In true Sarah Jio fasion, Morning Glory is a beautiful story - well really two stories. The author beautifully weaves a story of the past and a story of the present together to beautifully that it is easy to see how the two entertwine. Morning Glory is a story of finding love where you least expect it and not being afraid of falling in its wake. Mystery, intrigue and secrets abound in this beautifully woven story.

I like to feel engulfed by a book and its emotions. I found this a difficult read at first but once I found the flow of the narration, I was captivated. I found it to be a tearjerker, heart warming and very thought provoking. Definitely one I would like to pick up again and re-read just to relive the emotions brought on my the story, characters and circumstances.

A very insightful story that makes the heart examine not only your personal relationship with God, but the expectations that we place on our personal relationships. A thought provoking book that takes your soul on a journey of unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion.

I found this a very difficult read at first. However, after about 70-80 pages, I couldn't put it down. Because it is written as a diary, I found myself caught up in her character, her struggles and her victories. It was a very realistic viewpoint of life in the Territories and gave you a great appreciation for the strength, courage and fortitude of those who look that era's lifestyle in stride.

An intoxicating novel and that I just COULD NOT put down. I was captivated by the images of the historic castle and you could almost feel yourself walking its dampened halls. Full of excitement, drama, the strength of family ties, this story held me in its grasp until the last page. Full of unexpected events, the plot was unexpected and brilliant. I was sad when the story had to come to an end.

I found the book interesting and informative and at the same time very disturbing. It was a long, difficult read for me. My son has completed two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan (each a 12 month deployment) and knowing the mental anguish these soldier endure being away from their families and knowing the risks of falling into enemy hands, this book left me very uneasy and even more worrisome for their safety than before. The ability of certain soldiers to forgive and place the human nature of revenge aside and in God's hands, gave me some comfort. However, for every soldier who learns to forgive, there are way too many who are tormented by such experiences.

I love Kate Morton's books and this one was exceptional. Full of dark mysteries that captured my intrigue and imagination from page one. Great read full of many twists and turns.

I found this book captivating. It had my attention from the first chapter and I couldn't put it down. I ached for the main character's feeling of abandonment from her memory wanted to battle with her as she fought to retain her sanity, a glimmer of newfound hope and her knowledge that death was an inevitable death. A moving story that stays with you long after the cover is closed.

I opened this book expecting one kind of story and closed the book having digested a completely different, unexpected tale. I can't say that it was a story that kept me anxiously awaiting each new chapter butyet there was something about the development of the characters, the depth with which I felt their emotions, that made me want to delve a little deeper into the story. It was an easy read, a story of family, of miscommunication, of trust and mistrust, of overcoming shadows and learning to walk in the light. A story of survival.

This was just an okay read. For me it appeared a hodgepodge of short stories that never really developed. Surface stories with only surface characters. It wasn't totally boring, but I was glad when I finished it and could go on to another story.

By far NOT the best book I've ever read but I did enjoy the story at surface value. However, I felt the character of the older brother was deeply underdeveloped and while the storyline emotional maturity of the two younger children grossly overdeveloped for their ages. I was captivated by the devotion to family. I had a hard time creating a mental image of the timeline for the book because, intermingled with the old western stories and poems of the little girl, it kept feeling like the whole experience was happing in a much earlier time than 1963. I was left confused about the theme of the story .. it is okay to "run" from our sins as long as you're not caught? to aid and abet is okay if it's family or done in the name of the Lord?

I didn't really dislike the book, I just found it a bit predictable and many story lines going at the same time. The book left me feeling a bit down and feeling pity for the "recluse" and irritation towards others for not engaging in her life more. All in all, it was a quick, easy read but I don't know if I would recommend it to others.

While The Secret Garden is looked upon as a children's story, adults are never too old to be reminded that it is far too easy to set limitations upon ourselves and others than it is to believe that everything is possible. It is a wonderful, sweet story of the innocence of children, overcoming boundaries set by overly cautious adults and the beauty and blessings that are out there waiting to anyone with an open mind.

It took me a very long time to get the feel and flow the book. But I must confess, that about half way through I began to connect with the characters, had compassion for some and detest for others. The book was well written and made you feel part of the circus family. They are like their own society and upper class, lower class and the working class. I found some of the cruelty to animals almost more than I could bare. The book left with me a different look, however, on the circus and zoo animals - I fear we do them an injustice. My favorite parts of the book were those stories of th "old" Jacob in the nursing home and his outlook on life and growing old.

I found this book to be a delightful and entertaining read. Any book that stops and makes you think had fulfilled its duty and this book certainly did that. After reading this book, I have found myself taking great pains to "notice" others in proper perspective. I now notice I try to categorize people into what types of "love givers" they are and it has helped me understand the actions and reactions of certain loved ones and friends when it comes to showing love or admiration. How amazing that life and the lives of those around us can take on a different perspective when we, too, become a "Noticer".

I almost felt a better name for this book was "unremarkable creatures". I even struggled giving it a thumbs up, but the book did have its moments. While the story of Mary's struggles in poverty, her love for the sea and the secrets it washed ashore for her was interesting, I kept waiting for that "big" moment and it never arrived. Her near death experience on the beach was exciting and I almost thought that the author was going to let Mary become swept away in the very waves that held her future and her heart. It was a story of friendship, kinship, and a passion for something that is bigger than ourselves but I still found the book failing to draw me in. The one redeeming factor for this book (for me) was finding out (after the story was ended) that Mary was a real person and based on some real events. That fact alone, allowed me to give it a thumbs up. Just knowing that some of the struggles and trials faced by her were real and that she redeemed herself as an accomplished woman in spite of her adversities, made me saw it was a worthwhile read.

Karen White once again has written a wonderful story. Her books are always interlaced with family relationships, family secrets, and beautiful and descriptive settings. The Memory of Water is no exception. I think after reading just the first 20 pages I had a sense of living on the shore's edge and the lapping of the water was almost audible. There are 4 distinct characters in this book and it is divided among their individual thoughts and stories. It was a bit different flow than her other books, but I rather liked it. It gave me an opportunity to personally delve into the personalities of each one and be a part of their sorrow, fears and accomplishments. It is a story that continuously lures you to the water to unravel the mystery that happened 16 years ago that so affected the lives of once inseparable sisters. One sister remembers that night way too vividly while one has allowed time to wash away the memory in the manner in which the ebb and flow of the ocean's current can remove a footprint in the sand. But, alas, even the tide has a habit of returning bits of the seas's content back to us. Sometimes it just gets a little buried in the sand. Like the effects of an artist's hand, a picture is sometimes worth a thousand words - color this book worth the read.

How many times have we looked at some of our life choices and decisions and said, "If I had the chance to do it all over again, would I react or choose the same?" The answer is pointless, because it can never happen. But WHAT IF?????? "What Alice Forgot" is a poignant story about a women who awakens from a head injury to a world that was years ago, back before she had her first child, back when she was still in love with her husband, back when life was slow and easy. It is a wonderful story about several lives that have taken separate and lonely paths and along the way have forgotten to even miss those things that used to make them happy. Throughout the book the reader is drawn to the familiar image of a wife and mother whose life takes on changes and alterations in order to cope with hectic schedules, family demands and multi-tasking. But in the end we must all ask ourselves if the changes we make as we grow in our relationships and lifestyles are voluntary or a product of our environment? Has what used to be the center of our happiness been overlooked or taken for granted? What has been sacrificed in our lives in order to be perceived as 'successful"? This is a thought provoking story that speaks to you long after the cover is closed. Which is a good thing - lest we forget what Alice forgot.

I have always loved Karen White's books. However, I found this one much too predictable and I had the entire plot figured out during the first chapter. I was hoping for more and walked away with less. I can't say that I didn't like it, but it did not captivate me and draw me in like her normal stories.

The Language of Flowers was a beautiful yet sad story of the struggles of one girl, Victoria, while she tries to overcome a life of abandonment. Her lack of self-worth leads her on a road to destruction wherein she is determined to keep everyone at a distance and allow no one near her heart. Her only solace is flowers. Her knowledge and ability to speak with flowers creates a language unto itself. This was a heart-warming story that caused me to study the flowers I feel drawn to and wonder what story they tell. Sometimes words unspoken can be just as powerful (or more) than those uttered aloud - so goes The Language of Flowers.

I found this book in the bargain bin and it ended up being worth a fortune. The book covers the life story of one Hennie Comfort and what a "comfort" she truly is to all those around her. It is filled with stories of laughter and tears and brings home the hardships and tribulations lived by those in early America, those who ventured out West and those who gave up all in search of a dream. The theme of quilting is gently woven through out the story like a thread that ties all of the stories together, creating almost a kite string that leads up to the anchor that holds it all in place. As much as Hennie inspires those around her with wisdom, truth and friendship, she carries her own anchor that has weighed heavy on her heart for a lifetime. Her quilted life cannot be complete until she mends the threads that became unraveled in her past. Her journey is insightful and the outcome beautiful and moving.

The story was an easy read, a light romance that brought together both the present and the past. It reminded me somewhat of a Karen White story, but with much less intrigue and mystery. I enjoyed the story but felt there wasn't much depth to the plot and had the potential to be much more. All in all, however, it was enjoyable and told the story of forgiveness, regrets and unspoken thoughts. A good relaxing summer book.

Like all Karen White stories, they draw you in immediately and contain such descriptive visuals that you can swear you are standing amid her imaginery scenery. Once again she weaves a tale of family ties, unspoken and unexplained connections that almost defy human nature. I firmly believe that there are some instances from the past that continue to scream out for justice, for a voice to be heard to set things right. Sometimes it just takes a soul willing to open itself up to welcome visions from the past. Sometimes we have to close our eyes in order to see the truth staring us in the face. Karen White creates characters with such depth and sensitivity and makes you feel you've known them forever. Sea Change was a story of the power of love, the bonds of commitment and a burning desire for the truth.

I thought the premise of the book had a good theme but I found the story line a bit slow and pointless at times. It is a story riddled with lost loves, lost family, lost dreams, lost ambitions and lost books. Usually I can get "lost" in any story about books, and frankly it was the only theme that held my interest. While it wasn't a bad story, when I closed the cover my immediate thought was, "okay, what can I read next". A GOOD book should leave you pondering the story, asking questions, and finding that a bit of the story lingers with you.

Oh, to have the courage of Harold Fry -- to embark on a journey of such understanding, self-awareness and to open your eyes to a world you forgot was there, was truly a walk to remember. The author creates such a visual atmosphere that after a few chapters the muscles in your own legs ache from the feel of taking each step along with Harold. It is a must read for all those whose lives have been redirected over the years due to circumstances, desires (or even lack of desires). It is almost a spiritual awakening to those things that used to give your life meaning and reconnecting with the feelings and people who fulfilled you as a person. As Harold says, "Life is very different when you are walking through it." We could all take lessons from Harold and learn to stop and smell the roses. This story will make you laugh and it will make you cry. Most important, it will make you feel, it will make you think, it will make you want to pick up your walking shoes and begin a pilgrimage of your own. (However, I suggest you start out with something in the 10-20 mile radius to begin with.)

I can't put my finger on exactly why I didn't like the book. I loved the first part about Hanna but after her tale, the story seemed a bit disjointed - running back and forth and there were sentences and paragraphs that seemed to misplaced - like something was lost in a translation. I gave it a thumbs up because there were some good book club discussions topics to be found, but all in all, I was just waiting for the book to be over. On my own personal book club rating, I gave it a thumbs down.

If you don't don a floatation device before reading this story, you are sure to get sucked in by the aftermath of the storm. What a beautiful story that centers around a man who has seen "more than any human should have to see" during WWI. A man confused as to why he survived the war and his battle buddies did not - he looks to a life of solitude as a lighthouse keeper. Before leaving for his home on the seas, however, he meets and falls in love with the woman who will ultimately bring hope and love to his suffering heart. The love story is beautiful and touching, but then the tempest of the waves ensue. The old saying that "for ever action there is a reaction" is never more true than in this story. It is a heart wrenching story of longing to fulfill a void in your life, doing whatever it takes to fill that void, and then facing the repercussions of your actions. And there you have the premise of "A Light Between Oceans". You have a lighthouse representing stability, shelter from the storm, a beacon of hope and an anchor of safety. But rarely do we get a chance to forever stay in our comfort zone. And the view from the lighthouse clearly depiucts on one side a calm ocean full of hopes, dreams and happiness and on the other side a violent whiplash of waves bringing betrayal, despair and loneliness. Who are we to decide who gets to reside on which ocean? This is one of those stories that will tug at your heart strings long after the cover is closed.

This book was a fun and interesting read about family, grief and connections. Whimsical at times, it flowed with the sweet consistency of warm cocoa and at times gave off a scent of pungent sizzling garlic. It speaks of the lengths we go to protect our children without thought of how that protection can become an imprisonment to them. It speaks of dealing with grief, the value of memories and the promise of a tomorrow.

I've read this authors book, "The Winter Sea" and loved the historical aspect of the story. Much like Winter Sea, The Rose Garden also deals with past and present and weaves a captivating story. A beautiful love story that transcends time and space to ask the question, "where do I belong?" With some unexpected twists at the end, this story kept me wanting to come back for more. And when the cover is finally closed you are left with the realization that the places and times in our childhood (and adulthood) that seem to bring to mind such wonderful memories, have nothing to do with the location or time, but merely the people with whom we shared those moments.

This was a beautiful story of a woman who overcame obstacles to find her inner strength, the ability to say "I can" and true love. This was a rich story that made you feel compassion for the character and disgust for how quickly we pass judgment on others. It was a story of "unconventional" predicaments and circumstances in a world that accepted only "conventional" ways of life. The story of one woman's struggle to be a mother, to be independent, to find joy in life, created the foundation for a modern day woman to find the courage to overcome similar obstacles. The author did a good job of character development but I felt the story fell a bit short in the end. I am not crazy about books that leave the ending up to the reader. All in all - it was a most enjoyable read.

This was a Free Friday book on my Nook that had been sitting in my library for some time. In between book club picks, I opened it up and the story began. I found this a captivating story with many possible outcomes. Just when I thought I had figured the mystery out, I would be thrown another curve. It was a fun read but I did find some parts of the ending to be a bit far-fetched. Overall, it was very entertaining and made you think about human behavior when it comes to greed and keeping secrets.

This book kept many of our readers up at night and not because the story was so engrossing, but because we all had trouble following the plot, the characters and their purpose. The book left so many unanswered questions and most all agreed the characters were without depth. Everyone lived in "The Lake of Dreams" but their entire lives appears to be unfilled dreams and unattainable wishes. Our club agreed perhaps we had read too many Karen White books and few match up to her writing technique - this one included. The weaving of the past and present in this story found many loose threads and frayed edges.

The Lifeboat was a dramatic story of a young new bride who escapes a sinking ship along with 39 other passengers. Their 21 day journey is filled with a gamut of emotion -- faith, abandonment, horror, despair and a bit of hope. A heart wrenching story, this tale gives rise to many moral and ethical issues that people must cross in the face of mortal peril. This was not a "feel-good" story, but is packed full of great discussion questions and the unpredictability of human nature. This was a quick read for me - only because I couldn't put it down.

This was a quick read but a good story about how the prejudice and biased opinions of one against a race, religion or culture can wreak havoc and despair on the lives of innocent people. A heart-warming story about how love, trust and courage can prevail, even in the face of the enemy. No mysteries to this story, pretty predictable, but a good read all the same.

All of our members agreed they really enjoyed Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper. We were split between some feeling the book held too much unneeded details and other feeling the detail of the book help create a more graphic picture of the scenery and characters. The story deals with three time frames, war-torn London in 1941, a country farm in 1969 and modern day 2011. There is a thread of mystery combining all the eras that is beautifully displayed by Miss Morton. The descriptive nature in which she weaves the stories of WWII London were so realistic you could almost smell the dust and smoke of the bombings' aftermath. A beautifully written mystery that leaves you hanging until the end. This is a story of abandonment, redemption and forgiveness and lets us know that we all deserve happiness and need to learn to accept it when it presents itself.

Seduction was a somewhat dark story shrouded in intrigue and mystery. With three distinct stories, each with their own voices from the past, the thread of seduction becomes woven so tight that it pulls the 3 stories together through a romantic yet eerie process. I am not a fan of the occult, but this historical fiction grabbed my attention from the first page and there was such a poetic feel to the sections regarding Victor Hugo. A beautiful story of the depth of grief a heart can reach. A wonderful story and the makings of a great discussion book.

In true Karen White form, this book speaks to the depth of family ties and the internal need we all have to belong to some place or someone. This is a beautiful story of the love of two sisters, though estranged for nearly 15 years, who still share a common bond of love. This is a story that makes you laugh and makes you cry. A bit of a Sweet Home Alabama story, but made me long to live in a place like Walton where heritage and compassion is as everyday as coffee and cream.

The Fault in our Stars is a moving story of a group of young teens/adults who are suffering from cancer or in remission. The story is fiction but gives great insight into the mindset of not only the disease and the diseased patient but the effect it has on the caregivers as well. It is obviously not a FEEL GOOD or a HAPPY EVER AFTER story, but it delivers many moments that will make you laugh and some that will make you cry. A gripping story that would make a great discussion book. Above all, it provides an outlet in which to count your blessings and those who bless your life.

From the Kitchen of Half Truth emerges a beautiful story of a mother\'s love. Seductively hidden amid the magical, mystical stories she has created for her daughter all of her life, is hidden the truth of Valerie\'s life -- and the hurt, rejection and abuse have caused her to create a world for her daughter void of anything but fantasy, flavors and laughter. Daughter Meg struggles with the endless imaginery stories of her childhood and upon the impending death of her mother seeks answers she feels she needs in order to bring order and meaning to her life. Little does she realize that what her mother gave her will inspire her to forge ahead in life and open her eyes to the beauty and lives around her. This was a whimsical, beautiful story that caused me to laugh, shake my head in anger at times and made me shed tears. Fact is stranger than fiction? Perhaps. And the truth shall set you free? Be careful what you ask for. Either way, there is much truth to be had in the Kitchen of Half Truth -- an inspiring read for all mothers.

