Tag Archives: Cathy Marie Hake

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Shame Book Tag

So I was just checking out what dinged on my comments and I saw I was tagged in Audra’s Book Blabbing for the Shame Book Tag. Aw, thank you for tagging:

So I was tagged like a looong time ago but its taken me forever because this is actually really hard!

Uh oh

I don’t really get embarrassed or feel ashamed-so it took some time as I had to really think and come up with an answers to these!

1. A Book that Everyone Hates but You Love

The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle #1) by Agatha Christie

So I have talked about this book before-but I just can’t stop. I LOVE it, yet everyone else seems to just feel okay about it or they can’t stand it. Why? I don’t know.

Why, not?

It is very different from Agatha Christie’s other books as it is a mystery, spy story, thriller, adventure story, and more. It actually contains five plots-yes, FIVE-that all interconnect. Missing memoirs, blackmail, a game of thrones, missing jewels, and a murder. Plus we have characters who they are one thing but are secretly something else-such as one is a prince, one a thief, one a Pinkerton agent, and one is an actress.

Plus Virginia Revel is an amazing character! Widowed, independent woman who is up for adventure, investigations, and more. She is AWESOME! Believe me!

I think some people struggle with it being so different from her other works, but I love it and completely recommend it.

For more on The Secret of Chimneys, go to Book Club Picks: The Secret Of Chimneys

For more Agatha Christie, go to The Murderer is Never the One You Initially Suspect: Crooked House (2017)

2. Unpopular Character You Love

Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

So Harry Potter, I’m sure you have heard of it. A boy finds out he is a Wizard and the Chosen One, and continues on a journey trying to learn magic, information on his family, and stop evil.

So I know a lot of people hate Draco Malfoy, but when I was reading it, he cracked me up. “Wait until my father hears about this!” “Potter!” I mean Harry was nice, but Draco was zesty! He’s just one of those you love to hate.

For more on Harry Potter, go to What Separates the Real Fans from the Fakes

3. A Book Boyfriend You Know You Shouldn’t Love

Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I’ve talked about this many times, I love Wuthering Heights, it has always been one of my favorite books. The story is a man gets trapped at Wuthering Heights for the night and encounters a ghost of a woman, Catherine. He then is after the whole story and hears a tale of star crossed lovers, abuse, unhappiness, the moors, revenge, etc.

Heathcliff was one of my first book boyfriends, and even though I will always love him, I know he would be horrible in a relationship. I understand how Heathcliff feels-with no last name and known family-he is essentially without a social security card and has no way of really doing anything. However, because he is hurt, he then hurts others-and no matter what happened to him that behavior is never okay.

For more Wuthering Heights, go to Book Club Picks: Wuthering Heights

For more Heathcliff, go to One of Many

4. A Book You Know Is Bad But Still Love

Bittersweet (California Historical Series #2) by Cathy Marie Hake

So this was the hardest of all. THIS IS NOT A BAD BOOK!  Instead I chose a book that was predictable. 

Laney Harris is the daughter of a wealthy landowner. She has been in love with Galen O’Sullivan as soon as she returned from finishing school. The problem is that he sees her as nothing more than a child. She continues to do all she can, but Galen has enough on his mind with running the farm; taking care of his mother and three brothers, being in charge of the pony express horses; and a family of squatters (father and twins-brother and sister) residing on one of his acres. But one day Galen realizes that Laney is a woman and strives to win her, but before he can pop the question he is accused of impregnating the squatter’s daughter and forced to marry her. Now Laney has to live out being a Christian even when everything she wanted has been taken away. And Galen has to release the love of his life. Will the story end in happiness or only sorrow?

So this book isn’t bad, (although they talk a lot about how thin she is and pulling the stays tighter and tighter-that I consider bad) but it is predictable and some of characters are a little bland, like Laney’s sister-in-law and brother. But the story was really cute, even though you had a pretty good idea how it will end.

For more on Bittersweet, go to Top O’ the Morning: 7 More Irish Heroes

5. Underrated Author

Carrie Anne Noble

This was a really hard pick as I’m not sure which authors were in need of some serious love and was wondering who I should pick. I was looking through my books read list and I settled on Carrie Anne Noble.

I first was introduced to her with The Mermaid’s Sister, getting a free pre-release copy from Netgalley. I LOVED it and began following her on Instagram. She followed me back and let me just say her instagram is sooo cute!! 

Then she saw my Saint Patrick’s Day book display I did for library and she gifted us her book The Gold-Son. I know, how sweet and thoughtful! She didn’t ask us for anything, or to post about her, she just decided to send her book to us completely free. Of course, after she gave us the book I had to read that one too!

I think her work is fantastic and she is such a sweet person. You should check her and her books out!

6. A Book that You Don’t Want People to Know You’ve Read

Masquerade by Jenna Ryan

So years ago I was checking out a library book sale and I found this book and bought it as the synopsis sounded great. Gabrielle grew up with a street gang, robbing from people like Fagen’s kids in Oliver Twist. Gabrielle, now Rielle, and her best friend Luke left that all behind-she becoming a famous fashion designer while Luke moved up to white collar crime. The Phantom, a serial killer taking out actresses, goes after Luke, the only one who knows its true identity. When Luke vanishes, Rielle teams up with Adrian De La Costa, Brazillian race car driver and Luke’s cousin, and they head to a midsummer event in a mansion on the Yorkshire coast to discover what happened to him. There are a group of really imaginative characters, and any of them could be the killer.

I loved the gothic fiction, and how it referenced Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera, Charles Dickens, etc. I was telling my mom about it and when she saw the book she realized it was a Harlequin romance. That was embarrassing-but not really. I loved the book and there wasn’t really any sex or even kissing in the book-that’s why I didn’t catch it. I still love it and read it as it is a fun little novel.

I Tag:

Don’t forget to tag me back as I’d love to see what you choose!

For more books posts, go to Happiness is Having a Library Card: Another 13 of the Best Fictional Libraries

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Top O’ the Morning: 7 More Irish Heroes

The Chinese New Year goes from February 16-March 17 this year which also happens to be Saint Patrick’s Day. Because the two holidays share the same day I decided that I would post 8 of my favorite fictional dogs and 7 Irish heroes, posting both on the same day.

7) Lonnie from Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke

The Hannah Swensen Mysteries is about a cookie shop owner, Hannah Swensen, who moved back to her hometown and opened her bakery. She is involved in a love triangle with the dentist and the newest police deputy. In between baking and creating new recipes, she solves murders, doing better than the local cops.

Why Lonnie is Awesome: 

Lonnie is the newest deputy on the force and is dating Hannah’s younger sister, Michelle. Michelle is a nice girl but she has no idea what she wants. She’s a serial dater, bouncing from one guy to the other, but always keeping Lonnie on the string.Lonnie, sweet guy, never asks for more than she gives him. He always there to help out the Swensen family and aways there for Michelle of she needs a hand, ride, someone to talk to, or a boyfriend. I believe he deserves better.

6) Detective Amy Devlin from “Blood Ties”, Diagnosis Murder

Diagnosis Murder is the story of father and son teaming up to solve crimes in the L.A. area. Steve Sloan is a police detective who often gets help (from asking him and him just interfering) from his father, Dr. Mark Sloan, on his mysteries. They also enlist the help of the medical examiner, Dr. Amanda Bentley, and Dr. Jesse Travis.

Why Detective Devlin is Awesome: 

Detective Devlin is not a regular on the show but appears in this episode as a colleague of Steve’s. She is a straight by the book cop who is paired by a serious wild card, and investigates a murderer who is killing people and harvesting their organs. The thing that makes her awesome, is that when she is approached by these killers with an offer to let them go in exchange a new liver for her ailing father; she turns it down cold. Her morals being stronger as she hunts for the truth and justice to take these people down.

For more Diagnosis Murder, go to A Whole Lot of Fanfare

5) Peggy Hobbs from Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

Every year Mrs. Hobbs wants to take a vacation, and Mr. Hobbs takes the whole family even though he hates it. This year he goes to the beach house and things are not as sweet as Mrs. Hobbes imagined. Their son only wants to watch TV; their daughter has braces and mopes about close-mouthed; their daughter and son-in-law are close to separating, etc. Will this end a dream vacation or continue as a nightmare?

Why Mrs. Hobbs is Awesome: 

Even when her husband is crotchety and upset, Mrs. Hobbs always remains positive and cheerful. She is the glue in the family bring all together and helping heal any hurts or ruffled feathers. She’s caring, compassionate, fun, and always a fiery Maureen O’Hara.

 

4) Rosalee Calvart from Grimm

So Grimm is a modern day telling of the Grimm Fairy Tales but with a twist. Creatures from the fairy tales live among us, appearing as human to all but a select few. Instead of being the “brothers Grimm”, the Grimm are certain people who have the ability to see those monsters, or Wesen as they are called, from the tales. The series centers on Nick Burkhardt, Portland Police Officer, who discovers he is a Grimm and actually does what no Grimm has before-befriends Wesen and jails those that are attacking (some he does kill). He has his police partner: a a vegetarian Blutbad (Werewolf) named Monroe; Fuschbau (Fox) named Rosalee; other Grimm, and more.

Why Rosalee is Awesome: 

Rosalee was a wild child but gave that up as she grew up. She moves to Portland when her brother dies and she takes over his spice shop. There she becomes a friend to Nick and Monroe; helping them with healing, creating antidotes, and more. She and Monroe are just the sweetest couple, and against all odds marry. Rosalee is Irish on her mother’s side and knows how to read and write Irish from spending her summers with her grandmother. She is a powerhouse of a character-strong, courageous, and able/willing to face anything that comes her way.

For more Grimm, go to Fandom Love

3) Galen O’Sullivan from Bittersweet (California Historical Series #2) by Cathy Marie Hake

Laney Harris is the daughter of a wealthy landowner. She has been in love with Galen O’Sullivan as soon as she returned from finishing school. The problem is that he sees her as nothing more than a child. She continues to do all she can, but Galen has enough on his mind with running the farm; taking care of his mother and three brothers, being in charge of the pony express horses; and family of squatters (father and twin brother and sister) residing on one of his acres. But one day Galen realizes that Laney is a woman and strives to win her, but before he can pop the question he is accused of impregnating the squatter’s daughter and forced to marry her. Now Laney has to live out being a Christian even when everything she wanted has ben taken away. And Galen has to release the love of his life. Will the story end in happiness or only sorrow?

Why Galen is Awesome: 

Galen is a good man. He works hard to keep the farm going and take care of his family, even when he is grieving for his father and feels the responsibility is too heavy. He is a good Christian and works hard to live the life even when others judge him and treat him cruel. At first he resents Ivy, but he grows to care and protect her-even though she stole his chance a love-he treats her and their “daughter” well.

2) Father Tim from At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years Series) by Jan Karon

This book is set in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. The books center around the Vicar, Father Tim. Father Tim is turning sixty and feels like he should give up on being a minister. He feels as if his life is stagnant, his preaching dry, and that the community would be better off with a new rector. He promises one more year, but if things don’t change, then he will retire. But then things start happening: a giant black dog shows up at his home and won’t leave; a beautiful woman moves in next door; his best friends are going to have a baby; a jewelry ring operating in the area with them smuggling them through customs in old antiques; and more. Will Father Tim stay or retire?

Why Father Tim is Awesome: 

Father Tim is a great minister and friend. He cares for his sheep and tries to help all in the community. He is a great listener, always lending a helping hand, and ends up giving his all to everyone.

For more on Father Tim, go to Book Club Picks: A Common Life, The Wedding Story

1) Inspector Harold Francis “Dirty Harry” Callahan from Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry series follows Clint Eastwood as inspector Dirty Harry; a tough, caring cop who always tries to get the job done and protect the people-not always following the line of the law.

Why Dirty Harry is Awesome: 

Clint Eastwood- enough said. No but seriously, these movies created an unconventional character you all love as he is tough, fair, and always willing to do all he can to help people.

For more on Dirty Harry, go to A Fantabulous Post

So that ends my list for this year. You all know what I’ll be doing with the rest of my day. Eating some soda bread made by my sister blog, MysteriousEats.wordpress.com. And my yearly tradition, watching the Disney Channel Original Movie: The Luck of the Irish.

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For the 2013 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to Pot o’ Gold: 17 Irish Heroes 

For the 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to At the End of the Rainbow: 17 More Irish Heroes

For the 2015 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to Lookin’ Over a Four-Leaf Clover: 17 More Irish Heroes

For the 2016 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to The Wearing of the Green: 17 More Irish Heroes

For the 2017 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to With a Little Luck of the Irish: 17 More Irish Heroes