"Giveaway" The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee, A story of love and betrayal, when this book first starts it takes place in Hong Kong in 1942 a Englishman by the name of Will Truesdale falls for a socialite, World War II takes there love on a roller coast of tragic events.
 Then the book jumps ahead 10 years with Will to watch him fall in love again to with a beautiful young woman named Claire, but after so much tragedy can Will fall in love. Claire is quick to find that Will holds a secret past filled with pain. And soon Claire learns the price of survival verses love. A epic story of tragedy, love, and the price of surviving a war.
Beautifully written, wonderful historical fiction novel!

This book is this months giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment and follow my blog. I will post a winner next week! Thanks so much

Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 4

So we thought we lost them William and Matthew, but they aren't gone yet! I was glued to my screen Sunday night watching Downton and I can say that I cried all the way through it. So there was a few moments of laughter in between though.


"This always happens, when you give these little people power, it goes straight to their heads, like strong drink."-Violet

"I hope it is not vulgar in me to overcome your scruples" - Violet (I hope I got that quote right, but it will have me laughing till next Sunday!

She is really getting on my good side, I can't wait to here what comes out of her mouth next!

Then there is poor Daisy, come on people wait a minute I know that she needs to be kind but a marriage that she doesn't want. Then William bless his heart wants to take care of her. Just what if, what if William survives where then does that put poor Daisy?
I mean we all think he died but I have seen miracles happen in T.V land. Poor Daisy and Poor William. What women would do for a man in 2012 that love them so much. Thankfully I have one!

What kind of trouble did Mary get herself in by telling the Evil Sir Richard her dirty little secret. Can't wait to see what plays out, because Mary loves Matthew despite the doctors diagnosis that is the test of love.


Matthew, I understand why he told Lavinia to live her life but come on, she loves him too. So I'm curious to know does everyone think that Mary is doing the right thing or should Mary just come out with her love for Matthew? I'm cheering for Mary but some people must want Lavinia to win his heart. I think that a man as determined as Matthew will walk again.

It was a great night and I wonder if it will all play out the way we want it too. Meanwhile Vera Bates should get a life, let lovely Mr. Bates be happy already, heck woman he went to prison for you, then gave you all his money!
 Looks like Sir Richard is going to be a handful in the coming episodes but nothing Mary can't handle.
I will leave with this question is Lady Sybil in love with Branson?


"Sometimes a sacrifice must be made to live the life you want"-Branson

Don't forget to follow my blog and check back on Wednesday to comment for the Giveaway! February 1st

201 years Sense and Sensibility

I didn't know that I was reading Jane Austens great Novel, Sense & Sensibility 201 years after publication, and I'm almost done. Now I have read this Novel before but enjoy reading it every time. I'm not ready to write my review yet although we already know that the review will be awesome one. I thought I might mention some of my favorite quotes from the book. And blog next week my review! As I'm a little behind in my reading and was suppose to finish this week, sorry.

"The Pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety" Elinor Dashwood

"Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason I fear I may be wrong? Colonel Brandon

"A man who has nothing to do with his own time has no conscience in his intrusion on that of others" Marianne Dashwood


If you have any other quotes to any of Jane Austen books that you like please leave a comment.

New Book Coming Valentines/ Giveaway

On Valentines a new book is coming from my favorite author, the same author that did Sarah's Key. The new book is called The House I Loved, by: Tatiana de Rosnay. I cannot wait. For those of you who are familiar with her book Sarah's Key and her Novels. She is one of the most brilliant authors. This book takes place in Paris in 1860's were Emperor Napoleon III, is devastating the city of Paris, changing the face of Paris and destroying the history of the city. But when all this is happening one woman stands against them.
 Rose is determined to not let them destroy her families home to create a "modern city". People are fleeing the city as she stays in the basement of a old home, she is faced with loneliness and being scared for her life. Rose starts writing letters to her beloved husband although he is passed away. As she writes these letters, Rose is forced to remember secrets that have haunted her heart for the last 30 years. This book is a tribute to Paris, as well as a story of strength, were houses have history, and meaning. Follow Rose on her journey to find inner peace and fight for her cause!


I'm so excited about this book, as I have fallen in love with her others so quickly. If you haven't read Sarah's key pick it up and read it. It will make you cry, smile and laugh. Truly a epic story, but whatever you do hold on to your copy. Because I let a friend borrow it thinking I will have gotten it back after she read it and recently I was bummed she gave it away. So I must buy another copy, because I definitely want this on my bookshelf.
 Also next week I will be having a give away for the followers of my blog. So tell your friends , all you have  to do is follow my blog and post a comment to the giveaway post on February 1st! I will post what the item will be and the day I will announce the winner. So read on February and see what new goodie you can win. And don't forget to follow my blog!!!

The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen

The Wit & Wisdom of Jane Austen compiled by Dominque Enright

Amazing book, really a great read! This book is a combination of passages from Jane's novels

• Pride and Prejudice
• Sense and Sensibility
• Emma
• Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey

But it also provides history into Jane Austen herself and gives even the newcomer into the Janeite world a beautiful picture of who Jane is. Taking you through her childhood, adolescents and adulthood. Through the private letters that she has sent to her sister Cassandra you can really see what her personality is and find a wonderful sense of Jane's wit and wisdom.
 After reading this I see how Jane captures readers with her words and truths to most everything she says. She is a open book.
 I loved this read because I have read Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey but sometimes need to be reminded of the little quotes in the books and how fun she really is as an author. So I might read that novel again and again. For any Jane Austen fan or newby this book is a must and I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 3

So there we have it finally!!! Isobel is put in her place! Well if you missed Downton Abbey last night on Masterpiece, it was a good one! Lots of up and downs, Isobel left for London as she was feeling a little left out of her duties. That I was glad to see happen!
She always seemed a bit stuffy to me. I think she asks to much of people, here the Grantham's have given so much, question is if it were her home and money would she give as freely? I often wonder judging by her character. Of course she raised a wonderful man maybe she has alittle character in her.

Best admired moment when Lord Grantham went to the pub to get Mr. Bates! Anna was overjoyed but I'm just waiting for Vera to appear and ruin Bates happiness in the next episode. Vera is my new nemesis of the show. Come on now Vera, take the money and run what more can you get from dear Mr. Bates.

Most shocking moment of the night, "not" was Ethel the maid and the solider in the candle lit room, where no one might hear her laughing in the quiet middle of the night??? No that wasn't coming anytime soon. But the pregnancy was a shocker! Poor Ethel, hopefully all works out for that dreamer. Don't you love the look on Mrs. Hughes face?


My favorite moment was when Lady Mary was singing in the show and walks in Matthew and William. Oh Mary shout your love from the roof tops and tell him oh just tell him! We all are in your corner Mary!! Could little Daisy really be starting to fall for William? Seems like it.

I want to say I hope in the case of Sybil she follows her head and knows how dear her family is to her. I loved this episode and I can only say war has definitely stirred things up at Downton Abbey. I am really beginning to love Violet and all her humor!

So the smack down was won by Cora Countess of Grantham!!! My vote was always for Cora, she is an American!
This episode was full of twist and turns and had be fretting for awhile over Matthew and William. Can't wait till next episode! Love it, Love it!

Good Book

  A good book to me is like a dance or a poem with meaning. I love authors that bring you in give you more of "book art" authors that need not express themselves with vulgar words but take the time to paint a picture. I read because I do enjoy it. But as I come closer to the end of the book, if I love it I can't wait to finish. Often finding myself reading longer and longer to see, what is going to happen. I'm drawn to the words. But as I get to the last chapter, I get giddy almost so thrilled I'm finding the conclusion. Only to be a little sad when I'm done. For one thing after I have read a Jane Austen book, for many weeks its hard for me to pick up another and start reading. Because I miss Jane's style her loveliness, her paint brush of words, spread so beautifully across the page. I long for more.

www.goodreads.com

Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 2

So if you are a Downton Abbey fan, you too were glued to the t.v last night to watch the second episode of season 2 and was it amazing. So I have a few things to come clean with, I'm starting to like Lady Edith Crawley-played by Laura Carmichael. The way she helped Captain Smiley! Way to go Edith

I really am seeing she is a woman longing for love and someone to care for her. I do tell you her kindness was surprising almost made me sad about what happened last season when her sister Mary ruined her chances of marriage. "I said almost" Lady Edith still has alot to learn about not hurting others. But time will tell if the war has softened the stick in Lady Edith's back side! "So everyone raise a glass to Lady Edith!"

Also a surprise this episode I give a HUGE hands down  to Lord Grantham for putting people in there place and sticking up for his wife! The love between Lord and Countess Grantham is a everlasting love that we can imagine. Because they keep their passions secret. But the way Lord Grantham played by Hugh Bonneville shot down Doctor Clarkson and Isobel Crawley for taking on to much of his home because he saw that it bothered his wife! He is beginning to be my new favorite and I can see where his daughters get it from! And is Isobel Crawley getting annoying or what...

So my favorite moment of the night was where Lady Mary decided she was not going to tell Matthew about Lavinia's past or anyone else for that matter. That shows how much Lady Mary loves Matthew and how much of Lady she is. So the award for my favorite still goes to Lady Mary
I still have a hope that Matthew will see the light and how loved he is before it becomes too late and marry Lady Mary!

I also hope that O'Brien just keeps on feeling guilty. Am I the only one that thinks she deserves the guilt after all the trust Countess Grantham put into her and she committed the worst act ever. So suck it up O'Brien, no one likes you anyway!

So too end the evening with this fantastic episode I loved Lord Grantham's comment and it made me sure put a perspective on war itself.
"The world was in a dream before the war, now it's woken up and said good bye to it" Earl of Grantham.
Great episode can't wait for more to come and all I can leave you with is, HURRY UP BATES, ANNA NEEDS YOU!

Season 2 Episode 1

If you missed Season 2 premiere of Downton Abbey, that's heartbreaking. It was a 2 hour special and beautiful. I can say this season sure has alot going on and I can't wait for more. I have 2 favorite characters this season.

Anna

played by Joanne Froggat

 She is so quiet and kind but her undying love for Mr. Bates or John is classic and so romantic. She is a soft tender soul and it was difficult to see her cry, just when you thought love was opening her heart, she was muled over by a woman of such deceit and inability to love. Oh Mr. Bates come back and rescue Anna, she needs you. I just adore her!

My second character I love is

Lady Mary Crawley played by Michelle Dockery
She is stern and bold, iron in her will, but that is just a wall that is put up. She is in love with Matthew and if I'm the only one yelling at the T.V saying tell him, just tell him. Even if it hurts his "bride to be" she is not his bride yet and this is killing me. Mary deserves the world and so often reminds me of myself, some people think her mean, some people think her strange, iron and bold but they don't truly know her and she is coming out of her shell in this season.
  Oh how I loved last season when she first met Matthew and compare herself to a Greek Goddess and him to Sea Monster! Come on Matthew don't die in the war, come home to Mary.
 Me a romantic who would have ever thought.

This season is taking me in leaps and bounds and I have yet to find a dull moment in it. To see show times go to www.pbs.org


This series is the reason I had a TEVO installed!

Classic

Book of the month and News!

I wanted to let all you ladies know I thought we should change things up a bit for 2012 and read a book together. Each person would get to choose one every month. Since I know all of us read the classics I thought we would start out with "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. I thought we could meet sometime at the end of the month! The weather seems to be getting warmer which means more time outside! FINALLY! So enjoy reading, if you don't want to read the book or you already have a while ago, please come anyway. The more the merrier!

I also wanted to let the Downton Abbey fans know there is a book that has just been released by The Countess of Carnarvon called "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey" The lost legacy of the Highclere Castle. The book is so new that Barnes and Noble wasn't able to put it out on the floor and I was inquiring, so if you love the series pick up your copy. If you can't find it out ask!

Being a Jane Austen Mystery Series

Let me explain the side bar post of "Being Jane Austen Mystery Series" There was a challenge on the website www.autenprose.com that was for Jane Austen fans running from Janu 1st 2011 to December 31st 2011 for the mystery series by Stephanie Barron which happens to be a wonderful series it was a challenge for historical fiction and mystery lovers. To challenge to read the series, so I posted the book list on the side soon to be moved. But I wanted all you ladies to see it. I'm doing the challenge this year and have committed myself to 4 novels the levels of commitment are,

Levels of participation: Neophyte: 1 – 4 novels, Disciple 5 – 8 novels, Aficionada 9 – 11 novels.

So challenge yourself! And Happy New Year ladies