I love dogs and I love reading. I've read a lot of books, fact and fiction, about dogs. "Ever by my Side" did not disappoint me. I stopped holiday cleanup, regular house chores, sleeping......to read it as quickly as possible, while yet savoring the skill with words that Dr. Trout gives us in this book. Being a lady of advanced years, I appreciated writing such as this, ".....messing with the collage of mental snapshots pinned to the corkboard of our memory." The book does not dwell on any one animal, dog, cat or otherwise, but takes us through the ups and downs of Dr. Trout's life from childhood to adulthood and gaining his veterinary degree. We see him interact with his parents, their dogs, then his life as a young adult, marriage and fatherhood, all of the milestones we as readers have passed through or look forward to. No, it's not just another dog book; it is much more than that. The story of a man who has lived a day to day life that includes the animals whom he has loved and the people with whom he has shared that life. A book worth settling in with a cup of something hot, no interruptions and the joy of reading.

I chose to review this book because I have read and enjoyed all of Ms. Naslund's previous books. I shall give her high marks for launching out into a new venue for her, but, frankly, I don't believe it works well.

There are parts of the book which defy my ability to believe the unbelievable. Too many coincidences, starting with the death by falling piano of Eve's (aka Lucy) husband. Follow this up with the mysterious crash of a plane piloted by Lucy into an area that is populated by most of the Earth's plants and animals in a small area likened to Eden. Here Lucy rescues Adam and my disbelief could no longer be suspended.

Ms. Naslund has some lyrical writing within the book. I was especially caught up with samples such as, "While his nostrils constricted to stem the flow of fetid air, his jaw opened, and the air entered the little cave of his mouth and wiped itself on the plushy carpet of his tongue. From sentences such as that we are too often then subjected to long pages which read more like text books.

Readers who are interested in Biblical studies, plots to reveal or suppress new finds about Bible history and the possibility of life in outer space and in fantasy may find this book of interest. I was disappointed in the book.

Meanwhile, Ms. Naslund continues to be a sought after author, a favorite as it were. However, I feel she missed the mark with this volume and look forward to a better display of her talents in her next effort.

I have read several books by the Bronte sisters and at least one biography, so I was anticipating reading Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael. From the first sentence of the first chapter, I knew I would not be disappointed. Ms. Gael knows how to use words to their greatest effect, how to develop her characters and how to move along the story of the Bronte sisters, their family and friends. Even though I knew beforehand many important aspects of the Bronte story, I never lost interest in this most recent book based upon their lives. In fact, there were some surprises in store for the reader and the anticipation of more to come kept me reading at a fast pace as I couldn't wait to get to the next page. This book will appeal to most who have curled up for many hours with one or more of the Bronte sisters' book as well as to those to whom they are new authors. You will be glad that you added this one to your library.

As I read the description of this book on BookBrowse, I was intrigued and once chosen to receive an advance copy eager to read it.

I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in this book. Rather than being the mystery it was advertised to be, it read more like a text book.

First was the liberal use of Yiddish vocabulary. Yes, there is a 6 page glossary at the end of the book, but stopping to flip pages back and forth upsets the reading rhythm.

Second, was the long time between the murder and it's solving. What comes between is more of a cultural, history lesson re the animosity between the Ghetto Jews and the community Christians.

Thus, this book might better have been described as historical fiction than mystery. The reader would then have more realistic expectations of what he/she would be picking up to read.

This book captured my attention the moment I saw the cover. On the cover is a "note," a sticky note, or so it seems. On it are simply the words, "Cat. He isn't who you think he is. Mom xxxooo" The author does a masterful job of tantilizing the reader with clues as to who the "he" of the note may be. In the meantime we are treated to scenes that draw the reader in and which invite introspection. An especially good thing for a book which is read by a book group.

For those who like books with a bit of meat on their bones and one which leaves the reader thinking of the book long after the last page is read, I recommend The Last Bridge.