(52)Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

Never Knowing
by Chevy Stevens
@ChevyStevens 

Publication Date: May 7, 2012
Pages: 480

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Sara Gallagher has always known that she was adopted.  No matter how much her Mother and Sisters loved her, her Father never let her forget that she was not one of them.  Sara has always wondered about her birth parents, but never pulled the trigger to find out the details.   Sara is engaged to a wonderful man, Evan, and they have a beautiful young daughter and she is finally ready to know.  Sara requests her birth certificate, then hires a Private Investigator.   Sara is not prepared to discover that her mother was the lone survivor of the Campsite Killer.  Her father is a serial killer that has terrorized Canada for over twenty years.  When a tabloid website gets wind of that news, Sara receives a call from the man called John, her father.  This contact puts Sara at the center of one of the largest manhunts ever. Will Sara go against Evan's wishes and help the police track down a man who has eluded them for decades?  What will her family do when they find out that Sara's biological father is a serial killer?  And what will happen if the police DON'T catch him?

Man, there is nothing like listening to a thriller like Never Knowing while walking in a deserted park.  Seriously a great motivator to move faster.   Sara tells her story through a series of sessions with her psychiatrist.   She has been seeing her psychiatrist for years to help her deal with her anger issues, which now she knows she comes by honestly.  While Nadine is Sara's closest confidant we never hear her "voice" while listening to this book, it is all Sara.  Sara Gallagher is a great character, I felt so frustrated for her with her relationships with her family, especially her dad, not her serial killer father, but her dad.  She tried so hard to please him and he was such a tough character, but he WAS there for her when she needed him most.   At the same time, I found myself getting frustrated at times with Sara, much like Evan did. She was so "wishy-washy" in her decisions I just wanted to scream at her myself.  And she is a fictional character!  Never Knowing is a very fast paced story with all sorts of conflict happening  that really pulled me in and made it hard for me to shut it off. 

Bottom line, Chevy Stevens is a rare talent.  She writes such scary books.  I think scary is a good word.  Her psychological thrillers are written in a way that leaves you looking over your shoulder and Never Knowing is a perfect example of that.  If you are looking for a great thriller to keep you up at night, stock up on the caffeine and pick up Never Knowing.

(51)Island Girls by Nancy Thayer

Island Girls 

by Nancy Thayer

On Facebook

Publication Date: June 18, 2013

Pages: 320

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There is a new Nancy Thayer novel on the market, you know what that means, right?  Summer is officially here! :)

As usual we find ourselves back on Nantucket.  This year we meet three sisters with a unique history.  Arden is the oldest of the three and her mother was Rory Randall's first wife.  Arden wasn't very old when her father left her mother for his second wife,  and shortly after Meg came along.  And of course, Rory Randall was never known for being faithful, and soon he left Meg's mom for Justine.  Justine had a daughter from a previous relationship, Jenny, and Rory adopted Jenny, making her like his own in every way.  The three sisters only saw each other when they joined Rory on the island every summer. Well until the summer when Justine's  jewelry came up missing and Meg and Arden are "exiled" from the island. 

Flash forward nearly twenty years and we find Meg a successful college professor, Arden is a local television personality, and Jenny is the island's resident computer repairman.  And Rory Randall has just passed away from a heart attack.  His will stipulates that the three sisters will inherit the island house and split the proceeds of the sale, but only if they spend one final summer together.  With so much animosity between the three sisters will they be able to last the whole summer?  Or will they finally be able to put the past behind them and repair their relationships?

As always I thoroughly enjoyed Nancy Thayer's new novel.   I love the Nantucket setting and I really enjoyed all three sisters, but for different reasons.  I think that Meg was my favorite and I really enjoyed her relationship with Liam. It was a "new" kind of relationship to be found in a beach read, well, new to me. Arden was hit & miss for me, but in the end I liked the way things turned out for her.   I also thought the author was very clever to bring all of Rory Randall's women together at the end of the book, all of his daughters, wives, and even a surprise guest.  Sometimes the ending of Beach Reads can be a bit predictable, but I thought the author did a really nice job wrapping things up, but keeping the element of surprise. 

Bottom line, no "Beach Reads" list is complete without a Nancy Thayer novel somewhere on the list.  Her stories are fresh and her characters are unique, but most importantly, the Nantucket setting is just perfect.  Island Girls is a definite must read this Summer, be sure to add it to your summer list!

Happy Tuesday!!

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(50)The Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow

The Widow Waltz

by Sally Koslow

@SallyKoslow

Publication Date: June 13, 2013

Pages: 352

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Georgia Waltz has lived a rich and privileged life. She is acutely aware of just how lucky she was when she fell in love with Ben Silver.  Not just in love, but total and complete love.  As a very successful lawyer, Ben provided very well for his wife and their two daughters, Nicola and Luey.  A spacious apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a summer home on the shore, fancy vacations, cars, schools, you name it they had it.  Ben was out for his morning jog one day when he had a fatal heart attack, leaving The Widow Waltz utterly devastated.  In the days, weeks, and months after his death, Georgia discovers some shocking things about her late husband.  Like there is no money left.  At all.  The more she starts to dig into her husbands paperwork she starts to piece together the truth about Ben Silver and their marriage, and what she finds changes her whole life. 

