It's Not Jane Austen, But It's Really Good

[Debbie]

They're all lifelong friends who play in the same curlers club in Michigan, and this is their third Olympics. They did not do well at all in the first two, and the US Olympic committee ran tryouts to put in this year's team. None of these guys made it. But then the "official" team, during training, played this Michigan team, who just killed them. As a result, the US Olympic committee wisely changed their mind and replaced the tryout winners with these guys.

In this year's Olympic competition, it started out looking like they were going to be washouts again when they lost all their their early matches in the round robin elimination round. Instead, they made a huge comeback, got into the next round of matches, and ended up winning the gold medal. Awesome stuff!!

[Debbie]

They also made Olympic history by scoring the most points ever in one end during the gold medal match.

Not bad for a bunch of guys nicknamed "Team Reject."

[Anji]

Just been watching the new version of Murder on the Orient Express (bought the Blu-Ray yesterday). Hubby and I are great fans of the Albert Finney version from the 70s, so we weren't sure whether this new one, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, would be any good. I'm happy to report that we definitely enjoyed it! The cast was suitably star studded (Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Coleman, Daisy Ridley to name just some of them) and they'd tweaked details of the plot just enough so that it wasn't simply a straight remake.

I guess I could do with reading the source material to see which is the most faithful adaptation. And I can do exactly that as we got a free copy of the novel with the disc. Shock horror - I've never actually read any of Agatha Christie's novels! My home town does have a claim on her history, though. When she disappeared for a short while after the breakup of her first marriage, she was eventually found at The Old Swan Hotel here in Harrogate.

The sci-fi geek in me also wants me to mention the Doctor Who episode "The Unicorn and the Wasp" in which David Tennant's Tenth Doctor becomes embroiled in, and explains the reasons behind, that very disappearance.

[Debbie]

Oh, my! Never read Agatha Christie??? You should put a couple on your TBR list immediately, starting with Ten Little Indians.

[Anji]

Debbie wrote: "Oh, my! Never read Agatha Christie??? You should put a couple on your TBR list immediately, starting with Ten Little Indians."

Debbie, I'll definitely be starting with Murder on the Orient Express, as we now have a copy. Last year (I think) we saw a TV dramatisation of Ten Little Indians (retitled as And Then There Were None). It had quite a cast too, including the delectable Aiden Turner from Poldark (yes, he DID get his shirt off!), Sam Neill, Toby Stephens, plus Charles Dance from Game of Thrones.

[Abigail]

Horrors, I confess to never having read any Christie mysteries either. My guardian hated them and wouldn't have them in the house, and somehow I never got around to them as an adult. Maybe in my dotage! (Just around the corner then.)

The one book of hers that I have read, published under the name Mary Westmacott, if I recall (there's that lurking dotage again) is Absent in the Spring, and it was extraordinary.

[Marlene]

Debbie, that is so awesome! Thanks for the story! 🤩

[Marlene]

Abagail, extraordinary in what way, please? I've read every single one of her mysteries and short stories and own all five of her M.W. romances, but was afraid to try them...... Still am!

[Marlene]

J. W. wrote: "Thanks Marlene... I put it on my wish-list... I have so many ahead of it... I'll watch as the others publish and will probably wait until the series [trilogy] is complete."

J.W., the next one has been redone and rereleased:
The House in Grosvenor Square


Both books one and two have Christian themes as part of the plot, and the author has a (Kickstarter?) campaign going to try to fund a movie based on book one. (I can't remember whether a Christian issue is as integral to the plot in book 3, even though it was my second favorite one. I read them a while ago and want to read them again.)

[Abigail]

Hi, Marlene, it's kind of a psychological thriller in a low-key way. It's about a woman who, in present day parlance, has a real stick up her butt. She is persnickety and judgmental and just unpleasant to be around. She is unexpectedly trapped in a foreign land because of a broken-down train, and the foreign culture and the waiting and the solitude slowly lead her to an epiphany about what a horrible person she has been. She is able at last to continue her journey and can't wait to get home to make it up to everyone for how awful she has been. All this told from within her head. And then, as she nears home and starts to see familiar landmarks, all her old ideas start to return.

I was amazed, as I read it, at the skill with which the author made each stage of the woman's inner journey believable. At the time I did not know it was by Agatha Christie; I just thought it was a quiet tour de force. I don't think knowing the storyline would spoil it for most readers.

[J. W.]

Just launched and is $0.99 at this time.

The Unwanted Assistant

My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Faith based, Beauty and the Beast type.

[Marlene]

Abigail wrote: "Hi, Marlene, it's kind of a psychological thriller in a low-key way."

Huh... Is it not a romance, then? Doesn't seem like there's any room for romance. I thought all her Mary Westmacott titles were romances. Looks like there's six M.W. titles rather than five.

[Abigail]

Absent In The Spring

I don't remember any romance in it, though it has been about forty years since I read it.

[wosedwew]

Here's a favorite author: Susan Howatch

Cashelmara is on sale for $1.99

If you don't know her stories -- this is one of the "family sagas" covering three generations of an wealthy English family that becomes a poor Irish family.

