Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich

Not my favourite Stephanie Plum, but enjoyable nonetheless. Grandma Mazur goes AWOL to a casino with someone else's money, add to that the usual chaos of the life of Stephanie, Lula revealing all, a horse in Stephanie's lounge and the usual episode of firebombing cars, and welcome to the world of Stephenie Plum!

The New Year's Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

The latest book by Jennifer Chiaverini which follows on from The Quilter's Legacy, when the friends of Sylvia & Andrew are gathered for a Christmas Eve dinner only to find that the two of them marry. In the New Years Quilt, Sylvia & Andrew set off to visit Andrew's daughter, Amy, to pass on their news along with a quilt made for Amy by Sylvia. The storyline does continue, but there are lots of flashbacks to earlier books.

The Long Journey Home by Flore Leipman

Wow! An amazing book about the Scottish born author. The daughter of a immigrant parents - whose family & ancestors had migrated from a variety of Countries - Poland,Germany,Russia,Switzerland & France. Flora finds herself & her siblings heading back to Russia following the death of her father in Scotland. The life that Flora and her family were to endure was nothing short of horrific. Life was very hard & the Regime through this time was full of red tape and very restricting. I would have liked to have learn't about the reunion of Flora and her brother Sammy, who Flora believed had perished in the Camps in the Soviet Union.

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

The latest in the Stephanie Plum series is as funny as ever and contains all the usual characters. Grandma Mazur just gets better and better. No Stephanie Plum would be complete without the usual chaos of Stephanie & Lula and this starts with a scene of Stephanie almost choking her ex husband whilst planting a bug on him for Ranger, but when her ex husband ends up missing the police ask questions, of course her alibi is Morelli!

The Singing Line by Alice Thomson

A really enjoyable account of the life of Alice & Charles Todd, the author's great great grandmother. From Cambridgeshire, once Alice had married Charles they embark on their new life together in Australia. Alice to raise their family in a very harsh, yet beautiful country whilst Charles was amongst others to string the telegraph across Australia.

The author and her husband not only travel in the footsteps of Charles (and Alice) across what is harsh terrain, but uses some genealogical sources, family information and historical sources to rebuild their fascinating lives.

74, Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber

On loan from Liz, the seventh book in the ever popular Cedar Cove Series. Cedar Cove is a community where the lives of the residents are entwined with each other. In this book we see the exit of a few of the characters of the previous books in the series. The mystery of the fire that destroyed the restaurant is solved, and actually wasn't who I thought it was. Now eagerly awaiting book eight to be published.



Will be off in the post to mid week as I had forgotten A was on hols. Thanks for the Loan Liz

6 Rainer Drive by Debbie Macomber

On loan from Liz. the sixth book in the ever popular Cedar Cove Series. Cedar Cove is a community where the lives of the residents are entwined with each other. As they deal with their loves and losses, it has been a pleasure to "be" in Cedar Cove once more. Now loitering on my desk, this will be winging its way to Audrey who is another Macomber addict next week.

Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle

Clare's ex husband and business partner embarks on a business deal with an old friend, the deal is Decaffeinated coffee....Clare establishes that the plant has been smuggled into America from South America, then someone tries to mug their friend and two people end up dead. Clare can not resist, and simply has to investigate.....

Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle

Another is the series of the coffeehouse mysteries. One of Clare's staff serves drinks to two people at a party, moments later it is realized they were poisoned, but are they intended victim?

Mrs Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Another lovely,festive feel good factor read from Debbie Macomber. Following the arrival of Mrs Merkle, also know as Mrs Miracle and the lives of those around her as she helps then overcome their sadness & pain.

Coast to Coast by Jan Minshull

I really enjoyed this book, and would have devoured in one sitting except that I fell asleep in the early hours of this morning, but finished during my rare lay in this morning.

This is the gentle story of Linda, who is under appreciated and taken for granted by her family. At what started out as Linda proving a point, became her reality as Linda embarked upon the Coast to Coast walk, though some harsh,yet beautiful territory. Upon the walk, Linda takes the time not only to enjoy and think about where she is walking, but also reflect upon her family, their loves and secrets and her position within her family group. During the walk she mets various people, but one in particular enters Linda's thoughts, and think that perhaps Linda should have been more daring.......

Here a lovely photo of Mount Grace Priory, which features in the book.

Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle

Clare Cosi is working for the summer with her weathly friend David. At a party a yound man is found shot in his bathroom, Clare can't help investigate, and notices that the victim is wearing very similiar clothes to that of David....so who was the intended victim.......

WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier

Several weeks ago I came across a fascinating blog. A selection of war letters from the First World War have been posted on the corresponding day on a blog by the Grandson of the soldier who wrote them 90 years ago.

I won't spoil the details, except to say two things, this deserves to be read, it is fascinating and I make no apology if you become hooked on reading the diary; and secondly this deserves to be published. I just wish I had this much detail about my relatives who fought in the First World War.

Simply fascinating & completely incredible that they have survived.

The link is HERE

Books for 2007

January 2007

1. Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee *

2. Yarn Harlot, the Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee *

3. The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi

4. Footprints in the Sand D by Sarah Challis *

5. Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson *

6. The Birth Order Book by Dr Kevin Leman

7. Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty

8. The Jasmin Moon Murder (A Tea Shop Murder Mystery) by Laura Childs

9. No! I don’t want to Join Another Book Club by Virginia Ironside

10. (Un) Arranged Marriage by Bali Rai

11. Will You Be Mother?, Women who Choose to Say No by Jane Bartlett

12. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

13. Bound for Murder by Laura Childs

14. The Quilters Apprentice (Elm Creek Novel Book 1) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

15. Round Robin (Elm Creek Novel Book 2) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

February 2007

16. The Cross Country Quilters (Elm Creek Novel Book 3) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

17. The Runaway Quilt (Elm Creek Novel Book 4) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

18. The Quilter’s Legacy (Elm Creek Novel Book 5) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

19. The Master Quilter (Elm Creek Novel Book 6) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

20. The Sugar Camp Quilt (Elm Creek Novel Book 7) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

21. The Christmas Quilt (Elm Creek Novel Book 8) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

22. Circle of Quilters (Elm Creek Novel Book 9) by Jennifer Chiaverini *

23. The Florabama Ladies Auxiliary & Sewing Circle by Lois Battle

March 2007

24. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom *

25. Journey to the South by Annie Hawes

26. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

27. Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

28. The Rose Revived by Katie Fforde

29. Paradise Fields by Katie Fforde

30. Stately Pursuits by Katie Fforde

31. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

32. Wild Designs by Katie Fforde

33. Life Skills by Katie Fforde

34. Sisters in the Wilderness by Charlotte Gray

35. Coyote Dreams by Jessica Davis Stein *

36. Letters Between A Father & A Son by V. S. Naipaul

37. Lucinda’s Secrets: The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 3 by Tony Diterizzi & Holly Black

April 2007

38. Do it Tomorrow, and Other Secrets of Time Management by Mark Forster

39. Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz

40. Buried Treasure by Victoria Finlay

41. A Gentle Madness by Nicholas A. Basbanes

42. Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

May 2007

43. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs *

44. The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank: A Novel by Ellen Feldman

45. Welcome to the Great Mysterious by Lorna Landvik

46. Animals Dream by Barbara Kingsolver (DNF)

47. Blue Slipper Bay by Wendy K Harris

48. Capability’s Eden by Diana Saville

49. Knitting by Anne Bartlett

June 2007

50. Toast by Nigel Slater

51. The Perfect Paragon (Agatha Raisin Mystery) by M. C. Beaton

52. Night by Elie Wiesel

53. Roots & All, A history of the Eaton & Hastings Families by Dinah Eaton

July 2007

54. The Founding (Moreland Dynasty Series Book 1) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

55. 16, Lighthouse Road (Cedar Cove Series book 1) by Debbie Macomber

56. 204, Rosewood Lane (Cedar Cove Series book 2) by Debbie Macomber

57. 311, Pelican Court (Cedar Cove Series book 3) Debbie Macomber

58. 44, Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove Series book 4) Debbie Macomber

59. 50, Harbor Street (Cedar Cove Series book 5) by Debbie Macomber

60. The Quilter’s Homecoming (Elm Creek Novel Book 10) by Jennifer Chiaverini

61. Sullivan’s Island by Dorothea Benton Frank

62. Small Town Girl by LaVyrle Spencer

63. Amy’s Honeymoon by Julia Llewellyn

64. Bond of Blood by Benjamin Nicholls

65. Scuba Dancing by Nicola Slade

66. The Island by Victoria Hislop *

67. A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

August 2007

68. Murder in the Museum by Simon Brett

69. Murder in the Family Tree by Patricia Sprinkle *

70. Ancestors by Paul Crooks *

71. Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

72. Puppet Maker by P. M. Mason *

73. In Search of Henry by Arnold Powell *

74. The Day the World Came to Town 9/11, In Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede

75. Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber

76. Family Skeletons by Rett MacPherson

September 2007

77. Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott

78. Murder by the Glass by Michele Scott

79. Silenced by Syrah by Michele Scott

80. A Misty Mourning by Rett MacPherson

81. Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

82. Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton

83. A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton

84. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

85. Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

86. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

87. The Geographer’s Library by Jon Fasman

88. The Postcard by Beverly Lewis

89. The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis

90. The Sanctuary by Beverly Lewis

91. Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels

October 2007

92. Sweatwater by Dorothy Garlock

93. Hero in Disguise by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Hometown Reunion book 4)

94. Those Baby Blues by Helen Conrad (Hometown Reunion book 5)

95. A Touch of Texas by Kristine Rolofson (Hometown Reunion book 7)

96. More than a year in time by Jane Lassen

November 2007

97. Life Planner (thought catcher) by Jennifer Percival

98. Blood Orange Brewing (Tea Shop Mystery) By Laura Childs

99. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

100. Rice Mother by Rani Manicki

101. Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

102. It’s my Party & I’ll knit if I want to by Sharon Aris

December 2007

103. Slippery when wet by Martin Goodman

104. Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon

105. Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

106. Cane River by Lalita Tademy

107. Killing Cousins by Rett MacPherson

108. Dead Angler by Victoria Houston

109. The Xmas Factor by Annie Sanders

110. Siege by David Humphry

Siege by David Humphry

From the back cover - "Manchester 1976. The oldest living Victoria Cross holder and the last survivor of three friends who went to do their duty for Queen and country in the Boer War collapses at a remembrance Sunday service. A young newspaper reporter is assigned to cover the story and is treated to a unique first hand insight of life before and during the siege of Ladysmith in a long forgotten war, fought over three quarters of a century earlier. Natal 1899. Britain and her empire are at war with the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Three old school friends, Privates Charlie Browell, Walter Shawcross and Frank Hoyland are involved in their first armed conflict which will leave one of them dead and another the proud recipient of Britain’s highest gallantry award, the Victoria Cross. As the twentieth century beckons, this last great imperial war will have far reaching consequences for many people including the three generations of the van Oppen family, riding on commando together in the service of the Transvaal Republic; Sarah Dyson, a volunteer nurse who finds love among death, disease and deprivation; Ada Dunkley, matriarch of a prominent Ladysmith family, left shattered by the tragedy of a murder of which and innocent man is accused and Joseph Ncube, a fifteen year old Zulu boy left disillusioned as his loyalty and courage are quickly forgotten after the siege is lifted."

The author is a member of the Boer War mailing list and a web page about the book is Here

Purchased a signed,advance copy from the author.

A page turning story about a young reporter sent to interview the last surviving British soldier of the Boer War. The reporter sits and listens as the old soldier relives the moments and events of 1899. The stench of illness & death, the friendships which were so treasured because they could be snatched away through the events of war, the way the black South Africans who were unrewarded for their involvement in the war were treated, and of the nurses who cared for the soldiers against all odds.

Entwined through the story are three generations of South Africans who are fighting the same war, but on opposite sides and of how one of the medals of the eldest generation of this family came to be back in Manchester with the surviving British soldier.

A really enjoyable book, well researched, and will there be a sequel?......Very thought provoking to someone who has an ancestor who fought in the Boer War.


William Arthur West in South Africa 1899-1902 with a boy soldier


This photo is a group of Soldiers in the Royal Medical Corps during 1899-1902. My Ancestor, William Arthur West is in the back row, second from the right

The Xmas Factor by Annie Sanders

"The hilarious new novel from Annie Sanders about two very busy mothers and how their Christmases collide"....Bella Magazine

Well, I would not describe the book as Hilarious. It was a lovely gentle story of four people whose lives become entwined.....Jacob and his younger second wife, Jacob's daughter Holly who plays the "terrible stepdaughter" role and is journalist who works with Carol, at a failing magazine whose Christmas becomes entwined with Holly, Jacob & Holly. Carol is a single mum who meets a musician called Nick, who indirectly helps Carol gain a fabulous scoop, which is a tragic story dealt with in a compassionate manner.

Dead Angler by Victoria Houston

This is the first book in what looks to be a promising series.

Paul Osbourne, or as he in known in Loon Lake, Doc, is starting to fish again. He is recommended to spend sometime with Lou who is excellent at fishing.....Lou is not the man Doc is expecting, but a divorced woman and the local police chief and called Lew.

While on the initial fishing trip Doc stumbles over what he thinks is a truck of wood only to find that it is a body, the body of a school friend of his daughter. What could have been passed off an a tragic accident is spotted by Doc as suspicious based upon that the victim has had all her gold fillings removed! As they investigate the plot thickens.......

KIilling Cousins by Rett Macpherson

Torie's mother marries Colin Brooke the town sherrif. Colin also owns the loval antique shop, and has purchased the contents of a local well known recluse and asks Torie to catalogue them while he is on his honeymoon. Meanwhile, Sylvia of the local historical society asks Torie to write a biography of the same local recluse - a lady called Catherine Finch. What unfolds is that Catherine's youngest child, 60 odd years ago vanished from his bed.....meanwhile a man is found dead in a derilict building that is just about to be demolished. Did he die from natural causes or was he murdered? Either way he is the nephew of Catherine Finch, the coincidences stack up and whetting Torie's appetite for investigation. Then the demolishion crew find the remains of a young baby....the plot gets thicker and thicker.....

NSS Santa 2007

NSS Santa 2007
Originally uploaded by AnglersRest

Thanks to my Secret Santa who was SwanOfKennet

I have been very spoilt. My parcel contained four books, three from my
wish list -

• Italian Food by Elizabeth David

• Genealogy, a novel by Maud Casey

• Dead Angler by Victoria Houston

• Edwardian Rambles by Henry Atty

Several bars of chocolate - mint aero, whole nut & a pack of mint creams.
A bar of fudge, and a pack of 20 engraving fish stickers, plus a lovely
card with a photo of one of the kitten's on.

Thanks SwanOfKennet, you have truely spolt me.

Happy Christmas!

Cane River by Lalita Tademy

This is the incrediable story of three generations of the author's ancestry. Through their years as slaves, to their freedom. Their loves and dispair, grief and bewilderment. The novel does not portray the many horrors that slaves suffered at the hands of their "owners". Wonderfully and lovingly the author has attempted to peice together their lives, using official documentation and living memory

.

Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

A compelling story of four people whose lives are entwined. Tom Stewart who in the early 1930s leaves the UK for Hong Kong, leaving behind his only family, a Grandmother & his brother and the public house they run. On the boat he meets an assortment of people and becomes involved in a bet, that he can not learn Cantonese. Sister Maria, the person responsible for him learning Cantonese. As Tom leaves the boat he is given the name of someone who will, given, he can now speak Cantonese give him a job. His friendship with Sister Maria develops and lasts until her death.....The remainder of the four characters are Matthew Ho who is Anglo Chinese, and grandson to Tom, who meets Dawn Stone on her maiden flight to Hong Kong. Their lives become completely entwined as they, in one way and another fight for survival.

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon

This has finally made it to the top of Mountain TBR! A fascinating account of the military and sexual underworld of London during 18th Century, and with focus on Lord John from the Outlander Series, who sets about trying to establish if his cousin will marry Trevelyan, who it seems has a transmitted disease....plus there is the event of a missing soldier who is found murdered...... Can be read as a standalone book from the Outlander Series, which is equally fascinating!

Slippey when wet by Martin Goodman

I wasn't sure just what to make of this book, but nonetheless, it was a compelling read. The story of Maggie who is eccentric to say the least, who, upon hearing that her husband has died in another woman's bed then manages to put her dead husband into the car and drive him home. If that wasn't strange enough Maggie then leaves home without burying her husband, making arrangements with her grand daughter to send the ashes to her in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, Maggie befriends a young man, Seppen, and eventually seduces him, before leaving for Thailand where she scatters her husband's ashes. Although I found the book in places strange, there was something about it that made me devour it in just over two days.

It's My Party and I'll Knit If I Want To! by Sharon Aris

An amusing and light hearted look at knitting. For me it was nice that it focused on knitting in Australia, a Country close to my heart. It didn't make we want to rush out and grab my needles, but it did make me realise that I miss my Aussie family more than I thought! - I enjoyed the mini biographies of those being interviewed and it was good to get pointers towards mailing lists and web sites.

Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

The very gentle story of Lena Fleet, who has made a promise with God. That she will stop sleeping with every boy she meets, move and not return to her home town and she will not tell lies, all she asks from God is that her secret remains that way.....all was OK until she met the love of her life.....

The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka

The very gentle story of Lakshmi, who has an arranged marriage to Ayah a widower with two children. Lakshmi returns to Malaysia with her new husband and finds that financially things are not as they were promised and so follows a life of hardship, love, duty and family life. The book follows the family from their six children and various spouses, hardships and the Second World War when the Japanese invaded, and the shocking atrocities that occurred, and the diaries that one of Lakshmi's children leaves behind

Inkheart by Cornealia Funke

I found this a bit of a slog to get into, but once I had established exactly what the issues of Dustfinger, and Meg's missing mother were, I found that I enjoyed the book more; I guess I am an impatient reader! The book is about a story, set within a story, which has the potential to be complicated for a child, remembering that this is a children's book. There is a special relationship between Meg and her father Mo, with his secret friendship with Dustfinger, and their secret world. There is also the character of Aunt Elinor and her wonderful, wonderful library of books.

Blood Orange Brewing (Tea Shop Mysteries) by Laura Childs

Delaine Dish hosts a benefit candlelit evening at a house which is in the process of being donated to the Historical Society. A grisely discovery is made as soon as the recital breaks for refreshments - a member of the group has been murdered. Theodosia, owner of the Tea Shop, simply has to investigate......

One of the best of the Tea Shop Mysteries, with an ending that I didn't see coming.

Life Planner (Thought Catcher) by Jennifer Percival

From the back cover:

If you:

* Make plans only to find other things take over

* Juggle commitments such as work and relationships

* Wonder when you will have time for yourself

* Find life does not turn out the way you expect

this book will help you find creative solutions.

Life Planner helps you understand yourself and turn your goals into reality by exploring:

* Your life as it is now

* Where you want to be

* The skills you need to get there

Life Planner is a new type of self-help workbook which combines though-provoking text and exercises to help you achieve your goals.

What a fabulous book. I took opportunity to work through the various sections, which then gave rise to me analysing my work situation and reflecting on it and enabling me to develop further for the future.




The web site associated to the books is here

Plant ~ Brunnera macrophylla ~ 'Betty Bowring'

In June 2006 I wrote the following entry on my blog

"I am always interested as why some things are named after specific people, I clearly have an enquiring mind!, so this one was no exception, and as the surname of BOWRING appears in my family tree I simply "had" to record it.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowring' is a superb white flowered brunnera. The white flowers emerge in early spring and grow taller as the leaves come up. Then the dark green heart shaped leaves form superb groundcover in summer. The height is about 18 inches.



But who was Betty Bowing & why?"

Today I received an email from the daughter of Betty Bowring, how wonderful is that? Here is what she said:

"This plant first appeared in my garden it seeded itself from the blue Brunnera - not sure of this name - and was given to my mum who passed it on as gardeners do and it went to someone who said it was a new one to them. It was taken to Covent Garden where it didn't have a name so it was traced back to my mum and it was decided to call it after her."

So, the Betty Bowring was actually named in the 20th Century and by a strange coincidence, there is a further, somewhat interesting link to the surname of IRONSIDE which also appears in my family history.

I never ceased to be astounded at the power of the internet - it is truly wonderful!

Thanks to Lutrus

NSS Halloween/Autumn Pressie - 2007
Originally uploaded by AnglersRest

More Than a Year in Time by Jane Lassen

6th Nov 2009

I have received a letter today from the author asking me to remove, what was a non offensive book review. I have removed it out of courtesy for the aurthor, but am somewhat bemused at the request as the original post was loaded to Blogger more than 12 months ago. The author has located my postal address, does not want to engage in any further communications as did not provide me with any contact details.

Those Baby Blues by Helen Conrad (Hometown Reunion) - Book 5

Paul Chambers is a doctor, who has returned to his home town in search of a wife and a new beginning. Planning to turn the home he has inherited into a new clinic with living quarters he encounters resistance from one of his tenants.......

Book 5 of 12 in this romance series, but can be a stand alone read. Set in the fictional town of Tyler.

Sweetwater by Dorothy Garlock

A very gentle 19th century love story. Set in Sweetwater, Wyoming Territory in the mid 1860s. Jenny is a teacher, fleeing with her young sisters from Pennsylvania, where the young sisters had had a very hard life at the hands of the husband of their elder sister. Fleeing to another county where, if she can handle the hardships for 5 years, Jenny will be able to buy some land. Teaching in the Indian territory is not going to be easy, however, the difficulties of life are not easy caused by not the Indians,but by the local reservation agent who is purely at the beck and call of his father in law. Both are nasty men, who will stop at nothing to get what they want. A local man Trell will help them cope with the hardships of their new home. He stumbles across a young girl whose family has been torn apart by the agent's men, and she and her grandmother flea to Jenny for not only safety but also that they can help Jenny. A firm friendship is formed by all of them, then Trell's brother enters the scene....

A very gentle novel, I really enjoyed the upbeat behavior of Jenny, who was possibly a woman before her time

Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels

Purchased last year at our trip to Hay On Wye, this was purchased from the wonderful outside bookshop and has sat balanced on top of mount TBR. Being an ex library copy it has the distinctive yellow stickers on the spine of the book denoting the classification of Horror. Well, not sure I agree with horror, possibly mystery.

Rachel works for a wonderful store in the US that sells vintage quilts and clothes. The family are just about to head away for Christmas when they are almost burgled. Rachel moves into the home above the shop whilst the family are away for safety of both her and the quilts, that are somehow wrapped up in the story. There is a hint of quilt history, some use of genealogical records and a hint of white magic.

All in all, an enjoyable read and it does focus a lot more on the history of the quilts than on the "evil" side of things. I had not realised that this is part of a series, so I might try and read the others when I have chance.

