Readers' Favorite

May 16, 2020

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts


The Book of Lost Friends is a wonderfully written, well-researched book told in dual timelines from a slave after the war and a new teacher in Louisiana in 1987.   The characters are both very well written and representative of their time periods.   Their stories seem to be unconnected in the beginning until the end when they join together to finish the book with a big surprise.  Lisa Wingate brings to life stories from actual "Lost Friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold off.

This is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf ~ a Review & Excerpt

by MK French


Twenty five years ago, Maggie's best friend Eva Knox was found dead. While there were a handful of suspects, the case went cold. Now Maggie is a detective in Grotto, seven months pregnant, and investigating Eva's death when new clues force the case open again. But there are still residents in town that want to see that secrets remained buried.

May 15, 2020

The Socialite by J'nell Ciesielski ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts


"Her sister dropped dead in her tracks, her long silver cigarette holder dangling precariously from her fingers.  Her cherry red mouth formed a perfect O.  Seconds dragged by as Kat waited for German hands to grab her and toss her out.  This was a mistake.  She should have waited until morning to drag her wayward sister back across the Channel without the whole of the Third Reich watching."  (p4)

May 14, 2020

Mountain of Full Moons by Irene Kessler ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts


"You were convinced you were doing the right thing.  I asked to change my name and we got into a battle over that.  I never told you...but I called that fight over my name 'my mountain full of moons' because it took so long for you to agree." (p 298)

May 13, 2020

Quarantine Marathon

by Alison DeLuca


My sincerest hopes that you and your families are safe and well.

Quarantine has been interesting, to say the least. It's like being in a cocoon, and perhaps that has become the time for people to reveal themselves. Have you grown wings by learning how to cook a great curry or brushing up on those sewing-machine basics?

May 12, 2020

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts


The lowcountry was spread out far below as she soared in the sky. Linnea Rutledge sighed and placed her fingertips on the plane's cool window, her eyes tracing the twisting creeks and winding rivers that snaked through the seemingly impenetrable greenery of the salt march. From her vantage point, the rivers looked like great arteries, and all the myriad creeks were veins. Salt water coursed through them like a bloodstream. The tides were the lowcountry's pumping heart. (p. 1)

May 11, 2020

5 Fantasy Series to Binge Read

by Donna Huber



You've been home for 8 weeks or so, the regular television season has basically wrapped up, and you've watched binge-watched all the Amazon and Netflix originals in a matter of days. So what are you going to do to keep you entertained? Pick up one of these fantasy series that are totally worth binge-reading even if you have read them before. Another awesome thing about these series - it is possible for you to read 3 of them for FREE!

May 10, 2020

Earth Almanac by Ted Williams ~ a Review

by Donna Huber


When I requested Earth Almanac several months ago, it was mostly because I was trying to read more nonfiction and I like nature. But now, during the pandemic, my reason has changed slightly. If you read my April wrap-up, you know that I've been trying my hand at writing nature poetry. After reading this book, I think I might try my hand at nature prose.

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