Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:

In honor of the Canadian “Family Day” holiday, today, I’m curious… What was the last book (or, what was your favorite book) that dealt with family? What did you like / dislike about it?

My answer:

The first book that came to mind was Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer.  I read it this past year and it was the type of story where I got so involved with the characters, in this case 3 sisters, that I didn’t want to see the story end.  The sisters who are all facing trouble in their own lives have come home to the small island of Nantucket to face their past and begin their future.

And to all my Canadian blogging friends…Happy Family Day!

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
This hasn’t happened in a while, no books this week, but then maybe it’s a good thing because I am so far behind.  But I will be visiting and seeing what everyone else received so that my tbr bucket list will grow.

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young’ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.



I started blogging in April 2010. A friend of mine mentioned that he had a blog and also that I should check out his daughter’s blog. I did and then started snooping around the blogosphere and found a whole bunch of book blogs. I decided it would be a great way for me to keep track of my reading–log the books and actually review them so maybe my aging brain might better remember what I read. The main point was a personal reading journal.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
Well, I’m a reader and a wanna-be writer (first draft of a mystery novel done…but needs lots of work), so I was looking to do a play on “writer’s block” while also indicating that I was reviewing the books (putting them on the chopping block, so to speak). I planned to call it just “Reader’s Block” but some guy had already claimed it. What’s really irksome is that he claimed it, posted like 2 or 3 times several years ago and then abandoned it. So, I stuck a “My” on it. Ta-da!

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Reviews. And challenge-related posts. Can’t forget the challenges. Afterall, I am a Challenge Addict and proud of it!

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
My first love is mysteries–particularly vintage mysteries. I’ve loved them since my mom gave me her 1950s set of Nancy Drew books (5-6books). I had a long affair with science fiction from about 12 years old through college and a brief flirtation with romance novels, but in the end I come back to mysteries. After mysteries, my second long-lasting love is classics 18th Century through WWII and mainly British. Not a big American Lit girl and a more modern novel really has to grab my attention for me to read it.

*How often do you post?
At least once a day and often as many as three times a day.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
1. Keeping track of what I read in more definite way. I actually knew how many books I read in 2010. I never had a number before. This also makes my husband happy because he’s a numbers man and loves it when I can give him number data of any sort.

2. Meeting so many lovely people out here in the blogospher. It’s nice to know I’m not the only crazy book lady who’s addicted to challenges. LOL. But, seriously, I have made so many great virtual friends. It’s better than any pen pal system I’ve ever known.

*What are some of the negatives?
Hmmm. Probably that it takes time away from reading (or possibly other things I ought to be doing. Surely I don’t need to dust right now.)

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
1. Reviews. I love getting my thoughts about the books down where I can go back and read them.
2. Challenges. (bet you couldn’t guess that) Some of them have gotten me to read books that I never would have otherwise.

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
1. Be yourself. Do it your way. Don’t worry about whether your blog is as pretty as someone else’s or if you do as many posts as others.
2. Don’t worry about the numbers. Yeah, it’s nice to watch the number of followers go up, but if you do something that’s unique and makes you happy, the followers will come.
3. Join in on memes. It’s the best way I’ve found to get to know your fellow bloggers. And there’s some really cool people out there!

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting posts. Particularly about books. Doesn’t even have to be a genre I love, but if the posts are interesting and make me think, then I’ll keep coming back. A sense of humor is also a big draw. I love bloggers who can make me laugh.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
Leaving comments that only say “I was here.” or “I’m following you. Please follow me back.” I’m shy, I want to get to know you before I make a commitment like that. 🙂 And it would be nice to know why you decided to follow me. Was it my cute little button designed by my son? Was it the great review I did on Book X? A little feed back would be good.

*Would you plase share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
1. As mentioned above, I’m a writer wanna-be. First draft of an acadmic mystery done. It needs a lot of polishing. A whole lot.


2. My life-long dream is to make a trip to England. I’m saving my pennies…maybe I’ll make in the next couple of years. There’s a web site I’ve got marked that offers mystery lovers tours. Now that would be ideal!


3. I’ve mentioned this before (for award requirements): I’ve sung with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir twice. In 2008 and 2009, I attended their annual choir convention. Particpants attend classes, practice sessions, and then sing (on the platform) with the Choir during one of the Sunday services. One of the coolest experiences ever!


4. I am the proud mom of an Eagle Scout (I bet you knew I couldn’t resist saying that again). I’ve been a Scout Leader ever since he was a Wolf in Cub Scouts.


5. Last summer I went with the scouts for Kyle’s final scouting trip to the Boundary Waters (between Minnesota & Canada). We canoed and camped out in the back of beyond for 5 days and four nights. Toting our canoes and gear in between lakes. It was a wonderful experience. I’m glad I did it. I’ll never do it again. LOL.


6. For the last five years I’ve played softball with my husband on our English Department’s co-ed softball team. Us old fogies with a bunch of graduate students. It’s been a blast…but I think I’m approaching retirement. May not be putting on the cleats this spring…will have to see.


7. I own over 2000 books. Over half of those are mysteries. I don’t see how that can be possible–I don’t think our house is big enough. But spreadsheets don’t lie. Do they?

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Bev, I know I did.  When I first visited her site, I am going to be quite honest, I was at first, a bit intimidated when I read her bio and saw the type of books that she read for “pleasure” (the classics, historicals, vintages, Austen, etc, etc…you get the picture).  But then after getting to know her, that intimidation then turned into a very high respect and awe.  When I think of the Classics, I think of being in HS and mandatory reading, not pleasure reading.  And then there is her ability to read so many books in a week.  In my eyes, she is truly amazing, and definitely has my respect, the respect that she TRULY deserves?  And one heck of a sense of humor!!!  Did I read that right?  2000 books?  2000? And I bet she has read every single one of them!!!!  Bev is positively a Shining Star!!!!

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young’ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.



I started blogging in April 2010. A friend of mine mentioned that he had a blog and also that I should check out his daughter’s blog. I did and then started snooping around the blogosphere and found a whole bunch of book blogs. I decided it would be a great way for me to keep track of my reading–log the books and actually review them so maybe my aging brain might better remember what I read. The main point was a personal reading journal.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
Well, I’m a reader and a wanna-be writer (first draft of a mystery novel done…but needs lots of work), so I was looking to do a play on “writer’s block” while also indicating that I was reviewing the books (putting them on the chopping block, so to speak). I planned to call it just “Reader’s Block” but some guy had already claimed it. What’s really irksome is that he claimed it, posted like 2 or 3 times several years ago and then abandoned it. So, I stuck a “My” on it. Ta-da!

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Reviews. And challenge-related posts. Can’t forget the challenges. Afterall, I am a Challenge Addict and proud of it!

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
My first love is mysteries–particularly vintage mysteries. I’ve loved them since my mom gave me her 1950s set of Nancy Drew books (5-6books). I had a long affair with science fiction from about 12 years old through college and a brief flirtation with romance novels, but in the end I come back to mysteries. After mysteries, my second long-lasting love is classics 18th Century through WWII and mainly British. Not a big American Lit girl and a more modern novel really has to grab my attention for me to read it.

*How often do you post?
At least once a day and often as many as three times a day.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
1. Keeping track of what I read in more definite way. I actually knew how many books I read in 2010. I never had a number before. This also makes my husband happy because he’s a numbers man and loves it when I can give him number data of any sort.

2. Meeting so many lovely people out here in the blogospher. It’s nice to know I’m not the only crazy book lady who’s addicted to challenges. LOL. But, seriously, I have made so many great virtual friends. It’s better than any pen pal system I’ve ever known.

*What are some of the negatives?
Hmmm. Probably that it takes time away from reading (or possibly other things I ought to be doing. Surely I don’t need to dust right now.)

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
1. Reviews. I love getting my thoughts about the books down where I can go back and read them.
2. Challenges. (bet you couldn’t guess that) Some of them have gotten me to read books that I never would have otherwise.

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
1. Be yourself. Do it your way. Don’t worry about whether your blog is as pretty as someone else’s or if you do as many posts as others.
2. Don’t worry about the numbers. Yeah, it’s nice to watch the number of followers go up, but if you do something that’s unique and makes you happy, the followers will come.
3. Join in on memes. It’s the best way I’ve found to get to know your fellow bloggers. And there’s some really cool people out there!

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting posts. Particularly about books. Doesn’t even have to be a genre I love, but if the posts are interesting and make me think, then I’ll keep coming back. A sense of humor is also a big draw. I love bloggers who can make me laugh.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
Leaving comments that only say “I was here.” or “I’m following you. Please follow me back.” I’m shy, I want to get to know you before I make a commitment like that. 🙂 And it would be nice to know why you decided to follow me. Was it my cute little button designed by my son? Was it the great review I did on Book X? A little feed back would be good.

*Would you plase share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
1. As mentioned above, I’m a writer wanna-be. First draft of an acadmic mystery done. It needs a lot of polishing. A whole lot.


2. My life-long dream is to make a trip to England. I’m saving my pennies…maybe I’ll make in the next couple of years. There’s a web site I’ve got marked that offers mystery lovers tours. Now that would be ideal!


3. I’ve mentioned this before (for award requirements): I’ve sung with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir twice. In 2008 and 2009, I attended their annual choir convention. Particpants attend classes, practice sessions, and then sing (on the platform) with the Choir during one of the Sunday services. One of the coolest experiences ever!


4. I am the proud mom of an Eagle Scout (I bet you knew I couldn’t resist saying that again). I’ve been a Scout Leader ever since he was a Wolf in Cub Scouts.


5. Last summer I went with the scouts for Kyle’s final scouting trip to the Boundary Waters (between Minnesota & Canada). We canoed and camped out in the back of beyond for 5 days and four nights. Toting our canoes and gear in between lakes. It was a wonderful experience. I’m glad I did it. I’ll never do it again. LOL.


6. For the last five years I’ve played softball with my husband on our English Department’s co-ed softball team. Us old fogies with a bunch of graduate students. It’s been a blast…but I think I’m approaching retirement. May not be putting on the cleats this spring…will have to see.


7. I own over 2000 books. Over half of those are mysteries. I don’t see how that can be possible–I don’t think our house is big enough. But spreadsheets don’t lie. Do they?

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Bev, I know I did.  When I first visited her site, I am going to be quite honest, I was at first, a bit intimidated when I read her bio and saw the type of books that she read for “pleasure” (the classics, historicals, vintages, Austen, etc, etc…you get the picture).  But then after getting to know her, that intimidation then turned into a very high respect and awe.  When I think of the Classics, I think of being in HS and mandatory reading, not pleasure reading.  And then there is her ability to read so many books in a week.  In my eyes, she is truly amazing, and definitely has my respect, the respect that she TRULY deserves?  And one heck of a sense of humor!!!  Did I read that right?  2000 books?  2000? And I bet she has read every single one of them!!!!  Bev is positively a Shining Star!!!!

SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH by J.T. Ellison

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778329435
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): TALENT BORROWS. GENIUS STEALS. EVIL DELEGATES.
  It’s a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he’s got helpers.
  As The Pretender’s disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won’t risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she’s beside herself and ready to snap.
  The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch…
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After reading the synopsis, my thinking was this was a good match for me, and even more so with the main character being a female. Knowing that I was not completely focused, and it is only fair to give the author and her work my undivided attention, I reread from the beginning of the book three times. However, on the third time and reading 140 pages, I felt that I wasn’t completely pulled into the storyline. There were hints of the premise, but nothing solid that made me want to really run back and pick up the book. Also there was a lot of interaction between the main character and her SO, that appeared to be important to the plot but was fluffed over. There were other scenes, and this is my opinion only, that were a far stretch from reality. I am putting this book in the DNF pile but am not saying that someday it may be moved back to my tbr pile.