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November 9, 2012 - November 30, 2012

Susan Johnson
Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kahn

5
Queen Elizabeth takes a break and heads to Scotland to see her old yacht, The Britannia. Her palace employees scramble to find her before the media discovers she's gone. A wonderful, warm-hearted romp that is downright fun.

Marion Peterman
Fool Me Twice by Michael Brandman

4
I like following the Jesse Stone novels. Brandman writes in a very similar fashion to Robert Parker, though not quite. This book brings out the human passion in Jesse, while weaving an intricate plot. The hint of a future romance lurks. Good story - easy reading.

Elaine McIntosh
The Edge of the Earth by Christine Schwarz

5
This was an informative and enjoyable book. It is more than a story about a lighthouse; it is about life in an isolated area and the secrets and changes that occur to the characters. The author's depiction of the geography was awesome.

Allison Gardner
The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama

5
Great heartwarming story.

Phoenix
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

4
While I usually enjoy Hannah's writing, I've found others of her book to be lighter reads. This differs in being a historically based novel that moves between the present & earlier years in Russia, & family secrets can impact many generations. Very moving, & though I didn't find all the twists & turns plausible, it was a satisfying read.

Dian Boysen
The Innocent by David Baldacci

5
Excellent characters. The story line kept you on the edge of your chair. I did want to put it down.His ability to weave several stories together make an excellent read. I really like his writing.

Sally-Jo Waterfall
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grshame-Smith

4
Fast paced, fun read.

Maureen Timerman
Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

5
I've given it 5*'s but I have just received the book, but within a few minutes I finished the first chapter. Now I'm hooked!

Jean L
The Racketeer by John Grisham

5
Malcolm Bannister. Job status? Former attorney. Current residence? The Federal Prison Camp near Frostburg, Maryland. He’s got an ace up his sleeve. He knows who killed Judge Fawcett, and he knows why. He makes a deal with the federal authorities, gets released, then leads them on a merry chase. In my opinion, this is Grisham's best yet and that is saying a lot!

Mary Rodriguez
Red Thread Sisters by Carol Antoinette Peacock

4
A very tender and heartwarming story about friendship.

Jean L
Live By Night by Dennis Lehane

5
Joe Coughlin, the youngest son of a prominent Boston police captain, has long since turned his back on his strict and proper upbringing. Joe enjoys the spoils, thrills, and notoriety of being an outlaw, but life on the dark side carries a heavy price. No one—neither family nor friend, enemy nor lover—can be trusted. One fate seems most likely for Joe: an early death. But until that day, he and his friends are determined to live life to the hilt. This is a very exciting book, well written, and a page turner.

Jean L
Where Yesterday Lives by Karen Kingsbury

2
This book is okay but it is nothing to write home about. For me, there was so much crying, sobbing, etc. that it was just too much. If you don't mind that type of book, ok, but I really can not recommend it.

Jean L
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

5
I have read four books by this author. I liked all of them but I really loved this one. I has everything: mystery, murder, love story, and a big surprise at the end. What more could you ask for?

Elizabeth Vollbach
Miss Me When I'm Gone by Emily Arsenault

2
Gretchen, a writer, has died. Her friend Jamie attempts to put together all Gretchen's notes for a new book she was writing. In doing so, Jamie gets caught up in the mystery Gretchen was trying to solve: who killed her biological mother? Worse, Jamie gets caught in another mystery: who killed Gretchen? I say "worse" because Jamie's investigations are at her own peril. During the first half of MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE, I found it a little too "cozy mysteryish," too simple, too easy reading. It did not make me want to keep reading; it wasn't thrilling. After that it got better; the story got more fast paced. The entire book, though, seemed to be written at the young adult level. Even the cover looks YA.

Diane Porter
419 by Will Ferguson

5
This award-winning title is a wonderful read as well as an education of the internet scam world. The author has created characters that live for the reader, and you actually care about what is happening to them! Also included in this story is the effect of western need/greed for oil and how it affects the African people.

Linda Harrison
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

4
What a great story! This is a heartwarming story of a young Chinese man brought up to be an American who falls in love with a Japanese girl during World War II when Japanese-Americans were rounded up and taken to camps as they were thought to be spies.

Julie Siemek
Gun Machine by Warren Ellis

5
A shootout in a NY apartment building leads to finding a cache of guns that have been used in previous homicides over the past 20+ years. These guns were suppose to be in the police evidence room. So how did they get back into the hands of a killer -- one who has been terrorizing NY city for years. Great book.

Linda Harrison
Bloodline by James Rollins

5
A suspenseful book about Gray Pierce and the Sigma Force. The newest threat is the harvesting of body parts to develop a new genetic code that will ensure immortality.

Linda Harrison
The Bourne Imperative by Eric Van Lustbader

5
The book kept your attention from the first as Jason Bourne battles a rogue Mossad operative and the Treadstone directors look for a mole within their agency.

Linda Harrison
Nowhere to Hide by Nancy Bush

5
This book is a followup to Nowhere to Run. Nancy Bush’s books are very suspenseful and keep you turning pages until you get to the end. This is the second book about the Rafferty family and centers around September Rafferty, a police detective and also August Rafferty’s twin.

Linda Harrison
Blood Ties by Kay Hooper

4
A different suspense involving a psychic unit connected to the FBI that uses its members’ various skills and abilities to find a murderer.

Dusty Johnson
Heat Lightning by John Sandford

4
Excellent book - another great Sandford novel starring Virgil Flowers. A murder in Vietnam brings a hit squad to Minnesota where the start killing the those involved. Virgil must find and stop the killers and solve the mysteries of the past events in Vietnam.

Linda Harrison
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews

4
After reading The Spring Fling and loving it, I decided to read some of Mary Kay Andrews’ earlier books and am glad I did. This was a well-written book with a good storyline.

Linda Harrison
Fireproof by Alex Kava

4
A suspenseful story where FBI Agent Maggie O’Dell and her partner R.J.Tully are trying to find the arsonist whose fires are now claiming victims.

Linda Harrison
The Reason Is You by Sharla Lovelace

4
A haunting love story as Dani “sees” people who have died and talks to them. Since other people don’t have this gift, she is thought of as a freak and has no friends except Alex, who is also a ghost.

Linda Harrison
A Thousand Bayonets by Joel Mark Harris

3
A newspaper reporter takes uncertain risks in trying to solve a gang shootout that he was witness to. While chasing leads, his memory takes him to a massacre that occurred in Afghanistan.

Linda Harrison
The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya

3
The book is written in the voices of the officers and enlisted men serving at a remote outpost in Afghanistan as well as a local villager who has come to retrieve the body of her brother.

Linda Harrison
9/11 to Global Jihad by Don Gould

3
Thanks to GoodReads, I received an advance reader copy of this book. While the book gives a frightening view of a potential takeover of the globe by Muslim fanatics, it is somewhat believable as our leaders seem to wear blinders. However, the book was rather thick at 500 pages and there was too much detail and too many characters.

Linda Harrison
Zoo by James Patterson and James Ledwidge

4
Books by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge always keep your interest. This one was about the overuse of cell phones and petroleum and their effects on mammals.

Anne Marie Koschnick
Still Life by Louise Penny

5
As a person with a French-Canadian background, Louise Penny was recommended to me by an author I enjoy, M K Graff. I have fallen in love with Penny's works. The language is almost poetic, even while describing murder, it is done in a gentle, lyrical fashion. However, that doesn't distract from the mystery that the main character, Chief Inspector Gamache, and his loyal underlings, attempt to solve. It also gives an insight into conflict between the French and English in Quebec. On a personal note, I enjoy the French phrases that are sprinkled throughout the story, something that would be very natural in a bilingual Province where the French and English cultures continue to battle it out. I would highly recommend Louise Penny and Still Life.

Marian Collins
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

4
This was a fun book that was full of surprises. This book made me guess until the last page. I enjoyed the characters and seeing how they all interacted with each other.

Peggy Busch
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

5
This novel beautifully transports you to Italy at the turn of the century as well as America through the eyes of immigrants. The characters are rich and well drawn. Read this book!

Susan Atkins
French Pressed by Cleo Coyle

5
I like this author because it is never boring and a fast paced book. The characters are very good and it keeps you wanting to keep reading.I like Claire and her daughter Joy. They seem like real life parent and daughter not people you make up, it seems real life like.

Sue Nuti
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

5
Fascinating historical account of the days leading up to Lincoln's assassination. The main characters reveal traits of which I was unaware. Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, and all her insecurities, Grant catering to his wife's demands, John Wilkes Booth and his huge ego, and all the cabinet members with their own agendas - describe the tone of the day and problems with which Lincoln dealt. Read this book and learn history that was never taught in school.

Maxine Urso
Prepare by Geoffrey Germann

5
Fast paced superhero adventure with the hero being a combination of Superman and The Shadow. Fun to read. Enjoyed every minute of it.

Jean
Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman

5
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It was a Reader's Choice at our library. If you're looking for a light, fun book, this may be it for you.

Elaine Beierbach
The Forgotten by David Baldacci

5
A great tale.

Wendy Hampton
Frozen Heat by Richard Castle

4
For all Castle fans, we finally find out who killed Kate's mother. I wonder where we go from here?

Marie-Louise Molloy
Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson

5
Delicious foody cozy!

Julie Cottrell
Silent Night by Deanna Raybourn

5
The latest from Ms. Raybourn is a Christmas novella. It was the perfect kick off for the holiday season.

Rosemary Sobczak
Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King

4
A married Sherlock Holmes IS disconcerting but this is a great read.

Robert L. Cusick
Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly

5
Excellent read that gave me much better insight on the actual events of that day. I would recommend the book - light reading but interesting.

Robert L. Cusick
The Racketeer by John Grisham

4
Just started the book but hold one's attention and the story line appears to hold your attention. Grisham writes good novels that will keep you interested-light read. I enjoy his novels.

gretchen kempff
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffmann

4
Reminds me of The Red Tent. It is about the occupation of Masada and the lives of the women. The writing is very good. The only drawback is that the chapters are long and I keep reading long in the night!

Ilene Harris
Roses by Leila Meacham

4
A really good book that reminds you of Gone With The Wind, an epic story of the powerful founding families of Howbutker, Texas, and how their histories intertwined over three generations.

Raylene Wauda
The Litigators by John Grisham

5
This was a fast and fun read; I enjoy legal thrillers.

Dawn Byers
Black Fridays by Michael Sears

5
An exciting read - emotional tugging as well.

Beverly Price
Zero Day by David Baldacci

5
This was a very interesting book. I hated to put it down.I look forward to the next book "The Forgotten". John Puller is a very interesting character. David Baldacci never disapoints with his books.

Jessie Brown
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

4
Love this series because each book is a fun quick read. But, I was disappointed that the television show does not really correspond with the books.

Donna
The Book Of Spies by Gayle Lynds

5
A wonderful espionage that kept me reading all the way through. Exciting suspense and master story telling with wonderful characters that you will fall in love with. I can't wait to read the next book.

Carol
Not Young, Still Restless by Jeanne Cooper

4
This was a fun read by and about a well-known soap opera actress. It was interesting to see the 'behind the scenes'. An easy read.

Veronica Sternberg
With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

5
Amazing historical romance! An engineer and flight nurse write letters anonymously to each other during World War II and fall in love, but they both have reasons why they don't want the other to know who they really are. Men and women will both really enjoy it.

Sharon Phelps
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

3
An intriguing thriller with an interesting twist that keeps you going back for more. The best mystery I have read recently, except for the off-putting language.

Ivy Pittman
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4
So far I am caught up in the lives of Amy & Nick! Feels like a hell of a reading ride coming on.

Sandy McCullough
Too Close to Home by Linwood Barclay

5
This is my new favorite author!! His thrillers are great. Easy to read, too.

Linda Johnson
A Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg

3
Betta's husband, the all-consuming love of her life has just died of cancer. Their life had been idyllic. They only needed each other. Now, Betta isn't sure how to go on without him. She can not stand to be in the home she shared with John, so she sells it and moves half-way across the country, where she makes new friends and contacts past ones. An interesting read, but with an abrupt ending.

Rose Turner
The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck

5
Written in 1939, this is the story of the Joad family driven off their Oklahoma homestead due to the Dustbowl and the Great Depression. They travel on to California with their meager belongings, hoping to find work and a new prosperous life. Trying to hold their family together, they are met with loss of family members to death and cowardice. They are challenged by everything from unemployment, weather, authorities and the California locals. The Grapes of Wrath is one of the best novels written about the Great Depression and the plight of migrant workers. It is a haunting story that is hard to dismiss from your mind.

Lorna
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

5
I don't have to say what this book is about because I am probably the last to read this book. We chose this for our book club and I cannot wait to get together to discuss it. I loved, loved this book.

Judy O.
Spilled Blood by Brian Freeman

3
A suspense novel which deals with a big company in a small Minnesota town possibly spewing contaminants into the environment. A cancer cluster has developed in the area, and people are starting to investigate. This was a good story, but I had some trouble getting through it.

Jud Hanson
The Wrecker by Clive Cussler

5
I absolutely love the character of Isaac Bell in Cussler's relatively new series. This book is one of the best I've read in a while.

Gayle Lin
The Grievers by Marc Schuster

5
This is a jewel of a book. It's reasonably short -- just over 200 pages but they pack a wallop. When one member of a class from a private boys' school commits suicide, the others plan to come together for a memorial service. A decade has gone by since they first started their journey together. I laughed out loud numerous times. I want to call this a dark comedy, but that doesn't give it enough credit because it's so much more. The main character learns so much about himself in the process of organizing the event. I highly recommend it.

Nick Tefoglou
The Last Man by Vince Flynn

4
Great book!

Carrie Wall
And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman

4
Slow getting into, but then it picked up. I love Laura Lippman!

susan Spencer
What Happened to my Sister by Elizabeth flock

4
This is a follow up from her book Emma and Me. I am only in the first half of the book but it is very good and makes me think.

Teresa Freeman
The Once and Future King by E. B. White

5
More than any book I've read in years, this book reflected on icons of myth and literature in such a way to make me thrill from the read and make me scurry to recommend it to everyone around me.

Debbie Smith
Delusions in Death by J D Robb

5
I love this series. Each book stands on its own and this is no exception. It's mass murder in the form of a terrorism attack in restaurants in New York. As always, fast paced and a twist at the end. A truly enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the next one in this series!

Lorena Keech
Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy by Christopher Hayes

4
I've only begun, but it feels right to be reading this as the election results come in. Hayes is so incredibly bright, and while he in no way writes down to his audience, he is erudite and readable. No mean feat.

Robin McKay
At Last by Barbara Bretton

4
“At Last” is a sweet love story. It follows the life of Noah and Gracie, who meet in kindergarten. Noah is sent off to boarding school, but he and Gracie meet again when he comes home during a family crisis. They meet and fall in love. However, on the day of their wedding, Gracie finds out something that causes her to run away from the man she loves and the town she never wanted to leave. Fast forward eight years and Gracie is back home for her Dad’s wedding. She and Noah finally find out the truth to the family secret that kept them apart. I loved the characters and the town of Idle Point.

Tricia Douglas
Bone River by Megan Chance

5
A great story that takes place in the Pacific Northwest around 1850. A father and daughter are ethnologists searching for artifacts from the early natives who lived in this area. When Leonie digs up a mummy, her goal is to find out the who and where of her background. Leonie is married to Junius who is very protective of her. Junius and Leonie's father were both involved in an "experiment," one which the reader won't discover the truth about until the end of the book. This is a very unique novel and one which will be a highlight of this year.

Kathy Vallee
Last Writes by Sheila Lowe

5
Claudia gets all caught up helping her best friend's step sister who is a member of the Temple of the Brighter Light, who say the world is going to end sooner then later. To save them all they have to kill her three year old niece A lot of twists and turns, great book!

Kathy P
The Bartenders Tale by Ivan Doig

5
A very entertaining story of a bartender's past and present, owning two different bars while telling his story and those of others. Really enjoyed it.

Wendy Catalano
Santerra's Sin by Donna Kauffman

4
This is the first book in Donna Kauffman's "Delgado's Dirty Dozen series, and what a page-turner it is. The story immediately pulled me in and didn't let go until the last page. Donna's characters are beyond interesting and I was drawn to them, wanting more. Blue and Diego make an awesome couple and the chemistry between them was sweet and hot! I love reading about a strong female character and Blue was it. This novel is full of suspense, romance and passion with a charming Spanish flair. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Kathryn
Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach by Colin Cotterill

4
This is an entertaining book, the first I have read by Colin Cotterill and the second in the Jimm Juree mystery series (I now have the first on order from the library). The short review that drew me to this one compared the style to Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana series, but better, and I would agree.

JoRN
Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain

5
The Archie Gretchen series seems fresh after several books. The twisted relationship between the cop and beauty queen serial killer has not gotten old yet. Awesome writer.

Wendy Catalano
Silent Warrior by Donna Kauffman

4
This is the second book in Donna Kauffman's "Delgado's Dirty Dozen" series and a great romantic suspense read. The story revolves around John McShane, a rugged operative for a government agency called The Dirty Dozen. He flies to the Caribbean on a rescue mission in answer to Cali Ellis's plea for help. Still deeply troubled by the way he handled Cali after her husband Nathan's (John's partner and best friend) death, ten years ago, he knew this had to be serious in order for her to seek him out. John and Cali work together to uncover the truth behind her husband's death. Their lives are in danger and this draws them closer together. This novel is full of suspense, romance, and passion, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Sara
Son by Lois Lowry

5
I absolutely loved this series!!! I am so saddened that this is the conclusion. As I was finishing this book I found myself reading slower and slower and even rereading sections to try to make the book last longer. Lowry did a wonderful job of bringing together the stories from all of the books. I thought the ending was brilliant!!! I know this will be a read-again series!

Sally
Ricochet by Sandra Brown

1
First of all, this review relates to the audio version of the book. The reader of the audio book used very annoying Southern accents. I usually love Southern accents, but his rendition of Elise made me dislike her immensely. I feel that if I had read the book in print, it might have received 2 stars. However, this was still an extremely disappointing book. I have not read any of Sandra Brown's books before, and I will not take the time to read another. The plotting was predictable and the characters were poorly developed. My advice would be to spend precious reading time on a different book and author.

Lew Cantor
Edge by Jeffrey Deaver

4
A stand-alone novel which takes a while to get started. However, ultimately it catches your interest.

Michael McAdam
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4
I love this book. I only gave it 4 stars because toward the end of part one, my enthusiasm for it started to waver for a while. Once I got to part 2, it was back to being a great page turner. It is not your typical "woman goes missing" story. The story is enjoyable and is not run-of-the-mill though it may seem like it for a little while. Now that I am almost done, I give it a rousing thumbs up!

LINDA BASS
Little Red Rides The Wolf by Lara Santiago

4
Cheri Amaranth promised her mother on her deathbed that she would not see her grandfather until she had turned twenty-five, but she could not wait that long as she was curious about the man she had never known. Her father had an untimely death and her mother had whisked her away from Selenia as a babe. Now, she was a scientist who did not believe in magic, werewolves, or the like. She had communicated with her grandfather to let him know that she was bringing him his goodies but the transmission had been so garbled that she thought he said to beware of werewolves and how silly was that?

Donna Shaw
The Rainmaker by John Grisham

4
A young man starts his career as a lawyer. He quickly learns how difficult the life of a lawyer can be. I don't want to give away the plot, but this is one of Grisham's better stories.

Ann Hill
A Very Private Woman by Nina Burleigh

3
This book looks into the 1964 murder of Mary Meyer. She was the ex-wife of a CIA official, sister in law of Ben Bradlee, and a mistress of John F. Kennedy. Her private diary and other papers were destroyed in what could be seen as a coverup. A man was tried and acquitted of her murder and a lot of questions are still unanswered.

Becky C.
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

4
I have in the past heard of Mrs. Danvers and of the words "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again", but I had never read "Rebecca". The book was suggested as a book club read and I am very glad it was. This is a ghostly tale that certainly kept the pages turning quickly.

Lynn Hough
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

5
I LOVED this book!!! Granted, I love all of Jodi Picoult's books but this one was truly great. She tackled a subject that is sensitive to many. Almost considered taboo to some. And she did it with class - no preaching and no politics being jammed down your throat. Gay or straight, religious or not, homophobe or accepting, everyone should read this book.

Debbie M
The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell

2
Maybe I am tired of Kay Scarpetta, but I did not find this book as exciting as the previous books in this series. Also, I am unsure about the killer in this book. It was like the character came from nowhere. I also found the characters to be weak and uninteresting. This was the first disappointment from a Patricia Cornwell novel.

Kellie
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

5
This is the last book of the series. My favorite quote by Peeves, “We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter’s the one, And Voldy’s gone moldy, so now let’s have fun.” Harry is trying to fulfill the prophesy. He has Ron and Hermoine to help him. It’s a rocky road. But Harry is determined to do what he’s suppose to do to defeat Voldemort. I am amazed at the intricate mind of this author. The story is so amazing. I am sad to see this end. I really enjoyed it. It is unlike anything I have ever read

Sandy McCullough
The Accident by Linwood Barclay

5
It’s the new normal at the Garber household in Connecticut: Glen, a contractor, has seen his business shaken by the housing crisis, and now his wife, Sheila, is taking a business course at night to increase her chances of landing a good-paying job. But she should have been home by now. Waiting for Sheila’s return, with their eight-year-old daughter sleeping soundly, Glen soon finds his worst fears confirmed: Sheila and two others have been killed in a car accident. Adding to the tragedy, the police claim Sheila was responsible. Glen knows it’s impossible; he knew his wife and she would never do such a thing. When he investigates, Glen begins to uncover layers of lawlessness beneath the placid surface of their suburb. A great one!

Lisa Richardson
Good Hope Road by Lisa Wingate

5
This book is written in different voices and opens your eyes to what we may not really see in real life. It really makes you stop and think about how we "see" the people we pass by everyday, without knowing who they really are. I highly recommend this book! I hope to see more from this author.

Dia Naidl
The Round House by Louise Erdrich

3
I think this is her best book yet!

Kay Keller
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

5
I love this book! A modern day journey set in England that reminds me of The Canterbury Tales.

cindy Parry
The Christmas Sweater by Bill O'Reilly

5
Best book ever.

Heather Burton
The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer

4
This was an unexpected fun read for me. It is about a woman who loses her husband to a freak accident, but rather than make me cry, it made me laugh! Such a breath of fresh air to read.

Janet P Bedell
Stolen Prey by John Sandford

5
I loved the plot, loved the dialogue, and loved the subtle and sometimes overt witticisms.

Jimmi Schneider
Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom & the Challenges of Bad Hair by C.C. Payne

5
A wonderful little book that I would recommend to both children and parents! Lula Bell is a wry little heroine who speaks with a true Southern voice. Her spirit in facing her own insecurities, class bullies and the death of a loved one can teach us all a lesson or two.

Janice Baly
Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell

5
This memoir by Gail Caldwell about her friendship with Caroline Knapp (author of Drinking: A Love Story), and Caroline's death at forty-two, was heart-wrenching. It isn't often that I find tears rolling down my cheeks while reading a book, but Caldwell's lyrical writing about their friendship, Caroline's death, and the later death of her thirteen year old dog, Clementine, was mesmerizing.

Joan
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

5
This is one of the best books I have read this year. Amazing for a first time author. This is a must read!

Elaine Baxter
The Red Thread by Ann Hood

4
This book is a wonder to read, makes you think time and again of the pain of women who cannot have children and those women who are forced (by the lives they lead) to give up their children. A wonderful, warm, feel-good book. Makes the reader feel all warm and fuzzy. I LOVED IT and have recommended to many friends.

Marie Ledin
Kane by Steve Gannon

4
A great murder mystery/thriller with some romance. I enjoyed this book, and would read another by this author.

sharon kozinn
The Sandcastle GIrls by Chris Bojalian

4
A good read.

Cynthia Leaman
Necessary Evil by Stephanie Freeman

5
Stephanie Freeman knocked it out of the park with her debut novel, Necessary Evil. This is not your typical romance. I mean, it has everything. Suspense... smoking hot love scenes, and a romance that made me cry. I had trouble putting the book down---it was just that good. I can see this thing being turned into a movie! I don't want to spoil anybody's reading but this book was amazing and I found out on Stephanie's website that there's going to be a sequel! Get Necessary Evil first and I believe you won't be disappointed!

Cynthia Leaman
Nature of the Beast by Stephanie Freeman

5
Nature of the Beast is a romantic suspense novel by Stephanie Freeman. Freeman has this gift for storytelling like no one I've ever seen before. She nails her male characters and her women are just as strong. I read this book about love, betrayal, loss and redemption in one sitting. It was just that good. Stephanie Freeman's Nature of the Beast is one book you won't soon forget!

Reva Wamsley
At Risk by Kit Ehrman

4
This is the first of a series featuring Steve Cline, a young man who has been disowned by his rich father and is managing a horse stable. It starts out with him stumbling onto a horse theft in the middle of the night at the stables where he works.The thieves steal seven horses and also kidnap Steve, after beating him up. He manages to escape the kidnappers but the horses are gone. Several days later, the stable is vandalized and the barn cat is hung and has its throat cut. Steve decides to try to find the culprits on his own while working with the FBI. I enjoyed this book very much, but being an animal lover, some parts are hard to read.

Wendy Catalano
Just One Night by Eve Gaddy

4
"Just One Night" is the first book in Eve Gaddy's "Rebels Without A Cause" series. It is a quick read full of romantic suspense and passion. Bomb Unit Detective Alexandra (Alex) Sheridan meets architect Luke Morgan at a Bombs Awareness Convention in San Diego. They spend one passionate night together and then go their separate ways, until 3 weeks later when Alex is called in to investigate the bombing of a building Luke is working on. The chemistry between the two quickly rekindles as the investigation mounts. Then when suspicion shadows Luke, Alex tries to prove his innocence. The end was climatic with a great twist. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Gaddy's work.

Mary Malloy
Listening is an Act of Love by NPR Group Project

4
I enjoyed this book . It is a book based on an NPR project where booths with recording devices were placed in different cities and random people were questioned about their lives.Some people spoke about small events that impacted their lives like the time a child of poverty woke to find a barn constructed of paper to take to school for show and tell, to an older man talking about being in a concentration camp. It is a very interesting book.

S ANDERSON
Fallen Masters by John Edward

3
The world is at a turning point and everyone can help defeat the forces of evil. Fallen masters can help guide the living if they pay attention.

Pattie Berryhill
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

4
It's not just about a college baseball team, it's about interpersonal relationships including a gay relationship between a college president and a student.

Cindy Rader
Canada by Richard Ford

3
I was disappointed in reading this book. It had received glowing reviews and I fully expected to like it. However, I found the writing disjointed at times and the characters not believable. I kept reading thinking that the plot would get better, but it didn't. Having lived in Great Falls, I could not see the stark nature of the residents, and the descriptions of people seemed so simplistic.

Lori Bednaz
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
A great read, but scary (from the parent of teenagers) about the impact of a teen murderer from his father's view.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin

4
Such a book to savor...savor the language, the characters, the setting. Take your time, but read this book.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

4
When Schwalbe's mother found out she had terminal cancer, the two of them started a book club for two. It's a wonderful testament to mother-son love, a great addition to a "books to read" list and a primer on how to live. I'd heard the term "mindfulness" ad nauseum in the recent past, but in this book I finally understood what living one's life mindfully really means. Well-worth reading for all lovers of books and life.

Sandy McCullough
Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards

3
If you are into horses then you will love this book. I am more into cats and dogs, but it was a good quick read.

Lesley Marshall
Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks

4
This book portrays the life of a young man living with a sex offender conviction over his head. He lives with other sex offenders in a causeway, trying to survive and make sense of his life. The reader gains new insights on media, the internet and our society's views of how to deal with convicted sex offenders.

Abbie Machia
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

4
I love the characters, they kind of remind me of Watson and Holmes. The Story was very well written and the author leaves you wanting more. You wont be able to put this book down once you get into it! I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Heather Bjork
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson

5
My new all-time favorite book! I LOVED this book, minus the gruesome murders, but loved how Erik Larson made the few years leading up to the 1893 World's Fair come alive. I loved reading about Chicago during this time period. I enjoying learning about the architecture in the city and the prior World's Fairs. Understanding the politics, the labor unrest, the living conditions and more made this book extremely captivating. I derived additional enjoyment from the frequent anecdotes referencing several famous people. I love a book that makes me feel "richer" from reading it. I learned an amazing amount regarding this period of time, Chicago, H.H. Holmes (the serial killer) and the 1893 World's Fair.

Lynn Hough
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

5
My twelve year old raved about this book last year. My ten year old picked it up to read this month and was loving it too, so I decided to read it and see what was so great about it - everything!! I highly recommend it

Judy O.
Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

3
This is the story of Georgia Bottoms of Six Points, Alabama. The family name used to be "Butts", but she changed it to the more genteel "Bottoms". Georgia is a pillar of society in her little town, but nobody knows what she does on most evenings, and she wants to keep it that way. Secrets have a way of becoming known, however, and that is almost her undoing. This is a fun, quick read.

Susan Hastings
The Delilah Case by Mickie Turk

5
The Delilah Case grabbed my attention in the first scene and held on until the last word. The characters are beautifully drawn & the setting is luscious. The complex plot flows in and out of characters' lives, fears, and desires, with new revelations at every turn. Overall, this was a very satisfying read. Description: "New Orleans, childhood bonds, voodoo and gangsters all kick up heat and mystique in Mickie Turk's debut novel." Dr. Dominique Doucette returns home to open a reform prison for violent male offenders. When a series of assaults occur in nearby New Orleans, she must confront the evil lurking inside the antebellum prison & the disturbing secret that haunts her own past.

Nancy Love
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

4
This book was very good. It was a book discussion book, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up and read it, but I'm glad I did. It was a well-written book.

CHRISTEN BEZOSKI
Phantom by Jo Nesbo

5
I love Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series because you never know how they are going to end. Not everything always works out for poor Harry. Therefore, these books are always nail-biters, "Phantom" included.

Jane Squires
The Prince She Had to Marry by Christine Rimmer

5
I loved this book. A Prince and Princess story. A Princess gets her marriage offer, but not in the way she hoped. A one night affair causes her and the prince to marry quickly for the sake of their countries. But she wants a lifetime commitment with love as well. She is on her honeymoon when she decides she needs time alone to quit acting. Her husband tells her he will go with her. A storm causes them to be lost on an island. They find a house and spend a week alone not in a castle. During this time they find what they mean to each other. From castle to beach with a prince, alone. Struggles and hardship can bring a love that lasts. Great story.

Rhonda Lomazow
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
I can't put this book down.

Elle Boehm
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet by Jamie Ford

4
So far so good. I'm really enjoying how the main character talks about his experiences as a caregiver and also as a first generation American.

Elle Boehm
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

3
Having held on to this book for a long time, I expected so much more from it. I did enjoy it, but did not love it. It was interesting to learn about Mao's re-education program and the banning of books. However the story's end felt somewhat incomplete to me.

Cindy Gallimore
The Inquisitor's Key by Jefferson Bass

5
This is again another wonderful saga in the Body Farm Series. The author does a wonderful job of transporting the reader to historical France while simultaneously using cutting edge technology in determining the origin of the bones. The dialogue and banter are excellent as well as the underlying bits of humor that catch you off guard. I love reading books by Jefferson Bass because they are so well written and just flow so easily - you just fall in love with the characters and find yourself 'rooting' for them during their struggles and hurting for them during their times of despair. The Inquisitor's Key and the entire Body Farm series are a must-read.

Sharon
Mulch by Ann Riply

4
This was actually an e-book that I borrowed from my local library. Such fun. Louise who is married to Bill who works supposedly for the Dept. of State (but is actually a CIAS spy) relocates to northern Virginia. She wants to organize the grounds around her home as her first love is gardening. When she has no money but needs to fill in a swampy area, she gets the idea of "borrowing" the bags of fall leaves from her neighborhood. But one of those bags contains the remains of a dead woman. That lands Louise in hot water with her neighbors and the police. She decides that in order to bring peace to her neighborhood she must solve the mystery. This is the first of several mysteries that combine murder and gardening.

Eileen Quinn Knight,Ph.D.
Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman

5
This text is unusual as it is intellectually fun! Reality is not easily captured as different narrators of the text offer us a different scenario for the evidence needed. These storytellers focus on their emotions to help them tell the story. The reader feels that emotion as he/she begins to care about the story. On another level the story brings out many spiritual questions that plague all of us.

