Had I Known by Joan Lunden

People of a certain age know this author well. She was co-host on Good Morning America for several years. The audience woke up each morning to her charming personality and beautiful smile. Indeed, I would venture to guess that she helped raise the popularity of this morning show during her stint. Although the audience was not privy to every aspect of her life, she was open to revealing her bout with breast cancer at a time when celebrities were not apt to publicly pronounce all that was wrong with their lives.

This is the story of her struggle and her survival and how it impacted her family, her friends and most importantly, herself. A beautifuly written memoir that invokes the reader to examine their own lives with a unique perspective. Ms. Lunden invites us all to understand her struggle and her strength. Not content with sharing her story in one book, Ms. Lunden has gone on to pen books about healthly lving, wellness and success. She continues to be a force against breast cancer and speaks all over the country in an effort to inform the public about the disease. She has created a website which offers visitors a wealth of information. In addition, she has an online t.v. channel which provides an additional resource for members of the breast cancer community.

For some of us it is not enough to go through a health struggle, it also becomes vital to offer encouragement, resources and empathy to those who come after. Ms. Lunden is one of those people. If you thought you knew her from her exposure on the popular morning show, read this memoir. She may become someone you admire, respect and appreciate.

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The Guilty by David Baldacci

It seems to me that authors come up with a plot and talk about it with other authors. Then they all create their own settings and characters and publish as if the book is a new idea. That's okay if the books are released in different years. However, as of late it seems that the books are all released at the same time which makes for boring reading. This new entry of Mr. Baldacci's was disappointing both in its plotline as well as the writing. I expect great things from this author based on some of his other titles, the best of which seem to me to be his stand-alones.

This title has an uncanny resemblence to Patterson's Cross Justice. Here we have a family member going to his hometown to defend a family member who has been charged with murder. Sound familiar? Anyway I just could not get into the story. While I have enjoyed reading about Robie's previous predicaments, this one just never gets off the ground. In all honesty I read about a quarter of the story. I just could not motivate myself to read further. However, I am not giving up on this author because the majority of his stories are filled with intrigue and plots which foster the reader to become immersed in the story.

I am looking forward with anticipation to the next book.

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The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere

This is the story of how three different sets of people come together for an unusual church Nativity and in the process find strength, courage and hope for the future.

Jennifer and Ryan are single parents who struggle with the day-to-day problems that single parenthood entails. They make every effort to provide as normal a life as they can for their children. Kaylee, age 16 has just discovered that she is pregnant and struggles with all the emotions that the state of pregnancy entails. Lily and Stephen have been married for a number of years and are ready to start a family. Amidst all of their troubles and dispair, the characters retain the will to participate in a live Nativity, never realizing that it will change their lives.

A small book containing 212 pages and filled with all the promises of Christmas. At the beginning of every chapter is an inspiring quote which follows the theme of the story.

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Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich

This author's first novel in this series was entitled "One for the Money". It was a light mystery full of funny situations and anectdotes. In this 22nd book in the series the characters continue their adventurous escapades and this book still offers the occasional laugh.

Stephanie is in hot pursuit of a man whose nickname is Gobbles, She enlists the aid of her long time friend and paramour, Ranger who again loans her one of his vehicles fullly aware that it might not be returned in the same shape. Stephanie and Joe Morelli are not exactly a couple in this entry but he continues to hang around. Grandma and Lula offer up their familiar funny antics and round out the body of main characters.

The premise of the story is that Gobbles is up to no good. A room filled with acquariums and fleas turns out to be a monstrous plan to inflict pain and suffering to other people. Stephanie, along with Ranger and Morelli join forces to make sure that the plan is not executed.

If you are a fan of this series, you'll want to read this latest entry.
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Cross Justice by James Patterson

You will find several posts on this blog by this author. He is extremely prolific and often produces books with another author. I enjoy reading his books because the plots are interesting and the format of most of his work is such that the chapters are short and they motivate the reader through the storyline.

This title is one of his Alex Cross series books. The titles in this series are written by Mr. Patterson exclusively. I was looking forward to this title because I enjoy the Alex Cross character. In this entry, Alex returns to his hometown to help aid a cousin who has been charged with murder. While there, he encounters many memories from his past which are frightening to him.

I found this book to be slow going and I did not finish it. However, I will more than likely pick it up at a later date.
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The Christmas Letters by Lee Smith

This title was published in 1996. I came across it in a selection of Christmas books taken out of storage for the season. It is a story that can be read again and again, regardless of the year.

The story is comprised of three Christmas letters. The kind of letters that were very popular several years ago. They are often sent to family and friends who are not seen by the writers on a regular basis. They consist of bringing everyone up-to-date on what is happening in the family and encompass graduations, marriages, promotions and births.

The first letter was written in 1944 and the last letter was written in 1996. Recipes are scattered throughout the book including Carrott Cake, Boiled Custard and Orange Mint Sherbert to name a few.

A gentle story just in time for the holidays.

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Undercover by Danielle Steel

I've always regarded this author as a purveyor of romantic tales.  While this is true, some of  the novels I have read lately have a bit more depth to them than just romantic fluff.  This entry is reflective of that.

There are two main characters in this story.  The first being Marshall Everett, an undercover DEA agent who is esconced in the jungles of Bogata, Columbia.  His cover is blown and he must extricate himself immediately.  He is given a new assignment at a desk which he quickly becomes disenganted with.  His superiors then give him the opportunity of protecting the first family which he embraces with pride.

The second character is Ariana Gregory whose father has just been appointed ambassador to Argentina.  During an innocuous shopping trip, her vehicle is overcome and she is kidnapped.

How these two lives cross and the things that they have in common are part of the romantic side of this story.  I would hesitate to call this a true "beach" read for it has more depth than that.  If you are into espionage and more intricate plotlines, you will probably enjoy this.

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A Song of Shadows by John Connolly

Charlie Parker, a former police detective, has retreated to a small town on the coast of Maine where he becomes embroiled in a mystery of gargantuan proportions.

After meeting a neighbor he begins to question her background and finds himself getting more involved then he intended.  What he suspects is just the tip of the iceberg.

In the midst of a tangled web of murder, war criminals and the search for truth, Parker soon realizes that his intent to rest and recuperate is not to be.

A good read!

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The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Ms. Evanovich is yet another one of my favorite authors.  Her "number" books are a joy to read and readers are very prone to laugh while reading her stories.

The Scam is an interesting premise and the story reminded me of the television series Leverage.  The major setting in this story is Maucau, China.  Kate O'Hare and Nicholas Fox are joining forces to thwart a money-laundering operation in a casino.  Other settings include Las Vegas and Oahu.

This is a fast-paced story that will be easy to follow.

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Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

I'm not sure when this author penned his first novel but I know I've read them all.  His stories often have a unique twist to them.  He presents his readers with believable characters and his plotlines are
easy to follow.

This story is about David Harwood, a former newspaper journalist who quits his job and moves in with his parents in the small town of Promise Falls.  He is able to land a job at the local newspaper which affords him more time to spend with his son Ethan.  Things seem to be going in the right direction until the paper folds and he finds himself without a job again.

David becomes embroiled in the life of his cousin Marla which eventually leads him to becoming a sleuth.  His attempts to untangle the web of deceit he is in the middle of are harrowing but he continues on.

One of the culprits was a surprise to me.  I thought I had it all figured out but I am pleased to say I did not.  A good ending to an interesting mystery.

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How I Came to Sparkle Again by Kaya McLaren

Three lives intertwine in the small skiing town of Sparkle, Colorado.

Jill, a woman estranged from her husband and dealing with the emotional constraints of having had a hysterectomy, decides to move to the only place she can call home. 

Lisa is a young woman who has led a wild life and has come to realize that she must change her ways and start looking for a good man.

Cassie is a ten year old who is learning how to live with her Dad following the death of her mother.

All three females are facing uncertain futures.  They all must walk through the difficult times in hope of a better tomorrow.

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Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

This book is touted as being a novel but in reality is the story of the author's grandmother.  I believe it's the kind of story that people might tell around the kitchen table, embellishing it a bit as it is told with no intent to deceive but rather that not everyone remembers every detail.

Lily Casey Smith was born in 1901.  Her father owned a 160 acre farm where he broke and trained horses.  He father had a speech impediment which meant that Lily often had to act as his voice.  Her father did not fully appreciate her academic aptitude and felt that he could teach her better. Lily worked in every possible capacity on the farm.

Eventually she left to teach even though she was not properly trained, the authorities sensed her ability to offer students a broad education.  Lily went on to marry a charlatan who had led her down a romantic path.  She divorced him and moved on.

Lily married again and she and her new husband operated a gas station. Later the couple managed a farm and came up with a novel idea about irrigating it. Lily was the type of person who was handed a lot of lemons in her life and she chose to make lemonade.

A story about the tenacity of the human spirit.

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Make Me by Lee Child

Jack Reacher has returned and is now accompanied by Michelle Chang. Together they try to untangle a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a missing private investigator.
 
