Stolen by Daniel Palmer

Imagine your wife has been diagnosed with cancer.  She needs medical treatment to the tune of $300,000.  You submit your claim to your insurance carrier only to find out that she must use the generic version of the drug.   Unfortunately the drug is out of stock and the insurance will only cover the generic. John Bodine goes to the insurance carrier and negotiates with them.  They say they will provide about $12,000 to cover the real drug.  What would you do?

Bodine comes up with an ingenious plan to steal someone's identity and submit medical claims under that person's name.  The plan seems to work until he gets a phone call one night.  The caller has discovered his trespass and will not report his insurance fraud if John agrees to play a game called "Criminal".  The caller lays out crimes that both John and his wife must complete to avoid being prosecuted.  The crimes become more heinous as time goes on.

A well constructed novel.  Very realistic and worth the read.

Ladybookbug!

Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline

Dr. Mike Scanlon is serving his country as an army doctor in Afghanistan as this story opens.  He's left behind a lovely wife and baby daughter and he will not be there to celebrate her first Christmas.  It tugs at his heartstrings and he emails his wife and skypes as often as he can.

As difficult as his duties are in Afghanistan, they turn out to be nothing compared to what is waiting for him at home.  His wife, Chloe dies suddently in a freak accident, leaving their family distraught.
Mike returns home to bury his wife and make arrangements for his daughter's care.  While there he learns that his practice has suffered while he was gone and his daughter doesn't even recognize him.
He also becomes embroiled in the mystery of his wife's death, coupled with a secret she kept from him. Faced with mounting difficulties, Mike must garner up the strength and courage to face them all and he does eventually.

This story will motivate you to keep on reading until you unravel who the culprit is.

Ladybookbug!

The Start of Everything by Emily Winslow

This book had some good reviews and some not-so-good.  Overall, it was interesting enough but I became confused with the story.  The writing was boring and did nothing to draw me in.

I did not finish this book and I doubt, I'll return to it at a later date.  But-who knows, maybe I will.

If you like British mysteries, then you may enjoy it-otherwise skip it.  Give your time to something really good.

Ladybookbug!

Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

What an awesome delight!  Of course, I've never read a book by Elizabeth Berg that I didn't like and this one is a treasure. 

Four women come together to share a house.  Each person comes with their own problems and issues.  Each has proved her stamina in spite of them.  Cecilia, a motivational speaker decides to sell her home after her neighbor dies.  Lise, a physician owns the home and is having difficulty dealing with her daughter.  Joni is a chef and prepares scrumptous meals for all of them.  Renie has a deep secret that has been clawing at her for many years.

They decide to take a road trip because Cecilia receives a postcard from an old flame.  Each woman, in turn, has a good reason to accompany her on the trip.  They visit a piemaker, the home of a waitress and other interesting places.

This book is filled with pearls of wisdom.  While visiting Wanda (the waitress) in her home, Wanda says "I'll tell you, though.  I do think all people carry one burden, and that's fear. It's a problem what fear makes people do, and also what it keeps them from doing.......and then one day you just go ahead and do it anyway and there you are: blue skies." p. 175

After reading this book, I'm ready to take that road trip.  Don't miss reading it--you'll be missing a wonderful read.

Ladybookbug!

No Way Back by Andrew Gross

I first came across this author by way of James Patterson. They have penned several titles together including:
2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, The Jester, Judge & Jury and Lifeguard.  He has also written a great list of mystery books in his own right.  He is one of the authors I read on a regular basis, placing holds on his new titles as soon as I can.

No Way Back  opens with Wendy Gould (ex-cop) at a bar in a local hotel.  She is waiting for a girlfriend to join her.  While waiting she flirts with a guy sitting on a near-by stool.  The girlfriend never shows up and Wendy ends up in a room with the guy.  All hell breaks loose in the hotel room and Wendy flees the scene, getting home as quickly as possible.  Things at home don't go as planned and soon Wendy is a fugitive on the run.

It becomes obvious to the reader that things are not as they seem and Wendy uses her sleuthing techniques to uncover what is the truth behind what occurred.  In doing so, she befriends an attorney and meets Lauritza, a women who has her own secrets.  Together, they embark on a journey into treacherous territory in an effort to find out the truth.

A good thriller that is very believable.

Ladybookbug!

Safe House by Chris Ewan

If you like Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, James Grippando etc. you simply MUST read this book.  I could not put this book down.

The author lives on the Isle of Man and coincidentally this is where the setting of the book is.  He was voted one of America's favorite British authors in a poll published by Huffington Post.  I did not know this but read it on the book flap.  I do agree.

Rob Hale, a motorcyclist wakes up in the hospital after a crash.  The last thing he remembers is that a blonde woman was riding on the back of his bike.  Unfortunately, she has vanished without a trace.  The authorities believe Rob is making up the whole story.  Rob decides to look into matters himself to find out what really happened to her.

And so begins a fast-paced thriller that has the reader racing along believing that the answer is right around the corner and then--are led off into another direction.  The writing is so well-done, you may feel as if you are watching it on t.v.

Definitely worth your time.

Ladybookbug!

Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

I've been reading this author for years and am never disappointed.  Her novels are contemporary and light.  Her characters are realistic and people we'd like to meet.

Starting Now is the story of an intelligent young woman Libby Morgan who is willing to give up everything for her job.  She soon realizes that perhaps sacrificing all is not the answer.  She begins to invest time in doing things that give her great satisfaction and in the process begins to uncover who she really is.

Libby makes many new friends, including a young, pregnant teenager.  Through her friendship with Libby, the young girl is able to get through a very difficult time.

Typical Debbie Macomber, a light enjoyable read.

Ladybookbug!