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 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 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 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Rating - 4

Nick and Amy Dunne seem to have a fairly decent marriage, although they face many of the same challenges that other marriages face...lack of communication, aging parents, job loss. But on their 5th wedding anniversary, Amy vanishes. When Nick comes home from work, his house is a wreck and there is no sign of her. He calls the police and thus starts the search for his missing wife...with him as the chief suspect. But all is not as it seems. When the police find Amy's diary, everything in it points to Nick as her murderer. Nick knows he didn't do it, but how will he prove it?This book features one of the most dysfunctional marriages ever. Nick and Amy's marriage not only isn't perfect, it's full of secrets and lies and deceptions. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, everything changes. The plot is full of twists and turns and I never would have guessed the ending. Neither Nick nor Amy are likable characters, but the plot is so clever it won't matter.

Review of The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O'Neal

Rating - 3

After tragedy shatters her small community in Seattle, the Reverend Elsa Montgomery has a crisis of faith. Returning to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado, she seeks work in a local soup kitchen. Preparing nourishing meals for folks in need, she keeps her hands busy while her heart searches for understanding.

Meanwhile, her sister, Tamsin, as pretty and colorful as Elsa is unadorned and steadfast, finds her perfect life shattered when she learns that her financier husband is a criminal. Enduring shock and humiliation as her beautiful house and possessions are seized, the woman who had everything now has nothing but the clothes on her back. But the two sisters are strong and their involvement in the local church's community garden in a very poor part of town allows them to heal and make decisions about moving on with their lives.  (Amazon desc.)
This was a pleasant read and allows the reader an inside look at the life of a Catholic priest. Much of the book explores the power of faith and how it affects people differently. The characters were very likeable and the plot kept me reading until the very end. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a "feel good" book and who are comfortable with discussions about faith and religion.

Review of The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Rating - 4

After a childhood spent in the foster care system, Victoria Jones is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what's been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness. (Desc. from LT)

Watching Victoria overcome her terrible childhood is redemptive and makes you want to keep reading and rooting for her until the very last page. There's lots of interesting information about the meaning of certain flowers. Highly recommended.

Review of Once Upon a Time There was You by Elizabeth Berg

Rating - 2

On their wedding day, even John and Irene had doubts about their marriage. Years later, divorced, dating other people, and living in different parts of the country, they seem to have nothing in common—nothing except their spirited eighteen-year-old daughter, Sadie. When tragedy strikes, Irene and John come together to support the daughter they love so dearly.
Berg is one of my favorite authors. She is a master at plotting, pacing and character development. Once started, it is usually impossible to put one of her books down. So, I was surprised at how disappointed I was with this book. The plot was disjointed and anti-climactic on many levels. I didn't like even one of the characters in this story, so it was hard to care how it turned out. I struggled to finish it.

Review of Keepsake by Kristina Riggle

Release Date - July 2012
Rating - 4

Trish considers herself a messy housekeeper. When a pile of items in her home falls on her son and breaks his collarbone, she realizes that she has a much more serious problem. Child Protective Services tells her she must clean up the house so that it is safe or she might lose her children. Her older son, Drew, realizes that it will be difficult for Trish to accomplish this and he contacts Trish's sister, Mary, asking her to come and help them. Mary and Trish have not been in contact for many years, both of them suffering from the consequences of living with their mother who was also a compulsive hoarder. As Mary and Trish work together to clean up Trish's home, they learn more about each other and uncover long-buried secrets about their mother.

Riggle does a great job of exploring the phenomenon of compulsive hoarding and how it affects families. It's a quick read and difficult to put down once started.

Review of Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Rating - 3

 

Max and Zoe Baxter have tried for 9 years to have a child. After Zoe miscarried a child at 28 weeks, Max decides he can't handle it anymore and divorces Zoe. Zoe and Max go their separate
ways...Max lives with his brother and sister-in-law who belong to an evangelical Christian Church. After nearly being killed after a drunken accident, Max embraces the church's teachings and becomes "born again". Zoe meets and becomes best friends with the guidance counselor at the school where she performs music therapy, Vanessa Shaw. Vanessa is a lesbian and eventually, Zoe realizes she is too and the two women marry. When Vanessa and Zoe decide they would like to have a child, Zoe remembers that there are three frozen embryos left from when she and Max were trying to have a child. When she contacts the fertility clinic to use the embryos, she is told that she must have Max's permission since they are biologically half his. When Max discusses the issue with his pastor, the pastor convinces him that homosexuality is a sin and that the embryos shouldn't be given to people who live a sinful life. A court battle ensues.


This is a typical Picoult book that takes a controversial issue...in this case, homosexuality...  and presents the conflict from all points of view. The book is a fast-paced, emotional, instructive and entertaining read. Unfortunately, the story features too many sub-plots which were not fully explored and, at times, left unresolved. This would have been better if it were more tightly plotted.

Review of Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

Rating - 4 

On the day Rose volunteered at her daughter's elementary school to help in the lunchroom, an explosion in the kitchen sets fire to the school. Rose manages to get two little girls out of the lunchroom and to the hallway which leads to the playground outside, then she races back into the fire to find her daughter who was in the bathroom when the fire occurred. Initially, Rose is hailed as a hero for saving her daughters life. But then it is discovered that one of the little girls Rose had led to the hallway was still in the building. She was rescued, but in serious condition. At that point, Rose is reviled as a woman who saved her daughter's life at the expense of another child. In the aftermath of the fire, tempers rage and lawsuits are threatened. Rose is afraid her family will be the target of a criminal investigation. As she tries to piece together what happened that day, she keeps discovering bits of information that don't add up. Apparently the fire which killed three employees, was not an accident at all and Rose begins to realize that there are far bigger issues at stake than an elementary school fire.

I really enjoy Lisa Scottoline's books. They are suspenseful and difficult to stop reading once started.  "Save Me" is no exception. She addresses the issues of bullying, the insularity of small towns, corporate greed and political cover-ups. It seemed at times that there were really too many issues addressed and sometimes Rose's actions seemed a little far-fetched for a stay-at-home Mom living in a small town. But, the suspense and fast-paced kept me on the edge of my seat and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Review of Eve by Iris Johansen

Rating - 4

Eve Duncan is a forensic sculptor. She analyzes bones and pieces them together to try and identify dead people. It's her mission in life. She lost her child, Bonnie, years ago and Eve constantly hopes that one day she will find out what happened to Bonnie even as she brings other people's children home using her talent. Her good friend, Catherine Ling, now comes to Eve with some information which might actually help Eve finally find out what happened to Bonnie.
Eve is the first in a 3 book series about Eve, Quinn and Bonnie. Much of the book is flashback to Eve's youth and the birth of Bonnie. Simultaneously, there is a race to find the person who not only may be Bonnie's killer but someone who has close ties to Eve's youth. There are parts of the book that seem to drag, especially the flashbacks, but the information is new to reader's of the Eve Duncan series and the search for the killer is extememly suspenseful and fast-paced.

Review of Exposure by Therese Fowler

Rating = 4
Young Adult

High school students Amelia Wilkes and Anthony Winter met when they were both in a high school play together. Their relationship grew deeper, cemented by their talent and love of theater. No one knows they are a couple because Amelia is the only daughter of an influential and powerful family in town and Anthony is a scholarship student at the elite private school they both attend. Amelia and Anthony have a plan to audition for entry into the New York University theater de4partment and work toward careers in theater. This is something Amelia's father will never condone, so they keep their plans and their relationship secret. As their love deepens, they become intimate and feel the need to be in constant contact...via e-mail, texting, phone or in person. When Anthony, at Amelia's request, takes photos of both of them naked, Amelia asks him to forward them to her computer. Her father finds the photos while browsing through her computer and has
Anthony arrested. The events that follow snowball completely out of control, affecting Amelia, Anthony and their parents and with almost tragic consequences.

Exposure is thought-provoking with its examination of the "sexting" phenomenon, especially among teenagers, and the posible legal consequences.

Review of Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

Rating - 3 1/2

Maureen Davenport is Avalon's town librarian. She is totally devoted to the library and her patrons, but she's just received word that the library will be closing unless funds can be raised to operate it. Although she is devastated by this news, she is also excited about the fact that she will be the director of the town's annual Chritmas pageant, a dream she's always held. The only rub is that her co-director is Eddie Haven, a former child movie star, who is perfiorming court ordered community service. Maureen and Eddie clash from the very beginning. she is too prim and proper for him and he is too untraditional for her. Soon, as they get to know each other better, they see the strengths that each one brings to the project. But both Maureen and Eddie have secrets that could nip their growing relationship in the bud. As they work together on the pageant and on raising money for the library, the spirit of the season surrounds them and after all, miracles do happen and angels walk among us.

This is the 6th offering in the Lakeshore Chronicles. Many characters from previous novels in the series appear in this one, so it feels just like coming home for readers who have been following the series. Since it's a holiday-themed entry, it doesn't "feel" like a full novel; it feels more like coming together to celebrate with the characters we know while waiting for the next installment in the series.

Review of Rescue by Anita Shreve

Rating = 3
2011 TBR Challenge - January

Peter Webster is a young, single man still living with his parents and in training to become a paramedic when he responds to a call for an automobile accident on a lonely stretch of highway. The minute Peter sees the young woman injured in the accident, he is drawn to her. Sheila is also a young woman with a mysterious past with no money and no job. Peter and Sheila begin to see each other and Peter falls hopelessly in love with her. Sheila appears to love Peter as well and after a night of passion, Sheila becomes pregnant. They marry and their daughter, Rowan is born. At first life seems blissful, but soon Sheila's past catches up with her.

Told over a span of 19 years, Rescue is a story of love, broken dreams and resurrection. Highly readable, the book is fast-paced and keeps the reader drawn in to the story until the very end. Having said that, the book didn't live up to my expectations for some reason. The characters weren't that compelling and I didn't really care about them. It was an enjoyable read, but not a "must read",