Elaine Lolli 1951-2022

"May 27, 2013, marks the start of a blog that I have been discussing with friends and co-workers for quite a while. As an avid reader, I'm often asked, 'What book are you reading now?' or 'Can you make a recommendation?'

 And so, TheEZBookNook was born!"

In 2013, my mother requested help to start a book review blog.  She was an avid reader, but unfortunately technology challenged.  We discussed the nature of the blog, its title (all her idea), how to make posts, and how to format pictures and text (something she never really figured out).  On May 27, 2013, she sat down at a computer for the first time and wrote the words you see above.  

My mother devoured books.  She made weekly trips to the library, constantly exchanging old books for new ones (She had 27 books on reserve at the time of her passing - a list which would likely be entirely replaced in a month).  For almost eight years, she tread a well worn path from her chair in the family room to her computer in the office to draft and re-draft reviews.  Initially, she would agonize over each sentence, sending my brother and I copies to ensure that each word made sense.  She was critical of her writing regardless of how many read it.

She quickly developed confidence.  I stopped receiving drafts, she posted more frequently, and her friends read her work.  My mother called me, and with child like excitement in her voice, shared where in the world people read her reviews.  She was enthralled with the idea that others listened to her opinion and it provided new vigor for her writing.  She made business cards, passing along copious amounts to anyone that would take them and always keeping a heaping pile in her purse.  

At some point, others noticed her work as well.  My mother periodically published condensed reviews in the Columbus Dispatch.  Despite her repeated publication, it never stopped her from sending a picture of the article to my brother and I .  Eventually, publishers sent her advanced copies of books for reviews.  What started as a fun way to pass the time became a passion.  Her only wish was to get paid for one review, even if it was just $20.  I desperately wish I could have made that happen. 

The homepage of her blog tells me that she had 273 posts.  I have no doubt that number would have swelled if she was given the chance.  At the time of her passing, my mother was in the middle of Gytha Lodge's "Lie Beside Me."  I never discussed the book with her, but I heard she enjoyed it.  I plan to finish it in her memory.  I hope you will too.  

I could write pages and pages on what my mother meant to me, but my brother described her better than I ever could.  I loved her dearly and miss her immensely.  More than anything, I am proud to be her son.  

"The Holiday Switch"

"The Holiday Switch" by Tif Marcelo

Senior year of high school is looking pretty spectacular for

Lila Santos. Hard work and determination have paid off

for this young lady with lofty goals. 

She's been accepted into Syracuse University, her dream

school, and hopes to pick up extra hours at the Bookworm

Inn during the upcoming holiday break to help with all

those college expenses. The Inn, a snug, little slice of 

heaven, sits in the center of Holly, New York, a picturesque

postcard of a town, where the famous movie, Holiday by 

the Lake, was filmed years ago.

What people don't know about Lila, is that she is the anonymous

author of a popular book blog with a loyal following. Writing is a 

secret passion, one that her parents would vehemently oppose,

considering their distaste for social media. No harm in keeping

this one, little truth from the people she loves.

But plans often hit a snag, and Lila's comes in the form of a 

flirtatious, attractive young man by the name of Teddy Rivera.

He's the nephew of the Inn's owner, and, unfortunately, he'll be

taking some of Lila's hours while she trains him. Sparks fly 

between them, and infuriatingly exasperating as Teddy can be, 

the mutual attraction is undeniable. One day, when they 

accidentally switch phones, Lila discovers she's not the only 

one hiding a secret. Together, the teenagers learn that facing fear

and uncertainty brings clarity to what lies ahead. It's a recipe for

a growing friendship that just might lead to sweet romance.

Young Adult readers will enjoy this delightfully entertaining 

paperback that captures the essence of what it means to be a 

family. But other readers will also find it to be a light and fun addition

to the festive season head. The story examines the interaction of two, 

vibrant Filipino American teenagers who learn that dreams and 

aspirations don't always fall in line with what their parents might

choose for them, and honesty goes a long way in achieving

happiness. 

And be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book, that

describe how she's managed to pursue two careers while putting

love of family at the heart of it all, much like the special

characters she's created in this rom-com called "The Holiday Switch".

 

 

"The Santa Suit"

"The Santa Suit" by Mary Kay Andrews 

Christmas comes early in this charming novella guaranteed to

warm your heart with holiday cheer. 

When Ivy Perkins arrives at Four Roses Farm, she can't help but

wonder if she's made a huge, impulsive mistake. Buying this old,

dilapidated home, sight unseen, in the tiny town of Tarburton,

North Carolina, seemed at the time to be just what she needed

for this new chapter in her life. But maybe leaving bustling

Atlanta was nothing more than a colossal, bad decision after her

recent, emotionally-charged divorce.

