Why We Procrastinate and How to Change

When we have so much to do, why do we still procrastinate? The opening chapter of this book presents current research that attempts to answer this question. The tone is conversational, so it’s not like reading a textbook, but it does give enough information to make the reader think about why they procrastinate. The chapter is succinct giving a lot of information in a short space. It makes the point that there is so much information available about why we procrastinate that the thought of tackling it can lead to more procrastination.

The book is structured around four sections: motivation, discipline, outcomes, and objectivity. The motivation section is tied in with our goals. What do you want to accomplish? Discipline presents ways to take action so that you can achieve your goals. Outcome has to do with the results of your actions, and objectivity presents ways to see reality more clearly.

In addition to theory, each section gives tools and exercises to help you end procrastination. The check points are helpful in assessing your progress. If you sincerely want to fulfill your dreams and stop putting off the tasks necessary to get what you desire, this book contains a wealth of information that will help you get there.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Understanding What God Says in Dreams

Adults dream four to six times a night. Sometimes we remember the dreams; sometimes not. Because many people are fascinated by dreams there is a plethora of books, many new age books, on how to interpret dreams. LeClaire believes that many, but not all dreams come from God. The Bible is filled with dreams from Abraham and Jacob to Daniel and Paul, even Herod’s wife had a dream that played a part in Jesus’ crucifixion story.

The book discusses the various types of dreams and includes sections on dream symbols and interpretation. I liked the fact that in addition to biblical symbols, the author presented a section on cultural symbols. We often don’t think about it, but the same symbol can be interpreted differently in different cultures.

The author also includes descriptions of dreams and their interpretation. Even though we try to interpret our dreams, we’re unsure of how the information we glean should be used. I found the section on application of dream revelations to be particularly interesting. She gives examples of how to take advantage of dream information, but cautions against trying to force revelations into reality.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in dream interpretation with an emphasis on the biblical aspects of dreams.

I received this book from BookLookBloggers for this review.

Letting Go of the Past and Finding Love

Clara has lost another boyfriend because she can’t commit to a long term relationship. She has to move again and that means carting her Bluthner piano to yet another apartment. This time on the second floor. In the move, she hurts her hand and finally decides she’s had enough of a piano she doesn’t play. Time to sell it.

Katya a young girl in the Soviet Union is entranced by hearing a neighbor play the Bluthner piano. When the old man dies, he leaves the instrument to Katya who becomes a talented musician. She marries Mikhail, who becomes frustrated by his inability to provide for his family. He convinces her to move to California telling her that one day she will get her piano back.

This is not only the story of Clara and Katya. It is also the story of the piano One of the most interesting parts of the book is the author’s description of how the Beuthner pianos were created. The writing is beautifully done and pulls you into the story. There is a romance, but more it is the story of finding yourself and letting go of the past.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it if you enjoy well written romance that also explores the theme of artistic inspiration and how the talent and problems of the parents affect the children.

I received this book from First to Read for this review.

A Story of Betrayal and Forgiveness

Jessica is pregnant, although she didn’t find out until after her husband’s death. She has become something of recluse grieving for the death of her husband and daughter. Her grief is made worse because the day they died, he told her that he had been having an affair and wanted a divorce. Jessica reacted badly and now blames herself for the tragic accident in which they died.

Then her beloved grandmother, Frani dies. Frani’s final gift to Jessica is the Bible her father Andrew carried. Jessica has been avoiding her faith, but when she opens the Bible she finds a treasure in her great grandfather’s underlining and notes. Andrew, too, faced a crisis of betrayal.

Ridley has come to stay in his parents house next door to Jessica for the summer. He is suffering from a betrayal in his former job for a political candidate. He’s not looking to meet anyone, certainly not a pregnant neighbor, but he’s drawn to Jessica.

This is the story of two couples: Jessica and Ridley; Andrew and Helene. The story interweaves the relationships continuing Andrew’s story at the end of each chapter. I enjoyed both stories, but I found Andrew’s more interesting. The question of betrayal is central to the book. Both Jessica and Ridley feel let down by their loved ones or the people they trusted. However, until they meet each other, they are just feeling ill-used. I preferred Andrew’s story because he acted to resolve his situation and didn’t give up.

The book is easy to read and the characters likable. Although it is listed as Christian fiction, the struggles of the characters can be enjoyed by anyone.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

A Treasure Hunt Ends with a Long Dead Body

Alice Somerville and her husband Will are in the highlands looking for buried treasure. Her grandfather buried two rare motorcycles at the end of WWII. She has a map and with the help of Hamish, a highland crofter, has found the exact spot. With excited expectation they dig down, but before they uncover the motorcycles, they find a body riddled with bullet holes.

Since the body was killed in 1995, it is categorized as a cold case. DCI Karen Pirie, head of the Cold Case Unit, is given the assignment. As Pirie and her team struggle to solve the case, she has to deal with a new, insubordinate team member, and the animosity of her boss.

The story is not fast paced. Much of the action involves the relationships between Pirie, her team, and her superior. She is also is tracking two other cases, so the focus on the old murder is diluted by findings on the other cases. The novel reads more like a character study, or a police procedural where many cases are being followed.

The descriptions of the highlands are enticing. They make you see the area even if you’ve never been there. The character descriptions are realistic. Pirie is struggling with personal issues from the death of her lover, and the animosity of her superior.

