Maudeen Wachsmith
ABOVE: THE THREE AMIGOS - Jody, Lissa,
Maudeen
A lifelong reader, Maudeen Wachsmith
has been writing reviews for the better
part of ten years. Despite the fact
that she had her books organized by the
Dewey Decimal System when she was in
grade school (she regrets that she
doesnít have nearly that amount of
organization today) and that her first
job was as an assistant librarian (at
the ripe old age of 14) fate intervened
and she embarked on a career as a
medical transcriptionist. During that
time as she was attempting to write
reports in such a way so the doctors
seemed worthy of their MD degrees, she
always had a lending library in her
office. After over 20 years in the
medical field as a transcriptionist,
medical report editor, and supervisor,
carpal tunnel syndrome ended her
career, and shortly thereafter she
opened up a new/used bookstore in
University Place, WA. During that
time she edited the fanzines, Love
Letters and Rawhide & Lace. Her
reviews and romance-novel related
articles have appeared in The Paperback
Forum, The Gothic Journal, PANdoraís
Box, The Peninsula Gateway, Affaire de
Coeur, Calico Trails, and several RWA
chapter newsletters. Her column,
"Romantically Speaking" appears at The
Romance Journal.
She has been active on the internet
since 1995, and has reviewed for
Amazon.com (both as a staff reviewer
and a freelance reviewer), Romance
Communications, Romancing the Celtic
Soul, Heart Rate Reviews, and Under the
Covers. In 1998 she founded the
Reviewers International Organization
(RIO) and at the present time serves as
the organizationís president.
She is active in her local RWA chapter
and recently embarked on a new venture
working in book promotion and as an
author assistant. She continues to
work on her own writing and has two
WIPs, a time-travel romance and a cozy
mystery.
Other than reading her hobbies include
traveling (fulfilling her lifelong
dream of visiting the UK and Ireland in
1999), antiques, researching genealogy,
collecting china cups and saucers, and
cheering on her favorite baseball team,
the Seattle Mariners.
A nearly lifelong Washington state
resident, sheís a recent-empty nester
and resides on the Olympic Peninsula
with her husband, cat and two dogs, and
a TBR pile numbering several
thousand books.
Theme Pages
Maudeen's Favorites
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Reviews
1 - 20 of 37
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Her Mother's Shadow
by Diane Chamberlain
"A powerful story of love and forgiveness"
Posted February 22, 2004
Do you remember the last time you started a book at 9:00
PM and read all night until you finished? I thought I was
too old to do that anymore, that surely no matter how good
a book was that I would fall asleep before long. I was
wrong. Last Read more...
The Firebrand
by Susan Wiggs
"A Fantastic Conclusion to a Terrific Series!"
Posted June 30, 2001
Talk about one series I hate to see end! I've been enjoying
Susan Wiggs's books for years, and have loved her series,
but this one has topped them all. It was so enjoyable on so
many levels it's hard to know where to begin.
Lucy, a heroine who's a bookseller Read more...
The Parting Glass
by Emilie Richards
"Stunning! Impressive! One of the best reads of the year!"
Posted June 15, 2003
Emilie Richards has followed up her impressive work,
WHISKEY ISLAND, with another story about the irresistible
Donaghue sisters. In this one, youngest sister Peggy is
featured, but we see plenty of sisters Megan and Casey as
well. Combining historical and contemporary elements
(present day Cleveland and County Read more...
Changing Habits
by Debbie Macomber
"This Book Shows Why Debbie Macomber is one of the most beloved authors writing today"
Posted April 10, 2003
Addressing a subject not often found in women's fiction,
Debbie Macomber has written a compelling book that is
absolutely unputdownable.
It's the late sixties -- a time of turmoil for many young
Americans. But three young women decide to use their lives
to serve God and become nuns.
Kathleen O'Shaughnessy, from Read more...
Good Hope Road
by Lisa Wingate
"A Book You'll Want to Tell Everyone About!"
Posted May 26, 2003
Remember the last time you read a book so wonderful you
wanted to tell everyone you knew about it? One such book is
GOOD HOPE ROAD which takes place in the aftermath of a
tornado. The book is told in alternating first person POV
by Jenilee Lane, a 21 year-old Read more...
Beach Roses
by Jean Stone
"Women's Fiction that Romance Readers will Enjoy"
Posted May 8, 2003
Rita Blair Rollins has no idea why Doc Hastings thinks she
is qualified to lead a women's breast cancer support
group. She figures they will soon find out just how
unqualified she is and find someone else. But being the
kind soul she is, she leaps to the Read more...
Behind The Scenes At Trading Spaces
by Editor Brian Kramer
"A MUST READ FOR EVERY FAN OF THE SHOW"
Posted April 10, 2003
BEHIND THE SCENES AT TRADING SPACES is just that. A never-
before-seen glimpse into what really happens during Trading
Spaces including a profile of each designer, each
carpenter, and Paige Davis, the host. What really went on
in Seattle when one of the homeowners left the room in
tears during the Read more...
1949
by Morgan Llywelyn
"Outstanding Historical Fiction"
Posted March 23, 2003
1949, the third book in Morgan Llywelyn's series about 20th
Century Ireland ( I am told there will be two more) is a
compelling story of Ireland's continued struggle for
complete independence from British rule, and for those who
have been anxiously awaiting for this story, I can assure
you, Read more...
Jolie Blon's Bounce
by James Lee Burke
"Another Great Book in Burke's Robicheaux Series"
Posted June 18, 2002
Dave Robicheaux, the alcoholic deputy sheriff of New
Iberia, Louisiana, is back with a new series of murders to
solve. This is the latest of twenty-one mysteries written
by Burke, not all about Dave Robicheaux. The old
characters including Tripod make an appearance but it is
not required Read more...
The Road To Eden Ridge
by M. L. Rose
"Combines two wonderful romances and country music"
Posted June 22, 2002
This is a wonderful story which is actually two stories in
one, about a girl from Maine, Lindsey Briggs, who
literally leaves her fiance at the church (OK, she does go
to the church and explains things to him) and goes off to
Nashville to seek fame and fortune Read more...
The Edge of Town
by Dorothy Garlock
"I Wish More Authors Wrote Books Set in this Era!"
Posted June 22, 2002
Dorothy Garlock has long been one of my favorite authors
and I have believed that her work has been of hardcover
quality for many years so it is wonderful that the
publisher has decided she is deserving of this as well.
With her hardcover debut, THE EDGE OF TOWN, she Read more...
Daughter of the Game
by Tracy Grant
"A story to be enjoyed by historical fans and mystery fans alike"
Posted May 19, 2002
Charles and Mélanie Fraser have a life many of their friends
envy -- a close, loving relationship, two beautiful
children, and a large home in London's Berkeley Square full
of devoted servants. Charles, a member of Parliament, the
grandson of a duke and a former intelligence officer adores Read more...
Cypress Point
by Diane Chamberlain
"An Outstanding Read from one of the Genre's Best"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted November 26, 2001
Diane Chamberlain has been one of my favorite authors of
contemporary women's fiction/romance for quite a while and
this book is typical of hers where she puts two interwoven
stories into one book. And what a book it is. I read it
in a day, something that is Read more...
True North
by Beverly Brandt
"A talented newcomer!!"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted January 7, 2002
Claire Brown is a workaholic. Her idea of a getaway is to
bring her cell phone and her computer along and take breaks
to order room service. But it's her fiancé's birthday and
she has found a lovely lodge in Aspen which offers
luxurious surroundings and adventure excursions Read more...
The Seat Beside Me
by Nancy Moser
"Would you die for a stranger?"
Posted October 22, 2001
Would you die for a stranger? In light of the horrible
events of September 11, 2001, this question has been asked
over and over again. Everyday people have been heroes as
well as those who have occupations where saving a human
being is often an everyday occurrence.
Read more...
The Spiral Path
by Mary Jo Putney
"Absolutely Brilliant!"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted January 25, 2002
Well, I finally finished THE SPIRAL PATH and all I can say
is WOW! This book is so richly textured and multi-layered,
I hardly know where to start gushing!
Hollywood couple Rainey Marlow and Kenzie Scott are in the
middle of a divorce. But Rainey has adapted a novel into Read more...
A Woman Betrayed
by Barbara Delinsky
"A Must-Read for Barbara Delinsky Fans"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted November 24, 2001
I have long believed that to bring out a book which was
originally available only in mass-market paperback as a
hardback was a way to rip-off consumers who think it is a
new book from one of their favorite authors instead of an
older one (think Sandra Brown, Linda Howard). Read more...
The Fiery Cross
by Diana Gabaldon
"Like a visit with old, dear friends"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted November 24, 2001
To say I looked forward to this book more than any other in
recent memory is an understatement. I was on a strict
budget and books were not in it. Especially not
hardbacks. But I could not NOT get this book. I started Read more...
A Rose By The Door
by Deborah Bedford
"Inspiring Story for All Ages"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted December 20, 2001
Bea Bartling's faith has been sorely tested. Her son
Nathan left under mysterious circumstances five years
previously for reasons known only to Bea and she's not
sharing. She has prayed fervently every day for his
return. What she doesn't count on is his return in a Read more...
Secret Vows
by Mary Reed McCall
"One of the Best Books of the Year!!"
Courtesy What I'm Reading
Posted November 2, 2001
It is absolutely unbelievable that this is a first time
author. Set in medieval England, its the story of
Catherine of Somerset who has recently become a widow. Her
brother-in-law, Eduard Montford, blackmails Catherine into
marrying Grayson de Camville, after his first choice (his
sister) dies. De Camville Read more...
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