Darlene's Digest

Wednesday was my last Reading Pals session for this year. I don't think I mentioned that I ended the year with two Pals, a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader. I'd split my sessions between the two young ladies since they were at different levels, and that seemed to work out well.  They left with bookbags filled with new and used books, and they each gave me a lovely hand drawn card to remember them by. I cannot say enough what a delight it is to work with young readers. Even when we had our rough spots--and there were plenty of those--seeing the comprehension and skill levels rise simply from more reading made my day brighter. I've told the Reading Pals coordinators that I'm available to keep reading this summer, and I'll definitely be back in the autumn. Kudos to the United Way and the Alachua County School District for putting this program in place. I ended the year by giving each of my Pals a special bookmark of her own. While I'm not a collector, over the years...

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë My rating: 5 of 5 stars I picked up my copy of Jane Eyre the other day to check on something, and found myself re-reading the entire novel. This is the first time I've re-read it since I began writing novels myself, and I find a new, deeper appreciation for Bronte's skill in crafting her heroine. Jane Eyre has been one of my favorite novels since I first read the Classics Illustrated version as a child. When I read the novel as a grown woman, Jane is a heroine I can admire at a whole new level. She doesn't settle for what society tells her is best, she holds fast to her independence, her dreams, and sets her own course. It's much more than a gothic love story, it's a tale of a woman's growth and strength in a world where she was viewed as having limited options. If you've never read Jane Eyre , check it out. It might surprise you. View all my reviews

The tables of the supper room groaned beneath haunches of venison, pork pastries, shrimp, and fresh mullet. The rice and corn were from nearby farms, and the squashes and vegetables were seasoned with the hot peppers the locals loved. -- The Bride and the Buccaneer   I've been holding steady on my "Eat Local Challenge", managing to eat something local at every meal until this past Memorial Day Weekend. We went to St. Augustine for a friend's wedding (lovely and romantic) and enjoyed some great food. I couldn't be positive I ate local at every meal, like I have at home in May, but I made an effort to patronize local independent food vendors when I wasn't at the wedding festivities. It helped that our hotel was smack dab in the Old City.  I had grouper tacos for lunch, coffee from a small independent shop (locally owned), and I nixed the offer of ice cream from a major chain in favor of a delicious fresh fruit pop from a local vendor. So I feel like...

“You ain’t never had watermelon?” Tom piped up. “No. It is a melon? But how do you eat it?” she said, eyeing the large chunks of fruit. “Show the lady, Tom.” Martha laughed. Tom grabbed a chunk off the middle of the plate and dived in headfirst, snapping off a sizable piece, chewing it with delight, and then spitting the seeds out the door. “You are joking,” Sophia said to Jack. “No, that’s how you eat watermelon. You learn this and soon you will be a real Floridian.” He was grinning at her and reached for his own slice of melon, and never one to resist a challenge, Sophia wiped her hand on her table linen and picked up her own slice. The juice ran down her fingers but she managed to bring it up to her lips without too much trickling down her sleeve. She took a bite and there was an explosion of sugar in her mouth, and a cooling sensation from the juicy fruit. “Oooh,” she moaned when she caught her breath, “this is wonderful!” The Reavers laughed at her response, ...

Katie’s babbling finally wound down and she fell asleep on Sophia’s lap, and Martha picked the toddler up and put her in her cot. Sophia stood and stretched legs gone numb, then went out to their mules to fetch what she’d brought for her hostess. “Well, I declare,” Martha said, turning the china teacup decorated with blue flowers over in her hands. “I brought one for Katie, too, for you ladies to use when she’s older. Sometimes it is nice to have something pretty and special that is just for mothers and daughters.” Martha blinked rapidly, then cleared her throat. “You are a thoughtful lady, Mrs. Burrell. I will keep these cups for me and Katie, and when we use them, we’ll think of you.” --The Bride and the Buccaneer Here's to all the mothers who have tea parties with their sons and daughters and who get to celebrate their special day today.  I still haven't received the diamond tiara I earned for all those years of wiping snotty noses, hugging messy people and...

She must have drifted off, because the next thing she knew an explosion of cawing with a barking finish brought her sitting straight up. “What was that?” “Owl. Go back to sleep.” “An owl? Owls don’t sound like that, they make a ‘hoot’ sound. I have heard owls in England! That sounds like a wild, monster dog in the trees!” “It’s an owl. Do not let your imagination run away with you.” “How do you know it is not a panther?” Jack sat up and scrubbed his hands over his face. “Sophia, I have heard panthers and I have heard owls. That is an owl. You insisted I accompany you on this lunatic treasure hunt because I know the land. I know a hawk from a handsaw and an owl from a panther. Now, go to sleep!” “Do not blame me if we are nothing but bones by morning,” Sophia grumbled, but she lay down beside him again, snuggling closer. He rolled over and fitted himself to her, spoon fashion. After a few moments she said, “You are not asleep.” “Yes, I am.” “No, you are not. You are poking me from behi...

