Noel Street

Noel Street by Richard Paul Evans

It's 1975, and single mother, Elle Sheen, struggles
to survive, waiting tables at a local diner in Mistletoe, Utah.

How she ended up calling this tiny community home,

is another story for another time. Maybe it was divine

intervention, or maybe just luck. In any case, it's here where
she found kind souls willing to give her, and her son, Dylan,
a chance to start over when life seemed dire and impossible.

Now six years later, Elle still barely gets by financially,
worries constantly that her bi-racial son can endure the
slurs and prejudice he will certainly face in his lifetime,
and dreams of a better tomorrow.

When Elle meets William, a troubled Vietnam War veteran,
her attraction to him goes far beyond the physical. In William
she finds a kindred spirit, maybe because the father of her child
also served in the War, or perhaps it's his ability to find joy in
the smallest things in life.

But soon Elle learns that the man she is falling in love with,
harbors deep secrets in his soul that could destroy any
chance they have for the future.

Celebrate the last days of the season with this short, feel-good
story about the power of forgiveness from the author known as
"The King of Christmas Fiction".

The Perfect Love Song

The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry

The vagabond life for brothers, Jimmy and Jack
Sullivan, is growing harder every day, now that
they are both deeply in love.

Along with their band, The Unknown Souls, the
talented musicians travel from one nondescript
town to the next, counting the days until they
are in the arms of  the women that make them
want to settle down.

But things take a dramatic turn when Jimmy
and his love, Charlotte, write a simple love
song on a back porch, that turns out to be
an immediate hit when the band sings the tune at
a local concert the next evening.

Suddenly, Jimmy finds himself in the spotlight,
without Charlotte by his side, as a manger known
for creating stars, hears the song, and decides charismatic
Jimmy has the makings of a rising entertainer.
The perfect love song turns into a Christmas wonder
that newfound fans can't seem to stop singing. In just
a few days, Jimmy is on his way to fame and fortune after
years of struggles and disappointments.

But acclaim comes at a price, as Jimmy finds out
all too soon. As the demands on his life become
overwhelming, he scrambles to find a way to make
it to his brother's wedding in Ireland, realizing
that the glitter of glory may stop him from being
with the people he loves at a memorable moment
in time.

Maybe the "The Luck of the Irish", and some very
special  people he meets along the way, will lead
Jimmy back to where he belongs.

Take a relaxing break during another busy, holiday season
to read this light, Christmas novella about hope and
forgiveness, filled with Irish lore, and a touch of magic.

The Last Affair

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt

Infatuation turns deadly when an unhappy,
restless woman starts an illicit affair with
a married man.

Nora Holliday never expects to run into a
familiar face at her out-of-town food blog
conference. So when Dr. Josh Landon walks
into the bar where she's relaxing and enjoying
time away from her husband and family obligations,
she welcomes the friendly conversation and free drinks.

Soon, innocent flirtation turns into fervent passion.
Nora and Josh return home with a dangerous secret,
one they know will ruin reputations and destroy the
lives of so many, if ever exposed.

What they don't count on is Josh's bitter daughter,
Abby, catching them in one of their clandestine moments.
Abby vows to learn the identity of her father's lover,
which sets in motion a series of events resulting in a
brutal murder.

But she's not the only one bent on retaliation in this
peaceful, seaside suburb. The list of scorned suspects
continues to grow, like an abusive, alcoholic husband,
and anyone on the wrong side of vindictive, intimidating rumors.

A riveting thriller about how out-of-control obsession,
revenge, and toxic gossip, can turn into unhinged insanity.

Fans of Margot Hunt will love it.

Nothing to See Here

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

When Lillian and Madison meet at a prestigious
boarding school, the bond is immediate, even
though highly unlikely. Lillian, the poor,
scholarship student, struggles to identify with
the likes of the poised, rich, and stunning
Madison, on just about every level.

But the young women defy the odds and become best
friends, until a juicy scandal sends Lillian back
to her lonely mother's attic, while Madison continues
to reap the rewards of  her wealthy father's influence.
They unceremoniously part ways, with the realization
that status and money really do matter.

Imagine Lillian's surprise when Madison resurfaces
ten years later with a lucrative offer for her former
friend; one that's hard to refuse. Lillian has the chance
to become" governess" to twins from Madison's husband's
previous marriage. The children's biological mother has
died, and it looks like their Senator father is now wholly
responsible for them; quite a task for a man who knows
so little about his own offspring except for one very troubling
detail that Madison finally reveals to a skeptical Lillian.

