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September 7, 2018 - September 21, 2018

This contest period's winners were Dana D., Joan W. and Julius D., who each received a copy of BUTTON MAN by Andrew Gross and THE FORBIDDEN DOOR: A Jane Hawk Novel by Dean Koontz.

 

Susan
The Foundling by Paul Joseph Fronczak

4
A true story about a kidnapping, family secrets and finding who the author is. THE FOUNDLING is a very interesting and sad story about trying to find your family. Most people would have given up but not Paul Joseph Fronczak. I would recommend.

Dorothy
After Anna by Lisa Scottoline

5
A page-turner with many twists and turns.

Kim
Blood Communion by Anne Rice

4
Was lucky enough to obtain an advance copy. I was happy because I've read a few of the Lestat books in order years ago so I was somewhat familiar with some of the characters. I admit I wish I would have read all of the prior series so I could appreciate the newer ones better, but there was enough action and a strong enough plot to keep me engaged. The book dealt with Lestat learning to become a prince to the undead and his reluctance to want the title to begin with. He must cope with various issues from his chateau vampire hideaway and face down the greatest enemy to his race to save them from desttuction. I loved the way it was written in first person so we get to know "The Brat Prince's " thoughts as he wrestles with his personal demons.

Beatrice
Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

5
Families in the Bronx deal with problems with poverty, sex, and drugs in the 1980s. I loved how realistic this book was and loved the characters.

Sally-Jo
Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell

4
Enjoyable read. At times predictable but surprise ending. I would recommend it to friends.

Tessa B C
Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg

2
2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this. It's a genre I usually enjoy - psychological thriller/mystery with a strong female lead. There are sections of the book that were mesmerizing, but many sections that just bored me to tears. On the whole it was a chore to read, and it took me three weeks to finish it.

Sharon
A Place Called Hope by Phllip Gulley

4
Pastor Sam Gardner is sick and tired of many of his parishioners at Harmony, and when he inadvertently attends and offers a prayer of blessing at a Lesbian wedding, the word soon spreads around town and his congregation is outraged. And he is out of a job. Then comes an offer that seems too good to be true at a church called Hope.

Elizabeth
November Road by Lou Berney

4
Although Lou Berney’s NOVEMBER ROAD is not at all like his award-winning THE LONG AND FARAWAY GONE, this is sure to be another winner for him. It is his writing style that will get you now just as it did then. Charlotte is unhappy with her life and Frank wants to simply stay alive. They’re both on the run when they meet. They interact for a short time, so short that Charlotte’s children don’t even remember much of it 40 years later. My only criticism of NOVEMBER ROAD, and anyone who has been married to a drinking alcoholic will agree, the explanation for Charlotte’s unhappiness is inadequate. Her reason for suddenly taking off with her two children does not seem to be enough.

Trezeline
White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht

5
Very interesting. It tells of a part of world history that I was unaware of. Excellent story.

Elizabeth
The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett

4
I was drawn in by the story but found one of the protagonist’s decisions inexplicable. Why does Rose leave her husband and then marry another she does not love? Why does she sacrifice her own life and ambition for her daughter who she always remains distant to? These questions are never answered.

Betty
Lies by T. M. Logan

4
The suspense starts early in the book and builds with each chapter. Is there no end to the depth of betrayal here? A real page-turner! While the characters were not very well developed, this is still a compulsive read. If you were not wary of how technology can be used against you before reading this book, you will be when you complete this well-written psychological thriller.

Lois
Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst

3
A book about Greece and Salonika during the approaching days to a Nazi invasion. Zannis, the hero, saves many Jewish lives while being a detective in Salonika. Has some exciting parts.

Lois
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

4
Interesting idea for a novel where an adopted woman tries to find out about her background.

ILene
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5
A great book of the early 50s in Hollywood. It is about Elena Herrera who first started out in Hell’s Kitchen in New York, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, and where she marries her first husband. He gets an offer of a grip in Hollywood, and they move to sunny California, where she becomes a blond, changes her name to Evelyn Hugo, and from there works her way up the ladder with better and better performances and a new husband every step of the way. When she is ready to retire that’s when we meet Monique Grant, a rookie journalist, who Evelyn insists will write her biography. That’s when it really gets good when we read about both of their lives and a good mystery along the way. Loved reading it, can’t wait until her next book.

Donna
Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

5
A true crime story that inspired the book LOLITA. This is a heartbreaking, extremely well-written novel that is about survival and life-changing events.

Jud
A Right to Die by Rex Stout

4
Great read and very timely, considering when it was originally published. Plot centers around interracial marriage and the death of the would-be white bride.

Debbie
The Strange Curse of Breda by Steven Arnett

2
This new book by Steven Arnett, THE STRANGE CURSE OF BREDA, contains a wonderful premise for a novel, but the actual book fails in characters and setting. The story begins in 1889 with the conviction and hanging of Obadiah Kurtz for the murder of his wife. Obadiah roars out a curse for the town of Breda as his accusers prepare to hang him. The story jumps to 1971 in Breda, Michigan, where a vicious murder happens. Before long, other murders happen and force the townspeople into fear. Arnett catches a little of the town's atmosphere, but the characters and setting remain lackluster. The story contains too much dialogue and hides any psychological analysis of the events.

Debbie
Pekoe Most Poison by Laura Childs

3
What a lovely way to spend a rainy Sunday, curled up with a delicious book. I crave tea and a scone, but where to find? This event features a "Rat Tea" at a lovely McMansion in Charleston, SC, but tragically, the host is murdered. Laura Childs presented the history of the "Rat Tea” but omitted much of the wonderful setting of Charleston in this novel. The food and tea still send longings to my mouth, and I am still craving one of Haley's scones. The story ends, but the reader is never enlightened if all Theodosia's work benefited the Heritage Society.

Gil
Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer

5
In this book by Jeffrey Archer, I am reminded of a statement in another book, Richard Russo's BRIDGE OF SIGHS where he states (and I am paraphrasing) "that no matter what path you choose in life, you will always wonder what would have happened if you had chosen an alternative route". In this book we actually find out. Alexander Karpenko and his mother Elena have to decide which ship to stow away on in their attempt to escape from Russia. It is decided by a coin flip, heads it's New York or tails it is London. Many surprises in this book, from the very beginning and throughout. Alexander was faced with many challenges and became successful and has a yearning to return to Russia for political as well as business interests.

Tessa B C
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

3
3.5 stars. A family saga covering three generations of Whitshanks and the familial home that anchors their story. Tyler shines when writing about everyday life and the small dramas that make up American families. I find these characters so believable and relatable, even when their circumstances are very different from anything I’ve experienced personally.

Becky
The Daisy Children by Sofia Grant

2
I’m disappointed in this one. I was imagining a treatment of the tragic explosion in a Texas school that killed most of the children in the town of New London 1937. Unfortunately, this tale was only superficially about that and much more about a dysfunctional family and the unfortunate choices they made. The “love” story is barely there, the characters are stock, the story could take in Anytown, USA. The one redeeming feature is the twist that is revealed in the last few chapters. Is it worth reading the other 300 pages? I don’t think so.

Nina
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

4
Gothic mystery at its finest. Fantastic character description. The home becomes one of the characters.

Traci
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

5
Loved this book.

Suzy
The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly

4
I won a copy of THE CROSSING here and then started reading Connelly's books starting with his first Harry Bosch book, THE BLACK ECHO. Having read a myriad of lousy thrillers and mysteries of late, including many bestsellers which are shockingly poorly written, it was a huge pleasure to discover a good writer! Harry Bosch is an LAPD Homicide Detective who doesn't like rules, marches to the beat of his own drum, and has very interesting cases. M. Connelly writes well-researched, well-written procedurals which are much more than that; his books make the reader think about many different topics besides the books themselves. I don't relate the book story; I write how the books make me feel. I plan on reading every Harry Bosch book by summer.

sherry
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

3
A fairly good book, but a lot of unhappiness. Liked the portrait that Wyeth painted. Recommend this book if a Andrew Wyeth fan.

Francisca
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

4
I cannot help but wonder what Ng has against determined mothers, first in her debut novel, and now with Elena Richardson. I was struck by how the Richardson kids had a mother who believed she was giving her kids everything, but in fact they knew little about how to deal with life. While Mia, unable to give her child much in the way of material goods, had given her the tools for living – self-reliance, observation, determination.

Dorothy
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

5
A very good and well-written book. It holds your attention and you know you have it figured out, and then find out you are mistaken.

Christine
Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt

5
This book was published 20 years ago. It takes place in post-apocalyptic America, but there are no zombies, mutants, vampires or monsters. (Except for a "dragon," but it's not a real dragon.) Nobody knows how long ago the still-standing ruins were created, or how the strange-looking wheeled conveyances operated, because all historical records have been lost. There is a legend that a place called "Haven" exists, and that it holds the last remaining records of the "Roadmakers" (that would be us!) A previous attempt to locate Haven did not end well, but nine years later a copy of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Author's Court" surfaces (a book that was written by a Roadmaker!) and it inspires a second expedition to find Haven.

Laurie
Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

4
Tender, wise, moving story with brilliant memorable characters -- even my husband read it and enjoyed!

Joanne
Katerina by James Frey

4
Good reading, he does well. I am glad he has come back after his MILLION LITTLE PIECES problem. Recommend it for reading.

Pat
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

5
What a wonderful gracious gentleman who beats the system in his own way!

Chelsie
Vlad by Kristine Mason

4
This is a new series, the character Vlad has branched off and thinks he found love but can he really have? Being an illegal in the U.S. he's wanted by not only U.S. government but mobs and Russians. Lucy Jane hires him to be a bodyguard, little does she know of his past and that he will kill to protect her and that’s nothing new to him. Does love override someone’s past?

Linda
Southern Lights by Danielle Steel

4
When Alexa Hamilton was betrayed by her husband, she swore she would never speak to him again. She is now the prosecuting attorney in a rape/murder case and her daughter has been receiving threatening letters. She has no choice but to call her ex-husband and ask if Savannah can stay with her father and his family till the trial is over. Savannah has no choice but to put up with her father’s wife who definitely does not want her there. She meets her half-sister and they instantly bond. When the trial is finally over, Alexa fears that Savannah will not want to return home, but her mother gives her words of wisdom in how to handle the coming years when Savannah will be away at college and living her own life.

Linda
Army Ranger with Benefits by Donna Michaels

4
Emma Roberts has had a crush on Stephen Greenwald since high school. They work in the same hospital, he as a doctor and she as a medical transcriber. Vince Acardi has come from Texas to help with his brother who is Emma's neighbor, Dominic Acardi. Dom suggests that Vince and Emma have a fake romance that will hopefully get Stephen’s attention. What started out as a fake romance turned into a real one. Vince thinks she still has a “thing” for Stephen and returns to Texas. He had been in love before and the girl had died. That had hit him hard and he never let himself fall for another woman until Emma. Cute love story.

Linda
The Right Ranger by Donna Michaels

5
Cord Brannigan has always been attracted to Haley Wagner, widow of his Army Ranger teammate. He promised Drew before he died that he would watch out for Haley. She asks for his help on the ranch and he’s glad to help. When he gets there, he finds that he and Haley are the only ones on the ranch. Her foreman has gone to his sister’s and she had to let the other hands go. It is going to be hard keeping his hands off her, especially when his body is in tune with his imagination. Then his buddies at At-Ease Ranch rib him about Haley and know all about his attraction to her. What they don’t know is that she is equally attracted to the tall, handsome Cord.

Linda
A Hint of Seduction by Amelia Grey

5
Catherine Reynolds is in London for her first season. Riding her horse too fast, she almost collides with another rider and falls off her horse. John Fines, the Earl of Chatwin, is the other rider and is concerned about the beautiful woman. But when she grabbed the reins of his horse and took off, he was stunned and then angry. He was left standing until his friends rode up and asked about his horse. Scandal sheets reported the latest. Chatwin was determined to find the beautiful woman and get his horse back. But he was more interested in finding the woman who had enchanted him when she told him she was racing the wind. Terrible Threesomes #2

Linda
A Taste of Temptation by Amelia Grey

4
The last of the bachelors known as the Terrible Threesomes, Andrew Terwillger, the Earl of Dugdale, has no intention of falling into the parson’s mousetrap. Returning to London after months of overseeing his country estate, he is ready for carousing. He first sees Olivia Banning in the receiving line at his party. He next time he sees her, he catches her in his room. He liked her when he first saw her and now he kisses her. As he is holding and kissing her, his door opens and his aunt, her aunt, and one of the loudest gossipers in London find them. He knows what he must do. He is determined to continue his wild ways but Olivia is determined that he will not ignore her. Terrible Threesomes #3.

Linda
Christmas at the Chalet by Anita Hughes

4
Felicity Grant is a bridal designer who wishes her boyfriend Adam Burton would give her an engagement ring for Christmas. Instead, he gave her a certificate for a day of pampering at a spa. He is trying to develop his business and pays little attention to her. He pays attention when blogs start reporting on Felicity and an unidentified man. Adam flies to Switzerland but things have changed between them and she realizes they do not want the same things and maybe it would be best if they broke up. She wants to find a man to marry who will look at her the way grooms look at their brides. Maybe there will be a future with Dr. Gabriel Innes, the mystery man found by the paparazzi.

Linda
Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James

5
Lord Roland Wilde (North) is shocked when his betrothed Diana Belgrave disappears. He finds her living in a small house but leaves when he hears a baby’s cry. He thinks she has found someone else but he is in love with her and has been since he first saw her. He buys a commission and heads to the colonies to fight for England. Several years later, he has returned and is shocked to find Diana living in his family’s home as the governess. Then he hears rumors that the young boy living with her is his son. He still loves her and wants to marry her but she tells him she will not be his duchess. He is determined he will not give her up. Great love story.

Linda
Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James

5
Lavinia Gray and Parth Sterling trade insults back and forth not realizing how attracted they were to each other. When Lavinia learned she had no money, Parth decided to introduce her to wealthy men but found fault with each one of them. None were good enough for Lavinia. She was helping her friend with her wedding clothing by designing and sewing much of it. Lavinia received commissions from the fabric merchant and dressmaker which she was using to pay on debts incurred by her mother. Parth ridiculed her efforts which hurt her pride. He told her he loved her and wanted to marry her. She loved him but was unsure if she could live with his ridicule.

Linda
Murder in Paradise by James Patterson

3
Three short stories. The Lawyer Lifeguard with Doug Allyn is about an attorney who survived a car bomb that killed his fiancé but he is now under suspicion by the police. The Doctor’s Plot with Connor Hyde is about a group of people reporting to a multi-billionaire who wants to control the people living nearby by eliminating those who disagree with them. Terrible story. The Shut-In with Duane Swierczynski is about a woman unable to go outside due to sun allergy. She uses a drone to view the outside world and watches a murder but the murderer notices the drone and follows it.

Lana
Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House by Omarosa Manigault Newman

3
Although the author is self-serving, I believe there is a basis of truth to many of the situations described in the book. I read the book because I determined I need to become more knowledgeable about our country's current, as well as past recent, leadership. Obviously this book won't be the only one I base my positions on. It appears to me that it was published to come out before Bob Woodward's upcoming book, FEAR. I also did research on Ms. Manigault and found that she had previously been relieved of 1-2 political/governmental positions and that some previous supervisors and coworkers found her difficult. She asserts that is due to her being a strong, smart, hardworking, and ambitious woman who has had to fight for everything.

Judy
The Other Woman by Daniel Silva

5
Allon, an art restorer, is actually head of the Isreali intelligence service. In a failed attempt to help a Russian defector who has been promised sanctuary by the British, a discovery of a mole sends a crew of international intelligence people in search of the defector. Fed false information they trace one British agent only to find that he is indeed not the mole. By the title, you will probably guess that it is a woman, but, the ending leaves more questions than it answers...and sets the stage or the reappearance of this character in a future book.

Elizabeth
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough

2
Why do so many reviews give books high ratings because of their last couple/few chapters? Case in point: CROSS HER HEART. Just about all of CROSS HER HEART is figuring out secrets. Normally that’s okay in a mystery/thriller, which CROSS HER HEART is. But most of the secrets in this book are kept from the reader, not the characters. In other words, the characters in CROSS HER HEART know more than you do. I prefer to learn what is going on AS a main character does, not AFTER. Sarah Pinborough does have Marion, one of the main characters in CROSS HER HEART, solve mysteries at pretty much the same time as the reader. But the main main character, Lisa/Charlotte, is a mystery to the reader until the last several pages.

Becky
The Wrong Child by Patricia Kay

3
In the midst of a blizzard, in an understaffed hospital and when the only labor and delivery nurse has a heart attack and dies, two infants are switched. Years later the awful truth comes out. This tale tells what happens next. Several startling instances of happenstance and the plot thickens. The story is interesting. The characters have life to them. The plot is a tearjerker – but then you knew that, right? There is no foul language. There is one sex scene. Altogether, not a bad way to spend a lazy afternoon or two.

Anne
The Time in Between by Maria Duenas

5
Excellent and memorable historical novel which was captivating and fascinating.

Pearl
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

5
Unforgettable novel which was beautifully written with wonderful character portrayal, vivid descriptions of the setting and memorable story which tugs at the heartstrings. This book will forever be remembered.

Margaret
That Month in Tuscany by Inglath Cooper

5
I loved this book and discovered a new author. Great book about relationships and a little suspense thrown in.

Chris
Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly

5
Really fast-paced story. Recommend all of his mysteries.

Susan
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
Absolutely loved this book. Well-written. Nature, romance, murder all in one. I am telling everyone about it.

Simonne
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

1
Pretentious book dealing with souls in the Bardo, kind of a purgatory, waiting to go back on living and unwilling to let go and die. The characters are weird, period.

Simonne
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

2
Two-part story about the Whitshank family who seem to have it all on the outside but harbor some inner troubles. Son Denny is selfish and demands all the worry and attention. The story focuses on the family homestead...but it is only two generations in. Midway the story jumps back a generation for some reason. The book just ended without ever going anywhere.

laurie
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

4
Fictional history/family saga at its best. Set in 1931 with a sign that read "2 children for sale" I enjoyed the colorful, heartfelt characters that helped remind me of the horrors and devastation of the Great Depression. Perfect for book clubs with a plethora of issues to discuss.

Kelly
The High Season by Judy Blundell

5
I loved this book. It’s a great summer read based in a quiet Long Island village not too far from the Hamptons. I highly recommend this book.

Kathie
Vox by Christina Dalcher

3
While I really enjoyed the unique premise of this novel and the "what if" aspect. I did not appreciate the political commentary. I felt there was too much and it took away from the really interesting and clever story. Instead of resonating with me, the commentary took away from the novel for me, hence only 3 stars instead of 4.

Judy
Accidental Heros by Danielle Steele

4
A postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge is found in an airport container by a young TSA worker. She can't quite let it go and finally reports it up the line to Homeland Security. The crew are considered to be potential suspects, but, which one of the three is it? With help from many places, the culprit is found, but, not before he takes over the plane intending to crash it into the bridge. Many characters coming from different places makes this delightful reading...right up to the exciting ending!

Nadine
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

5
Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy - as in standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-strangers crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother’s stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal. When Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother’s instructions lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.

Debbie
Death of a Butterfly by Margaret Maron

3
This is the second Sigrid Harald novel, and I must say that I enjoyed this novel so much better than the first book, ONE COFFEE WITH. I felt that Maron expanded on Ingrid's character in this novel. The characters are better developed in relation to their relationship with Ingrid. Margaret Maron builds up the intensity in the search for the killer of Julie Redmond. A few loose clues point to various people involved in Julie's ending, but when Ingrid discovers the real killer the reader feels disbelief and sadness. Is this the real killer? Many of the characters wiggle into the reader's heart. Will these characters survive until the next novel, or will they disappear?

Thomas
Unhinged by Omarosa Manigault Newman

5
Thought it was a very good book.

Susan
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh

5
Sarah and Eddie meet on a day in England and spend a week together till they both have to go back to their lives. Then things get complicated when they try to get back together. This book has many twists and turns that keeps you guessing until the end.

Cheryle
Lie to Me by J. T. Ellison

5
This is the first Ellison book I have read and will be reading others soon. This book has more twists and turns than a bag of pretzels! Wonderfully written and keeps the reader guessing.

LouAnn
Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin

4
I was hesitant to read this book because the main character sees a ghost in a house destroyed by a hurricane in 1954 and left in ruin. The boy who is the ghost vanished during the hurricane. Now in present time a young orphan boy comes to live on the beach with his great aunt. The story is about the boy’s first summer with his great aunt. A wonderful story about family, love and friendship. I love the Carolina coast and could vividly picture the story as it happened. Plus, I was reading it while Hurricane Florence was battering the Carolina coast.

Katherine
My Antonia by Willa Cather

5
A grown-up version of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE!

Helen
Princess by James Patterson and Rees Jones

5
This is a Private novel. The setting is England, the dialogue is snappy, the action is nonstop. Patterson never disappoints. I have read all the books in this series. PRINCESS is the best one yet. I am constantly amazed at how Patterson comes up with his ideas.

Julius
Unconditionally Loved (Bayou Chronicles Book 1) by Pamela Willis

5
A really good book with a mix of drama and heart-warming moments.This book will make you laugh and it will probably make you cry. I'd definitely read it again!

Faye
Unconditionally Loved: Bayou Chronicles by Pamela L. Willis

5
From beginning to end this book was great. It was a lovely story with clever writing.

Crystale
Unconditionally Loved by Pamela Willis

5
UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED is a great book and I would recommend everyone to read this book. Can't wait for the sequel to come out so I can continue reading about Darya her husband Kofi Boutin and Momo and Robert's wedding day. Also I can't wait to read about Darya's little sister Dana and learn about her mother and to read about her father Maurice and the song he wrote. With all the love going on in this novel it seems as if the families all have nothing but unconditional love for each other. Love me some Granny B., Ms. Marie, Mr. Emile and Uncle Jacques. Justine seems like a sweet young lady with a good head on her shoulders. Hopefully Tiana and Antoine will get engaged in a few years. I wish Jazz 5ive will go far and appear on TV shows soon.

Tessa B C
The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb

4
The novel focuses on a group of residents of Hanoi. Told from multiple points of view, and moving back and forth in time, it requires some attention by the reader. I found it very atmospheric. I’ve been to Vietnam and her descriptions of the sights of Hanoi – the markets, the new construction, the lake, the restaurants and art galleries – were exactly what I remember. Gibb also perfectly captured the noise and bustle, the traffic (crossing the street!!!), the torrential rains, and the smell of pho.

Melanie
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

5
This is a gem of a book. You can’t help but love Eleanor in all of her sad, eccentric, hopeful ways! The book is very well-written and have you cheering for Eleanor and a happy ending.

Susan
Lincoln's Last Trial by Dan Abrams and David Fisher

5
I have always been fascinated by Abraham Lincoln. LINCOLN'S LAST TRIAL really gives you insight on Lincoln the man, a man who was basically self taught and so incredibly smart. In addition to discussing Lincoln's trial strategy, Dan Abrams talks briefly about the evolution of our court system. The book reads really well for a history book.

Jean
The Moons of Jupiter by Alice Munro

3
These short stories set in Munro's native Canada are inhabited by women of a certain age who have issues with the men in their lives. I found most of the characters unsympathetic and hard to relate to. Many stories ended with much unresolved.

Liz
Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth by Marc Peyse and Timothy Dwyer

2
I chose this book for my book club to read. I felt this book did not do justice to these famous cousins. The book itself seemed to be more about the politics of the time than about the womens' actual relationship with each other. I felt the chapters were too long and drawn out. The book did not really get into their personal lives until midway. Will see what the club thinks in October.

