A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole! Books and hats and holidays!

Hello Readers,

It’s HOLIDAY TIME!! Yippee! I am officially on holiday until June 15th, although I will blog while off!

Being on holiday gives me ample time to catch-up on my ever-growing to be read pile. Several books have caught me eye that I simply cannot wait to read.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud (September, 2011)

At the moment I am wavering between “will I like it?’ and “will I not like it?”. I keep picking up the arc and then placing it back on my shelf not quite sure what to expect, but I do have to say this book looks as though it will hold my interest. Before my holiday is over, I will read this book!



Catriona by Jeanette Baker

Having fallen in love with Legacy, I cannot wait to start this book. I love how she intertwines the past and the present.







Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine

This will be my first time reading a novel by Barbara Erskine, and after hearing the amazing buzz about her books I am thrilled to have it in my tbr pile. In fact I just may have to move it to the top of the pile!






Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer

I cannot wait to curl up with this book. The blurb on the back caught my eye:

Rank, wealth, and elegance are no match for a young lady who writes novels…
Sylvester, Duke of Salford, has exacting requirements for a bride. Then he encounters Phoebe Marlow, a young lady with literary aspirations, and suddenly life becomes very complicated. She meets none of his criteria, and even worse, she has written a novel that is sweeping the ton and causing all kinds of gossip…and he’s the main character!

Doesn’t it sound brilliant!




How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

I simply have to read this after reading How to Marry a Duke. Stay tuned because I will be hosting a giveaway for How to Seduce a Scoundrel.






Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

I received an arc of this yesterday and desperately want to devour it!










The Vampire Next Door by Ashlyn Chase

This will be my first time reading Ashlyn Chase and I am eager to do so.









The Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis

The cover alone peaked my curiosity, now I have to see what it’s all about!






That’s my short list of what I am itching to read. I am currently reading


Pillow Talk by Freya North, and I have to say I am rather enjoying. As a fan of Brit-Chick lit, this book is right up my alley. Sourcebooks is releasing this title in July, so make sure you add it to your tbr list.

When I am not working, reading, or writing you can find me covered in paint- well my hands at least. In my spare time I am bit of an artist, although sadly I hardly have the time to break out the paints anymore. Hopefully while on holiday I will be able to finish the canvas I started a few weeks ago.









However I did mange to finish a sketch from a few months back










and I finally found a frame for it.

















As of late I have become a bit of a hatter and I can definitely see why some of them went mad. The work that goes into making a single hat is exceeding tedious, so that is why I have only completed two.

A tea hat


















A historic pillbox type complete with a peacock feather















I have a few other designs in mind, a regency type bonnet, and a renaissance inspire attifet that was made famous by Mary, Queen of Scots. I will let you know how they turn out!

Until next time,
Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Update!

Hello All!

WOW! These last few weeks have been pure madness! Starting at the end of May it has been a nonstop cycle of running here and there, although I did manage a few shopping trips along the way :-} Who can resist a chance encounter with a bookshop? Or finding a cute little boutique and snagging that to-die-for dress?

Besides the browsing and buying, that went on, I also checked out The Feast of the Flowering moon, a Native America-inspired festival that was held in Chillicothe, Ohio’s first capital. I have to say that the festival failed to impress, sad to say I had more interest in the family of swans that were moseying about than the actual festival.
(I am surprised she allowed me close enough to snap these pictures)











(I cannot leave out these cute little ducks that were swimming about)



I will say Ohio’s First Capital does have some rather interesting historical sites to offer. Sadly, I only had time to check out Adena.



Adena Mansion, completed in 1806-1807, was the 2,000-acre estate of Thomas Worthington, Ohio’s sixth governor and one of Ohio’s first United States Senators. Adena is one of only three houses designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe* that is still standing in the country.

Although once comprised of 2,000 acres only 300 remain. On those 300 acres, you will find the original homestead, five outbuildings and a highly impressive formal garden.




Another area of interest is the north lawn of Adena. Looking east from the north lawn, one can see across the Scioto River Valley to the Logan Range. This view was the inspiration for the Great Seal of Ohio



As I was taking in the view from the north lawn, and mentally removing the modern houses that have since been place there, the guide from Adena told the story of how the inspiration for the seal came about.

“Thomas Worthington and a few good friends had wondered onto the north lawn after attending a soiree at Adena. Apparently the small party had partaken in one too many of the spirits that were offered and passed out upon the north lawn. Awakening the next morning as the sun arose, they were drawn to the beauty of what they were witnessing, and thus deemed the scene worthy to be Ohio’s Great Seal.”



Apparently the creation of Ohio’s State Seal can be attributed to a drunken folly.





*Benjamin Henry Latrobe was a British-born American architect whose buildings include, The United States Capital, the east and west colonnades of the White House, St. John’s Church, Christ Church and many other historic buildings.

Unfortunately, the festival and Adena were the only two places of interest that I was able to see. The week that followed consisted of graduations, parties, picnics, and a massive amount of work when I returned home. I had little time to read, only managing to read one book: A Weekend With Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly which was released Sourcebooks this month, so watch for the review to come!

June 4 was filled with a surprise visit from a friend who brought me a lovely cloth map of Scotland as well as an odd proposal to, and I quote, “take a turn in the garden.” I believe he has been watching/reading up on his Jane Austen. Nothing grand happened while ‘taking a turn in the garden’ other than me being chewed alive by a swarm of mosquitoes.

I did manage to start a reread of Northanger Abbey, which happens to be my second favorite Jane Austen novel. Due to the massive pile of paperwork that greeted me when I arrived back at work, I am still reading Northanger Abbey, although I only have two chapters left!


For me it’s a three-day weekend! :-) Which means, I *FINALLY* have a chance to catch-up on my TBR pile, which at this moment is growing at a steady pace. This week I have amassed a grand total of 38 books! Most are review books with release dates spanning from the end of June to August. The others I have purchased.




The books that I have purchased are the following:

The Invasion of Falgannon Isle by Deborah MacGillivray
*A book about an Isle that has 213 single Scotsmen. If there is an Isle like that somewhere, please sign me up for a visit!

Improper English by Katie MacAlister
Erin Song by Diana Groe
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
The Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley (nonfiction)
Queen Elizabeth I by Susan Doran (nonfiction)

************************************************

I am looking forward to spending this weekend with a cuppa tea and a few good books.

I will let you know how many I finish!

Until next time,

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black

Title: Dark Descendant
Author: Jenna Black
ISBN: 978-1-4516-0679-9
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: Mass-Market
$7.99



Nikki Glass can track down any man. But When her latest client turns out to be a true descendent of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die…Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s man hauling skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matte; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle between good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy…
(from the back of the book)

My Thoughts:

This is my first time reading a novel by Jenna Black, and I have to say that it most definitely will not be my last. Her writing is very catching, making the reading want to know more about the story at hand. A mix of Mythos and Urban Fantasy, Dark Descendent has me hooked. I liked the fact that this was not your typical vampire, werewolf, paranormal type of book, but rather a mythical concoction that will leave you craving more.

As this is book one in Jenna Black’s Descendant Series I cannot wait to read what comes next!

Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton review/giveaway

Title: Death of a Chimney Sweep
Author: M.C. Beaton
ISBN: 978-0-446-54739-0
Publisher: Grand Central
Format: Hardcover
$24.99
How I Read It: Trade paperback ARC

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 one day when Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices blood dripping onto the floor of a villager's fireplace, and a dead body stuffed inside the chimney. The entire town of Lochdubh is certain Pete is the culprit, but Hamish doesn't believe that the affable chimney sweep is capable of committing murder.



My Review:

Once again we find ourselves back in Lochdubh with P.C. Hamish Mcbeth as he tackles yet another case. This time a body is found stuffed up a chimney leaving some to believe that is was indeed the chimney sweep with the candlestick. But when Pete Ray, the chimney sweep in question is found dead on the moors, Hamish is convinced that is was not a simple accident and that someone else is to blame for both deaths.

Now Hamish must search through Lochdubh for the killer he believes is out there. For those of you who know Hamish, you will know that he never goes by the book, allowing the investigation to go above and beyond what would be considered normal.

My Thoughts:


I love the Hamish Mcbeth mysteries, in fact they are one of my favorite series, and this book was one of the best that I have read so far. While it is a book in a series, each one can be read alone without the need to have read the ones that came before. If a topic from the previous book is addressed it is explained within the novel so the reader is not left with feeling as though they have missed something.

Wrote with the language of the Highlands, this book transports the readers to the fictional town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lochdoove). The residents of Lochdubh are a treat as well bringing their own bit of zaniness to the story, making that much more enjoyable to read. For those of you who have read the other novels, yes, this one offers a bit of conflicted romance as well.


Grab you a few pieces of shortbread, make yourself a nice cuppa of heather tea, and journey to the Highland moors as Hamish solves yet another crime.

I HAVE THREE BOOKS TO GIVEAWAY ON JUNE 2
RESIDENTS OF THE US & CANADA ONLY




As Always,

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton

Title: The Magic of Finkleton
Author: KC Hilton
ISBN: 9781456570293

www.kc-hilton.com

Most folks say, "Mother Nature controls the rain". However this is not the case in the village of Finkleton.
In the perfect little village of Finkleton, the weather is always perfect. Every farm grows the best, biggest, healthiest crops in the entire world, and everyone is happy.

