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Basket Case
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
Another fun outing from Hiaasen. The protagonist of this one is Jack Tagger who is stuck writing obituaries for a Florida daily newspaper after he insulted the owner of the paper. He longs to be back in the action writing more significant stories and when he gets assigned to write the obit for a former rock star, he may have what he has been looking for. Jimmy Stoma who once headed the band Jimmy and the Slut Puppies dies in a scuba "accident" but Tagger smells something fishy. Was it an accident or was he murdered? And if so, was his young widow behind it? The widow is an up and coming pop singer named Cleo Rio who has only one hit to her name but she is longing for more claiming that she and Jimmy were working together on a new album for her. But Jimmy's sister tends to disagree telling Jack that Cleo was not working with Jimmy. So what would her motivation be if she was responsible for Jimmy's death? And can Jack pull together a crime story that will give him a leg up in his newspaper career?
As usual I really enjoyed this novel from Hiaasen. This one focusses on the newspaper business but it was also filled with a lot of trivia related to music and personalities dating back to the 60s. I admit the novel did seem somewhat dated. It was originally published in 2002 at the time when most newspapers in print were on the edge of being overtaken by the internet. It was also before online music was the norm and when CDs were still the standard for music. But it was definitely an enjoyable trip through Hiaasen's Florida. Hiaasen actually wrote a song along with Warren Zevon called Basket Case which he attributes to Jimmy and the Slut Puppies. Good stuff! This is actually the last adult Hiaasen novel I had yet to read. But I am looking forward to his next one, Fever Beach which comes out next month (May 2025). Can't wait!
As usual I really enjoyed this novel from Hiaasen. This one focusses on the newspaper business but it was also filled with a lot of trivia related to music and personalities dating back to the 60s. I admit the novel did seem somewhat dated. It was originally published in 2002 at the time when most newspapers in print were on the edge of being overtaken by the internet. It was also before online music was the norm and when CDs were still the standard for music. But it was definitely an enjoyable trip through Hiaasen's Florida. Hiaasen actually wrote a song along with Warren Zevon called Basket Case which he attributes to Jimmy and the Slut Puppies. Good stuff! This is actually the last adult Hiaasen novel I had yet to read. But I am looking forward to his next one, Fever Beach which comes out next month (May 2025). Can't wait!
Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 1
Dollycas's Thoughts
Jessica was all set to escape the winter weather and head off on a Mystery Lovers Cruise, but as she stepped out her front door, she slipped on a patch of ice and went down hard. She had no broken bones, but sprained both her ankles, subluxated her patella, sprained her right wrist, and gave herself a mild concussion. Refusing to stay and rehab at the hospital, her friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt sets up a home health aide and a power wheelchair so she can recover at home. At home, where she notices a new neighbor right across the street. A new neighbor who appears to enjoy building snow sculptures â scandalous snow sculptures.
While the jury is still out as to whether the sculptures are art or just attention grabbing someone decides to take action on their own and destroys them under the cover of darkness. But the guy just builds a new one each day. Jessica has a bird's eye view out her window. At least until a wild blizzard strikes and she can't even see across the street. The next day, she sees a new sculpture has been built, but finds the âartistâ has met his demise â and left buried in the snow.
Can Jessica track down the killer watching out the window from her fancy wheelchair? Or will the killer crash through that window and put her in a deep freeze?
I especially enjoyed the theme, similar to the movie Rear Window. Jessica wasn't quite as confined as photographer L.B. âJeffâ Jefferies, because her curious nature and the view drive this story.
Jessica Fletcher is a determined woman. She is not happy at first about having a stranger in her house, but she quickly discovers her home health aide has the desire to become a writer, and they bond over that. I loved how Jessica's neighbors and friends dropped by with food, to visit, or just in time for dinner. Jessica does become quite comfortable tooling around in that wheelchair after her hilarious training session. I could relate and was laughing out loud because years ago I, too, had a motorized chair and just recently received a motorized scooter to get around to all my family events. The author described that way my initial training went to a tee. Jessica took herself out across the street a time or two to meet the neighbor and his visitors. She also called a taxi that could accommodate her chair and traveled to town and residents' homes searching for information. A few injuries were not going to keep Jessica Fletcher down.
