5 LDS fiction titles

I should start by explaining the acronym "LDS" in case you're not familiar. It stands for Latter-day Saints, which itself is short for the full name of the Mormon church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So yes, these are books written for the Mormon market.

I enjoy reading them, because I know they're going to be clean! No sex, no bad language, violence (if any) depicted in a way that doesn't focus on the blood and gore. It's a relief. I read a lot of general fiction, and it seems there's almost always content that I don't want in them--particularly the adult books. Then it becomes a matter of how much is too much? You can read more of my thoughts about books with objectionable content here.

I also enjoy LDS fiction because it's fun to read about characters who share my belief system and many of my Mormon cultural traditions. I like it best when there's not a lot of preaching or scripture quoting--this actually goes for all Christian novels--but the characters live a faithful life. So for instance, if they're having trouble, they pray, or they might ask for a Priesthood blessing. They attend church and have a calling, (or if they're struggling in their faith, that is addressed,) and so on. It doesn't have to be the main focus, but it gives me warm fuzzies when it's done well as a background.

Anyway, the LDS fiction market is still relatively young, and at times that shows in the quality of work. More and more lately, though, I've been as happy with the writing as with the clean content. So hooray!

These run the gamut between historical fiction, contemporary, and romantic suspense. I hope you find something to try!

Between the Lines, by Erin Klingler

4 stars: Enjoyable (clean!) romantic suspense.

Sydney Hallam is a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle who is married to her work. She lives for getting the story, for taking down the criminals, and championing the little guy. She expects there to be some repercussions--after all, if she didn't ruffle some feathers in high places she wouldn't be doing her job.

However, she's got some leads on a big story with consequences she may not be ready for. When a source doesn't show up for a meeting, she doesn't think much about it at first. Later, she finds out he was murdered. She knows she's onto something that could implicate many prominent people--she had just better watch her back if she wants to survive to write the story.

Meanwhile, Justin--a good friend of the murder victim, and also a reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune--comes to San Francisco for the funeral. While he's there, he has permission from his boss to look up Ms. Hallam. It seems some of the criminals she's hunting down have ties to Utah. If they can work together, they might just see this thing through. Falling in love would be a bonus.

* * * * *
A plot that kept me reading to find out what happened next! This one did a good job making the suspenseful situations believable. It's one of my pet peeves with this genre: too often it seems the main character (your average girl or guy) somehow takes on the bad guys--singlehandedly--and wins! Anyway, this one seemed more realistic in that regard, particularly as far as what was left to the police, etc.

The romance was sweet, but not overpoweringly so. It was a good mix.

p.s. Is that cover creepy, or what? Nice job, somebody! 

(Finished reading Oct. 9)

Chariots to Jordan, by E. James Harrison

4 stars: Compelling historical fiction, retelling one of my favorite Bible stories.

Young Gili has always been close to God, and a kindred spirit to His prophet, Elisha, who stops at their family's humble farm on his travels. Gili has 3 older brothers, and ever since they moved to the outskirts of Edrei, a very small village on the edge of Syria, their family has prospered. Despite being on the enemy border, they feel safe from attack, simply because the desert at their backs is deemed uncrossable.

Gili's faith is only strengthened when the prophet heals her father from a mortal wound. When the Syrians attack Ramoth-Gilead--an Israeli settlement not far from where they live, Gili's mother Miriam wants the family to move. Somehow the Syrian armies have found a way across the desert. In the end, her husband convinces her they should stay just a little bit longer.

It is a tragic mistake. Their village is indeed next in line for attack, but this time the commander Naaman and his men take most of the women and children prisoners. Gili is taken away from her family (what's left of them), and purchased by Naaman himself as a household slave.

As she fulfills her duties, she discovers that Naaman and his wife are kind. She also discovers something else--something meant to be kept a secret: Naaman has leprosy. Before too much longer, he will be unable to continue his military command. Little Gili's faith and her masters' kindness cause her to speak out, and tell them about Israel's prophet who has the power to heal.

* * * * *
The narrative switches between Gili's family and Naaman--both at home and at war. At times other characters take the main stage, as well. I didn't mind for the most part, though a couple of times I had to backtrack a bit to figure out who was talking.

Harrison really helped me visualize how this story may have come about--how and why Naaman would have a young Israelite girl serving in his household, along with the apparent trust if not affection between her and her masters.

I enjoyed the historical side of it, as well, with the tensions and war between Syria and Israel brought to vivid life.

Content: There are a few battle scenes, and detailed descriptions of the leprosy symptoms.

(Finished reading Oct. 2)

Emma: A Latter-day Tale, by Rebecca H. Jamison

3 stars: Light-hearted and good fun.

Emma lives with her dad in Virginia. She's a young 20-something, with hopes of starting a life-coaching business, and also snagging a boyfriend. If she can't find a man for herself, she'd settle for setting up her friends in the Single's Ward. Her best friend, Justin Knightley, is proving to be a deterrent to her a business and a distraction for her romantic fancies. Although, he might turn out to be just what she needs--if she can get past his infuriating habit of criticizing her (mostly correctly, which makes it even more maddening.)

* * * * *
A witty, frothy retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, with a modern-day Mormon girl as the protagonist. This was a fun little diversion for a rainy day. Stays fairly close to the original in general plot lines.

(Finished reading Sept. 18)

Escape to Zion, by Jean Holbrook Matthews

2 stars: Maria's perilous path away from a vicious and lecherous slave master.

Maria comes over on the boat from Germany with her parents, but when they die crossing the ocean, she is sold as an indentured servant. She serves her 10 years under a hateful master, Lafayette Breaux, only to discover upon turning 18 that he has no intentions of releasing her. In fact, he insists that she is a metif (white slave) and belongs to him.

After he rapes her, she manages to escape. She finds a hero in Hank, an unassuming man who is willing to let her ride on his boat for awhile, as he travels upriver to sell some goods. All the while, Breaux is determined to find her no matter the cost.

Maria and Hank eventually become friends and decide to join the Mormon church. They get married, fall in love, and make their way west with the Saints. Breaux continues to send bad guys to find them, some more successfully than others.

* * * * *
While there were some of the historical aspects I found interesting--the white slaves and their struggle for rights--I was less than thrilled with the overall plot. I had a hard time believing that Breaux wouldn't just cut his losses at some point--long before he did--and move on to easier prey. Their life seemed an endless loop of running away, getting found, big confrontation, running away again.

Also, it seemed like any slightly shady character with a mile of Maria thought he should assault her. Thank goodness for Hank, who would unfailingly come to the rescue. Still. It was a bit tiresome. The romance was just okay. While I could understand Hank wanting to protect Maria, I had a hard time figuring out what he saw in her on a day-to-day basis.

Content: As mentioned, Maria was raped at the beginning of the book, though it was not graphically described.

(Finished reading Sept. 3)

Sun Tunnels and Secrets, by Carole Thayne Warburton

3.5 stars: As the title suggests--secrets and what happens when they come to light.

Norma, Mabel, and LaRue are 3 elderly sisters who live in rural Northern Utah. They've had their share of ups and downs over the years, and most recently, Norma's husband Wes passed away. They take a trip out to the Sun Tunnels together and come upon a man's body. After covering him up a little, they decide to call the police station on their way back. After all, they don't have cell phone coverage, and there's not much more they can do for him at this point, anyway. The only problem is--when they drive back, the body is missing. Along with their umbrella, the half-embroidered pillowcase used as a coverup, and baseball cap. It turns out Mabel's car has been stolen, as well.

The "dead" man, a young, shifty character named Kevin, keeps turning up in their lives. He tries for sympathy, claiming he's trying to find his wife--a girl named Cadence, who is due to have a baby in the next month. The sisters will have to decide how much to help him or believe him. Meanwhile, Norma discovers some old photos that throw her whole marriage into question. Despite the pain, she's determined to get to the bottom of it all.

* * * * * *
This held my interest. It's not a mystery, but more of a small-town community life novel. There are many characters with secrets, and by the end most of the secrets have come to light, mostly for the better.

Couple of side notes:
I'm not sure what the deal is with the cover. The shadowy man standing in the Sun Tunnel looks cool, but has no relation to the story. At all.

Also, in case you were wondering, the Sun Tunnels are real! They're art created by Nancy Holt in 1976. They are large concrete tubes that line up with the rising and setting sun on the summer and winter solstices. You have to drive 45+ miles out into the middle of nowhere to see them, but it might be worth a road trip sometime!

(Finished reading Oct. 30)


Have you read any good LDS fiction lately? Any authors I should try? Talk to me!

End of October: A Dark & Stormy Day....

Hello!

Welcome to my Eastern Washington, USA garden.

We live on the dry side of Washington state, but you'd never know it these past few months.

We have had a rainy, rainy fall this year--more so than most years.

There has been a break in the clouds and wet weather maybe once a week, if that.

My kids are really hoping that this means we will get big piles of snow this winter.

So, after a pouring rainstorm all night long, we woke up this morning to strong winds as well.

I ran out and snapped these pictures, shivering, and rain straight back in.

Remember how I said I am a Fair-Weather Gardener?

Yep, that still applies. Brrr.

The vegetable garden is done, although a few of the herbs are still going strong.

The green on the bottom is the oregano, and the top terrace has some thyme and rosemary, plus the bright red strawberry patch.

[I still need to bring in and dry the rosemary, which won't winter over.]

I also transplanted some irises to each far left corner.

The rest of the flowerpots need to be cleaned out and stored in the shed.

The wind really did a number on my flowering almond back here.

All those pretty yellow leaves are now a yellow carpet in the back flowerbed.

This bed is probably the most protected from wind--it looks about the same as it did last month.

This ninebark looks kind of comical, with just a few tufts of leaves left on the very ends of the branches.

My elderberry is showing some color!

I don't remember it turning orange last year.

I like it!

The snowball bush in all its fall glory--with echinacea seedheads adding a little drama behind it.

Front porch bed.

My 'William Shakespeare' English rose is still hanging on, despite all the rain.

Seasonally appropriate colors: brown peonies and black echinacea.

We had some fun carving pumpkins on Saturday.

Happy Halloween!

[Trick-or-treating tonight is going to be wet and cold. Yay. I guess.]

I am craving sunshine! If you've got some, send it my way!

To see other gardens, head over to The Patient Gardener.

Scholastic Book Fairs: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Our school just had a Scholastic Book Fair a couple of weeks ago. For anyone unfamiliar with that, Scholastic is a big publishing company that primarily works with schools. They generally offer paperback books at affordable or even cheap prices, and the books you buy as a parent build up points for their classroom teachers to purchase books as well.

So yeah. The Book Fair. There are definitely some good aspects to it. A percentage of the profits go toward the school library. Yay! Cheap books, as mentioned before. Double yay!  Lots of choices to get books into the hands of the children. Yes. All of that.

I'm about to swear off of them completely. (I'm skipping straight to the Ugly here.) It seems like every time I go into one of them I just about lose my ever-lovin' mind!

If it were all just books, my blood pressure might remain somewhat close to normal. However. Scholastic knows that kids don't care as much about cheap books as their parents. So every Book Fair includes tables full of little amazing toys--i.e., cheap junk--that are all way overpriced, and for which my children beg incessantly the minute they see them. I become a recording that says, "I'm not buying that. No way! Go put that back!...." over and over.

Then there are the gimmicky or toy-based books. I am a book snob. I can admit it!  The books that just want to sell my kid another piece of cheap junk, or subtly get them to buy a toy (or a movie) drive me crazy! There are always at least 3 large tables covered with these types of books. Of course, the books with the toys on front are always the ones my kids make a beeline for. Sigh.

So, I allow them each to choose one book. This time they all came back the first time with marginally acceptable choices. My daughter had a book way above her reading level--but it had a pen attached! My youngest son had a book of 3-D shark pictures, with cardboard 3-D glasses. My oldest son had a book about survival (compass included), a book about shark teeth with an almost-authentic-anyway-it-looks-cool shark tooth, plus a plastic "vault" that included a book on famous robberies and robbers from days gone by.

I managed to talk my daughter into a 2-book set of a series that she already likes, which also happened to include a ring. One down. My youngest wouldn't budge an inch on the shark book. I looked through it. There was a paragraph of shark facts on each page, and it was only $6.99. Sigh. Okay. I guess. (They were wearing me down, little by little!)

Now it was down to me and the oldest. I pointed out that with a 1-book limit, he had managed to choose 3--or 2 1/2, with the vault. He put back the shark tooth book, but the survival book wasn't for him! It was going to be a Christmas present for his Dad, plus he really wanted the vault. (Hoo boy. Putting back his own book--that softened me up.) Okay, fine. So now what about a book for him? But Mom, the vault has a book inside it! And he could use it in all these ways with toys he already has at home!

Guys, I totally caved and bought him the vault. It was $17(!!), and despite the fact that he is a very responsible boy, I'm not expecting it to last more than 6 months before it gets broken.  It also has the most annoying alarm known to man, which neither the "key" nor the "key card" will turn off. (The batteries have since been taken out of the alarm.) The "book" inside is more like a large pamphlet, but whatever.

My husband could not believe I paid $17 for a plastic vault. I can't either. I'm pleading temporary insanity brought on by the Scholastic Book Fair.

Hey, it wasn't a complete loss. I managed to find a Christmas book by Jan Brett that I'd never seen, for only $5.99.

What has been your experience with Scholastic Book Fairs? Any tips? :)

Mini Theme: Halloween-ish Books (Middle Grade)

I wanted to read some seasonally appropriate middle grade books, in hopes of finding some that I could share with my kids. I don't love Halloween--at all--and I never read horror on my own. I wasn't looking for truly scary books, just some with a pinch of Halloween flavor.
If that sounds like it would be right up your (somewhat deserted, not very dark)--alley here you go! Enjoy!

Bunnicula, by Deborah and James Howe

5 stars: Just reading it myself, probably a 3-4 star read, but as a read-aloud--5 stars all the way! This was such a fun book to share together!

Harold, the family dog, tells the strange story of a new pet brought home from the movie theater--a black and white baby rabbit with red eyes. The family names him Bunnicula, because they were watching Dracula when they found him all alone in a shoe box. Something is not quite right with this bunny, though.

Chester the cat is convinced that Bunnicula really is a vampire and he tries to convince Harold as well. The completely white, drained vegetables the family has been finding in the kitchen proves it! First the vegetable drawer, then the world!!

* * * * *
I was pleasantly surprised! I've known about this book for a long time, but never really taken the time to read it. It was not scary--it was funny! The interactions between Harold and Chester were the best. The vampire bunny sucking the juices out of all the vegetables was so ridiculous it was just funny, as well.

Just this week, I read it to my kids in one sitting. We were all giggling through the whole thing! In fact, I think that's the most we have ever laughed during a read-aloud! Even my 8-year-old, who was reading his own book on the other couch, kept stopping to hear the dialogue between the dog and cat and laughed right along with us. I call that a win! There's a whole series of these--I'll have to check out the next ones.

(Finished reading Oct. 18)

The Door by the Staircase, by Katherine Marsh

3 stars: Mary must make herself a home with Madame Z--and hopefully, not get eaten.

Mary Hayes, a resourceful orphan from the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies has come up with an escape plan. She almost makes it too, except that a very strange whirlwind bars the way, causing her to get caught. The next morning, she is resigned to a long and dreadful punishment, when Madame Z shows up and actually adopts her! Takes her away that very day. Mary can hardly believe her luck!

In fact, Madame Z takes very good care of her, feeding her lots of delicious meals and providing her with warm clothing and boots that fit. Even Yulik the cat seems to like her, which Madame Z admits is unusual. Her new home is just outside a small town known for its magic acts, and Mary soon makes a friend--a boy named Jacob. Jacob is the son of one of the magicians, and he not only has very quick hands, he can spot a fake every time.

Mary can't let herself completely settle into her new life, though. She just feels there's something a little...off about Madame Z. Hard to pinpoint. Some of it has to do with the door by the staircase. You see, when Mary stuck her finger in the lock it bit her. Also, the oven in the kitchen is very, very large. In fact, large enough to fit a whole person inside it.

