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February 17, 2017 - March 3, 2017

This contest period's winners were Beth B., Jane M. and Kay C., who each received a copy of I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh and THE MOTHER'S PROMISE by Sally Hepworth.

 

Rosa
All That's Left to Tell by Daniel Lowe

5
What an impressive debut novel. It was in my TBR pile until I received the email (form letter) from Elizabeth Strout, encouraging me to read the book. Since I love Strout's work, this was the next book I picked up. It sucked me in right at the beginning and I was entirely immersed in the layers of stories, sometimes confused about what was reality and what wasn't, but not caring. The writing is luminous. I savored the words and read every one. This is a tribute to the gift of storytelling and how it can save us from ourselves.

Lorraine Bowen
A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock

4
High society, 1913 thru the 1920s. Money does not always buy you love as Vera Longacre-Bellington finds out.Great read. Well-written storyline.

Jill
Sleep in Peace Tonight by James MacManus

4
This fictionalized story centers around Harry Hopkins, closest confidant of Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), and of his trips to London before America entered World War II. Churchill is trying to convince him and, by extension, FDR to give the Brits everything they need to fight the Germans and for the U.S. to enter the war. The other story, and arguably the main one, is of how Harry falls in love with his driver, Leonora, who may or may not be just another innocent driver (but may have a more clandestine role than merely driving him around). In any event, the author has obviously done his research to recapture the feel of wartime England and in painting a rich picture of Harry Hopkins.

Anne
Echoes in Death by J. D. Robb

5
Another great suspense about Lt. Eve Dallas & Roarke. The "...in Death" plots are always well thought out and while each stands alone, it's great to revisit the characters and see what has happened since the last book. This series is one I have re-read time and time again because these books are that great.

Regina
The Girl Before by Rena Olsen

5
There are two books out now called THE GIRL BEFORE. This one is by Rena Olsen and it is a page-turner ( read til 3:30 a.m. by your scribe.) It is one of those books told first in the present and then in the past until it all gels. It is not disconcerting like some past/present books but flows well. The story is a gut wrencher but the reader does not know it until things start to not add up. Best book I have read all year.

Judy O.
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

4
I recently saw a book by this author on the shelf at the library, and I suddenly remembered all the books written by her that I had enjoyed through the years. This one was written in 2009. I decided to read it again, and I am glad I did. It is about a couple from the United States who moved to India after their 7-year-old son died of a terrible infection throughout his body. Frank, the husband, falls totally in love with the 9-year-old son of their Indian cook. He becomes obsessed with the boy, which eventually results in a tragedy. I am going to read some of her other books again.

Linda
Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst

4
Morgan Raines had a six-month time period in which to build a house for her celebrity clients and she was determined to hire Pierce Brothers Builders, long considered to be the best. She sabotaged the deal Caleb Pierce had that would establish him in the green builder’s category. Caleb had no choice but to tell Morgan he and his brothers would build the house to her specifications. This involved working closely with Morgan, and the more he worked with her the more attracted to her he was. The attraction soon flourished into a full-time affair. Morgan was unable to have children and knew she had to tell Caleb since he had said he wanted a houseful of kids. She was afraid he would leave her. Was their love strong enough to withstand this?

Linda
Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer Probst

4
Dalton Pierce is known as a playboy who never wants to settle down. When he meets Raven Hawthorne, the sexy bartender, he is determined to get to know her better. She had met his kind many times before and was determined to brush him off. He did some work in her bar and they were together daily. Their friendship soon blossomed into something else. The more they were together, the more they fell in love. Raven had something she needed to tell Dalton but was afraid that he would leave once he learned her secret. How can she tell him that her father was the man who was in the car crash with his mother? He was the man she was running away with and leaving her sons behind.

Linda
Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis

4
Pru Harris is a captain on a local sightseeing boat and lives in the nearby Pacific Pier Building. Next door is O’Riley’s Pub owned by Finn and Sean O’Riley. Sean is the younger brother and a natural flirt with the ladies. Finn is more serious but notices Pru when she first comes into the pub. Although shy, she finally talks with Finn and their friendship develops into romantic interest. Pru has a secret that she needs to tell Finn but is afraid when she does, their romance will end. Jake, her friend and boss, tells her the longer she puts it off the harder it will be, but the right time never seems to come up. How can she tell him that her parents were the drunk drivers who killed his father in the terrible accident?

Linda
The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans

5
Aria is a waitress in a small town. She combats her loneliness by writing a blog. Alex is divorced and lonely and searches "loneliness" on the web. He finds Aria's blog and finds himself concerned for the blogger known as LBH. Using clues posted by the blogger, he tracks her to a small town. He tries to find a person with the initials LBH with no luck and confides in Aria. She doesn't tell him she is the blogger. When he finds out, he is angry with her and leaves her. Once home, Alex realizes he loves her and does not want to lose her. Is it too late? This is a great, heartwarming romance that you will fall in love with.

Linda
Wild Wicked Scot by Julia London

5
Pampered English Lady Margot Armstrong was told by her father that she would marry Scottish chieftan Arran MacKenzie. Her pleas fell on deaf ears. She fell in love with her husband but not his cold and dreary castle and the unfriendly people. She ran back to England but missed Arran. Now three years later, she is back and looking for proof that Arran is not a traitor. She was told that he planned to bring French troops into England to fight against the crown. Others in Scotland said that he is a traitor and a Jacobite and wanted to put a Scottish king on England’s throne. He is not a traitor and she has to find proof. Even though their nights are as hot as ever, he doesn’t trust her and knows she is up to something.

Linda
If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell

5
Lady Dorothea (Thea) Beaumont has been banished to Ireland after ruining her mother’s plot to marry her to the Duke of Harland. She wants nothing more than to remain in Ireland and catalog the paintings found in a neighboring mansion, but the Duke of Osborne emphatically tells her no. Thea is determined and returns to London where she confronts him at a ball. He still refuses but he has no idea how determined Thea is or how his heart will find what his head refuses to see. This was a delightful story of love unfolding between two headstrong individuals.

Gladys
I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

5
This is a fascinating book providing a bit of everything -- love, hate, suspense, humor, fear. I found myself anxious to see what the next chapter would include. The book contains over 300 pages, is well-written and entertaining throughout. The dialogue is outstanding. I am anxious to read more by this author.

Linda
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

5
When a young woman inherits a castle, she gets more than she bargained for. She had been a writer of fanciful stories of knights, maidens, and castles and now she owned a castle. The Gostley Castle had been the seat of the Rothbury dukedom and the current Duke was also in residence and not about to give up his castle. However, she claimed to be its new owner. A clash of wills turns into a charming love story that could not have been written better by the young woman herself.

Linda
Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

3
When a young woman has been engaged to a lord for eight years and everyone is making bets on whether the marriage will actually occur or not, it is time for the engagement to end. The engagement was really made between the fathers of the two families and the young people agreed to it, but did they really know each other? Clio Whitmore has changed and she is sure Piers Brandon has too. In fact, she has realized it is not Piers who she loves but his brother Rafe. Rafe is a prize fighter and totally different from his staid brother but he is the man for Clio. Now what is to be done about Piers? Although a good story, I did not like the characters of Clio or Rafe.

norene
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

5
Great book. I learned a lot.

Brenda
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

5
What a wonderful story with unforgettable characters in Captain Kidd and young Johanna. It had pretty much everything you might want in a story -- great characters, action, suspense, familial love, genuine care for others. Vividly captures the surroundings and the people of the time period (1870s). It was amazing to me that such a great story that had so much content was contained in a very spare book - only 200 pages. For me, Captain Kidd is the best Western character since Gus in LONESOME DOVE.

Carol
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

2
Read this for bookclub. Found it impossible to sympathize with any of the characters. Took forever to wade through this tome.

Susan
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

3
I liked BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley. The book is written in present day and past and in different characters' views. The author did a good job of character and plot development. I felt the author rushed the ending. The author brought the book to the conclusion and then it ended. If the ending had more substance, I would have given it 4 stars.

Chris
The Whistler by John Grisham

5
Excellent legal story. Highly recommend!

Bobbie
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
Really good read. Expect special discussion about our predudices. Not happy with part of the ending! "Leopards don't change their spots."

Mindy
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

5
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast, easy read. It didn't end the way I wanted it to, but all the loose ends were tied and it probably made for a better ending. I loved how it took place in the wine country of California. I was there on vacation several years ago and really liked it, so it was easy to imagine the characters being there.

LINDA
Victim of Love by Christa Maurice

4
I freely chose to review this book, and although the sex was too much for my taste, I did enjoy the story of Tara and Rick. Tara Fingold was on break from teaching in Conception, Chile where it is was always cold. She decided a hot beach in Brazil was just right. Rick Lincoln, bass player for the band SendDown had watched the girl in the tiny red bikini reject a man after his attempts to be with her, and it was rumored that she was a hooker like the other women at the resort. Rick only knew that she was reading an English book and she must be a tourist that spoke English and he craved talking to her and getting her to have dinner with him before he took her in her bed.

Ivy
Joyland by Stephen King

5
When Devlin Jones takes a summer job at Joyland, an amusement park on the coast in North Carolina, he is introduced to a cast of rubes, as they are called in the business, and a story of murder that has lingered unsolved in the Horror House for years. Linda Gray's ghost is not going to rest. So it is only a matter of time before Joyland is on the road to becoming something truly sinister.

Nancy
The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas

4
This was our book group book this month. We all enjoyed reading it and had different opinions why we liked it. It takes place in Colorado during the gold rush. The midwife is the desired choice to deliver babies. We all agreed we were happy we did not live then. I like Sandra Dallas' books because each one is about a time in American history.

Nancy
The Spy by Paulo Coelho

4
I loved THE ALCHEMIST, a previous book by this author, and was looking forward to reading his newest one for several reasons. First, it's the story of Mata Hari, about whom I knew little, and second, it was short! Right now, I've been reading a lot of books by authors who will be at the Savannah Book Festival this weekend, and it was good to take a break with something short, easily readable, and fascinating. From the little I knew about her, I had never considered the possibility that Mata Hari might have been innocent. The book suggests that while she was definitely guilty of prostitution, the question remains whether she was actually a spy. An interesting read.

Marilyn
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

5
This is a wonderful family saga. It is the story of a Korean family starting in 1932. During that period until 1989 this hard working family has to cope with being second class citizens in Japan. They endure tragedy and abuse from the Japanese during and after World War II. It is informative and interesting to read about this plucky family. A definite must-read!

Susan
The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth

4
A single mother is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, terrible news for anyone. It's especially tough for Alice who has a teen-age daughter, Zoe, who has a social anxiety disorder. The cancer journey is very realistically documented. As a cancer survivor (not ovarian), I can tell you how accurate her reactions and process is. It was not necessarily a journey I wanted to go on, but at least it was accurate. Alice has a real problem, she needs help. She has to acknowledge it and then find it.

Tessa B C
Homemade Sin by Kathy Hogan Trochek

3
This is a pretty good series. I like the premise of the House Mouse cleaning service for these cozy mysteries; Trochek gives the reader a nice cast of colorful supporting characters who work for the heroine. Callahan Garrity is a strong, intelligent, resourceful woman. It’s a speedy read, the action is fast-paced, and I like the characters. I’ll read more of the series.

Lynn W
Longbourn by Jo Baker

3
An "expansion" of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, but with the servants in the main roles. Interesting.

Allison
Beach Season by Lisa Jackson, Cathy Lamb, Holly Chamberlain, and Rosalind Noonan

5
Excellent book.

Nina Morse
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

5
I loved this book. It was fresh, witty and a great follow up to THE ROSIE PROJECT. In the first book, Don sets out to find a wife. In this book, he is married to Rosie. The fun begins when she gets pregnant.

Sharon
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

3
The protagonist has amnesia due to violence done to her. Her husband continues to claim it was an automobile accident, although in those times when there seems to be some returning memory, she has the sense that it was something different. The book does give one the terrible feeling that amnesiacs must have, to have no memories upon which to base a future.

Cammie
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

5
I love books with alternating chapters. This one does this with a present day storyline involving an elderly father and his two daughters; the alternate chapters are letters written by the wife/mother before she left them many years before.

Elizasbeth
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton

5
I cannot praise THE SECRET WISDOM OF THE EARTH enough. What a wonderful novel! After a horrific accident,14-year-old Kevin and his mother go to Kentucky to spend the summer with her father, Kevin’s grandfather "Pops.” The story develops with the friendship between Kevin and a boy his age, Buzzy, from a poor but proud hillbilly family in the area. But this is not just a coming-of-age story. It’s also about the wisdom and intelligence of Pops, small-town life, beautiful mountains and lakes being destroyed by “mountaintop removal,” hate crime, and rednecks and all coming to can’t-put-it-down pages describing a hiking trip in the mountains and Buzzy’s and Kevin’s struggle to save Pops. Do yourself a favor: read this book.

Nancy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

5
I thoroughly enjoyed this author's writing style and it drew me in from the begging until the end of the book. A wonderful story that also educated me - learning more about immigrants and the country that this couple came from and their culture.

Donna
The Dog Who Was There by Ron Marasco

4
I'm a Christian and a dog lover, so this story touched me deeply. Barley, the dog, tells us about his experience of being abandoned as a young pup and his encounters with a variety of people, both kind and mean. He, accidentally, witnesses the final days of Christ when seeking one of his masters.

Sandy
Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom

5
Terrific read on a sad time in our nation's history. Strong character development. Showing compassion, honesty, and ability to overcome racial issues.

Carolann
From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming

5
I am reading all of the James Bond books by Ian Fleming. There are 14, and this one is #5. They are great! Better than the movies!!

Burma
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle

4
This book is so good. Iris is shocked to find out a plane crashed with her husband, Will, on it. He was supposed to be going on a business trip to Florida, but the airline tells Iris Will was on a plane to Seattle that crashed with no survivors. The suspense just kept building as Iris tries to find out everything about why Will was going to Seattle. There are so many twists, and the ending is a shocker!

ROSEMARIE
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

5
One of my favorite authors...and again he does not disappoint. Story of a mother who disappears one night and how her family searches for her. Learned a lot from this book -- lots of info on sleepwalkers and how difficult their lives can really be. Well written - I could not stop reading - had to find out what happened to this mother...

Kelli
The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell

4
THE FLAME BEARER does not disappoint fans of Bernard Cornwell. Although it continues his saga of The Saxon Tales, THE FLAME BEARER stands alone as well. Historical detail, memorable characters and colorful dialogue combine to make this a great book!

CYNTHIA
Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese

5
An up-close and personal picture of four homeless people, how they arrived at that station in life and how they're coping with it. An unexpected meeting with a "savior of sorts" who has his own needs.

marion
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

2
I loved MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND by Simonson and I looked forward to reading this book. However, it was just okay. The characters were not interesting and the story itself was very predictable. I hope her next attempt is better.

CYNTHIA
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

5
The Moscow setting for this novel is very revealing. The title character is so well developed that the reader can picture him. Courtesy and politeness are mainstays that are not evident in today's everyday American society.

Jamie
Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

4
This book had it all - quirky characters, an interesting storyline, humor, sadness, love, suspense, timely topics. It really was unlike anything I've ever read before. I definitely recommend it. My book group enjoyed it, and there was a lot to discuss.

Margaret
Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice by Colum McCann

5
Given to me by Random House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could! It will become the "go-to" reference for both new and experienced writers. There is much beneficial info and recommendations from the author and it's all done in 52 short essays. Each essay is headlined with a meaningful quote from a famous writer. You don't have to be writing a novel to find this book helpful. We all write a letter, memo, social media post, or perhaps a book review. Mr. McCann lists rules for writing & then encourages you to break them! There is so much useful info in such a small amount of space.This is a book to hang onto because each essay is like having a consultation with a splendid teacher!

Lynn W
Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich

3
About two-thirds through this book I asked myself why I keep reading this series. It surely isn't for the plot (barely one and usually predictable) or because I learn something (never!). It comes down to hilarious situations and laugh-out-loud fun. Stephanie and Lula, Morelli and Ranger, a dash of Connie, Vinnie, and Grandma...may they brighten one of my annual weekends forever!

ILene
The Illegal Gardener by Sara Alexi

5
I loved THE ILLEGAL GARDENER. What a wonderful relationship between a newly divorced Juliet coming to Greece from England, moving into a dilapidated farmhouse, that needs a lot of restoring. Just in time along comes Aaman who has traveled to Greece from Pakistan illegally. He needs a job and between the two of them they turn her house and garden into something they are both proud of. Along the way he gets arrested before he can make enough money for his harvester that he needs for his village. Juliet makes a considerable effort to find him.

Sandy
A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay

5
I always love the books by this author and this one was no exception. Drawn into a nightmare of secrets, lies, and cover-ups in his small upstate New York town, Cal Weaver knows that the only thing that can save him is the truth. And he's about to expose the town's secrets one by one...if he lives long enough. The ending is a real shocker.

LINDA
Sea Panther by Dawn Marie Hamilton

5
I freely chose to review this ARC from an author that is new to me, and I WAS SPELLBOUND with her AWESOME gift of telling Kimberly and Robert's story! The book is filled with a riveting plot, vampires, cougar shifters, and hitmen so that you almost need a score card to keep track of the bad guys! I loved the way Robert fought off his two monsters deep inside to protect Kimberly, and I loved Kimberly's wit and take-charge attitude. I can't wait to read the next book!

Jan
The Trespasser by Tana French

4
This is the first Tana French mystery that I have not rated as 5. This book was slow - a lot of stuff that was not relevant to the mystery. Steve Moran and Antoinette Conway, both detectives that we have seen before, work to discover who murdered a beautiful young woman in her home. The man she had invited for dinner knocks on her door, phones her and finally gives up because he thinks she has dumped him. Later he is the prime suspect in her killing. Her best friend is reluctant to tell all she knows. The mystery is great, withheld info, misleading info, who to believe - and a lot of self-doubt from Conway, which gets boring. As usual, Tana French is a great writer.

Beatrice
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

5
Unusual love story with a strange ending.

Kathleen
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

4
A New York socialite, a German doctor, and a Polish girl, all leading separate lives, are thrust into the horrors of World War II. Ravensbruck concentration camp, an all female camp, becomes the intersection point for two of the characters. Their experiences will change their lives forever. The socialite has dedicated her life to helping those suffering during the war. Her path eventually leads to the doctor and Polish girl. While a piece fiction, the characters are based on real people. Having read several books on World War II, this book contained so much information I wasn't familiar with and was a real page-turner.

Sandi
The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso

3
Two well-educated old ladies living next door to each other - one white and one black - in the 1950s. Both women had lost their husbands. There was no love lost between these two women; they bickered about everything. Only the hedge between their properties kept them apart, when all of the sudden, due to an unfortunate accident, the two women are thrown together - living together. Does this mellow their animosity or further incite it? This is a mellow novel, nothing explosive, detailing the everyday life of two rich women in Africa during apartheid, and how each in their own way faced and solved problems.

Burma
The Twilight Wife by A. J. Banner

5
I loved this book. Kyra has been in a diving accident and is on an island with her husband. She cannot remember anything from the last four years. The dread and suspense just keeps building. I did not want to stop reading this book. If you liked BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, you will love this novel. I would love to see a sequel to find out what happens with the characters. Highly recommend!

Lynn W
Home By Nightfall (A Charles Lenox Mystery) by Charles Finch

3
Always enjoy reading a book in this series. Charles needs to solve two murders: one in the village near his family's country estate and the other in London.

Donna
Paris for One by Jojo Moyes

3
A group of short stories that women can relate to. The women in these stories make life-changing decisions that bring joy to their everyday lives. Cheering for these ladies.

Rochelle
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

3
This was categorized as a psychological thriller. I feel it should have been categorized as a supernatural thriller. Although I think it was fairly well written I am not a fan of supernatural. I also didn't really sympathize with any of the main characters.

Mary Lou
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

5
This is a wonderful, simple story of a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey, who comes to the States to get a job. She lands in “small town” Brooklyn, and makes a life for herself, with the help of the local parish priest. The time is the early 1950s. Eilis is smart and very reserved. Her inner dialogue is a large part of the book. Eilis falls in love with a sweet and kind man, but must return to Ireland when a sudden family emergency happens. Eilis’ time in Ireland is real and her conflicts are authentic. Should she stay or should she go back to Brooklyn? I loved this book. This is my second time through, as it is my book club’s selection this month. I have seen the film as well. The book is relatively short - 262 pages. Highly recommended.

Brady
By Their Father's Hand by Monte Francis

4
After a verdict is reached, this nonfiction book goes into too much detail of the aftermath, yet it certainly does not detract from the story. Mr. Wesson had a warped mind as to what he was doing and also knew exactly what he did. His lifestyle was gross, to say the least, and I could never imagine a human being could live life the way he did. His family was huge and damaged because of him.

Joanne
The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans

5
I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Being a Richard Paul Evans fan, I await every year when his new Christmas book comes out. It's a very easy read but is filled with a bit of spirituality as well as romance. Just another of his great books.

Joanne
Where Yesterday Lives by Karen Kingsbury

5
I loved this read. It's another one of Karen's great novels. This book looks at family dynamics when the father of the family dies unexpectedly. This is filled with emotions and coming to grips with the past as well as dealing with the present.

Bonnie
History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund

3
Nicely written but, oddly, not compelling at all.

Phyllis
Gilded Cage by Vic James

4
Modern-day Britain is divided between the Equals, aristocrats who rule with magical gifts, and Unequals, commoners who must commit to 10 years of slave days. GILDED CAGE is the story of a family of Equals, the Jardines, and a family of Unequals, the Hadleys; their lives become intertwined when the Hadleys sign up for their slave days as a family. It’s a novel of drama, politics, revolution and passion. GILDED CAGE does a great job creating this seductive world, developing the characters and setting the stage for the sequel. I received an advance reader's edition from the publisher.

Janet
Desert Vengeance by Betty Webb

5
Lena Jones is back for another thrilling adventure. This book deals with a problem close to Lena's heart, child abuse and the abuser who help destroy her childhood. The author deals with this subject sensitively. The culprit was a surprise I didn't see coming. Fans of this series will enjoy this latest installment.

Janet
Daufuskie Island by John Lueder

4
Interesting book about time travel. It reminded me of a book that I really enjoyed when I was young, HALF MAGIC. In my opinion, this is more of a young adult novel, although younger readers and adults might enjoy it as well. Lots of history here. Well written, although some characters I didn't really like. Daufuskie Island is located off the coast of South Carolina. The island sounds like a paradise and a good winter vacation spot.

Janet
The Guests on South Battery by Karen White

5
Melanie and Jack are back for another ghostly adventure, along with the mysterious Jane. Good mystery, albeit easy to figure out. The main characters are growing with each novel in the series. In my opinion, you could read this novel as a stand-alone. Wonderful series.

Linda
Belle Cora by Phillip Marguiles

4
It is fiction with good research. Belle Cora is only one of the names that the main character in this book uses during her long lifetime in the 1800s. Now that I finished the book, I fear that if I started telling the story to someone it would sound like a soap opera. Usually I would turn my nose away from either a soap opera or chick lit. If this is chick lit, it is well-written chick lit. I was not familiar with the author or the book prior to it being picked for my library's book discussion. All through my reading, I wondered what shoe was going to drop next. Basically, it's the story of a strong woman who did was she needed to do to survive when she had no one else to rely on. For that, I really liked this book.

Judy O.
The Dry by Jane Harper

3
I really wanted to like this book more than I did after all the hype that preceded it. The story takes place in Australia during a two year drought. A family is murdered, and Federal Agent Aaron Falk is on the case. The beginning was very promising, and the end was exciting, but a lot of the middle section was dry and boring. I'm glad I finished it because of the ending. This is a first-time novel for this author.

Linda
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

4
I have listened to so many of Fannie Flagg's books and really enjoyed listening to them; it's easy to keep track of the amusing characters. Until now, I hadn't read or listened to her most famous book. So much is familiar, small southern town full of characters. One in particular was familiar from other books. This was a book full of comfort food. Now, for some chicken pot pie - maybe with fried green tomatoes.

LINDA
Jagged Edge of the Sky by Paula Marie Coomer

4
I freely chose to review this book after it was sent out 3 times and I finally received it in the mail after waiting for months. JAGGED EDGE OF THE SKY is about different people who had to choose whether to go right or left and how their choices changed their lives for the good or bad. Mostly it is set in the Australian outback. It is enough to make anyone second guess their decisions and list pros and cons before they take a step, but as a fractured tale, it left a lot to be desired, and I wanted more.

Donna
Goodnight, Beautiful Women by Anna Noyes

1
This was a unique and strange group of short stories. It goes deeply into the hidden thoughts of women. A bit too quirky for my taste.

Dawn
The Kept Woman by Karen Slaughter

4
The latest Will Trent novel, involving his psychotic wife Angie, who once again keeps Will guessing what awful thing she's going to do next. She's wrapped up in rape, murder, domestic abuse, drugs. Full of twists and turns.

Thomas
Below the Belt by Stuart Woods

4
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I like his books very much.

Elizabeth
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

5
I guess you could call I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS a creepy book, Hitchcockian. It is short and takes place in just one evening. Jake and his girlfriend drive two hours to have dinner with his parents in their old farmhouse. She is thinking of ending things with him and ruminates on that throughout the book. Everything that evening is strange. The farmhouse is strange, Jake's parents are strange, the girls at the Dairy Queen are strange, and their detour to the big school is strange. You'll be searching for correct explanations through all.

Tessa B C
Redwall by Brian Jacques

5
What a wonderful story; I was engaged from beginning to end. Every mouse of Redwall Abbey has taken a solemn oath to never harm another living creature, unless it is an enemy seeking to harm the Order by violence. I love this message of peaceful coexistence and tolerance. The mice are willing to live-and-let-live, but they will defend to the death against those who seek to overtake their peaceable kingdom. Jacques filled the book with detailed descriptions which serve to really put the reader right into Mossflower County. It’s entertaining, scary, exciting, and inspiring. I think I’ll read more of this middle-grade series for the sheer joy of it.

Sandy
Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay

5
This is the second time I have read this book, but it was such a long long time ago it was like reading it for the first time and I enjoyed it very much. He is one of my favorite authors.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Bonita Avenue by Peter Buwalda

3
Basically, I liked the story, which to say is not the best compliment. I think the author would/will hate hearing this, but I thought it was over-written, if there is such a thing. Too many characters/names to follow, a bit difficult to know who I was following at times. Might be because of the foreign names, which I am not familiar with. Might prove to be a better story for a movie - I did lose track of time, as well as the characters because of the style of writing. I was, more than once, going to just put it down and forget about it, but for whatever the reason, I did not. I was, however, happy with my decision because I did enjoy the ending. It almost made up for the parts I disliked.

Lynn W
Paris For One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes

4
Enchanting! Moyes writes nine stories of strong, reliable women who make ordinary lives extraordinary.

Leane
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

3
I am not a Jodi Picoult fan but our book club has chosen to read several of her books. Thus I was struggling with this book, loving the grief stories about the elephants in Alice's life, but not quite understanding the whole paranormal storyline. So I had to eat my words when the ending blew me away! Granted I still am shaking my head about the physic twist the story took, but am always happy when a story surprises me at the end.

Susan
My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith

4
I never would have thought of touring Italy on a bulldozer but that's exactly what Paul, a food author, does when it's the only rental vehicle available. He discovers it's not as bad as it seems. Other vehicles don't bother you, you get a wonderful view and you slow down. It turns out to be a great way to travel. Paul is in Tuscany to finish his book and repair his life after a bad relationship break up. He meets quirky characters that Alexander McCall Smith writes so well, gets involved in a wine boundary dispute and eats mouth-watering food. Smith writes books that make you feel good and this one is no exception. I had a smile on my face the whole time as I was reading this caper and hope he writes a series with this character.

S
The Little Paris Book Shop by Nina George

4
The story of a lonely Paris bookseller who embarks on a trip after reading a letter his lost love sent to him twenty years ago that he refused to open. There are many memorable "thoughts" and observations made by the characters in this enjoyable book.

Shirley
After the Crash by Michel Bussi

5
Very exciting story. Well written.

Sheldon
Never Never by James Patterson and Candice Fox

1
Same tired formula with a strong female protagonist. She was too much bordering on oppressive. Did not like the book.

Elaine Baxter
All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani

5
Wonderful story about Clark Gable and Loretta Young and the romance they had while making "The Call of the Wild". Great book club discussion.

Lori
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

5
Wonderful book about the American crew team that went to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. I had previously known very little about this and found the story of Joe Rantz and his troubled childhood, as well as what being on a crew team entails, fascinating.

Trude
Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner

5
Lisa Gardner brought Quincy and Rainie back for this book...and what a pleasure it was!! Ms. Gardner kept me on edge for the entire book. You may THINK you know what happened, but think again! Alternating between Sharla's viewpoint, her brother Telly's and Quincy and Rainie's, Lisa Gardner weaves a masterful story about family and and murder, nature vs. nurture.

Anne
Show Me the Deadly Deer by Carolyn Mulford

5
This book is part of an engaging series featuring Phoenix Smith and her best friend Annalynn Keyser. Annalynn is the acting sheriff in a small Missouri town, and she enlists Phoenix's help to find out what happened to a missing farmer who is found with a broken antler in his back!

Linda
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

4
Even though it is a fiction novel, it gave me insight into the character of Albert Einstein. And it introduced me to his wife, who was just as intelligent as he was.

Muriel
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5
This is one of the best books I've read in a longtime. Ove is someone a person warms up to slowly. He's curt, impatient with people, and set in his ways. His relationships with people are complicated, and interacting with many people in his life is difficult for him. Underneath his gruffness, however, is a tenderness, a person worth getting to know, and someone I found very likable. There are many nuggets of wisdom in the book and I recommend it highly.

Susan
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

5
An inside look at a subject that is misunderstood and very much in the news. Very well written and thought-provoking.

Judith
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

5
Loved this book. A real page-turner. Full of twists and turns.

sherrry
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
A very good Jodi Picoult book. Ruth, the suspended nurse, fights a battle for herself after being accused of murder of an infant baby boy, while performing her job as a labor and delivery nurse. The book was excellent, an easy read, but I found Ruth to be very angry at being black. She is a good mother, but a bitter woman. She has had much go wrong in her life.

cj
The Perfect Girl by Gilly MacMillan

4
Long but a good read. You really develop wanting to protect the girl from almost all the adults in her life.

Beth Streit
On the Road by Jack Kerouac

3
I probably would have viewed this book differently if I had read it in my youth, but as a past middle-aged woman, I found the characters to be self-absorbed and insensitive. I was appalled by their treatment of women and destruction of property. On the other hand, Kerouac's descriptions of the landscapes he traveled through were sometimes beautiful, and I enjoyed the descriptions of things like the jazz scene in Chicago in the late 40s.

Carol
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

3
A different type of WWII story. There were some positively lovely phrases and humorous bits. Reminded you of how the British truly speak and jest. The story lost some momentum though in the middle. Next novel will probably be better and I look forward to reading it.

Susan
The Lost Boy by Camilla Lackberg

4
Love the characters in this crime series.

Lori
Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom

5
Great follow up to THE KITCHEN HOUSE.

Dale
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

5
Great read, interesting time period I didn't know much about. Love her writing style.

Mike
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

5
I wait with great anticipation for all of his books. I hope they make a movie of this one. I did feel it had an abrupt ending.

Linda
Faithful by Alice Hoffman

5
You feel all the pain and suffering Shelby is feeling as she tries to deal with her best friend's tragedy. Her road to forgiveness is long and heartbreaking.

Susan
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

5
I thought THE RIVER OF DOUBT was a great book. The amount of research into Theodore Roosevelt, the Amazon river and the ecosystem of the area was amazing. I learned a lot about nature reading the book.

dorothy
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

5
I enjoyed this novel from beginning to the end. There were many twists and turns which kept me interested in wanting to know what happened next.

shelly
Baseball Faith by Rob Maaddi

4
Faith is usually a very private and personal matter that is not often talked about. In this book, Mr. Maaddi shows us how many Major League Baseball stars reflect on their personal experiences. We are treated to 52 reflections from heroes such as: Zach Eflin, Jeff Francoeur, Clayton Kershaw, Pedro Martinez to name a few. I liked Daniel Murphy explaining how his relationship is "as strong or as weak as I want it to be" and found that he truly continues this belief when even talking to his wife. It is an important part of his life and I thought it nice to know that fame has not gotten to his head. Albert Pujolis was introduced to the church by his wife and decided he wanted to go to "heaven" and not "hell".

Tracee
The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

5
I loved this book. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! It was neat to see how the town and the characters changed over the different decades; it was so true to life. I hope they make a movie from this book!

Sharon
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

4
So many of the themes in this book are so relevant today -- how far have we actually come in the last 100 years? Refugees and immigration, women's rights, poverty, class structures and strictures, homophobia, war... Simonson does a masterful job of taking us to 1917 and bringing out those issues and more while entertaining us with a delightful, non-preachy story.

Lisa Nekich
Still Life by Louise Penny

4
Charming setting and characters with an interesting storyline. This book came highly recommended, so my expectations were sky high. It certainly didn't disappoint and I will read others in this series.

Judy O.
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

5
I have long admired the painting,"Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth; but I never knew the story behind it. This wonderful historical fiction book told me that story. We meet Christina Olson, a young woman growing up in a small coastal town in Maine, and we find out that her legs and arms are seriously deformed from an unknown illness. In spite of that, Christina longs for a normal life. Andrew Wyeth comes to her house one day and asks if he can use her house for a studio when he paints. Their friendship leads its way to this famous painting. A picture of the painting is on a page in the very back of the book, and I guarantee that you will want to study it.

Beth
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

5
A most unusual book but what authorship skills and insight it contains. Will win many awards.

Rosemary
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

4
A unique house for rent, an unusual application process and an intriguing owner make for an alluring situation. The successful applicant suddenly finds herself literally and figuratively following in the footsteps of the previous tenant, who died in the house under suspicious circumstances. The story can only get better from there and does. This is a page-turner that will keep you up at night, reading to the end. The only problem with the format is the reader may find they need to go back to the beginning of a chapter to see whose story is being told, since it switches back and forth and both stories are similar. Definitely worth a read - just make sure you have the time and patience to figure it out!

helen brady
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

4
Breakfast at Tiffany's at its best -- a great book club read!!

Sandra
The Dead Ground by Claire McGowan

3
I really love Irish crime novels, but found this a bit of a disappointment. A really good plot was spoiled by a flawed main character. Paula Macguire is a forensic psychologist, but comes off as anything but professional.

shelley hitt
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

4
Insightful provocative memoir about marriage, faith and family.

Lisa
The Widow by Fiona Barton

4
Twisty thriller by a new author. Found it to be suspenseful and a real stay up late page-turner! Takes you inside the secrets of a marriage that no one on the outside would imagine.

Cindy
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5
This was a wonderful read. A wonderful experience to fall directly into someone's shoes, to go through their life experiences, to be able to see how they perceive the world around them. I wish that we could do this in real life. Our world would be a more loving, non-judgemental place to live. Reading this was a wonderful experience.

Cindy
Constant Guests by Patricia Nedelea

4
I liked this book, once it got started. It was slow at the beginning and a little confusing. It had too much "conversational" aspects in the beginning which I found to be distracting. But once it got going, I really enjoyed it and kept my interest the whole way through. The plot development was totally unexpected from what I read in the beginning, until I got to the end.

Dorothy
Hotel Moscow by Talia Carner

5
Moscow in 1993, story of intrigue, corruption, action and how terrible the women are treated. A page-turner.

Arlene Berger
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

5
A beautifully written, thought-provoking book that, at its heart, is about love and acceptance. Loved it!

Kathy
The Fireman by Joe Hill

5
This book leaves no doubt that his father had a huge influence on his writing style. And at 700-plus pages he also seems to favor a hefty story. No complaints though; this book just kept moving along, with the expected twists in unexpected places. If you are a King or Hill fan, or want to be, this is a great read.

Pauline
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

5
A female curmudgeon for a change takes the reader on a long walk around Manhattan on a New Year's Eve in the 1980s. Based on a true person, we learn about Lillian's life -- her highs and lows and her profound interest in the people she meets along the way. A truly magical read!

Linda
Forgotten Women by Freda Lightfoot

4
A historical novel about the International Brigade that went to assist in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 and fight against the rise of Franco's regime. Three lifelong friendships form, but the friends are prevented from seeing one another after the war because of an incident they must never speak of again. One of the major themes the novel deals with is women's ambitions, rights and domestic abuse. The characters deal with sexual predators, homosexuality and rape. So many of us think we were the first generation to deal with these issues. This novel dispels that myth as it speaks of the strength of the Spanish women who fought alongside their men and the nurses of the International Brigade.

Deborah Ader
Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck

4
Steinbeck's non-fictional tale of traveling the U.S. with his dog Charley during the1960s prior to JFK's election. Witty, with beautiful prose but definitely a product of the time period.

Soj
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

5
I found the descriptions of life on a small island off Australia tending a light house enthralling and the moral issues riveting. The author's character formations made it possible to see the issues from several different angles. The story was unusual and spellbinding.

Judith
Mexico by Josh Barkan

5
Top-notch writing in this collection of short stories kept me reading late into the night. The scenes depict many of the locales where the drug-money enriched lords of the underground ply their trade and weird their influence. These are stories of people who live and work in the Mexico of today in spite of the very real dangers posed by the cartels, who control much of their world. The stories are gritty and not for the faint of heart, current as today's headlines, and present an inside look at the humanity behind the tourism facade. As a U.S. citizen who has lived part-time in Mexico myself, I can relate to many of the fears generated by this seamier side of reality that is Mexico today. I highly recommend this book.

Nancy Collins
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

5
Oh my, I did not realize that this book was based on true American events. The author tells the story of two women who meet under unusual circumstances, and their stories.

karen
The Humans by Matt Haig

5
So well written, a unique prospective on the human race. Fascinating, likable characters.

Helene
Racing the Devil by Charles Todd

5
I thoroughly enjoy the Charles Todd writing duo and especially prefer the Inspector Ian Rutledge series over that of Bess Crawford. This last installment sends Rutledge off to find who is killing men who survived the war and later met in Paris to celebrate their survival by running their "motor cars" down to Nice. One by one, some diabolical killer is eliminating any of the group that survived who could identify him. The character development in this book enhanced the storyline quite a bit, and the denouement was carefully concealed until the very end.

Fran
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

3
There were parts of this book that were bone chilling -- depicts a piece of American history that we don't always hear about in so much stark detail. Due to the topic and historical aspects of this novel, it had the potential to be great. Unfortunately, the portrayal of the main characters fell short, which made it difficult to connect to them. I wanted to love this book but found it fell flat.

Margaret
Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

4
Anne Tyler is one of my favorite authors. She's a gentle writer, taking family situations to task and I find myself immersed in her stories. Her characters are created to be interesting and well-developed. This book did not disappoint. It's set in the mid-1980s but at times it seemed more recent because of the timeless circumstances. Delia feels underappreciated by her 3 kids (high school & college age) and wonders if she ever loved her husband. She impulsively walks away with $500 of the family's vacation money and starts a new life. She has new experiences which were not always easy & wonders if she did the right thing. I wonder if most women feel like this & I bet they do but, before walking away, realize the grass is not always greener.

Margaret
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

4
This author does his homework and tremendous research when the subject is as complicated as sleepwalking. I knew very little about it and now I certainly feel more knowledgeable. The setting is fall in Vermont. Two daughters, Lianna (21) and Paige (in middle school), and their father are grieving the loss of their mother/ wife who disappeared. Since she was a sleepwalker, they can only assume she was sleepwalking when she went missing. Mr. Bohjalian is a master at relating the female viewpoint through Lianna. This was impressive as was the Vermont setting and the surprise ending I didn't see coming. This is definitely a mystery but I didn't think of it as a thriller. It's worth the read and you'll learn about sleepwalking in the process.

Jill
Ice by Ed McBain

4
This is one of Ed McBain's 87th precinct mysteries, set in the city of Isola, a thinly-fictionalized version of New York City. Winter has people in its icy grip, including that of the body of a young actress, Sally Anderson, who has just been killed in front of her apartment building. Steve Carella and fellow members of the 87th precinct set out to discover whodunit in this inexplicable murder that occurred in the wee hours of the morning. This mystery may have been written in the 1970s originally, but discovering the means, motive, and opportunity of this murder is timeless. And McBain's characters employ good, old-fashioned detective work in order to solve the crime. His writing is spare, yet produces an engaging story.

Kay
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisssom

4
A riveting tale about a young slave girl's adventures in America.

Nancy
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

5
This is the fictional version of the short life of the first native American to graduate from Harvard. We know very little about the young man because he died shortly after he graduated. But Brooks has created a brilliant young man as well as a girl who secretly befriended him, defying the cultural taboos of her evangelical family. The author has done extensive research to set this tale in the early colonial days of the country. One of the most interesting features is the discussion of the religions of the white settlers and the Native Americans.