Let It Be Me by Kate Noble My rating: 4 of 5 stars I adored this novel, an illustration of what's best about Historicals. The author's research, the depth of knowledge of music and musical history, the charming love story, characters who are flawed but likeable, and a love story that's not based on a Big Misunderstanding; all of it makes for a delightful reading experience. View all my reviews

I got in some quality writing time on [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby , which I'm fairly certain will end up being titled The Pirate's Governess . I realized while walking the diva dachshund this morning that I could be finished with this first draft by the end of the month. My normal routine at that point is to set it aside for at least a week and do some research. This way, when I come back to the book I'm (ideally) seeing it with a fresh eye. The next step is to go through it, fix obvious errors, and replace brackets. This is where I've been in the middle of a scene, and rather than stop and take time to add description, unless it's integral to the story, I write [DRESS] and come back later to fix it. I believe I learned that from Diana Gabaldon, so a tip of the hat to a mistress of the craft of writing. If I have to stop to research or check something, it can break the flow of the story. This is especially true when I'm in the middle of a sc...

Let's see," he said, wiping his forehead and looking out behind the house. "You have got cabbage palm, mangoes, tomatoes, and if I'm not mistaken, some yams and peppers gone wild in that garden." Amanda was impressed. "For a sailor you know a great deal about the things growing here." "When I'm on land, Mrs. Stephenson, I usually stay at my farm." "You're a farmer?" His silver eyes twinkled. "Shocked you, have I? I enjoy growing things and bought some property on the St. Johns River years back to farm. Nothing grows on the ocean," he said softly, looking back out over the garden. "Some of the sailors on the Zephyr were farm boys who ran away to sea. And I wanted nothing more than to run away from the sea and spend my days on my farm, eating fresh food I grew myself." -- Captain Sinister's Lady I'm on track with the Eat Local Challenge, where for the entire month I try to eat something locally g...

North Florida, 1843  When she took a break, some oranges from the trees in the front yielded two tin mugs of juice, one set aside for Washburn with a rag over it to keep the flies out. She drank hers down while sitting on the front veranda, feeling the sweetness explode into every pore. It wasn’t a bad piece of land, she thought as she looked around. The oaks kept the yard shaded, and the house was laid out to take advantage of the light and the breezes off the creek. There were figs and alligator pears and a grapevine, and she recognized some of the crops growing in the field— corn and squashes and new greens behind a fence where beans climbed. -- Smuggler's Bride   I signed up on May 1 for the "Eat Local Challenge" from Hogtown Homegrown , a month long event where you try to build your locavore cred. Each day you have to eat some locally grown foods (like putting fresh local blueberries on your oatmeal) and only eat at locally owned, independent restaura...

Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch My rating: 4 of 5 stars Wonderful, well-written series combining crime detection, a touch of pathos, and laugh-out-loud humor. I can't wait until the next adventure! View all my reviews

River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay My rating: 5 of 5 stars Best epic fantasy I've read in years, and one of Guy Gavriel Kay's best novels.  I hadn't read G.G. Kay for a while but the reviews of River of Stars were so glowing that I gave this one a try, and it was a good choice. River is set in Kitai, a fantasy China, and as so many Kay novels do, deals with personal honor pitted against politics and corruption. There's also a love story woven through it, amazing world building, exquisite plotting and an ending that kept me turning pages late into the night. I debated between four and five stars, and finally went with five because I'm still thinking about the intricate details of River now that I've closed the covers, and that's a sign this book will be on my "keeper" shelf. View all my reviews

            “You are dwelling on this deception business far too much,” St. Armand told the governess over breakfast. “I am paying well for staying here, Miss Burke.  Now, finish your bacon so we can get on the road again.”             He picked up a well-polished spoon and paused, distracted by his own reflection.             “You are like a magpie, Captain. Stop admiring yourself in bright, shiny objects and tell me where we are going!” she snapped. --WIP [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby, aka The Pirate's Governess  I'm fortunate to have a lovely yard that is bordered by woods and undeveloped property. My favorite room in our house is the screen porch that faces the yard. I eat lunch here everyday and enjoy the antics of the birds flocking to my feeders and birdbath. The hummingbirds are back and sucking d...

Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal My rating: 4 of 5 stars I've been enjoying Robinette Kowal's "Glamour" books set in an alternate Regency Universe. As much as I love Naomi Novik's dragon books set during the Napoleonic Wars, I think R. Kowal's worldbuilding holds up better under scrutiny. Sir David Vincent and Jane, Lady Vincent, are back in England after the Battle of Waterloo. They've taken on a valuable commission, but one that brings them back into contact with Vincent's estranged family and brings Jane's family into involvement as well. Regency fans will enjoy the scenes in familiar London settings, and lovely descriptions of clothing, Almack's (of course) and other venues. Fantasy fans will find R. Kowal's worldbuilding satisfying, and her use of "glamour" to show a society quite different, yet also quite familiar. View all my reviews

Her Hesitant Heart by Carla Kelly My rating: 5 of 5 stars I've been a huge fan of Carla Kelly's Western stories ever since I tracked down her collection Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army . While she's best known for her Regency romances, Kelly truly shines when writing about a subject she knows very well, the US Army in the Old West. Now she brings that era and the people to life in a new romance set at an army post, and it's got everything Kelly fans could desire: tons of angst (have your hankies ready), love, and most importantly, ordinary people being good. That last point is important. Kelly's mostly moved away from writing about lords and ladies, and writes about people who appear average, and sometimes are not drop-dead gorgeous--Major Joseph Randolph is described as a "big, comfortable looking man", hardly a description to make a maiden swoon. Susanna Hopkins is described as a blonde who has one eye that appears sunken ...

The young lady I tutored moved away over Spring Break, which left me greatly saddened. This was a child who desperately needed help if she was going to catch up with her age group and be ready for the third grade, and I hope wherever she goes to school for the remainder of the year she'll get additional help. I wasn't sure if I'd be assigned another pupil with the school year winding down, but yesterday I had my first session with my new Reading Pal, Katie. She's a third-grader who hadn't had her own Pal before this. She had to share a volunteer in a group setting, so we were both happy to have one-on-one opportunities. We met in the school library, and I spent part of the hour getting a feel for what she likes to read. To my delight, Katie picked Alice in Wonderland as the novel she wants us to read together. I'm optimistic, and I look forward  to weeks of quality reading time with Katie before summer. It's really boosted my spirits to know I'll co...

The Turncoat: Renegades of the Revolution by Donna Thorland My rating: 5 of 5 stars The American Revolution and early republic fascinate me. So many things hinged on small occurrences and great individuals for the new nation to be born, and to survive. The men and women who created America are more than figures in paintings or on currency, they're people who pledged "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor". Sometimes, however, that honor clashes with the reality of warfare and spycraft. Rebel Kate Grey learns this when she crosses paths with Major Peter Tremayne, Lord Sancreed. Kate will do anything to help the revolution, despite her attraction to Sancreed. As the months pass and the conflict grows these adversaries will have to determine what matters most to them, and how far they're willing to go for their countries--and for love. The characters in The Turncoat are complex and well-drawn, including the villains. The research and writing will delight fans...

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion My rating: 4 of 5 stars A retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with zombies. I read this because the film trailer looked interesting, and I may still watch the film, but I very much enjoyed the book. "R", our zombie hero, is having an existential crisis as he consumes the flesh and brains of his screaming victims. When he eats the brain of a young man attacking his little zombie pod, he begins to internalize some of the man's memories, and this prompts R to save Julie, a young woman involved in the raid. Julie and R's relationship changes both of them, and is quite literally a life or death situation as things heat up. Quirky, intelligent, moving, I really enjoyed this and look forward to more from this promising new author. View all my reviews

I had a less than stellar session this week with the young lady I tutor in reading. Fortunately, I could vent later to my son, who  taught in a school with a large at-risk population. Some of you may recall he was the math teacher who refused to help me with my infamous geometry scene in Castaway Dreams . Speaking with him was helpful, especially when he gently reminded me her goals may not be the same as my goals. I know part of my problem is I grew up in a home full of books and reading, where you were scolded if you left a book on the floor because books were to be treated with respect. My husband grew up in the same kind of household--love of literature was one of the things that drew us together, and he used to teach English in a public school. We raised our sons with a love of reading, and as my husband said to me last night when we discussed it, "I can't remember a time when I didn't want to read." I hope when my year working with this girl is done that she...

The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord My rating: 4 of 5 stars I remember a SF author saying once that the attraction of a certain genre of fan fiction was that it explored encounters between human women and men from another planet, and wasn't that what all M/F romance was at some level? Allowing aliens into our bedrooms? Lord's book explores this theme in a sweet and thoughtful manner, as a relationship grows between two individuals from different worlds, learning to work and live together. The Sadiri had a planet once...and now they don't. They're refugees having to reinvent their culture in a diaspora of other planets, including Cygnus Beta. Grace is assigned to work with the Sadiri Dllenahkh, and the two form a partnership that grows into something much deeper over time. I really enjoyed this novel, the first work I've read by rising SF star Karen Lord. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. View all my reviews