The Gilder Will Bring You Both Laughter and Tears

The Gilder

By Kathryn Kay

Copyright January 2012

Publisher Kensington Fiction

 

In Marina Nesmith’s skilled hands, even the most tarnished picture frame or objet d’art can be made perfect once again. Her life, too, seems flawless, at least on the surface. But more and more, Marina is conscious of what she lacks–someone to share her joys and sorrows with, confidence in the decisions she’s made, and the courage to tell her teenage daughter, Zoe, the truth about her father.

Then Marina is invited to return to Florence, where she lived years before while learning her trade as a gilder. In those heady days, she wandered the city’s picturesque streets, marveling at the masterpieces in the Duomo and the Pitti Palace. In the church of Santa Croce, she met Thomas, an American photographer who, along with his wife Sarah, introduced Marina to a thrilling, bohemian world of art and beauty. Through them, she also learned about love, lies, and the way one mistake can multiply into many. Now, as her past and present collide, Marina will finally have to move beyond the intricate veneer she’s crafted around herself, and find the life that she–and Zoe–have been looking for.

 

It’s been sixteen years since Marina ran home from Florence Italy. Leaving behind an apprenticeship that she loved, and friends who had no idea why she left.  She’s accepted an invitation to speak at a conference in Florence about her career as a gilder.  Now she must deal with those memories as she prepares her speech, and also deal with a fifteen year old daughter who desperately wants to go to Italy with her.

Zoe has grown up without a father. He was just a series of short answers given to her by her mother in response to her asking about him over the years. And as she grew her questions became more and more detailed, and her mother’s replies giving her less and less satisfaction.

As the date of her departure gets closer Marina’s thoughts drift more and more into the memories of her early life and the key point that ended up with her going to study in Florence.  She has seen an article about the devastating flooding of Florence and the possible loss of so many priceless and irreplaceable paintings and objects d’art.  Her mother showed her how this could be the basis for the report she was writing for her world events class.  As she delved deeper into the story, finding photos in magazines the seed was planted, that and a promise (never fulfilled) by her mother to take her to Italy and visit these sights first hand.

Year after year the promised trip never appeared, till she finally decided that after college she would just pack and go.  She worked during college and saved up the money for her trip, and the course she signed up for in gilding and art preservation.

As her memories unfold, and she fends off her daughter’s questions and tears we are drawn deeply into a young woman’s dreams, life and future career.

I found this book deeply moving and engaging as I was drawn into Marina’s world. I laughed, cried, and found myself sympathizing with problems and the course they took her on.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher, who only requested a fair and impartial review.

What’s in YOUR Mailbox? Jan. 20, 2012

I got a lovely package in the mail today from the publisher.  Not only the books I requested but a coupe of extras.

 

Tangled (Torn Trilogy #2)  By Erica O’Rourke

Published by Kensington K teen  Release Date January 31, 2012

 

 

The Gilder By Kathryn Kay

Published By Kensington Release Date January 2012

 

 

His Dark Bond (Fallen Book 2) By Anne Marsh

Published By Brava Paranormal Romance  Release Date January 31, 2012

 

 

 

A Catered St. Patrick’s Day By Isis Crawford

Published By Kensington  Release Date February 1, 2012

 

I’ll be posting my reviews as I finish them and hope you’ll all stop by to read my reviews and leave comments, likes, or even just Follow Me by one of the options posted on the sidebar.

 

NoraA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar Rush is a Sweet Read

Sugar Rush

By Donna Kauffman

Copyright January 2012

Publisher: Brava Contemporary Romance

When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale leaves New York City for Georgia’s sleepy Sugarberry Island, She didn’t expect her past to follow. Yet suddenly her former boss, Baxter Dunne, AKA Chef Hot Cakes, the man who taught her everything pastry, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. The Same Chef Hot Cakes whose molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani’s mouth water and her cheeks blush the colour of raspberry filling… stirring all kinds of kitchen gossip, much of which Lani wished was true.