The mystery was filled with twists and red herrings. It was a delight to follow along as Jessica strived to make sense of what she saw out her window and the clues she followed around Cabot Cove. I did tie one relationship together before our protagonist, but I didn't understand it fully until the end. There were some fishy things happening around Cabot Cove, and I enjoyed trying to solve them all.
The best thing about this series is that readers can pick up each book on its own. You can get to know the stellar recurring cast and the new characters in town for the story easily, then sit back and enjoy a classic cozy mystery unfold that will keep you on your toes. Jessica has been joined by several different co-authors, the latest being Barbara Early with Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder, but each author keeps the integrity the series started with. Sixty books in and it is still going strong. Book 61, Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston, written by Terrie Farley Moran, will be released on July 1.
Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder is a marvelous addition to this long-running series. Ms. Early does the characters justice and then some. I am so excited to see what she plans for Jessica and her friends next.
Jessica was all set to escape the winter weather and head off on a Mystery Lovers Cruise, but as she stepped out her front door, she slipped on a patch of ice and went down hard. She had no broken bones, but sprained both her ankles, subluxated her patella, sprained her right wrist, and gave herself a mild concussion. Refusing to stay and rehab at the hospital, her friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt sets up a home health aide and a power wheelchair so she can recover at home. At home, where she notices a new neighbor right across the street. A new neighbor who appears to enjoy building snow sculptures â scandalous snow sculptures.
While the jury is still out as to whether the sculptures are art or just attention grabbing someone decides to take action on their own and destroys them under the cover of darkness. But the guy just builds a new one each day. Jessica has a bird's eye view out her window. At least until a wild blizzard strikes and she can't even see across the street. The next day, she sees a new sculpture has been built, but finds the âartistâ has met his demise â and left buried in the snow.
Can Jessica track down the killer watching out the window from her fancy wheelchair? Or will the killer crash through that window and put her in a deep freeze?
I especially enjoyed the theme, similar to the movie Rear Window. Jessica wasn't quite as confined as photographer L.B. âJeffâ Jefferies, because her curious nature and the view drive this story.
Jessica Fletcher is a determined woman. She is not happy at first about having a stranger in her house, but she quickly discovers her home health aide has the desire to become a writer, and they bond over that. I loved how Jessica's neighbors and friends dropped by with food, to visit, or just in time for dinner. Jessica does become quite comfortable tooling around in that wheelchair after her hilarious training session. I could relate and was laughing out loud because years ago I, too, had a motorized chair and just recently received a motorized scooter to get around to all my family events. The author described that way my initial training went to a tee. Jessica took herself out across the street a time or two to meet the neighbor and his visitors. She also called a taxi that could accommodate her chair and traveled to town and residents' homes searching for information. A few injuries were not going to keep Jessica Fletcher down.
The mystery was filled with twists and red herrings. It was a delight to follow along as Jessica strived to make sense of what she saw out her window and the clues she followed around Cabot Cove. I did tie one relationship together before our protagonist, but I didn't understand it fully until the end. There were some fishy things happening around Cabot Cove, and I enjoyed trying to solve them all.
The best thing about this series is that readers can pick up each book on its own. You can get to know the stellar recurring cast and the new characters in town for the story easily, then sit back and enjoy a classic cozy mystery unfold that will keep you on your toes. Jessica has been joined by several different co-authors, the latest being Barbara Early with Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder, but each author keeps the integrity the series started with. Sixty books in and it is still going strong. Book 61, Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston, written by Terrie Farley Moran, will be released on July 1.
Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder is a marvelous addition to this long-running series. Ms. Early does the characters justice and then some. I am so excited to see what she plans for Jessica and her friends next.
One Sharp Stitch (A Nimble Needle Mystery)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 1
Dollycas's Thoughts
Shelby Phillips' life is in flux after her career and office romance implodes when the company is sold. So, returning to Gwen Lake to manage the family needlepoint shop while her parents take a long RV vacation around the U.S. could be a welcome distraction while she plans what path her life will take next.