I recommend this book if you enjoy an interesting location and a character driven story. The plot is good, but there are many digressions. The resolution is almost startling it comes on so rapidly at the end of the book.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Romance and Caring at Christmas

Finn, once a successful chef, is now a cab driver hoping to make enough to keep a roof over his head. He’s not delighted when he’s sent to pick up Callie, an ancient, wheelchair-bound lady with dementia. He just wants to get rid of a troublesome fare, but Callie takes a liking to him. Soon she’s calling him for all her rides even if sometimes she forgets to pay him.

Sydney, Callie’s granddaughter, is a first year associate at a cutthroat legal firm. She’s done good work, but now the stakes are higher. The firm is planning to downsize. She’s told that she’s not on the list to be fired, but that is contingent on winning a lawsuit for a major client. The fact that’s it’s probably not winnable raises the stakes.

Callie wants to care for her grandmother, but she’s pressed on all sides feeling responsibility to both Callie and her law firm. Finn is a likable character. He doesn’t want to be saddled with the responsibility for Callie, but she reminds him of his mother, who he treated badly in her last days, and he can’t break his tie to Callie.

This is a heartwarming Christmas story. There is romance at the end between Sydney and Finn, but it’s not the main point of the story. This is a story about caring and responsibility and the rewards for doing what is right.

I highly recommend reading the Author’s Note at the end. She focuses on current research on what makes us happy and surprisingly, or perhaps not, finds major parallels to the Bible.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

Falling in Love at a Regency Christmas – with a Younger Man

Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, feels she is ready to marry again. Her first marriage to an abusive alcoholic ended badly, but that was years ago. She believes that her heart has healed, and she’s ready to try again. What she doesn’t count on is falling in love with Colin, Lord Hodges. He’s nine years younger than she and in Regency England that was simply not done.

Meeting at a Christmas gathering with Elizabeth’s family, they are drawn to each other, but the kiss when they tumbled from a sled is unexpected and devastatingly important. Unable to face defying convention, they both start the London season looking for other marriage partners, but it’s not as simple as it seems to disregard their attraction.

This is a rather delightful story of manners in Regency England. The background, including the strictures of society, are historically accurate. The characters include ones you love and the villains you love to hate. Colin and Elizabeth grow in understand and courage through the story. Other characters, such as Colin’s mother, show their true colors. You can’t help cheering when she’s forced to face reality.

The book has a restrained pace. There is considerably more conversation than action. However, the action that does occur is well within the confines of the period and upper class manners.

This is the fifth book in the Westcott series. I did find it difficult to keep all the characters straight in the beginning, but when Colin and Elizabeth became the center of the story, it was easier. If you like romance in the tradition of Jane Austen, this is a book you’ll enjoy. While it’s possible to read as a standalone, I think it would be easier to follow if you read more of the series.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Old Secrets Lead to Murder

Nina Fischer and her sister Jan were adopted as children by their uncle, a district court judge. The girl’s mother abandoned them in a tent city when she went off with yet another man for alcohol and drugs. Nina loves her adoptive father, but she has to be herself. She chose a career as a photographer and poet, although he wanted her to be a lawyer. Sill he was supportive, and she’s living in his house as she tries to make her career work.

One night she’s alone in the house working in the darkroom. When she finishes, she thinks she hears a cry. She searches the house and finds her father dead on the study floor with a gun near his hand. She was alone. They had argued. Now she finds her self the primary suspect.

Nina goes from one situation where she’s violently attacked to another. The police and her male friends, Rick and Aaron, want her to leave the detective work to others, but Nina is convinced that they won’t work hard enough to solve the murder. I found her falling into dangerous situations on a regular basis a little over the top. She has trust issues from the way she was abandoned as child, but rushing headlong into danger happened too frequently to be believable.

The book is Christian fiction. The characters discuss their issues with trusting God, but it isn’t preachy. I found Nina and Aaron’s discussions of God quite realistic.

The book is fast paced and the plot presents a puzzle it’s not easy to solve until the end. If you enjoy a thriller with a Christian background, this is a good read.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

Romance on a British Warship During the War of 1812

Emaline Baratt preferred her painting to rushing into marriage. Her father, however, had different ideas. He believed that the only appropriate life for a young woman was marriage and the sooner the better. Because of her resistance, he packed her off to Brighton, England to live with her wealthy aunt.

Emaline delayed returning to Baltimore as long as possible, but with the death of her aunt, she must return. She is the center of attraction, particularly for young officers, when she returns on one of her father’s ships.

This is the era of the War of 1812. When a British warship sights the ship, they open fire. Emaline is taken prisoner. She decides the best way to save herself is to pretend British sympathy. Therefore, she is given her freedom to tend to the wounded. She also receives the Captain’s attention because of her art.

One of the young officers, Lieutenant Owen Masters is both attracted and repulsed by her. He’s an American spy and while he’s drawn to Emmaline, he can’t risk his cover.

This is the sixth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. As with the others, it is a romance with a background of a period in American history. The history is well researched and over the six books we get a picture of the struggles of the young American republic.

