Reading Amanda Knox's memoir was like taking a peek inside her heart. After a horrible ordeal and the sensational tabloid lies, this sensible, all-Ame...moreReading Amanda Knox's memoir was like taking a peek inside her heart. After a horrible ordeal and the sensational tabloid lies, this sensible, all-American girl comes home and clears her name in "Waiting to Be Heard".(less)
If you read this book, I promise that you'll love Donny. He lives in a hard world absent of the everyday cushio...moreHighly recommended for a non-stop read!
If you read this book, I promise that you'll love Donny. He lives in a hard world absent of the everyday cushions we're accustomed to. By wit, sarcasm, and a huge heart, this young boy claws his way through an impoverished, abusive, and dysfunctional childhood without self-pity or condemnation.
His story is raw and real. It will crawl under your skin and stay there. You find yourself staying up past your bedtime to be with Donny, his little brothers, and Benji until they are safely tucked in. (less)
I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading this 1970 classic. Maybe it's because I was just a little girl when it w...moreSong Of The South
I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading this 1970 classic. Maybe it's because I was just a little girl when it was written. I was part of the New South, the white child who played house with black and white dolls, oblivious of my roots. Dr. Angelou's natural poetic prose describes a South that I'm too young to remember. The story of her childhood during the first half of the Twentieth Century will remain in my heart until the day I die. I'm eternally grateful to the author for sharing her life with me. She brings alive an era that we Southerners have long forgotten or swept under the rug. It was a time of injustice and unimagined cruelty toward Black Americans that I never knew existed in my sweet southern hometown. But if I'm totally honest, I must admit that the wrongs of the past lay dormant beneath the placid smiles and practiced greetings on Main Street.
In this story, the reader learns firsthand what it was like growing up Black in America nearly one hundred years ago. The story travels from rural Stamps, Arkansas to St. Louis, Missouri during The Great Depression, then onto California during World War II. I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS is just a glimpse of a remarkable, well-lived life. Reading this book a rare opportunity and privilege that I invite everyone to experience. (less)
I agree with other reviewers that the storyline is interesting, and that it has potential. It leans toward Charles Dickens' tales of woeful orphans. U...moreI agree with other reviewers that the storyline is interesting, and that it has potential. It leans toward Charles Dickens' tales of woeful orphans. Unfortunately, the book is poorly written, repetitive, and unedited.(less)
"The Good Sister" reveals the final destruction of a family. Roxanne, Simone, and Merell are the products of a dynasty of d...more"The Good Sister" Tells All
"The Good Sister" reveals the final destruction of a family. Roxanne, Simone, and Merell are the products of a dynasty of dysfunctional families. Their story is a twisting tale made up of bits and pieces of collective baggage accumulated over three generations. The lack of love and compassion passed down from one mother to the next is recognized by each mother too late to make amends for her sins.
Roxanne is the good sister who is able to love her sister in place of their self-centered and detached mother, Ellen. Merell is the good sister who takes her mother's place as caregiver of her younger siblings and protector of her mother, Simone. Simone plays the ultimate victim who succumbs to post-partum depression and manic behavior.
This well-composed, tell-all saga captivated my attention for an entire rainy Sunday. "The Good Sister" is definitely a good read! (less)
“Life is funny. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, everything changes.” –Bette Lee Crosby
Louise Palm...moreOne of the best books I’ve ever read…
“Life is funny. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, everything changes.” –Bette Lee Crosby
Louise Palmer is a settled woman. She’s impeccably dressed. Her home of thirty-five years is perfectly furnished. Her friends are carefully chosen. Her husband, Clay, is predictable. Having had a rough childhood, Louise relies on the predictability of her comfortable suburban life in New Jersey. Little does she know that a letter from Florida will change her life, upend her perfect world, and dredge up hidden feelings of insecurity.
Clay Palmer is tired. He’s bored. He’s ready for a change. In fact, he’s afraid he’ll end up dead, if his life doesn’t change. Clay wants a little excitement in his life, something that his job at the bank and the long, cold New Jersey winters can’t provide. Little does he know that a letter from Florida will change his life and lead him to the dream life that he’s longed for all these years.
This book will remain in my heart as one of the best books I’ve ever read. The characters and the messages they convey jump from the pages and touch a soft spot in my soul. It’s a love story. It’s a story of friendship. It’s a woman’s journey to the fullness of life. She gives up what means the most to her and finds what matters most in the most unlikely places. Bette Lee Crosby’s wonderful way with words, her wit, and her wisdom shine more than ever in “What Matters Most”.
Lost interest... I loved the concept, the setting, and the beginning of Tin Win's story. A firm believer in the power of love and the human spirit, I r...moreLost interest... I loved the concept, the setting, and the beginning of Tin Win's story. A firm believer in the power of love and the human spirit, I raved about reading this book to all of my friends. Unfortunately, the storyline dragged along slowly and became weak. I dropped the book to read another. When I picked it up again, I couldn't step back into the story the way I'd hoped that I would. I hardly ever rate a book less than five stars, but this one lost its flavor about halfway through. (less)
Micheal Rivers' characters bargain with the dead in this politically charged thriller. A psychiatrist takes a team of highly trained investigators to...moreMicheal Rivers' characters bargain with the dead in this politically charged thriller. A psychiatrist takes a team of highly trained investigators to a remote German castle in search of clues to its owners' murders. An intricately woven plot and excellent character development makes this paranormal thriller a fast-moving page turner.(less)
Picking up where “The Devil of Light” leaves off, “Avengers of Blood” reunites us with the living and the dead in this gripping, horrifying Cass Ellio...morePicking up where “The Devil of Light” leaves off, “Avengers of Blood” reunites us with the living and the dead in this gripping, horrifying Cass Elliot Crime novel. In the beginning, our heroine retreats to the comfort of her normal family home after being banished from the police department. In the midst of everyday life, Cass’s heart clings to the scars of her past and thoughts of revenge. Life simmers hotly in the not-so-sleepy community of Fortney County where evil abides and vigilante justice hangs just around the bend. Cass watches as the stench of murder spreads quickly and quietly through her haunted hometown. She temporarily drops her gun and badge to accept a position with the county medical examiner. When duty calls, Detective Elliot jumps back into the line of fire as she sets out to solve four fresh murders and settle old scores. Alas, true to Forney County tradition, the devil walks away, leaving bloodshed and mayhem in his wake. Gae-Lynn Woods fans anxiously await the next chapter of Cass Elliot’s comeback and quest for Fortney County justice. (less)
After hearing Dr. Low Dog speak on "The People's Pharmacy", I looked forward setting aside time to read "Li...moreRECOMMENDED TO CURE ANYTHING THAT AILS YOU!
After hearing Dr. Low Dog speak on "The People's Pharmacy", I looked forward setting aside time to read "Life Is Your BEST MEDICINE." In this comprehensive guide to healthy living, Dr. Low Dog adds a gentle, personal touch that makes maintaining a healthy lifestyle feel achievable. The chapters cover the entire spectrum of our well-being: medical advice, nutrition, exercise, spiritual enlightenment, interesting information about how our bodies work, and great cooking tips.
Dr. Low Dog shares a wealth of knowledge and experience from a full life that all women can relate to. The pages are filled with a spiritual touch as she lets us into her life and into her heart. Readers are certain to find her stories inspiring, uplifting, encouraging and great reading. "Life Is Your BEST MEDICINE" comes highly recommended to heal anything that ails you. (less)
This wonderfully told story presents two heroic teenagers who take on the mob back in the 1920s. Will and Tom are first c...moreUnstoppable Junior Detectives
This wonderfully told story presents two heroic teenagers who take on the mob back in the 1920s. Will and Tom are first cousins and, in the beginning, they seem to be as different as different can be. Will reluctantly goes along with Tom when his curiosity can't be satisfied concerning a mysterious, haunted barge moored along Dix River near their Shakertown farm. The boys' search for the truth gets them in a heap of hot water and in way over their heads when confronted by notorious gangsters. Their curiosity nearly kills them. Their quick wit and cleverness keep them alive. Their courage outshines men twice their age and the local law enforcement. Together, they are an unstoppable pair of junior detectives.
These two boys are as much fun as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and as smart as Joe and Frank Hardy. Tom is the reader with a mysterious past. Will is the levelheaded, natural born hero. Their sidekicks, Helen and James, are full of spunk and good humor. A teen adventure sprinkled with Southern charm and historical facts, I was hooked on this Shakertown adventure from the first page! (less)
Two women die at the same time. One comes back and the other doesn’t.
“Sara’s Promise” tells the story of Sara Grafton’s family life...moreSOULMATES FOREVER
Two women die at the same time. One comes back and the other doesn’t.