One thing that really surprised me about this book was how well Georgia's love for her late husband translated to the readers.  My heart ached for her several times while reading this book because she obviously was so shocked and hurt by her late husband's actions. The interesting cast of characters that surround the Widow Waltz kept the story fresh and interesting.  There is her elderly mother battling dementia, and her brother and his partner, jewelers to the rich and famous, and her own daughters are unique and add a lot to the story.  Especially when one of them becomes pregnant. The story moves along nicely, but I will say that the end seemed to come out of nowhere.  It was the kind of ending that leaves you saying "WTF?"  It almost felt like the author was being disingenuous to the strength of  Georgia by writing the ending the way she did.  It was disappointing. 

Bottom line, The Widow Waltz WAS a good book.  I have read many a great book where the ending disappointed me (remember that little book, Me Before You), but that didn't stop me from liking the book.  I would love to hear what others thought of The Widow Waltz, and the ending. For that reason alone you must give it a read!

Found on Pinterest......

Um, yes.

(49)The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster

The Tao of Martha

by Jen Lancaster

@altgeldshrugged

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Pages: 352

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Man, I needed a good ole fashioned Jen Lancaster memoir on this day where I am spending more time in the bathroom than anywhere else.  Jen Lancaster can inspire from the gut belly laughs in me like no other author can.  Her newest memoir, The Tao of Martha is exactly what you would expect with that kind of title. 

Jen (she is my pretend bestie, so I can call her Jen) decides to spend the year trying to emulate the master of all household things, Martha Stewart.  Jen starts with the little things, like organizing her bathroom and then her desk.  She works her way up to organizing the kitchen and goes full on organizing when her and Fletch get sucked in by the National Geographic show, Doomsday Preppers.  She also spends time working on the garden, getting crafty, and preparing world class meals, none of which ever go off without a hitch.  Ever.   Sadly enough, though, in the middle of "the year of Martha", Jen's beloved dog, Maisy, crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  Having been a long time reader of Jen's books, I was very familiar with Maisy and I found myself in tears at her loss and I also contemplated what my life would be like without my Bailey Dog.  Those silly four legged creatures sure do know how to worm their way into our hearts, don't they?  Some people not familiar with Jen Lancaster might question why she would devote so much time in her book to the illness of her dog, but as a devoted fan, I am glad she did.  I am not only a fan of hers, but of the menagerie of pets she calls family. 

Even though Jen has started to dip her toes into the fiction waters, it is obvious that her talent lies within the memoir category.  I love to hear how my favorite authors (almost like celebrities to me) are just as normal (okay maybe normal isn't the best word) as me.  I mean when Jen starts talking about specific episodes of Doomsday Preppers, I was like "OMG!  I saw that episode!"  Seriously, I know I should be ashamed to admit I watch that show, but really, shouldn't everyone be a little bit prepared for the zombie apocalypse? 

Bottom line, Jen Lancaster is one of those authors that it doesn't matter what she writes I will be first in line to make a purchase.  Fiction, memoirs, or even directions for the toaster, I will buy it, I will read it, and I will laugh out loud, guaranteed.

Happy Tuesday!!

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(48)The Moon and More by Sara Dessen

The Moon and More

by Sarah Dessen

@sarahdessen

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Pages: 384

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Emaline is looking forward to the summer after she graduates high school.  Like every summer she is working for her Grandma's realty business greeting rental customers to the ocean side community of Colby.  She is looking to spending the summer with her boyfriend, Luke and just chilling before they head off to college at East U, but life gets in the way.  Luke has been messing around with another girl, her absent father comes to town for an extended visit, and there is a cute guy in town making a documentary on a local artist. Soon, her summer turns out to be nothing like she expected. Will her last summer at home be full of fun and romance or will her her summer be full of stress, anxiety and no fun at all?

Almost from the first page, The Moon and More gives off a vibe that just screams "Summer".  Emaline is your typical teenage girl on the bring of adulthood.  She is feeling strangled by her family dynamics and can not wait to escape the confines, but at the same time she is nervous about leaving the safety of her small town and  her family.  Then you throw boys into the mix, and I could really feel for Emaline.  First there is Luke, her first love, her high school sweetheart. His easy going, caring nature is one of the things she loved most about him, but to hear that he was hanging out with other girls, well, it is not something Emaline is willing to forgive.   The breakup with Luke almost felt like she was losing her second family.  Then there is Theo, a big city kid who came to Colby with his boss to make a documentary about a local artist. He is the opposite of Luke in just about every way possible, but Emaline is attracted to his enthusiasm and ambition.

Bottom line, when it is all said and done, The Moon and More is just about a normal teenage girl with a normal family and normal problems.   There is a certain kind of beauty that can be found in "normal".  The Moon and More was the first novel I have ready by Sarah Dessen and I rather enjoyed it.  Any recommendations for what the next book of hers I should read?

Found on Pinterest.....

(47)Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

Looking For Me

by Beth Hoffman

@wordrunner

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Pages: 368

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Ever since Teddi Overman was little she has had a passion.  A passion for antiques.  It started with a chair abandoned along the side of the road and it escalated to larger and more decrepit pieces. She would find them, restore them, then leave them for sale on the road that ran by her family's farm, saving every penny for the time when she could leave the farm.  The older she got, she knew that restoring antiques was the only thing she wanted to do with her life, despite what her Mama said. 

Shortly after her high school graduation Teddi sets off for Charleston in the hopes of finding the gentleman who encouraged her when she needed it the most.  He gave her a job at his popular antique shop and helped her get settled in the city.  And while Teddi is getting settled into her new routine, life back at the farm continues.  Her Daddy is farming, her younger brother, Josh, is rescuing and tending to the local wildlife, and Mama is busy keeping everyone in line.  But one day, Josh takes off into the wild and leaves a note behind that says "Don't look for me."   Even though she is all the way in Charleston, Teddi feels his absence all the way to her core, but she continues on with her passion and opens her own shop.   Years pass and life continues without Josh.  Their parents pass away, Teddi sells their land, and makes a life changing donation, but with each life event that passes, she thinks of Josh and wonders what he is doing and what he would have done in her place.  Her business thrives, she is surrounded by friends and co-workers who love her, and yet she still feels the absence of her brother in her very core.  Will Teddi ever find out what happened to Josh and will she be at peace with his choices?

Beautiful.   The only word that could accurately describe Beth Hoffman's new book, Looking For Me. I was almost finished with the book when I realized that I really didn't want it to end. Teddi is such a great character that I found myself just wanting to be in her presence.   Despite the pressure from her Mama, she asserted her independence in a time where good Southern girls just did what was expected of them and nothing more. She took the risk and followed her dream.  The people that Teddi surround herself with in Charleston are unique, quirky, and absolutely add such warmth to the story that you just can't help but fall a little bit in love with all of them. And the customers that frequent Teddi's shop are just as quirky and fascinating and heart-achingly sweet. 

Bottom line, Looking for Me, is one of those books that just brings pure enjoyment with every page turned.  The characters, the scenery, the antiques themselves breath life into the pages of this book. As a reader, prepare yourself to be swept away to another time and another place.  A definite must read book this Summer.

Happy Tuesday!

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(46)The Doll by Taylor Stevens

The Doll 

by Taylor Stevens

@Taylor_Stevens

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Pages: 352

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Sometimes you need to read a really fast paced thriller to "cleanse" you pallet.  A real escape from your everyday life and standard novels that you read.  Taylor Stevens is a pro at the fast paced thriller.  Her newest novel, The Doll, finds Vanessa "Michael" Munroe in a very precarious situation.

Michael was kidnapped right off of her motorcycle in the middle of Houston.  She wakes up a few days later to find herself in Croatia at the mercy of a man who is demanding something of her.  He  has very precious cargo, a kidnapped socialite, Neeva,  that he needs Michael to deliver to the man who paid for his "doll".  And to insure that Michael will comply he has taken Logan hostage and has killed Noah.  When Bradford and their team in Houston rescues  Logan, they instead take her niece, Alexis.  Michael is ready to put this game to an end.  She is not about to turn Neeva over to the "Doll Maker" and she is not about to see another loved one of hers die.  In a fast paced trail through Europe, Michael and Neeva race against time and the "Doll Maker" .  Will they be able to escape the bad guys without losing another loved one?  Or will the "Doll Maker" get the doll he paid for?

Flashing between Europe and Texas, The Doll shows  us the battle on both sides of the ocean. Bradford's desperate attempts to rescue Michael's loved ones, hoping that their efforts will help Michael escape in Europe.  Taylor Stevens also did a great job at exposing the horrible injustice that is human trafficking.  Human trafficking is a very real thing that happens all over the world, even the United States, yet it is not really something you see on the nightly news.   With each book that Taylor Stevens writes, she unveils a little bit more about the person that is Vanessa "Michael" Munroe.  She is such a complex, layered character, that I like a little bit more with each passing chapter.  Her interaction with Neeva in this novel revealed even more of her character and I really, really liked those interactions.

Bottom line, Taylor Stevens is an amazing author.  Many people, including myself, have compared her to Steig Larsson, and it is true.  Her characters are dark, their histories define who they are, and their situations are scary.  If you are looking for a fast paced thriller to pass the Summer days, then you must read The Doll. It is not one to miss!

Happy Tuesday!!

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(45)Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

Fly Away 

by Kristin Hannah

On Facebook

Pages: 384

Publication Date: April 23, 2013

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It has been over four years since Kristin Hannah introduced the world to Kate and Tully in her bestseller, Firefly Lane.  The two best friends met when Tully moved onto Firefly Lane when they were fourteen and they were inseparable all the way up until cancer invaded their lives.  

In the four years since Kate lost her battle those she loved most have barely been able to function.  Johnny has been making horrible decisions for his family trying to outrun the pain.  Marah has started cutting and ran away from home. And Tully.  Tully's career is over, Johnny has shut her out of his family's life, and the addiction genetics she fought off for so many years have reared their ugly head. While in self-destruction mode, Tully inadvertently brings them all back together.   Even though Katie is gone, will their shared love of her be the glue that holds them all together?