Amish Country Crossroads by Beverly Lewis

26th September 2007 - The Postcard

I read a brief synopsis somewhere and was immediately interested in the storyline. I knew virtually nothing about the Amish religion & way of life, but a quick search of this web page gave some background information.

The Postcard is the story or Rachel. She is happily married with a son and daughter and is expecting her third child. They are all set to provide for their expanding family with talk of buying farm land, when on market day their horse is spooked and Rachel's husband and son are killed in an accident. Rachel suffers a miscarriage and the effects from seeing the accident, affects her so that she becomes blind.

A young reporter sent to the region to undertake a story on the lives & beliefs of the Amish people. He checks into a guest house owned by Rachel's parents and where Rachel and her daughter reside. In his room he enjoys the lovely old writing bureau, and on further investigation discovers a postcard.

The report, Philip sets about finding out about the postcard, who wrote it and who it was written to. The postcard writer, by coincidence is the Uncle of Rachel, with the help of someone within the community he locates the person for whom the postcard was intended.

A very gentile story of love and of the Amish way of life. There were biblical references, but the storyline was enjoyable and I particularly enjoyed the research theme.

27th September 2007 - The Crossroad

This continues the story of Rachel and her daughter Annie, living in the midst of an Amish community. Philip, the reporter who undertook an article in The Postcard has returned home and continues to think about Rachel and her blindness. He so much wants to help Rachel overcome her situation. Again another gentle story dealing with the Amish community, the beliefs of such a community.

28th September 2007 - The Sanctuary

Another story set in the Amish community, although not connected to the earlier two stories. This has more of a thriller style to it. Melissa is hiding for something. Happily married she has not shared her situation with her husband and suddenly she finds that she has to flea to safety. She arrives at a bed & breakfast in an Amish community and tries to overcome her situation and fears. She eventually makes contact with her link in the FBI and somehow finds that her beloved husband is caught up the world she is fleaing from.

Not as good a storyline as the earlier two, but nonetheless enjoyable.

September on the telly!

I'm not a huge fan of the TV, but September is proving to be a great month! Firstly, Who do you think you are? is back for a fourth series. Whilst, there is some broadcasting stretches, and the genealogical world is critical, it does what it is intended to do - entertain and encourage others to research their ancestry. Unless you are obsessed with it like me, then it just feeds a very pleasant obsession!

....and Michael Palin is back for another "must watch" series - New Europe where he travels around the new Countries of Europe and visits some old ones!

The Geographer's Library by Jon Fasman

The storyline of a thriller, but very long winded & disjointed, views echoed by previous readers. Not the best book I have read, but something did compel me to finish reading it.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

The gentle story about the Nolan family with particular focus on Francie. Set in the early part of the 20th century in Brooklyn N.Y. The story of family & problems of the time.

Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

A slightly different tempo to the first book in the series,which I think made it a better and stronger book.

Clare joins an online dating website as a way of ensuring her daughter is safe, she then hosts at the coffeehouse, a series of what we in the UK would call speed dating events, but then three murders happen, all that are possibly made to look like suicide.....Clare then meets and falls in love with someone known to the three victims, is there a chance that Clare could be number four?.....

On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

The first in this coffee house series. Clare Cosi is a divorcee, with a daughter about to head off to train as a chef. Tempted by an offer to run with a share in the businss owned by her ex mother in law, Clare returns to New York. On her first morning, following her move Clare turns up to the coffee shop expecting to find it open, but discovers it closed. She then finds the body of her assistant manager in the basement, not dead, but certainly very badly hurt. Add to the mix an ex husband, an interesting detective and a curious Clare we have the makings off, not a strong latte, but of a coffeehouse murder......

A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton

Allison, a craft designer with a promising career ahead of her, is found dead in her apartment by Megan and Kellie. Something does not feel right, and all the evidence the police have points to Allison taking her own life, Kellie embarks on a journey to discover the truth. Meanwhile, life for Kellie is changing, she takes on the clients of another town person, and gives her notice into the firm in DC whom she has been working for, and the lawyer wading through the estates of both her aunt and cousin, finally completes his task, plus the relationship with Steve, is going to the next level, or is it......

Needled to death by Maggie Sefton

Kellie finds her friend, Vicki, murdered at her alpaca farm. As a way of helping Vicki's daughter daughter get the accounts ready for her lawyer,then while Kellie is away, the daughter is murdered, after discovering there are some inconsistancies with her mother's bank accounts. Meanwhile, the solicitor dealing with Kelly's aunt and cousin's estate, suggests that Kellie heads off to see the ranch and the cattle she has inherited. Will Kellie get it together with Steve?.......

Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

The first in the series, and what a great book - I'm glad I bought the other two in the series!

Kate has returned to the town when she spent some time growing up. She has inherited from her Aunt a lovely cottage, following her aunt's murder, add to that the appearance of a distant cousin, and a missing family quilt, then another death........

A Misty Mourning by Rett MacPherson

Torie and her grandmother embark on a trip to their ancestral roots, and have been invited to stay with the a family friend, Clarissa. Having spent one night in the house of Clarissa, run as a bed and breakfast, Torie finds Clarissa dead. Torie becomes chief suspect, as she found the body and was seen removing a pillow from the deceased face......Torie teams up with her cousin Elliot and grandmother to find the answers to some quiet old questions and to clear her name.

Another great story - looking forward to reading more in the series.

Anyone for a cuppa?

Several weeks ago, I walked pass a small antique shop in town when I spotted a delightful, what I believed to be a coffee set. I commented to Mum, that it matched a tea set she had inherited from my grandmother. I resisted buying it. Then last week Mum asked me if I had seen the coffee set again. I said I had, and wasn't sure whether to buy it or not. It would complement the set that Mum had. Mum then suggested that she ring and ask the shop to reserve it for me and If I picked it up she would buy me the coffee set as a belated anniversary present and give me the tea set that she had. I was overwhelmed. So, on Saturday, I wandered into town and bought the coffee set.

Markings on the bottom.

Then later over the weekend Mum gave me the bits that we had inherited.



But this time the markings on the bottom are different, but very clearly the same design.

I guess this dates to the mid 1930s.

Silenced by Syrah by Michele Scott

Derek, owner of the vineyard & resturant has co-written a cook book with a well known chef. All is going to plan until the chef is murdered. His assistant seems particularly upset, were they romatically involved? Nicki has to find out - she establishes that the assistant is in fact his long lost daughter and inherits the whole of the estate, then there is the publishing company, a solicitor and the chef's agent. Which one is responsible....... Nicki is continuing with the mixed emotions of who she wants a relationship with, Derek who wants her to go to Australia with him, or Andres who wants her to go to Spain with him.....decisions, decisions.........

Murder by the Glass by Michele Scott

Continuing the story of inquisitive Nicki. Her friend, Isobel, is asked to cater for a wedding. Alas the groom is Isobel's ex boyfriend. If that wasn't enough, the bride is murdered and Isobel is arrested.....Nicki is beginning to battle with her growing affections for not only her boss Derek but also Isobel's brother the sexy Andres.

Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott

The first in the wine lovers series. Nicki a failed actress is waiting tables, she by chance meets the owner of a vineyard and accepts the offer of a job managing part of the business. If only it was that simple, having met one of the star employees and the accountant, they both wind up murdered and Nicki can not resist trying to solve it......

With a nice mix of recipes and wine pairings, I am looking forward to more in the series.

Family Skeltons by Rett MacPherson

The first time I have read anything in the series and I am delighted there are several more set in the genealogical world of Torie o'Shea.

Torie is a historical guide and genealogist. She is asked to undertake some research for someone; to find out about Norah's father, of whom she has a few details from her mother and a photograph. As she starts to research instead of finding, as Norah believes that her father is deceased, he is well and living not too far from Norah. As Torie is about to make contact with Norah and inform her, Norah is murdered and Torie finds the body.......