Marie Force's Blog, page 17

Book Club: You Belong To Me by Karen Rose

by Ronlyn Howe
YOU BELONG TO ME is the first in a new series by Karen Rose, and I know I speak for a ton of her fans when I say I can't wait to read the next installment from the Baltimore based saga.
In YOU BELONG TO ME we meet forensic pathologist, Lucy Trask, who is fiercely private in protecting her private life.  Unfortunately for Lucy she stumbles onto a mutilated body (who she first thinks is her elderly neighbor) in her neighborhood park which starts a chain of events that threatens to reveal every secret she's ever kept, and a few she didn't even realize she had been keeping for years.
JD Fitzpatrick is the homicide detective who first responds to the mysterious body in the park and he quickly realizes that Lucy is more than she appears to be.
She stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable.  But there was a fragility to her, a palpable tension, as if she was barely hanging on.
It becomes obvious from the moment they identify the first body, not as Lucy's elderly neighbor but as a man who Lucy had dated briefly, that this was not a random attack.  There was an I burned into the man's back and his heart was later discovered in Lucy's car.  JD is forced to push aside his own burgeoning feelings for Lucy, which could threaten his career, to protect her at any cost while trying to figure out who is targeting her.  Pushing aside their attraction is easier said than done though.
Fitzpatrick was back, standing mere inches behind her and a hard shiver prickled her skin.  The man was so warm and she had been so cold, all day.  She had to hold her shoulders stiff to keep from leaving into him and all that delicious heat.  Wouldn't be safe.  Wouldn't be right.  Don't do it, Lucy.
Even though YOU BELONG TO ME is a new series, we do see a familiar face in Clay Maynard, who we first met in NOTHING TO FEAR as Ethan Buchanan's PI partner. Clay has a new partner who has gone missing and a client who has missed his check ins.  Fearing the worst, Clay starts searching and winds up right in the middle of Fitzpatrick's investigation.
As more and more mutilated and tortured bodies of people from Lucy's past find their way into the morgue she realizes that the only way to survive is to trust JD and the police to protect her while she becomes bait for a madman.  And that also means letting JD into her heart.
She turned her gaze out the window, pondering her next statement carefully.  Below them was nothing but miles of water.  They'd reached the midpoint on the Bay Bridge, which seemed too symbolic to ignore. "You could just stay," she said and felt him tense beside her.
As a bodyguard or…" He exhaled.  "Do you want me to stay because you want me?"
There was a carefulness to his phrasing.  "Yes, JD.  That's why I asked.  Well?"
"I'd like to stay," he said simply.
YOU BELONG TO ME is classic Karen Rose, with a completely vile villain and a compelling "who done it" that keeps you guessing to the end.  The characters are so detailed that I loved some as passionately as I despised others with no middle ground.  If you haven't read Karen Rose before this is a great book to start with, and then you'll have the bonus of being able to run out and grab Karen's back list.  I really cannot say enough about this book (and it's been difficult to write this write up without giving away all the secrets of the story with my gushing) and this author.  There are only two authors that could write the phone book and I'd buy it: Karen Rose is one of them.
Karen is off being a mover and shaker today, but will be doing her best to stop in and answer questions while travelling, so please join me with welcoming her and asking any questions you may think of.  She's also offering a copy of NOTHING TO FEAR to one lucky commenter.
[image error] Crab Cakes:Ingredients·         1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells·         1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)·         3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped·         1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper·         1/4 cup mayonnaise·         1 egg·         1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce·         1 teaspoon dry mustard·         1/2 lemon, juiced·         1/4 teaspoon garlic powder·         1 teaspoon salt·         Dash cayenne pepper·         Flour, for dusting·         1/2 cup peanut oil·         Favorite dipping sauce, for serving
DirectionsIn a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce.

Next Up On Book Club: You Belong To Me by Karen Rose

Years ago, a young girl was beaten and raped while onlookers did nothing. Now those witnesses are becoming victims themselves…
Baltimore city Homicide Detective JD Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence, both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies that are turning up throughout the city. He's up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta. And now JD is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case.


Forensic pathologist Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by JD's compassion, but she isn't about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there's a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she's keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings—and put her next on the killer's hit list…


Join us on Thursday, October 13th for our discussion of You Belong To Me.  

Book Club: Sweet Justice by Christy Reece

By Crystal Scott
HonorStone is a young, idealistic FBI agent when her path collides with SethCavanaugh. For a girl who has never walked on the wild side, the dark anddangerous Seth is a temptation she can't refuse. But then Seth walks out thedoor and out of her life. Five years later, Honor is an operative with theelite Last Chance Rescue organization and Seth is a desperate ex-cop searchingfor his missing niece—one of many young women who have mysteriously vanishedfrom college campuses. Going undercover, Honor will attract the maniacal cultleader behind the kidnappings and find a way to work with Seth—while steeringclear of the passion and need that's just one touch away from explosion. Sethknows he had all the right reasons for the wrong he did five years ago. Andfrom the moment he sees her—and takes her in his arms again—this formerundercover man will risk everything for one more chance with Honor.
Anyonewho knows me knows that I am a huge fan of Christy Reece and her LAST CHANCERESCUE series. It is Romantic Suspense at it's best. Her characters come soalive, the readers feel as if they know them... unfortunately (in a good way)the villains are the same. She can create some of the vilest creeps imaginablethey are all too real. In her latest book SWEET JUSTICE the villian Alden Pikewas beyond creepy and he had a God complex which made him worse. I will admitthat he made it hard to fall asleep at nights. Then along comes Seth and Honorand they tear his world down. The book is a page turner from the firstsentence..    "Seth Cavanaugh,your under arrest for the murder of Montgomery Jenkins. You have theright to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney..."       Fromthat moment until you close the book it is addictive.  I stayed up allnight reading it because I couldn't bear to put it down without knowing how itended. 
Thereare so many things that I loved about this book. The chemistry between Seth andHonor was felt right away. The whole time your reading you just want to shout"Come on you two love each other! Get on with it already before the pagesbegin to smoke."  We met Honor before but Seth was an unknown in theLCR series, but have no fear he fits right in with the LCR men...arrogant,sexy, dangerous, and of course hero material. Here are a few of my favoritelines in the book. 
Thefirst one is Honor's thought as she watched Seth walking across her apartment.She knew she was supposed to be mad at him but she couldn't seem to get thisthought out of her mind..... 
Seth was alreadybeyond sexy. Add dangerous to the mix and he was a walking sexual fantasy.
Thenext line is from when Seth first caught sight of Honor. They both happen to beat the same party. He was captivated at first sight...
He had been standing,talking to some of Clemmons's business associates, when she'd walked into theroom. Seth had quite literally lost his breath. Job forgotten, his reason forbeing there no longer important. Mesmerized, he'd walked away in the middle ofthe conversation, without explanation.
 Thenof course Honor's reaction to the strange man that stood speechless in front ofher.
 She'd held outher hand and given him a small, simple smile. That's all it had taken for him tofall in love with her.
Fastforward 5 years.... The last they saw of each other hearts were broken and bothlives forever changed. Their chemistry was always off the charts. Seth had justheard that Honor was recently almost killed. So he demands to see the scar. AsHonor pulls the material away, she titled her head back. Callused fingertipsgently caressed the scar.....
Honor shivered asevery erogenous zone in her body stood to attention, ready to shouthallelujah. 
 Sethgot Honor all hot and bothered one night and he left her hanging. There weresome hostile words exchanged and a long restless night for both of them. Thenext morning Seth knew without a doubt he was on thin ice.. This line says itall...
"Honor"She turned around.With that blank, polite mask firmly in place, her brow slightly arched, she silently waited."I'm aprick."
Thisnext line had me laughing out loud. At 2:00 am I was laughing so hardI was shaking the bed. My husband rolled over asked what in the world waswrong. Noticed I was reading and grumbled something under his breath and rolledback over and went back to sleep. By this point in the book the sexualfrustration could be felt bouncing off the page...
Seth grabbed his key cardand growled a thank-you to the sweet-looking lady behind the counter. Shelooked a bit startled that he'd gone from pleasant to caveman in a matter ofseconds.
PoorSeth is in misery, but finally Honor is giving somewhat of a green light andSeth is beyond excited.....
"Holy hell,Honor. Don't touch me if you don't want this. I'm about to go off like arocket."
(Thesenext two are my favorite)
Oneof Seth's biggest issues was always trying to protect Honor. He knew she wastough, but he could never get past the fact that if something happened to herhe would be devastated. This line was oh so sigh worthy!
To the rest of theworld, Honor might be a tough, hard-nosed, no-nonsense woman with a gun. ToSeth, she was simply his heart.
Thislast line, Honor made the mistake of trying to put some "space"between her and Seth. She decided to put him on a separate team. He wasn't muchfor the idea..... Another laugh out loud moment.
You've got twochoices, babe. Make the reassignment or I'm going to do something that theseLCR operatives will be talking about for years to come."
Her temper making hereyes gleam like green diamonds, she snapped, "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
Theseare just a few, but I couldn't quote the whole book which is what it would looklike if I posted all my favorite lines. I can't say enough about Sweet Justice. If you haven't read ityet push it to the top of your TBR pile. Although it is a part of a series andI HIGHLY recommend reading them all in order, this book could be read as a standalone.I don't believe anyone would feel lost.
Christy is going to be joining us and giving away some books so make sure to join us and ask your questions!
Iam feeling a little pressure with the recipes since Seth is this amazingcook... So I am going to go with the KISS method. (keep it simple stupid lol)
Fora simple dinner one of my family's favorites is:
CHEESEBURGER PIE:Ingredients:2-3lbs hamburger3cups shredded cheddar cheese2cans of crescent rolls
Imake two different pans one for me one for my husband. He only likes the topingredients. Sometimes I crumble cooked bacon to add to his also. Now if youlike mushrooms (which I don't) you can add them.
Iadd to mine:1can of diced tomatoeschoppedonion
Fryhamburger until it is done (I like mine very crumbly not big chunks) drain thegrease off of it. Mix your mushrooms, bacon, onions and tomatoes in with thehamburger. In a 13X9 cake pan cover the bottom with crescent rolls. Ithink approximately half of one can. Pour the hamburger mixture in the pan.Cover the top with your shredded cheese. I like to put velveeta cheese on topof mine to make it creamier. You can use more or less however much cheese yourfamily likes, mine unfortunately loves cheese. After all the ingredients are inthe pan cover the top with crescent rolls. Bake according to the directionon the crescent roll can. 
Iusually fry some potatoes (or have mashed potatoes) with a side of corn and asalad to complete the meal.  
Nowfor the best part... desert.I'mnot sure exactly what the name of this cake is, but I've heard it called Betterthan Sex cake.. sounds good to me. :)

Bakea German Chocolate cake according to the directions on the box. Once cake isbaked take a straw (the ones from sonic are great because they are bigger) pokeholes all over the top. Take one can of sweetened condensed milk and pour overthe whole cake, then take one jar of caramel (the kind you buy for ice creamtoppings) pour the whole jar over the cake. Place the cake inthe refrigerator until cold. Once the cake is cold cover the top withwhipped cream.  It is amazing!

Next Up On Book Club: Sweet Justice by Christy Reece

LIVE FOR HONOR. DIE FOR LOVE.Honor Stone is a young, idealistic FBI agent when her path collides with Seth Cavanaugh. For a girl who has never walked on the wild side, the dark and dangerous Seth is a temptation she can't refuse. But then Seth walks out the door and out of her life. Five years later, Honor is an operative with the elite Last Chance Rescue organization and Seth is a desperate ex-cop searching for his missing niece—one of many young women who have mysteriously vanished from college campuses. Going undercover, Honor will attract the maniacal cult leader behind the kidnappings and find a way to work with Seth—while steering clear of the passion and need that's just one touch away from explosion. Seth knows he had all the right reasons for the wrong he did five years ago. And from the moment he sees her—and takes her in his arms again—this former undercover man will risk everything for one more chance with Honor.
Join us and author Christy Reece to discuss Sweet Justice on Thursday, October 6th.

Book Club: Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

By Mary Grzesik
The first time a Roxanne St. Claire book crossed my path, it was Hunt Her Down facing out in Chapters. I was curious but she was an unknown (I know, where have I been LOL).   Fast forward to the end of 2010.  Edge Of Sight (EOS) appears on the shelves & I finally decide to check out this author's web-site. I found Taken to the Edge, the free prequel to EOS.
This intro to Samantha & Zach was so incredible. Sam, a law student, and Vivi are friends & neighbors. One night, Vivi convinces Sam to party at her place. Sam almost begs off but Vivi won't take no for an answer. Vivi's twin brother Zach, an Army Ranger on leave from Kuwait, ushers Sam into the party and that was it for both of them. The chemistry between them was palpable and their banter was so fun & refreshing. No one but Zach could get away with being so alpha, irreverent and charming at the same time. Zach to the men at the party: "Put your tongues away. She's taken."  When Sam calls him on it, Zach says with a smile, "You heard me."  It was like they were screaming the word at each other, so loud everything in the room silenced while they connected with one simple thought. Sex.
Vivi admitted to Zach that she knew they would spark. Sam & Zach spent three idyllic weeks together, getting to know each other in & out of bed, both of them counting down the days until Zach shipped out again. During their last few hours together, Zach is awake watching the clock count down to his departure time. He dreads letting go of Sam's hand that he's holding to his chest. At this point, I'm in meltdown. It's so poignant and romantic at the same time. While starting his shower, Zach hears Sam crying and admitting her love for him. He doesn't want to return the words to her in case he doesn't come home and pretends he doesn't hear her. To tell her that he loves her is a "contract" and he doesn't want her to be lonely. Zach thinks to himself that he will make it right when he gets back. If he gets back.
I know I'm using up some of my post for the prequel. While Edge of Sight will stand on its own, the prequel adds such a rich layer to the book.
EOS picks up 3 years later. Zach did not keep in touch with Sam. Sam is bound for Harvard Law School. At her waitressing job, she witnesses a murder in the wine cellar & goes on the run. She hits her place for her laptop, phone and a wig. Though they grew apart after Zach left, Sam texts Vivi for help. Vivi texts back, telling Sam to go to her place.  Zach shows up in the dark to meet her instead. Zach comes up behind her and says, "I'd recognize that ass anywhere." Sam says, "I guess this means you're not dead." Just like that they slip into the banter again.
Sam turns to look at Zach and is surprised by his scarred cheek & eye patch. She assumes that's the reason he didn't keep in touch.  Zach & Vivi, who is starting her own security company, protect Sam until the murderer is caught. Their days on the run are harrowing. I know this is a romantic suspense book and Roxanne writes suspense so well but what got to me was the bond between Zach & Sam.

CHAPTER 15 really shows this. I realized that even if you took away the great sex, I loved what they said & what they felt. Here are a few passages that illustrate this. You'll have to read the book for the "good" stuff.

"You deserve better."  And that, he knew, was the real reason he couldn't write that fucking post card.  Even when he was whole.
 "Zach."  She cupped his face like she had in her apartment, her warm, dry palm closing over his scar.  "I don't want better."
He just looked at her. 
"I want you," she said.  "Just like you are.  You."  She grazed the scar, threatening to slide her finger under the patch.  He tried not to flinch.  "I want that man who left me crying.  The man who talked all night and made me laugh and drove me crazy.  I want that man, no matter how he looks.  Because that man, that man you used to be and that man I know you still are, that man looks…" She lifted the patch, inched it over his forehead, slid it off his head.  "Exactly the way he's supposed to look."
AND:


She looked up at him, the playfulness in her eyes gone .  "I haven't been with anyone since you left."
His fingers stilled.  "No one?"She shook her head. "What were you waiting for?""I was waiting for you. Even though you didn't want me to, I waited and worried and wondered."  

AND:


He kissed her as gently as he could, trying to use his mouth against hers to say all the words she deserved to hear.  Appreciation.  Adoration.  Affection.  Love.
AND:

He fell on her, strangled for air, dripping with sweat, helpless and shameless and lost.His face smashed against hers, his scars pressed against her creamy complexion, their joining skin soaked.
There are only a handful of books that stay in my head, my heart and still on my desk (because I can't bear to put them away). Edge of Sight is one of them. Roxanne will be visiting with us today and giving away a full set of the Guardian Angelinos trilogy - Edge of Sight, Shiver of Fear and Face of Danger. 
Here is one of Roxanne's fave recipes:
Uncle Nino's Comforting Chicken Cacciatore"It'll cure a heartache."  - Vivi Angelino, FACE OF DANGER, p. 372

