THE BOOK OF LIFE / Deborah Harkness / 559 Pages / 6 Geese-a-Laying (December Challenge)

Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E conclusion to 'All Souls' trilogy and appreciated the opportunity to read an advance copy (ARC).

THE BOOK OF LIFE by Deborah Harkness - Great conclusion to a fascinatingly detailed series! The search for Ashmole 782 continues with life and family becoming even more complicated for Diana and Matthew. Enjoyed seeing return of characters from previous volumes as well as learning how past events can effect the future - in unexpected ways. Shivered as read of cruelty displayed by main villain(s) and the reason behind it. Sorry - no spoilers from me, read it for yourself... :-)

Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING / Erika Johansen / 434 Pages / 10 Lords-a-Leaping (December Challenge)

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING is an epic fantasy with magic, mystery, adventure and the debut novel of Erika Johansen. I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher.

Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn is a unique fantasy heroine - not beautiful OR trained from birth to be a warrior but none-the-less a queen! One who must learn how to lead despite tremendous odds against her! Kelsea's journey is compelling and will draw the reader into the story, the first in a new series.

Comparable titles might be The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory or A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

FIRST LORD'S FURY / Jim Butcher & read by Kate Reading / 465 Pages / 5 Gold Rings (December Challenge)

FIRST LORD'S FURY is the sixth and final volume in Butcher's 'Codex Alera' fantasy series. Kate Reading's performance brings life to each character, giving the listener an enjoyable experience.

Gaius Octavian (Tavi) has returned to Alera to find a huge and deadly Vord army about to destroy his homeland. After a life spent in one battle after another, he now faces the longest and most brutal battle of all. In addition, Tavi's lover, Katai is insisting on being properly courted according to both Aleran and Marat customs. Tavi and his legions must take a stand to defend his people and it will take all his intelligence, cleverness, and new-found furycraft to survive, hold on to Kitai, and save their world from total destruction.

Butcher's 'Codex Alera' series is those who enjoy fantasy, plenty of fast-paced action, magic, battles, and touches of humor. Listen-alikes to consider would be The Measure of Magic: Legends of Shannara by Terry Brooks or Faith of the Fallen by Terry Goodkind

RAteam Reading for May 2014 / Romance / 5 Gold Rings & 8 Maids a Milking (December Challenge)

9 - Readers

9 - Books (all involve a marriage proposal & all involve characters who work with animals)

3,168 - Total Pages

Fables: Wolves (vol. 8) / Bill Willingham / 160 pgs. / 5 Golden Rings X-Mas Challenge

This volume finds Bigby Wolf (former sheriff of Fabletown) hiding out deep in the
wilderness.  He lays around and drinks heavily in an attempt to forget Snow White, their children, and how miserable he is.  Luckily, the Mayor of Fabletown has found a loop-hole in their laws that will allow Bigby to be able to come back and join their society.  The catch is, first they have to find Bigby, and then convince him to go on a dangerous mission to deliver a message to Fabletown's worst enemy, "the Adversary".
I enjoy reading this series for the beautiful artwork and the right mix of humor and action in the story line. 

Help for the Haunted/John Searles/362 pgs.

The Mason family is unusual: Sylvester and Rose Mason make their living helping "haunted souls" find peace. Meanwhile, their two daughters, Rose and Sylvie, deal with the stigma surrounding their parents' unusual occupation. Rose, a teenager, doesn't buy into the family way of life, whereas, Sylvie, on the cusp of becoming a teenager, is the "good" daughter--always saying and doing what is expected of her. A tragic turn of events leaves Sylvie and Rose orphans, with Rose becoming the legal guardian of Sylvie. The story is told through Sylvie's voice. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but there is murder, suspense, and mystery--all in the confines of a dysfunctional family. Creepy and entertaining. Highly recommended!

Make Good Art/Neil Gaiman/80 pgs./May Challenge

This is the 2012 commencement speech Neil Gaiman delivered to the graduating class of Philadelphia's University of the Arts. What makes the book unique is that Chip Kidd, a renowned graphic artist, designs the text. The speech, itself, is inspiring, and the graphics further enhances it. It would make a great graduation gift!

Innocent in Las Vegas: A Humorous Tiffany Black Mystery (Tiffany Black Mysteries, A. R. Winters, 217 pages

Tiffany Black is on the verge of getting her PI license when she receives a call to investigate the murder of casino owner Ethan Becker.  The call is from Ethan's widow and prime suspect.  Is she really innocent or just trying to throw off suspicion?  As Tiffany digs into the murder, she finds her life threatened.  Will her family ever accept that Stone is her body guard, not her boyfriend?  Will her Mom discover Grandma's gambling habit?  This was a nice, light read with likable characters set in the fun city of Las Vegas.

Cruelest Month, Aaron Stander, 262 pages

Set in rural Michigan, Ray Elkins is busy solving a missing person's case.  Did it really have something to do with Al Capone and his supposedly buried treasure?  What to make of the money found in a jar at an old family cemetery?  Does any of this relate to the body found years ago near the old resort?  The story was unique in that two very separate mysteries evolved side by side.  Is the mysterious high tech crime solver working on the same crime as Ray Elkins?  The author does a good job of tying up the loose ends as the crimes are solved.

The Insanity Plea, Larry D. Thompson, 379 pages

This was a great suspense story.  Wayne Little must defend his estranged brother, who is on trial for murder.  Unknown to Little, and his team of helpers,is the fact that the murder was committed by a serial killer.  This serial killer is also called to give expert testimony against Little's brother.  The book was fast paced with likable characters and presented insight into the plight of those with mental illnesses. 

Holiday of Love / Judith McNaught 354 p.

Holiday of Love / Judith McNaught 354 p.

It's holiday time.  And romance is in the air when Judith McNaught, June Deveraux, Arnette Lamb, and Jill Barnett practice their craft and gives us Christmas time romances.

Any Duchess Will Do / Tessa Dare 375 p.

Any Duchess Will Do / Tessa Dare 375 p.

The Duke of Halford's mother kidnaps him.  When he awakes in "Spinster Cove" she demands he select a bride.  To foil her efforts, he picks the serving girl.  Pauline Simms isn't just any serving girl.  She has a dream--to open a bookstore for the gentile ladies of Spinster Cove.  The store will provide a safe haven for her and her developmentally delayed sister from their abusive father.  When the Duke offers her a small fortune for one week's work--take his mother's duchess training and fail spectacularly.  She takes it.  But the tables are turned before he knows it.  He tries to dampen his growing desire for her.  She fills his mind and sooths his soul.  How to keep her becomes the challenge.

5 gold rings challenge

Sixty-eight rooms / Marianne Malone 274 p.

Sixty-eight rooms / Marianne Malone 274 p.

While on a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, Ruthie and Jack find a magical key that shrinks them down to miniatures of themselves...small enough to view the Thorne Rooms from inside the rooms themselves.  These rooms come alive through their eyes.  When they sneak into the museum to spend the night they have several adventures.  Outdoors, near the French doors of room E24, they meet Sophia who lives in Paris of the 1780s.   In the colonial American room they meet Tom.  What an adventure.  What child won't want to go adventuring like this.  I'm ready to see the Thorne Rooms again.



See the Thorne Rooms  The Thorne Rooms are a series of miniature rooms set in a wide variety of time periods.  Some of the rooms that appear in the story are listed below.

French Salon of the Louis XVI Period, c. 1780   E24
Japanese Traditional Interior, c. 1937 E31
French Bedroom, Late 16th Century E17
English Drawing Room of the Georgian Period, c. 1880, E12

Chasing Vermeer / Blue Balliett 272 p.

Chasing Vermeer / Blue Balliett 272 p.

Two 11-year olds become investigators when a series of strange events occur including someone stealing a valuable Vermeer.painting.  They draw on their problem solving skills, benefiting from Calder's pentomino clues, and their knowledge of Vermeer.

Those who enjoy From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or the Westing Game find these a fun read.

A/B Testing / Dan Stroker / 193 pages

     This is a marketing book about how to make more people choose your website or choose what you are trying to get them to do.  Many aspects of a web page can be changed to increase the number of responses by a potential customer such as wording, banner, photos, where the key information is located.  For example, locating the important information "above the fold" so people can see it without scrolling down is important.  
     A good example of A/B testing resulted in the Obama election website picture change and the button to click on changing from "sign up" to "learn more."  The same with the Romney website.  When they changed the site to be state specific, they increased the web response by 19% which can be crucial in an election.
     The A/B testing could be used by the library on the website or just in testing the various ways the programs are marketed.  It was an interesting book and had good information with summaries at the ends of each chapter to help the reader remember the main points.

InterWorld/Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves/239 pgs./May Challenge

Joey Harker, a high school sophomore, stumbles into an alternate world; in fact, he discovers that there are multiple earths with different properties. There are also different versions of himself coming from these alternate worlds. He comes to discover that some of these worlds are ruled by magic, and others by science--and the worlds are at war with each other! In order to keep the balance of power among the worlds even, Joey, and a team of his alternates, must battle the evil Lord Dogknife and Lady Indigo. It has action and suspense--very enjoyable!

Wild Storm/Richard Castle/344 pgs

As I have said before, I am a huge fan of Richard Castle - both books and the TV show.  But I never really liked the previous Derrick Storm novels - but this one may have changed my mind about that.  It starts with a series of plane crashes - one of which is the plane that Storm is on and he manages to save.  The only one that is saved - this starts a trip that takes him from Egypt to Morocco in search of the terrorist group that has gotten hold of one serious weapon.  This was a very good book and may have just changed my mind about this series.  That said it still isn't the Nikki Heat series but that is okay!

Sworn to Silence / Linda Castillo / 321 pgs

From Publishers Weekly: A gun-toting, cursing, former Amish female chief of police stars in this excellent first in a new suspense series from romance veteran Castillo (Fade to Red). When a serial killer strikes bucolic Painters Mill, Ohio, the killer's signature—Roman numerals ritualistically carved into each victim's abdomen—matches the MO of four unsolved murders from 16 years earlier. Police chief Kate Burkholder, who's reluctant to dredge up the past, must keep secret that she knows why the old murders stopped. Not satisfied with the case's progress, local politicos set up a multijurisdictional task force to assist, including a law-enforcement agent battling his own demons. The added scrutiny and the rising body count threaten to push the chief over the edge. Adept at creating characters with depth and nuance, Castillo smoothly integrates their backstories into a well-paced plot that illuminates the divide between the Amish and œEnglish worlds. (June) 
     This is a thriller with graphic descriptions of the murders (not for someone with a weak stomach).  It was like watching a train wreck, didn't want to watch (read), but couldn't stop.  I was sure that I knew who the "monster" was about half way through, but that didn't lessen the suspense.  Ms Castillo is very good at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the end. 

Last to die / Grippando / 369 p.

The third in a lawyer-as-detective series featuring Jack Swyteck, this title falls squarely in the middle of the action-detective genre. Readers who enjoy their mysteries with a little more grit, masculinity, and violence (but not too much gore) will enjoy this book.

Synopsis
Lawyer Jack Swyteck is asked to defend an accused murderer by the murderer's brother, whom Swyteck saved from death row. The wealthy victim of the murder in question leaves a will with six beneficiaries, all of them former enemies. The one to inherit the money will be the last one alive. Thus ensues a murderous game to eliminate the other inheritors. Jack's client has a nasty past that makes him the chief suspect and so Jack must use his best lawyerly wiles to keep his client free while he searches for the real killer. There are a plethora of twists and turns in the fast-paced plot that will surprise the reader until the book ends in a satisfying conclusion.

Analysis
I have not read the first two books in this series, but this books stands very well on its own merits. Though some characters' backstories must have been covered in the previous two books, those backstories do not interfere with the plot in this volume. Instead, those backstories are intriguing enough to make the reader want to read those previous titles as well.

For a books that involves involves violence and some unsavory characters, I found this book to be quite charming. With none of the sense of foreboding that seems to accompany too many novels of this kind, Grippando constructs a storyline that reflects a hope for humanity along with the suspense that readers seek. That sense of hope allows the reader to enjoy the ride without feeling dirty afterward.

Swytek is flawed and is aware of his own failings, but is utterly likable. He is surrounded by characters who are also flawed. But not all of them are likable. The bad guys are clearly bad. Characters do not switch loyalties. All the switching happens in the plot. That plot is a bumpy, unpredictable ride all the way to its surprising end.

Set in Florida, this would be a great summer beach read. I highly recommend this book for readers of mystery and suspense. It will not leave you looking over your shoulder and is relatively light on the gore, despite it's violence, but it will still leave you wanting more.

One Crazy Summer / Rita Williams-Garcia / 218 pgs.

"In the summer of 1968, after traveling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp." - From Catalog.

This is a very sweet tale of three young girls, who spend their summer attending a Black Panther summer camp.  The story introduces to the readers the issues of  African Americans in the late - 60's, as the girls are learning more about their culture and issues that their race is facing at the camp.  They (and the reader) also see that there were many facets to the Black Panther movement, and not everyone in the group held extreme radical beliefs.  Informative, charming, and entertaining; I would recommend this book for elementary / junior high school age.    

The Collector/Nora Roberts/483 pgs./12 days of Christmas challenge

Lila Emerson is a professional house-sitter, and budding young adult author. While apartment sitting, Lila witnesses a murder in the apartment building across from hers. Enter artist Ashton Archer, the half brother of one of the murder victims. Ash meets Lila and together they try to solve the mystery of who murdered Oliver and his girlfriend. There is the mystery of the missing Faberge eggs, hired killers, and an art collecting recluse. It's a fast, entertaining read, with enjoyable main and secondary characters. It's one of Nora Roberts better efforts.

In the Blood/Lisa Unger/342 pages

Lana Granger's whole life is made up of lies. She's attending college in a remote area where she can hide from her family's past. She starts babysitting a young troubled child in the afternoons to give herself something to do. He seems to know how to push her buttons and even worse, he seems to know more about her than most people.


A good psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. Thanks to Mizzou77 for the recommendation.

The Dream Hunters / Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano (& P. Craig Russell) / 126 pages / May Challenge

This is a part of the Sandman series.
I read two remarkable different versions of this same tale.  My favorite by far was the narrative fiction with incredible illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano.  Although the second tells the same story, it does so in graphic novel (comic) format which makes for a somewhat disjointed, and certainly less aesthetically pleasing, rendition.  The Dream Hunters is a story of love, self-sacrifice, honor, responsibility, and greed, and portrays respect for, and intimate understanding of, Japanese tradition, culture, and storytelling.

The Wolves in the Walls / Neil Gaiman / 54 pages / May Challenge

This junior graphic novel tells the story of one Lucy who could be Everyman - or, at least, Everychild.  She hears noises in the walls of her home and is sure it is wolves.  Her parents attempt to reassure her that this certainly cannot be...for if it is true and the wolves come out of the walls...then it is all over...or is it?  Certainly every child and most adults can empathize with Lucy as she hears these things that go bump in the night.  What delightful, test-appropriate illustrations in the "delightfully scary, strange, and hilarious romp from the acclaimed author and illustrator of the magical New York Times bestseller Coraline."

Flicker and Burn / T. M. Goeglein / 343 pages 2 Turtle Doves December Challenge

Sara Jane Rispoli doesn't have any plans for the future other than to continue breathing.  Her mother father, and brother have been kidnapped and possibly tortured.  The kidnappers want the notebook that is in Sara's possession.  She has a movie-obsessed sidekick with a roller coaster weight problem, an ill-tempered Italian greyhound, and a boyfriend.  She's been chased for the past month by a creepy black ice cream truck.  Her family's duplicity and the violent consequences of their their decisions have worn away parts of her causing her to question who she was becoming.  She is determined to discover the secret of the ultimate power found in the final chapter of the notebook, believing it to be the solution to finding her family.  She is cursed/gifted with ghioccio furioso or cold fury.  Does she have a genetic predisposition to murder by electrocution?  Sara has decided to let her Great Uncle Jack who has second stage Alzheimer's help her decode the final chapter of the notebook and the secret of the power when "horror snuck up on muffled monster tiptoes in a silent library..." Although this was a most engaging read, I felt the beginning dragged a bit...and the ultimate problem is left unsolved.

"being useful and engaged is vital to sustained inner strength."
"It doesn't matter who your family is, what they've done or not done for you.  As you become an adult, only you are responsible for whom you become."
"This is real life.  You don't have to be anything you don't want to be."

Stardust / Neil Gaiman / 238 pages / May Challenge

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day..."  Stardust finds three people trying to do just that...more or less...  Tristan Thorn wants to secure the heart of his lady love who sent him in search of a fallen star; an old witch has determined to find the star as a sovereign remedy against all the snares of age and time; and Primus is following his father's dying order to procure the topaz necklace which knocked the star from the sky in order to assure his inheritance.  This is a most satisfying read by a master storyteller.  Filled with allusions to well-known tales, it is an expertly crafted tale.

"You have to believe, otherwise it will never happen."

Mirror Mask / Neil Gaiman and /dave McKean / 70 pages / May Challenge

Helena Campbell, a member of the Campbell Family Circus, wants to run away and join real life.  In an argument with her mother, she responds "I wish I was." to her mother's "You'll be the death of me."  During the performance that evening, her mother passed out and then is hospitalized with a ife-threatening condition.  Helena blames herself and is haunted by nightmares involving a Dark Queen, a runaway daughter, many strange creatures, and a world on the brink of chaos.  Originally written by Mr. Gaiman as a film, Mirror Mask was rewritten as a novella under the artistic direction of Dave McKean and features original art by Dave and images from the film.  A most unusual book.

Shaker Run / Karen Harper / 399 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

Kate Marburn had recovered nicely from her husband's duplicitous treatment.  He had embezzled from their investment business and left a suicide note but no body was ever found.   She was cleared of wrongdoing and procured her dream job as rose gardener on the estate of Sarah Denbigh, a wealthy widow with grasping, grown children, a love of Shaker furniture, and propensity to charity.  When Sarah is founddead in her bathroom by Kate during a silent auction fundraiser held in her home, Kate comes under suspicion for the murder.  This novel was a most engaging, enjoyable, edge-of-your-seat ride with an unpredictable plot, multiple suspects, and plenty of information on the Shaker lifestyle.

"Some Shaker furniture designers actually believed that their patterns came from heaven and were transmitted to them by angels."
"Work as though you have a thousand years to live but might die tomorrow."

Emmaline and the Bunny / Katherine Hannigan / 100 pages / 8 Maids a Milking December Challenge

Emmaline wanted a bunny more than anything.  It doesn't look as if she will get one, however, as Mayor Orson Oliphant has declared that "anything that makes a mess is banished from Neatasapin!"  He cut down all the trees calling them leaf-litterers.  He sent all the wild animals away, installed alarms on the baby diapers, and threatens to send untidy Emmaline away as well.  Emmaline is lonely as none of the neat children will play with her.  She still wants a bunny - a wild one.  Katherine Hannigan, author of the awesome Ida B and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, & (Possibly) Save the World, has crafted an endearing novel for the younger set and illustrated it with soft, pleasing, pastel drawings.

Carolina Moon / Nora Roberts / 438 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

Library Journal said this book was "essential for public libraries."  Although I would not say it is essential, I would definitely rank it a very good read.  As one would anticipate in a novel by Nora Roberts, we find multiple romances, true love, and immediate, overwhelming sexual attraction.  But in Carolina Moon we find much, much more!  Darker than her typical romances, Carolina Moon features Tory Bodeen returning to her childhood home town to open a specialty store and to attempt  put to rest her childhood demons.  Her best friend, Hope Lavelle, was murdered on a night the girls were to meet in the woods.  Tory couldn't make it because her father had delivered one of his many beatings.  Tory has held herself responsible for Hope's death all these years and desperately desires to discover who killed her friend.

The Trouble with Rules / Leslie Bulion / 137 pages / April Challenge Rain

"Nadie Rostaver lay on her bed and listened to rain drumming on the roof.  [She'd] already counted 73 dime-sized smudges on the ceiling, and [she] was only halfway across.  Nick and [she] made the smudges by bouncing a racquetball in  [her] room on other rainy days.  Rainy day racquetball was another thing [she] could add to [her] list of 'no mores' - no more Brambletown, no more Springville Park, no more expeditions to the stream, no more best friend."  Here in Springville Upper Elementary School, boys and girls in fourth grade barely talked to each other.  Nadie and Nick had always been inseparable best friends.  Now they were razzed by classmates.  Summer Crawford is new to school and just doesn't know the rules...or just doesn't care.  This is a heartwarming story reminiscent of Andrew Clements at this best, with a most admirable, inspiring teacher, Mr. Allen (Alien), and a cast of characters sure to win your heart.

High Noon / Nora Roberts / 467 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

I had expected a Western based on the title of this book even though I knew it would be highly unusual for Nora Roberts.  This is definitely not a Western, but references are made to the classic Western starring Gary Cooper.  Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara is a hostage negotiator for the Savannah police department.  She lives in a wonderful southern mansion left to her by her domineering, controlling aunt with provisions that it could never be sold, used as a B&B or for cottage industry, and that Phoebe must reside therein or it would be sold immediately.  She lives with her agoraphobic mother, seven year old daughter Carly, Anna, the housekeeper.  Phoebe is badly beaten by a fellow cop with serious anger management issues.  When the violence escalates, he is the logical suspect...Phoebe has met Duncan, a cab driver who won millions in the lottery who could very well be the man of her dreams.  Will he become the madman's next target?  This is one of the best Nora Roberts novels I have read.  Beware, however, that it is rife with strong, objectionable language.

The Given Day / Dennis Lahane / 704 pages/1072 LP/ March Challenge 700+ pages

This book was recommended on the blog (Thanks Sarah J!) and it intrigued me.  Although it was a lengthy read, it never bogged down or got the least bit boring.  It was a wonderful atmospheric piece detailing Boston and the US in general during and immediately after World War I.  It features labor unrest, fledgling unions, returning soldiers sparking the Influenza Epidemic, a very courageous, morally upright Boston police officer, a Black American caught in the evil web of prejudice, discrimination, and injustice, and the mighty Babe Ruth.  At the story's end, I concurred with Sarah J.  I wanted more information and the continuation of the stories of Luther Lawrence and Danny Coughlin.

"Craftsmanship was just a fancy word for what happened when labor met love."

In 1918, a Boston police officer was paid 29 cents an hour for a 73 hour week.

Dark Witch / Nora Roberts 368 p.

Nora Roberts returns to Ireland and magic.  Iona Sheehan learned about ancient Irish legends from her grandmother.  She arrives in County Mayo with little but a great talent with horses.  She lands a job at the local stable run by Boyle McGrath.  Romance hits her hard, him not so much.  When she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer, they invite her to stay with them.  Under their tutelage, her magical skills grow.  The dark appears when an evil sorcerer seeks his revenge and a battle ferocious comes.  Fans of Nora Roberts will be thrilled with her return to Ireland and magical themes.

USA Today Bestseller

101 Cost-Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your House / Steve Berges 291 p.

101 Cost-Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your House / Steve Berges 291 p.

Everyone seems to be making improvements to their homes.  What the homeowner needs help with is just what improvements will increase your property value.  Rewiring, replumbing, new circuit breakers, and new hot water heaters add little.  Everyone expects the lights to work, the fridge to work, the tub to drain.   Kitchen remodels give a strong impact value.   Next to the family room, homeowners spend more time in the kitchen throughout the day than any other room.  Berges suggest upgrading your appliances too.  The appliances are highly visible.  In general, the more visible parts of the home, the more the impact.  So repair that damaged wall, replaced dated carpeting and don't forget to clean.

Out of my mind / Sharon M. Draper / 295 pages

This Mark Twain winning book is a book most everyone should read.
Sharon Draper writes the story of a girl on the "special bus", a girl with cerebral palsy who is locked inside her uncooperative body.  Melody's mind is perfect - more than perfect in that she has a photographic memory.  It is the story of understanding that appearances can be deceiving.  What Melody really wants is to fit in with her classmates.  Fifth grade is a difficult year.  Girls, especially are transitioning to young teens and are extremely socially conscious which makes it even more difficult to fit in and make friends.  
In this story, Melody gets a speaking keyboard which gives her communication for the first time.  It turns out to be a gift with a price when she enters a whiz kid competition.  Will the discovery that she is smart make her accepted by her classmates?  (spoiler: Ha! but you knew that was coming)
Beyond that are the questions of where Melody fits in her family and what are the important things to remember.  It was an awesome book.

Zealot the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth / Reza Aslan / 216 pages

This was a very interesting book for me.  First, it was not from a "Christian" perspective, rather, the author was a Christian with a conversion experience who, as he spent years in religious studies has come to find a more historical Jesus that he believes in.  He also has a Moslem background that brings more knowledge to his quest.
     He begins with history to set the background for the coming of Jesus.  He spends a lot of time on Hebrews and Romans and all of the conflicts that pre-date Jesus.  There were many Zealots during that time period as well as people who could do "miracles".  He proposes that Jesus was actually a zealot with the idea of changing society or getting out from under the Romans.  It gets really complicated with the temple vs. who was in power and who did Rome see as a threat.  Reza Aslan spent at least 20 years on his religious studies and I know that it would take me that long to find out more. 
     As I read this on my Kindle, I didn't get to read the notes so I am going back to re-read this book and the notes and with my Bible for reference.  It has been really mind-blowing to find out some of the historical facts and the church in-fighting and extent of Roman influence.  I totally recommend this book.

Little Black Book of Murder / Nancy Martin / 372 pages

If you like comfy mystery series, I think you would enjoy the books about the Blackbird Sisters.  Each book features the broke & struggling blue-blood sisters Nora (social reporter for the Intelligencer), Libby (zaftig new age sex kitten with a slew of kids), and Emma (the hot, hot, hot and strongly independent horsewoman).  Readers also get a peek at the social register set which can be pretty amusing.  In this installment, Nora must take a stand with her muck-racking editor who wants her to use her social status to sell papers, discovers the body of a brutally murdered fashion icon, saves her nephew from being arrested for murder, and discovers that she and the love-of-her life mobster boyfriend will be blessed in many ways.  Whoa...don't forget Ralphie the pet pig who has an important role in this book!  A good fun read with lots of humor and engaging characters.

Unleashed / David Rosenfelt / 308 pgs

Believe it or not, I do read other authors.  However, Rosenfelt is one of my favorites.  This is an Andy Carpenter novel (#11 in the series).          From Amazon:
Andy Carpenter’s accountant, Sam Willis, is stunned to receive a phone call out of the blue from Barry Price, a high school friend he hasn’t spoken to in years, pleading for help with something too frightening to discuss on the phone. Barry needs Sam’s financial acumen and lawyer Andy Carpenter’s legal expertise—and he needs them immediately. But when Sam almost runs over an injured dog lying in the road on the way to Barry’s house, he can’t drive off without waiting for help to arrive. By the time Sam makes it, Barry’s already taken off on a private airplane headed who-knows-where.

Assuming their help is no longer needed, Sam and Andy turn their full attention to helping the dog Sam found recover from his injuries. Then they learn that Barry’s plane has crashed, and they come to the terrifying realization that Sam was also supposed to have been killed on that plane. Barry was in far more serious trouble than either of them knew, and for Sam and Andy, the trouble is only beginning.

Unleashed, David Rosenfelt’s next Andy Carpenter mystery, is a thrilling read, full of Rosenfelt’s trademark clever plotting, humor, and engaging prose.

Without Warning / David Rosenfelt / 295 pgs

From Amazon: Years ago, Katie Sanford’s husband was convicted of the murder of Jenny Robbins, then died himself in prison. It’s a small town and memories are long, and Katie and Jenny’s husband, Chief of Police Jake Robbins, have had to work at putting the tragedy behind them. But it's all brought up again in the wake of a hurricane which has just wreaked havoc on their quiet Maine town. Since its founding, Wilton has had a quaint tradition of creating a time capsule every fifty years, and the storm unearthed the most recent capsule. As the editor of the local paper, Katie joins Chief Robbins to supervise its opening. Neither of them is prepared for the macabre set of predictions, dating back to months before Jenny’s murder, that they find inside. Someone predicted her death, as well as eleven other tragedies, which are still occurring even long after the death of Katie’s husband.

At last, after all these years, Katie has reason to hope that her husband might not have been guilty of Jenny’s murder after all. But as she and Jake race to stop the next predictions from coming true, they find themselves caught in a terrifying mind game with no rules…and life or death consequences.  This is one of Rosenfelt's stand alone books, filled with suspense and twists that will keep your attention from start to finish!

A Street cat named Bob [and how he saved my life] /James Bowen / 279 pgs

James is a street musician struggling to make ends meet.  He is a recovering Heroin addict and living day-to-day.  Bob is a stray cat looking for somewhere warm to sleep.  James finds him on a neighbors door mat, injured and hungry and decides to nurse Bob back to health.  He had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas.  Their journey started in London and ended up on youtube.  This is a feel good book at the end, but it had many trials along the way.  I learned about a way of life that was totally foreign to me.  Check out youtube and then check out the book.

Dogtripping: 25 rescues, 11 volunteers, and 3 RVs/ David Rosenfelt/ 278 pgs

I'm a fan of Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series.  When I read that he had written about the trip to relocate himself, his wife and 25 rescue dogs from California to Maine, I had to get the book.  It tells about many of his foundation's rescues over the years, the trials and triumphs that came with them and the decision to move the whole kit and caboodle across the country to Maine.  The trip was hilarious to everyone but Mr. Rosenfelt.  Just imagine getting 25 dogs into 3 RVs (along with 11 volunteers) to travel cross-country. The hurdles to jump include dealing with regular stops to put up a portable fence, walk and potty the dogs, clean up after them, take down the fence, load up everyone and continue until the next stop.  There are some "tissue moments" also.  I'm a sucker for an animal story and highly recommend this read for those of you that fall into that category.

The Friendship Pact by Tara Taylor Quinn 245pp

  Bailey and Kora grew up as best friends.  Bailey had the perfect family.  Kora grew up with a single mom fending off her boyfriend.  They promised to be there for each other no matter what.  Their promise to each other was "I'd give you a kidney."  Bailey met the man of her dreams.  Kora couldn't see herself as married but she wants a baby through IVF.  That desire sets off a chain of events that tests the foundation of their friendship.  

This would be a good book for Jodi Picoult fans -- lots of drama and plot twists.  The ending surprised me and left me wanting to talk to someone about it.  

Woman of Fortune by Kellie Coates Gilbert 336 pp

 Claire Massey is living the dream.  She's married to a successful Texas business man, her daughter is marrying an up and coming politician, her sons are also successful and her husband is still crazy about her. Then her husband is arrested for fraudulent cattle investment scheme. All but one friend disappears.  Her daughter's engagement is broken.  Her sons begin to distance themselves from the family.  When her husband, Tuck, is convicted for fraud, she must start a new life on her own with very little.  The obvious thing to do would be to divorce her husband - as her mother recommends - and make a new life with someone else taking care of her. That's how the book begins, Claire visiting her husband in prison asking for a divorce.  The book delves into what brought her to that point and what happens afterward.

Unlike many Christian fiction books, the characters are fallible and make mistakes as they are reacting to this life changing event. 

The book I read was an advance copy from Netgalley.  I hadn't read this author before but I will definitely be looking for the rest of this series.

Carnal Curiosity/Stuart Woods/309 pages

Stone Barrington meets a new woman on page 1 and is entertaining her in his bedroom by page 6. Nothing new there, but this time the woman turns out to be trouble. Stone finds a way to move on by page 80. Of course, the original woman and her ex-husband manage to continue to cause trouble which Stone, with Dino's  and Mike's help, handles without too much difficulty. A subplot involves Kate Lee and her campaign to become President of the United States, succeeding her husband.


I have no doubt that very soon--within two or three books, so by the end of the year for this author--Dino and Stone will be running the country behind the scenes.

Frozen/Erin Bowman/359 pgs.

This book picks up where the first in the series, Taken, left off. After having escaped Claysoot, and uncovering the truth about the Laicos Project, Gray Weathersby and his small group of rebels are determined to fight the Order. This is an action packed Dystopian novel with many "surprises" along the way. I would highly recommend this series to the fans of Divergent.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder,  Joanne Fluke, 433 pages

The first novel in the Hannah Swensen series introduces the reader to Hannah, her family, her friends, and the men in her life.  Hannah is ready for a days work at the Cookie Jar when she finds that Ron the dairy delivery man has been murdered just feet from her store.  Working with Bill, her brother-in-law, soon to be detective, Hannah questions the suspects after first plying them with her delectable cookies.  Will Hannah find a useful clue for Bill?  This was a fun novel to read.  Having already read the 'Christmas' stories in this series it was fun to see how everything got started.

In the Heart of the Canyon/Elisabeth Hyde/316 pages/2 December Challenges

Twelve guests and three guides head off a thirteen day rafting adventure through the Grand Canyon. It is J.T's, the head guide's, 125 trip, and he's looking forward more than usual to his landmark trip. The trip promises to change the lives of everyone on board.


This was my book club's selection for May, and I'm looking forward to the discussion. The characters and the setting were all interesting and informative. So informative that I am absolutely sure I'll never go on a rafting trip, especially not in the July heat! I was surprised at the people who changed the most during the course of the trip or who weren't as I expected them to be based on their initial descriptions.


Six geese a laying and seven swans a swimming.

May Challenge - READ GAIMAN!!

Neil Gaiman is a big supporter of libraries so lets read one
of his works!  enjoy!

ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH....... I totally forgot!!! Not only is reading books over 700 pgs ( in Regular Print) a wild card category in the State Challenge, but we also get points for reading books written by Neil Gaiman!!! So to encourage you all to take one for the team I will give you "5" points for every book you read that was written by Neil Gaiman!!  So that's "5" points for any book that you read in regular print that is 700 pages or more, and "5" points for Gaiman books!!

Check here for a list of books: http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/

The Hostage Prince / Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple / 232 pages

This is book one of the Seelie Wars and it's a great story.  Match up two unlikely characters, a midwife's apprentice who's a lot sharper than people think and a young prince with a high opinion of what nobility is and has been kept hostage in the Unseelie Court to prevent a war and you've got the makings of a fine story.  Add in a dash of a corrupt, conniving creature who is a courtier and the plot thickens.  There's humor, adventure, courage, trickery and more afoot in this book for middle grade readers.

Lost Lake / Sarah Addison Allen / 294 pages

Upfront disclaimer...I just love Sarah Addison Allen's books.  Mix up a little magic, good characters, and a fine story and you get blissful reading.  Addison who thankfully is recovering from breast cancer, gives us another great story...one you won't want to end.

The Mayan Secrets / Clive Cussler / 375 pages

You can always count on Cussler to give you a page turner with really bad, bad guys and brave and beautiful heroes.  This one features archaeologists Remi and Sam Fargo who are smart, good, brave and rich.  Cussler is also good at working in historical facts so readers find out a little bit about the Spanish occupation of Central America in the early 1500's and the role of the Catholic priests.  If you want some good page-turning fun, check this one out.

The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star / Susan Wittig Albert / 302 pages

The Darling Dahlias series is a charming cozy mystery that takes place in the South during the Depression.  As always the Dahlias get involved with a lot more than the garden club.  These stories have memorable characters.  The sharing of life in a small town during the Depression is insightful and heartwarming.  Fine reading if you want to feel good.  Plus there are recipes!  Ever heard of slow-cooked pulled pork with white sauce?

King and Maxwell / David Baldacci / 419 pages

Former secret service agents King and Maxwell have teamed up to be private investigators and investigate they do when they encounter a distraught teenage boy running along the road in the rain.  The characters of King and Maxell are intriguing.  The story is action-packed.  The bad guys are really bad.  This is a story of revenge, trust, and duty.  Great read.

The Supreme Macaroni Company / Adriana Trigiani / 331 pages

Oh that Adriana Trigiani....she sure knows how to write a good story.  This title is the conclusion to the story of the shoemaker, Valentine Roncalli.  If you like stories with memorable, likable characters, strong family interaction, and surviving life,  you will love The Supreme Macaroni Company. 

Stronger, Jeff Bauman, 244 pages,

Jeff Bauman was waiting for his girlfriend Erin to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon in 2013.  He stares at a young man and gets a bad feeling.  Moments later the man is gone, but his back pack is still there.  Before Jeff can react, his life is forever changed.  Jeff delivers a very upbeat account of his life after the Boston Marathon bombing.  This book was a fairly quick read from Jeff's point of view, without medical or forensic jargon.

Saga Vol. 3 / Brian K. Vaughn / 144 pgs.

I love this series!  The artwork is beautifully drawn by Fiona Staples, and the characters are varied with their own complete back story and motives. In this volume (#3), the protagonists Marko and Alana are still on the run and not sure where to go next.  Therefore, they decide to track down the author of the book that "changed their lives" and see if he has any more sage advise to direct them.  Unfortunately, the people chasing after them, an Army Commander, an Assassin, and Marko's ex-fiance, are right on their tails.

This series has images of graphic violence and sexual situations, so use caution when recommending.

The Expats / Chris Pavone / 327 pgs.

"An international spy thriller about a former CIA agent who moves with her family to Luxembourg where everything is suspicious and nothing is as it seems"----Provided by publisher."

The book was not that suspenseful and even a little thin, as most of the character's problems would be resolved if they would just confront and talk to each other.  The "should I say something or not?" inner dialog got a little tiresome after awhile.  If I wanted this kind of action I would read a paperback romance novel.    

What did draw me in, was following the main character's new life in Luxembourg.  Since she quit her high stress job with the CIA to be a homemaker in a new country, it was refreshing to read about her struggles and feelings of loss over her job and former self.

Crazy in Paradise, Deborah Brown, 302 pages

Madison's Aunt has passed away leaving her estate in the hands of a shady lawyer and her inherited  cottages managed by an even shadier character.  When Madison arrives at her Aunt's home, now her home, she meets Zach, on her patio, bleeding from a gunshot wound.  As the story develops we meet the interesting people that Zach calls his friends.  They work together to keep Madison safe from the people who are trying to take over her inheritance.  This is a fun suspense novel that ends on a serious note.  A few loose ends hint at more adventures to come.

Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry / Denise Swanson / 415 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

Skye Denison s a high school psychologist.  She just has to admit that she must stop trying to save everyone and admit that some people were beyond her power to help.  Why had she ever let Xenia Craughwell write for the school newspaper, The Scoop?  Xenia had been kicked out of several school and now an article she wrote has caused the school and the newspaper are about to be sued for libel.  Her mother has convinced her to enter a baking contest using one of her mother's original recipes.  She has already entered Skye's name and May's Chicken Supreme Casserole has made it to the finals.  May also entered Skye's brother and uncle in the competition, and they, too, advanced to finals of Grandma Sal's Cooking Challenge.  The contest is plagued by vandalism...and murder, and Skye investigates a kidnapping and a mysterious wealthy father of her current boyfriend.  The cover of this book is scrumptious; the title is cleverly apt; and the intrigue, suspense, and Skye's family, friends, and school connections make this one a recommended read..especially for chocoholics.

"If you're having trouble sleeping a night, don't count the sheep; talk to the shepherd"

"Scumble River has more dead zones than a Stephen King novel."

Birthright / Nora Roberts / 465 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

Callie Dunbrook is professionally pleased to participate in the dig in the small town of Woodboro.  A new community had been planned but the discovery of 5000 year old bones halts preparatory construction while the team investigates the find.  Personally, Callie is not so pleased.  She must once again work with her exasperating ex-husband, Jake, a noted anthropologist.  A woman shows up on site and claims that she is Callie's real mother; that Callie was, in fact, abducted when she was three months old.  Callie begins a heart-rending, soul-searching investigation into the truth of this allegation.  This thriller has well-developed characters, inspiring empathy and understanding, and a determination to discover the past.

Outcast Dead / Elly Griffiths / 374 pages / 6 Geese-a-Laying December Challenge/Rain Apri Challenge

Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist, uncovers the bones of a woman with a hook for a hand.  She is believed to be the notorious Jemma Green/ Mother Hook, who was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children.  While Ruth is immersed in the corpse's identification and possible innocence, and a TV series documenting Mother Hook's wickedness; the father of her daughter - Kate, DCI Nelson, is investigating a modern day mother whose three children have died under suspicious circumstances and a series of child abductions by The Childminder.  Judy's son, Michael, was one of the abducted.  This is most interesting book.  Set in England, it features vocabulary perhaps a tad unique to detective novels - pushchair, childminder, etc., and a few twists and turns and surprises that keep the reader fully engaged.

"Seattle has 150 days of rain a year - that's why they call it the Emerald City"..."Sounds like England."

Stone Cold / C. J. Box / 370 pages / 8 Maids-a-Milking December Challenge

Game warden Joe Pickett's friend Nate Romanoski has a mission.  He is to make the world a better place - by removing one Henry P. Scoggins III, the last direct heir of the Scoggins Pharmaceutical empire.  Unlike his forebears, her has used his fortune for his won corrupt financial gain and escaped a murder charge for which he was most assuredly guilty.  Nate's employer has instructed him to "Do some good."  Nate is determined to accomplish this at Scoggin's six million dollar log home on the Bighorn River in Montana.  Governor Rulon has requested that Joe Pickett visit this very ranch and act as eyes and ears for the FBI and Agent Coon, to determine if nefarious deeds are, in fact, afoot.  As always, C. J. Box has written a gripping edge-of-your-seat pageturner.  Can Nate possibly be the bad guy....?

The Chase / Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg / 303 pages / 11 Pipers Piping December Challenge

Nick Fox is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted criminals.  He was secretly sprung form jail by the FBI an is currently working for them gathering evidence on other criminals.  Special Agent Kate O'Hare is his handler and protector while at the same time she is officially leading the manhunt for him.  Only Jessup and Deputy Director Fletcher Bolton, who picked their targets and ran the secret slush fund that financed Nick's swindles, knew the truth.  If any of it ever became public, they would all end up in prison.  Nick and Kate's current assignment is to repossess a rooster sign of zodiac statue stolen from the Chinese Summer Palace and on exhibit in the Smithsonian - except the one on exhibit is a fake, but Nick knows he can find the real one.  Kate and Nick travel to Scotland and meet with Duff MacTaggert who informs them that Carter Grove, ex-presidential Chief of Staff, has the statue.  Grove built, and is now CEO of, Black Rhino, the elite, international army-for-hire.  This is an adventure packed read with an edgy romance, senior citizen ace combat soldiers, international intrigue, a savvy FBI agent, and playboy criminal turned FBI assistant.

The Accident / Chris Pavone / 385 pages / 2 Turtle Doves December Challenge

Wolfe Worldwide Media's implicit mission was to de-news the news, to legitimize sensationalism.  An anonymous author has written an expose called "The Accident" and has it delivered to Isabel Reed, a literary agent at a New York publishing firm, who in turn shares it with Jeff Fielder.  If "it's an accurate account of Charlie Wolfe's life and career, and the shocking activities of Wolfe Worldwide Media, and if i'st published, if it's brought to light in any way, it will bring down Charlie Wolfe and initiate a tremendous scandal implicating multiple American presidents and CIA directors, and create a crisis of confidence in one of the most visible media companies in the world..."  "So there are a lot of powerful people who would want to suppress it."  This is a tense, riveting thriller, causing loss of sleep, neglection of chores, and extreme empathy for characters caught in an untenable position.

"Discoverability is what keeps the book business alive."

"Perfection is always impermanent."

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day, 7/4/1826.

Remember When / Nora Roberts / 440 pages / 5 Gold Rings December Challenge

Laine Tavish (not her real name) owns an antique/collectible shop called Remember When.  She changed her name to escape her past and her father's reputation.  Her Uncle Willy shows up one day out of the blue after nearly twenty years and ends up dead on her doorstep.  Then her house is burglarized and vandalized.  It has to be connected.  How could it not be?  Max Cannon, an insurance investigator and ex cop, arrives in Angel's Gap on the trail of Big Jack O'Hara's latest and largest scam.  The attraction is immediate and mutual between Laine & Max, in a typical Nora Roberts way.  Max and Laine thwart the criminal who masterminded the diamond heist and murdered one of the four participants.  Fast forward fifty years and detective Eve Dallas is called upon to solve the murder of the housesitter for Laine & Max's granddaughter who has recently published a book about the heist and her grandmother's role in it.  Needless to say Dallas solves the crime and others with the help of hubby Roarke.  I have a bit of a problem with J. D. Robb books, set in 2056, but this was a captivating read.  I liked Part 1 better than Part 2, but on the whole this was a page-turner.

"Money talks but chocolate sings."

Dance Upon the Air / Nora Roberts / 386 pages / USA Today Bestseller/November Challenge

Nell faked her own death to escape her abusive, controlling, wealthy husband.  She has reestablished herself in a small town and immediately secures employment in Mia's coffee house.  She not only works there, but writes the menu and prepare all the delicious food.  Mia is a self-professed witch and believes that she, Nell and the sheriff's sister, Riley, are descendants of the original three sisters for whom the island is named.  Nell is coming into her powers.  Of course, since this is a Nora Roberts romance, we have Nell and sheriff Zach, mutually attracted to each other.  Part of a trilogy, although is not of her best works, it satisfies the itch for a simple, somewhat paranormal romance.

The Aviator's Wife/Melanie Benjamin/434 pgs./April Challenge

This fictionalized account of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life with Charles Lindbergh is fascinating. Anne is the narrator of the story, and as such, the reader sees Charles through her eyes. More importantly, the reader gets a glimpse into the difficulties and frustrations associated with being married to a "hero." In her author's note, Melanie Benjamin says, "As a historical novelist, the most gratifying thing I hear is the reader was inspired, after reading my work of fiction, to research these remarkable  people's lives further." I was inspired, and have read up on the Lindberghs, as a result of this novel. Highly recommended.

The Fault In Our Stars/John Green/318 pgs.

This book has been given so much hype, that I was expecting to be disappointed--that didn't happen. The story revolves around Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, both teenagers, and both living with cancer. In Hazel's case, the cancer is terminal, and the drugs and oxygen are buying her time. In Augustus's case, the cancer is, and has been, in remission about 14 months. They meet at a cancer support group, and the story takes off from there. The story is told in Hazel's voice, and is told in a very down to earth manner. The dialogue and emotions ring very true in the novel, and gives the reader a very realistic view of cancer patients. Highly recommended, and the movie is coming out this June.

Cover of Snow/Jenny Milchman/326 pages

When Nora Hamilton wakes up in her old farmhouse on a cold wintery morning, she knows something is wrong. Her husband isn't in bed, and there aren't any sounds of him getting ready for work as a police officer in the small Adirondack Mountain town. Her whole world is shattered when she finds his body. Brendan has committed suicide. There isn't a note, and she has no idea what could have driven him to do this. After the funeral, people seem to think she should move, especially Brendan's distant and cold mother. As she begins to ask questions about Brendan's childhood, she finds out about a secret he kept from her. As she digs deeper, she puts her life in danger.


Winner of the Mary Higgins Clark award at this year's Edgars, this debut novel is compelling and suspenseful. Some flowery descriptions here and there doesn't detract from a very good story. I'll  be looking for her next novel.

Cards That Pop Up, Flip & Slide / Michael Jacobs 95 p.

Cards That Pop Up, Flip & Slide / Michael Jacobs 95 p.

Handmade cards is taken to a new dimension by Michael Jacobs.  These one-of-a-kind cards have moving parts, from pop-up trees, swivel card, to flipping leaves.  Action cards are created for A-2 card or #10 business envelopes.  Patterns are included.

Alex: The Commandant Camille Verhoeven Trilogy / Pierre Lemaitre / 368 pgs.

The story starts out with a young woman named, Alex Prévost, who is kidnapped, savagely beaten, and thrown into a wooden cage.  Her abductor does not explain why she is there and only comes around to beat her and take pictures before returning her to the cage.  Worse, no one really knows who Alex is nor why she would be taken; which leaves the police with not much to go on when trying to find her.

Commandant Camille Verhoeven, reluctantly takes on the case and has to follow the tiny connections of Alex's past in order to find her.  Will Camille find Alex before she dies of thirst or eaten alive by rats?  And why is in this situation?

AND if this description has not scared you off already, trust me this story gets WORSE!  There are many passages that describe torture and abuse.  If you are okay with reading suspense or horror novels with graphic details then this book will not bother you.  For me it just makes me shake my head and wonder how did the author think up such things and hopefully these were not "real" things that have happened to people.

Read-a-likes:  Archie Sheridan series by Chelsea Cain,  Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler

Summer Knight / Jim Butcher / 371 p.

Wizard Harry Dresden seems to have made enemies of practically everyone.  Although he does have allies, many on the White Council want him dead.  The vampires are furious that he escaped them.  And on top of that his girlfriend, while not a full vampire, has been bitten.  As he feverishly researches to find a cure for Susan, the Summer and Winter fairies are preparing to go to war.  The Winter Queen enlists his help--an offer he cannot refuse.  It seems that Harry is the only one who can ferret out the villain behind the problems.  Failure would mean his death and disaster for the world.

Grave Peril / Jim Butcher / 454 p.

Ghosts are getting really, really mean in Chicago Land in this supernatural mystery.  Openly practicing Wizard, Harry Dresden, fights along side Michael--a Knight of the Cross--to find out what is behind the evil visitations and to save his police buddy, Karrin Murphy. Their search leads them into a trap devised by the local vampire court.  And to Harry's horror, his girlfriend Susan is entangled as well.

Fool Moon / Jim Butcher / 401 p.

This time Harry Dresden, the only practicing wizard in the Chicago phone book, is up against werewolves--and more. Harry works with police Detective Karrin Murphy to figure out who's behind some gruesome murders.  Once again, listening to the audio version narrated by James Marsters is a delight.

The Storied Life of A. J. Vikrey / Gabrielle Zevin / 260 p.

"Sometimes books don't find us until the right time." A.J. Fikry -- One of several lovely quotes in this sweet (mostly) novel about love, loss, hope and human connection. It is set in a bookstore so, not surprisingly, books and reading are integral to the story.  A. J. is still mourning the loss of his wife when the theft of an expensive book causes him even more upset.  But it is offset by an "addition" that brings A. J. back to living a full life.  It contains several plot elements that will be familiar to those who have read Silas Marner--but don't be put off by that. This books is much more enjoyable. It is one of those rare books that I carved out extra time to read and had it done in two days.

The Round House / Louise Erdrich / 321 p.

The thing that I valued most about this book is the insights into Native American culture and, incredibly, how they have continued to be devalued by our government. Joe, the 13 year-old boy telling the story, is a good choice as a narrator. While it is his mother who experience the horror of a near murderous attack, the affect on this boy is profound and life-changing. My biggest complaint with this novel is the lack of dialogue punctuation. I know that author's have their own reasoning behind th...moreIn 1988 a Native American woman is attacked on her reservation in North Dakota. The story is told in retrospect by her son, Joe, who is a 13 year-old boy. While it is his mother who experience the horror of the near murderous attack, the affect on this boy is profound and life-changing. And Joe is a good choice as the narrator as he struggles to figure out how to help his parents. The thing that I valued most about this book is the insights into Native American culture and, incredibly, how they have continued to be devalued by our government. This is made clear by the fact that justice may very well not be served--by law--because the suspected attacker is white. Joe is a good choice as the narrator as he struggles to figure out how to help his parents. My biggest complaint with this novel is the lack of dialogue punctuation. I know that author's have their own reasoning behind the omission, but I find it distracting when I have to figure out who is speaking or if they are even speaking out loud. But that's me.

Cowboy and the Princess / Lori Wilde 379 p. Lords A Leaping Challenge

Cowboy and the Princess / Lori Wilde 379 p.

Thumbing a ride in a driving rain storm, disguised Princess Annabella of Monesta gets a ride from Brady Talmadge, a Texan horse whisperer.  He came with 5 unbreakable rules, which he find himself breaking for her.  He's sexy and so far from her almost fiance, Prince of Dubinstein.  Annabella has never been left alone...she's looking for 6 weeks of freedom before a lifetime of marriage as a Princess.  She doesn't feel like a princess.  She longs for common experience, cotton candy at a fair, chili at Texas rest stop.   Her secrets threaten Brady--it's one of his 5 rules.  Of course they are drawn to each other...this is a contemporary romance, told with humor and a bit racy.

