That Summer

That Summer by Lauren Willig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julia Conley, recently New York unemployed, has found that she has inherited her great-aunt’s home in England. Her memories of her childhood there have perished along with her mother’s death in the accident. With nothing else on her plate, Julie flies over to London, preparing to sort, clean, and sell the house for desperately needed income. While there her snooty cousin calls, wanting to look for “treasure” amidst the mess. Is there really a treasure or could it be hanging on the wall right in front of their noses?

I love how the story switches from 2009 back and forth to 1849 within the same home. A story within a story is always more exciting and mysterious! Lauren Willig is such a great writer and I could barely put the book down for fear I’d miss something!!


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Along the Way

Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son by Martin Sheen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent non-fiction book written by Martin Sheen, his son Emilio, along with Hope Edelman.….taking turns in chapters, Martin and Emilio share 50+ years of stories, sometimes rather painfully honest, of their growing up and growing together years. Included are their trips to other countries as Martin follows his dream of acting and Emilio’s dream of directing and producing.


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Silent Night

Silent Night by Robert B. Parker and Helen Braun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

P.I. Spenser, handsome young detective and home chef of holiday meals, is pulled into a new case when a street-wise eleven year old, named Slide, pops into his office with a question. Can Spenser help the threatened Street Business, a grassroots effort to shelter homeless young men and Jackie, the man who runs it? Hawk, Spenser's sidekick, returns to aid his buddy and the young Slide.

There is nothing like reading Robert B. Parker by starting off with the very last book he wrote before he passed away. In fact Parker didn't finish the Christmas Spenser novel - his literary agent, Helen Brann, completed it with the approval of Parker's wife. Usually not a reader of crime fiction, I will continue to read more of Parker's Spenser novels - it's the twist of humor that pulls me in.

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Walking on Water, The Walk, #5

Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the fifth and final book of the Walk series, Evans returns Allan from his walk to his father's bedside in California. Mr. Christofferson, hospitalized with a heart attack - is in failing health. While the walk is indefinitely on hold, Alan sleeps at his childhood home, returning daily to the hospital to talk with his dad, mostly about their past and discuss the diary Allan had found. To Allan's dismay, he must let his father go and endure the final physical and emotional motions of laying him at rest. Only thereafter, encouraged by recent words of his father, does Allan return to his walk to the Florida Keys..


As Allan's walk was quite a journey, so is ours...may we all enjoy the cast of characters we meet along the way and keep those we love close to our heart....

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Blossom Street Brides

Blossom Street Brides by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Readers of Macomber's Blossom Street series will enjoy her latest - a story wrapped around three women who share a friendship and knitting skills. Lauren, tired of waiting on her long-time boyfriend to propose, ends the relationship and jumps at the chance to meet a new man who answers all the checks on her list of requirements. Bethanne's happy marriage to her hubby Max is feeling the strain of each having a business in a different city and state. Lydia, owner of A Good Yarn, is barely making ends meets with her business. She needs a clever marketing plan to bring in new customers. Will three friends be able to work things out to make everyone happy?

Predictable and easygoing, Macomber satisfies lovers of gentle romance.

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