The Books of 2014

So in 2014 I only had time to read a grand total of twenty-seven books, almost half of the fifty-four from 2013. But I enjoyed most of the books I read, for the most part, though there were three that I didn't finish because they just weren't grabbing my attention and holding it. Anyway, here are the books of 2014. I've also included links to some of my reviews.

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund.

Read from October 8th, 2013 to January 6th, 2014.

A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters.

Read from January 8th - 11th.

Once Upon a Time by J. Randy Taraborrelli.

Read from January 14th - 31st.

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran.

Read from February 1st - 6th.

Nefertiti by Joyce Tyldesley.

Read from February 4th - 20th.

The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan.

Read from February 21st - 24th.

Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.

Read from March 1st - 2nd.

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.

Read from March 5th - 7th.

Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig.

Read from March 11th - 22nd.

Nefertiti by Philipp Vandenberg.

Read from March 31st - April 1st.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen.

Read in April 2014.

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen.

Read from March 28th - May 9th.

Chivalry by Zach Hunter.

Read from 14th - 18th.

The Spiritual World of the Hobbit by James Stuart Bell.

Read from May 20th - 25th.

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The Mystery of the Secret Mine by Anne Begin.

Read on May 27th.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Read from June 3rd - 6th.

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.

Read from June 20th - 24th.

Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.

Read from June 25th - 27th.

What Your Parents Never Told You About being a Mom or Dad by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

Read on July 15th, 2014.

She Comes First by Ian Kerner.

Read from July 28th - 29th.

The Firstborn Advantage by Kevin Leman.

Read from August 2nd - 4th.

What to Expect: The First Year by Heidi Murkoff.

Read from December 26th, 2013 - August 23rd, 2014.

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen.

Read from September 17th - 19th.

$10 Great Dates by David and Claudia Arp.

Read from October 3rd - 5th.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne.

Read in October 2014.

Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley.

Read from 8th - 19th.

All for a Sister by Allison Pittman.

Read in December 2014.

What Child is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

the cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

the Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The babe, the Son of Mary.

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

The Snake, The Crocodile and The Dog Book Review

Title: The Snake, The Crocodile and The Dog.

Author: Elizabeth Peters.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Action/Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Humorous, Egypt.

It took me awhile to get through this one, due mainly to my library since I was halfway through it the first time around when it had to go back. Just as entertaining, exciting and refreshing as the other delightful books in this series, this latest adventure in the lives of Prof. and Mrs. Emerson will keep you turning the pages till the final shocking conclusion.

With danger seemingly dogging their heels as soon as they land in Egypt, Amelia and Emerson are caught in an odd position of expecting an attack, yet being totally unprepared for it when it does arrive. Having just returned from a trip to a mysterious Lost Oasis, the motive behind the attack is easily deduced. It's the resulting effects of it that prove the most distressing; Emerson has lost his memory. Determined to protect the oasis and regain her husband's love, Amelia returns to that enchanted spot where once before Emerson had first loved her. The attempt to jog his memory isn't her only concern however; foes lurk around every corner and news from home is equally distressing. But still, deep down, the hardest trial to bear is Emerson himself.

This past winter, my husband and I had had long entertaining discussions and reenactments based around the question of what would we do if either of us lost our memory? We concluded that we would probably traumatize each other. But this book offers a wonderful fictional example of what one woman did when faced with that terrible possibility-turned-reality. Quite a thought-provoking story all in all.

Rating: PG-15 and up, mainly for reading level, violence and tastefully veiled marriage humor.

Date Report Written: August 3rd, 2013

Deeds of the Disturber Quote

Hiya! I seem to be posting all outta order this week, with a surprise book review in the middle of the week instead of on Saturday and then a random post on Harry Potter yesterday rather than Thursday, and now this on Saturday instead of Wednesday. Ah well, maybe a little randomness will be good for my poor neglected blog.

Anyway, here is an interesting quote from the current book I'm reading, Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters. If you saw my post on books I want to read this year then you'll know all about this one. *winks*







"It is a man's world, Mrs. Emerson, and if a woman is to make her way, she must be as rude and aggressive as they are."

"Not at the risk of losing her femininity, Miss Minton. One may succeed in any profession and still remain a lady."

          ~ Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters.

Crocodile on the Sandbank Book Review.

Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank.

Author: Elizabeth Peters.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance, Action/Adventure, Drama.

Plot: Amelia Peabody is a thirty-something spinster with a cynical outlook on life, a love of studying and an inheritance vastly larger than she’d originally supposed. Being bored with life in England and lonely for companionship, Amelia plans a visit to Egypt during the winter there. Her original traveling companion very quickly deserts her but the quick-thinking heroine soon rescues and befriends the seemingly delicate Evelyn who is fleeing a damaged reputation and a scoundrel lover. With these two teamed up, an adventure is sure to take place and they both unknowingly influence each other in a positive manner.

However, the adventure they encounter on their journey up the Nile isn’t what either expected. They stop in at a dig run by the Emerson brothers whom they’d previously run into at a museum with humorous and lopsided results. The dashing but very temperamental Radcliff Emerson and Amelia had exchanged insults and were not fond of each other’s company in the least; the admirable and handsome Walter Emerson, however, was very fond of the ladies’ company, particularly of Evelyn’s. With these four thrown together, first by a serious fever on the elder Emerson’s part and then secondly by a series of misadventures usually resulting in loud arguments and someone getting bruised {usually Emerson}, the situation is lively and entertaining enough. Yet when a mysterious midnight visitor starts calling and Evelyn’s foppish cousin arrives on the scene, Amelia and Emerson wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into.

Likes/Dislikes: This is the first Amelia Peabody mystery and I must say I enjoyed every word of it although I rather liked The Golden One better. It’s a case of the first book verses a later book difference. Anyway, this tale is lively and fun with a good deal of sarcastic humor thrown in which is what I enjoy in books like this. Emerson does curse a lot though not as much as in the fourteen book, which I noticed. There is also some suggested suggestive material, thus I cannot recommend it to younger readers but to more mature readers, particularly those who love mysteries, adventures and grand tales set in places like Egypt, I highly recommend it.

Rating: PG-16 and up for content and reading level.

Date Report Written: September 8^th, 2011.

Random Quotes from Crocodile on the Sandbank.

The following, mostly random quotes are from Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters.

"{I am informed, by the self-appointed Critic who reads over my shoulder as I write, that I have already committed an error. If those seemingly simple English words do indeed imply that which I am told they imply to the vulgar, I must in justice to Evelyn find other phrasing.}"

"I sat up and, with a shout, reached out for the thing. I do not believe in apparitions. I wanted to get my hands on it, to feel the warmth and solidity of human flesh. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the confounded mosquito netting."

"My parasol was standing in the corner. I went and got it." Next page - "He was an agile fellow; he jumped nimbly back as I tried to bring the parasol down on his head, and when I raised it for a second attempt, Evelyn caught my arm. 'Pray don't break a good parasol,' she said, with a curling lip. 'He is not worth it.'"

"She was too kind, and too truthful. Both, I have found, are inconvenient character traits."

"His brother's danger and Evelyn's unexpected appearance had turned the poor boy's brains to mush. I realized that I must take charge.... I jabbed him with my parasol. He started, turned, and began to run back in the direction from which he had come."

"'There is absolutely no limit to this man's arrogant stupidity,' I exclaimed, as Walter came rushing to us. 'Fetch Michael and help your brother back to bed, Walter. And for pity's sake,' I added angrily, as Emerson's unconscious head rolled against my breast and bristly black hairs scratched me through the fabric of my bodice, 'for pity's sake, get rid of this beard!'"

"'That is the most ridiculous remark you have made as yet,' I said. 'And many of your remarks have been extremely silly.'"

The Golden One Book Review.

Title: The Golden One.

Author: Elizabeth Peters.

Genre: Mystery, Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, War Thriller, Egyptology, Romance, Humorous, Sequel.

Plot: Amelia Peabody Emerson and her husband Radcliff Emerson bring in the new year of 1917 on board ship heading for Egypt at the start of a prolonged stay in that country. It’s the beginning of another excavation season and Emerson is keen to get back to work. Also in their party are the Emerson’s grown son Ramses, his wife Nefret and Amelia’s energetic great-niece Sennia, along with her cat Horus. The usual bustle and confusion ensues as they get from one point to the next but they finally arrive at their house in Luxor in one piece and all eager to settle down for the long stay of productive work. However trouble seems to follow the Emersons everywhere they go and this time is no different.

Juggling rumors of a rich find by a wild young tomb robber with whom they have had trouble before, and the standard difficulties of getting Sennia off to private lessons and keeping Emerson and Ramses out of trouble, Amelia has her hands full. Things get even more hectic when Ramses’ unique assistance is required in a secret operation of various military branches stationed in the Middle East. Amelia, being very independent and strong willed, insists on bringing the family {except Sennia of course} along and they settle in a friend’s house to wait while Ramses carries out his mission. While doing so he encounters an old foe and his life is suddenly on the line; Ramses receives timely aid in the most unanticipated form and rushes to get his family out of harm’s way.

Surviving this adventure the family returns to Luxor a little the worse for wear and bring the tri-fold mystery and adventure to a grand finish. But are they really out of the woods or is something more deadly waiting in the shadows to pounce?

Likes/Dislikes: From the first page I was hooked; the writing style is fun, engaging and descriptive without being tedious. In short, it’s the kind of writing style I adore! The characters were all beautifully drawn and wonderfully easy to become acquainted with. Their struggles and thought processes were also highly entertaining. About the only thing objectable I found was a brief scene in which Nefret and Ramses are described as hastily dressing and dashing outside at the dead of night to catch somebody {yeah, I won’t go into any other detail than that for fear of spoiling it} and the language. Emerson is called the Father of Curses by the Egyptians and this title is rightly earned. I didn’t mind most of his British language but I really would have liked if God’s name hadn’t been used as a swearword so often. Btw, this is not a Christian book and the characters are not Christian either, although Amelia does quote Scripture once in a while. This is the fourteenth Amelia Peabody mystery {I always start series in the middle} and I’m looking forward to reading more of them in the near future.

Rating: PG-15 and up for language and violence.

Date Report Written: August 4, 2011.

The Golden One Excerpt.

Musa was nowhere to be found, so Ramses spent a few hours wandering through the green groves of the Ezbekieh Gardens, to get the smells of el-Wasa out of his system. It was a little after midday when he returned to the hotel. Nefret was not there, so he went to see what his parents were doing. He found his mother alone in the sitting room, placidly working at a piece of embroider. Wondering what had prompted this unusual exercise – she hated sewing and did it very badly – he joined her on the sofa.

“Where is Father?” he asked.

“He took Sennia for a walk, in order to work off some of her energy. Have you finished packing?”

“No,” Ramses admitted. “Nefret told me I mustn’t, she says I always make a mess of it.”

“Just like your father. His notion of packing is to dump the entire contents of a drawer into a suitcase and then throw his boots on top.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Ramses asked, and got a smile in return.

And because I’m killing time and in a good mood, ya get a second excerpt! ;)

“You’re almost as suspicious-minded as your mother,” said Cyrus.

“My ma,” Ramses corrected. “That’s how Mr. Albion referred to her the other evening. Father, how would you like being addresses as Pa?”

“Not very much,” Emerson grunted.

“You are taking them too seriously,” I insisted. “They are rather silly and somewhat annoying, and we will have as little to do with them as possible. Have you decided what needs to be done here, Emerson?”

“What needs to be done,” said Emerson grumpily, “is lock the whole place up and shoot any damned tourist who tries to get in. Yes, yes, Peabody, I know, it is an impractical suggestion. You made plans of the brickwork you found west of the chapel, Vandergelt? The men had better cover it up again, otherwise the bloody tourists will climb all over it and destroy what little is left.”

“What about repairing the floor?” Cyrus asked. He was not anxious to waste time on that chore, but he was a conscientious individual.

“Leave it,” Emerson said. “One of the damned tourists may fall in.”

                                            ~ Excerpt from The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters.