The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm (Tales from Alagaësia, #1)

The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful collection of short stories seamlessly woven together.

The Fork is about Murtagh (aka Tornac) he is wondering around under an assumed name due to peoples inability to forgive him for what happened when he was under Galbatorix's hold. He has been asking about mysterious black objects and paying for the information. When one is delivered to him with the intent of robbing him of his gold he uses magic on a fork to overcome his adversaries. I very much fear the "black objects" will turn out to be Ra'zac eggs.

The Witch is about Angela and Elva. Angela is attempting to train and guide Elva and brings her to Eragon for part of her lessons. It was nice to get a brief glimpse into Angela's past.

The Worm is about the dragon Vermund and how he attacks a village where Ilgra lives killing her Father. At first, Ilgra plans to kill him in revenge but as years pass with Vermund showing restraint in his feeding the other villagers accept him as part of their life. When the Ra'zac come to her village on a killing spree Ilgra calls Vermund for help and uses the trap she had planned to use on him on the Ra'zac.

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New York by Edward Rutherfurd (Goodreads Author)

New York by Edward Rutherfurd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant as always Rutherfurd begins with the Dutch settling the colony of New Amsterdam, the book follows the Master's family through the British invasion, the eventual American Revolution the turmoil of the Civil War and ends with the destruction of the Twin Towers. Through it, all the Master's Family and New York "Imagine Freedom Always"

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Triple Jeopardy (Daniel Pitt #2) by Anne Perry

Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars?

Really enjoyed this book.

Jemima with her husband Patrick, is home from America for a visit and they want Daniel's help in seeing that Philip Sidney is punished for attacking Rebecca Thorwood in America, but did he? And since he claimed diplomatic immunity how can they bring him to justice. When Sidney is charged with embezzling funds from the embassy Daniel has the unenviable job of defending him. But Daniel soon comes to believe that Philip Sidney is innocent of the crimes he is accused of. But who wants to destroy Philip Sidney's credibility and why?

After questioning Rebecca it soon becomes apparent that her family is lying. Rebecca never recognized her attacker and her Father who claims he recognized Philip Sidney in the hall, wasn't actually there it was his wife who actually saw the "attacker" and claimed it was Sidney. With Miriam's help Daniel is able to prove that Sidney's signature was forged on many of the documents that supposedly proved the embezzlement at the embassy, but again why pin the embezzlement of petty cash on Sidney. What does he know that is a danger to someone? And WHO is it a danger too?

Slowly with Miriam's help, Daniel begins to see that the stakes are higher than he thought and an ugly picture of treason begins to come into focus. Daniel and Kitteridge fight desperately to prove Sidney's innocence and in the final moments an long-simmering affair comes to light and the final key in the treasonous plot is revealed leaving Sidney's innocence proved beyond a shadow of a doubt.

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Spindles No More

The general consensus is that spindles or so 80s so what's a homeowner with the dreaded spindles to do to keep their house from looking dated. This was my solution. Hubby designed and built it himself and he did a wonderful job.

 I found this picture for the Dining Room Wall, it has a beautiful mixture of colors and a butterfly. Win, Win in my book. Thanks for making sure I saw it, Tammy.

 I kept the old couch and chair but updated with new pillows this one is my favorite. I also got a floor lamp. I also kept the paintings, but they look different against the teal wall. It brings out the colors in the painting nicely.

 And this painting just happened to have a touch of pink in it that goes well with the bench I found.  I love the bench it provides extra seating as well as storage. I keep the Grandkids toys in there.

Dark Tribute (Eve Duncan, #24)

Dark Tribute by Iris Johansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Cara is kidnapped by a psycho everyone rushes to save her but Cara has changed during her time with the madman and actually does a decent job of saving herself. Her only worry now is his threat to her family. When Joe is captured Cara works with her Grandfather to end the madman's life once and for all and bring Joe safely home. But it's Michael's special abilities that allow them to find Joe in time to save Joe's life.

Cara also manages to get Jock in her bed FINALLY.

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Paris by Edward Rutherfurd (Goodreads Author)

Paris by Edward Rutherfurd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of 6 families and their intertwined lives from before the French Revolution through the 1960s.

Brilliantly told and vividly painted life in France from the view of the poor as well as the rich and powerful. The bigotry against Jews and their persecution, the horrors of the guillotine, World War I and the French Resistance during World War II are all brought to life inside the pages of this book.

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