Review: Death Overdue by Allison Brook

I always love cozies set in libraries and this is no exception.  Tend to like a bit of woo-woo too - so ghosts are fine and this one is rather grandmotherly.

Carrie has been staying in Clover Ridge with her Aunt and Uncle.  Rather than moving on as she has most of her life, she decides to stay and she gets a job as the programming and events director at the town library.  For her first event though, the guest speaker is murdered during his presentation.  He was a former detective and he was talking about an unsolved murder.  Carrie feels a sense of responsibility and tries to solve the murder with the victim's son Jared.

I really enjoyed the story and characters.  I had a couple suspension of disbelief moments - like a detective would have all his info on an iPad and not save to iCloud or use locate my iPad (I've seen that one work when an attorney here left his in a taxi - it makes a lot of noise and you can see ona  map.  Also, though I enjoyed the ghost, I am not sure how much she was a way to advance the plot without being able to get info another way.

That said, it was a very fun read and an Agatha Award Nominee.

Terri

Guest Blogger - Alice Duncan

Spirits United!

I apologize for last month’s blog. I was so down in the dumps, I just couldn’t bear to be funny. Losing a best friend and another friend losing her daughter to murder just sort of wiped out the joy in life for a while. For the record, the murderer of my cousin’s daughter has been found and extradited to New Mexico to stand trial. So maybe he’ll be convicted and imprisoned. That’ll be okay, but it won’t bring Anita back, you know? And I doubt there’s any way a mother can ever recover from the loss of a child, especially to murder, so my friend whose daughter was murdered in June (and whose murderer then committed suicide) is pretty much doomed, I guess. As another friend of mine said, if a person decides to commit a murder-suicide, it’s better to commit the suicide first. I think that’s a brilliant solution to a dire problem, but I doubt it’ll catch on, people being what they are.

Anyway, enough of that. I’ll be in touch with the winners of July’s contest via email since I didn’t specify a book to be given away. You get to pick your choice if you’re a wiener. I mean a winner.

SPIRITS UNITED, Daisy’s eleventh adventure (actually, it’s her twelfth, but who’s counting?) was just released, so here’s the cover art and links to it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:

 

 Kindle

 Barnes & Noble

Okey-dokey, a little bit about SPIRITS UNITED. I was afraid the book would be terrible. You see, I had such an emotional investment in BRUISED SPIRITS, I figured the next book would be a flop. However, people seem to be enjoying it! Go figure. I’m happy about that, and I’m working diligently on the next Daisy book. It seems to be coming along nicely. In order to prepare for it, which is titled SPIRITS UNEARTHED, I’ll be taking photographs at the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California, when I’m in California next week for my friend’s memorial service. Feel free to speculate from there.

As for SPIRITS UNITED, it begins at Daisy’s home on Marengo Avenue in Pasadena, but Sam Rotondo (Pasadena police detective and Daisy’s betrothed) comes over just as Daisy is about to visit the library (she hangs out there a lot). Therefore, Sam goes with her on her jaunt to the library since he doesn’t trust her not to stumble over a dead body if she visits there alone. Doesn’t work. A woman is murdered in the biography stacks while Sam is with Daisy at the library. Horrors! Worse, Daisy’s friend, Robert Browning (not the poet), is discovered holding the bloody knife used to murder the poor dead woman. This naturally puts Robert at the top of Sam’s suspect list, although Daisy doesn’t believe for a second he did the dirty deed.

Anyhow, Sam, still recovering from the gunshot he got in BRUISED SPIRITS, and still hurting from it and forced to use a cane, is cranky as heck. Nevertheless, he gets to work.

Daisy gets to work, too, although Sam doesn’t want her to. Eventually the murderer is discovered, thanks to a lot of snooping on everyone’s part. Not only that, but Daisy is thrilled that she’s become a matchmaker. Again. She’s almost as good at matchmaking as she is at sewing and spiritualist-medium-ing.

Oh, and in SPIRITS UNITED, it’s Sam’s Voodoo juju that acts up rather than any of Daisy’s spiritualist paraphernalia. Sam neither believes in nor appreciates its help.

In order to get a feel for the library where SPIRITS UNITED begins, I wanted to see pictures of the Pasadena Public Library as it was in 1924. The present library was opened in 1929. I used to practically live there when I resided in Pasadena, and I worked for quite some time in the children’s room there. Love that library and still visit it when I’m in Pasadena. However, that’s not the library in which Daisy’s latest body was found. Here are photographs (found for me by my lovely niece, Sara Krafft, and a wonderful Facebook buddy, Andie Paysinger) of the old library. It looks like it was a beautiful place:

The only truly awful thing about SPIRITS UNITED is that I murdered a librarian in it. It’s not my fault! Lynne Welch, a valued friend and excellent beta reader, is a librarian, and she told me she’s always wanted to bump off a librarian. So I did it for her. I still feel guilty about doing so, too.

I’ll let folks pick any old book you want from my backlist at the end of August. If you’re name is chosen from my special contest doggie dish by Bam-Bam, my winner-picking wiener dog, I’ll send you the book you select, providing I have a copy.

Oh, and a word about my monthly contests. I love giving my work to people; however, I found out quite by accident a few months ago that sending books to Great Britain, Australia, and other countries outside the United States is beyond my monetary capability. If a resident of a nation other than the United States has an e-reader, I’ll happily supply that person with an e-book. If a person doesn’t have an e-reader and still likes to read book-books, he or she is on his or her own. I’m sorry, but what I laughingly call my writing career hasn’t made me wealthy yet. And it probably won’t, but let’s not get in to that, because it always depresses me. So. That’s that.

If you’d like to enter the contest, just send me an email (alice@aliceduncan.net) and give me your name and home address. If you’d like to be added to my mailing list, you may do so on my web site (http://aliceduncan.net/) or email me (you won’t be smothered in e-mail, because I only write one blog a month, and that’s an effort). If you’d like to be friends on Facebook, visit my page at https://www.facebook.com/alice.duncan.925.

Thank you!

Blog: Shows and Movies

I've been watching many great shows this week.

Tonight I watched the movie of Doc Martin. This movie shows how it all came about and why he left London. I rate this an A.

I also watched the mini-series "Decline and Fall".
This has David Suchet in it and is on acorn. I wanted something with humor and it has humor in spades. It's another A movie.

I watched a Monk Marathon which of course is not only entertaining but I can cross stitch while I listen to and watch this series A rating and with this series I find it helps me while I do a lot of stitching.

I enjoyed Criminal Minds Season Finale and I give it a B this time around.
I loved Criminal Minds "Beyond Borders" and it receives an A as does "Call The Midwife and Elementry."

I have plenty more to share with you but we are having storms so tonight I will close with if you binge watch shows I hope the characters stay with you long after the credits roll.

Happy Viewing,
Pamela

Review: Better Late Than Never

Better Late Than Never: By Jenn McKinlay
Series Mystery Hardcover
Library Lover's Mystery

Briar Creek Public Library is holding it's first overdue amnesty day they didn't expect such a crowd and so many returns.

The crafternoon ladies pitch in and help sort the books. They also check books in but when one book is twenty years overdue and the person who checked the book out was a teacher. Candance Whitely checked the book out the day she was murdered.

Candance's killer was never caught and Lindsay wonders if the book might provide a clue as to who killed Candance.

The glitch is that no one knew who brought the book back. Lindsay carefully with a little help from her friends and staff tries to right this cold case.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER by Jenn McKinlay is as carefully plotted as a rare book.
Each character lends to the plot with each turn of the page the wheels of justice are set in motion to a riveting conclusion.
I give this mystery 8 out of 10 stars.
Pamela James

Blog: Updates and more.

This week I have been to the library. I had them order me The Maltese Falcon that has larger print so I can see the type better for the cozy armchair group discussion. I am still reading it but only have read thru chapter three.

Now I have watched Agatha Raisin & The Quiche Of Death. This is new on acorn and I have to say I enjoyed this movie so much that I have watched and re-watched it. 

Tonight husband is mowing the lawn. it needs it since we have had a lot of rain. Plus his mower broke down, then something else went wrong with it and so on. 
Baby daughter is back from vacation. her vacation is ill-timed as this put them behind for moving, buying a car, enrolling the grandsons in school which starts very soon and of course she is behind in work. I guess they are all happy they took the vacation. She said she needed it and her daddy agrees that she did need it.

Now for more fun stuff such as books. I am happy to report "A DARK and STORMY MURDER by Julia Buckley is an above average cozy mystery to read. it's the first in a new series and it's must read if you like authors, books and page turner mysteries. This one has mystery upon mysteries. 
It's a Writer's Apprentice Mystery.

Now I also have to brag on "Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody." It's wonderful historical mystery that will put you in history, the moment and is rich gentle description. It has everything a village mystery should have and "Dying in the Wool" is an escape you can't miss. It is worth losing a little sleep to finish this book.

Moving on I am now caught up with the "Father Brown Mysteries that my library has the Father Brown I watched is Mark Williams.

I also watched "New Tricks Series" 
DMobed that has Martin Clune in it on acorn.

Re-watched all the "Garage Sale Mysteries" that I had DVRed. I also re-watched all the Hannah Swenson "Murder She Baked Series" I am thrilled with all of these. I sure miss the Mysteries and More channel on the Hallmark Movie Channel. 
This means I also watched the "Auroa Teagarden Mysteries Series and the Flower Shop Mystery series.
I loved Brooke Shields in the flower shop mysteries. 
Alison Sweeney is also great in the "Murder She Baked Series Movies."
What I did in the past week while watching the shows and more movies.
I baked a lot, I did laundry, I wrote (as they are inspiring), I colored a lot of pictures. 
I daydreamed and last week I cross stitched.

What else I have been up to let's see... I walked my neighbor a time or two. Frank cooked for several of our neighbors and I baked for them. 

it is now too hot to walk but I am still checking on everyone.
I have spent a lot of time watering plants, flowers, and of course making sure our pets are well kept in this heat. 
This week has either been a comedy of errors or anything but funny. 

i am excited to make out a book wishlist of authors whose books I want to read. 
There are some great new series being released.
I also wanted to read MURDER IN THE SECRET GARDEN. 
Anyway you get the idea that I am keeping myself amused with books, pets and hobbies.

How is your summer going and what has you amused?
Hugs,
Pam

Review: The Tuesday Club Murders by Agatha Christie

The Tuesday Club Murders by Agatha Christie.

In this charming collection of mysteries Miss Jane Marple is at home in St. Mary Mead and is hostess of a dinner party.
The guests are Miss Marple's nephew Raymond West and his friend Joyce, Sir Henry Clithering whose last assignment was Scotland Yard, Dr. Pender, an elderly clergyman and Mr. Petherick who is a solicitor or on this side of things would be known as a lawyer.

The after dinner conversation leads to mysteries. The unsolved mysteries of course and before the night is over the group has formed "The Tuesday Night Club," this means that one member each week must present a puzzle or mystery to the others. This is to enhance and test their deductive reasoning skills.

We soon learn of many stories and of course Miss Marple doesn't have to leave the village or her home to know who the murderer or cheater might be because in St. Mary Mead there is no shortage of suspects and red herrings.

Read The Tuesday Club Murder and come follow the clues with us. See if you can figure out who-dunit and why. Is some lying about motive, is there a bit of misdirection?
This is one of the best collection of stories I have read in a long time. I think if you are a fan of relaxing with a good book while challenging your skills you can miss reading "The Tuesday Club Murders."

I give this collection 9 out of 10 because I didn't guess one of the stories right. See if you can get all of them right.
 Best in reading,
Pamela James

Blog: My library trip

Here is what I picked up at the Parsons Public Library tonight.
BECAREFUK WHAT YOU WITCH FOR by DAWN EASTRMAN (A Family Fortune Mystery)
THE CAT, The VAGABOND And The VICTIM by LEANN SWEEBEY (Cats in Trouble Mystery)
Miss MARPLE AND  THE COMPLETE SHORT STORIES by AGATHA CHRISTIE
ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER by AGATHA CHRISTIE
THE UNEXPECTED MRS POLLIFAX by DOROTHY GILMAN
THE DAUGHTERS OF CAIN by COLIN DEXTER
I have been wanting to try a couple of these so tonight seemed like a good time. This is the only Colin Dexter Mystery they had and I hope I can inter library loan some more of them.

Hugs,
Pam

Blog:Happy 4th Of July

Happy red, white and blue day.
It is still raining here but will clear off as the day goes on and at least I could walk Pepper around the block without her freaking out as this will never be her favorite holiday.
It is not my favorite holiday either.
I want to thank everyone for the "Happy Birthday Wishes" I received on July 2nd.

Okay topic change:
I am reading "The Tuesday Club Murders" by Agatha Christie and I love it.
Terri will be posting about her vacation in a few days. In case you didn't already know her and her mother are having a great time.

I am cross stitching on a few things. One is Parisian Cats which is great and I want to have it finished my January. I am also still stitching on "Scarecrows" then there is a surprise I am stitching for someone in my cross stitch group. I also ma working on "The Spell Store" which is so much fun to stitch I don't want to stop.

Coloring well for my birthday Terri sent me a "Day Of The Dead" coloring book that has skulls and skeletons. I have completed one picture in it. She also sent me a "Steam Punk" coloring book and I have almost completed the first picture in that one.

I made myself a Jello/Dream cake for my birthday. It's main flavor is lime.

Last night I made chili cheese tots for supper.

Binge watching Marcella, Columbo, Miss Fisher Mysteries, Murder She Wrote, Death In Paradise, Jesse Stone Mysteries, Flower Shop Mysteries, Murder She Baked Mysteries, Garage Sale Mysteries, The Librarian Mysteries (I want to own this series) just love them.
I also watch Poirot Mysteries and rewatched two Agatha Christie Movies "Evil Under The Sun and Murder On The Orient Express."

Other than this I have been dealing with rain, storms, a stressed dog, when I can I have been tending to flowers indoors and outdoors, visiting with the neighbors, dealing with bugs, mice and laundry.

I kept thinking that I wanted to declutter and pick up the pace on the housework which basically all I did was run in circles.

Oh well I will try for the little at a time method.

I hope you have great picnics, hiking, meals whether it be fish fry, fried chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs, steaks or just chocolate.

Okay you know the drill by now. which is if you want a book reviewed, an interview or you want to post your own blog of choice then by all means contact me or Terri so we can set something up for you.
If it wasn't for you we wouldn't have this blog.

Enjoy your holiday and I am off to read more in the "Tuesday Club Murders" oh and if you haven't read any new author or new series I want to leave you with a few you might like to read.
Elaine Viets has a new series and book out so be sure to look her up, Laura Levine has a new book out, Lynn Cahoon has a new book out, Victoria Hamilton has a new book out, Lorraine Barrett has a new book out, Jenn McKinlay, Janet Bolin, Mary Hart, Victoria Abbott (I think this one will be out in October)? Jennie Bentley, Cheryl Hollon, Murder She Wrote, Leanne Sweeney, Stephen King, Eva Gates and I will stop here but I could go on and on and please members feel free to brung to my attention any authors i did not list and no list would be complete without mentioning Jeff Cohen's Series. They are great series and he is quite a remarkable author.
Lee Perry is another one I must add she likes skeletons as much as me especially one special one. Ellery Adams is another one that has my heart as I love all of her series.
Okay I must move along today but feel free to bring more to my attnetion.

May your day sparkle with love and good books.
Pamela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRI

Terri,
Have a wonderful and beautiful birthday. This place couldn't run smoothly without you.
There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe you. One word might be "Magical" as that is what you do supply the magic with hints of mayhem.
Take a big bite out of your birthday and enjoy it.
Hugs,
Pamela

Catching up after a holiday by Pamela James

Today's blog is about catching up after a holiday weekend. I find it very difficult to catch up after a long holiday weekend.
We didn't do anything productive on our three day weekend. I mean yes a few things were accomplished but not the things that should have been done.
I did finish reading a book. Yep just one book over three days.
I did cross stitch and i texted with friends.
Frank made some wonderful meals.
Today however is quite different. I actually do have to dye my hair, it's going to rain all day and overnight. It feels like Monday instead of Tuesday which is bound to throw me off all day.

I haven't been up but an hour and feel like I need a nap. What is on my to-do list is are these things.
1. Library trip (which won't happen because the library hours changed and they are not open after five on Tuesdays. Refer to above that I will think it's Monday all day) also with the rain and storms I won't be driving in it.
2. Clean up my closet (maybe)?
3. Post reviews (a better chance of this and post blog see current finger typing)
4. Put something in the crockpot for supper? (probably will happen) which means chilidogs or some such nonsense.
5. Walk dog (see above rain she won't go outside and well she is smarter than her owners) but eventually she will have to go...
6. Dishes are done at least to begin with so it will be not so hard to deal with the kitchen today.
7. Keep an eye on the weather (we live in tornado alley) and so this is a must do for all day.
8. A good day to start to organize my books (this is one I am looking forward to and is long overdue)
9. Talk to my daughter it's been days so that must happen.
10. I will write on my book today which this should have been number one but I need more coffee.
11. Read, read read...
12. Stitch stitch stitch
After all of this is anybody's guess....
First thing before my to-do list is coffee. Do you have a routine you follow in the mornings? Is it hard for you to catch up after a long weekend or holiday?
What books should I go to the library this week and put in a request for to read?
Happy Reading,
Pamela

Review: Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen is getting married. Hannah thinks that marrying Ross Barton is long overdue since he was her college crush.
Hannah is also going to New York City for the food Channel's Dessert Competition. This is all very exciting and when Ross can join her in New York City she can't think of anything fulfilling and wonderful to happen to her. What's even better is that her little sister Michelle will be joining her as her assistant in the competition.
To top all of this off Hannah's Aunt Nancy knows one of the judges and is quick to give Hannah and Michelle the inside scoop on what he likes and doesn't like in the food and presentation.
Better yet Mike and Norman like Ross and have known him as long as Hannah has known Ross Moishe her cat even loves Ross although everyone knows that Moishe also loves Norman and his cat.
Life couldn't be sweeter and Hannah is finally happy to take her slice of life and happiness.
However sooner rather than later the judge and Chef Hannah was happy to get kudos from is murdered. Michelle finds the body and Hannah knows on many levels and for many reasons she has to solve this murder.
She doesn't want her honeymoon haunted by nightmares and visions of murder.
Everyone in Lake Eden Minnesota knows Hannah can win the competition and solve the murder. She doesn't know how but Hannah is a multitasker and will find a way to solve the murder and whip wonderful desserts.
Did I mention the shows, the wedding and Lake Eden is being taped live?
There is not room for anything to go wrong/.
At least Hannah doesn't have to worry about the wedding, her mother, other sister Andrea, Lisa her business partner and a few close friends are seeing to the wedding. Hannah does have to try on wedding dresses and make time to follow the scent of murder.


I have to say this is a very fun book in the series to read. this has been the book I have waited on and it doesn't disappoint anyone.
So many fun tidbits and I love Hannah's clothes.
If you want a cozy to fit the month of June, a wedding mystery and a culinary delight of a book you can't miss reading this book.
The recipes are to die for and I have to say I am going to try to make a couple of these no fail recipes.
Joanne Fluke knows how to keep me turning the page on murder, mayhem and family.
Reviewed by Pamela James
Library copy --hardback.

An Interview with Miss Willie

Interview with Miss Willie

MM: Willie give us the backstory on when and how you became the Parsons Public Library Children’s Librarian?

WM: I became the Children’s Librarian in October 2008.

MM: What changes have you seen happen in the children’s library through the years?

WM: The children’s room have two internet computers instead of one internet computer in order for the children to use one of the internet computer they and a parent or guardian must first sign an internet agreement. Also have an education game computer and ABC mouse is install on the internet computers. The children or a parent can check out a Launch Pad Tablet that they can only use in the library. The children room has a music keyboard that they can play. The children’s room has a pet bird named Tweety.

MM: What fall events do you have planned for the children?

WM: Children’s Book and Movie Discussion for ages 8 to 11 we just finish The Chronicle of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. I do some Family Morning Movies for when the children are out of school. Also did easy knitting with straws.

MM: What are some of the most popular children’s books in the different age groups?

WM: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Thomas the Train by Awdry

Pinkalicous by Victoria Kann

Anything Star Wars

Look and Find Books

MM: Winter is coming up and I bet you have a lot of good things happening for this winter?

WM: Children’s Book and Movie Discussion for ages 8 to 11 we are going to do Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers, and The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. A new club called Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s Club that will meet once a week after school there will be two age groups K-2^nd and 3^rd-5^th grade. A new program called 1000 books before kindergarten. Will have a couple of family morning movies for when the children or out of school and also some children crafting programs.

MM: Okay for some fun get to know you questions. What is your favorite meal, movies, dessert, holiday, place to vacation and song/s?

WM: My favorite meal which I don’t get to often is T-bone steak, crab legs, shrimp, bake potato, salad, and Texas toast.

My favorite movies are Magic Mike XXL, The Longest Ride, The Avengers, and watching the Rio movies with my nephew.

My favorite dessert is chocolate cake with peanut butter icing but mostly anything that is chocolate.

My favorite holidays are Christmas and the Fourth of July.

My favorite place to vacation still dreaming of going to Jamaica. Pretty much anywhere I go as long as it’s not in the state of Kansas.

My favorite songs  Still Standing by Monica, Stay Down by Mary J. Blige, Trust and Believe by Keyshia Cole, Successful by Trey Songz, Let Me Love You by Mario, and Suffocate by J. Holiday

MM: Be our tour guide and tell what you like about living in Parsons and southeast Kansas?

WM: Why I like living in Parsons the town is small easy to get around not a lot of traffic and most of all my family is here.

MM: What do you read when you’re not reading young adult or children’s books? As an Adult do you have favorite adult authors whose books you like to read?

WM: No I don’t have a favorite author it just depend on what kind of mood I’m in and what catches my eye at the movement. Right now I’m reading The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Jo Ann Fluke. This is the first book in the Hannah Swenson series that was put up on the Hallmark Movie and Mysteries channel that I start to watch and was unable to watch the rest of the movie so I decide to read the book to see how it ends. So right now I’m hooked on this author and I plan to read the rest of this series.

MM: Do you have some favorite workshops or conferences you like to attend?

WM: I look forward to the summer reading workshops and the summer reading craft workshops these workshops help me to plan my summer reading programs. I enjoy going to workshops and conferences that are gear towards the youth.

MM: Can you share with us some of the themes for 2016?

WM: The 2016 summer reading theme for children is On Your March Get Set Read!

MM: Lastly what are you looking forward to in 2016?

WM: The summer reading program and the Bathtime Math’s Crazy 8’s programs. Mostly just looking forward to have fun with the children and having fun and exciting programs that the children will enjoy.

Blog by Pamela James

I just wanted to take a moment and to say R.I.P. Jim Lavene he passed away and will be missed greatly as is his wife who passed away six months ago. They were both talented, gifted and authors who gave all of us so much they did it with open hearts and always a smile.


Hugs,
Pamela

Kindle Book Blog by Pamela James

I hope everyone had a "Happy Mother's Day" this evening I am going to list in no particular order my kindle books that I have read the past three to four months. I think this is where I seem to do most of my book reads.


I will rate them by number but no real reviews as I just wanted to blog about my list of books. 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. I am still learning how to post the book covers or I would post them to this blog.


1. What the Cat Saw by Carolyn G. Hart I give this one a 9
2. Anything For A Story by Cynthia Hickey I loved this one and give it a 10.
3. Murder She Typed by Sylvia Selfman I really enjoyed this book. I rated it a 10
4. A Corpse In A Teacup by Cassie Page I rated this one a 10
5. Armoires and Arsenic by Cassie page I rate this one a 9.
6. Antique Roadkill: A Trash and Trailer Mystery by Barbara Allen. Rating is 9 I really laughed a lot.
7. Seaside Secrets (A Dune House Cozy Mystery) by Cindy Bell absolutely loved it and if I could give it a rating higher than a 10 I would but 10 it is tonight.
8. A Novel Way To Die by Ali Brandon this is a great read. I give it a 9
9. Guide Book to Murder ( A Tourist Trap Mystery Series) by Lynn Cahoon who is a gifted author. Her series is truly amazing. Rating is a 10.
10. Mission To Murder (A Tourist Trap Mystery Series) again this author is remarkable. Another 10 rating.
11. Murder on The Page by Kennedy Chase love, love and love this series. I give this one a 10.
12. Murder On the Hill by Kennedy Chase another fun mystery series. This one is also rated 10.
13. Hilda Hopkins Murder She knit by Vivienne Fagan This is a must read for any cozy author. I give it a 10.
14. Another Murder In The Inn by Barbara Fox I give this one a 8 it's very good and well written.
15. Edited For Death by Michele Drier This is a great mystery and you will enjoy every page. I give it a 10
16. The Invisible Code: A Peculiar Crimes unit Series Mystery by Christopher Fowler: What a talented author whose mystery series and characters go beyond books and time. This is one of the best series I have ever read. The plot is intricate, Bryant and May are characters you will not soon forget. I want to call these historical crime but they are also modern each book in the series is absolutely engrossing and what a page turner series. I have never read any other series that made me NOT worry about page count. This one I give up sleep for so yes if I could give this series a 20 I would. 10 it is and I really think his books should be taught in writing classes.
17. Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough. This tell us how Archie came to work for Nero and is highly entertaining it also clears up some questions on both men. I give this one a 9 out of 10.
18. Cocaine Blues: By Phryne Fisher Mystery Book Series by Kerry Greenwood. This one is a wonderful series setting is 1920's and she is a sleuth/detective. Set in Australia there are movies made based on the series. I love all the characters, costumes and plots.
19. Dying To get Published by Judy Fitzwater. I read this series for the first time years ago and loved it. I was crushed when there wasn't anymore of them but I hear they are back now. I have this one on my kindle and if you want to have cozy fun then enjoy the this series and wait for the new ones.
I give it 10 out of 10.
Okay more on the kindle read tomorrow night.
Hugs,
Pamela

Books and Movies Blog by Pamela James

Today's blog is about books I have read in the past month or two and how I rate them. These will be short as most have been returned to the library. 


The movies are the series I might binge watch or retro movies I have watched in the past month.


Also there are current reads that I am have been reading.


The HANGMAN'S ROW ENQUIRY by ANN PURSER. This is one of my current reads. So far I love this book. Retired is not for everyone. A group of the older generation start their own inquiry detective agency.
The group is so much fun. I am giving this one a 8 out of 10 because I haven't finished reading this fine mystery.


MRS. JEFFERIES WINS THE PRIZE by EMILY BRIGHTWELL I love this series. I admit some books might be better than other but you won't find a lemon in the bunch. So far this is one of the better books.
This is about a local garden club members. Some of the ladies meet to comparer orchids and in the conservatory there is found a dead body.
MRS. JEFFERIES  is her group of behind the scenes helpers are once again drawn to murder.
They would do anything for their employer. Inspector Witherspoon has no idea how much his household helps in the investigations. Just the way the help likes it and so this murder is challenging but the household and a couple of friends rise to the occasion. So far this is 10 out of 10. I am more than halfway thru and do not look for this top change.
******
TESSED TO KILL by LILA DARE. This is a southern mystery with heart and great characters you won't soon forget. Grace knows her way around hair, style, cuts and much more. So does her mother and lately they also know their way around murder.
That is solving murders. Lila Dare is a wonderful author who know how to cozy write a mystery. Don't miss why I kept turning the pages.
This one is 10 out 0f 10.
***
Movies I have watched this past month.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN this retro and stars Tom Hanks and Gina Davis. This one rates 10 out of 10.


MY GIRL I love this movie as it is one that my daughter and I watched for years and dubbed our movie right down to the song. It is also retro and is of course 10 out of 10.


HOCUS POCUS I watch this one a couple of times a year. Always a family favorite and I still laugh at this movie. Love Bette Midler and of course her song. I love it when the one witch rides the vacuum cleaner.
10 out of 10.


TOPPER RETURNS Again this is vintage but I can so relax by these movies.  10 out of 10 it's kind of screwball comedy but I love it. Cary Grant is a lo of fun.


***
Series I watched or binged on this past month.
NERO WOLFE: A&E SERIES that is retro. I binged on these this past week and my am happy that my library could get them for me interlibrary loan. Definitely 10 out of 10.


CRIMINAL MINDS BEYOND BORDERS: Now I take this series one at a time. They go up and down and I just don't feel this series but I want to like it. I give it a 6 out of 10.


CASTLE: I loved this series until found out all of the behind the scenes drama. What I mean is it's going to cable and they did not invite Stana back well that's it for me. I don't the whole idea and will not continue watching this series. They lost a viewer and switching days also did not help but its not the main reason. So what once was a 10 out of 10 is now a big fat zilch.


NEW TRICKS: I binged clear up to the last season but there will be no more NEW TRICKS I loved this series. 10 out of 10.


ELEMENTARY : I  LOVE Johnnie Lee Miller and the I always enjoy this series. However this season I am a little tired of the plot line. I give it an 8 out of 10.


For tonight I am going to stop here. Mostly because it's getting late. I will return tomorrow night with more movies, books, series, author and just plain fun.


Hugs,
Pamela

Anything goes blog by Pamela James

Good Evening,
Today anything goes on my blog.
Our library had author local author Julie London for a book signing. She wrote a true story world war two book about her neighbor and it was a birthday tribute to the woman who has live thru a lot. I don't know Julie and didn't go to the book signing. I found out after the fact.
When was the last time you went to a local book signing? Do you have some favorite author signings you like to attend?
I do I love Nancy Pickard and Max McCoy. They are Kansas authors...

Our Easter was a bit different but I certainly enjoyed our Easter Supper.
When I feel low I want to read Laura Levine Mysteries, Rhys Bowen, Leigh Perry, Lynn Cahoun, Victoria Abbott, Elaine Viets, Victorian Hamilton, Emily Brightwell, Eva Gates, Elizabeth Lyn Casey, Melissa Bourbon and Sherry Harris.
When I am in a serious mood I enjoy reading what I term the "yesteryear authors) Agatha Christie, Re Stout, Caroline Crane, Ngaio Marsh, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Mignon G. Eberhart
Kage Booton, W.J. Burley and Joan Fleming.
Now there are other authors for yesteryear group but these are the ones that come to mind.

Author whom I admire more than words can express. Patricia Sprinkle, Dorothy Cannell, Carolyn Hart, Leslie Meir, Stephen King, Jeff Cohen, Katherine Hall Page and Jenn McKinlay.

These author lend me to a magical world I never want to see end.
Okay who are you magical moment authors? Yesteryear authors and I already can tell you I forgot Mary Stewart. LOL See....now we have a lot more wonderful and beautiful with words authors on our coyarmchairgroup. I wouldn't trade Lorna Barretts books for the world. See it never ends....
I know I have left a great many authors out but keep watching our blog as I am sure I will mention you and your series soon. It's a late night for me and I pledge to mention more authors.
If you're an author and reading this tell us about the book you are currently writing, promoting an reading?
Readers tell us your favorite series? Your favorite stand alone authors? Another author I just thought of is Christopher Fowler who writes the Bryant & May Series.
Anyway tonight book and authors have been on my mind.
The passing of Patty Duke made me sad and longing for authors of yesteryear, actors and television shows.
We have lost so many great actors, artist, authors musicans, writers etc...lately that it's turned me into more of a hermit than usual. Lots of reflection with a year like this but we also need to live every day to the fullest.
What's on your mind?
Hugs,
Pamela

Magical Arts Friday: An Interview with Julie Kent

INTERVIEW WITH JULIE KENT: PARSONS PUBLIC LIBRARY YOUNG ADULT SPECIALIST

By Pamela James

MM: Julie, give us the backstory on how you came to work for the Parsons Library?

JK: I read the advertisement in the paper for this job and decided this was something I had always wanted to do.  I love the books and the people who come into the library. 

MM: Tell us about how your idea for a coloring day at the library came about? 

JK: I read on a Librarian Facebook page that this phenomenon was very popular in a number of libraries in the USA.  Many of the libraries had discovered that patrons really loved being able to come in and just relax.  I talked to Delores and Jean and they agreed with my idea to start this. 

MM: Do the coloring days stay the same? Explain to us how this works for you? 

JK:Currently we are coloring each Wednesday afternoon for an hour.  We tried several time frames for the program and this is our current program.

An hour seems to be enough for most people to get started on a picture.  They take them home to complete. 

MM: Has anyone completed a colored piece?

JK: We have several pictures that were colored and brought back to us to post. We plan on offering holiday inspired pictures to color and then post as a sort of holiday decorations. 

MM: Do you think you will have a coloring contest?

JK:Our plan is to have a coloring competition soon.  We haven’t decided exactly what that will entail so far.  I have been thinking that it might be fun to do this in December.  We haven’t ironed out the details as yet.

MM: As a young adult specialist for the library: what does this entail?

JK: My job has spanned from Young Adult programs to Tech Tip programs for Adults.  My basic duties include purchase of books and movies for YA, and planning monthly programming for YA usually in the form of a movie or craft program.  During the Summer Reading Program, I plan and usually complete the craft programs that are done for that session. We have had beading crafts, origami, made terrariums, duct tape wallets and other craft items.  I am usually at the Reference Desk during the day, checking books in and out and answering questions for patrons. 

MM: What programming do you have planned for the library? 

JK:We often help patrons access their e-books and audio books on tablets and phones by helping them to download the programs and set them up.  In addition we have had programs on the new Sierra program card catalog, Encore, that is used to find, place a hold, and renew books from home on your computer.  We show patrons how to use this program and it gives them a lot of control over their checkouts and can even offer a way to track the books they want to read and the ones they have already read.

MM: I know you work with a lot of talented ladies. Have any of your coworkers colored a picture?

JK:Several of my co-workers have taken pictures home to complete.  They are some pretty creative people.

MM: Tell us about the different designs and styles you have for patrons to choose from and since this has started what will come next for 2016?

 JK: We have several books that we ordered from Dover Publishing that are adult coloring books.  We also have gotten many pictures from Pinterest and have a coloring account on Pinterest for the Library.

At the coloring sessions, patrons can request a certain subject; today one wanted celestial pictures with the moon and stars, and another one wanted complex pictures of animals: Lions, Elephants and Gorillas. 

MM: Okay now for some fun questions. What is your favorite meal, dessert, books to reread, song, movies and drink?

JK:  I love going out to eat in Joplin at Hu Hot.  This restaurant does stir fry with ingredients that you pick out.  They always have vegetables, lean meat, eggs, and sauces to complete your meal.  This is a buffet-type restaurant so you can go through the line as many times as you want. 

Desserts are really my downfall.  I love chocolate French silk pie, tiramisu, ice cream and cheesecake. That about covers desserts lol.

I have always loved Janet Evanovich books because they are mindless and funny. I am a fan of John Grisham books, J. A. Jance books too.  As far as young adult books, my very favorite is Mike Mullen’s Ash Fall series.  I can re-read them and love them. I also love books that keep me thinking.  Mysteries fit into that category.

I love quiet music: Enya, Native American flute music by Coyote Oldman.  I also love Bruno Mars.  Actually I love most music.  Different genres for different moods.

Currently my favorite movie is Pitch Perfect. I have seen it many times.  I like the music it in.  I also am a fan of The Hunger Games movies, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies and of course, Harry Potter movies. 

I love coffee drinks.  I usually have one cup of coffee when I get up in the morning and may have a dessert type coffee when I eat lunch at Remnant Café here in Parsons.  I am fond of the Butter Beer drink (Harry Potter drink). 

MM: If you could sit down with any five authors dead or alive who would they be and what would you want to know?

JK: I really like James Patterson as an author.  I believe he has the whole author thing figured out. He puts out (with another author) a book every month or two.  He also has become a noted children’s author, writing books that young kids and young adults find entertaining.   I think I would just like to spend some time talking about his writing and how he started.  I would love to write a book too so think this might be very helpful.

Janet Evanovich is another author I think would be interesting.  I would be interested in finding out where she got the very funny characters in her Stephanie Plum series.  Do these people really exist ??

Dana Stabenow writes books about Alaska and the Native American tribe members who live there.  I like hearing about the tribal customs and the lifestyle. 

Mike Mullen writes YA books. His series beginning with Ash Fall is a big favorite of mine.  His story begins with the super-volcano in Yellowstone exploding and how the people affected handle the problems that occur.  I really enjoy these books.  They seem very plausible to me and the problems the people face are real.

MM: Lastly, what do you want to say to your patrons about the coloring days?

JK: The Color Your Stress Away program is a lovely way to handle stress.  It is nice we are giving adults permission to color.  Most of them have felt guilty about doing something they may have thought was childish.

JK:  Thanks for giving me an opportunity to tell you about our programs and a bit about myself.  

Review: BOOKED for TROUBLE bu Eva Gates

TITLE:BOOKED for TROUBLE
AUTHOR: EVA GATES
(A LIGHTHOUSE LIBRARY MYSTERY)
Paperback Series

Lucy Richardson is happily working and loving her new life living and working at the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
When her mother pays an unexpected visit, Lucy doesn't feel her mother is there to be a tourist or just to visit Lucy, no her mother wants her to come home.

The thing is this time Lucy feels there is more to the visit than her mother trying to make a point. The longer her mother stays the more Lucy's concerns arise. When a diamond necklace is stolen from the hotel her mother is staying at and is found in her mother's bag then Lucy begins to suspect her mother is being set up for the theft.
Also the hotel maid went to school with Lucy's mother (Suzanne) then when the maid comes to book group (Karen) makes up with Suzanne.

After the book group meeting Karen and Suzanne leave the lighthouse last. Lucy goes to bed but the net morning Karen is found murdered and Lucy's mother is last person to have seen Karen. That is Lucy says besides the murderer.
The concern doesn't stop there as her mother is drinking more and more. She makes friends with the manager of the hotel that she went to school with but never liked him.

The suspect list grows Karen's ex-husband is a nasty piece of work. He drinks and is mean and wont' let his granddaughter's attend the library events. His girlfriend is nice but a bit much to take, then there are the ghost stories of hauntings at the lighthouse, other suspects crop up and soon Lucy sees she must clear her mother's name.
her Aunt Ellen tries to help shed some light on Lucy's mother's past.

To top off the concerns there two men who want Lucy to be more than friends. Lucy wants to call her dad but her mother doesn't see the need to bother him. Her motheris keeping secrets and doesn't seem to grasp the seriousness of her situation.
BOOKED for TROUBLE by EVA GATES, is positively engaging, a smart read and most of all holds all the intrigue a cozy and it's characters should be.
You care about the characters and the plot is full of fun, clues and suspects.
I give this one a ten out of ten.
Pamela James

Our Library

Okay so I freely admit to being a little miffed at my library the other night. I dropped in with a lot of the books I had checked out and found to my surprise I had a 24.00 fine. The library used to send out notices in the mail. Then they would call you to remind you that you had to return books by such and such date. Now day apparently all of that is by the way side of modern things.

You see I have a teacher card so I get to keep mine for one month at a time. Reminders are nice because for me more often than not the card in the back of the book means nothing since a lot of the time they forget and give me the two week card. Like previously stated I was a little miffed. However since I used to work there I reminded myself that the library is free to everyone. That our little library offers a lot of services and after all my payment may have helped them buy a new book. So then let's fast forward three days.....

Saturday I rounded up all the rest of the books I wanted to take back to them. Mostly to ensure that I wouldn't have anymore fines (some of them weren't overdue on Thursday), however one was due on Monday and I knew I wouldn't have time to finish it. I walk into the library and turned the books in at the front desk. Scanned a few shelves picked out a book to checkout and walked around WELL low and behold one of my books I had written some years back was displayed proudly for everyone to see. It seems this is Kansas Authors Month and my book made the cut!

Really 24.00 isn't so much to pay for such awesome service. (LOL) however I have to add nobody contacted me to let me know my book was being displayed. It didn't matter I took a picture with my camera phone. This does seem like my writing year! Not to mention all is definitely forgiven about whatever that fine was....Heehee and it was the best surprise I had in 2014.

It's Monday let the writing flow, let the page turn and I vow no more petty thoughts about my library. I think I got spoiled because the Blue Springs Library sends an email/paper notices when their patrons have books due or about to be due.  Ah forgive me I didn't mean to be a diva!!!

Pam