A sweet haul :)

Today I went for a little visit to my favorite used book store. As you can

see it is basically an old house. Now we often refer to it as the fire

hazard store. Every room is filled with books, they are piled on tables, piles in boxes on top of piles. Its the kind of store you keep your arms in when walking as just the slightest touch could send books raining on you. The nifty part also is that it is 2 storeys high, twice the fun.

What made today so special is that everything is half price. I asked about a particle book and it was scary, but the gal knew exactly where I would find it (if they had it, but they didn't).

But that's fine because I came away with 2 little treasures. One I started to read there, but alas no chair to be found.

Joan if Arc by M D Holmes (published 1930) - its similar to this one, but I am keeping mine.

Eleanor of Aquitaine by Marion Meade

But that is not the end of my book buying adventures this week. There is also The Book Depot, some of you might know it as CloseoutBooks.com

They have a scratch and dent section, everything a couple bucks.

My little puppy, Spencer, was helping me.

One of the hazards of good deals is coming home with something you already have.

The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn is a duplicate for me. Anyone want it?

Introducing Spencer...

It has been six years since we have had a puppy in the house. We vowed never to do it again, not that it was a bad experience, just alot of work.

So here is Spencer, 9 weeks old, alot of work and alot of fun.

Ella March Chase books

As captivating now as it was more than four centuries ago, the reign of Elizabeth I—with its scandal, intrigue, and resilience—has spark

ed the imaginations of generations. In her sweeping historical debut, Ella March Chase explores a thrilling possibility: that the Tudor bloodline did not end with the Virgin Queen.

This was Ella March Chase's debut novel. I know very little about Elizabeth I's reign and thought this would be a good read. It was given 4 and 5 start reviews on goodreads and amazon. I have to say that I did enjoy the story, but just found something missing. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, but it just didn't have 'that grab me by the neck and not let go until I was finished feeling'. The story was good, the characters were developed, though it was predictable.

In the second novel from Ella March Chase, we meet sixteen-year-old Jane Grey, a quiet and obedient young lady destined to become the shortest reigning English monarch. Her beautiful middle sister Katherine Grey charms all the right people—until loyalties shift. And finally Lady Mary Grey, a dwarf with a twisted spine whose goal is simply to protect people she loves—but at a terrible cost.

Well here is Ella March Chase's second novel. Again another piece of history that I was not familar with. I guess that is why I was drawn to these two books. This one took only a couple days to read, I just had to find out what was going to happen to these 3 sisters. The author did a really good job of developing each of their characters, I felt like I knew them. Again I found it hard to take how women were treated during this time period and very thankfully I wasn't born then (my goodness it was bad). I felt their emotions and hoped that somehow history would have change while reading this book.

One of my feelings about both of these books was that they seemed more like Young Adult novels, but good YA novels.

These books were added to Where Are You Reading

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, time to share what you are reading and plan on reading (but if you are like me that could change from day to day).

Shelia over at Book Journey gets this rolling faithfully every Monday morning.

So my plans for last week didn't work out like I had planned. We will see if this weeks plans work out :)

I am almost finished Three Maidens for a Crown: A Novel of the Grey Sisters (my Kindle read)

My audio read is the Hunger Games. Originally I was going to listen to something else, but this jumped out at me instead. I should be done in a day or so and then move on to Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

My actual book read is Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. My oldest son, the Illiterate Scribe always asked if I have started this book, which is about once a month for the past year. When I went away for 2 days I only brought one book and had no choice. So I started and am enjoying it.

Once I am done with the Three Maidens I hope to begin Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante, which I think looks very interesting.

Plus its not a huge read and should be able to finish in a couple days.

I am behind in some of my reviews, so hoping to get a couple extra done in that department this week also.

So that my plans for the week, what are yours?

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson

Every day Christine wakes up not knowing where she is. Her memories disappear every time she falls asleep. Her husband, Ben, is a stranger to her, and he's obligated to explain their life together on a daily basis--all the result of a mysterious accident that made Christine an amnesiac. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine starts a journal to help jog her memory every day. One morning, she opens it and sees that she's written three unexpected and terrifying words: "Don't trust Ben." Suddenly everything her husband has told her falls under suspicion. What kind of accident cause d her condition? Who can she trust? Why is Ben lying to her?

I thought the story line was a great idea, maybe I just haven't read enough but I can't recalling reading about an amesiac before. The write up about the book left me with a real desire to buy the book. I haven't read a good mystery in ages and was really looking forward to getting started, I mean even the reviews were glowing.

So why then did it take me about 2 weeks to get 53% of the way through (yes I have a Kindle)? It started out strong, how could it not. I mean poor Christine, what a life that would be. Waking up everyday and not remembering anything. The author did portray Christine well and I couldn't help feeling for her and also for Ben, her husband. But the book just didn't grab me like I had hoped.

Once I sat for 4 hours straight (don't tell hubby I did that :), then the action started. I couldn't put the book down. I loved the ending and honestly didn't see it coming (and I am usually pretty good at figuring out endings). Without an spoilers here, even the last couple of pages were great and it was really the only way this book could end.

This book was added to Where Are You Reading?

In The Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap

It's 1854 and sixteen-year-old Molly would give anything to change her circumstances as a lowly servant in a posh London house. So when she hears of an opportunity to join the nurses who will be traveling with Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, she jumps at the chance. The work is grueling, the hospital conditions deplorable, and Miss Nightingale a demanding teacher. Before long, the plight of British soldiers becomes more than just a mission of mercy as Molly finds that she's falling in love with both a dashing young doctor and a soldier who has joined the army to be near her. But with the battle raging ever nearer, can Molly keep the two men she cares for from harm? A love story to savor, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes imagining of the woman who became known as "the lady with the lamp".

I knew nothing at all about Florence Nightingale, for some reason it just sounded like a made up name and not a real person. I pictured someone mysterious and almost supernatural like (don't ask why, I just did). So when I discovered this book I knew I had to read it (thank goodness for mr. kindle, I didn't even have to leave the house).

It's 1854 in London, Molly has been unjustly dismissed from her job, what can she do when supporting a mom but lie and worm her way over to Turkey with Florence Nightingale. I learned alot about this war (that I never heard of before), the author has a real talent with words and I could picture the hospitals, the journey, the war and even the rats. Some things were predictable, the ending I liked. Definitely YA, but a good YA novel.

This book has been added to Where Are You Reading?

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

From the acclaimed author of STILL MISSING comes a psychological thriller about one woman’s search into her past and the deadly truth she uncovers. All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure.

But some questions are better left unanswered.After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.

Ever since reading Still Missing I have looked forward to this book, the idea sounded so very original and had the same suspense mystery feel that Still Missing had.

I will admit that I liked Still Missing more. This one was also good, but there were just too many times I sat there shaking my head thinking that 'that would never happen in real life". But don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book.

The author was able to portray Sara in such a way that I felt for her. The struggles she went through growing up, her relationship with her adopted parents and sisters. There were parts where I just wanted to slap her across the head and ask 'what are you thinking'. But that is part of the story.

The ending was good, an all round good story and I look forward to Chevy's next novel.

This book has been added to Where Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's the start of another week. I have been so bad with keeping my blog up over the past few months. Where have I been? Well right here at home (though a fe
w weekends away over the summer). I have gone from being the primary care giver to an elder parent (in-law) to not being one. So after 10 years I am adjusting to a very different way of life.

One of my adjustments is moving my library around in the house. I have reorganized my books and so geared up to just sit and read like I used to.

So my plans for

the week are:

1) finish reading Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson (Kindle - so glad I got it when it first came out, only paid $9.99 and it is over $17 today).

2) finish reading The Hobbit (started it on a canoe trip early Aug. - had to take a book that could stand some abuse, I have 2 copies of it).

3) start The Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali - I got it from Audible and heard so many good things about it

4) start something historical (which is my favorite these days), any suggestions??

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Quinn convincingly conjures the terrifying reign of Emperor Domitian in her solid debut that follows the travails of Thea, a slave girl and mistress to the emperor. While she is tormented by Domitian, she holds her secrets—a gladiator lover, a young son—close. When these facts are brought to Domitian's attention by Thea's jealous rival, Thea takes drastic actions to secure her family. Quinn's command of first-century Rome is matched only by her involvement with her characters; all of them, historical and invented, are compelling and realistic, and she explores their dark sides without crossing into gratuitousness. Readers will finish eager for a sequel, which is a good thing because Quinn has left the door wide open for a follow-up. This should make a splash among devotees of ancient Rome.

This is Kate Quinn's debut novel. I really enjoyed it. I found the historical part very interesting, since this is really my first HF for this time period and only 2nd taking place in Rome. I love the way the book was from Thea's point of view, then Lepdia and just narration, it all flowed together very nicely.

I thought the characters very well developed, with Vix being my favorite (he reminded me of my son). I am so looking forward to Daughter of Rome and have already preordered the 3rd book.

This book has been added to Where Are You Reading?

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

It all begins with a lost manuscript, a reluctant witch, and 1,500-year-old vampire. Dr. Diana Bishop has a really good reason for refusing to do magic: she is a direct descendant of the first woman executed in the Salem Witch Trials, and her parents cautioned her be discreet about her talents before they were murdered, presumably for having "too much power." So it is purely by accident that Diana unlocks an enchanted long-lost manuscript (a book that all manner of supernatural creatures believe to hold the story of all origins and the secret of immortality) at the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and finds herself in a race to prevent an interspecies war. A sparkling debut written by a historian and self-proclaimed oenophile, A Discovery of Witches is heady mix of history and magic, mythology and love (cue the aforementioned vampire!), making for a luxurious, intoxicating, one-sitting read.

I have been wanting to read this book ever since it was released. The hard part of starting A Discovery of Witches was not to get my expectations too high (sometimes high expectations aren't always a good idea). I thought it started a little slow, but it didn't take long for it to grab me and I was done in about 5 days.

How to say more without spoiling anything? I will try. I felt in some ways it is an adult version of Twilight (though 1000% times better writing and storyline - not a big Twilight fan here). There is the history that I love (hard to pinpoint a time period, that would be impossible - Matthew is really old). Romance - but not done in a mushy, overly cutie kinda way. Adventure and suspense throughout the book.

My only negative comment is that they is no release date for the sequel (yes there is a sequel)

This book has been added to Where Are You Reading?