Book Review: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck

The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first thing you need to know is how much I dislike reading Steinbeck (yes, I know I am in the minority)! Except for this story about a little village in Norway that gets taken over by the Germans.

I first saw it as a movie on Panamanian TV, complete with subtitles. The characters were relatable from the newly widowed lady to the village doctor and gentle mayor, to the lonely German soldier and his commander, to the villager who help the Germans during and after the invasion. I was so impressed with the movie that I had to find the novella when I returned to States. Again I was impressed. Again I cried.

So why write a review of a book I read over 40 years ago? Because I have found it available in electronic format and am trying to decide if I want it from Amazon.com for my Kindle or Audible.com as my copy was 'loaned' away eons ago. Yes, it was propaganda of the early 40s. Yes, it was damn good propaganda as it gave a humanity to all of the characters. Read or listen to the story for yourself and see if you can understand why I want it back in my library!

Looky at what I got!

Little...younger sister sent me a wonderful check for my birthday which allowed me to indulge myself with something on my wish (but doubtful) list.
It came from Teavana and is called a "Amandine Decanter".

Want to see what it looks like?

Ok, look:

Isn't it lovely?! Can you imagine how lovelier it will look with one of my flowering tea bulbs in it?

Don't you wish you had a loving, enabling sister like mine?

Book Review: I Gave You My Heart, but You Sold It Online by Dixie Cash

I Gave You My Heart, but You Sold It Online by Dixie Cash


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


They said:

If you love smart, sassy fiction with some downhome Texas humor, you'll love this smashing follow up to Dixie Cash's hardcover debut, MY HEART MAY BE BROKEN, BUT MY HAIR STILL LOOKS GREAT.

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews won't be able to resist Dixie Cash. Description: Debbie Sue Overstreet and her best pal Edwina––the Domestic Equalizers––have one motto: don't get mad, get evidence! So when these hairdressers/private eyes get wrapped up in a new mystery you just know there's going to be trouble. Quint Matthews, an old beau of Debbie Sue's and a heart–breakin' rodeo rider, comes to town asking for their help––his identity's been swiped by a woman he met on the internet. They agree to get to the bottom of things, and get into a whole heap of trouble. As for Quint, he's never one to learn a lesson. He's got a date in Salt Lick, Texas, with a woman he met, yep, online––but what he doesn't know is she was put there by her own daughter!

Hearts are about to get broken all around Texas, but not before Debbie Sue and Edwina make things right for everybody.

My thoughts:

The girls are at it again! And I laughed as much as I did the first one!

That Audible.com sale was really irresistible...i bought lots of books by Dixie Cash!

Book Review: Ceremony in Death by J. D. Robb

Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I may have a bit of bias here as I really like J. D. Robb's writing in this series which is just a little sic-fi but a lot of good old fashioned action mystery. I also like the main characters. Dogged detective Eve Dallas is a bit OCD as she has to get to real conclusions. Off 'the streets' she is the Walmart woman rather than the fashonesta...I would bet she has mostly jeans and sweats.While she has many make friends (well, she is a cop!), she is very distrustful of anything beyond...well, until Irishman Roake invaded her world.



Roake is a rich, handsome rogue with more than a shady past. With his insitfulness and intelligence, a well as his pals from the past, he is her equal who helps out with some of her sleuthing. He sees inside her ostrich thick shell and 'handles' her gently and persistently. Think Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man movies only make it more Nora and Nick as persue the bad guys as well as a lusty romance.



Dallas has new partner who always calls her 'Sir'. Roake has his disdaining butler.



Along with a good mystery there is much dry humor.



Am I reading these in order?



Of course not! For which I must thank author Robb who makes each story come to a conclusion with no cliff hangers! (Yes, the romance aspect not conclude, who cares? I think it's like when a friend tells you about what happened yesterday and then as you talk, remembrances are interjected.



Listen to it as you drive to the beach or while you are watching the kids play. The reader is great with voices clearly detected!



Damn Audible.com and the great summer sale!





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