BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Terrie J. (Eagan, MN)

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A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Interesting read with surprising storyline (12/21/2014)

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't expect the Klan story line. I enjoyed reading about Emmy finding the strength to leave her family and then watch her find her independence. The Klan story line really enhanced her having to display her strength and independence during the 50s.

I thought Amy Scheibe did a good job of describing the tumultuous time period without graphically describing the horrid events.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Safe with Me is Hard to Put Down (11/23/2013)

I loved this book. The characters were very real and the way Amy Hathvany brought them to life hooked me from the beginning. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next in the book. While it was predictable that Hannah would meet the girl that Emily saved, Olivia and Maddie's life was not predictable. This book addressed abuse and the importance of having support to leave an abusive situation, yet I felt the focus of the book was on building a strong friendship and how important it is for a woman to have other strong women in her life. I look forward to reading more books by this author!!!!

Lost Luggage
by Jordi Punti

Interesting story line... (9/15/2013)

This book kept my interest, but was slow at times. I liked the concept of the story line and the fact that the brothers joined together to find out what happened to their father. I felt that jumping between past and present got confusing at times. I would recommend this book to others.

The Sisterhood
by Helen Bryan

Entertaining and Knowledgable (5/16/2013)

This book kept me intrigued and led me through historical events. I typically don't like historical fiction, but the character development in both the current and past stories was well done. The way Helen intertwined the stories and brought them together in the end was well done. The end was unexpected, but I did think that it wrapped up a little fast after the length it took to get there. I would highly recommend this book!

The Face Thief: A Novel
by Eli Gottlieb

Interesting Characters (1/4/2012)

I enjoyed this book. Gottlieb built the characters well. The book begins with the main female character and then brings in the other 2 main male characters one at a time. As the book continues, the story connects the characters and keeps you wondering how the plot will play out. It keeps you guessing until the end.

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Wow...Great Characters (11/5/2011)

I really enjoyed this book! The 2 main characters were very well developed in both the here and now and in the secrets they were keeping. Having a musician for a husband, I could really relate to Mary's character and I think she got the ups and downs of that life pretty accurately. I enjoyed the developing story lines between the 2 characters.

The Look of Love: A Piper Donovan Mystery
by Mary Jane Clark

The Look of Love was a fun read (11/5/2011)

I really enjoyed The Look of Love. It was a fun light hearted mystery and reminded me of reading Agatha Christie. There were many characters and while reading I wasn't sure which one was the "bad guy" - many of them could have been. I look forward to reading another Piper Donovan mystery.

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

A Fun Twist on History (5/2/2011)

I really enjoyed this book. I love a mystery and am not a big fan of historical fiction, but trying to be. This book has set me on my path to read more historical fiction. I loved the character development and the twists that the book took. It put a fun twist on historical fact. I would recommend this book and will read more of the series.

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
by Conor Grennan

Inspriring Read (1/10/2011)

I really enjoyed this book.,,much more than I thought I would. Even though it was written from a man's perspective, it had a very touching and sentimental feel about it. Conor's work was very admirable and through his words, you could feel his empathy and closeness to the children. I would highly recommend this book to young adults as well as adults. It will encourage great discussion in a book group. Hats off to Conor Grennan for capturing my heart.

An Amish Christmas: A Novel
by Cynthia Keller

Heart Warming Story (10/10/2010)

I really enjoyed this book! It was a heart warming story, taking place during the holidays. The story brings a troubled family together as they find out what is really important. Although it is predictable, it is well written and in these trying times, a story like this is what many of us need. I would recommend that this story be shared with the family during the holidays.

The Ghost of Milagro Creek
by Melanie Sumner

Very Impactful Story (7/26/2010)

At first this story appears to be a simple story about friends/brothers growing up in New Mexico. The story quickly becomes complicated and heart breaking. It takes some unexpected twists that keep you wondering what could happen next.

The story is told from different characters, mixed with narrative in Spanish. This makes is sometimes hard to follow or perhaps, it adds to the charm of the book.

This would be an excellent book group read - as an added bonus, reading group questions are included at the end of the book!

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