Cheli's Love Affair with Books 4th Qtr

I've continued to find books that I love so my love affair will go on in the 4th Qtr. Here is the link to 3rd Qtr. thread. I don't think that I'm going to manage to fill the bonus category but will leave it, just in case. I may try a few overlaps which will get me to the bonus category easier.

1. Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors / ER/ ARCs CATEGORY COMPLETED
2. Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors - these will be Mysteries and romances CATEGORY COMPLETED
3. The Engagement: this is getting serious - topics I'm seriously interested in - these will be Histories CATEGORY COMPLETED
4. Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment - can't live without romance
5. Something Borrowed/Something Blue - borrowed from the library or friends/sad or blue CATEGORY COMPLETED
6. Something Old - read those TBRs
7. Something New - books that were acquired in 2010-2011.
8. Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
9. Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts, cooking, and hobbies at home - these will be books I didn't get to in the last few years
10.The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books CATEGORY COMPLETED
11. The good old days - Historical Fiction
Bonus - Anniversaries and remembrances - Let the tears flow - Overflows

Here are the finalists in the possibilities by categories. I may, of course, change my mind at any time, but these are the books that are standing front and center at present for reading in 2011. Those that are struck out have been read. Let's see how well I stick to the list.



Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors / ER/ ARCs
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
At Home in Mitford
Lace Reader
Swan Thieves
Outlander
Pillars of the earth
The Sugar Queen
Size 12 is not Fat
A Great Deliverance
Heat Wave
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society
Death in Vienna
The Long Quiche Goodbye
Supreme Courtship

Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors
Burn
Hell Gate
In Big Trouble
The Sugar House
In A Strange City
knit the season
Deadly Decisions
Fatal Voyage
Grave Secrets
Bare Bones
Gingerbread Cookie Murder
Naked Heat Group Read March
The Riesling Retribution
The Viognier Vendetta
Murder on Gramercy Park
Dark Angel
Lord Carew's Bride
French Pressed
The Border Vixen
Crown of Destiny

The Engagement: this is getting serious - topics I'm seriously interested in
Lincoln by Gore Vidal
April 1865
The American Civil War : a military history by John Keegan
1864 : Lincoln at the gates of history
Mr. Lincoln's High-tech War
Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea
The last full measure
Andrew Johnson by Hans Trefousse
Personal Memoirs of US Grant three parts
Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President by Ari Hoogenboom
From the Towpath to the White House James Brisbin
The Chester A Arthur Conspiracy
THE RECONSTRUCTION PRESIDENTS
Mrs. Robert E. Lee: The Lady of Arlington

Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment - can't live without romance
Standin Groom
A Case of Love
The Untamed Bride
The Husband Trap
The Wife Trap
The Wedding Trap
Talk of the Ton
A Summer Affair
Summer in Sonoma
The True Darcy Spirit
The Second Mrs. Darcy**
Darcy's Temptation

Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from the library, friends/sad or blue
The Last Song
The Bonesetter's Daughter
The Red Queen
Fireworks Over Toccoa
South of Broad
The Postmistress
A Light in the Window
The Map of true Places
Any Bitter Thing
The Shape of Water
Murder with Peacocks
My Reading List

Something Old - read those TBRs
The necklace
Real Murders
Above Suspicion
Murder on Monday
Deadly Gamble
Defending Angels
Glazed Murder
Delicious and Suspicious
Call of the Wild
Canterbury Tales
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Sew Deadly
Everlasting
Irresistible @

Something New - books that were acquired or released in the last 12 months
A Murderous Procession
Pirate King
Lucifer Code
The Altar of Bones
The White Queen
The Alexander Cipher
The Exodus Quest
Hannah Swensen 2
Fit to Die
Chili Con Corpses
Stiffs and Swine
The Battered Body
Buffalo West Wing
Scones and Bones
Bedeviled Eggs
Crunch time

Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Paris Vendetta
Emperor's Tomb
The Amber Room
The Plantation
Sign of the Cross
Sword of God
Acqua Alta
Quietly in their Sleep
A Noble Radiance
Fatal Remedies
Touchstone
Queen's Bastard

Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts, cooking, and hobbies at home
The Mournful Teddy
The Clockwork Teddy
The Crafty Teddy
The False-Hearted Teddy
Taste of Innocence
Lost Symbol
A Killer Stitch @
Hanging by a Thread @
Murder in miniature
Murder is binding
The Diva Runs out of Thyme @
Death at Bishop's Keep @

The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
Harry, A History
The Red Pyramid
The Lost Hero
The Magician
The Sorceress
The Necronamer
Mister Monday
Grim Tuesday
Bridge to Terabithia
The Princess and the Hound
The Princess and the Bear
The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia

The good old days - Historical Fiction
Year of Wonders
The Masque of the Black Tulip
The Deception of the Emerald Ring
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
Innocent traitor
Amelia's War
The Body at the Tower
Bleak House Group read February
Gates of Trevalyan

Anniversaries and remembrances - Let the tears flow - Overflows

CATEGORY COMPLETED

I. Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors / ER/ ARCs

1. The Secret of the Pink Carnation 1/5/11 ★★★½
2. The Long Quiche Goodbye 2/10/11 ★★★
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle 2/17/10 ★★★
4. Get Real and Stop Dieting 3/3/11 ★★★½
5. Outlander 3/21/11 ★★★★
6. Deadly Gamble 6/24/11 ★★★
7. Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer 7/1/11 ★★★½
8. Murder Most Persuasive 8/30/11 ★★★½
9. A Great Deliverance 9/4/11 ★★★★
10.Delicious and Suspicious 9/17/11 ★★★
11.At Home in Mitford 10/26/11 ★★★½

Favorite of the category
Outlander
Least favorite
Delicious and Suspicious

8 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
9 were from my own shelves.

II. Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Gingerbread Cookie Murder 1/9/11 ★★★
2. Crown of Destiny 2/2/11 ★★★½
3. Naked Heat 3/28/11 ★★★½
4. Murder on Gramercy Park 4/6/11 ★★★½
5. The Border Vixen 5/15/11 ★★★½
6. Hell Gate 6/6/11 ★★★
7. Prophecy 8/8/11 ★★★½
8. If Books Could Kill - 8/19/11 ★★★½
9. Borgia Betrayal - 8/28/11 ★★★
10.The Riesling Retribution 9/11/11 ★★★½
11.The Sorceress - 11/7/11 ★★★½

Favorite of the category
The Sorceress
Least favorite
Gingerbread Cookie Murder

8 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
6 were from my own shelves.

CATEGORY COMPLETED

III. The Engagement: this is getting serious - Presidential Challenge and background

1. 1864: Lincoln at the gates of history 1/20/11 ★★★
2. Mr. Lincoln's hightech war 2/8/11 ★★★
3. Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea 4/25/11 ★½
4. American Civil War: a military history 6/29/11 ★★★
5. The siege of Washington : the untold story of the twelve days that shook the Union 8/10/11 ★★★★
6. Journal of a Civil War Nurse 8/30/11 ★★½
7. Mr. Lincoln's forts : a guide to the Civil War defenses of Washington 9/7/11 ★★★
8. Uncle Tom's Cabin 9/7/11 ★★★
9. A Confederate Girl's Diary 10/14/11 ★★★
10.Wild Rose : Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Civil War spy 10/28/11 ★★★
11. April 1865: The Month That Saved America ★★½

Favorite of the category
The siege of Washington : the untold story of the twelve days that shook the Union
Least favorite
Southern storm : Sherman's march to the sea

6 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
4 were from my own shelves.

IV. Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment - can't live without romance
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Stand-in Groom 2/20/11 ★★★★
2. The Soldier's Wife 5/26/11 ★½
3. Sugar Queen 6/26/11 ★★★
4. A Case for Love 6/27/11 ★★★½
5. A Summer in Sonoma 7/24/11 ★★★★
6. The Husband Trap 9/14/11 ★★★½
7. Taste of Innocence 9/24/11 ★★★½
8. The Untamed Bride 9/30/11 ★★★½
9. The Elusive Bride 10/8/11 ★★★
10.The Brazen Bride 11/14/11 ★★★½
11.Outlander 3/21/11 ★★★★ overlap

Favorite of the category
A Summer in Sonoma
Least favorite
The Soldier's Wife

8 of the 10 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
All 10 were from my own shelves.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
V. Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from the library, friends/sad or blue

1. Lumby on the Air 1/16/11 ★★★★ BLUE
2. The White Queen 2/20/11 ★★★½ BORROWED
3. The Red Queen 2/24/11 ★★★ BORROWED
4. In the Woods 4/27/11 ★★★ BORROWED
5. Murder with Peacocks 5/20/11 ★★★★ BORROWED FROM TUTU/BLUE
6. The Last Song 6/19/11 ★★★★ BORROWED
7. The Body in the Transept 7/10/11 ★★★ BORROWED
8. Heresy 7/15/11 ★★★★ BORROWED
9. The Last Boy 8/26/11 ★★ BORROWED
10.Edward's Eyes 9/10/11 ★★★ BLUE(SAD)
11.But why shoot the Magistrate? 10/2/11 ★★★½ BORROWED

Favorite of the category
Murder with Peacocks
Least favorite
The Last Boy

4 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
1 was from my own shelves.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
VI. Something Old - read those TBRs

1. Murder is Binding 3/9/11 ★★★★
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 3/28/11 ★★½
3. Above Suspicion 4/30/11 ★★★½
4. Altar of Bones 5/19/11 ★
5. Glazed Murder 6/15/11 ★★★
6. Sew Deadly 7/4/11 ★★★★
7. Real Murders 7/19/11 ★★★½
8. Murder on Monday 7/31/11 ★★½
9. Supreme Courtship 10/4/11 ★★★½
10.The Necklace 11/19/11 ★★★★½
11.Dark Angel 12/30/11 ★★★½

Favorite of the category
The Necklace
Least favorite
Altar of Bones

11 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
11 were from my own shelves.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
VII. Something New - books that were acquired 2010 and 2011

1. A Murderous Procession 1/6/11 ★★★★
2. Bedeviled Eggs 1/22/11 ★★★½
3. Scones and Bones: A Tea Shop Mystery 3/17/11 ★★★½
4. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough 3/30/11 ★★½
5. Treacherous Teddy 5/7/11 ★★★★
6. Fit to Die 6/3/11 ★★★½
7. Beaglemania 8/17/11 ★★★½
8. Leading Questions in Bridge 8/30/11 ★★★½
9. Secret Lives of the Supreme Court 10/19/11 ★★
10. The Plantation - 12/2/11 ★★★★
11. The Most Dangerous Thing - 12/22/11 ★★½

Favorite of the category
A Murderous Procession
Least favorite
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough

6 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
All 11 were from my own shelves.

VIII. Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
CATEGORY

1. Acqua Alta 1/28/11 ★★★★
2. The Amber Room 4/5/11 ★★★½
3. Quietly in Their Sleep 4/8/11 ★★★
4. The Paris Vendetta 5/18/11 ★★★½
5. A Noble Radiance 5/31/11 ★★★
6. Poison 6/7/11 ★★★½
7. Fatal Remedies - 8/8/11 - ★★★
8. Case Histories - 10/19/11 - ★★★★
9. Friends in High Places - 11/8/11 - ★★★½
10. Innocent traitor 12/20/11 ★★★½
11. The mischief of the mistletoe 12/20/11 ★★★★ overlap

Favorite of the category
Poison

8 of the 10 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
1 was from my own shelves.

IX. Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts, cooking, and hobbies at home
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. The Mournful Teddy 1/25/11 ★★★★ hobbies
2. The FalseHearted Teddy 2/5/11 ★★★★ hobbies
3. The Crafty Teddy 3/6/11 ★★★★ hobbies
4. The Clockwork Teddy 4/15/11 ★★★½ hobbies
5. Buffalo West Wing 4/10/11 ★★★★½ cooking
6. Skeleton Letters 10/24/11 ★★★ crafting
7. Murder in Miniature 11/8/11 ★★★ hobbies
8. Needled to Death 11/16/11 ★★★ knitting
9. The Lost Symbol 11/27/11 ★★★ leftover
10.Defending Angels 12/9/11 ★★★ leftover
11.Scones and Bones: A Tea Shop Mystery 3/17/11 ★★★½ overlap

Favorite of the category
The Mournful Teddy
Least favorite
The Lost Symbol

8 of the 10 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
10 of the 10 were from my own shelves.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
X. The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books

1. Bridge to Terabithia 1/25/11 ★★★
2. The Princess and the Hound 5/9/11 ★★★½
3. Mister Monday 6/9/11 ★★★
4. Call of the Wild 6/27/11 ★★★½
5. Grim Tuesday 7/17/11 ★★★
6. Drowned Wednesday 7/24/11 ★★★½
7. Sir Thursday 7/31/11 ★★★½
8. Lady Friday 8/10/11 ★★★
9. The Lost Hero 8/23/11 ★★★½
10.The Red Pyramid 9/9/11 ★★★½
11.The Magician 9/26/11 ★★★½

Favorite of the category
The Princess and the Hound
Least favorite
Bridge to Terabithia

7 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
1 was from my own shelves.

XI. The good old days - Historical fiction
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. The Masque of the Black Tulip 2/13/11 ★★★½
2. Bleak House 2/24/11 ★★½
3. The Deception of the Emerald Ring 2/28/11 ★★★
4. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose 4/18/11 ★★★
5. Year of Wonders 5/2/11 ★★★
6. Amelia's War 5/3/11 ★★★★
7. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine 5/28/11 ★★★
8. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily 7/8/11 ★★★
9. Woman in White 11/23/11 ★★½
10. Innocent traitor 12/20/11 ★★★½
11. The mischief of the mistletoe 12/20/11 ★★★★

Favorite of the category
The mischief of the mistletoe
Least favorite
Woman in White

8 of the 11 were on my original list at the beginning of the year.
2 were from my own shelves.

*********** Anniversaries and remembrances - Let the tears flow - Overflows

NEVER GOT ANY EXTRAS/OVERFLOWS

Found and starred.

MY INTENDED READING DURING THE REST OF 11 IN 11

I. Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors / ER/ ARCs --1 to go
At Home in Mitford #1 in Mitford series
II. Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors--1 to go
A Light in the Window # 2 in Mitford series
III. The Engagement: this is getting serious - topics I'm seriously interested in--3 to go finishing the Civil War
Wild Rose : Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Civil War spy
April 1865
A Confederate Girl's Diary
IV. Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment--3 to go
Elusive Bride - romance
Brazen Bride - romance
Talk of the Ton - romance
V. Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from the library, friends/sad or blue--1 to go
Why Shoot the Magistrate? - borrowed ILL
VI. Something Old - read those TBRs--3 to go
Supreme Courtship - won 2010
Swan Thieves - won 2009
The Necklace - purchased 2009
VII. Something New - books acquired in 2011--3 to go
Secret Lives of the Supreme Court - won 2011
The Most Dangerous Thing - won 2011
The Plantation - purchased 2011
VIII. Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers--4 to go
Case Histories - Europe
Death in Vienna - Vienna
Friends in High Places - Italy
The orchid affair - Europe
IX. Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts, cooking, and hobbies at home--6 to go
Lost Symbol - leftover from 2010
Skeleton Letters - cardmarking
Murder in miniature - miniatures
The Lace Reader - leftover from 2010
A Killer Stitch - knitting
knit the season - knitting
X.The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
CATEGORY COMPLETED!

XI. The good old days - Historical Fiction--3 to go
Innocent traitor
The mischief of the mistletoe
The Woman in White

If I stick to this plan I will have read 81 books that were on my list at the start of the year and 67 of the books will have been my own.

Cheli, I've been dithering about one more authors/series book new to me and I think I may join you this month on At Home in Mitford.

I've been meaning to start that series for a long time.

Great. I started it on the plane. I think that it's in one of the first few Challenges for TIOLI this month. Don't have my list with me, so I'm not sure which.

#94 Why Shoot the Magistrate?

Author: Patricia Sprinkle
Read: October 1 - October 2
Format: Hardback 455 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: unorthodox religions, murder
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Category: Something Borrowed - from the library
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★½

The second book in the Thoroughly Southern Mystery series has MacLaren Yarbourgh attemptng to solve two mysteries - did the minister kill the young girl and who shot her husband.

Reverend Blessed has detailed the murder of a young woman by what he saw in a dream but the police don't believe that it was a dream. As Mac delves deeper into the people involved in the victim's life, she is threatened and Joe Riddley, her husband is shot. To protect herself and her family she has to find the killer.

I've been reading this series a bit out of order but it is still fun because of the characters and the environment, I will definitely continue on.

#95 Supreme Courtship
Author: Christopher Buckley
Read: October 2 -4
Format: Paperback 285 pages
Source: My shelves, giveaway winner
Subject: Supreme Court, marriage, TV personalities
Category: Something Old - read those TBRs
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★★½

What would it be like if Judge Judy was appointed to the Supreme Court? The premise of this book is that the president needs to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee has destroyed the 2 perfect judges that have nominated so to get their goat he nominates Judge Pepper from the popular TV series Courtroom Six.

The public is thrilled with the nomination and she is pushed through. At the same time, the head Senator of the Judicary Committee (who really wanted the job) is recruited by the producer of Courtroom Six to take on the role of the President in his new series POTUS.

This was an extremely fun book satirizing our legistlative and judiciary.

#96 The Elusive Bride

Author: Stephanie Laurens
Read: October 4 - October 8
Format: Paperback 464 pages
Source: Nook
Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment
Genre: Romance
Stars: ★★★

In the second installment of the Black Cobra, the reader follows the travels of Gareth Hamilton complicated by the appearance and involvement of Emily Ensworth (who has decided that Major Hamilton is the man for her). The Black Cobra knows that Emily deivered the letter that Hamilton is now trying to transport to England and so they are both in danger.

Again the Black Cobra's followers work to recover the incriminating letter as well as eliminate those that are involved.

Gareth and Emily protect each other while expanding their personal relationship.

Another fun book with adventure and love at the center.

I read But Why Shoot the Magistrate a few years ago. It's rated in LibraryThing, but it doesn't have a review, so I read it before I really got very active here. I'm not sure that series will ever be among my favorites, but I have enjoyed some of them.

#97 A Confederate Girl's Diary

Author: Sarah Morgan Dawson
Read: October 8 - October 14
Format: Paperback 275 pages
Source: Nook
Subject: Civil War experiences
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious
Genre: Historical Biographical, Memior
Stars: ★★★

I believe that any American, when reading about the American Civil War, tends to try to put their own standing as to whether Unionist or Confederate aside and look at the historical aspect of the volume. I had difficulty doing that with this book because of the apparent authenticity of the trials and tribulations of the author.

The introduction to this diary was compelling stating that "No Southerner at that time could possibly have had opinions so just or foresight so clear as those here attributed to a young girl."

Sarah's adventures may have seemed a bit trivial in some cases for those of our century (collecting clothes, hiding silver), but at her time and place, she was a strong young woman who made every effort to keep her family together during the conflicts that surrounded them.

#98 Case Histories

Author: Kate Atkinson
Read: October 17 - October 19
Format: Audio 9 CDs equivalent 400 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: cold cases, disfunctional families
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, Audio
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: Mystery
Stars: ★★★★

Three families are impacted by tragedies in a different way - a 3 year old disappears, one young woman killed, and a husband murdered. 10 years later private detective Jackson Brodie starts investigations of all three cold cases. Jackson is just what a reader wants in their central character - skeptical, suspicious, resentful - which means that when someone tries to stop him, he just digs in deeper.

The characters involved in all three of the cases are unique and diverse. The Land sisters found Blue Mouse after 10 years are still wondering if little Olivia is alive. Theo Wyre lost his daughter and wonders why she was cut down in the prime of her life and he was left behind. Michelle places her daughter in her sister's care who then proceeds to lose her. The cases are solved, not always skillfully, but in the end, we see how lives intertwine and events resonate like ripples in a lake. The reader can see from the clues that connections are there but how they twist and connect is what makes this book so riveting.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next Jackson Brodie mystery.

#99 Secret Lives of the Supreme Court
Author: Robert Schakenberg
Read: October 10 - 19
Format: Paperback 277 pages
Source: My shelves, giveaway winner
Subject: Supreme Court, judges bios
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★

This book is mainly a collection of short biographical material and unusual anecdotes concerning the lives of past and present Justices of the Supreme Court. Due the political leanings expressed by the author, I would think that some are a litte far-fetched. Though slightly entertaining, not recommended.

Did you see that Case Histories was on Masterpiece Mystery this week? Jason Isaacs plays Jackson Brodie. He does a great job, but I was watching it with my kids - they like the show sometimes - and it was a little too mature for them. It had a warning at the beginning and I should have paid more attention.

I agree that Jason Isaacs made a great Jackson Brodie. I can hardly wait for this Sunday and the next instalment!

I saw that it was offered and set the DVR because I wanted to read the book first. When I finished the book i watched the DVR. My problem was that I had a start when I saw Jason Isaacs because I had to figure out where I'd seen him before. Took me a half hour before I could settle in. I enjoyed it though.

#100 Skeleton Letters

Author: Laura Childs
Read: October 21 - October 24
Format: Paperback 312 pages
Source: Author for review
Subject: religious icons, recipes
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★

Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava Gruiex are back at it as detectives when they witness the murder of their friend Byrle in St. Tristan's Church.

Carmela can't seem to follow the warnings of her police detective boyfriend and gets involved in the investigation and together they get into a few very tight spots.

This is the 9th book in the Scrapbooking Mysteries series. The interaction of the characters has improved and I will look forward to the next in the series.

#101 At Home in Mitford

Author: Jan Karon
Read: October 3 - October 26
Format: Audio 16 CDs equivalent 550 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: small town pastor
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, Audio
Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors
Genre: Fiction
Stars: ★★★½

Mitford, North Carolina is the home of Father Tim, an Episcopalian rector who appears to be facing multiple issues leading to a spiritual mid-life crisis. He doesn't think that his ministry to the townspeople is very effective, he's developed diabetes, adopted a monster dog by accident, and assumed responsibility for an 11 year-old boy when his grandfather becomes ill. All this and a new love interest has moved in next door.

The characters are what make this story come alive. Some make you laugh - Cynthia the new neighbor, others make you want to cry or give them a big hug - Sadie Baxter. Others remind me of neighbors I had when growing up - down to earth and no nonsense. However, Father Tim is the center that draws them together. If my priest were half as good as Father Tim I might still be going to church. He speaks from his heart which obviously embraces the Lord wholeheartedly but he's not preachy.

I had a hard time with the start of this book, it seemed to drag but others had told me that I would enjoy it if I liked the Lumby series so I stuck with it and it was worth the effort. Lumby, definitely not, but Mitford is still a place I might like to visit again.

Hi Chèli - Nice review of the first book in the Mitford series. I may start it next year as it would help me get some books off the shelf at the same time!

#102 Wild Rose: The True Story of a Civil War Spy
Author: Ann Blackman
Read: October 24 - 28
Format: Hardback 307 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Espionage, Civil War,
Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Stars: ★★★

Rose O'Neale Greenhow, have you ever heard of her? To be honest, I hadn't but after reading this book, I'm surprised by that fact. When I think of a spy in wartime in the 19th century, a woman is not necessarily what I imagine, but Rose Greenhow played that part more than adequately. A strong independent woman, Rose, living in the Nation's capital, was a Washington hostess, presidential confidante and spy.

Living in Washington, Rose had a virtual list of Who's Who that befriended her over thirty years - John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Stephen Douglas (her son-in-law), Dolley Madison, Chief Justice Roger Taney, Mary Chestnut, Presidents Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, James Polk, and James Buchanan and she kept a correspondence throughout the war with Jefferson Davis and General Pierre Beauregard.

At the start of the Civil War, Rose Greenhow contacted the Confederate government and offered her services as a spy in Washington. She was given a special cipher and frequently during the early months of the war gathered important information regarding the troop numbers, placement, and planned movements. Never keeping her Confederate sympathies a secret, it is surprising the information she was able to gather and forward to the Confederacy. The success of the South at the first major battle at Bull Run can be linked to messages that she sent directly to General Beauregard.

In 1862 she was imprisoned (first in her own home and then in the Old Capital Orison) for nearly a year and then she was exiled to the south. President Jefferson Davis commissioned her to go to Europe to attempt to persuade England and France to recognize the Confederacy and aid them. During her time there, Rose met with Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens. On her trip home, while running the blockade outside of Wilmington, NC, her ship ran aground and rather than wait for the tide, she insisted on a lifeboat to make land. Swells ravaged the tiny boat and Rose was drowned. Rose Greenhow's strong independent spirit was her downfall because the ship safely made port the next morning.

This book was an amazing tale of a feisty woman of the South, who embraced the southern cause and risked her liberty and gave her life for what she believed in. It is well-written and very informative of issues that were previously unknown to this reader at least.

#32 Great review, Chelli. Not her name, but Rose's story seems a little familiar. I wonder if it was mentioned in another civil war book I've read. Hmmm, wonder which one it could have been.

OCTOBER RECAP
I only managed to finish 9 books - there were a few chunksters - but two categories were completed and I am now 19 books from the end of the 11 in 11 Challenge.

October: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 1 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Case Histories
The worst of the month - Secret Lives of the Supreme Court

I. Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors / ER/ ARCs 11/11 CATEGORY COMPLETED!
At Home in Mitford ★★★½

II. Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series/favorite authors 10/11

III. The Engagement: this is getting serious - topics I'm seriously interested in 10/11
A Confederate Girl's Diary ★★★
Wild Rose : Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Civil War spy ★★★

IV. Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment - can't live without romance 9/11
Elusive Bride ★★★

V. Something Borrowed/Something Blue - from the library, friends/sad or blue CATEGORY COMPLETED! 11/11
Why Shoot the Magistrate? ★★★½

VI. Something Old - read those TBRs 9/11
Supreme Courtship ★★★½

VII. Something New - books that were acquired in 2011 9/11
Secret Lives of the Supreme Court ★★

VIII. Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers 8/11
Case Histories ★★★★

IX. Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts, cooking, and hobbies at home 6/11
Skeleton Letters ★★★

X. The Kids have it - Young adult and children's books
CATEGORY COMPLETED! 11/11

XI. The good old days - Historical Fiction 8/11

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
3 books History/Bios
0 book Health/Hobbies

Fiction:
Novels: 3
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery: 2
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 0

The major push continued in October and I'm really hoping that I can stay on schedule in November.
Hopefully these books will help. I should be able to complete 3 categories if I get these read.

Books for next month:

April 1865
The Sorceress
The Woman in White
Murder in miniature
Lost Symbol
The Wife Trap
Brazen Bride
Friends in High Places
The Most Dangerous Thing
The Plantation
The Necklace

#103 April 1865: The Month That Saved America
Author: Jay Winik
Read: October 28 - November 2
Format: Hardback 606 pages
Source: my shelves
Subject: Civil War, assassination, reconstruction
Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Stars: ★★½

At the end of the Civil War, it is startling that so much occurred in the "final" month. The Confederate Army, led by Robert E. Lee, made one last ditch effort to elude the Union forces of Ulysses Grant but on April 9, 1865 surrendered at Appomattox Court House. Less than a week later, Abraham Lincoln lies dead, assassinated by John Wilkes Booth and Andrew Johnson is the new President. Confederate General Johnston disobeyed Jefferson Davis' orders to fight on and surrendered to Sherman.

The end of hostilities came in 1865 and possibly, Lincoln would have agreed with Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate General, when he said "You have been good soldiers, you can be good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the government to which you have surrendered can afford to be and will be magnanimous."

This book relates the details of these events as well as the background that brought about these results. However, IMHO, it is not well written. If this book is to be constituted as a book of historical fact, then it needs to be severely edited. There are far too many personal observations and conclusions interspersed throughout as well as a jumpy writing style. The author frequently leaves one thought process hanging moving on to another and then jumps back to where he left off. I have no doubt that Professor Winik has researched his topic diligently, however, I believe that this book of 606 pages with another 101 of footnotes could have been more concise if the author's opinions had been eliminated and the conclusions left to be evaluated by the reader with just the facts stated.

I'll pass on April 1865, but Wild Rose sounds good. I'm reading one about Harriet Tubman as a spy. I was looking forward to it and then discovered it's a childrens book. I'm still going to read it, but it's not as in depth as I would have hoped.

#104 The Sorceress

Author: Michael Scott
Read: November 2 - November 7
Format: Paperback 500 pages
Source: loan from a young friend
Subject: alchemy, mythology, twins,
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI,
Category: Going steady: Should we keep seeing each other? - ongoing series
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: ★★★½

Nicholas Flamel is certain that he has found the twins of legend but he must protect them from the Dark Elders so that they can be trained in the maigic of the elemnts and so protect humanity from the threats of monsters and demons of ancient times.

After arriving in Paris, Sophie having already been awakened and taught the element of Wind, she is taught the attributes of Fire. Meanwhile, Josh still awaits awakening and must stand by as Sophie and her teachers battle the dark forces. Just before their escape to London, Josh is Awakened by none other than the God Mars and Josh becomes a warrior/strategist.

Meanwhile, Perenelle Flamel is trapped on the island of Alcatraz. Befriended by a ghost of an old sea Captain, Perenelle is able to outwit several ancient creatures (sphinx, Crow Goddess, Nered) and escape leaving her attackers stranded on the island.

The story is filled with monsters and demons as well as characters from history that have been designated as immortals who come to the assistance of Josh, Sophie, and Nicholas. Perenelle's character is strong and determined and unrelenting in her goal to free herself and reach Nicholas.

The whole story was great fun!

#105 Friends in High Places
Author: Donna Leon
Read: November 3 - November 8
Format: Audiobook 7 CDs equivalent 272 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: bureaucracy, drugs, loan sharks
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: mystery
Stars: ★★★

The 9th installment of the Commissario Brunetti series begins with Guido being confronted by a member of the Officio Castrato, the Registration Office, that controls permits and titles to all property in Venice. According to Signor Rossi, the proper papers for Brunetti's apartment are not on file, and so city records say that his apartment does not exist. Consequences could be a huge fine and possible demolition of his residence.

Brunetti immediately begins to concentrate on who can be of assistance to him in clearing up this matter. Hearing nothing for several months, he is surprised to hear from Rossi who appears to be nervous about something that he wishes to discuss with the Commissario. Before they can meet, Rossi's body is found, apparently having fallen from a scaffolding. Brunetti is suspicious since on their short acquaintance, Rossi had shown definite signs of acrophobia.

Investigating the incident, leads Brunetti into a world of real estate corruption, drug abuse and loan-sharking. The apparent murder of two drug users links high officials to the drug world and shows what having Friends in High Places can do for you in Venice.

This installment seemed to me to be more a test of Guido's ethical and moral honor than a full-blown mystery thriller. Still amazingly entertaining.

I still have to start both of those last two series. First books of both are on my tbr shelves so it's good to see you still enjoying them.

#106 Murder in Miniature
Author: Margaret Grace
Read: November 3 - November 10
Format: Paperback 244 pages
Source: my shelves
Subject: miniatures, dollhouses, illegal adoptions, family
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors
Genre: Fiction
Stars: ★★★

If you're looking for a fast-paced nail baiter to keep you awake at night, don't pick up this book, but if you are looking for a warm and cozy mystery, this might be just up your alley. If, as a child, you loved to play with your dollhouse and even imagined specialized furniture, you could pick up a few tips on how to make your own while following the "investigation" into murder and robberies.

Geraldine Porter is a miniaturist - in other words she plays with doll houses. Gerry is this year's chairwoman of the local Dollhouse and Miniatures Fair and at the same time is visited by her granddaughter who is extremely inquisitive. So when her friend disappears unexpectedly during the Fair, Gerry has to take on added responsibilities. Having a nephew on the local police force, Gerry and her granddaughter try to assist the investigation with personal observations.

This book is not exactly like most cozy mysteries in that Gerry doesn't so much investigate on her own as just gather information. The characters are very true to life and make you want to get to know them better. I'll definitely be reading more in this series.

#107 The Brazen Bride

Author: Stephanie Laurens
Read: November 9 - November 14
Format: Hardback 405 pages
Source: my shelves
Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment
Genre: Romance
Stars: ★★★½

The third installment of the Black Cobra Quartet was a bit different than the previous two. In those we see the troubles and dangers that the two couriers encounter and what forces them to spend their time and efforts with a young lady with whom they fall in love, so naturally, I expected the same type of story for courier #3. Nope, here Logan Montieth is discovered at the beginning on board a ship in the English Channel, fighting with the Black Cobra legions during a storm. He and his attackers are swept overboard before the ship capsizes.

Logan is the only survivor but without his memory. He is discovered and nursed by a lady and her staff on a remote section of the Island of Guernsey. Linnett helps him to recover his memories while their love affair proceeds, ad when he recalls his mission, she gets him to his assigned destination. From there the story is very similar to the previous installments with a few twists and turns.

Of the three books, that I've read so far, this is my favorite because of the strong, dynamic and unusual female character who stands up for what she wants and what she wants to do. Looking forward to the last of the series.

#108 Needled to Death
Author: Maggie Sefton
Read: November 14 - November 16
Format: Paperback 239 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: knitting, alpacas, betrayal
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers - Crafts
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★

Kelly Flynn is still in Fort Connor, CO telecommuting to her business office in Washington while she finishes sorting out the estate of her late aunt and her subsequent inheritance. Having made friends with the ladies at the knitting shop across street, these relationships with the different ladies gets her involved in the investigation of the murder of Vickie Claymore, an alpaca rancher in the canyon.

This is a light and fun cozy mystery with just the right amount of knitting and yarn inserted to handle all the tangled clues and characters. Definitely a fun read - going on to the next one!

#109 The Necklace

Author: Cheryl Jarvis
Read: November 17 - November 19
Format: Paperback 210 pages
Source: my shelves
Subject: friendship, sharing, materialism
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Something Old - read those TBRs
Genre: Non-Fiction
Stars: ★★★★½

Jonell McLain was walking past a jewelry store and saw a beautiful diamond necklace and immediately wondered what it would be like to wear. She went inside, tried it on, and then found out that the price was $37,000. It was great fun for a lark but she knew she would never be able to buy it. Frequently, when she was walking by she'd still see the Necklace in the window, and even noticed it had been reduced to $24,000. Still too rich for her blood. Still thinking about, she wondered how many other women would like to wear something like it on a special occasion and so she came up with the idea of sharing. When she read an ad that the jewelry store was having an auction, Jonell knew it was time to put her plan into action.

With 12 other women, including the jewelry store owner's wife, Jonell bought the NECKLACE and started a special group that touched many lives in Ventura CA. First, they gave it a name - Jewelia. Then they decided how it would be shared - each women would have Jewelia for 4 weeks including their birthday. Then the women would meet and pass Jewelia on.

Soon they were sharing not just among themselves but with others for charity - an evening with Jewelia could raise thousands of dollars as women came and got a chance to wear the necklace for an hour, or 5 minutes but they got the chance.

The story of this Necklace and the amazing 13 women who were its guardian was awe-inspiring as we see how an "exclusive" piece of jewelry got to be "inclusive" at the initiative of its owners.

What startles me about this book, is that first, it's not the type of book that I normally would read but I was at the bookstore and they had a Buy 3 get 1 Free table - of course I could find 3 books I wanted but when it got to the 4th book nothing grabbed me. Then I saw this book and being a Jewelry fiend I picked it up and headed to checkout knowing nothing about it. The book fairy was on my shoulder that afternoon - it's one of my favorite reads of the year!

#43 I've heard about that book, but thought it didn't sound like my type, either. I wasn't sure whether it was a novel, but I see you've labelled it non-fiction. What an amazing story. I may have to reconsider...

This didn't sound like my cuppa either, at first, but now I'm intrigued. Need to add it to my wishlist.

Congratulations on a hot review of The Necklace, Cheli!

Sandy,.

I was a very quick read - each chapter told about one of the women and how the necklace affected her and her relationship with others.

#110 The Woman in White
Author: Wilkie Collins
Read: November 18 - November 23
Format: e-book 627 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: spousal abuse, mistaken identity, marriage for profit
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: The good old days
Genre: Historical Fiction
Stars: ★★½

This book is touted as one of the first detective stories ever written and if they all had followed this book in style and tedium I never would have read another. Maybe because of all the books that I have read that are better written and more of my timeframe, I found this book to be too predictable and the characters 1 deminsional.

Not something that I would recommend.

#111 The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown
Read: November 17 - November 27
Format: Audiobook 16 CDs equivalent 784 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: masons, new sciences
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers
Genre: mystery
Stars: ★★★

This book has been reviewed by hundreds so I won't even begin to describe the plot and story. I will just express my overall opinion.

First of all, let me say that I really enjoyed the first two books with Robert Langdon as the brilliant symbolist but this book fell far short of the excellence of the previous two. Maybe I was expecting more especially since it was set in my hometown, but the story was too predictable and a bit far-fetched (who gets their hand cut off and in less then 48 hours in whirling around the city giving a tour?

It was an entertaining read and I can feel sure that when the book is made into a movie that it will be as entertaining as the others, its just not the greatest literature.

#112 The Plantation

Author: Chris Kuzneski
Read: November 10 - November 30
Format: e-book 416 pages
Source:purchased through B&N for Nook
Subject: slavery, revenge, sadism
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Genre: Thriller
Stars: ★★★★

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with action but also with many thought provoking concepts, most notably, slavery of whites by blacks as a revenge for their past history.

How would you react if you were expecting your handsome boyfriend at the door and instead when you answer you are drugged and kidnapped and when you awake you know not where, you are a slave to a sadistic black man who says that a remote branch of your family enslaved his before the Civil War and now it's payback time?

Does anyone know where you are? Ariane, the kidnapped damsel, is fortunate because her boyfriend before leaving the US service, was a member of an elite taskforce which could handle just about anything. Jonathan and his buddy DJ track down the kidnappers on THE PLANTATION and work to rescue Ariane and 21 others in the same situation.

This is the first installment of the Payne & Jones series. I received book 3 as an ER and knew after reading that one that I wanted to read the beginning books in the series. The book was exciting and kept your attention but at times was a bit graphic in the violence of the situation. Definitely not bedtime material, but definitely a great read.

I'm running out of time so I've decided that I'm going to take advantage of a few overlaps to move me forward and closer to my goal. (the holidays - parties, shopping, decorating, baking all take time away from reading - so far I had 2 parties and been to 3 others - finished shopping and only partially finished wrapping - baking is done but visiting and parties aren't)

113. Defending Angels I've finished but haven't written the review yet.

114. Scones and Bones - recorded in Something New will double up in Setting up Housekeeping- cooking and crafts finishing that category

115. Outlander - recorded in Blind Date will double up in Love and Marriage (it was long enough for two books and went from meeting to marriage so it works) finishing up that category

I'm 2/3 done with Innocent traitor and will count that as Historical fiction as well as Honeymoon (it does have a foreign setting) so that will be 116 and 117. I'm trudging through The most Dangerous Thing (an ER) #118, having trouble with the download of The mischief of the mistletoe for #119, 120 (Historical fiction as well as Honeymoon)and lastly have Death in Vienna for #121(I swore to myself at the beginning of the y ear that I would get this one read - last book of course LOL)

SO 4 books (Innocent traitor,The most Dangerous Thing,The mischief of the mistletoe,Death in Vienna) and I reach the promise land! (last year I only had 1 overlap - this year 4 and next year as many as 32!) If there's time, I will try to erase the overlaps.

Cookies not done yet - check
wrapping not done yet - check
parties not even started yet - check and more checks
Shopping for hubby - not even started
giving bridal shower 2 weeks after Christmas - yikes!

I didn't even attempt the whole 121 this year so I managed to finish what my goal was and even read a few past that. (currently at 73, probably won't finish any more).

There's nothing wrong with overlaps. I may even do that next year. I'll be checking back and know you'll make it.

#113 Defending Angels

Author: Mary Stanton
Read: December 5 - December 9
Format: Paperback 293 pages
Source: purchased through B&N
Subject: murder, hauntings, angels, personal independence
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Setting up Housekeeping/ Leftovers
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★★

Brianna Winston-Beaufort (Bree) is an attorney who having inherited her Uncle Franklin's law practice, moves from North Carolina to Savannah to escape from her family's law practice and strike out on her own. Needing temporary offices due to the fire that killed her uncle, Bree rents the first floor in an old Southern home in the historical district until repairs are complete at the regular offices.

However, the location that she has found, is a bit quirky… smack in the middle of an all-murderers cemetery. A great number of other strange occurrences continue as she is setting up shop - her landlady won't take a lease - just Bree's word is good enough, before she's walked out of the building, letterhead stationery arrives, and her first client calls after he's been declared dead.

This book was definitely a fun read with unusual characters and super writing. It does turn out to be, what I consider, a paranormal cozy mystery, but it was such fun, I'm going to have to keep it up.

#116/117 Innocent Traitor
Author: Alison Weir
Read: November 30 - December 20
Format: Audiobook 16 CDs equivalent 679 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Tudor Dynasty, Reformation in England, succession
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers & The good old days - Historical Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
Stars: ★★★½

The Tudor Dynasty is a part of history is frequently used as the background for historical fiction. The characters are full-bodied, stubborn, zealous in their belief of their own destiny.

This book which is a fictionalized biography of Lady Jane Grey shows her to be no different than other Tudors except for the fact that she did not believe that she should be queen.

Lady Jane Grey was the oldest daughter of the daughter of Henry VIII's younger sister, Mary Tudor. Early in her life, Jane's parents endeavored to arrange a marriage between Jane and Prince Edward, but that was never completed. Her parents instead married her off to the third son of the Duke Northumberland who was the head of Privy Council for King Edward during his minority.

Jane was a zealous Protestant and King Edward on his deathbed named Jane as his successor. He did not want his sister Mary because she was a fanatical Catholic and he could not exclude Mary without excluding Elizabeth, thereby put Jane in line for the throne.

The aftermath which has Jane condemned for treason, shows the ruthless of the period and Mary's obsession with Spain.

The book was an interesting depiction of what may actually occurred at that time. Whether it is true, we will never know, but it was entertaining and well-written.

Wow, I *just* saw this one at the bookstore. Still not sure it's for me, but thanks for the review!

#118/119 The Mischief of the Mistletoe

Author: Lauren Willig
Read: December 16 - December 20
Format: Hardback 339 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: spies, dowerless women,
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL
Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers & The good old days - Historical Fiction
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Stars: ★★★★

This installment in the Pink Carnation is different than all the others in that the modern day characters are absent. The entire story takes place in the early 19th century with amusing characters that have flitted in and out of the previous books.

Turnip Fitzhugh and Arabella Dempsey are perfectly suited for each other because of how their personalities interact but what I enjoyed most was Turnip's realizations that the whole world didn't work the same for others as it did for him.

This was a fun read as well as an entertaining love story. My favorite so far in the series.

It was a fun Christmas romp, I enjoyed it too.

#56 Hoping to get started on that series in 2012 - glad to know that it holds up as it goes

#120 The Most Dangerous Thing
Author: Laura Lippman
Read: November 24 - December 22
Format: Hardback 352 pages
Source: LibraryThing ER
Subject: spousal abuse, mistaken identity, marriage for profit
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Something New - books acquired in 2011
Genre: Fiction
Stars: ★★½

Laura Lippman is one of my favorite authors so when I was given this book to review, I thought "great" I'll have a good book to read and a easy review to write. Nope. For me, this book fell short of Ms. Lippman's usual great stories.

I had a very difficult time getting into it even though I was born and raised in Baltimore (where the story is set) and I was comfortable with the location/setting. The story lagged. A full hundred pages into it and I was still wondering what was going on. The characters seem 1 dimensional as if you could take them all and put them together to make one decent character. The story was choppy - bouncing from one time frame to another and never really getting any rhythm.

I'm really sorry to say that I didn't like it, but I will not abandon an author of MS. Lippman's talents just because of one book.

#121 Dark Angel

Author: Mary Balogh
Read: December 26 - December 30
Format: Paperback 308 pages
Source: My shelves
Subject: reputations, regency
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS
Category: Something Old - read those TBRs
Genre: Romance
Stars: ★★★½

Dark Angel tells the story of the Earl of Thornhill who has returned from exile in Europe and how his search for revenge turns against him into a love story. It was entertaining and a nice way to end the year.

MY CHALLENGE IS COMPLETE!

DECEMBER and YEAR-END RECAP
I reached the promised land of completing my yearly challenges.

December: 3 pre-owned: 2 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 6 books.
Best of the Month: The mischief of the mistletoe
The worst of the month - The Most Dangerous Thing

Here's What I read this month:
The Plantation ★★★★
Defending Angels ★★★★
Innocent traitor ★★★½
The mischief of the mistletoe ★★★★
The Most Dangerous Thing ★★½
Dark Angel ★★★

January: 5 pre-owned : 4 borrowed : 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: A Murderous Procession
February: 3 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 3 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: StandIn Groom
March: 4 pre-owned: 0 borrowed: 1 new: 3 ARC - 8 books.
Best of the Month: Murder is Binding
Favorite of the Quarter: A Murderous Procession
April: 3 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Buffalo West Wing
May: 1 pre-owned: 7 borrowed: 1 new: 2 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: Treacherous Teddy followed by The Princess and the Hound
The worst of the month - Altar of Bones
June: 4 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 11 books
Best of the Month: The Last Song
The worst of the month - No really bad book this month!
July: 4 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: A Summer in Sonoma
The worst of the month - Murder on Monday
August: 1 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 3 new: 3 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Murder Most Persuasive
The worst of the month - The Last Boy
September: 4 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: A Great Deliverance
The worst of the month - Edward's Eyes not really bad but it could have been more expanded.
October: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 2 new: 1 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Case Histories
The worst of the month - Secret Lives of the Supreme Court
November: 5 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 0 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: The Necklace
The worst of the month - April 1865: The Month That Saved America
December: 3 pre-owned: 2 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 6 books.
Best of the Month: The mischief of the mistletoe
The worst of the month - The Most Dangerous Thing

Best of 2011:

Buffalo West Wing ★★★★½
The Necklace ★★★★½
A Murderous Procession ★★★★
A Great Deliverance ★★★★
Lumby on the Air ★★★★
Summer in Sonoma ★★★★
Murder with Peacocks ★★★★
Murder is binding ★★★★
The Mournful Teddy ★★★★
Stand-in Groom ★★★★
The Plantation ★★★★
Sew Deadly ★★★★
Princess and the Hound ★★★★
Defending Angels ★★★★


Yearly total
Books Read Owned 65 (Pages: 23,080)
Books Read Borrowed 12 (Pages: 7,345 )
Audio Books heard 31 (376¼ hours, 13,625 equivalent pages )
Total 117 books 44,050 pages

Challenge progress
75 book Challenge 117/75
11 in 11 Challenge completed
50 State Challenge 31/50 + DC
Endless European Challenge 11/48
BOYS 2011 65/60

Total Completed
64 books, 17 Nook Books and 36 audio books - 44,050 pages
105 fiction; 12 nonfiction

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
11 books History
1 book Health
1 instructional

Fiction:
Novels: 13
Youth/Children/fantasy: 11
Mystery: 46
Historical Fiction: 30
Classic: 4

New Series started
Pink Carnation Mysteries
Bear Collector's Mysteries
Cheese Shop Mysteries
Booktown Mysteries
Lynley/Havers Mysteries
Dublin Murder Squad
Anna Travis Mysteries
Elizabeth Parker Mysteries
Meg Langslow Mysteries
Poisoner Mysteries
Pet Rescue Mysteries
Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries
Dorothy Martin Mysteries
Giordano Bruno Mysteries
Lois Meade Mysteries
Jackson Brodie Mysteries
Miniature Mysteries
Memphis BBQ Mysteries
Outlander
The Mitford Series
Black Cobra Quartet
Trap Trilogy
Keys to the Kingdom
The Princess and . . .
The Heroes of Olympus
Kane Chronicles

Challenge results

75 Challenge - 117 books were completed
11 in 11 Challenge - completed with only 4 overlaps
BOYS (Books Off Your Shelves) goal 60/read 65
2 books were read for the Endless Europe Challenge
No books were read toward my 50 State Challenge
USPC has progressed through Abraham Lincoln

Other stats
84 of the 117 books read were candidates on my list at the beginning of 2011.
104 books were read for TIOLI

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year and a great books for the future!

Find me at the new 12 in 12 Challenge at this thread http://www.librarything.com/topic/122266

HNY to you too! I see a few books on your best list that are in my TBR pile - probably because of you :). Lots of great stats that you keep. See you over on 12/12.

Impressive stats! And congratulations on completing the challenge - what perfect timing!

Congratulations on finishing and WOW, what a list of new series you started in 2011!

Congratulations, Cheli! Great wrap-up!

Happy New Year!

Way to go! Let's hope next year is another great reading year.

Congratulations on completing your challenge!