I was tagged by Julie, my partner in crime (lol) from Reading Without Restraint.  One of the bestest part of blogging, that I have found, is the friendships that form and Julie is one of those.  She has an awesome blog with honest and well written reviews.  If you get the chance, please stop by, visit and say hi!!  So here goes…I hope I don’t bore you!!!
1.  When do you usually know and feel that it’s finally the holidays?
When the house is decorated and I have started shopping, lol which I haven’t even made my list yet!!! 

2.  What do you want for Christmas this year?
Honestly, I really don’t need anything, BUT, if hubby decides to get me something sparkly, I won’t refuse it.  There is one thing that I do look forward to every year, and that is my Hallmark collectible ornament, which my youngest son has taken over buying for me.

3.  Do you go all out with decorations?
Unfortunately my holiday decorator moved 5 hours away.  I have been spoiled for many years because my son would do all the decorating inside and out and he did a great job.  And this is the first year that both boys aren’t here.

4.  What are you doing Christmas Eve?
For years, we hosted a Catholic Italian dinner of 7 fishes but because of my back, I haven’t been able to do it.  We plan are going out and then visiting.

5.  What are you doing Christmas Day?
Spending the day with family and eating too much.

6.  It’s Christmas time. What are you reading?
I am not a seasonal reader so it is whatever book is next in the pile.

7.  Favorite movie to watch during the holidays?
I am neither a TV or movie fan but remember watching Christmas Vacation with the boys when they were younger.

8. Favorite Christmas song?
Little Drummer Boy

9.  Favorite holiday drink?
Sambuca

10.  How is your Christmas shopping going?
It isn’t!!!!

11.  If you could spend Christmas Day anywhere else, where would you spend it?
On a Caribbean beach

12.  Any holiday traditions?
Those that I mentioned earlier.  The Christmas Eve 7 fish feast and my Hallmark dated ornament, one for every year hubby and I have been married.  We will have 29 this year.

13. Favorite thing about the holidays?
Being with family, friends and all the Christmas cookies!!

I was tagged by Julie, my partner in crime (lol) from Reading Without Restraint.  One of the bestest part of blogging, that I have found, is the friendships that form and Julie is one of those.  She has an awesome blog with honest and well written reviews.  If you get the chance, please stop by, visit and say hi!!  So here goes…I hope I don’t bore you!!!
1.  When do you usually know and feel that it’s finally the holidays?
When the house is decorated and I have started shopping, lol which I haven’t even made my list yet!!! 

2.  What do you want for Christmas this year?
Honestly, I really don’t need anything, BUT, if hubby decides to get me something sparkly, I won’t refuse it.  There is one thing that I do look forward to every year, and that is my Hallmark collectible ornament, which my youngest son has taken over buying for me.

3.  Do you go all out with decorations?
Unfortunately my holiday decorator moved 5 hours away.  I have been spoiled for many years because my son would do all the decorating inside and out and he did a great job.  And this is the first year that both boys aren’t here.

4.  What are you doing Christmas Eve?
For years, we hosted a Catholic Italian dinner of 7 fishes but because of my back, I haven’t been able to do it.  We plan are going out and then visiting.

5.  What are you doing Christmas Day?
Spending the day with family and eating too much.

6.  It’s Christmas time. What are you reading?
I am not a seasonal reader so it is whatever book is next in the pile.

7.  Favorite movie to watch during the holidays?
I am neither a TV or movie fan but remember watching Christmas Vacation with the boys when they were younger.

8. Favorite Christmas song?
Little Drummer Boy

9.  Favorite holiday drink?
Sambuca

10.  How is your Christmas shopping going?
It isn’t!!!!

11.  If you could spend Christmas Day anywhere else, where would you spend it?
On a Caribbean beach

12.  Any holiday traditions?
Those that I mentioned earlier.  The Christmas Eve 7 fish feast and my Hallmark dated ornament, one for every year hubby and I have been married.  We will have 29 this year.

13. Favorite thing about the holidays?
Being with family, friends and all the Christmas cookies!!

Last Writes by Sheila Lowe
Published by New American Library
(Division of Penguin Group)
ISBN 978-0-451-23110-9
At the request of Kaye Publicity, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): Claudia’s friend Kelly learns that she’s an aunt where her estranged half sister, Erin, shows up at her home in desperate need of help. Erin and her husband have been living quiet lives as members of the Temple of Brighter Light in an isolated compound. But now her husband and young child ave disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note with a terrifying message.
  Seizing an opportunity to use her special skills as a forensic hand-writing expert, Claudia becomes one of the few outsiders ever to be invited inside the temple’s compound. She has only a few days to uncover the truth about Kelly’s missing niece before the prophecy of a secret ancient parchment can be fulfilled and a child’s life is written off for good…..
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I have to be upfront and honest regarding 2 issues. When I first accepted the request to read Last Writes, I thought it was going to be an easy and fun cozy mystery but I was wrong!!. It also took me some time to finish, but to the author’s credit, it was because of being bogged down with real life, and not the story. Matter of fact, this should have taken me just a few days to read because it was a page turner. It was a fast paced story line with some twists and turns that had me guessing throughout the book to the very last page. The ending a total surprise!!! The author’s writing style was fluid and expressive, to the point, that it felt like I was visualizing a movie in my mind. The references to the science of forensic handwriting quite interesting. This was the first book that I have read by Ms. Lowe but have already put her previous novels on my to be read list.

Last Writes by Sheila Lowe
Published by New American Library
(Division of Penguin Group)
ISBN 978-0-451-23110-9
At the request of Kaye Publicity, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): Claudia’s friend Kelly learns that she’s an aunt where her estranged half sister, Erin, shows up at her home in desperate need of help. Erin and her husband have been living quiet lives as members of the Temple of Brighter Light in an isolated compound. But now her husband and young child ave disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note with a terrifying message.
  Seizing an opportunity to use her special skills as a forensic hand-writing expert, Claudia becomes one of the few outsiders ever to be invited inside the temple’s compound. She has only a few days to uncover the truth about Kelly’s missing niece before the prophecy of a secret ancient parchment can be fulfilled and a child’s life is written off for good…..
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I have to be upfront and honest regarding 2 issues. When I first accepted the request to read Last Writes, I thought it was going to be an easy and fun cozy mystery but I was wrong!!. It also took me some time to finish, but to the author’s credit, it was because of being bogged down with real life, and not the story. Matter of fact, this should have taken me just a few days to read because it was a page turner. It was a fast paced story line with some twists and turns that had me guessing throughout the book to the very last page. The ending a total surprise!!! The author’s writing style was fluid and expressive, to the point, that it felt like I was visualizing a movie in my mind. The references to the science of forensic handwriting quite interesting. This was the first book that I have read by Ms. Lowe but have already put her previous novels on my to be read list.