The Three Ws are:
1. What are you currently reading?
I am halfway through a graphic autobiography titled The Joy of Quitting. Keiler Roberts story about being married with a toddler and MS is full of humor and is a fun read. Her story is told in black and white comic strips drawn in a naive style.
This book collects from a decade of the author's work from five previous titles. The titles are Powdered Milk (2012), Miseryland (2015), Sunburning (2017), Chlorine Gardens (2018) and Rat Time (2019).
2. What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished another graphic autobiography called Ephemera. It's a sad story about one woman's experience dealing with her mentally ill mother. The book made me sad enough to be sorry that I read it.
3. What do you think you’ll read next?
I am still deciding between Behind the Seams by Elizabeth Spann Craig and Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams. The Craig book is a part of her southern quilting series. Methods of Malice is the 7th book in the author's Hope Street Church series. I have read about 3 pages in both books to see which one excites me the most. Behind the Seams has a better beginning so it might be my next book.
The publisher's summary:
England. 1469.
A fortunate marriage will change history.
A scandal could destroy everything...
Margaret Paston, matriarch of the Paston family, knows that a favourable match for one of her unruly daughters is the only way to survive the loss of their recently acquired Caister Castle. But as the War of the Roses rages on, dangerous enemies will threaten even her best laid plans.
Margery Paston, her eldest daughter, has always strived to uphold the Paston name and do her mother proud. But when she loses her heart to a man below her station, she must make a terrible choice: will she betray her family and risk everything for a chance at true love?
Anne Haute, first cousin to the Queen, is embroiled in a longstanding betrothal to Sir John Paston, the eldest son and heir to the Paston seat. But despite his promises, Anne can't help but doubt that he will ever keep his word and make her his wife...In the midst of civil war, each of these women must decide: Head or heart? Love or duty? Reputation- or scandal?
SPOILER ALERT! Margaret Paston is the ultimate matchmaker. She is always trying to arrange marriages for her sons and daughters, particularly the daughters. Her efforts fill the entire book. She was only happy, though, with one of her son's choices for a bride and feels her daughters married beneath their socioeconomic level. She was so angry at Margery that she threw Margery out of the house and didn't associate with Margery for over ten years. Margery didn't care. Daughter Anne threatened to secretly marry the man she loved but succumbed to pressure to marry someone else who had money. Anne was strong and made the best of her situation. What Margaret did not see was that her daughters were just as strong willed as she was. As tough as Margaret was, her children were even tougher.
The Anne Haute subplot was the one I least enjoyed reading about. The story of how she met and fell in love with Margaret's son John was interesting. However, John put off formalizing their marriage for nine years and his decisions to fight in wars to avoid marriage was dull. Son Jonty made a good selection for a bride, financially that is, and he and wife Gilly were in love with each other.
I was surprised when a plague occurred. I had forgotten that the story took place in the 1400s. Neither the time nor the setting were prominent. Margaret's machinations were the substance of the book. This hard as nails lady carried the story well.
Historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel. I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.
Former actress Becca Ransom lived her dream in Hollywood for seven years before returning to her hometown of Larch Haven, known as the Venice of North America. The Vermont town has canals instead of roads, gondolas instead of cars, and charming cottages plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. It’s also where Becca is pursuing her newest passion as a chocolatier at True Confections, the chocolate shop owned by her grandparents, Lolly and Pops.While Becca’s testing new flavors and reconnecting with old friends, the town is gearing up for the annual Gondola Races, popular with both residents and tourists, with one exception. Local curmudgeon Archie Smith wants nothing more than to keep tourists away from Larch Haven. He’s determined to derail this year’s event and does his best to stir up trouble for the organizers, including Becca’s grandfather.Following a heated argument with Pops, Archie is found floating face-down in the canal, and Pops finds himself in hot water as one of the top suspects. Becca’s determined to clear her grandfather’s name, but when the case heats up, she could be facing a sticky end.
I have never been so glad to see a victim killed before Archie Smith was murdered in this book. He died in chapter 2 but was so unpleasant already that when a dead body was found, I hoped it was his. It was. Archie was what I would call a raging senior. He hated everybody and everyone hated him because he opposed every official decision made in his hometown of Larch Haven.
Rebecca (Becca) Ransom is the amateur sleuth. She is an actress who recently left Hollywood to return to her hometown and take over her family's candy shop. She was present on the town's canal when Archie's body was found. When her grandfather became a suspect Becca was unable to convince him to hire an attorney. Fearing for his life, Becca decides that she must determine the identity of the killer. From this point Becca becomes an amateur sleuth. Her BFF, Dizzy, plays a prominent role as Becca’s friend but does not participate in the investigation. Becca’s brother Gareth owns a restaurant in town and is married to Blake. Officer Sawyer is a possible love interest for Becca. He did not participate in the investigation either other than telling her to stop interviewing suspects who could be dangerous.
The name of the town providing the setting is Larch Haven. It's an unusual name. I wondered what larch meant and whether it would give details on the type of stories to follow in the series. What is a larch? It's a coniferous tree with bunches of green needles. These trees are found in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere. Like perhaps Vermont where the story takes place. They symbolize maternal love because they commonly offer shelter to squirrels and birds. I guess the name itself has no bearing on the series.
The investigation of the murder was slow. Most of the story was about Becca’s family and friend relationships. I am assuming that the author was setting up the foundation for this new world she has created in Larch Haven. Still, the reveal of the murderer was surprising. I just wish there were more twists in the story.
4 out of 5 stars.
