tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86659389079598428292024-03-13T21:12:19.400-07:00BOOK JUNKIEI like to read clean, entertaining books. All of the books reviewed here are PG unless I warn you. My standards are pretty tight, so you may not agree with me but I am pretty outspoken when I feel things are NOT appropriate. I have started reviewing through my Goodreads account. The links will take you to there and you can find out what others are saying about the book.
~~ENJOY~~Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-13846606500888272102009-05-04T09:51:00.000-07:002009-05-04T09:54:33.741-07:00Chasing Vermeer<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/444347.Chasing_Vermeer"><img border="0" alt="Chasing Vermeer" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174837816m/444347.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/444347.Chasing_Vermeer">Chasing Vermeer</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/86085.Blue_Balliett">Blue Balliett</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54194755"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />rating: 4 of 5 stars<br />Are there ever just coincidences in the world?? THis book explores that question as eleven year old Calder is pulled into an adventure involving a stolen Vermeer, a really hip schoolteacher and a grouchy old woman.<br /><br /><br /><br />It was confusing sometimes, but fun most of the time. There are codes and clues hidden throughout the book and illustrations. I spent a blissful rainy afternoon reading the book and solving the riddles and codes.<br /><br /><br /><br />The ending didn't do a very good job of explaining WHY some of the coincidences happenned, but I am not super picky, so it didn't bother me all that much.<br /><br /><br /><br />I plan on passing this to my ten year old next and see what she thinks.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia-hale">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-69951981165536443872009-04-25T12:20:00.000-07:002009-04-25T12:21:12.878-07:00Justice Hall by Laurie R. King<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/274400.Justice_Hall"><img alt="Justice Hall (Mary Russell Series, #6)" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173327564m/274400.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/274400.Justice_Hall">Justice Hall</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6760.Laurie_R_King">Laurie R. King</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45697467"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />rating: 5 of 5 stars<br />This story starts 24 hours after the last book in the series, <a title="Diario De Ana Frank by Anne Frank" href="http://www.blogger.com/book/show/2399903.Diario_De_Ana_Frank">The Moor</a> ended, but we revisit characters from an earlier book that I haven't read yet.<br /><br /><br /><br />These books are all so exciting I have a hard time putting them down. In this installment Mary Russell and her husband Sherlock Holmes head to an old friends estate to try and persuade his cousin to go back to Palestine with him and leave the Earldom to the next generation. You quickly realize all is not as it seems as "accidents" soon take on a sinister tone.<br /><br /><br /><br />Murder, intrigue, fake heirs, and King Tut fancy dress balls all make a fascinating mystery.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia-hale">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-36369899812128206492009-04-21T07:57:00.000-07:002009-04-21T07:58:57.819-07:00Ireland<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90360.Ireland_A_Novel"><img alt="Ireland: A Novel" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171201484m/90360.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90360.Ireland_A_Novel">Ireland: A Novel</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46162.Frank_Delaney">Frank Delaney</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49240502"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />rating: 5 of 5 stars<br />I so loved the first half of this book. A boy and his family are visited by a wandering storyteller in Ireland. (It was in the early 50's, I think...).<br /><br /><br /><br />You are told the most amazing stories about Ireland. I was totally enthralled. After the storyteller is sent away by the boys mother it becomes this boys quest to find him again. And to collect his stories. It was very emotional and exciting.<br /><br /><br /><br />And then the tone changed. As the boy grew older I began to care less about him. I am not sure why. When he goes away to college he has an absolutely disgusting professor that he loves. UGH.<br /><br /><br /><br />The ending however was great. I don't want to give anything away, so I will just leave it at that!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia-hale">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-5110558245281579892009-03-21T14:18:00.001-07:002009-03-21T14:18:42.046-07:00Kendrick<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3591032.Kendrick?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><img alt="Kendrick" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D9C946AXL._SL160_.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3591032.Kendrick?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Kendrick</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/493115.A_H_Holt">A. H. Holt</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49758286?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />rating: 3 of 5 stars<br />I rarely read westerns, but we had this one and I decided to give it try.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised. Kendrick is a warm, suspenseful novel with a bit of fun and romance thrown in.<br /><br /><br /><br />Kendrick follows the story of Wayne Kendrick who pretends to be a gold prospector to investigate the disappearance of his close friend. They are some dangerous characters up on the mountain and Kendrick ends up having to deal with them all.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was genuinely concerned about the characters. The story moved along at just the correct pace. I was never bored or overwhelmed.<br /><br /><br /><br />I loved the resolution.<br /><br /><br /><br />After reading it I read about the author and discovered that it was a woman...I should have guessed!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia-hale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-62748789551706126792009-03-20T07:17:00.000-07:002009-05-04T09:54:59.658-07:00Fablehaven<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44652.Fablehaven?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/" />Fablehaven</span> (Book 1)" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170267540m/44652.jpg" border=0></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44652.Fablehaven?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Fablehaven</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25052.Brandon_Mull">Brandon Mull</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45697813?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />rating: 2 of 5 stars<br />If any of you have been regulars to my blog you might have noticed that this book has been on and off of my currently reading list about 5 times.<br /><br /><br /><br />I know, no one has noticed, but it has!<br /><br /><br /><br />Anyway, I REALLY wanted to enjoy this. My kids loved it and it is an LDS author. But I just didn't get into it. Maybe it is just that fantasy is not my fave genre. I actually hope that it sit because it killed me to just give it 2 stars. Sorry Brandon!!<br /><br /><br /><br />It is well written, but I just was not engaged by the characters. The kids kept breaking the rules.<br /><br /><br /><br />Maybe that was the problem. I have 4 teenagers and am not entertained by kids breaking rules because they think the rule makers are doing it just to be random and mean.<br /><br /><br /><br />Hmm... I may have hit on the problem!!<br /><br /><br /><br />If you like fantasy I give you the hearty recommendation of Ella and Harrison, who both begged me to read Fablehaven.<br /><br /><br /><br />If you are at your wits end with your own kids, maybe wait and read it when your grand kids are acting up!!ha ha<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia_hale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-85094405738018162222009-03-19T07:31:00.000-07:002009-03-19T07:33:11.702-07:00FREE BOOK!!!<a href="http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Anne over at Not Entirely British</span> </a>is giving books away every week!!<br /><br />EVERY WEEK!!!!<br /><br />So click <span style="font-size:180%;color:#330033;"><strong><a href="http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/03/contest-win-copy-of-annette-lyons.html">HERE</a></strong></span> and get yourself signed up.Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-66526576486393321942009-03-19T07:06:00.000-07:002009-03-19T07:41:24.469-07:00Mystery By Moonlight<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1916842.Mystery_by_Moonlight?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><img alt="Mystery by Moonlight" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1916842.Mystery_by_Moonlight?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Mystery by Moonlight</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/821228.Mary_C_Jane">Mary C. Jane</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49758743?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a><br />This is one of the first mysteries I read and I still keep it on my bookshelf. I re-read it once every few years and am always so pleased with it.<br /><br /><br /><br />It is sweet and scary and fun. This would be a great book for your 2nd or 3rd grader to get an introduction to mystery writing. (It reads like a Nancy Drew)<br /><br />I love a mystery that I can completely put myself into. When it is set in a very realistic way, I completely immerse myself. It cannot be too scary or dangerous, or it does not enchant me the way I want a book to.<br /><br />I have not even checked to see if this is still in print, My copy is from the early 80's.<br /><br />EDIT* I just looked this up on Amazon and it is out of print. She seems to have been published mostly in the early 70's. You local library might have her books. There were a ton of them. Now I want to read more!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia_hale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-64975240960643260082009-03-14T09:12:00.001-07:002009-05-04T09:55:20.844-07:00Lord of the Flies<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><img border="0" alt="Lord of the Flies" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165637417m/7624.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Lord of the Flies</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/306.William_Golding">William Golding</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49239911?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3><p></a></p><p></p><p>***SPOILER ALERT***</p><br />rating: 2 of 5 stars<br />I read this in one evening, so maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance but... it was so confusing. I felt like I had started in the middle and then bits and peices were left out.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was especially confused when Simon was killed. And then my big question; How did they get on the island??<br /><br /><br /><br />A plane crash? There was no plane. THey talked about a plane and a fire. Why were they all on the plane to start with. WHere were they and where were they going?<br /><br /><br /><br />If someone has answers, PLEASE enlighten me.<br /><br /><br /><br />I just didn't get it. ANd I think it is a classic. And I have no idea why it was on my bookshelf or where it came from.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2000857-cynthia_hale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-62018906581387250032009-03-06T05:57:00.000-08:002009-03-06T06:05:02.449-08:00The Graveyard Book<a style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; FLOAT: left" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><img alt="The Graveyard Book" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mo4YSDB-L._SL160_.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"> The Graveyard Book by http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman">Neil Gaiman </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br /><strong>Summary:</strong><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span><p></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> This is the story of Bod Owens. He was a toddler when his parents and sister where killed and he was taken in and protected by ghosts in the local graveyard. He is raised and taught by the residents in the cemetery.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">As he grows he begins to learn of his history and yearns to spend time among the living. But life among the living is dangerous for Bod.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><h3>My review</h3>rating: 4 of 5 stars<br />I had no idea what this book would be like and I was pleasantly surprised. I love when characters that are traditionally "bad" are shown being good.<br />The growth of the boy, Bod, both physically and emotionally is well thought out and interesting. I really cared what happened to him and wanted him to make good choices.<br /><br />The part in the middle when he was in the desert was a little slow for me, but necessary for developing some of the other characters, so I didn't mind.<br /><br />I would like top read this again sometime now that I know all of the twists and turns, to see what foreshadowing I missed the first time.Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-15481325864457223462009-02-28T18:49:00.000-08:002009-02-28T19:05:01.622-08:00The Hound of the Baskervilles<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Sai0zS_v2OI/AAAAAAAACiE/MUhu4VsudHo/s1600-h/hound.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307690954221672674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Sai0zS_v2OI/AAAAAAAACiE/MUhu4VsudHo/s400/hound.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hound-Baskervilles-Arthur-Conan-Doyle/dp/0425104052/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235793011&sr=1-1">The Hound of the Baskervilles</a></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hound-Baskervilles-Arthur-Conan-Doyle/dp/0425104052/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235793011&sr=1-1">by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">The people living on the moor are terrified of a ghost hound that is being seen at night. It is running alongside a ghotly carriage. They both glow in the dark, and now people are dying...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">Holmes will get to the bottom of it.</span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">My Thoughts:</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">Another exciting Holmes mystery. I actually read it before I read<a href="http://cynthia-bookjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/02/sherlock-in-love.html"> Sherlock In Love </a>because I wanted them to be chronological. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">It was fun to revisit this story especially after having read The Moor last year.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">I love the style of writing and the suspense. Conan Doyle exploits with the paranormal are legendary and I enjoy how they just get hinted at in this story.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">The topography and the people of the moor area are fascinating. And a little creepy. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">Definitely worth reading. Again!</span></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-49566955753938730292009-02-27T19:23:00.000-08:002009-02-27T19:31:57.115-08:00The Importance of Being Ernest<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Saiuz7cen5I/AAAAAAAACho/nigXWXzs2lQ/s1600-h/ernest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307684368009830290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Saiuz7cen5I/AAAAAAAACho/nigXWXzs2lQ/s400/ernest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Importance-Earnest-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/0393927539/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235791455&sr=8-4">The Importance of Being Ernest</a></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Importance-Earnest-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/0393927539/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235791455&sr=8-4">by Oscar Wilde</a></strong></span></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p>This book is so funny. I laugh out loud when I read it. And then want to follow whoever is in the room with me and read them selections that I am finding particularly amusing at the moment.</p><p> </p><p>I believe my family dreads it when they see me reading it.</p><p> </p><p>It is such a gem. </p><p> </p><p>Two Ernest's. No wait, NO ERNEST'S! An ailing friend in the country. A troublesome brother in town. </p><p> </p><p>A baby in a bag left at the railway station?</p><p> </p><p>And when the baby is finally found, 30 odd years later it is the return of the bag that is most celebrated.</p><p> </p><p>I love that part.</p><p> </p><p>I can't really give you a review, just go and read it. It is short and sweet, just three acts, I think. You will not be dissapointed.</p>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-20412546366544721062009-02-27T18:57:00.000-08:002009-02-27T19:09:10.266-08:00The Moonstone<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Saio_zfv3pI/AAAAAAAAChg/KC2x6zDWAuM/s1600-h/moonstone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307677974964723346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/Saio_zfv3pI/AAAAAAAAChg/KC2x6zDWAuM/s400/moonstone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moonstone-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0375757856/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235789915&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">The Moonstone </span></strong></a></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moonstone-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0375757856/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235789915&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">by Wilkie Collins</span></strong></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><strong>I don't have enough good to say about this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. It is the tale of a missing Indian diamond- the Moonstone. The tale is unfolded with a certain calm urgency, if that makes any sense. </strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>It is set in England in the 1840's and was written by Wilkie Collins. He was a friend and sometimes rival of Charles Dickens. The original edition of the Moonstone was as a serial in Charles Dickens weekly magazine.</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>Several of the key players write a narrative of what they saw on the days preceding the disappearance, the actual incident and then the activities of the following year. This allows you to see totally different and sometimes contradictory sides of the story.</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>It is satirical, thoughtful, suspenseful, and romantic.</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>There are even some loose ends that are left dangling, just a little tease mind you, but enough that I will lay in bed many a night pondering them.</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong>Two big thumbs up.</strong></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-59805207356683169412009-02-05T18:26:00.000-08:002009-02-27T20:01:38.125-08:00Sherlock In LoveSet two years after Holmes has died a depressed and confused Watson keeps seeing him around every corner. But as his illusions start to become more real he is drawn into the past through his and Holmes' journals. Watson discovers a common thread that runs through several of their great adventures that was until then unknown to him.<br /><br />As Watson investigates present day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happenings</span> it reveals a history of Holmes which he had no idea about.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SYugnOmzMOI/AAAAAAAACa8/wJ3NCt6vzwE/s1600-h/sherlock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299505982327697634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SYugnOmzMOI/AAAAAAAACa8/wJ3NCt6vzwE/s400/sherlock.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">This</span> book is one of the best I have read: warm, comforting and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">familiar</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">And</span> yet it reveals an ending that I NEVER saw coming and that knocked my socks off.<br /><div></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-29758157299160860012009-01-09T20:19:00.000-08:002009-01-10T06:12:12.625-08:00Free book alert<a href="http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/contests-and-more-contests-excellent.html">Anne over at Not Entirely British </a>is running weekly contests!<br /><br />I agree, very generous of her!So go check it out.<br /><br /><br />This week the book is:Cameron Taylor's Does Your Bag Have Holes? 24 Truths That Lead to Financial and Spiritual Freedom.<br /><br />April, this may be right up your alley. Not that I am trying to say I have been up your alley. Oh, wait something is going terrribly wrong with this post!<br /><br />Just go and<a href="http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/contests-and-more-contests-excellent.html"> check out this giveaway!</a>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-23228721409485455602009-01-05T19:58:00.000-08:002009-01-05T20:29:30.347-08:00Reading Challenge<div>I decided that for one of my New Year's Resolutions that I would join 3 reading challenges!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Are you so excited also?</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>So the first is the <a href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-young-adult-book-challenge.html">Young Adult Book Challenge</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Next is the <a href="http://victorianchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-victorian-challenge.html">Victorian Challenge</a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And finally the <a href="http://readingwise.wordpress.com/read-n-review-09/#comment-294">Read and Review Challenge</a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And because I don't know how to stop myself I also am joining the</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2008/12/historical-fiction-reading-challenge.html">Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2009</a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div> Cynthia, why are you joining this one? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>1. I love love love historical fiction</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>2. Look at the button:</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288032872945636610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SWLd4XiDVQI/AAAAAAAACPM/MAOWJ5qQ3nQ/s400/HFC09Button4.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Hello Mr. Darcy!!!</span></strong>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-29247844718478243892009-01-05T18:40:00.000-08:002009-05-04T09:54:10.537-07:00Young Adult Reading Challenge<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SWLhSJueD4I/AAAAAAAACP0/P-LfOouUTf4/s1600-h/YAchallenge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288036614451105666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SWLhSJueD4I/AAAAAAAACP0/P-LfOouUTf4/s400/YAchallenge.