1982

In 1982 the Commodore 64 computer was introduced, Ronald Reagan survived being shot, the Falkland War started and ended, Michael Jackson released, Thriller, Canada repatriated its Constitution, and the first compact disc was sold in Germany. And that’s not all. In 1982 I blossomed from a naive fourteen-year-old trying to fit in with the cool kids to something much more: a naive eyeliner-wearing, fifteen-year-old trying to fit in with the cool kids. So writes Jian Ghomeshi in this, his first book, 1982. It is a memoir told across intertwined stories of the songs and musical moments that changed his life. Obsessed with David Bowie ("I wanted to be Bowie,” he recalls), the adolescent Ghomeshi embarks on a Nick Hornbyesque journey to make music the centre of his life. Acceptance meant being cool, and being cool meant being Bowie. And being Bowie meant pointy black boots, eyeliner, and hair gel. Add to that the essential all-black wardrobe and you have two very confused Iranian parents, busy themselves with gaining acceptance in Canada against the backdrop of the revolution in Iran. It is a bittersweet, heartfelt book that recalls awkward moments such as Ghomeshi’s performance as the “Ivory” in a school production of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s Ebony and Ivory; a stakeout where Rush was rehearsing for its world tour; and a memorable day at the Police picnic of 1982. Music is the jumping-off place for Ghomeshi to discuss young love, young heartache, conformity, and the nature of cool. At the same time, 1982 is an entertaining cultural history of a crazy era of glam, glitter, and gender-bending fads and fashions. And it is definitely the first rock memoir by a Persian-Canadian new waver.

I started reading this book a little over a week ago, but with Christmas and this sinus cold I can't seem to shake, I haven't had much time to finish reading it, well, until today. 

I'm an 80's kid.  I remember the fashion, the television and the music.  Some things were great, music and movies (some) but the fashion...let's forget about that please.  Reading Jian Ghomeshi's memoir brought back a few memories.  Although I'm a tad younger than the author, I can relate.  In 1982, I was 9, my family had just moved to a different country, I was learning a different language and trying to fit in with the other kids.  I felt like an outsider but the one thing that was universal was music.  Duran Duran, ruled the radio waves, with some Talk Talk and let's not forget U2, Madonna and Michael Jackson. We could probably all agree that the best thing that came out of that decade was the music.  

I don't like rating memoirs because how can you really give someone's memories a rate out of five, let's just say that I had a blast (of the past) reading Jian Ghomeshi's 1982.

1982 by Jian Ghomeshi () Memoir; Published: Viking (2012); New Release; New Author; Canadian Author; Library; Books 2012 (58); 

Indian Horse

Saul Indian Horse is dying. Tucked away in a hospice high above the clash and clang of a big city, he embarks on a marvellous journey of imagination back through the life he led as a northern Ojibway, with all its sorrows and joys. With compassion and insight, author Richard Wagamese traces through his fictional characters the decline of a culture and a cultural way. For Saul, taken forcibly from the land and his family when he's sent to residential school, salvation comes for a while through his incredible gifts as a hockey player. But in the harsh realities of 1960s Canada, he battles obdurate racism and the spirit-destroying effects of cultural alienation and displacement. Indian Horse unfolds against the bleak loveliness of northern Ontario, all rock, marsh, bog and cedar. Wagamese writes with a spare beauty, penetrating the heart of a remarkable Ojibway man.

I love this book! Like the blurb says it deals with the harsh realities of the 1960s Canada, the racism, cultural alienation.  What we learn in school does not cover this, yes we knew they took children from their parents. Tried to take their beliefs from them, tried to take their spirit, and in many cases their innocence and our schools don't teach us this.  This book gave me some insight, on how bad it really was.  I know alot of people don't want to talk about this, many deem this to be still very sensitive, but it needs to be done.  It was wrong, very wrong.  I want to thank Mr Wagamese for letting me experience it with his beautiful words.

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese (5/5) Fiction; Published: Douglas & McIntyre (2012); New Author; New Release; Favorite Read 2012; Canada Reads; Canada Reads 2013; Library; Books 2012 (57);

A Killer Read

No one thought much of the stranger who stopped by the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers meeting.  But when he's killed just moments later, Lizzie Turner finds herself in the midst of a dangerous murder mystery...
Reading specialist and mystery book lover Lizzie Turner was excited for the first meeting of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society hosted in Molly Mathews's old Southern mansion.  But she didn't expect the gathering to become the scene of an actual murder.  A stranger has been shot -- and nobody knows who the victim is, or how Molly's antique gun came to be used as the murder weapon.
As the plot becomes all too real, the police chief -- Lizzie's former high school crush -- steps in to investigate. Then Lizzie begins finding mysterious manuscripts chapters in her mailbox, and Molly surfaces as the next name on the killer's list...

I'm on a roll...another mystery and another first book of a series, Ashton Corners Book Club  mystery series, by Erika Chase.

I enjoyed the premise of the story, a mystery book club investigating their own case, or least what they thought as their own. And that escalates to something more. Plus you add several interesting characters, the possibility of one or two romances, a hunky Chief of police, a puppy and two cats, I'm in heaven.  Ok, not quite, but it was a good read.  I'm looking forward to read the next book in the series.

A Killer Read by Erika Chase (3/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (3/2012); Series: # 1, Ashton Corners Book Club; New Author; New Release; Library; Books 2012 (55);

A Spoonful of Murder

Winter is big business in small-town Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the ski slopes--and what could be more satisfying after a chilly day of carving powder than a steaming bowl of soup? 
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's? 
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. And Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist--and landed her chef in the soup...

I'm on a roll... Another mystery, another first book of a cosy series and another pretty decent read.  A great way to spend a weekend, I say.

Lucky comes back to her hometown to run her parents business after their sudden death.  I have a soft spot for this type of character, I love the way they feel somewhat guilty that they didn't spend enough time with their loved ones while alive that they need to move back home and take over the family business.  Yes, I'm a sap.... Ok, I'm not too bad.  I loved the way she took care of her grandfather, she was concerned about the possibility that he has Alzheimer's. Plus taking care of a business, an old crush and her chef being accused of murder, she has a lot on her plate. But she manages to do everything including solve a murder and free Sage, said chef.  I guess that's the beauty of these small cosy mysteries, fast paced and super characters, I just wished there was a little more humor. Not the slap stick type, just the humorous characters that lighten-up the story.  There were a couple moments but I wanted a little bit more.

A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer (3/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (8/2012); Series: # 1, Soup Lover's Mystery; New Author; New Release; Library; Books 2012 (54);

Shoe Done It

Rita Jewel has a dream job selling fabulous clothes and accessories to the socialites of San Francisco at Dolce's Boutique.  But when a pair of heels becomes a clue in a murder, Rita finds herself engaged in a high-end crime of fashion...
Society maven MarySue Jensen has old San Francisco money and an eye for style.  That's why she must have those handmade silver stilettos special ordered from Dulce's by their top fashionista, Rita Jewel.  She'd die before she wore anything less at the biggest charity event of the season.  That same night, MarySue Jensen's cold, lifeless body is found in Golden Gate Park...tragically barefoot.
What kind of remorseless, fashion-conscious maniac would swipe a pair of handcrafted stilettos from a corpse?  With her boss a prime suspect, Rita Jewel -- and unnervingly sexy detective Jack Wall -- must track down a killer.  But before Rita engages in such a dangerous game, she has one nagging question...What does one wear to solve a crime?

Another good mystery for me.  

I loved that this story is set in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities.  I'm not a huge fashion follower, I'm what people call comfortable. I love my jeans and tees!  But I enjoyed how these characters are fashionista willing to do and get everything they think is fashion.  The main character, Rita, I'm not sure about just yet,   I'll have to read more of the series.  The mystery itself had me guessing, one chapter was one person, next chapter was someone different and I was completely surprised on who it was.

