100+ Books in 2025 discussion
2019 Lists
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Nan's 2019 Reads
2. Vengeance in Death by J.D. RobbVengeance is mine...
In this sixth book in the series, Eve Dallas is after a vengeful angel, who is killing people connected to Rourke. Summerset is being targeted as the killer, with his alibi sketchy.
The past is catching up with Rourke and Summerset, and it is a life or death game for Eve. Time is running out as a homicidal maniac comes closer to his main target.
From serious to humorous to hot, Robb has created several memorable characters in Dallas and Rourke. Ancillary characters of Summerset, Feeny, and Peabody just add to the fun of this series.
3. The Panopticon by Jenni FaganAnais is just trying to live her life. A troubled teen in a unit called the Panopticon, she joins others who have issues, too. Written in a Scottish vernacular, this makes for difficult reading at first. She indicts the care system even while becoming a part of a new kind of family (the other inmates). Language is graphic.
4. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik LarsonFrom different perspectives, the lead up to, the torpedoing itself, and the aftermath of the event that brought about shock throughout the world about the Lusitania's last crossing is the focus of Larson's book.
The author follows the career of the Captain Turner, captain of the Lusitania. He also follows some of the passengers of the ship as well as following the captain of the submarine (U-20) which fired the torpedo which sank the Lusitania. Into this mix, he also follows President Wilson including his romancing of his second wife. In the background is the British group of men, who protected their sources of information to the detriment of many people.
Well researched, and quite detailed, the book starts slowly, but picks up in as the ship approaches Liverpool. It shines a light on the events leading to the United States joining the first world war.
4.5 stars
5. I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzieWow! What a twisted tale of a family...lies and secrets are just part of what makes this novel so suspenseful.
Told from the perspective of all the main characters (Margaux, Mary, Liddie, Kate, Ryan, Sean, and Amanda), this is the story of Camp Macaw, a deadly attack twenty years earlier, and the family dynamics that come to the forefront with the reading of a will.
Who killed Amanda? Which family member was the culprit behind the attack? As secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered, the siblings discover the truth.
Suspenseful, this may be the author's best novel to date as she teases out the story bit by bit with surprising twists throughout.
As for whodunit, I'll never tell!
6. The Moment Keeper by Buffy AndrewsTwo young girls with similar events, but with two very different upbringings, is the gist of this novel.
Sarah's life ends and with it, she becomes the moment keeper for Olivia. She records the moments for Olivia as her moment keeper did for her.
Sarah always felt unloved by her father, never knew her mother who died giving birth to her, and had the love of her dear grandmother. Her life wasn't easy, and ends tragically.
Olivia, on the other hand, was adopted at birth, has two loving parents, and seems to have it all together, with the heart, soul, and skill to be a professional dancer.
As Sarah records those important moments of Olivia's life, she also looks back on her own life and her own momentous occasions, comparing them to Olivia's uncannily similar events.
Almost living parallel lives except for the quality of one vs. the other.
Why Sarah was chosen to be Olivia's moment keeper? Is there a reason that they linked together?
This was a novel that defies description; it is alternately hopeful and heartbreaking. There is also a spiritual component to it that will make the reader think about life decisions. And even a bit of mystery will keep the reader guessing long after the story is done.
WTT: several green-eyed characters as well as at least hair tucking incident noted; there may be others.
7. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel HollisWritten in a breezy no-holds-barred style, Rachel Hollis, author, blogger, and more, she doesn't spare herself as she recounts some of her personal downfalls because of the various lies she and most women believe.
A self-help book that in twenty chapters not only explains, but outs the lies for what they are, how they cause problems for women. Moreover she shares some of her own missteps in her life to illustrate how destructive negative self-talk destroys, and that by revealing the lies for what they are, that women can gain control over their lives and become the powerful women they have the potential to be.
Here are a few quotes (but this book is chock full of them):
"Only YOU have the power to change your life." (p. 211)
"Stop waiting for SOMEONE ELSE to fix your life! (p. 212)
8. Delicate Ink by Carrie Ann RyanThis contemporary romance features a bearded, tattooed hunk of a guy, Austin Montgomery, and a new woman in town, Sierra Elder.
The former wants a long-term relationship (he wants to settle down); the latter is resistant to the idea (she is trying to get her business off the ground). Still, they both provide the other with a certain something.
Family gets in the way; old relationships get in the way; and their pasts get in the way. Can they get beyond all the hurdles? If so, is a happily-ever-after possible for this pair? Especially when surprises could derail them?
A couple of things bothered this reader: while the cover shows a hot guy, it runs counter to the description of Austin. Yes, the man on the cover sports ink, but he is definitely not bearded. There are also quite a few typos and errors missed during proofing and editing.
