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Reviews by Betty Taylor

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The Midnight House
by Alex Berenson
Intrigue in Poland (2/5/2014)
This is the fourth book in a series about John Wells, a CIA agent. This is the first of the series I have read. (I was provided a free copy for review through the First Reads program on GoodReads.com.) As a result of reading this one, I have bought three more in the series.more
Worthy Brown's Daughter
by Phillip Margolin
Wonderful! (1/11/2014)
I received an advance copy of this book from The Reading Room (Harper Collins).

Let me say right up front that I am a fan of Phillip Margolin. However, this book is very different from his other books as this one is set in the 1800s in Oregon. Worthy Brown is a freed blackmore
Before I Met You: A Novel
by Lisa Jewell
Love in the Jazz Age (1/5/2014)
This was the first book by Lisa Jewell that I have read, but now not the last.

Before I Met You alternates between the story of Betty (1983-1995) and that of Arlette (1919-1921). Arlette is the grandmother of Betty’s mother’s boyfriend. (Got that?) Arlette lived in London (more
Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth
Do You Really Know Someone? (12/24/2013)
"You can be so close to someone for a lifetime and not know who they really are."
This book is a long letter from Rachel to Clara, lifelong friends. On Rachel's first day in a new school she sits next to Clara thus starting this seeming innocent friendship. Each would domore
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan
Surprisingly Delight (12/12/2013)
When I received the Advance Reading Copy of this book from The Random House Publishing Group, I really did not expect to like it. Imagine my surprise when Nancy Horan’s delightful story enchanted me. This is the story of Robert Louis Stevenson’s courtship and subsequentmore
Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany
Took My Breath Away! (11/25/2013)
I had not read a book by Amy Hatvany before "Safe With Me" but now I will certainly be reading all she has written. Her writing style is so easy to read! I could just relax and go along for the ride. But the story itself had me in suspense. Hannah's daughter Emily is hit bymore
Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield
Bellman & Black (10/31/2013)
First I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It held my attention and taught me quite a bit about the businesses that Mr. Bellman threw himself so completely into. It is beautifully written. However, there were a few flaws (dare I use that term?) that held memore
A Man of His Own
by Susan Wilson
A Dog and TWO Men (8/15/2013)
Let me say right up front that I loved this book. The writing was sensitive and held me captivated the entire time. Pax, an abandoned puppy, is the center of this story. He is found by Rick who becomes a ball player for the Braves. Pax then has to make room in his heart formore
Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Memoir
by Jessica A. Fox
The Witless Fox (6/25/2013)
I began reading this book with great enthusiasm which was quickly dampened. The first part of the book is very slow and quite boring. She lives a high stress life in Los Angeles that she wants to escape. Then she takes off for Scotland on a whim. Okay, that I can relate to.more
The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms
Keep It Interesting... (5/13/2013)
Aunt Midge said keep it interesting...and that is just what Kelly Harms did in this delightful story of the two Janine Browns who both entered a contest for a house and won it. But which Janine Brown was the true winner? As readers, we are all winners upon diving into thismore
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady
Some History, without the Pain (6/19/2012)
I loved this book! Joanna Brady did extensive research on the history of the Florida Keys and the lighthouse keepers and some history of Cuba. Some of the characters in this book were real people. It was interesting reading of the difficulties the lighthouse keepers had tomore
Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths
by Bruce Feiler
A Trip into Abraham's Land (4/30/2012)
I found the book to be very interesting. The author does not claim to be a scholar or an expert on any religion. He set out to explore the monotheistic religions in their settings. He first did this with his book "Walking the Bible". With this book, he looks at Abraham whomore
The Finkler Question
by Howard Jacobson
Too Much Worrying (4/29/2012)
I know it seems nearly everyone loved this book but I just could not get into it. It did reflect true life in that it reminded me of people I know who worry all the time about every little thing -- people who make everyone around them miserable with all their worrying. Notmore
The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff
Love Triangles (5/25/2011)
I enjoyed the book even though the story is not all that deep. The two love triangles somewhat mirror each other -- two brothers in love with the same woman. Neither story gets very deep. After all, the book is only 286 pages. It was sometimes hard to grab the thread of themore
Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth
by Lisa Napoli
Happiness Achieved! (2/26/2011)
Lisa Napoli's description of "the happiest place on earth" certainly made me happy. Ms. Napoli writes beautifully of her visits to Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom that few are privileged to visit. Her descriptions reminded me of my visits to Thailand where I found the peoplemore
The Tenth Song
by Naomi Ragen
Ragen LetDown (10/25/2010)
I absolutely love Naomi Ragen's books so was really excited to start her newest one. But what a letdown! I really tried to like it, but it was so contrived. Disasters fixed too easily. Nice words of wisdom from a guru in the desert. Visions of the Israelites following Mosesmore
Arctic Chill: A Thriller
by Arnaldur Indridason
Arctic Chill (10/7/2010)
Even though there is little "action" in the story and it was a bit slow moving, the writing is superb and kept me intrigued. The author uses conversation amazingly well in the book. It just kept pulling me in especially with the two subplots of the missing woman and themore

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