RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF MISTAKEN ALLEGATIONS....

2012-02-01T05:40:00.000-08:00

In a story that seemingly opens upon an ordinary, yet hot summer day in the year 1935, we meet several characters in a family, from the youngest daughter Briony to her older sister Cecilia. Their "cousins from the North" are arriving, and Briony, who fancies herself to be a talented writer, has created a play. One that will really impress her older brother Leon.

At thirteen, Briony is at that age when she thinks she knows more than she does, and, in fact, she must drive that point home in every situation. Unfortunately, this trait will change her life and the lives of everyone around her by the day's end.

A young man named Robbie Turner, the housekeeper's son, will make several appearances throughout the day, and in one such encounter, Briony sees Cecilia and him at the fountain, interacting in a way that confuses and astounds her. Later, a series of events involving a letter, another encounter, and in the evening, something that seems like a sexual attack will set in motion life-changing moments that will unwind and unfold irrevocably, casting Robbie as a violent predator and severing the ties of a family.

Throughout the pages of Atonement, we follow Robbie in his war struggles and are privy to his thoughts about Cecilia, with whom he corresponds; he seems to be hanging on to the thread of an idea that something might change, that Briony has recanted.

Then we jump to Briony, who has turned to the back breaking and difficult challenge of nursing, turning away from her dream of writing. Is she trying to make amends in some way?

Throughout her life, she regrets what happened, and even writes various "fictional" accounts of that day. But will she be able to atone for what she did? Does she now understand the irreversible damage?

The final portion of the book shows Briony as a woman of seventy-seven, celebrated at a birthday party. In the moments leading up to her party and afterwards, she seems contemplative, reflective, and possibly sorry.

Let me say that the story was absolutely chilling in portraying the long term effects of mistaken allegations. Perhaps in some ways, we see Briony "pay" with the losses, but in the end, she has people around her. What of Cecilia and Robbie? I do not believe that Briony "innocently" made her charges out of misunderstanding. In my opinion, she was a vindictive, selfish little girl who wanted more attention than she was getting and found a way to obtain it. The fact that she had a somewhat successful writing career after all, and was celebrated...well, she did not pay enough. Let us say that I found everything about this character repugnant.

The story was one I shall never forget, even though at times it moved slowly, bogged down by details that felt cumbersome. Brilliant writing kept me going, however, as did my curiosity about how the author would bring about the final "atonement." Four stars.

RICHLY TEXTURED DRAMA -- A REVIEW

2012-01-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Tom and Octavia Fleming are described by the media as a power couple. Attractive, wealthy, and poised on the cusp of a glorious future, neither of them is at all prepared for the events that blindside them.

Seemingly out of nowhere, an affair between Tom and a woman he refuses to name, catapults the two of them into a series of horrific scenarios that impact their personal and business lives.

Almost a Crime is a richly textured tale that feels as though it encompasses a vast period of time, but it really only spans a few months in the year 1997. Set in London, in the months preceding the shocking death of Princess Diana (in August), we watch as the rippling effects of Tom's affair circle out and touch everyone in their charmed circle.

Vincenzi's writing style takes the reader through a series of increasingly suspenseful vignettes, sharing a few morsels about each character, gradually revealing bits and pieces until we cannot stop reading and flipping pages, wanting to know more. Hints, clues, teasers—all lead to the dangerous events that will unravel gradually, reaching a crescendo of operatic proportions. Just when we thought that everything had finally revealed itself, we are stunned by another staggering blow.

How does the identity of Tom's mistress inform the lives of those around him? How do the machinations of Octavia's father add to the mix? Will Tom and Octavia finally resolve their differences, or will more and more complications arise for them? And how does an issue that threatens the land around Bartles Woods bring another layer of intrigue and suspense to the characters?

A wonderfully captivating novel full of enough detail to bring the reader right into the midst of the characters' lives, I could not put this one down...Despite its length. I'm giving this one five stars.

PERPLEXING THRILLER FILLED WITH INTRIGUE & INFANTICIDE -- A REVIEW

2012-01-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

In another suspenseful Sophie Hannah novel that features recurring detectives Simon Waterhouse and Charlie Zailer, Room Swept White shines a light on infant deaths. In these cases, some of the mothers were wrongly convicted due to the testimony of a particular expert witness, Dr. Julia Duffy.

Another character figuring prominently in this story is journalist and TV producer Laurie Nattrass, advocate for the women, and someone who spearheads an organization directed toward releasing the wrongly convicted.

Fliss Benson, a TV producer to whom Laurie turns over his unfinished documentary film, is a first person narrator in the story, and one who is soon caught up in mystery, murder, and the quest for the truth. As she zeroes in on some of these truths, hard truths from her past threaten to destabilize her.

Throughout this very exciting novel, the narration switches between characters, and also occasionally jumps back to the mid-nineties when some of the child deaths occurred. But the murder of one of the wrongly convicted mothers occurs in conjunction with the release of several strange clues: rows and columns of seemingly unrelated numbers that keep the cops and Fliss jumping through hoops to find out what it all means.

Toward the end, I began to put the pieces together in my mind, but there were still some "a-ha" moments to come. I recommend this exciting page turner to Sophie Hannah fans and to anyone who loves the twists and turns of a good mystery. Some parts of the books were a bit tedious and repetitive; thus, four stars.

MOVING BEYOND UNCERTAINTY -- A REVIEW

2011-12-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

Kate Dalton's job running a women's shelter brings moments of fear, drama, and sometimes scrutiny.

When a battered wife's ex-husband shows up one day, wielding a knife and threatening both of their lives, the outcome jeopardizes not only Kate's livelihood, but her whole way of life.

Turning away from this life, she strikes out, heading from Arkansas to the West...Far away from everything repugnant about the job and hoping to discover something new. But a stopover in Grassy Ridge, Oklahoma, at the request of the battered wife Amanda Blake, leads to an unexpected detour of another kind. Amanda's plea that Kate take her son with her arouses the kind of angst Kate has always tried to avoid. Connections.

So as she leaves Grassy Ridge with Amanda's ten-year-old son Way-Ray in tow, Kate is very uncertain of what the future holds. But upon her arrival on the coast of Oregon, events unfold and anchor Kate and Way-Ray to a new community and new dreams.

An Uncertain Refuge is one of those stories full of suspense, emotion, and the kind of hope for the future that often clings to each of us as we chart our courses in life. I loved the poignancy of this story of battered bodies and souls; I enjoyed Kate's dilemma, as she struggled against the constant childhood tapes playing out in her head, warning against risks; and I was totally captivated by how the growing bond between Kate and Way-Ray catapulted her into the kind of life and connections she had always feared. Sometimes what we fear the most is just what we need.

I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves the unexpected discoveries in life that come from a place of uncertainty and fear. It's a story for those who dream of righting life's wrongs...and moving beyond to a place of refuge. Five stars.

SEARCHING FOR THAT SPECIAL FEELING -- A REVIEW

2011-12-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

Even as Holly Golightly's special place was Tiffany's, Hope McNeill's is definitely Pug Hill.

Before we get very far into this story, we learn how much Hope loves pugs—and the pugs that congregate on their own special place in Central Park.

Hope is an art restorer at the Met...in New York, of course; she is also a thirty-something single who is in a not-very-satisfying relationship with Evan at the beginning of this story. We also learn early on that Hope's older sister Darcy is the "pretty one," the one she, Hope, is always compared to and found wanting. Or so she believes.

Hope's parents are about to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, and her mother has asked Hope to make the speech. Now if there's anything Hope hates more than a life without Pug Hill, it would be making speeches.

Which is why we find her signing up for a class in Overcoming Presentation Anxiety at the New School.

I loved the character of Hope—both in this story and the one that follows, A Pug's Tale—so for me, this one was a great journey we can take, along with Hope, as she explores her life, her career, and the men she has met along the way.

While preparing for a speech about that very topic in class, she remembers Benji Brown from high school. And in deconstructing what she loved most about that relationship, she discovers the necessary ingredients to what would make a happy relationship for her.

Funny, sometimes sad, and always captivating, Pug Hill is a story I won't soon forget. I loved how Hope, as the first-person narrator, seemed to invite the reader into her head and her heart. You can't help rooting for her, as she ambles along, hoping to find that special feeling we all seek in our lives. Someone who loves us just as we are. Five stars.

HOW UNLEASHING THE SECRET SETS YOU FREE -- A REVIEW

2011-12-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

When we're children, we sometimes feel as though others have a better life than we do. Especially if our family is different in some way. Maybe the difference is that one or both parents are alcoholic. Or perhaps the difference lies in some type of abuse going on in our lives. Maybe our family is poor.

Whatever we're dealing with, we are schooled in the homes where we grow up to keep the secret.

Jessie Sholl's secret was her mother's hoarding behavior, and in this insightful memoir, Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding, she shares not only the behavior, but many of the emotions, the history, and the ways in which her mother's disorder affected her life. And then she described how she finally broke free. Much in the way the children of alcoholics do: by accepting that she could not change her mother's behavior. Once she did that, she could step back and not take responsibility for it.

But before that could happen, she had to go through a process and some very painful, ugly realities on the road to freedom.

Like a conversation, Sholl describes her life, her feelings, and how she gradually changed...as if she is telling it to friends or to a support group. Something she discovered at a point on her journey: an online group for the children of hoarders.

She also begins to develop a great deal of insight into what her mother's world view looks like. In a get-together toward the end of this journey toward recovery, she, her mother, and her husband are having lunch.

"While they talk, I find myself imagining that I've shrunk myself down, so tiny that I'm microscopic. As this microscopic being I'm able to enter my mother's mind. Once I'm in, I try to look around. It's dark, too dark to see. But I can feel what's in there. And there's so much. It's filled with isolation and disregard and abuse. It's filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. It's filled with laughter, too. It's filled with friendless winters. It's filled with salty breezes and ten happy years with a man who truly loved her. It's filled with chaos and emptiness when that man was gone...."

In this excerpt, we come to understand the etiology of this disorder for one woman and her family. A captivating five-star read that I will never forget.

GUEST POST: WHAT INSPIRED "THE ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST," BY ALON SHALEV

2011-11-29T03:27:00.000-08:00

Every novel I write begins with a personal catalyst. The Accidental Activist was inspired by a chance meeting with an old friend from my childhood in England, who I met in the desert in the Middle East, and that I wrote about here in the US.

I was a tour guide and the group leader turned out to have attended a youth center I had worked at in London, ten years before. He remembered how passionate I was about grassroots activism.

"I've been working on something you have to see," he said, whipping out his laptop and bringing up a website.

I was enthralled, since in the early '90's, both a laptop and a website was cutting edge! But this guy had something more important to show me. He explained how a multinational corporation (McDonalds) was suing two friends of his for distributing leaflets highlighting many of McDonalds' practices. There was no legal aid for libel (this has changed now because of this case) and so they were defending themselves.

This guy and some friends had built a website to help garner support and information. I was fascinated. At that time, I used the Internet to write emails and get soccer results (I am British). I didn't know then of the potential the Internet had. Few people did, Mcspotlight.org was, I believe, the first interactive advocacy website.

As word spread, they began to receive evidence from the rainforests in South America and trade unionists in Australia.

I was fascinated by the impact of the Internet as a tool for social change. As the case unfolded, a number of amazing incidents that highlight the behavior of multinational corporations kept my attention. I won't mention them here because they are in my book.

I became intrigued by the transformation of a number of individuals impacted by the case. I decided to write a fictional account, not for the sensationalism because almost everything in the book is based upon something that really happened, but because I wanted to highlight the role of the website and the role of an empowered individual.

Most of us can identify with my protagonist, Matt. He is the guy you work with, have a drink with and watch the football games with. But he is also a guy who is personally affronted by the bullying tactics of big business when it challenges a close friend, and he is galvanized into action when he discovers he has the skills to fight back.

I loved writing The Accidental Activist because I was excited by the court case, the potential of the Internet and eventually the trials and tribulations of my characters, who became good friends.

But I have also become enthralled by the idea of Transformational Fiction, where ordinary people are drawn into fighting a social injustice and in doing so experience a life-shifting internal change.

I want my writing to inspire people to stand up for what they believe in. I want it to be an empowering experience. One of my favorite quotes is from Richard Wright: "I would hurl words into the darkness and wait for an echo. If an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight."

Using the form of novels enable me to try and inspire, not though political speeches, but identifying with characters who are similar to you and me.

I have written three other manuscripts and, in each, the protagonist goes through a transformative process. In A Gardener’s Tale, the protagonist helps a young outcast become a meaningful and respected member of the community. In The Accidental Activist, as mentioned, a self absorbed computer programmer takes up the struggle against a multinational corporation who is trying to silence protestors in order to get laid (well kind of), but discovers he can harness his talents to help improve the world.

Unwanted Heroes will be released in January and tells the story of a young man who befriends a mentally disturbed war veteran and uses his talents to help the old man come to terms with his past and rebuild his life.
I never consciously wrote these novels with this common theme until The Accidental Activist was being critiqued. But now I feel very comfortable and inspired to follow this path. And if it can inspire a few readers along the way, I will feel I am doing my part in creating a better world.
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Alon Shalev is the author of The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. More on http://www.alonshalev.com/

BATTLING AGAINST THE ODDS -- A REVIEW

2011-11-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

If you have ever been a part of an "underdog" kind of group, firmly believing in your cause and desperate to win out over the "establishment," The Accidental Activist will definitely appeal to you.