Ingredients2 cups all-purpose flour for coating 1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces 3 or 4  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 Spanish onion, chopped 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large green bell pepper, chopped 14 oz can of Italian peeled tomatoes or equivalent amount of fresh ripe Roma tomatoes.4 or 5 Fresh Thyme sprigs with leaves stripped off Pinch of dried oregano 3/4 cup dry white wine 2 cups fresh white or Crimini mushrooms, thickly sliced Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
InstructionsCut chicken into 8 pieces. Salt and pepper chicken pieces and dredge in flour and sauté in well heated olive oil. (Nino says dredge immediately before sautéing... one piece at a time)  When chicken is well browned remove from pan and set aside. Add onions (sprinkle of salt) and a couple of minutes later add the garlic.
Sauté for a few minutes, then add pepper, tomatoes and chicken pieces, wine, thyme leaves, and oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on medium-low for about 30 minutes and add mushrooms. Cook another 10 minutes or so and serve over pasta or with crusty bread.

New Book and a Giveaway: GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Since Georgie Quinn's mother died after a brief illness, the highlight of Georgie's life has become "jogger stalking" every morning with her roommates Tess and Cat. Stuck running the senior center her mother founded in Newport, RI, until a replacement director is found, Georgie dreams of returning to her glamorous life in Atlanta. As that life begins to unravel, she discovers a whole new one in Newport where the jogger turns out to be sexy detective and tree hugger Nathan Caldwell. Determined to get her mind off her many problems—including a possible threat to her own health—Georgie indulges in what she intends to be a no-holds-barred one-night stand with Nathan. Unfortunately, Nathan has other ideas and sets out to have a relationship with her. Tess, on the run from an abusive husband, and Cat, who raised her younger brother and sister, hook up with Nathan's brothers, Ben, an injured Iraqi war veteran, and Ian, a single-father and talented musician. Add a zany cast of seniors who seem determined to drive Georgie slowly mad with their never-ending needs and comparisons to her sainted mother, and you've got the ingredients for a fast-paced, often comical, emotional journey that leads Georgie straight to the home of her heart.


Read an excerpt from GEORGIA ON MY MIND.


Where to find GEORGIA ON MY MIND:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
iBooks
All Romance Ebooks


I've got two copies to give away for the best story of how your life went in a direction you didn't plan, but it turned out to be the exact right thing for you! Bring it on!

New Book: GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Since Georgie Quinn's mother died after a brief battle with breast cancer, the highlight of her life has become "jogger stalking" every morning with her roommates Tess and Cat. Stuck running the senior center her mother founded in Newport, RI, until a replacement director is found, Georgie dreams of returning to her glamorous life in Atlanta. As that life begins to unravel, she discovers a whole new one in Newport where the jogger turns out to be sexy detective and tree hugger Nathan Caldwell. Determined to get her mind off her many problems—including a possible threat to her own health—Georgie indulges in what she intends to be a no-holds-barred one-night stand with Nathan. Unfortunately, Nathan has other ideas and sets out to have a relationship with her. Tess, on the run from an abusive husband, and Cat, who raised her younger brother and sister, hook up with Nathan's brothers, Ben, an injured Iraqi war veteran, and Ian, a single-father and talented musician. Add a zany cast of seniors who seem determined to drive Georgie slowly mad with their never-ending needs and comparisons to her sainted mother, and you've got the ingredients for a fast-paced, often comical, emotional journey that leads Georgie straight to the home of her heart.


Read an excerpt from GEORGIA ON MY MIND.


Where to find GEORGIA ON MY MIND:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Other outlets coming soon!


I've got two copies to give away for the best story of how your life went in a direction you didn't plan, but it turned out to be the exact right thing for you! Bring it on!

Next Up On Book Club: Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

The killer she can't escape . . .

The heartbreak she can't forget . . .

The one man who can stop them both.

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

Join us on Thursday, September 29 for our discussion of Edge of Sight. Author Roxanne St. Claire will be joining us to answer questions and giving away a copy of Edge of Sight!

Book Club: Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London

By Aly Hackett

Whose wife was she?
Macy Lockhart's life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn--serving in the military overseas--has been killed in the line of duty.  Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless.  But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life.  Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she'd once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock.  Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride...
How can a woman choose between the two men she loves?  And how will she make the right choice--for herself and everyone involved?

Macy Lockhart has been heartbroken since the day two men from the Army came to tell her that her husband, Finn, was killed in action. In that moment Macy could never imagine moving on with her life. But as time passes, Macy starts to heal and opens herself up. Two years after losing Finn she marries Wyatt Clark, starts to build a foundation and is planning on starting a family. Macy certainly hasn't forgotten her first husband - and one true love - but she has survived her grief and realizes that she still has plenty of life to live.

And then the absolutely unthinkable happens. Two men from the Army once again approach Macy but this time it is to tell her that her husband is in fact alive. This is not only a shock to Macy and all those that love Finn but it creates a conflict like none other.

Macy now must make a devastating decision: decide to divorce Finn to make her marriage to Wyatt legal or request her marriage to Wyatt be declared void and stay married to Finn. How is she going to choose between her first love and the man that brought her back to life by loving her? That is the question which torments Macy for a good part of the book and tests her in a way nothing else could.

She loved two men. She loved them differently, but she loved them both nonetheless, and it left her incapable of making a decision. Or eating or sleeping, for that matter. She was paralyzed.

On one hand there is Finn. Finn kept himself alive while in captivity by remembering his life with Macy and imagining what things will be like when he gets free. Never did he imagine that when he did finally manage to escape, his wife would no longer be his wife, or his at all. So not only did Finn have to readjust after being held prisoner and learn how to cope with PTSD but the one thing he thought he could depend on - his life with Macy - is gone. His emotions are all over the place, as anyone could imagine and he's so angry at Macy for moving on without him that his pain takes on a life of its own.

Finn Lockhart, as he remembered himself, thought of himself, had ceased to exist, and now he was the guy everyone kept calling a hero. He wasn't a hero. He was the farthest thing from a hero.

On the other hand, there's Wyatt. Wyatt, in my opinion, is in the absolute worst position of the three. There were definitely parts of this book where I wanted to smack him but who could blame him? He has the woman he wants, the woman he loves and is getting ready to start a family with her. Business is going well, life is everything he could ever want...and them WHAM!! His life is turned completely upside down.

How did a man go about handling that sort of news? He was a newlywed; he was building their life. He was embarking on a very large deal to build a destination resort and spa that would make them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. He didn't need this. He needed Macy, and now he didn't even know what to expect when she came back from D.C.

I will be very honest and say I went into this book a bit skeptical because I wasn't sure that I would be happy with the ending. I am so glad that I got past my skepticism because not only am I happy with how it ended but with the book as a whole.

But aside from the absolutely heart wrenching story line this book is made with its characters. At some point during the story I loathed almost every single character! LOL! No, really, I did! This is a very tough situation for everyone involved and they all make some choices that are emotional rather than rational. And despite my loathing, Julia London makes me understand why every single one of them behaves in the manner in which they do and makes me love them again :)

In the end, Summer of Two Wishes is an emotional story that has some fabulous characters and definitely makes you want to see what is going to happen next in Cedar Springs.

Thanks to Julia for stopping in today to visit with us!  We are thrilled to have you here!

By now we all know that I am not a cook!  Bake, yes.  Cook, HELL NO :)  But here is a crock pot recipe that my kids love!

Slow Cooker Pork Chops 
From allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pork-chops-for-the-slow-cooker/Detail.aspx)

Ingredients6 boneless pork chops1/4 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon ground ginger1/2 cup soy sauce1/4 cup ketchup2 cloves garlic, crushedsalt and pepper to taste
DirectionsPlace pork chops in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over pork chops.Cook on Low setting for 6 hours, until internal temperature of pork has reached 160 degrees F
And for something a little more *me*
Apple Orchard CakeFrom Mommy's Kitchen (http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2008/09/apple-orchard-snack-cake.html)1 cup sugar3 eggs2 apples – peeled and diced½ cup butter, melted2 cups graham cracker crumbs¾ cups walnuts (optional)
Mix sugar, margarine and eggs in bowl. Stir in graham cracker crumbs, apples and nuts until blended. Spread batter into greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Next Up On Book Club: Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London

Whose wife was she?
Macy Lockhart's life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn--serving in the military overseas--has been killed in the line of duty.  Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless.  But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life.  Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she'd once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock.  Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride...
How can a woman choose between the two men she loves?  And how will she make the right choice--for herself and everyone involved?

Join us on Thursday, September 22 for our discussion of Summer of Two Wishes.  Author Julia London will be joining us to answer questions!