Book Bonanza!

Hi All!

Sorry about not posting yesterday but I was sleeping off a cold which hit me on Friday and is still sort of lingering around today. However, everything is getting better (keep your fingers crossed!).

The temps are still a bit "brisk" in my neck of the woods so there is nothing better than staying inside cuddled up with a good book. Here are the latest I have read. Because I have so many today I am only going to go in depth on some.

First - Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge.


In this fun novel, two high school friends hatch a plan to help Jessie get a magazine article. Erin, her friend, is married and lives in their hometown while Jessie is single and lives in New York - exactly the opposite of what they both thought would happen when they were young. Now, for the article, Jessie and Erin are changing places to see what their lives might have been like if they had followed through on their original plans.

This book is a fun read and following along on the journeys the two friends take to discovering themselves also makes you stop and take stock of your life as well.

Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb is up next.


Another futuristic murder mystery story by the master. As always, J.D. Robb is a wise choice for an entertaining read.

Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky.

This is a powerful book which gets you thinking about things you thought you knew about your own family. In this book a young couple is having their first child. Everything is fine until the adorable little girl is born. You see, she looks . . . different. She looks like she is African American while both parents are definitely not. This tiny baby girl leads the parents - and their family - on a long, rough road of family trees, suspicion, hurt feelings, and hidden secrets.

While reading this book isn't always comfortable, it does make you think.

With Open Arms by Nora Roberts contains two short novels: Song of the West and Her Mother's Keeper.

Nora Roberts is always a good, light read and these two stories are no exception.

Side Effects by Michale Palmer.

This oldie but goodie is from my grandmother's stash. I was a bit hesitant to start it since some of the books from her stash are a bit beyond my taste. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.


Kate Bennett, a well respected pathologist at the hospital on the verge of being named department head, finds herself embroiled in the mystery of several suspicious deaths. As she investigates she finds that not only is her career involved but also her marriage and possibly her own life too.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is well written and the plot is something which could happen today and which is just a bit chilling.

James Patterson's Against Medical Advice written with Hal Friedman is next.

This book is the real story of Hal Friedman's son, Corey, and his struggle with devastating medical problems.

This book could be a bit much to read since it does tell, sometimes graphically, about medical issues (no blood and gore though) but it is also very inspiring and full of hope.

Morning Light by Catherine Anderson is the next book.


Anderson writes a good story of a woman, Loni, who is "blessed" with second sight and a rancher, Clint, who doesn't quite believe in such things. The two are thrown together when Loni moves to Clint's small town trying to hide from notoriety after helping police in a kidnapping case. However, she starts seeing Clint's son in danger and is compelled to tell Clint so he can save the boy. The only problem? Clint doesn't have a son. Or does he?

While dealing with a "mystical" theme, Catherine Anderson does a nice job of keeping it light and believable. The writing is rich and the story catches you up in the feelings of the characters. A good read.

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts is the next book I read but, I don't have a picture of it because I gave the book to my mother to read.

This is the second in the Brides series by Roberts and is refreshing to read as it doesn't quite follow the traditional Roberts recipe. It left me wanting to read the third book - not yet published!

Stuart Woods, a favorite of my favorite Aunt Donna, is up next with Hot Mahogany.

This is a good, light mystery with Stone Barrington as the main character.

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs.

Beginning with a party which doesn't quite feel "right," this book thrusts you into the life of Sophie Bellamy, an international lawyer, who has scarified a lot to do her job. After the party, Sophie stops to reexamine her choices and decides to make some major changes. Those changes take her to the little village of Avalon where she begins to adjust to her new life.

I found this book very compelling. One of those that you don't want to put down until you reach the conclusion.

Ann Rinaldi, my favorite author of young adult historical fiction, shows up this time with The Color of Fire.

Phoebe, a slave in 1740's New York, guides readers through a time of racial and religious tensions.

This is a wonderful book for taking a peek into a world which is part of our history but one which we might not understand.

Another James Patterson book , Black Friday is on my list.

The U.S. financial world is thrown into chaos after a mysterious group destroys much of Wall Street. With no apparent demands or reason for the destruction, the group leaves those investigating in the dark as they struggle to piece together the answer before the world's financial market is affected.

This is a powerful book with I enjoyed a lot. I found myself trying to piece together the puzzle along with the characters and when the answer is finally revealed just as amazed as they were.

Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy is next.


Taking place in a small Greece town, this novel lets us follow a group of strangers who are brought together by a local tragedy.

Jude Deveraux contributes the next book, The Summerhouse.

Three woman who met at a turning point in all of their lives gather together again and find themselves on an interesting, and intriguing journey. This book is a great read with an odd little twist in it which leaves the reader wondering . . .

Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell is a book I read before but read again and enjoyed as much the second time as the first. All of Cornwell's books are well written and masterful!

Wrapping up this book bonanza is a book I picked up on a whim at Wal Mart. I am a fan of Christmas fiction and this looked like a good one. I wasn't quite prepared for what I got in The Wicked and the Wondrous by Christine Feehan.

This book contains two tales centered around Christmas, "The Twilight Before Christmas" and "After the Music." Both tales are romantic as well as full of the unknown. In each of the stories, there is witchcraft in some form and in each is the story of love which must conquer evil to find peace.

Well, that is it! I will have to make an effort to post about my books more frequently so that I don't end up with such a HUGE pile to post about! Thanks for hanging in there and have a super weekend!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well but it is sort of hard to tell since I have been basically sleeping non-stop for two days!