Nancy
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance

5
This memoir is getting a lot of hype, and with good reason. It's a wonderful memoir about a young man growing up dirt poor and white in Appalachia, and how he escapes the life and culture that pulling him down, thanks in great part to his grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw. Unlike most memoirs that have one leading character -- the author -- this one makes the hillbilly lifestyle and culture almost a living character, and equally as important as the writer himself. At times, the book reads like fiction, which only adds to its impact, strength and faith that one can succeed against incredible odds.

Vivian Dano
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi

4
The subject matter of what Afganistani women have to go through in the past and in the present was extremely educational. This book had a slow start but captured my attention and kept me guessing until the end. This is a great book club book.

Gladys
Carpe Bead'em by Tonya Kappes

5
The cover of this book attracted me more than the title. The adorable little pink poodle pictured there is irresistible. The book's title is well-explained as the story unfolds. It's a delightful story of friendship, loyalty, love and humor. You'll meet some truly unusual characters in a plot that progresses quickly through almost three-hundred, never-dull pages.

Debbie
The Dissector by L. L. Spriggs

3
This is my first novel written by L.L. Spriggs. The book fully covers medical school and the collegiate pecking order. The medical school tasks and duties seem endless and I begin to wonder why anyone would chose to teach. Dr. Sarah Whitley has been given the opportunity to teach anatomy at a university in Louisiana as an associate professor. The opportunity reeks more as indentured slavery as Sarah must perform a multitude of chores. When does Sarah have time to eat and sleep? After many chapters explaining medical school hierarchy, many faculty members enter the foray into explaining the disappearance of Dr. Roberts. Each faculty member might possibly have murdered Dr. Roberts.

Suzy
Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica

5
This was a very slow-paced story. At times I was frustrated that the read was not worth my time. But gradually events began to gain my interest and then I couldn't put down the book. There are many clues throughout the story that will clue you in to the ending, but I didn't realize that until I was engrossed in the ending. After finishing the book, this story has stayed with me for quite a while. The story is very well written and I really like Kubica's writing style. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading all Mary Kubica's books.

Lynn W
The Girl from Venice by Martin Cruz Smith

3
It's 1945, but Venice is still occupied and fears Nazi power. A fisherman, Cenzo, finds a young girl's body floating in the lagoon; Giulia is alive, but in deep trouble. Cenzo just wants to be alive at the end of the war. Will he help?

Susan
Whole Town is Talking by Fannie Flagg

5
Very entertaining book. One of Fannie's best.

Marion
The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright

5
I could not stop reading this book about Cambodia. It is a story of very deprived people working in a garbage dump to survive. Suddenly, a woman is given a chance to learn how to read and her life is changed forever. A really great read,

Jenna
Freak by Jennifer Hillier

5
What an amazing read. If you enjoy twists and turns, then this is the book for you. Note: Do read CREEP before you read FREAK. It is not technically a series, but there are similar characters.

Jane
Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

5
I volunteer at my local library and a customer mentioned that this was the first book in an interesting series. I just finished this story of two families in England in the early 1900s and plan on reading Book Two of the Clifton Chronicles as soon as I get back to the library.

Debbie
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

3
A sad, disheartening story of three generations of women and the man who loved and controlled all four three generations. Amy Engel twists and turns in attempts to dislodge the mystery of the girls and women of Roanoke, a huge dwelling in Kansas. The major narrator is Lane, whose mother dies broken and lost in New York. Lane stands as the only Roanoke girl who escapes the home and doom of the Roanoke females. Roanoke stands as a symbol like the Bates Hotel in that once you check in, you never check out. The story alternates between the past and the present, with the suspense building in every chapter. A feeling that all is not proper rises as the reader gropes in the dark to understand what is happening, and that life is not always rosy.

Melanie S.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

4
This is the story of a family raising their children, one child is born male but identifies as female. What this child has to endure, along with her family, is heartbreaking and I imagine very true-to-life since the author has also dealt with this issue in her personal life. When the mother, who is a physician, travels to Thailand with her daughter who is struggling, amazing lessons are learned by all. An enlightening read. For the story and topic it addressed I would give this book 4 stars. However, the writing left something to be desired at times, but at other times it worked well enough to keep me engaged.

Melanie S.
The Hollywood Daughter by Kate Alcott

4
A story set in 1950s Hollywood amidst the McCarthy era. Jessica, the main character is torn between her very observant Catholic mother and her publicist father. Her father represents Ingrid Bergman, who is Jessica's idol. However, when Ingrid leaves her marriage and has an out of wedlock child with the director Roberto Rossellini, Jessica must examine her beliefs. I enjoyed this coming-of-age story which mixed real-life events with fiction, and think it would appeal to the young adult reader as well as adults who need a lighter read.

Linda
Mischling by Affinity Konar

4
What an engrossing, terrifying, well-written, sobering, well-researched, horrifying read. This must be the literary equivalent to passing a car accident on the road. Hoping all was well, but understanding that it wasn't or wouldn't be. The story of twin girls unfortunate to end up in concentration camps in 1944 with Dr. Joseph Mengele. Mengele was eager to experiment with anomalies - twins, albinos, for instance. Stasha and Pearl were not together in the camp, but they were, being twins, felt the discomfort of the other. Or did they? Beautiful writing, slowly pulls the reader in.

LINDA
Pure Venegance by Lori Ryan

5
I freely chose to review this ARC from an author I heard about but whose books I've never read. I liked the way Ms. Ryan portrayed her tough as nails female FBI Agent, Eve Sands, and her temporary partner Detective Cal Rylan of the Haven police department. Cal had joined the department after his little sister had been gang raped and he wanted to go to find the scum, but Joy and his mom needed him to be there, and he put catching the men on a back burner. He and his partner had to transport a witness to the FBI and suddenly shots rang out and his witness and his partner went down! His day couldn't have been blown to hell any faster...

LINDA
If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place by Barbara Venkataraman

4
I freely chose to review this short story and chuckled through it, but laughed at the end. Ms. Venkataraman spins a delightful barb as she introduces Ella Boudreax and how she became a professional nag and found her husband as she attempted to scrape barnacles from a boat while wearing too big coveralls in the Louisiana heat. From flipping burgers to telemarketing, Ella just couldn't keep a job! Ella is a delightful no-nonsense woman and her husband is glad that she doesn't nag him anymore.

Rachel Taggart
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

5
Absolutely spectacular book that I couldn't put down yet wanted to ration because I didn't want it to end.

Richard N B
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

5
I had a copy of this book when I was a child, but for some reason I never read it. I’m glad I finally got to it. It’s a timeless tale with a simple message: Be kind to everyone (and everything). Sewell manages to convey this through Beauty’s experiences, both good and bad. The hardcover text edition I got from the library was also beautifully illustrated by Lucy Kemp-Welch.

Sandy
The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe

4
Another of my favorite authors. This one was pretty good, but not outstanding. It is full of unusual female characters. Highly recommended for book clubs.

Liz
Married Lovers by Jackie Collins

5
Typical Jackie Collins story taking place in Hollywood. The main characters are high-powered couples. The story contains love, lust, hookers, betrayal and a murder thrown in for good measure. This book is what it is - a quick entertaining story.

Chris Bush
Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello

4
What a hilarious and informative read! This is the true story of one man's accidental, high-stakes journey into high fashion. After deciding to sell of some of his collection of Hermes scarves on ebay in the early 90s to make some money, he found out about a group of collectors who lusted after these scarves. He began traveling the world to buy as many of them as he could and reselling them on the web, long before Hermes had an online presence. He accidentally found out about some very expensive purses called Birkin, which his collectors also wanted, and the ante was upped, so to speak. If you are looking for a light, quick read which will tickle your funny bone, give this a whirl.

Linda
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

5
Minerva Highwood is more interested in rocks and fossils than eligible young men, much to the dismay of her mother who has about given up on her. She shows her find of a footprint of an ancient lizard to Colin Sandhurst and tells him she is determined to go to Edinburgh to present her findings to the Geological Society. She wants him to accompany her and tells him she has a plan. He is not so sure but sees how enthused she is about her find and agrees to her scheme. She will leave a note for her mother telling her that she has eloped, but will anyone believe the lie, especially when everyone has seen Minerva and Colin bicker back and forth?

Linda
A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

4
Kate Taylor grew up in a foundling home and always yearned for a family of her own. Then the Gramacys come to Spindle Cove and tell Kate she is their long-lost cousin, the daughter of the previous Marquess of Drewe. They found a portrait of a woman painted by Simon Gramacy and thought to be her mother, whom Kate strongly resembled. But the telling proof was the birthmark on her face, a birthmark shared by the Gramacys. This would change everything for Kate but what about Samuel Thorne, the soldier whom Kate had fallen in love with? How would he react to the news that Kate was now considered a lady? This is the second book in the Spindle Cove series.

