I made an exciting adventure to a flea market in New Castle DE today and while there were not many book tables, they had really good deals, so I did get some random stuff just for the heck of it. Cuz...books. Also found some other neat things. Altogether I think I only spent 70-80 dollars on the whole lot. There was another table of books, but the lady wanted like...30 dollars a hardback and 10 dollars and paperback--they were good looking books too....but I was like...nu-uh.
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The first book I picked up is a beat up hardback about horse racing, as I wanted to be a female jockey when I was little, before moving to English riding. Then I picked up the second because of the lovely cover, a book about a mans adventures in the south of France.
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Now I have yet another Pilcher in my collection, being the third, and from what i can gather, it's set in the 30s and 40s, during WWII. I like the cover. The second is a little vintage childrens book that caught my eye, a hardback with black and white illustrations.
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These two books are definitely me, the first being a little book of glossy photographs of The Longwood Gardens, and then a small guidebook to the birds of Eastern North America, a hardback.
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Then I found a vintage collection of short stories by Hemingway and a very large maritime saga set in 1896. Should be interesting. {I also saw someone with a pug near the table where I got these books. So ugly, yet so cute.}
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Two mysteries, one by an author who I'm a pretty big fan of. I'm mad I couldn't procure the first William Monk novel, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to read "Slaves Of Obsession" until I do. I have read a few of Perry's Thomas and Pitt novels {1, 2, 3, and 4, I think}, but not any of her William monk. "Dying For Mercy" sounded interesting from the inner flap. We'll see how it goes.
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These last books came from a place in a store on the inside building part of the flea market, which is lined with stores--it's the only book place in the whole building and called Between The Pages--it should really be called Between The Sheets, as it consists of nothing but romance novels--mostly smut and books with half naked guys dipping silk clothed damsels, but I was surprised this time to find it well stocked with historical romances, my favourite and my dessert as far as books go..my girlish indulgence. I was in a hurry as my mom was sweating to death, so I snatched up "The Fountain" without even looking at it, but I'll give it a shot. The others besides "End Me A Tenor" I found through scouring the book laden shelves for authors names that were familiar or were mentioned in the Historical Romances Goodreads group. Both are Regency, I believe, though I maybe wrong. "End Me a Tenor" just looked like a light fun read.

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Now onto the non-book stuff... :)
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I bought these two DVDs out of nostalgia and love.

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Then I found a lovely blouse with purple feathers and blue...what I'm assuming is waves, and a floral dress that looks just about my size. Also, a little pair of strawberry earrings! :P



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Lastly, and what I love most of all besides the books, is this darling figurine which is also a spinning music box.  The poor gentleman lost part of an arm, but my fathers trusty glue-gun will turn him alright again, I'm sure. I shall have to think of names for them..
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I think this may be the last of my hauls for a while, unless temptation sneaks up and points me in the direction of an nearby secondhand bookshop---the older stuff always lures me and I'm still waiting till I find a Virago Modern Classic at any thrift store/flea market/etc-this doesn't seem to happen in America, but I heard the UK peoples are lucky. For now, I will read what I have unread on my shelves. I had a really great day and also got a delicious strawberry banana smoothie and got to be outside in the sun, though I appreciated it much more than my mom did...On a side note, I convinced my mom to get some Danielle Steel books for herself, as she's her favourite. I may just turn my mom back to reading yet...

Cake decorator/ aspiring actress Piper Donavan is back in That Old Black Magic. This time around, she has traveled to New Orleans to work with a world famous baker and bake a cake for a wedding. Of course, someone is murdered and Piper can't help but stumble into the mystery. I did like this mystery and the killer took me by surprise. I liked how Piper put it together this time. As in her other books, the list of suspects is long and filled with many who could definitely have done it!

I have to admit to not really loving this series in the beginning. It has definitely gotten better over the 4 books in the series. I have enjoyed seeing Piper grow as both a person and a detective. She still has some TSTL moments, but they make the story that much more entertaining. One of the things that I loved about this book was how Piper is still feeling the after effects of the previous case. Particularly in the claustrophobia and insomnia. For me it made Piper more realistic since I think a lot of people would have some PTSD after being poisoned and almost dying. I feel like in a lot of mystery series, once the case is solved the main character moves on and it's almost like the danger in the book before never happened.

My only two complaints were the pop culture references. Those drive me crazy! Having real actor names thrown into a fiction book really throw me off. The part about Piper acting in a movie with Channing Tatum had me rolling my eyes. Not a big deal, just a personal preference. I also want more Jack! This relationship needs to move forward. I look forward to the next book, hopefully with more Jack and Piper together!

Piper Donovan, aspiring actress, is headed to Florida to be the maid-of-honor in her cousin's wedding and to help her mom bake the wedding cake.  When she arrives, she find that one of the bridesmaids has disappeared and no one has seen her for three days.  This is just the first of a string of unfortunate events that seem to be plaguing this wedding.  The beautiful Sarasota beach setting seems to be covering a dark secret and Piper is determined to find out what it is so her cousin's wedding won't be ruined.  There are plenty of suspects, interesting characters,lovely settings and sea turtles. In fact, a great beach read!

American Cozy Mysteries (don't know if that's an official genre but it is to me!) is my favorite genre and this is a fun, fluffy example. There is the involvement of the  Amish community which I know appeals to many readers. Footprints in the Sand is the third mystery in the Piper Donovan series and the first one I've read but that doesn't seem to be a problem.  It was fine as a stand-alone mystery. It's a quick read that makes me want to find the first two in the series.

I received this book from as a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciated the chance to read and review it.

Sources:  Fictfact,  Dear Author, and Bookreporter.

 

Monday, January 20:

 

Final Vow by Kathleen Brooks (#7 in Bluegrass Brothers)
The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole (#3 in The Game Maker)

Static by LA Witt, also The Beginning of Us by Sarah Brooks (both according to Dear Author are re-release-revised and edited second edition of Static, originally released in 2011 by Amber Allure.  With still yet another edition releasing 1/27/14)

 

Tuesday, January 21:

 

A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers (#3 in A Little Too Far)
Avalon by Mindee Arnett (#1 in Avalon)
Bad Wolf by Nele Neuhaus (#2 in Bodenstein & Kirchhoff)
Be Mine Forever by Marina Adair (#4 in St. Helena Vineyard)

Cozy mystery, and fine for what it is. Overly simplistic at times and occasionally too cutesy. An easy read, and relative short. This isn't my genre so I can't comment more than that, but fans of cozy mysteries may enjoy it.