WINTERS RESPITE READING 2.2.15

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? Having been participating in #WintersRespite Reading Challenge I've had a good reading week and weather by this weekend to support it.  * Books read?

Extremely well written Austenesque, Stephanie Barron has a knack  for writing dialogue and description accurate to the era. A pleasure to be vicariously immersed in a Regency mansion for a week long Twelve Days of Christmas party replete with food and festivities. Mystery and method of sleuthing finds Jane's capabilities useful despite being questioned. Family personality clashes provide new insights to the lesser known Austens.  Recommended for JA fans. *

Striking black and whites of children of Calcutta and the work of Mother Teresa and her sisters of Charity. Brief prayers and foundational thoughts expressed in interviews during production of a movie on Mother Teresa's work form written content. Overview of her birth and biographical background forms  the intro to Words to Love By... *

Short story collection, All Together Now, from a popular Australian born author, Monica McInerney. Great sense of humour in her writing combined with unique stories of varied generations. The novella, included, offered a great 'new beginning' for the protagonist  with a surprise ending that countered any suspected predictability. *

Helpful book in so many ways.  Fight Back With Joy dealing with Margaret's breast cancer diagnosis, the medical journey, chemo, doctors, family and friend's  support and her responses through all of it. Great advice for what is and is not helpful from those of us in supportive roles.  Creativity in dealing with the incredible life changes for those experiencing first hand battles. Recommended reading even for Margaret and Leif's tips alone. *

* Two audiobooks kept me busy for 2 days.

Fascinating Hercule Poirot audio mystery with an accomplished narrator capable of covering a wide cast of characters.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find him listed in any part of the After the Funeral paperback accompanying the audio.  Possibly Gary Waldhorn but nothing stated to confirm that.   Enough plot twists to keep me guessing and maybe a few too many characters to keep track of in this one.  * Such a great continuation of Anne's story as she leaves  Prince Edward Island to attend Redmond College in Nova Scotia. Anne of the Island covers 4 years of her life - moving from dorm living to share rent and lives together with friends in a private home for the remaining 3 years of school and socializing.  Anne discovers the home of her birth, receives several very unusual proposals, visits Green Gables home for weddings of her childhood friends, and studiously avoids Gilbert's attentions. An excellent addition to the Anne series,  I'd certainly recommend either novel reading or audio copy. * Not entirely committed to any particular reading this week.  Definitely happy to have posted three netgalley reviews.  Feeling positively inspirited by that wee success. I do have Somewhere in France on audio from the library  *

and a couple ebooks to catch up on netgalley reads before I get too far along with my current reading selections.

Highland Call When Great Britain declares war on France, Napoleon orders the arrest of all British men on French soil, including Selena Delaroe's twin brother Nicholas.All attempts to secure his freedom fail. By 1811 he has been detained for eight years. When the French threaten to kill him, Selena agrees to spy for them to keep her brother alive, though she is a Christian and loyal to England. The British government asks Gabriel Macpherson to help them determine whether or not she is working for Napoleon. Soon after Gabriel becomes the manager of her country estate, he falls in love with Selena. When he learns she is a French spy, he must choose between his heart and loyalty to his country ...

In the Field of Grace  is a fictionalized telling of the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz.

One of my favs, and a perfect romance for this month of Love, I look forward to experiencing this tale.Without wealth or family, the widow Ruth left her people and followed Naomi, her beloved Hebrew mother-in-law, to rebuild Naomi's home in Israel. Provisions gone and starvation at the door, Ruth used all that she had left--a strong back and a willing heart--to gather grain in a field, abandoned after the harvest.

Tormented by others, Ruth is shocked to find the owner of the field watching her. Talking to her. Bringing food to her and Naomi. Boaz tells himself his kindness toward Ruth is repayment for the love she has shown to his cousin Naomi.  But his heart knows better...

Sounds like the perfect Valentine read 

* Looking forward to hearing of your reading successes this past week and what's ahead... Find more BOOK LINKS listed at Sheila's BOOK JOURNEY * LITERACY MUSING MONDAYS * * MUSING MONDAYS * * AUDIO WALKERS  * * BOOK NOOK * * * FIND MORE FHC on BOOK DEPOSITORY | PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS | LIBRARYTHING * Tweet