Book Chats: Cross Country, Life As We Knew It, Always Time to Die

Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell
**
"A suspense novel grows out of Carly May's profession of researching personal histories.  She digs into the lives of the late Senator Quintrell and current Governor Quintrell to find many skeletons.  Contrived love interest and too many characters take away from the story" - Carol Hirsh

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
****
"The author's tone really starts making you feel as if you are part of the experience.  There were two times (both happy and sad) that I had to put the book down and quit reading instantly in order to absorb my emotions. -- New experience for me." - Shari Lovendahl

Cross Country by James Patterson
****
"Cross head out of the country to solve a murder that took place in DC, only to witness a new breed of killers with total disregard for human life.  Africa... a country of organized gang of teenage thugs." - Charlotte Kraft

Book Chats: The Texan, What Alice Forgot, Let the Dead Sleep

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
****
"Great read with an interesting story line.  Definitely shows how we change over the years, without even being aware.  Two story lines are awkward at times." - Sheryl Wiele

The Texan by Joan Johnston
*****
"This was awesome! I couldn't put it down! I read this in one day it was so good; I never knew what was coming! I loved this book!" - Julie Martinez

Let the Dead Sleep by Gretchen Montgomery
****
"A little too voodoo for my tastes.  Well written - it kept my interest, but not as much character development as I would like - some of the "bad guys" seemed comic-book-evil." - Gretchen Montgomery

Book Chats: Wedding Night, The Light Between Oceans, and Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
***
"This book is written by the author of the Shopaholic Series.  The story is a fast-paced comedy told by two sisters from two different perspectives.  It is a light and fluffy read." - Gloria Dejesus

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
****
"I could not put this book down.  Story of a war survivor and a girl with good morals making bad decisions.  Beautiful.  Unpredictable.  Isabel's love for Lucy made me cry several times.  I could imagine myself in the light house.  I could smell the ocean.  A must read.  Brilliant first novel." -
Masumeh Zarai

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson
****
"The newest book in the O'Malley series, a series of Christian romance thrillers, with each book focusing on one of the O'Malley siblings, a group of 7 orphans who formed their own family.  This book goes back and tells the story of Jennifer, the only one who did not have her own book.  It is a good, clean romance, but does not have the thrilling mystery of the rest of the series.  It is meant to tell the back story of this sibling.  My only complaint is it was too short!" - Janet Brungardt

Book Chat - Pioneer Woman, Steve Jobs

Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
****
"Enjoyed this light read that has plenty of humorous moments.  A young woman's idea of the ideal life changes when she meets a special man.  Takes you through all the adjustments of single to married then married with a baby." -- Janelle Heaney

Steve Jobs by Issacson Walter
*****
" It's a very good biography.  Not only because Steve Jobs is a century legend, but also the influence he gives to the society and industry.  I am amazed to read his childhood and how his childhood influenced him to his future success.  I will recommend it to any adults to read." -- Naixin Willis

Book Chat-- I Quit!, A Merry Heart, The Forgotten Garden

I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything if Fine & Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero

*****

"This book was great. It addressed many areas in life.  I love that it gave us permission to not be perfect.  She had many great things to say in her chapters."-- Jenni Wagner

A Merry Heart by Wanda Brunstetter 

****

"A good lesson can be learned from this book - bitterness and unforgiveness hurts you, not the other person your anger is toward.  It can also affect your physical well-being.  Attitude is a choice.  Miriam is not enjoying life and is merely existing.  While she does have an influence on others - she is a school teacher - it is hindered by her attitude.  Miriam must learn to forgive and let her defenses down to live life fully and allow love to bloom once again.  While I did learn from and enjoy this book, I find one of the other "Amish fiction" writers to be a better author and my favorite." -- Grace Snider

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

*****

"I really enjoyed this story of a granddaughter uncovering the secret past of her grandmother.  The book alternates between the early 1900's in England, Australia in the 1970's and modern day." -- Robin Willford

Book Chat - The Language of Flowers, Fifty Shades Darker, Just One Look

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

*****

"This is an amazing book.  Well written.  Great story, very moving.  It has made the list of one of my all time favorite books.  There is meaning in everything.  Find some in Flowers." -- Katy Carroll

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

***

"First book was better; this one was harder to get through.  More excited to read the third book.  Their relationship progresses and you can understand Fifty's psyche more.  Was still a good book, but drags a little." -- Julie Martinez

Just One Look by Harlan Coben

****

"This book has a lot of twists and turns in it. A woman who's husband mysteriously left after she shows him an old photograph she's found, a friend who might not be as loyal as she thinks & a mobster who's befriended her in her plight to find her husband.  She soon learns that her marriage isn't what she thought, her past is coming back to haunt her and her husband is in a lot more trouble than she was aware of.  She finds herself all alone as she tries to unravel the mystery of their tangled lives." -- Amy Jones

Book Chat: The Passage, Nineteen Minutes

The Passage by Justin Cronin
*****
"This book gives you lots to sink your teeth into with almost 700 pages!  Apocalyptic story that spans 100 year of blood, sweat and tears.  Gripping, fresh, and timely! Can't wait for the sequel due to be released in October 2012!" - Suzanne Eastman

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 
*****
"This book really shows what could happen as a result of bullying.  The author develops the characters so well.   I felt so bad for the parents in this book as well as the kids who were bullied." - Kristen Book

Book Chat: The Next Always, The Pioneer Woman...

The Next Always by Nora Roberts
*****
"A good summer read - 1st in a trilogy.  Romantic and full of interesting characters and a beautiful setting - Three good friends and three handsome brothers - and the next book has just come out!" - Nancy King

The Pioneer Woman Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story by Ree Drummond
*****
"This was a wonderful book!  I enjoyed reading it very much!  A great love story and well written with Ree's funny sense of humor, and it's a true story, not a work of fiction.  There are some wonderful recipes in back of the book also.  She is a great cook! Her two cookbooks and childrens books are great books also, as well as her TV show on the Food Network.  I love the Pioneer Woman's Photography as well; she takes some beautiful pictures for her books.  Check out her website @ www.thepioneerwoman.com.  Her blog is great!" - Robin Wilson

Book Chat: Letter From a Stranger, Gone Girl

Letter From a Stranger by Barbara Taylor Bradford
****
"This is a wonderful book - appealing characters, exotic locales, romance and family love.  A good summer book - leaves you wanting more!" - Nancy King

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
***
"This book is a psychological thriller.  It is also dark.  The story is about a marriage gone awry.  The ending might surprise you!" - Gloria DeJesus

Book Chat- The Innocent, Why My Third Husband Will be a Dog

The Innocent by David Baldacci
****
"Right from the start this story had me hooked! The characters are well developed and fun to root for.  The action is fast and the dialogue witty.  A GREAT choice for Baldacci fans!" - Gretchen Montgomery

Why My Third Husband Will be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline
****
"Need a good laugh? This book is full of them.  Bestselling author Lisa Scottoline open up about her life with four dogs, cats, chickens, a pig, her daughters, and Mom Mary.  No topic is too small or mundane - from spanx to interrupting to toasters. " - Carol Hirsh

Book Chat: We're Just Like You..., The Glass Castle, The Hundred Secret Senses, 11/22/63

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier (Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle) by Celia Rivenbark
****
"I found this book very comical. (I actually did laugh so hard I cried.) Each chapter is a short story in itself, so it is a fast and easy read.  Although some references are "southern," as the title implies, you don't have to  be from the south to enjoy these anecdotes." - Tracy Sitz


The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
****
"A memoir of survival in a dysfunctional family.  The book provides an insight into life on the move, often homeless and frequently hungry.  A great story." - Megan Knowles

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
****
"What a storyteller Tan is!  Sometimes though,  I got lost between the present and the past.  The relationships of the two sisters and the extended Chinese family were a great part of the book." - Karla Armbrister

