Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Merry Christmas


MERRY CHRISTMAS:

I hope all of our friends had a very merry holiday. Do you have plans for New Year's Day? We are still in Kansas City and will come home New Year's Eve Day so New Year's Day I will be having our usual steak, baked potato and salad. I will also be doing laundry.LOL....

Did you get a Christmas book that you would like to read soon?

Our daughter went back to work today and so did our SIL so we have the kids for a full 8-12 hours today. It's been years since we kept them like this so I am sure I will be kept on my toes with the four year old. LOL....

Did anyone catch the new movies at the theatre this past weekend?

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and will go into the new year with renewed spirits.

Hugs,

Pamela

Friday, December 16, 2011

Holiday Themed Reviews


Moonlighting at the Mall by Evelyn David is the second short story in the “Sullivan Investigations” mystery series.

Mac Sullivan, hardboiled ex-cop and newly-minted private detective, goes undercover as Santa Claus to find the mall thief who is brazenly robbing local jewelry stores. He’s got more help than he wants. His girlfriend Rachel Brenner, makeup artist in a funeral home, is a very convincing Mrs. Claus; septuagenarian Edgar is a less-believable Elf; and Whiskey, his Irish wolfhound, steals the show as Rudolph. Moonlighting at the Mall is the perfect “short story” holiday whodunnit, with your favorite characters from Murder Off the Books and Murder Takes the Cake. Moonlighting at the Mall has a mystery to confound you, humor to make you laugh out loud, and a romance that doesn’t need any help from mistletoe.

Mac and his team are determined to put an end to the holiday hi-jinks by catching the robbers red-handed. This was a fun mystery caper with Mac, Rachel and the ever present Whiskey that will delight you with holiday cheers.



Dru

Previously posted on dru's book musing



Trouble Under the Tree by Heather Webber is the sixth book in the “Nina Quinn” mystery series.

When landscape designer Nina Quinn agreed to deck the halls of Christmastowne, an indoor Christmas village, little did she know how dirty the job would be. Christmastowne has been plagued by mishaps. Someone’s stealing toy donations, cutting lines to the security system, starting fires, and poisoning the poinsettias. Worst of all, Nina’s neighbor, Fairlee McCorkle (aka Mrs. Claus) is found murdered under Christmastowne’s enormous decorated tree. The deeper Nina digs for clues to unwrap a killer, the more she discovers that some secrets are best left buried in the past.

Nina and the gang are back including her parents, sister, Kevin and Brickhouse and the hilarity begins as one antics after another had me laughing. This was a fun-filled, fast action tale that will tickle you funny bone as you search for clues with Nina. With amusing dialogue, lovable characters and the Christmas spirit, this was a jolly entertaining and fabulous tale with an ending that leaves possibilities.



Dru

Previously posted on dru's book musing


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Facebook


FACEBOOK:



I now have 1000 facebook friends. Of course that is wrong I can count on one hand the friends I actually have and since I do not have 1000 fingers it's way off base.

However most are authors and people involved in publishing. There are book groups and I can't help but be alarmed that facebook refers to their updates as 'stories', no, stories are what my authors write. They also write books updates are just that updates and while I do believe that everyone has a story that needs to be told...I think it's wrong the way facebook uses the word.

Personally I think my life is boring but it wasn't always boring however, I am not in any hurry for everyone to know MY STORY aas a matter of fact I think some incidents are better left in the past and far away from my present let alone my future.

Anyway back to facebook I like that it's free and I can keep up with everyone's day. I like that when my friends get on there and say "Good Morning" they mean it. I don't always read all of my emails. I really don't read group emails all the time but I do check in with my facebook page/s everyday. I have a couple of family members I keep up with this way and it's nice to see pictures of my grandchildren posted.

Of course as you all know ever since I quit smoking a year ago Nov 1st, I list books from amazon, cross stitch patterns etc...this does help me not rush out the door to buy a pack of cigs. I feel facebook is a good thing but it can be a diversion for me and I try not to spend more than once or twice a day over there (unless I'm posting books).....

How do you use facebook?

Hugs,

Pamela

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Question for All


What does Christmas mean to you? Are keeping family traditions and if so what are some of your traditions?

Hugs,

Pamela

Monday, December 12, 2011

Review - Death, Taxes and a French Manicure


Death, Taxes and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly is the first book in the new “Death and Taxes” series.

Tax cheats, beware: The Treasury Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has a new special agent on its payroll. A recovering tomboy with a head for numbers, Tara’s fast becoming the Annie Oakley of the IRS-kicking ass, taking social security numbers, and keeping the world safe for honest taxpayers. Or else. Tara’s latest mission finds her in hot pursuit of ice-cream vendor Joseph “Joe Cool” Cullen. Along with frozen treats he’s selling narcotics—and failing to report his ill-gotten gains on his tax returns. Over Tara’s dead body. Then there’s Michael Gryder, who appears to be operating a Ponzi scheme…with banker Stan Shelton…whose lake house is being landscaped by Brett Ellington…who happens to be dating Tara. If following that money trail isn’t tough enough, now Tara must face a new conundrum: Should she invest her trust in Brett—or put him behind bars? New love always comes at a cost but justice? Priceless.

