The Case of the Left-Handed Lady

Author: Nancy Springer

Genre: Adventure, mystery

Series: An Enola Holmes Mystery

Number in series: 2nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: About 170

Time period: 1800’s in London

My overall opinion: A delightful series that I fully recommend!

Cover Focus: A Love Forbidden

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan

 

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “Moved by the desire for adventure and a yearning to help the Ute Indians, twenty-year-old Shiloh Wainright impulsively accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado. The new job, however, isn't what she imagined it would be, and Shiloh soon finds herself caught in the cross fire between the Utes, their unyielding Indian Agent, and the unrealistic demands of the US government. Her unexpected encounter with Jesse Blackwater, an embittered half-breed Ute and childhood friend, only complicates matters as they battle their growing feelings for each other amidst the spiraling tensions threatening to explode into a catastrophic Indian uprising.
Set amongst the wilds of the Colorado Rockies in 1879, this is a tale of a forbidden love and a faith tested in the cauldron of intolerance and the harsh realities of life on the untamed frontier. Bestselling author Kathleen Morgan deftly explores themes of mercy, fidelity to one's beliefs despite what others think or do, and compassion for those different from oneself as she plumbs the depths of the human heart and the healing power of God's love.”

Why I like this cover: This cover probably appeals most to those people who have pink as their favorite color (which isn’t me – I’m all for blue), but I like it anyway. J I would love to see this girl smile…I think that then she would be absolutely beautiful. She looks almost wistful, or thoughtful…maybe reminiscent. And all those auburn ringlets down her back! I can’t figure out how these people get their hair to stay up so prettily. Isn’t it neat how her hair ends exactly where the ruff of her blouse dips on her back? It’s a very interesting ruff. And then a skirt, some mix between sage green and maybe something else. From what I can see of it, it looks like a fairly easy outfit to wear, something you could be fairly active in, as much as you can be active in a long skirt. And then the background is such a pretty sky. Very pink and orange and purple. The landscape too…looks like fall to me, with those yellow and orange trees. Such a pretty river! I’d love to see the whole picture of it. J

Without a Trace

Author: Colleen Coble

Genre: Mystery

Series: Rock Harbor Mystery

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 292

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: It was a fun and interesting book! The mystery was exciting, and I recommend it. J Completely clean, and a good read.

Song: Good Mornin’

Singer: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type of music: Soundtrack

From the movie: Singin’ in the Rain

Length: 4:15

My overall opinion: This is one of the all-too-catchy songs from Singin’ in the Rain. It’s fun, it’s bouncy, it’s great. J

Harvest of Rubies

Author: Tessa Afshar

Genre: Historical fiction

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5 (yes, as in, a favorite book)

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 371

Time period: Bible times (the time of Nehemiah)

My overall opinion: I was so excited when this book arrived in my mailbox! I started reading it almost right away...and finished the book before bed the day I received it. Shows how much I enjoyed it! There was some heart-melting romance…heart-pounding adventure…and heart-moving faith. That pretty much sums it up! The adventures were exciting! The descriptions of what Sarah wore and ate were amazing. Getting to meet Nehemiah, from the Bible, was really cool. It was intriguing to see into the lives of Persian royalty, just a few decades after the time of Esther. I loved the main character, Sarah, and the main guy, Darius. This is definitely a book going on my keeper’s shelf – always! I loved it. Incidentally – can’t wait to read the next book by Tessa Afshar! This book had a sneak peek, and now I’m desperate. And I am also looking forward to re-reading Pearl in the Sand, Afshar’s book about Rahab.

**The author supplied me with a free copy of this book in return for a review. I have received no other compensation for this review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed in here are my own.**

Movie: Flying Deuces

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Genre: Comedy

Primary actors: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy

Length: About an hour

Time period: 1930’s

Year it came out: 1939

My overall opinion: I love Laurel and Hardy’s, and this one not least of all. They’re hilarious!

 

Elizabeth the Queen: the Life of a Modern Monarch

Author: Sally Bedell Smith

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Biography

Number of pages: 663

Time period: Mostly 1950’s - present

My overall opinion: It was pretty good! I really enjoyed learning about Elizabeth II. I think I’d like her. One quote that the book quoted from a man called Callaghan (one of her prime ministers): “What one gets is friendliness but not friendship.” After finishing this book, I think that that describes her perfectly. Anyway, it was interesting and well-written; not too many political details (which would have made it

boring to me), and not flippant either. I recommend it if you want to learn more about Queen Elizabeth II.

Annoying Ladies Mini-Tournament Round 4

Wow! I don’t know about you, but for me, this tournament is flying by! I can’t believe that we are onto the fourth and final round. A big thank you to all of you who voted in the last round! It’s been very interesting to watch the polls, and I was amazed to see how close Caroline Bingley and Lucy Steele were sometimes…I thought Caroline would be an easy win there, but I guess not. Here are the percentages:

Poll 1:

Mrs. Elton -- 84%

Elizabeth Elliott -- 15%

Poll 2:

Caroline Bingley -- 48%

Lucy Steele -- 52%

I am making Lucy the winner since she’s ahead as I check now…I won’t be on again until Thursday, and we don’t want to wait ‘til then for the poll! She’s ahead now, so that’s who I’m going with.

So here we are, the final poll:

Poll: Mrs. Elton (Emma) vs. Lucy Steele (Sense and Sensibility)

Sorry, no picture...no time. Check out the Round 3 post and see a picture of each. :) Alrighty! Start voting! On May 16 or soon around there, the winner will be officially announced.

H2O, the Novel

Author: Austin Boyd, Brannon Hollingsworth

Genre: Allegory, maybe? Life. Faith. And fantasy.

Series: The Eternal Elements

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 266

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: You know, I’m still not entirely sure what I thought of it. It was rather weird, at least, to me. But it was interesting, and I couldn’t put it down. However, I didn’t really like it by the end, and I don’t think I’ll keep it.

Birthday: Gabby Hayes

George “Gabby” Hayes

Birth: May 7, 1885

Death: February 9, 1969

I’ve posted about him: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/search/label/Gabby%20Hayes

It’s his 127^th birthday!

You know him because – he was Roy Rogers’ sidekick, Gabby. Quite hilarious.

Cover Focus: Love in Disguise

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

 

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk. Mine owner Steven Pierce is about to lose his business after the theft of several bullion shipments--until hope arrives in the unlikely form of Lavinia Stewart, who offers to invest in Steven's mine. In his wildest dreams, Steven never expected to be rescued by an inquisitive gray-haired widow . . . or to fall head over heels for Lavinia's captivating niece, Jessie. But then the thieves come after both Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Will she be forced to reveal her true identity before the criminals are caught? What will Steven do when he discovers the woman he loves doesn't exist?”

Why I like this cover: I was randomly browsing the one of the upcoming books posts (that I utterly love) on Rel’s blog a few months ago and found this most delightful cover. It caught my eye immediately, and I knew I wanted to read the book – without even reading the storyline! Speaking of which…it sounds very fun. Okay. On to why I like it. First of all, that blue hat? Love. The shade of royal blue is so eye-catching, and those little white flowers are so cute! And it goes perfectly with her auburn hair.  Then the cream shirt with a little lace…I like that too. Not such a fan of the green pin, though. Or is it turquoise? I think that Ellie (for that’s who it must be) must be adorable when she laughs! Her face just looks like it. And she’s so pretty. I love this cover!

“Sense and Sensiblity” with Commentary

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Genre: Making-of 

Length: About two hours

Year it came out: 1999 (the commentary – 1995 for the movie)

Original review: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/05/movie-sense-and-sensibility.html

Commentators: Emma Thompson and Lindsay Doran (?)

My overall opinion: I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed the commentary on, say, Prince Caspian. But it was tolerably interesting.

Birthday: John Rhys-Davies

John Rhys-Davies

 

Birth: May 5, 1944

I’ve posted about him: Yes, indeed: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/search/label/John%20Rhys-Davies

It’s his 68^th birthday!

You know him because – he acted as Gimli in “Lord of the Rings.” I love him in that. He was also in Indiana Jones, among other movies.

Day 30 – Blogging

Favorite Posts from This Challenge

Oh, I had so many! But since I must narrow it down…   (click on the post name to go to it!)

·         Day 1 – 15 Interesting Facts about Me

·         Day 3 – My Favorite Blogs

·         Day 6 –  Favorite Actor

·         Day 16 – A Short Wishlist

·         Day 17 – Favorite Books (not classics)

·         Day 22 – Websites I Frequent

·         Day 24 – Six Favorite Classic Authors

By the way...sorry this is so late! My last few weeks here have been uncommonly hectic, plus some troubles with  blogger -- take the format of this paragraph. :P Forgive me!:)

The Case of the Missing Marquess

Author: Nancy Springer

Genre: Mystery, adventure

Series: An Enola Holmes Mystery

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 215

Time period: 1800’s (late)

My overall opinion: It was good! Better, I confess, than I had expected. This series is written for grade-school kids, and I wasn’t a real fan of the covers, so. However, it was fun! Enola Holmes is a sister of THE Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. She solves mysteries in a somewhat similar manner. It was exciting and clean of teen romance, language, or anything else objectionable. A relief, that was. J I recommend this one, and once I read the others, probably them too!

Spotlight: Mr. Darcy

Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

Played by Colin Firth (absolutely perfectly!). And we started with a picture from my favorite scene too!

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

"My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”

"You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”

If those last four pictures didn't leave you with a happy feeling...you've got problems.

Beyond the Farthest Star

Author: Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

Genre: Life, Christian

Series: It’s not in a series, but it’s based on the screenplay by Andrew Librizzi. Apparently it’s a movie that comes out this year.

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 230

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: Wow. It was very interesting, but I didn’t particularly love the story. I do want to see the movie! I have enjoyed other books by the Thoenes more, but this was good.

Annoying Ladies Mini-Tournament Round 3!

Wow! This tournament is flying. :) We are up to Round 3 already! Thank you to everyone who voted in the polls for Round 2. Here are the results (with the percentages that they were at on Tuesday evening):

Poll 1:

Elizabeth Elliot: 62%

Louisa Hurst: 37%

Poll 2:

Mrs. Elton: 80%

Fanny Dorrit: 19%

Poll 3:

Mary Musgrove: 23%

Caroline Bingley: 76%

Poll 4:

Lucy Steele: 74%

Anne Steele: 25%

I really do think that Fanny Dorrit might have passed had she been against anyone but Mrs. Elton…Mrs. E is SO annoying! ;)

Now, the polls for Round 3:

Poll 1: Elizabeth Elliot (Persuasion) vs. Mrs. Elton (Emma)

Poll 2: Caroline Bingley (Pride and Prejudice) vs. Lucy Steele (Sense and Sensibility)

Interesting…we are down to no more than one person from each book!

Alrighty, you can go ahead and vote now! Next week we’ll have one poll with the two winners, and on May 16 (or close to that) the winner of the Annoying Ladies Mini-Tournament will be announced!