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Lucky4750@aol.com
SUMMER LIGHT by Luanne Rice, 5+ stars
This book was a great read. I definitely could not put this one down. It is filled with so
many emotions. May Taylor is a thirty-something wedding planner, a business that her
grandmother, mother and aunt ran before she took over. May is the single mother of Kylie
and lost all faith in the love department when Kylie's father turns his back on May when
she gets pregnant. But Kylie at the age of five has a special gift, a gift where she can
see and hear things other people cannot. Her visions lead her mother to find a love she'd
never have dreamt possible. She meets Martin Cartier, a professional hockey player for the
Boston Bruins. It's love at first sight for May and Martin. Price takes you through their
relationship with many emotions.
A BEND IN THE ROAD by Nicholas Sparks, 4 stars
I enjoyed this book about Miles a deputy sheriff who lost his wife in a hit and run
accident. He has a small son and when he meets his son's teacher, he falls deeply in love.
But his obsession with finding the driver of the car that killed his wife two years
earlier puts tremendous strain on their relationship. It gets more intense when the
identity of the driver comes to Miles attention.
THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR by Barbara Delinsky, 4 stars
Three couples living on a cul-de-sac with a young widow next door raises a lot of
questions on who the father of her baby is. Never having seen visitors at her house, the
wives ,knowing each of their husbands were over her house for one problem or another makes
for serious discussions.
CMSivula@aol.com
THE BEST LOVED POEMS OF JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS by Caroline Kennedy, 5 stars
I have not done a lot of reading since the 11th of September until my daughter bought me a
book that I have been waiting for and am now finding a lot of comfort and peace with. It
is Caroline Kennedy's: The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. No one alive on
November 22, 1963 will disagree that it was the quiet courage and heroism of this great
lady that brought us through one of our defining moments in history. When I think of her
at her young age, watching her husband die in her arms and then dealing with all that she
had to, I find strength in the words that she loved and wrote. She and President
Kennedy brought us through some very tough times as a nation, when we weren't sure if
civilization or our nation could endure and we did.
I give the book five stars. Caroline has written a very tender forward that provides us
with a glimpse into her life as a child. She also has made small notations on many of the
poems included that tell us a little about why it was a special poem to either of her
parents or she and John. Ironically, many of the poems I had heard of before and were
favorites of mine as well, which was also a bit of a comfort in these times.
Caroline included several that her mother had written at the end of the book. What a
joy to find out that this fine lady was also a bit of a poet; just one more of her many
charms.
EDMARYMOM@aol.com
THE SWEET POTATO QUEENS BOOK OF LOVE, 4 stars
The Sweet Potato Queens have a wonderful sense of humor and have no qualms about sharing
it with everyone! I think every woman who reads it will find either they have said
the same things, or wish they had the quick wits to. This book was a quick, light
read,just perfect! I've lent their second book to a friend and can't wait to get it back
so I can read it.
kaos@mato.com
AFTER LONG SILENCE by Helen Fremont, 4 stars.
A memoir that reads like a novel. Very gripping. About two sisters who grow up
Catholic only to discover that their parents were Jewish Holocaust survivors and kept that
a secret from everyone. The book chronicles the sisters' search to uncover their
past.
LA999@aol.com
BLACKBIRD by Jennifer Lauck, 5 stars
STILL WATERS by Jennifer Lauck, 5 stars
LIFE ON THE COLOR LINE by Gregory S. Williams, 4 stars
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquival, 4 stars
JEarh13191@aol.com
OVERKILL by Susan McBride
Litchfield, Texas, a quiet suburb of Dallas, hasn't had a homicide in more than four
years. That's why police detective Maggie Ryan transferred to Litchfield from the DPD,
because she could no longer stomach the fights, the shootings, and the knifings. But when
Maggie and her partner, John Phillips, are called to investigate the murder of
sixteen-year-old Pauletta Thomas while she sat peacefully on her school bus, it's almost
more than she can handle. In her second suspense novel, Overkill, author Susan
McBride weaves a taut suspense/mystery tale that leaves the reader looking over his/her
shoulder.
Pauletta is a victim of Williams' Syndrome, a physical and mental disability in which its
sufferers "test like retarded children, talk like gifted children, behave like
disturbed children and function like a learning disabled child." Was Pauletta's
murder just another random of violence, or was she the intended target? Why was the
murderer so brutal in his attack on the happy-go-lucky teenager? And perhaps, more
important, why did the gunman leave the school bus driver critically injured and two Downs
Syndrome girls alive and untouched? What could Pauletta possible have done? Or seen?
Along the way, the investigation into Pauletta's murder stirs up old memories that Maggie
has never resolved. While her mother lies in a coma in a nearby hospital, Maggie
fights her own hatred, her own vulnerability, her own demons. McBride does an
outstanding job in creating a character that is tough enough to handle the job of a
twenty-first century cop. In handling Maggie's demons, McBride does the reader a
service by not giving away all the gory details, but lets the readers fills them in along
the way.
Gleaned from today's society of school shootings and increasingly violence by and toward
children, McBride shatters not only the tiny town of Litchfield, but makes the reader feel
vulnerable as well. Overkill is every parent's, and every police officer's,
nightmare. First the desperate hunt to find the killer, the hot tips that lead to a
cold trail, then coming to grips that with the horrific realities that no one is ever
really safe.
Cipsi2@aol.com
WORD FREAK by Stefan Fatsis, 5 stars
I have never liked the game of Scrabble because I always quickly lose, so it was with
amazement that I found myself totally charmed by this book full of brilliant minds, funny
characters, amazing feats and encouraging lessons, written by a man who knows how to write
(AND play Scrabble!)
THE LONG SUMMER by Charles Marsh, 3 Stars
Mr. Marsh tells the story of his father, a pastor in a large Baptist Church in Laurel,
Mississippi during the late '60's, who for a long time continues to ignore the changes
being demanded by the Civil Rights era in favor of the old fashioned, tried and true
come-to-the-altar-and-be-saved evangelism of the historically evangelical, fundamental
churches. Change comes, but not in the way the father expects. The book is not quite
sure what it wants to be; there are some chapters on the author's adolescent sexual
awareness that seem very out of place. Nevertheless, the book certainly recalls to our
memories that dynamic time of struggle for civil rights, causing us again to reflect that
we still have a long way to go.
CROSSING THE WATER: 18 Months on an Island Working with Troubled Boys - A Teacher's
Memoir by Daniel Robb, 3 stars
An interesting book most important for showing us just how deep seated the problems are in
the lives of the young men sent to this Island School. One would wish the school and
teachers would have a better long-term success rate, though some of their graduates do
manage to "make it." What you come out of the book with is what an amazing sense
of dedication the teachers have, and at what personal emotional risk they open themselves
to in order to reach these young men.
THE BLUE NOWHERE by Jeffrey Deaver, 5 Stars
I'm a fan of Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme books, and this is the only one outside that series
that I am crazy about. He had me guessing who the perp was at every twist of the
plot. I think one should have an interest in computers to enjoy the book. My husband
is an e-mail-only computer user and he couldn't understand a word of the book, but I sure
did lap it up. This is a keeper! And of course the title of his book has
become my synonym now for going online!
Bberrycrk@aol.com
CONSUMING PASSIONS by Michael Lee West, 4 stars
It is a southern woman writing about food. I have hopped up and made some of the
recipes in the book because she made me so hungry. It is not a cookbook, but a book
with some recipes among the stories. Food must be one of my favorite subjects because I am
enjoying it very much
Riposte496@aol.com
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG by Andre Dubus III, 5 stars
What a terrific book. I recommend it to both men and women, that is if one enjoys a
suspenseful, riveting story. Couldn't put it to down after the first chapter to see
how, and if, it all works out. This is the kind of story to read now, particularly
with all the upheaval in the world; it'll help to understand people and what motivates
them.
In my opinion, worthy of 5 stars.
Lgluhani@aol.com
LONG TIME NO SEE by Susan Isaacs, 4 1/2 stars
I'd forgotten how much I liked this author and her earlier book, COMPROMISING
POSITIONS. This is a light, zingy murder mystery with the main character a
post-menopausal woman with a wry sense of humor (think Erma Bombeck with
attitude). Lots of fun to read.
BSch195680@aol.com
EMERSON THE MIND ON FIRE by Robert D. Richardson Jr., 2 1/2 stars
I give it 2 and a half stars-although it is thorough, the writer is too dry and academic,
one is starved for Emerson to come alive.
babyroses1624@aol.com
Sticks&Scones by Diane Mott Davidson, 5 stars
monysmom@mediaone.net
A MORTAL BANE by Roberta Gellis, 4 stars
This is the first in a promising mystery series from an author known mainly for writing
romance novels but I am enjoying it very much. It is set in England, during the feud
between Empress Maude and King Stephen. Magdalene is the of an upscale whorehouse set next
to a priory, and is under the protection of the Bishop of Winchester (King Stephen's
brother) and William of Ypres (a right hand man of King Stephen). When a papal messenger
who shows up at her doorstep is later murdered during a secret meeting at the priory, and
his pouch containing a papal bull for the king goes conveniently missing, Magdalene is
forced to join forces with the Bishop's knight, Sir Bellamy, to discover the killer before
r she and her girls will become the most convenient and politically correct suspects for
capture and hanging.
Whimsey03@aol.com
DANCE UPON THE AIR by Nora Roberts, 4 stars
My first Nora Roberts novel was a nice read. Good combination of the magical and the real.
Some of the plot seemed too close to a certain Julia Roberts, Kevin Anderson movie, but I
enjoyed it. I don't read many romance novels, but I like Nora Roberts and will continue
reading some of her other works.
CAROLINA MOON by Nora Roberts, 4 stars
I'm only halfway through with this one, but I enjoy her characters and
plotting. Again, a mix of romance with a touch of the psychic makes for a nice storyline.
I particularly enjoy the setting in a part of the country I'm familiar with. This is a
good read.
Rah4ECU@aol.com
BLACK HOUSE by Stephen King and Peter Straub
My reading list currently includes Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub. I
am almost finished with this one and it's fantastic. It started out very slowly, and I was
angry because it was obviously not King's style or voice. I thought Straub had
written the entire book and King had only lent his name. Was I ever wrong!
About a third of the way through the book, the style and voice began changing and by
half way through the book, it was obvious this was King at his finest.
Imagine my surprise when I realized this was a part of The Dark Tower series! Superb
suspense and realistic, as well as surreal, settings! The plot is absolutely
engaging, and I can't put it down for more than an hour without picking it back up.
Anyone who loves Stephen King will love this book. Give it a try.
AGsam85@aol.com
JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte, 5 stars
THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 5 stars
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemingway, 4 stars
IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote, 5 stars
VALAITISH@aol.com
SUZANNE'S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS by James Patterson, 3 stars
This is what happens when good men try to write romances! I wanted to like this book, but
found it improbable and overly sentimental. It's been said aptly said by others -- if you
liked THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, you'll like Suzanne's Diary.
JWIsley@aol.com
EVIL MEANS by Sandra West Prowell, 5 stars
THE KILLING OF MONDAY BROWN by Sandra West Prowell, 5 stars
WHEN WALLFLOWERS DIE by Sandra West Prowell, 5 stars
Just finished 3 mysteries by Sandra West Prowell and I really enjoyed them. She
writes about Montana and describes it so realistically, not only its politics, its social
problems but also its scenic beauty. Phoebe, the Private Investigator, provides the
reader not only with wonderful, fast-paced dialogue but situations she gets into and out
of like a fast moving train.Ms Prowell can't write these fast enough !
Jajimeg@aol.com
ANGELHEAD by Greg Bottoms, 5 stars
A short but incisive memoir of his brother's descent into acute paranoid schizophrenia and
its long-term effects on him and the other members of his family. As his brother
spirals further and further into the depths of his disease, Greg Bottoms' writing evokes
your sympathy, disgust, and your understanding. A very well-written look at a
horrifying disease.
Motphin@aol.com
LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER by D.H. Lawrence, 5 stars
Excellent classic literature! Don't know how I ever missed this one! What really piqued my
interest was the fact the book finally was allowed to be published in the USA some 30 yrs
after it's first publication. And you ask yourself WHY? The description of the flowers and
trees in the woods in addition to the feelings/emotions/sensations of Connie and her
'lover' are so well described that you are easily caught up in the moment. Also, you
almost forget that this story is taking place some 70 yrs ago and could in reality be
within our lifetimes.
GoingPlacesGal@aol.com
IN A DRY SEASON by Peter Robinson, 4 stars
A wonderful novel that juxtapositions World War II England and the England of today.
A woman's body is discovered to have been murdered. The story tracks the victim's
past to the murderer's present. The how and the why will hold your attention and the
reasons will surprise you with their integrity.
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