Book Review - Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

Looking for a good weekend read?
May I recommend...
Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

The evil, sociopathic Elizabeth Avery, aka Sissy, was the focus of this suspense novel, the third of the Triple Threat series. Elizabeth didn't care who she manipulated or eliminated in order to satisfy her goal and her goal was to marry the handsome and wealthy Ian, a prominent attorney. When her ambition led her to the decision to kill Ian's ex-wife, Sara, and son, Noah, events began to tumble against her.
The Triple Threat in these novels were friends, Cassidy, a Channel Four crime reporter; Nicole, an FBI agent; and Allison, a federal prosecutor. Each of the women struggled with issues in their personal lives, as a sidenote to the crimes they were investigating. Cassidy worried about keeping her status at Channel Four when a young, pretty intern, Jenna, entered the scene. Allison had just had a miscarriage and her wayward sister, Lindsay, had moved in to Allison and her husband's home. Nicole found a lump in her breast and the big "C" word entered her life. All of the women came to know Elizabeth through a fitness class, not suspecting that she had a very dark side.

The author did an excellent job in creating characters, especially Elizabeth. The reader almost immediately senses that this woman is so wicked and completely cold, and I was disgusted by her approach to others and her criminal past. She grew increasingly conscienceless as the story progressed. We are also drawn into the lives of the Triple Threat girls and led to care very much about the personal issues they must cope with, while at the same time focusing on solving crimes.

I felt sometimes the scenes/chapters changed too abruptly and it took awhile to reset the mind to another event and story line. The pursuit of the "Want Ad" killer was a diversion that was not really developed or resolved, and it did at times interrupt the other plot line.

I gave the book a 4 star rating because it was a fun read, but really I knew who was behind all the crimes described in the book, so the suspense level was lower than I expected. I have not read the other two Triple Threat novels, but I would be interested now to follow the three women on some of their other adventures.

*This novel was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review. The review is totally my own opinion.

More Blasts from the Past - Ordway Style

 I'm still digging through boxes and envelopes of old photos - some labeled and some not. 
I've found many of interest, of course, and I'm hoping that someone out there can help with identification on some of these.

The photo to the left was labeled "Grandpa Butch" and that's Fred (aka Fritz) Ordway.
Anyone recognize the house?  Notice that he is standing on what looks like a place for holding horses and stepping up into a buggy or mounting the horse.

 I only recognize two in this photo.  I believe the second man from the left is Bib Gunter, Amasa's brother, and the fourth from the left is Phil Ordway.  I have some other photos with the middle fellow in them, but I don't know who it is.

The newspaper clipping below shows Phil Ordway on the left and little George Delph on butchering day in 1913..

The photo on the left below is Phil Ordway (1899-1990) and his beautiful bride, Bonnie Glick (1900-1947), mother to daughters, Lois (b. 1928) and Phyllis (b. 1937.)  I don't have a wedding date for them, but would guess the mid-1920's.

 This photo was taken on the porch of my great-grandparents, Lemuel and Lizzie Ordway's home before it was enclosed with screens, as I remember it.  On the left is Phil Ordway, in the center is his father, Lem, and Marie Ordway is on the right.  Obviously, lawn care was not a priority in those days!  I am just guessing that this photo was taken in the early 1920's. 

Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much for checking in on my blog.  I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2012.


Coming up  early next year are more book reviews and at least one book giveaway.  Check back the week of January 9th for more info and a chance to win.  I also have more family history and photos to post. 

Thanks again for your support!  Please comment once in awhile or contact me if you have family information on something I have posted.  I would love to hear from you!

 

A Word About the Simple Touch Nook

Last summer, I was lucky enough to win a Nook Simple Touch in a contest, and I'm so glad I did.  The first thing I did was buy a case for it, thinking that the odds of my dropping it or scratching the screen were high.

The Simple Touch is so easy to use, is very, very lightweight, and it fits neatly into my purse .  I thought I would use it mostly to take with me when traveling or when I knew I would have a long wait somewhere (aka airports and doctor's offices.)  

The display is clear and easy to read and navigate.  This photo shows my library and then suggests other books I might enjoy.  It is simple to adjust font size and the screen is totally touch for turning pages and using the menu.  The whole system is so easy that I now have learned how to borrow e-books from the library with it.

I usually turn off the wireless when not loading a book, just because then the battery lasts MONTHS before I have to recharge.  Books are easily purchased at B & N and within minutes after buying, they appear in my Nook.  Every Friday the Nook Blog offers a free book, too.

 I  am disappointed that often e-books are more expensive than their paper copies...just doesn't seem right. I may be interested in upgrading at some point as prices adjust, but for now, this Simple Touch is all I need. I can highly recommend for those looking for a basic e-reader.