Beth Zimmerman
The Panther by Nelson DeMille

5
John Corey and his wife, Kate Mayfield are at it again. This time they take an assignment in Yemen, their mission to find a terrorist known as the Panther. Corey's slapstick commentary through the book is entertaining. This book is top-notch exciting! Educational too, I learned quite a bit about Yemen and its culture.

Judith Haskell
The Body Bed by Patricia Cornwell

4
Kay Scarpetta continues to live intensely among her family, colleagues and enemies, never deviating from her strict personal and professional beliefs as she shares her method of inquiry and scientific knowledge with the reader (along with mouth-watering descriptions of dinners cooked and eaten). Fine suspense, and I'll be gratified if my guess as to who is the culprit is correct!

Sherri Hines
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

4
A novel about aging out of foster care, and about a girl whose "saving grace" is the language of flowers, which is currently known to few people but becomes her way of connecting.

Allison Gardner
Coastliners by Joanne Harris

3
A great Story about island people in France.

John Warner
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

3
In the second of the Mortal Instruments series, Clary continues to learn about her family's Shadowhunter history and to discern what her particular skills are. After a werechild is murdered and drained of blood, she discovers that her estranged father is attempting to perform a magical ritual which would allow him to lead an army of demons. Since Clary appears to be becoming more adult in this novel, there is less adolescent angst and it's more enjoyable than the last one.

Phyllis Relyea
The Innocents by Francesca Segal

4
An interesting rewrite of Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence," set in a NW London Jewish Community. Just in time for Wharton's 100th birthday.

Diane Porter
The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling

3
This is a long read that could be a better if shortened by about 150 pages. The story is pedestrian, and the characters pull it along because, for the most part, you care about them. I began to "fast forward" when it seemed repetitive, and when I was finished I thought, "And so..." Rowling can do better than this, I'm sure.

Magali Pacheco
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

4
This is a very interesting book about the life of the author. She lived in Mogadishu, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Netherlands and US. It explains in detail the difficulties of living in a strict Islam family and having to abide with arranged marriages and other rules that make life hard, especially for woman.

Arthur Harriman
The White Lioness by Henning Mankell

5
A developing Afrikaner plot to kill President de Klerk of South Africa leads to murders in both Sweden and South Africa. Swedish police inspector Kurt Wallander brilliantly resolves the fascinating complexities of Mankell's story.

Marie-Louise Molloy
Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson

5
If you love food and mysteries, this is the book for you!

ann golobic
Looking For Yesterday by Marcia Muller

3
This is quite a different approach for a mystery. A story of a woman who has been found innocent of crimes but now wants Sharon McCone to once again prove her innocence.

Lyanne Poirier
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

3
I am enjoying this great book written by Will Schwalbe about his mother Mary Anne after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The love of books shared by them and their lively discussions make you wish you were part of their club. They read fast, I must say, but their compassion as people is evident in their choices of books and the way they live their lives. I think it is inspiring to share a joy of books even at the difficult time they face. I do not read the end of the book first like Mary Anne does, so I don't know the ending yet!!

Maxie Anderson
Deliver Me From Evil by Kathi Macias

5
This is a book everyone should read. Ever wonder what happens to all of our girls and even boys who disappear and are never found? Read Kathi's book to find out! It is a 5 star book.

Raylene Wauda
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

4
This is a memoir about being given to the author's mother's psychiatrist at age twelve to live in a dilapidated and filthy Victorian home with his entire family including some adopted kids. Augusten is in search of his sexual identity and answers to the usual teen questions. Rules are unheard of here, and the author sees and hears much more about life than he wants to know as a result of living with these bizarre people. It's easy to read (short chapters), but the author uses dark humor to deal with recollections of his often horrifying young life.

Julie
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

4
I'm halfway through this book and I'm really enjoying it. If you like historical fiction, this would be a good book to read. This is a trilogy and this is the first book in the group. It takes place in England during the First World War. We are introduced to some very well-off families and their downstairs help as well. The story revolves around these people and how the war has turned their lives upside down. Follet is a wonderful writer and I can't wait to read the second book in the series, Winter of the World.

Kathryn
The Ruins of Lace by Iris Anthony

4
I enjoyed the story about making lace by hand and that it had been forbidden to own lace in France at one time, causing, of course, smuggling. The story is told by seven characters, and one reads each point of view. The ending may seem ambiguous, but on checking the author's blog http://www.irisanthony.com , she gives a couple of hints of pages to re-read before returning to the end. I had not made any connection in the story but it did make sense. She has also done a 'my book the movie' entry on who she might see as actors if her book became a movie http://mybookthemovie.blogspot.ca/2012/11/iris-anthonys-ruins-of-lace.html I was surprised that my library listed this book as Inspirational Fiction instead of Historical Fiction.

Jeanette Crossett
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

5
The rating for this book is going to be five stars. It is about Francie Nolan and her family growing up poor is the early centuries of the 1900s, and how she adores her Irish father who has imagination and her stern mom who has to deal with reality of life. Francie wants to go to a better public school and be a writer. It is a sentimental favorite of mine. Even the movie is good.

Marie Ledin
Still Waters by Tami Hoag

4
A murder, romance, thriller, mystery set in Minnesota. A young woman from a poor family marries at a young age because of pregnancy to a man who doesn't want to be tied down, loses someone who cares about her, and marries a "Prince Charming" who makes her feel like Cinderella until she is replaced by someone else who can bring the "prince" more wealth; however, he publicly damages her reputation leaving her basically nothing. From rags to riches and back to rags again. She moves to Minnesota with her troubled teenage son after purchasing a small town newspaper with the meager amount of money she got from her divorce.

Carroll Savage
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
I couldn't put this book down and was shocked by the ending!

Jud Hanson
A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer

5
A great book, with a realistic plot few authors can match.

KG
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

5
When a lighthouse keeper and his wife who are the only people on an island off the coast of Western Australia find a baby and a dead body washed ashore in a row boat, it leads to a series of events that kept me reading this book in one sitting. This book is a real page turner. I highly recommend it.

JG
The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky

5
When a mother takes responsibility for a car accident (her daughter was actually the driver), a series of events occur . One bad decision leads to another. I was curious as to how this book would end, and if all the problems are resolved. I enjoyed reading this book.

Marsha
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

4
This charming novel takes place in Italy and Hollywood as an American starlet is introduced to a Italian innkeeper who becomes entangled in her life, her career and her future. She was to be a part of the Cleopatra film with Liz and Dick until her health took an unexpected turn. The movie producer, Richard Burton and others are cleverly brought together in an enchanting tale of love, lust, ambition, heartbreak and loss.

Elizabeth Vollbach
Illuminations by Mary Sharratt

4
Illuminations by Mary Sharratt tells the story of Hildegard von Bingen, recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches and as a prophet by the Lutheran Church. Illuminations is based on documented fact, but it is not a biography. Here, Hildegard's story is told as a novel. In so doing, Sharratt interjects Hildegard's thoughts, psychological insights, and dialog and keeps the reader's interest more than a biography would. For readers like me, that makes this book more readable, and that is why I rate the book so highly.

Daryl Evangelista
I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

3
Fasting reading Patterson as always. I love the Michael Bennett character and the family dynamic. Michael Bennett balances life in a matter-of-fact way as he deals with extreme evil as a cop and the powerful love and support of his large family.

John M
Mad River by John Sandford

5
The latest novel by John Sandford features his relatively new character, Minnesota state investigator Virgil Flowers, in a very suspenseful, entertaining, and exciting story. I have read all of Mr. Sandford's novels, going way back, and this has (so far) turned into one of his most exciting books yet, with new plot twists popping up every time you think you have it all figured out. Even though this book is part of a "series", a newcomer to Mr. Sandford's novels can jump right into it without having read any of his previous books starring Flowers and his boss Lucas Davenport. Its great fun, so do something nice for yourself and read it!

Lynn W
The Racketeer by John Grisham

4
Mr Grisham is just plain having fun writing his books these days. I LOVE going along for the ride. Read and enjoy!

Cherry
City Of Women by David R. Gillham

4
I'm in the process of listening to 'City Of Women' and am finding WWII told from a German woman's view quite intriguing.

Lynn W
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

4
You're the lightkeeper's wife. You've lost three pregnancies to miscarriage or stillbirth. A boat washes up on the beach carrying a dead man and a living baby. Ms Stedman mesmerizes the reader with this account of deeply emotional choices. It's the best book I've read this year.

Lynn W
Time Remembered by Miss Read

3
This past summer, I read this author's Thrush Green series and loved every one of them. Now I read every book that I come across (she's written dozens). They are all gentle, easy, stories of life in rural England at the beginning of the last century.

Marcia Sailer
In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner

5
Beautifully written story of a family's plight during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia during the 1970s. A daughter's devotion to her father, and the wisdom he bestowed on her through legends and his poems, is tested and gives her strength through four years of terror and hardship. The novel is based on the author's own experiences. It is a wonderful book.

Wendy Catalano
Night Falls Like Silk by Kathleen Eagle

4
"Night Falls Like Silk" is the captivating sequel to Kathleen Eagles's romantic suspense "The Night Remembers". This story takes place fifteen years or so after street kid Tommy T was adopted by Angela and Jesse Brown Wolf. Tommy T, now Thomas Warrior, has matured into a handsome and sophisticated man. He is an artist that creates graphic novels. At an art auction he meets Cassandra Westbrook, a widow and 10 years older than him. As they grow closer Tom agrees to mentor Aaron, Cassandra's troubled nephew, whose world revolves around drawing. When Aaron disappears we are taken on a roller coaster ride of suspense, and Tom and Cassandra's new-found love is put to the test. A touching and gratifying end to Thomas's story.

Linda Johnson
The Art of Intelligence by Henry Compton

3
The story of a lifer in the CIA. I think this book would have read better than it listened - only because it is full of acronyms and "he"s (protecting the anonymity of the sources). All in all, not a bad read.

Glenn Pessano
White Oleander by Janet Fitch

3
At times, a very poetic writing style - loved some of the word choices and phrasings! The main character Astrid certainly became "hardened" due to her various foster home experiences. It made her grow up quicker than she would have, and she became a survivor. However, as I got further and further in, I felt the dysfunctional aspects of the foster homes were being "forced" for the sake of the story.

Debbie M
Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

1
This is a terrible novel, and not funny at all. The story centers around a 30+ single woman that "services" men. She works six days a week and these six men sneak into her house. As the story unravels, Georgia's life of sin falls apart. Since this book was chosen for a book club, I felt I had to finish. The book has no redeeming features.

Jodie Busch
The Paris Wife by Paula McClain

4
So far it's definitely a 4/5 kind of book. It's beautifully and skillfully written. A joy to read.

Jo Beatty
The Innocent by David Balducci

5
There are many twists and turns involving the main character, Robie, who belongs to an elite group of the government's "tasks" to be carried out. Other people add to the suspense of what is really going on and and who is behind the complicated scheme. As usual, David Baldacci does not disappoint (meeting him in person was such a delight, he is funny and entertaining!)

Chris Osberg
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
This is a great book that takes a few twists and turns.

LINDA BASS
The Chronicles of the Mira by Christine Schulze

5
The Chronicles of the Mira is three short stories of tales from a land called Loz with a feud between the Sintillates and the Mira. The Sintillate thought themselves superior to the Mira and tried ways to eliminate them off the land by black magic. My favorite is book three where Lily is saved from Wolfagons by Alistair, a lonely wizard. This book is perfect for any age and Irecommend it highly!!

Melanie S.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

5
I think this is the first time I've given a book on the Word of Mouth reviews 5 stars. It's not a rating I bestow haphazardly at every book I enjoy. All I can say is "Wow." This is really a breathtaking novel. It's been a while since I've read of book of this scope. 933 pages long, this book has occupied the last 3 weeks of my reading time, and it was worth every minute I spent. This book is about love, hate, choices, redemption, philosophy, life, and about Bombay, amazingly described. I have reading ADD and usually read more than 1 book at a time, but I didn't want to read anything else while reading this book as it completely captivated me.This book has something for everyone, and I feel changed having read it. Amazing. Read it.

Marsha
Mad River by John Sandford

5
Virgil Flowers is an unconventional Minnesota Bureau of Crime Investigator. The way he approaches his investigations are quirky but interestingly honest. This is a fast-paced thrill chase involving a trio of killers who have gone on a spree that frightens everyone. This is another winner from Sandford.

Fran
The White by Deborah Larsen

3
I read this book in one sitting. It was an easy read about a young girl who was captured by Indians in 1758. The book was good, but not great. The writing style pulled me in at times but lost me at other times.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

4
Who knew a novel about obesity, family and fidelity could be so entertaining? This one is worth a read.

elaine Beierbach
The Forgotten by David Baldacci

5
Great book!

Laura Beierbach
The Forgotten by David Baldacci

5
I can't wait for the next novel by Baldacci.

Lynn W
Rock 'n' Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip by Robert Landau

4
Awesome book! Baby Boomers will especially love the pictures of billboards and album covers of the music of their youth. Thanks Booktrib for the walk down memory lane.

Lorna
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
Couldn't put this book down. It's about a female helicopter pilot that is deployed to Iraq. She is leaving her two daughters and husband(who recently informed her he didn't love her anymore). Very accurate details about what happens when a loved one gets deployed.

Michael Martinez
Too Young to Know by R.A. Rios

4
I found this book on smashwords.com, RA Rios is apparently a new author. I found his books engrossing to say the least. He has done something I have not come across in any of the ebooks i have read. By linking in music to his stories I found myself actually more emotionally connected to the characters. Too Young To Know...is a coming of age short story about what two young people must go thru to find true love. What Toby experiences is truly more than one person should ever have to experience. This truly is a must read...you'll be glad you did.

Andrew Beck
Dreamland by David K. Randall

3
A readable, anecdotal approach to some of the current research in sleep studies. The book does provide an interesting overview to some of the more recent discoveries in sleep science, but is not thorough and skips over some other, perhaps even more important research, to accommodate the author's own interest in aspects of the topic. While it is worthwhile to read the case studies and findings, one wishes the book were more comprehensive and less facile, providing a much more intense look at the biology and physiology of sleep and their implications for everyday life.

LINDA BASS
Satan's Casting Call by Lisa Maliga

4
Duncan Smith-Holmes is a twenty-seven year old man who dreams of fame as a Hollywood actor and vowed by hook or crook he'd score big by June twenty-fifth or he'd go back to Iowa and his dad's farm. He was late for casting call, and barely acknowledged his fiancee Tina who sat sipping coffee and marking potential secretarial jobs. The address he wrote down on a blue sticky note leads him to a seedier part of town. As he pulled in the lot and entered the concrete building he saw no one else there, not even a receptionist! What was going on and why was it so dim inside? Where were the other actors?

Robin M
Tell It To The Marines by Amy J. Fetzer

4
If you like lusty Marines rescuing - and falling for - damsels in distress in jungle areas, then you'll like this book.

Robin McKay
The Colonel's Mistake by Dan Mayland

4
The Colonel's Mistake is a very intricate story. It is gritty, fast-paced and down to earth. The characters are not super spies, but are modern day warriors, battling for their life in an area of the world that is as foreign to the normal reader as if it were Mars. The plot misleads you many times as you try to grasp the complexity of what’s happening to Mark, Daria, and Decker. The actual "mistake" that the Colonel has made isn’t revealed until the last few pages, but it is stunning. The author's first-hand knowledge of Azerbaijan is obvious and his intelligence background weaves the story like it comes from tomorrow’s headlines. His attention to detail helps the story feel real.

Very good book.
The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar

4
Enjoyed this book.

Judy O.
A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus

4
Dr. Tori Taylor has a heart transplant and starts having nightmares about memories of fire and falling. It seems that she is having memories from her heart donor. She and a friend decide to find out more about this person, and it takes them into unimaginable danger. Good story from a Christian author.

Michael McAdam
Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn Brown

5
For some reason, this subject fascinates me. I watched the Sister Wives show on TLC and this book works as a nice companion piece to it. The book revolves more around how Kody met his wives and their each individual love stories and focuses on their background and history. A very enjoyable and quick read.

Sara
Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper

5
I have loved Cyndi Lauper and her music since I was in grade school. After reading her story I love her even more. She is such a strong person and lives how she wants to live and not how others want her too. I really had no idea of the struggles she has lived through including with her music. I would highly recommend this book.

Ann
Bared to You by Sylvia Day

4
If you liked 50 Shades of Grey you will like this book. I thought it was much better written and the whole plot was better than 50 Shades. Good read

Russell Howen
Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5
While I have not completed read it, I am enjoying it as much as "Killing Lincoln" by the same authors.

Carol Wagers
The Round House by Louise Erdrich

5
This book just won the National Book Award. I made the mistake of taking it to bed with me two nights ago. It kept me up hours past my normal sleep time. The book is about the impact of rape upon an American Indian family and their difficulties with the justice system. I have read many of Erdrich's novels and she is a very accomplished and wonderful storyteller.

Kathryn
The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

5
I found this to be a moving story with beautiful language. The lives of sisters Milly and Twiss (who kept reminding me of Scout) go back and forth, often as memories, between their ages 16/14 and mid 70s. Nothing in between. How often do we think of our own lives: do they ever turn out the way we thought they might when we were 16 or 18? I loved (and laughed at) a great sentence about boxes in the attic (p. 202): 'Apparently, it had been easier to carry them up two flights of stairs than to carry them to the trash on level ground.' I bought this book as a gift to myself last Christmas - finally read it and glad I did - now I will give it to a friend this Christmas. I think she will enjoy it also.

Robin McKay
Over The Edge by Mary Connealy

4
This was an interesting book and fun to read. It is part of the Kincaid Brides series and focuses on Seth Kincaid. Seth carries with him the scars of a tragic accident that occured during his youth as well as those acquired during the Civil War. While recovering after the war, he meets and marries [and quickly forgets] Callie. Callie is a Texas gal who is quick with her wits as well as a gun. After giving birth to the couples' son, Callie heads out to find her husband, or his family. She is waylaid by a band of robbers who set upon the stagecoach she is riding in. About the same time, Seth appears looking for the stagecoach in hopes it might carry his forgotten bride. The book is full of 'rip roarin' fun and is a great read.

Sandy McCullough
The Slow Moon by Elizabeth Cox

4
In the beginning I didn't think I would like this one, but it picked up right away. A very easy read.

Sandy McCullough
Making Waves by Cassandra King

3
A quick easy read and a predictable story.

Sandy McCullough
A Song For My Mother by Kat Martin

4
A very entertaining short story. Great gift for your mom for Christmas!

Suzanne Gonneville
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

5
Nightwoods is so earthy and visual. This will always be one of my favorites. Not only was the book hard to put down but I was saddened when the story ended. It would have been comforting to read more of Charles Frazier’s words and phrases. I simply loved this book.

Donna Shaw
Twelve Red Herrings by Jeffrey Archer

5
Archer tells twelve different stories--some are factual and others are fiction. He's a wonderful author and each story holds your interest.

Rhonda Lomazow
Chanel Bonfire by Wendy Lawless

5
An amazing childhood. Miss lawless's mother was a woman of many moods, not really fit to be a mother. Wendy and her sister lived in the Plaza hotel and rundown apartments with a mother who was emotionally out of control. How Miss Lawless survived is a fascinating ride.

Erin Golsen
Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart

4
An engaging, funny and thoughtful book about marriage, motherhood and identity. I really enjoyed it and plan to read more by this author.

Brooke Raymond
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

5
This funny, touching, kooky story about the Bigtree family who owns a local tourist attraction where they wrestle alligators (all named Seth) is colorful, whimsical and unforgettable. The novel's colorful characters quickly become real people you care about and become invested in. Great for vacation reading or a popular book club pick.

Mary Bryant
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

4
A very intriguing story that takes place in the wilderness of Alaska. A couple has lost a child and then finds one. Faina will keep you guessing about her origin and how she survives in the wild.

Diane Porter
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan

4
A very involved and multi-layered story. Well written, with a female protagonist that is difficult to figure out.

Lynn Jarrett
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

5
I have just started this book, but think it is going to be a good one. I like Kingsolver's style of writing. She has a wonderful way of describing things that make it seem like an "aha" moment.

mary sue skelton
The Forgiven by Lawrence Osborne

5
The excellent writing prompted me to read this book through lunches and dinners. The book takes place in Morocco and has elements of intrigue and mystery, as well as being a touching kind of story with a lot of local atmosphere. I'm so impressed with this author that I intend to seek out his other writings.

Diana Trabanco
The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjahlian

5
This book shines a light on the often ignored genocide of the Armenian people by the Muslim Turks in 1915. Based on the author's own heritage , he presents a great book of historical fiction, which is not only informative but a lovely romantic story. The main character, Elizabeth, is an American young woman who, along with her father, is in Syria assisting the refugees from a forced death march. The ensuing narrative introduces a cast of characters both heartbreaking and redemptive. Anyone reading this book will be horrified by the scope of the atrocity, but also impressed by the greatness of the human spirit.

Dorothy Boyum
Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu-Jaber

4
Super good book!

Linda Smith
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

3
Olivia is grieving the death of her autistic son, Anthony, and the death of her marriage; Beth's husband has had an affair and they're separated. The women meet in Nantucket, and a strange bond is formed between them. (I don't want to give away the story, so that's all I'm saying about that.) Genova's 'Still Alice' was one of the best books I've read in the past few years, and I must admit I don't think this one is as well-written, or kept my interest nearly as well.

