Rating: 
Summary: not what I hoped for
Review: I thought it was a decent mystery. That aside, there are two types of novels I read: those I could recommend to my grandmother, and those I cannot. I read both, but unfortunately, this was in the latter category. And it's listed as a quilting novel, for goodness sake! Now I am just 30, not an old lady, and I am no prude; but the trucker's mouth on Benni Harper just wouldn't sit well with anyone else I know who enjoys quilting. Besides that, this book barely touches on quilting. For all that it affects the plot, she could be wrestling alligators. Disappointing, considering all Ms. Fowler's books have quilt pattern titles. If you are looking for a book that incorporates the spirit of quilting with a good story, I would recommend any of Jennifer Chiaverini's novels, or Alice's Tulips or The Persian Pickle Club, both by Sandra Dallas.
Rating:
Summary: not what I hoped for
Review: I thought it was a decent mystery. That aside, there are two types of novels I read: those I could recommend to my grandmother, and those I cannot. I read both, but unfortunately, this was in the latter category. And it's listed as a quilting novel, for goodness sake! Now I am just 30, not an old lady, and I am no prude; but the trucker's mouth on Benni Harper just wouldn't sit well with anyone else I know who enjoys quilting. Besides that, this book barely touches on quilting. For all that it affects the plot, she could be wrestling alligators. Disappointing, considering all Ms. Fowler's books have quilt pattern titles. If you are looking for a book that incorporates the spirit of quilting with a good story, I would recommend any of Jennifer Chiaverini's novels, or Alice's Tulips or The Persian Pickle Club, both by Sandra Dallas.
Rating:
Summary: I want to like it, but...
Review: I want to like the Benni Harper mysteries, I really do. I like the setting, I like the characters who surround Benni, I like the mysteries, which are well-handled, I even like the quilting connection, but I just can't like Benni. On the surface, she's everything a heroine should be, but she can't stop whining about her husband wanting to protect and care for her. As if that were something disgusting and shameful, that he shouldn't do. He's her HUSBAND! And he's a cop! Of course he wants to protect her! Would she somehow be happier if he didn't care what happened to her, and sent her off on her amateur detecting missions with a quick wave and nothing more? Surely, if he were in danger, she'd want to protect him. Wouldn't she? I don't know, but I'm starting to not care. The man is a saint, she treats him like dirt, and I don't know if I want to spend another 300 pages with someone I think is self-centered and whiny, when she has no reason to be. It's hard to like the book, if the main character is not likeable.
Rating: 
Summary: -Quilts, Mystery and Photography
Review: In this fifth book of the Earlene Fowler quilting series, the community of San Celina is getting ready for Heritage Days and Benni Harper, the curator of the local folk art museum is encouraging quilters, painters and photographers to complete their projects for the show. An exhibit of women artists who specialize in Western scenes is expected to be very popular with the visitors. Benni and her husband Gabe are still working out the kinks in their new marriage and the surprise visit of a former brother-in-law causes dissention between them. Grandmother Dove is as feisty as ever and cousin Emory visits from Arkansas. At the annual Harper family barbecue, a young and talented photographer is found dead and Benni's concerned because the young woman had confided a serious problem to her. There's always a lot going on in these stories and the author does a great job of keeping the reader interested in all of the different plots.
Rating:
Summary: You'll love Dove!
Review: Once again, Earlene Fowler had me hooked right from the beginning in this fifth book in her series. For those of us who love Grandma Dove, this book is especially wonderful since she is featured a bit more -- and there's a new man in her life! As with the other books, I feel I know Benni and Gabe as I read. Great reading.
Rating:
Summary: Iloved this one
Review: San Celina, California native Benni Harper is curator of the Josiah Sinclair Folk Art Museum and Artist's Co-op. Her spouse of nine months, Gabe Ortiz is the local chief of police. The couple are looking forward to a blissful day at the annual Ramsey day after Thanksgiving barbecue. When Wade Harper, brother of her deceased first husband, suddenly appears, Benni is flooded with memories of the man she once loved. Gabe is unhappy with Wade's appearance because he does not trust him and is jealous of the shared memories of a ghost that he feels he cannot compete against. However, all the personal feelings are placed on hold when one of the local artists is murdered on Ramsey property just hours after a fiery incident involving Wade. When the victim's boy friend is also killed, the sheriff considers Wade as the prime suspect. In spite of Gabe's misgivings, Benni begins to investigate the double murders so that she can keep Wade free and she can close the book on her past. What she has not yet learned is that she has placed her own life in great peril. DOVE IN THE WINDOW is a first rate relationship drama that is wrapped inside an intriguing who-done-it. Earlene Fowler pays as much detail to Benni's relationships and mental state as she does to the crime drama. This dual technique brilliantly merges together, turning the novel into an emotionally satisfying mystery. The addition of old friends as secondary characters leave the audience feeling as if they are visiting the small California town for the festival. Ms. Fowler is a very talented writer, who gets her readers involved with the mystery and the characters. This is a series worth reading. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: You'll love Dove
Review: This is Earlene's fifth book in the series and you know that with Dove in the title, Grandma Dove will be featured a bit more. I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last and didn't want the book to end. I highly recommend it!
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