The search leads them to discover the properties of the "deep web", a place that is hidden from the basic Internet.  This is the dark cavern of the web where all sorts of decadent dealings and communication occur.

Jack and Michelle are led down many twisting paths that take them to LA, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco in an attempt to uncover just what happened to a man named Keever.  What they eventually discover is alarming.

Jack Reacher novels tend to be fast-paced.  So much so that in some of the earlier books in the series I felt as if I were watching an episode of  24.  That was not the case with this entry.  It was entertaining but did not hold my interest.

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The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

This is the long awaited sequel to the Lisbeth Salander novels penned by Stieg Larsson. You may remember reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

I think it is always difficult for an author to keep the same momentum as the original author in continuing his or her work.  Some other author's works that come to mind are Robert Ludlum and Robert Parker.  I am not sure whether it is the original author's style of writing, plot line or character development or perhaps all three.  In any case, Mr. Lagercrantz has written an interesting book.

In addition to Lisbeth, readers will be pleased to note that Blomkvist has also returned in this new entry.  The premise for this story is that someone has hacked into the files held by the NSA.  Blomkvist has been informed of the incident and has learned that the hacker sounds a lot like Lisbeth.

A new character is introduced in the form of a young boy with autism who witnesses a murder.  He is basically uncommunicative until someone realizes that his drawings depict what actually happened.  There are other minor characters in this story as well.

Blomkvist and Lisbeth work together to try to ascertain what the secret files contain.  They follow all types of leads that cross all boundaries of law enforcement.

While this novel offers some interesting twists and helps the reader to discover a new side to Lisbeth, it cannot take the place of the intense momentum featured in the first three books of this series.

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The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer

Over the years, I've reviewed many of this author's boooks- if not all!  This falls right in line with this author's other titles for it is a gentle story about two people who meet for the first time and share a guest house on the island of Nantucket.

Sophie Anderson is estranged from her husband.  Along with her two children, she agrees to rent a guest house for the summer months.  Trevor Black, father of one and widowed also agrees to rent the same guest house for the same length of time.  Unfortunately, neither one realizes that the other has rented the same house until it is too late to back out of it.

The story surrounds the lives of Sophie and Trevor and their children.  Trevor's son is Autistic which adds another element to the story line.  It is interesting to see how everyone deals with Leo's unpredictable behavior.

This is not a deep story in the true sense of the word but it does explore relationships among all the characters.

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Alert by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

I guess you could say I'm still hooked on James Patterson, even though I think his best novels are the ones he writes on his own.  Still, I do like the character of Michael Bennett and he is featured in this book.

The storyline surrounds the city of New York.  Someone is blowing up buildings and creating havoc in the city.  Lt. Bennett, along with his fellow officers, needs to get to the bottom of what or who is causing the destructtion and put an end to it.

Like so many of Patterson's books, the chapters in this one are short. Personally, I think this technique helps in moving the reader right along.

For those of  you who are incureable romantics, you will be pleased to know that Mary Catherine makes a profound appearance in this latest entry.

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The Secrets of Lake Road by Karen Katchur

A first novel by this author. I would give it a B+.  It was a well-plotted novel and the characters were well-developed.  The storyline was plausible.  If I have any reservations about it, I would say I would have liked a more conclusive ending.

The story's setting is a vacation spot in the Pocono Mountains where families return year after year to reconnect with old friends and enjoy a respite.  It begins with the disappearance of a seven-year old girl who is presumed to have drowned in the lake.  A massive search effort begins as participants scour the lake to locate her body. Vactioners begin to recollect other drownings that have occurred in the past.

A drowing that connects many of the characters happened sixteen years ago.The "players" in that drowing have harbored a secret for all those years.  The current drowning acts as a catalyst and the secrets that have been kept begin to be revealed.

The author has a real handle on the thoughts and actions of a twelve year old girl which goes a long way toward making this story interesting.  While the conclusion is not necessarily unchartered territory, it was something I didn't fully anticipate.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

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The Melody Lingers On by Mary Higgins Clark

Another "tried an true" author who has penned thirty-four suspense novels.  I still recall reading her very first novel entitled "Where Are the Children".  Her mysteries are devoid of graphic sexual depictions and while there is some violence in them, it is subtle.

In this story, we are introduced to Parker Bennett, a disreputable finance manager who has bilked his clients of millions of dollars and retreated to the island of St. Thomas under an assumed name.  Only one person knows of his whereabouts and that is his long-time lover "The Countess".  She is blackmailing him to keep his location secret.

Parker's wife and son have not escaped scrutiny by the local police and FBI as officials attempt to connect the relatives to the conspiracy surrounding Parker's disappearance and the missing money.

The Countess is in the process of re-decorating her apartment using the blackmail money.  Her decorator is suspicious and agrees to work with law enforcement to unravel the scheme.  The decorator's assistant becomes enamored of the advances of Parker's son, Eric and the FBI is subtly encouraging her not to venture further into the relationship.

All the characters play a part in making this "light" mystery come to a satisfactory conclusion.

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X by Sue Grafton

I've been reading this author's work for 33 years and I have enjoyed every single book.  I love her lady detective in the person of Kinsey Milhone.  I love Kinsey's landlord, Henry and the local watering hole called "Rosies".  Each time I pick up the latest in the "alphabet" series, I find myself looking forward to see what scrapes Kinsey has gotten herself entangled in.  I've never been disappointed either in the quality of the writing, the storyline, or the characters.  This latest entry is just another indication to me that I will be sorely disappointed when Ms. Grafton pens her "Z" novel.

There are three scenarios going on in this story.  One scenario surrounds the divorce of a wealthy couple that was far from amicable.The second scenario involves a sociopath who seems to enjoy tormenting his wives, past and present. The third scenario is the strange couple that has moved in next door to Henry.

The story opens with the discovery of a cryptic code which Henry is able to decipher.  This leads Kinsey on a path to unravel what connects all the dots in the code. Then,  Kinsey is hired to locate a long, lost baby. She is also given the uncomfortable task of returning some hidden artifacts to an unwitting recipient. Finally, she must get to the bottom of why new tenants are esconsed in a house in close proximity to her own.

All in all, a good mystery or perhaps I should say a good collection of mysteries.

Thank you again Sue Grafton for motivating this reader to read on!

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Silver Linings by Debbie Macomber

This is the fourth installment in the Rose Harbor Inn series by this author.

Jo Marie has returned, as well as Mark.  In this entry, Mark expresses his love for Jo Marie and then proceeds to put his home on the market and move out of town.  He gives Jo Marie no explanation for the abrupt move but readers will be pleased to know that all is revealed by the end of the book.

We are also introduced to several of the inn's guests.  Coco and Katie are visiting the area for the celebration of their 10th reunion from High School. Both are intent on settling old scores.  Whether or not they are able to do so is for the reader to discover.  We also encounter a young honeymooning couple, albeit briefly.

As with all of this author's work, this is a predominantly lighthearted story with just a touch of drama. Her characters read as real people we might meet on the street in our own hometown.  Her plot lines are plausible and easy to follow.

If you  are a Debbie Macomber fan and more importantly, a fan of this series, you'll want to read this entry to find out what is "happening" at The Rose Harbor Inn.

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Signal by Patrick Lee

This is the second book in a series featuring Sam Dryden, an ex-Special Forces operative.  Not having read the first book in this series, I became acquainted with this character for the first time.

This book had a sluggish start for me and I kept putting it down, thinking I would not read it. However, today I picked it up again and read it right to the end.

The premise of the book is that a machine has been invented that has the capability of predicting the future.  Actually, it reminded me of an old television series where a newspaper was dropped at the door of the main character.  The headlines depicted what was going to happen the next day and it was up to the main character to difuse it.

In this story the machine has been developed over many years and kept secret.  A friend of Sam Dryden's discovers the machine and contacts him to let him know all about it.  It seems that these people have the power to effect events before they even occur.  It is up to Dryden to prevent the horrific events from happening, fully realizing that these people know just what he is up to.

Don't let the first few chapters slow you down--read on and things will pick up quickly.

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One Way or Another by Elizabeth Adler

Ms.Adler is a very prolific author and I have read many of her books, as well as reviewed them in this blog.  I'd have to say this was probably more intense than much of her work.

As young woman has been lured into the web of a maniacal sociopath who is intent on killing her.  He invites her to spend time on his yacht.  One evening she is hit on the side of the head and pushed overboard.  Unknown to the perpetrator of this crime,  a young man witnesses the entire occurrence and is compelled to get to the root of the matter.

She is rescued by a passing boat and is eventually returned to the tentacles of the sociopath.  She is held captive and is abused and tortured.  Although it would be expected that she might feel helpless and hopeless, she clings to the thought of survival and the memory of her mother.

Fraught with intense emotion and devious plans, this story compels the reader to read on, hoping that justice will be served and the fate of the young woman will be positive.

Well-written and exciting, Ms. Adler's characters are very real.  As much as this story relates the vulnerability of young women, it also portrays their strength.

