Hobby Stash

In The Dark by Brian Freeman

Interestingly Freeman’s fourth novel has two titles: In The Dark for the U.S version and The Watcher for the U.K. version. Personally I prefer the U.S. title…more mysterious.  This fourth novel in the Jonathan Stride series continues  intertwining an unsolved mystery from his high school years with a current  peeping Tom case he is trying to solve.  I actually managed to figure out the older murder before the killer was revealed but still  surprised by some of the various details that unfolded. Enjoyable as always but I couldn’t help thinking Stride sure has a lot secrets in his closet as well as his friends and just about anyone he meets.  Not sure I’d want to live in the same town with him.

My Rating:  

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

Ryan Perry is a millionaire with a heart condition that requires a heart plant within a year to avoid death.  As he awaits a heart from a matching donor, visions send him to different parts of the country in pursuit of answers to his growing paranoia.

Your Heart Belongs to Me is definitely not one of Koontz’s best works. The ending was totally out of character with the rest of the novel and there were too many subplots left with unexplained loose ends whose sole purpose appeared to be serving as filler.

My Rating:  

First Family by David Baldacci

I purchased this book before I realized it was the part of the Michelle/Sean series…automatic to purchase Baldacci whenever a new release is out.  The book started off slowly but kept me interested as it intertwined its way through two plots: first, finding and rescuing the kidnapped niece of the president’s wife and second, solving Michelle’s mother’s murder.  I enjoyed the second plot as it unfolded and revealed more of Michelle’s past demons. Although implausible, it was not nearly as outlandish as the main plot of the book involving the president and his wife. The “ya gotta be kidding me” parts of the plot kicked in when the first kidnapper note was received and continued to become more outlandish as the novel progressed. But I did keep reading and I did finish it. I vow to read the description on the book cover before buying anymore of Baldacci’s books. I really don’t want anymore of this series.

My Rating:  

Eva Juliette – Almost Done

I’ve finished the hand quilting and the only remaining item is the label for the back. This was an enjoyable project.

Eva Juliette – Hand Basted & Ready to Quilt

The final border has been added and I completed the hand basting this morning. The basting took a bit longer than I’d anticipated but was worth it. Against my better judgement (time constraint wise), I’ve decided to hand quilt it. I found a traditional loft polyester batting I really like. Usually I use the low loft polyester when hand quilting but I like this much better…definitely easier than a cotton batting.

Eva Juliette – First Border

I’ve completed the first border…

Eva Juliette

Our nephew welcomed his daughter, Eva Juliette, into the world on June 5th. In celebration, I’ve designed a baby quilt with a butterfly theme for her. Here’s the center section…

Kaleidoscope Star Wall Hanging

I finally finished this baby. This is my first major hand quilting project and I learned a lot….