On the other hand, positives include the glimpses of family dynamics in the siblings and cousins who are supportive of their other family members. Each rather sets up the possibility of other stories in this series. The relationship between Liam and Sierra was uplifting, and that it was so natural was part of its charm.
9. Before We Were Yours by Lisa WingatePast and present collide in this heartbreaking story of a family torn apart by an unscrupulous, abusive woman running the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society.
The past is told from the perspective of Rill Foss, who is a member of a family of river gypsies. She is the oldest of five siblings, all of whom are taken into custody by Georgia Tann. When Rill's mother goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital with complications, the children are then rounded up with the promise of visiting her and their father.
But it is not to be. Georgia Tann dumps the five into a home of abuse, with the plan of adopting each child out to rich childless couples across the United States. This lucrative plan affects not just the Foss children, but to countless other children who were ripped from their families from the 1920s to the 1950s.
The present is told through the perspective of Avery Stafford and May Crandall. A chance remark starts Avery on a quest to figure out how May and her grandmother Judy are linked. As her grandmother becomes more and more confused because of dementia, Avery has a more difficult time getting information about the past. Too many secrets affect them all.
Based on a real life scandal. Wingate tells a story both heartbreaking and hopeful, poignant and powerful. The story of Rill and her siblings is worth the read.
This is the third novel by this author that I have read, and this is, by far, my favorite despite the face I really loved them, too.
10. A Heart Across the Ocean by Shelley KassianNew France, an adventure in love
A historical novel about a woman who is escaping her past and the soldier who catches her. Traveling across the Atlantic to find a husband, Madeline is beautiful and carries a secret within. Falling into the arms of a captain, Julian, she makes an impression on him.
Julian has finally given up all hope of marrying his beloved Catherine, but his commander demands he marry one of King's daughters, who are women of good breeding but few prospects. Enter Madeline, who literally falls into his arms.
She has a secret, but will that deter Julian? Once he finds out, will be abandon her? Or will this become a love match?
It is a romance without graphic sex scenes.. What intimate moments there are tender and sweet. The love story builds slowly, but is worth the drawn out tension between the pair.
A few misused words in the text and off turns of language, but it didn't distract too much...an example: the word prodigy should have been progeny.
11. Haints and Hobwebs by Jennifer Estep
a novella in which Gin Blanco, AKA the Spider, helps out a haint who is haunting first a cemetery stone and then Gin herself
12. Long Way Home by Neve CottrellAlexis McAdams returns home to Mangrove Island after 17 years. Mending fences with her family and finding a new love is just the beginning of her healing.
13. Kill the Queen by Jennifer EstepJennifer Estep brings a whole new world of fantasy (Bellona, which was mentioned in her Venom in the Veins) to life in this novel. The world is full of magiers, masters, morphs, and mutts; each has their own special traits and tricks.
Lady Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair (Evie to her friends) is in the court of Queen Cordelia of Bellona. She is the lowest of the low living in the shadows of the court. Her cousin Vasilia is the crown princess, and Evie escapes from the dark, sordid events of the court, hiding out with a gladiator troupe.
Evie must take on the mantle of a gladiator and save Bellona from the new queen by killing the queen.
Like her other series, Evie is a strong female lead with a humorous bent. Unlike her other series, she didn't hide any Easter eggs (or if she did, this reader missed them).
Can't wait for the next book in the series, Protect the Prince (a sneak peek of the first few chapters were included with the novel), to find out what is next for Evie and the other characters.
Wtt trends: noticed only smirks.
14. Holly and Mistletoe by Susan Mallery4.5 stars--A contemporary romance between a firefighter who is afraid to love and a young woman who has trust issues is this offering from Susan Mallery.
Holly meets Jordan when a storm destroys her apartment, and he rescues her cat Mistletoe, but in so doing, he is injured. Feeling guilty for his injury, she does her best to visit and do minor nursing care for him. When he finds out she is living in her store at night, he invites her to stay with him (chaperoned, of course...she is, after all, a virgin, and he, a gentleman) until after Christmas and her new place is ready.
A slow building romance with heart and some spicy scenes makes for smiles. Can she learn to trust Jordan? Can he let go of his fear of love? Will they have a happily ever after, or will their issues doom this couple?
Mistletoe is a welcome change from novels tending to feature dogs. His brothers and their families make for an upbeat holiday romance. Few WTT trends seen.
15. Beast of Darkness by Lisa Renee JonesPart romance, part fantasy all come together in Nowhere, Texas.
Max, a Knight in White, is sent to help fix an evil that permeated the town. For him, it is a test he must pass to continue in battle against the forces of demons. Feeling part demon himself, he is also battling his emotions.
Sarah, a spiritualist who hears the voices of dead people, is called to Nowhere, too. Her crew of Cathy and Edward are by her side to fight demons as well.
When Max and Sarah meet, there is an instantaneous recognition of soulmates, but battling demons is foremost and evil must be overcome. Still, sexual tension is high, and protecting Sarah from harm is always in the background for Max.
Part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
16. Christmas With You by Tracey AlvarezA contemporary Christmas-themed romance featuring Carly, a young woman who is down in the dumps about the loss of her father, and Kip, a young man who is trying to make his own way without regard to his family's wishes.
Working together at her brother's bar brings them together especially when she falls on him while decorating the place for Christmas. Thrown together, they discover mutual feelings for each other.
Set in New Zealand (and who doesn't love New Zealand?), it is just an upbeat, fun romance.
Even learned a new word: zoomie (after the word was used time after time, I looked it up...by the way, it is an Air Force term).
15.5 Little Red Riding Crop by Tiffany Reisz
a short story from the Original Sinners series on the theme of Little Red Riding Hood...Nora meets the Big Bad Wolfe.
17. The Red by Tiffany Reisz4.5 stars, Tiffany Reisz does it again. This time she blends eroticism with magic in a story about deathbed promises made, deathbed promises fulfilled.
When Mona's mother lay dying, she made her daughter promise to save the art gallery, The Red, at any cost.
An English gentleman, Malcolm, gives her that opportunity when he makes her an offer she cannot refuse. A year of her life at his beck and call in exchange for art works she'll be able to use to get out of debt.
Using artworks as the basis for erotic fantasies, Reisz delivers chapter after chapter of erotic moments. As Mona becomes more and more enthralled with Malcolm and his fantasies, she gives herself more and more. Will she survive when the year ends?
Hot, graphic, and sexual...not for the faint of heart, but oh-so-delicious if otherwise. And with a satisfying ending to boot.
Lots of smirks (one of the What-the-tuck trends), but used correctly throughout the novel.
Love the black cat, Tou-Tou, too.
18. Unexpected Gifts by Elena AitkenA Christmas themed contemporary romance featuring Andi, a party planner who has recently broken up with a man (Blaine) and wants to not have to celebrate, and Cody, a man who comes back from the Caribbean area because he misses snow and Christmas in Canada.
(Re)-Meeting at a lodge, they end up staying in the same suite...in separate bedrooms...when the lodge is overbooked (they met once before) and snowed in. Cody is determined to make Christmas special again...for her and him.
Sexy, spicy, and a bit implausible, but a fun romance.
Also includes a short story of the couple's future.
19. Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawserust finished this riveting suspense-filled novel about a woman who disappears along with her two children the night after a group of neighborhood women (Kristin, Izzy, Natalie, Randi, and Rhoda) have a stress-free (child-free, linked only by baby monitors) get together around Clara's and Ben's fire-pit under star-filled skies for a night of conversation, camaraderie, and wine.
In the morning, she is gone. The house has a broken window; a few things are missing; and her soon-to-be ex is solicitous and worried, even moving back to the house to help. What happened to her and her twins?
Police are called, and an investigation ensues. Questions, of all who attended the party the night before, are asked, but no one including her next door neighbor Clara has any answers, but all of them have their own secrets to keep.
Slowly, but surely Strawser reveals the secrets and complexities of these women. Family dynamics play a large part as the reader gets to know the various characters, and the part they play in the story. There are enough secrets and lies, twists and turns, and surprises and suspense to keep the reader glued to the pages to the very end.
The novel is set in Yellow Springs, Ohio (home to Antioch College*), a village east of Dayton. The author really brings out the charming character of this quirky village even highlighting some of the surrounding area attractions such as Young's Dairy, John Bryan State Park, and the public radio station WYSO, as well as its proximity to Xenia, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
* One of two colleges my parents would not allow my sisters and me to attend in the state we live in. As an adult, I lived in the Dayton area for many years and enjoyed spending time in Yellow Springs with my children.
By the way, Yellow Springs IS a village, not a town. There are no towns in Ohio, just cities and villages as the official incorporated centers of population.
20. Candidate by Tracy Ewens4.5 stars This is a contemporary romance which features a 'bad boy' named Grady Malendar*, the son of a Senator who is running for re-election, and his PR 'handler, Kate Gallagher, who is tasked to keep Grady from acting out during the campaign.
When the PR firm is hired to act as the promoter of Senator Malendar's campaign, Kate is given the job of keeping the son of the candidate in line (that is, playing the part of 'babysitter'). No more drunkenness, questionable women, or any other thing that might reflect poorly upon the man running for re-election. Grady and Kate get off on the wrong foot from the beginning as she believes he is just a rich kid with no boundaries and he doesn't want to be shadowed or his lifestyle picked apart.
