"The Jailhouse Lawyer" and "Power of Attorney" by James Patterson and Nancy Allen are Both Very Good!

Wow, what a great read The Jailhouse Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen is!  This is about Martha Foster, single mom of 5-yr.-old who needs medicine for a heart condition.  She is an attorney who left her firm in search of a job with better benefits for her son which led her to the public defender position in Douglas County, Alabama.  This is where her nightmare begins!  She is welcomed with open arms and has a furnished rental home.  She soon hears that the former public defender committed suicide and soon can see why!  The judge is evil and corruption flourishes in his court.  Martha fights for her life and decides to try to get the judge removed from office.  I enjoyed this book very much and was pulling for Martha all the way!  I had a hard time putting this one down, but it is a good one for reading small bits at a time since the chapters are very short so go quickly.  If you enjoy lawyer thrillers, I highly recommend this one.  It reminded me of The Intern.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

The second story in this book is Power of Attorney which was also good.  A Chicago attorney goes back to her home in Arkansas to help her mom care for her dad, also an attorney who has Dementia, and tie up his cases.  What she thought would be a simple probate case turned into a murder trial with her client being the defendant!  This kept my attention and didn't guess who the murderer was until the end.  This not only about murder, but also arson, abuse and human trafficking.  I enjoyed the trial very much.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

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"Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult

In Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Olivia did not know her husband had a dark side.  She goes back to her hometown but then her son is charged with first degree murder of his girlfriend.  Is he abusive like his dad?  Can Olivia do anything to saver her son?  This is good.  The characters are brought out really well.  It is a bit long, but the storyline more than makes up for that!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"All the Dangerous Things" by Stacy Willingham

In All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham, Isabella's life changes forever when she wakes up one day and her baby boy is gone!  She cannot sleep at all and her own past is hunting her.  This is the second book I've read by this author.  Flicker in the Dark was the first one and I loved that and this one too!  She got me engaged in both and I loved her endings as well!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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"Wrong Place Wrong Time" by Gillian McAllister Is a Page Turner!

In Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, Jen sees her son, Todd, kill a man.  He is going to get caught.  All his plans and all of Jen's plans for her son are about to go to waste.  When the sun comes up the next day, Jen gets a chance to stop this from happening.  

I thought this book was very good!  I enjoyed seeing how it all played out before and after.  Jen was a great character and would do anything to help her son.  It has a wonderful ending too.  I found it hard to put down.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Push" by Ashley Audrain

The Push by Ashley Audrain is a psychological drama about motherhood.  Blythe will never win a mother of the year award, but it runs in the family.  She becomes convinced that her daughter is not like other children, but her husband disagrees.  Blythe is already on the edge.  When an incident happens to her son, will it push her over the edge for good?  

This was a wild read to say the least!  I was a fan of Blythe, good stuff.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)  

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"Do No Harm" by Christina McDonald

In Do No Harm by Christina McDonald, Emma's son is very sick.  The treatment he needs to get better will cost lots of money which Emma and her husband, Nate, have little of.  Emma will do whatever it takes to get the money, even returning to her past life.  This is a good story that moved along well and kept me guessing what would come next.  I liked Emma and the ending surprised me!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)  

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"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is about motherhood and secrets.  I found this story to be thought provoking and heartbreaking.  It contrasts the lives of a rich upper class family of six, the Richardsons, with a single mother, Mia, who is an artist and struggles to provide for her and her teenage daughter.  Then another story line is about a Chinese birth mother who gave up her baby and now wants her back from the nice, well-to-do couple who has started the adoption process.  There is lots of emotion wrapped up in this book.  I think this would be an excellent book for a book club to discuss.  I enjoyed reading this but was a bit disappointed with the ending that was kind of left up in the air.  I think women would definitely enjoy this one more than men.      
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Batboy" by Mike Lupica

The Batboy by Mike Lupica is another good sports book for kids that I enjoyed as well. Brian’s parents are divorced and baseball has become his life, just like it was for his dad. This story is about Brian’s best summer ever when he gets to be batboy for the Detroit Tigers and sees baseball from the inside. Then his own baseball team is having a great season too! To top things off, his all-time favorite player, Hank Bishop, is making a comeback and signed with the Tigers! Unfortunately, Hank is not what he expected, but Brian still pursues a friendship with him in spite of Hank’s harshness towards him.

There is a lot of baseball in this book which I enjoyed. It gives some insight into baseball history and even shows the struggles of a player going through a slump. It captures the excitement of the game and was a pleasure to read. I loved the ending!   I highly recommend this to any kid who likes baseball.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 15: Working for the Tigers, even if it’s just for one summer, is my dream. And my mom, even though she isn’t too big on baseball since my dad left, is always telling me that you can’t know if your dreams are out of reach until you actually reach for them.


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"Outlaw" by Ted Dekker

Outlaw by Ted Dekker is a novel that takes place in the jungle of Irian Jaya. It is about how Julian Carter and her 2-yr.-old son Stephen left America because she felt called to go to New Guinea to be a missionary through a reoccurring dream. She found herself shipwrecked on the way and captured by an unknown tribe of cannibals, the Tulim people who lived in the jungle in 1963 and obviously had a very different culture than she was used to and did not know their language.

I was looking for a change of pace and this book gave it to me. I enjoyed learning about the culture of cannibals and jungle tribes. This book is packed with adventure and is written by a man who was born and raised by missionaries in the jungles of Irian Jaya. This is a pretty amazing story and although some parts didn’t quite make sense to me, I still enjoyed it. This is a wild book! (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 5: I cried out and frantically searched the foaming water but there was no sign of the captain. The ocean had swallowed him whole and shoved the boat far from where he’d gone overboard.


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"Life and Other Inconveniences" by Kristan Higgins is Heartwarming and Touching

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins is a heartwarming, touching novel about family, love, grief, marriage and personal relationships. This is not a book with action but about life issues such as brother rivalry, unwed mother, marriage, suicide, single parenting, death, wealth, self-esteem, illness and family relationships.

 It started out slow for me and I was a bit confused at first because of so many characters to keep straight. I even set it aside and almost gave up on it but am glad I finished it.  I liked the dogs though and Luigi, Miller's cat.  The ending was very touching and made me tear up. I chose to read this one because I saw a book club recommended it and I saw it also recommended other books I enjoyed. Discussions questions are included in the back for book clubs. (4 stars)

Teaser from page 5: A few years ago, I’d told Riley the facts: Genevieve London of the adorable purses was my grandmother, and I’d lived with her for ten years after my mother died because my father couldn’t take care of me. I explained that Genevieve wasn’t the nicest person, so we didn’t talk anymore.


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"Marooned in the Arctic" by Peggy Caravantes (non-fiction)

Marooned in the Arctic by Peggy Caravantes is the true story about Ada Blackjack, a desperate mother of a sick young boy who agreed to go on an Arctic expedition for two years to Wrangel Island to get some extra money for her son.  Wrangel Island is north of Alaska and Siberia!  She agreed to go along with three men as a seamstress to sew warm clothes for them during the two years. Although she was told some Eskimo families would join them, none did. During her time there, out of necessity, she learned to hunt, trap, kill, and even build a small boat! She and Vic the cat out survived the men!

Her story is quite remarkable, and I enjoyed the tidbits about the cats, walruses, polar bears and the Arctic Fox.  I can't imagine a day 50 degrees below zero like this expedition crew had to deal with.  No one could pay me enough to live like Ada did in the Arctic!  If you like adventures in tough conditions, read this!
(Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review:
Marooned in the Arctic by Peggy Caravantes tells the true story of Ada Blackjack, a young Eskimo girl who goes along with four men on an expedition to Wrangel Island in the Arctic, a remote uninhabited territory.  She goes along because she needs money to help care for her ill son.  

I thought this book was pretty good.  I enjoyed the parts that dealt with the animals that she encountered.  This book is very short, but it kept my interest for the most part.  (4 stars)

Teaser from page 13: Cats and sailors have had a strong bond throughout history. Felines destroy rats and mice that could cause havoc on a ship in various ways: getting into a cargo of grain, chewing on the ship’s mooring ropes or woodwork, or carrying diseases. Cats do not like water, but they adapt to travel on it and become companions to lonely sailors.


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"touch blue" by Cynthia Lord

touch blue  by Cynthia Lord is a children's book about Aaron, a 13-yr.-old foster boy who gets placed in a home on an island off Maine with Tess (11) and her younger sister, Libby.  He is angry that he is not allowed to call or see his mother.  When Tess discovers he plans to run away to look for her, Tess comes up with a plan to get them together so they can talk.

I enjoyed this book because it showed how different life was on an island near Maine.  I also liked the silly superstitions Tess shared throughout the book and how Aaron's was able to make a contribution to the community and adjust to life on the island.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 41:  "Please?"  he asks.  It's been four years since I've heard from her.  If Natalie gets mad at her, my mom might not write to me again."

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Loved "Miracle Creek" by Angie Kim

In Miracle Creek by Angie Kim, an oxygen chamber explodes, killing two people.  Someone or something is to blame, but who?  If you like courtroom drama, this book has that, but not all the action takes place there.  I really enjoyed how the author brings out all the characters very well.  I also liked the interaction among the characters.  This is more of a talking action book than physical; however, in this case I was okay with that because the writing was so good!  I was surprised how it all played out. (Gerard's review, 5++ stars) 

Teaser from page 30:  Abe's eyes squinted a bit, then widened, as if he was unsure whether he should be apologetic or excited about what was to come.  "Tell us, in your words, what happened that day."

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"The Wonder of Lost Causes" by Nick Trout

In The Wonder of Lost Causes by Nick Trout, Kate is the mom of Jasper who has Cystic Fibrosis.  Kate will do whatever needs to be done for her son.  Jasper really wants a dog; however, Kate is not sure that is a good idea for a number of reasons.  When a beaten dog comes around, Jasper claims the dog and he have a connection and are meant to be together.

I thought this book was pretty good.  Jasper and the dog, Whistler, were both great characters.  If you are looking for a heartwarming story, this is it!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)  

Teaser from page 22:  Over my shoulder, I check in, and I'm still in the crosshairs of his focus.  Is it possible that, even without a blink or a bark, the dog is making me choose for him?

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"Beautiful Bad" by Annie Ward

Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward is a slow developing dark, twisted thriller about Maddie, mother of a little boy named Charlie and wife of Ian, a military guy who has PTSD. Maddie met Ian at a fund-raiser for the Red Cross that her friend, Joanna invited her to. Joanna worked with women and children in refugee camps around Macedonia. The book begins 12 weeks before the day of the killing and goes back and forth between the present and the past to give the reader background information. Also, when Maddie sees psychologist who uses writing therapy, Maddie’s past events are also revealed.

This is a book of lies, deception and manipulation! Charlie is a sweet little boy and the only reason I kept reading this book. The flashbacks to the past I found very boring. So boring, in fact, that halfway through the book I skipped over them and just focused on the present chapters! I would get into a present chapters and then find myself being disappointed when the next chapter jumped back to the past. I found it very annoying. Of Maddie, Joanna and Ian, I disliked Ian the least from the start. The only characters I really liked were Charlie and a cop named Diane. I did not care for this one at all, but at least did not give up on it; although, I did put it aside three times to read something better. To be fair; however, this one has been compared to Girl on the Train and Woman in the Window, neither of which read because they didn’t appeal to me. (Karen’s review, 2 stars)

Teaser from page 17: It was messy, almost as if mopped, and Diane imagined someone crawling on hands and knees before managing to haul up on his or her feet for one more staggering go at life. She had an irrational urge to start running through the house calling out for the child, but she’d already broken one rule just be entering.


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"Convenient Lies" by Robin Patchen

Convenient Lies by Robin Patchen is book one in the Hidden Truth series. This is a page-turner thriller about Rae, a journalist, who discovers Julian, her husband, is a terrorist who already has a wife! But then, Rae had secrets from him as well. She decides to leave Julien with their 12-day-old son and go back to her grandma’s to get some gold coins her dad told her he hid for her, then disappear with her grandma. She stole some of her husband’s files for insurance, leaving him a note in the hopes that he would let her leave in exchange for her silence about his selling weapons to terrorists. She is thrown for a loop though when her plan unravels. Will she be able to keep her son safe and not let him be raised by a terrorist? Will she be able to start a new life? Will her old flame be able to win her back and build a life together? Will Julien track her down and what will he do when he finds her?

This is a good thriller because it mixed the terrorist with family life and brought out how complicated relationships can get. I enjoyed the story line and thought Julien was a very interesting character. I also liked Brady, Rae’s old flame and was pulling for him to find a way to protect her and get back together with her. I plan to continue with this series.
(Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 1: There were only two people Rachel Adams trusted. One was twelve days old, and the other had mysteriously quit answering her phone.


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"Mrs. Morhard and The Boys" by Ruth Hanford Morhard

Mrs. Morhard and the Boys by Ruth Hanford Morhard is a true story.  This is about one mother's vision--the first boys baseball league.  The first 10 pages or so deal with Josephine growing up and he adult life.  What this woman went through is remarkable!  What a story!  The second part of this book deals with baseball and how she helped young boys play the game!  I am glad this woman's story was told because it needed to be.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 24:  Soon her feet were off the ground, and the colt was dragging her around and around with him.  She clung on for dear life, terrified.

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"Stolen Marriage" by Diane Chamberlain

In Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain, during 1943-1955, Tess is engaged to her childhood friend, Vincent.  Tess and Vincent are both devout Catholics in Maryland, and look forward to working together, he as doctor and she as nurse.  However, when a polio epidemic breaks out in Chicago, Vincent, a fine doctor goes to help.  A couple weeks turns into many and although they write, Tess gets impatient for his return.  Her girlfriend, Gina, whose husband is off at war talks Tess into taking a short fun trip to Washington, D.C. and staying at her aunt's little tourist hotel.  Then something happens that changes everything and throws a monkey wrench into her life!  She gets drunk and a total stranger takes her virginity!  She feels so ashamed and then a couple months later discovers she is pregnant!  Will she and Vincent still get married?  What will she do about the baby?  Will she even get her nursing license?  You'll have to read the book to find out, I'm not telling.

I liked this book and felt bad for Tess.  There are a lot of well-developed characters that become a part of Tess' life and there are a lot issues happening in this book including inter-racial marriage, family secrets, grief, relationships, acceptance, love and the amazing story of how Hickory, North Carolina volunteers got a Polio hospital built and functioning in just 54 hours that is based on true events. This is a good story that I think would be a good read for a book club.  I am giving it 4 stars just because I enjoyed other books by Diane Chamberlain more.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 33:  The night before came back to me in a rush and I kept my eyes squeezed tightly closed in regret.  What had I done?  I'd made love--no, I'd had sex--with a stranger.  Oh, to be able to take it all back!

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"Child of the State" by Catherine Lea

Image from Amazon

Child of the State by Catherine Lea got my attention right from the start!  It is fast-paced about a young mother getting out of prison early through a new state program initiated by Elizabeth McClaine, a socialite.  Stacy is the first prisoner to get chosen for this program; however, she runs as soon as she gets a chance, wanting to make sure her son is okay.  She was threatened in prison because she believes her friend was murdered by someone connected to a drug operation in the prison.  Elizabeth believes in Stacy and wants to help her, believing she must have had a good reason to run.

I liked this book, it was interesting, exciting, suspenseful and moved along well.  The only part I really didn't understand completely was the drug operation with the prison.  I liked the ending.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)   

Teaser from prologue page 1:  Amy knew she should have gone to Stacy the second she'd opened the box.  All night she'd lain there in her cot, listening to every sound, frightened they'd come after her, and wondering who else knew.

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"Shoeless Child" by J. A. Schneider is a Murder Mystery with a Child Hero!

Shoeless Child by Joyce Schneider is a thriller about a serial killer whose only eye witness is Charlie, a 5-yr-old boy. Charlie manages to get away from the killer after he saw his mom get shot in their apartment and her mom’s best friend killed. The detectives, Kerri and Alex both connect with Charlie and get him to talk again as he recovers in the hospital with his mom.


This is a good murder mystery I recommend. Charlie is a brave, adorable little boy that is a hero. This one kept my interest right from the start and is a fast read.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from Loc. 75 on Kindle:  He kept seeing Mommy, lying there.  He wanted so much to scream into the night, but knew it would give him away.  The man with the gun was after him.

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