This contest period's winners were Alyson W., Liz P. and Patricia M., who each received a copy of THE GERMAN GIRL by Armando Lucas Correa and THE SEVENTH PLAGUE: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins.
Sandra
Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips
This is an extraordinary blend of fact and fiction and keeps you guessing until the end, all the way through. In Chicago in 1931, Asta Eicher, a lonely mother of three, is desperate for money after the sudden death of her husband. She begins to receive seductive letters from an elegant man named Harry Powers, who promises to cherish and protect her, ultimately to marry her and to care for her and her children. Weeks later Asta and her three children are dead.
LINDA
Shattering Glass: The Life and Strife of the First Female President by Christina Higgins
I freely chose to review this book and I'm really glad that I did! Samantha Palmer is the very first female American president and finally the glass ceiling has been broken! Samantha must face her desire to love, trust, and the learn to lead. Now girls can dream of one day being Commander in Chief after years of being ignored. Too bad we will have to wait until another determined female arises again to take the White House.
Donna
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
I knew nothing of Mata Hari, the legendary spy of WWI. Excellent novel based on historical research. Contrary to popular belief Mata Hari was not a spy after all. Coelho is a master storyteller.
Betty
Stone Coffin by Kjell Eriksson
A complicated murder mystery with interesting investigators in Sweden and Spain. I was unable to figure out the solution until the very end.
Dorothy
Becoming George Washington by Stephen Yoch
I liked learning Washington's early life and the way it was written. It was very informative.
MH
The Secret Place by Tara French
The book was very intense. Switching viewpoints from one of the detectives to the girls at the school increased the suspense. I gave it four stars instead of five because of the extensive Irish slang, which was hard to follow at times. I will definitely read more books by this author.
Dorothy
Rembrandt's Shadow by Janet Lee Berg
Historical novel of a Jewish family's escape from the Nazis and their life after the war in the U.S. They sold Rembrandts to obtain safe passage out of Europe. Now they try to reclaim the stolen art back to the family. A good read.
Jill
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Loved it. Really didn't want to read another book on World War II, but it was about something I did not know too much about.
Shirley
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
I really enjoyed reading this book. She keeps you wondering what the secret is for a while.
Nancy
Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South by Beth Macy
This book tells the story of two albino African American brothers who are forced to join the circus and exhibited as sideshow freaks, their mother's tireless years'-long search for them, and the heartbreaking lives they, and other African Americans, lived in the era of Jim Crow. The one question that is never answered in this meticulously-researched book is whether the brothers were, in fact, kidnapped, as family and local lore claim. The author has done an incredible job of researching her topic, but there are some questions that she did not answer. It is a sad story of the brothers, Jim Crow and life at the time, but one worth reading.
Norene
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
A classic.
Vicki
Human Acts by Han Kang
One of my best reads this year. It starts with the story of Dong-ho during the Gwangju Uprising of 1980. It goes through different chapters of life during and up to 30 years after the attacks that killed so many. This book tore at my heartstrings. It questions what is humanity and is a short read with a huge impact. I would recommend this to anyone so they can read about the atrocities that were committed against fellow mankind, including children. Makes you grateful for what you have.
Simonne
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Dark places, indeed. The characters in this very disturbing, believable story are all troubled and dark. Few have zero redeeming qualities. The mom faces increasing pressure and so few choices, and is living the results of her own bad (very bad) choices. I really liked this book, although the rest of my book club didn't; I found there was a lot to think about and discuss. It is easy to judge black and/or white, not so much when there are lots of shades of gray.
Simonne
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Great read about an ultimately dysfunctional family that starts out the opposite of where it ends. Brings modern immigration into play, in a big way.
Muriel
After the Wind by Lou Kasischke
I got quite caught up in Mr. Kasischke's account of the events on Mt. Everest in May of 1996 when eight climbers lost their lives in the summit attempt on May 10. I felt Lou wrote from the heart about his wife's influence in decisions he made while on the mountain. I felt he tried to present his account of what happened to other climbers and decisions that were made in a way that was as unjudgemental as possible. I think many people would find this book interesting. My book group plans to use it for discussion in January.
Sally-Jo
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly
I'm not a Bill O'Reilly fan but the book was interesting.
Nina Morse
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
Carrie's latest book is hilarious and very revealing. She takes the reader behind the scenes of the making of Star Wars, while she reveals an affair with Harrison Ford. Her usual self-deprecating humor is sometimes kinda sad. A few juicy tidbits about her relationship with her dad and mom are also discussed. It was a quick read.
Nadine
Insidious by Catherine Coulter
Thrilling mystery.
Sherrie
The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore
The story of the anxiety of gettting a daughter into dad's alma mater, Harvard. Told through different voices of family members. It's funny at times and very family-like at others. An enjoyable read.
Linda
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
Meyer may be known for her spectacular YA books but this move into adult fiction surpassed my expectations. The pages flew by as I became more engrossed with the story. The characters are thought out with no disappointments in their actions or thought processes. I loved the protagonist, who was a very well defined brilliant doctor known for her chemical research. The flow was suspenseful and I was so sad when the book ended. I hope there will be more adult fiction from this author.
Karen
Home by Harlan Coben
It was great having Win and Myron working together again. Good mystery!
Sharon
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
This powerful book is especially important to read. Those of us who believe they are colorblind may realize we are not fully, we must look differently at people around us. It makes me as an educator know how much more has to be done to educate ourselves and those we teach.
KG
The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe
Set in the 19th century, this is the story of Anita Hemmings, who attends Vassar College at a time when black students were not permitted to enroll. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written, a very emotional story and a page-turner. I couldn't wait to find out if Anita's secret would be revealed!
KG
The Red Coat by Dolley Carlson
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it brought me back to the time over 60 years ago when I lived in South Boston. I could relate to so many things mentioned - places, customs, events, church. I enjoyed the Boston landmark pictures shown in sidebars and photos. Anyone who is Irish and has a connection to Post World War II Boston should read this hard to put down book!
