samdog123's Completed Shelf
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samdog123's rating:
Added Apr 03, 2018
The Chilbury Ladies' ChoirThe Chilbury Ladies' Choir, BookA Novel
by Ryan, JenniferBook - 2017Book, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Mar 28, 2018
Comment:
I've been reading a lot of books about WWII in the last year. Some have been better than others, but this one is right at the top of the list! A cosy little village called Chilbury is the home of women who are missing their husbands, sons and relatives. When a local music teacher suggests they form a choir, it enriches everyone's spirits and provides a sense of pride and accomplishment. The characters are terrific, especially Mrs. Tilling and young Venetia. Both grow by leaps and bounds throughout the book and I enjoyed reading about them every step of the way.I've been reading a lot of books about WWII in the last year. Some have been better than others, but this one is right at the top of the list! A cosy little village called Chilbury is the home of women who are missing their husbands, sons and…
samdog123's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2018
Comment:
Beautifully written, this story follows Jean Perdu, a 'literary apothecary", who sells his healing books from a barge on the river Seine. Jean is mired in sorrow and loss from a woman who left him 20 years ago. Although I found myself frustrated with Jean for putting his life on hold for all that time, I loved reading about his healing process as he travels with friend Max to the Luberon to make peace with Manon, the lover of his youth. I wish that I had more time to really savour this book as the language and descriptions are truly wonderful.Beautifully written, this story follows Jean Perdu, a 'literary apothecary", who sells his healing books from a barge on the river Seine. Jean is mired in sorrow and loss from a woman who left him 20 years ago. Although I found myself frustrated…
samdog123's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2018
Comment:
Really enjoyed this book. Brady and Eve are left alone after their wife/mother dies by suicide. Maddy is the wife and her spirit still looks out for her family, trying to guide them along their way. This could be 'hokey' but its really well done!
Sleep No MoreSleep No More, Audiobook CDSix Murderous Tales
by James, P. D.Audiobook CD - 2017Audiobook CD, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Mar 15, 2018
Comment:
An excellent collection of short mystery stories. I loved them all, especially 'The Visitor' and 'The Murder of Santa Clause'.
The Couple Next DoorThe Couple Next Door, Audiobook CD
by Lapena, ShariAudiobook CD - 2016Audiobook CD, 2016
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2018
Comment:
Every bit a good as A Stranger in the House. Love the plot line and suspense throughout the book.
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2018
Comment:
Excellent second title in the series. Equally as good as the first and I love the tough, stylish cop, Lizzie Snow.
The Bookshop at Water's EndThe Bookshop at Water's End, Book
by Henry, Patti CallahanBook - 2017Book, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2018
Comment:
Two best friends return to a summer vacation home in South Carolina where they spent a few idyllic summers. The women resolve the past with the women they have become in the present day. Sometimes 'past meets the future' books become a bit tiresome, but this one kept me interested and had a good story line.Two best friends return to a summer vacation home in South Carolina where they spent a few idyllic summers. The women resolve the past with the women they have become in the present day. Sometimes 'past meets the future' books become a bit…
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2018
Comment:
In a ruined futuristic city, live Rachel and Wick, both dealing with their own pasts. After 'The Company ' leaves the city to its fate, mechanical and biological creatures flourish-none more terrifying than Mord, a gigantic bear. Then Rachel finds a creature she names Borne. His relationship with Rachel is complicated and neither she or Wick can know what he will mean to their future. Wonderful writing and this book would make a great movie.In a ruined futuristic city, live Rachel and Wick, both dealing with their own pasts. After 'The Company ' leaves the city to its fate, mechanical and biological creatures flourish-none more terrifying than Mord, a gigantic bear. Then Rachel finds a…
A Stranger in the HouseA Stranger in the House, Audiobook CD
by Lapeña, ShariAudiobook CD - 2017Audiobook CD, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2018
Comment:
The second title by the Shari Lapena, author of 'The Couple next door'. This was a terrific suspense story and I enjoyed listening to it of audio book during my drive to work. A wife's mysterious past, combined with a complicated murder, make for a great read. I liked it so much that I put a hold on the audio version of 'The Couple Next door'.The second title by the Shari Lapena, author of 'The Couple next door'. This was a terrific suspense story and I enjoyed listening to it of audio book during my drive to work. A wife's mysterious past, combined with a complicated murder, make for…
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2018
Comment:
Always love the books in this series and the characters are like old friends. The plot was a little simple in this one, but the characters are what makes me want to read each and every one of them.
samdog123's rating:
Added Feb 03, 2018
Comment:
Last in the 'Love in Provence' series written by local author, Patricia Sands. Sands is part of the Women's travel network out of Toronto. Much of these books are set in Toronto, so I enjoyed reading about a city I was familiar with. I enjoyed reading about Katherine, the main character, and how she begins her life after her husband suddenly leaves her on their anniversary. Of course, its a joy to read about France, the lifestyle there and the setting itself. Be warned that these titles do read a bit like a Harlequin romance, but I think you'll still enjoy them.Last in the 'Love in Provence' series written by local author, Patricia Sands. Sands is part of the Women's travel network out of Toronto. Much of these books are set in Toronto, so I enjoyed reading about a city I was familiar with. I enjoyed…
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 24, 2018
Comment:
Pure escapist fiction done right by Jenny Colgan, author of the Little Beach Street Bakery series. When Flora is sent back to her home island of Mure by her London law firm, she rediscovers the beauty of the remote Scottish island and her fragile family relationships. Add an attractive, emotionally distant boss, who Flora is secretly in love with, and you have the start of a lovely read. Thoroughly enjoyed this and will add the Beach Street Bakery series to my list to read.Pure escapist fiction done right by Jenny Colgan, author of the Little Beach Street Bakery series. When Flora is sent back to her home island of Mure by her London law firm, she rediscovers the beauty of the remote Scottish island and her fragile…
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 15, 2018
Comment:
First time author, Sarah Schmidt, has taken the Lizzie Borden story and given us a narrative told through the actual people involved. It's a tightly wound story and the author uses the atmosphere of the house itself to add to the events.. You actually feel like you're right there while you're reading the book. This is a dysfunctional family and the events leading up to the horrific murders are interwoven adding to the build up of what actually happened. It was a fabulous read and I'm looking forward to more from this author.First time author, Sarah Schmidt, has taken the Lizzie Borden story and given us a narrative told through the actual people involved. It's a tightly wound story and the author uses the atmosphere of the house itself to add to the events.. You…
Dinner With EdwardDinner With Edward, BookThe Story of A Remarkable Friendship
by Vincent, IsabelBook - 2016Book, 2016
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 10, 2018
Comment:
A charming story about a friendship between a troubled young female reporter and the elderly father of a friend. Lovely lessons about life and living life to it's fullest.
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2018
Comment:
An excellent start to a new mystery series featuring, Lizzie Snow. Lizzie's a tough city detective who moves to Bearkill, Maine to search for her missing niece. Soon she becomes embroiled in the community and the crimes committed there. She's a great character and I'm looking forward to reading the next title in the series!An excellent start to a new mystery series featuring, Lizzie Snow. Lizzie's a tough city detective who moves to Bearkill, Maine to search for her missing niece. Soon she becomes embroiled in the community and the crimes committed there. She's a…
The Daughter of Sherlock HolmesThe Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, Book
by Goldberg, LeonardBook - 2017Book, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2018
Comment:
Any Sherlock Holmes fans willl enjoy the twist on this story where Holmes' daughter works with John Watson and his son. A clever, quick read that sets us up well for a new series and one which I will be looking forward to with great pleasure! Once again 'the game's afoot!Any Sherlock Holmes fans willl enjoy the twist on this story where Holmes' daughter works with John Watson and his son. A clever, quick read that sets us up well for a new series and one which I will be looking forward to with great pleasure! Once…
samdog123's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2018
Comment:
I really like Hazel Gaynor's books and this one is no exception. A mystical, lovely story about the Cottingley fairy sightings that occurred in the early 20th Century in rural England. Follows the narrative of the two girls who took pictures of fairies, which later turned out to be a hoax--or was it? The past and the present overlap and the threads of the old and new stories bind together very well.I really like Hazel Gaynor's books and this one is no exception. A mystical, lovely story about the Cottingley fairy sightings that occurred in the early 20th Century in rural England. Follows the narrative of the two girls who took pictures of…
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2017
Comment:
The Heffley family go south for the Christmas holiday. As you might expect, all heck breaks loose and Greg's adventures are as hilarious as ever!
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 13, 2017
Comment:
Cyra and Akos belong to different societies on their planet--she is Shotet, a fierce warring people, and he is from Thuvasete, a cold more peaceful part of the planet. When Akos is kidnapped and his family destroyed, he becomes a servant to Cyra, who is know as 'the scourge' due to her current power of inflicting pain. Together they realize what must be done to escape from Cyra's evil brother and how they can hope to resolve the differences between their peoples.Cyra and Akos belong to different societies on their planet--she is Shotet, a fierce warring people, and he is from Thuvasete, a cold more peaceful part of the planet. When Akos is kidnapped and his family destroyed, he becomes a servant to Cyra,…
No Place Like HomeNo Place Like Home, Large Print
by Michaels, FernLarge Print - 2004Large Print, 2004
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 12, 2017
Comment:
This was on a recommended Christmas reading list and I found it to be a bit of a sappy read that somehow worked really well! Enjoyable and you can read it in one sitting.
Last Christmas in ParisLast Christmas in Paris, BookA Novel of World War I
by Gaynor, HazelBook - 2017Book, 2017
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 12, 2017
Comment:
The romance between Evelyn (Evie) and Thomas is told through letters written between the two during the 1st World War. Always love to read about women and society back then and how wartimes changed their role in life. A very enjoyable and positive read that's excellent for this time of year.The romance between Evelyn (Evie) and Thomas is told through letters written between the two during the 1st World War. Always love to read about women and society back then and how wartimes changed their role in life. A very enjoyable and positive…
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 03, 2017
Comment:
Saccharine story line and a predictable play on the title of the book. Read it in one sitting. As a previous reviewer said, fans of Macomber will enjoy this story.
samdog123's rating:
Added Dec 03, 2017
Comment:
Never a dull moment in Tinker's cove, home of Lucy Stone and her family! This cosy mystery series has been a staple in my mystery reading for many years.
samdog123's rating:
Added Nov 28, 2017
Comment:
When Grace's husband disappears, she must pick up the pieces of her life. With young daughter Harry, she gets a job helping Fraser with his memoirs. But, the past meets the present with two adjoining pieces of an antique tiara and a 40 year old love affair.When Grace's husband disappears, she must pick up the pieces of her life. With young daughter Harry, she gets a job helping Fraser with his memoirs. But, the past meets the present with two adjoining pieces of an antique tiara and a 40 year old…
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