I am one of the biggest Kristin Hannah fans out there.  I loved Firefly Lane just like many of you did.  But, having said that, Fly Away, just wasn't one of my favorite books.  After the death of a loved one it is not unusual for a family to struggle, to fight depression and struggle to find normalcy.  Fly Away is a novel about those struggles.  It is heartbreaking and dark and scary and Kristin Hannah did a great job at addressing all of those themes, but it was still really hard to read all of that darkness.  As a reader, I have such fond memories of Kate and Tully, and their friendship.  For Tully to just spiral out of control, well, it is heartbreaking. The other thing that seemed a bit off, was that the author goes at great length to discuss Tully, and Marah, and Johnny, and even a little bit of Kate's parents are mentioned, but there is very little mention of how the twins are coping.  I would have liked to read more about the twins. 

Bottom line, of all of Kristin Hannah's books, Firefly Lane is probably the one that had the most readers screaming for a sequel.  We got what we wanted and shouldn't be too disappointed with how things turn out.  Have you read it yet? I would love to hear what you thought. 

(44)He's Gone by Deb Caletti

He's Gone 

by Deb Caletti 

@debcaletti

Publication Date: May 14,2013

Pages: 352

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Dani Keller woke up that Sunday morning thinking it was like any other Sunday morning.  She was a bit groggy, even a bit hungover from the party she attended with her husband, Ian, the night before.  She gets up and starts her day with Pollux, their dog, and Ian is nowhere to be found.  At first she thought he might be out on the deck of their houseboat trying to strengthen the knots, then Dani just assumes he went out for coffee or maybe to the office, it isn't until later in the day that she starts to get concerned.  Where could he possibly be?

Over the course of the next several days Dani desperately tries to piece together the events of that Saturday night and their life together leading up to that night.   They way they met, the affair they had before finally leaving their respective spouses, all of the heartache they caused their respective children, and the fact that Ian's daughters still haven't forgiven them or accepted Dani.   What really did happen to Ian?  And what will happen to their marriage when they are found?

Deb Caletti is known for being a prolific Young Adult novelist.  And once again, I just assumed, without reading the synopsis, that He's Gone was another YA novel.  That myth was quickly dispelled on the first page.  He's Gone is a very well written book about the consequences of our actions. In the days that Ian is missing, Dani reflects on their relationship.  How it began, where it began, how it developed into the marriage they have today and she is a bit disappointed in the truths she forces herself to face.  Disappointed in herself and the pain she has caused others.  But she is also desperate to remember what happened when they got home from that party Saturday night.  As a reader you can sense the frenzy of panic building in Dani with each day that Ian is missing.  It just keeps building and building until the truth comes out.  Sometimes in books like this the conclusion is a bit of a disappointment, but I was really satisfied with the conclusion of He's Gone. 

Bottom line, you may or not be familiar with Deb Caletti as a YA author, but I think with He's Gone, Caletti has given us a solid debut into Womens Fiction.  If you are looking for a book to immerse yourself into this weekend, then He's Gone is definitely worth your attention.

Happy Tuesday!!

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(43)All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

All the Summer Girls 

by Meg Donohue 

@MegDonohue

Pages: 288

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

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Kate, Dani, and Vanessa have been best friends ever since they attended grade school at the local Quaker private school in Philadelphia.  Their friendship has stood the test of time, through high school, summers on the beach,  college, and beyond.  From boys, to the loss of Kate's twin brother, and so much more, their friendship has been the one constant in all of their lives.  

Now all three women are on the verge of turning thirty. Vanessa's marriage is on the rocks, Dani is a failed author who just got fired, and on the day Kate's fiance dumps her, she discovers that she is pregnant.  What do old friends do when their lives are falling apart?  They lean on each other.  They decide to meet up once again at Dani's Father's beach house on the Jersey Shore.  The same beach house where they spent the summer that Kate's brother died.  Will their time together heal both their past and their present?  Or will the truths that come out at the beach house destroy their friendship forever?

Can you believe that the first wave of "beach reads" are hitting the shelves? It seems like just yesterday it was snowing.  Oh wait.  It was.  :)  (Quite heavily in the Utah mountains) I just find it so hard to believe that 2013 is almost half over already.   ANYWAY.... beach reads are always fun to read, I have my favorite "regulars" that write an annual beach read novel, but now I can add Meg Donohue to the list.  All The Summer Girls was a really quick read and it certainly transported me from cold, rainy Utah to the beaches of the Jersey shore.   All three characters had their strengths and their weaknesses, very obviously flawed.  Kate is a control freak, Vanessa is contemplating adultery, and Dani has a problem with over indulging on pills and booze. But, despite their flaws, they are good women who will be there for each other no matter what.  It is something that all women can relate to in one way or another. 