Bonnie
Passing by Nella Larsen

4
Classic of the Harlem Renaissance about "passing" in New York society.

Bonnie
Wild Swans by Jung Chang

5
What a wonderful memoir and so much more. Chang tells the story of herself, her mother, and her grandmother and in so doing gives us a history of China from the time of foot-binding to the present day. Highly recommend.

Bonnie
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

5
Wonderful novel that would be great for book club discussion. It's the story of two couples, a wealthy New York society couple with their own problems and another couple who are immigrants from Cameroon looking for the American dream. The characters are well-drawn and sympathetic and the writing is top-notch.

Bonnie
Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben

4
Coben hits a home run again with a mystery that'll keep you turning pages.

Lois
A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

3
Another delightful book about a dog.

Dana
The Hush by John Hart

4
For fans of mystery, thriller genre, John Hart is one of the best. THE HUSH brings back characters from THE LAST CHILD but is a standalone story. There is an element of the supernatural to this story that will keep you guessing until the end. It is a well-written page-turner with lots of heart.

Linda
A Murder in Music City by Michael Bishop

5
This is a true story of a crime that baffled Nashville and, although a man was caught and charged with the crime, it was later found that he was set up. A young girl home from college is found in a pool of blood in her home. She had been beaten, strangled, and shot. Her mother supposedly found her after returning home from dinner but there are many conflicting stories about the timelines. This story got the attention of Michael Bishop, who was determined to find the truth about what happened on a cold February night in 1964.

Linda
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

5
Seamstress Emma Gladstone barges into the Duke of Ashbury’s home and demands payment for a wedding gown ordered by his ex-fiance. There will be no wedding as the spoiled heiress could not abide to look at Ash’s scarred face and body. He makes Emma a proposition. Ash will pay for the appalling dress or he will marry her and make her his duchess for he needs an heir. Emma agrees to marrying him. She sees his scars but also the brave, caring man who wears the scars. She doesn’t mean to fall in love with the grumpy duke but to only abide by their agreement. But love finds a way into both of their hearts.

Linda
The Disappearing by Lori Roy

2
Lane Fielding left her small Florida town as soon as she could. But now she’s returned with her two daughters. A young girl has disappeared and the old rumors start up again. Her father had run a school for troubled boys and tales of beatings and deaths were retold. Investigations were made but nothing was ever done about it. Now Lane’s older daughter has disappeared and she wonders if her daughter was taken in retaliation for her father’s evil doings.

Sean
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson

3
This isn't James Patterson's normal fare. The book is a science fiction novel. I'm not sure if the publisher was scared to advertise it that way as the author's normal fans might not be into the topic, but it clearly was. The book itself was good. There are quite a few ridiculous actions by both the protagonists and antagonists which take away from the story. Patterson also doesn't get deep into the "science" part, which is probably a good thing but there are a lot of lingering questions. I look forward to checking out the next tale involving these characters.

Francisca
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

4
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered. Twenty-five years later she’s asked to revisit that night and help uncover the truth. Flynn knows how to write a suspenseful psychological thriller. Here she explores memories and psychological trauma. I was caught up from the beginning and held on tight through all the twists and turns the story took.

Elizabeth
Still Life Witih Monkey by Katharine Weber

5
STILL LIFE WITH MONKEY may not be what you expect. But it is such a lovely novel I give it my highest rating, and I seldom do that. The story opens with Duncan, a quadriplegic architect in his 30s, after he is first introduced to Ottoline, a small helper monkey. You may expect, then, that STILL LIFE WITH MONKEY continues the story of “life with monkey.” Yes and no. STILL LIFE WITH MONKEY is a character-driven novel that studies Duncan and the people closest to him, his wife, Laura, and his twin brother, Gordon. Ottoline is part of the story, but she’s not the story.

