December's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. December's Book of the Month is: 

Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity by John Glatt

Published as: Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity in May 1999

Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime

Birth Name: John Glatt

Born: in London, England

Canonical Name: John Glatt

Pseudonyms: None

Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity by John Glatt was the sixty-eighth book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since December 16, 2011 and it took me two days to read. This book is definitely a keeper for me!

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Danielle Steel - Full Circle

71. Full Circle by Danielle Steel (1984)
Length: 323 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 28 December 2011
Finished: 31 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 February 2011
Why do I have it? I like historical fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.


Tana Roberts comes of age during the turbulent times of the '60s. She begins a journey which will lead her from New York to the South during the height of racial tensions. A thoroughly modern young woman, Tana desires everything that life has to offer. Most of all, she wants a career and is willing to sacrifice anything to get it. It's not until much later in her life that Tana discovers she can have it all - love, career and peace of mind as life for her comes full circle.


I did enjoy this book but like many of Danielle Steel's books that I've read lately, I found that the story line was a little far-fetched at times. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows for the characters. I give this story a B+!


B+! - (89-85%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Norah Lofts - Gad's Hall: A Novel of the Supernatural

70. Gad's Hall: A Novel of the Supernatural by Norah Lofts (1977)
The Gad's Hall Series Book 1
Length: 282 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 24 December 2011
Finished: 28 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 22 December 2011
Why do I have it? I like Norah Lofts as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

When the Spender family - Bob, his wife Jill, and their three children - are first offered the chance to move into Gad's Hall; they are absolutely thrilled. The previous owner of this ancient, beautifully kept Tudor-style house is a kind-hearted elderly gentleman who simply wants someone to protect the family homestead. He is actually looking for a family that is capable of caring for the mansion, and of bringing Gad's Hall back to life; and he is willing to give the Spenders his home for practically a song.

The Spender family views Gad's Hall as an incredible bargain - a truly amazing godsend - and they are beyond thankful for this gentleman's astonishingly selfless act of generosity. They are delighted to accept such a thoughtful gift. The happy couple and their young family soon move in and make themselves comfortable in their new home.

However, what the Spender family does not realize is that Gad's Hall is haunted. Oh, nobody heard terrified screams in the night, no objects went flying through the air, and no one heard murderous, disembodied voices - yet Gad's Hall is haunted just the same. Gad's Hall has absolutely been brought back to life.

In fact, the house is actually alive! Yes, a door to the past has been opened by the arrival of the Spender family. And soon Jill Spender - a strong-willed, sensible woman - will be overtaken by irrational feelings she can not possibly control. All because of the unspeakable secret kept by the women who had lived at Gad's Hall more than a century ago...

I must say that I absolutely loved reading this book. In my opinion, Norah Lofts was a truly excellent author. She was an intelligent writer, able to write intriguing and intricately-woven plots that are thoroughly enjoyable. I think Gad's Hall: A Novel of the Supernatural is another absolute gem written by Norah Lofts and I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

J. D. Christilian - Scarlet Women

69. Scarlet Women by J. D. Christilian (1996)
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Started: 19 December 2011
Finished: 24 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 February 2011
Why do I have it? I enjoy historical mysteries and J. D. Christilian is a new author for me.


When the young wife of a prominent attorney goes missing in 19th-century New York, he hires the police's best investigator Harp to find her. Found in a warehouse sometime later dressed in the missing woman's velvet ball gown is a prostitute who has had her throat cut. Harp must discover who the prostitute is, why she is dressed in a ball gown and where the attorney's wife has gone. Along the way, Harp must talk to the demi-monde of society, criminals and must deal with the police themselves who don't want the case solved.


I really enjoyed this book. It had a very good plot and I give it an A! 


A! - (90-95%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

John Glatt - Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity

68. Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity by John Glatt (1999)
Length: 288 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 17 December 2011
Finished: 19 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 December 2011
Why do I have it? I like true crime but had never heard of any of these cases before.