The characters are typical for a romance novel. Owen and Emaline are attracted but try to fight their blooming interest. The book has adventure, but it’s mostly in the first and last chapters. For me, the middle sagged a little. I recommend this book if you enjoy romance with a realistic historic background.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

Death Mars Sister Jane’s Christmas Fox Hunt

The Christmas Hunt is one of the high points of the central Virginia fox hunting season. Although a blizzard threatens, Sister Jane, the hunt master, is determined to have at least an abbreviated run before the snow starts.

A topic concerning the community is the plan by a major energy company to run a pipeline through the area. As a result the riders are not all happy when Gregory Luckham, president of the energy company is invited to join the hunt. Being Virginia, most people are polite, but one of the land owners whose land lies in the path of the pipeline, is furious about Luckham’s inclusion in the hunt.

The hunt starts well, but the blizzard comes up more quickly than expected. The riders race back to their trailers, but one horse arrives without a rider. Luckham is missing. The search is on, but instead of the missing man, they find another corpse.

I always enjoy Brown’s Sister Jane stories. The area is beautiful, and if you’re a horse lover, the descriptions of horses, dogs and the rides across the area are delightful. The books are filled with quirky humans, such as much married Aunt Daniella who drinks bourbon and has the history of the area down pat, and animals like the horses, dogs, and foxes who converse with each other.

My only reservation about this book is that unless you’re into fox hunting, or just love horses, there are too many descriptions of fox hunts. Detection is done, but it takes second place to the descriptions of the hunting season. Still, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to lovers of horses and mysteries.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Legal Compensation for a Terrorist Attack

Hana Abboud is an Arab Christian from Israel practicing international law in Atlanta, Georgia. Jakob Brodsky, a secular Jewish lawyer, takes on cases no one else will touch. Ben Neuman comes to him about an incident that happened six years ago. His wife was killed in a terrorist attack in Israel and his daughter severely injured.

No other attorney wants to take the case, but Hana’s law firm is big enough to bank roll some of the expenses. They agree to be co-counsel on the case if Hana accepts the lead. Hana is convinced by Ben’s daughter. She wants to see the girl get justice.

Hana and Jakob travel to Israel to research the case. They hire Daud Hasan, an Arab Christian investigator. Daud seems to know all the right people. The trio works well together, but the danger is everywhere. Jakob learns about it first hand when he is severely beaten outside a friend’s apartment in Atlanta.

This is a fast paced international legal thriller. The plot is compelling. Getting compensation for people killed or injured in a terrorist attack is an interesting idea. The legal aspects are presented in easily understandable language.

The best part of the book is the description of life in Israel under the constant threat of terrorist attacks. The descriptions of areas around Jerusalem are excellent. The characters are compelling. I particularly liked Hana. She is brave enough to tackle the case although she fears the terrorists.She is supported by her faith which she lives everyday.

The story has romance, but it’s not the driving force in the narrative. It’s nice to read about romantic love without the sexual advances.

I highly recommend this book. It’s timely and well worth a read. It makes you think about the effects of terrorism on ordinary lives.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

Erotic Fantasy Turned on it’s Head for Feminists

Fantasies can be fun. This book has some remarkably funny short erotic stories, but it also gives you food for thought. How many of us have seethed because the guy standing with us pushes the elevator button after we do –just to make sure we really did it? Not erotica, but a great take on reality.

This book is diverse in it’s content covering the workplace, parenting, pop culture, and a bow to classical literature with Romeo and Juliet, among other topics. I particularly liked the section with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

This is a great book to read by yourself when you need cheering up. It’s also good if you’re angry at the way the world is treating you. Lots of good reinforcement here. I think it’s particularly good to share with friends. It was written by friends talking about the things that pissed them off. It can be a great way to get into a discussion with your feminist friends or colleagues.

I enjoyed the book. It’s very quick to read the first time, but like ice cream or chocolate to really enjoy it you need to got back for more.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

Buried Secrets can Take a Long Time to Explode

Dr Woodrow Wilson Hastings falls to his death on I-25 unleashing the secrets of his past in WWII. At Dr. Hastings funeral, Peter and Frank, his sons, have a confrontation. Peter calls Frank a bastard saying his father brought him home from France. This is an old taunt. Peter has always been the golden boy, football hero and now Pan Am pilot. Frank is known in his home town as a loser always getting in trouble. Now he’s married, writes for a small newspaper, and is working on a novel.

In the process of cleaning out Dr. Hasting’s house, some old drawings and letters are found. Frank is tried of being called a bastard. He wants to know the truth and wants to find his mother. He leaves for France to trace his identity.

At the same time, Peter is caught up in a hijacking. He tries to intervene and is shot. His family fears he’s dead. The ordeals experienced by the two brothers change their lives and the lives of other family members. Relationships will never be the same again.

This is a well written book. The characters grow through their experiences. Frank particularly becomes more the person he was destined to be. However, it’s a slow read filled with anecdotes about the boys early lives, experiences during WWII, Frank’s experiences in Vietnam, and background on the wives and families. All this is interesting, but it’s unclear until the end how all the pieces fit together. The ending itself is satisfying, but you have to work at getting there.

I received this book from PR by the Book for this review.

Murder During the Christmas Play

Behind the scenes, Suzanne and Tony, co-owners of the Cacklebury Club along with Petra the chef, are watching one of the final rehearsals of the Kindred Players version of A Christmas Carol. The play is going well, Toni is learning how to dim the lights, and raise the curtain, when Scrooge, played by Adam Sharp, one of Kindred, Minnesota;s, least favorite residents, is embraced by the ghost of Christmas Past. The ghost flits off, but Adam doesn’t move. Suzanne suddenly realizes he’s dead and chases the ghost which almost makes her the second victim.

When Suzanne tells her fiance, Sam, about the murder, he’s adamant. Suzanne should not investigate. She agrees it’s unwise, but when her friend, Missy, introduces Amber, Sheriff Doogie’s number one suspect, she believes she has to help. Amber was Adam Sharp’s secretary. She quit because he was sexually harassing her.

Other suspects are found, and now Suzanne is thoroughly engaged and can’t help asking questions to try determine who the murderer is.

This is not an action packed book. Suzanne’s method is to go about her daily life and ask questions. If you enjoy the details of a rather delightful cafe, this is a fun read. If you want serious sleuthing, this is not for you. I found the plot rather slow, and the rationale for the killing unsatisfying. The ending did have a dramatic scene, but for me it didn’t relieve the slow start.

I received this book from Penguin’s First to Read for this review

A Con-artist and a Lawyer Solve a Mystery in 1920s New York

Elizabeth learned her grifter ways from her father. Now she’s fallen in love with Gideon Bates, a straight-laced lawyer. Planning to marry Gideon, Elizabeth must learn to navigate upper class society in New York in the 1920s. She has an able mentor in Gideon's mother, but she isn’t finding it easy.

The only friend she’s found is Priscilla Knight, a young widow. In fact, Priscilla has recently been widowed for the second time. Her beloved first husband left her with two young daughters and a sizable fortune. When a distraught widow, her pastor encouraged her to wed a fellow parishioner, Endicott Knight. Although Priscilla thought Endicott was wealthy, she has learned since his death that she is penniless.

Elizabeth and Gideon both want to help the young widow, but each thinks their talents are the best choice to see justice done. Gideon wants to use the law, but Elizabeth thinks her grifter skills will be more effective.

I love historical romances with a mystery. This one is well researched. The author makes the 1920s come to life. The characters are perfect for the story. I enjoyed the way Elizabeth and Gideon interacted. It wasn’t clear that their romance would survive their diverse approaches to Priscilla’s problem, but that made for fascinating reading.

If you like romance and mystery in a historical setting, this is a good read.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Victorian Christmas Mystery

Worm, a river orphan, is now living in the women’s clinic founded by Harriet Monk. Although Harriet doesn’t appear in the story we get a taste of life at the clinic run by Harriet’s friend Claudine, a wealthy woman who spends much of her time at the clinic.

While out walking, Worm spots a beautiful woman with light on her hair. He can’t stop looking at her. When two men accost her and take her away with them, Worm is worried that she’s in trouble. Back at the clinic he tells Squeaky, a reformed pimp now the clinic accountant. Squeaky doesn’t want to get involved. He’s unsure whether the lady needs rescue or is running a scam of her own. He tries to distract Worm by telling him about Christmas which ends with them planning a Christmas for the clinic.

Worm is thrilled about having Christmas at the clinic, but it doesn’t make him forget about the lady. He sets off to rescue her, but is relieved when Squeaky catches up with him. Together they try to solve the mystery.

This is a lovely Christmas story. Worm is the perfect child to learn about the holiday. He hangs on Squeaky’s every word. Squeaky is also a delightful character. He grew up without a family and while he knows about Christmas, he’s not sure everything he’s telling Worm is accurate.

The plot involving Eloise, the woman, is somewhat confusing. The relationship to Christmas is tenuous which makes it seem disjointed from the rest of the story. However, the ending is satisfying and the interactions between Worm and Squeaky make you feel good about

Christmas.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Dumped by Her Fiance, Maggie Finds a New Life

Maggie is preparing to marry Brett, her business partner. The wedding day is set and Maggie is out partying with her girl friends when Brett calls and breaks the engagement. Shocked and hurt, Maggie gets her revenge by forcing Brett to buy her out or she’ll sell to a competitor.

Maggie thinks she can hang out in the city and recover, but her sister Eve has a better idea. Solace Island is an excellent place to recover. The Rosemary and Time cottage is perfect. Maggie does feel more relaxed. Meeting her neighbor, Luke Benson, makes the island even more attractive. Life is looking up when Maggie experiences an accident that could have killed her. Even with Luke trying to keep her safe, things are frightening. But it’s unclear why someone is after her.

This book starts out as a typical romance: jilted girl meets hunky guy and they begin to get it together. However, about half way through the book the suspense builds. I didn’t care for the early part of the novel. There were amusing moments, but it was too stereotypical boy meets girl. The second half of the novel moved faster and the mystery of who was targeting Maggie got more interesting. I recommend this only if you like suspense heavily laced with romance.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Murder in Brighton with a Bumbling Group of Cops

A. G. Crystal, a well known critic, has arrived in Brighton to evaluate a play that he already finds distasteful, but that’s not the only thing Crystal plans to do in Brighton. In 1951, he witnessed a bank heist. Something has been nagging at him about the robbery, and now he wants to tell Inspector Steine. Steine is the hero of a famous gang shootout, the Middle Street Massacre, but in reality he’s no hero. He ate ice cream while letting the gangs kill

each other.

Steine wants to believe that after the massacre crime was wiped out in Brighton. Thus he turns a blind eye to new cases as he works on his radio broadcasts. His sidekick Sargent Brunswick wants to chase criminals, going undercover, but Steine discourages him. Enter Constable Twitten. He’s fresh out of the police academy and full of theories. He wants to solve crimes, but runs afoul of Steine’s laissez faire work ethic.

Twitten is assigned to sit with Crystal opening night of the play for protection. While waiting for the play to begin, Crystal begins to tell him about what he’s remembered about the bank robbery. Before he can get to the crucial point, when the lights go down, he’s shot in the head. Was it because he was planning to pan the play, or because of his recovered memories of the bank heist?

As a mystery, this is quite good. The plot is convoluted with plenty of twists and turns and a satisfying ending. The police characters are designed to amusing, like the Keystone Kops. At times they are, but I found the farcical interactions wearing after awhile. It was hard to stay interested in the main plot.

If you enjoy comical police adventures, you’ll enjoy this book, but be prepared to get tired of their antics.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Midsummer Night’s Dream Staged in a Garden with the Added Spice of Murder

When a troop of players plans to stage Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Coeur-de-la-Mer Priory Hall garden that is normally closed to the public, Pru is excited. She has always wanted to examine the garden at close range. She becomes even more enthusiastic when the gardener at Coeur-de-la-Mer quits because he can’t stand the people trampling on his plants, and she is asked to take over his responsibilities.

The job starts well. Pru is responsible for set design as well as maintaining the garden. Luckily she has a new helper Hal Noakes who is able to pick up the slack at Greenoak as well as at the Priory Hall. Pru enjoys the players with the exception of the young man playing Lysander. He’s lazy, difficult and thinks he’s God’s gift to women. When he becomes the victim of an allergic reaction that turns out to be murder, Pru and her detective husband, Christopher, have to find the killer before the play is ruined.

As usual, Marty Wingate writes a fun mystery with a beautiful setting. The country house gardens are perfect for Midsummer Night’s Dream. I love the descriptions of the plants and how Pru chooses the plants for the stage sets.

It helps to be familiar with Midsummer Night’s Dream. There are a great many characters and at first the dual names are challenging, but the author tries to help by often using just the character’s name. Although the cast list is long, the story sorts out the bit players and after the first couple of chapters it’s easy to remember who’s who.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries in a great setting, this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Game Gone Wrong

Grayson Thibodeaux’s company, Game’s On You, designs psychological games to test people sometimes for a hiring decision, sometimes for team building. The company is so good that even Grayson’s ex-wife Anna Belle’s company hires them to build a game determine which of four contestants should win a promotion.

The fact that Anna Belle is one of the players disturbs Grayson, but his partner, Colton York convinces him to do it because money is good. The only problem is that Anna Belle dies during the game and Grayson is the prime suspect.

Because the murder happens early in the book, the focus is on finding the killer. The detectives, Brandon and Danielle, use interviews to determine what happened. This is not an action packed story but the use of interviews gives us a chance to get to know all the suspects. Personally, I enjoy this type of mystery. As the clues come out, it gives you a chance to play detective.

The characters are good. Grayson is conflicted. He loves his wife, but she treated him badly in the divorce, and he’s having trouble forgiving her. Pam, his assistant, is smart and somewhat pushy, but she’s exactly what he needs to keep going. Brandon is a good character with sturdy faith. I liked the way he wouldn’t take the easy answer of Grayson’s guilt. His partner, Danielle, is not likable. She has a grudge against Grayson and it clouds her judgment.

My favorite character was Monique, Anna Belle’s mother. She is on Grayson’s side and talks intelligently to him about her daughter. I liked her strong faith and that she was able to express her feelings so clearly.

I recommend this book. If you like psychological mysteries, this is a good one.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

An Unexpected Inheritance

Mark was close to his Aunt Vivian as a child, but he hadn’t heard from her in years when he finds he’s the sole beneficiary of her estate which includes a house in Manistique, Michigan. Manistique is near the midpoint of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and quite a trek for Mark. It’s remote and when he arrives his first thought is to figure out how to get rid of the house.

He’s looking through the house when he’s surprised by a knock at the door. Dr. Emily Davis, a recent medical school graduate, on her way to Mackinack Island, hit a deer near Manistique and shattered the windshield. She needs a place to stay and was told that Mark’s house is a bed and breakfast. This is news to Mark, but she’s in trouble, so he agrees to let her stay for at least a day.

Mark’s surprises are far from over when more guests arrive, and he finds that he is actually operating a bed and breakfast. One day leads to the next,  and Mark and Emily find themselves enjoying each other’s company, but there are more surprises in store.

This is a fun read. Mark is the clueless innkeeper to whom things keep happening. It’s hilarious to see him deal with his new role. Emily is a likable character and makes a sensible foil for Mark. The character development in this story is thin, but the action is fun and fast.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Daring Trek Through Egypt to Rescue Rasha

Rasha is writing in her journal when a group of bandits enters the town of Rekeem. She thinks she’ll be safe if she hides , but she’s the prize the bandits are after. They hope to be able to demand a ransom from her father Zafir, a leader of the Abdali-ud-din. Rasha fears she will be killed and sends a note to Bassam telling him of her enduring love.

Bassam is devastated. He must find Rasha. He sets out on a trek across Egypt to rescue Rasha seeing the pyramids, and the Nile before turning back and recrossing the desert. The travel is filled with dangers. On the return journey, Bassam finds himself the hunted rather than the hunter and endures great hardship and danger.

I find all stories of Egypt fascinating. This one is particularly well researched and gives a picture of the daily life of the people. The descriptions of the pyramids and the Nile are breathtaking. It was also interesting to visit the ancient towns along the route to Egypt.

This is the third book in the saga of Bassam. As such, it focuses on the preservation of the love between Bassam and Rasha rather than the story of their falling in love. The characters of Bassam and Rasha are compelling, but my favorite character was Shamar. He appears to be a hard-bitten old man but the veneer covers a soft heart.

If you enjoy adventures stories with a background of ancient Egypt, this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Family Reunion in Rainy Paris

The Malagarde family is cerebrating their father Paul’s, seventieth birthday and the parents fortieth wedding anniversary. The reunion at the mother Lauren’s request is limited to family members only. Both Linden, the son, and Tailia, the daughter, have significant others, but this is to be only for the family that grew up together.

Lauren has planned a series of activities, but the rain is pouring down threatening disaster for the city of Paris. The deluge curtails many of these sightseeing and dining trips throwing the family on their own resources. Each member has secrets and stories to tell. Just as the rain threatens Paris, the secrets threaten the family unity. Watching both Paris and the family deal with the unexpected and struggle to survive is wrenching and heart warming.

Linden is the narrator. Torn between French and American culture, he has never felt at home in either society. Although he has become an international success as a photographer, he wonders if he will ever win his father’s regard. Linden is a troubled character, but dealing with his issues makes for intense reading.

The descriptions of Paris in the rain are very atmospheric giving exactly the right tone to the family’s struggle as well as that of the city of Paris. The book has a leisurely feel. The author spends the early part of the book recounting the family background. It’s interesting and good preparation for the rest of the story, but it does take some perseverance to get to the present situation.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it if you enjoy a well written family drama

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I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Hard Work, Great Deals, and Family

Welcome is a great name. I loved the story of how Welcome Wilson got it. Twenty-two days is a long time to worry about a baby’s name, but in the end the choice was excellent, and I’m sure it has always made him feel welcome. I think the name sums up Wilson’s life very well. He has had many positions from academia, to the military, government and real estate development. In all instances he’s been a success. He’s had failures, and he doesn’t gloss over his mistakes, but the willingness to listen and make correction has served him well. It’s a lesson all entrepreneurs should learn.

The other part of the book I liked was his emphasis on family and the tremendous support he received from his wife Joanne. Striving for success can lead too many people, women as well as men, to put family second if not tenth or later.

Welcome is a good story teller. The book is an easy read. If you’re from Texas or a budding entrepreneur, you’ll love the book, but it can be read and enjoyed by anyone.

I received this book from PR by the Book for this review.

Sharing and Friendship on Fall Feast Day

Porcupine is excited about Fall Feast Day and ready to make her famous cranberry pie. The first step in the recipe is “Wash the berries.” Porcupine sets off for the river. On the way she meets her friends, squirrel, bear, and doe. They too are excited by Fall Feast Day, but each lacks an ingredient to prepare their special dish.

Porcupine is a generous friend. She gives each animal the ingredient they need to make their treat. When she reaches the river she looks in her pail – no cranberries. Now she can’t make her special dish. What will she do?

This is a delightful story of sharing and friendship; one young children will enjoy. The pictures are perfectly suited to the story. They make the fall theme come alive. One of the best parts is the inclusion of the Friendship Pie recipe. A great activity for you and your child.

I received this book from PR by the Book.

Fighting Temptation

Francis Rose, lead singer for a Christian rock band, is suddenly finding fame and fortune. The popularity of the band has sky-rocked since doing benefit concerts in Haiti to build villages on the island.

Francis returns from his latest successful tour and is delighted to be reunited with family, Mary and the two children Heather and Eddie, who has Down syndrome. However, the temptations are beginning. Each band members was to receive ten-thousand dollars for their part in the concert, but when Francis opens his envelope, he finds thirty-thousand. The temptation is strong to keep the money.

Then a beautiful Russian actress asks for his help in developing a musical. Francis knows it’s wrong, but the temptation to have an affair is very strong. The temptations keep coming affecting both Francis’ family and his work. Will his strong faith eventually help him to be saved and return to his family and deep Christian roots?

This is a fast paced story of a man dealing with the temptations of success. Francis is a struggling man that you can relate to. He knows some of the things he does are wrong, but can’t help being pulled toward the bright shiny objects. Because sex is one of Francis’ temptations there are some rather graphic scenes, more than you might be used to in a Christian book. If graphic sex bothers you, this may not be your book.

I recommend this book for anyone who thinks this couldn’t happen to me.

I received this book from PR by the Book for this review.

Flood Waters Reveal a Murder Victim

As Pelican, Louisiana prepares for their Mardi Gras celebration, a terrible storm dumps tons of water on the town leaving many homeless and others with a massive cleanup project. Cleaning up behind the Crozat Plantation B&B, the cleanup team finds a body under the rubbish. Not someone who died in the floods, but a murder victim.

The town isn’t about to let the storm or a murder ruin their Mardi Gras celebration. The Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen Pageant must go on and when Maggi’s grandmother is unable to serve as a judge, Maggie is tapped to take over. She hates the role, particularly when one of the judges is murdered and others are threatened.

Maggie would rather be working on the painting, damaged by the flood waters, that she has been asked to restore, or helping to prepare for the Orphan Train Exhibit. Then there’s her relationship with Detective Bo Durand that seems to have taken a wrong turn.

This is a delightful cozy mystery. The descriptions of Pelican and the historic mansions are worth the read. The characters, particularly Maggie’s grandmother, are delightfully quirky. It makes you want to visit the town for Mardi Gras.

The Orphan Train Exhibit adds a bit of history and the plot is complex. It all keeps you guessing and hoping that Bo and Maggie can work things out.

I recommend this book is you enjoy colorful cozy mysteries.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Joy Davidson and C. S. Lewis: A Love Story

Joy Davidson was struggling with her conversion to Christianity and with her writing career. When a friend suggested she write to C. S. Lewis, she didn’t expect much. She received the response to her first letter and the feelings they shared evolved into a correspondence that sustained both of them.

During this time, Joy’s marriage was falling apart. She loved her two sons, but her husband was a womanizing alcoholic. When her cousin Renee, came to live with them to escape her alcoholic husband, things came to a head. Joy was ill and Renee suggested that she get away to get better. Joy chose England where she and C. S. Lewis met. The attraction was instantaneous, but Joy couldn’t completely leave her boys. When she returned home, things were even more stressful than when she left. Her husband and Renee had become lovers.

This is a very emotional story and well developed by the author. The love story was a much a meeting of the minds as it was a romance. Indeed, it seemed that it might never become consummated. I could feel Joy’s desire and pain. It was a very moving experience.

I highly recommend this book. It is a love story, but it also takes you into the atmosphere at Oxford. I loved the descriptions. The book has an obviously religious background, but it can also be enjoyed as a character study of two very cerebral people falling in love.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

In the Early 1900s Three Sisters Struggle with the New Rights for Women

Lida, a widow, has two chldren, Sara Jane, 14, and Cole, 5. She has recently received her certification as a doctor, but the only job she can find is as a physician to the Catholic refuge for needy women, House of the Good Shepard. The work is time consuming, but Lida is glad to have the position so she can take care of her family.

When Lida’s two sisters, Mildred, 4 years older, and Eva, 15 years younger, arrive for a six-week visit, Lida is excited to see them because it opens the possibility of healing the family rift caused by her marriage. The visit doesn’t start on a promising note. Mildred has good very heavy and is moody and controlling like their mother. Eva is recovering from a serious illness and is delicate, but she’s excited because she’s met the love of her life. Eva’s romance is causing as many problems with the family as Lida’s did.

This historical novel looks at early 1900s Colorado. Women have received the right to vote, and temperance is a strong movement. Women can now get training for careers like medicine, but it’s not easy to be accepted in a predominantly male profession. There are also the social problems of marrying outside your social class and geographic area. The book does a good job addressing these problems with a cast of likable characters. The plot is interesting and shows well the problems facing women embarking on a new century with new rights.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Support for Hitler in WWII from Surprising Places in the US

In 1941, the country was divided. Some people supported Hitler, some wanted to avoid war, and some wanted to support Britain. The opening to Hart’s book details the three perspectives on WWII. I found it fascinating. Being too young to remember the news, I found that there were many things I had missed in the lead up to WWII.

Britain assuredly wanted the support of the US and had agents, including those from IM6, operating in the country. What I didn’t realize was how organized the Nazis were in the US. Hart’s chapters discuss the Nazi organizations that were in the US prior to WWII. They include information of the Bund, a primarily German organization; the Silver Legion; The Religious Right, primarily Father Coughlin’s Christian Front; senators who supported Nazi Germany to keep the US out of the war; businessmen who supported the Nazis for profit; students who were sucked into the Nazi propaganda through their universities; America First, which supported Charles Lindberg; and the spies who stole military secrets to support the German regime.

The book is easy to read and is supported by copious research. If you’re interested in the pre-WWII era in the US, you will enjoy this book. I found it particularly interesting because I didn’t realize how divided the US was prior to WWII. One tends to think of the divides of one’s own era, but this book suggests that we have always been a people who think for themselves which leads to social divides.

I recommend this book. It’s well written; we’ll researched; and will give you a view of America at at another crossroads.

I received this book form Net Galley for this review.

Summer Romance at a Remote Lodge in Alaska

Josie Avery didn’t expect to fall in love with Alaska, particularly the remote area around the small town of Ponder. She had always wanted to be a chef. With her dream job waiting in Seattle, she takes a job for the summer at the Caribou Lake Lodge not far from the Arctic Circle.

Josie becomes friends with Palmer Saxon, a famed swordsmith and a very attractive man. She also finds a friend in Jack Corcoran. His appetite is legendary. He’s willing to be the guinea pig for any recipes Josie wants to try.

As the summer ends, Josie is torn. She loves Ponder and has become very fond of Palmer, but her job and her mother are waiting in Seattle. She can’t give up the dream job she’s worked so hard for. After a tension filled goodbye, Josie falls asleep and doesn’t wake until the last ferry of the season has left. How will she get back to Seattle? Palmer wants her to stay and be his wife, but he won’t keep her against her will, so he finds a way to get her back to civilization.