Cashelmara tells, essentially, the story of Edward II and Isabella - set in a more modern time (begins about 1860) with characters representing the historical figures.

[J. W.]

Limited time left on the reduced price of $0.99
The Unwanted Assistant
It will return to $2.99 per author shortly... day or two... see my review below. Faith-based and clean... beauty and the beast themed.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Abigail]

Just read and can highly recommend The Wrong Envelope by Liz Treacher. It is set in 1920, mostly in Devon. Romantic in a very thoughtful way. I'll post a review very soon, after I get home.

[Liz]

Abigail wrote: "Just read and can highly recommend The Wrong Envelope by Liz Treacher. It is set in 1920, mostly in Devon. Romantic in a very thoughtful way. I'll post a review very soon, after I g..."

Thank you Abigail! So glad you enjoyed it. Your kind words are a lovely start to my weekend...

[J. W.]

I haven't posted my recent non JAFF read along with the reviews.

[3. Read 1-20-18] Shaken: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[4. Read 1-21-18] Matchmaker: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[5. Read 1-27-18] Matched (Misfit Brides book 2): Jamie Farrell: 3-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[6. Read 2-7-18] The Curse (Shifter Origins #2): Harper A. Brooks: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[7. Read 2-19-18] Paws for a Kiss (Canine Cupids #1): Stephanie Rowe: 3-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[8. Read 2-21-18] The Unwanted Assistant: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[9. Read 2-22-18] The Innkeeper’s Daughter: Michelle Griep: 5-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[10. Read 2-26-18] The Perfect Duchess (The Macalisters #2): Erica Taylor: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[11. Read 2-27-18] Surrender (Bitter Creek Series): Joan Johnston: 4-stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[12. Read 3-17-18] The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3): 5-stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[13. Read 3-19-18] The Pirate Bride (Book 2 Daughters of the Mayflower) Kathleen Y’Barbo: 3-stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[14. Read 3-28-18] A Suitable Affair (The Macalisters #1): Erica Taylor: 4-stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Just read and can highly recommend The Wrong Envelope by Liz Treacher. It is set in 1920, mostly in Devon. Romantic in a very thoughtful way. I'll post a review very soon, after I g..."


Oh, good to know!

[Sophia]

J. W. wrote: "I haven't posted my recent non JAFF read along with the reviews.

[3. Read 1-20-18] Shaken: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Hey, this is great, Jeanne. Fun to see what great non-JAFF you've read. I've read a couple of those authors, but not those particular books other than the Klassen.

[Kirk]

J. W. wrote: "I haven't posted my recent non JAFF read along with the reviews.

[3. Read 1-20-18] Shaken: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Wow!

[J. W.]

Sophia wrote: "J. W. wrote: "I haven't posted my recent non JAFF read along with the reviews.

[3. Read 1-20-18] Shaken: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Oops... that wasn't Klassen... I failed to list the author... edit post: it was Michelle Griep. In truth... I am reading a Klassen... trying to read a Klassen and I'm not liking it. I know... everyone likes Klassen. I'm not enjoying it. I keep putting it down. I've had it for weeks. I'm on my second checkout from the library. Something must be wrong with me...

[Sophia]

J. W. wrote: "Sophia wrote: "J. W. wrote: "I haven't posted my recent non JAFF read along with the reviews.

[3. Read 1-20-18] Shaken: Evangeline Kelly: 4-stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...?..."

No pressure. If Klassen isn't your bag, no biggie. :) I've been that gal in the group of cheering fanatics who shrugs and feels only meh. ;)

[J. W.]

I am determined to finish it but the thought of the rest in the series of books... makes me want to slit my throat. Maybe if I read it another time... I'll be more into it. It is confusing... too many threads to track and I'm not feeling it...

Thanks for the encouraging words. 'Meh' is a good term. The only reason I don't just DNF it is because there is a mystery that I have to know what happened. It has gripped me in that respect, but it's made me mad in other respects. Confusing as heck... I know... but, that is my situation.

[Sophia]

J. W. wrote: "I am determined to finish it but the thought of the rest in the series of books... makes me want to slit my throat. Maybe if I read it another time... I'll be more into it. It is confusing... too m..."

I take moods about books and it really is best to wait if that's the issue. And, I also have books that drive me to finish even if I don't love it over all b/c I want to know one little thing (I guess that's what drives people to peeking to the end or skipping). LOL I read a book for review a couple weeks ago and I was definitely not feeling it and it got worse for me so that around the half-way point, I chose to skim to the big reveal. And, I'm actually glad I did b/c the reveal was a fizzle for me, too. Yeah, didn't rate that one very high. LOL

[J. W.]

Thanks for the advice... I may just do that.

[Ahnya]

J. W. wrote: "I am determined to finish it but the thought of the rest in the series of books... makes me want to slit my throat. Maybe if I read it another time... I'll be more into it. It is confusing... too m..."

