Master of all Desires, The

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, wacky romp!
Review: "It is difficult to describe the burdens of a civilized soul born into entirely the wrong family" says our Sibille early in the story. Craving a peaceful life as a poet, our heroine is un-wittingly sucked into quite a situation. After accidentally "murdering" her fiancee Sibille runs to her Aunt Pauline for help, unknowingly aquiring The Master of all Desires en-route. Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers battle with black magic and will stop at nothing to gain possession of The Master. Nostradamus, guided by Anael the disorganized spirit of past and future history, would rather stay home and rest. Wacky Aunt Pauline converses regularly with the ghosts which haunt her house and has quite a history of her own. Add to that Sibille's monstrous dog gargantua, a troublesome monkey and a babbling severed head which follows Sibille everywhere. Oh what wacky fun, I devoured the book in two days. I cannot wait for her next book!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely mesmerizing
Review: In 1556, King Henri grants his favors to his mistress Diane de Poitiers at the expense of his wife, Queen Catherine de Medici. The great prophet Nostradamus foresees his liege Queen Catherine plans to use the evil Undying Head of Menander the Magus to rid her of her rival to the King. Nostradamus worries about Catherine using the destructive Menander because the "MASTER OF ALL DESIRES grants the exact wish to his user, but the cost is death.

Nostradamus hurries to Paris to try to stop Catherine from releasing the malevolent essence. On the way, Nostradamus learns that a struggling poet, Sibille Artaud de la Roques possesses the head. Sibille plans to make a wish to obtain her deepest wants. Predicting France ill become prey to a deadly civil war, Nostradamus tries to save two women from their own doings.

Judith Merkle Riley always provides fans of historical fiction with a winning novel. Her latest tale, THE MASTER OF ALL DESIRES, will enhance her reputation for the best. The story line includes a who's who from sixteenth century Europe, but it is the supernatural elements that add a intriguing twist to the plot. Ms. Riley makes the otherworldly powers seem genuine, making this intelligent and humorous book a must read for sub-genre fans or anyone who enjoys top entertainment in their literature.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Wonder blend of fact and fantasy
Review: What a delightful blending of historical fact to fictional fancy. The story follows a well know historical triangle between Queen Catherine de Medici , her husband, King Henri II, and his lover, Diane de Poitiers. Then through in an elderly and cranky Nostradamus and you've got a funny and entertaining novel.

It would appear that both Queen Catherine and Diane de Poitiers want to get their hands on The Master of All Desires, aka Menander the Undying. Menander is a disembodied head that can grant any wish. The problem is he has a nasty habit of granting your wish, but always with the classic saying "Be careful what you wish for." Meanander is in the hands of a young Sibille Artaud de La Roque who refuses to make a wish and is trying to free herself of Menander so that she can marry her love Nicolas and have a normal life.

The result is a true delight that feels like a modern day Shakespeare comedy. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Riley's work.