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Nemesis by Catherine Coulter

Lacey Sherlock and Dilon Savich have returned in this entry by the prolific Catherine Coulter.  Ms. Coulter has written many FBI thrillers in the past and this is another one to add to the list.

The story opens when a terrorist tries an attack at JFK Airport in New York. Special Agent just happens to be there and is able to stop the attack.  Soon after, another attack is thwarted at St. Patrick's Cathedral.  While Sherlock is engaged in determinig all the perpetrator of the JFK attack knows, her husband Savich is trying to unravel a serioes of murders involving Wiccans.

Some of the titles I have enjoyed by this author in the past include, but are not limited to The Maze, The Cove, and Riptide.  This entry was okay.  I found it difficult to entertain the plot involving the Wiccans and would rather the author focused entirely on the first plot.

Nonetheless, if you are a Coulter fan, you'll want to add this to your list.

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Badlands by C.J. Box

The setting for this entry is a small town in North Dakota, the home of "the badlands".  A young boy witnesses a rollover and later finds a dufflebag filled with drugs and money.  He brings it home in hopes of helping his mother. The people who own the bag are intent on finding out just where it is.

Enter Cassie Dewell, a detective who has been assigned to be the new deputy sheriff in the small town.  She is not welcomed with open arms by everyone on the staff but she is determined to do her job and do it well.

This is a stand-alone novel and I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I missed Joe Pickett.  Although this story was fast-paced and deals with gangs,drugs and the demise of a small town, it was not my favorite novel by this author.

I am looking forward to the next entry in his Joe Pickett stories.

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Who Let the Dog Out? by David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter, lawyer and all around nice guy is back again with his wife and the son they adopted in Mr. Rosenfelt's last book.

Andy is engaged in trying to determine why a dog was stolen from the local rescue and found next to a dead body. He cannot leave it alone and his curiosity gets the best of him.  He is intent on finding out the answers.

The police arrest a man for the murder and Andy decides to represent him.  While the reader is engaged in "another legal story" there is something more going on behind the scenes.  Something much bigger than what meets the eye.

Fast-paced and interspersed with humor, Mr. Rosenfelt has given us another interesting plot that invites us to read on.

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The English Spy by Daniel Silva

We are reintroduced to the character of Gabriel Allon, spy and assassin who has appeared in Mr. Silva's previous entries.

The settings for this tale of espionage are multi-faceted and include Belfast, London, a yacht, Lisbon, Jerusalem, Cornwall, Northern Ireland and Buenos Aires and they remind the reader that espinoonage and terrorism knows no boundaries.

Mr. Silva's writing is fast-paced and is reminiscent of the "Jason Bourne" movies. The action portrayed in the story is realistic and frightening.

In this story Gabriel is in search of a master bombmaker by the name of Eamon Quinn who was presumed dead in an altercation several years prior to the current setting. Quinn leads Gabriel on a twisted path through several countries before engaging in the ultimate confrontation.

Mr. Silva is an expert in spinning tales of international intrigue.  This book is no less exciting than the many other titles this prolific author has written.

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After the Storm by Linda Castillo

This author was recommended to me by a patron several years ago.  Her first novel was published in 2009 and I always look forward to her next entry.

The setting for her novels is Amish country. The main character is Kate Berkholder, local police chief and former Amish.  Her novels are interspersed with phrases of the vernacular used in Amish country.

After the Storm contends with a discovery that is made after a tornado hits the small town of Painter's Mill.  Two young boys are playing in a barn and discover a human skull. It is up to Kate to determine to whom it belongs. In addition, Kate is dealing with the distraught parents of a four month old baby who has been tossed in the storm. The usual police work ensues.  In addition, Kate must deal with a personal dilemma as well.

Consistently interesting and easy to read, you'll want to add this latest title to other books you may have read by this author.

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Lessons from Tara by David Rosenfelt

The first book I recall reading that peaked my interest in dogs was Dick and Jane in elementary school which featured a dog named Spot.   The next title that really hooked me on dogs was The Dog Who Came to Stay by Hal Borland.  Hal was a featured writer at the magazine Field and Stream. That title was all about a dog that appeared on his doorstep one night and stayed forever.

Lessons from Tara is just one of many books that have helped keep me interested in reading about dogs.  The interesting thing about this author is that he has also written thirteen novels in which a dog appears somewhere in the story.  He has also written another non-fiction title called Dogtripping, in which he travels cross-country with twenty-two dogs in tow. In addition to all of this, Mr. Rosenfelt started a rescue foundation for golden retrievers which went on to rescue over four thousand dogs.  Currently,he lives in Maine with thirty dogs and his wife.

This book really tells the dog lover and others what is so special about having a dog in your life and all that entails.  He unabashedly describes what it is like to take care of so many dogs at once.  Everything from feeding them to giving them medicine to loving them and being so grateful for the love that they give back.

The author devotes a chapter toward addressing those who would say they can't rescue an old dog because it might die on them.  Mr. Rosenfelt calls upon all to invest in this most worthy cause.  He is quick to state that others should not put him on a pedestal but rather realize that he has a heart for giving those dogs who might otherwise be euthanized a look at how good their world can be.

Having read all of this author's work, I can genuinely say that I have enjoyed each and every title.  I always thought it would be great to walk into a shelter or pet store and take all the dogs home.  Mr. Rosenfelt has not made a small mark in the scheme of things.   Rather, he has invested his time, his finances and his talent to save those animals that other members of society would throw away.

Thank you!  Thank you for a wonderful testament about how one man (and wife) can affect a negative course in a positive fashion.

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Rhythm of the Wild by Kim Heacox

This is a non-fiction account of the authort's experiences in Denali National Park in Alaska.The author depicts the flora and fauna of this park in very discriptive accounts, which draw the reader into the book. In addition, he relates his experiences in the park to his spiritual view of life in the world.

I've never had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful work of nature, but I have many friends and family members who have explored the park. They have all come away with a new appreciation of nature at its' finest.

The author's telling of his story is succinct and the reader may feel as if they are reading a personal diary.  Mr. Heacox interjects his story with bits of humor, frustration and joy.  We are introduced to co-workers who present him with challenges and tourists who have their own vision of what to expect at Denali and are often suprised by the actual experience.

Not devoid of facts and figures, it was interesting to read that President Jimmy Carter signed a law on the cusp of his departure from that office that virtually extended the acreage of the park from two million to what it encompasses today.

The book is organized in increments of ten years and begins with a short prologue which contrasts and compares the park to America.  Mr. Heacox gives us an invitation to explore the park with him and after reading his account, you may just want to explore it on your own terms.

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Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie

Someone recently introduced me to this author.  I may have read one of her books several years ago but this title was new to me.

Quinn McKenzie is a 30-something art teacher who lives with her boyfriend Bill, who is a coach for the local high school football team.  They have been living together for several years.  She seems content with her life which she refers to as "beige".

Everything changes when she makes the decision to adopt a stray dog.  Bill has a fit and states she cannot keep it and does all he can to change her mind.  In Quinn's eyes," this is the straw that broke the camels back" and it puts Quinn's life into a tailspin.

A story that has its' levity and serious sides and reminds us all that sometimes we can have a second chance to change the direction in which our lifestory is heading.

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The Counterfeit Agent by Alex Berenson

I read one of this author's books several months ago and wrote about it in this blog.  The title was Midnight House.  It was an intriging book and fostered my appetite to read more of this author.

This title is the author's most recent (published in 2014) featuring John Wells.  It is easy to see why many crtics feel this author has a "handle" on the spy/thriller genre.

In this book the setting covers many different countries including the United States, Guatemals, Thailand, Hong Kong and Istanbul.  Wells becomes engaged in an extensive search to discover a former CIA operative who appeares to have vanished.  Wells also learns of a plot to move uranium to the U.S. and works with port authorities to ensure that it never happens.

This novel is very current and considers the unthinkable.  There is much action in this story and one can easily visualize all the movement and the characters.

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Summer Secrets by Jane Green

Jane Green is a fairly prolific author.  I've read many of her books.  Among my favorites is Family Pictures. She has the knack of really getting inside her character's thoughts and telling the reader what each character is feeling at any particular moment.  Summer Secrets is no exception but rather continues to emphasize Ms. Green's expertise at character development.

This title's main setting is Nantucket, Massachusetts.  A familiar place to me as several of the authors I read frequently have also used this setting.  Although I've never actually been there, I feel as if I have and it is so easy for me to slip into the storyline.

Cat is a young woman who suffers from alcoholism.  She is a most vulnerable young person who starts drinking in her early teens and progresses from there.  She makes numerous attempts at sobriety but in the end has to reach her "rock bottom" before she can hope to ascend to greater heights.

While certain happenings in this novel are depressing, they are essential in order for the reader to understand what Cat has gone through and they encourage the reader to want the best for her..  It is easy to do.  We feel her depression, her frustration, her disappointment AND her hope for the future.

A well-written book that addresses a difficult subject.

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Code of Conduct by Brad Thor

This is the latest entry in this author's Scott Horvath series and like the other titles in this series this one can easily be considered to be a thriller.

The premise in this novel is that there is a group of prestigious individuals who want to take control of the entire world.  They have devised a detailed plan that, if successful, will take out much of the world's population.

In addition, these unscrupulous individuals have taken great pains to abolish the governments of The United States and Israel because they both represent governments that are neither dictatorships nor socialistic.  Much intelligence in the literal and technological sense of the word has been put into action to effect this change in how the world operates.

Scott Horvath has been called upon to unearth why a particular clinic in Africa has been dessimated along with the residents of a local village.  In addition, he becomes immersed in tactical espionage as he seeks to unravel all that has transpired.

A fast-paced novel that offers a disheartening premise but certainly one that is believable, Thor has yet again offered his readers an unrelenting character in Scott Horvath and a book that motivates the reader till the very end.

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The President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer

In all honesty I MAY have read another of this author's books but I don't remember.  I glanced over the list of novels on the front pages and some have a familiar ring to them.  In any event, I treated this title as if I were reading this author for the first time.

After several attempts, I managed to read up to Chapter 24 and then decided there are too many other books waiting out there for me to read to progress further in this one.

The story in this novel is different.  The main character is an archivist.  He is responsible for keeping the government's important documents safe.  However, he has another role as a member of a secret society.  The sitting President enlists the aid of the secret society to help uncover the mystery of an arm found buried in the Rose Garden.

I put this book down several times, renewed it once and kept giving it another go but I just could not get into it.  I'm thinking it was the slower pace of the writing that kept me from wanting to read more. Perhaps I'll take it up again in the future.  Then again, maybe not.

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Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

A light-hearted romp through the perils of setting up a production crew in a small town on the coast of Florida.

Greer is a location scout for a production company and as such is also a Jill-of-all-Trades. She "discovers" an idllyic spot and has to convince the towns' mayor that having a film shoot in his town will be an advantage for him and the town.

Dealing with red tape, Greer is determined to make the location a success for the director of the film. She must hop-scotch around the property owners, a derilict casino and providing adequate habitats for the films stars.

Through it all Greer must make some difficult decisions about the movie and her personal life.  In true Mary Kay Andrews fashion, this novel helps the reader escape on an adventure that is not too dramatic nor serious.

Good beach read!

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Let me begin by stating that this book was very deserving of the Pulitzer Prize.  To say that this book was remarkable would be an understatement.

The setting is war-torn France and Germany during the second World War.  The main characters are Werner, a young German boy with an extraordinary aptitude for mechanics and Marie-Laure, a young French girl who is blind.

The book vasillates between the years 1941 and 1944.  It also brings us back and forth to each character as time progresses. It was very exciting to anticpate how the author would bring these two characters together.

The writing in this novel is exquisite.  His descriptions of the surroundings of each character were so believable it was as if the reader is a fly on the wall, listening to all that is happening.  The author entertains all the emotions that come when one is engaged in a conflict and he does it very well.

As the story comes to a crescendo, the reader is so aware of the sacrifices that each character has made.  Even more profound is the awareness that in spite of the darkness that surrounds conflict, there is a light that pervades this darkness although we cannot see it.  Werner and Marie-Laure are that light in this story.

Recommended to me by a friend, I heartily recommend it to you.  Thank you Mr. Doerr for your elegant writing and for a beautifully told story.

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The Precipice by Paul Doiron

The setting for this novel is the upper end of the Appalachian Trail which is located near the town of Monson, Maine.  The plot involves the disappearance of two young women while they were hiking the hundred mile wilderness. Mike Bowditch, Maine game warden joins the search.

Two bodies are discovered on the trail and is believed they were attacked by a band of wild coyotes. Soon, everyone on the trail, as well as in the state are very concerned that the animals are out of control.

Another character enters the picture and she believes that there may be a murderer hiding in the woods, ready to strike again.  A long lost love of Mike, Stacey joins the hunt and also disappears.

Having read one of this author's previous books entitled Trespasser, I looked forward to this title as well.  I did not think it was as well done as Trespasser, but in these trying times of finding a good book to read, it will do.

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Constant Fear by Daniel Palmer

A group of savy students who attend a prestigious school are experts on the computer.  They develop a scheme which I'd like to call "the robin hood syndrome".  They take money from the wealthy and give it to the needy.  Unfortunately one of their wealthy conquests' money belongs to a drug cartel and the cartel wants it back.

The cartel has been able to zero in on the culprits but they do not know the actual identity of the person who holds the "key".  They need that person in order to regain all the bitcoins that have been taken from them. The cartel manages to blend in with the student body and they are intent on recapturing all that they have lost.

Jake is a custodian at the school and he is aware of the entire situation and plots and plans a way to keep the boys safe.

A fast-moving thriller that has an interesting plot.

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Death Wears a Beauty Mask and other stories by Mary Higgins Clark

I was once asked to make a list of all my favorite authors.  At that time the list encompassed over 50 authors and I'd have to say that I am still adding favorites.  Many of those authors on the original list have recently released new novels.  Some of these new entries are not reflective of their best work. Since this entry is really a compilation of stories written in the early years, they do not represent the intensity of some of her later works.

While the title story had an interesting plot, the other stories did not do it for me.  I found them boring and predictable.  The author states that she began writing the title novella in 1972, then put it aside to write Where Are The Children? which gave Ms. Clark a jumping-off place to a career filled with very suspenseful books.  There is some indication as to when each of the other stories were written which was helpful because, as written, they would not have been plausible in current times.

Although the inside flap indicates that this collection of stories "is a spine-tingling read and glimpse into the evolution of her world-class writing career", I would suggest that the second part of that quote is more true than the first part.

Mary Higgins Clark is a consumate mystery writer.  I always liked the titles of her books which were often taken from the lyrics of popular songs.  The familiarity of those titles often drew me into "the rest of the story".  After reading her first novel all those years ago, I could not wait for a new entry and she never disappointed me.

If you read this collection, please do not relegate your reading of this author to this book.  Rather, use it as a starting point toward reading the rest of her collection.

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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

An accomplished author who has written twenty-two books, many of which I have read- I looked forward to reading her latest entry.  I was not disappointed.

Although many authors have currently taken up the theme of WWII, this book focused on the inner strength of two sisters.  The setting is a small town on the outskirts of Paris during the German occupation of France.  Vianne, the elder of the two sisters is esconced in a small cottage where she is awaiting the return of her husband from the warfront and caring for a small child.  Isabelle has taken up with the Resistance and becomes responsible for delivering secret messages, ultimately helping several downed pilots escape to safety.

In my opinion, the story seemed familiar to me.  Having read a good selection of fictional accounts of this period in history, I was not suprised by what was happening in the story.  However, the characters displayed an indomitable spirit that was only brought to the surface during a time of extreme duress.  These two women risked everything to pursue justice and liberty.

The closing paragraphs of this novel bring it to a plausible conclusion.  A well-written story about a time in our history that was fraught with injustice, death and destruction.

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The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

This author's best-known work thus far is The Secret Life of Bees which was also made into a movie. This entry deals with slavery in the 1800's.  The main characters in this book are based on actual people.

I first discovered this author by reading Guideposts magazine.  She wrote about her relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books and I looked forward to reading this one as well.  This book was published in 2014 but deals with a subject that is never forgotten.  Indeed with the most recent happening in the south, makes us mindful of a time in our history whose attitudes continue to prevail in current times.

The two main characters in this novel are Hetty Grimke (a slave) and Sarah Grimk (her owner).  The interesting thing about both women is their indominitable spirit.  They both shared an uncommon attitude of positive self-worth.   They also were not afraid to declare their feelings about a system that was barbaric.

The author sets the book up in chronological sections which deal with the progression of each characters plight through the years, always focusing on their intent to make right a gross wrong.

Although this work is historical fiction, it goes a long way toward imagining how things may have transpired.  Nonetheless, I feel it is a book worth reading.  It will provide the reader with a good sense of what may have transpired during that time and give one a sense of what it means to pursue a better way of life without the support of those closest to you.

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Cash Landing by James Grippando

This is the story of a major heist.  Ruban Bentancourt has decided it is time to take a risk.  The loss of his restaurant business and his home incite him to strike back.  He decides that his retribution will be to steal a great deal of money.  Through an inside informant, he learns that each week, a hundred million dollars in funds is transported via plane to the Miami International Airport.  The funds are shipped by German Banks with the final destination of The Federal Reserve.

The novel opens with the perpetration of the heist.   The rest of the novel deals with what happens after the fact.  As the story unfolds, you may feel as if you are reading true crime.  As a matter of fact, you are.  The author indicates on his acknowledgment page that the book is based on "actual events".

Cash Landing is a good example of what can happen to the best laid plans.   A great read!


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The Fixer by Joseph Finder

I have read several of this author's previous work which includes such titles as High Crimes, Buried Secrets and Suspicion to name but a few.  In my opinion, his strories keep the reader interested and he presents plausible plots.

The Fixer is a stand-alone novel.  Rick Hoffman, the main character, has just lost his job, his girlfriend, and his abode.  He decides to live in his family's decrepit homestead.   While there he is approached by a neighbor who is willing to renovate the home.  Rick starts to pull apart the house and discovers money in the walls, totalling over three million dollars.

Intent on determining to whom this great treasure belongs to, he begins to investigate his father's past and uncovers a myriad of reasons why his father might have stashed the loot in the family home.

A well-planned plot which will keep you riveted till the end.

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The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

This is the second book that I have read in as many weeks that left me a bit disenchanted with a heretofore favorite author.  If you have been reading this blog for a while, you should know that I have many "favorite" authors.  As such, I expect a certain type of story from them.

This latest entry took place on the island of Nantucket as all of this author's books do.  This story is bsically about two couples whose lives intertwine by virtue of the fact that their offspring have a relationship.  Madeline and Grace are best friends.  Madeline is married to Trevor and they have a son named Brick.  Grace is married to "fast" Eddie and they have twin daughters, Hope and Allegra.

Madeline is an author and suffers from writers block.  Whiile trying to get motivated to start something new, she remembers the old adage to "write about what you know".  This leads to a book about a love affair between her best friend and the gardener.

The story, as stories go, was simplistic enough and true to the form previously established by this author.  My problem with it was the graphic depictions of the sexual scenes, primarily among the teenaged offspring.   My other issue was the fact that the story seems to undermind those things which I venture to guess are of paramount concern to many people and they include moral turpitude and the deterioration of trust in our fellow human beings.  The story reeks with gossip and speculations which may or may not be true but which seek to destroy the parties involved.

The fact that I enjoy reading should come as no surprise. Over the past nine years I have maintained this blog, I have read a variety of stories which have encompassed a variety of scenarios, some of which I embrace and others which I do not.

At this point in my life I am looking forward to reading more books (both fiction and non-fiction) that foster kindness to our fellow human beings and hold characters up to higher standards.  I hope I am not disappointed.

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All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank

This is the story of four girlfriends.   Lisa, a nurse and her less-than-perfect daughter, Marianne; Kathy (a patient of Lisa's who is battling a terminal illness); Carrie and Suzanne.  Together they form the basis of the storyline from this prolific author of women's fiction.

I've had the distinct pleasure of reading much of this author's body of work.  My personal favorites include Porch Lights, Pawley's Island  and Full of Grace. All of her stories have settings in South Carolina and offer readers a chance to escape to a southern way of life.

In All the Single Ladies readers are introduced to a group of ladies who deal with the usual ups and downs of life including divorce, death and love.  We see the relationship between the young women and a 99-year old matriarch, a troubled daughter and sibling rivalry.

Not a "heavy" novel but one that will help readers escape into a world that is both familiar and different.  Good beach reading material.

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The Sound of Glass by Karen White

Merritt Heyward is coping with the death of her husband two years ago.  She receives unexpected news that she is now the sole owner of a home in Beaufort, South Carolina.  Still coping with the loss of her husband and her own demons from her childhood, Merritt embarks on a journey of discovery.

She discovers that her husband kept many secrets from her which when revealed portray a troubled individual.  She also discovers that although life is certainly fraught with ups and downs, a person can continue to have the resilience that keeps them moving forward.

Living in a new home, mingling with a group of relatives she has never met before, Merritt begins to unravel the parts of her story that can ultimately lead to healing.

The story itself is nothing that hasn't been written about before and truth be told, I found it slow going but the author's ability to describe a setting invites you into the story and you feel as if you are part of it all.

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Dancing Dogs by Jon Katz

Jon Katz has written many books about animals that live on his farm in upstate New York.  Many of his books feature dogs.  However, one of my personal favorites is about a sheep.  In his writings, he explores the world from the viewpoint of animals, as well as his own comments about why they behave the way that they do.

Dancing Dogs is a compilation of stories about a variety of animals including dogs, sheep, chickens and cats.  If I were to catergorize all of them, I would say that they are poignant.  They certainly tug at your heartstrings but all in all they each offer a positive slant on the barnyard of life.

My personal favorite is "Puppy Commando" which is the story about a little girl who wants a puppy in the worst way.  Her parents come up with all sorts of reasons  why she cannot have one.  She is on a class trip and manages to get into a protected area and discovers a damaged puppy who melts her heart in one glance.  She trys every way she can think of to convince her parents that this dog is meant for her.

An engaging collection of stories about the relationships that animals experience between each other and humans.

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Radiant Angel by Nelson DeMille

My first encounter with Mr. DeMille's writing was listening to his book Plum Island while on vacation.  We were stuck in traffic on the turnpike and Mr. DeMille was able to keep us focused on the story and not stressing out.

I went on to read most, if not all of his work.  For the most part, I have enjoyed his writing.  His themes appear to be thought provoking and the stories move along quickly.  I particularly like the character of John Corey.  Corey is a member of the Anti-Terrorist Task Force and becomes embroiled in a variety of unsavory situtations.

In this entry, Corey has left the task force and returned to New York City to take a position with less intensity, or so he thought.  He is given the task of surveilling Russian diplomats working at the U.N.
The plot involves Russians and a nuclear device housed in a suitcase.

This is a contemporary, fast-paced thriller that has all the excitement often fostered by a motion picture.  Great story.

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The Green Road by Ann Enright

This author is the recipient of a Man Booker Prize for her novel The Gathering.  This prize is awarded each year for the best original novel. That is what prompted me to pick up her latest entry entitled "The Green Road".

This story tells of a family saga spanning 30 years.  It is the story of the Madigan clan who leave their home in western Ireland to seek out adventure in Dublin, West Africa and Mali.   It is a story about the travails that many families incur.

I checked this book out from the library several weeks ago.  It sat in a stack on my desk and I tried getting into it several times.  I did get as far a chapter 3 but could not motivate myself to read further. I found the story to be sluggish and it just didn't keep my attention.

You may have better luck with it!

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The Midnight House by Alex Berenson

John Wells goes undercover for the government to determinne who killed a former CIA agent and also killed an army veteran.   His investigation takes him around the world, and eventually leads him to Poland where he discovers a secret base which is operating by their own set of rules.

Originally published in 2011, this is a high intensity novel which will leave you wanting to read more by this author.  His newest entry, published in 2015, is Twelve Days.  Other titles in his body of work include The Ghost War, The Silent Man and The Faithful Spy, The Counterfeit Agent.

A good read for those of you who enjoy subterfuge leading to the unexpected.

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Rising Phoenix by Kyle Mills

While perusing my bookshelf the other day, I came across this title which was actually published in 1997.  I don't make a habit of reviewing older books but every once in a while, I do.

This was a new author to me.  However, when I looked at his body of work, his name became more familiar.  He has written several books and has continued the series that Robert Ludlum started.  He has a new book coming out later this year.

Rising Phoenix is the story of a diabolical plan to intensify the war on drugs by poisoning the narcotics supply.  They publish ads warning users to quit their habits or face the consequences.
FBI agent Mark Beamon teams up with agent Laura Viechi and together they tackle the unknown perpetrators. Facing a daunting task, the team perseveres and reaches a stunning revelation.

A fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

This new novel is written by Sara Gruen, of Water for Elephants fame. She has written several other books including Ape House, Riding Lesson and Flying Changess.  I have read three of her titles and I'd have to say I like her style of writing.  Her stories are easy to follow and interesting.

This latest entry takes place in Scotland, primarily.  The main character is Madeline Hyde who is a member of high society.  She and her husband Ellis attend a New Year's eve celebration and their behavior at said party is less than acceptable.  As a result Maddie and Ellis are asked to leave the home of Ellis' parents and find themselves in financial decline.

In an effort to get back in his father' good graces, Ellis and his friend Hank decide to go to Scotland to take pictures of The Lockness Monster.  Ellis' father has been preoccupied with the animal for many years and Ellis is bent on proving the monster's existence. Maddie, Ellis, and Hank embark on a precarious trip.

However, this novel has an undercurrent theme which focuses on Maddie and the emotional abuse she has endured for most of her life.  While in Scotland, she begins to realize the exxtent of her suffering and eventually garners the strength to do something about it.

The epilogue discusses some of the real events on which this story was based.  All in all, this novel was good-but not great.  I would point out that it reveals some of the elitist attitudes that present themselves among those who have real difficulty empathizing with others less fortunate.

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The Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman

World War II, Portofino, Italy is the setting for this poignant novel.

Elodie, an only child has the gift of music.  An accomplished cello player, she is enlisted by the Resistance to transmit coded messages through musical scores which are then played to an audience capable of understanding the code.

She loses her father at the hands of the Gestapo who beat him so badly he never recovers.  Her mother and Elodie escape to find safety in the home of a friend.  Eloidie then finds passage to the port of Potorfino where she is rescued by a doctor.

A vulnerable young woman, she is profoundly affected by the effects of war but is able to look forward with hope through the generosity of a stranger.

A well-written account which is based on a true story, The Garden of Letters is yet another perspective of a difficult time in the history of the world.

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Housebroken by Sonja Yoerg

The things that attracted me toward reading this novel were the occupation of the main character which is veterinarian and the puppy on the cover.  However, I discovered that these were just "teasers" for drawing in the vast majority of people who are dog lovers.

Actually, the story is about a southern family that is less than perfect.  We don't glimpse much of the early days of the family except for flashbacks intermittenly dispersed throughout the story which substantiate the particular premise that is being promoted.

As stories go, this was a quick read.  I came to like the main character, Geneva who has been mystified by the family secrets and yet is somewhat reluctant to delve too deeply into what really happened.

The author has written another nonfiction book but this is her first novel.  There is nothing particularly "new" about this story but it does include a discussion guide and that makes it good fodder for a book discussion group.

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Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

A. delightful story about a young woman who is enamoured with the yuppie lifestyle.  She and her partner Chris start a graphic design business, purchase an expensive flat and seem to be content with excessive spending.  As time goes on, the business declines until they lose it all.  Polly and Chris go their separate ways.

Polly's lifestyle changes dramatically and she decides to take up residency on a small island off the coast of England.  She discovers that she has a hidden talent and she capitalizes on it.  She finds herself absorbed in the island way of life and begins to feel as if it was what she was meant to do all along.

Essentially, this is a novel about learning to be strong.  Being able to put the past behind you and look to the future with hope and assurance.

The author has written several other books, one of which I have read entitled West End Girls.  If you would like a change from thrillers, mysteries and the like, this story is sure to invite you in to look at life in a small town.   I found myself picturing the town featured on the popular English series,  Doc Martin while I was reading it.

Enjoy!

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Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner

This author is one that has written many stories that held my attention in the past. This latest entry was a bit slow at times.  Nevertheless, I read it in its' entireity.

The story opens with a single car accident.   Nicole Frank manages to disengage herself from the vehicle.  When the police find her, she reeks of scotch and is calling out for a child named Vero.
The police interrogate her, along with her husband and something just doesn't seem plausible.

As the story progresses, the reader is taken to construing many different scenariors but you'll have to read it to the end to find out the answers.

I wouldn't discount this book.  Suffice to say if you're a Lisa Gardner fan, you'll want to read it. I will say it is not my favorite in her repitoire.

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Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes

Scarlett Rainsford is on vacation with her parens and sister.  On the night before the is slated to leave, Scarlett disappears.  After an investigation, the police are unsure as to whether she ran away or was she abducted.

Lou, who is in charge of a Major Crimes team,is embroiled in other cases but she is intent on finding out what happene to Scarlett.  While reviewing another case, she begins to see connections between the two cases.

Ten years go by and Scarlett is discovered during the raid of a brothel.  The police are very interested in uncovering what has transpired over the past years.  They question Scarlett etensively although she is a reluctant victim.

Human trafficking is a very current issue that  needs to be addressed constantly.  It is my hope that we raise our young women to be alert, self-confident and safe.  Unfortunately, Scarlett, as a bruised individual, was unsure of her self-worth and put herself in a very vulnerable situation.

Although this author has written several books, this is the first I have read.  This is the second book in her new series entitled "Briarstone Crime".  It might be a good idea to read the first book Under A Silent Moon before you tackle this entry.  Often, it gives the reader insight into the main characters and subsequent entries flow more easily.

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Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum

This is a brand-new author whose credentials are impressive. The book is well-written.  Sentence syntax is well constructed and the story flows well.

My criticism of this title is relegated to the theme.  Anna, the main character suffers from a mental disability and is a malcontent.  She spends most of her spare time exploring ways to perk herself up.  Among her extra curricula exploits are sexual entanglements.  However, she also takes language courses and avails herself of therapy sessions.

Basically, this was a depressing story.  As a person who tends to route for the underdog, I found myself hoping that Anna would have a breakthrough and positive experiences would fill up her life.  She has a husband who loves her and three children.   She lives in an upscale suburb and has been given the opportunity to care for herself and her family without the pressure of a career.

I'm not about to "throw the baby out with the bathwater:" and hope that Ms. Essbaum's next novel has a more positive slant.

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14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

This book is the latest entry in Mr. Patterson's murder club series.  It re-visits the usual characters that the series is famous for.

Lindsey Boxer is embroiled in a series of shocking crimes that lead investigators to discover that the crimes are being perpetrated by a group wearing SFPD jackets.  Of course this leads the public to distrust the police department.

Yuki leaves her position to work for the opposite side of the justice system. Her decision is based on her belief that a particular crime did not go down as reported.

Cindy is now a brand-new author and has re-kindled her relationship with Rich Conklin.

Lindsey's husband Joe loses his job and does some free-lance investigating.

Claire Washburn, medical examiner has a less than prominent role in this novel.

One of the things I like about this latest entry was snippets of the relationship between Joe and Lindsey. When you've read the entire series, you feel as if you know each of the characters personally and each new entry invites the reader back into the fold.

I did not find this story to be high intensity.  However, I like the way these author's write.

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The Liar by Nora Roberts

Ms. Roberts is one of the most prolific authors I have had the pleasure of reading.  Although I have not read everything she has ever written, I've read enough of her work to say that her stories are well -written and enjoyable.

The Liar is the story of Shelby Foxworth, a lovely young woman from Tennessee has most recently coped with the death of her husband.  While trying to get her life together, she uncovers many things about her husband that she was unaware of.  The most important being that he was a liar and left her with an enormous amount of debt.

Not to be dismayed, Shelby picks herself up, sells their home and most of their possessions, and leaves for her family home with their daughter, Callie.  At home she finds employment and the love and support of her parents, sibling and friends.

This novel explores the strength of a young woman who has been beaten down by making the wrong choices in life.  It suggests that everyone makes mistakes but that the important thing is being able to reach down to that inner source of fortitude," pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again."*

Thank you Ms. Roberts for composing a good story.

Ladybookbug!

*lyric from the song Pick Yourself Up

Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, M.D.and Susie Flaherty

This book was suggested by a library patron who has read extensively on this subject.

Although it reads like a textbook, it is extremely well organized and very informative.  Many different contributors added thoughts and ideas to the subject. It has a complete appendix, glossary of terms, reading list and resources.  One cannot come away from reading this title and not be well-informed of the scope of this condition.

The book is sectioned into four parts.  Part One deals with the onset of gluten as a concern in our diets and addresses differrent conditions that are manifested as a result of gluten in the diet.  The authors speak about how important it is to get the correct diagnoses.

Part Two is all about learning to live without gluten. It gives recipe suggestions as well as how to dine out and address any concerns you might have.

Part Three shows how to live gluten free for life.  If offers a myriad of ideas that cover the span of a lifetime, beginning with pregnancy and continuing through the later years.

Part Four defines preventative measures that can be taken which provide alternatives to the gluten-free diet. Several studies that were conducted are also discussed in part four.

All in all, this is a well-written book that addresses much of the mystery surrounding gluten and its' adverse effects.  If you have any difficulty with gluten, this would be a good book to include on your bookshelf.

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Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

The title of this novel refers to a condition known as Obsessive Compulsion Disorder.  A teenaged boy with this condition has just begun treatment with Dr. Eric Parrish.  In his initial interview with the doctor, Max admits that he strings a sentence in his head every fifteen minutes of the day.

Dr. Parrish is chief of the psychiatric unit of a prestigous hospital and is both envied and respected by his colleagues.  He does not realize that there are people who want to dethrone him from his position and will go to any length to do so.

The author brings up several interesting topics in this story including the preponderence of sociopaths in society, usage of "virtual" medical records and doctors receiving kickbacks from drug companies, any of which might be a book in itself.

Ms. Scottoline has had much success in writing thrillers.  I have read many of them and can tell you they are exciting and hard to put down.  This one was no exception. Her ability to motivate the reader by introducing a variety of suspects who may be behind the entire deception is amazing.  I was totally surprised when the culprits were ultimately revealed.

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The Reluctant Midwife by Patricia Harman

Becky Myers is a registered nurse.  She has become esconced in the hills of West Virginia during the depression.  A difficult time for most Americans, West Virginia is a place that has widespread unemployment, food shortages and sickness.  However, women still become pregnant and Becky is pulled in to help with childbirth.

Becky is accompanied by her former employer, Dr Blum who suffers with an unexplained sickness. They are both destitute and have no place to live.  They discover an abandoned cottage and take up housekeeping.

Becky finds employment delivering groceries and eventually as a part-time nurse working for the Civilian Conservation Corps.

This is a good book to add to a bibliography for older students studying the Great Depression.  It explores some of the issues of that time and gives the reader a human interest story as a backdrop.

Ms. Harman has written a previous novel about the same character entitled The Midife of Hope River, as well as two memoirs.

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Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova

Many, many prolific authors and some one- hit wonders have been given the distinction of being called "New York Times Bestselling".  Unfortunately good writing and this New York Times handle do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.  This author is the exception.

Ms. Genova has a Doctorate in neuroscience and all of her books combine scientific infomation with the human story.  I have had the pleasure of reading all of her novels which include Love Anthony, Left Neglected and Still Alice. Each addresses a specific human malady and explores the condition from the viewpoint of the afflicted.

