The Last Minute by Jeff Abbott

Having read Mr. Abbott's previous thrilled Adrenaline, I was anxious to find out what happened to Sam Capra and I was not disappointed. Mr. Abbott has thrilled us again with a fast-paced mystery. This time Sam is in search of his baby boy. The child has been kidnapped by an unsavory organization and they plan to hold Sam hostage to do whatever they deem in order to get his son back. A former CIA-agent, Sam now works for a secret network under the guise of managing several bars. Sam is led through a series of twists and turns as he joins another person who is desperately trying to find her own daughter. Hang on to your seats for this thriller. Not as thrilling as the mini- series Missing with Ashley Judd, but close. Ladybookbug!

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Oprah's 2.0 Book Club chose this book as their first book of the new season. Honestly, that's what made me want to read it. Not a fan of memoir's, I was drawn to this story because it is all about something that I wish I had the physical stamina to accomplish. Not familiar with the author prior to reading her memoir makes me even more likely to read some of her other work. Cheryl Strayed is someone I'd like to have dinner with and talk and talk and talk some more. Her story reaches into those dark recesses of the mind and soul and encourages us to keep on keeping on. As you join her in her trek across the Pacific Crest Trail, you will feel as if you are actually there. Her descriptive details go a long way toward helping the reader own the story. Many of us struggle with not knowing who we really are and what we're capable of. Cheryl proves that she had the courage to step outside her comfort zone and face her fears. I applaud her for it and look forward to reading more from this author. You Go Girl! Ladybookbug!

Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

Let me say that it must be very difficult to come up with a new idea for a novel. Being a fairly prolific reader puts me in touch with just about every scenario. This new entry by Hilderbrand reeks of a similar story by Kristin Hannah called Night Road.   Be that as it may, this is still a good book. While the authors are similar in their style, I like their style of writing and I don't really mind. A tragedy occurs on a June evening. An automobile accident that leaves one person critically injured and another dead. Two other young people survive with no outside injuries. Zoe is the mother of twins whose lives were dramatically affected. The author follows the accident with a look at each individual and how they did or did not cope with the tragedy. The mystery is trying to find out why Penny accelerated the car. The usual culprits of drugs and alcohol are dismissed. A brief conversation with a friend just prior to the accident leaves the reader wondering what transpired. Hilderbrand doesn't disappoint us. We just have to read to the end. You'll want to! Ladybookbug!

Heartbroken by Lisa Unger

This new entry by Lisa Unger is billed as a thriller but I think it is much too gentle for that moniker. Birdie is a strong-willed mother of two grown children and a grandmother to boot. Her favorite place to be is Heart Island. In her family for generations, she has memories which confuse her. She longs to find out the truth regarding a long ago love affair. Kate is a young mother of two and daughter of Birdie. She feels pressured by her mother and longs to stand up for herself. Unknown to her mother, she has written a story about the family based on journals that were bequeathed to her. Emily believes she is directly connected to the family. She gets involved with an unsavory character and the result is tragedy. All three women come together during a rainstorm on the island. The storm represents the individual crisis in each woman's life. The end result is surprising. Worth a read. Ladybookbug!

Gone Missing by Linda Castillo

Rumspringa is the time when Amish Teens experiment with life outside the confines of their community. It is also a time when teens begin to disappear without a trace. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to help the local authorities find out what is happening. Her police prowess, coupled with the fact that she was once Amish herself, work together to uncover a ghastly scenario. Kate interrogates people inside the community, on the fringe and outside the community. The reader begins to suspect each new character. A subtle interjection toward the end of the book is connected when the true crime is revealed. An unusual twist at the end of the novel keeps the reader on their toes. Another intriguing mystery from this consistent author. Ladybookbug!

A Place in the Country by Elizabeth Adler

Romance, mystery, intrigue are all wrapped up in this chic lit novel by Elizabeth Adler. Caroline Evans and her teenage daughter are trying to get a handle on life. Alone, with little money and no prospects for the future, Caroline decides to move to a small English village. Utilizing her expertise as a chef, she begins cooking for a local pub. While living in the small town, Caroline decides to open her own restaurant in a dilapidated old barn. With the help of friends both past and present her dream is slowly coming true. Without warning, a new problem arises and Caroline must revisit her true self to have the courage to deal with it. While the story is not unlike many others from this author, it's still worth a read. Ladybookbug!

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick

Just for fun read this book! A delightful romp among the canines and their propensity to be drawn to needy humans. Lara Madigan is focused on finding just the right dog and matching it to just the right human. She rescues dogs from shelters and other places, gets them into tip-top shape and finds them homes. Temporarily homeless and at the end of a love affair, Lara returns home to live with her mother and bond. People in her mother's gated community learn about Lara's talents and enlist her services with much success. It would be great if this book could be made into a movie. Lot's of dog-lovers would go to see it. Ladybookbug!