January 4, 2008 - January 17, 2008
Last contest period's winners were [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected], who each received a copy of BLEEDING KANSAS by Sara Paretsky, THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS by Eric Weiner and LAST CALL by James Grippando.
| Christy H. |
| Wreck the Halls by Sarah Graves |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
In this 5th book in the Home Repair is Homicide mystery Series, Ms. Graves treats us to a holiday murder (or two) in her wonderful town of Eastport, Maine. This had a well-constructed plot and fabulous characters. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see what is in store for Jacobia, Ellie, Wade, etc. |
| Christy H. |
| Beneath a Blood Red Moon by Shannon Drake |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the first installment in this paranormal vampire series by Ms. Drake. BENEATH A BLOOD RED MOON is a fast-paced book that is full of suspense and romance. The main and secondary characters were great and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. |
| Linda |
| The Abduction by Mark Gimenez |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
My son and I both enjoyed reading this thriller. Mr. Gimenez's previous book was excellent too. |
| Marsha |
| Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This ranks up to the top of Picoult's novels. A handsome stranger arrives in a small New England town in hopes of starting anew. He comes to the rescue of a diner operator and quietly starts a new routine. Unfortunately, he is required by law to register as a sex offender and that opens a real can of worms. Wiccan ways and dark secrets cause shattering problems. |
| Louise |
| The Best Christmas Ever by Stella Bagwell |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A charming Christmas story about a soldier who returns home for his brother's wedding and discovers the granddaughter of an OLD friend. |
| Christy H. |
| Kiss Of Darkness by Heather Graham |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
In this continuation of her paranormal vampire saga penned under Shannon Drake, Ms. Graham has created another fast-paced page turner. Maggie, Sean and Lucian from UNDER A BLOOD RED MOON all make appearances in this suspenseful and entertaining read. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Taro and Tomi: My Feline Son and Daughter by Shizue Tomoda |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
TARO & TOMI would be great for those first-timers who want to share their life with a cat. For cat lovers, they will see themselves and their felines in the stories. And for the rest of us, we can enjoy a sweet, true-life story. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| The Crime Writer by Gregg Hurwitz |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Imagine waking up in a hospital with no memory and you're the lead suspect in a murder investigation of your ex-fiancée. That's exactly how THE CRIME WRITER by Gregg Hurwitz begins. Fantastic book. Fantastic writer. |
| Fran |
| For Matrimonial Purposes by Kavita Daswani |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Kavita Daswani gives the reader a bird's eye view of the Indian culture and expectations for marriage. Through the eyes of Anju, an endearing, funny 30-year- old independent woman, the reader is taken on a journey to Bombay in search of her husband. With humor and humility, the character sheds light on the custom of arranged marriages and the role of women in Indian culture. I really enjoyed this book. I plan to pass it along to some friends. |
| Janet Ross |
| The Philosopher's Apprentice by James Morrow |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A pleasure to read, this book is thought provoking on many levels. While sometimes bizarre and implausible, I'll be thinking about Mason Ambrose's improbable saga on the Isla de Sangre for quite some time. He relates the epiphany of an altruistic, blank conscience injected with the great truths and teachings of the world --- many of which are at odds with each other. He witnesses (and sometimes contributes to) the chaos that ensues as Londa Sabachthani attempts to mold the world into a much better place. Injected into the plot are shocking and controversial ethical and moral questions. The trip is filled with compassion, love, and the desire for good. It was a riveting read, filled with twists and turns to the very end. |
| Genie |
| A Thin Dark Line by Tani Hoag |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A murder suspect is released on a technicality because the investigator is accused of planting evidence against him. Detective Nick Fourcade is ordered off the case, but he continues the investigation on his own time, in spite of the orders. Deputy Annie Broussard finds the mutilated body of a woman, and wants to see that justice is done. She has been ordered off the case because her boss believes she has become too emotionally involved. She, too, continues to investigate on her own time. Broussard and Fourcade must join forces in order to solve the murders, which is not an easy task since Annie doesn't trust the detective...but then Annie doesn't trust a number of her co-workers. A serial rapist is on a tear and the women of Bayou Breaux are terrified. Are the rapist and murderer one and the same suspect? Are there two different suspects on the loose? Broussard and Fourcade will have to discover the answers to these questions. |
| Genie |
| Small Gods by Terry Pratchett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The importance of religion is seriously questioned when church leaders decide to invade a neighboring country in the name of their chosen god, Om. Vorbis, the head clergyman, sets out to declare himself the Prophet and Cenobiarchen. His favorite pastime is torturing various creatures as well as men. His plan is to write a book of rules, The Book of Vorbis, and keep the newly acquired country in line. In the process of attempting to accomplish his goals, he discovers Brother Brutha, long thought to be hopelessly stupid, has a photographic memory. This he intends to put to good use. Problems become more numerous when Brutha finally sees Vorbis as the monster he really is. This story is filled with all sorts of interesting characters; fallen gods, demons, temple monks, the Grim Reaper ... |
| Lucille Smith |
| Rainbow Walking by Marie Fras Cribari |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
RAINBOW WALKING is one of the best books I've read this year. I've been reading books for pleasure since I left college and this is a real page turner. If you want to read a book that keeps you from making Friday night plans (because you would rather be home reading), this is the one for you! Part of me wanted to read it in one sitting, but the other half warned me to savor it because I knew I would be sad when I finishedit! Please read it and spread the word. |
| Crystal Adkins ([email protected]) |
| Cimmerian City by Rae Lindley |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Raven Blackheart was your average 23-year-old college student, but lately her grades had been suffering. She would soon find out that there were worse things in life than failing grades. How about being attacked by fanged creatures and watching the man you love, die right before her eyes? The year is 2010 and Raven wakes after being asleep for the past ten years after the attack. She learns from Tyler Deamond, Vice President of the Tech Corp., the company that has watched her while she slept; that she was now a hybrid. Mixed with the Dracins and her human race. A Dracin is a blood drinking day walking human experiment. They were enhanced to have tougher skin and be able to survive better than regular humans in 1989. Deamond convinces Raven the Dracins were the ones that killed her boyfriend Jack. He in turn used her as a killing machine going after all the Dracins he saw as a threat to disrupt his plans to take humans and Dracins Offworld in hopes of making peace between the races.or at least that was his excuse. Raven then meets up with a man called Russell and another called Enos; both were former employees of Tech Corp. They helped her see Deamond's true intentions and were her only friends in his new world. Feelings were developing between Russell and Raven, and in the end would she find out how close Enos actually was to her. Growing up without a family, she is about to make a startling discovery. Cimmerian City is the first book in the Cimmerian Series, the cover is eye catching while the words inside the cover are enthralling. Ms. Lindley creates a whole new world with her sci-fi characters that is all too real. The details and events are written by the skilled hands of an author who knows how to addict the reader. I will be sure to follow the upcoming books in the series. 5 Hearts Cimmerian City on myspace: www.myspace.com/cimmerian_city |
| Priscilla |
| Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
As always, Anita Shreve has written a good book. This is a story about a woman named Maureen who is an abused wife, and she flees to Maine with her daughter. It's worth the read! |
| Janet Ross |
| Gray Ghost by William G. Tapply |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the second of Tappley's Stoney Calhoun series. As always, Tappley writes with a wonderful connection to nature. A charred body is found during a fly-fishing trip, and Stoney is reluctantly recruited to aid the sheriff. |
| Janet Ross |
| A Killer's Kiss by William Lashner |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Victor Carl joins up again with his only true love, Julia, who previously betrayed him when she broke their engagement to marry a rich doctor. Their reunion is initially promising, but marred by trust issues as each is considered a suspect (among many) in her husband's murder. Note: This is Lashner's seventh Victor Carl mystery--- and his last for a while. He's taking a break to introduce new characters. While disappointed, I can't help but wonder what the future holds in store. |
| Janet Ross |
| Lost Echoes by Joe R. Lansdale |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Another great read by Lansdale, this book follows Harry Wilkes and his mentor, Tad, as they heal their vices. Harry has the gift (or rather, curse) of experiencing violent visions. Following up on such a vision, he attempts to solve several related cold cases with the help of his friends. |
| Crystal Adkins ([email protected]) |
| Into The Spell: A Kim Bennett Thriller by Norm Applegate |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Tampa, Florida proves unsafe when the mayor's daughter Jennifer is murdered in the same way as the Son of Sam killings. Is someone out there trying to copycat? Or has the real killer eluded the police and is now making a comeback? Kim Bennet was on the plane waiting for takeoff when an FBI agent pulls her off the flight. She had just finished a lecture at USF, on her way back to San Francisco, and now she may be a suspect in Jennifer's murder. Kim is quickly waved of the possibility when the murder weapon is confirmed --- the same gun used in the Son of Sam murders; but how can that be? Titus Constantine has the power of mind control; he often uses hypnosis in night clubs as a stage act. But now, he's on to much bigger and better things. He hypnotizes people to do the murdering for him so that no blood is on his hands. Meanwhile, he uses Rachel Burns while under hypnosis to satisfy his perversions. Oh, and did I mention he hears voices from the deceased? Madam Blavatsky is her name, and even though she tries to warn Titus of the future, he doesn't listen. He is on a power high, seeking revenge for his murdered brother. Kim Bennett is his target. The six degrees of separation are all throughout this story. Everyone is linked to someone that proves deadly for some. Norm Applegate's novel INTO THE SPELL is spine-tingling and edgy. It is a new twist on thrillers that will keep you biting your nails and holding your breath. Mr. Applegate's writing is infectious. Now I have to back up and read the first book in the Kim Bennett thriller series, INTO THE BASEMENT. He has me hooked. 5 Hearts. |
| T. Thomas |
| The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A wonderful book about life in Warsaw during World War II. |
| Anita |
| Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was the first book I read by Ms. Fairstein and I really enjoyed it. The mystery was intriguing and I also enjoyed learning about the underground subway system of NYC. |
| Mark Gunnells |
| The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
McCammon is a genuis, and it is criminal that he is not more well known. This novel, a sequel to the excellent SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD, is brilliant. |
| Mark Gunnells |
| Mad Dogs by Brian Hodge |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A writer that gets little attention, Hodge is one of the best horror/thriller writers working today. MAD DOGS is a fun crime novel with extra helpings of humor. |
| Louise |
| A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Once I got into the book, it was hard to put down. The author has a very captivating style of writing. The story is based around a real murder, which happened around the turn of the century. |
| David W. |