Linda Smith
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
Run, don't walk, to your nearest independent bookstore to grab one of the best mysteries I've read in years. Told in alternating chapters between husband and wife, every time I thought I had this mystery figured out, Flynn pulled the rug out from under my brain with another twist that kept me up reading far into the night.

Renee' Booker
The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams

5
This book tell us about a woman who has been in a long marriage, and everything is going nowhere. This is the time we need to keep the romance in a marriage. But it went to far and an affair started.

Maxie Anderson
Deliver Me From Evil by Kathi Macias

5
I would highly recommend you read this book. It grabs the heart as you realize how much evil we have right here in our country. Have you ever wondered what has happened to those young ones who come up missing in the news and aren't found? I always do. Kathi is a great author and has you pulled into her book from the first few pages. She writes about the realities in our country and looks for ways to help. Please put this on your "to be read" list.

Allison Gardner
The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease

3
Great Historical fiction!

Marie-Louise Molloy
Cinder by Marissa Meyer

5
Fantasy and mystery!

NANCY HOLLIS
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by J Randy Taraborrelli

5
Never a real fan of Monroe, this book kept me turning the pages wanting to know more. The in-depth research is outstanding, going into details not found in any other book on Monroe. I wish JRT would write more biographies.

Pattie Berryhill
The Face Thief by Eli Gottlieb

1
I read one hundred pages of this book before I gave it one star. It did not grab my interest. It was truly a boring story. I do not recommend it.

Norene Wittlin
John Adams by David McCollough

5
Love it! Best book I've read in years.

Susan Johnson
The Panther by Nelson DeMille

4
This timely and well-plotted novel regarding anti-terrorism tactics in Yemen leaves me thankful that I live in the good 'ol USA where we can walk down any city street and not have to worry about who may be carrying an AK-47 to blow us away. After recently watching the movie Argo, this fits into a similar story of embassy and hotel bombings. The plot fits right into typical Al Qaeda strategies. One continues to wonder how they justify killings, bombings, and human cruelty in the name of jihad and all it stands for. It's so far from what the loving God that I know would ever condone. Nelson DeMille tossed in humor, which had me laughing and smiling - a great addition to terrible circumstances.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Borrowing My Mother's Saints by Olga Soaje

4
A warm hug of a book, Borrowing My Mother’s Saints is chock-full of insights, hope, humor, and a dash of modern romance. Inspiring and of-the-moment, this charming, lighthearted look at contemporary life will move you to muster the courage to follow your heart on a path that might just lead you to everyday miracles.

Phyllis Relyea
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5
I love historical fiction and this one fits the bill!

Bea Carroll
Nothing To Envy by Barbara Demick

5
A non-fiction drama about life and trying to escape from North Korea.

Betty Ralph
Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard

5
If you think history is dull or that President Garfield is an afterthought, you must read this compelling book by an absolutely outstanding author. The person of Garfield leaps off the pages, and you will understand why his death was so tragic and so avoidable. Even my friends who normally don't read non-fiction loved this book.

Sally Bergstedt
11/22/63 by Stephen King

3
2.5 stars. In 2011, a High School English teacher travels back in time to 1958 to try and stop the Kennedy assassination in 1963. This book could have easily been a trilogy and made to be more suspenseful. As it was, the middle part was somewhat boring.

Linda Reck
Live By Night by Dennis LeHane

5
A masterful crime epic.

Peggy Kincaid
The Panther by Nelson DeMille

5
This is a large book and that may seem intimidating, but don't worry, once you start reading you won't be able to stop. Our hero, John Corey, is a much loved character from previous DeMille books and the addition of another character from Mr. DeMille's books, Paul Brenner, only makes it better. This is one long non-stop roller coaster thrill ride and just the thing to warm you up on a chilly Autumn day.

Kelley Tackett
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

4
This book, about a man who escapes out the window of his room at a nursing home, moments before his 100th birthday party, is flat out funny. A comedy of errors ensues. I don't want to give anything away but I haven't enjoyed a book and laughed so much in a long time. Great read.

Julie
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

4
If you like Ken Follet, you'll love this book. It's the first in a trilogy starting with the First World War.

Sheila Trask
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
Suspenseful, quirky, and surprising throughout! Characters at once realistic and fantastic. I want to read her other books now.

robin fuller
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

4
This book held my attention. I like this author, also.

Rena Ackley
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

5
An intriguing novel that integrates environmental crisis with a collision of cultures. Scientists and environmentalists expect people barely surviving financially to place importance on the possible extinction of monarch butterflies. The development of relationships between the various characters and Dellarobia, the main character who grows intellectually and has experiences outside her normal place in life, is very well crafted. A book that both makes you examine your own role in the environment but also is a joy to read.

Lori
The Racketeer by John Grisham

4
This was a fun read by Grisham that was different than his usual courtroom dramas. It was a nice escapist book which kept me entertained.

Coral Harrison
Bloodline by Felix Francis

5
Felix Francis writes as good or better than his father, Dick Francis. This book is also about racing. The "I" in the book is Mark Shillingfor who is a race -caller and television presenter at the horse races. He is too large to be a jockey but his twin sister, Clare, is small and able to be one. This is a story about them. You will enjoy it.

Christine Minter
The Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam

5
These are amazing, unapologetically flawed characters you'll love to dislike. The author invites you to shake your head and groan at them, everyone from title character Percival with his stubbornness and unwillingness to listen to others (unless it involves making money), his gambling and whoring; his ex-wife Cecilia, a deliciously spoiled, snappy brat; his oblivious son Dai Jai, whom you just want to scream at at the very beginning for doing something oh-so-stupid that sets in motion the events in this book; his lover Jacqueline, for keeping a secret that I really, truly did not see coming. But then there is the love beneath all this turmoil, the love of parents for their children that is the true heart of the story.

Lea Ann Morris
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan

5
What a compelling biography! Timothy Egan has made Edward Curtis come alive within this book as Curtis sets out to photograph the remnants of every Native American tribe in the United States. He spends decades doing so, alienates his wife, lives on the kindness of others, destroys his health, but succeeds in his quest. This is not text book writing, but writing of the highest kind; that which educates as it entertains. I cannot urge you enough to read this book and to learn the history of both Curtis and his photographic subjects.

Anne Marie Koschnick
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

4
Though a little difficult getting into, once I got the rhythm of the story, I had a hard time putting it down. The problem I had was that it was in a way telling four stories at one time: Gamache's story of a murder in Quebec City; Jean-Guy's story of solving a murder in Three Pines; the story of the mystery of Champlain and where his remains are buried and the story of a tragic occurrence for the Surete that personally affects Gamache and his team. This final story haunts Gamache and Jean- Guy and is told in their minds as they replay it over and over, gradually coming to an unwanted conclusion. It is obvious through the story of Penny's love of Quebec and it's history, yet it doesn't overwhelm a well-told mystery.

Andrea Lapsley
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

5
Loving this book and the entire concept of "art forgery" versus "copying art." The twists and turns are many and the characters are absolutely believable. A plot that I haven't read before. One I don't want to end.

Liz
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

4
A good sweet read during the crazy activities of Thanksgiving!

Amy Cramer
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
I am about 1/4 of the way through this book, and was only able to put it down long enough to read my weekly bookreporter.com email, but I know what I'll be doing for the rest of today! (Forget black friday shopping!) Not only is the plot interesting, but I love the way Landay writes! I especially enjoyed his description of learning the word "murder". At this point, I would rate the book 5 stars!

Lori Bednaz
Trans-Sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian

5
Love this author, great character development! Makes you think about who you love and why...

Linda Shell
Low Pressure by Sandra Brown

5
I have been reading Sandra Brown's novels for many years and she never fails to peak my interest with her writing talents. Low Pressure is no exception, and its one of those books that I am tempted to read the last page to see what happens.

Kellie
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4
When I think of this book, the words “twisted psycho thriller” come to mind. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book. It actually was pretty boring at the beginning. But it becomes more interesting. This is a very unique book. I think that’s why it’s so popular. People like to read plots that are new and untouched. This is solely a character driven plot. I liked it. It didn’t knock me over, but I liked it.

Linda Johnson
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo

5
I have enjoyed all the books by Jo and also like all the ones that are from the Scandinavian countries. The authors just have a different way of writing that I like.

Brenda Klaassen
Lot's Return to Sodom by Sandra Brannan

4
This was the second book by this author that I have read. This book had a very interesting setting, the Black Hills of South Dakota during the Sturgis bike rally. This mystery twisted and turned through a cast of colorful characters, ending with a rock solid, take your breath away finale.

Janet Chiero
Split Second by David Baldacci

5
Great book! A real page turner.

Wendy Catalano
Edge Of Black by J.T. Ellison

5
Suffering the loss of her family Dr. Owens moves to Washington DC to start over. With a new job, new home, new friends and a new man in her life things are falling into place for her---until disaster strikes. An unknown pathogen was released into the Washington Metro killing 3 people and injuring others. A Nationwide panic ensues and Dr. Owens is called in to help solve the case alongside her friend Detective Darren Fletcher. Xander (Samantha's boyfriend) becomes involved and we learn more about him as their relationship develops. The storyline is action-packed and thrilling and contains lots of pieces to the puzzle that in the end fit together perfectly.

Lois Lilling
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

4
This is the story of Trudy, who learns about her mother's life during WWII and how attachments are formed with people who save you from starvation or death.

Lynn W
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

3
I read this book because I read anything about books, book stores, and book clubs. I liked this book because the author's mother had an extraordinary life and consequently, hundreds of friends loved and cared for her during her last illness. This story will stay with me a long time and will guide my own actions in the years ahead.

Ivy Pittman
Heading Out To Wonderful by Robert Goolrick

5
This is the type of slow-moving story where you feel like you just know how things are going to turn out. The small town will never be the same when Charlie Pierce arrives alone, set to start a life he has envisioned. Bittersweet and sad.

Betty Chrastka
The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue

4
Emma Donoghue is such a versatile author. After I read Room, which was contemporary fiction, I found that most of her work is set in the Victorian era. This book is thoroughly researched and actually based on fact. A naive, loyal young woman who is a champion of the rights of women is unwittingly embroiled in the illicit love affair of her best friend, a charming, amoral, perpetually dissatisfied woman.

Eve Altman
Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

4
I loved Kane and Abel by this author and then stopped reading his books as none lived up to that early promise. I decided to read Only Time Will Tell because it was the first book in a trilogy. To me there is nothing better than a long, involved family saga. This is the second book in the trilogy . I only gave it 4 stars as I haven't finished it yet. So far it is a wonderful continuation of the story. I feel as if I know the main characters from the first book and I am enjoying reading what has happened to them. This book picks up right where the first book ended. I look forward to finishing this book and then reading the third book whenever it comes out. Bravo Mr. Archer!!

Melanie S.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green

4
A terrific YA book recommended to me by my nineteen-year-old daughter. This is a story about two teenagers with cancer who meet at a support group. Yes, it's sad, but it's also joyful. It's about life, and death, and what makes a life well-lived and important. The writing, particularly the dialogue, was spot on brilliant - witty, acerbic, charming. The characters were so endearing. I highly recommend this book!

Kathy Iwasaka
The Innocent by David Baldacci

4
I am not really sure where this book is going, but I am enjoying the ride.

Lynn Jarrett
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

4
Just starting on this book. It appears to be a different topic for Albom. I have been a fan of his since "Tuesdays with Morrie." I am looking forward to reading the short book in the next day or so.

Marilyn Clement
Hill of Beans: Coming of Age in the Last Days of the Old South by John Snyder

5
This is an extraordinary memoir of a by-gone time. This is an important book, not only a memoir. I devoured this book. I lived this book. After I finished the book, I kept picking it up. After a while, I kept it on my night stand. This book evoked many childhood memories of my parents talking about "making it" through the Great Depression and the affects of the Dust Bowl. Great Book!

Robin McKay
Syndrome E by Franck Thilliez

5
This horrifying tale describes doctors without morals; endorsed by governments that justify any action to further their cause. Inspector Franck Sharko and detective Lucie Hennebelle are ordinary people who manage more than their share of personal problems. Their daily lives are a struggle until they are drawn into a gigantic web of top-secret lies, senseless torture, and incredible horror. Then their lives become a roller coaster of wonder and shock. They discover a mysterious, haunting video that should never have been found. They pursue its origins with all they know and all they can discover, but each discovery only uncovers more mystery and death. The truth is far more horrible than they can imagine.

Sue Lange
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

5
Geraldine Brooks captured my interest on the first page. The story is a fascinating one and told in such a way that I have found it difficult to put the book down. It is always a pleasure to find a book club book that you truly want to read, which you not only find fascinating, but which also leads you to more discoveries and the desire to research the subject. The characters come alive from the moment you meet them and make you wish they lived nearby. This is a book that I will want to share with all my friends and keep in my library. It is a real treasure!

Marina Patrice Van Gossen
The Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santos

4
I read this entire book in one sitting, a restful Saturday following Thanksgiving. Immediately I was reminded of my friend Helene telling me that if she lives to be ninety she will commit suicide because ninety years is a long full life. As the book opens Anna is 112 years old and she awaits the arrival of a geneticist who wants to study her and her family. Each section of the book is told by one of the five generations of women in the family. I found the book interesting and the characters very human. I was underwhelmed by the family's secrets which were quite mundane. I was taken by the interactions of the women across generations as they felt real and familiar.

Marsha
Severe Clear by Stuart Woods

4
Stone Barrington is called to Bel Air for the opening of a hotel on the property of his late wife. Meanwhile, terrorists are planning to blow up the place when all the celebrities arrive. The Presidents of US and Mexico are in attendance as well as many members of several nations. It is a race to the finish. Quite fascinating.

Debbie Smith
The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

4
This is a new series which is based in Cedar Cove. If you loved that series you will certainly enjoy this new one. A young widow has purchased a bed & breakfast, which is enabling her to begin to experience joy in her life again. The premise is the people who stay at the inn need joy back in their life and the inn seems instrumental in the beginning. A very enjoyable read and a few "guest" appearances by the characters in the Cedar Cove series.

Genie M
A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva

4
Gabriel Allon, art restorer/ spy is sent to Vienna to discover who was responsible for a bombing. As the facts begin to fall into place, he finds himself on the trail of one wanted for a massive number of war crimes.

Sherrie English
Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Lesley-Ann Jones

4
Very interesting tidbits of information of Freddie Mercury, as a young man and later with Queen. Well written, keeps you looking forward to the next page.

Judy D
The Dollmaker by Harriette Arnow

5
I'm re-reading this book I had read back in the 80s ,and like it as well, the hardships of a woman who was so brave and hardworking and still had a kind heart. This was one tough lady...

Beth OBrien
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

5
Neuroscientist Lisa Genova delivers again with a strong, believable story that educates at the same time about a current topic, autism. Readers have previously been treated to this author's very readable work in Still Alice and Left Neglected.

Diana Thomas
Hometown Family by Mia Ross

4
I recieved this book as a part of Goodreads First Reads. This book is a first by the author and after reading it I am looking forward to reading more. It's a sweet romance with the two main characters coming back to their hometown after tragedy/setbacks in the big city. The faith aspect is dealt with honestly and wholeheartedly by people who practice what they preach. It's refreshing to see Christian belief spoken about as it is in this book. I recommend this book to Christian romance readers.

Linda Mcfarland
Breaking The Code by Karen Fisher-Alaniz

5
This book is about a World War II veteran...and the secrets he kept locked inside for more than 50 years. I could feel the pain as the story unfolds through old letters that he had written to his mother many years ago. The story is finally brought to the surface by his daughter as she draws all the pain out of her Dad as she goes through all of his old letters...It was such a history lesson and a lot to be learned through this world war veteran and all the secrets that were kept hidden for such a long time. I feel like Murray William Fisher has helped a lot of world war veterans heal from the experiences that he has revealed through his old letters. War is real and such pain as Mr. Fisher experienced was hidden.

Michael McAdam
No Easy Day by Mark Owen

4
I was very curious about the killing of Osama bin Laden so I picked up this book. I was a little surprised to find that, aside from the first four or five pages, the entire first half of the book has absolutely nothing to do with that day. It revolves around the training and other missions that the author went through. I didn't think it was boring or anything - quite the opposite - I just thought the title was a little misleading. I guess without it the book would be way too short maybe? I still enjoyed it. I am not a fan of war anything - books, movies, whatever - but this was more like a secret mission rather than a war. Fascinating how things panned out. Recommended!

Lori
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

4
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fast read, and I learned a lot of history in a very easy way. I found it beautifully written, and it was very informative as well. I would recommend it to book groups as it brings up a lot of interesting issues regarding marriage, motherhood and feminism

Cumorah
The Jaws of the Vortex by Joe Hunt

5
I swear this series is the NEXT BIG THING. The mystical adventure begins when an abandoned insane asylum re-opens in Landmark, Oregon. It appears to be a haunted house, but is revealed to be a portal into the underworld. Ryan enters the portal to rescue some who have become entangled in the wars and intrigues of the Six Kings of the Underworld. It's fresh. Creative. Wildly original, and will have you begging for the next book in the series (of six) to be released. Get it. Read it. And brag to your friends when it becomes a major motion picture that you were one of the first to ever lay hands on it. It is just.that.good.

Marsha
The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

4
Not quite up to the first in the series, this second book continues the saga of Harry Clifton who has escaped to America hoping to bury family secrets. His life is fraught with problems, deception and cleverness. As he adopts a new identify, he finds himself charged with murder. WWII is looming and Britain and the US are preparing to fight Hitler.

Linda Greene
10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn

4
I have been gaining many insightful ideas to relieve stress and feel appreciation of daily life from 10 Mindful Minutes. This book is so relateable to our busy lives and our children's overbooked days. Learning how our brain works and how we can use that understanding to make our lives less stressful has been an eye opener to me.

Linda
Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent

4
The heartwarming tale of two young girls of different races living together in the South during a time of segregation.

Lynn Hough
The Last Coyote by Michael Connolly

3
I definitely enjoy Michael Connolly's books but this one just didn't grab me as much as the others I have read.

Wendy Catalano
Anything He Wants by Sara Fawkes

5
First published as a five-part e serial novel, I was thrilled to be able to read "Anything He Wants" as a complete book from start to finish. And that is exactly what I did because I couldn't put it down. Jeremiah is dominant, ex-military, sexy, a billionaire and owns Hamilton Industries. He is in need of a personal assistant when he discovers Lucy, a data entry clerk, in the elevator of his building and this is where they have their first hot tryst. With her job being terminated and her financial situation in dire straights, Jeremiah offers Lucy this new position, to provide 'Anything He Wants' an offer she can't refuse. The story sizzles and then moves on to include conspiracy theories, assassination attempts and kidnappings.

Joyce Caulkins
My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

5
I just love this book and suggested it for our book club which we will be discussing this week. The characters are so believable and the fact that it is actually based on history makes it doubly interesting....Oliveira even uses the actual names of some of the characters even though it is a novel. You will feel as if you are in the trenches of the civil war with Mary as you read this book. If you like stories about strong women and men you will love this book.

Kathleen Martocci
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

5
A great fantasy novel about magic and romance in the circus that only appears at night and travels all over the world. Read it and consider - which tent is your favorite. The imagery is stunning!

Judy O.
Sutton by J.R. Moehringer

5
Historical fiction at its best! This is the story of bank robber Willie Sutton. I was fascinated by this book, and I did not think I would like it when I started. Superb writing and clever format.

Gloria Alafe
Marked by Elisabeth Naughton

5
If you like the supernatural mixed in with great writing and something naughty then this is the book for you.

sandy haber
The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal

5
What a marvelous story! Took a little bit to get into the story, but the writing was so great -- colors and feelings and all that. Highly recommended.

Debbie M
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

3
I enjoyed reading this book, but felt Henry Lee a little weak as a character. In the end, Henry redeems himself and does the unexpected. I liked the description of the hotel and the childhood of Henry and Keiko. I can feel their pain and rejection through Ford's story. I can almost feel the anguish of the Japanese as they are herded into trains to be sent to interment centers. I cannot believe that growing up this event was never discussed, even though the world was told the fate of the Jews. I could not understand how Henry and his father stopped communications.

Debbie M
Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

3
DuLong presents many areas that I found interesting. I loved many of the topics detailed from the world of yarn from the animal (alpaca) to the knitting of a piece of clothing. The sense of community spirit made me want to move to Cedar Key, where each person is an important part of the town. Even in all this glow of love, loyalty, and compassion; DuLong infuses the results of domestic violence. DuLong does not dwell on domestic violence, but slyly inserts a chapter on this hardship. I feel that the friendships happened too quickly, and that defects in personality were neglected. But, I enjoyed the story with all the trips in and around Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina, and the mention of therapy dogs.

Patricia Ferguson
In Sunlight and in Shadow by Mark Helprin

5
This book is so well written that it is hard to put it down! Mr. Helprin writes such intriguing descriptions of time and place, you feel you are right there with the main characters. You are given a wonderfully accurate picture of life in New York at the end of WWII. You will get a taste of the theater world and the world of the wealthy at this time in our nation's history. I have not finished it yet but am almost there.

Sally C.
High Profile by Robert B. Parker

2
Although the dialogue is witty, every sentence ends in "Jesse said." Or "Jenn said." Or "Sunny said." Listening to the unabridged audio, this repetition becomes very annoying, as the sentences of dialogue are usually just a few words. The plot was pretty thin, but the characters were somewhat interesting. It was okay as a quick book to listen to in the car.

Lynn Hough
Letters From Rifka by Karen Hesse

5
I had previously read "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse so was expecting this to be a good book as well and was not disappointed. Great book! I read it with my seventh grader and really enjoyed it.

