Chèli's Shelves

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2012-01-19T00:24:00.002-05:00

★★★

Genre: Fiction

Subject: Civil Rights, segregation, racism

Setting: Jackson Mississippi

Main Characters: Celia Forte, Johnny Forte, Skeeter Phelan, Minny, Aibileen, Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth Leefolt

Series: none

Dates Read: January 8 - January 18

Number of pages: 721

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, MCL

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography, Extra curricular activites

This book had me swaying back and forth - did I like it or not? I purposely delayed reading to wait for the hubbub die down so that it wouldn't influence my impression. Then my book club decided to read it and I agreed to go for it. I was disappointed. I'd heard that it was an extremely well-written book and I saw flashes of that but, the beginning had me extremely confused about what characters went with other characters, and the middle dragged and was very repetitive. The ending left me with too many questions.

The story had numerous moments of excellence, i.e. toilets on the lawn, Celia in the pink dress, the chocolate cake, but they were few and far between. The characters were stereotypes - few were more than two dimensional or were used only for a particular aspect of the story.

And yet, the story held me, having me wish that somehow it was going to turn out differently and each of the characters would be redeemed in some manner so that their lives would be better. Maybe this aspect of the book is why I rated it a 3 star, otherwise, I probably would have gone lower. Just proves, all books are not for all people.

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

2012-01-08T22:28:00.002-05:00

Challenge Book #3

★★★½

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Romance

Subject: French revolution, espionage, escapes

Setting: Paris, France

Main Characters: Laura Grey, André Jaouen, Gaston, Delaroche, Eloise Kelly, Colin Selwick

Series: Pink Carnation(8)

Dates Read: December 22 - January 7

Number of pages: 405

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, MCL

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class, Homework

Laura Grey joins the forces of the Pink Carnation because she feels that as spinster/governess she may be able to gather the information from households that others can't infiltrate. She also meets an old friend of her parents,Antoine Daubier, who was a friend of her employer, André Jaouen.

Her mission gets changed and Laura helps to aid the escape of the Jaouen family as well as Antoine Daubler and the story of their adventures and the developing romance carries this book throughout.

The current time romance is proceeding as well and the reader finally meets other members of Colin's family.

One of my favorites in the series.

Dead Cat Bounce by Sarah Graves

2012-01-04T11:22:00.001-05:00

Challenge Book #2

★★★½

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Subject: outsiders, revenge, protection of loved ones

Setting: Eastport, ME

Main Characters: Jacobia Tiptree, Sam Tiptree, Ellioe White, George Valentine, Wade Sorensen, Hedda White

Series: Home Repair is Homicide(1)

Dates Read: January 1 - January 4

Number of pages: 308

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Barnes & Noble

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Math (#1), Home Economics

Jacobia Tiptree has gone through a nasty divorce from her neurosurgeon husband and "retired" from her high-paced job on Wall Street to the peaceful town of Eastport ME. Then one morning she discovers a body in her basement and it turns out to be a high-profile multi-millionaire and her world starts spinning again.

Her first Eastport friend confesses to the murder but Jake knows that Ellie couldn't have done it and must be trying to protect someone. Is it father, her ex-boyfriend, her mother? As the story unfolds we see Jacobia trying to acclimatize herself to her new environment and neighbors as well as be a good mother and a good friend.

I really liked this story and the characters that involved. I'm definitely going to be looking for another in this series.

A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis

2012-01-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

★★★

Genre: Mystery

Subject: psychoanalysis, psychology

Setting: Vienna, Austria

Main Characters: Rheinhardt, Liebermann

Series: The Liebermann Papers (1)

Dates Read: December 21 - January 1

Number of pages: 459

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Barnes & Noble

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Lunchtime, foreign languages

The beginning of this book is somewhat disjointed trying to introduce characters, their relationships at the same time as identify the murder of a well-known physic. If the book had continued to progress in the same manner, I probably would have abandoned it, but once all the factors were in place, the story definitely improved. However, as interesting as the story was, the characters still lacked some dimension.

The setting in Vienna around the turn of the century 1900 with Sigmund Freud as a background character was just a part of the draw of this book. This locked door mystery is worth the time even if there was room for improvement.

RECAP FOR 2011

2011-12-31T10:11:00.001-05:00

DECEMBER and YEAR-END RECAP
I reached the promised land of completing my yearly challenges.

There were some great books but also some stinkers (IMO) but overall a great reading year.
December was so filled with Holiday events and preparations that I only finished 6 with 3 in progress.
December: 3 pre-owned: 2 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 6 books.
Best of the Month: [The mischief of the mistletoe]
The worst of the month - [The Most Dangerous Thing]

Here's What I read this month:
The Plantation ★★★★
Defending Angels ★★★★
Innocent traitor ★★★½
The mischief of the mistletoe ★★★★
The Most Dangerous Thing ★★½
Dark Angel ★★★

January: 5 pre-owned : 4 borrowed : 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: [A Murderous Procession]
February: 3 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 3 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: [StandIn Groom]
March: 4 pre-owned: 0 borrowed: 1 new: 3 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: [Murder is Binding]
Favorite of the Quarter: A Murderous Procession
April: 3 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Buffalo West Wing
May: 1 pre-owned: 7 borrowed: 1 new: 2 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: [Treacherous Teddy] followed by [The Princess and the Hound]
The worst of the month - [Altar of Bones]
June: 4 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 11 books
Best of the Month: [The Last Song]
The worst of the month - No really bad book this month!
July: 4 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: [A Summer in Sonoma]
The worst of the month - [Murder on Monday]
August: 1 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 3 new: 3 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: [Murder Most Persuasive]
The worst of the month - [The Last Boy]
September: 4 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: [A Great Deliverance]
The worst of the month - [Edward's Eyes] not really bad but it could have been more expanded.
October: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 1 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: [Case Histories]
The worst of the month - [Secret Lives of the Supreme Court]
November: 5 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 0 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: [The Necklace]
The worst of the month - [April 1865: The Month That Saved America]
December: 3 pre-owned: 2 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 6 books.
Best of the Month: [The mischief of the mistletoe]
The worst of the month - [The Most Dangerous Thing]

Best of 2011:

Buffalo West Wing ★★★★½
The Necklace ★★★★½
A Murderous Procession ★★★★
A Great Deliverance ★★★★
Lumby on the Air ★★★★
Summer in Sonoma ★★★★
Murder with Peacocks ★★★★
Murder is binding ★★★★
The Mournful Teddy ★★★★
Stand-in Groom ★★★★
The Plantation ★★★★
Sew Deadly ★★★★
Princess and the Hound ★★★★
Defending Angels ★★★★

Yearly total
Books Read Owned 65 (Pages: 23,080)
Books Read Borrowed 12 (Pages: 7,345 )
Audio Books heard 31 (376¼ hours, 13,625 equivalent pages )
Total 117 books 44,050 pages

Challenge progress
75 book Challenge 117/75
11 in 11 Challenge completed
50 State Challenge 31/50 + DC
Endless European Challenge 11/48
BOYS 2011 65/60

Total Completed
64 books, 17 Nook Books and 36 audio books - 44,050 pages
104 fiction; 13 nonfiction

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
11 books History
1 book Health
1 instructional

Fiction:
Novels: 13
Youth/Children/fantasy: 11
Mystery: 46
Historical Fiction: 30
Classic: 4

New Series started
Pink Carnation Mysteries
Bear Collector's Mysteries
Cheese Shop Mysteries
Booktown Mysteries
Lynley/Havers Mysteries
Dublin Murder Squad
Anna Travis Mysteries
Elizabeth Parker Mysteries
Meg Langslow Mysteries
Poisoner Mysteries
Pet Rescue Mysteries
Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries
Dorothy Martin Mysteries
Giordano Bruno Mysteries
Lois Meade Mysteries
Jackson Brodie Mysteries
Miniature Mysteries
Memphis BBQ Mysteries
Outlander
The Mitford Series
Black Cobra Quartet
Trap Trilogy
Keys to the Kingdom
The Princess and . . .
The Heroes of Olympus
Kane Chronicles

Challenge results

75 Challenge - 117 books were completed
11 in 11 Challenge - completed with only 4 overlaps
BOYS (Books Off Your Shelves) goal 60/read 65
2 books were read for the Endless European Challenge
No books were read toward my 50 State Challenge
USPC has progressed through Abraham Lincoln

Other stats
84 of the 117 books read were candidates on my list at the beginning of 2011.
104 books were read for TIOLI Challenges.

The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman

2011-12-29T23:04:00.000-05:00

Read: November 24 - December 22
Format: Hardback 352 pages
Source: LibraryThing ER
Subject: spousal abuse, mistaken identity, marriage for profit
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Genre: Fiction
Stars: ★★½

Laura Lippman is one of my favorite authors so when I was given this book to review, I thought "great" I'll have a good book to read and a easy review to write. Nope. For me, this book fell short of Ms. Lippman's usual great stories.

I had a very difficult time getting into it even though I was born and raised in Baltimore (where the story is set) and I was comfortable with the location/setting. The story lagged. A full hundred pages into it and I was still wondering what was going on. The characters seem 1 dimensional as if you could take them all and put them together to make one decent character. The story was choppy - bouncing from one time frame to another and never really getting any rhythm.

I'm really sorry to say that I didn't like it, but I will not abandon an author of MS. Lippman's talents just because of one book.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

2011-12-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

Read: December 16 - December 20
Format: Hardback 339 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: spies, dowerless women,
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers & The good old days - Historical Fiction
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★★

This installment in the Pink Carnation is different than all the others in that the modern day characters are absent. The entire story takes place in the early 19th century with amusing characters that have flitted in and out of the previous books.

Turnip Fitzhugh and Arabella Dempsey are perfectly suited for each other because of how their personalities interact but what I enjoyed most was Turnip's realizations that the whole world didn't work the same for others as it did for him.

This was a fun read as well as an entertaining love story. My favorite so far in the series.

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

2011-12-21T14:58:00.002-05:00

Read: November 30 - December 20
Format: Audiobook 16 CDs equivalent 679 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Tudor Dynasty, Reformation in England, succession
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Genre: Historical Fiction
Stars: ★★★½

The Tudor Dynasty is a part of history is frequently used as the background for historical fiction. The characters are full-bodied, stubborn, zealous in their belief of their own destiny.

This book which is a fictionalized biography of Lady Jane Grey shows her to be no different than other Tudors except for the fact that she did not believe that she should be queen.

Lady Jane Grey was the oldest daughter of the daughter of Henry VIII's younger sister, Mary Tudor. Early in her life, Jane's parents endeavored to arrange a marriage between Jane and Prince Edward, but that was never completed. Her parents instead married her off to the third son of the Duke Northumberland who was the head of Privy Council for King Edward during his minority.

Jane was a zealous Protestant and King Edward on his deathbed named Jane as his successor. He did not want his sister Mary because she was a fanatical Catholic and he could not exclude Mary without excluding Elizabeth, thereby put Jane in line for the throne.

The aftermath which has Jane condemned for treason, shows the ruthless of the period and Mary's obsession with Spain.

The book was an interesting depiction of what may actually occurred at that time. Whether it is true, we will never know, but it was entertaining and well-written.

Defending Angels by Mary Stanton

2011-12-15T17:24:00.002-05:00

Read: December 5 - December 9

Format: Paperback 293 pages

Source: purchased through B&N

Subject: murder, hauntings, angels, personal independence

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★★

Brianna Winston-Beaufort (Bree) is an attorney who having inherited her Uncle Franklin's law practice, moves from North Carolina to Savannah to escape from her family's law practice and strike out on her own. Needing temporary offices due to the fire that killed her uncle, Bree rents the first floor in an old Southern home in the historical district until repairs are complete at the regular offices.

However, the location that she has found, is a bit quirky… smack in the middle of an all-murderers cemetery. A great number of other strange occurrences continue as she is setting up shop - her landlady won't take a lease - just Bree's word is good enough, before she's walked out of the building, letterhead stationery arrives, and her first client calls after he's been declared dead.

This book was definitely a fun read with unusual characters and super writing. It does turn out to be, what I consider, a paranormal cozy mystery, but it was such fun, I'm going to have to keep it up.

I'm running out of time!

2011-12-14T18:04:00.001-05:00

I'm running out of time so I've decided that I'm going to take advantage of a few overlaps to move me forward and closer to my goal. (the holidays - parties, shopping, decorating, baking all take time away from reading - so far I had 2 parties and been to 3 others - finished shopping and only partially finished wrapping - baking is done but visiting and parties aren't)

113. Defending Angels I've finished but haven't written the review yet.

114. Scones and Bones - recorded in Something New will double up in Setting up Housekeeping- cooking and crafts finishing that category

115. Outlander - recorded in Blind Date will double up in Love and Marriage (it was long enough for two books and went from meeting to marriage so it works) finishing up that category

I'm 2/3 done with Innocent traitor and will count that as Historical fiction as well as Honeymoon (it does have a foreign setting) so that will be 116 and 117. I'm trudging through The most Dangerous Thing (an ER) #118, having trouble with the download of The mischief of the mistletoe for #119, 120 (Historical fiction as well as Honeymoon)and lastly have Death in Vienna for #121(I swore to myself at the beginning of the y ear that I would get this one read - last book of course LOL)

SO 4 books (Innocent traitor,The most Dangerous Thing,The mischief of the mistletoe,Death in Vienna) and I reach the promise land! (last year I only had 1 overlap - this year 4 and next year as many as 32!) If there's time, I will try to erase the overlaps.

The Plantation by Chris Kuzneski

2011-12-05T15:49:00.003-05:00

Read: November 10 - November 30

Format: e-book 416 pages

Source:purchased through B&N for Nook

Subject: slavery, revenge, sadism

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011

Genre: Thriller

Stars: ★★★★

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with action but also with many thought provoking concepts, most notably, slavery of whites by blacks as a revenge for their past history.

How would you react if you were expecting your handsome boyfriend at the door and instead when you answer you are drugged and kidnapped and when you awake you know not where, you are a slave to a sadistic black man who says that a remote branch of your family enslaved his before the Civil War and now it's payback time?

Does anyone know where you are? Ariane, the kidnapped damsel, is fortunate because her boyfriend before leaving the US service, was a member of an elite taskforce which could handle just about anything. Jonathan and his buddy DJ track down the kidnappers on THE PLANTATION and work to rescue Ariane and 21 others in the same situation.

This is the first installment of the Payne & Jones series. I received book 3 as an ER and knew after reading that one that I wanted to read the beginning books in the series. The book was exciting and kept your attention but at times was a bit graphic in the violence of the situation. Definitely not bedtime material, but definitely a great read.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

2011-11-28T15:07:00.002-05:00

Read: November 17 - November 27
Format: Audiobook 16 CDs equivalent 784 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: masons, new sciences
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: mystery

Stars: ★★★

This book has been reviewed by hundreds so I won't even begin to describe the plot and story. I will just express my overall opinion. Let me say that I really enjoyed the first two books with Robert Langdon as the brilliant symbolist but this book fell far short of the excellence of the previous two. Maybe I was expecting more especially since it was set in my hometown, but the story was too predictable and a bit far-fetched (who gets their hand cut off and in less then 48 hours in whirling around the city giving a tour?) It was an entertaining read and I can feel sure that when the book is made into a movie that it will be as entertaining as the others, its just not the greatest literature.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

2011-11-24T14:23:00.002-05:00

Read: November 18 - November 23
Format: e-book 627 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: spousal abuse, mistaken identity, marriage for profit
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: The good old days
Genre: Historical Fiction

Stars: ★★½

This book is touted as one of the first detective stories ever written and if they all had followed this book in style and tedium I never would have read another. Maybe because of all the books that I have read that are better written and more of my time frame, I found this book to be too predictable and the characters 1 dimensional.

Not something that I would recommend.

The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis

2011-11-21T17:59:00.003-05:00

Read: November 17 - November 19

Format: Paperback 210 pages

Source: my shelves

Subject: friendship, sharing, materialism

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Genre: Non-Fiction

Stars: ★★★★½

Jonell McLain was walking past a jewelry store and saw a beautiful diamond necklace and immediately wondered what it would be like to wear. She went inside, tried it on, and then found out that the price was $37,000. It was great fun for a lark but she knew she would never be able to buy it. Frequently, when she was walking by she'd still see the Necklace in the window, and even noticed it had been reduced to $24,000. Still too rich for her blood. Still thinking about, she wondered how many other women would like to wear something like it on a special occasion and so she came up with the idea of sharing. When she read an ad that the jewelry store was having an auction, Jonell knew it was time to put her plan into action. With 12 other women, including the jewelry store owner's wife, Jonell bought the NECKLACE and started a special group that touched many lives in Ventura CA.

First, they gave it a name - Jewelia. Then they decided how it would be shared - each women would have Jewelia for 4 weeks including their birthday. Then the women would meet and pass Jewelia on. Soon they were sharing not just among themselves but with others for charity - an evening with Jewelia could raise thousands of dollars as women came and got a chance to wear the necklace for an hour, or 5 minutes but they got the chance. The story of this Necklace and the amazing 13 women who were its guardian was awe-inspiring as we see how an "exclusive" piece of jewelry got to be "inclusive" at the initiative of its owners.

What startles me about this book, is that first, it's not the type of book that I normally would read but I was at the bookstore and they had a Buy 3 get 1 Free table - of course I could find 3 books I wanted but when it got to the 4th book nothing grabbed me. Then I saw this book and being a Jewelry fiend I picked it up and headed to checkout knowing nothing about it. The book fairy was on my shoulder that afternoon - it's one of my favorite reads of the year!

Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton

2011-11-17T11:46:00.002-05:00

Read: November 14 - November 16

Format: Paperback 239 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: knitting, alpacas, betrayal

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★

Kelly Flynn is still in Fort Connor, CO telecommuting to her business office in Washington while she finishes sorting out the estate of her late aunt and her subsequent inheritance. Having made friends with the ladies at the knitting shop across street, these relationships with the different ladies gets her involved in the investigation of the murder of Vickie Claymore, an alpaca rancher in the canyon.

This is a light and fun cozy mystery with just the right amount of knitting and yarn inserted to handle all the tangled clues and characters. Definitely a fun read - going on to the next one!

The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens

2011-11-16T11:12:00.001-05:00

Read: November 9 - November 14

Format: Hardback 405 pages

Source: my shelves

Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★½

The third installment of the Black Cobra Quartet was a bit different than the previous two. In those we see the troubles and dangers that the two couriers encounter and what forces them to spend their time and efforts with a young lady with whom they fall in love, so naturally, I expected the same type of story for courier #3.

Nope, here Logan Montieth is discovered at the beginning on board a ship in the English Channel, fighting with the Black Cobra legions during a storm. He and his attackers are swept overboard before the ship capsizes. Logan is the only survivor but without his memory. He is discovered and nursed by a lady and her staff on a remote section of the Island of Guernsey. Linnett helps him to recover his memories while their love affair proceeds, and when he recalls his mission, she gets him to his assigned destination.

From there the story is very similar to the previous installments with a few twists and turns. Of the three books, that I've read so far, this is my favorite because of the strong, dynamic and unusual female character who stands up for what she wants and what she wants to do. Looking forward to the last of the series.

Murder in Miniature by Margaret Grace

2011-11-15T13:35:00.002-05:00

Read: November 3 - November 10

Format: Paperback 244 pages

Source: my shelves

Subject: miniatures, dollhouses, illegal adoptions, family

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors

Genre: Fiction Stars: ★★★

If you're looking for a fast-paced nail baiter to keep you awake at night, don't pick up this book, but if you are looking for a warm and cozy mystery, this might be just up your alley. If, as a child, you loved to play with your dollhouse and even imagined specialized furniture, you could pick up a few tips on how to make your own while following the "investigation" into murder and robberies. Geraldine Porter is a miniaturist - in other words she plays with doll houses. Gerry is this year's chairwoman of the local Dollhouse and Miniatures Fair and at the same time is visited by her granddaughter who is extremely inquisitive. So when her friend disappears unexpectedly during the Fair, Gerry has to take on added responsibilities. Having a nephew on the local police force, Gerry and her granddaughter try to assist the investigation with personal observations.

This book is not exactly like most cozy mysteries in that Gerry doesn't so much investigate on her own as just gather information. The characters are very true to life and make you want to get to know them better. I'll definitely be reading more in this series.

Friends in High Places by Donna Leon

2011-11-08T19:03:00.002-05:00

Read: November 3 - November 8
Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 272 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: bureaucracy, drugs, loan sharks
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: mystery Stars: ★★★

The 9th installment of the Commissario Brunetti series begins with Guido being confronted by a member of the Officio Castrato, the Registration Office, that controls permits and titles to all property in Venice. According to Signor Rossi, the proper papers for Brunetti's apartment are not on file, and so city records say that his apartment does not exist. Consequences could be a huge fine and possible demolition of his residence.

Brunetti immediately begins to concentrate on who can be of assistance to him in clearing up this matter. Hearing nothing for several months, he is surprised to hear from Rossi who appears to be nervous about something that he wishes to discuss with the Commissario. Before they can meet, Rossi's body is found, apparently having fallen from a scaffolding. Brunetti is suspicious since on their short acquaintance, Rossi had shown definite signs of acrophobia.

Investigating the incident, leads Brunetti into a world of real estate corruption, drug abuse and loan-sharking. The apparent murder of two drug users links high officials to the drug world and shows what having Friends in High Places can do for you in Venice.

This installment seemed to me to be more a test of Guido's ethical and moral honor than a full-blown mystery thriller. Still amazingly entertaining.

The Sorceress by Michael Scott

2011-11-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

Read: November 2 - November 7

Format: Paperback 500 pages

Source: loan from a young friend

Subject: alchemy, mythology, twins

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series

Genre: Fantasy

Stars: ★★★½

Nicholas Flamel is certain that he has found the twins of legend but he must protect them from the Dark Elders so that they can be trained in the maigic of the elemnts and so protect humanity from the threats of monsters and demons of ancient times. After arriving in Paris, Sophie having already been awakened and taught the element of Wind, she is taught the attributes of Fire. Meanwhile, Josh still awaits awakening and must stand by as Sophie and her teachers battle the dark forces. Just before their escape to London, Josh is Awakened by none other than the God Mars and Josh becomes a warrior/strategist.

Meanwhile, Perenelle Flamel is trapped on the island of Alcatraz. Befriended by a ghost of an old sea Captain, Perenelle is able to outwit several ancient creatures (sphinx, Crow Goddess, Nered) and escape leaving her attackers stranded on the island.

The story is filled with monsters and demons as well as characters from history that have been designated as immortals who come to the assistance of Josh, Sophie, and Nicholas. Perenelle's character is strong and determined and unrelenting in her goal to free herself and reach Nicholas.

The whole story was great fun!

April 1865: The Month That Saved America by Jay Winik

2011-11-02T22:55:00.002-04:00

Read: October 28 - November 2
Format: Hardback 606 pages
Source: my shelves
Subject: Civil War, assassination, reconstruction
Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★½

At the end of the Civil War, it is startling that so much occurred in the "final" month. The Confederate Army, led by Robert E. Lee, made one last ditch effort to elude the Union forces of Ulysses Grant but on April 9, 1865 surrendered at Appomattox Court House. Less than a week later, Abraham Lincoln lies dead, assassinated by John Wilkes Booth and Andrew Johnson is the new President. Confederate General Johnston disobeyed Jefferson Davis' orders to fight on and surrendered to Sherman.

The end of hostilities came in 1865 and possibly, Lincoln would have agreed with Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate General, when he said "You have been good soldiers, you can be good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the government to which you have surrendered can afford to be and will be magnanimous."

This book relates the details of these events as well as the background that brought about these results. However, IMHO, it is not well written. If this book is to be constituted as a book of historical fact, then it needs to be severely edited. There are far too many personal observations and conclusions interspersed throughout as well as a jumpy writing style. The author frequently leaves one thought process hanging moving on to another and then jumps back to where he left off. I have no doubt that Professor Winik has researched his topic diligently, however, I believe that this book of 606 pages with another 101 of footnotes could have been more concise if the author's opinions had been eliminated and the conclusions left to be evaluated by the reader with just the facts stated.

Wild Rose: The True Story of a Civil War Spy by Ann Blackman

2011-10-29T11:36:00.001-04:00

Read: October 24 - 28

Format: Hardback 307 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Espionage, Civil War

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

Rose O'Neale Greenhow, have you ever heard of her? To be honest, I hadn't but after reading this book, I'm surprised by that fact. When I think of a spy in wartime in the 19th century, a woman is not necessarily what I imagine, but Rose Greenhow played that part more than adequately. A strong independent woman, Rose, living in the Nation's capital, was a Washington hostess, presidential confidante and spy.

Living in Washington, Rose had a virtual list of Who's Who that befriended her over thirty years - John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Stephen Douglas (her son-in-law), Dolley Madison, Chief Justice Roger Taney, Mary Chestnut, Presidents Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, James Polk, and James Buchanan and she kept a correspondence throughout the war with Jefferson Davis and General Pierre Beauregard.

At the start of the Civil War, Rose Greenhow contacted the Confederate government and offered her services as a spy in Washington. She was given a special cipher and frequently during the early months of the war gathered important information regarding the troop numbers, placement, and planned movements. Never keeping her Confederate sympathies a secret, it is surprising the information she was able to gather and forward to the Confederacy. The success of the South at the first major battle at Bull Run can be linked to messages that she sent directly to General Beauregard.

In 1862 she was imprisoned (first in her own home and then in the Old Capital Orison) for nearly a year and then she was exiled to the south. President Jefferson Davis commissioned her to go to Europe to attempt to persuade England and France to recognize the Confederacy and aid them. During her time there, Rose met with Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens. On her trip home, while running the blockade outside of Wilmington, NC, her ship ran aground and rather than wait for the tide, she insisted on a lifeboat to make land. Swells ravaged the tiny boat and Rose was drowned. Rose Greenhow's strong independent spirit was her downfall because the ship safely made port the next morning.

This book was an amazing tale of a feisty woman of the South, who embraced the southern cause and risked her liberty and gave her life for what she believed in. It is well-written and very informative of issues that were previously unknown to this reader at least.

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

2011-10-27T19:06:00.001-04:00

Read: October 3 - October 26
Format: Audio 16 CDs equivalent 550 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: small town pastor
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, Audio
Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors
Genre: Fiction

Stars: ★★★½

Mitford, North Carolina is the home of Father Tim, an Episcopalian rector who appears to be facing multiple issues leading to a spiritual mid-life crisis. He doesn't think that his ministry to the townspeople is very effective, he's developed diabetes, adopted a monster dog by accident, and assumed responsibility for an 11 year-old boy when his grandfather becomes ill. All this and a new love interest has moved in next door.

The characters are what make this story come alive. Some make you laugh - Cynthia the new neighbor, others make you want to cry or give them a big hug - Sadie Baxter. Others remind me of neighbors I had when growing up - down to earth and no nonsense. However, Father Tim is the center that draws them together. If my priest were half as good as Father Tim I might still be going to church. He speaks from his heart which obviously embraces the Lord wholeheartedly but he's not preachy.

I had a hard time with the start of this book, it seemed to drag but others had told me that I would enjoy it if I liked the Lumby series so I stuck with it and it was worth the effort. Lumby, definitely not, but Mitford is still a place I might like to visit again.

Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs

2011-10-26T18:17:00.001-04:00

Read: October 21 - October 24

Format: Paperback 312 pages

Source: Author for review

Subject: religious icons, recipes

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★

Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava Gruiex are back at it as detectives when they witness the murder of their friend Byrle in St. Tristan's Church. Carmela can't seem to follow the warnings of her police detective boyfriend and gets involved in the investigation and together they get into a few very tight spots.

This is the 9th book in the Scrapbooking Mysteries series. The interaction of the characters has improved and I will look forward to the next in the series.

Secret Lives of the Supreme Court by Robert Schakenberg

2011-10-20T09:43:00.000-04:00

Read: October 10 - 19

Format: Paperback 277 pages

Source: My shelves, giveaway winner

Subject: Supreme Court, judges bios

Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★

This book is mainly a collection of short biographical material and unusual anecdotes concerning the lives of past and present Justices of the Supreme Court. Due the political leanings expressed by the author, I would think that some are a litte far-fetched. Though slightly entertaining, not recommended.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

2011-10-19T22:20:00.001-04:00

Read: October 17 - October 19

Format: Audio 9 CDs equivalent 400 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: cold cases, disfunctional families

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, Audio

Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: Mystery

Stars: ★★★★

Three families are impacted by tragedies in a different way - a 3 year old disappears, one young woman killed, and a husband murdered. 10 years later private detective Jackson Brodie starts investigations of all three cold cases. Jackson is just what a reader wants in their central character - skeptical, suspicious, resentful - which means that when someone tries to stop him, he just digs in deeper.

The characters involved in all three of the cases are unique and diverse. The Land sisters found Blue Mouse after 10 years are still wondering if little Olivia is alive. Theo Wyre lost his daughter and wonders why she was cut down in the prime of her life and he was left behind. Michelle places her daughter in her sister's care who then proceeds to lose her. The cases are solved, not always skillfully, but in the end, we see how lives intertwine and events resonate like ripples in a lake. The reader can see from the clues that connections are there but how they twist and connect is what makes this book so riveting.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next Jackson Brodie mystery.

A Confederate Girl's Diary by Sarah Morgan Dawson

2011-10-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

Read: October 8 - October 14

Format: Paperback 275 pages

Source: Nook

Subject: Civil War experiences

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: Historical Biographical, Memior

Stars: ★★★

I believe that any American, when reading about the American Civil War, tends to try to put their own standing as to whether Unionist or Confederate aside and look at the historical aspect of the volume. I had difficulty doing that with this book because of the apparent authenticity of the trials and tribulations of the author.

The introduction to this diary was compelling stating that "No Southerner at that time could possibly have had opinions so just or foresight so clear as those here attributed to a young girl." Sarah's adventures may have seemed a bit trivial in some cases for those of our century (collecting clothes, hiding silver), but at her time and place, she was a strong young woman who made every effort to keep her family together during the conflicts that surrounded them.

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

2011-10-10T12:29:00.001-04:00

Read: October 4 - October 8

Format: Paperback 464 pages

Source: Nook

Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★

In the second installment of the Black Cobra, the reader follows the travels of Gareth Hamilton complicated by the appearance and involvement of Emily Ensworth (who has decided that Major Hamilton is the man for her). The Black Cobra knows that Emily delivered the letter that Hamilton is now trying to transport to England and so they are both in danger.

Again the Black Cobra's followers work to recover the incriminating letter as well as eliminate those that are involved. Gareth and Emily protect each other while expanding their personal relationship. Another fun book with adventure and love at the center.

Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley

2011-10-05T12:25:00.001-04:00

Read: October 2 -4
Format: Paperback 285 pages
Source: My shelves, giveaway winner
Subject: Supreme Court, marriage, TV personalities
Category: Something Old - read those TBRs
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

What would it be like if Judge Judy was appointed to the Supreme Court? The premise of this book is that the president needs to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee has destroyed the 2 perfect judges that have nominated so to get their goat he nominates Judge Pepper from the popular TV series Courtroom Six.

The public is thrilled with the nomination and she is pushed through. At the same time, the head Senator of the Judicary Committee (who really wanted the job) is recruited by the producer of Courtroom Six to take on the role of the President in his new series POTUS. This was an extremely fun book satirizing our legistlative and judiciary.

But Why Shoot the Magistrate? by Patricia Sprinkle

2011-10-03T12:21:00.001-04:00

Read: October 1 - October 2

Format: Hardback 455 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: unorthodox religions, murder

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: Something Borrowed - from the library

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★½

The second book in the Thoroughly Southern Mystery series has MacLaren Yarbourgh attemptng to solve two mysteries - did the minister kill the young girl and who shot her husband.

Reverend Blessed has detailed the murder of a young woman by what he saw in a dream but the police don't believe that it was a dream. As Mac delves deeper into the people involved in the victim's life, she is threatened and Joe Riddley, her husband is shot. To protect herself and her family she has to find the killer.

I've been reading this series a bit out of order but it is still fun because of the characters and the environment, I will definitely continue on.

The Magician: Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel by Michael Scott

2011-09-26T18:35:00.000-04:00

Read: September 18 - September 26

Format: Paperback 464 pages

Source: Borrowed from a young friend

Subject: magic, Paris, Alcatraz

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Genre: Young Adult

Stars: ★★★★

This is the second installment of the adventures of Josh and Sophie Newman who are the prophesied twins who are to save the Earth from the Dark Elders who are basically a group of evil immortals trying to take over the world and enslave mankind.

Sophie in the first book was awakened to her powers and immediately fled with her brother, Nicholas Flamel, and a vampire Warrior guardian Scathach where this book starts in Paris. Flamel with his wife, Perenelle, lived in Paris centuries before but modern day Paris is quite different leading to difficulties for the quartet that are fleeing from the evil Machiavelli and Dr. Dee. Perenelle is already being held captive on Alcatraz and they must save her before Flamel and she age beyond the immortal elixir's magic.

In Paris, Flamel meets up with Comte deSaint-Germain, an immortal alchemist of his past and he with his wife, Joan of Arc, teach Sophie the powers of Fire Magic. As the adventures progress and Josh learns of his powers, the battle between good and evil rages. Will the twins learn enough in time to save the world and their friends?

What a fun series, and my young friend and I will definitely have fun discussing these adventures. Definitely a series for family entertainment.

The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens

2011-09-24T18:28:00.002-04:00

Read: September 17 - September 24

Format: Paperback 436 pages

Source: My Library

Subject: Love, Marriage, investments, land deals

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★

Stephanie Laurens has been writing the Cynster novels since 1998 and in this book we find a new connection as well as seeing old friends. In this installment , Charles, Earl of Meredith decides that it is time to marry and choses Sarah Conningham the daughter of a neighbor. They have known each other since childhood, but when he returns to his ancestral home and applies for Sarah's hand, he is startled when she states that she wants a marriage of passion and excitement and that she will give him 2 weeks to show that he can give her that before she will respond to his proposal.

What Charles learns is that Sarah is not just a passionate woman but kind-hearted and gentle of spirit devoting her time and efforts to the local orphanage. Sarah learns that her long ago infatuation with Charles may have been more and together they embark on a life of secrets to be revealed and love to be cherished. Sarah's orphanage plays a vital role in the story as well as identifying Charles' character and eccentricities.

Cynsters never fail in entertaining.

Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams

2011-09-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

Read: September 6 - September 17

Format: Paperback 269 pages

Source: My shelves

Subject: Southern BBQ, blackmail, murder,

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★

Lulu Taylor produces the best BBQ at Aunt Pat's Restaurant in Memphis according to most of the customers so the Cooking Channel is checking her out to see if it's true. Rebecca Adrian is sent to Memphis to find the best BBQ but has little time for tasting when she is found dead in her hotel room - poisoned.

So while Lulu tries to clear the name of her family restaurant, she is also bombarded with problems from her friends the Graces (they visit Graceland every week) and some elderly gentlemen who make Aunt Pat's their second home.

The mystery wasn't that difficult to solve but my main issue with this book is that there were entirely too many characters so that at times I was confused as to who went with who. But still I enjoyed the southern "flavor" of the book and will look for the next in the series.

Cut the cast list and beef up the mystery (No pun intended.) Sometimes the start of a new series is hampered by the introduction of all the characters and this could have been the case in this one.

The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren

2011-09-15T10:57:00.000-04:00

Read: September 11 - September 14

Format: Paperback 358 pages

Source: My shelves

Subject: Arranged Marriage, deceptions, secrets

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★½

Jeannette Rose and Janette Violet are identical twins - both are extremely beautiful but Jeannette is vivacious and entertaining and Violet is quiet and studious. When Adrian Winter, Duke of Raeburn chooses his bride, he selects Jeannette because of her outgoing personality. But Jeannette decides at the last minute she can't marry the duke ad persuades her sister to take her place at the altar.

The ensuing charade is worthy of Shakespeare (well maybe not that good but definitely entertaining).

The Riesling Retribution by Ellen Crosby

2011-09-12T10:54:00.000-04:00

Read: September 7 - September 11

Format: Hardback 259 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Civil Reenactment, cold cases, wine

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? Ongoing series

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★½

Lucie has trouble in abundance at Montgomery Vineyards with the animosity between Quinn and Chance, her brother's impending divorce, credit card thefts and items disappearing, so what more could happen…how about a tornado that rips through the vineyard uncovering a thirty-year old skeleton which turns out to be an enemy of her father all at the same time as she is supposed to be hosting a Civil War re-enactment?

This mystery was fun and funny and sad and serious altogether. I love most of the characters - some I could do without but overall, a definite plus to the series.

Edward's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

2011-09-10T19:07:00.000-04:00

Read: September 10

Format: Audio Playaway equivalent 116 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: family, organ donation

Category: Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from the library, sad or blue Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

Two brothers, Jake and Edward, are close - Jake was handed Edward as a baby and in essence made his little brother's guide in life. Early in Edward's life, Jake helped in the potty training ritual by teaching him a love of reading and baseball. As Edward grew up, baseball was their bond.

SPOILER

Then when family news was related of the impending addition of another child, Edward knew immediately it was a girl, named her and was made her guide at birth. However, on one fateful day, Edward went into town on his bicycle and was killed. His parents decided to donate his organs including his eyes. Jake's recovery from the tragedy was completed by the relationship with the recipient - a young baseball player.

Thanks to countrylife for recommending this book.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

2011-09-10T19:05:00.000-04:00

Read: September 2 - September 9

Format: Audiobook 12 CDs equivalent 516 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Alternate world, mythology of Egypt

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

The Kane Chronicles, of which this is the first installment, tells of Carter Kane and his sister Sadie and their special abilities and destinies. Carter lives with his father, Julius, an Egyptologist. Due to his father's occupation, they travel constantly spending only 1 day, twice a year with Sadie, Carter's sister, who lives with their grandparents in London. On the visitation, Julius takes Carter and Sadie to the British Museum for a private showing, and there they see a transformation that totally floors them. Julius is involved in a battle with a magical being, engulfed in a golden sarcophagus and disappears. Carter and Sadie have to flee London and are taken into the care of their Uncle Amos and several Egyptian gods.

The adventures that follow are fun and entertaining. This new series by Riordan has all the entertaining factors as the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus series but I think that it would be more fun if the gods that were introduced were more well-known. Egyptian mythology is not that widely recognized, so more background of the gods would be helpful. But a good start for this new series.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

2011-09-10T19:02:00.002-04:00

Read: September 5 - September 8

Format: Nookbook 312 pages

Source: Barnes & Noble

Subject: slavery, cruelty, separation,

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: Historical fiction

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★

This book, written by a Northern woman, has been read by thousands and reviewed by many. Whether I can add any incite from this book, is hard to believe but here are my thoughts. The men say one thing and do another, i.e. slavery is bad but I'll still own slaves. The majority of the women in this story are the moral backbone of the families that they are members of. There is a strong Christian theme throughout from the slaveholders and the slaves.

There also appears to be a great deal of symbolism in the book - Eliza's leap to freedom, Uncle Tom's Cabin, South as cruelty and North as freedom, Eliza's escape versus Uncle Tom's sale into deeper oppression.

The Christian population of the North, this book ignited a flare against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and slavery in general.

Mr. Lincoln's forts : a guide to the Civil War defenses of Washington by Benjamin Franklin Cooling

2011-09-08T18:22:00.000-04:00

Read: September 5 - September 7

Format: Hardback 234 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: defenses of the Federal Capital

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: HISTORY

Stars: ★★★

This book documents the 68 forts and 93 unarmed batteries that surrounded the city of Washington during the Civil War. The details include maps, drawings, anecdotes concerning the construction, and directions to find the locations since many have "no visible remains" today.

An excellent volume for a Civil War buff and as a nearby resident I was easily able to visualize the locations by the directions supplied.

A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George

2011-09-05T13:43:00.003-04:00

Read: August 19 - September 4

Format: Nookbook 547 pages

Source: Barnes & Noble

Subject: unrequited love, incest, abandonment

Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series ER

Genre: Police Procedural Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★★

Roberta Teys is found sitting in the barn over the headless body of her father and she freely admits "I did it. I'm not sorry.” But the residents of the small village cannot believe that Roberta could possibly do such a thing and so Scotland Yard is brought in to determine if Roberta really is the murderer.

As the story unfolds the reader is taken through the village seeing Roberta as a pathetic unloved creature. Her mother abandoned the family when she was very small and her beloved older sister ran away leaving her on the farm with her overly zealous father. Her only escape appeared to be in books and time spent with her dog Whiskers and a small child in the village. However, the evidence appears to point to Roberta as the murderer because the dog's blood is all over the clothes that she was wearing and since the dog's body is beneath Farmer Teys' body, he had to be killed before her father.

The deeper that Inspector Lynley and DS Havers dig to find out the true nature of the events, the deeper the reader is drawn into the lives of not only the villagers but Havers and Lynley as well. This book is the beginning of the Inspector Lynley series. I had watched several of the episodes that were shown on PBS and decided that I wanted to get more of the background of the characters so I'm starting at the beginning, but I got more than I bargained for.

The beginning of the book seemed a bit disjointed to me, jumping around from one character and place to another, but in the end it all came together like a flash of lightning to explain how all the characters were impacted by the events that led to the murder. Definitely have to continue with the books - the characterizations are tremendous as well as the plot twists for the reader. I admit to being completely stunned by the ending.

Journal of a Civil War Nurse by Georgiann Baldino

2011-09-03T11:54:00.002-04:00

Read: August 30 - August 30
Format: Nook equivalent of 15 pages
Source: B&N
Subject: Civil War nursing - Gettysburg
Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI

Stars: ★★½

This was a short story telling of the difficulties related to nursing after the Battle of Gettysburg. It was informative but I felt that it should have been a bit longer.

Leading Questions in Bridge by Sally Brock

2011-09-02T11:51:00.001-04:00

#81 [Leading Questions in Bridge]

Read: July 14 - August 30

Format: Paperback 198 pages

Source: Bridge Website

Subject: advice for defense to bridge

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011

Genre: reference

Stars: ★★★

This is not the typical book with a plot,characters, etc. Basically, it is a help guide for those bridge players that want to improve their defense. I found the format and descriptins extremely helpful and look forward to implementing the tips and tricks that were illustrated into my game.

Murder Most Persuasive by Linda O. Johnston

2011-09-01T11:48:00.002-04:00

Read: August 28 - August 30

Format: Paperback 293 pages

Source:LibraryThing ER Program for review

Subject: inheritance, embezzlement, second chances

Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series ER

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

Elizabeth Parker is staying with her pregnant sister while work is being done on her apartment and her boyfriend is out of town. Sisters can rub each other the wrong way so when Elizabeth has a chance to escape to visit with her cousin who just lost her father, she grabs it and gets involved in mishaps that weave around her cousin's family and a missing former fiancé.

This book is the third in a series but my first exposure to the characters and author. They were amusing and entertaining so think I will have to locate the first two and catch up.

The Borgia Betrayal by Sara Poole

2011-08-28T20:42:00.002-04:00

Read: August 11 - August 28

Format: Paperback 389 page

s Source: LibraryThing ER Program for review

Subject: Papal security, scientists vs religion

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series

Genre: Historical Fiction

Stars: ★★★

This book was the second in the Poisoner series. The story picks up shortly after book 1 ends and Francesca is again trying to protect Borgia, Pope Alexander VI from being murdered by Morozzi, a mad priest who favors another for the Papal throne.

It seemed rather repetitive at the beginning but toward the end there some interesting developments that carried me along to the end. Some of the passages were so filled with descriptions that I lost where or what was happening so overall I felt it needed more editing, but still it was an interesting tale.

The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood by Jean Leavy

2011-08-25T16:34:00.000-04:00

Read: August 23 - August 25
Format: Overdrive equivalent of 553 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Mickey Mantle Bio
Category: Something Borrowed from the library
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★

This is a biography of New York Yankee Mickey Mantle. I'm not exactly sure how to review it so I will just tell you my feelings. I am an avid baseball fan - mostly the Baltimore Orioles therefore, you do hear about the dreaded Yankees. So I really expected to hear more about baseball, but what I read was basically about injures and inappropriate behavior by Mantle and his teammates. He couldn't seem gather his excellence from the field and continue it in his private life.

The first few chapters were interesting, but then it just seemed to be the same over and over - play great, injury, bad behavior, repeat. I guess hearing the life of another pro player who just died there was a great contrast - maybe Mantle was a great player who was denied his full potential by an early injury, but the injury wasn't what stopped him from being a great man.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

2011-08-23T16:30:00.001-04:00

Read: August 16 - August 23
Format: Audiobook 6 CDs equivalent 304 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Alternate world, mythology
Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

For those readers of the Percy Jackson series, who felt lost since Percy vanquished the Titans, we come again to that world but with 3 new demigods - Jason, Piper, and Leo. On their arrival at Camp HalfBlood, Jason, who has been robbed of his memories by Hera, is identified as the son of Zeus by tattoos on his arms, Leo is immediately claimed by Hephaestus, and Piper by being claimed by Aphrodite understands why her mother deserted she and her father. All three have secrets that blend them together as a team when they head out on their quests to rescue Hera and prevent further intrusions by the giants. Each of these demigods has abilities - Jason can fly and hurl lightning bolts, Piper can hypnotize mortals with her "charm speech", and Leo and handle Fire and fix anything mechanical.

We find that Jason is actually a son of Jupiter (Zeus' Roman persona) and in this way the Roman mythology is interwoven with the Greek. We are also introduced to Aeolus, God of Wind, who is a one-man Weather Channel, Old friends appear in this book as well - Annabeth who is worried about a missing Percy Jackson, Chiron, Rachel Dare, and Thalia - who turns out to be Jason's older sister. They all join forces to complete the quests as well as other tasks that pop up.

Definitely a great start for a new series!

If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle

2011-08-20T16:22:00.001-04:00

Read: August 16 - August 19

Format: Paperback 290 pages

Source: my shelves

Subject: rare books, Robert Burns

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★½

When Brooklyn Wainwright arrives in Edinburgh for an International Book Festival she is immediately caught up in literary intrigue. Her former main squeeze, Kyle McVee accosts her and talks her into validating a controversial book and several hours later he turns up dead, murdered with one of Brooklyn's binding hammers. The Scottish police lean toward Brooklyn as the prime suspect so she feels that she needs to exonerate herself.

Brooklyn is IMO a delightful character who has flaws that only make her more endearing. The mystery is not too over the top, leading the reader with numerous possible culprits. The manner in which the bookbinding world is woven in with many interesting and educational facts, also eases the reader through the adventure.

Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston

2011-08-20T16:18:00.002-04:00

Read: August 15 - August 17

Format: e-book equivalent 304 pages

Source: Nook Barnes & Noble

Subject: animal cruelty, animal rescue

Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

This new cozy mystery series centers around Lauren Vancouver the administrator of a privately funded animal rescue shelter that specializes in no killing. She works with public agencies to rescue and find homes for the overflow of unwanted pets. At the start Lauren is seen at the site of a raid on a puppy mill, nothing strange for her except that one of the people, Efram, identified as being involved, is a worker from her center HotRescues. Lauren is angry with Efram and they argue, he is told not to return, he threatens her and her facility, so when he is found dead on at HotRescues and she is bending over the body, Lauren becomes the #1 suspect.

This was a nice little cozy which introduced the reader to the agency and characters involved, nothing too over the top or complicated. It did give a warm fuzzy feeling, mainly because of all the little puppies and kitties involved. I will look for the next one.

2011-08-15T09:00:00.001-04:00

Mailbox Monday was originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is now a traveling meme and for the month of August Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Life in the Thumb! Go over and visit her to see what she got in her mailbox.

For me this past week I got two surprises.

Murder Most Persuasive

by Tracy Kiely

I won it as an ER book from LibraryThing but didn't figure it would get here that quickly, SURPRISE!

Skeleton Letters

by Laura Childs

I have been so fortunate (and don't ask me how it came to be) but the author, Laura Childs, sends me her new books as ARCs. I don't even ask, they just appear like magic and they absolutely make my day/week/month just by their appearance. This is the newest in the scrapbooking series. Even though all my reading is scheduled for the next month or so, this will definite bump another book out of the way.

So what did you get in your mailbox?

Lady Friday by Garth Nix

2011-08-11T17:37:00.001-04:00

Read: August 9 - August 10

Format: Audiobook 6 CDs equivalent 304 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Alternate world

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

Arthur Penhaligon remains in the House after defeating Sir Thursday in the Great Maze and retrieving the 4th key. Now he must locate Lady Friday and the 5th part of the will. Little does he know that his friend, Leaf, has returned from the Secondary Realm (earth) and is trapped by Lady Friday who has an addiction to the human experiences that she drains from their souls. At the same time as Arthur begins his search, Lady Friday sends a message to Arthur, the Piper, and Superior Saturday - stating that she is giving up her position as trustee and relinquishing the key - first come first serve. But they must find the 5th part of the will first.

Arthur has several battles both external and internal in this installment which brings a greater since of drama to this one, but the ending still was a bit rushed, flat. The series still holds interest though, as the reader foresees the coming battles.

The Siege of Washington: The Untold Story of the Twelve Days That Shook the Union by John and Charles Lockwood

2011-08-10T17:32:00.002-04:00

Read: August 2 - August 10

Format: Hardback 249 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Begnning of the Civil War

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★★★

At the time that the Union surrendered Fort Sumter and the war was starting, neither the Confederacy or the United States was prepared for war. Some of the southern states had yet to decide on secession (Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky) but the major issue for the North was the location of its capital. Washington City was surrounded by slave holding states. When Lincoln requested troops from the loyal states to defend the capital on April 15th, a crisis erupted. Baltimoreans attacked the troops as they attempted to transfer trains for the capital. Riots broke out.

The residents of Washington felt threatened for the first 12 days of the war until troops arrived for its defense. Any moment they expected the Confederate Army to attack, "blow up the Capitol and Treasury Building, to burn the President's house and other edifices, and to leave in the blackened wreck of the ruined city, proof to the world that the Union was ruined." Others in the Confederacy felt that occupation of Washington and conversion of the city to the Confederate Capital held the benefits of establishing "instant legitimacy" for the new nation as well as recognition around the world. This would help the Confederacy negotiate loans and if the Union Government officials were captured, the war could possibly be ended quickly with little bloodshed.

However, the South was not prepared to make that step toward Washington. Arms were scarce in Virginia and Maryland. The Union destruction of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry had double blow - the destruction of the arms that the Virginians were hoping to capture as well as the morale of not defeating the Union troops that had been stationed there. The details of the problems of getting the troops to Washington for its defense as well as the issues of housing, feeding, and sanitation are remarkable. The reader can almost feel and smell the air of fear throughout this book.

I've been reading a great number of Civil War books, but wish that I had found this one first. It would have been a great start, explaining the issues that effected both sides militarily as well as the social issues of the surrounding area. As a Marylander, I realize that my state fell below the Mason-Dixon line, but never realized until I read this book that there were actually skirmishes when the citizens tried to support the Confederacy. Most of all for me, it helped to enlightened me as to the areas in my home state that were directly affected by the war other than the battlefields.

A definite for anyone who wants to see the problems that greeted the Union and the Confederacy at the very beginning of the Civil War.

Prophecy by S.J. Parris

2011-08-09T17:29:00.001-04:00

Read: July 20 - August 8

Format: Hardback 435 pages

Source: LibraryThing ER program for review

Subject: religious intolerance in the Middle Ages

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series

Genre: Historical Fiction

Stars: ★★★½

This Historical thriller is the second in the series with excommunicated monk Giordano Bruno as the central character. Bruno, a "secret agent" of Walsingham (one of Queen Elizabeth's advisors), is part of the French embassy's delegation. Sent to England by King Henri to avoid religious repercussions, Bruno is drawn into the murders of two of the Queen's Maids of Honor as well as a plot on the Queen's life and replacement on her throne by Mary of Scotland.

The murders are vailed with the mystery of the Prophecy related to the great Conjunction - Saturn and Jupiter aligning - which foretells of the end of an age. Just as we all know from history, the rivalry of Elizabeth and Mary is also the rivalry of Catholic vs. Protestant. The investigation weaves together the occult of the period as well as the conspiracies of the characters.

Great characters as well as a great story.

Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon

2011-08-08T17:30:00.000-04:00

Read: August 1 - August 8

Format: Audio 7 CDs equivalent 320 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: rebelious teens, village secrets

Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

In this 8th installment of the Brunetti series, Guido's wife Paola throws a rock not once but twice through the window of a travel agency that specializes in sex tours as an act of civil disobedience. This results in Guido's being placed on administrative leave. When the owner of the agency turns up dead (fortunately Guido and Paola were together when the murder occurred) Guido is called back in to investigate

This book, not one of Leon's best IMO, was still a great read if just for the characters and their interactions.

Sir Thursday by Garth Nix

2011-08-03T21:59:00.001-04:00

Read: July 27 - July 31
Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 344 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Alternate world
Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

Arthur continues his exploits in the House after acquiring the third key from Drowned Wednesday. In this installment Arthur is drafted into the House Army by Sir Thursday who is the trustee in chargeof the military. All residents of the House are required to serve for 100 years and Arthur cannot avoid this obligation. While still a recruit in training he experiences first hand the praactice of being washed between the ears, in essence erasing all of his memories. He doesn't even know who he is. Gradually his memories return and he learns what he can in the army, but danger comes when the House is attacked by Super Nifflings lead by the Piper.

An interesting side of these adventures and series.

Murder on Monday by Ann Purser

2011-08-03T21:18:00.001-04:00

Read: July 22 - July 31

Format: Paperback 288 pages

Source: My Shelves

Subject: rebelious teens, village secrets

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Genre: Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★½

Lois Meade lives in a small English village with her husband and 3 children. She has to deal with the normal problems of a rebellious teenager and making ends meet. To help financially, Lois heads over to a nearby village for 4 mornings a week - cleaning house for the vicar the village doctor, village, nurse, and resident artist. When another female resident is found murdered, Lois gets involved because she works for all 4 of the major suspects.

This book (first in the series) had a great premise but moved to slowly with too much filler without substance for my taste. I doubt I will continue on anytime soon.

Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix

2011-07-27T16:34:00.000-04:00

Read: July 23 - July 24

Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 321 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Alternate world

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

This the 3rd installment of the Kings to the Kingdom series. Arthur has returned to his normal existence, in the hospital with a broken leg awakening Wednesday at noon, when he receives an invitation from Lady Wednesday to have lunch. Not given an opportunity to refuse, Arthur and his friend, Leaf, are swept away on a tidal wave to the Border Sea where they are separated, Leaf to imprisonment on the pirate ship of Feverfew, the enemy of Lady Wednesday, and he set adrift on a treasure buoy.

After being rescued, Arthur meets with Lady Wednesday, who has been transformed into a huge white whale with an insatiable appetite due to some curse put upon her by the morrow days. She has no idea where her portion of the will is, so Arthur has numerous tasks to perform - locate the third portion of the will, rescue Leaf, and resolve the curse and with these resolutions Lady Wednesday will hand over her key.

The characters in this installment were entertaining, the predicaments amusing - reminiscent of Jonah and the whale, and overall great for Arthur's development as our hero. The fun of Pirates and a scavanger hunt all rolled into one.

A Summer in Sonoma by Robyn Carr

2011-07-24T10:57:00.001-04:00

Read: July 6 - July 24

Format: Paperback 406 pages

Source: My Shelves

Subject: friendship, bankruptcy, cancer, non-communication,marriage

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★★

Have you ever picked up a book knowing exactly what you expect from it and get that and so much more? For me, I knew when I picked up this book, that I was reading a romance, so I expected love and marriage and I got that. But what I also got was a kick in the teeth because of what it showed me about myself and others.

This is the story of 4 girls who grew up together and how through thick and thin they stick together. Their lives are all different but when trouble strikes they bond together and carry on.

Cassie, an ER nurse, is almost raped but is rescued by a big burly biker. A friendship develops and the two spend the summer visiting all over the Sonoma Valley on Walt's Harley.

Julie, a stay at home mother of 3, is married to Billy, a firefighter, and even though their love and marriage are strong, their financial situation is not, fighting constantly to make ends meet.

Marty, a hairdresser, is married to Joe, also a firefighter, and together with their son Jason, live in nice house and have all the toys that most men have - boat, big screen TV, etc.

Beth is a OB/GYN Doctor who shuts herself off from men because her previous fiancé left her after she had a battle with breast cancer in her mid-twenties.

Each of the character's stories could have been a book on their own but the tales are interwoven so that the comparisons of their lives is front and center.

SPOILER - I don't like to put spoilers in my reviews but in this instance, it wouldn't be fair not to. The reason why this book kicked me in the teeth is that it showed the characters' flaws and made this reader, at least, stop and think. Cassie doesn't want to get romantically involved with Walt because he's not what she envisioned the man in her life should look like. Billy is forever optimistic and gets a rude awakening when he realizes that the world doesn't react to a positive attitude. Marty and Joe hear but don't listen. Beth feels that she can't burden her friends with her problems but is there to help with theirs.

I can't believe how much this book made me stop and think about the people in the world around me. Our world/society seems so intent on physical appearance - that the people that are beautiful inside seem to be lost and that means we are missing out on so much. A possible attitude can be helpful but it is important to be realistic as well. Our relationships could be infinitely better if we learned to listen better - shouldn't this be a class in school? Lastly, I now understand an old saying I heard "A trouble shared is but half a trouble, a joy that's shared is a joy made double." If we are willing to help our friends and family through hard times, why should we expect them to be any different in helping us if we have hard times. This really was a very thought provoking book. Very well-written.

Real Murders : Aurora Teagarden Mysteries byCharlaine Harris

2011-07-19T19:10:00.002-04:00

Read: July 15 - July 19

Format: Paperback 290 pages

Source: Barnes & Noble

Subject: Copycat killers

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

Just about everyone has seen on television those shows where they recreate events such as the Jack the Ripper murders trying to decide who was involved and what really happened. The producers take all kinds of sensational murders and try to show the viewers exactly how they believe the events took place. Well, in this book, Aurora Teagarden, the assistant librarian of Laurenceton, Georgia, and a small group take detailed looks at well-known murders. As the book opens, Aurora (ROE) finds one of their members dead but the staging of the body appears exactly the same as a murder that they are about to discuss.

The police are not particularly interested in the theory of someone copying the ancient murder, but when 3 other people are killed with connections/details replicating other renowned murders, the town starts to get a bit antsy and want the killer caught. Through the book Roe is central because she either finds the body, finds the weapon, or arrives at the scene immediately after the event, not forgetting that they all seem to take place in her neighborhood.

I was really taken with this book. The characters, quirky names aside, definitely could be better developed but since this is the first in the series, there is time for the that. What seem to me the most realistic was that Roe is not the most "interesting" person on earth. She doesn't have much of a social life so when two men start showing interest, she doesn't know what to do. This little bit of romance helped to cool the dra.ma of the murders as they were happening. Definitely look for the next.

Mailbox Monday

2011-07-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

Mailbox Monday was originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is now a traveling meme and for the month of July Mailbox Monday will be hosted by A Sea of Books! Go over and visit her to see what she got in her mailbox.

My mailbox was very busy but some were a bit atypical for readers. I purchased 3 books to help my Bridge game. They were:

Leading Questions in Bridge - I always seem to have the opening lead so I decided I better figure out what to do.

The Setting Trick: Practical Problems in Bridge Defense

Bridge Cardplay

These are about the only kind of books my husband will read so once I'm done, I'll pass them on to him.

I also got two romances from my online book club.

They were:

The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

The newest from one of my favorite writers.

Shameless by Karen Robards

A new author for me.

What was in your mailbox this week?

Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix

2011-07-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

Read: July 14 - July 17
Format: Audiobook 6 CDs equivalent 321 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Alternate world
Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

Arthor Penhalingon, our hero from the first book in this series, and the keeper of the key for the Lower House is drawn into a battle with Grim Tuesday to protect hs home and his family. Arthur needs to leave the Secondary Realm of Earth and travel to the Far reaches and defeat Grim Tuesday in a battle against greed and avarice. Again good (Arthur) must overcome evil (Grim) while helping the less fortunate.

Again a fun read for the youth, with introduction of several new characters - along with Suzy Turquoise Blue from the first book, Japeth the walking Thesaurus, Captain Shelvocke the sea-faring brother of the Pied Piper. Arthur sets sail with Captain Shelvocke to find the second fragment of the Will. Expecting the same type of character as the original will in Mister Monday, the reader is pleasantly surprised by this portion. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Heresy by S.J. Parris

2011-07-16T00:21:00.000-04:00

Read: July 5 - July 15

Format: Hardback 435 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: religious intolerance in the Middle Ages

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: Something Borrowed - from the library

Genre: Historical Fiction

Stars: ★★★★

The central character of our story is Giordano Bruno, an excommunicated Italian monk. Bruno fled the Inquisition because as a philosopher and scientist he has the same leanings as Copernicus - that the Earth revolves around the sun.

Bruno has come to England, Oxford in particular in search of a book which should clarify some of his philosophy but while there he is recruited into the service of the Queen Elizabeth looking for a band of Catholics seeking her demise. As Bruno searches deeper and deeper for the book related to his research, he is caught deeper and deeper in the web surrounding the Catholics and the murders that have occurred.

The mystery has many twists and some unexpected turns but the end is dramatically satisfying.

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig

2011-07-12T23:47:00.000-04:00

Read: June 30 - July 8
Format: Audiobook 12 CDs equivalent 512 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: spy network, India
Category: The good old days - historical fiction
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

The Pink Carnation series continues in this tale of Penelope Stains who appear in the previous adventure and we found that she was married hastily to protect her reputation. Lady Penelope lacks the same moral high ground that the other featured ladies have shone, instead she was sarcastic, opinionated, striving to be her own person. In this installment, Penelope and her new husband Freddy are off to India and an obscure province to represent the British government. Penelope, never comfortable in the social scene in London, exercises her new "independence" from the social swirl of London. Freddy becomes more irresponsible showing his laziness and arrogance while Penelope starts to shine. Their escort to the remote province is Captain Alex Reid and the relationship that develops eventually leads to a joyful conclusion.

This is probably my least favorite of the series. First I never heard anything about a Blood Lily, so where did the title come from. Penelope wasn't someone that I think I could respect even for her efforts, and lastly, I didn't get the connection with the Napoleonic war spy network at all. Hope the next one gets back on track.

The Body in the Transept by Jeanne M. Dams

2011-07-11T18:28:00.000-04:00

Read: July 8 - July 10

Format: Hardback 202 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: widowhood, acceptance, murder

Category: Something Borrowed - from the library

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Stars: ★★★½

Dorothy Martin, after losing her husband Frank unexpectedly, decides to fulfill their retirement plans and moves to Sherebury, England, a small university town that they had visited together over the years. After her first Christmas Eve service in her new hometown, Dorothy discovers the body of the Cathedral's Canon and proceeds to get involved with the investigation in more ways than one.

Dorothy was a whimsical character who I can foresee getting involved more than maybe she should in the future. This first book does whet the reader's appetite for more.

Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

2011-07-06T14:58:00.002-04:00

Read: July 1 - July 4

Format: Paperback 275 pages

Source: Barnes & Noble 2009

Subject: stranger in a small town, acceptance

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★★

When Tori moves away from her Chicago home and accepts the job as head librarian in Sweet Briar, SC, she doesn't expect to be the town pariah, but she soon finds out that not only are the people against her because she ousted the old librarian but she doesn't understand the Southern ways of behavior. Fortunately she is taken under the wing of a gentile Southern lady and welcomed (though not entirely) by the Sweet Briar Ladies Sewing Circle. She makes some friends and its a good thing because when she discovers the body of the town beauty in the library dumpster, she becomes suspect #1 and since no one else is interested in finding the murderer, she has to do it herself.

I loved this book. It was funny and light and talked about books and sewing. The characters were diverse and entertaining. The clues were well-spaced and well-hidden for the murder but right out there for you to play along as to the town meanie's identity. Can't wait for the next one - I may have to bump a few other books out of the way!

Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer

2011-07-05T12:42:00.002-04:00

Read: June 29 - July 1

Format: Uncorrected Proof 288 pages

Source: LibraryThing ER program for review
Subject: friendship, financial independence, love
Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment
Genre: Fiction Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★★½

When Gus dies of a heart attack from a congenital heart defect, Carley, a mother of two young girls, must find her own path to care for her home and family. Gus's parents want to take in the girls, but Carley is determined to make it on her own. The decisions that she makes are realistic at the same time as they are heart-wrenching but she manages to move forward with her life and bring joy and love to those around her.

I wasn't exactly sure that I liked this book as I started it, but I got suckered in actually talking to the character as I read. As it went along, I was hooked and was thrilled with most of the ending. ***SPOILER*** I didn't like the way Vanessa's situation ended, that was the only down part for me.

The American Civil War : a military history by John Keegan

2011-06-30T14:12:00.003-04:00

Read: June 5 - June 28

Format: Paperback 623 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Civil War

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: History

Stars: ★★★

In the past 18 months I have ready numerous books on the Civil War - mainly non-military - so I picked up this book to fill in all those blanks that were still empty. A few facts I hadn't gathered from other books were:

recent developments of the time in food preservation, especially canning led to the Union soldiers being best fed military force on record up to that point in time.
Southern strategy was to deny access to union invaders. This was a major difficulty with such a large perimeter to defend.
At Antietam, McClellan did not use all the forces at his disposal. He also lacked the killer instinct and refused to augment hatreds by confiscating property, living off the land, or freeing slaves.
inadequacy of the southern railroads with their non-strategic routes hampered the Union efforts after their invasion
The battle at Gettysburg is believed by many to be the turning point of the war. What is not surprising is that "both sides at Gettysburg were animated by belief in the justice of their cause and fought with greater determination because of that."
10,000 battles took place during the ACW between 1861 and 1865 = 7 per day on average.
It is much easier to understand battles with great maps to illustrate - this book had them.

History also seems to conclude that with more talented leaders on the Union side the war would have progressed differently - ending sooner and with fewer casualties. It is also perceived "indecisiveness of battles is one of the great mysteries of the war." However, the most interesting point made in this book, for me, is the identification of the South's greatest ally and the North's greatest opponent -" the geography of the war". "The obstacles which most hampered the North's armies in their pursuit of victory were terrain and landscape, the enormous distances to be traversed, the multiplicity of waterways to be crossed, the impenetrability of forests, the contour of mountain ranges."

Lastly, I was surprised to read that Karl Marx studied the American War and yet as much as he urged and suggested that the ACW would lead to socialism the author concludes that "American socialism was stillborn on the battlefields of Shiloh and Gettysburg."

Call of the Wild by Jack London

2011-06-27T23:41:00.002-04:00

Read: June 27 - June 27
Format: Audiobook 4 CDs equivalent 139 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Dog sledding
Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL, 50 State Challenge - ALASKA

Stars: ★★★½

This is the book telling the story of a dog named Buck. He is a magnifiicently strong animal that is stolen from his farm in California and sent off to the Yukon becoming a member of a dog sled team.

The style of the story reminds a great deal of Black Beauty coming from the animal's POV. I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised at a fast paced tale.

A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus

2011-06-27T23:39:00.001-04:00

Read: June 24 - June 27

Format: 312 pages

Source: My shelves

Subject: faith, family, fairness

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Fiction Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI

Stars: ★★★★

The Brides of Bonneterre trilogy ends with A Case of Love. Having seen the romances of Anne and Meredith in the first two books, it is exciting to see a story from the male POV. Forbes Guidry, perpetual bachelor, is a successful lawyer (partner in the firm). He sees his cousin Anne and his sister Meredith are happily married and at his age (near 40) decides that he needs to start seriously thinking about finding a wife.

Aliana Delacroix hosts a daytime news magazine at the local TV station. They've met a few times but when they are thrown together at a new dance studio the sparks begin to fly. Aliana in the meantime is looking for a lawyer to help her parents and their neighbors defend their homes from a major development takeover. Forbes offers his services pro bono before he realizes that this will pit him against his family and the law firm he is part of.

Having read the first two in the series, I can honestly say that it saddens me that there is only a trilogy with these characters. The series was uplifting both spiritually and emotionally, the characters were people that I would like to meet and the town sounds like a winner...the series definitely is!

Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

2011-06-27T23:36:00.001-04:00

Read: June 20 - June 26
Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 304 pages
Source: Nook - B&N
Subject: infidelity, spiritual visitations, parental disapproval
Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL

Stars: ★★★

Josey is 27 years old with a severe lack of self-esteem who lives with her mother. She doesn't have a job other than taking care of her mother, whom she thinks disapproves and dislikes her. To compensate for those feelings, Josey hordes a cache of candy and other goodies that she hides in a special compartment at the back of her closet. One day she returns from an errand for her mother and finds her friend Della Lee hiding in her closet. Della Lee strives to get Josey to expand her horizons and make new friends. After meeting Chloe while doing an errand for Della Lee, Josey starts to emerge from her shell and her personality blossoms as well as her relationships with other people.

The story which follows is unexpected and unusual.

Deadly Gamble by Connie Shelton

2011-06-27T23:34:00.002-04:00

Read: June 15 - June 24

Format: Paperback 291 pages

Source: B&N Nook purchase

Subject: amateur detective

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★

Charlie (Charlotte) Parker works with her brother at their investigation business - he's the PI and she's the accountant, so when he's out-of-town and her former best friend needs help, Charlie sets out to fill in. When the problems continue to escalate for her former friend, Charlie pushes on to find the solution even though it is not her area of expertise.

This is the first in the series and as firsts go it wasn't the greatest but it has possibilities so I will follow up in the future.

Mailbox Monday

2011-06-20T09:00:00.007-04:00

Mailbox Monday was originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is now a traveling meme and for the month of June Mailbox Monday will be hosted by BlueStocking Guide! Go over and visit her to see what she got in her mailbox.

As for me, my ER book that I have been waiting on since April finally arrived!

The Borgia Betrayal

by Sara Poole

Before the Tudors, there were the Borgias. More passionate. More dangerous. More deadly.

From the author of Poison, called “stunning”* and “a fascinating page-turner,” comes a new historical thriller, featuring the same intriguing and beautiful heroine: Borgia court poisoner, Francesca Giordano.

In the summer of 1493, Rodrigo Borgia, Alexander VI, has been pope for almost a year. Having played a crucial role in helping him ascend the chair of Saint Peter, Francesca, haunted by the shadows of her own past, is now charged with keeping him there. As court poisoner to the most notorious and dangerous family in Italy, this mistress of death faces a web of peril, intrigue, and deceit that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance.

As dangers close in from every direction, Francesca conceives a desperate plan that puts her own life at risk and hurls her into a nightmare confrontation with a madman intent on destroying all she is pledged to protect. From the hidden crypts of fifteenth-century Rome to its teeming streets alive with sensuality, obsession, and treachery, Francesca must battle the demons of her own dark nature to unravel a plot to destroy the Borgias, seize control of Christendom, and plunge the world into eternal darkness. AMAZON description

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

2011-06-19T17:47:00.001-04:00

Read: June 6 - June 19

Format: Audiobook 11 CDs equivalent 644 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: reconcilation, faith, family

Category: Something Borrowed- from the library, sad

Genre: Fiction

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, AUDIO

Stars: ★★★★

Ronnie and her brother Jonah are shipped off to North Carolina to spend the summer at the beach with their father. Sounds like fun right? For Ronnie, it seems anything but. She hasn't spoken with her father since he left their family 3 years ago and now she is going to be forced to live with him for 3 months. Trying to avoid him, Ronnie gets in with the wrong crowd and is picked for shoplifting. Realizing her mistake now that she's in legal trouble, Ronnie makes a complete about face and starts a summer romance with the nicest boy in town. Even though things start to look up at this point, Ronnie is due for a rude awakening to her idyllic summer.

I have read many of Nicholas Sparks books, so when I started this one, I expected to like it, however, the beginning, IMHO, was a bit rough and I was worried for a while until the story took off and then I could barely stop listening. I liked the way that the narration was from several points of view and the resolutions that were eventually arrived at could have seemed a bit contrived, but the impressions came off realistically. The story touched me especially since I was reading on Father's Day and ***SPOILER*** when Steve, Ronnie's Dad died, tears came rolling down my cheeks. Mr. Sparks did not disappoint.

Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck

2011-06-18T08:54:00.002-04:00

Read: June 13 - June 15

Format: Paperback 291 pages

Source: My shelves

Subject: donut making, dirty cops

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★

This is the first book in the Donut Mysteries and I have to admit, the recipes that are included made me have to go out and get some donuts!

Suzanne Hart takes her divorce settlement and buys a donut shop. She rises each morning shortly after Midnight so that she can make the donuts and have them ready when the shop opens at 6AM. One morning shortly after arriving at the shop and before she has time to start donuts, she sees a body dumped on the street in front of her door. Since she doesn't feel that the local police force are taking her safety into consideration, she decides that in her own best interests she has to solve the murder. Her screwy hours bring a fun POV to the story.

The characters are delightful and entertaining, and the budding romance with a state policeman to the annoyance of her ex add a light touch to this cozy. Definitely makes for a fine beach read.

Mailbox Monday

2011-06-13T09:00:00.010-04:00

This week I received a book I won in a giveaway on Bookin' with Bingo. I entered because the title reminded me of the area where I grew up and I haven't read a Danielle Steele book in many years. So it seems that fate says it is time to get back to her.

44 Charles Street

Danielle Steele

A magical transformation takes place in Danielle Steel’s luminous new novel: strangers become roommates, roommates become friends, and friends become a family in a turn-of-the-century house. The plumbing was prone to leaks, the furniture rescued from garage sales. And every square inch was being devotedly restored to its original splendor—even as a relationship fell to pieces.

The other two books were purchases made from my book club. The descriptions for romances always get to me.

The School for Brides

Mary Jo Putney

Publishers Weekly

Smith's lively debut is chockablock with plot twists. Frowzy, pseudonymous Miss Eva Black runs a school and sanctuary for courtesans who wish to retire from carnal service. Part yenta and part Henry Higgins, Eva teaches the young women proper manners and matches them with eligible suitors.

It Happened One Season

Mary Balogh, Stephanie Laurens, and more

A young lady facing yet another season without a suitor never expects to find herself the object of his affections. A handsome hero returns from war, battle-scarred and world-weary. But family duty calls and he must find a bride. It Happened One Season has four amazing talents - Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D'Alessandro, and Candice Hern - have come together to create one of the most unforgettable events of the year. The results are spectacular—each story is as unique as a lover's first kiss.

Finally, I received LibraryThing's May ER book from Random House.

Prophecy

S.J. Parris

Description: Bestselling author S. J. Parris returns with the next Giordano Bruno mystery, set inside Queen Elizabeth’s palace and steeped in period atmospherics and the strange workings of the occult.

It is the year of the Great Conjunction, when the two most powerful planets, Jupiter and Saturn, align—an astrological phenomenon that occurs once every thousand years and heralds the death of one age and the dawn of another. The streets of London are abuzz with predictions of horrific events to come, possibly even the death of Queen Elizabeth.

When several of the queen’s maids of honor are found dead, rumors of black magic abound. Elizabeth calls upon her personal astrologer, John Dee, and Giordano Bruno to solve the crimes. While Dee turns to a mysterious medium claiming knowledge of the murders, Bruno fears that some thing far more sinister is at work. But even as the climate of fear at the palace intensifies, the queen refuses to believe that the killer could be someone within her own court.

Bruno must play a dangerous game: can he allow the plot to progress far enough to give the queen the proof she needs without putting her, England, or his own life in danger?

What came in your mailbox this week?

Mister Monday

2011-06-11T14:34:00.002-04:00

Read: June 6 - June 9

Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 361 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Alternative universe,

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Genre: Fantasy

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, AUDIO

Stars: ★★★

Arthur Penhaligon starts an unusual adventure when after an asthma attack in the schoolyard he is confronted by Mister Monday and presented with a peculiar key which not only eases his health problems but leads him to an alternative world where he must defeat Mister Monday and his minions to find a cure for a plague attacking those in his home world. Arthur is assisted by Suzy Turquoise Blue and a portion of the Architect's will.

I thought that the beginning was a bit confusing, but once clarification was achieved, the story was exciting, entertaining and well-worth the effort to hang in. It's no Harry Potter but definitely a keeper for the kids.

Poison, A Novel of the Renaissance by Sara Poole

2011-06-08T18:51:00.001-04:00

Read: May 22 - June 7

Format: E- book 416 pages

Source: Nook - B&N

Subject: Poisoner, Borgia Papacy

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: Historical Fiction/Thriller

Stars: ★★★½

The Borgias have been well-hyped historical figures for many years but recently they have been front and center so there is no surprise that more and more books are being written with them as main characters. This book is the first in a series with the Borgias in the forefront. In 1492 when this book is set, Rodrigo Borgia, a cardinal in the Catholic Church, is startled when his Poisoner is poisoned by the daughter of his former poisoner. (Are there enough poisoners to go around?) When Francesca Giodano explains that she needs to avenge her father's death she is placed in the envious/not so envious position of protecting Il Cardinale and assisting him in his efforts to be the next Pope.

The story-telling is so well structured that one wonders if it could be true. What fascinates me the most about this book and the story it tells is how Ms Poole exposes the corruption of the Church's upper echelon as well as interweaving anti-Semitism and the Spanish Inquisition. MS Poole also has an interesting style of writing with this tale coming directly from the central character as if it were a very long letter being written to a friend.

To be honest, I won the second book in the series Borgia Betrayal and figured that I should probably read the first in the series as preparation. Now I am really looking forward to the Borgia Betrayal if it would just get here!

Hell Gate by Linda Fairstein

2011-06-08T18:47:00.001-04:00

Read: June 3 - June 6

Format: Audiobook 10 CDs equivalent 597 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Illegal immigration, sex trafficking

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors Genre: Police Procedural

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, AUDIO

Stars: ★★★

The 12th in the Alexandra Cooper series tells the tale of the shipwreck filled with a human cargo from the Ukraine. The secondary story is of political corruption in the Mayor's office related to the trusts of the historical buildings such as the Hamilton Grange and Gracie Mansion in New York City.

How the two stories intertwine and lead to a surprising conclusion, just shows the continued talent of Ms. Fairstein. The characters continue to be like old friends that the reader wants to invite home and help with their personal problems. Seeing the personal side of this terrific trio (Alexandra, Mike, and Mercer) only intensifies the horror of those unfortunate creatures caught in the web of the Sex trafficking trade.

This was not the best of the series but was definitely worth the time to read. The history lessons, related to the Historical buildings in this case, are always well researched and detailed.

Fit to Die by J B Stanley

2011-06-08T18:45:00.002-04:00

Read: June 1 - June 3
Format: E-book 240 pages
Source: Nook - B&N
Subject: Dieting, revenge, commercial competition
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

Fit to Die is the second of the Supper Club Mysteries. The Flab Five have been falling off their diets rather than having the pounds fall off, so when a new Diet guru, Veronica Levitt, meets Professor Henry and Lindy buying items that are not on their diets, she convinces them to sign up along with the rest of the Flab Five at her new diet center Witness to Fitness. The night before their new commitment, "Ronnie" sees all the group at the Polar Pagoda eating ice cream served up by a likeable Willy Kendrick which then leads to a verbal altercation between the two proprietors. However, Ronnie hasn't made a lot of friends, the food and prices at Witness to Fitness don't invoke the warm fuzzies for any of the members, and after the arson fire of the Polar Pagoda and death of the night watchman, the Flab Five decide that some investigation is in order. It gets even deeper when the prime suspect, Ronnie is found dead.

This tightly-woven story is very entertaining mainly because of the small town setting and the magnificent characters. I'm definitely going to "devour" this series.

A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon

2011-06-01T10:38:00.001-04:00

Read: May 29 - May 31
Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent of 277 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: toxic waste disposal,
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Category: Something Borrowed - from library
Genre: Mystery

Stars: ★★★

A partially decomposed body is found in a field and identified by the family signet ring that was with it. Roberto Lorenzoni had been kidnapped two years earlier and the case was still open When Commissario Guido Brunetti takes up the case. Count Lorenzoni and his wife still grieve the loss of their only son, but have moved forward training a nephew to take over the family business.

This is not one of the author's more in depth mysteries but still enjoyable for the atmosphere and characters.

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig

2011-05-29T22:43:00.002-04:00

Read: May 22 - May 28

Format: Audiobook 12 CDs equivalent 388 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: espionage, Napoleonic Wars

Category: The good old days - Histories

Genre: History fiction

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, AUDIO

Stars: ★★★

This is the 5th book in the Pink Carnation series. In it the new Duke of Dovedale returns from his military service in India to assume his responsibilities and realizes that his young cousin has held his heart in his absence. But pledges that he has made to find and eliminate the Night Jasmine make his romance difficult.

The plot in this installment was most probably the lightest when in came to the French espionage and also involved more of the modern day romance between Eloise and Colin than the previous books.

The mystery side in this book took a backseat to the romance this time, but still an enjoyable experience.

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

2011-05-29T00:03:00.000-04:00

Read: May 16 - May 26
Format: Trade Paperback 416 pages
Source: My own shelves - ARC
Subject: War, occupation, love affair,
Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment - can't live without romance
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★½

This book is a story of the German occupation of the Island of Guernsey and the relationship of one of the islanders with a German officer. There isn't much more than that to be said about the premise of this book, IMO.

Vivienne de la Mare is a middle aged wife/mother who is left on Guernsey with her two daughters and her aging mother-in-law at the start of WWII. Indecisive as to whether to leave for the British main island or stay, her decisions throughout are not too well throughout or are too compulsive. Vivienne's very passive personality and voice in the book doesn't lead to much activity to hold the reader. The love affair that develops between Vivienne and Gunther (a German officer) seems to be more an accident than passion.

I really had a hard time with this book. I like stories that have a bit more action and here Vivienne was constantly trying to re-think or analyze her feelings and I couldn't hang with her. 150 pages in and still nothing had happened - it's nice to have character development but there has to be action to go along with it. Others have raved about this book so I guess it just shows not every book is right for everyone.

Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews

2011-05-22T23:33:00.002-04:00

Read: May 10 - May 20

Format: Paperback 312 pages

Source: Borrowed from Tutu

Subject: Wedding preparations, deceptive people, murder

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI,

Category: Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from friends/blue

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★★

Meg Langslow heads back to her hometown to finish up the arrangements that are her responsibility as maid of honor for her best friend, her brother's bride, and her mother. Their weddings are all taking place within a 3 week time frame and Meg has to make sure that all the changes are managed and the brides discouraged from the impractical.

At the first pre-nuptial social gathering, Meg meets her mother's fiancé and his former sister-in-law who is a disagreeable woman who quickly alienates everyone she meets. 2 days later she's dead.

So started Meg's very amusing efforts to solve the murder so that the weddings aren't effected. Between the queen of Bridezillas and a dog that hates everyone, another bride who decides on a costume wedding 6 weeks before the event and calligrapher who has a few too many while addressing envelopes, and her mother who just seems to let everything slide by - even the death of a worker on a runaway lawnmower, the reader is held spellbound throughout. Definitely a series to continue in the future.

Altar of Bones by Philip Carter

2011-05-20T16:20:00.001-04:00

Read: March 13 - May 20

Format: Trade Paperback 416 pages

Source: My own shelves - ARC

Subject: magical powers, conspiracies

Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - new author/ARC

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS Stars: ★

Altar of Bones is about an altar made of bones (dah) which has magical powers and the bad guy with his girlfriend who want those powers. There is a veerrrry longggg chase throughout and conspiracy theories (Marilyn and JFK?) It lost me about halfway through.

This blind date was a definite "don't call me, I'll call you."

The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

2011-05-18T17:21:00.001-04:00

Read: May 4 - May 18

Format: Audiobook 11 CDs equivalent 607 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Conspiratorial economics, Napoleon's treasure

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, Audio, SYLL

Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Stars: ★★★½

You want a good thriller… pick up any Steve Berry/Cotton Malone book and you'll have one. As usually Steve Berry has taken a small historical fact and woven a tale of international intrigue that will take the reader through the troubles of Napoleon and use them to highlight today's economic issues as well as expand the characters that readers have come to care for.

In this 5th Cotton Malone story, the story surrounds Cotton's best friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen, who is searching for the men that were responsible for his son's death. In tracking them down, Henrik gets involved in a dangerous plot by the Paris Club (a financial cartel) to manipulate the world's economy and make billions. Henrik's vendetta against his son's killers clashes with the vendetta of the head of the Paris club and Malone is caught smack in the middle.

Cotton and Henrik become estranged as they battle the Paris Club members for different reasons but in the end I believe that they were emotionally on the same page.

As with all the Cotton Malone books, it was action-packed and whirled the reader through historical facts on a fictional road. One drawback, there was a new character introduced - Sam Collins. It seemed that Berry was trying to turn Cotton into a mentor so maybe Sam will be appearing in future books, however, it seemed to detract for the concentration on Cotton and his relationship with Henrik.

Overall, a solid addition to the series.

The Border Vixen by Bertrice Small

2011-05-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Read: May 10 - May 15

Format: Trade Paperback 416 pages

Source: My own shelves - bought at Barnes & Noble

Subject: arranged marriages, Scottsh border protections

Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other?

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

Mad Maggie Kerr is the heiress/granddaughter of Dugald Kerr, laird of Brae Aisir and keeper of the Scottish side of the Aisir nam Breug passage. Maggie has sworn that she will only wed a man that she can respect and to gain that respect the man must be able to outrun, outride and outfight her. Many have tried but been humiliated but when Lord Fingal Stewart, cousin of King James V, is sent to Brae Aisir with orders from the king to wed her, matters change.

Realizing that she cannot disobey the king, she signs the marriage documents but says that Fingal must still beat her before he can bed her. The struggle between the two is not just physical as they get to know each other and deal with the trouble times of that historical period.

Another Bertrice Small book to treasure!

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

2011-05-09T18:50:00.003-04:00

Read: May 6 - May 9

Format: Hardback 410 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: Animal Magic, arranged marriages

Category: The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI

Stars: ★★★½

Prince George has a secret. He's fought to keep it hidden ever since his mother died when he was eight years old. But now it is getting harder and harder to maintain the private knowledge that frightens all the people in his kingdom of Kendel and forces him farther and farther away from his father and those that could care for him.

The prologue of this books tells the tale of King Richon who is transformed into a bear because of his mistreatment of animals and he will remain a bear, according to the legend, until he can be loved as he is - a Beauty and the Beast tale. But as the book starts, Prince George is a person who has inherited animal magic from his mother - the ability to talk to all animals in their own language (Dr. Doolittle eat your heart out). The ability to communicate with the animals has become a fearsome power and just the idea that a person has this magic could get them burned at the stake.

Now that George is betrothed to Princess Beatrice of Sarrey, he must travel to her father's kingdom to make the final negotiations for the arranged marriage. When he finds Princess Beatrice with her hound (they are inseparable), George realizes that if he is to have a true marriage, he must reveal himself to her and find out Beatrice's secret as well.

This story, beautifully told from the viewpoint of the Prince for a change, is of self-acceptance and tolerance of others. What a beautiful way to teach our young adults that differences amongst us is not something to be afraid of but to be treasured. Definitely a book for all ages.

The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb

2011-05-09T10:41:00.001-04:00

Read: May 3 - May 7
Format: Nook e-book 255 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: neighborhood feuds, corporate development of rural areas
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Genre: Cozy mystery

Stars: ★★★★

In this fifth installment of the Teddy Bear Collector's series, Ashleigh Lyon is finally front and center with Brad as she uses her position as auxiliary deputy to help in the investigation of a murder that she discovers as she returns to the farm of Everett Rawlins searching for the identity of a car that sideswiped her police cruiser.

Sheriff Tina calls on Brad's expertise as a Homicide investigator and together the three team to find multiple motives and therefore, multiple suspects. At the same time as the trio struggle to solve the murder, Brad and Ashleigh are hosting a Teddy Bear Jubilee benefiting the local church. Trying to keep the victim's family happy along with the town officials and the corporate buyers of Rawlins' farm is a tough scenario.

What a wonderful series with a cozy police procedural and terrific characters that just gets better and better with each book. I heard rumors this is the last in the series, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that rumors are wrong. I want more!

2011-05-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Mailbox Monday was originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is now a traveling meme and for the month of May Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Marireads! Go over and visit her to see what she got in her mailbox.

This week I received an ER book from LibraryThing. Funny thing is, this is the book for April ER batch that just closed not 2 weeks ago and it's already here. I'm still waiting for my March ER book from LibraryThing. Go figure, anyway here's what I got.

Heat Wave

by Nancy Thayer

Synopsis
Unerringly perceptive, superbly written, every page packed with the warmth and compassionate wisdom that have become Nancy Thayer’s trademark, Heat Wave tells the moving story of a woman who, after her seemingly perfect life unravels, must find the strength to live and love again.
Making the startling discovery that her family finances are in dire straits is only the latest shock endured by Carley Winsted after her husband’s sudden death from a heart attack. Resisting her in-laws’ well-meaning overtures to take in Carley and her two daughters, the young widow instead devises a plan to keep her family in their beloved home, a grand historic house on the island of Nantucket.
The solution is right at Carley’s front door: transforming her expensive, expansive house into a bed-and-breakfast. Not everyone, however, thinks this plan prudent or quite respectable—especially not Carley’s mother-in-law. Further complicating a myriad of challenges, a friend forces Carley to keep a secret that, if revealed, will undo families and friendships.
When her late husband’s former law partner keeps showing up at the most unexpected times, Carley must cope with an array of mixed feelings. And then, during a late-summer heat wave, the lives of Carley and her friends and family will be forever changed in entirely unexpected ways.
Lyrical, emotional, dramatic, and ultimately wonderfully uplifting, Nancy Thayer’s latest novel is compelling from its first page to its last.

This should be a good one!

Amelia's War by Ann Rinaldi

2011-05-03T12:32:00.002-04:00

Read: May 1 - May 3

Format: Hardback 263 pages

Source: Public library

Subject: historical accounts, Civil War

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI

Category: The good old days - Historical Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Stars: ★★★★

I am a Marylander. I was born in Maryland, grew up in Maryland, married in Maryland, and have always lived in Maryland. So when the book opens with "Mama and I were Southerners, but not Rebels. We were for the Union but not the Yankees. You have to be from Maryland to understand it."

I understand.

And yet I don't, and because of that, this book expressed my feelings about the Civil War in many ways. In this fictional account, Amelia Grafton is a pre-teen who lives in the "northern" Maryland town of Hagerstown during the Civil War and it is her personal dilemma which is told so beautifully in this book. Because of its location Hagerstown was frequently "visited" by both the Confederate forces and the Union Army. Amelia's best friend is a Southern sympathizer while her father is whole-heartedly for the Union. Her Mother believes that everyone should be treated with kindness whether they are Yankees or Rebels and the family takes in Aunt Lou, an escaped slave, and try to aid her in her run to freedom.

So there are many conflicts for a young girl to face and then when her brother runs off to join the Union forces, Amelia still feels an inner turmoil. Amelia wants to do something to make her contribution to the war effort, but can't decide what that should be until her moment of truth arrives and she has to do something to try to save her town when a ransom is demanded by the Confederate Army general, the uncle of her best friend.

In readings depicting the Civil War, a reader cannot believe that there is even the slightly possibility of avoiding ugliness. War is ugly and no matter how it might be romanticized by writers, the ugliness will creep through and smack you in the face. In the end, even though Amelia makes her contribution, it isn't without that ugliness reaching out to smack her in the face.

Yes, the book is a romanticized depiction of the real-life ransoming of Hagerstown, Maryland and the manner in which the tale is told is geared more toward the Youth for which the book was written, however, for this Marylander it presents the dilemma that was faced by many during the Civil War in an all too clear light - do you support your state or the nation? IMHO, in that time period, states had a much greater pull for their citizens then a national identity did. Rarely if ever, when asked would someone say they were an American, no they were a Virginian or New Yorker, or Georgian, or Marylander. What a wonderful book to show our youth that decisions are not always easy and that peer pressure should not make them race to a decision.

I want to thank Linda (Whisper1) and VictoriaPL for their recommendation of this book.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

2011-05-02T21:57:00.001-04:00

Read: April 30 - May 2
Format: Audio 9 CDs 9 hrs equivalent 304 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Black Death
Category: The good old days - Histories
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, Audio

Stars: ★★★

This book, which is a fictional account of the 1666 Black Death event in the Derbyshire village of Eyam, is basically a story of faith and survival. The main character, Anna Firth, loses her husband in a mining accident, then her children to the Black Death. Rather than wallow in self-pity and depression she battles the horrors of the plague alongside of the rector's wife. Her gentle spirit, though wounded by her own circumstances and past experiences, keeps her busy helping others throughout this devastating time.

I had heard that Geraldine Brooks' books were something to be treasured because of her writing style but maybe this story is not the best one to judge that by. I found it very slow, with little action, and kind of boring. Nothing much happened except for people dying and what would seem to be normal village political animosities. Not sure that I will pick up another of her books anytime soon.

Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante

2011-04-30T23:14:00.002-04:00

Read: April 25 - April 30

Format: Paperback 392 pages

Source: Barnes & Noble $1 table

Subject: Police procedural

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

DCI James Langton is trying to solve the old cold cases of 6 serial murders of prostitute/drug addicts when a new unlikely 7th victim may have materialized. Having convinced his superiors that he needs a large task force, DS Anna Travis is transferred to his team and together they review old cases and Travis finds a connection that links all the victims except for the newest.

DCI Langton is a strong character whose handling of the team has some issues that may endanger Anna Travis both physically or emotionally, but together they solve the murders with good detective work.

Lynda La Plante is the writer who developed the Prime Suspect series that brought Helen Mirren to the attention of many TV viewers and I believe that this series will probably be worth further pursuit. What amazes me is that I found this book on the $1 table at Barnes & Noble a few years ago. Definitely worth the investment.

In The Woods by Tana French

2011-04-27T21:21:00.001-04:00

Read: April 18 - April 27
Format: Audio equivalent 789 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Police procedural
Category: Something Borrowed from the library
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI,

Stars: ★★★

Rob Ryan, a Dublin policeman, is thrown into a troubling situation when he and his partner, Cassie Maddox, take on the investigation of the murder of Katy Devlin, a 12 year girl in suburb of Knocknaree - Ryan's original home town. Ryan's problems center around the fact that he is the one remaining witness to the disappearance of two children (his best friends) in 1984 from this same location. Keeping his involvement in 1984 a secret while investigating the dysfunctional family of the murder victim leads to trouble not just for Ryan but for his relationship with his partner. A subplot of environmental impact of a new motorway through Knocknaree vs. a nearby archaeological dig add additional twists to the plot which climaxes with a remarkable interrogation and surprising result.

Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea by Noah Andre Trudeau

2011-04-25T16:43:00.001-04:00

Read: April 16 - April 23

Format: E-book 703 pages

Source: Public library

Subject: historical accounts

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL,

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: History

Stars: ★½

William Tecumseh Sherman, a general in the Union Army, was best remembered for the long trek that his army made through Georgia in late 1864 from Atlanta to Savannah, pillaging and burning everything in their path and that is what I expected to read about in this book, however, that is not the story that was told here.

This book repeatedly told how from Atlanta to Savannah this regiment ripped up railroad tracks and that regiment foraged for food getting sweet potatoes and pigs here and sweet potatoes and chickens there, and how this regiment led the way on Wednesday and another on Friday and tiny little scrimmages erupted along this river and that river, and let us not forget that the telegraph lines were ripped down from this town and then from that town and so it went.

In 700 pages I learned hardly anything new about the "March to the Sea" than what I knew when I started because the author was constantly quoting this soldier and that soldier from this state and that state about how hungry they were and how tired. It amazes me that I actually finished this book but I kept getting just a teensy bit of information which dragged me through. Under no circumstances would I recommend this book unless someone was trying to figure out if a particular regiment was involved in the March to the Sea, otherwise, forget it.

Mailbox Monday

2011-04-25T09:00:00.004-04:00

Mailbox Monday was originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is now a traveling meme and for the month of April Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Passages to the Past! Go over and visit her to see what she got in her mailbox.

The past several months my mailbox has been devoid of books, but this week by complete surprise I received from Hyperion Press an ARC copy of The Soldier's Wife. I vaguely remember filling out a form asking for this book from Hyperion but I never figured I'd get it. Lucky me!

The Soldier's Wife

by Margaret Leroy

Publisher's Weekly says it is an exploration of "motherhood and marital infidelity, in the context of the German occupation of the British Channel Islands during WWII. Vivienne de la Mare loves her young daughters Blanche and Millie, but not her marriage, so when her husband is called up to the front, for her it's almost a relief. Then the German army occupies her town, and Vivienne is increasingly torn between her sympathies for the POWs and her budding feelings for Gunther, a German officer who has moved in next door. She and Gunther begin an affair, but she remains committed to protecting and nurturing her daughters as they grow up in this tense, dangerous environment, with waning hope of their father's return. Leroy lovingly portrays the era and the isolated Guernsey landscape while simultaneously offering an unsparing view of the specific horrors of war."

I read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society earlier this year, so I'm interested to see how these two stories reflect on each other.