Darlene's Digest

“Possum hangin’ in the tree, Raccoon on the ground; Raccoon say, you stingy rat, Shake them ’simmons down!” Julia paused in her singing and frowned down at the spoon stirring through the cake batter. “Possum hanging in the tree?” Where had that come from? “Goodness, I’m becoming countrified!” She chuckled, looking out the kitchen window at the activity in the yard. Rand was doing the morning chores in preparation for their trip to the Iveys’ farm. For a moment she watched him as she stirred, indulging herself in a fantasy that theirs was a normal marriage, two people on the Florida frontier, making a new life together. But it was as much a fantasy as singing raccoons. -- Smuggler's Bride It's that time of year, the time when the North Florida farmers market has lovely, ripe, orange persimmons. You can eat them as they are, or soften them up and turn them into yummy treats. It's also the time of year when I re-post one of my most requested recipes for using...

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt My rating: 5 of 5 stars A satisfying conclusion to the "Lords of Chaos" story arc as Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore begins his long awaited mission of revenge against the secret organization of powerful men who abuse women and children for their pleasure. First though he has to rescue Lady Iris Jordan, kidnapped by mistake as the Lords seek their own revenge against the Crown and its officers. Hoyt's long-time readers will enjoy this latest installment, but the novel can also be read as a stand-alone. Raphael's dark secrets set against Iris' quiet determination to bring him into the light make for an engrossing romance full of angst, passion and danger. The author's use of the Georgian period for her stories offers a setting of decadence and power set against wrenching poverty and inequality, and will leave historical romance fans feeling they've gotten more than their money...

Before the Rain Falls by Camille Di Maio My rating: 4 of 5 stars A touching and moving tale of a woman who spends her life in a Texas prison for murdering her sister, and how her tale impacts a reporter looking for redemption and a doctor thrust back into the small town she left behind. Poignant and shocking, convicted killer Della Lee's tale of love and murder captures the despair of a life with few choices, and offers a glimpse of life behind bars for women in a justice system that cared little for them. The ending was a touch predictable, but in some ways that added to the enjoyment of seeing how characters lives intertwine and what the future can hold for people brought together by chance and family. View all my reviews

His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras My rating: 4 of 5 stars Yazmine Fernandez has always believed in "family first", so she's not impressed by busy executive Tomas Garcia's being MIA from his young daughter's father/daughter dance practice. She's got enough on her mind with caring for her ailing father while focusing on trying to get her New York dance career back on track. But the handsome ad exec and his adorable daughter Maria are making it hard for Yazmine to keep focused. Tomas is hesitant to get involved with dating a woman focused on her career to the exclusion of her loved ones, but Maria needs what the graceful dance teacher can offer...and Maria's father is finding it hard to resist her as well. Oliveras' debut novel is a sweet tale of family, friendship and making the tough choices, especially when one's in the "sandwich generation", caring for elderly parents as well as seeing to the n...

An Echo of Murder by Anne Perry My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another gripping William Monk tale had me guessing whodunnit until the very end. There were suspects, but bringing the facts together took a team, and that's part of what made this story work. It wasn't just Hester and Monk, it was Monk's assistant detective, Hopper, Crow the surgeon, attorney Oliver Rathbone and Scruf. Some of them are the usual players in this series, but we also got enough new characters to add interest and zip. A damaged doctor from Hester's service in the Crimean war...some long-lost relatives, and the growth of mudlark Scruf into "Will Monk", an apprentice physician who took on his mentor's name, but not his profession as a police officer. As usual, I look forward to more Monk mysteries from Ms. Perry. View all my reviews

An Echo of Murder by Anne Perry My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another gripping William Monk tale had me guessing whodunnit until the very end. There were suspects, but bringing the facts together took a team, and that's part of what made this story work. It wasn't just Hester and Monk, it was Monk's assistant detective, Hopper, Crow the surgeon, attorney Oliver Rathbone and Scruf. Some of them are the usual players in this series, but we also got enough new characters to add interest and zip. A damaged doctor from Hester's service in the Crimean war...some long-lost relatives, and the growth of mudlark Scruf into "Will Monk", an apprentice physician who took on his mentor's name, but not his profession as a police officer. As usual, I look forward to more Monk mysteries from Ms. Perry. View all my reviews