11/22/63 by Stephen King
****
"I am not usually a Stephen King fan, but I enjoyed this book very much.  It definitely has many surprises that you don't see coming.  It certainly doesn't turn out as you expect, but of course it makes perfect sense."  -
Kristen Book

Book Chats: Neverwhere, Fallen in Love, and The Doctor's Wife

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

*****

“Incredibly imaginative. It is a quest not unlike Lord of the Rings mixed with Alice in Wonderland. The plot is a complex puzzle, every time you think you’ve figured it out, it twists and shows you the opposite. High recommendations to all fantasy lovers.” – Emily Gibson

Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

****

“Good ‘companion’ story to the ‘Fallen’ series. It expanded on the supporting characters a lot more than the books in the series. Loved that the story was set up in a medieval city on Saint Valentine’s Day. The book ended too soon!” – Danielle Greenfield

The Doctor’s Wife by Elizabeth Brundage

*****

“This being the author’s debut novel, she hit it with a psychological suspense thriller. There were twists and turns that held the reader spell bound. The only disappointment I felt, was the ending. She was very detailed with the entire story, then at the end she shut it down quick. But I think I was so engrossed in the storyline, I wanted it to continue a few more pages.” – Charlotte Kraft

Book Chat: The Siege

The Siege by Stephen White
***
"The plot involves homeland terrorism and all the alphabet agencies: CIA, FBI, SSG, and local law enforcement. The reader gets to know the personal stories of the characters (protagonists). Really more about the protagonists than the plot of the antagonist. 'What if' thriller, that makes you think about the possibilities of future terrorism plots." -Caroline Hale

Book Chat: Enrique's Journey

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
*****
"A very enlightening true story of a thirteen year old trying eight times to make the trip from Honduras through Mexico to the U.S. to find his mother. Mothers come to the U.S. to earn money to send home to help support their children." -Donna Moyer

Book Chat: The Postmistress

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
****
"If you enjoy historical fiction this is a wonderful WWII book of lives that are intertwined due to the war. There are three different 'voices' which tell the story, so if you don't like a book with different changing voices, be warned." -Amy Grelinger

Book Chat: Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
****
"Fantasy, mystery, and adventure all rolled into one fun read! Another edgy take where the main character finds herself in a world only few are privileged to enter filled with magic and very interesting and unusual characters. A fun summer read! The language might be a little edgy for a read aloud to really young readers but certainly appropriate for families with upper elementary or even adults who just want a fun read all on their own!" -Suzanne Eastman

Book Chat: The Tender Bar

The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer
****1/2
"How does one go from being a poor, fatherless youth to a Pulitzer Prize winning writer and national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times? With the advice and support of some crazy characters at a local bar, of course. This memoir is at times heartbreaking, poignant, and humorous and at all times engaging. Who knew that so many of life's lessons could be learned in a bar!" -Lesa Albin

Book Chat: She Walks in Beauty: A Woman

She Walks in Beauty: A Woman by Caroline Kennedy
*****
"I have never considered myself a true lover of poetry yet this collection opened my eyes to this unique blend of storytelling. Kennedy has brought together the poets of the ages to share the universal experiences, and to celebrate all that it means to be a woman. I highly recommend this book. After you read it, pass it onto a woman who could use some time to reflect on who she is, and the story she has inside of herself." -Aja Drake

Book Chat: Maybe This Time

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
****
"Although I'm generally not fond of books concerning the paranormal, this novel was interesting enough to hold me page by page to see what will happen next. Just when you thought the exciting story is about over, you turn the page to a whole new set of new adventures. It was good. I enjoyed it." -Charlotte Kraft

Book Chat: The Devil in the White City

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
****
"Really enjoyed this NF read. Great insight into the Chicago World Fair in 1893 and the preparation and influence. Two men dominate the novel, an architect and a murderer - very different characters but linked by the fair." -Kay Watts