Breakdown of my 2010 reading

Well, 2010 had some tremendous books and not so tremendous. Here's the recap of some of my favorites and how the year broke down.
The best of the year was - Bury Your Dead .
Won't count the re-read of Harry Potter.
The worst of the year - My Name is Will as well as two abandoned books - Future Hope and The Inheritance.
Here's how my categories stood.
I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery
Best of the Category - Hail to the Chef
II. Civil War and its Leaders 10/10
Best of the Category - Team of Rivals
III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Best of the Category - Mastered by Love
IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)
Best of the Category - Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One
V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Best of the Category - The Brutal Telling
VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Best of the Category - Died in the Wool
VII. I HEARD THEM
Best of the Category - Death and Judgment
VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Best of the Category - The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War
IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999) 10/10
Best of the Category - Lumby Lines
X. A Full Course Meal 10/10
Best of the Category - Bordeaux Betrayal
Xi. Niagara Falls - Overflow 16/20
Best of the Category - Bury Your Dead

Book Talley for 2010:
Books Acquired 110 (30 read ) - 29 ER/ARC /Blog giveaways, 43 Nook books (23 Free classic books, 38 purchases)
Books Read Owned 52 (Pages: 20,563 )
Books Read Borrowed 26 (Pages: 7,220 )
E-books - 3 (Pages - 1,464)
Audio Books heard 38 ( 450½ hours, equivalent 12,041 pages) 32 borrowed

Total Completed
119 books - 38 audio books, 3 Nook books, 27 Hardbacks, 51 Paperbacks - 41,288 pages
Genre Summary:
Nonfiction:
History: 25
General : 3
Fiction:
Novels: 9
General : 13
Thriller: 10
Young Adult : 12
Mystery: 20
Romance: 14
Historical Fiction: 10
Classics: 3

January: 0 pre-owned : 8 borrowed : 2 ARC - 10 books.
Best of the Month: The Lost Throne
February: 3 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 2 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War
March: 1 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 0 new: 2 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: Empire of Ivory
April: 3 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 4 ARC - 14 books.
Best of the Month: Brutal Telling
May: 1 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 0 new: 3 ARC - 10 books.
Best of the Month: Lumby Lines
June: 1 pre-owned: 3 borrowed: 3 new: 2 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Stealing Lumby
July: 5 pre-owned: 3 borrowed: 3 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: Lumby's Promise
August: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 2 ARC - 10 books.
Best of the Month: Bury Your Dead but a close second was Team of Rivals.
September: 3 pre-owned: 7 borrowed: 0 new: 0 ARC - 10 books.
Best of the Month: Desperate Engagement
October 3 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 0 new: 2 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Among the Mad
November: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 0 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: Over the Edge of the World
December 4 pre-owned: 2 borrowed: 2 new: 0 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E Lee

Top Ten Favorites of 2010:
Bury your Dead
Team of Rivals
Lumby Lines
The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War
Desperate Engagement
Brutal telling
Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee
God of the Hive
Mastered by Love
A Spy in the House

Best Biography : Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee
Best Mystery: Bury Your Dead
Best Romance: Promise of Lumby
Best History: Team of Rivals
Best Historical Fiction: Killer Angels
Best Chick Lit: Mastered by Love
Best Fiction: Lumby Lines
Best Thriller: The Lost Throne
Best Classic Fiction: Pride & Prejudice
Best General Fiction: Ella Minnow pea
Best Re-read: Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
Best Youth: A Spy in the House
Best Fantasy: Empire of Ivory

Wishing everyone

a happy and healthy

New Year in 2011!

Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee by J Steven Wilkins

Read: December 27 - December 29
Format: Hardback 332 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: Robert E. Lee
Category: Overflow
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: 4½
"Any man honored by both his enemies and his compatriots is a man worthy of our closest attentions" and Robert E. Lee is definitely a man worthy of attention. Even to this day, Northerners and Southerners maintain that his character was above reproach.

Historians of his day as well as those of current day, respectfully and unequivocally state virtues that made him the man he was - spiritualism, devotion to family, courage, dedication to duty, self-control, self-denial - the list goes on and on.

