Book Review - Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

Book Synopsis
Lynhurst Manor is a house built on secrets . . . and the arrival of Aurelie Harcourt might reveal them all.
When Aurelie Harcourt's father dies suddenly, he leaves her just two things: his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll, and his wealthy family--who want very little to do with her.

As Aurelie struggles to find a home with her father's family and learn the rules of society, she relishes in his parting gift--the beginning of his last story. The story she always wanted to hear, about her mother's mysterious disappearance from the home where she now lives. To complete the novel, she'll have to extract clues from relatives--and one enigmatic houseguest--who often seem reluctant to give them up.

My Review
Lady Jayne Disappears tells the story of Aurelie Harcourt.  When her much loved father, a writer, passes away, Aurelie continues writing under his pen name and goes to live with his family.  Lynhurst Manor is a mysterious home and the family that lives there is equally mysterious.  Aurelie looks for answers about her mother's long ago disappearance as she continues to write a novel inspired by her life.

This is such a unique and intriguing novel.   It is a historical novel set in 1861.  It involves family secrets, a mystery, a Gothic setting, and a bit of romance as well.   Joanna Davidson Politano does a wonderful job of blending these elements.  

The writing is fresh and creative.  Each chapter begins with a short epigraph from the fictional novel within this book, Lady Jayne Disappears.  There is Aurelie and the novel she is writing (continued from her father's work) and then the real history of Lady Jayne, her mother.  

The setting of Lynwood Manor was perfect for this story.  Aurelie observes:  "Papa had been right - the walls were bursting with stories.  And I must remain among them as long as humanly possible" (p. 73).

Aurelie is an interesting character, curious and resilient, and determined to discover truth in her writing and in her life.  I kept reading, hoping that she would find answers - and happiness.  I enjoyed all the twists and turns of the story.

The romantic plot was well written and involved two intelligent, likable characters who were truly perfect for each other.

I really enjoyed this novel.  I recommend Lady Jayne Disappears for fans of historical fiction, Christian fiction, and anyone who enjoys a well written novel that incorporates both mystery and romance.

Author Bio
Joanna Davidson Politano is a freelance writer and debut novelist who spends as much time as possible spinning tales that capture the exquisite details of ordinary lives. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. Learn more at www.jdpstories.com.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Altered To Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery) by Christina Freeburn

Book Synopsis

Looking for a craft cozy so memorable you’ll stay up late scrapping about it? Well, welcome to the town of Eden.

Faith Hunter, who is supposed to be planning her wedding, instead finds herself distracted by the town scrapbook she was commissioned to create. Eden’s oldest mystery, the founding family’s exodus nearly a hundred years ago, remains unsolved.

A search through the family’s abandoned mansion leads to the uncovering of bones on that very property. And then ex-boyfriend Steve Davis announces a surprise heir has staked a claim.

How can Faith not be distracted? Now she’s determined to dig up the truth left behind.

Because scrappers are multi-taskers extraordinaire, Faith can’t say no when family friend Wyatt Buford asks her to look into his deadbeat father’s disappearing act and his connection to the murder.

Her quest for answers unearths secrets past and present that some would prefer stay buried at any cost. Faith’s resolve to present the facts and nothing but about Eden’s history could lead to her own future being cut short.

See what I mean about memorable? Delve in to Eden and you’ll find a cozy you won’t soon forget.

Author Bio
The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn’s love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending. 

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.


Author Links:
Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Freeburn-Author/245592138834150
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn

Giveaway
(1) Print Copy - Altered To Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery) by Christina Freeburn - U.S. ONLY.  Ends 12/7.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Dear Abby - Famous TV Dogs: Snoopy

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!  I had a wonderful time with my family, and I am happy to be back visiting with you.

Snoopy is one of my favorite TV dogs.  He started out in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz in 1950.  Snoopy was inspired by Charles Schulz's dog Spike.  Snoopy was almost called "Sniffy," but there was another comic strip out with a dog named Sniffy.

