The Motley Reader

  Mrs. Alva Webster the most scandalous widow on two continents, has returned home to New York. Shunned by the society elite-including her parents-Alva has lost her reputation but gained her independence. Ignoring the whispers and gossip printed about her in the newspapers, Alva is determined to build a new life by restoring a crumbling Hyde Park mansion, rumors of hauntings be damned. Alva has her own haunted past, she has no place for ghosts in her future. And she especially has no place in her life or an eccentric genius who's taken an interest in her new home...and her.    Professor Samuel Moore, a pioneer in electric lighting and member of a nationally adored family of scientists, is enchanted by the mysterious mansion and its beautiful owner. When spooky sightings halt Alva's plans for a new start, she turns to Sam's scientific services. As Sam and Alva explore the house's history, they uncover dark truths long buried by a high society family, some of which were n

  Around the world in 80 Days is written by Jules Verne was my summer classic pick for this year. For those who don’t know, many years ago after reading Pride and Prejudice one summer, I decided every summer I was going to read a classic literature book. Since then I’ve read through most of Jane Austin. I’ve also read, Poe, Alcott, Shelly, Dickens, Bronte, Fitzgerald, and many others. Now this book may not seem like your ordinary classic. But a few years ago during my librarian days, we did a month long reading challenge. The goal was to read as many books as possible in a month. I was competing against my students so took the opportunity to read books I had always wanted to when I as that age.  That’s when I read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and it became one of my favorites. I’m not sure if it was that most of the story took place under water or if it was just that it was so far ahead of its time. But I was completely taken in by the adventures of the Nautilus and Captain Nemo. Since

  The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is a historical fiction novel set in 1935. Cleeton also wrote When We Left Cuba and Next Year in Havana.  She is from Florida with a family of Cuban immigrants who lived through the Cuban Revolution. Here's the back copy: In 1935, three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida keys. For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler's legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget he economic depression gripping the nation. But one person's  paradise can be another's prison, and Key West native Helen Berner yearns to escape. After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez's family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a  notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the keys on her honeymoon. While she can't deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business

  So, thanks to dog sitting for the weekend, and staying up waaaaay too late, I have already finished the first book on my summer reading stack. South of the Buttonwood Tree is the second book I've read by Heather Weber. The first one I read was Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.  Here is the background of the story-Blue Bishop has a knack for finding lost things. While growing up in charming small-town Buttonwood, Alabama, she's happened across lost wallets, jewelry, pets, her wandering neighbor, and sometimes, trouble. No one is more surprised than Blue, however when she comes across an abandoned newborn baby in the woods, just south of a very special buttonwood tree. Sarah Grace Landreneau Fulton is at a crossroads. She has always tried so hard to do the right thing, but her own mother would disown her if she ever learned half of Sarah Grace's secrets. the unexpected discovery of the newborn baby girl will alter blue's and Sarah Grace's lives forever. Both women mus

  Well, it's that time again. Time for the summer reading stack picture. These seven books are most likely just the beginning of my summer reading, but hey...gotta start somewhere. Below are individual pictures of each book and a brief description and the reason it landed on my summer reading stack. One thing you will notice about these books, is most of them are backlist titles. Meaning, they are not new, recent, or on the best sellers list. If you know me and my reading habits, you will know that I do not read best sellers, when they are currently best sellers. I do not get drawn in by hype, especially for books. I usually wait a while before I will read a best seller, and then I only read it if it is a story I'm interested in, NOT because it was a best seller and everyone raved about it. Any woo. Here's the individual titles. South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Weber. You may not recognize the author's name but if you remember my posts from last year, Ms. Weber&#

  Finished The Bookman’s Tale a few days ago. This is the second book I’ve read by Charlie Lovett and I enjoyed this as much as the first. Quick summary: Peter Byerly is an antique book dealer mourning the death of his wife. He travels to their cottage in the English countryside in an attempt to escape his fryer. While there he cannot keep himself from indulging in his passion for rare books. While browsing he finds a watercolor picture of a woman with a resemblance to his wife tucked into a book about forgery. The watercolor is over a hundred years old. His desperate search for the origin of the painting leads him deeper into the world of antique books than he has ever been. The result is the possible finding of the “holy grail” of books. But is it real or a very convincing forgery? The search for the truth will not only lead him to the answers to that question but it will also help him to let go of the past and move forward into his future. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you like