Grace's Forgiveness

Happy President's Day!  It is a day to honor all US Presidents, but we also celebrate George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays on this day.  If you are a federal employee, a postal worker, or work in a bank, you get to enjoy an extra day off (hooray for you)!  On February 15 in 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.  In 1972 sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time (took long enough)! I like these little tidbits.  I can say I learned something new today and you have a fun fact for conversations (also good for pub quizzes).  

Grace’s Forgiveness by Molly Jebber is the second book in Keepsake Pocket Quilt series.  The novel is set in Berlin, Ohio in 1900.  Grace Blauch was born with a red birthmark on her left cheek.  Grace is a midwife and also runs Grace and Sarah’s Dry Good’s Shop with her best friend, Sarah Helmuth.  Grace does not believe she will ever get married until she Mark King comes to town.  Mark is new to the area (just bought a small farm) and is opening a store next to Grace and Sarah (wood furniture and toys).  Slowly Mark wins Grace’s trust and love.  But then Mark’s (shunned) brother, Abel King comes to town.  It is hard to put the feelings for family ahead of the Ordung.  When Grace’s father finds out that Mark broke the Ordung, he removes his blessing from their wedding.  Will Grace and Mark ever be able to get married?  Grace and Mark’s road to happiness will not be easy, but it will be full of love and life lessons.

Grace’s Forgiveness is such a sweet book.  It has a good moral and talks about love, faith, family, and community (and quilting).  Grace’s Forgiveness is well-written and easy to read.  I liked the characters and the setting (Berlin, Ohio).  This is the second book I have read by Molly Jebber and I look forward to reading more of her novels.  It is a simple story, but I liked the message contained within it.  What you do in Mark’s situation?  Could you ignore a family member in need (who arrives at your door)?  I give Grace’s Forgiveness 4 out of 5 stars (I liked and enjoyed it).

The first book in the Keepsake Picket Quilt series is Change of Heart (it was a good novel). I received a complimentary copy of Grace’s Forgiveness from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Time passes so quickly.  I am currently reading More Than Friendship by Amy Lillard (a heartwarming short story).  Please take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Nightingale Girls

Happy Valentine's Day!  Bishop Valentine (now Saint Valentine) was martyred on this day because he married couples without Imperial Rome's consent.  He is now considered the patron saint of love!  Some events that have happened on February 14 in history are: YouTube was launched in 2005; James Knox Polk becomes the first serving President of the United States to have his picture taken in 1849; voting machines are approved by Congress for use in federal elections in 1899; in 1962 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy takes viewers on a televised tour of the White House!

The Nightingale Girls by Donna Douglas is the first book in The Nightingale series.  It is 1934 in London.  A new group of nursing students are ready to start at the Nightingale Teaching Hospital (very prestigious).  Matron Kathleen Fox is new to the position and she is what they call a “modern” nurse.  Veronica Hanley is a little resentful.  Hanley is the assistant matron and thought she would get the matron position when it became available.  Dora Doyle is one of the new students.  Dora is from the East End (a working class section of London) which is unusual for a student of the Nightingale (most of their students are from upper class families).  Dora wishes to have a better life and to escape her step-father, Alf.  Lady Amelia Charlotte Benedict or Millie is going to be redoing her initial twelve-week training period (just because she spilled a solution on a judge during the final test).  Millie’s grandmother wants her to get married and provide an heir for the family estate.  Millie wants to do something useful and her father supports her decision.  Millie, though, also believes in living life to the fullest and loves to sneak out at night (which gets her in trouble).  Helen Tremayne is also a student at the school.  She is the daughter of Constance Tremayne who is on the Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Tremayne expects her daughter to become a nurse (even though this is not what she wanted) and to behave in a certain way.  Nursing is not an easy profession.  It involves quite a bit of studying and a lot of hard, dirty work.  Will these girls have what it takes to make it? 

The Nightingale Girls takes us back to a different time.  My interest was captured immediately and was held throughout the whole book.  I did not want the book to end (and was glad to find out that there are more books in the series).  The Nightingale Girls has interesting characters from different walks of life.  I give The Nightingale Girls 5 out of 5 stars.  It is written in a nice, easy to read style.  I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.  This is a British novel so there is some British words (slang) and phrases that you may not be used to, but they can usually be understood within the context of the sentence (or paragraph).  I did not feel it took away from the story in any way (actually enhanced it). I look forward to reading the rest of the books in The Nightingale Series.

The other books in The Nightingale series are:  The Nightingale Sisters, The Nightingale Nurses, Nightingales On Call, A Nightingale Christmas Wish, Nightingales At War, Nightingales Under the Mistletoe, and A Child is Born: A Nightingales Christmas Story. I received a complimentary copy of The Nightingale Girls from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently enjoying Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard.  I hope you have a special Valentine's Day.  You do not have to have a boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, or significant other to enjoy this day. Do something special for a friend, niece, parent, pet, or cousin. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Black Rabbit Hall

Today is Get a Different Name Day!  This day was created by Wellcat.com.  If you do not like your name (I did not like mine growing up), today you can get a different one (or go by something different for the day).  Have fun with it!  On February 13, 2000 the last original Peanuts comic strip appeared in newspapers (the day after Charles Schultz passed away).  Thomas Edison observed the Edison Effect in 1880 (he was evidently not a modest man). Bruno Hauptmann was found guilty by a jury in New Jersey in 1935 of the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby (Charles Lindbergh's son) (occurred in 1932).   

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase is a very slow book.  The story tells of Lorna and Jon looking for a place to get married.  They find Black Rabbit Hall (aka Pencraw Hall).  Lorna visited the hall with her mother when she was a child (her mother recently passed away).  Then the story goes back to the late 1960s with the Alton children.  Amber, Toby, Barney, and Kitty spent their school vacations at the hall.  Their mother, Nancy called it Black Rabbit Hall because of the rabbits that came out at sunset and you saw their black shadows across the lawn.  Their mother died at Easter when she was out looking for her youngest son (off playing and then it started storming) on horseback (got thrown and broke her neck).  The father, Hugo quickly rebounds and married Caroline Shawcross (she pursued him).  Caroline brings her son, Lucian with her into the marriage.  Lucian and Amber are attracted to each other, but it is forbidden (like that will stop them).  Caroline is not fond of the children and there will be many changes to the family (Toby does not handle the changes).  When Lorna visits Black Rabbit Hall, she encounters Dill (the housekeeper/cook) and Caroline.  Caroline has opened the hall for events (needs the money).  What happened to Hugo Alton and his children?  Why is Lorna drawn to Black Rabbit Hall (she becomes obsessed)?  Lorna gets a chance to stay at the hall and find some answers.

I found Black Rabbit Hall to be an extremely boring book.  It tried to be a mystery, but it did not succeed.  I just found Black Rabbit Hall to be odd.  We get the story from two different perspectives:  Lorna’s and Amber’s (the majority of the book is from Amber’s point-of-view).  The Amber section reads more like a young adult novel (she finds love at fifteen).  The two stories go back and forth until we see how they are connected.  I just found it dull and uninteresting (reading this book was like trekking through the desert).  There is some very graphic violence (it is awful) in the book as well as sex and foul language. I did not enjoy Black Rabbit Hall (as you can tell).  It sounded like such an intriguing and mysterious book (from the synopsis).  I think the book (the idea) had potential, but the writer was not able to pull it off.  I give Black Rabbit Hall 1 out of 5 stars.  This book was just not for me.  If you are looking for a book to help you sleep, then read Black Rabbit Hall.

You can follow Eve Chase on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.  I received a complimentary copy of Black Rabbit Hall from NetGalley and First to Read in exchange for an honest review.

I hope everyone is having a satisfying Saturday!  It is just gorgeous here in my area!  My current book is A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Stiff Competition

I had a busy day today.  My mother had a doctor's appointment.  I was glad for someone else to tell her that she needed to shape up! She is having a hard time dealing with the loss of my father.  I understand but she cannot wallow (staying in bed and crying) in grief every single day! She needs to get up and do something! Anything!  She has also decided she needs to be thin.  The doctor gave her a lecture of bone loss and what would happen if she broke a hip (I think the part about the rehab facility scared her straight)!  Let us hope for improvement (I know it will take time). After the doctor's appointment, we had to get cards (she is always remembering she needs cards the day before a holiday), gas for the car, propane for the grill, and then the grocery store (food for grill). Want to guess who got to sit in the car?  If you guessed me, you have not been paying attention.  

Stiff Competition by Annelise Ryan is the seventh book in the Mattie Winston Mysteries.  Stiff Competition picks up eight weeks after the last book in the series.  Mattie Winston has had her baby (named Matthew Hurley) and it is her first day back at work.  She is called out to a crime scene in the woods.  Lars Sanderson, the real estate developer, is the victim.  There are many suspects because many people were not happy with Lars business practices (he was building strip malls and cheap condos) and his womanizing ways.  Mattie will be busy trying to solve the case and adapt to being a single mother.  Mattie and her boyfriend (and baby daddy) Steve Hurley have not been able to move into together because of Emily!  Emily is the daughter Steve did not know he had until recently.  Emily is fifteen and a handful.  She resents Mattie and is making life as difficult as possible for Steve and Mattie.  Then Emily disappears.  Matt wonders if Emily went back to Milwaukee where she used to live with her mother.  Mattie searches Sorenson (Wisconsin) for Emily.  Mattie has a feeling that there is more to Emily’s disappearance than an upset teenage girl.  Will they be able to find Emily in time?

I enjoyed Stiff Competition much more than the previous book (Stiff Penalty) in the series (which I only gave 3 out of 5 stars).  I thought I would give the series another chance, and I am glad that I did.  The book starts out a little slow (with a lot of whining), but it gets much better.  The murder mystery (as well as Emily’s disappearance) are easy to solve, but there are some good clues to follow.  I did feel that Emily’s disappearance dominated the book.  The murder of Lars Sanderson took a back seat in the novel.  I really feel bad for Steve Hurley.  Hurley, once again, played a small role.  I hope he plays a bigger part in the next book (and that Mattie is less hormonal).  Overall, Stiff Competition was a good cozy mystery.  I give Stiff Competition 4 out of 5 stars. 

The other books in the Mattie Winston series are:  Working Stiff, Scared Stiff, Frozen Stiff, Lucky Stiff, Board Stiff, and Stiff Penalty (notice a theme).    I received a complimentary copy of Stiff Competition from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am off to relax.  After we got home I had to bring in the groceries, feed the animals, cook dinner, clean up the dishes, and then do my blog!  I also discovered that I lost a review that I had written from a cat walking across my computer while I was out!  I should be grateful that she did not leave a hairball behind.  Have a delightful Friday evening!  Make sure to drive safely if you go out.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Thin Ice

It is Abraham Lincoln's birthday!  We celebrate it on Monday as a national holiday, but he was actually born on February 12. President Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States. It is also Plum Pudding Day! It is your chance to try it and see if you like it (I think I will just skip it). Please remember that plum pudding is not really a pudding (not like an American pudding). On this day in 1947 Christian Dior released his "New Look" collection (and helps Paris regain its position as the leader of the fashion world).  Other events that happened on February 12 are the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial is put into place in 1914; construction beings on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri; San Francisco starts issuing marriage licences to same sex couples in 2004; and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue receives its premiere concert in 1924 (in New York).  

Thin Ice by Irene Hannon is the second book in the Men of Valor series.  Christy Reed lives in St. Louis, Missouri and she is the Director of Youth Programs for a municipal recreation program in St Louis County.  Christy is going to visit her sister, Ginny (a wildlife biologist).  Christy has not been able to reach her and is worried.  As she approaches her sister’s house she notices a police officer blocking the road.  Her sister’s house in on fire.  The fire progresses quickly and no one escaped.  Christy had lost her parents just eight months prior in a car accident.  Christy no longer has any family left.  Two months later Christy receives a letter in her sister’s handwriting.  Ginny states that she has been kidnapped.  Christy is shocked.  Christy calls the FBI and reaches Lance McGregor (a brand new FBI Agent).  Christy and Lance will need to work together to locate Ginny.  

Thin Ice is a good suspense novel, but it was not great.  I felt that the author tried to put too much into one book (Lance’s injured brother, another brother and his lady friend, Lance’s guilty conscience over an incident that happened oversees).  I only gave you a summary of the main part of the story.  And why does every book have to have a romance?  Is it really necessary.  The one thing that really turned me off in this book was the killer torturing mice and animals.  The descriptions were just awful (and upsetting for an animal lover).  I give Thin Ice 4 out of 5 stars.  Thin Ice is nicely written and it had a pretty good flow.    Thin Ice, though, is a disturbing book (be prepared).  I think with a little editing, Thin Ice would be a great book.  Though Thin Ice is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone (I did not read the first book in the series).

The first book in Men of Valor series is Buried Secrets.  I received a complimentary copy of Thin Ice from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Are you prepared for Valentine's Day?  It is on Sunday!  My father was one of the last minute shoppers (until I started doing the shopping for him).  I hope you have a fun Friday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Warwyck's Wife by Rosalind Laker

It is White T-Shirt Day!  You wear a white t-shirt in honor the men and women who participated in the sit down strike at General Motors in 1937. The strike ended on February 11, 1937.  The strikers helped the United Auto Workers union to become the sole bargaining agent for General Motors workers.

Warwyck’s Wife by Rosalind Laker is a historical romance.  Daniel Warwyck is a pugilist.  He is in Brighton for a fight when a young woman, Kate Farringdon is being sold by her husband (and it is considered legal).  Daniel notices that his younger brother, Harry is bidding on the woman.  Daniel, who will be heading home to Warwyck Hall after the fight, believes that a wife on his arm will look good and help him in trying to convince his uncle to leave the estate to him.  Daniel knows exactly how much money Harry on him, and bid just above it.  Daniel wins Kate (Harry is upset).   Daniel has no intention taking Kate to his bed, he just wants a show wife.  When they arrive at Warwyck Hall and he finds out that he is too late to inherit Warwyck Hall.  Kate is no longer of use to him, so he gives her money and sends her on her way (much to his family’s dismay).  Daniel then sets off in his pursuit of the ultimate prize-fighting title, money, and Miss Claudine Clayton (who captured his attention in Brighton).  But what will happen when Kate enters his life again.

Warwyck’s Wife is a re-release with a pretty new cover.  I have to admit that I am a fan of Rosalind Laker’s work.  I discovered her one day when I was browsing through the library and proceeded to read through all of her books that were available.  Warwyck’s Wife is well-written and easy to read.  Ms. Laker creates good characters and brings them to life for the reader.  Warwyck’s Wife is a typical romance novel, but it is different from other books.  The setting is beautiful, entertaining characters, and an interesting period in history. Ms. Laker gives a great twist in the story that I just loved.  I give Warwyck’s Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).   If you enjoy historical, romance novels, you will enjoy reading Warwyck’s Wife.

Warwyck's Wife is available on Kindle Unlimited.  There is a follow-up book to Warwyck's Wife titled Claudine's Daughter (it is just as good).  I received a complimentary copy of Waywyck’s Wife from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I off to finish up a couple of chores and then get ready for my shows. The 100 and Legends of Tomorrow are on tonight (as well as Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Project Runway All Stars, and How to Get Away with Murder)!  I will read my book during the commercials (I am not a fan of idiotic commercials).  Have a great evening!  Take care, stay safe (especially if you are driving where there is snow and ice), and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Forgotten Room

It is Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day!  It is a day to be positive and optimistic.  You should look on the bright side.  The glass is half full instead of half empty!  No matter how bad a day you are having, you should find one positive thing (it can be hard some days).  On this day in 1858 Bernadette Soubirous (now Saint Bernadette) had the vision of the The Blessed Virgin Mary in a grotto near the town of Lourdes, France. The water at the grotto are said to have healing properties. Other historical events that occurred on February 11 are Henry VIII in England is recognized at the head of Church of England in 1534 (for the church he created), in 1794 the first session of the United States Senate opens to the public, and the BBC (in Britain) produces the first science fiction television program in 1938.

