I got an ARC of this book from Library Thing. I am a big historical fiction fan and was thrilled to recieve this one. I really enjoyed the story line about how make up was used during Queen Elizabeth I reign. This makeup contained lead and then they used rouge made up of mercury sulphide to hide smallpox scars and the advance of age. I found it intriguing that woman would go to such extremes and the way the body was ravaged by the use of this makeup. The story is about a young woman who is married to an earl who has only one favor to ask of his wife. That is to help him win favor with the Queen. Marget's introduction to the court is disastorous and she trys to do everything to gain her husband's love and the Queen's favor. I liked the book. Just didn't love it. I found it hard to care for Marget or her husband. Need to read more about Queen Elizabeth I to see if she was really as judgemental about beauty as this book makes her out to be. I like the way Ms Mitchell wrote the book. It was very easy to read with much dialogue but just never seemed to totally grab me. For true historical fiction fans only.

I read this book in one day and wish I had it to read all over again. This is the story of a hospital ship in WWII that is torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese. Nine survivors make it to a deserted island in the south pacific and this is the story of how they overcome the odds and adversities of trying to stay alive with a traitor amongst them, till help arrives and before the Japanese come to take over the island. A truly wonderful and engrossing read from Mr. Shors and I can't wait for his next book. I also highly recommend his first novel Beneath A Marble Sky. Another excellent read.

The Mercedes Coffin

Lt Peter Decker is asked to solve a 15 yr old murder cold case after another body is found murdered much like the first. A student of the first body has now made big bucks and will give the police department a seven figure charitable donation to open and solve the first murder. Decker forms a task force to solve both murders and the race is on. The only thing I missed in this book is more of the family. Rina played hardly no part at all but it was nice to see that Decker's daughter's have grown up and can now help their father in his endeavor to bring a murderor to justice. The book keeps you guessing and all in all a good mystery read.

Things I Want My Daughters to Know

This book opens with a letter from Barbara Forbes telling her family what kind of funeral she wants. She has left behind a second husband and four daughters. She has also left each of them a letter of their own and the book is told from varying daughter's perspectives and how different each of their relationships with their mothers was. It was an enjoyable read. Having lost my own mother I could relate to how all the daughters felt once Barbara was gone and trying to overcome the feeling of loss. It was nice that everyone in the book had a happy ending for once.

I Still Have It

This was a nice short weekend read. I have always like Ms Rudner's sense of humor and she still has it. I had a very hard time accepting 50 and it was nice to read some humor about women and ageing. I enjoyed reading about her father and her dog Bonkers. The best line of the book to me was "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." For a quick, short, amusing read this one fits the bill perfectly

I have had this on my shelf at home what seems like forever. I had heard such great things about it I wanted to save it for a reading slump. I have had such a hard time lately finding something to just take me away.. Sad to say Birdsong just didn't do it for me. A young english man falls in love with the wife of a man he has come to learn the textile business from. The book takes place from 1910 to 1918. Much of it is from the battlefields of World War I. I just never felt any feelings for either Stephen or Isabelle who leaves her husband and goes off with Stephen. Mr Faulks does a wonderful job describing the horrors of war but, I just never really grew to care about any of the characters and the book just felt a little disjointed to me. Only an average read...

Damage Control

I started the latest installment in the Joanna Brady series early sunday morning and by early sunday evening I was nearing the end. Damage Control starts out with a bang and doesn't let up till the very last page. Joanna is busy with her new baby, husband, daughter Jenny and several murders and or suicides to keep her busy. Everything is not as simple as it seems and only seems to go from bad to worse but once again Joanna is able to solve the crimes and take control of her own personal life and others to make the book complete. A great summer read.