January 2017 Book Report

Animating Maria (1990) by Marion Chesney

The 5th book in the Regency series The School for Manners. The spinster Tribble sisters have a business of taking unmarriageable young ladies and training them to become suitable wives for the nobility. Lighthearted and fun. And Maria ends up snagging a Duke!!

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The Shadow of Sin (1975) by Barbara Cartland

Another Regency, but in Cartland’s own style. These always involve young virgins, innocent of the evils of the world. Bad men try to seduce them. Good men ultimately save them. All ends happily and the young bride is pregnant within moments. The best thing about a Cartland novel is the historical research she does. I usually learn something new about the era.

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Closed Casket (2016) by Sophie Hannah

Another excellent mystery by the successor of the Agatha Christie mantel. Poirot and Catchpool are invited to the home of a famous children’s author. She’s about to announce the changing of her will and is expecting someone to be murdered. She’s right…

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Turbo Twenty-Three (2016) by Janet Evanovich

A Stephanie Plum adventure. I never tire of these books. This one involves rival ice cream makers. Ranger hires Stephanie to go undercover in each of the factories to see if she can determine what is going on. She also comes to some interesting conclusions regarding her relationships with Ranger vs. Joe.

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The Magnolia Story (2016) by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I have totally fallen in love with this adorable couple from the HGTV show “Fixer Upper.” I already had a great admiration of their faith, work ethic, family values, etc. before reading this autobiography. Now it’s even greater. They are a fun couple to watch and read about.