Set in Missouri, author Janis Harrison offers up a cozy mystery with an interesting amalgamation of elements. Bretta Soloman is a grief stricken widow who has managed to lose 100 pounds. She also is a florist, and a good friend to an Amish man whose brother coincidentally grows flowers, but who is found with his neck broken in his field. This is a tightly written mystery cozy that cleverly weaves in different elements into a complicated solution. Ms. Harrison doesn't hesitate to deliver characters you won't like, but does manage to deliver an interesting first novel.

In this second book of a series, Bretta Soloman has moved from the home she shared with late husband Carl (see Roots of Murder) and undertaken the renovation of a neglected mansion. Set during the busy Christmas season, Bretta is a busy and ambitious florist, hoping to cash in on the season of spending. However, the tale takes more of a Halloween turn when the former owner of the mansion is strangled with the cord of some Christmas lights. Fast paced, the timing seems off in this book, and too many different components come into play. The widowed Bretta has fallen off her diet, her long lost father has made contact, and the former owner of her new home has made some interesting demands, and Bretta has issues with the sheriff. A few red herrings are to be expected in a cozy mystery, but this one meandered past the point of plausibility on many counts. A baffling "flower" arrangement, with too many design elements?

Where else but in the wonderful world of books can you escape the wintry world and stay in an intimate hotel on the coast of France, where the sun shines and the moon glows over the cove? The guests might arrive by dinghy, or motorcycle or more conventional transportation. Lola, transplanted American hostess welcomes her guests and treats them to culinary wonders each evening on the terrace over looking the shimmering sea. But all is not well at the Hotel Riveria, Lola's husband Patrick having disappeared without a trace and the police (who were initially reluctant to investigate the missing husband) are now eyeing Lola suspiciously. Add to this a Queenly British guest, a naked man from an anchored sloop, a greedy millionaire on an enormous yacht, and a sleek and sexy "childhood friend" of the missing husband - as well as a couple of loving pets and the formula moves from languid vacation to international intrigue. A delightful escape/fairy tale and an author who knows how to bring a beautiful painting to life.

Save this movie for a bad day, and you'll double the laughs. Candy and Martin take the spirit of Oscar and Felix, and go way, overboard. Prissy executive Steve Martin desperately wants to get home to his perfect family for Thanksgiving and is thwarted in every possible way - especially after he teams up with the brash and wonderfully crass "go with the flow" John Candy. Pure howlingly funny nonsense with a bit of sentiment tossed in. Anyone who has endured a travel nightmare will identify. Yes, it's a classic.

How did someone take a light-hearted but cute premise, big name stars, and turn it into such a lame and inane film? The talent is obviously there, but the movie simply doesn't work. Alternating between over-the-top (which I think was the point) and deadly dull (which probably wasn't), this film stalls and fizzles.

A multi-layered, multi-generational saga of an Irish family. Spanning the Atlantic ocean and richly populated with a diverse set of characters, Emilie Richards weaves stories together in a flashback style that works, tied together with humor, love, and tragedy. Beginning with a series of disasters during Megan Donaghue's wedding, the reader is then transported to Ireland with sister Peggy and her autistic young son Kieran to the home of a dying distant cousin. Misunderstandings, pubs and saloons, alcoholism, schizophrenia, debilitating grief, miracles, and autism, as well as the requisite red-headed Irish tempers give the story realism, and the setting is casually comfortable. A wonderfully hopeful glimpse into the lives and loves of the Donaghue Sisters.

With gritty and brutal honesty, Farley Mowat carries the reader back to the Artic regions in a follow up to PEOPLE OF THE DEER and A DESPERATE PEOPLE and the treatment/mistreatment of the natives by the Canadian government and church authorities. Mr. Mowat paints a vivid picture of the artic region and the various boondoggles designed to "help" the native peoples (which certainly parallels the wretched treatment of Native Americas in this country). What was particularly shocking was that much of this happened in the 1950s. While the subject matter can't always be defined as enjoyable, I did enjoy this armchair travel with the amazing Mr. Mowat.-Mamalinda

Nothing merry here - one of the worst Christmas/Mystery/Cozies I have come upon, this story deals with a murder in a ballroom dance competition in Atlantic city, with the main character being a part of a dance troup. While the premise sounds fun and interesting, believe me - it is not. Too many characters pour into the first chapter and by the final page I cared not one bit for any of them - there was no realism and no character development. Language is strong, backstabbing is laced throughout the book, the Christmas part is limited to a study of the tacky decorations in an Atlantic City casino. There is not a bit of charm, cleverness, or grace - ballroom dancers are represented as toupee wearing, shallow and out of touch, with partners frequently betraying each other. If you look are looking for a bright and cheerful Christmas cozy, look elsewhere.-Mamalinda

An enjoyable juxtaposition of a rich man who truly has it all, but who is way to selfish to recognize his riches and risks losing it all; and a poor man rich in ways not always visible. A little sappy and light, you will need to get your hankies ready for a peek into what makes Christmas for these families. - Mamalinda

In this action packed, bodies everywhere, sizzling with sex, thriller the reader is introduced to Clare Westbrook, a starving/hotshot lawyer representing the dregs of society. Clare is supporting her young niece Emma, and backed up with a dear friend and wonderfully kooky neighbor - as well as a really hot ex?-boyfriend/cop. Clare's boss has just been murdered, and the bodies just continue to appear - along with the release from prison of ex-brother-in-law who Clare believes murdered her sister. The mysteries and the danger mounts as Clare weaves her way through an unpleasant case and a wild assortment of bad guys. Character development, setting and plot were tightly written, though not brillant. I enjoyed this!
Mamalinda