Family Tree : Better to Wish by Ann M Martin

  ★★¼

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: growing up in the Depression, bigotry
Setting: Maine
CHARACTERS: Abby Nichols, Zander Burley, Sarah Morehouse, Nichols family
DATE READ: May 27 - May 29
NO. OF PAGES: 226
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, ARC

PLOT:...................................2.00
CHARACTERIZATION:......2.50
TOPICS:...............................2.00
STYLE:.................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:......................2.00
ADDICTIVENESS:.............2.00
OWNERSHIP:......................2.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:....3.00
Average.....................................................2.31

This story takes place in Maine during the Depression telling of a young family and their difficulties.  In truth it could have taken place anywhere.  The family was poor but the father was hardworking.

The characters were very stereotypical as were the issues that they addressed - health, neighbors, schooling, etc.

Sorry to say that this Ann Martin book just didn't live up to the same level as her Doll People series.  I was very disappointed.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

 ★★★½

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: second marriage, acceptance
Setting: Manderley, Monte Carlo
CHARACTERS: Mrs DeWINTER II, Maxim DeWinter, Rebecca DeWinter, Mrs Danvers, Jack Favell, Jasper the Dog
DATE READ: May 19 - May 28
NO. OF PAGES: 428
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, Nook, Overdrive

PLOT:......................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.........3.00
TOPICS:..................................4.00
STYLE:....................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.........................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:................3.00
OWNERSHIP:........................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......3.00
Average........................................................3.50

A young American woman serving as a companion to an elderly lady is in Monte Carlo when she meets Maxim DeWinter.  Sharing her off time with Mr. DeWinter, she develops feelings and when her employer decides to leave, our young lady goes to Max to say goodbye.  He proposes, she accepts and together they head to his home at Manderlay.  Here the young bride is confronted with all sorts of oddities related to the first Mrs. DeWinter.

The story that evolves is spellbinding.  A Classic I could truly embrace.

His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

  ★★★¾

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: espionage, mass murder
Setting: London, Berlin
CHARACTERS: Maggie Hope, Hugh Thompson, Elise Hess, Clara Hess, Father Licht
DATE READ: May 22 - May 27
NO. OF PAGES: 354
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, LT ER for review

PLOT:......................................4.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.........4.00
TOPICS:..................................4.00
STYLE:....................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.........................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: ................4.00
OWNERSHIP:.........................3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:........3.25
Average..............................................................3.78


This third installment of the adventures of Maggie Hope really do get to be adventures.  Maggie not only parachutes into enemy territory, attends a party where she meets several of the Nazi upper brass, but she finds that she has a half sister that is unaware of her existence.

This reader was on the edge of her seat throughout!

Manifest Injustice by Barry Siegel

 ★★★¾

GENRE: Non-Fiction
SUBJECT: miscarriage of justice, USA legal system errors
Setting: Arizona
CHARACTERS: Bill Macomber, Larry Hammond, Bob Bartels, Jackie Kelley
DATE READ: May 13 - May 22
NO. OF PAGES: 260
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, LT ER for review

PLOT:................................................4.50
CHARACTERIZATION:...................4.00
TOPICS:............................................4.00
STYLE:..............................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:...................................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:...........................4.00
OWNERSHIP:...................................3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..................3.25
Average...................................................................3.78

How would you react if you had spent 38 years of your life in prison for a crime you hadn't committed losing contact with your growing children as a result?

In 1974 Bill Macomber was convicted of the murders of two teenagers in 1962 on evidence that apparently was planted by his estranged wife who worked in the Sheriff's office at the time of his conviction. 
This book tells the story of the efforts of Project Justice to free Mr. Macomber who throughout his incarceration, was a model inmate inspiring others by his spirit and appreciation of those who fought for him.

I'm so glad that I got to read this book, but wonder how our system could continue to lock up this man when so many believed him innocent and the suspect evidence had "disappeared".  Many questions arose from this book as to whether justice can truly be found.

I believe that Mr. Macomber's story should be mandatory reading for all law students so that they will understand that there are innocent people that do get convicted and that all efforts should be made to prevent this from happening in the future.  

The politics involved in his release truly astounded me.

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis

  ★★★

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: depression, personal identity
Setting: London, England
CHARACTERS: Emily Coleman (Cat Brown), Caroline Brown, Ben Coleman
DATE READ: May 13 - May 18
NO. OF PAGES: 260
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, NetGalley for review

PLOT:.....................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:........2.75
TOPICS:.................................2.75
STYLE:...................................2.50
ORIGINALITY:........................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:................2.75
OWNERSHIP:........................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......3.00
Average..................................................2.84


An unusual book about the life of twins, their differences and how they affected each other.  Wasn't ever sure where the story was going until it seems a standard ending.  Didn't thrill me.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT) is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is looking for my Top 10 Favorite Book Covers of books I've Read. 
So I think I'll just show you!

THERE IS A SEASONTHE CRAFTY TEDDY
A DISTANT TOMORROW
FUNDRAISING THE DEAD
HELL GATE
IRON LAKE
THE VALCOURT HEIRESS
RHETT BUTLER'S PEOPLE
SUMMER KITCHEN
SWEET TEA REVENGE

These aren't necessarily my favorite books, but just my favorite covers.

What do yours look like?

MAILBOX MONDAY

This month Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Apple Blossom at 4 the Love of Books. The wonderful weekly meme gives us a chance to shout out books that appeared in our mailboxes (real or virtual) so here is what appeared in my mailbox this week.

The White House

With my President's Challenge it seem a no brainer to request this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program.  I'm just glad I won it!

Heat Rises by Richard Castle

 ★★★½

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: bondage, death squad
Setting: NYC
CHARACTERS: Nikki Heat, Jameson Rook, Fr. Gerald Graf, Phyllis Yarborough
DATE READ: Aprl 26 - May 13
NO. OF PAGES: 432
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   No, Library OD

PLOT:.........................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:............4.00
TOPICS:.....................................3.00
STYLE:.......................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:............................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:....................3.00
OWNERSHIP:............................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...........4.00
Average.................................................................3.38

Nikki Heat is not afraid to enter any investigation, even one where her boss sticks his nose.  Nikki is investigating the murder of a priest found at a bondage club.  The Captain searches the rectory before Nikki can get there and things get more tangled as we progress.  With Rook's help, the story is wickedly entertaining!

Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

Challenge Book #45

  ★★★½

GENRE: Paranormal Fiction
SUBJECT: psychic powers
Setting: Wilby OR
CHARACTERS: Judson Coppersmith, Gwen Frazier, Evelyn Ballinger, Harold Oxley
DATE READ: May 10 - May 13
NO. OF PAGES: 325
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, ER

PLOT:.........................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:............3.50
TOPICS:.....................................3.50
STYLE:.......................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:............................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:....................3.50
OWNERSHIP:............................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..........3.50
Average......................................................3.50

Not normally being a "paranormal reader, I was reluctant to pick up this book and read it, but since I had received it from the LT ER program, my obligation took control and I put it on the reading for May.  I was extremely pleasantly surprised and well entertained my this book which told the story of two characters that both have special psychic abilities and the journey to find the murderer of a friend when there was only psychic evidence.  Glad I read it.

Mailbox Monday

This month Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Apple Blossom at 4 the Love of Books. The wonderful weekly meme gives us a chance to shout out books that appeared in our mailboxes (real or virtual) so here is what appeared in my mailbox this week.

Well, I actually bought a book this week.  I had it on my wishlist and got a coupon for 20% off so I broke down and actually purchased a book.

An historical fiction novel set on the Titanic.

But then as a surprise, I won an ARC from Random House.

A tale of friendship during World War II

and last but not least 

NetGalley awarded me the next book in the Rose Harbor series by Debbie Macomber.  I couldn't wait, sat right down and read it. 

The mailbox was good o me this week!

Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

 ★★★★½

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: regrets, enduring love, friendship
Setting: Cedar Cove, WA
CHARACTERS: Jo Marie Rose, Mark Taylor, Annie Newton, Oliver Sutton, Mary Smith, George Hudson
DATE READ: May 8 - May 10
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, NetGalley

PLOT:..........................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.............4.00
TOPICS:......................................4.50
STYLE:........................................5.00
ORIGINALITY:.............................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:....................4.50
OWNERSHIP:.............................4.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:............4.50
Average...........................................................4.38

I couldn't put it down.

JoMarie's B&B is going to be full just in time for her Open House.  Trying to get the rose hedge finished in time is spoiled when her handyman breaks his leg but that doesn't mean that JoMarie can't please her guests.  Annie Newton has booked rooms for her grandparents who are returning to Cedar Cove to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Annie's been planning the party but runs into a few unexpected and possibly disastrous issues. 

In the meantime, JoMarie's other guest, Mary Smith, is very quiet and reserved.  Could it have something to do with her fragility and lack of hair perhaps?

This book very much like the first in the series shows the reader several different storylines (including one for JoMarie herself) and yet weaves it so masterfully together so that going from one to the other appears seamless and never interrupts the story itself.  

I couldn't put it down!  The characters were so real - Annie's grandparents reminded me so much of my own parents - always bickering but underneath loving each other unconditionally.  And Mary Smith- you think with a name like that the character would be flat  but no, she grabbed me and held on tight right to end.

Absolutely tremendous!

Stitch me Deadly by Amanda Lee

  ★★★½

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: hidden secrets, poisoning, greed
Setting: Tallaluh Falls, OR
CHARACTERS: Marcy Singer, Beverly Singer, Cary Ellis, Louisa Ralston, Adam Gray
DATE READ: May 6 - May 8
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, Nook  stockpile

PLOT:...........................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:..............3.50
TOPICS:.......................................3.50
STYLE:.........................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:..............................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:.....................3.50
OWNERSHIP:..............................3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.............3.50
Average................................................................3.56

Marcy Singer's embroidery shop seems to be the site where people come to die - not really but when Louisa Ralston comes to ask for Marcy's help and then has a heart attack, it seems a bit coincidental. Finding out that it wasn't a natural death but one brought on by poison,  Marcy feels that she needs to find the killer before people stop coming to her shop out of fear.

I thought this story was a sweet new take on an old tale and the characters really made me feel their interest in solving the murders but not just for their own curiosity but out of respect for the victims.

I look forward to the next one!

Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames

  ★★★¼

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: buried treasure, winery conversion
Setting: Providence, OH
CHARACTERS: Charlotte Bessette, Matthew Bessette, Harker Fontanne, Winona Westerton, Edsel Nash, Dane, Quinn Vance
DATE READ: April 29 - May 6
NO. OF PAGES: 320
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, Nook  stockpile

PLOT:......................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.........3.50
TOPICS:..................................3.25
STYLE:....................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.........................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:................3.00
OWNERSHIP:.........................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......3.50
Average..........................................................3.16


Charlotte, our favorite Cheese lady, is helping out her friend Meredith by catering the fundraiser for the old winery conversion to the local college when she comes across the body of her niece's boyfriend.

Certain that Quinn is not guilty of the murder, Charlotte steadily investigates the circumstances of the victim as well as his "friends" placing herself in danger.

A fun cozy to entertain while munching on CHEESE!

MAILBOX MONDAYS

This month Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Apple Blossom at 4 the Love of Books. The wonderful weekly meme gives us a chance to shout out books that appeared in our mailboxes (real or virtual) so here is what appeared in my mailbox this week.

I've been luck enough to win this third in the series from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Giveaway.  Love this series and I'm really anxious to read it.

The Enchantress by Michael Scott

  ★★★½

GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: saving the world
Setting: San Francisco, CA
CHARACTERS: Josh Newman, Sophie Newman, Perenelle Flamel, Nicolas Flamel
DATE READ: April 26 - May 1
NO. OF PAGES: 517
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......3.50
TOPICS:................................3.50
STYLE:...................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:........................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:...............3.50
OWNERSHIP:.......................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:......3.50
Average.......................................................3.38

The end of the world as we know it could be at hand.  Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel have only the energy for  their auras to survive one more day and unless help comes from other immortals and  the world of Danu Talis, the human world will be destroyed and taken over by monsters.  

Throughout this book, the reader is naturally rooting for the good guys, but they have been changing.  In the previous installments of this series we have seen the Flamels, the Newman twins, and friends like Joan of Arc and St Germain joining together to fight against the immortals that have been on the wrong side.  But now we see that the bad guys understand more fully the devastation that may be at hand and so Machiavelli, Dr. Dee, Virginia Dare and others are now with the Flamels and trying to save the world. 

The ending of a series is always somewhat of a letdown because the reader realizes that the characters that have become friends will no longer be there with new adventures, but the adventures that we did share were definitely worth the ride.

APRIL RECAP

April was filled with several books that were considered chunksters (over 400 pages)  (♫ is for audio books  ß is for e-books)  I also completed category #8 You Make Me Feel Brand New - books released in the last 12 months - with 5 books I reached the goal of 33+ pts.
I read my first "graphic novel", at least that's how the library categorized it, but from chats with others it really wasn't a full fledged graphic novel, so I'll have to keep looking for one.
 At the beginning of the month, I had 12 books on the list to read with 6 chunksters, knowing full well I'd never get them all done, I said I'd be happy with 75% but I only managed 62%  but 2 more books should be finished before the end of the week.

Number of series brought current this month/year 4/10

Here are the books that I read this Month 

Threaded for Trouble  (series current)  new one due in June 320pgs
The invention of Hugo Cabret 525pgs
Book, Line, and Sinker  (series current)  new one due out July 292pgs
Night Watch  (series current)  New one due out in November 496pgs
Fountainhead 754pgs
The Rope  (series current) 579pgs
Time and Chance 548pgs

Best of the Month: The Rope
Worst of the Month Fountainhead 

Categories:
Acquisition: (New: 1 Pre-owned before 2013: 3  Borrowed: 3 ARC/ER: 0  Total:7)
TIOLI - Books read : 7  Books read for TIOLI Challenges:7   100%
E-books 3
ARDs (paperbooks) 2
Audiobooks 2

Non-Fiction
History 0
Biography/Memoir 0
Religion 0

Fiction
General Fiction 2
Cozy Mystery 2
Mystery 2
Young Adult/Fantasy 0
Historical Fiction 1

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: The Rope
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: The Rope
Biggest disappointment: Fountainhead
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Threaded for Trouble
Book I wish I'd read sooner: The Rope
Best Recommended book: Time and Chance
The book with the most surprises: The Rope
Most thought provoking book:Night Watch
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: Threaded for Trouble
Best Audio book: The Rope
Book I am still working on: The Enchantress
Book I'm glad I finished: The Fountainhead

Projected May Reads:  (Again, I have to get real!)
This time I'm shooting for 75% since I still have a few real chunksters!
22 books is really beyond my abilities but we'll see how many I can manage. ★ indicates priority
★Lost  and Fondue
★The Enchantress (chunkster)
★Heat Rises
Stitch me Deadly
★Game of Thrones (chunkster)
★Manifest Injustice
★Dream Eyes
The Golden Door
★Fireworks Over Toccoa
★Saturday Night Widows
★The House at Riverton (chunkster)
The Second Rule Of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
★Rebecca
Heretic's Daughter
Rose Harbor in Bloom (chunkster)
Family Tree
★His Majesty's Hope
One Step Too Far
the Day the Falls Stood Still
★The Map of True Places LP
★Any Bitter Thing: A Novel
Crossing Places

With all the activities that are planned this month, I wonder how far I'll get.  Here's the non-reading agenda for May:

May 4th  Country Club 50th anniversary Dinner/Dance  (I'm working on the slide presentation)
May 8th - Member Council mtg - Country Club - I'm the minute taker
May 10th  - (happy birthday, tutu) bridge club
May 11th  Family Feud at the Country Club (my husband and I are coordinators)
May 12th - Mother's Day - drive up (1 hr) to see Mom and take her to dinner
May 16th - BUNCO charity event (I'm the coordinator)
May 17th weekend -Family event in Pittsburgh
May 25th - our wedding anniversary
Memorial Day Weekend
May 29th - book club (my birthday)

WISH ME LUCK!