| A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, and probably the best in the series thus far. There are at least five events that occur in this book that will shock you, and may even make you throw the book across the room (as I did). This series is highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy, because it's the cream of the crop as far as that genre is concerned. Martin establishes amazing characters and gives them so much depth, that you begin to relate to all of them (including the "bad" characters). Read these books! |
| Anita |
| Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was a wonderful book about people in a circus. The characters were wonderful and the story was so interesting that it was hard to put down. |
| Kay Keller |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is simply one of the best books I've ever read! The words are delicious and rich, and the humor is the laugh-out-loud kind. This book is for real! I'm sure I'll read it again someday. |
| Judy O. |
| Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved this book, which takes place in eastern Kansas near Lawrence. It is the story of two warring farm families and of the violence that ensues. Paretsky is best-known for her series about a private investigator, but she said that she has always wanted to write this story about the area in which she was raised. It is wonderful. |
| Cheryl |
| The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the first solo writing effort by Andrew Gross, who has several bestselling books that he co-authored with James Patterson. The story revolves around the lives of one family, who have many secrets of the past coming forward to wreak havoc on their present lives. This solo effort is really a good thriller with many unexpected twist and turns that surprise the reader. |
| Paula W ([email protected]) |
| A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Lydia Hoffman's yarn store has been in business for a year, and she has met many challenges of becoming a business owner. I feel that her classes are a wonderful addition to her business and she also was able to form a bond with each of her students in the first class she held, as well as the most recent. She learned a valuable lesson that even though many people can be from all walks of life, we all share the same pursuit of happiness, even though we each do it in different way. I also love the fact that whatever class that is being taught to her students, is published in the book itself, way to go Ms. Macomber. |
| Dodalodle from Beautiful British Columbia |
| Heartsick by Chelsea Cain |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is an extraordinary suspense novel, which is very different from your typical suspense story. This book centers on Archie Sheridan, a police detective in Portland, Oregon, who spent 10 years tracking a serial killer. This killer was Gretchen Lowell, who --- in turn --- kidnaps Archie and tortures him for 10 days before she decides to let him go. She turns herself in and is now locked away for the rest of her life. Archie is now addicted to pain pills and is unable to live a normal life with his wife and children. He still visits Gretchen in prison every Sunday, believing she is the only one who can give him the whereabouts of more of her victims. When another killer begins kidnapping young girls off the streets, Archie has to pull himself together to lead the new task force in charge of the investigation. A young female newspaper reporter gets involved in the story and begins profiling Archie and the investigation. This book was hard to put down and has many twists and turns. Chelsea Cain is another new author I am happy to have discovered and I look forward to her next book. |
| T. Thomas ([email protected]) |
| Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A fantasy book that is a very fast read. I am looking forward to reading the second in the series. |
| Paula W. ([email protected]) |
| An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Lady Perditia "Poppy" Selby was programmed from birth to be duchess. She didn't realize that she was living her Mother's would-have-been life. She tried to do all that was perfect from her Mother's point of view to the point that it almost cost her the true love of her life. Fortunately for Poppy, she was able to see the light through the eyes of some of her new unconventional friends. As always, Eloisa James is able to capture the very soul of a character and put it in print. |
| Louise |
| The Other Mrs. Jordan by Mary Turner Thomson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An autobiographical story, it has to be read to be believed, and even then, one has to wonder how the conman she married got away with so much. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but her husband was leading several different lives, and she was completely unaware of it til she got a phone call one day from another woman who also called herself Mrs. Jordan. |
| LouBabe |
| A Deadly Affair by Tom Henderson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A true crime story about an attorney whose wife was found dead from a gunshot to the head, while he, admittedly, was the only other person in the house. Written along the lines of Ann Rule's books, this author does not compare. I was bothered by frequent repeats of things already said, and he didn't even change the wording the 2nd and 3rd times. The story itself is worth reading, though. |
| Paula W. ([email protected]) |
| Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Lindsey, the main character, took a chance for a major change that was needed in her life. She took off on her own to "think through " what was really important to her even though this meant moving away from the way of life that she was familiar with. The secret that she shared with her grandmother many years before was a personal one that kept them linked together even after death and made her understand what a courageous woman her grandmother truly was. Lindsey was a very independent woman who finally realized that she was the artist on the canvas of her life. This book was such an inspiration to anyone who will take the pleasure to read it. |
| Louise |
| Don't Say a Word by Barbara Freethy |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A excellent mystery about a woman who sees a photograph of a little girl that she knows is her. But the girl is standing behind the gates of a foreign orphanage, and she wasn't adopted. Or she didn't think so, anyway. You won't want to put the book down as you learn, along with her, more and more about her mysterious past. |
| Catherine G. |
| Feeling the Banyan Tree by J. W. Switzer |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
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A bright, funny, take-you-away kind of story. Very amusing. |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| Tony and Me by Jack Klugman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This was a wonderful story of friendship. Jack Klugman wrote this after Tony Randall died. It briefly tells about how they met, how The Odd Couple came to be, and how their friendship became a life saver for Jack, especially after he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Tony was instrumental in building Jack's confidence back after he'd lost his voice from cancer surgery so that Jack could perform again. Tony was also helpful in allowing Jack to see how important friendship is, especially during rough times. Jack never thought much of friendships. He was a loner and reluctant to open himself up to trusting anyone. But, Tony showed Jack how much he cared and how much he was routing for him when he was trying to come back as an actor. This book is a tribute to a partnership, a very successful partnership. Included in the book is a DVD of some outtakes from The Odd Couple. This was the icing on the cake. |
| Fran |
| Hula by Lisa Shea |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
A quick read about two girls growing up with a war-haunted father. The storytelling was somewhat disjointed so it was hard to really get into the book. |
| Fran |
| The Character of Rain by Amelie Nothomb |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I read this book in less than one hour. I enjoy Amelie Nothomb's unique writing style. This book captures the perspective of a child's first two years of life. |
| Mary Branham |
| The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
When both parents die on the same night, their 3 children come to bury them and find letters written by their dad every Wednesday to their mom. What a secret they find in the letters --- one that could change their lives forever. I just had to read anything by Jason Wright I could find after THE CHRISTMAS JARS. |
| Mary Branham |
| Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I love this book. I have been reading for over 50 years, and this moved me more than any other that I have read. It's about people leaving jars of money to others in need on Christmas Eve. I wish everyone would read this book and pass it on. What a better place this country would be. |
| Marsha |
| On Green Dolphin Street by Sebastian Faulks |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Faulks writes in a very clear and understanding voice in the character of Mary van der Linden. He takes us back to the years before the Nixon-Kennedy election and the politics encompassing the times. Bring along something to stem the tears, as you will be enmeshed in a wonderful love story. |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
It is very interesting to read this first book starring Kathryn Dance, a interrogator and kinesics expert. The plot revolves around an evil killer and cult leader who has escaped from a California prison. Dance has been put in charge of finding him. The story bounces back between the minds of the killer and Dance. I thought Deaver did a great job with character development intertwining Kathryn and her life and history with the current chase of this killer, who is as ruthless as they come. Deaver also shows talent writing from a woman's perspective. I enjoyed the suspense and I am looking forward to the next Dance thriller. |
| Paula |
| Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Goldy, the caterer, promises that the food will be just right, but she also helps her detective husband to solve crimes in their affluent Colorado community. This installment provided many tense reading moments, but also some good recipes at the end of the book. |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| Forgotten Ellis Island by Lori Conway, Chris Barnes |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An absolutely incredible book about Ellis Island Hospital that took in immigrants, gave them medical screenings and helped them to recover so they could enter the United States. This is a hospital very few know about. Those who were deemed unfit were deported, but many times the medical staff gave many a second chance. After the US began cutting back on immigrants coming into the US, the hospital closed and decayed. But in 2000, monies were given to make it a historical site. This is an excellent account of those who care about the less fortunate. |
| Fran |
| You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs by Laurie Graff |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Overall, this was a cute story, but I found it to be boring because of its length. 400+ pages is just too much for a Red Dress Ink book. It needs a good editor to cut out some of the tedium in the middle. |
| Catherine G. |
| A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
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Wonderful, ever so touching! |
| Debbie ([email protected]) |
| Taken by Storm by Tami Hoag |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I was sadly disappointed, as this was not up to par with Hoag's other writing. TAKEN BY STORM is a sugary love story set in Montana and Minnesota about football, nursing and first love. |
| Debbie ([email protected]) |
| The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the true story of education on an island off the coast of SC --- the difference in education for whites and blacks, and the expectations for each group. THE WATER IS WIDE is a sad story of illiteracy. |
| Marsha |
| Chill Factor by Sandra Brown |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Sandra Brown writes a thriller that is fast paced and exciting. During a ice storm, a magazine editor is stranded in a remote cabin with a man who may be a serial killer. Meanwhile, her estranged husband, the chief of police, and the FBI try to rescue her. The townsfolks become unravelled in more ways than one when their sins are revealed as the plot thickens. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
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I just love this series! :) |
| Marsha |
| True Evil by Greg Iles |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
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This is a fascinating and terrifying tale of murderous secrets in a small town in the south. An alternative to a costly divorce could be certain death to the spouse who won't cooperate. Lawyer and virologist combine to make a deadly result. |
| L. Hann |
| The Target by Catherine Coulter |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I have never read anything by Catherine Coulter. I didn't really care for this book but have heard a lot about her (positive feedback), so I am going to give her another try. I was a bit confused by the conversation between the characters. There are almost too many at one time. |
| Lisa |
| Twilight by Stephenie Meyer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A friend reccomended this "vampire" book to me and I had no desire to read it. Yet I followed through on her recommendation and absolutely loved it. I read the first three books in the series in under a week and can't wait for the fourth. Meyer's novels take the reader into a world where vampires and werewolves exist, where love prevails despite great differences. I can't describe what makes this story so magical, but once you pick it up you won't be able to put the book down. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Iraq in My Eye: Memoirs of a Navy SEAL by Chuck Bravedy |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The book is based on real statistics and real first-hand testimony from those actually fighting the war. Bravedy wastes no words describing the problems and issues. He concludes his book with three goals of the War, solutions that strike at the heart of the war on terrorism, and tells a way to pull out our troops. |
| Kay Keller |
| Pieces of My Sister's Life by Elizabeth Joy Arnold |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was a wonderful novel about love, abandonment, trust, betrayal, forgiveness, letting go --- basically life!! The story centers around three major characters: identical twins, Kerry and Eve Barnard, and Justin Caines. I couldn't put down this book. It was captivating. I couldn't predict how it would end and that's part of what I enjoyed about it so much. The characters seemed real enough to crawl out of the book! |
| Becky Cruz ([email protected]) |
| Heir To Secret Memories by Mallory Kane |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very good romantic suspense. Jay Wellcome was brutally attacked and left for dead. As a result, he lost all of his memories, but the one image that couldn't be erased was of a nameless beauty. Though he never thought they would ever come face to face, she appeared before him like a beautiful ghost. He couldn't remember her, but his fingers burned with the knowledge of the curves of her body. Paige Reynolds claimed that her young daughter had been kidnapped and she needed him. Nothing would stop him from tracking a killer, especially when he learned that her child was also his. |
| Becky Cruz ([email protected]) |
| African Ice by Jeff Buick |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An intense, gut-twisting thriller! A diamond formation worth millions lay hidden deep in the jungles of Africa. Many have tried, and failed, to find it. Can Samantha Carlson do the impossible? The president of Gem-Star thinks so. He hires the geologist to lead a team into the Democratic Republic of Congo to locate the diamonds. Gem-Star has sent other teams to find the formation and none have made it out alive. Samantha is aware that the odds are against her when she accepts the job. She's taken hazardous jobs before, and she knows what she's doing. Plus, Gem-Star has provided an escort team to protect her. But Samantha's expedition is about to turn into a battle for survival. There's another team on a mission in the jungle. Their goal: to kill Samantha. |
| Becky Cruz ([email protected]) |
| The Reluctant Bride by Leigh Greenwood |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Set in the Colorado Territory in 1872, Boulder Gap is a false-fronted, one-street town where the only way a fellow can find a decent woman was to send away for her. When Tanzy first sees the man she's come west to marry, he's galloping after a gang of bandits, peppering them with buckshot. Russ Tibolt is a far cry from the respectable husband she expected when she agreed to become a mail-order bride. He'd killed a man ten years earlier and he was much too compelling for any woman's peace of mind. |
| Tony Banks ([email protected]) |
| The Oasis by Wilson Crawford |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is Southern fiction and is set in the Yadkin Valley in North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina. It is well written and has many plot twists which I like. Romance, intrigue and suspense make this a great read! |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| An Absolute Gentleman by R. M. Kinder |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is, without a doubt, one of the best thrillers I've read this year. It's Oh-My-God good! |
| Debbie ([email protected]) |
| Truly, Madly Manhattan by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
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There are two novels in one book, both of which are about Manhattan and love, and finding that special person. A little too sweet with very few hurdles. |
| Becky Cruz ([email protected]) |
| Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A very witty read that, at times, had me laughing out loud! Minerva Dobbs knows that "happily ever after" is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her out to win a bet. Even if he is the gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal is commitment shy, even if Min does wear great shoes! They say good-bye at the end of their date and both decide to cut their losses. But fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a crazy ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, the chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of! |
| Debi |
| Mr. Monk goes to Hawaii by Lee Goldberg |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
If you are a Monkophile, you will love this book!! Mr. Monk's airplane flight will make you roll with laughter! Goldberg captures the spirit of the TV show in his writing. I have the whole series of books, of course!! |
| Genie |
| Bad Business by Robert B. Parker |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Marlene Cowley hires Spenser to follow her husband, Trent, to see if he's cheating on her. He takes the job expecting it to be a simple case. Once he begins tracking Trent, he soon realizes there is another PI tracking Marlene. He stops by the car and has a chat with the second PI and the two compare notes. They discover that there is a third PI who was hired to follow the "other woman" in Trent's life. This called for another encounter with an offer to compare more notes. It turns out that all the parties are involved in a spouse-swapping group headed up by a radio talk show therapist named Darrin O'Mara. This put a different take on the entire situation which peaks Spenser's interest. As he digs a little deeper into the investigation, Trent Cowley is found murdered in his office, and the security chief refuses to discuss the matter. What began as a simple investigation leads Spenser into a much more complex situation with serious corporate crimes at its center. |
| Genie |
| Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This tale goes back 6,000 years to Egypt where the first vampire (Akasha, Queen of the Damned) is created. It continue across several continents and through the years to the present. In the end, Akasha faces her most ancient enemies when her fate will be decided. |
| Linda M. Johnson |
| The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A fascinating look at the personalities and characteristics of the 9 Supreme Court Justices. Who knew? |
| Tom Barrington |
| Hunting Fear by Kay Hooper |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I have read several of her books. This is a great read and is one of her best books. She usually writes 3 books in a series. I found this to be a good book and plan on reading more by her. |
| Debi |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This non-fiction book is written in three parts. It is about Ms. Gilbert's recovery from a devastating divorce, failed romance, and deep depression. She goes to Italy, India, and Indonesia in her search for inner peace. She has a lyrical writing style that will keep you reading. I particularly liked her trip to Italy! You will enjoy this book. |
| T.C. Brown |
| The Boy In Striped Pajamas by John Boyne |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book gave me chills at the end. The naivety of the main character can be both infuriating and sad. I really enjoyed this book. |
| Linda M. Johnson |
| Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I think Hiaasen is the male equivalent of Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum. Hiaasen's books aren't sequential and only a few have recurring characters. LUCKY YOU concerns a woman from a small Florida town who holds one of two winning lottery tickets. The other ticket is purchased by a couple of best friends low lives who don't want to share even $14 million. I'm not quite half way through, but I know Hiaasen will take me on one unbelievable ride before this trip is done. |
| Bonnie |
| Cross by James Patterson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Workmanlike mystery that is great escapism and diversion. You won't remember a thing about it in a week's time, and that's ok. |
| Marsha |
| Them by Nathan McCall |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This story is one of the assimilation of an Atlanta neighborhood that had been black but is becoming gentrified and the effect it has on the households, businesses and friendships. It gives you much to think about. |
| Fran |
| Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I loved this book, from the opening sentence where Julia tosses her wedding gown into a tree to the heartwarming ending. This was a fun book about women, friendships, love and overcoming adversity. |
| Genie |
| A Secret Rage by Charlaine Harris |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Nickie Callahan was told she was past her prime by the New York modeling agency she had been working for. It was time to come up with an alternative career plan. Nickie decides to move back to her hometown of Knolls, Tennessee and finish her college degree. She enrolls in the university and moves in with a longtime friend. Just when things seem to be falling into place, disaster strikes when a serial rapist goes on a tear. Several women involved in various aspects of the university are the victims. When Nickie becomes one of the victims, at first she feels both violated and helpless. When one of the victims, a friend of hers, is murdered Nickie decides its time to take action. She teams up with another of the victims to compare notes and try to identify the rapist. All they have to go on is the fact that it is someone they both know. The main hope is to identify the perp before he has the chance to strike again. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Fly Paper for Freaks by Christine Peetz |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The author's writing is a bit rough around the edges. Still, I found myself completely enthralled, unable to stop reading. |
| Judy O. |
| A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Ishmael Beah is a 12-year-old boy in Sierra Leone when rebels start attacking villages, killing the residents, stealing anything of value, and destroying the rest. Ishmael's family is killed and he goes on the run, walking for weeks to try to escape the carnage. Finally, he is conscripted into the country's army to fight the rebels. He fights for over two years, committing unimaginable acts against the rebels that his unit comes in contact with. The 15-year -old boy is rescued and rehabilitated by a group from the United Nations, whose main objective is to save the "boy soldiers". How he goes from this point to being a college graduate in the United States is nail-biting. An inspiring story of uncommon courage and determination. |
| Marsha |
| The Worst Thinkg I've Done by Ursula Hegi |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
This is an unsettling account of a friendship between two males and a female and their bonds of intimacy. When they step over the line, a shocking consequence occurs that changes everything. |
| Christy H. |
| White Hot Holidays Volume 2 by Sherri L. King, Annie Windsor, Rachel Carrington, |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was a steamy, fast-paced holiday-themed read with wonderful contributions from each of these highly talented authors. |
| ReadingRat |
| The Ghost Writer by John Harwood |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. I especially liked how Gerard's exploration into the mystery of his mother's past was used as a vehicle to present some nice classic ghost stories. However, I didn't feel that the ending was very well constructed. I usually don't require a book to have a perfectly tidy ending, but this one was just a little TOO loose. |
| Judy O. |
| The Ghost by Robert Harris |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A ghostwriter of a memoir of Ex Prime Minister Adam Lang is the hero of this book. His only name throughout is "The Ghost". While interviewing Lang for this project, the ghostwriter becomes suspicious of many things that Lang tells him. He decides to investigate these facts for himself, and he gets into more trouble than he wants. The ending had an interesting twist. I'd like to read other books by this author. |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As a mother, I was totally moved by this book. I can not even dream of placing myself in this mother's shoes and do what she did to this boy. It is absolutely unbelievable. I commend Dave for being so strong and coming to grips with his abuse. He is an amazing man for going through this and coming out normal with an understanding of what he had to do to "NOT be like them". I can't say I am looking forward to reading the next book because his story is so sad, but I am very interested because his life and what he went through is truly amazing. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| The Charon Covenant by Brenda Munday Gifford |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
THE CHARON COVENANT is the first of the Dara Drew trilogy. This 175 page sci-fi book has six chapters, one for each day in the story. It takes place in the not-so-distant future on the moon. By this time, the earth was all but inhabitable and the governments had united in an effort to save the human race. Selected humans were sent to the moon colony, and a new generation is being raised. |
| Blaire Owen ([email protected]) |
| Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I read this novel at Oprah's suggestion. Parts of it I quite enjoyed (learning about how cathedrals are built, the history of that era, etc.). I thought that the author did a good job of creating a memorable story. At times I felt the tale dragged a bit, but overall, an enjoyable read. |
| L. Hann |
| Motherhood, The Second Oldest Profession by Erma Bombeck |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Great read! |
| Blaire Owen ([email protected]) |
| Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
BENEATH A MARBLE SKY reminded me a great deal of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA. In some ways I actually preferred BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, as I felt that it was more powerful and memorable. The narrator of this novel is the daughter of the man responsible for the creation of the Taj Mahal. I can't think of a novel I enjoyed more in 2007. |
| L. Hann |
| Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Fast read. Need something for a cold winter night? Find a nice warm spot by the fire and cozy up with a book. This is a great one! |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
This book was very disappointing to me. I really thought the storyline was great. It was about a girl named Teresita, who was born illegitimate and whose mother left her when she was a child. Teresita was educated by Huila, the maid of Don Tomas, midwife and medicine woman. Teresita was very gifted in her love for God and love for the people. This love eventually gave her a special gift that made her a saint throughout the Mexican land. I thought the author did a poor job of telling this story. First of all, it didn't require 500 pages to be told. I thought the author went off in tangents and elaborated on things that were irrelevant to the story. I also thought his character development was lacking, which took away from the story and also left the reader with many unanswered questions. The ending was written like the author was tired of writing and decided to abruptly end the book. On a positive note, the description of the land and the culture of the time was very detailed and placed the reader right in the middle of the history. It just was not enough to hold the book together. |
| L. Hann |
| To Our Children's Children by Bob Greene |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Want to pass something down to your children or grandchildren this holiday season? Why not pass down your family story. This book helps you with asking all the right questions so that your story will live on for generations. |
| L. Hann |
| Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Step back time to where it all began. Find out what makes Alan Alda tick and his trials and tribulations throughout his life. |
| L. Hann |
| I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up... by Erma Bromback |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Erma does it again. I WANT TO GROW HAIR, I WANT TO GROW UP, I WANT TO GO TO BOISE is written on a more serious note but as with anything, Erma shows us the way to find humor in life no matter what we are dealt. |
| L. Hann |
| If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries... by Erma Bombeck |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
IF LIFE IS A BOWL OF CHERRIES, WHAT AM I DOING IN THE PITS is a great book to laugh at yourself with. It's also a great way to jumpstart the new year. |
| Cat |
| Third Degree by Greg Iles |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I was surprised that this book was written by Greg Iles. I have thoroughly enjoyed many of his previous fast-moving and well-plotted tales, but this one left me cold. You will find yourself desperately trying to care for the shallow, uncaring husband and father as well as the blatantly unfaithful and somewhat slutty wife. The children always seem secondary in the story and unimportant in the family relationship. Unfortunately, Iles is not at his best at all. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Ruby Rest by Tyler Oaks |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book is a mystery wrapped in a series of mysteries. You won't find out the complete connection until the end. |
| Sandy ([email protected]) |
| The Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved every minute of this book. Maggie is born into a very unusual household. Her unmarried 16-year-old mother and her 4 sisters and grandfather raise her and it is 26 years later when she learns some shocking truths. This is a new author for me and I can't wait to find her other books. |
| Fran |
| The Slow Moon by Elizabeth Cox |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Excellent! A compelling story of a young couple whose lives are shattered when the girl is attacked. This author reminds me of Jodi Picoult in her style of writing. |
| Larraine |
| Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Burke is probably my favorite crime writer. His books are absolutely lyrical and dark and sexy and violent and amazing. This is his book about what Katrina and, worse yet, what the lack of any real political will did to a jewel of North America. Wonderful book! |
| Rebekah Crain ([email protected]) |
| The Great Santa Search by Jeff Guinn |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Another wonderful book from Guinn. His Santa stories are so well written, and the perfect blend of fact with fiction. You can't miss with this holiday read! |
| Sal Williams |
| The Mysteries Within by Sherman B. Nuland |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Fascinating study of the human body and how we have mythologized our organs in order to explain them through time by a renown surgeon. So much of this book is a study of old, widely held, common but inaccurate knowledge with a new and timely approach. I haven't been able to put it down. |
| Reva Wamsley ([email protected]) |
| At Risk by Patricia Cornwell |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Not one of her best books. This doesn't feature any of the characters from her other novels. I would much rather read a Kay Scarpetta book. |
| Larraine |
| T Is For Tresspass by Sue Grafton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is an unusually dark book by Sue Grafton's standards, but I really enjoyed it. It goes back and forth between Kinsey Milhone and Solana Rojas, one of the creepiest characters you'll meet. She's creepy because she's so NORMAL. And yet, she's a psychopath. Loved it! |
| Genie |
| Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Anthropology professor Clyde Nunley asks Harper Connelly to demonstrate (to his class) her unique talent (identifying deceased individuals and explaining the cause of death) in a nearby graveyard. His actual intention is to prove her to be a fake. He is taken aback when she not only proves her abilities to be 100% accurate among the old occupants, but also identifies a new addition placed in an old grave site. As if this weren't strange enough, the second body is that of a missing child Harper had been hired to find several months before. The situation takes an even stranger turn when a third body turns up in that location. It is that of Clyde Nunley himself. The question is who is the murderer and why is he/she trying to set Harper up as the prime suspect? |
| K. Harrington |
| Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole-Carter |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Lush, historical tale set in the post-Civil War south about a doctor who accepts a position at a ladies lunatic asylum and finds that things are not what they seem. The women are disappearing in mysterious ways and many of the patients have no mental problems. This was a great and beautifully written mystery. |
| Corky Mayo ([email protected]) |
| The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is somewhat autobiographical in nature. Ann Hood took up knitting while grieving the death of her daughter, and this book is the result. This story reminds us all that there is hope and joy in helping others cope. |
| Corky Mayo ([email protected]) |
| The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Need to have your faith in love and humanity restored? Read this book. It is one of two BEST books read this year! |
| L. Hann |
| Four Blind Mice by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
You will stay up all night just to finish FOUR BLIND MICE! Alex Cross is on the verge of resigning from the DC Police Force, but he wants/needs to finish just one more case. This time, the case involves the murder of a friend of Sampson's. What journey will this killer or killers take them on? What's happening to Nana, and why is she not feeling well? And is love in the cards for both Sampson and Cross? Read this book to find out! |
| Crystal Johnston ([email protected]) |
| Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A well-written delight, PRIOR BAD ACTS is a story of a crime so brutal, it changed the lives of even the most hardened cops. Everyone in this town agrees that Karl Dahl is the killer. Only the Judge, a prior prosecutor, Carey Moore seems to be standing in the way of keeping him in custody. When Karl escapes from custody after he is beaten in jail this upset the apple cart even more. If you've got two days to spend on a well-written thriller you can't go wrong but much right on this fantastic read. Get i! You won't be sorry! |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| These Are My Final Wishes by Tamara Dunkel Perkins |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
It's like no other I have seen on the market! |
| Jenny Doerr |
| The Winner by David Baldacci |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is one of Baldacci's best! It poses the question, what if you could have great wealth, but at a moral price? Would you do it? This one has it all --- thrills, suspense, action, romance! Love it! |
| Jenny Doerr |
| The Broker by John Grisham |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is my favorite of all of John Grisham's books! I could just read it over and over again! It tells the story of a character who is like many of Grisham's other characters. It's the backdrop and the chase that makes this one different! Much of this book takes place in Bologna, Italy. Grisham's descriptions are fascinating! |
| Jenny Doerr |
| Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Stuart Woods is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite books of his. I LOVE his Stone Barrington novels and always wait on the edge of my seat when I know one is up for publication. This one has everything you'll want: a bit of comedy, some romance, twists, turns and heaps of suspense! |
| Harry ([email protected]) |
| Across the High Lonesome by Brumfield |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Not what I expected but still awesome! I picked this novel up because I had enjoyed the author's first novel TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN (a great thriller by the way). This book is something different --- it is not a thriller, but a modern-day western. The book is more character driven than I typically like but there is still plenty of action and the characters seemed like real folks. If you like Larry McMurtry, you might like this one. |
| Fran |
| Until the Real Thing Comes Along by Elizabeth Berg |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Cute, quick read about a woman and her best friend who attempt to have a baby together. Overall, a cute book with endearing, fallible characters. |
| Joan B. |
| Third Degree by Greg Iles |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A doctor holds his wife and children hostage in their home while her boyfriend goes in to defuse and negotiate the situation. This was a different writing style for Iles but a good read. |
| Thomas ([email protected]) |
| The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is probably the most thought-provoking book I have ever read. It is also quite scary. The author presents logical reasons why America has changed so much for the worse in the past few decades. I could find no fault in his assessment that this country has fallen into the same socialistic post-Christian, secular decadence and deadness that now grips Europe. But read on...there is still hope. |
| Mary |
| Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A beautiful retelling of The Six Swans, this novel is a must read. |
| Esty |
| The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Oprah's latest pick, which I know I wouldn't have read on my own! It's a very engrossing book and the 900+ pages flew by. Every chapter leads to some new problem. It's entertaining and educational. I loved it and am looking forward to the sequel. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| Bee Balms & Burgundy by Nelson Pahl |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Midway through, reading became almost impossible as my tears stained the pages. There was no way I could stop reading - too many questions needed answers. Readers will not be disappointed as the story is brimming with emotion. |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| The Ultimate Passage by Jean L. Hackensmith and Kathe Birch |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
In this last saga, Aveena, the Goddess of Love, returns to assist Lara Macgregor in finding her true love. When Darius Calhoun is sent from the future, Lara doubts Aveena's wisdom. First of all, citizens of his time no longer feel emotion. There is no sex --- it's considered unsanitary. Babies are made in laboratories. Darius isn't the only one Aveena brings to assist with the brewing trouble. From the Charmed Passage, there is Kristie Somers and Colonel Eric Langston. Brittany Cavanaugh and Clay Gentry a.k.a. Jacques Devereaux joins us from the Destined Passage as well as Ian Buchanan, Ariana, and her two children from the Doomed Passage. The only problem is none of the couples are as they were at the end of saga. Ian doesn't remember Ariana and he's together with Brittany, though Ariana does. Clay claims to be married to Brittany, though she has no memory of this, and has private knowledge about her. THE ULTIMATE PASSAGE runs 735 pages and has lots of dialogue and action that make it easy to read. There are many twists and turns throughout the entire book. Most of the action took place in medieval Scotland during Robert the Bruce's war against the English. Much research went into making the castle, the land, the people and events of that time as historically accurate as possible. Additionally, the descriptions of the southern plantation during the civil war were as accurate as well. This would make a great sci-fi TV series. The amount of detail and different twists in the story read like many episodes, leaving the reader wanting more after each chapter. It is similar to Farscape and Babylon 5, both of which were basically about relationships between very different people and their challenges in a hostile environment. The authors do an excellent job of making this a stand-alone book. Still, you might find yourself wanting to read more about each time travel saga. |
| Lesa |
| Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a truly absorbing biography of Charles Schulz. A must read if you're a fan of "Peanuts." It is just fascinating to read the biography and have the cartoon panels set alongside the text. Suddenly, simple little comic strips have a whole new depth of meaning. |
| Lesa |
| The Fabric of Sin by Phil Rickman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
THE FABRIC OF SIN is the latest in the Merrily Watkins mysteries. This one has all the usual elements, plus a lot of information and mystery about the Knights Templar. |
| Liz Saurer |
| Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This debut is a wonderfully quirky type of novel. The scene-stealing apple tree...I can't wait to read the next one! |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| The Rozabal Line by Shawn Haigins |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
THE ROZABAL LINE by Shawn Haigins is a historical conspiracy thriller in the same sub-genre as Dan Brown's THE DA VINCI CODE. Haigins writes about his story, "From Jesus to Muhammad; from the Crusades to 9/11; from the Vatican to the White House; from Skull & Bones to the Illuminati; from Buddhist meditation to past-life regression; from the Virgin birth to nuclear destruction; and from Mary Magdalene to Osama-bin-Laden; The Rozabal Line has it all, and more." Add to that a surprising ending, one I had to read a second time because I didn't see it coming! I really enjoyed reading the book! |
| J. Kaye Oldner ([email protected]) |
| The Death Wizard Chronicles: The Pit by Jim Melvin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Torg, the Death-Knower wizard, the main character in Jim Melvin's The Death Wizard Chronicles is like a mixture of Merlin and Conan, but with a Buddha twist. THE PIT is book one of the six book epic fantasy, where readers get to know Torg, king of the Tugars --- the mystical warrior of the Great Desert. He's up against the sorcerer, Invictus, who has threatened to engulf the world in darkness. Invictus is the greatest threat the land has ever known, and can't be defeated by ordinary means. The Death-Knower believes that in order to combat this great evil, he needs to perform an act of virtue, something even the scales between good and evil. A selfless act of such magnitude, it would set off larger forces into motion. When the Death-Knower gives up his freedom in order to save the free people of Triken, he does so knowing this battle will not be fought on an ordinary battlefield. He ordered the Asekhas, who are Tugars of the highest rank, to not follow or try to rescue him from the pit where he was to be imprisoned. The Death-Knower does escape the pit, but runs into Vedana, a 100,000 demon who is also grandmother of Invictus. Could the product of their brief union be what's needed to destroying Invicus? Or will something even more disastrous come to be? It's hard to tell as Melvin's tale isn't predictable. We'll just have to keep on reading to find out. |
| Kerry Hammond |
| A Carol For A Corpse by Claudia Bishop |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This nice little Christmas cozy for the holidays is the latest in the Hemlock Fallsseries. Quill and Meg, Inn-owning sisters, are in financial trouble and sign over rights to use the Inn in a televised cooking show. Zeke "The Hammer" Kingsfield turns up dead in a skiing "accident" and the sisters think it is murder. They need to prove it in order to avoid a hefty insurance claim against their policy. |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| Playing for Pizza by John Grisham |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Grisham does a great job with this book --- it was an easy read you couldn't put down. Rick Dockery, a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has done the unthinkable and has made a laughing stock out of himself and his team. After being let go, he has no where to play because no one will touch him. Although his agent tries getting him on other teams, only one will take him --- the Panthers of Parma, Italy. Who knew they played football in Italy? While playing for the Panthers, Dockery grows up, learns to enjoy life and becomes loyal to his friends. This is his journey. |
| Dawnymae |
| Double Cross by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Very fast-paced, as only Patterson can do. Cross is back in the thick of things, and being hunted by his former friend/nemesis. |
| Laura in Ohio |
| All The Pretty Girls by J. T. Ellison |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Excellent book. This is a new author and I can't give her enough praise. The characters were fantastic, the plot was exciting, and the detail and atmosphere were amazing. This was a great suspense story that was very hard to put down. Definitely a must read. |
| Cheryl |
| The Dollmaker by Amanda Stevens |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is so creepy in all the right ways. It will make you never look at another doll again in the same way, without thinking, is it or isn't it? |
| Fran |
| The Ultimate Tea Diet by Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
What a gem of a book! As a tea lover, I love the idea that you can use tea to boost health, immunity, weight loss and just to feel great! I love the practical suggestions and realistic approach the author uses. I also enjoyed his realistic tone of lifestyle changes that must accompany the introduction of tea drinking into your life. I could see this plan working for me. I am excited to add teas to my diet. Not sure about the tea-infused cooking at this time, but I will take it one step at a time. Loved this book! |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I thought this was an ingenious idea --- the story of Santa and the history of Saint Nicholas. But in addition, the author started about 300 years after the birth of Christ to the present, and used history and historical people to help tell the story of Santa Claus and how he came to be. I actually learned things reading this book --- not just about Santa Claus, but about history too. Guinn uses a "mix of scholarship, fantasy, folklore and faith" to answer all the questions one would have about Santa Claus. I am going to keep this book and read it again, then save it for my children when they are old enough to read it. Everyone needs to be reminded of Santa Claus and the wonderful art of giving in a world of war and turmoil. |
| Mary |
| When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This truly is a book of the heart! What a journey you take with the characters. I couldn't put the book down and dreaded finishing it because I loved them so. It was inspirational, and full of life lessons. I rarely recommend that a book be made into a movie, but this would be wonderful on the big screen. What messages for all to receive and learn from! |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| Tested by Linda Perlstein |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
TESTED chronicles Perstein's journey through studying one school in Maryland's attempt to pass standardized tests for a school full of children who don't speak English, come from impoverished homes, and suffered abuse. Perstein's vivid writing gives you the opportunity to actually feel like you are in the school with her. If --- as a parent --- you know nothing about No Child Left Behind, this is a book for you to read. It's no wonder teachers today are frustrated as they can't teach creatively, but have to follow standard dialogue and curriculum that is not only boring to them, but to the children as well. |
| Katherine Clark ([email protected]) |
| Act of Treason by Vince Flynn |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Vince never lets the reader down. There isn't a dull moment in his books. |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Palmer's book THE FIFTH VIAL is a book everyone should read. Even from the first sentence, I was hooked. Palmer takes a look at illegal donor donations through the eyes of a student, Natalie Reyes, and what happens if someone wants organs. |
| Marsha |
| Old Boys by Charles McCarry |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Master spy Paul Christopher is dead --- or is he? His old colleagues from the espionage world don't believe it and set out to find him. Enlisting their old contacts, they travel the globe to search for him; meanwhile, they are harassed by American intelligence and hunted by Muslim extremists. It's a fun ride, so get you Atlas out and dig in. |
| Katherine Clark ([email protected]) |
| Copycat by Erica Spindler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Erica Spindler keeps you guessing until the very end. I love her books. |
| Heather Johnson ([email protected]) |
| Emergency Sex and Other Desparate Measures by Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait, Andrew Thomson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the true story of 3 strangers who meet while working for the UN in Cambodia in the '90s. Their friendship brings them together as they face the horrors of Mogadishu and Haiti during humanitarian crises. I'm really enjoying this book --- it's a fascinating read that puts a human face on some of the greatest tragedies of recent years. [I found it on a book swap site and the title really caught my eye.] |
| Chris Brunson |
| The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Descriptive, poetical, a biologist searching for river dolphin populations and other lives intertwine. The author's words transport the reader to a tidal river in India . . . tigers, legends, wonderful. |
| Ron Giner ([email protected]) |
| On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This short novel is about the wedding night of a couple of 22-year-old virgins. More than that, however, it is about loneliness and the courses our lives take based on words said or not said at crucial, early moments in our lives. This is a very good novel by a great storyteller, but if you don't like sad stories, then this book is not for you. |
| Annabelle ([email protected]) |
| Virgin Lies by Roderick Anscombe |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a book for anyone who is interested in how police and FBI conduct interrogations of suspects. A fascinating read. |
| Annabelle ([email protected]) |
| Undercover by Beth Kephart |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a young adult book, but one that I just loved. If my daughter were in junior or senior high school, I would definitely want her to read it. |
| Annabelle ([email protected]) |
| The Ghost at the Table by Suzanne Berne |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Two sisters and their aging father come together for Thanksgiving. The relationships among them, and their deceased mother are compared to Mark Twain and his daughters. |
| Fran |
| The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Cute, endearing novel set during the gold rush in CA. I loved the characters. This was a fun, quick read. |
| Priscilla |
| The Gentlemen's Club by Becky Due |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is the story of Angie, who doesn't want to be a victim anymore. She, and other women, have struggled in their lives with everything from sexual assault, domestic abuse, rape, prostitution, depression and more. Angie takes on the a local strip club, "The Gentlemen's Club," and the women who work there decide to get revenge on the men who go there. It is a pretty good read! |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| Inside the Red Mansion by Oliver August |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This was a hard book for me to read, especially with all the details --- you really had to read it slowly. Journalist August goes to China to follow one of the country's most wanted men for corruption. |
| Lisa Kloster |
| Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This book has appeared on every possible list and shelf as a "must read." Maybe my hopes were set to high, but I didn't think it was a 5. High marks for adapting fictional story into the history of the circus. |
| Betty S. Burrier ([email protected]) |
| Last Know Victim by Erica Spindler |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Although I have loved all the previous books about Captain Pattie O'Shay, this one is a little slow in the middle, which is why I only give it 4 stars. The suspense picks up if you can get through the slow part. |
| Debbie ([email protected]) |
| The Secret Life and Brutal Death of Mamie Thurman by F. Keith Davis |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Written in newsroom style about 1932 murder in WV mountains and the people involved and the mystery still surrounding the murder. |
| Debi |
| An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Harris's first novel in this series was much better. The main character, Harper Connelly, can find dead bodies because she was struck by lightning. I did enjoy the plot, and, overall, it was a good book. |
| Mary Davis |
| No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is about a girl who, when she's 14, wakes up to find her family gone. 25 years later she searches for answers. It's a thriller, I couldn't put the book down, my first Linwood Barclay book, won't be my last! |
| Fran O |
| Mr. Muo's Traveling Couch by Dai Sijie |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Only read 50 pages. I just couldn't get into this one. It surprised me as I loved Balzac... |
| Renee |
| Fortune Like the Moon by Alys Clare |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The first of a very good series, in the Ellis Peters mood. It has great strong female characters and is historically interesting. |
| Jane Squires ([email protected]) |
| A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book will grip you from the first paragraph. It has murder, mystery and romance. It keeps you on your edge as a Pastor and Reporter connect. You also can learn a lot about runaways and homeless people on the streets, and gain insight into people who are adopted. |
| Carrie Hisler ([email protected]) |
| Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I have only read the first 3 books and this one was awesome. It had a lot of differences from the movie and it was neat to see all of them. I also like how the story gives a lot more history than the movie so it ties things together. Great read! |
| Carol |
| Case Histories by Kate Atkinson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! You really get to know the characters in this story. There are a lot of surprises and twists, and it has a great ending! |
| Christy H. |
| The Perfect Gift by Maya Banks, Kate Davies, et. al |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was a fun holiday read with 5 different novellas. Filled with likable characters, each story is touching and special. They are also set in a different location --- none of the stories are connected, except for the Christmas/Holiday theme. A fast and enjoyable read. |
| Marion Miller ([email protected]) |
| The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This nonfiction account of the Chicago world's Fair reads like a novel. The chapters contrast between the architects and the murderer. It is very exciting. The author has really done his research of this time in U.S. history. |
| Marjorie Clark ([email protected]) |
| The Good Guy by Dean Koontz |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The story line is very different from anything I have read in quite a while. Koontz has kept secrets throughout this book til the very end. I recommend this to anyone who likes a little suspense and mystery. |
| Debi |
| White Shadow by Ace Atkins |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a different style from Atkins' previous novels. It is about a "retired" mobster, Charlie Wall, who was murdered in the '50s. Told from various points of view, it gives the readers clues based on factual information that Atkins researched. The real murderer was never found, but the author fictionalizes the facts so the reader can draw his own conclusions. I found it difficult to follow because there were a lot of characters, and these characters were referred to by different names throughout the book. I didn't like this one as well as I liked his Nick Travers series. |
| Mary in HB ([email protected]) |
| Plea of Insanity by Jilliane Hoffman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the first book I have read by this author and was greatly impressed. A real page-turner that was hard to put down and not a normal courtroom drama. |
| Mary in HB ([email protected]) |
| Don't Talk Back To Your Vampire by Michele Bardsley |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Cute and quick vampire story about a mom. I can't wait for the next in the series. |
| Mary in HB ([email protected]) |
| Dexter in the Dark: A Novel by Jeff Lindsay |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I really like the author's writing style in the first person with dark and edgy humor. I didn't think this was as good as the first two in the series. |
| Mary in HB ([email protected]) |
| An Idiot Girl's Christmas by Laurie Notaro |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Perfect holidays stories that are laugh-out-loud funny. This was too short! |
| Mary in HB ([email protected]) |
| By Any Other Name by MaryJanice Davidson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a typical romance story with twists. Davidson always is enjoyable. |
| Inga K. Willner |
| Rashi's Daughters by Maggie Anton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This incredible book about one of the world's greatest scholars is fiction embedded in fact, or vice-versa. Truly a spectacular book to have been written by a physical scientist who actually took a five-year sabbatical from her job to research for this book. Spectacularly written. |
| Nancy |
| Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I had trouble following the story --- parts of it were brilliant and parts didn't make sense. This would be a wonderful book to study in a literature class because I don't think I understand a fraction of what was there. |
| Debbie Le ([email protected]) |
| Almost Graceland by Steve Carlson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Hey all you Elvis fans! This is a must read! Steve Carlson really "rocked" this book. Set in Memphis in 1977, it is the story of Ray Johnston, who --- despite his blond hair --- looks exactly like the King! Down on his luck and jobless, Ray stumbles across the journals his mother wrote, after her death, about a switch in babies the day Ray, or should I say Jessie, Elvis's "stillborn" brother, was born. Get ready to meet the King during the last months of 1977. I loved this story! |
| Carol |
| Letter from Point Clear by Dennis McFarland |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The characters in this book are fascinating, but the plot tends to baffle me. But since I'm not finished, I'll reserve final judgment until the end. |
| Inga K. Willner |
| Pope Joan by Donna Wolfolk Cross |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Amazing story about a female becoming pope in the 9th-10th century period. And today there is a statue to a "female pope" even though this book is fiction. An excellent read. The author has done a wonderful job. |
| L. Hann |
| Violets are Blue by James Patterson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I love James Patterson, but this book was a little bit out there. It was a good read, but a little different than what I am use to from James Patterson. |
| Anita Nowak |
| Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was the first book I read by this prosecutor from NY. Aside from an excellent mystery, it gave me quite an insight into the workings of the underground subway system. Since I lived and worked in the NYC area, it was quite eye opening. The mystery kept me wanting to read more until the very end. |
| Laurie Blum ([email protected]) |
| Sweet and Low: A Family Story by Rich Cohen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
SWEET AND LOW by Cohen is a true story of Brooklyn, immigrants, Jewish gangsters and the story of a family pursuiing the American dream....the Sweet 'N Low fortune. A bittersweet tale! |
| Gail Perryman |
| The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillippa Gregory |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Written by the author of THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRLl, this book brings the court of Henry VIII to life and fleshes out the personalities of the later wives: Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard. It was an enthralling story and was almost as wonderful as THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. |
| Julie Towson |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a true story of events in the author's life. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert sets out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures --- pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and Bali where she finds the peace she is searching for. |
| Sandi L. |
| Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I just finished this book, which takes place in 17th-century Iran (Persia), and is about a young girl who is learning about making carpets --- not something a female would do in that time and place. It is also about her life and the decisions she makes, some of which have disastrous consequences. Amirrezvani's writing is beautiful and I was sorry to see the story come to an end. |
| Ricki ([email protected]) |
| Notorious by Michele Martinez |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This legal thriller has enough twist and turns to keep the reader highly engaged. |
| Sharon |
| Shopoholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Well I am being honest here --- this is the book I am presently reading and I have to admit that I have read the rest of the series. My 20ish daughter got me started, and once you read one of these books, you cannot put it down until you find out how Becky is going to get out of her seemingly impoosible problems --- usually about money. Much fun. |
| Margaret Jordan |
| The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This was a bittersweet modern 'fairytale' that left me wanting another. Completely engaging, I was so glad to be among those given an advance reading copy. It's available Feb. 8, 2008. |
| Margaret Jordan |
| Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diane Butler Bass |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A different but nonjudgmental perspective on matters of Church and faith is hard to come by. This one is a refreshing and helpful look at what the Church actually is and could be. |
| Margaret Jordan |
| Love Warps the Mind a Little by John Dufresne |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Every short story and novel Dufresne has written makes my top-ten list! This one is quirky, readable and deep. It took me from tears to laughter and back again and again. He is a master of storytelling. Move over, Faulkner. |
| Linda Bass |
| Firebrand by P. K. Eden |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Amber Drake was born to save three worlds, but just before her 25th birthday, she gets the shock of her life by being told that she had the blood of humans, fairies and trolls running through her veins, and an evil troll king who wants to use her to take over the universe. |
| Reva Wamsley ([email protected]) |
| Digital Fortress by Dan Brown |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book really keeps you guessing until the end. It's about the NSA, who has developed a code breaking machine, and an ex-employee who claims to have written a code that is undecipherable and is threatening to release it to the world. |
| Genie |
| Birds of Prey by J. A. Jance |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
After his partner is killed during a domestic violence situation, Homicide detective J. P. Beaumont (Beau) decides to retire from the Seattle Police Department. He wants to take time to sort out ideas of what he wants to do next. At the urging of his grandmother, Beverly, he decides to accompany her and her new husband, Lars, on an Alaskan cruise. What begins as a relaxing vacation soon turns into a homicide scene when one of the passengers is pushed overboard. As it turns out, this is not an isolated incident, but part of an ongoing FBI investigation. Several agents are aboard the ship posing as tourist in order to conduct an undercover investigation into a fundamentalist religious group suspected to be involved in the murders of two doctors. Beau soon discovers he cannot turn off his investigative instincts and, to the dismay of several FBI agents, he sets out to investigate the crimes. |
| Kellie ([email protected]) |
| Just One Look by Harlan Coben |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This has to be one of the best suspense thrillers I have ever read. There were so many twists and turns in this one, I felt like I was on a roller coaster. The surprises kept coming right up until the very last page. The story begins when Grace Lawson picks up a newly developed set of family photos and discovers a picture that doesn't belong --- a picture taken about 20 years ago with a man in it who looks like her husband, Jack. Jack denies her suspicions but vanishes into the night, taking the photo with him. Thus begins a journey for Grace, who is trying to figure out who is really in the photo and where is her husband? I have never read a book by Harlan Coben before and I am so glad I joined this ring. I am going to put every book he has written on my wish list. |
| Inga K. Willner |
| Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Pre-World War II Germany is the opening setting in this story about prejudice, love, discrimination, families, and betrayal. The surprise comes with the discovery that the protagonist is an adult female dwarf. It is brilliantly told by Ms Hegi who, herself, emigrated from Germany to the US,,but many years after the setting in the book. There are many beautiful scenes and many truly ugly scenes --- both needing to be told. |
| L. Hann |
| Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Looking for a book for your teen for the holidays? This series by James Patterson is just the ticket. Find out why six unforgettable kids with no families or homes are running for their lives. |
| Sally |
| High Noon by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Roberts' fans will not be disappointed, as this book follows her usual formula. Entertaining, but not extraordinary. |
| Bridget |
| Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I started reading this book about Anne Boleyn's days at the French Court really liking it. About a third of the way through, I found myself bored. There isn't a lot known about Anne's early days, so this book was (I believe) more fiction than historical. That's okay, sometimes, but in this case the end result just wasn't for me. |
| Carol Hoyer from VA ([email protected]) |
| Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I'm interested in volunteering here because I'm a former resident of the shelter, and I want to give something back to the place that helped save my life. Janice Erlbaum put this on her application at the homeless shelter for girls where she lived almost twenty years ago. As she sat in her chair waiting to be interviewed for a volunteer position, she watched other candidates with a critical eye just as she had done when she first came into the shelter as a teenager. With her hands sweating and feeling very nervous, she watched the video about bringing hope. She wasn't sure if she got any hope when she lived here. After quickly trying to remember what she learned and if they did help her, she realizes that yes, they did. This is a follow-up book to Janice Erlbaum's GIRLBOMB: A Halfway Homeless Memoir that I found to be riveting from the very first sentence. Ms. Erlbaum's ability to describe in passionate detail her surroundings, facial expressions and smells make you feel like you are right there with her. She felt her goal in life was to help save those who experienced the same dysfunctional life she did. One day she met Sam and felt an immediate bond to the runaway, drug addict and con artist; she saw herself, nineteen years ago, in him. This is a book all of us know well, about trying to make sense of the world around us, and where we fit in with all the craziness. It makes you want to run right out the door and save someone without realizing you have no idea how to do it. What make me come back here goddamn it? After purposely staying away for so long, why did I decide to return to the scene of the crime? Why couldn't I just leave well enough alone? As a Psychologist and college instructor, I found that this book describes in detail and in truth what it is to be homeless and addicted to substances. It doesn't matter where you come from or who your parents are --- there is no discrimination. This book will make you laugh, cry and get angry, but you don't know who to place all these feelings on. It is a book you can't and won't want to put down. Ms. Erlbaum's ending will leave you speechless. A must read for everyone. I am awaiting another book from this exciting author. |
| Lynn T |
| In The Woods by Tana French |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book started out slowly, but after a chapter or two, I was hooked. Adam Ryan, an Irish police detective, confronts a childhood trauma and solves a murder. Excellent writing! |
| Mary Mahaney |
| The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Not King's best work, but different for him. A medieval fantasy wherein an evil wizard steals the throne from the rightful heir, who plots his escape from prison to ascend his throne. Murder, mystery and mayhem! |
| Barbara Broberg ([email protected]) |
| Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is not one of Reichs's best books. There are the same interesting characters, but It seems that Tempe is rather unreasonable and acts foolishly at times. |
| L. Hann |
| Christmas Miracles by Brad Steiger & Sherry Hansen Steiger |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Great book for the holidays. Inspirational, true stories about the magic of the holidays. A great gift idea. |
| Coral |
| Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I have always enjoyed watching Alda in his movies and in "M.A.S.H." Now I have read 2 of his books and I enjoy him more. He tells it like it is, with humor. You will enjoy it |
| Trisha ([email protected]) |
| Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
One of the reasons I enjoyed reading this is because of the information on herbs and their uses from prehistoric times. The heroine is one the author follows through the series and I've gotten to care about her. This one was good, but other books in the series kept my interest more. |
| Inga K. Willner ([email protected]) |
| The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
For those people who have lost a loved one unexpectedly, this book hits home. For others, it is a lesson in dignity, love and humility. It's beautifully written and so easy to read. |
| Trisha ([email protected]) |
| For One More Day by Mitch Albom |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This author creates books that sound altogether plausible, even though they are on subjects that are mostly nonfactual. I saw the movie version this week on television and the book is more understandable. The book goes from the present to the past and continually bounces around like that. The book made that easier to follow, so here we are again, where the book is definitely better than its movie version. Albom's story is an excellent one, leading the reader to appreciate what he has in his life and to live as if death were a part of living. We know it is, but to be entertained and stimulated to appreciate each moment of our lives and its importance is a gift. I recommend it. |
| Inga K. Willner ([email protected]) |
| Louisa by Simone Zelitch |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This story about love during the Holocaust in Hungary is a revelation that all should read. This book tells about a Hungarian female and a German male. And it goes even further detailing the family reactions, even unto immigration to Israel. Sad, but good. |
| Art Harriman |
| The Mammoth Book of Private Eye Stories by Bill Pronzini & Martin Greenberg (Eds.) |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A collection of 24 rarely collected, but engrossing, short stories by some of the most famous authors of hard-boiled 20th-century detective fiction. The anthology starts with splendid offering by Raymond Chandler (b. 1888) and ending with one no less absorbing by Loren E. Estleman (b. 1952). |
| Charley Hardin |
| Skipping Christmas by John Grisham |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
When you think of John Grisham, you think legal drama; but when you read this book, the next time someone says John Grisham, you will think of Holiday Comedy! Read the book and then watch the movie based on the book starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, Christmas with the Kranks. Oh my gosh, you will laugh your hiney off! A couple decides to skip Christmas while their daughter is away, and instead of all the shopping and preparing and holiday parties, the husband, Luther, decides he and his wife should take a cruise. The madness and madcap hysterics are never ending. This is a short book, perfect for airport reading or while on a plane during another viewing of Shrek! |
| Charley Hardin |
| The Christmas Train by David Baldacci |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am almost finished with this book and it has been a thrilling ride! If you must read one book this holiday season, reach for THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN. The main character has had issues with the airlines and has been banned; so to get from one side of the USA to the other, he takes a train, hoping to get a glimpse of American life, great scenery and to finish something the great Mark Twain never did. Baldacci is an awesome author and this is an equally awesome book! |
| Charley Hardin |
| Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
So far, this is a little lame. It's about 3 men who were born on the same day/year as the other and are not related. On the eve of their 10th birthdays, they decide to perform a blood brother ritual, and in doing so, unleash a demon. I'm only 100 pages in, so maybe it will pick up soon. The next book isn't due out until May 2008. The one thing that does toast my toodie, is her use of the "F" word coming out the mouths of her 10-year-old boys. Not a common practice where I live. It's something I would expect a 13 or 14 yr old to try out, but not a 10 year old. |
| Nancy K |
| Red Bird Christmas by Fannie FLagg |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very sweet story about a small town and its "southerness." A quick and enjoyable read. |
| Cindy DeVore ([email protected]) |
| Blood Brothers: Sign of Seven Trilogy, Book 1 by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The story is captivating from the first page. it's the kind of book that I can hardly wait to finish and then I'm disappointed when I've finished because it was so good that I hate to see it end. I keep returning to the cover to make sure that the author really is Nora Roberts and not Stephen King. |
| Fran |
| A Wild Ride Up the Cupboards by Ann Bauer |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A story of a family that has to deal with the descent of their four-year-old child into a condition that resembles autism. I didn't find the book believable.... especially with the experiences with the school system and DHS. Overall, it was an interesting read, despite my skepticism. |
| Vickie |
| Coffee and Kung Fu by Karen Brichoux |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Amazingly witty writing. Brichoux addresses loneliness and the things humans are willing to do to avoid it. A hope-filled book for those of us who don't feel we fit in with the majority of society. Loved it! |
| Linda M. Johnson ([email protected]) |
| Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Eldred Robison |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the memoir written by the brother of Augusten Burroughs (RUNNING WITH SCISSORS). I liked this book so much more than Running. Part of my appreciation with this book has to do with my years spent in the classroom teaching students with special needs --- even some with Asperger's. And some of my appreciation is having been in many of the circumstances where I did not understand why things happened the way they did. This man is a wonderfully articulate writer who has many gifts to share. He was fortunate to realize his strengths and put them to good use. I recommend this book very highly. |
| Deanna Sophia Harwell |
| Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
This story is about Rhett Butler's side of the family, his growing up and what made him the character he was in GONE WITH THE WIND. If you loved GONE WITH THE WIND, this is another point of view that carries you back to that time and place once again and looks at it from a different perspective. |
| Sandra Thomas |
| The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is an good first book by a co-collaborator on the TV series "Cold Case." It is a well-written police procedural with imperfect people pursuing justice and a surprise ending. |
| Margie Bunting |
| Power Play by Joseph Finder |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A quick, exciting read about an executive off site gone very wrong. A little more formulaic than Finder's usual, but still fun. |
| Gaye McGill |
| Bright Sword of Ireland by Juilene Osborne-McKnight |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
One of a series of well-written books about the heroes and heroines of early Ireland. |
| L. Hann |
| Treasures from the Junk Drawer by Virginia Farless |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
We all have them ---- junk drawers, I mean. You may only have one, you may have more than one. We never really clean them out and it's a good thing we don't. Do you know how many memories are in there!? So after you read this book, open your junk drawer and see what story about you and your life you can pass down to your kids or grandkids. That old set of matches will do more than light a fire, they will light up your heart. Remember that wedding. It was a hoot. Or that restaurant, and what a wonderful evening you had. There might be some sad memories too, like the old photo of your best friend from high school that you don't see anymore. Whatever it is, it's your story! |
| L. Hann |
| A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Interesting Memoir. |
| Amy Roy ([email protected]) |
| The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is one of the most original books I've ever read. It takes place in a very different England from what we knew back in 1985. Thursday Next, an agent with the secretive Special Operations Network, Literary Detective Division, is sent to investigate the theft of Dickens's original manuscript for Martin Chuzzlewit by a diabolical arch villain. Characters begin disappearing from books. Forced to enter JANE EYRE in order to capture the murderer, Thursday meets Jane and Mr. Rochester and ends up changing the original ending of the book to the one we all are familiar with. Oh, and dodo birds are popular pets. It's quite a read! |
| L. Hann |
| An Affair To Remember by Christopher Andersen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is about the remarkable love story between Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Step back in time and take a journey into their love affair during both the good and bad times. Find out what their lives were like before and during their relationship. |
| Sally Lincoln |
| The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was delighted to hear it was being made into a movie. There are such rich characters that you find yourself rooting for as the tales are woven, and if you are an Austen fan it just adds that spark of inner interest as they discuss certain parts of the well-known classics and characters. I would recommend it to all fans before seeing the movie out soon, I believe. |
| Dawnymae ([email protected]) |
| Double Cross by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Once again, a stay-up-late-night read! Very fast-paced and LOTS of things happening, Alex Cross is at his best again, even against an old nemesis/friend. |
| Elaine |
| The Second Chair by John Lescroart |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The author is a good writer and this book is interesting, but there were too many plots going on at the same time. I would like to read more stories featuring defense attorney Dismas Harty. |
| L. Hann |
| A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Jimmy Buffett does it again! He takes you an a journey of sand and surf, so pour yourself a cold one and sit back and enjoy. He will take you on a journey that you will not want to return from. |
| Dorothy |
| A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is very good. It's the memoir of a boy soldier in Sierra Leone and it is very heart breaking an inspiring. |
| Sue C |
| The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Lauren is married to Paul. One day, she drives downtown hoping to surprise him at lunch, and spots him going into a hotel with a young blonde. This betrayal tears her apart and, of course, allows her to justify having her own fling with a co-worker. Lauren planned on a "quickie," a night of sex with no strings. However, her night of passion turns deadly when she witnesses a brutal murder. Lauren must uncover the truth at all costs if she is to save her job, her marriage, and even her life. This book will keep you in suspense. |
| Pamela Hansen ([email protected]) |
| Johnny Angel by Danielle Steel |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
if you have ever lost someone, this book is a must read. |
| Tammy Sinclair |
| The Girls by Lori Lansens |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Such an unforgettable story! I can't believe it isn't a true story about real sisters |
| Eileen |
| Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
What a great story! Lloyd Jones is a great storyteller. He weaves a tale about Mr. Watts, an eccentric man who decides to stay behind on the tropical island. He is able to sweep out the school house and read to those interested. The book is GREAT EXPECTATIONS and Matilda, a thirteen year old, is riveted by the book. The reader is drawn into the book as they have been drawn in before to other books! |
| Tricia Algieri |
| Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I really like the plot and especially all the family characters! This is well worth a COZY murder read! |
| Carol McLaughlin |
| You Can't Win If You Don't Enter by Carolyn Wilman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a very good informational/handbook to use for those interested in entering to win sweepstakes and contests as a hobby. |
| Deborah Wellenstein |
| Pretending You Care by Norm Feuti |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The subtitle is "The Retail Employee Handbook". This is right on the mark and very funny --- especially if you work in retail. |
| Heather Hart ([email protected]) |
| Election by Tom Perrotta |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An older book, but I enjoyed LITTLE CHILDREN so much that thought I would read this book. I had tried to watch the movie but couldn't ever get into it. After reading this quickly, I plan on watching the movie this weekend. I can't wait to read more of his older stuff as well as his new one. |
| Heather Hart ([email protected]) |
| Hooked: A Thriller About Love and Other Addictions by Matt Richtel |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I was hooked from the first chapter. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this author. |
| Heather Hart ([email protected]) |
| The Mistress's Daughter by A. M. Holmes |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Quick but interesting read. |
| Amy Roy ([email protected]) |
| Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
It's a riot of a book, especially if you're a fan of Austen's works. It helps to have read them, preferably more than once. You, the reader, become Elizabeth Bennett (from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE) and your goal is to marry for love and money. As you read the book, you're tested on Georgian-era knowledge and also get to make choices on how to react to various situations. These choices send you on different paths, where you can die a gruesome death, get sent back to the previous chapter or succeed and move forward in your quest. You can choose to keep score (you receive --- and get taken away --- points for intelligence, fortune, etc. depending on your answers). It's truly hilarious. I enjoyed every page of it. |
| Tina Rath |
| Acts of Nature by Jonathon King |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I have read other books by Jonathon King and this one is better. |
| Karen B |
| Die For Me by Karen Rose |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Graves are found in a snowy field --- and not all are filled! A sadistic killer is on the loose. This was a chilling, gruesome and fascinating romantic suspense/thriller. Her research for this book is unbelievably well done. This was my first Karen Rose book --- and I have another now ready to start. |
| Crystal Allen |
| Blood Memory by Greg Isles |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book will really get you involved. It is very intriguing and the storyline moves along quickly. |
| Virginia Murr |
| The Rise and Fall of Alexandria by Justin Pollard and Howard Reid |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This informative book had me riveted from start to finish. |
| Virginia Murr |
| The Atheist's Bible: an Illustrious Collection by Joan Konner (editor) |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A great collection of thought-provoking and sometimes humorous quotations. |
| Carol Ezovski |
| Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is a slightly different book than her others, with a spiritual overtone. The plot was good, but overall, the book wasn't the greatest. |
| Catheirne Copeland ([email protected]) |
| Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Are you looking for a timeless book with a strong female protagonist? This one, written back in the fifties, is timeless and in the context of that era, is light years ahead of its time. You may never look at capitalism the same way. |
| Tracey Byram |
| The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An historical novel set in the 1800s America. A mysterious villain is murdering people in the streets of New York, and this book follows how the culprit is discovered. |
| Nora Scott-Platt |
| Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Had me in tears. |
| Debbie ([email protected]) |
| The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
DC murder of children whose names are the same forwards and backwards, all killed by single bullet to head and left in a public garden. An interesting view of the police and the lower-income kids. |
| Valerie Furr ([email protected]) |
| The Seance by Heather Graham |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
She writes the most suspenseful books. The characters and the ghost storyline was awesome. I could not put it down --- it spins you all around, wondering who the Interstate Killer is. The Dog Killer is such a neat addition to the story. The ending is fantastic. |
| Sue Beckley ([email protected]) |
| The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Gripping and extremely well written. Now that there's a sequel, I'm rereading this to prepare myself for the sequel. |
| Suzanne Reichel |
| The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the best motivational book I've ever read, and the techniques work. THE ATTRACTOR FACTOR should be required reading for everyone who wants to get ahead. |
| Mary Maisel |
| Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Pleasant historical mystery set in the Victorian era. It's also one installment of a series. |
| Deborah Rosen |
| The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
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Written in 1859 and republished in 2005, THE WOMAN IN WHITE tells its story from the perspectives of different characters. It's a unique read! |
| V. Nielson |
| State of Fear by Michael Crichton |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I love Michael Crichton's books. STATE OF FEAR was typical Crichton --- well written with lots of suspense. I did get a little bogged down in all the "technical" details and it seemed a little "preachy" to me about global warming. Other than that, it was an enjoyable read. Just not one of his best. |
| dentonzee |
| Double Cross by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am halfway through and it is hard to put down. |
| J. Campbell |
| T is for Tresspass by Sue Grafton |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I found that it is getting a little old that we are set in the mid 1980s --- no cell phones, no computers, etc. The main character is doing background checks in person, face to face. I understand that Ms. Grafton can't bring her storyline into the 2000s but like I said, it's getting old. |
| Elizabeth Mays |
| Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A fascinating look at ancient China, the practice of foot-binding, and the ritualistic life of girls as they grow up into women. It's absolutely riveting! |
| Brenda Park |
| The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Best book I've read all year. |
| Susan Blaisdell |
| Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
| As usual, Flynn takes us on a fast ride in current events with the remarkable Mitch Rapp. |
