Cozy in Texas

Free E-Book

2012-01-28T15:00:00.005-06:00

As part of an Amazon promotion, A Graceful Death for Kindle is free until February 1.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the app here and read on your computer

or here for other devices.

A Graceful Death will continue to be free for Amazon Prime Members for a total of 90 days.

No Rest for the Dead

2012-01-27T06:21:00.001-06:00

If you like Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Scottoline Alexander McCall Smith and Michael Palmer , you'll love this novel. With over 26 author contributors, and introduced by David Baldacci, anyone who loves a good mystery will be hooked from beginning to end. Each of the authors has written a chapter or two in the book and interspersed with forensic and medical examiner jargon that Kathy Reichs is a master of.

From the Cover:
When Christopher Thomas, a ruthless curator at San Francisco's McFall Art Museum, is murdered and his decaying body is found inside an iron maiden in a Berlin museum, his wife, Rosemary, is the primary suspect, and she is tried, convicted and executed. Ten years later, Jon Nunn, the detective who cracked the case, is convinced that the wrong person was put to death. In the years since the case was closed, he's discovered a web of deceit and betrayal surrounding the Thomases that could implicate any number of people in the crime.

English Country Houses

2012-01-25T16:50:00.000-06:00

With everyone excited that Downton Abbey is back for another season, there's a lot of interest about English manor houses. PBS showed a program, Secrets of the Manor House, last Sunday. It was over a thousand years ago that the King began rewarding returning warriors land and a title for their services. The highest of these was the title of Duke. There's more about the order of precedence here.
The manor house employed as many as one hundred servants per family with the Butler and Housekeeper in charge of the lower servants.
There were disadvantages to inheriting property, along with a title, as is portrayed in Downton Abbey. An entail was included in the conveyance of property as far back as the 13th century. The entail prevented property from being sold and required it to be passed on to the oldest son (heir) along with the title (primogeniture).
If you want to read more about these houses, Mark Girouard has a wonderful book called Life in the English Country House.

Guest Post - Angler's Rest

2012-01-24T06:11:00.039-06:00

Please welcome Julie from Angler's Rest visiting today. Julie is originally from Surrey, England and currently resides in Devon in the South West of England.

Julie, what prompted you to start a blog?

Do you know, I can’t really remember. I create the Anglers Rest blog back in Feb 2002, so I am almost, in a blogging sense 10 years old. Over time my Blog has grown as I have developed with the concept of blogging and become more confident with it. A blog is a great medium to explore and develop yourself and just to get out there in the big world wide web. Your blog can be anything you want it to be!

Which authors inspire you?

I think that it depends on the subject matter as to what I am inspired to do. I guess that I am a big fan of Jennifer Chiaverini, who is the author of a quilting series. The characters in the storyline are strong and inspirational.

What's your favorite season/weather?

My favorite is Spring. Everything awakening from the cold and dreariness of Winter. Waking with a freshness to get up and go!

Who do you imagine are your followers?

That is a tough question. Some of my followers I know, either in a physical sense or perhaps online. Others I would image are either readers or genealogists. Although I have started in the last year to share through posts items such as tea cups that I have inherited, stamps and postcards.

Is there anything new we can look forward to on your blog for 2012?

Yes, I plan to complete the write ups from my October 2011 trip to Jersey (Channel Islands), plan to talk a whole lot more about books and ancestors, Various posts about our trip to Australia during 2012. I am also planning to complete my Guildford and District collection during 2012. If you want to read about it look at the links on the Anglers Rest blog!

What are your goals for 2012?

To complete the 6 reading challenges that I have signed up for. I am also taking part in the Project365, where you take a photograph every day. I tried and failed during 2011. I also want to get some more genealogical work finished. I have too many bits of research incomplete!

Any advice you can give to new bloggers?

Join various blogging memes. Take part, and submit your links to the meme host. Visit other blogs and leave comments. Explore and write about what you have done, what you know and keep your blog fresh and alive. You will grow with your blog as you write more, interact with other bloggers more and gain confidence. Write from the heart and remember never share specific data that you would not share with a stranger at a bus stop!

Thanks for stopping by today and giving us a glimpse into your blogging world.
You can find Julie at Angler's Rest

This England

2012-01-22T06:58:00.000-06:00

A friend passed a few This England magazines on to me and I've enjoyed every one of them. Each brought with them a little nostalgia. In particular the Forget Me Nots section which readers contribute to with their memories of England (more often than not of the 1950s).

The magazine started with the slogan "As refreshing as a cup of tea!" Later issues described themselves as "For all those who love this green and pleasant land", and "Britain's loveliest magazine since 1968."

Articles include Exploring English Surnames, English Excursions, The Royal History of England and London Pride along with beautiful pictures.

Look out for these, whether you are from England or enjoy looking at quaint country villages and learning a little of the history, they are a great read. Occasionally, I've found them at Half Price Book stores.

Amazon Prime

2012-01-19T15:06:00.004-06:00

Amazon Prime is a new library-like service where members have access to movies, Kindle books and free shipping for an annual fee. (One month free trial here)

Authors and readers alike are curious how this will play out, but so far there seems to be a lot of interest. I have enrolled one of my books, A Graceful Death, in the program which is called KDP Select. The initial period that an author, who has enrolled a book, is required to keep their book on the program is 90 days and the e-book cannot be for sale on any other site.

Note for authors: It takes several weeks to get your e-book removed from Smashwords.Com and Barnes and Noble. According to the Smashwords site, it may be a week or more before they remove an e-book once you have selected "Unpublish" from the dashboard. Smashwords then notifies Barnes and Noble and other sites, but it may take a week or more for it to be removed from those locations too.

If you have a Kindle, take a look at the program and try it out for a month, you may find it's something worth continuing. I'd be interested to know what Kindle readers think, please leave a comment if you've tried Amazon Prime.

I may enroll other novels, but I intend to see how this works out first. Meanwhile, look out for books that show Prime Members 0.00. The books that are available to Prime Members are still available for sale on the Amazon site so the only drawback for authors is that the book can't be for sale in digital form on Smashwords.Com or Barnes and Noble.

You can sign up for your free trial and upload A Graceful Death here.

Guest Post - Dorte Jakobsen

2012-01-17T06:58:00.038-06:00

Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen who is a Danish teacher and writer of crime fiction, has stopped by today to answer some questions and give us a glimpse into her blogging world.

She lives in the beautiful region of Thy. In her spare time she reads and writes crime fiction. She prefers traditional mysteries and police procedurals, but also reads cosy mysteries (often) and thrillers (occasionally).

Welcome Dorte

First I want to thank Ann for her invitation to tell you all a little bit about myself. I have been looking forward to this, Ann!

Tell us a little about your book, The Cosy Knave.

"The Cosy Knave" is not the first novel I have written, but the first I have published. I sent two Danish crime manuscripts around to several publishers for a couple of years, but when I did not land a contract, I did not give up. Instead I tried something new, writing a humorous and cosy mystery in English. The writing process was sheer pleasure; everything went smoothly from the first idea to the final version which I published in August, and the readers seem to like my sleuths. Rhapsody Gershwin is a plucky librarian who is more than willing to help her fiancé, Village Constable Archibald Penrose. The setting is ‘more British than Queen Elizabeth’ to quote one of my Danish reviewers, a small, fictional village in Yorkshire with idyllic vicarages, tea rooms and knitting clubs on the surface, but nasty secrets, jealousy and murders right beneath it.

Which authors inspire you?

I have been inspired by several crime writers over the years, but for my cosy mysteries I am especially indebted to two female writers. First Caroline Graham, writer of the terrific British Barnaby series, featuring Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and his family. Second, I owe a lot to Elizabeth Spann Craig, American mystery writer and blogger. I enjoy her fine mysteries, but I have also benefited from following her excellent blog, Mystery Writing is Murder, one of the best sources for aspiring writers.

What are you working on next?

I am working on three writing projects, actually, but lately I have been busy translating my Danish debut "Anna Märklin´s Family Chronicles" into English. This crime novel is more serious than "The Cosy Knave", and I hope that readers will see it as more than sheer entertainment as it has a message about how we treat the weak members of society. But even though it is not a cosy mystery, it is neither graphic nor hardboiled.

Tell us a little about you

I live in a small Danish village, and I am married to the local vicar which is why it was natural for me to come up with my female protagonist, Rhapsody Gershwin, who is a vicar´s daughter. I am the mother of three grown children, and I spend most of my spare time reading and writing crime fiction of various subgenres.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Well, this is probably obvious, but I think the main thing is never to give up. No matter how long it takes for you to finish those books, get them out there - and sell them - you must never stop writing if you really want to be a writer. In one word: determination. '

What's your favorite season?

Summer, definitely, though each season has its own charms. But sitting outside our cottage on a sunny day, writing page after page on my Mac, is difficult to beat.

Who do you imagine is your reader?

According to my Facebook writer´s page 70 % of my followers are women, and most of them are from 30 to 55 years. That makes sense as I don´t write action-packed thrillers but prefer quiet, traditional mysteries. If I include a car chase, it is probably with my tongue in my cheek.

Where is The Cosy Knave available?

So far I have only published ebooks, and as a Danish writer who has most of my readers scattered in North America, Britain and Australia, I think it is much simpler to keep it that way. All my English books are available from Smashwords.com and Amazon.

How can readers find out more about you?

I blog a couple of times most weeks on DJ's krimiblog

Besides I have a writer´s page on facebook: Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen crime writer.

Her books can be found on Amazon

Dorte is also offering Heather Farm, which is a ghost story, free on Smashwords.Com. Heather Farm hit the number one spot on the ghost and horror category for several days on Amazon last year.

For a free upload, go to Smashwords

Thanks for visiting Dorte. Writing can be difficult at the best of times, but translating it into another language too, takes a lot of dedication.

Scramble Squares

2012-01-15T06:32:00.021-06:00

Scramble Squares were in my Christmas stocking last year and it's definitely a challenging puzzle. There are no shapes to indicate which part of the puzzle fits where and there are no borders, so finding out how to make the pattern flow is not an easy task.

If you're really stuck you can get a tip here where one square is shown in the correct position.

You can see a demo here

Each pack comes with a little trivia question.

Guest Post - Ann Summerville

2012-01-14T09:39:00.000-06:00

Sharon, at Simply Creating invited me to be a guest on her blog today. Hop on over and take a look here

The Wailing Wind - Tony Hillerman

2012-01-13T09:08:00.000-06:00

Tony Hillerman lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 1963 until his death in 2008 and his knowledge of the landscape and life of an Indian shows in his writing. The Wailing Wind is part of a series following Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee who are both Navajo police officers.

From the cover:
The man in the truck is dead, a bullet in his back. When his map points to lost gold and a forgotten murder, retired Navajo police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn steps in to solve the crimes.

In his memoir, Seldom Disappointed, Tony Hillerman shares that he spent eight grades in an American Indian school and had Indian playmates which is where he amassed his knowledge of the Indian ways. Asked where he gets his ideas and plots from, he likens himself to a bag lady pushing a stolen shopping cart through life, collecting thrown stuff that might be usable someday - not unlike scavenging for journalism.

He makes a point of saying he has been cured of using the term Native Americans. After attending a meeting to discuss the new division of tribal artifacts at the Smithsonian, the Indian Director asked for a show of hands if members of the audience had not been born in the United States. Only two people raised their hands. He stated that unless we came from another country, we are all Native Americans - the offspring of immigrants. The Director stated that they would prefer to be referred to by tribe, but if unknown, then simply as Indians.

Guest Post - Elizabeth from Silver's Reviews

2012-01-10T06:06:00.001-06:00

Elizabeth, who is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, blogs about books at Silver's Reviews and has stopped by this morning to answer some questions and give us a glimpse into her blogging world.

What genres do you prefer?
I prefer historical fiction, mysteries, and memoirs.

What are your least favorite genres?
I do not like paranormal and sci-fi.

What book do you wish everyone would read?
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I loved that book…actually I loved that book so much, I had to take a trip to Barcelona.

Tell us about yourself. Have you always lived in Pennsylvania?
I am a business/computer teacher, and have taught for 34 years. Ten of those years were at the high school, two at the middle school, and the remainder of those years has been in the elementary schools as a computer specialist.

Yes…I have always lived in Pennsylvania.

I saw the beautiful pictures of Scotland when you visited your son in
2010. Where else have you traveled?
Scotland was my favorite place to visit for scenery, but not the weather. I was there at Thanksgiving one year and in the summer for three weeks. The weather was the same in November as it was in July.
Rainy and chilly weather....but the beautiful, quaint country made up for the bad weather.

My favorite place besides Scotland is Barcelona. I loved having a scavenger hunt for all the places in Shadow of Wind. We had a lot of fun finding the places in the book.

I have traveled to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, Spain. Also Rome, Florence, and Venice, Italy. My son travels extensively and always wants me to accompany him. He has visited almost every country in Europe and has also gone to South Africa, Egypt, and Japan. I have not gone on all his excursions.

What's coming up on your blog for 2012?
Reviews, reviews, reviews, a few author appearances, and blog tours for other blogs and authors.
Book giveaways will also be on the horizon as well. I have so many books that I need to share. See how overcrowded my bookshelf is, and I have two more. :)

I will be retiring in January of 2012, so even more fun will be coming to my blog since I will have more time. I haven’t figured out what other fun things will be happening yet, but please stop by often to find out.

Thank you for featuring me on your blog, Ann. It has been my pleasure to be a guest on your blog.

Elizabeth, it sounds like we have a lot in common. I’m looking forward to more wonderful reviews in 2012. I love the desk made from an old treadle sewing machine.

Thank you for stopping by.

You can find Elizabeth's blog at Silver's Reviews

Kaleidoscope of Short Stories - Free E-Book

2012-01-07T07:49:00.007-06:00

Hop on over to Goodreads to upload a free e-book of Kaleidoscope of Short Stories.

More books by Ann Summerville on Goodreads here

2012-01-06T07:18:00.012-06:00

I'm featured as a guest on Aloha today. Hop on over and visit Kim who lives in Hawaii. This is a blog well worth following. Kim splatters each post with beautiful pictures and gives us a little glimpse into the lives of authors she interviews.

The House on South Road by Joyce Storey

2012-01-06T06:53:00.000-06:00

The House in South Road is an Autobiography by Joyce Storey and edited by her daughter Pat Thorne. After a slump in good reading, this book was a delight.
Joyce Storey was born in 1917, the same year my mother was born. Her life, like most people in England during the war years, was not easy and I remember some of the same hardships she encountered. Without a washing machine, dealing with sheets and towels was no easy task and were soaked in the bath tub before being put through a mangle and hung on the washing line. It was years before Joyce had a home of her own, and like her, we lived with family (my grandparents). Her first home was a prefab. These houses were box-like with a flat roof that were supposed to be temporary housing in an effort to rebuild England after the war. They were manufactured and assembled on the site. No one knew then the dangers of the asbestos that the walls and roof were made from.
The book is very well written and descriptions put you right in the center of Joyce's life.
From the cover:
Born near Bristol in 1917, Joyce began her autobiography at the age of sixty-six. The House in South Road follows her pre-war life in Bristol, an era of corset and chocolate factories, of service and glamorous silent movies. With a brilliant eye for the comic in the tragic, Joyce unfolds her experiences at school, her first job, her first love and a mismatched marriage and motherhood. With humor and intelligence Joyce Storey charts the ordinary story of an extraordinary working class woman's life.

Culinary Cozies

2012-01-04T17:05:00.000-06:00

I was invited to be a guest on Culinary Cozies today. Hop on over.

Guest Post - Mason from Thoughts in Progress

2012-01-03T06:57:00.043-06:00

Mason Canyon, book reviewer on Thoughts in Progress stopped by today to tell us a little about her blog and answer some questions. Not only does she offer great insights into books she has read, but has also posted interviews with many well known authors.

1. How did you decide to start a blog?

Thoughts in Progress came about through the encouragement and help of authors Cleo Coyle and Elizabeth Spann Craig. I won an ARC copy of Cleo’s HOLIDAY GRIND in 2009. I reviewed it for the paper I was working for and Cleo suggested I start a blog to give my reviews more exposure. She introduced me to Elizabeth and with their help, I began to explore the world of blogging. I posted my first blog entry on Oct. 31, 2009. It has been a wonderful experience ever since.

2. Tell us a little about you

Having been a journalist for 30-plus years it’s hard for me to tell about myself. I always want to ask others questions instead. I’m an animal lover with 1 house cat, 2 dogs, 5 horses and 6 barn cats. I don’t have children, so my animals are spoiled like children. I enjoy living in the country where I can hike in the woods. We live in north Georgia. I’ve enjoyed reading for as long as I can remember. My husband says I have enough books to start my own library. I created Mason Canyon when I started reviewing books for the paper I was working for. Mason is from my love of Perry Mason (both book and TV form) and Canyon was the name of my first horse. I enjoy trying my hand at crafts from time to time. And, anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE coffee.

3. You get through an enormous number of books a year, how many pages do you think you average in an hour?

That’s a hard question with no definite answer. If I have some ‘me time’ and can read uninterrupted, I’d guess I read about a page a minute depending on the font size. Other times, I do good to read 5 pages in an hour.

4. Which authors inspire you?

There are so many it would be hard to name them. I can safely say I’m almost always inspired by whatever author I’m reading at any given time. An author has truly done a wonderful job if while I’m reading their book, I want to do or be whatever their protagonist is.

5. So many genres have such fuzzy lines these days and blend into each other. What are your favorite genres?

My favorite genre is mystery and all the sub-genres it includes: cozy, crime fiction, thrillers, true crime, etc. But I also enjoy romance and just about any other genre.

6. Do you prefer to read books in print or e-books? What are your thoughts on e-books?

I love print books and prefer to read them. I don’t own an e-reader so it’s more difficult for me to read eBooks as I have to read them on my computer. I’m slowly understanding that eBooks can be handy for both authors and readers. With an e-reader I’m sure my attitude would be a bit different. But there’s nothing like the feel of turning the pages and anticipating what the author has in store for you next.

7. You post many author interviews on your blog. Does one in particular stand out?

I have been especially fortunate over the 2 years I’ve been blogging to have wonderful authors (such as yourself) guest blog for me. It would be difficult to select just one that stands out as each one is special in its own unique way.

8. What can we expect for 2012? Anything new coming up on your blog?

I have a number of authors already slated to guest blog in 2012, as well numerous reviews scheduled. I hope to have a few posts just to ramble about whatever pops in my head. I don’t have anything new planned, but I’m always open to suggestions. I’m always looking for ways to improve the blog and make it more visitor friendly. I hope in the coming months I can get back to visiting other blogs like I was. I enjoy visiting with other bloggers and learning new things from them.

Ann, thank you for this opportunity to visit on your wonderful blog. I am amazed at the compassion, concern and understanding of the bloggers I’ve met from all over the world. As caring for my in-laws become more time consuming each day I have less time on the web, but the continued support visitors have shown me is remarkable and touches me deeply. In addition, I’m in awe of authors now more so than I ever was prior to blogging. I never realized all the extra work that goes into creating a book. I am thankful that authors, such as yourself, go through all this work so readers like me have such wonderful books to read. Thank you again for having me here today.

Thank you Mason. I'm looking forward to hearing about the books you have selected to tell us about in 2012.

Hop on over to Thoughts in Progress and visit Mason - you won't be disappointed.

The Prayer

2012-01-02T13:43:00.009-06:00

I love any of Andrea Bocelli's recordings, but this is my favorite and good thoughts to start the new year with.

Lyrics to The Prayer :

I pray you'll be our eyes,
and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise,
in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer,
when we lose our way
Lead us to the place,
guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
La luce che tu dai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore resterà
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternità

La forza che ci dia
We ask that life be kind
È il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sè
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Need to find a place,
guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salverà

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T05:40:00.007-06:00

I love starting the year with a new calendar and I received this lovely one of Butchart Gardens from my friend in Canada. We went to the same school in England and found each other a few years ago on Friends Reunited. After many e-mails we got together on Vancouver Island where we visited Butchart Gardens and spent a few days catching up.

The picture is of an area that used to be a quarry, but is now a colorful mass of flowers and bushes.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

2011-12-31T10:14:00.000-06:00

The Mischief of the Mistletoe is the second book I've read by Lauren Willig. The first was The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.
Although I found some parts of the beginning a little silly as every scene had Arabella falling or tripping, and so many characters were introduced it was confusing, I'm glad a persevered. Many of the characters were probably introduced in an earlier version of the series and someone who has read the novels in order might be more familiar. I enjoyed stepping into a different time and experiencing the Yuletide customs in which, unlike Victorian England, Twelfth Night was the night of celebration. Ms.Willig wrapped up the mystery nicely at the end.
According to the historical note, Lauren Willig used Jane Austen's unfinished book, The Watsons as a basis for her story line.

From the cover:
Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming race-to-face with French aristocrats and international spies . . .

A big thank you to a A Novel Menagerie for Lauren Willig's The Mischief of the Mistletoe - one of the giveaways.

99c Cozy Mysteries

2011-12-26T06:39:00.002-06:00

This is the last week of 99 cent cozy mysteries for Kindle.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:46:00.012-06:00

Merry Christmas

Christmas Trivia

2011-12-24T06:33:00.031-06:00

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Robert L. May, a 34 year-old copywriter for Montgomery Ward, wrote the story. Read more

here

Candy Canes

In the late 1800s, a candy maker in Indiana wanted to express the meaning of Christmas through a symbol made of candy. He came up with the idea of bending one of his white candy sticks into the shape of a Candy Cane. The white peppermint stick symbolizes the purity and sinless nature of Jesus. Three small red stripes symbolize the pain inflicted upon Jesus before His death on the cross. There are three of them to represent the Holy Trinity. The crook on the top is like a shepherd’s staff because Jesus is the shepherd of man. If you turn it upside down, it becomes the letter J symbolizing the first letter in Jesus’ name. The candy maker made these candy canes for Christmas, so everyone would remember what Christmas is all about.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is actually based on the early Church Bishop Saint Nicholas. He was born during the third century (around 270 AD), in the village of Patara in Turkey, and was known for secretly giving gifts of money to the poor. The modern image of him as a jolly man in red most likely comes from the 1823 poem “A visit from St Nicholas” also known as “The Night before Christmas”

XMAS

In Greek, X means Christ; that is where the word “Xmas” comes from!

Christmas World Records

The world’s largest Christmas present was the Statue of Liberty. The French gave it to the US in 1886. It is 46.5 meters high and weights 225 tons!

Christmas Songs

Bing Crosby's ‘White Christmas’ was released in 1942 and is considered to be the best-selling Christmas song of all time!

Boxing Day

26 December was traditionally known as St Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed during to the poor and needy after Christmas.

Christmas Statistics

1 in 10 – The number of the presents received that will be broken by the New Year
7 in 10 – The number of dogs that get Christmas gifts from their owners
33 – The average amount spent per person on last-minute purchases
25 – The percentage time spent in queues when Christmas shopping
832 – The number of homes Santa visits every second to deliver all his presents
5340 – Average number of times Visa Cards are used every minute during Christmas time

Christmas Trees

The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshiping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.

It can take up to 15 years to grow an average-sized tree of 6-7 feet or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7!

Christmas Trivia
Christmas Tree Quiz
Xmas Fun
Christmas Facts
General Christmas Facts
Christmas - Celebrations Trivia

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-22T13:26:00.000-06:00

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

William Jesse Nicholas

2011-12-22T09:36:00.002-06:00

Although my friend's father passed away in November, the family chose to wait until what would have been his 85th birthday to have a memorial and celebrate his life. After a service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, the group congregated at his daughter's house. While a movie of happy memories played, small booklets were handed out with inserts from his family. Sometimes, it's not until someone dies that we truly appreciate their lives. William Nicholas proudly served his country and a wall of pictures showed his time in the navy along with photographs of the family that will sure to be treasured.

Fort Worth Star Telegraph Obituary
William J. "Bill" Nicholas (1926 - 2011) 84, passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011. In honor of his love for his country and his dog, Mystery, the family requests donations in the memory of Bill Nicholas be made either to Honor Flight, a program that allows World War II vets to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., which was a trip he proudly took in 2008; or the Westside Animal League. Bill was born Dec. 21, 1926, in Ogden, Utah. He joined the U.S. Navy Oct. 20, 1942, a few months shy of his 16th birthday. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters as a signalman and received his honorable discharge Jan. 3, 1946. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1951 with a degree in agriculture. He then proceeded to have a long, respected 50-year career in a variety of areas of California agriculture even gracing the cover of Cotton magazine in 1990. Bill was his family's biggest advocate always telling his many friends either by phone or e-mail about their accomplishments and milestones. Survivors: Irita Nicholas of Fort Worth; daughter, Kathy Nicholas and friend, Randy Hurst, of San Francisco, Calif.: son, Chris Nicholas and wife, Therese, and grandchildren, Madeline and Katrielle, of Fredericksburg, Va.; daughter, Maria Nicholas; son, Justin Nicholas and his wife, Sherley, all of Fort Worth; and Charley, Molly and Mac, some very special dogs who loved their Grandpa Bill.

Christmas Grinches

2011-12-20T07:36:00.002-06:00

Christmas is a time of good cheer, a time to show appreciation to those who have helped you throughout the year, a time to worship Christ. Not only does the best in people come out at this time of year, but also the worst. It amazes me how company managers with six figure salaries show their grinchiness.

One manager I worked for gave me a Christmas card. Not every year, just one out of the six I worked for him.

Another manager grabbed any gifts that arrived from vendors or businesses that we both dealt with throughout the year, not to share, but to run to his car and stuff them in the trunk.

A company who boasted to it's employees that it had a profitable year (in the millions) did away with a $25 gift card it had historically given its employees. Their savings for this corporate decision was $2,500!

A Christmas party for the employees included big ticket items raffled. Most of which went to senior managers and in several cases to relatives of the senior managers. (Other employees weren't permitted to add guests or relatives to the raffle).

Yesterday, I heard that a large U.S. company required their employees to attend a Christmas function at a local restaurant. Sounds like a nice treat, but they were required to buy their own meal and contribute a gift with a minimum value of $20.

But if someone we work for doesn't appreciate us during the year then the way they act during the Christmas period should be no surprise.

I was fortunate to work for several managers who truly appreciated their employees. One would take us to breakfast at a fancy hotel after month end close. Another had back yard parties for his employees on a regular basis. These are just a couple of the many times they were considerate and took care of their employees. These are the bosses that I remember most and if either one of them had asked me to work on my day off, I would be right there helping with whatever project they were working on. What these managers promoted was team spirit and loyalty.

To all those managers who encourage and care about their employees, my hat goes off to you.

To the grinches who grab and take without even acknowledging the hard work that keeps the company going, Bah Humbug.

Fallen by Karin Slaughter

2011-12-15T06:49:00.001-06:00

Fallen was an intriguing look into the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local police departments. When one of their own is kidnapped, it brings out police corruption, bribery, and the workings of local gangs. Karin Slaughter, keeps up the tension and throws in some unexpected family secrets.

From the cover:
There's no police training stronger than a cop's instinct. Faith Mitchell's mother isn't answering her phone. Her front door is open. There's a bloodstain above the knob. All that the Georgia Bureau of Investigations taught Faith Mitchell goes out the window when she charges into her mother's house, ~~fun~~ gun drawn.

I received the book as a giveaway on Murder Mystery and Mayhem.

Christmas at Birchman

2011-12-13T06:18:00.043-06:00

Each year Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, orchestrates a Christmas Performance with all the bells and whistles worthy of a Broadway show. There was a donkey, dancing reindeer, toy soldiers, a camel or two and snow. If you missed this year's performance, called Celebrate the Savior, put a reminder on the calendar for Christmas 2012, it's well worth the visit.

Angels for Christmas

2011-12-12T10:59:00.030-06:00

Angels for Christmas has contributions by Pamela Griffin, Tamela Hancock Murray, Sandra Petit, and Gail Sattler.

From the cover:
Angel on the Doorstep by Sandra Petit
Finding a stray crocheted angel give Moira Sullivan the idea to make some angels of her own, which she delivers anonymously to every person on the hard working staff at First Christian Church. When Joe Corrigan discovers Moira is the secret gift giver, he coerces her into letting him help with the project. Will this forced togetherness bring them closer together or farther apart?

This is a very light read and perfect for fitting the romantic short stories in between the craziness of Christmas.

Tiffany, over at All Things Literary sent me the book as part of a book giveaway last year.

Who Do You Write Like?

2011-12-09T10:00:00.001-06:00

I came across this web site that analyzes your writing and will tell you who your writing is most similar to. I pasted a paragraph from The Berton Hotel and apparently I write like Vladimir Nabokov - who knew?

I write like
Vladimir Nabokov

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

When I posted a paragraph from A Graceful Death this is the result I got - James Joyce.

Click on "Analyze your Writing" to find out who you write like. Leave a comment and let us know.

I write like
James Joyce

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

The Christmas Angel

2011-12-07T07:20:00.000-06:00

Each year, Trinity Writers' Workshop get together at the Stockyards in Fort Worth to help children write letters to Santa. Pictures from last year here. Leading up to the event we submit children's Christmas stories which are compiled into a booklet and given to the children after they write their letters.

Sharon Owen over at Simply Creating has featured my story for this year on her blog. Hop on over and take a look.

The Christmas Angel

The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans

2011-12-05T06:31:00.000-06:00

From the cover:
Smoke jumpers Ed Tully and Connor Ford are best friends, long linked by their passion for high-risk wilderness fire fighting. Now they share another dangerous passion: Both men love the same woman. An epic tale of desire, loyalty and adventure.

I first came across Nicholas Evans' work when I saw The Horse Whisperer. While the Smoke Jumper story was good, it could have been separated into more than one novel. The beginning follows a young girl called Skye, and if you didn't read the blurb on the cover, it would seem that it is her story, but she's only part of it. I was disappointed that the Smoke Jumper veered off to Ed and Julia and later bringing in Connor without developing Sky's story more as I felt she was the more interesting character. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a story that skipped around continents - as with most reads, it's all about timing.

Cozy Mystery E- Books 99c

2011-11-30T14:00:00.001-06:00

Don't forget - cozy mystery ebooks are on sale for 99c

E-Books on Kindle
E-Books on Smashwords.Com

Buggies to B-52s

2011-11-29T16:26:00.000-06:00

Sheryl Nelms, who is my favorite poet, has recently published a book Buggies to B-52s. The book is her mother's memoir, and edited by both Sheryl and her brother Eugene.
From the cover: The book is a memoir of a 97-year-old woman in Kansas. She lived thru a wild buggy ride on the tongue of the buggy, between running horses. She sailed home on the cow's tails each time her dad had her bring home the cows. She taught school in one-room schools in the country, through blizzards, hail and dust storms. One year she had eight children in eight grades. During WW II she worked as an inspector at Remington Arms in Kansas City. It was her job to find the duds and she did. Later on she worked at Boeing on the B-47's and B-52's.

If her mother's story telling talent is even close to Sheryl's, then we're in for a big treat with stories of the life of a Kansas gal beginning nearly a century ago. The book is available directly from Margaret Nelms

Send $14.00 (Book @$10 + $4 postage)

To: Margaret E. Nelms

c/o Country Place

1149 Country Place Dr.

#11

Marysville, KS 66508

If you want to read more by Sheryl Nelms then look up some of her books with humorous and thought provoking poems.

99 Cent Books for Kindle and Other E-Readers

2011-11-20T07:36:00.000-06:00

We're coming up to Thanksgiving Week - a day for turkey and reflection on things we are grateful for. It seems to be a good time to thank all my followers, readers, friends and family who have encouraged me this year.

As a thank you, I've listed my e-reader cozy mysteries for sale at 99 cents for a limited time. I know many of you are enjoying the Lowenna series (A Graceful Death and High Tide) and I'm working on the third book in the series, Gwinnel Gardens, which should be in print by 2012.

Meanwhile, I'm wrapping up The Berton Hotel which is currently available on Smashwords.Com and should be up on Kindle and available in print on Amazon by the middle of December.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Smashwords.Com
Kindle/Amazon

Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray

2011-11-16T09:34:00.000-06:00

This is the first novel I've read by Jeanne Ray and it was a pleasant read. Step-Ball-Change delves into family dynamics and follows the story of a dance instructor, her children and sister who are each going through dramatic life changes.

From the cover:
Happily married for forty-two years, Caroline and Tom McSwain live in a peaceful, settled life-until everyone in their household suddenly becomes love struck. This sparkling romantic comedy celebrates the often hilarious, always touching ways of love.

Smoke Alarms

2011-11-10T12:30:00.001-06:00

This week NBC 5 has been doing a daily report called Five Nights that Could Save Your Life. Yesterday, the report was about smoke alarms.

NBC link to the report here.

There are two types of smoke alarms. Ionization and photoelectric. Most of us have the ionization ones. When doing their test, with the help of a fire marshal, the NBC reporting team noticed the ionization alarms went off nearly 30 minutes after the photoelectric ones (four were used in the first demonstration). The difference between the two seems to be that the photoelectric alarms recognize smoke, whereas the ionization alarms are more likely to be activated when flames occur.

Look for an I or a P on the back of your smoke alarm and if it doesn't show that you have a photoelectric (P) alarm either buy one and use both or buy one that is a dual sensor alarm (both I and P).

The Black Velvet Gown - Catherine Cookson

2011-11-08T21:03:00.000-06:00

I discovered Catherine Cookson books in the 1970s twenty years after she wrote her first one. Not unlike her own life, each of the stories were about people (usually women) bettering themselves. They started with nothing and often by a chance acquaintance with a member of the gentry were uplifted to a higher place in society. Each of these were strong women with great determination - something Catherine Cookson herself was well known for. She wrote nearly 100 books in her lifetime and many of them became either a movie or mini series. As her books went on to sell millions, she became known as one of the great philanthropists of England.

Catherine Cookson grew up in a home which wasn't as it seemed. As an older child she found out her sister was her mother and her grandfather was actually her father. This type of family secret plays out in many of her books.

I came across the Black Velvet Gown DVD at the library today. If you haven't read any of Catherine Cookson's books, pick one up. They are well worth the read and you may, like me, get hooked.

A list of Catherine Cookson's books here

HP Ink Jet Printer Review

2011-11-07T19:26:00.000-06:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate my HP ink jet printer?

As if the ink isn't expensive enough, each time I turn it on it wants to print an alignment page - I hit cancel at this point - all very time consuming.

Then there's the scanner. Sometimes it works fine and sometimes I get an error message saying the USB isn't connected and yet I can print, indicating it is connected.

Tonight I could neither print nor scan although it was quite happy to print an alignment page.

Any suggestions for a good printer?

My Zoo World by Joanne Faries

2011-11-05T13:13:00.001-05:00

Joanne Faries doesn't get warm fuzzies when she sees a puppy, a baby koala or a hamster, instead she gets chills equaled to watching a horror movie. And yet, Joanne is the one that animals gravitate toward like a magnet. A puppy will bypass all the hands held out by dog lovers and sidle up to Joanne and plonk itself at her feet or jump on a couch next to her. The look that can only be described as fingernails-on-the-blackboard cringing shows on Joanne's face. She's taken each of these memorable moments and turned them into a humorous book called My Zoo World.

Hop on over to Word Splash, Joanne's blog, to find out more about Joanne and her exploits.

The Berton Hotel by Ann Summerville

2011-10-28T12:39:00.006-05:00

The Berton Hotel will be available on Amazon in December. If you're interested in doing an e-book review or guest post and being part of the book blog tour, please contact me at cozyintexas@yahoo.com.

60% off The Berton Hotel e-book

on Smashwords.Com

Use coupon WX79G at checkout for a limited time

The Berton Hotel

At the end of the millennium, Lily found herself driving toward a small Texas town where her great grandmother had disappeared over fifty years ago. Expecting to escape from yet another relationship in California that hadn’t ended well, the first person she meets is a charming Texan with brown eyes and blond hair. While trying to avoid anything that might resemble a romantic encounter, Lily gets to know the citizens of Crystal Wells and uncovers a lot more than her great grandmother’s disappearance in 1935. A mystery buried deeper than one of the local wells may bring to light more secrets than Lily has bargained for.

War and Watermelon - Rich Wallace

2011-10-28T06:46:00.023-05:00

I love the cover on this book.

War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace reminded me a little of the The Wonder Years.

From the cover: August 1969 - Men walked on the moon for the first time last month, but things aren't any less crazy on Earth. My father and my brother are at each others' throats over the war in Vietnam and my brother's future. He turns eighteen next month. Draft age.
I'm going on thirteen. Trying out for football and trying to figure out girls.

Rich Wallace paints a vivid picture through the eyes of a thirteen year old that anyone who grew up in the 60s will recognize. Great story.

Thank you Confessions of a Real Librarian for sending me the book as a blog giveaway.

Shem Creek - Dorothea Benton Frank

2011-10-21T06:45:00.004-05:00

I found this book tucked among the discarded books for sale at our local public library.

Shem Creek is another delightful story by Dorothea Benton Frank. It's a story of new beginnings, new friendships and a return to the place of Linda's childhood and as the cover says it's a "low country tale".

From the cover: Linda Breland has no experience managing a restaurant, but neither did Brad Jackson, and he owns the place. Meet Linda Breland, single parent of two teenage daughters. . . As the story opens, she is barreling down Interstate 95, bound for Mount Pleasant, South Caroline, the land of her ancestors.

Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund

2011-10-14T06:47:00.001-05:00

Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund (reading guide here) is the story of Marie Antionette who, barely a teenager, was sent to the French court and married to the King's grandson. Her role was confusing even to her. She became a fashion icon of France and amused herself in a fairytale village, Petit Trianon. Located within the palace gardens, Marie Antoinette's Village had thatched roofed stone cottages, a dairy farm, a mill, and dovecot. Marie Antoinette liked to dress as a milkmaid and spend time in what was known as the Queen's Hamlet. Even after becoming Queen of France, Marie Antionette indulged herself with gambling and buying clothes and jewelry while the French people struggled to provide food for their families. One of the stories touched upon in the book is the diamond necklace affair which was the plot in the Hillary Swank movie The Affair of the Necklace. The event has been considered as the start of the French Revolution.

Market Your Writing Seminar with Chuck Sambuchino

2011-10-09T12:42:00.003-05:00

Trinity Writers' Workshop is looking forward to hosting the Market Your Writing Seminar on November 5, 2011 with Chuck Sambuchino. Chuck has long been a favorite speaker of Trinity Writers (a writing group that meets in Bedford, Texas) and we're delighted that he will be sharing with us his knowledge as both a writer and a Writers Digest editor. To learn more about Chuck you can read an interview with him here.

If you want to learn more about getting your work published sign up for the seminar. Registration instructions here.

Be sure to stop by Chuck Sambuchino's blog. He has a wealth of information for the writer.

Guide to Literary Agents - Chuck Sambuchino Blog

Bride Flight by Marieke Van Der Pol

2011-10-07T06:26:00.001-05:00

From the cover:
It is 1953, and the last great transcontinental air race from London to Christchurch is about to begin, but even before the KLM plane has left the runway, it has already become famous as the 'bride flight' for its cargo of brides-to-be flying out to join their fiances on the other side of the world.

Bride Flight started off an interesting book. It begins with three women who are in New Zealand to attend the funeral of Frank, who was once a fellow passenger on the 'Bride Flight' of 1953, and a man who is intricately woven into the life of each of the women. What I found disappointing was the lack of descriptions. Although the book was peppered with words such as marvelous, gorgeous, and breathtaking, I would have liked more detail from the point of view of each of the women who moved to New Zealand from post war Holland, which is a drastic change in scenery and culture. Many war brides emigrated to Australia and New Zealand from Europe after WWII, but this was a historic flight as it was part of a London to Christchurch race. The plane featured in the book won the race in it's class with a time of 37 hours and 30 minutes. Although the book is fictional, I enjoyed a glimpse into the problems the passengers endured during the flight.

I received the book as a giveaway at My Love Affair with Books - thanks Misha. You can read her review here

The Bride Flight movie was released this year (with subtitles).

Benbrook Library

2011-10-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

Benbrook Library Presents "Lit'pourri"

Benbrook Library hosts many events each month and this afternoon was a one-man show by Don Shook who quoted a few of his own poems and those of Robert Frost, a monologue from a Neil Simon play and a song from Anna and the King (The King and I). It was a fun and thought provoking hour.

Don, also directed the Four Poster, a play currently showing at the Pantagleize Theatre in Fort Worth. Dr. Violet O'Valle, Artistic Director, shared with us some of the upcoming shows planned for the new theatre on Henderson Street.

Whether you're new to the area or have lived in Benbrook for years, this is a great place to meet new people and get involved in community events.

Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp

2011-09-30T05:58:00.000-05:00

The cover states "Readers don't have to be confirmed dog lovers or even dog owners to enjoy trailing along." But I don't think people who are not dog lovers would understand the connection between a dog and their owner.

From Goodreads.com
At the age of 36, Caroline Knapp, author of the acclaimed bestseller Drinking:A Love Story, found herself confronted with a monumental task: redefining her world. She had faced the loss of both her parents, given up a twenty-year relationship with alcohol, and, as she writes, "I was wandering around in a haze of uncertainty, blinking up at the biggest questions: Who am I without parents and without alcohol? How to form attachments, and where to find comfort, in the face of such daunting vulnerability?" An answer materialized in the most unlikely form: that of a dog. Eighteen months to the day after she quit drinking, Knapp stumbled upon an eight-week-old puppy at a local animal shelter, took her home, and named her Lucille. Now two years old, Lucille has become a central force in Knapp's life: "In her," she writes, "I have found solace, joy, a bridge to the world."

Reviews of Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp on Goodreads was mixed. People either loved it or hated it. I can't remember who recommended it to me, but it wasn't what I expected. Someone mentioned that Caroline Knapp's writing was a little neurotic and I have to agree.

Fort Worth Trinity Trails

2011-09-26T05:05:00.014-05:00

Now the weather is more pleasant we've been walking our favorite trail and came across an armadillo rustling among the leaves.

Fort Worth has miles of trails that wind through some pretty areas.

Fort Worth Trinity Trails

Free E- Book

2011-09-23T17:00:00.001-05:00

We're all excited that fall is here and the Texas triple digit summer temperatures are behind us.

To celebrate, Storms and Secrets may be uploaded from Smashwords.com at no charge and is available for most e-readers.

To upload:
Go to Storms and Secrets on the Smashwords web site here
Before completing checkout put in the coupon code

CN65Z

Expires September 26, 2011

A Fierce Radiance - Lauren Belfer

2011-09-23T06:49:00.006-05:00

From the cover:
In the anxious days after Pearl Harbor; Life photojournalist Claire Shipley finds herself covering one of the nation's most important stories. At New York City's renowned Rockefeller Institute, researchers are racing to save thousands of wounded American soldiers and countless others by developing a miraculous new drug they call penicillin.

It is obvious that Lauren Belfer has done hours of research in compiling historical facts and backdrop for her story. Although the pharmaceutical company she follows is fictitious, nonetheless, she brings in many of the companies that are still around today. Despite the discovery of penicillin by Dr. Alexander Fleming in the 1920s, developing the mold, into a viable medication was not successful and therefore shelved until WWII when more soldiers were dying from infection than from the initial gunfire. A rush to be the first to develop a usable antibiotic pushed the pharmaceutical companies into subterfuge and intrigue, but families in Italy, for years, had been known to keep a loaf of moldy bread and used a slice to place on a wound before bandaging.

Along the way Ms. Belfer throws in a few historical facts about New York where 23rd and 24th streets were constructed entirely on land from ballast dumped into the harbor. Ships travelling from England to New York (after delivering war supplies) carried rubble from the tragic bombing of Bristol, England as ballast and dumped it in the river.

This would make a great book club read. Discussion questions here

Thank you Bookworm's Dinner - I received A Fierce Radiance as a giveaway.

And Furthermore - Judi Dench

2011-09-16T06:31:00.025-05:00

Judi Dench has long been a favorite actress of mine and the roles I have enjoyed most are as M in the James Bond movies and as Jean Pargetter in As Time Goes By.

And Furthermore is not a biography as such, but covers her career as an actress beginning with her debut in 1957.

Notes

2011-09-14T06:22:00.002-05:00

Handwritten notes are so rare these days and are treasured so much more than an e-mail, tweet, or a post on a Facebook wall. When my friend handed me a note she had received from her aunt in New Orleans, I was thrilled that her aunt took the time to write to say how much she enjoyed Storms and Secrets.

Enid Blyton

2011-09-11T17:19:00.000-05:00

I came across a movie about Enid Blyton on YouTube called Enid featuring Helena Bonham Carter. She was a prolific writer of children's books and short stories. Noddy and Famous Five have been popular with children for many years and ones that I enjoyed as a child. Ms. Blyton (also known as Mary Pollock) was born in East Dulwich and grew up in Beckenham - both are areas in London near where I spent my childhood. She was a prolific writer and was reported to have written over 6,000 words a day, publishing hundreds of books over a forty year period. Over 750 million of her books have been sold worldwide and even though she died in 1968, over 8 million Enid Blyton books continue to sell each year. At one time it was questioned whether she actually wrote all her books as so many were published.

The movie is broken up into six parts, but are all available to view on YouTube.

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore

2011-09-08T06:30:00.005-05:00

Meg Mitchell Moore's debut novel was a wonderful read. The layout was a little different as there are no chapters in this novel. Instead, the book is separated into each of the summer months.

From the cover: It's the start of the summer when Ginny and William Owen's quiet, peaceful life in Burlington, Vermont, comes to an abrupt halt.

One by one, the children arrive home, bringing with them their baggage, not all of which is in a suitcase. Each of us can see a little of ourselves in one or more of the characters who Ms. Moore crafts into believable people. Whether dealing with an empty nest, or a full one, you will be pulled into this story.

If I had a rating system for my reviews, this would be a definite 10.

Thank you Frugality is Free - I won this book in a giveaway.

I Know Where I'm Going

2011-09-02T06:23:00.009-05:00

Katharine Hepburn's biography, I Know Where I'm Going, by Charlotte Chandler was an interesting read. She says "I was born into a world in which I was totally wanted, loved, treasured. If you have that feeling, you start life blessed."

She did indeed seem to know where she was going and was definitely a no-nonsense woman. Some called her 'Bossy.' She seized every opportunity, had a slew of boyfriends (including Howard Hughes) and a long term affair with a married man (Spencer Tracy).

But her childhood was marred by a tragedy when she found her older brother hanging from the rafters of an attic bedroom.

One gene she wished she hadn't inherited is what she calls 'shaking head syndrome.' Her grandfather also had a more pronounced shaking of the head. People constantly asked her if she had Parkinson's disease.

During the interview, she showed Charlotte Chandler a chipped cup, the pieces glued together. Katharine told her the cup had fallen from Spencer Tracy's hand when he died. This was the man she said she loved, but could never remember him saying he loved her. He remained married and after his death his wife said to Katharine "I thought you were only a rumor."

Each of Katharine's many films are listed in the book along with stories surrounding the production. She insisted on a private bathroom and during the filming of the African Queen a toilet was transported on a raft.

The book was a giveaway over at Pop Culture Guy. Thanks Don.

Baby Quilt Charity Project

2011-08-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

Project Linus is an international organization that provides quilts for ill or needy babies and small children. The name comes from the Peanuts character.

How Project Linus was started:
On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments. After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

Over three million quilts and blankets have been distributed so far by the organization. As a long time quilter and volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center, this project seemed an ideal charity for me to help with so when I came across an ad in the Benbrook News asking for volunteers at the local Project Linus Chapter, I headed to the First Baptist Church in Benbrook and joined women of varied ages put together quilts that had already been pieced. After three hours of cutting, sewing, and tacking, we had amassed nearly 20 quilts to give away to local hospitals. No experience is needed to help out and two young boys came with their mother, and armed with scissors, worked on 13 of the quilts, cutting thread and tying knots.

There are many quilt patterns available on the Project Linus Site.

Newsflash - There's a Hurricane Coming

2011-08-26T15:05:00.003-05:00

Unless you've been living under a rock, you would know that there is a hurricane heading toward the east coast. While most people are boarding up their houses and preparing for evacuation, others thought they would hang out on a jetty to get a closer look . . . Perhaps newscasters need to be more precise in their announcements such as "Don't wander on the beach, the jetty, the pier because their might be a few high waves associated with a hurricane."

People never cease to amaze me.

Hurricane sweeps eight over jetty

Thicker than Water by Sharon K. Owen

2011-08-26T06:14:00.030-05:00

From the cover: As a child, Kate O'Donnell spends summers at her grandparents' estate in Brands Crossing. There, she and her girl cousins create a fantasy adventure in which they battle make believe monsters, protect pretend victims, and save a mythical kingdom.

Sharon K. Owen's debut novel, Thicker than Water, is sure to make you crave more by this gifted and witty writer. The story follows Kate O'Donnell who, while pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter, continues her childhood adventures through an online fantasy game. Throw in a suspicious car accident and a centuries-old family feud and you won't want to put the book down.

Available for Kindle and in paperback.

The Perfect Balance Between Glamour and Rust

2011-08-23T09:44:00.001-05:00

The perfect balance between glamour and rust - that's the heading on Shanty Girl's Blog and she certainly achieves this in her delightful booth at Picker's Point in Keller, Texas. Sherry is a master at taking something that most of us would discard and turning it into a treasure that might be found in grandma's attic. After spending the morning with Sherry at her booth, we headed to Roanoke, now proclaimed the Dining Capital of Texas, for lunch. New development is expanding the downtown area continuing the old world feel.

Stop by Sherry's Blog to see what she's up to. There are always great tips and ideas for decorating.

Verona - Letters to Juliet

2011-08-21T06:50:00.008-05:00

I picked up Letters to Juliet not because of the story, but more for views of Verona and the Italian Countryside. Anything based in Italy is a big plus for me. What was confusing when I visited Verona a few years ago was Giulietta's House as Romeo and Juliet were fictional characters.

Some of this was explained in the special features section of the DVD.

Notes left for Juliet had been found since the late 1900s and when the movie Romeo and Juliet was shown in 1936 it brought renewed interest to William Shakespeare's play and Verona. The story was based on two real families who lived in Verona and it is their houses that are now marked as Romeo's house and Juliet's (Giulietta) House. With the influx of tourists in the 1930s, Antonio Avena, the museum director, wanted to give the tourists something to view and set about working on old buildings in Verona, including Juliet's house. Using a sarcophagi, he constructed a balcony and added a rose styled window to mimic a medieval house. He also hired a custodian for Juliet's tomb. The custodian planted roses, brought in doves and made the area more pleasing to the tourists visiting Verona.

In the movie, you'll see many people rubbing Juliet's bronze statue which is considered to bring good luck/love.

Secretaries have been responding to Juliet's mail for nearly 80 years and more recently the Club Di Giulietta was formed.

Murder Takes the Cake

2011-08-19T06:08:00.002-05:00

I was fortunate to win a giveaway over at Bea's Book Nook. Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent is a delightful mystery. With one of her famous cakes in hand, Daphne stumbles across a dead body. When she discovers the mystery involves her family's history, Daphne searches for clues, checks alibis and in the process finds a new romance. If you love cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this read. But don't stop at the end of the story, scrumptious recipes are in the back to entice you. Check out more from Gayle Trent on her web site www.gayletrent.com.

The Gladney Center for Adoption

2011-08-15T07:09:00.103-05:00

Masonic Widows and Orphans Home

I have volunteered for over a decade at a local crisis pregnancy center and for our monthly training session we toured The Gladney Center for Adoption. The interesting history of the Center is shown at the Visitor's Center along with artifacts that once belonged to Edna Gladney and clothes from the children who once lived at The Texas Children's Home which later became the Edna Gladney Home.

Long gone are the days when children were put on orphan trains in New York and traveled west where they stopped at various towns and were put on a platform for people to adopt them. This is where the phrase "put up for adoption" comes from. Fort Worth was the end of the line for these children and in the early 1900s a Methodist minister took in the children and found homes for them.

Edna Gladney was the superintendent of the Texas Children's Home for over 30 years and worked tirelessly for reform. As a result of her efforts, the word illegitimate is no longer written on birth certificates of children born to unwed mothers.

In 1941 Greer Garson portrayed Edna Gladney in Blossoms in the Dust. Edna Gladney assisted in placing over 10,000 children for adoption during her career.

New Puppy

2011-08-12T10:51:00.001-05:00

My son got a puppy from the Humane Society this week.

Tears of the Giraffe

2011-08-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

Tears of the Giraffe is part of the Alexander McCall Smith No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was also filmed by HBO (more info here). It can also be downloaded on I-Tunes.

Watching the series before reading any of the books helped me to pronounce the African names and gave me a good feel for the setting in Botswana. These books are delightful and Alexander McCall Smith throws in with the mystery a good splattering of moral issues. Precious Ramotswe (played by Jill Scott in the HBO series) describes herself as a woman of traditional build. Along with her secretary, who was proud to reach a score of 97 at the secretarial college, Mma Ramotswe solves local mysteries and still has time for her romance with the mechanic and garage owner, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni.

And if you want more time with the people of Botswana, take the African No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Tour where you can sip red bush tea and pass by Mma Ramotswe's house on Zebra drive.

Wild Birds

2011-08-06T13:23:00.005-05:00

Our local Benbrook Library often has free events and last month there were speakers from a nursery, a feed store and The Wild Bird Center. Each of the speakers spoke of the summer drought conditions and how we can help our feathered friends.

We were urged to be careful what food we are putting out as many of the home improvement chains sell bird seed that is little more than filler and 95% of the bags contain inedible seeds.

The most popular food that the birds enjoy is Sunflower (black oil sunflower seeds), Safflower and peanuts.

Texas plants to attract birds:
Beautyberry
Nandina
Holly
Mahonia

For nectar:
Salvia
Turk's cap
Honeysuckle
Desert willow

We were also warned against using anything with red food dye which can be harmful. Fill the hummingbird feeders with 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and heat until clear. Replace every 3-4 days.

Provide birds with shallow water for both drinking and bathing. If the water is too deep, put some rocks in so that there is a shallow place for the birds to stand. Use a flower pot turned upside down with a drainage saucer on top for a quick bird bath.

The wild birds are looking for shelter and if you have an abundance of trees and bushes you are more likely to attract many types of birds.

Budget Control Act

2011-08-06T06:03:00.007-05:00

Anyone confused about the Budget Control Act? Congresswoman Kay Granger, 12th District of Texas sums it up below.

I have heard from many friends and constituents with questions about the new Budget Control Act. This bill is so important, I want to clear up any misinformation and make sure you have the facts. That’s why I’m going to send you a series of email newsletters explaining the different parts of this legislation.

One of the most talked-about parts of the bill is the creation of a bipartisan, 12-member Joint Committee. I want to make sure you know what this committee is, and what it isn’t. This committee is not just another commission filled with people who have no accountability to taxpayers that will meet for months and publish recommendations that will just be ignored.

This 12-person committee will be made up of six current members of the House and six current members of the Senate. There will be three Republicans and three Democrats from the House, and three Republicans and three Democrats from the Senate. Requiring the members of this committee to be current office holders ensures they are accountable to taxpayers.

This Joint Committee is charged with the critical task of formulating a proposal that cuts spending by at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. At least seven members of the committee must vote in favor of the proposal before it can be submitted to Congress. The committee must submit their proposal to Congress by November 23, 2011. The House and Senate are then required to vote on the proposal by December 23, 2011. Amendments will not be allowed, and neither will a filibuster.

If the Joint Committee fails to have a proposal enacted into law with at least $1.2 trillion cuts by the December 23^rd deadline, a process called “sequestration” is triggered. “Sequestration” means that automatic, across-the-board spending cuts will go into effect over the course of nine years. Very few government programs would be exempt from these cuts. Exemptions include Medicaid and Social Security.

While the Budget Control Act is not perfect, it is a common sense way to force Congress to come together and begin turning our massive debt problem around. We must regain a strong sense of fiscal responsibility, and this committee brings us one step closer to this goal.

Sincerely,

Kay Granger

Angels by Marian Keyes

2011-08-05T06:14:00.042-05:00

Angels is the first book I've read by Marian Keyes and I found it very similar to Jill Mansell's chic lit style of writing. The book was fun to read and it brought back many memories of when I first moved to Los Angeles from London when I too was surprised at floor to ceiling windows at the gym and shallowness of Hollywood all of which is depicted well in the book.

From the cover:
The only one of her siblings not burdened with the "diva gene," Maggie Walsh always prided herself on normalcy - until she caught her irreproachable husband having an affair and was sacked from her dependable job. Suddenly her perfectly organized existence has become a perfect mess. Rather than stew in her sorrow, she decides, for the first in her life, to do something daring - and flees to the shelter of her best friend Emily in the faraway wonderland of Los Angeles.

A big thank you to to Lip Gloss and Literature - I received the book as a winner of the 50th follower giveaway.

The Publishing Maze

2011-08-02T09:14:00.002-05:00

I get asked many questions about how to publish and what options are available and so to answer the most basic questions, I've uploaded a book to Kindle A Quick Guide Through the Publishing Maze. It has an overview of the different publishing options, basic formatting instructions for self publishing on Kindle and with Createspace and some tips for choosing a print on demand publisher.
I'll be updating this as I get more questions, so feel free to let me know of any additions you would like added.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can use Kindle for PC to view books.
Kindle for PC

Children's Books

2011-08-01T12:23:00.000-05:00

We found some fairy tale books at Half Price Books that my granddaughter loves to look at. These were new books and fairly inexpensive (I had a coupon too). At six months old, she's enjoying looking at these herself as they are easy for her to hold.

Fatal Remedies

2011-07-29T06:24:00.000-05:00

Donna Leon, who lived in Venice for thirty years, has long been a favorite author of mine. Her series features Commissario Brunetti, a detective with the Venetian police department. Not only is each of Donna Leon's mysteries intriguing, but we're given a glimpse into family life in Venice when we're introduced to his wife and two children. In Fatal Remedies, Guido Brunetti's wife, Paola, takes it upon herself to right the wrongs of a local travel agency with dire consequences. Venice is my favorite city and so I loved the descriptions of the quaint streets, flowing canals, shops and coffee houses. The series doesn't need to be read in order to enjoy each book.
1. Death at La Fenice (1992)

2. Death in a Strange Country (1993)

3. The Anonymous Venetian (1994) aka Dressed for Death

4. A Venetian Reckoning (1995) aka Death and Judgment

5. Acqua Alta (1996) aka Death in High Water

6. The Death of Faith (1997) aka Quietly in Their Sleep

7. A Noble Radiance (1997)

8. Fatal Remedies (1999)

9. Friends in High Places (2000)

10. A Sea of Troubles (2001)

11. Wilful Behaviour (2002)

12. Uniform Justice (2003)

13. Doctored Evidence (2004)

14. Blood from a Stone (2005)

15. Through a Glass, Darkly (2006)

16. Suffer the Little Children (2007)

17. The Girl of His Dreams (2008)

18. About Face (2009)

19. A Question of Belief (2010)

20. Drawing Conclusions (2011)

I received this book through Paperback Swap

Loch Lomand

2011-07-28T06:34:00.000-05:00

Today, I've been talking to my granddaughter about her great-grandfather who was born in Scotland. We listened to some Scottish songs.

Although I have visited Scotland, I've never been to Loch Lomand. However, the song always reminds me of him and our walks along Scottish country lanes where he told me tales of his childhood. I was fortunate to have a good and kind man as a father and although he died when I was in my early thirties, I still remember so much about him and continue to miss his sweet voice and Scottish accent.

Last Week of 99 Cent Books

2011-07-22T10:53:00.001-05:00

There are many great e-reader books on Amazon and Smashwords either free or for 99 cents.

This is the last week of the 99 cent Kindle book sale for my books. Only a few days left.

Lowenna Series:
A Graceful Death
High Tide

Storms and Secrets

The Island

2011-07-22T06:48:00.027-05:00

The Island by Victoria Hislop
From the Cover:
The Petrakis family lives in the small Greek seaside village of Plaka. Just off the coast is the tiny island of Spinalonga, where the nation's leper colony once was located - a place that has haunted four generations of Petrakis women. Read Louise France's review here.

The story was intriguing and Victoria Hislop did a great job at explaining the lives of her characters, but it read more like a biography than a novel. I didn't feel any emotion from the characters whose lives had such dramatic turns of fate. However, this would be a great book club read as it delves into the relationships of families who lived in the village of Plaka.

Amazon.com Widgets

Swan Upping Day

2011-07-18T06:15:00.048-05:00

Swan Upping begins in England today. The Crown owns all unmarked swans residing in English open waters, and during July and August a group of Swan Uppers, wearing uniforms and flying flags, row along the River Thames and count them. One year while lunching at The Ferry Inn, a riverside pub in Cookham, many of the boats pulled in for refreshments. You can read more about the tradition, which has continued since the 12th century, here.

Download a children's brochure from the www.royal.gov.uk site.

What to Expect the Second Year

2011-07-17T15:10:00.001-05:00

What to Expect the Second Year by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel is a great toddler reference book. There are chapters about feeding, safety, behavior, buying shoes and growth charts. My granddaughter is still in her first year and so it will be a little while before we need this.

I received this book as a giveaway on Parenting by Trial and Error.

The Help

2011-07-14T07:19:00.002-05:00

I loved reading The Help so when offered tickets for a movie preview I was delighted. The Movie Tavern on 7th Street made seats available to a select audience.

The writer/director (Tate Taylor) and producer (Chris Columbus) of The Help brought the book to life in Greenwood, a small town on the Mississippi Delta. The movie stayed quite close to the novel apart from a few changes. It's been a long time since I read the book, but I believe the story of the maid in Skeeter's house had been changed. Quite a few scenes were removed, but didn't affect the story. The homes of the characters were just as I had imagined them and the cast was well chosen. I do recommend reading the book because the characters were interwoven so much deeper than could have possibly been portrayed in a movie, but this is the one time where I think the movie was true to both the story and characters.

A Graceful Death Review

2011-07-12T16:32:00.001-05:00

I came across Dorte Jakobsen's review of A Graceful Death today. She also writes cozy mysteries and has a new short story out called Zed Alley. Stop by Dorte's blog and say hello.

You can read her review of A Graceful Death here.

The Surprise Party by Sue Welfare

2011-07-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

The Surprise Party was a fun read and Kate Lawson, writing under the name of Sue Welfare, reminded me of Jill Mansell. I was fortunate to win The Surprise Party from a Chic Lit Central giveaway.

From the cover:
When feuding sisters Suzie and Liz come together to organize a 40th anniversary party for their parents, they struggle to keep their own personal dramas in check. Suzie is trying to keep her marriage afloat whilst Liz is keen to retain her Queen Bee status. Their mother and aunt are at loggerheads and Suzie's daughters are experiencing the angst of adolescence.

The party brings together characters who provide a perfect recipe for drama.

Nursery Rhymes and Songs

2011-07-12T09:57:00.000-05:00

This morning my granddaughter and I have been singing along with some You Tube children's songs (actually, she's just been humming because she's only 5 months old) Here are a few:

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Little Teapot
10 in the Bed
Wheels on the Bus
If You're Happy and You Know it
Once I Caught a Fish
Old MacDonald
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Itsy Bitsy Spider
London Bridge is Falling Down
Alphabet Song

Chocolate Brownies in a Mug

2011-07-10T06:10:00.000-05:00

Instead of heating up an oven when the outside temperatures are soaring, make a quick dessert in the microwave.

