THE BOG WIFE delves into family mythologies, interconnectedness of siblings, and the trauma and drama that these mythologies create. It has elements of magical realism, horror, and the supernatural.

The chapters are titled with the name of the five sibling characters and …more divided into sections for each season that the novel passes through. This makes reading this book an easy pleasure, which was perfect for me as I was in a bit of a reader's rut.

I enjoyed this book and would rate it 4 out 5 stars. I would recommend it for reading clubs, since there is ample opportunity for delving into the psychology of the brothers' and sisters' trauma, as well as the meanings behind the bog wife and the bog itself. (less)

An apocalyptic novel and page turner, it is an event which could happen making the story poignant. It has technical information to keep it intellectual, and reflective insight to make it heart wrenching. It made me consider what boundaries I would break when faced with …more questionable survival. I would define this as a woman’s science fiction book due to its characters and emotional content. (less)

I adore a good American Historical novel. Serena is one. The novel has a wonderful flow. It has language and dialog from the era and location, as well as descriptions of the locale. It is believable yet thrilling which kept me thinking about it. The main character is an …more incredible, complex, and amazing woman. An embodiment of an evil Athena and one of the best dark female characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. I would compare Serena with two of my all time favorites of the genre - My Antonia by Willa Cather, and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Serena is now included it in that lofty list. All are 5 Star books for me. (less)

The Last Bridge is a very emotional novel; a page turner that’s hard to put down, like a horrible accident that has happened by the side of the road and you can't keep yourself from looking, even though you know it’s not going to be good. I found myself feeling all sorts of …more strong negative emotions due to the situations in the plot and the actions of the characters. It’s difficult to like the main character but you do come to understand her behavior. I can't say it’s an enjoyable read, but it’s a powerful novel with a clear message that covers difficult subject matter.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in domestic violence, addiction, and recovery. This would be an excellent book to read in a book club where members are focused on social issues that are relevant today. (less)