Jemima J. by Jane Green - Jemima Jones is not happy with her life. She is overweight, lives with two room mates she despises, works a job she hates, Ben, the man she loves, only wants to be her friend and there seems to be no hope in sight. Then she discovers the Internet where you can be whoever you want to be and changes her name to JJ. After meeting Brad from LA online Jemima decides to become in reality the person she has been pretending to be online, thin athletic popular and a news presenter. After joining a local gym and practically starving herself she loses over 100 lbs. in a matter of months. She then flies out to Los Angeles to meet the new man of her dreams, who more than meets her expectations. But as is with most of life nothing as it appears. Will she ever find happiness? Find out by reading this funny book, very similar to Bridget Jones' Diary.

In the Shadow of the Moon by Karen White is a time travel / romance. Laura Trutt lives in the 20th Century but after losing her 2 year old daugther,Annie, on the mysterious Moon Mountain and her husband dying a year later she has little to live for. So after 5 years she decides to go back to Moon Mountain and finds herself in midts of the Civil War where it is brother against brother. She meets and falls in love with the handsome Stuart Elliott and finds her lost daughter who has little memory of her previous life or her mother. Will she take Annie back with her to the 20th Century and can she deal with the heartache she feels.

This is very similiar to Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. But it was much shorter and it was an easy read. Though I got a little annoyed by how easy it was to find her daugther and her way back and forth between time periods. But an enjoyable read.

Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde This utterly delightful book is set in the U.K., in an alternate version of our universe-one in which time travel is possible and the boundaries between life and literature are porous. Thursday works for Special Ops in the Literary Detectives and battles an archvillain who's kidnapping characters from classic literature.

If you like the books by Connie Willis especially _To say nothing of the dog, or, How we found the bishop's bird stump at last_ then you will love this one.

Lost in a Good Book is the 2nd in the series. Det. Thursday Next is back for another round of time traveling and bookish sleuthing. She's made an enemy of the corrupt Goliath Corporation, which manufactures absolutely everything, by imprisoning one of its executives, Jack Schitt, in the pages of Poe's The Raven. In return, the corporation eradicates her new husband, Landen. Since no one really dies in this chronologically fluid universe, Landen could be restored-but Goliath won't do it until Thursday brings back Schitt. But rescuing Schitt is easier said than done-Poe's oeuvre is dangerous territory. Thursday enlists the help of Great Expectations' Miss Havisham, who works for the intra-literature police force, Jurisfiction, and the two leap into the pages of Kafka's The Trial, Austen's Sense and Sensibility and Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Thursday also finds time to authenticate Cardenio, a newly discovered Shakespeare tragedy, and save the world from being engulfed by an oozing pink sludge. Time flies-and leaps and zigzags-while reading this wickedly funny and clever fantasy. And of course it has ended with a cliff hanger ending when Next literally loses herself in a good book. Aaakkk!!!!

Well of Lost Plots I got this when I went to Montreal in Dec. 2003. I couldn't wait until it was released here in the U.S. Sometime in 2004. A very pregnant Tuesday Next once again does battle with philistine bibliophobes, taking a furlough from her duties as a SpecOps Literary Detective to vacation in the Well of Lost Plots, the 26 noisome sub-basements of the Great Library. Pursued by her memory-modifying nemesis Aornis Hades, Thursday joins Jurisfiction's Character Exchange Program, filling in for "Mary," sidekick to the world-weary detective hero of Caversham Heights, a hilariously awful police procedural. At the imminent launch of UltraWord, the vaunted "Last Word" in Story Operating Systems, Thursday's friend and mentor Miss Havisham is gruesomely killed, and Thursday gamely sets out to restore order to her underground world, where technophiles ruthlessly recycle unpublished books and sell plot devices and stock characters on the black market. Per ususal Tuesday creates havoc wherever she goes. Picks up where it left off in Bk 2. Now I can't wait until Bk 4.

Something Rotten is supposidly coming out in August 2004 both in the U.S. and the U.K. I can't wait! I hope she finally remembers Landen (eradicated in Bk. 2) and that she is married to him and gets him back.

Louisiana Bigshot by Julie Smith introduces african american Talba Wallis, budding PI, computer genius and by night the Baroness de Pontalba, a glamorous poet and performance artist. Talba was introduced in a Skip Langdon mystery 82 Desire. After totally her car, Talba gets a massage from friend Babalu who asks her to investigate her fiance who she fears is cheating on her. Talba gets the dirt on the boyfriend and four days later Babalu is dead of a heroin overdose. Is it suicide or murder? Babalu's boyfriend is convienced that it is murder so hires Talba to find out who would wand Babalu dead. Talba find out family secrets that go all the way up to the governor's elections.

Talba also unearth's some family secrets of her own. She finds out she has a younger sister and tracks her down to unsatisfactory conclusion. A lot happens in this mystery set in New Orleans. There is Talba's relationships with her family, her boss, Eddie Valentino and a host of other interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it but wouldn't put it on my list of favorites. I would read the next one just to see.

Learning to Fly by April Henry The chaotic scene of a huge, fiery chain-reaction car accident leaves Free Meeker in the possession of someone else’s bag and the hitchhiker she has just picked up dead. By the next morning, 19-year-old Free, daughter of aging hippies, has discovered that the bag contains nearly a million dollars - and that the hitchhiker’s body has been identified as hers. Fate seems to be handing her the chance to make her life over. But when the owner of the drug money realizes it didn’t burn up in the fire, things get complicated. And things only get worse when the hitchhiker’s stalking husband decides that Free must be some do-gooder hiding his wife. It is an interesting story plus it it told from several different points of view including Free's.

I really like April Henry's books - not just because we share the same first name. Her other titles are fun because she uses vanity license plate as the ending for each chapter. It is sometimes a challenge to figure out what each one stands for and how it pertains to the chapter.

Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye which features Hermux Tantamoq, an average mouse who works in his watch shop. Nothing extraordinary every happens to him until one day when Linka Perflinger, daredevil aviatrix, drops off her watch to be repaired. Little did he know that his lfie would be changed forever. This book for children has adventure and a little romance. A lovely book. I will definitely read the sequel.

Sands of Time The adventures of Hermux Tantamoq, mouse and watchmaker, continue. When the museum in Pinchester announces a show of visionary portraits of cats, the mayor vows to shut it down. When a mysterious chipmunk claims to have a map to the royal library of an ancient kingdom of cats, he recruits Hermux to help him find it.

Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo is an odd and engrossing fairy tale. Follows the story of a smaller-than-usual mouse with large ears, Despereaux, in love with music, stories and a princess named Pea. This tiny hero faints at loud noises but gathers the courage to fulfill his dreams. With character and plot far more complex than the traditional fairy tale, separate stories introduce Despereaux, condemned for talking to the princess; the evil rat, Roscuro, who loves light and soup; and Miggery Sow, a farm girl with royal aspirations. The lyrical language of this distinctive tale is as savory as the palace soup. All of which become entertwined into a lovely story. It has won the 2004 Newbery award. I read this in just a few hours and enjoyed every moment.

An Artistic Way to Go by Roderic Jeffries features Inspector Alvarez. British art dealer Oliver Cooper lives on Mallora with his beautiful young wife and adoring friends. When his car is discovered at the edge of the cliffs Alvarez is brought in for a missing persons case. alvarez discovers that there are many people who would want Oliver dead, from his wife that is having an affair to the neighbor's who never got along. When Oliver is found dead with his head bashed in a few days later who will be the one who killed him? This is a short mystery but packed full. I have never read any books by this author and will try to go back and find some of the early titles as this one is #19. You really get the local flavor of this island and the culture with a mystery to boot. Olé!

Aunt Dimity Mysteries by Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity's Death is the first in the series that introduces us to Lori Shepherd and the ghost of her Aunt Dimity. Suffering from her recent divorce, her mother's death, and an erratic income, Lori Shepherd receives notice from a prestigious Boston law firm she then discovers that Aunt Dimity (who had been the heroine of her childhood stories) had recently died that she must travel to England in order to meet the requirements of a will. While at the cottage she discovers the ghost of Aunt Dimity and helps her heal the grief that they both have over loss. Makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea with your cat.

