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Reviews by Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)

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Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata

Amazing (11/4/2016)

Wow! How brave Amanda is!! And so is her husband. The choices she must make are life changing. She did give her children such a gift. I felt for Merle, the mother in this family. How horrible for her to not only see her husband have the degenerative illness, but some of her children.
The medical part of this book were hard to get through, but the story of the family was riveting. I read this book in two days.

Cruel Beautiful World
by Caroline Leavitt

Fascinating story (8/11/2016)

When I started reading Cruel Beautiful World, I found I couldn't put it down. The story flowed and the characters were so believable. To know what each character thought and how they all were connected in some way was brilliant. This book was about an event we have all read or heard about happening to a young girl. Reading about what happened to her and to those she left behind kept me reading way into the night. This book will be a great one for discussion for my book group. It is a book I have continued to think about after finishing it. The ending was just right.

The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood

A page turner. (6/6/2016)

When I saw the title of this book, I knew I was going to like it because I have been the discussion leader of a book group for 18 years. I wasn't disappointed. The combination of the stories of the mother and daughter were fascinating. I did get a little upset with the Mother because until the very end of the book she whined and sorry for herself. I wanted to tell her to "get a grip woman, you can deal with this." I was afraid for the daughter because of the bad choices she kept making.
The book had a lovely ending for which I was grateful. Both mother and daughter seemed to grow up. I will recommend this book to my book group. It will be great for discussion! It would be hard for me to decide which book would mean the most to me. That would be a question I would ask my group.

Amour Provence
by Constance Leisure

Confusing (3/19/2016)

I found this book confusing. When I first started reading and got to a new chapter, I wondered, "what, who are these people." Each chapter seemed to be a stand alone short story and it wasn't until near the end of the book that almost all of the stories came together. However, some characters issues were never resolved and seemed to be just thrown into the story.
It was interesting enough to keep reading, and when I finished I went back to reread some of the chapters. This helped me understand the book better.

The Widow
by Fiona Barton

Riveting Story (12/5/2015)

This book had me hooked from the first sentence. I had a hard time getting anything done because I wanted to find out what was going to happen! The plot had many twists and turns and I didn't not who was guilty. Was it the husband? The wife? What did she know? Why didn't she question him more? Was she afraid or just brain washed?
The writing was excellent and kept me, the reader, engaged the entire book. When you have the pleasure of reading this book, be prepared; you won't get anything else done because you want to find out what happens! It is suspenseful to the last page. It is an excellent read.

Every Anxious Wave
by Mo Daviau

Very different (10/6/2015)

It is hard to decide how I feel about this book. When I started reading, I thought I wasn't going to like it. However, as I continued, I was interested in the time travel to the past. I especially enjoyed the section about the man who was sent back to 980 by mistake. The description of the clean air and beautiful greenery was wonderful.

Then the book bogged down. The on again/off again relationship between Carl and Lena was boring and the time travel to the future was ridiculous. Also, I didn't think the use of the "f" word and the other foul language was necessary. I think that is laziness on the part of the author. Surely there are better words to describe a person or situation. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to my friends and my book group.

Girl Waits with Gun
by Amy Stewart

Fascinating (7/9/2015)

Girl Waits With A Gun was a surprise. I didn't know it was historical fiction, so that sent me to the Internet to read about the real people in the book. The writing was wonderful, the characters came alive and I could "see" the farm where the women lived. What a story!! I read this book in two days and will recommend it to my book group just as soon as it is in paperback.

A Good Family
by Erik Fassnacht

Not good (5/7/2015)

I am not going to finish reading this book. I have slugged through about 150 pages and dislike it so much I stopped reading it. It is boring, the characters are disgusting and the plot disappointing.

The Well
by Catherine Chanter

So different (2/26/2015)

This is one of the most unusual books I have ever read. That said, I couldn't stop reading it. The writing is amazing and kept me wanting to know "what happened?"
It is amazing how someone could be so taken in by another person (s). I would love to know what has happened to the characters five to ten years from now. I will recommend this book to my book group just as soon as it is in paperback.

Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Fascinating (1/6/2015)

Whispering Shadows has it all; love, death, corruption and murder are just some of what is in the story. I was hooked on page one. The writing is great and the story line keeps you wanting to "find out what is going to happen?"

It is a book I would recommend to my book group. It would be great for discussion.

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Hard too put down (12/3/2014)

This is one of those books that I just couldn't stop reading. The plot was riveting, and the characters real. I enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my book club. It is a "must read."

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Great Story (6/24/2014)

Accident of Marriage is a story that grabs you on page one and doesn't let you go until the last word. The writing was excellent, the story and the characters believable. It makes you realize that life and change in a heartbeat. Sometimes I wanted to yell at some of the characters to say "do you realize what you are doing to your family?"
The book ended just the way it should. Nothing was tied up with a pretty bow and that was okay. I will recommend this book to my book group.

The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin

Great Fun! (4/5/2014)

When I started the book I found it hard to put it down. The characters were well drawn, so much so I could "see" them. To find out that many of the characters were real people sent me to the Internet to Google them.This book is a page turner and I enjoyed it very much. It does show that money cannot buy happiness.
The ending was just right.

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Excellent read. (11/8/2013)

From the first sentence to the last sentence, this story grabs you and doesn't let go. The reader feels Hannah's anguish over the lose of her daughter and Oliva's joy when her daughter Maddie, receives a new liver. The way the author brings the characters together is very believable.
The story gives a good look at abuse and why it is so hard for the victim to leave. The abuser has so much power and control.
Safe With Me will be on my book club's reading list for 2014.

Henry and Rachel
by Laurel Saville

Very Different (9/2/2013)

When I started reading this book I had a hard time getting into the story. However, after about 40 pages I was hooked. Each chapter is the voice of a different character and each one helps the story to unfold. This is a different format and I looked forward to reading what each character had to say. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

The Disenchanted Widow
by Christina McKenna

Great Read (8/26/2013)

This book has more twists and turns than a crooked country road. It is filled with wonderful characters; the town busy body, small boy who could have come out of a Charles Dickens novel, his beautiful mother, a priest with a secret and many more. They all are in a tiny Irish village where "everyone knows your name." There is a mystery thrown it too.
It is a page turner and I will recommend it to my book club.

Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie

Spell Binding (4/14/2013)

If you love a good mystery; this is your book. From page one the story takes you on a journey that from page to page the reader doesn't know who is crazy, who is lying or what twist the plot is going to take. It is full of surprises and a book the reader will not want to put down. The author does a great job with the ending. As far as I am concerned, this is a "must read." Enjoy.

Walk Me Home
by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Great book! (4/2/2013)

This book got me with the first page. The thought of two girls ages 16 & 11 walking across several states to find someone the older girl thinks will "save" is so scary. But what were these girls to do? Life has not be kind to them. The people they meet, some good, some bad, caused me to read this book in two afternoons. The writing is wonderful and the story is wonderful. I will be sure to recommend this book to my book group. It is a must read!!! It shows there are still some good people out there.

Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World
by Dina Bennett

What a Trip! (3/8/2013)

Okay, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to be in a classic car with your husband for 30 days racing half way around the world, this is the book for you! Oh yes, it would be especially fun if you suffer from car sickness. Told from the wife's view point, it is funny, scary and highly entertaining. A fun read!

All You Could Ask For
by Mike Greenberg

Unexpected (11/23/2012)

When I discovered the author of this book was Mike Greenberg of "Mike and Mike in the morning;" I thought what does he know about women? Well, was I surprised. The thoughts and actions of the three women seemed so real. He made their emotions believable and I could "see" the characters. I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to find out what happened. The ending was just right.
Well done, Mike.

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Reviews by Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)

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