Friday, November 12, 2021

BOOK: Bentley Square by Carol Ann Kauffman


 Bentley Square
A Time After Time Romantic Adventure
by Carol Ann Kauffman


Strangers meet on the train. She, a beautiful, wealthy businesswoman. He, a down on his luck office manager. They have nothing in common. And yet, they are drawn to each other with an undeniable hypnotic magnetism. This is the story of Rebecca Robbins, daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country and Mark Ramsay, a man shrouded in dark mystery and hiding in the shadows from death squads amid international intrigue.

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Dear Gentle Readers,

Writers aren't supposed to list their own books as their favorites. But this one, Bentley Square, holds a special place in my heart. Just as I say Blue Lake, the first book in the Time After Time series, is the book that changed my life for so many reasons, this book, Bentley Square, was the one that reaffirmed to me that I was on the right track in what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. And the hero of the book, Mark, is one of my all-time favorite guys.

I wrote in high school and a little in college. I found it immensely enjoyable. But then life, family, career, and household management assumed all my time and energy.

As most of you know, I am a retired teacher. For thirty-five years, my job as first grade teacher, or in some cases second or third (I was the new guy, so I went with the enrollment numbers.) was the most important thing in my life. If a student wasn't 'getting it', I felt it was my personal responsibility to try another way, another method, another mode of learning until it clicked for that particular student. In retrospect, it was like I put my head down and got to work and didn't look up for thirty-five years.

I retired because of family responsibilities. And, for a while, I was so busy and emotionally drained, my only goal was holding everything together and making through another day.

When I finally did have time, strength, and energy, I began writing again. That was thirty books ago. I believe everybody has a book in them. Now, whether somebody else will want to read it is a whole different matter!

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT: Still Life, A Three Pines Mystery (Amazon Prime)



First let me say, I read the book before seeing the film. Maybe if I hadn’t, I would have liked the movie better. 

I love Nathaniel Parker. He is an outstanding actor. The location was beautiful. I liked the background music.

But all of the beautiful descriptions, the sounds, the smells, the layers of detail that Louise Penny put in the book to make the little town of Three Pines so special were missing in the film.

The characters’ ages were off. Best friends Joan and Clara had nothing in common. The artwork that was supposed to be so terrible wasn’t too bad at all. 

So, if you’ve read the book, skip this film. If you haven’t, go ahead and watch it. The scenery is lovely and so is Nathaniel Parker.





 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

BOOK REVIEW: Planting Pearls by Virginia King




Planting Pearls by Virginia King was a magic combination of mystery, myth, Hawaiian folklore, and ghosts. Characters are multi-dimensional and likable, the locations are richly drawn, and the tightly woven plot pulls everything together for one surprisingly good read. I loved it.






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Sunday, November 7, 2021

SCHEDULE: NOVEMBER 8-12, 2021


Mon., Nov. 8 - ART:
Scottish Painter and Printmaker
Elizabeth Blackadder

Tues., Nov. 9 - BOOK REVIEW:
Planting Pearls 
by Virginia King

Wed., Nov. 10 - ENTERTAINMENT:
Still Life, A Three Pines Mystery
An Inspector Gamache Mystery
By Louise Penny

Thurs., Nov. 11 - ART:
Fingerpaint Artist Iris Scott 

Fri., Nov. 12 - BOOK:
Bentley Square
by Carol Ann Kauffman