| Judy O. (joswood@msn.com) |
| Hand of Evil by J. A. Jance |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Jance never disappoints in any of the books from her several series that she writes. There were several mysteries going on here, with Ali Reynolds right in the middle of all of them. Suspenseful and fun to read.
|
| Laura |
| Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the sequel to SEE JANE DIE. Great mystery. I loved the character interaction and plot. Just like the other book, I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end. Super author.
|
| Laura |
| See Jane Die by Erica Spindler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent! I had never read Erica before and now I plan to go back and find her other books. The characters are great, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end and then I was STILL surprised. Super reading!
|
| Laura |
| The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A bit different than Tess's previous books but definitely a page turner. It kept my attention from page 1.
|
| Barbara in Jackson |
| Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A beautifully written love story from a different time and place. The characters are all unique and interesting, and is a true love story to end all love stories.
|
| Anne |
| Creation In Death by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Lieutenant Eve Dallas is searching for the Groom, a serial killer, that eluded her once before. This mystery is set in New York in the year 2060. Eve and her husband, billionaire Roarke, are determined to stop the killing. This mystery is fast paced with interesting characters and settings. Because it is set in the future, this book is filled with ideas of new technology and some amazing gadgets.
|
| Dale |
| Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
I thought the book was okay, but not one of her best. There were so many characters and settings that none of them were described as well as the author has done in her other novels.
|
| Shawnee |
| All The Numbers by Judy Larsen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I had to keep putting the book down because it made me cry so much. A heartbreaking and beautifully written story. I can't believe this was her first novel. It's going on my all-time favorites list!
|
| Jen Mulsow |
| Mockingbird by Charles J. Shields |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a great book on Harper Lee. He didn't have much to go on, but did a wonderful job of writing about her life. My book club had a very good discussion about this book.
|
| Anne |
| Shoot Him If He Runs by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
Stone Barrington and Holly Barker are in St. Marks, a vacation paradise...except this is no vacation for Stone and his friends. The CIA wants Stone to find a fugitive and the local authorities are not helping. Everyone appears to be hiding something. Although I am a fan of Woods, this book did not catch my interest. I found the plot drawn out and, at times, senseless.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
| Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a book my mother recommended to me. She read it several years ago and remembered how good it was. And oh, how good it was. This is a great story that is told over about 60 years from Europe to America. Archer tells 2 parallel stories, oe about Abel Rosnovki and one about William Kane. The story is so well told and so interesting that I felt torn between the two main characters and their stories. You feel pulled away from one story line when Archer takes you to the next. I enjoyed Archer’s historical weave throughout each chapter, especially the history of Poland and the part it played in both World Wars. Fascinating! Each character is developed from birth by the author and he does an outstanding job of taking you through their childhood, teenage-school years and then adulthood. So, as a reader, you really get a feel for what they are made of and why they made the decisions they made throughout their lives. The stories cross paths throughout the book and the ending is a masterful surprise. I have already mooched the sequel, THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER, which I can’t wait to read.
|
| Martha E. |
| Barely the Bride by Rebecca Hagan Lee |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Set in 1813 England this is the first of a series featuring "Free Fellow League" confirmed bachelors, and how they fall in love. I listened to the first on Audible. It moved along well and was very enjoyable. I liked the characters but found the ending on this one was a little abrupt. Still, a fun series.
|
| Martha E |
| Merely the Groom by Rebecca Hagan Lee |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
2nd in the Series, this continues the fun adventures in love, society and "spying" of the Free Fellows League. Fun, quick romance reads.
|
| Martha E |
| Hardly a Husband by Rebecca Hagan Lee |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
3rd in the Free Fellows League series set in 1813. Still a fun romance read, but it seems that the author may have been rushing through these a bit.
|
| Martha E |
| Truly a Wife by Rebecca Hagan Lee |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Okay --- I had to read them all since I started the series this month! This fourth dealt with the first of the "fellows" added to the bachelor's pack as an adult, not a child. Still, he gets caught in scandal, but not unhappily! Not sure if there were to be any more after this (there are other members) but the group is left exposed at the end. Very quick, easy reads.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| Junk to Jewelry by Brenda Schweder |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Over all, there are 31 remarkable projects, plus additional information in the back. The eight-page gallery features stunning examples of artful jewelry to give you more ideas as well as resources available where you can find all sorts of doodads.
|
| Alex Shelby |
| Five Days in Autumn by Langston Keane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I really enjoyed this book but probably never would have heard of it if it had not been loaned to me on a flight from Tokyo. I love stories with a simple but deeply explored meaning, and this one did it for me. I felt as if I were inside of each character (there were only a few in the story) and being the sappy person I am, was feeling it all especially towards the end of the book. If you can find it, read it as I don't think you'll be disappointed... especially if you like unexpected twists.
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| Daryl Sedore (djsedore@on.aibn.com) |
| The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Unbelievable. This is the book of the year for me. I was in tears most of the way through it due to its sense of human worth with the underlying theme of hope. Kudo's for this book, a thousand times over.
|
| Anne |
| True Evil by Greg Iles |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Dr. Chris Shepard finds out his wife has hired someone to murder him. The FBI has told him this but the FBI has no idea how, why, or when. Worse yet, The murderer has gotten away with it before. Agent Morse wants Chris to act as bait and he reluctantly agrees. TRUE EVIL is a stormy night book. You may want to hide under the covers but you will want to finish it.
|
| Anne |
| Home To Holly Springs by Jan Karon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Father Tim is going home. Home to find answers and to find surprises. As usual, the characters are delightful and humorous. Jan Karon writing makes you feel part of the family and leaves you waiting for the next book.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| No Experts Needed by Louise Lewis |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Armed with faith, a journal and her lucky pen, Louise set out on her quest. Her search was to ask a special question. What was the question? What is the meaning of life according to you? She posed this question to numerous people she met on her journey, which is recorded in her book, NO EXPERTS NEEDED.
Each encounter comes with an insightful story, like a treasure box of wisdom for the reader to absorb. Also, the author shows us that people can be profound if given the opportunity.
|
| Janis Apgar |
| Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of GONE WITH THE WIND and/or Rhett Butler. It gives insight/detail into Rhett and background about him. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about him and "his people" as we say in the South! It also goes on beyond what happens after he "doesn't give a damn"...haven't you always wondered? Enjoy!
|
| Stacia Helpman (freddie7713@hotmail.com) |
| Flesh and the Devil by Devyn Quinn |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This was the first book I've ever had the pleasure of reading by Ms. Quinn and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She has such a vivid imagination and really lets you feel like the world and characters she has created are real. She has a unique take on vampires. And look out --- this book is spicy! Her loves scenes are amazingly written, very sensual, and just plain hot!
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| Stacia Helpman (freddie7713@hotmail.com) |
| The Keeper of Eternity by Devyn Quinn |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a story of a young woman who comes home to a family she doesn't know after going through some very tough times. A lot of mystery surrounds her family and she is thrown in the middle of it. Great elements of horror and mystery mix well with the blooming romance of the tortured hero and somewhat naive heroine. I'm very much looking forward to the second book in this gripping series.
|
| Stacia Helpman (freddie7713@hotmail.com) |
| Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a silly romantic comedy about a world where superheroes and uber-villains are a natural phenomenon, and each city has their own set. A woman scorned by her superhero fiancé and uber-villain best friend sets out to unmask the superheroes & uber-villains all over the country, encountering danger and laughs.
|
| Ashley Brewer (ashleyjbrewer07@yahoo.com) |
| Night by Elie Wiesel |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
He gives a first-person account of his horrible experiences in the camps in Germany. He is a strong writer with a lot of passion in his written voice. We liked this book because of the realism and the way he spoke of his memories. After all he has been through, he still hasn't succumbed to the terrifying disaster that it was.
|
| Ashley Brewer (ashleyjbrewer07@yahoo.com) |
| Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the story of a microcosm on a small farm. They are all different in a way and there are outcasts. I especially love Lennie. He is such a child at heart but he doesn't even realize it. He is so innocent yet not it seems. Also, he doesn't even realize how much George cares for him. George has tried to shelter him and save him from the harsh realizations that being a grown up adult sometimes brings.
|
| Patricia in Calgary |
| Double Cross by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Kyle Craig is back! This is another great Alex Cross thriller by James Patterson. I really prefer books that he has written on his own. The Alex Cross books are the best of the best. I have read every one and have never been disappointed. This one is no exception. I couldn't put it down once I started it. The mix of characters, including the new girlfriend, is the most exciting out there! The twists and turns keep you hanging on for the next one in the series. I, for one, can't wait.
|
| Alice |
| Oil by Upton Sinclair |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I saw the movie There Will Be Blood and just had to get the book and read it. I've never read Sinclair and am enjoying it.
|
| Carol |
| Hangman by Michael Slade |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A psycho-thriller that takes place on both sides of the border: Seattle, WA and Vancouver, British Columbia. The story is both riveting and tightly written. A serial murderer playing the hangman's game .... backwards.
|
| Sharron |
| The Gathering by Ann Enright |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
An easy read of reflections on a dysfunctional Irish family of 12 when one brother dies. A different approach and writing style but I'm not sure it is worthy of all the accolades.
|
| Thomas |
| Firetrap by Earl Emerson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Trey Brown is a black captain on the Seattle FD. When a fire in a nightclub claims the lives of several African Americans, Trey is assigned to investigate the arson with a beautiful news reporter. She soon discovers that Trey was adopted by a white family when he was four, and disowned in his teens. His former brother is not the mayor of Seattle, and hostilities run deep between Trey and his former family.
|
| Readingrat |
| Tears of the Giraffe by Alexandar McCall Smith |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is more of a character-driven story than you usually find in a traditional cozy mystery story, which is probably why I like this series better than I like most cozy mystery series.
|
| Anne |
| The Race by Richard North Patterson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Corey Grace is in the race to be President of the United States. He wants to follow his own moral beliefs and not the party line. This is a fast-paced novel about party politics, moral choices, lust for power, and the brutality of politics. I liked this book because I thought it was intelligent, informing, and certainly timely.
|
| Jill |
| Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
Rather easy read, but some of the long names and places make it a bit of a challenge.
|
| Anne |
| Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
The Waverlys have an unusual garden in their backyard. It makes them outsiders even in their small town and it may tear their family apart or bring it together. Generations of Waverlys have put this garden of plants and fruit trees together. The fruits and plants are said to have magical powers. But can it bring sisters back together and heal old wounds? This was a sweet and charming book of the South, but it dragged in many places and the characters seemed very dull. I picked this book up many times to read and it took a long time to finish it. This is the writer's first novel and it shows promising talent.
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| Anthony Romano (ARomano895@aol.com) |
| Crisis, Pursued By Disaster... by Mike O'Connor |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A true story of a family living a life on the run. It's very well written, and a life experience one will not soon forget. I found this book very hard to put down, and would read well after midnight.
|
| Linda Smith |
| Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Beautiful novel about a women's life during the 18th century after being captured and made into a slave, her education and her travels throughout three continents.
|
| LouBabe |
| Where or When by Anita Shreve |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
I was very disappointed in this book, having read a couple of Miss Shreve's others (ie: THE PILOT'S WIFE). At first, it reminded me of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, and I expected to find it warm and comfortable. The comfort soon fled, though, as I read of two people willing to sacrifice their spouses and innocent children to pursue a love affair from a few weeks' period at summer camp when they were only 14. I only persisted in reading to find out how it ended, and I was very disappointed, although it may be some kind of warning to others contemplating the same stupid moves.
|
| LouBabe |
| Footloose by Leanne Banks |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
ThIS last of a trilogy about the prominent Bellagio Shoe Company features another employee, one who has been badly jilted by her fiancé. On a business trip to Florida, she meets an intriguing man in a bar who helps her with her adventurous list of things to do to change her life. To her, he was a stranger. She had no idea he might have a secret interest in Bellagio and could be pumping her for inside information.
|
| Gerald Rosen (fishrose2@optonline.net) |
| The Betrayal Game by David L. Robbins |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Robbins' previous book, THE ASSASSINS GALLERY, is one of the best historical fiction "what if?" books I have ever read. This latest effort, although not on a par with the prior book, is still a good read. It deals with assassination plots against Castro in Cuba in 1961 just before the Bay of Pigs disaster. The mixing of real and fictional characters is exceptionally done; and craftily shows the very thin line between what was, and what might have been.
|
| Judy O. |
| What Remains by Rosemary Poole-Carter |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a mystery set in the south shortly after The Civil War. People are being murdered at the Belle Ombre Plantation, and a young man named Paul Delahoussaye is asked to stay at the plantation and try to solve the murders. I loved the sense of time and place. This author has also written WOMEN OF MAGADALENE which takes place in the south about the same time. A good "change of pace" mystery.
|
| Anne |
| Beverly Hills Dead by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Set in the 1940',this novel is about the producers, actors and writers of a movie studio. Rick Barron, a former cop, is married to Glenna Gleason, a beautiful leading lady. They are happy, rich, and involved in several award-winning movies when a young actress working for them is murdered. The famous, the infamous, and those who want to be stars, are all pulled together in a mystery of twists and intrigue. But behind the scenes is an even deadlier omen. Lives and careers will be ruined; reputations will be lost and anyone is fair game. The Red Scare is starting and no one knows who will be blacklisted. I enjoyed this book and its characters. It is a book you will not want to put down. It's a mystery story that intrigues you and puts you in a time and place when everyone had a right to be scared.
|
| Bonnie Margay Burke |
| Hunger's Brides: A Novel of the Baroque by Paul Anderson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A book as monumental and exquisite as its central figure, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. A delicious workout for your arms and brain!
|
| Amanda |
| The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book! It was a wonderful story and I could hardly put it down. I will definitely read more of Philippa Gregory's books and I look forward to seeing the movie that comes out in February, with Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson as well.
|
| Readingrat |
| The Missing by Chris Mooney |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A fast-paced thriller about a serial killer and the race to capture him before he kills again.
|
| Anita |
| With No One As Witness by Elizabeth George |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
I have read all of this author's books, and loved most of them. This one was a total disappointment. It was much too long --- almost 800 pages and could have been told in about 300. It just went on and on with no proper conclusion. The killing of the main character's wife left me wondering, if Ms. George has ended this wonderful series which has also been made into movies on PBS.
|
| Anne |
| Justice Denied by J. A. Jance |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Seattle homicide detective J.P.Beaumont and his girlfriend, policewoman Mel Soames, are involved in some unusual cases. Someone is disposing of registered sex offenders and a reformed drug dealer, with some strange religious connection, is shot. Beaumont and Soames are detectives, but their personal relationship is being pulled apart by their professional roles. A very good mystery with a realistic approach to human behavior and relationships.
|
| Bonnie |
| Glamour, Interrrupted by Steven Cojocaru |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
If all you know of "Cojo" and his appearances on "Entertainment Tonight," pick up this memoir where he tells of his kidney disease and two transplants with his own witty, inimitable style and sense of humor.
|
| Pat in MO. |
| No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Somewhat violent but really interesting book. I listened to it on CD at work and I don't know where the day went.
|
| Laura A. Adams (mewinsweeps@yahoo.com) |
| The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I liked this book. It was a quick read and gave you insight into the life of a child with autism. Interesting.
|
| Thomas |
| The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Private detective Elvis Cole gets a phone call saying that a man has been murdered, and before he died said that Cole was his son. Elvis then becomes obsessed with finding the true identity of the victim, learning the man did have a son who was a psychopathic killer. As Elvis hunts for the son, the son is hunting him. Good read.
|
| Anne |
| Why Mermaids Sing by C. S. Harris |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Lord Devlin and his mistress Kate are trying to discover why sons of lords are being brutally murdered. Lord Devlin uses his education and social position to find clues while Kate uses her social insights. This is a good historical mystery with maybe too much history for some readers.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
A simple Southern mystery in the Janet Evanovich yarn. No in-depth exploration of character or plot, just a mindless read.
|
| Kimberly |
| Josie and Jack: A Novel by Kelly Braffet |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A dark story about a teenage brother and sister who have a disturbing relationship. I couldn't put this book down and am still thinking about it weeks after I read it. Not for people who like "happy" books!
|
| Crystal Adkins (adkinsc123@lycos.com) |
| Dead Perfect by Amanda Ashley |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Shannah Davis did not wish to die although it seemed inevitable. The doctors could not find a cure, resulting in 24-year-old Shannah’s failing health and impending death. In search of the one thing that could save her from death, what would she do once she found him? Pass out on his doorstep?
After following her mysterious, dark-clothed stranger for almost 5 months, she tempted fate. If he truly was a vampire, he would be able to make her immortal, but if he was just a regular man, she was doomed to die. If offered the Dark Gift, would her mortal heart accept?
Ronan knew he was being followed by the girl, he just didn’t expect to see her at this time of day. When Shannah fainted on his doorstep, he braved the sun to bring her inside. The droplets of blood from the fall were all too tempting; when he tasted her, he tasted death.
Ronan needed Shannah and it was obvious Shannah needed Ronan. He offered her a tempting deal, in which she accepted. Pretended to be his pseudonym as a romance author, go on tour and do book signings as it was hardly believable that a man could write such enticing stories. Shannah enjoyed the fame for a time, until the hunter showed up.
Love finds Ronan after 513 years, but she is a mortal and dying. Shannah does not know the truth about Ronan, he never admitted to being a vampire, but does the heart care? When you go in search of something, make sure you’re willing to accept the consequences. How will Shannah feel when Ronan makes a decision for the both of them that can possibly drive Shannah away? Will Ronan be able to live with his breaking heart?
Amanda Ashley’s vampire romance novel, Dead Perfect is compelling! Ms. Ashley has the thrall of a vampire on her side. I started reading Dead Perfect right before bed, and my very first thought when I awoke was, “I need to finish that book!” Amanda Ashley’s vivid characters and fantastic storyline were remarkable! Ms. Ashley has been a favorite of mine for years, and never once has she let me down. Dead Perfect has just raised the bar on Vampire Romance. 5 Hearts
Amanda Ashley on myspace: www.myspace.com/madmandyz
|
| Crystal Adkins (adkinsc123@lycos.com) |
| Silk Dreams by Diana Groe |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Valdis found herself sold into slavery by her family after a horrible affliction stopped the wedding her family was banking on. She possessed the knowledge of seid but did not truly believe she had the Sight. As time would tell, Valdis was more skilled than she could ever imagine. Recurring dreams plagued her, and if they were correct, the love she is soon to find will meet his death.
Damien and Erik both began to bid on Valdis as she stood on the auction block; being a virgin could make the right man very happy. But what about a man who didn’t want a woman? Erik was in her thrall; something about her called to him. Was it the two different-colored eyes known to be two souls inhabiting one body, or was it the beauty and strength of the woman before him? Being outbid by at the eunuch Damien, he finds himself curious as to why a ball-less wonder would want such a treasure as Valdis.
Damien needs Valdis to feign all knowledge of the seid and Sight in order for his plans to work with the silk merchant. When he requests the best tutor to teach Valdis Greek, he is appalled at the man standing before him. Erik, the Northman, the other bidder. Warning Erik to keep his distance only added temptation to the fire. Erik was falling hopelessly in love with Valdis but he knew she must keep her purity in hopes to ever regain her freedom
Valdis is sold to the silk merchant, he is a vile man and the only thing that gets her through the day is knowing Erik has found a way to be with her. A vow of love bonds two souls, only it seemed everyone tried to keep them apart. A battle is to come and bring the death of her lover, what will Valdis do? It seems she does possess the Sight after all.
Silk Dreams by Diana Groe is a tantalizing epic-tale of love, honor and sacrifice. A true love story at its finest. Ms. Groe has the ability to make you fall in love with the characters from the very start. Once you start this novel, be prepared not to put it down.
5 Hearts
|
| Valerie |
| Twice Born by Pauline Gedge |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
It's been a long time since her last novel, but this was well worth the wait. TWICE BORN is an exciting captivating book from the first page to the very last. This author has the ability to transport the reader to the time and place of her books --- she is truly gifted and it is a joy to read anything she writes.
|
| Susan Kellett |
| The Senator's WIfe by Sue Miller |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how she compared the young and the old. It kept me reading.
|
| Catie 75 |
| Across a Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
With illegal immigration being the hot topic that it is today, this is a good book to read about the families left behind. Had a great discussion about the subject at book club.
|
| Peggy |
| 6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
The continuation of the Cedar Cove series. If you want to find out who burned down the Lighthouse restaurant, you will in 6 RAINIER DRIVE. You will be surprised as to who done it. Let us not forget about the rest of the residents in Cedar Cove and their affairs.
|
| Norma Vieweg |
| Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book by Ken Follett I have ever read, and I cannot seem to put it down. I will no doubt read his other books and hope they are as well-written.
|
| Norma Vieweg |
| Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book by Ken Follett I have ever read and I cannot seem to put it down. I will no doubt read his other books and hope they are as well written as this was.
|
| Mary West |
| The Thirteeth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
The best book of 2007, in my opinion!
|
| k |
| The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picolt |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
The storyline and the beginning of this book were great, but it seemed as though she rushed through the ending and just wanted to finish it. It was so well written in the beginning and had such great detail and conflict that the end just seemed far-fetched.
|
| Adrienne Novak (adrienne.novak@ngc.com) |
| For One More Day by Mitch Albom |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Mitch Albom's books are uplifting; they contain wisdom and hope. I am in the beginning chapter of the book, but already I know that I'll treasure it, as I do his previous books.
|
| Karen Terry (mi3sons@mchsi.com) |
| The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This a great book. It is a murder mystery and love story, full of secrets that come to light, and interesting facts about the medical profession and medical school during the 1880s. You will not want to put this down. The ending has a big twist that leaves you breathless. It is a winner.
|
| Michelle |
| The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I just finished this amazing book and I am so glad that it has a sequel because I don't want to leave the world of Fiona and Joe. This is a wonderful love and rags-to-riches story; there's murder and mayhem, and unexpected twists and turns, and just an fantastic great read. I couldn't put it down, it was well worth the 10 years that it took Mrs. Donnelly to write it. Absolutely loved it, a must read!
|
| Martyph |
| Watchers by Dean Koontz |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
My first Dean Koontz read had an amazing, almost-human golden retriever in the starring role. A horror of horrors and a ruthless killer are stalking him and the couple who have fallen in love with him (as well as each other). You will fall in love with "Einstein", too. In this book, there's a strong hint of the horror tales Koontz tells in his many novels. I am not sure I will be able to stomach them.
|
| Shawnee |
| North River by Pete Hamill |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I absolutely love Pete Hamill's writing style. FOREVER was the first book of his I read and still my favorite, but NORTH RIVER is a wonderful story. A historical fiction set in New York City during the depression, Hamill makes the setting come alive and creates characters who are flawed and yet beautiful.
|
| Readingrat |
| Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
I have a tendency to lose interest in a thriller once I figure out what is coming at the end. Unfortunately, in this book, that point occurred quite a bit before the actual end of the narrative. The story was quite good until then, and had me thoroughly interested. However, I never really connected with the main character or her dilemma which, taken together, adds up to just an okay read.
|
| Jinx |
| The Freakshow by Brian Smith |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I read this book in two days! Alien freaks doing unspeakable things to humans? What's not to love! If you fear clowns, and I do, you'll really dislike them after this horror novel.
|
| Circe |
| A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent story about a young girl with powers she doesn't understand and a destiny to fulfill. This is the first in a series for young adults, but adults will enjoy it as well. I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
|
| Gerald Rosen (fishrose2@optonline.net) |
| The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
A fast-paced, action thriller with a historical fiction background. It's not on a par with Berry's best. The plot is very convoluted and can become confusing. Typical megalomaniac out to rule the world with the use of biological weapons.
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| Readingrat |
| A Day of Small Beginnings by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
An amazing story that will get you thinking. This is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you have finished reading it.
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| Joe F (joe_fiechtl@tn.net) |
| Robert Ludlum's The Arctic Event by James H Cobb |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is a fun read that stays true to the Ludlum style --- plots within plots within plots. Mr Cobb does a good job of taking the main characters of the Covert One series and developing them even further by adding a new main character. He also has the central main character, John Smith, move on from the limbo he has been in. Good action sequences mixed with character-driven scenes give this book a good mix of adrenaline and intimacy. The only real negative that I have is that the secondary characters tended to be stereotypical.
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| Jeanne K |
| Tokyo Year Zero by David Peace |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Set in the year after Japan surrenders, the novel details the workings of the police department, trying to cope with food and man power shortages, while trying to solve murders of young women. It is an interesting look at how the Japanese regarded the American occupiers.
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| Prancer |
| A Town Called Christmas by Carrie Alexander |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I love Carrie Alexander's books as they are well written and not sappy. In A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS, a Navy pilot travels to Christmas, MI with his buddy for the holidays and finds love with his buddy's pregnant sister. If you enjoy Super-romances, as well as Christmas-themed reads, don't miss this one!
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| Anne |
| They Did It With Love by Kate Morgenroth |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A mystery with twists, turns, and dead ends. This tale involves an elite suburban book club, a detective who loves crossword puzzles, and a book club member found hanging in her own front yard. I stayed up to finish this book and it was well worth it.
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| Anne |
| Boom! by Tom Brokaw |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A walk down memory lane with journalist Tom Brokaw as he recounted the people, the events, and the legacy of the sixties. For those who lived through it and for those who want to learn from it, this is the book to read. I really enjoyed it and probably will read it again. Even though I remember many of the events, I was not aware of the many details that are in this book. This is history and it is entertaining, thought provoking, and maybe prophetic.
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| Ozarks Anne |
| Liars and Saints by Maile Meloy |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This has to right up there with my most favorite books ever. It started a bit slowly, but then suddenly on nearly every page, there's a huge surprise. The story centers around several generations of a very interesting but slightly dysfunctional family. Put this one on your "gotta read" list.
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| Pam C |
| The Expected One by Kathleen McGowen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
THE EXPECTED ONE is a powerful book of "what could have been" between Jesus, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, and Judas. It puts a different but very "real" slant on the history of all these people. Could it have happened this way? You will have to judge for yourself. Excellent!
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| Andrea West |
| Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Very well written, with great character development and an engaging story. If the book had actually been completed and edited, it would have been a 5. Nemirovsky was a brilliant writer.
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| SharonMaggie |
| The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a complex and compelling read that propels you to an inevitable and unavoidable sad conclusion after intertwining events throughout the whole book that culminate in the ultimate tragic event. I know this is a great book when I regret having finished something that compelled me to continue reading it in the first place.
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| Anne |
| A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
A quiet Vermont pottery club is the setting for this first book in a series. "Fire At Will" is the name of the shop and the members are "The Firing Squad". When a dead body is found in the pottery shop, the owner must find the killer before she is arrested and loses her business. Although I liked the book, I found myself wanting more details about the characters and the town. Perhaps the following books will round out the characters.
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| S.Thomas |
| Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder by Ann Rule |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a collection of true crime cases that are really puzzling. It is hard to know what REALLY happened. The cases are named "The Minister's Wife," "The Painter's Wife," "The Deputy's Wife," "The Truck Driver's Wife," "The Convict's Wife," "The Antique Dealer's Wife," and "The Chemist's Wife." You can't predict the outcome of some of these cases.
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| Anne |
| Some like it Hot-Buttered by Jeffrey Cohen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Murder by popcorn in a semi-restored movie theater! This is a first in series about a movie theater owner who becomes a detective to save his theater after a patron dies of poisoned popcorn. It is a comical and thrilling mystery.
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| D L Gillespie (dgillespie14@gmail.com) |
| Bones To Ashes by Kathy Reichs |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This 10th book in the Temperance Brennan forensic thriller series is a top-notch read. Reichs --- who, in real life, is VP of the American Academy of Forensic Science, as well as producer of TV's Fox network hit series "Bones" --- continues her top quality superb writing. I found it extremely true to detail and worth reading and rereading. I highly recommend it as a very engulfing read which does not falter in any way, constantly keeping you hooked.
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| Anne |
| Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
It's the psychic cops against a psychic serial killer. Agent Bishop and his FBI Special Crime Unit have to battle a gruesome killer and try not to anger the new Director of their Agency. A special group of civilians is brought in to help the unit. This book is about fear and evil, psychic talents, and relationships. It had good characters and an interesting plot.
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| Anne |
| New England White by Stephen L. Carter |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A murder in a small New England university town has profound implications, not only on the university itself, but also on a high political level. There are racial complications, secrets of the past, and most of all, the exploration of the differences between what we believe and who we love. I thought NEW ENGLAND WHITE was a compelling book with interesting characters, but at times the novel seemed to get bogged down in descriptions and conversations. I would recommend it because it is well worth your time.
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| Shawnee |
| One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel. It is written as an autobiography of a woman named May Dodd, who was in mental institution until she agreed to participate in a secret government program to marry one thousand white women to the Cheyenne tribe of Native Americans. I found it to be a wonderful adventure, funny and sad and surprisingly very believable.
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| Jennie |
| The Maytrees by Annie Dillard |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is written in a style not often found. I loved the characters and once I got used to the flow and sentence structure Ms. Dillard uses to tell this story, it was just a wonderful ride. The story is about a couple, Lou and Toby, who are true friends.
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| Julie |
| Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine by Several |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
These are all short stories for when you don't have the time to get involved in a long book. It also gives you a chance to "sample" many different authors.
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| Anne |
| Better Read Than Dead by Victoria Laurie |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
This is a quick fun read. Abby Cooper is a psychic, who finds herself reading tarot cards for a friend's wedding. She reads cards for a Mob hit man and finds herself working for the Mob and the police. Totally unbelievable and funny.
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| Anne |
| The House at Riverton by Kate Morton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is a novel about a servant girl who works for a wealthy family during the pre-First World war era. The servant girl, Grace Bradley, is now in her nineties, and reawakens her memories of Riverton House and the young man who shot himself. This is a novel about passion, hidden secrets, the privileged class, and the terrible war. I loved the characters in this book as well as the plot, and I am looking forward to reading more books from this author. Anyone who enjoys du Maurier will surely enjoy this book.
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| Genie |
| The Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
Dr. Hoenikker's whose contribution to the scientific community was developing the A-Bomb. Many referred to the day it was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan as the day the world came to an end. For this reason, a young writer named Jonah, decided to write a book about the life of Dr. Hoenikker and call it THE END OF THE WORLD. As research for his book, Jonah interviews those who knew the scientist the best --- co-workers and family. While reading over the interviews, Jonah realizes the three half- witted offspring have, divided among them, a compound called Ice-Nine. This compound could literally cause the end of the world. He decides to confront them with the facts and begins the journey to track them down. As fate would have it, he finds himself on the same plane with two of the siblings traveling to the home of the eldest brother on an island in the Caribbean. Does he succeed in saving the world? Read the book and find out.
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| D L Gillespie (dgillespie14@gmail.com) |
| The 6th Target by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Another installment in the Women's Murder Club series. When one of the four is horribly attacked, the others go into action. In my opinion, these just keep getting better --- the same excellent writing by Patterson, which keeps you on edge and does not let you down.
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| Lauri |
| Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm appreciating it much more now than when it was first published.
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| Riba (splrbegum@hotmail.com) |
| My Darling Elia by Eugenie Melnyk |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best Holocaust books that I have ever read
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| Margaret |
| Away by Amy Bloom |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This was one of the best historical fiction books that I have read lately. It takes the main character, Lillian, from New York in the 20's to Siberia in search of a missing daughter. Lillian is such a sympathetic character that you cannot put the book down. You keep hoping for her to succeed in this journey until the very last page.
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| Kathy Minnetonka |
| When Charlotte Comes Home by Maureen Millea Smith |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A great coming-of-age book with a story of love and loss. Smith won the Minnesota Book Award for her debut novel. A wonderful read.
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| Kathie (khackney@triad.rr.com) |
| The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This book was exciting at the beginning, got a little slow, but picked up again halfway through. A great mystery and love story rolled into one.
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| Reva Wamsley (prwamsley@roadrunner.com) |
| The Search by Iris Johansen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Iris Johansen always writes terrific mysteries, and this is no exception. I throughly enjoyed THE SEARCH from cover to cover. It's about A woman and her dog who do search-and-rescue work. She's hired to find a kidnapped man and almost gets killed herself in the process. Meanwhile, her dog falls in love with an injured wolf. You have to read it to find out what happens.
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| Michelle Goedert |
| The Devil in the Junior League by Linda Francis Lee |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
Fluffy chick lit.
|
| Kelsey |
| Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Written with humor and delicacy, the author offers the reader a glimpse of the people and experiences that gave birth to a food writer. The format makes it nice to read in bits as time allows, but this is such a delicious read it's difficult to set aside for long.
|
| Coral |
| Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
This is a well-written book, but I didn't like it very much. You do not completely figure out the end until you get there. There are lots of different angles.
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| Kathy Minnetonka |
| Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a book about a true hero. I wish we could all have a passion and live it out to its fulfillment as he has. What an inspiration.
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| Rita Sheppard (arochel52@hotmail.com) |
| Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat story in the aftermath of 9/11. It is about a club of right-wing extremists who hatch a plot that will kill millions of Americans supposedly by Muslims, just so our country can obliterate all Muslim countries. The scary thing to realize is that this could really happen. This book will really get you thinking.
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| Wendy Catalano |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A woman disheartened by what life has dealt her travels to Italy to eat, India to pray and Indonesia to Love. An amazing read!
|
| L. Hann |
| Cover-Up by Michele Martinez |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent. Watch out readers, Michele Martinez will have you at the first page. Television reporter Suzanne Shepard is found dead. Is it a plastic surgery cover-up or is something else going on? Could it be a serial killer? A great read!
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| Linda Ann (pinkheart4455@yahoo.com) |
| No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Love it! A great read.
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| Mary Lebel |
| How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
How refreshing it is to read that anyone willing to work hard can change his or her life after having career and personal setbacks.
|
| Leslie Kiesel |
| Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
MIDDLESEX had some fascinating historical parts, some slower middle-to-end parts, but a great ending. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of early Detroit and the car industry. Eugenides is an extremely talented storyteller.
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| Ron Green (rongreen58@hotmail.com) |
| Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
Great book. Reich appears to be writing what she knows best, forensic science. I always look for her next book.
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| Ron Green (rongreen@hotmail.com) |
| The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
Lustbader does an excellent job of carrying Ludlum's Bourne series forward. Can't wait for the next one.
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| Ron Green (rongreen58@hotmail.com) |
| The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
Don't start on a night when you have to work next day.
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| Ron Green (rongreen58@hotmail.com) |
| Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm sorry to hear of Jordan's death. This is a great series, and I hope the 12th and final book gets published.
|
| Lorna |
| Sullivans's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
This took me a long time to read, but I was determined to finish it. It's about a family from the South Carolina Lowcountry, so all of that was interesting. It covered the life of one woman from childhood through adulthood. Each chapter went back and forth from her past to the present and I enjoyed that. It's also a wonderful mother/sister/daughter tale. I would have rated it higher, but sometimes I had a hard time reading it because it was so long.
|
| Joyce |
| Mind In Comfort And Ease by The Dalai Lama |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
The Dalai Lama explains that we can transform our minds and avoid suffering through love and compassion towards all sentient beings while understanding the true nature of reality.
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| Lisa Richardson (keizerfire@aol.com) |
| Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I really enjoyed this culinary mystery. The way the two women play off one another is hilarious. While some of the story is a little far fetched, it held my interest, and I didn't figure it out until the very end. I've already ordered the second in the series.
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| Ron Green (rongreen58@hotmail.com) |
| The Dark Tower by Stephen King |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved the Dark Tower series. It's King at his best.
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| Sue Wargo (suewargo@aol.com) |
| The St. Patrick's Day Murder by Leslie Meier |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
When an author writes a series, you keep wondering if they can keep up the story line, but this is another winner. This reminded me of Agatha Christie novels, when the murderer is definitely not whom you expect. I am already looking forward to seeing what Lucy Stone is up to next!
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| Claire in Royal Oak, MI (clairebcw@sbcglobal.net) |
| The Shooters by W. E. B. Griffin |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the 4th book in the Presidential Agent series. It is set once again in Argentina and Paraguay and features Castillo and his group as they try to rescue a DEA agent. There are so many intrigues and power of command to keep you on edge. While this book is not quite as exciting as the prior ones, it definitely keeps your interest. There are some new revelations that will lead to more follow up. I can't wait. If you have not read the first three, I suggest starting there as Castillo has a fascinating background. The others in the series are: BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT, THE HOSTAGE, and THE HUNTERS; all receive 5 stars from me.
|
| Marsha |
| Last Call by James Grippando |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
This was much grittier than his previous Jack Swytek novels, so read the early ones to prepare you for the violence in LAST CALL.
|
| Jeanie |
| The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
I finally finished reading THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett, all 973 pages of it. It was a good book, but I think the Reader's Digest condensed version would be more enjoyable. It's kind of like a preacher who takes 2 hours to say what he could have/should have said in 30 minutes.
|
| Margaret Dunson |
| The Reef by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
A thriller, as always, by Ms. Roberts to the very end. I just couldn't put the book down until it was finished.
|
| Audrey Burke |
| Cold Moon by Jeffery Deaver |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
I only had read one Lincoln Rhyme book before this one. I really enjoyed it --- a great twist in the book leaves you trying to figure out the truth. Very good read.
|
| Linda M. Johnson |
| Hoot by Carl Hiaasen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
Hiaasen's first book for young adults concerns a new boy in a Florida school who crosses paths and punches with the school bully. With his head smashed against the bus window, Roy sees another boy running away. Another student, Beatrice has seen the running boy but refuses to acknowledge this to Roy. In the mean time, a construction site is continuously subjected to sabotage --- including alligators in the porta-johns. All will eventually link together to protect owls nesting on the constructions site.
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| Mary A. Hebda (arttech18@yahoo.com) |
| Marley & Me by John Grogan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I just started this book and I am enchanted by the adventures of this dog and his family!
|
| Dorothy Gordon |
| Long Time No See by Susan Isaacs |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
I haven't read a lot of Susan Isaacs's books, but this one is pretty good. I did read the original story in which the main character was introduced, COMPROMISING POSITIONS. This offers a story 20 years later that is entertaining and fairly clever.
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| Terrytracy Watts |
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best books ever.
|
| Helene Simpson |
| Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
A great book, as usual, but I'd like to know what happened to Marino. The female as the killer was a great idea also. Can't wait for the next book.
|
| ck |
| Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
In May, 1863, Robey's mother sends him to find his papa, who went off to fight in the Civil War. A neighbor gives him a beautiful stallion that takes him on the long journey. Along the way, Robey has encounters with soldiers and some strange wayfarers. This is not for the fainthearted. The war was horrendous. Isn't all war? Olmstead is an eloquent writer. His book was chosen for On The Same Page, the 2008 city-wide reading program in Cincinnati.
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| Carol H. |
| Last Night At The Lobster by Stewart O'Nan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
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