There are many studies involving the separation of twins at birth where they grow up to live astonishingly different lives. However there are true cases where, if one twin turns out "bad", the other will follow them down the same destructive path. This book is a compilation of twins committing evil acts against others or each other as jealousy and anger spark seemingly from the womb. I have to say that I enjoyed this book as I had never heard of any of these cases, so I give the book A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

A. J. Gallant - Madman in the Mirror

67. Madman in the Mirror by A. J. Gallant (2001)
Length: 230 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 16 December 2011
Finished: 17 December 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to A. J. for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 December 2011
Why do I have it? I like horror and A. J. Gallant is a new author for me.


What do you do when a serial killer raises you from birth to be just like him? Henry has lived all his life in his father's shadow of terror and serial murder with the tacit understanding that he was being groomed to continue the "family business". Having witnessed his first murder as a toddler and actively participating in his father's murder sprees as an adult, Henry tries in vain to battle his inner demons and break free to go out on his own.

As an adult, Henry is struggling with the knowledge that his father's actions as well as his own have driven him literally insane - hearing voices and seeing images of horrific crimes in mirrors. Even when Henry eventually kills his father, he can not escape the anger and vengeance that he creates in one of his earlier victims; as the spirit of the dead man reaches out from beyond the grave to exact his own brand of revenge.

I have to say that this book was strange, extremely strange, and of course, being concerned with the life and actions of a serial killer, very, very violent. That being said, I did enjoy it even if truth be told, I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this book for myself. It certainly was different and not like any book I'd ever read before. It held me spellbound and at attention all through the story and I give it a solid B+!

B+! - (89-85%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Robert B. Parker - Thin Air

66. Thin Air by Robert B. Parker (1995)
The Spenser Mysteries Series Book 22
Length: 293 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 13 December 2011
Finished: 16 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 February 2011
Why do I have it? I do like contemporary mysteries and have to say that I went on a bit of a Robert B. Parker buying spree at the Library Book Sale. (Total spent? About $10 (ten hardcovers) of a $35 splurge!:))

When a Boston police detective's adored new bride suddenly goes missing he comes to Spenser to help find her. Sleuthing from a New England college campus to the slick and sporty nightclub scene of Los Angeles, Spenser discovers all about beautiful Lisa St. Claire's secret past - her prostitution, her substance abuse and her numerous destructive past love affairs. Spenser begins to suspect that Lisa has been kidnapped, and is being held prisoner by her sociopathic Latino ex-boyfriend in a burned-out tenement in a Massachusetts mill town's barrio.

Accompanied by a wise-cracking Chicano shooter with an iron-clad attitude and an unflinching sense of honor, Spenser sets in motion a complex plan to rescue Lisa. Along the way, as he deals with broken down cops and messianic local warlords, Spenser questions his knowledge of truth, justice, passion and manhood.

Having read and enjoyed many of Robert B. Parker's previous Spenser books - for the most part - I found that this one wasn't really my type of book. I still thought that it was well-written and funny in parts, however it just wasn't my favorite book. I think I still will read Robert B. Parker's books as I have quite a number of them still to go through, but I have to give Thin Air an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

John Glatt - The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths

65. The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths by John Glatt (2007)
Length: 256 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 10 December 2011
Finished: 13 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 June 2009
Why do I have it? I like true crime and had heard of the Bart Corbin murder case at the time that it happened.

For months, the young son of Bart and Jennifer Corbin had told anyone who would listen that he was afraid of the violence that went on behind the closed doors of his elegant Georgia home. Then on the morning of December 4, 2004, 7-year-old Dalton ran to a neighbor's house, sobbing. What was uncovered was almost unbelievable to the Corbins' neighbors: Jennifer Corbin was engaged in a secret cyber-sex lesbian affair and successful dentist Bart Corbin had a bizarre and frightening past.

Jennifer Corbin's death looked like suicide. But that didn't fool young Dalton, and in the coming weeks the police uncovered an even more horrifying story: Dr. Corbin had been left by a woman before, and he may have gotten away with murder once but justice would make sure that he stood trial this time.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I actually turned on the television last night and saw that a television movie of the case was being broadcast. I didn't watch it, but I certainly give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mary Stewart - Thornyhold

64. Thornyhold by Mary Stewart (1988)
Length: 289 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 9 December 2011
Finished: 10 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 April 2011
Why do I have it? I do like the Gothic type of mystery and Mary Stewart is well known for this.


There was one thing in Gilly Ramsey's lonely childhood that she enjoyed; the visits from her Godmother, Geillis, an extraordinary woman with unusual powers. When Geillis suddenly died, the adult Gilly inherited her charming little cottage, Thornyhold, and went to live there in the English countryside.

Once she arrived, Gilly encountered many strange occurrences; sinister neighbors, messages from beyond the grave and even the whisper of love. Just as Gilly grew closer to an attractive stranger and began to return his love, the inexplicable aura of suspense and witchcraft surrounding Thornyhold turned all too real and dangerous.

I have read a couple of Mary Stewart's books and have enjoyed some very much and others not so much. This book was very good except the plot was somewhat too easy to follow. I give this book a B+!

B+! - (89-85%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jean Stone - Beach Roses

63. Beach Roses by Jean Stone (2003)
Length: 336 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 8 December 2011
Finished: 9 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 15 July 2011
Why do I have it? I usually enjoy books with touching plots and Jean Stone is a new author for me.

The women began as strangers: Rita has a past that can't stay hidden for long, Katie the rock star has to choose between saving her own life or the life of her unborn child, Hannah, a selfless housewife, finds herself abandoned by her friends just when she needs them most and Faye, a wealthy businesswoman, thinks she has already fought the battle of her life. Before the summer is over, these four women will form a lasting bond - one that will see old hurts finally healed, love rekindled and new life created.

I really enjoyed this book. I do like stories that involve women's friendships with each other. I give this book an A+! 

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Danielle Steel - Lightning

62. Lightning by Danielle Steel (1995)
Length: 453 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 6 December 2011
Finished: 8 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long was it on my TBR pile? Since 15 July 2011
Why do I have it? I do like some of Danielle Steel's books and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

As a partner in a prestigious New York law firm, a doting mother to a rambunctious and beautiful three-year-old girl and a loving and supportive wife to a man who is a star venture capitalist, Alex Parker believed that she had it all. Sure the work was hard; the hours long - juggling a marriage, career and raising a child was exhausting. for Alex. Her life was difficult but rewarding until a routine mammogram shatters her stable little world.

Now, Alex and her formerly loving husband, Sam are struggling to keep their marriage together in the midst of a bombshell diagnosis of breast cancer and honestly, failing to pull together. Alex and Sam become strangers to each other virtually overnight. When Sam's successful career suddenly explodes in disaster and he is left questioning his very identity, Alex must decide whether her life - as well as their future as a couple - is worth saving.

I have to say that contrary to Mareena's belief that I don't like Danielle Steel at all; I do. I found this book very fast and easy reading with a relatively good plot. I will say that I give my first reading experience of it - a few years ago a definite A+! However, I found that - and I don't mean this in a bad way at all - the plot was rather "smaltzy" towards the end.

Sam and Alex is the quintessential New York power couple - "Ken and Barbie" type fantastic lives together, dream careers and an adorable little girl that they've wanted for years. "Happy, happy, joy, joy, until the world implodes!" :) Then it's a slow, torturous crawl back to greatness for both of them; somewhat like a soap opera plot, I thought.

Not that it was a bad storyline at all, it was just slightly over dramatic in my opinion. :) All in all, I enjoyed my second reading of Lightning very much and I would certainly recommend this and other books by Danielle Steel to other readers, however this is the final time I will be reading this book. I can now pass this book along to another person without any remorse. Overall, I give my second reading of Lightning an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jane Smiley - Ordinary Love and Good Will

61. Ordinary Love and Good Will by Jane Smiley (1989)
Length: 208 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 2 December 2011
Finished: 5 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 15 July 2011
Why do I have it? I had read A Thousand Acres by the same author several years ago and really enjoyed it.

This book is actually two novellas based around the difficult choices that people make that change the dynamics of their families forever. In Ordinary Love Ms. Smiley focuses on a woman's infidelity and the lasting, indelible mark that that affair has on her children years after their mother leaves the family.

In Good Will, a father slowly realizes the affect that his choices in lifestyle has on his son. The results of the man's choices end up having heartbreaking consequences. I think that of both stories I preferred Good Will and I give the entire book a B+!

B+! - (89-85%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Diane Fanning - Mommy's Little Girl: Casey Anthony and Her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate

60. Mommy's Little Girl: Casey Anthony and Her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate by Diane Fanning (2009)
Length: 337 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 1 December 2011
Finished: 2 December 2011
Where did it come from: From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 25 November 2011
Why do I have it? I have to say that I followed the trial up to the verdict and am curious about the aftermath and its affect on the rest of the family.

I suppose almost everyone in America knows about this case but here is a synopsis anyway: A little girl named Caylee goes missing in June 2008 and her mother inexplicably waits for about a month to report her little daughter missing. This book delves into the dynamic of the Anthony Family - especially George and his interactions with the rest of the family. It explores the beginnings of the case against Casey and although it was written before the 'Not Guilty' verdict, it does some investigation of the pathology of Casey Anthony as well.

I have to say that I truly believe that Casey had something to do with her daughter's murder, whether it was accidentally or out of spite towards her parents, I just can't decide. I suppose that we will never really know the truth of Caylee's death but I certainly will never forget little Caylee or all the other missing children out there. I give the book an A+!


A+! - (96-100%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Monica Dickens - The Great Fire

59. The Great Fire by Monica Dickens (1973)
Length: 64 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started/Finished: 1 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 3 December 2009
Why do I have it? I have read and enjoyed One Pair of Feet by the same author and, well, I sort of went on a Monica Dickens reading jag after I read it, getting as many of her books as I possibly could find online.

Orphaned due to the Great Plague of 1665, 12-year-old Peter has somehow built a new life for himself. It is tough, but he is living a relatively good life until the Great Fire of London strikes. Will Peter survive, or will he lose everything to the devastation of the fire?

I have to say that when I first received this book, I didn't realize that it was a children's book. I have nothing against reading children's books, as a matter of fact, I sometimes prefer an author's treatment of history in a children's book rather than an adult history book. It feels too much like work to me to read some historical fiction for adults. Some books are almost too well researched, if that makes sense to you.

Anyway, I found this book rather simple. As it should be, I suppose for a children's book and actually the story was "cute" - strange word to use I know for the time period that the book depicts. I suppose that I mean the plot was too easily wrapped up, in my opinion. I did enjoy parts of the story but at the end, I had to give The Great Fire by Monica Dickens a B+!

B+! - (89-85%).


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up for November at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out November with 651 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 642 books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch and Paperback Swap; I have bought no new books this month.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Re-reads
- Whispers by Belva Plain
- Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy
- The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy
- Bright River Trilogy by Annie Greene

Changes to the TBR pile 


Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- Sweetheart, Sweetheart by Bernard Taylor
- Aches and Pains by Maeve Binchy
- Where or When by Anita Shreve
- Legion by William Peter Blatty
- The Spanish Bridegroom by Jean Plaidy

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! :))
- Mommy's Little Girl: The True Story of Casey Anthony and Her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate by Diane Fanning
- The Killing Game by Iris Johansen

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
- The Sweet Taste of Burning: A Tale of the Occult by Paul Andreota
- Sweetheart, Sweetheart by Bernard Taylor
- Preacher's Girl: The Life and Crimes of Blanche Taylor Moore by Jim Schutze
- The Tarnished Eye: A Novel of Suspense by Judith Guest
- Aches and Pains by Maeve Binchy

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 2,822
Grade Range: A+! to C!

So, there you go! The reading month that was November. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

November's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. November's Book of the Month is: 

Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy

Published as: Light a Penny Candle in January 1982

Publisher: Arrow Books

Birth Name: Anne Maeve Binchy

Born: 28 May 1939 in Dalkey, County Dublin, Ireland

Canonical Name: Maeve Binchy

Pseudonyms: None

Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy was the fifty-third book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since May 1, 2009 although I finally read it in November of 2011. It took me three days to read this book, which was actually a reread for me from about a decade ago. This book is definitely a keeper for me!

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jean Plaidy - The Spanish Bridegroom

58. The Spanish Bridegroom by Jean Plaidy (1954)
The  Tudor Saga Book 10
Length: 338 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 28 November 2011
Finished: 30 November 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 August 2011
Why do I have it? I love Jean Plaidy as an author and have several books by this author on my bookshelf.

To restore the might of Spain and to bring wayward England back into the arms of the Catholic Church, young Phillip II agrees to marry Mary Tudor. Set in the 16th century amidst the brutal Inquisition of Spain and the tortured England of Bloody Mary, this story traces the life of Phillip II and the intertwined lives of the women who came to know this brutal tyrant as a loving husband and father. I truly enjoyed this story. It's an excellent storyline and I give it an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

William Peter Blatty - Legion

57. Legion by William Peter Blatty (1983)
The Exorcist Series Book 2
Length: 269 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 26 November 2011
Finished: 28 November 2011
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 26 November 2011
Why do I have it? I had read The Exorcist years ago by the same author and jumped for joy when Mareena got another book by William Peter Blatty for me.

When a young boy is found brutally murdered in a mock crucifixion, there are four totally unlikely suspects. Was it the elderly woman who witnessed the crime? A neurologist who can no longer bear the pain life inflicts on his patients? A psychiatrist with a macabre sense of humor and a guilty secret, or a mysterious mental patient, locked in silent isolation?

Detective Kinderman follows a bewildering trail in a case that grows more mysterious with each subsequent murder. Why are two murder victims priests? Why does each victim suffer the same dreadful mutilations? Is there some connection with a series of equally gruesome murders which took place a dozen years earlier and supposedly ended with the death of the killer?

I have to say that I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I had seen the sequel to The Exorcist the movie version, which this book is based on. The second movie was absolutely terrible, in my opinion, the third movie was alright for a first time watcher, but was not really able to hold up to a second watching.. That is sort of the same reaction that I had at the end of Legion, I was certainly glad that I read it, but I don't think that I will read it again. I give this book a B!


B! - (80-88%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Annie Greene - Bright River Trilogy

56. Bright River Trilogy by Annie Greene (1985)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 24 November 2011
Finished: 26 November 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 August 2011
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Annie Greene looked like a new author to me.

This story is a love story of a fashion. It is about a young ne'er-do-well man named Darcy and his relationships with the three women in his life who try to love him. Darcy is a drunk and his mother is currently taking care of his son.

Jessie has recently broken up with her latest boyfriend -a shy, quiet poet. Jessie then turns her attention to the charming Darcy in order to start an affair which is bound to bring them both to tears. Ellen also has her eye on Darcy as well.

Mixed in with this plot is a lot of Gothic melodrama: murder, mayhem and mystery; that sort of thing. I liked this story, but this is actually the second time that I read it. I had read it years ago and forgotten most of the plot.. It lost a little of its charm the second time around for me.

However, Bright River Trilogy was still a very good book and it was a fast read for me. I gave it an A!


A! - (90-95%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Maeve Binchy - The Return Journey

55. The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy (1998)
Length: 225 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 23 November 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 August 2011
Why do I have it? I love Maeve Binchy as an author and I have read several books by this author in the past.

This is a collection of short stories in which Maeve Binchy introduces us to sons, brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters and lovers. She looks at the relationships and the affect of love on her characters. I have to say that although I usually love Maeve Binchy as an author and am definitely willing to give anything she has written a fighting chance to take me away; I found this particular book lacking in parts.

I had read this book before several years ago and of course had forgotten what it was like. I will definitely still read Maeve Binchy again but, in my opinion, this was a weak book. I give it a C!

C! - (70-75%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Anita Shreve - Where or When

54. Where or When by Anita Shreve (1993)
Length: 252 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 21 November 2011
Finished: 22 November 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 August 2011
Why do I have it? I like Anita Shreve as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

When Sian receives a love letter from an old flame, she is extremely flattered. However, what starts out as a friendly meeting to reacquaint themselves with each other soon descends into a fiery, volatile affair that rockets into a dark and dangerous obsession. I loved this book and give it an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Maeve Binchy - Light a Penny Candle

53. Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy (1982)
Length 522 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 17 November 2011
Finished: 20 November 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 May 2009
Why do I have it? I love Maeve Binchy as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.


As a child, Elizabeth White was sent from her war-torn home in England to the Irish countryside and the town of Kilgarret. There she met the charming Aisling O'Connor and Aisling's bustling and rather large family. The two girls struck up a firm and fast friendship - one which carried them each through the darkest times of their lives.

Elizabeth had to deal with the breakup of her parents chilly marriage and Elizabeth was there for Aisling all through her marriage to a raging alcoholic. They always believe that they can overcome anything as long as their friendship lasts. They are about to test that theory.

I really enjoyed this book and it is not only a 5 but a 5,000! I give it an A+!


A+! -(96-100%)



Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Belva Plain - Whispers

Re-read. Whispers by Belva Plain (1993)
Length: 475 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Originally Read: 1 September 2010
Re-read Finished: 16 November 2011
Where did it come from? Originally from Bookmooch. It was put on my shelf as a book by one of my favorite authors.

I had already read this book and loved it and when Mareena's computer went down both she and I went through a reading slump. This is the first book that I've reread so far for a new post on the blog. It was a great book.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Maeve Binchy - Aches and Pains

51. Aches and Pains by Maeve Binchy (1999)

Length: 96 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction

Started: 6 November 2011

Finished: 8 November 2011

Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 October 2011
Why do I have it? I love Maeve Binchy as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

This is a short book which tries too hard to be humorous. The author writes little hints and tricks about what to do when going into hospital. I generally like Maeve Binchy as an an author, however I wouldn't say this is her best book. I give it a C!


C! - (70-75%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Bernard Taylor - Sweetheart, Sweetheart

50. Sweetheart, Sweetheart by Bernard Taylor (1977)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 28 October 2011
Finished: 5 November 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 April 2009
Why do I have it? I had read and enjoyed The Godsend by the same author several years ago.

David and Colin are twins. When Colin and his fiancee die at a peaceful cottage in the English countryside, David goes to investigate. As David gets closer to what happened, he is drawn into the madness and murder that claimed Colin's life. When an attempt is made on David's fiancee's life, the essence of betrayal is awakened in the cottage. I enjoyed this book and give it an A! because I enjoy supernatural storylines.

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up for October at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. Hopefully, much better than I did. I don't know what it was but I think I went through a reading slump this month. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out the month with 649 books lying around the house and ended the month with 648 books unread. I only was able to read one book as a matter of fact, but that didn't stop the books from coming into the house. They were coming in faster than I could read. I put aside so many books that I had started to read but couldn't at the time for whatever reason. All of the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch; I have bought no new books this month.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Re-reads:
- The Claw by Norah Lofts

Changes to the TBR pile: 


Added to my TBR pile: (They're coming! They're coming!)
- Devil's Eye by Al Ruksenas
- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
- Aches and Pains by Maeve Binchy

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home: (Fly, my babies! :))
- The King of Lies by John Hart
- The Fallen by Jefferson Parker
- Sleep Long, my Love by Hillary Waugh
- The Last Cheerleader by Meg O'Brien
- The Fourth Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders
- The Wingless Bird by Catherine Cookson

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, not a great reading month for me. Although, six books sent out of the house is wonderful! Here is a further breakdown:

Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 186
Grade Range: A+!

So, there you go! The reading month that was October. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

October's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. October's Book of the Month is: 

   The Claw by Norah Lofts

Published as: The Claw in 1981

Publisher: Doubleday

Birth Name: Norah Robinson

Born: 27 August 1904 in Shipdham, Norfolk, England

Died: 10 September 1983 in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England

Canonical Name: Norah Lofts

Pseudonyms: Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis

The Claw by Norah Lofts was the forty-ninth book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR bookshelf since October 20, 2011 and it took me six days to read this book. This book was a reread for me from about 15 to 20 years ago and is a definite keeper!

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Norah Lofts - The Claw

49. The Claw by Norah Lofts (1981)
Length: 186 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 21 October 2011
Finished: 27 October 2011
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 October 2011
Why do I have it? I love Norah Lofts as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

The man was a loving husband and father, however outside his home he personified evil with each rape that he committed. The only thing that each victim can remember is the claw that he uses during each attack. With each brutal or deadly attack that is committed, police and the townspeople are terrified that they might be next.

I received this book all the way from Germany. I must admit that I had read it before but totally forgot the plot. I had read some reviews that actually didn't like this book all that much but I did very much. I also must admit that Norah Lofts is one of my favorite authors. I give this book an A+!


A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up for September at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out September with 651 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 649 books unread. I have bought no new books into the house this month.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Re-reads
- Eden Burning by Belva Plain

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Not too bad, I suppose :))
- Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- About Face by Fern Michaels
- Firebird by Janice Graham
- The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice
- The Lonely Furrow by Norah Lofts
- The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
- Winter Heart by Frances C. Kerns
- Linda's Homecoming by Phyllis A. Whitney
- Eden Burning by Belva Plain

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a rather good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 656
Grade Range: A+!

So, there you go! The reading month that was September. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

September's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. September's Book of the Month is: 

Eden Burning by Belva Plain

Published as: Eden Burning in 1982

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Birth Name: Belva Offenberg

Born: 9 October 1915 in New York City, New York

Died: 12 October 2010 in Short Hills. New Jersey

Canonical Name: Belva Plain

Pseudonyms: None

Eden Burning by Belva Plain was the forty-seventh book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR bookshelf since December 4, 2010 although I didn't actually read it until August of 2011. It took me four days to read this book and it is definitely a keeper for me.  

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Edith Wharton - Ethan Frome

48. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (1911)
Length: 176 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 5 September 2011
Finished: 15 September 2011
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 May 2011
Why do I have it? Mareena and I were watching the movie version with Liam Neeson when I asked her to find a copy for me to read.

A farmer in turn-of-the-century New England struggles to survive and to make his farm successful. First he is tethered to the land by his helpless parents; then by his ailing wife. When Ethan's wife's alluring cousin comes to stay, she and Ethan become trapped in a hopelessly passionate love affair. Trapped by fear of public condemnation and the bonds of a loveless marriage, Ethan starts down a path which could eventually lead to tragedy for all involved.

I had originally wanted to read this book after seeing the movie with Liam Neeson. Mareena and I caught the last part of the movie and were shocked at how sad it was. I love a sad book and Mareena loves the classics. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)\

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Belva Plain - Eden Burning

47. Eden Burning by Belva Plain (1982)
Length: 480 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 31 August 2011
Finished: 5 September 2011
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 4 December 2010
Why do I have it? I love Belva Plain as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

She was a girl as innocent and beautiful as her family's lush Caribbean plantation - until she learned about dark desire and became a woman. Banished from paradise, Teresa Francis was swept into marriage and motherhood in opulent New York - a world away from her beautiful St. Felice island. But eventually, the secrets that refused to stay buried would draw her back again to paradise. A paradise now in the throws of revolution, which forces Teresa to confront her past and watch her future unfold.

I loved this book. I think that Belva Plain is perhaps one of my favorite authors. I particularly enjoyed how the characters interacted together and the writing was wonderful, in my opinion. If I had one dislike of this book, it was that it was slightly too long. I find that I can't really read long books anymore. Overall, though, I give this book an A+!


A+! - (96-100%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up for August at Moonshine and Rosefire

 

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out August with 649 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 644 books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch and Paperback Swap and a library book sale we went to on the 27th; I have bought books though the library book sale this month (50 cents for paperbacks, $1.00 for hardcovers. The money goes to help our library's upkeep and stocking some latest releases.) We generally try to go to the library once a month if we can.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Changes to the TBR pile 


Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- The A. B. C. Murders by Agatha Christie
- The King of Lies by John Hart
- Testimony by Anita Shreve
- Preacher's Girl: The Life and Crimes of Blanche Taylor Moore by Jim Schutze
- Storyville by Lois Battle

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! Not too bad though, I suppose:))
- Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker
- Almost Sisters by Nancy Anderson, Leal Littke and Carroll Hofeling Morris

- Southern Women by Lois Battle

- The Spanish Bridegroom by Jean Plaidy
- Bright River Trilogy by Annie Greene
- The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy
- Where or When by Anita Shreve

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- One True Thing by Anna Quindlen
- The Best of Friends by Joanna Trollope
- The Black House by Paul Theroux
- Godplayer by Robin Cook
- Mutation by Robin Cook
- Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets by James Spada

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 5
Pages Read: 1,729
Grade Range: A+! to A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was August. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

August's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. August's Book of the Month is: 

Testimony by Anita Shreve

Published as: Testimony: A Novel in October 2008

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Birth Name: Anita Shreve

Born: 1946 in Dedham, Massachusetts

Canonical Name: Anita Shreve

Pseudonyms: None

Testimony by Anita Shreve was the forty-fourth book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since April 25, 2011 although I didn't actually read it until August of 2011. This book took me two days to read and is a definite keeper for me.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight