Here's what I've been reading...and what I thought of my reads.

Fairest (Audio CD) by Gail Carson Levine

This is one of the gems of our audiobook collection, a book that is truly enhanced by being turned into an audio performance.  The story is loosely based on "Snow White", but in this modern version the heroine Aza is an "ugly" child who was adopted by innkeepers.   While she is constantly looked down upon because of her looks, one thing she does have going for her is her lovely voice, which is important in a society that adores music.  I greatly enjoyed the fantasy kingdom of Ayortha that Levine creates, with its people that love to burst into song at a moments notice and castles inhabited by birds.   But Aza's vocal talents, which include the ability to throw her voice like a ventriloquist, are not enough to save her when she gets in trouble during a visit to the court.  Aza must find a way to use her talents and inner strength to save herself--and to be reunited with those she loves. This story was wonderful to listen to as an audiobook, as I could hear the many songs referred to throughout the story actually being sung. The actors and director/composer did an excellent job in selecting the right melodies for the songs, which had just the right fairy tale feel to them.   Hearing these performances transported me as a listener to the world of this story, the only problem I had was that I couldn't always understand all of the words. Other than that I couldn't wait to get in my car for my daily dose of this delightful tale, for it was just like I was getting to enjoy a little bit of a musical play every day.

Rain Fall  by Barry Eisler

I was mesmorized by this thriller which has a complex main character and an exotic setting. "John Rain" is an undercover assassin working in Japan. After a successful hit he becomes suspicious of some anomolies--such as when the jazz singer he goes to see turns out to the be target's daughter and she is followed by a mysterious man after the show. Rain follows her pursuer and gets involved in a tangled web of intrigue that he has to figure out to save his--and the jazz singer's--skin. Rain also has a muddied past to deal with, and he is an expert commentator on the Japanese culture, being half-Japanese himself. This was a great start to a series as it leaves you wishing for more at the end. If you like thrillers with a bit of complexity you'll definitely want to read this one.

Healing Promises by Amy Wallace

This one is about an FBI agent who is trying to hunt down a child predator. Unfortunely, he is diagnosed with cancer so he has to leave much of the investigation to others. So half of this book is about the guys emotional ups and downs as he battles cancer, the other is about the investigation and the drama that ensues when they track the predator down--but then the predator targets one of their own.
The premise of this story seemed pretty far fetched to me, and while I appreciate the way it was used to explore some heavy questions about suffering it was hard to swallow at times. Fans of Karen Kingsbury's emotionally laden fiction may enjoy this, although her stories are better written and have less plot holes.

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd

Readers have another delightful story to add to their collections of Christian Chick Lit. Lex is recently unemployed, in need of a new place to live, and without a man in her life. Still she is unsure about working at a French bakery--the owner may be handsome and suave, but it seems to be a waste of her college degree in French studies. But she is trying to follow where God and her heart are leading her--and it seems to be to a place where she can use her love of cuisine and the French culture. It was a thrill to follow Lex on her journey through many ups and downs in love, friendships, and family relationships. If you love novels that feature young, contemporary women who struggle with todays issues in a lighthearted way, than this is the book for you!