Deadly Politics

Deadly Politics by Maggie Sefton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I continually return to this author because I want to like her books, but her writing style distracts from the story. Much of this book is the back-story on each character; so that the action does not move forward so much as stagnate. Another distraction is the over-use of similes. The awkward writing takes my attention away from what I had hoped would be an enjoyable read.

This is a promising series with an interesting premise as the widow of respected legislator returns to D.C. and the swirl of political drama. The author inserts life style details that lend a breath of authenticity to the events. Sorry to say, it was only an OK read for me.


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Thankful ~ Booking Through Thursday

I have linked to the Thursday party in the side bar.

BTT asks, "It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S., so … what are you thankful for this year, reading-wise? New, favorite books? New gadget for reading? New comfy chair? Bonus time to read? Just the mere fact of BEING a reader? Having the Internet to share ideas/recommendations/conversations about books?"

The newest and so-far fun reading related gadget is a web site, fictfact.com, where I can track the book series that I enjoy. In some ways, it duplicates my Goodreads account, yet I truly enjoyed adding some of my books into my new account. You can mark the status of the book, i.e., read, currently reading, to be read, etc. The series' are then displayed in a grid along with the new book to be read in the series. Fun-fun-fun! That, and practical, too!

"...what are you thankful for this year, reading-wise?"

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Wishing you a happy, blessed Thanksgiving.

Deadly Politics ~ Teaser Tuesday

I have linked to the Tuesday and Friday parties in the side bar.

This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Maggie Sefton. 

page 6: 

"Washington, D.C. lay spread out below me like a seductive old whore....the knife hidden in the folds of her gown. My breath caught at the sight of her."

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What book do you suggest as a good read?

Quick & Easy Scarves for Christmas

I have linked to Friday parties in the side bar.

 Here are a few scarves that I am making from stash as Christmas gifts for friends. These are for some special ladies who like to have fun as we play cards, dominoes, and go on excursions now and then. We also solve the world's problems, on the side! I plan to present the scarves for them to try on and choose one that they want. Fingers crossed that each finds one that she likes!!

 This scarf is truly a rich brown cotton chenille in WW by Crystal Palace held with a DK strand of  Louise Harding "Jasmine" in brown with a gold strand. The size 10.5 needles yielded a full, somewhat open stockinette stitch for the body of the scarf. It has 12 rows (6 ridges) of garter at the beginning and end. Each side has a border of three stitches in garter. That's it. No pattern. Only lovely, mindless knitting.

 When making scarves like these, I use the rule of thumb that the scarf's length should be approximately equal to the wearer's height.

This version of the "Brilliant Zigzag Scarf" by Lion Brand is knitted with Interlacements pink and gray variegated linen yarn held with gray "Wool-Ease" by Lion Brand for a squishy, soft texture.

 This fiber gave me a change of pace with it's combination of eyelash and fuzzy boucle. While it is not my  preferred yarn, it did provide a diversion.

Using it for this particular pattern was not my best choice, but I'm going forth with the "Fickle Mistress" pattern. The open work and the shaping really does get lost amidst this crazy yarn.

This will definitely receive a good blocking upon completion! I'm hoping that the open work will be more evident once this beauty is finished!!

These scarves are my only Christmas knitting this year. What are you knitting for Christmas? I'd love to hear from you!

The Friday 56 ~ Himmelman

I am linking to "The Friday 56" in the side bar, a great place to visit for book blurbs. Join in and leave a page 56 quote from a book you are reading.

From Yours In Truth:A Personal Portrait of Ben Bradlee by Jeff Himmelman:

"The story of Ben's life has a lot of mythic elements to it--not apocryphal, but big, cosmic, blurring the lines between fate and luck and free will, like the story with the rain on his way down from Boston. He got his start in journalism, for instance, because his dad wanted him to have a job one summer and happened to know the owner of the Beverly Evening Times, a small paper near the Bradlee summer place."

Ben Bradlee's life among the powerful elite of Washington, D. C. is a fascinating tale of a man born to wealth and success who is determined to live on his own terms.

Tuesday Teaser ~ Yours In Truth

This week's teaser is from Yours In Truth by Jeff Himmelman who wrote about the adventurous life of long-time Washington Post editor, Ben Bradlee. Bradlee came to wide notice for his handling of the Post's coverage of the infamous Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration.

page 86:
 "I eventually figured out who wrote the report, and why, but for two years I knew him only as 'The Frenchman'. It really is as if deToqueville had materialized in the Washington Post newsroom."

Check out the other Teasers for today at the link in the side bar. Please leave a comment and tell me what you're reading! Thanks!

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