Sunday Salon: A Scotsman And A Cat

Can you believe another week has past and it’s time to come together to share our thoughts on the wonderful books we’ve finished or just started.

The past week has been filled with tragedy and triumph, pain and hope, and the bonding of friends and strangers. It’s time to take a short break, reach for that cup of coffee (tea or other favorite beverage), get comfortable in your favorite chair, and lose yourself in some amazing books for a little while.

Today, I have two books to share but check around blogdom and you will find many others sharing their Sunday Salons featuring interesting books they’ve read. I’m sure you will find at least one or two books to peak your attention.

DEATH OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP by M.C. Beaton

Captain Henry Davenport and his wife, Milly, buy a Georgian mansion in the village of Drim. Davenport doesn’t want his wife associating with the villagers and comes off a bit of a bully.

Davenport instructs his wife to have the chimney cleaned while he goes for a walk. However, he tells her if anyone calls for him to say he has gone abroad. Milly hires the local chimney sweep, Pete Ray, to do the job.

Enjoying her freedom during the captain’s absence, Milly doesn’t worry when her husband’s walk last longer than expected. However, a noise in the chimney gets Milly’s attention and she discovers blood dripping inside the chimney.

Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is called in to investigate and finds Capt. Davenport’s body stuffed inside the chimney. The chimney sweep is the prime suspect. But a short time later, Pete Ray’s dead body is found in the moors the apparent result of a motorcycle wreck. Items from the Davenport home are found in Pete’s sidecar linking him to the murder - case closed.

But Hamish doesn’t believe Pete is capable of murder and begins to investigate deeper despite what his superiors think. The results are an intriguing read with plenty of twists and turns before the real killer is caught.

This is the 27th installment in the Hamish Macbeth Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. Along with a cozy mystery, readers will be captivated by the landscape and characters of Scotland.

Author M.C. Beaton’s website is http://www.agatharaisin.com/

Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton, A Hamish Macbeth Mystery, Grand Central Publishing, @2011, ISBN: 978-0446547390, Hardcover, 256 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

LESSONS FROM STANLEY THE CAT by Jennifer Freed

Being the caregiver of two wonderful cats, I’m always drawn to books about or by felines. That’s one of the reasons LESSONS FROM STANLEY THE CAT: NINE LIVES OF EVERYDAY WISDOM by Jennifer Freed caught my attention.

This charming book is told from Stanley’s view point, giving his astute perspective on how humans could improve themselves if they’d only give in to their feline side. These witty and insightful bits of advice are translated by Jennifer Freed, who was Stanley’s psychotherapist parent and companion for many years. The delightful illustrations that accompany each maxim are done by Tone Gellerstedt.

This loving tribute to Stanley is a quick and easy read, but filled with thought-provoking epigrams of wisdom and humor.

Here are just a few of the pieces of advice that should stay with us daily:
“Failure is simply another opportunity to create a different strategy.”

"Generosity of the heart is the most valuable asset you can have."

“Most people are trying to chase after their youth instead of cherishing the stages of life. Older beings need more care and often get less thoughtfulness from others.”

“A little bounce in your step as you walk around the house, got to work, or even just get up from bed can perk up your heartbeat and your attitude.”

LESSONS FROM STANLEY THE CAT will have you laughing and shaking your heard while thinking, “That is so true.”

Author Jennifer Freed’s website is www.jenniferfreed.com

Lessons from Stanley the Cat: Nine Lives of Everyday Wisdom by Jennifer Freed, Illustrated by Tone Gellerstedt, Perigee Trade, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-399-53615-1, Paperback, 144 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Did you have the opportunity to read this past week, if so what held your attention? Are you reading something now that you get so involved in that you lose track of time? Share, tell us about you’re reading.

Sunday Salon: Highlighting Books

It’s time again for Sunday Salon where we reach for that smoothing cup of coffee (tea or other favorite beverage), get comfortable and discuss the books we’ve read recently.

I must confess I haven’t read as much as I should have or wanted to. I’m trying to finish a baby blanket I’m crocheting. Because of this I find myself settling in with a bundle of yarn at night rather than a good book.

There are so many wonderful books that have been released this month. Since I don’t have reviews to share today, I thought I’d highlight several books that are in my TBR stack. In addition, I have a book giveaway to share.

STAY TUNED FOR MURDER by Mary Kennedy

This is the third installment in the Talk Radio Mystery set in Florida. A phony psychic comes to town and makes life difficult for Psychologist Maggie Walsh.

Madame Chantel claims to be able to talk to the dead. One of her ghostly chats results in two beloved old ladies being murdered. Meanwhile, Cypress Grove is gearing up for a celebration where the mayor is planning to unearth a time capsule dating back fifty years and WYME is promoting the event.

Maggie wonders if the contents of the time capsule could somehow be connected with the mysterious murders? People are dying to know what’s inside the capsule. Yes, literally dying! Stay tuned...

Stay Tuned for Murder by Mary Kennedy, A Talk Radio Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 978-0-451-23235-9, Paperback, 320 pages

BUFFALO WEST WING by Julie Hyzy

This is the fourth installment in the White House Chef Mystery. Who ever thought cooking is boring has never meet White House executive chef Olivia Paras.

There’s a new First Family in the White House and executive chef can’t afford to make any mistakes. A box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Family’s two young children. Refusing to serve the chicken to the children, Olivia gets the cold shoulder from the First Lady. When the chicken turns out to be poisoned, Olivia realizes the youngsters are targets. But are Olivia’s days numbered as executive chef when the First Lady brings the family’s personal chef to the White House to cook for them?

An added bonus is a selection of recipes for a complete presidential menu, as well as a number of kid-friendly recipes.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy, A White House Chef Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0-425-23923-0, Paperback, 320 pages

BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF by Jenn McKinlay

This is the second installment in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura’s Fairy Tale Cupcakes Bakery is gearing up for Valentine’s Day. However, Baxter Malloy has been murdered on his first date with Mel’s mother and now she’s a suspect. Mel and Angie need to find time around frosting to dig into the man’s shady past and discover who served him his just desserts.

An added bonus is a selection of cupcake recipes and a preview of the next Cupcake Bakery Mystery, DEATH BY THE DOZEN.

Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay, A Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0-425-23924-7, Paperback, 24o pages

GHOULS, GHOULS, GHOULS by Victoria Laurie

This is the fifth installment in the Ghost Hunter Mystery series.

When M.J. Holliday and the crew of her cable TV show, Ghoul Getters, venture to the haunted ruins of Dunlow Castle in Ireland, drawn by the legend of hidden treasure, they hope the road will rise up to meet them, that the wind will always be at their backs—and that the resident phantom won’t push them off a cliff.

Dunlow Castle has more spooks than turrets, including the long-dead lord in all his ghostly greediness, but they pale in comparison to the phantom. If they treasure their lives, M.J. and her ghost busters need to get the drop on the menacing phantom before they plunge headfirst into one cliff-hanger of an ending.

Readers also get a sneak peek at the next Ghost Hunter Mystery, GHOUL INTERRUPTED.

Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls by Victoria Laurie, A Ghost Hunter Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 978-0-451-23197-0, Paperback, 352 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - These four books were sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review them. However, receiving the complimentary copies did not influence this posting about them.

These are just a few of the many wonderful books released this month. There’s sure to be something that will peak your interest.

With talk of these recent releases, I have a giveaway of a 256-page hardcover book that won’t be released until Feb. 25. Thanks to Brianne and the folks at Hachette Book Group, I have 3 copies of DEATH OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP (ISBN: 9780446547390) by M.C. Beaton to giveaway.

In the south of Scotland, residents get their chimneys vacuum-cleaned. But in the isolated villages in the very north of Scotland, the villagers rely on the services of the itinerant sweep, Pete Ray, and his old-fashioned brushes. Pete is always able to find work in the Scottish highlands, until one day when Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices blood dripping onto the floor of a villager's fireplace, and a dead body stuffed inside the chimney. The entire town of Lochdubh is certain Pete is the culprit, but Hamish doesn't believe that the affable chimney sweep is capable of committing murder. Then Pete's body is found on the Scottish moors, and the mystery deepens. Once again, it's up to Hamish to discover who's responsible for the dirty deed--and this time, the murderer may be closer than he realizes.

Now for the giveaway guidelines. To enter, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com). Your subject line should read, “Win Death of a Chimney Sweep.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. In addition, Hachette is advising winners that they will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. (Winners here have always be great about letting me know if they have already won the book somewhere else so another winner can be selected. However, this announcement is something that has to be passed along from Hachette). And, just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. Remember, I have 3 copies of DEATH OF A CHIMNEY SWEEP to giveaway. The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25.