LadyoftheLodge reads in 2021

Hi there!
My name is Cheryl. Although I am retired from full time work in public education, I teach online college classes in Leadership Theory, as well as the Sciences, for several universities. I also write curriculum and book reviews.

I live in a small town, have four crazy cats, and play the clarinet in a community band (sadly, we are on hold until we can get our rehearsal and performance spaces back). My husband and I love to travel and have been frequently spotted on cruise ships. We were hoping to get back to traveling again in 2021, since our cruises for 2020 were cancelled! Not looking good though! We also enjoy theater and music venues. Both of us are voracious readers, although our reading tastes differ immensely.

My library occupies one room of my house. There are books in every room of my home as well. I read cozy mysteries, classic mysteries, assorted fiction and "brain candy", historical mysteries, "books about books", children's books, sometimes pop psychology, and occasionally biography or memoirs. I enjoy reading print materials as well as e-books. (I like being able to carry all those e-books with me whenever I go anywhere. My Kindle is usually in my bag when I leave the house.)

Challenge Hosting Commitments for 2021:

February: MysteryKIT--Pastiche
July: RandomCAT
September: GenreCAT--YA & Children

I will post my CAT challenges when we decide on the CATs and KITs for this year. This thread may magically turn into something else soon!!

Thinking about these personal categories:

The Jar of Fate
Christmas all Year Long
School's Out!
Nancy Drew, Girl Sleuth
The Cat Who. . .
Amish at Heart

My family also cancelled our cruise for this year. It is such a great way to trave and see the world.

Amish at Heart

1. Twice as Nice Amish Collection by Jean and Wanda Brunstetter
2. The Coffee Corner by Amy Clipston
3. The Amish Midwife's Hope by Barbara Cameron
4. Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs
5. His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel Good
6. Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long
7. First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard
8. A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray
9. An Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer
10. Amish Midwives by Amy Clipston
11. An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel Good
12. The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston
13. The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming
14. Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower
15. Belle: An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Sarah Price
16. The Amish Secret Wish by Laura V. Hilton
17. An Amish Barn Raising by Amy Clipston
18. An Amish Schoolroom by Amy Clipston and others
19. An Unexpected Amish Courtship by Rachel Good
20. The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand
21. The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda Brunstetter
22. An Unexpected Amish Christmas by Rachel Good
23. Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop by Shelley Shepard Gray and others
24. A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray
25. A Christmas Engagement by Linda Byler
26. First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Berkstrand
27. Daybreak by Shelley Shepard Gray
28. The Wedding Quilt Bride by Marta Perry
29. The Memory Quilt by Leonora Worth
30. An Amish Quilting Bee by Amy Clipston
31. Becky Meets Her Match by Linda Byler

The Children's Corner

1. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
2. First Class Murder by Robin Stevens
3. The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington
4. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
5. The Mystery of the Fire Dragon by Carolyn Keene
6. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer
7. Postcards from a War by Vanita Oelschlager
8. Turtle in Paradise by Lori Holm graphic version
9. Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
10.The Case of the Drowned Pearl by Robin Stevens
11.Katherine's Story (The Girls of Lighthouse Lane) by Thomas Kinkade and Erika Tamar
12.Read All About It! by Laura Bush
13.A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens
14.The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Linda Beech
15.The Magic School Bus in the Haunted Museum by Linda Beech
16. Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans
17. A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
18. Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens
19. The Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel

Christmas All Year Long

1. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
2. A Midnight Carol by Patricia Davis
3. Old Christmas by Washington Irving
4. A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry
5. The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
6. Gone Before Christmas by Charles Finch
7. Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie (This book had some Christmas stories, so I counted it here.)
8. The Mousse Wonderful Time of the Year (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries) by H.Y. Hanna
9. An Unexpected Amish Christmas by Rachel Good
10.A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry
11.The Little Christmas House by Tracy Rees
12.Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop by Shelley Shepard Gray
13.A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray
14.A Christmas Engagement by Linda Byler
15.First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Berkstrand
16.The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin
17.Christmas with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker
18.A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale by Karen Schaler
19.A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
20.The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole
21.The Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel
22.Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens
23.The Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel

Nancy Drew, Girl Sleuth
Maybe Sue Barton, Cherry Ames, Trixie Belden, Donna Parker, and Hardee Boys too

1. The Mystery of the Fire Dragon by Carolyn Keene

Reading "Miss Read"

1. Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read
2. Village Diary by Miss Read
3. The Fairacre Festival by Miss Read

School's Out!

1. First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard
2. Substitute Creacher by Chris Gall
3. Dear Teacher by Jack Sheffield
4. Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read
5. Village Diary by Miss Read
6. An Amish Schoolroom by Amy Clipston and others
7. The Fairacre Festival by Miss Read
8. Read All About It! by Laura Bush
9. The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Joanna Cole
10. The Magic School Bus in the Haunted Museum by Joanna Cole
11. Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans

"The Jar of Fate"

RandomCAT

January--LOL--The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
February--Fruits and Veggies--The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree by Susan Wittig Albert
March--Surprise--Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
April--Library--Gone Before Christmas by Charles Finch
May--Monopoly--Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
June--Retellings--Belle: An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Sarah Price
July--Summertime--Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read
August--Travel--Turtle in Paradise by Lori Holm graphic version
September--Prize winner--Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
October--Helpers--Read All About It! by Laura Bush
November--Fortune and Glory--The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Linda Beech et al
December--Christmas--A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray

GenreCAT

January--Non-Fiction--Adventures on the High Teas by Stuart Maconie
February--Memoirs/Biographies--The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman
March--Action/Adventure--Dear Miss Kopp by Amy Stewart The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep
April--Literary Fiction--Gone Before Christmas by Charles Finch
May--Short Stories/Essays--Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
June--Historical Fiction--Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan
July--Romance--The Amish Secret Wish by Laura V. Hilton
August--Poetry/Drama/Graphic Novels--Turtle in Paradise by Lori Holm graphic version
September--Children/YA--My turn to host!--Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
October--Paranormal--Crime and Poetry by Amanada Flower
November--SFF--The Magic School Bus in the Haunted Museum by Linda Beech et al
December--Mysteries--Mightier than the Sword by John Maddox Roberts

What great pics and categories, Cheryl!

BingoDOG

1. Book less than 200 pages--Old Christmas by Washington Irving
2. Time word in title or time is the subject (I'd include time travel in this square!)--A Midnight Carol by Patricia Davis
3. Set in or author from the Southern Hemisphere--How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith.
4. Book with or about magic--Substitute Creacher by Chris Gall
5. Arts and recreation (would cover the original suggestions "focus on art", "features a theatre", "games and sports", and "about a writer")--Stillmeadow Album by Gladys Taber
6. Classical element in title (Western: earth, air, wind, fire, aether/void. Chinese: wood, fire, earth, metal, water)--The Mystery of the Fire Dragon by Carolyn Keene
7. Book with the name of a building in the title--Vittoria Cottage by D.E. Stevenson
8. By or about a marginalized group--Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs
His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel Good
9. Senior citizen as the protagonist--Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long
10. Suggested by a person from another generation--First Class Murder by Robin Stevens
11. A book about nature or the environment (includes the sea)--The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
12. A book that made you laugh--The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
13. Book you share with 20 or fewer members on LT--The Amish Midwife's Hope by Barbara Cameron
14. Book about history or alternate history--The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
15. Book with a title that describes you--Dear Teacher by Jack Sheffield
16. Book you heartily recommend--The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington
17. Author you haven’t read before--Adventures on the High Teas by Stuart Maconie
18. Impulse read!--An English Murder by Cyril Hare
19. One-word title--Manhunt by Janet Evanovich
20. Book with a character you think you'd like to have as a friend--A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
21. Dark or light in title--First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard
22. Set somewhere you’d like to visit--Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan
23. Book by two or more authors--Twice as Nice Amish Collection by Jean and Wanda Brunstetter
24. Book with a love story in it--A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry
25. Read a CAT or KIT--The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman

Love the photos with cats!

Have you read Girl Sleuth, by Melanie Rehak, about the women who created Nancy Drew? It was quite interesting.

Nice pics and cats, especially Christmas All Year Long. I was waiting to see if you'd go ahead with the Jar of Fate, as I am not brave enough to try it.

BingoDOG card

I'm very intrigued by your "Christmas all year long" category!

AlphaKIT

January--P & M--The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson and Adventures on the High Teas by Stuart Maconie
February--T & K--Dear Teacher by Jack Sheffield and The Mystery of the Fire Dragon by Carolyn Keene
March--U & R--Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie and A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray
April--A & W--Amish Midwives by Amy Clipston and Wretched Wool by Mildred Abbott
May--I & N--If You Give a Man a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston
June--C & D--Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan
July--S & O--Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer and The Amish Secret Wish by Laura V. Hilton and The Mousse Wonderful Time of the Year An Oxford Tearoom Mystery by H.Y. Hanna
August--V & J--Debts of Dishonor by Jill Paton Walsh and The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book by Liesbeth Heenk
September--F & L--The Fairacre Festival by Miss Read and Katherine's Story (The Girls of Lighthouse Lane) by Thomas Kinkade and Erika Tamar
October--H & E--Prayers and Promises (Home to Heather Creek) by Robert Elmer
November--B & Y--Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans and Cat Me If You Can by Melinda James
December--G & Q--Daybreak by Shelley Shepard Gray and The Wedding Quilt Bride by Marta Perry

All year letters: X and Z

MysteryKIT

January--Featuring Water--A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry
February--Pastiche--The Vatican Cameos by Richard T. Ryan
March--Locked Room--Sherlock Holmes and the Thistle of Scotland by L.B. Greenwood and Killer Keys by Mildred Abbott
April--Senior Citizen Detective--A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie
May--Set in Europe--Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie.
June--Golden Age--The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
July--Cops 'n Robbers, Lady Style--Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer
August--Cozy with Animals--Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson
September--Mismatched Detectives--The Case of the Drowned Pearl by Robin Stevens
October--Minorities/Diverse--Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower
November--Historical--A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens
December--Ancient Greece and Rome--Mightier than the Sword by John Maddox Roberts

>3 mnleona: We have enjoyed our cruises in the past. We have felt confident and secure in this method of travel, as I think others have too. Affectionately called the "floating resort," it is a shame that the cruise industry has come under such restrictions and scrutiny. We will wait until next year at least to get on a ship again, and I bet there will be many new assessments for passengers when they sail again.

>13 Tess_W: Thanks! I love to play around with finding the appropriate pics. The categories are just topics I came up with once the 2021 page appeared. They revolve around books I have in my TBR piles or ones I have liked and read in the past.

>15 rabbitprincess: I have that book and intend to read it for my ND challenge this year.

>16 This-n-That: I created the Jar of Fate several years ago when I acquired a beautiful ceramic jar. I just kept chickening out, although the selections I included are good reads. I already read some of the selections on the little slips of paper, so I sorted them and re-did them. I used the idea from another LT-er and color coded the slips to coordinate with other categories I selected for this year. (But I still kept the original jar and put some of the original slips back into it.)

>16 This-n-That: >18 christina_reads: I like Christmas stories and a large section of my home library is full of Christmas books. I hope to read from amongst them throughout the year, instead of just in November and December as I usually do.

Nice theme! I admire you for your Jar of Fate category. I'd never be able to stick to the rules. I can't even stick to my monthly reading plan after choosing the books.

Love the quote for the children's corner - so true!

>22 VivienneR: I hope I can stick with it, since I tied it into the other categories I picked for 2021.

I'm the Jar of Fate LTer - to be honest, this year I've probably taken on more challenges than I could manage, which means I've not had time to use the Jar too much - just once or twice a month. I like that it's both spontaneous and makes me read things that I might otherwise keep putting off. I think I'll probably take on fewer challenges in 2021 and get back to the Jar :)

I think you may be living my dream life of a log cabin with a library wing. Happy reading!

>26 LittleTaiko: Mine too!

I love your 2021 setup. As for cruising, I have to admit I took my first cruise (with my dad) this year. We were cruising the Caribbean in March when everything went "to you know what". I can appreciate that there are some out there who feel cruise ships are nothing more than a 'petri dish' of infection waiting to happen, but I have to say, that was not my experience. I listened to all the frequent cruisers we encountered onboard and they all felt that the boat we were on was the healthiest boat any of them had ever been on. Personally - and not based on any evidence to back this up - I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that the buffet was not self-serve. Staff served everyone. I would definitely go on another cruise, just not right now. ;-)

>25 Jackie_K: Thanks for reminding me who you are! I took on a lot of categories in 2020, so the jar went on the back burner! I hope to get back to it in a more dedicated way this year, hence tied it to my personal challenges.

>26 LittleTaiko: >27 JayneCM: Thanks for your kind comments! We love our log home, it is especially cozy in the winter. We are so blessed to have this beautiful setting too! Our home was designed to have the library wing with the built in shelves, but I always have way too many books, despite my "weeding the collection".

>28 lkernagh: Thanks! We have found the cruise ships upon which we sailed to be very clean and well kept--the staff was always cleaning, early morning to late at night. Our room was immaculate. Frequent cruisers are good people to talk to--we have gotten quite a few ideas from people we met on the ships. I think a lot of the cruise talk in the media is from people who have never been on a cruise ship.

Nice categories!

Our built-in shelves are great but now the books are everywhere even with lots on the kindle app.

>30 hailelib: Yes, same here! I ran out of space as I unpacked my books when we moved. Even with weeding out books and reshelving, I still have some in crates and boxes, and on the Kindle app.

I am very anxious for the CATegories for 2021!

>32 LadyoftheLodge: Me too! It is always exciting to wait for the results!

You're the source for cosy mysteries! Happy reading.

>34 pamelad: Thanks! I think 2021 will be fun.

>7 LadyoftheLodge: Wait! Where's Trixie Belden! I never really cared for Nancy Drew. But was a major Trixie fan, because she got into trouble like I did at that age.

>36 majkia: Yep, I read lots of Trixie myself, also Donna Parker. I just found a bunch of my high school romance novels are now re-issued in digital form, such as those by Beverly Cleary. I am loving these--they are fun, clean, and seem to innocent in light of what we see in the news and etc today.

My library didn't have Trixie, although I got one as a gift and enjoyed it. Did you ever read any Dana Girls?

Did anyone read Beany Malone? I loved those when I was a little older. I just checked and they are all still available. They are even available on Kindle although one reviewer said there were lots of errors. I didn't remember that their dad was a reporter during WWII, I only remembered he was absent a lot.

>38 markon: I only have one Dana girls book, so not much to go on there.

>39 clue: Yes! We had a Beany Malone paperback that I shared with my sisters. It was really beat up, so we must have read it a lot. I noticed that many of the books I read as a teenager are now on Kindle, such as Star Spangled Summer and others by Janet Lambert, also Jean and Johnny and others by Beverly Cleary. I loved those books!

Love all the books and cats, especially the Gorey drawing! I have that on a sweatshirt which, needless to say, is my favorite.

Happy reading in 2021!

>41 leslie.98: Thanks! I am anxious to get started.

Love the categories and can't wait to see how you fill them.

>43 thornton37814: Good to see you here! I have started to make some lists for my categories, but then I usually end up deviating from them once I get started.

>44 LadyoftheLodge: Sometimes I only read one or two of the planned ones because something else catches my eye. With 2020 the way it was, it's a good thing I did minimal planning.

I'm looking forward to seeing your reads this year!

Seems like we are heading into 2021 now and I am happy to see it arrive. I have already started my reading lists for these challenges. Let the good times roll!

The last book I finished was The Mischief of the Mistletoe and I am now reading Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan. Happy New Year to all!

I got a couple of CAT Tricks this time!

Adventures on the High Teas by Stuart Maconie for both AlphaKIT and GenreCAT, and a BingoDOG square for Author New to You.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson for AlphaKIT and RandomCAT and a BingoDOG square for Made You Laugh.

>11 LadyoftheLodge: I love that photo! I did a cross stitch of that one years ago. It is framed and hanging on my wall.

Happy New Year! Popping in to follow a few people's threads, but I'm afraid there may be too many to keep up. So, I may or may not continue throughout the year! Happy reading!

Happy New Year, Cheryl!

>49 LadyoftheLodge: I love listening to Stuart Maconie's radio documentaries but I don't recall reading any of his books so I'll be interested to see what you make of his presentation.

>53 spiralsheep: This was the first of his I had read. I probably would like it better if I lived in the UK and was familiar with some of the people, places, and word usage found in this book. I liked the sections on music and writers though. Maybe he comes across better in the audio format than in writing--sort of like Garrison Keillor.

Good luck on your reading this year.

Fishing for Trouble
In this second installment in the Alaskan Diner mysteries, Charlie and Chris assist local law enforcement with several cases. Charlie Cooke runs her family diner in Elkview, Alaska, but somehow gets embroiled in a mysterious death that occurs in her diner. Although the death is not related to her diner's food, she and reporter Chris Doucette are "recruited" by local law enforcement to assist with getting to the bottom of the crime. There is more than meets the eye when financial irregularities at the local fishery are uncovered.

The characters are quirky and fun, fitting to the Alaska setting (if you have visited Alaska, you understand). The unique setting grabbed my attention, as did the diner details and information about fisheries. Since I have visited Alaska and fisheries, I found this aspect of the book to be my favorite, and seemed realistic. I also enjoyed the developing relationship between Charlie and Chris. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

As with most amateur sleuth novels, this one requires some suspension of skepticism on the part of the reader, with the characters' involvement in law enforcement and investigation of a murder. Although this novel is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. The novel is clean, lacking overt violence, graphic intimacy, or strong language.

>56 LadyoftheLodge: I should give that series a try. I'll see if our library has it.

ETA: Well, I have read the first one. Guess I'm ready for that installment.

>54 LadyoftheLodge: Stuart Maconie is a great listen. When he moved his show from FM to DAB, I had a DAB radio on my Christmas list. I've read a few of his books, but not that one. I've enjoyed them, but accept that could well be that we're similar in age and both grew up in the Uk so get a lot of his references.

Readers of Amish romance/fiction will appreciate Her Amish Wedding Quilt, the first book in a new series. Greta possesses a forthright personality that seems off-putting to her Amish suitors. Disappointed in her recent relationship with Calvin, Greta immerses herself in her quilt shop and quilt design business. She also takes on the role of matchmaker to find her old friend Noah a new wife and mother for his children. However, Greta and Noah are in for a few surprises and moments of truth as they work together on this project.

The characters in this novel are likeable and realistic, with fears and dreams with which most readers can identify. The children are adorable and steal the show! Throw in a cat and kittens, an Amish craft mall, a cranky mother, and some scheming friends, and you have the makings of this likeable novel. I greatly enjoyed learning about Greta's artistic quilt designs too. The plot moves along quickly, engaging reader interest and motivation to continue.

Although some readers might find the story predictable, there are moments of surprise and suspense, with unpredictable plot twists and turns. (There will no doubt be some readers who want to give the characters a good shake at times, as I did!) I am looking forward to reading other books in this series, and hopefully will find out more about some of the characters introduced in this first installment. There are no cliffhangers or unfinished threads in this novel. Readers who seek a clean read, without strong language or graphic violence or intimacy, will find this well worth their time.

I just finished Vittoria Cottage by D. E. Stevenson. I am getting back to reading Stevenson after many years away from her. I was instantly hooked on this novel about people in a small English village, their families and relationships. It is first in the trilogy that continues with Music in the Hills featuring some of the same characters. The only complaint I have is that the book ended abruptly and I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters! I own quite a few of her books in paperback, which I acquired years ago when I first started to read her work.

Today I received in the mail a beautiful planner (which I ordered in November from a small Canadian business Little Inklings Design) which focuses on books and reading. The cover is blue with gold embossing and gold spiral bound about 8.5 by 11.5 inches. There are sections for wishlist books, bookish hauls, challenges, reading lists, fave quotes, reading stats and goals, book reviews, and of course a month by month calendar with tabs. The paper is high quality and colorful. This item is much more lovely than I imagined it would be. It is now my companion next to my computer. Almost like having LT in print format!

>61 LadyoftheLodge: that sounds lovely. >:-)

>61 LadyoftheLodge: Ooooh, very nice!

>61 LadyoftheLodge: Checking out their website now...

Enjoy your planner.

>62 Helenliz: >63 LibraryCin: >64 christina_reads: >65 markon: Thanks for your kind comments! I spent some happy time yesterday working on the lists and stats. Since I am retired from full time work, I am not sure how much I will use the calendar pages, but the rest of it will be used often. I was shocked at how many books I have already acquired in the new year (mainly inexpensive e-books) which I listed on the Bookish Hauls page. Maybe seeing the titles on paper will help me curb my book acquisition tendencies, but maybe not.

>66 LadyoftheLodge: Over on my thread in the ROOTs group I record my acquisitions each year, I've done it for a few years. The first couple of years I just used it to show myself how much I was buying, and I was shocked enough to then start to plan to reduce the amount and increase the quality of my acquisitions. Now I try to only buy 1 new book once I've read 2, and although I've never yet managed it, even trying has meant that for the past 2 years I've bought a little less than I've read, so Mt TBR is starting to reduce slowly. I started this year with 407 books on the pile, and I'm really hoping I can get to 375 by the end of the year (that will involve acquiring 32 books fewer than I read, which is a big ask - last year I managed 20).

>67 Jackie_K: The lack of access to used book sales and on-ground bookstores has also curbed my buying of print books lately. I used to come out of the bookstore with a stack of books, as did my husband (although our reading tastes differ greatly). Now most of what I buy is e-books.

>68 LadyoftheLodge: I also don't buy tree books anymore. Not because of the lack of access, but because I have difficulty with the small font. I read almost exclusively ebooks. And of course, you don't have shelves overflowing or stacks of books sitting around; so I think it's much easier to not realize the amount of books you purchase.

His Accidental Amish Family portrays characters that differ significantly from those found in other Amish fiction stories. The book deals with issues of disability, foster children, results of drug abuse, and refugees.

Anna struggles to re-learn to walk after a buggy accident confines her to a wheelchair. Assisted by Levi, her therapist, Anna attains her goal, only to find her dreams of marriage dashed. Although increasingly drawn to each other, Levi and Anna both struggle with the results of secret hurts from their pasts. When Anna fosters three children of refugees, they work together to care for them.

This novel is somewhat predictable, but the plot twists and turns motivate readers to continue with the story. In addition, those who have read previous novels in the series will be reacquainted with characters they already know. The story can also be read as a standalone. The characters are portrayed as flawed individuals who have hurdles to overcome, with many misunderstandings along the way.

I am somewhat skeptical of the realism of the refugee children segments of the story, and I liked the story until it became a political and social commentary, which seemed like it could have been a separate novella. The author seems to have done her research on the topics of disabilities and therapies though. I do not think his acquisition of a family is at all "accidental" either, more likely it is unexpected or surprising. This is a clean novel without overt violence or intimacy, or strong language. The Christian message is overt.

>69 Tess_W: The font size is also an issue for me, as is the idea of not having so many print books to deal with in my house. I am glad to see more of my favorite books from the past appearing as e-books.

I mostly buy ebooks now too (although I made a conscious effort to buy paper books from indie bookshops online during our previous covid lockdowns, because I really want as many as possible to survive. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). For me it's mainly because I have RSI and other tendon issues in my wrist and arm, and I find holding particularly large hardbacks just too painful. I must admit that small fonts are getting harder and harder by the year for me too!

>72 Jackie_K: Another thing I like is that I throw the Kindle into my bag whenever we go anywhere. Sometimes I end up sitting out in the car, since there are covid restrictions about how many people can go inside a building together. (Example: My husband had to go to the clinic, located at the hospital, and I was not allowed to enter. I waited out in the car for him for nearly three hours.) The Kindle also has lots of books loaded on it, so I can change from one to another for variety.

However, my Kindle has been acting squirrely lately, and I had to restart it a few times because it refused to turn the page. Once a few years ago it suddenly dropped all my books that were downloaded and could not find my library of books any more. I ended up downloading all of them again; thankfully they were still in the cloud.

Mail order brides are commonly found in novels, but mail order grooms are certainly a new topic! Marrying Matthew is the first in a series of Amish fiction novels that feature mail order grooms, not to mention feisty, independent women.

As heiress to her dad's mill and woodworking business, Tabitha has successfully avoided men who want to marry her in order to take over the business. However, Tabitha determines to marry on her own terms, so she places an ad for a groom. She never intends to fall in love with her mail order groom.

Matthew King answers her ad with the intention of gaining woodworking skills from Tabitha's dad, with marriage as an incidental. However, he never planned to fall in love with his new wife. Matthew also failed to consider the reactions of the men at the mill, or the independent attitude of his wife.

Another romance brews between Abner and Anke, older individuals who hide their secrets from each other. However, they find it increasingly difficult to hide their growing attraction to each other.

Of the many Amish fiction novels I have read, this one definitely contained many nuances that set it apart from the others. The story line includes twists and turns that motivate the reader to continue reading. Mystery and suspense also add to the unpredictable nature of the plot. The mountain setting and descriptions of the Mountain Amish community also display a unique aspect to this series.

The characters are interesting, likeable, and well-drawn, with depths to their personalities and motives. Although a "sweet" story, the novel contains a bit more spice than most Amish novels, although always within the bounds of good taste. Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will find this a thoughtful and well-written change of pace. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the series.

BingoDOG Challenge--Senior Citizen Protagonist square

>74 LadyoftheLodge: The combination of a mail-order marriage and Amish is a strange one.

>75 thornton37814: It is strange, and that is what made it of interest to me. I also was intrigued by the descriptions of the Mountain Amish and their cabins and lifestyles. This was quite a different kind of novel. But the mail order part makes sense within the context of the story.

I just finished An English Murder by Cyril Hare, which was an excellent example of the English country house/ limited cast of suspects novel, set at Christmas time with a snow storm raging outside and political machinations inside. This was the first one I read by this author, but I found several others for 99 cents as Kindle ebooks. I have to admit that I did not guess the perpetrator, which is unusual for me since I read a lot of mysteries. That to me is the mark of a good mystery! This one was a BB from another LT-er.

>77 LadyoftheLodge: I think I read that one years and years ago, but it is on my TBR list in the "wishlist" category since none of my libraries had it in ebook, audiobook, or print. I don't think I even looked to see if it was available for cheap on Kindle. I just looked and don't see it now, but hopefully I will find it sometime. I do know it's consider a classic country house murder.

>77 LadyoftheLodge: I am a big fan of Cyril Hare! I meant to reread that one last month but got sidetracked; your post makes me think that I shouldn't wait until Dec. 2021 :)

>77 LadyoftheLodge: >79 leslie.98: I don't think Cyril Hare wrote any bad books!

>80 NinieB: (I found several of Cyril Hare's on Kindle e-books for 99 cents each.) Now my husband is reading An English Murder even though he seldom reads novels, his thing is non-fiction history and politics. I told him enough about it to pique his interest, and he was intrigued by the cover.

>77 LadyoftheLodge: I have a couple of Cyril Hare novels on my Kindle, including An English Murder. I am looking forward to it, having read so much praise of Cyril Hare both here and on other threads.

First Light in Morning Star continues the series about a group of young Amish women who open The Marketplace, starting their own business. The Marketplace offers spaces for individual businesses and vendors, including baked goods, furniture, flowers, and many other items.

This book focuses on Lydianne, the schoolteacher of the Amish community of Morning Star, and bookkeeper for The Marketplace. Lydianne enjoys teaching her eight scholars, but also harbors a secret! When she begins a relationship with Jeremiah, who is also the Bishop of the community, Lydianne's secret is revealed. However, the consequences can be far-reaching for the community as well as for Lydianne.

The story line proved to be intriguing and moved quickly, with enough suspense to keep readers engaged. The characters are likeable and multidimensional yet flawed individuals, who strive to stay true to their values, their community, and their families (sort of like most of us). The children in the story are adorable and realistically portrayed. I especially liked the independently business-minded women.

Readers who seek clean and sweet novels, with no violence or sexual scenes, will find this to be an enjoyable read. The book can be read as a standalone, although it is part of a series.

I skimmed Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork which is part of a paranormal mystery series, set at a craft fair at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The family of the main character is hilarious, and I loved her pink and white truck and her little vintage travel trailer, as well as her pet chihuahua Van (Vincent Van Gogh). The story features spirits that pop out of paintings, and art theft, which made it intriguing in theory.

However, the sleuthing part of the book was so outrageous that I skipped a lot of the book and got to the last chapter to see how it all wrapped up. I mean really, who goes towards a scene when everyone else is running away in the opposite direction? And how did the main character/amateur sleuth/artist look at the body and immediately decide it was a homicide, knowing nothing about the situation, and immediately decide to investigate before the police arrive? Where were the security guards and docents at the Biltmore, which is where the crime occurred? This was all within the first pages. Too bad, as it sounded like a fun read. I just could not suspend enough of my logical brain to get past these questions.

>84 LadyoftheLodge: The next time I go in, I'll be looking for a ghost to pop out of my distant cousin's photo that hangs at Biltmore. It's too bad that didn't deliver. Biltmore could be such a great setting with a well-written story.

>85 thornton37814: LOL! The setting is exactly what caught my attention when I read the synopsis of the book. I also liked the idea of the art fair, although I don't usually read paranormal novels. This one is apparently part of a series, and the author has another series that includes paranormal activity in regards to vintage clothing, also sounds intriguing. I just wish the set up had been better. It also reminded me of the JoAnne Fluke mysteries in which there were two suitors vying for the main character's attention, which got old after awhile.

>86 LadyoftheLodge: I watched a couple of episodes of Hannah, Norman, and Mike on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries yesterday afternoon/evening. It's funny you should mention that series.

>87 thornton37814: I have not watched any of the TV versions of the stories. I am wondering how they compare with the books. I liked Hannah's family a lot more than I liked her! I stopped reading the series after awhile when she really started to annoy me, and there seemed to be a lot of fluff and filler in the novels (no pun intended).

>88 LadyoftheLodge: They are not the best written novels. They are brain candy, even in the TV version, but I like Alison Sweeney in Hannah's role.

>77 LadyoftheLodge: Nice to see some love for Cyril Hare in this thread. I've read a few of his books and have been meaning to read more.

What the Heart Wants
This Amish fiction novel tells the story of two sisters who are newly settled during the early days of Amish in America. Hilda and Christina could not be more different from each other. Hilda is the sensible one, Christina the dreamy one. After meeting two brothers who are newcomers to the settlement, Christina is attracted to Johan, but feels unable to leave her sister alone. She then commences to match Hilda with widower Wilhelm and his boisterous young sons. The comedy of manners presents a humorous and touching read. Those who enjoy a clean romantic read, without strong language or graphic violence or sexual situations, will find this historical novel to their liking. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

>90 mathgirl40: I was happy to find some more of Hare's novels for Kindle at such a great price. Thanks for stopping by!

First Class Murder by Robin Stevens was recommended by middle schoolers. This is part of a series set in the 1900's featuring two 13-year-old girls (Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells) who form the Detective Society and solve crimes. They attend a boarding school in England, but end up traveling to various locales. In this novel, the author recreates the ideas and scenes from Murder on the Orient Express by Dame Agatha, as the girls head towards Istanbul with Hazel's dad. The similarities are quite striking, and the author explains in the endnotes how she came to write this novel and even took a trip on the Orient Express so she could make the novel authentic. I liked how the girls outwitted the adults, and even found a boy (of the Junior Pinkertons) who teamed up with them in their detecting. Themes include dealing with diverse people and prejudices, as well as using one's skills and experiences to solve problems, no matter one's age or background. I look forward to reading more of the books in the series (I think there are nine but not all are yet available on Kindle.)

BingoDOG: Recommended by someone from another generation

>93 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds charming, Cheryl. I'm going to put at least book 1 on my wishlist!

The Lost Manuscript is a novel written in the form of a series of letters. These are exchanged among a group of people who are tied together by a manuscript, which was lost many years ago and has resurfaced. The finder of the manuscript writes to the original author, and then commences on a journey to trace the path of the manuscript, from its origin to present day. In the process, lives are affected and connected in many ways.

Once the reader gets to know the people in the novel, he or she will begin to understand the meaning of the letters. The connections among the different writers will become clear. Readers are encouraged to hang in there to consider how the manuscript has affected and changed lives.

>94 Tess_W: I downloaded one more in the series, which is the Christmas novel. I also want to acquire a few more of them. They are sort of like a historical novel version of Nancy Drew combined with an English school story.

I read a picture book sent to me as a gift by my sister. Substitute Creacher by Chris Gall is a sort of object lesson for kids who misbehave in school. Their regular teacher takes time off and the substitute turns out to be a green creature with one big eye in front (many in back of his head, like all good teachers) and he has many appendages. He shares with the naughty class stories of kids who misbehaved in class and what happened to them! The ending has quite a twist!! I loved this book!

BingoDOG--Contains magic

>91 LadyoftheLodge: I want to try that series since it begins in 1737. My Amish ancestors were Amish then.

Sounds like you've been having some intriguing reading. First class murder & The lost manuscript & Substitute Creacher all sound fun. Wasn't Creacher the name of the house-elf that Harry Potter "inherited" from Sirrius Black?

>98 thornton37814: That was a new series for me. I vacillated between liking the ladies for their spunk and perseverance, and getting annoyed by the focus on getting a husband. I imagine that goal is not unusual for the Amish ladies, although the Promise Lodge series is very different in that aspect.

>99 markon: Yes, although spelled Kreacher in the Harry Potter books. I have really been trying some new reading and filling up my BingoDOG card quickly. I caved and bought a few more in the Wells and Wong series. Now that I am retired from public education, I do not have my middle schoolers to suggest books for me to read. My sister is a teacher's assistant in elementary school, so I will need to ask her for more ideas of what her kiddos are reading.

The Elephant's Girl combines elements of family relationships, nature, and magical realism to create a story about an adolescent girl's search for her family roots. Lexington has grown up living at a zoo with her guardian who works there as the train engineer. She arrived at the zoo following a tornado, and has never been able to find her parents. With the help of her friends (human and nonhuman), Lexington finds clues to her heritage. Elephants and how they communicate with other living things play an important role in this book.

The characters are realistic and likeable. The plot moves along quickly and contains enough excitement, magic, and mystery, as well as animal love, to satisfy middle grade students. As an adult, I loved this book and learned a lot about elephants and zoos.

Stillmeadow Album includes black and white photos and narrative that tell about the house and surroundings at Stillmeadow, home of Gladys Taber. I love reading the books by this author that describe her life through the seasons at Stillmeadow. I have been reading her books for years, and am fortunate to have acquired most of them. Although Mrs. Taber has passed away, I still enjoy her books. They are part of my comfort reading. After her passing, Mrs. Taber's daughter compiled some of her writing into an anthology The Best of Stillmeadow but unfortunately she edited out some of the writing for political correctness, which changes the flavor somewhat. While I am not in favor of offending others, I think books need to be considered within the timeframe in which they were written.

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking is absolutely hilarious. Just picture mean sourdough starter used as a weapon against invading mercenaries, 14-foot tall soldier men made of bread dough, and vicious gingerbread boys wreaking havoc amongst the enemy. Oh right, this is all being engineered by a 14-year-old magicker named Mona, who happens to be an excellent baker and that is where her magic exists. Picture dancing gingerbread men and wicked government officials. I laughed out loud! I love this book, which is obviously intended for a middle school audience, including enough silliness, scariness, and gross-outs to satisfy any boy or girl reader, not to mention kids outsmarting adults and helping defend the kingdom at the request of the ruling Duchess.

>104 LadyoftheLodge: sounds like a lot of fun!

>104 LadyoftheLodge: I agree, that sounds most enjoyable!

The Last Garden in England tells the stories of three women whose lives are connected by a garden in England. Each woman lives during a different time period, ranging from the early 1900's to present day. The novel skips from one woman to another, backwards and forwards in time. Readers learn of the life circumstances, secrets, and life events of each character, how the women were influenced by these, and finally of the ties that connect them over time.

Author notes inform readers of how the book came to be written. Information about gardening is subtly woven into the story. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and unique settings with a focus on strong, independent women will find this novel intriguing. This book contains no graphic violence, intimacy, or strong language. However, I do not "get" the title, since this is not the last garden in England.

I just finished Dear Teacher by Jack Sheffield. This novel is set in 1979-1980 school year. It is a fun read about a headmaster of a small village school. The inhabitants of the village are real "characters" and provide ample good humor, as well as motivating the reader to go on to other books in the series. The anecdotes about school kids read more like sight-gags or jokes than true happenings though. I like Miss Read a lot better, as I think her work focuses more on the classroom happenings, while Jack focuses more on his own life as headmaster and his romantic struggles with two sisters. However, I will read others in the series since I own them.

BingoDOG--"Title Describes You" and personal "School's Out!" challenge.

I worked at our public library when I was in high school and Gladys Taber was very popular. although it was late in her career. We had a special shelf behind the desk for this group because when one brought a book back they would ask us to hold it for another in the group. This wouldn't be done now but then no one thought anything about it. They were all good friends with the Librarian so she's probably the one that told them to do it!

I've seen The Last Garden in England before and wondered about it. It looks like something I would like for a day the cold wind is blowing.

>108 LadyoftheLodge: I think I'd enjoy that one.

>109 clue: Gladys Taber books are difficult to find now, so I am fortunate that I still have mine (*knocks on wood*). I picked up three of them at a library sale last year for a "donation," and was surprised to find them.

The Last Garden in England was a good read, once I got used to switching back and forth amongst the three women. I don't get the title though--it is about a very formal garden in England and about the three women who worked in it.

>110 thornton37814: I have been trying to find and read all the Jack Sheffield teacher novels. I own several of them and also have some samples on Kindle. The print versions seem to be outrageously priced right now, not sure why. They are about $9.99 on Kindle.

>111 LadyoftheLodge: I added it to my wish list. I might purchase it for my Thingaversary at the end of March if I can't procure it by other means.

>108 LadyoftheLodge: I have read the first two "Dear Teacher" books and have the next two on my shelf - another series that I have let slip.

>113 DeltaQueen50: I read the first one some time ago, and then let it slip, as you said. Hopefully I am back on track with Jack now! (pun intended)

I just finished How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith, part of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I like the series (I have read all the books in this series) and the characters, but this is not one of his best, as I see it. Very light on mystery, heavy on philosophical meanderings about human nature and also "rabbit trails" of conversation.

The Crown In Crisis presents a well-researched, readable work about the abdication of King Edward VIII from the throne of England, in order to continue his association with the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The author includes historical content to further explain the political and world situations that were occurring at the time. Part drama and part history, the book will provide an intriguing read for those interested in history and the royal family.

>116 LadyoftheLodge: I have that book on my ereader. I hope to get to it this year.

Manhunt by Janet Evanovich, a cute romantic comedy, and a fast read. She apparently wrote these romances before the Stephanie Plum books. I was drawn to the setting of Alaska, having been there, which was why I picked up the book. The idea of Alexandra giving up her corporate lifestyle and moving to Alaska seemed unrealistic though, especially moving to a cabin sight unseen. I thought Alex was a total klutz a lot of the time, and I got tired of the "push me--pull you" aspects of her relationship with Casey, her neighbor. Predictable storyline, sort of annoying, but humorous for a cold winter day with lots of coffee.

>118 LadyoftheLodge: Have you read If You Lived Here I'd Know Your Name? by Heather Linde. It's nonfiction and one of my favorite "Alaska" books.

>119 clue: I like that one, also!

>119 clue: Yes, I actually picked it up at a small bookstore in Juneau. The author has several other books in print, which I also picked up in Alaska.

The Vatican Cameos was a Sherlock Holmes adventure/pastiche novel. The chapters alternated between the year 1901 (Holmes and Watson) and the year 1501 (Michaelangelo). The idea of the cameos was unique and intriguing, with its focus on the alternate egos of virtue and vice that war within human beings. Parts of it were rather shocking (the scenes from the Ball). I liked the Michaelangelo part better than the Holmes part. Some of the history of the papacy was difficult to follow. However, the main problem for me was the many typos--it just needed a final editing.

I got my covid vaccine first dose on Thursday. Other than waking up in the night with a very sore arm, I have had no side effects so far. Second dose March 1.

>121 LadyoftheLodge: Visiting a bookstore in Juneau sounds fun. I wish I felt safe visiting any bookstore at the moment. I'm just having to visit virtually for the most part.

>123 LadyoftheLodge: The pain in my arm was a lot worse the day after the shot, hopefully you won't experience that. I get my second one Thursday and the nurse at the clinic said ill effects were more likely then but I don't know of anyone that has had any trouble. You can bet I'm going to get it!

I had my shot on the 4th. On the 5th my arm was more sore than on the 4th, on the 6th it was less so, and today (the 7th) arm is back to normal.

>126 mysterymax: I got mine on Thursday Feb 4th and it was hardly sore at all on Feb 5th, no soreness after that. My husband got his first dose on Jan 22 and had no soreness at all. However--he is a Navy veteran, and got vaccines for all kinds of diseases, so he was used to the shots.

>126 mysterymax: >127 LadyoftheLodge: I've seen lots of people reporting arm soreness on the second day. I'm not sure when I'll actually be eligible. Originally it was April, but it's been pushed down to at least May.

>128 thornton37814: Vermont is moving very rapidly. The first tier of people to receive shots were first responders and medical people. Then on Jan 28th they began with people over 75. Registration was easily done on-line or by phone. You were given an appointment time. I showed up and it wasn't crowded due to the number of people with appointments at any special time. The next tier will be people 60 or 65 (can't remember which) and people with special conditions. It's very smooth. No long line ups. They give you the appointment for your second shot when you are there.

>129 mysterymax: Sounds like here in Indiana. The first tier was medical people and first responders, those in LT Care, and people over 80 years old. Next was the over-70 and then 65-69 years old. We made our appointments on line, and the process was very smooth and quick, well-organized, no waiting. My second dose is March 1.

>123 LadyoftheLodge: Congrats on getting your first shot! Massachusetts is doing poorly with the vaccine rollout and are still working on essential workers & people 75+ years old so I won't be getting my first shot for several months...

I didn't realize you were in Indiana. My best friend lives in Hanover, Indiana - is that anywhere close to you?

>131 leslie.98: Canada, overall, is in bad shape for the vaccine. We don't produce any in our own country (yet), so we are relying on other places to get our vaccines. And it's not going well.

Pfizer's plant somewhere in Europe is expanding, so while they do that, they have cut back on the number of vaccines they are sending out. Not sure how many other countries are missing out, but Canada isn't getting quite a few from there.

For some reason, Moderna has also stopped sending their vaccine. We don't yet (though it's expected soon) have the AstroZeneca (sp?) vaccine approved.

Anyway, we have only about 27,000 people out of 4+ million who have been fully vaccinated in Alberta.

Needless to say, it's also still health care workers and people in long term care homes who are first, and some still waiting.

>131 leslie.98: Hanover is south of where I live, closer to the Indiana border.

>132 LibraryCin: Ontario is a gong show for the vaccines. As a 30-something with no underlying health conditions, I don't expect to be vaccinated before 2022 :-/

I'm 48 with no health issues (yet... though I found out last week I need to try to stave off diabetes). Yeah, I expect it will be a while yet for me, too.

I do hope at least my parents (in Sask) will be able to get theirs in the spring, at least (73 and 70, though Mom - at 70 - is battling cancer).

My county in Ohio is very far behind. They are just now vaccinating the 79+ group. The 65+ group and teachers were supposed to get vaccinated this week. The county needed 4000 doses and only received 200.

In Georgia the rollout is frustrating. In my county (population 760K) there is no one place to register for a vaccine.

The county department of public health lists 5 sites. Two are run by the county department of health. One is a pharmacy, and two are private clinics.

In addition, the county website suggests registering online with pharmacies at 3 grocery store chains: Ingles, Kroger & Publix. A local television station also suggests Walmart, and two large healthcare providers (if you're already a patient.)

So everyone is having to call multiple providers every day until they get an appointment. Right now they're only offered to health care workers & people 75 & older. I wish they would open it to frontline workers and educators, as many schools are open.

I am very glad I volunteered for the Moderna vaccine trial. I had an appointment to unblind the study in January and found out I'd had placebo. So I got my first dose and have an appointment for my second later this month. (I'm in my late 50s and who knows when it will be available.)

It seems as if there is a lot of variance among different locations. We must be very fortunate here with getting registered and how the vaccines have been distributed. Over 60% of people in our age groups have been vaccinated (at least first dose) in Indiana. We live in a somewhat rural area, so we had to drive to the nearest city to get our shots--about a 35 mile drive one way. We did not mind, especially since it was well-organized and there was ample parking. There is supposedly a site here in our county, but there are no appointments to be had, so probably not getting any doses delivered here.

Dear Miss Kopp continues the adventures of the Kopp sisters. In this book, they take on different roles during World War 1. The book is written in epistolary form, alternating among the letters written by the sisters to each other and to various individuals with whom they work or are otherwise acquainted.

The Kopp sisters definitely had different personalities, which were displayed in each sister's unique writing style and activity. While excessive detail bogged down the storyline at some points, the novel moved along well for the most part. The action created suspense and drama that helped move the story forward. The historical aspects of the story also added interest and substance to the novel.I especially liked the author notes at the end which detailed the background for the novel.

It took me awhile to get used to the constant changing between the writers of the letters. This might prove frustrating for other readers like me, who had not read the previous novels in this series. However, the interest generated by this novel might encourage readers to go back and read other stories in this series.

>139 LadyoftheLodge: I plan to read #1 in a couple months. I've read #5 and #6 since November--one for a book club and the latter because I snagged an ARC from the author.

>140 thornton37814: I had this one as an ARC too! I received the first one in the series as a Christmas gift but I have not read it yet.

>141 LadyoftheLodge: I purchased the first one in the series after reading the 5th and hearing the author speak at our online book club, but then I got the ARC of the 6th so I decided to read it instead of the first because I was going to attend the online premiere of the book. It worked well.

The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree is the second I have read in this series. I have read other books by Susan Wittig Albert in the Beatrix Potter series and the China Bayles mysteries. The book is set in the 1930's and involves several different mysteries that the Dahlias garden club women take on. These include the death of the cosmetics sales girl Bunny, embezzlement at the local Bank and Trust, an escaped convict, possible infidelity, an inheritance, and a ghost! The mysteries turn out to be interwoven with each other, and all the loose ends are tied up neatly at the end. This one seemed a bit slow to start, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. Some critics have stated that it romanticizes Depression heartaches and hardships, but I thought the ladies dealt with the mysteries in admirable fashion.

I missed that you'd BINGOed a full card, congratulations! I'm glad you're having fun. :D

Oh wow! Congrats on the complete BINGO. I'd missed that as well. I have many squares filled, but I'm not sure I even have a regular BINGO yet.

A Perfect Amish Romance features a bookmobile librarian as a matchmaker. Sarah Miller meets and influences many people as she drives the bookmobile to many community locations. Sarah gets to know the entire Coblenz family and finds many benefits and friendships beyond matching people with books. When she connects Aaron Coblenz with his GED tutor Kayla, Sarah never expects the two to form a relationship beyond studying together. Readers also learn of Kayla's family struggles, and of her courage and determination. Meanwhile, Aaron's sister Tiny explores the changes occurring in her friendship with childhood friend and neighbor Joel. Another theme in the story is the role of gossip and how it can destroy the good names of those within the community, particularly when conversations are based on false impressions and jealousy. The meaning of a "perfect romance" is also addressed.

This is a clean romance novel about Amish people, without overt violence, strong language, or graphic intimacy. The loose ends remaining at the close of the book will draw readers into the next novel in the Berlin Bookmobile series.

>144 spiralsheep: >145 thornton37814: Thanks! I actually started at the end of December, and got done a lot quicker than I thought I would. The stars must have aligned properly this time! LOL

Congratulations on completing your Bingo card, that's quite an accomplishment for so early in the year!

>148 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. The earliest I have done in the past was April. For some reason, this year's seemed easier to complete.

Well done Bingo geek!

>150 mysterymax: Awww, thanks! Guilty as charged.

>146 LadyoftheLodge: I read the second before the first on that series. I need to go back and read the first.

>152 thornton37814: And I need to read the second one in the series! There was a teaser at the end of book one.

I just finished Sherlock Holmes and the Thistle of Scotland which is actually a book that was published in 1990! Makes me wonder how long it has been on my shelf . . .. It is a pastiche novel in which Holmes and Watson are involved in locating a missing amethyst. I sort of guessed what had occurred, but not all the details, and there were some surprises and some clues that had nothing to do with the final outcome. I liked it!!

I am now reading A Year Like No Other by Pauline Lawless which is a book that showed up as a "You might also like..." on Amazon with the daily deals. This is a new author for me, and I started out by downloading a sample, and then got hooked on the story of four very different women who spend a year in Paris as part of a bank project, in one way or another. There were some bad reviews, but some very good ones too, and that made me determined to pop for the low price of $2.98 to find out if the book was really that bad/good/indifferent.

Just checking my categories and I see that I am falling down on the job of reading Miss Read, Nancy Drew, and the poor little Jar of Fate! I'd better get going on those.

I just shoveled two inches of snow off my entire huge long hilly driveway! We got eight inches of snow earlier this week and our neighbor plowed us out, so I just had to remove the snow that fell early today. I do not usually shovel it, but my husband has his second Covid vaccine dose tomorrow morning and I did not want to take the chance that our plow guy would not show up. I ended up pushing a lot of the snow, but it took me several hours to get it done. I do enjoy playing in the snow, but not that kind of back breaking work. Besides, I am a perfectionist, so I kept going back and pushing away small sections and chunks of snow that I missed. My husband is not allowed to shovel snow due to his heart condition, but he was not happy that I was shoveling. I finally convinced him to go back into the house after he cleaned off the car and watched me for awhile. I am ready for spring! A cup of tea and reading sounds like a good way to spend the rest of the day.

>154 LadyoftheLodge: Well done on clearing away that snow! Nothing beats a nice hot cup of tea after being outside and doing all that work. Hope your husband's vaccine appointment goes well tomorrow.

>155 rabbitprincess: I was really worried because some vaccine shipments were delayed due to weather. However, the hospital clinic where he got his vaccine today must have planned correctly for second doses, as his went smoothly. Thanks for thinking of us!

A Year Like No Other turned out to be just as bad as the reviews stated. Too bad the premise was a good one, that failed due to the characterizations. The characters were not at all likeable, and there was very little about living in France after the first 45% of the book. All the characters seemed to be interested in was jumping into bed with the spouses of their friends, drinking, and criticizing others. Of course, the women were all gorgeous (or became so through make overs) and the guys were all handsome. The two female characters who seemed like regular people got made over into beauties. All the women were pregnant and happy at the end of the book. The Americans were portrayed as despicable drug-addicted social climbers, which I really resented. This one got returned to Amazon, thankfully. Don't be fooled by the interesting lead-ins if you are thinking about this book.

Currently reading The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep.

Readers who are looking for a combination of history, mystery, suspense, and romance will find it all in The Thief of Blackfriars Lane. Constable Jackson Forge finds himself in hot water with his superior after a series of mishaps. When he vows to find a missing person, Jackson does not expect to become involved with the underworld of thieves in London. Assisted by Kit Turner, one of the occupants of Blackfriars Lane, Jackson embarks upon adventures that take him from ballrooms to the docks on the Thames, as well as through underground passageways and pawnshops, right to the very door of the Lord Mayor of London.

I learned a great deal about the underworld of London by reading this historical novel. It reminded me of a Dickens novel, with its unique characters and settings. The Christian message is present although not preachy, and serves to guide the characters in their interactions with others. The novel contains adventure, without resorting to strong language, graphic gore, and sexual situations. Readers should be prepared for a surprise ending! End notes and bibliography provide additional information regarding the constabulary, criminal underworld, and geography of London. Highly recommended.

I just finished Killer Keys by Mildred Abbott, which is part of a cozy mystery series about a bookshop owner/sleuth. The characters are hilarious and quirky. This is number 10 in the series, although I read the books out of order, so this was a catch up. I don't consider this one of the best in the series though. There were too many loose ends that did not add up and many of my fave characters were barely mentioned in the story. The romantic scenes between the main character and her new beau were just too drawn out, although not sexually descriptive or steamy. "Just get on with the mystery."

>160 LadyoftheLodge: Never heard of that series. I'll keep it in mind although I'm not inclined to begin it with other series on my radar or needing to be caught up.

An Amish Homecoming highlights the differences between the Amish culture and mainstream "Englisch" life. When Essie's three teenage cousins come to stay, her life is turned upside down as she tries to help them get used to living in a typical and busy Amish household. At the same time, Essie and her boyfriend Harlan face difficulties as they try to plan their future together.

This is definitely your typical Amish romance novel! The mix of two cultures added an interesting twist, whilst also describing situations from different viewpoints of the well-drawn, likeable, and fascinating characters. Personality differences are highlighted, while values and morals drive the behavior of the characters. Each character changes and experiences growth within the story. The Christian message forms an integral part of this novel, which contains no graphic language, violence, or sexual situations. Themes include personal change, the importance of family,and coping with difficult situations. I look forward to reading more novels in this series, and hints of things to come were provided, so readers have something to look forward to in future novels. Highly recommended.

>161 thornton37814: They are an easy read, and cost only .99 in e-book version.

An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch
Fans of the historical mysteries about detective Charles Lenox will not be disappointed by this latest entry in the series. Charles arrives in the United States of America with the intention of learning more about detection techniques and meeting some interesting and famous people. However, soon upon his arrival, Charles is called upon to assist in solving the mystery of a young woman's death. In the process, Charles becomes involved with Newport, Rhode Island and its wealthy inhabitants. He also acquires an assistant! However, things are not as they seem, and Charles finds himself in imminent danger amidst the wealthy and powerful in Newport society.

Those readers familiar with the series will enjoy the ways in which the characters have moved on with their lives, as well as this foray into American society. While some parts of the novel seemed to move slowly, the run up to the finale makes up for the slower parts of the novel. Although I read many mystery novels, this one certainly got the better of me! Many plot twists and turns will keep even the best armchair detectives puzzling this one out along with Charles Lenox. Returning to this series was like meeting up with old friends. Highly recommended.

Just completed A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie. The cover has nothing to do with the novel--there is no cruise ship involved, which was disappointing. Miss Marple is staying at a resort hotel in the West Indies and becomes involved in solving several crimes while she is there. I especially liked her interactions and partnership with the elderly Mr. Rafiel. There were a few twists at the end, as usual.

Few covers seem to have anything to do with the book!

>165 LadyoftheLodge: >166 mysterymax: Sometimes Agatha Christie covers are baffling. I own a Fontana edition of Crooked House that has a duckling on the cover. There is no duck or duckling at all in the story, though!
I am looking forward to reading A Caribbean Mystery because of the setting, but I just started reading the Miss Marple novels in order, so it will take some time to get there.

I just realized how long it has been since I checked in. Too much going on lately! I finished The Robin's Greeting and An Amish Surprise and I am currently reading Amish Midwives which is a collection of three stories.

Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with an interesting twist will be intrigued by this story of music and love. Set in the Jazz Age New York City, the book explores the brilliant yet doomed relationship between Kay Swift and George Gershwin. Although readers and music lovers no doubt have heard about George Gershwin, they may not be acquainted with Kay Swift, his lover and fellow musician. This book reveals an intriguing look at their troubled lives.

The Robin's Greeting is the third book in the Amish Greenhouse Mystery series. In this novel, Belinda's daughters have married, and she and her son now run the greenhouse. In addition, two suitors vie for Belinda's attention, each of them different and attractive in their own way. How will she choose between them? Belinda must also contend with her son's discontent with her beginning to date. She must also come to terms with her Englischer neighbors, as well as the ongoing vandalism to the greenhouse. There are a few surprises in store at the ending of the story.

Readers who have read the previous two books in the series will find familiar characters in this one, although it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Characters from the "Healing Jars" series also make an appearance to connect the two series. The settings and characters in this clean and sweet novel are realistic. The Christian message is overt but not preachy.

An Amish Surprise contains several surprises for readers who enjoy Amish fiction. This is the second book in the Berlin Bookmobile series. Sarah Anne Miller serves as the bookmobile librarian, giving her an opportunity to meet and interact with many different people. Some of her bookmobile clients are Amish, including a family with a bunch of foster children, as well as a childless couple who long for children of their own.

When Calvin Gingerich meets 10-year-old Miles, who is currently a foster child, it seems like a match made in heaven. However, Calvin is uncertain how to introduce Miles to his wife Miriam, since she is not open to adoption.

Sarah Anne makes friends with Pete, a visitor to the bookmobile, and their friendship soon turns into something much more meaningful. When Pete encounters some health difficulties, Sarah Anne and Pete need to make some decisions about their future happiness.

Readers of the series will enjoy reconnecting with characters from Book 1, although this novel can be read as a stand-alone. The characters are likeable and realistic, and their problems and challenges will touch the hearts of readers. This is a clean and sweet novel, with a clear Christian message.

Amish Midwives features three stories about different midwives, just as the title implies. Each story presents a unique perspective on Amish women who dedicate their lives to bringing babies into the world. Whether dealing with past hurts, recent tragedies, or unexpected deliveries, the midwives approach their work in partnership with the new mothers and with God. The Christian message is overt but woven into the story in a delicate and thoughtful manner. Readers will sympathize with the midwives as well as with the new mothers, and gain an appreciation and understanding of the important role played by midwives in the Amish community.

>171 LadyoftheLodge: I need to go back and read the first in that series. I think I have an Amish ARC of some sort I need to get to soon.

I finished Wretched Wool in the Cozy Corgi series of mysteries by Mildred Abbott. I have enjoyed the series for the most part, but this one seemed to go off the rails. I felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of a story that was already going on, sort of like walking into the theater having missed Act One of the play! The characters are not even likeable in this installment, and the main character Winifred seems more focused on investigating her dad's murder and trying to crack a crime syndicate than on running her bookstore. This is not the author's best effort. This one does not work as a standalone, because the author makes no attempt to backfill so readers know anything about the characters. I was even scratching my head trying to figure out who some of them were.

>173 thornton37814: I love that series! I had ARCs of the first two and hope to get one for the next book.

The Little French Bridal Shop
This book describes the dilemma of a woman caught at a crossroads in her life, and also caught up in her own web of lies. The most meaningful yet sad part of this book was how the main character dealt with her mom's dementia.

I recently finished Shaped by the End You Live For which is an analysis of Thomas Merton's body of work on monastic spirituality. I found it rough going but finished it. The first and last chapters were the most meaningful for me.

An Unexpected Amish Proposal tells the story of people who sell their goods at a market. When the rent prices rise astronomically, the lives of the people are affected in many ways. Fern and Gideon both run food stalls, and they find a way to work together and to help others who are facing ruin due to the rent increase. They also find their long-time friendship has become a romantic relationship, but many obstacles stand in their way.

The characters are interesting and realistic, and deal with problems common to most people: job loss, income reduction, judgmental attitudes, family squabbles, and guilt over past events. The story never failed to hold my interest. Enough detail was provided to allow readers to use their imagination to picture the market and the people who work there. Surprising twists wrapped up the story and lead into the next novel in the series.

This is a sweet romance, with a clear Christian message. I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

>178 LadyoftheLodge: I read one book by the author. When I can get to the used bookstore (after I'm fully vaccinated), I'll try to remember to look for more by her.

I am still here! I have been working hard at trying to weed and pack my home library to place in storage until our new home is ready for us to move in.

Are you moving far?

>180 LadyoftheLodge: You're moving? I guess I missed that somewhere!

The Jam and Jelly Nook completes the series of four books that tell the stories of marketplace vendors. In this final installment, Joanna and Emory meet in an unlikely setting. They bond when discussing concerns with their teen children and their difficulties as single parents. Joanna runs the Jam and Jelly Nook at the Amish Marketplace and she agrees to help with Emory's withdrawn daughter Maggie. Emory works in a family business building sheds, and agrees to employ Joanna's son Chester. Joanna and Emory draw ever closer to one another, yet fear to share their true feelings out of respect for their children's struggles. When family situations and romantic missteps threaten their relationship, both Joanna and Emory must decide what to do about their true feelings for each other.

This character-driven novel, demonstrates the difficult choices parents must sometimes make on behalf of their children. The story also shows how families can influence the decisions of the family members, sometimes to their detriment. The novel is a clean read, with no overt sexual situations and no strong language. The Christian message is clear but not preachy. Readers of the previous novels in the series will enjoy reuniting with old friends, although the book can be read as a stand-alone.

>181 Tess_W: >182 thornton37814: We are moving slightly north of our current location, to a retirement community. It is about 40 miles away, and in a very nice area that is centrally located to several other cities. Our current home is now up for sale, hoping for a buyer soon.

It will be nice to be less isolated, near shopping and medical care, and we will have neighbors nearby. (Of course there will be built in bookshelves!) We have loved our current home, but need something smaller. We found during the pandemic exactly how isolated we feel here in the woods. Our new place is being renovated and will be just like a brand new home, and inside and outside maintenance is included!

While I am excited and looking forward to the new place, I have not been able to concentrate on much else lately. I keep thinking of all the stuff I need to clear away and clean out and box up, just too much to think about sometimes. I am also teaching two online courses for the next month, and I manage to get in only about one or two chapters of leisure reading at night before I fall asleep.

>184 LadyoftheLodge: Good luck with your move! It sounds very sensible and well thought through. May you have the fewest possible regrets, and plenty of pleasant surprises in your new home.

>184 LadyoftheLodge: Good luck with selling your house and all the associated botheration of moving. When my folks made a similar move, there was a lot of stress for both them & me about what to keep & what to discard. There are a few things I said I didn't want that I regret but many more that I wish I hadn't taken - either way is hard.

But once it is done, my parents were very happy both with the new place and having shed a lot of accumulated things.

>185 spiralsheep: >186 leslie.98: Thanks for your kind remarks and support! I have already worked through a lot of stuff in our house. It is hard to imagine how much stuff we accumulated over time! I could not imagine where some of the stuff came from--how many clip boards do we need? Old scripts and playbooks?? Many packets of labels? A couple of friends came over and helped me clear out the kitchen and I worked through the little office yesterday. We took 5 bags of trash away, plus 7 boxes of paper recycling, plus more today. We have had walk throughs but no offers yet. And it has turned out to be stressful! I don't like having to keep my house so clean and neat all the time, and having people show up with 10 minutes notice!

>187 LadyoftheLodge: And it has turned out to be stressful! I don't like having to keep my house so clean and neat all the time, and having people show up with 10 minutes notice!

I bought my first house 5 years ago and I hope never to have to sell it for these reasons!

>183 LadyoftheLodge: That's a series I think I'll enjoy. I hope to find the books once I'm able to visit a used bookstore in person.

I am now reading Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie and also Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien. I am not usually such a slow reader, but the whole moving thing and selling the house is freaking me out. I am waking up at 3:30 a.m. with panic attacks.

>190 LadyoftheLodge: I'm listening to Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. It's short and will fit the senior citizen protagonist in one of the challenges. I should finish it tomorrow.

>190 LadyoftheLodge: It's difficult to think about moving, but you'll be happy, as you say, closer to everything!

>191 thornton37814: I think I read that one some time ago. I know I own it! I will have to look that one up again.

>192 NinieB: Thank you. I cleaned out my huge closet yesterday and marked the boxes that will go to donations. Today we busted up shoeboxes and took them to recycling. Two more house showings tomorrow.

I finished Midwinter Murder by the Queen of Mystery and Fatal Fried Rice. I am still reading The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming and learning a lot about horse training and how some of the concepts apply to people too.

I also took on a new little project, which involves helping one of my colleagues with his dissertation research. I was randomly selected as a participant in a focus group that involves weekly online asynchronous chat for 10 weeks. I probably will be kicking myself for adding one more thing to my list of "to-dos," but I recall the difficulty of getting research subjects when I was doing my dissertation. I thought I should help out a colleague, so there it is.

Re our house--it has been 20 days on the market, not sold yet, so our agent suggested we reduce the asking price a bit. My husband and I were already thinking that, so we agreed and hopefully will get some more interest. We have had nine parties to tour our home, and a few snarky remarks, but hoping for better results soon.

Our new home is under construction, interior walls being knocked out and redone at this time. Good to know the work is progressing.

We are still working hard at clearing out our years of stuff. Today we boxed up my husband's collection of historical non-fiction and took it to the storage unit, also I am at the mercy of the bookmen and local thrift shop to come and pick up lots of stuff. Everything seems out of my control right now.

>196 LadyoftheLodge: Sorry it's tough right now, but I know you've got this! (Heck, you've completed a dissertation--if you can do that you can do this!)

>197 NinieB: Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Some days I feel that things are going okay and we are getting it done, other days are just difficult.

The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming focuses on two horse trainers who work together to train a magnificent yet undisciplined horse. Their work forms a bond between them, but also can drive a wedge between them. Grace and Isaac each stand to gain from successfully training "Cincinnati," but a lot is riding on the final outcome. For Grace, the funds would be used to obtain much-needed surgery for her mom. For Isaac, the funds would ensure a secure future and home for his little daughter. Who will emerge the victor?

Readers who enjoy a sweet romance, without descriptive adult situations, violence, or strong language, will find this novel interesting and intriguing. Themes include gender stereotypes, loss of a spouse, unrealized dreams, and family complications. Each character is described in detail, and readers will feel as if they have come to know them well as family members. Readers will also learn a lot about horse training!

Oh, you do have a lot on your plate right now. I wish you all the best with your new home building and the house sale.

Don't work yourself into exhaustion, life is too short! I hope the house is sold soon and the building of the same goes smoothly. Good luck with the downsizing.

>199 LadyoftheLodge: I think one of the reasons Amish fiction appeals to me, other than my ancestral heritage, is the absence of promiscuity and cursing.

Our house sold on May 1! The buyers came through on April 30 and spent a lot of time here, wanting to talk to us and look at every room of the house and all the outside. They are the right fit for the place and we are happy for them and for us too. They gave us 60 days after closing on May 26, so that matches well with the date that our new place will be ready.

We visited our new place yesterday. The inside is really bare, but the rooms have been reconfigured and plumbing is going in next.

>202 thornton37814: I agree. I like to read for the characters and plot. When there is too much of the other, it detracts from the story for me and I just skip it.

>203 LadyoftheLodge: That's great news! I'm so pleased to hear you've found good buyers and the timings work out so well.

>205 Jackie_K: Thank you! I am so relieved at not having strangers walking through our house at any time they and their realtor decide to do so. I think we will be able to stay friends with the buyers too. They have some cool ideas for modifying "their" new home, and we are looking forward to seeing what they will do.

>203 LadyoftheLodge: Wonderful news! Congratulations!

>203 LadyoftheLodge: Congratulations on finding buyers. I hope everything proceeds as smoothly as possible.

>203 LadyoftheLodge: Congratulations!!

Congratulations on the selling of your house. Now the fun starts - packing!

>203 LadyoftheLodge: Congrats, you are half way there!

Congratulations on selling the house. I'm sure it's a relief to know it's in hands of the right buyer. I'm also glad they agreed to give you 60 days after closing. Hopefully things will be where you can get the stuff into part of the house--even if it's the garage.

Congratulations on the successful sale. Now you can concentrate on moving, which is surely an immense task.

Delurking to say congrats on the house selling!! That must be a great relief.

Congratulations from me too, I hope you love your new home and have great neighbors!

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. I am just hoping things go well with the closing and all. The buyers have decided they want an inspection later in the week, so we will be invaded yet again, along with the radon detector. Since I have not sold a house in the past, I am not familiar with all the ins and outs of the inspections and the radon thing. All I know is that we cannot lower the price any further if the buyers want some repairs done. We already discussed with them the repairs of which we are aware, which we planned to do if we were not selling.

We started sorting and packing in late March, and I feel as if it has gone on forever now.

I read If You Give a Man a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and it was hilarious and on target, just what I needed right now. (Sorry, guys, only too true.) I am reading Sweet Shop of Dreams although the touchstone does not match the title of the book I have.

>216 LadyoftheLodge: When my husband and I bought a house last year, I felt like our house hunt had gone on forever, and it actually was only a couple of months. I bet your buyers are just as eager as you are for the sale of the house to conclude successfully!

>218 NinieB: Thanks, we are praying for success for all of us involved in the house sale. My husband and I are eager to get into our new place, and wish it could be sooner. Sometimes we overthink things and borrow trouble where there is none.

I've always hated buying a house, each time I do it I swear that's the last time...
Hope that your's all goes smoothly.

Yikes, I am starting to feel book withdrawal symptoms. I have packed up all the books I am keeping and they are now in the climate-controlled storage unit that costs me twice as much per month as the regular "outdoor" storage units. The books still on the shelves will be whisked away next week by the used book estate buying guys from a local indie bookstore. (I try to avoid prowling among them and "rescuing" books.) I still have my ebooks but that is not the same as having a book in hand. It will be fun to bring them out of storage in a few months and enjoy placing them on my new shelves at the new house. However, I am an impatient person.

A few *months* without your books--yikes indeed!

>221 LadyoftheLodge: Wishing you all the braveness you need to face months without real books!

>221 LadyoftheLodge: I'd need a few real books with me. I suspect most would be genealogy books I consult often. Of course a Bible would also go with me.

>221 LadyoftheLodge: *gulp* While I loathe the rush involved in the UK process of having to pack and be out on the morning of completion, then move into the new place in the afternoon, it does limit the books in box time. Shelving them at the other end does sound like a treat to look forward to.

>224 thornton37814: I do have several Bibles that stay with me, and I am finding a few other books in odd places, such as under my bed or on my dresser. My books are rescuing me!

Sweetshop of Dreams
When Rosie is tasked with helping her elderly aunt clean out and sell the family sweetshop, little does Rosie suspect the twists and turns her life will take. Village life turns out to be very different from London life! As Rosie gets to know the local people, she finds many surprises, and discovers a lot about herself besides. The plot of this novel occurs in two different time periods, moving seamlessly between past and present. Readers learn about Aunt Lilian's past life and its effects on current events and village life. Loose ends are thoughtfully tied up in the end, sometimes in unexpected ways!

The novel contains some strong language, although it does not detract from the plot or the character development.

Glad your "babies" are being taken care of!

>228 Tess_W: Thanks! I appreciate all the positive comments from my friends in LT.

I am still reading Big Dreams for the West End Girls which is about young women during World War II. It is part of a series, and I did not read the others in the series. A lot of it seemed confusing, sort of like walking into a play after the intermission, having missed the first half. I am about 70% done.

I am working on packing up our stuff and throwing things away in preparation for our move. The buyers have turned ugly and decided to kick us out a month before their original proposal, so we are scrambling for temp housing since our new home will not be ready yet. At first they wanted us to cough up a bunch more money to support the repairs they knew would be forthcoming, but we refused that ploy. I have since heard from other sellers that this is a common tactic to force a price reduction. We told our agent to put the house back on the market if the buyers persisted. What happened to the friendly potential buyers they seemed to be? Was that all just a front to get the price they wanted? This has turned into Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I think it is wrong to treat people as they have tried to do. Suddenly the daily texts and phone calls have disappeared. Is it too much to expect people to treat others decently?

>230 LadyoftheLodge: So sorry you are having to deal with that nonsense! Stay the course and I'm sure things will work out for you in the end.

>230 LadyoftheLodge: >231 Tess_W: Most certainly wrong! Chiming in with Tess--you can do this.

>230 LadyoftheLodge: In this market I'm surprised they'd try those shenanigans! Sorry you have to shoulder more, selling and moving is stressful enough when all goes smoothly!

Thanks all for your supportive comments. We have been busy packing and placing stuff in storage. Alas, the book buyer has finally taken away the rest of my books, promising to place them in good homes.

Big Dreams for the West End Girls recounts the life events of a group of friends during World War II. Joyce carries on managing a local restaurant after her partner Simon joins the war effort. She is challenged by his younger sister who works alongside her, and suffers remorse at having rejected Simon's proposal of marriage. Joyce also finds herself in the unexpected circumstance of taking care of a small boy! Her friends Rose and Allie work in a local theater, and must deal with surly colleagues and missed chances. The story flows along, featuring each character's viewpoints. This is a clean novel without strong language or explicit sexual situations, featuring sweet romance and likeable but flawed characters. Readers will appreciate the twists and surprises that occur in the story line. My only complaint is the cliff-hanger ending!

>235 LadyoftheLodge: Maybe there is a sequel?

Margreete's Harbor
This novel tells the story of a family over a 10 year span of time. Originally Liddie and Harry take up residence with Liddie's mom, Margreete, when she can no longer live on her own and take care of herself. The story evolves into a family timeline told from the viewpoints of each family member. The timeline takes the family through many crises and events, but they come through them all and become somewhat wiser for it, as is true for many of us.

The novel was just okay,and seemed boring in parts. I disliked the way in which Margreete just became a minor character, sidelined by the events buffeting the family.

>236 Tess_W: There is probably a sequel. I am sure this is not the first book in the series, but I missed the others if so. When I started this book, it seemed as if I was walking in to a play after the intermission!

>237 LadyoftheLodge: That one was on a TBR list, but I think it can safely be removed. It's one I probably would have never made it to anyway.

>239 thornton37814: I think you are okay to remove it. I think Margreete was a very wise woman, but her wisdom was at times overshadowed by the family events and by the attention paid to her declining mental capacity.

I am still reading Lemon Drop Dead but getting to the end of it. Time for me to dig into the remaining challenges I have not finished yet!

Closing on the house sale is scheduled for June 15. We both wish our new place was ready to move in, but so far the kitchen cabinets and island are in, along with the bathroom shower floor tiles. Most of our stuff is moved into our temporary digs or into the storage units (now we have four!). I am praying that our cats will stay calm during their two hour trip to the new temp digs at the end of this month. I am using a Feliway pheromone diffuser and travel spray for them. They now have the run of our current house, being allowed to go into all the rooms in the lower level that were off limits for them in the past. (No furniture or anything down there, so they might as well enjoy.) We got our mail delivery changed over to a post office box for a short time until we can use our new address. I am trying to stay calm, but sometimes my anxiety takes over!

I hope things go smoothly from here on out!

>242 LadyoftheLodge: Good luck with the closing and moving!

Lemon Drop Dead continues the series about the Amish candy shop, although it can be read as a standalone novel. This cozy mystery features Bailey, a candy maker who assists with her family's Amish candy shop, although Bailey is not Amish. In this installment, Bailey works to solve the mysterious death of a woman who is connected in some way to Bailey's friend Emily. The story involves Amish horse-racing, a deaf Amish child, and a huge Amish hardware store! These surprising elements add new twists to the Amish Swissman Sweets series. Readers of the series will enjoy connecting with old friends from the previous novels (including Jethro the pig!) and meeting some new characters as well. Newcomers to the series will also enjoy the fun of getting to know Bailey's backstory and the characters who populate the town. Although loose ends are tied up satisfactorily, the author leaves readers with some new happenings to keep the series alive. This is a clean novel, without strong language, graphic sexual scenes, or overt violence.

>243 Tess_W: >244 spiralsheep: Thanks. I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying a lot.

I am happy to say that the new little brick home will also have a library room, although not as large as the library wing at the log home. Paying extra for built in shelves!!

>245 LadyoftheLodge: I need to get back to that series. I think I have the next one on my TBR list. I made a list of "next in series" so I'm working to cross some of those off.

>247 thornton37814: I have read most of them in the series, if not all. I got started on this series when my LT Santa sent me the first one! The characters have developed, and Lemon Drop Dead addressed some interesting issues that seem out of character for Amish fiction, as I mentioned in my review.

>248 LadyoftheLodge: I'll look forward to "catching up."

I just finished The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. I am usually pretty good at detecting, but this one stumped me.

We finally got moved out of the house, spent a few hours cleaning and sweeping it out, and will do a final walkthrough tomorrow. I am very ready to be done. Apartment living is not so bad other than being cramped, but it feels like home and our cats love it. I am already feeling less stress.

I am reading Belle: An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast and find it interesting so far. I am hoping for more time to read now, at least until our new house is ready and we have to unravel all the packing.

Our kitties made the trip to the apartment with a little bit of adventure! One of them who rode with my husband in his car moaned pitifully most of the way here. Two of them rode with me in their carriers, and our magical cat managed to let himself out of the carrier by manipulating the zippers. He pranced over the arm rest and into my lap as we were driving over the bridge into Kentucky! He was quite the little rider and enjoyed being held in a death grip while purring as the sun shone onto his head and he observed all the cars rushing past. They are loving the apartment, since it is so small and mostly carpeted, plus they get to sleep on the bed with us. They are not restricted as they were at the house. Lots of cool hiding places too.

>252 LadyoftheLodge: Happy new home! It sounds very cozy with the cats :)

>251 LadyoftheLodge: Apartment living is not so bad other than being cramped, but it feels like home and our cats love it. I am already feeling less stress.

Good to hear!

>252 LadyoftheLodge: Oh, poor moaning kitty! And LOL! Oops for getting out of the carrier!

Excellent news that you're almost done with moving. Glad the new place feels like home already. And oops on the kitty adventures!

Let's hope your kitty escapee doesn't have opposable thumbs, otherwise we're all doomed! :D

>253 rabbitprincess: >254 LibraryCin: >255 LibraryCin: >256 Helenliz: >257 Jackie_K: Thanks for all the good wishes. We visited our new house yesterday to see the progress being made, and should still be on track for move in around beginning of August. The apartment is a good respite until then. We also got to meet some of our neighbors at the new home and there seems to be a lot going on in the community. I was already invited to join the book club!!

I finished reading Belle: An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it turned out to be an enjoyable read, with some gently subtle lessons not to "judge a book by its cover."

>258 LadyoftheLodge: It sounds like everything is progressing nicely. Lucky you - a bookclub in your neighbourhood - great way to meet people and you get to read books, too!!

Just catching up on your thread.
Congrats on selling your home and your move!

>258 LadyoftheLodge: there seems to be a lot going on in the community. I was already invited to join the book club!!

Ooooh, nice! I love my community book club(s)! I was a part of starting both. I rarely go back to the original one (the community I lived in before I moved to where I am now; was easier via Zoom), but it's a great way to meet neighbours!

>260 DeltaQueen50: >261 VictoriaPL: >262 LibraryCin: I am looking forward to a book club again, although I did not find out what kinds of books they read. I started one with a bunch of teachers when I was in school administration, but when that ended, I did not join another one. My sister belongs to a book group and they read quite a variety of selections.

>263 LadyoftheLodge: Both my book clubs read a variety. It's pretty much what anyone wants to suggest we read. But, if someone suggests something, they get (have?) to lead the discussion.

>264 LibraryCin: ohhh, that's an interesting twist. I used to run one and I ued to end up leading the discusison as well as reading the book. That could end up being hard work, especially for a book I wasn't keen on. It's hard to ask open, positive questions when you thought the book was a pile of poo.

Oh, a new book club! How exciting! I am in a book club with my former colleagues. We only meet 3 times a year, though. Member choose a book, alpha by last name. So, we chose and lead discussion only once every 4 years--a good deal!

>265 Helenliz: LOL! I could see that being the case. For me, personally, even the books I choose, I've not read yet, so it could happen that I'm not a fan, but I guess it's more likely I'll be ok with it, since I always choose something from my tbr.

I usually look for book club questions online first (before suggesting a book), though, as I'm not good at coming up with my own, so I always want to know that there are some questions out there I can use!

>264 LibraryCin: >265 Helenliz: >266 Tess_W: >267 LibraryCin: When I started the book club with colleagues in the past, we met at different locations, such as homes of the members, the library, a coffee shop, local bookstore. We took turns leading, and sometimes brought recipes, lists of questions, author bios, or other articles of interest. The first year, we selected all the books for the next six months at our first meeting. However, we found that did not work so well, since we wanted to change our minds later. At best selection meeting we had, everyone brought suggested books and threw them out on the table or passed them around. Pasta and wine also made a nice time together!

I am not sure yet what my new book club will read. I am anxious to find out though! One lady mentioned something about getting the books through the library. The senior living community to which I am moving has its own library, but it just re-opened after being closed due to pandemic restrictions.

>265 Helenliz: LOL at your comments! I get that about reading a book I did not like and then having to lead the discussion about it. I do not feel guilty in skipping to the end of the book, then going back to find out if I want to read the inbetween chapters.

I finished Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer. There were a couple of new vocab words for me to look up. This installment in the series included prologue by Sherlock Holmes to basically catch the reader up on the plotlines from the previous books. There was also an epilogue by Sherlock, which sounded like a set up for the next book in the series!

In this one, Enola joins forces with her brother Sherlock to investigate the disappearance of the twin sister of their client. The search places Enola in danger (of course!) and leads the two plus Dr. Watson into seedy asylums and dark mansions. Enola no longer runs the streets, but has grown up and now wears lady-like colorful clothing in the latest fashions (described in detail in the book--probably better when one can see them in the film version). She retains her independent and quirky character. In some ways, I felt as if this book was being written for film rather than to be read as a book, but I still enjoyed it immensely, especially the disguises and theatrics.

The Amish Secret Wish presents readers with a cross between slapstick comedy and thwarted romance. Hallie and Kiah conduct their romance as pen pals, although Kiah does not know Hallie's name. He knows her only as "the scribe" with initials GBH. When the opportunity to meet her presents itself, Kiah is determined to find and court the woman with whom he has fallen in love via letters. However, circumstances repeatedly work against them. The blessed Gott has a way of working things out for those who remain faithful, and this occurs in the course of the story. The characters reveal themselves as flawed individuals, with obstacles and hang-ups to be overcome. Although the action occurs over the course of just a few days, the roller coaster ride of emotions packs a lot into such a short time.

I sometimes felt as if the novel was written for filming, with the inclusion of quirky characters and Kiah's constant mishaps (thus my referral to slapstick comedy scenes). I also dislike the contemporary writing style that utilizes short,incomplete sentences for emphasis. However, that is a personal preference that may not present a problem for other readers. The plot became a bit tiresome as Kiah and Hallie engaged in the tug-of-war of emotions, as well as Kiah's wild goose chase for "the scribe" with Hallie's initials GBH. The Christian message is overt but not preachy.

Readers who enjoy a sweet romance with a touch of spice will find this a fun read, although it differs somewhat from traditional Amish novels. The book ends rather quickly with some surprising twists.

I finished Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read. This counted for RandomCAT and also provided me with the first one in a personal category Reading Miss Read that I had neglected, and an entry in my School's Out category.

I still love the Miss Read books, which I have re-read many times. Her books are always a welcome respite from the craziness of the world today. I wish I could go back to the village times she writes about, maybe a harder life but also a gentler time. At least they are portrayed that way in her books.

>272 LadyoftheLodge: I am a huge Miss Read fan as well, and you've reminded me that it's been awhile since I picked up one of her books. :)

>272 LadyoftheLodge: I have that one on my TBR pile. I have never read a Miss Read.

>274 Tess_W: They are lovely books! Two different communities take center stage in the books: Thrush Green and Fairacre. There are also some that occur in surrounding villages such as Caxley. These books describe life in small villages in England, with all their own problems and foibles. The characters are described very well and many of them are so funny and quirky. I started reading these books 40 years ago, and I love them still. No sex or overt violence, no swear words. I especially appreciated the teacher point of view, and can understand the student problems and characteristics. I do hope you will pick one up and enjoy it. They do not have to be read in any particular order, although the first ones introduce readers to Fairacre and Thrush Green. The characters age with the stories, and that adds to their credibility.

I finished The Mousse Wonderful Time of the Year (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries) by H.Y. Hanna. This was a locked room mystery that took place in a mansion during a snowstorm. The final reveal scene was worthy of Poirot himself, very craftily done. The epilogue seemed rather pointless and silly other than to inject some slapstick humor into the story, as it described the highlights of a family Christmas celebration gone awry. It served to tie together all the characters who were introduced earlier in the story as guests at the celebration, but added nothing to the mystery aspect.

Postcards from a War shows the connection between present and past. The story is told through a series of postcards sent by a dad to his kids at home, as he serves in World War II. These postcards help a young boy cope with his mom's Air Force assignment that requires her to be absent from home. The correspondence is based on a true story. The artwork contrasts the past in sepia tones with the present in full color drawings. The story presents kids with an interesting, authentic historical take on World War II, while dealing with the emotions of being away from a parent. This is a good choice for a family to share.

>277 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds lovely!

>278 Tess_W: I enjoyed it. My daddy was a Navy veteran from World War II, although I was not born yet then. My sister remembers him coming home and how she did not recognize him (she was probably 2 years old at the time). She thought daddy was the man in the photo, not the real person! This was a wonderful read.

Updating my own personal categories today, I noticed no entries in the "Jar of Fate" category. Sadly, I am not sure where my Jar of Fate is right now. Packed up somewhere for sure. I have two of them.

Today is my birthday, and my husband drove us to Barnes and Noble where I selected whatever I wanted and he paid for the books. I selected a handful of mystery novels and also a book of Hercule Poirot short stories. Here is the bookish haul:

Cat Me If You Can
Twelve Angry Librarians
Mumbo Gumbo (set in the Big Easy, one of my fave spots)
The Murder of Twelve
Poirot Investigates

I just finished Debts of Dishonor by Jill Paton Walsh. The ending was a surprise for me--I did not see that one coming! I enjoyed this read, and will try to read others in the series too.

>281 LadyoftheLodge: nice! Happy Birthday!

>281 LadyoftheLodge: That's a husband who knows how to buy a present! Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday and nice haul--especially when you don't have to pay for it yourself! Kudos to your hubby!

Happy Birthday and enjoy your book presents!

>281 LadyoftheLodge: Happy birthday!

>281 LadyoftheLodge: Happy birthday and congrats to your husband for finding the perfect gift!

Happy birthday and excellent bookish presents. >:-)

>281 LadyoftheLodge: Great mini-haul for your birthday!

>281 LadyoftheLodge: Happy birthday! Books certainly make the best presents!

Happy birthday! Your husband's gift sounds absolutely perfect. :)

My happy birthday wishes as well. I hope when you are in your permanent home you are still close enough to a bookstore and easily able to continue this wonderful tradition.

Great birthday present! :) Belated happy birthday wishes!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. My hubby thanks you all for the compliments.

>294 clue: If we are not close to a bookstore, we will drive to one, I am sure. We will be close enough to Indianapolis to find something there. I have also been told there is a nice indie bookstore on the historic town square in our new town.

The Geometry of Holding Hands
This novel continues the philosophical meanderings of Isabel Dalhousie as she attempts to use her skills to help others. Isabel contends with her niece's conniving husband, a man who wants her to serve as executor for his will, and a past jury duty participant. Along with these situations, Isabel is taking care of her husband Jamie and their two sons, as well as editing a professional journal and working at her niece's deli. All in all, Isabel has a lot on her plate!

The novel gets off to a slow start, with some obscure references to literary works. There is not a lot of action in this novel either. Too much philosophy, not enough plot. Readers new to this series might find the philosophical sidebar thoughts to be confusing.I have read the other books in this series, and this one does not seem to be the best of the lot. Maybe it is time to end this series, although this book ended with a set-up for future entries.

An Amish Barn Raising
This book contains three stories by experienced authors of Amish fiction. Barn-raisings are prominent parts of the stories, and serve as events that prompt the characters to new understandings of themselves and others. Each story contains romantic aspects as well, although the growth of the characters takes center stage in each one. Issues of pride, focus on oneself, and atonement for past unkindness provide a common theme throughout the stories. Each story is set in a different location and features a different Amish community. Readers who regularly follow these authors will enjoy reconnecting with familiar characters or families. Each story can be read as a stand-alone. The Christian message is overt but not preachy. These are clean stories with no graphic language, violence, or intimacy.

DNF Dance with Death although it is probably a good historical novel. I could not get past the graphic description of a man getting shot in the head and splatters on people etc. plus one of the main characters using a mentally ill man as a set up (same guy who got shot) and thinking nothing of it. Not my usual cup of tea.

For my LT friends following my tales of woe in house selling and moving, good news is in the offing I think. Our new house should be finished by Saturday and new furniture being delivered on Aug 6. We will go get the keys and garage door opener on Aug 5. Time to change our address to "permanent" and plan to move stuff out of storage. Keeping our fingers crossed.

>301 LadyoftheLodge: how exciting! Hoping everything goes well. :)

>301 LadyoftheLodge: Oh, I'm so happy for you! Have fun arranging the new furniture!

>301 LadyoftheLodge: fingers crossed for you.

>301 LadyoftheLodge: Woohoo! That's exciting!

>301 LadyoftheLodge: How great, you'll soon be settled into "real life".

>301 LadyoftheLodge: Excited for you!

>301 LadyoftheLodge: How exciting!

Thanks for all the thoughtful and encouraging words. Keeping good thoughts in mind for the move to go well and be in the house by end of August.

Constellation of the Deep portrays the story of Fox as he sets out to find a glowing plant that he has heard of, which lives in the depths of the sea. Guided and helped by other sea creatures, Fox explores the sea but loses his camera and fails to find the glowing plant. When he locates his camera, he discovers that it has recorded a photo of the glowing "constellation of the deep."

The colored illustrations form the main attraction of this story that includes some science concepts. The scientific names of the plants that were included were difficult to pronounce, and could distract readers from the story. Finally, the story ended abruptly and seemed to lack depth, leading to a disappointing book for young readers and their families.

Reserved for Murder includes several different mystery threads for readers to follow. The mysteries are set at Chapters, a literary-themed bed and breakfast inn run by retired school teacher Charlotte Reed. The plot revolves around an author visit and literary events intended to market her books. The primary mystery thread involves the suspicious death of a woman who attends the special book publication events. Suspects abound, with a variety of motives. The woman apparently had several enemies!

Another mystery involves a visitor to the house next door to Chapters, who is apparently not what he seems. Charlotte has her hands full as she assists local law enforcement in surreptitiously discovering information about the suspects, while continuing to host the literary events as her inn.

For those who enjoy detailed, cozy, book-themed mysteries, this one might be a good choice. While part of a series, the book can be read as a stand alone. It contains no graphic violence, strong language, or intimacy. Readers might have their own theories, but will keep guessing until the end of the story.

>311 LadyoftheLodge: Going on my WL!

I finished The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book which was surprisingly detailed and included repros of some of Van Gogh's work. I am finishing Village Diary which is one of my fave Miss Read novels.

I have been busy moving (finally!) into our beautiful new home. We are not done yet (many boxes of books still in storage) but all our furniture is in place and my lovely custom bookshelves are in the book room. Many contractors, gardeners, tech people, maintenance people have been in to help with different tasks. We hope to start staying there in a few days, once we get some clothing moved there!

>313 LadyoftheLodge: How excited to be moving in! You'll want to get the books "just so" anyway.

>313 LadyoftheLodge: Very exciting . . . especially the custom bookshelves!!

>314 thornton37814: >315 NinieB: Stocking the bookshelves will be the best part of moving! Some boxes of books are already there. The shelves have gotten rave reviews from several people.

I am still here! Currently reading Pup Fiction and trying to get my books out of storage and organize my new home library. Hope there is room for them all!

>317 LadyoftheLodge: What fun, organising a new library! I'm sure there will be lots of ideas and trying out before you get to the final configuration. Every so often I reorganise with a new system - I'm still not sure which is my favourite way to group them.

I keep moving things around and changing my mind. My hubby reminds me that it is my library and I can arrange it any way I want. In order to have enough room, I have had to double shelve them, which I do not like to do, but it is better than having boxes and plastic crates sitting around on the floor. I am happy to unbox them and reunite with my old friends! Some of them are books I have had since childhood.

I am glad to a catch a few minutes to get caught up on threads I missed over the last few weeks as we have been moving and unpacking. The kitchen and bathrooms are pretty much organized. I spent an afternoon sorting bath items into plastic shoe boxes and labeling them, same idea with sorting and placing items in the garage. I have never had an attached garage before! The kitchen is organized in a way that makes sense for cooking and serving too. We are still bringing home items from storage units and the apartment closets. It will take months to finish it all, I am sure, but we seem to be doing well so far, with a minimum of arguments.

We have been exploring the downtown historic part of our new small hometown, and found a terrific local restaurant in a historic home. So far we love our new home and the kitties seem to have settled in after a few nights of chasing around and playing all night long in the new digs. They love being able to sleep with us in the queen sized bed too, as well as sleeping under it.

>320 LadyoftheLodge: Oh yay, I'm glad you're settling in so well! And enjoy that attached garage.

Glad to hear that you're settling in.

So many new things for you to explore! Enjoy setting up both your library and your new home!

Glad to hear you're in and enjoying the new place. Your home library sounds wonderful :)

Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson
Readers who are familiar with other books in the series by Laurien Berenson will probably enjoy this newest addition. The plot revolves around Emily, the leader of a local and highly-respected private school. Mysterious accidents keep occurring in and around the school, and Emily enlists the help of Melanie Travis to try to figure things out. When Emily's ex-husband is found dead in the woods behind the school, Emily becomes a prime suspect. Melanie continues to work on the case, along with her contacts in local law enforcement, and of course the formidable Aunt Peg. As usual, adorable dogs are a key part of the plot!

Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone novel. Readers who enjoy detailed cozy mystery novels will find this a fun read and an education about dogs and dog shows. While the plot seemed well-developed and the characters realistic, the novel seemed to drag in places and I just wanted to get on with the solving the mystery. Having read others in the series, this was not my favorite one.

>321 NinieB: >322 Helenliz: >323 DeltaQueen50: >324 Jackie_K: Thanks for your kind wishes and good thoughts! Moving is not for the faint of heart.

At Home by the Sea by Pam Weaver
This novel details the lives of the members of the Baxter family during the 1940s and into the 1950s. The main focus is on Izzie, who takes on many roles for the family while trying to find her lost mom, working, taking courses, and dealing with her dad and sister. While some reviewers found it heartwarming, I thought this book was depressing and many of the characters made the same bad choices over and over. Things get wrapped up in the end though.

Readers who like family stories may enjoy this novel. I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I read Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say, for both GenreCAT and RandomCAT September. This is one of my fave books for children and won the Caldecott Medal.

The Cafe Between Pumpkin and Pie features three stories by different authors. Set in the town of Moonbright, Maine, Halloween magic is afoot for three ladies and their would-be suitors. I loved the characters and setting, but disliked the steamy sex. The stories work well without all that detail. I also really dislike the style of writing that features short, choppy, incomplete sentences. I get that is for emphasis, but I am of the old school of writing and that style grates on my writing nerves.

An Amish Schoolroom contains three stories about Amish teachers. Each story portrays the teaching experience of a different teacher. Each teacher is unique, in both her experience as an educator and in her own personal characteristics and background. Romance plays a key role in each story, although it is not the main focus in the stories.

Readers seek enjoy clean stories, without graphic violence or intimacy, and lacking strong language, will find these stories to be enjoyable. The stories also educate readers about the Amish beliefs and varied lifestyles.

I am finally getting most of my books out of storage! Yippee! I think there about six more boxes there, which I intend to pick up next week. I am hoping not to run out of shelf space though! I am enjoying reconnecting with my books, since they are like old friends that have resurfaced. My Agatha Christie collection, P.G. Wodehouse books, and novels by D.E. Stevenson have finally breathed the air again, after living in the dark in the storage unit since April.

>330 LadyoftheLodge: I need to read the Amish stories on hand before acquiring more.

>331 LadyoftheLodge: It's nice to reconnect with "old friends."

I finished The Case of the Drowned Pearl for MysteryKit "mismatched detectives" and also The Fairacre Festival for AlphaKit Letter "F."

An Unexpected Amish Courtship
When Sovilla Mast goes to visit and assist her aunt, she gets more than she bargained for. In addition to dealing with her aunt's surly ways and prickly personality, Sovilla works at the market and meets Isaac. Sovilla also must deal with becoming integrated into a new Amish community and church fellowship.

Isaac Lantz falls for Sovilla as soon as he sees her. However, his speech impediment causes him to seem sometimes distant. Isaac excels at raising his puppies, and soon uses his skills and knowledge of training to help Sovilla deal with her aunt. The characters in the novel are realistic, and the plot develops well and keeps readers interested.

I enjoyed this Amish romance that featured some of the characters from An Unexpected Amish Proposal. Readers who seek a sweet romance without graphic violence, sexual intimacy, or strong language will find this an intriguing novel and follow-up to the first book featuring the marketplace. This book can also be read as a stand-alone novel.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I finished reading Katherine's Story (The Girls of Lighthouse Lane) by Thomas Kinkade and Erika Tamar. It was a cute and easy read, aimed at preteen girls. That is a book that was fun, and it will go into the donation box.

I am reading Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight and learning a lot about this woman. I knew nothing about her at all before opening this book. I liked that a lot of the book was based on her own diary writings. It is a fascinating glimpse into history as well. I was a child when John Kennedy was assassinated and LBJ became President, which was a job he never really wanted, apparently. The book showed what a powerful influence Lady Bird was upon her husband and his presidency.

I finished the book about Lady Bird Johnson and also The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law which was a hilarious and enjoyable read. There were a few things that made me wonder, such as the quiltmaker sewing up her brother-in-laws gash on his leg so he would not have to tell his dad about the injury. There was also a near rape scene in which a 19-year-old Amish woman was at home alone and got caught in the barn by an Amish guy. It was surprising to me that she was at home all alone, when she was a member of a large family with younger siblings. Another scene featured an Amish guy punching another Amish guy in the nose. The Amish are not usually fighters.

I am currently reading Death in Castle Dark which I like so far.

I am suffering from collection-weeding remorse. As I am shelving my books at the new house, I am finding big holes in my collection, and I obviously got rid of books I wish I had kept. Now I am searching them out on the internet and finding used copies. The mail sorting ladies and post mistress here in our community will be aghast at all the packages I will have to pick up at the main building. Oh well, the huge used book sale for Hoosier Hills Food Bank benefit is coming up in October, and my husband is planning for us to go. Maybe I can buy back some of my own books! The annual sale was cancelled in 2020, so this year there should be a huge selection to choose from. The sale runs for a week, and the final day is always $5 a bag day. We got some good stuff last time we went there.

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law
Readers who enjoy books about Amish people will find this a refreshing change from some of the usual Amish novels. Apparently not all Amish people are quiet, well-behaved, and upright, as one often sees in the Amish novels. Ben is determined to demonstrate his unruliness and independence by reckless living, mainly to irritate his parents. His low self-image underlies his behavior. Linda Eicher is an outspoken and practical young woman, so falling in love with outlaw Ben comes as a total surprise to her. Although Ben is equally attracted to her, he continues to sabotage their relationship and hold her at arm's length. Several intriguing and troubling events draw them closer together, but readers wonder if they will ever make a match of it. Throw in a couple of elderly ladies with a sense of adventure, and a matchmaking sister-in-law, and the resulting story is alternately hilarious and touching.

The plot for this novel moves along quickly, and the characters are interestingly portrayed and quite individualistic. At some points, the reader may need to suspend disbelief and critical thinking in order to enjoy the spirit of the novel. The Christian message is overt and runs as a thread throughout the book. I am hoping for follow-up novels that feature the same quirky characters found in The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I finished Death in Castle Dark and found it to be enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one in the series!

Currently reading Crime and Poetry in the Magical Bookshop series by Amanda Flower.

Just finished Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower, started Prayers and Promises in the Home to Heather Creek series.

Finished Prayers and Promises quickly, especially since I started it at 2:30 a.m. when I could not sleep and read the first 50 pages then.

I am on to rebuilding my home library, having killed it somewhat when I packed books to move and got rid of some I wished I kept. Now I will surely run out of shelf space again!

My husband and I bought some little red European style two-wheel electric scooters, sort of like little Vespas, made by Razor. They are fun to ride, especially since there is not a lot of traffic in our gated community. It was a challenge at first to get used to them, but we had fun riding them around the parking lot by the clubhouse and around the block. We had decided to quit for the day, and then my husband decided to take one more ride and lost his balance and tipped over. Thankfully, we were both wearing helmets and he just had a skinned knee, no broken bones or injuries. That will remind him next time to wear long trousers and long sleeves, instead of jean shorts and a polo shirt! It is always that last little choice that messes us up, right? Sort of like the one-too-many glass of wine, one last brushstroke on the painting or stitch on the needlework project, one final touch-up of eyeliner.

>341 LadyoftheLodge: Glad your husband is OK!

Those scooters sound like a lot of fun! Sorry that your hubby had a spill, I would guess that one's balance gets better the more you use the scooter.

>342 NinieB: I am also glad. I have turned into his first aid nurse and the skinned knee is doing well, starting to get a scab. His little spill reminded me of when we used to ride bikes or roller skate as kids, and skinned knees were a frequent occurrence.

>343 DeltaQueen50: They do get easier to ride with practice. He actually was doing better than I did to start off. Not a good idea to ride on the sidewalk, the street is easier. My hubby also suggested we should remember that we are senior citizens, not seniors in high school.

>344 LadyoftheLodge: They do sound like fun! I have some friends that live in a similar community but thir vehicles are 4 wheels. Almost everyone living there has one. On holidays everyone decorates theirs and they have a parade that's so much fun to watch...but it goes on forever!

>345 clue: There are quite a few members of our community who drive golf carts, and they often have special covers and awnings and plastic enclosures to keep the riders dry on rainy days and keep out the wind. One man has an Aruba license plate on his golf cart. There are also some people who have three wheeled bicycles. The parade sounds like a lot of fun! Many people here have beautiful gardens and flowers, and decorate for the seasons. We have only been living here for two months, so I will be interested to see what they do for Christmas or other winter holidays. I enjoyed putting out my autumn decorations and added a few small pumpkins today, which I acquired on a bus trip to a local pumpkin patch and apple orchard. It was packed with kids on fall break and their parents!

>341 LadyoftheLodge: the scooters sound like a bundle of fun. Shame about the scraped knee, though.

My hubby also suggested we should remember that we are senior citizens, not seniors in high school. nah!! Where's the fun in that?

>347 Helenliz: I agree! We usually have a lot of fun and that is not age-related at all. We ain't scairt!

Bookshop of Second Chances describes the life changes encountered by the main character Thea, and her responses to these changes. Thea moves to Scotland to claim a cottage and its contents, left to her by an aged relative. Thea has lost her job and her marriage has fallen apart, so this seems the ideal chance for a new beginning.

This book held a lot of promise, but never quite hit the mark. I found the characters to be shallow and self-serving, too caught up with socializing. I would have thought being middle-aged, they would be beyond this lifestyle. The casual drug use and more casual sexual exploits, plus all the profanity, ruined the book for me. I also felt the book contained too much detail about conversations and locations. I think the story could have held its own merit without all the drama, drugs, and profanity.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

My husband and I went to opening day of the annual huge book sale held at the Monroe County fairgrounds. There was not a book sale last year, so this year included enough books and media to take up two buildings at the fairgrounds. This is a charity event, all the proceeds go to Hoosier Hills Food Bank. This is the first time we attended on day one, since there is an admission fee on that day only. My hubby is a veteran so he got in free though!!

The history section was huge, since one person donated their entire history library. My hubby was loving that! We plan to go back on Sunday for half-price day, and again on Tuesday For $5 a bag day and the last day of the sale. Regular prices are $3 each for hardback and $1 each for paperback.

I got quite a bookish haul. We ended up with two boxes and two bags full of books. I found a few Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twins to add to my collections, plus one Annette and one Trixie Belden. I also found about 40 paperback novels about Amish people.

I got a couple of nicely hardbound books in the International Collectors Library editions, which I started to collect when I was about 12 years old. I found a complete Father Brown and an Agatha Christie, and a few Christmas books. I did not get to spend much time in the paperback mysteries, cookbooks, or Christmas books, so will revisit those sections when we go back. All in all, it was a successful trip!

>350 LadyoftheLodge: Book sales are so much fun, and it's great knowing your purchases benefit a good cause. Have fun tomorrow and Tuesday!

I missed my Thingaversary on September 2! Oh no! Time to make up for that! This is Thigaversary #11.

Oh noes! Well I sense a book sale visit in your future, so I'm sure you'll be able to acquire the necessary books. Happy Thingaversary (late).

>350 LadyoftheLodge: Wow, that sounds like a great book sale! I miss book sales!

Happy very belated Thingaversary :)

Happy belated Thingaversary! Enjoy the rest of the book sale. You mentioned finding an "Annette" book and that brought back memories of an Annette book that I had, to the best of my memory, it was set in the gold rush country of California and there was a long-lost mine.

>353 Helenliz: >354 rabbitprincess: >355 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for your kind wishes! My husband and I are going back to the book sale on Tuesday for the $5 a bag wrap up. We have been to the sale twice, and the visit on Sunday was even better than the first time. I am finding out that my husband likes to read authors and genres that I did not know he was interested in!

I found quite a few in the Cat Who series, which I got rid of when I weeded my library. They were 50cents each since it was half-price day. I also found a couple of beautifully bound editions with gold tooling, which will be added to our living room shelf of International Collectors Library books.

I'm so glad booksales are back! We don't have a really big sale in our area anymore and I sure miss it. You represented all bookfinders well with your haul!

>356 LadyoftheLodge: CoCo and YumYum will be happy to be back on your shelf.

>358 thornton37814: I got a good start on the collection again when I was there a few days ago, although there were none left when I went back for $5 a bag day.

The Walnut Creek Wish tells the story of a struggling, worldly non-Amish couple, and the Amish couple who befriends them. Jeff and Rhonda have a lovely home and many worldly possessions, but are distinctly non-religious people. However, they feel as if something is missing from their lives. When their world seems to be falling apart, and with the encouragement of family members in surprising ways, Jeff and Rhonda discover there is more to life than possessions and jobs. The story of their Amish friends Lois and Orley also provides a parallel story thread of marriage in the Amish tradition. They are eager to share their Christian faith with Jeff and Rhonda, but begin by sharing their friendship and hospitality as a Christian example.

The storyline is predictable, and the main idea of the story is the Christian message, which is overt. It was an enjoyable read, but seemed to drag at times with a lot of detail. I have read many other books by this author and found them more enjoyable than this one. Readers who seek a clean story with a clearly stated Christian message will probably enjoy this book, especially if they are already fans and followers of the author.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I just finished A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens, which was a Wells and Wong mystery set in Hong King. Very intriguing, and I did not guess the ending! Getting a headstart on November MysteryKIT.

Congratulations on moving into your new home - and finding a booksale! The scooters sound like fun but take care, old knees don't like being scraped along the ground!

>362 VivienneR: You got that right! I purchased knee and elbow protectors to alleviate the injuries, hopefully. I am already out of book shelf space!

I have been reading some kids books lately. I came across these in a box of children's books that were given to me years ago by a retired teacher. Here is the list I have read this week:
Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans
The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake by Linda Beech
The Magic School Bus in the Haunted Museum by Linda Beech

>364 LadyoftheLodge: I enjoy reading children's books from time to time.

An Unexpected Amish Christmas
This novel definitely fits the description of a novel about Amish people. However, it differs in its treatment of physical disabilities, loss of loved ones, and rebuilding lives.

Keturah and Jeremiah both have lost family members and try to cope with putting their lives back together. Jeremiah has also been injured in an accident, and arrives at Keturah's family pretzel stand as part of a rehab program. The story deals with their relationship, as well as how the business adapts for a person with disabilities. Both Keturah and Jeremiah have secrets that affect their growing affection, and these issues must be resolved. Both of them are also dealing with leftovers from their past and moving towards a new future together.

My complaint about this book is the Christmas scene at the end, which completely ruined the happy ending for me. Keturah still does not trust Jeremiah, even though they care for each other. She and her sisters revert to some kind of scene that occurred with their cruel father, which is not fair to Jeremiah.

Although it is part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. Readers who enjoy clean reads without descriptive violence and sexual content or strong language would appreciate this addition to the repertoire of stories about the Amish people and culture. There is a strong Christian message in this book.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

>366 LadyoftheLodge: Too bad about that ending.

>367 thornton37814: Yes, it really ruined the story for me. I was intrigued with the main character who was in a wheelchair as a result of a car crash, and how the marketplace was adapted so he could work there. The story also described his struggles with rehab and his worries about returning to life outside the center.

A Christmas Legacy
The latest Christmas novel by Anne Perry carries on the tradition she has established in producing a yearly Christmas story. In this addition to the collection, Gracie Tellman returns temporarily to household service for a wealthy family. She has been asked by a servant in the household to discover the reason for thefts occurring there. When Gracie agrees to do this a short time until Christmas, she finds a carefully guarded secret in the home, with surprising outcomes.

The characters in this novel appeared in previous Perry novels, although this book can be read as a standalone. The characters are described well, and the story moves along at a thoughtful pace, with plenty of intrigue along the way. The short chapters encourage readers to continue reading. While experienced mystery readers might guess at the underlying tensions, the ending certainly contains a twist!

Readers who enjoy a clean mystery without violence, strong language, or sexual situations will find this an engaging read. Be ready to stay up past the usual bedtime to continue reading, as I did! Keep that tissue box handy though, to erase a stray tear or two that might occur while devouring this holiday story.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Finished Cat Me If You Can for which I had high hopes that, alas, were unfulfilled. Too many characters with too many convoluted relationships, which muddied the waters for me. I wanted to like this book, but I found the main characters to be annoying (even the cat, who "chirped and warbled" way too many times for me. The plot seemed to drag along and I skimmed parts of it just to get to the ending. I liked the setting and the idea of a fun weekend for the mystery readers group, but that idea played a secondary role to the sexual exploits of many of the characters and the confusing love triangles. This one goes in the discard box.

>369 LadyoftheLodge: I'm behind on all my Anne Perry reads.

>370 LadyoftheLodge: How disappointing!

>371 thornton37814: I am also behind on Anne Perry, but I love the annual Christmas offerings.

>372 LadyoftheLodge: I'm behind on those too -- mainly because I've not ordered them for the library the last few years. The Christmas stories that seem to check out for us are mainly Macomber and VanLiere. We only order 2 or 3 per year now, but students and professors are too busy with exam time before the semester ends. Most of the use comes either at Thanksgiving break or Christmas break. A few of us don't mind reading Christmas books at other times of the year (such as July).

>373 thornton37814: I am not familiar with VanLiere, although I have many of the Macomber books. She started out as a Christian writer years ago, although some of her recent books have explicit sexual scenes, which I find disappointing. I am also one of those who reads Christmas books all year long.

>374 LadyoftheLodge: I don't think I've read many of Macomber's newer books. That would disturb me as well. I think you might like VanLiere's books if you liked Macomber's stuff from back in the day.

>375 thornton37814: Checking out VanLiere for Kindle reads.

>376 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds good. I hope you enjoy her.

Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop contains stories by three different authors. They are tied together by a common thread, a bakeshop called Rebecca's Porch, which is described in the first story. The thread is not as strong in the remaining stories. Each story contains a romantic element,although a different conflict situation forms the heart of each story. Themes include lost love, illness, family hardships, aging, abuse, and overwork, as well as friendship, kindness, and recovery.

Although the stories are set at Christmas time, each one could be set at a different time of the year with a few adjustments, and would retain the same quality of writing and interest for the reader. Each story is a standalone. (Who can resist cute dogs, little kids, and baked goods, besides a good love story?)

This collection is appropriate for readers who enjoy a clean read, lacking strong language, graphic violence, or overt sexual scenes. The Christian message comes across clearly in each story, without seeming preachy.

>378 LadyoftheLodge: I think I'd like to spend a few days there around Christmas! I'm sure the smells (and tastes) would be heavenly!

>379 thornton37814: I felt the same when I read the stories. The first one by Shelley Shepard Gray really evoked the sights and smells of the shop, and it was about Rebecca, the owner. The second story in the collection was both humorous and touching, and featured the bakery in a big way too. The third story was the darkest and featured the bakeshop in a sort of cursory way; it was my least favorite of the three.

I just finished The Little Christmas House which focused on a little girl, her dad, her school teacher, and her celebrity mom. While I disagree with some of the lifestyle ideas held by Holly, the main character, it was an enjoyable story and things get resolved in the end.

Also, I discovered how to scan in the bar codes on books in my home library using the LT app on my phone! How cool is that! My husband fell asleep watching me scan books and probably got tired of hearing me exclaiming about how easy it was. I don't know how long it will take me to scan in my books, and some of them are old or special editions and do not have bar codes. Sounds like a good winter project.

A Christmas Engagement tells the story of Liz, a young lady who nurtures a secret hurt. Jilted by her longtime boyfriend a month before their wedding, Liz is determined never to open her heart to another man.

When Matthew takes over the restaurant where Liz works, she is captivated by his personality and his attractiveness. Determined to guard her heart, Liz tries to hide her growing attraction to Matthew. Will God guide them to each other, or does Liz need to seek another path?

This is a clean and sweet romance about and Amish couple and their community. The characters are realistic and likeable, with a clear Christian message. Readers will feel the insecurities of both Liz and Matthew, and will "root" for their romance! One of the best parts of this novel is its beautiful and clear descriptions of settings and events. Those who enjoy a sweet romance, without violence, strong language, or explicit intimacy will look forward to curling up with this novel on a winter day, with a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa to sweeten the experience.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I am finally getting my wish to steward a Little Free Library. I received permission to set one up by the mail shed for our community. I paid for it and ordered it, and the maintenance departement will set it up. Our book group will keep it stocked. I already have a bunch of books to place in it to get started.

This is a project I have had in mind for several years, but the place I used to live was on a winding and hilly country road and not a good spot to set up the Library box. This will be much better. There is a book exchange shelf in the main building of our community, but those of us living in the addition do not get up there often. Now residents of the addition can stop and look for a book when they pick up their mail.

The Wish Book Christmas
This story about Christmas with two adorable little boys and their moms took me back to the days of my childhood. Bobby and Harry find a Wish Book catalog and soon they are ready to ask Santa for every toy in the book. Santa certainly has big plans for these little guys and their moms too.

The story lends itself well to thinking about the real meaning of Christmas and the importance of helping others. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it as a cute and heartwarming holiday reading selection.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

>383 LadyoftheLodge: Hurray! That's excellent news :) Enjoy!

>383 LadyoftheLodge: Love it! I've wanted to do that for a while, as well, but paying for the boxes is pricey. And I'm not handy myself.

My yard might be trickier, anyway, as there is no public sidewalk, so people would have to jaywalk to get to/from, so probably not ideal.

>383 LadyoftheLodge: That sounds like a fun project! Enjoy.

>383 LadyoftheLodge: I admire you for jumping right into your new community with a book club group and a commitment to the Little Free Library. I hope you enjoy both!

>383 LadyoftheLodge: How fun to participate in a LFL! I have several ARCs I need to take down to the one at Mossy Creek Station near work.

>388 clue: >389 thornton37814: Thanks! I just got a notification that the LFL should be arriving next week.

A Surprise for Christmas
This addition to the British Library Crime Classics series includes a variety of crime stories set at the holidays. These stories range from very short to quite lengthy. Each was carefully selected from the Golden Age of mysteries, and the book features both known and obscure authors of the time. Readers of mystery and crime fiction should find this a welcome addition to their holiday reading selections.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

>391 LadyoftheLodge: I read that last year. I thought that it was interesting how some of them had to set at Christmas, while others could have been set at any time and just use the season as a jumping off point.

>392 Helenliz: I agree. The one about the thieves dressed as Santa Claus/ Father Christmas could only happen at Christmas.

Thanksgiving was fun and low key. There were three of us--myself, hubby, and our neighbor. We had good food and lively conversation, and leftovers went into the freezer to be brought out for Christmas.

On Friday, I got out my Christmas decorations and spent all day decorating the outside and the fireplace inside. Since this is our first Christmas in our new place, it was interesting and challenging to make it all work. We most likely won't do a Christmas tree, since our cats would love to climb it, push it over, and etc. Besides, I really don't want to do all that work since we probably won't have guests over for Christmas. We have lighted decorations and a tiny little tree that sings Christmas carols, so that works! I will pick our live wreaths on Sunday from the church sale, and they will also add to the outside festive appeal.

My Little Free Library and the mounting post arrived today, so now it is up to the maintenance department to set it up. Yippee!!

Murder Most Fowl
This latest installment in the Meg Langslow series finds Meg, Michael, and their family and friends involved with a performance of the Scottish play (Macbeth). A group of "historical" reenactors has also created a Scottish military encampment on the family's land.

Acts of vandalism, theft, suspected poisonings, missing props, and other illicit activities add to the dramatic atmosphere of the story. Rivalries between the Drama, English, and History departments at the local college further complicate matters. When a film producer presents a documentary of members of the cast, some in rather humiliating scenes, someone takes exception to the films, and the annoying producer meets his demise. Throw in chickens, geese, dogs, teenagers, would-be spell-casters, and profesisonal rivalries among the cast members, and the resulting mystery novel provides highly entertaining moments for readers. Enough twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the final moments of the novel.

Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. This is a clean read, without swearing or sexual situations. Readers of this series will appreciate this latest installment.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Great timing on the arrival of your Little Free Library. Hopefully the maintenance people will get it up soon and you can open it as a seasonal gift to your community!

Second Chance Christmas by Lori Wilde
The basic storyline for this novel caught my interest: a baby is left in the manger of an outdoor nativity scene in Twilight, Texas. Two friends find the baby and become temporary caretakers for the child until the mother returns. Their partnership takes them on a journey of learning to trust and to accept the past and move on.

It is unfortunate that this fine beginning of the story quickly degenerated into a full-on story of sexual attraction and culmination in a very graphic manner. The constant sexual innuendoes and not-so-subtle desires rapidly eclipsed the main idea of caring for the baby. The overt graphic descriptions of intense sex were an unecessary distraction in what could have been a hilarious romantic comedy, and ruined the story for me. Readers should be aware of this content before picking up the book.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

From Shetland, with love at Christmas
This book is written in diary format, and follows the lives of several artists at a newly opened arts and crafts complex. Set on the Scottish island of Shetland, the action takes place at a mansion that was converted to the arts complex. Three women feature as main characters: Nessie, a blacksmith; Isla, a chef; and Verity, a knitware and yarn shop owner. Each woman must deal with her new venture and also with resurfacing issues and people from their pasts. They develop strong friendships as they get to know each other and their arts.

Although this novel seemed off to a slow start, it became more interesting as the story progressed and the characters developed. Romance plays a role in the stories, but there is no overt or graphic sexual content. The focus is more upon the women and their emerging new ventures and growth as individuals. American readers may find some challenges with the dialect, although context clues help the reader decipher the terms. The story takes place over several months, although the title might lead one to believe it is a Christmas story alone.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I finished The Orphan's Tale for our book group. While it was intriguing enough to make me want to keep reading and not put it down, I had to take it in small doses. The point of view switches between two women who are aerialists in a traveling circus in Europe during the time of the Nazis. There are many heartbreaking instances of fear and cruelty, but the courage of the people in the circus shines in this novel. The ending is somewhat of a twist, not expected, but a satisfying ending nonetheless.

>399 LadyoftheLodge: I would love the Shetland setting.

>401 thornton37814: It was a fun read, as long as the alternating points of view don't bother you. I did not have any trouble with that.

I just finished Christmas with the Cornish Girls which is the second book in the series. In this offering, the focus is on Lily and Eva, who are nurses in a convalescent home for wounded military men in WWII.

Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing continues the story of friends and romance, set in the small town of Evergreen. The story is a sweet tale set at Christmas time, featuring the magical snow globe that mysteriously helps people find their dearest wishes and dreams. Readers who are familiar with this Hallmark storyline will recognize characters from earlier novels set in Evergreen. The number of characters introduced in this story can be overwhelming to readers who have not read the others in the series. The story contains a lot of detail to help the reader visualize all the scenes, and sometimes it seems like too much detail, almost like reading the stage set directions and prompts. However, this story is still worth a read for a happy Christmas feeling.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The Memory Quilt
Abigail and her family manage the Shadow Lake Inn, a major tourist destination in Pennsylvania.When Abigail rescues an injured man from Shadow Lake, she never expects the significant changes that will occur in her life as a result of this kind deed. She calls him "Jonah," as a result of being "spit out of the lake," as Jonah was spit out from the whale in scriptures. Jonah has no memory of how he came to be in the lake or how he acquired his injuries. Upon his recovery, Jonah rapidly becomes a valued part of the King family and their Shadow Lake Inn operations. However, he cannot give up trying to remember who he was in his "non-Amish" life. Jonah engages help from law enforcement in his search for the truth of his life.

Abigail and Jonah try to deny their growing love for each other, since both of them know the heartaches their relationship could bring. However, Jonah also knows he could be endangering Abigail, her sisters, and her parents as he gains parts of his memory and realizes his role in his previous life.

This novel contains elements of drama and suspense, as well as romance. The characters are lively and the setting is eloquently portrayed with good use of detail to evoke a feeling of being there for the reader. The story builds to an exciting climax, with a few teasers earlier in the book to keep readers guessing about Jonah's true identity. All loose threads are neatly tied up in the end.

Readers of Amish fiction novels will appreciate this different and suspense-filled story. The novel lacks overt sexual intimacy and strong language. This novel is advertised as the first in a series. Hopefully the author will continue this series, as I am anxious to read additional stories about the King family.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Little Free Library in our community is now up and ready to go! I found the hunter green and contrasting green colors of paint and painted it over the weekend. The maintenance supervisor set it up and I added some Christmas ribbon and garlands. Open for business!

Hubby took me book shopping for Christmas presents. He told me to pick whatever I wanted. I ended up with eight books, nice variety with a couple of volumes of short stories, a few mysteries, a fiction novel, and a non-fiction book. He is a nice guy! (He also got to pick out an armload of books for Christmas.) It was a fun trip, but I could not figure out the layout of the bookstore, since it was a new one for both of us. I had to resort to asking for help from a bookseller.

>406 LadyoftheLodge: It's encouraging you found so many books at a new-to-you store.

>407 thornton37814: Once I figured out where they were, I found a good selection in the genres I like best. My husband had the same issue of wandering around and not being able to find the History section. There were two doors to enter the store, and we came in by the audio, toys and games sections. If we had entered on the other side, we would have immediately found what we were looking for.

A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale
When Kaylie accepts a job that involves writing a fairy tale for a child, she never imagined ending up in a castle at Christmas! While her usual jobs involve investigative reporting, Kaylie takes on an unusual writing assignment when her regular job ends unexpectedly. What started out as a feature about Christmas traditions turns into a real-life fairy tale, as the Royal Family of a small European country sweeps her into their lives. Will her Christmas wishes come true, or will Kaylie end up on a return flight to New York, weeping and heartbroken? Read this lovely Christmas Fairy Tale to find out!

I loved Kaylie's somewhat bumbling character, as well as the descriptions of the beautiful Christmas displays, traditions, and attire. If you are a Scrooge or Grinch, this story could just be the ticket to softening your heart and leading you to new Christmas traditions of your own. Who could resist a story that involves a delightful dog and a precocious child who happens to be a gifted artist, and by the way, a real princess?

Readers who enjoy a sweet story that is all about Christmas, family, and love will enjoy this novel by a renowned writer of Christmas fiction and films.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

>408 LadyoftheLodge: You'll know next time! I always have a time when I am on vacation and visiting unfamiliar stores. I've learned to just take my time and visit aisle by aisle. I can quickly pass over the ones that contain genres or topics not of interest. I always try to catch their "local interest" sections as well as mystery, history, reference (for genealogy), cooking, and needlework/cross-stitch. I sometimes explore other areas because I do have a wide range of interests, but it depends on time.

The Christmas Dress
Although the story of the Christmas Dress is set at Christmas time, the main storyline could take place at any time of the year. Upon the death of her father, Meg leaves her job in the New York fashion industry to go home to Chicago. When Meg finds out the dilapidated condition of the Parkview, which she has inherited and where her family lived, she is appalled. Although she originally intends to sell the place, Meg soon becomes quite attached to the senior residents of Parkview, who will be forced to relocate if she sells. With the help and encouragement of a handsome contractor, the people of Parkview, and a magical dress, Meg enters a fashion design contest. She hopes to win the grand prize and to use the money to renovate Parkview.

This story also contains a mystery! Meg and her contractor boyfriend Logan, along with retired lawyer Ellie, learn more about the intriguing past history of Parkview. As they attempt to earn grants for historical restoration of the property, surprises await them!

I enjoyed this novel and found it difficult to put down. The characters are interesting, colorful, and multidimensional. The plot moves along well, with some predictability and clues to the ending. However, changes in the action and interesting twists keep readers engaged in the plot and cheering for the characters. Meg and company display ingenuity, perseverance, and genuine care for each other.

This is a clean novel without strong language or descriptions of intimacy. Readers who enjoy a rollicking good story with a happy ending will find this a warm addition to their holiday reading choices.

An Amish Quilting Bee
Three stories about Amish women make up the contents of this book. In each story, quilts or quilting play a prominent role. In the first story titled Patchwork Promises, Joanne creates a replacement quilt for an elderly lady, and finds an attraction to her grandson. In the second story, A Common Thread, Susie, a young Amish woman, finds herself in the company of a man for whom she carries a secret crush. Eager to warm the fires of their friendship, past secrets and troubles threaten to mar their relationship. In Stitched Together, the final story, Rosie struggles to finish a quilt for a contest and auction. Although she is a talented quilter, circumstances conspire to stand in her way.

Each story contains a romantic thread, as well as thoughtful details about the Amish culture. The characters are realistic, confronting problems of dementia, grief, and shyness. The fine qualities of each woman are highlighted in the stories. The settings differ,but serve as appropriate backdrops for the action in each story. Readers who enjoy a clean read, without strong language or descriptive intimacy, will empathize with the characters, and will find these stories to be a welcome addition to the repertoire of literature about Amish people.

Murder at Mallowan Hall
Upon entering the library at Mallowan Hall, housekeeper Mrs. Bright never expected for find a dead body on the floor! However, she uses her logic and observation skills to get to the heart of the matter. The murder takes place in the library at the home of Agatha Christie and Max Mallowan, featuring their very own instance of a 'body in the library." The very proper Mrs. Bright, housekeeper to Agatha and Max, plays the role of the primary sleuth. Mrs. Bright not only has a houseful of guests to attend to and a bevy of servants to supervise, but now involves herself in solving the crime that has bloodied the library carpet and books.

Mrs. Bright uses skills that would please Hercule Poirot and Mrs. Marple, as she gathers information and clues that seem to be missed by the local constabulary. The final scene that wraps up the events will remind readers of the final revealing events in the best of Mrs. Christie's novels. This novel is unique in its frequent "tongue in cheek" references. The characters bear names that bring to mind the game of "Clue," such as Eugene Mustard and Phyllida Bright. The irony of finding a "body in the library" adds interest to the story as well. This book is recommended for those readers who enjoy Agatha Christie and other authors of the Golden Age of Mystery, with a bite of humor added.

Squeezing in one more book before the clock strikes 2022!

Miss Kopp Investigates
This book continues the Kopp Sisters series of mystery novels. Although it is not necessary to read the other books in the series, it is helpful to have the backstories of the characters.

Constance, Norma, and Fleurette deal with the aftermath of war in this latest entry in the series. Following the death of their brother Francis, the sisters assist his widow and children as they try to pay off expenses and to survive without his support. Secrets are revealed, and youngest sister Fleurette obtains lucrative employment to assist her family. Intrigue abounds as the sisters try to discover what happened to the family finances. Frictions arise between bossy Norma, commanding Constance, and flighty Fleurette. The twisty ending sets the scene for the next novel in the series.

Readers new to the series will find this latest entry a compelling read. The author provides ample notes at the end of the book, setting the story within its real-life historical context. This is a clean novel, without overt violence or the use of strong language or sexual scenes.

Happy New Year's, Cheryl!

>414 LadyoftheLodge: I should have one more coming, as well. Hope/plan to finish this afternoon. May or may not get a review posted tonight. Not sure. If not tonight, review may not be done until Monday. (Plans all day tomorrow.)

>414 LadyoftheLodge: I love Amy Stewart's historical notes on the Kopp Sisters books! All caught up with this series and awaiting the next one :)

>415 DeltaQueen50: Thanks! See you in the 2022 Challenge threads.

2021 Categories Wrap up:

My Categories:
Amish at Heart 31 books
Christmas All Year Long 23 books
The Children's Corner 19 books
School's Out 11 books
Reading "Miss Read" 3 books
Nancy Drew 1 book
Jar of Fate 0

Categories completed:
BingoDog
RandomCAT
GenreCAT
AlphaKIT
MysteryKIT

I almost listened to a Miss Kopp on the drive home but I decided to do a needlework mystery instead. I plan for the next Miss Kopp to be one of my first commute books of 2022.