It's going to be a long time until election day, but begrudgingly both play their parts until the time spent together draws them closer together, and they discover the other is not exactly what they seem. Kate is gun-shy about getting involved with him though even as she realizes she is falling for him. Grady is falling for her, but he is more concerned with keeping his covert ops quiet. Becoming a couple is not in either of their plans, but will they eventually succumb? And what happens when the election is over?
This is a sweet, sexy romance which has plenty of bantering between the two protagonists.
Loved the story overall and liked the way the author allowed her characters to grow both individually and together naturally. The characters seemed like real people...people you'd love to meet for real.
I particularly thought the scene when Kate was doing her laundry (and sorting out her life) was a great homage to the author's own blog: From the Laundry Room--sorting out life one load at a time. I also liked seeing my writer friend, Barb Froman, noted in the acknowledgment section.
A few WTT trends, but nothing egregious,
* Malendar always struck me as an odd surname...like it should have been Calendar.
21. Carniepunk by various authorsActually mermaids and trolls and sparkling faes, and more. A collection of short stories featuring carnivals as conceived by various authors like Rachel Caine and Jennifer Estep. Some are fun, but many are dark. Admittedly, I skipped one or two to get to the one I wanted to read.
22. The Broke Billionaire by Ann Omastacontemporary romance novella with an implausible plot and situations, but nonetheless a quick, fun read
22.5 Summer of Change by Elena Aitken
contemporary romance novella that changes the town and the couple
23. Three by Kate Grey by Kate Grey
three contemporary romance novellas with three shy inexperienced women and three hot dominant males
23.5 A Coconutty Christmas by Ann OmastaA contemporary romance short story set in Hawaii during Christmas (and a hurricane). Fifteen pages long...there are lots of WTT trends.
24. Spartan Promise by Jennifer EstepA worthy successor to Spartan Heart...finds Rory Forseti and her friends in Team Midgard battling to protect mythological artifacts from Covington and Drake, two of the Reapers of Chaos.
Figuring out which of the mythological artifacts is most desired and then protecting all while going to school leaves Rory and the gang no time for play...unless killing Reapers is what they consider fun.
Estep's characteristic humor, Easter eggs, and language use continues, making this a fun read.
25. Saint Mazie by Jami AttenbergBased upon a real woman known as the Queen of the Bowery, this is the fictionalized account of Mazie..her life as seen through her diary entries and people who knew her in various ways.
From a bawdy good-time gal during Prohibition (smoking, drinking, etc.) to her philanthropic care of the bums (homeless) living rough on the streets (giving needed coins, calling for medical help, etc.) during the Depression years, Mazie lives her life in a cage...the cage of the Venice Theater where she runs the box office.
Surrounded by a cast of characters (family, friends, lovers), Mazie takes life in stride despite the ups and downs. She and her family move frequently, but she always had her cage and those who frequent the movie house to fall back upon. She becomes larger than life.
The leather-clad diary was a gift for her tenth birthday, and on that date November 2, she begins her entries, and while she may not write in it daily, her entries give a glimpse into what her corner of the world is like especially on her entry on her birthday as the years go by.
Thanks Denise for the book!
26. The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hintona re-read...just as powerful the second time; to be presented at an upcoming book program.
27. Shuttered Affections by Rene Folsom
2 stars actually--This is a contemporary erotic romance featuring Juliana (AKA Angel, mine) Peterson, a college student studying photography and sculpture, and Professor Aiden Stone, a hot photography (replacement) instructor.
All in the space of a week's classes, Juliana meets her new prof, Aiden Stone, has an instant connection with him, and quickly has them intimately involved. Okay, lust at first sight is more than possible, but there is the fact of his being her teacher. Still, pushing aside all the reasons they shouldn't be involved, they have a hot connection that obvious to everyone (her co-workers, her classmates, etc.).
The romance is told from her perspective, and this protagonist has baggage from a previous relationship, which comes into play as well.
The story arc just ends without a true resolution, kinda like the lemming who just falls over the cliff following others blindly. Apparently there is another story following this one that may or may not include becoming a threesome with Aiden's identical twin, Coda. There was not any resolution in regards to her abusive ex, either. Will he get caught and put away? It's doubtful that this reader will ever find out what happens next.
The sex scenes are graphic and hot, but the push-pull of the inappropriateness of the couple gave this reader pause. (Should I, shouldn't I, will I ruin his career, will he ruin mine?)
This story definitely needed editing despite the fact that the author claims she had an awesome person fixing her messes. There were too many times incorrect words were used (example of: 'her errand curl', rather than errant) and oh-my-god, the overuse of the word SLIGHTLY, often times not even making sense in the context of the action. (I wish I had counted them from the beginning...I started 40 pages shy of the end and quickly lost count.)
As for What-the-tuck trends, yes, of course. Nearly, everyone that I have identified showed up in this one.
28. Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie FordTwo Seattle-based world fairs, separated by nearly sixty years, are the setting for this little-known history of a young boy who is raffled off as a prize during the AYP (Alaskan-Yukon-Pacific Exposition). The family he forms with the residents of the Tenderloin, the high-classed brothel, will transform him. His two best friends, Maisie and Fahn, become the loves of his life.
Born in China to a poor woman, at age five, Yung is given to his "uncle" (who is not his uncle) and sails to Seattle to a new life. Now, renamed Ernest, Yung makes his way in the world, and at age ten he is going to the AYP. What he doesn't realize is he is the prize, and his life will never be the same.
The story is told in the past as well as the present. His daughter Juju is a journalist and she discovers her father's past so he tells her the real story. As the fair begins, Gracie begins to remember more and begins to recall past events..
Alternating with hopeful with heartbreaking, this story is worth the read. It ranks right up there with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, also by Jamie Ford.
Quote: "There are people in our lives whom we love, and lose, forever long for. They orbit our hearts like Halley's Comet, crossing into our universe only once, of if we're lucky, twice in a lifetime. And when they do, they affect our gravity. These people are special." (page 265)
29. Bad Dogs Have More Fun by John GroganDivided into three sections, these essays by the writer of Marley and Me show off the mind of a man who has lived with an undisciplined dog. His essays run from humorous to serious to poignant to cute to thoughtful (and everywhere in between).
Tackling the subject of family, animals, and life, his reprints of some of his columns makes the reader wish that a Philadelphia Inquirer was available everywhere. Some of the essays are laugh-out-loud funny; some will bring a tear to the eye; others will make a person think differently; and some do all of the above.
He focuses on good news stories about little known people, but also calls out those who act inappropriately. He doesn't spare himself though.
Each story takes a few minutes to read, but leaves the reader thinking well beyond that.
29.5 Winter's Web by Jennifer Estep
a novella featuring Gin Blanco and her friends/family (Finn, Bria, and Owen) set in a Renaissance fair, but with Gin around, there will be trouble brewing.
30. Anthem by Ayn RandI...Ego! Enough said.
In this futuristic view, all men has been subjugated to the will of others, but one man, Equality-7-2521 sins...by rebelling against the norms. He chooses otherwise even as he discovers for himself the joy of ego.
This is a re-read, but it is still as powerful as the first time. Maybe it is time to re-read her other gems (that is, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.
31. Dirty-Talking Cowboy by Stacey KennedyRoping a sexy romance...
Two vulnerable people, two grieving people, and cowboy chemistry all meet up in this sexy romance that all begins in the bar called the Kinky Spurs.
From the moment Emma meets Shep Blackwell, sparks ignite in this spicy contemporary cowboy story. Both have been burned by a previous love and both are grieving for loved ones, but can they set aside those issues to find love among the lust?
32. Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Levine, and MeierThree Christmas-themed mysteries by three different authors; each mystery contains gingerbread cookies.
Joanne Fluke's Hannah solves the murder of a man who is rudely playing loud Christmas music.
Levine's Jaine Austen solves the murder of a retired physician (plastic surgeon). Her mysteries are always a hoot especially as she deals with Prozac, her cat.
Meier's mystery is a kidnapping of a child.
Recipes of various dishes go along with each mystery.
33. To the Duke, With Love by Amelia Grey4.5 stars--This is the second book in The Rakes of St. James historical romance series. Three gentlemen (all dukes) played a horrible joke upon the young women coming out during the Season several years earlier; now these men's sisters are now ready for their debut and the fear of retribution from the ton makes these men act differently to protect their sisters.
Like the previous novel in the series, the Duke of Hawksthorn's younger sister, Lady Adele, is about to enter Society, but Hawk wants to circumvent any repercussions by arranging a marriage for her before the Season starts. He's even picked out the man for her...IF he can convince him.
In the process, he meets the gentleman's sister, Miss Loretta Quick, who has vowed to never marry and wants nothing to do with the Duke's plan. Yet, sparks ignite between the Loretta and Hawk, and because of circumstances, he is forced to stay over. While he is there, a sick, young boy appears at the door and is taken in by Loretta despite Hawk's warning.
This romance is unique not only because of the introduction of a street waif, Farley, who plays a special part in the story, but also for the romance of Hawk and Loretta. Yes, there are romantic and spicy interactions between Loretta Quick and Hawk, but it is all the societal mores that neither of them believes in (leading them to break the rules) that contributes to the story.
Love the chapter headings from the book, "A Proper Gentleman's Guide to Wooing the Perfect Lady" by Sir Vincent Tybalt Valentine. If only...
There were some typos (missed words), but nothing so egregious that the reader couldn't easily understand the story.
34. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather MorrisWow! What a story of survival during a time when the Nazis tortured and murdered people for any reason (religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, political views, disabled, etc.).
Lale volunteers to leave his family in order to protect the rest of them, but ends up in Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. He becomes the person who tattoos the numbers on the arms of men and women. One of the young women he tattoos is the woman, Girta, with whom he falls in love.
His ability to survive and even protect others by his actions is a story not to be missed. Throughout he walks a tightrope...one slip and he will be killed. Truly a powerful story and love.
Quote: "To save one is to save the world."
35. Holiday in Death by J.D. RobbOn the first day...
It is Christmas time, and someone is raping and killing women and men in a Christmas -themed ritualized way, and it's up to Eve Dallas and crew to stop the perpetrator.
Following the song lyrics of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Santa arrives, silver box in hand, to murder his "true love."
Will Dallas track down the Santa before he kills again and again?
Follow the twisted events as Eve, Rourke, Peabody, and the rest of track down an even more twisted Santa.
36. The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer4.5 stars...this second installment of The Clifton Chronicles begins basically where the first novel left off and ends with enough of a 'what-next?' that will keep the reader desiring to know more. The last chapter or so (the ending) though was a bit slow (or maybe it was the fact this reader was half asleep at 3:30AM when finishing it up). Still, it sets up the next book, which will be read.
Events of the past intrude on the present (the period of World War II) for the Clifton family and the Barrington family. The novel is divided into sections based on the perspective of the various characters. There is love, intrigue, and betrayal. There are twists and turns. There are good characters and bad, yet sometimes it is hard to tell which is which.
While it would be possible to pick up the threads of the story without having read the first, many of the details of these two intertwined families would be lost. Having read the first one quite some time ago, some of the details had this reader desiring to re-read the first one. The period between two and three and the others will not be that long (already have the next couple in hand).
37. Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie DawsonA story blending quirky characters and magical realism makes for fanciful reading. It is funny, serious, and can bring laughter and tears in the same moment. Told from the perspective of two characters, Blix and Marnie, it is a tale of Brooklyn, love, redemption, and a home.
And sparkles. Lots of sparkles...a joy to read.
38. Unsheltered by Barbara KingsolverThis is a literary novel about two families living at the same address...over two different time frames. One is set in the present and the other in the past.
It took about halfway through the novel to really get into the two stories (and it was difficult to keep some of the characters straight because of the flipping back and forth between the two).
Frankly, for most of the book, the story of the family in the past, particularly the relationship between Mary Treat and her neighbor, was more compelling; however, toward the end of the novel, the relationship of Tig and the baby tipped the scale evening out the two narratives.
Still, it seemed like the ending of both stories just petered out without much resolution (although in defense of the author, perhaps late night reading might have affected this reader's observation).
39. Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
a novel of love delayed set on two continents. a chance meeting on a North Carolina beach leads to a connection that lasts twenty-five years separation
40. Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb4.5 stars...In this eighth installment of Eve Dallas series finds Eve having issues with a uniform officer and people losing organs to surgical operations.
Teaming up with Rourke, Eve goes rogue to discover who is behind these deaths.
Exciting and twisted, medical care has never been so brutal.
41. Wolfpointe by Rick BudaMixing the Obijwa/Chippewa myth of the Windigo with a suspenseful tale of corrupt politicians, businessmen, and policemen, Buda tells a tale of murder and mystery in a Chicago suburb known as WolfPointe.
It takes time to really get into the story (about halfway before the action speeds up) before this reader did, at least, but the mystery of who or what is attacking the area keeps the reader going.
The novel definitely needed a better editor and proofreader as there were plenty of typos (wrong words, missing punctuation, etc.) including one on the back cover. Just an extra set of eyes might have made the difference between good and mediocre.
42. Picture Perfect Cowboy by Tiffany ReiszTiffany Reisz does it again. She has created two excellent characters in Jason Waters and pink-haired Simone Levine to add to the Original Sinners catalogue. While a standalone, a few of the characters (Nora and Soren) make a cameo appearance.
Jason looks picture perfect, but he has a secret and is ashamed of his proclivities. Simone not only photographs him, she helps Jason discover his true nature, and an unforgettable love.
Hot, sexy, and for mature audiences as Reisz 's writing sizzles (and never disappoints).
One continuity issue...Jason has at first turquoise eyes and later on brown eyes...based on the hot model on the book cover, his eyes are turquoise.
43. Angel Falls by Kristin HannahWhat is the definition of true love? That is the gist of this story.
A family undergoes upheaval when Mike/Kayla falls and ends up in a coma. For her son Bret, her daughter Jacey, and her husband Liam, her coma seems to destroy the family dynamics leaving each of them wondering if they ever really knew Mike. Especially when her first husband, Julian True, reenters the picture in order to help bring her out of the coma.
Ultimately, will Liam lose his wife to Julian? Will he lose his family, too?
A bit of a tearjerker...
44. Withholding Evidence by Rachel Grantromantic thriller that keeps the reader guessing.
Dr. Trina Sorenson is a historian and works for the Navy in that capacity. When she is asked to check in a fairly recent situation (5 years earlier) on a SEAL group's covert operation in Somalia, she gets the runaround from a retired SEAL, Keith.
But she also finds the man hot (bulging biceps, broad shoulders, etc.) and except for his being annoyingly tight lipped (that is, not about to reveal the secrets of the operation there). In reverse, he finds her sexy librarian look a turn on.
They quickly connect, but one or the other of them has picked up an enemy, who is trying to kill for this same information.
Does this pair have a chance at love, or will one or the other end up dead?
45. Heat Exchange by Shannon StaceyFirefighters: find 'em hot, leave 'em wet! (as seen on a firefighter friend's t-shirt).
Somehow this seems appropriate for this contemporary romance between a firefighter and the daughter, sister, and ex-wife of a firefighter, Lydia. When Lydia returns home to Boston to help out her sister Ashley by working at the family bar, she connects with her brother's best friend (and fellow firefighter), Aidan Hunt despite the fact it will cause trouble for both of them.
Hurt by her ex-husband, Lydia has sworn off firefighters forever, but Aidan is a complication she has to hide from her family. If she can just keep the secret until she returns to Concord...and if not, how will this affect her, Aidan, and her family?
Family dynamics, marital conflict, and spicy content make up this romance.
46. Evidence of Trust by Stacey Jo NetzelA contemporary romantic suspense novel in which Joel Morgan, a ranger chasing a poacher finds the woman of his dreams, Brittany, but will she be amenable to this?
With a first meeting that begins with contention, can they get over it and learn to trust each other?
Especially when Brittany doesn't take Joel's warnings to heart and the poacher is targeting her.
A Happily Ever After romance
47. Living Proof by Kira PeikoffTHOUGHT-PROVOKING. SCIENCE VS. RELIGION. ETHICS VS MORALITY. DYSTOPIAN..
Set in the year 2027, this philosophical-based thriller will be either loved or hated depending on the mindset of the reader. It pits fundamental religious people against scientists during a time in the not-so-distant future (and with the judicial decisions and state legislation that are going on right now, it may be more realistic and scarier than when it was first published).
In 2027, abortions have become illegal, fertility clinics are monitored to account for every embryo, loss of an embryo is first-degree murder, and pregnant women are monitored as well for any infraction that may affect the unborn child, and science is basically outlawed.
One such fertility clinic in New York City is doing extraordinarily well: lots of embryos are overseen by Dr. Arianna Drake. Despite perfect monthly inspections by the agents of DEP (United States Department of Embryo Preservation), the director's intuition tells him something nefarious is going on. He sends out Trent Rowe to go undercover to find out what it is.
As Trent meets Arianna and gets to know her, and she, him...trust is built (on lies), but once he knows her secret, will he turn her in? Or will he be changed?
Suspenseful and frightening, complex and riveting, the debut novel will entertain as well as make the reader think no matter what side of the fence he or she is on.
I have to admit that I have had this on my bookshelf to read for several years. Knowing that Kira Peikoff's father is the heir of Ayn Rand's estate (and one of her disciples of her philosophy Objectivism), I kept putting off reading the novel as I was worried that I might be disappointed. Not only wasn't I disappointed, but found that the author has a strong voice as well. Looking forward to reading her other novels as she is a worthy successor to the writings of Rand.
48. Breathless: 3 Passionate Tales by Maya Banks, Tiffany Reisz, and Alexa RileyThree romance authors, Maya Banks, Tiffany Reisz, and Alexa Riley, provide a trio of contemporary romances.
All are hot and spicy with different scenarios, but all worth reading.
I did not re-read Reisz's The Siren, but only because I have read it previously...and I want to move on to my copy of The Rose, her newest, which I just got from the library.
The other two (Wanted by Banks and Hold Tight by Riley) were devoured. The males were sizzling (in and out of bed). The women, sassy and sweet.
This trio really hits with these three diverse tales, but more than a few WTT trends, and Riley had more than her share of typos (wrong words used).
49. The Great Quake: How the Biggest Earthquake in North America Changed Our Understanding of the Planet by Henry Fountain4.5 stars....On March 27, 1964, a massive earthquake rocked Alaska. It registered 9.2 on the Richter scale causing loss of lives, homes, and even whole villages.
It triggered tidal waves (now known as tsunamis) all up and down the coast, but in the days (and years) to come, this earthquake changed the way we think about our world.
Fountain presents heartbreaking accounts of the people who were in the area where the earthquake caused major damage. He presents the aftermath of the destruction. He presents the scientists, particularly George Plafker, a geologist who spent a lifetime studying quake zones to understand better the mechanism behind the quake. And he presents what happened to those who survived.
Some of the facts presented are dry, but overall the science that came out of this tragedy was transformative. The author writes in a less formal style when discussing the people and places. Definitely worth the read especially for those who love geology and earth sciences.
50. Runes by Ednah Walters3.5 stars...A YA novel of a teen's introduction to runes and other strange phenomena
when the new boy next door seemingly reads her mind and becomes obsessed with him.
Raine Cooper wants her best friend Eirik to become her boyfriend finally, that is until Torin enters the picture. Torn between Eirik and bad boy Torin, she discovers more than she wants. Is he good? Is he evil?
This is the first of a series of novels that focuses on Norse mythology.
Lots of WTT trends especially smirking throughout this teen angst drama and a fair amount of typos (misused words, etc).
51. Immortals by Ednah Walters
Following up the first book in the series (Runes), this one has all the same characters, the same setting (except now it is the football team rather than swim team) of Kayville, and more Immortals who are involved in this Norse god paranormal romance.
Raine is now training to be a Valkyrie, all to be with Torin. The problem is: he has had his memories wiped by the Norns. Will he ever regain his memory, or can Raine make him fall back in love with her?
Her best friend, Eirik, is acting weird too since the events of the ill-fated swim meet. What's going on with him? And what about her other best friend Cora?
High school has not been the same since the Immortals have come to reap souls and cause havoc. What next for Raine and her friends?
A few thoughts: while this reader enjoys reading YA fantasy and romance, I have my issues with PDA in the halls of the school during school time (guess I am getting old, but then it was never allowed in the school I attended) and the absolute snarkiness of the characters (as evidenced by the number of times characters SMIRK, SMIRKED, or are SMIRKING). Plenty of other What-the-tuck trends also in evidence. So, too, were the number of typos, which indicated that editing (or lack thereof) was an issue. (again, another set of eyes or another re-read might have caught many of them).
52. Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey ArcherThe third book in the Clifton Chronicles brings changes to the Barrington and Clifton families. The story is told through the different characters.
Giles Barrington is now an MP, but has an election challenge that may replace him.
Harry Clifton is now a successful author, and his wife Emma is furthering her education.
Their son Sebastian is hopefully getting a chance to go to Cambridge, but his involvement with the wrong people may cost him everything.
Twists and turns and a cliffhanger ending keeps this series fresh and readers wanting to know what happens next to these two families.
53. Grimnirs by Ednah WaltersThe third book in the Runes series features Cora Jemison and Echo as they discover that they are soulmates despite their differences of Mortal vs. Immortal. Can this love survive, or is it doomed because of it?
54. The Rose by Tiffany Reiszanother erotic romance from the pen of Reisz, this one continues the story of the Gotwick family with a new generation. Mixing romance, lust, magic, and love with Greek myths hits all the right spots. Spicy, sexy, and graphic (but not overly so in this reader's opinion), the author leaves you begging for me.
1. The Brands Family Christmas by Maggie Shayne
A romance twofer:
The Littlest Cowboy and A Brands Family Christmas
Two romances for the price of one plus a few sneak peeks at several other romances in the various series. How can a person beat that?
First up: The Littlest Cowboy--when a baby is left on the doorstep of the Texas Brand ranch, Garrett Brand is suddenly looked at with suspicion. He is named as the father, and the baby does have his name, but Bubba isn't his. Soon, his aunt Chelsea appears ready to kill Garrett for the murder of the baby's mother, and the sparks begin to fly. With a distrust of men in general, can Chelsea find that Garrett is trustworthy? Can Garrett open up his heart to not only Bubba, but Chelsea?
Second up: A one-night stand with a handsome stranger becomes a lot more when Maya Brand finds out she is pregnant. What's more she doesn't know his real name. When Caleb Montgomery finds out, there is a matter keeping it quiet. Otherwise, with his spotless name and her family background, this will be the biggest political scandal in Oklahoma in years. Will he buy her off, or will he become a real father? Can they learn to trust one another even with their hearts?
There are similarities to both of these romances. Both had trust issues at their core as well as main female characters who are virgins. The first Brand family is nearly all male (five brothers) with the exception of Jessi; the second Brand family is all female (five daughters and a mother).