Nicolette
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

5
This story has so many layers. As you get into small town life and get to know the characters an idea starts to develop about what you think is going on. THE ROANOKE GIRLS are beautiful, but there is something strange going on. Something is off. How long will it take you to figure out what it really is? And once you know what's going on, do you know who is really to blame??

Linda
The Christmas Mystery by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

3
Luc Moncrief and his partner Katherine (K.) Burke are investigating the death of an elderly patron of the arts when Luc notices two paintings on the wall that are forgeries. Returning to the woman’s apartment the next day, Luc finds that the paintings have disappeared. Detectives interrogate the woman’s driver who was the last person to see her alive. Following the driver leads to a ring of art forgeries.

Linda
Escape Clause by John Sandford

4
Two rare Amur tigers have been stolen from the zoo and fears abound that the animals were stolen for their body parts to be harvested for Chinese buyers. The case has been assigned to Virgil Flowers with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The tigers were sedated and removed on dollies from their cage by two minor criminals while the local mastermind waited. The man behind the plot was a Chinese “refugee” who left a criminal past in China to move to America and start up again. And what better way than selling body parts of rare animals to the highly concentrated Chinese population in California and Oregon?

Linda
The Women's War by James Patterson and Shan Serafin

4
After being discharged from the Marines, former Colonel Amanda Collins is working with her former Marine colleagues in their small Texas town. The women are acting independently to take out dope being smuggled into the U.S. by Diego Correra, head of the narcotics trade between Mexico and the U.S. They have a contact known as Fat Man who tells them about shipments coming north and the women take out the shipments. Although this is hurting Diego’s business, Amanda wants to take out the man himself and close his business for good. He is dangerous and has already killed Amanda’s family. The women are determined and gather their forces.

Linda
Because I'm Watching by Christina Dodd

4
Madeline Hewitson is known as Mad Maddy for her numerous calls to the police. Her neighbor Jacob Denisov suffers from PTSD and can relate to her anxiety. When her car crashes into his house, they meet face to face and she relates her tragic past to Jacob. He tells her about his past as a captured and tortured prisoner. As Jacob realizes that someone is carrying out an evil plan to drive Maddy insane, he is determined that they not succeed. He tells her she has to face her monsters and quit hiding. As she faces the mysterious monster on the cliff walk, she remembers what Jacob told her and becomes angry. She will not turn away. She turns and faces the monster with her ball bat held high.

Linda
One Good Thing by Wendy Wax

4
While plans for the resurrection of their home renovation television show sees a slow death, the friendship among the women involved remains strong and true. When they meet to view the sunset over the Gulf, Maddie asks that they all remember one good thing that happened during their day. Through thick and thin, these women are there for each other. Maddie is still dating Will, an aging rock star seeking a dramatic comeback. Avery is living with Chase and his sons, one who is testing his father’s patience. Nikki is pregnant with Joe’s twins and wishes he would ask her to marry him again. Kyra sees Daniel, the movie star father of Dustin, and he wants his son to star in a movie with him.

Linda
Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis

5
Archer Hunt saved Elle Wheaton from a sting operation and kept her from being prosecuted when she was sixteen. Although this action ended his career as a cop, he never regretted his actions. He watched out for her over the years and she met him again while working in the same building. He is not the marrying kind even though the attraction between the two is strong. When Elle decides to go out with other men, Archer sabotages her dates and she sees red. When she confronts him, her anger soon turns to a needing want. It takes a shooting for both to see what everyone else has already seen. They are made for each other and they finally see it.

Linda
To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames

4
Charlotte Bessette is working hard helping with the upcoming wedding of her best friend Meredith and her cousin Matthew in addition to running The Cheese Shop. Charlotte’s fiance Jordan tells her that his sister Jacky thinks someone is stalking her and she is afraid her husband has found her. She ran from his abusiveness and has been hiding out in the small town. Now she is afraid that he is one of the two strangers seen around town. It’s not long before a body is discovered in the freezer of the ice cream store and the body is Giacomo Capriotti, Jacky’s husband. Charlotte and her friends try to find out who the murderer is to the dismay of Sheriff Urso. I recommend the book for a mouth-watering read!

Linda
Hunted by James Patterson with Andrew Holmes

4
David Shelley, formerly a Captain in the Royal Marines, is searching for his fellow teammate Paul Cook when he is approached by Simon Claridge from MI5. He has distressing news for Shelley and tells him that he thinks Cook was murdered in a hunt where he was human prey. Shelley doesn’t believe him as what kind of person would even think of doing this? Claridge talks Shelley into going undercover against this group and find out who was involved so it can be stopped. The bad guys find out that Shelley is not a homeless person as they first thought but found he was someone they didn’t want to mess with.

Linda
Killer Chef by James Patterson with Jeffrey J. Keyes

4
Couples are being poisoned at various upscale restaurants in New Orleans and Caleb Rooney, co-owner of the food truck Killer Chef, is investigating. Besides cooking, Caleb is also a detective with the New Orleans Police Department. Checking out the ex-wife of the first victim, Caleb learns that she has also been associated with victim #2. Could she be the killer?

Elizasbeth
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

1
THE NEST is boring, at least it was for me. Four adult brothers and sisters have been counting on receiving an inheritance (“the nest”) from their father. But when one of them, Leo, has an emergency need for a couple million dollars, their mother takes it out of the nest, leaving the other three with a much smaller portion, far less than two of them need.

Diana Thomas
Peggy Seeger: A Life of Music, Love, and Politics by Jean R. Freedman

4
I have to admit while I know a few of Peggy Seeger's songs, prior to reading this book I knew more about her husband Ewan MacColl and her brother Pete Seeger, and I felt a bit bad about it. I'm a huge fan of folk music and Peggy as a person wasn't someone I really tried to find more information about. It gives you information on her parents first, so you understand where she got her love of music and her talent as a musician. It also lets you know just what kind of strong willed woman Peggy was and still is. Peggy Seeger accomplished quite a bit for the era she was born and raised in. She is definitely one of those strong-minded women role models needed in the 60s through to today.

Margaret
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

5
I don't give many books 5 stars because I must enjoy a book so very much before I give it anything above 4 stars. This novel blew me away! I think I might give it more than 5 stars if I could! It's hard to believe this is the debut novel by Shari Lapena. She knows how to draw in a reader and hold them captivated. A lot has been written about the plot so I'll skip that and just say this is a psychological thriller that is fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. I can't remember the last time I read a book this quickly. I couldn't put it down. I assume the author ended the book the way she did so there can be a sequel. I hope so.

Jan
Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat

5
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the most lawless and abused countries in the world. This book tells of the horrors of lawlessness in Haiti and the evil and uncaring people in the Immigration Service in the United States. Read this if you want to read a wordsmith; read this if you want to know about real life in Haiti; read this if you want to know what really happens when U.N. "peacekeeping" forces move in; read this if you want to know about the treatment of non-U.S. citizens when they peacefully, legally try to visit this country.

Jill
The Girls by Emma Cline

5
Excellent story of how a teenage girl of the 1960s, Evie, gets caught up in a cult that goes wrong. There are shades of the Charles Manson cult in the book, although this one was not as all-out as that one was. The group has a charismatic leader, but Evie is more entranced by Suzanne who ropes her into the group and gets her to do what she and the leader want her to. Some of these things are quite reprehensible, but the story makes believable how Evie gets to the point where she will do anything for Suzanne. Well written and the story kept me engaged throughout.

Noel
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

5
The book is a fine companion to the Sunday night series on PBS. There is a great synergy between the two. Victoria is shown at the beginning of her career as Queen and she was a remarkable young woman. We got the book for Christmas and both loved it.

Toni
A Girl Named Trouble by Fey Truet

4
High fantasy is really not my thing, but this book was recommended to me on a whim, and so I went for it. In all honesty, I laughed my butt off. I loved the main character and the narration. It's also pretty fast-paced, which I rather enjoy in a book, and the world and concept are quite new to me. It's good. What I feel is wrong with the book, however, is that the heroin doesn't seem to grow throughout the book and needs more development, which is why a star was knocked off. I also felt that's it's a little too sad and not dramatic enough.

