"Bed Her Well, Mer-i-vel!"
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I can never figure out just what it means or what I should expect when reading a book that is either a Pulitzer or Booker winner or nomination.  I think it's going to mean that I will just love it because it is so fabulous, but somehow that doesn't seem to be the way it turns out for me and this book is no exception.

'Restoration' starts out well enough, with Robert Merivel falling into favor with King Charles II.  Merivel is a wild, lascivious, gluttonous young man fully enjoying the excesses of the king's court, thinking very little of his purpose in life.  Merivel is commanded to marry the king's mistress and rewarded with a modest country estate with the understanding that he will have little or nothing to do with his wife Celia Clemence.  At first the situation is agreeable to Merivel but after a period of time he becomes dissatisfied and restless with his life.  He struggles to find something to inspire him and give him a feeling of accomplishment.

This story is a parable of sorts but the ending is somewhat beyond belief and written with a dreamlike narration which is inconsistent with the rest of the novel.  I enjoyed the hedonistic Merivel at King Charles' court and the details of the period including the London fire of 1666.  Much of the story was interesting, and it was well written but at the same time it didn't move me as much as I had hoped it to.  I wanted to love Merivel and we certainly started off on the right foot but it just didn't develop into much and his character didn't stay with me after I was done reading.  I liked many of the interactions between the characters but overall wasn't satisfied by this novel.  I thought it was tied up a little too neatly for my tastes which gave it a bit of a fluffy feel. If you are looking for something light during this period you might like this.  It just didn't have enough emotional depth to satisfy me.
2113632
This product was wonderful enough that my parents bought the queen originally, then bought a king and gave the king to me! It gives a whole new meaning to "I can't get out of bed!"
1515057
The real expert, my 8-yr old granddaughter, wants to read this book every night at bedtime.  3 weeks now and still going strong!  I must assume it is a feel-good story that is the perfect way to end a great day, non?
3660035
In this clever, laugh-out-loud take on what is often a nightly struggle to get children tucked in, a little girl gives instructions on getting parents to bed. It's a struggle, because they have lots of excuses:  eating, doing dishes, clicking on a keyboard, talking on their phones, watching TV, and reading magazines. When she finally wrestles them to the bathroom, she has to brush her father's back molars. This is my favorite illustration! As the girl vigorously scrubs inside her dad's mouth, the cat sits on the counter clutching his own small toothbrush. When she finally gets them tucked in, she is too exhausted to enjoy what she's looked forward to all evening: time to herself. She, too, goes to bed. The exuberant illustrations are a perfect match for this rollicking tale that will have giggling children insisting "read it again!"
45500
Its official, Lily Sanderson is now Crown Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia. Lily is living on land and is happy to do so. She is also trying to keep up with her duties as princess which she finds her cousin Doe has a better handle on than she does. When an underwater quake shakes up more than her home on land Lily sets out to do all that she can to make the world a safe place for humans and mer folk alike. Lily thinks she may be able to do more good on land where she can study the happenings above the water that are affecting the mer-world under water. As she sets out to do just that she offered a great opportunity to further her education and get a degree that can put her in a position to help on both sides.

One afternoon, Lily gets a surprise visit from her Dad the King where she is told that in order for her to stay with Quince the boy she loves, even through their bond was broken and she has bonded to Telen for the sake of keeping her title and helping out Telen's kingdom, Quince will be put through a series of tests to prove his love for her. If he does not pass then he is banned from the ocean forever and she will not be able to return to land. This poor mer-girl has her hands full. How can she balance all this and try to save the mer-world that is suffering and the human world from a Mer-queen with an agenda?

I have to give it to Narrator Emily Bauer. She does a great job keeping you in the moment with this story. She has a knack for making you feel what the characters are feeling. When someone is upset, excited, happy or tired, it comes through in her narration. I got swallowed up in this story and it was hard to pull me away. The audio is nice and clean and a joy to listen to. - Lisa
1359542
Wide-eyed pirate Capn Rowdy is so worn out from fighting a monstrous storm at sea, she cant go to sleep.  So she offers a chest of gold in exchange for a soothing lullaby.  Her ships crewmen are determined to earn the gold by bringing her gifts they think will put her to sleep. Nothing does until the cabin boy fetches Rowdys buccaneer pappy to sing her a lullaby.  The cabin boy claims his chest of gold and tired Capn Rowdy yawns, closes her eyes and becomes a snoring pirate.

