Thursday, February 23, 2012

Murder on Waverly Place by: Victoria Thompson



Here is another series we have been reading for a long time and have never tired of it. Since, 1999, as a matter of fact.
Sarah Brandt, mid-wife and confirmed sleuth along with her neighbor, Mrs. Ellsworth, and Maeve, one of the girls she has rescued from the Mission where she helps out from time to time, tend to drive Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy crazy with their meddling in one case after another. However, over the years he and Sarah have forged a friendship of sorts, so he is becoming more resigned to their help.
This is another good read in this series and another book where you need to get comfortable because you'll be reading to the very end to get the full solution.
Ms. Thompson always leaves us wanting the next book because we are still anticipating a deeper relationship between Sarah and Frank.
If you enjoy reading about the Victorian Gaslight era, this would be a series to immerse yourself in.

Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥


Tell Me, Pretty Maiden by: Rhys Bowen




We've been reading Molly Murphy Mysteries since 2002 when the series began.  There are two more books after this one.
Molly has been through thick and thin throughout this series and in this installment it is no different. She is a woman and as most of us women she is still having to prove that she has an intelligent mind.
She meets up with the famous Nellie Bly who happens to be friends with her neighbors across the way, which she finds exciting and decides she can get herself in and out of just as many scrapes as Nellie.
Ms. Bowen's got you on the edge of your seat until the very end in this one, so snuggle in and be prepared to read to the very last page.

Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥

The Black Widow Agency by: Felicia Donovan



Four ladies with some not everyday things in common. It's fun to see how their personalities impact each other and the Agency they have formed to catch men who cause havoc in women's lives.
This turned out to be a fast paced read with a happy conclusion.
I liked it well enough to search out the second one:  Spun Tales.

Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥

Monday, February 13, 2012

Beverly G (Rebels & Traitors--742 pgs)



Rebels & Traitors     by: Lindsey Davis


Lindsey Davis has given us a good view of the English Civil War. She takes us from 1634 all the way to 1657. We follow basically 4 main sets of characters and the people who revolve around them including their interactions with famous people of the time. Remembering this is a work of fiction and these are events that could have happened.
Wars are always horrible, but they have seemed to fuel the world since the beginning of time. Families are torn apart for reasons of differing ideologies and  having to scratch out a living with all the carnage going on around them.
Ms. Davis has addressed all these issues with an interesting mix of how real people of the time might have handled these events surrounding their lives.
I happened to know some about the reign of Charles I and the ascension of  Oliver Cromwell so I was able to follow the events very easily. If you're looking to read a book about this time period without a dry history lesson this would be a good read for you. This book is filled with lots of intrigue, adventure, sad , and happy times, with my favorite characters still alive at the end.

Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥





Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Harper's Quine by: Pat McIntosh



This is a tale of love, deceit, greed, and murder most foul. It's hard to believe as you read this book that human nature and the things that drive humans to be good or bad haven't changed since the beginning of time. I guess that's part of what keeps the universe in balance.
It looks like there are seven more books in this series. I will be reading through the series as the year progresses. I enjoyed the characters and the time frame of this book. Ms. McIntosh gives just enough description to go along with the action to keep the story moving along at a good pace.

Happy Reading--
Beverly G ♥