Realizing that Lee embodied these incomparable traits, how was he drawn to become the focal point of the Confederacy's battle for independence? The inner core of Robert E. Lee was a Virginian. Throughout his early life, his dedication to duty - whether it be the care of his ailing mother, his own family, or military service (he never received a demerit while attending West Point) - Robert E. Lee always put duty above all else. So that when his native state seceded from the Union, Lee felt compelled to go with her. He wrote to his sister "With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native state, with sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword."

Lee's military genius was recognized by both North and South. It is frequently commented that if Lee had been in command of the Northern forces (a position offered to him and which he declined), the Civil War would have ended in 6 months, possibly a year at most. He took command of the Virginia forces and immediately increased discipline, ended favoritism, instituted work details, improved supply service, and removed incompetent officers in such a way as not to disgrace them maintaining their support to duty.

As commander of the forces, when errors occurred in combat, he was the first to assume the responsibility rather than identifying others to blame. His men saw only the nobility of the man even in treatment to his enemies. It is unfortunate that such a great man will always be remembered as the general a losing cause rather than the man of principle and dignity that he truly was.

I thought that this was a tremendous book detailing the dignity and service of this great man. I would recommend it to anyone looking to see how a military man could also be a man of peace and gentility.

Mr. Darcy's Daughter by Rebecca Ann Collins

Read: December 19 - December 26
Format: Paperback 289 pages
Source: B&N
Subject: P&P Sequel
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI , BOSC
Category: Miss Austen and Her Relations (P & P lives on!)
Genre: Romance
Stars: 3

The tales of the descendants of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet continue in this 5th installment by Rebecca Ann Collins. Here we follow the story of Cassandra Gardiner, Elizabeth's daughter. She has seen the devastative impact of the death of her sister-in-law on her younger brother, Julian, and assumes the responsibility of not only the rearing of his son but also aiding her father in the management of Pemberley. This book added a bit of a mystery which added one of Lydia's sons to the mix. The story is worthy of Austen's characters but still lacks Austen's style.

At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh

Read: December 20 - December 26
Format: Overdrive Download Equivalent 533 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: arranged marriages
Category: Overflow
Genre: Romance
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Audio
Stars: 3½

The third installment of the Huxtable saga, this story is centered around the oldest Huxtable - Margaret/Meg who at the age of 30 realizes that marriage is not a guarantee for her. When her father passed away 15 years prior, Meg made a promise that she would take care of her younger siblings and therefore she bypassed her opportunity to marry her first love, Crispin Dew. When she hears that he is a widower, she tells him that she is betrothed thinking that she will finally accept a Marquis that has been asking her to marry him for several years. On the night that she makes this decision, the Marquis informs her that he is marrying someone else and so Meg is in a panic and attaches herself to Duncan Pennethorne - an earl, yes, but notorious for abandoning a woman on her wedding day to run off with her sister.

Duncan is in dire straits, his grandfather is about to cut off his income if he doesn't marry in the next few weeks and given his reputation finding an acceptable bride could be difficult. Meg and Duncan literally collide and their story has fascinating twists and turns until the final resolution.

Netherfield Park Revisited by Rebecca Ann Collins

Read: November 30 - December 8
Format: Paperback 290 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: Pride & Prejudice character expansion
Category: Miss Austen and Her Relations (P & P lives on!)
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI
Stars: 3

This book is third in the series of the Pemberley Chronicles and details the life Jonathan Bingley, the oldest son of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. At this point in the saga of the Bennet sisters, both Jane and Lizzie, are grandparents and are confronted with various tragedies and joys. They still have to deal with Lydia's inappropriate behaviour as well as problems of the day.

Of the three books so far, this is the best IMO because it is not as disjointed as the previous books. The Pemberley Chronicles and Women of Pemberley were so busy introducing the next generation that the character development was lacking but since this book concentrated on Jonathan Bingley, it read much better - smoothly integrating the other characters from the previous books.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Read: November 28 - December 6
Format: Overdrive Audio equivalent 631 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Vampires, Young Love
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI , AUDIO, SYLL
Category: Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Genre: Romance, Paranormal
Stars: 3

TIOLI Challenge - I can't believe you haven't read that yet! (10,000+ copies on LT but new to you)
This book has been at the forefront for several years and yet I resisted reading it until now. I have to say that what I expected is not what I got. I had been told by reviews and other readers how great this book and series were but I was disappointed. In fact, I was tempted several times to abandon the book, but continued to the end. I can understand why the younger generation (teenagers - 20's) are fascinated by the story of Edward and Bella but for me, it just didn't click. I doubt that I will read the next one anytime soon.

Women of Pemberley by Rebecca Ann Collins

Read: November 18 - November 29
Format: Paperback 272 pages
Source:Barnes & Noble
Subject: Pride & Prejudice character expansion
Category: Miss Austen and Her Relations (P & P lives on!)
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI
Stars: 3

This book was really a series of short stories starring the next generation of Pride & Prejudice characters - Elizabeth's daughter Cassandra, Jane Bingley's daughter Emma, Aunt Gardiner's daughter Emily, Col. Fitzwilliam's daughter Isabella, and Elizabeth's daughter-in-law Josie. It was amazing how their different stories still managed to blend together and advance the original characters from young lovers to grandparents.

The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney

Read: November 22 - November 27
Format: Audio 10 Discs equivalent 384 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Wizardy, Magic, regency England
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI , AUDIO, SYLL
Category: Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Genre: Romance
Stars: 3½

Jack Langdon, Lord Frayne, is hunting with his friends when his horse stumbles and he is thrown. Severely injured he is taken to the home of a healer. The female wizard Abby Stanton, great healer of the region, conducts a healing circle repairing Lord Frayne's broken neck saving his life. But the payment that had been arranged was marriage.

Abby offers to release Jack from the promise, but being a man of honor, Jack maintains that he will wed her. Their romance is amusing and filled with the discovery of Jack's magical aspects. Though the Ton is not enamored of wizards, with Jack's and his sister's sponsorship, Abby is accepted into society.

This was my first book by Mary Jo Putney but I will definitely look for more.

If the South had won the Civil War by MacKinlay Kantor

Read: November 16 - November 18
Format: 127 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: Civil War
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOSC
Category: Overflow
Genre: History
Stars: 3

Have you ever wondered if a decisive historical event had happened differently, how the world would have been effected? This tiny little book was filled with how one man pictured the world events that would have occurred if the South had successfully defeated the Union forces in the Civil War and won their independence.

MacKinlay Kantor takes two events, turns them around, and progresses from that point. The two events that the author changes are the Battle of Gettysburg and a riding accident of Ulysses Grant. The effects of Grant's riding accident is death several weeks before the Battle of Vicksburg. Having no other competent general, the Union forces are easily driven off and the Confederacy maintains its control of the Mississippi. The Battle of Gettysburg is a decisive victory for Lee and the Army of Virginia and they move on to Washington DC and capture Lincoln and the Nation's Capitol.

By the end of 1863 the War of Southern Secession is over and the Confederate States of America are recognized as an independent nation. The USA capital is moved from Washington DC to Columbus Ohio (renamed Columbia) and the CSA capital is moved from Richmond to Washington DD (District of Dixie).

Several other interesting projections are the assassination of Abraham Lincoln on the same day, different city, same assassin, Robert E. Lee's CSA presidency, the voluntary abolition of slavery by the CSA in 1888, Cuba as a member state of the CSA, and the eventual reunion of Texas Republic, CSA and USA.

I've never before read a book that was an "alternate" history so this was extremely thought provoking for me. I can't say that I believe that even if these two events had happened as projected that I would expect the history to happen as written here, but it definitely made me stop and think.

The Promise of Lumby

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Author: Gail Fraser
Read: November 1 - November 15
Format: Paperback 411 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Setting: Northwestern USA
Subject: exotic animals, prejudice, government auctions
Category: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOSC
Stars: 3½

When your spirits are low, when you're feeling lonely or depressed, when just need to feel that there's a better place in this world other than where you are - pick up a Lumby book and your spirits will lighten, you'll laugh out, and you'll feel that indeed there is a better place if only in your imaginative travels to this quirky little town.

