Wednesday A-Z

Wednesday A-Z is a meme hosted by Vicki at Reading at the Beach.

Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

This week begins with the letter H. Here is my book.

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:


Grace Bradley went to work at Riverton House as a servant when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they-and Grace-know the truth.

In 1999, when Grace is ninety-eight years old and living out her last days in a nursing home, she is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback, this is the story of Grace's youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant twenties, and the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.

The novel is full of secrets-some revealed, others hidden forever, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne Du Maurier. It is also a meditation on memory, the devastation of war, and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.

Originally published to critical acclaim in Australia, already sold in ten countries and a #1 bestseller in England, The House at Riverton is a vivid, page-turning novel of suspense and passion, with characters-and an ending-the reader won't soon forget.

(I read this book through a B&N First Look club and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently read and reviewed her second novel The Forgotten Garden. So far I have enjoyed reading this author's work. Have a great Wednesday.)

Review: An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell

An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell

Pub. Date: April 2010

Publisher: Unbridled Books

256pp

A paradox of sorts, An Unfinished Score tells the story of Suzanne Sullivan, a musician, a wife, and an adulteress. While preparing dinner for her husband and their extended family, Suzanne hears on the radio that her lover, Alex Elling, has died in the crash of a jetliner. Suzanne must mourn in secret while continuing her life as a concert violist and a wife. She continues to silently grieve through rehearsals, performances, and everyday life as the wife of a composer who distances himself from emotion, mother to her best friend, Petra’s daughter Adele, and counselor to Petra herself. After a series of mysterious phone calls Suzanne meets Olivia, Alex’s widow. Olivia compels Suzanne to finish a Viola Concerto that Alex was composing before his death. Struggling to complete the score of the concerto Suzanne relives memories of her separate life with Alex and the emotions that the concerto invokes.

Suzanne is the other woman, someone who we despise in theory, but cannot help but empathize with throughout this story. She is flawed and realistic. Olivia is the scorned wife, a woman whose pain we understand but whose actions create a conflict that seems cruel. Suzanne, Olivia, Ben, Petra, and Adele are subject to the errors of humanity. An Unfinished Score is perfectly orchestrated to bring about empathy and understanding in unexpected places. It is the story of life: love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. An Unfinished Score provides a plethora of discussion points and is meant to be shared. This is a great book for group discussion. I highly recommend An Unfinished Score.

(I have to tell you that I wanted to not like this book being married and all that. Despite my personal feelings about adultery I found that I could empathize with Suzanne. This one will be in my permanent library and reread in the future. Check it out! It just might surprise you.)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read.

"I walked the entire vineyard and then up to the main house thinking you might have gone there for some reason. Simon and Marco were sipping their nightly cocktails, and I guess they could see the worry on my face and asked if they could help me out."

Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott p. 144

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Last week I was reading....
1-An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell
2-Sixty Slices of Life...on Wry by Fred Flaxman

This week I am reading...

1. An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell

2. Sixty Slices of Life....On Wry by Fred Flaxman

3. Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott

Life happened and I did not get finished. I am also working on finishing The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver so that I can start Very Valentine by Andriana Trigiani

In My Mailbox

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! Check out her blog to see what others are reading.

I received the following books to review and am expecting a few more this week.

The Journal Keeper: A Memior by Phyllis Theroux
cover:
The Journal Keeper is a memoir of six years in writer Phyllis Theroux's life. A natural storyteller, she slips her arm companionably into yours like an old friend just going for a stroll. But Theroux's stride is long and her eyes sharp, and she swings easily between subjects that occupy us all: love, loneliness, growing old, financial worries, spiritual growth, and watching her remarkable mother prepare for death.

As Theroux invites us to walk along with her, the path brings friends, worries, and revelations. Her home opens to us as easily as to her countless friends and neighbors, and each turn of the page brings another impromtu "hello" that quickly becomes three hours of shared laughter. But despite the ease with which Theroux moves on to the thoughts of a nw day, the common thread is the joy she finds in quiet moments with pen and paper. It's a joy sometimes threatened by worries caused by a dwindling bank account or fears of the future, but ultimately reinvigorated by the thrill of new discoveries and pearls of old wisdom.

I also received....

The Longbridge Decision by Robert M. Brown, Jr.

cover:   The sudden, inexplicable death of a senior partner at Wall Street's oldest and most prestigious law firm sparks an improbable chain reaction that rapidly includes the framing of a murder suspect, a relentless national manhunt, a shocking attempt to gain control of the US Supreme Court and the uncovering of a covert labyrinth of deadly political decisions along the way.

Set against a fermenting background  of political and moral corruption that starts beneath the lone star of the Texas capitol building and stretches all the way to the office of the President of the United States itself, Robert M. Brown, Jr,'s frighteningly plausible, lightning-paced thriller reveals an alarming and chilling vision of a theocratic United States of America that is just one decision short of becoming reality. One disturbing question remains, however--whose decision will it be?

As you can see I received great variety this week. I also made a trip to the library and picked up the following:

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Synopsis (Barnes and Noble)

Meet the Roncalli and Angelini families, a vibrant cast of colorful characters who navigate tricky family dynamics with hilarity and brio, from magical Manhattan to the picturesque hills of bella Italia. Very Valentine is the first novel in a trilogy and is sure to be the new favorite of Trigiani's millions of fans around the world.

In this luscious, contemporary family saga, the Angelini Shoe Company, makers of exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, is one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village. The company is on the verge of financial collapse. It falls to thirty-three-year-old Valentine Roncalli, the talented and determined apprentice to her grandmother, the master artisan Teodora Angelini, to bring the family's old-world craftsmanship into the twenty-first century and save the company from ruin.

While juggling a budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother to learn new techniques and seek one-of-a-kind materials for building a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals. There, in Tuscany, Naples, and on the Isle of Capri, a family secret is revealed as Valentine discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life and the family business upside down in ways she never expected. Very Valentine is a sumptuous treat, a journey of dreams fulfilled, a celebration of love and loss filled with Trigiani's trademark heart and humor.


I got to this late this week. Please forgive me. Life got very busy suddenly and I couldn't get to the computer. I am also having trouble with the images today and will work on getting the problem fixed.

Wednesday A-Z

Wednesday A-Z is a meme hosted by Vicki at Reading at the Beach.

Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

This is my "G" book:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Synopsis:

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.

A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants - from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys - except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.

When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down - along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy - if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom - or with each other.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read.

"'I guess, if you mean that I think men and women are different, and that women are more nuanced and complex.' He combs his hair with his fingers, slightly clumsily, as though he has a new haircut and his fingers expect longer hair."

An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell p. 55

This book is due to be released on April 6, 2010

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Last Week I Read:
1-The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
2-The Poisonwood Bible-Barbara Kingsolver
3-Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle
 
This Week I Will be Reading:
1-An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell
2-Sixty Slices of Life...on Wry by Fred Flaxman
3- Just haven't decided on the cozy mystery book yet. I'll get back to you.

In My Mailbox

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! Check out her blog to see what others are reading.

I received the following books to review and am expecting a few more this week.

The Caliphate by Andre' Le Gallo

Cover Synopsis:

A radical Muslin group has dedicated itself to the restoration of the Caliphate, a global Muslim empire, and will stop at nothing, including assassination and terrorism, to reach its goal. Steve Church is just a US businessman in Paris. He never expected to be recruited by the CIA as an undercover operative. But now, with his life on the line and with a beautiful woman as part of his cover, Steve is on his way to North Africa--and the terrorists' Saharan headquarters--in a whirlwind adventure that will change the politics of the Middle East.

I picked up two new cozy mysteries this week to add to the collection for upcoming reviews.

Mum's the Word by Kate Collins

This is the first in a series by Kate Collins -A Flower Shop Mystery

Cover:

So maybe Abby's lfie isn't the bed of roses she was hoping it would be. She adores her job, but a new low-cost competitor is killing her profits--and a black SUV just rammed her vintage Corvette in a hit-and-run. Determined to track down the driver, she accepts the help of hunky ex-cop Marco Salvare. But their budding relationship is threatened when the trail turns deadly. Now Abby is caught in a tangle of menacing phone calls, police corruption, and murderous road rage. If she's not careful, the next flower arrangement might be for her own funeral.....

And:


On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

Also a first in a series by Cleo Coyle: A coffeehouse mystery

Cover:
With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are a few things she just can't get out of her mind...Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And...are all detectives this handsome?

Plan to go to the library tomorrow. Who knows what will catch my eye. Any suggestions?????

Cozy Mystery Saturday, Homicide in Hardcover

Sorry for posting this so late. I have been a little under the weather and took a couple of days to recover and get caught up on some of my reading. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Cozy Mystery Saturday is a meme hosted by BookMagic. If you love cozy mysteries check out her meme. She has some great suggestions to add to your TBR list.

                                                                Homicide in Hardcover

 Synopsis from cover:

Brooklyn Wainwright is a skilled surgeon. Sure, her patienst might smell like mold and have spines made of leather, but no ailing book is going to die on her watch. The same can't be said of Abraham Karastovsky, Brooklyn's friend and former employer.

On the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration, Brooklyn finds her mentor lying in a pool of his own blood. With his final breath, Abraham leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message. "Remember the devil," and smiles as she takes possession of his priceless--and supposedly cursed--copy of Goethe's Faust.

Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of murder and theft, thanks to Derek Stone, the humorless--and annoyingly attractive--British security officer who found her kneeling over the body. Now she has to make sense of the clues left behind by her mentor if she hopes to restore justice....

This is the first in a series by Kate Carlisle: A Bibliophile Mystery

my review:

This book has plenty of LOL humor and many interesting characters. Brooklyn's parents are former Dead Heads who moved to a commune where they raised their children. Brooklyn herself now resides in an interesting neighborhood in San Francisco. This provides some nice scenery as well as many quirky and fun characters. The plot has many red herrings leaving the ending somewhat of a surprise.

I enjoyed this book very much! I found it to be fun. I like the characters very much but then I like quirky. If you don't mind quirky, odd characters then you should have a good time with this story. I will be following up with more from this author and this series.

5 out of 5.

Wednesday A-Z

Wednesday A-Z is a meme hosted by Vicki at Reading at the Beach

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

This is my "F" book:

Feather Man by Rhyll McMaster

Synopsis from cover:

Set in Brisbane during the stultifying 1950s and moving to grubby London in the 1970s, Feather Man is about Sooky who, ignored and misunderstood by her parents, is encouraged to make herself scarce and visit Lionel, their elderly next door neighbor.
.......

Following Sooky from her neglected childhood to womanhood and her entry into the art world, the book combines comedy with emotional intensity.  When Sooky's attraction to Redmond leads her to London, her past follows her into the future with a deadly confrontation.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read.

She reached down for the can of Diet Pepsi on the floor, pretending like she hadn't heard. me. "He had no reason to kill that paper company man." The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron p. 192

A debut mystery by Paul Doiron which will be released in April, 2010. I am reading this for the First Look Group at Barnes and Noble. I have been trying to pace myself--which is hard. It is a good read so far.

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Last week I read.

1-The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

2-Airs Above Grounds by Mary Stewart

3-The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby

 

This week I am reading:

1-The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron

2-The Poisonwood Bible-Barbara Kingsolver

3-Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle

 

Coming Soon:

Sixty Slices of Life...on Wry by
Dancing with Jou Jou by
The Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell

The Cajun Book Lady: 250 Followers Giveaway! 3 Prize Packs!

The Cajun Book Lady: 250 Followers Giveaway! 3 Prize Packs!: "

"

In my Mailbox

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! Check out her blog to see what others are reading.

I received the following books to review and am expecting a few more this week.

Sixty Slices of Life....on Wry (The Private Life of a Public Broadcaster) by Fred Flaxman

This is a tongue in cheek memoir full of impractical advise such as what you can learn about life from your dog, how to cure the "teen disease", and a better way to make babies!

Sounds like it could be a fun read. I think we all need some humor every now and then.

and next:

Dancing with Jou Jou by Barbara Louise Leiding

Jacket description:
A roller coaster of a story that begins on a grand country estate. Animals are running freely on the grounds. So is Mason Figg, a con artist with a reputation among the neighborhood ladies for being a spectacular dancer. This talent alone charms his trusting girlfriend, Valentina, who comes to believe that she's as graceful as a swan.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Mason lies as naturally as he breathes. While Valentina slowly figures that out, she narrates a tale about being roped into swindling a pair of lottery winners out of a fortune. After a large, quacking duck spooks her during an attempted diamond heist, one calamity befalls another.

Finally, Valentina wises up--and flees. She's certain that Mason will return to his senses and follow her back home to the city. Then the two of them can lead a normal, happy, and crime-free life. It's a pity that Mason has a few plans of his own.

Swept into the madness is Jafford Ames, a famous tennis celebrity known for his quick wit and fine southern manners. Determined to figure out if Valentina is truly a thief, he offers her a lift, driving a beat up Volkswagen Beetle as camouflage. The paparazzi spot them. Pictures land in the media, causing speculation about the tennis star's latest fling.

Rumors are flying. A media circus sets up. Mason is fuming. So arse the lottery winners whose animals have been curiously let loose. Television cameras broadcast a stampede while reporters interview the neighborhood ladies, all of whom are wearing knock-offs of the elusive diamonds and confessing to being in love with the same man---the one who taught them how to, uh, dance.

This weeks mailbox was full of humor.

Book Magic: Cozy Mystery Saturday: Died in the Wool by Mary Kruger

Book Magic: Cozy Mystery Saturday: Died in the Wool by Mary Kruger

Cozy Mystery Saturday: The Merlot Murders

Cozy Mystery Saturday is a meme hosted by BookMagic. If you love cozy mysteries check out her meme. She has some great suggestions to add to your TBR list.

The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby

Lucie returns home from France, where she has been recovering from a disabling car accident, to attend her late father’s wake only to find the family winery in disaray. Her brother and sister have changed, her godfather is rumored to be losing it, and her former boyfriend has hooked up with her little sister. What is happening in this small Virginia town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains? Rumors and gossip fly around this small town seamlessly, except for the really important ones. Who was trying to secretly buy the winery and were they responsible for Leland’s death? Lucie must not only fight to keep the winery going but answer these questions before more mysterious accidents happen.

This cozy mystery is entertaining and filled with historical references to Thomas Jefferson and the American wine industry. If you enjoy a nice glass of wine and a good cozy mystery you might enjoy this series. The characters are not very likeable for the most part but they are interesting. Lucie is not as pleasant as most cozy mystery heroines but she grows on you. After all she is struggling to accept her disability from the car accident. I think that I like to a read a book ocassionally where the characters aren’t all sweet and fun. These characters are more complex and have definite issues. Like most of us they are slightly dysfunctional.

All of the questions are not answered in this first book of the series. I enjoyed the read and play on reading more from this series. If you are looking for light reading for entertainment this is a good place to start.

I give this a 3 out of 5. Again, a worthwhile read.

Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

A 4-year old girl arrives on the docks in Australia alone and unable to share her name with the dockmaster. Taking pity on the girl the dockmaster takes her home with him. Having experienced several miscarriages the couple raise the girl as their own. On Nell’s 21st birthday the truth sends her world spiraling. War and life interrupt her need for the truth about her heritage. It isn’t until 1975 that Nell truly embarks on a journey to find the truth. Coming close to the truth Nell is again forced to abandon her quest. Cassandra, Nell’s granddaughter, picks up the quest after Nell death.


By overlapping narratives, adding fairy tales, and including a red herring Morton has created a fascinating story that is hard to put down. The ending is a surprise.

The character in the story are likeable and the plot although not masterful is entertaining. The story lines can get a little confusing while jumping between several of the characters stories. However, I was thoroughly entertained and curious to see the characters find the answers for themselves. While this is not a masterpiece it is a good read. I recommend the book for pure delights sake. I plan on keeping this book on my shelf because I thought it was fun. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Having enjoyed both of her first books I will continue to read this author.

I would say 4 out of 5

Well, its Wednesday

While I have recovered from computer death with a new laptop I am struggling with where to begin syndrome. Stayed up last night finishing a review for cozy mystery Saturday that I missed this weekend with my computer issues. Today I just don't feel well.

Yesterday I received a new book to review. My reading stack is growing. So today I am going to take the afternoon off and just read, have some hot tea, and try to recover from the ickys. I will have a review up tomorrow for The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and will update on progress with Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible.

Have a great day! Hope you all are feeling well.

Tuesday Teaser, March 9, 2010

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read. This is my first teaser.

"Because the French know how to live." I chewed on a fresh peach from Hazel's orchard and closed my eyes. "I mean, in France everyone slows down to ... enjoy life. It's hard to explain. But taking time over a meal, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the food, choosing the wine....and then lingering to talk after it's finished." p132 The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby

This is a cozy mystery set on a Virginia Winery. I made it through the computer conversion finally! I thought there was no better way then to spend the down time catching up on a good mystery with a little merlot. Hope your weekend was great. The sun is finally out, the snow is melting, and spring is starting to show up. This is a good time to pull out the anti-gravity chairs, grab my book, and enjoy the change of the season.

Thursday into Friday

I have made some good progress on my booklist and caught up on some book club work and finally it is Friday. I am having some computer issues that should be fixed by Saturday, just in time for Cozy Mystery Saturday.

I have a question for you to consider in the meantime. What books move you? How is your progress this week? Are you getting through all of your mailbox and library loot?

Have fun! I'll be back as soon as the problem is solved (new computer?) . Should be Friday evening or Saturday morning. See you then.

My First Award!

s. meadows from the unread reader gave me this award.

The rules are:

•Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

•Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.

•Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.



As s. meadows says "I love to pay it forward!" Here are my picks!

bookmagic

Escape between the pages

cmashlovestoread

homegirlsbookblog

laughingstars

thebookiebunch

lostinbooks

litandlife

thestorysiren

mylifeinnotsomanywords

pudgypenguinperusals

readingwritingandretirement

scuffedslippersandwormybooks

pageafterpage

onepersonsjourneythrough

Check out these star blogs! Many of these are not new bloggers but they are fun to read and explore. Thank you to all of my new friends. I am a neophyte but hope to come up to your standards soon. Any recommendations or requests are welcome. Now that I have been up all night working on this slow computer I am going to rest. Will be adding a D book for the Wednesday A to Z later this morning/afternoon?

Teaser Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read. This is my first teaser.

"He reports to his family after a long day's work: these women don't wish to speak of the dead. They will not say their children's names."

 p296 The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

I am currently reading Airs Above The Ground for a mystery board at Barnes and Noble.

Also I plan to finish The Forgotten Garden this week and complete my review.

I am also reading an ARC from the First Look Club at Barnes and Noble. The Poacher's Son.

This weeks seems to be filled with mystery. What a fun time. Check back on Saturday for Cozy Mystery Saturday.