What a fun book! Tara is an IRS special investigator who enjoys going after tax cheaters and is quite a sharp shooter, if necessary. Her latest case has her going after two tax cheaters, one of whom, her new boyfriend may be involved, or is he? This page turning story will have you laughing at the antics that Tara finds herself in; enjoying her down-home style while she pursues the criminal elements and delighting in her energetic spirit that makes her a lovable character. This amusing and entertaining story was very enjoyable and I look forward to the next book in this likable series.

Previously posted at dru's book musing


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Review - It's a Dunder-Bull Wide


It’s a Dunder-Bull Wife by Karen Cantwell. Publisher: Karen Cantwell, December 2011

Dunder-Bull – the perfect little town bordering Barbara Marr’s not-so-polished Rustic Woods. Everything in Dunder-Bull is five-star rated, including the wives. As Barb puts it, “Dunder-Bull Wives make Stepford Wives look like couch potatoes.” Succumbing to the need to “measure-up,” Barb decides to prepare a grand and luscious Christmas feast for a party of twenty. The problem? Barb can’t cook her way out of a turkey-roaster bag. In usual Barbara Marr fashion, chaos ensues. Will she survive? Will her family fall victim to salmonella food poisoning? Will Martha Stewart ridicule her publicly?  A Barbara Marr Holiday short story, sure to tickle your funny bone and touch your heart at the same time.

It’s Christmas and Barbara being Barbara gets in over her head with the preparation for large holiday party. You can’t help but laugh at the antics that is Barbara as she scrambles to have the perfect Christmas for her family and friends. This was a fun and amusing read that will leave you with the holiday spirit and a smile.



Dru

previously posted on dru's book musing


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I Get a Thrill


I GET A THRILL:

Okay I know I am strange but I can't help it I get a thrill each year when it comes time to pick out my yearly planner and calander. I mean it's ALMOST as good as buying cross stitch fabby and patterns or mysteries. HONEST this is one of my big thrills of the year. (You thought author lead exciting lives) well I don't...LOL anyway I got to pick out my planner early this year. This time it was artwork by Linda Nelson an basically it's of simplier times which with the year I've had appealed to me. Now I am still looking for the perfect calander and this has to speak to me as it will be on my office wall all year long. Last it was a coffee calander that spoke to me and tye year before a quilting calander that spoke to me..

What speaks to you? I know a lot of people who just hang the free calander from their bank or insurance company but if you're a nut like me speak up as I don't want to be the only acorn in the bunch of peanuts....LOL

Oh and I take that back last year my office wall calander was of Italy the one in the kitchen was a coffe calander. Oh my I'm losing it today... anyway

I hope to find one that will fit in with my travel theme. I'm think France this year as I keep wanting to go there and have pastery Oh wow would it be great to have an outdoor cafe calander or maybe a cross stitch calander...writing quote a day calander oh hell I'm hopeless!!!

What about you how much thought and what types do you like?

Hugs,

Pamela

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Guest Blogger - Alice Duncan


Merciful heavens, another year shot to heck! Where does the time go? The worst part is that the older I get, the faster time flies. Doesn’t seem fair somehow.

But that’s neither here nor there. For some mayhemly reason, I never did see my November blog get posted, so I’ll recap it here.

I spent two weeks in California! Yay! Got to see my younger daughter, my younger grandson, and a whole bunch of friends I left behind when I moved to the wilds of Roswell, New Mexico. What’s more, I got to eat a whole bunch of good ethnic food that Roswellians don’t get to eat unless they…well, go to California, I guess. East Indian. Middle Eastern. Japanese. Yum. I guess all that chow will have to hold me until the next time I get to California. That was definitely a magical trip.

During November another magical thing happened. My little novel, PECOS VALLEY REVIVAL, became a finalist in the historical novel category of the New Mexico Book of the Year awards. Mind you, I didn’t even know there was such a thing until Mike Orenduff, who won the award in the mystery category last year, entered my book. His book, THE POT THIEF WHO STUDIED EINSTEIN, finaled in the mystery category. Neither Mike nor I won, but a book I edited did! What’s more, it’s a really good book, called THE FAERIE HILLS, by Susan McDuffie, and I suggest you all go out and read it!

As for mayhem, I actually wasn’t bothered by much mayhem during October and November. The worst thing that happened to me was that my elderly wiener dog, Skipper, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was his time, and he was kind enough to pass over at home sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, so I didn’t have to make the painful decision to have him put to sleep, which I’d known I’d have to do on Monday. So thanks, Skipper.

I’m not suffering from a paucity of dogs, however. The traumatized duo I’ve been fostering, Bella and Bam-Bam, have become permanent residents of the Duncan herd. Sigh. Sometimes I don’t think I’ll ever win this doggie game. But at least Bella and Bam-Bam are happy.

If you have time, please stop by my web site, which is all decorated for Christmas. There you can see the book I’ll be giving away in December, GENTEEL SPIRITS. You can also read excerpts from the rest of my zillion and three books there. The URL is www.aliceduncan.net. And thank you!


Review: Blotto, Twinks and the Intimate Review by Simon Brett

Blotto and his friend go see  Light and Frothy;   a new popular show and his friend falls for the star of the show.  After his friend is k...