When she learns a former classmate, Kat Katsaros, has a trunk show of her special needlework scissors scheduled at Nimble Needle, Shelby plans to make the event a rousing success. Kat has evolved since their school days, driven to be a success, and even has plans to take over the needlework shop when Shelby's parents decide to retire.
But then Kat fails to show up for her trunk show. Shelby goes to look for her, and she makes a horrific discovery. She finds Kat's dead body in her work van. The death is ruled an accident, but Shelby just isn't buying that theory. She may have had issues with the woman, but she does deserve justice. She decides to investigate the death herself with her own theory, and she has a lot of help â the Nibble Needle stichers, aka Not Your Average Grannies/NYAGS, her sister, a new friend, and an old friend she may want to really want to reconnect with.
Can Shelby, the Grannies, and her friends, old and new, prove that Kat was murdered and who cut the woman down in her prime? Or will the killer get away with murder?
In this first Nimble Needle Mystery we meet Shelby Phillips, her mom, Nina, who owns Nina's Nimble Needle, her dad, her sister Jessica, and her family, and the Grannies, Faye, Livvy, Tilly, and Dot. There are a lot of family dynamics in play. Shelby believes Jessica is the perfect child with the perfect life and she is the screw up. But all is not as blissful in Jessica's life as it appears. I enjoyed how this sister relationship changed and evolved throughout the course of the story. I loved their dad and his laid-back common-sense style. Their mother is high energy with many plans and an open heart. The NYAGs are unique and love doing needlepoint projects as well as catching up on the town's gossip, butting in where they may not be wanted, and trying to help Shelby in any way they can. Ms. Pleiter's characters are all well-crafted, leaving room for growth as the series continues.
The victim had quite a talent for design, knife sharpening, and making her share of enemies. There were more suspects than I first imagined. The author makes readers sharpen their sleuthing skills with some quick twists and red herrings. My personal list of suspects had them moving up and down with each turn. The actual âcrafty culpritâ did not move much until late in the story as clues started to fall into place. Our protagonist had to do some quick thinking when the killer transformed before her eyes.
As a former crafter, I love the needlepoint theme and would love to shop and hang out at Nina's Nimble Needle. Ms. Pleiter did an excellent job of describing it and Gwen Lake.
My dream is to travel around the United States in an RV with my husband and family, so I loved Shelby's parents' vacation. Someday I hope to hit the road just like them.
One Sharp Stitch has set this series off to a great start. Filled with engaging characters I want to get to know better, a fun theme, and a well-plotted mystery, this book kept me entertained from beginning to end. I am excited for the next Nimble Needle Mystery.
Shelby Phillips' life is in flux after her career and office romance implodes when the company is sold. So, returning to Gwen Lake to manage the family needlepoint shop while her parents take a long RV vacation around the U.S. could be a welcome distraction while she plans what path her life will take next.
When she learns a former classmate, Kat Katsaros, has a trunk show of her special needlework scissors scheduled at Nimble Needle, Shelby plans to make the event a rousing success. Kat has evolved since their school days, driven to be a success, and even has plans to take over the needlework shop when Shelby's parents decide to retire.
But then Kat fails to show up for her trunk show. Shelby goes to look for her, and she makes a horrific discovery. She finds Kat's dead body in her work van. The death is ruled an accident, but Shelby just isn't buying that theory. She may have had issues with the woman, but she does deserve justice. She decides to investigate the death herself with her own theory, and she has a lot of help â the Nibble Needle stichers, aka Not Your Average Grannies/NYAGS, her sister, a new friend, and an old friend she may want to really want to reconnect with.
Can Shelby, the Grannies, and her friends, old and new, prove that Kat was murdered and who cut the woman down in her prime? Or will the killer get away with murder?
