RED WHITE BLUE by Lea Carpenter

September 9, 2018

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The author brings us a carefully contrived story about the CIA. It is not a normal novel utilizing distinctively good and bad characters but framed in a context that shows real life shades of gray.

Anna is the only child of the marriage of Lulu and Noel and early on was subjected to the disappearance of her mother who deserted her husband as well as Anna. Noel was a dynamic individual working as a banker who mysteriously dies in a skiing accident in Switzerland on the day before Anna was to be married. Later, on her honeymoon she meets, apparently by chance, a stranger who had somehow worked with Noel in the past and had information about him. Later Anna receives a mysterious package that contains recordings and videos that show Noel in the midst of a brutal interrogation. Everything that Anna thought she knew about her father’s life and death is now called into question.

Carpenter’s style of moving back and forth between people in her narrative lend an almost stream of consciousness aspect to the novel which draws the reader into the apparent inner workings of the CIA, its good and bad, and the fact that there are different motivations involved. A China operation goes wrong and blame for it winds through the layers of management and personnel.

The book draws in the reader who easily follows the shifts in events and people. While Carpenter, in an afterward, tells us that she received no information from the CIA, the style of the book and the way it unfolds would seem to belie this. Basically it is because the novel tells the story as it would possibly occur in real life where not everything is black and white. A very fascinating read done in a style that is unique creating a novel that is a draw to most of its readers.

9/18 Paul Lane

RED WHITE BLUE by Lea Carpenter. Knopf; First Edition edition (August 21, 2018).  ISBN 978-1524732141. 320p.

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THE LATE BLOOMERS’ CLUB by Louise Miller

September 7, 2018

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From the publisher:

A delightful novel about two headstrong sisters, a small town’s efforts to do right by the community, and the power of a lost dog to summon true love

Nora, the owner of the Miss Guthrie Diner, is perfectly happy serving up apple cider donuts, coffee, and eggs-any-way-you-like-em to her regulars, and she takes great pleasure in knowing exactly what’s “the usual.” But her life is soon shaken when she discovers she and her free-spirited, younger sister Kit stand to inherit the home and land of the town’s beloved cake lady, Peggy Johnson.

Kit, an aspiring–and broke–filmmaker thinks her problems are solved when she and Nora find out Peggy was in the process of selling the land to a big-box developer before her death. The people of Guthrie are divided–some want the opportunities the development will bring, while others are staunchly against any change–and they aren’t afraid to leave their opinions with their tips.

Time is running out, and the sisters need to make a decision soon. But Nora isn’t quite ready to let go of the land, complete with a charming farmhouse, an ancient apple orchard and the clues to a secret life that no one knew Peggy had. Troubled by the conflicting needs of the town, and confused by her growing feelings towards Elliot, the big-box developer’s rep, Nora throws herself into solving the one problem that everyone in town can agree on–finding Peggy’s missing dog, Freckles.

When a disaster strikes the diner, the community of Guthrie bands together to help her, and Nora discovers that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean giving up your dreams.

There are a couple of editors that I read regularly, and Pamela Dorman is one of them. Some of her authors are Jojo Moyes, Shari Lepena, Gail Honeyman, Nicci French, J. Ryan Stradal, all of whom I enjoy. Louise Miller is another. I loved her first book, The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, and this is another charmer. Plus there is a recipe in the back of the book that I am definitely going to make (Burnt Sugar Cake with Maple Icing!) despite the havoc that cake causes in the story.

I loved these characters, from the taciturn Nora to her free spirit sister Kit, Kit’s boyfriend, the zen-master Max, and all the townsfolk of this quirky, alluring town. If only small town life were so! We see this world through somewhat rose colored glasses, and that is not a bad thing. Miller really knows how to bring her characters and her setting to life, and I loved spending time with them all.

It is easy to see why People Magazine picked it for their “best new books” feature. If you are looking for an entrancing, entertaining and easy read, this is your book – it was certainly mine.

9/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LATE BLOOMERS’ CLUB by Louise Miller. Pamela Dorman Books (July 17, 2018).  ISBN 978-1101981238. 336p.

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THE BUCKET LIST by Georgia Clark

September 6, 2018

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From the publisher:

From the author of the critically acclaimed “lively and engrossing parable for women of all generations” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Regulars­ comes a deeply funny and thoughtful tale of a young woman who, after discovering she has the breast cancer gene, embarks on an unforgettable bucket list adventure.

Twenty-five-old Lacey Whitman is blindsided when she’s diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation: the “breast cancer” gene. Her high hereditary risk forces a decision: increased surveillance or the more radical step of a preventative double mastectomy. Lacey doesn’t want to lose her breasts. For one, she’s juggling two career paths; her work with the prestigious New York trend forecaster Hoffman House, and her role on the founding team of a sustainable fashion app with friend/mentor, Vivian Chang. Secondly, small-town Lacey’s not so in touch with her sexuality: she doesn’t want to sacrifice her breasts before she’s had the chance to give them their hey-day. To help her make her choice, she (and her friends) creates a “boob bucket list”: everything she wants do with and for her boobs before a possible surgery.

This kicks off a year of sensual exploration and sexual entertainment for the quick-witted Lacey Whitman. The Bucket List cleverly and compassionately explores Lacey’s relationship to her body and her future. Both are things Lacey thought she could control through hard work and sacrifice. But the future, it turns out, is more complicated than she could ever imagine.

Featuring the pitch-perfect “compulsively delicious” (Redbook) prose of The Regulars, The Bucket List is perfect for fans of Amy Poeppel and Sophie Kinsella.

This is one of those books that I picked up because of the imprint – it’s published by Emily Bestler, Atria Books and I generally like her books. Forgive me if you’ve heard my spiel before but when you are looking for a new book, a new author really, a good way to find one is to look at the imprint.

Emily Bestler founded her eponymous imprint, Emily Bestler Books, in 2011 with one guiding principle: to find the very best commercial fiction and nonfiction across a wide range of categories and put these books into the hands of as many readers as possible. In her words, “We are passionate about our mission of finding a book for everyone. You’ll find that our list is as varied as our readers.

It’s a varied list of authors for sure, like John Connolly, Brad Thor, Amy Poeppel, and of course, Georgia Clark, all authors I like. So here I am.

The Bucket List takes a very serious subject, a 25 year old woman testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, meaning she is very likely to get breast cancer, and provides a sweet, funny, sexual romp. Lacey’s mother died from the disease when she was 31 years old so really she shouldn’t be shocked that she also is a good candidate for cancer. Yet she is. Her sister, who pretty much raised her, is furious that she took the test but her closest friends support her. It comes down to a decision: a preventative full mastectomy à la Angelina Jolie, or wait it out and hope for the best.

Meanwhile, Lacey comes up with a bucket list to complete before she makes her final decision. Most of the items on the list are of a sexual nature, so this is a pretty erotic book. If you don’t like explicit sex, skip it. On the other hand, I really liked how this young woman chose to live her life knowing that it may be shortened. It took guts for sure.

While tackling a serious subject, Clark injects quite a bit of humor here, making this a fun, sexy read. I enjoyed it.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE BUCKET LIST by Georgia Clark. Atria/Emily Bestler Books (August 7, 2018).  ISBN 978-1501173028. 352p.

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JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING by Christina Lauren

September 5, 2018

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From the publisher:

Most men can’t handle Hazel. But her best friend Josh isn’t most men. Don’t miss New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren’s new novel about two people who are definitely not dating…no matter how often they end up in bed together.

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them…right?

Christina Lauren is the pen name of two women who write together, and they are quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. Two of my go-to authors? Either way, I’ve read their last three books and loved them, and that includes this one.

This is a smart, funny and completely irresistible romance. These characters are brought to life with such impact that I feel like I could run into either of them tomorrow. And wish that I would! Hazel is larger than life, a joy to be around unless, perhaps, you are on the receiving end of her lack of filter. Even then, she is so kind and so honest I don’t see how anyone could get angry with her. When she decides that Josh should be her best friend, he has no choice but to be swept into her orbit.

Josh is Korean, and his heritage is brought into the story in a gentle manner that really adds to the story. Their dual blind dates lead from one catastrophe to another, until they finally realize that they are meant to be together. But it’s the journey to get to that point that is a wonder to read.

I laughed out loud quite a bit and just couldn’t wait for their happy ending. There are some explicit sex scenes which work with the story but it is the sweet romance that really is the draw here. Another excellent read from the Christina Lauren duo and one of my favorite reads this year.

9/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING by Christina Lauren.  Gallery Books (September 4, 2018).  ISBN 978-1501165856. 320p.

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SOLD ON A MONDAY by Kristina McMorris

September 3, 2018

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From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history. 

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.

At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.

I read about this book and thought it might make for a good book discussion, except that while based on an actual photograph (right) that was taken in 1948, the author changed the time frame to more than a decade earlier, at the height of the depression. I understand that she was inspired by the photo to write fiction, and her notes in the back of the book make it very clear how and why she changed it, but to me it lessened the impact of the story.

I would have appreciated more character development. The main characters were fully realized, but I didn’t really understand many of the secondary characters and their motivations and I would have liked to. The back stories on most of the characters were merely eluded to or glossed over and could have used some fleshing out.

The time period was interesting for sure, especially because it seems like most of the books set in the late 40’s deal with the aftermath of the war, and this really didn’t.  I liked the newsroom setting and the interactions of the reporters, and especially the hierarchy of the organizations. The culture of the time was also very well done and enlightening. Despite a few misgivings, it was a compelling and interesting read.

9/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SOLD ON A MONDAY by Kristina McMorris. Sourcebooks Landmark (August 28, 2018). ISBN 978-1492663997. 352p.

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OSLO SPIES by S J Slagle

September 2, 2018

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Phyllis Bowden Series, Book 2

The second book featuring  Phyllis Bowden, a young woman working for military intelligence during the final days of World War II.  She had been assigned to the office in London but the opening of this book finds her transferred to Oslo, Norway as aide to the Military Attache in the American Embassy.  She is tasked with finding families of Norwegians killed by the Nazis and notifying these relatives in order to help them find closure with the knowledge. She also handles work as assigned by the Attache.

The love of her life, Joe Schneider, briefly visits her in Oslo before leaving on an assignment to Romania. He works as an agent for England’s MI5 and is searching for an object that his office deems necessary to close several problem areas. But while in Oslo Joe and Peggy become engaged to be married as soon as possible.

While Joe is away in Romania, Peggy literally finds a little girl of about five adrift on the streets and takes her in as a means of providing care. Even at the child’s young age she is technically branded a traitor due to her father being a Nazi officer living with a Norwegian woman. It also develops that her German father gave the girl a doll before he left Norway containing secret information that both England and Russia are anxious to obtain.

Slagle manages to set up the chaotic situation existing in Norway after being held by Germany for five years. Goods and services are scarce and only available through donations by friendly countries or sold in near by Sweden neutral during the period described. The little girl becomes the key to resolution of finding the information secreted in her doll which she lost as she fled with her mother. And the next book in the series is neatly set up by the ending of this one so that Oslo Spies becomes a well done stand alone novel.

8/18 Paul Lane

OSLO SPIES by S J Slagle. Independently Published.  ISBN 978-1370291908. 350p.

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DIRTY DANCING AT DEVIL’S LEAP by Julie Anne Long

August 31, 2018

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Hellcat Canyon Series, Book 3

From the publisher:

One of Amazon’s Best Romances of September

A 2017 RT Reviewer’s Choice Nominee for Best Book of the Year and Reviewer’s Choice Nominee for Best Contemporary Love and Laughter

She was a naive country girl. He was a billionaire’s spoiled son. He was her first crush, her first heartbreak…and now her sworn enemy.

As Avalon Harwood’s fortunes soared, Maximilian “Mac” Coltrane’s plummeted, and he had to fight his way back to where they both began: Hellcat Canyon. Now Mac and Avalon will play dirty—in more ways than one—to get what they each want: the glorious old abandoned Coltrane mansion. But when Avalon snaps the house up at auction, she discovers there’s something awfully familiar about the extremely hot caretaker…

Mac might have a heart of stone, and the abs to match, but Avalon—the dazzling girl whose heart was always too big and too reckless for her own good—was always his Kryptonite. And just like that, the stakes change: suddenly they’re fighting not just for a house, but for a magic they tasted only once before and never since—long ago, with each other, at Devil’s Leap.

This is one of those series that I read completely out of order. I don’t even remember where I started but this is the last book that I hadn’t read so now I’m sad to say that I’m done…unless there will be another one? One can only hope!

I loved this series and the books are written in a way that you don’t have to read them in order and you still understand who these people are and what is going on, so thank you for that Julie Anne Long. Trust me, as someone who tends to read series in the order I find the books, this is a true talent.

Not only do you get a romance here, again of the childhood sweethearts are the only way to find your forever love trope, but you also get a house renovation. Fans of HGTV will enjoy that aspect as well.

Another terrific romance in a wonderful series.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DIRTY DANCING AT DEVIL’S LEAP by Julie Anne Long. Sourcebooks Landmark (June 5, 2018).  ISBN 978-1492664222. 342p.

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ONE AND ONLY by Jenny Holiday

August 30, 2018

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Bridesmaids Behaving Badly, Book 1

From the publisher:
In this “perfect rom-com” (Refinery29), USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday proves that when opposites attract, sparks fly.
With her bridezilla friend on a DIY project rampage, bridesmaid Jane Denning will do anything to escape – even if it means babysitting the groom’s troublemaker brother before the wedding. It should be a piece of cake, except the “cake” is a sarcastic former soldier who is 100% wicked hotness and absolutely off-limits.
Cameron MacKinnon is ready to let loose after returning from his deployment. But first he’ll have to sweet talk the ultra-responsible Jane into taking a walk on the wild side. Turns out, riling her up is the best time he’s had in years. But what happens when the fun and games start to turn into something real?
I really enjoyed the second book in this series, It Takes Two, so I was happy to find the first one at my library. They do not need to be read in order (I didn’t) but I think it helps. After reading this one a lot was clarified about the second one that I didn’t even realize I needed to know. If that makes sense?
This story centers around one of the four friends the series is based on, this time it’s Jane. She is asked to keep an eye on the groom’s wild younger brother, and she does so with some trepidation. But as she gets to know him, and he her, everything changes, even the bridezilla at the heart of the wedding part of the story.
I loved these characters and their struggles, and Cameron especially suffers. But they both get their happily ever after, and it sure is fun watching them get there.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ONE AND ONLY by Jenny Holiday. Forever (June 26, 2018).  ISBN 978-1455542420. 384p.

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PIECES OF HER by Karin Slaughter

August 29, 2018

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From the publisher:

The #1 internationally bestselling author returns with a new novel in the vein of her New York Times bestsellers Pretty Girls and The Good Daughter—a story even more electrifying, provocative, and suspenseful than anything she’s written before.

What if the person you thought you knew best turns out to be someone you never knew at all . . . ?

Andrea knows everything about her mother, Laura. She knows she’s spent her whole life in the small beachside town of Belle Isle; she knows she’s never wanted anything more than to live a quiet life as a pillar of the community; she knows she’s never kept a secret in her life. Because we all know our mothers, don’t we?

But all that changes when a trip to the mall explodes into violence and Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura. Because it turns out that before Laura was Laura, she was someone completely different. For nearly thirty years she’s been hiding from her previous identity, lying low in the hope that no one would ever find her. But now she’s been exposed, and nothing will ever be the same again.

The police want answers and Laura’s innocence is on the line, but she won’t speak to anyone, including her own daughter. Andrea is on a desperate journey following the breadcrumb trail of her mother’s past. And if she can’t uncover the secrets hidden there, there may be no future for either one of them. . . .

This was so good! I made the mistake of starting it rather late in the evening and had to go to bed halfway through it. What a mistake! I kept thinking about it all night, wondering…I woke up several times and had a hard time falling back asleep. Guess I should have just gotten up and finished reading but I had to go to work in the morning so not an option.

Laura and Andrea are at the mall when a mass shooting starts. Andrea is shocked when her soccer mom of a mother calmly approaches the shooter, disarms and kills him. The suspense escalates from there and doesn’t stop. I really liked how Slaughter developed these characters and we get to watch them change and grow.  It is a breathless, twisty story that moves at breakneck pace.

This was a truly riveting read. Don’t miss it.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

PIECES OF HER by Karin Slaughter. William Morrow (August 21, 2018). ISBN 978-0062430274.  480p..

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TOUGH LUCK COWBOY by A. J. Pine

August 28, 2018

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Crossroads Ranch, Book 2

Luke spotted Lily across a crowded bar and was instantly attracted. But so was his best friend, and when he moves in, Luke steps away. Things go from bad to worse when they marry a short time later. Luke is thrust into her company time and time again, and to protect himself acts like he can’t stand her. He never wanted either of them to know that he had feelings for her.

Lily ends up divorced, and thinks that Luke still hates her. But all of a sudden he is trying to protect her and that is confusing. They are forced to spend time together when she inadvertently ends up catering her ex’s wedding to a Food Network star, which could really make or break her career.

This was a good romance with some sizzling sex scenes and a lot of heart. The characters are well developed and enough of the back story is told to keep it all interesting and relevant without having had to read the previous book. But I do recommend reading it, it’s also a good read and a good introduction to the series. Another terrific cowboy romance, one of my favorite subgenres.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TOUGH LUCK COWBOY by A. J. Pine. Forever (August 28, 2018). ISBN 978-1538727102.  320p..

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