Lilywhite

Thanks Mac, hope you're well too. Already I'm loving this book. Kathrine is one of my favourite characters and I love reading different takes on her life.

The Kings Pleasure Norah Lofts Katharine of Aragon is a proud Spanish beauty who became Queen of England. From the moment of Katharine's betrothal to Arthur, Prince of Wales, she looked upon herself as the future Queen of England. But, Arthur died just after their marriage and it was as the wife of his brother, Henry VIII, that she went to her Coronation. This delightful, richly tapestried novel tells of her life with Henry - the many happy years; the birth of their daughter, Mary Tudor; her popularity with the people and, above all, her constant and unswerving love for the King. But after nearly twenty years, Henry - his eyes affixed firmly on the ambitious young Anne Boleyn - repudiated their marriage, submitted Katharine to the humilations of a 'trial' and banished her from his life. The King's Pleasure is a brilliant re-creation of one of history's greatest tragedies. This is a story which will impress Katharine in the reader's mind as a noble woman and great Queen. Started: 29/05/09 Finished: 06/06/09 Rated: 5/5 Comments: I finally managed to finish this book. It's deceptively long and the print is very small. At first I was put off by the overly descriptive passages but these soon faded into the background of the main story. And what a story it is. It's one I've read many a time from varying perspectives and it's one I don't get bored of. I love Queen Katherine and the whole Tudor period. I find it amazing that one story can have so many interpretations, but this story is a must for any Katherine fan. It shows her as her mothers daughter through and through and leaves the reader in no doubt of the strength of her and Mary to keep their dignity in such hard times. Well worth a read.

Oh I would highly recommend all of Tess's books. I've been gripped for some time now. I started out with The Surgeon and The Apprentice as these are the first (I think) and they are referred to a lot in other books in regards to character development.

Body Double Tess Gerritsen Dr. Maura Isles makes her living dealing with death. As a pathologist in a major metropolitan city, she has seen more then her share of corpses every day – many of them victims of violent murder. But never before has her blood run cold, and never has the grim expression “dead ringer” rung so terrifyingly true. Because never before has the lifeless body on the medical examiner’s table been her own. Yet there can be no denying the mind–reeling evidence before her shocked eyes and those of her colleagues, including Detective Jane Rizzoli: the woman found shot to death outside Maura’s home is the mirror image of Maura, down to the most intimate physical nuances. Even more chilling is the discovery that they share the same birth date and blood type. For the stunned Maura, an only child, there can be just one explanation. And when a DNA test confirms that Maura’s mysterious doppelganger is in fact her twin sister, an already bizarre murder investigation becomes a disturbing and dangerous excursion into a past full of dark secrets. Searching for answers, Maura is drawn to a seaside town in Maine where other horrifying surprises await. But perhaps more frightening, and unknown murder is at large on a cross country killing spree. To stop the massacre and uncover the twisted truth about her own roots, Maura must probe her first living subject; the mother that she never knew… and icy and cunning woman who could be responsible for giving Maura life – and who just may have a plan to take it away. Started: 25/05/09 Finished: 28/05/09 Rated: 4/5 Comments: Love Tess Gerritsen and this one doesn't disappoint. This one focuses more on Dr Isles than Jane Rizolli but there's a great cross over between the two. Great plot and as always, a great twist in the tale...

I would like to see all the original cast remain but I understand that programmes move on and obviously stories will develop with new characters. I just can't beleive they left it on such a cliff hanger

I've watched up to Season 9 and have 10 to watch. (It's where it starts to get difficult for me as I haven't been able to watch 'The Dr Green' episodes since they aired. There's a catch up on More 4 before the final 2 hour episode airs. Looks to be good and I've already got the reminder set

I hope (like E.R. did) they find a way to continue without losing it's way. Some new blood would be interesting....

I wrote the above at the end of episode 23 and having just watched the last episode have to admit that I watched the last 10 minutes in tears. I almost feel like I've been punced in the stomach! Fantastic writing for the whole season.... where to from here?

I can't believe George...... I just shouted out loud in an empty flat!

The Charmer Mandasue Heller It's too good to be true. Maria Price has inherited a large house in the best part of Manchester and more money than she ever dreamed of. An orphan since her mother died when she was only eleven years old, she has survived the care system and thought she would never have a family or security again. He's good to be true. Then she meets Joel Parry. Handsome, considerate, charming and a wonderful lover, Joel seems to know everyone who is anyone in Manchester. And he just happens to need a place to stay. Before long, Joel has moved into Maria's new house and is happy to help her spend her money. But Joel isn't what he seems to be. He's deep in Manchester's drug scene. And his terrifying past is about to catch up with him and the naive girl who trusts him. Started: 23/05/09 Finished: 23/05/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Not a bad read. Similar in style to Martina Cole but slightly lacking in the plot arena. Very easy read and passed an afternoon for me. I like these books as you don't have to put too much thought in to get the enjoyment out.

