Recipe for a Perfect Wife

Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

Alice Hale's wan smile and feigned enthusiasm
disguise her unhappiness as she walks through
the run-down house in the suburbs she and
husband, Nate, now call home.

Alice misses their tiny place in New York City, but
struggled to come up with a reason not to move when
she told Nate she quit her bustling PR job. Soon they'll be
able to start the family they've talked about, and Alice can
finally begin turning her dream of writing a best-selling novel
into reality, away from the stress and turmoil of urban life.

But there are a few things Nate doesn't know, like the real
reason his wife is unemployed, or how far she'll go to prevent
a pregnancy; secrets that can't stay hidden forever.

Alice finds a purpose in her new surroundings when unopened
letters surface, written in the 1950s, by Nellie Murdoch,
the spirited young woman who owned the Hale house many
years ago. The letters, along with a splattered, vintage cookbook,
reveal details of a new wife struggling to appease a demanding
husband, while fitting into a neighborhood filled with gossip,
back-stabbers, and Tupperware parties.

Alice looks forward to reading Nellie's fascinating letters that
give her the much-needed inspiration to write her novel based
on this mysterious lady. And as each letter reveals more, it's clear that
Nellie took dangerous secrets of her own to her grave.

Start the year with this riveting, page-turner about how one restless
woman in 2018, finds the courage to speak her mind, encouraged by
a woman she only knows from the pages of faded letters; one
Nellie Murdoch, a smart, calculating lady who endured unspeakable
travesties behind closed doors.

This is a story ideal for lively discussions at book clubs about how
far women have come, and how far they have to go. It's filled with
some interesting (and amusing) advice from the past, and a
treasure trove of delicious recipes, tested over time, when the
expectation of a delicious meal each and every night, was part of a wife's
duties.

Suspenseful, enlightening, humorous, and addictive, this novel
is one you don't want to miss.

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.