It May Not be Downton but it is SUMMERSET ABBEY

This is the first in a trilogy that  you will want to mark for summer reads especially if you are missing your weekly dose of Downton Abbey.  SUMMERSET ABBEY transports you to another time right from the start. It opens in 1913 with the death of Sir Philip Buxton, a liberal man, who leaves behind his three girls.

Rowenta is the older beautiful daughter that is now thrown into a world she does not want but seems to be powerless to keep at bay.  Victoria is the fragile younger Buxton daughter that does not like their new surroundings and continues to let everyone know this.  Prudence Tate the daughter of their governess was raised as one of Sir Philip’s daughters.  But her new surroundings prove to be quite different in acceptance and treatment of her and her place.

Yes all of the wonderful trappings of the Edwardian English society with its beautiful homes, lands, clothing and the rules of the house.  There is definitely an upstairs and downstairs separation and each pulls us in due to the world T.J. Brown has created in SUMMERSET ABBEY.

The only thing that made me sad about this book was how quick of a read it was.  But the good news is that I am in possession of the second in the trilogy, A BLOOM IN WINTER.

Move Over Julia, Weight Watchers Turns 50

Today marks the publication of WEIGHTWATCHERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK from St. Martin’s Press.  This is a wonderful cookbook to have on the shelf and I have asked Julia Child’s THE WAY TO COOK to make room for this one. If you are on the Weight Watchers program it will delight with the food options and alternative tips while providing PointPlus values.

Since this cookbook arrived I have had a renewed vigor in the kitchen as there are ideas galore from “breakfast all day” to “best-in-show” which are desserts.  We have had something from just about every chapter in the cookbook but have spent a bit of time in “Italian favorites” as that is one category we both love.  We have had spinach and roasted red pepper ravioli casserole on more then one night and will do so again next week.

Two other stand outs about this cookbook are the “good idea” drop ins following recipes.  They are tips for items to serve with or for picking out fresh ingredients or gadgets to utilize for the best results.  You get the idea… I so appreciate the classic recipes that are presented and then some alternatives or new ways to think about these classics, ingredients and flavors.  If you are curious, and I trust you are, do not miss page 91 “best-loved snacks”.

So grab a copy and join me in the kitchen or better yet across the table enjoying something that we found inside of WEIGHTWATCHERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK. For all of the cooks and those who worked so hard over the years and to anyone else that contributed to this cookbook a hearty and healthy thank you.

A LIGHT FOR LOST SOULS

THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS by M.L. Stedman, read by Noah Taylor from Simon Audio runs 10.5 hours.

There were few times while listening to this book that I did not feel like my heart was being ripped from my body. Stedman knows how to capture love, loss and despair and its ability to blur the lines one might not cross normally.

One of the reasons I returned for more each day was to hear the voice of Noah Taylor.  His narration added to the experience of the story as an audiobook.  Often I wish there were more than one narrator in order to delineate between the characters, yet somehow Taylor struck just the right chord. Without question I would pick another listen by Taylor although I would like to try something a bit lighter next time.

Tom Sherbourne returns from years in the war and is looking for a quiet life far away from the horrors he has seen and been a part of.  He has taken a job as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island Australian island.  A young girl attracted to Sherbourne convinces him that she would be happy to follow him to the island and so off they go as husband and wife.

Life starts out in a lovely way for the honeymooners.  Isabel works to make this island their home, Tom takes to his duties as lighthouse keeper and the couple is happy.  The couple decide to start a family but it was not to be as she suffers two miscarriages and a stillbirth and is near the point of breaking as this island has now become a prison of her failures.  But what if your prayers brought a baby to the shore just after this last baby died?  Would you follow the rules or follow your heart and make a decision that seems so right but is so wrong.

Isabel saw this baby as a sign from God whereas Tom knew that she should be returned to her rightful home. But love is a powerful emotion and it wraps itself around Tom’s mind and heart he agrees to grant Isabel’s fantasy for a short time and then it becomes too late to turn back.  Things do lighten as the three of them become a family but Tom is tortured by this decision, Isabel crazed thinking about loosing Lucy and Lucy’s biological mother going crazy over the loss.

Years later the secret is out as someone has shared with Hannah, the biological mother, that her daughter is alive.  Lucy is taken away, Tom is arrested and feels relief but is focused on protecting Isabel whom has become a shell of her former self. Stedman draws out the these this sadness as these characters struggle with choices in the pages to come. At no point does Stedmen take the easy way out, the layers of love, loss and despair continue to ripple through the pages of this novel.

For me this was a beautiful disaster as there was little peace for the listener nor the characters but it was well crafted and executed.  An amazing debut from M.L. Stedman and to be sure there are many more novels to come.  Whoever cast Noah Taylor to narrate deserves a standing O as this made the audiobook exceptional.

To get a little bird’s-eye view into Tom and Isabel’s world view this clip: http://videos.simonandschuster.com/ML-Stedman’s-Debut-Novel-The-Light-Between/1749987219001.  A special thank you to Simon Audio who puts amazing audiobooks into my hands for which I am grateful.

Careful This Audiobook Might Runaway With Your Day

THE LAST RUNAWAY
Written by: Tracy Chevalier
Published by: Dutton (a Penguin imprint)
Audiobook Produced by: Penguin Audio

I stand in appreciation of Tracy Chevalier’s talent and have read almost all of her books. However, this is the first time I have listened to one of Chevalier’s books. I was not sure if this was going to add to or detract from my fondness for Chevalier’s writing or my enjoyment. Glad to report that listening to the book was just as good as reading it. In fact the narration by Kate Reading brought an entirely new dimension to the experience. Reading’s narration, pace and accents brought more life to the book then I would bring to it on my own.

Chevalier covers a different snippet of history in each of her books. But it is the way that she does it which I find unique and wonderful. A few chapters in to her books I wonder how she pitches these books but then I am so thankful for the person on the other side of the pitch that recognizes its place.

Do not expect any shoot ‘em up big budget style action. These are just slices of life and the historical time serves as the backdrop. Chevalier develops her characters in order to highlight the historical topic of the book but the balance is genius. In this case it is the underground railway for black slaves with a peek into the lives of Quakers.

Honor Bright, a Quaker, tags along with her sister on the journey from England to Ohio in 1850. Her sister Grace is going to be wed and Honor is hoping for a change and some adventure. But she did not realize how different and alone she would be in America.

Honor is surprised by the prejudice that exists in this new country that felt unfair to her and her Quaker beliefs. Honor’s life takes a number of twists and turns as she struggles to find her footing but helping the slaves to gain their freedom joining the Underground Railroad is the one ideal that comes easiest to her.

Chevalier’s characters are front and center and I so appreciate her care developing them plus the historical backdrop which I so appreciate. When I finish her novels I feel as if I have made new friends and been educated about a time and place that I now have an appreciation for.

I strongly recommend picking up one of Chevalier’s books. If you are still on the fence why not try THE LAST RUNAWAY audiobook as the writing coupled with the narration of Kate Reading will transport you to another time and place in America. Incidentally this is Chevalier’s first foray into American history.

Hunting for the Right Husband

THE HUSBAND LIST
Authors: Janet Evanovich and Dorian Kelly
Published by: St. Martin’s Press
Audiobook
Produced by: Macmillan Audio
Read by: Lorelei King

Back in the day where society ruled the day before women had much of a voice, mother’s expected their daughters to submit to a good match for the furtherance of the family social standing. The Maxwell family was no different and it was time for their daughter Caroline to marry. This was her mother’s lifelong wish and work and she was not easily swayed by what she deemed the error of her daughter’s ways.

In this case mother always knew better. And Mrs. Maxwell had her eyes on a number of eligible young men for Caroline that culminated in THE HUSBAND LIST. Yet Caroline has her eyes on another and he is most definitely not on her mother’s list.  But does he care for her, there is only one way to find out.

The backdrops make this romp for love even better, New York, Rhode Island and Europe.  The clothes are divine, the fashions are right from Paris.

If you are a Stephanie Plum fan from Evanovich’s other series you will not be disappointed. The light, wonderfully fluffy and fast paced but it style now turn to 1894. I hope there is a third in this series as there is much left to be shared in the Maxwell and Culhane families. I trust I will not have to wait to long for the next installment St. Martin’s/Macmillan?

For a small taste of THE HUSBAND LIST read by Lorelei King visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CvhdvqdBdnQ#!

A Love That Was Always Meant to Be

AND THEN I FOUND YOU by Patti Callihan Henry is the April She Reads Book Club pick.

Henry examines love from many angles: family love, young love, sacrificing love, love from afar, unrequited love and love ever after. These facets of love gave Henry a backdrop for a number of rich storylines.  

Kate Vaughan fell in love once upon a time with a boy from school.  Their pull was undeniable and they were together several times over the years.  But it was just never the right time for their love.

This books flips from young Katie to grown Kate life but it was too much for me.  I am rarely a fan of the time shifting although in this case I do think it was essential for Henry to share the past and present Kate, it make this story much richer. 

The present Kate owns a boutique as a fashion eye has always been something that was a passion for Kate.  She has beeen in a four year relationship with Rowan.  Kate will not let herself be his nor open up to him.

Once Kate discovers just how serious Rowan is about her she is thrown into a rush of feelings for her past and needs some kind of resolution in order to move forward. Kate cannot rest until she visits her first love. He is guarded as Katie has broken his heart before.  What makes this time around different? And is there anyway to deal with the pain that resurfaces when Katie is in his life.  It might just be easier to continue on with a life without her.

This novel was written with love, the words and the pages literally seep with emotion. As I just read an article that shared this story was based on a personal story from her family and this makes it even more near and dear.

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART – ME BEFORE YOU

ME BEFORE YOU is my second time around with UK author Jojo Moyes. I had the opportunity to read her first novel THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER and did not think it was possible for someone to shoot directly for my heart and strike it in the same fashion twice in a row.  But I was simply wrong as Moyes is quite skilled with her keyboard writing novels that drew me in page after page all the while hoping to catch my breath.

Louisa Clark (Lou), a young uneducated townie, needs a new job to support her family but it is not so easy in this little village. She interviews for a care assistant position for a man, Will Traynor (Will), in the prime of his life that has become a quadriplegic. Lou lands the job but it is fraught with many challenges that she doesn’t know if she can handle. Will who had a “perfect life” is now trapped in this chair and this life.

This unlikely duo from opposite sides of the tracks is now joined. It takes a while for them to find a rhythm but once they do these are some of the most endearing moments of ME BEFORE YOU. Their relationship continues to develop as each shares parts of the themselves including secrets and their pasts.

Eventually, Lou hatches a plan to show Will that the great big world out there is still accessible to him even in the damn chair. She tries to open his heart to joie de vie even though something is holding her back from her own.  It seems like they are growing closer and looking to the future and yet can it be this simple?

There were several times during reading ME BEFORE YOU that I had to make myself stop reading. In more than one spot I thought my heart would split open and certain things going on in my personal life made this just too much. Yet, I was compelled to return because the writing and characters are so worth the heart-break.

I am sure that this is just the start of many more novels to come for Moyes, it is easy to see ME BEFORE YOU being adapted for the big or small screen. The story has many layers and textures and it leaves much to contemplate and discuss when finished.

If you would like to learn more about Moyes or her novels visit her website: www.JojoMoyes.com. ME BEFORE YOU is published by Pamela Dorman books, they have many wonderful titles to read: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/adult/pameladorman-books.html