The Headmistress of Rosemere

I don't think of myself as being especially romantic, but every once in awhile I really enjoy reading a romance novel. If I read too many in a row I lose interest, but when I read just the right one I am very happy. After I finished my graduate work for a few months I only read romance novels, and generally I most enjoyed those set in Regency England. These books returned me to novels after a year of theology and church history exclusively. I enjoy reading Debbie Macomber and now I've found a new author to enjoy, Sarah Ladd.

When I was in grade school I wanted desperately to be able to go to boarding school. I thought going away to school would be the most exciting thing in the world. Perhaps it was because I didn't have a brother or a sister or perhaps I had over idealized Jacqueline Kennedy's years at Miss Porter's. My parents thought it was a ridiculous request for many reasons. We knew no one who went to boarding school, we couldn't afford it and I think it would have broken their hearts to send me away so young. But that didn't stop me from thinking about life at boarding school.

I fantasized about my life at boarding school, but I never thought about the life of the teachers or the headmistress. I'm sure my fantasy boarding school would have had a headmistress like Patience Creighton. She is young, kind, intelligent, attractive and committed to her students, and she is the headmistress of Rosemere. This most engaging book takes place in one of my favorite periods in literature and I enjoyed the visit back very much. Besides Patience, there are a number of engaging characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The plot moved quickly and had a number of twists that surprised me and kept me reading. I hope there's a sequel. I'm eager to see what happens next for Patience and some of my other favorite characters.

One especially nice thing about these cold days is how pleasant it is to spend a winter's afternoon with a cup of cocoa and a good book.  We had snow again this afternoon -- just flurries -- but it deterred me from getting much farther than a few blocks from home. But I had a pile of books and the Sunday New York Times to keep me company, and it was a sweet afternoon.

As ever, I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. Keep warm and cozy and take good care!

Please note: I was given a copy of "The Headmistress of Rosemere" for review via the Litfuse Publicity Group, but the opinions are all mine. 

Snowy Day Random 5 Friday

It's time to join the fun group at Random 5 Friday, one of the most enjoyable ways to spend the coldest day in New York City in the last five years.

1) I like the idea of snow in theory, but in reality... I have drippy snow boots in the bathroom and I got myself caught in my down coat when the top button loop got tangled. But it was so nice to be outside today, or as my mother always said, "to get some air."

 The trees may be here for awhile. The sanitation truck/snow plows were busy with other pursuits. 

Broadway in the snow. Sidewalks were okay, but crossing the street was tricky. 

2) I like the idea of staying indoors and being cozy in theory. By two o'clock I was getting a little stir crazy and went on an expedition to the grocery, which is two blocks away. At first I thought I can't go out because it had snowed. I realized that last year I would have been out in the dark to trudge to work, and while I didn't have to do that -- thankfully -- I certainly could go outside in six inches of snow.  

3) Signed up to read fifty books this year, which is only one book a week. Have I started even one...

4) I also signed up for an on-line writing class for next week. There will be a novel in 2014, or at least a novella, or at least a long short story. You all will be the first to know.

5) Anyone else excited about "Downton Abbey" on Sunday night? I'm not quite counting the hours, but it's less than fifty. 

It was twenty-six degrees this afternoon and now it's down to eleven. This is the time to stay in and be cozy. I think it's also time to begin the first book of 2014. Next week I'll let you know what I read.  

As always thanks for visiting and keep warm and cozy!