“Sara’s Promise” tells the story of Sara Grafton’s family life, a life that her family struggles to carry on after her sudden death. Captured in a beautiful Oregon seaside setting, “Sara’s Promise” is about love and regret. Sara never regretted her choice to become a full-time wife and mother rather than pursuing a potentially successful career as an artist. Sara’s husband, William, lived comfortably in his perfect world with Sara and their two children. He never realized all the things his wife did for him and the children, until she was gone. Their teenage daughter, Sandy, didn’t regret her rebellious and hateful acts against her mother, until her mother passed away.
Five years later, free-lance photographer, Annie Paxton, steps into lives of the still grieving Grafton family. She comes to them by choice and through divine intervention. Her presence brings both healing and confusion to the Grafton family and within her own heart. Has she found her soulmate? How will she know? Find out in this compelling love story about life, death, and what Sara's promise meant to Annie. (less)
“Stay Close, Novac” is a light, sunny romance with a touch of comedy featuring two characters surrounded by mishaps and mayhem. Jessi...moreA Romantic Comedy
“Stay Close, Novac” is a light, sunny romance with a touch of comedy featuring two characters surrounded by mishaps and mayhem. Jessi Novac is a smart and snappy romance novelist who flees New York City after receiving menacing notes from a stalker. Jessi retreats to the peaceful shores of South Carolina to write, recuperate, and hide out. Constant paranoia makes her skittish around strangers, until she falls in love with the good-looking hunk, Ian, who lives next door. Emerging from a bad relationship, Ian’s mission is to rage war on the she-devils of the world. But Jesse’s simple beauty, slapstick charm, and need for protection reels him in. The relationship bumps along, checking out mysterious bumps in the night, until Jessi discovers that Ian has unfinished business with his wife, Rachel. Taken aback, she flies away to spend time with her family in France. Jessi’s need for Ian’s steady hand becomes apparent as she faces the problems surrounding her parents on again, off again, relationship. In the meantime, Ian realizes that Jesse Novac needs him, that she isn’t a she-devil at all, and that shes' a woman with a heart that’s big enough to fill the void in his. (less)
Life can be as brutal as kudzu amid the soft rolling hills of North Carolina. Televenge reveals hardships that lie beneath the surface of Sunday dinne...moreLife can be as brutal as kudzu amid the soft rolling hills of North Carolina. Televenge reveals hardships that lie beneath the surface of Sunday dinners and pretty, young brides in white dresses. The story begins with a teenage girl named Ande who has a passion for life and dreams of a bright future. Ande’s slow, syrupy voice lulls the reader into the world of down home living and hot summer nights. Eloquent text and moving descriptions turn Ande’s survival in a troubled marriage into an unstoppable story. Young and naïve, she dreams of picket fences and perfect children. Instead, Ande is confronted with a husband who doesn’t know who he is and doesn’t care who she is. Her good-looking and gullible husband is lured into a bed of sin by the powerful persona of a celebrity minister. Ande’s husband is caught up in a life of treachery, conspiracy, and murder. She pours out her heart to us, revealing the awful penalties her family and friends paid for a piece of wealth and fame. Televenge is packed full of action from family life to a mother's fight to save her kids. The story takes us to the far corners of the earth, from prostitution to murder. This book has it all. At the end of the day, Ande’s message to us is that, no matter how bad life gets, “God never, ever turns His back on us.” No one deserves applause more than Ms. Cable. Set in lovely, descriptive prose, Cable's southern tale is a heartbreaking home run. Ande Oliver is destined to reign as North Carolina’s newest hero in the tradition of Clyde Edgerton’s Rainey and Ellen Foster by Kay Gibbons. Televenge is nothing short of sheer Southern Fried Genius!(less)
I quickly dove into the Vasser family saga unable to put it down. The characters, deep and complex, yet believable and recognizable, are immersed in a...moreI quickly dove into the Vasser family saga unable to put it down. The characters, deep and complex, yet believable and recognizable, are immersed in a captivating plot that is carefully measured with timely revelations. The prose snaps brightly on the page as it brings out the characters staged as one of New York’s finest families. Nothing makes a great read like greed, guilt, and guile. “When Empires Fall” lives up to all these fine qualities. The story opens with an unsolved murder dating back to 1957. The case is reopened when an old letter is found claiming that the suicide of the Vasser patriarch was actually a murder. In the meantime, the reader is swept into the present by eclectic heirs who will love and fight to the death to protect the Vasser legacy. When the truth unravels, the Vassers team up to save all that they have. Amid an array of fine characters, Quinn is my favorite. Her simplicity and honesty captured me, like it did Grant, and made her shine above the glittering stars of the Empire Hotel. As I read, I tried to put my finger on a comparable story, and then the answer was given. The Vasser empire and the ambitious Madison, rings as true and sound as the railroad empire and its leader, Dagny Taggart, in “Atlas Shrugged”, but without the tedium.
Although, I compare this empire to that in Ayn Rand’s tome, this story is written in a concise manner and with a more punctual ending. Clearly, “When Empires Fall” is my favorite book of 2012! (less)
This is the story of Benjamin Wingate Smythe born in the early seventeenth century on the Canadian-American border. Ben's English-b...moreHighly Recommended!
This is the story of Benjamin Wingate Smythe born in the early seventeenth century on the Canadian-American border. Ben's English-born father, Jed Smythe, is shunned and condemned by Ben's grandfather, Benjamin Wingate. Jed flees for his life and the infant he holds while suffering the heartache of losing Addie, the love of his life. Jed retreats to the only safe place he knows, life among the Micmac Indian tribe. Ben is raised secretly by his father and the Micmacs. Ben grows up amid borderline battles between the US and Canada and the daily struggle of life in the wilderness. He's not Indian and yet, he's not Caucasian. He's poor but entitled to an inheritance. While Ben learns the hardships of the life he's given, his father is able to keep a thread of communication going with his old life for the sake of his young son's future.
This is a well written, informative story about a little known era of American history. The storyline crosses the Atlantic and reaches into the wilderness with a sense of hope that must have been imperative for people living in a untamed land. Ben Wingate is an endearing character that I'd love to see in an epic series. I'm putting "The Spruce Gum Box" on my highly recommended list! (less)
Will Long’s father was a ranch hand and a cowboy. He shared his love for everything western with his young son including stories of the adventuresome...moreWill Long’s father was a ranch hand and a cowboy. He shared his love for everything western with his young son including stories of the adventuresome bank robbers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. After his father’s death, twelve-year-old Will’s adoration for the outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, consumes his every thought. As Will’s mother moves on with her life, she is concerned about her son’s unwillingness to accept the future and his obsession with his outlaw heroes. She suggests that they take a train ride to meet Will’s one-hundred-year-old grandmother. Caught up in his fantasies, Will is less than enthused about the trip. En route, he has the opportunity to step back in time and meet his heroes. While there, he learns valuable lessons about outlaws and heroes and falls in love with a very special woman.
As a lover of western folklore, I loved experiencing life in the year 1900 and being a part of the train and bank robberies in the Wild West. I fell in love with Miss Etta, laughed with Butch Cassidy, and watched a young boy mature before my eyes. This is a marvelously written story filled with historical events and adventure for all ages. (less)
Reading “Piercing Through the Darkness” reinforces what I already knew. Emerald Barnes is a great writer! This cat and mouse game of psychological int...moreReading “Piercing Through the Darkness” reinforces what I already knew. Emerald Barnes is a great writer! This cat and mouse game of psychological intrigue is fast-moving and fueled with emotion.
The story opens with Jonathan Chandler, a young college professor, who lost wife and young daughter in a tragic and senseless car accident. As the reader follows Jonathan’s thoughts and agony, one thinks that it is he who is piercing through the darkness burrowed into his soul. The reader identifies with his pain and wants to reach out a hand to help until Jonathan meets Kandi Moore.
Kandi is a young college student who finds her way into Jonathan Chandler’s classroom. Kandi is described by her family and boyfriend as emotionally fragile. She doesn’t understand why Mr. Chandler doesn't like her and gives her a hard time. She can’t see the truth until danger lurks in an unexpected place and nearly takes her life. Near death, Kandi reaches through the blindness and finds the truth in “Piercing Through the Darkness”.
Love and friendship know no boundaries in Juliette Hill’s Pink Lemonade Diary.
Manhattan native, Cassy Gray, remembers the good, old summer days when...moreLove and friendship know no boundaries in Juliette Hill’s Pink Lemonade Diary.
Manhattan native, Cassy Gray, remembers the good, old summer days when she drank pink lemonade on Auntie M’s veranda. She and her husband chauffeur their reluctant thirteen-year-old daughter, Vicki, to visit Auntie M on the Georgia coast. Cassy hopes that Vicki will experience the good times there that she did as a young girl. After Vicki’s parents leave, she is horrified to discover that she’s left her cell phone in the backseat of the car. Auntie M gently draws Vicki into her world, and Vicki quickly learns that being at Auntie M’s isn’t so bad after all. The two strike up a special friendship and, together, they explore the excitement of budding romance.
This story will send you back to the simple summer moments that are buried in all of our hearts. The relationship between Vicki and Auntie M shows that love isn’t bound by time and neither is friendship. (less)
Loading...
