YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED that many of the books on the market today, and indeed on our Library shelves too, are crime thrillers, murder mysteries and detective stories.

The same applies to many newly-released DVDs. There’s no denying their popularity, though; they make a thoroughly good read and very watchable films and television series.

So by way of a change the books under review this time give a taste of the huge choice of lighter reading available, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.

Stars Of Fortune

by Nora Roberts

SASHA RIGGS is a reclusive artist, haunted by vivid dreams that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Desperate to understand her visions, she finds the courage to leave home and travel to the Greek island of Corfu, where she encounters Bran Killian, a handsome Irishman.

Despite having never met before, Sasha knows Bran only too well… the man she has painted over and over again. As they embark upon a dangerous quest with four companions, Bran and Sasha seem determined to be together. But first Sasha must learn to trust herself, and open up to life and love at last.

Daughters Of Castle Deverill

by Santa Montefiore

IT IS 1925 AND THE WAR is long over but much has been lost and life will never truly be the same again.

Castle Deverill, cherished home to the Deverill family in the west of Ireland, has burned to the ground. Now, young and flighty Celia Deverill is determined to restore the sad ruins to their former glory.

Celia married well and he has wealth, after all, to keep it in the family and she cannot bear to see it stand neglected. But dark shadows are gathering once more, as the financial markets start to shake. And everything that felt so certain is thrown once again into doubt.

All The Stars In The Heavens

by Adriana Trigiani

IN 1935 HOLLYWOOD, Loretta Young encounters the devastating Clark Gable on the set for The Call of the Wild.

Though already married, Gable instantly falls for the vivacious young actress. Far from the glittering lights, Sister Alda Ducci has been forced to leave her convent and begin a new journey that leads her to Loretta.

Becoming Miss Young’s secretary, the innocent young Alda must navigate the wild terrain of Hollywood with fierce determination and the moral code instilled from her Italian roots. Over the course of decades, Alda and Loretta forge an enduring bond of loyalty that will be put to the test when they face the greatest obstacle of their lives.

DVD Corner

The Light Between Oceans

DV1178

WHEN LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER Tom Sherbourne and his adored wife Isabel discover a baby adrift in a boat off the remote coast of Western Australia they assume the worse – that her parents are dead.

Determined to give her a happy life full of love, they choose to raise the child as their own. Only years later are the shattering consequences of their decision revealed and their lives will be changed forever.