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>This is the post where I will list my <a href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-young-adult-book-challenge.html">Young Adult Reading Challenge Books</a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>1. The Last Treasure by Janet S. Anderson</div><div>2. The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope</div><div>3. <a href="http://cynthia-bookjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/03/graveyard-book.html">The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman</a></div><div>4. <a href="http://cynthia-bookjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/03/fablehaven.html">Fablehaven by Brandon Mull</a></div><div>5. <a href="http://cynthia-bookjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/03/lord-of-flies.html">Lord of the Flies by William Golding</a></div><div>6. <a href="http://cynthia-bookjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/05/chasing-vermeer.html">Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett</a></div><div>7.</div><div>8.</div><div>9.</div><div>10.</div><div>11.</div><div>12.</div><div></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-84043060704685059872008-12-13T18:53:00.000-08:002008-12-13T19:21:40.112-08:00The Africa House<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Africa-House-English-Gentleman-African/dp/0060735880/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229223259&sr=8-1"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">Africa House: The True Story of an English Gentleman and His African Dream</span></a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Christina Lamb</span></strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SUR1qVjV-II/AAAAAAAACOk/8XmCkHgw6vg/s1600-h/africa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279474033385404546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SUR1qVjV-II/AAAAAAAACOk/8XmCkHgw6vg/s400/africa.jpg" border="0" /></a> I don't read a lot of non-fiction. I like non-fiction, I just am usually lulled by the total non-thinking of paperback mysteries. </div><div align="center">I am so glad I took this one home from the library. One of the other librarians had pulled it off teh shelf and was thinking about reading it. She had too many at home already, so she told me to take it. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Shiwa House is a traditional English Manor house built by Sir Stewart Gore-Brown in the early 20th century in Northern Rhodesia(Zambia now). Lamb is a reporter who stumbled upon the neglected manor in the late 20th century. She did some very good research and tells the story of Gore-Brown with depth and emotion. He was so obsessed with building his piece of England in the bush that sometimes he could not see what was around him. It follows his personal triumphs and struggles. At its grandest Shiwa House employed hundreds of Africans and then just 30 years after his death it was a rotted shell of itself.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The story is more of Gore-Browns life and just touches on the decline of the English Empire and African independence, which, surprisingly, Gore-Brown supported.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I really felt like I was there in Africa. The weather, that animals, the people all come alive in Lambs dialogue. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">If you read no other non-fiction this year, read this one!</div><div align="center"></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-64374312738711035312008-12-05T07:16:00.000-08:002008-12-05T18:57:12.607-08:00Separate From The World<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/STnm58QDClI/AAAAAAAACN0/Gza89XXRv-4/s1600-h/sep.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276502321541614162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/STnm58QDClI/AAAAAAAACN0/Gza89XXRv-4/s400/sep.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Separate-World-Ohio-Amish-Mystery/dp/0821418157/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228531360&sr=8-1"><span style="font-size:180%;">Separate From The World</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">An Ohio Amish Mystery</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">P.L. Gaus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I brought this book home from the library last night. And I was able to return it this morning. Yep, read the whole thing last night. And I had the light off by 10:00.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yo Cynthia, how'd ya do that? </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me tell ya.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I never put it down. I carried it to two basket ball practices, a band rehearsal and a date with my husband. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Okay, I didn't actually read on our date, but I did have the book with me. It was so worth obsessing over.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is a quick synopsis. An Amish midget comes to a burned out college professor to ask him for help because he thinks that his brother has been murdered. While he is there in the professors office one of the professors students jumps to her death from the bell tower right in front of the window they are sitting at.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Into a crowd of anti war protesters.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Crazy and totally compelling. I was instantly drawn into the characters and the plot. And it is twisty and turny in a really nice way.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love the comments that the Amish make about the lifestyles of the English. I have already returned the book, so I am going to give you a non verbatim quote of my favorite line in the whole book. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Amish fellow says: (about pre-marital sex)</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><blockquote><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><blockquote><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><blockquote><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">If sex is free what can you cherish in your<br />marriage?</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></span></span><blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></div><div align="left">Two big thumbs up on this one. It is number 6 in a series and I plan on reading the rest as soon as I can get my hands on them.</div><div align="left"><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"><blockquote><blockquote><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></span></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-87569198968009747962008-12-02T19:41:00.000-08:002008-12-02T19:50:46.464-08:00Sew Easy to Kill<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Easy-Kill-Sarah-Mason/dp/042515310X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228275848&sr=8-1">Sew Easy to Kill</a></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Easy-Kill-Sarah-Mason/dp/042515310X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228275848&sr=8-1">Sarah J. Mason</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/STYA_QScmfI/AAAAAAAACNk/6tGMDwKPO9Q/s1600-h/sew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275405100215212530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/STYA_QScmfI/AAAAAAAACNk/6tGMDwKPO9Q/s400/sew.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Bad Language Warning!!</span></p><p> When I looked this one up on Amazon it had two 5 star ratings. </p><p></p><p>It is probably a good story.</p><p></p><p>I couldn't get past about page 35.</p><p></p><p>Bad language out the wazoo was the main problem. But I also just couldn't seem to follow the plot very well. Every chapter introduces a new set of characters that I'm sure were wound into the plot together by the end, but it was just distracting to me in this story.</p><p></p><p>But really, the language was too gross for me to overlook.<br /></p>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-29961950895528678252008-11-27T14:01:00.000-08:002008-11-27T14:59:04.297-08:00Berried Alive<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425194906/shelfari-20">Berried Alive</a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425194906/shelfari-20"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Kate Kingsbury</span></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273461773183916578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SS8Ziu86miI/AAAAAAAACNc/ReWLhbwTDj8/s400/berr.jpg" border="0" /></a> WWII. England. The Lady of the manor is divorced, broke and in love with a married American airman. She is determined to take care of her village and do the right thing. Always.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Then 4 American airmen turn up dead. It seems that they were poisoned with the berries of the Daphne plant. They have only one thing in common.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>RED HAIR</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">When I checked this book out the woman who was returning it thought that it got a little silly at the end. I enjoyed the ending. Lady Elizabeth does a good job of investigating without letting on to anyone that she knows anything about what is going on. Her household staff is entertaining and the Americans spice village life up. I thought the ending was reasonable, even though it became glaringly obvious. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I seem to be picking a lot of books lately set in England in WWII. I was struck by the desire of the villagers to be allowed back on the beach. They couldn't go to it because there were mines planted.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Can you imagine? Very thought provoking. Not that this is a heavy book by any stretch. Just little realistic snippets of their lives. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I noticed one swear word, muttered by an employee when she didn't know Lady Elizabeth was within hearing distance. Oh, I just thought of one more. Okay, two. Other than that nice and clean. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-32190696133285190452008-11-25T11:28:00.000-08:002008-11-25T11:31:47.611-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663300;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Death-Gossip-Hamish-Macbeth-Mysteries/dp/0446607134/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227641134&sr=8-3"><span style="color:#663300;">Death of a</span> <span style="color:#663300;">Gossip</span></a></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Death-Gossip-Hamish-Macbeth-Mysteries/dp/0446607134/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227641134&sr=8-3"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663300;"><strong>M.C. Beaton</strong></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272679252456341666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSxR2CE7gKI/AAAAAAAACNM/cXVTsCz2MGA/s400/death.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">******Skip this book. It was vulgar. I read into a bit and was disgusted with both the language and the content. I skipped to the last couple of pages to see whodunit. I didn't even read into the beginning far enough to get to the actual murder, but it is described on the back well enough.******</span><br /><br /></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-14549479468077415052008-11-24T07:03:00.000-08:002008-11-24T07:26:01.502-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Takes-Stage-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425157245/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227477813&sr=8-1"><span style="color:#330000;">Mrs. Jeffries Takes The Stage</span><span style="color:#330000;"> (A Victorian Mystery)</span></a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Takes-Stage-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425157245/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227477813&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330000;">Emily Brightwell</span></strong></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271977257708989570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSnTYj2urII/AAAAAAAACM8/wHfB0WKvQ2U/s400/mrs.+j.jpg" border="0" /><br />Oh my freakin heck!! I LOVED this book. It was so exciting. The first few pages I thought it was going to be a real sleeper and before I know it I couldn't put it down. Really, it so rocked.<br />Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard. He is a good Inspector but she and the rest of the staff are the real brains behind the Inspectors success. In this installment a much loathed theatre critic returns to London after 3 months in America to attend the opening night of a new play.<br /><br />And turns up as fish food later that night in the canal.<br /><br />But apparently he was actually drowned in the bathtub at his house.....<br /><br />In comes inspector Witherspoon with his household staff sneaking around London solving the case under his nose. I don't want to spoil your enjoyment of this book by even describing the staff because it was so nice to get to know them during the course of the story.<br /><br />I have only one warning, the theatre critic chose to participate in an alternative lifestyle. This book is very very clean. It is part of the story, but it is not graphic or inappropriate(the lifestyle is, but not the discussion of it. I would not be uncomfortable with my teenagers reading this. I might not want to have my ten year old read it, but only because they discuss a Brothel.) I hope this makes sense. It is like that you know that Elton John chooses this lifestyle and that David Whats his name is his, "roommate"<br /><br />I have muddled that, I know, but unless you absolutely do not want to read about anyone that is at all different, which is fine with me, you will not be offended by this story.<br /><br />There are several Mrs. Jeffries stories and I plan on checking out several of them next time I am at the library. I just looked it up and this seems to be number ten of twenty one Mrs. Jeffries books. Boy, I sure started smack in the middle, didn't I? Well, I am going to try and read the rest in order, so I will print the order here for you all, also....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inspector-Mrs-Jeffries-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425136221/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1_rdssss0">The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Mrs-Jeffries-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425139492/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2_rdssss0">The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Dusts-Clues-Victorian-Mystery/dp/042513704X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Dusts for Clues </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Takes-Stock-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425142825/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Takes Stock </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Ball-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425144917/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries on the Ball </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Trail-Victorian-Mystery/dp/042514691X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_6_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries on the Trail </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Plays-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425150534/ref=cm_lmf_tit_7_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Missing-Alibi-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425152561/ref=cm_lmf_tit_8_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Stands-Corrected-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425155803/ref=cm_lmf_tit_9_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Takes-Stage-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425157245/ref=cm_lmf_tit_10_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Stage </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Questions-Answer-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425160939/ref=cm_lmf_tit_11_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Questions the Answer </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Reveals-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425162435/ref=cm_lmf_tit_12_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Reveals Her Art </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Takes-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425165698/ref=cm_lmf_tit_13_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Cake </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Rocks-Victorian-Mystery/dp/0425169340/ref=cm_lmf_tit_14_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Rocks the boat </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Weeds-Emily-Brightwell/dp/078624464X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_15_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Weeds the Plot</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Pinches-Emily-Brightwell/dp/0754088766/ref=cm_lmf_tit_16_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Pinches the Post</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Pleads-Her-Case/dp/0425189473/ref=cm_lmf_tit_17_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Pleads Her Case </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Sweeps-Chimney/dp/0425193918/ref=cm_lmf_tit_18_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Sweeps the Chimney </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Stalks-Hunter/dp/0425198855/ref=cm_lmf_tit_19_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Stalks the Hunter </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffries-Silent-Knight-Victorian-Mysteries/dp/0425205584/ref=cm_lmf_tit_20_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight </a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Jeffries-Appeals-Verdict/dp/0425209695/ref=cm_lmf_tit_21_rdssss0">Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict </a><br /><br /><br />Well, now you can read all of them in order and not make my mistake of reading them out of order. I am excited to see the characters Smythe and Betsy again, especially. They are so cute!<br /></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-89032923150871715072008-11-23T13:43:00.000-08:002008-11-23T14:02:15.202-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loss-Patients-Father-Dowling-Mystery/dp/0814908640/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227476737&sr=1-23"><span style="color:#333300;">A Loss of Patients</span><span style="color:#333300;">: A Father Dowling Mystery</span></a></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Ralph M. McInerny</span></strong></div><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">*******PG13 Rating******SWEAR WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSnQMI-k7eI/AAAAAAAACM0/jUmbBMOScrw/s1600-h/loss+of.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271973745800834530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSnQMI-k7eI/AAAAAAAACM0/jUmbBMOScrw/s400/loss+of.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><p>Oh how I loved these Father Dowling mysteries when I was younger. Tom Bosley is so likable. And the fabulous nun played by Tracey Nelson.</p><p> </p><p>I am going to stick with the TV version. </p><p>This book was weird and boring to me. A socially challenged, Type A personality dentist decides he needs a trophy wife. The only problem is that she is already someone else's trophy wife. When she won't have him, he decides no one will and kills her, and frames her husband. He has to keep killing to cover his tracks. He is psychotic and creepy. I have a hard time liking a book when I have no emotional connection with any of the characters. They are all so flawed that you really don't care who lives or who is murdered.</p><p> </p><p>And then there is a weird televangelist. </p><p> </p><p>And a creepy bar. Like I said above, I gave this a PG13 rating because of language, but the content is also seedy. I would not let my 10 year old read this, so I really think I have no business reading it. I know I keep using the word weird in this review, but that is just kind of how this one felt. I was just glad to get done with it. </p><p>Now you know</p><p><br /> </p><div align="center"></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-28430007825272755002008-11-20T08:25:00.000-08:002008-11-20T08:38:52.938-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moor-Suspense-Featuring-Russell-Sherlock/dp/0312427395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227198358&sr=1-1">The Moor</a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moor-Suspense-Featuring-Russell-Sherlock/dp/0312427395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227198358&sr=1-1"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Laurie R. King</span></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270777973418649522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSWQpBuSZ7I/AAAAAAAACMM/WrHKYHTqP7Q/s400/moor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote><p>In the 1924 Mary Russell is summoned by a telegram. Her husband needs her help. He asks her to bring her compass and take a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">train</span> to Dartmoor.</p><p> </p><p>She ignores him. She is a student of theology at Oxford and has just gotten back to her studies after helping him with a mystery. She returns to her reading only to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">receive</span> another telegram two hours later. Put down <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">your</span> books, it says.</p><p> </p><p>Who is Mary Russell's husband? Why none other than the infamous Sherlock Holmes. This book is so ingenious. Written from the view of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mary</span> Russell you see a very human and thoughtful side to Sherlock Holmes. It is historically accurate and interesting. The history of the Dartmoor Moor is explored with careful detail. Oh, and it is pretty scary at times! </p><p>The story revisits an event from 30 years prior- The Hound of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Baskervilles</span>, while investigating a new murder.</p><p>This is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fourth</span> book in the series. The first is the <em>Beekeeper's Apprentice</em>. I am looking forward to it....<br /></p></blockquote><br /></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665938907959842829.post-42686751380791987992008-11-14T08:17:00.000-08:002008-11-20T08:24:00.307-08:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blueberry-Muffin-Murder-Swensen-Mysteries/dp/0758218583/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227196964&sr=1-1"><span style="color:#000000;">Blueberry Muffin</span> <span style="color:#000000;">Murder</span></a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blueberry-Muffin-Murder-Swensen-Mysteries/dp/0758218583/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227196964&sr=1-1"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;">Joanne Fluke</span></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270774652912236162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8m-tPrSuWfk/SSWNnv33doI/AAAAAAAACME/YJWb8qH84O8/s400/blue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I love these Hannah Swensen books so much. She owns a cookie shop. She finds dead bodies. She solves the murders. She bakes more cookies.<br /><br /><br />Freaking Brilliant!<br /><br /><br />And there are honest to goodness recipes interspersed throughout. Her tuna sandwiches are magnificent. As are her fudge cupcakes and Apple Orchard Bars.<br /><br />Oh, and these books are so squeaky clean. Even though she is dating two eligible bachelors, they always just drop her off with a good night kiss. Thank you Joanne Fluke!!<br /><br />If you read this book and love it I am not opposed to you showing your appreciation with baked goods!<br /></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603469382689054493noreply@blogger.com0