The Rocking Chair is a story of a family that has become estranged over the years. With the impending death of the Grandma (from Alzheimers) the family must finally face the obstacles that have kept them apart. The wise Grandfather is the patriarch of the family, but even he has unresolved issues with his own son. The story is touching and full of sound advice. I found it pretty predictable and there is no earth shattering mystery to it all, but I did feel that it could make a good discussion book on how easy it is for families to drift apart with thoughts and feelings are left unspoken. A feel good read.

The setting is a 5-year wedding anniversary when the wife suddenly comes up missing. Police are focused on the husband and the story begins. This book is so much more than just a who-done-it. In all honesty, there was not a character in the book that was a GOOD character. Everyone had their flaws, weaknesses and secrets -- perhaps that is what made this book so captivating. A very deep, well-thought out plot, this story takes you through the lives of two individuals (and their families) all struggling to find out who they are, how to break from the past while trying to keep their heads above water, financially and emotionally. This book was a roller coaster ride to say the least and in the end there was no GOOD guy, just an appropriate justice for the crimes committed. Be sure and find yourself some quiet time to read this, because you will NOT want to be interrupted. I think this book has the makings of an excellent movie. A must read!

This is a moving and heart-warming story of one mother's journey at the end of her life - a journey of learning, growing and giving. While the outcome is known from the start, it was a beautiful story of the girst we leave family in the way of thoughts, deeds and insight into living - truly living. A good discussion book and a book that, for me, has offered a wide selection of additional books to put on my reading list.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is an old classic story and yet still speaks today of the ugliness and unattractiveness that becomes a person when morals and ethics are set aside for want of pleasure. The reality is that there is no fountain of youth and no means by which we can escape the aging process. There is also no way in which our soul can escape the reaction to choices we make in our lifestyle. While truly a fiction story, this tale depicts how we are unable to hide - even from ourselves -- when we let evil, ruthlessness, envy and deceit into our lives. While the writing holds the old English descriptive style of writing and entails many French poetic lines, the meaning still comes through loud and clear -- we cannot run from ourselves.

Imagine meeting the love of your life, only to watch them suddenly marry another. And dig the knife in a bit deeper, you actually get an invitation to the wedding but following the cermony you are made to promise to forget them, never come looking for them, forget they existed. So starts the story of Six Years. A riviting story where nothing is as it seems and even when you think you have it figured out - you don't. This story tells the ends a person will go to follow their heart, no matter the danger, no matter the consequences. Some loves are worth dieing for and some just need to stay buried. Six Years was worth digging for the truth.

I knew when I started a book that was 737 pages that I was in for a long read. However, I had hoped it would be worthwhile. I was drawn in during the first 100 pages as you are introduced to the main character, his non-existent relationship with his run-away father and the closeness he feels to his mother. I felt the beginnings of a very moving story - even after the death of his mother. This happens early in the book so I am not giving anything away. But after about 200 pages a life filled with too much alcohol, then pot, then pills, then on to harder drugs seemed to take over the book. The author is very descriptive (thus the 737 pages) but I truly tired of all of the drunken and drugged out days and nights. There were some interesting characters in the book who had the possibility of depth and morality, but the author seemed too keen on showing nothing but individuals with no morals, ethics, backbone or common sense. The ending was a bit too far fetched for me. It was filled with scumbags whose lives revolved around drugs and yet they miraculously had the know-how, money and connections to lead them to international black market high-end art dealers? I just didn't find the story very convincing and overall had a very dark and lonely feel to it.

This may have been a quick read but the story sticks to your ribs like bread. Two lives intertwined that may up a beautiful story. The story of 1916 and the Obituary Writer was so beautiful. Her talent for presenting such a beautiful and memorable story of a person's life, no matter the span of that life, was absolutely beautiful. I loved the compassion she felt for her subjects and the respect and compassion I had for her character the more I read. The story from the 1960's was a different story all together. Having grown up in the 60's, I enjoyed all of the talk of Kennedy, Jackie's clothes, etc., the serene description of neighborhood evenings in the summer with all of the families on the porch and kids playing. However, I struggled with the less than loyal attitude of the wife and the turmoil her actions brought to her home. It was beautifully written and the crossover from one time period to another was handled with ease and grace. A beautiful read with much room for discussion.

The Philanthropist's Danse is a story of a multi-millionaire, whose last wish is to have 12 people decide the fate of his monetary legacy. A simple enough task, until you factor in a most annoying human trait we call greed. Many rules and time limits apply, whereby available funds are reduced and benefactors can be eliminated. An interesting read that delves into the human mind and how greed, dishonesty, cruelty and even hatred can rule our actions, thoughts and deeds. It brought to light the fact that we all have secrets we would prefer not to share for fear that others would look at us differently. Let's face it - humans are judgemental. I found it ironic that the only people who seemed to be content with their lives and their accomplishments were those without great wealth and the millionnaire himself. All who took no part in building the wealth but only benefited from it, were the ones most deceitful and unhappy. I think this book would make an excellent discussion book on human nature and the heart. There is a wealth (pardon the pun) of interesting characters to digest and they bring new meaning to persons void of morals and ethics. An excellent backdrop for a movie. I nominate Alex Baldwin for the nasty brother who rants and raves, etc. A fun read.

Mabel and Jack and childless couple in the heart of Alaska are having trouble making a go of farming. Following the death of their stillborn child, they seem to just go through the motions of life. Then one night in the midst of a snow fall, they put on the images of youth and build a snow man - a snow girl to be exact. Then the story takes many turns. Did the snow girl come to life or is there actually a girl living among the wild by herself? If taken as a fantasy story, it was beautifully written and executed. However, when you bring in to the mix outsiders, a romance and a child, the fantasy becomes a bit far fetched. I felt the story was more of a fish out of water story. That we, as individuals, are all different and require different elements and environments around us to bring happiness and fullfillment to our lives. What seems the ideal life for one can be construed as boring or tedious to another. An interesting story that can lend well to many discussion sessions.

The Butterfly Sister was a great book that grabbed me from the beginning. It is really a story that involves many females - even though they didn't know their lives were entertwined. A botched suicide attempt looms over and shadows the life of a former college student. But when she learns of the disappearance of one of her college friends, she is forced to confront her past and all the fear, anxiety and guilt she has been trying to cover up. The story was like a jigsaw puzzle, and just when you think you have found the piece that fits, you learn it wasn't quite what you thought. Some of the story line was predictable and some parts you never saw coming. A captivating story of the effects that deception, betrayal and rejection can have on a persons life and the length in which a person will go to relieve the pain.

Perhaps I was just expecting too much from this book, but it gave me little. I am used to, and actually like, a book that gives me several stories that weave together eventually, but this book did not deliver that. Instead I spent over 300 pages reading about mental issues brought about by disjointed parents providing misguided childhoods that lead to confused and saddened adults. The middle section is nothing but the writings of the Archivists wife as she falls deeper in her mental anguish but it felt out of place. All in all, I was just glad to close the cover on this book and move on to something else.

Being a huge Karen White fan, I have not read a book of hers that I didn't like, obviously some more than others. After the Rain is not a complicated story, no big mysteries, the story line is pretty predictable, and yet there is something about the way Ms. White can describe a town or beachfront that just makes you feel like you are a part of it. After reading some heavy stories, this was a breath of fresh air to just sit back and enjoy the image of life in a small town where everyone knows everybody and life is easy. This read was a cool drink of water that certainly quenched my thirst.

I have read several books by Susanna Kearsley (The Winter Sea is my favorite), and she never fails to include so much rich history in her stories. Some aspects of the story were a bit far fetched (reading minds, etc.) but one just has to take the story for what it is meant to be -- a beautiful story of discovering who you are, learning to fly with the wings you were given and to listen to your heart. This story shows that the manner and degree with which hearts can bond together is not affected by time, place or history. The workings of the heart are the same today as in yesteryear. A beautifully woven story that is sure to entertain.

Burial Rites was a heart-wrenching story of a woman sentenced to death for the murder of her employer/lover. Sending chills up your spine as cold as the Icelandic area in which this story takes place, you cannot help but be left with mixed feelings of compassion and a sense of justice. All actions have a reaction, and who are we to determine what acts are justified or simply self-imposed? Based on a true event, Burial Rites will leaving you begging for more time to say that an eye for eye might possibly need some exceptions. Listen to her story and judge for yourself and in the aftermath remember the old saying, "judge not lest ye be judged."

Oxygen is a story of an ananesthesiologist who lost an 8-year old girl on the operating table. While legal battles unfold, the real story is in the telling of the life of such a doctor. It is the untold story that is often overlooked because we seem to point our attention to the surgeon only. Every patient has a fear of undergoing surgery but the fear lies in the thought of what if I don't wake up. I didn't realize until after I finished this story that the author is an actual anesthesiologist. No wonder she was able to take the reader on such a journey around the OR. A beautiful yet chilling story of dedication, precision, endless work days and accountability. Oxygen is worth every breath you will take while reading it.

The Dinner was a dark story that shed little light on a happy ending. Two grown brothers, one a well-to-do politician and the other a school teacher on what seems to be a permanent leave of absence, and their wife deal with the fate of their teenage sons who have committed a terrible act. It ran a close race with the theme of "Defending Jacob" but with much less of a plot. I did, however, like the rhythm of the story, the style in which it was written - even a bit humerous at times, and the dinner theme was a new approach to telling a story. Each course gave you a bit more insight into the trouble at hand. The appetizer was just that -- a teaser to the characters at hand, course 2 dug a bit deeper and by the main entre the characters inside and even outside the restaurant were feeling the turmoil. I loved the waiter who served everything with his pinkie sticking out and how he would wave it across and close to the contents of each plate as it was served. I felt it was a subtle accusatory gesture by the author to question how much, if any, the table guests played a role in the downfall of their respective sons. A unique writing concept, a story that had much potential, but the dessert and after dinner coffee just didn't satisfy me. The Dinner left me hungry for a bit more of the hows and whys of the story. Perhaps the author should have let the story simmer a bit more before commiting to paper.

The Yard was a gripping book about London in 1889. Only a year following Jack the Ripper a series of murders have occurred involving two of Scotland Yard's own. Alex Grecian has a way of writing that paints such a vivid picture of the streets and alleys of London in its dark past. You can almost faintly hear the horse hooves clopping along the brick roads at night. The story introduced an Inspector Day who is new to the precinct and assigned to the new murders. Anxious to prove himself, he sets out to make his mark. Along with the help of the local medical examiner, the plot twists and turns down dark pathways to uncover many unseedy characters. A bit dark, a bit gruesome, but what was London at that time if not dark and a bit ghastly. An exciting story that won't disappoint. I look forward to further adventures of Scotlant Yard.

Based on a true story, Burning Prospects tells the story of Capt. Isaac Ross' cotton plantation in Mississippi, built on Prospect Hill. With over 200 slaves, his last wish was that his slaves be set free, the plantation sold and the proceeds used to pay for passage to Africa (Liberia). But after his death, some family members are not so keen to give up the family plantation they feel should rightfully be theirs. The slaves know of their master's wishes and patiently (and impatiently) wait for the courts to grant them freedom. A compelling story of human bondage, human nature, comfort zones and fear of the unknown. Told from all angles, this story gives you a view from every prospective. The story begins with the demise of Prospect Hill and then takes you back on a journey of life in the 1840s in the south. I longed for a bit more character development (or background) on Captain Ross, certain family members and some of the slaves. I felt the author adequately skimmed the surface of characters, but I wanted to know more about them. Perhaps that is the makings of a good story -- when the reader is intrigued enough to want to know more. A good story of greed, pride, tradition and a desire to find happiness and freedom. The fact that the premise of the story is based on the author's own family history makes the flames from Burning Prospects burn a bit brighter and a bit longer. A good read and a good discussion book.

Childhood memories stick to our ribs like honey and remain ingrained in our soul no matter our age and Claire Sokol is no exception. Through a turn of events that involved, among other things, the tragic drowning of her older brother, a new found friend in the image of a cousin and the painful ringside seat for her mother's slow mental disappearing act, she has collected more than her fair share of memories and not all pleasant ones. Subconsciously, the abandonment she experienced with the loss of her brother and the fading of her mother, left a protective covering on Claire's heart that refused to fully trust again. The fear of being left is too great and her brave facade too fragile to risk breaking. She is estranged from those whose very image opens wounds but at the news of her grandmother's passing Claire is forced to return to her childhood home and open her memory box -- or is it a Pandora's box. But as the story states -- everyone has a box - that object that contains subtle links to the past. It might be an old-fashioned steamer trunk, a heart-shaped box or just a manilla envelope - but we all have one and what's inside varies with the owner. And maybe it's not even the contents that are important -- but more how they got there, who they belonged to, why they were saved instead of discarded or why they were put in the box in the first place. The Things We Save is a story of humility and removing blinders, an eye-opening journey of forgiveness and seeking the truth. It is a quest to bring light to the forefront and leave the darkness behind. The author did a beautiful job of creating characters whose feelings and emotions felt as raw and touchable as a pile of sawdust. The scent of fresh cut wood permeates through the pages as you experience the ghosts from the past being whittled away to expose the core of Claire's soul. A masterfully written story from which no reader can walk away unscathed from its journey. The Things We Save was a lengthy story but, in this reader's opinion, worth every step.

I had such high hopes for The Burgess Boys and was rather disappointed. I thought the premise of the story had potential (thus the 3 stars) but the story barely skimmed the surface of a most dysfunctional family with little background, little character development and too many unanswered questions. Three siblings involved (or not involved) in the accidental death of their father - one is to blame and lives with the mental anguish of his actions (like a three year old can really be held accountable for anything), older brother treats him like scum for the rest of his life and his twin sister hates everyone. The on-again, off-again relationship between these three siblings was more than this reader could take. When the sister's teenage son is accused of a hate crime, however, they all come to her rescue while at the same time berating each other and no show of real emotion, appreciation or compassion. I picked up this book numerous times at the book store and sat it back down. I wish I had left it on the shelf. Shallow characters, no depth, no explanation other than move to Sweden and all of your troubles will be solved. I gave it a rating of 3 stars because I felt the plot had potential but could have been better served by digging deeper into the hows and whys of each siblings behavior and feelings. I expected more from this author.

This is the second book by Sandra Dallas I have read, the first being Prayers For Sale, and it won't be the last. Picture yourself in Denver, CO in 1885, on the streets where high society meets the dregs of society, and you have the backdrop for Fallen Women. When wealthy older sister Beret, living in New York, learns of the death of her younger sister, Lillie, she travels to Denver and learns the horrible truth of a gruesome murder. The author does a beautiful job of painting a period picture complete with descriptive homes, streets and dress of the time. The story is drenched in mystery with multiple suspects. I felt the author did a good job with character development. Had she dug any deeper into the characters, the plot would have unraveled. Even though with just a few clues I was able to figure it out early, I enjoyed the journey of watching the clues unfold to reveal the face of the real demon. A dramatic read that emphasized how blind love can be, that human nature causes us to see only what we want to see in others and what a sight we behold when the blinders are removed.

A student is assigned to write a research thesis on a massive outdoor garden originating in the 1500\'s in Italy. Upon arriving, the student (Adam) finds himself confronted with a feisty estate owner who gives him free reign to her estate and resources. In an effort not to give the plot away, one of the estate owner\'s son was murdered in an upstairs floor of the house and it is rumored that the orignator of the garden\'s wife mysteriously died at a young age. The theme of Dante\'s Inferno, The Divine Comedy and Greek mythology play a huge role in the outlay of the book. I felt a bit disadvantanged having not read Dante\'s works but felt the author gave enough information so that the reader could follow. I enjoyed watching the unraveling of the two mysteries, even though it didn\'t seem to start coming together until about half way through the book, but I couldn\'t help but feel that the story was a bit disjointed. I felt the estate owner knew the outcome before the student arrived, so why go through the charade? The 1500 garden design, while elaborate and meticulous, seemed a bit too well thought out and I had trouble convincing myself that anyone would go to that much trouble to tell a story. Regardless of some of my objections, I felt the book was well written, was a good fictional story and worth the time spent ingulfed in its words.

The Memory of Running is a story you will want to take your time with. Let the emotions and characters wash over you slowly to absorb every drop. Smithson Ides (Smithy) is a middle-aged man whose life has been compounded with constant obstacles surrounding his sister, Bethany, who deals with severe mental issues. The toll taken and damage inflicted on Smithy and his parents was, at times, unbearable and as the story progressed I felt actual pain as Bethany struggled with her internal voices and wanted to scream out "don't". Bethany disappears in her early adult life, Smithy's parents die from an auto accident and Smithy is left a lonely, obese, aging man with no direction and little ambition. Upon finding a letter addressed to his now-deceased father, he discovers his sister's body has been discovered in Los Angeles. Alone and adrift, one night he uncovers his old boyhood bicycle and suddenly takes off down the open road to air the tires. Like a faint image of the book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, he can't seem to stop and without realizing why, sets off on a bicycle ride that will take him from Providence, Rhode Island to California; a ride that will take him from floundering to freedom; a ride that will fill his lungs to capacity with love and life. The chapters bounce back and forth from Smithy's childhood, to his early adult years and the drama his sister played in everyone's lives to his present situation and location. I will admit that I didn't read this book but listened to an audio version of it narrated by the author himself. Through the author's voice and diction, he made the constant and sometimes bumpy obstacle course from past to present, from present to past and from past to future seem relatively smooth and his voice lent a very descriptive feel to the image conjured up for Smith's appearance and personality. His journey was filled with numerous characters that I wanted to know better and follow as well. Needless to say, this was a story of coming of age (even at 43), embracing life without fear or reservation, accepting what has transpired in one's life and hope for what may be ahead. It was a beautiful story that I did not want to end. I was so engrossed in the story that I hurried through the 11 CDs and will now have to buy me a copy of the actual book so that I can re-read it at some time and savor every bite like a fine chocolate. A wonderful story for all ages.

A burned out defense attorney watching her biological clock ticking too fast, takes some time off to visit an aunt in the midst of Amish country. The aunt, having been excommunicated from her Amish family because of marrying someone outside their religion, still has close ties to her family. A dead baby is found in an Amish barn, wrapped in a shirt and covered with horse blankets. Soon an 18-year old girl, who no one even suspected was pregnant, is accused of murdering the baby that she denies she even birthed. Obviously the burned out attorney volunteers to defend her and there you have the outline of Plain Truth. But the simple truth, no pun intended, is that is merely the shell of this story. The meat of the story is the simple lifestyle of the Amish, their ability to forgive, to be disciplined in their beliefs and always putting themselves last. The story of attorney and client was a beautiful story of friendship, respect, and admiration. A long story that was a quick read for me, because I could not put it down. I was reeled in after the first chapter and the pace of the story never slowed down. I love stories that open your eyes. I love stories that move the spotlight ever so slightly that it cast a different shadow on your perspective of a people or a place. This book did just that and was an amazing story. This was my first book to read by Jodi Picoult and will not be my last. If her character development, attention to detail and ability to place a reader inside the story is as strong in all of her other books as it was in Plain Truth, she will soon be among my favorite authors.

This book was a quick read but was most enjoyable. A. J. Fikry is a strange man, very much a loner and feeling lost after the loss of his wife. The owner of a small island book store, he has few customers, few friends and even fewer goals. His only love is his passion for the written word. Then a miracle falls into his lap in the form of an infant and his life is changed forever. I loved all of the references to various books in this story - many of which I read as a child and glad to know that they meant something to someone else besides me. I don't want to give away the entire story, but suffice it to say that A.J. Fikry learns to share his passion for books and in doing so finds purpose and meaning in his life. A short but sweet story that reaffirms to me that my own feelings about books and continuously reading is not an obsession but merely a passion. And what great fun when we find others with whom we can share our passion.

The Sea Garden lacked way too many waves for me. I had a difficult time getting into this book as there were over 20 names mentioned in less than 30 pages. I finally had to draw out family trees to keep everyone straight. I have read many many books that go from present to past but this book seemed to do it without cause, pause or reason. I had trouble keeping track of what time tense I was in. The author also repeated scenes from the past so many times that I questioned if I had forgot my place and was reading a chapter over again. There was some potential to the story plot, but too many things that were so coincidental that it lost the feel of reality. I rarely have difficulty finding something positive to say about a story, but this one has me stumped. The book cover was nice. I wish I could submit a better review, but I felt I was being nice with two stars.

I received this book free of charge by Goodreads for an honest review.

Tumble Inn reads much like a journal, but in reality is a story of a life journey. The story is told by husband, Mark, who is married to Fran. The couple are going through the motions of responsible adults who teach school but feel that something is missing. Seeing an advertisement for innkeepers at a lake many miles away, Fran fudges a bit on a resume for them and they find themselves thrown into a lifestyle that is both overwhelming and a bit out of their league. The couple, before and after landing the job, experience great disappointments as month after month finds Fran without child. Suffice it to say that a child does eventually come their way, but it seemed that much of the child's life was skipped over and ignored. The book is a short 166 pages, but had the author given the same attention to the child as he did to the parents, it could have been a 366 page book with a better understanding of the family's relationship. In less than 5 pages she went from a baby to a teenager. I know the story was about taking risks, stepping outside of your comfort zone, finding strength within, overcoming adversities and finding what makes a home, but the story seemed a bit rushed at times.

I felt the author did a beautiful job of painting the serene, tranquil feel of the lakeside lodge in his descriptive style of writing. I am a reader who likes visuals and this author supplied that and more. I loved the openness this couple had and the courage it must take to make such a leap of faith in changing the direction of your life. The fact that the author did not make it an easy transition for the couple, made it all the more realistic. After reading this I'm not sure that I am willing to give up my career to run a lakeside lodge (or follow some other out-of-character whim), but the peaceful setting and friendly atmosphere described on the pages between this book's cover, sure makes me want to make a weekend reservation.

To write a book that is nothing but letters is tough. To write such a story that doesn't eventually lose the reader's attention is quite a feat. Letters from Skye is a beautiful love story that takes place in WWI between a married author living in Scotland on the Isle of Skye an an American lover of poetry. I found some of the letter communications between them to be too sparse and felt that the distance between them would have warranted more words than found on the paper at times. Needless to say, it is a story of love, but it is also a story that deals with deals with marital betrayal, forgiveness, duty to principles and commitment. Obviously a book that is nothing but letters is going to lack the descriptiveness of scenery and of characters, but surprisingly enough, as the letters go from general conversations to more indepth opinions and feelings, you begin to build your own image of the principal players in the story. I can't say that I would want to read many books that contained only correspondence, but this style of writing was a so different that it became a breath of fresh air and for a moment, I found myself cheering for the characters even when I knew their actions would prove hurtful to others.

I read the Memory of Running (or rather listened to it via audio books) and fell in love with it. I purchased Art in America because I wanted to read more by this author to see if his same creative writing style remained but it fell a bit short for me. Art in America is story of Steven Kearney who is an overweight man who doubts his abilities, talents and self worth (hmmm, sounds like Memory of Running). He takes on a momentous job of writing and directing a play about the history of a town -- to be played by the townspeople and in turn finds himself (hmmm, sounds like Memory of Running). There are some colorful characters (my favorite being the most elderly couple Ticky and Minnie Lettgo who can't seem to let go of the past) but I just felt I could never really connect with any of them. Throughout the book, I just kept feeling like I had read a similar story, that was leading in a similar direction and in the end, had a similar closure as something I had read before. I think it was the author's other book, The Memory of Running. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed that I spent as much time as I did to read basically the same story but in a different setting. Oh well, I can't say I didn't give the author a chance.

Due to some serious family illnesses, it took me well over a month to get through this book. The length of time had nothing to do with a difficult story, shallow characters or lack of an author's talent. I love historical fiction stories and this book did NOT disappoint. In Italy towards the end of WWII, the story takes you on a journey of one wealthy family's plight of survival in the toughest of times. Some 10 years later a murderer appears to have a master plan and one that involves the same family. Two stories -- one family -- and one Estrucan tomb ruins. The weaving of both time periods is beautifully performed and there is much image projection relayed by the author as to the effects and ravages of war on a country and community. What does one do to survive? How far is one willing to cross the line to protect loved ones? How does one live with the repercussions of such decisions? You can't stay in the dark for long when reading The Light in the Ruins.

This was such a moving story of the lives of three very different women who have nothing in common, or do they? Each woman is looking for happiness or has found it and looking for ways to hold on to it. But sometimes fate deals a card that we forgot was int he deck. Without spoiling the plot, suffice it to say they find themselves on the same path whether by choice or coincidence. A beautiful powerful story that measures the weight of a friend in need.

Alexandria spends her waking hours trying to make a difference in the lives of children. Being a social worker unfortunately exposes her to a variety of home environments, with most being less than desirable. An adoptee herself, she understands how a child can feel that they don't fit in, what it can be like to not know unconditional love. One three year old girl, Ottille, touches Alexandria's heart so deeply that she involves herself in the girl's case more than she should. In the midst of her attention to Ottille, Alexandria's boyfriend leaves her, her sister tells Alexandria that she has to move from their deceased parent's home and she finds that her birth mother whom she hasn't seen since she was 3 is looking for her. The author did good job of letting you feel her pain and uncertainties but unfortunately, for this reader, did too good of a job describing the horrors of child sexual abuse that at times I considered closing the book. All in all, it is a touching story about how a soul longs to belong and to be loved and how sometimes love comes along when and where we least expect it.

Wow - what a journey. This is definitely a coming of age story but, oh, so much more. The author has a both a comical and, at times, almost a poetic descriptive nature to his writing. An example is likening the wrinkles on an old man's face to the sight of a well worn, loose carpet. 14 year old Kevin and his mother have witnessed a fatal accident that resulted in the death of his little brother. Kevin's mother is unable to recover from her loss and Kevin's father sends him and his mother to spend the summer in the Appalachian Mountains with his material grandfather. It goes without saying that the summer becomes a turning point in his life. But the real treasure is how the author walks you through the tribulations of a small town fighting corporate greed, how deception and even murder are not reserved for just the big cities. He provides such a visual of the life of a miner, the effects of coal dust, living with pain and anger and how to remain true to your heart and your morals in the process. It is a story of friendship, of opening your eyes to our earth and all that she offers and the respect she so deserves. There is murder, unforeseen secrets and betrayal. It is a tale that covers a lifetime, but I SO wanted to stay in the hills with Kevin and his grandpa for a day. I longed to pull out my cast iron skillet and cook fresh fish over an open fire with a bit of bacon grease. I wanted to sit in the treehouse with Buzzy and Kevin and talk about the telling cave. A beautiful story that this reader feels could transfer to the screen with ease. I received this book four months ago free of charge in return for an honest review. I deeply regret that a family illness caused me not to be able to read it until now. This book is going on my list of most loved.

Don't forget your ticket for this ride. I was totally emersed in The Girl on the Train. I like stories that don't read necessarily in chronological time frames. Some people get lost in the forward and backward motion, but I felt the author gave a good flow to the pace of the book. I thought the premise of alcohol and blackouts was well placed in this story and gave credence to the devastation and demise that it can have on not just the consumer's life, but the lives of those around them. A thriller from the get-go, I was clueless until about three quarters through the book, and even then wasn't exactly sure who the real evil one was. This was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. This book has all of the things that may a good thriller ... mystery, motive and madness. I'll never pick an aisle seat again -- there is WAY too much to see from the window seat.

The Glass Kitchen was a bit too transparent for me. The story revolves around three sisters who were raised by their grandmother when both of their parents die. The grandmother runs The Glass Kitchen, a small cafe where grandma apparently bakes that day what she knows her customers are needing. Grandma has what is called "the knowing" that allows her to know just what to fix when someone is hurting emotionally or physically -- sometimes she gets a premonition of what to cook beore she even knows who it is for or why. It is discovered that one of the daughters has inherited the "gift". The real story begins once the grandmother passes away, the girls are grown and all going through life's growing pains -- cheating husbands, financial woes, boredom, employment crisis, etc. On the surface it is a romance story waiting to happen with a bit of whimsical sprinkles on top. A predictable story with some unexpected bits thrown in at the end but it lacked enough bite for me. Sandwiched inbetween the covers does lie a story about the strength in family, believing in yourself, being yourself and not what someone else wants you to be and the importance of trust. The best (or perhaps the worse for my waistline) is that the book gave me an uncontrollable urge to bake pink cupcakes.

An absent mind is definitely not absent emotion. This is a beautiful story of a family struggling with a loved one with Alzheimers. Having a mother in early stages of Alheimers myself, this book especially struck home. It seems most books on this subject are written either for or from the perspective of the caregiver. The book \"Still Alice\" was excellent because it was from the patient\'s point of view and I thought it spoke volumes. An Absent Mind combines all aspects when the journey is shared with the thoughts and feelings of the patient, spouse, children and doctor. If there is a redeeming factor in having Alheimers it would be that there is little, if any, physical pain involved for the inflicted. The amount of emotional and pyschological pain is an different story entirely. This story is a short, quick read but a powerful one. I highly recommend it to anyone of any age. Woven in the story of Saul\'s plight, is also the reminder of how powerful our connections are to family -- even as we grow up and sometimes apart. Like a slight shake of sprinkles on a cupcake, the story is topped with the added flavor of how much a word or touch can make to someone\'s feeling of selfworth. It reiterates how important it is that we not only show our loved ones how much they mean to us, but tell them. A great discussion book or just one to enjoy and ponder, \"An Absent Mind\" does not miss the mark.

Angie is a young teenage girl whose father is deceased and her younger sister is autistic. Her mother is dealing with trying to support two children -- one with very severe disabilities -- and making a life for them. The autistic daughter never speaks but and is known for her "keening", which is a siren-pitched scream that lasts for hours. When they move in temporarily with the mother's aunt, the young daughter, Sophie, bonds with the neighbors dog, Rigsby, and a new friendship is formed. The backdrop of this story had potential and I was hoping for much more than I received. I thought the author created wonderful images of the characters, especially Angie, the mom and the dog's owner, Paul. Perhaps her attention to detail in characterization was too good and that is why I grew to dislike some characters, find disappointment in others and others were just too unrealistic. I found the mother to be childlike, leaving the mainstay of the young child's wellbeing to her eldest daughter. With odd jobs that the teenager would get, the mother felt she had every right to her pay and I found her very self-centered, selfish and thoughless.
The story of the love and friendship between the girl, Sophie, and the dog, Rigsby, was the best part and was heartwarming and touching. Their relationship was the redeeming quality of the book. The teenager (who turns 17 before the book ends) was WAY TOO mature for her age and I felt the way the author portrayed her reasoning, conversation levels, interpersonal skills, etc. were not believable. I had trouble with a 65 year-old man learning to confide in a teenager, especially a female, about his own life. I could have believed a mentoring type of a relationship, but the strong bonds of friendship between two completely different age groups just didn't fit. I have marked several books by this author as "want to read" because the story lines sounded promising. This book was a bit of a disappointment, but I most likely will not let it stop me from reading more of her work. I do feel like she has a good grasp of human emotion. Her writing style is smooth and flows well so I'll give her books another shot at another time. I'm sure there is much to reflect upon in this story -- friendship, trust, overcoming adversity, positive thinking, etc. so don't let my less-than-perfect review deter you. Make your own judgement -- perhaps in the middle of this book is right where you belong.

I only read about 3-4 thrillers a year and this was a good choice. A hospital psychiatrist finds himself caught in the wake of a depressed and possibly disturbed teenager, a vindictive soon-to-be ex-wife and doctors taking bribes from pharmaceutical companies. This book is rich in complicated characters and moves at a pretty good pace. I must confess that I spent so much time trying to play super sleuth as I read it that I over looked the real culprit. This is a pretty fast read but that doesn't mean that it is short on story and reiterates that we all have our "odd behaviors", even if it doesn't show itself every fifteen minutes. I wish the author had gone a bit deeper with the plot and the unraveling of it. I thought it was a bit rushed in the end and I think I would have picked a different culprit (can't say who or it will spoil it). Regardless - it is still a very worthwhile read.

A Nightingale is often known for its powerful and beautiful song. If that statement holds true, then this book was very appropriately named because it boasts a powerful message and a beautiful refrain of the courage, fortitude and unselfish acts performed by many during WWII. This story revolves around two sisters torn apart, at first, by the repercussions that WWI had on their family and especially their father. Later the ravages of WWII create an even larger barrier between the two as each fights for what they believe in and for that which they hold dear. This was a most gripping story that, I feel, will have a profound effect on my definition of "hero". For a generation whose numbers are dwindling each day and within another decade will most likely be gone, their story deserves to be told and remembered. And in today's society where it feels most people are concerned about no one but themselves, we need to be reminded of a day when there was compassion and reverence for our fellowman. We need to feel what it is like to be united in a common cause and to be a part of the solution. The Nightingale is a moving story that is sure to speak to your heart and makes for a wonderful discussion group.

"If I Stay" was an emotional story that pulled at my heart. A lone family survivor of an automobile accident leaves a teenage girl teetering on death's door. Her voice is removed from her ailing body and you witness her eye-opening experience as she watches her friends and family mourn the loss of her parents, younger brother and possibly her. She tries to balance what she might have to live for and the ease of joining her family that has left her. She takes you on a journey to the chords that made up her musical family and how they blended together to make a four-some that overflowed in trust, love and companionship. But her will to hang on and the strength to do so is quickly fading. This was a very short read but long on message. Having just lost a loved one to ALS just 6 months ago, I had to watch her make the same decision. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone then and this story just reiterated that there could come a time when we all are given a choice -- "Do I go or do I stay?"

I really enjoyed The Lantern. It was a combination of a mystery, drama and love story. The premise of the story revolves around a family that inhabited a cottage and surrounding acreage years ago. One of the daughters is stricken with blindness in her early youth and actually grows up to be an admired and successful perfume maker. She uses her sister and other friends to help describe colors to her. A favorite quote in the story was: "I finally went blind when I was thirteen years old and it was the loss of my sight that took me to places I might never have seen." Because people were forever describing the lavender fields or the color of blue to her, the book and the author's writing style began to take on a very poetic feel for me. It was like an artist painting a picture and the descriptions were like looking at a blank canvas and watching a scenic view slowly appear. Another favorite quote is: "Some scents sparkle and then quickly disappear. Some scents release a rush of half-forgotten memories. And then there are the scents that seem to express truths about people and places that you have never forgotten -- the scents that make time stand still." They say that when a person loses one sense, that another of their senses will magnify itself. The blind sister's sense of smell was so keen and she so aptly could mingle various scents to create a particular atmosphere of feelings. It brought back memories to me of how the smell of yeast draws me back to the days of my grandmother baking rolls; how the smell of an iris takes me back 50 years to the days of a grandmother's iris bed that spanned an acre. I love how the smell of cinnamon reminds me of my mother baking pies and the smell of sawdust takes me back to days spent with my father in his workshop. I guess when we lose a loved one, we keep them with us in the scents that hold memories. Don't get me wrong - this book is NOT a melancholy, "good old days" story. It is ripe with mystery, murder and questions but somewhere in the midst of the story it spoke to me and, at least for now - if you can pardon the pun, has awakened a desire to stop and smell the roses.

Dead Wake is a non-fiction story of the sinking of the Lusitania. I had a somewhat hard time getting into a full-blown reading mode with this book, possibly because I already knew the outcome. However, I did learn much about how submarines operated during WWI and their strengths and weaknesses. I enjoyed being introduced to many of the passengers on the Lusitania and wondering if they would survive. It was interesting to hear most of the story from the viewpoint and diary of the German u-boat commander, his thoughts and rationale behind his actions. I was relieved (if that is even the proper word to use) to find that he was haunted by his actions for the rest of his life. I think sometimes the aftermath of war can be just as cruel, or more, than the destructive act itself. My heart hurt for the attempted blame they tried to put on Captain Turner of the Lusitania but even more it hurt to know that they consciously didn't send a larger, faster ship to their rescue so as not to give up the knowledge that they were decoding German messages. It is hard to justify the actions of many involved in this disaster. It is hard to find justification for sinking a passenger ship full of innocent men, women and children. But in reality is there true justification in war? I feel there is no "just" war -- there is just War. All in all it was an interesting read but how can you feel good when you know that more than half of the passengers will perish? My only disappointment was that the author didn't mention the older woman who was rescued still floating in a deck chair. She simply washed off the deck and continued floating. The story of her plight always brings a smile to my face -- something this book did not. In the stories defense, sometimes we have to hear and be knowledgable of the bad side of things to appreciate the good and to serve as a reminder of what humans are capable of both in crimes against humanity and the courage and survival traits some possess.

I must admit that after 100 pages I was still waiting for a story to begin. I felt the author was giving nothing but flashbacks of Scout\'s childhood and the history of the town and people of Maycomb. For me it took more than half of the book for the real story to evolve and it was at that point that I gathered the validity and value of the stories in the first 150 pages. Most people will only give a book 50 or 75 pages (at most) to draw them in or else they will shelve it. I\'m glad I\'m not one of those people or I would have missed a good story. Even though I failed to see the relevance of some of the childhood memories, I was thoroughly enjoying being taken back to a time in history when life seemed simple and uncomplicated -- when kids enjoyed playing outside all day and could spend afternoons entertained with nothing but their imaginations.

The guts of Go Set A Watchman revolves around Scout, who at age 26 is now living in New York, comes home to Maycomb to visit her father, Atticus Finch - an aging attorney severely plagued with arthritis. While Scout enjoys her job and life in New York, she always seem to feel like a fish out of water and her times spent in Maycomb make her feel like she is \"home\"

It is this reader\'s opinion that Scout is dealing with similar issues that many of today\'s youth (and some not-so-youth) deal with -- that of never truly growing up, maturing with both your heart and eyes, living realistically and not idealistically. Scouts youth was, to her, a time of having a pure heart where you assume all are honest, compassionate and equal. What a shock to the system when you discover that once blinders are removed, the world has taken on certain shadows and a fog that represents the evil that has lurked in our world since Adam and Eve took their first bite of an apple. So for Scout, Maycomb feels like her safe haven because of what it represents in her mind. When confronted with the fact that perhaps her perceptions could be somewhat distorted or prejudiced, it is a source of great anger and confusion. Scout is forced to see what HER eyes are seeing and not judging the world through the eyes of her father.

I think this story would make a great discussion book but be prepared because the discussion could be controversial and personal.

Wow - that was an emotional roller coaster ride. The Sound of Glass is a story of courage, overcoming obstacles and adversities. It is a story of finding your way. It is a book FULL of words of wisdom. Some of my favorites:
Everybody carries their hurts in different ways, but everybody's got them. Everybody. Some people are just better at hiding them.
Turning the page is always better than rereading the same page over and over.
Everybody dies but not everybody lives.
The greatest moments in life are usually the smallest.
There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.
It is in the darkness we find light.

Merritt finds she has inherited a house in South Carolina that belonged to her husband's grandmother. Having lost her husband a couple of years earlier she picks up and moves to SC to begin a new life and hopefully to leave some scars behind. Soon after arriving she is confronted with her stepmother, Loralee,(close to her own age) and half-brother who is 10, who suddenly appear on her doorstep hoping to crash for a short time. Merritt had been estranged from her father (who has passed away) since he married Loralee and doesn't even know her half brother. Little do the two women know how much they need each other and how their lives are entwined, even if one tries to break the tie that binds. Both women must learn that sometimes to face the future, you must face your past.

Fire and references to fire run rampid through this story. Fires can be stopped in three ways -- exhausting the fuel source, taking away the source or starving the fire of oxygen. Fire is an event, not a thing. I loved how the fire theme fit so perfectly into the story. "Never let the fire get behind you."

Sometimes the scene behind closed doors is not what it appears. We all have our secrets -- and sometimes secrets kill. Sometimes they just need to be told, but at whose expense? Like all Karen White stories, this tale is full of secrets and some that have been waiting lifetimes to be heard. A moving story about the effects of abuse and the lives impacted by trying to hide the truth.

One of my favorite lines: "To survive out here as a plant you have to be tough. They've adapted to take all they need from nature while at the same time fighting it back. It's not easy to be covered with water for half the day and then baked in the broiling sun for the other half. They couldn't survive if they behaved like ordinary plants. Actually they really are just ordinary plants but have learned to survive unordinary events, which makes them like the strongest plants in the world."

I thought one of the best pieces of advice came in the wisdom of Loralee... She remembered her safety training as a flight attendant, how if they found themselves in water to roll on their backs and lead with their feet so they could see where they were going instead of where they'd been. She'd always thought that was a good way to approach life, too.

Sometimes I find it ironic how we get drawn to a certain genre of storylines without a conscious effort to do so. For some unknown reason I have recently read two books that have been intertwined between the real world and the spiritual world. The first was A Sudden Light (Garth Stein) and now The Memory Thief (Emily Colin). Both have been very enjoyable stories but from total opposite spectrums. The Memory Thief is told from the perspective of three different people: Madeleine (mother, wife, freelance writer and now widow); Aiden (husband, father, mountain climber, dare-devil, now deceased); and Nicholas (single, not happy but not unhappy either, uneventful lifestyle and motorcycle accident survivor with no memory). The author does a beautiful job of pulling you into each of their stories and as you bob and weave through their lives you almost become one with their passion and their compassion (and trust me there is a difference).

Let’s pretend for a moment that perhaps it IS possible for people to reach out to us after their death. What would you want them to tell you? What would you want to tell them? Would you be receptive and able to open your heart AND your mind to hear or feel their presence? Is it wise for them to linger here after death? Is it practical for us to WANT them to remain? Now take the word “pretend” out of the equation and you have the floorplan for The Memory Thief.

I loved the depth of all the characters, even the innocence of the young child, Gabe. Oh, if we could all only continue to see life through the eyes of child. If we could all see the positive side of life and not be limited by what we think is not possible or achievable. The amount of happiness we receive in life is sometimes commensurate with the amount of effort we put in to finding it. The Memory Thief never really stole memories – it merely brought light and clarity to those who were willing to receive it.

I have mixed emotions about The Third Angel. It is actually three short stories that become threaded and connected at the end. It is basically a story of love and life. If we are honest, love (and life) can sometimes be unconventional - which is how I felt about the storylines. Sometimes we don't choose who we are going to fall in love with, life and circumstances have a way of bringing two hearts together. This story dabbles in disappointments, hidden secrets, the heartaches that come with guilt and regret and all wrapped nicely with a bit of spirituality. Three stories, one hotel, three loves, one angel. I'll not go into the premise of each story, you can read the stories synopsis and figure it out for yourself, but basically it deals with the theory that there are three types of angels. There is the Angel of Life, the Angel of Death and then there is the third angel -- the one who walks among us. The book was well written, rich in descriptive scenery, but for me I just felt something lacking. I can't put my finger on it -- perhaps it was because all of the stories seem to have a not-so-happy ending; they were full of people hurting and living in the past and pain. For me the most positive takeaway I received from the book was in the life of the doctor who met everything in life with an open mind and accepting attitude of "Well, what have we here?" Don't let my less than enthusiastic thoughts of the book discourage you from reading it -- perhaps it just didn't work for me.

I am always amazed when I read a book thinking I am going to be get one type of story and receive something completely different. This story had a bit of everything -- mystery, romance, history lesson, time travel, etc. I became immediately hooked with the clarity and vision obtained in Bryan's painting episodes. I am clearly not an artist but I can only imagine the passion with which one could paint if your subject matter was that deeply ingrained in your soul.

I'm not a believer in reincarnation, but have to admit that the concept worked beautifully in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories of the lives from the past that came calling during slumber. I found it a bit too contrived that each past episode seemed to be surrounded with such significant or popular figures in history. (In other words, I found it ironic that none of their past lives involved just ordinary people living ordinary lives.)But if you look at the story as being about the power and strength of true love -- true soul mates, then I guess it makes sense that the story would follow some of the greatest loves in history. I've done enough geneology in my lifetime to actually feel connections to loved ones from the past that I've never known, especially when you read something about their talents or hobbies or careers. But I accept this as a DNA connection only and nothing more.

I'm sure every reader will have their own interpretation of The Memory Painter. For me it was a historical journey, a captivating travel through time and a story that heightened my awareness and pride in the times and places from which my ancestors have lived and my hope and anticipation for what the future holds for my family and future generations to come.

I feel a bit guilty having to give this book only two stars when other reviewers clearly seem to have loved it. Perhaps I had higher hopes for the story, but it seemed a bit simplistic to me -- something along the lines of a Hallmark made-for-TV story. I had difficulty when the chapters moved from first person to third person and then back again and there were times when the author would state ahead of time what was about to happen, as if the reader couldn't figure it out for themselves. I didn't feel that the characters had enough depth to me -- although I did have fun picturing what Miss Ophelia must have looked like (to me I kept picturing my paternal grandmother). I love history, genealogy and antiques, so the premise that items can hold memories of others was both inviting and intriguing. I have many items belonging to loved ones I have lost and the mere sight of them can bring a flood of emotions and memories. I do often sit in some of my old old rockers and even try to envision the host of mothers who have sung their babies to sleep in them. I can line the drawers of old dressers and be filled with thoughts of all of the baby shoes, hand-made presents and love letters they have kept sacred in the past. For the walk down memory lane, I am grateful that I read the story. For future reading material, I fear I may have to look elsewhere.

Meet Colin Hancock. He's rough, he's troubled and he's as brutally honest as he is brutal inside a fight cage. Having dealt with anger issues his entire life, Colin is working toward a path that will lead him to redemption and a purpose. Channeling his temper hasn't been easy and he knows the parole officer meant business when he said "one more incident and it will mean a long time behind bars". Life is tough when your worst enemy is yourself.

Meet Maria Sanchez. She is beautiful, a law school graduate and had her heart broken by a man she thought was the one. She submerses herself in her work, setting goals for where she wants to see herself in the future. Remaining close to her immigrant Hispanic parents and her slightly younger sister, she reserves little time to build a life for herself outside the office. Life is tough when you can't let yourself trust others.

There is a stalker. He is on a mission. He has no name. He has no face. But he's out there -- and he doesn't care who gets in his way. His only goal is to exact revenge.

That is a quick synopsis of the story "See Me". For me this story had a much different feel from the normal Nicholas Spark stories -- a bit more drama, a bit more mystery. I would say that it was easy to figure out, but I ran a complete circle while reading it pointing blame to nearly everyone. What I really loved about the story, however, was Colin. The honesty of his character was remarkable and so refreshing. I loved that he didn't try to mask his past but accepted it like a person accepts the color of eyes. He pulled no punches (except in the ring), he laid himself out for all to see with a "like me or don't like me" attitude that never waivered. He was resigned to the fact that you can't change the past and yet determined to change his future. The story was filled with a menagerie of characters with both open and closed minds, who withheld judgment on someone until they really knew them to those who were so closed minded that seeing a bruised or mangled face could spell nothing but disaster and fear to them. I found the story both enlightening, inspiring and more than "okay". (Read the story and you will understand.)

This book package needs to have "Fragile" written all over it. It broke my heart in more ways than one. Meet Willow, a six year old born with a rare genetic mutation called osteogenesis imperfect ("OI"), which in short means soft or brittle bones. Willow contracted 7 broken bones while in the womb and even more during delivery. A condition that will plague her all her life, Willow and her family must deal with the reality that something as small as a sneeze could cause a bone fracture.

A mother whose life is consumed with protecting her younger daughter as best she can, an older sister who feels neglected and overlooked just because she is "normal" and a husband who can't possibly make enough to support the financial burden of treatment and hospital bills make up a family headed for disaster. An attorney who is fighting her own internal turmoil and anxiety while looking for her true birth mother, agrees to take on a "wrongful birth" case wherein the mother hopes to cash in for dollars to help with her daughter's care. The only problem with the case is that in order to claim a wrongful birth, the mother must prove that the doctor should have discovered the prognosis earlier and allowed her the opportunity to terminate the pregnancy, if she so desired. The biggest problem -- the female OBGYN is also the mother's best friend.

There are many moral and ethical issues that lie seductively hidden in this story. Some issues I could nod my head and say "that's right" and others left me wondering how I truly felt about the cost (emotional and monetary) of pursuing. This is a good discussion book and an excellent insight to the toll that any disability takes not only on the disabled but the caregivers as well.

It is always easy to say that we would react a certain way given a set of circumstances, but the truth is that thinking how one would react and actually finding yourself in that situation and having to truly make a snap decision on a matter are two different things. As a wife, mother and grandmother, I am very much aware of the sacrifices we make in our daily lives to bring about fulfillment or enrichment in the lives of our loved ones. I know what it is like to put your own desires or wants on the back burner in order to further the advancement of someone else. But this story poses many scenarios to the age old question, "What price glory?" How much is too much to ask? Where do you draw the line?

This was a very emotional and moving story that left me with a renewed sense of appreciation, gratitude and respect for all caregivers and their relentless energy and patience. Kuddos to the author for yet another eye-opening story that will make any reader count their blessings.

My first instinct was to give this book only one star, but in all honesty, I did enjoy the images projected of life as a lighthouse keeper and even that of life on the high seas. Obviously, my opinion differs greatly from others who have read this book.

Hannah was a strong woman who felt that being a woman should not bring limitations to what she was capable of achieving or doing. A father who raised her to feel at home in the water and to take pride in honest hard work, Hannah's mother felt she would be better served working in their on-land store and learning the ropes of being a lady rather than learning the ropes on a sailing ship. What a treasure was in store for her when she marries the lighthouse keeper and she is able to feel a part of the sea again.

Annie was in a marriage not of her liking. Her husband is a ship's captain and life aboard a ship with her as the only female is lonely. Pregnant and afraid of having to give birth on board her husband's whaling vessel, he sets her ashore with a promise to return for her after she has given birth and ready to sail again. Heartbroken and feeling abandoned, she finds comfort in the females to whom her husband has entrusted her care to. The birth of her daughter brings limited joy as the baby soon succumbs to ailments stemming from premature birth. Annie is determined to change outcome of her life, no matter the cost.

So for this reader, at least the beginning of the story presented two strong women who were not afraid to face adversity, trials and tribulations and saw no boundaries for their accomplishments. In researching the original of names, I found that Hannah means "grace, or in God's favor". Ironically, Annie is actually another version or form of Hannah. So I immediately begin to see a connection between their characters. And that is about where my interest and favor with the book ended.

I like to think that I read books that give me pause to think. I think value is found in literary works when a reader is moved, emotionally uplifted or gains insight from a story or theme from a book. I felt the story had validity and strength on its own accord without having to bring in sexuality issues better left for other works. Unfortunately, I finished this book disappointed by the outcome and directions taken. Oh well - as a reader, you win some and you lose some.

Noah's Wife was an interesting book to say the least. Noah is a minister who takes a position at a church in a small town where the past minister has apparently "gone missing" in the ever-rising waters. It appears it has been raining in this town for what seems like an eternity and there looks to be no end in sight. Hope is dwindling, faith is waning and raindrops keep falling. Noah (accompanied by his wife) have been assigned to the local church to help bring unity and hope to the town's people. There you have the beginning of the story. You meet some comical -- and some not so comical -- characters along the way that collectively create a colorful township. My favorite moments occurred when the townspeople took in all of the animals from the zoo when disaster strikes without complaining, without a second thought -- just because it was the right thing to do at the time.

My greatest difficulty with the story was that, for the most part, only the men in the story had names (Noah - the man sent to save everyone from the torrential rains; Adam -- who like the Biblical Adam and first keeper of the animals, is the town's zookeeper; and Jonah -- the weatherman who arrives to warn everyone of their fate due to the rising waters but gets swallowed up in his own guilt and remorse in not being able to make them evacuate). All of the women were referred to as "someone's wife" as in "Noah's wife". It reminded me a bit of Daphne Du'Maurier's Rebecca where we never knew Mrs. DeWinter's first name. What struck me odd was that while few of the women were referred to by first name, they were the ones portrayed as the stronger sex, the keepers of faith, the glue holding it all together, the axis from which everything rotated. (Was there an underlying feminist statement being made?)

I think the story was supposed to show the strength of relationships, taking chances, facing the unknown, have faith and courage for whatever lies ahead and working together for a common good. But quite frankly, I just wanted to go stand outside and turn my face towards the sun and feel something other than the gloom and despair showered upon this town and their plight. Maybe I just need to ponder it for a few days and let the story soak in - pardon the pun.

Everything I Never Told You perhaps should have been named "Everything You Never Thought to Ask or Notice". This was a beautifully written story about what I perceived as a deeply dysfunctional family. It broke my heart on so many levels because I fear it speaks to a great many American households these days. I never thought I would be one to say the dreaded phrase "in my days" but unfortunately in my days when we raised our kids, the dinner table was a place to share our lives and thoughts with one another. We recognized the importance of knowing what was going on with our children and hopefully helped them feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and fears. As a part of the duo "husband and wife", and 40+ years together, you learn that the key to a healthy relationship is not being afraid to share feelings - even if they may not be what the other half wants to hear. This story brought to light the importance of communication in a family, the need we each have to feel loved, important and accepted for who we are and not who someone wants us to be. This should be a must read for all parents to learn to "use your words" and not assume anything. It should be a wake up call for all parents that you can't relieve your life through your children. If somehow you missed the boat and your life took a different direction than planned, well now is a good time to pull up your big girl panties and make the best of the hand you have been dealt. In all honesty this was not a feel good book for me, but was an very realistic and honest look at everyone's human side that screams out a need to be heard and accepted.

This was my first book by David Bell and it won't be my last. After reading several "female" stories, I thought I would change direction and read a mystery. What a good choice. Point A finds a young college couple embracing their relationship and youth. The girl "Marissa" suddenly breaks off the relationship and within a few days she and 3 other students die in a house fire. Point B begins 20 years later and the long ago boyfriend has tried to move on, even marries another girl years later, but the memory of Marissa still haunts him and his marriage dissolves. It's a quiet weekend night and he visits the local grocery story to pick up his usual snack foods when he catches sight of a girl in the grocery who is the spitting image of Marissa, complete with mannerism and expression. He approaches her but his forwardness scares her and she runs out of the store and into the night. Point C begins the next day when the police arrive at the same man's door and asks how he knew the girl from the grocery store. She has been found murdered and his name and address are in her pocket. The only problem -- he never told her his name.

From there the story takes an addictive ride that is well worth the ride. I was hypnotized by the plot and thought I knew the direction it was headed. I found the real story behind Marissa and her family's sudden disappearance not as believable as my own theory, but the bits of clues uncovered along the way were just as intriguing and fascinating as any Sherlock Holmes story.

This was a good detour from my usual family relationship stories and a road I hope I visit more often. The author knows how to let a story flow at a pace that is easy, doesn't get stale and doesn't move to swiftly. I look forward to reading further writings from this author.

I wish I would have put this book down and then picked it up later so I could have savored it more deeply. I normally finish a book in 3-5 days and this one took me a month -- but only because of a family illness that kept me from reading. Because I was reading only small bits at a time, it took me a while to really get into the rhythm of the characters and the story. However, about half-way through, I fell in love with them all. I didn't realize until after I finished the book that the author also wrote "The Deep End of the Ocean" but it should have been apparent. She has an overwhelming knack of portraying just how far a parent's love can extend and be stretched -- even if the child isn't biologically yours.

Frank, an ex-cop and one-time horse trainer, loses his wife and unborn child during a tsunami in Australia. During his volunteer efforts to help other survivors, he sees a car submerged in rushing water and mud. Approaching the vehicle, a young boy pushes his even younger brother out of the car towards Frank and says, "take my brother -- he's important". After seeing that the small lad is on safe ground, he attempts to rescue the other brother, but another strong wave washes the car and its occupants into the muck and mire. Much like the story "The Light Between Two Oceans", Frank is faced with an uncanny urge and need to keep the small lad and not release him to the custody of officials. He soon finds that the boy is more than important -- he is "special" in ways that most people can't fathom. And no matter how far he travels around the globe, there is always someone looking for his special child.

I thought the story was well written with characters who mastered the meaning of courage and compassion. It was a testament to unconditional love and the control a mind can have over matter. For me the book was a bit rushed in the end but perhaps it was because circumstances caused me to not jump into the story with both feet at the beginning so I was just hesitant to let the tale run its course to closure. Regardless, it was a most enjoyable read.

The House of Secrets is just that. It is hard to describe this book without giving the true plot away, but I'll try. A father tells his children an old story passed down from his father about a farmer 150 years ago who finds a body that has frozen in the cold. He brings the body home, wraps it in a blanket and seeks the country doctor. When the doctor arrives and examines the body for identifying marks, his autopsy discovers a small object the size of a deck of cards encased in wax inside the man's chest. When the wax is removed, it is found to be a small bible with an inscription, "property of Benedict Arnold." The only thing is that there was no scar on his chest or his body, so how did it get there?

Fast forward 200 years from the original farmer story and you have the family of Jack Nash, the host of a TV Show "The House of Secrets". Jack and his son Skip travel the world trying to solve mysteries and uncovering secrets. A car crash kills Jack and has caused severe brain injuries to his grown daughter, Hazel, leaving her without memories from the past.

In Canada a man in a revolutionary war style jacket has been found dead and inside his chest is a small Bible.

In Dubai a man is found dead wearing a red revolutionary war jacket and, you guessed it, there is a small Bible in his chest.

Without giving the story away, suffice it to say that they are all connected. Nothing is the truth and no one can be trusted. Benedict Arnold and his "Bibles" become the key to unraveling the mystery. However, the House of Secrets hold many secrets and once a window has been opened to expose one secret, more continue to follow. This was a captivating read that kept me trying to guess the ending. But the true secret lies within.

This book fell a bit short of my expectations. A family made up of people with little ambition and even smaller accomplishments. Divorced parents composed of a self-serving mother and a father who thinks himself a playboy and balanced by two grown daughters who appear to have attended a school promoting small business opportunities for underachievers. The highlight came about 80 pages into the story when Dawn (a dog walker, bather and sitter) began hearing her canine clients speaking to her. Now THAT was comical. I found the story a bit shallow with the strongest characters being the dogs. Dawn has a habit of making poor decisions when it comes to relationships and after 3 failed attempts, finally heeds the advice and opinion of one of her dogs. And like a dog that will usually make 3 circular motions before lying down for a long nap, sometimes we have to follow the circles of life before we find our comfortable spot in life. I can't say that the book left me pondering the mysteries of life, but it did make me want to communicate with my dogs -- especially when I ask them who chewed up a newspaper in the middle of the floor and they all three look the other way.

What a beautifully written story about one boy's journey from childhood to manhood. A young boy, Shan, finds himself in Ireland, orphaned and taken in by an ill-tempered, miserly uncle. The next years find him walking full circle in life as he experiences poverty, abandonment, fear, acceptance, redemption and hope. Always the outsider, it seems he is forever standing on the outside looking in at those who have found their way in life. His story crosses the oceans when he finds his way to America, but his luck shows little in the way of improving. He catches a break here and there, but there always seems to be a cloud hanging over his shoulder ... that nagging feeling that something is missing. I was captivated by this story and spent every extra moment I could spare walking through its pages. I was pleased to see Shan's life come full circle but almost hated to see it end.

The title was so appropriate for this story. In life there are probably many like Shan, who feel they spend all their lifetime standing on the edge of lost. But being the eternal optimist, I hope for those who feel like Shan did that they will always know if you look at it from the other shore, that being on the edge of lost really means that you are standing on the edge of being found.

I found this book both comical and thought provoking. I have been challenged with much in my life time (and always the victor) and have learned to laugh in the face of adversity and smile in the face of sorrow. It brought a smile to my face to watch the main character (Mattie) take her lumps in stride. In my personal opinion, everyone in this story was scarred, scared and scandalous and age held no privilege or immunity. It seemed everyone was holding secrets or held a blind eye to what was right in front of them. There were times I wanted to reach through the pulpy page and just slap the crap out of some characters and then there were moments I just wanted to hug Mattie and tell her to just cry it out.

The story encompasses Mattie, whose life has been adrift and afloat since the death of her mother -- a mother she soon discovers she didn't really know or understand. The mother spent much of her life running from her past and hiding her future in a bottle. Stepfather Queeg was the one redeeming, quality character who seemed to have a minute grasp on reality and the anchor to whom Mattie gravitated. Between the pages of this book, friends are made, lovers are lost, fate plays its hand and cards are tossed. Thirty and pregnant, Mattie is given another chance in this ride we call life. Does she take what she's learned and plot a new course? Or walk in the familiar footsteps of those before her? It makes no difference whether it is smooth sailing or a crash landing -- sometimes you just have to land the plane first before you can figure out where you are really headed.

Lily and the Octopus was like a breath of fresh air. A bit whimsical, a lot comical and extremely emotional. For anyone who has ever loved and lost a four-legged friend, this story is a testament to the bond between human and canine. Lily is a wiener dog who is 12-1/2 years old. The runt of the litter, she picked out Ted when he came to pick out a puppy. She has had her share of obstacles that even included the ruptured disc surgery so many of her kind encounter in their lifetime. But one morning she enters the kitchen wondering what is for breakfast when her owner looks at her and says, "why is there an octopus on your head?"

The grueling journey begins for both recipients on either end of this line they call friendship. Lily is oblivious to the magnitude of the intruder who has appeared on her head and Ted is unstoppable in his efforts to rid the octopus from their midst.

Having had dogs with ruptured discs, epilepsy, seizures, brain infections, paralysis, etc. this story brought to mind the emotional roller coaster rides I have shared with my furry friends over the years. Having to come to terms with the circle of life is so very difficult but, in essence, reminds us that it is more important to celebrate life than to spend too much time fearing death.

And let's face it - if we look hard enough, if we keep the door open long enough, we encourage -- almost invite, the appearance of the octopus. We allow fear, uncertainty and insecurity to cast shadows on our lives and minds and it slowly encroaches on our souls. Perhaps we should all learn to live with the attitude of Lily -- who swore she was unable to remember any bad memories -- only the good ones. Now THERE is the key to a happy life. Grab a hanky and dig in -- this is a heartwarming story that made me laugh, made me cry and made me smile.

I don't know when I have read a book that made me smile as much as Be Frank With Me. "Frank" is a young autistic, eccentric young man whose love is old black and white movies and whose mind is like a walking encyclopedia. Every day Frank dresses in the style of some movie star or historic figure -- some days Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, William Holden in Sunset Boulevard. Being a lover of old movies and movie lines myself, this book could have been written just for me.

Frank's mother authored a best seller some years back and her publisher is pushing her to finally write another novel. His mother tells her publicist that she is going to need help at her home with household chores and someone help look after her son, Frank, if she is to attempt such a task. The publicist sends a young female employee named Alice to be his eyes and ears.

The friendship and antics that ensue throughout the Summer and Falls months between Alice and Frank was such a learning experience for them both. Full of humor, wisdom and lines from old movies, it reminded me of the more modern movie "The Truman Show". It was like having a front and center seat in a true reality show that is unscripted, true human nature and honest emotions.

I felt the ending was a bit rushed and fell a little flat, but perhaps it was just because I didn't want it to end. If you feel a need to escape or just want to take a trip down nostalgic movie road, then this book is definitely for you. I hope to carry the innocence and spirit of Frank with me always, but should his image start to fade, I hope I'm reminded that, "We'll always have Paris".

Well that was certainly a crash and burn read -- but in a positive way. A private jet takes off carrying a pilot, co-pilot, flight attendant, a multi-millionaire with his wife, two small children and their bodyguard, another millionaire (who is unknown to anyone is about to be indicted for money laundering) and his wife and a want-to-be artist who crates human disaster paintings. Approximately 16 minutes into the flight it crashes into the water and burns. Two survivors. Seems simple enough until you start delving into the lives, patterns and mental state of each person on board. They all seemed relatively normal before the fall -- but after is when things start to unravel.

This was a very engrossing story that I couldn't put down. A birds-eye view of each passenger in the following chapters reveals that everything isn't always as it seems. It opened up many cans of worms that shed some light on human nature, human frailties and human greed. It emphasizes how the power of the press can influence the minds of so many who aren't smart enough to think for themselves or are just too lazy. It screams for justice and begs for compassion.

For some life is snubbed out because of the fall. Others learn they weren't truly living Before the Fall.

I find myself in a pattern of reading stories that skip around so much I feel I must precede each book with a dose of Dramamine. Perhaps I have somehow fallen out of sync in the rhythm of reading? Or have writers started putting a story on paper, tossing the pile in the air and then putting it together in the order that they pick up the fallen papers?

This book had the backbone of a decent story, a good mystery, and a lot of sex (if that's what you're looking for in a book). A young boy's parents are gunned down before his eyes - that is Chapter 1. It stands to reason that when Chapter 2 starts and it is a conversation with him and his Dad that we have now advanced back in time (pre-murder). But the story kept moving to and fro that I got dizzy at times. Somewhere tangled amid the pages WAS a story of a murder, a cover-up, millions of dollars made and millions lost, the coming of age of an 8-foot tall football player, the downfall of a world class ballerina and a lesson in how to cook meatless dishes.

I gave the book three stars because the mystery was a decent one and did finally come full circle but the journey along the way was hard for me to follow and left much unanswered. Life Among Giants had a vague resemblance to a carnival freak show -- where you pay your money thinking you are going to see the world's largest man and in the end you feel like you've been fooled by mirrors and illusion. The story and writing still just fell "short" for me.

This is the second book I have read by M. J. Rose (Seduction) and I also have two more in my "to read" list. I have to say I think I liked Seduction a bit more. The Witch of Painted Sorrows revolves around an ancient old family secret involving females pleasuring wealthy men, the love of art, the longing for immortality, the occult and the need to find a willing human vessel. I found the book engaging, truly loved the way art was described and articulated as if telling a story on canvas and enjoyed the descriptive feel of London in the late 1800's. Stories of the occult, the supernatural and the unexplained aren't really my cup of tea so perhaps that is why the story didn't truly resonate with me. From a different angle, if you enjoy a fairly erotic and sensual mix in your books, then I suggest you bring out the sugar and creamer bowl along with your teapot, because you are going to be here for awhile.

This was a very quick read (2 hours max) and for the moment, I am undecided on its affect on me. It was a beautiful story of finding friendship, companionship, and maybe even love in the Winter season of your life. Two neighbors, alone, feeling the loss of their spouses for several years, take a stand and agree to meet each night at Maddie's house. The meeting isn't of a sexual nature, isn't for physical pleasure -- just merely a hand to hold to help get a person through the night -- mere human conversation, the sound of another's breathing to confirm that one isn't alone. A touching story that was a pleasure to read and yet I got frustrated that the author gave Addie such a strong character, someone who wasn't afraid of what others said or thought and yet didn't let her stand up to her own grown son -- who was rude, inconsiderate, judgmental and totally out of line in his words to his Mother. (Can you tell I didn't like him?) This gross fault in her written character kept me from truly accepting her or the story in its entirety.

I hate to even nag about this, but my biggest peeve about this book is that it comes across as one HUGE conversation and yet nowhere in the story are there any quotation marks. (A silly thing I know, but irritating, nonetheless.) You had to pay close attention to follow who was doing the talking at times. I know that punctuation and/or grammar shouldn't make or break a story, but I really had a hard time getting past this intentional oversight.

The Mapmaker’s Children explores the lives of the family of Reverend John Brown, the abolitionist, after he was hung for his role in the massacre at Harper’s Ferry and his efforts to relocate and defend both freed and owned slaves. While the most of the details of the story were fictional, the author certainly did her homework in creating the essence of opposing lifestyles and beliefs during the few years leading up to the civil war and after. With three of her siblings killed during the battle at Harper’s Ferry and her father captured, Sarah Brown accepts her promise to her father to further his work in whatever way she can. She is obviously not a soldier and not a fighter but she is a good artist. Her efforts to create concealed maps that would help direct and bring about the first steps towards freedom for many was both courageous and admirable. Unable to have children of her own, Sarah finds satisfaction in giving continued life to others in her service to humanity. I enjoyed that you can search Sarah and her family and put faces to the names.

This book also has a modern story co-mingled with Sarah’s story of the mid-late 1800’s. Eden and her husband purchase an old house once occupied by the Brown family. Eden, like Sarah, finds herself unable to successfully conceive and carry a child. Like Sarah, Eden must search to find purpose and contentment in a world full of disappointment and discouragement.

I felt the story ended rather abruptly and left some items hanging – or at least some loose ends. For the most part, I found the book entertaining and it gave good insight to a time when people had principles and understood the value of commitment.

Have to be honest - I couldn't finish this story. I gave it my best effort (200 pages) but it was going absolutely nowhere. I kept thinking it would all fall into place soon, but after another 20 pages I was asking myself the same question??? Why am I wasting my time? It felt like a menagerie of random thoughts, sons and father's lives bouncing back and forth between present and past, and each generation more screwed up than the one previous. I got the concept -- we make mistakes, we spend more time in our occupations than with our children -- our children paint us in a picture and either see no flaws or see every one plus some they merely imagine. Some are forced to be seen as a mirror image of their parent. We can have regrets in the winter of our lives if we don't make amends but frankly, I just couldn't spend any more time with the characters. Suffice it to say, I can only pray they set things right, forgiveness was given, apologies were accepted and they all moved on. Whew - thumbing through my library for something with a bit more "umph" to it.

The Seven Sisters is a whirlwind journey through Paris, Rio and Geneva. It is the story of one of six sisters (I'm sure the seventh sister will be explained later by the author), who has been forced to deal with the death of her adoptive father. Their Dad, "Pa Salt", as he is referred to had created a beautiful home and lifestyle for six orphaned girls, each from different areas around the globe and each gifted and beautiful in their own right. Maia is the oldest daughter and, unlike her sisters, has never strayed far from home. In the wake of her father's death, she is forced to open her eyes to questions and secrets surrounding her origins. She feels a pull to venture to the only known place of her beginnings.

This story overlaps between the present (2007) and the past (1928) and the author does a good job of making the transition seamless and painless. I got totally engrossed in the story of old and loved the historical ties to the building of the statue of Christ in Rio. The author's descriptive talent gave the air of walking the streets of old with the characters.

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was a series. I don't usually read series as I want to experience new stories. I thought because there were actually six sisters, that this book was going to tell the story of each one and I kept thinking the author was expending too much energy on just one sister. It was then that I realized that each book will have its own unique story and origins, so now I'm excited to read the story of each sister's life and beginnings.

I felt the story was a bit rushed in the end - or maybe it just felt rushed because I hated for it to end. This was a solid 3-4 stars. I gave it four because it is the first book in a series that has be actually waiting to read the sequel.

The story of Lillian Boxfish isn’t a mystery nor does it contain a closet filled with secrets – but it is full of life. New Year’s eve 1984 finds Lillian taking a familiar walk (miles in length) around her beloved Manhattan neighborhood that provides her an opportunity to reflect on her life, accomplishments, disappointments and dreams. In her mid 80’s, Lillian has achieved much in her life -- making a name not only for herself but for woman, in general, in the field of advertising. Her witty remarks, poems and advertisements become a household name in the 1930’s. Somewhere along the way she finds love, loses her love and almost loses herself. Old and alone she is still a self-made woman, still trying to make and find her way in life. She is eager to embrace the future and is slowly losing her foothold on the past. The long night of December 31, 1984, is more than a walk down memory lane – it is a journey into the past, a glimpse at what might have been and a dream of what will be. It is a story of relinquishing one’s hold on the world and passing the baton to the next generation. It is a story of courage and fortitude. Oh, if we all only had the eyes and heart of Lillian.

Well let me start out by saying that I loved this author's book, "The Orphan Train". I was expecting another outstanding story but I'm afraid the author missed the boat on this one.

Cassandra, who lives in New York City and works in a small, struggling art store, receives word that the grandfather she never really knew has passed away and left her his land and old home in Sweet Water. When Cassandra was a small child, her mother was killed in a car accident in which her grandfather was driving. With a life that is lacking luster and with nothing to lose, she sets out for Alabama to meet her mother's family that she doesn't know but with a personal motive to help solve the mystery surrounding her mother's death.

Secrets and cover-ups seem to be the norm not only throughout her mother's family, but the town as well. I felt the story had great potential for a good plot as the secrets involved more than one death. But that's about where my positive comments end. I'll admit I was glued to my Nook screen hanging on every word and praying for a resolution to the pain inflicted on so many so long ago. Unfortunately, it ended somewhat like Gone With the Wind. Like we all hoped that Scarlet would eventually win back the heart of Rhett, we were left not knowing what really happened -- it was left to the imagination and creativity of the reader. Well this story ends just as abruptly, perhaps even more so. There are no lose ends tied up. What you are left with is acknowledgement that Cassandra has made a decision on the new found love in her life and Grandma says she has lots of story to tell but the following page is a bio on the author. I don't usually read a book to write my own ending and when I purchase a book, I expect a beginning AND an end.

I gave this 3 stars because it did hold my interest until the end (or lack of one) and I did like the author's ability to tell the story from both Cassandra and her grandmother's voice and make it a smooth transition. I'm not counting this author out yet because she certainly told a great historical fiction story in The Orphan Train so I know the talent is there. This story showed promise, but I think her follow-through resulted in landing in a sand trap.

I've read several books that are made up of nothing but letters and it is a difficult thing to pull off. This author did it beautifully and seamlessly. It had a strange resemblance to the book "The Readers of Broken Wheel Suggest" in that it was filled with colorful characters who were filled with rare honesty and a delight to spend time with. The story revolves around the occupation of Guernsey during WWII. The pages contain stories of raw emotion and the bonds of friendship and kinship that evolve during times of despair. The old saying that it takes a village to raise a child never rings more true than in this story.

This book gives insight to, perhaps, the first attempt at a book club and it was a thrilling adventure to watch non-readers discover the world of literature -- to find a way to remove themselves from the overwhelming stress of war and enter a world where life is easy, good wins over evil and the guy always gets the girl.

Even more entertaining was getting to know the simplistic lifestyle of the townspeople, discover their background and catch a glimpse of what you pray is in their future.

Two failing marriages, one abusive and the other just a matter of drifting apart – an unhappy husband and an unhappy wife. Put them together and you have broken hearts, broken promises and broken families. Dani was a good mother but couldn’t take the verbal and physical abuse of her spouse. Ian was a good father of two girls but felt that he and his wife were growing in opposite directions with opposite goals. An acquaintance begins, then feelings grow and then all hell breaks loose. Dani divorces her husband. Ian divorces his wife. Dani and Ian marry. End of story? No, that’s just the beginning. Dani wakes with a hangover, vague images of a company party (which she entered mixing pain pills and alcohol) and a brief spat on the lawn with her husband. Was it a dream or reality? She can’t be sure. The only thing she IS sure of is that her husband is missing without a trace.

At first I was a bit put off by the writing style and format this book took and then it begin to grow on me. The story starts at the end and works backwards. There is little dialogue and pages and pages of reflections of the past. By the end of the story I realized it couldn’t have been written any other way. By the end of the story, I wasn’t sure if I truly liked any of the characters but I’m okay with that too. There doesn’t always have to be a hero or heroine. Perhaps it just emphasizes the fact that we are all flawed, that we all have idealistic visions of how life and marriage should be and then can’t understand when we are blindsided by the truth. And it is always so easy when things go south to lay the blame on the actions of someone else. It is always easier to blame another than to look within.

I can’t say this is a feel good story. I can say that it is a story of how one act, any act, can have a lifelong effect on so many. It is a story of discovering that you can’t look to another for your own happiness – that, too, lies within.

I have read several books by Kristin Hannah and this one seemed a bit distant (pardon the pun) from some of her other stories. The story revolves around a couple who have been married 24 years; their two daughters are now in college and the couple is now dealing, or NOT dealing, with themselves as a couple and not parents anymore. It is an honest look at what can happen in a marriage or relationship when you don't divide up your time and attention in proportion to the needs at hand. Most mothers know that from the moment of giving birth, life - as they remember it - will never be the same. It seems your time and devotion is to your family and spouse and there is little time left for yourself - especially if you're a working Mom. Typically the male spouse spends much of his male adult life consumed with work, house and car repairs and providing something solid to live on when the kids are gone. Akin to the book "What Alice Forgot", this story tells how in the midst of doing what you perceive as your duty as a parent or spouse, it is easy to lose sight of who you were in the beginning.

The story flowed well and gave the perspective of both spouses -- and at times the children. I can't say the story "wowed" me and it is one I have heard before and after 41 years of marriage, lived through some of it. There were some great words of wisdom and a reinforcement of building a good base to a marriage that will stand strong in troubled times. While it probably should be read by the younger, less than 5 years married, crowd to serve as a reminder to keep sight of your true North, it probably will be appreciated more by the seasoned adult who has learned to don a lifejacket and float inland and stand on the distant shores once more.

Definitely not her best book, but worth the read.

Wow - that was an awesome ride. It was like a combination of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous meet True Detective sprinkled with a psychic reading. Charlotte, who goes by Charlie, is swimming in a sea of despair and grief over the loss of her young son. Unable to find the strength to go back to work she sinks deeper into gloom at home until a strange dream surrounding a young boy adrift in a row boat, floating gently in a swamp, whispers "help me". Is it a dream? Is it a sign meant from her son? Is she going crazy?

A call from a long-ago boss at True Crime magazine with a freelance project offer kindles a spark of life in Charlie. The job pertains to a wealth family in Louisiana and the cold case of their young son who was kidnapped 30 years ago and never found.

I changed my mind many times in the course of this story on who was the murderer, the true course of events that fateful night 30 years ago, but I didn't see everything that was about to be revealed. This was a great mystery filled with the mystic atmosphere of the deep south. You could almost feel the Spanish moss dripping off the trees brush your face as you walked the gardens of Evangeline. I'd had this book on my to read list for a couple of years. I'm glad that, just like Charlie in the story listened to her dreams, I listened to my gut feeling that said, "Now is the time to welcome this story into your library." I can't wait to see what other stories are on the shelf by this author.

Perhaps I was trying to make more of this book than was necessary. Perhaps I've read too many mysteries lately so I was overthinking the plot of this story. Whatever the case, when I finally closed the book, I just kept thinking, "Was that it?" I kept waiting for that revelation or twist that was going to give me one of those V8 moments when you smack your head and think that you should have seen that coming. Suffice is to say, that moment never arrived.

I've read many books by this author and her writing skills did not regress in this story, but the story line fell a bit short for me. The idea that a hypnotist was dating a young man who is being stalked by an ex-girlfriend, only to find that the stalker is one of the hypnotists clients, leaves a lot of room and possibilities to play with. It was interesting, at times a bit edgy, but it just didn't leave me screaming for more. In the end it was just wrapped up in a too tight of a bow with that happily ever after icing. Don't get me wrong -- I love happy endings, but sometimes I just like my characters to be a bit flawed and not just the bad guy in the story. It makes it a bit more believable and realistic. Because let's face it, who couldn't get a good night's sleep with a pea under the mattress? But if I was being stalked day and night by my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend you can bet that I'd be trading that pea for a handgun. Apparently the characters in this story just liked pea soup.

Perfect was everything but. But in an imperfect world, perhaps it never hurts to dream the impossible.

Byron is young boy with grown-up eyes. He sees more than most but keeps it to himself -- and his best friend James. A father who is rarely at home and a mother that wishes she wasn't, leaves Byron to fend for himself and a task of how to fix what is wrong. In this case the means doesn't justify the end. The truth is that everyone is broken -- whether they realize it or not. And there are some people you just can't help. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

Another story runs parallel to Byron's -- that of a grown man who is known as Jim. Autistic? Perhaps. Severe OCD? Most definitely. Broken? No more than any other person walking the streets - it is just that his imperfections are more visible.

This story comes from the same author that gave us "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry", but I can't say it spoke to me like Harold's journey did. I had great difficulty trying to put the two stories of Byron and Jim together and the confusion kept getting in the way of the words on the page. I'll give the author credit; she eventually wove them together in the end, but it was a little late to leave a lasting impression on me.

Suffice it to say that "Perfect" was not the word I would use to describe this book. However, hidden deep within the words on the page was a message worthy of reading, but I like my coffee with a bold flavor that makes my senses go "wow". This read more like a weak cup of decaf.

This was my third book by this author (Fallen Women and Prayers for Sale, which is still my favorite). Grace is an extraordinary woman. Raised and trained by a midwife, Grace helped bring her first baby into the world when she was only 10. Naming her character Grace was no accident because her heart was overflowing with compassion for others, especially mothers and their babies and she sacrificed most all of her own life helping others bring new life to the world around her.

The story begins with an aged Grace being called to the house of a prominent mining company owner to attend to a newborn. Grace arrives to find the baby choking and with her expert hand she suctions the baby’s small lungs and soothes not only the baby but the home’s occupants as well. Just a few days later she receives word that the baby she attended has died. But not only did the baby die, he was strangled and they are accusing Grace of the act.

From there the story leads you through Grace’s life, her experiences as a midwife, the strength she possessed and the strength she was able to pass along to weary birthing mothers. I am still astounded at what mothers of old had to endure to get their babies to maturity. The birthing was only the first of many obstacles to cross in a world with few doctors, even fewer medicines and the only true hope was prayer.

I enjoyed the story immensely and had never really thought about all the aspects of life to which a midwife was subjected. I loved the strength of her character and her passion for the gift she clearly received. At the same time I wept for whatever it was that was clearly a burden or severe sorrow that she tried so gracefully to cover up. It wasn’t until the end that her true story is revealed and I admired her all the more. I’ve often heard that GRACE means God Revealed at Christ’s Expense and that definition couldn’t have been more appropriate than the story of Grace found in this story. Some people are self-serving, others are self-sacrificing and for Grace, sacrificing her feelings, happiness or comfort was never an issue when it came to helping others.

Kate is a nurse and coordinator for patients needing assistance as they progress through an illness, injury or cancer treatments. She can organize help while patients are in the hospital or at home. She is married with two stepchildren and desperately wants a child of her own. Two miscarriages are casting billowing dark clouds over her dreams and her husband is ready for her to stop trying.

Sonja is a social worker who assists Kate with patient's needs. She is married to a wealthy businessman whose behavior and sexual manners became somewhat aggressive and controlling since they married. Daily she doles out words of advice and encourage to others in abusive relationships and yet lacks the courage or insight to see the reflection in the mirror of her own life.

Zoe is a teenage battling severe anxiety issues. Afraid to make eye contact with anyone other than her mother, a social life that is nearly non-existent and suffering the smirks and side jokes of all her classmates, her life is the epitome of stressful and lonely -- to say the least. Zoe hasn't a clue as to who is her father. Her world revolves solely around her mother who provides her refuge from her fears and anxieties.

Alice is Zoe's mother. She is a caregiver to the elderly and sick. Her gift in life is her ability to bring comfort to others in both her professional and personal life. Alice struggles daily to bring order to a world that is void of order and peace for her daughter. Alice is the rock and safe harbor for Zoe and is Zoe's only chance for a normal survival. But Alice has just been caught in her own avalanche with little hope of rescue. When the dust settles at her feet, the signs are as visible as a neon sign shining through the darkness and it spells stage three ovarian cancer.

This is a powerful story about the strength and courage of three women and a child. Each are struggling with their own internal disappointments, fears and shame. Each shares a common bond of guilt -- guilt for not being strong enough to say "enough, guilt for an inability to bear a child, guilt for having drawn the short straw in life and leaving a child to fend for herself and guilt for being afraid of everything.

There is little to be revealed in this story that an avid reader can't figure out and yet it was a sad but enjoyable journey to take with all of the characters. Short but to the point chapters kept this story moving at a good pace. It affords an opportunity to laugh and to cry but even more -- to hope, to reflect on what you have been given and to cherish each day with those you love.

Give me a book with a picture of the sea and a lighthouse on the cover and I feel I can't go wrong. But, alas, Harbour Falls fell short for me. Maddy is an author, an accomplished fiction mystery author. Having left Harbour Falls some years ago, she now calls Los Angeles home. Four years ago there was a much publicized scandal in her home town. A local girl engaged to a local wealthy business owner on the island goes missing the day before their wedding. Rumor has it there was friction and deadly riptides flowing between groom and bride. Maddy returns home for a short 3-month visit in hopes to write her first true mystery story and has high hopes of trying to solve all the unanswered questions. Under the guise that she has returned for a short visit in hopes to overcome writer's block, caution and discretion are the tools she must employ to put her sleuth skills to good use. But sometimes when you go looking for trouble -- you find it.

My first problem with the story came when it seemed within 24 hours of arriving on the island, she immediately begins having feelings for the groom who was left without a bride -- who just happens to be a guy Maddy knew from her high school days and always had a crush on. The relationship that blossomed rather abruptly between the two just seemed a bit contrived to me. It moved faster than a sports car on the Autobahn. Within days the author had the main character thinking she was in love with him and then 2 minutes later was doubting his innocence and honesty. The story played out like a soap opera cat and mouse game and I got the sense that Maddy's character lacked character.

The circumstances around the mystery were interesting and had some validity but got lost in the sexual teasing and on again, off again trust issues. The clincher came when I was on the last chapter of the book and realized that the author opened up new questions and new mysteries only to tell you the answers could be expected in the next book. What? Really? I don't do series books and am not going to "fall" for another episode of Harbour Falls or its inhabitants.

I found this a very captivating story. Life in the deep backwoods of the south can be a bit mind boggling for city folks, like me. Perhaps that is why I like to read stories that paint a picture of a lifestyle and time in which I will never know.

This story spans the life of Miss Olivia Harker. She was born to a mother whose mind became tangled in madness and left her incapable of knowing how to be both a mother and wife. With her Mom sent to an asylum, she forges through life learning from her father who runs a small grocery store, which doubles as their home. Her father’s greatest talent in life is the gift of healing and nurturing – mainly animals. He shows Olivia the way of a good heart that is kind, friendly to everyone and compassionate to all.

Without going into too much detail and revealing the story, Olivia’s life takes many changes over the course of the next 30 years. A daughter and a grandson enter her life, a father exits and a mother re-enters. All components have a ripple effect on her life and her outlook for the future. It seems that every time Olivia catches a break, something in her or around her breaks and shatters as well and she is left to sweep up the pieces to keep the road ahead of her free of stumbling blocks.

I struggled with some of her choices in life and the choices of some around her, but the story kept me engaged and anxious to capture that moment when all the pieces of broken glass would reconnect to produce the finished mosaic picture.

My favorite line: "a person often meets his destiny on the road he took avoiding it."

This was such a heart-wrenching story about finding love, losing love and following your heart's desires. It surrounds two women with much more in common than the surface shows.

Evelyn is an aged woman who met the "love of her life" at a wedding of a friend. A chance encounter left such an impression on her soul that the image stays with her through her adult life. Years after the encounter, and with her current husband, she catches a glimpse of him again and a flood of emotions and feelings envelope her heart. Are her feelings a reflection of what she gave up or hopes of what she might have had?

Alice is in her mid-thirties and has had several relationships. A man in a bar capturers her attention and boldly asks her for a date. A relationship begins, a life of wanting ends and a marriage is on the horizon. Alice awakens one morning while on her honeymoon to a note from her husband stating that he is sorry but he can't take this anymore. Like a thief in the night, he is gone and she is left to deal with the aftermath of not knowing why or where.

Two women -- two lost loves but more than four hearts get broken. Told from two perspectives and two time tables, the stories mesh and blend the pain that only a broken heart can endure. This author has a great talent for placing you front and center in the lives of her characters. The use of art and visual effects from paintings made me have to stop and call up the respective paintings to see if I could see and feel what they were feeling.

The raw, human emotion portrayed on the pages of this book only emphasize that all the people, circumstances, loves and relationships we encounter in our lifetime are like a single drop of blood in our veins -- by itself nothing more than a grain of sand, but added together, it defines who we are.

This was a quick read but very moving – at least it was for me. Catherine, referred to as Cappy by those closest to her, experienced a horrific accident at the age of 12. While at a family/friends gathering, she was asked to keep an eye on a small child while the mother carried in food but she took her eyes off for only a split second (or so it seemed). The young boy fell in the river and drowned and Cappy’s world and her hope for future happiness seemed to have floated down the river along with Sam’s lifeless body.

Cappy’s family moved just days after the accident but the ordeal had a daunting effect on all. Fifteen years later finds Cappy’s mother deceased. Another three years later her father dies suddenly and Cappy is made aware of his final wish –for her to spread his ashes in the river that holds her turmoil and fear.

There is a section in the story that tells of when a few days after the accident Cappy finds herself back at the water’s edge. There are hundreds of sand dollars and starfish blending into the sand, just under the surface. They looked like stranded sea life – carried to shore by a high tide and left to bleach and die on the drying sands. She frantically tries to save them by digging them out of the sand and carrying them to the deeper water in hopes of survival. She then learns that they aren’t dying but are merely caught between two tides. They would be fine once the tide comes in and carries them back out to sea and they are, once more, set free to be on their journey.

Life is much like the image of those sand dollars and starfish. We are hit sometimes with high tides that makes us think we are adrift in a sea of tranquility but when the waters recede we find ourselves buried in the muck and mud, blanketed in the heat of despair and loss. The key to life is accepting the act of getting buried in the sand - just don’t hold on too tightly to a location that offers no refuge or hope of life. Accept the low tide for what it is, a chance to catch your breath, grow and regroup. Enjoy the moment between the tides – even if it is painful – and be prepared to be washed out to deeper waters that bring with it new horizons and renewed hope.

Walk Two Moons is a children's book -- or is it? I purchased this book as a nightly read for when we take two of our grandchildren to Florida for a week. I'm not sure how the girls will feel about it, but I thought it was wonderful. It introduces Salamanca (known as "Sal"), age 13 whose world was upended two years ago. Her father finally moves them to another town where he has befriended a lady (Mrs. Cadaver). Mrs. Cadaver's husband is missing and Sal is thoroughly convinced that Mrs. Cadaver has buried him in the back yard. It is summer and Sal's grandparents have come to take her on a road trip to Iowa. Her grandparents are your normal grandparents - a bit quirky, a bit forgetful - and not someone I would feel comfortable letting take my child cross country. But in the course of their road trip (which has takes some hilarious turns), she begins to tell them the story of her best friend, Phoebe, whose mother suddenly disappeared one day. Gran and Gramps look forward day and night to the adventures and saga of Sal and Phoebe.

If looked at for the words only, this book could come across as a sad story, one of loss and grief. But in hindsight, I thought the author did a beautiful job of showing the simple emotions of a child. A mind and heart that has not yet experienced the hardships and disappointments that life can sometimes throw in your path can have difficulty dealing with and accepting obstacles, even death. I loved how Sal and Phoebe's teacher showed how children their age could show acceptance for another person even if there were things they didn't like about them. It was a touching story that showed how pealing away layers of doubt and misconception can reveal a picture worth admiring. Sometimes it is good to step back and read like a child, think like a child, enjoy life as a child - without worries and without blinders. I was moved by this story and hope that my granddaughters will feel the same.

Jason and Hayden are siblings. They were raised in the same house by the same parents, yet their lives took different turns.

Jason has been plagued by a haunting memory surrounding of his high school graduation night. He eventually moved to New York City where he married and began a career. With his marriage showing fracture lines, he and his wife decide to move back to Jason's small home town and try to make a second go of it.

Hayden has purposely distanced herself from her family for years. Alcohol, drugs and a bad choices in friends has kept her estranged from her family for years. She suddenly shows up unannounced at Jason's door one night, offers a somewhat sincere apology for her actions of the past and requests a favor. Saying she has some things she needs to tend to she asks if her teenage daughter can stay with them for a few days while she sets some things right.

Both Jayson and Hayden are harboring guilt, holding secrets and living with regrets over the disappearance of Jason's best friend, Logan, the night of graduation. Jayson and Logan had a fight -- a fist fight -- and Logan finally got up and walked away. He was never seen again and rumors have circulated for years whether he just left town or something more sinister happened.

This book held an interesting mystery, a decent plot and an insight into how far persons can go to cover up for a friend. The friendship between Jayson and his once best friend (a girl), Regan, seemed a bit too secretive for a man who was working on strengthening his marriage. However, my takeaway was that there is strength in family and honesty is always the best course of action. They say you can never go home, but for Jayson and Hayden, home was just where forgiveness and truth was directing them.

This was my second book by this author (Somebody I Used to Know being the first) and I look forward to future stories by him.

Wow - that was one of those books that you finish in a day because you just can't put it down. Two interwoven stories about "then Emma" and "now Jane", tenants in home like no other home, leaves this reader wanting to read the fine print in any document I sign.

Edward is a young but widowed architect whose creations give new meaning to clean lines. He creates and demands clean everything which includes no dirty dishes in the sink, no shoes on the flooring, no clothes on the floor and no books. (The book thing, alone, was reason enough for me to know any sane person should just walk away.) The house has an electronic system that adjusts the lighting according to the time of the day, locks doors behind you and even recognizes you when you enter the shower and will adjust the water temperature to your preferred liking (creepy, huh)?

Emma has been traumatized by a break-in in her apartment and is finding that life lived in fear is unbearable. With the criminal still walking the streets, she fears he could strike again. Her fear is so strong that she can only remember pieces of the ordeal -- or can she? Her solution? Make a clean break.

Jane is young but has just experienced a life-changing ordeal. Single and pregnant, she has been told her baby will not be able to live outside the womb and there is nothing they can do. Grieving for a child she feels she gave life and death to, she is looking for a new start -- somewhere fresh -- somewhere clean and she thinks she has found it at One Folgate Street.

Every character in this story is flawed, holding secrets and the dam is just about to break. This was definitely a page turner for me and I so enjoyed getting to the dark side of all those involved. I've never read anything by this author, but you can bet I'll be looking for others. I even heard that they are going to make a movie based on this book. I hope they are able to play out the intense drama on screen as well as J.P. Delaney did on paper.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I read this book in a day and a half because I couldn't put it down. As the story unfolds you find a widow who is hiding from the public regarding the accidental death of her husband. Most were happy to hear of his death and only a few appeared saddened by the news. The media and press are at odds with one another trying to be the first to get the real story and the real story involves a porn addict, a kidnapping and a distraught mother. The subject matter was one that was a bit disturbing but was very tastefully handled by the author. With the chapters fluctuating between the widow, the mother, the reporter and the detective, it becomes clear that everyone was holding secrets or withholding information.

I can't say it was a feel good story, but there was enough drama and intrigue that my attention never waivered until I closed the book's cover. I'll definitely be looking for more publications from this author.

I started this book with two of my granddaughters while we were on vacation. The trip brought so much activity during the day that the evenings left us little time for reading. I picked it back up yesterday and started over. I'm now excited for my granddaughters to finish it as well.

A whimsical story of time travel to find their missing father finds Charles, Meg and a neighborhood boy, Calvin, crossing the boundaries of time with three spirits who have taken an earthly form, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which.

I didn't realize when I started the story that it was the first of a 5-book series. My reason for reading it was that I heard Disney is making a movie based on the story. The descriptive details of the worlds the characters visit lends itself to transform to the screen beautifully. I so looking forward to this fun and entertaining story making an appearance on the large screen but, like always, encourage interested parties to always start with the written version first.

This story stresses the important bond that exists between family and friends and reaches out to the imagination in a child's mind that knows no boundaries. This is a story that can be enjoyed by the young and old alike and makes those of us in the "older set", remember why we enjoyed the Wizard of Oz in the days of our youth.

This is the second book in the Seven Sisters series. I don't usually read series, but after I read #1 (without realizing it was the first of 7 stories), I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next saga. It appears that both books pick up at the time of the unexpected death of "Pa Salt" - the father who adopted six daughters around the globe and raised them as his own. Each daughter has been named after the stars in Seven Sisters constellation. Upon his death he has left each daughter with a message and coordinates to aid them in the search for their origins - if they desire to seek the truth.

This story revolves around the second oldest daughter, an accomplished musician and an experienced and well known sailboat race competitor. The author has such a unique talent for throwing you in the midst of any location, any time period, any crisis and make you feel that you are actually there with the characters. Her ability to mix historical facts and time periods in a fictional story line is both unique and fascinating.

Abby's life moves around the world as she seeks excitement and athletic recognition only to find that what she received was the true meaning of life and love. So eloquently mixed in the present day story is the tale of life across Europe in the early 1900's up through WWII. The introduction to musical composition, opera, orchestra pits, etc. was so informative and enlightening.

This is a story of finding your place in life, coming to terms with disappointment and grief and emerging with a sense of purpose and a vision of what the future could hold. So far each of the two stories have held different outcomes and separate scenarios but leave you with a feeling that there is a connection and common ground in each daughter's origins. I'm completely smitten with this story line and await with anticipation the next journey with this family of unique and vibrant woman - who each obviously have a story to tell and a past that wants to be told.

I can't believe I've had this in my Nook library for over a year and never read it. I found this story engaging and informative on the world of art. I'd never given much thought to the world of forgery in the art community but am still pondering the recurring theme that there are likely tons of art hanging in museums today that are actually forgeries.

Claire is a painter -- a good painter, in fact, an exceptional painter. Years ago her boyfriend, also an artist, is suffering from the equivalent of writer's block. To help jump start his creative mind working, she starts a painting for him. His lack of enthusiasm lies dormant and she continues working on the canvas. The end result is a masterpiece that he eventually claims as his own. When he dumps her at the onset of his renewed success, she claims she is the real artist and becomes blacklisted among the art world.

Making a living creating reproductions of famous art, she is given a chance to create a duplicate of what she is told is an original late 1800 painting that was stolen some 21 years ago with many other works of art that have yet to surface. It is there the real story begins and Claire is torn between seeking the truth, knowing the truth and divulging the truth. Who can she trust and how far can she afford to twist the truth in the name of fame and recognition?

A forger's life relies on knowing that most times the eyes see what they want to see so the goal is to perfect the art of deception. But secrets, shame and cover-ups have plagued 3 generations of one family with ties to the art theft and window of truth is slowing closing.

You must look closely at all characters in this story because beauty isn't also in the eye of the beholder.

My goal was to read 45 books this year and I can’t believe that I ended up with this book being my 45th. Words cannot begin to explain the range of emotions I felt while listening to this audio book. The audio version was fabulous as the narrator gave such human feeling and emotion to each sentence. I may have received an ARC audio version of this story but as soon as it hits the stands you can count on it that I’ll have a hardback copy sitting in my library.

Amber begins this story with three small sentences and pay close attention to all three: 1) I am in a coma; 2) My husband doesn’t love me anymore; and (3) Sometimes I lie. Now I ask you, how can you go wrong with a book that starts like that?

The chapters pass back and forth as fast and with as much tension and drama as a tennis match between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. There were times I had to go back and listen to past chapters to make sure I hadn’t missed something or just replay sections to make sure I just heard what I thought my brain told me. I’m having trouble finding the appropriate word to describe this story – Eerie? Mind blowing? Creepy? This was clearly one of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a really long time.

Grab a shovel and be prepared to be here awhile. The truth is all in there, but like a hidden treasure, sometimes you have to dig for it. Don’t be fooled by what you see or what you hear because sometimes people lie.

I’m not sure if this story was about the life we bury or the life we unearth. A Vietnam veteran, a loner with little social interaction is charged and convicted of raping the teenage girl next door. Serving a life sentence, he is released after 30 years to a nursing home as he is dying from cancer with little time left.

A college student enrolled in a biography class has an assignment to write a paper about someone who has experienced a life altering event, most likely an elderly person. With a family circle of only two people (and one of those being an autistic brother) and even fewer friends, he turns to the local nursing home in hopes of interviewing a resident. Unfortunately, most residents in such places have diminished faculties, except for one – a known and convicted murderer.

As the student digs deeper into the past of a convicted killer and his demons, he has to wrestle with his own demon – in the form of his mother - who is often absent and inebriated to the point that she cannot be parent to her teenage autistic son. Mental challenges arise as he struggles with his role of responsibility for his brother and, even more, in his conviction that perhaps an innocent man is soon to die with a false accusation over his head.

The author cleverly wove both stories together to create a touching and moving story of assessing one’s heart and seeing the truth. In life there are times when guilt and shame can cause you to put up blinders to bury facts or even bury the lies. It’s like walking around with a pebble in your shoe – until you remove the source of your pain, you’ll never feel comfortable. The ending may have been tied up a bit too squeaky clean, but it brought to mind a well-known Bible verse, “Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars and finally decided to split the difference and give this book 3-1/2 stars.

This story gets a solid four stars for being engaging and causing the reader to want to hurry to the end and bring meaning and closure to the mystery. A mother, Mary, has taken ill and lands in an ICU ward in a hospital in Vermont. Her youngest daughter, Nell, gets a phone call saying her mother is in the hospital and has named Nell as her health proxy. Nell assumes her mother is in a hospital in Massachusetts, where she lives, only to be shocked to find she is in Vermont. She leaves her two children in the care of her husband and rushes to Vermont only to find her mother nearly comatose and also discovers her mother wasn’t just visiting Vermont, she owns a cottage there. In fact, she has owned it for many years – even when Nell was a young girl. The older daughter, Bridgett, arrives soon carrying some heavy luggage – and not just the kind you pack in a suitcase. Both begin a journey to uncover the life of their mother they never knew.

The story line was interesting and, for the most part, well written, but it gets only three stars for presenting a scenario that this reader found a bit too unbelievable. Some secrets can be easily hid, other can be covered up enough that no one realizes what they are seeing, but owning a house for years and years with frequent visits and your husband and children never catch a whiff of it, stretched the boundaries a bit too far for me. There are just too many items involved in owning a home (taxes, insurance, repairs, utilities, etc.) that one spouse would be able to hide those expenses from the other spouse.

If you put aside the things I found difficult to swallow, it was still a moving story of the things a mother does for love, the sacrifices a mother makes and the importance of not losing yourself in the mix.

The Breakdown was an incredible story filled with murder, mystery and mayhem. A wife calls her husband to say she is getting a late start driving home from a faculty party. A huge storm is brewing and he tells her to be careful and to NOT take the shortcut through the dark wooded area as it could be flooded with rain or she could have car trouble and get stranded on a seldom traveled road. She promises she won't drive the shortcut but then takes it anyway, only because it would save her about 15 minutes of driving in the storm. That was mistake one.

A few miles into the shortcut she greatly regrets her decision. With no street lights and only headlights to guide her along a dark road in a storm, her vision is greatly limited. The torrential rains continue and she is reminded how bumpy and winding the road was. She catches a glimpse of something ahead, slows down and finally realizes it is a car broken down at the side of the road. As she slowly drives past she thinks she saw the image of a woman inside the car. She stops and waits to see if the woman gets out of the car. She doesn't. She put her car in reverse, slowly creeps closer to the car to see if the woman emerges from the car. She doesn't; so she drives on. That was mistake two.

She discovers the next day that a woman has been found murdered along the road she was driving on last night. To make matters worse - it was someone she knew. She can't tell her husband because she promised she wouldn't drive that route and he would be furious that she lied. That was mistake three.

This was a mind blowing ride filled with deceit, lies and mental fogs. Things start going awry. Phone calls arrive everyday with only silence on the other end. Who is taunting her and why? I think by the time I finished the book I had accused every person introduced in the story -- sometimes twice. The real culprit is only discovered once you break down all of the evidence and some evidence is hidden so deep you don't even see it.

What started out as a good basis for a mystery ended up as flat as my hair on a humid day. The story line had potential and the bones to build a good who-done-it, but it was all hype and no fizz.
I couldn't even bring myself to like any of the characters and I kept wanting to reach into the page and slap some sense into the new mother/now widow.

Nick and Clara are the parents of a 4-year old daughter, Maise, and Clara has just given birth to their second child, a son named Felix. Nick and Clara have put every penny they owned into Nick's dental practice and it becomes apparent pretty quick in the story that the business is failing. Nick hasn't been truthful with Clara about their financial plight and the point of reckoning is fast upon him. Nick offers to take Maise to her ballet lesson to give Clara and baby Felix some alone time but on the way home, on a winding country road, Nick's car runs off the road and into a tree, killing Nick instantly and leaving Maise with only a few scratches and a great deal of fear and anxiety.

Told in alternating chapters (Clara then, Nick then, Clara now), you follow the downfall of Nick's career and finances, the police's theory that Nick was driving too fast and merely lost control of the car and Clara's conviction that someone ran Nick off the road. Like I said, there was promise with many potential suspects, but the ending just made me feel like I wasted my time with a story that went nowhere. I was mad at the author before the story ever ended for creating a character who would not only lose her husband and NOT tell her daughter that her father was dead and lead her to believe Daddy would be coming home any day, but actually asked the reader to believe that any mother would stoop so low as to do that. Clara's parents, while upset that their granddaughter was being lied to, never intervened nor did any of Clara's friends.

Don't let me discourage you from reading it - others seemed to have liked it. For me, it fell WAY short of being believable and even shorter on plot.

This actually ended up being a touching story. However, I've read so many suspense stories lately and, because of that, I just couldn't bring myself to devote the time I should have to read this story in a day or two. Usually every spare minute I have I'm grabbing the book I'm engrossed in, but I always kept finding something else to do instead.

My first problem with the book was that I detested the main character -- a mom who had neglected her children for many years while she fed her narcotic addiction and allowed herself to continuously be manipulated by self-serving, bullying men at the expense of the needs of her children. As expected, she redeemed herself somewhat in the end, but it was a bit late in the picture for me.

The real story was found in the letters in the prayer box. Iola was a mixed race woman who lived alone and was scorned by most of the occupants of Hatteras Island. Upon her death, it is discovered that within her lonely house lived a woman of extraordinary kindness and compassion for others. The letters to her "father" were heartfelt and moving.

A bit predictable, this book does hold the story of forgiveness and new beginnings and is worthy of reading.

I'm not sure if my 4 stars are a result of a great story or the fact that the past few books I've read have not exactly been fulfilling. Regardless, this was a short read but long on emotion and story.

Imagine you are a single 26-year old female, working in the family business, money and travel are limitless. Imagine that your father, who runs the investment company, takes a weekend a month to go off by himself to "re-group" as he says -- a routine that has a 14-year history with him. Then imagine you get a phone call that your father has been in a car accident that took his life -- and he wasn't alone in the car and the passenger was a female.

Christine, an only child and now without a father, must come to terms with the life of a man she thought she knew, but perhaps didn't. Like anyone who finds themselves in an arena filled with deception, shadows and unspoken truths, it stands to reason that someone is going to get hurt.

Most of the players in this story lived by the rule that what you don't know, won't hurt you -- when in reality they should have been using the playbook called "and the truth will set you free". Life disappoints sometimes, but if you are strong enough and want it bad enough, you can find something positive in even the darkest of situations. This was a story of removing blinders and opening your heart to the true meaning of happiness, throwing caution to the wind and following your dreams.

A little bit romance, a little bit family drama with a touch of mystery and a lot just an enjoyable and insightful read.

They say it is hard to come back home and stay as an adult, but what could be so hard about being cooped up in a house for only 7 days over the Christmas holidays with Mom, Dad, the 25 year old daughter recently engaged to a man her family despises, and the 32 year-old Peace Corp sister who is returning from Liberia where she has been helping residents with a Haag epidemic that is highly contagious? The answer is rough -- to say the least. Oh yes, and then throw in the daughter's fiancé who drops in to wish everyone Merry Christmas, only to find himself quarantined with the rest of the family while they watch and wait for any signs of their daughter coming down with the near-fatal Haag virus. Oh, and did I also mention the son that the Dad never knew was conceived from a one-night stand 30+ years ago, who decides to show up to introduce himself and is also now confined to the quarantined quarters?

Enough of the story line -- you get the gest. Suffice it to say it was an interesting read and with everyone holding secrets and no where to run, all truths are bound to surface.

Hours after finishing this book the reality of the story hit me -- it IS hard to return home. We grow, we become independent, we develop our own thoughts, opinions and routines. And parents never lose that innate maternal instinct to "parent", to give advice freely and without consent. But in the end if you really examine your life you realize that as much as you have grown into your own individual person, you are merely a shadow image of those who helped shape and mold you with a bit of individuality sprinkled in. You have the empowerment and resolve of your father; you have the nurturing and compassionate traits of your mother; you carry the talents and genes of all your ancestors before you, many you have never heard or thought of. The end result is that as much as we fought for our independence in our youth, we find that it is actually our family that defines us -- grounds us. Like Scarlet and her red earth of Tara, it is our family ties from which we get our strength.

This was a good book to read at Christmas and an inspiring book (at least for me) to read at the close of the year.

My daughter is going to read this book with a group of 9th graders who are entering an educational program geared towards helping kids who come from families where typically no one goes to college -- kids who have the aptitude and abilities to do so, but are in need of positive reinforcement outside the home. She asked me to read it and give her my thoughts.

To be gin with, this book immediately brought to mind a saying of Oscar Wilde: "Misfortune one can endure -- they come from outside, they are accidents. But to suffer from one's own faults -- ah, there is the sting of life!"

Two boys, both black, exact same name and same neighborhood but one finishes life as a Rhodes Scholar and decorated veteran and the other a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without parole. They each started out life on an even playing field - so just what unbalanced the scales?

My main takeaway from this story was the continued theme I found shouting from each page "No excuses -- no exceptions." If a person wants to, they can find every excuse in the book why their life has not turned out well, why they can't catch a break in life, why it is normal for them to remain in a life of poverty, crime or low ambitions. But when you break down all the excuses -- and that's usually all it amounts too (excuses) -- the only person that can hold you back in life is yourself. Is it easier to build a successful life if you are surrounded by successful, positive and encouraging parents, friends and family? The answer is a resounding "Hell yes." Is the road more difficult for someone who lacks constant positive mentors? The answer is absolutely the same.

But for me what I gleaned is that at some point SOMEONE in a family or generation of lost souls, had to break the circle. Someone stepped outside their comfort zone and broke the cycle and chose to make a difference -- to create a better way of living. It's not an easy task, and no one says the road will be smooth, but once the mold is broken, it opens the doors for future generations to carry the torch farther down the road.

There is much food for thought and a wealth of discussion to be found in this book. Positive actions, positive words and an optimistic attitude breeds success. Who knows -- each of us could unknowingly be one of those mentors that another silently watches and listens to. Each of us, at some point, have made a conscious decision on the direction of our own fate.

The book ends with a beautiful poem (and great words of wisdom) by Sir William Ernest Henley:

Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Sometimes it is worth it to be sick and stay in bed all day in your pajamas if it means you can have an entire day (between naps) to start and finish a book.

This story is tightly woven around 3 women. Kate is a news reporter for The Post -- old school -- but still very effective and knows how to work the streets for a story. Angela is a mother of two grown children but she is caught in the riptide of the her little Alice who was stolen from the hospital at birth. Her husband, Paul, has been a faithful companion over the years even though Angela cannot get herself past their loss. Emma is married, works from home as a book editor and has a "more than rough and rocky" relationship with her mother, Jude. Estranged for many years, the mother and daughter duo are trying to rekindle family connections, but unspoken resentment and secrets are barring the way.

So you have three women, seemingly and totally unconnected, who have no knowledge of one another and nothing in common. An older neighborhood in town is going through a renovation and in the midst of teardowns and rebuilds, a body is unearthed. It's a small body -- a very small body -- a newborn, in fact, and it's been buried for some time. Could it be the body of little Alice found after all these years? And why is Emma so consumed by the news of a child's body found across town? And so the mystery of The Child begins.

I grew to love some characters and hate others. I thought I had figured out the plot about half way through but I was so engrossed with the story line that I just read faster to ensure I was right. Courage, determination and redemption were the themes I gleaned from this story. It was my second book by this author (The Widow, being the first), and I have thoroughly enjoyed both but this was, by far, my favorite of hers.

At the age of only ten, Iris lost her mother in a fire that yielded more clouds of smoke encircled in mystery and unanswered questions than it did flames from the smoldering building. Her mother, Katherine, was a published author of two books – books about the world of fantasy and mythological Selkie creatures of Irish origins. Little Iris laps up these stories each evening as her mother tucks her in and never tired of the tale that always began “In a time before the rivers were drowned by the sea, in a land between the sun and the moon….”

There is a mystery to be solved – many, in fact – but the beauty of the story (at least for me) was in the picturesque fables that unfolded on the pages of this book as Iris’ mother’s stories of old were seductively retold. It was in the midst of the sea foam and the spray of the ocean’s mist upon the rocks that you capture your first glimpse of the Selkies (or at least in your own imagination) and you can completely understand the fascination that could be born in the mind of a child exposed to these stories.

It is somewhere between the Land of Nod, when a mind is mere inches from drifting off to slumber, and the first light of dawn peeking its head over the horizon that you realize maybe – just maybe – these stories are projecting more than a fairy tale but instead, the life of a girl-turned-woman in disguise.

The story is immersed in images of hotels - old hotels, antiquated hotels, some with years of neglect and the inability to modernize to today’s standards, and yet you feel at home between their walls and breathtaking views. But some hotels hold secrets – etched, buried and otherwise. Iris’ father was a manager of Hotel Equinox – a hotel that lies at the center of the story in an area hardly touched by time. Like its name, Hotel Equinox is equally protecting secrets founded in the day and in the night and the truth lies “in a land between the sun and the moon….”

Don't start this book if you have to be somewhere because it is nearly impossible to put down. A cleverly written thriller that makes rational thinking impossible. From the same author that gave us "The Breakdown", we are once again given a glimpse of human nature and the power of suggestion.

Finn has had a serious girlfriend, Layla, for 15 months. He plans to propose marriage on her birthday. She has recently returned from a weekend with her friends and then she takes short skiing trip with Finn. On the way home, Finn stops at a roadside rest stop and when he returns from the toilet he finds the passenger door open and Layla is gone and she's never seen again. At least that is the story he tells the police.

Twelve years later we find Finn engaged to Ellen. With a marriage announcement made public and wedding plans in the works, a mysterious Russian nesting egg doll suddenly appears on Finn's porch. The doll holds a special connection to Finn's missing girlfriend from years ago. Even more eerie is the connection it holds to Finn's new fiancé, Ellen. Oh, did I mention they are sisters?

But someone is trying to make contact with Finn. Could it really be Layla who everyone thinks is dead? Or is someone playing a deadly game of cat and mouse? Filled with more twists and turns than the streets of Monaco, this story will keep you guessing until the end. Another great story from B. A. Paris you won't want to miss.

Thank you Goodreads for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was awesome.

Book Challenge: Read a book with a one word title.

Fender is a dog and Fender was the best thing about this story. In fact, for me he was the only good thing about this story.

Brennan is a man who has had tragedy strike his life twice and both times, his salvation has come in the form of a male beagle named Fender. A friend's suicide found Brennan weeks later in a drunken stupor. On the porch in the rain, accepting a pizza delivery, he sees a shadowed movement under a nearby bush. Upon inspection he finds a small, bony and scared young beagle. He takes the pup in and finds a purpose in life again.

Twelve years later finds Brennan again in a drunken state as he mourns the accidental death of his wife and daughter. The one constant in his life amid yet another human disaster is his ever faithful friend, Fender.

Two of Brennan's friends take him and Fender on a road trip in hopes of finding hope and vision for the future. I'm sure the road trip, which consists of flashbacks of past experiences, was meant to be full of heartfelt moments, but it just didn't take for me. The journey was sad and sweet, joyful and tearful, and yet felt out of kilter.

On a positive note, I did walk away with a few positive lines:
"Sometimes we have to get away from all we know just to find our way home again. "

"Find a way to live the life ahead of you instead of the one behind you."

I've had many dogs in my life and in the last 3 years have had to help a 16 year-old and a nearly 18-year old cross the rainbow bridge. I still have another ailing 16 year old at home. Two of these dogs were rescued, saved from certain destruction -- one saved from the street and another after losing her caretaker. In actuality it is never us who save the dogs, but the dogs who save us and bring us comfort, companionship and unquestioning devotion. Who doesn't need a "Fender" in their lives?

I don't know when I have read a book that left me so emotionally exhausted. And knowing (or worrying about) the fact that my resting heart rate only averages around 50, yet while reading this book I could actually FEEL my heart pumping in my throat, it left me equally physically exhausted. I'll start out by saying that I'm afraid of heights -- deathly afraid of heights. So why would I read a true story about two men attempting to climb a face of the Peruvian Andes not yet conquered? Honestly -- only because my daughter asked me to read it. I opened the front cover and in the first paragraph I found my battle plan. Instead of thinking outside the box, I was going to have to teach myself to read inside the tent.

The first memorable lines written by Joe (the main narrator) said, "There is a peculiar anonymity about being in tents. Once the zipper is closed and the outside world barred from sight, all sense of location disappears." So I tried to read the story without visual shadows forming in my head but it became virtually impossible.

I'm not going to tell you the story. Let's just say that two men go up a mountain and when you are fighting a natural geographic formation placed there by God, the odds aren't always in your favor. A battle ensues, a deadly battle, and then the battle of wits and courage begins.

I started the book with a deep-seated feeling that all mountain climbers must have a death wish. Do they just climb until they fail? Is the purpose to find the mountain that can beat you? There came a point in the book where I began to detect a sense of complacency in their actions and I knew what was coming. (Aren't we all guilty of that? We perform an action so familiar that we do it without thinking and then something goes awry and we're left wondering how it happened.)

Halfway through the book, I began developing an enormous sense of admiration for these men, especially Joe. For a brief moment I could focus on the men and not their location. I was consumed by their resolve and commitment to continue to move forward. Looking back or regretting the situation in which they found themselves was never an option; each just moved into "Plan B", and when that failed, they reverted to "Plan C" and so forth. Joe wrote, "I had one choice: I could slowly descend until I could find a way out, or die in the process. I would meet death rather than wait for it to come to me. There was no going back now, yet inside I was screaming to stop."

Baby steps were the key to success. Joe said that surviving that first disastrous night was the hardest thing he had ever done, and thinking about it he felt a surge of confidence build inside him. There was still a lot to fight for. (We should all be so open minded to see that winning even the smallest victory in life gives us confidence to fight our next battle.)

For Joe and Simon the "void" was the black abyss high on a mountaintop, the uncertainty of what you can't see or feel and no resources other than yourself with which to fight the unknown. In reality we all have our "void" to fight, perhaps several, and at different stages in our life. My void is called Leukemia. I've been told its name, I've seen the proof, but like Joe and Simon the disaster (or diagnosis) is behind me. I can't let it change my path in life or the goals I have sat for myself. My direction has to be forward and upward and yet it's inevitable that some days will be downhill. But I've discovered that even a descent can be the most difficult climb of a lifetime. Fortitude, courage and strength doesn't come in big strides, but in baby steps -- some hardly measurable -- but when tallied together, they equal progress.

I started by thinking all mountain climbers had a death with - trying to find that one mountain that would beat them. I ended by thinking that all mountain climbers are on a quest to prove that no mountain can break their spirit. I still never want to be a mountain climber and it will be awhile before I read a book that even mentions snow, but I closed the book a stronger and wiser person. I had a touch more courage than the days before. For all readers, friends and family -- I hope you face your void, whatever it may be, with courage and a positive outlook and with the knowledge that there is ALWAYS something to fight for.

Have you ever noticed how many quotable sayings refer to a nest or some type of bird? Don't count your chickens until they've hatched. Keep all your ducks in a row. Leaving the nest. Building a nest egg. Suffering from an empty nest.

This story by Author Sweeney, gives great insight into a family wherein the children spent much of their adult lives anticipating their share of the nest egg set aside by their father for each of them as soon as the youngest sibling turns 40. The problem was that in setting such high hopes on what would be "given" to them, they seemed to have forgotten how to "make" anything for and of themselves. It is the age old story of greed and entitlement that often breeds laziness and little productivity.

The story unfolds with four siblings, three deeply in debt, and mere weeks before their big pay day. The anticipation of being able to pay off debts, pay for children's college or pay off loans for which your spouse is unaware even exist, has been weighing down the very air they all breathe. But with only a few days to the finish line, the unthinkable happens -- the dam breaks and so does the egg.

The cold hard truth is this -- once you have flown the nest, the nest egg is really no longer yours -- it now belongs to those who sat it aside in the first place. You can't cut the apron strings and lead a productive and fruitful life with one toe still in the nest. Everyone is capable of building a nest and they can pop up in the most unlikely places. Some are elaborate, some are pretty flimsy but still get the job done and some just use a nest created by others who have moved on -- but the principle theme in life is to build something -- don't set around waiting for someone to build it for you.

This book didn't have an "aha" moment, no earth-shattering surprises, but it did give hope to a narcissistic society that when we act like compassionate, caring and hard-working people, we can not only find a host of interesting people but self-worth and self-fulfillment.

It can be a scary thing leaving the nest - leaving the "nest egg" behind, but I'm reminded of the story of the young bird, unsure of himself sitting on the rim of the home nest as he says, "What if I fall?" And the mother bird replies, "But, oh darling, what if you fly?"

BACK-TO-BACK THRILLERS - I'm on a roll.

I finished the book THE PERFECT MOTHER two days ago and now just finished THE PERFECT STRANGER. Different authors - different stories, but both just as thrilling and engrossing.

Sometimes there are valid reasons for wanting to stay out of the lime light. There are people who like to live their lives just under the radar -- some for safety reasons, other just don't like crowds or publicity and then there are those who are trying to hide. But as the saying goes -- you can run but you can't hide and that is just what happened to Leah Stevens.

Leah was a reporter who took her reporting a little too far; some say she stepped over the line but no one could have predicted the outcome. Leah wants (and needs) to get out of town and out of the hot seat. When she runs into an old friend (Emmy) she hasn't seen in 8 years, who also says she is feeling a pull for the open road, they decide to set up shop in a small town in the backwoods.

There are those that go looking for trouble and there are those that trouble just finds them. Leah soon finds herself front and center in a deadly cat and mouse game with a stalker, a friend who has gone missing and a feeling that the odds are quickly stacking against her.

At first this story moved a bit slow for me but about half-way through, the hook was set and I was a goner. Through police questioning, Leah discovers that no one in town has really seen or knows of her friend, Emmy. Is she even real? It comes down to Leah's word against a mountain of evidence to the contrary. The truth is that we never really know another person - we only know what they choose to show or share with us. Likewise, we usually never expose ALL of ourselves to others. We always hold back that one piece that is ours alone, in case someone should find us less than the "perfect" friend. Some hold back more than others.

That was nearly one perfect story. I had to knock it down one star for a pretty unbelievable feat towards the end of the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story regardless.

The story begins with Chris who you find accepting a job in a small Pittsburgh town as a government teacher and assistant baseball coach. You know right off the bat that he isn't who or what he says he is -- it's all a lie and it could even be a perfect lie.

The author did a great job of opening up the doors to several families in town and exposed their weaknesses and frailties. Midway through the book and behind the closed doors of many of the high school baseball players homes, you began to see that the government teacher isn't the only one telling lies.

The mystery unfolded in a timely manner with just the right amount of hints sprinkled in to keep the reader guessing. But aside from the mystery surrounding the town I ran across a most profound paragraph which really had nothing to do with the story but everything to do with life. The baseball coach was talking to the boys and said, "Baseball is a game about 17 inches. He said in high school ball, college ball, minor league and major league the home plate is 17 inches wide. If you don't reach those 17 inches, the plate does not get bigger or wider to help you. It's a standard. YOU reach the standard - the standard does not reach you. "

I thought to myself how befitting these words were in a world where we seem to always want to change the rules or bend the standards to make it easier for people to achieve a goal, rather than instilling a desire or plan to help someone (or our own self) reach the standard or goal set for us. The coach went on to say that the way you reach the standard is to always hold yourself accountable. Who would have thought that a book about the one perfect lie could hold the one perfect truth to a successful and fulfilling life.