In this first Nimble Needle Mystery we meet Shelby Phillips, her mom, Nina, who owns Nina's Nimble Needle, her dad, her sister Jessica, and her family, and the Grannies, Faye, Livvy, Tilly, and Dot. There are a lot of family dynamics in play. Shelby believes Jessica is the perfect child with the perfect life and she is the screw up. But all is not as blissful in Jessica's life as it appears. I enjoyed how this sister relationship changed and evolved throughout the course of the story. I loved their dad and his laid-back common-sense style. Their mother is high energy with many plans and an open heart. The NYAGs are unique and love doing needlepoint projects as well as catching up on the town's gossip, butting in where they may not be wanted, and trying to help Shelby in any way they can. Ms. Pleiter's characters are all well-crafted, leaving room for growth as the series continues.
The victim had quite a talent for design, knife sharpening, and making her share of enemies. There were more suspects than I first imagined. The author makes readers sharpen their sleuthing skills with some quick twists and red herrings. My personal list of suspects had them moving up and down with each turn. The actual âcrafty culpritâ did not move much until late in the story as clues started to fall into place. Our protagonist had to do some quick thinking when the killer transformed before her eyes.
As a former crafter, I love the needlepoint theme and would love to shop and hang out at Nina's Nimble Needle. Ms. Pleiter did an excellent job of describing it and Gwen Lake.
My dream is to travel around the United States in an RV with my husband and family, so I loved Shelby's parents' vacation. Someday I hope to hit the road just like them.
One Sharp Stitch has set this series off to a great start. Filled with engaging characters I want to get to know better, a fun theme, and a well-plotted mystery, this book kept me entertained from beginning to end. I am excited for the next Nimble Needle Mystery.
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
Author:
Genre: Science & Math
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Science & Math
Book Type: Hardcover
Marcia C. reviewed on + 698 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Melodramatic, sensationalistic, and way too personal for a science book. If there are new discoveries about plants, please simply tell me what they are and why scientists think this is so important. You don't need to tell me why you, the author, quit your job to write this book and what everyone was wearing when you went to visit some scientifically relevant spot.
Also, throughout the book she uses relentlessly anthropomorphic labeling, kind of like this: My calculator remembers; it's intelligent; so obviously it has consciousness - what else can it be?
Also, throughout the book she uses relentlessly anthropomorphic labeling, kind of like this: My calculator remembers; it's intelligent; so obviously it has consciousness - what else can it be?
Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Politics & Social Sciences
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 1
Recently, I have immersed myself in the history of Indian boarding schools fictionally, historically, and physically. I often pass the site of the Phoenix Indian School, and my visit to the internationally acclaimed Heard Museum included much time spent in the excellent (and sobering) exhibit Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories. That time brought to life many things I've read, including Mary Annette Pember's Medicine River.
Pember's exhaustive research began as a way to understand her mother's behavior as well as her grandmother's. Both women were sent to Indian boarding schools, and Mary's mother in particular was indelibly scarred from her experience.
Indian boarding schools were the U.S. government's attempt to assimilate all Native Americans-- to make them think and behave like whites. The boarding schools were rife with disease, and those in charge sent sick children back to the reservation to infect and kill many others. To add insult to injury, these children were forced into schools that Native Americans were forced to pay for. They literally funded their own abuse.
Pember shines light on so many topics. Legislation affecting Native Americans over the years. Famous Native Americans who were products of those boarding schools. Insights into her own Ojibwe culture. The homegrown historians (mostly women, both Indian and white) who are documenting and preserving America's Indian boarding school history. This book is a gold mine of illuminating facts that also helped the author shed light on her personal history.
One of the things I found most interesting was the study of epigenetics-- that humans can pass along more than DNA in our genes, that genes can also carry memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors. It's an interesting avenue of thought.
Medicine River is an important addition to Native American history. It is a history that we should all know more about.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Pember's exhaustive research began as a way to understand her mother's behavior as well as her grandmother's. Both women were sent to Indian boarding schools, and Mary's mother in particular was indelibly scarred from her experience.
Indian boarding schools were the U.S. government's attempt to assimilate all Native Americans-- to make them think and behave like whites. The boarding schools were rife with disease, and those in charge sent sick children back to the reservation to infect and kill many others. To add insult to injury, these children were forced into schools that Native Americans were forced to pay for. They literally funded their own abuse.
Pember shines light on so many topics. Legislation affecting Native Americans over the years. Famous Native Americans who were products of those boarding schools. Insights into her own Ojibwe culture. The homegrown historians (mostly women, both Indian and white) who are documenting and preserving America's Indian boarding school history. This book is a gold mine of illuminating facts that also helped the author shed light on her personal history.
One of the things I found most interesting was the study of epigenetics-- that humans can pass along more than DNA in our genes, that genes can also carry memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors. It's an interesting avenue of thought.
Medicine River is an important addition to Native American history. It is a history that we should all know more about.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
American Detox: The Myth of Wellness and How We Can Truly Heal
Author:
Genres: Health, Fitness & Dieting, Nonfiction
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Health, Fitness & Dieting, Nonfiction
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
This book in theory sounded like an interesting read. "Wellnes" isn't making us well; it's making us worse." A theory I heard before and one that was well explored in Medical Nemesis by Ivan Illich. An outdated book that is difficult academia read from the 1970. But well worth the exhausting effort. So I gave this book American Detox a try.
First thing I got is: Kelly tries to jump on the "wellness gravy train" by writing about how the wellness "movement" is misguided. Really? This book is just yet another "cash-in" on the wellness craze that people buy on impulse, because the title sounds wholesome. But it has nothing inside that is revolutionary, or even mildly interesting.
TRIGGER WARNING: It must be said but I find nothing new here, except a healthy dose of guilt. If you can afford such things. I cant, and wouldn't. Majority of the book is devoted to politicizing everything. And the need to feel bad about being born with white skin. If you are white it is your duty to hate your self. She calls it white supremacy. I refuse to hate me. My people are the SLAVS. The original word used for slaves comes from my people. We were enslaved by Norway/Sweeden Vikings, The Mongols/Muslims, colonized by The Russians, Ukraine has swallowed part of our land, The Germans Nazi have Occupied and massacred us. Now we are the butt of the EU and USA. We never held a colony anywhere but are told that we must accept MUSLIM refugees, that refuse to integrate, from Africa because of imperialism. And Im to hate my whiteness because I immigrated to USA where 1.6% of the population held slaves 400years a go. And not even all of the 1.6% were all whites either. Im not the exception, is the norm. USA is the land of immigrants. I refuse to be lectured to hate me.
Wellness isn't what is making us unwell. What is making us worse is sowing the seeds of hate. If I see a person in need I will offer help, what ever the persons color. Political or religion. Be kind to your neighbour as you are kind to your self. Hate only grows hate. This book is nothing but hate manifesto ummm a political statement masarading as wellness advice. If you lean far left you will probably disagree with me.
First thing I got is: Kelly tries to jump on the "wellness gravy train" by writing about how the wellness "movement" is misguided. Really? This book is just yet another "cash-in" on the wellness craze that people buy on impulse, because the title sounds wholesome. But it has nothing inside that is revolutionary, or even mildly interesting.
TRIGGER WARNING: It must be said but I find nothing new here, except a healthy dose of guilt. If you can afford such things. I cant, and wouldn't. Majority of the book is devoted to politicizing everything. And the need to feel bad about being born with white skin. If you are white it is your duty to hate your self. She calls it white supremacy. I refuse to hate me. My people are the SLAVS. The original word used for slaves comes from my people. We were enslaved by Norway/Sweeden Vikings, The Mongols/Muslims, colonized by The Russians, Ukraine has swallowed part of our land, The Germans Nazi have Occupied and massacred us. Now we are the butt of the EU and USA. We never held a colony anywhere but are told that we must accept MUSLIM refugees, that refuse to integrate, from Africa because of imperialism. And Im to hate my whiteness because I immigrated to USA where 1.6% of the population held slaves 400years a go. And not even all of the 1.6% were all whites either. Im not the exception, is the norm. USA is the land of immigrants. I refuse to be lectured to hate me.
Wellness isn't what is making us unwell. What is making us worse is sowing the seeds of hate. If I see a person in need I will offer help, what ever the persons color. Political or religion. Be kind to your neighbour as you are kind to your self. Hate only grows hate. This book is nothing but hate manifesto ummm a political statement masarading as wellness advice. If you lean far left you will probably disagree with me.
Helpful Score: 1
Boring. Inconclusive conclusion. Too much religious nonsense. Total waste of time reading it.
Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 1
Congratulations to Annie B. Jones for publishing her debut essay collection Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put. What a joy it must be to stock and sell it in her bookstore.
As a loyal listener to the author's From the Front Porch podcast and a faithful reader of The Bookshelf customer enewsletter, I was concerned I'd be already familiar with most of the essay topics. Thankfully that was not the case, and I really enjoyed these thoughts on family, friendship, marriage, faith, entrepreneurship, and of course, books.
I appreciate the candor of Annie's writing, sharing deeply personal topics with honesty and humor. I especially connected with her thoughts on faith and on having a brother as her only sibling. An overall theme is "Bloom where you're planted."
The title is very meaningful; I'm confident it comes from Annie's love for the liturgical church (a lifelong passion of mine). In the church year, "ordinary time" describes the long season between Pentecost (49 days after Easter) through Advent (four Sundays before December 25). This season contains no major festivals/holidays; rather, the church focuses on Jesus' adult life and ministry. It's viewed as a season of growth (represented by the color green) which makes it a powerful 'label' for these chapters in the author's life.
Thank you to HarperOne for the review copies of this interesting and insightful collection.
As a loyal listener to the author's From the Front Porch podcast and a faithful reader of The Bookshelf customer enewsletter, I was concerned I'd be already familiar with most of the essay topics. Thankfully that was not the case, and I really enjoyed these thoughts on family, friendship, marriage, faith, entrepreneurship, and of course, books.
I appreciate the candor of Annie's writing, sharing deeply personal topics with honesty and humor. I especially connected with her thoughts on faith and on having a brother as her only sibling. An overall theme is "Bloom where you're planted."
The title is very meaningful; I'm confident it comes from Annie's love for the liturgical church (a lifelong passion of mine). In the church year, "ordinary time" describes the long season between Pentecost (49 days after Easter) through Advent (four Sundays before December 25). This season contains no major festivals/holidays; rather, the church focuses on Jesus' adult life and ministry. It's viewed as a season of growth (represented by the color green) which makes it a powerful 'label' for these chapters in the author's life.
Thank you to HarperOne for the review copies of this interesting and insightful collection.
Helpful Score: 1
THE WALLFLOWER'S DANCE (Jen Geigle Johnson) -- 2 Stars
Lottie Hughes hopes to find a husband, but with no dowry, title, or communication skills, she's worried that no one will notice her. Suddenly, Lottie becomes an heiress, and everyone wants to meet her. The one constant in her life is her best friend, Denny, Lord Ragsdale. However, now a duke is in the picture, seriously wooing Lottie. Who will she choose? Who cares? I cannot believe anyone printed this feeble story.
LETTERS TO A WALLFLOWER (Heather B Moore) -- 5 Stars
Because Ellen is a Diamond of the First Water, she considers herself safe to marry nobility. However, her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to leave her frills behind and attend a ball, standing with the wallflowers. Ellen agrees. After Dinah and Ellen agree to the wager, Ellen wears one of Dinah's old dresses, and they set off. Ellen is hoping to get cuttings from her aunt's exceptional rose plants if she wins.
She meets a young man who was called back from the Navy when his older brother died, to take care of his mother. Ellen and Aaron Bolton share some likes and dislikes, standing amongst the wallflowers. What she doesn't know is that he is part of the aristocracy she doesn't care to join. He tells her that he would rather be in the country, not in London. Later, they strike a bargain: he will appear to be courting her (but will return to his estate), and Ellen can beg off of balls, claiming she is courting someone.
Do you think this will work? This one is a charmer. Ellen may be a Diamond of the First Water, but she doesn't take her beauty seriously. This story was delightful.
TO MARRY A WALLFLOWER (Anneka R Walker) -- 4 Stars
Mr. Winters, whom Lord Templeton knows, enters Whites in London and is distraught. A younger man is arguing with Mr. Winters, and Lord Templeton wants to know what is going on. After the young man is removed (for arguing and trying to start a fight), Mr. Winters explains that the interloper is causing trouble because his daughter, Charlotte Winters, has refused to marry the young man. Mr. Winters is beside himself because the interloper has threatened to ruin his daughter, Charlotte Winters' name.
Because of Mr. Winter's kindness at the time of Lord Templeton's father's death, he felt obliged to help him. Thus, he offered to marry Charlotte (sight unseen). Lord Templeton was in the market for marriage because he was very lonely. Now, Lord Templeton is confused; he knows nothing about Charlotte. He befriends Charlotte's cousin to learn more. However, he soon becomes interested in Charlotte's cousin. This confusion between the two muddled the story. However, all ended happily.
Lottie Hughes hopes to find a husband, but with no dowry, title, or communication skills, she's worried that no one will notice her. Suddenly, Lottie becomes an heiress, and everyone wants to meet her. The one constant in her life is her best friend, Denny, Lord Ragsdale. However, now a duke is in the picture, seriously wooing Lottie. Who will she choose? Who cares? I cannot believe anyone printed this feeble story.
LETTERS TO A WALLFLOWER (Heather B Moore) -- 5 Stars
Because Ellen is a Diamond of the First Water, she considers herself safe to marry nobility. However, her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to leave her frills behind and attend a ball, standing with the wallflowers. Ellen agrees. After Dinah and Ellen agree to the wager, Ellen wears one of Dinah's old dresses, and they set off. Ellen is hoping to get cuttings from her aunt's exceptional rose plants if she wins.
She meets a young man who was called back from the Navy when his older brother died, to take care of his mother. Ellen and Aaron Bolton share some likes and dislikes, standing amongst the wallflowers. What she doesn't know is that he is part of the aristocracy she doesn't care to join. He tells her that he would rather be in the country, not in London. Later, they strike a bargain: he will appear to be courting her (but will return to his estate), and Ellen can beg off of balls, claiming she is courting someone.
Do you think this will work? This one is a charmer. Ellen may be a Diamond of the First Water, but she doesn't take her beauty seriously. This story was delightful.
TO MARRY A WALLFLOWER (Anneka R Walker) -- 4 Stars
Mr. Winters, whom Lord Templeton knows, enters Whites in London and is distraught. A younger man is arguing with Mr. Winters, and Lord Templeton wants to know what is going on. After the young man is removed (for arguing and trying to start a fight), Mr. Winters explains that the interloper is causing trouble because his daughter, Charlotte Winters, has refused to marry the young man. Mr. Winters is beside himself because the interloper has threatened to ruin his daughter, Charlotte Winters' name.
Because of Mr. Winter's kindness at the time of Lord Templeton's father's death, he felt obliged to help him. Thus, he offered to marry Charlotte (sight unseen). Lord Templeton was in the market for marriage because he was very lonely. Now, Lord Templeton is confused; he knows nothing about Charlotte. He befriends Charlotte's cousin to learn more. However, he soon becomes interested in Charlotte's cousin. This confusion between the two muddled the story. However, all ended happily.
House of Bone and Rain
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 1
4.5 stars. This is an ultra-violent tale of revenge, but also friendship and love. It is filled with magic and the occasional paranormal creature. Would be 5 stars but I felt that the pacing in the middle lagged a bit.
Saturday Evening Post Reader of Western Stories
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
As with any anthology. some are so-so, many are good and some are very good. One of my favorites was the first story. So I was pleasantly surprised when that story's plot was used in a later story. Overall, it is pleasant reading for any fan of Westerns.
The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Crafts, Hobbies & Home
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History, Crafts, Hobbies & Home
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
This book was recommended to me by a book store owner in Colorado. The main character, Annie Libby, is so neat, a woman who headed across the country from Maine to California with her horse and her dog. The book provides information on Annie, horses, travel in 1955, automobile travel across the states, and state history. Wow! Â A great read.
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