Charles Schulz and his dog Spike

I like Snoopy's imagination.  He is sometimes an author, sometimes a flying ace, and sometimes just a very happy beagle.  Over the years, Snoopy has had over 100 alter egos!

Snoopy even had his own song, "Snoopy vs the Red Baron" (1966, by the Royal Guardsmen).  It went to number 2 on the Billboard chart.




Snoopy's first TV appearance was in A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 9, 1965.  He appeared in many other TV specials after that, including It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), Charlie Brown's All Stars (1966), You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967), He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968), Snoopy Comes Home (1972), and many more.

Here is Snoopy from A Charlie Brown Christmas:

And he was featured prominently in It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, too:

One of my favorite things about Snoopy is his happy dance.  I have a happy dance too, but Snoopy's is much jazzier!



Are you a fan of Snoopy and his appearances in the Peanuts TV specials?  I would love to hear from you in the comments.

Have a wonderful weekend!  I look forward to visiting with you next Friday.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Etched in Tears (A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery) by Cheryl Hollon

Book Synopsis

When a famous glass artist is murdered at his own exhibit, deadly secrets are put on display, and it’s up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb to see through a killer’s cover.

Celebrated glass artist Dennis Lansing is returning to St. Petersburg, Florida, for an exhibit at the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum. His unique style of embedding document images in his art is at the vanguard of contemporary glasswork. But as Savannah’s first boyfriend and a former apprentice to her father, Dennis’s return home has her reflecting on the past—a trip down memory lane that takes a dark turn when Dennis is found murdered at the museum with an old reference letter from her father in his pocket. A search through her father’s records sheds new light on Dennis’s history, but it seems his present life wasn’t so transparent either. Now, with a gallery of suspects to consider, it’s up to Savannah to figure out who fits the mold of a murderer.

Author Bio
Cheryl Hollon now writes full-time after she left an engineering career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind her house in St. Petersburg, Florida, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass, and painted glass artworks. Visit her online at http://cherylhollon.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @CherylHollon. 

Purchase Links
Amazon  B&N Hudson Booksellers BAM IndieBound
This book will also available at Target and WalMart.

Giveaway
(2) Print Copy Etched in Tears (A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery) by Cheryl Hollon.  Ends 11/29.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Dear Abby - Vintage Thanksgiving Dog Illustrations

Dear Friends,

I am taking next week off for some family time, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and share a few vintage Thanksgiving illustrations of dogs.

Calling All Girls magazine from 1960.  A young girl shares the wishbone with her dachshund.

Calling All Girls magazine from 1962.  A girl eats Thanksgiving lunch while her dachshund watches from the window.  (I am sure he will get some food too!)

Betsy McCall paper doll page from McCall's magazine.   "Betsy has a wonderful Thanksgiving."  Little illustration of Betsy's dog Nosy.

Saturday Evening Post magazine from 1933.  Three beagles are determined to share the Thanksgiving turkey!

Household magazine from 1952.  A busy Thanksgiving kitchen is pictured, complete with the family's eager dog.

Two beagles in this A.E. Kennedy illustration succeed at pulling the turkey off the table!

Vintage Thanksgiving postcard of a bulldog watching a Turkey.

A happy little dog sits in a chair at Thanksgiving on this postcard.  "For what we are about to receive let us be Thankful."

This World War II vintage illustration is from 1945.  The family dog helps a mother and her son, a sailor, cook dinner.  The illustration is by J.C. Leyendecker.

This illustration, also by J.C. Leyendecker for The American Weekly magazine, shows a little boy carrying a turkey home - although his little terrier dog thinks it is for him.  This is a 1950 illustration.

A maid carries a turkey while the family's dog follows eagerly.  This illustration is dated 1905.

This postcard depicts a man in Pilgrim clothes bringing a pumpkin and basket of apples home, with the help of his dog.

I hope you enjoyed these vintage Thanksgiving dog pictures.  And more importantly, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!   I am grateful for readers and friends here, and look forward to catching up with you again in a couple of weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo