The Red Fairy Book

Author: Andrew Lang
Stars: 4
Review by: Mandy Apgar

One of the several selections of folk and fairy tales collected and retold by Mr. Lang. The titular color doesn't represent anything really, this is just a pretty random lot. Some of the ordinary like Rapunzel - but sanitized from the original version so no pregnancy and twins, to the midline obscure like Mother Holle - where an unselfish girl journeys through a well into the home of a strange woman only to work hard and find herself blessed with a shower of gold, whereas when her stepsister follows her steps expecting the same shower her selfishness is rewarded with a shower of pitch instead. Fairy tales actually are very dark and violent and these are toned down a bit more than say an unedited version of Grimm's, but are still nice and well told. Although it does get irritating when people oh so conveniently find long lost loved ones in a cave. Way too Shakespearean for me.

 

From Italy With Love

Author: Gail Gaymer Martin, et al.
Stars: 3
Review by: jamBob

This book contained four short stories from different authors. Each story was based on a letter requesting a young lady to visit a particular site in Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice and Capri. The stories were formulaic based on forgiveness and a newly found romance. I enjoyed reading them as I visited Italy this summer and wanted to see descriptions of famous places by the authors. All 4 were Christian Romance so no foul language or sexy scenes.

The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane

Author: Sheila Roberts
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the story about Bailey Sterling. She is a caterer to the stars in CA but needs to return home after a catering disaster. She goes home to live with her sister, Cecily. Cecily is fond of two local men - one is edgy and a "bad-boy" and the other is comforting and the "good-guy." She wants to go for the bad boy but is constantly drawn to the good guy. Meanwhile, the bad boy and Bailey are working together to create a new tea house venture. What happens when two sisters like the same man? Will sister love prevail? A nice summer read?

 

That Night on Thistle Lane

Author: Carla Neggers
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the story about Phoebe and Noah. Phoebe is a shy, quiet small town librarian and Noah is a brilliant multi-millionaire. They meet at a costume party, but neither know who is who. They eventually find out and the romance is on. Another nice summer romance.

Secrets of the Lost Summer

Author: Carla Neggers
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the story of Olivia and Dylan. Olivia is trying to start up a new business but the house next door is in horrible condition.She decides to write the owner, Dylan, and tells him he needs to clean up his mess. Dylan in across the county and is busy making millions. He didn't even know he had this house. He goes out to investigate and so the story begins. A nice summer romance.

 

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae

Author: Stephanie Laurens
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

Angelica Cynster knows that she will find her true love at first sight. She happens to see the Earl of Glencrae. He, on the other hand, needs to kidnap her. She walks right into his hands. Will true love prevail? Read to find out.

Just One Kiss

Author: Susan Mallery
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This story brings together Patience and Justice for keeps this time. During high school Patience became friends with Justice and then he just disappeared. Patience is now a divorced, single mom trying to make her dream come true. Justice is back to start his new business. Will love prevail? There is a twist in the story about Patience's mom that makes for an interesting tale. A nice summer read.

 

 

Three Sisters

Author: Susan Mallery
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati

There are three houses overlooking the ocean on Blackberry Island. All of them are now owned by women trying to overcome difficulties in their lives. I didn't think I would like this story and I expected a lot of whining and complaining, but it did capture my attention and kept it. It is interesting to see three separate stories come together and how friends can help you overcome many of life's obstacles.

 

Once in a Lifetime

Author: Jill Shalvis
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the story about Ben MacDaniel and Aubry Wellington. Ben and Aubry knew each other in high school but they never got together. Aubry was a wild young lady and is now trying to make amends, whereas Ben is now a widower trying to overcome his grief. Brought together by circumstance they fight their way to true love.  A nice summer read.

 

Drawing Blood

Author: Deidre Verne
Stars: 2.5
Review by: LZ99

Either I'm sheltered or narrow minded, or some of the themes in this book were just too far fetched. That being said, still an okay, light read.

 

All I Want

Author: Jill Shalvis
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the story of Zoe Stone, a pilot for hire, and Parker James, a friend of Zoe's brother. They are thrown together as a favor to her brother, but with an underlying reason for Parker. Mystery, danger and love make for a great summer read.

Daring in a Blue Dress

Author: Katie MacAlister
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is the third book in this series and Alice, from The Importance of Being Alice, is now trying to hook up another brother-in-law, Alden. There is a lot of campy humor as always and a little mystery on the side. The ending has a little twist to make it complete.

 

Eclair and Present Danger

Author: Laura Bradford
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati

This is the first of a new series by Bradford. A cozy based around the baker, Winnie Johnson, that just lost her bakery and inherits a vintage ambulance. In the cozy fashion there is murder, humor and a few twists and turns. A nice summer read.

 

Tricky Twenty-Two

Author: Janet Evanovich
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

I don't how I missed this last year but I guess I didn't feel like reading more of the same. Given the break this is a typical, campy Plum novel that make for a great summer read. The question is will Stephanie finally pick her main man or not? Do we have to wait for Twenty-Three??? Not bad for a series that was only going to 10.

 

X

Author: Sue Grafton
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati

This is a continuation of Grafton's last Millhone mystery whereby Millhone decides to complete a case from her deceased co-workers files. It shows that not all you see is all you get. It also has a second mystery riding along so you get to try and figure two things out at once.

For All the Tea in China

Author: Sarah Rose
Stars: 4
Review by: Mandy Apgar

I didn't know what to think of this and was rather nicely surprised. The book is very comprehensive for its size, being an account of tea cultivation and culture and how it was brought ("snuck" would be a more appropriate word, sort of) out of China and into more popular consumption and consciousness. Goes into its early history in China of course, how it was probably first "discovered" and farmed, how for ages people thought black and green teas were from different plants - boy did that cause a lot of problems - and how troublesome it was to get tea seedlings out of Chinese or Indian plantations and the rigors of the early tea trade once England established its hold over China.

Tales from Shakespeare

Author: Charles and Mary Lamb
Stars: 4
Review by: Mandy Apgar

This book almost got me kicked out of elementary school, so I feel I owe it a slight debt. A few people who saw me reading this thought Macbeth was too violent for a 6 year old, the gits. It has also gotten my sisters through a few of Shakespeare's - that "abominable bard" as I call him - most insidious plays. Because let us face it, he is pretty much crammed down the throats of kids of a certain age. But if you give them something like this when they're younger they might A. understand it a lot better (although I still think Cymbeline is completely idiotic), and thusly B. not find the classes so tedious. What the book does is take a good portion of his plays (the ones on actual royalty for some reason are excluded - so no hunchbacked nephew killers or Tudor shenanigans in this) and retell them in basic English. None of the "thee" and "thou" and endless, endless flowery speeches, but just simple retellings like they are any other story. And for the most part one doesn't miss anything - hence my sister borrowing this for King Lear (I think) when she couldn't understand it and found this a lot better constructed than anything else.

Miller's Valley

Author: Anna Quindlen
Stars: 3
Review by: Ann Mc

An easy read from the point of view of a young, smart girl, Mimi, that grows up in a small town and their family struggles.

 

Aqua Alta

Author: Donna Leon
Stars: 3
Review by: Chris L.

Third book in the series. Guess this series is an acquired taste. Likable Detective Guido Brunetti tackles murder and intrigue in the art world. However the  author continues to paint an unflattering picture of Italy - inept & corrupt government, pervasive Mafia influence, even terrible weather of Venetian winter!

 

Brillance and Fire

Author: Rachelle Bergstein
Stars: 4
Review by: Mandy Apgar

A cultural history of man's fascination with diamonds - their mining, famous stones, and famous owners / profiteers. Problems with "blood diamonds" and conflict free stones are discussed pages past the Hope Diamond, Elizabeth Taylor's passion for the biggest and grandest stones, and the lengths and methods companies like DeBeers and others have used to manipulate the industry (create fads and trends, drive up prices, lovely irritating things like that).