For those of you looking for a nice summer read, with little social commentary, I've just finished a review for the Joe Bob site. Not exactly my cup of tea, but probably a step above the Harlequin romances.

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ETERNITY’S SONG by LeeAnn Pappas; reviewed by Steve Chaput
Published by Creative Arts Book Company; ISBN 0-88739-471-X

While far from ‘my cup of tea’, I actually found myself reading the book with less distaste then I would have thought. Pappas writes in a style less stilted than some romance writers, but not as ‘over the top’ as a Jackie Collins or Danielle Steel. You could certainly see the book turned into one of those Lifetime network movies, which fill the schedule on weekends.

Beginning back in the early 1960s when Sara Stravopoulos, a Greek shipping heiress, meets and marries rock guitarist Richard Winter. While Sara’s father is not happy with his daughter’s decision he learns that Richard is not the fortune hunter, he originally believed him to be. Both men are heartbroken when Sara dies while giving birth to her own daughter, Anna. Anna grows to womanhood, finding herself the object of both affection and hatred by a varied group of characters over a period of thirty years.

Richard’s one time partner, Nigel, has made it his life’s ambition to destroy the success and happiness he himself could not have. Taking advantage of Anna’s naivety he first seduces her and then marries her. He also has some rather embarrassing photographs, which he threatens to show Anna. Richard finds himself forced to sign Nigel to a contract to keep his daughter from discovering what her husband has done. Naturally, love triumphs in the end, as it always does in this sort of thing.

Pappas creates a diverse group of characters, some likeable and others ruthless. The fact that she is able to flesh so many out is itself admirable, while actually tossing in some surprises along the way. Certainly not great literature, by any means, the book is one of those things that some readers like to toss in the beach bag or tote to take along on vacation. The story is fast-paced and moves the cast around the Greek islands, London and New York, with Pappas actually demonstrating knowledge of shipping and navigation along the way. Two and a half stars.
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Well, probably not the best review I've written and certainly not the highest praise, but the folks at the site seemed happy with it, so that's good enough for me.

I'm actually in the midst of reading two other books for review and I'm hoping to get those read & reviewed in the next week or so. Someday I might actually get around to picking up the half dozen books that I've bought and haven't had a chance to red yet. :-)