Review: The Love Child

The Love Child by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fabulous book about the lovely Priscilla Eversleigh. Daughter of Arabella and Carlton Eversleigh. Her father wanted a son and paid little attention to her. She sought men out early in life and when a young man comes along that is wanted by the government she and her brother hide him so they can get him to safety with her cousins mother. Once the young man is safe at Harriet's (the cousins mom) Harriet invites Priscilla to her home to visit the young man. They are deep in love and plan their marriage, forestalling their wedding vows. The young man is taken the next day and killed for being a traitor to the crown. Priscilla finds herself pregnant and begs Harriet for help. They run off to Italy where the baby is born under the pretense that Harriet is pregnant. Harriet takes the baby Carlotta to her home (because she is known as HER child) while Priscilla is still hung up in intrigue. A handsome man man Beau Granville entered her life while in Europe. He tried to abduct Priscilla and she was saved by her cousin Leigh. Leigh had beat Beau up scarring his beautiful face and Beau wanted revenge. When Priscilla's dad gets involved in a plot to overthrow the King, Beau offers to save her dads life in exchange for a night with her. Reluctantly, she does but tells no one. Her dads life is saved but as the years go on Beau enters her life again. This time he wants to marry Carlotta. Priscilla has to tell everyone Carlotta is her daughter and about sleeping with Beau to save her dads life. Carlotta and Beau try to run away to get married, but they are stopped. Then all of the sudden Beau is DEAD!! Who did it? It was Priscilla's half sister.


Yes, tons of characters, but each one has endearing qualities. I even admire Beau in some ways, he is the perfect villain. Carlotta is my favorite character in this book series. She is about to cause a mess of trouble in the next book "Song of the Siren"

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Review: The Witch from the Sea

The Witch from the Sea by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the series progresses things get more dangerous. This one will have a story with twists and turns and an investigation of how a murder could happen right under everyone's noses. After the murder, this one lacks a bit for me which is probably why we don't hear much of Linett's daughter after this book. It is still a worthy read to see how Linett died.

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Review: The Lion Triumphant

The Lion Triumphant by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this book. I love this series! Every year I read the Philippa Carr series (I have each one of the books). This one is full of things that happen. There is never a dull moment. Set back in Mary I (barely) and Elizabeth I reigns.

I will add to this one. This is a typical swashbuckling story of the ages. A pirate comes to town and changes everything. Sometimes I want to smack our heroine but then others I adore her!!!

This is the series that made me fall in love with reading.

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Review: Saraband for Two Sisters

Saraband for Two Sisters by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has always been an interesting book to me...Two sisters...twins....with lives intertwined so tightly they can never part.

I will add to my original review. These two twins are inseparable until one of them gets smallpox. The other was sent away in an effort to save her life. She goes to London where her cousin introduces her to a military man who is much older. They fall in love and marry. Surprise, the other twin gets better. Now their lives weave together so tightly it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. I love this book and I have read it way many more times than what is listed.

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Review: The Miracle at St. Bruno's

The Miracle at St. Bruno's by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in my favorite series of books. This one starts during the reign of Henry VIII and his abolishment of the monasteries and the formation of a new national religion in England.... all so he could marry Anne Boleyn. Bruno was a child everyone thought was a savior of some sort. That he was sent by God to correct some of the wrongs done to the monks and the citizens. Bruno wasn't perfect. He would marry one woman and create a life of good...yeah but here is the twist.

This book will suck you in and I think you should read the whole series.

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Review: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was as perfect as I expected it to be! Loved the adventure with Neil (with an I). I read it a couple of times. I did this with Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child reader.....you read it a second and third time only choose new adventures. Neil was just as entertaining as a writer as he is on the screen.

Excellent! I will be reading this one again.

I did and seriously this is the most creative autobiography that I have ever read.

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Review: China Dolls

China Dolls by Lisa See
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set before, during and after WWII, this books features entertainers that are Chinese American and Japanese American , very beautiful women. Life long friends, but they are also enemies as they compete for top on billing. You can feel they terror these woman feel after the bombing of Pearl Harbor....and see what they'll do to climb to the top billing spot. I couldn't put this down once I got into it.

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Review: Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3

Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3 by Robert Matzen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vivid, nerve racking, unreal , sorrow.....I felt all of this. I knew the story, but I didn't know the story. The wreckage is unreal and a bit morbid, but you need this detailed account to see just what Flight 3 did to so many families. I very much enjoyed the mini bio about Carole in between the horrific story of her passing. It was the good in all that bad.

I knew of Clark's sorrow, how it changed him....but I teared up reading just how miserable he was.

I have had this book on my to read book list for a long time and now I said "why did you wait so long?" Excellent!

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Review: With Love and Laughter, John Ritter

With Love and Laughter, John Ritter by Amy Yasbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a sweet story. You can tell the love she had for John. You can tell the importance they had on each other and their relationship. He seemed like a riot off-screen too, and very much in love with his kids. His passing made me sad because I am a big fan....here we see how his family felt. It's not all sad. We find out about John's roots, career, and hobbies. Amy downplayed her own strengths and made John look great. I am sure he wasn't so perfect and I know she's a better actress than she portrays herself to be. All in all, I say Ritter fans should enjoy.

I miss his talent.

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Review: I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I laughed, I cried and laughed a tad more. Exactly, what I expected from Marty Short. He drops names, has vacationed with Steve Martin, interviews tons of famous and creates some of the most beloved characters. Personally, he shows you what a great guy you know he is. His devotion to family is rare in one so famous. Excellent!

I keep coming back to this book because I love it so much. Reading it is a blast, but I promise if you have time to do the audiobook you will thank me. Marty is quite entertaining reading the text to you.

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Review: Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul by Greg Kihn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first saw this author and it reminded me of a favorite 80's song. I second wanted to read the book because it's about my favorite band. I third wanted to on read this book in because it seemed cool. It was a lovely trip. I felt like I was hearing the Beatles tunes for the first time. I felt like I knew the boys. I loved Dust Bin Bob and thought, I wish I could have done those things. This was wonderful.

And when I finished the book, I saw it was indeed written by the musician from my childhood, Jeopardy. Great job Greg.

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Review: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Parts of me liked this book, parts would say "this people are nuts". I didn't figure it all out until 90% into the book. Denial of what was right in front of me. If you like sickos I'm pretty sure this is the book for you. Often listed as a "if you like Gone Girl book"...I can't agree with that. Gone Girl was superb, this is all right; but you judge for yourself.

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Review: Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood

Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood by William J. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I knew a lot of the story, I kept losing myself thinking this was fictional. 1920's Hollywood was crazy. Drugs, alcohol, sex and no morals. This books touches on a few of the Silent film scandals, but focuses on the death of William Desmond Taylor. Who did it? Mary? Mabel? Sands? Blackie? Gibby? or Sands? Full of twists and turns.

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Review: Murder in Hollywood: Solving a Silent Screen Mystery

Murder in Hollywood: Solving a Silent Screen Mystery by Charles Higham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is about the same murder that Tinseltown was written about. I read these two back to back on purpose because I wanted to see what two different writers thought about this unsolved Hollywood murder. This book featured things that were not mentioned in the last book, evidence wise. I was wondering if it was fiction or actual facts? I did not enjoy this one as much. This one was writer with one criminal in mind and didn't much mention what others could have murder William Desmond Taylor. I did like that this author seemed to have actually interviewed some of the "players" or their families...but I question what their memories were given it was so long.

I made up my mind long ago who the murderer was and after reading these two books, I have not changed that....but we will never know the truth.

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Review: The Silver Linings Playbook

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I so very much enjoyed this book. Depression, reinvention and desperation....made for some great entertainment. I had not seen the film so I wasn't sure what was going to happen (or even of the film is like the book).

I hate reviewing books too much for fear of giving away plots....Pat was a bit screwed up, Tiffany was a complete mess but hey aren't we all? Pat is trying hard to start over so he doesn't have to go back to the bad place and so apart time can be over. That is his plan. Tiffany meets him and changes his plan, with him almost kicking and screaming along the way. A friendship is formed and hopefully Tiffany can help him end apart time.

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Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was not one thing that I didn't love about this book, except that it ended. I loved the characters, the story, the drawings, the setting. ..everything! I you're Lauren is working on a sequel. Simply perfection.

Franny is an in and out of work actor in the mid 90's. She struggles with jobs, agents, and her love life. She has set a goal for herself to make it big or use the backup plan. Will she get the big break? Or use plan B? Or like a good episode of Law and Order, will there be a twist?

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Review: A Touch of Stardust

A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I simply LOVED this book. No ands, ifs or buts about it. It is a fictional story set in the time of 1938 during the filming of Gone With The Wind. The main character works for Carole Lombard, girlfriend and then wife of the famed Clark Gable, AKA Rhett Butler. The characters are perfectly suited to the real-life Carole, Clark, and Selznick. Any GWTW fan should like this as well as fans of film fiction. A wonderful time was had by all.

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Review: Mademoiselle Chanel

Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have never been a fan of Coco, just of her designs. I thought I would give this a try because it is set in the period that I like to read about. Even though it did not change my mind about Chanel the person, it was a very enjoyable read. It read like a bio even though it was fiction. It did not portray Andre as Coco's child, as I have often read, but as her nephew; which was how he was presented to the world. Only Coco would know the real story there.

If you like the 20's-40's and fashion, you would like this book. If you are reading because you think you like Chanel....well, maybe you should rethink that and read it for some other reason. She is not an easy person to like because of her beliefs and this book does not change them to make her more likeable, and I liked that it stayed true to how CC was.

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Review: The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was worried that this fictional work might be portrayed as real Titanic history. I'm glad the author explained that at the end. While, I wished there was more time spent on the ship and less on that dreadful trials, this was a fine read. It might get folks interested in the real Titanic. The Duff Gordons did indeed sail on that ship, and the controversy of lifeboat #1 has always intrigued me, so of course I found the authors take interesting. I am interested to know what happens to Tess. Also, Ms.Alcott's writing is making me happy. This is the second book I have read of hers in a couple of months and I am ready for another.

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Review: The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas

The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas by Laini Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my word! I have waited forever to read a book on Olive Thomas. I have been intrigued by her since childhood. This was written as if Olive was telling us the story. Fiction that reads like nonfiction. Written in a style most celeb auto bios are written in...."I make good choices but those around me don't." It was a perfect way to tell a story about a big celebrity that no one now knows because she died in 1920. She was big Before talkies and married a Pickford. A Ziegfeld girl, the most beautifil woman....Olive had it all. She was royalty.

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