Darlene's Digest

Remember Me by Mary Balogh My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

“Did Anne Bonny’s papa love her?” “As I recall the tale, he did. Sit here next to me and I will find out.” He set her next to him and, reclaiming the book, flipped a few pages then smiled. “See here, Mattie? It’s a picture of Anne Bonny sitting on her papa’s lap, just as you sat on mine. Yes, according to Captain Johnson, he ‘had a great affection’ for the child, but he dressed Anne as a little boy to fool his wife, who’d heard about the birth of a daughter that was her husband’s child. He began living with Anne’s mama and then took them to Carolina where he prospered.” “Was he a pirate in Carolina, like Blackbeard?” “No, a merchant and a lawyer, though given those two professions, he may have had some of the pirate in him.” “I am wondering if this is the best bedtime reading for a child,” Lydia said. He looked down at Mattie. “Well, child? Is it a good bedtime story?” She nodded vigorously. “Yes! I want to hear more about Anne and her pirate ways!” --THE PIRATE'S SECRET BABY (Hig...

One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World by Michael Frank My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edwards My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Saga, Volume 10 by Brian K. Vaughan My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The stories also continued at bedtime, and Lydia had to admit, she was caught up in Captain Johnson’s stories of blood, gore and courage. “So Mary Read’s mother, described here as ‘young and airy, met with an accident, which has often happened to women who are young and do not take a great deal of care; which was, she soon proved to be with child again.’” “Was my mother young and airy, Papa?” Captain St. Armand put his finger in the book to mark his place and looked at his daughter. “Your mother was a delightful lady, and I believe ‘young and airy’ is an excellent description of her.” “Did you fall in love?” He hesitated, then nodded. “I loved your mother Nanette as one loves the best of friends. She was someone I turned to for friendship, and for laughter, and we shared that.” “And hugs, Papa? Maman was good at hugging,” she finished, a catch in her voice. “Yes, Mattie, your mama was good at hugging,” he said gently. “I am glad, Papa, that you and Maman were in love and that you were ...

She had to admit, having someone who looked like a bruiser by her side gave her some peace of mind. She didn’t know how John would handle himself in a fracas and maybe she’d never need to find out, but big men could act as a deterrent provided some yahoo didn’t try to even the odds with a pistol. “Anything else I need to know before we get there?” “Look mean and nasty, like you’re ready to kill someone.” He coughed, and she saw his head turn toward her in the dusk. “That’s it?” “That’s enough for now. You hold onto the pistol.” The pine scrub gave way to sand, and she saw the traders down at their bonfire. Out to sea a ship lay at anchor, and she sighed as she spotted its familiar lines. “One more thing—you’re going to meet some people—well, they’re pirates. That’s all there is to it. Try not to get killed or get into a fight with them, because it won’t end well.” “I wasn’t expecting pirates.” “Really? ...

Licoricia of Winchester: Power and Prejudice in Medieval England, The Rise and Fall of a Remarkable Jewish Businesswoman by Rebecca Abrams My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft My rating: 3 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain by Margaret Willson My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Winterkill by C.J. Box My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The manatee swam closer and bumped up against the boat, threatening to swamp it. Julia held on to the sides and rocked with the boat, but the manatee was not put off by the collision, and instead swam back a few feet and watched her placidly, looking for all the world like, well, like a large wet cow blocking her path. “Shoo, shoo.” Julia took off her bonnet and waved it at the creature. The manatee must have considered it an invitation, for it swam back to her and before she realized such a monster could move so quickly, snatched the bonnet out of her hand. Soon the calico was being chewed alongside the greens, a colorful sea salad. “Aaargh! Go away, you beast!” “Now, that’s not a polite way to say good morning, darlin’.” --SMUGGLER'S BRIDE Today is  #ManateeAppreciationDay, though I like to think in Florida we appreciate our official state mammal every day. Manatees are gentle creatures, a valuable part of our ecosystem. Sadly, their biggest threat is from humans, especially hum...

The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy by Damien Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Open Season by C.J. Box My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Radiant Sin by Katee Robert My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews