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Gedstern's Blog
Tuesday, 19 April 2005
Talk about an April Fool!
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: Spongebob Squarepants Theme
Geesh! I feel like an April Fool's joke went bad! I haven't made an entry since 4/1! Mostly due to severe back and leg pain and MD visits and tests etc etc... then when I finally felt better, the good weather hit and the outdoors has beckoned louder than the computer!
Anyway- I did read several books- some I barely remember thanks to muscle relaxants! So, for now, just to get you up to speed on what I've read, I'll just put up the links. I will say I enjoyed them all, except for the newest Elizabeth George which was too dark for me. I usually enjoy her works, but I think my own pain induced depression made this one wrong for me just now. I'll include it anyway.



Oh! I just remembered--"Bubbles"(above) mentions General Hospital several times including character names and plot references- Bubbles is a big soap fan!














Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 3:24 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 19 April 2005 3:35 PM EDT
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Friday, 1 April 2005
Slaying Cards?
Mood:  mischievious
Now Playing: Kate Collins and Susan Short
Ever try reading two books at once? I am doing just that, and somehow not managing to get confused!
I have twelve books awaiting me so decided to go for it!
I'm enjoying both very much!
Here's the link for the first ( I LOVE THIS SERIES!)

Here's the 2nd-- what can I say-- I LOVE THIS SERIES, TOO!



Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 3:43 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 1 April 2005 3:46 PM EST
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Thursday, 31 March 2005
The Good Girl's Guide to Murder!
Now Playing: Susan McBride
Having recently read both of Susan McBride's books

I decided to drop her a line and also enter the contest at the end of "A Good Girl's Guide To Murder". Susan replied the same day and then I wrote back and so did she! What a nice person! Here is a little bit of our last correspondence, including some Happy News for her fans and for Susan:

In a message dated 3/30/2005 8:19:06 PM Central Standard Time, LauraHinds writes:


Thanks Susan! I loved the book, and the first one too!!!! I hope there will be many more in the series!


Oh, Laura, that's so sweet. I'm always happy to hear those words! ;-) Well, the third is done and will be out next February. It's called THE LONE STAR LONELY HEARTS CLUB, and I think it's my favorite yet! I've just signed for two more...yay! So looks like the series will be around for a while.

Thanks for your note!

Cheers,
Susan




Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 2:22 PM EST
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Tuesday, 29 March 2005
Tuesday 3/29
Mood:  lazy
Hello Blogsters!

I did finally finish both of The Hot Flash Club books and can tell you that they are a lot of fun to read. Definitely "chick books", and best enjoyed by women over 40. Not that I am over 40...um..ok, I am..barely. The links are in the previous entry if you'd like to read them.

I'm now starting the first series by the late Barbara Burnett Smith. It's so sad how she died (see earlier blog entry. The first book is:

I'm about 1/2 way through and just started it this morning. The series is set in the very small town of Purple Sage, Texas, and this first book involves the murder of Judge Olsner-- the Patron Saint of Purple Sage. The protagonist is Jolie Wyatt (although in the book she does revert to her maiden name)and a manuscript she has written, hoping to publish it as a mystery. Unfortunately, the Judge is murdered by the exact same method outlined in the book, making Jolie the #1 suspect!

Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 3:29 PM EST
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Wednesday, 23 March 2005
Wednesday
Mood:  mischievious
Now Playing: Shhh
The library has books for me and my leg hurts too much to drive to go get them. Oh well....I'll ask a friend to go for me. One can never have too many books.

Last entry I wrote nothing about the books, but I did read them. All 4 were excellent and I was left with the feeling that I miss the characters now that the book is read and over with.

I'm currently reading this:

To be followed by this:


Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 8:29 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 23 March 2005 8:29 AM EST
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Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Such a long break
Mood:  incredulous
I'm finally back after a long long break! Bed ridden with back pain and then joyful with a visit from Amy, home from Iraq!


Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 10:33 AM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 22 March 2005 10:51 AM EST
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Tuesday, 8 March 2005
Happy Day!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Julie Wray Herman
Happy Tuesday! It's rainy here, but soon to get coollld and snowy...y'know it can't get me down today! Why, you ask? Because our beloved niece is returning to the US today after a year in Iraq!!!
We won't see her until the 18th, but she'll be safely on US soil and with her parents by tonight!

I've been reading Julie Wray Herman today.


"Three Dirty Women and the Garden of Death" is the first in this series and was published back in 2000. I'd actually read the 2nd in the series first, and have the third ready to go. The books are Southern mysteries, and like most of my favorites involve a small town with its oddball characters, although most of the "townies" aren't as odd as some of the other books I like. They are well rounded and the plots well thought out. I especially love the gardening themes-- in case you wondered "Three Dirty Women" is the name of a Landscape Design company run by three middle aged women from three very different backgrounds. You can order the whole series from Amazon- start out with the link above and then progress to:



Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 3:39 PM EST
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Monday, 7 March 2005
Author Deaths
Mood:  sad
Now Playing: Charlotte Mcleod and Barbara Burnett Smith
The following is from "Deadline News" and is very sad news, indeed. I've read many of Charlotte Mcleod's mysteries. They were very humorous and although their were a variety of crimes involved, none of the stories were gory or creepy. They were truly "cozy" mysteries. A great loss indeed.

Barbara Burnett Smith wrote "Bead on Trouble"
which I read not too long ago and enjoyed very much. I was looking forward to many more books in this series and the manner of her death was very sad, indeed.

CHARLOTTE MACLEOD, DEAD AT 82

Charlotte M. MacLeod, award-winning author of more than 30 mystery novels, died Friday in Lewiston, Maine at age 82. MacLeod, a native of Canada, wrote the Peter Shandy series as well as the Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn series and produced a biography of author Mary Roberts Rinehart. She had won the Nero Award and had received nominations for Edgars and Agathas. Also known as by her pseudonym Alisa Craig, MacLeod was honored with a Lifetime Acheivement award from Bouchercon, the World Mystery convention in 1992 and from Malice Domestic in 1998.
An obituary can be found at http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/obits/.Ú

[1/16/2005]




BARBARA BURNETT SMITH DIES

Deadline News is very sorry to report the death of author Barbara Burnett Smith on February 19, 2005. Barbara died after being hit by a car. Her friend, Patsy Asher, who owns "Remember the Alibi" bookstore where Barbara and her husband were visiting, reported that the couple had come to San Antonio to pick up a dog they were rescuing. The dog escaped from the car and in trying to rescue the dog, Barbara was hit by a car and killed.

Barbara's family donated her organs to others in need. She was then cremated.

Information on the memorial for Barbara was posted on "DorothyL" by Jan Grape who said

A Celebration of Barbara Burnett Smith's life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24th at 3:00 p.m. Services will be held at Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Andeson Mills Rd. (512) 335-4449.

Barbara's husband, Gary Petry, has requested that anyone who wishes to, please stand up and talk of a memory of Barbara.

There will be no graveside service as Barbara has been cremated, but there will be a short reception at the church following the service.

Donations (instead of flowers) may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc. www.ovarian.org, e-mail: nocc@ovarian.org
500 NE Spanish River Blvd.Ste. 8
Boca Raton, FL 33431
1-888-Ovarian

Thanks to Patsy Asher and Jan Grape for providing the information.

We at Deadline News express our deepest sympathy to Barbara's family and friends. She was a vivacious, generous and well-liked member of the mystery community for over 10 years.

[2/23/2005]




Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 11:24 AM EST
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Vacation!
Mood:  happy
Topic: 3 books in 3 days!
Hello! I'm home from a lovely vacation- first in years and years! I went all by myself to a lovely, peaceful Inn in Rowley MA. My sister took care of Mom during the day and my hubby at night, so all was well. It was great that my sister was able to take some leave from work to help out. I was desperate for a break to recharge my batteries.

Anyway, while I was away I managed to read three books in three days, and then finished off a 4th over the weekend at home.

The first book I read was from one of my very most favorite authors- MC Beaton. She writes both the fabulous "Agatha Raisin" mystery series, and the "Hamish Macbeth" series. This is one of the "Hamish" books and is set in a small village in the Scottish Highlands. Hamish is the local constable who manages to solve crimes large and small when they perplex the higher up detectives.

The eccentricity of the village characters carries forward from book to book and I've found myself very attached to them all. Especially Hamish's funny looking dog "Lugs". This is the 20th book in the series. Read them ALL!



The next book I read was the outrageously funny
"Assault & Pepper" by Tamar Myers. Like MC Beaton, Tamar Myers also has two concurrent mystery series and both are great. This book is part of the Pennsylvania Dutch Inn series and the main character is Magdalena Yoder. A strict Mennonite, Magdalena not only runs her own Inn, she solves all the crimes, especially murders in town when her inept brother in law Melvin, who is the Chief of Police, cannot. This book has a really surprising twist and seemed to be a very fast read since I couldn't stop reading it until I was done!



Yet another great mystery series is written by Joanne Fluke. The Hannah Swenson Cookie Shop Mysteries are all fun to read and although I can often spot the killer pretty early on it's always enjoyable to immerse myself in following Hannah's path to finding the murderer amongst a variety of suspects and clues. The books include some wonderful cookie recipes too!!! "Peach Cobbler Murder" is a must read for Fluke Fans!


Now this next book is the one I read over the weekend. Not a mystery! "Good Grief" is the debut novel of Lolly Winston and is the story of a widow in her 30's and how she copes (and doesn't cope) with the first year following the cancer death of her beloved husband. The book is sad, true to life, and simultaneously hilarious and happy. I look forward to more books by Ms Winston!



Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 10:47 AM EST
Updated: Monday, 7 March 2005 11:00 AM EST
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Wednesday, 23 February 2005
Valerie Malmont
Now Playing: Toni Miracle!
Good Morning!

Most people can easily name their favorite movie, tv or music stars. Me? I can list dozens of favorite authors- especially those who write in the mystery genre. I keep several journals with lists of books I have read, authors I enjoy, dates I read books etc. Periodically I review them and make note of when a favorite author hasn't released a new book for awhile.

Earlier this week, I contacted one of my very favorites- Valerie Malmont. I was delighted to hear back from Valerie almost right away. This is part of her reply:

"The next Tori Miracle will be a novella in a book called A Feast of Crime. It will be published in May by World Wide Mystery, a division of Harlequin Books. It's called "Tori Miracle and the Turkey of Doom" and is set at an Oz convention."

(Thank You Valerie!)

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Toni Miracle series, the links below will take you to Amazon where you can purchase the books and read summaries of each, as well as customer and editorial reviews.

The books are set in Lickin Creek, PA, where Toni, a novelist is drawn into many a mystery, starting with the homicide of her friend Alice-Ann's husband, the obnoxious Richard. The well rounded characters, the town of Lickin Creek and each mystery drew me in fully, and I've enjoyed each and every book, and look forward anxiously to the next!
I recommend you read them in order- as follows:




Today, I am reading this book:

Posted by journal2/gedsternsbooks at 7:44 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 23 February 2005 8:05 AM EST
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