Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans


A new twist to an old old story, this latest entry by Mr. Evans is a light entry just in time for the holiday season.

Luke Crisp in on a journey. The reader will view it as a journey of destruction but Luke views it differently at first. He longs to be part of a group of friends, having been a loner for most of his life. He is taken advantage of and chooses to ignore it until he is left without friends and without money.

The prodigal son is an old story but worth telling again in a contemporary fashion. It reminds us how quickly life can change and how a second chance to redeem oneself is just around the corner.

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler


An interesting memoir into the daily lives of the Amish.

Ira is one of eleven siblings and tells his story beautifully. The reader is taken into the intracasies of living Amish and the stuggles Ira faces as he leaves the community and returns several times.

I visited his blog and found out more information about Ira. I wish he had included it in an epilogue, but was pleasantly surprised to learn about his accomplishments in later years on his blog. He has several essays he has written there as well and they are worth reading. Looking forward to reading more of his writings in the future, I remain....


Ladybookbug!

Monday, November 21, 2011

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton


Another Kinsey Milhone masterpiece.

This story starts off with Kinsey witnessing a shop-lifting incident. This leads to an assignment by the financee of the perpetrator and suddenly she is up to her ears in trouble.

A fast-paced tumble into the underworld of the mob, this latest entry takes the reader into a well-organized thriving underground business. How two deaths, a lonely widower, an unhappy socialite and a gangster meld together is the stuff of good investigating.

I am beginning to see the parallels between Evanovich and Grafton. Since I like both writers, I am lucky to experience twice the enjoyment.

Read on!

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Martha's Entertaining by Martha Stewart


I seldom review a book of this nature on my blog but I simply could not help myself.

This is a remarkable book. The photographs of people, places and food are exquisite.
The descriptions invite the reader to take part in the celebration and one can almost taste the food.

I came away with many wonderful ideas about table settings, locations and menus.

Thank you Martha for once again showing us that you do entertaining well.

Ladybookbug!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian


I almost did not pick this book up because it is a ghost story. But, I have to tell you it was a fast-paced, well-written read and I really enjoyed it. Yes, parts of the story are familiar to me as concepts that have been looked at before. However, Mr. Bohjalian puts it all together very well.

The setting is an old house in northern New Hampshire. A young couple with twin girls moves in. The husband, a former airline pilot, and his wife, a lawyer hope to make a fresh start in their new home. Things start getting mysterious when the husband discovers a door in the basement with 39 bolts across it. Thirty-nine just happens to be the number of people killed in a tragic airplane crash that is all too familiar to the husband.

A group of herbalists in the small town take an interest in the twin girls and things start to move quickly as the girls become immeshed in learning the properties of herbs.

Another great read from a great author.

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Affair by Lee Child


Reading a Jack Reacher novel is about exciting as one can get. In this latest entry by Child, Jack moves back in time to the year 1997. He is still in the army and he's a mean son of a gun.

He's been asked to go undercover to try to determine what is happening at an army base in Mississippi. He is bent on finding out everything he can but when he arrives he realizes there is much more happening than meets the eye.

The local sherriff is very involved in everything that's going on and she and Jack begin working together to unlock the mystery. In the end it's about a conspiracy at the highest level.

Child keeps the reader guessing as to who is the mastermind. When all is said and done, we may not be so surprised after all.

For readers of the Jack Reacher novels--this is a must!

Ladybookbug!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Lethal by Sandra Brown


As fast-paced as the tv series "24", Ms. Browns new novel is comparable. Honor Gillete, widow of a local police officer is taken aback when a man is discovered by her four year old daughter lying face down in her front yard.

Lee Coburn is a force to be reckoned with. He is the subject of a state-wide man hunt, having allegedly murdered seven people he is on the run and decides to take Honor and her daughter hostage, but not before ramsacking the entire house in search for something that her late husband had.

And so begins a consumate thriller with Coburn and Honor tracking across the countryside, one step ahead of the people that are searching for them. The local police and the FBI are also involved in the manhunt.

This entry will keep you reading on, just coming up for a breath of fresh air now and again. The makings of a great movie.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, September 19, 2011

In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson


Erik Larson is one of those authors who can take a historic happening and create an interesting story. His other titles include Devil in the White City and Isaacs Storm, both of which are wonderfully written. This latest entry is no different.

We are taken back to the year 1933 when Hitler was rising to power in Germany. The story takes place primarily in Berlin. William Dodd has been appointed as United States Ambassador and moves with his family to the city. Many of us are well-read on the subject but Mr. Larson takes us there from a different perspective. Readers will become immersed in the day to day activities of an ambassador, his family, and the rise of the Third Reich.

I believe all of Mr. Larson's work should be required reading for high school students. His work would go a long way toward inspiring students to read more about the historic subjects he has chosen.

Whether or not you are a history buff--you will learn something from In the Garden of Beasts

Ladybookbug!

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams


This is the first work I have read by this author. More than likely I will try her again. My complaint with it was that it was a bit too graphic for me.

I did like the heroine, Keye Street, a former FBI profiler who has been enlisted by the Atlanta Police Department to help in solving a series of murders that have all the earmarks of a serial killer.

As Keye becomes more embroiled with the murders, she begins to realize that the killer is closer than she thought and she must be ever vigilant for the next strike.

A well written foray into the mind and actions of a serial killer. If you are into thrillers that keep you guessing until the end--this one's for you!

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

I’ll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark


I have read EVERY book this author has written. Some have been great and others just lukewarm. This is one falls in between.

Zan, short for Alexandra Moreland is a successful interior decorator. She discovers that someone is getting into her credit card accounts and bank accounts and doing a considerable amount of damage in the process.

Zan is also the mother of Matthew who was abducted from his stroller while being babysat in a park. She is tormented by his memory and believes he is still alive although she has no evidence to the contrary.

Though not exactly thriller quality, it is an okay read. If you’re happy with a light foray into identity theft and kidnapping, you’ll not want to miss this one. I did not figure out who the culprit was until late in the book.

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Night Road by Kristin Hannah


A prolific author-- her works include True Colors, Summer Island and my personal favorite, On Mystic Lake. I often keep a writing pad handy while reading her novels because there is sure to be a sentence or two that I’d like to remember.

This is the story of friendship and love. Three teenagers become friends. Mia and Zack are twins whose overprotective mother has harbored them in safety from the time they were born. She becomes anxious at the start of this novel as the twins are entering high school. Lexi moves into town and becomes best friends with Mia (who is a bit reclusive). The friendship endures all the trials and tribulations of the teenage years. Eventually Lexi and Zach become an item. The three teens become immersed in each others lives.

A tragedy occurs on a dark road after a night of partying and promises. Lexi rises up to the consequences of her actions and proves to be of strong character. We clearly see how powerful the bonds of love can be and that forgiveness gives us the ability to move forward

Kristin Hannah fans will not want to miss this one.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, August 22, 2011

The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins


Imagine you are a young boy. Imagine you are kidnapped. Imagine you are held in a dark, dank place with a metal cuff around your neck. Imagine you are released and left to a life filled with panic attacks and a fear of enclosed places. Imagine the worst thing that could happen to you. This is the story of Bryan Bennett in this new novel by Aaron Elkins.

Bryan chooses perhaps the most appropriate career choice, given his past experiences.
He becomes a trainer in hostage negotiations. He is careful not to get close to either the kidnappers or the victims, fearful that he will have a meltdown. He also cannot travel much to the disappointment of his wife.

As fate would have it, his company offers him an opportunity to present a program in Iceland. The Icelantic company specifically asks for Bryan and after much pursuasion by his boss and his wife, he agrees to go.

What happens next is sure to unravel Bryan and as a reader, we begin to experience his terror.

This is a well thought out novel and one you'll not want to miss.

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The Accident by Linwood Barclay


There are mystery writers and then there are consumate mystery writers. Linwood Barclay falls into the second category and his latest tale is no exception.

The accident begins with a car accident. One car is perched on an egress ramp. Inside is a women who has expired. Apparently she was also drunk. Another car hit her head on and three people are dead as a result.

This is just the beginning of a series of unexplained circumstances. There is subterfuge, murder, blackmail, and lust in this story. At one point you might find yourself wondering just who the culprit is.

I really liked this story. It had me going around in circles a couple of times. I was as confused as the main character and did not connect all the dots until the very end.

If you love thrillers, you'll love this.

Ladybookbug!

Darkness My Old Friend by Lisa Unger


Jones Cooper retired from the police force. He lives in The Hallows, a place riddled with mystery and darkness. Eloise is a psychic who comes to see him about a vision. He is skeptical but can't totally dismiss her either.

Meanwhile, 15 year-old Willow, a newcomer to The Hallows is disgruntled because her mother moved her from the city to this sparsley populated rural area. She is having difficulty making friends and feels quite isolated. One day she is walking through the woods and finds a man digging something. She is frightened and runs away quickly, dropping her cell phone.

In addition, Michael Holt has returned to town after the death of his father. He is in search of clues that might explain why his mother disappeared when he was a teenager.

All of these separate stories work together to form a good mystery. Readers of Ungers other books might recognize the town as it was the setting in Fragile as well.

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Back of Beyond by C.J. Box


Cody Hoyt is a renigade police officer. Struggling with alcohol, he accidentally shoots the coroner. He's put on probation but that doesn't stop him from trying to solve a crime.

He hires an outfitter and together they embark on a trip through Yellowstone National Park to locate a horseback trip. Suddenly, they come across several victims and the hunt intensifies.

This is a well thought out thriller. Box keeps you guessing until the very end. It's a stand alone and I did miss Joe Pickett but it's definitely worth reading.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Sixes by Kate White


A thriller from one of our popular mystery writers.

It all takes place on a sleepy college campus in Pennsylvania where Phoebe Hall has been asked to teach a course by her childhood friend who is the dean. It all begins with the discovery of a dead body in the river. The victim is someone Phoebe had a conversation with a few days before.

Phoebe is asked to look into the possibility of a secret society on campus that may be linked to the victim. Amidst danger to herself Phoebe gets closer to discovering what is happening.

A well thought out mystery that had me guessing till the very end.

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Rescue by Anita Shreve


So—I LOVED The Pilot’s Wife and Light on Snow and Testimony were great as well. This latest entry is just okay.

It is the story of rescues. From the main character, a paramedic on a rescue squad, to the rescue of his soon-to-be wife and the rescue of his teenaged daughter. My guess is you might call it a drama. A mediocre story that did keep me moving on but it was not enlightening, nor was it compelling.

If you are a Shreve fan, you’ll not want to overlook this but I wouldn’t give it any stars.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Split Second by Catherine Coulter


What a disappointment! In spades! It was good to read about the Savitch Sherlock team but the story lines left a lot to be desired. The fact of the matter is if it can't really happen, then I don't want to read about it. The author had three story lines in this novel. It was all I could do to keep them straight. When she finally brought them to an end, I was disappointed in two of them and thought the other story line was just okay.

Read it if you must but don't expect a fast-paced thriller-it's just not happening.

Ladybookbug!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Trespasser by Paul Doiron


A new author to this reader, Mr. Doiron is currently the editor-in-chief of Down East: The Magazine of Maine. Coincidentally, Maine is where this thriller takes place.

A young woman hits a deer on a lonely stretch of road. When the local ranger goes to investigate, the woman and the deer are nowhere to be found. The only thing there besides the vehicle is a large blood stain on the pavement.

Further investigation leads to the discovery of a body which reflects similar characteristics of a murder that happened seven years ago.

This is the second book in a new series by this author. The first is entitled The Poacher's Son Some references are made to the first book in this entry.

The author kept this reader in suspense until the very end. If you like a good murder mystery then this one's for you.

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Escape by Barbara Delinsky


Emmy is a lawyer. She's in a job that she hates but is greatful with the economy the way it is that she has a job at all. He husband is also a lawyer with a high pressure law firm. They live in New York City and are controlled by the stressors of their lives.

On day Emmy decides to leave it all. She travels to a town in New England where she finds a safe haven. She reconnects with several old friends and takes time to discover who she is. Her husband is bereft and doesn't understand what it happening.

This is a story of escape to a better present and a better future and not letting technology get the better of us.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Silver Girl Elin Hilderbrand


Yes! This is a book by one of my favorite authors.

Silvergirl is all about Meredith Martin Delinn. She is married to Freddie, the perpetrator of yet another Ponzi scheme. Freddie is in jail and Meredith has decided to take a sabbatical in Nantucket at the home of her childhood friend Connie.

Unfortunately there are several people on Nantucket who lost their fortunes to Freddie and they are bent on restitution of sorts. Meredith is hardpressed to keep her anonymity and Connie does her best by supplying Meredith with a wig and new glasses.

Ms. Hilderbrand draws us all in again. I did not want to leave the story and got caught up in the lives of Dave, Connie, Meredith and Toby. Each comes to the plot with their own hangups but the reader doesn't mind. After all, it's what makes the story more interesting.

Not my favorite Hilderbrand book--that spot goes to Blue Bistro. Nonetheless it is a good read.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver


If you are into computers-you will LOVE this mystery. It was actually written several years ago but I just came across it recently. I could not put it down.

It's about a real savvy computer genious who uses his abilities to get down and dirty. He manages to get into people's personal computers and with his focus on terminating their lives. The more people say no one can break through their protective walls, the more of a challenge they present and the more he wants to prove them wrong.

The authorities recruit a prisioner to help them thwart the hacker's plans. Gillette uses all his talents to try to capture the hacker.

This is an interesting plot and a scary one at that. A good quick read that has turns and twists to keep you guessing until the very last minute.

Ladybookbug!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Damaged by Alex Kava


Maggie O'Dell, FBI profiler returns in this eighth novel about O'Dell. It opens with the discovery of a cooler filled with wrapped body parts found off the coast of Pensacola. She is joined by a cast of characters including her love interest Colonel Benjamin Platt, Liz Bailey (search and rescue for the Coast Guard), Liz's Dad, Liz's brother-in-law funeral director and the mysterious Joe Black.

Readers are thrust into the pending doom of a major hurricane about to hit the coast. Maggie is called in to figure out where the body parts came from. Col Platt is called to a nearyby military post to determine why soldiers are dying from a mysterious bacterium.

This was a good mystery. The premise was easy to follow, the setting was realistic and the characters were believable.

Worth the read!

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers


This is the third book in the "Black Falls" Trilogy. We again visit the Cameron family as Rose Cameron, search and rescue expert, discovers a burned body near her home in Black Falls. Nick Martini is also a main character in this segment of the trilogy. He is a smoke jumper who was involved in an arson case in California. The trail leads him to Black Falls in search of a killer.

Having read all three books in this series, I think I can say that this entry was not my favorite. I had to keep stopping through the story to try to figure out who all the characters were. This did not have the intense mystery that I like about this author.

Read it if you must!

Ladybookbug!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Bill Warrington's Last Chance by James King


The main character, Bill Warrington is an old man. Suffering from some form of dementia, he is hell-bent on redeeming himself. He sets off on a cross-country trip with his granddaughter in tow. His children are frustrated and disturbed by the whole thing and set about to try to follow the clues he has sent them to find him.

This is the first entry for this author and though not a book to necessarily write home about, it is an interesting story which could be true in this time of aging baby boomers.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Hidden by Bill Pronzini


I must admit, I haven’t read Bill Pronzini’s books in quite a while but this one is worth the read.

If you are a mystery buff who loves the howling wind, the rain pouring down a dark winding road, and a serial killer, then you are in for a treat.

Shelby and Jack Macklin decide to give their marriage a jump start and take a friend up on the loan of his coastal cottage for a few days. They have some difficulty finding it, so they enlist the aid of a local police officer. While ensconced in the cottage they encounter some troubled neighbors and are caught up in a brutal winter storm.

While this entry is no Lee Childs or Harlan Coben, it stands up straight as a good mystery.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci


Edgar Roy has been incarcerated at a supermax prison off the coast of Maine. He has been arrested for murdering six men, found in the barn on his property in a remote area of Virginia.

Ted Bergin has agreed to represent him and has called on his old friend Sean King and his partner Michelle Maxwell to assist him in the investigation. They find themselves right in the middle of a mystery when they discover Ted, shot to death.

A fast-paced thriller that has the reader second-guessing every character. You'll find this book hard to put down.

Ladybookbug!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer


A consumate thriller by one of America's best writers, this latest entry by Michael Palmer will take your breath away.

It all begins with the President giving his State of the Union address in the Capitol building. Suddenly fumes are released and the lights go out. Mass confusion erupts and it takes all the effort the President can muster to reign it in.

In his desperation to solve the situation, the President must release a prisoner and hope that he can find the solution quickly.

If you love thrillers, you won't want to miss this one.

Ladybookbug!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci


After a slow start, this book took off like a bat out of hell and kept this reader on the edge till the very end. I did have my predictions and they did ring true but this was still a thriller in the real sense of the word.

Stone and his Camel Club are back, mixed with a few new characters. The story line is plausible and a bit daunting. It’s difficult to tell you too much about it without “leaking” pertinent facts so suffice to say-read it!

It takes place in Washington, D.C. in an area aka Lafayette Park. It’s a small piece of land located across from the White House. A bomb goes off and the puzzle begins.

A great read from a consistently good author.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Afraid of the Dark by James Grippando


Jack Swyteck, criminal defense lawyer is back in this gripping tale of computer espionage and evil.

Sergant Vince Paulo has been given the charge of watching over 16 year-old Mckenna, the daughter of a good friend. Unfortunately, a tragedy occurs and Vince will have to live with it for the rest of his life. Jack enters the picture as the defense lawyer who will represent the person who murdered McKenna.

Vince and Jack join forces to uncover the dark side. They end up traveling to foreign ports in search of some answers.

Interesting plot but not one of his best.

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Now You See Her by Joy Fielding


Marcy Taggart is at a milestone birthday. She has also suffered two great loses. She has decided to go on a pre-planned trip to Ireland by herself.

Unable to deal with the death of her daughter, two years prior, she firmly believes that she is alive and in Ireland. She shows her photograph to all she comes in contact with. She becomes embroiled in a series of mishaps and ends up at the police station. The police think she is a bit out of sorts. One thing leads to another and Marcy finds herself overhearing a kidnapping plot. In true Joy Fielding fashion, this is a fast-paced mystery with a surprise ending.

While a little light in the thriller category, you will find yourself wanting to read it in one sitting.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Cold Wind by C.J. Box


Another Joe Pickett novel set in the rolling plains of Wyoming, the new home of the wind turbine.

Joe's mother-in-law Missy is in a pickle. She's been accused of murdering her fourth husband, Earl. Joe's wife Mary Beth is less than pleased with his cavalier attitude about it all. As the story moves on, Joe realizes that he needs to get more involved and sets out on his own to investigate.

Nate Romanowski's character comes into play again. Hiding out in a remote area, someone discovers where he is and a tragedy ensues. Nate is bent on revenge and takes out all the stops to find out who perpetrated the crime.

Two crimes, two men intent on uncovering what happened, who did it and why was it done.

C.J. Box fans will not want to miss this one!

Ladybookbug.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova


Looking through the new books at the library in search of a good title, I came across Left Neglected. A smaller book in size than contemporary works of fiction, its' cover shows an apple with leaves on it, looking neglected.

Sarah Nickerson is a career-drive wife and mother of three. She does it all remarkably well with the help of her husband and a nanny. We are privy to her high-pressure job as she taps away at her laptop and texts on her phone. Her husband Bob has some stress of his own as hangs onto his job by a thread while searching for something new.

On a rainy day, a tragedy occurs, sending Sarah into a totally new environment where she must learn to re-think all that is familiar to her. He mother enters the picture after a long absence and Sarah's thoughts about rekindling their relationship change as well.

This story deals with an unfamiliar topic to me--Left neglect. This is a condition where a person cannot see or recognize the left side of the body. It happens to people suffering from strokes and traumatic brain injury, among other conditions. The author, whose background includes a doctorate in neuroscience, presents the intricacies of the phenomenon in an informative manner within the context of a story.

A book that is both entertaining and educational, Left Neglected, is one you will not put down quickly.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Live Wire by Harlan Coben


Here we go---another book by another one of my favorite authors. To begin with I REALLY like his stand-alone books. I am not a great fan of his Myron Bolitar character. That being said - you will want to read this book.

Coben goes a long way to develop the character of Myron. We see him as a lover, brother, son, uncle and partner in his business enterprise. As far as his business goes,his clientele has changed a bit over the years and he now represents musicians as well. It appears from the start that all the roads are connected. However, as the storyline progresses there are new twists and turns.

Although I was not motivated at the start of this read, I quickly became engrossed in the story and found it to be interesting. Coben kept this reader moving right along, wanting to find out how it all comes out in the end.

Ladybookbug!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Love You More by Lisa Gardner


In the last title I read by this author, Live to Tell, my complaint was that she did not develop the character of D.D. Warren enough for my tastes. In this title, she brings back D.D. Warren and I was placated. Although Ms. Gardner does admit to not wanting to revisit characters in her books (see notes at end), I was pleased to read more about the character. Granted, the focus of the book is on the crime that was committed and I suppose some schools of thought agree with that premise.

In this book, we are introduced to a female state trooper who appears to have killed her husband, after being battered about. In addition, her 6-year old daughter has gone missing and the lady trooper is not talking. All local police officers converge on the scene and things become a bit complicated.

This is an interesting whodunit with lots of twists and turns. It is a quickly moving mystery, not one that is easily solved. As the author lets the reader in on what really happened, you can start to connect the dots. A good read for a rainy afternoon.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Sing you home by Jodi Picoult


If there's one thing you can always count on from this author--it's that the subject matter is always controversial. This latest entry is no exception. In it we deal with an alternative lifestyle and frozen embryos.

A closer look at our legal system and the fundamentalist's viewpoint present a well-rounded picture of both topics.

In addition to the story, readers also get to listen to a CD which contains ten songs the author has written the lyrics for.

If you are a Jodi Picoult fan, you won't want to miss this one. If not--try it you might like it and want to read the others.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy


What a delightful story! Maeve Binchy is up to her old ways in this lovely foray into a community within the boundaries of Dublin. Occasional references to Quentins brings the story back to familiar places.

Frankie is a child who has been orphaned by its mother and left to be raised by its father. The whole community of characters becomes involved in the process. I found myself longing to meet them all, especially Emily.

If you are looking for a departure from blood, guts, mystery, suspense & horror, don't hesitate to pick up Minding Frankie.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Tick Tock by James Patterson


When have you read enough of James Patterson? Answer: Never!

In this latest entry from the master of storytelling, we are re-introduced to NYC detective, Michael Bennet. Patterson throws a love interest or two into this hair-raising tale.

I happen to love the character and really enjoyed his latest round of suspense.

For fans of JP and MB a MUST!

Ladybookbug!

Monday, January 24, 2011

How to Bake A Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal


Try something light for a change. Well, sorta light--at times it does read like a soap opera. This story is set among the lives of three people--Ramona, Sophia and Kate.

Ramona is the owner/operator of a bread-making establishment and interspersed among the chapters are some unusual recipes for bread. Ramona is a single mother to Sophia who is expecting her first child. Kate is the daughter of Sophia's husband by a prior marriage. Something unexpected happens and Kate comes to live with Ramona.

This is a story about the relationship between mothers,daughters,grandmothers, aunts, and stepchildren --all amidst the background of making bread. There are moments when it's time to grab a tissue but also moments that will make you smile.

A delight to read plus recipes to savor. What more could you ask for?

Ladybookbug!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron


If you LOVE dogs and I do, then this book is a MUST read! It is the story of a dog with four lives- so much for cats…..

He begins his life as a feral dog who is “adopted” and placed in a yard with many other dogs. His next life is as a companion to a boy. He then is trained as a search and rescue dog. His last life is the most memorable as he revisits the boy as a man and contributes to making the man’s life complete.

A well-written foray into the musings of life from a dog’s perspective, it certainly gave this reader pause to reflect what a dog’s life is really about.

Woof! Woof!

Ladybookbug!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks


One thing you can always say about Nicholas Sparks—he’s consistent. His stories are real. Some might say his writings are “sappy” but I find them a pleasant departure from murders and gruesome killing sprees.

Safe Haven is the story of an abused wife who finally gets the courage to leave her abuser. She moves to a southern town where she begins a new chapter in her life. She falls in love and things seem to be going well until something terrible happens. She finds herself second-guessing her decisions but is able to realize that love does indeed conquer all.

If you are into happy endings, then this one’s for you.

Ladybookbug!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook


A delightful foray into the habits of a single mom and her daughter. This is a upbeat (for the most part) story about Jill, her struggles and her joys. Thrown in are a bit of intellectual musings about different cultures from which I learned a great deal.

A rainy day or a day at the beach are both fitting for reading this latest entry by Cook.
You won’t be bogged down with cloak and dagger or puzzlers. Rather your spirits will be lifted and you’ll walk away feeling better for having known Jill for a few hours.

Ladybookbug!

The Postcard Killers by James Patterson & Liza Marklund



To me, reading James Patterson is an insatiable venture. Just when you think you’re filled to capacity, something new comes along and you must read it.

And so it is with Mr. Patterson, et.al’s latest entry into the “thriller” category. This is indeed in the thriller category. It’s a bit more graphic than some of his books so be prepared for it.

The story is fast-paced and hard to put down.

If you’re short on time and eager to add just one more Patterson to your bookshelf, then this one’s for you.

Ladybookbug!