Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes, 

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of despair.....Isaiah 61:3

     I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted to this blog.  I assure you I have continued to read, but the autumn months are busy for me, so I took a break from blogging.  I'm getting back into my reviews by beginning with the book I just finished, and after that, I will do reviews of other books I've read over the past few months.  I wanted to start with Unbroken, because it is fresh in my mind and on my heart.  But something tells me it will be on my heart for some time to come;  Unbroken is just one of those books that stays with you.

     I have to admit that I procrastinated in the reading of Unbroken, I downloaded it to my Nook months ago, intending to read it, but I kept moving other books ahead of it.  I had heard what a good book it was, but couldn't get in the "mood" for it.  Because I knew the story of Louie Zamperini and knew it would be intense, I needed to be prepared for the way this book would likely affect me. Because my neighborhood book club picked it for December, I couldn't wait any longer.  I am glad I read it, but never expected the incredible emotional journey this book would take me through. Hillenbrand does an AMAZING job of bringing the details of war to life, in a way that is both gripping and repulsive at the same time.  She gets to the heart of the human condition during wartime, and the effects of everyone during the war and in the years after it is over.  It's a story that is hard to tell, but Hillenbrand did as well as I could imagine anyone doing so.

     I must admit that at times, I felt it was too long and included too much detail.  In the end, however, I didn't believe that to be the case.  I realized that every detail was necessary to the story and to the life of a man that can be examined for generations to come.  It is hard to understand what a miraculous journey Zamperini experienced without every little thought and trial.  The only thing I felt it "missed" at times was Louie's voice.  The story was told in 3rd person, but clearly required Zamperini to tell his story in his way.  Especially at the end, I wanted to hear a few thoughts directly from him.  Otherwise, I have no criticism or complaints.   Do yourself a favor. Read Unbroken.  You'll be grateful you did.  

Bottom Line:  Narrative Nonfiction at its best.  A memoir for everyone.

Overall Rating:  95

The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls

     Whenever I asked around about good books, The Glass Castle is one title that came up often.  After acquiring a copy on bookmooch.com (worth checking out if you don't use it already), I decided it was time I read it.  I truly loved The Glass Castle, but I must admit I should not have read it so soon after reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Both books are non-fiction accounts of people who lived very hard lives, so both were very depressing and infuriating stories; they made my heart ache for children and my temper rage in anger toward the adults involved.  In my latest read, Jeanette Walls presents a memoir of her life growing up with an alcoholic father and a delusional (deranged?) mother.  They moved from town to town , typically pulling the "skedaddle" in the middle of the night, and lived in substandard conditions wherever they went.  Jeanette and her three siblings had to fend for themselves and learn how to survive despite parents who neglected them and subjected them to dangerous situations.

     This was a fantastic book, although it was depressing at times.  I found myself getting quite angry at the parents, and feeling sorry for the children throughout the book.  The author did a wonderful job of showing how the children just accepted their parents as who they were, and found strategies to get through life in spite of being "dealt a bad hand".  I would have like to see a little more depth in the ending, where she explained some of her feelings about her situation a little more, but she did leave the reader with a lot to think about, enabling me to come to my own conclusions about the effects of her upbringing.  I highly recommend this book, especially for those who enjoy memoirs.

Bottom Line:  Intense memoir, that caused me to think about the effects of one's beginnings.
Overall Rating:  88

The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

     I have to admit I only picked this book when I found out that J.K. Rowling was the real author.  I loved the Harry Potter books, although I did not read the last two in the series.  I had already seen the movies and I never like to read a book after seeing the movie.  I do enjoy her writing and understood that her adult novels would be very different but I anticipated good writing from her in anything she does.  I was not disappointed; I did enjoy the book, though it was much different from what I expected.

     The book begins with the death of a supermodel, Lula Landry, which was ruled a suicide.  Her brother, John,  hires a washed-up private detective (Comoran Strike) to prove her death was a homicide.  The writing is not akin to that of fast-paced mystery novels with multiple twists and turns that is is so popular today.  Instead, Galbraith/Rowling writes in an older style reminiscent of Sir Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie.  I often found myself having to stop and think about the meaning of certain terms that, although English, are not commonly used in the United States.  It slowed the pace of the reading, but the high interest level kept me moving.  The mystery did have many different angles and complications, but the ending reminded me of something out of a "Columbo" episode, where everything gets wrapped up completely and many details are saved for the conclusion.  