Aunt Dimity and the Duke - #2 in the series features Emma Porter, fortyish computer nerd and gardener, who goes to England after being jilted by her longtime lover. At another garden she meets the Pym twins who send her an introduction to see the Penford gardens. As she arrives she is suddenly given the job of restoring the long neglected gardens and becomes entangled in a mystery involving the Duke of Penford. Aunt Dimity herself appears only in name-but no matter for the rest of the characters are delightful. A very entertaining read.

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed - #3 in the series featuring Lori Sheperd and her family and friends. In this installment Lori, feeling like her marriage is on the rocks, arranges a 2nd honeymood to go back to England and stay at Aunt Dimity's cottage. At the last minute Bill cancels but has his father, William, to go with Lori instead. Once they are settled William leaves a cryptic note and leaves for parts unknown. Luckily Aunt Dimity makes an appearance and helps Lori and her friend Emma's 12 year old daughter, Nell, (introduced in Book 2) figure out where he is headed. They discover many family members, secrets and murder. But the biggest mystery of all is will Bill realize what he is missing and come to the rescue. Another fun read in this series.

Aunt Dimity Digs In - #4 in the series. Lori and her husband Bill and new parents of 3 month old twin boys. Lori is running on empty when the Pym twins, Ruth & Louis, introduce them to Francesca Sciaparelli to be their nanny. When the local busybody Peggy Kitchen declares war upon the vicar because he gave the church schoolhouse to Adrian Culver who is doing an archaeological dig in the village Finch, Lori is put in the middle to bring peace to the village. But with both sides very passionate about their cause and scandals abound who will win the war? As usual Aunt Dimity has the answers but only Lori can bring peace to everyone.

Aunt Dimity's Christmas - #5 in the series. It is Lori's first Christmas for the twins and she decides she is going to do it right. She is having a grand Christmas party on Christmas eve and has organized all kinds of parties, decorations and gingerbread making. But when a deretict collasps in their drive way everything changes as she an attractive Roman Catholic priest try to discover the idenity of the tramp named Kit. Once again Aunt Dimity pays a crucial roll in this nostalgic non mystery. A fun read, and brings more awareness of family and hope. We see all the characters change for the better because of one man's plight to gain his dead father's forgiveness.

Book #6 Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil. Lori takes a break from her toddler twins to evaluate a rare book collection. She sets out for Wyrdhurst Hall, and encounters the newlywed owners and a charming, handsome stranger. She falls under Wyrdhurst's spell when she unearths a cache of World War I letters that tell of a doomed love and hidden treasure. It will take all of Dimity's supernatural skills to help Lori solve the puzzle. I listened to this on CD in the car and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately a few of the CD's were scratched so I missed some parts. This was the first one I read in the series but I will go back and read the others.

Aunt Dimity, Detective # 7 has it's first true murder in this cozy mystery series. The twins are now 2 years old and the entire family had spent three months in Boston with Bill's family. On their return they find that there has been a murder in Finch, their idyllic Cotswold village. Prunella Hooper "Pruneface" to most villagers was found dead of a blow to the head in her home, Crabtree Cottage. Given her malicious nature, the residents of Finch aren't surprised by her death; in fact are very closed mouth about it. Lori with the help of handsome Nicholas go door to door to discover who hated Prunella enough to kill her. Aunt Dimity mysteries are always a fun read but I'm getting a little tired of Lori's wondering eyes as there always seems to be a handsome stranger to tag along plus what about her kids? She always is willing to leave them with someone. The emphasis is always on the relationships rather than the mystery. But no matter, fun never the less.

Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday is the latest in this supernatural series. I just couldn't read this. It started with the usual drama but this time from the usually calm neighbor Emma pounding on the door saying that someone is going to kill her husband she just knows it. So I will return it back to the library and try to read in a few months. I think I have just read too many Aunt Dimity novels lately.

Aunt Dimity, Snowbound Lori Shepherd is overtaken by the blizzard of the century. Fortunately, she's soon safe and dry with two other stranded backpackers in Ladythorne Abbey, the fabulous home of the late Lucasta DeClerke. Or is she? In the abbey's cloisters and passages there still lingers the haunting presence of Lucasta, a mysterious madwoman -not to mention the danger posed by an unstable caretaker. It was better than the previous Dimity book, as I enjoy it when there is more of a supernatural aspect which there was this time. The mystery wasn't particularly difficult to figure out but it had an interesting twist.

Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin
Lori Shepherd, feeling a touch world-weary, decides to become a volunteer at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where she can spread a little good cheer in the community. There she meets Elizabeth Beacham, a kind, retired legal secretary with no family except a brother who has mysteriously disappeared.

Lori is saddened when Miss Beacham passes away suddenly after only a few visits. But when she receives an envelope containing a set of keys and a letter Miss Beacham wrote to her just a few days before her death, it becomes clear that there was much more to the gentle invalid than met the eye. Notices start arriving around the village of the large bequests made before her death. And Lori finds that Miss Beacham’s flat is filled with priceless antiques—an inheritance too precious to remain unclaimed. Armed with a few clues and Aunt Dimity’s help, Lori begins to unearth Miss Beacham’s secrets and, ultimately, the surprising truth about her next-of-kin.

This was one of the better stories as it gives Lori some humility which she really needed.

Mrs. Murphy Mystery postmistress Mary Minor (Harry) Hairsteen Series by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown

Book 13: Cat's Eyewitness
After she decides to quit her job as the Crozet, Va., postmistress because her animal companions-cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and corgi Tee Tucker-are no longer permitted to accompany her to work, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen and best friend Susan Tucker retreat to a Blue Ridge Mountains monastery, where a statue of the Virgin Mary suddenly begins to bleed from the eyes. This curiosity, which attracts national media attention after a local reporter, Nordy Elliott, files a short piece on it, becomes more of a concern when Susan's beloved great-uncle, a monk, turns up dead at the foot of the statue. While Harry, her two cats and her dog investigate, Nordy becomes the next murder victim, in a symbolic manner linked to the supposed miracle.

This was a bit more preachy than previous of the series. We even see Boom-Boom falling in love with a woman! I think this book has focused much more on the emotions of the various characters and less on the mystery. Listened to on tape so perhaps that is why I noticed it more.

Book 12: Whisker of Evil
This mystery concerns the death of Barry Monteith, a local horse breeder. Even more mysterious is that fact that Barry, although viciously murdered, was also infected with rabies. Harry soon finds the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local horsebreeder who disappeared in 1967 with her prize stallion. Two more deaths soon follow, and the entire close-knit town is shaken, trying to discover the murderer and the source of Barry's rabies. A lot of personal growth happens to Harry as well. She finally opens up her heart to love again and decides to quit working at the postoffice when she is told she can't have her animals working with her. Overall a good read but I do get a little tired of the horse stuff. A must read in the series or you'll come in an go huh?!? when she isn't working at the postoffice.

Book 11: Tail of the tip-off
Set in the middle of UofA woman's basketball season and murder is personal! Construction company owner H.H. Donaldson falls dead in the parking lot of the Clam, the University of Virginia's giant sports complex. The police and Harry are barely into trying to find out who killed H.H.-and how-when a second mysterious death occurs at the arena. Will she find out who did it before she is the next victim. I honestly did not figure it out, much more complicated than most of these mysteries.

Book 10: Catch as Cat Can
When Roger O'Bannon dies during the spring festivities at Crozet, Virginia, it's up to Postmistress Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen's coterie of animals--her Welsh corgi, Tucker, her portly gray cat, Pewter, and, of course, feline sleuth extraordinaire Mrs. Murphy--to get to the bottom of the murder connection. I listened to this on tape. This is a very fun series. I have read all, but periodically go through and re-read every couple of years. It helps me remember who and why people are important to Harry.

9. Claws and Effect
8. Pawing Through the Past
7. Cat on the Scent
6. Murder on the Prowl
5. Murder, She Meowed
4. Pay Dirt
3. Murder at Monticello
2. Rest in Pieces
1. Wish You Were Here

President's Daughter by Mariah Stewart features Journalist Simon Keller and Dina McDermott. Simon unearths an unsettling story about former president Graham Hayward and a 30 year old murder. He finds that Hayward had a secret affair that ended with his mistress being killed by a hit and run driver. Through his discoveries he discovers successful businesswoman Dina McDermott who is the result of Hayward's affair. Shaken by a shattering truth, Dina is suddenly thrust into the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer and on the run for her life.

An interesting story that I read it as the sequel is out and supposed to be good. We'll see. It was an alright story and not that hard or shocking to see who the real murderer is.

Mitford series by Jan Karon features the quiet life of Mitford through the eyes of it's pastor, Father Tim. I listened to each one on tape/CD in my car as I drive to and from work. It really helps pass the time. As I finish each book in the series I find that I'm missing it and can't wait until the next one comes out. I'm very thankful that I allowed myself to enjoy this lovely series.

Book 1 - At Home in Mitford Father Tim, the bachelor rector, enjoys his little quiet parish but wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. OK, I resisted reading these books when it first came out. But finally felt it was time to start reading it. It is a lovely read perfect for rainy days in front of a fire with a cupa.

Book 2 - In A Light in the Window His attractive neighbor, Cynthia, is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory, uninvited. I listened to this on tape and enjoyed it as much as the first. This is a good tape to take on a long car trip as it is 12 cassettes. We find out much more about our favorite priest and all the people in lovely town called Mitford.

Book 3 - These High, Green Hills Since I skipped Book 3 & 4 and read book 5 out of sequence book 5 is starting to make more sense to me now. After becoming trapped in a tunnel with his wife Cynthia he comes to terms with issues about retirement and his father. He has been married for about 3 months and Father Tim adjusting to married life, dealing with a new church computer, confronting issues of domestic violence and child abuse, providing courtship advice to the local newspaper editor, and facing the prospect of retirement. He discoveres that Dooley's mother is living in poor side of the creek, but doesn't come to grips with it until she is brought in as a burn victim the hospital. You feel his struggle with letting Dooley make his own choices about his life and sometimes you have to love someone enough to let them go. With the usual blend of humor, saddness and friendship one is again home in Mitford.

Book 4 - Out to Canaan Father Tim, the Episcopal rector, and his talented and vivacious wife, Cynthia, are pondering the murky uncertainties of retirement. They're also trying to locate the scattered siblings of Dooley Barlowe, the mountain boy they love as their own. A brash new mayoral candidate is calling for aggressive development, and a tough survivor must hunker down for the fight of her life. Worse, the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be closing, and a suspicious real estate agent is trying to turn the beloved house on the hill into a spa. Can change be coming to Mitford? The buzz on Main Street says yes. Change is certainly coming to the tenderest regions of several townspeople's lives.

Book 5 - In A New Song, Mitford's longtime Episcopal priest, Father Tim, retires. However, new challenges and adventures await when he agrees to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island. He and his wife, Cynthia, soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters: a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, a mother battling paralyzing depression. They also find that Mitford is never far away when circumstances "back home" keep their phone ringing off the hook.

I listened to this on tape and enjoyed getting to know the people of Whitecap Island but we do get visits from our old familiar favorites from Mitford. I read this out of order thinking it was the 3rd book - hence was confused by some things that seemed to have changed so rapidly.

Book 6 - A Common Life which actually goes back to Father Tim & Cynthia's wedding. It is very short but nostalgic look at their marriage day as well as of several other main characters first loves.

Book 7 - In This Moutain Father Tim and Cynthia return to Mitford. Father Tim, disliking retirement, takes on a difficult ministry. At first he likes the challenge until an unexpected event propels him on a journey that shakes his faith, his marriage and the town of Mitford. We get a much more indepth look at Father Tim and his relationships with people in the community and with God.

Book 8 - Shepherds abiding
When Father Tim finds a battered nativity scene in an antique shop, he embarks on a renovation project that touches many. We also see the closing of the grill on Christmas eve. The usual cast of characters that make Mitford so unique. There is new love for Hope, manager of the Happy Endings bookstore, as she lets God take control of her life and her wildest dreams comes true. With typical fashion Father Tim is unable to keep a secret of what he is giving his wife for Christmas so everyone in town knows and lends a hand. With an almost Henry O' type ending we see Tim and Cynthia give each other the perfect gifts of Christmas.

This short novella includes two short stories: Esther's gift: Esther isn't so sure that she should spend so much time and money making her famous two-layer marmalade cake for holiday gifts, but then she remembers the meaning of Christmas. The Mitford snowmen: The citizens of Mitford have a spontaneous snowman-building contest.

Book 9 - Light from heaven
Father Tim and his wife Cynthia are housesitting on Meadowgate Farm, where the couple are staying for a year. Between Dooley's brother Sammy showing up, dust storms and the chimney collasping and finding someone to help clean up the mess plus keeping track of the animals, it is becoming difficult to stop and count their blessings. We meet the numerous and multitalented Flower Girls; there's a poacher on the farm. Plus we see Father Tim confront Dooley's father who is trying to get one of his sons, Sammy, back.

Then, high atop a nearby mountain, a tremendous challenge presents itself. An old, abandoned church, Holy Trinity, is in need of immediate revival--if Father Tim is up to the task. Preparing to become a vicar to a rural church closed for nearly 40 years, Father Tim considers the challenges ahead. We are introduced to a wide range of vivid characters. There's loquacious five-year-old Sissie; Jubal Adderholt and his squirrel-tail decorated home; Clarence, a gifted (and deaf) woodworker; and his mother Agnes, an Episcopal deacon. Still, Mitford is not far away, and Father Tim takes us on regular trips there.

Father Tim also struggles with the question of when to tell Dooley about his inheritance from Miss Sadie, looks for some money Louella has just remembered that Miss Sadie hid in a car, and engages in e-mail correspondence with former secretary Emma about her forthcoming trip to England. Two deaths occur in Mitford (Uncle Billy's death inspires the townspeople to take on an engaging new habit), as well as a wedding. Plus finally the missing brother comes home on a Christmas eve reunion that will bring you to tears.

Thankfully they go to Mitford often so we don't loose all our favorite characters plus there are so many new ones we get to meet. The ending was a bit rushed as she ties up loose ends to end this lovely series. I almost wish she could have been made it into two books as I felt it jump so much at the end. Oh, well all good things must come to an end.

Joe Gray msyteries by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Cat on the Edge features Joe Gray, a cat, who discovers that he can understand, speak and read human language and feel such human emotions as guilt and sympathy, but when he witnesses Beckwith's murder, he begins to wish that he was just a regular cat. This very fun mystery series is more of an fantasy as Joe Gray finds he can understand human speak and even speak it himself. He discovers another cat who is like him as well as a human who can turn herself into a cat and back to human again. But I will definitely read more of this series.

Thale's Folly by Dorothy Gilman is a delightful book about Andrew Folly who goes to check out the property his father inherited. There he discovers that 4 people are very happily living there - perment guests of his Aunt. A truely delightful book.

Flesh Tones by M.J. Rose
Did Genny Haviland poison Slade Gabriel to save her adored father's art gallery or did she help the acclaimed artist kill himself before Alzheimer's disease destroyed his mind and talent? Although billed as a courtroom drama, there's not a great deal of suspense here, but that may not matter to readers who prefer their mysteries with a romantic subplot. In this engrossing, erotic novel, the affair that begins when 17-year-old Genny meets and falls in love with the married, much older Gabriel, and then spans two decades is more than a subplot--it's the whole thing. While the outcome of Genny's murder trial is hardly in doubt, it's a good frame for a nicely told story of love, art, and obsession.

Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy features two friends, Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather who have started their own catering business. It follows their lives and those that they touch along the way. Everything written by Binchy is always lovely to read and this is no exception.

Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell by Amy Sohn gives an overview of the show's premise, photos of seasons past, biographies of and interviews with cast members and the show's producers, episode summaries and more. This is really fun to page through as I enjoy the show so much.

Bill Smith & Lyndia Chin Mysteries by S.J. Rozan

1. China Trade is set in New York's Chinatown Lydia is hired to find precious stolen porcelain. She follows a trail of clues from highbrow art dealers into a world of Chinese gangs. Suddenly, this case has become as complex as her community itself--and as deadly as a killer on the loose... Very fast paced and even though this is the first book you feel like the characters feel the history between the characters. I look forward to reading more by this author.

2. Concourse is from Bill's point of view and you get a lot of insight into his personality and his relationship with Lydia. A very complex world of real estate and community involvement in the Bronx. When a security guard is found beaten to death with a gunshot in his foot Bill is brought in by an old friend, Bobby Moran, who is the uncle of the murdered man and the head of the security company hired to guard the area. This form of killing if uniform of a gang killing bringing focus upon the local gang, the Cobras. When another security guard is killed will Bill discover if it is a simple as a gang killing or is something more sinister going on.

3. Mandarin Plaid is from Lydia's point of view. Her brother Andrew asks her to deliver the ransom for a set of stolen sketches that comprise the inaugural collection of fashion designer, Genna Jing. When Lydia is shot at in the park, her partner Bill is arrested and the money was stolen out from under her, Lydia starts digging to find out if everyone involved is really who they seem. Another well written addition to this excellent series. We find out more about Lydia's brother Andrew is hasn't come out to anyone in the family but her. Plus we see Bill & Lyndia's relationship grow and develope.

4. No Colder Place is back to Bill's point of view. Bill Smith is going undercover again as a favor to an old friend who wants him to investigate thievery on the 40-story Manhattan site of Crowell Construction's latest project. His bricklaying is a little rusty, but passable as he checks out the foreman who's under suspicion. A crane operator has disappeared--along with some heavy machinery. But when a well-orchestrated riot causes the foreman's “accidental” death, Smith plunges into a morass of bribery, blackmail and blood looking for answers.

By Blood Possessed by Elena Santangelo. Out of the blue, Pat Montella learns that an elderly Virginia woman, Magnolia Shelby, wants to leave her some land in her will. But a condition of the bequest is that Pat go to Virginia and spend some time with Miss Maggie. It turns out the land is the site of a Civil War battle, and Pat soon learns that she has a strange, eerie connection to events that happened 150 years ago, for she begins to hear sounds no one else hears, see things no one else sees. In many ways, this is a traditional mystery--someone seems to want to keep Pat from inheriting the land, and Pat has to figure out who--but it has a certain otherworldly quality that will appeal to readers of supernatural thrillers, for it offers an intriguing premise: If Pat's experiences aren't just a trick of her mind, can she use her unusual gift to solve a century-and-a-half-old mystery?

Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen - follows the lives of senior citizens in Jewish "retirement club" in Boca Raton, Florida. Primarily follows 3 ladies who made an unlikely trio. It follows their loves, losses and friendship. It is a great read by the pool. I miss the characters already.

Passage by Connie Willis features Dr. Joanna Lander is a cognitive psychologist at Mercy Hospital. The focus of her research is the near-death experience (NDE). She interviews people who have coded and were resuscitated to try to to identify the common elements and to see if she can find out what causes the NDE and the purpose it serves in the dying brain. She meets up with Dr. Richard Wright, who is also studying NDEs, using a drug that simulates the near-death experience. When their volunteer list dwindles and the project is in danger of losing its funding, Joanna goes under the drug herself and embarks on a series of strange journeys as she tries to piece together the clues her experiences provide.

I love Connie Willis' books, I have not read one I did not like. It is hard to put her books down once you start reading it.