"Emily of New Moon" - Book Review

I recently read Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. It is book one in The Emily Trilogy.

At the beginning of this book Emily Byrd Starr finds out that her father is dying. When he dies, her mother's side of the family, the Murrays-known for their pride and a little haughtiness in some members-, all come to pay respects to Douglas Starr -- and to decide what to do with Emily. Not knowing who should take her in, they draw lots and Aunt Elizabeth is the one who gets to raise Emily from now on. Emily doesn't care much for Aunt Elizabeth, but really likes the other two residents of New Moon: Aunt Laura, and we can't forget Cousin Jimmy, whom everyone says is simple (being knocked down a well accidentally by Elizabeth as a child), though Emily just can't see it. Emily has to go to New Moon and throughout the book we read of her trials, triumphs, and of the mischief she can sometimes make. Towards the end of the book, she and Aunt Elizabeth come to tolerate one another more
and even love each other.

At the beginning of the book I really didn't want to read it and thought about just putting it away, it just felt a little dark, I don't mean dark as in creepy, but it wasn't very cheerful. I'm glad that I didn't put it away. Although, there is a different feel to the book than Anne of Green Gables has, I still really enjoyed it.

I would like to name a few similarities between Anne Shirley and Emily Starr:
1. They both have a vivid imagination, though Anne's is a bit larger.
2. They both have to deal with a strict guardian, though Aunt Elizabeth makes Marilla seem lovely.
3. They both love to dramatize, making things bigger than they appear.
I'm sure there are more similarities, but those are the ones that I can remember.
I'm going to give Emily of New Moon 4 out of 5 stars! If you enjoy Anne of Green Gables, then I suggest you give this book a chance!

"Murder at the Mikado" - Book Review

Murder at the Mikado is the third book in the Drew Farthering Mystery Series written by Julianna Deering. I have read the second book in the series - Death by the Book - and let me tell you, even though that one was good, this one is ten times better! I usually set end-dates for myself when reading a book that I'm going to review, but this one was finished in four days! It was that good!
 The case itself was riveting! An actor is found dead inside his dressing room at the Tivoli - all fingers point to Fleur Landis, Drew's old flame. Fleur comes to Drew for help, but Drew is planning his wedding and doesn't really want to focus on anything but that, and his fiancee Madeline-but he just can't let this mystery go unsolved and leave the poor girl in a fix. When a sort-of-script-girl is found strangled and stuffed into a wardrobe holding tightly to a tassel off of a cloak just like Fleur's, Fleur is then arrested. How could Lew Zuraw call Drew and tell him to come down to the theater immediately so he could disclose some important information, but then be found dead, strangled, with a tassle under his body, when Drew arrives? How could this be if the suspected murderess is in jail? Who is doing away with these people at the Tivoli? I have to tell you to read this enthralling, page-turner book for yourself to find out!  It will leave you wanting to turn every page, read every word, so you can just know who-done-it! I'm giving this book 5-out-of-5 stars, simply because it's that good! Love mysteries? Then you might not want to pass up Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering!
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers to write a review on it. I was not asked to write a positive review.