"The Walnut Creek Wish" by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Creektown Discoveries Vol. 1)

The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter is about a middle-aged married couple (Jeff and Rhonda) who move from Canton, Ohio to Amish country and find friendship with an Amish couple (Orley and Lois) who run an Antique Shop and point Jeff and Rhonda to the Lord. Jeff is a restaurant owner and Rhonda manages a hotel.  Both have turned away from God because of unanswered prayers in the past and have hardened their hearts.  It's a good Christian fiction story and has discussion questions in the back.  I liked all the characters.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Sipsworth" by Simon Van Booy

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy is about an 81-yr.-old woman named Helen.  Her husband and son have both passed on.  Helen is just counting the days until she can join them.  However, that all changes when she encounters an animal in her house!  This book shows how strong a bond can be between a person and an animal.  To find out what kind of animal it was, you will have to read the book.  I hope you do!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Everyone Is Watching" by Heather Gudenkauf

Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf is a page turner thriller!  I was hooked right from the start and found it hard to put down.  It is about a reality TV show with a prize of $10,000,000 and five contestants got an email invitation saying they were nominated to be on the show.  Similar to the TV show Survivor, but the challenges are brutal and the audience decides who must leave, not the players.  As contestant's private secrets are revealed, it becomes clear that this is much more than just a show.  The background of the characters is gradually revealed as the book goes on.  

This was wild and entertaining.  I enjoyed the challenges best, and really couldn't figure out the connection to all the characters.  This was an entertaining and enjoyable read for me since I like Survivor and competition.  I never knew what was going to happen next since this is packed with surprises all along the way!  I recommend you read this one and see if you can guess who wins.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)  

Gerard's review 4/9/24:
If you like reality shows, Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf is the book for you!  Five people are playing for a chance to win ten million dollars!  You can pick a person and see if they win.  What do they have to do?  You will have to read the book to find out!  This book was pretty much action filled.  I LOVED IT!  It is wild from start to finish!  I highly recommend this one!  Even if you aren't big on reality TV shows (like me), you may still like this since I did!  (5++ stars)    

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"Stay" by Bobbie Pyron Inspires Children to Help Others

Stay by Bobbie Pyron is about a family that has to live in a homeless shelter and a woman who lives on the street with only her small dog to keep her company.  It also shows how people can rally around for a good cause and help others who are going through hard times.  I especially loved the parts where the dog tells the story. (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Stay by Bobbie Pyron is a heartwarming, children's story about a girl, Piper, who is homeless but whose heart is set on helping someone worse off than her--an old homeless lady with a little dog, Baby.  I really enjoyed this book about the homeless, friendship, adventure, and helping others.  The dog had a big part in it and it has a good lesson about not judging others on the basis of their appearance.  I think it's a great children's story and highly recommend it.  I had trouble putting this one down!  (Karen's review 6/12/23, 5 stars)

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"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt

In Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, the two main characters are Tova,  a 70-yr.-old woman who cleans an aquarium after visiting hours and Marcellus, a giant octopus.  They form a friendship and help each other.  This is a quick, cute, happy, fun read.  Marcellus was a great, fun character!  The ending was real good too.  I enjoyed this.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise" by Colleen Oakley

In The Mostly true Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley, we meet Louise, an old woman who takes a fall in her home and her family insists she get someone to look after her.  We meet Tanner, a 21-yr.-old girl who the last thing she wants to do is look after an old woman.  She would rather wear sweatpants and play video games!  Sound like a match to you? 

I thought this book was really good.  Louise and Tanner are both good characters and the byplay between them is entertaining.  There are some twists and turns.  I thought I knew how it would play out, but I was surprised!  I recommend this book if you are looking for something light and entertaining to read.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Fireborne" by Rosaria Munda

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is told by Annie and Lee.  They have been friends since childhood, but now war is coming and their friendship will be tested like never before.  Can they lead a revolution?  This is good stuff.  Annie is a great character and drives this book.  This is book 1 of 3 and I look forward to reading the next two.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Forging Silver Into Stars" by Brigid Kemmerer

Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer is a fantasy book about two kingdoms, loyalty and magic.  Emberfall is led by Rhen and Harper, Syhl Shallow led by Grey and Lia Mara.  Rhen and Grey are brothers, Grey is a magesmith and the people of Syhl Shallow are afraid of his magic so a faction called the Truthbringers is plotting to kill him.  Most of the story is about Jax and Callyn, friends from childhood, who live near woods in Briarlock which is part of Syhl Shallow but a good distance from the palace.  Callyn and her younger sister run a bakery and Jax, a cripple, is a blacksmith who works for his father in a forge near the bakery.  They both owe lots of taxes and are pretty delighted to find an easy way to earn more silvers.  Are they committing treason though?  Can they trust Alek, the one who pays silvers.  Is Tycho, the king's courier, telling the truth?  Does Tycho really care about Jax and does Alek really care about Callyn?  

This seemed slow to me at the start because I was just finished Defend the Dawn which I loved so much I hated to see it end.  This is a story about trust as was Defend the Dawn.  Decisions must be made about which side to take.  Can Jax and Callyn maintain their friendship if they take different sides?  Most of this book is about inner struggles and choosing sides, determining who to trust.  The characters are all interesting and I loved the action in the last quarter of the book.  It was fast-paced and fun seeing how everything was coming to a head.  I could have done without the gay relationship, but enjoyed the book other than that.  I also loved the ending!  I recommend this one to any Brigid Kemmerer fan.  I'm sure there will be more in this series and look forward to them.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)  

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"The Wife Upstairs" by Rachel Hawkins Is One We Both Liked

In The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins, Jane is trying to make her life better so she takes a job as a dog walker in a rich neighborhood.  By chance she meets Eddie who is rich, charming and good looking.  Things are looking up for Jane and when they decide to get married, Jane is on Easy Street, or is she?  This is a wild read with a good storyline that kept me interested.  The characters were good too with a make-up-your-own ending.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Karen's review 2/22/23:
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a strange murder mystery/romance.  Jane, a broke dog walker with wealthy clients steals from them and falls for Eddie, a rich widower who expresses interest in her as well.  His wife was presumed dead but he has his wife stashed away in an upstairs hidden panic room!  Jane works to be accepted by the bored housewives in the neighborhood and finally is once she gets engaged to Eddie. 

This one is a crazy read, with a strange storyline and deceptive characters.  I enjoyed this book because it had an unusual storyline that kept my interest with no idea how it would end.  The people were pretty creepy.  As usual with these mysteries, the police don't do a very good job.  This book did make me want to keep reading and get back to it.  The only thing I didn't care for was the ending--I would have liked some more details.  (4 stars)     

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"The Swell" by Allie Reynolds

In The Swell by Allie Reynolds, Kenna and Mikki are childhood friends.  Fast forward the years and Mikki is going to get married.  Kenna shows up and finds the Mikki she knew has changed.  Kenna is with a bunch of people and will not leave an Australian beach they have found to be the best for surfing and want to keep secret.  Odd thing is, people go missing.  Can Kenna get Mikki to leave for her own good?  

I didn't care for any of the characters in this book; however, the storyline and action were good enough to keep my interest.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"Fantasy League" by Mike Lupica is a Fun Football Read!

Fantasy League by Mike Lupica is about Charlie, a 12-yr.-old who loves football and is so good at fantasy football that he gives tips to others via a podcast he does with his best friend, Anna. Anna is the granddaughter of the owner of Charlie's favorite pro team.  When Anna introduces them, they immediately connect over football and become friends.  Charlie also plays on a team as a player-coach.  He has a knack for seeing things others don't notice that helps his team.  

This is a great story about football and friendship.  The kid gets to feel like he owns a pro football team.  I loved it!  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

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"Killers of a Certain Age" by Deanna Raybourn

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn is about how four retired women assassins scheme, plot and fight for their survival against the very organization that hired and trained them to be killers.  This book moved slow for me, but had me interested right from the start.  It had a bit of humor but not enough to say it was humorous.  It is narrated from the point of view of Billie, one of the old women assassins.  The characters seemed shallow.  I felt they could have been developed more.  I'm glad I stuck with it though because the last few chapters were very good!  (Karen's review, 3 stars)

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"Wish You Were Gone" by Kieran Scott

In Wish You Were Gone by Kieran Scott, Emma's husband, James, died in an accident.  This novel goes into the time before and after James' death.  This book is very good!  It is told by many people which I enjoyed very much.  The ending was just fantastic!  I highly recommend this one!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Outsider" by Linda Castillo

The Outsider by Linda Castillo is about Gina, a dirty cop hiding out at an Amish man's farm putting him and his children in danger.  Her fellow dirty cops are after her because they believe she has a large amount of money taken from a bust and no longer trust her.  She once was a close friend of Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in the Amish community so asks the Amish man to get her to come.  Kate the only one she can trust.  

This book is pretty good.  It kept me wondering if Gina was going to get killed, escape, restore her friendship with Kate, or be sent to jail.  I also liked the predicament Kate was in from an ethical standpoint and how she kept wondering how best to help Gina.  When old memories came back, she analyzed how things could have been done differently.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review:
In Outsider by Linda Castillo, Gina is a cop who was partners with Kate Burkholder and best friend at the police academy.  Gina is running for her life and hiding on an Amish farm.  Kate is not sure she can trust her because of Gina's dark past.  This was pretty good.  The storyline kept me engaged and it has an action-packed ending that I liked.  This is a light read that does not require much thinking.  (4 stars)  

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"The Counselors" by Jessica Goodman is Very Good!

The Counselors by Jessica Goodman goes back and forth in time, so if you have a problem with that like my wife does, this book is not for you.  I thought this book was very good though!  Three girls loved going to camp and considered it their "perfect place."  Now they become counselors, but friendships will be tested and secrets revealed.  I loved the characters and the story line!  I was engaged in this book all the way.  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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We Both Liked "This Tender Land" by William Kent Krueger

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger takes place in 1932.  Four young children, brothers Albert and Odie, their Indian friend Mose and Emmy, escape from Lincoln Indian Training School in Montana where they were treated badly.  There has to be a better life for them!

I thought this book was really good.  I loved all four kids!  This book kept my attention throughout.  I never knew what was coming next and it has a great ending!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger is historical fiction during the depression.  Four orphans escape from the Lincoln Indian Training School in Montana and head down the river in a canoe to get to the two brothers' aunt who lives in St. Louis.  Odie is Albert's younger brother, almost 13, who narrates the story.  In the book, Odie is a storyteller who plays a harmonica--his most prize possession that his dad gave him.  Albert's purpose in life is to keep Odie safe, but also is a skillful mechanic.  Their best friend is Mose, a Soux Indian who is very big, strong and easy going.  Emmy, the daughter of one of the teachers at the school who loved Odie's stories and whose mother died in a tornado goes with them because the head of the school who took her in is mean.  

This was a great adventure story.  It reminded me sort of Huckleberry Finn since much of it involved traveling in a canoe down a river.  Along the way they encountered many different people and each grew in their own way.  I liked all the kids.  The author did a good job keeping me guessing how this would end.  (5 stars)

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"Her One Mistake" by Heidi Perks

In Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks, Charlotte and Harriet are friends.  When Charlotte is looking after Alice, Harriet's daughter, she is fine with that until Alice turns up missing!  How could that have happened?  This book is told by both Charlotte and Harriet.  I thought this book was very good.  The story line kept things interesting and what I thought I knew, I really didn't!  This is a very enjoyable read that I highly recommend!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars) 

Karen's review:

Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks is about two friends and a missing child.  Charlotte finally convinces Harriet that it's okay to let Charlotte take Harriet's little girl, 4-yr.-old Alice, to the fair along with her own kids.  Unfortunately, when Charlotte's kids come off the ride, Alice isn't with them.  They look everywhere but can't find her.  The police and many people also searched for her but she is gone!  

The surprise turn of events captured my interest.  This one had me fooled! It was narrated by both Harriet and Charlotte.  This might make for an interesting book club read.  I found myself first feeling sorry for Harriet and then for Charlotte.  I was wrong about what I thought happened to Alice as well!  (4 stars)  

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"Seven Perfect Things" by Catherine Ryan Hyde

In Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde, 13-yr.-old Abby sees a man dump a bag that has something moving in it into a river.  Abby gets the bag and finds seven puppies inside.  Now what to do?  Home is not an option because her dad is abusive to her mother and would never allow dogs in his house.  

The characters in this book were brought out very well.  I liked Abby the best.  The story was paced well, but there were some parts that were hard to read.  That being said, I still enjoyed it.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"The Litigators" by John Grisham is About Different Types of Attorneys

The Litigators by John Grisham was a very amusing and entertaining read for me.  This book gives insight into a variety of different types of lawyers.  David Zinc is the main character, an attorney in a huge prestigious law firm who is stuck in a very boring job and decides to just quit and go somewhere else.  He just leaves one day, no notice and no message, goes to a bar where he drinks all day and finally stumbles into a small 2-partner ambulance chasing law firm, Finley & Figg.  They hire him that day and he finds he enjoys the work.  He actually gets to help clients!  Plus, a dog lives at the office and there is Rochelle, the receptionist who actually runs the place.  The lawyers are sleezy and located in a bad part of town, but David likes his new job and has no regrets.

I really enjoyed the second half of this book when David gets to be part of a trial in Federal Court against lawyers from his old firm.  This trial is hilarious, had me laughing out loud in some parts. I liked David Zinc right from the start.  He was a nice guy and proved that as the book moved along.  The ending was great! I think anyone who enjoys Grisham books about attorneys would enjoy this one.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review of 5/31/20:
In The Litigators by John Grisham, David Zinc works in a big-time law firm.  One day the stress of his job--long hours and plenty of work gets to him and he just quits!  He joins a small law firm run by just two guys.  Will David find peace of mind again and will he be happy?

This is not the author's best work, but there was just enough that I had to stay with it and see how it all turned out.  I give it 4 stars on the strength of David and parts of the story line I really enjoyed.
(4 stars)

Teaser from page 8:  "Sure," David mumbled as he managed to move forward.  The door slid open, the bell chimed again.  He was out of the elevator, looking around nervously as if he'd never before seen the place.  In fact, he'd left it only ten hours earlier.

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Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult deals with the issue of what to do when the "right" thing is illegal.   Charles is married to an alcoholic and has a 4-yr.-old girl.  Not only that, but he discovers his wife is cheating on him with Victor and they get divorced.  Charles "rescues" his little girl by taking her from Arizona to live with him in New Hampshire under new names (Andrew and Delia) instead of returning her home after his day with her.  Delia grows up happy but doesn't remember much of her mother.  Ironically, she grows up and helps detectives and police search and rescue missing people with her dog, Greta.  Thirty years later, he is arrested for kidnapping.  Will he be found guilty and spend 20 years in prison?  What will Delia think of him for lying to her practically her whole life?  He told her that her mother died in a car accident.   Will she marry her long-time friend, Eric, a recovering alcoholic and lawyer, or choose her other long-time friend Fritz, a journalist.

This book was pretty good because it had a surprise ending and I liked the tension between liking Andrew even though he did technically kidnap his daughter.  I felt a little bad for the mother and Delia.  There were some parts that I did not care about, but they didn't last long.  I did not like the way the book jumped around between the past and present, but the story line was good and I did like Delia and her father, Andrew, the main characters.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 75:  On the one hand, I was his child, and he must have been doing what he felt he needed to do.  On the other hand, I'm a mother now, and he committed my worst nightmare.

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