I used to have what I called a "disease" that every series I started I had to finish no matter how bad it got. At some point a few years ago I realized that there were SO MANY books that I wanted to read, and only so much time in this life to read them, so why am I wasting that time reading books I don't really want to.

It was hard at first to let go and not see how the story ends, but I have gotten to the point now that I don't care. I have even got it down to the book level. If I am not engaged in the story in the first 100 pages I put it down and move on. (It doesn't happen very often as I am easily amused!)

[wosedwew]

This morning I added another shelf at GR.

I'm calling it "life's too short" -- not enough time to read the excellent books available so why continue with something that will be 3 Stars or less in my mind?

[J. W.]

Good advice Ahnya, I brought home 4-books from the library. Once I started reading one... I took the 3 back to the library the next time I was in town. Nope... I was not going to subject myself to that. I've renewed this albatross 3 times and will return it the next trip into town whether it is finished or not. I will probably take Sophia's advise and skim through the rest of it until I hit the conclusion to the mystery. It it doesn't conclude in this book... you will hear me roar from your house. I should take Wose's advise and simply chuck it and shelve it as 'life's too short' which I think is an excellent idea.

[Ahnya]

wosedwew wrote: "This morning I added another shelf at GR.

I'm calling it "life's too short" -- not enough time to read the excellent books available so why continue with something that will be 3 Stars or less in ..."

LOVE IT!

[Debbie]

😆

[Ahnya]

J. W. wrote: "Good advice Ahnya, I brought home 4-books from the library. Once I started reading one... I took the 3 back to the library the next time I was in town. Nope... I was not going to subject myself to ..."

When I made the decision it changed reading for me. The only time I get really disappointed is if it is a series that I have been reading for 5 books or more, and then all of the sudden it just goes bad. I usually give them a couple books to get back on track.

I would skim on mysteries as well.

[J. W.]

Yeah... that is when I really start to read the reviews and see if I want to commit. I was in a series and way into the 20's and still going... I finally bailed. Like you said... some were good, some very good, some bad and when it got really bad... I pulled the plug.

There is another series that is pretty popular. I got about 7 or 8 in... and finally quit. When it becomes a chore... you need to just quit.

[Marlene]

J. W. wrote: "When it becomes a chore... you need to just quit. ."

The only instances I can remember quitting a series because it became a chore are the following:

*Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear mysteries (Goldy's life was constantly innundated with major problems - it got to be frustrating to me)

*Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swenson mysteries (There's a love triangle that goes on . . . and on . . . and on. . . )

[Sophia]

Marlene wrote: "J. W. wrote: "When it becomes a chore... you need to just quit. ."

The only instances I can remember quitting a series because it became a chore are the following:

*Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Be..."

Ugh on the love triangles. Don't blame you there.

[J. W.]

Bree Wolf Fans... reduced price $0.99

Ruined & Redeemed: The Earl's Fallen Wife

[Marlene]

For our family movie night last night, we watched the recent live action Cinderella by Disney. I highly recommend it for all ages!

[Debbie]

I saw that one, too. Love Helena Bonham-Carter as the fairy godmother!! (Well, actually, I love her in every film I've ever seen her in.)

[Marlene]

She's amazing. I told my family that she's a female Johnny Depp. :-)

[Abigail]

I don’t know if there are any mystery readers in the group, but I have recently fallen head over heels for the novels of Louise Penny. They are set in southern Canada and are full of snappy dialogue and deep psychological insight, with a good bit of Austenesque humor. On the gentle end of mysteries, though I would not entirely describe them as cozy. The first one is Still Life.

[Marlene]

Set not too far from my neck of the woods, and I like cozies, so I added it to my list. 😊

[Debbie]

Marlene wrote: "She's amazing. I told my family that she's a female Johnny Depp. :-)"

Agreed!

[J. W.]

Reduced price deal of $1.99... expires in 11-hours... $10.99 orig price.

Rose Daughter

A Beauty and the Beast story.

[Marlene]

Marlene wrote: "She's amazing. I told my family that she's a female Johnny Depp. :-)"

I mentioned my view on the two to Dan, and he directed me to this imdb page. Interesting!

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls053202450/

Also Tim Burton / Carter

http://www.imdb.com/search/title?role...

And Burton / Depp

http://www.imdb.com/search/title?role...

[Debbie]

Interesting lists. I never knew Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp were married at one time. Also didn't know she was in Big Fish, but that might have been before she was on my radar.

[Marlene]

No - it was talking about HBC and Tim Burton. :-) My husband is a big fan of Tim Burton. :-)

[Debbie]

Oops-- you're right! Misread that!

[J. W.]

Reduced price: was $2.99 now $0.99 a beauty and the beast story... listed as a clean Victorian story, for those who are interested.

The Lost Letter

[Debbie]

Thanks, Jeanne! I grabbed it!

[J. W.]

Reduced price from $2.99... 6 days left on the $0.99 deal

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter

A clean standalone Victorian romance.

38 reviews 55% at 5-stars & 32% at 4-stars