Cheli's springing thru Qtr 2

Time to move into the 2nd quarter of the challenge. Here's my 1st Quarter thread.



2011 I'm continuing the following challenges:

US Presidents Challenge
European Challenge
50 States challenge
Reading through Time

and besides the 75 book Challenge I will also be participating in

11 in 11 Challenge - 132 books - 11 categories with 11 books plus 11 book bonus category
TIOLI challenges - each month a different set of challenges
BOYS Challenge - (Books Off Your Shelves) 50 books that I already own (either tree book or e-book)

I can't think of not being part of 75ers - between all the fun conversations, TIOLI, group reads, and I'm sure surprises to be found. I love sharing my reads with everyone here.

Nice place for a break to a new thread. I think you shouldn't be so down about ONLY reading 8 books. Outlander has to count for at least 5! LOL.

>#2 I couldn't agree with you more! I just started listening to the audio version of the books while I am working out and it is definitely a different feel!

Hey, Cheli! *wave*

Hi Cheli: Happy April. Maybe someday, we'll start having April-like weather.

Yeah, Connecticut! I win $47!

THE Amber Room

Author: Steve Berry
Read: March 29 - April 5
Format: Overdrive download equivalent 304 pages
Source: Public library
Subject: Nazi art confiscations, treasure hunters
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, Endless Europe, Audio
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: Thriller
Stars: ★★★½

Wikipedia says

The Amber Room in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoye Selo near Saint Petersburg is a complete chamber decoration of amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. Due to its singular beauty, it was sometimes dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
Before it was lost, the original Amber Room represented a joint effort of German and Russian craftsmen. Construction of the Amber Room began in 1701 to 1709 in Prussia. The room was designed by German baroque sculptor Andreas Schlüter and constructed by the Danish amber craftsman Gottfried Wolfram and remained at Charlottenburg Palace until 1716 when it was given by Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm I to his then ally, Tsar Peter the Great of the Russian Empire. In Russia it was expanded and after several renovations, it covered more than 55 square meters and contained over six tons of amber. The Amber Room was looted during World War II by Nazi Germany and brought toKönigsberg. Knowledge of its whereabouts was lost in the chaos at the end of the war.
In 1979 efforts began to rebuild the Amber room at Tsarskoye Selo. In 2003, after decades of work by Russian craftsmen, the reconstructed Amber Room was inaugurated in the Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

In this book Rachel Cutler, an Atlanta judge, discovers after her father's death that he had been a treasure hunter after WWII. He had searched and possibly found, the Amber Room, a massive set of intricately carved panels crafted from the precious substance and looted by Nazis during WWII from Russia's Catherine Palace. Intrigued, Rachel decides to try to find it herself. What she and her ex-husband find are danger and see deaths that they are unable to prevent.

Rachel and Paul find a secret club who's members collect great art and are willing to do anything to hold on to their treasures.

This book had a wonderful premise but left something to be desired. It was a bit too long and at times too violent. The fascinating details surrounding the Amber Room, however, did make it an interesting read.

I read and enjoyed The Amber Room too, Cheli. I need to get back to Berry's books. They are good brain candy books for me.

I'm getting ready to start the Paris Vendetta (the next Cotton Malone book for me at least) by Berry. He has two new ones out too - Emperor's Tomb and Balkan Escape short story - I definitely want to read those too.

I look forward to your reviews of the upcoming books then! I hope they are as enjoyable as The Amber Room.

#30 Murder on Gramercy Park

Author: Victoria Thompson
Read: April 1 - April 6
Format: Paperback 329 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble, Off my Shelf
Subject: drug addiction, murder, parental desertion
Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★★½

This is the third installment of the Gaslight Mysteries with Sarah Brandt, midwife, and Frank Malloy, Detective Sergeant of the NYC police as the central characters. In this book, Malloy is called to the scene of the apparent suicide of Edmund Blackwell, hypnotic healer, after his pregnant wife returns to their home after an afternoon out to find him dead. Startled into labor, Malloy sends for Sarah to help with the delivery. While labor proceeds upstairs, Malloy determines that the suicide is really murder downstairs.

As usual Sarah gets involved in the investigation and helps Malloy in different ways resolve the twists and turns that lead to the unexpected solution.

It's great to see the interaction between the two main characters especially when they try to remain consistent with the time periods social restrictions. Their relationship is moving forward, or so it seems but do they know?

Between you and Luxx you have reminded me that I really need to get that series re-read, especially as I am behind with the latest books. I just need to sprout another head or something!

No double head sprouting allowed! If you do, you will be able to read more at a time than normal people....wait you do that anyway. LOL

The series will be there waiting for you when you are ready so just take your time. (some of us are only reading them for the first time anyway.)

Cheli

Recently I've read a lot of books re. Russian history. The Amber Room is something I think I would enjoy! I'm adding it to the TBR pile.

Linda,
The Amber Room was fascinating to me because of the historical background as well as for the thriller aspect. I love how Berry takes an historical event and can weave the story around it. I prefer Berry's Cotton Malone series because I feel more comfortable with that character after several books, but this one was good too.

#31 Quietly in their Sleep

Author: Donna Leon
Read: April 7 - April 8
Format: Paperback 310 pages
Source: Public library
Subject: Religious fanaticism, nursing home fraud, Opus Dei,
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: Mystery
Stars: ★★★

In this continuation of the Commissario Brunetti series, the reader is allowed to perceive the religious conflictions within Brunetti's family as well as Venetian society.

We are introduced at the beginning to Maria Testa who Brunetti recognizes as someone he knows but can't place. When he is told that she had previously been a nun that had work at the nursing home where his mother resides, he is immediately taken in as is the reader. Maria informs him of her suspicions of irregularities at the nursing home and that these were the reasons she has left the convent. Not particularly taken with the scant details that she has supplied, Brunetti does minor investigations but moves on in other areas until he is told that Maria was a victim of a hit and run accident. Not one to believe in coincidence, Brunetti proceeds to delve deeper into the former nun's suspicions.

The parallel thread of his daughter's difficulties with her religious education, bring to light Guido and Paolo's conflicts with organized religion.

This book was a bit slower then others in the series but the mystery builds beautifully, unraveling thread by thread to a satisfactory conclusion showing that Ms Leon has masterful control of her plot and characters. Looking forward to the next in the series.

#13: Normal people? There are normal people in this group? Ack! I am in deep trouble!

Stasia, You are extraordinary as you are but we don't want you to become weird with two heads. Everyone loves you just as you are.

Well, if I cannot have 2 heads, maybe I could be a clone? Then I could read twice as much, right? Either that or I have to figure out a way to live on Venus. The days are longer there.

Maybe if you had longer days you would get more rest instead of reading more?

Nah. I would rather read more than rest more. Resting is boring.

LOL :-))

Normal people?!? Where?!?

Cheli, I'm still planning to read that Victoria Thompson book this month. I like that series but don't love that series.

I haven't had a big cozy reading binge lately and hoping to do that sometime soon. I'm now getting excited about the Civil War reading and, as I think I mentioned elsewhere, keeping finding new books to add the the list. This might stretch to THREE years.

I think you'll find that after two years you'll be ready to move on. I was very excited last year to get to the Civil War and Lincoln era and I found that there were a few extra books that I wanted to read that I couldn't fit into 2010. So I added some in 2011 but I'm just about ready to say enough! Remember when everyone laugh at me for wanting to read 34 books last year for Civil War/Lincoln? Now you know how I felt.

What are the books on your list?

After the short Lincoln bio, I'm thinking about reading 1858 by Bruce Chadwick, then a book about the 1860 election Year of Meteors and then the one about the pre-inauguration days (though maybe not this last one). By Holzer.

I'd like to get to a few more battle-oriented books. I'm at the library right now and have discovered the "what's nearby on the shelf" feature. I was looking at one of the civil war at sea books and discovered that there's something about the prisoner of war camps in the north.

Beyond these, I'd like to get to Team of Rivals and at least one of the Shelby Foote Civil War books.

I haven't read too many battle oriented books - a few but not many. I concentrated on the effects of the war and how it came about - inflation, monetary issues, scientific improvements including naval, the southern reactions to deprivations and loss of property, and Lincoln as Commander in Chief. This year I have a few books about the different fronts- southern front, political front, and then I'm finishing up with the assassination April 1865 and then moving on to the Reconstruction. I figure Grant's bio will give me a good deal about the battles so I should have a good understanding of the issues as well as the military aspects by then.

23- I'm not normal. I admit it. I'm proud of it, actually. But I would like a second head sometimes, too. I'd get more reading done that way... ;)

#26: I thought April 1865 was excellent, Cheli. I hope you like the book when you get to it.

#27: Yep, a second head would definitely come in handy :)

I'd like to vote for three heads please. Then they can work in 8 hour shifts: one asleep, one reading, one doing 'life' and rotate.

#29: I like your idea, Jenny!

I'm afraid that if I had an extra head or two, all I would do is eat while I read and then I would never be able to stay on my diet. No, no matter the hardship I have to stick with one head and one only.

**Darn diet.... extra heads would make my reading goals higher.**

Happy Sunday Cheli

#32 Buffalo West Wing

Author: Julie Hyzy
Read: April 9 - April 10
Format: Nookbook 320 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble, Off my Shelf
Subject: terrorists, kidnapping, hostages, transitions, protocols
Category: Something New - books that were acquired or released in the last 12 months
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★★★½

Upheaval reigns supreme in this book, the fourth installment of the White House Chef series and there is no way that the reader can be disappointed. President Campbell has retired and is replaced by new President Hyden along with a family that includes two small children, Josh and Abby. On Inauguration Day a mysterious box of chicken wings shows up in the kitchen addressed to the children - they are a favorite of theirs. However, Ollie will not allow them to be given to the children because of their unknown origin - procedures. Unbeknownst to her, Cyan, her assistant, gives the wings to the laundry staff and the following morning, not only is the majority of the staff in the hospital, but the hospital is under seige by terrorists.

The Secret Service is keeping all the details of the Wings under wraps (they turn out to be poisoned). Since the First Lady is unaware of this service that Ollie's given by withholding the wings from the children, the new First Lady is not exactly Ollie's greatest fan and so brings their personal family chef into the White House. Here a new conflict arises because Chef Ballantine (a true prima donna) thinks he is the new Executive Chef and controls the kitchen but is informed that Ollie is still Chief cook and is his boss. Slowly the story and mystery build to its climax which has an edge of your seat conclusion.

This series is great and the changes that are incorporated because of the election of a new president keep the stories fresh and exciting. The characters are all slowly being revealed to the reader just as you meet and get to know new friends. Love the series!\

My favorite read of the year so far!

Cheli

Your latest read sounds wonderful!

I've got to get to Buffalo West Wing. That's one of my favorite series.

Ugh, I now count 35 Civil War books on my list.

#34 The White House series is one of the best new series I've read. I really can't wait for the next one.

#35 - See, I told you I understood.

# 33 The Clockwork Teddy
Author: Julie Hyzy
Read: April 11 - April 15
Format: Paperback 269 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble, Off my Shelf
Subject: industrial espionage, kidnapping
Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★★½

The fourth installment of the Bear Collectors' Mysteries,takes Brad and Asleigh Lyons back to San Francisco to attend a bear show as well as visit with old friends and family. The bear show starts off with a robbery which leads to a murder which reconnects Brad with friends from the SFPD where he previously worked. The motive for the murder is Patrick the talking/walking Polar Bear.

Since Brad is a retired homicide inspector and knows quite a lot about the Teddy industry he is called back to service to aid in the investigation surrounding corporate espionage, murder and kidnapping. The action as well as character development is strong throughout and unfortunately there are more than a few casualties. Exciting!

I've seen the White House series in B&N, but haven't yet picked one up. I shall have to add it to my serial wish list. Which would you suggest I start with, Cheli? Do I have to read them in order or does it not matter?

I actually think that it would be better to read them in order...so start with Eggsecutive Orders and enjoy!

#34 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

Author: Lauren Willig
Read: April 7 - April 18
Format: Audiobook 11 CDs equivalent 385 pa ges
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: ★★★

In this fourth installment of the Pink Carnation saga, Eloise Kelly is still working on her dissertation which concentrates on the spies during the Napoleonic Wars. She's discovered who was the Pink Carnation and now she is trying to find out who the enemy Black Tulip is. With the information that she found in Ireland, Eloise heads to review the Vaughn collection hoping to find the details that will lead her to the enemy of the Pink Carnation.

This story centers around Mary Allsworthy, the older sister of Letty Allsworthy who was the main character in the previous installment. Mary is uncomfortable knowing that she will live as a pensioner to her sister if she doesn't find a groom. Making a bargain with Lord Vaughn to hunt down the Black Tulip in exchange for a dowry, Mary along with Vaughn, work to reveal the Black Tulip.

This tale is my least favorite of the series, mainly because I didn't particularly care for the main characters. Mary was a social climber and Lord Vaughn was just a bit too haughty. Hopefully, the next book will be back on track.

Hi Cheli! Thanks for your review of Buffalo West Wing. I read Eggsecutive Orders a few months ago and really want to get back to the series. Those will be great summertime reads for me!

I'm more than halfway through The Clockwork Teddy and am enjoying it. Not your usual cozy but more of a combination cozy and police procedural.

#35 Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea

Author: Noah Andre Trudeau
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.

I think I'll pass on the 700 page chunkster for now. I generally go for the regimental histories or for the big set of the official records (available in the libraries I use most for genealogical research and online at the Making of America project) for figuring out where the regiment was engaged.

#36 In The Woods
Author: Tana French
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 archeological dig add additional twists to the plot which climaxes with a remarkable interrogation and surprising result.

I just downloaded this from the library cause I was curious to see if she would be worth pursuing as a new series. So only three stars because????

It was a little slow in some spots and I'm not sure that I really like the narrator (maybe it was the accent or try at an accent). The story was good - rough start (first chapter) but after that it kept my interest. I would definitely pursue it. I did debate with myself for another ½ star but decided against it. It got better as it went along so maybe since this was a first book it was just a beginning issue.

#37 Above Suspicion
Author: Lynda La Plante
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.

APRIL RECAP
The Funk is over! A trip by auto with some serious quiet time was just what I needed to zoom through some very good books that I had been looking forward to all year.

April: 3 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
The best of the month was - Buffalo West Wing
The worst of the month - Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea

Here's What I read this month:

The Amber Room ★★★½
Murder on Gramercy Park ★★★½
Quietly in their Sleep ★★★
Buffalo West Wing ★★★★½
The Clockwork Teddy ★★★★
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose ★★★½
Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea ★½
In the Woods ★★★½
Above Suspicion ★★★½

As you can see, just one not so great book, the others were good to great!

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
1 books History
0 book Health

Fiction:
Novels: 0
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery: 8
Historical Fiction: 0
Classic: 0

Books for next month:
Year of Wonders - audio
The Princess and the Hound
The Altar of Bones - ARC
Defending Angels
Paris Vendetta - audio
Amelia's War
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine - audio
Treacherous Teddy - Nook
A Noble Radiance - audio
The Border Vixen
The Borgia Betrayal - ER
A Soldier's Wife - ARC
Murder with Peacocks
At Home in Mitford - audio
Lucifer Code

I'm definitely planning for the next teddy bear mystery in May. Also considering that first Donna Andrews mystery. I read one of the later ones and enjoyed it but would like to start at the beginning.

#38 Year of Wonders
Author: Geraldine Brooks
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.

Halfway through the challenge!

And we're not even halfway through the year! Well done!

#39 Amelia's War

Author: Ann Rinaldi
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.

Geraldine Brooks is a writer whose books are all about character development. Year of Wonders and People of the Book have some plot, but I agree the story is slow moving. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that in the time periods being discussed there just wasn't as much "action" as we are used to. Life moved at a much slower pace. I'm currently reading her newest Caleb's Crossing and loving it! I think it's her best one yet, and yes Cheli.....I'll put it in the pile for you if you think you'd like it. I'll be posting a review early next week.

#40 The Treacherous Teddy

Author: John J. Lamb
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!

I hope it's not the last one, Cheli. I like this series a lot and will probably start this fifth one next week.

#41 The Princess and the Hound
Author: Mette Ivie Harrison
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.

Just checking in, Cheli! Your latest read sounds good, so I will put it in the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

#42 The Border Vixen
Author: Bertrice Small
Read: May 10 - May 15
Format: Hardback 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!

#43 The Paris Vendetta
Author: Steve Berry
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
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.

I need to read more Steve Berry! The only one of his that I can remember reading was The Amber Room and that was several years ago.

This one takes place right after the Amber Room. If you haven't read the others, I'd suggest those first for the character background for this one.

There's two more after this one - Emperor's Tomb and The Jefferson Key *(no touchstone).

How are you feeling today Cheli?

I hope you are pain free.

Thanks for your lovely descrption of The Princess and the Hound. It is now on the tbr list. I finished another Ann Rinaldi book today. If you haven't read An Acquaintance With Darkness, you might want to give it a try. The setting is Washington,DC during the time of Lincoln's assignation.

All the best to you dear one!

#62: OK. Thanks for the input!

Altar of Bones
Author: Philip Carter
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.

I started this book 3 different times, but this blind date was a definite "don't call me, I'll call you."

OK, skipping that one! I hope your next read is a dandy to make up for this book!

#45 Murder with Peacocks

Author: Donna Andrews
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.

#67: Definitely a series to continue in the future.

Oh, yes! I am up to No Nest for the Wicket in the series now.

This is my primo series scheduled to read in July and August - I have several of them, (plus I guess I should get this one-#45- back from Cheli) so I can't wait.

Cheli

I'm stopping by to see how you are feeling!

I'm still improved from the first shot, however, some of the initial improvement has evaporated so that the ratings for pain are:

Before shot: 7-9
After shot: 5-7
Now : 6-8

I have another shot scheduled for next Wednesday. I'm planning on taking it easy this weekend - visiting friends, out to dinner, reading - nothing strenuous.

Sounds like nothing strenuous is a good game plan! I hope that the next shot helps with marked improvement.

Maybe my luck is changing.

Yesterday a friend I had lent money to several years ago sent me a check - just out of the blue - I never thought I'd see that money again.

Today, my husband Tim and I went to visit friends in Sheperdstown and while the boys played in a charity golf tournament, the girls went to the baby store where I got the cutest things for all my grandchildren. Then after returning to my friends house, another of our friends arrived with her Daughter-in-law and her new grandson - all of 7 weeks old. When he got fussy I was able to just rock him and sing to him and calm him down. It was a very peaceful time. Wish I could do it for my grandchildren. Then we went to dinner, meeting the boys who won 2nd place in the golf tournament, and I won the 50/50 drawing of $640. I thought the charity should have most of the money so I gave them back $370 and I kept $270.

I can spend it all on books! My Nook is going to get a big chunk of that!

Well.....there is that nice family charity in Maine....LOL.....congratulations and make sure you get lendable NOOK books....

#73: Well, congrats on the luck changing, Cheli! It sounds like you had a lovely day too.

Sounds like a lovely day, and getting so much money to spend on books is a great bonus!

It's been a long time since I've checked in here, but I see that nothing's changed - Cheli's still reading great books. Thanks for the reminder about the Cotton Malone series - I've sort of let that one slide. And it certainly sounds like you had buckets of good luck the other day - you'll have to let us know what books you decide to get.

Happy Memorial Day - I love seeing all the big flags on display at the cemeteries - makes me a little teary to realize that each flag represents a flesh and blood veteran. My FIL's flag is out there, too.

#46 The Soldier's Wife
Author: Margaret Leroy
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.

Hmmm.....I have this one in the queue as part of my WWII reading. I was hoping it would be more than what you described. I guess I'll not be in any hurry to get to it. To bad....

I wouldn't go by my opinion because of the other 12 people that rated this book it was a 4★★★★ and above. Obviously, it just rubbed me the wrong way, but you may love it.

I will give The Soldier's Wife a look and see if I like it or not. I am sorry to see that you did not care for it, Cheli, and hope your next book is a dandy to make up for it!

Many happy returns of the day, Cheli! *smooch*

Happy Birthday, Cheli!

Happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy birthday to you cheli!

My wish is good health, good books, good weather, and good travels!

God knows I already have lots of love and good friends!

Happy Birthday Cheli.

Happy Birthday, Cheli. Have a terrific day (and year)!!

Happy Birthday, Cheli!

Happy Birthday, Cheli! Hope your birthday wish comes true.

Isn't it great to be a big sister? I can remember exactly when you were born, because I got to go to Gram's and wait for the event, and then I got stuck babysitting those two "tweeners".....it was still fun to have a fourth girl tho.

So here's a big smoochie happy birthday to my baby sister.

I have to laugh when I see that bear, because 7 years ago, my sister-in-law gave me that exact bear. He sings and dances.

**(I wonder if his batteries still work.)**

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes. Today I pampered myself with a bubble bath after sleeping late. I spent the afternoon watching the Indy 500 with my hubbie and now I'm reading the next Guido Brunetti book. The plus...hubbie says I can have the new Nook whenever I want!

Happy Birthday - a great day to have a birthday!

Sounds like it has been a happy day!

Hope you enjoyed the day (the birthday we share) as well!

Sounds like you had a good day, too! Glad to hear it :)

Glad to hear you had a good one, Cheli.

#47 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine

Author: Lauren Willig
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.

I read the first book in the Willig series and just decided it is not for me. I am glad to see you liked it though, Cheli.

I hope your birthday was a good one!

A belated Happy Birthday, Cheli!

I am a newbie to the 75 challenge. What is TIOLI?

I read The Temptation of the Night Jasmine for the TIOLI challenges as well, and I thought pretty much the same thing as you. Light but still entertaining, and I will continue on with this series. I actually enjoyed the extra attention given to Eloise and Colin.

> 100

You'll receive a private mesage about TIOLI from me!

348 A Noble Radiance

Author: Donna Leon
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.

MAY RECAP

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

Here's What I read this month:

Year of Wonders ★★★
Amelia's War ★★★½
Treacherous Teddy ★★★★
The Princess and the Hound ★★★½
The Border Vixen ★★★½
The Paris Vendetta ★★★½
Altar of Bones ★
Murder with Peacocks ★★★
The Soldier's Wife ★½
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine ★★★
A Noble Radiance ★★★

As you can see, two not so great books, the others were good to great!

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
0 books History
0 book Health

Fiction:
Novels: 3
Youth/Children: 1
Mystery: 5
Historical Fiction: 2
Classic: 0

The major push for May went well, so I really hope that June will keep up.
Hopefully these books will help.

Books for next month:
Poison currently reading
A Case of Love
Fit to Die currently reading
Heat Wave
Hell Gate currently listening
The American Civil War : a military history by John Keegan
Murder on Monday
The Lost Hero
South of Broad
Mister Monday
Glazed Murder
Summer in Sonoma
A Summer Affair
The Shape of Water
Deadly Gamble
The Borgia Betrayal (If it ever gets here)

Sounds like May was a good reading month, Cheli. I'm hoping for a similar push in June for myself.

I will likely join you on the Keegan military history. I feel like I need some background on the military aspects of the Civil War, even though my main interest is the social and political angles.

Are Murder on Monday and Glazed Murder the first books you've read in the Ann Purser and Jessica Beck series? I like both of these series, probably the doughnut one just a bit more.

May was one of my best reading months so far for 2011. Can you believe it, Linda, I'm starting two new series with those books you asked about. I also picked up at the library the first Dorothy Martin mystery (thanks to your recommendation - you are mean) and the first Giordano Bruno mystery. I won the second Bruno mystery on ER so I figured I better read the first.

I have this big list of TIOLIs for June but only one that I have slated for my TIOLI challenge in July. I need to get back to my histories in July as well as some of the YA and romances. Those categories are behind in my 11 in 11 Challenge and I'd like to even things up.

Why is it that one book always seems to lead to another? I won Borgia Betrayal in the March ER batch (Still waiting for it), but found out it was the second in a series, so I went out and bought the first on my Nook ($2.99) and I'm reading it now - pretty good. Then I win Prophecy in May and found out the same thing - second in the series. Fortunately, they had the first at the library.

Oh, well, can't complain, we can always enjoy more books, right?

I like to read more cozies during the summer. Also planning a focus on Chicago-related books this month.

For 2 or 3 weeks, my attitude was: oh well, I guess I could read something else when I finish this.

Now it's: oooh, when I finish this, now I can start on this and that and this.

That glazed donut can go into my bag please....we'll be there 19-22......bringing big bag for you too!

Are you talking about Glazed Murder? Better send me a list of all the ones you want!

Nice May summary, Cheli! Glad to see it was such a good reading month for you.

Hi Cheli: Hope everything's going okay.

Have you started the John Keegan book on the Civil War? I'm about halfway through it and I'm liking it, though I thought it'd be more in-depth on each battle but it's more of an overview of each one.

# 49 Fit to Die
Author: J B Stanley
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.

#50 Hell Gate

Author: Linda Fairstein
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.

#51 Poison

Author: Sara Poole
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!

Mister Monday

Author: Garth Nix
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.

J.B. Stanley, huh? I've had Carbs & Cadavers on my Kindle for quite awhile. I ought to pick it up.

Nice reviews, Cheli! I will definitely look for the Sara Poole book. Thanks for that recommendation.

#53 Glazed Murder

Author: Jessica Beck
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.

#118: Looks fun! I will have to give that one a try some time.

Glad you liked the first donut shop mystery.

I just requested Glazed Murder from the library -- not that I need anything else to read at the moment....

Just checking in with you...

#54 The Last Song

Author: Nicholas Sparks
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.

Oh Cheli? Can the words in the title for your TIOLI challenge #18 be the same word? ---- as in Evil for Evil?
I think that's the only thing I've read this month that might fit any challenge anywhere.

Definitely, Lizzie, there is no word restriction just equal length.

#55 Deadly Gamble

Author: Connie Shelton
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.

#56 Sugar Queen
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
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.

#57 A Case for Love

Author: Kaye Dacus
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...IMO the series definitely is!

#58 Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
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
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.

#59 The American Civil War : a military history

Author: John Keegan
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 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."

JUNE RECAP
So here's my wrap-up for the first half of the year as well as the Month of June. I'm really happy abut how I'm progressing. So far I've read only 7 books that weren't only my "read in 2011" list at the beginning of the year - 3 were ER/ARC books that I was lucky enough to win, 1 the first in a series where I won an ER of the second so of course I had to read that first, the one book I was reading at the end of 2010, a new series that I started this year newest book, and one book I'd been meaning to read for several years that I came across at the library. 7 out of 59 - 12% unscheduled is really not bad at all.

June: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 0 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: The Last Song
The worst of the month - No really bad book this month!

Here's What I read this month:

Fit to Die ★★★
Hell Gate ★★★
Poison ★★★½
Mister Monday ★★★
Glazed Murder ★★★
The Last Song ★★★★
Deadly Gamble ★★★
Sugar Queen ★★★
A Case of Love ★★★½
Call of the Wild ★★★½
The American Civil War : a military history ★★★

I hit the jackpot this month, no bad books!

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
1 books History
0 book Health

Fiction:
Novels: 3
Youth/Children: 1
Mystery: 4
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 1

The major push continued in June and I'm really hoping that July will follow suit. Hopefully these books will help.

Books for next month:

Heat Wave ER
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily TIOLI
Heresy TIOLI
Prophecy TIOLI ER
Murder on Monday TIOLI
Grim Tuesday TIOLI
A Summer Affair
The Borgia Betrayal ER
Summer in Sonoma
Sew Deadly TIOLI
Real Murders
The Body in the Transept
At Home in Mitford

Quarterly totals
Books Read Owned 13 (Pages: 4,381) 4381
Books Read Borrowed 6 (Pages: 2,623) 2623
Audio Books heard 12 ( 149 hours, equivalent 5,266 pages) 5266

Total Completed
19 books and 12 audio books - 12,270 pages
30 fiction; 1 nonfiction

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
1 books History
0 book Health

Fiction:
Novels: 3
Youth/Children: 2
Mystery: 15 8
Historical Fiction: 7 1
Classic: 0

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: 1 ARC - 12 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!

Favorites of 2011: (so far)

The Last Song
Buffalo West Wing
A Murderous Procession
Acqua Alta
Murder is binding
Lumby on the Air
The Mournful Teddy
Stand-in Groom
The Crafty Teddy
The False-Hearted Teddy
Outlander
The Treacherous Teddy
Amelia's War


Yearly total
Books Read Owned 32 (Pages: 11,892)
Books Read Borrowed 6 (Pages: 5,756 )
Audio Books heard 21 ( 275¼ hours)

Total Completed
38 books and 21 audio books - 22,914 pages
55 fiction; 4 nonfiction

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
3 books History
1 book Health

Fiction:
Novels: 8
Youth/Children: 4
Mystery: 32
Historical Fiction: 10
Classic: 1

Time to move on to the 3rd quarter and hopefully, there I will achieve the goal of 75! Here is the link to 3rd Qtr. thread.