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Fingal O’Reilly, Irish Doctor – Patrick Taylor, MD

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This was another great installment in Mr. Taylor’s Irish series of books. This one takes place after Fingal’s marriage to Kitty, and there are lots of changes going on in not only Fingal’s life, but everyone around him as well.

Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor Cover Image

Barry has done specialty but is ready to return to the practice with Fingal. Kinky is getting married herself, and the town is not being very accepting of Jenny, the new “lady” doctor who is helping Fingal while Barry is specializing.

The residents of Ballybucklebo are up to their usual antics and good times, and this story takes you back to another time when things were easier.

This story is set in 1965 Ireland, but also goes back thirty years to when Fingal first met Kitty, and how she got away from him the first time. Every other chapter goes back 30 years, but it is written in a way that makes it a smooth, easy read.

I think this story could easily be read without having read any previous books in this series. I am pretty sure I have not read the very first book in the series yet, but have read about 5 or 6 of the others. But with that being said, you should read them all; they are that good 🙂

If Ireland interests you, especially Ireland in the early 20th century, these stories are full of factual information about the history of Ireland. As Mr. Taylor is a licensed medical doctor, the medical information that is included in the book is also spot on, and gives the back story on how diseases were so very devastating in this time of history, as well as how antibiotics and cures were found and developed.

Coming Soon; To A Blog Near You…

Angela2 Comments

…Well, okay; this blog.

Book reviews, suggestions, interesting facts, quotes, and author features.

Yes; I have been reading (very slowly). No, I am not feeling better. Still trying to crawl out of the winter blues, and a trip to the doctor’s and chest x-rays today have not given me an answer yet for what is physically been ailing me since I woke up Thursday.

So I am arguing with myself about using the next 2 vacation days I put in for at work; just-in-case. Or, going to work like I really should, even though I desperately need the rest.

So I will get those book reviews posted again. I will pick back up with my author features. And most of all I look forward to the great comments and insight from all of my followers!

Here’s to books, and all the happiness they bring us!

Then The Deluge Comes – Caryl McAdoo

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Book two in The Generations series was everything I hoped for, and so much more!

This story picks up the story of Noah, starting before his birth to give you a great setting of what was going on. This is an accurate story about the book of Genesis, and what Noah and his wife, sons, and daughters-in-law went through to build this massive ship. For no other reason than they were told by God to do so, to save their family.

This story goes between what is happening on Earth, and what is happening in Heaven with God. They are intertwined, always, and helps you understand why those of us on Earth would have to experience hardship and struggles.

Caryl sets an environment for her stories that have you feeling like you are sitting in the middle of all of the activity; seeing what they see, hearing what they hear, and tasting what they eat.

As this book is not yet officially “published”, I prefer to not give too much away. But I have to say, if you enjoy religious stories, especially ones that give you even more than you will read in Scripture, you certainly want to see what she is writing.

Giving glory to God, Caryl helps make the connection for those who may be sitting on the fence about their religion.

Prince Caspian – The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis

Angela6 Comments

One of my favorites from the Narnia series, this story had me laughing out loud, angry, and sad, all in one setting. The thing I enjoy most about C.S. Lewis and his writing is how he just puts it out there. Right there; yes, for you to see, and contemplate, and enjoy.

Prince Caspian 005

Okay, enough reminiscing.

There are some great lines in this story, as well as the others, that make me remember them long after I read them.

Chapter 3: “The worst of sleeping out of doors is that you wake up so dreadfully early.”

Prince Caspian 006

The Pevensies wanted to go back to Narnia, but they did not know what that would cost them. Prince Caspian is the rightful heir, being denied his throne by his uncle. It is a quick story, with all of the allegories you come to expect from Mr. Lewis. And I have to honestly say; Reep-a-Cheep is likely my favorite “character” out of all of them! Well, except for Aslan, of course!

Prince Caspian 007

If you have seen the movie, I have to say it is quite different from the story, but I do enjoy the movie as well. How did you feel about this installment in the Narnia series?

Prince Caspian 008

The Rocks – Frederick Morse

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This was a great period story set in 1853-1857. It concerns a young man named Olin Collins; a 14 year old orphan who has been living in the local library since his mom died when he was nine. His aunt works at the library and had no room for him at home. Olin quickly became the most important person in his small town, making money to support himself, and using the knowledge he learned from reading books to help others in his town.

The Rocks Cover Image

He managed to save enough money to buy what was believed, by the adults, to be a worthless piece of land, full of huge rocks that would cost too much money to move. Gathering up several other orphan boys who got by on their wits, he created a town, “The Rocks”, that every single adult came to rely on for income or other necessities. Using what he learned from the books in the library, he managed to break the rocks, sell them to the town mason, tap the trees for sap to sell to the grocer, and use the timber he cut to build small houses for the orphans and himself.

There is a lot to this story, and many detailed scientific experiments. This is how Olin made his money; showing the men in town things that sounded impossible, but were perfectly easy to do because of science. He would charge a fee to see the demonstration, and they would pay it.

This story also touches on real issues that were going on in the states in this pre-Civil War era. Slaves were being transported to Canada where the laws could not force them back to their owners, states were fighting each other, and no one was sure what the future would hold.

If you enjoy history stories or period novels, I think this is one you would enjoy as well. If you give it a try, let me know how you liked it!

As you may recall, I reviewed another book by Mr. Morse, called “The Scimitar and the Glory Boxes”. This was the review I sent on to him only to find out that he had recently passed away. I will be passing this review on to his Widow as I promised I would, and will be reading another of his books in the near future. You can find that first review here: https://booksandopinions.com/2014/12/24/the-scimitar-and-the-glory-boxes-frederick-morse/

 

Bookmarked For Death – Lorna Barrett

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Book 2 in The Booktown Mystery series did not disappoint! Tricia Miles is now contending with her sister, Angelica Miles, being a full-time resident in Stoneham, New Hampshire. Angelica bought “The Cookery” bookstore after the murder of Doris Gleason, the first murder Tricia found herself caught in the middle of.

http://lornabarrett.com/bookmarked-for-death/
http://lornabarrett.com/bookmarked-for-death/

Zoe Carter, National Bestselling Author and local resident, finally agrees to a book tour, her first ever. Her last stop is at “Haven’t Got A Clue”, Tricia’s mystery bookstore. When Ms. Carter ends up strangled in the bathroom after the less-than-stellar book signing, Tricia once again finds herself caught in the middle, between any number of possible suspects, and Sheriff Wendy Adams, who may very well be Tricia’s biggest enemy.

Tricia seems to have another enemy, as she gets closer to discovering who the killer is, and the killer is bound and determined to stop her, even if it means she is the next murder victim. Tricia needs to figure out how Ms. Carter’s niece is involved, as well as her faithful employee Mr. Everett, and a host of other members of this (usually) peaceful, quiet town.

This is a great read that you will get through in no time, and as an added bonus, there are several recipes included that Angelica has prepared throughout the story.

To learn more about Lorna Barrett and this series of books, be sure to visit her website here: http://lornabarrett.com/

A fun cartoon from Lorna's website! Be sure to visit it at http://lornabarrett.com
A fun cartoon from Lorna’s website! Be sure to visit it at http://lornabarrett.com

Be Still My Heart – A Sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Angela10 Comments

Yes, it is true. I was amazed to learn that the sequel that Harper Lee wrote was actually the first book she had written. Her agent recommended she write a backstory to Scout, and that is how we got the wonderful “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

Harper said she had long believed her first story had been destroyed long ago, and never really gave it another thought. She was recently made aware by her lawyer that she found her first book. Ms. Harper has had a select few friends and family members read it, and they told her that she does indeed need to publish this book.

This new story is called “To Set a Watchman”, and revolves around Scout returning to Maycomb, Alabama to see her father, lawyer Atticus Finch.

I don’t know about you, but I will certainly stand in a line to get this book when it is released in July, if it is necessary.

What do you think about this long missing book?

You can read the news release on CNN here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/03/living/feat-harper-lee-new-book/

The Horse and His Boy – The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis

Angela9 Comments

Book number three in the Narnia series, by the numbering on the books I have, is “The Horse and His Boy.” This is also the only book I seem to have missing from my collector’s box that holds all 7 of these books. I haven’t the slightest idea where it went, who may have had it last, or how I managed to lose a book!

The Horse and His Boy

With that being said, this is actually my least favorite book out of the 7 in the series. This is a novel that can stand alone, and there is no need to read, or have read, and of the other books to enjoy this one. I did like this story, I just did not find it as interesting as the other 6 stories. This story is set in Narnia for its entirety, and focuses on a boy running away from home, who meets a horse who is also running away from home.

The Full Color Edition
The Full Color Edition

Shasta discovers his adoptive father is going to sell him as a slave, and learns from Bree, a horse at the stable, that Bree has been treated badly by this same adoptive father. A plan gets underway, and soon both Shasta and Bree are on the run, trying to get to Narnia and the High Kings and Queens there; yes, the Pevensies. (And yes, of course the horses talk, it is Narnia!)

They also meet a girl and her horse who are running away from home; she being a Princess forced to marry against her will. Once they reach their destination, they both learn things about themselves that will change their lives forever. These two eventually get married, and have a son who becomes the most famous King of Archenland.

Aslan 1

The thing I liked best about this story was the cat who seemed to follow Shasta all through his journey. Sometimes a lion chasing him, and sometimes a cat comforting him; Aslan always makes his presence known.

Which Narnia story did you like the least? I know it’s hard to choose when they are all great stories, but they can’t all be your favorites, or are they?

We Go Again – Michael Cargill

Angela2 Comments

While strolling through the blog posts for authors, I came across Michael Cargill’s post, where he announced that his new book was available, free, and he would appreciate a review in return. Just my thing, right? And, it takes place during WWII, and I am a huge history buff, so double bonus.

We Go Again Cover Image

Triple bonus? This story was amazing! The writing was brilliant, the characters were well developed, and the scenery was written so vividly that I could see everything as if I was watching it happen.

It is a short story, and I wished it went on for twice as many chapters. I definitely do not want to give away any spoilers, but you get to meet James, and David, and Piper. Along with their Captain who is pretty useless, and a cast of other characters that round out this story. It is graphic, but how could something about WWII not be? So just be prepared if you are overly-squeamish. There were parts of this story where I was literally holding my breath while I was reading it, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

Do you want to give this story a read? You definitely should! You can find the links for it on Michael’s WordPress page, here: https://michaelcargill.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/we-go-again-my-new-book-is-now-available-free-for-reviewers-and-subscribers/

I would also like to ask that anyone who gets the free copy to be so kind as to leave a review for Michael on Amazon and Goodreads. If you pick up this story, I would love to hear what you thought about it!