Bottom line, if you are looking for a good beach read to kick off the Summer season, then you must start with All the Summer Girls.  A well written novel set on the beach, but with a little more substance to it than similar books in the genre.  Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

(42)Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

Reconstructing Amelia 

by Kimberly McCreight 

@KimMcCreight

Publication Date: April 2, 2013

Pages: 382

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Kate Baron has it all.  She is a very successful Manhattan attorney and has a beautiful daughter, teenager, Amelia.  Her world is rocked when she gets a call from her daughter's exclusive prep-school, Grace Hall, Amelia was accused of plagiarizing a paper, she is being suspended, they demand Kate's appearance immediately. Unfortunately immediately doesn't fit with Kate's busy schedule and when she finally arrives at Grace Hall she finds an horrific scene, Amelia allegedly jumped from the roof of the building. 

Kate is barely existing in the days after Amelia's death.  She decides to go back to work sooner than expected, much to the surprise of everyone, but she is desperate to take her mind of the fact that she is now truly alone in this world.  Kate thinks that she is doing "fine" until she receives a text from a blocked number. "Amelia didn't jump".  That one text sends Kate on a journey into the dark, terrifying world that her daughter lived in at Grace Hall.  Through Amelia's text records, emails, and computer Kate reconstructs Amelia's life and finds a world of secret clubs, hazing, bullying, and more.  Did she ever really know her daughter at all? And did Amelia  jump? Or was she pushed?

Reconstructing Amelia is one of those page turners that have a new twist at every turn.  It is so good , but you are torn on which way to feel.   On the one hand your heart aches for Kate at losing her daughter, her heartache and regret resonates with every page.  But on the other hand, you can't help but feel some anger towards Kate for not being more involved in her daughter's life.  Especially when you know that Amelia would have given anything to tell her mother what is going on in her world.  It is heartbreaking,utterly heartbreaking. No matter what their relationship, by the end of the book you are side by side with Kate - desperate to know what happened to Amelia. 

Bottom line, Reconstructing Amelia, is going to be this Summer's "must read" novel that everyone is talking about.  It is rare to find such an engrossing novel that will leaving you guessing until the very end, but Reconstructing Amelia will do that for you.  Give it a read & let me know what you think!

(41)The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes

The Mystery of Mercy Close

by Marian Keyes

@MarianKeyes

Publication Date: April 9, 2013

Pages: 400

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Marian Keyes is one of those Irish authors that turned me on to the beauty of Irish literature.  I have read all about the Walsh family and the ups and downs of their lives in books such as Watermelon and Rachel's Holiday. Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, for better or worse Marian Keyes has brought the Walsh family into our lives.

The Mystery of Mercy Close is Helen's story. Helen Walsh has had a rough go of things lately.   With the economy crashing her private investigation business has taken a nosedive.  Her flat is about to be foreclosed on and she is forced to move back in with her parents, at the age of thirty-three it is rather quite humiliating.  The only bright thing in Helen's wife is her rather handsome boyfriend, Artie.  But even things with him have been a little tense lately, his ex-wife has been hanging around far more than Helen likes.  All of it has her spiraling out of control and barely hanging on by a thread when she gets a phone call from her ex-boyfriend, Jay Parker.   He needs her help with a top secret case.

One of the most famous boy bands from the nineties is getting back together for a reunion concert, Jay Parker has put it all together and there is a lot at stake.  Except for now, one of the major stars has gone missing and Jay is desperate to find him so that the show will go off without a hitch.  As Helen searches for the missing star, she starts spiraling deeper and deeper into the abyss.  The only thing that is keeping her from  ending it all is her professionalism. She must find Wayne Diffney - and then she can end it all.   Will Helen find the missing boy band star and what will she do when the case is over?

Marian Keyes has always been known to write Chick Lit novels with a somewhat dark overtone, but The Mystery of Mercy Close is the only one that somewhat parallels her own life. In 2009 Marian Keyes experienced a crippling bout of depression, much like Helen Walsh, it nearly destroyed her.  Her experience with depression is the reason why this book was so good. The darkness that envelopes Helen is almost as terrifying for the reader as it is for Helen.  When she even went so far as to buy a knife and start planning her suicide I was so tense and found myself so concerned for her well being.

Bottom line, The Mystery of Mercy Close, has everything you would want in a novel.  Mystery, romance, rock-stars,divas, crazy families and more.  At the heart of everything is the severity of mental-illness. It is an important message to get out there and one that I think needs to be discussed more often, like maybe at this month's book club meeting?

Happy Tuesday!!

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(40)The Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan

The Glass Wives

by Amy Sue Nathan

@AmySueNathan 

Pages: 304

Publication Date: May 14,2013

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Evie Glass has reluctantly adjusted to life as a divorced woman. Her ex, Richard, married the woman he had an affair with, Nicole, and they share custody of their twins, Sam and Sophie.  It is not the most ideal way to raise children, but they have figured out how to make it work.  Until Richard is killed in a tragic accident.

The Glass Wives starts with Evie and her family sitting Shiva at the home Richard shared with Nicole and their son, Luca.  As much as Evie wants to shut Nicole out of their lives, the twins have gotten rather attached to their little brother and are not about to let her write him out of their lives. The coming weeks are rough on all of them, Evie's concern about their financial stability forces her to do the unconventional and she invites Nicole and Luca to move into their home.  They have settled into an uncomfortable "normal", but when Evie discovers that Nicole has her own plans to secure her future, well, it causes Evie to rethink their "new normal".  Will Nicole's act shatter their fledgling little family or will Evie be able to forgive yet again?

When you think about it, the concept behind The Glass Wives is so unique, really, could YOU imagine inviting the woman who broke up your marriage to live with you after the death of her husband, your ex-husband? Evie's two closest friends Beth and Laney think that she has lost her ever-lovin mind and don't waste any opportunity to let her know it, too.  And maybe she has, but I can totally understand that she felt it was really her only option. I can also understand her desire to give her twins whatever they need in order to help heal, but to invite "the other woman" into her home, I just don't know if I could be so generous. There is also a "betrayal" that comes to light with Evie's friend that causes Evie to question the black & white of her life,  it is a nice subplot in a story that touches the heart.

Bottom line, The Glass Wives is a very well written novel about two women and one man. Forgiveness, healing, and sacrifice are all themes you will find in this novel. I found myself feeling empathy and compassion for both women and I found myself wanting a "happy ever after" for both women. That is never a bad thing, right?

(39) Where You Can Find Me by Sheri Joseph

Where You Can Find Me 

By Sheri Joseph

@Sheri_Joseph

Pages: 336

Publication Date:  April 16, 2013

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We, the American people, have short memories.  We often are captivated by the "Story of the week" - a girl loses an arm in a shark attack,an innocent woman is set free from a foreign prison and a boy recovered years after mysteriously disappearing.  We are enamored with their stories for a week or so and unless they write a book or are interviewed by People magazine we here very little about them and their "Life After" .   Author Sheri Joseph attempts to give us a glimpse at the "after" in her new novel, Where You Can Find Me.

Caleb Vincent was eleven years old when he was kidnapped and fourteen years old when he was returned to his family that fractured with his disappearance.  His parents separated while he was gone, but have gotten back together for his sake. But his mother's fear and even grief has everyone on edge.  Her idea to deal with it is to take Caleb, his sister, Lark and move to Costa Rica where their grandmother lives.  Even though his father disagrees with that course of action, he lets them go.   In Costa Rica, Marlene struggles to create a new "normal" for her kids.  Lark adjusts pretty quickly, but Caleb struggles with readjusting to life.  The life he lived those three years he was away was truly a nightmare, but it was his nightmare, and that nightmare WAS his normal. Caleb is torn between longing for Jolly, the man who "rescued" him and trying to readjust to his family.  Will Caleb ever settle in with his family or is he forever damaged by what happened those three years he was gone?

It took me a few chapters to feel connected to Caleb and his story, but when I did, I was swept away to Costa Rica with Caleb and his family.  The chapters are told from different viewpoints, so you get all sides of the story, but there is no indication as to whose telling the chapter until you just start reading.  It does make things a bit disjointed, but not so much that you can't keep up. I found myself most interested in Caleb's chapters.  Trying to get into his head and understand why he did the things he did really kept me engrossed in the story. I even felt the concern for Caleb growing in ME as I was reading the story, it was a unique feeling. And oh, the breathtaking scenery the author describes through out the whole book is stunning, not to mention the wildlife that is found through out the story, well the scenery made it very easy to get swept away to Costa Rica with Caleb and his family.

Bottom line, Where You Can Find Me is not one of those happy, feel-good kind of stories.  Caleb, and his family, went through hell.  You can't recover from hell in just a few short months, no matter how long the book.  Please, don't let that scare you though, Where You Can Find Me is a well written novel with characters that will draw you into their world and force you to care about those actions.  Definitely worth the read!

(38)Man Up! Tales of my Delusional Self-Confidence by Ross Mathews

Man Up! 

by Ross Mathews 

@helloross

Pages: 216

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

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You are probably familiar with Ross Mathews even if you don't realize it, you know one of those faces (or voices) that you recognize, but don't realize why.  He may be that guy from Leno (like he is for me) or for some of the younger crowd you may know him as that guy from Chelsea's show.  Either way, he is that unforgettable down to earth guy that is guaranteed to make you giggle like a school girl.

Well Ross has written a book about how he stumbled into his career as a free lance "television personality".  From growing in in a rural Washington community with his normal family to becoming the worlds second most famous intern (behind Monica Lewinsky of course) we get to here all the details in true Ross fashion.  He tells us tales of dating when he was still a kid and was dating girls.  We get to hear about how he and Gwyneth Paltrow become BFFs and believe it or not, we get to hear about his love of football, no really, he loves football.  In hilarious fashion, Ross shares bits and pieces of his life and his road to becoming somewhat a celebrity himself.

I love a good celebrity memoir where we get to read about some famous celebrities and hear some behind the scenes type of stuff.  Ross Mathews does not disappoint with Man Up! His down to earth style is very evident in his words and his writing style is bit unique. By that I mean, just looking at Ross you would never expect him to have the mouth of a trucker, but he does and it is adorable on him.  Oh!  And pay attention because there is a Cosmo-style quiz at the end!

Bottom line, Man Up! has everything that you would want in a celebrity memoir.  A fun, honest celebrity, a super star BFF, and lots of giggling.  If you are looking for a quick and fun read, then you must get grab Man Up! , you can find it in book stores today.

Happy Tuesday!!

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Heads up - the critics are calling this one the next Hunger Games!

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(37) The Lost Husband by Katherine Center

The Lost Husband 

by Katherine Center

@KatherineCenter

Pages: 304

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

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I have shared before that I grew up in rural Iowa.  When I was a kid I wanted nothing more than to get out of the rural setting and find my way into a city where nobody knows your name.  Now here it is twenty years later and I would give anything to live in a rural setting - isolated in nature with no traffic and no HOA's (grrr!!).   Libby Moran gets that chance and is it wrong that I am so envious of her?

Libby Moran's life has been hell for the last three years.  There is no other way to describe it than hell.  Her husband was killed in a tragic car accident that severely injured their daughter. With that moment her perfect suburban life fell apart. The man who hit them did not have insurance, her husband had cashed in his life insurance to invest in a bad deal, she lost their house, and was forced to move into a small condo with her narcissistic mother. Libby is hanging on by a thread when she gets a letter from her long lost Aunt Jean, inviting her to move to her goat farm and help run the farm since she has health issues preventing her from doing as much as she used to around the farm.  Libby grasps the invitation as if it were her last hope and within days Libby and her two kids are headed to the Hill Country of Texas to live on Aunt Jean's farm.

Libby had no idea what to expect when she drives onto the farm and finds a quaint little cottage with a license plate roof.  She finds herself instantly attracted to the warmth of Aunt Jean and the sense of "home" that she has been missing since her husband passed away.  With the help of Aunt Jean's farmhand, the "Grizzly Adams-esque" O'Conner Libby catches on to the ways of farm life quite quickly.  The next few months are spent learning a lot about her family history, her marriage, and herself.  Is the farm where she is meant to be or is there something else out there?

Have you ever read a book where you just feel GOOD about life when you are finished?  I really think that The Lost Husband is a "feel-good" kind of book. Libby is such a great character, I enjoyed everything about her and I really enjoyed how the author avoided the "fish out of water" hi-jinx that can usually be found in "city girl moves to the country" books.  Oh, she let it be known that Libby was out of her element in subtle ways, like having to teach the kids what "go outside & play" really means and getting used to no television or internet.  There were just no silly mishaps involving the goats or muddy yards.  But anyway, I found myself envying Libby and her quiet farm evenings with a porch swing and all of the windows open.  And O'Conner?  More city girls would be moving to farms if every farm came with a man like O'Conner!

Bottom line, The Lost Husband was a sweet, tender, feel-good kind of read. I found myself enjoying the farm and Libby and Aunt Jean so much that I did not want the story to end. The Lost Husband is an enjoyable read that I think will have you longing for the farm, too.

(36)Thinking of You by Jill Mansell

Thinking of You

by Jill Mansell 

@JillMansell

Pages: 384

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

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oops. I could have sworn the release date for Thinking of You was last week, which is why I had it on last Tuesday's post.  But apparently I was wrong, shocking, I know. :)

Ginny Holland is thirty-eight years old and is experiencing a severe case of the empty nest syndrome.  Her only child, Jem, has just gone off to University leaving Ginny alone in their big rambling house.  Her friends and ex-husband mean well by trying to help by suggesting things such as taking a boarder (her friend's idea) for her house and attending a singles club (her ex-husband's idea) .  Of course things don't go as smoothly as Ginny would hope.  Her boarder is in the throws of horrible depression after a bad break up and her foray into dating has yielded nothing but heartache when she discovers her new boyfriend is also dating her best friend. Will she be able to get her life straight and will her cute new boss, Finn, ever see her as more than an employee?

Okay, first of all.  This is the first Jill Mansell novel where I was close to the heroines age (I will be 38 in two months) yet we are at such different  spots in our life. But not really.   Ginny is battling empty nest syndrome, but by no stretch of the imagination is she a dried up old maid type of mom. She is just seeking the direction she next wants to take with her life.  She no longer has a child at home to focus all of her energy on, so now what?  Ginny was really a character that I could enjoy.  Her love for her friends and her daughter and even her ex-husband made her a character with character, if that makes sense.  I also enjoyed the sub-plot of Jem off on her own for the first time and desperately trying to be an adult in an adult world when she very much still has a young woman's heart.  And then there is Finn, the cute boss... sigh... Even with his extra baggage and the funny misunderstanding when he first met Ginny, well I was rooting for him from the very beginning.

Bottom line, while I am a very loyal Jill Mansell reader I didn't realize how much her last two books was lacking until I read Thinking of You. I loved Thinking of You and flew through it in just a couple of days.  It  is one of those books that will touch your heart, make you laugh, and even make you cry with everything that Ginny goes through. As a woman in her late 30's I found a lot of myself in Ginny and that always makes for a good read. Check it out and let me know what you think!

(35)Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Someday, Someday, Maybe

by Lauren Graham

@thelaurengraham

Publication Date: April 29, 2013

Pages: 352

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The year is 1995 and Franny Banks is running out of time.  She made herself a promise that if she didn't "make it" in acting in three years she would move on and find something else to do with her life. Well, time is running out and all she has to show for her time in New York is a job waiting tables at a comedy club and a few commercials.  Her days are spent running from audition to audition with a few attempts at finding an agent and the occasional acting class. But as her "date" closes in on her the pressure of success is almost overwhelming, but she finds comfort hanging out with her nerdy roommate, Dan.  Will Franny find success as an actress or will she have to admit her failures and move on?