Shoe Done It by Grace Carroll (3/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (10/2011); Series: # 1, An Accessories Mystery; New Author; Library; Books 2012 (53)  

Pies and Prejudice

The First Slice is Magic....
When the going gets tough, Ella Mae LeFaye bakes pie.  So when she catches her husband cheating in New York, she heads back home to Havenwood, Georgia, where she can drown her sorrows in fresh fruit filling and flaky crust.  But her pies aren't just delicious, they're also having magical effects on the people who eat them -- and the public is hungry for more.
The Second is Murder...
Having discovered her hidden talent for enchantment, Ella Mae makes her own wish come true by opening The Charmed Pie Shoppe.  But with her old nemesis Loralyn Gaynor making trouble, and her old crush Hugh Dylan making nice, she has more than pie on her plate.  And when Loralyn's fiance is found dead -- killed with Ella Mae's rolling pin -- it'll take all her sweet magic to clear her name.

I'm in a mystery type of mood.  I want them short, and sweet, and if there's a little spice added to it, even better.  

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams, was just that.  It was a fast paced story, the characters were super interesting (especially the LaFaye sister's - Ella's aunts and mother), the mystery itself was well written. And it did have a little added spice. There's a slim possibility that Ella and Hugh may have a future, but I would like to see Ella resolve her marriage and trust issues first.  I would loved to see Loralyn get more of a punishment for the way she treated Ella, but I'm hoping that the author will do so in upcoming books.

Can't wait for more!  I may just try out a pie recipe too...

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery James (3.5/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (7/2012); Series: # 1, Charmed Pie Shoppe; New Author; New Release; Library; Books 2012 (52);

The School of Essential Ingredients

Once a month on Monday night, eight students gather in Lillian's restaurant for a cooking class.  Among them is Claire, a young woman coming to terms with her new identity as a mother; Tom, a lawyer whose life has been overturned by loss; Antonia, an Italian kitchen designer adapting to life in America; and Carl and Helen a long-married couple whose union contains surprises the rest of the class would never suspect.The students have come to learn the art behind Lillian's soulful dishes, but it soon becomes clear that each seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen.  One by one they are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of what they create, including a white-on-white cake that prompts wistful reflections on the sweet fragility of love, and a garlic and red sauce that seems to spark one romance but end another.  Over time, the paths of the students mingle and intertwine, and the essence of Lillian's cooking expands beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of their lives, with results that are often unexpected, and always delicious.

What a wonderful little gem of a book!  I loved almost everything about the book.  My only complaint was that the it was too short.  At the end of the book, I was upset that there wasn't more.  How dare the author leave me hanging?  All kidding aside, it was one of those books that nurtures your soul. Loved it! Loved it!

I enjoyed the way that each character had their own chapters, which gave their individual story without making it seem overly done. I also enjoyed that each character had their own emotional breakthrough recipe.  And each of those "recipes" made the ending where they're all intertwined more special and believable. Where it also made me want more.  I didn't want those stories to end.  It felt like they were just beginning.

If you haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for...You won't regret it! 

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (5/5) General Fiction; Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons (2009); New Author; Favorite Read 2012; Library; Books 2012 (51);

The Dark Queen

From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen. She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts. Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Do you have an author that you've heard amazing things about but never got around to reading him or her? Well, Susan Carroll, is that author.  And what you may ask made me break down and finally read her.  Easy answer, sheer boredom.  Yep, that's right, boredom.  I haven't read a really good historical series in ages, and I'm a sucker for historical series.  I find only one book is too little, I want more...

Anyway, back to the book.  The Dark Queen is the first book of The Dark Queen series.  It's the love story between Ariane and Renard, set during 1572, a very dark time, not only for the so called heretics but also the citizens of France because of Catherine di Medici. Although I realize that the book is a work of fiction, I enjoyed that the author maintained a certain historical significance, but she also took some liberties, and that did not bother me at all.  I was more interested on what was going on with Ariane, Renard and her sisters.

Ariane takes her role as the Lady of Faire Isle seriously, she wants to protect her sisters, her island and her customs.  Renard wants to protect Ariane from the outside world, but she does not want his help, she's strong and independent and does not need help.  And here is where the magic ring comes in.  I really love the way the story revolves around the ring, ok, maybe revolves is too strong of a word, but it has a very strong presence within the story.  I love the mystical aspects of it.  Plus, you add disturbed witch-hunters and the book was in full form.  I absolutely loved this book.

I cannot wait to get the second book of the series, The Courtesan.

The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Ballantine Books (3/2005); Series: # 1, The Dark Queen; New Author; Library; Books 2012 (44);

The Violets of March

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

After the last book, I was a bit hesitant about trying something new...but I was pleasantly surprised about this one. I loved everything about it.  Both the contemporary setting and the post WWII story in the book.  I loved Emily her need to find the truth about the red velvet diary, was it truth or fiction. Emily also needed the time to heel her heart and put her life back together.  I was taken by the beauty of Bainbridge Island, and the way Emily loved it. I loved Aunt Bee, she was an amazing woman.  I wish I had an aunt Bee!

My only complaint was that the story ended to soon.  I wanted more.  It felt like it didn't have the closure that it should have had.

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio (4.5/5) General Fiction; Published: Plume (2012); New Author; Library; Books 2012 (43);

How to Eat a Cupcake

Funny, free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated, ambitious Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clair’s housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia’s San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls who know nothing of class differences and scholarships could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship. A decade later, Annie is now a talented, if underpaid, pastry chef who bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother’s death. Julia, a successful businesswoman, is tormented by a painful secret that could jeopardize her engagement to the man she loves. When a chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, they must overcome past hurts and a mysterious saboteur or risk losing their fledgling business and any chance of healing their fractured friendship.

Meg Donohue's How to Eat a Cupcake is story about friendship.  Annie and Julia were as close as sisters, but once they hit theirs teens that bond of friendship started to tarnish. Annie, years later still feels the sting of betrayal but she's willing to give it a try when Julia wants to open a cupcakery together. Slowly those wounds begin to open again, but this time around both Annie and Julia are prepared to listen to each other.  


How to Eat a Cupcake is one of those books that I couldn't put down.  I started reading this book Tuesday evening and I finished it last night. I probably would have read it through the night on Tuesday, but real life had a issue with that. And it was also one of those that ended and I was wondering what happened next, in a good way.  I wanted more.  


I loved everything about it.  The setting, San Francisco, one of my favorite cities.  The characters were great, Annie and Julia were absolutely wonderful, their problems were so ingrained in their relationship that the time they spent together started to peel those problems away.  Their feelings were real to me. And all those little twists and turns that the author added was the icing on the cupcake.


How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue (4.5/5) General Fiction; Published: William Morrow (2012); Debut Novel; New Author; New Release; Library; Books 2012 (38)

One Night in London

A bargain that was all business...and pure passion.
Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London's top solicitor for that.  But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case...if only she can melt the dashing lord's stony heart.
Edward has reason to be guarded, though.  London's tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family.  When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership...and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow.  But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both...and leave their love hanging in the balance.

Here is another author whose books I've seen around quite bit but never got a chance to read them.  I found this one while browsing through the romance section at my local library, which is not very big but it does have a good selection of titles.  I was also pleased to see that it is the first of a series.  I dislike reading a series out of order.


The Duke of Durham has died.  He has left his three sons, Charlie, Edward and Gerard a mess to clean up.  There is a slight possibility that his sons were illegitimate...he was briefly married when he was young, there wasn't an annulment or a divorce. And for the last while he was being blackmailed.  Each of the brothers dealt with this information differently, Edward hires the best lawyer to get at the bottom of this ordeal, Gerard sets off to look for blackmailer and Charlie doesn't really care all that much.  This  is when Lady Francesca Gordon enters, she is furious that Edward has "stolen" her lawyer and demands that  he help her find her missing niece.


I found the premise of the story to be entertaining, three siblings trying to safe their "family", Francesca's desperate need to find her niece believing that she was in danger, Edward discovering that he was more passionate than he thought, but... Yes, but.  I couldn't not warm myself to either Francesca or Edward.  Ok, maybe not Edward, I found him endearing but Francesca was another story, I'm not sure what precisely caused my dislike but it was there and I think it may have clouded my judgement on the overall book.


One Night in London by Caroline Linden (2.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon Books (9/2011); New Author; Series: # 1, The Truth About the Duke; Library; Books 2012 (30);

Love Me to Death

Six years ago, Lucy Kincaid was attacked and nearly killed by an online predator. She survived. Her attacker did not. Now Lucy’s goal is to join the FBI and fight cyber-crime, but in the meantime, she’s volunteering with a victim’s rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law. But when the predators she hunts start turning up as murder victims, the FBI takes a whole new interest in Lucy. 
With her future and possibly even her freedom suddenly in jeopardy, Lucy discovers she’s a pawn in someone’s twisted plot to mete out vigilante justice. She joins forces with security expert and daredevil Sean Rogan, and together they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C. But someone else is shadowing them: A merciless stalker has his savage eye on Lucy. The only way for her to escape his brutality may be another fight to the death.

I came across this book while I was browsing ebooks on OverDrive, ebook library provided through my local library.  I have heard of the author, but I never got around to reading her books.  Love Me To Death went straight into my virtual basket. I'm a sucker for romantic suspense and it's been a while since I read a really good.


I was hooked instantly!  I did not want to put this book down,  which I had to, it's been a very busy few days, but whenever I could out came my ipad and I went back to reading it.  The suspense/mystery had me second guessing almost all the characters, which was a bit hard to do because of a lot of them were very likable and I didn't want to be disappointed.  The main character, Lucy, is a survivor and she wants to help put away these dangerous individuals.  Soon she's the one who is being targeted and she doesn't know who to trust.  All the twists and turns are so well written that certain scenes left me feeling a tad dirty and icky.  But not all the book was dark, there were a few sweet moments which were needed and the author provided them well.  The developing relationship between Lucy and Sean was the icing on the cake.


I truly enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Allison Brennan. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book of this series, Kiss Me, Kill Me, I've already placed a hold on it.


Love Me To Death by Allison Brennan (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Ballantine Books (12/2010); New Author; Series: # 1, Lucy Kincaid; Format: ebook; Mystery Suspense Reading Challenge 2012 (6); Library; Books 2012 (29);

Dancing on Broken Glass

Lucy Houston and Mickey Chandler probably shouldn’t have fallen in love, let alone gotten married. They’re both plagued with faulty genes—he has bipolar disorder, and she has a ravaging family history of breast cancer. But when their paths cross on the night of Lucy’s twenty-first birthday, sparks fly, and there’s no denying their chemistry. Cautious every step of the way, they are determined to make their relationship work—and they put it all in writing. Mickey promises to take his medication. Lucy promises not to blame him for what is beyond his control. He promises honesty. She promises patience. Like any marriage, they have good days and bad days—and some very bad days. In dealing with their unique challenges, they make the heartbreaking decision not to have children. But when Lucy shows up for a routine physical just shy of their eleventh anniversary, she gets an impossible surprise that changes everything. Everything. Suddenly, all their rules are thrown out the window, and the two of them must redefine what love really is.

Every now and then I come upon a book that really hits home.  This book did it for me, I come from a family that has lost many our female relatives to breast cancer, aunts, cousins, my mother had a run in with it a few years ago and it now is cancer free. I'm one of those people that have to have a mammogram every two years, not only for my piece of mind but also my family's. The fear is always in the back of my mind, I have two children and I plan to be around for a very long time, but the fear is there.


Lucy is no stranger to death, not only has she faced it with her bout of cancer, but she also lost her mother to cancer when she was 17 and her father when she was only 5 years old. Mickey suffers from bipolar disorder, he controls his meds but he has his good and bad days.  Before Lucy and Mickey get married they decide that they don't want to pass their ailments to their children so they decide not to have them.  They are definitely surprised when Lucy discovers that she's pregnant.


I was an emotional mess reading this book.  The book made me smile, laugh, and it made me cry.  I'm not talking about the occasional tear running down my face. Nope. It was the down right  ugly gut wrenching crying.  I felt it, I felt the happiness, the love, the confusion, the anger, the disappointment and the loss so vividly. 


I absolutely loved this book.  I read the book through the library, but I will definitely be buying my own copy.  


I highly recommend this book!


Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock (5/5) General Fiction; Published: Gallery Books (3/2012); New Author; New Release; Favorite Read 2012; Library; Books 2012 (28);  

The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek

When the newly minted minister Adam Joseph Jordan comes to guide the flock of Butternut Creek Christian Church, Miss Birdie and her friend Mercedes take it upon themselves to educate him on how things should be done. They also decide he needs a wife, and soon. As Adam deftly dodges the Widows matchmaking, they turn their attention to another new bachelor in town.

Having lost his leg in the war in Afghanistan, veteran marine Sam Peterson has come to live in his late aunt's house. Dealing with post-traumatic stress and depression, Sam wants to be left alone. But the community of Butternut Creek doesn't know how to do that. Between the matchmaking of the Widows, the eager young minister, and the two red-headed sons of his beautiful physical therapist, Willow, playing in his yard, Sam is soon drawn out of his self-induced solitude. Though he falls for Willow, she's unlike any other woman he's pursued. Sam doesn't know where his life is headed, and Willow is afraid to commit herself and two sons to another man after being betrayed by her first husband. The Widows will have to put all their energy and scheming into bringing this couple together.

I love novels set in small towns! I know I sound like a broken record, I'm sure I've mentioned a few times (or more...).  This small town it right up my alley, interesting (and entertaining) characters: meddling old  women, a lonely war vet, a couple of single moms, a young minister just to name a few.


The meddling old women, or the Widows, as they liked to be called, are the welcoming committee,  the matchmakers, the all around organizers for all those little extras around town.  Adam and Sam are their projects, they know that what they need is the love a good woman.  Adam isn't quite ready for a relationship.  Sam on the other hand, is attracted to his physical therapist and he's slowly falling in love with her and her two sons.


It was a quick read.  I enjoyed it, I did find that there's was way too much going on, but it was easy enough to follow.  The book reminded me of Jan Karon's  Mitford series. A good and entertaining read.


The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine (3.5/5) General Fiction; Published: Hachette Book Group (4/2012); New Author; New Release; Library; Books 2012 (27); 

Tempest in the Tea Leaves

In the fortune telling business there are a lot of pretenders, but Sunshine Meadows is the real deal—and her predictions can be lethally accurate... 
Sunny is a big city psychic who moves to the quaint town of Divinity, NY to open her fortune telling business in an ancient Victorian house, inheriting the strange cat residing within. Sunny gives her first reading to the frazzled town librarian and discovers the woman is going to die. When the woman flees in terror, Sunny calls the police, only she’s too late. The ruggedly handsome, hard-nosed detective is a “non-believer.” He finds the librarian dead, and Sunny becomes his number one suspect, forcing her to prove her innocence before the real killer can put an end to the psychic’s future.

Sunny, finally moves out of her parents home to a small town in New York state.  She buys a old Victorian home where she plans to live and open her business.  She's a fortune teller who specializes in tea leaf readings.  The old house comes with a mysterious cat and some say the odd ghost or two. During her first reading she "sees" the woman dead and warns her to be careful, she also calls the police to warn them of the possible crime. That's when Detective Mitch Stone comes in.  He's a no nonsense, by the book type and he thinks that Sunny is loopy. And definitely a person of interest.


I know that I've mentioned on how much I love books set in small towns because of the close knit community feel.  But this one, it just had way too much going on. I think the author might have jumped the gun on introducing so many characters in the first book.  It was hard to follow who was who, and whom they were connected to and how they were related in the story.  Obviously there were the comic relief characters, that made me smile, but it still felt very over crowded.  That being said, I did enjoy the story.  The premise of a fortune teller mystery series sounds fun and add the hunky non-believer detective and you have a possible love story within the series is a added bonus.  The who done it part was a surprise which I did not see coming, but it tied in nicely.  


Tempest in the Tea Leaves  by Kari Lee Townsend (3/5) Paranormal Mystery; Published: Berkley (8/2011); New Author; Series: # 1, Fortune Teller Mystery; Mystery Suspense Challenge 2012 (4); Library; Books 2012 (24)

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all ... including a serious girlfriend. 


But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.




I've been meaning to read this book for a very long time.  I first heard of it over at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader, and Marg does not steer me wrong.  I took it out of the library last summer but never got around to reading it, so I returned it unread. Well, the book caught my attention once again, and this time I was going to go through with it.


I'm not really sure what is happening to me, but lately I've been reading really good books.  You know type.  Those books that you get hooked right at the beginning. Anna and the French Kiss is one of those deliciously addicting books.  I didn't want to put it down.  It was hard to do it too, considering it's March break, but the book was easy enough to carry around with me, so I could sneak a peak every once in a while.


Anna is the daughter of a world famous author, he decides it's time for her to experience some culture, and what wouldn't be better than to sending her to Paris for her senior year of high school.  Anna doesn't think so, she doesn't know the language, she doesn't want to leave her friends and her family and that cute guy that works with her is finally noticing her.   She makes friends quickly enough, the language itself is taking more time than she thought.  She's discovering the city, its history, and experiencing all that the city has to offer, especially the number of theaters that Paris has.


I loved this book.  I think that the author has the teenage feelings and attitude down pat. 


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (4.5/5)  Young Adult Fiction; Published: Speak (2010); New Author; Library; Books 2012 (14);

Secondhand Spirits

Lily Ivory is not your average witch. Her spell-casting powers tend to draw mischievous spirits while keeping normal humans at a distance. But now her vintage clothing store could give her a chance to make friends in San Francisco....

Lily hopes for a normal life when she opens Aunt Cora's Closet. With her magical knack for vintage fashion -she can sense vibrations of the past from clothing and jewelry—her store becomes a big hit.

But when a client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area, Lily may be the only one who can unravel the crime. She tries to keep her identity a secret while investigating, but it's not easy—especially under the spells of sexy "mythbuster" Max Carmichael and powerful witch Aidan Rhodes. Will Lily's witchy ways be forced out of the closet?

I'm a sucker for a cosy mystery.  Doesn't really matter if it's a contemporary, a historical, paranormal or themed...I'm the girl to read it.  If I haven't read it yet, I'll  be getting my hands on it sooner or later.  While I was browsing the mystery stacks at the library I found this book along with the 2nd and 3rd book of this series, and they all came home with me.


Lily Ivory is a very talented witch, but she's always been a loner, she doesn't trust easily but she's willing to give a helping hand. She's finally found a place that she can live without feeling watched upon or considered as a freak. She's slowly making friends and building a successful business and then walks in trouble, in the form of a powerful male witch.  She know owns a pot bellied pig, Oscar, who is her familiar.  Soon she's trying to defeat the powerful La Llorona (sp?), a spirit that steals children souls.

I inhaled this book.   It was fast paced, funny and very entertaining.  Not only is the main character interesting the rest of the ensemble are equally engaging.  I really enjoyed reading about the cleansing and ritual spells, mainly because I don't know much of it.  Very fascinating.


Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (4.5/5) Paranormal Mystery; Published: Signet (7/2009); New Author; Series: # 1, Witchcraft Mystery; Library; Books 2012 (13) ;

It Takes a Witch

Darcy Merriweather and her sister, Harper, hail from a long line of witches who have the power to grant wishes using spells.  They've come to Enchanted Village in Salem, Massachusetts, to join the family business, but they soon find themselves knee-deep in murder....

Until three weeks ago, Darcy and Harper were working dead-end jobs and trying to put their troubles behind them.  Then their aunt Velma delivered a bombshell: They're actually Wishcrafters - witches with the power to grant wishes with a mere spell.  Wanting a fresh start, they head to their aunt's magic-themed tourist town to master their new found skills.

But their magic fails them when a wannabe witch turns up dead - strangled with Aunt Ve's scarf - and Ve's sweetheart, Sylar, is found looming over the dead body.  Ve is standing by her man, but Darcy overheard Sylar wish that the victim would disappear - forever.  With Harper distracted by her handsome new crush, Darcy is determined to to sleuth her way to the truth.  But it'll take more than a wish to unravel this mystery....

This book should have had a disclaimer on the cover: Do not start reading before bed. It may keep you up all night.  And it did, too.  Once I began the book I couldn't put it down and yes I was up until 3ish this morning.  I cannot complain.  The book is very good.  Me, on the other hand, not so much.  I've been dragging my feet all day long.  Yes, I'm tired but I got to read a really book.


Darcy and Harper are new to Enchanted Village and to the Craft.  They go about their daily life slowly adjusting to a new place and their gift, they're learning the rules and secrecy of having this gift.  Along the way they meet interesting people and I got a feeling that this series entourage with be awesome.  The main character, Darcy, is very likable, she's going through an adjustment period her life, she's newly divorced and she's sworn off man.  Until she meets Nick.  He too has some issues, he's a single dad raising a daughter.  Oh yeah, they're attracted to each other, and I just know that the author will stretch this romance for a few books. Hehehe.  There are a bunch of other interesting people, Evan and Starla, Aunt Ve, Pepe, Mrs P, and  Arthur.   The mystery itself was a very well written.  I truly could not guess who could have killed Alex.  It seemed like the list a growing constantly.  And I was very surprised on who the murderer was.


I have just one little problem.  I have to wait until August for the next book in the series.


It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake (5/5) Paranormal Mystery; Published: Obsidian Mystery (1/2012); New Author; Favorite Read 2012; Series: # 1, Wishcraft Mystery; Library; Books 2012 (10);

Breaking Point

While investigating border violence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Denver journalist Natalie Benoit is caught in a bloody ambush and taken captive.  Alone in the hands of ruthless killers, she will every ounce of courage she possesses to survive. 

Betrayed by another operative, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Zach McBride has endured a week of torture and interrogation at the hands of bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartel.  Ready to give his life if he must, he remains unbroken - until he hears the cries of an American woman.

Although Natalie is only a voice in the darkness of their shared prison, her plight brings renewed strength to Zach's battered body.  With her help, he overpowers their captors, and they flee through the desert toward the border, the attraction them flaring hotter than the Sonoran sun.

But past loss and tragedy leave both of them reluctant to follow their hearts, even when the passion between them reaches it's breaking point.  Faced with feelings that neither expected, they fight to stay ahead of the danger that hunts them as forces more powerful that they can imagine conspire to destroy them both...

When I picked this book at the library I didn't realize that it was part of a series.  I found out while I was reading it.  Bummer.  But I survived.  And enjoyed the book too.


I enjoyed the premise of the book. Having both the hero and heroine imprisoned and their struggle to free themselves had me glued to the book. Both Zach and Natalie were likable, and each had their own demons to face. Natalie with the death of her loved ones during Katrina, Zach with the loss of his team in Afghanistan.  They also struggled with their feelings for each other.  The struggle itself was great to experience.  


I probably won't be reading the previous books of the series, but I will definitely look forward to next ones.


Breaking Point by Pamela Clare (4/5) Romantic Suspense;  Published:  Berkley Sensation (5/2011); New Author; Series: # 5, I-Team; Library; Books 2012 (8);

The Devil in Disguise

Lord William Randall, the Duke of Clairemont, is a rake with little regard for society - a most unlikely suitor for Lady Lucinda Grey.  But his latest assignment for the Young Corinthians, an elite spy organization, involves protecting her from a kidnapping plot.  To do this, the notorious "Iron Will" must use his devilish charm to seduce Lucinda and convince her he's worthy of her attention.  William never planned to become enthralled by the lovely Lady Grey - or to lose his own heart in the bargain.

Beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Lucinda has managed to gracefully sidestep even the most persistent suitors.  Until the Duke of Clairemont, that is.  She's tempted by his sinful sensuous mouth and piercing eyes, and finds it hard to resist the champion Thoroughbred he offers her in exchange for the honor of courting her.  Can she keep him at arm's length when his touch begs her to let him so much closer?

The Devil is Disguise is the first book of a new series called Regency Rogues by new author (at least to me) Stefanie Sloane. I was so happy to find out that I picked up the first book! I have the tendency to pick the books out of order. And I really hate reading a series out of order. Yep, a very small pet peeve of mine.

I usually find historical romance heroines to be a little dull.  There's only so much of dress maker visits, and social visits that I can take, but Lady Lucinda is definitely not dull.  She's intelligent, independent and opinionated.  I loved her!    Lord William I found to be a perfect match for Lucinda.  He was headstrong, intelligent and he also has a great sense of responsibility. Together, they were amazing.  I really enjoyed this couple.  Of course there were the typical misunderstanding between them, but I found that it was resolved quickly by the author with the punishment to the hero being somewhat painful, emotionally speaking.

I can't wait to get my hands on the second book, The Angel In My Arms.

The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane (4/5) Historical Romance; Published: Ballantine Books (5/2011); New Author; Series: #1, Regency Rogues; Library 2012; Books 2012 (6)