Getting Ready to Go...

I am frantically trying to get ready for my retreat this weekend.  But so far I am not getting much done.   I have managed to get some laundry done but I still have to do one more load before I can begin to pack.  I have yet to get my stitching together and I still have to run to the pharmacy to pick up my meds and get my flu shot.  Whew!  What else?  I have cleaned my bathroom and stripped my bed  but I  still have to cleaan my kitchen and have the dishwasher ready to run a final load before I hit the road.   I know how tired I always am when I return from a trip so I like to at least have a clean bed, bath and kitchen on my return -- the rest can wait till I rest up.  I cannot wait to get away for a few days.  It seems I have been in this house for so long I just need a change of scenery.  Jason will keep things as I leave them so no worries there.  He usually does all my errands for me so he deserves a break as well.  I am not sure I will have a chance to post again before I leave so I will add my latest book review now.

Book Review:    The Celibate Mouse by Diana Hockley

Shell-shocked from a tragedy at work and an acrimonious domestic upheaval, Detective Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott flees town to recuperate, but fate has other ideas.

Her plan to house-sit for relatives in a rural community is shattered when Susan witnesses a very public murder within an hour of her arrival. Things turn sinister after an encounter with an elderly lady; a hint of a long ago murder is not a secret with which Susan wants to be entrusted.

Enter Detective Inspector David Maguire whom she has not seen for thirteen years and who is assigned to the case, which sends her into a further tailspin. Against her better judgment, Susan is drawn inexorably into the investigation, surrounded by menacing strangers whose private agendas threaten her safety, and soon, her life.

My thoughts:
This is another enjoyable read.  I really like the way this author treats the narrative and uses the viewpoints of several characters to reveal the story.  This is the sequel to The Naked Room which I reviewed a couple of days ago and I enjoyed it just as much as I did that one.  I suggest you read both these books if you enjoy a good mystery. 

I will be gone until November 17th.  I will tell you all about it when I return.  Be good while I am away.   Until next time...

Birthday surprises...and book review

Yesterday was truly a wonderful day.  After Jason and I returned from dinner I found a birthday cake and a lovely gift at my back door.  The cake was from my Chaplain and the gift was from my local  brownie troop.  I really made me feel special.  The rest of the evening was spent stitching and reading.  Which reminds me I need to do another book review.

Recently I finished the Naked Room by Diana Hockley.

When classical pianist Ally Carpenter goes missing during a night out with friends, the implications stretch far beyond her disappearance. Veteran detective, Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott, believes that sexual predators may have abducted Ally. However, after two women with connections to the Carpenters are murdered, she realises there may be more to the crime than at first thought.
While Prescott puts all her efforts into solving the crime, those close to Ally battle their own turmoil. Friendships become strained and secrets come to light as Ally's terrified mother, Eloise, is forced to confront the lie she has perpetuated for 26 years. Cellist, Briece Mochrie―determined to discover what has happened to the girl he loves―is swept into a dangerous undertow of murder and revenge. The kidnappers have their own agenda; Ally's life is on the line.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  The characters were well developed and the plot well written.  I especially liked how the author portrayed each scene from several view points--from the victim's, the killer's, the investigator's and the friend's and family's. 
 If you like mysteries, I highly recommend this book. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today has been a lovely day with lots of surprises.  I have received so many emails, cards, and phone calls wishing me well that I feel so special.  My dearest friend called me first thing this morning and started the day off with a smile.  She says she has me a gift but is not going to tell me what it is.  We will celebrate it this weekend when she comes down.  She and I will be going on our stitching retreat together this weekend.  The retreat is always my gift to myself.

Then my son gave me a big hug and gave me the new sewing machine I have been lusting after.  It isn't a really fancy or expensive one but it is certainly a few steps above my 40 year old Singer that I can barely work with any longer.  I cannot wait to try it out.  Oh, it is the Brother CS6000i. 

I also got a lovely surprise from Luke Young, one of the authors for whom I gave a review.  He was having a contest to promote his new book and offered a Kindle Fire as the prize providing 100 reviews were given.  If not then the prize would be $5 for each review written.  Well, I just got his email saying that  I won!  I didn't get the Kindle Fire but I did get a nice cash prize so now I can buy more books or stash.  This was certainly a nice birthday surprise.  Thank you Luke!

Jason is taking me out to dinner this evening so I still have more to look forward.  Until next time.... 

Where did October go?

Wow!  I seem to have lost the entire month of October! 

Things have been going at a rat's pace around here. I have been trying to get my house cleaned up before I leave on my yearly retreat next week.  I hate leaving a messy house.  I'd rather have a clean one when I return!   I have also been trying to finish up a couple of Christmas pieces including a Christmas Stocking for my newest grand-niece.  She must have her stocking to hang with the rest!  And, of course, I have been working on my designs.  Still much to do before I can start the model stitching on them but I am making progress.  I have also read a couple more books which I will review here in the next couple of days. 

Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a very special give-away for Christmas.  Check it out on her blog here: Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe 

November is going to be another busy month but I will try to keep you all updated.  Until next time....