Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Silent in the Grave / Deanna Raybourn / 509 pages

Lady Julia Grey thinks her husband has dies of natural causes. When a stranger visits to try to convince her otherwise, she dismisses the thought, until a year after her husband's death. Upon cleaning out her husband's desk, Lady Grey finds a threatening letter that leads her to believe that perhaps the stranger was correct. Will they be able to discover the killer a year after the fact? And will they live to tell about it? This is set in Victorian England but isn't your typical historical mystery of the time. It was interesting most of the time, but there were parts that I just couldn't seem to get through without effort. Overall, it was OK. The characters weren't the strongest and I didn't really care for the storyline. I may or may not read some of the author's other titles.

Private: #1 Suspect/James Patterson/401 pgs




When Jack Morgan returns from a trip and finds his former lover dead in his bed, he is instantly the number one suspect. While Jack is under police investigation and also trying to find out who is framing him, the agency is trying to solve a series of murders at local hotels and the mob is wanting them to recover $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals for them. Very good story

Sea Swept/Nora Roberts/342 pgs




This is the first title in a trilogy about the Quinn Brothers. Cameron Quinn, the oldest brother, returns home after his father dies in an accident and promises to look after 10-year-old Seth, for whom his father had just started adoption proceedings. Anna Spinelli, Seth's social worker, is checking into the living arrangements in order to make a recommendation on Seth remaining with the brothers. Of course there is an attraction between Anna and Cam. And there is gossip regarding Cam's dad & Seth's relationship.

Silk is for Seduction / Loretta Chase 371 p.

Marcelline Noirot is London's greatest modiste the ton has yet to discover. Marcelline and her sisters conceive of a grand plan put them at the top--becoming the dressmaker to the worst dressed Lady Clara, the unofficial intended of the Duke of Clevedon. Marcelline goes to Paris to attract the eye of the Duke. And does she attact him while wearing her latest creation. They find an attraction that both try to resist. After all he is all but pledged to Lady Clara. And she cannot turn off the ton by dallying with the Duke.

Check the library catalog

Complete guide to finishing basements / Black & Decker 255 p.

Need more living space, turn to your basement. This includes how-tos on controlling moisture, adding insulation and heat, creating floors, walls and ceilings, installing egress windows, improving light and ventilation. Step-by-step directions are included for creating a bathroom, bedroom,family room, home office or other great room. Suggestion from this reader, start by drying out the basement before other home improvement. Starting with the basement let's the homeowner buy a large enough furnace, rewire with a future use in mind, everything to make the basement remodeling go easier.

Check the library catalog.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Nightwoods / Charles Frazier / 259 pages

Liked this book a lot. It's a character driven novel that takes place in small town in the mountains of 1960's North Carolina. Luce is a young woman who is a hermit, living in an old rundown lodge and reveling in the day and the seasons of natural world. She comes from a very broken background and has incredible strength to live through being abandoned by her mother, being mostly ignored by her father, raped by a school teacher, having her sister murdered and taking in her twin niece and nephew who have very serious issues. Add to this her brother-in-law, who murdered her sister, was acquitted and is determined to find the twins who witnessed the murder and may know where his stolen cash is hidden. Frazier does a fantastic job with the narrative, characters, and plot, creating a book you can sink into. It sounds awful and depressing but it's not. It's about strength of character, courage, and recognizing what's important. Recommend

Into the Firestorm: A Novel of San Francisco, 1906 / Deborah Hopkinson / 200 pages

"It's important not to give up believing in people.  Sometimes believing is what makes things happen."
"The true heart of a city is its people, always fascinating and different."

Nicholas Dray ran away from the Lincoln Poor Farm for Indigents and Orphans in Texas.  He was a prize cotton picker who lived with his grandmother in a sharecropper's cabin until she died and he was sent to the home.  Making his way to San Francisco - the Paris of the West according to his teacher Miss Reedy, he lives on the streets until he meets Mr. Pat Patterson, a stationer, who owns his own shop.  Patterson's dog, Shakespeare, takes an immediate liking to Nick.  Nick offers to work for the stationer.  Watching the shop while Mr. Patterson is out of town, Nick becomes a hero as he rescues friends and Shakespeare from the San Francisco earthquake of 1906  and its aftermath.  Great facts about the earthquake, its aftermath, and casualties.

Library Wars 1: Love and War / Kiiro Yumi / 154 pages

I was disappointed with this, my first manja book.  I saw a blog about it and was encouraged to read it based on its themes of freedom and right to read.  I loved the themes, but found the storyline disjointed, redundant, and a bit hard to follow.  I'm glad I read it just for the unique experience of reading manja, but I would not recommend this book.

The Apothecary / Maile Meloy / 353 pages

It is 1952 and fourteen year old Janie Scott is upset when her parents tell her they are moving to London.  Her father has been called before the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities and refuses to name friends or co-workers as communists.  Upon arrival in London, the family goes to the local apothecary to purchase hot water bottles to ward off the chill of their lodgings.  The apothecary is much, much more than the corner druggist.  Janie is drawn into a web, of magic, murder, and intrigue, much of it centering on an ancient book, the Pharmacopoeia. There's also romance and humor.  Great Read!  Great audio!!

Best of 2011

Christmas at Timberwoods / Fern Michaels / 362 pages

This book was a total surprise for me.  I expected a feel good Christmas story with lots of romance.  Instead I got a page-turned, threats to blow a busy mall at Christmas, and some unusual - as well as some heart-warming - romance.  Thought-provoking!

The Body of Christopher Creed / Carol Plum-Ucci / 248 pages

Christopher Creed has disappeared.  Is he alive? Did he commit suicide?  Was he murdered?  Did he run away?  Torey has transferred from Steppleton High School to Rothborne during his senior year to escape the whole Chris Creed fiasco.  He became involved with investigations with 2 school acquaintances, Ali and Bo Richardson.  Bo is boon and has been charges with juvenile delinquency (because of the investigations) and despite his sad home life, he protects his younger brothers and sisters, his girlfriend - Ali, and Torey.  Does Chris's situation have anything to do with the Indian Burial Ground?  Great perspectives on empathy, understanding, and acceptance in this YA read.

A Million Suns/Beth Revis/386 pgs.

This is book 2 in the "Across the Universe" trilogy, and is as entertaining as the first. Again, it is told in alternate chapters through the voices of Amy and Elder. Book 1 ended with Amy finding out that it was Elder who "defrosted" her before her time--she should have remained frozen until the spaceship they are on (Godspeed) lands on the new planet. So she has "trust" issues with Elder, along with the problem that someone keeps committing murder and leaves the cryptic message "follow the leader."  Since the majority of the population on board is no longer being drugged into submission, there is confusion, rebellion, etc. Added to this, Elder learns the secret that Godspeed isn't headed toward the new planet--it isn't going anywhere! The book was a little slow in the beginning, but once it picks up speed, it's a race to the end. I'm looking forward to Revis's Shades of Earth scheduled to come out January 2013.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Trouble in Paradise/Robert B. Parker/217 pages

After successfully taking down a white militia group in his first six months on the job in Paradise, Jesse Stone has already made his mark on his new town. His ex-wife Jenn has moved to the area to complicate his love and lust life. A new couple shows up to buy a place on the exclusive Stiles Island, but they are not what they seem. They are setting a plan to take control of the island, rob the bank and the residents and get away with millions of dollars. Jesse also deals with a juvenile arson case and a very active love (or at least extreme like) life which is the source of much amusement for his staff.

The second book of the series is as satisfying as the first. It will be interesting to see when the stories become less fleshed out. This book introduces characters and situations that were referenced in one of the later books I've read, so I was able to get more of that backstory. As I expected, I'm not really enjoying the Jenn aspect of the series. She seems to be entirely too needy and not quite a good person. It's hard for me to understand his total devotion to her. Maybe it's just that Parker couldn't write the personal aspect as well as the work and action ones. In any case, I'll take a short break from the series to read something else.

Night Passage/Robert B. Parker/255 pages

Jesse Stone has just been fired from his job as a L.A. homicide detective. His drinking and erratic behavior had been tolerated for a little bit, but after a couple of questionable incidents and his partners asked to reassigned, he becomes a liability. He gets a new start on the other side of the country in Paradise, Massachusetts where the people hiring him know his past. In fact, he was drunk during the job interview. They don't seem to mind, and he is grateful for the job. They think they are hiring a drunk, washed-out (albeit young) has been. The thing is, Jesse is a very good police officer when sober, and he's working on that. So, their new police chief probably isn't going to the one turning a blind eye to the illegal goings on in their town like they hoped. Add an ex-wife that he still loves, and she may still love him, and it's an all around solid adventure.

I went back to the beginning, and I'm glad I did. Like most authors of successful series, the early books are the best and definitely show the most effort. While I'm not one who craves description of every rock, leaf and gully, I do like to see some thought put into the surroundings of the characters and not just dialogue. Best part of Jesse's driving trip to the east coast is his stop at (and reverence of) Busch Stadium. He's an ex-ballplayer whose career was ended by an early injury. He idolizes Ozzie Smith, a fellow shortstop. One part of the series I don't think I'm going to enjoy is the ex-wife aspect. It seems to clutter up the story when she shows up.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Web of Love / Mary Balogh 438 p.

Ellen Simpson loses her beloved husband Charlie at the Battle of Waterloo. Lord Dominic Eden, Charlie's best friend, falls in battle too and is nursed back to live by Ellen. Cut off from the world, a special regard grows. Once the real world intrudes, they are overwhelmed with guilt. Ellen especially is overcome with grief and guilt, sends Dominic away for good. Both have a rocky road to forgiveness and then on to happiness.

Check the library catalog

The Heart of Christmas / Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick and Courtney Milan 378 p.

Three novellas tell of romance during the holidays. Christmas is the perfect backdrop for love to develop and grow. Handful of Gold by Balogh has Julian Dare and his best friend spending Christmas with their mistresses in a hideaway. What Julian doesn't bargain for is snow driving others to their abode. Season for Suitors by Nicola Cornick has heiress Clara Davenport turning to the most notorious rake in London for expert advice in avoiding being compromised by rakes. Of course, tables turn as Sebastian Fleet finds himself with a growing attraction for Clara. This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan finds Lavinia Spencer planning a divine Christmas dinner for her sick father and brother. Only the money has disappeared and her brother swindled, left owing more than they can ever pay. A benefactor settles the debt but wants more from Lavinia than just a handshake and a heartfelt thanks.

Find in the library catalog

Bloodrose / Andrea Cremer / 407 pages

In this third book in the Nightshade trilogy, Calla is caught between two loves and two destinies.  The Searchers and the Guardians have plans to recover the other 3 parts of the Elemental Cross.  Ren has joined the wolves and resumes his alpha rule.  Calla loves both Ren and Shay, the Scion.  Will both survive the coming battle?  Will Calla be forced to choose?  Another outstanding (somewhat graphic) YA read from Andrea Cremer featuring a surprise ending.

YA

Last Night at the Lobster / Stuart O'Nan / 146 pages

"Last Night at the Lobster is a poignant yet redemptive look at what a ma does when he discovers that his best might not be good enough."
Manny DeLeon is manager of the Red Lobster in a far corner of a run-down New England mall.  This is the last night it will be open as the corporate offices have closed his store due to low numbers.  Manny and 5 employees will keep their jobs, working now at the Olive Garden.  Manny manages his last night with a skeleton staff, a nor'easter snowstorm, power outages, and unresolved issues with past and resent girlfriends.  The book contains interesting descriptions of food preparations in a restaurant.

Away / Teri Hall / 234 pages

This is "the thrilling dystopian sequel to The Line."  The United States is the enemy in this book.  Global warfare has devastated the world.  The governments of countries had established Border Defense Systems which deployed and protected citizens within its boundaries.  Anyone left outside the system were called Others and abandoned to fate in a world with no technology, no electricity, no medicine and very little hope.  Rachel lives in the protected zone with her mother, Vivian, her mother's employer, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's handyman, Jonathan.  Rachel's father, Daniel, disappeared when she was 3, supposedly a war hero, but her mother hopes he is still alive.  In The Line, Rachel crossed the line to Away to provide medicine to a dying Other.  She is trapped on the other side, finds her father, and decided to help the Others rekindle hope.

Delivery / Diana Prusik / 232 pages

"What is the point of it all?"  asks Olivia on the day her mother moves to a facility that cares for Alzheimer's victims.  She wrestles with guilt that she somehow caused her brother's death in Vietnam by throwing harsh anti-war words at him the night before he left for battle.  A neighbor and friend is killed by a hay bale and another neighbor's baby dies of SIDS.  If there is a God why does he allow all this suffering?  Why does he allow a disease like Alzheimer's to eat away and consume her mother's brain.  Livi buries her sorrow, guilt, and disappointment in alcohol.  The Wilson gang at the family florist shop and  a near fatal accident are Livi's salvation.

The Flint Heart / Katherine Paterson and John Paterson / 288 pages

If you've been to Dartmoor, England, you may have noticed that the air is particularly invigorating and rejuvenating and the soil puts extra spring in your step.  The Flint Heart explains why this is so.  This is a most unusual story featuring a hot water bottle as one of the main characters.  After researching the original story, John Paterson decided that Flintheart, by Eden Phillpotts, was a story that should be read and enjoyed by all children.  Katerine disagreed as the original story contained pages describing the many pixies in Fairyland and references to the political atmosphere of England.  Together they abridged and rewrote the story of the wicked heart that corrupted all - but the innocent children - who possessed it.  Great literary references, humor, and magical mischief!

Best of 2011

The Midnight Club/James Patterson/283 pgs




New York police Lieutenant John Stefanovitch has been hunting Alexandre ("the Grave Dancer'') St.-Germain, and is caught in a devastating ambush one night which leaves him in a wheel chair. St.-Germain, enforcing his harsh, "street law'' terror, kills Stef's wife. Years later St.-Germain is gunned down in a posh Manhattan brothel and a string of other high profile mob bosses are murdered. Stef, and journalist Sarah McGinniss, try to hunt down the killers and find out what the Midnight Club really is. This was a very good book - one of Patterson's earlier titles.

Christmas Bride / Mary Balogh 222 p.

Very wealthy cit Edgar Downes has decided at 36 to take a wife. Since he promised his aging father that he would wed a title lady by Christmas, he goes to London to review the parade of available ladies. His eye is caught by the widow Lady Helena Stapleton. Turns out the attraction is mutual. Marriage is out of the question for Lady Helena--she's too old and just the wrong lady for Edgar. But it is the Christmas season and miracles do happen. Balogh's romances are just a bit on the risqué side as well as having twists in the romance and characters with some depth.

Check the library catalog

Santa Baby / Jennifer Crusie and others 328 p.

Christmas is the time for romance. Last minute Christmas Eve shopping for the latest action figure to die for has Trudy Maxwell running into spies and secret codes and a hunk secret agent.

Check library catalog

Refresh Your Home / Family Handyman 287 p.

Loaded with simple projects and tips to save money, update and renovate your house. My favorite is the under-cabinet drawers. These give you storage under your kitchen cabinets by removing the toe-kick backing. Pull-out drawers are perfect for cookie sheets, muffin pans, and other non-prime items.

Check library catalog

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Girls in White Dresses / Jennifer Close / 292 pages

Here's what I figured out by reading this book...I am old and I should not read books about 20 somethings trying to find out about men. Blah. If you relate to Sex in the City, then you would like this book. It even takes place in New York. It's not a bad book if you like to read about angst. The target audience (ie all your girlfriends are getting married and you aren't) might enjoy it. Just sayin' not for the old ladies like me.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Somtimes Help You Save Yourself/Julie Klam/173 pgs




This title consists of 3 different stories regarding the author's experiences with dog rescue. One is about a pit bull they find tied to a street sign and what they go through in order to get a pit bull placed in a foster home or rescue shelter. The second story is about a special needs dog who is given up by its owner. The last story deals with the rescue effort in New Orleans after Katrina. The book also touches on how rescuing dogs can effect the rescuer and those around them. A very good book.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Other Boleyn Girl/ Philippa Gregory/664 pages

This is a historically based novel, set in England during the time of Henry VIII.  The story's main character is Mary, sister to Anne Boleyn.  The themes are love, power, and intrigue.  Mary is overwhelmed and infatuated with her king.  Mary's family is all about money and power and doing whatever it takes.   I like the story as a historical fiction.  It details court life during the time of Henry VIII, from a relatively unknown but significant character's perspective.  It references real characters like the infamous Anne Boylen and Katherine of Aragon as well as political events of the time.  While the outcome for these characters and events may be known, Mary's part and her fate are not.  As the reader, I found myself rooting for Mary, rooting for love and justice to win, and turning the page to see what happened next.

Let's Go Cruzin' Again/Craig Kaintz with Bill Kasalko/124 pages

So, "Where did you go to high school?" We all have countless memories of our high school days. Who could ever forget. This book will take you back to those days, yes, those, "Happy Days!" I enjoyed looking at the pictures as well as reading the excerpts from this book. The authors cover different pranks pulled at various high schools, sporting events, famous people, and some background history of north county. If you want to reminisce about north county, you will find this book quite interesting. Now we can look back in time through this book and say those were the "Good Old Days." By the way, I was at St. Thomas Aquinas when that senior boy streaked through the campus. Enjoy!

Son of Neptune / Rick Riordan / 521 pages

If you have a kid who doesn't like to read, hand them this book. Riordan is a master at writing the quick-paced, heroic kid adventures that will pull in all types of readers. Percy Jackson is back to star in this story along with his two new friends Frank and Hazel. Their quest is to free death who has been chained up by Gaea and her giant son Alcyoneus. Readers are left hanging and thirsting for the next adventure of the Heroes of Olympus. Riordan's heroes are always the kids who have issues, aren't the most popular, are picked on, etc. His use of Greek & Roman Mythology and Roman history are integral to the story so readers pick up some interesting history as well. Thank you, Rick Riordan, no wonder you are a hero to thousands of kids.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Skin Deep/Nora Roberts/335 pgs




This is the third title in the O'Hurley series. Chantel O'Hurley is being threatened and there was no one to turn to. When her agent suggests Quinn Doran, she is not sure about it. He looked like he'd been carved out of stone and he was just as intractable, but he has promised to keep her safe. Of course you know what happens - they find the stalker and fall in love.

Trading Christmas/Debbie Macomber/362 pgs





This book is actually two stories - "Trading Christmas" and "The Forgetful Bride". In "Trading Christmas", widow Emily Springer, through the Internet, swaps houses with history professor Charles Brewster so that she can spend Christmas with her daughter in Boston. When she gets to Boston, she finds out that her daughter is going to Florida with her motorcycle riding boyfriend. So Emily finds herself alone until Charles' brother Ray enters the picture. Meanwhile at Emily's house, Charles is trying to finish his book when Faith, Santa and 7 elves show up on the doorstep. "The Forgetful Bride" is about Cait & Joe, who were married by Cait's brother when they were 8 & 10. They meet again 18 years later and Cait thinks that she is in love with her boss but the more time she spends with Joe, she is changing her mind. Both are very good romances - the type you expect from Debbie Macomber.

The Fire/James Patterson/336 pgs




This is the third and final title in the Witch & Wizard series. This one is not the best of the three. In this title, the resistance has broken up and Wisty has to face down The One. The book feels like it was just written to get it over with and has many things happen which didn't seem make sense.

Run For Your Life/James Patterson/373 pgs



This is the second title in the Michael Bennett series and is your typical James Patterson crime novel. The Bennett's are trying to get back to life without their mom and just about all of the 10 kids have the flu. At the same time, there is a serial killer in NYC, who is calling himself The Teacher and it is Mike's job to find him.

Divergent / Veronica Roth / 487 pages



Wow. This book was interesting, fast-paced and extremely easy to read. It's another YA survival fantasy of a future earth. This time, with no explanations, the idea is that people are divided into five groups, abnegation, dauntless, candor, amity, and erudite. Just those groups will teach some vocabulary right there. The people in each group behave in ways that define the group in order for there to be "peace on earth". At age 16, the youth will take a test and choose which group they wish to join. In reality, not everyone fits these groups and the "peace" is tenuous. Hence the "divergent"

It sounds like a really stupid premise, but after you get past that, it is really engaging. There is a lot of fighting and violence. The main character Tris has chosen Dauntless as her group. The reader learns things as she does. It won't make as good a movie, but it is every bit as interesting as the Hunger Games. There can easily be a sequel.

Cativated/Nora Roberts/298 pgs




This is the first title in the Donovan series and is the story of Morgana Donovan. Nash Kirkland had sought out Morgana Donovan, self-proclaimed witch, to help him research his latest screenplay. He doesn't believe for a minute she is a witch but he starts to fall for her and isn't sure if it is real or if she has placed him under a spell. Your typical good Nora Roberts love story.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Airman / Eoin Colfer / 412 pages

I am amazed at the quality of writing one experiences while reading Eoin Colfer.  His books are fantastic adventure stories filled with quotable quotes, hair-raising exploits, and thought-provoking situations.  Airman is a sure to please best bet!  Young Connor Broekhart is imprisoned by an evil pretender to the throne of Great Salty.  He had witnessed the assassination of the King and his most loyal advisor and could not pull the trigger to end the life of the assassin.  He is dressed as a soldier and tattooed in a scheme to convince his father, the king's friend, that Connor is dead and the person imprisoned is an evil man.  Connor is unaware of this scheme and wonders that neither his family nor his friend, Isabella, heir to the throne have wondered at his whereabouts and his innocence.  Connor's knowledge, courage, and determination provide with the means to escape the death sentence the prison is meant to be.

Wolfsbane / Andrea Cremer / 391 pages

This is the second book in the Nightshade trilogy.  Calla and Shay have been rescued by the Searchers and agree to join forces with them to defeat the Keepers.  A raid is made on a Keeper stronghold in Vail and some of Calla's pack is liberated.  Ren is conflicted over his loyalty to the Bane pack and his "father" and his love for Calla.  Not all members of the team return and those who do find the Searcher stronghold to be aflame.  Calla and Adne travel alone to rescue Ren.  Twilight fans should love this steamy, action-packed adventure.
YA

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Burnout/Adrienne Maria Vrettos/193 pages

This is one those dark disturbing young adult novels.  The main character, Nan, is an awkward high school student with average grades, a mother who is out of touch and two good friends that like to party. The chapters alternate between "Today" and "Remembering" a clever way to write a book. Nan and her friends spend most of their time, drinking, doing drugs, riding the subway or walking the streets of New York. Nan does end up in rehab, ditches her friends, tries to reconnect with Mom and we are cheering for the new Nan to succeed. But then Nan wakes up on the subway train and can't remember the last 24 hours. It is pretty fast paced book and you can really feel her pain. The author does a good job with character development, and I think the author is in touch with the feelings of teens just wanting to belong. A tough read, but a decent story.

Speak/Laurie Halse Anderson/197 pages

Anderson wrote this novel in 1999, she has written several since then, but nothing quite as real  and controversial as her debut novel. The main character, Melinda tells this story and the reader can tell from the very start that something horrible has happened to Melinda. The author does a great job conveying the feelings and voices, good and bad, of the teens in this story. The main character has lost everything because of the incident, her friends and teachers won't speak to her, her parents have practically given up on her and she's not speaking to anyone.  But as the story evolves, so does Melinda and we finally understand why she feels so isolated. A definite "must" read for teens and parents of teens.

Coffins of Little Hope / Timothy Schaffert / 262 pages

Okay, well you just need to read this book so we can talk about it. Coffins of Little Hope is wonderful with characters that you want to know better or maybe already know. Main character is 83 year old S (Esther/Essie) Myles who grew up in a small town in Nebraska and whose life work is writing the obituaries for her father's and now her grandson Doc's newspaper the County Paragraph. A young girl goes missing, if she really ever existed, and their town and lives are turned upside down. It's a fascinating look at a long life, how events change our lives, and how we evolve by what happens to us. It has humor, disappointment, hope, and pluck. At the end, we do all feel like we were young yesterday. Get your book discussion groups going on this one.

DON'T PANIC!!!

AHHHHHHH.......Just FYI, but the U-City team has posted 33 books already compared to our 20!  This means READ, READ, READ.  Please, I've already been bragging about how great we are, I can't face a loss in the first month.  ;)

Friday, January 20, 2012

What I Saw and How I Lied / Judy Blundell / 294 pages

Fifteen year old Evie Spooner is happy to have her step-father, Joe, home again from the war.  Joe owns several appliance stores which he says he bought with his G.I. money.  Evie's real father left before Evie was even born. Joe and her beautiful mother are desperately in love.  Their lives are radically altered when Joe proposes a trip to Florida.  Here we learn surprising facts about what Joe did during the war and his true reason for the Florida trip.  Joe's war buddy, Peter, becomes involved with both Evie and her mother, and ends up dead after a sailing excursion with Evie's parents.  Did they murder Peter?  Will Evie lie to protect her parents?  Great coming of age story (for mature readers) set in World War II time period.  Thought provoking treatment of Jews.  Bit graphic.

YA?

The Hole in the Wall / Lisa Rowe Faustino / 214 pages

The Hole in the Wall is eleven year old Sebastian Daniels' perfect escape. If he holds his head just right he can see a kaleidoscope of colors flickering around in his secret cave.  Over time he has closed off the cave's mouth and established various creature comforts withing its cozy space.  You would think he would have been content with the castle in his backyard, but his grandmother's cuckoo clocks and his brother's absence make it a poor choice for a hang out.  This most unusual book features a fast-paced mystery, ecological concerns, a bickering family, and much, much more...including magnetic chickens!

Milkweed Prize for Children's Literature

The World We Found / Thiry Umrigar / 308 pages

"What kind of trick was youth that they believed the words of a pop song ("Bridge Over Troubled Water")as fervently as others believed in God."  Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta were inseparable during their college days in Bombay in the late 1970's.  They were politically involved and hoped to right the wrongs in their native India.  As often happened, time and circumstances have separated the friends.  Thirty years later Armaiti, who has married an American and moved to America, is diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor.  She wishes to see her old friends before she dies.  The World We Found is an account of the circumstances resulting in this reunion.  Outstanding!!

The Innocent/Taylor Stevens/331 pgs.

I love this author! This is Stevens' 2nd Vanessa Michael Munroe novel, and it is as good as the 1st, The Informationist. If you haven't read The Informationist, you don't get the full impact of "Michael's" character. She is a more refined version of Lisbeth Sanders (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). In The Innocent,  Michael is asked to "kidnap" Hannah, a 13 year old girl, who has been abducted (5 years ago and given to a cult, The Chosen. Her mother, Charity, had been a member of The Chosen years before, but had escaped. Hannah's true father, Logan, is friends with Michael, and knows that if anyone can get Hannah back, it's Michael. This is a fast, suspenseful read, and one that I can't recommend highly enough!

Much Ado About Vampires / Kate MacAlister / 339 p.

Yeah, Yeah, and Maybe the cover had
Something to do with my decision to
read this book. 
I don't know why it has taken me so long to read a Kate MacAlister book.  I have been told many times that she is very funny.  And funny she is, I found myself laughing out loud a few times either at the things she has her characters do or the witty comebacks that they say out loud.  Unfortunately, for me I probably should not have chosen this as my first book.  Clearly this is one of many in her "Dark Ones" series which has a world that has many rules and creatures with long Latin sounding names.  The first half of the book the main character Cora is accidentally banished to some sort of place called "Akasha" which is between Heaven and Hell (think Purgatory).  There she finds and revives her vampire lover from a previous life, Alec, and they then wander around and fight Demons looking for a way out and back to reality.  For me this is not much of a plot, and I was skimming through this quick read.  It is also very much on the steamy side so I would only recommend this book to those who know what they are getting into when they pick up a paranormal romance.  I would like to read another book by MacAlister, but I am hoping for more of a storyline and perhaps in a contemporary setting. 

Stranger in Paradise/Robert B. Parker/195 pages

Jesse Stone is the Police Chef of Paradise, a small town in Massachusetts. He has an ex-wife Jenn who is trying to make her way as a news reporter. When a man named Crow comes (back) to town, he knows there will be trouble soon. (Note to self: go back to the beginning and start reading these in order so I can be in on the references and jokes.) Crow is looking for a young teen and her mother who ran off from the father/husband years ago. His mission becomes entangled with a very small local effort to prevent a Hispanic school from opening in a long vacant house in the most prestigious neighborhood in the town.

There are quite a few murders committed by Crow during the course of the book that are ignored by Stone. Crow is an interesting character: a cold-blooded murder who has standards and is apparently irresistible to the women in town. This is my first Parker book (my first Jesse Stone book was written by another author after Parker's death.) I always enjoyed the Spenser tv series, so I think I'll read more of the Stone series and start the Spenser series.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ashfall / Mike Mullin / 466 pages




This book takes place after a super-volcano erupts at Yellowstone Park area. (This is a real volcanic site that could erupt) The disturbance covers many states and Iowa is the location of the story. Alex stayed behind when his family went to visit his uncle on a farm near Galena, Illinois. That is the weekend when the volcano erupts.


The story is of his survival and journey to find his family without any transportation, food, or necessary supplies. Oh, and there is about 2 to 3 feet of ash from the volcano on the ground. On the way, he meets helpful people, bad guys, and just plain terrified people. Luckily, he is a black belt in karate and he can use it. (Makes me want to learn karate, this being 2012 and all.) Since this is a YA book, Alex meets a strong female character who will come along the rest of the journey. The ending looks like it could easily have a sequel.


This is a perfect total disaster book to start 2012. The author really did his homework on emergency preparedness or the lack of it. I really don't want to drink from the toilet if the water supply is cut off. I don't even know how to use my grill if the electicity is gone. Something to think about.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Night Circus/Erin Morgenstern/387 pages

Does love conquer all?  That question is certainly put to the test in Morgenstern's debut novel, The Night Circus.  Imagine a circus that appears out of nowhere and is only open at night - its wonders are a sight to behold and draws adoring fans and followers from all over the world.  While The Night Circus entertains and delights on the surface, few truly know what it takes to keep this circus going.  

Two young magicians are at the heart of The Night Circus.  Since childhood, they have been trained to battle each other (to the death) in a time-honored contest of magical prowess, but neither expects to fall in love.  A sticky problem, indeed...

Morgenstern combines historical fantasy and vivid imagery for a dark, complex, yet lyrical, tale that will easily transport readers to another time and and place. 





    

The Death Cure/James Dashner/325 pgs.

This is the 3rd book in the "Maze Runner" Trilogy. In this concluding volume, the reader discovers if the disease, "the flare" has a cure. Thomas and some of his companions have escaped from "Wicked," but there is still uncertainty as to who are the "good" guys, and who are the "bad." There are twists and turns, and in general, a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. YA readers will enjoy this (imho).

Stalemate/Iris Johansen/341 pgs




This is the seventh title in the Eve Duncan series and was a good book. Eve is contacted by an arms dealer in Columbia and he wants her to come to his compound and do a job for him. But he isn't giving any details and Joe doesn't want her to go. He tells her that he will release a CIA informant and his family if she comes and will put all his resources towards finding out who murdered Bonnie and where her body is located. Of course she is now going to go and Joe follows her. Story line is good but may be a bit predictable.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Can Rats Swim from Sewers into Toilets & other questions about your home/Alison Behnke/40 pages

For kids (& maybe adults) with enquiring minds this little book reveals whether some of the urban myths and things your mother told you about are true or false. Plenty of fun illustrations make the book a fast read. The question is answered and a small blurb with other facts is included. So...if you want to know if you can talk on the phone or take a shower during a storm or if a ceiling fan can cut off your head or if a freezer can burn your food...better check this out. Great for reluctant readers.

The Race/ Clive Cussler/ 404 pages

The Race features Cussler's historical character, the dashing Isaac Bell of the Van Dorn Detective Agency. Of course Cussler is going to write a book that is action-packed, full of heroes and villains, and plot-driven but he also enthralls the reader with his historical facts about cars, aeroplanes, weapons and events of the early 20th century. The story is based on a contest that will reward $50,000 to the "driver" of the aeroplane that can cross America from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast in 50 days. You really have to admire the men and women who were the pioneers of flight. There were no flight schools, they simply got in those planes and learned to fly. The "mechanicians" who worked on the planes were making improvements on engines, structure, and fuel, each time the plane landed. Recommend for those who like historical action adventure!

Rin-ne volume 6/ Rumiko Takahashi/ 188 pages

Rin-ne is a fun Manga series by the author of the Ranma series. I thought that volume 6 was the end, but now that I've read it, I hope not. There are still a lot of loose ends. Rin-ne is still searching for his father, who it seems has duped a widow out of all of her money. The widow's son is now out to get Rin-ne too. I hope they find the father soon and that some of these love triangles get sorted out! It's a little tricky to remember who is a devil and who is an exorsist and who is a shinigami, when you haven't picked up the other volumes in months. But, it's all fun and easy to get back into.

11/22/63 / Stephen King/ 849 pages

I love Stephen King. And I grew up with a mother that adored Kennedy. This book was fantastic. Stephen King can suck in his readers like no one else. I think he just knows how to hit on the the things that make us human and allows you to really connect with his characters. This is a work of time-travel science fiction at it's best. All the what if's that can be haunting are explored here without being repetitive. Just an absolutely fantastic read. Highly recommended!!! Except, you'll want to go back and read "It", since part of the story happens in Derry.

Son of the Mob/Gordon Korman/262 pages

Gordon Korman has a great sense of humor and always appeals to a wide range of readers. In "Son of the Mob", Korman has created a fast paced, witty novel about friendship, family and romance. Vince wants nothing to do with the "family business", he wants to be like any other high school guy, but it's hard when your father is the head of a powerful crime organization and your girlfriend's father is the tenacious FBI agent that has been hunting him down for years. This book has it all, mobsters that run coffee shops and strip joints, bodies in the trunk on the first date and a mafia mom that rivals June Cleaver!

ALA Top Ten Best Book
ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

Monday, January 16, 2012

A Discovery of Witches / Deborah Harkness / 579 pgs.

I am not really sure how I managed to finish this book.  It has all the right elements for me: Vampires, Witches, Romance, Libraries, and Old books!  However, all I can really say about the book is that is was very, very slow!  I mean "leisurely pace" does not even begin to describe how detailed and long it takes for the plot to move along.  I spent more of my time wondering how the main character is able to walk straight since she is always drinking wine (multiple glasses) at every meal.  And yes, the author describes the type, age, smell, and taste of  EVERY glass of WINE!  I would not recommend this book to a recovering alcoholic.  For the rest of you, read the book if you are a fast reader and don't mind that every building, research book, and whatever the main character decides to eat will be described in excruciating detail.

The Heart and the Fist / Eric Greitens / 297

From a young college student doing humanitarian work in Bosnia, Bolivia, and Rwanda to a Rhodes scholarship at Oxford University to one of the toughest military trainings within the US armed forces, Eric Greitens describes his life journey from humanitarian to warrior to founder of the St. Louis non-profit, The Mission Continues.  After researching and experiencing some of the most poverty-stricken and harsh war zones, he came to this realization: “I had become an advocate for using power, where necessary, to protect the weak, to end ethnic cleansing, to end genocide.  But as I wrote papers to make this argument and spoke at conferences, my words seemed hollow.  I was really saying (in so many words) that someone else should go somewhere to do dangerous work that I thought was important.  How could I ask others to put themselves in harm’s way if I hadn’t done so myself?”  This led him to join the Navy SEALs because of its physical challenges as well as its mental and emotional demands.  His narratives really grab the reader into his experiences, and I found myself laughing, cringing, on edge, and even choking up with emotion as some parts.  While the title speaks for itself, the purpose of Greitens’s book is to show the importance of leadership, service, and overcoming challenges in one’s life and throughout the entire book he shows the need for both a compassionate and warrior-like spirit.  This book should be required reading for all military officers if not for all those going into the military.  However, soldier or civilian, this book is applicable to all as Greitens finishes his book by saying, “I’ve learned that courage and compassion are two sides of the same coin, and that every warrior, every humanitarian, every citizen is built to live with both.  In fact, to win a war, to create peace, to save a life, or just to live a good life requires of us – of every one of us – that we be both good and strong.”

Storm Damage / Ed Kovacs / 307 pages

"She was pierced so many times there was more hardware in her body than is aisle 12 at home Depot.  She had more tattoos then the 1st Marine Division, and she was the granddaughter of an infamous Mafia don who still owned a large portion of the Quarter ...and she managed the coffee shop on the corner."  This passage demonstrates Ed Kovacs excellent use of descriptive language to establish the sights, sounds, and essence of post-Katrina New Orleans.  This a thrilling page-turner recounts Cliff St. James' investigation into the murder of Sam Siu, a Vietnamese immigrant/business owner.  Sam was murdered just prior to the arrival of the hurricane's apocalyptic arrival.  His body disappears and his daughter pays Cliff to discover who killed Sam.  This story has everything...FBI, CIA, martial arts, Mardi Gras, spousal abuse, rape, corrupt officials, romance (?)...

The Cardturner / Louis Sachar / 336 pages

If you're a fan of Louis Sachar's Wayside School books, you'll find Cardturner to be very different.  Sachar's sense of humor is still present, but his subject matter and themes are more mature and more profound.  The summer of his junior year, Alton Richards plans to get a job.  His girlfriend has just dumped him for his best friend.  He is at loose ends and trying to cope with the loss.  His mother has volunteered him to drive his Uncle Lester (Trap) to his bridge games and to be his cardturner.  Trap has diabetes and is blind and needs someone to tell him what cards he has been dealt.  His mother's plan is to be written into wealthy Uncle Lester's will.  Alton learns a great deal about bridge - as do we, the readers - and life itself.  This book is a bit slow through all the bridge instruction, but the plot twist and the personability of the main character make it well worth the time spent reading.

The Red Tent/Anita Diamant/321 pgs





This is the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob. In the Old Testament the story is that she is raped by a Canaanite prince, and in revenge, Jacob's sons trick the Canaanites and murder them. But in this book, Dinah tells is a much different story, one in which she is loved by the Canaanite--and then betrayed by some of her brothers, who are worried about their inheritance. It is also a story of how women were treated in that period and about the Red Tent where the women would live the most important parts of their lives; where they would go once a month, have their babies, and tell their stories.

The Alexandria Link/Steve Berry/384 pgs


This is the second title in the Cotton Malone series. Cotton's son, Gary has been kidnapped and the people who hold him want the Alexandria Link. This is supposed to be the way to find the Library of Alexandria, which was supposed to have been destroyed. The Link is really a person who Malone has hidden away because the Israelis would like to kill him. The scrolls held within the library may prove that Israel is not the promised land but that it is really located in Saudi Arabia. A good story

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The House At Riverton/Kate Morton/473 pgs.

This is our January book club title, and as such, not one I was looking forward to reading; I envisioned another Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. I couldn't have been more wrong. It started out slowly, but the more I got into it, the more intriguing I found it. It's considered an "English country house romance and mystery" novel. Grace Bradley, now in her nineties, is the narrator of the story. She was a young girl when she began working as a servant at Riverton House. This is where her life becomes involved with Hannah and Emmeline Hartford. There are family secrets, love affairs, etc., during the early 20th century. It's a very good read.

Kill Me If You Can/James Patterson/361 pages

A poor art student who is not at all what he seems to be takes a duffel bag full of diamonds after a criminal from the Diamond Syndicate is assassinated. What follows is the usual action-filled plot of bad guys after the good guy. Patterson stretches the credibility of the plot but you still keep turning those pages to see where the plot twists take you and if the bad guys get their just desserts.

Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues/ Michael Brandman / 274 pages

I didn't read a lot of Robert B. Parker's novels, but I did read the Jesse Stone books. After Parker's death, Brandman who wrote the scripts for the Jesse Stone TV shows, continues the series in this book. Jesse is the laconic chief of police of Paradise, Massachusetts, and with his fellow officers (Molly who doesn't give an inch, Suitcase who is learning, and the others) Jesse stops a ring of car thieves, saves a young girl who is being bullied, takes up with another woman while his girlfriend Sunny is in Europe, is adopted by a cat, and gets the guy out to get him. Jesse is quite the character. A good read tho' I don't feel that great about the publisher cashing in on Robert B. Parker after his death.

State of Wonder / Ann Patchett / 353 pages

Wow! What a story. I had to stay up until 2:30 am to finish it. Marina Singh, a pharmacist who works in a lab for a drug company, embarks on a mission to the rainforest of the Amazon to discover what happened to her colleague and determine the progress made by one of her former med school professors, the formidable Dr. Swenson, on a new drug that will keep women fertile into their 70's. The plot is definitely character driven and extremely thought-provoking. If a book was ever written for book discussion groups...this is the one! Highly recommended.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Outliers / Malcolm Gladwell / 309 pages

In Malcom Gladwell's book, the "Outliers," he talks about understanding successful people. Instead of focusing on their intelligence, ambition and personality traits, he looks more at the world that surrounds them. Their culture, their family, their generation, and the experiences of their upbringing. Outliers is about those people whose achievements fall outside what we would consider the normal experience.

There is alot of information throughout this book and at first seemed a little far fetched. There is definitely some interesting ideas presented and get you thinking about how and why some people have succeeded and why others have not. The one thing I noticed the most in reading this book, is the number of conversations with people that had read it and the interest in the book for those that have not read it... yet.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Library Wars, Love and War by Kiiro Yumi/184 pages

This manga is based on an original novel, but has been reorganized into a traditional Japanese manga novel. If you have never tried reading a manga novel, this one is a great place to start! Library Wars is set in the near future when the Media Betterment Society seeks to exercise censorship over all media , including offensive books.  Libraries are the only institutions that can oppose the society's censorship.  Corporal Iku Kasahara is the first female ever selected to the elite "Library Forces", a group of individuals trained to fight the censorship. Iku finally has her dream job, but has a hard time with her hard-hearted drill instructor. A little action and adventure and a little romance. I think this will be a fun series.

"The library is the one place that has to treat books fairly!" Iku Kasahara.

Killing the Blue/Michael Brandman/194 pages

Jesse Stone is the Chief of Police of Paradise. He has demons in his past, and one of them has been released from jail and is now in Paradise to settle the score. Jesse handles all the problems of a small town with ease, and when big town problems invade this little town, he handles those easily as well. He's a man of few words even with his therapist.

This is an installment in Robert Parker's Jesse Stone series, and my first taste of the character. Not having read any of the previous books, I can't speak to how authentic Michael Brandman's treatment is of this character. I did enjoy it, so on that level, it was a good book.

Nightshade / Andrea Cremer / 454 pages

Another werewolf book?  Yes!  But much more!  The wolves, in this first in a trilogy, are shapeshifting Guardians, originally created by a Keeper to prolong his life and protect him.  Today the wolves live simultaneously as humans and wolves and are not dependent on the moon for shape-shifting.  Calla is an alpha female in the Nightshade pack and is destined to mate with Ren, the alpha male in the Bane pack, uniting the two packs and creating an new, smaller, younger pack.  Ren is a playboy and Calla is a warrior.  Destiny may be thwarted as Calla has broken an important rule.  She has saved the life of a human who ventured into forbidden territory.  This human, Shay, however, is different from any Calla has yet encountered.  He will change her life forever.  Great YA read!!!

Teens Top 10 2011

Liesl and Po / Lauren Oliver/ 307 pages

This is Lauren Oliver's first novel for younger readers...and it is awesome!!  "It is like being everything all at once, and holding the universe inside you and being held inside the universe."  So says Po, explaining to Liesl what its like to be on the Other Side.  Po is a ghost who appears in shadow with her pet companion, Bundle, in Liesl's attic bedroom.  Liesl had been locked in the attic by her stepmother.  Her father died just 3 days ago and her sadness has caused her to stop drawing.  Po has come to see why her light has been extinguished  and why she has stopped drawing.  An alchemist's assistant wonders the same thing and has somehow mixed up the box containing the girl's father's ashes with a box of great magic.  Po helps Liesl run away and they attempt to return the wrong box to her mother's burial place by the willow tree.  This is a great adventure story about friendship and life after death with awesome illustrations by Kei Acedera.

The Big Nothing / Adrian Fogelin / 235 pages

Middle-schooler Justin has a lot on his plate.  He is overweight and has a bad complexion.  His father has a girlfriend in Atlanta and he and Justin's mom have just separated.  His older brother, Duane, is in training in the army and the president is about to start the war in Iraq.  His best friend, Ben, has gotten a girlfriend and Justin is often at loose ends...Oh!...and his mom has depression and his attempts to care for her are sad, but humorous.  This story is a realistic look at life among many American middle schoolers.

Cryer's Cross / Lisa McMann / 232 pages

"Everything changes when Tiffany Quin disappears."  The small town of Cryer's Cross is overwhelmed by her disappearance.  Although Kendall Fletcher wasn't friends with the freshman, her OCD makes it difficult for her to cope.  When Kendall's best friend, Nico, goes missing, Kendall is caught in a "downward spiral of fear and anxiety."  Even one of her necessary outlets - the soccer team - is disbanded for lack of players.  Kendall battles Nico's loss, her new relationship with Jacian, and her obsession with Nico's desk.  Could it have had something to do with Nico's disappearance?  Is it calling to Kendall?  Great YA read filled with suspense.

Love In A Nutshell/Janet Evanovich/310 pgs




This is the latest title from Janet Evanovich. Well not as enjoyable as the Stephanie Plum series, this is a good book. Kate Appleton has been left by her husband - who also got custody of her poodle, Stella and lost her job. She is trying to turn her parents' summer home into a B&B but the place is falling down around her and someone has purchased the mortgage to the home. So she is needing money quickly. She goes to the local microbrewery and talks the owner Matt Culhane into a job. He is needing someone to find out who is sabotaging the brewery and offers her $20000 to find the person responsible. Of course there is also a little attraction between them too.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Chick Palace/Leslie Davis Guccione/194 pages

The Chick Palace represents the first book I purchased for my brand new Nook Tablet. I wanted to experiment with all types of downloads, so I looked for a reasonably priced (aka cheap) book to purchase. I wasn't expecting much for $3.99, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Johanna and Lilly became best friends as soon as they became college roommates years ago. Lilly and her husband (Ex-ex, the man she married and divorced twice) own the small cottage next door to Johanna's family's much larger spread. Johanna is still recovering from the loss of her mother and is trying to fill her shoes in the extended family even though she really doesn't want to. Lilly's youngest is moving away for graduate school, leaving Lilly with an empty nest. Lilly also has to work out a workable schedule for using the vacation home with Ex-ex and his new main squeeze. The women find refuge in the tree house that their boys built years ago to get away from the "grils." "No grils allowed!" They rename it The Chick Palace.

Devil Came to St. Louis / Troy Taylor / 165 pages



This seemed like a good choice to start the new year. That movie "The Exorcist" scared me to death when I saw it in the theater in the 1970's. This book is the story behind the movie. It is an actual case of demon possession that happened here in St. Louis in 1949.


It involved a boy and priests from St. Louis University. Troy Taylor has used many sources including a diary, interviews and other written sources to write this chronicle of what actually happened. It is quite interesting. I am not a skeptic so I didn't read this at bedtime.


He has also done his homework and had the first chapter on the history of exorcisms. Then he writes about several historical exorcisms in Germany and the U.S. Particularly interesting to me was the 1877 Watseka, Illinois case of a 13 year old girl named Lurancy. She kept going into a trance and later seemed to be channeling another Watseka girl that she didn't even know. She actually went to the home of the other girl (who had died) and lived there for a time. She knew all sorts of things about that family of strangers while her own family seemed like strangers to her. I'm feeling chills.

Troy Taylor has also written many other books about haunted places around Illinois and Missouri. Good daytime read.


Thanks for 2011!

Hey all!!!  Thanks for the Great 2011 year!  I have updated the Stats and added a Final Winners page for 2011.  I will let you know the Statewide results as soon as I get them. 

For now, I hope you will continue to participate in the 2012 competition.  A few more teams have been added so competition will be a bit tougher.

An Imperfect Christmas / Myra Johnson / 223 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Natalie Pierce loves Christmas so much she would gladly make it a year round celebration.  She is an artist like her mother and inherited her love of Christmas from her mother as well.  One Christmas, however, changes all the lives in the family.  Natalie's mother suffers a debilitating stroke while taking down the Christmas decorations.  She had called Natalie to help her with take down, but Natalie professed to be too busy.  She blames herself for her mother's stroke and her grief almost destroys her family.

Christmas Treasures / Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spencer / 294 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This is the newest Christmas book by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. Once again, they have produced a must-read sotry about faith, friendship, love, and community.  Reverend Ben suffers a massive heart attack and wrestles with the decision to retire.  Regina and Richard Towan have just mvoed to Cape Light with their two children.  Regina has inherited a house from a distant relative.  The couple has suffered hard times recently losing their jobs, their house, and many of their possessions.  They have agreed to separate after renovating the house.

A Wallflower Christmas / Lisa Kleypas / 216 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Wow!  This is one steamy Christmas story!  You do not want to listen to it on audio while you have children in the car!  Hannah is a companion to her cousin, Natalie.  Natalie is being courted by a well-to-do American, Rafe, Rafe's father wants him to marry Natalie to garner the respect and advantages afforded to a member of the peerage.  It doesn't matter that Rafe had fallen in love with Hannah instead.

Dance to the Piper/Nora Roberts/251 pgs





This is the second title in The O'Hurley's series and is Maddy O'Hurley's story. She is a professional dancer and has been chosen as the lead for a new Broadway play. She meets the head of Valentine Records who is backing the play and of course they fall in love and the play is a hit.














The Last Honest Woman/Nora Roberts/248 pgs




This is the first title in The O'Hurley's series and is the story of Abby. She is the middle triplet and is a widow raising 2 young sons on a horse farm in Virginia. She is contacted by journalist Dylan Crosby, who is writing a book on her late husband - a race car driver, to be interviewed. She decides to talk to him but only about things she wants and not want she doesn't want her children to find out about their father. Dylan has issues with women in his past and thinks that she is hiding things. Good typical Nora Roberts romance.




Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shakespeare's Landlord

This book takes place in Shakespeare, Arkansas.  The main character is a local cleaning lady who has a past that she would rather noone know about.  She is out taking a walk late one evening when she sees someone pushing her lawn cart with something in it and then putting it back where they found it.  When she follows this person secretly, she discovers that the cart was used to dump the body of the man who is the landlord to many people in Shakespeare.  During the course of her working and being interviewed by the police, she figures out who the killer is and helps the local police arrest the killer.

I enjoyed this book.  Charlaine Harris' books are very easy to read and I enjoy her witty sense of humor.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Ostrich Boys / Keith Gray / 297 pages

Blake, Dim, and Kenny are upset at the death of their 15-year-old friend, Ross.  The 3 are furious at the hypocrisy of the people who made Ross's life difficult expressing their grief at his funeral.  While vandalizing the homes of these guilty parties, the boys decide to steal Ross's ashes and take them to Ross, Scotland - a place to which Ross had express a desire to go.  The boys set off on their journey, discovering that Ross had, in fact, committed suicide.  Great adventure, humor, and much bad language mark this tale of friendship and the devastating ramifications and causes of teenage suicide.

On Christmas Eve / Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spencer / 295 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"Christmas is a time for looking back with love and forgiveness in our hearts, and looking forward with hope." 
"Do your best right now and deal with the future when you get there."

Once again, Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer have teamed up to produce a heart-warming, thought-provoking story.  Betty meets the man of her dreams - Santa Claus.  Lucy takes in a runaway girl and her desire to keep her causes additional problems with her difficult husband, Charlie.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Come Lie With Me/Linda Howard/252 pgs.

This is the first book I read on my Kindle Fire, and the reading experience was the best part--reading on the Fire was great! The book--not so great! It was a typical "Silhouette" type romance. Physical therapist extraordinaire, Dione Kelley, is hired to rehabilitate Blake Remington. He had been in an accident, went through numerous surgeries, and should be able to walk. Other therapists had tried, but had failed, etc.--you get the picture! It was pretty "schmaltzy."

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

A Christmas Visitor / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 249 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

As always this Cape Light novel is a delightful read!!  Miranda finds a mysterious stranger who has lost his memory in her grandmother's apple orchard and they are inexplicably drawn to each other.  Pastor Ben finds a beautiful angel statue in the church basement and its rumored curative powers are attracting viewers from afar.  Molly discovers she is pregnant just as her catering business and her marriage to Dr. Matt Harding are taking off.  Matt's decision to bring an ex-girlfriend in to be his partner is the med practice bodes ill for the future.

"One needed to be flexible in life, to revise one's expectations...Blessed are the flexible...They don't get bent out of shape."

A Christmas Star / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 276 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"Life must be lived forward, but can only be understood backward."
Jack Sawyer had given up on life.  His wife, Claire, died 2 years ago and his son, David, left after angry words were exchanged and Jack has no idea of his whereabouts.  Jack's house is a mess and he has been neglecting his landscaping and Christmas tree business.  When Julie and Kate's car breaks down in his driveway, a Christmas miracle occurs. 
Sam and Jessica's house catches fire and burns to the ground, killing their dog, Reilly, but allowing them and their two sons to escape.  The tragedy pulls the family apart, but love prevails.

A Wish for Christmas / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 279 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This in another awesome Cape Light novel by this bestselling team. Jack's son, David, has returned from Iraq injured - in body and spirit. He had hoped to come back home and rekindle a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Christine. Grace Hegman locates a suitcase she needs to fill an order in her antique store. She is shocked to find it full of money. She and her father, Digger, decide to use the money to be secret Santas. Sara and Luke move to Boston leaving the family matriarch, Lillian Warwick, to live alone in the huge Victorian home...but not for long.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Angel Christmas / Mary Balogh, [et. al] 384 p.

Christmas time brings angels to romance in these 5 stories. My favorite is the Tin Angel by Patricia Rice. Angel Mary appears to Jeffrey, Viscount Darcourt, when he settles in at home for a quiet Christmas. He is filled with rage over the loss of his brother, slow movement of needed change in Parliament, and his own loneliness. Mary telling of his good points doesn't seem to help. Mary seems to be making an impact because Jeffrey takes to caring about her hideaway--a tin angel. He finds himself helping the Vicar as his daughter lies dying. He gives a Christmas tree topped with the tin angel. Not to give the story away but it is a romance.

Read before the end of the year--just got to blog now.

Check out the library catalog

Sunday, January 1, 2012

GHOST STORY: A NOVEL OF THE DRESDEN FILES by Jim Butcher - 481 pages

Harry Dresden, the only wizard to advertise in the Chicago yellow pages, has been murdered. Some might think that being dead would keep Harry down. If you believe that, then you don't know this particular wizard detective!
In GHOST STORY, Harry accepts the chance to track down his killer and is returned to Chicago as a ghost! He has some really cool spirit abilities which he gleefully compares to X-Men powers -- passing through walls like Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and 'jumping' from place to place like Nightcrawler. BUT as a ghost, the great and powerful wizard has no magic nor can he touch anything.
The people he would normally ask for help,wont be able to see or hear him so Harry must find someone to help him make contact with the living. He soon discovers that Karrin Murphy, his apprentice Molly, and all of his friends are fighting a desperate battle against a vicious new foe. Harry also learns the memories he has from his former life provide him with a form of power sort of like magic. Unfortunately, those same memories tend to attract other ghosts -- hungry ghosts who want to eat him.
I listened to the audio version of GHOST STORY and was surprised to find it narrated by actor John Glover; you might remember him as Lionel Luthor (the father of Lex Luthor) from the television series "Smallville." All of the earlier titles in the Dresden Files series have been narrated by James Marsters (Spike from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel") but due to a scheduling conflict he was unavailable to record this title. Others may disagree, but I thought Glover was a great narrator match for Dresden, delivering just the right emphasis to Harry's wit and pop culture references and to ghost Harry's soul-searching remembrance of events from throughout his life.
The story had a definite 'life passing before your eyes' tone with Harry recalling practically everyone (friend or foe) from previous books in the Dresden Files series. I found this not only entertaining but very useful because I had not read the last few titles in the series and these reminiscences gave me the chance to play catch up. And even though I 'did' learn who killed Harry (and what a surprise it was!), the author left some rather interesting plot threads lying around.
This only made me eager to read the next Dresden Files book, titled COLD DAYS according to the FAQ's on Butcher's website; see http://www.jim-butcher.com/faq Sadly no release date was listed at the time of this post so I guess I'll just have to wait.