Bone River
by Megan Chance

Bone River (11/18/2012)

I became lost in this book right from the start. Though slightly dark, it is a good mix of romance and history with a suspenseful twist. The characters were well written and real and the description of the landscape they lived in was so real that I was cold all the way …more through the book. This will make a wonderful read for a book discussion group, hopefully there will be a discussion guide. (less)

Live by Night
by Dennis Lehane

Live by Night (8/16/2012)

This is the first Dennis Lehane book I have read but diffidently not the last. The story is filled with love, loss, betrayal and redemption. A historical fiction set in the 1920's probation era about gangsters, crooked cops, thugs, spanning through Boston, Florida and Cuba. …more A good read from the historical view point and the thriller side. (less)

15 Seconds
by Andrew Gross

15 Seconds (5/10/2012)

Great summer read! I was hooked from the very beginning, and didn't want to put it down until the end. Though the chapters are short, I had to read on to see what was going to happen next--a real page turner. The timeline was a little confusing when some of the back ground …more was introduced, but once I realized what was happening there was no stopping. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers! (less)

All Woman and Springtime: A Novel
by Brandon W. Jones

All Woman and Springtime (4/5/2012)

Though difficult to read this is a compelling story on a very important subject-human trafficking and sexual slavery. It is for the mature audience since the contents are graphic, but realistic. That being said, Brandon Jones has written a beautiful, chilling, important …more novel. The hopelessness that these young girls had to live but the hope in their hearts that one day they would be out of this life made for a very compelling story that hooks the read right from the start. (less)

No Mark Upon Her: A Novel
by Deborah Crombie

No Mark Upon Her (1/21/2012)

This is the first of the a series of 14 books by Deborah Crombie that I have read. Let it be said that if I had read all 14 the characters would have had a lot more history, but the author has written this one that could stand alone. There are strong characters both as the …more main continuing ones and those that are introduced only in this book. The plot and subplots are interesting and hook the reader right from the start of the book. I am looking forward to going back and reading the rest of the series and to any new ones that may come. (less)

Little Black Dress: A Novel
by Susan McBride

Little Black Dress (7/30/2011)

Though thoroughly predictable, this is a great summer read. The characters are well developed, and the suspense does make it a page turner. After the 2nd chapter I just had to keep reading to find out more about the characters as they developed. Would recommend this book …more for anyone who is looking for a light, suspenseful read. (less)

The Tudor Secret: The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
by C. W. Gortner

The Tudor Secret (4/14/2011)

I am a lover of historical fiction and I enjoyed this read. "The Tudor Secret" fulfills most of my requirements. It is a good quick read, fast moving, mix with facts, figures and intrigue. It has detailed descriptions of life in the courts and London in the period. However, …more it does lack character development and depth. That being said I do look forward to the next in the series. (less)

Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown

Minding Ben (2/3/2011)

The story though interesting is familiar and predictable. A bit stereotypical in regards to all the secondary characters. Similar to the "Nanny Diaries" with a bit of "The Help". The main character, however, is well developed and I did want to know more about her, where she …more cameo from-where she was going. Not bad for a first novel. (less)

The Discovery of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe
by Glynis Ridley

The Discovery of Jeanne Baret (1/27/2011)

After reading the introduction to this book, I was very excited to start the read. However, the book started to read like a thesis That being said, there is a lot of information about the world as it was during this time. Subjects that I had very little information, but …more enjoyed finding out about. The author certainly did the research required to make it a complete account. I would have liked to know more about Jeanne Baret as a person since she reads more like a one dimensional character than the courageous person that she was. Understandably the author could not do that since it is stated that there is very little truly known about her other than what is stated. Possibly written as a historic fiction would make a wonderful movie.

Would have like to have a readily available map of the time to trace the journey.

[Editor's Note: Marion was reading an 'advanced readers copy' of this book, printed some months before the final copies - it is quite common that elements such as maps and photos are not included in the advanced copies but are included in the finished version.] (less)

The Paris Wife: A Novel
by Paula McLain

The Paris Wife (12/2/2010)

I really enjoyed reading this book. Paris in the 20's with all the noteworthy friends of Hadley & Earnest came to life. A different time and different life. This book reminded me of "Loving Frank" in the way it told the story of the first wives of important people of …more the time. I will recommend this for my book clubs. (less)

The Ghost of Milagro Creek
by Melanie Sumner

The Ghost of Milagro Creek (7/14/2010)

Not worth the time spent on reading this book. I found the characters very one dimensional and little plot development. Though the really looked forward to this book after reading the summary, Melanie Sumner missed the mark.

The Man From Saigon: A Novel
by Marti Leimbach

The Man from Saigon (2/25/2010)

Growing up in the Vietnam era with the graft film on TV every evening, and the pictures in every magazine, I was looking forward to reading this book. Though I found the characters very one dimensional, I was pulled into this book by the descriptions of Vietnam both Saigon …more and the jungle. It was well worth the read to understand the life that was going on during those years. I think this would be a great book club selection. (less)