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Reviews by Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)

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Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton

Next Year in Havana (10/29/2017)

Absolutely loved this book. Chanel Cleeton helps us experience the rich heritage of Elisa Perez and her family. Elisa's granddaughter, Marisol Ferrera, discovers family secrets on her trip to Cuba to scatter her grandmother's ashes. Her journey is 'always a double edged …more

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Happiness (6/28/2017)

I fell in love with this family at the first page. Reading about the love story and struggles of Heather and Brian was enthralling. One line that truly caught me was "Memory is fluid and shape-shifts to our desires." How true.

A story of love, tragedy, loyalty...FAMILY. I …more

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney

Lillian (10/1/2016)

I love Lillian Boxfish. What a lovely story. At her advanced age, she has lived, loved and overcome so much. I enjoyed learning about her as the story was told. I want to be like her when I'm that age. Hope I can be.

North of Crazy: A Memoir
by Neltje

North of Crazy (7/9/2016)

I started out enjoying this book. A sad story that proves that money and status do not always equal happiness. The book just ended up very slow moving and I had a hard time finishing it. She led an interesting life that is for sure but the writing was a bit sluggish.

The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs
by Matthew Dicks

The Perfect Comeback (6/2/2015)

I loved this book. Read it in a day. How many of us have wounds that still surface on occasion from something that happened in childhood? I'd say the great majority of us. This book talks about just that. For all of you who were not a part of the "in crowd" growing up, you …more

Make Your Home Among Strangers
by Jennine Capó Crucet

Interesting read (5/18/2015)

A couple of things made Make Your Home Among Strangers an interesting read. First, it hearkens back to the time of Elian Gonzalez and all the drama that unfolded during that incident in our history. But also with the new relationship between the United States and Cuba, it …more

Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen

Rose (2/17/2015)

A sweet walk through the lives of the Bowen family. Iris Bowen loses her husband and his dying wish was that she find their adopted daughter Rose's birth mother. He wants to make sure that if something happens to both of them, Rose still has family to count on. Christine …more

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Fireproof Home for the Bride (12/31/2014)

This novel hearkens back to the innocent time of the early 1950's Midwest. Emmaline Nelson is coming of age during this time, not sure whether to follow the expected way that was being created for her or to break out on her own. The changing times of the civil rights …more

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming

The Untold Story (12/2/2014)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It gave new perspective to someone that I have admired greatly over the years. I was just a babe in arms when President Kennedy was killed but I have always had a fascination with the Kennedy family.

The book focuses on the fact that …more

Her
by Harriet Lane

Her a bit disappointing (6/2/2014)

The strange story of Emma and Gina is entertaining but has some flaws. It's a subtle stalking story that you really can't quite figure out until the twist is revealed later in the book. As a short book, it is entertaining and the final dagger does catch you off guard. Some …more

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Mating for Life (3/26/2014)

How can three sisters grow up to be so different? Or are they. Marissa Stapley's Mating for Life is an entertaining look at three women whose mother was a Joni Mitchell-esque singer who never really thought much about marriage. Until….in her later years she is contemplating …more

The Deepest Secret
by Carla Buckley

Secrets (12/30/2013)

Does everyone have a secret? As we meet Eve Lattimore, her family and neighbors, this is definitely the case. The secrets may be small and insignificant in nature or they may be life changing and devastating but each member of the cast has them. Carla Buckley weaves this …more

Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie

Close My Eyes - Suspense!! (4/23/2013)

Sophie McKenzie's Close My Eyes was a great suspenseful read. Hearing Geniver's story of heartbreak from losing her daughter to the unbelievable possibility of Beth being alive leads the reader along a series of twists and turns. You are not sure if the cover up is real and …more

Where You Can Find Me: A Novel
by Sheri Joseph

Where You Can Find Me (3/13/2013)

Unfortunately I was disappointed in this book. I thought the premise sounded so interesting and was looking forward to reading it however it just didn't quite measure up. I felt Lark got lost in the story and could have been developed a lot more. Marlene seemed unbelievably …more

Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler

Journey (12/4/2012)

Calling Me Home affected me more than any book has in a very long time. The emotions that run through Isabelle's story of her past and the current difficulties that Dorrie is dealing with bring us a rich and satisfying tale.

Their bond grows as Isabelle unravels her life in …more

Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow

Indiscretion (10/30/2012)

Great read! I fell in love with the characters throughout their happy times as well as struggles. Although there was a familiarity about certain parts of the story, I didn't want it to end. The beautiful and loving Maddy, handsome, witty Harry, the newcomer Claire and of …more

The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady

Woman at the Light (7/16/2012)

Really enjoyed this book. Good story with love, loyalty and deception. After recently visiting Key West, it was interesting to get a bit of the history of the area. The Heroine, Emily Lowrie, shows so much strength in taking over the lighthouse and running the family. All …more

Wife 22: A Novel
by Melanie Gideon

Wife 22 (4/27/2012)

I needed a novel for a bit of an escape from the stress in my life when Wife 22 arrived. It was just what I needed. Melanie Gideon brings us into Alice Buckle's household where we get to see the lives of a long married couple and their two teenage kids. Alice is a bit bored …more

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Wayward Saints (11/6/2011)

Mary Saint left Swallow NY to become a raunchy rock star but never really shook the pull of home. This was an entertaining book but some things I felt were never really explained. What really happened with Garbagio? What was the back story of Mr. De Sockie? The characters …more

Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman

Beautifully Written (7/25/2011)

Next to Love brings us into the minds and hearts of those affected by war. The setting happens to be WWII however it could be describing families from any war engagement. From the very first chapter when Babe is pulling the death notices off of the teletype machine, this …more

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The Jackal's Mistress
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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