It's too late now, so along with her loyal pooch, Punkin, Ivy begins 

the overwhelming task of sifting through the piles of leftover 

mementoes and junk from the previous owner. And in one closet, she

finds a treasure; a vintage, plush, velvet Santa suit with a fervent note 

in a pocket. Written in a childlike scrawl, the author asks for her

daddy to return home from war, to make her mama smile again. 

Ivy sets out with steadfast curiosity to find out the story behind the

letter that touches her heart. Along the way, she meets characters

who reconnect after precious years apart, while welcoming her 

into their community with open arms. That definitely includes a

handsome realtor who seems to have been waiting forever for a lovely

stranger to arrive at this precise time in his life. Ivy's second chance 

at love, and belonging, are hers for the taking. 

An endearing, winsome prelude to the magic of the Christmas season,

this feel-good mystery/romance, set in a winter wonderland, and oozing

with joy, is the perfect start to your holiday reading. 

 

"Not a Happy Family"

 "Not a Happy Family" by Shari Lapena 

Money, Money, Money.

Fred and Sheila Merton have lots of it. Just look at their

magnificent home in the exclusive Brecken Hill estates in

upstate New York. Fred's shrewd acumen for business has

afforded him the life of luxury. 

But behind the scenes, the walls of this splendid home would

tell a story of a dysfunctional family with a vindictive, often cruel

patriarch, and a detached mother who couldn't be bothered with 

the monumental task of raising three very different children,

all longing for unconditional love.

The annual, obligatory Easter dinner this year with Fred, Sheila, their 

grown children and significant others, is especially contentious. And 

that night, after all the angry goodbyes, an unknown intruder bludgeons

Fred and Sheila to death, in what police describe as a vicious and 

brutal crime. Clearly someone hated the Mertons with a passion. 

The grieving children, of course, are overwhelmed with shock and

sorrow. But are they really? As recipients of a sizable inheritance, it

isn't long before investigators target each, or all of them, as prime 

suspects in their parents' violent demise. The millions coming their 

way would certainly solve insurmountable problems, but first the 

police have to prove it. 

The Merton family is about as unhappy as a family can be. And it's

been that way for a long time. Just ask Irena, the loyal housekeeper

and nanny who quietly observes every little thing that goes on.

She knows exactly what each child has endured throughout their 

childhoods. As adults, they're all hiding tawdry, salacious secrets, but who 

actually had the motive and means to carry out such a cold-hearted, 

dastardly deed? Then again, maybe the kids weren't the only ones

about to become filthy rich. 

Expect to be thrown off the trail time and time again, until the last

few pages in this fun, one sitting, whodunit with a divinely, delicious

ending.

"We Are the Brennans"

"We Are the Brennans" by Tracey Lange 

Potent secrets and lies by omission threaten to tear apart

a close-knit Irish Catholic family, when one of them returns

to face her painful past. 

Sunday Brennan's decision to drive after an alcohol-fueled

night of partying, forces her to call on the only person who

just might come to her rescue, brother, Denny. Quite a

favor to ask since Sunday suddenly moved five years ago

to Southern California with a flimsy story about a job 

opportunity, leaving her entire family in shock along with

jilted fiance, Kyle. Little do they know, the promise of a

new and exciting life on the West Coast, was only a flimsy

excuse to escape from something she never wanted revealed.  

Denny doesn't hesitate to fly cross country to her hospital bed,

bringing his sister back to the only home she's ever really known

in West Manor, New York. And it's here, where her bruised and 

battered injuries slowly heal, that Sunday is forced to revisit the 

half-truths and shame she's endured for so long. 

In many ways, it's like time has stood still for the Brennan family

since Sunday abruptly left her parents, siblings, and extended 

family to supposedly follow her dream of becoming a writer.

Denny's dealing with a recent separation from a wife and child he

adores, while preparing to open a second family pub with Kyle, who

moved on with a new wife and son after Sunday left him broken-

hearted. Their father Mickey, now old and frail, still rules with a

silent hand, and Shane, the sibling with special needs, is simply

thrilled to have his beloved sister back home.

As the bittersweet homecoming evolves, Sunday becomes more 

determined to start over, even if it means enduring the resentment

that her family has fostered over the last few years. She soon

realizes that they need her support as much as she craves the

closeness they once shared. Financial woes, brought on by Denny,

along with a dangerous scoundrel from way back when, are just a

few of the obstacles standing in the way of Sunday's redemption.

Their survival as a family is dependent on finally exposing agonizing

memories that have festered for so long. 

With a vast array of vulnerable characters that are certain to make 

you feel all sorts of emotions, this passionate drama about family 

loyalty, reminds us that it's never too late to forgive and make amends 

when it involves the people you love. 

 

 

"The Last Commandment"

"The Last Commandment" by Scott Shepherd 

 

It's Christmas in London, but the anticipation and sparkle of the season 

escapes Scotland Yard detective, Austin Grant. Unfulfilled dreams and

regrets haunt him every day since his treasured wife, Allison, died of 

cancer. 

After the New Year, the respected Commander will retire from a distinguished 

career that often took him away from his family. What's left, are bittersweet

memories with pride in a job well done. Austin knows he made a difference

with a devoted wife always by his side. But the unexplained, strained 

relationship he now has with his only daughter, Rachel, a shrewd, investigative

reporter living in New York City, continues to puzzle him, considering the 

closeness they once shared.  

Before he leaves a stellar career behind, dire news brings him back to the 

center of a hideous crime spree. An elusive, serial killer has randomly 

murdered three, innocent victims in London. The assassin then crosses the

sea to viciously take the life of a priest inside the magnificent St. Patrick's

Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan. And the details of his demise, just like

the others, are chilling.  

The disturbed killer leaves a distinctive calling card. Each victim has a set

of  Roman numerals gruesomely etched into their foreheads corresponding 

to an offense against one of the Ten Commandments. Four down, six to go. 

It's a race against time to warn potential targets that a devious mind is intent

on eliminating sinners one by one with The Holy Bible as witness to the crimes. 

When travels take Austin to New York City, he meets another capable cop, 

John Frankel, who's introduced to a certain hot-shot reporter close to 

Austin's heart. As Rachel becomes a vital part of the investigation, the wall

of the father/daughter estrangement begins to crumble. An incredulous truth,

lurking behind painful secrets, puts everyone in peril, as a deranged individual 

inches closer to the end goal.  

Accomplished screenwriter, Scott Shepherd, scores a hit with his debut novel,

creating dynamic characters, and heart-pounding scenarios. Centered around

a vulnerable, but likeable cop, the protagonist is someone that fans will 

undoubtedly want to follow in future adventures. Brisk chapters, gory but 

addictive, and an enticing plot (with a touch of romance), make this mystery 

thriller a welcome addition to your reading list. 

Check it out when it's released on July 13th. 

 

 

 

 

"The Plot"

"The Plot" by Jean Hanff Korelitz

There was a time when Jacob Finch Bonner basked in the

spotlight of penning a popular novel that earned him the

honor of being called an up-and-coming, promising, new author. 

But writers are only as good as their next book in progress.

Jacob hit writer's block a long time ago, and now finds himself 

teaching in the MFA program of  a mediocre college in northern

Vermont, living the monotonous life of a has-been, always hoping

inspiration will strike him when he least expects it.  

His job is to guide and mentor students who aspire to excel in his 

creative writing class. He reads and critiques their submissions,

then encourages others to provide honest, constructive advice. 

Most days, Jacob can barely do what his paycheck requires, but he's

good at pretending, and a smiling face pays the rent.

Then arrogant Evan Parker arrives for the requisite meeting with his

once illustrious professor, scoffing at any help Jacob gives him, insisting

that his novel-to-be has a plot that will sell millions and make him

famous. 

When Jacob finally reads the rough draft, he knows Evan is right. How could

an amateur with a lousy attitude and raw talent come up with a winner like this?

And so Jacob waits for the book to be published, but it never happens, spurring

him to find out why. A little research reveals that Evan Parker met an untimely

death, undoubtedly taking that incredible story with him to his grave. 

So, three years later, Jacob takes the story and makes it his own. Crib brings him

a level of success he always dreamed of, with packed book signings, radio

interviews, and adulation from fellow writers. When a silver-haired beauty later 

becomes his wife, life seems to be pretty close to perfection. He justifies what he's

done by telling himself that he, and he alone, took a fascinating story and turned 

it into a tale that millions are flocking to read. 

But then comes the day when Jacob receives a cryptic message saying 

"You are a thief", that suddenly changes everything. He continues to enjoy fame,

and the whirlwind of meeting admiring fans, while experiencing the pressure to 

grind out another hit release. A persisting, nagging feeling that the past is catching 

up to him just won't go away. Secretly, he begins to delve into the tumultuous life 

of Evan Parker in an attempt to learn who is behind what appears to be extortion. 

And as the pieces begin to fall into place, a chilling discovery turns Jacob's 

uneasiness into terrifying fear. 

This gripping thriller takes the reader on a suspense-filled ride that is truly hard

to put down, especially as the "Plot" begins to slowly unravel with its brilliantly

shrewd twists and turns. It's an incredibly good summer read. 

Kirkus Reviews predicts this one will be flying off the shelves, and I couldn't agree

more.