Hi, My name is Margie and I am new to this, so bear with me. I just finished reading Emilie Richards Shenandoah Album Quilt series. Each book held my interest and I can't wait for the next. There are 5 or 6 books available now. Each book takes a character and builds on their life. I think anyone interested in historical novels will like these.

Hi Margie. I've just been working through the 'Ballad' series of detective/ historical/ modern novels by Sharyn McCrumb.

I have never been to the Appalachians (living in Scotland!) but she writes about the two men and one woman who make up a very small town's entire police department, but the case they investigate is woven in, extremely well, with earlier twentieth century things, how your grandparents and parents make you the person you are, as well as much older history of the pioneers and outlaws and women who made the Appalachians who they are. An old woman called Norah Bonesteel knows and understands a little more than most people about the past that is still with us.

They are difficult to explain - not only a crime novel, not really a crime novel, not exactly historical, not really modern... she writes really well and I now really REALLY want to go to the beautiful mountains she writes about, in Kentucky, Tennesee and North Carolina, but in addition her books made me look up about Appalachian living conditions for the poorest people and now I'm arranging to send a small donation to the Appalachian Poverty Project, a mission that does what it can. I can't read about the beauty and do nothing about the ugliness.

***
Also I'm happily reading yet again, the amusing, intriguing novels about Betsy Devonshire, who inherits "Crewel World", a needlework shop in Excelsior, Minnesota, when her sister is murdered and discovers a talent for finding out who the true killer is - there are quite a few, some set outside Minnesota, and each has a wee needlework pattern at the end, bless! ;-)
They're really well-written and just right for relaxing with. Any minute now I'll remember who they're by...! The characters are truly likeable, so I have found myself re-reading them a lot, several times in the last year alone. They stand up to it really well. Aha, Monica Ferris, that's right.

So I'm sitting in Edinburgh summer, with its own unique history and architecture and landscape, immersing myself in Minnesotan winter and Appalachian spring...

But when the weather turns a little I shall indulge myself in an orgy of O.Douglas novels... she was John Buchan's sister and both knew how to spin a yarn. She herself described her books as cosy domestic fiction and they are absolutely wonderful for that time of year when the weather turns and the temperature drops, and you need to put up heavy curtains and start making Christmas presents...!


laura

I have to say, I 've read all of Monica Ferris books. Love the characters.
There are so many wonderful mysteries but I cannot remember the titles and/or some of the authors. I do like Katherine Hall or is it Page? She is a caterer married to a minister. She solves whodunnits.
When I remember the authors I'll be more specific later to share..sorry...

Hi,
A good book I have just finished is Dewey, the Library Cat. I think all librarians should read it, or cat lovers. After reading it I was in favor of getting a library cat. We now have Cordelia, a long-haired grey and white, fixed sweetheart. Did I tell you I am an assistant librarian? Before that I worked at the local weekley for 24 years. Can't decide which job I like the most. I live in West Virginia and we had 6 inches of snow this morning, schools closed and our policy is if school is closed so are we. Hope all are having a good day.