Noreen Brown
The Green Road by Anne Enright
Save your eyesight. A very unappealing book. Didn't care for any of the characters. The only reason I gave it a star as there was finally something of interest right near the end.
Cheryle
Cross the Line by James Patterson
The only trouble with the Cross series is the wait between books and then how quickly "the fix" is done. Top notch again.
Joyce
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Intense! Loved it, but at the same time hated it. Horrible atrocities going on during that time in history. Every college student should have to read it. How soon we forget.
KC
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
This is the story of Margaretha Zelle, aka, Mata Hari. She was abused as a girl by her teacher and then as a young wife by her much older and jealous husband. After suffering the loss of her infant son, she left her home and young daughter to seek fame. By trade she was an exotic dancer and a courtesan. She also was an accused spy during WWI who was tried and executed in front of a firing squad. This tale is told from her point of view, through letters. She was fluent in multiple languages and that she had countless liaisons with some of the richest and most powerful men at the time, when she was not on stage performing. This made her look guilty but there was never any solid proof of espionage. A sad but compelling story.
Linda
Blind Sight (Kathleen Mallory #12) by Carol O'Connell
Oh, I love Kathleen Mallory! These books are always complex, morbid puzzles of intrigue. When I discover a new volume is about to be published, I make sure to put my order in at the library for my place in line. This volume did not disappoint. The (fictional) mayor of New York is at the center of a complicated payback from the days when he was an investor who was responsible for some high-powered people losing big money. A 12-year-old blind boy accidentally gets involved in a professional hit man's elimination of witnesses. Will Mallory and her colleagues rescue him in time? Why does the hit man kidnap before killing? What is at the heart of this story? The pages wouldn't turn fast enough.
Linda
Honor Bound by B. J. Daniels
Ainsley Hamilton is the oldest of the six daughters of Buckmaster Hamilton, the likely next President of the United States. She is independent and works as a location scout for a movie producer. When Ainsley mentioned to her father that she thinks she has a stalker, FBI agent Sawyer Nash is sent to protect her. He doesn’t want her to know he is an agent and gets a job as an actor on the commercial being filmed. When they meet, they instantly click, but there is another FBI agent also working undercover. She had an affair with Nash and is not ready to let him go.
Linda
Into Dust by B. J. Daniels
When Jack Durand sees a man trying to abduct a young lady, he reacts by shooting the man in the legs and freeing the lady from the man’s grasp. They run when they hear the man’s accomplices arriving. The girl is Cassidy Hamilton, daughter of Buckmaster Hamilton, a man rumored to be the next president of the United States. Jack tries to make sense of what he learns about his own father and realizes he never knew the man at all. Looking at a photo, Jack sees his father next to a woman. Cassidy tells him this is her mother. Both were members of an anarchist group called The Prophecy. Jack and Cassidy are wondering if their parents are still in this group.
Linda
Untamed by Diana Palmer
A very good book deserving more than 5 stars! An unforgettable romance that started during childhood and ended abruptly due to a mother’s lies. The love between Stanton and Clarisse was too strong and, when the truth came out, their love was rekindled and nothing could come between them.
Linda
Heist by James Patterson with Rees Jones
The jewelry heist has been meticulously planned, but as the trio started to snatch the bag containing the diamonds, two motorcycles roared up. The motorcyclists were beaten and the trio got away. The scene was cleared up and no police were called. When this information hit the desk of a Scotland Yard detective, he thought it strange and asked for the case. He had one week to go on his job and then he would start his own business. Little did he know that his plans would change.
Linda
Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason
What a great story! Sophie DiRossi left Harmony Harbor when she found herself pregnant. Now her daughter is seven and Sophie has returned home. She runs into Liam Gallagher, her brother’s best friend and the boy she had a crush on for years. Liam is not a boy any longer but a total hottie and works as a firefighter. She thought he just saw her as her brother’s tag-along little sister but he told her he had been in love with her for years. Everyone thinks Sophie is a widow but she is afraid of what will happen if the truth comes out. If Liam finds out who Mia's father is, Sophie is afraid she will lose him.
Margaret
Disaster Falls by Stephane Gerson
This ARE came from LibraryThing. It's a memoir about the author's family who went on a rafting vacation on the Green River where Disaster Falls is located near the border between UT & CO. 8-yr-old Owen died in a rafting accident and his father has detailed the event and how it affected him, Owen's mother, brother and extended family and friends. He tells us what it's like to lose a child and how hard it is to cope, stressing how each family member grieves in his/her own way. His difficult childhood and strained relationship with his father is shared. They become closer after Owen's death and during his father's illness. There's lots of family and river history also. Terrific writing but hard to read, especially for parents.
Marion
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
A boy born in Switzerland in 1942 lives in poverty with his mother, told that his father died in the war. He befriends a Jewish boy who is a prodigy, a brilliant pianist, whose kind parents treat him very well; but his anti-Semitic mother finds it difficult to accept the relationship, for reasons that are unknown to Gustav for years. What occurred during the war years, as Jews tried to seek asylum in neutral Switzerland (but always under German surveillance), has a lasting affect on the characters in this unique story. This is a fascinating book, totally different from any other World War II novel.
LINDA
Constellation: Blood Empire Book 1 by Robert Scanlon
I chose to review this ARC and I'm glad I had the chance! Take one woman, a stolen battle cruiser, and illicit cargo, and you have a dang good plot! Indy thought she had all bases covered, but her plan to get in and out of the planet goes awry when a tornado forces her to hunker down. She can't fly as it's too dangerous so she takes a side trip into the city to get what she needs when she sees a gang of men terrorizing a smaller Rykkan, and before she thought about it she was out the craft door running with her laser gun. Then she gets abducted and is given the choice to get what Sloper wants or save her older brother! Book One has twists and turns to rival a roller coaster, but will Indy succeed keep the prize AND save her brother?
Sherri
Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent by Michael Tucker
Tucker has an easy, conversational, yet poignant writing style. His love of the life he has is apparent in this memoir of the transition of finding care for his mother-in-law and all that that process entailed. A very hope-filled, timely read for me. This is they the second of his books that I have read. I want to read his other one, but am having a hard time finding it.
Beatrice
Doll-baby by Laura Lane McNeal
Interesting story about a young girl who goes to live with her grandmother in New Orleans. She enters into a life with people she gets to know and love.
Marsha
Night School by Lee Child
This is a Jack Reacher novel taking us back to his early days when he was a military police officer tagged to help a secret investigation in Europe in 1996. It is a first-rate thriller. If you haven't been a Reacher fan, this is the place to start.
helen
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
Alice Hoffman at her best. A beautiful story of sorrow, guilt and redemption. A must-read for 2017 for book clubs.
Mary Lou
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
This family is so unusual yet so familiar; I love and hate them the same way I do my own. Ann Patchett tells the tale of the generations, beginning in the 1960s in California, moving to Virginia, then time spent in Brooklyn for some. The oranges, the bees, the bikes, the law, the babies, the trysts, it goes on and on in a wonderful, can’t put down 322 page novel. I loved it mostly, when it didn’t tick me off. It was one of those books that made the interruptions of daily life very annoying, since all I wanted to do was read. Shower? Why? I did that yesterday. Grocery shop? Open a can of soup. Like that. Highly recommended.
Chris
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
I haven't heard anyone say they didn't like this book. We read it for two of my book clubs, where it provided lengthy discussions. Yes, it can be hard to read, but well worth your time. It's not a book you will soon forget!
Thomas
In the Light of Darkness by A. X. Rhodes
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was a good read.
Pauline
And Every Morning the Way Gets Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
Beautifully written novella about family memories, fears, and letting go of those you love. It has an almost mystical quality about it that the reader won't soon forget.
Donna
Long Way Gone by Charles Martin
An excellent modern day version of the story of the Prodigal Son. Peg has the special talent for song writing, singing and playing the guitar. His father is a traveling preacher and realizes his son's potential. He tries to guide him and warns him of the ways of the world and the need to be true to himself. Peg chooses to go his own way. This is a beautifully-written story that won't be forgotten.
Jan
The Storm Murders by John Farrow
A delightful mystery. Four people are found murdered in a farmhouse in Canada, but the first police on the scene discover that there are no footprints into or out of the house in the fresh snow. They enter and find two dead, call in the murder, then are murdered themselves. A retired Canadian policeman who lives nearby is drawn into the investigation and often minds just a little something not right. The reader has all the clues but has to wait until the author leads us to other mysteries. A great read - the first of a trilogy.
Carol Weigel
The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King
The latest mystery in the series about Sherlock Holmes and his wife Mary Russell continues to please. This episode fleshes out the character of Holmes' housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. It leads the reader on a chase between Victorian England and Australia to after WWI. Describes a time when convicts were still shipped to Botany Bay. Oh, the wickedness of it all. King is a delight to read.
Hedwig
Prince Lestat and the Relms of Atlantis by Anne Rice
As a long time fan of Lestat, it is wonderful to have a new chapter. However, there a lot of new characters and I would suggest to all new comers to read THE VAMPIRE LESTAT and THE QUEEN OF THE DAMMED to get a better feel of who Lestat and all the older/newer vampires are. This is a new story direction and I believe will give us many more years of having Lestat to adore and love. I have always said he is the only vampire who should be a legend in regards to all the newer books written. Without Lestat I believe the newer authors would not have had a formula to base all the vampire books that have come out. He made vampires less like Dracula and more romantic.
LINDA
Aquarium by David Vann
I freely chose to review this book and I enjoyed Caitlin's story. Caitlin is a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her mom and loves to go to the aquarium as she loves watching the fish as she waits for her mom to pick her up after school. They are both only children and Caitlin wishes she had cousins, but there's no one else. She befriends an old man that loves the fish also and they strike up a bond, but unknown to her the man has secrets that turn her life upside down.
Mary
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
A young Irish woman emigrates to the United States and has to make her way in life for the first time. The story idea has potential but the book dragged on and the characters seemed one-dimensional and dull. We are watching the movie at our next book club meeting and I hope it is better than the book!
Ilene
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
What a great book. Mina Redmond, a laid off librarian, dreams of owning a bookshop. Although London is too expensive she moves to a small farming town in Scotland where she drives a van and turns it into a mobile bookshop. This little sleepy town was just waiting for her and she turns everyone into book lovers.
Francisca EB
The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman
In a plot reminiscent of Hitchcock’s "Rear Window", Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan is bed-bound and bored, so she takes to watching the people in the park across the way. When she notices a woman in a green raincoat, and then the woman’s “disappearance,” her curiosity gets the better of her, and Tess gets her boyfriend, BFF, and assistant to help her find the truth. The plot moved quickly, there were several twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the reveal was a surprise.
Linda
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
This book reminded me of pulling a stool up to the campfire to listen to a good story. All true but the stool and the campfire. Full of Native American customs and beliefs, starting with the opening premise. A man accidentally shoots and kills his neighbor's son, Dusty. In retribution, he gives up his son, LaRose to the family to try to make that family whole again. Interesting concept. Interesting read.
Lynn W
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Love this little book about a young woman losing her job and taking a risk to follow her dream. She travels to Scotland to buy a van and converts it to a mobile book shop. Her original plan was to stay in Birmingham, but the people in Scotland remind her, again and again, that they don't have bookstores or even libraries!
Karen
Moonglow by Michael Chabon
Excellent book. The novel is based on the life of Chabon's grandfather. His grandfather as a child was curious about how things worked and very strong-willed. He put himself through engineering school, and he could repair nearly anything and had the ingenuity to create needed products. He was restless and angry, but in the army they were able to channel his energy and talents into covert activities including "recruiting" the German scientists who were building rockets. He had a great fascination with rockets and worked with the space program and built models of rockets and space stations as a hobby. During this time, he was also dealing with a wife he dearly loved who was mentally ill and other relatives with problems.
sandy
The Girl from the Garden by Parnaz Foroutan
For all his wealth and success, Asher Malacouti, the head of a prosperous Jewish family living in the Iranian town of Kermanshah, cannot have the one thing he desires above all: a male son. His young wife, Rakhel, trapped in an oppressive marriage at a time when a woman's worth is measured by her fertility, is made desperate by her failure to conceive, and grows jealous and vindictive. I found this book mildly entertaining and slow and boring at times.
Hedwig
Concave by Robert Harris
This is a book about the death and election of a new pope. It was extremely entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. I just loved the elderly priest who is basically telling the story. It shows the human and the dark side of the Catholic faith but I was not expecting the ending. There were actually some laugh-out-loud comments and commentary. It somewhat renewed my faith in human nature. I have read many of Mr. Harris's books and they are always on the mark.
Janet
Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
The final in the trilogy series. It was a shorter book length, the chapters were crisp writing, but as usual Elin winds you on her fingertips to bring you into her characters, the people and their surroundings. Good read, but you should read Books 1 and 2 in order before reading this one.
Marsha
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
Connelly's writing is top-notch in this Bosch novel. His books have always been fascinating but this is his best writing yet. Bosch and his half-brother, the Lincoln Lawyer Mickey Haller, team together to solve the murder of a very wealthy man who is looking for a long lost heir. Treat yourself.
Linda
The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi
This is the story of an equities trader and volunteer fireman who died saving people in the Twin Towers on 9/11. Welles Crowther was given a red bandanna by his father when he was six years old. That small gesture tied father and son together but also enabled survivors of the terrorist attack that fateful morning to identify him - "A young man wearing a red bandanna." A quick read that will stay with me.
Barbara
The Whole Town's Talking by Fanny Flagg
I loved this book! I was hooked from the first page. The characters developed as time went on and it was fun to see the life cycle of a town, from first settler to the end. Aunt Elner was my favorite character. Her view of people was really delightful. I especially loved the cemetery.
Debbie
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
This is one of my favorite books that I've read this year and would be perfect for book clubs. I enjoyed the time frame - the 1960s - and had no idea that a program was in place in North Carolina and other states during this time that recommended sterilizing women on welfare.
Louise
Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer
Reading the entire series.
Lynn
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
What an absolutely beautiful novella, so heartfelt and touching. Based on the letter to the reader in the front of the book, I believe Mr. Backman is losing someone dear to Alzheimers himself, which is why I believe there is so much compassion built into this short story. He’s pouring part of himself into Ted and Noah, the son and grandson of the older gentlemen slowly slipping away. I think this novella is a tribute to his loved one, but I’m sure many can relate to the emotions involved. This is a story that needs to be read in one setting. You won’t want to put it down anyway, but to experience the full emotions meant to be felt, it should be read straight through.
Lynn
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
3.5 stars - light and funny. It is oddly written in that the majority of it is emails, faxes, and letters, with the remainder being narrated by Bernadette’s teenage daughter, Bee, filling in the gaps with her own memories. Bernadette is quite quirky and entertaining (unintentionally), but my favorite parts were the storylines that included the moms from Bee’s private school (referred to as annoying gnats). Those parts were hysterical to me. I won’t give away the ending but will say, I’m not sure whether or not I liked it. There were parts of the ending I enjoyed, but not sure how I feel about how it all turned out. All my questions were answered, just not necessarily how I wanted them to be, I guess.
Pam
Iron House by John Hart
Fast moving and well written as well as suspenseful. The main character, Michael, is a killer who has a heart and is trying to leave his profession in order to start life anew with the love of his life, Elena. The backstory is riveting and there are many twists and turns.
Lynn W
Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
Not as good as DOWNTON ABBEY. Took me over half the book to get into it and care about some of the characters. Did like the ending -- every situation tied up neatly.
Gil
Bryant and May and the Bleeding Heart by Christopher Fowler
The Peculiar Crimes Unit (PCU) is a dysfunctional investigative unit of the London Police. Arthur Bryant is the most productive member of the PCU but uses very unconventional methods to solve crimes. The Bleeding Heart involves grave robbing, which is witnessed by two teenagers who happen to be in the cemetery. What subsequently happens to these teenagers is an integral part of the story. Reading how Arthur Bryant goes about solving the crimes is very entertaining.
Diane
Smoke by Dan Vyleta
Unique and very interesting.
shelly
Shades of Wrath by Karen Rose Smith
Caprice De Luca is happier then she has ever been. She is in love with Grant and things are moving slowly but in the right direction. Her home staging business is picking up and of course she is always helping to rescue and find homes for loving dogs or cats. In this latest book, Caprice is asked to design Sunrise Tomorrow, which is a women's shelter. Wendy has asked her to give her some ideas regarding the changes with the money that has been left to them through an inheritance. After briefly talking with Wendy they make an appointment to see some estimates and work from there. Unfortunately, when she arrives for her meeting Wendy is found dead. Who could of done it and why?
Cheryl Olivera
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Great book.
Lynn W
The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb
Rollicking good story.
Tessa B C
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Sara Lindqvist arrives in Broken Wheel, IA to visit her pan pal Amy Harris. But Amy has died and the town’s residents invite Sara to stay on in Amy’s house, because that’s what Amy would want. At a loss, Sara decides to open a book shop with Amy’s books, and begins to change how the citizens feel about books, reading themselves and others. A sweet (if simplistic) fairy-tale story with a happy ending.
Judy O.
After You by Jojo Moyes
AFTER YOU by Jojo Moyes is a sequel to the wonderful book ME BEFORE YOU. I recently read it for the second time and loved it all over again. This is the story of Louisa Clark after her emotional time and love affair with quadriplegic Will Traynor. Louisa is really struggling without him, and even after she meets Sam, she is still not sure that her life will ever be good again. Sounds rather melodramatic, but it is a beautiful story. AFTER YOU also begs for a sequel.