When a small group of protestors are served with a libel suit in 1990s Great Britain, our protagonist, Matt Fielding, steps forward to help. He has just connected with Suzie, the woman of his dreams, and he becomes involved because of her. As a computer programmer, he has assisted in the cause by creating a website that has become very popular. At this time in history, the Internet was a new source of information and the full extent of its power was unknown.

Facing these charges in Great Britain was uniquely difficult, as the libel laws during those times were not set up to benefit defendants. Taking on this battle was a David vs. Goliath event, and for the next six years of their lives, they fought for this cause.

Over the subsequent pages, I was intrigued by how the characters jockeyed for position in this battle, knowing that they were up against humongous odds.

While much of the legal posturing felt like unfamiliar territory to me, I was still captivated and could not wait to see how it would all play out.

Toward the end, I especially enjoyed this passage that shows us how great the odds were for these characters:

Suzie is explaining some of this to Matt. "But it's different out here on the political streets, Matt. We're in the right but that's not enough. You were blinded by our romance when you joined us and maybe at some point by our cause. But romance and righteousness just isn't going to be enough. We're not going to be able to saddle your horse after the verdict, Matt, and ride off into the sunset."

Poignant scenes like this follow the reader through to the end, where, without inserting spoilers, I can say that I felt the rush of tears (not necessarily sad ones) as the final outcome was rendered.

Five stars!

(On Blog Tour)

BOOKISH THOUGHTS -- GRATITUDE -- NOV. 19

2011-11-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

In the past several days, I have been reminded of the blessings of the season. Not only do I enjoy looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I also recall my firstborn child, born on November 17, 1966. His birth that year also came on a Thursday, and he arrived a few months after my college graduation.

In celebration of his birth, and commemorating many pictorial moments since then, I wrote about him at my Thursday Potpourri post.

I also enjoy recalling my first love of books, instilled in me very early in life. And my visits to the village library only reinforced that love.

Nowadays, as I blog and review my books on the various sites, I am happy that I can now revisit the bookish thoughts found in these reviews.

I've also been rereading my latest WIP, Interior Designs, and posted an excerpt from the prequel to this book—Embrace the Whirlwind—at my Creative Moments blog.

As for my reading, I recently finished a book I really enjoyed that is on blog tour. My review for the book will be posted here on November 28, with a guest blog from the author on November 29. Watch for my review and post of The Accidental Activist, by Alon Shalev.

I'd love to know about some of your bookish thoughts...or the things for which you're grateful.

A COZY & VINTAGE MURDER MYSTERY -- A REVIEW

2011-11-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Chris and Pamela Cross love the forties era, from the décor to the music. It doesn't hurt that Chris resembles Humphrey Bogart, and his impersonations of the Bogey Man are part of the draw to their restaurant. When it burns down, though, they must begin again. Nonplussed by the obstacles, however, they soon begin renovating a newly purchased vintage house that will become Bogey Nights.
Unfortunately, shortly after their purchase, a dead body shows up in the basement, compliments of their Labrador retrievers, Sherlock and Watson, and their "sniffing" skills. Soon an investigation is launched, the body is identified as someone once living in the old boarding house, and the time period of the death is the early 1940s.

When relatives of the decedent ask Chris and Pamela to unofficially investigate, the two are off and running, searching out clues and seeking the connections between the residents of the old boarding house.

Will their questions lead to more puzzling events? What does an old woman living in a retirement home have to do with the events from those days? And how will an old joint called Dapper Dan's figure in to the mystery?

Throughout Bogey Nights, I felt as though I were back in that vintage era, full of the colorful music and the ambience of the clubs and night spots. I loved peeking into the lives of the characters, in their youthful incarnations as well as their aging personas. Meanwhile, the present day Chris and Pamela's story, told in Pamela's first-person narrative, showed me a cozy and comfortable couple living an ordinary life, while pursuing extraordinary adventures. They felt real and as if they could be people I would love to hang out with, enjoying tea and cookies. A wonderful cozy read that kept me turning those pages; a five star read.

THE HEALING POWERS OF CONNECTION -- A REVIEW

2011-10-26T03:29:00.000-07:00

Victoria Jones has been shunted around from foster home to foster home, so when she lands on Elizabeth's doorstep at age ten, she doesn't believe anything will be different here.

But between Elizabeth and Victoria, there is the beginning of a unique connection. And a special language, derived from their mutual love of flowers and Victoria's eagerness to learn how to communicate through them.

There is also the first glimmer of hope, because Elizabeth has stated the desire to adopt her after one year together. But as the court date approaches, Victoria's and Elizabeth's fears mount and inevitably sabotage what ultimately could have been home for the two of them.

What does Victoria do to sabotage her placement? And what will Elizabeth do to express her own fears and why? Will a tragic event sever their ties forever?

When we first meet Victoria, she is eighteen and about to be emancipated from the system. She will go to a transitional home and try to forge her own life, despite the flawed and damaged person she has become. Moving seamlessly between the present and the pivotal tenth year of her life, The Language of Flowers: A Novel shows us Victoria's journey forward, while still fighting the demons that force her to cling to the past.

This beautifully wrought and true-to-life story resonated with me as it echoed the stories I have been privy to in my social work career. What set this journey apart was the connection through flowers and the almost magical power of this unique tool for communication. As the flawed and broken souls heal, we see a glimmer of hope and renewal. I loved this story and did not want to put it down! Five stars.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU GATORS...A REVIEW

2011-10-23T05:34:00.000-07:00

From the very first page of this funny, suspenseful, and colorful tale set in rural Florida, I felt connected to the character Emily Rhodes.

Expecting to enjoy her golden years with her long-time partner, her life is not at all turning out the way she planned. First of all, her partner Fred dies abruptly, and because they're not married, and because he apparently didn't write a new will, his ex-wife is suing her for the estate. The estate isn't much, but Emily is fond of her little winter home—the rest of the year, she lives in upstate New York—and now everything is up for grabs.

She has a new job as a bartender at the country club, but in her second week, as she is taking out the trash, she discovers a dead body in the dumpster. And then, before she can even say "hey," she is hauled off for questioning by an annoying detective who is obnoxious and chews tobacco.

Immersed as I was in this story, I also could enjoy the little tidbits along the way, like the descriptions of characters, and places, and the down-to-earth dialogue that made me feel as though I was right in the midst of the story. The characters felt like people I'd met or would like to meet—except for the tobacco-chewing cop. Luckily, there is a hunky cop, too, and a few other potential love interests. Of course, Emily has more important things to think about. But maybe after all this is over....

As Dumpster Dying: Golf in rural Florida is hazardous -- gators on the fairway and bodies in the trash gallops along, I also enjoyed the twists and turns and trying to figure things out. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the plot lines and quite stunned by others. In the end, I was very happy with how things turned out...but sorry to say good-bye to the characters. There were some unexpected delights, too, so this is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys humor, quirky and colorful characters, and suspense. Five stars.

A WEEKEND OF READING -- READATHON MOMENTS

2011-10-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

The buzz is contagious throughout the blogosphere. It's Readathon weekend, and bloggers everywhere are participating.

Over at Book Journey, Sheila has a whole stack of books to read. Others have demonstrated their commitment to reading by picking out stacks of books and even arranging their snacks. The fewer interruptions the better!

So why am I still sitting over here, reading without commitment? Am I afraid that I won't be able to read continuously, or am I just afraid of the commitment?

I certainly have a stack of books—next week's reading stack—and I even have one left over from this week that I need to read.

I have several books on my Old TBRs that I would like to read before the end of the year. Mainly because of my vow to do that when I created my blog Curl up and Read two years ago today!

On that date, I had 166 books on those stacks. Now I have 58 books. Not a lot of progress for two years, you say? Well, obviously I could have read them all, since my total books read last year was 143; and so far this year, I've read 141.

So how do I explain this? Well, you see, there are my New TBRs! The books I've received during the year, in the form of review books and books purchased.

The only sane thing to do, of course, is keep old and new stacks separate. Both on my blog and on my spreadsheets.

What are your stacks like right now? And do you see the Readathon as an opportunity to make a dent?

Here's a picture of my Old TBRs, as of this month.

I probably won't make much of a dent in these this weekend, but I can work on it. Hope you all have fun with whatever your goals are!

And remember: My prescription for the blues is books, books, and more books!

AN INTROSPECTIVE JOURNEY -- A REVIEW

2011-10-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

Kate Brown, who lives in the London suburbs, is happily married and the mother of four children. But she has reached a point in her life when she feels extraneous. Invisible,even. As her husband gets ready to leave for a conference in the States, she ponders what her summer will be like. And then an opportunity presents itself that will allow Kate to spread her wings a bit and explore another world. As she leaves for the position as an interpreter, she has no idea what will be unleashed over the next few months.

As we follow Kate's journey, we experience with her the joys of freedom, along with the risks. Will a foray into a brief affair bring her what is missing in her life? Or will the opportunity to earn her own money give her something she wants? But unexpected events turn these experiences into something quite different, as we see Kate's journey turn dark, with strange and symbolic dreams.

Then her journey takes her to a flat and a young girl who is on the verge of her life, while Kate is at a different crossroads. They share experiences and thoughts, and when the journey ends and the dark unfolds into springy lightness, Kate is ready to finally go home and rejoin her family. But she has a different perspective and a new way to be.

The rich symbolism throughout The Summer Before the Dark (Vintage International) reminded me once again why Lessing is such a great writer. Kate's recurring dream of a seal she is struggling to rescue and carry to safety reminds us that her nurturing aspects have controlled her life. She now must move on to something different. As she thinks about going home, she realizes something significant, as described in this passage:

"The mood she was in when she walked in at her front door again would be irrelevant: now that was the point, it was the truth. We spend our lives assessing, balancing, weighing what we think, we feel...it's all nonsense. Long after an experience which has been experienced as this or that kind of thought, emotion, and judged at the time accordingly—well, it is seen quite differently. That's what was happening, you think; and what you thought or felt about it at the time seems laughable, jejune."

There were parts of the novel that seemed very heavy with introspection, and the feelings evoked sometimes weighed me down. But then I moved on to the richly textured parts during which Kate arrives at her realizations. Definitely recommended for anyone who loves following a woman's journey toward finding herself. Five stars.

DEFINED BY THE DANGEROUS LANDSCAPE OF CHILDHOOD -- A REVIEW

2011-10-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

The landscape of childhood is a territory that often defines who we ultimately become. And the five childhood friends in The Most Dangerous Thing do end up defined by their childhood experiences, especially those surrounding a time they all spent exploring the woods beyond the boundaries of their suburban homes.

Gwen, Mickey, and the three Halloran brothers, Tim, Sean, and Gordon (Go Go), find themselves part of a group, often led by Mickey, who is something of a tomboy and very daring. She instigates things sometimes, too, but nobody wants to be a coward, and they often push the boundaries of behavior, too. So as the events unfold in that one summer in the late seventies, perhaps the inevitability of the secrets and the pact they all took could be laid at her hands. And the centerpiece of their acts form around a secret friendship with an old man they call Chicken George. Determined to keep their secrets after one fateful night during a hurricane, they slowly disband and lose touch with one another.

But years later, when they all come together at Go Go's funeral, the layers of secrets begin to unravel. And in the months that follow, the unexpected hidden core will be revealed.

More questions than answers meet them at that funeral, though: Did Go Go drive into that concrete wall on purpose? Were the secrets of their collective past too much for him to handle? Or was there more to the story than any of them knew?

Before we come to learn any of these secrets or the ultimate deceits that bound them all, we follow their lives, and the lives of their parents, as the narrative captures first one, then another, and weaves together a multilayered story of regrets, losses, hopes, and dreams unrealized. Against this backdrop, the keeping of secrets becomes another kind of inevitability that will inform all of their lives.

As always, I loved Lippman's storytelling, with the seductive pull toward the final reveal. She unfolded events for us one morsel at a time, and then stepped back to show us still another facet to the mystery. The characters felt like real people I've known, just as they always do. Then I was pleasantly surprised at the "cameo" appearance of Tess Monaghan from that series. In this book, she reprises her role as a private detective to help sort through the mysterious secrets Go Go held. Following these mysterious, secretive, and colorful characters kept me turning pages long into the night. Five stars.

THE HAZARDS OF EXPECTING RELATIONSHIPS TO BRING HAPPINESS -- A REVIEW

2011-09-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

When Zoe Clark's fiancé dumps her just before their big splashy wedding and after more than a decade together, she is stunned. And blindsided. When she discovers why, she suddenly doubts her instincts, her abilities to even have a relationship. And her job as a headhunter for a micromanaging, sometimes crazy boss doesn't give her much confidence, either.

After a period of mourning, time well spent in the company of best friends Angela and Kevin, she is suddenly swept up into what looks like a perfect relationship with the gorgeous advertising executive who works across the street. But is Oscar Thornton who he seems to be? And if something seems perfect, or too good to be true, what if it isn't?

I loved the characters in this story, from the great friendships between Zoe, Angela, and Kevin to the work relationships with people like Marvin, who sips from a flask in his desk, to New Girl, who tries very hard to forge her own way in the headhunting world. Even the micromanaging boss Carol made me laugh, as I recognized in her some of the bosses I've had over the years, one in particular.

But Oscar...now he was like a fictional hero, with his good looks, his charm, his money, and how he seemed to know just the right moves. In some ways, I really wanted him to be what he seemed, even as I knew he wouldn't be.

I was a bit surprised by events that unfolded, but then again, someone that perfect has to be hiding something big.

I especially enjoyed how the book ended, with Zoe finally realizing that, in order to be happy, she has to know what she wants. And she has to realize that happiness is an inside job. She has to make herself happy.

Great metaphorical connection between headhunting as a career and "hunting" for a new lover. The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbrokenis a wonderful five-star read that I recommend for anyone who loves books about careers, relationships, and Manhattan.

LIVES FOREVER CHANGED -- A REVIEW

2011-09-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

What if you were just going along in your life, doing the usual chores and maintaining the relationships that you have almost come to take for granted...and then, suddenly, everything was no longer usual? Loved ones were seemingly zapped into nothingness, with no particular rhyme or reason. You're having dinner, you go to the kitchen, and when you return your family is gone.

These are the scenarios that plague a suburban American town in The Leftovers. Truly, the ones left behind cannot understand why they were left, or why the ones "raptured," if that is what this is, were chosen. They were just ordinary people, some of them not even religious. So why?

Slowly we move through the lives of those left behind, seeing the shells that some of them have become. A few of them simply cannot stand having life that makes no sense anymore and join a cult-like group called the Guilty Remnant. These folks wear white, have taken a vow of silence, and have set themselves up to convert the others via their roles as Watchers. They follow, they stare, and they try to recruit.

In a sense, the narration feels muted and emotionless, but I believe the author purposely chose this somewhat detached style to characterize how flat the landscape is in a life that has been decimated. Emotions are tricky and they betray us. Flat, detached, going-through-the-motions life feels more appropriate, perhaps.

I liked some characters better than others, but in each case, I could see why they behaved the way they did. And throughout this story, with its unexpected ending, I felt as though they were people I could connect with...if they would allow connections to happen. As usual, Perrotta delivers a masterful story. Five stars.

DEPICTING LIFE AFTER TRAGEDY -- A REVIEW

2011-08-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

If life could be divided into "before and after," this sequel to the dramatic Reservation Road could be classified as After. Twelve years after the devastating events that took the life of the young Learner boy and shattered two families, Dwight Arno has started over. After prison. After losing everything about the life he once had.

We see him again in Santa Barbara, CA, working in a sporting goods store, living in a rented home, and walking through his days as if he is an automaton. There seems to be no joy in his life.

Meanwhile, back in Connecticut, his ex-wife Ruth is facing her own personal crisis; their son Sam has gotten into a bit of trouble; and nearby, the Learner family walks through the dried out terrain of their existence.

We catch glimpses of each of these lives through alternating perspectives. In beautifully crafted language, the author shows us what life is like for each of these characters, and by the time we've moved toward the final outcome, we are completely engrossed in their pain, their outlook on life, and how the events of the past have shaped them irrevocably.

I love the unfolding scenes as they depict this world of After to the reader. Here is an excerpt from Dwight's point of view, showing a reunion between Sam and his mother, Ruth, after Sam has shown up on Dwight's doorstep.

"In my living room, they stand literally wrapped in each other—an image so old and storybook it feels iconic to me, bigger than all of us, a tattered flag flying over our tiny burned-out village long after the war has ended...."

Scenes and language like this fill the pages of Northwest Corner: A Novel and spotlight human frailty like only the great authors of our time can do. This tale earns a giant five stars from me!

THE ROLES THAT DEFINE US -- A REVIEW

2011-08-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

In the pages of this delightfully charming and true-to-life book about sisters and the ties that bind them, as well as the secrets and betrayals that separate them, I came to feel what it must be like to have sisters.

I only had one, and she was so much younger that she didn't feel like a sibling. But despite my own experience, I could connect to these characters and almost feel what they were feeling.

Names My Sisters Call Me was all about disappointments, misunderstandings, misconceptions, and the yawning years that grow after horrendous events that pull a family apart.

Norah, Raine, and Courtney have their roles in this family, and they stick to them with a fierceness that tells us a lot about how one's place in the family seemingly defines us.

But what will happen when the prodigal daughter comes home for another family wedding? Will the hard truths that separated them all years before intrude again? Or will a new understanding bring out a better version of these young women?

And how will an abruptly ended love affair bring unexpected drama into one young woman's new life?

Parts of this story were so beautifully wrought, like the vivid San Francisco settings, that I could literally feel myself there. I could sense the pull of this vibrant place upon Courtney, who went there to "retrieve" her prodigal sister.

I also enjoyed a description in the book about what heartbreak feels like; a moment that captured Courtney's feelings of loss and betrayal about her once-upon-a-time lover Matt.

"How could he look exactly the same as he always did? How could he so nonchalantly shatter all the things I'd believed and bear no outward sign of it? I didn't understand. It seemed to me that if someone hurt you, there should be some kind of boomerang effect. They should get hit with it, too, so it wasn't just you. So they didn't get off scot-free while you marinated in the pain."

I gave four stars to this wonderfully enjoyable read.

A BEACH READ ABOUT FRIENDSHIP, TRUST, & SECRETS -- A REVIEW

2011-08-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Themes of friendship, trust, and challenging events during a tough economy pepper the pages of this delightful book.

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie have been friends since early childhood, but now, separated geographically and by their circumstances, they are looking forward to their summer vacation in a beach house in Nags Head, North Carolina. Dorie's sister Willa has begged her way into the vacation, but Ellis is determined not to let anything annoy her. She has arranged it all online, and of all the women, she is feeling very much in need of something she can control. She has just been "downsized" after a successful banking career, so her future looks uncertain.

Arriving first, she is somewhat disappointed by how much the house needs a major overhaul, but decides to make the best of it. While waiting for her friends, she observes a man in the garage apartment next door...a hunky man. But she is determined to focus on the friendship connections.

When the three friends gather together, they start off the month like a real girlfriend getaway. But all kinds of things happen over the next few days and weeks that turn things into so much more. A stray woman with secrets of her own manages to rent one of the rooms—after Dorie's sister Willa cancels out on them—and trying to ferret out this woman's secrets could turn everything into a completely different kind of event.

Mix in some romance and girlfriend makeovers, and you have a fun page-turner. The thrilling ending has enough excitement to keep the reader turning pages.

Despite these events, Summer Rental was a pleasant, somewhat predictable read in many ways. But the aforementioned elements kept it from being tired or stale, so I gave it four stars.

SOAPS: FULFILLING THE FANTASY OF LOVE & FAMILY -- A REVIEW

2011-07-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

If you, as a TV viewer, could point to any one show you have seen over the years, and cite the details of why you loved it, you might be able to list a few. But if the show was a soap opera, you could easily detail what you love, because of the very nature of soaps.

They resonate with viewers because of the continuity, the traditions, and how you connect with the ongoing characters that you have invited into your home everyday. Even if you have to watch recorded versions later in the day or evening.

In Carolyn Hinsey's Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter, we are treated to a history of the genre, as well as the model for the shows, and why that model still works today. We also see how the wonderful shows have gradually lost their luster (in some cases), and how the death knell tolled because of the poor choices of writers, producers, executives, etc.

What can we learn from such errors? Is it too late to save the soaps? And why do those in charge seemingly not care about the viewers of shows that have more of an audience (if you're counting correctly!) than many so-called successful nighttime shows?

I have personally been a soap opera fan since the late 1950s—back when I first saw "As the World Turns" at my cousin's house. I watched the soaps in between classes in college, and then again when my kids were babies and I was a stay-at-home mom. Before VCRs, I had to satisfy myself with my "soap fix" on days off (or sick days!), so you can imagine my delight when I got my first VCR.

Now that I'm officially retired (freelance writer!), I still watch soaps and record them. They are my chance to feel connected to people, since the writer's life is often solitary.

Hinsey's book is an important tome that should be a wake-up call to those in charge of daytime programming. I hope that someone is paying attention, because the death of the soap genre would feel like a real death to many of us. Five glowing stars for this book!

BLOOD BROTHERS ARE POISED FOR A SHOWDOWN -- A REVIEW

2011-07-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

From the very beginning, the reader is drawn into the middle of a suspenseful paranormal tale that commences in the 1600s, and then leaps ahead to 1987 and three boys who share a birthday (7/7/77).

They are seeking adventure on their tenth birthday, but unleash something more. Something that will return every seven years, daring them to break the spell, quash the evil.

Finally, twenty-one years later, we meet three women who arrive, one by one: a writer, Quinn Black; a woman from Manhattan, Layla Clark; and a friend with psychic gifts, Cybil Kinski. As each of them meet the three boys, now grown (Cal, Fox and Gage), their unusual connections to one another signify something powerful that foreshadows the future they will share.

What do the six discover in their quest? What is the significance of their connections to Hawkins Hollow? And how will they arm themselves to win out over the Evil that dominates the small town?

In this first book of the Sign of Seven Trilogy, Blood Brothers (Sign of Seven Trilogy, Book 1) , Roberts does a great job of piquing my curiosity for what lies ahead. I liked best the moments of lighthearted fun between the six characters, and the hint of romance, but also surprised myself by how the paranormal elements also grabbed me and held on. So now I'll have to read the next two books. I'm giving this one four stars, because there were parts that I didn't enjoy too much, but I'll be returning for my interest in how Roberts creates her characters and how she shows the connections between them.

SECRETS, RITUALS, & A UNIQUE HERITAGE -- A REVIEW

2011-06-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

What happens when a vegetarian hippie girl from California finds herself living in Savannah, groomed for something called The Magnolia League?

Alexandria Lee grew up with her single mother in a commune, and now at sixteen, devastated by her mother's tragic death, she has lost all of her significant connections. Her grandmother seemingly wants to provide for her, but her care comes with a price. And there are many secrets that Alex will only discover after weeks and even months have passed. Will it be too late then? Are the secret rituals that are part of the League holding her captive?

Throughout this story, we meet other teens who seem too perfect, too gorgeous, but have no motivation to leave Savannah. What do the strange hoodoo rituals (yes, hoodoo, not voodoo) have to do with their behavior, appearance, and expectations? And what will Alex have to do to escape the future her grandmother has designed for her?

The Magnolia League is a captivating tale about the strange hold a unique heritage can have on a young person, and the cost of belonging. I kept turning pages, intrigued by the story. The ending was rather abrupt and left more questions than answers. Perhaps the book is the first in a series. I gave this one four stars.

A DISTURBING JOURNEY TO MADNESS -- A REVIEW

2011-06-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

In the early 1960s in Manhattan, John Wilder is a man in his mid-thirties with a seemingly successful career and great family life. A wife and son, with everything pointing to a promising life. But after a business trip, John calls his wife and says he is not coming home.

What happens next could be characterized as an abrupt break with reality, but Wilder's week in Bellevue, where he is placed after an episode of "disturbing the peace," can be seen as an inevitable midpoint to something that has been coming for a long time.

When Wilder's reflections carry us back in time to his childhood and the break from his family of origin, we can catch a glimpse of what might have set off this dark journey for him. Now, though, he begins a downward spiral that will carry him into insanity that is horrific and vividly shown to the reader, almost as if we are in his head.

Wilder's alcoholism complicates his journey, but some might argue that the drinking led to the insanity, while others would point to the alcoholism as just another symptom of his madness.

What is most remarkable about this tale of one man's unraveling mind is how the reader can experience the descent with the character. Even though told in the third person, we can see his view of the world and almost feel what he is feeling. As unsympathetic as this character presents to us, we cannot help but feel his pain.

I liked how the story ended. It is 1970, and we are now slightly outside this man's "head" for awhile and can see what the supporting characters are feeling, and how they have fared afterwards. Our outside view also includes a glimpse of Wilder. A startling revelatory glimpse.

After I turned the last page, I felt stirred as I hadn't in awhile by a book. But not surprising for a Yates novel, Disturbing the Peace is a remarkable journey into one man's disturbed mind. Five stars.

MORAL, LEGAL, & ETHICAL DILEMMAS: BACKDROP FOR TRAGEDY

2011-05-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

When Rose McKenna and her family move to a small Pennsylvania town, they are hoping for a more supportive environment. But this has not turned out to be the case, and the bullying that traumatized young Melly in previous settings has followed them to this small, peaceful town; for Melly has a large birthmark on her cheek, and suffers regular taunts and teasing.

Volunteering at the school in the lunch room offers Rose the opportunity to oversee things and to provide a safety net, of sorts. But on one tragic day, the cafeteria explodes, endangering lives. Rose's efforts to direct the children outdoors to safety, and then return to find her daughter trapped in the bathroom, leads to applause for the "hero mom," only to have the tide turn drastically when other mothers blame Rose for endangering another child. For seemingly, Amanda, one of the biggest bullies, did not make it outside to safety and lies in Intensive Care in a coma.

The media frenzy skewers Rose as negligent, with hints of criminal prosecution and lawsuits hanging over her head, even as she sits beside her daughter's bedside, awaiting her recovery from smoke inhalation.

Moral, legal, and ethical themes provide a backdrop for this series of events, beginning with the media frenzy, legal posturing, and serious dilemmas that have arisen from the tragedy. Rose is determined to get to the bottom of what happened that day, but as she asks questions, more arise, leading her down a pathway and on a journey to construction companies, local factories, and politicians. Wending her way through her questions, she uncovers more and more clues pointing to blackmail, conspiracy, and murder.

What connects a construction company, a potato chip factory, and a politician? What do any of them have to do with the fire in the cafeteria? And what unique situation lies at the center of it all?

Scottoline has a talent for leading the reader on a nail biting journey, turning those pages rapidly in the pursuit of answers to these questions. I couldn't help but love the characters of Rose, her husband Leo, and especially the plucky Harry Potter reading Melly. Save Me is about so much more than the initial questions of who you would save during a tragedy. It led to questions about responsibility, negligence, and what nefarious individuals might do for profit and fame. Five stars.

THEMES OF MEMORY, JOURNEYS, & STRUGGLES -- A REVIEW

2011-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Themes of memory, journeys, and the struggles through life's obstacles populate this memoir by a woman who has been spotlighted in memoirs by her sons.

Each of these three individuals—Margaret, her son John Elder, and her son Chris (Augusten Burroughs)—has a different and unique story, and the points on which they differ are not as important to their individual stories as the themes they share. Memories of pain, addiction, and mental illness.

Margaret Robison's The Long Journey Home: A Memoir takes the reader from her early childhood memories in Georgia, and the emotions that dominated her life there, to her marriage to John Robison and their years together in the North. With the couple finally settled in Massachusetts, we begin to explore Margaret's creative pathways, from poetry readings, workshops, and finally to this memoir that chronicles everything, as she remembers it: Her bouts with psychosis and various hospitalizations; her painful tyranny at the hands of an incompetent psychiatrist; and her long journey back to functioning after a stroke.

In the final pages, she delves a bit into the pain she felt after reading her son's portrayal of her in his memoirs. Her son Chris, who changed his name to Augusten Burroughs, soon after "erased" her from his life. Her thoughts on his books illustrate the sometimes unreliable memories of our lives. When our memories are guided by emotion, they reveal the feelings behind the events more than the actual facts of what happened.

As I struggled to piece together this author's story, I sometimes felt bogged down by the numerous incidents and the sometimes repetitive details. In the end, I decided to grab the emotion of the story, even as I applauded the author's ability to survive some extremely difficult experiences. For this effort, I designate three stars.

THROWING OFF THE YOKE OF FAMILY EXPECTATIONS

2011-04-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

Teensie MacAllester is the youngest of three sisters in a small college town in Georgia, where her father was the college president and where her sister and brother-in-law "hold court" as a professor and now current president. Both older sisters have assumed their "entitled" places in the good life.

Meanwhile, Teensie, who earned her diminutive name from one of her sisters who had exclaimed, upon first seeing her, "isn't she teensie?", has tried to carve out a life for herself in Atlanta as a nurse. Until her father calls her home to care for her ailing aunt; then her mother, when she falls ill; and finally, her father himself, aptly named "King."

While she defers her own dreams to help out the family, since neither sister is ever available for these chores, her father promises to leave her the home and its contents when he dies.

Fast-forward a few years, and we see Teensie and her sisters as they hear their father's will read. King MacAllester did not change his will to reflect these promises, and even though his attorney (and family friend) knows what his wishes were, he can do nothing. So Teensie is soon drawn into a struggle to hold onto her share, as well as protect the things that were hers alone.

Throughout this delightful and emotional tale that had me wanting to shout "no!" at every injustice, Teensie stays true to her loving soul, her "Friday's child" demeanor, while slowly, but surely, moving forward and away from the path her family wishes to dictate for her. She refuses to remain as the family "slave," a role her sisters had already decreed for her by each insisting that she move in and help them with their families, and instead strikes out on her own.

While her path forward is not smooth and even, with many obstacles cropping up at every turn, she finally claims her own dreams.

Friday's Daughter, taking its theme from the days-of-the-week rhyme that denotes that "Friday's child is loving and giving," spotlights a drama of extreme sibling rivalry and competitiveness against a backdrop of small-town life. The author carries it off with just the right emotions to elicit the reader's investment in Teensie's triumph, and then delivers that triumph in unexpected and joyful dollops. Five stars!

A JOURNEY TOWARD RECOVERY -- THROUGH THE RAIN

2011-04-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

From the moment that Brooke Shields and her husband began the journey toward parenthood, nothing was easy. Undergoing fertility treatments and IVF, suffering a miscarriage, and then experiencing a very difficult delivery with first child Rowan seemingly set the stage for what came next.

In Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression, Shields describes her experiences and the overwhelming feelings that almost turned her life into a horror film. She talks frankly about how she came to accept that she was suffering from postpartum depression, a very real medical condition, and how she finally took the necessary steps to recover (with the help of medication and therapy).

When examined in the context of her life at the time, from the difficulties toward conception and the losses she had suffered—deaths of a good friend and also her father—the stage seemed set for the disastrous postpartum period. Further, she was unable to exercise at first, due to complications in the birth process, and had to also adjust to a dramatically different lifestyle.

Shields described her recovery process in some detail, and in the last portion of the book, she also shares how she finally begins to balance her work and parenting roles.

The book was easy to read and relatable: an honest and straightforward portrayal of a condition that could descend upon anyone. Four stars.

GIVING VOICE TO OUR WORST THOUGHTS...AND MORE -- A REVIEW

2011-04-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Author Augusten Burroughs has hit a home run again in this funny, sometimes acerbic collection of true anecdotes that reveals the dark thoughts we all sometimes have, and then carries them out to their seemingly insane conclusions...but with wit and that satirical twist.

These snippets are not presented in any particular chronological order, but begin in childhood, with memories about a Tang commercial, and lead us through the panicky drinking days and the one-night stands.

One of my favorites is the chapter about a rat he finds in the bathtub in the middle of the night, and the panic that ensues. Described beautifully in this excerpt:

"The fact was: if a rat/thing managed to claw its way out of my tub and enter the main area of the studio apartment, I would never be able to locate it. Everywhere there were mounds of foreign magazines, month-old newspapers, a thousand or more empty sixteen-ounce beer cans. I happened to live in squalor that was more than four-feet deep throughout the apartment. If the rat/thing made it into my debris field, it could easily make a nest for itself under the bed in an old aluminum beef vindaloo container or it could simply die beneath an old copy of Italian Vogue. It could die and it could rot."

He then creates a scenario in which he quests for a way to eradicate the rat that had me rolling around with laughter, imagining myself in a similar situation.

And then there's the chapter on telemarketers, and how they call numerous times at night and repeatedly, with the "frequent urgency of dumped boyfriends." Now who hasn't wanted to seek revenge on them? Well, read on and learn....

There are thoughts about almost anything that may have crossed your mind, but that you were afraid to articulate. This author crams Magical Thinking: True Stories with all of those thoughts and more.

As I turned the final, very satisfying page, I wanted "seconds." But instead, I'll just have to occasionally pick it up again and savor the moments. Five happy stars for this one!

STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD!

2011-03-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was pleased to receive this award from Joylene Nowell Butler.

According to the rules, I should share seven things about myself, and then pass the award on to seven bloggers.

So here goes....

Seven Things:
1. I am a retired social worker who now enjoys the writer's life;
2. This past year, I have participated in several writer's challenges, including NaNoWriMo;
3. In addition to writing my books, I have lots of blogs (fourteen);
4. My five published books are available on Amazon.com and my website;
5. My four grown kids and seven grandkids illuminate my life;
6. I love reading, writing, and blogging...and don't really enjoy exercising;
7. I hate housework!

Now for the seven bloggers:
1. Becca, at Bookstack
2. Trish, at Desk Top Retreat
3. Alayne, at The Crowded Leaf
4. Natalie, at The Book Inn
5. Sheila, at Book Journey
6. Kathy, at Bermuda Onion
7. The Girl from the Ghetto

So, thanks again to Joylene for reminding me that the blogging community is a fun place...and congrats to everyone else receiving this award.

Hope you all have a great day!

SURVIVING PAIN & LOSS -- A REVIEW

2011-03-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

What a sad childhood CeeCee Honeycutt is having in Willoughy, Ohio, with her mother unraveling a little bit at a time, and her father off traveling on business.

Camille Honeycutt was a beauty queen in Georgia, and her life as a transplant to the North has seemingly clipped her wings and shredded her soul. And CeeCee is too young to really understand what is happening to her mother. But she knows all too well the taunts, the jeers, and the horror of living without friends, since everyone has labeled her the child of that "weird woman."

Then CeeCee's mother dies in a tragic accident, and her father decides to send her to Savannah to live with her Great Aunt Tallulah (Tootie). But what CeeCee sees as abandonment by her father turns out to be the best thing that's ever happened to her.

From the moment that CeeCee steps into the beautiful old home in Savannah, her life gradually takes on a new shape, with loving people around her and the colorful world encircling her more every day.

The characters in Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel are reminiscent of all those old Southern tales I've enjoyed, with the dialogue and activities that make me think of the charm I've come to admire in every Southern book I have ever read. I loved Oletta, who reminded me of characters I enjoyed in The Help...and the quirky neighbors made me think of others I had come to adore with their "steel magnolias" kind of strength; the women in Aunt Tootie's world seemingly join together to create a new place for CeeCee until, finally, she feels as though she really belongs—at long last.

Five stars.

CONNECTED BY LOVE & LITERATURE -- A REVIEW

2011-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Three sisters, whose family life has centered on bookish things, with their perpetually Shakespeare-quoting father establishing a backdrop for everything they do, come together again in the small university town where they grew up. Their mother's cancer diagnosis and upcoming treatment serves as the pull toward home, but the two who had gone from the nest years earlier—Bianca (Bean) and Cordelia (Cordy)—have their own secret reasons for doing so.

Each sister has operated within clearly defined parameters...their set roles, if you will. Rose is the oldest, and therefore, the one who feels responsible for them all. She assumes control and seemingly keeps everything together. Cordy, as the youngest, is the favorite and beloved one, but she drifts from place to place, like a vagabond. And then there is Bean, whose flight to New York City had been a dream of hers all along; sadly, however, she comes home with her tail between her legs. A dark secret follows her.

Over the next few months, we see the sisters succumbing to the familiar patterns, even when circumstances might dictate changes in their pathways. We learn, through memories and flashbacks, of past episodes that have ultimately defined their roles.

The Weird Sisters reminded me of the families I've always envied, with everyone reading and enjoying the literary life. Even the quirks of each of the sisters made me love them and root for them. While I had always longed for this kind of family, it became apparent soon enough that you should be careful what you wish for. The loving warmth of the parents, who seemed to provide a cozy nest, could also be viewed as the weight that kept each of them down in the prescribed roles, defying change.

But change is necessary for growth, and by the end of this wonderful story, the slivers of change have inserted themselves into each of these family members, and a new, improved version emerges.

The story is told in a unique voice, the first person plural, which is seemingly an omniscient one, in which the narration reads like this: "We came home because we were failures. We wouldn't admit that, of course, not at first, not to ourselves, and certainly not to anyone else...For Cordelia, the youngest, it began with the letters...."

I loved the way this POV seemingly drew me in and encompassed me with the feeling that I was right there in the midst, sharing in the special moments and watching events unfold. This was definitely a five star read.

READING, SPARKY TREASURES, ETC. -- WEEKEND ADVENTURES

2011-02-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

Since it's Friday, we can expect good things ahead. Weekends are noted for wonderful things...aren't they?

Yes, and perhaps no, too. For example, maybe you are one of those individuals who has to play catch-up with errands and chores throughout the weekend. If so, you may face the days ahead with a certain amount of dread.

Or...if, like me, you sometimes push those tasks aside for a weekday (I know, lucky freelance person!), you might enjoy some reading, writing, movie-going, etc.

I do have to visit the tax accountant today, which I am approaching with a certain amount of anxiety, as I have no idea what the results will be. Some idea, but I've been unpleasantly surprised before.

But I will try to be optimistic. And if I'm not in too much distress afterwards, I plan to start reading some of my books. I still have this one to finish....

Next week's reads will include this one, however, which I've excerpted on my Friday Memes post.

I also have some tempting books on "Sparky," my Kindle. Remember how we had the "naming contest" awhile ago? Well, here is one tempting read that's patiently waiting....

If you have an e-reader, do you ever wonder if those wonderful books will still be there when you get to them? Or might they disappear one day...poof! Off into the great unknown.

I have a basic mistrust of technology, even as I love its wonders and seeming magic. What a quandary this presents for me...Alas. So what are your thoughts about e-readers? What happens when they're full? Do books start disappearing, one by one? Or maybe we just cannot add anymore books...yes, that's probably what will happen. But then what???

Pondering moments on a Friday....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY -- ONE DAY EARLY....

2011-02-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

What exciting and special moments are you planning today? Maybe you'll see a romantic movie with someone special, or perhaps you'd like to read a romantic suspense book.

I finished one yesterday on "Sparky," my Kindle reader, called Lancelot's Lady. Click the title for my review.

My Sparky has other romantic tales just waiting for me, too, so I might just read some today. But sometimes, the best kind of romantic offering can be found in the movies. I'm thinking of going to see this one starring Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Adam Sandler.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend....And today, I'm sending a special shout-out to my granddaughter Aubrey, who is celebrating her birthday today!

Have a great one!

MEET "SPARKY" -- A KINDLE SEQUEL

2011-02-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

My Kindle has generated some excitement in my life, and some attention on my blog posts about it, from A Kindle Tale to What's In a Name?: A Contest.

So now, for this "sequel" to those stories, I have decided upon a name for my Kindle. As you may have guessed from the title, it's Sparky. I owe this moniker to Southern Fiber Reads, whose pick "firefly," because of the fire images generated by "kindle," led me down a pathway of "sparks." Hence, "Sparky."

Thank you, Emily, and she is the winner of the contest. Even though my choice was not exactly the same as hers, the road to my choice was paved by her thought processes.

I also want to thank the others who participated, as it was so much fun to think about all the possibilities of how my little e-reader could become a member of my family. Yes, when something has a name, whether it's a pet, a doll, or an e-reader, it joins the ranks of family members.

Right now, I'm enjoying a new read on my Sparky: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This book is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I chose it for my Awesome Authors Challenge. Yes, I've heard a lot about this book, so I'm eagerly anticipating discovering why other readers have loved it.

Now I'm off to read some more...but wait! First I must do my thirty minutes of writing for the Row 80 Challenge!

THE LONG SHADOW OF A MOTHER'S INFLUENCE....

2011-01-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

The author grew up in a home overshadowed by a brilliant, Radcliffe-trained academic mother, Fredelle, who couldn't get a teaching job because she was a woman. In the background, but also always noticed, was her charming, dashing father, Max, who was a professor and an artist (but also an alcoholic). Fredelle provided income as a writer, but the anger she felt over the inequities of her situation seemingly consumed her at times. But she focused her considerable energies upon her home and her daughters, Rona, followed later by Joyce.

Rona recalls her sister as the family charmer, while she was the rebel. While still in college, she married, and then a year later, had her son. In the large shadow of her mother (and then of her sister, who at eighteen went off to live with J. D. Salinger), Rona still managed to blossom as a writer and an editor. She had to fight against a chronic depression and the label of being called a "bad mother" by her son's teachers and her own mother for working long hours.

Struggling to forge her unique identity, against these influences and these odds, is the driving force of this memoir. It is a reminder for each woman of how her own mother's stamp of approval or disapproval informs her life. It is also a triumphant declaration of how history, family environment, and the times in which she lived created a woman who excelled in spite of the odds. Her quote: "I became who I am in spite of her and because of her."

I enjoyed reading the history of the author and her family, for I have read and followed her sister's literary journey. Rona's story fills in a few more pieces of this puzzle. I chose four stars for My Mother's Daughter: A Memoir because, at times, the journey was a bit tedious. I would recommend it to those who love memoirs, or who can relate to the mother-daughter issues.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? -- A CONTEST

2011-01-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, now what's up with the Minnie Mouse image? Well, she looks pretty cheerful and I needed that image to help me get into the morning.

For whatever reason, I was up at 4:15 today, and it wasn't because I went to bed too early, either.

I'd finished reading my final book for the week, so I got up to post my review.

As I considered the books I'll be reading this next week, I felt that "still new" excitement that one of them will be a book I ordered for my Kindle. The Girl in the Green Raincoat, by Laura Lippman, has been on my wish list.

Speaking of my Kindle...Sheila, over at Book Journey, has named her Nook (Snookie), and I've been delving into that so-called creative part of me to come up with a name for my Kindle. Any ideas?

Nothing seems to leap into my mind, like titles or names usually do. Maybe I've overused my stash of names for characters in my WIP. Would one of those names work?

If I stare at it long enough, maybe something will come to me....hmm, not working.

I thought that if I hosted a contest, perhaps someone would come up with a name FOR me. The prize would be one of my review books...I posted the titles of those books below and will give the winner his/her choice...What do you think?

Game on, bloggers! Let me know what you think my Kindle should be named, and if I go with your selection, you'll win a book! And you can choose from the list!

Here are some books up for grabs:

Miss Hildreth Wore Brown - Olivia deBelle Byrd
Reading Women - Stephanie Staal
My Formerly Hot Life - Stephanie Dolgoff
Mary Ann in Autumn - Armistead Maupin

Leave your e-mail address in your comment so I can notify you!

A KINDLE TALE....

2011-01-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, I was a book lover who totally enjoyed the physical book that I could hold in my hand; place on a bookshelf or in a bookcase; and enjoy the ambience of rooms filled with said bookshelves and bookcases.

But alas, my rooms were filled to the brim with these physical books and shelves. I had to part with some of them (library donations) in order to make room for the steady influx of books.

Many of them sit on stacks on coffee tables or on the floor.

Now some of these photos do not reflect the current state of my "stacks," since I've been working away at diminishing them.

But when Christmas came and I unexpectedly received my Kindle—about which I had some ambivalent feelings!—I soon realized that I had the answer to my dilemma. I could still be surrounded by my physical books without further endangering life and limb with obstacle courses around which to maneuver (which might happen if I keep adding to these stacks!).

Kindle is my new friend! It is easy to shop...one or two clicks, and whispernet does its thing. Who knew it could be this simple?

Reading on my new Kindle has also turned out to be fun. I'm still a little nervous about it, though. Reading in bed could result in accidents, like the Kindle falling to the floor when I nod off (that has happened to my physical books!).

But I am pretty sure that we will find a solution to this one.

Have you encountered the positive experiences of Kindle? What are your thoughts?

A COZY HIDING PLACE

2011-01-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

When a mysterious young woman shows up in the small town of Southport, North Carolina, the townsfolk are curious, but they open their arms to welcome her. She rents a small cottage at the end of a gravel road; starts working at a local diner; and soon finds herself shopping regularly at a market owned by a widower with two small children.

Katie Feldman has secrets; she has had traumas that have left her vulnerable—and shop owner Alex Wheatley, with a background as a military detective, suspects some of what she's hiding by the behavior he observes. But he doesn't probe. He doesn't do anything that might cause her to run.

Settling into the cozy, safe haven she is building, Katie almost begins to feel comfortable again.

Meanwhile, we begin to read about someone in Boston—a man, Kevin Tierney, who is unraveling slowly but surely as he searches for his missing wife.

A compelling and page-turning saga with elements of mystery and romance, Safe Haven grabbed my attention from the first page and held it until the very end. The tale is rich with characters like Katie and Alex, the two children, and a few of the townsfolk whom we can visualize by the author's descriptions, as well as by the dialogue that shows us the cozy, enfolding circle of warmth provided by this setting.

Then at the very end, an unexpected twist arouses that prickle of something extra...something that changed my perspective on many of the events. I developed goosebumps and then wanted to immediately reread the book, to see if I could notice a clue earlier in the story. I'm definitely giving this book five stars.

FALLING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE...AGAIN??

2010-12-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

In this exciting, page-turning book, we follow the travails of Lily Forrester and her daughter Shana. We met them in a previous book, The Cheater, and learned a little bit of their troubles—Lily's unhappy marriage to Shana's father; a night (after the divorce) when Lily and Shana were both raped; and then the murder of Shana's father some time later.

Now they are still dealing with the aftermath all these years later. Lily's career is about the only thing she can be proud of at this point: she is a superior court judge.

Shana is almost ready to graduate from Stanford Law School, which should make Lily happy, but despite how she has jumped through hoops to make up for the past, her relationship with her daughter is strained at best. And she just keeps sending more and more money.

So when Shana calls for her help one day, Lily feels like she might just get the chance to make up for things.

But what happens next is like a bad nightmare in a series of bad ones. Shana's place is a mess, she looks like she's on the edge, and she is obsessed with a boyfriend that dumped her three weeks before.

So when Lily takes Shana to a psychiatric hospital, just hoping for some medications to help her daughter sleep, she has no idea what dark hole she'll be entering.

From the point that Shana is admitted into Whitehall until several weeks later, it is almost as though Shana has fallen down the Rabbit Hole. Meanwhile, Lily resumes her work life (on the advice of the psychiatrists), oblivious to the scene unfolding.

The story takes us back and forth, from the present to the defining moments all those years ago, reminding us of the very horrific events that created this scarred relationship between mother and daughter.

What does Shana discover behind the walls of the "Snake Pit," and how will she begin to save herself? What will Lily do when she finally learns of her daughter's plight? And once Shana is free, will the horror end?

I enjoyed My Lost Daughter, just as I have enjoyed previous works by this author. However, this particular story seemed a bit convoluted at times, instead of the usual seamless plotting and characterizations. There was a subplot involving an FBI agent that seemed there just as a convenience. Then I kept thinking there should be more to the story of Shana and her father: that unhealthy relationship must have had a few more layers than what we saw. And Lily...I just wanted to shake her sometimes. For such a smart woman to make so many bad choices there had to be a backstory for her, too.

For this one, I chose to award four stars. For Rosenberg fans, they will enjoy a thrill ride; for newbies, perhaps another one of this author's books would be a better place to start.

A TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT -- OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK

2010-12-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

There was a lot of furor over Franzen's first book, The Corrections, after it was appointed to Oprah's famous book club. Some of that tempest in a teapot was brought out into the open the other day when Oprah interviewed Franzen on her show. Because she has appointed Freedom to the list this year!

So obviously the two of them have sorted out that whole fiasco already. They talked about it on the show, in fact, and now we're moving on.

I've noticed that neither book got great ratings on Amazon, but I enjoyed The Corrections, and expect to like Freedom as well.

What others think about books affects me to a certain degree, but if I want to read something, based on whatever leads me in a particular direction, I'm going to do it, even if others are underwhelmed.

That said, I have now moved my copy of this latest book a little closer to the top of my stacks. It's a hefty book, so I'll need to read it when I don't have a lot of competing books on my list.

What do the rest of you think? Has anyone read either book, and did you love it or hate it? Stop in and share, please....

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

Visit me at the above link to check out my own creations....

THE EMBRACING PRESENCE OF AN OLD OAK TREE....

2010-12-02T05:43:00.000-08:00

Against the backdrop of a gorgeous Central California Coastal town, this story begins with an historic moment in the past: a man, his wife, and his daughter are set to partake of the golden riches of the new land when tragedy strikes in the form of a swollen Nacimiento River.

From there we open on another world, in another century, and a woman named Glory Solomon, whose life and joy have centered on this land and near this huge white oak tree named Solomon's Oak. Here she had shared a wonderful time with her husband Dan—until he abruptly and unexpectedly died.

Putting her life and her finances back together in the year afterwards comes to be her biggest challenge yet. But near the old oak tree is a small chapel her husband built. And an unconventional couple pleads with Glory to allow them to have their "pirates wedding" there. From this beginning, a new business of hosting weddings for unconventional couples is born.

And on that first day, she meets two other damaged souls: Juniper McGuire, a broken teen, abandoned by her family and the plight that took them under; and ex-cop Joseph Vigil, wounded and still in critical pain, who drops onto the scene unexpectedly to photograph the oak tree.

Juniper is Glory's latest foster child (and first girl), and even though they almost immediately connect, there is so much trouble on the horizon. Will Glory be able to improve this girl's life without taking herself down too? And what will the newly developing bond between her and Joseph bring into their lives? And how will Glory's rescue dogs and horses add or subtract from the scene?

Watching Glory's struggles with Juniper was the most enjoyable part of the story to me. And while the somewhat predictable romance brewing between Glory and Joseph felt like something that could and even should happen, I didn't really "feel" any chemistry between them. To me, it just seemed like one of those plot points that was tossed in there to give Glory something to help her move on. Which is why I deducted one star.

What I loved most about Solomon's Oak: A Novel was the descriptive language that brought the oak tree alive until I could almost see it bending over the people in its wake, as if it were some kind of warm, embracing, and spiritual presence.

A four star read that is sure to captivate many, Solomon's Oak: A Novel was definitely an unforgettable read.

THE LEGACY OF A BRIGHT SHINING MOMENT: CAMELOT -- A REVIEW

2010-11-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

In a compelling and page-turning memento to a long-ago dream—of the iconic Jack and Jackie and the legend of Camelot—this story begins with the parents, spotlights Caroline and John-John as they grow up in the eye of the public, and then outlines their individual quests for privacy amidst the media storms that surround them.

Much of the early part of the book was familiar to me, having read several other Kennedy family chronicles, but it is in the second half that I really came closer to knowing more about Caroline herself. The tragic princess who faced life's tragedies with dignity, and yet who was forever the well-behaved and good girl member of the family, displayed her only rebellions when she, like her mother before her, sought an independent life whenever possible.

At times, I found myself tearing up as I relived some of the moments played out for the public's eye, like Jackie's death; John's tragic plane crash; and the constant barrage of paparazzi and stalkers that became as much a part of Caroline's life as the famous name and the legacy that shrouded her life and prevented any attempts at normalcy.

In the final pages of Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot, the author really grabbed me with these passages:

"Perhaps more than any other American's, Caroline's personal life paralleled that of the country. Her private tragedies were our national ones—from the assassinations of her father, Jack, and her Uncle Bobby to the untimely deaths of her mother and her brother. John would be remembered for delivering history's most famous salute at their father's state funeral, but it was Caroline who would remember it all, and become a repository of her family's—and the nation's—grief...."

And in this excerpt: "As the public got to know the grown-up Caroline better, it became increasingly clear that, like Jackie, she displayed what Arthur Schlessinger called `a certain gallantry.' She could not escape her destiny any more than her father, mother, and brother could escape theirs. From the beginning, Caroline was—and remains—America's daughter."

There is nothing more that I can say to convey how touched and affected I was by this story. Five stars seem inadequate. This is a book I would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys tales of family, of obstacles, and of the American political life and its iconic figures.

LOST FAMILY CONNECTIONS

2010-11-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Alone and fragile, Piper Mills does not know what to do next in her life. After her parents died when she was six, and her grandparents took her in, she had found something special in riding horses; she even dreamed of becoming an Olympic equestrian. But then another tragic accident shattered those dreams.

So when her grandfather dies, soon followed by her grandmother, she is almost entombed in the Savannah home where she grew up. Then the family lawyer brings some strange legacies—an angel charm, an old key, and a mysterious hint of more treasures to find.

As she begins searching through an old box she recalls her grandfather buried, she is led to a mysterious room in the attic and more secrets begin to surface.

Her search leads her to an old horse plantation and one of her grandmother's childhood friends. As she begins to unlock the secrets in some scrapbook pages—each of the three girlhood friends kept a set of pages—the pieces gradually fall into place.

But will the secrets shed more light on her grandmother's life, or will they only resurrect more pain? And what will happen to the new bonds forming between Piper and her grandmother's friend Lillian? Will romance follow?

I loved the characters, the settings, and the way the secrets were revealed through old letters, as well as stories told by Lillian Harrington-Ross.

The Lost Hours is a memorable tale that continues in the wonderful tradition of this author to bring evocative family moments to light. 4.5 stars.

A WILD AND HIDDEN AGENDA

2010-10-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

It begins one night in a South Beach bar called The Wild Zone. The players include a bartender (Kristin); a mysterious woman who orders Pomegranate martinis (Suzy); and three guys with various vulnerabilities, axes to grind, and history: Jeff, Tom, and Tom's younger half-brother Will.

Jeff and Tom have been friends for a long time and served in Afghanistan together, returning home with very different records: Jeff, with a medal, and Tom, a dishonorable discharge.

When the three men first catch a glimpse of the mysterious Suzy that night, they bet with one another about who can bed the woman.

Hours later, the beginnings of a very convoluted plan is set in motion.

What agenda is dictating Suzy's actions? And what rivalries between Jeff, Tom, and Will define their actions over the next few days? Who will win Suzy's heart and help her escape from her abusive husband? And what does Kristin have to do with everything that soon happens?

As events begin to escalate, everything falls into place and the complete agenda is revealed.

Without spoiling the plot, this is about all I can say, except that the plot was suspenseful and totally captivated my attention; the characters were realistic, vulnerable, and flawed. How the puzzle finally fits together was surprising to me, although there were certainly clues along the way.

I enjoyed The Wild Zone: A Novel, but it's not my favorite by this author, which is why I'm giving this one four stars.

WHEN CHOICE INTERFERES WITH BLISS....

2010-09-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Proving once again that women's fiction isn't necessarily trite and clichéd, Emily Giffin takes us on a thoughtful journey with her protagonist, Claudia Parr.

A successful book editor married to the man of her dreams, Claudia has it all. She and Ben want the same things and almost think the same thoughts. And while their choice of a child-free life sometimes stirs up controversy amongst friends and associates, they (mostly) move along on their chosen pathway with nary a blip on the radar.

Then one day, something changes. Ben decides that he wants a child after all. At first, Claudia thinks he is just feeling nostalgic because of friends having a baby. But when the desire only grows stronger, and Claudia's views do not change, this one major difference between them seems to be a deal-breaker. They part ways.

In the following weeks and months, Claudia is forced to face the demise of something precious, while at the same time, experiencing new relationships, one of which even seems promising. But always there's that niggling little thought that maybe, just maybe...she might have made a mistake.

I loved this character that narrates the story of Baby Proof and allows us to really know her. We get to see inside her very soul, and her thoughts, feelings, and angst become ours.

Some of the other characters who make up her bookish world are also fascinating; I love reading a tale about the publishing industry. And when the story is set in NY, it is a definite winner for me.

Five stars!

THE LOVELY AWARD!

2010-09-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Awards are fun, aren't they? This one came to me from Dizzy C.

Thank you, Dizzy C!!

Here are the rules for this one:

1) Post the award on your blog with the name of the person and the link;

2) Pay it forward to 15 bloggers;

3) Contact the blog recipients to tell them the news!

And that's it.

So here are my FIFTEEN:

1) Bookworm with a View

2) Farm Lane Books

3) Pink Sheep Cafe

4) Dreams & Speculations

5) The Literary Omnivore

6) Semicolon

7) Book Harbinger

8) Dot Scribbles

9) Among Stories

10) The Feminist Texican

11) Write Meg!

12) Mandy's Escape

13) Petula Writes

14) Spiral Upwards

15) Should Be Reading

Whew, now I'm tired! lol

Hope you all have a fabulous Sunday, and please stop in and share your thoughts!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

THE STRENGTH OF FOOD AND FAMILY -- A REVIEW OF "COMFORT FOOD"

2010-09-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

Augusta "Gus" Simpson, a widow with two grown daughters, is turning fifty, and suddenly, after many years as a top Cooking Channel host, the producers are telling her that ratings are down and something drastic has to be done.

What transpires next is something that Gus thought she could never do—co-host with a diva-like woman, Carmen Vega, who is not happy about the collaboration either. The show gets off to a rocky start, too, when nothing goes as they planned. But unexpectedly, the thrown-together extended family event they create to replace what they had originally imagined turns out to be a big hit.

But was it a fluke, or can they continue bringing in the viewers, and can they work together without a major confrontation between them? And will they garner a second season?

Along the way, Gus finds more benefits that she could ever have hoped for. And when something that could have wrought devastation happens a few months into the season, she has to reassess everything she believed about what she wanted.

On this journey, we come to know each of the characters—Gus; the daughters; the next-door neighbor Hannah, a recluse hiding out from a long-ago secret; and the men they meet who vie for each of their attentions.

This story kept me reading as I laughed, felt frustrations along with them, and celebrated the culmination of all their hard work.

Kate Jacobs has done it again with Comfort Food, this fabulous tale of family, friends, and the hopes and dreams they nurture, even as they all struggle with their issues.

Five stars for this celebratory novel.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

2010-09-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS!! WE HAVE TWO WINNERS IN THE BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!

Our Number One Prize Goes to Jeannine, who won a copy of The Swimming Pool.

And Prize Number Two Goes to Diane, at Bibliophile by the Sea. She won a copy of Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, with their best wishes and congratulatory messages.

FINDING REFUGE AFTER THE STORM....

2010-08-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time a young and bright law school student named Sylvie Serfer met handsome and ambitious law student Richard Woodruff. Back then she had opinions and goals of her own. He wanted to be President.

Now decades later, Sylvie has remade herself into the ideal politician's wife. Her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband: the senator.

All of their hopes and dreams come crashing down one day when Richard is spotlighted on the news about his extramarital affair with a young woman, his former assistant, for whom he'd obtained a prestigious job at an illustrious law firm.

Suddenly Sylvie and her two daughters, Diana and Lizzie, are drawn into the eye of the hurricane with the philandering husband.

What they each do next makes the story. We follow Sylvie's journey as she tries to figure out what she wants and what will happen next. Her travels take her to a small beach town in Connecticut, to an old family house. There she tries to find herself again—that person she was before she became the woman who took care of Richard Woodruff's needs and ignored her own.

In Philadelphia, daughter Diana is married with a six-year-old child. She's a doctor and on the surface appears to have it all. But underneath, she is increasingly unhappy with her life, her marriage, and the empty places inside. Which makes her ripe for an illicit affair.

Then there's Lizzie, who considers herself the family screw-up. A recovering addict, she struggles daily to stay clean and sober and to find something worthwhile of her own to do with her life.

During the summer following the disgrace, Lizzie moves in with Diana, to help with her nephew Milo and to figure out what she wants to do. She always carries a camera around her neck—some say her penchant for snapping photos is her way of distancing herself from life.

Each of these characters is revealed in alternating chapters that dig a little bit more with each page, until we come to feel as though we know them. Their thoughts, their feelings, and their motivations.

When Sylvie invites her daughters to join her in Connecticut, the timing couldn't be better. Diana and Lizzie have each reached turning points in their lives and need a respite of their own. As they all come together, they gradually begin to find refuge in one another.

I loved Fly Away Home: A Novel, a story of scandal, pain, and the after-effects of tragic events...until the very end, I couldn't be sure what each of the women would decide to do. Each had choices to make and changes to create. Like real life individuals, nothing was simple or predictable, but implicit in the ending moments was the promise or hint that maybe things could work out in some way for each of them; that no matter what they decided, they would all be okay.

Five stars.

FIRST BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY HERE! -- AUGUST 16

2010-08-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

As promised, I won't be celebrating ALL of my blogoversaries on all my blogs, but this one deserves a bit of happiness. This particular blog is all about the panacea for those blues. You know, rainy days and Mondays make me blue...well, in this particular site, we are determined to fight the blues with BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS.

So, in the spirit of that prescription, the giveaway today is all about that. From August 16-31.

1) To enter, please leave a comment telling us what book or kind of books do you turn to when you're feeling a bit blue? Also, choose which of the books below you would like to win. Please leave your e-mail address;

2) For an extra point, add a comment about whether or not you follow this blog; you'll get that extra entry if you become a follower;

3) Another entry for blogging or tweeting about this giveaway;

4) Contest open to U.S. and Canada only.

Here are the books up for grabs (some are ARCs, others are not -- all gently used)

1) The Peppered Moth, by Margaret Drabble

2) Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House, by Meghan Daum

3) The Swimming Pool, by Holly LeCraw

4) Heart of the Matter, by Emily Giffin

5) Red Hook Road, by Ayelet Waldman

6) A Visit From the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

GOOD LUCK! AND THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

CONNECTED BY CIRCUMSTANCES

2010-08-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

A series of events triggers a metamorphosis of untold dimensions when Melba Burns witnesses the hit-and-run death of a cyclist. With the tragedy unfolding before her, she then sets in motion a whole parade of circumstances, beginning with her refusal to drive any longer. She also quits her job and holes up in her old farmhouse. Her uneasy peace is then disrupted by a new roommate, JoLee Garry, who introduces an odd assortment of "guests" into Melba's home.

Before too much time passes, her life is thoroughly shaken up.

We meet these characters one by one, from JoLee to her son Matt and then to his father Gene. JoLee also begins a romance with a man named Bill, and her own games ensue. Manipulation is only the first of these.

I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and imagining how tranquil Melba's house would have been without them. It isn't easy inviting strangers into one's own home. In fact some might say she has taken leave of her senses. One could speculate that Melba's own identity has been shaken to the core, which leaves her vulnerable to the intruders. But one guest in particular adds something special and unique to her life—JoLee's son Matt. Caring for and nurturing Matt, when his parents fail at this task, somehow creates a layer of strength and richness to her life.

In the end, we can root for how her presence in this boy's life has also enriched his.

Guest House is one of those tales that resonates and lingers in the reader's memory for a very long time. The story reminds us that we are all connected in one way or another, by circumstances or fate. How we react to the events shaped by destiny tells us more about ourselves than almost anything else. The twist of fate can reveal much about our own strengths and weaknesses.

Five stars.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2010-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, and welcome to our Monday meme hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey. In this weekly meme, we celebrate what we've achieved in the past week and share our plans for the upcoming week.

Bloggy things for me included a few more makeovers (yes, seriously!), plus I have moved my Web of Tyranny Chronicles blog to Word Press. Click the title of the blog to find it.

I extended my Blogoversary Giveaway one more day, so if you hurry, you can still make it.

On Wednesday, check in at Dames of Dialogue, where I'll be interviewing Denise Verrico (paranormal author)

Now for the reading.

Books Read This Week (Click the Titles for the Reviews)

1) The Sea Lady, by Margaret Drabble

2) Hush, by Kate White

Ongoing Read:

Beachcombers, by Nancy Thayer

Books Planned for This Week:

1) It's Murder, My Son, by Lauren Carr -- A Review Copy from the Author (An interview will accompany my review)

Here's one tidbit on Amazon:

"With it's tight plot, well-crafted and believable characters, and complex mystery, It's Murder, My Son is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to many more Mac Faraday mysteries." John J. Lamb, author of the Bear Collector Mysteries "A most unusual and surprising plot, intriguing characters, snappy dialogue, great settings and a dog named Gnarly are the prime ingredients in Lauren Carr's terrific new mystery, It's Murder, My Son."

2) Guest House, by Barbara K. Richardson

Here's a snippet from Amazon:

On a summer afternoon, Melba Burns witnesses a nightmare collision. The unknown bicyclist dies in her arms, ending Melba's desire for success at any cost. She settles into her boxy old farmhouse trying to find a simpler peace. But Melba's stunning new roommate JoLee Garry only magnetizes messes and trouble-she brings a series of unexpected guests who transform Melba's fruitful solo life into something different, darker, and better.

That's it! I'm hoping to see some of you here, sharing your links and comments. Happy Monday!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

MURDER, SUSPENSE, AND A FERTILITY CLINIC....

2010-08-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

When you think the worst has happened, how will you cope with something even more malevolent? These are questions for our heroine Lake Warren. Finding out that her estranged husband Jack is suing for custody of their children seemingly pales when, after a one-night stand with a colleague, Lake finds him murdered in the bed. And from there, things turn even more deadly.

She knows that her presence at the victim's apartment will arouse suspicion, so she doesn't turn to the police...Her custody case and all. But as everything spirals out of control and she finds herself smack in the middle of a dark mystery at the fertility clinic where she works, she feels totally alone. And who can she trust? Everyone she knows could be part of some scandalous dealings at the clinic.

From the first sentences in this story, I was hooked. Lake was a well-drawn and believable character who just kept stepping into the midst of one kind of jeopardy or another. As each character entered the storyline, I found myself wary of each one. Even the kindest of characters was suspect in my mind...the story unfolded in such a way as to enhance the suspense and save the telling details until the very end. Flipping pages as rapidly as possible, I finally reached the satisfying conclusion.

When it comes to thrillers, Hush: A Novel was definitely a winner, and so is Kate White. Five stars for the suspense, the thrill rides, and the vivid characters that brought the plot to a grand finale.

For more about my work, visit LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2010-07-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Here we are at Monday, feeling ready to plunge ahead into the new week. Hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey, this meme offers the opportunity to reflect on the past week, plan for the new one, and visit a lot of blogs.

On the blogging front, I have posted my Book Blogger Hop on a different site this week.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to announce my Blogoversary Giveaway for my Miles to Go blog. Check it out...there are ARCs, plus an autographed copy of Miles to Go.

Now, let's get down to the reading.

Books Read and Reviewed Last Week (Click Title for the Review)

1) Get Lucky, by Katherine Center

2) Still Missing, by Chevy Stevens

3) A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

Books Planned for This Week:

1) Hush, by Kate White (an ARC from Marcia, at The Printed Page)

Some snippets from Amazon:

“Dark, sexy, and smart, HUSH is a pulse-pounding thriller that’s both chilling and provocative. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop - or guess who or why - until the very end. A stunningly good read.” (Linda Fairstein, author of Hell Gate )

“A stand-alone thriller that generates a real sense of jeopardy while avoiding clichés. . . . A subplot about the clinic’s questionable practices adds to the tension, but doesn’t detract from the main plot with its myriad twists.” (Publishers Weekly )

“Sexy and suspenseful, Kate White’s HUSH is a true page-turner. The subtle twists and turns on the glamorous streets of New York City are going to thrill White’s longtime fans and earn her a legion of brand new readers. A clever, fast-paced thriller!” (Lisa Unger, author of Die for You and Beautiful Lies )

2) Beachcombers, by Nancy Thayer

A blurb on Amazon tempts me into diving right into this one!

After her husband leaves her for one of her best friends, middle-aged Marina Warren takes a friend's advice and retreats to Nantucket, the stomping grounds of her youth. She rents a cottage from handsome local widower Jim Fox, who has recently welcomed back his two older daughters, Emma and Abbie, into the house he shares with his third daughter, Lily. Emma has recently lost her job and been left by her fiancé, while Abbie has decided to start an odd-jobs company servicing the wealthy summer crowd. Lily, meanwhile, earns a living as a society reporter for the local magazine and stews in her resentment toward her sisters (who return the sentiment) and newcomer Marina, who clearly has eyes for her father. As each search for fulfillment (and a man), they encounter vexing villains, class struggle, and good old-fashioned romance. Thayer gives narration duties to each sister and Marina in turn, keeping the proceedings fun and engrossing, if a bit repetitive. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

3) The Sea Lady, by Margaret Drabble (Right off of my TBR stacks!)

Here's an Amazon blurb:

The bold latest from by the ever-inventive Drabble (The Red Queen, etc.) tells the tale of two aging academics—Ailsa Kelman, flamboyant feminist activist and TV talking head, and marine biologist Humphrey Clark—who are traveling separately to the North Sea coastal town of Ornemouth: she's presenting a book award that he, unknowingly, will receive. The two met at Ornemouth as children one summer toward the end of WWII; they lost track of one another and haven't seen each other since their brief, disastrous marriage in 1960s London. A cocky narrator reveals the charged memories, of childhood and beyond, that the trip triggers for both—and occasionally breaks free to fill in narrative gaps and pose destiny-altering scenarios. Neither is content: Humphrey is lonely and dissatisfied by his scholarship's mere competence; Ailsa, twice divorced, is uncertain if she's a success or a caricature of success (her cervix has been on TV). Secondaries include red-headed local boy Sandy Clegg, and Ailsa's rich, unscrupulous brother Tommy, in thick with the royals. Nothing as simple as a love story, this prismatic novel shines as a faceted portrait of England's changing mores, as an ode on childhood's joys and injustices, and a primer for marine biology, complete with hermaphrodite crayfish and fossils of sea lilies. Seductive as the tides, it pulls the reader in. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Well, two of these books are about the beach or the sea...Hmm, should I start with one of those? Or the suspense thriller? Dilemmas...

What are you reading this week? And what did you accomplish last week? I hope you'll stop by and share...

Visit me here:

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

CHILLING AND UNFORGETTABLE TALE -- A REVIEW OF "STILL MISSING"

2010-07-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

From the first page until the last, Chevy Stevens' thriller Still Missing takes the reader on a horrific journey.

Young realtor Annie O'Sullivan is conducting an open house, and just when she is ready to leave, she has one last customer. He looks like a very nice, mild-mannered and polite person. He is charming. And then, almost before she knows it, there is a gun at her back and next she is locked in a van. Much later, she is in a remote cabin, locked in and the beginning of her grueling year as a captive begins.

The story unfolds for the reader in a series of therapy sessions, so we know right away that somehow she has survived her captivity. In the sessions, we discover the cruel "rules" of her captor; the indignities she went through; the repeated assaults. But as she points out, the aftermath is equally grueling, in many ways...the constant stream of questions from reporters, the movie deals, and worst of all—her fear of everyone and everything.

For when she finally escapes—and I won't tell you how or when that happened—she still doesn't know who her captor was or why it happened.

Her feeling of isolation and distance from the rest of the world is summed up nicely for the reader when she finds an old flyer of herself that had been posted around town; a smiling portrait of the woman she used to be. She thinks: "Still Missing," because that woman in the photo has not returned.

This story was so chilling, but fascinating and spell-binding, and I couldn't wait until the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. And then the true horror hits Annie (and the reader), when she finally discovers who wanted her abducted and why.

This book was a quick read because I simply couldn't put it down for more than a few minutes. I would give more than five stars if I could. I can't wait to see what this author brings us next.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2010-07-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

It's that time again...our moment to reflect on the past week and to ponder the week ahead. All of those moments are hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey.

In my blogging world this week, I completed some makeovers at Explorations, Curl Up and Read, Collections, and Creative Moments.

Since I've been reading about Harper Lee, I watched the movie Infamous and posted the review HERE.

In my Sunday Salon today, I shared my reading week. Go there to find the links to my reviews for these completed books:

1) Red Hook Road, by Ayelet Waldman

2) Life's a Beach, by Claire Cook

3) Mockingbird, by Charles J. Shields (Review will be up later)

Now I'm very excited about the week ahead:

On My List:

1) Still Missing, by Chevy Stevens

I like this tidbit on Amazon:

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all....

2) A Visit From the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

Just a snippet:

“If Jennifer Egan is our reward for living through the self-conscious gimmicks and ironic claptrap of postmodernism, then it was all worthwhile. . . . A deeply humane story about growing up and growing old in a culture corroded by technology and marketing. . . . [A] triumph of technical bravado and tender sympathy. . ." .

3) Get Lucky, by Katherine Center

Here's a little teaser from Amazon:

Sometimes the worst thing to happen turns out to be the best and vice versa. Sarah Harper does the unthinkable and forwards an inappropriate e-mail to the entire company, losing her job in advertising. Luckily she planned to go home to Houston to spend time with her sister Mackie and her husband. Unfortunately, on the plane, she sits next to Everett, the high-school boyfriend she unceremoniously dumped....

Now I'm all ready to tackle these, but first—share your own plans, so I can click around the blogosphere and add more books to my list! And I hope you'll stop by here....

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

BOOK BLOGGER HOP

2010-07-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning! It's Friday and time for the Hop!

Last week, I enjoyed clicking around the blogosphere and visiting all of your exciting sites. I plan to do the same this week.

Today, our host at Crazy For Books has posed another question:

RIGHT THIS INSTANT, WHAT BOOK ARE YOU DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON (PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE)?

That's not as easy as it might sound. There are so many books that I want to read (beg, borrow or steal), that it's difficult to pick just one. But...for awhile, now, I've had the Amazon button for this one on several sites, and when I see it, I am tempted. I want it! It may not be the one I want the most, but it's one I'd like right now. How's that?

That book is Crazy Aunt Purl's Home Is Where the Wine Is, by Laurie Perry.

Now I'm off to hop around the 'sphere, and I hope you'll stop by here and leave some comments.

Happy Friday!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2010-07-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Here we are at Monday again, and this great weekly meme hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey, offers the opportunity to network, even while we're planning our reading weeks.

Last week, I finished these books:

1) The Lies We Told, by Diane Chamberlain (click title for review)

2) This Must Be the Place, by Kate Racculia (review will be up later today)

Ongoing:

1) Red Hook Road, by Ayelet Waldman

Last week had lots of memes, blogging redesigns, and fun in the sun. This week will be more productive...I'm pretty sure!

Here's What I'm Planning:

1) Mockingbird, by Charles J. Shields, is a portrait of Harper Lee. And since this year is the 50th anniversary of her book, To Kill a Mockingbird, it seemed appropriate that I dig this book out of my TBR pile!

A blurb from Amazon reveals:

Few novels are as beloved and acclaimed as To Kill a Mockingbird and even fewer authors have shunned the spotlight as successfully as its author. Although journalist Shields interviewed 600 of Harper Lee's acquaintances and researched the papers of her childhood friend Truman Capote, he is no match for the elusive Lee, who stopped granting interviews in 1965 and wouldn't talk to him. Much of this first full-length biography of Lee is filled with inconsequential anecdotes focusing on the people around her, while the subject remains stubbornly out of focus. Shields enlivens Lee's childhood by pointing out people who were later fictionalized in her novel. The book percolates during her banner year of 1960, when she won the Pulitzer Prize and helped Capote research In Cold Blood. Capote's papers yield some of Lee's fascinating first-person insights on the emotionally troubled Clutter family that were tempered in his book. Shields believes Lee abandoned her second novel when her agents and her editor—her surrogate family in publishing—died or left the business, leaving her with no support system. There's a tantalizing anecdote about a true-crime project Lee was researching in the mid-'80s that faded away. Sputtering to a close, the final chapter covers the last 35 years in 24 pages. It's also baffling that this affectionate biography ends with three paragraphs devoted to someone slamming her classic work. (June 6)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2) Life's A Beach, by Claire Cook, was another one languishing on my TBR piles, so I had to rescue it when I stumbled upon it while searching for the first book.

A snippet from Amazon:

Must Love Dogs author Cook returns with Ginger Walsh, 41, who has ditched her job in sales and moved above her parent's garage with a cat she calls Boyfriend— despite (or because of) her casual relationship with alluring glassblower Noah. As big sister Geri gets anxious about her impending 50th, their parents decide to sell the house, and Geri's second-grader Riley lands a small role in a horror movie being filmed in their quaint New England town. Ginger babysits Riley on the set and meets a gaffer who may be charming enough to make her forget all about Noah. Cook's wit and unflagging heart save this moderately paced beach read from its anticlimactic ending.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

If I finish both of these books, I will have made a small dent in my TBR stacks, which have been woefully ignored lately with all the newer books on my list.

What are you reading this week? I hope you'll stop by and share.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

BOOK BLOGGER HOP -- JULY 9

2010-07-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

This weekly networking meme is hosted by Crazy For Books.

Our host, Jen, has posed a question for each of us to answer this week.

This week's question: Tell us about some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!

This is an easy one, as I have several favorites: Elizabeth Berg, Jodi Picoult, Joyce Maynard, Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, and Mary Higgins Clark.

These writers offer a range of creations from women's fiction to mystery and suspense. Each of these writers comes through with wonderful, page-turning stories on a regular basis.

Who are your favorites?

This past week, I visited some interesting blogs that were new to me. Here are a few of them:

Cookies, Books & Bikes

Caroline - Portrait of a Woman

Dead White Guys

Buried By Books

Fingers & Prose

So now I'm eager to begin another week of hopping through the blogosphere.

Happy Friday!!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? -- JULY 5

2010-07-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Good morning, and welcome to the Monday meme hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey. This is the gathering place for readers throughout the blogosphere to share their reading weeks, plan ahead for this week, and network with other bloggers.

This has been an interesting week. Again I finished everything I had listed for the week. Plus, I redesigned all of the Blogger blogs (that I hadn't yet made over with the new template designer), and I turned my nightmare task into fun.

Books I Read and Reviewed: (Click HERE to find links to the reviews)

1) Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House, by Meghan Daum

2) Finger Lickin' Fifteen, by Janet Evanovich

3) Husband and Wife, by Leah Stewart

Books Planned for This Week:

1) The Lies We Told, by Diane Chamberlain (Amazon Vine)

A snippet from Amazon:

A hurricane's aftermath affects two sisters whose parents were murdered when they were teens in Chamberlain's (Secrets She Left Behind) murky melodrama. Maya is a frustrated pediatric orthopedist who continues to miscarry the babies her anesthesiologist husband Adam wants. Rebecca, Maya's single older sister, is a free spirit working for Doctors International Disaster Aid and has no interest in having children. After two devastating hurricanes hit North Carolina, Maya and Adam join Rebecca at the aid organization, then Maya goes missing after a helicopter crash. Adam and Rebecca console each other, believing Maya dead, but she's been rescued by creepy country hick Tully. Nursed back to health by Tully's pregnant common-law wife, Simmee, an angelic seventeen-year-old, and Lady Alice Harnett, an eccentric African-American, Maya sees her life about to change drastically. Chamberlain provides an interesting glimpse into how disaster relief works, but Maya's improbable backwoods adventure and its unlikely outcome lead to a feel-sort-of-good resolution that doesn't ring true. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2) Red Hook Road, by Ayelet Waldman (Amazon Vine)

Here's a description that captured my attention:

In her latest novel, Red Hook Road, Ayelet Waldman has nailed the indelible mark that the state of Maine leaves on all visitors who fall for its subtle, insinuating glamour. Red Hook Road is a terrific novel, and might even be a great one. The structure of the book seems perfect to me; the first sentence sets up and readies us for the immense powers of the last one. It tells the stories of two families as different as the Montagues and the Capulets, but with the same tragic and irreversible destines playing out around them....

3) This Must Be the Place, by Kate Racculia (Publisher Review Copy)

Here's a blurb from Amazon:

Racculia's irresistibly charming debut is an artful mix of genres: oddball domestic (set in a boardinghouse, characters named Desdemona and Oneida), coming-of-age (high school loves and teen angst) and literary women's fiction (love, loss, and friendship). Sixteen years ago, Amy Henderson ran away from home to become a special effects creator in Hollywood. After she is killed in an on-set accident, her widower, Arthur, finds a box of memorabilia and sets off to her hometown to understand her past. He moves into a boardinghouse run by Amy's childhood best friend, Mona, and her teenage daughter, Oneida. Initially, Mona acts as Arthur's emotional nurse, but as they realize they hold answers for each other about Amy, their bond grows deeper. Oneida, meanwhile, gets involved with a local bad boy. The third act is nearly done in by an overly foreshadowed secret, but Racculia smartly keeps the focus on Oneida, Arthur, and Mona's reactions to the revelation (rather than the reveal itself). With its happy ending and rich trove of Gen-X references and humor, this is a thoroughly enjoyable first novel, both accessibly absurd and quite touching. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I am really looking forward to my reading week! I hope the rest of you will stop by and share your own delightful books and reading experiences.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

BOOK BLOGGER HOP -- JULY 2

2010-07-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Good morning, and Happy Fourth of July Weekend! Here we are, celebrating the beginning of the weekend with the fabulous Hop hosted by Jen, at Crazy for Books.

Just to get us going, Jen has asked us to delve into our personal blogging histories and share a little bit about why we started blogging.

Hi, my name is Laurel-Rain Snow and I'm a blogaholic. Yes, that's what I said. Two years ago, I started my first blog, Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow, and for a little over a year, I did basically nothing with it. I did posts, but they seemingly fell into "the air." Then in June 2009, I joined Book Blogs, and met Sheila, at Book Journey. That was my introduction to the book blogging community. To say that my blogging adventures changed after that would be an understatement. To read more, check our my Blogging Journey.

Okay, enough about me! While hopping around the blogosphere this past week, I discovered some fascinating blogs.

1) Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing

2) Windows Wide Open

3) Between Library Shelves

4) Lucybird's Book Blog

5) Books Before Breakfast

Each of these blogs offers something unique, which is what I'm searching for when I hop around the 'sphere.

What intriguing blogs did you discover? And what is your blogging journey all about?

I hope you'll hop on by!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? -- JUNE 28

2010-06-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Good morning, and welcome to our exciting Monday event hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey. This is our opportunity to hop around the blogosphere, discovering new blogs and new books. What could be better?

This past week, I finished all three books on my list.

1) The Gin Closet, by Leslie Jamison

2) The Shadow of Your Smile, by Mary Higgins Clark

3) Man Crazy, by Joyce Carol Oates

Check out my Sunday Salon post to find the links to my reviews.

Hoping for another productive week, I have chosen a mix of books that should keep me turning pages with eagerness.

1) Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House, by Meghan Daum, came from Amazon Vine.

In this story, the author's "cautionary tale about house lust tracks her dizzying succession of moves from New York City to Lincoln, Neb., to Los Angeles. Place becomes inextricably linked with being, and fashioning an impressive shelter creates a whole life, from choosing college at Vassar because it could ultimately secure her a shabby yet elegant prewar apartment in Manhattan to a self-empowering, self-confessed hare-brained relocation at age 29—single, and now an established journalist and author—to the plains of Nebraska to achieve the perpetually elusive integrity...."

2) Husband and Wife, by Leah Stewart, came to me from Mary, at Bookfan. Thanks, Mary!

Here's a description on Amazon:

Some confessions are better left unuttered, as Sarah Price learns in Stewart's (The Myth of You and Me) solid latest. When novelist Nathan Bennett confesses to his wife, Sarah, right before a friend's wedding that he slept with another woman (his novel is titled Infidelity), Sarah's concerns shift from whether the dress she plans to wear to the wedding makes her look fat to what she will do about her future and that of their two young children, Mattie and Binx. What follows is an unflinching look at what happens when one's identity is shattered, and what-ifs and past choices come back to haunt the present. Chief among these what-ifs: Rajiv, an old friend nursing a long-unrequited crush on Sarah, and Sarah's longing to be seen once again as a poet. Stewart's graceful prose and easy storytelling pull the reader into caring about what happens to the struggling heroine while exploring the many gray areas of life and marriage. The conclusion, while true to Sarah, is surprising but not unrealistic. (May)

3) Finger Lickin' Fifteen, by Janet Evanovich, will be my second foray into the world of Stephanie Plum.

This tidbit sounds a bit grim:

Bestseller Evanovich recycles tired themes better executed in earlier adventures in her latest Stephanie Plum adventure (Fearless Fourteen, etc.). When Lula inadvertently witnesses the beheading of culinary TV star Stanley Chipotle in a Trenton, N.J., alley, Stephanie's on-again off-again boyfriend, cop Joe Morelli, reluctantly takes the case. Lula, with the help of Grandma Mazur, enters the same barbequing competition Chipotle was in town to promote, hoping to lure the murderers out of hiding. Meanwhile, Ranger has recruited Stephanie to help solve a series of break-ins at properties under the protection of Rangeman Security. The inevitable sparks fly between Stephanie and Ranger, with Morelli grumbling on the sidelines. Evanovich dishes up her usual mixture of shoot-'em-up action (numerous cars explode) and quirky characters (notably a neighborhood flasher with a devoted following), but the lackluster plot will disappoint fans. (June 23)

So...I think I'll keep busy with these books. What are you reading? I hope you'll stop by and tell all about it.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

THE SECRET HEIRESS

2010-06-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

When 82-year-old Olivia Morrow receives the news that she is dying and has little time left, she must make a big decision. Many years ago, her deceased cousin Catherine, who became a nun, had a big secret. And Olivia has letters in her possession that confirm the details of the fact that, at age seventeen, Catherine gave birth to a baby boy, whom she subsequently put up for adoption. The child's father, Alex Gannon, went on to become a world-famous doctor, scientist, and inventor holding medical patents.

Just to complicate things a bit further, this same nun is being considered for "beatification" because of alleged miracles she has performed, by healing terminally ill children.

Meanwhile, also living in New York City is Dr. Monica Farrell, daughter of that same child, completely unaware that she is the only living "issue" of that famous man. His other relatives—nephew, etc.—are squandering the fortune and are involved in nefarious activities. Unaware of the possible connection between them, Dr. Farrell is being called upon to "testify" as to the medical facts and supposed miracle that healed one of her patients, all in support of the sainthood of this nun.

So the scene is set. What will Olivia do? And what will certain others do to keep the truth from coming to life?

Through the pages and chapters, which I am rapidly turning as the suspense builds, we see glimpses of each of these characters and watch as events speed up and tensions heighten, while lives hang in the balance—literally. I enjoyed the way the author pulled in supposedly incidental characters and created unique circumstances that would help bring down the house of cards built by the unworthy characters, somehow forestalling disaster.

This was a very quick read, due in large part to the way this author builds suspense and gives us layers of the story, with each subsequent chapter bringing us closer to the ultimate conclusion.

The Shadow of Your Smile was a definite five star read for me!

BOOK BLOGGER HOP -- JUNE 25

2010-06-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

Hello from the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jen, at Crazy for Books.

I've been hopping around the blogosphere for this hop and for various other memes, and in the spirit of "hopping," I'm going to give a shout out to these three blogs:

CMash Loves to Read

Pen and Paper

The Books of My Life

Hope you'll hop on by here, and also check out the blogs I mentioned above. See you in the blogosphere!!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2010-06-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

Yay, it's Monday again! Did you ever think you'd be happy for a Monday morning? Well, I certainly didn't, but now that we have this wonderful meme, hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey, we can all be excited about Mondays.

Here's our chance to celebrate the books we've read, plan the books we're going to read, and hop around the blogosphere, collecting new titles and connecting with other bloggers.

Other Blogging Activities This Week:

I just added another blog on Word Press, to even things out (yeah, right!), so now I have a total of twenty blogs. This latest one is my place to muse, reflect, and rant about issues, and it's called Meditations by Laurel-Rain.

Here's what I read last week:(Click HERE, for my Sunday Salon post, and links to the reviews)

1) The Lake Shore Limited, by Sue Miller

2) Every Last One, by Anna Quindlen

3) Heart of the Matter, by Emily Giffin

Here's My List for This Week:

1) The Gin Closet, by Leslie Jamison

First-time novelist Jamison portrays three generations of “wounded women” in an exquisite blues of a novel. The youngest, pretty Stella, is living the hip, single New York life, but she takes the train to Connecticut at night to care for Lucy, her grandmother, from whom age is stealing strength and clarity. When Stella learns a family secret, that she has a long-estranged aunt, she finds Tilly in a trailer park in Nevada and becomes entangled in her toxic sorrows. Narrating by turns in each lonely woman’s voice, Jamison creates emotionally complex scenes of harsh revelation in language as scorching as the gin Tilly downs in terrifying quantities. Stella is nearly as bedeviled, having struggled with the weird, dicey power of anorexia. The two make their way to Tilly’s banker son’s fortress of an apartment in a sketchy neighborhood in San Francisco, where all three are forced to recognize the limits of love. With trenchant cameos by other women teetering on the brink, Jamison’s novel of solitary confinement within one’s pain is hauntingly beautiful. --Donna Seaman

2) The Shadow of Your Smile, by Mary Higgins Clark

This snippet from Amazon really piqued my interest:

When a deceased nun, Sister Catherine, becomes a candidate for sainthood in this gripping thriller from bestseller Clark (Just Take My Heart), Monica Farrell, a 31-year-old Manhattan pediatrician, becomes the target of those who don't want her to inherit what's left of a fortune created by her unknown grandfather, Alex Gannon, with whom Catherine had a secret love child before she took up holy orders. That child, given up for adoption, became Monica's father. Monica must now testify whether two boys became cancer-free due to prayers to Sister Catherine so she can qualify for beatification. Meanwhile, Olivia Morrow, Catherine's 82-year-old dying cousin, ponders whether to tell Monica she's Alex's granddaughter. Clark skillfully mixes spiritual questions with down and dirty deeds as she reveals Gannon Foundation funds have been steadily siphoned off by greedy heirs and associates who will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep their criminal misbehavior under wraps. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

3) Man Crazy, by Joyce Carol Oates has been on my TBR stacks, just waiting for the right moment.

A blurb from Amazon:

Ingrid Boone and her too-young momma, Chloe, live a hard-bitten life on New York's Chautauqua River as they flee Luke, a Vietnam vet who fathered Ingrid. The mostly no-account men who people Chloe's boozy existence pale beside crazed Luke, who keeps tracking down his family. Little wonder that Ingrid grows into a self-destructive adolescent, sinking into a morass of drugs and self-mutilation, believing that the path to love is lots of pain. Under the thrall of the cult leader of a motorcycle gang, Ingrid suffers a downward spiral that is nearly complete when she is gang-raped, forced to witness a decapitation, then imprisoned in a filthy basement with nothing to eat but garbage and animal waste. At the end, Oates (We Were the Mulvaneys, LJ 11/15/96) asks readers to believe that two years of hospitalization and intensive therapy bring Ingrid miraculous redemption and true love in the arms of her much older former psychiatrist. An ugly tale told, without question, by a master of evocative misery, but to what purpose? For Oates fans only.?Beth E. Andersen, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., Mich.

What are you reading this week? I'm sure I'll want to add your titles to my HUGE list, so please stop by and share!

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

BOOK BLOGGER HOP -- JUNE 18

2010-06-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hosted by Crazy for Books, this hop is our way of exploring the blogosphere and discovering blogs that are new to us.

Last week, we also had Bloggiesta for that...so we were quite busy connecting with everyone.

While I was hopping, I found some blogs that were new to me, and among them, I'd like to feature these three:

Loving Books

The Book Coop

A Moment with Mystee

So...I hope you'll hop on by and share some comment love.

LAUREL-RAIN SNOW CREATIONS

FACING EVERY LAST ONE OF OUR FEARS...

2010-06-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Mary Beth Latham seems like a typical mom, with normal, well-adjusted kids and a loving, successful husband. Always surrounded by friends, this family is the hub of much social activity. The kids include Ruby, the seventeen year old writer, and Max and Alex, fraternal twins. Alex is an athlete and Max is a drummer who doesn't quite fit in. Then Max becomes depressed, and the family's focus turns toward him. Meanwhile, Ruby's ex-boyfriend, Kiernan, a boy from a dysfunctional family, gloms onto the Lathams in an excessive way. But nobody wants to reject him. He is so needy. Yet he is always there. Staying for dinner, watching, snapping photographs, sneaking into rooms and leaving gifts.

As the story moves gradually toward something that seems to always be there, lurking, and just out of reach, I found myself holding my breath. Thinking "oh, no, don't go there." But of course, events proceed and suddenly, and in unexpected ways, we are on a crash course toward disaster.

Afterwards, in horror, we come to fully understand what has happened. This reveal was done so skillfully, showing bits and pieces to the reader until the full picture has emerged. And then we see the reality slowly seeping into Mary Beth's awareness and watch her as she begins to pick up the pieces.

Looking back, after the fact, we have to ask: what, if anything, could have changed things? Could any of these characters have prevented the inevitable? And what now? As Mary Beth tries to make sense of this changed life of hers, we feel so connected to her and empathetic to her plight.

This author has a way of creating characters that are flawed, yet sympathetic, vulnerable, yet strong. She demonstrates once again that no topic is off-limits or too difficult to handle. With her latest novel, Every Last One: A Novel, she pulls it off flawlessly.

Five stars!

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