     What I liked most about this book was the style of character development.  Instead of developing the characters through the first part of the book, as many mystery writers tend to do, Galbraith/Rowling kept adding layers to each character throughout the book.  They began as one-dimensional characters, sort of "pegged" into their roles and stereotypes, but each character began more deep and complex throughout the novel.  As a result, I became more attached to the main characters, especially "Strike" and even the deceased "Lula" and her family, as the novel progressed.  I look forward to getting to know Comoran Strike even better in the next book.

Bottom Line:  A great British mystery novel by a masterful writer.

Overall Rating:  88

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

     I had been hearing about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for at least two years.  It seemed to be on every "must read" list and was reviewed everywhere I turned.  When I read the synopsis, it sounded good enough, but it never got to the top of the list of books I wanted to read.  When I was perusing the public library a few weeks ago, I saw it on display shelf of "recommended books", so I decided it was time to check it out.  I am so happy finally took the time to read this book!  The previous reviews, though glowing, never conveyed (at least to me) just how good this book would be.  Although completely non-fiction, Skloot writes in a way that had me hooked from the beginning, and captivated me until the end.  When I read the last chapter, I said "What?  It's done? But I want to keep reading....."  This true account wove science, family, poverty, race, and history into one book that left me not only better educated, but full of new perspective on many different issues.  I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that the subject of the book, Henrietta Lacks herself, was from Clover, a small community in Halifax County, Virginia, where I was born and still have a lot of family.  I had heard about her before, but because she lived in Maryland at the time of her death, it wasn't widely known about her Virginia connection!

     This masterpiece tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a young woman whole died of cervical cancer in 1951, leaving behind cells that were taken from her body at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Her cells, which came to be known as "HeLa" cells, were the first of its kind, and instantly started multiplying in a laboratory.  Such cell growth was unprecedented and had been attempted for many years; however, HeLa cells surpassed all expectations and continued to multliply to the present day.  They have been sold to hospitals and laboratories all over the world, and have been used for thousands of research projects, including finding the cure for polio and isolating the case of the HPV virus and its link to cervical cancer.  At the same time she presents the story of the cells and their greatness, Skloot also intersperses the story of who Henrietta Lacks was, where she came from, and what came of her family.  In doing so, she provides primary accounts of medical, social, and legislative history in the United States.

Bottom Line:  And extremely well-written treasure of science, history, and humanity.

Overall Rating:  95

Top Secret Twenty-One, Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum Series)

     I have read every book in the Stephanie Plum Series, so I was looking forward to #21.  I am happy to say that I was not disappointed in this latest book by Janet Evanovich.  As with every "Plum" book, I have actually laughed out loud...very loudly.  A few times while reading, I started laughing so hard I had to place the bookmark at my page in case I dropped the book.  As usual, I finished the book in approximately 24 hours, because once I started reading, I couldn't stop.  I will admit that this wasn't the very best of the series, but it definitely provided me with a good story and enough laughs to make it worth the money.

     The usual characters are present in this novel, including Stephanie, Lula, Morelli, Ranger, Grandma, and Stephanie's parents; however, the special "treat" in this one is that Randy Briggs is back!  Stephanie's "little" nemesis is absolutely hilarious, and comes running to Stephanie because her latest FTA (failure to appear),  is trying to kill him.  Ranger is also being hunted as well, and he must find out who has targeted him and his company.  This book has the typical craziness of an Evanovich novel, in the form of rabid chihuahuas, funeral home shenanigans, Russian vodka dealers, and a "bucket list" for Grandma.Although I loved the novel, Evanovich didn't wrap it up as nicely as she usually does.  The ending seemed a little rushed; I felt as if she said "okay, I'm done writing now" and added a resolution.  Despite the weak ending, I was satisfied and will look forward to the 22nd book in the series.

Bottom Line:  Gut-busting laughs in classic Evanovich style.

Overall Rating:  85

Trapped, by Becky Durfee

Okay, readers, I have a confession to make.  I have a guilty pleasure.  Once in a while, I have to take a break from the "meaty" books that I read to expand my mind, and I escape to the land of fun reading.  And when I do, my first choice is the Jenny Watkins series.  This series, by Becky Durfee, is self-published on Amazon, but can be found at other locations, including at least one Barnes and Noble store.  Although I love best-selling books an always have to read the "latest must-reads", I also like at least one self-published author, and I'm liking her more and more with each book.

I have to admit, at the risk of sounding biased, that Becky Durfee is a local author. She lives in the same mega-community in our Virginia suburb.  Although I had taught her incredibly nice and intelligent son, and her daughter takes classes at the same dance/arts studio as my daughter, I really did not know Becky Durfee at all.  I decided to pick up the first book, Driven, at a charity holiday fair at my daughter's school.  The first book started a little slow, but I read through to the end and was pleased.  I bought the next book, Betrayed, because I wanted to see where she took the characters, and loved it.  At that point, I became hooked.  I immediately bought Shattered (book 3) and Exposed (book 4), and devoured then both in a matter days. Exposed ended in a cliffhanger, so I (im)patiently waited for the release of Trapped, the 5th installment in the series.  It was well worth waiting for!!

These mysteries take us through the life of Jenny Watkins, a wife and teacher who suddenly discovers she has psychic abilities.  She can receive contact from the dead to help her to understand their lives, but she is also able to help law enforcement solve crimes.  Durfee takes us through some fascinating cases, that span many different periods of history, while also getting us enmeshed in Jenny's personal struggles and triumphs. I have found that with each book, not only does Durfee's writing get better, but I'm more attached to the characters. In Trapped, she did an excellent job of incorporating history in a story about a present-day serial killer.  She also tastefully addressed issues such as slavery and prostitution, in a way that made me think about both from a different perspective.  As a result, I can't wait to read the next book....

Bottom Line:  The best book, so far, in a fantastic mystery series, by the best indy-author I've read!

Rating: 90

The Reflections of Queen Snow White, by David Meredith

What a fabulous new twist on one of my favorite fairytales!  Reflections of Queen Snow White is not quite the "fractured fairytale" that has become so popular lately, but a look at one possibility for "the rest of the story".  I received an e-copy of this book as a gift from the author, and was thrilled because I had already seen a synopsis on Goodreads and it looked very intriguing, especially considering my love of Snow White stories.  Reflections is an independently-published novel, but I would anticipate this author will get attention from top publishers in the future.  Meredith is an unbelievably skilled writer, both in style and substance.

The story begins with an older Snow White,  preparing for the wedding of her daughter, Raven, while feeling the absence of her deceased husband, Charming.  Snow White is lamenting the prospect of living out her days in the castle alone.  In a moment of misdirection and vulnerability, she wanders up the stairs of the castle and finds the mirror (the "magic" mirror), which has been dormant since the death of her stepmother.  Will the mirror heal Snow White or make matters worse?  The power of magic has the ability to change perspectives, and lives.....

For me, Reflections started a bit slowly.  I was caught up in the exquisite writing, but the story itself did not "take off" quite as quickly as I prefer.  After the tone and background had been set, however, I became captivated by Snow White and her experiences.  True to her original story, Snow White is such a loveable character, and Meredith built on that character and drew us in even more.  I found myself wanting to get to know her even better, and feeling her joys, pains, and reflections. This book would be good for anyone 16 and up.  There is some sexual content, so I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers, although they may be interested in the story.  It's a great book for adults, especially those who grew up adoring Snow White.

Bottom Line:  A well-written book that delves deeper into to beloved story.
Rating: 82/100

Sundance, by David Fuller

     I have to admit I was surprised about this one.  My husband is a huge fan of westerns, especially Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  Therefore, when I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Sundance through firsttoread.com, I thought it would be fun to read a book with my husband.  He provided a lot of the background (I'm Native American, so I've never had a love of westerns), but I was quickly brought up to speed.  Then I was ready to digest the next chapter of the Sundance Kid.

     All fans of the old westerns would know that Harry Longbaugh ("Sundance") supposedly died in a shootout in Bolivia, along with Robert Parker ("Butch Cassidy").  However, this novel begins with a different outcome; Sundance is alive and well and has been in prison in Wyoming.  He is released in 1913, and as expected, he sets out to find his beloved wife, Etta Place.  The only problem is that Etta Place is now in New York City.  Sundance does not let the distance deter him, and sets out to a new world in search of his love.

     I loved the way this novel dealt with U.S. History. Important events, including the Industrial Revolution, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and the Progressive Movement (which was neither "'progressive" nor a "movement") were all explored as part of this story.  Also, the "fish out of water" concept, wherein the progressive east coast and the western prairie were so out of touch with each other's environment, was both enlightening and entertaining.  The ending, though quite predictable, is splendid.

      With Sundance, David Fuller has delivered a "what if" story full of love, history, redemption, and even some laughs along the way.  And whether intentional or unintentional, has introduced the story of a classic western to a new group of readers.

Bottom Line:  A very entertaining look a the early 20th Century, built around a classic western tale.
Rating:  84

Save the Date, by Mary Kay Andrews

]

Save the Date is a must read summer book!  I received an advance copy of Save the Date, which will not be available until June 3rd, through a houseparty.com promotion (see review for Ladies' Night).  I generally prefer reading books with deeper themes, what I like to consider "meaty fiction".  I enjoy books that require me to think while reading, and that expand my knowledge and literary experiences (see review for Doctor Sleep or The Husband's Secret).  I've been known to enjoy a quick read, and never turn down a book by Janet Evanovich when I get the chance, but I lean more toward Literary Fiction or Suspense as my favorite genres.  Save the Date is an deviation from my norm, and I'm glad I read it.  After reading Ladies' Night, I was in the mood for another fun, enjoyable read, and Save the Date did not disappoint me!  

Save the Date follows Cara, a florist from Savannah, Georgia, who has spent the past two years trying to build her business while rebuilding her own post-divorce life.  She borrowed the money to grow her business from her domineering father, and he not only wants his money back (and fast), but he expects her to fail.  Cara faces the demands of operating a  business in a competitive locale, while also trying not to become involved with a local man who is a little damaged himself.  True to her apparent style, Mary Kay Andrews infuses her story with suspense, romance, and humor.  I so enjoyed the journey this book took me on, I couldn't put it down.  In a way, I'm a little sad that Mary Kay Andrews newest summer hit has come and gone for me, and my summer vacation hasn't even begun!

Overall score: 86

Bottom Line:  This book will surely be one of the "beach reads" of the summer season!

Ladies' Night, by Mary Kay Andrews

This was such a "fun" book!  So fun, I had got to use it for a party theme! I received 10 free copies of Ladies' Night as part of a promotion I was selected for through houseparty.com (I am neither employed by nor compensated by them for this review in any way).  I was selected to host a book premiere party for Save the Date, Mary Kay Andrews' newest book, which will hit the shelves on June 3rd. I agreed to distribute the 10 copies of Ladies' Night to friends and host a "book club style" party to discuss both Ladies' Night and Save the Date.  I had never done anything like this for a publisher, but thought it was worth a try. The result was a fun time with friends, and the chance to read two excellent books, for free!

Ladies' Night begins with a married blogger (she blogs about food and style, not books, but I still felt the connection) who catches her husband cheating with her assistant, so she impulsively drives his sports car to the bottom of their swimming pool.  I love this scene so much, I chose to host my House Party poolside at our neighborhood pool.  As a result of this treacherous night, Grace Stanton must deal with the loss of her marriage, as well as her business and reputation.  During the legal proceedings for divorce, Grace is sentenced to a type of divorce group therapy, with other enraged or damaged spouses.  This group forms a bond that no only is entertaining, and endearing, but also conniving and determined to get revenge.  The book is filled with "laugh out loud" moments, as well as twists, turns, and a little romance.  In other words, it is a great summer reading material; or it works for any time you need to escape into a good book and just enjoy some fun reading.  For me, I got the added bonus of laughing with friends about the book's great one-liners and crafty ideas.  

Overall score: 85

Bottom Line:  Fun, enjoyable, and touching...make sure you pack it in your pool bag this summer!

e Art of Arranging Flowers

What a beautiful bouquet of fiction! I received an advanced copy of this book through First Reads. It looked like a "light" story, and I thought it may be enjoyable. I have to admit that when I first started reading, I thought it was going to be a variation of The Language of Flowers. It was a story about a florist, the meaning of flowers, and one being lonely with her flowers. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this was a different take on the magic of flowers; it wasn't so much about their "meanings", but the effects of flowers on different people, and the ways that a florist, who brings much happiness to others, has to find her own happiness. 

The story begins with Ruby, a lonely florist in a small town, who devotes her life to making sure others are happy. She takes special care to make sure life is "perfect" for all of her friends and clients, but doesn't always look out for her own needs, due to her wounded spirit from a difficult upbringing. A special boy with a past of his own starts hanging around, and Ruby's loving nature is just what he needs. Ruby's self-esteem and sense of self-worth begin to grow as she strengthens those around her. The Art of Arranging Flowers is an appropriate title for one who is trying to arrange her own life. Your value and significance, as well as your own beauty, is greater when you surround yourself with beautiful (inside and out) people.

Rating: 84
Bottom Line: A nice, smooth work of fiction. A good escape from some of the "intense"  books I tend to read.

The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty

Wow.  Just WOW!  This book was on my "to read" list since December.  When I first read the synopsis, I knew it wasn't a book to miss.  I finally downloaded it to my Nook, to "check it out".  I started reading and couldn't stop.  The story is good.  Really good.  But the writing is even better than the story.  Moriarty took a really good story and wove it into a masterpiece.  If I'm starting to sound as if I'm enamored with this book, it's true.  If I enjoy a book, I often leave it on the shelf to read again someday.  But as soon as I read The Husband's Secret, I seriously considered reading it again right that very minute.

The novel, set in Australia, opens with Cecilia finding a sealed envelope in her attic, addressed to her by her husband "to open only in the event of my death".  She asks her husband about it without opening it, and he immediately brushes it off and tells her it's "nothing" and he meant to throw it away. He then asks her to throw it away, but I'll leave it to any woman to decide whether or not she does.  The story weaves the lives of three different families together, in a story captivates the reader from page one.  I admit I had a little trouble deciding how all three families would connect until at the very beginning, but it soon became clear.  And just when you think the story has reached an early resolution, it's only the beginning..  There are twists and turns that seem surprising at first, but as the author takes us deeper into the characters, they start to seem to follow the natural order of things.  I found myself questioning my own life throughout this book as I thought "What would I do?" many times as I connected with the characters.

My best advice, besides to READ THIS BOOK, is to make sure you don't read ahead.  I know some readers that like to "cheat" or "peek" to move things along faster, but DO NOT do that with this book.  If you read the ending or the Epilogue early, it will ruin (and I mean RUIN) the entire book for you.  I loved the ending, but I loved the Epilogue even more.  If you want to be taken on a true literary journey, take it slowly, savor it, and enjoy the ending and the way your mind will work when it's done.  Of course, you won't really go too slowly because the writing is so good that you can't put it down.  You'll devour every page until you're done!

Rating: 98 

Bottom Line:  A great work of fiction, one you'll be talking about for years to come.

  

Carolina Reckoning, by Lisa Carter

     Carolina Reckoning is a "Christian Mystery", set in present-day North Carolina.  The story opens with Alison, the protagonist, finding a picture of her husband, Frank,  and another woman taken during one of his trips out of town; he is a pilot who travels extensively and is commonly regarded as an adulterer, but she had never had the actual proof of his liaisons.  While she waits on the couch so she can confront him immediately upon his return, she falls asleep only to be awakened by local police informing her that Frank has been murdered.  The plot takes Alison on a journey to seek the truth about her husband and his murder, which becomes a journey into her own self and what she wants for her family.

