Greetings of the Season, A Regency Collection by Barbara Metzger, 194 pages

There is just something fun about a collection of regency short stories with a Christmas theme that are romantic, fast-paced, and humorous, and Barbara Metzger is one of the best at combing those characters. I was excited to get to review this book and it didn't disappoint.

Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey, by The Countess of Carnarvon, 272 pages

With the success of Downton Abbey, everyone is fascinated by the house and family behind the show. This book, written by the current Countess of Carnarvon, looks at not only the history of the house but the family that the show is based upon. Fans of Egyptology recognize the name of Carnarvon as the partner of Howard Carter, the men who discovered King Tut's tomb. The struggles the family faced to save the house during and after WWI and WWII are featured, along with many personalities that visited the estate. This was an informative read, that was engaging at the same time. Fans of both English history and Downton Abbey will want to give this a read.

Villains, Scoundrels, and Rogues by Paul Martin, 300 pages

This was a fascinating review copy I got to read, featuring some of the worst of the worst in American history. Slave traders, outlaws, and even the cop who deserted his post as Abraham Lincoln's bodyguard are featured. The book was well-written and entertaining, with many characters chosen that I'd never heard of before. I finished the book with a craving to learn more about the characters featured.

Five Little Peppers and Their Friends by Margaret Sidney, 209 pages

Another Five Little Peppers book.

Five Little Peppers Abroad by Margaret Sidney, 199 pages

I've been working my way through the Five Little Peppers books. These are around one hundred years old, and I'd read the first one as a child, but never realized there were more in the series. Just a nice touching read that reminds me of Little Women.

The Big Book of Missouri Ghost Stories by Troy Taylor, 278 pages

This was a very well-written collection of Missouri ghost stories. It featured some old favorites and some I'd never heard of. The combination of history mixed with the ghost stories added a new depth that usually found in ghost story collections. A great read, all in all.

Towering by Alex Flinn, 296 pages

Alex Flinn does fairy tale retellings that have been updated to modern times. This one is a take on Rapunzel, with the lettuce being a drug (what else would have a woman willing to trade her baby for it?) I enjoyed the book, feeling that it was quite strong up until the very end. I felt like it fell apart just a little bit and wrapped up way too neatly, but still a good teen read.