Music Monday - "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers (1977)

You know that list of Top 10 all-time favorite songs I've mentioned here before (although I still haven't put together an actual list)?   This song is on it.  "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers was released in 1977 and charted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  A little note of trivia -- Bill Withers holds a note for 18 seconds near the end of the song.


Do you remember this one?  It is pure musical happiness for me.

Book Review and Giveaway: A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont

A Gilded Grave (NEWPORT GILDED AGE) First in Series Cozy Mystery Series: NEWPORT GILDED AGE Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015) ISBN-13: 978-0425275849
Synopsis:

In 1895, the height of the Gilded Age, the social elite spend their summers in Newport, Rhode Island. Within the walls of their fabulous “cottages,” competition for superiority is ruthless … and so are the players.

During her first Newport season, Deanna Randolph attends a ball given in honor of Lord David Manchester, a Barbadian sugar magnate, and his sister, Madeline. The Manchesters are an immediate success—along with their exotic manservant and his fortune-telling talents.

But on the nearby cliffs, a young maid lies dead—and suspicion falls on Joseph Ballard, a member of one of the town’s most prestigious families.

Joe humiliated Deanna when he rebuffed an engagement to her, but while he may be a cad, she knows he isn’t a killer. Now the reluctant allies must navigate a world of parties, tennis matches, and séances to find the real murderer. But a misstep among the glittering upper classes could leave them exposed to something far more dangerous than malicious gossip…

My Review:

I love historical mysteries and am fascinated by the Gilded Age, so of course I enjoyed A Gilded Grave.

Deanna is a strong, intelligent protagonist who determines to solve the mystery of a servant's death in a time where such independent behavior was not expected (or desired) for women.  I like her camaraderie with her maid, Elspeth.  I also like Joe, her former romantic interest.  Although he is from a very moneyed background, he wants more and starts a shop to work on mechanical inventions (like a machine to bag sugar).  I especially enjoyed all scenes including both Deanna and Joe. 

This mystery is rich in historical details and nuances.   We glimpse the life "downstairs" of Elspeth and the late Daisy.  The scene where Elspeth and Deanna go to Daisy's small room to pack her meager belongings is moving. We see the police automatically pursue a working class man as the suspect in Daisy's tragic death because they cannot consider a man with an upper class background as a suspect.  We see Deanna and Elspeth reading "penny novels" about lady detectives that pique their interest in mystery.  We see Deanna longing to play tennis at a party, but having to watch instead because she is a woman.  

A Gilded Grave is such an intelligent, well written mystery.  There are wonderful characterizations in this book, with lively dialogue.  I felt I really got to know these characters through the novel.  

I hope this is the first book in a series, because I want to read more!  I enthusiastically recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries, and anyone interested in the Gilded Age.

About The Author –

Shelley Freydont is the author of the Liv Montgomery Celebration Bay Mysteries, Foul Play at the Fair, Silent Knife, Independence Slay as well as the Kate MacDonald Sudoku Mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty dance company mysteries, and the upcoming Newport Gilded Age Mysteries, beginning with A Gilded Grave (6/15)

As Shelley Noble, she is the NYTimes Best selling author of women’s fiction (Beach Colors, Stargazey Point, Breakwater Bay, and Whisper Beach as well as several novellas. A former professional dancer and choreographer, Shelley lives at the Jersey shore and loves puzzles, light houses and antique carousels. She also loves to hear from readers.

For more about Shelley, please visit her website www.shelleyfreydont.com. 

Author Links
Website www.shelleyfreydont.com

• shelleynoble.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyFreydont
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Freydont/e/B001HCUVP4
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ShelleyFreydont

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this book from Great Escapes in exchange for an honest review.
 

Cover Reveal and Giveaway - Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singleton

Title: Never Been Texted

Author:  Linda Joy Singleton

Publisher: Leap Books

Release Date: August 31, 2015

When Ashlee’s stepdad completely forgets her birthday she takes matters into her own hands to get the one thing she really wants: her own cell phone.  But text messages start rolling in from a broken-hearted boy, and though Ashlee knows not all stories end happily, she’s determined to make hers the best it can be. 

Goodreads

Author Bio:

Linda Joy Singleton has published over 35 YA & MG books about Goths, psychics, mermaids, aliens, cheerleaders, clones, parallel worlds, spies, dogs and ghosts. Her YA series, REGENERATION, THE SEER and DEAD GIRL, were honored as YALSA Popular Paperback/Quick Picks. Her series for younger readers includes, STRANGE ENCOUNTERS and 2015 release, CURIOUS CAT SPY Club.

When she was 8, she wrote animal stories and by age 14 she was writing mystery novels.  In 1986,  she had the unique experience of co-writing a mystery, THE TALKING SNOWMAN, with her favorite childhood author, Margaret Sutton (Judy Bolton mysteries).  Her goal was to have a mystery series of her own that that happened in 1994: MY SISTER THE GHOST series/Avon Camelot Books.  Recently she’s crossed genres to publish her first picture book, SNOW DOG, SAND DOG (Albert Whitman 2014). 

When Linda isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, movies, country walks, camping, bowling and reality shows (she’s never missed a season of Survivor, Amazing Race or Big Brother). She also collects vintage girl series mysteries like Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton and Trixie Belden and in 2014 spoke at a Nancy Drew convention. She’s a longtime member of Sisters in Crime and SCBWI, and enjoys speaking at school, libraries and writing conferences.

She lives with her husband, David, in Northern California, in a country home where she’s surrounded by horses, peacocks, dogs, wild turkeys and demanding cats. Follow Linda on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Never Been Texted

by Linda Joy Singleton

Giveaway ends August 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Cat Postcards, New Year Cards, Children's Books

Just stopping by with a glimpse of some new arrivals at Birdhouse Books. 

You'll find all these goodies at Birdhouse Books on eBay!

Lovely French postcard, a black and white photo of a cat watching birds from an apartment railing.  This charming card would look great framed.

Vintage postcard of cats exploring the patio at the Hemingway House, Key West, Florida.

Lovely vintage New Year postcard with a fireplace and spinning wheel.

This 1910 New Year postcard shows a book and pink flowers.  It is a John Winsch postcard.

This vintage B.B. London postcard celebrates the New Year with lovely pink dogwood blossoms in a basket.

What a charming vintage postcard!  "Look Pleasant."  There is a short verse with daisies and a rural scene.

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is a picture book by Leo Lionni.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is one of my favorite picture books for children.  This lovely story is about snow and winter and friendship.

Wee Witches' Halloween is a picture book by Jerry Smath.

The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin is a cute Thanksgiving picture book for children.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Dear Abby: When the Pack Grows Smaller - Helping Grieving Dogs

Dear Friends,

This week we have a question from my friend Angela.  I will post her question and my answer, and hope you will join in with any suggestions or tips in the comments below.   

Thanks, and love to all!
Abby

Angela's family lost their precious little dog Teddy recently.   He is the cute little black dog pictured in the photo above (back left).  His brothers are Gizmo, the little brown dachshund (foreground), and Sarge, the big sweet dog (back right).

You will find another photo of the brothers together, below:  (left to right)  Sarge, Gizmo, and Teddy.

Angela writes that Gizmo and Sarge are really missing Teddy.  "Teddy just provided the energy and enthusiasm. My dad and I were talking about how much the house feels empty without Teddy. He really was a spark plug. Sarge and Gizmo just lay around and act depressed. They get happy for brief moments but other than that, they just lounge around looking morose. That had been my question for Abby. Since she lost a 'brofur' just like Gizmo and Sarge, how did she cope with the loss?"

Dear Gizmo and Sarge,

I am so sorry about Teddy.  I have heard many stories about him, and know he was a special, fun, lively boy ... and an important part of your family.

I lost my beloved brother Barney Fife last September, and I still think about him every day.  Momma says we were bonded.  I believe this means we loved each other and were inseparable.  Yes, that sounds right: bonded.

At first it was very hard.  Barney went to the vet and he didn't come home.  Momma was sad and she cried, and I missed my brother and didn't understand what was happening.  After a day or two, I figured it out.  I felt sad too.  I was very quiet and stuck to Momma like glue.

Here are things that helped.  Momma told our neighborhood friends about Barney.   They gave me extra attention and their dogs socialized with me even more than usual when we met them on walks.   Visiting with other dogs was really nice.

And about walks -- we started going on extra walks.  Lots of time outside!   I kept very busy.  Being busy helped.

Friends and family came over, as they usually do, but they brought treats and toys and gave me lots of extra attention.  I liked that.

I found a special plush toy that belonged to Barney and I made it my lovie.  I still carry it around and snuggle with it, and sometimes like to sleep with it.  It reminds me of my brother.

Momma gave me extra cuddles and attention, and I liked that too.  I did not think that Momma could love me more than she already did, but it seems like that happened.

We turned on lights and played music and tried to fill the house with happy noise.

We still miss Barney and think of him every day, but more and more we remember the good times spent with him.

I am thinking of you both, and your Mom and family too, and sending you many good and comforting thoughts.  You have friends and family who loved Teddy and who love you both and want you to be happy again.  I hope some of these suggestions help you.

With love and hugs,
Abby