As the strange and unexplainable events pile up, Mary comes to believe more and more in magic---real magic. She also realizes that her very life may be in danger, despite the kindness Madame Z has shown her so far. How will she get out of this one?

* * * * *
In this Baba Yaga tale, Mary proves herself to be every bit the heroine: smart, capable, and loyal. She handles challenges admirably, with her sidekick Jacob.

It was more suspenseful than scary. There were some tense moments, but they didn't last too long. I guess kids might get scared by the several mentions of eating children. It comes up several times; a bad habit that Madame Z has gotten into.

I would recommend this one to ages 10+, though it could go younger if your child has already been exposed to these types of fairy tales. It certainly wasn't any scarier than the first Harry Potter, for instance. I actually think my older 2 (ages 8 and 6) would be fine with it, if I read it out loud to them. They're not familiar with the Baba Yaga stories, but they've definitely heard Hansel and Gretel multiple times.

(Finished reading Oct. 19)

The Nest, by Kenneth Oppel

2 stars: To be honest, this book freaked me out!

There's something wrong with Steve's baby brother, but his parents won't tell him what it is. They're just gone to the hospital a lot, and worried when they do come home. Steven has worries of his own. There are wasps everywhere--strange large white and black ones. He has started having very real dreams about a wasp queen. She is telling him that they are going to fix his brother--and it has something to do with the large wasps' nest steadily growing bigger under the eaves of his house. Before long, Steve will have to make a choice. The consequences that follow will change his life and his family forever.

* * * * *

If you have a wasp phobia, or claustrophobia, don't read this one. I don't have either, but I was cringing by the end. It has the feel of a B-movie, where something considered harmless--or relatively so--becomes an unstoppable force, pursuing with evil intent.

I specifically told my 8-year-old NOT to read this one, as he gets stung several times per summer by wasps, usually for no good reason. I think this book could give him nightmares. I am not targeted by wasps, and I still shuddered inside when I thought of that attic.   

However, for your family, it might be just the thing to get you and your kids into a Halloween mood! Perhaps a good one to preview first, though, before handing it off. It's short, so a quick skim wouldn't take long. It's a little creepy.

For ages 10+.

(Finished reading Sept. 1)

The Spindlers, by Lauren Oliver

3 stars: Big sister to the rescue! + soul-stealing spidery spindlers.

One morning Liza realizes that her younger brother Patrick is no longer himself. It's not something she can put a finger on, exactly. He's quiet instead of noisy. He gives perfect answers to her tricky questions, but there's a hardness to him--a blank space where there used to be a whole boy.

She knows just what is wrong, too. Their babysitter told them all about the spindlers, before she went off to college. They are like spiders, but they come in at night and fish your soul out of your body, then replace it with an egg sac. She has no proof, but Liza knows that Patrick's soul has been taken by the spindlers. She is determined to get it back, no matter what perils she may face in the Underworld.

* * * * *
Okay, I really don't like spiders. Maybe for someone who doesn't mind spiders, this book would not merit a place on this list at all. The adventure itself isn't overly intense. Liza meets up with a rat who has a funky fashion sense, and who becomes her guide to the Underworld. Along the way to the Big Showdown with the spindlers, there are some other interesting characters they run into and have to deal with.

There were echoes of several other books in it, including Gregor the Overlander and Alice in Wonderland. It's quirky and a bit predictable. For ages 8 and up.

(Finished reading Aug. 29)

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson

4 stars: As good as I remembered!

Arriman the Awful was an evil wizard prodigy, but now he's growing a bit weary of all the blighting and smiting. Not that he wants to turn good, you understand, oh no. Just that it might be nice to have some time to develop some other hobbies once in awhile. He goes to a fortune-teller by the name of Esmerelda, who foretells a new evil wizard is coming, even greater than Arriman himself. This new master of darkness will take over from Arriman, leaving him to do as he pleases.

Except that as the years pass, the new Wizard doesn't come. Finally, Arriman faces up to the dreadful idea that perhaps he is meant to marry (a witch, of course) and produce an heir...who will then replace him. He decides to hold a contest for all the local witches. The winner will be his bride.

Unfortunately, the witches of Todcaster do not have much to offer these days. There's old Mother Bloodwort, who in times of distress turns herself into a coffee table; the ever fighting Shouter sisters; Mabel Wrack, daughter of a mermaid; and Ethel Feedbag, whose favorite footwear is Wellies with manure on them. Oh let's not forget Belladonna, of course, but as she is a white witch there's no possible way she could win the contest anyway.

Despite the obvious shortcomings of the contestants, the contest must go on. Arriman is not a quitter. Each witch must perform a spell for a panel of judges. The darker the better. May the best witch win!

* * * * *
This one is a sentimental favorite. I had a copy of it that I read several times growing up, though it has probably been 10 years since I've read it last. It's poking fun at the Dark Wizard trope, and the characters are so overdrawn it's just amusing.

This time around, Arriman's faithful assistants who shore him up ("No use turning back now, sir") were probably my favorite part of the whole book. Mr. Leadbetter, secretary, was an ordinary human (albeit with a small tail), and Lester was an ogre.

It was interesting reading it from the persepective of a parent, wondering if I should read it to my kiddos. Not yet. I think they would get sidetracked by the sorta creepy stuff (a ghost who murdered all 7 of his wives, the ghoul, everything about Madame Olympia,) and not see the humor in it.

Content: Covens and witches, evil spells, and some nasty characters. For ages 12+.

(Finished reading Oct. 12)

Plant File: Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea)

Okay, you had to know this was coming.

This shrub is one of my favorites!

There is something lovely to look at all 4 seasons of the year.

Scientific Name: Hydrangea quercifolia

Common Name: oakleaf hydrangea

June 29, 2016

Cold Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9

Spread: 4-6' tall and wide. Some dwarf varieties stay smaller.

Full sun to part shade.

Native to the southeastern United States.

No significant insect or disease problems.

July 28, 2016

All hydrangeas like water (hence the "hydra" part of their name), but oakleaf hydrangeas can take drier conditions than most. They do need well-draining soil, though.

The one pictured here is planted under an overhang of the house.

It doesn't get watered unless I do it, usually, and it is thriving under there! 

(In July & August, I probably watered it every week to 10 days, along with everything else out front.)

August 14, 2016

It blooms in June at my house, then the large conical blossoms stay on and turn pink as they age.

You can see the progression with these photos.

They start out creamy white, then slowly the pink blush takes over and gets darker.

Someday I want to get the cultivar 'Ruby Slippers,' which turn a deep crimson-pink.

Note: This is not the type that turns blue or pink depending on the acidity of the soil.

Then, on top of all that, it has gorgeous fall color!

October 2015

If you plant it where it can get some morning sun, the colors will be even more brilliant.

By the way, oakleaf hydrangeas can also take more sun than other hydrangeas.

I don't have any pictures of this, but established shrubs have peeling bark that adds interest even in the winter, when nothing else is going on. I'm telling you--this shrub has it going on!

They make great cut flowers, also, the large blooms adding drama to an arrangement.

If I could only add 1 shrub to my yard, this would be a serious contender.

Rook, by Sharon Cameron

If you enjoy history--particularly the French Revolution--retellings of well-known stories, or dystopian worlds, try this combination of the three!

Rook, by Sharon Cameron

5 stars: Clever and atmospheric. A worthy retelling of its predecessor.

In the Sunken City, everything old is new again. Peasants are rioting, the upper class fear for their lives, and The Razor--a guillotine in the public square--has been shaving more and more heads from bodies lately. The prisoners' only hope is that the mysterious Rook will rescue them before their number comes up. When the guards come to the cells thus emptied, all that they find are the black rook feathers, tipped in red to show whose handiwork it is.

Meanwhile, Sophia Bellamy--who lives across the sea in the Commonwealth--has a ball to prepare for. In fact, she is supposed to meet her betrothed tonight. It's an arranged marriage; an effort to save the family estate, in fact. She is not looking forward to it.

