Top Ten Tuesday!

Good morning everyone. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday ~ the books I can’t believe I read! TTT is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

I wasn’t going to participate in this week’s TTT, but I’ve been reading through all your lists and all of you have inspired me to go for it!!!  🙂

Without further ado ~

      

I know. Redeeming Love is a very popular book and several people I know have enjoyed it, but I didn’t like it.

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton is the story of Undine Spragg and never have I disliked a fictional character more than Undine.

I won Falling Kingdom’s and it was terrible!

     

I was disappointed with The Color of Tea. I expected more from that story. It was a highly distressing read.

I thought Cinder was a terrible story. *That is all*

The Red Lamp ~ not happenin’.

     

I expect a lot from Edgar Allan Poe and I was really looking forward to a good mystery when I started reading Murders in the Rue Morgue. I was disappointed.

There’s nothing like good espionage and A Small Town in Germany is nothing like good espionage. *ahem*

The Pickwick Papers put me in a good snooze.

A Wrinkle in Time is just not my kind of story. Mmm.

Happy Reading!

 

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Ramblings and What Not ~

Hello everyone! Wednesday is the last day of January! I have one word to describe January ~ COLD! The good news 🙂 it did warm up for a few days, not that it was warm, it just warmed up, so I was able to enjoy a few days of winter walking. I did puteth on my winter coat, wooly hat, scarf and mittens. I walked to the bakery where I savored a hot chocolate and did read a book. Yesterday at the bakery, there was a birthday party! There were approximately fifteen women gathered around three tables that had been pushed together and they were having a great time. They each had a cupcake with a lighted candle in it. Here’s hoping for warmer temps in February!

Hubby decided to have some work done on our SUV ~ we call it, the truck.  🙂  So, before we departed on our journey to the mechanic, I asked for directions. I was following him in our car, to give him a ride home, and I wanted to know where we were going in case I lost sight of him. He gave me directions that resembled this ~

Hubby ~ Head out on This Street and go . . .

Wifey ~ *Interrupted* Do you mean east???

Hubby ~ Yes. Drive until you come to the fork in the road and then turn left. Drive until you see another fork in the road and turn left again and the mechanic’s business will be very close to where you are at.

So, he took off and I was to be right behind him, but when I got in our car, my seatbelt was acting weird and I was delayed. I thought to myself ~ Self, I can do this. I have directions. So, I started driving. When I departed our driveway, skies were clear and the temp was in the 30’s. Well, as I drove, I gazed ahead and saw thick fog. I thought to myself ~ Self, that looks like fog??? I was puzzled, but continued onward. Within just about two minutes, I was in a snowstorm! It wasn’t fog. It was random snow! I turned on my headlights and the windshield wipers and drove on. For approximately 1/2 mile it was snowing!!! Never in all my born days??? Then suddenly the random snow ceased! I thought I might be in the Twilight Zone.  🙂  Who knew???

I arrived at the fork in the road, turned left, drove about 1/2 mile and came to a flashing yellow light. I thought that was probably the second fork in the road, so I turned left again. Well, you guessed it, I was lost??? But, just for a few moments. I drove until I found a place to turn around and I drove back to the flashing yellow light. I prayed, I guessed, and decided to drive straight on thru the light. And behold, there was the mechanic’s business. Hubby was waiting for me, in the entrance, near the street. A happy ending! I never did find the second fork in the road. Mmmm.

Your favorites, at the cottage, in January ~

~ Cover Art, Good Morning, Wakey Wakey, January 10th

~ Classic Movie Friday, The Furies, January 12th

~ The White Feather Murders by Rachel McMillian, January 12th

~ Third Girl, David Suchet, January 7th

Much love ~

 

Kathy

 

 

Classic Movie Friday!

Dragonwyck (1946)

Gene Tierney

Vincent Price

Glenn Langan

Miranda Wells (Gene Tierney) is the daughter of a Connecticut farmer. One day she is invited to travel to the home of her mother’s (Anne Revere) distant relatives and work as a companion to their daughter (Connie Marshall). Miranda’s father escorts her to New York to meet the relative Nick (Vincent Price), before she sets off for Dragonwyck. After meeting him, they learn Nick is a patroon.

After her arrival to Dragonwyck she meets his lovely but sad daughter (Connie Marshall), the housekeeper (Spring Byington) and Nick’s wife (Vivienne Osbourne). Miranda begins to hear stories of strange events happening at Dragonwyck. Nick’s great grandmother is reported to play the harpsichord and sing although she is deceased. Her portrait is displayed above the harpsicord. Miranda soon meets the doctor (Glenn Langan) and learns that Nick and Dr. Turner do not agree and are not friendly with one another. There is tension between Nick and the people who work his land. Life at Dragonwyck doesn’t always go well, but it becomes worse and soon tragedy strikes.

It’s a good Gothic story and I thought the film makers did a great job with this movie. I don’t watch very many movies with Vincent Price, he’s a little creepy, however, I did like this film. Who better than Vincent Price to play the role of Nick? And! Gene Tierney was the obvious choice for Miranda. I liked it!  🙂

Enjoy!

 

Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

 

Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

A Nikki Boyd Novel

In this story, the author transports the reader back to the beginning. Nikki’s sister was abducted in this book and Nikki is a teacher. Six girls have been kidnapped and killed by a mysterious person who evades the authorities again and again and leaves a Polaroid photo of the victim at the crime scene. The FBI is called in to assist and Garrett Addison finds himself working with Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved and watched walk away from their relationship. So, do we have a romance within the mystery???

I liked this story. I liked the process and the police procedures. The Agents working the case were human and recognized the victim’s as human beings with parents, siblings and friends. It was a long journey to discover the identity of the killer and then bring him or her into custody. The book was written at a good pace and it was difficult to put down. 5***** stars!

Top Ten Tuesday!

Good morning! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is, books I really liked but can’t remember anything/much about. Top Ten Tuesday is now hosted by the Artsy Reader Girl! I gave 4 or 5 stars to all of these books and I really don’t remember much about them.  🙂

     

What She Doesn’t Know by Lina Gardiner. 

Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz. 

Heart of God by Robin Lee Hatcher. 

     

Cowboy by Staci Stallings. 

Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt.

Truffles by the Sea by Julie Carobini

     

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley

The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene

Rose Galbraith by Grace Livingstone Hill

I think I’m going to take some time and reread a few of these books. Have you read any of these books? Have a great day everyone and stay warm.

Happy Reading!

 

Seeking Refuge by Ruby Mae O’Dell

Seeking Refuge by Ruby Mae O’Dell

Faith In the Valley Book 2

This faith-based story begins with Joyce Watson fleeing for her life. Joyce has evidence, in her possession that will definitely implicate and convict the one who is chasing her. And! The one who is chasing her, will stop at nothing to get what he or she wants.

Joyce discovers a place of refuge at the Cascade Valley Guest Ranch, owned by the Sawyer family. Sheriff Isaac Sawyer, knowing something is troubling Joyce, befriends her and tries to win her trust. With everything Joyce has been through, it’s difficult for her to trust anyone.

This is a good fast-paced book that is hard to put down. We’ve been in a snowstorm and I’ve been reading while the snow falls. I liked Isaac Sawyer. I thought he was a great guy. He was patient, kind, tender and tall! Joyce was so full of courage, even though she didn’t believe she was. She was tougher than she realized too. And! We have a romance.  🙂

I’d like to thank the author for e-mailing her book to me in exchange for an honest review. I liked it! 4**** stars!

Kernel of Truth by Kristi Abbott

Kernel of Truth is a Popcorn Shop Mystery!

This book was insane! *haha* It was crazy fun. Rebecca owns Pops! It’s such a great name for a popcorn shop.  🙂  Anyway, one morning Rebecca is at work, when she is interrupted by someone screaming and the screaming won’t stop. She hurries in the direction of the screaming and discovers her friend and neighbor Cordelia Bittles dead and Cordelia’s niece, Jessica standing near her aunt’s body screaming. Not good. And thus starts the insanity.

I did solve this mystery but the story was so much fun and written in such a light-hearted manner, I couldn’t help but like it. Antoine, Rebecca’s ex-husband was the most insane person in the story!!! Oh my word! That man needs to go find a dictionary and look up the word NO. He doesn’t seem to know the meaning. Rebecca couldn’t seem to keep herself out of trouble. Dan, the local law enforcement, worked hard trying to keep Rebecca out of trouble. Garrett, the attorney, was on speed dial on Rebecca’s phone! Gossip ran amuck! The mayor skulked around like a criminal and the paramedics and the emergency room were certainly busy. There was some profanity in the story. But, one crazy read! 4**** stars! This was the fourth book I read in the Cozy Mystery Challenge. Happy Reading!

The Trembling Hills by Phyllis A. Whitney

Sara grew up in Chicago never knowing her father. Her mother wouldn’t talk about her dad, where she was born or where they were from. When Sara is twenty,  Sara and her mother have an opportunity to move to San Francisco. Her mother doesn’t want to go, but reluctantly agrees. Set against the backdrop of the great earthquake and fire of 1906 Sara learns the mystery of her dad’s disappearance and his family.

I thought this classic book was so good! There is mystery, romance, family secrets, tragedy, adventure. And! there’s a cat in the story, Comstock!. We hob nob with San Francisco’s wealthy. Of course, there are large homes and a dark mansion. I thought it was well written. I wouldn’t call this book Gothic, but it’s close. I’ve read a few books by this author and this one is her best yet. 5***** stars!

I found this book when I was visiting a gift shop in a small town not to far from where we live. It was in a large pile of used books the gift shop was selling.

Have you read any stories by Phyllis A. Whitney? Let me know.  🙂

 

 

Classic Movie Friday!

Indiscreet (1958)

Ingrid Bergman

Cary Grant

Cecil Parker

Phyllis Calvert

This is the silliest movie! I guess I should start at the beginning. Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) is a famous actress. She doesn’t seem able to leave her home without signing autographs. Anyway, she has decided she will never love. *ahem* In walks Phillip Adams (Cary Grant). He looks great in a tuxedo! Have you noticed Cary Grant and William Powell look amazing in a tux??? But! I digress. Anyway, Phillip knows Anna’s brother-in-law (Cecil Parker), which is the hows and the whys of their meeting. I liked the brother-in-law. I thought he was amusing. And the next thing we know, Anna and Phillip are involved. There is one slight problem. Phillip is married, separated from his wife and unable to get a divorce. Hmmm.

The first half of this film was mellow and slow moving. In fact, I was a little uncomfortable with the movie. I almost stopped watching it. Then! there is a twist, so to speak, in the story that changes everything and the film becomes mildly ridiculous! Mildly??? Ridiculous??? It was crazy!

Cary Grant be very funny and he is funny in this film.

There’s a scene in the film when Anna, Phillip, Anna’s  sister (Phyllis Calvert) and her brother-in-law go to a dance. Phillip really kicks up his heels! He is hilarious. He has so much fun dancing. It’s great. I think Cary Grant had fun making this film, especially the dance scene. If you don’t watch this film for any other reason, watch it just to see Cary Grant dance!!!

 

Have you seen this film? How about that dance???

Enjoy!

Here Today, Gone Tamale by Rebecca Adler

This is my third book in the Cozy Mystery Challenge.

Well my word! That was a busy book. And! This story seemed to have many amusing metaphors! Mmm.

Josefina aka Josie aka Jo Jo lives in Broken Boot, Texas. She works at a Tex Mex restaurant owned by her aunt and uncle. Tourists are gathering for the Wild West Festival when Josie discovers the dead body of a woman ~ a jewelry designer ~ behind the restaurant. Soon, the restaurant’s busboy is arrested for the crime. Josie is convinced the young man is innocent, but after failed attempts to convince the local law enforcement, she decides to solve the crime herself.

This book certainly had a variety of characters. Broken Boot, Texas is one busy community. In the midst of all the comings and goings if you can solve this mystery, well, go you! I didn’t solve it! *haha*  🙂  4**** stars!

Enjoy!