Inside the O'Briens focuses on Huntington' Chorea, a devastating progressive disease for which there is no cure.  Joe, the patriarch of the family, is a member of Boston's police force.  He is married to Rosie and they have four children.

Ms. Genova takes great pains to explore the family dynamics, as well as portraying Joe as a likeable everyday guy who is at first confused by what he is experiencing and then is facing the unthinkable.

I'd be hard-pressed to say that this is a happy story although it has moments where the depth of love is beautifully presented.  At its best this novel tells the story of the tenacity of family love and the resilience of human beings faced with insurmountable circumstances.  The novel also includes pertinent information about this disease.

Well done!

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Someone is Watching by Joy Fielding

Bailey Carpenter is a special investigator for a law firm.  One night she is scoping out a deadbeat dad and is oblivious to the danger she has put herself in.  Suddenly she is brutally attacked and nearly killed.

As a result of the attack her firm hold on life is visibly shaken.  She decides to hole up in her apartment. She takes on a harmless diversion of looking at a neighbor in a nearby apartment complex. After a while the diversion begins to consume her and she becomes convinced that the neighbor may be the very person who committed the crime against her.

As you read this novel, you will easily connect it with Hitchcock's Rear Window.   Nevertheless, it is equally exciting in its' own right.

Ms. Fielding is the author of several previous novels including Charley's Web and Mad River Road both of which are highly recommended.

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The Dog Who Saved Me by Susan Wilson

Ms  Wilson has written several books about dogs. Having read one of her previous books entitled, One Good Dog, I was looking forward to this one.

Cooper Harrison, a former member of the K-9 Unit at the Boston Police Department has returned to his hometown of Harmony to take on the position of animal control person.  His marriage is on the skids and his demeanor is as well and he hopes the new position will change his life for the better.

Unfortunately, returning to his hometown was not the best choice.  Old memories haunt him and he finds himself slipping back to old fears and concerns.  The good news is that Cooper has an innate ability to relate to dogs and other animals.  This ability bodes well with both the human and animal counterparts.

A comparatively gentle read that is interspersed with drama, Ms Wilson has lured us into another heartwarming story about a damaged dog and man who manage to get healed and move forward.

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Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

This is a very prolific author.  While I have not read all of her books, the ones that I have are stories that seem connected to the headlines.  They are stories that speak of ordinary lives transformed by unexpected events.  In many instances, the plots are constructed with every attention to detail and they keep the reader immersed in the storyline as if listening to every conversation.

Keep Quiet has a beginning scene that has been presented in several other stories recently.  However, the body of the book offers a different slant.  This is a technique that is often used in the teaching of writing.  Would-be authors are given a simple sentence and asked to continue the story,  The results are varied and interesting.

Jake is the owner of a small investment firm.  His wife, Pam is a lawyer.  They have one son who is a star basketball player at a local school.  Jake picks his son up one night to take him home.  They take a shortcut on a dark road.  Jake agrees to let Ryan drive even though he only has a learner's permit.While driving, Ryan hears a thump.  They get out of the car and discover a body laying on th ground.  The story takes off from there.

This was a well written story about the unraveling of a family unit.  It speaks volumes about how a family that appears to be perfect on the surface can suddenly be thrown into a turbulent situation that shakes their very foundations.

It is also a story about the strength of family and how an invisible bond helps it to stand strong in the face of adversity.   It is a story about love and that despite unfavorable circumstances in life can move forward.

Well done.

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A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

This is the 20th novel penned by this Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Like many of her stories,this
one is like visiting old friends.

It is the story of the Whitshank family through four generations.  It is a story that unfolds as the reader is propelled to find out more about each character.  There are secrets to be shared, laughter and the ability to witness the genuine love that permeates this family.

The house is at the center of this family legacy and the story of how the family came to be living in it is interesting in and of itself.  As the older generations age, the younger generations step up to the plate and gather everyone in.

A gentle story told in the very familiar writing of a consumate author.

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Winter at the Door by Sara Graves

This author's series entitled "The Home Repair Homicide" has been around for quite a while and is very popular.  This title is a stand-alone.

Lizzie Snow moves from Boston to a remote spot in Bearkill, Maine.  Many observers cannot understand why she would make such a change.  Lizzie is in pursuit of her niece who disappeared several years ago and has been spotted in the remote area.

Lizzie becomes an assistant to the local sheriff and immerses herself in small-town life. Not without it's own demons, Bearkill has become a hotspot for the murders of former policemen.   In addition, Lizzie has the distinct feeling she is being watched.

Ms. Graves has given her readers an interesting character in the form of Lizzie Snow.  A no-nonsense kind of female, she exhibits her own foilbles but manages to check her emotions and deal with the problems at hand.

Although I did not feel compelled to read this mystery, it kept me interested.

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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Rachel takes the same train every day.  She passes the same houses.  She starts noticing a couple sharing a drink on their patio.  Each day as the train passes, she looks for the couple.  She has given them names and feels a part of their lives.  Little does she know she will indeed become a part in the future.

Rachel has lost her marriage and her job.  She also has a severe drinking problem.  She has difficulty coping with life in general.  She spends a great deal of time contacting her ex and his new family.

Enter Megan who just happens to be one half of the happy couple Rachel witnesses while traveling on the train.

Enter Anna, her ex's new wife who is troubled by Rachel's apparent need to disrupt their family.

These three women are the main characters in this first novel by Ms. Hawkins.   The book is off to a promising start.  Our libray has to order another copy because the holds on this book have already begun to back up.  Who knows--it might just take off like 50 Shades did.  I hope it does.

Although this story started out very slow, it rapidly picked up the pace and I found that I could not put it down.  I had come up with several scenarios before the climax.  The author seems to have the knack for creating a suspenseful plot that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Good job!

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The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes

This title was published in 2012.  It was chosen by my book discussion group to be the next title we would discuss.  When I first picked this book up I had some difficulty getting into it.  I put it aside for a few weeks and went back to it.  Then, I could not put it down but read it till I was done.

The story starts out  in WWI in a small town in France that is occupied by the Germans.  Sophie Lefevre lives with her sister and children in a small hotel.  One of the German officers spies Sophie and she decides to risk it all in the hope that she will see her husband again.

The author then skips to 2006 where a young widow, Liv Halston has been approached by a company who seeks to recover stolen paintings.  Unknown to Liv, the painting her husband gave her on their honeymoon belongs to the ancestors of Sophie.  The painting is entitled "The Girl You Left Behind" and is actually a portrait of Sophie painted by her husband.

Liv is vehement about not releasing the painting.  She becomes emboiled in Sophie's history and seeks to clear Sophie's name. In so doing, Liv learns much about Sophie and more about herself.

This is a story about tenacity and hope and the resilience of a young woman torn by the ravages of war.

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Cold Betrayal by J.A. Jance

It's been a number of years since I read this author.  She was first suggested to me by an avid library patron.  She has an easy writing style and the storylines are simple to follow. This latest entry is part of Ms. Jance's Ali Reynolds' series.

Ali has recently married and her new daughter-in-law Betsy approaches her about some concerns which Betsy feels fall right in line with Ali's expertise.  Betsy's grandmother has been experiencing some scary things and Betsy feels her grandmother's life is in danger.  Ali jumps in and tries to straighten everything out.

Meanwhile, a young and pregnant woman escapes from a religous cult and in doing so, opens up a can of worms.  Local law enforcement are implicated in this heinous plot against young women. Sister Anselm plays a major force in the complicated mystery.

Although this is a "light" read, it deals with serious and difficult topics and the author handles them well.

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Endangered by C.J. Box

Here you have it--Joe Pickett is one of my favorite characters ever.  C.J. Box has written 15 books about this now famous game warden whose purview is the state of Wyoming. Joe is a no-nonsense kind of guy with a heart of gold for his wife Marybeth and his three daughters.  The fact that Joe's number one sidekick just happens to be a yellow labrador named Daisy jumps him up a few notches in my estimation.

In this latest episode of Joe's saga, his daughter April has been found beaten and lying in a ditch. Joe's best friend Nate has just been released from prison after a four month stint and Joe has just discovered 21 dead sage grouse ( a species of bird that is close to being on the endangered species list).

As usual, C.J. Box takes the reader on an exciting traipse through the woods of Wyoming in search of the perpetrators of the crimes.  You can almost smell the pine trees and feel your feet sinking in the mounds of snow as you are propelled forward to unravel the twists and turns of Pickett's latest adventure.

Joe puts his seemingly limitless energy into trying to find out who did this to April, who killed all the birds, who tried to kill Nate and what happened to Nate's girlfriend Liv. Although some of the reveals seemed predictable, C.J. Box does not let us see how all the dots are connected until very late in the story.

Lots of action-packed scenes and believable characters go a long way to making this another great read from a great author.

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Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

A comparatively gentle read as this author is noted for.  No explicit violence or sex.  Ms. Macomber leaves it to the reader's imagination.  When patrons came into the library in search of good stories I might recommend for a maiden aunt or grandmother, this author's works came to mind first.  I never recall anyone coming back and saying that the stories weren't graphic enough.  Nine times out of ten they came back totally appreciative of the suggestion and wanting to read more of this author's work.

Last One Home is the story of a family of three sisters.  It is reflective of the indisputeable bond that exists between siblings, even those who may have been separated for decades.  Each of the sisters has her own problems to deal with.  All of the issues are not fully revealed until the end of the story but the reader can readily assume that their lives are not perfect. The other thread that connects all three is their fierce independence and although life gives them valleys, they all exhibit and inner strength that propells them forward.

Cassie is the middle sister who runs away from home at the age of 18, following a catastrophic event. During the time she is away, life happens.  Her parents die.  Her sisters marry and have children. Cassie returns to her home state of Washington and is contacted by one of her sisters. The sisters reconnect and the family is reborn.

I've never read a book by this author that I didn't like.  That's saying quite a bit because many prolific authors cannot seem to maintain the caliber of some of their strongest work across the board.  So, thank you Debbie Macomber for using your Godgiven talent so beautifully over the years.

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I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan

This is a book that any of us who worked or work in a Public Library setting could have written.
That being said, would we want to write it?

At first I was intrigued by the setting and the topics.  I actually laughed at a few of the entries. However, as I read further, I was dismayed to see some of the entries seemed to make fun of the patrons' deficiencies.

In my opinion, librarians should focus on bringing their best to their patrons.  Recognizing that every patron is not necessarily well informed as to the language of technology, it behooves us to enlighten them and do whatever it takes to equip them to travel through the labyrinth of the Web and all of its' idiosyncracies.

Life is an interesting journey and working in a public library offers a myriad of learning situations. Certainly, I experienced a fair share of exciting situations and thoroughly enjoyed helping patrons to "learn the ropes".  At no time did I consider compiling those less than perfect moments into a published work for others to derive humor from.  I simply chalked them up to experience and thought about what I had learned.

To be kind, the author redeemed herself in the last chapter of the book where she spoke about some of the poignant moments.  Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention that some of the entries were experienced by other librarians who posted to the author's blog.

All in all, I'm not sorry I read this book but I came away disappointed that my fellow librarians think it is okay to make fun of other people's confusion, learning deficits and inability to cope.

Nuff said!

Ladybookbug!

Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger

I've maintained a book review blog for over seven years. In all that time, I've given negative reviews on very few titles.  One of the reasons is that most of the books I've read have piqued my interest and the writers have been good.

I've read many, if not all of this author's work.  Most of the stories have captured me from the first sentence.  Some have led me through several chapters before I got hooked.  This one--not so much. .

The problem with this book was the way that it was written.  I had a great deal of difficulty getting immersed in the story because I had figured it out from the get-go.  That left me a bit bored and for the last 150 pages, skimming the paragraphs.

Ian, the main character has had a troubled life.  For all of his success, Ian still has to confront the vestiges of his past and he does so through dugs, booze and sex.  He falls in love with a beautiful young woman and hopes that his life will change for the better.  Negative influences permeate his good intentions and his struggle continues.

Read it if you must!

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The Global War on Morris by Steve Israel

Morris Feldstein is a pharmacutical salesman.  Rona Feldstein (Moris' wife) is a CSW with the heart of a Jewish mother.  Victoria is a secretary at a doctor's office that Morris services.  Ricardo Montoyez is Victoria's blind date.  Hassan is a towel boy at the resort where Mr. & Mrs. Feldstein are staying.  This all sounds simple enough but there is more to the story.

Morris sleeps with Victoria. Montoyez is a self-proclaimed drug lord.  Hassan is also part of a terrorist sleeper cell.  They all come together to create a tableau of subterfuge and espionage that has the FBI sitting up and alert.

This was a very funny account of a story with serious undertones.  It had me laughing from the start. Well done Congressman Israel.

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One step too far by Tina Seskis

Another first time author who hails from the United Kingdom.

This is the story of Emily Coleman, wife, mother and sister to her twin, Caroline.  Emily leads what some would think is a charmed life.  She is married to the love of her life, lives in a cottage that she has high hopes of fixing up and is mother to a little boy.  A former career woman, she has decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

Everything is going very well and like so many things in life that go well, something happens to upset the entire apple cart.  Emily decides it is time to leave this happy life and without telling her family, takes off to live in London under the radar.  She creates a new identify for herself and dabbles in things that she never would have pursued in her former life.

The author is adept at keeping the reader from guessing just what happened in the main character's life that would make her want to leave her happy home.  That's a good storyteller and I applaud her for it.

The jacket indicates that she is working on her second novel.  I look forward to reading it.

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No Fortunate Son by Brad Taylor

This is another entry in the author's Pike Logan series.  Although I was not familiar with this author's work, it did wet my interest and it did not disappoint.

Pike Logan and his partner, Jennifer Cahill become embroiled in a mission to find the kidnapped son of the Vice President.  Through a very tangled web that takes the duo to different parts of the world, they are able to follow the path that the kidnappers have so carefully designed.

The action scenes in this fast moving novel keep the reader eager to turn the page to find out what happens next.

One of the more interesting aspects of this story is that while many Americans equate the term terrorist with a particular ethnic group, this plot entertains other ethnicities as having the drive to do similar harm to the U.S.A.

No Fortunate Son exemplifies the lengths that a counterterrorist unit will go to uncover devious plots against America.

Good writing.  Good storyline.

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Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

Ordinarily I would not choose a book on the topic of ghostly encounters.  However, our library has selected it for the next book discussion so I decided to give it a chance.

The premise of this story is that a furniture store was built on the site of a prison which existed in the 1800's.  Unknown to the current occupants, the site has a collection of ghosts inhabitating the store, behind the scenes.

Some of the store's employees begin to notice that some of the furniture has been defaced and it appears that someone is in the store at night.  The manager of the store enlists the aid of two workers to watch the store on an overnight shift.  They, along with the manager and two other employees, become targets of the ghosts and all hell breaks loose.

After reflecting on this story, I think that the author has presented the reader with a strong protagonist in the character of Amy.  She is presented as a bit of an air-head who has hopes of moving upward in the company but thus far has been unable to do so.  During the "incident" she is prodded and jostled and is in fear of her life.  However, she prevails and is able to assist her manger to safety. Unfortunately, some of her co-workers are not as lucky.

Although Amy is able to continue on with her life, she does not forget her lost co-workers and returns to the site and begins working for a new store in an effort to bring them to safety.

Well I do not embrace the existence of ghosts,  I have to say this was a unique spin on an old story line.

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Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The author himself has been on television promoting his latest entry.  He mentions in the ad that a number of things are happening in Vegas and that's true.  However, this reader had some difficulty keeping the stories straight.

To begin with, there are two diplomats from Sumar who are demonstrating  behavior  that is indicative  of derranged individuals and  they are being watched by Private.  Then there is a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) who is engaging women to learn how to commit murder.  In addition, a member of the Private staff has been "set-up" and is on trial for a crime he did not commit. There is also a gang of teens who are intent of doing damage to the toys of the rich.

As usual, Mr. Patterson's book is fast-paced and the chapters are short and to the point and I think this is one of the areas where the author's strength lies.  It is very easy to read through any of his books quickly.  He also manages to come up with interesting and unique plots which is hard to do in this climate.

I'll continue to read this author's books because I like the style of writing and quite frankly, I like the stories.  I am so looking forward to his next Alex Cross who, in my opinion, has only one other competitor on my Patterson bookshelf and that is--Michael Bennett.

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The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

This is the second book in a series.  The first title was The Rosie Project.  I have not read it but a brief synopsis appears on the jack of the current title which states the Don Tillman was intent on finding a life partner.  He created a sixteen-page questionnaire to find the perfect match.  He did.

When The Rosie Effect opens, Don and Rosie have been married for about ten months.  Their entire marriage is built on spontaniety and Don loves it.  They don't even plan what they are having for dinner.  However, Don is not prepared for the ultimate surprise which is that Rosie is pregnant.

Don is used to a ordered life and he finds himself in a predicament.  A series of events puts him in a precarious situation, not the least of which may be the dismanteling of everything he holds dear.

A good enough story but it didn't really hold my interest.  Perhaps if I had read the first book, I would have been more interested in the second.

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Cold, Cold Heart by Tami Hoag

In this latest entry by a prolific author, Dana Nolan, an up and coming television reporter, experiences a horrific act.  She spends much time recuperating in the hospital and a rehabilitation center and eventually decides to return to her hometown.

Her arrival sparks the interest of the media along with an unsolved case involving a childhood friend. Dana decides to explore the events leading up to the disappearance of her best friend and in pursuing this line of interest stirs up somethings she might be safer leaving alone.

The story is told through the eyes of a survivor who must work with the overt disabilities she has incurred, as well as suffering with PTSD.  A consumate writer, the author keeps the reader guessing as to who is the perpetrator of the long ago incident and it is not truly revealed until the last few chapters.

Be sure to read the authors note at the end of the book.  It is both enlightening and interesting.

Ladybookbug!