Rand and Rahvin are fighting in the Dream world she is able to lend aid. Due to things Moghedien has let slip Nynaeve realizes that she is in Salidar.

Min, Siuan (who has been stilled), Leane (who has been stilled) and Logain (False dragon gentled) escape the tower. While they are running from the Black Ajah who now control the Tower they accidentally burn a barn down and wind up in servitude to Gareth Bryne. When they break their oath and flee he pursues them and catches up with them in Salidar where he winds up pledging his sword to the Aes Sedai in Salidar who plan to retake the Tower. Siuan and Leane pretend to be at odds in order to manipulate the Aes Sedai. (Garth is in love with Siuan, which is actually why he followed the oath breakers)

Not realizing Rahvin/Gaebril is dead Morgase, Lini, Tallanvor and the others go to Amadicia for help.

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Shattered Silk (Georgetown, #2)

Shattered Silk by Barbara Michaels My rating: 2 of 5 stars After her divorce Karen decides to open a shop selling vintage dresses, but one dress has a dark past that two women are willing to kill to keep buried. View all my reviews

For the Sake of Elena (Inspector Lynley #5)

For the Sake of Elena by Elizabeth George
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was Ok, there was a lot of misdirection in order to keep you guessing who the killer was and why. And Lynley is still pining away over Lady Helen at lest their "romance" seems to have progressed a bit.

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Remodeling (Decorating)

 I just love the shelves we replaced the spindles with. Bo built it himself, and he did an excellent job. I think it gives the house a nice modern look.

 I love my vases, but decided the glass one didn't really look right here. It has since been moved to the Dining Room/Entryway shelf where it really shines.

And I just love my mirror, it's HUGE but looks perfect on the wall and gives the room depth. It's my favorite new acquisition for the Dining Room.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, #1)

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harold's pilgrimage leads him back to his wife and heals the past that nearly destroyed them. At times unbearably sad but each step Harold takes leads him to a chance at a fresh start.

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Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)

Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Theo's friend Woody is accused of being an accomplice to armed robbery Theo and his classmates help come up with the bail and Theo provides sage advice to keep Woody out of jail, but the pitfalls are many including a shady public defender that encourages his clients to lie on the stand in order to impress the wealthy private lawyer the true culprit hired, and the temptation to take a bribe that Woody's family badly needs.

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