Lani’s friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he’ll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal..

Leilani’s life in New York had been great, career wise anyway.  She was chosen by Baxter Dunne as his assistant and she learned a hell of a lot from him, eventually moving her up to Executive Chef and manager of “Gateau” his restaurant.   But while her professional career was going well, her personal life was the pits.  She was secretly lusting after her boss, and the fact that the people who she worked with, who actually thought she’d slept her way to that job just made her feel worse.

After three years as Gateau’s manager and many kudos for her award winning cakes she called it quits and went home to open a place of her own on Sugarberry Island off the coast of Georgia.  There she contentedly sold cakes by the cup.  Yes, she owned a cupcake bakery, and she was extremely proud of it.

Lani is putting the final touches on a batch of cupcakes for the Kiwanis Fund Raiser when her friend Charlotte calls from NY.  Her world is about to be turned upside down again as Charlotte tells her that her old boss, Chef Hot Cakes plans to take his show on the road and have Sugarberry Island and her shop as his opening show.  She is even less happy when the Chef shows up at her back door unannounced and sticks his foot in his mouth, angering Lani in the process.

This is a story about love denied, and finding happiness in your life’s work.  I found it funny, delightful, filled with cupcakes, crazy octogenarians, Hot Chefs,and romance.  I recommend it highly and am looking forward to the author’s next book in this series.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publishers who only requested a fair and impartial review.

Shear Murder is a Sheer Delight

Shear Murder

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Copyright February 2012

Publisher Five Star

 

Weddings always make Marla Shore shed a tear of joy, and she’s slated to attend her friend Jill’s affair as a member of the bridal party. Marla’s own nuptials are weeks away, and she’s been busy juggling bickering relatives, building a new house with her fiancé, and expanding her hair salon.

The South Florida Stylist is following her to-do list just fine until an unexpected even unravels her carefully laid plans. At Jill’s wedding reception, Marla discovers the matron of honor, Jill’s sister, Torrie – dead under the cake table, a knife embedded in her chest.

Unfortunately, Jill has a strong motive for murder. She and Torrie co-owned a piece of commercial property, and they’d disagreed on whether to sell or lease the land. Now with Torrie out of the way, Jill’s decision can rule. Or can it? Her relatives may have some say on who gets control, meaning Jill can’t trust any of them.

Torrie knew secrets about her colleagues, too, things they wouldn’t want revealed. But when Marla learns one of those secrets involves Jill’s past, she wonders if her friend is truly innocent. She’d better untangle the snarl of suspects and iron out the clues before the killer highlights her as the next victim.

 

Marla definitely needs to concentrate on her upcoming wedding.  Unfortunately she first has to deal with getting her friend Jill’s nuptials out of the way.  Not only is she a Bride’s Maid at this shindig, but she is also in charge of the wedding party’s hair and makeup.

What was supposed to be a simple wedding, helping her friend Arnie and his fiancé Jill (which takes her mind off her own wedding) gets Marla caught up, not only in a family squabble but also another murder.

Jill and Torrie get into is while at Marla’s Salon, they get so loud that Marla comments “if they don’t stop squabbling one of them is going to end up dead by the end of the day”.  A more prophetic statement was never said.  The basis of this ongoing argument is their co-ownership of a piece of rental property which needs their attention.  They can’t agree on what to do with it, and the rest of the family (who really should stay out of it) are giving them more advice and offers of assistance then they need.

All this, while they are getting their hair and nails done in preparation for Jill’s wedding later that afternoon.  So it’s a big surprise later when the newlywed couple is finally ready to do the bouquet toss and Torrie is missing.  Exasperated by her sister has disappeared Marla suggests that Torrie might have just stepped out to visit the ladies room and that they should move on to the cake cutting ceremony.  Walking over to where the three tier cake is sitting on a round table, she notices a door leading to the service area. There is a lovely cloth covering the rolling table and the cake is a work of art. Looking  for the cake knife she doesn’t see it.  Lifting the tablecloth to check if it had fallen, Marla is shocked to see Torrie’s dead body stretched out under the wedding cake with the cake knife embedded in her chest.

