Rebels Resurgent: Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville by William K. Goolrick

Rebels Resurgent: Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville by William K. Goolrick-176 pages

I am going to ALA in Washington, D.C. this summer and taking a little vacation afterwards. One of the places I am planning to visit is Fredericksburg, Virginia, so I am reading more on the battle. I am somewhat of a Civil War historian already, but I want to continue to grow in my knowledge on the subject and I am very excited to visit Fredericksburg. So many battles took place near Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War and I eventually really want to see all of them (as many as possible, at least). I enjoyed this refresher on the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and it still baffles me how inept many of the commanders of the Army of the Potomac (Union) were, especially in the early years.

Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews

Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews
(Meg Langslow #1)
311 pages

"So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones--each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointingly rumored to be gay, keeps Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors.

"And...Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests' closets. But it seems this lady has offended one too many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents--some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to-do list extends from flower arrangements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral..."  --from the publisher

What a fun and hilariously quirky book!  My only criticism is that the cast of characters is a bit long.  A few of the minor characters could easily have been left out without taking away from the story, and it would have been less confusing.  Regardless, I'm looking forward to the next in the series!