Supposedly, the twins spontaneously combust when stressed
or agitated, their little bodies aglow with flickering
flames at the most inopportune times.

Once Lillian witnesses the phenomenon herself, and
accepts the absurdity of it all, she agrees to be part
of a dysfunctional family that becomes more
challenging with each waking moment. Two confused,
sheltered children are slowly capturing Lillian's heart,
and what starts as a way out of her hapless life, turns
into a life-changing opportunity when she needs it the most.

This quirky, funny, offbeat novel with its improbable plot,
sends a clear message about the power of acceptance and belonging,
and how finding purpose in life can turn dark, meaningless days and
nights into hope for the future.

The Today Show's Jenna Bush Hager chose this one as her Book
Of The Month with good reason. It's for those who like to think
outside of the box, laugh, (or ponder) a wildly entertaining
premise, and empathize with likable characters, from an author
with a style all his own.

The Widow of Rose House

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

It's 1875, and Mrs.Alva Webster has returned
to Hyde Park, New York, after fleeing her
scandalous, and somewhat mysterious past in
France.

Regal, and stunningly beautiful, Alva turns
heads wherever she goes, fully aware of the
gossip and whispers about the sordid life she
supposedly flaunted behind her now deceased
husband's back.

Alva sincerely hopes that by purchasing and
refurbishing a decrepit, old mansion, and writing
a book about her adventures, she can start over,
thereby banishing memories that are too painful
to share with anyone.

She doesn't anticipate a ghost inhabiting her eerie
dwelling, one who shuns the idea of being disturbed. Nor
does Alva expect to fall madly in love with a charming,
well-known scientist from a prominent family who
wants to free the ghost's mighty hold on her
new home. Something cruel and dangerous took
place behind these walls, deeds that those in the upper
echelon of society never wanted exposed. Alva is
about to go back in time to fully understand the depth
of her nagging uneasiness every time she steps behind
creaking, ominous, closed doors.

And Alva's dead husband's dastardly, evil spirit,
isn't quite ready to let her go, even from the beyond.

This Gothic, spooky, tale takes place during the "Gilded Age",
a period of time coined by Mark Twain after The Civil War,
when many inventions came to life, like the shimmering,
electric light bulb. But beneath the glitter and shine, corruption
lurked in America. The  lavish opulence of the rich was
on display, while the common man often suffered.

There's fervent passion and witty dialogue, in this historical
romance debut that's surprisingly addictive. Numerous references
to Ohio, so removed from the hustle and bustle of New York City,
are of added interest to all of us who call the Buckeye state home.

Once Removed

Once Removed by Colette Sartor

Everyone knows a woman in their lives they admire.
A mother, a wife, a daughter, a partner, that tenacious
person that holds them all together.

This fabulous collection of short stories celebrates the
perseverance of women, flawed as they may be, and
their innate ability to nurture and protect. In this engaging debut,
you'll find the same rich characters flowing from one story
to the next, aging and evolving over time.

In "Daredevil", Grace struggles to teach Sunday school
to a little girl riddled with birth defects, while her own
troubled son prefers no one knows she's his mother.
When the two children finally do acknowledge one another,
and he chooses to carry out his new-found friend's ultimate "dare",
the consequences are life-changing. Why couldn't Grace have
saved her own son from this fate?

In " Lamb", a gay couple reluctantly allows a grandmother to
meet her grandson, Luca, on Easter, the holiest day of the year.
But when the news of how they intend to raise Luca in the Jewish faith
is finally revealed, it forces a determined matriarch to take drastic
action to save a child's soul. Can forgiveness reunite a fractured
family that steadfastly holds on to the past?

In perhaps a favorite, "La Cuesta Encantada", Althea carries the
weight of watching her husband's mind slip in and out of the fog
of dementia. She decides to retreat and hide, rather than tell life-long
friends the truth, creating a meticulous facade. But with talk of
moving for retirement a constant topic of conversation, Althea
pushes her soulmates farther and farther away, fearing the change
will destroy what little she has left of her beloved mate. Memories
of their youth flood her mind, carefree days spent exploring, stolen
kisses, and the one haunting recollection that fills her heart with shame.
Was she responsible for robbing a good friend of happiness so many years ago?

These and seven other stories, from an author to watch, are a
delight to read, perhaps in one sitting as I did. Brimming with
emotion and humor (albeit on the dark side), it's ultimately
about women and their imperfections, sacrificing so much in the
never-ending search for peace, hoping to be victorious in the end.

Things You Save in a Fire

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

This should be Texas firefighter, Cassie Hanwell's,
shining moment as she wobbles across the stage
in uncomfortable high heels, to accept a prestigious
award of valor.

Instead, the momentous occasion marks the end of
a promising career when she pummels the councilman
handing her the honor, with a sharp hook that leaves
him in a bloodied heap on the floor.

Sometimes, painful, high school memories from ten
years ago, are hard to forget.

Now Cassie finds herself living with her estranged
mother, miles away near Boston, assigned to a different
firehouse badly in need of repair, and constantly proving
to her male counterparts that a female is worthy of
working along side them in every conceivable way.

When she meets the new rookie, the "girly"
part of her awakens. Not only is he kind, considerate,
and easy on the eyes, he's also a man who just might
break the impenetrable  barrier she's drawn around herself
after unspeakable heartache.

But becoming personally involved with someone in the trade,
is a really bad thing to do, as Cassie well knows. So she puts a
damper on her feelings and deals with the matters
at hand, like a cruel, relentless stalker who clearly
hates her, the budget cuts that put her in competition
with the rookie, and the near-death experience that tests
every survival skill she's ever learned.

This positively, entertaining novel, filled with
surprises at every turn, reiterates the power of
forgiveness, and how it can give hope to the
abandoned and betrayed, and those who have
simply lost their way.

It's a story filled with tears and laughter, romance and
inspiration, as it accurately portrays some of the
finest men and women in society, known as firefighters,
paramedics, and first responders. The details about what
they do each and every day is quite amazing, and worthy
of our admiration.

The Gifted School

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

They've been friends since their children
splashed in the pool together, learning to swim.

Four women who formed an immediate bond
as young mothers, drinking coffee from mugs
with inspirational words of ever-lasting
affection, meeting for early morning jogs
under the invigoratingly, blue skies of
Crystal, Colorado, sharing the same hard-working
housekeeper, and keeping each other abreast
of all the juicy gossip about the fabulously
rich and beautiful in a town where envy and
jealousies abound.

But when an exclusive, magnet school is set
to open in this suburb overlooking the mountains,
small cracks in a rock-solid friendship begin
to appear. Adults scheme to deliver their child's
perfect portfolio, and anxious kids feel the pressure
of stressful testing, as they claw over one another
to claim a spot on the coveted roster of students.

Everyone is keeping secrets, some small,
some monumental. Eventually, they find themselves
powerless to hide stunning, salacious deceptions,
deep-rooted resentments, and regrettable errors
in judgement.

This book takes an introspective look at how far some
parents will go to ensure their children are part of the
elite in the hallowed halls of higher learning, even if
it means losing their own dignity.

If you enjoyed Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies,
then put this one on your list. An outrageously,
entertaining read, dealing with a relevant topic,
that will undoubtedly prompt spirited discussions
at your next book club about social status, race,
and entitlement.

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

She's the grieving widow, a virtual recluse
in the big house in this small Maine
community where she led a seemingly
picture-perfect life with Dr. Timothy Drake,
the admired and adored physician
that so many called their savior and friend.

He's a washed-up former Major League
baseball pitcher who's lost the magic in
his arm that once graced every sports magazine
in the country.

When Evvie Drake and Dean Tenney meet, an easy
friendship begins, with the promise of romance
just a whisper away. But there's way too many
unspoken half-truths, misunderstandings, and
resentments in both of their lives, before a casual
relationship can turn into something much more
meaningful. And it won't be easy facing the truths
that have stayed hidden for so long.

No one can ever know that Evvie was planning
on leaving Dr. Tim hours before his tragic car
accident or the reasons why. And that includes two
special people, her own dear father and Andy,
her best friend and confidante.

Dean swallows his pride as his stellar pitching
career fades away, while secretly harboring the notion
his golden arm will return to resurrect his once glorious
career. Is it just a frivolous dream supported by Evvie,
or a real possibility?

This warm, funny, love story, about two
likable, vulnerable characters teetering on  the
threshold of happiness, is all about second
chances, forgiveness, and hope for a brighter tomorrow,
making it an ideal choice for the last days of summer.

Summer of '69

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

It was a summer few will ever forget.

Man dared to step foot on the moon.

Angry protesters rallied against The
Vietnam War, amid the increased escalation
of the United States in the conflict.

Peace, love, and psychedelic drugs drew
hundreds of thousands to a music festival
known as Woodstock, an extravaganza of epic
proportions. And Ted Kennedy survived a
scandal at Chappaquiddick that almost
cost him his political career.

No one feels the impact of the summer of '69
more than the Levin family, who fervently
embrace the changing times.

One daughter has a season of awakening with
her stern grandmother on Nantucket, another
awaits the agonizing birth of twins, without the
support of her troubled husband, and a third girl
finds refuge on Martha's Vineyard where it's
impossible to escape the sins of her past, and
the racial tension that simmers behind closed
doors.

A son marches off to the jungles of Southeast Asia,
and a mother drowns her sorrows with a steady stream
of cocktails, terrified that sordid secrets from the
past could tear her family apart.

Hilderbrand's first historical fiction novel is an insightful
narrative about a remarkable, tumultuous era,
fifty years ago. She captures the essence of 1969
with her candid, eloquent writing, making it an
emotional, nostalgic, page-turner, certain to resonate
with so many readers.

The Dream Daughter

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

It's time to celebrate author Diane Chamberlain's
thirty years of writing captivating novels that
inspire, enlighten, and thoroughly entertain
her many loyal readers.

Her latest, The Dream Daughter, now in paperback,
takes a decided turn from many of her previous books,
whisking the reader into the world of time-travel,
where anything is possible.

It's the 1960s. Carly Grant's work as a physical therapist
in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is fulfilling, but sometimes
frustrating, especially when she meets Hunter Poole,
a quirky patient with a mind of his own. But he's the
perfect match for Carly's sister, Patti, and soon they marry.

Happiness is elusive, however, when Carly's husband, Joe,
dies in the Vietnam War. He'll never know the child she is
carrying, a daughter who suffers from a congenital heart defect
that can't be fixed.

But what if Hunter could transport Carly forward in time
to 2001, where doctors have the technology to possibly repair
a heart abnormality in the womb? Hunter promises just that,
and this is the story of Carly's perilous journey to save her child
by considering the impossible, fervently hoping that miracles
do come true.

Yet time is of the essence, and returning to the life she once knew,
may not be quite so easy for Carly and her precious child. Sometimes
the sacrifice we make for our child is the greatest love of all.

This imaginative story takes the reader on a time-travel adventure,
right along with Carly. It's a window into tumultuous times,
the highs and the lows, the joys and the sorrows of the
60s, 70s, and the not-so-distant future of 2022.

Step into this time capsule for another engaging tale
from Diane Chamberlain, and be prepared to
dream.

the Summer Guests

the Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe

The hot, sultry days of August are about
to change on the Southern coast as
Hurricane Noelle prepares to unleash fury
and might on everything and everyone
in her path.

A diverse mix of friends, family, and casual
acquaintances prepare to evacuate to the
sprawling farm of Grace and Charles
Phillips in North Carolina. Facing the
unknown, they take only their most prized
possessions, uncertain as to what will remain
in the aftermath of this powerful storm.

Grace's daughter, Moira, conflicted and confused
in her marriage, arrives with a pack of
dogs, seeking refuge. Famed equestrian, Javier
Angel de la Cruz, checks in with his current
flame, make-up artist, Hannah, along with
Grace's dear German friend, Gerta.
Wealthy, influential, and renowned for her
intuitive horse breeding skills, Gerta has
a valuable stake in these animals, and she's
determined to save them at all cost.

But will she be able to stop controlling
her restless daughter, Elise, before their
relationship is fractured beyond repair?

They all are about to embark on a journey
of discovery about themselves and those
they love. Forbidden desire, pent-up anger
and resentment, hidden secrets, and unfilled
dreams take center stage as they weather
Mother Nature's rage and ferocity.

Mary Alice Monroe's latest novel leaves the
familiar shores of South Carolina to tell a
captivating story in a new locale, but as with
all her books, the reader takes away enlightening
facts. This time it's about the fascinating world of
horses, their trainers, those who ride competitively,
and those who feel a deep connection to these
magnificent animals.

And for those loyal fans of the author's
Beach House series, the beloved character of Cara
Rutludge makes an appearance in this story,
as she races against time to save her beloved home,
Primrose Cottage on The Isle of Palms from the
relentless winds of the hurricane. Perhaps she'll
find it's time to commit to new beginnings in the
eye of a storm.

Another absorbing novel from an author who
continues to delight her many faithful readers
with relevant topics, appealing characters,
twisty plots, and of course, a touch of romance.
 

The Favorite Daughter

The Favorite Daughter by Patti Callahan Henry

This should be the happiest day of Colleen
Donohue's life. Splendid in her vintage,
lace wedding gown, she'll soon walk down
the aisle with a radiant smile, taking solemn
vows with Walter, the man she loves.

But those dreams are shattered when Colleen
witnesses a passionate, clandestine embrace
between Walter and her sister, Hallie,  just
minutes before the ceremony.

The deep, stinging betrayal by two people
she trusts the most, is overwhelming. So Colleen
follows her heart and runs far, far away from
the serene beauty of Watersend, South Carolina,
never looking back, praying her heart will
heal someday.

Ten years later, Colleen has made a name for
herself as a successful free-lance travel writer in
New York City. Friends, a bustling social life, and
casual romances along the way, keep her busy, but
unfulfilled.

When brother, Shane, summons her back home to
to help with the decline of their beloved father,
ravaged by Alzheimer's disease, she's keenly
aware of her obligation to return to the Low-
country she left behind.

So much has changed, yet many things remain
the same. Family calls her Lena, just like they did
years ago. Her brother still runs the Irish pub where many
after-school days were spent doing homework.
Hallie is married to the charming, deceitful Walter,
and mother to two precocious girls. And the pain, anger,
guilt, and resentment between the two sisters who were
once inseparable, is as fresh as it was on that fateful day.

As time goes on, Colleen can see her confused father
slowly slipping away from reality. Time is of the essence
as she and her siblings prepare to honor him with a
celebration of memories and pictures. But a puzzling
photograph from his youth contradicts what he's always
told them about the past. Could he be harboring a painful
secret, even as his mind is fading?

This is a mellow, heartwarming story about the
power of forgiveness, the futility of revenge, and
the achingly, difficult decision to accept what we
can't change, open to what the future holds.

The Mother-In Law

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

Diana Goodwin is cool, sophisticated, and elegant
in every way. She's admired in the community
for using her great wealth to help underprivileged,
pregnant refugees deliver healthy babies when they
have nowhere else to turn.

But daughter-in-law, Lucy, feels quite differently
about Diana. Her mother-in-law's subtle
but scathing criticism, ranges from the way Lucy's
raising the grandchildren to her inability to multi-
task. Diana's daughter, Nettie, with her
persistent infertility problems, and brooding
husband, Patrick, also feel subjected to the
matriarch's belief that everyone should face
adversity head-on without asking for help
from loved ones.

Thank goodness for Tom, their jovial father
who's willing to dole out the money when the kids
come crying for financial assistance. They can
count on him for understanding and support.

But when Tom dies of a hideous disease that robs
him of his dignity, things drastically change in
the Goodwin family. Diana retreats into a world of
her own, shunning anyone who tries to lift her spirits.

Shockingly, Diana is found dead one day of an
apparent suicide. Investigators suspect foul play,
especially when a short goodbye note in Diana's
handwriting, is found in a drawer, rather than near
her body. Her words reveal a battle with cancer, but
an autopsy shows no evidence of the disease.
Puzzling clues at the scene point to murder, and the reading
of Diana's will casts suspicion on everyone with a motive.

Was someone with a vendetta angry enough
to kill Diana?

Put this spellbinding mystery, filled with agonizing
family secrets and compelling sub-plots, on your
must-reads for the summer.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews

Drue Campbell's life is in shambles.

She's out-of-work, down to her last penny,
bruised and battered from a serious
kiteboarding accident, and mourning the death
of the long-suffering mother who raised her.

When her polished, well-to-do, estranged
father shows up at the funeral after a twenty
year absence, she's stunned to see him and
baffled by the surprising news he shares.

Drue has inherited her grandmother's
dilapidated house in trendy Sunset Beach, a place
filled with warm, childhood memories. Even more
astonishing, is Dad's job offer with a steady
paycheck at his thriving personal injury law firm.
Drue reluctantly accepts, and cringes when she learns the
office manager is her former fair-weather, eighth-grade friend,
who just happens to also be her new stepmother. It appears
she's going to have to swallow her pride more than
once in order to survive.

Drue tolerates her tedious job until she fixates on one
particularly suspicious case about a beach worker killed
at a swanky ocean resort. There's a distinct possibility that
her father's firm is somehow involved in a cover-up
of what really happened that fateful evening of the girl's
death.

And what's the connection between her father and
a missing person's file from decades ago?
Drue has the uneasy feeling he's somehow entangled
in the woman's disappearance, and she shudders at
the thought that he's hiding a terrible secret.
Her investigations shed new light on a father
she admittedly loves, but doesn't completely trust.

In Mary Kay Andrews signature style, her new
release seamlessly blends two captivating mysteries
with a smoldering office romance, to make this
the perfect beach read of the season.

Tiny Hot Dogs

Tiny Hot Dogs a memoir in small bites by Mary Giuliani

Maybe you've seen her on The Rachel Ray Show,
The Today Show, or Good Morning America.
As CEO of  Mary Giuliani Catering and Events,
she plans memorable parties with panache; just ask
the many celebrities who count on her to make
their soirees unforgettable.

Mary can turn the common hot dog into a culinary delight.
(who knew Elizabeth Taylor loved pigs-in-a-blanket?)
She's the force behind simple menus with innovative
presentations that make a splash with the rich and famous.

Now meet the other side of Mary Giuliani
(no relation to Rudy, in case you're asking) in
this poignant memoir that is not only eye-opening,
but laugh-out-loud amusing. (Reading about having
one eyebrow as an awkward child with few friends
might sound sad, but Mary manages to make it all so
humorous with her sassy style of writing).

She grew up on Long Island in a devout, Catholic
Italian family, but was enamored with converting
to the Jewish faith as a child. Her fascination with
Steve Martin's "The Jerk" had something to do
with her desire to transform herself. (If you've seen
the movie, the parallel becomes crystal clear).

Mary dreamed of being an actress, or of becoming
a cast member on Saturday Night Live, going to
great lengths to achieve those aspirations. She fell
short, but relentlessly continued her pursuits which
took her in another direction that she never imagined,
bringing her face-to-face with all those celebrity
crushes.

Through it all, Mary was fortunate to have some
pretty great cheerleaders in her corner, many
of which included her loving, eccentric family. Her
wildly capable mother bestowed upon her eleven
indisputable rules to live by, her father brushed
off his own fling with fame, demonstrating love
by example, and Grandfather, "Papa Charlie",
encouraged Mary's vivid imagination and comedic timing.

She writes with sincere thanks and admiration about
Chef Daniel, the boss who taught her so much and
then let her soar with wings of her own when the
time was right, and Lee, a woman old enough to
be her mother, who not only was a good
friend, but also the source of reliable advice
and fun at a time when Mary needed it the most.
And of course, Ryan, her husband and best friend
who has stayed by her side, weathering the ups and downs,
the laughter and the tears. It's exactly where he
remains today.

Disappointments along the way were many,
one of them being the inability to have a child.
But after fifteen years of infertility, joy arrived
in the name of a daughter named, Gala, a tribute
to Salvador Dali's wife. A holiday trip to
Spain gave Mary "permission to be perfectly
imperfect", and the realization that home, not
some foreign land, is where she wants to be.

Mary writes with humility, never seeming to forget
her upbringing. "Not everything has to be big.
Not everything has to be skywriting. Finding the big
in the small works for me to be happy with what
I've got. If we all want more from something, aren't
we always going to be disappointed?"

Pick up a copy of this refreshing, inspiring memoir and
perhaps make one of the many taste-tempting
recipes scattered throughout the book. Sit back, relax,
ponder your life's achievements (small as they may be),
laugh, find balance, dream big (but not too big that you
lose sight of what really matters), and be grateful for all
that you have, including friends that are the lasting ones.

Mary Giuliani certainly has done all of that and more.

My Lovely Wife

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

Millicent and her just-shy-of-forty
husband are typical Florida suburbanites,
living in a home with an extravagant mortgage
while juggling the everyday activities of two
children who are growing up way too fast.

She's a successful realtor, and her
husband, who remains unnamed, works
as a country-club tennis pro. After fifteen
years of marriage, boredom sets in.
They long to feel the undeniable
attraction and excitement that once defined them.

Committing murder and getting away with
it proves to be the solution. They find it's
amazingly easy to eliminate someone
without the police suspecting a thing. The
sizzle is back in their marriage, and after
burying the first body, the thrill of the kill begins.

They follow a simple plan. The narrator husband reels
in potential, vulnerable victims with a clever pick-up line,
certain to appeal to any woman with a heart, while
his wife carries out the evil deeds. Meanwhile, even
with her extracurricular activities, cool and collected
Millicent manages to find the time to serve nutritious
meals and diligently check homework. They appear to be
the perfect family.

The devious couple comes up with the ideal
scenario to divert attention from themselves,
but fool-proof plans often go awry, especially
when blackmail, meaningless one-night stands,
and salacious secrets are involved. Murder has
suddenly become very, very complicated.

Don't let the title of this dark, brooding, debut
novel fool you. There is nothing "lovely" about it.
If you are looking for a thriller with a wickedly
disturbing ending, by all means, read this one.

Simply sublime.

Finding Dorothy

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts

The Wizard of Oz has delighted fans,
both young and old, since it was first
released in theaters on August 25, 1939.

This is the compelling story of
Maud Gage Baum, the feisty, Cornell-educated
wife of aspiring actor and writer,
L. Frank Baum, who penned the book
that later became the beloved movie.

It is told in two narratives; the early years
depicting Maud's life as a young girl living with
a strong-willed, suffragette mother who stoked
her daughter's fierce, independent nature, and the later years
as widow Maud, visiting the M-G-M studios, determined
to make sure that Frank's words were portrayed on the
big screen exactly as her late husband envisioned.

Frank and Maud were true partners in life. They
weathered financial woes, explored new territory
by moving to America's Western frontier, remained
loyal to family in need, and raised four rambunctious
sons with fervor and zest. Through it all, Frank never
gave up on his writing, and his devoted wife, often
frustrated but always forgiving, never gave up on him.

This fascinating, historical fiction novel will appeal
to all those who enjoy the screen adaption of this memorable
tale. It tells of Maud's unending desire to protect
a naive, extremely talented child actress, Judy Garland,
from becoming prey to the sordid side of Hollywood.
It illustrates how hard Maud fought to keep the beautiful
song about a rainbow in the final cut. And more
importantly, it tells the warm, loving story of two people,
filled with wanderlust, who understood each other's needs.

Sprinkled in many chapters are references to all the
famous characters we have come to know, like
Dorothy, The Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow. Each
one was based on someone in Frank's past, and only he
had the uncanny ability to make them come alive.

The painstaking research behind the writing of this
book results in an enchanting story of love, determination,
and hope. As Maud explained, "....Oz is hope, and
children can find themselves in dark places".

How lucky the public is, today, and for many
years to come, to be the recipient, of Frank's
imagination and Maud's relentless aspirations.

An Anonymous Girl

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Make-up artist, Jessica Farris, carries
her cumbersome bag of beauty supplies
to the home of yet another client looking
for the perfect transformation.

With her palette of vivid colors, Jessica
can turn a plain face into an exotic one with
the stroke of a brush. It's a tedious job
that pays the bills and satisfies her
artistic flair.

But Jessica's financial woes are mounting.
When she overhears a client's conversation
promising easy money, she takes a quick
peek at the girl's personal phone message,
and decides to impersonate her at a
psychological study that guarantees
anonymity and fast cash for her dwindling
bank account.

What harm can possibly come from a
few hours on a laptop, answering probing
questions designed to better understand the
human psyche?

Little does naive Jessica know, that renowned
psychiatrist, Dr. Lydia Shields, has finally found
the ideal participant to take part in her devious,
dangerous scheme of revenge.

As Jessica falls deeper and deeper
under the good doctor's trance, she finds
her ordinary life exploding all around her.
Fear engulfs every move she makes, and
when her unknowing family becomes an
integral part of the plot, she realizes there's
nowhere to turn, there's no one she can
trust.

Fans of Hendrick's and Pekkanen's
"The Wife Between Us," will relish this
fast-paced, addictive suspense novel
about a cunning professional who uses the
power of persuasion and deceit to destroy those
who have wronged her.

With enough twists and turns to boggle
the mind, this thriller should remain on
The New York Times Best Sellers for
weeks to come.

The Light Over London

The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

An English antiques dealer discovers a box
filled with a handful of hidden mementos,
never guessing that someone else's treasures
will solve a mystery surrounding her
beloved grandmother.

Cara Hargraves is back home, trying
to pick up the pieces of her broken life.
The first step is working once again for
the fastidious owner of a shop where
people go for help in clearing out
their estates and starting anew.

When Cara finds a faded photograph
of a pensive, young woman, along with
a locket and worn diary from the 1940's,
she sets out on a journey that will lead
her to some astonishing revelations
about the owner of these priceless
memories.

Who wrote such wrenching words of
dreams and disappointments in the
forgotten diary? Cara feels an
inexplicable need to know, and when
an unlikely suitor offers his assistance,
her own life takes an unexpected
turn.

This is a fascinating, historical fiction story
about the brave WWII "gunner girls",
that select group of gritty, smart women who
were so vital to the War effort in Britain
during those relentless years of devastation.
The author effortlessly molds the past with the
present, as she details the unbreakable
bond of friendship these strong ladies shared
in the toughest of times.

An entertaining, amazing tribute
to the unsung heroes that paved the
way for today's women.

Not For Nothing

Not For Nothing by Kathy Curto

Take a close look at the family photo
on the cover of this memoir, and you'll
clearly see the people who shaped
Kathy Curto's life.

She's the timid, little girl posing with
her stern father in his dapper new suit,
while her adoring mother smiles faintly,
not a hair out of place in her perfectly
coiffed beehive. A loving family
with a volatile past.

This captivating collection of anecdotes
details the author's life growing up with
her three siblings in a robust Italian family
in South Jersey during  the tumultuous 1970s
and 1980s. It's a story filled with her memories
as a child, and her awakening years as a teenager.

Her father was a proud man, loud and boisterous,
who owned a small chain of gas stations. Every
night he'd come home reeking of oil, with dirt
under his fingernails, ready for a home-cooked meal
and a fight if anyone dared to antagonize him.
Even with success, he never felt quite good
enough, often asking his children
"who do you think you are?" when they
dared to question his authority.

Her mother was caring, long-suffering,
capable, and loyal. When she could no longer
tolerate her husband's roving eye or angry temper
tantrums, she would leave for awhile, only
to return to try again. She loved her children
with a fierceness that sustained her through
the good and the bad times, and the ups and downs
of life with a husband who was not always easy to love.

In those days, her brother was a carefree young man,
until drugs took him deeper and deeper into
an abyss from which he couldn't escape. Kathy
watched the futile attempts to save him fail
over and over again.

This short book is both humorous ( her father's
glued on hairpiece will make you laugh out loud)
and achingly emotional. It will appeal to all
those readers who can relate to growing up
up in a large, ethnic family where food, fights,
and laughter are all part of daily life.

Honest, poignant, and thoroughly entertaining.

For Better and Worse

For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt

How easy is it to plan and commit the
perfect murder?

When Will and Natalie Clarke were
flirtatious law students, their first date
included fine dining, drinks, and stimulating
conversation about plotting to kill and
then getting away with the crime. All fictitious,
of course.  Little did they know how words
spoken in jest, would come back to haunt
them seventeen years later.

Now they are married, living in a sleepy,
little Florida seaside community where Nat
is a well-known, nose-to-the grindstone
criminal attorney, bent on defending the
helpless and downtrodden, while Will
toils away at real estate law. Eleven-year-old
son, Charlie, is the light of their lives, and
even though their marriage has grown stale,
he brings them joy in an otherwise humdrum
existence.

Life takes a dramatic turn for this family
when they learn that Charlie may be the
victim of abuse by the local school principal,
a friend they've known for years. When the
swirling gossip starts to spread throughout
the town, angry parents demand answers.
But Nat wants more than answers, she wants
justice. And Will, her weary husband who
has some juicy secrets of his own, becomes
an unwitting partner in her devious scheme.
Will soon discovers how little he knows
about his cold, cunning. and calculating
wife. Who is this woman he married?

This psychological suspense novel is
hard to put down, as each chapter enfolds
with an unexpected twist. Exactly how far
will a mother go to protect her child?

Like all good thrillers, the unpredictable
ending makes Hunt's  latest novel a must
read for 2019. Check it out.