Novel Review: The Guardian by Nickolas Sparks

 
 The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks, ©2003.  Accustomed to romance and love stories by Nicholas Sparks, I was taken off guard by a thriller plot.  Thank goodness there is a main love story too.  Begun in the deep emotional pit of recent widowhood, Julie's grief is lessened by the delivery of a puppy her husband had arranged for her to receive after his death.  Years pass and she has finally been able to move on, but is blind to the potential relationship of a good friend who is also reluctant to press his luck and move their friendship up a notch to romance.  So, Julie has entered the dating scene, meeting mostly losers but also a new special person she is interested in seeing again.  The new person in her life comes on strong, too strong, and she realizes he is not what she is looking for, but he determinedly disagrees.  In the meantime her old "friend" of years becomes more than just a friend, finally.  Ah, the love triangle, but wait there is a fourth component. The dog, that is now a treasured companion that eerily seems to understand her every command and need.  A good read.  An 8 out of 10.  I usually rate Spark's books higher.  But an 8 means I'll keep looking for more of his books to enjoy.

Novel Review: Defending Jacob by William Landay

Defending Jacob by William Landay, ©2012.  Secrets drive the action as a son, Jacob, is accused of murder and the family fights to get their lives back.  Jacob is a lawyer's son so one might think that would be an advantage all around.  Written from the perspective of the father, this one has surprising twists.  I thought I had it figured out.  Not.  I'm still mystified why these parents did not see possible trouble long ago, even though it seems unlikely their precious only child is guilty.  Every relationship in the family is threatened. A psychiatrist's report, a stressful trial, being ostracized by neighbors, friends, co-workers, all add to the family unit's demise.  Plus that secret.  That elephant in the room.  But how else could it end, for Jacob, eventually?  A sad book.  8 out of 10.  Recommended reading.

Novel Review: Mistral's Daughter by Judith Krantz

Mistral's Daughter by Judith Krantz, ©1982.   Three generations of women each contribute to the plot which switches back and forth between France and the United States, starting in 1925.  Mistral is a French painter who in my opinion is the villain of the story.  However, he is also the common thread.  Struggle, affairs, successes.   Mistral is the first lover of the first woman; lover also of her daughter; father to the third woman.   I can't identify with any of them.  It seems to me they all contributed to their own problems because of poor morals, selfishness, and stupidity.  Eventually all are wealthy.  WWII problems add to the mix.  I wouldn't start it again if hindsight was foresight.  6 on my 1-10 scale.