Monday, June 3, 2013

Boston Jane: The Claim by Jennifer Holm

Boston Jane: The Claim by Jennifer Holm is the third book in a trilogy. Jane Peck's story wouldn't necessarily have to end here. There are obviously more adventures to be found in the great wilderness of northern California in the days of the first settlers.

Jane has guts.  She stands up for what's right no matter who she has to challenge to do it.

The settlers and the Chinook Indians lived comfortably as neighbors, helping each other out until Jane's former fiance and Mr. Biddle show up for the purpose of land speculation. Arriving with Mr. Biddle is his daughter, Jane's arch-nemesis, Sally. Sally is determined to ruin Jane's life - and she does an admirable job of it. When Jane tries to right things, she only manages to look jealous or spiteful.

An election gone horribly awry makes things MUCH worse, not just for for Jane, but for the whole community, the Chinooks, and Katy, a sweet child of mixed parentage whose white father dies.

The situation deteriorates to such a point that, not more than 20 pages from the end of the book, I asked myself, "How is this going to come out right with only this much to go?"

The author tells a cracking good story. I'm sorry that this is the end of Jane Peck's story - for now.

Kathi Linz

The Art of Handmade Living: Crafting a Beautiful Home by Willow Crossley

https://evergreen.lib.in.us/opac/extras/ac/jacket/large/9781908170866

The Art of Handmade Living: Crafting a Beautiful Home by Willow Crossley gives you ideas for ways to decorate ordinary things or use them in ways other than their original purpose.

I enjoyed this book and noted some of the projects I would like to try in the near future.

Kathi Linz

ReCraft: How to Turn Second-Hand Stuff into Beautiful Things for Your Home, Family, and Friends by Sara Duchars and Sarah Marks

https://evergreen.lib.in.us/opac/extras/ac/jacket/large/9780711233560

 
 
Recraft: How to Turn Second-Hand Stuff into Beautiful Things for Your Home, Family, and Friends by Sara Duchars and Sarah Marks has some wonderful ideas for fixing, refinishing and repurposing cast-offs and vintage items in ways you might not have considered.

I thought this was an imaginative and interesting book.

Kathi Linz