The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
Published by MIRA Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2853-7
At the request of Meryl L Moss Media Relations (The Book Trib) a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis (back of book): Maya and Rebecca Ward are both accomplished physicians, but that’s where the sisters’ similarities end. As teenagers, they witnessed their parents’ murder, but it was Rebecca who saved Maya from becoming another of the gunman’s victims. The tragedy left Maya cautious and timid settling for a sedate medical practice with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca became the risk taker.
  After a devastating hurricane hits the coast of North Carolina, Rebecca and Adam urge Maya to join them in the relief effort. To please her husband, Maya finally agrees. She loses herself in the care and transport of victims, but when her helicopter crashes into raging floodwaters, there appear to be no survivors.
  Forced to accept Maya is gone, Rebecca and Adam turn to one another-first for comfort, then in passion-unaware that, miles from civilization, Maya is injured and trapped with strangers she’s not certain she can trust. Away from the sister who has always been there to save her, now Maya must find the courage to save herself-unaware that the life she knew has changed forever.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: What a book !! Even though there are 371 pages, I found it to be a quick read because I had to keep reading at a fast pace to keep up with the fast pace of the storyline. The characters came to life, to the point that I was disappointed the story ended because I wanted to continue following their lives, especially with the surprise ending. I could actually feel the emotions, especially of the 2 sisters, Maya and Rebecca. The portrayal of how they both handled the trauma of their parents’ murders differently , which they both felt guilty for but never discussed, molded and affected them as adults was compelling. Reading the written detailed graphic account of the disaster following a hurricane was so vivid, that it felt like I was watching a movie. I really enjoyed the medical aspect of the plot being a retired RN. This was the first time I read a book written by Diane Chamberlain and I will definitely be reading her prior books. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely!!

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-60015-0
At the request of Authors On The Web, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke-a small town near Colorado’s Tenmile Range-is changed forever. Just moments after four o’clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.
  Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches: Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal. Joe Cobb, Swandyke’s only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama. Then there’s Grace Foote who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade. And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin. Finally, there’s Essie Snowball, born Esther Schnable to conservative Jewish parents but who now works as a prostitute and hides her child’s parentage from the world.
  Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives to these people. And ultimately, no one is without sin, no ones’s soul is whiter than snow, and no one is without the need for forgiveness.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This is the first novel by Sandra Dallas that I have read, and in my opinion, is a gifted storyteller. The first chapter grips you with a glimpse of what is to come. It begins on that fateful day, April 20th 1920 when the avalanche roars through Swandyke, Colorado. Subsequent chapters follow the lives of six (6) residents prior to that fateful day and then returns, once again to 1920 bringing the story full circle. The author’s writing style, one word, exceptional. While reading this novel, for me, was like watching a movie in my imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history, the fashion or lack of, the housing, professions, morals, racism, inter caste system and beliefs of the 1920’s and before, on a personal level, because my grandmother was born in 1900. And a profound underlying message that forgiveness comes within and is a gift to one’s self and that no one’s soul is whiter than snow. This moving and emotional tale was truly a treasure to read.

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-60015-0
At the request of Authors On The Web, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke-a small town near Colorado’s Tenmile Range-is changed forever. Just moments after four o’clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.
  Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches: Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal. Joe Cobb, Swandyke’s only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama. Then there’s Grace Foote who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade. And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin. Finally, there’s Essie Snowball, born Esther Schnable to conservative Jewish parents but who now works as a prostitute and hides her child’s parentage from the world.
  Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives to these people. And ultimately, no one is without sin, no ones’s soul is whiter than snow, and no one is without the need for forgiveness.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This is the first novel by Sandra Dallas that I have read, and in my opinion, is a gifted storyteller. The first chapter grips you with a glimpse of what is to come. It begins on that fateful day, April 20th 1920 when the avalanche roars through Swandyke, Colorado. Subsequent chapters follow the lives of six (6) residents prior to that fateful day and then returns, once again to 1920 bringing the story full circle. The author’s writing style, one word, exceptional. While reading this novel, for me, was like watching a movie in my imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history, the fashion or lack of, the housing, professions, morals, racism, inter caste system and beliefs of the 1920’s and before, on a personal level, because my grandmother was born in 1900. And a profound underlying message that forgiveness comes within and is a gift to one’s self and that no one’s soul is whiter than snow. This moving and emotional tale was truly a treasure to read.

Sweet Dreams, Miss England by Iris Blobel
ISBN 978-0-646-51737-7
At the request of the author, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): She could still hear Daniel’s grandmother saying, “Sometimes we meet people but not to share the rest of our lives with them, but merely for them to guide us onto a different path”.
  Set in London and Dublin we follow the life of Nicky, a young mother of two who is married to Shane, an actor whose work requires him to be in Los Angeles. When Nicky meets Daniel, a fun-loving, spontaneous man from Ireland, she realizes how much joy and passion are missing from her marriage, and consequently her life. Nicky is torn between her marriage to Shane and her love for this Irish charmer.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After finishing and digesting this book, I sit here very torn. I will try to write this review solely on the book and not the interjection of my beliefs. I will, however, say that I do not condone the main character, Nicky’s, actions. I found it very hard to relate with the character Nicky because of the story line but once I took a step back and analyzed just “the book”, I could see that she did have some good qualities. The author’s writing style quite surprised me as a debut author. She wrote this story with a fluid, flowing and detailed account of the plot. The narrative, characters, emotions and descriptions of the settings were written in such a seasoned style that her words were conveyed with the ability to form vivid imagery. The relationships between characters profound and meaningful on many levels . I thought that this would be another typical love story and would know the ending, but, the author delivered an unexpected twist which left me with thought provoking questions. (I will not include spoilers in this review). Overall, a very well written novel from a very talented writer.

Sweet Dreams, Miss England by Iris Blobel
ISBN 978-0-646-51737-7
At the request of the author, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): She could still hear Daniel’s grandmother saying, “Sometimes we meet people but not to share the rest of our lives with them, but merely for them to guide us onto a different path”.
  Set in London and Dublin we follow the life of Nicky, a young mother of two who is married to Shane, an actor whose work requires him to be in Los Angeles. When Nicky meets Daniel, a fun-loving, spontaneous man from Ireland, she realizes how much joy and passion are missing from her marriage, and consequently her life. Nicky is torn between her marriage to Shane and her love for this Irish charmer.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After finishing and digesting this book, I sit here very torn. I will try to write this review solely on the book and not the interjection of my beliefs. I will, however, say that I do not condone the main character, Nicky’s, actions. I found it very hard to relate with the character Nicky because of the story line but once I took a step back and analyzed just “the book”, I could see that she did have some good qualities. The author’s writing style quite surprised me as a debut author. She wrote this story with a fluid, flowing and detailed account of the plot. The narrative, characters, emotions and descriptions of the settings were written in such a seasoned style that her words were conveyed with the ability to form vivid imagery. The relationships between characters profound and meaningful on many levels . I thought that this would be another typical love story and would know the ending, but, the author delivered an unexpected twist which left me with thought provoking questions. (I will not include spoilers in this review). Overall, a very well written novel from a very talented writer.

Revenge Served Cold by Jackie Fullerton
Published by Thomas House Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-0-9843815-0-0
ISBN 10: 0-9843815-0-3
At the request of The Cadence Group, an ARC PB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): Kathy Spence awakens in the middle of the night and finds herself in a living nightmare. Her husband has been run down and she is the primary suspect. With an eyewitness to the crime and proof that her car was the murder weapon, it appears to be an open-and-shut case.
  Terrified for her future, Kathy turns to amateur sleuth, Anne Marshall, for help. Believing in Kathy’s innocence, Anne launches her own investigation, uncovering proof of a conspiracy that reaches from Kathy’s past and threatens her own life.
  In a race against time, Anne must count on her close friends and even the ghost of her father to help her bring a killer to justice before it’s too late.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: In my opinion, and my opinion only, this was a light cozy mystery. The story line reminded me of a smaller version of the movie Ghost. At times the suspense grabbed and held me but then at other times it was quite predictable. I thought that the dialogue was simplistic. I also found that the characters were hard to relate to due to the lack of realism, which consisted of the main character, Anne, a court reporter and law student, and the ghost of her father who shows up to help solve a crime. On the same note of being unrealistic, Anne figures out, hunts down the murderer, finds witnesses, and assists the local law enforcement, whereas the police are depicted as incompetent at a basic level. Overall it was an easy read. Ms. Fullerton was a “Guest Author” on July 20th.

Revenge Served Cold by Jackie Fullerton
Published by Thomas House Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-0-9843815-0-0
ISBN 10: 0-9843815-0-3
At the request of The Cadence Group, an ARC PB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): Kathy Spence awakens in the middle of the night and finds herself in a living nightmare. Her husband has been run down and she is the primary suspect. With an eyewitness to the crime and proof that her car was the murder weapon, it appears to be an open-and-shut case.
  Terrified for her future, Kathy turns to amateur sleuth, Anne Marshall, for help. Believing in Kathy’s innocence, Anne launches her own investigation, uncovering proof of a conspiracy that reaches from Kathy’s past and threatens her own life.
  In a race against time, Anne must count on her close friends and even the ghost of her father to help her bring a killer to justice before it’s too late.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: In my opinion, and my opinion only, this was a light cozy mystery. The story line reminded me of a smaller version of the movie Ghost. At times the suspense grabbed and held me but then at other times it was quite predictable. I thought that the dialogue was simplistic. I also found that the characters were hard to relate to due to the lack of realism, which consisted of the main character, Anne, a court reporter and law student, and the ghost of her father who shows up to help solve a crime. On the same note of being unrealistic, Anne figures out, hunts down the murderer, finds witnesses, and assists the local law enforcement, whereas the police are depicted as incompetent at a basic level. Overall it was an easy read. Ms. Fullerton was a “Guest Author” on July 20th.

Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy
Published by The Penguin Group
ISBN: 978-0-425-23521-8
At the request of Kaye Publicity, a PB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book):  Everyone wants a piece of millionaire Bennett Marshfield, owner of Marshfield Manor, and letters are coming in daily from those claiming to be poor relations. The elderly, reclusive heir trusts no one but his aged curator, Abe. But when Abe is killed in a case of mistaken identity, the tide changes…
  Although shaken by the murder, Grace Wheaton, whose lifelong dream has been to work at the manor, steps up to the challenge of assuming Abe’s job. But now some of the letters arriving for Bennett have taken a nasty turn, demanding millions-or else. When an uninvited stalker shows up at the manor and at Grace’s home, she and handsome grounds-keeper Jack Embers must protect their dear old Marshfield. But to do this, they’ll have to investigate a botched Ponzi scheme, some torrid Wheaton family secrets-and sour grapes out for revenge.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This is the first book of Ms. Hyzy’s Manor House Mystery series and the first book that I read by this author. I thought that this would be a cozy mystery and that I would probably figure out the “who did it” person relatively early. But I was wrong on both accounts. From the first chapter, where assistant curator, Grace Wheaton, handles a disturbance that takes place in the Bird Cage Tea Room, while a murder takes place in the private living quarters. To the last chapters where the “who did it” person was revealed, flowed so smoothly but with a page turning suspenseful plot. Grace takes control, jumping into the head curator’s position and also trying to assist the small town police department in the hunt for a murderer. Ms. Hyzy introduces a cast of characters with quirky behaviors, which any one of them could be the murderer, but was surprised as to who it was. Along the way she also discovers secret passageways, a Ponzi scheme, which the owner of Marshfield Manor is involved in, in some way and even some very personal family secrets. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading Grace Under Pressure and will look forward to the next book in this series. Ms Julie Hyzy was “Guest Author” on this blog on July 14th.