Review: Let Me Off At The Top! My Classy Life & Other Musings By: Ron Burgundy

Let Me Off at the Top!: My Classy Life and Other Musings by Ron Burgundy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From his humble beginnings in Haggleworth, Iowa, Ron Burgundy lets us into his story and his mind. The fights, how he came to love the jazz flute, his years at Lady of Chewbacca all start the journey that will lead this great man on the road to Anchorman.
Filled with hilarious and sometimes questionable “facts”, Ron Burgundy will not let you down. I found myself laughing while reading this, my head spinning with often Ron’s attention deficit, and not wanting to put it down. The most memorable parts are the taped one man conversations, gathering of the news team, especially Brick, and the saga with the neighbor. Want a laugh, this will give it to you, although sometimes it does seem like too much and an overload of nonsense.


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Review: The Moaning Of Life : The Worldly Wisdom of Karl Pilkington By: Karl Pilkington

The Moaning of Life: The Worldly Wisdom of Karl Pilkington by Karl Pilkington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to first tell you that I am a BIG fan of Karl Pilkington, so this review might be biased, but I find him to be a brutally honest person. There is no “celebrity” fluff to him, and often there is a simple genius to the way he looks at life, I think that that is the appeal.
This is a tie in to his series, which will be airing soon in the US, and focuses on the basics of life. Karl takes on Marriage, Kids, Vocation & Money, Happiness, and Death. He travels the world, delves into the different cultures and people, asking questions along the way, taking notes, and embraces the experiences as only he can.
I found a different Karl in this book than I had in the past. Is it from him turning forty? Is it from his past experiences of travel? Is it the subject matter? Maybe all of the above. He seemed a bit more reflective, although we will still be graced with Pilkingtonisms, and he seemed more personal on the page, which I really liked and found very personable.
Whether a fan or a newcomer, this is a must to your library! You will enjoy and want to share. I have picked up a couple copies for a few friends that I know will love this and what better gift – a mix of philosophy and humor, culture and travel – Enjoy!!


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Review: Music City: A Novel By: Leona Bryant

Music City by Leona Bryant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shelly Shepard, a Nashville Star, now looks back on her life and her beginnings. A runaway from an abusive drunk mother, having left behind her younger siblings in the middle of the night at the age of fifteen, the kind stranger that took her right into Nashville, got her a job, and a place to live. She has so much to be thankful for and wants to give back and find the person that changed her life forever.
Derek and Alex are detectives that have their own painful pasts that have lead them to solving mysteries. Fate takes a hand, when hiring a male secretary leads them to their biggest and most famous client, his mother, Shelly Shepard. She gives them more workload and secrets and sins than most families have ever needed to work out. But that angel from the past might be the angel she needs for her future, if they can find him.
A book filled with twists and turns, secrets and lies, shows the ugly the lives within some and the good in others, and how not always are people all one or the other. I was surprised to find that this was a debut novel, for the complex storyline and the depth of emotions for some of the character development speaks of a seasoned writer. This is one to enjoy and focus on over a weekend, it also has a nice message that will stick with you long after you have turned the last page.


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Review: Big Cherry Holler By: Adriana Trigiani

Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book of the Big Gap books. Eight years since the end of the first book, Ave Maria’s story continues. So much has happened in her marriage to Jack Mac – a daughter, Etta, the death of their son, Joe, and now the threat of another woman, Karen Bell. The month long vacation in Italy becomes a separation to “rethink” her marriage.
The wonderful secondary characters from the first book return to steal the reader’s heart. Theodore shares a secret and becomes a voice of reason, Iva Lou brings femininity and womanly wisdom, Pearl Grimes teaches what love truly is – along with other great characters that come off the page. The vivid imagery of the setting is not to be missed, especially when Ave is in Italy.
I am still finding it hard to connect to Ave and found the story a hundred pages longer than necessary. Since I bought the whole series though, I will stick to it and continue to read them, but I would really recommend borrowing them from a library and deciding whether this is truly to your liking or not before investing.


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Review: Big Stone Gap By: Adriana Trigiani

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Welcome to Big Stone Gap, Virginia, a little coal mining town, where Ave Maria Mulligan is the local pharmacist, unmarried, turning 35 (which is virtually unheard of in these parts), and a letter from her deceased mother releases a storm of secrets that turn her life inside out.
Before you know it, Ave is speaking her mind, taking action, and getting some male attention. As one secret after another are uncovered, so is a conspiracy that her Aunt is trying to take her business and home. With an exciting visit involving Elizabeth Taylor, one man as a great friend she thinks she wants, another man that she can’t think around, Ave decides to pack up and run to Italy – that is if she can get her feet or heart to go.
Good small town feel, with excellent secondary characters. I think I felt more for some secondary more than Ave, who wanted to be three dimensional but came across two or at times one. Good storyline, I read this mainly for the anticipation of the upcoming movie and hope the movie is much better and wish I didn’t buy the whole series to read (although I will).


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Review: A Christmas Promise By: Mary Balough

A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An arrangement made, a marriage between strangers, a promise to keep, and a book you will want to re read every holiday season.
The new Earl of Falloden, Randolph Pierce, did not just inherit the title, but a massive amount of debt as well and when a coal merchant stranger appears at his door with all notes in hand paid and a proposition of marriage to his daughter to clear it, well, what choice does he have.
Eleanor “Ellie” Transome, a merchant’s daughter, a ‘cit’, worried about her father more than titles or money, finds herself agreeing to a marriage to a stranger.
As Christmas comes after Mr. Transome’s death, family and friends some to the estate to melt the ice that has developed in the newlyweds and open their eyes and hearts to the miracles that have been given to them.
You will love this book. This spirit of Christmas lies within its pages – laughter, tears, memories, and redemption. This one is a keeper on the shelf.


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Review: Christmas Angel By: Jo Beverley

Christmas Angel by Jo Beverley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Weeping Widow as Judith Rossiter has now been known, is the perfect fit for becoming the wife of Leander Knollis, Earl of Charrington. He wants a woman who will not ask for love and will be the perfect helpmate as he takes over the mysterious Knollis Estate and the ready made family that comes with her will also seal the deal.
Respect might not be the only feelings brewing and with Christmas around the corner maybe miracles can melt the icy heart, heal misunderstandings, and thwart a killer before it’s too late.
I have read Jo Beverley many times and find that she will never let you down – wit, conversation, action, adventure, romance. This is one of the Company of Rogue Series and you will want to read all of them.


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