A Five Star Review

Five reasons I'm giving Five Stars to:

The Right Sort of Man

by Allison Montclair:

1. The period - We are in 1946 in London

as the city is slowly recovering from 

WWII and shortages and loneliness 

are everywhere.

2. The plot - Two young women decide to go

into business together and open

The Right Sort Marriage Bureau.

It doesn't help that one of their very

first customers is murdered.

3. The characters - Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge 

come from different backgrounds, have different

personalities and life experiences. No reason, 

of course, not to become best friends.

Each is a great character in her own right

and both capture our hearts.

4. The issues - While the book is a historical

mystery with the emphasis firmly on

the murder case, it touches on questions of

gender, class and personal responsibility

in very intelligent ways.

5. The summary - If you are in the mood

for a well-written fun read, full of charm,

energy and plot twists, with two lively and 

lovely women, this is the book for you.

It is the first in a new series.

♡

Featured: A small needlework

winter scene.

The Brave New Year

The brave new year

came through the door

and asked us all

if we'd like to do more.

We searched out souls,

went deep and wide -

to the hopes that we hold

the dreams that we hide.

The 'same old' is always

a bit of a bore,

there is no doubt about it -

we'd love to do more!

"Let's all take a chance!"

said the brave new year,

"everything is possible

now that I'm here."

♡

Featured: I joined a pile

of old scarves into a

winter blanket.

Yuletide Wishe

Sending you

my yuletide wishes

for a holiday

fun and delicious.

Good company

food and cheer,

and all the best

for the coming year!

♡

Featured: The 'Holiday of Holidays'

celebration in my city,

A Good Day's Work

Billy was sad 

when he came through the door,

it's been raining all day

and school was a bore.

The bear came to him

and gave Billy a hug,

thinking you're never 

too old to be snug.

The cars gave the train set

a bit of a chase,

knowing Billy would like

the thrill of a race.

The kite and the darts

and the old mandolin

got a card game going

and let Billy win.

They all played together

and after a while

the bear was quite sure

that he saw Billy smile.

"We hope you feel better!"

he said to the boy,

cause making kids happy

is what brings us toys joy.

♡

Featured: A new friend.

A Five Star Review

Five reasons I'm giving Five Stars to:

The Lady Sherlock Series 

by Sherry Thomas

1. The Setting: This historical mystery series

takes us to a Victorian London where

society is strict, the streets are mean,

and a clever woman can still

take charge of her life.

2. The Protagonist: Charlotte Holmes

is a brilliant investigator with a fondness

for frilly dresses and all pastries

(there is an on-going battle with

the Acceptable Number of Chins).

3. The Supporting Cast: Are all

delightful, from Charlotte's

partner Mrs. Watson, to her sister Livia,

Livia's mysterious admirer, and the most

liberal minded lord in London.

4. The Gender Bender: It is

lovely to meet a heroine who is

never afraid of being the smartest

person in the room.

5. The Plots: Very clever,

with a surprising amount of twists and turns.

There are now four books in the series,

beginning with A Study with Scarlet Women,

and I suggest reading them in order.

♡

Featured: A small felt applique

waiting its fate in the dreaded

unfinished pile.

Give Me a Hand!

 

  

They ask me such questions,

I can't understand -

"how many fingers

you have in each hand"?

I don't really see

the point of this game -

we all have hands,

the number is the same.

♡

Featured: A little doll

made for little hands.

Goodnight. Sweet Dreams

As I slumber I dream
of all that I did -
the bones that I chewed,
the shoes that I hid.

The birds that I chased,
the cats I would fight.
Who has the time
to bark in the night?

♡

Featured: a little dog
with big dreams.