Review of Up at Butternut Lake by Mary McNear

 Rating - 4

 After ten years away, Allie Beckett has returned to her family's cabin beside tranquil Butternut Lake, where as a teenager she spent so many carefree days. She's promised her five-year-old son, Wyatt, they will be happy there. She's promised herself this is the place to begin again after her husband's death in Afghanistan.

Allie and her son are embraced by the townsfolk, and her reunions with old acquaintances—her friend Jax, now a young mother of three with one more on the way, and Caroline, the owner of the local coffee shop—are joyous ones. And then there are newcomers like Walker Ford, who mostly keeps to himself—until he takes a shine to Wyatt . . . and to Allie. (Amazon Desc.)

McNear easily draws the reader in with likable characters, a beautiful setting, and an interesting plot. The romance between Allie and Walker is hot and problematic given the past issues both must overcome. The glimpse we see into Jax's life and Caroline's, leaves the reader wanting to know more about this interesting little town and the people who live there.

Review of Silenced by Allison Brennan

Rating - 4

 A number of known prostitutes--with scores of high profile clients--are turning up dead all over D.C. Is this the work of a depraved killer? Or the result of an inside job? Lucy's investigation will take her into an underground network of prostitutes, the chambers of the country's most powerful players, and her own dark past to confront an unknown enemy who's always one step ahead of her. With the help of her P.I. boyfriend Sean Rogan, Lucy must find and protect the only witness who can identify the killer and end the conspiracy, but can the witness be trusted? Lucy will risk everything to expose the truth and ensure justice is served, even if that means putting herself in the line of fire ... (Desc. from Amazon)

The Lucy Kincaid series is my favorite of Brennan's numerous series. The characters of Lucy and Sean are nuanced and finely drawn. Each book in the series explores their characters more deeply. As a writer, Brennan is a master of complex plot twists. Once started, her books are hard to put down.

Review of Escape from Eden by Elise Nader

Rating - 4

Young Adult

 "Escape from Eden"  follows main character Mia who lives with her mother and brother in Edenton, a modern day "Garden of Eden" located deep in the jungles of South America. Mia has lived there since she was ten years old and her mother fell under the Reverend's spell. She doesn't dream of the things the other girls do at Edenton - courting and getting married - Mia dreams of escaping for good. When the gorgeous Gabriel and his family arrive at Edenton, Mia believes she might have found her way out. Along the way, Mia and Gabriel uncover secrets of epic proportions - the Reverend and his paranoid plan to save his flock from the corrupt world for good. Will Gabriel and Mia be able to stop the Reverend before it's too late? Or will they have to sacrifice much more than just their freedom in order to save the ones they love? (Desc. from Amazon, Reviewer SW).

This dystopian YA novel is full of suspense. Lots of plot twists keep readers engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Review of The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

Rating - 4

 1926. Tom Sherbourne is a young lighthouse keeper on a remote island off Western Australia. The only inhabitants of Janus Rock, he and his wife, Isabel, live a quiet life, cocooned from the rest of the world.
The one April morning a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a crying infant - and the path of the couple's lives hits an unthinkable crossroads.
Only years later do they discover the devastating consequences of the decision they made that day - as the baby's real story unfolds...

Stedman has created a unique novel. . . unique in time, setting and circumstance. The choice made by Tom and Isabel sets them and their marriage on a path of no return and propels every reader to question his or her own ethical and moral values if faced with a similar dilemma. Highly recommended.

Review of Stargazey Point by Shelley Noble

Rating = 3

 Documentary filmmaker Abbie Sinclair is deeply damaged after her latest project ended in tragedy. Luckily for her, her best friend stateside has a few elderly relatives who are happy to host Abbie in their crumbling seaside mansion while she figures out what comes next. Cabot Reynolds the Third is a man who gave up a promising career as an architect to return to the down and out South Carolina beach town of Stargazey Point to restore his uncle's carousel and, hopefully, breathe new life into the town before its natives are forced to sell out to developers. The elderly Crispin siblings are Stargazey Point's old money, but their funds are quickly disappearing. The three have fallen to selling off their belongings to pay off their taxes. Despite their troubles Abbie finds a home with Millie, Marnie, and Beau, and before long she finds that she doesn't have to jet around the world to keep up with the deeds of her over-achieving, do-gooder family members, there's plenty of good to be done right in Stargazey Point. (Desc. yourotherleft, 9/13

Stargazey Point was an enjoyable read with likable characters. There were several sub-plots with just enough suspense to hold my attention from start to finish.

Review of The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter, J. T. Ellison

Rating: 4

 Scotland Yard’s new chief inspector Nicholas Drummond is on the first flight to New York when he learns his colleague, Elaine York, the "“minder of the Crown Jewels for the “Jewel of the Lion” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was found murdered. Then the centerpiece of the exhibit, the infamous Koh-i-Noor Diamond, is stolen from the Queen Mother’s crown. Drummond, American-born but raised in the UK, is a dark, dangerous, fast-rising star in the Yard who never backs down. And this case is no exception. Working with FBI special-agent Michaela "Mike" Caine, they determine that the thief is an international art thief known as "The Fox". The Fox will stop at nothing to deliver the Koh-i-Noor to the man who believes in its deadly prophecy. (Desc. from Amazon).

I haven't read anything by Catherine Coulter for many years. After reading Final Cut, I realize I've been missing out! Taut suspense, action, and great characters combine to form a highly entertaining read.

Review of Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

Rating = 3 

While house-sitting for her Uncle Nicco, policewoman Micayla Lange catches Jason Davis in the act of stealing money from her uncle's locked safe. When they both find incriminating photos that implicate Nicco in the murder of a city councilman, Mick and Jason hurtle into a race for their lives (LT Desc.). This was an exciting, suspenseful novel through most of the story, but the ending fell flat. The suspense builds and builds and then everything is easily resolved in the last few pages.

Review of Headed for Trouble by Suzanne Brockmann

Rating - 3 1/2 

Headed for Trouble is a compilation of short stories featuring many of the characters from previous Troubleshooters stories. Brockmann includes a timeline showing where each story fits within the list of Troubleshooter novels. It's a fun book to read if you've been a Troubleshooter fan all along. It catches you up on the lives of some of your favorite Troubleshooter characters, after the novel in which they first appeared.

Review of The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rating - 4 

Phillips reintroduces Lucy Jorik, the U.S. president's adopted daughter from her previous novel, Call Me Irresistible. Lucy has always felt the pressure to be perfect, but when she runs out on the perfect man, Ted Beaudine, on the day of her wedding, she knows that she wants something else. Throwing caution to the wind, she accepts a ride on the back of a motorcycle from a menacing-looking stranger nicknamed "Panda." Lucy isn't quite ready to face her family, and the rest of the world, again, and her growing attraction to the grizzled biker just makes it easier to keep her real life on hold. After a secret about Panda comes out, however, Lucy realizes that escaping her too-perfect life will be harder than it seemed.

This is trademark SEP: Familiar, quirky characters, humor, romance and hot sex. The beginning is a little slow, but once it gets going, it's hard to put down. I hate for SEP books to end because I don't want to let go of the characters! I hope she writes fast...I can't wait for her next novel.

Review of The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

Rating - 3

Jo Marie Rose first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn and sets out to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine.

In this first book in the Cedar Cove- Rose Harbor series, Macomber links the stories of Jo Marie and her first two guests...Abby and Josh...through the common themes of love, loss, forgiveness and second chances. Macomber's books are gentle and satisfying with quirky characters, humor and romance. I look forward to reading the next book in the Rose Harbor series.

Review of SEALed with a Kiss by Mary Margaret Daughtridge

Rating - 3 1/2



Jax Graham is a member of an elite military team, but when it comes to taking care of his four-year-old son after his ex-wife dies. Family therapist Pickett Sessoms knows just how to help a rough, tough Navy SEAL deal with a scared and lonely little boy. When Jax and his young son Tyler get trapped by a hurricane, Pickett takes them in against her better judgment. Jax figures Pickett's high maintenance, just like all the women he knows, and she figures he's not commitment material. But when an outing turns deadly, Pickett discovers what it means to be a SEAL, and Jax discovers that even a hero needs help sometimes... (Desc. from LT).
This was an entertaining and romantic story, with humor and plenty of sexual tension.

I Love Books!

That might sound redundant on a blog about book reviews, but I've been reading random books from the library lately (and by random, I mean romance...my favorite genre!) I have books on my iPad, iPod, and Nook. But I still love the feel of a REAL book...a print book. When I'm reading one, I hold it to my heart and close my eyes and I'm there...in the book...with those characters and seeing what they see and feel what they feel. And when I finish reading a really good book, I grieve just a little because I have to leave that place and those people and move on. Somehow, books read on electronic devices don't quite touch me in the same way. I'll read them, though. It's imperative to always have a book handy AND you can never have too many books to read!!

Review of Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace

Rating - 3
ARC - On sale 4/30/2013

On a hot southern night, a family is shattered. Three daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Now, a prosecutor, Savannah is the first one back when a case in Nashville leads her to seek shelter in the once grand Wilde mansion.  While she's home, Savannah decides to start going through the mansion, preparing it for sale. When she finds some old letters left by her father, she begins to realize that her parents' death wasn't what it seemed. As she starts asking questions, she realizes that her life is in danger. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy and her first lover, is now the new police chief. Working together to solve the mystery, Zach and Savannah realize that the chemistry they had as teenagers is still there.

 

This was an entertaining, romantic, suspenseful book. I thorougly enjoyed reading it and I look forward to reading the next books in this series.

Review of Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann

Rating - 3

 Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella and his estranged wife, Eden Gillman, are set on saving her brother even if that means reconciling with each other to prove to a court that they can give better care to the young teenage boy. Just as their hearts begin to mend, the makeshift family gets caught up in saving another youth from a crime ring in Las Vegas and ends up with a group of dangerous men on their trail.

It's sad to see the end of the Trouboeshooters series. This was probably not the best of the series, but it had Brockmann's characteristic suspense, romance and the brotherhood of the SEALs. I look forward to reading whatever Brockmann comes up with next.

Review of Defending Jacob by William Landay

Rating - 4

 Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student. Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, Andy realizes how little he knows about his son.

Reviving every parent's nightmare, Landay keeps us on the edge of our seats, hoping for an answer that makes sense and making us ask how we got to this point. Riveting.

Review of If I Should Die by Allison Brennan

Rating - 4

While helping their friends stop malicious vandals targeting their new resort, aspiring FBI agent Lucy Kincaid and her P.I. boyfriend, Sean Rogan, stumble upon a dead body, which then disappears, leading them into the middle of a violent conspiracy.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and I enjoy reading Brennan's stories about the Rogan and Kincaid families. They sre suspenseful, romantic and fast-paced. What's not to like?

Review of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Rating - 4
Young Adult

 When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.  Bad-boy Alex makes a bet with his friends that he can sleep with Brittany, but he soon realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. (Des. Amazon)

Elkeles flawlessly depicts the differences between the "haves" and "have-nots" at many urban high schools in this country, especially when gangs are involved. This story is full of tension and romance and probably ends better than it might in real-life, but it is an engaging read and high school students should definitely relate.

Review of Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

Rating - 4

 Olivia Donatelli moved to Nantucket after her autistic son died and she and her husband separated. Olivia is hoping to find answers and gain perspective on why he died. Beth Ellis gave up her editing job in New York City to marry Jimmy and move to Nantucket. Now after 14 years of marriage and three children, she discovers that Jimmy is cheating on her. Two women, each dealing with grief and life changes, have a chance encounter and that brief connection will change their lives forever.

Lisa Genova holds a PhD from Harvard in Neurscience. Her books combine a great story with explanations about the science behind certain mental conditions using language that her readers can understand. In this novel, autism is the issue underlying the story and after reading it, people will gain a new perspective on the disease that 1 in 88 children in the United States have. Genova has a gift for writing strong characters and bringing the reader right into the story. I highly recommend this book.

Review of Postcards from Cedar Key

Rating - 3

 Berkley Whitmore moved to Cedar Key, Florida to open a chocolate shop. She quickly makes new friends, and learns to love her new home. But Berkley moved to Cedar Key for another reason. Her mother lived on the island years ago when Berkley was a child and left Berkley behind. Berkley has never understood why her mother left her and why she went to Cedar Key. Now a series of postcards she found after her mother died, draws Berkley to Cedar Key, hoping to find the answers to her questions about her mother.

This is the 4th book in the Cedar Key series, but the only one I've read. It seems to stand on it's own pretty well. The book is very slow-paced, suitable to the genre, but there is way too much description and information provided, which slows the story down and makes it difficult to stay interested in the plot. It's entertaining and heart-warming and will be enjoyed by people who like to read about small towns and the quirky characters who live there.

Review of Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell

Rating - 4

 Molly Hagan's husband left her for a younger woman and now she finds out his business has just gone bankrupt. So now she has to find a way to support herself and her 6 year old son with no support from her ex-husband. Through a former colleague, she finds a job copywriting for a new bakery just opening up. Molly finds herself experiencing all of the ups and downs and "politics" in the business world, but she loves what she's doing and maybe has found romance in the process.

Vanity Fare is entertaining and funny and romantic. The premise of the new bakery is that it is opening near the New York Public Library, so the owner is trying to combine the idea of food and books. Molly suggests that each item in the bakery should be named after a famous book. In fact, the name of the bakery  is "Vanity Fare", a take off on the book of the same name.One of my favorite parts of the book were the food descriptions that opened each chapter in the book, such as "Portrait of a Ladyfinger" or "Tender is the Bite". At the end of the book, there are recipes for each of the bakery items. Molly is a strong character and faces her new life with trepidation and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.