Book Review -- The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

This review is my opinion. . . I received no compensation for it at all. . . . I did not receive a copy of the book from the publisher or author.


I borrowed "The Radium Girls -- the dark story of America's shining women" from the library.









I do not know how I came across the book. . . it may have been from another blog, it may have been from a search I did. . . .I have no idea.


But I am so very glad that I found it.


Yes, the subject matter is dark and depressing, but the writing style that Kate Moore has held me spellbound and I wish I could have just stayed home and read the entire book at one time.


Alas, work, travel, and family prevented that. . . . but this is a great page turner of a book.


The women are brought to such vivid life on the page that you really feel that you know them. . . .and can feel the anguish that they are going through.


It is a story that starts in the early 1900's. . . . .but it could easily be a struggle taking place today since the author concentrated on the women, not the politics (although does that ever really change?), not the standards of the day, etc. . . . .just the women and those men that were willing to help them.  Of course the "villains" are there too, since without them there could be no victory.


I have read a LOT of books (just check out the books tab) over the years and I do not think that I have read a book that I wanted to recommend so totally as this one.


Well written, extensively researched, and, since I live in New Jersey, extremely relatable are just some of the reasons I decided to write this post.


If you enjoy reading true stories I hope that you will pick this up, read it and then let me know what you think.






In peace and pieces,


Sherry




This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Book Review --- Threads of Deceit ---- Publication Date Coming Soon!

Late last year I was asked if I would be interested in doing a review of a "cozy" murder mystery that would be published in April 2015.

Being the avid reader that I am I was more than happy to say "yes".

Since the book was not going to be published for several months I thought that I would wait to do my review until the publication date was closer. . . . . rather than doing the review in November, around the holidays, when attentions would be drawn to other things and perhaps not to reading.


DISCLAIMER:  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I received no other compensation of any kind.


This book is the first in a new series called "Vineyard Quilt Mysteries".

Here is the information that I received from the publisher (Annie's Publishing):

Title: Threads of Deceit
Author: Jan Fields
Page Count: 224

Synopsis:

Starting a new life can be a real killer.

Former antiquities bounty hunter, Julie Ellis, is on the run, trying to stay one stiletto step ahead of her perilous past. She accepts a position as manager of the Quilt Haus Inn in Missouri wine country, thinking it the perfect place to keep a low profile and start on a new, less dangerous career path. It is—until Daniel Franklin walks through the front door and asks for a room.  Daniel claims to be a historian overseeing the recovery operation of a famous sunken ship that he believes to be buried, of all places, in a nearby farm field. Though Julie finds the handsome historian’s story odd at best, news of the “treasure ship” spreads like wildfire through the small town of Straussberg, and Julie and her guests are soon caught up in the melee. The discovery of a dead body at the dig site makes it clear that someone else believes in Daniel’s theory too and doesn’t want the ship or its secrets unearthed. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Julie does a little digging around of her own, trying to unravel the mystery. But when frightening things start to happen at the inn, Julie can’t help but wonder … is the killer hiding right under her own roof?

The book was an easy read. . . . . most of my reading is done during my lunch hour at work and I easily covered 30 -35 pages per day.  (Yes, I track the number of pages that I read. . . . it's kind of a challenge for myself.)

There are two authors, Mae Fox and Jan Fields, on the cover even though on the press release only Ms. Fields is listed.

I found the title of the series, Vineyard Quilt Mysteries, a little lacking since the "action" does not take place in a vineyard setting; quilting also is not a "main" part of the story.

The characters are interesting. . . .although it takes quite a while to get a good portion of the back story of the main characters.  I found that frustrating since there was nothing to endear the characters to me for almost two-thirds of the book.  Until then I was left wondering. . .ok, why is this important. . or. . why did that come up.

Once more of the details of the characters came out it made getting into the story much easier.

The ending was a bit expected. . . . . although some of the reasons for the outcome were unexpected.

There is a prologue that, in my opinion, is unnecessary.  In fact, while reading the prologue I was put to mind of a completely different time period (Victorian England) instead of the modern day setting of the story. . . . .which was a bit confusing, especially in light of the missing back story for the characters.

Some of the syntax seemed a bit stilted. . . . whether that was caused by the dual authorship or some other reason I am not sure.  However, where this occurred it created a section of reading where I found myself having to re-read the section in order to get back into the story.

All in all I enjoyed the book; and I would hope that more of the background of the main characters will come out in the remaining books of the series so that the characters become easier to understand.


DISCLAIMER:  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I received no other compensation of any kind.


If you are interested in the book it can be pre-ordered through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  I am sure it is available elsewhere also.  Again, I get no compensation from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, I just provide the link for your convenience.



In peace and pieces,
 

 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

End of Year reflections

I don't know where 2014 went. . . . but it is coming to a close quickly.

I don't remember how many quilts I made; nor how many blocks I've sent out, nor how many swaps I was in.

I think that more fabric came in then went out. . . . . and I hope to have that situation corrected in 2015.

I do know that I have gotten more selective about a lot of things. . . . .what I spend my hard earned money on, who I spend my time with, and how I spend my time.  (Now, if I could just wean myself from playing Township on my iPad I would be doing well!!  LOL)

I also know that I read 27 books this year!  Not my "all time high" but very, very good.

In 2015 I hope to be able to read at least that many books. . . . .and, just to be a tease, I am reading a book that I will be reviewing shortly. . . . it is a book that is scheduled for release in April.

Blog posting is something else that I am planning on getting better with in 2015. . . . I love reading blogs so it would only be fitting to see if there are others that would be interested in reading what I have to say!

From my little corner of New Jersey I hope you all have a wonderful New Years' Eve . . . in whatever fashion you celebrate. . . .and that 2015 is a healthy, happy and successful one for all.

In peace and pieces,
 


PS. . . . I have FLUNKED out of Loopy Academy. . . . . but that is a story for another post!!!




 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.