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Reviews by Melissa H. (McKees Rocks, PA)

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Wild and Distant Seas
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Wild and Distant (10/12/2023)
Being a lit major, I am always a sucker for novels that reference a classic. In this case the classic is Moby Dick - a novel I appreciate, but can be an arduous read. Fortunately, you do not need to be a lit major or even read Moby Dick to understand and appreciate Roberts' debut novel. The multi-generational story of Evangeline and her heirs, with their unique "magical" traits, is compelling and intriguing as they each navigate their life paths and mother-daughter relationships.
Never Saw Me Coming
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
Psychopaths you will love! (6/1/2021)
A reviewer said this was a book they wanted to portion out to make it last but also didn't want to put it down, which is a perfect description of this fantastic debut!

The premise of 7 psychopaths in a college clinical study when 1 is murdered is intriguing enough to get you to open the book and from there you will have a hard time closing it until you reach the last page!
The Sun Down Motel
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
Keep the Lights on - PLEASE! (11/2/2019)
The book volleys back and forth between 1982 and 2017. Viv who disappeared narrates 1982 and Carly, her niece narrates 2017. It is fast paced and as the mystery comes to an end it is a book you don't want to put down! Though I probably wouldn't read this while on a road trip staying at motels/hotels even WITH the lights on, because you never know when they may go out!!
Wicked
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
by Gregory Maguire
A Classic (5/18/2017)
A classic in all sense of the word - morals, tales, a re-telling of a favorite in a brand new way and a book that is worth re-reading as you will glean new thoughts and feelings.
What Doesn't Kill Her
What Doesn't Kill Her: A Reeve LeClaire Series Novel
by Carla Norton
Norton Does it Again! (4/29/2015)
I had the pleasure of reading Ms. Norton's first book, "The Edge of Normal" as an ARC so I jumped at the chance to preview the sequel!! She again creates a great suspense throughout the novel and a gutsy character in Reeve. There is a lot of recapping about the previous book, so I would not recommend someone read it without reading The Edge of Normal.
Looking forward to what I can only assume will be a third book in the series.....
The Book of Speculation
The Book of Speculation
by Erika Swyler
Entertaining (3/29/2015)
The hook "If you liked Night Circus.." was all I needed to submit my request to read this Advanced Readers Copy! I wouldn't give it the 5 stars that Night Circus garnered, but this story earned a solid 3, possibly a 4. It was an easy read, I enjoyed the parallel stories of the carnival years ago and today's descendants. It wasn't quite as magical as Night Circus, but an entertaining read all the same.
The Last Good Paradise
The Last Good Paradise
by Tatjana Soli
You can't pack everything into the suitcase (11/12/2014)
I struggled with this book for all 300 pages. The characters stories were so drawn out through the book that not a single one developed into someone I cared about. Felt like the author tried to take on too much instead of focusing on just an issue or two to develop - and they were all important issues that would have benefited from being singled out.
Accidents of Marriage
Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers
Slow, too slow. (6/19/2014)
Unfortunately this book moved very slowly for me. I liked the premise of it and while the ending wasn't exactly what I expected, it was better than I had anticipated. Yet, the majority of the book seemed to slough along. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a quick, exciting read, but would possibly recommend it to a married couple.
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