Light From Heaven

Father Timothy Kavanaugh has been asked to “come up higher” more than once. He did, after all, raise a thrown-away boy, adopt a dog the size of a Buick, and recite his wedding vows at the tender age of sixtysomething. But he’s never been asked to do the impossible.

While farm-sitting with Cynthia outside Mitford, the retired Episcopal priest is charged with the revival of Holy Trinity, a mountain church that’s been closed for forty years. His bishop’s further mandate: “Get it up and running, ASAP.” Fortunately, like Daniel, he’s been given an angel (albeit one with an unlikely talent for barbering).

Although this is a re-read, er, (re)listen. It's all like new... This is the first time since the original reading that I've spent with this title. I still feel much the same as I did the first time I read it. You can find it here. Because I listened to the audiobook version, I got a different perspective, you can say. I enjoyed the voice of the reader, John McDonough. He made it real, and I could see him as Father Tim.

Light From Heaven by Jan Karon (Re-read) Fiction; Published: Penguin (2005); Series: # 9, Mitford Years; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (10);

This Week In Books

Another busy week at the K household, but no complaints in my part. I rather be busy than bored out of my mind. While having my many "usual" chores to do, I was never away from a book or an audio book.

What's not to love about this series? Four amazing women that are the best in their fields, together they find individuals that guilty of hanous crimes.

There have been unexplained deaths at a private hospital. Patients receiving the wrong medication, and being found with bottons on their eyes. Also Lindsay is trying to figure who is killing call girls and leaving them in luxury cars.

The 5th Horseman by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro (4.5/5) Mystery; Published: Little, Brown & Company (February 2006); Series: # 5, The Women's Murder Club; Library Book

The third book of The Bottom Dollar Girls series. I listened to this book at home.

In this book, Mavis and her "so called best friend" Birdie are at odds because they are interested in the same beau. Mrs. Tobias has possibly found a new love but she's questioning their social differences. And Elizabeth after being a stay at home mom for ten months, she ready to go back to work but is her husband ready for the change yet? Attalee is planning her dream wedding the only way she knows how, big and bold...

This book really hit the spot. After listening to The 5th Horseman, I needed something lighter to listen to, and this book full of laughs and smiles and ol' fashioned friendship and that was what I needed.

Dollar Daze by Karin Gillespie (4/5) General Fiction; Published: Simon & Schuster (August 1, 2006); Series: # 3, The Bottom Dollar Girls; Library Book

What's a woman to do, when she finds her ex-husband, dead, in her kitchen? Should she call her almost married boyfriend? Or should call her best friend, a priest? And what about that mob boss that just doesn't leave her alone?

I read the first book of the series, Murder 101, last year. And I really enjoyed it. I love the main character, Alison, she's smart, quirky and for some reason has this ability to find dead bodies on her property. And the second didn't disappoint.

Extracurricular Activities by Maggie Barbieri (4.5/5) Mystery; Published: St. Martin's Minotaur (December 2007); Library book

The End of the Week: Three Books Down

Thanks to Audiobooks I was able to "read" three books in one week.

I can't remember the last time that happened. I listened to two audiobooks and finally finished reading the Elizabeth Peters book, The last Camel Died at Noon.

I tried reading this book last year, but because of a huge amount of holds that it had, I was unable to finish reading it before returning it to the library. So when I saw that they had an audio version of it I picked it up. So I've been listening to it while I've been working out. Wonderful experience. It's great to know that in the past week and a half I worked out for fifteen hours.

The book was faced paced, I found it very intense. At times it had me doubting the main character, maybe she really did lose her mind. It also had Nora Roberts trademark sizzle, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was awesome. And I really enjoyed the environment, the backdrop of mountains and lakes was very peaceful and serene. Which really highlighted the gruesome crime that was committed.

Angels Fall by Nora Roberts (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: 7/06; Audio Book; Library book

So while I was listening to Angels Fall during my workeouts, I was listening to 4th of July at home. You know during chores and knitting sessions. This one, was a re-read for me.

Since I've been enjoying watching the series on TV, I decided that I would re-read the series. And luckily my local library has all the books available on audiobook format.

4th of July by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro (4.5/5) Thriller/Suspense; Published: 2005; Series: #4, Women’s Murder Club; Audio Book; Library Book

I usually have no problem reading Elizabeth Peters, but for some reason, I struggled through the first half of this book. One of my resolutions this year, is not to give up and read the whole book. And I did just that. And I'm glad that I stuck it out. After a particular event (in the book) the storyline just picked up and flew by, it was amazing. Almost like the first half was written by one author the second half by another.

It this one the Peabody Emerson clan is back in Africa, but not in Egypt as normal but in the Sudan. An English gentleman has asked for Emerson's help in finding his uncle and aunt that disappeared in the area ten years before. You are introduced to another character, Kemit, who seems a little shady. And more towards the end you are also introduced to a charming young girl that has Ramses speechless.

The Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters (3/5) Historical Mystery; Published: 9/91, Warner Books; Series: # 6, Amelia Peabody Emerson; Library book

Pharaohs and Dallas

The beauty of audiobooks.... I get to "re-read" my favorites and still do all that other work that keeps on pilling up in the K household.



I really enjoy listening to audiobooks, it's a wonderful experience, I already have a few favorite readers, I love listening to Christina Morsi, Barbara Rosenblat, Cristine McMurdo-Wallis and Simon Prebble, just to name a few.