    I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads, in exchange for an honest review.   After reading the first 100 pages or so, I have to admit that I was a little afraid of what this review would look like.  The novel started out with a "bang" (literally), but immediately began throwing in character transformations, even before we got to know the characters.  I found the beginning a little "disjointed" and unbelievable; I'll spare details to prevent spoilers.  I am so glad I kept reading, however, because the pace of the book suddenly picked up, and quickly became a "page turner".  I started getting invested in the characters, the intriguing mystery, and where this story may be leading.  In the end, I was quite satisfied.  Not only did I get a great mystery, but a great story about the journey into oneself and what it takes to find your own strength, independent of others.  I look forward to reading Lisa Carter's next book, Beneath a Navajo Moon.

Rating:  80

Bottom Line:  Not a literary masterpiece, but a good, clean mystery with a great story!  A great summer read!

The Myth of America's Decline: Politics, Economics, and a Half Century of False Prophecies by Josef Joffe

This was a very good book on economic policy of the United States, and world politics in general. Joffe is clearly a genius of both economics and politics. I received a free copy of this book as a "first read" from Goodreads, and was not disappointed. I expected it to be a bunch of biased babbling about the current state of the economy. What I found was a history of economic policy in the U.S. and throughout the world, and how each "tide" of the economy guided politics and then led to chances in the economic future. I love the way the author traced the "gloom and doom" mentality all the way to Daniel in the Bible, and showed not only the way politicians have used this philosophy since that time, but the flaw in the perspective that the economy is headed for a big crash. Joffe illustrates how economic decline is part of a cycle, and how strong countries such as the U.S. will always have a means to change the cycle. 

The Bottom Line:  Every registered voter should read this book.

Rating:  90

Touch and Go, by Lisa Gardner

      About two years ago, I read my first novel by Lisa Gardner.  It was a Nook "Free Fridays" selection.  I was not familiar with her work, but it looked interesting enough to me.  To be quite honest, I can't even remember which book it was.  As soon as I completed that book, I decided I had to read everything I could by this author.  My favorite genre is mystery/suspense, and I got so carried away by her writing that I knew I would like more of her books.  So I continued to read them and have felt the same about each one so I can't even remember which one it was I liked so much that I fell for this author.  But whichever one it was, I'm glad it was free, or I would have missed out on a great writer.  It really is true....the best things is life (sometimes) are free!

     Touch and Go was not a disappointment.  Once again, I was caught up in a mystery that kept my captivated for days until I finally completed the novel.  This story begins with a married couple walking into their home after a "date night" to be attacked and abducted, along with their 15-year-old daughter.  Tessa Leoni, private investigator, is hired by the husband/father's company to find the family.  Gardner gives us a look into the intimate lives of an affluent family, and shows how some secrets can damage everything in a moment's notice.  And just when you think you understand everything and know what happened, hold old, because another twist is coming!

The Bottom Line:  Suspenseful, insightful, and just a good solid mystery.

Rating: 88

Orphan Train

     I just finished Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline.  I have to start by saying this book was good.  Really good.  But it wasn't as good as I expected it to be.  I had read numerous reviews and accolades about how it was one of the best books of 2013, so I couldn't wait to read it.  I'm not sure that it lived up to all of the hype, but it was a really good read, and a "feel good" story.



     Orphan Train  is a story told from two perspectives, 80 years apart.  Niamh is an Irish-American orphan who goes west on an Orphan Train in 1929, hoping for a family to take her in as a daughter or as a household helper. Molly is a foster child living in Maine, who has seen her share of troubles. Due to a brush with the criminal system, she is required to do 50 hours of community service.  She lands a job helping Vivian Daly, a 90 year old woman who has a story of her own.

The way the two narrators connect is beautiful.  The way Vivian and Molly relate is very unlikely, yet truly believable.  The story (or stories) in this book illustrate the real-world dilemmas that confront children in our foster care system, and the fact that these struggles have not changed much over time, despite changes to the way these cases are managed.  The author gives us deeply intimate insight into the lives of those who much of the world see as "unwanted" children.  We see how these children are much like us, but how their circumstances have shaped their attitudes and behavior.