I will do, although I get the feeling I may need some backup tissues....

Ok, I've acquired episode 21 and will be watching tonight probably. Is this the season finale then? ETA: I've answered my own question and 'found' the other episodes.

Did anyone else see the really long trailor for this before Lost on Sunday night? I also noticed in Borders that all the newer copies have 'As seen on Sky 1' printed on the front of them. I love Martina's books and I can't wait for them to confirm when this is on.

Faces Martina Cole Gritty. Gripping. Unforgettable. Martina's back.Just before Danny Cadogan's fourteenth birthday, his father leaves. Having drunkenly run up a gambling debt he cannot pay, Big Dan Cadogan takes the easy way out. Leaving behind his wife and children to face the wrath of the men sent to collect the debt. Determined to protect his mother, brother and sister, something changes in Danny and, overnight, he turns into a young man set on making his way in a violent and dangerous world. He becomes a Face. Not just a Face, but the most feared Face in the Smoke. Out for all he can get. At any cost. But Danny's ruthlessness on the streets of London doesn't stop at his front door. He rules his wife, Mary, and his children, with an iron will -- and his fists. But if Mary breaks her silence, it could shake Danny's criminal empire; right to the very core. And for a Face at the top of his game, there's only one way to go. Down. Because, after all, debts can be paid without money. Set in the heart of London's criminal gangland, FACES is gritty, gripping and utterly unforgettable. Started: 17/05/09 Finished: 22/05/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Not one of Martina's best books but a yarn none the less. My interest started to wane about half way through as nothing much really happens. It did pick up towards the end when you saw all the threads coming together. I hope her next book is better.

I've only just watched episode 20 as well. Grr I hate having to wait.

A good episode that one. It's nice to have a bit of closure on the characters.

Well, after my little hissy fit this morning, my copy arrived in the post. (although I'm still waiting for two other books from Waterstones) I can't wait to give this one a go....

I've been waiting for Waterstones to deliver my copy of this for over a week now and reading all your good reviews is making me impatient.... (because it's not like I have 70 or so books in living room that need reading is it?) Anyways, I read the synopsis and it immediatlely puts itself up there next to MSK for obvious plot reasons and I thought it was quite brave of Picoult. Many people have said MSK is her best book by far, so to write something similar means direct comparisons are always going to be made. I can't wait to get my hands on this one though. Picoult always gets bumped to the top of my reading list

Maybe you should join the bookring, that is how I came across it.

Thanks Mac! So far so good but I'm not too far into it yet.

Things I want my Daughters to Know Elizabeth Noble ‘My beautiful girls. If you’ve read this, you’ll know it contains some – not all, but some – of the things I want my daughters to know. And the greatest of these is love …’ How would you say goodbye to those you love most in the world? Barbara must say a final farewell to her four daughters. But how can she find the words? And how can she leave them when they each have so much growing up to do? There’s commitment-phobic Lisa. Brittle, unhappily married Jennifer. Free-spirited traveller Amanda. And teenage Hannah, stumbling her way towards adulthood. Barbara’s answer is to write each daughter a letter, finally expressing the hopes, fears, dreams and secrets she couldn’t always voice. These words will touch the girls in different – sometimes shocking – ways, unlocking emotions and passions to set them on their own journey of discovery through life. Started: 10/05/09 Finished: 17/05/09 Rated: 3/5 Comments: I enjoyed reading this book and it wasn't as sad and maudlin as I thought it would be. I did feel the story started to trail off about 3/4's the way through but it was picked up again at the end where everything is pulled together nicely. It's not the kind of book I would rave about and it hasn't changed my life in any profound way but if you're interested in giving it a go, I wouldn't discourage anybody. It's a lovely story that's well told from all points of view and happily for me, didn't linger on the downsides.

I put this down after giving it an hour and a half of my life. I couldn't go on any further. I was put off by the writing style immediately but decided to look past this and carry on reading but after about 100 pages, I didn't care enough to turn to the next page. There was no depth to the characters and no scene setting at all. Quite a disappointment. I did have a peek at the reviews on Amazon after I gave up and I must agree with most of them. Those that made it to the end must have been quite stubborn!