Waylander - David Gemmell

A different genre - more along the lines of  'Lord of the' books, though the narration is much fast paced. 

This is the story of the man called Waylander the Slayer. Though a mercenary he had lived by his own code. Having been tricked into killing an innocent man, The King at that, he is haunted by his conscience and the havoc his actions caused in the Drenai lands. To make matters worse, he is hunted by the Dark brotherhood and other enemies.

He gets ordered by the father of the slain King that the only way to seek redemption for his actions if to retrieve the legendary Armor of Bronze from a difficult shadow-haunted land and hand it to another, who could lead the Drenai army to victory. 

Finally the evil Kaem (who gave Waylander the contract to kill the king), the dark brotherhood and others are all defeated and Waylander the Slayer finds himself an unlikely hero.

Good narration, fast paced and good plot. 

A collection - JT Edson

I got a few more books from my friend and as per my request, he sent me some of the books from his JT Edson collection. 'The Small Texan' got me hooked on to westerns for now, so this is more for me to keep track of the titles I have read and to give a small gist of each.

TEXAS KIDNAPPERS

Ysabel Kid deals with a trip of robbers and the kidnappers of BettyHardin, granddaughter of Ole Devil Hardin. The criminal mastermind behind the whole incident was a reddish-brunette gone bad called Libby Craddock, who comes to an unsavory end while trying to steal the Kid's big white stallion.

CURE THE TEXAS FEVER

Captain Dusty Fog and his wife Freddie scheme and succeed in bringing a brilliant vet to Texas. His mission is to make an antidote for the 'texas fever ' that seems to follow the herds to the market, and threatened being banned from kansas and the railroad- to the ruin of the state of Texas.

To aid in this mission, they rope in Wax(Waxahachie Smith), who is a wanted man, but hopes to be pardoned on completing this mission. The enemies abound, but Dusty Fog had the right man for the mission.

THE MAN FROM TEXAS

John Chisum , the cattle king, plans a plot to be picked as the captain of round-up, planned  by a group of ranch owners. But the (un)timely arrival of a stranger puts paid to his ambitions since that stranger was Captain Dusty Fog.

OLE DEVIL'S HANDS AND FEET

Ole Devil Hardin, though cofined to a wheel chair, was the major force in Texas. And helping him in being so, were his floating outfit, otherwise known as his 'hands and feet'. Dusty Fog, Red Blaze, Doc Leroy, Mark Counter and Ysabel Kid. 

THE BAD BUNCH

They always made their raids when the poeple were diverted with fairs, or other such entertainment. Then they would set a fire far away from the target area and get on with raiding their chosen target, Dusty Fog, Mark Counter and the Ysabel Kid have a fair idea of the next target of the Bad bunch, but they find that the Bad bunch are not what they expected. Comprising of only women, led by Anna Gould, who once had led a bunch of men known as 'Hannah's Guerillas'. Dusty had destoyed that gang, but let her get away, thinking 'Hannah' had died on the attack. The bad bunch finally could'nt hold out against Belle Boyd, Belle Starr, Betty Hardin and Calamity Jane.

GUNS IN THE NIGHT

Belle Starr is murdered and Mark Counter is devastated to lose the woman he wanted to marry. Ysabel Kid and Dusty Fog. They trace the culprit to another woman called Bertha Ford. Calamity Jane too does her part.

 

Cause for Celebration - Gina Wilkins

MILLS & BOON - TEMPTATION

This is the very delightfully narrated love story of Grant Bryant and Merry James. Both are forceful personalities and achievers. Merry had to care for herself and her four siblings at a very young age and Grant and his partner had built up and successfully sold a multi -million dollar business...

'Cause for celebration' is the sweet story of how these special people overcame their natures to compromise and build a happy life together. One of my favourites by author Gina Wilkins.

The Lion's Lady - Julie Garwood

POCKET BOOKS

I declare, in my mind, it is a tie between Nora roberts and Julie Garwood. I have been lucky enough to collect a few of the Julie Garwood books, and this is my latest acquisition yet.

This story is about the latest toast of the London society, Christina Bennet, who has a past cloaked in mystery ...and Lyon, the Marquis of Lyonwood, who has a past mired with betrayal and grief.

She is feisty and rebellious and he is stubborn and insistant. Not a match made in heaven...but as the story progresses, love conquers all... their own reservations, weak willed suitors,a treacherous aunt, a murderous father...

Blissful ending and absolutely delightful narration. I could ask for nothing more.

Forced to Marry - Barbara Cartland

RUPA PUBLICATIONS

It has been a while since I picked up a Barbara Cartland. This is the story of Miss. Gytha Sullivan, an orphaned Heiress living with her ailing Grandfather, and the dashing Lord Locke, who is a neighbor.

Circumstances force them to get engaged and they have to face a few foes together. Their adventures lead them to appreciate the finer qualities in each other, and they fall in love.

The title doesn't seem to be that apt since they were forced to get engaged, but they get married on their own volition.

Light reading, in the same vein as most of her books.

The Small Texan - J T Edson

CORGI BOOKS

Wow...can't believe that I have neglected this blog so much when I have actually bought/borrowed and read a few dozen books since I last posted.

Got an opportunity to raid an old friend's book collection and was introduced to a new author of westerns , JT Edson.

His books are a lot like Louise L'amour, but with a subtle sense of humour, a hint of irony and very lively characters.

This book is about a small Texan called Dusty Fog, who stands tall among other statesque texans by bringing peace among the troubled people.

Great narration and makes you want to keep reading more and more of his books...

Creative Batik - Rosi Robinson

I have seen many how-to books and have collected a fair number. But this is by-far the most simply explained and beautifully illustrated book that I own.

Even if one doesn't have the specific tools, the book really gives you the impetuous to try out something even if it is the simplest of ways.

I have linked the book displayed on Amazon .com just so that you can take a peek at the beautiful pictures in the book.