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Reviews by Jan M. (Jenks, OK)

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Wayward Saints
Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche
A Pleasant Surprise (12/3/2011)
I'm a senior reader who is not "in to" rock music, so I was prepared not to like this book. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The author, quite skillfully, told the story of a mother and daughter's estrangement and some of the reasons behind their distant and difficult …more
The Beauty of Humanity Movement
The Beauty of Humanity Movement: A Novel
by Camilla Gibb
A difficult life of diligence and dedication. (12/18/2010)
This was my first Camilla Gibb book, but it certainly will not be my last. She has a lovely style that paints beautifully descriptive pictures of a land and it's people with whom I'm not well acquainted. My husband was a Vietnam vet who often wished to return to see the …more
The Nobodies Album
The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst
Interesting concept but difficult read (6/15/2010)
Carolyn Parkhurst had a wonderful story to tell, but in my opinion an awkward approach to it's telling. I loved the analogy between life's consequences and book endings, However, the randomly placed variations of other books into the central story about Milo were …more
Beautiful Assassin
Beautiful Assassin: A Novel
by Michael C. White
BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN (3/13/2010)
This was my first Michael White novel, but it certainly will not be my last. He hooked me right from the start and held my attention through the end. I was originally drawn to this book because I had visited Russia and some of the places mentioned were familiar to me. It …more
The Wives of Henry Oades
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
A no win situation (12/4/2009)
I really enjoyed this book. It was written in such a way that I "felt the pain" of all the major characters.

With this book, Ms. Moran has woven the basic facts from a court case into a tapestry of life's difficulties. Poor Henry Oades was in a no win situation with two …more
Serena
Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
Serena by Ron Rash (9/10/2009)
As a somewhat “over the hill” reader, I enjoyed Serena. I have some letters written by my grandfather describing his life in a logging camp during the Depression. Ron Rash’s description of the harshness of the times was much the same as those described by my Grandfather and …more
Baking Cakes in Kigali
Baking Cakes in Kigali
by Gaile Parkin
Baking Cakes in Kigali (5/31/2009)
My reaction as I read this book was "sweet." The repetitive detail about cakes and the tea were almost too much at first, but later on I began to see that there was more to Angel. Her wisdom and compassion and sometimes devious methods made for an interesting read. I loved …more
Water, Stone, Heart
Water, Stone, Heart: A Novel
by Will North
Water, Stone, Heart (5/3/2009)
This book covered everything - suspense, love story, geography and history lessons, and human relations.

The descriptions of the landscape and gentle people encouraged me to include Cornwall in my list of places I would like to visit. The writer has talent for revealing the …more
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    The River Knows Your Name
    by Kelly Mustian
    A haunting Southern novel about memory and love, from the author of The Girls in the Stilt House.
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  • Book Jacket

    Happy Land
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