Watercolor done. Now for ink.

Have watercolor across most of the board.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is my first journey with Dorothy Gilman and Mrs. Pollifax. It’s a fun story with a very likable main characters. I can see how the character continued on through another 13 books.

This first in the series has a great, if preposterous, premise. I love the idea of mistaken identity leading to a fantastic story. The troubles with this book, for me, is that the second half of the book is the expository of setting and escape. Severe editing would have made the book more concise and focused. I realize the intent is to see what Mrs. Pollifax will do next, but I would rather see what she would do with a plot moving forward not mired in a How-are-we-gonna-get-out-of-this one problem scenario.

The characters are very well written. Even a parrot is well placed and intriguing.

I’ve since picked up a few more Pollifax books and will give them a try down the road.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of 10 points.

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Christopher Lee noted with great story by illustrator (1 my favorites), William Stout: http://www.williamstout.com/news/journal/?p=4696 …

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Sorry about there not being any animation. What’s happening is that I’m heading to North Carolina and help out other family with an event and – hopefully – can surprise you with a special photo!

Happy Easter, all!
Thought I’d share my Swampy’s Florida wishes!

Met with my client/critter-sitter friend, Gina, back at Reececliff to go over a project and have your well suggested PIE! Apple, custard and sweet potato! Pie cheers to you, Vicky! Hope you can make it back down to Lakeland some day soon for pie!

The Hour of Death by William W. Johnstone

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book started so well! Really good writing! Then there was repetition of sentences in a few places. Then it became very evident that the Sixkiller character in this book was far away from the character in the first two books in the series. Then the book abruptly ends, wrapping up the story in a few pages after the build up.

I wonder what happened here. Seems there were multiple writers constructing the book. Whoever guided all this seemed to have had conflict with the writers. That would explain the repetition, the inconsistent character and the odd plotting.

Otherwise, the writing is some of the best of all the Johnstone collection. Though, that doesn’t salvage this book.

Bottom line: I don’t recommend this book. 3 of 10 points.

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A bunch of old friends gathered today for lunch! It’s Robert Kenndey, Charles Treadwell, me, Sue McNulty, Irina Zakharova and John Powers in south Orange County, Florida.

Helltown Massacre by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This second in the Family Jensen series is a huge step up from the first. The formula of multi-stories threaded into one again works far better. The plotting and writing is also stronger.

The characters are excellent across the board. This required extra effort in that there are multiple stories with very different characters that never interact.

There were a number of hints in the individual stories that consideration may have been to have those stand separate from the overall story.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 of 10 points.

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Ink/watercolor work done before tomorrow’s Palm Bay ‪#‎Valentine‬‘s Day card event! Watch for this art in the next few days on Swampy’s Florida!