Book Review Club ~ * Jan 2013 *
Happy New Year! We are a week and a half into my kids’ two-week holiday break and time is flying! Only a few more days till they go back to school and things go back to normal and I start making some serious progress on my current work-in-progress. At least that’s what I’m hoping…
book review blogs
@Barrie Summy
I almost decided not to participate in this month’s meeting of Barrie Summy’s Book Review Club, but then I rallied! I love participating and it was high time for a blog post from me. My biggest deterrent to participating was the fact that I’ve read very little over the last month or so–I suppose I’ve been too wound up–too many things to do. I never felt like I had a good chunk of time to read. I hope to start the new year out on a more relaxing note.
I did manage to finish a couple of books, both by authors I’ve featured over the years in my Book Review Club posts, and I started a third, rather dark one that I couldn’t get into over the holidays, so I’m just doing a medley.
First off: The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen. I reviewed a Royal Spyness Mystery back in Nov 2010. Georgie Rannoch is now 35th in line to the throne of England, still poor and at the mercy of relatives, still in love with her mysterious Darcy, and still tripping over murders. In this book, she takes a job as a social planner for young guests at a country house. The owners have decided to accept paying guests at an “Old English Christmas,” with all the trimmings and traditions. Someone else has decided to start killing villagers…
This book was a fun read, particularly in the days leading up to Christmas. The regular characters were fun to “meet” again, and the new ones were full of personality. I will admit, I didn’t see the ending coming, but then…I’m not one to puzzle most mysteries out. I prefer the enjoyment of letting them unfold on their own. The inclusion of traditional English Christmas recipes was a nice touch!
The second book I finished was The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne. I reviewed Hester Browne’s The Finishing Touches at the Aug 2009 meeting of the Book Review Club. I adore Hester Browne, and The Runaway Princess did not disappoint, although it was a colossal 420 pages!! True to form, this book (like the others before it) made me want to move to London and indulge in a little romance. Browne’s heroines are feisty and best friend material, and her heroes are swoony and perfect boyfriend material. I love the wit, the humor, the unexpected twists, the pop culture references, and the ROMANCE! The Runaway Princess had the bonus features of handsome royalty and a modern-day fairy tale plot , and I was utterly charmed the whole way through. The ending was absolutely perfect!
The book I had to put down (temporarily!) in favor of something a little lighter, was Blackwood by Gwenda Bond. It’s set on modern-day Roanoke Island, and the storyline revolves around the disappearance of 114 settlers from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago. Well, that and the fact that 114 people have suddenly disappeared again! So far, a teenage girl has seen a mysterious ghost ship no one else noticed, and a teenage boy, who left the island because hearing the voices of the dead was simply too overwhelming (go figure…), has come back to team up with her to solve the mystery. I’m ready to get going on it again!
I hope you’ve all had a wonderful holiday, and I wish you the best in 2013!!
01/02/2013 at 4:49 pm
So glad you rallied, Alyssa! This medley idea is fun. I’m like you, another 1/2 week, and then kids go back to school. I’m looking forward to getting back into my own little routine. Happy New Year back at you! Thanks for reviewing!
01/02/2013 at 6:11 pm
My pleasure, Barrie! I always have fun with it, and I love reading the others’ reviews!
01/02/2013 at 5:46 pm
Glad you rallied, too, Alyssa. The first two books sound like loads of fun, esp. the Royal Spyness mystery. I love period settings. Just finished Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, which I will review next and enjoyed it a lot. Blackwood sounds quite intriguing also. Happy New Year!
01/02/2013 at 6:07 pm
I LOVED Mr. Churchill’s Secretary and cannot wait for the next one in the series!
01/02/2013 at 11:53 pm
Wow, 3 book reviews! I’m so glad your back with your reviews as I enjoy them. You seem to have a British theme going on here with the first two and that appeals to me too. Mrs. Churchill’s Secretary is in my to read stack and you tempt me to add more. I’d like to hear more about Blackwood too.
01/03/2013 at 1:56 am
Last month just slid away from me! I didn’t realize it was time to post a review until the day had already passed! I hope to be better on track with more time for reading this year. Blackwood is already intriguing me. I was just starting to get a little creeped out and didn’t want to feel like that while wrapping presents and making fudge.