Mysterious Saturday Review: Royal Flush

Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne, still in need to money, decides to provide men with dinner and theater companions - ladies from well bred families, namely herself. As she provides an advertisement to the paper, she doesn't realize how her words will become twisted. After a dreadful night out and a heroic save by Darcy, her maybe boyfriend, she realizes the error of her ways.

She hopes that no one discovers this mistake, but she's not that lucky. Instead, she's sent home to Scotland. On the way there, Lady Georgiana bumps into a man from the Home Office who asks her to nose around the royal family. Apparently, there's been a number of accidents that may be deliberate. With the royal family on the Scotland estate, Lady Georgiana is in perfect position to pass information along the way.

When she arrives home, she realizes that her own brother's been involved in one of these incidents and there's a house party at the castle. A bunch of Americans have descended upon the house and Lady Georgiana's sister-in-law can't wait to get rid of them. With accidents hitting to close to home, Lady Georgiana is determined to uncover who might be behind these accidents. Could it be someone they count amongst friends?

My Thoughts: The third book in the Royal Spyness series is sharp witty series about a young royal with no money and a nose for trouble. I love reading about the class differences and the struggle to be normal, yet act in accordance with the royal rules.

Cover Thoughts: I adore it!

Source: Inter Library Loan

Adult Review: Finishing Touches

Betsy's adopted mother just died -leaving behind an outdated finishing school. A finishing school that's been in the family for ages and has been the best school for debutantes before marriage. Now, Betsy's father asks her to have a look at the school's troubling finances and to recommend some changes.

for the past seven years, Betsy has been living a lie in Scotland. Everyone believes she's a hot shot financial whiz, helping businesses overcome financial difficulties. In reality, she manages a show store and makes significant and innovative ideas. She can't disappoint her adopted father.

She rearranges her life and comes back to England for a few weeks to sort out the school. Betsy realizes the school's in greater trouble than she believed. She also meets the students and knows they aren't to sort of girls from the past. However, the studies haven't been updated to fit their needs. It's no wonder there's so few students who aren't interested in the lessons.

When her best friend suddenly is short on funds, Betsy helps her out. Her friend, used to having money, doesn't know how to do anything properly. That's when Betsy comes up with brilliant idea of tossing out the finishing school and modernizing it to accommodate the average woman needing advice/knowledge on everyday situations from banking and finances, to dumping boyfriends, to fashion tips. She has one shot at making this work. Will she fall flat on her heels or will her ideas soar?

My Thoughts: I loved the author's previous Little Lady series, so I was SO happy to discover she had something new out. A very cute book - filled with family ties, friendship, business ideas, a little romance, and a lot of humor.

Cover: I like the pearls, but I'm not crazy about the figures at the bottom of the book

Source: Inter Library Loan

Read-alike author: Sophie Kinsella

Review: Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer

Theodore Boone wants to be a lawyer- just like both his parents. He goes to their law office every day after school and hangs around the courts. He knows everyone there but most of all, he knows about the law. He's already helping classmates in need of advice.

When a murder takes place in their usually sleepy town, Theodore can't wait to watch the trial. He scored seats for his government class for the first day of the week long trial. Theodore would rather be in court than in school bored to tears. He races to the courthouse after school to watch the last bit for the day.

He never imagines that he'd end up caught in the middle of the trial, but when a friend comes to him for help, his knowledge could change everything. Promising not to share the information, his friend tells him a story about his cousin (an illegal). His cousin saw the man go into his house at the time of the murder. He's scared to talk with the police and doesn't want to come forward. Theodore doesn't know what to do, but he doesn't want to a man to walk free when he committed the crime. Can he figure out something to stop the trial in time and to help his friends?

My Thoughts: Grisham's first delve into teen lit -and it was interesting. There was some action, a hero, and a bit of danger. I'm hoping this is the start of a series because it ended openly. I look forward to more from Theodore. I love Grisham's adult novels, although I have read the last several.

The Cover: I don't think the court house in the town is that big - but it's interesting

Source: my library.

Spotted: New Lisa McMann book

What do you think? I'm digging the cover

Learn more about it here!

Review: Case of the Left-Handed Lady (Book 2)

Enola Holmes lives as Miss Ivy Meshle by day - working for her husband who searches for lost items and lost people. In actuality, she's a 14 year old girl still on the run from her famous brother Sherlock Holmes.


When she learns of a young lady gone missing from her bedroom with no explanation and no ransom demanded - the authorities believe her to have escaped with a young man. Miss Meshle arrives at their doorstep, hoping to help find the whereabouts of the young girl.


There's only one lead, which was gone cold. However, Miss Meshle revisits the shop keeper's son hoping to glean more information from him than the police. She learns that he's a radical, believing in change among classes.


Now, Elona is under the impression that he can lead her to the young girl. She follows him, under yet another disguise. From her search at the girl's home, Elona believes her to have two distinct personalities - one the proper young lady and one who believes in the change among classes as well. Can Elona find the girl and bring her back to her parents without causing a huge scandal all while her famous brother hunts for her?

My Thoughts: I like the 2nd book in this series. Enola is spunky, clever, and compassionate. I love her disguises and how she deals with her brothers while searching for her mother. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Cover: I like the grittiness of London - and how it shows Enola in her disguise.

Source: My Library

Movie Review: Eclipse

Eclipse was my favorite book of the series.
It's where I became a strong TEAM JACOB fan.
I loved the triangle as Bella was forced to look seriously at her life and decide.

ECLIPSE was the first movie of the series I didn't see at midnight.

I liked it much better than the previous two movies.

Things I Loved:

Charlie.
I can't say enough about him. He's a comic relief character and he's absolutely perfect. I adored the scene where he tries having "the talk" with Bella.

Alice.
She's my favorite Cullen. I loved the fight scene between her and Jasper. I also loved watching her have visions.

Jane.
I Love Dakota Fanning. She's amazingly creepy and scary.

Jacob and Bella.
I love how Bella needs to spend time with him before the change. I love how Jacob is too stubborn to leave her alone and how he fights for her. I love the tent scene. I just wish it ended better for them.

The flashbacks.
I liked seeing the other stories of becoming vampires

The ending.
I love how Bella explains her choice (even though I don't like her choice). It's poetic and sweet.


Things I didn't like:
Edward - not a big fan of the character
Starting the movies in fields of flowers
Still some cheesy lines

Things that could have been better:

Fight scene: it was so built up, but it barely lasted any time at all. Also I don't remember the vampires shattering before - maybe I'd forgotten that detail. I wish the fight had gotten a little more screen time. Jacob was the only one hurt - but that seems a little strange given the intensity of the newborn vampires and the training sessions.

More of human Bella's friends: I felt we didn't see Jessica and company too much. I really love her character and wish she had a few more scenes.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Farm Fresh Murder

Becca's twin sister calls her own morning and begs her to come to work on her day off. Leaving her jam on the stove, Becca rushes over. She realizes someone's been murdered at the farm market.

Straight away, her friend becomes the main suspect. Almost immediately, he goes into hiding after talking with the police. Becca wants to talk with him - to help him clear his name. She hitches a ride to his house to search for clues to his disappearance, where she finds the murder weapon just as the police arrive.

Becca digs a little deeper into the death, discovering more stone walls than she imagines. People don't like her poking her nose into their business. For the most part, people keep to themselves at the market. But Becca's determined to uncover the truth. Will she uncover something more sinister than she ever imagined?

My Thoughts: The first in a new series complete with recipes! This series boats a fresh setting for a fun mystery - with a little romance, a lot of suspects, and plenty of secrets.

The Cover: Eye catching and very different

Source: My Library

Try Also: Town in a Blueberry Jam