The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig.  It is a novel about three women from three different eras, but their stories are all connected (sounds confusing and it is at first).  Olive Van Allen Is working as a maid in the Pratt mansion in 1892 to find information that will help clear her father’s name (and get a little revenge).  Lucy Young is working as a secretary in a law office in 1920 and trying to find out about her birth father.  Lucy found out recently that the father who raised her is not her biological father.  Kate Schuyler is a doctor in 1942.  Captain Cooper Ravenel is brought in with a bad leg.  Kate saves his leg and nurses him back to health. Cooper (delirious when he arrives) calls her Victorine and that he has been drawing her face his whole life.  Captain Ravenel has a small miniature portrait that resembles Kate.  How is this possible?  How are these women connected and what are their stories?

I do not want to say too much and give away the novel.  The Forgotten Room drew me in right away.  I enjoyed the story.  You would not know that the book was written by three different writers.  The book is very well-written, engaging, and a delight to read.  I just kept reading until the book ended.  I love how all the storylines tied together into one beautiful story.  The first 31% of the book is a wee bit confusing, but then it will all click.  The Forgotten Room is a pleasure to read. The story has romance and mystery that are beautifully woven together.  I give The Forgotten Room 5 out of 5 stars.  I hope you will give The Forgotten Room a try (you will not regret it). 

You can follow Lauren Willig and Karen White on Amazon (get updates on new books).  I received a complimentary copy of The Forgotten Room from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently enjoying A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan (I just received it from Revell).  I hope everyone has a positively wonderful Thursday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Sanctuary Bay

Happy Ash Wednesday!  It is the first day of Lent.  It is also Umbrella Day!  The umbrella is such a wonderful invention.  Can you imagine being out in the rain without one?  We would get very wet.  On February 10 in 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Also on this day the YWCA is founded in New York City in 1870 and the first gold record is presented to Glenn Miller in 1942 for "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (great song).

Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is a young-adult suspense/thriller novel.  Sarah Merson witnessed the death of her parents as a child.  Sarah has been in a variety of foster homes since their death.  Then she gets the opportunity of a lifetime.  A full scholarship to the elite Sanctuary Bay Academy.  Sarah did not apply for the scholarship (nor did anyone else she knows), but it is a great opportunity for her.  The school is on an island and has a total immersion policy.  Once you arrive at the school, you do not leave the school until graduation.  No phone calls, no letters, no emails out.  You can receive care packages from your family every three months (a little odd).  Sarah is sixteen and will be entering the school as a junior.  Sarah notices unusual activity going on at night and decides to explore (she will wish she had stayed in bed).  Sarah becomes a part of a group that will change everything.  There are some strange activities going on at this school and Sarah sets out to get answers.   She knew this school was too good to be true!

Sanctuary Bay starts out slowly (put you to sleep slow) and it is confusing (but stick with it).  I got tired of Sarah’s attitude quickly.  She is judgmental and has a big chip on her shoulder (about rich and privileged people).  The book does get better though (you have to keep reading).  The way it started out you would think it was going to be a paranormal novel (I think it would have been better if it had been). This book took a direction that I did not suspect (but I liked it).  I give Sanctuary Bay 4 out of 5 stars.   The book does have some of the normal teenage angst and romance (which seemed forced and did not go well with the book), but I just skimmed through those areas (which means I utilized my speed reading skills).

Melinda Metz is the writer of Roswell High books.  You can check out her other books on Amazon.  I received a complimentary copy of Sanctuary Bay from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my latest review.  I am currently enjoying Return to Paradise by Barbara Cameron (it is good). Have a great Wednesday!  Stay warm (and safe) and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Sanctuary Bay

Find Her

Happy Fat Tuesday!  It is the last day before Lent (for Catholics).  In New Orleans they are having a giant party in the French Quarter (people in costumes, parades, and way too much drinking).  They have a parade in my little town to celebrate Mardi Gras (there are some nice floats and treats for the kids).  On February 9 in history Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederacy; Ulysses S. Grant establishes the U.S. Weather Bureau in 1870; 1895 William G. Morgan creates a game called Mintonette (volleyball); The Beatles makes their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964!

Find Her is Lisa Gardner's latest D.D. Warren book (the eighth book in series).  Florence “Flora” Dane was kidnapped seven years previously and held captive for 472 days by Jacob Ness (what a horrible experience).  Flora has never returned to the happy go lucky girl she was before the attack.  Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren is called out to a scene and finds Flora Dane naked with zip ties on her wrists.  A bartender “rescued” her at a bar and then kidnapped her.  Flora used resources in the garage (where he put her) to attack him.  The man is now dead (and a little crispy).  Warren finds out that this is the fourth such incident that Flora has been involved in.  Was Flora an innocent victim in these incidents or a vigilante? 

Stacey Summers, a Boston College student, is missing.  No one has been able to find her.  Then Flora goes missing.  Are the cases related?  Was Flora kidnapped or is she trying to rescue Stacey on her own (playing vigilante again)?  Follow D.D. Warren as she sets out to find both women.

Find Her is different from Lisa Gardner’s other books.  The majority of the book is written from the victim’s point-of-view.  How it feels to be kept in a small box by a kidnapper.  It goes on for many, many pages.  It was just not enjoyable or a good part of the book.  I like the crime.  Following the mystery to the end (this part of the book was good).  These parts with the victim (what she was thinking, doing, what the attacked did to her) seemed to drag and were difficult to get through (I started skimming through them).  I give Find Her 3.5 out of 5 stars.  The novel is just not up to Lisa Gardner’s normal standards (and I loved her last book).  This will not, though, stop me from reading her books in the future.

Alone is the first book in the Detective D.D. Warren series.  You can follow Lisa Gardner on Amazon to get updates (they email you) on her latest books.  I received a complimentary copy of Find Her from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading The Blue Hour by Douglas Kennedy.  I am off to a doctor's appointment (takes me about 90 minutes to get there).  I hope you have an enjoyable Fat Tuesday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Cats in Paris - A Magical Coloring Book!

I made it back from Tampa in one piece (I am the type of driver that gets distracted from boredom).  I stopped and did some clothing shopping on the way back.  Last year I waited too late to get my spring t-shirts and they had a pitiful selection.  Due to my allergies I have to wear 100% cotton items (or as close to 100% as I can get).  I now have a good variety in a rainbow of colors!

I have been hearing so much about this new adult coloring book craze that I thought I would get a book and check it out. The pictures in Cats in Paris (A Magical Coloring Book) are just adorable. The first twelve pages are the cats in Paris.  Then the pages go to Home Sweet Home.  These images are much simpler (not as detailed or elaborate).  At the back there are some cat stamp images (like postage stamps).  The Home Sweet Home images are much easier to color than the Cats in Paris images.  The paper is thick and high quality.  I would stick with colored pencils or adult crayons.  I do not think I would use watercolor pencils, markers, or watercolors (since the pages are double-sided).  There is also a little story about the cats in Paris (seeing the bookshop, the cathedral, etc.).  The cover is paperback, but thick.  It is hard to hold open, though, when coloring (that is the only drawback with this book).  If you are in need of a little stress relief, try Cats in Paris!  I wish the whole book had been the Cats in Paris images.  They are just lovely with great details.  I was disappointed that it was such a small portion of the book.  I give Cats in Paris 3.75 out of 5 stars.  I think the book would have been better with a different binding (to make it easier to color).  You can obtain the book on Amazon for under $10 (check out the new and used seller section).  

I received a complimentary copy of Cats in Paris from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading The Blue Hour by Douglas Kennedy.  I hope you have a great Fat Tuesday!  Enjoy today, take care, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader