12/31/15

A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman



776 pages on Nook

I had never read much about the reign the Richard the Lionheart so I was really looking forward to this book after reading about his experiences in the Crusades from the previous book.  However, I was very bothered by the extreme viciousness in the writing regarding the torture of a 13 year old boy.  I had to put the book aside for several months before I could return to the narrative, skipping his actual capture by the agents of the Duke of Austria.  

The story of his captivity and negotiations regarding his release for ransom were enlightening as to the politics of that era.

Did I like it? Yes, but it really wasn't necessary to be that graphic regarding the torture for information. It lost a half star because of that.

12/28/15

Warren G. Harding: America's 29th President by Deborah Kent



110 pages from public library

It was extremely difficult to locate a biography of our 29th president and I finally had to settle for this edition from the Children's section of the public library.

I can understand why there are few bios of this president for the simple reason he doesn't much and he was far from a stellar personailty.

Warren Harding had little education and was unsuccessful in many of his life attempts in business, however, he was a smooth talker and a ladies man and in the first election where women were allowed to vote, he seems to have won them over.  Maybe it was fortunate that he died in office.

Accomplishments during his administration included the improvement and expansion the nation's highway system, licensing of radio frequencies through the Commerce Department under Herbert Hoover, the eight-hour work day became common in American industry, and appointed former President William Howard Taft as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

12/18/15

Bedford Falls: The Story Continues by Anne Morse



238 pages on Kindle Tablet

This book is the story of It's A Wonderful Life's George Bailey's grandson and how Bedford Falls was affected by George after the end of It's a Wonderful Life and his family members.  We see Mary his wife still alive in her 90s and his children and grandchildren.  We again see the cruelty of greed and welcome the angel Clarence with open arms.

My Ladies group read this for a December gathering and it charmed us all.  My favorite read of the year!

12/16/15

The Sauvignon Secret by Ellen Crosby



274 pages on Nook

Lucie Montgomery is drawn into an highly unethical situation when asked to try to find a missing person while checking into the quality of grapes for sale in Napa Valley.

I thought this was one of the best in the series because of the change in venue and the details and descriptions that were peppered throughout the story.  I certainly hope that the series continues.

12/2/15

A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender



336 pages on Nook

Eleanor Swift is working with her sister to keep the pizzeria open and so when she's out making a delivery and finds a dead body, she becomes a suspect.

An interesting group of characters and background and good mystery with attention-grabbing clues for a first in a series.

12/1/15

Runaway Dolls by Ann Martin



352 pages on audiobook  5 hrs. on 4 discs

What a very cute continuation of the tales of Doll and Funcraft families.  After finding the long lost baby doll for the Doll family, Annabelle and Tiffany runaway because they feel that they must protect Tillie Mae.  The adventures that they encounter as well as their creative solutions to their problems kept this reader entertained thoroughly.