Soon after the Finkles inherit their Uncle Harry's shop and move to Finkleton, they discover magical secrets hidden in his shop. One clue at a time, Jack, Lizzy and Robert learn the town's amazing secret. No, Mother Nature is not in charge in Finkleton!

Ever since Uncle Harry's death, the weather has not been cooperating. Farms are starting to fail. Will the Finkle children be able to solve all the magical mysteries before the village is destroyed?

Come along to Finkleton. A very special, magical adventure is about to begin!
(Form the back of the book)



My Thoughts:

As you turn each page “The Magic Of Finkleton” comes to life in this amazing book. Young readers will delight as they unlock the magic that awaits.

Inheriting their great-uncle Harry’s general store seemed to be a blessing after their cottage in Bath caught fire, yet once the Finkle children arrive they find that it was more than fate that brought them here. Discovering one clue then another, Jack, Lizzy, and Robert unlock the secrets that the shop holds. Once all the clues are in place the children discover that Mother Nature is not in control of the weather in Finkleton, they are. Now they most figure out to set the small village back to rights.

A very entertaining read, with an ending that leaves you wanting more. Children of all ages will enjoy this magical story as they embark on a journey of magical discovery right along with the Finkle’s.

I believe that fans of Nanny McPhee will love this book as it offers that same English charm.


The Magic of Finkleton
Prologue

Nestled in the lush countryside of England exists a tiny place called Finkleton. Finkleton is too small to be officially considered a town; most would consider it a village. In fact, Finkleton is so small it cannot be located on any map.

Finkleton is a thriving, self-sufficient community. Every year all their crops overflow with an abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables. The farmers trade and sell amongst each other, then sell their excess crops at local markets in nearby towns.

The weather in Finkleton is always perfect for each farmer. So perfect, in fact, that not one farmer has ever wanted to sell their land and move away.

Of course outsiders have tried to persuade the farmers to sell their land, but it is all to no avail. Nobody wants to move from their farm. But the farmers’ refusals to sell doesn’t stop outsiders, who continue to try and persuade the local farmers to bargain with them for their perfect farmland.

Some folks say Finkleton holds the luckiest lands in England. Others shrug and say instead that it is a magical place.


Reviewed for Review The Book

Looking for new reviewers

We are currently looking for a few more royal bloggers to join the Royal Reviews team! We are looking for both permanent bloggers (minimum of 3 reviews per month) as well as Ladies in Waiting (guest bloggers, who fill-in on certain Fridays).

If you are interested or would like to have more information, please email newroyalreviews(at)yahoo(dot)com. We look forward to hearing from you!


As Always,
Happy Reading and Best Wishes,

The False Friend by Myla Goldberg

Title: The False Friend
Author: Myla Goldberg
ISBN: 978-0-385-52721-7
Publisher: Double Day Broadway Books
Format: Hardback Book- Trade Paperback
$25.95 HB/ $14.95 Trade Paperback
How I Read It: Trade Paperback ARC


From the bestselling author of Bee Season comes an astonishingly complex psychological drama with a simple setup: two eleven-year-old girls, best friends and fierce rivals, go into the woods. Only one comes out . . .

Leaders of a mercurial clique of girls, Celia and Djuna reigned mercilessly over their three followers. One after­noon, they decided to walk home along a forbidden road. Djuna disappeared, and for twenty years Celia blocked out how it happened.

The lie Celia told to conceal her misdeed became the accepted truth: everyone assumed Djuna had been abducted, though neither she nor her abductor was ever found. Celia’s unconscious avoidance of this has meant that while she and her longtime boyfriend, Huck, are professionally successful, they’ve been unable to move forward, their relationship falling into a rut that threatens to bury them both.

Celia returns to her hometown to confess the truth, but her family and childhood friends don’t believe her. Huck wants to be supportive, but his love can’t blind him to all that contra­dicts Celia’s version of the past.

Celia’s desperate search to understand what happened to Djuna has powerful consequences. A deeply resonant and emotionally charged story, The False Friend explores the adults that children become—leading us to question the truths that we accept or reject, as well as the lies to which we succumb.
(From the Publisher)

My Thoughts:

I had high hopes for this book; unfortunately, I was very disappointed by the time I finished it. The concept was indeed an intriguing one- a group of girls walk home on a forbidden highway, a fight ensues one girl runs into the woods, another girl follows her in, only one comes out, a lie that becomes the truth. While the author could have created this amazing story out of the previous description, I felt that the book was a literary mess, continually circling around a thread without gaining any ground. Almost pointless to read as the issue at hand is never truly addressed and rather than sustaining the plot, she fills the book with one-dimensional characters that offer nothing to the story.