Though some of the vocabulary may be a bit of a stretch for the youngest picture book fans, the story line is easily understood.  The subdued, colorful, cartoonish artwork bleeds off every page.  The font varies in size even within the sentences, and the action is nonstop.

Hope Irvin Marston, author of MY LITTLE BOOK OF BALD EAGLES
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I love her voice and seeing her perform was amazing.  It is seriously the best seat in the house.  Also, please be warned that there is some very naughty language, right from the start and sprinkled throughout.  Please put the kids to bed!
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Poor Lady SUSAN HAMPTON: shes just turned 25; her gambler father has lost everything and they have to move in with Aunt Louise; and the clincher - her father has just stolen her dowry (her mamas pearls)! The handwriting on the wall reads that Susans life will ever be in thrall to her aunt as the unfortunate niece.  Out she ventures to seek employment as a governess and winds up at the Steinman Agency, run by wounded war survivor Joel (hes lost an arm) and his mother.  Joel suggests work as a ladys companion (Susan is too pretty to be hired as a governess) and takes her for an interview with starchy Lady Bushnell who is desperately seeking a companion for her very picky mother-in-law. The latter had been a follower of the drum during the Peninsula War and was a legend in the army.  The widowed Dowager Lady Bushnell has turned down every companion sent to her.  Shes fierce about being independent and is perfectly content to reside on her estate with her excellent Welsh bailiff, DAVID WIGGINS, ex-Sergeant under her husbands command.  Susan is determined to be the Ladys last companion and takes her first-ever public stage to the Cotswolds.  Its clear to one and all that Susan is a lady, but she gets along well with everyone, except Lady B.  The bailiff is sympathetic, especially as Susan comes with Joel Steinmans recommendation, and makes helpful suggestions as to how to remain.  Besides, he likes her. As the story unfolds we learn more about Bailiff Wiggins (thats NOT a Welsh name); the events and hardships during that particularly nasty war for Lady B., her husband and her son; and for the surviving soldiers, like David and Joel. David has ambitions to create a strain of seeds that will produce hardy wheat and establish The Waterloo Seed Farm, and Susan joins in his efforts wholeheartedly. She may not be the best ladys companion, but Susan loves Lady B. who is fading away. She finds a way to remain with her there until her death. But what of Susan and David  whats ahead for them?
21641
Beautiful illustrations! Classic poem. A really lovely bedtime book.
1149066
In the last book of Shana Galen's Covent Garden Cubs series we have Sir Brook Derring and Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox. When Brook, a second son of an Earl, was twenty-four, he fell in love and proposed to Lady Lillian-Anne, the daughter of a Duke. That didn't go well. "Brook was a casualty of her vanity." Several years later Brook has become a Sir and an inspector who finds missing people. Guess who has been kidnapped? Her friends call her Lady Lila. Wait, she doesn't have any friends. Brook is hired by her father to save her. (Brook still hates her!) While in hiding they play a very seductive game in which the stakes are their hearts. These two remind me of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in "The Quiet Man". They fight like cats and dogs, but their kisses are heaven. My favorite quote: "He did enjoy the way she looked at him-as though there was one sugared plum left and he was it." This book has lots of action and is VERY steamy! I highly recommend it!
1510237
Promised is one of the earliest novels (#4) in Parkers original 39-book Spenser series. Susan is still a guidance counselor  and a big theme in this one is how far will she and Spenser go in their mutual commitment  even marriage? Curiously, Susan meets Hawk for the first time herein, but he and Spenser are on opposite sides  with Hawk (dubiously) playing an enforcer role for a criminal loan shark.

The basic plot surrounds married couple Pam and Harvey Shepherd. Pam has disappeared and Harvey wants her back, hiring Spenser to find and fetch her. Spenser of course does find her, but is convinced to let her be, as her claims about being smothered by almost intolerable love from Harvey prompted her into numerous episodes of promiscuity with strangers; and saw her finally move in with a couple of militant feminists. The feminists then rob a bank, accidentally killing a guard in the process; and want Spenser to find a gun seller to dispose of their monetary proceeds. Meanwhile, Harvey is having problems with Hawks loan shark  and our hero figures out a method to ensnare the whole gang of them, except in a way that protects Hawk and Pam from police action.

We found the story pretty typical of the later tales, and entertaining enough, especially seeing the angst exhibited by none other than the professional psychotherapist Susan. So will Spenser pop the question; and will she say yes ?!?!
3073243
Anne Rice has written in The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty a bold and entertaining story.  Although this book may not be for everyone, anyone with a liberal enough mind may enjoy it.  As she usually does, Anne takes sex and makes it her own, ignoring taboos while presenting her vision.  I never felt that she was shying away from anything.  And the way she makes the reader feel Beauty's shame combined with excitement at every new punishment is exquisite.
Anne Rice fans will like this book because Anne continues her bold and unapologetic fahion of presenting her story.  All other readers may appreciate it for its treatment of a subject that most others won't ever talk about.  Overall, it's a naughty, fun read which will enthrall many readers with open minds.
3241947
In this funny rhyming adventure, Cyril goes looking for an acorn thief only to realize it's his Grandpa, who is aided and abetted by Grandma. My dogs and I quite enjoyed this hilarious bedtime story. The ending was a nice, sweet one with a positive message (as Melinda's books usually have). I think this might actually be one my favorite Melinda Kinsman books to date!

The illustrations were soft and cozy and fit the story perfectly. Five paws up!
1095982
What a cute little story book for children to read at bedtime!
I read it to my nice tonight, who's staying with me and she loved it
Really Really cute! Then she took her turn and read it back to me
She's such a character; I call her to day hi sometimes (she lies out of state now
and she has me on the phone reading me the books I buy and sens her...lol
**I received this book at a discounted price in exchange for my honest review.
10003
ALLES BILD SATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGION!
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Tenebris has arrived, the dark shadow that has loomed over Verglas since the beginning of the war. His goals are threefold. Conquer Verglas, find the mirror, and kill the Snow Queen. He doesn't care how many he sacrifices to get what he wants.

Farrin Graydim's loyalties are stretched to the snapping point. All he really wants is a place where he belongs. Until now, that has been with his Commander, Tenebris, the man who saved him. Rakel is making him see things in a different light. But surely she would never accept a man with such a monstrous past?

Rakel's life has been turned on its head. Once feared, now the people all but worship her, rising up everywhere to fight in her name and under her flag. She has no idea what to do with their newfound respect and adoration. Rachel does not want power, but her brother the King, remains absent and fearful of her. Can she convince her brother to take hold of his place as King before the people try to raise her up in his place?

Sacrifice was even better than book one: Heart of Ice. Like the title suggests, sacrifice is the very core of this story. Rachel knows that to win this war she must lay everything down, perhaps even her life, but this wonderful girl never hesitates. for the love of her people she is willing to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure Verglas has a future.

We finally get to see a bit more of Farrin's past, though not quite enough for this curious reader. I would have loved to have seen that history fleshed out in a bit more depth. It certainly isn't necessary, I would just have enjoyed a little extra there.

We finally learn what Tenebris's obsession with Verglas is, though the author still leaves us with so many questions. I hope we will learn the answers to that in one of the future Fairytale Retellings books And I was right about Tenebris in my earlier review of Heart of Ice. He is a much better villain that Frozen's Hans ever was!

Don't forget to check out K. M. Shea's website for a bunch of short stories and deleted scenes from these books!

Safety Rating:

Romance: A sweet kiss. Mild flirting.
Language: clean
Drinking/Drugs: clean
Blood/violence: there are quite a few battles and skirmishes throughout this book. All of it is non-graphic. The action rarely slows. There is little to no blood shown.
Other: Magic is everywhere here, and the villain uses dark curses, although thankfully no details of that are ever given.
4205204
BEST PART OF THE BOOK:
Esther has forgotten her date w/Lopez & announces he's going to training for two weeks. Banter ensues:
"So you were planning to wine and dine me tonight, get me into bed, and then abandon me for two weeks?"
"That was the plan," he admitted.
"I'm pretty sure that makes you a cad" I told him.
He grinned. "I'm coming back. I just wante...d to mark my territory before I go."
"Mark your territory?"
"A woman who could forget I was coming over tonight might forget me completely in two weeks...unless I make a strong enough impression."