This is the tenth book in Nancy Cohen’s Bad Hair Day mystery series.  Each book has gotten progressively better and more puzzling, and intriguing in its depth  story line and character enhancements.  Each book brings out more and more of Marla’s ability to not only fall over a body, but solve the mystery before the professionals.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the author, who only asked for a fair and impartial review.

An Historic Mystery to Entrance and Entertain You

The Anatomist’s Apprentice

By Tessa Harris

Copyright January 2012

Publisher: Kensington Mystery

In eighteenth-century England, the murder of Sir Edward Crick sends a torrent of gossip breezing through Oxfordshire; although, aside from his sister, Lady Lydia Farrell, few mourn the young man. When Lady Farrell’s husband becomes the prime suspect in the murder, she enlists the help of Dr. Thomas Silkstone–an anatomist and pioneering forensic detective–to solve the murder and prove his innocence.

Though Dr. Silkstone studied medicine in England under the foremost surgeon in the region, his unconventional methods and unfamiliar field of study have made him an outsider. Still, he agrees to examine Sir Edward’s corpse, but the keenest blade he will use is his intellect. He must determine both the cause and motive of this suspicious death in what will be the first of many cases.

This is the first book in the new “Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mystery” series.  I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it when I saw the notes on the list of offerings for the month. But being an enthusiast of Period Mysteries I just knew I would have to delve into it and see what the author could do with the subject matter.

Dr. Silkstone is a pioneer in what is today called Forensic Pathology.  The science of the body and finding out how and why it died.  He is an American Colonist studying under the tutelage of the very well know surgeon Dr. William Carruthers. In fact Dr. Silkstone is his premiere student,  whose skill with the scalpel was the envy of all the other students.

When a strange woman (who introduces herself as Lady Lydia Farrel) appears at his apartments asking for his assistance in the investigation of her brother’s death and the possible killer being her husband, Dr. Silkstone accepts her request and arranges to go to Oxfordshire and meet with the Coroner before the inquest and offer his services.

This heinous murder has a plethora of possible killers, and the death was caused by devious and at the time undetectable means, truly a challenge to Dr. Silkstone’s skills and abilities.  He will single handedly be inventing the skills to detect and prove the means of death.

While enjoyed the mystery involved very much, I did feel that the story dragged in a few places. I hope in the future the author will try to tie things up a bit more neatly, bringing the causes, and the people involved to a less dragged out conclusion.  All in all it was a challenge to my mind and I recommend this book to lovers of medical and forensic mysteries.

FTC Full Disclosure: I was sent this book by the publisher who asked only for a fair and impartial review.

A Chocolate Sweet Mystery to Entice You.

Chocolate Covered Murder

By: Leslie Meier

Copyright January 2012

Publisher Kensington

 

Between a cutthroat dessert contest and her daughter’s new job at the fanciest chocolate shop Tinker’s Cove has ever seen, Lucy Stone is on a steady diet of tempting treats! But with a killer on the loose, and Valentine’s Day around the corner, there may be nothing sweeter than revenge. . .

It’s frigid in snow-covered Tinker’s Cove, and Lucy is fighting the winter blues–and her widening waistline. No one in their right mind would vacation in Maine this time of year, but to boost the economy, the town is launching a travel promotion for Valentine’s Day. As a reporter for the Pennysaver, Lucy is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer’s Chocolates, and its deliciously handsome owner, Trey Meacham. But when a local fisherman drowns suspiciously, Lucy’s certain her investigative skills could be put to better use. . .

Everyone is shocked when Fern’s Famous Fudge loses its status as “Best Candy on the Coast” to Chanticleer’s pricey newfangled confections. And Lucy soon discovers there’s another tantalizing tart behind the counter. Sultry store manager Tamzin Graves is only too eager to serve her male clientele–who find her as mouthwatering as her beef-jerky-spiked truffles. Leaving a throng of jealous women in her wake, it’s almost no surprise when Tamzin is the next to turn up dead, her body covered in chocolate. . .

Could a bitter ex-wife be behind the crimes? Or a candy shop competitor? There’s no sugar-coating the truth, and as Lucy closes in on the culprit, she may find herself locked in the clutches of a half-baked killer. . .

 

It’s cold and icy out, that’s the first thing Lucy notices as she exits the basement of the town hall, where she attended a meeting for her job as a reporter for the Tinker’s Cove Pennysaver.  This evening’s earth shattering topic was the lack of enough toilet facilities at the town beach.  It ranged from continuing to rent Porta Potties, or to build a new permanent structure.  The groups, both pro and con on this topic helped supply what would be a very lively article.

As she drove home on automatic, she watched the sunset with its beautiful blazing reds and let her mind wander as she created the opening lines of her article. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she was startled to see a dear leap over a snowdrift and landing in front of her, causing her to lose control, sliding, and fishtailing into  the snowbank on the opposite side of the road.

This inauspicious beginning sets the stage for a very nasty murder.  I mean really, you have to be very twisted to turn your victim into a chocolate covered treat.  Plus wasting that much chocolate is a crime against humanity by itself.  Lucy will find that there is no shortage of suspects in this case.

I’ve been a Lucy Stone fan right from my first reading of “Mistletoe Murder”.  Leslie Meier has a fantastic imagination which takes us (the readers) deep into the lives and world of Lucy and her neighbors in Tinker’s Cove.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher who asked only for a fair and impartial review.

A Place Called Home is Calling Out to You

A Place Called Home

By: Jo Goodman

Copyright December 2011

Publisher Zebra Contemporary Romance

 

When Thea Wyndham and Mitchell Baker learn they’ve been named joint guardians for their late friends’ three children, they’re little more than acquaintances. Barely polite acquaintances, at that. Something about Mitch’s forthright intensity has always left ad exec Thea feeling off-balance, while Mitch makes no secret of his disdain when Thea offers him financial assistance if he’ll take sole guardianship. Thea is far from heartless. She’s just plain terrified of her new parenting responsibilities. Both she and Mitch are romantically involved with other people. Yet the more time they spend together, the less certain she is of her loyalties. There are complications and mis-steps, tears and laughter – lots of it. And somehow, through it all, the dawning realization that the last place she thought she’d find herself could be just where she belongs.

 

What kind of co-parents and guardians do you get when you ask two friends who apparently don’t get along, are of the opposite gender, and happen to already in steady relationships? This is the situation that Thea Wyndham and Mitchell Baker find themselves in.  At the time they agreed to be guardians for their friends Gabe and Kathy, they never imagined that this vital married couple would die, together in a common accident, leaving behind two young children.

Mitch and Thea both have busy, separate lives.  Now they are forced to make concessions and work together to care for and raise two exceptionally smart kids and not kill each other while doing it.

Thea is engaged to an older man, with grown, married children, and no wish to be raising a new generation.  He wants to be able to say “Thea let’s take the plane and fly off for a weekend getaway”. Mitch is single with a girlfriend who is in no way interested in raising children at her age, she wants to work in her family’s real estate business, travel, party and have a good time.

With a room full of lawyers, and differing viewpoints, somehow they must work together and provide a safe and cherishing environment for eleven year old Emily and her twin brother Case. This will definitely be a battle of wits and patience.

I enjoyed this book on so many levels.  I grew up in a single parent house, my mother worked in the family business and I spent a lot of time on my own (a 1950’s latchkey kid).  Seeing how the twins react to the loss of both parents and being dropped into the home of their “Uncle” Mitch, is in a way similar to my mother’s remarrying and my being saddled with two very much younger step siblings.  It’s the getting used to new people, new family and a new home. The author did a fantastic job in painting this situation in words that will grab you and keep you reading till you reach the end of the story.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publishers who only requested a fair and impartial review.

