Publication Date: August 29, 2012

CreateSpace

Paperback; 254p

ISBN-10: 1478155582 

about the book

Following a 500-year-old mystery concerning a Flemish tapestry is routine work for Detective Claire DeMaere, since she's employed by the Newport Beach Art Theft Detail. But, unlike past cases, this one involves arresting Paolo Campezzi, lover to her best friend Nora. Mr. Campezzi is a distant descendant of a Florentine Duke, who commissioned the tapestry in 1520 in Bruges, Belgium. Claire finds that she must explore the true provenance of the tapestry, free Mr. Campezzi in order to re-establish her friendship with Nora and depend on the expertise of a textile expert she doesn't know. All this must occur in 72 hours, before the Vatican takes the tapestry back. But Claire isn't the only one with the Vatican looking over her shoulder. Claire's story intertwines with a 1520 diary by Beatrice van Hecke, the tapestry-weaver's daughter. Only Claire can discover the secret that is woven in time.

my thoughts

Fabulous story. I started reading this story this morning and could not put the book down until I finished, yes- it was that good!! 

The author takes us between 1520 Bruges and present day California. She cleverly weaves a tale of horrific corruption and betrayal. Not just any corruption but church corruption and cover ups. Throughout this tale we learn about the art of tapestry creation. This story is told from the point of view of two strong women, one a 16 year old girl from Bruges, the other a young art theft detective from modern times. We see this amazing tapestry of lives unfold through their stories. I was intrigued with the authors ability to utilize her characters to show church corruption in the past and the present. Just remember this is a work of fiction.

I look forward to more by this author.

About the Author

P.A. Staes is the author of The Bruges Tapestry; the first of the Clare DeMaere series of historical mysteries. To lend veracity to The Bruges Tapestry Ms. Staes traveled to Stirling Castle in Scotland, The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Cluny Museum and Gobelin Factory in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters to bring alive the rich and romantic world of tapestry.   Ms. Staes lives in Southern California with her husband and two dogs. 

For more information,

visit P.A. Staes at

http://www.thebrugestapestry.com/

also check out

http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thebrugestapestryvirtualtour/

http://www.passagestothepast.com/

Twitter Hashtag: #BrugesTapestryVirtualTour

It is the epic tale of a young man and his journey home after love and conflict.

Confronted by natural threats and life's challenges - from the famed outlaw Lester Carlyle to dealing with romance to the war itself - he must test his bravery and virtue to the full if he is to reach his homeland safely.

But the danger is no less severe nearer to him - he must come to terms with a love triangle.Two boys that were friends competing for the affections of the girl. Competition turns to conflict and an encounter with tragedy happens. The boy moves to the big city to begin his education and here he meets love, and all the difficulties attached.

It is an epic tale of action, adventure, romance and self discovery!

Thank you for downloading this, I really appreciate it.

above reference taken from Amazon.com page

my thoughts

R.A. Faith calls this book an'epic tale of action, adventure, romance, and self discovery'.

I'm not certain how to write this review.  While I applaud RA Faith's ability to write, I can't say I enjoyed this book.  I found it to be long and dispirited.  I had a difficult time reading it.  I kept putting it down and later picking it up to finish.  It took me a very long time to finish.   Too long.  I almost gave up.  I had no feelings either way for the main character. 
I did laugh and love the old man from the narrator's home town, now there was a character.  Blind and full of vinegar.

I'm not certain the average reader would stick with this book.  It was epic.  Reminded me too much of the books we were forced to read in school. 

3 stars

I RECENTLY READ AN

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

BOOK TITLED 

THE BRUGES TAPESTRY

by

P.A. STAES

We will be part of her book blog tour.

Check back on March19th for our review, 

and 

March 20th for a guest blog by Ms. Staes.

for more information on the blog tour

check out

HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK TOURS

about the book

Hashbrown Winters and the Phantom of Pordunce is the 3rd book in Frank L. Cole‘s Hashbrown Winter Series.  Can Hashbrown save the day? This snort-worthy, fun-filled roller-coaster ride of a book is guaranteed to get you giggling – assuming you can pry it away from your kids long enough to read it yourself.

my thoughts

Great story for kids. Just enough 'eeewww' to get kids laughing. Love Hashbrown and his buddies. These books contain the perfect amount of humor for a kid. They will love the kids of Pordunce elementary school, and their adventures. (I love Hashbrown's interactions with 'Thumbs'- a girl who beat him at a marbles competition.) I hope there are more Hashbrown stories.

http://franklewiscole.blogspot.com/

brought to you by http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/events/author-tours/

about the book:

Nate Rocks Is At It Again . . .

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work, and he still has to deal with the know-it-all, Lisa Crane. Luckily, there is a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all … the class trip to New York City in the spring. If his class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil, and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth-grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

my thoughts

I really love the NATE ROCKS series.  As a mother with a 12 year old boy, I am constantly searching for appropriate books for him to read.  The NATE series fills the bill.   The books are entertaining and imaginative.  The language is challenging without being overpowering.  As most parents are aware, it takes a wonderful storyteller to keep the attention of kids.   Karen is such a storyteller.  My son can sit and read about Nate's adventures in a single sitting.   

This particular book is perfectly timed, Nate's adventures in his school are perfect reading.  Nate's imagination is what brings these books to life.  When Nate actually becomes the hero of his school, it is not imagination but reality.  

We started reading about Nate's adventures last year, when Nate was a fourth grader.  He's now advanced to the fifth grade.  I hope we get to continue to see Nate grow.  I'd love to see his adventures continue.

about the author

Karen Pokras Toz lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. Karen’s middle grade children’s novels: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name and the Nate Rocks series, have won several awards including First Place for Children’s Chapter Books and the Grand Prize Overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Her first adult contemporary novel, invisible, will be released this summer. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com

(bio taken from Karen's goodreads page.

for information about the tour and a SWAG GIVEAWAY

 follow this link

http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com/2013/03/nate-rocks-is-at-it-again.html