Flash and Bones..Review 24

Flash and Bones By Kathy Reichs

Dr. Temperance Brennan is at it again...this time inside NASCAR. We are most comfortable in our hometowns. But Dr. Brennan is about to find out more than she ever wanted to know about the world of NASCAR, private militia, personal grudges and old cases. In the style that I so love, we are lead through a maze of facts, bodies, strange poisons, government agencies and strange circumstances.

I love both the "Book Dr. Brennan" and the "TV Dr. Brennan" but each are very different. The current TV show Bones, is based on this series of books by Kathy Reichs. However, if you are a fan of the show, be prepared for a very different Temperance Brennan. Both are complex and intriguing, but this is not the same character! This was another wonderful glimpse into the life of a medical forensic anthropologist that keeps you reading until the very last page!

ISBN# 078-1-4391-0241-1

Huckleberry Finished..Review 23

Huckleberry Finished by Livia J. Washburn
Delilah Dickenson is a "Literary Travel Agent". That means she arranges travel experiences based on great books or great Authors. Her first tour with a Gone with the Wind  theme ended in Murder in the first book, "Frankly my Dear, I'm Dead" This time Delilah is hoping her Mark Twain riverboat cruise will be smooth sailing. No such luck. She is beset with client complaints, riverboat staff complaints, murder, intrigue and danger. Everything you need for a good book. I very much enjoyed the first book in the series, and was pleased to discover that the second was just as compelling. I won't spoil the plot twists and turns, just don't be too sure you have everything figured out until the very end!
ISBN#0-7582-2569-5

Irish Dreams review 22

Irish Dreams By Nora Roberts.

This is actually two books in one! The first, Irish Rebel invites us into the world of Brian Donnelly, Irishman, horse trainer of some repute, ready to go to work as head trainer in the stables of Royal Meadows. The much loved dynasty of Travis Grant, his Irish wife and family. Brian is from "common stock" as he describes himself and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He is surprised to discover that Paddy Cunnane, head trainer for many years, quite well known in the racing world, has recommended him for the job.

Travis Grant's daughter Keeley also considers herself an outsider of sorts, known as an "Ice Princess", she lets no man into her heart. It's a ragged road that brings these two together, with lots of sparks and flame!

The second book is Sullivan's Woman. Cassidy St. John is half English, half Irish, but never really knew her Irish family as her mother died at her birth. There is a deep longing in her to connect with those Irish roots. She is a writer, but like many writers, she still needs to support herself so she is working as a salesperson in a fancy dress shop. Oh wait...was working in a fancy dress shop! Her honest mouth has cost her another job! wandering in the fog of her beloved San Francisco, she is grabbed by what she thinks is a mugger. It is not until the next day when she arrives to pose for him that she realizes he is Colin Sullivan, a world famous Irish artist! She really wants the money involved, so she decides to pose for him and there things start to get complicated.

Both stories are interesting and easy to read. The kind of books you start reading and find yourself closing the book at the end and...it's two am! Well worth the time.

ISBN#978-0-373-28151-0

Miss Julia Renews Her Vows..Review 21

Miss Julia Renews Her Vows By Ann B. Ross

Miss Julia is a matchmaker extraordinaire But she has a few secrets she wants to keep hidden from her new husband. Things that happened when she was a widow, before she met Sam. Etta Mae is being gossiped about by a client that many have bad memories of from her past. Hazel Marie and J.D. Pickens are off honeymooning while they wait for their twins to be born. then Dr. Fred Fowler blows into town to offer advice on "flaming the fires" of a happy marriage. Although he himself has never been married, he has lots of advice for others. He also has a secret that Julia is terrified he will spill, and she begins to think that her husband Sam is less than happy with their marital "fires". Lots of small town antics and suspicions ensue on the way to the final revelations.

I love the small town atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed this trip into Abbotsville!

ISBN#978-0-670-02155-0

The Marriage Carol..Review 20

The Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman


Jacob and Marlee Ebenezer are on the road toward a divorce....literally. Driving through the snow on the way to a meeting with a lawyer to dissolve their marriage of 20 years. There is an accident, and things change. Marlee has an experience that changes her. But is it real? With a clever nod to Dickens, Marlee sees her past, present and future in melting bowls of snow. She realizes that she shares the blame for their "failed" marriage. However, there is hope and possibility for change. No little boy to fetch the Christmas goose, but perhaps a future.
ISBN-13: 9780802402646

A Clockwork Christmas..review 19

A Clockwork Christmas by J K Coi, P G Forte, Stacy Gail and Jenny Schwartz

This was my first venture into the world of steam punk. Want a marvelous world it is! Each story held little jewels of a never was technology that were fascinating And like all good Christmas stories, they all lived happily ever after, though not always in one piece. I really did like them all.
ISBN# 978-1-4268-9275-2

Smitten..Review 18

Smitten By Kristen Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter
What a lovely story! In wasn't sure how I would like a story told by 4 different authors. I thought perhaps it would be awkward and cumbersome. It is none of those things! Everything dovetails seamlessly it weaves together the stories of four couples and the fate of their town. Lots of Faith, unexpected meetings (some quite rough) and misunderstandings But in the end, things are looking rosy for the future. A joy to read.
ISBN#978-1-4016-8494-5

Real Treasure..review 17

Real Treasure By.. Tish Davis
Chloe has been crushed by dominating, judgemental men. First her father, then Gary her first love, finally Trevor her fiance. She is a teacher at a local college, living at home with her parents. Every day her father lists for her the failures and omissions for the day.  She needs to get away, and realizes, she can't marry Trevor, who also makes sure she knows she doesn't measure up. Circumstances conspire to help her escape, and she ends up as a chaperone on a research trip with Gary, who is now teaching at the same college. As the trip goes on, there is intrigue, smuggling, and an "accidental" wedding! Finally she ends up where she should have been all along.
I was disappointed in the ending. I don't think her father would be so quick to completely flip his entire personality.
ISBN#1-59310-497-9

Remarkable Creatures..review 16

Remarkable Creatures By Tracy Chevalier
This book opens with lightning striking the heroine. Perhaps that is why she is so different from other women. Fossils on the beach near the poor girls home support her family. When her father dies, she takes over the business and soon shows she has an "eye" for spotting them. When she finds something completely different than ever seen before...the world beats a path to her door. Mary Anning shares her facination with Elizabeth Philpot, a middle class spinster. I found myself irresistably drawn into her world, through intrigue, betrayal, vindication and all points in between! If you like historical fiction, based on facts, you will love this book! If you have never tried it, this should be the first one you read!
ISBN# 978-0-452-29672-5

Yuletide Cowboy..review 15

Yuletide Cowboy By Debra Clopton
Chance is a "Cowboy Preacher" who can't forgive himself after the death of a bull rider he had hoped to bring to the Lord. Lynn was an abused mom with two young boys who vowed never to risk loving again because her judgement in men is so bad. Will Chance go back to preaching? Will Lynn give Chance a chance? (sorry, I couldn't resist) Mule hollow is a great little town. You should visit in this fun book.
A bit predictable, but still a fun quick read.
ISBN# 978-0-373-87640-2

Life Without Limits-Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life ..review 14

Life Without Limits-Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life 
By Nick Vujicic
What an amazing man! Born without arms or legs Nick Vujicic had it rough growing up, but blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and faith he has become one of the worlds most sought after motivational speakers. Handsome young Nick smiles out from the cover, clear eyed and ready to take on the world and help those "less fortunate" than himself. That gives you your first clue that this will not be a story you expected to read. He even gives us his "Ridiculous Rules" for life! A blessed man, you will be blessed to read about his life and thoughts.
ISBN# 978-0-307-58973-6

The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson..review 13

The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson by Don Reid
The town of Mt. Jefferson was a sleepy town in the 30' and 40's. Three boys grew up together and their lives were permanently connected. One a jeweler, one a Cop and one a Pastor. They married, went to war and each came home changed by life. A story of friendship, flawed humanity, and the truth. A fun read, i enjoyed following all the twists and turns on the way to a surprising conclusion.
eISBN # 978-1-4347-0488-7

From Sadie's Sketchbook Shades of Truth..review 12

From Sadie's Sketchbook
Shades of Truth
Book one  by Naomi Kinsman
Sadie loves her friends, her family, her life. Then her mom gets sick, her dad gets transfered and her life changes.....a lot. Sadie's friend sends a box with her that contains 10 reasons why they will always be friends. She instructs Sadie to only read each one when she really needs it. We follow Sadie as she tries to make friends, learns to draw, discovers God, and learns some hard lessons. This young readers story is interesting, full of feelings and rich descriptions of nature, people and truths. I would give this book to any of my children or grandchildren.
ISBN# 978-0-310-72662-3

The Friendship Dance of Women..review 11

The Friendship Dance of Women, By Michelle Cullum
Short, but an interesting read. I had never really considered the dynamics of how women's friendships work, or don't. This takes you from toddler tot's to moving forward tino new stages of adulthood. Good food for thought.
ISBN#978-0-9842879-0-1