Review: A Sound Among the Trees

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one left me with questions. Ghosts in an old house I get, but the dead wife, mental illness and the Civil War left me wondering (or wanting) another book.



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Review: The Return of the Gypsy

The Return of the Gypsy by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jessica's dad will save the man she thinks that she loves. The man was a gypsy who paid her a little attention during a "show" on her father's land. The man is sent away and Jessica marries a man she loves but one that doesn't excite her as Jake did. But Jake is gone she keeps telling herself. That is he is gone until he isn't. This one is twisty.

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Review: Knave of Hearts

Knave of Hearts by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lottie is now an adult living in France during the French Revolution. She meets her French half-sister and finds love in France. She always thought she would marry her cousin Dickon there in England, so she didn't expect to find love and other trouble there in France. I am not a huge fan of Lottie, but I like the plot.

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Review: The Adulteress

The Adulteress by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The was the first book that I read in the series in the 80's and fell instantly in love with the writing, the stories, and the author. I immediately started seeking out all of the books to own. It took about 20 years to find all of the books because many were out of print. They are back now in paperback and ebooks so you should have no issues. No excuses.

The one features Zipporah a beautiful woman. Folks say she looks a bit like her grandmother Carlotta (see Song of the Siren). She acts nothing like her, however. She marries a man who is kind to her and devoted 100%. She meets a Frenchman and everything changes. EVERYTHING. Until this point she and her husband had failed to conceive a child; so she and her husband both know how they are now having a child. Once Lottie is born she is just perfect. She is giving her to her mom and a caretaker for her father. She falls in love with her cousin. Her mother hates the cousin and plots to keep him away from her child. Then Zipporah's husband dies. You need to read how he dies. You need to read what Dickon does. You need to read how Lottie grows up. This is what Carr does well....intrigue.

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Review: Will You Love Me in September

Will You Love Me in September by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carlotta's daughter is just as beautiful but she is so good. She is unlucky in love to some extent. She falls for a dashing officer because he was the second choice. The first choice was shipped to Virginia and she assumes she will never see him again so she moves on. Lance is handsome and charismatic. He just likes to gamble and possibly have affairs and plot his wife's death. The future brings Clarissa and her cousin Sabrina living together and taking care of one another, a man will enter their lives and change everything once again.

This book is full of intrigue and almost as good as the last one.

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Review: The Song of the Siren

The Song of the Siren by Philippa Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite of the whole series. Carlotta is charming and captivating. I was in love with her the second she graced the series in the last book. She will spellbind you into loving and hating her. She will use Harriet to get what she wants. She will fall in love with someone who is pure evil and hurt a good man in the process. The thing is, what does around comes around. The beautiful siren's flame is flickering in the wind of her wake.

I have probably read this book 20 times.

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Review: Lament for a Lost Lover

Lament for a Lost Lover by Philippa Carr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book follows Arabella Eversleigh, but what I love is the entrance of Harriet Main. She is in the next few books and I adore her!!!

This is the start of my favorite books in the whole series. Arabella meets Edwin in sort of an arrangement from the families that they fall in love and marry. It does happen. Edwin is a pleasing husband, who indulges Arabella and is very present...until he is not. What we don't know for now is that yes he is involved in bringing the King back to England but he is also spending time with Harriet. We will grow to hate and love Harriet over the next few books. She is someone who will not leave our hearts easily.

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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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