Yvonne Palagano
The Six by Laura Thompson
This book is a trip back in time to the lives of the Mitford Sisters, who really were the "it" girls of the 20s and 30s and beyond. One was a famous author, one was a duchess, two were communist, one moved to California and became and activist, and was a rural country girl. Very interesting comments, quotes, bon mots. They knew a lot of famous people and became friends with them over the years.
Gladys
Hearts and Flowers by Carol Rose
Heartbreak has caused Caleb to change his occupation and his feelings about ever being able to fall in love again. Julia's being a doctor led to problems in their relationship. She called Caleb a coward. His stubbornness was hard for her to successfully defeat as he desperately fought his attraction to her. There was an seemingly endless struggle for this love affair to succeed.
Shelley Thompson
A Series of Catastrophes & Miracles by Mary Elizabeth Williams
A True Story of Love, Science, and Cancer...tragic and hilarious with the perfect first line, "I Lived." This book does a good job of explaining the conflicting emotions that come with a life-threatening illness. The author's dry humor is fantastic and I was laugh crying throughout the book. I took away several great quotes for life: "Why? Because. Why Me? Why Not You?", and "The gift of cancer is a terrible gift. The best you can do with it is try to make it count for something." Of the many cancer-related books I've read, this is the one I'll be recommending to those going through it and those who have loved ones experiencing it. "Life is Circular."
Marsha
The Innocents by Ace Atkins
This is a first-rate Quinn Colson novel. Colson returns to his hometown in Mississippi after several years as an Army Ranger. He is a former Sheriff in this sad Southern town that is being gripped by greed, violence and sadness. While he struggles to fix things with his still married girlfriend and retired stuntman father, he accepts a badge from the lady sheriff and finds a life for himself. Quite the character studies in this fast-paced thriller.
Barbara
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
Great historical fiction about the life of Beryl Markham. The author researches her character to provide the most accurate information as well as adding dialogue that fits well in the story.
Ina
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
I couldn't put this down. It was captivating. The characters are well drawn and the story engaging. It is a time period, just before World War I, that we are just now learning more about.
Lesley
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Not a happy book, but, oh, such magnificent writing combined with a story that captures your attention right at the start and never lets go. The plot revolves around what happens to a family after the accident drowning of a neighbor's child being babysat.
Margaret
Best. State. Ever: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry
I have read many of Dave Barry's books & newspaper columns & he is a favorite of mine. I never fail to laugh at his writings. I love his sense of humor. Since I have lived in central Florida for 22 years & have been to many of the out-of-the-way places he visited in order to research & write this hilarious book, it was especially amusing to me. Dave has lived in Florida for 30 years in the Miami area so he has had plenty of time to observe some of the strange occurrences that happen here. He has a way of injecting himself into all the funny things he writes about so he can laugh at himself along with the rest of us. For this book, he did not visit Disney World but I'd love to read what he thinks about it. Maybe that could be his next book!
Patty
A Christmas Quilt by Sandra Dallas
A nice Christmas book for the season about the south and the Civil War.
Shirley
The Shape of Sand by Marjorie Eccles
Very good book. The author brings the characters alive with a sense of mystery added in.
LINDA
The Reunion (The Friessens Book 1) by Lorhainne Eckhart
I freely chose to review this book as I am a huge fan of this author. THE REUNION tells the story of what happened 45 years ago as Becky and Rodney Friessens start their family and what tore their family a part. Becky is recuperating from a stroke and working hard in therapy so she can go home, but the family does not allow her to be independent and wants to do everything for her. Becky is determined to show her precious family that she is as strong as she once was. Secrets are uncovered that may have one of her son's wives divorcing him and one daughter-in-law goes into a decline when her mom shows up to undo all she accomplished! The family is just a hot mess as families usually are. Will the family go their separate ways?
Gerriann
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
A very beautifully sad story of a group of friends struggling with different types of grief and the journey they take to find their happiness.
Alex
Widow Basquiat by Jennifer Clement
I found this book to be rather a disappointing mess. It was hard to sympathize with Suzanne Mallouk, the great love of artist Basquiat's life, according to the author. Basquiat was, when not painting, a royal pain in the __. Actually what he was was immature, addicted, a tormented genius, and really annoying as a person. The book goes back and forth between the author's thoughts and Ms. Mallouk's comments, and not in a terribly cohesive way. If she wrote about Basquiat sucking on Ms. Mallouk's fingers one more time I was going to throw the book across the room. He was an adult, not a baby, and it wasn't fascinating, interesting, or cute. It made me think a lot less of her that he put up with his "crap" for so long. Not a fan of this book!
Jane
The Twenty-Three by Linwood Barclay
This was my first book by this author. I thought that Detective Barry Duckworth was very realistic. I loved the way that the various plot threads came together and I really liked the surprise solution. I want to read more of his work.
Patti
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
This is first time I've read any of this author's books, and I must say, I will continue to read more of them. With incredible empathy, intelligence and candor, Jodi Picoult has done a wonderful job of tackling race, privilege, prejudice, justice and compassion. As I was reading the story, I could actually see the characters and found myself having a great deal of compassion for Ruth and her son. A wonderful story and well written.
Sean Penrose
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
While even though a relatively short novel, it took me awhile to get into this. CHRISTINE FALLS is basically the story of family and power and how those two things can both be corrupted. Quirke, the main character, is filled with flaws and is not always easy to like, but I kept on reading to see how this story played out. I thought the connections were a bit too convenient and the plot holes were too many. Overall, a decent book but not enough uniqueness.
Muriel
After the Wind: 1996 Mt. Everest Tragedy by Lou Kasischke
This is Mr. Kasischke's personal account of what happened to him and other climbers who attempted to summit Mt. Everest in May of 1996. The book is kind of a love letter to his wife also, as he believes she influenced his decisions on Mt. Everest and was instrumental in his survival. I felt very involved in Lou's story and was eager to return to the book whenever I had to put it down.
Nancy
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
Albert Einstein may have been a scientific genius, but he was a bastard to his first wife, Mileva Maric. At least that's what this historic novel would have you believed. It promotes an interesting theory -- that Maric, a physics genius in her own right -- actually formulated the theory of relativity, for which Albert took full credit. Although the gist of this story is a figment of the author's imagination, it lends itself to a good book group discussion about the threat that powerful or bright in their own right women pose to their husbands.
Judy
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
A tale of a grown woman and her estranged mother as she is in the hospital recovering from a severe infection. Parts of the tale are heartwarming as we watch them try to reach out to each other to span the years they have been apart, but, I must say that it is a distraction to jump from one time to another to introduce other characters into the story.
Marilyn
A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson
I didn't know much about war dogs and found this a good read, not just about the dogs, but also about their selection, retraining, and relationships with their partners. Of course, the storyline was one of tenderness, compassion and healing.
KC
I Am Death by Chris Carter
Detective Robert Hunter must hunt down a serial killer who brutally tortures his victims, and the only clue that is left behind among these heinous crimes are the words I AM DEATH. This book, like all of Carter's novels, are not for the faint of heart.
Janet
The Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff
A beautifully crafted story of WW II set in Poland. A young woman gives aid to an American soldier who crash landed near her village. This author took me back to the time and the location, and provided a picture of life for the persecuted during that atrocity.
Susan
Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra
Heart-wrenching true story of Regina Calcaterra's childhood and how she overcame it.
Bonnie
Irena's Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo
IRENA'S CHILDREN is the true story of the Polish Oscar Schindler. She and her friends saved thousands of Jewish children from death during the invasion of Poland by Germany by hiding them. Just when you think you know everything about the Holocaust a book like this comes along that knocks your socks off. Well worth reading.
Matt
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
I guess there is not much use posting this title since the upcoming movie has received so much publicity. As an 80-year-old man who lived during the time span covered by this book I can say that it tells it like it was. Everyone under 40 should read it.
Lori Bednaz
A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick
Author writes excellent historical fiction, well researched with intriguing characters!
marion
Elephant Company by Vicki Croke
This is an non-fiction story about Billy Williams who goes to Burma after WWI to work in the teak forests. He becomes entranced by the "brilliance" of elephants. He not only learns how to treat their ailments, but eventually trains them to aid the British during WWII. A truly fascinating story.
Brenda
Vigilante by Kerry Wilkinson
It was a treat. Next step in the series and kept my interest throughout the entire book. Can't wait to read the next book!
Chris
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Lessons in kindness, respect, generosity, etc. Recommend for all ages.
Heather
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
Interesting commentary on mindset of an Appalachian family. A friend of mine who grew up in the hills of Kentucky said he could definitely relate to parts of the book. The author, J. D. Vance, is receiving tons of press coverage right now. Recommend!
Liz
The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank
The main character is 93 years old, living in the south and is totally dismayed by her family's behavior and lack of traditional Christmas spirit. With the help of a magical friend, her family learns their needed lessons and she gets the Christmas she wants. This is a quick, easy holiday story.
Donna
The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
A engrossing story of survival in Poland of a Jewish woman during WWII. The resistance manages to smuggle her out of the ghetto and create a new identity. She is never really safe and cannot trust anyone. As Anna, she becomes the assistant to a high ranking Kommandant and does what is necessary for her safety, the safety of those she loves, and helps the resistance.
Lea Ann
And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer
What a fascinating book. It deals with a piece of music written by Johann Sebastian Bach that was never published. A soldier during a "mop up" detail during WW II finds the manuscript in a piano bench of a Jewish couple whose home was confiscated by the Germans and who were killed in a concentration camp. The soldier is horrified by the nasty anti-Jewish words of the composition and vows to keep it hidden. The book then goes back to the time the piece was composed to today's time when it was bequeathed to a young woman by the dead soldier. She is in a quandary as to what to do with this bequest. The book continues to ebb and flow between then and now and makes for fascinating reading. I stayed up late to read this and so will you.
Susan Hahm
The White Lioness by Henning Mankell
Swedish mystery writer Henning Mankell's 3rd in his Wallander series is great - goes back and forth between Sweden and apartheid South Africa.
Mike
Night School by Lee Child
I always love reading the Jack Reacher books.
Mary Lou
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
This is a wonderful book about two families and life. The parents were college friends with history, and they have remained so. Their children are friends and become lovers one summer. The parents are in midliife and assessment mode. All of it works, set in the Ditmas area of Brooklyn, which becomes as much of a living character as Jane and Zoe and Elizabeth and Andrew and Harry and Ruby. Great writing, compelling and completely engaging storyline, fully developed characters. I swear I saw a little of myself in each one. I simply loved this book. It tells me that life is rich and full and hard and joyous, and most of all it tells me that life does, indeed, go on.
Leisa
The Silent Boy by Andrew Taylor
Engaging, engrossing and I had a hard time putting it down. I love historical novels and this one did not disappoint!!
Cheryl
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
Our group really enjoyed this book. It had us guessing and surprised us in many ways. It gave a great insight to life in Rome.
Trezeline
The Summons by John Grisham
Very good read.
Jean
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
It was good to read my annual Harry Bosch book. It was a good read, not great.
Marsha
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
When her husband turns up dead at the bottom of the stairs, our protagonist makes a run for it. Along the way she changes her identity several times as her escapades keep getting more dangerous. She has a sense of justice that is her own. What is she really escaping? She pals up with another girl fleeing from something and each chapter unveils a bit about each. Quite thrilling.
LINDA
The History Major by Michael Phillip Cash
I freely chose to review this book from an author I wasn't familiar with. His book was confusing at first as I didn't read the excerpt. At first, I thought Amanda was on a bad drug kick, especially when she saw people who were there one minute and they vanished the next! Mr. Cash certainly will give you something to reflect on!
MaryEllen
Barbie and Ruth by Robin Gerber
Ruth Handler was a AMAZING woman. A story that should be read by everyone who has owned a Barbie doll or been touched by breast cancer.
Pauline
Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron
Maggie Crozat has returned from New York to help run the family's B & B, their old plantation. She, in period dress, also gives tours at family owned Doucet Plantation. She becomes maid-of-honor when everyone else refuses for Vanessa. The crazy wedding of the demanding very pregnant bride is often silly and overdone.The bride's cousin, Ginger, comes to the wedding and stays at the B & B, wanting to be entertained. However, before the wedding her body is found on a nearby bayou. I adore the location of Pelican, Louisiana, in Cajun Country, having traveled in that area. The author has included recipes for dishes such as jambalaya in the back of the book.
Heather
Cross the Line by James Patterson
Another good mystery to solve with Dr. Alex Cross and his wife Detective Bree Stone. Actually, there are several scenarios running through the novel, enough to keep anyone entertained and guessing as to connections, twists, turns and what the final outcome just might be.
Betty
The Likeness by Tana French
I am continually surprised by the quality of French's writing. She drags you into the characters' world, whether you want to go or not. There had to be some suspension of belief in the premise of this novel, but I didn't care. It was so good. I'm reading her next one in the series, FAITHFUL PLACE, and it's just as involving.
Desi
Therapeutic Deception by Leo Salter, PhD
This fictional book explains, in the most interesting way, the law against a psychotherapist deceiving a patient while the patient is under hypnosis. In the book, a female patient accuses
an extremely kind and decent doctor of sexual misconduct by using hypnosis. There is a
courtroom trial. Also, there is romance, as the doctor falls in love.
Kelsey
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
Absolutely love this book. This book is based in Ireland and revolves around a group of people all working at a clinic but with different things going on in their lives. A very good read. I would recommend it to everyone.
Lynn W
Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini
In alternating chapters, this book is about three years (1861-1864) in the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author of the poem Silver Bells, and a rehearsal (2015) for a children's Christmas program.
Lynn W
Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson
A young woman interrupts Walt Longmire's reading of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and is asking too many questions about Lucian Connally, former sheriff. Connally doesn't recognize the woman with a hairline scar across her forehead until she whispers "steamboat" and begins a story that takes them all back to Christmas Eve 1988...back to a record-breaking blizzard and a whiskey-soaked WWII vet ready to fly a decommissioned plane and risk it all to save a life.
Lynn W
The Low Road (Highland Gazette #5) by A. D. Scott
Six weeks before their wedding, Joanne Ross is still recovering from a serious head injury and John McAllister, editor of the Highland Gazette, finds himself caught in a dangerous hunt for his friend, Jimmy McPhee, a Scottish Traveler, involved in violent street gang warfare of 1950s Glasgow. This book is a study of extremes: beauty, ugliness; rule of law, street lawlessness; safe, lasting love, unreasoning, fleeting passion. McAllister must choose between an illustrious career or the contentment of a rural married life.
Sharon
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
If you are a reader of Harry Bosch books, you will love this. I could not put it down. A must-read.
Sandy
The Lake House by Kate Morton
This was a very, very fat one and took me about a week to finish. The story was great though and I would recommend it to everyone.
Francisca
The Boy Kings of Texas by Domingo Martinez
This is a memoir of growing up in Brownsville, Texas, near the border with Mexico, in a poor barrio, with few opportunities and even less hope. There are parts of this memoir that are engaging and funny. But on the whole, I felt as disenfranchised from the experiences he relates, as he states he felt. I kept waiting for some insight and never got it, and I’m left disappointed and dissatisfied. I felt I was reading the rambling notes of a journal his therapist suggested he keep, rather than a cohesive memoir.
Debbie
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Another WWII story that I did not want to read, but Kristen Hannah explored a different aspect of that terrible war. The story follows the beginning and the end of the German invasion into France. Hannah vividly describes the terrors of the German occupation of France and the terrors of daily life. The story shows the redemption of forgiveness and the power of love in the face of insurmountable odds. The story shuffles between Vianne and Isabelle, two sisters so utterly unlike. Each girl must find her own identity and cause, but both cannot sit and watch the Germans destroy France. The story pauses now and then for a glance in current times as an older woman decides how to approach her past. The story presents more than a war story.
Debbie
The Christmas Pearl by Dorethea Benton Frank
Every Christmas, I must read at least one new Christmas story. THE CHRISTMAS PEARL flew into my hands as that book. Unfortunately, THE CHRISTMAS PEARL does not stand as one of the better Christmas books I have read. The story rests on the magic of Christmas, but steps a little too far into unbelievable. The antics of ghostly Pearl bring laughter, and too much gibberish to the story. The small collection of Christmas pictures creates a better atmosphere than the story. I felt like I was back in college and reading early writers of Southern fiction. Frank has too many story book endings for this tale of family squabbling and dissension.
Debbie
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan
What a joy to read an epistolary novel! I have not read one since THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY, and of course, Pamela and FANNY HILL. While in graduate school, I actually wrote a term paper in the epistolary format, what a blast! This genre rose to elegance in the 18th century, when individuals wrote to friends and relatives. Ryan's book is delightful with all the stories and gossip among an English village at the beginning of WWII. The characters come to life in their letters and diaries. The reader witnesses death, birth, love, dishonesty, and a thousand other emotions as the ladies endure life while the men are away fighting for freedom.
Richard N B
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
The subtitle is the perfect synopsis: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson. This little gem of a book is the result of Tuesdays the author spent discussing life, death, family, work, and love with his former professor and mentor, who was dying of ALS. It’s touching and inspiring.
Jan
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
This debut mystery is about a child that was abducted from her bedroom while her parents were nextdoor at a party. There are almost no clues; the detective first suspects the mother, then the father, then the grandparents, then the people next door. There are so many dead ends - the despair, the false leads. Does the couple get the child back? Alive? Where is the double-cross? This is a thriller and it is difficult to put down. The best I have read this year.
Hedwig
Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
A very well written trilogy. However, I am still not sure I like the ending. I will say no more as I do not want to give anything away. Many may like how she finishes, but I felt a little let down considering the storyline.
Phyllis
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton
A fourteen-year-old boy and his mother go to live with his grandfather in a small mining town in Kentucky. It is a beautifully told story of the people of this mountain area.
Vicki
Human Acts by Han Kang
The book starts out at the beginning of the Gwangju riots in South Korea in 1980 and turns into a massacre. It starts following a 15-year-old boy, Dong-Ho, looking at the dead trying to find his best friend. He ends up working where they keep the bodies and people come looking for their loved ones. The book is graphic but it makes you open your eyes to the atrocities committed against people in other countries. In 1980 I was finishing my junior year of high school and never heard of this nor can I imagine what these people went through. It's a book I think everyone in the free countries should read to realize how blessed we are. It's a very quick read, it took me a couple of hours, but your heart will never forget this story. 5 stars.
Linda
The Daily Show (The Book): An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests by Chris Smith
I've always wondered what when on behind the scenes of The Daily Show. This was my opportunity to find out. This behind the scenes at the Daily Show has all the recognizable name correspondents and many famous only if you are a credit reader. The number of people who took time to help write this book is a tribute to Jon Stewart and the show itself. The show evolved over Stewart's leadership. I always thought Stewart was a mensch. This book proves it.
LINDA
The Empress Holds the Key by Gabriel Farago
I freely chose to review this ARC and all I can say is WOW! 112 chapters of non-stop action that started with the Knights Templar vow to keep The Ark of the Covenant safe from a world gone mad and ending with so many twists and turns and death that you can't keep up! Journalist Jack Rogan knows a good story when he sees one, and a charred old picture that he found in burned-out cabin has the marks of a hefty advance! Federal police officer Jana Gonski was given the case of a suspected Nazi criminal in her country and agreed to have her one-time lover Jack help her on her case, but they didn't know that they would hit the mother load of deceit, murder, greed and terrorist attacks, all that started with the down fall of Hitler!
Mary Lou
A Christmas Grace by Anne Perry
Other than the gorgeous descriptions of the beautiful western Irish coast landscape in Connemara county, this was a non-starter. I never could figure out a theme, or even why Emily Radley, sister to Charlotte of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series (which I really like), traveled to this place, leaving her husband and children at Christmas to go be with a dying aunt that she had virtually no relationship with to assuage family guilt. No real connections are made among the characters and overall, I felt like Anne Perry phoned it in on this one. And very little Christmas theme as well. This was a very short (200 page) novel, so I kept reading thinking something would click for me. But, alas, it was not to be.
Judy O.
The Whistler by John Grisham
I don't purchase many books, but I'm sorry that I did buy this one. After all, it's John Grisham and I always buy his books!! I thought it read like a newspaper article on the graft and corruption of a judge in Florida. The characters were just flat. There was nobody in the story to get close to and root for. There were also no plot twists or exciting moments. Worst of all, one of the central characters in the book never got any kind of resolution for his egregious treatment by law enforcement. Save your time and money.
LINDA
Eternal: Shadow Falls: After Dark by C. C. Hunter
I freely chose to review this book as I got caught in the story in Book One and wanted to see what happened next, and my word, is Book Two one hell of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read Book Three! Della knew her secret powers made her different and her human family would never understand that she's a reborn Vampire, so she chose to live in Shadow Falls among her own kind rather than let her secret be known. She hasn't gotten over her cousin's death and it was one more reason she didn't want anything to do with a powerful Vampire named Chase. He should have saved Chan as she could've saved herself. She was smitten with Steve and his kisses made her knees weak, but at the same time she was attracted to Chance.
Carla
Wildalone by Krassi Zourkova
I loved it because the setting is a college campus, the author's own, and she incorporated myths of her own culture in the story. I believe it's semi-autobiographical.
Karen
The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell
Since a temporary truce between Sigtryggr of Northumbria and Aethelflaed of Mercia is in place, Uhtred of Bebbanburg feels he has a fighting chance to reclaim his home. Bebbanburg should have been Uhtred's when his father died, but his uncle sold him into slavery and made himself Lord of Bebbanburg. Uhtred's cousin then became ruler upon his father's death. His cousin has strengthened the castle to thwart attempts from invaders. He has also aligned himself with other powerful lords and the Scots for protection. Uhtred watches the interactions of the different groups and plans his strategy for regaining Bebbanburg. It is an exciting tale with both strategic battles and luck at play.
Jan
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
This is a coming-of-age novel written by a woman looking back on 60 years of a friendship. It has rave reviews but I thought it wandered and was excessive - perhaps I have read too many coming-of-age things. When I was a child, I thought as a child. Well, I have grown up and this was just not that interesting to me. Much of the book takes place in Naples, Italy, and there are many characters, little description of the area, and most of the characters are flat - seen through the eyes of two children. This author gets wonderful reviews, but I think this is my last of her books.
Lindsay
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Our book club just finished this book and it was the first Khaled Hosseini book I had read. There were very mixed reviews from the group, which to be honest was great since it made for a good discussion. While I appreciated the human nature and moral dilemmas this book presented, I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters while others I really wished had more development.
michelle
The Forgotten Daughter by Renita D'Silva
It was a good read.
Patricia Miller
Fluency by Jennifer Foehner Wells
This was my first time reading anything by Jennifer Foehner Wells. When I read the plot summary, I was really excited to read the book. It sounded so intriguing! And the book was enjoyable, I won't deny that. But it definitely could be a little more polished. There's not a ton of character development and much of the dialogue is a little clunky. But the plot itself is really great. I'll probably give the second book in the series a read.
Alyson
Hogfather: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Dark book about Christmas with plenty of world building, some moments where the reader gasps like the shower scene. British humor and folktales woven throughout.
Tessa
Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy
Book number three in the series has Executive Chef Ollie Paras and her staff planning for the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. I like this cozy mystery series. Ollie is a strong female lead character --- tenacious, hard-working and intelligent, if given to the occasional emotional outburst. Hyzy includes a variety of potential suspects and enough plot twists to keep the reader guessing right up to the reveal. A fast, enjoyable cozy mystery.
