Framed in Lace

Framed in Lace by Monica Ferris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sleuthing needle-arts shop owner is the lead character in this entertaining Needlecraft Mystery series. The author skillfully threads needle craft through the story in a natural way that fits with the action and plot, a feat that is not always accomplished in some cozy series. Monica Ferris' writes with savvy use of misdirection that engages and challenges the reader. FRAMED IN LACE is an entertaining, deliciously crafted story of strength, ingenuity and needle work, of course!

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Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes

Hello there! I hope you are there!! I have been ill and away from my blog for a month or so. I think I'm ready to get back in the swing of things. I want to get back in the swing of things! I've been away too long!

So, to begin here is my "Sunday Post" a review of my week's reads and books to begin soon. Although I just might include a few reads from while I've been away. :)

 

May Book Review

 

Naughty in Nice (Book #5, Her Royal Spyness series) by Rhys Bowen

I love Rhys Bowen. I love her leading lady in this series, Lady Georgiana Rannoch 35th in line for the British throne. Set in the 1930's, this humorous book finds our illustrious heroine in France on a mission for the Queen. She bumps into Coco Channel, the Duke of Windsor, and Wallis Simpson in a story that begs the antiquated descriptor such as "a mad-cap romp". Suspend reality and get ready to read this award winning author with smiles, giggles, and laughs. It's a good story.

 

 

Under The Wide Starry Sky by Nancy Horan

Finely crafted historical fiction about Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife, Fanny. Riveting read!

 

 

My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke

A White House florist recounts her interactions with Presidents and their wives from Carter to Obama. The book is the author's walk down memory lane after her retirement. This is a gentle read without surprises.

 

 

Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes

Can I just say that this is my bell-ringer book of the month? Ding-ding-ding!!! A very wealthy, dying man convinces an old acquaintance to determine if he has an heir to his fortune. The task is to talk to women who may have conceived a child by him during his salad days in the "swingin' 60's". Whaaaat? I know! And, the author is Julian Fellowes! Magnificent story, well told.

 

Currently Reading

 

Keeping Mum (A Garden Society Mystery #3) by Alyse Carlson

I'm just a few pages into this one, so we'll see how the story develops as Camilla provides the flowers for a fundraiser for a Senate candidate sponsored by the Roanoke Garden Society.

Burning Questions : Will the candidate survive the fund raiser? If not him, who will the victim be?

I must read on!!

 

 

Coming Right Up

 

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Caine's Pestilence by John Bascom

 

 

And in Other News

 

I came across a reference to NewBooks magazine and looked it up online. It's a British book magazine for readers and book clubs. I decided it had good articles and reviews and added it to my news feed. You can too! Right here.

 

Quips & Quotes

 

“This phenomenon, where the losers of a revolution try to demonstrate their support for, and approval of, the changes that have destroyed them, always fascinates me.”
― Julian Fellowes, Past Imperfect

 

“it was the juice of a lemon in his father’s wounds.”
― Nancy Horan, Under the Wide and Starry Sky

 

Thanks for coming by. I can't wait to read your comments and visit your blogs!!

Through the Grinder

Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent cozy mystery. Strong story and characterization. Although I'm not a coffee drinker, the Coffee House Mystery series by Cleo Coyle has grabbed my interest. Written by a husband and wife, THROUGH THE GRINDER is a page turner. If you enjoy cozies, you'll probably want to read this series. I do.

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Dolly Departed ~ Chaos Theory?

I turned to a cozy mystery after finishing a completely absorbing historical fiction.
These selections are from  Dolly Departed by Deb Baker.

 'The Scottsdale cop asked me if I believed in the chaos theory,' Gretchen said to her aunt from a stool at her work-table.

: : : : :

"Gretchen Birch was still several blocks from the doll shop when Charlene Maize, better known to her friends as Charlie, failed to suck enough air in to feed her panicking brain and various other vital organs. She keeled over in the center of her miniature doll shop, Mini Maize, amid the clutter from a tipped display case. Charlie took the dive in full view of a group of Prada del Sol spectators gathered in front of her shop's window to watch Old Scottsdale's largest western parade."

Would you continue reading?

Miss Zukas

Turn to page 56 of your current read. Blog a sentence or two from that page. Share your blog post at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com .

"Would it kill you to give out just a teensy bit of information, like is the guy dead or alive?" She stopped when she saw Helma. "So how is he?"

Hmmmm, I wonder? How is he any way? I know I'll read on! Would you?

Cozy Reading

From https://www.facebook.com/CozyChicksauthors

"Nothing like curling up with a good book, a cup of tea, and your kitty on a lazy weekend."

http://www.cozychicksblog.com/p/cozy-chicks-backlists.html

Do you enjoy cozy mysteries? There are times when I am in the mood for a cozy read and look to the "Cozy Chicks" for some of the best stories.