Jane Hudson, the daughter of an aging doctor, takes over his practice. She tries to keep secret her love affairs with a DEA agent and treats a wide range of medical problems. Does love win out in the end? Read the book to find out. I'd definitely recommend this one!
I absolutely loved this book! I listened to it on CD and the narrator spoke with a great dialect which made the characters really come to life. It is a simple story about a young girl who leaves her native Ireland for a new life in Brooklyn. Nothing earth-shattering happens, but it is the telling of her story and the play between the characters that make this book come alive. It is similar in style to An Irish Country Doctor - simple but well worth reading.
As promised, here's my review of Love Walked In. It's actually a prequel to Belong to Me, though I don't remember it mentioned that way on the Belong to Me jacket. If I had, I'm sure I would have read them in order and enjoyed Belong to Me much more.
The opening tag line of this book is : Have you ever wanted to rewrite your past? 
Marisa de los Santos shows that just as you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you shouldn't judge the people you meet until you've had the opportunity to really get to know them. Chances are you'll be surprised with what you find. 
I was excited to find this book as I thoroughly enjoyed Beth Harbison's earlier works, Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Secrets of a Shoe Addict. They were great light reading - perfect for the beach or pool and I highly recommend them! When I discovered Hope in a Jar held references to commercials and beauty products from the 80s, the era of my youth, I was even more excited. Unfortunately, I found this book disappointing. I felt no connection to the characters and found the story to be choppy and disjointed. Finally, the 80s references, while nostalgic, weren't incorporated into the writing at all and they were often distracting. I wouldn't recommend Hope in a Jar but definitely pick up Beth Harbison's other books.
This is a long, masterfully written tale about the era and person of King Henry VIII and his last two wives, Anne of Cleaves and Kitty Howard. I listened to the book on CD and enjoyed the use of four voices telling the story from the perspective of four different characters. My daughter, however, read the book; and found the use of a four-party narrative confusing. If, as I assume, Gregory painstakingly researched the time period and its events – then I learned an enormous amount of an era in which I had previously known very little. I now view this historical period with color, depth, and a profound interest. Of course, much of what is portrayed is based on Gregory’s speculation; but I think she does a very credible job. Under her pen the characters come alive to leave a lasting impression on the reader/listener. Her character development of Henry’s two wives is nothing short of amazing. They both mature very differently, but in an extremely appealing (though not entirely happy) fashion. If you read their story on Google, you will find black and white words on paper. Once you read Gregory’s book, the characters are ‘fleshed’ out into living breathing (and sometimes dying) people. I unreservedly recommend this book.
I often find that I'm usually in the minority when it comes to appreciating and enjoying popular books and movies. It's happened again with Revolutionary Road. Those of you that have been following my reviews know that I tend to base my opinions on how the characters and story affect me. This was the most stressful and depressing story I've ever read.
This book is excellent for lovers of cozy mysteries and history. Daisy is one of those people who stumble over bodies with amazing regularity. Since the story is set in the Tower of London in 1925, she still reacts like a lady was expected to when presented with a distressing scene. However, she is a thinker and likes to figure out the puzzle of what happened. Her Scotland Yard detective husband would of course prefer that Daisy stayed out of it but she never does, and it is Daisy who ultimately figures out the murderer. I have enjoyed all of the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries by Carola Dunn. They are entertaining and amusing and just delightful and they never disappoint me.
An Audiobook Review
This is a superbly written story; read
so convincingly by Robertson Dean, that
I felt I was actually hearing the voice
of the main character as he describes
his life events, thoughts and feelings.
Canin's writing is philosophical in nature,
with the main characters pondering many
of the common and not-so-common
experiences in their everyday lives.The story begins in the 1940s in a
working-class town. It then follows two particular families.
The first is hard-working and smart, although financially
very modest. The second, in contrast, is extremely wealthy
and philanthropic heirs to the town's founder. The tale focuses
on the son of the first family, and how his character develops
through involvement with the wealthy and politically savvy
second family; always with the backdrop of his parents
externally simple, but always thought-provoking lives.
The story line is interesting, building up to a climax during
the Vietnam years. But as good as the plot is, it is the
narrative of a man's life and the forming of his character
that continually held my interest. The main and secondary
characters are all unique and note-worthy; contrasting and
complimenting one another in such a way as to create a
compelling story. Extremely well-written; a very-good read.
~Submitted by Elaine
The story of a single mom in her 40s, her reunion with the long lost love of her teenage years and her relationship with her mother combined with lots of talk of scrumptiously delicious desserts and some Shakespearean references. Sound interesting, doesn't it? I thought so, too. Unfortunately, the characters seemed one-dimensional and I had a hard time coming to care about them. The plot also seemed contrived and even filled with extraneous characters in some points. The best part was the detailed discussions of all the amazing desserts. All this aside, I stuck with it until the end, as I always seem to, and thought it wrapped up "sweetly".
I know this warm and wonderful book will be among the best, if not the best, that I will have read for the next few years. Historical fiction, it is set in the present day in London and involves a writer corresponding with the inhabitants of the Channel Islands off Great Britain through a series of letters. The letters recount what life was like during the Nazi occupation of this island during WWII. I learned so much about what the War years were like for those living on the Island during at that time (something I always really appreciate in a story). The depth of character of the letters writers brings the author to the Islands to meet its inhabitants and the story continues. A beautiful tapestry of past and present is the result.~ Submitted by Elaine
This is Jamie Ford's debut novel and it's amazing! Set in Seattle, it follows the love story of a young Chinese boy, Henry, and his very special Japanese friend, Keiko, which began during World War II and transcended many decades. The author does a wonderful job of interweaving details and historical perspectives on the treatment of Japanese Americans during the 1940s and the history of Jazz music.
Your Heart Belongs to Me was well written and very interesting. It was filled with suspense and intrigue. The use of paranoia was fantastic. Once I started to read I couldn't put it down. In the words of the author, "it's all in the subtext".
This "warm read" is set in freezing Alaska. It is an inspirational story about Leah and Jacob who are brother and sister who have settled in Alaska, and how they deal with the harshness of the area. Jayce, who Leah had fallen in love with 10 years ago comes back into their lives. This story is about how God worked in their lives and they end up getting married, after going through some tough times as a Pinkerton agent pursues Jayce believing him to have
The 3rd book in the Gideon Trilogy after Sleeping with Strangers and Waking with Enemies finds contract killer Gideon on the run from hired assassins.
I just discovered this author by chance
The Maytrees by Annie Dillard isI have listened to the last CD several times already
as I am not ready to say "good bye" to these 'friends'.
However, this is my last listen. I heartily recommend
this book. Among the best I've 'read in a long time.
~Submitted by Elaine
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