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

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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.