“Mad” Mick Murphy will Blow You Away

Free Range Institution

By: Michaels Haskins

Copyright February 2011

Publisher Five Star

When journalist Liam “Mick” Murphy lies to the chief of police in order to get a story, he uncovers a conspiracy to smuggle a cheap, lethal cocaine-based drug through Key West. Before long, local authorities, federal agents and drug cartel hit men are looking for Murphy because of what they think he knows. With help from an eclectic group of friends, including an old black[ops acquaintance from Central America, Murphy sets out to prove who’s behind the smuggling plot and distance himself from the violence that has spawned havoc on the island.

Soon, Key West starts to look like the Wild West as bodies are scattered in the streets and businesses get shot up. Murphy and his ragtag army do their best to survive and strike back, but stopping the drug delivery becomes impossible when the smugglers outgun Murphy’s crew in a grisly battle on the water. Back in Key West, Murphy escapes more mayhem and confronts the conspirators, with devastating results.

Liam “Mick” Murphy had a career in journalism that took him all over the world.  After a devastating event cause him to quit full time reporting, he semi retired to the Florida Keys.  There he works as a free lance writer and journalist for hire.  A phone call from a friend causes him to be caught at the sight of that friend’s demise.  He knows he shouldn’t lie to the cops, he knows that it will only come back to bite him in the rear. But he does it anyway because he also knows that his friend’s death is not a suicide.

Within days of his friend Jay Bruels’ death he is caught up in what turns out to be a very nasty murder and conspiracy operation by elected local officials, bought Federal Agents and a South American Drug cartel. These people were using the Keys as their entry point to bring their drugs into the country, and now they also wanted to bring in an extremely cheap and extremely deadly new drug.

Mick and his on again off again girl friend Tita Toledo (a very sought after attorney) are going to have their lives and their relationship stretched well past the breaking point.  With the help of a rag tag group of friends, (who by some coincidence are all agents, former agents) plan and run their own investigation into the murders and drugs.  There will be shoot outs, high speed boat chases, and well… You’ll just have to read the book to find out who does what to whom, and who wins out at the end.

This was my first taste of  a Mad Mick Murphy book and I love it.  Mick reminds me a little of Travis McGee what with the way he gets involved in things and helping friends.  I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series for as long as the author offers stories to read.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the author who only asked for a fair and honest review.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Kiss of Frost is a Deadly Winner

Kiss of Frost

By: Jennifer Estep

Copyright December 2011

Publisher: Kensington Teen

 

Logan Quinn was try­ing to kill me. My Spar­tan class­mate relent­lessly pur­sued me, swing­ing his sword at me over and over again, the shin­ing sil­ver blade inch­ing closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes prac­ti­cally glowed with the thrill of battle…

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword…

 

Gwen’s gift as a Gypsy is the power of psychometry, the ability to read any object and know who owned it and its history.  But Gwen’s powers are growing along with her as she gets older.  She is attending Mythos Academy to learn how to control her gift, and to learn how to protect herself in a world where she never knew when the Reapers or even a classmate would try to kill her.

Gwen is still not too happy about being at Mythos Academy. She continues to sneak out to visit her grandmother and pick up the homemade cookies and cakes she makes for Gwen.  As her life gets more and more complicated at school, her talent is maturing and expanding.  She is starting to get visions of things that happened to other people but affect her in her personal life.

In this second book of the Mythos Academy Series, we are learning more about Gwen, her teachers and even her family history, which in many places overlaps uncomfortable for Gwen.  The author is taking us deeper and deeper into the lives and history’s of the characters and we, as we are drawn further into the lives of these people often find ourselves taking sides, for and against many of Gwen’s classmates and teachers.

I personally hope, and think that this YA series is going to be the next major long running story line for 2012 and beyond.  I hope you agree.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher who only asked for a fair and impartial review.