'Death of a Glutton' by M.C. Beaton

Genre: Cozy Mystery

About: (From Goodreads)
A greedy glutton meets a gruesome end in the latest Hamish Macbeth mystery. When the woman is found dead--and an apple stuck unceremoniously in her mouth--Macbeth has to postpone his wooing of the Tommel Castle Hotel proprietress, Priscilla, in order to solve the case.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• Several of my blogging buddies love cozy mysteries and this author. I found a bunch of them for 25 cents each last year at my library sale..I bought all that they had!!

What worked for me:

• The witty writing!! It will certainly keep me coming back for more.
• Hamish- I like him and am cheering on his love sickness for Priscilla!!
• The setting of the story- Northern Scotland
• The characters- funny, eccentric, but yet so believable!!
• It was a fast 176 pages.

What didn't work for me:

• I enjoyed it all..just a fun read!
  

Recommend?  Yes, especially to those that love cozies!! The ending has left me wondering though if the real killer was actually caught!!! You know that feeling of finding out you've been bamboozled??? That's how I felt in the end and I'm still wondering if this particular person got away with murder!! P.S. I read this totally out-of-order...I know can you believe it? And it was o.k. I never felt like I missed out on a thing!!

My Rating: 4/5

Source:  My own shelves

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'The House' by Anjuelle Floyd

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

About: (From author's website)
On receiving the very thing she wants—a divorce and the power to sell their house—over which they have fought the past year—Anna Manning learns that Edward, her soon-to-be ex-husband is dying from cancer.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• I was contacted by the author to see if I would like to read and review her book. I'm always interested in reading new authors so I welcomed the opportunity.

What worked for me:

•  The storyline drew me in and made me think what would I do in that situation. I can say that if I was married to the person as long as this character was I think I would have done the same thing.
• The drama between the family members felt very real. Especially the kids taking sides and going so far as to halt all communication with the other parent.

What didn't work for me:

• As hard as I tried I just never felt connected to Anna. I liked her but that wasn't enough for me to really enjoy this book.
• I had a hard time feeling compassion for the dying husband. He held on to his bitterness way too long for me to feel sympathy.
• I felt that the emotions were still on the surface level. The author needed to go deeper for me.

Recommend?  This isn't a book that I would rave about to my friends. I didn't feel satisfied when I finished reading it and not connecting with any of the characters just turned me off. I feel extremely bad about how this book turned out for me, because I know how much time, love, and devotion this author poured into her story. Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion. I would read this author again because I believe in second chances.

My Rating: 2.75/5

Because of my low rating I feel the need to post links from other blogger's who read this one and enjoyed it. Please visit this site so that you get a balanced look at this novel. (if you've read/reviewed this one please send me your link!)
Mind Fog Reviews rated this one 5/5

Source:  the author, Anjuelle Floyd
The House
By Anjuelle Floyd

 

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday..What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is hosted by Avis- She Reads and reads (October Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

 

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy- Sourcebooks for review
Hummingbirds- TLC Tour Stop Oct. 20
It's a Book- a gift in the mail from Bonnie @ Redlady's Reading Room

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Hosted by Sheila
One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Take a Chance on Me- loved this cheeky British Women's Lit 4/5

Running Around (and Such)- made me want to run away screaming 2/5

Tentative reviews for this week:

The House by Anjuelle Floyd- Tuesday

Purple Jesus- Thursday (hopefully!)

Fitness Friday Update- I really will post one I promise!! My husband took my laptop to work on Thursday night so I had no way to do my post..boo hoo!

Six Sentence Saturday books-

I Heart You, You Haunt Me (YA)

Dracula, My Love

On the nightstand:

24 Hour RAT- Hours 12-24 Update

Spartan Celebration went well into the wee hours of the morning while I did the following:

• started book 2 but somewhere around 11:15 or so I fell asleep on the couch with my book.
• Woke up around 2 am, rolled over and went back to sleep!!
• Got up at 6:30 am, made a pot of coffee, and finished book 2.
• As soon as I post this I'm going for an early morning walk with Bruce.
• Mowing the lawn (hopefully for the last time) later today.
• Laundry
• Being outside to enjoy the day. According to our weather guy it is supposed to be around 80 degrees today!!!!!!!!!

Whatever you do today, enjoy it, embrace life and keep that smile on your face!!!!

RAT Hours 5-12 Update

        
What I've been up to during these hours:

• watching MSU play like the winners they are!
• eating soup
• running my son to his dinner party before the dance
• running another child to the dance 
• finally sitting down to watch the DVRd' version of the football game
• Books completed: 1
• Up next to read: Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton

HOMECOMING DANCE PICTURES

The boys posing as male models

Marc and Shelby

Marc and Collin- brothers from other mothers

BOWL OF SOUP- Recipe from JoAnn's blog

Do yourself a favor and click on the above link- this soup is delicious!

RAT Hours 1-4 Update

What I've done so far today:

• Completed 1 book ~ Mr. Darcy's Diary
• went for a ride with my son on the RZR...what a gorgeous day outside!!!
• Getting ready to start making my soup because in less than 2 hours the GAME will be starting!
• Haven't decided yet what I will read next. 

Hope everyone is having fun so far!!!

Let the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon begin!!

Plans for today:

• Start my morning off right with some coffee, blueberry muffins, and a little Darcy on the side!
• Running to the greenhouse to pick up a corsage and then to the library
• Make Tuscan Bean soup and get in some more reading
• Watch the Michigan vs. Michigan State game- Go Spartans!
• Take my son to a friend's house where all the boys and girls are meeting up before the Homecoming Dance tonight. They're having dinner. I will take lots of photos!!
• See my husband off to work and get back to reading.
• Popping in every once in a while to see how my buddies are doing!!

HAVE FUN TODAY!!