Kate

I'm saving the eyes until last because I think it might freak me out - him staring at me as I saw!

Waterstone's Synopsis: A simple trip to Brighton turns into a summer of adventure for Cassandra Paxton when she encounters the enigmatic Lord Deverill. She believes him to be a friend of her dead brother, but she soon finds that there is more to him than meets the eye. Lord Deverill is hiding a secret, and, when Cassandra discovers its significance, the accidents that have befallen her appear in a new and deadly light. With danger looming on every side Cassandra reluctantly knows she must join forces with Lord Deverill if she is to survive. After searching her heart, can Cassandra admit that she loves him? And will Lord Deverill Manage to save her life. To be honest, I was a bit reluctant to start reading this book. I chose it for my dissertation reading as it is set in Brighton, and I was worried it was going to be a boring, historically inaccurate Regency romance. To my pleasant surprise, I actually enjoyed the book. The main character is Cassandra, who is determined, strong-willed and sensible. She is Brighton for one reason: to sell the family home. There she meets Lord Deverill, who knew her brother, and the real way he died. Yes there is a romance in the book but it does not overshadow the rest of the story. I liked Cassandra. She stuck to her guns and faced the truth and reality head on. The history in the book didn't seem too bad. The book is set in Regency Brighton and featured swimming in the sea, the horse races and evenings out at different parties - including one hosted by the Prince Regent at the Royal Pavilion. All of these things did occur during the late 1700s, early 1800s. The plot was good. There was more going on than just falling in love. Cassandra had a little sister to look after, a house to sell and a suitor to chase away, as well as finding out the truth about her brother. Most of the story did not surprise me, but there was one twist that I missed. I thought the ending was a bit soft, but overall I enjoyed this book. 3/5

Kell and Diane, your work is lovely! I love the butterfly and the daisy chain. I'm working on the second page of Johnny now. It won't be done by the 18th so I'm not going to rush it. Here is my update:

I'm planning to re-read Wuthering Heights soon for my Bronte sisters challenge so I'm backing it for this too!

I'm reading in bed - I like my night time read to be light and fluffy so am reading Yours, Faithfully by Sheila O'Flanagan. Am 100 pages in and am enjoying it. It is written better than I thought it would be and it has a good storyline

I'd like to join in with this in March!

OK, here are new links:

Yesterday I finished In The Heart of the Canyon by Elisabeth Hyde. It is a trip I will never physically make but the novel took me there and let me experience the trip and the landscape wonderfully. I loved the characters and the storyline. It was engaging and well written and I highly recommend it. The other week I finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I did try and post something here but I lost my internet connection. That was another book I really enjoyed. It is big - over 600 pages, but I flew through it. I loved it straight off. The story jumps between different characters and times but it was easy to follow and so enjoyable. There were a few surprises, and some of the twists I worked out, but overall, another highly recommended book.

I have finished the first page of the Johnny Depp cross stitch:

I finished In The Heart of the Canyon by Elisabeth Hyde today. I really enjoyed it. I've now started Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

I much prefer the square frame. Its a lap frame which makes it easier to use as well

I like the freebies off magazines! I agree, they are usually quite easy. The magazine will probably have patterns for beginners in it as well. Here is a Johnny update for you: I like him, but I do miss colour!

I found this one Kat: http://crossstitch.about.com/b/2009/09/25/free-hockey-motif-cross-stitch-pattern.htm I can't find anything else I'm afraid

Did you find a pattern? You looking for free or paid? Kell yours is looking good

Waterstones Synopsis: During her lonely childhood in Shanghai, Adeline Yen Mah wrote adventure stories to escape from her terrible step-mother and cruel siblings. The characters she created often became more real to her than her own family. In Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, Adeline tells the story of Chinese Cinderella, a young girl who, after being thrown out of her home, has no choice but to go out and seek her own destiny. Soon she meets up with a group of children, all orphaned but each from a different background, who live with an old lady called Grandma Wu. Chinese Cinderella, or CC for short, decides her future after consulting an ancient book which helps to show her the way forward. And her choice takes her on a mission to save the lives of others. Based on a true-life incident during World War II. CC and the others bravely rescue a group of American pilots whose plane crashed after a bombing raid on Japan. Although her father is looking for her, CC knows that she can never go back to live with her cruel stepmother, and now there is no turning back. This book follows CC, a girl whose step-mother makes her life miserable and whose father never seems happy. She frequently finds comfort in visiting Big Aunt, but she has to return to her home to care for a sick elderly lady. CC is lost, and by chance stumbles upon a circus act. One of the performers hands her his business card and the following day she seeks this group out. What she finds is The Secret Dragon Society

He is looking good Kell

It is a Discworld novel but it doesn't feature any of the "main" characters except Death so it can be read as a stand-alone book

I finished The Forgotten Garden this afternoon. I loved it, a fantastic book I've started The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown now

The other week I finished The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett. Tap-dancing rats, very funny! As usual I loved this book. Not my favourite but well worth reading. I haven't been able to do much reading this month because we have moved but I'm hoping to get The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton finished today, which is a great book.

Ooo that sounds good

I'm still reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Absolutely loving it. Should finish it tomorrow

I love my local library! I could happily spend hours there. I like the returns stand - I'm always interested in what others have taken out. I don't like reservation fees though

That looks lovely Kell. Here is a little update of my work:

Done barely any reading this week as we moved but am 400 pages into The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Spent my birthday money on Amazon just now and ordered The Lost Book of Salem by Katherine Howe, The Memory Garden by Rachel Hore and 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber