Cheli's concentrating on mysteries and histories in 2015

2015 I've decided that I really need to concentrate on the series that I've already started and the histories for the USPC so that I can feel less "stress" about my reading.

I love cozy mysteries or just plain mysteries and have 167 that I want to advance further in the series in 2015. For that reason my 2015 reading is all about the series.

8 of the 167 are currently up-to-date, just waiting for new books to be released, 22 series have only 1 book left to be read, 19 haven't been started (even though I have the book), and the rest of the series have too many to count to get caught up.

BUT THIS YEAR I WILL MAKE PROGRESS ON THESE SERIES!

The rest of my reading will be a concentration of histories related to and including the presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt, Wm Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding and World War I.

My VOWS for 2015 are:

VOW#1: I will try my very hardest to refrain from requesting any ER or ARC books unless they fit into my series reads.

VOW #2: I will make a strong effort to remain current on my reviews.

VOW #3: I will make a concentrated effort to read more books off my shelves (real or virtual) and reduce the purchase of new books.


So 2015 is only a day away and I have 7 reviews still due as well as a recap for 2014. Back to 2014 for a few more hours!

Welcome back! This is the year I finish the USPC too... I'm up to Carter, so I have a decent shot at it!

Welcome back, Cheli. I'm focusing on my series in 2015, too, but no doubt will add more series after seeing your comments.

Happy New Year, Cheli. Good luck with Vow #1.....and #2.....oh shoot, 3 too!

May all your wishes come true.

Hi! Just dropping by and leaving a star. I'll be concentrating on my series this year too. I'm currently reading 80 series and current with 8 of them, so 10%. I want to end the year with a higher percentage!

WISHING EVERYONE

Dropping in to wish you a Happy New Year and to drop my star!

Cheli,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur

Happy New Year Cheli! Wishing you lots of great reading in 2015.

Planting a star and looking forward to following your progress this year. Great vows.

Challenge Book#1


The Cahill siblings Amy and Dan are on their own trying to find the 39 clues that their grandmother described in her will. The scavenger hunt is dangerous enough, but fighting with their extended family as well as the international flavor, makes these fun.

TITLE: One False Note ★★★
AUTHOR: Gordon Korman
GENRE: Young Adult
CHARACTERS: Amy Cahill, Dan Cahill, Nellie Gomez, Jonah Wizard
Series/ Progress: 39 Clues/ #2
DATE READ: January 2 - January 3
NO. OF PAGES: 174
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

Wow. Mighty goals. Good luck with them!

Happy New Year! I really like your vows for the year - I've got the same ones, just with some different wording. I'd really like to get more books off of my shelves read so I can eliminate the stacks on the floor around the house.

Challenge Book#2


For those that follow the characters of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in this series, the time frame of the story falls after Pirate King and Garment Shadows when they are cruising to Japan before returning home.

On the cruise Mary meets Sato Haruki, a current day ninja, while at the same time Holmes spies Lord Darley who he recognizes as a blackmailer. The story carries Holmes and Russell with Sato through Japan and into the presence of Prince Regent Hirohito. They are petitioned to aid in the recovery of a unique artifact.

Just as the reader thinks that the issues in the story have been resolved, Mary is back in Oxford and comes face to face with Haruki again asking for assistance for the same problem.

The actual resolution is exciting and totally unexpected.

TITLE: Dreaming Spies ★★★★
AUTHOR: Laurie R. King
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes, Haruki Sato, Hirohito
Series/ Progress: Mary Russell/#13
DATE READ: December 30 - January 5
NO. OF PAGES: 330
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: LTER, NetGalley

Hi Chéli, Happy New Year. I hear you and your husband make a good doubles team. Someday I may sub in that group and see you!

WHAT is a USPC?

Sue

>>16 kaulsu:
United States President's Challenge=USPC

My sister, tututhefirst, and I started this challenge in 2009 to read the bios of all the presidents. I decided that I was going to catch up on my historical reading at the same time so as I go through the Presidents, I also read about the historical events of the time.

For example, James Monroe's time I also read about the construction of the Erie Canal, and Lincoln's time was Civil War reading. I am currently up to Teddy Roosevelt so this year I'm hoping to get a bunch of WWI reading done so that next year I can do the Roaring 20's and the Great Depression.

Happy New Year to you and yours!
Would love to see you at the bridge table!

Cheli....I am very jealous but proud of how far you have come on this challenge. I keep getting sidetracked, and am stuck at Van Buren. I'm still going to continue, but think this will be a lifetime challenge.

>>18 tututhefirst: I'm beginning to think in the same direction because something tells me that I won't finish WWI this year.

Let's see ..... this is how I'd like it to go....

2015_____TR,WHTaft, WWilson, Harding + WWI
2016_____Coolidge, Hoover+ Roaring 20's and Great Depression
2017_____FDR+ New Deal
2018_____FDR+ beginnings of WWII
2019_____FDR, Truman+ WWII and post war
2020_____Eisenhower+ Korean War, Cold War
2021_____Kennedy, Johnson+ Vietnam War, Space exploration
2022_____Nixon, Carter, Reagan
2023_____Bush Sr, Clinton+ impeachment
2024_____Bush jr, Obama, ??? + 911

OMG I've got 10 more years and that's only if I don't fall behind! I think I'm in for my lifetime too!

What ever made us think that we could do this in 4 years???

>15 cyderry: I have that one on preorder. I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

Challenge Book#3

Continuing the stories in Oz, hoping to finish this year, I've found new characters mixed with the old and wondering why, after the success of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Hollywood abandoned the stories.

Patchwork Girl is made by the Crooked Magician to help his wife with the household chores but she and the magician's friend are accidently petrified. The Patchwork girl along with several others set out to finf the ingredients to fashion a cure.

New generations should read these.

TITLE: The Patchwork Girl of Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L. Frank Baum
GENRE: Children's Classic
CHARACTERS: Patchwork Girl, Ojo, Shaggy Maan, Dorothy, Scarecrow
Series/ Progress: Wizard of Oz/#8
DATE READ: January 5 - January 7
NO. OF PAGES: 116
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook

I found out today that my all-time favorite ice cream when I was a child and which I haven't been able to find regularly for years is now going to be a regular flavor for a regional ice cream distributor.

What flavor, you say. BUTTER BRICKLE - it's like butterscotch ice cream with butterscotch bits. YUM YUM!

Up here in Maine, we call it butter crunch.

>22 cyderry: >23 tututhefirst: when I worked for Friendly Ice Cream, it was called Butter Crunch. Must be a regional thing...

This hasn't been a happy week - Monday I was informed of the death of a gentle man I'd had worked with for 15 years, Tuesday my cousin's husband was killed in a car accident, Wednesday a friend's mother died, today I found out that a friend's father died as well as the sister of the lady I drive home on Friday mornings. That's five this week. I'm running out of tissues

Oh my goodness Chèli, I'm thinking of you and sending you a load of positive energy. Love and hugs xx

>25 cyderry: Oh, I'm so sorry! Hugs to you!

Sorry to hear about all this bad news, Cheli.

Just back from my cousin's husband's funeral. It was a 2 hour drive to get there but I'm so glad that I made the effort. She had no other family there - no brothers, other cousins (15) - her husband's family was there but Tim and I were the only family there for her.

Hi Cheli! Just starred your thread and stumbled right into the middle of a very sad week for you! I'm so sorry! Lots of hugs and good thoughts for you from the Netherlands!

Oh, Cheli! That's way too much bad news for one week! Hugs!

I'm sorry for the losses you've suffered in the past week. I'm glad you were able to be there for your cousin. A sudden loss like she suffered is especially difficult.

>25 cyderry: Oh, Cheli, I am so sorry for all these losses. How very tragic. I send love and gentle hugs.

Oh Cheli, I am so sorry for all the sadness.

I'm so sorry about all of your losses, Cheli. I'm sending healing thoughts your way.

What an incredibly sad week! My own prayer list has just kept growing and growing because of deaths and illnesses that are affecting my friends. Hugs and prayers!

I'm so sorry about all your recent losses Cheli. You're in my prayers.

Challenge Book#4

Willow is continuing to work on settling into her home and has been working on getting Blueberry Cottage stabilized so that she can rent it out. After a skeleton is found on the grounds of the new hotel under development, making the townfolk remember Snoozy who disappeared with a supposed treasure, the town isn't at all surprised when the treasure box is unearthed in Willow's backyard during the work on Blueberry Cottage.

A community picnic renders the Police chief "under the weather" with food poisoning, and Willow takes up the search for the cause and the culprit.

The characters are wonderful - well-developed allowing for good and bad traits to stand together, as well as strength of character while supporting others. The mystery is well thought out and has sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader entertained.

TITLE: Thread and Buried ★★★½
AUTHOR: Janet Bolin
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Willow Vanderling, Haylee Scott, Clay Fraser, Chief Viki Smallwood, Cassie Smith, Max Brubaugh
Series/ Progress: Threadville Mysteries (3)
DATE READ: January 8 - January 10
NO. OF PAGES: 320
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook

Challenge Book#5

Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo has decided that things are just a bit too boring at home so she drafts an army and heads out to conquer all of Oz. She meets up wih Shaggy Man, makes friends with Betsy Bobbin from Oklahoma and Princess Ozga of the Rose people. Tiktok is solicited into Queen Ann's army. They are all sent to the other side of the world by the Nome King, but the rulers there send them back on the tail of Quox the dragon. The ending brings all the characters home peacefully.

TITLE: Tik-Tok of Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L Frank Baum
GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Ann Soforth, Shaggy Man, Princess Ozga, Quox the Dragon, Nome King
Series/ Progress: Wizard of Oz/9
DATE READ: January 11 - January 13
NO. OF PAGES: 101
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Challenge Book#6

Emily and her siblings arrive in Colyton incognito so that they can hunt for their family treasure. Having run away from a cruel uncle, Emily undertakes the position of innkeeper. While bringing the Inn back to life, Emily's involvement with the Inn owner overshadows her need to find the treasure. What they find and where along with the love story, entertain for sure.

TITLE: Temptation and Surrender ★★★
AUTHOR: Stephanie Laurens
GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS: Jonas Tallent, Emily Ann Colyton, Isobel Colyton, Rev. Filing, Harold Potheridge
Series/ Progress: Cynsters #15/23
DATE READ: January 14 - January 19
NO. OF PAGES: 355
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

>25 cyderry:
January has been a tough month at Friends House, with 5 deaths, but what you have described is beyond real! My sincere condolences.

Challenge Book#7


The White House kitchen staff has been reduced due to the government sequester which only makes the visitation of 4 chefs from Saardisca a little more tricky. Olivia Paras, the executive chef, needs diplomacy to handle these chefs with diverse personalities as well as various culinary talents. When Marcel, the head pastry chef, is taken out of the equation, suspicions begin and then the death of the head of the foreign delegation causes Ollie to concentrate on the other visitors.

You know too many cooks spoil the broth, well here, the reduction of cooks many be the problem.

This is my favorite series, I just wish I didn't have to wait so long between installments.

TITLE: All the President's Menus ★★★★
AUTHOR: Julie Hyzy
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: White House Chef Mysteries (8/8)
DATE READ: January 20 - January 21
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

>42 cyderry: I read the first two and enjoyed the series. I need to get back to it this year.

Challenge Book#8


Temeraire has returned to the Orient but before he can reach China he must recover Laurence who has amnesia and been captured by the Japanese.

As the stories of Temeraire continue, we see this special dragon taking on human traits - jealousy in this episode. Great fun!

TITLE: Blood of Tyrants ★★★
AUTHOR: Naomi Novik
GENRE: Fantasy
CHARACTERS: Temeraire, William Laurence, Iskierka, Napoleon
Series/ Progress: Temeraire (8/8)
DATE READ: January 5 - January 24
NO. OF PAGES: 431
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

>42 cyderry: Somehow, I picked up, but never read, last year's installment so I've got two of these to look forward to.

Challenge Book# 9


Dan and Amy Cahill are still searching for the clues to world power, but are forced to combine forces with the Kabra branch and Alisitar Oh to move forward.

This episode seemed a bit rushed as if the kids wouldn't stick with it if it went more in depth. Not really a great deal of info but good action.

TITLE: The Sword Thief ★★★
AUTHOR: Peter Lerangis
GENRE: young adult
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: The 39 Clues, Book 3
DATE READ: January 29 - January 29
NO. OF PAGES: 156
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

Challenge Book# 10


Jane has had a bad experience (broken engagement) and her friend Lady Isobel invites her to Christmas at Scargrave Manor. But before the holidays commence, the Earl of Scargrave, Isobel's new husband, dies suddenly. When threatening notes, presumably from her maid, make the Countess the prime suspect in murder, Jane is left to uncover the real murderer and clear her friend.

The mystery was interesting however, I'm not sure I can buy in with Jane Austen as a detective. I'm not planning on rushing to the next one.

TITLE: Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor ★★★
AUTHOR: Stephanie Barron
GENRE: Historical Fiction
CHARACTERS: Jane Austen, Lady Isobel Scargrave, Fitzroy Payne, Fanny Delahoussaye, Hortense Delahoussaye, Lord Harold Trowbridge, Sir William Reynolds
Series/ Progress: Jane Austen Mystery/1
DATE READ: January 24 - January 30
NO. OF PAGES: 318
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Bookshelf Stockpile

Lots of three star reads here....tie for something with meat! Any good histories on tap? Or are you saving those for HH?

Challenge Book# 11

Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst has to return home because of mischief his three young sisters has gotten into. When he determines that the reason for their misbehavior is to prevent him from marrying a "London" lady who will send them away, Gervase promises them that he will only marry a lady who meets their approval.

Immediately, the girls indicate that their neighbor, Madeline Gasciogne, would be perfect. Having known Madeline for many years, Gervase takes a closer look, getting involved with her family, 3 mischievous younger brothers, as well as local issues.

The romance that evolves as well as the story of the mixing of the families was very entertaining.

TITLE: Beyond Seduction ★★★½
AUTHOR: Stephanie Laurens
GENRE: Historical Fiction
CHARACTERS: Gervase Tregarth, Madeline Gascoigne
Series/ Progress: Bastion Club/7
DATE READ: January 30 - February 3
NO. OF PAGES: 496
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

>>48 tututhefirst: I am about halfway through Doris Kearns Goodwin's The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism - 912 pgs / 30 discs. meaty enough?

>15 cyderry: I'm really behind finding threads on the group, and just found yours with the new Mary Russell. :-) Off to find out if the library has it yet... Thank you!

>50 cyderry: You're doing better than I am. Too distracted with other books lately.

Challenge Book# 12

This installment of the Crochet mysteries places the reader in the midst of a mini-mystery and when we follow the clues with the main character we are lead on a scavanger hunt of details all related to a crocheted piece. It was great to see an actual needlework piece at the center of the mystery.

TITLE: By Hook or By Crook ★★★
AUTHOR: Betty Hechtman
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Molly Pink, Dinah Lyons, Mary Beth Wells, Camille Katz, Barry Greenberg
Series/ Progress: Crochet/3
DATE READ: February 4 - February 7
NO. OF PAGES: 272
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

>53 cyderry: I think that is the next one in the series for me. I've only given the other two installments 3 stars each so I haven't rushed to pick that one up. I'm sure I'll eventually get around to it.

Challenge Book# 13


The concept of this series is different than any I've read before - bringing in a new area of the literary community. As in many 1st in a series, some of the development slowed the action but as it moved along, it was very entertaining. Characters have great room for growth and I look forward to the next installment.

TITLE: Buried in a Book ★★★½
AUTHOR: Lucy Arlington
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Lila Wilkins, Bentley Burlington-Duke, Carson Knight, Zahn Cohen, Marlette Robbins, Makayla, Officier Griffiths
Series/ Progress: Novel Idea Mysteries /1
DATE READ: February 8 - February 9
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 14

Whenever I need a touch of romance, Bertrice Small is the author that I can always count on to show that love isn't always easy but definitely worth the effort.

In this book, Bianca is forced into a marriage with a cruel older man to save her family honor. After escaping this travesty, she finds and falls in love with a Muslim Prince. Their differences can't overcome their love.

TITLE: Bianca ★★★½
AUTHOR: Bertrice Small
GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS:Bianca, Orianna, Sebastino Rovere, Agata, Prince Amir
Series/ Progress: Silk Merchant's Daughters/1
DATE READ: February 10 - February 13
NO. OF PAGES: 419
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

>55 cyderry:. so what's it about?

>>57 tututhefirst: the main character had been a newspaper reporter, got laid off, and finds a job at a literary agency reading letters from authors who want an agent. A homeless man comes in asking about his book submission and she finds him dead there an hour later. The mystery is about his book and his identity. It started slow but after all the intro stuff for the different characters and background, it really picked up, and I couldn't put it down.

>58 cyderry: too bad it's not a Nook Share. Sounds interesting...

>55 cyderry: I think I have that one on the shelf. I should give it a try!

Challenge Book# 15

Once again a few well-loved characters becomes involved with newer characters as their travel previously unknown areas of Oz. It was nice to see Glinda working her magic as well as an unusual featherless flock of birds that came to the rescue of our friends several times.

TITLE: Scarecrow of Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L. Frank Baum
GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Cap'n Bill, Trot, Orks, Button Bright, Glinda, Princess Gloria
Series/ Progress: OZ/ 9
DATE READ: February 14 - February 14
NO. OF PAGES: 94
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 16


This light cozy series carries on the tender romance of Lacey and Wyatt while expanding the characters and their background. In this installment, the Inn is booked with the Ward family - Tom and Jess celebrating their 30th anniversary - and their grown children. At the same time, Lacey and Charlotte want to expand their facilities by renovating the old barn into an event center. However, during prep of the property an old skeleton is found and the family along with Lacey are determined to figure out who it was and how they ended up there.

This was so interesting of how the family took this adventure to heart and researched the past to arrive at a tender conclusion. I couldn't wait for the next one.

TITLE: Inn To The Darkness ★★★★
AUTHOR: Sara Robbins
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Lacey Washburn, Charlotte Washburn, Wyatt Graves, Laura Townsend, Jeremiah, Brownwood
Series/ Progress: Aspen Valley Inn/2
DATE READ: February 15 - February 15
NO. OF PAGES: 100
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 17


This light cozy mystery series continues with the start of Enchanted Events and the first wedding at the new venue. Lacey and her sister Charlotte are startled by a body found in the bride's room and have to scramble to get everything ready on time.

Knowing how much the sisters have invested in this new venture, Wyatt , Lacey's boyfriend and local law enforcement, works overtime to find the murderer with a little help from his girl.

TITLE: Innvitation To Murder ★★★★
AUTHOR: Sara Robbins
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Lacey Washburn, Charlotte Washburn, Wyatt Graves,
Series/ Progress: Aspen Valley Inn/3
DATE READ: February 16 - February 16
NO. OF PAGES: 203
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 18


For a short story, this tale really carried a punch.
Nell Pratt, the museum president is contacted by a wealthy local and offered a deal she can't turn down - check the museum's archives for anything related to the Logan family and in return get the family papers from the Civil War forward. What she doesn't expect is what she finds.

TITLE: Dead Letters ★★★
AUTHOR: Sheila Connolly
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Nell Pratt, Arthur Biddle Logan, Thomas Reilly, Jeremiah Logan
Series/ Progress: Museum mysteries/2.1 (Short Story)
DATE READ: February 18- February 18
NO. OF PAGES: 40
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 19

Returning to Henry Adams, KS will always pull at your heartstrings, especially when the children are at the center of the story. In this installment, 10 year-old Zoey Garland is the major heroine as she makes efforts to befriend a hermit at the same time as she is concerned with the state of her parents' marriage. The spirit of this your girl is struggling with her desire to help others as well as holding her family together.

The gentleness of the stories from Henry Adams are truly a "Blessing" because the reader sees how goodness triumphs.

TITLE: Heart of Gold ★★★★
AUTHOR: Beverly Jenkins
GENRE: Fiction
CHARACTERS: Zoey Garland, Roni Garland, Reg Garland, Bernadine Brown, Diane Willis
Series/ Progress: Blessings/5
DATE READ: February 19- February 20
NO. OF PAGES: 320
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Those Sara Robbins books sound lovely, Chèli.

>>66 connie53: They're quick little reads with nice little mysteries and I like the characters.

Challenge Book# 20


This was the 3rd installment and the descriptions of the yummy cheeses, special recipes and unusual ice sculptures only added to the enjoyment of this mystery set at the Winter Wonderland Faire.

Kaitlyn Clydesdale returns to Providence, OH and sets out to buy up land stating she's starting a honey farm but when she is found dead, the local honey farmer, Ipo Ho, is at the top of suspect list. Charlotte's assistant, Rebecca, is positive that he's not guilty (they were smooching in the park) but the sheriff is convinced otherwise, so Charlotte starts her own investigation. The results are "chilling".

TITLE: Clobbered by Camembert ★★★½
AUTHOR: Avery Aames
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Charlotte Bessette, Rebecca Zook, Ipo Ho, Chippendale Cooper, Kaitlyn Clydesdale
Series/ Progress: CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY/3
DATE READ: February 21 - February 24
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: ARD Stockpile

Challenge Book# 21


This second story in the Scarlet Pimpernel saga tells of Paul Déroulède, a non-aristocratic member of French society, who is unwillingly drawn into a duel with the young Vicomte de Marny which results in the Vicomte's death. The Duc de Marny forces his daughter Juliette to swear an oath of vengence for her brother's death.

After Juliette meets Déroulède and they spend time together, they fall in love, but Juliette must decide if she will fulfill her oath. When Déroulède's treasonous actions are revealed, the Scarlet Pimpernel becomes involved.

TITLE: I Will Repay ★★½
AUTHOR: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Paul Déroulède, Vicomte De Marney, Juliette de Marcy
Series/ Progress: Scarlet Pimpernel/2
DATE READ: February 16 - February 25
NO. OF PAGES: 140
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 22


Goodwin is superb as an historian and in this book we see Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft as individuals but also we see how working shoulder to shoulder, they created a greater good often at the cost of their own ambitions.

TR's personality comes through as adventurer and master politician. Taft comes through as a loving, generous, gentle giant who twice refused appointment to the Supreme Court (his greatest desire) because he believed his efforts elsewhere were needed. In this book we also see the development of the power of the press and how a good politician could utilize that power.

This book was extremely informative, however it could have been just as informative without being so wordy. Several passages were repetitive and could easily been omitted.

TITLE: The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism ★★★½
AUTHOR: Doris Kearns Goodwin
GENRE: History
CHARACTERS: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Edith Carow Roosevelt, Nellie Taft, SS McClure, Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens
Series/ Progress: Presidents #26,#27
DATE READ: February 1 - February 28
NO. OF PAGES: 912 36 hours audio
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

>68 cyderry: I was disappointed in the first book in that series and haven't pursued others. Sounds like you enjoyed this one fairly well.

I kind of liked the cheese shop series, though I read only the first two. I've got this third one on my Kindle and will try to get to it soon.

Too bad the Doris Kearns Goodwin book isn't better. I usually love her stuff. I've been dabbing in it but not getting very far very fast.

>>72 lindapanzo: I usually like DKG's books as well, bu this one just seemed too wordy. It was as if she was getting paid by the page or something. Also some of the parts about the journalists was very confusing. I guess as an accountant the parts about the trusts and monopolies slid by okay, but the areas about the party machines, Railroad rates, unions/strikes just seemed too long.

I'd be interested to know your take when you finish.

Challenge Book# 23


Lady Catherine can't understand why her husband of 7 years insists on dressing her up like a trollop when he has visitors coming. But on one occasion she meets the Earl of Ashworth, and they become romantically involved.

The reasoning for her husband's behavior and the subsequent events are an interesting tale of Regency romance.

TITLE: In the Garden of Temptation ★★★
AUTHOR: Cynthia Wicklund
GENRE: Romance/mystery
CHARACTERS: Lady Catherine Bourgeault, Lord Edgar Bourgeault, Adam Stanford (Earl of Ashford)
Series/ Progress: Garden/1
DATE READ: February 25 - February 28
NO. OF PAGES: 225
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 24

This conclusion of the All Souls Trilogy has Diana Bishop (weaver/witch) and her vampire husband, Matthew de Clermont battling not only their own powers but their families and others of their kind.

This story brings the vampire/deClermont family together to protect Diana and Matthew but also to discover the whereabouts of Benjamin, Matthew's son who has Blood Rage. Benjamin is an evil vampire who is trying to retaliate against the de Clermonts.

This final installment brings the characters together and the story to a very interesting conclusion.

TITLE: The Book of Life ★★★½
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkness
GENRE: fantasy
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop de Clermont, Matthew de Clermont, Sarah Bishop, Benjamin Fox
Series/ Progress: All Souls Trilogy/3
DATE READ: March 2 - March 8
NO. OF PAGES: 561
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

Hi, Cheli! I really enjoyed the All Souls Trilogy. I never thought of looking for audio versions--did you like whoever did the reading?

I wish you continued fun reading!

Karen O.

>75 cyderry: Het boek des levens is on my soon to buy list ;-))

Just popping in to say HI and see what you've been up to - lots of good books, it looks like.

>>76 klobrien2: yes, I loved the reader for the All Souls Trilogy. It was Jennifer Ikeda and she did a great job with the different voices. When I have chunksters (those fatty books) I try to find them on audio or e-book because my arthritic hands have a hard time with heavy books. And listening to books gives me time to work on other things as well.

>79 cyderry: I know what you mean about the chunkster books playing havoc with arthritic hands and wrists. I bought the hardcover copies of the All Souls Trilogy (they are beautiful books) but I got hold of the ebook versions for the actual reading. I'm pretty sure I'll be rereading someday.

Karen O.

>77 connie53: Found the book is in my TBR already! I seem to have bought it for my thingaversary last year. I need to get the books I bought in the last few months organized. They are scattered all over the living room. Maybe a job for tomorrow afternoon.

>> I have a cabinet that I organize at the beginning of the year which holds the books that I'm hoping to read this year. For me, the majority of my 2015 "Hope to" reads are on my PC (audios), Nook, and Kindle so that makes it easy for me to find them. My friends tease me asking if I have a book with me when I go out, I pull out my Nook and reply "at least 100".

>81 connie53: And I did do just that. In my thread you can see how organized everything is now, cabinet and row (the cabinet was a bit too small ;-)) )

Challenge Book# 25


Normally, shifts in time in a book will drive me crazy, however, Kate Morton manages to always make this process work for me.

The reader is introduced to Dr. Grace Bradley, an archaeologist, spending the remainder of her years in a nursing home. She has been contacted by movie producers who want her opinion of their sets for a movie they are making set at Riverton, a manor house where Grace had worked as a housemaid when she was very young. The sets bring memories flooding back to Grace telling the story of the Hampton sisters and the tragedies that befell the residents of Riverton.

As the story progresses we see Grace battling with her memories as well as trying to find a way to reveal the secrets of her life before her end.

One of my favorite authors with a great story.

TITLE: The House at Riverton ★★★½
AUTHOR: Kate Morton
GENRE: fiction
CHARACTERS: Grace Bradley, Hannah Hartford, Emmeline Hartford, Robbie Hunter, Teddy Luxton
Series/ Progress:
DATE READ: March 1 - March 18
NO. OF PAGES: 473
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: loaned from a friend

Challenge Book# 26


I knew that Hans Christian Andersen wrote a great number of fairy tales and the basic stories of some of them, but I was delightful to sit down and actually read them. Some I'd never heard about and I enjoyed those too.

TITLE: Fairy Tales ★★★
AUTHOR: Hans Christian Andersen
GENRE: short stories
CHARACTERS: Little Mermaid, Emperor, Thumbelina
Series/ Progress:
DATE READ: March 1 - March 19
NO. OF PAGES: 615
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 27

This 19th installment of the Guido Brunetti series returns the great characters of Commissario Brunetti, Inspector Vianello, and secretary Signorina Elettra to Venice in the stifling heat of a Venice August. Guido loses out on his vacation in the Alps with his family when a diligent government worker is found dead. Was he murdered because of his job working for a corrupt judge or was he murdered because he was a homosexual?

The book is filled with twists and turns followed by an unusual resolution.

TITLE: A Question of Belief ★★★
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Commissario Guido Brunetti, Inspector Vianello, Signorina Elettra, Araldo Fontana
Series/ Progress: 19/24
DATE READ: March 10 - March 20
NO. OF PAGES: 397
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

Challenge Book# 28

After 20 years with no contact, Harold receives a note from a former co-worker, Queenie, telling him that she's dying. Guilt immediately attacks Harold's conscience, so he sets out to save her by walking the length of England unprepared for the journey - physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. The tale of journey and the enlightenment he receives along the way point the reader to soul searching of their own.

TITLE: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ★★★
AUTHOR: Rachel Joyce
GENRE: Fiction
CHARACTERS: Harold Fry, Maureen Fry, Queenie Hennessy
Series/ Progress: 1/2
DATE READ: March 19 - March 23
NO. OF PAGES: 453
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: bookshelf Stockpile

ABANDONED

This author must have either been writing his thesis or being paid by the syllable/name/stats that were used, because after 100 pages I'd had too many stats, too many minuscule details, and too many names which meant absolute nothing. Not only this, but he kept inserting his own comments and opinions.

TITLE: Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War ½★
AUTHOR: Max Hastings
GENRE: Non Fiction
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress:
DATE READ: March 21 - March 26
NO. OF PAGES: 102 of 704
Challenges:
SOURCE: library

Challenge Book# 29

Bookstore owner, Pamela Shedd has handed over the "Rhinestone Clipboard" and all the responsibilities for their sponsored craft retreat. Things don't start out well having to replace the Tai Chai instructor as well as the acting coach, but managing that Molly is optimistic about the retreat until a massive fog sets in - stopping the arrival of the retreaters. Then the crochet instructor is found dying on the beach apparently suffering from an allergic reaction to a s'more.

Molly has to rely on her own instincts as well as her friends to figure that it wasn't an accident but murder!

TITLE: A Stitch in Crime ★★★½
AUTHOR: Betty Hechtman
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Molly Pink, Adele Abrams, Izabelle Landers, Mason, Fields, Bennett Franklyn
Series/ Progress: Crochet Mysteries - 4/9
DATE READ: March 24 - March 26
NO. OF PAGES: 216
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 30

I'm not normally into the paranormal, but because this was such a speedy read, I managed to get past the ghosts and witches to find an entirely enjoyable story with somewhat 2 dimensional characters - but fun just the same. I may even read another.

TITLE: Haunted on Bourbon Street ★★★½
AUTHOR: Deanna Chase
GENRE: Paranormal mystery
CHARACTERS: Jade Calhoun, Kane, Pyper, Ian, Bea
Series/ Progress: Jade Calhoun Series- 1/7
DATE READ: March 27 - March 28
NO. OF PAGES: 575
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 31

When you read those romances that end with the "Happily Ever After" somehow there's always a few questions left unanswered. In this book, Julia Quinn writes the 2nd epilogue to the 8 books in the Bridgerton series bringing all the characters back to life but showing us the ever after.

Great fun!

TITLE: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After ★★★★
AUTHOR: Julia Quinn
GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth, Violet, Penelope, Kate
Series/ Progress: The Bridgertons - 9/9
DATE READ: March 28 - March 29
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Your list of books closely resembles my wishlist, Chèli. Although I mostly lurk, I just wanted to let you know I love your short bit poignant reviews. They tell me everything I need to know. And I'm a bit jealous of your stats...

Challenge Book# 32


This story very much reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes Problem on Thor Bridge with a very similar resolution. I wonder if the author is a fan of Holmes? The characters didn't seem to grow but remained stagnant to their previous adventure. The mystery itself wasn't very involved but the background was fun.

TITLE: Hanging by a Thread ★★½
AUTHOR: Monica Ferris
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Betsy Devonshire, Foster Johns, Angela Schmitt, Paul Schmitt
Series/ Progress: Needlecraft mysteries 6/18
DATE READ: March 30 - April 1
NO. OF PAGES: 272
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: My Shelves

Challenge Book# 33

The second of the Memphis BBQ mysteries cen ters around Adam Cawthorn's murder - he had moonlighted as "Eppie Currian" a restaurant reviewer and the nasty reviews that he wrote had many up in arms so when his body was found, there were plenty of suspects.

I thought this mystery was great because at the very instant of the mystery I thought I knew who the murderer was and followed that conviction until the end when I was greatly surprised at being wrong!

Fun series, will look for more.

TITLE: Finger Lickin' Dead ★★★½
AUTHOR: Riley Adams
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Memphis BBQ mysteries 2/4
DATE READ: April 2 - April 5
NO. OF PAGES: 272
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 34


Kate, Michael, and Emma have been sent back to the orphanage in Baltimore but Kate realizes that they are still in danger and when the storm comes, Kate is separated from Michael and Emma leaving Michael promising to watch over his little sister until Kate returns. Kate is thrown back into time by the Atlas until just before the magical world separates itself in 1899 while Michael and Emma connect with Dr. Pym and start out on a search for the second book - the Fire Chronicle.

Michael and Emma are taken on an adventure to the bowels of the earth starting in Antarctica and ending in an area far beneath the ice mass warmed by a volcano which guards the Chronicle. Meanwhile, Kate is without the Atlas and struggles in the past to find a way back to her siblings.

Loved the adventure and the children's resolve when faced with danger.

TITLE: The Fire Chronicle ★★★½
AUTHOR: John Stephens
GENRE: Fantasy
CHARACTERS: Michael, Emma, Kate, Dr Pym, Gabriel, Rafe
Series/ Progress: Books of Beginning 2/3
DATE READ: April 5 - April 9
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 35


Hannah's partner Lisa had her car in the shop, so when Hannah picks her up on a rainy morning an accident gets Hannah into a pot of trouble. Arrested for Vehicular homicide, Hannah works from jail trying to figure out the identity of the victim and what he was doing on a deserted road.

Okay, these aren't rocket science but for me they are loads of fun. The characters make me laugh and the recipes make my mouth water.

TITLE: Blackberry Pie Murder ★★★
AUTHOR: Joanne Fluke
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Hannah Swensen, Winnie Henderson, Delores Swensen, Jennifer Richardson
Series/ Progress: Hannah Swensen Mysteries 17/18
DATE READ: April 14 - April 14
NO. OF PAGES: 400
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Library

Hi Cheli! Hope all is going well there for you - you're certainly getting lots of reading done it seems!

Hello Dear Friend

I hope today is a good one for you. Sending lots of love and gentle hugs.

Hi Cheli, at some point, I plan to take up the Doris Kearns Goodwin book. I just finished that new Erik Larson book about the sinking of the Lusitania. His face-paced, reads like fiction style is terrific, I think. I never get bogged down in his books.

I agree about the Joanne Fluke books. I've got the newest one out from the library right now.

Challenge Book# 36


I overheard my great-nephew's (4 yrs old) Mom start talk about reading this book so I picked it up from the library to see what it was all about.

How imaginative to have a town named Chewandswallow, where there are no grocery stores but each day your food is delivered by the weather - you could get soup or milk showers, snow of mashed potatoes or peas, storms of hamburgers! So much fun but don't read it on an empty stomach!

TITLE: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs ★★★
AUTHOR: Judi Barrett
GENRE: Childrens
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Chance of Meatballs 1/2
DATE READ: April 15 - April 15
NO. OF PAGES: 27
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Library

Challenge Book# 37

The Fireman's museum is under renovation when the storage facility where all their collections are housed becomes the victim of an arson fire. The head of the the Fireman's museum contacts Nell to see if her historical museum can be of any assistance.
Searching through the Society's records, Nell discovers issues that she reports to the FBI (her boyfriend). With her assistance the FBI attempt to determine the cause and motive for the arson.

The mystery is well-written and carries the reader effortlessly to conclusion. Will definitely be reading the next one soon.

TITLE: Fire Engine Dead ★★★
AUTHOR: Sheila Connolly
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Nell Pratt, James Morrison, Jennifer Phillips, Peter Ingersoll
Series/ Progress: Museum Mystery 4/6
DATE READ: April 16 - April 18
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 38

Giovanni Pietro D'Angelo, a wealthy silk merchant in Florence has been contacted my Lorenzo di Medici concerning his second daughter Francesca. Titus Cesare, Duke of Torreno Boscoso, is seeking a wife for his heir and di Medici wants Francesca to be one of the 3 candidates. After arguing with her father, Francesca reluctantly agrees to travel to Torreno Boscoso to meet the future Duke.
Two other young women are also to be considered and the young heir will choose from the 3 maidens.

When Francesca is selected she flees into the forest in an attempt to escape her fate but there she undergoes a change - realizing what she may have lost as well as what she may have found.

Francesca's transformation from a spoiled aristocrat to the new duchessa is what is needed for she and the new duke to survive the difficulties ahead.

I wasn't fond of the ending but it did have a purpose.

TITLE: Francesca: The Silk Merchant's Daughters ★★★½
AUTHOR: Bertrice Small
GENRE: Romance
CHARACTERS: Francesca, Rafaello, Titus Cesare, Terza,Alonza, Raoul du Barry
Series/ Progress: Silk Merchant's Daughters 2/4
DATE READ: April 18 - April 22
NO. OF PAGES: 400
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

>100 cyderry: this was one of your Nephew's (Matt) favorite book - we have a copy up in the "children's library" here for visiting wee ones.

Challenge Book# 39


I thought that as an avid reader and a lover of history that I knew the basics about World War I. I'd heard about trench warfare, chlorine gas, mustard gas, and shell shock but I didn't really understand them and I wasn't prepared for what I learned while reading this book.

They called it the Great War. However, this war was apparently completely unnecessary. That's right - 8.5 million casualties, 12-13 million civilian deaths totally unnecessary brought on by a war-hungry monarch and military men who wouldn't accept the changes that the 20th century had brought to the battlefield.

Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to play at war, he always wore a uniform and he wanted to prove his country's superiority. The excuse used to start the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Joseph and his wife (he abhorred war - how ironic). The Austro-Hungary empire would have probably controlled the effects with a small military action in Serbia where the assassination had taken place, but as an ally of Austro-Hungary, Kaiser Wilhelm and Germany took it upon themselves to stress escalation.

So we have a war and the British, who had end the Boer wars several years before thought that they were ready to take on the Germans with the same tactics as used then. However, since the Boer wars the 20th century saw motor vehicles, machine guns, and airplanes come into existence. Gen. Douglas Haig would not accept that cavalry was no longer useful with the new methods available. Time and time again he would send men to certain death by commanding offensives directly into the German machine gun nests. Hundreds of thousands of men were killed in weeks and Haig just kept sending them.

On the home front, massive labor strikes and Conscientious Objectors filled the headlines. The Conscientious Objectors were sent to prison with sentence ordering hard labor (16 hours a day) half rations and no heat. Women were imprisoned if they argued against the war.

But really bothered me the most about what I learned was the actual cause of shell shock. Imagine sitting in a deep ditch for weeks on end and then suddenly being bombarded by artillery NON-STOP for days at a time so loud that you couldn't hear the person next to you talking. I personally can't handle a loud thunderstorm that's off again on again for 20 minutes - how can you handle this acoustic attack?

The Allied Forces were actually losing the battle until the Americans joined the fight. The Treaty that ended the war was so vindictive that many historians see it as a contributor to World War II.

The book was slow to start, had some areas where it was extremely repetitive concerning the women that were against the war, but highly informative.

TITLE: To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918 ★★★½
AUTHOR: Adam Hochschild
GENRE: History
CHARACTERS: John French, Charlotte Despard, Douglas Haig, Alfred Milner
DATE READ: April 10 - April 26
NO. OF PAGES: 511
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Library, Nook Stockpile

Hi Cheli! Just dropping in and waving

>104 cyderry: I think To End all Wars is one of the five best books written about WWI. I participated one in conjunction with a local book club's WWI study last year. I think it is one of the top five books written about the war. Definitely worth the effort to read.

>104 cyderry: Thanks for the review. I am hoping that it will give me the incentive to read To End all Wars which I have in my collection.

What a great review of To End All Wars.

Challenge Book# 40

TITLE: The Doll People ★★★½
AUTHOR: Ann Martin
GENRE: Children's
CHARACTERS: Doll Family, Funcraft Family, Kate, Nora, Annie, Grandma Katherine
Series/ Progress: Doll people 1/4
DATE READ: April 26 - April 28
NO. OF PAGES: 256
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Library

My book group wanted to read something light-hearted for the start of spring so I suggested this book that I originally read in 2009. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

>100 cyderry: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was a favorite of one of my son's elementary teachers, and I always smile when it crosses my path at the library. It's such a delightful book!

My little ladies group (there's 12 of us altogether) sponsored a Murder Mystery Dinner and Food/Clohing Drive to help the homeless and underprivileged.

The 7 ladies in my group (lady on left end, 3 in front, 2 directly behind, 1 in Hawaii) that worked on the fundraiser did a great job. Everyone felt like they were really on a cruise ship, and the mystery was a blast!) Everyone wanted to know when the next one was going to be!

We raised $1,725 and filled 8 HUGE boxes with food and clothing. I'm very proud of our effort!

>111 cyderry: Cheli, that's an amazing result! Congratulations on a successful event!

>111 cyderry: That's quite the crew. Congratulations for such successful efforts. I hope that you are enjoying your R&R.

>111 cyderry: Looks like fun!

Good for you, Cheli. Great job!!

I got a Kindle copy of the new teashop mystery from Laura Childs. I'm eager to get started on it, once I finish the new Elizabeth J. Duncan mystery, Slated for Death.

>>115 lindapanzo: I got a paper copy. I have several books this month that I've been waiting to read from my favorite authors - Lemon Pies and Little White Lies, The Long Way Home, and Ming Tea Murder.

>115 lindapanzo: Love the tea shop series. Waiting on the library to get a copy.

Why am I not surprised that my dear friend Cheli is always thinking of others! Congratulations Cheli. I am blessed to know you.

LAST VISIT TO THE ONCOLOGIST

MY CANCER IS CURED!!!!

Good for you, Cheli. Always a red-letter day. I'll never forget that feeling.

Challenge Book# 41


Nichelle Clarke is the crime reporter in Richmond. Covering a story related to multiple murders of drug dealers, Clarke gets herself in even deeper when she discovers the reason for the death of a Commonwealth District Attorney is connected and how.

This was a great start of a new series for me and I will most definitely be continuing. The writing was good and the characters captivating.

TITLE: Front Page Fatality ★★★★
AUTHOR: LynDee Walker
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Nichelle Clarke, Grant Parker, Jenna Rowe, Gavin Neal, Chief Nash
Series/ Progress: Headline in Heels 1/4
DATE READ: April 28 - May 3
NO. OF PAGES: 246
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

>119 cyderry: Best news ever!

Challenge Book# 42

This was a short book reliving the experience of the author who was a survivor of the May 7, 1915 sinking of the Lusitania. No only did he survive the sinking but he was then caught in the London bombing. Interesting tale.

TITLE: The Lusitania Tragedy ★★★
AUTHOR: Daniel Taylor Brown
GENRE: History
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress:
DATE READ: May 3 - May 3
NO. OF PAGES: 50
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

>119 cyderry: Wonderful news!

>119 cyderry: Great news, Cheli!

Congrats!

>119 cyderry: Wonderful news, Chèli.

>119 cyderry: WOOHOO! Glad to hear it!

Challenge Book# 43

The newest Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery continues the tale of the LeFaye sisters and Ella Mae, the Clover Queen. An extremely large storm is reeking havoc in the areas of numerous magical groves. Ella Mae has to combat another witch to prevent further damage for other magical groups as well as her own family.

TITLE: Lemon Pies and Little White Lies ★★★½
AUTHOR: Ellery Adams
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Ella Mae LeFaye, Fiona Drever, Nimue, Hugh Dylan
Series/ Progress: Charmed Pie Shoppe 4/4
DATE READ: May 3 - May 7
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Challenge Book# 44


Armand Gamache has settled into his retirement with Rein-Marie in the quaint village of Three Pines bu after a year Clara Morrow throws a kink into his free time by persauding him to find her missing husband, Peter.

Using his contacts at the Sureté, Gamache gets a timeline of Peter's moves but then nothing. With Clara leading the way while Rein-Marie does research about what they do know, finding Peter becomes a process of following gut feelings - will they find him in time?

Peter wasn't one of my favorite characters from Three Pines being self-centered and selfish - but with what was revealed in this book, I'm glad that Ms. Penny made Peter the focus of this book.

TITLE: The Long Way Home ★★★★
AUTHOR: Louise Penny
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Armande Gamache, Clara Morrow, Myrna Landers, Paul Massey, Peter Morrow
Series/ Progress: Three Pines 10/10
DATE READ: May 6 - May 9
NO. OF PAGES: 373
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: MCL Audio

Challenge Book# 45


Marty Nickerson, Attorney at law, has two cases keeping her busy - a Public Defender case of a thug charged with the murder of a priest on Christmas Eve and a case of representing a Senator implicated in the murder of an aide.

Having to design a defense for the murder charges, Marty is reluctant to tear apart the reputation of the priest and having to control the Senator and his exposure proves tricky.

This was a great finish for the series.

TITLE: False Testimony ★★★
AUTHOR: Rose Connors
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Marty Nickerson, Geraldine Schilling, Harry Madigan, Michelle Forrester, Derrick Holliston, Sen. Charles Kendrick
Series/ Progress: Marty Nickerson series 4/4
DATE READ: May 9 - May 9
NO. OF PAGES: 241
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: MCL Audio

Challenge Book# 46

The latest of the Tea Shoppe mysteries has Theodosia trying to help her beau after he was suspended from his job following a murder of a major contributor at the museum.

Theo and her staff set out to find out who was responsible. Numerous events carry the story forward keeping the reader thoroughly involved while visiting with old friends.

TITLE: Ming Tea Murder ★★★½
AUTHOR: Laura Childs
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Theodosia Browning, Max Scofield, Edgar Webster, Percy Capers, Charlotte Webster, Harlan Duke, Det. Tidwell
Series/ Progress: Tea Shoppe Mysteries 16/16
DATE READ: May 8 - May 10
NO. OF PAGES: 301
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: ARC from the Author

So glad to hear your fantastic news, Cheli!

Challenge Book# 47

The island of Pinagree is a peaceful, happy place which produces a huge number of beautiful pearls. The King of Pinagree has special pearls that he can use to protect this kingdom but when attacked by Regos and Coregos he is unable to reach the special pearls and he, the queen, and all the inhabitants are taken away to slavery.

But wait, Prince Inga and visiting King Rinkitink escape discovery. Prince Inga retrieves the special pearls and heads off to rescue his parents and the people of his kingdom.

TITLE: Rinkitink in Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L. Frank Baum
GENRE: Classic
CHARACTERS: Prince Inga of Pinagree, King Rinkitink, Bilbil the goat, Zella
Series/ Progress: Oz 10/15
DATE READ: May 11 - May 11
NO. OF PAGES: 100
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 48

Marcy Singer, owner of the Embroidery shop in Tallulah Falls, is approached by Cassandra Wainwright about her antique wedding dress. Cassandra wants some embroidery and jewels added to areas that have yellowed. Marcy accepts the commission but is startled when the following day she is confronted by the body of he future mother-in-law outside her shop. The police inform her that the jewels she was given to attach to the dress were not fakes but worth close to $100, 000.

Worried that the jewels were the reason for the murder and that the murderer may think she has more, Marcy sets out to find the murderer.

The mystery was fun, but I wish there had been more needlework involvement.

TITLE: Thread Reckoning ★★★
AUTHOR: Amanda Lee
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Marcy Singer, Ted Nash, Cassandra Wainwright, Frederic Ortega, David Frist, Francesa Ortega, Caleb Santiago, Harriet Sloan
Series/ Progress: Embroidery mystery 3/7
DATE READ: May 12 - May 12
NO. OF PAGES: 187
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 49


Jill, owner of the Coffee Shop/bookstore, is participating in a mystery theater charity event with her policeman/boyfriend. At rehearsal one night she discovers a real body. Unable to say out of the investigation, Jill gets drawn in even more when the victim's girlfriend turns out to be her boyfriend's ex.

The characters keep getting better and the situations are entertaining. Glad I found this series!

TITLE: Dressed to Kill ★★★
AUTHOR: Lynn Cahoon
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Tourist Trap 4/4
DATE READ: May 13 - May 14
NO. OF PAGES: 320
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: NetGalley/Kindle

Challenge Book# 50

Suddenly, Ozma is missing! And not only is Ozma no where to be found, but the Wizard's bag of magical items, Ozma's magic picture, and Glenda's Book of Records and enchanted objects are gone too.

The inhabitants of the Emerald City divide into search parties and head out to all areas of the land of Oz.

Dorothy and her companions head into the land of the Winkies, discover that they are looking for an angry wizard, Ugu the Shoemaker. The adventures are worthy of Oz!

TITLE: Lost Princess of Oz ★★★
AUTHOR: L. Frank Baum
GENRE: Classic
CHARACTERS: Dorothy, Scraps, Wizard, Glenda, Ozma, Frogman, Ugu the shoemaker
Series/ Progress: Oz 11/15
DATE READ: May 15 - May 17
NO. OF PAGES: 96
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 51


Karen's excited about her trip to England with her boyfriend but just before the flight, Dave calls and tells her that their relationship is over. Determined to see England, Karen goes alone and spots Dave with a new girlfriend on the same flight.

Arriving at the scheduled B&B, Karen is charmed by the owner and decides that Dave and she really wouldn't have made it. However, having had a pint or two too many she had told a stranger that she wanted to kill Dave.

The cute little mystery that follows was fun and entertaining.

TITLE: Killer Librarian ★★★
AUTHOR: Mary Lou Kirwin
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Karen Nash, Dave Richter, Caldwell Perkins, Howard Worth, Annette Worth, Guy Wilkins
Series/ Progress: Librarian mysteries 1/2
DATE READ: May 17 - May 19
NO. OF PAGES: 308
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Looks like you've been reading lots of cozies. I'm kind of in a cozy reading mood, but I don't have time to read. I'm hoping to snatch a few minutes tonight. I'd love to finish the book I'm reading.

A belated Happy Birthday and congratulations on being officially cancer-free, Cheli!

Well, June 4th is National Cheese Day and since cheese is not on my current diet, I'm just going to have to read Cheese Shoppe mysteries! works for me!

Challenge Book# 52


Frank Mackey, head of one of the undercover units in the Dublin force is thrown back to his youth and he returns to Faithful Place, the neighborhood where he grew up and his family still lives. His teenage sweetheart had disappeared on the night they were to elope and suddenly years later, her skeleton is found in an abandoned building.

Part of Frank still loves Rosie Daley, but returning to Faithful Place brings back hard feelings since he has never returned to visit his family. The recriminations from family and old friends make the investigation tense as the murder squad search for answers. The solution will rock the area.

Learning more about Frank and his past - family, marriage, divorce, daughter - intermingled with this mystery was fascinating.

TITLE: Faithful Place ★★★★
AUTHOR: Tana French
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Frank Mackey, Rosie Daly, Holly Mackey, Kevin Mackey
Series/ Progress: Dublin Murder Squad 3/5
DATE READ: April 8 - May 27
NO. OF PAGES: 679
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, RandomKit
SOURCE: Audio MCL

Have just started the first in this series by Tana French. Really enjoying it.

>142 cyderry:, >143 tututhefirst: That's a great series, though I didn't like the second one, The Likeness, as much as the others.

The new hardwood floors and dining room redo are finished. Here are before (table set for dinner party) and after

Nice job on the DR.

>145 cyderry: Looks nice!

Challenge Book# 53


I don't know why it's taken me 6 years to read the second of this series, but I can promise, that it will not be another 6 years! The story was woven so seamlessly between the court room and the investigation that I couldn't put it down. The characters are very believable yet I don't there are few attorneys that will put that much effort into a case if not being paid.

The story surrounds a mother who is condemned in the press for the death of her daughter and it seems that no one wants to make an effort to find out what really happened.

Great story!

TITLE: The Best Defense ★★★½
AUTHOR: Kate Wilhelm
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Barbara Holloway, Frank Holloway, Paula Kemmerman,Lucille Reiner , Bill Spasaro
Series/ Progress: Barbara Holloway 2/13
DATE READ: June 1 - June 2
NO. OF PAGES: 422
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, RandomKit
SOURCE: Audio MCL Overdrive

Challenge Book# 54


Charlotte is busy at the Cheese Shoppe preparing samples of food for her BF Meredith and cousin Matthew's wedding when a body is discovered in the feezer of the ice cream shop down the street. When the victim turns out to be the estranged husband of her boyfriend's sister, Charlotte gets involved to make sure that those she loves aren't in danger as well.

The mystery was fun and the food sounded so yummy!

TITLE: To Brie or Not To Brie ★★★
AUTHOR: Avery Aames
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Charlotte Bessette, Meredith Vance, Jordan Pace, Jacky Peterson, Iris Isherwood
Series/ Progress: Cheese Shoppe 4/6
DATE READ: June 1 - June 6
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook

Challenge Book# 55


Sophie is coordinating the Rooms and Blooms for the Design Guild. When an elderly neighbor passes away, Sophie and her nemesis, Natasha, are in competition again each decorating one of the rooms in the decease's home. At the same time, Sophie is asked to cater the "Bequest Party". One of the heirs is a no-show but Sophie's decorating team discover why when the body is found.

This was a really fun mystery - wacky characters, strange twists, and fun decorating ideas.

TITLE: The Diva Paints the Town ★★★
AUTHOR: Krista Davis
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Sophie Winston, Natasha Smith, Mordecai Artemus, Nina Reid Norwood
Series/ Progress: Domestic Diva 3/8
DATE READ: June 7 - June 8
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

I am so so glad your cancer is cured. Amen. I would hate to think of a world without you!

>>151 Whisper1: Thank you. I hope that you are doing well too!

Challenge Book# 56

Natalie Barnes, proprietor of the Gray Wale B&B, is worried about her part-time helper Polly Sarkes, and decides to kill 2 birds with one stone and heads to Polly cottage to check on her and pick some cranberries in the nearby bog. What she finds is not the cranberries she was looking for but Polly dead - apparently suicide. But things don't seem right to Natalie and so she decides to ask a few questions. Matters get away from her and she has to swim fast to avoid drowning in the middle of all the issues.

TITLE: Dead and Berried ★★★½
AUTHOR: Karen Mac Inerney
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Gray Whale Inn 2/7
DATE READ: June 9 - June 11
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

>148 cyderry: I love the Kate Wilhelm series. Have read (ear'd) them all. Hope she comes out with a new one soon.
>153 cyderry: Also like the Gray Whale Inn series....need to read more of them.

Hi, Cheli!


glitter-graphics.com

Challenge Book# 57


We've all had holiday seasons that don't seem to be worth all the hassle that leads up to it, but when the Christmas gifts are stolen, and unwelcome guests appear and then end up dead, that really tends to spoil the festivities.

Sophie is caught up in the disastrous holiday when her brother George's neighborhood is victimized by thieves (taking even the Christmas dinner) and then her sister-in-law's father shows up with a new girlfriend. The girlfriend ends up dead but the disaster is alive and well as everyone seems to be a suspect.

The twists and turns were totally entertaining!

TITLE: The Diva Cooks A Goose ★★★½
AUTHOR: Krista Davis
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Sophie Winston, Hannah Bauer, Laci Bauer, Shawna Lane, Ginger Chadwick
Series/ Progress: Domestic Diva 4/7
DATE READ: June 12 - June 13
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Challenge Book# 58


This book was definitely not what I expected. However, it was thoroughly engaging and filled some of the gaps from other books on why the American involvement in WWI was as it was.

This narrative was a combination of the real life stories of about a dozen 100+ yr. old WWI veterans - their successes and failures and what made then so unique. For example, one man walked to school everyday (2 miles) , then participated in the war, and on his return, married, got a job that he bicycled to 5 miles each way every day (rain, snow, didn't matter). Eventually he got a car, but at age 80 he could no longer drive so when his wife was placed in a nursing home a mile away from his home, he walked every day to have meals with her (3x a day no matter the weather). This stunned me. I remember hearing how my grandfather walked everywhere, but because we live in an age where we drive everywhere, it seems unfathomable.

Yes, this book showcased individuals, but it also showed me a great about the time and the differences that these brave men endured.

TITLE: "
The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War ★★★"
AUTHOR: Richard Rubin
GENRE: History
CHARACTERS: Fred Hale, Anthony Piero, William Campbell
Series/ Progress: WWI
DATE READ: June 1 - June 15
NO. OF PAGES: 544
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

Challenge Book# 59

While on a girl's camping trip, Anna is the only hope for survival for her friends who have been kidnapped. The thugs are unaware that Anna is along for the trip, and so she has to remain hidden while working to save her friends.

This story was riveting as Anna fought not just the elements but her lack of preparedness. Having no food or water and having only her professional tracking abilities, Anna and her friends had to combat armed men twice their size.

What surprised me in this story was the missing descriptions of the nature elements. It was more involved in the action than the scenery which usually in this series takes a major part. It didn't detract from the story, just surprised me a bit.

TITLE: Destroyer Angel ★★★★
AUTHOR: Nevada Barr
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Anna Pigeon, Heath Jared, Elizabeth Jared, Leah Hendricks, Katie Hendricks, "The Dude", Bernie Iverson
Series/ Progress: Anna Pigeon 18/18
DATE READ: June 16 - June 17
NO. OF PAGES: 523
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Audio stockpile

Challenge Book# 60


The Food Festival in Scottsdale is holding a pastry bake-off with a $10K prize so Melanie and Angie enter the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery in the contest. Surprised to find out that her mentor, Vic Mazzotta, is one of the judges, Melanie is devastated when he is found dead before the competition begins.

As the contest proceeds, the danger to Melanie and Angie increases not just from their competitors but the killer apparently is threatening them too.

I love the characters, the food descriptions and the mystery! Will be reading the next one soon!
TITLE: Death by the Dozen ★★★★
AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Cupcake Bakery 3/6
DATE READ: June 18 - June 19
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 61

We've all had the experience of making a major mistake and heading home to lick our wounds, well that's exactly what Andy Buckland does when on the debut of her cooking show, the live audience gets food poisoning. But when she goes home things just seem to get worse.

She rear ends an SUV driven by a gorgeous guy while she looks like s***, she's hired to cater a party by her worst enemy from High School and it turns out to be the engagement party of that same enemy and her ex-boyfriend, and last, the family business is near bankruptcy and they want her to save it.

How can she do that when she is a suspect in the murder of the pastry chef who witnessed her TV downfall?

The characters were fun but the mystery was a little on the light side.

TITLE: Murder Al Dente ★★★
AUTHOR: Jennifer L Hart
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Andy Buckland, Malcolm Jones, Lizzy Tillman, Donna Muller, Cecily Rosetti, Kyle Landers
Series/ Progress: Southern Pasta Shop 1/3
DATE READ: June 18 - June 19
NO. OF PAGES: 236
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

>157 cyderry: That one sounds really interesting!

It really was a very personable story - the narrative was very well-written.

Challenge Book# 62

As usual in the Commissario Brunetti series, the reader is taken on a ride through Venice while investigations are underway into the death of Signora Altavilla, an elderly woman found dead in her apartment by her neighbor. The coroner rules the death by heart attack but Brunetti is alarmed by bruises on her body that don't seem to fit with a fall. Delving into the woman's activities, along the help of Signorina Elettra, Brunetti finds the hidden world surrounding domestic violence and steps that often are taken to save those women who cannot protect themselves.

TITLE: Drawing Conclusions ★★★
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
GENRE: Mystery
CHARACTERS: Guido Brunetti, Signorina Elettra Zozzi, Anna Maria Guisti, Signora Constanza Alavilla
Series/ Progress: Commissario Brunetti 20/24
DATE READ: June 18 - June 23
NO. OF PAGES: 407
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: audio stockpile

Challenge Book# 63


Caprice DeLuca, a home stager is helping her high school friend, Roz, prepare to sell the house that she and her husband built when they were married. Trouble in paradise and murder in the study of Roz's husband have Caprice assisting Roz to avoid the paparazzi as well as a stint in jail. Caprice starts asking questions about Roz's husband's business, finds an attorney for Roz, and sets out to discover the murderer.

Okay, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story and the main characters but there were just a few too many other characters rolling through this one - 37 major/minor characters is way too many. I really feel that with some rethinking, some of these minor characters could have been rolled in together.

Hopefully, future installments will have a lesser population.

TITLE: Staged to Death ★★★
AUTHOR: Karen Rose Smith
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Caprice DeLuca, Roz Winslow, Ted Winslow, Seth Randolph M.D., Dave Harding, Grant Weatherford
Series/ Progress: Caprice De Luca Mystery 1/4
DATE READ: June 22 - June 24
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Challenge Book# 64

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the first in this series but was quickly reminded by the wonderful characters and the writing that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Olivia and her Dog, Captain Haviland, find a body buried in the sand one morning while strolling on the beach. Before the end, they will be finding or connected to several other murders which all have a cliché portrayed by or near the body. However, the Cliché murders aren't the only mystery that Olivia has to face when an unexpected letter comes and throws her for a loop.

Great fun and hurrying toward the next one!

TITLE: A Deadly Cliché ★★★½
AUTHOR: Ellery Adams
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Olivia Limoges, Laurel Hobbs, Chief Sawyer Rawlings, Flynn McNulty, Will Hamilton
Series/ Progress: Books by the Bay 2/7
DATE READ: June 25 - June 28
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Loaned from Tina

Challenge Book# 65

Anna Belle Doll, Tiffany Funcraft, and Auntie Sarah Doll leave the Doll House to explore the attic but fail to return before their human owner, Katie, awakes so Annabelle and Tiffany hide in Katie's backpack. They are taken of to school and share an adventure before jumping back into the wrong backpack. At the home of Katie's friend they meet other living dolls that are being terrorized by the Princess Mimi Doll. Tiffany and Annabelle help the other dolls free themselves from Mimi's cruelties. But when Annabelle and Tiffany manage to get back home, they have company.

So much fun!

TITLE: The Meanest Doll in the World ★★★
AUTHOR: Ann Martin
GENRE: Children's
CHARACTERS: Doll Family, Funcraft family, Princess Mimi
Series/ Progress: Doll People 2/4
DATE READ: June 26 - June 29
NO. OF PAGES: 260
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: library

Challenge Book# 66

This was an interesting book that at times got weighed down by the descriptions in vast detail of the processes that were used for different types of painting including but not restricted to the frescos that were painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This was really more a combined biography of Michelangelo, Pope Julius II, and Raphael.

The pictures of the Sistine Chapel frescos were beautiful but it would have been much nicer if they had not been all lumped together in one pictures but the panels shown individually. I often had to search the Internet for an individual image so that I could understand what the writer was talking about.

TITLE: Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling ★★★
AUTHOR: Ross King
GENRE: Children's
CHARACTERS: Michelangelo, Pope Julius II, Donato Bramante, Piero Rosselli, Raphael
Series/ Progress:
DATE READ: June 14 - June 29
NO. OF PAGES: 373
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, HistoryCat
SOURCE: library

I'm halfway through the year and have read 66 books sticking with my theme of histories and mysteries. I really wanted to catch-up with the series that I had already started and I think I'm doing pretty well in that area. I also wanted to read more of the books that I already have either sitting on my shelves or lolling on my e-readers. (My Nook books seem to be growing on their own!) So here is how the numbers break down for the first 6 months.

New series started___11
Second in a series____9
Third in a series_____11
4th or more________26
Histories___________6
Fiction - misc and book club___3
Series brought current___11
Series still behind ___144
Categories completed___4/15 27%

read off the list from the beginning of the year________57/66 = 86%
books read from my shelves/e-readers ____44/66 = 67%

e books read_______41
audio books heard___14
books read ________11
abandoned _________2

New books acquired (total cost $60 - birthday $$)_____15
ARCs _____3
library books read_____7


Best mystery of the year so far = Destroyer Angel
Best surprise of the year so far = Front Page Fatality
Best history of the year so far = Bully Pulpit

So here are my goals for the remainder of the year:

Books to read = 60
Series that I'd like to have current by the end of 2015 = 10
Progress on US history/Presidents through Harding

Now on to my new Thread! http://www.librarything.com/topic/192763

>165 cyderry: glad you found it!

>>169 tututhefirst: I will not tell a lie - I still haven't found it so I borrowed it so that I would be ready for #3 and #4. I'm still looking - haven't checked the bookshelves in the basement yet.