Ellen Campbell has been Lumby's vet for many years and now she's retiring - only the town doesn't seem to understand that fact. She's told her clients, the Town Council, even advertised her practice for sale, but the townsfolk just won't believe until she sells to Tom Candor and heads off into the sunset. But Tom, who has come to Lumby to hide away from his past, gets more than he bargained for - he finds his soul mate and the courage to face his past and move forward.

Lumby's regular citizens have are still as delightfully funny and refreshingly quirky as in the previous books. The process of gaining a new vet, losing a new vet, and persuading his return with his own zoo couldn't be told better. I've one more in the series and looking forward to it immensely.

Over the edge of the world:Magellan's terrifying circumnavigation of the globe by Laurence Bergreen

Read: November 1 - November 13
Format: Audio 14 CDs - equivalent 480 pages
Source: Public library
Subject: exploration and discovery
Category: Overflow
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, RTT,Endless Europe
Stars: 3

It's hard to believe that Magellan who was as important as he was to history, doesn't even get a first page hit in Google - if it's not a GPS, Magellan is nothing. Magellan was the first person who set out and proved that by sailing west you can get to the east.

At the time of Magellan's expedition that was a great rivalry between Spain and Portugal. When Magellan was denied support from his own country (Portugal) he turned to King Charles of Spain. With Spanish backing, Magellan's expedition was the best-equipped during the age of Discovery. Even with this only one ship of the 5 that set out returned filled with the spices for which they had searched. The captain was dead, more than 200 of the men had died either from scurvy, drowning, torture, or execution.

the story was filled with tales of mutiny, cannibalism, disease, orgies, superstitions, and religious zeal. I found it fascinating.

Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh

Read: October 15 - October 25
Format: Audio 10 CDs - equivalent 567 pages
Source: Public Library (audio)
Setting: 19th century England
Category: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI, AUDIO
Stars: 3

Stephen Huxtable, the Earl of Merton, has the features and disposition of an angel but underneath he can be tough as nails when needed. While at a Ton ball he is accosted by Lady Paget, a notorious widow believed to have axed her late husband to death. Not fearful he decides to become the lady's protector and ends up delving into the circumstances that placed her in her situation of the day.

The story was entertaining, however, I found the characterizations were not the best of Mary Balogh. Lady Paget's companion does an about face in her opinion of the Earl of Merton in less than 30 pages - first refusing to meet him and then becoming his champion. Lady Paget also has characterization issues - at first filled with independence, then wimpy, then independent again. I got the impression that this book was rushed a bit and didn't get the full editing process.

Lincoln and His Admirals by Craig L. Symonds

Read: October 31 - November 10
Format: Hardback 366 pages
Source: Public library
Subject: Civil War, naval operations
Category: Civil War and its Leaders
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI,
Stars: 3

When I chose this book to read, I didn't look very carefully and therefore, didn't realize that it was the same subject by the same author of Civil War at Sea. That said, the majority of the information included in this book was the same as CWatS just organized a bit differently with a few different events included. I would suggest reading one or the other, not both because there is basically little difference.

Sex, Murder, and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis

Read: October 25 - October 30
Format: 328 pages
Source: Private library
Subject: writer's plots,
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI
Category: A Full Course Meal - Coffee or Tea?
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: 3½

Sophie Katz is such a typical and yet unusual character that I was captivated from the beginning. Sophie is exotic - half black, half Jewish of Eastern European descent - a mystery writer with friends that match - a gay hairdresser, a best friend who owns and operates a sex toy shop and has both a wannabe vampire boyfriend and a sister as pure as the driven snow, add a mother and sister so self-centered that they are only upset when they aren't the first contact when Sophie is in danger (not worried that she's in danger) and you have a combination that amuses and entertains.

At the beginning of this entertaining cozy mystery, Sophie realizes that people she knows, or has had contact with are being murdered and the crime scenes are exactly as she describes in one of her books. The police don't believe her, especially when she tries to convince them that she is the next target of the killer.

The ensuing mayhem keeps the reader turning the pages to see what other havoc Sophie can wreak. A fun cozy and series I will definitely continue.

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

Read: October 24 - October 28
Format: Audio 8 CDs -and 471 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: chemical warfare development, WWI survivors,
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, AUDIO, SYLL, RTT
Category: Niagara Falls - Overflow
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: 3½

Maisie Dobbs in 1931 witnesses the suicide of a man who apparently had been injured during WWI. She tries but is unable to prevent the tragedy from happening, and starts reliving the horrors of her time during he war.

Because of her efforts she is drawn into a rapidly advancing chemical warfare attack on the city of London - first 6 dogs are targeted, then 50 birds, 1 man - all the while the authorizes are warned by demands asking for better treatment and pensions for ex-soldiers.
Maisie while working with Scotland Yard on this investigation, is also endeavoring to aid Billy's wife Doreen and get her the best mental health care possible as well as her friend who is spiraling near to alcoholism.

The book paralleled the different types of mental illness - those resulting from war, depression, and alcohol dependency and yet it flowed so effortedlessly because of Maisie's character's involvement in all the aspects of the story. Seeing the mental health issues described from the 1930 POV in comparison to the 21st century - the reader can see that there has been improvement in the medical handling but that there is still room to go. I've read the first in the series and now this one - definitely need to go find the others.

Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh

Read: October 15 - October 25
Format: Audio 10 CDs -and 567 pages
Source: Public Library (audio) - my library book
Setting: 19th century England
Category: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI, AUDIO
Stars: 3½

The seduction of Katherine Huxtable was supposed to be an easy wager for Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, but just at the moment when was upon him Monty drew back and his non-existent conscience prevented him from taken advantage of the beautiful country mouse.

Three years later, they meet again and circumstances force them into a marriage that could destroy them both, or become their salvation.

This is the second in the Huxtable series and it far surpassed the initial installment. Mary Balogh wins again.

Fiber & Brimstone by Laura Childs

Read: October 14 - October 24
Format: 328 Pages
Source: unsolicited ARC from author
Subject: Halloween in New Orleans, ponzi schemes
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOSC
Category: Niagara Falls - Overflow
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: 3½

Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava Gruiex are fashioning a massive puppet to appear in the Halloween Monsters and Mayhem Torchlight Parade. Stepping out for fresh air, they discovered the body of Brett Fowler, one of the organizers.

As usual, Carmela, against the wishes of her police detective boyfriend, gets involved in the investigation and puts herself as well as Ava into several serious predicaments. Along the way, these two ladies attend all the special events that New Orleans has to offer for the ghoulishly inclined.

This is the 8th book in the Scrapbooking Mysteries series and I have to admit that I've missed the last few, but I'll have to go back to read them because it seems that interesting events took place which reflect in this story. Not that you can't enjoy this delightful cozy all by itself, because I think that this is my favorite in the series so far. The background events and descriptions, this time, were a refreshing change of pace and was a perfect setup for Halloween to come.

The Valcourt Heiress by Catherine Coulter

Read: October 8 - October 11
Format: Trade paperback 352 pages
Source: LibraryThing ER program
Setting: 13th century England
Category: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI
Stars: 3

This is the story of Merry who is the daughter of the Earl of Valcourt. Upon his death, Merry becomes a pawn of her mother, a reputed witch who is planning to sell her daughter and her inheritance to Jason of Brennan. Trying to escape her fate (dressed as a boy), Merry struggles with Jason's men and is rescued by Garron of Kersey. Following him to his new holdings in Warham, Merry convinces the residents of the ravaged property that she can help them if they shield her identity.

Upon the arrival of Garron in Warham we learn of an attack by the Black Demon that killed nearly all the inhabitants and destroyed all the goods of the estate. The evil force was searching for silver coins that Garron's older brother supposedly stole before his death. The Story progresses as Merry and Garron both take on new roles at Warham and eventually the mystery of the Black Demon and Merry's mother both unite for a climax that is a bit predictable.

I enjoyed the book but the romance wasn't concentrated enough, the mystery was lacking in the clues department, and overall, the characters were a bit one dimensional. I think that needed a bit more editing and character development.

The Civil War at Sea by Craig L. Symonds

Read: October 12 - October 19
Format: Hardback 170 pages
Source: Public library ILL
Subject: Civil War, naval operations
Category: Civil War and its Leaders
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI,
Stars: 3

When people think of the Civil War, rarely do naval campaigns come to mind, I know I never put the tow together until I began researching the books that dealt with this conflict and I was surprised to find that there were many from which to choose. This book details the contributions and shortcomings of both the Union and Confederate navies to the outcome of the War between the States.

Knowing that the Civil War was not exactly anticipated, one would think that the combatants would not have been prepared for naval operations at the beginning of the war, but the Union had actually been adding and improving its naval forces since the Mexican American War. With the advent of steam powered propulsion, Americans needed additional vessels for the protection of their coastline as well as the trade vessels that moved goods from port to port, so between 1854 and 1859, 24 new steam powered naval vessels were ordered built in three different classes with the latest armaments including larger guns, explosive shells, and ironclading. Even with these improvements, they were still more maneuverable than the old sailing vessels.

The South however, had difficulties with their naval forces because of lack of materials to produce new vessels or convert older vessels with ironclading and more accurate and powerful guns. The Confederacy did manage to commission several vessels to built in England, however, because of the neutrality, delivery was not possible in several instances. Many members of the US Navy from Southern states at the start of war resigned their commissions and headed home to enlist in the Confederate navy only to find the shortage of ships on which to serve.

Lincoln's first policy change in 1861 concerning the navy was to order a blockade of all the major harbors of the South to prevent the Confederacy from receiving goods needed to build and enhance their naval vessels. The blockades were not totally successful in prevent the blockade runners from reaching the Southern ports but the blockades were effective enough to demoralize the citizens of the Confederacy as the war progressed.

The Union Navy also combined with the army on several occasions to assist in major victories - Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Charleston - though normally there was a rivalry between the two factions. While the Union Navy did not end the war and the Southern navy didn't win the war, each managed to triumph in battle against the other during the 4 years of conflict. Eventually, however, it was the ability of the Union navy to prevent delivery of goods and additional vessels as well as aiding with troop movements and supply lines, which shortened the war.
This was a very well written book detailing the naval vessels that were developed for both the North and South and how they were used in different battle situations. The drawings and paintings there were included were extremely helpful in allowing the reader to see how the old fortifications and forts were no longer able to stop the newer and better equipped vessels. Not a large book by size but large on detail.

First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

Read: October 12 - October 14
Format: Audio Overdrive -and paperback 388 pages
Source: Public Library (audio) - my library paperback
Setting: 19th century England
Category: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI, AUDIO
Stars: 2½

Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate has come to the small town of Throckbridge and all the young ladies are in a twitter because there is to be an assembly with dancing and the Viscount is coming. Little does the town realize this is just the start of the shakeup that the Viscount brings to the residents. At the dance the only lady that he deigns to dance with, is the Widow Dew, one of the Huxtable sisters, but not the pretty one, the very plain one.

The days following he disrupts the Huxtable household by informing them that Stephen, the youngest, is now the Earl of Merton and that they need to move to Warren Hall where Stephen, until his majority, will be trained to take over his responsibilities. Elliott realizes that the sisters will need to be introduced to London society and since there is no one who can sponsor them that they know, he will need to marry sooner than he planned to provide that service. He agrees to marry Vanessa Dew so that she can serve as her sisters' sponsor. Their love story unfolds.

First, let me say that I love Mary Balogh's books. She writes love stories in a series surrounding a family. She is one of my favorite authors, and this is her newest, the first in the Huxtable Series. I've read 20+ of her books and this is the first one that really disappointed me. I kept waiting for the plot to develop and it never got there. There was no conflict, no mystery just a simple love story that really didn't have much of a bite. These are the first two Hero/heroine that didn't grab me. I just hope that the series is better.