The second book from Deborah Harkness' pen is as action-filled as the first, A Discovery of Witches. Shadow of Night adds the excitement, danger, and intrigue of a trip back to the political upheaval and superstition of 16th century Europe.

I had never read anything by Charles Martin, but I needed something to read.  I picked this just from reading the book jacket, no personal recommendations.  I am not sorry I picked it up.  It made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me want more.

    After finishing the second Inspector Kaldis book while on vacation Memorial Day, I was really glad to write a review.  The books are short but packed with lots of color, and the colors are bright Aegean blue and blinding cloud white and dusty hillside tan. Oh, and blood red, dark as night, with occasional flashes of lurid orange.

The Jane Austen Book club is reading Margaret Maron this year. She's a North Carolina native whose first novel, "Bootlegger's Daughter" won every major mystery award for best first novel. That book was the first to feature Deborah Knott, whose colorful Daddy was a bootlegger. Deborah is an attorney who decides to take a stand against "mean-minded judicial pettiness" and take on the Old Boy's Club by running for a retiring judge's seat.

Have you seen Moneyball yet?  This movie based on a true story is quite engaging.  Not much of a baseball fan, I still found myself  involved and enjoying this biopic.  There are some funny moments and inspiring ones, as well as the poignancy and sadness of Billy Beane's career and efforts, the focus of the story.  Rated PG-13 for language, there really isn't too much objectionable to this movie.