Barbara M

• Rated 3 stars

“Audio book read by Scott Brick. The fourth in the Cotton Malone series. Cotton is looking for his father who was lost in an experimental sub. He gets caught up in a big mix of a story. It is somewhat typical; conspiracy mixed with discoveries of ancient civilizations. The major historical character that introduces the story (also a device he uses) is Charlemagne and his trusted ally Einhard. There was also the historical periods in the '30s and '40s. The story flips back and forth during those time periods and jumps in place very abruptly. The story is still very clever but the formula is getting a little too formula-like. I've enjoyed the Cotton Malone stories but this wasn't one of the best. Maybe one more try with number 5 but not right away. ”

Barbara M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“This is the second in the Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogy, set in Ireland. The first one reminded me that I really do like Nora Roberts' storytelling even though I've only read two or three of her series. It made me smile and laugh and have that sweet feeling without it being too far over the top.

It was pretty obvious (without the series name Gallagher to give it away) who would be featured in the next book. This one is the story of middle brother Shawn and Brenna who broke his nose when they were younger. I loved the role-reversal in this but I don't want to give a lot away. Let's just say the Shawn likes things the way they are and Brenna likes to move things along.

One could argue that the story is predictable and I'd have to agree but it is the route to the predictable end that makes these stories enjoyable. Nora's characters are wonderful, the dialog is good, and the way the characters act and react, get into and out of situations, is fun. Realistic? Probably not but this is escapism at its best. I'm not even a big romance fan but I like this and will read the third which will be about Darcy, of course. I already know who her love interest will be even though she hasn't met him yet.”

Barbara M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A Sister Fidelma Mystery. How do you pronounce Fidelma? In fact, that was the biggest problem, the pronunciation of the old Saxon and Irish names. This is a wonderful story, written by an expert on Irish history. However, it doesn't feel academic.

Tremayne sets the stage and presents the mystery. I don't try to figure out mysteries but, in this case I knew the killer before Fidelma revealed it. It doesn't matter, Tremayne (Peter Berresford Ellis) has done a wonderful job revealing a time period I knew little about. It's the 7th Century and the Christian faith is undergoing some conflicts; whose rule should be followed in Northumbria? Which is the correct date for Easter? How should the monks tonsure be cut? Should the religious be celibate? In the midst of that there is a terrible murder, the Abbess Etain of Kildare, a friend and teacher of Fidelma, has had her throat cut. Fidelma (Irish) is asked to investigate since she is an advocate of the courts but she must work with the Saxon brother Eadulf. Each of them are quite young in today's terms but quite well educated.

It amazed me how much more advanced Ireland is than the still scattered governments of the Saxon, Angles, and Picts. Tremayne sets the stage in the beginning by introducing Fidelma's world. I definitely want to read more of these intelligent and delightful mysteries.”

Barbara M wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I didn't think there could be a trilogy by Roberts that I would like as much as I did the Chesapeake series. This was so good, right from the introductory letter to "Dear Reader." I knew I'd have to suspend belief because there would be faeries from myths and, as Roberts said in the letter "it could happen." I was willing, so I let that part work in the story. She had me at the last paragraph, "I'd like to take you back to Ireland with me, through the doors of Gallagher's Pub where the fire's burning low and the pints are waiting. I have a story to tell you.

The most unbelievable part of the book, was not where the myths and legends came alive but when Aidan, who has had all the right words and moves, suddenly can't figure out how to convince Jude to see things his way (and I'm not saying more about that or it will be a spoiler). I loved the way Jude grew as a person, which had more to do with the people she met than the romance.

I also felt that Roberts did a very good job presenting the speech patterns of the Irish without slipping into trying to write in the vernacular.

I'm not a big romance reader. I read them occasionally but used to read them often. I'm more into mystery and contemporary and novels with historical settings. However, I've already ordered the next in the trilogy since I'm pretty sure it will focus on Brenna and I loved that character.”

Barbara M wrote this review Wednesday, January 18, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Molly Murphy is in big trouble. Queen Victoria has died and the Irish are hoping the new King will treat them better. That certainly isn't the case with the English landowner Molly's family works for, he presumes that Molly belongs to him. His attack results in Molly running away for her life. She heads to Dublin with a few coins in her pocket and ends up in New York! This is a fast moving story that does rely on some serendipitous events but it provides some terrific insight into the times. Molly seems a bit too modern but a thoroughly enjoyable character. I'll read more of this series.”

Barbara M wrote this review Thursday, January 12, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“This book took me too long to read. It was a good book, but the timing was bad since I picked it up in the beginning of December and was too busy to sit and read most times. The story was good, there was the humor I expected a good mystery and an exciting ending. This particular copy, however, had some obvious typos and they were a bit distracting. ”

Barbara M wrote this review Thursday, January 5, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is the second in the Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James mysteries. I really like these characters of Duncan and Gemma. The first one was good but this one was better. Duncan's neighbor is dealing with terminal cancer. Jasmine is a reserved and lovely lady and Duncan stops in fairly often to see how she's getting on. When she dies suddenly, it feels too soon. Duncan finds out that she considered suicide so he orders an autopsy. From this point on we slowly (but not too slowly) learn about Jasmine's life and are introduced to her brother, a few other friends and one unsavory character. The mystery is good, the action in this one was pretty non-existent but there is still plenty of tension and good character-building. I hope to read at least one or two more before attending an event with the author this spring.”

Barbara M wrote this review Thursday, December 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Audio Edition. Lake of Dreams is the name of a (fictitious) town in Upstate New York. Lucy Jarrett lives in Japan with her boyfriend Yoshi. There are earthquakes that unnerve her; this may be true of her relationship with Yoshi since she isn't sure where this is going. She's out of a job and learns that her mother has had a car accident. Although her mother is not badly injured, Lucy decides to go home. Ten years ago, her father died in a drowning accident so more upheaval at the lake house in Lake of Dreams is likely.

The family grew up around locks, the family have been locksmiths for generations. Lucy is a natural lock-picker and, in this story, she unlocks a lot of unknown information about her family history. This is a terrific book for those interested in family histories and genealogy. Water is also a theme throughout the book, from her father's drowning, to her brothers lifestyle on a boat, her late night swims, and a terrific scene with a waterfall. In fact, Lucy's teenage love is named Keegan Fall and he has an good role in the story. There were some wonderful stories of stain-glass making.

I enjoyed the story and the reader was quite good. She did Yoshi's accent very well IMHO. The story seemed just a tad too long but that may have been because I was slow in getting back to the book after I put it down. There was Thanksgiving with family in another state (10 days), and an interruption when a long awaited library book came in with a 1 week loan period. The characters and the setting were well-developed and memorable for me.”

Barbara M wrote this review Tuesday, December 13, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“I think Evanovich is back if my giggles and bursts of laughter are any indication. Stephanie is just returning from Hawaii where she's "abandoned two angry men." The long plane ride is made worse by guy who "was snoring like a bear in a cave." "After several loud passenger comments suggesting someone take the initiative and smother the guy, flight attendants confiscated all pillows and began passing out free alcoholic beverages. Three-quarters of the plane was now desperately drunk." This was only the first 3 pages. And it continues have the slap-stick humor so typical of the Plum novels. One thing for sure, it is hard to read one of these humorous adventures without getting hungry for donuts, fried chicken, or pizza from Pino's. We all know why Lula is a large woman (don't call her fat) but I don't understand how Stephanie manages at all! This is definitely a fantasy for the author, to be able to eat anything anytime and still fit into her clothes. For a long time the reader won't know what happened in Hawaii because "it's complicated" but she does have a tan-line on her ring finger. Good fun, a great trip to an unrealistic but fun adventure in NJ.”

Barbara M wrote this review Saturday, December 10, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“Not my cup of tea, I guess and that only happens rarely. I read up to page 98, Chapter 25. I just couldn't get myself to care about these characters or get involved in discovering what happened to Daisy's child (Lenore) or if she ever really existed. I don't give up on books, I gave up on this one. Too many books I was looking forward to reading to waste time on one that just didn't do it for me.”

Barbara M wrote this review Saturday, December 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink )