One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.

Like any good scientist, Pippa's done her research and Cross's reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion—the experience of ruination w
ithout the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it's more than tempting . . . and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts—and giving the lady precisely what she wants.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Sarah MacLean truly delivers in her novel, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, with a scoundrel by reputation and a scientist that demands results. Readers will connect with both characters as they laugh out loud at MacLean's situational humor and honest witticism. 

Pippa is about to get married and everyone knows how odd she is. Including her fiance. But she's determined to abide by her vows... if only she knew what they meant. As a scientist she looks logically at any situation and is determined to get to the bottom of marital sex. She is a humorously honest, dedicated, and hopeful character. Readers will love her and connect with her as most have felt the effects of being the 'odd one out.' Though, I'm not sure how many readers will have experienced her need for ruination. 

Cross is the bad boy who wants nothing more than to be good. He's a rake, a scoundrel, and a liar. And will even admit it! But, he doesn't want to be. By trying to escape his past, he's fallen victim to his vices. But Pippa may just be the girl to save him. If he ever realizes that he's the one who needs it. Readers will adore his blunt speech, impeccable retort, and his absent charm while hoping that he'll break the chains of his past and allow his own happiness to be claimed victor. 

The plot follows Pippa as she attempts to convince Cross to "ruin" her so that she may come to understand what her future marriage will be like. As she discovers that desire, passion, and temptation are part of the scientific equation that equal sex, Pippa finds herself researching an entire different hypothesis. Amazing novel for those mature readers! I may just have to read the entire series. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels

Book 3: Romance Genre in Challenge

The World Without Us

If human beings disappeared instantaneously from the Earth, what would happen? How would the planet reclaim its surface? What creatures would emerge from the dark and swarm? How would our treasured structures--our tunnels, our bridges, our homes, our monuments--survive the unmitigated impact of a planet without our intervention?

In his revelatory, bestselling account, Alan Weisman draws on every field of science to present an environmental assessment like no other, the most affecting portrait yet of humankind's place on this planet.

**

Alan Weisman does a fantastic job at putting his post-human vision on paper with his book, The World Without Us. The entire book is a collection of facts, quotes, and interviews turned into beautiful prose creating a timeline of what nature would do without homo sapiens intervening.

Chapter by chapter, Weisman takes a look at various aspects of our every day lives, our history, and our legacy while astounding readers with facts that will have their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

The book is split into four different parts each exploring what would happen to various parts of the world when humans are gone. How long would it take New York City to disappear? Would the faces on Mount Rushmore welcome the next inhabitants or would they be worn down to smooth stone? How would endangered animal populations end up without us to protect them/destroy their homes?

These questions plus a thousand others are all asked and answered in Weisman's book. It is cleverly put together, all the while adding up to one thing: nature will fight to reclaim the world. I can't believe I've waited this long to read through The World Without Us, especially since I bought it when it was first released in 2007.

However, this book is rather hard to comprehend at times, as it is scientifically written. It is an imaginitive study that doesn't slack on research or description. I think that's what deterred me from it for so many years. But even if you need a dictionary beside you, I highly recommend that everyone read this book.

Rating: 3/5 cups

The World Without Us

Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge

Do Not Resuscitate

DNR.
Do not resuscitate.

Those were the letters that Dr. Elena Gardner wrote on her husband's chart while he lay in a coma. Then someone turned off his life support.

DNR. The letters that were written on Chester Pulliam's chart right before his life support was withdrawn. Signed by Dr. Elena Gardner. Except she wasn't the one who wrote them, this time.

Midnight calls every Tuesday to Elena's phone. Letters that guarantee she will pay for what she's done. A suspicious eye focused on her, waiting for her to slip up again.

In Richard Mabry's book, Diagnosis Death, Elena is being framed for multiple homicides. And the killer is getting closer. Are all of these threats connected or are they coming from separate sources? Mabry takes the reader on a trek through the hospitals in Texas, weaving in and out of patient rooms, forcing them to keep their eyes glancing back over their left shoulder.

The main character, Dr. Elena Gardner, is easy to connect with on a personal level. She's a woman who has lost someone very close to her and is still struggling with the pain that loss caused. Readers can easily compare their own loss with that of Elena's, bringing them closer to understanding the fears that hide in the pages. This novel is fast-paced, but doesn't omit the details needed to fully comprehend the plot. Wonderful read, especially for anyone who has interests in medicine.

Diagnosis Death on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups