Chèli's reading for 2014 Series 2

Hi, my name is Chèli and I am a bookaholic.



I have a ton of books lined up for 2014 with at least one group read each month. I'm not going to be trying to read a great number of books (maybe 100) but I really want to try to settle into each of the books and really enjoy them as I read.
That said, here are some of the top candidates that I really hope to get through in 2014. So far this year I've managed to read 20 off this list.
% indicates on my own shelves and ♫ audiobook,✔ I read it!


1898 : the birth of the American century
About Face %♫
Abyssinian
✔Acceptable Loss % ♫
Allergic to Death %
✔All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion: A Novel %
America, 1908 : the dawn of flight, the race to the Pole, the invention of the Model T, and the making of a modern nation
✔American Passage, the history of Ellis Island
✔An Incomplete Revenge % ♫
✔An Honest President
And Then She Fell (Cynster Sisters Duo)
✔Anne of Green Gables β%
Arabian Nights β%..................in progress
Beastly Things
Bianca%
Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt & the Fire That Saved America%
Blackberry Pie Murder
Blind Justice
Blood of Tyrants
Blood on the Water
Blood Ties (SD)
Boleyn Deceit: A Novel%
Bonesetter's Daughter%
✔Bookmarked For Death %
✔Bookplate Special %
Bully Pulpit
✔By fire, by water : a novel
By Its Cover
Calligrapher's Daughter: A Novel%
✔Canterbury Tales β%..........................COMPLETED
Catching Fire β%
Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two%
Cloud Atlas%
Cocaine Blues%
✔Curse of the Pharaohs%
Dancing at Midnight%
Days of Wine and Roquefort
Dead Letters: A MUSEUM MYSTERY SHORT STORY
Dead Politician Society (CAN)
Deadly Blessings%
✔Deadly Endplay%
✔Deadly Grind%
Deadly Sanctuary %
Death by the Dozen %
Delphi Deception%
Destroyer Angel
Distant Hours
✔Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz%
Drawing Conclusions
Dressmaker%
Dyeing Shame: Death at the Beauty Box
✔Eat, Pray, Love%
✔Eggs in a Casket %
Elegy for Eddie%
Emerald Atlas β%
Emerald City of Oz%
Emperor's Tomb
Everlasting%
✔Execution Dock %♫
Face of Deception
Faithful Place %
✔Fer-de-Lance%
✔Final Sentence%
✔Freak of Freedom (San Marino)%
Garden Intrigue
Ghost a la Mode %
✔Girl of His Dreams % ♫
Golden Compass %♫
Golden Door%
Golden Egg
Greatest Lover in All England%
Guest of honor : Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and the White House dinner that shocked a nation
Handle with Care (NB)%
Heretic's Daughter%
✔Home of the Braised (#7)
Hope Factory: A Novel%
House at Riverton %
✔How the Light Gets In
I'll Be Seeing You%
✔Inherit the Word%
Irish Country Village%
It Happened One Season
Lady Risks All
✔League of Delphi%
Leaving Everything Most Loved
Lesson in Secrets: Complete
Lies That Bind%
✔Likeness%
✔Little Ship of Fools
Love and Murder on the Queen Anne %
Ludwig Conspiracy
Lusitania Murders%
Madame Bovary β%
Mark of Athena%♫
✔Marvelous Land of Oz%
Middlemarch %
Mists of Avalon %♫
Mornings on horseback
✔Mrs Hudson's Case%
Murder on Cue %
Murder on the Cote d'Azure%
✔Murderous Glaze (VT)%
Night Like This
✔Ozma of Oz%
Packing for Mars%
Perfect Mistress
✔Peter and the Starcatchers%♫
Photographs : George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
Pillars of the Earth %
✔Presidency of Benjamin Harrison
President and the assassin : McKinley, terror, and empire at the dawn of the American century
Princess and the Horse β%
✔Proposal
Question of Belief % ♫
Read It and Weep (#4)
Red Velvet Revenge
Road to Oz%
Sabiel%♫
Secret Affair %
Secret Mistress %
Seraphina%
✔Shadow of Night%♫
Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles%
Ship to Remember: The Maine and the Spanish-American War
✔Silence of the Grave
Sisters (KY)%
Sisters brothers%
✔Snowman%
✔Something Old, Something New: A Blessings Novel %
Spoonful of Murder %
State of Wonder%
✔Steeped in Evil (#15)
Summer Rental%
✔Sunless Sea%
Talk of the Ton%
Tiger's Wife: A Novel%
Warden%
War lovers : Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898
✔Water for Elephants %♫
Wedding of the Season: Abandoned at the Altar%
We'll Always have parrots
✔Whole Enchilada
✔Wicked Slice%
Wish and a Prayer: A Blessings Novel%
✔Woggle-Bug Book%
✔Wonderful Wizard of Oz%

TODAY IS NATIONAL FIND A RAINBOW DAY

This is the coolest one I found!

Ooooh pretty! There was a double rainbow on the way home a couple of days ago but I couldn't get a good picture of it.

NATIONAL DEEP DISH PIZZA DAY - I know what's on the menu for dinner tonight!

Yummmm!

I had pizza tonight also. I dropped the bag that had my jars of spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce when I got inside. The pizza sauce survived but the spaghetti sauce made a mess.

Hi Cheli...Just a note to say I'm thinking of you today.

Happy New Thread, Cheli! Love the rainbow pictures. And the food looks good, too.

Hi Chèli, happy new thread!

NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH DAY - guess what I had for lunch!

>#10. And we are somehow surprised that YOU had CHEESE for at least one meal today. This makes today different how? Sorry....had to poke fun. Smoochies.

>10 cyderry:
ooooh .... good to know ... I have some sourdough bread which makes yummy cheese sandwiches :-)

>10 cyderry: YUM! I wish I'd seen your thread earlier. I would have had one.

Happy National Library Week!

Challenge Book#30

TITLE: Prime Minister's Secret Agent ★★★½
AUTHOR: Susan Elia MacNeal
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Biological warfare development
Setting: Scotland
CHARACTERS: Maggie Hope, Clara Hess, Sarah Sanderson, John Stirling, Winston Churchill
DATE READ: March 31 - April 5
NO. OF PAGES: 320
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley for review

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50

Maggie Hope has returned home from her undercover assignment in Berlin, injured both physically and emotionally. Assigned as an instructor at a spy training site in Scotland, her spirit remains scarred as her body recovers. Entangled in a new network of secrets, Maggie must put aside her own feelings to discover what is threatening the life of her friend and other civilians while the war rages and the global threats increase.

I thought that the plot on this mystery was a bit thinner than any of the previous but possibly that was in preparation for Maggie's next adventure. Moving forward historically, there may have been lulls that needed to be handled to get the characters to the next phase of the adventures.

Seeing Maggie battle her inner demons was enough to carry the story. Waiting for the next one!

Challenge Book#31

TITLE: Murder at Honeychurch Hall ★★★★
AUTHOR: Hannah Dennison
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: inheritance, social stigmas
Setting: Devon, England
CHARACTERS: Katherine Stanford, Iris Stanford, Lady Edith Honeychurch, Rupert Honeychurch
DATE READ: April 6 - April 10
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley for review

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.50
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 4.00
OWNERSHIP: 4.50
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 4.00

Kat Stanford has abandoned her position as host of an antique show to start her own business expecting her widowed mother to join her. To her surprise, Kat is contacted my her mother Iris and told to meet her in Honeychurch Hall in Devon. Kat is not thrilled by the surprises that greet her when she finds her mother in a dilapidated Carriage House fighting off a local who wants the land for an amusement park. When murder is added to all the unknown factors, Kat needs to investigate not only for her own safety but her mother's freedom.

Absolutely loved the characters, their quirkiness as well as the setting and plot!

I like your rainbow. Did you catch the eclipse yesterday? We didn't get it on this side of the world.

>16 cyderry: I asked on another thread if that book was in her Vicky Hill series. I read the first back in that one and gave it a 1.5 rating. I had not been motivated to try anything else by the author. I'm still a bit hesitant about giving the author another try, but this book seems to be better than that one was if you are raving that much about it. I'll think on it, but I'm not going to add it to my wish list yet.

Lori, it wasn't the most original plot, but some of the characters were very amusing, the story was entertaining.

It's NATIONAL CHEESEBALL DAY! Definitely got one for the menu today!

Challenge Book#32

TITLE: Deadly Endplay ★★★
AUTHOR: Ken Allan
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Duplicate Bridge, jealousy
Setting:
CHARACTERS: Fran Stinson, Kit McCrea, Dan Cogan, Corey Loucks, Clayton Carmichael
DATE READ: April 10 - April 13
NO. OF PAGES: 224
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley for review

PLOT: 2.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.25
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 3.25
Average 3.00

I love to play bridge, almost as much as reading so when I saw this book that centered around a small town's duplicate bridge group, I thought it would be great! Unfortunately, though the bridge portions were great and very informative, the mystery was very lack luster and barely even there. A non-bridge player would have ditched the book, but since I love bridge, I persevered. Hopefully, the next one will be better.

Hi, Chèli! Happy reading and happy Easter!

>15 cyderry: Wow.. I love this series (Maggie Hope) and totally missed this one! My Net Galley shelf is already overflowing, so I think I'll wait til I can nab it from the library or Overdrive.

>16 cyderry: this one Murder at Honeychurch Hall sounds fun! Is this part of a series?

>20 cyderry: I would love a cheeseball. Just pass it over my way!

24>> Supposedly first in the series.

Challenge Book#33

TITLE: Guidebook to Murder ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Lynn Cahoon
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: inheritance, municipal harrassment, hidden treasure
Setting: South Cove, CA
CHARACTERS: Jill Gardner, Miss Emily, Amy Newman, Greg King, Bambi, Sabrina Jones, George Jones
DATE READ: April 13 - April 15
NO. OF PAGES: 209
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley for review

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
Threshold Quality 3.50
Average 3.75

Jill Gardner left her legal job 5 years ago and moved to South Cove, CA to open a cozy store that sells coffee and books. One of her first friends was cranky old lady, Miss Emily. When Miss Emily runs into problems with the city Council, she turns to Jill for help. Miss Emily turns up dead one day and all her problems are literally left to Jill - stocks, house, and threats.

The council has given her 30 days to bring Miss Emily's house up to code so while working inside and out on the repairs, Jill is fighting off the dangers related to Miss Emily's murder and the efforts of the Mayor and his friends to force the sale of the old house that Miss Emily left to Jill.

I loved the story line as well as the characters that had me rooting for their safety. A touch of romance was thrown in for good measure. Hope the next installment gets here soon!

>27 cyderry: You've found another new series. I don't need any more of those. ;-) I have too many there before it!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Chèli!!

Thanks for the cute and happy wishes for my Easter. I certainly hope that Easter Bunnies bring smiles and laughter to everyone!

Happy Easter Cheli!

Well, gang, I'm off to the hospital to have my knee repaired. I foresee reading time in my future.

Best of luck! And enjoy all the reading.

call/text me when you get home -- or at least have Timothy do it! I know you'll do fine. SMoochies.

Good luck Cheli!

Good luck, Chèli! I hope everything will be alright and you will be home soon.

I'm not quite up to this speed yet, but I am up and walking around.

WOOHOO for walking around. Off to get my hairs cut....will call ya later. Great GIF!

Cheli, hooray!!!

Good to hear, Chèli.

Yay!

>38 cyderry: Love the dancing Minnie

My granddaughter Bella says she's ready for her swimming lessons. Do you think maybe she needs different fins?

I worry that she might catch her heels on a coral reef.

Cute!

(But possibly not waterproof?)

Those shoes!!!! LOL. She is a darling, Chèli!

>44 cyderry: Oh my goodness, what a cutie-patootie!

Today is National Oatmeal Cookie Day and National Raisin Day!

YUM YUM! Do I have to eat them separately or can I do a combo?
I guess I'll have to "suffer" through and do both!
or

The sacrifices we have to make!

:0)

Another sacrifice I'll have to make - It's National Chocolate Parfait Day.

>51 cyderry: I want one!

>52 connie53: I'll share!

Nice!! Two spoons it is!

Update for everyone

I had the surgery on my knee 12 days ago and there is very little pain, only twinges if I turn it the wrong way. It is bit weak but the therapist and doctor agree that I can rehab it at home with exercises that they have given me.

Yesterday morning I had 27 steroid shots in my back to hopefully relieve the aggravation and pain there due to Spinal stenosis and Degenerative Disc disease (in other words, my back has been collapsing inward and downward for the last 37 yrs and now it's pretty bad) Usually the shots are effective for several months so I'm taking it easy for the next few weeks while they work their magic so that when my hubbie and I head to Napa Valley for our 40th anniversary trip at the end of the month, I could actually be a really physically functional human being.

Crossing all crossables.

>51 cyderry: Oh no! I missed National Chocolate Parfait Day! A tragedy for a confirmed chocoholic like me.

Glad to hear your knee is progressing well. Sorry to hear about your steroid shots, but now they're behind you (sorry; pun not intended), I hope they take effect quickly and last for a long time. Hope your trip is wonderful!

>49 cyderry: >51 cyderry: I need to start staying current on your thread so I know what to celebrate!

Stopping by to make sure the back and knee are behaving.

Still doing well but I'm planning on only doing the exercises that have been given to me for my knee, and staying away from the steps except to go to bed each night.

The activities that I have planned for the week are not strenuous - some computer work, preparations for my fundraiser that will include a bunch of cutting and envelope stuffing, getting my nails done. About the hardest thing planned will be a trip to the library because the design planner at the new local library decided not to think about how far things were from the parking lot (even handicap spots) but that it should look pretty. I ave been told that have been numerous complaints about the accessibility. We'll see what happens.

But I am thoroughly resolved to not push too hard until the shots take their full effect.

I do need to spend some time with my new car manual to figure out what some of these buttons do and how to make it perfect for me.

>60 cyderry: Buttons in cars! They are meant to get you crazy!

>60 cyderry: Buttons in cars are like all the apps on a new cell phone - too many to remember what they all do!

Perhaps instead of the food of the day, you could concentrate on a button of the day. That way you'd learn which ones you really want/need to use, where they are, what they do, and it wouldn't seem so intimidating to try to learn all at once. Just find the button page in the book, find the really really important ones you need to get going (like windshield wipers and lights) and worry about the bells and whistles one at a time. .

Yum- Yum!!!
Thursday is Coconut Cream Pie Day!

No coconut cream pie..... I thought you were going to go learn a button every day.

Coconut Cream pie seemed more enjoyable! At least to dream about it.
I may start the button ritual this weekend.

Miss Stella is ready for summer!

I here by resolve that I will get my reviews caught up in the next week.

Books waiting for review are:

Pecan Pies and Homicides
Something Old, Something New
Execution Dock
Silence of the Grave
Where'd You Go, Bernadette?
A Murderous Glaze
Girl of his Dreams

Most of these I read in April while I was recovering from my surgery. You'd think I could have written the reviews then.

Should we remind you of your resolve (or whatever the word is)?

Hi Chei

I'm checking in to see how you are feeling. How is your pain level in the knee? Sending lots of love your way.

TO ALL THE GREAT MOMS

I'm still having some problems with my knee, but it is improving. I wasn't able to keep it elevated quite as much as I needed to keep it last week. Fortunately I had a friend who made me sit down and elevate it when we could get the seats with the ottomans in the hotel lobby. I need to be doing house work, but I decided that the need for elevation of the knee is a bit greater today, so I'm getting a little reading done between other things I need to do. I plan to scrub the shower down really good later in the day.

Lori,

I've determined that everything "I need" to do will still be there in a week or two but that if I don't rest the knee and give it time to recover, and rest my back then I'm not going to get better and I won't be able to do what "I need" to.

So the only "need" thing I'm planning to do is read the book for Book club.

I also "need" to write my reviews for the last 7 books, so that's all I'm going to do. Maybe I'll take a few naps too.

Miss Stella looks like she had a delightful time playing in the water. A perfect activity to be doing when the temperatures climb.

Challenge Book#34

TITLE: Pecan Pies and Homicides ★★★★
AUTHOR: Ellery Adams
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: magical differences
Setting: Havenwood, GA
CHARACTERS: Ella Mae LeFaye, Reba, Opal Gaynor, Hugh Dylan, Eira Morgan
DATE READ: April 16 - April 19
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: Nook

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 4.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 4.00
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 4.00

Ella Mae is saddened knowing that her mother is now the Lady of the Ash. Ella Mae goes to aparty at the Gaynor estate to welcome transplants from a Tennessee group whose sacred grove was burned and now they need to live in Havenwood.

Worried that the same fate may befall their own sacred grove, Ella and her aunts work to be welcoming while protecting the Lady. Ella Mae is also determined to find a way to save her mother while protecting the grove.

The story is wonderfully crafted and the new characters blended well while former minor characters are expanded. Loved it!

Challenge Book#35

TITLE: Something Old, Something New ★★★★
AUTHOR: Beverly Jenkins
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: death and closure, marriage, supporting friends
Setting: Henry Adams, KS
CHARACTERS: Bernadine Brown, Lily Fontaine, Trent July, Devon Watkins, Amari July, Rev Paula Grant
DATE READ: April 20 - April 21
NO. OF PAGES: 352
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: Nook

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.50
TOPICS: 4.50
STYLE: 4.50
ORIGINALITY: 4.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 4.00
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 4.25

The stories themselves in this series are the Blessings that Beverly Jenkins shines upon us showing how a small town can take several foster children to their hearts and not only repair the children's spirits but their own as well.

Yes, there is an old saying that money can't buy happiness, but here in Henry Adams KS, it can relieve the stress and rebuild a town's self-respect.

I would recommend this series for everyone!

Challenge Book#36

TITLE: Execution Dock ★★★
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Child pornograpy,
Setting: London, England
CHARACTERS: Wm & Hester Monk,Scuff, Sir Oliver Rathbone, Arthur Ballinger, Lord Chief Justice Sullivan, Jericho Phillips
DATE READ: March 25 - April 24
NO. OF PAGES: 553
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: Audio Stockpie

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 3.00
Average 3.00

This 16th installment in the series saw Monk and Hester pitted against their friend Oliver Rathbone who had been tricked into defending a Child pornographer. Because of Rathbone's talents in the court room, Monk and Hester have to work again to find a way to get Jericho Phillips, the pornographer, convicted of his crimes.

The story seemed a bit thin this time, more a device to show the main characters' development than create the story.

I've still never read a Monk book. I ought to get going on that series, too, in addition to the Pitt books and the Christmas novellas.

I mentioned over on my thread that I've discovered a new list of forthcoming cozies. Definitely quite a few to add to the list. For example, Ellery Adams is starting a new cozy series, the book retreat series.

http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Soon-to-be-Released-Mysteries.html

Do you hate me for some reason? You know that you probably just increases to wishlist/TBRs by 25 at least!

Challenge Book#37

TITLE: Silence of the Grave ★★★½
AUTHOR: Arnaldur Indriðason
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Spousal abuse, deserted grave
Setting: Reykjavik, Iceland
CHARACTERS: DI Erlendur Sveinsson, Eva Lind, Elinborg, Sigurdur Oli, Grimur, Simon, Mikkelina, Benjamin Knudsen
DATE READ: April 25 - April 30
NO. OF PAGES: 293
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , MYSTERYCAT
SOURCE: MCL Library

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50

A skeleton is discovered on the site of new building construction and the police have to first determine who the victim is, how long it's been buried, and then the cause of death. At the same time as the body excavation is taking place DI Erlendur and his team are trying to find out who may have lived in the old housing projects that once stood on the site.

Erlendur is distracted, however, because his drug addict daughter is in a coma and he can't stop blaming himself.

Each time that I've sat down with this series, I have a hard time because the names of the characters are so different from what I'm used to. But each time, I've been very glad that I read the book. The writing, style and plotting are excellent.

At least. Even if I don't add something to my list, it reminds me that i want to get started/carry on with a series, like the Sheila Connolly museum series or the Julie Hyzy manor series.

With my slow reading pace this year, I'm falling further and further behind.

>76 cyderry: This is one of the best of one of my favorite series....must go check to see how far I'm behind. Glad you enjoyed it too.

MAY 17, 2014 is NATIONAL ARMED FORCES DAY as well as NATIONAL CHERRY COBBLER DAY.

Wouldn't it be great if we could send a homemade cherry cobbler to all our armed forces?

Guess I'll just have to do a virtual cobbler for them all. I thank you all for your service and the hardships that you endure for my freedom.

Now you have me wanting some cherry cobbler, and I don't have cherries in the house. The cobbler part I can manage, but it would have to be either peach, mixed berry, or blueberry at the moment at my house.

>82 cyderry: >83 thornton37814: Any cobbler would be fine with me as long as there is a dob of ice cream on top.

I'm sure our troops feel the same way - any flavor from home would be great.

Challenge Book#38

TITLE: Where'd You Go Bernadette? ★★★★¼
AUTHOR: Maria Semple
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: architecture, dysfunctional family
Setting: Seattle, WA; Antarctica
CHARACTERS: Bernadette Fox, Elgin Branch, Bee Branch, ManjuLa , Audrey Griffen, Soo-Lin Lee-Segal
DATE READ: April 25 - April 30
NO. OF PAGES: 479
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , LILIES
SOURCE: AUDIO stockpile

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 5.00
TOPICS: 4.50
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 5.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 4.00
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
Threshold Quality 3.00
Average 4.25

Do not judge a book by it's cover - because I know that if this was in a pile of books and I could choose only one, the cover would have sent me searching further in the pile. But I had an advantage - my sister, the librarian. Yes, she told me I'd love it, she told me I'd laugh, but I was still skeptical. I will never again doubt my sister when she says that a book is worthy of my perusal. I probably would have just passed this book by if she hadn't raved about it.

The story is told through a e-mails, letters, newspaper articles from various points of view and this could be chaotic but no it works. The characters are quirky - Bernadette is a reclusive former prize-winning architect who has abandoned her profession to be a stay-at-home mom who neither cleans nor cooks but has a virtual assistant from Asia order takeout, her husband Elgin, a Microsoft big shot, who bicycles to work and ignores his wife and child, and Bee (Balakrishna) the perfect student, who was born with a heart problem that has turned Bernadette into what she is. Then add over-zealous PTA/neighbor Moms and administrative assistants with a crush on the boss, how could Bernadette's world not go berserk.

A intervention gone wrong results in Bernadette's disappearance and an aborted vacation to Antarctica becomes the rabbit hole that Bernadette falls through.

This satirical novel is so amusing that you will laugh out loud, just don't judge it by its cover.

SO Glad you listened to your big sister. I think this is one of my all-time best LOL Books.

It's NATIONAL DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE DAY
I love it with that Caramel coconut frosting! I'll take a slice, please.

Challenge Book#39

TITLE: A Murderous Glaze ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Melissa Glazer
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT:
Setting: Maple Ridge, VT
CHARACTERS: Carolyn Emerson, Bill, Emerson, John Hodges, Herman Meadows, Buch Hardcastle
DATE READ: April 30 - May 2
NO. OF PAGES: 311
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 50 US States
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

PLOT: 3.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 3.00
Average 3.25

Carolyn Emerson is a potter whose studio, Fire at Will, was the scene of the discovery of dead body, someone she didn't particularly like, so, of course, she's a suspect in the murder. A dead body also doesn't help business, so Carolyn needs to get the murder solved ASAP but the sheriff in the little town of Maple Ridge VT is not one of her greatest fans and seems to be dragging his feet. Enlisting the help of the Firing Squad - amateur potters who use her kiln- Carolyn sets out to find the killer herself.

There were some fun characters in this starter for the Clay and Crime Mystery series and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.

Challenge Book#40

TITLE: The Girl of his Dreams ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: gyspsies, coverups
Setting: Venice Italy
CHARACTERS: Guido Brunetti, Paola Brunetti, Vice Questore Patta, Sigborina Elettra, Vianello
DATE READ: May 4 - May 9
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
Threshold Quality 3.00
Average 3.31

As this series goes along I've come to the conclusion that it's not the mysteries that draw me but the writing and the characters. Guido Brunetti with so much authority as the Commissario of Homicide is still sensitive and willing to be patient in trying to solve the murder. He wrests from each of the other characters exactly what he expects and somehow gets more.

In this story, Guido is at the scene as a young girl's body is retrieved from the canal and he works diligently to find out why she was there and why she died. When it is discovered that she is a gypsy he must contact her band of relatives and somehow get them to trust him enough to solve the mystery.

Yes, the mystery wasn't that involved, but the characters are so well crafted. Ms Leon is not afraid to show the corruption of the government.

Upright Piano Player

Sadly, this was has been abandoned. It was the book selected for my Book club, but when it got to the character's uterine cancer, it struck a little too close to home and I couldn't go on.

Now I am all caught up on my reviews! Yeah. I can go on my trip with a clear conscience and a load of e-books to read by the pool.



LET'S NOT FORGET THE WINE!!!

Well, I hit a small reading funk when I was overwhelmed with other activities, but I'm packing up to take a vacation with my sweetie to celebrate our 40th anniversary (25th) and my 60th birthday (29th) in wine country USA.


While he hits the links in the morning, I'll get quiet time to do some reading. I probably won't be here much, but I should be back and filled with books to review at the beginning of June!

Please remember our warriors, past and present this Memorial weekend.

Enjoy everything about the trip. You both deserve a good time, and we look forward to all the wine recomendations you'll bring home. Joyeux anniversaire and Buon compleanno

Oh, you will be in my neck of the woods (sort of). The weather should be great for your visit. Enjoy!

Have a very good time, Chèli with your 'sweetie'.

Can you believe it? Today is our 40th wedding anniversary, and we are here in wine country USA - Napa Valley. We've been tasting different wines for the past few days, but then I find out that today is .....NATIONAL WINE DAY!!



So have a glass and celebrate with us!

You made that up right???? But whether you did or not,please continue to have a wonderful time, and make plans for the next 40.

Happy celebrating, Chèli! It looks like you are having a great time.

Not lying, check this site out

http://nationaldaycalendar.com/2014/05/24/may-25-2014-national-missing-childrens...

Happy Anniversary, Cheli. Enjoy National Wine Day.

>97 cyderry: You planned that didn't you? Happy 40th anniversary!

Happy Anniversary and Happy Upcoming Birthday! I hope you are having a wonderful trip!

Well, I'm back from vacation with wonderful memories, some good pictures, a list of great wines, and very few books read. I had different priorities while I was on the trip.

The next few posts will be photos of the great adventure we had to celebrate our 40th Wedding anniversary.

We visited 15 wineries:

Black Stallion
Andretti Winery
Fieldstone Vineyards
Mill Creek Vineyards (they were celebrating their 40th anniversary also)
Ledson Winery (our favorite)
Freemark Abbey
Grgich Hills Estate Winery
Hess Collection
Michael Mondavi Winery
Domaine Carnevos
Wine train
Chateau St. Jean
VJB Vineyards
St. Francis Vineyards
Viansa Winery

On arrival in San Francisco we drove through the city on our way to the valley

Ledson Winery (our absolute favorite)






Domaine Carneros (#2) where Jean-Claude poured sparkling wines while we enjoyed the views with our friends

The last few days were very scenic

St. Francis winery

Viansa winery was the last we visited

Twice we dined at the Black Bear Diner - as a bear collector I couldn't resist and the food was enough to feed a Bear!

We headed home crossing the Golden Gate

Now I need to get back to reading before the next trip to see my grandkids in July.

Lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Is Ledson your favorite because of the wine or the venue? Just curious....

I love the pictures, Chèli. Those wineries look very beautiful.

We first went to the Ledson winery because I saw a picture and thought it was beautiful, but once we tasted the wines, we had a winner. Why does it seem that the most beautiful wineries also have the best wines?

St Francis is beautiful, the scenery, the buildings, but then the Zinfandels are tremendous!

Looks like you had a wonderful time on your trip.

It's NATIONAL CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM DAY!!

>116 cyderry: Oh - I ordered the wrong flavor! If I weren't so tired, I'd go back out to correct that!

Today I am dedicating to LT. I have 6 books that need reviews, hopefully, I'll get them all done.

Decaffeinated Corpse
A Wicked Slice
Eat, Pray. Love
An Incomplete Revenge
The reflections of Queen Snow White
Canterbury Tales

Wish me luck!

Good luck, Cheli!

Challenge Book#41

TITLE: Decaffeinated Corpse ★★★½
AUTHOR: Cleo Coyle
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: Decaf coffee beans, coffee wars
Setting: New York City, NY
CHARACTERS: Clare Cosi, Matt Allegro, Madame DuBois, Rick Gostwick, Ellie Lassiter
DATE READ: May 19 - May 21
NO. OF PAGES: 273
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , Gastro Challenge
SOURCE: MCL

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50


Somehow I don't think that if I was standing on a street outside of a highrise building, and a body fell and landed splatt!! right next to me, that I would be calm and basically ignore the event after determining that I didn't know the dead person. Clare seems to be a bit too cool in this cozy but it was entertaining.

Challenge Book#42

TITLE: A Wicked Slice ★★★½
AUTHOR: Charlotte Elkins, Aaron Elkins
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: professional golfers, managers
Setting: Spyglass course, CA
CHARACTERS: Lee Ofsted, Kate O'Brian, Lt Graham Sheldon, Peg Fiske, Milton Sawyer, Wilma Snell, Farley Stratton
DATE READ: May 22 - May 23
NO. OF PAGES: 181
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: MCL

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50

Lee Ofsted is a young female golfer trying to make her way on the pro Tour but unfortunately she is having a problem with her 4 wood seemingly always slicing, but only with that club. Trying to save a few dollars, Lee goes to recover her practice balls that landed near the lake on the practice range and discovers another golfer in the lake.

Trying to continue in the tournament as well as discover the murderer makes Lee's golf game a little off par.

I'm going to be looking for the next in this series.

My husband is an avid golfer, I frequently joke that in the ratings of what he counts as most important, golf is ahead of me. I thought reading a book centered on the golf course would be helpful for me to understand his passion. Didn't work that way, but it was a good mystery.

IT'S NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DAY!!

I'll know what I'll be munching on while I to write reviews!

Challenge Book#43

TITLE: Eat, Pray, Love ★★½
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Gilbert
GENRE: memoir
SUBJECT: self-discovery, meditation, spirituality
Setting: Italy, India, Indonesia, NY
CHARACTERS: Elizabeth, David, Ketut Liyer, Wayan, Felipe, Richard, Giovanni
DATE READ: May 23 - June 2
NO. OF PAGES: 352
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , GEOCAT
SOURCE: MCL

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 2.00
STYLE: 2.50
ORIGINALITY: 2.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 2.50
OWNERSHIP: 2.00
Threshold Quality 2.50
Average 2.50

I thought this book would transport me to various places that I would want to travel, but it fell short of the exotic descriptions that I was waiting for. Instead, I read of a woman who was so self-centered she couldn't write of anything but herself complaining because her life wasn't what she wanted, and yet she had enough money and friends to just quit, give up everything and travel.

I should be so lucky…wait, I am - have a life that I appreciate, apparently she didn't.

Challenge Book#44

TITLE: An Incomplete Revenge ★★★½
AUTHOR: Jacqueline Winspear
GENRE: mystery
SUBJECT: gypsies, prejudice, class structure
Setting:
CHARACTERS:
DATE READ: May 24 - June 4
NO. OF PAGES: 383
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: MCL audio stockpile

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50

Maisie's former sponsor, Lady Compton, has her son ask Maisie to investigate the village of Heronsdene to verify that the Brick works that he wants to buy will not continue to be plagued by fires and mysterious crimes. The area is the same as where Maisie's assistant, Billy Beale, and his family are earning a few extra dollars during hops picking season.

The fires seem to happen at the same time each year, but the villagers decline to report the vandalism to the authories. Maisie's investigation delves into the history of the town, the hops picking and the repeated workers including the gypsies. Maisie's investigative abilities are amazing.

During the investigation, Maisie also has to deal with some personal issues. The way that her personal life and the story are woven together, expands the characters allowing the secrets to be revealed in great way.

Challenge Book#45

TITLE: The Reflections of Queen Snow White ★★★★
AUTHOR: David Meredith
GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: Fairy tale continuation
Setting: Gutefehia
CHARACTERS: Snow White, Prince Charming, The Mirror, Lady Arglist, Duke Gewissenhoft
DATE READ: June 3 - June 7
NO. OF PAGES: 155
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: ebook from author for review

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 4.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 4.00

…and they lived happily ever after. Fairy tales always end with those words, but did you ever wonder what happened? This book takes the story of Snow White to the ever after and tells the reader what happened before and after the Dwarfs.

We see how Snow White's evil stepmother treated her, how Snow White escaped to the forest, her treatment upon her return, and life with Prince Charming. We see Snow White look into herself through the magic mirror and learn how the lessons of her life made her the woman we never knew.

What fun!

>123 cyderry: Cheli, thank you for your review of Eat, Love, Pray. I can now remove it from my "I wonder?" list.

Challenge Book#46

TITLE: Canterbury Tales ★★½
AUTHOR: Geoffrey Chaucer
GENRE: Classics
SUBJECT: traveling discussions, morality
Setting: Medieval England
CHARACTERS: Knight, Miller, Reeve, Cook, Friar, Nun's Priest
DATE READ: April 15 - June 8
NO. OF PAGES: 912
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: ebook stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 2.50
TOPICS: 2.00
STYLE: 2.50
ORIGINALITY: 2.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 2.00
OWNERSHIP: 2.00
Threshold Quality 2.00
Average 2.31

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by pilgrims in Medieval England who are going to pray at Canterbury Cathedral. Chaucer uses characters from all aspects of the society - knights, merchants, tradesmen, religious - allowing the human nature to be revealed where the 7 Deadly Sins (pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, lust) are counterbalanced by virtues (humility, contentment, patience, fortitude, mercy, moderation, chastity).

The tales at times were a bit boring while others were funny and a bit lewd. There were love stories, morality tales, fables, and satires. The characters each seem to have a quality that added something to their story.

Sometime I may try to find a translation in Modern English and see if I enjoy the stories more.

>122 cyderry: I love peanut butter cookies. Pass the plate, please!

Sorry, they're all gone! I finished them wih my Bourbon and Ginger ale. (shhh...it was national Bourbon Day.)

>124 cyderry: I enjoy Maisie Dobbs' mysteries but some are a lot better than others. I didn't think that this one was one of her best but readable none the less.
>125 cyderry: When I was young I always thought that "they lived happily ever after" was a kind of death (deadly boring anyway). I think that is because I had it all mixed up with teachings from Sunday School.

It's National Martini Day! Perfect to be my painkiller of choice today - I'll have a a lemondrop please!

Hi, Chéli; whizzing through on my attempt to catch up on threads. In spite of which I've managed to catch a few BBs - not fast enough! Probably because I'm also faint from hunger from all the delicious-looking pictures of food.

It's National Gingersnap Day! I can handle that - yum!
Where's the cold milk? Perfect for dunking!

Gingersnaps make incredible ice-cream sandwiches - just spread some butter crunch or vanilla or peach or gingerchip, or whatever you like with ginger. YUMMMM

>133 cyderry: Those look like they are soft and chewy ginger snaps - that would be yummy!

I'm falling behind again on my reviews, but I'm hoping to get caught up this week.

Reviews due:

The Proposal
Deadly Storm
Kate
Shadow of night
Little ship of fools : 16 rowers, 1 improbable boat, 7 tumultuous weeks

Challenge Book#47

TITLE: The Proposal ★★★½
AUTHOR: Mary Balogh
GENRE: Romance
SUBJECT: class differences
Setting: England
CHARACTERS: Hugo Emes (Trentham), Lady Gwendoline Muir
DATE READ: June 9 - June 13
NO. OF PAGES: 285
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: ebook stockpile

PLOT: 3.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
Threshold Quality 3.50
Average 3.50

What I loved about this story was the fact that the hero (shy yet strong and family-oriented) puts aside his own feelings and decides that he needs to marry to advance his sister's prospects. With the help of friends he meets and begins to court a widow who has a physical handicap. The love story that evolves shows that what's on the inside is far more important than what's on the the outside.

>133 cyderry: mmmm, those cookies look good!

Looking through your vacation photos makes me smile. Mainly, I'm happy for you and Tim and your anniversary celebration, and then I am very glad that physically you were able to do this trip.

Challenge Book#48

TITLE: Richard Castle's Deadly Storm ★★¾
AUTHOR: Brian Michael Bendis
GENRE: Graphic Novel
SUBJECT:
Setting:
CHARACTERS:
DATE READ: June 15 - June 16
NO. OF PAGES: 285
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: Public Library

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................2.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................2.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................2.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................2.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................2.50
Threshold Quality.................................................2.50
Average..............................................................................................2.63


I've always told myself that I would try a graphic novel and when this one debutted I thought it would be perfect. However, I have not changed my mind, a graphic novel is not a real book, IMO, it is just a comic "book".

This graphic "novel" was too difficult to follow for a novice of the "genre". The artwork left something to be desired and the story seemed missing in focus.

It's NATIONAL PECAN PIE DAY!
My favorite!!!! Here's my piece, where's yours?

Challenge Book#49

TITLE: Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn ★★★¼
AUTHOR: William Mann
GENRE: Biography
SUBJECT: Life of Katharine Hepburn
Setting: Connecticut, Hollywood
CHARACTERS: Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, George Cukor, Thomas Hepburn
DATE READ: June 17 - June 29
NO. OF PAGES: 656
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI ,
SOURCE: ARD stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.19


Just about every biography of Katharine Hepburn was written and influence by Katharine Hepburn herself, however, this book was undertaken after her death and the research that was used were paper trails - itineraries of ships, trains, planes, along with schedules for theater shows, etc. Mann also explored her sexuality in a way not previously defined. He insinuates at times that she was gay, transgender, bisexual, but never comes to a conclusion.

However, I'm not sure how well we can accept the stories that he tells. Someone else's life will always seem different to other people than to the person who lived it.

This book said many things about Katharine Hepburn as well as Spencer Tracy, George Cukor, and Howard Hughes but whether you care to believe it, is your choice.

>142 cyderry: That really sounds good. I wonder why they made pecan pie day in the summer when pecans are gathered in the fall?

Challenge Book#50

TITLE: The Shadow of Night ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkness
GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: witches, vampires and their interactions
Setting: London 1590, Prague
CHARACTERS: Diana De Clairmont, Matthew De Clairmont, Gallowglass DC, Phillipe DC,
DATE READ: June 7 - June 29
NO. OF PAGES: 592
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , Random CAT, Gastro CAT
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................4.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.75

Diana and Matthew realize to move forward, they must find out about her powers. They travel back in time to England in 1590 at a time when witches are being threatened. Receiving a command from his father Phillipe, Matthew takes Diana to France. There they are officially married and work on trying to awaken Diana's powers. She finds that she is a weaver - a special type of witch who actually creates spells.

The story has moved forward bringing the characters further along in their relationship identifying their connections with others and with the future of the magical world.

Challenge Book#51

TITLE: Little ship of fools : 16 rowers, 1 improbable boat, 7 tumultuous weeks on the Atlantic ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Charles Wilkins
GENRE: Memoir
SUBJECT: effort to row across the Atlantic
Setting: Atlantic Ocean
CHARACTERS: Charles Wilkins, Tom Butscher
DATE READ: June 13 - June 30
NO. OF PAGES: 302
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , GEOCAT
SOURCE: Public Library

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 3.00
Average 3.00

Turn your imagination on. Picture yourself on a rowboat designed like a catamaran with an area of 8 small bunks and 8 rowing positions. There is one very small cabin for eating. You are assigned a bunk and a rowing position and for the next 7 WEEKS you will row for two hours, sleep/eat for two hours, and repeat. You will continue in this sequence even when your body is exhausted, you have no food and you will begin to wonder if you will ever see land again.

A great adventure story.

>142 cyderry: Yum!

Stopping by to give you a big hug!

>142 cyderry: Pecan Pie? you can have my piece. That is one concoction that is way way too icky sweet for me. Enjoy.

>149 tututhefirst: I do believe that Tina is not very "Southern." ;-)

>>149 tututhefirst: My sister, you just need to add a bit of Bourbon to take away some of the sweetness, but either way, my favorite!

>>150 thornton37814: Lori, very true - Tina likes them "lobstahs"

Today is National French Fries Day.

I can handle that!

Challenge Book#52

TITLE: Acceptable Loss ★★★½
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Historical Mystery
SUBJECT: Child Pornography
Setting: London, England
CHARACTERS: William Monk, Hester Monk, Scuff, Oliver Rathbone, Arthur Ballinger, Rupert Cardew
DATE READ: July 1 - July 7
NO. OF PAGES: 535
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: Public Library

PLOT:....................................................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................3.50
Average..............................................................................................3.50


The River Police are contacted when a body is found. When identified as Mickey Parfitt, a local pimp of young boys, Monk sees it as a chance to shut down the local child pornography trade. After rescuing 14 young boys from Parfitt's boat, Monk determines that he needs to find the man in charge of the illegal trade. Following all the clues and the information that he can gather, Monk conduct tests which prove that it's possible for that Arthur Ballinger could have committed the murder.

When Ballinger is arrested, his son-in-law, Sir Oliver Rathbone prepares to defend him, but Oliver develops his own misgivings as to Ballinger's innocence.

The effects of the outcome of the trial on friendships and other relationship of the main characters will most likely continue for sometime.

Time for the next book will be soon!

Tina also doesn't do "sweet tea" - I do add sweetener to my tea and coffee but only about 1/5 what everyone else adds. guess I'll never make it as a southurn belle.

Challenge Book#53

TITLE: Delicious! ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Ruth Reichl
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: found treasure
Setting: New York City
CHARACTERS: Billie Breslin, Jake Newberry, Sal Fontanari, Sammy Stone, Lulu Taber, Mitchell Hammond
DATE READ: July 1 - July 8
NO. OF PAGES: 400
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: ARC from publisher

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................4.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................4.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.75



I really didn't know how to classify this book because there was a bit of mystery, an awakening romance, and a touch of history all surrounding an old building that is loved by some and seen only as a cash asset for others.

The story centers around Billie Breslin, a former caterer, who gets a job as the assistant to the managing editor of the culinary magazine DELICIOUS! But before Billie can get a handle on her new duties, the owner shuts down the magazine. He retains Billie to be the contact to handle any question regarding the DELICIOUS lifetime guarantee leaving her to work in the huge brownstone mansion alone. While researching in the 4th floor library, Billie makes a startling discovery which carries the story throughout.

The book is well plotted and the characters (though a bit stereotypical) are fun and entertaining. This was a great book for the summer!

Challenge Book#54

TITLE: The Escape ★★★½
AUTHOR: Mary Balogh
GENRE: Romance
SUBJECT: Widowhood during 19th century
Setting: England
CHARACTERS: Samantha McKay, Sir Benedict Harper,Mathilda McKay, Beatrice Gramley
DATE READ: July 10 - July 12
NO. OF PAGES: 416
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.69


The Peninsula Wars in the early 19th century sent soldiers home with various types of injuries and Mary Balogh has taken a group with different types of injuries and banded them together into a club. They convalesced together and so they meet for several weeks each year to see the progress each has made in reclaiming their lives.

The ESCAPE is the story of Sir Benedict Harper whose legs were crushed when his horse fell on him in battle and though he can only walk with the help of canes, he had hoped for a full recovery. Believing that impossible now after several years, he visits his sister and meets Samantha McKay, a widow.

What follows is a classic bodice ripper but so much fun!

It's National Ice Cream Day!

What your favorite flavor? mine - Butter Brickle (hard to find)

>156 cyderry: The kind I picked tonight at Baskin Robbins was Snickers; however, I don't really have a favorite. I like them all!

I celebrated national ice cream day. My favorite is chocolate chip cookie dough. However, we didn't have any of that so I just had plain old chocolate in my cone.

I just had Triple Caramel Chunk.

My current favorite is lavender blueberry swirl.

>156 cyderry: Almost anything deeply chocolatey. I suppose I'm a traditionalist. Though I did discover a yoghurt and honey ice cream the other day that could become addictive.

I'm still a big fan of chocolate and peanut butter!

Hey, it's National Hot Dog Day! Now I know what to have for dinner. :-)

That calendar of yours is dangerous!

Okay, everyone - get ready

July 25th is NATIONAL HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY

Let's all meet at the Ice Cream Parlor!

Ooh! Yes please. Meet you there!

>165 cyderry: Any excuse for ice cream!

Today is National Parents Day. I am extremely lucky to have had the wonderful parents that I do. Unfortunately my Dad is no longer among us but my Mom is still as feisty as ever. My Mom and Dad always made sure that we were the top priorities in their lives. I am forever grateful for the love and support that they gave with all hearts. I have been truly blessed.

July 29, 2014 is – NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY as well as NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY.

Which would you choose?
vs.

This is toughie for me!

I could easily pass them both up. Have never been a big lasagna fan...too much cheese to many different textures and tastes all glued together. And I've never been a fan of chicken wings....way too much work for too little pay off, and often all you taste is pepper sauce. Guess I flunk today. Back to reading.

>170 tututhefirst:, that's not flunking, that's setting your boundaries! :-)

>169 cyderry: I'll take my chicken wings fried with a little bit of spicy seasoning in the crust! Lasagna is one of those things that is either really good or really bad, depending on whose recipe is used.

It's National Girlfriends Day!




Even though we're not together, we do our reading and LT together, that counts, right?

Somehow, I missed hot dogs and hot fudge. Lasagna, too. That would make for a way too filling lunch but perhaps one of the three?

I finished my 47th book of the year last night. Way, way below my usual (would usually be at about 70 or 80 by now). I'm enjoying what I've read, though, and have quite a few old favorite mystery authors on tap this month.

I vow that this week I will catch up on my reviews - I SWEAR!
I r ead these but I haven't written the reviews. I'm going to do it.

Beautiful Ruins
Stirring the Plot
The Snowman ♫
The Likeness
Ozma of Oz
Mrs. Hudson's Case

Challenge Book#55

TITLE: Beautiful Ruins ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Jess Walter
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: Hollywood infidelities
Setting: Porto Vergogna, Italy, Hollywood, CA, Sandpoint, ID
CHARACTERS: Pasquale Tursi, Dee Moray, Michhael Deane, Pat Bender, Alvis Bender, Richard Burton
DATE READ: July 10 - July 13
NO. OF PAGES: 511
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, LILIES
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................4.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.00
Threshold Quality.................................................3.00
Average..............................................................................................3.31


Dee Moray, a starlet from the Cleopatra filming, arrives Porto Vergogna being hidden away by the studio because of an unanticipated pregnancy resulting from a fling with the film's star. The hotel's owner, a starry-eyed young man, befriends Dee and tries to help her.

The story splits into a chronicle of Pasquale's troubles - his mother's death, his romance and finally his search for Dee - and the life that Dee finally made for herself and her son.

I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed because I had heard so many good things about this book and it didn't live up to my expectations. It was okay, but not great.

Challenge Book#56


The Winsome witches have gathered together to initiate their newest member and review their yearly fundraising project. Unfortunately, the High Priestess is found dead later that evening and Jenna seems to be a suspect.

Working to clear her name and keep her cookbook business afloat while preventing her aunt from getting her into too much trouble, has Jenna hopping. Thank goodness that the detective investigating the murder is very closely on her side.

This series is fast becoming one of my favorites - the mysteries have a touch of whimsy to go along with the touch of romance - real fun!

Thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for a signed copy - love it!

TITLE: Stirring the Plot ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Daryl Wood Gerber
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: leadership, charity, trust
Setting: Crystal Cove, CA
CHARACTERS: Jenna Hart, Vera Hart, Pearl Thornton, Bingo Bedelia, Emma Wright, Maya Adaire, Greg Giuliani
DATE READ: July 12 - July 17
NO. OF PAGES: 268
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Signed copy from author

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................4.00
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.75

Challenge Book#57


Harry Hole hasn't been in favor at the police department for a while and so he is presented a case of a missing woman to investigate. His team's efforts become tangled when her body is found, and further investigation shows that there is a serial killer who always leaves a snowman at the scene.

The writing is crisp, the story captivating.

Usually I don't like books with serial killers but this story was riveting - well-written with great characters. I may have to investigate others in the series.

TITLE: The Snowman ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Jo Nesbo
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: serial killers,
Setting: Oslo, Norway
CHARACTERS: Harry Hole, Katrina Bratt, Mathias Lung-Heigesen, Arve Stop
DATE READ: July 20 - July 27
NO. OF PAGES: 609
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, GEOCAT, Euro
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

PLOT: 4.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 4.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 4.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.75

>168 cyderry: Cheli, I think Tina looks like your mother!

And, The Snowman looks like a great book.

Challenge Book#58

TITLE: The Likeness ★★★★¾
AUTHOR: Tana French

The second book in a series is usually dedicated to revealing more of a character than what we saw in the first book, however in "THE LIKENESS" Cassie Maddox has to go back to the undercover role that she played in the first book because that identity has been stolen and used by the victim in this book.

The case dubbed Operation Mirror is unusual because one would think that if the identity had been stolen, then Cassie would be unable to physically reclaim it, however, the victim is the spitting image of Cassie.

Frank Mackey, Cassie's undercover boss, borrows her from her everyday Domestic Violence team, and sets to work preparing her to undertake the impersonation of the victim to try and find the murderer. Frank drills her for a week on all the details hat he can find out about the dead Lexie and then reveals to her housemates that she will be coming home with memory loss of the attack and some of the time around then.

Frank sends her into Whitethorn House which Lexie had shared with 4 other students. Cassie/Lexie is bandaged as if she had survived the attack and underneath the bandage she is wired. But certain details were not in Cassie/Lexie's training and she has to tread lightly so as to not give up her secret.

Cassie/Lexie's appearance has the others rattled believing that she had been fatally wounded. But slowly Cassie becomes the friend that they lost and she works to undercover what really happened the night of Lexie Madison's murder.

Cassie is changed by the experience, at times wishing that she was Lexie because of the camaraderie of the group, and finding that times she wants to protect her "friends" from the police. The contrast of their closeness to her real life where she has few friends and currently a boyfriend who doesn't agree with her assignment, have Cassie putting herself in danger.

By the time I had read 12 pages, I was hooked. The story was so engaging that I literally couldn't put it down. It had to fall out of my hand before I would turn out the light to sleep. Yes, the book could have been edited down to fewer pages and still told the story, but then the reader would have missed out on the growth of the character and the complex interactions between all of the characters. A great follow-up on the first from the series!

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: identity theft, friendship
Setting: Glenskehy, Ireland
CHARACTERS: Cassandra Maddox, Lexie Madison, Frank Mackey, Sam O'Neill, Daniel March, Justin Mannering, Rafe Hyland, Abby Stone
DATE READ: July 17 - July 30
NO. OF PAGES: 887
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Whisper1 gift

PLOT:....................................................................5.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................5.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................5.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................5.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................4.50
Threshold Quality.................................................4.50
Average..............................................................................................4.75

Challenge Book#59

TITLE: Ozma of Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L. Frank Baum
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: trickery, rescue
Setting: Land of Ev
CHARACTERS: Dorothy Gale, Billinea the hen, Tiktok, Princess Langwidere, Ozma, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Hungry Tiger, Nome King Roquat
DATE READ: July 30 - July 31
NO. OF PAGES: 78
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

This was fun seeing new characters interact with old ones.
Ozma until the last book and then here were Tiktok and the yellow hen.

Looking forward to the next book now that Dorothy is back.

Hi Chèli, I was absent for a while but I'm back.
So I just stopped by to say Hi!

Challenge Book#60


This short story answers the question, did Mrs. Hudson learn how to conduct her own investigation - the answer is YES! The story has Mrs. Hudson on her own and she's smart enough to out smart Russell. What a feisty lady!Good fun!

TITLE: Mrs, Hudson's Case ★★★½
AUTHOR: Laurie R King
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: persistence, charity
Setting: Sussex
CHARACTERS: Mrs. Hudson, Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes, Sarah and Louis Oberdorfer
DATE READ: August 2 - August 2
NO. OF PAGES: 62
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Kindle stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
Threshold Quality 4.00
Average 3.50

Challenge Book#61

TITLE: Mission to Murder ★★★½
AUTHOR: Lynn Cahoon

Jill Gardner is still trying to protect her home from being taken away while Craig Morgan has been working to prevent the wall in Jill's backyard from being declared an historical location. When Morgan is found dead, Jill is the #1 suspect - and having the chief detective as a boyfriend doesn't seem to be any help. Her little book/coffee shop is her safe haven with the deputy detective working there part-time, but Jill has to find the real killer before she's the next victim.

A cute little cozy with a nice little bit of romance.

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: greed, suspicion
Setting: South Cove, CA
CHARACTERS: Jill Gardner, Jackie Gardner, Greg King, Craig Morgan, Toby Killian
DATE READ: August 2 - August 4
NO. OF PAGES: 238
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: NetGalley

PLOT:....................................................................3.50
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................3.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................3.50
STYLE:..................................................................3.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................3.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................3.50
OWNERSHIP:......................................................3.50
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................3.50

Yeah, I finally caught up on my reviews and now back to reading!

Congratulations on reading 61 books thus far!

I hope you are feeling well Cheli and that you are still basking in the joy of your wonderful wine country holiday earlier this summer.

>184 cyderry: That one sounds a little interesting. How old is the main sleuth? Is the writing geared toward those under 35 or is it suitable for those of us a little older? I find myself asking those two questions every time I see a new cozy series.

>>187 thornton37814: Julia Gardner, the heroine, is in her thirties. She'd been a lawyer and decided to move back to her old hometown. In book one she befriends an elderly lady. She gets her aunt to move to the little Town from the city to help her with her new Book/Cafe. The basic characters are really fun, make me laugh, while central to a nice cozy mystery,

>188 cyderry: I might try the first one sometime if it's available at the library or I can pick it up cheap.

Today is National Lazy Day! HOW PERFECT!



I plan to sleep late, a bubble bath, and lounge all day with a book and the baseball game.

What about you?

>190 cyderry: I hadn't planned it this way but I did spend most of it sleeping.

Challenge Book#61

TITLE: Freak of Freedom ★★★½
AUTHOR: J. Theodore Bent
GENRE: History
SUBJECT: Republic of San Marino
Setting: San Marino
CHARACTERS:
DATE READ: August 1 - August 9
NO. OF PAGES: 125
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, Euro
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................2.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................2.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................2.00
STYLE:..................................................................2.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................1.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................2.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................2.00
Threshold Quality.................................................2.00
Average..............................................................................................2.00


This 1870 history of the small Republic of San Marino was extremely dry and mainly centered around the relationship of this small area surrounded by Italy and its relationships with other areas and the Catholic Church.

I spent the whole day yesterday with family including 3 of my grandchildren, but dummy me, I was so busy getting kisses and hugs and reading to the kids, I forgot to take pictures. The big hit of the day was The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House.

Next time.

Have you ever been confronted by something that you should have known because it was right in your own backyard? Well, today I was driving toward the Physical Therapist's office and there was a bunch of road construction but there was also a sign that said that the main road through the town where I live was going to be closed on Saturday and Sunday and no explanation. I'm not talking about a small road in the suburbs, I'm talking about a major (6 lane) road that carries much of the traffic from the northern part of the county toward the main city - Washington DC. So being computer savvy, I decided I was going to find out what was going on.

Little did I know how stunned I would be.

Having grown up in Baltimore I knew that Fort McHenry and the battle with the British during the War of 1812 was when the Star Spangled Banner was written and that it's bicentennial is in September. However, I did not know that during that same war, after the British burned the city, that the US Capital was moved for one day to a small town that is about 3 miles from where I live. So I thought I'd share what I learned about Brookville, MD.

From their website:

Founded by Richard Thomas in 1794, Brookeville is a historically significant 19th century rural settlement in Upper Montgomery County, Maryland, approximately 18 miles north of the District of Columbia. Covering approximately 60 acres, the Town consists of 55 individual properties and has an estimated population of 135 residents.

In 1814, as the British burned the capital, refugees from Washington and Georgetown poured into Brookeville and the townspeople took them into their homes. American soldiers leaving Bladensburg and militiamen on their way to Baltimore came to Brookeville, where the citizens gave them food and spirits and a place to camp and pasture their horses. Washington’s banks sent the specie and clerks brought the U.S. Senate’s papers to Brookeville for safekeeping. And finally, after being on the run in northern Virginia for two nights, the President of the United States and members of his Cabinet came to Brookeville, taking refuge at the home of its postmaster. The town became known as the “U.S. Capital for a Day.”

See, right in my own backyard and I never knew. So if the town was Capital for a Day, why is the road closed the entire weekend?

>194 cyderry: So if the town was Capital for a Day, why is the road closed the entire weekend?

I guess we just draw out our celebrations longer nowadays.

I have relatives in Gaithersburg, so your story piqued my interest, and I looked up Brookville on Googlemaps - but it only showed me Iowa and Ohio doctors. No matter; I found it myself, and it's not that far away from them. I wonder if they know the story?

Today is National Dog Day.

Sure miss my Pancho.

Oh, Pancho was adorable! Of course you miss him.

if you think Cheli misses Pancho you need to know that Tutu misses him more. The Tutus were his original parents (we got him when we had so many bills to pay after buying our first house and decided to use our measly $50 escrow refund to get a companion for Tutu while Bob was off on cruise. we had this joyous ball of fur for 5 years until we went to Hawaii and couldn't face putting him in quarantine. he stayed with my parents and with Tim and Cheli until we returned.

Unfortunately by then we had a new very hyperactive baby boy and asthmatic daughter. Pancho stayed with us for about a year but we had to tearfully surrender him.

Many thanks to Cheli for the great photo and for being such a loving auntie to a magnificent critter.

PS. the breed, because everyone always asks, is Puli.

FYI - the breed is predominantly black - white/gray/silver is rare.

Challenge Book#63

TITLE: Terminal City ★★★★
AUTHOR: Linda Fairstein
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: serial killers, Grand Central Terminal
Setting: New York City
CHARACTERS: Alexandra Cooper, Mike Chapman, Mercer Wallace, Nicholas Blunt, Corrine Thatcher, Lydia Tsarlev
DATE READ: August 9 - August 14
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: NetGalley

PLOT:....................................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................4.00
TOPICS: ...............................................................4.00
STYLE:..................................................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................4.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................4.00
Threshold Quality.................................................4.00
Average..............................................................................................4.00


Grand Central Station is where a maze of tunnels and tracks that surround New York City connect with other underground features as well as above ground areas and that is how this massive terminal is wound into the story of a serial killer that threatens the visit of the POTUS.

Alexandra Cooper, ADA for NYC, is called in when a mutilated body of a young woman is found in one of the fanciest suites of the Waldorff Astoria. After identifying the body the investigation into this gruesome murder is compounded when 2 additional bodies are discovered which lead to security issues that may prevent the visit of the President.

Tracking down the murderer and throughout Grand Central leads to interesting revelations of the history and development of the Terminal.

I think that this is one of the best in the series, they seemed to just be getting better!

>201 cyderry: I had paused reading that series a while back when one of the books just didn't work for me. I'm glad to see that Fairstein is back to fine form. This one sounds good!

It's NATIONAL CHEESE PIZZA DAY!

Oh, yum!

You're not doing my waistline any favours, you know.

Here's one with no calories and we can all embrace.

September 6th is National Read a Book Day.

Even more delicious, thanks.

Behind on my reviews again, but I swear I'm going to catch-up today while I watch the baseball and football games.

6 reviews coming up!

This book is a story of the Spanish Inquisition showing the intolerance of the Catholics toward the Jewish population and how the Jews banded together to help each other. It amazed me when I think of what Christ, who was so kind and forgiving, would have thought, felt and done to aid the Jews.

Challenge Book#64
TITLE: By Fire By Water ★★★
AUTHOR: Mitchell James Kaplan
GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUBJECT: Spanish Inquisition
Setting: Spain
CHARACTERS: Luis de Santángel, Christopher Columbus, Judith Midgal, King Ferdinand, Tomas de Torquemada
DATE READ: August 15 - August 17
NO. OF PAGES: 277
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, GEOCAT
SOURCE: library

Just as he is about to graduate with an Ivy League degree in veterinary medicine, Jacob Jankowski's life is turned upside down by the death of his parents and the loss of his future. Jumping a circus train, Jacob starts a whole new life.

This was an entertaining book but I was disappointed because I didn't feel it lived up to the hype around it. It just seemed to be the same old boy runs off to the circus story to me.

Challenge Book#65
TITLE: Water for Elephants ★★¾
AUTHOR: Sara Gruen
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: Circus life
Setting: Circus
CHARACTERS: Jacob Jankowski, Marlena Rosenbluth, August Rosenbluth, Walter Kinko,
DATE READ: August 1 - August 26
NO. OF PAGES: 563
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, Group Reads
SOURCE: audio stockpile

Normally I find Nancy Thayer's books entertaining, however, this one seem too cliché. Poor girl and rich girl are friends - rich girl loves poor girl's brother but different circumstances keep them apart. Poor girl falls for rich boy, gets pregnant but rich girl marries rich boy and poor girl stays silent. There was no depth to the story.

Challenge Book#66
TITLE: Nantucket Sisters ★★¾
AUTHOR: Nancy Thayer
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: friendship, acceptance
Setting: Nantucket
CHARACTERS: Maggie McIntyre, Emily Porter, Ben McIntyre, Cameron Chadwick
DATE READ: August 18 - August 27
NO. OF PAGES: 352
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, ROOT
SOURCE: LibraryThing ER

Monk is brought to a sight along the river edge by screams and what he sees is a woman who has been hacked to pieces. After identifying the body, his investigation leads him to a Doctor who had been investigating the effects of Opium. When Monk finds that the doctor committed suicide several months earlier, he becomes suspicious of that and finds that the Doctor's widow is his prime suspect in the woman's murder. Everything points to her as the murderer but Monk still solicits Oliver Rathbone to defend her while he still hunts for more evidence to clear her.

This book really centered more in the court room but the mystery was well developed and the recurring characters continue to grow as real people with real problems.

Challenge Book#67
TITLE: A Sunless Sea ★★★½
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Historical Mystery
SUBJECT: Opium addictions
Setting: London England
CHARACTERS: William Monk, Sir Olover Rathbone,Zenia Gadney, Joel Lambourn, Dinah Lambourn
DATE READ: August 27 - August 31
NO. OF PAGES: 400
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, MYSTERYCAT
SOURCE: audio stockpile

Phew! No BB's yet....waiting for the final two.

Tricia Miles, proprietor of the Mystery bookstore Haven't Got a Clue, invites the local writer to her shop for a book signing, but things go terribly wrong when she finds the writer dead in her restroom. Since the local sheriff is not her greatest fan, Tricia has her shop shut down for nearly a week, so she uses the time to try to find the murderer.

Love the character interactions and will be reading the next one soon for Bibliophile month.

Challenge Book#68
TITLE: Bookmarked For Death ★★★½
AUTHOR: Lorna Barrett
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: Literary thievery
Setting: Stoneham, NH Booktown
CHARACTERS: Taricia Miles, Angelica Miles, Zoe Carter, Kimberley Peters, Nikki Brimfield, Steve Fenton, Artemus Hamilton
DATE READ: September 1 - September 2
NO. OF PAGES: 228
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, MYSTERYCAT
SOURCE: NOOK stockpile

I've been reading all the books of Dorothy and the Land of Oz and I have to admit that the last few, I had no idea what to expect and the stories have been fun, making me smile. These would be great to be read to children or by adults just for their own enjoyment.

It's great to see Dorothy's old friends and her other adventures.

Challenge Book#69
TITLE: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L Frank Baum
GENRE: Children's fantasy
SUBJECT: interior of the earth
Setting: Mangabooland, Gargoyle land
CHARACTERS: Dorothy Gale, the Wizard of Oz, Zeb, Jim the Horse, Eureka the Cat, Ozma
DATE READ: September 4 - September 5
NO. OF PAGES: 86
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: NOOK stockpile