Reviewing The Dead Travel Fast

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourne


I usually don’t read gothic novels, but I’ve enjoyed Deanna Raybourne’s Lady Julia Gray series so much that I decided to give this one a try. I had a hard time putting this book down, I read this book in just 2 days, and I’m not a fast reader.

This book is full of mystery, suspense, and Transylvania superstition (are the vampires and werewolves real or not, I’m still not sure). There’s a dark and brooding Count, complete with an old castle on a mountain, frightened villagers, and a very strange murder. And, of course, a young, single English woman traveling on her own. Oh, there’s also a curse.

It’s a brilliant book, written in first person narrative. The characters are fascinating and strange. The atmosphere is rather creepy. It has inspired me to finally read Bram Stroker’s ‘Dracula”.

My review of “The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree” by Susan Wittig Albert

I wanted to wait until my Dad (aged 87) and my Aunt (89) had had a chance to read this book The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (Darling Dahlias Mysteries) before writing this review because they lived through the Great Depression. They got a big kick out of reading about the prices back then. My Aunt remembers loafs of bread for 5 cents, penny candy (it really was just a penny), penny postcards, and 3 cent stamps. My Mom used to tell me about buying a pound of broken waffle cones for 5 cents back then when she was little (they would have those instead of cookies). They, and my Mom, grew up in Milwaukee, WI. From all that they’ve told me, the people in this story weren’t too bad off yet.


The book is set in 1930, in the fictitious town of Darling, Alabama. The Darling Dahlias is a gardening club which 12 members. The first 2 chapters are a little slow because of the character and setting set-up, but the book does start to get exciting in the third chapter. And the excitement continues to the end of the book. There’s a prison break, a murder, a ”ghost”, mysterious digging during the night, and trouble at the bank.

The characters are richly diverse and fascinating. The historical setting is very interesting, especially compared to today and our current economic situation. The author/characters have included tips on how to survive with less money. My parents and Aunts have told me many stories of the things that they and their parents did to make things last longer and go farther during the Great Depression, and the tips in the books fit right in.

We all really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series (as well as the next China Bayles Mystery).

Danika Holmes - Second Chances

Danika Holmes debut CD Second Chances is a delight. I enjoy each of the 11 tracks.


Danika is a bright new talent. She sings, writes, and plays guitar and piano. I could really hate her (what, me, jealous? LOL).

1. Half As Strong As You - Very emotional, unfortunately the instrumentals almost drown out the vocals.
    This is the only track that has that problem.

2. Unlit Match - Good song, reminds me of the old “torch” songs like “Fever”. Danika does a good job. I
    really like this song.

3. You Make A Bad Day Good - Great slow dance song. Fits Danika’s voice very nicely. I really like this
     one.

4. Annie May - A good old fashion ballad (I ‘m a sucker for ballads) that covers the important moments in
    America during the 20th & beginning of the 21st Centuries. I love this one. Vocals are perfect. Beautiful
    acoustic guitar and piano.

5. Lock Me In Tonight - Go see the video. LOL

6. If You Love Me, Just Say It - Great C&W. Good tempo, I can see people line dancing to this.

7. Sounds Like Goodbye - Heartbreaking song. Danika sings it well and the music is beautiful.

8. Time For A Change - Reminds me of a classic early R&R song. You know , the ones from the 50s that
     have a bit of C&W to them. JMO. (Or is it just the opposite? C&W with a bit of R&R). Whatever, I like
     it.

9. Pockets Full Of Gold - This is like the folk music of the 60s. Another great song, well done Danika &
    company.

10. Second Chances- A great soul searching song.

Bonus Track: Dear Friends - The best thank you I’ve ever heard.

Keep going Danika. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more of your music. Maybe, someday I’ll get the chance to you in live concert.

Check out her website @

http://danikaholmes.com/

Fun book to read.

Last week I read Eileen Davidson (http://eileendavidsonbooks.com/content/index.asp) latest book in her Soap Opera Diva series. This book Diva Las Vegas: A Soap Opera Mystery was just as much fun to read as the previous two, filled with suspense, mystery, danger, and craziness. I always thought that being a TV star was a life filled with glamour, not anymore.


Alexis (Alex) Peterson is a soap opera star, and a single Mom trying to make a stable life for her 5 year old daughter and make ends meet after her husband, Randy, runs away with all the money. Alex’s Mom also lives with them in Venice, CA. Alex’s best friend, and partner in mischief, is her hairdresser George. Her latest boyfriend is Frank Jakes, or as George calls him Detective McHandsome, an LAPD homicide detective.

Alex gets invited to the big Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion by Shana, former Playmate and ex-wife of a co-star. Shana tells Alex that she needs to speak with her about a problem since Alex’s boyfriend is a cop. Alex, as Little Bo Peep, brings George, as a Sheep, with her. The description of the costume is wonderful and funny I could see and feel them clearly in my mind. While Alex and George are waiting for Shana to return from a photo shoot they decide to go through the Haunted House and find a freshly murdered body.

Following clues to the identity of the killer, Alex and Jakes go to Las Vegas (bending the law just a little), where they learn of another victim, and then back to LA. In LA, they learn that one of the people they talk to in Vegas has been murdered and another one has disappeared. They find that the motive for the murders lies in the artificial world of medicinal beauty products (how very Hollywood). Alex, once again, almost gets killed stumbling across the killers, something she seems to have a rare talent for, but Jakes is there to rescue her.