A Coldness in the Blood by Fred Saberhagen

This is the first book I've read by this author. As far as vampire fiction goes, this book was good but a little lacking in the suspense department! I would read others in this series but was a little disappointed in the weak plot line. Supposedly legendary Vlad Dracula is in today's world & has distant family ties to a human family, the Southerlands. They assist each other in a mystery concerning a philosopher's stone, keeping its magical power away from some evil characters. I find it laughable that the original Dracula would be in need of human assistance & willing to keep ties with human relatives. Despite that, I still recommend this book.

~Submitted by Rachel

The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux

The opening tag line of this book is : Have you ever wanted to rewrite your past?

While that intrigued me, I picked this book up because the 3 friends the book is based around are celebrating their 40th birthdays, as I will be later this year. Leslie, Madison and Ellie are offered the opportunity to go back in time to any 3 week period of their lives and see how the course of their existences could have been different if they had simply made different choices. They travel back in time with the understanding that they can choose to return to their current lives after the 3 weeks with or without the memories of the changes they'd made or continue living the lives that were predicated on their altered choices.

At first, I'll admit, I was skeptical about the whole time travel aspect of The Summerhouse. I tend to like my books entirely based in reality. However, Jude Deveraux writes in a way that makes the entire story believable. She also creates characters that are people you care about and find yourself rooting for. So, if you're not immediately hooked because you've often wondered what your life would be like if you'd made other choices, the characters will draw you in. This was an enjoyable read.

~Submitted by Lisa

Congratulations to our first Fun in the Sun raffle prize winner, Christine Lent! She is the winner of a $25 Regal Cinemas Gift Card! After reading a good book, she's off to an evening @ the movies!

Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos

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.

Belong to Me tells the story of Cornelia Brown and the people she meets as she and her husband, Teo, move to the suburbs. Some she clicks with right away, others prove more elusive. However, their lives are much more intertwined than they first appear.

Belong to Me was an enjoyable read but not one I'd say would be a favorite. Stay tuned, though. De los Santos' Love Walked In is at the top of my "to read" pile. I'll let you know how that one goes.

~Submitted by Lisa

The Family Man by Elinor Lipman

I have never been disappointed with a book written by this author, and Family Man fits the bill! Anyone who enjoys books set in New York City will enjoy this story. Mrs. Lipman knows how to make her characters jump off the page and seem real. I was immediately involved with the main character Henry, a gay man who, after divorce, reunites with his now adult daughter, Thalia. The book was quite humorous and the supporting characters were full of personality. If you have not read anything by this author, run to the library!


~Submited by Susan

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova's debut novel, Still Alice, is a moving story of a professor stricken with early onset Alzheimer's. What made the experience more vivid was the author's narration style. It was very straight forward and not emotional. Which made it seem as though it were possible in anyone's life - very realistic. I would highly recommend this book.

~ Submitted by Linore

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

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.

~Submitted by Lisa