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After the Armistice Ball by Catriona McPherson

 

Just finished this delightful mystery.  I really am surprised at how much I enjoyed it!  I am not usually a fan of the time period, the 1920s.  I don’t exactly know why, but I am assuming it was due to enforced readings of The Great Gatsby and The Fountainhead when I was younger, both books from that period.  I know I am in the minority, but I hated both of them.

Dandy Gilver is a great character, fun and interesting to read.   The dialogue and the characterizations seem very accurate for the time period.  Without checking the copyright date, you might think it was written in that time and I loved that about this book. The crime had plenty of twists and turns to make for a good mystery read.  Dandy stumbles her way through the mystery.  She is not an intellectual sleuth in the likes of Holmes, rather she relies on intuition, character judgement, and help from various sources.  The mystery is solved in the end, however there is a little minor cliffhanger that may or may not be resolved in later books.

I will read more in the series and am curious to see if Dandy’s husband, Hugh, becomes more of an important character or not.  Highly recommended!

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Start of Bloggiesta

My first time participating in Bloggiesta found here.  Looks like a great idea….so my goals for this three days.

  • Clean up pages (change goals page)
  • Check all links.
  • Clean up tags
  • Visit blogs and comment 🙂
  • Check in with twitter for #Bloggiesta
  • Visit my Goodreads page and do some fall clean up there as well (library shelves, TBR list)
  • Visit my FIctFact account and catch it up with my series reads.
  • Set up a calendar and/or goals for posting and meme participation.

I think that is enough for one weekend

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

“Uncommonly pretty frock, that,” said Hugh entering….Hugh would never dream that I had done any more than put on a frock in the time he had spent bathing and shaving, and I mused, not for the first time, that if men believed a frock could do what had happened to me from the neck up in the last half hour, their world must seem a magical place indeed.

from After the Armistice Ball by Catriona McPherson

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Arsenic and Old Cake by Jacklyn Brady

  This is the third book in the A Piece of Cake Mystery series.  I have to say it was not my favorite.   I really enjoyed the first two and while the character Rita Lucero remains true to form, I found that some of the plot elements seemed forced.  Rita goes “undercover” with Gabriel to do a little investigatory favor for a friend.  During the course of the investigation a murder occurs and things take off from there.  We meet another whole cast of characters, residents of a B & B that Rita and Gabriel stay at for the investigation.

There is also a plot line about  problems on the bakery front, this involves the other recurring characters, Miss Frankie, Ox and Edie.  Given the economy currently, the problems the luxury bakery are experiencing are very realistic and made  the book feel very current.   I just found Rita’s involvement in the mystery this time really far fetched and I also wasn’t thrilled that we seem to be heading to another love triangle.

I have enjoyed the series so far and so I will read the next book when it comes out.  I really like the character of Rita and the setting of the New Orleans bakery.

 

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Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick

I read this for my One Drink Minimum Book Club.  I would not have picked this on my own to read but I am so glad that I did.  North Korea is in the news a great deal, but I will admit to being pretty ignorant about it other than in broad generalities.  Barbara Demick painstakingly reveals the horrors of life in North Korea through interviews with people who escaped to the south.  The book is extremely well written and detailed in descriptions.  I will say that it is not a light or uplifting read.  At points, it is unbelievably depressing.  Reading about what the escapees and indeed most citizens of North Korea endure makes it hard to believe that it is real.  You almost get the sense you are reading some dystopian novel.  The casual treatment of family members dying of starvation and illness, a kindergarten class whittling down from 50 to 15 due to starvation and disease, and a mother saying at one point “everyone who was going to die already had” and then you remind yourself this is real, happening now, in your lifetime and that  realization is like a slap in the face.

Highly recommended for readers of non-fiction, people interested in events occurring in Korea, and even people who read dystopian literature.

 

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Deb Baker Books; Cooking & Evernote; SOA & Broadchurch; Dewey’s Readathon

    

Finally have a moment to breathe…I came back from vacation and then got immediately into getting ready to go back to school.  I moved schools so I had tons of unpacking to do and then setting up new classroom.  My room is in pretty good shape so I just wanted to stop in and talk briefly about two books I read on my kindle.

These books are both by Deb Baker, but they are two different cozy mystery series.  Both of them are cute, quick, cozy mysteries with interesting characters.  Out of the two of them I will say that I enjoyed Murder Passed the Buck more.  The protagonist is a feisty grandma named Gertie Johnson, who eagerly pursues her criminal investigation activities to the dismay of her son. The book has moments of laugh out loud humor.   The second book, Dolled Up for Murder, is also well written.  It is a cozy with a theme involving doll collecting and restoration.  The protagonist, Gretchen Birch, is younger than Gertie Johnson and as such is a more physically active sleuth.   Dolled Up For Murder is less humorous and slightly darker than Murder Passed the Buck.

In other book news, I signed up again for Dewey’s Readathon coming up in October.  I am sooooo excited. I really had fun with the last one and found lots of great book blogs and books.  I highly recommend joining in if you can!

In cooking news, I’ve been culling my cookbook collection and have found Evernote an invaluable tool.  I had lots of books and back issues of Woman and Home, BBC Good Food, and Olive, so I was able to scan in recipes I used from them and then get rid of the original sources.  I also am able to clip from my favorite recipe websites:  BBC Good Food, Woman and Home, and Delia Online and make them Evernote pages in my recipes notebook.  Even better I can share it  with the rest of my family.

In TV news, Sons of Anarchy will soon be on again!  I am also really into Broadchurch on BBC America. Not much else, I am doing in terms of TV viewing.

Finally, in movies – I have a guilty pleasure :

I really want to go see this, but I have to convince my daughter to come with me.

 

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Back from Traveling

Finally home again after an exhausting, storm ridden drive from Savannah, Georgia home to New Jersey. Savannah was beautiful, really nice walking city. Stopped in a Shoney’s in Dillon, South Carolina to wait out some of the worst of the storm.  Really nice staff there and great coffee!

Anyway back to books – I took my Kindle and one paperback on  my trip.  Didn’t squeeze in too much reading but I did read:

Laced with Poison by Meg London

Cute, fun cozy mystery. Loved the lingerie theme.  Better plot than the first book in the series.  I am enjoying the development of the characters and their relationships. 4 out of 5 stars

Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw

I will say I am not usually big on the abducted child mysteries but I like the character of Sloan Monroe and have read one other book in this series.  Well written mystery with good character development makes for an enjoyable read.  New possible romantic interest for Sloane is introduced in this book.  3 out of 5 stars

A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Another entry in the Myrtle Clover mystery series.  Very light fun cozy mystery reading.  Perfect travel read.  This is the fourth book in the series but only the second that I have read.  I got it for my Kindle and read it out of order.  I love the quirky protagonist, who is the bane of her son’s existence.  I really enjoy this type of sleuth.  The sidekick in the form of neighbor, Miles, who seems equally appalled as excited by Myrtle’s investigative antics is perfect. 3.5 out of 5 stars

Stirred with Love by Marcie Steele

This was a free download for my Kindle.  It is a romance/chick lit type story.  Although I am all for light reads at times, especially when traveling or just looking to unwind, this was a little too light.  Perhaps I am not the intended target market for this book, but I found it overly simplistic and quick. 2 out of 5 stars

Her Dear and Loving Husband by Meredity Allard

This was a free Kindle paranormal romance download.  Deals with witches, Salem, reincarnation, and vampires, but I just found it lacking.  Not really any tension building and it seems like it should have been that type of romance.  I didn’t really connect to the characters.  Two out of five stars.

Tell No Lies by Julie Compton

Yet another free kindle download.  This one is a legal/thriller/mystery one and is actually quite good.   An interesting twist in the end.  The character of Jack is well developed and the story is well written.  The relationships between the characters are realistic.  I will read another one, if this is a series.  3.5 out of 5 stars.

Hide and Snoop by Sue Ann Jaffarian

The 7th outing in the Odelia Grey series.  I really enjoy this series and Odelia as a sleuth.  Although this was not my favorite in the series, it was still well written and enjoyable.  I would recommend reading this series in order to make sense of the character development over time.  4 out of 5 stars.

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Away For a Few Days

Traveling and exhausted so not much reading going on 🙂  So far, have seen beautiful Knoxville, Tennessee. Great city, loved Market Square and the World’s Fair Park.  Now at Hattiesburg, dropping daughter off at University.  Heading off to New Orleans next, then home.

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Killer in Crinolines by Duffy Brown

This is the second book in the Consignment Shop Mystery series by Duffy Brown.  I am really enjoying this series so far.  I love the sleuth Reagan Summerside and her sidekick/aunt KiKi.  This is a mystery with a lot of humor.  Aunt Kiki quotes Cher when confronted with a variety of circumstances.  Reagan comes up against Walker Boone, her ex-husband’s divorce attorney throughout her attempts to clear the name of her friend Chantilly, who has been accused of murder.  The romantic tension between Boone and Reagan is very well done.  The mystery takes you all around Savannah, Georgia visiting eateries and colorful characters, including a baker who bakes “interesting” cookies, an alligator, and a gangster named Pillsbury.  The only criticism I would have is that the dialog involving the gang members doesn’t feel realistic, but that was a minor flaw in an otherwise enjoyable, fun  mystery.

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A to Z Bookish Survey

This is a meme hosted by Perpetualpageturner found here.  I thought it looked fun and wanted to participate.  Here are my entries:

Author you’ve read the most books from:

M.C. Beaton aka Marion Chesney must be it for most books from a single author.

 

Best Sequel Ever:

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Currently Reading:

Killer in Crinoline by Duffy Brown

 

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea – I have blend I make from Teavana:  2 ounces Dragonwell Green & 2 ounces Monkey Picked Oolong & 4 ounces of English Breakfast.  Love it.  I also drink lots of Williamson Teas – their English Breakfast & their Afternoon teas are both excellent!

E-reader or Physical Book?

I borrow a lot from the library so I will have to say Physical book.  I do have a Kindle and a Nook that I like for travel.

 

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Sorry – high school is just a dim blur in the recesses of my mind.  Today I would date Hamish Macbeth in a heartbeat!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

Hidden Gem Book:

True Grit by Charles Portis…. A western, who knew?

 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering the on-line community of book bloggers/readers.  I don’t know many readers in real life; it is awesome to connect with others who love to read.

 

Just Finished:

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M.C. Beaton

 

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I am not really into Urban Fantasy or most YA (not really my demographic for more years than I have fingers and toes)

 

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – I think or maybe it was Under the Dome by Stephen King

 

Major book hangover because of:

Probably one of Rowan Coleman’s books or Elizabeth Buchan

Number of Bookcases You Own:

5 – 2 are tall and 3 are short + piles in my bedroom

 

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

 

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed! (a close second is the recliner in my living room)

 

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” 
― Julia Child

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.” 
— A.A. Milne

Reading Regret:

I regret not marrying someone who loved to read or at least valued the written word!

 

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters – She died at age 85 just this week.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Watership Down

Wind in the Willows

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Ben H. Winters

 

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Book 3 in The Last Policeman series by Ben H. Winters

 

Worst Bookish Habit:

Over “booking” myself – buying too many, checking too many out of the library at once

 

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Laced with Poison by Meg London

 

Your latest book purchase:

Sue Ann Jaffarian’s  Hide and Snoop

 

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Blackhouse by Peter May