Fan Shelf
**** "A Late Phoenix" by Catherine Aird may refer to evidence rising from the rubble and ashes. Set only a few decades after WW2, memories are the best way to reveal who shot and buried a pregnant young woman under a bombed out b...
Decades ago, this made such an impression, death as a person, and puns were such a popular joke with my peers, that I followed Piers Anthony books until I got saturated. I dipped my toe in recently, with Knot Gneiss, and had enough, but wou...
***"Waking the Witch" mystery continues Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld saga. Motorcycle-riding 21-year old Savannah takes her first solo Cortez-Winterbourne case. Peppered with characters old and new, I plowed past when I got confu...
Back in my Piers Anthony pun-loving days, I read, not sure how, many of these, with great pleasure. Only 2 are available in my library, so I'll try MYTH.
"M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link" #7 bridges early team funny quests to a larger canvas. Boy magician Skeeve mentored by demon Ahz, inspired by Crosby-Hope Road comedy movies, have grown up, gained allies, and gone pro. Con: Robert Asprin will...
A teen in a hurry to get out of a rural town, I hated taking Austen's Pride & Prejudice in high school. Slow inching (before metric) predictable death in marriage. Decades later, seeking pleasant peace, entranced with the time, costume and ...
***** "Dark Angel" is handsome Earl Gabriel. Mary Balogh consistently pens entertaining romances featuring caring, brave individuals we can cheer for. I think her main message is that, especially with love, happiness can come out ...
I read at least one of this or the sequel, "Bad Guys". I am always easier on local talent, perhaps the difficulty of writing as a profession is more to the forefront of my critical eye. I followed the author's newspaper column, ma...
I remember best the happy-go-lucky British Larkin family episode where young luscious budding daughter (not sure I can say maiden) attracts a stuffy officious tax collector and their influence transforms him from drudge to incandescent. My ...
***** "Death of a Gossip" by M. C. Beaton aka Marion Chesney starts her Hamish Macbeth Scottish village loch bobby series, inspired by a real fishing trip after she tired of period romances and switched to murder mysteries. A nast...
***** fan "The Secret Duke" (Malloren 10) by Jo Beverley follows "The Secret Wedding", read before I started reviews on Goodreads. Modern language, clever witty Georgian romantic adventures, cognizant of real difficultie...
I've read many mysteries by Lawrence Block. Born in 1938, his people are dated, smoke, drink, sleep around, but take that in context and relax. Hero Bernie is funny, and I think this was one I liked, so I'll put this up as a suggestion. My ...
***** best yet. If her next book is always better than the previous, totally backwards to other writers whose quality declines, how high can she go?
"My Lord and Spymaster" by Joanna Bourne opens at a London slum area dock, i...
"My Lord and Spymaster" by Joanna Bourne opens at a London slum area dock, i...
**** "Changes" (Dresden Files 12) by Jim Butcher brings back girlfriend Susan who left after being transformed to half-vampire (#3?). This far in a series brings back many friends and enemies; except for the fall-off-cliff ending...
I re-read the short story in the collection "Maps in a Mirror" was a strong memorable hero for me, a Harry Potter in his futuristic world, a lonely boy who builds a team against a world-destroying horror. When kids first immersed ...
*** "Changeless" (Parasol Protectorate 2) by Gail Carriger is an event whereby supernaturals within a few mile radius in central Victorian London temporarily are forced into their human forms, unable to transform back. Lord Macco...
***** "Graceling" is a person with two different colored eyes marking a powerful, even supernatural, skill, treated with fear and scorn in some of the seven kingdoms. Kristin Cashore creates a magnificently strong stubborn 18-year...
Marion Chesney is fave under any pseudonym: M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester, Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Marion Gibbons, Jennie Tremaine and Charlotte Ward. Her books of lovable lost souls in a bind are all on my reread list. Christie-style ch...
***** "Snobbery with Violence" (E1) is the first Edwardian London mystery by prolific Marion Chesney, expert at short books and pleasing extensive vocabulary to individualize place, time and person. After tiring of Victorian roman...
***** "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" is one of most unique of Agatha Christie's murders, let alone any mystery. Even when I reread, years later, I had forgotten everything. Now I still remember the solution, so I cannot possibly sp...
***** "Murder on the Orient Express" occurs on a luxury train which trapped the suspects, or was the open window an escape route? Agatha Christie's last work reflected her failing brain, but this early gem is unique for whodunit a...
I liked first time better, but rereads held up. Colfer creates a classic intriguing scary magical fantasy world, though the L.E.P. Recon acronym gets cutsie. I strongly identify with a lonely Irish boy, even genius millionaire, who can fin...
**** "Kiss of Fire" by Deborah Cooke, is the first in her Dragon shape-shifter romances. Sparks and heat from firestorm ordain the mating of Smith and Seer, Quinn and Sara, loners orphaned by fire from Slayers. Life is short, eat ...
***** "The Moth" nicknames a flighty young lady, eccentric to the point of madness in the eyes of the men of her family, but well loved by longtime servants and her repressed 26 year old sister, Agnes. After he first glimpses the ...
***** "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collects classic Victorian murder mysteries with the origin of modern forensics and deductive solutions. 1930 Doubleday Vol 1 has Study in Scarlet, Sign of Four, and ...
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3887505...
Trailer for upcoming movie.
Stephanie Plum's birthday was (according to author's website) 12 Oct.
I found the first book tougher because we first meet flamboyant too-tight too-short ...
Trailer for upcoming movie.
Stephanie Plum's birthday was (according to author's website) 12 Oct.
I found the first book tougher because we first meet flamboyant too-tight too-short ...
***** "The Case of the Perjured Parrot" (#14 of 80 in Perry Mason series) by prolific late Erle Stanley Gardner is copyright 1939, so a smooth suave cool collected handsome long-legged lawyer would smoke, have an emotional pretty ...
**** Mrs Pollifax books are tragically no longer in print. Dorothy Gilman has created one of my most favorite leads, a senior widow, almost suicidal, until she volunteers for the CIA. I have also been known for my hats. Her exploits always ...
(one review for series) ***** for the first book because I like the series enough to last till T, now want more to find new authors, and finish another year. The rest get 3-4* because I cannot remember my favorites. I like strong, brave fem...
I don't recall if I read some sort of child's version. I breathed in mythology of any and every kind as long as I can remember. Since the essentials of the story are permanently hard wired in my brain, I'll peg the rating high. I cannot rea...
**** Smashing. I have added a star for 3 reasons. A second opinion from one who also did not like the slave book, really liked this. (I'll add details later.) A third opinion from one who has read many Jennings except the slave one; she li...
***** "Born of Shadows" (League 4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (aka Kinley MacGregor) describes the early years of space-rogue Dagan. He runs, hides, protects his orphan sisters to the point of facing execution. Meanwhile on a female-dom...
***** "Way of the Wolf" (Vampire Earth 1) by E.E. Knight, is a terrifying, captivating futuristic action adventure with a hint of wry humor. Like a classic L'Amour western, the shy, canny, determined hero overcomes powerful opposi...
**** In "Sweet Starfire", Jayne Ann Krentz creates the planet Renaissance, full of dangerous alien monsters and vegetation. Some parts of the adventure seem unnecessary stretches by the author, such as gigantic toothed lizards th...
***** "The Sackett Brand" starts with a bang, struggles toward agony, and sidetracks to distant relatives riding in aid. Classic manly Louis L'Amour, tracking, shooting, fighting man and harsh country. A sudden gunshot throws big ...
***** "The Sleeping Beauty" by Mercedes Lackey, is one of the 'Five Hundred Kingdoms' series, that have strong heroines and Godmothers who challenge oppressive Tradition. Fairy tales, such as the title, Cinderella, and Snow White...
***** "Orchid Hunter" by Jill Landis is a favorite 1850 Victorian romance for many reasons, some personal. I too have identical twin sisters, blond and blue-eyed. We have experienced "How often ... are secrets kept ... and b...
"Retief" by Keith Laumer is rip-roaring action, dangerous situations, funny dialogue, and wonderful quotes. Wisdom such as: He who visits rarely is a welcome guest. Of the several stories, my favorite lines come from Retief's War....
***** Must read list. Lewis is classic, like Tolkein and Rowling. [Spoiler: Despite the obvious Aslan/ Christ sacrifice symbolism]
Must read, especially for enquiring minds of a philosophical bent, despite the dated feel. Letters from a junior devil to his senior, reporting human behavior and requesting advice.
**** "The Hazards of Hunting a Duke" (Desperate Debutantes 1) by Julia London, brings together handsome rake 1819 English Lord Jared, 30, harassed by his stern father to produce an heir, and Ava, eldest of the beautiful bright br...
I have read many Ludlum, all the Bourne series, different from the movies, such as he marries and retires to teach, then goes back. But I like action heroes. After I grew out of nightmares from the sight of fake blood (I am uber-calm faced ...
**** "Catalyst" by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Scarbourough is a funny spaceship Barque (French for bark, boat, small boat - as in: embark) Cats tale, named for costly purebreds specially trained to sniff trouble and eat pests in...
Almost suspense and action shelfs too. I think this was my favorite Meyer. A girl awakens in a new body. Or does an alien awake in a human body? The internal hem-haw stuff is boring. The action chases and twists best. Who is friend and who ...
A. A. Milne is a favorite all my life. I've been curious as Roo, small as Piglet, enthusiastic as Tigger, hopeful as Winnie, pendantic as Owl, motherly as Kanga, downcast as Eeyore, and dreamily inhabited trees and clouds. Bouncing rhymes, ...
***** "His Majesty's Dragon" (Temeraire 1) is the first full book by Naomi Novik. Dragon Temeraire's birth, and service in the royal Air Corps, starts with one sea battle, ends in the final triumph over France.
[When Napoleon ...
[When Napoleon ...
***** "In His Majesty's Service" collects the first three books of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series: "His Majesty's Dragon", "Throne of Jade" and "Black Powder War", reviewed separately, and a short st...
"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini is a farm-boy who finds a dragon egg that hatches for him into brilliant blue Saphira. She winks, laughs, purrs with humming, and, as a mature 6-month war victor, falls over after overindulging in m...
**** "Crocodile of the Sandbank" is a must on my reread list. Elizabeth Peters creates the most wonderful heroine, Amanda Peabody, a smart spinster, large in body and spirit, who narrates uniquely in an old-fashioned pedantic firs...
***** (the best so far of a favored author) "The Will of the Empress" by Tamora Pierce might be called "Stitch Witch", because set against royal whim is the featured character of four chilhood progidies from mage school ...
**** "The Wee Free Men" (Discworld story) are small blue kilted warriors led by the trainee-witch dairy maid Tiffany to rescue her sticky toddler brother from the fairy Queen. I've read too many books by Terry Pratchett I cannot ...
"Dr. Who - Aliens and Enemies" has David Tennant #10 & Rose on the cover, but goes back years. Oriented to child or afficianado with minor character names yet missing photos of mentioned companions sent me internet searching for o...
**** "The Lightning Thief" is the first book in the funny greek myth-based saga, Percy Jackson & the Olympians. I tried Rick Riordan's adult Cold Springs, about teen drug addicts and murder. I greatly prefer his silly juvenile hum...
This is a representative overall comment until I come across specifics. I cannot remember which J.D. Robb or specific Eve Dallas long and short stories I have read. I devoured many. She has a talent for murder mystery and explicit romance. ...
When illness (lupus) repeatedly threatened my life, I tried preventative measures, reading and experimenting with nutrition. The first edition of this book lost its cover because every single recipe I tried actually tasted good, unlike most...
Classic. Laugh, cry, yearn, fear. Painful death starts here with his parents and gets worse. The monsters and villains get scarier. The series gets harder. Britain has always fascinated me. Rowling has built a real permanent world, like Tol...
**** "Holes" are dug in the sand by young criminals for their correction [spoiler: but actually a treasure hunt]. I first saw the movie, then the book by Louis Sachar. A family bad-luck curse sends Stanley wrongly to a convict cam...
I met Robert and his wife when we were part of the same Toronto fantasy scifi crowd. He wouldn't remember me, but I have followed his career, interviews, website, books, TV show since the start. I have a partiality to his optimistic happy m...
Every December, TV shows versions and parents read the story to their children because the optimistic theme is a classic. I love every Suess book. I think I read them all, repeatedly.
"The Hunchback Assignments" are tasks performed by deformed Modo for the Victorian Empire. I see why Arthur Slade wins awards. This is a cracking scary steampunk adventure yarn, with a hint of attraction between brave and funny te...
**** "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is based on Alexander McCall Smith's actual experience in Africa, and starts a series. Neither action nor romance, these mysteries are short and leisurely. Hard to believe a man can create...
"Beyond the Deepwoods" (Edge Chronicles 1) is a lovely dangerous fantasy world woven by words that float wood and stone from Paul Stewart and whimsical inked feathery figures from Chris Riddell. Lanky Twig is special different in ...
***** "The Sky People" are explorers from Earth, on the first two nearby American and Russian settlements in an alternate 1988. S.M. Stirling creates a heroic space-western style adventure, with ambiguity of motivations to show hu...
**** "The Hobbit" is J.R.R. Tolkein's creation. Even a tiny long-lived but innocent Bilbo person with large hairy feet from a country shire can triumph over a vast inhospitable land and gigantic monsters, especially with the help ...
***** "Leviathan" (L1) by Scott Westerfeld is a British steampunk sort of a floating giant whale-ish live-in ecosystem. I love tea-time, even with sardines. The language is a "squick" geek-babble, mostly friendly.
T...
T...
"Money for Nothing" is by Donald Westlake. The author scares and gladdens simultaneously. What if you accepted money since your hungry student days, then suddenly found the cost was fatal, including to yourself?
Greedy spy M...
Greedy spy M...
I cannot remember exactly which Jeeves I have read, but I devoured and giggled over many. I might have seen videos first, with the present actor for Doctor "House". Formulaic: smart butler always bails out silly Brit aristo in Art...
***** fan "Jeeves Omnibus 3" collects P.G. Wodehouse hilarious masterpieces, aristocratic English eccentrics, 1915-30s culture, drawing-room satire, almost Shakespearian mixups, rambling expositions, in effervescent language. 'Co...
**** "Something Fresh" (Blandings 1) by P.G. Wodehouse is the spark of spring restlessness that drive an impoverished young couple to strike an acquaintance and separately decide to icognito steal (back) a valuable scarab absentmi...
***** "Searching for Dragons" (The Enchanted Forest 2) by Patricia Wrede begins when the 20-year old King wants to heal scorched ruins drained of magic energy by wicked wizards to provoke suspicion and war against dragons. My only...
"Dealing with Dragons" (Enchanted Forest Chronicles 1) by Patricia Wrede begins a sweet series; I already smiled my way through the rest. This gem may be my favorite, a cherry among chocolates, because the silliness never falls ov...
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