BookBrowse: Your Guide to Exceptional Books

Force of Nature: Aaron Falk Mystery #2
by Jane Harper

Force of Nature by Jane Harper (10/30/2017)

This second book in the Aaron Falk series is as good as the first, The Dry. This time there are 5 women who are on a team building hike put on by Executive Adventures. One of the women does not make it back, so in comes Aaron Falk to investigate. Great storylines, intrigue and mystery to keep you turning the pages.

Seven Days of Us: A Novel
by Francesca Hornak

Seven Days of Us (5/17/2017)

Oh my, I loved this book. I come from a large family and to be able to spend time as a family is unfathomable! I can only imagine what the Birches survived! Since the family is going to have Christmas together, really together now that Olivia has come home because she has to be in quarantine as she was treating an epidemic overseas. So now the entire Birch family is together whether they like it or not! This was fun, and the plot twist was perfect. Enjoy this family saga!

The Book of Summer
by Michelle Gable

Book of Summer - by Michelle Gable (3/22/2017)

I received this book through BookBrowse, an ARC. I am so glad I got this book. It’s so good! It is about a house, Cliff House, that is slowly eroding into the sea on Nantucket. The house has been in Bess Codman’s family for eons. This book is fascinating as it has a “Book of Summer” a journal of sorts that residents have been writing about their stays in Cliff House since the house was built. We get to learn of the people who have stayed at Cliff House and about the lives of the locals, and all who have come through over the years. There is the past and present blended together to weave a beautiful tale of the women who lived, and the lives they created. I enjoyed this very much! Can’t wait for the next book.

The Fifth Petal: A Novel
by Brunonia Barry

The Fifth Petal (2/24/2017)

I read the Lace Reader the first book in this series a while ago. I loved it and it is so fun to have characters in the first book also be in the 2nd book. It took a bit to reintroduce myself to the characters. So we have modern day Salem and the Salem of old when three women accused of being witches were slain on Halloween. Rafferty the Chief of police in trying to solve the murders. I really like the historic elements of Salem of the past, and the Salem of today which is all about capitalizing on witches. This was a light book, lots of fun. I enjoy Brunonia Barry's writing style and can't wait for book 3 Bone Lace!

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

Mercies in Disguise by Gina Kolata (12/23/2016)

Th Baxley family has a history of a neurological disease similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Having lost a grandfather and now a father to this peculiar disease, two brothers who are doctors are looking for a reason for the disease and a possible cure. Other scientists are also searching for a cure. What if they find a gene that can be found with a simple test? Will Amanda be willing to find out if she has the gene that will potentially kill her? What would you do? These are questions faced by the family.

I like the chapters that discuss the family and you get to know them on a personal level. The chapters that explain the science of the disease and what they are doing to eradicate the disease are also very informative. All in all, what would I do is the prominent question here.

Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady

Frank & Ava: In Love and War by John Brady (8/19/2015)

This was interesting in that I got to learn some of the backstory of Hollywood in the 50's & 60's. That said, Frank & Ava's story is so sad. They got together, causing quite a scandal. The divorces, affairs, parties, self-indulgence, and living in excess was fun to read. I'm not sure this book gave us much more about the couple than other books, but it was an interesting era in Hollywood history, and I did enjoy that.

A Good Family
by Erik Fassnacht

A Good Family by ERik Fassnacht (5/26/2015)

This book tells the story of a modern dysfunctional family, the Brunsons. Each of the family members has their own demons/issues, and how this family copes with life is probably closer to real life than we'd like to believe. It was good, had a few humorous parts, but it was also disjointed as the story is told from the family members opinion, and they cross over and it's hard to keep track of who said/did what etc.

Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren

Between the Tides by Susannah Marren (4/8/2015)

Lainie thought she had it all. A successful husband, four children, and life in the Big Apple. Charles announces they are moving to Elliot, NJ. Lainie is not happy, and feels suffocated in her new surroundings. Then she reconnects with her arch enemy and they become friends, or so she thinks. Jess has an agenda of her own. I thought it was very well written.

The Well
by Catherine Chanter

The Well by Catherine Chanter (2/11/2015)

This book is set in England. Mark and Ruth flee to the Well after a scandal to renew their marriage and let the dust settle. That year England had a severe drought, and the only place that receives rain is at the Well. As the drought continues they begin to get notoriety because there farm gets rain, has lush crops, and the local farmers are getting angry. Add their odd daughter shows up with her son and a ragtag group of stragglers. Things continue to get worse as a group of nuns shows up too. No spoilers here, but it was an odd story, but well written.

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

A Fireproof Home for a Bride by Amy Schiebe (1/14/2015)

Wow, I actually grew up in southern Minnesota, and was born in the late 50's, so this really resonated with me. I was surprised about the KKK being alive and well in the area. I liked reading about the 50's, and her take on racism and immigration. Great book!

The City
by Dean Koontz

The City!! (10/20/2014)

I absolutely loved this book. Dean Koontz hit it out of the park with this one. Jonah Kirk a child growing up in "the city". He has an amazing talent on the piano. His grandfather is a huge influence on him, and encourages him to hone his skill. He meets Pearl, who shadows his life, she is the city. Through a myriad of circumstances both good and bad,will ultimately shape his life. We live Jonah's life with him as he chronicles his own life and the loved ones around him. I found this book fascinating, as it is written well, keeps you engaged and entertained.

Her
by Harriet Lane

Her (5/22/2014)

This was a very not put down able book! There are two women who become friends, Emma & Nina. One is from a privileged life, the other is not. One has a total agenda of revenge, the other is clueless. It is interesting as you read each chapter from Nina or Emma's perspective. I found this very fascinating, but was disappointed with the ending.

The House We Grew Up In
by Lisa Jewell

Oh What A Jewell! (3/13/2014)

I received this book as an early reviewer, and I have never read anything by this author before. I will now! We meet a family who is perfect, a husband and wife who love each other, and four children, two girls and twin boys. The Bird family love Easter, and really do it up well each year, until 1991. Things were never the same after that day, and 20 years later circumstances bring all of the children back to the cottage again. This book deals with relationship between siblings, lovers, parents, mental health, hoarding, life and death. I really liked this book, as it went from the past to the present, filling in what happened in the past, and how it is affecting the now. I will be looking for more of Lisa’s books!

The House We Grew Up In
by Lisa Jewell

Oh What a Jewell! (3/13/2014)

I received this book as an early reviewer, and I have never read anything by this author before. I will now! We meet a family who is perfect, a husband and wife who love each other, and four children, two girls and twin boys. The Bird family love Easter, and really do it up well each year, until 1991. Things were never the same after that day, and 20 years later circumstances bring all of the children back to the cottage again. This book deals with relationship between siblings, lovers, parents, mental health, hoarding, life and death. I really liked this book, as it went from the past to the present, filling in what happened in the past, and how it is affecting the now. I will be looking for more of Lisa's books!

Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming (12/29/2013)

This book is the 8th in the Clare and Russ series. I have not read any of the previous novels, but intend to give it a try. Clare is a priest who is pregnant, her husband Russ is the Police Chief of Miller-Kill. Because of the timing of the baby, Clare has a week to resign or face possible consequences for actions unbecoming of a priest. I found this issue unbelievable in these times, yet refreshing too in that actions can have consequences. There is a farmhouse fire, and a young child Mikayla has been kidnapped. As they try to solve the mystery, Clare’s predicament adds to the suspense. Throw in Hadley and Kevin’s romance, a drug dealer and the ice-storm of the century and you have a first class mystery! Well done.

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Safe With Me by Amy Hatvany (12/29/2013)

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher through Bookbrowse. I have not read any of Amy’s books before, but intend to find them now! The first part of the book is difficult to read as you get to know Hannah who lost her daughter in an accident. She is trying to deal with her grief, as she can’t get over losing her daughter. She meets Olivia, whose daughter Maddie has an autoimmune disease and is growing weaker daily. Olivia also has a husband James who is abusive verbally and physically. Hannah quickly grows friendly with Olivia, whom she has found out received a liver from her daughter Emily. The story is difficult to comprehend, and more importantly difficult to understand. I think Amy has done a great job showing each woman dealing with their own issues, Hannah with grief over the loss of her daughter. Olivia, who is dealing with an abusive husband and needs to hide her shame. Maddie, on being a teenager and having an emaciated body. All these issues are well stated and raw with emotion. I don’t think I could have read this if I was or had dealt with any of the problems. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to grabbing another book by her.

Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Memoir
by Jessica A. Fox

3 Things You Need to Know About Rockets (9/26/2013)

I liked this book mostly. It started out slow but the synopsis kept me reading, & I'm glad I did. I received this ARC book in lieu of a review. This memoir about Jessica Fox has her quitting her job at NASA to spend a month on holiday working in a book store in Scotland. She meets quirky townspeople, and a possible love interest. It's her journey of self-discovery that is fun, frustrating and entertaining.

Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Not too cold! (9/12/2013)

This is not just another mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming! Priest Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ van Alstyne have finally married, as Clare is pregnant. They are called out in the middle of the night to an arson call, that quickly becomes a murder scene. Add the cold, the blizzard, and a kidnapping and you have the making of a great murder suspense novel, and that is what you will get. It was well written, the characters are believable, and the novel flows well. Enjoy!

Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Memoir
by Jessica A. Fox

Not About Rockets (6/12/2013)

I guess the first thing about the book is that it is not about rockets. Jessica A. Fox worked at NASA and then Hollywood and was lost & fed up with her life. She Googles used bookshops in Scotland and finds the Bookshop in Wigtown. She calls the owner Euan. Life in Scotland is oh so different as she entrenches herself in the town. Her descriptions of Scotland make me want to go there! Lots of plot, not just another romance book, but really a personal journey of taking a chance on your dream for yourself.

The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms

Great beach read! (5/15/2013)

What fun, two women from the same town, and the same name Janey and Nean Brown both win a dream home in Maine. When both women show up to collect their winning home things get very interesting & funny. A great beach read to add to your beach bag this summer.