Friday, March 02, 2012

The Devil in the Junior League


"Devil in the Junior League" is a well-written, smart and a fun read by Linda Francis Lee. A delicious look into the heart of Texas blue-blood society. This is a "très exclusive" club full of unspoken rules, so when the main characters husband has an affair, steals her family money and flees the country, she wants to keep the disaster quiet to maintain her elite status and there the fun begins as she seeks revenge to see that her husband gets what he justly deserves!

ALSO TRY:

The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee

The Wedding Diaries by Linda Francis Lee

Simply Sexy by Linda Francis Lee




The Violets of March

The Violets of March is a debut novel by Sarah Jio. The protagonist is suffering from writer's block and her husband just left her for another woman. Hoping to heal, she escapes to her great aunt's home on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life. The intriguing dual story line is done very well and the idyllic setting and real characters make this a highly recommended read.



ALSO TRY:

Bungalow by Sarah Jio

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

You're Next

You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz is the kind of realistic suspense that will make any reader’s heartbeat race. The story starts off with 'Mike' abandoned at a playground at four years old and raised in foster care. No one ever came to claim him, and he has only a few, fragmented memories of his parents. Now, as an adult, Mike is finally living the life he had always wanted until the unimaginable happens: Something from Mike’s own past, a past he doesn’t even remember, comes back to visit terror upon him and his family. It's full of action and suspense, and stuffed with a great mystery as well, though at heart it's about friendship, loyalty, keeping promises, and --- most of all --- parenthood. One of those books you need to keep reading no matter how late it's getting to find out what happens !

ALSO TRY:

They're Watching by Gregg Hurwitz

Stay Close by Harlan Coben

Defending Jacob by William Landay

Friday, February 24, 2012

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

With twenty-two adult novels already published, fans and new readers will not be disappointed by The Dovekeepers. Inspired by the Roman siege of Masada in 70 CE, Hoffman weaves a tale of four women from different walks of life. All are dovekeepers and all are independent, complex women. Powerful and mysterious, the women form a relationship based on fierce loyalty as they attempt to survive the ravages of war. Lauded as Hoffman's masterpiece, it is well worth the read.

Also Try: 
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
Peony in Love by Lisa See
The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat
 

Feast Day of Fools

Texas Sheriff Hackberry Holland is back accompanied by deputy Pam Tibbs. Holland sets out to solve a mystery in the desert involving the body of a tortured man, a woman who shelters illegal immigrants and the return of one of Burke's best drawn villains, thought to be dead. Lovers of mystery and contemporary fiction won't be let down by the Edgar Award winning author.

Also Try:
Hit and Run by Lawrence Block
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon 
Rhino Ranch by Larry McMurtry

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff may, at first glance, seem like a Chick Lit book. But it's definitely not. Phoebe Swift is working hard to establish her new business, a vintage clothing shop. She is also mired down in grief. Exactly what she is grieving is a bit mysterious when the book begins, but as you learn more about what happened in her life you will get pulled in more and more. There are some mild elements of mystery, a haunting tale of WWII France, and of course, delicious descriptions of the vintage clothes.

Also Try: The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
                I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
                The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Rose Edelstein has a gift. The night before her ninth birthday Rose takes a bite of homemade lemon chocolate cake, a cake made by her mother. As Rose eats the cake, she tastes more than lemon and chocolate. She tastes the emotions her mother felt as she baked the cake. Rose soon discovers that she tastes emotions in everything she eats. This is a magical story about families, secrets and growing up. While not everyone will like the magical elements woven throughout the book, it will be liked by readers fond of stories of family, love, relationships and the way life shapes us as we grow up.

Also Try:
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Purple Cane Road by James Lee Burke
After This by Alice McDermott