Becky
Field of Bones by J. A. Jance

5
Joanna is on maternity leave, but her responsibilities as Sheriff keep getting in the way. A group of teenagers find, and then hide, a human skull. When a parent discovers the skull, Joanna’s leave comes to a screeching halt. A serial killer is on the loose. In the meantime, Joanna is reading her long dead father’s diaries and discovering traits she would rather not know. Jance writes intelligent mysteries carried by her carefully drawn and fully fleshed out characters. You could read this as a standalone, but the nuances of plot and character will be better understood if you are familiar with the series.

Trezeline
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

5
A very good, very sad book.

Pebble
Time and Again by Jack Finney

3
After a slow start, during which I almost put it down, I became engrossed in this time travel book. It has some twists and turns which keeps you reading!

JOAN
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

5
Story of sisters who lived in fear everyday wondering what their father will do when he gets home. The fear of him, living in squalor, needing to get away. Excellent read.

JOAN
Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

5
Excellent read. Could not put this down. Story of sisters on the run - but what happened? What made them run? Another little mystery of family beating each other up.

Ivy
The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

5
The rich truly are different, particularly this bunch who spend their summers on Winthrop Island. Miranda, who is new to the opulent lifestyle, arrives as a newbie with her mother, a soon to be bride of one of the islands prestigious gentleman. She is not prepared to deal with the layers of secrets she stumbles upon. Tragedy, eccentricities and secrets alike makes this story one that was hard to put down.

Thomas
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

5
I enjoyed reading this book very much.

Thomas
Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward

5
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I really liked it.

Darlene
Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger

5
This book is the latest in the Cork O'Connor series and is a thrilling ride! The story begins with a vision experienced by Stephen O'Connor and is soon followed by the crash of a private plane carrying a senator from Minnesota (Senator McCarthy) and her family...falling from the sky above Desolation Mountain. The Iron Lake Reservation is soon swarming with every imaginable government agency, but what is really going on? When members of the Ojibwe tribe begin to disappear, Cork and his friends begin their own investigation. This book is filled with secretive and perhaps corrupt government agents, a fight over precious minerals belonging to the Ojibwe tribe and a couple of plot twists I never saw coming! Highly recommended!!

Tessa B C
Dead Bath and Beyond by Lorraine Bartlett with Laurie Cass

3
3 stars. This is Book # 4 in the Victoria Square series. It has all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery – an amateur sleuth who cannot keep her nose out of police business, a colorful cast of supporting characters, a fun business venture that keeps our heroine busy, and some love interest. It held my attention and I was entertained.

Ilene
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

5
LIGHT OVER LONDON starts in present time when Clara Hargraves working in an antique shop where she and her boss are clearing out an old estate when she comes across an old diary and photograph of a young woman in uniform taken during World War ll. Life hasn’t been exactly exciting for Clara as she is going through a divorce, leaving a husband who drained her of her life savings. With this diary, it may open up a new purpose for her, a quest to find out all about this woman and her life. Then we meet Louise Keene, the woman of the diary, living a small village in 1941 as the war breaks out, working in a little grocery store, living with her parents. Her mother wants her to better herself by marrying a soldier she has no interest in.

Betty
The Ancient Nine by Ian K. Smith

5
If you are a fan of Dan Brown’s “Robert Langdon” series (ANGELS & DEMONS. THE DAVINCI CODE) this is the book for you. Set at Harvard University in 1988, student Spenser Collins finds an engraved invitation slipped under his dorm room door to “punch” for the most elite of the final clubs - the Delphic Club. I enjoyed everything about the story – the perfectly-timed pacing, the excellent character development, the tad of romance, the suspense.

Jan
Life From Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin

4
I received this book from the author and a Goodreads drawing. It was not anything like what I was expecting. This is really a memoir of a woman who has survived some awful experiences (her mother gave her away) and who has not only survived but has learned and become a great person. The best part is her many recipes throughout the book. The second best part is her acknowledgement of her faults and growing from that knowledge. I could not put the book down once I started it, and now I have tabbed all the recipes I want to try. This is not a cookbook or a diary of a woman who lives on the land, i.e. from scratch, but is a moving memoir of her personal growth and overcoming all the evil and bad stuff in her early life. A great read.