This is a lovely romance. I liked both Josie and Palmer. They’re obviously meant for each other. The only problem is Josie’s commitment to a career she thinks she wants. My favorite character, however, was Jack Corcran. His lines are some of the funniest in the book, particularly when he tries to teach Palmer how to be romantic and talk to women.

This is a quick read. The scenery is beautiful and the romance is light. It’s a great book for a winter afternoon.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

The Gilded Age: a Little Supernatural, and a Lot of Romance

The Montrose family fled Boston because of a scandal. Ensconced in Willow Hall their country home, tensions in the family flare. Catherine, the older daughter, is dissatisfied with the lack of company, Emmeline, the youngest, loves the outdoors and is strangely drawn to the pond. Lydia, the middle daughter, wishes for romance, but fears that stuck in Catherine’s shadow, she will always be a spinster.

John Barrett, their father’s new business partner in the mill, seems uncomfortable with the family living in Willow Hall. He’s an attractive man. Catherine makes a play for him, but he is quiet and not very interested. Lydia, although she doubts she has a chance, is immediately and powerfully attracted to him.

Beneath the overlay of romance, dark forces seem to be gathering. Lydia can feel it, but she doesn’t know how to protect her family.

Although the supernatural plays a substantial role in this story, it is also the story of young women falling in love and dealing with family issues. Lydia narrates the story. She is caught between Catherine’s selfishness and Emmeline’s need for supervision and love. The story is filled with eerie descriptions giving a sense that something is not right about the house and the surrounding area.

I enjoyed the story. There is just enough supernatural to be creepy, but the interactions between the sister are normal and realistic. The background of the Gilded Age with all the manners and restrictions on young ladies is well done. I recommend this book if you like spooky, but not too frightening.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Kennedy Debutante in London before WWII

The Kennedys are a fascinating family. Before WWII they were treated almost as royalty. This comes through clearly when Kick, the oldest Kennedy daughter, embraces pre-war London. Her father, Joe Kennedy, was named ambassador to the Court Of St. James. This opens the highest society doors to Kick, who takes full advantage of it.

The descriptions of pre-WWII parties at great country houses and jazz clubs in London is worth the price of the book. I loved the atmosphere. Kick makes friends easily and becomes a leader in the younger set. Several young men are interested in courting her, but she loses her heart to Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire.

The path for the lovers is not easy. Rose, her mother, is adamant that she marry a Catholic. Billy is Anglican. Joe gets crosswise with the regime in Washington over his support of Hitler. As WWII begins, the Kennedys return to the US and Billy goes off to war. The question is whether the lovers will be able to overcome the obstacles and reunite.

This is a poignant story of romance, family duty, and religion. The author had the details but she did an excellent job of bringing the conflict and heartache of the young people to life. I so wanted the lovers to get together that I had a hard time resisting reading the end of the book first.

I highly recommend this book if your interest is the Kennedys, pre-war London, or a gripping romance.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Romance on the Wilderness Road in the Late 1700s

Kate Gruener and her family are waiting for a group of settlers to travel west across Kentucky where her father wants to settle on the new rich land. Traveling in groups was necessary because of the ever present danger of a Shawnee uprising in addition to accidents and the natural dangers along the trail.

The first time Kate sees Thomas Bledsoe he is a rider carrying post west. When the family is finally ready to move on with a group of settlers, she’s surprised and pleased to see that Thomas has been hired as their guide. She is fascinated by him, and as they travel west tries to learn his story. Accidents and danger bring them close, but a confrontation with the Shawnee calls for all the faith and skill they can muster to survive.

If you enjoy tales of settlers heading west with a good dollop of romance, you will enjoy this book. The history is accurate and the description of the Kentucky wilderness is well done. Kate is a courageous heroine. You can’t help but like her and sympathize with her desire to learn more about Thomas. He is the prototypical frontier man. He enjoys being alone in the wilderness and fears that any woman who loved him would end up in tears.

This is the fifth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book illustrates a time period in US history with heroes and heroines appropriate for the time. This book can be read as a standalone. There is no essential background contained in the previous books.

I recommend this book. It’s a captivating look at settlers moving west in the late 1700s.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

How Far Would You Go to Save Your Unborn Child?

Carly Sears is in training to be a physical therapist. Hunter Poole is a patient with a broken ankle that no one else can reach. He has no family, no friends and no background, but Carly becomes his friend. They both love rock and roll. It’s a bond that leads Carly to introduce him to her sister, Patti. It’s love at first sight.

At first things go well. Patti marries Hunter and Carly marries Joe, a second lieutenant who is scheduled to go to Vietnam. Patti and Hunter have a baby, but Joe is killed leaving a distraught Carly pregnant. The news gets worse for Carly. The baby has a heart defect and will die after it’s born. Carly can hardly stand the idea of losing her link to Joe, but Hunter has an idea.

Although it seems hardly believable, Hunter proposes sending Carly forward in time to 2001 where surgery could be preformed on her unborn baby. It sounds dangerous, but Carly wants the baby. What will she be able to do to save her unborn daughter?

This book requires some suspension of disbelief. The characters, particularly Carly, are realistic, but time travel is a bit of a stretch. This is not a scientifically accurate discussion of time travel. Rather it presents a difficult path that a mother must take to save her child. I thought the author did a good job of showing how hard it was for Carly and how brave she was to take it on.

I recommend this book. It’s a beautiful story of love, family and sacrifice.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.