First of all, yes, the author is THAT Lauren Graham, also known as Lorelei Gilmore and Sarah Braverman. So, pretty much someone who has experience as a struggling actress. The whole flashback to the year of 1995 was awesome.  The tv show Friends and a drawer full of scrunchies, yes please! I also enjoyed how each chapter ended with a pages out of Franny's date book. It was fun to see the scribbles and notes she made about her life. The banter between Franny and her father is really quite funny and I found myself chuckling more than once at their interactions. The story itself lagged a bit in spots, but the chuckles that popped up every now and then made it worth the read and you just have to stick with the story to see if Franny ends up with the nerd or the actor.

Bottom line, it doesn't matter how many shows or movie she stars in, Lauren Graham will always and forever be the fast talking, quick witted single mother, Lorelei Gilmore to me.  For that reason alone I was excited to read Someday, Someday, Maybe and I wasn't disappointed.  If you are looking for a solid read and a flashback to the 90's, then you will most likely enjoy this book.  Be sure to let me know what you thought!

Happy Tuesday!!

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(34)The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern

The Time of My Life

by Cecelia Ahern 

On Facebook

Pages: 486

Publication Date: April 23, 2013

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< /p> Have you ever told your friends or family a little white lie just because the truth is too complicated or too hard to share?  Well, Lucy Silchester has found herself in a rut of perpetual lies. She has been receiving notices from her Life, requesting a meeting to set things right and she just ignores it and ignores it until she can not put it off any more. 

Her meeting with Life does not go as she expected. He calls her on all of her crap, starting with leading her family and friends to believe that SHE cheated on and dumped the love of her life, when in reality he dumped her.  She lost her fabulous job and lied to get the job she has now, which she hates.  She lies to her landlord and hides her cat, Mr.Pan and most importantly she lies to herself that all is well with her Life. After her meeting, her Life (also known as Cosmo) shows up at the most inopportune times trying to get her to face the reality of what has become of her Life.  Will she use this opportunity to re-examine her life and put things back on track, or will her fear of Life prevent her from moving forward?

Y'all know how much I love my Irish literature, so I say this as lovingly as possible.  The Time of My Life was a bit weird, but weird in the best possible way. It really took me a while - most of the book really -  to figure out that the reason why Lucy is so hateful towards Cosmo is because she really, really hates the way her life has turned out. Even when the handsome Don Lockwood wanders into her life, she finds ways to sabotage the relationship. But, having your Life manifest before your eyes in the form of a grumpy, disheveled gentleman is a bit of an eye-opener, and it made me think, once I finished the book, if my life were to manifest into a person, who would it be?

Bottom line, even though it took me most of the book to "get it" - I really think that The Time of My Life has an important message. If you love Irish literature, then you are very familiar with Cecelia Ahern and you are not likely to miss this book, but don't give up on it too early, even though it seems "weird" you must stay with it to the end. It is well worth the read, I promise!

(33)Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer

Nowhere but Home

by Liza Palmer 

@lizapalmer

Publication Date: April 2, 2013

Pages: 384

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Queen Elizabeth Wake (Queenie to those who know her) got out of North Star, Texas as soon as she possibly could, leaving behind the scandal her mother created with her death.  After college she drifted from city to city and finally landed in New York City where she is a chef at an upscale hotel.  Well, she was, until she got fired for refusing to allow a guest to add ketchup to one of her dishes. With no money, no job, and no home, there is only one place she can go - home to North Star, Texas.

Even though North Star is just the same as it was when she left, the people have all gotten older, including Queenie's sister, Merry Carole and her nephew, Cal. And the gossip-mongers have gotten worse. And then there is Everett, the reason why Queenie high-tailed it out of North Star.  The love of her life who was far too good for the town whore's daughter. Queenie is confused as to what to do when she is offered a unique position preparing the last meals for inmates on death row. Will Queenie stick around North Star and finally put down roots or will the daily life of small town living be too much for her?

Nowhere but Home started off being your normal Chick Lit kind of book. I could relate to the big city girl going home plot line, but the moment she thinks about taking a job cooking the last meals for death row inmates it gets kind of heavy.  Queenie has all sorts of mixed emotions about being back in Texas to begin with, and then to be offered a job preparing the last meal that these people will ever eat?  Throw into the mix her very single ex-boyfriend? Woah.  I was surprised at how much I was sucked into Queenie's story, especially after she went to work at the prison. Her reaction to those meals really touched my heart, she goes home and crawls into bed with her big sister, because she can't bear the thought of being alone. 

Bottom line, Nowhere but Home, is a great little novel with a unique main character.  While Queenie is a little rough around the edges, she has a heart of gold and just wants to be happy. I truly believe that Nowhere but Home would be an excellent selection for your next book club meeting.  There is so much discussion to be had from one little novel, for example, what would YOU choose for your last meal?