Plumed Bonnet / Mary Balogh 241 p. 5 Gold rings challenge

Alistair Munro, Duke of Bridgwater is bored when picks up a colorfully dressed woman walking alone along the road.  Her story is so predictable he knows it as she tells of being an impoverished governess who has just come into money and property and needs to make a good match pronto.  Her stories so entertain him that he carries her to her destination where he realizes that her story is true.  He does the honorable thing and offers marriage.  She accepts believing he is kindly gentleman.  Then her life is turned upside down where his mother teaches her to be his duchess--a total personality change for her.  She does everything properly, to be worthy of him.  He didn't want her to change but he failed to tell her.  Bridgwater knows of love that has thrived in arranged marriages.  He has hopes for his.  When he feels he must tell her his real reason for picking her up, she is taken aback, deeply hurt, and the marriage takes a new turn in this slow-paced, sensuous historical romance.

Famous Heroine / Mary Balogh 242 p. 5 gold rings challenge

Miss Cora Downes' soft heart leads her into dangerous situations before she can stop, think and plan - right into rescuing the Duchess of Bridgwater's grandson.  The Duchess of Bridgwater decides to sponsor her into the ton's high society where Cora is to find a husband.  As a merchant's daughter she is unknown to the ton.  To help her the Duke of Bridgwater asks his friend, Lord Francis Keller, to bring her into fashion.  The ton's ways are not hers and she finds herself compromised into marriage to Lord Francis Keller.  He is the only one whom she feels comfortable.  Is friendship enough?  This sensuous, humorous, slow-paced historical novel is rich with detail yet humorous.

Blue Smoke / Nora Roberts / 437 p 5 Gold Rings

Young Reena Hale chooses her career early on when her parent's Italian restaurant is hit by an arsonist.  From then on she focuses on fire.  She learns about it, understand it and lastly investigates it.   While she excels within the arson department, her love life is down the tubes.  When she gets close to a man, something happens.  Then she meets Bo Goodnight, her new next door neighbor.  As the attractions grow with Bo, a taunting voice calls about fires.  He swirls fires around her, dropping clues, keeping her on the hunt in this suspenseful page turner from Nora Roberts.

When You Were Older, Catherine Ryan Hyde, 416 pages

Russell had broken free of his early life in small town Kansas.  He lives in New York, works in the World Trade Center and hasn't been home for 6 years.  All that changes on September 11, 2001.  Running late for work, Russell stops to take the call will change everything.  Over the phone he hears of his Mother's death as he sees the second plane fly into the tower.  Russell must travel home the day following  9/11.  He must make arrangements for his Mom's funeral and take over the care of his mentally challenged older brother.  Back home in small town Kansas Russell reacquaints himself with his brother, finds a new friend, falls in love, and remains enemies with an neighbor.  I enjoyed watching Russell come to terms with all that has happened.  He struggles to do the 'right thing' for his brother and his new Egyptian friends.  The only drawback of the book is that it leaves the reader wanting to more about Russell and his improved future.  

Debut for a Spy, Harry Currie, 389 pages

This was a fun little spy story even if it was a little far fetched.  David Baird is a musician and former Canadian Military.  After being invited to perform at the Soviet Embassy in London, he is recruited to do a little passive spying for Britain.   Following the success of his performance at the embassy, his next job is to entertain on a Soviet charter cruise from Southampton to Odessa.  Between jobs he has a chance to see and fly a British Hawker VTOL prototype.  Along the way there are some KGB bad guys, common mob bad guys, a few mysterious deaths, a couple beautiful women and lots of adventure.

Shadow Spell/Nora Roberts/339 pgs./April challenge

This is the second book in the "Cousins O'Dwyer" trilogy.  Connor O'Dwyer, along with his sister, Branna, and cousin, Iona, is on a mission to destroy the evil witch, Cabhan. In the first book, Dark Witch, Branna, Connor, and Iona, along with Meara, Fin, and Boyle, the six wounded Cabhan, but were unable to completely destroy him. As with most Nora Roberts trilogies, there is a love story in play. In this case, it's between Connor and Meara. They have been friends for life, but come to realize there is more to their relationship than just friendship. Cabhan becomes aware of this, and tries to use it to destroy all of them. This trilogy is very similar to other Nora Roberts trilogies, but it's still entertaining.

The Red Road / Denise Mina, 294 p.

Set in Glasgow, Scotland, this new title from novelist Denise Mina interweaves the tales of Michael, Rose, Robert and DI Alex Morrow.  Part murder mystery, part psychological intrigue, the writing is taught and holds the reader at the right distance from the truth.  I love Mina's writing, and recommend her oeuvre (and this novel) to all who enjoy British, especially Scottish, contemporary fiction.

John Adams / David Mcullough 791 p. Big Book

Reading those few lines about a signer of the Declaration of Independence in a history book hardly tells anything of the debt Americans owe John Adams for what he did for the United States.  It was John Adams more that any one else who shaped the philosophical basis for the American Revolution.  His letters to his wife Abigail along with his diary provide the most complete account of the happenings at the Continental Congress.  History becomes real under David McCullough's telling of John Adam's life.  He gets into Adam's years at Harvard, his early public life, and his role in the Continental Congress.  McCullough makes it vivid when Adams proposed George Washington to be head of the army.  He gives full measure of the man, a man who served as a commissioner to France and envoy to the Court of St. James, Vice-president to Washington, and the second President of the United States.  McCullough carefully deconstructs the complex relationship between Adams and Jefferson.  Benjamin Rush orchestrated their reconnection after a 11 year silence.  That the entire country was of prime interest of Adams is of no doubt.  It was rivaled by his love of Abigail and his family.  This is also a love story; that between Abigail and John.  Abigail was his muse.  She wrote to him constantly during their long separations. Both Adams were great writers.  Here is what Abigail wrote to John,

“When a friend of Abigail and John Adams was killed at Bunker Hill, Abigail's response was to write a letter to her husband and include these words, 'My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.' ”

“She was particularly curious about the Virginians, wondering if, as slaveholders, they had the necessary commitment to the cause of freedom. "I have," she wrote, "sometimes been ready to think that the passions for liberty cannot be equally strong in the breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow creature of theirs." What she felt about those in Massachusetts who owned slaves, including her own father, she did not say, but she need not have--John knew her mind on the subject. Writing to him during the First Congress, she had been unmistakably clear: "I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in the province. It always seemed a most iniquitous scheme to me--[to] fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have.”  

And some of John's quotes,

"Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives."

“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know...do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.”  

“Every line from you exhilarates my spirits and gives me a glow of pleasure, but your kind congratulations are solid comfort to my heart. The little strength of mind and the considerable strenght of body that I once possessed appear to be all gone, but while I breathe I shall be your friend.”  

He was a great reader and had a library second only to Jefferson.  (Adams library was donated to the Boston Public library.  Jefferson's collection was sold to be a replacement for what became the Library of Congress.)

He served his state by writing the oldest functioning written constitution in the world...that for the state of Massachusetts.

His life was filled with purpose.

His final words illustrated the depth of his love for his country:

“Adams lay peacefully, his mind clear, by all signs. Then late in the afternoon, according to several who were present in the room, he stirred and whispered clearly enough to be understood, 'Thomas Jefferson survives.' "

It is memorial to note that both Adams and Jefferson died on the same day:  July 4, 1826.

With this work, Adams now takes his place as one of the great founding fathers.

The Big Book of Gross Stuff / Bart King / 284 pages

     Everything you wanted to know and maybe a whole lot that you didn't need to know about gross stuff is what this book is - just as advertised.  Farting - Poop - dead stuff - gross food that people actually eat and a whole lot more.  
     Did you know that Lord Nelson died at sea in 1805 and his body was put into a large keg of brandy to preserve him for the trip back to England.  By the time the ship reached England, the keg was nearly empty from sailors siphoning off the brandy.  yechhh!
     This is pretty much the theme of the book.  Which chapter or story will gross you out the most.  Actually, I could read a sequel.   the author also wrote The Big Book of Boy Stuff. which should have some fun stuff in it.