Slim pickings this month as we've been unordinarily busy and had a sick child and mommy. I only read two books and actually ended up taking two books back to the library completely unread. I mean, I didn't even start reading either of them. I honestly can't think of a time that has ever happened before. I managed to read two books this month, weeks apart, and they could not have been more different. Let's dive in.

Days of Gold
Author: Jude Deveraux

Synopsis: Edilean Talbot and Angus McTern are thrown together when Edilean's reprehensible uncle tries to marry her to one of his friends in exchange for her dowry. When Angus agrees to help get her and her inheritance away to the man she believes to be her true love, he finds himself accused of kidnapping and stealing. Edilean and Angus end up crossing the ocean to America and falling in love on the journey, but as is the case in all romance novels they go their separate ways and have to find their way back to each other.

My Thoughts: I've been a fan of Jude Deveraux's for years, and Days of Gold did not disappoint. It's the second book of a series, although I didn't realize that when I checked it out and have not read the first book. I will say that I did not feel as though I was missing any pertinent information because of that. I liked both Edilean and Angus's characters, as well as all of the secondary characters, especially Angus's clansmen.

The Gangster
Author: Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

Synopsis: An Italian crime group called the Black Hand is creating terror in New York City. A group of its victims hire the Van Dorn detective agency for protection. Isaac Bell puts together a team to take down the organization. Meanwhile he's also investigating a plot to assassinate the President.

My Thoughts: By now you all know my love of Isaac Bell. This book was a little simpler than the others I've read but by no means was it boring. Isaac has probably his closest brush with death out of the books I've read so far, and I'll admit it's a little far fetched. Once again Cussler and Scott leave no detail left to chance. It's another of those books where the reader knows early on who the bad guy is, but it's still fun to go on the case with Bell and his team.