Cheryle Fisher
The Little Bookstore of Bigstone Gap by Wendy Welch

5
I always love reading about books and reading. This book follows a couple and the dream they always had of running their own bookstore. They find a house in a small Appalachian town of Big Stone Gap. Because it is a small town they must overcome the insular atmosphere of small town life.

georgia blaco
Bloodletter's Daughter by Linda Lafferty

5
A great historical novel.

Susan Jacobsen
Twelve Days by Theresa Hill

4
This is a great book to read at Christmas time.The story is about Rachael, who opens her door to find three abandoned children standing there just before Christmas. It puts you in the holiday spirit.

Ruth Schroeder
Old World Murder by Kathleen Ernst

4
On the first day of her new job as curator at Old World Museum, Chloe Ellefsen stumbles upon the mystery of a missing ale bowl. The author ends the book with a cliff-hanger, so I will definitely have to check out the next book in this series.

Kathy Boucher
The Condition by Jennifer Haigh

4
Jennifer Haigh is a genius at uncovering the human condition; the way families lie to each other, each assuming they know best. This novel kept me enthralled to the end; Haigh's ability to truly define the characters is what keeps this book flowing!

Nancy Black
Polo by Jilly Cooper

5
Absolutely a wild ride This novel grabs you by the hand and whips you through the lives of unforgettable characters. For me the lives of the horses remain vivid long after the last page. Lots of sex, betrayals, and heartbreak. If you read just one book grab this one and have fun!!

Lee Cobb
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

5
The saga of James Fraser and his time-traveling wife Claire Randall continues in this fifth volume of the Outlander series as they settle in the mountains of North Carolina in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. It's an absorbing story of love, endurance, humor, and intrigue as families gather on the frontier of a new land in changing times; highly recommended.

Pam Moore
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

4
A heartfelt story of one man's way of supporting, helping, and connecting with his mother as she approaches the end of her life.

Marie Ledin
In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner

4
Great book. It truly makes you appreciate living in a free country. Truly inspiring how an individual can overcome government cruelty, live and survive on basically nothing but what nature provides, and continue to struggle and hope for and achieve a better life. We have much to be thankful for living in our country.

Marcia Sailer
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

5
As an avid reader and book club leader, I loved this book. It spoke my language, the language of the love of books and the messages they instill in their readers. I'd read many of the books the mother and son shared in their private book club. I wrote down the names of the ones I hadn't read so I can enjoy them in the future. I've always found books a bonding agent and source of discussion, even with people with whom I had little else in common. I highly recommend this book!

Elaine Baxter
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock

3
It was great reading, I could not put book down, but the ending was disappointing. Even though it was satisfying it did not give you a sense that the mother took control of her life and that of the child. Worth the read.

Lori
Gold by Chris Cleave

4
Not what I had expected, but I ended up enjoying the book and finding it very suspenseful and thought-provoking. I think it would be a good choice for book groups to discuss the ethical and relationship issues in the book.

Genie M
Split Image by Robert B. Parker

4
A body is found in the trunk of a car. It turns out he is connected to a local wise guy who claims to be retired and enjoying the easy life in a high class neighborhood with a beautiful wife. While the investigation continues, the body of another local crime boss is found on the beach. This one just happens to have been both a next door neighbor and brother-in-law of the wise guy. The plot thickens and takes a strange turn as Jesse Stone leads an intense investigation.

Lynn Hough
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

5
Absolutely fabulous book!!!! I'm so glad I read it. Now I know why it is one of my daughter's favorite books.

Lynn Demsky
Best Served Cold by Jimmie Ruth Evans

3
I've enjoyed this series a lot, but this one might be the last in the series. It was just not as good as the others---or I just had to wait too long to get a copy of it!

Lynn Demsky
Elected for Death by Valerie Wolzien

5
This is one of the best series I've ever read and I'm always delighted to find one that I missed somehow or other! Great read!

Lynn Demsky
Murder in the Forecast by Valerie Wolzien

5
I've been reading this old series, finally found the old ones and I really think this one was the best! And, it's great you don't really have to read them in order!

Lynn Demsky
This Business is Murder by Joyce Christmas

5
What a pure delight to read! Betty moves out of state when she's forced to retire at her old job and finds herself being a temp at an office where she has no idea what they do. It really becomes a challenge when dead people start showing up. I adore senior citizen mysteries and this is just such a cute, well written one. I did go find more by Joyce!

Lynn Demsky
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

2
Mary's books used to be of the "grab yah" sort - I couldn't put them down once I started. This one I did finish, but kept falling asleep through it! Her writing is really getting horrible!

Lynn Demsky
Biggie and the Poisoned Politician by Nancy Bell

5
This was such a cute, comical character in a delightful well-written book! I enjoyed it enough that I went and ordered more of them!

Lynn Demsky
Invisible Prey by John Sandford

3
I was disappointed in this Sandford book, but then I don't care for art that much so it might have just been me. But, I did keep falling asleep through it, even though I did finish it! Not as fetching as his books usually are!

Lynn Demsky
This Old Murder by Valerie Wolzien

5
Josie's crew of house builders are really an interesting bunch of people! The book is well written, quick and easy to read! Glad I've finally found them all!

Lynn Demsky
TheWalled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett

5
An entertaining, delightful read --- good plot, well written, I like Lorraine's books!

Lynn Demsky
Tis the Season To Be Murdered by Valerie Wolzien

5
I adore all the Susan Henshaw books and am really delighted when I find ones that I missed somehow or other! A great read, and good for the upcoming Christmas season also!

Lynn Demsky
Permit for Murder by Valerie Wolzien

5
A pure delight to read! I adore how Ms. Wolzien finds so many different ways to kill off people in such a small community---and now Josie has a look alike! Well written, good plot - great characters! I adore how her son is always popping in with such neat adventures!

Lynn Demsky
Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark

4
I didn't fall asleep as much in this book - was NOT as good as her older books but worth reading! She's getting a tad to wishy-washy and lovely dovey for me!

Lynn Demsky
The Christmas Thief by Mary & Carol Higgins Clark

2
I finished the book but strongly feel these two shouldn't be writing together! It was a scattered, slow plot with character names that were just horrible to remember! I kept falling asleep through it, Mary Higgins Clark can write a lot better then this!

Lynn Demsky
Death on a Platter by Elaine Viets

5
Josie is such entertaining reading, Elaine does a really good job on making a very believable, enjoyable book!

Betty Chrastka
Rites of Passage by William Golding

4
I watched the three-part BBC series based on this book (and subsequent two books in the series). The series was so riveting that I just had to see if the book was better. And it is! Golding's ability to put the reader into that time period and inside the main character's head is a wonderful thing. I heartily recommend this series. A great read if you like historical fiction.

Terri Slusser
Beautiful Creatures by Cami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

5
I am on the second of this series and I LOVE them! I really like the writing on the wall in the protagonist's bedroom. The fact that they can "speak" to each other adds a romantic touch.

Anne Spier
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

3
I enjoy reading historical fiction, so this one about a midwife during the Civil War era promised to be a perfect fit for my reading pleasure. Although I am learning a lot about the role of women and medicine during this period , as well as the life and plight of the soldiers, I did not find the story line to be as compelling as I had originally hoped it would be or as the fly-leaf of the book had promised. Overall, it was a good read, but not wonderful.

Deborah Davis
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4
A definite page turner. I kept wondering how it would end. I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this book.

Ann Hill
The American by Andrew Britton

3
A gripping story about an American soldier who had been trained by the US but because of family issues he goes rogue and is out to punish America. However, the ending is not wrapped up in a conclusion but leaves the door open for a continuing story - hence another book.

Eileen Markmann
Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick

4
The description was somewhat off-putting, but having loved "A Reliable Wife, I gave it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The description of the characters is so vivid that their pain is palpable.

Mary Bushnell
Stealing from the Dead by A.J. Zerries

5
This is a fast paced, full-of-surprises book by the couple who authored "The Lost Van Gogh". I especially appreciated the strong female lead character.

Chris Lantz
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed out the Windiow and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

5
This is a jolly jaunt through the years of a man who liked blowing things up and how he was placed within the lives and countries of many famous and infamous leaders from around the world!

Krismar Ramker
Home by Toni Morrison

5
Morrison's latest does not disappoint. A survival story of sorts, following a vet returning from conflict. Although set in the past, its points hit home today as well. Strong character development and historical content.

Krismar Ramker
Home by Toni Morrison

5
Morrison's latest does not disappoint. A survival story of sorts, following a vet, returning from conflict. Although set in the past, its points hit home today as well. Strong character development and historical content.

Jacalyn Harrison
Sister by Rosamund Lupton

4
This is the story of a woman living in the USA, who is called home to England when her sister disappears. The story is not only a mystery, which the author does very well, but is also about relationships. The ending is a surprise, which I always love. I recommend this book as a very enjoyable and quick read.

Fran O
Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek

4
A tragic (thank God, fictional) tale of a young girl who shoulders enormous burdens taking care of her mentally ill mother. In the meantime, her father takes off with the "tomato girl" a young girl he meets at his store who sells tomatoes. You laugh with this child, cry with this child and root for her all through the story. While I'm not always a fan of stories told from the eyes of a child, this author's writing style pulls in the reader and illustrates the daily tragedies of one little girl, even when she didn't quite understand the full implications of what is happening. This is not your "happy ending" kind of story, although there were elements of hope.

Judith Williams
The Black Box by Michael Connolly

5
Another great read from Mr. Connolly!

Vanessa
My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr

5
Robyn Carr captures holiday magic with her latest novel, My Kind of Christmas. It's filled with small town charm, a beloved cast of characters, and second chances. Whether you need a quick holiday read or the perfect stocking stuffer, this novel is sure to please.

Sandra Furlotte
The Surgeon of Crowthorne by Simon Winchester

5
This biography of Dr. Minor and his role in the compilation of the first Oxford English Dictionary is a must read for anyone who loves words and how they are used.

Kellie
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

5
I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Jennifer Weiner. This one did not disappoint. Weiner has a special talent for the creation of likable characters. In this book, I liked Ruth and her grandmother Rachel but I also enjoyed the plot. I thought it was unique and intriguing. I loved the Golden Girls references. I loved that show myself. I thought Weiner did a good job describing the trials and tribulations of getting a new show off the ground and trying to keep it going in the very competitive atmosphere of Hollywood TV. It did not take me long to get sucked into this story, and it was not easy to put down. Now I remember why I like this author so much.

Jeff Smith
Sutton by J. R. Moehringer

4
This is a work of historical fiction about the life of Willie Sutton, one of Americas most famous bank robbers. I enjoyed this book because I knew very little of Willie Sutton. He lead an extremely interesting life and met many interesting people. The writer does a great job of bringing the time and place in which the novel is set to life. I highly recommend this book.

Dian Austin
Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth

5
This book won the Booker Prize in 1992. A well-written saga about the triangulated slave trade originating in England during the time of the US colonies.

Marie Ledin
Roses Are Red by James Patterson

5
Another great book by James Patterson, it keeps you in suspense from the very beginning. I could not put this down.