      The only problem I have with this book is that I wish some parts were developed a little better. Often, significant events just happen, and there is not a lot of substance surrounding those events.  I would have been fine with 350 pages instead of 278, if the author had developed some of the situations more.  I don't want to give specific examples in this review, because it would include spoilers, but there were several times I became excited about a particular story development, and then it just moved on.  Also, Kline did a fantastic job of weaving Niamh's heritage in the storyline and its effect on her relationship with others.  Molly's Native American heritage was mentioned, but it was not explored in depth and didn't lend much to her identity.


    


Rating: 85/100
Bottom line: Overall, this was a great book with a great story.  If you like historical fiction and comforting stories, this is a book you shouldn't miss.

New Releases

     As part of this blog, I plan to highlight some recently released books that seem interesting.  I may not get around to reading each of them, but they will certainly go on my "to read" list.  This month's new releases that caught my eye:

-                 


    

The Girl in the Gatehouse

       I just finished The Girl in the Gatehouse, by Julie Klassen, and I have to say I feel a little empty today. Empty because I miss the characters and I miss the story.  The one thing I often hate about a good book is that I hate for it to end, and that was clearly the case with my latest read.   This novel was very much in the style of Jane Austen.  I should let you know that I love Jane Austen's works.  LOVE Jane Austen.  So the fact that Klassen's writing reminds me so much of Jane Austen, I'm hooked from the first chapter.  Some reviewers believe Klassen is too much like Jane Austen, and is not "original enough".  I don't care if it's original.  It reminds me of Jane Austen, and Jane Austen can't write more books, but Julie Klassen can, so I can still get good literature. I had read one novel by Klassen previously, The Apothecary's Daughter, and intend to read more.
     The novel, set in Regency England,  begins with Mariah, a single woman who has been ostracized by her family and community, for "shaming" the family.  She is sent to live with her Aunt (by marriage), but is isolated to the gatehouse, along with her former nanny-turned-household assistant.  Mariah must support herself by writing novels, which she does anonymously so she can avoid future embarrassment for her family.  The story is full of twists and turns, and has enough mystery to keep the reader engaged throughout the novel.  There are many lovable characters and some villains as well.
     The Girl in the Gatehouse is considered to be "Christian Fiction", but I found it just to be good, clean fiction,  If you only read Christian Fiction and look for books with a strong Biblical message, this may not be the best book for you. Christianity is hardly mentioned, and although God eventually plays a big part in the book, it would fit well into in "spiritual" category, as it resonates with themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and renewal.

Rating:  90/100
The bottom line:  A great historical romance, with a great message.  I can't wait to read more by this author.

Doctor Sleep/The Shining

I am starting my book blog with my favorite read of the past 12 months.  Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining, by Stephen King, is one of the best books I've ever read. I read The Shining many years ago.  I saw the movie first, but several years after the movie, I read the book.  I, like Stephen King, found the book to be much better than the movie.  So when I heard a sequel was being released, I decided to re-read The Shining first.  I thought The Shining was even better than it was on the first read, but maybe I'm just older and wiser and get more out of it that I could when I was younger.

I anxiously awaited the release of Doctor Sleep, so I pre-ordered it from my local Barnes & Noble; I wanted to ENSURE that I would be able to get it on the very first day of its release.  I devoured Doctor Sleep in about a week, which is a fast read for such a long, "meaty" novel.  It was not a light read and every page was packed with substance.  In Doctor Sleep, Danny Torrence, the little boy with the gift of "the shining" is all grown up and facing issues with adulthood.  He, like his father, has battled alcohol addiction and has faced career obstacles as a result.  He is now working with terminally ill patients, helping them to "cross to the other side".  There is a danger lurking in the community, however, that threatens Danny and all others with similar gifts.

I have to say what I loved most about Doctor Sleep is that it made The Shining even better.  This book provided many details that filled in some holes in the first book.  It embellished the stories of Dan, as well as his father John, to provide an ever greater back story and continuation of Dan's life.Now that I've read Doctor Sleep, I want to go back to read The Shining again....for a third time.

My rating:  97/100
The bottom line:  Great suspense, strong character development