Defending Angels by Mary Stanton

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.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

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

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!

The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens

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

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.

April 1865: The Month That Saved America by Jay Winik

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.

Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs

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.

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

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

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.

The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens

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

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

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).

A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George

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.

Murder Most Persuasive by Linda O. Johnston

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.

If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle

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

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.

Prophecy by S.J. Parris

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.

Murder on Monday by Ann Purser

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.

A Summer in Sonoma by Robyn Carr

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

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.