Then she meets him: Rene Hasard, vain empty-headed fop, and is even less impressed. However it's not long before she realizes that there is more to her fiancé than meets the eye. Well, good. Same goes for her, too. She must play her best game now--his cousin is LeBlanc, the man responsible for the bloodbath in the Sunken City--and she suspects Rene may be in league with the him. It really is too bad he is so darned attractive.

* * * * *
This one hit all the right buttons for me! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's set in a future world where the Ancients (that would be us) are a distant memory, though our plastics, cement, and satellites--among other things--continue to outlive us. In fact, anything plastic is a prize. Much of the knowledge and ideas of the Ancients, however, have been lost. Paris (The Sunken City, in case you missed it), and England (the Commonwealth) are still around, though with a few alterations here and there, of course.

It would have been a solid read if it was just the dystopian world, which I found entertaining in its own right. Throw in the retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and the parallels to the French Revolution, and it bumped up a notch to fascinating. Strong side characters with complex motives didn't hurt a bit, then as the icing on the cake, clever Sophia and possibly even more clever Rene trying to outwit each other and not fall in love. It was just delicious!

I had one quibble, but since it involved the ending I will not discuss it here. Once you read it, let me know and I'll see if the same thing bothered you!

Plus, I have to say--whoever designed that cover deserves a bonus! It set just the right tone going in.

Content: Some passionate kissing. Also, some gruesome scenes involving LeBlanc and his victims--though most of it happened offstage and you just got the results. For ages 16+.

(Finished reading October 8.)

* * * * *

Have you read The Scarlet Pimpernel? Or seen any of the movies? The only movie version I've seen is the one with Jane Seymour in it, but I really liked it! "Sink me..."

How to Plant Irises

We finally had a break in the weather on Saturday, and I was able to get out and get some irises divided and transplanted.

If you need help dividing irises, check out this post.

Once you've got them divided out, it's time to find a new home for them!

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly fit any more irises anywhere, I had a bright idea.

What about the corners of my vegetable garden beds?

The far corners, especially, are not great for planting vegetables.

Exhibit A: Too narrow for the tiller, not enough root space for most veggies.

So, what you want to keep in mind is that irises are quite shallow-rooted, because the fleshy part has to stay above ground. That's right. You're not burying this thing!

If they've been in one place for a couple of years, their roots will go down maybe 4-6 inches, but as you're transplanting them, those roots are going to be just under the surface.

 

First, dig up the area you're going to plant to loosen the dirt.

Then spread it back out evenly.

Again, you're not making a hole.

In fact, it's probably better to keep the soil even with hard surface at this stage.

You'll add more dirt in a bit.

Lay your iris rhizomes onto the surface where you want to plant them.

Spread the roots out.

You can snap or cut any roots that are way too long for your space.

If the roots are growing straight down from the bottom, you may need to dig a little bit on the sides to accommodate them--just make sure your rhizome is still resting at ground level.

Once I've got them laid out, I usually grab each one and push it down into the soil with a little jiggle, just to get it set in there better.

By the way, you can put them so the leaves are going different directions.

Sometimes I make a little 3-pointed star, with the leaves around the outside.

This time though, I want them all going up the wall at the back, and not flopping onto the walkway in front as much--hence all in a line.

Notice the baby rhizome beginning to grow on the right side of this one.

It didn't have its own root system yet, so I just let it stay where it was for now.

If it had been bigger, with its own leaves and roots, I would have broken it off and planted it separately.

By the way, the leaves were all at least 3 feet long when I divided them.

I tore them off to make the irises easier to work with.

Okay, here they all are.

Once you've got them where you want them, cover up those roots!

I took soil from the garden nearby to cover them up.

Pack the dirt down firmly.

Don't forget to add extra soil behind the "head" where the leaves come from--that end is usually a little higher off the ground than the other.

Try to jiggle them again.

If they move very easily, you need to pack more dirt around them.

See how the rhizomes themselves are still above ground?

That fleshy part needs sunlight and air to keep it from rotting!

All the roots buried!

By spring, they should be firmly anchored in the dirt, with at least a few new roots growing into the new soil to hold on!

My 3 new iris patches.

Do you like how I keep adding flowers to my vegetable garden? Ha!

They look like the come out pretty far from this angle, but really they're not taking up very much space.

(That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)