Faye
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

5
Excellent - after reading, looked into info about the "rabbits of Ravensbruck".

Francisca E B
People of the Deer by Farley Mowat

4
Farley Mowat examines the various factors that led to the demise of "The People of the Deer" in this fascinating book. He went into the vast Barren Plains of North central Canada to study the caribou, and the Ihalmiut people who depended on “the deer” for their very existence, living among them in the late 1940s when their tribe had dwindled from several thousand in about 1900 to less than 50 individuals in 1947.

Kara
A Long Time Gone by Karen White

5
Gripping old south mystery that tells the stories of four generations of women, their struggles and triumphs and most especially their love of home and family.

Mary Lou
The Girl Next Door by Ruth Rendell

4
Although this prolific author has written 60 books, this is the first one I’ve read, and I really liked it. Set in the London suburbs, the story begins during WWII and moves between then and present day. The children who played together and explored the tunnels or “qanats” become the senior citizens who reunite to solve the mystery of what happened to two people who disappeared back then, one Michael’s mother and the other someone’s uncle. The family dynamics among three generations in one of the families is incredibly accurate. The mystery is intriguing, the reader knows whodunit and wonders how the characters will solve it. Well written, rather compact at 272 pages, I am glad to have found a new author to explore.

Kathy
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

5
Wonderfully moving book. Shows the reader that you cannot simply judge a person, you must get to know them.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

4
Rosa has disappeared and no one in the small community of Bone Gap will believe him when Finn says she was taken against her will, not even his brother Sean, who was in love with Rosa. Finn is determined to find her and will withstand the local bullies and the long looks and speculation of the townspeople to persevere. This intriguing read keeps readers guessing as they attempt to distinguish the real from the fantastical in this world where the lines of reality and fantasy are blurred.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon

4
I found this incredible book both terrible and wonderful--terrible because the author so completely succeeded in involving me in the overwhelming pain and anxiety of this father's thoughts and wonderful for much the same reason. Some reviewers have complained about the father's character, calling him neurotic, self-absorbed, etc. Well I defy any parent in his situation not to undergo a similar repeated loop of certainty and doubt and self-doubt. Some have also complained that the father didn't do enough actively to find his son, but I don't know what more he could have done. If these readers were looking for an action novel, then I agree that this was not that. On its own terms, however, I found the entire novel compelling and convincing.

Bonnie
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

2
Sadly, this is basically an overlong essay on her affair with Harrison Ford, signing autographs, and the shock of being in such a big hit movie. It could have been 1/4 the length.

Donna
A Woman on the Edge of Time by Jeremy Gavron

3
A perfect title for this book. The author's mother committed suicide at 29 years of age when he was only 4 years old. This death was never discussed and when he reached his 40s he becomes obsessed with learning about her and why she killed herself. He researched every word she wrote and every person who knew her. She was a woman who was caught between the changes of the 1950s and 60s who may have suffered from mental illness.

Debbie
Nora Webster by Colm Toibin

3
NORA WEBSTER displays many war and glowing reviews, but I did not feel the emotion in the story. Nora is a young widow with two daughters in college and two younger sons in school. Nora's beloved Maurice had been a teacher, and his sickness and death devastated Nora. The story relays Nora's struggle to provide for her children and give all of them a normal life. The story is set in Ireland amid the problems between the Catholics and the Protestants, and the introduction of labor unions. Nora skips along taking voice lessons, buying a stereo and records, flying to Spain for a two-week vacation, taking many vacations with her children, and redecorating her home. Nora lives well for a poor widow.

Cindy
Daffodils by Alex Martin

4
This was a lovely historical novel taking place in World War I, about how love can hang on even through separation, heartbreak, and loss. Very nicely written.

Marsha
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

3
This thriller is told in alternating voices of two women who live in an ultramodern home designed by an obsessive man. Each has an affair with the designer. After the first women is killed, the second woman decides she needs to know how she died. It is a strange story that keeps you reading until the last page.

Patricia Miller
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

3
This book was definitely good. I enjoyed how, as you got closer to the end, you continued to see connections between different characters. I guess I was just a little let down because when I read about this book, it was heralded as "one of the best books of the year". And, like I say, it was good, but I definitely didn't consider it as the best I've read over the last year.

Patricia Miller
Those We Left Behind by Stuart Neville

5
I really really enjoyed this book! This was my first time reading Stuart Neville and I loved his writing. The story really grabbed me and kept me hooked all throughout. I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

Jan
Next to Love by Ellen Feldman

5
Really enjoyed this story about three women childhood friends, the hard and scary times they go through, the paths life takes them, and their desires, all different. The writing was engrossing and the story captivating.

Sherri
7 Days and 7 Nights by Wendy Wax

4
Wendy is becoming a favorite of mine. This was a somewhat predictable read, but still interesting enough to keep me engaged. A battle of the sexes along with human interest keeps you reading.

Margaret
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5
Great book! I learned about the Civil War taking up the first 82 pages. It was interesting because of diaries & historical documents. It's history which reads like a mystery/thriller. The short chapters have a time line & flew by for me. I knew little about John Wilkes Booth & had never heard of the people involved before & after the shooting. It's so obvious that this endeavor is thoroughly researched. I like that no footnotes were used but there is additional information in the back of the book such as an Appendix which includes the Harper's Weekly A-Journal of Civilization dated 04/29/1865. There is a list of books, websites, & other archived information, which reflect the main research sources. The index alone is 8 pages of small type.

Brady
I Remember Me by Carl Reiner

5
To me, Carl Reiner is a treasure. He is a funny, funny man with a mind that creates unlimited situations and events that are truly funny and not shady in any way. This book recounts many interesting things in his life that is amusing and heartwarming. A fun read.

Sandra
The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant

4
This book is really a collection of stories about the last inhabitants of Dogtown. Each individual has their story told in connection with the other inhabitants. Lovely story.

LINDA
Just Dreams, Book 1 by L. J. Taylor

5
I freely chose to review this ARC and I'm hooked on this author as she kept me spellbound throughout the story! I loved how determined Charles Morgan was when he went after a global dirty contractor that cost him his wife and unborn child when their employee recklessly plowed into his wife's car and I cheered when the feisty attorney, Kathy Brooks took on his case like a bulldog as Peachtree Consulting was a bully and she hated bullies! Unknown to them, Peachtree would stop at nothing to keep their dirty secret safe, including murder...

Jan
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa

5
This is historical fiction but I am ashamed of my country once again for the government actions in WW II. The young German girl, with her parents, boards a ship to Cuba with accurate and valid visas and passports to go to Cuba when life in Germany becomes intolerable. The young girl, Hannah, has a dear friend Leo and he is also on the ship to Cuba. They call the Nazis "Orges," and share many other secrets. This book is about the awful situations one family had to endure, separation, alienation and other painful events. Finally, a reunion of the family when the oldest member (The German Girl) meets the youngest member of the family. This is an amazing report of evil that must never be repeated in our world.

Lynn W
Run by Ann Patchett

3
Book club choice that I would not have read otherwise. Took awhile to get into it, but once I did I enjoyed it.

Sondra
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman

4
Fascinating characterizations and visualization of St. Thomas. Again, Alice Hoffman brings us a story that keeps us turning the pages.

shelly
The Millionaire's Royal Rescue by Jennifer Faye

4
Grayson Landers, is a millionaire geek who happens to be in Mirracino checking out a possible location for his gaming enterprise. While visiting he is hoping to escape from the paparazzi that always seem to follow him. Before he realizes it, he is a hero by coming to the rescue of Annabelle who is the niece of the King of Mirracino. When her pocketbook is stolen by a thief in the streets he runs after and tackles the man and gets the pocketbook and also the thief. Annabelle is trying to be an independent women but her father is afraid for her safety and has her protected 24/7 which is something she does not want. Unfortunately, since her mother was murdered her father feels it is his job to protect her.

Tessa B C
Malinche by Laura Esquivel

4
Malinalli was a Native woman from Tabasco, whose ability to speak Spanish as well as two native languages brought her to the attention of Hernan Cortes. In this lyrical, poetic novel, Esquivel gives us a strong woman with deeply held beliefs who wanted to free her people, and realized her mistake far too late. I love Esquivel’s writing. Her imagery is vivid and tangible. This is a decidedly Mexican novel. Esquivel infuses the story with magical realism, mysticism, and spirituality. It reminds me of the oral story traditions of my grandparents.

Mina
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

5
Great book. I loved it and the movie.