Celia to me came off whiny and the fact that she continuously called her mother ‘mommy’ annoyed me to no end. Then we have the boyfriend, Huck, who not only is a teacher he’s a pothead as well, and apparently Celia has no problem with dating one and he has no problem with getting high at her parents house, even though her brother Jem is a recovering drug-addict. The “friends” offer nothing to novel except that Leeanne is now Lee. Even the missing girl and her mother are annoying.

The characters fell flat and the plot was lost to misguidance. Random things were placed into the novel such as Celia and Huck having phone sex, continuous talk about their dogs, Huck getting high, Jem’s pregnant wife complaining, that in my opinion were just fillers that offered nothing to the story.

For me this book was a poorly composed Lifetime movie where the ending was deleted.

I would love to know your thoughts on this book if you have read it.

Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne

The steps of a charmingly complex dance—Scotland's famous reel—are at the heart of Hester Browne's enchanting contemporary novel of two very different sisters whose dreams may come true at a romantic Scottish ball.

Evie Nicholson is in love . . . with the past. An antiques appraiser in a London shop, Evie spins fanciful attachments to Victorian picture frames, French champagne glasses, satin evening gloves, and tattered teddy bears—regardless of their monetary value.
Alice Nicholson is in love . . . with Fraser Graham, a dashing Scotsman whom Evie secretly desires. As crisply neat and stylish as Evie is cheerfully cluttered, Alice is a professional organizer determined to pull her sister out of her comfort zone—and who presents her with an irresistible offer.

As a favor to friends of Fraser's family, Evie jumps at the chance to appraise a Scottish castle full of artifacts and heirlooms. What could be more thrilling than roaming the halls of Kettlesheer and uncovering the McAndrews' family treasures—and dusty secrets?
But crossing paths with moody heir Robert McAndrew has Evie assessing what she wants the most . . . and at an upcoming candlelight gala, a traditional dance will set her heart reeling.
(from the publisher)


My Thoughts

I wasn’t sure if this book would be my cuppa tea being that it is a contemporary novel. Although being that it was set in Scotland made me want to see what it was all about. As I started reading I was hooked by the first page. The description of Evie being addicted to the past drew me in and made me want to know more about the story that was about to unfold.

The Characters-

Evie Nicholson- I found that I could relate to Evie and her obsession with the past and the antiques that come from it. As a lover of antiques- like Evie- I too want to know the story that comes along with each item. She was fun to read, I enjoyed watching her come in to her own as the story progressed.

Alice Nicholson- Sister to Evie, although rather than being a collector of antiques, she is a professional organizer. While I liked Alice, occasionally I could not stand her and her annoying need to control things that were beyond her control. Yet by the end of the novel she was becoming a bit more enjoyable to read.

Fraser Graham-A Scotsman through and through, Evie finds herself drawn to him even though he is her sisters boyfriend. He’s the classic man you would envision in a novel. He’s charming, polite, kind and caring, one can easily see why Evie is attracted to him.

Robert McAndrew- The heir of Kettlesheer, Robert run’s a successful London-based business and has more of a London air than a Scottish one. Viewing Kettlesheer as a drain on his family and disconnected with the his families past- he cannot wait to back in London. Whereas Evie is a collector Robert is more of a minimalist. It was fun reading the bits when these two were together- Evies passion for Kettlesheer and Roberts dislike made for some rather interesting reading.

Ingrid & Duncan McAndrew-The present owners of Kettlesheer- Ingrid feels boggled down with the responsibilities that come with owning a house such as Kettlesheer. You can feel the stress that is upon her, and her longing to return to the life she led before. Duncan on the other hand feels as though it is his duty to see that Kettlesheer -instilled with that idea from childhood, Duncan is determined to keep the estate.

Of course there were a bevy of secondary characters that made this book come to life as each of them offered something crazy to the mix.


The plot-

Needing to save Kettlesheer, Evie is called to the estate to appraise their antiques, yet she is not prepared for the truth she uncovers. A truth that could potentially led to disaster for the McAndrews. All the while her dance-challenged body has to learn the complex turns and spins the reel.

You get to see the characters assess what they deem to be valuable.

*One of my favorite novels that I have read this year! I truly enjoyed the way this book unfolded.

I wished that this novel would have addressed certain issues rather than just ending and leaving them up in the air. Hopefully a second novel will follow and clear those issues up.