Review: The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell

Paperback, 432 pages

Expected publication: February 3rd 2015 by Sourcebooks Landmark

more details...

original title: The Unexpected Consequences of Love

ISBN: 1492602086 (ISBN13: 9781492602088)

From Goodreads:

Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her?

Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family's hotel, he can't understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him-or any man for that matter-into her life. He also can't understand how he's been duped into employing Sophie's impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie's indifference to love. But that doesn't mean Josh is going to quit trying...
   

My thoughts : I have never read a Jill Mansell book that I didn't care for. I think I've read just about every book she has written and I've loved them all, a few more than others, but still they are all enjoyable reads. One of Mansell's strong points is her ability to write with her heart and still inject some (okay, lots) of humor into the situations. Every story has more than just a few "laugh out loud" moments. Some of the situations her characters get into just make me chuckle as they are so easy to imagine. Mansell is extremely adroit at bringing farce to life.

In her latest, The Unexpected Consequences of Love, several of the characters find out that love endures even when you think it's not possible. The main character, Sophie, tries to shut off her emotions after a bad situation with her ex-husband but she finds this is not as easy to do as she first thought. I really liked Dot, the older character, who learns that age is not immune to love nor is it as easy to forego especially when a fluke incident puts someone's life in danger.

I really enjoyed Mansell's book and would highly recommend her to anyone who likes chick-lit, humorous British fiction or contemporary romance. There's something for everyone in her books! 4****


Jill Mansell, author of numerous books, can be found on her page.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Seventh Link: An English Village Cosy Featuring the Colonel by Margaret Mayhew

From Goodreads:
"The village of Frog End may be peaceful, but that doesn't mean that the Colonel s life there is quiet not with his friendly but nosy neighbour Naomi, desperate to know what he s keeping in his new shed; the curious Miss Butler, who tracks his every move with her German U-boat captain s binoculars; and the attentions of the local vicar, who s keen to involve him in church affairs. That s not forgetting the demands of the aloof, imperious cat Thursday, who seems to have adopted the Colonel.So the Colonel is pleased when his old friend Geoffrey Cheetham invites him up to the village of Buckby for the weekend, to coincide with a RAF reunion event. After depositing an outraged Thursday at the Cat Heaven cattery, he drives up, and meets his fellow guests at the Cheethams B&B: including a Lancaster bomber crew, reunited for the first time. But everything is not as it seems, and the Colonel finds himself taking on the reluctant role of sleuth once more when tragedy strikes . . ."   

The Seventh Link, part of the Village Mystery Series, is a fun little British mystery. I loved the village setting and the wonderful characters of  the Colonel, his neighbor Naomi and the ever so comical Miss Butler. Mayhew did a great job with these characters bringing out all their quirks and personalities.

While attending a reunion for his old RAF Bomber Command group, the Colonel and his old pals experience a tragedy. One of their own has passed away in somewhat unusual circumstances. The mystery of how Don Wilson died is a tad ambiguous. Did he drown by accident due to his drunkenness or was he helped along the way?

Even though I found the book to be a little short with no resolution, I still enjoyed it. The historical references to the Bomber Command was interesting, albeit sometimes overshadowing the "mystery".

Margaret Mayhew, a Goodreads author can be found on her page here. Mayhew is a prolific author who can also be found on her web page at Severn House.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Severn House Publishers/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Red Book of Primrose House: A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate

From Goodreads:


In Marty Wingate’s charming new Potting Shed Mystery, Texas transplant Pru Parke’s restoration of a historic landscape in England is uprooted by an ax murderer.

Pru Parke has her dream job: head gardener at an eighteenth-century manor house in Sussex. The landscape for Primrose House was laid out in 1806 by renowned designer Humphry Repton in one of his meticulously illustrated Red Books, and the new owners want Pru to restore the estate to its former glory—quickly, as they’re planning to showcase it in less than a year at a summer party.

But life gets in the way of the best laid plans: When not being happily distracted by the romantic attentions of the handsome Inspector Christopher Pearse, Pru is digging into the mystery of her own British roots. Still, she manages to make considerable progress on the vast grounds—until vandals wreak havoc on each of her projects. Then, to her horror, one of her workers is found murdered among the yews. The police have a suspect, but Pru is certain they’re wrong. Once again, Pru finds herself entangled in a thicket of evil intentions—and her, without a hatchet.


The Red Book of Primrose House was a little slow starting but I loved the Sussex garden setting.
The plot had a little more romance and a tad less mystery than I would have liked but some quirky and fun characters still made this one a pleasurable read. There were just enough motives to keep this reader guessing right up until the end.

I had never heard about the  Victorian garden designer Humphrey Repton but I found this part of the book interesting.

Marty Wingate, a master gardener as well as an author, can be found on her Goodreads  author page and on her web page.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Random House/Netgally in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes

Kindle Edition

Published May 27th 2014 by Penguin Books (first published 2005)

more details...

original title: The Ship of Brides

ASIN:B00HDMMC7M

edition language: English

From Goodreads:

1946. World War II has ended and all over the world, young women are beginning to fulfill the promises made to the men they wed in wartime.

In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on an extraordinary voyage to England—aboard HMS Victoria, which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers. Rules are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier’s captain down to the lowliest young deckhand. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined despite the Navy’s ironclad sanctions. And for Frances Mackenzie, the complicated young woman whose past comes back to haunt her far from home, the journey will change her life in ways she never could have predicted—forever. 


My thoughts: Never having read anything by JoJo Moyes, before, I wasn't too sure what to expect but since the book was set post WWII, I definitely was curious. I'm now a new fan of Moyes!

Many Australian women married British servicemen during WWII. Moyes obviously did a lot of research on the subject and pens a fictionalized account of some of these women.  It's now 1946, the war is over and the "brides" are headed to their new country. The story is concentrated around four very diverse women who have to bunk together during the trip.  During the seven week voyage, tempers will flare, dreams will come true for some and shattered for others. Pasts will come to haunt some while others will move smoothly into their new lives without a qualm.

I loved it! The characters held my attention every minute; I just could not seem to put it down. During the six years I've written this blog, very few books have earned a 5* rating but this one did, hands down. Did I mention that I loved it?? I loved it!

JoJo Moyes is also the author of numerous novels. She can be found at Goodreads, and on her web page..

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Penguin Books/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
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Review: The Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman

    

Paperback, 384 pages

Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by Berkley Trade

more details...

ISBN:0425266257 (ISBN13: 9780425266250)

From Goodreads:


Set against the rich backdrop of World War II Italy, Garden of Letters captures the hope, suspense, and romance of an uncertain era, in an epic intertwining story of first love, great tragedy, and spectacular bravery.Portofino, Italy, 1943. A young woman steps off a boat in a scenic coastal village. Although she knows how to disappear in a crowd, Elodie is too terrified to slip by the German officers while carrying her poorly forged identity papers. She is frozen until a man she’s never met before claims to know her. In desperate need of shelter, Elodie follows him back to his home on the cliffs of Portofino.

Only months before, Elodie Bertolotti was a cello prodigy in Verona, unconcerned with world events. But when Mussolini’s Fascist regime strikes her family, Elodie is drawn into the burgeoning resistance movement by Luca, a young and impassioned bookseller. As the occupation looms, she discovers that her unique musical talents, and her courage, have the power to save lives.

In Portofino, young doctor Angelo Rosselli gives the frightened and exhausted girl sanctuary. He is a man with painful secrets of his own, haunted by guilt and remorse. But Elodie’s arrival has the power to awaken a sense of hope and joy that Angelo thought was lost to him forever.

My thoughts: Any book with WWII as the backdrop usually merits a look from me, but Richman is particularly deft with this scenario. All the horrors of wartime and the difficulty of living are so well done, it is as if I were right there along with the characters.

In this story, Elodie, our heroine, is a young and very talented violinist just coming of age in the most difficult of circumstances. Seeing her homeland invaded and her way of life abruptly changed, Elodie does what she must in order to live with her conscience and try to help the resistance. Falling in love was not part of her plan but it just happened and Elodie finds herself having to make some very difficult choices and then dealing with those choices,

" Elodie wonders, if beneath the schoolgirl uniform, her mother can see the change in her. That her daughter has discovered that it isn't only music that can articulate the beauty and mystery of the world. That now she knows that the heart has it's own rhythm and breath has it's own pulse, and there is nothing in this world that makes you feel more alive than a simple touch of a beloved's hand."

In The Garden of Letters, Alyson Richman pens her usual beautiful, lyrical writing; words to be savored right along with the plot. All of Richman's characters come to life vividly on the page, so much so, that my heart was fully engaged along with my mind.

Alyson Richman is also the author of  The Lost Wife, one of my all time favorite reads.  4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley Trade/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Simple Faith by Anna Schmidt

Paperback, 320 pages

Published March 1st 2014 by Shiloh Run Press

ISBN: 162029141X (ISBN13: 9781620291412)

series: Peacemakers #2


From Goodreads:



After losing her beloved husband and daughter and surviving Hitler’s Sobibor death camp, Quaker widow Anja Steinberg dedicates her life to helping others and keeping her son safe. As a member of the resistance, she helps displaced Allied airmen get back to their units in England. The journey is rigorous and filled with danger and there is no time for romance. Anja knows that Mikel, her fellow resistance worker, loves her. He would make a good husband and father for her son, but she doesn’t share his feelings. Is friendship enough? Then American Peter Trent parachutes into her life. She must face facts—her heart did not die with her late husband and true love could be hers again. But marrying Mikel may be the only way she can save Peter.

My thoughts: Combine a love for WWII fiction, Christian fiction, and  stories of courageous people, Simple Faith ticked all the boxes perfectly. What a wonderful story this is! I was engaged immediately with the characters. I could feel my heart rate speed up at the very beginning and just knew this story would really grab me by the heart and not let go.


Schmidt was at the top of her game with this book;  her sense of place was done to perfection and  it was as if I were right there with these very likeable characters. Never once did the narrative lag nor did it ever disappoint me.  Even though this is the second book in a trilogy, it read as a stand-alone. I loved it!  5*****

Anna Schmidt, the author of numerous books, can be found on her Goodreads page and on her website.


Highly recommended for fans of romance, Christian fiction, WWII stories, ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds and tales of courageous women.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Barbour Publishing  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

Series: Quilts of Love (Book 16)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press (March 18, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426752806
ISBN-13: 978-1426752803








My thoughts:

 Maybelle in Stitches was interesting in several ways: the historical aspect of WWII and the part women played in the war effort combined with Maybelle's personal story. Maybelle, a new bride, has become a welderette at the local shipyard while her husband, Holden, is  fighting in Europe. Magnin  pens a heartwarming story of Maybelle , her best friend, Doris, and several other women who do the best they can while their husbands are fighting the war. To keep themselves occupied after work, they begin to jointly work on a quilt that Maybelle's late mother started. At first it is just a "keep-busy" project but then it becomes a symbol for hope; hope that the war will end soon and that their husbands will come home safely.



I've read quite a few of Joyce Magnin's books and enjoyed them all.  She has a way of  getting the reader totally immersed in the characters and plot. It was easy to empathize with all the women in the story. Magnin uses the theme of strong women who are still vulnerable and have some obstacle to overcome and she does it very successfully.



Even though this is listed as Christian fiction, it is not "in-your-face" kind of writing. I like good fiction but I don't want to be preached to. 4****



Joyce can be found on  Goodreads and Facebook.



Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Abingdon Press

 in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Book, Line and Sinker by Jenn McKinlay

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: December 4th 2012 by Berkley

more details...

ISBN: 0425251764 (ISBN13: 9780425251768)

edition language; English

series: Library Lover's Mystery #3

From the publisher: Answering tricky reference questions like this one provides plenty of excitement for library director Lindsey Norris. But when a shocking murder is committed in her cozy coastal town of Briar Creek, Connecticut, the question of who did it must be answered before an innocent man gets the book thrown at him... Lindsey is enjoying her second year in Briar Creek as the library director, meeting with the crafternoon club, and happily dating tour boat captain Mike Sullivan. But when a salvage company arrives in town to dig up treasure buried on Pirate Island over three hundred years ago, the locals are torn between protecting the island and welcoming the publicity. In spite of the squabbling, Charlie Peyton, Lindsey’s downstairs neighbor, takes a job with the salvage company. But when Trudi Hargrave, the local tourism director who hired the company, is found murdered at the excavation site, Charlie becomes the chief suspect. To help him, Lindsey must do some digging of her own before the real killer buries the truth for good…

My thoughts: I love this series! What's not to love about a cozy set in coastal New England with two likeable and high spirited librarians as the main characters?

Jenn McKinlay has become one of my favorite cozy writers in the last few years. Her books are always entertaining with the mystery parts being well plotted and paced. McKinlay, without fail, provides several suspects with credible motives and a most satisfying ending to the mystery. I always think I know who the culprit is but have been proved wrong on numerous occasions. 4****
 
Jenn is also the author of  the Cupcake mystery series. Jenn can be found on her website, and  at  FB.  

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is December 22nd at 5 PM (est).

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline. Leave me a link, please.

  If no e mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.


If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Book, Line, and Sinker in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Hardcover, 481 pages

Published October 9th 2012 by Atria

more details...

ISBN

1439152802 (ISBN13: 9781439152805

In 1961, at a family birthday party, sixteen year old Laurel witnesses a strange encounter between a man and her mother that will become a heavy secret for years and years. Fast forward to 2011 when Laurel comes home to visit her dying mother. Finding an old photo from 1941 and listening to her mother's ramblings become clues to a mystery from her mother's past that Laurel feels compelled to solve.

"It suddenly seemed to Laurel that all the absence in her own life, every loss and sadness, every unexplained melancholy, took the shadowy form of the same unanswered question:something that had been there since she was sixteen years old-- her mother's unspoken secret."

Who are you, Dorothy?" she said beneath her breath, "Who were you, before you became Ma?"

The plot segues seamlessly between 1941, 1961 and 2011 as told alternately by Laurel and Dorothy. Never once did I feel like I was yanked out of one timeframe and abruptly thrust into another. Morton's writing is smooth as silk and just as luxurious. I've read reviews that say she is a little wordy. I disagree. I love the way she puts me in the scene and makes me aware of all the surroundings.


 Morton has the ability to draw me into her world immediately and keeps my interest in the plot and characters invested at all times. In every one of her books there has been a "twist" that I didn't see coming. I've now read every book Kate Morton has written and loved them all. The Secret Keeper is my second favorite one just a shade behind The Distant Hours, most likely my favorite read of 2012. 4.5****


Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Atria  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Miss Buncle Married by D.E. Stevenson

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published 1936)

more details...

ISBN: 1402272529 (ISBN13: 9781402272523)

edition language; English

series: Miss Buncle #2

From the publisher:

In this charming follow-up to Miss Buncle's Book, readers will follow Barbara Buncle's journey into married life in a new town filled with fascinating neighbors...who may become the subjects of Barbara's next novel! Miss Buncle may have settled down, but she's already discovered that married life has done nothing to prevent her from getting into humorous mix-ups and hilarious hijinx. Readers will continue to fall in love with Barbara as she hilariously navigates an exciting new beginning.

My Thoughts:  I just adored the first book in this series, Miss Buncle's Book. It was one of the most charming books I've read all year. Miss Buncle Married, the sequel, takes us on a rollicking journey to Wandlebury, the  town that Barbara and her recently acquired husband, Arthur Abbot, have moved to after much searching for just the perfect place.

Just as Barbara and Arthur are settling into their new home and married life, Arthur's nephew, Sam, comes to visit and finds more attractions in Wandlebury than just being the dutiful nephew. This is when the fun truly begins!

D.E. Stevenson is a master at creating small villages with a group of eclectic characters that the readers can't help but fall in love with. The author truly has an eye for quirkiness and humor that delighted me throughout the book. Her character development  is excellent. This second in the series introduced some new characters that I hope to see more of in the next book, The Two Mrs. Abbotts.

Miss Buncle Married hit the spot with me and I really enjoyed my time with Barbara, her family and neighbors in the little English village of Wandlebury. 4.5****

I am so thankful to Sourcebooks for re-publishing these books that were originally published during the 1930's. D.E. Stevenson is an author I had never heard of before and would most likely not have crossed my "readar" if it weren't for Sourcebooks.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance by Paige Shelton

Paperback 304 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780425251614)
edition language: English
series: Gram’s Country Cooking School Mystery #2

From the publisher:

At Gram’s Country Cooking School in Broken Rope, Missouri, Isabelle “Betts” Winston and her grandmother share the secrets of delicious home-style recipes. But there’s one secret they keep from their classes—their ability to talk to ghosts from the town’s colorful past… Betts and Gram agree to help their friend Jake at Broken Rope’s Historical Society by accommodating some foodie tourists for the night and occupying them with cooking lessons. It couldn’t be worse timing when the pair encounter the ax-wielding ghost of Sally Swarthmore, one of Broken Rope’s legendary murderers, who pleads with Betts to help find her diary--a diary that could prove that Sally was really a victim, not a villain. But they soon have a modern-day murder on their hands when one of the tourists turns up dead with a noose around his neck and two other tourists are nowhere to be found. Now Betts needs to put the cooking classes on the back burner to untangle two knotty mysteries and rope in a cold-blooded killer.

My thoughts: Another fun installment of Gram's cooking school from Paige Shelton. I read the first in the series and really liked it. Actually, it kind of surprised me because I didn't used to like ghosts in cozies but Paige's first book in this series, If Fried Chicken Could Fly, changed my mind. The ghost, Sally, in If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance is a real character. I liked her story and the fact that she wanted to know the truth of  the accusations made against her. Sally's story is loosely based on the legend of Lizzie Borden.

Another aspect of the story that appealed to me was the Missouri "old western town" setting complete with fake sheriff, shoot-out reenactments and historical museums. The addition of a "haunted house" soon to be demolished was a nice addition to the story. This is a well rounded cozy with present day mysteries , a romance thread along with a mystery from many years before. Several potato dish recipes are included at the end. I liked it! 3.5***

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is October 17 th at 5 PM (est). If no e mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review& Giveaway: Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Signet

ISBN: 045123782X (ISBN13: 9780451237828)

edition language: English

From the publisher:

Kath Rutledge is about to learn the true meaning of TGIF—Thank Goodness It’s Fiber.…

That’s the name of the spunky group of fiber and needlework artists founded by Ivy McClellan, Kath’s beloved grandmother. Though Ivy has recently passed on, the members still meet regularly at her fiber and fabric shop, The Weaver’s Cat, which Kath has now inherited. But that’s only the first in a series of surprises when Kath returns to the small town of Blue Plum, Tennessee, to settle her grandmother’s affairs.

There’s been a murder, and it turns out her grandmother was the prime suspect. Before she can begin to clear Ivy’s name, Kath encounters a looming presence in the form of a gloomy ghost. It turns out the specter has just as much interest in solving the murder as Kath. So, with a little help from the members of TGIF—and a stubborn spirit from beyond—she sets out to unravel the clues and hook the real killer

My thoughts: There have been  many new series this year, some better than others.  Last Wool and Testament is the first in the Haunted Yarn Shop mysteries. This one started out a little slowly for me but then the author hit her stride and the story started coming together. I did like the main character, Kath, and her two obnoxious cousins, Shirley and Mercy. They were the kind of characters you need in a cozy to balance out the "nice" people. Actually, I thought they were a hoot, they were so obvious in their nosiness.

I didn't guess "whodunnit" so that 's a good thing! The paranormal aspect of the book was a little off  putting, not because there was a ghost in the story, but that this particular ghost was a whiner and annoyed me to no end. Other than that, I really liked the Tennessee yarn shop setting and overall I liked the book.  Not loved, but liked. 3***

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Signet in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Signet I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is October 6th at 5 PM (est).
Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline.  Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Last Wool and Testament in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review & Giveaway: The Harbormaster's Daughter by Heidi Jon Schmidt

Paperback, 368 pages
Published August 7th 2012 by NAL Trade
ISBN: 0451237870 (ISBN13: 9780451237873)

From the publisher:

On a freezing January night, LaRee Farnham answers a knock at her door to find a policewoman holding three-year old Vita Gray, whose mother has just been murdered a few miles away. LaRee raises Vita with fierce love and attention, while trying to shield her from the aftermath of the murder, which has deeply divided the historic village of Oyster Creek.

Born out of wedlock, Vita is the product of the town’s two very different cultures: the hardworking fishing families of Portuguese descent and the "washashores” from the mainland who’ve drifted to the coast for its beauty. At sixteen, Vita is shy and isolated, estranged from her father and bullied at school, but she is determined to come out of herself, step by step.

When the shocking details of her past surface suddenly, Vita feels utterly betrayed by those closest to her, and the fraught tension between Oyster Creek’s two cultures comes to a head. LaRee must ask hard questions about herself as a mother, while Vita turns to unexpected avenues to find meaning and discovers that the truth is almost never found in black and white . . . .

My thoughts:The Harbormaster's Daughter is an interesting character driven novel. Vita, somewhat different who comes from both sides of  the population, is the book's main focus. Oyster Creek consists of the practical, local Portuguese families and the more "dilettantish " transplants. I grew up in a small seaside town in MA with a large summer population. When I was a kid there was definitely a feel of "townies" vs "summer bums". Schmidt has this attitude and sense of place down to perfection. It took me vividly back to my childhood.

Schmidt explores the effects of murder on a child's upbringing, the aftermath and attitudes of the locals towards that child.  Even as a young child, Vita never felt like she fit in, try as she might. LaRee had tried so hard to make Vita's life normal that she almost did Vita an injustice in not giving her skills in coping with life. We then watch as teenager Vita struggles with her identity, feeling that she doesn't belong to either community. This is much more than just a coming of age novel.

There is also the theme of cultural  identity among the fishermen and their families. For generations, this is how they made their living. There was never a question that the hard work of fishing would provide for families but now with the fish nearly depleted and government regulations hampering the fishermen at every turn, they have had to find other means of employment. I found this interesting social commentary so easy to relate to in today's economy and way of life.

I loved Schmidt's style of character development; it brought all the characters vividly to life. I felt that I liked and understood every character in the book. Of course, some were more likable than others. Overall, a very enjoyable book, well paced with a most satisfying ending. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Nal Trade in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Nal/Penguin I can give away one copy of the book. Open to US only and
 the deadline to enter is September 29th at 5 PM (est).

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline.  Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with The Harbormaster's Daughter  in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review: A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell

Paperback, 432 pages

Published February 16th 2012 by Headline Review (first published January 1st 2012)

From the publisher:

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done...

My Thoughts:  In A Walk in the Park,  Mansell explores themes of friendship, love, family relationships, fidelity, romance and finding the perfect place for oneself in the world. Sounds like a lot going on? There is, but Mansell handles it all with a  deft hand, weaving a myriad of subplots into a cohesive whole. Of course, there are characters that you like and some you don't but that balance lends itself to a realistic read. 

One of the wonderful quality of Jill's writing is the strength of her women characters. Evie, the cheated upon fiancée of Joel, captured my heart. I cheered her on when she finally got some backbone and shed her low self-esteem in search of what was right for her. I really liked the main characters, Lara and Flynn and was happy to see how they resolved their feelings. The spark between them just shimmered on the page.

  Another thing I do like about Jill's books is the humor. She can take everyday people coping with life and make some hilarious situations. A Walk in the Park had me chuckling out loud in more than one place. Even though some parts of her books are predictable, it's the journey the characters take that is the fun part. Underneath the humor Mansell manages to delve into everyday issues that would be ideal for book club discussions. Although there was one thread I felt could have been downplayed a little more or eliminated altogether, the book was very enjoyable.  4****

Disclosure: A digital copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks/Netgalley  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson

Kindle Edition, Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication: September 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published January 1934)

Miss Buncle's Book #1

Published in 1934, Miss Buncle's Book is a captivating and thoroughly delightful story about a spinster who finds herself in dire financial need. Barbara Buncle has previously lived quietly and nicely on her dividends but now they have dwindled down to almost nothing. What should she do? Keep hens? No, that won't suit. Take in paying guests? No, too inconvenient. Oh, wait a minute, she could write a book. Yes, that's what she'll do. But, what to write? She admits she has no imagination so she writes what she knows; a titillating story of the residents in her little British village of Silverstream.



 The publisher, Mr. Abbott, cannot decide if Miss Buncle is a simple writer or a clever satirist but he is convinced that Miss Buncle is on to something and that the story will be successful. When the book is published and becomes an overnight sensation, the villagers who are in the book are up in arms at her portrayal of them. Miss Buncle, writing under the pseudonym of John Smith, may say she has no imagination but she is a keen observer of human nature and has hit the nail on the head with her characterizations, ruffling many a feather along the way.



To the villagers, some of the events in the book seem silly and totally unrealistic at first but a funny thing happens; real life starts to imitate fiction. Still, no one can figure out who John Smith is but when Miss Buncle's second book is released, there is no question about the author. Between Mr. Abbott and Miss Buncle, the perfect ending to the story is concocted. Such fun!



Miss Buncle's Book is delightful and so charming that I read it in two sittings. At the beginning, the reader is bombarded with characters but they soon sort themselves out in no time and become easy to picture in the mind. The well drawn characters, their reactions and the simple village life appealed to me in a big way. It's refreshing to read of a simpler time and place. The story and writing style remind me of E.F. Benson's Miss Mapp and Lucia books and P.G. Wodehouse's stories.



 I smiled, I giggled, I laughed out loud, I tsk'd tsk'd at some of the characters' antics but most of all I loved the book! I can't wait to read another. 5*****



Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Source Books /Net Galley  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

Paperback, 368 pages

Published December 27th 2011 by Plume (first published April 1st 2011)

more details...

ISBN: 0452297648 (ISBN13: 9780452297647)

edition language : English

original title: The Novel in the Viola

From the publisher:

It's the spring of 1938 and no longer safe to be a Jew in Vienna. Nineteen-year-old Elise Landau is forced to leave her glittering life of parties and champagne to become a parlor maid in England. She arrives at Tyneford, the great house on the bay, where servants polish silver and serve drinks on the lawn. But war is coming, and the world is changing. When the master of Tyneford's young son, Kit, returns home, he and Elise strike up an unlikely friendship that will transform Tyneford-and Elise-forever.

My thoughts:  I.  Loved. This. Book.  Loved it! ♥ The descriptions of the house and the surrounding area made me long to be there, wartime or not. The sounds of the booming sea with the waves crashing on the shore along with a large stone manor house almost had a gothic feel to it. I was hooked immediately and settled in to be mesmerized by Elise's story from her privileged life in Vienna, "where even the wind waltzes"  to a servant's life in England.

Elise's memories are almost haunting in their poignancy. It's like an old friend telling you her life story as she remembered it with all her feelings still vividly at the forefront even after many years. This is not just Elise's story or a war story but also an intricate look at British life prior to and during WWII. I really enjoyed the "upstairs, downstairs" relationships.  But, then, sometimes the line between masters and servants becomes blurred.

"I'm sorry, Elise. Really I am. Sometimes I forget. That . . . . you know... you're not one of us."

"A few months before in Vienna, I had been one of them. Now I wasn't sure what I was. The other servants barely spoke to me. They knew I wasn't one of them either. I belonged nowhere."

Solomons really brought all the characters to life; so much so that one character made me want to slap the supercilious, smug smirk from her face at the way she treated Elise. Others made my heart ache with their pain. Throughout the book, I was totally engaged emotionally.

The House at Tyneford is an absolutely magical story of love, wartime, loss and family memories as seen through the eyes of Elise. Written in beautifully descriptive, almost lyrical prose, this is one book that is hard to put down. With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I turned the last page. This is only the 2nd 5 * book of the year! Do not miss this one!!

Be sure to read the authors note at end; it's fascinating that the setting for the book is based on a true village that was taken over by the government during the war.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Penguin in exchange for my honest opinion.

Due to the ever so generous Penguin, I am able to offer a giveaway of two copies of this book. Open to US & Canada. Be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. Deadline to enter is May 3rd at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with The House at Tyneford in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

 

Spotlight: Lisa April Smith, author of Exceeding Expectations

Kindle Edition, 300 pages

Published December 1st 2011 (first published November 29th 2011)

more details...

ASIN

B006GDK3NO

edition language

English

From the publisher: 

It’s 1961 and Palm Beach socialite, irresistible rascal and devoted father Jack Morgan encounters genuine danger while staging his suicide to shield his beloved daughters from disgrace. Next, meet his daughter Charlotte (Charlie), an over-indulged 23 year-old struggling to cope with the traumatizing loss of her beloved father, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and the discovery that she’s suddenly penniless. Fortunately Raul, an admiring young attorney, appears to offer assistance. As terrified as she is about daily survival, Charlie soon realizes that she has to learn what drove her father to kill himself. With Raul’s much needed ego-bolstering, the drive of necessity and unforeseen determination, Charlie finds a practical use for her annoyingly lean 5’ 11” frame. In time, this career finances her hard-wrought independence, her sister’s costly treatment and an emotional eye-opening journey to Paris.

Jumping back in time to romantic pre-WWII Paris readers meet young Alan Fitzpatrick – aka Jack Morgan – lack-luster artist, expert lover, irresistible rascal, and the bewitching girl who will become the mother of his children. Not even Charlie’s relentless detective work will uncover all Jack’s secrets, but in a fireworks of surprise endings, she discovers all that she needs to know and more: disturbing truths about her father, hew own unique talent, crimes great and small and a diabolical villain.

You can visit her website at www.LisaAprilSmith.com.

Mini review: Restoration by Olaf Olafsson

Paperback, 336 pages

Published February 7th 2012 by Ecco

more details...

ISBN: 0062065653 (ISBN13: 9780062065650)

edition language: English

From the publisher:

Raised within a cosseted circle of British ex-pats in Florence, Alice shocked her family and friends when she married Claudio. Despite the protests of both families, they found a crumbling villa on a windy Tuscan hilltop, called San Martino, and they poured themselves into the house and the land–and what they built together bound them together. They had a son. They finished the house. They were happy.

But away from her family and the ease of life to which she was accustomed, Alice begins to slip into a vast and encompassing loneliness. She stumbles into an ill-advised affair with a childhood sweetheart that increasingly takes her away from San Martino and into the social swirl of wartime Rome. She is with her lover when her young son dies from meningitis…and her unbearable sorrow is compounded by terrible guilt. Her indiscretion is noticed by a careful pair of eyes–those of Robert Marshall, the master restorer and dealer of renaissance art. In exchange for his silence, he demands Alice hide a priceless Caravaggio at San Martino, a national treasure that he has sold to the Germans. Neither knows, however, that the Caravaggio is, in fact, a fake, painted by Marshall’s assistant as revenge for Marshall’s scorning her as a lover and returning to his pregnant wife. Kristin had merely hoped to privately humiliate Marshall. But his sale of the forgery has placed him in far great danger than she anticipated.

Compelled to make things right, she travels to San Martino in an attempt to destroy the painting. Meanwhile, inconsolable at the death of his son and at his wife’s betrayal, Claudio retreats first into silence, and then into an actual absence. He has left, without saying good-bye, without offering the grieving Alice a chance to redeem herself for her ghastly sin. As WWII moves towards its inexorable conclusion, as the front lines sweeps closer and closer to San Martino, Alice and Kristin not only have to confront the onslaught of soldiers and the destruction of everything they hold dear, but also the consequences of their past mistakes.

My thoughts: There are some wonderful characters in this book in the sense that readers will feel as if they know them well. Even the nefarious, two-faced Robert Marshall whose dealings will the Germans, Alice and especially Kristen showed his true nature. I found him dispicable.

Alice's perspective in the story is written in first person as if she were talking to her husband through her diary. Alice's character was very well fleshed out; it was easy to see how she felt guilty about her actions and longed for forgiveness. Of course, nothing will bring back her son, Giovanni, and her absence from home on the night he died will haunt her forever as will the way Claudio kept asking her, "where were you, where were you?"

Kristin, a young and very talented Icelandic art student makes her way to Rome and becomes a restorer in Marshall's studio. Her long term involvement with him leads her purposefully to Alice's door just as the war is beginning to encroach closer and closer. I did like the way Olafsson intertwined their stories into a very entertaining whole using the art as a common bond.

Olafsson's way with descriptions took me right into the heart of Italy at war. The title is an interesting choice in itself; referring to the restoration of the villa, the art work or even restoring a little peace within oneself.  The premise of the book is wonderful; what's not to like about WWII stories, purloined art, broken hearts, recrimination and guilt all in a Tuscany setting?

However, my one quibble is I felt that the abrupt shifts in perspectives and time frames took away from the flow of the book. At times I wasn't too sure who was speaking or to whom. Even so, if the flow had been better, this would have been a 4 or 4.5* read but since it felt a little choppy to me, it earns a 3.5* rating.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Ecco (an imprint of HC) in  exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: March 6th 2012 by Berkley 

ISBN: 042524668X (ISBN13: 9780425246689)

series: Library Lover's Mystery #2

characters: Lindsey Norris

setting: Briar Creek, Connecticut

From the publisher:

From the publisher:

Answering tricky reference questions is excitement enough for library director Lindsey Norris. Until a murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and the question of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out--for good.

Carrie Rushton, the president of the Friends of the Library, has been accused of murdering her husband. The evidence is stacking up against Carrie, but neither Lindsey nor the Briar Creek crafternoon club is buying it.

When a nor'easter buries the small coastal town, the police are too busy digging out the locals to investigate the murder. With the help of her crafternoon friends and an abandoned puppy they name Heathcliff, Lindsey has to solve the question of who murdered Mr. Rushton before the killer closes the book on Carrie . . .

My thoughts:  A library setting in a small New England  town by Jenn McKinlay? Count me in! Plus the fact that I read and reviewed the first in the series and really liked it so jumped on the chance to review this one.

What worked for me:

The characters are great; completely fleshed out, likeable and easy to relate to. Lindsey, as the library director and her best friend, Beth, the children's librarian are my favorites as they do day to day business in the library under the disapproving  eye of "The Lemon". Ms. Cole, or as Lindsey and Beth call her, "The Lemon" due to her acerbic personality lends some spice to the library group.Bill Sint, ousted president of Friends and his main supporter Marjorie," Batty Bilson" lent some real color to the cast of characters.

The setting: coastal Connecticut town is well done. I always get the feeling I am right among the townspeople eating chowder at the local watering hole while watching the ocean motion. This time a nor'easter threatens the town and it took me right back to living in New England in winter.

The ending was pretty good even after a few false starts. The great reveal did make sense to me.

Now for my quibble:

It was a good 1/2  of the way into the book before more suspects other than Carrie were introduced and they were pulled out of left field (in my opinion) with very weak motives.

Even with this minor quibble, the book is a fun read. However, I did rate it a 3.5* instead of 4* for this very reason. I like to see more credible suspects either in the pre-murder build-up or right after  murder is committed.

For more info on the author, Jenn McKinlay, please visit her website.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Due to the ever so generous Berkley, (an excerpt of Due or Die is available here) I am able to offer a giveaway of one copy of this book. Open to US only with the deadline to enter being March 17th at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:

 +4 for following on Networked blogs. See left sidebar to sign up :-)

+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Win Due or Die in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

 

2 Mini Reviews: Knit One Pearl One by Gil McNeil & Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens

Paperback, 396 pages

Published December 27th 2011 by Voice

more details...

ISBN

1401341675 (ISBN13: 9781401341671)

edition language: English

series: Jo Mackenzie #3

Knit One Pearl One is the third book in the series. Although this is the first one I read, I was caught right up on Jo Mackenzie's life as a single mom and knit shop owner through conversations with her friends, Gran and through her inner dialogue. Easily a stand alone read.

This is one one those quiet books that sort of sneaks up on you; not a lot of dramatic action but after only a few pages, I looked upon Jo, her wonderful Gran, her friends Grace, Connie and Ellen as friends of mine too. These characters became very real to me with down-to-earth, credible conversations and feelings.

Jo is a very likeable character. It's not been easy being widowed from a cheating idiot and then having to raise all alone the two sons she had with him. Oh, and then there is Pearl, her "oops" toddler she had as a result of a fling. The father, Daniel, is still in the picture but solely as a friend. He's a flit-all-over the-globe-not-settling-down type of guy but he does want to be in Pearl's life. I liked his involvement with Jo, her boys and Pearl. Jo was very practical and knew what Daniel was really like so there's no recriminations and no regrets.

Jo's life is not all child rearing and nose to the grindstone boredom as her friend Ellen has her own TV talk show and her friend Grace is an international film star who involve Jo and her knitting shop in their lives.  There's her relationship with Martin, a somewhat boring but reliable kind of guy who doesn't really light Jo's fire but he is dependable, and her quasi-relationship with Daniel, Pearl's father, who thinks he might want more. Well, just to see how it goes, anyway. For awhile at least.

"Yes, although, I'm still not sure what he's asking, and neither is he. But nice, whatever it is."

"Actually, it's not that nice; it's unsettling and complicated, and there's a tiny part of me that is half hoping it might be true, and we can all sail off into the sunset and play happy families while he flies round the world earning a fortune taking pictures before racing back home to us. But the trouble with being older and wiser: you know what makes you happy and what makes your children happy."

"It's a total bugger."

 McNeil's humorous, occasional laugh out loud and witty writing helps her characters cope with everyday life in a realistic and relatable way. I loved their run-in with the snooty PTA president.
 I enjoyed this book quite a bit and would like to read the first two in the series. The British seaside location of the knitting shop just added a little more ambiance to the book. 3.5***

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by LT in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published November 1st 2005 by Little, Brown (first published April 23rd 2002)

more details...ISBN: 0316069027 (ISBN13: 9780316069021)

edition language: English

original title: Rush Home Road

From the publisher:

Sharla Cody is only five, but has already lived a troubled life -- only to find herself dumped on an elderly neighbor's doorstep when her mother takes off for the summer. Although Sharla is not the angelic child Addy Shadd had pictured when she agreed to look after her, the two soon forge a deep bond. To Addy's surprise, Sharla's presence brings back memories of her own childhood in Rusholme, a town settled by fugitive slaves in the mid-1800s. She reminisces about her family, her first love, and the painful experience that drove her away from home. Brilliantly structured -- and achingly lyrical, this is a story about the redeeming power of love and memory, and about two unlikely people who transform each other's lives forever.

My thoughts: Loved it!!! These characters felt so real to me, I just wanted to rush to Canada to hug and comfort Addy. Lansens did an amazing job with her main character, Addy Shadd, a 70 something black woman whose life held more than it's share of heartbreak. When her neighbor Collette, a slutty-should-never-have-been-a-mother woman , asks her to take her 5 year old daughter, Shayla, in for the summer, Addy agrees. Even after it's clear Collette will not be returning, Addy whose heart has a huge capacity for love, does everything she can to teach Shayla what is important in life and how to behave.

The story that follows is told from Addy's perspective as she looks back over her life while raising Shayla. The past and the present meld seamlessly and the pages just kept turning. I could not put this one down. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful story that just about ripped my heart out. First 5 * book of the year.

Disclosure: The book is from my own shelves.