Stumbling into a Great Read

February 14, 2013

Have you ever started a book with really low expectations only to have it suck you in completely? It's really an amazing feeling. You find yourself engaged and furiously reading to figure out what in the world is going to happen. How can the hero/heroine get themselves out of this mess? What evil plot is waiting to be foiled? It is exhilarating and generates a rush of passionate reading! You, all of a sudden, care about knowing the name of an author so you can check out anything else they have written. This has happened to me on so many occasions.

I could not put down the unexpected epic journey of George in Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher, the incredible antics of Howard Holmes in The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsson, and countless other books that have swept me away to the wonderfully imagined worlds created in their text. So many good books, so little time!! As a habitual romance novel reader, you may be surprised to know that this event does not happen too many times when I find myself on a romance novel kick. I suppose you may not be surprised about this, but then you may also be wondering why anyone would read a romance novel in the first place. I promise, though, every once in a while even this notoriously fluffy genre really comes up with a real page turner. It seems hard to imagine, but when this happens, the steamy parts filter into the background as just a natural extension of a good story. Ok, I know, it seems hard to believe, but it is...or at least can be...true!

I am currently 10 chapters into Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney, and I'll be darned if it is not a page turner of a romance! Yes, the title is cheesy; yes, it is a romance novel with mushy love scenes and main characters needlessly ignoring their feelings; yes, all of the character are extremely good looking and have the quippiest things to say in any situation; but other than all of this, it's a good mystery story. Mushy loves scenes and all, so far the rest of the content has proven to be...well, fascinating if nothing else. There is time travel, murder, revenge, intrigue, magic, and mystery. I am pleasantly surprised and it just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover. While you may not ever pick this book up and think it's a great read, it is nice to remember that any story can surprise, intrigue, and beguile you if you just give it a chance!

Katie T.
Red Bridge Branch