Use at least an 8 oz coffee mug

Mix together 2 tbsp. melted butter, 2 tbsp. water and 1/4 tsp. vanilla.

Add: 4 tbsp. sugar, a dash of salt, 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, 4 tbsp. flour.

Use a fork to mix together until well blended. (You can mix this in the mug).

Microwave for approx. 60 seconds depending on your microwave.

Gooey and delicious.

You can also experiment with different flavors such as a few drops of peppermint instead of vanilla.

Diana's Boys

2011-07-06T06:52:00.000-05:00

Diana's Boys by Christopher Andersen is a poignant look into Princess Diana's life with her boys and the legacy she left behind after her tragic death in 1997. "My boys mean everything to me," she said. "They're my life."

Happy July 4th

2011-07-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th. I'm spending the day at the pool with my family and precious granddaughter.

The Hunger Games

2011-07-01T04:06:00.002-05:00

I don't normally read dystopian novels, but my son gave me a copy of The Hunger Games and said it was a must read. Suzanne Collins creates a restrictive world governed by a capitol city which controls surrounding districts. In a macabre form of entertainment The Hunger Games is a yearly event in which two people from each district are chosen to compete to the death. But this book isn't just about the games, it's about relationships, the will to live and the art of survival. Suzanne Collins doesn't just hook you at the end of each chapter, she inserts twists and turns to the story in each paragraph and keeps the tension tight even at the end. This is the first book of the series and my son was right - it's a must read.

From the cover:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Books on Kindle for 99 Cents

2011-06-22T11:45:00.006-05:00

Summer is officially here and for those of you who like a cozy mystery ebook for summer reading I have lowered the price of my e-books on Kindle to 99 cents. The lower price will remain until July 31.

Happy reading.

Storms and Secrets

Lowenna Series:
A Graceful Death
High Tide

Helen over at Straight from Hel linked, on Twitter, a great post by Judy Croome regarding e-readers. You can read Judy's post here

If you don't have a Kindle, check the Kindle site for apps for other e-readers here

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

2011-06-17T06:42:00.000-05:00

From the cover:

On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents' attention bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother's emotions in the slice.

This is a cute story and the writing is excellent. Aimee Bender gives detailed descriptions of each of the character's actions, drawing you into their world. However, I found the lack of quotation marks (absolutely none) very distracting and gave up reading after the first couple of chapters.

I'd be interested to know what others thought of the novel.

Concerts in the Garden

2011-06-12T23:20:00.000-05:00

This evening was our annual neighbors night out at the Concerts in the Garden. There was a pleasant breeze in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden where we listened to the music of John Denver. Jim Curry's voice naturally resembles that of the singer/songwriter who spent his high school years at a local school here in Texas. We sang along to Calypso, Leaving on a Jet Plane and Annie's Song. The biggest applause was during Country Roads but that may have coincided with the news that the Mavericks had won the NBA title. As always the firework display finale was spectacular.

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine

2011-06-10T06:18:00.007-05:00

A big thank you to a A Novel Menagerie for Lauren Willig's the Temptation of the Night Jasmine - one of the April giveaways.

From the cover:
After years abroad, Robert, Duke of Dovedale, has returned to England to avenge the murder of his mentor. To uncover the murderer's identity, he must infiltrate the infamous secret Hellfire Club. But the Duke has no idea than even more difficult challenge awaits him - in a mistaken, romantic-minded young lady.

The story starts in present time with an American researcher delving into the archives at Selwick Hall. After finding correspondence to Lady Henrietta Selwick the reader is taken to Christmas Eve, 1803 and Girdings House, Norfolk where we meet Lady Charlotte Landsdowne and her cousin Robert, Duke of Dovedale. Lauren Willig weaves the story around historical facts and throws in romance and intrigue.

Fort Worth Trinity Trails

2011-06-08T11:39:00.001-05:00

Fort Worth Trinity Trails weaves through downtown Fort Worth and extends to the Stockyards and as far Southwest as Benbrook. Even with the summer heat, evenings walking along the trail are pleasant with the tree canopies offering some respite.

From Bellaire, the trail passes Oakmont park and continues to Pecan Valley in Benbrook, not far from the Benbrook dam. The trail is popular with both runners and cyclists so try to keep to the right when walking.

Death of a Chimney Sweep

2011-06-04T06:28:00.000-05:00

I'm working through my TBR pile, which seems to grow on it's own, and came across Death of a Chimney Sweep. I was fortunate to win this as a giveaway on the Mason Canyon site Thoughts in Progress.

M.C. Beaton is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers and although I prefer the Agatha Raisin series, Death of a Chimney Sweep was a good read.

From the cover: In the south of Scotland, residents get their chimneys vacuum cleaned. But in the isolated villages in the very north of Scotland, the villagers rely on the services of the itinerant sweep, Pete Ray, and his old-fashioned brushes. Pete is always able to find work in the Scottish highlands . . . until the day Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices blood dripping on to the floor of a villager's fireplace and a dead body stuffed inside the chimney.

Blogger Problems

2011-06-02T23:48:00.006-05:00

Commenting on blogs has been no easy task this week. If the comments box is a pop up, I've had no problem, but the comments section embedded at the end of a post have been all but impossible to leave a comment on. It shows me as anonymous even though I have signed in and then when I select Google as an identity it takes me to the sign in page. Even after signing in, the whole process then repeats again. Blogs that have selected "Pop-up Window" for comment replacement are not a problem.

I found a post today where some solutions are suggested. Take a look here, but none appear to have worked for me. Any suggestions?

June 5 update:
Thanks Jessica (see the comments section) I selected Google Chrome for my browser and it fixed the problem.

Storms and Secrets

2011-06-02T08:18:00.001-05:00

Helen, at Straight from Hel posted a review of one of my cozy mysteries today. Hop on over and take a look at Storms and Secrets Review. As usual Helen interspersed the review with her delightful humor. Thanks Helen.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2011-05-27T06:34:00.004-05:00

I picked up a copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and was surprised by the format. The story is told entirely by letters - mainly between residents of Guernsey, a writer and her editor.
"January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she'd never met, a native of Guernsey, the British Island once occupied by the Nazis. . . As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she is drawn into the world of this man and his friends, all members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."

The Channel Islands are just off the coast of France, and have an interesting history. Although a British Crown Dependency, they are self governing and have a different tax system from the British Isles. Some of the letters referring to the German occupation reminded me of a visit there as a child. In particular, the stark and eerie German hospital constructed in the side of a hill. The letters brought to light many of the harsh conditions that the Island endured during the occupation. Lack of food, for both the islanders and the occupying solders. Construction workers were given no food and left to their own devices by foraging at night. But despite the hardships, the book shows camaraderie, friendship and a band of neighbors who form the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. They withstand the oppression together. This would make a great book club read - reader's guide here

Island at War was a miniseries based on another Channel Island, Jersey, and would be a good companion for the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
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Mishaps during President Obama's Visit to England and Ireland

2011-05-25T17:18:00.002-05:00

In England -
President Obama apparently was unaware that it is considered an insult to talk while "God Save the Queen," the English national anthem, is played.

In Ireland - Car troubles when leaving the U.S.Embassy

Car troubles video 2

Clark Gardens

2011-05-24T06:04:00.010-05:00

This month we visited Clark Gardens Botanical Park near Mineral Wells.

Heat Wave - Richard Castle

2011-05-20T06:00:00.005-05:00

From the cover:
A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out thir alibis. . .

If you love the series Castle on ABC, you will enjoy this book by "author" Richard Castle. Although at times I thought it sounded more like a screenplay than a novel, it's easy to picture Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) as Rook the journalist and Kate Becket (Stana Katic) as Detective Heat. Definitely a fun mystery read and at under 200 pages you will zip through it in no time. I don't know who actually wrote the book but I wonder if it's the writers from the TV show. Fun idea.

In N Out Burger Comes to Fort Worth

2011-05-15T10:36:00.001-05:00

One of the things that I missed when we moved to Texas in 1992 was In N Out Burger and when we returned to California for a visit, we ate there for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days!!!!
So we, apparently with the rest of Texas, are excited that the privately owned In N Out company has chosen Fort Worth for one of their new locations. We won't be camping out, but we are anxiously watching the building for the "Grand Opening" sign.

The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle

2011-05-13T10:52:00.007-05:00

The Vintage Caper was another book that I received at the Texas Book Festival last year from Vintage Books.

From the book cover:

The Vintage Caper begins high above Los Angeles with a world-class heist at the impressive wine cellar of lawyer Danny Roth. enter Sam Levitt, former lawyer and wine connoisseur who follows leads to Bordeaux and Provence.

This book is a lighthearted read starting in a Los Angeles gated community and travelling through Paris. Bordeaux and Marseilles.

Peter Mayle also wrote A Year in Provence which is an autobiographical story of his life in Provence (it was made into a movie starring John Thaw).

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

2011-05-11T10:46:00.000-05:00

My granddaughter, who is now three months old, read her first book today. Actually, I did the reading and she looked at the pictures. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans is about a young French girl who despite wearing a school uniform identical to her classmates, stands out with her antics and "was not afraid of mice". The Madeline books have been delighting children since the late 1930s. Like Madeline, Ludwig Bemelmans, was a strong character and his personality shows in the Madeline books.