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The Moorland Cottage is the chronicle of brother and sister Edward and Maggie Browne. Edward is a bit of an ass but yet Maggie still follows him around like a lost puppy filling his every request. This is until she meets Frank Buxton and her attentions begin to drift elsewhere.

The story plays out like the fairy tale Cinderella, but once Maggie has claimed her glass slipper, the reader is only halfway through the short novel. What could happen to this seeming perfect union? Her irresponsible, co-dependent brother of course. Thus Maggie is forced to choose between the two men she loves, her brother and her fiance.

I'm embarrassed to say I was watching an Oprah Show recently that dealt with broken families due to tragedy. The two sisters that were on, knew what was happening was wrong but still felt an obligation to protect their older brothers. This may be a poor example but I feel that this is where Maggie Browne falls as well, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I was quite mistaken to think this would end neat and "happily ever after" but instead turned into a seafaring adventure and reminded me of the Titanic. The Moorland Cottage is an unexpected gem going from Jane Austen to Robert Louis Stevenson in a second. Elizabeth Gaskell will not disappoint.

In the first half of Edith Wharton's The Age Of Innocence we are introduced to Newland Archer, a lawyer in upper-class New York. Archer seems to have it all, a prestigious job a "perfect" fiance May Welland, he seems to live the ideal New York lifestyle. Then May's cousin Ellen Olenska comes to the city after a scandalous separation from her husband, Count Olenski and has come to New York to start anew. Archer, does everything to protect Madam Olenska, by announcing his wedding engagement early to detract attention away from his cousin-to-be and persuades her not to file for divorce in order to avoid further scandal. Due to this closeness his heart begins to drift in a different direction.

The Age of Innocence is far from Hannah Montana's "Best of Both Worlds" You cannot have your cake and eat it too. May comes with the in-crowd and a picket fence, Ellen's past carries too much baggage to ever be accepted in society her kind-hearted character being overlooked. Convention or Passion? The forbidden apple so to speak. Personally, I like to think Archer is just getting cold feet and wants to elope in hopes of putting a stop to temptation. Although at the end of part one, a strong connection is made between the unlikely couple and the reader to believe that there could be a deep affection there and is not just one sided on Newland's part.

In the second book, Ellen and Newland struggle with their feelings for one another. Ellen is all too aware that what they are doing is wrong and tries to keep her distance, reminding Newland that he was the one who convinced her not to file for divorce. Archer on the other hand, try as he might cannot keep his thoughts away from Madame Olenska and seeks her out with an excuse to his lovely wife May at the first opportunity. I really wanted to slap Newland on the head, not that Ellen was a horrible person by any means but Archer did have a good thing going with his wife May and I think it's just morally wrong.

The ending, is by far my favorite, May finally grows a backbone and outsmarts the love couple, almost stooping down to her husband's level of conniving, putting the whole thing in perspective. I've always felt the conclusion is more like an epilogue and I think has a love it or hate it air to it. I personally enjoy it as even though Archer is faced with a golden opportunity regarding Ellen, he chooses to take the high road and shows a sweet candor that the reader had not yet seen. The Age of Innocence was a darling of a book to read, Edith Wharton is such an eloquent author, the climb to the climax is a journey all it's own and is most rewarding.

Wuthering Heights is the Gothic romance of Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Two star-crossed lovers who met as young children having a great disdain for each other growing up but soon realize that they are each other, in other words soul mates. All that changes when an accidental meeting between Cathy and the wealthy Edgar Linton, who tames Cathrine's wild ways and has her falling in love with his pocketbook. Heathcliff realizes that he will never be on the same par as a Linton as he is just a stable boy and thus leaves the moors to make something of himself.

But of course Emily Bronte could not leave us with a happy ending, and has Master Heathcliff return after the union of Cathy and Edgar. Despite the fact that he has made something of himself his efforts turn out to be in vain and not having changed his temper sets out for revenge.

I finished Wuthering Heights last night and find it very appropriate that it was during a tornado watch as that describes this novel very well. A tornado of disastrous events circle this novel, involving, gambling and alcoholism, violence, death and an overall conniving plot. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities, and would not have cared if they got swallowed up in the moors. If this where to take place in the modern age, all the players would be found in rehab, an insane asylum or prison, due to unlawful behavior.

Nelly, our storyteller is for the most part just watching the events unfold, but our listener, Mr. Lockheart I found very reminiscent of Mrs. Kravitz peeking over a wall to catch the latest obscurity.

I really don't think there is one particular evil doer in Wuthering Heights, but if it must be narrowed down the obvious answer is Heathcliff. He is so dastardly evil with very calculated, thought out evil plans to slowly bring about the demise of everyone around him. I can very easily picture him twirling a mustache while tying a damsel in distress to the train tracks.

Cathy, well there's no way to put this nicely, but she is a major bitch. She does almost as much damage as Heathcliff, she's just more subtle about. I just wish she had been thrown under the bus much sooner that she was.

Edgar and Isabella believed that everything was good in the world, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt only to have it bite them in the ass. Some people are just too trusting and were never taught not to take candy from strangers.

Hindley and Hareton are both ridiculously taken advantage of to further Heathcliff's plan. They suffer for this through horrid habits that are not easily reversed, swirling into obscurity and ignorance.

Cathrine and Linton really had no chance with the gene pool they were given. Isabella and Edgar being while very nice, also wimps and sissies. Cathy and Heathcliff are just plain bad, with both expressing their emotions in irrational manners. So Linton and Cathy naturally fell into this habitat prehaps being brain washed to the life style and decisions that are made.

See, no redeeming qualities.

I think the last line of Wuthering Heights is ultra creepy and sums up the novel nicely:

"And wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quite earth."

Thirteen is when a Beaumont's savvy hits—and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who creates electricity, Mibs Beaumont is eager to see what she gets. But just before the big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. And now all Mibs wants is a savvy that will save him. In fact, Mibs is so sure she'll get a powerful savvy that she sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus with her sibling and the preacher's kids in tow. After this extraordinary adventure—full of talking tattoos and a kidnapping—not a soul on board will ever be the same.

Savvy had so much potential but just fell flat. It began as a very original idea but slowly started to cave-in once Mibs Savvy was revealed, being able to talk to tattoos was a little strange and made her appear schizophrenic, I'd be bummed if that was my savvy. The book also reminded me of several other established YA books, the main players obtaining magic powers and going on an ill fated journey was reminiscent of Percy Jackson and the children's I.Q. being far superior to that of the adults was likened to Lemony Snicket. Perhaps, if I was a middle schooler I would find Savvy more attractive but as an adult don't see it standing next to the likes of Harry Potter or Narnia.

Behind a Mask is an excellent way to become acquainted with Alcott's racier side. With a hidden identity used for publication (A.M. Barnard) it all fits together nicely in this unique thriller.

Jean Muir is hired to be the Governess to the Coventry house but upon her arrival realize that something is amiss and that Miss Muir is nothing like Nanny Fine. She is very syrupy but yet seduces everyone in the family with her charm. With calculated moves, "introducing" herself as a sweet innocent girl down on her luck, quickly wins the hearts of the gentlemen of the house making all the right connections and begins to weave her web. Can we say welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly?

From the beginning I knew that there was something fishy going on, and was pretty sure I knew the motive; my suspicions were confirmed in the shape of a letter. There really is something to be said about disclosing a plot in the form of a letter, I think it adds to the dramatic flare, especially here with the ending drawing so near. While Behind a Mask was a pageturner all in its self, I couldn't press my Kindle's "Next Page" button fast enough when reaching the conclusion.