Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Almost the End of 2011

I haven't posted here since August, but I've been reading.
I just updated my 100 Book Challenge reading list and I'm 8 books short. Now if this was my Mother she would probably make it to 100 and even a couple over. Alas, this is me, and I'm not going to make it to 100 this year. So, I will valiantly start again Jan 1, 2012.
I will be able to add 1 more to my list because I am now reading The Scottish Prisoner by: Diana Gabaldon. This is the continuing saga of Lord John Grey when he is not in the Outlander novels.
Ms. Gabaldon teases us with novellas between books. She hinted in the forward of The Scottish Prisoner that she and her publishers might be coming out with an edition of the novellas. Even though I read other writers when I'm reading Ms. Gabladon I don't want to clutter my mind with other stories, so the anthologies that her novellas are in don't work for me. It would be nice to see them all together.
I'm a late comer fan of the Outlander Series, but I'm hooked now, so I along with the rest of you die hard fans wait impatiently for Ms. Gabaldon to get anything out on the market. There are so many side stories that she can pursue I don't see how she will have time to get them all down on paper.
I hope the rest of you who are participating in this challenge accomplished your goal.
If you did or did not---Happy Reading and we'll see you in the New Year !!!!

Beverly G ♥

Monday, August 15, 2011

Dragon and Judge & Dragon and Liberator by: Timothy Zahn

These are the last two books in this series. I have enjoyed this adventure through the galaxy Mr. Zahn has created for us.
The adventures of Jack and Draycos, their developing relationship as Jack gets used to having a full time symbiot, and their race to save Draycos's race from their enemies and the super weapon Jack and "Dragos must  destroy keeps you reading.
I must say when Alison  came into the story Mr. Zahn really keeps you guessing about her. Then when she acquires her own symbiot dragon, Taneem, you start rooting for her to be on the good guys team.
I had to read all the way to the end of the last book for all the details that Mr. Zahn kept us guessing about throughout the series, but I must say he tied all the loose ends very neatly together and left us with a happy ending. Which you know by now--I love happy endings.
Even though this is billed as a Young Adult series, I found it to be a fun read with just enough sci-fi techno stuff to keep the adventure true to that genre.
If you decide to read this series I think you will find it to be a fun read.

Happy reading,
Beverly G ♥

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Orchid Affair by: Lauren Willig

It is with a heavy heart that I close the last page on this fun series because the next one doesn't hit the shelves until February 2012.
We went to France this time with Laurie Grey, Governess, recently recruited spy for the Pink Carnations group.
Laurie is tired of being a governess, but low and behold that's exactly what the Pink Carnation needs Laurie to do. Infiltrate Andre Jaouren's household as the teacher of his children while she's looking for information to foil the latest plot that the Pink Carnation has discovered.
However, Laurie is the daughter of famous parents and as that comes to light and she reunites with old friends she still has to keep her new purposes a secret.
We can't forget Eloise and Colin in all this either. Eloise is our intrepid researcher still trying to pull her dissertation together and enjoying her new boyfriend at the same time. Before she and Colin can enjoy some romantic one on one time in Paris they have to meet Colin's mother and her 2nd husband who also happens to be Colin's cousin. Yes, you will have to read the books to get the whole low down on that.
This was a fun adventure through the streets and countryside of Paris and as usual Ms. Willig has given us a happy ending.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily & The Mischief of the Mistletoe by: Lauren Willig

Lauren Willig is writing full time now and when you read these next two novels in the series you will be able to tell. With each novel her craftsmanship goes up a notch.
In the Blood Lily we are following Penelope Deveraux in her continuing adventures of trying to find her place in society.
Of all Ms. Willig's women characters I think Penelope has the truest Swashbuckling spirit of all so far. Penelope has made some bad decisions, but is trying to make the best of what she has created for herself.
We've traveled to India at the turn of the nineteenth century for this adventure. I like the way Ms. Willig has taken her stories from England to France and now to India. Since I'm not able to travel in real life I enjoy traveling through books and not trying to spoil any of the stories for you, but I do like how she gives us happy endings.
As you read each novel in the series you want to make sure you keep all the characters in mind because like in the Mischief of the Misletoe she brings back characters to the fore. In this story we follow Turnip Fitzhugh, who has been the brunt of everyone's jokes through the whole series. Again not to spoil the story for you, but it's nice to see how Ms. Willig has brought Turnip forward with another minor character Arabella and brought them together showing us that sometimes people true selves are not always seen by everyone only the special people in our lives.
One thing I would like to point out--I don't ever read the last chapter in a book before I start, but I have found that Ms. Willig has put a Historical Note at the end of each book and I have found that reading that first gives me some nice background to place the story as I read along. I should have told you that at the beginning of this reading adventure, but I bet there are some of you who look in the back of the book before beginning your read ;-)

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Monday, August 1, 2011

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by: Lauren Willig

I'm back to The Secret History of the Pink Carnation series. This is the fifth book in this series.
In this book Eloise our intrepid researcher, who is still gathering information for her dissertation is  following Charlotte and Robert.
Charlotte lives with the Dowager Duchess at Girdings. The Dowager is in residence until Robert returns from India to take his place as Duke. Charlotte has been secretly in love with Robert since they were children and upon Robert's return Charlotte begins to hear trumpets.
Robert is on a quest to right a wrong and Charlotte becomes unknowingly involved.
Ms. Willig's heroes and heroines have strong personalities which keeps the stories moving along at a good pace.
She also keeps all the families and friends that she has brought into the previous stories moving through the series with a wonderful continuity.
We're also following Henrietta, Charlotte's friend who is ever the headstrong one of the bunch, who doesn't take anyone's advice and that's why she leads us straight into the next book in the series-The Betrayal of the Blood Lily.
Be sure to start this series from Book One.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Folly du Jour by: Barbara Cleverly

Barbara Cleverly has crafted an interesting mystery set in Paris of the 1920's. Her use of real people and real events adds to the flavor of the story.
Joe Sandilands has to rescue his old wartime friend from a murder charge he is sure he couldn't have committed. While he is following the clues and searching for witnesses he works with a young French policeman that he has worked with in the past also. With Joe's British calm demeanor and the Frenchman's joie ve vivre you want to keep reading to see if and how they can free Joe's friend from the dire straits he has got himself into.
Even though there are other books in the series before this one I feel like I got enough background that I don't have to go back to the first book to catch up. I can search for the next book in the series which is Strange Images of Death and see what adventure Joe Sandilands gets himself embroiled in next.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Book of Earth--Volume One of The Dragon Quartet by: Marjorie B. Kellogg

I have been fascinated by Dragons since I was a very young girl. I guess because my Mom peeked my interest in reading with so many Fairy Tales.
I finished this book last night and am waiting for Volume 2 to arrive in the mail.
This has all the elements of those long ago loved fairy tales I mentioned.
A destiny realized, a quest begun, new friends made, enemies to escape from, I could go on and on, but don't want to spoil the story for you.
If you have a love of good fantasy stories like I do, this is a series you don't want to skip.
I'll be back when I've finished reading Volume 2.

Happy reading,
Beverly G ♥

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Ninth Daughter by: Barbara Hamilton

Barbara Hambly is writing as Barbara Hamilton a new series with Abigail Adams as the main character. Yes, that is the wife of John Adams who was the second President of the United States.
I have to say that this is a well thought out story and Ms. Hamilton always does wonderful research to bring you into the time and flavor of the era. She also surrounds Abigail with all the rich characters of the time that she and her husband were friends with. Yes, you guessed it, here comes the but.
I couldn't seem to get the impression of Abigail and John that I already have in my mind of them separated from this story.
If you don't have preconceived notions of some of the characters and how they would have behaved in the time they lived you will probably like this book.
You get a good feel for the atmosphere of early Boston. If you are a mystery reader the clues are here for you to guess who the murderer is. I would have enjoyed the book more if the author had picked some characters that were just regular Bostonians of the time and kept the famous characters more to the background.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation Series by: Lauren Willig

I have sorely neglected my book blog for quite some time. There's that pesky thing called general living and in my life I have no little elves that come in the night to do those mundane chores that pile up if not tended to on a regular basis.
I have been reading and the latest books that are well worth passing along some good words about are:

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
The Masque of the Black Tulip
The Deception of the Emerald Ring
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

These are the first four books in this series. The French Revolution is the backdrop for these stories. One of my favorite movies is The Scarlet Pimpernel with Leslie Howard and Ms. Willig has taken the Pimpernel as her spring board and built some wonderful characters and stories to go with them.
Eloise is the modern heroine trying to get her dissertation written for her Ph.D. Eloise is like a lot of us modern women who have a hard time finding a man whose interested in more than himself. Who knew that the man she would be most interested in would have some of the valuable papers she needs to finish her project.

The historical heroines are just the right mix of femininity and strong mindedness to keep you turning the pages to see what kind of fix they are going to get themselves into next and don't forget we always want to see if they get their man.
This time in history is ripe with spies, murder, and mayhem and Ms. Willig has brought it all together with some delicious twists and turns.
I have just ordered the next 4 books in the series because I must keep following the story along as Ms. Willig unmasks spies, and brings all her characters to a happy ending.

I highly recommend this series for a fun romp through 19th century England and France and 21st century England.

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Monday, January 3, 2011

Lord Of The Changing Winds-The Griffin Mage: Book One

I'm on the way. I finished my first book towards 100+ Challenge.
This is a trilogy, so keep a lookout in the coming weeks for the reviews of the next 2 books.
Ms. Neumeier has crafted a good fantasy world. Her heroine Kes and her hero Bertaud seem to be the kind of people I like to read about most. A little out of step with the people around them and on the verge of discovering something wonderful about themselves and the world they live in. 
Instead of dragons, she has chosen to weave Griffins into her story. Magnificent creatures that can fly with fire and wind. 
Just like in real life the author has given us heroes and villains to cheer and boo. If you like a good fantasy read pick up this trilogy, you won't be disappointed. 

Happy Reading,
Beverly G ♥

Saturday, January 1, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY 2011

January 1st--wishing you all a happy, healthy and productive new year.
Today is the day to sign up for the 100+ Reading Challenge. I think I've got a better chance this year of meeting that goal. I came to the challenge in June of 2010 and finished the challenge with 90 books. I already have 2 books that I'm reading now, as you will see at the bottom of the post I have begun my list with these titles.
So, without further ado I will attempt to place a clickable link here so that any of you who visit here and would like to participate, I will enable you. 

2011 100+ Challenge Sign Up Page

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1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. --Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st and continues through the end of December, 2011.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.


My List of Books Begins Here: 

1. Through the Looking Glass---Lewis Carroll--pgs.
2. Lord of the Changing Winds-The Griffin Mage: Book One--Rachel Neumeier--367 pgs.
3. Ghastly Glass---Joyce and Jim Lavene--307 pgs.
4. The Pendragon Banner---Sylvian Hamilton--330 pgs.
5. The Price of Butcher's Meat---Reginald Hill--519 pgs.
6. Grace Under Pressure---Julie Hyzy--310 pgs.
7. Bedeviled Eggs---Laura Childs--302 pgs.
8. A Fatal Waltz---Tasha Alexander--296 pgs.
9. 100 Cupboards---N. D. Wilson---289 pgs.
10. Dragonback Bargain---Timothy Zahn--597 pgs.
11. Dragon and Herdsman: The Fourth Dragonback Adventure--Timothy Zahn--read on Kindle Android
12. Threats at Three---Ann Purser--read on Kindle Android
11. Land of the Burning Sands---Rachel Neumeier--Kindle Android
12. Law of the Broken Earth---Rachel Neumeier--Kindle Android
13. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz---Frank L. Baum--Kindle Android
14.White Corridor---Christopher Fowler--Kindle Android
15. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag---Alan Bradley--Kindle Android
16. The Magic of Reason---Justine Larbalestier--564 pgs.
17. The Hangman's Row Enquiry---Ann Purser--312 pgs.
18. Mrs. Jeffries Speaks Her Mind--290 pgs.
20. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation---Lauren Willig--
21. The Masque of the Black Tulip---Lauren Willig--
22. The Deception of the Emerald Ring---Lauren Willig--387pgs.
23. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose---Lauren Willig--385 pgs.
24. Dragonsbane---Barbara Hambly--341 pgs.
25. Caught In Crystal---Patricia c. Wrede--293 pgs.
26. Ranger's Apprentice Book 1 The Ruins of Gorlan---John Flanagan--249 pgs.
27. Buckingham Palace Gardens---Anne Perry--369 pgs.
28. Tears of  Pearl---Tasha Alexander--306 pgs.
29.  The Gleemaiden---Sylvian Hamilton--275 pgs.
30. The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1 The Field guide--Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black--107 pgs.
31. The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 2 The Seeing Stone--Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black--108 pgs.
32. The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 3 Lucinda's Secret---Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black--108 pgs.
33. The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 4 The Ironwood Tree---Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black--108 pgs.
34. The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 5 The Wrath of Mulgarath---Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black--136pgs
35. Inheritance---Christopher Paolini--849 pgs.
36. The Dragonbone Chair---Tad Williams--Kindle Android
37. The Thirteen Hallows---Michael Scott & Colette Freedman--Kindle Android
38. Anthem for Doomed Youth: A Daisy Dalrympole Mystery--Carola Dunn--Kindle Android
39. As The Pig Turns: Agatha Raisin---M. C. Beaton--Kindle Android
40. Big Bones--Melanie Jackson--Kindle Android
41. The Blacksmith's Daughter---Suzanne Adair--Kindle Android
42. The Borough Treasure---J. S. Fletcher--Kindle Android
43. A Burial at Sea---Charles--Kindle Android
44. The Burning Bridge: Book Two Ranger's Apprentice---John Flanagan--Kindle Android
45. Camp Follower---Suzanne Adair--Kindle Android
46. Cat Coming Home: A Joe Grey Mystery---Shirley Rousseau Murphy--Kindle Android
47. Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons: A Dixie Hemingway---Blaize Clement--Kindle Android
48. The Claresby Mystery---Daphne Coleridge--Kindle Android
49. The Cosy Knave---Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen--Kindle Android
50. Cold Vengeance: Special Agent Pendergast---Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child--Kindle Android
51. The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree---Susan Albert--Kindle Android
52. The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies---Susan Albert--Kindle Android
53. Death Before Breakfast: An Inspector Lawrence Mystery---Gwyneth Bledsoe--Kindle Android
54. Death of a Chimney Sweep: Hamish McBeth---M. C. Beaton--Kindle Android
55. Dragon and Herdsman---Timothy Zahn--Kindle Android
56. Dragonshadow---Barbara Hambly--Kindle Android
57. Dragonstar---Barbara Hambly--Kindle Android
58. Due North---Melanie Jackson--Kindle Android
59. The End of the Tour---Diana L. Driver--Kindle Android
60. Evan and Elle: Constable Evan Evans---Rhys Bowen--Kindle Android
61. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Lucia---Alan Bradley--Kindle Android
62. Knight of the Demon Queen---Barbara Hambly--Kindle Android
63. Miss Pettybone's First Case---Melissa Rees--Kindle Android
64. The Murder of Minnie Stover---Melissa Rees--Kindle Android
65. Murder Trims the Tree---Deb Baker--Kindle Android
66. Paper Woman---Suzanne Adair--Kindle Android
67. Penny Nichols and the Knob Hill Mystery---Joan Clark--Kindle Android
68. The Tale of Castle Cottage---Susan Albert--Kindle Android
69. A Tricky Lie: Sutherland Mystery Series---Ella J. Fraser--Kindle Android
70. The Chestnut King: Book 3 of the 100 Cupboards--N. D. Wilson--Kindle Android
71. The Clue of the Twisted Candle---Edgar Wallace--Kindle Android
72. The Daffodil Mystery---Edgar Wallace--Kindle Android
73. Dandelion Fire: Book 2 of the 100 Cupboards---N. D. Wilson--Kindle Android
74. An East End Murder---Charles Finch--Kindle Android
75. The Fleet Street Murders---Charles Finch--Kindle Android
76. The Fortunes of Grace Hammer---Sara Stockbridge--Kindle Android
77. Gideon's Sword---Douglas Preston--Kindle Android
78. Knight of the Demon Queen---Barbara Hambly--Kindle Android
79. Maids of Misfortune---M. Louisa Locke--Kindle Android
80. The Measby Murder Enquiry---Ann Purser--Kindle Android
81. The Mill Mystery---Anna Katharine Green--Kindle Android
82. Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead---Emily Brightwell--Kindle Android
83. Mrs. Malory and the Festival Murder---Hazel Holt--Kindle Android
84. Murder on Black Friday---P.B. Ryan--Kindle Android
85. Murder on Lexington Avenue---Victoria Thompson--Kindle Android
86. My Man Jeeves---P. G. Wodehouse--Kindle Android
87. A Red Herring Without Mustard---Alan Bradley--Kindle Android
88. A Stranger in Mayfair---Charles Finch--Kindle Android
89. The Tale of Oat Cake Crag---Susan Albert--Kindle Android
90. The Victoria Vanishes---Christopher Fowler--Kindle Android
91. The Wayward Apprentice---Jason Vail--Kindle Android
92. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag---Alan Bradley--Kindle Android
93.




Happy Reading, 
Beverly G ♥