Book Review - Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Black Rose carries on where Blue Dahlia left off, with Stella and Logan preparing for their wedding, baby Lily has becomes a huge part of the Harper family, and readers begin to get a glimpse of what is to come in book three, Red Lily. Nora Roberts shines with this series of books-family, romance, tension, and heartache, throw in some delightful characters and a vengeful ghost. The suspenseful scenes will chill your bones while the Southern hospitality and sense of humor keep the story light yet believable.

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Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Book Review - Red Lily by Nora Roberts

The dramatic ending to the In the Garden trilogy does not fail readers of the this series. Nora Roberts adds realistic tragedy, excitement, and humor to this suspenseful love affair. The details are extremely well written especially those surrounding the nursery. Who would think that flower hybridization could be so interesting, romantic, and sexy? Red Lily has everything in one novel - romance, steamy interludes, suspense, and hauntings. Whether you are an avid reader of Nora Roberts' books or just looking for a romantic thriller, this page-turner will not disappoint .

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Red Lily by Nora Roberts

Book Review - Mississippi Kiss by Barbara McIntosh

Mississippi Kiss begins with an explosion. From the moment Brianna finds Ryan on the beach, you will be drawn into their magical world. Both of these strong characters carry secrets that are revealed with an eruption of emotions. Barbara McIntosh has brilliantly taken a romantic love affair and added depth with her unique storyline but the disappointment starts to reveal its ugly head during the last portion of the book.


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Mississippi Kiss by Barbara McIntosh

Book Review - Mail-Order Bride by Maureen McKade

Most romances are written with the most perfect characters and yet, Ms. McKade took the chance of giving our heroine a flaw which was brought up many times. Our handsome hero of the story wasn't much attracted to her due to her features in the beginning of the story but the author brought the two together despite their differences. What begins as your typical historical romance leads into more of the history of this time period including what men found "attractive" in a woman. "Mail-Order Bride" has everything-unique characters, action, suspense, and true romance.

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Mail-Order Bride by Maureen McKade

Book Review - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why is an emotional story to follow along with. Your heart will break as Clay listens to Hannah and tries to understand why she took her own life. Although he ultimately learns of the turmoil bottled up in her soul, Clay still has unanswered questions and regrets as he forwards the tapes on to the next person.

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Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book Review - A Kiss Remembered by Sandra Brown

As Ms. Brown points out from the opening, the story "reflects the trends and attitudes that were popular at that time". Although the author doesn't state when she wrote the book, it was first published during the 1980s. While I agree that the attitudes do reflect on that time era, the story doesn't reflect upon Ms. Brown's writing style.

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A Kiss Remembered by Sandra Brown

Book Review - Renegade by Diana Palmer

Renegade is another beautifully written novel by Diana Palmer. The storyline will have you crying and laughing. You can't help but fall in love with the personalities of Cash and Tippy especially as Tippy "seduces" Cash through most of the book. The story is fast paced and never dull so you are unable to put it down until the bad guys are caught and the ending unfolds on Cash and Tippy and their future.

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Renegade by Diana Palmer

Book Review - "B" is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

The alphabet series of books are centered around Kinsey Millhone, a fictional female character, once cop turned private investigator. Her home is based in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California and can be compared to a version of Santa Barbara. Ms. Grafton personalizes Millhone throughout each of her exploits and each book gives a little more information on Millhone's past. She was born May 5, 1950 and the stories are set during the 1980s.

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B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

Children's Book Review - Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

The books from the writing team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell have become national bestsellers. Ms. Curtis has taken personal experiences like the adoption of her children and turned them into wonderfully told stories that speak to young readers. These books are brilliantly illustrated which is important as children also learn from bright visuals of picture books. Big Words for Little People doesn't inundate children with too many new words but is flawlessly put together, a perfect addition to the series of books released by this duo of writers.

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Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curits and Laura Cornell

Children's Book Review - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs has become a children's book that is passed down from generation to generation. The animation version set to be released in 2009 is claiming to be "the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese." The short story of this town and the people inspires children to use their imaginations not only during the story but in real life. From the beginning of the book with that first pancake flip, children will be drawn into the story. After hearing the story of Chewandswallow, a child may never look at a snowflake or drop of rain the same.

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Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Book Review - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" certainly applies to The Graveyard Book. Dark and mysterious creatures, witches, ghosts, and ghouls may not seem appropriate for young readers, that is until you read the pages and contemplate what the author is conveying in this compelling book. Aimed for readers ages 9-12, this book will speak volumes about life, choices made, and consequences while holding the interest of the young reader with the fascinating storyline.

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Book Review - The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

The Memory Keeper's Daughter is an astounding novel that is beautifully written. However, there are too many unexplainable events in the storyline that leaves the reader not believing in the experience. A novel such as this should leave you accepting that this could have happened, that these events are acceptable but with so many questionable occurrences, the ending left me empty.

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The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards