Friday, February 27, 2015

We Killed: the Rise of Women in American Comedy

Title: We Killed: the Rise of Women in American Comedy
Author: Yael Kohen

     Great stories of real live women in American comedy - Joan Rivers, and many others.

Non-fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Gina Ehrlich.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

The Last Breath

Title: The Last Breath
Author: Kimberly Belle

     This book is a murder mystery. It explores the possible wrongful murder conviction of a man who was put in jail for killing his wife. He has terminal cancer, and has come under house arrest to die. The book explores the interaction of the man and his three grown children sixteen years after their mom was murdered.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations that Will Change Your Life

Title: Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations that Will Change Your Life
Author: Paul Williams

     Helps you understand and cope with life - Love It!

Non-fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Gina Ehrlich.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Giirl on a Train

Title: The Girl on a Train
Author: Paula Hawkins

     A woman who is in the middle of her own personal crisis, witnesses events that unfold from her seat on a commuter train. This book is a classic "whodunit". If you enjoyed Gone Girl, try this one!

Fiction; rated 2 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Pogue's Basics: Essential Tips and Shortcuts (that no one Bothers to Tell You) for Simplifying the Technology in Your Life

Title: Pogue's Basics: Essential Tips and Shortcuts (that no one Bothers to tell You) for Simplifying the Technology in Your Life
Author: David Pogue

     A collection of very useful technology hints and tricks that can help everyday users in a variety of problematic situations. The book was written in an extremely entertaining manner. A great book to buy and keep as an excellent reference source.

Non-fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman.

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend

Title: I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
Author: Martin Short

     The award-winning actor entertains us with stories from his life and career. But in this heartfelt memoir, he also talks about suffering the loss of his parents and his wife of 30 years.

Non-fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman.

Brownies and Broomsticks

Title: Brownies and Broomsticks
Author: Bailey Cates

     Book 1 in The Magical Bakery Mystery series - Kate joins her aunt and uncle in opening a bakery and notices her aunt adding mysterious herbs to the recipes and learns her aunt is a witch as she is - though she doesn't know it. A nasty customer is murdered outside the bakery and Uncle Ben is the prime suspect. Katie tries to solve the case to clear his name. Book is fun read - a mystery, self-discovery, romance and cooking class all in one. I liked the light-hearted writing style yet captivating mystery all in one.

Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Power Play

Title: Power Play
Author: Catherine Coulter

     This book is about the United States Ambassador to London and attempts made on her life and the political repercussions that follow. It also follows a husband and wife FBI team and the threats to their lives as they try to solve the mystery of who is trying to kill the U.S. Ambassador. There are a lot of twists and turns as we follow along, trying to solve the mystery with the book's characters.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

The Scarlett Letters: the Making of the Film "Gone with the Wind"

Title: The Scarlett Letters: the Making of the Film "Gone with the Wind"
Editor: John Wiley, Jr.

     Follow the making of the "Gone with the Wind" movie through the letters of Margaret Mitchell. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of an iconic film.

Non-fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Lisa Smith.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Second Nature

Title: Second Nature
Author: Nora Roberts

     The main character works for a magazine and tries to get an interview with a "recluse" author. She does but with twists and turns along their relationship. Would recommend this book although I'm partial to Nora Roberts. She brings you into the book so you can feel and hear and see everything that is in print.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Susan Roth.

The Diva Wraps it Up

Title: The Diva Wraps it Up
Author: Krista Davis

     Set around Christmas time; the main character Sophie tries to figure out who murdered her friend. Or is it two or three murders? She's funny and so believable. Loved it.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Susan Roth.

The Choice

Title: The Choice
Author: Nicholas Sparks

     The main character tries to "marry" his lady. Then they are in a car accident and she is in a coma. He's okay but they both made living wills. If she was in a coma she wants him to pull the plug so he doesn't resent her. Does he? Loved it.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Susan Roth.

The Vacationers

Title: The Vacationers
Author: Emma Straub

     This book is about a family that travels to Mallorca, Spain with some friends. The trip gives them a chance to examine their lives back home.

Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Dying to Read

Title: Dying to Read
Author: Lorena McCourtney

     Cate takes a temp job as a private investigator working for her uncle - the simple case turns into anything but. Book has it all - murder, missing persons, death threats and attempts with a romance at same time with a modern day knight in shining armor who keeps coming to the rescue. Fun read with enjoyable characters.

Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.

Severed

Title: Severed
Author: Frances Larson

     A history of severed heads lost and found.

Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Gold Coast

Title: Gold Coast
Author: Nelson DeMille

     Set on the North Shore of Long Island, "The Gold Coast", this is a fast-paced legal thriller that will enthrall anyone living in this area. Many recognizable locations make this book seem so real . . . like taken from the pages of Newsday!

Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

An Act of Love

Title: An Act of Love
Author: Nancy Thayer

     This story follows the drama that happens within a blended family with step-parents and step-siblings. We follow the drama that a major event reveals about the characters and how they cope with it.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.

The Hot Flash Club

Title: The Hot Flash Club
Author: Nancy Thayer

     This book follows four women as they join forces to help each other through the next chapter of their lives. They form the Hot Flash Club. Nothing can stop them now as they look to fulfill their journey together, both as friends and allies.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.

Bride of New France

Title: Bride of New France
Author: Suzanne Desrochers

     A historical fiction novel set in France. An orphaned girl is trained by nuns to be a proper girl. The girls are then sent to New France (Canada) to be married off with colonists. The historical information is detailed and interesting.

Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.

On the Record

Title: On the Record
Author: K.A. Linde

     The second book of the Record series, it continues the story of college student Liz and her secret boyfriend, who happens to be the senator.

Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.

Off the Record

Title: Off the Record
Author: K.A. Linde

     A college reporter meets an upcoming politician and a secret affair ensues.

Fiction: rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.

The Christmas List

Title: The Christmas List
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     It's a book about a businessman who is selfish and greedy. They print his obituary by mistake and he sees all the comments about himself. He finally knows what people think of him. He makes a list of people he did wrong and sets out to make it right. Great book.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

In the Service: Workers on the Grand Estates of Long Island 1890s-1940s

Title: In the Service: Workers on the Grand Estates of Long Island 1890s-1940s
Author: Elly Shodell

     It was about the estates on Long Island and the people that worked in them. They mostly came from England, Ireland and Scotland. In the 1920s the wages ranged from $70 a month for parlor maids and $130 a month for superintendents (who oversaw the hired help). They had room and board, medical care and retirement benefits.
     At least 250 of Long Island historic mansions have been destroyed due to selling off property and trouble finding hired help. They were mostly working in factories and businesses during the World Wars.

Non-Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

The Sunflower

Title: The Sunflower
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     About a man and a woman that meet on a missionary trip in Peru. Paul is a doctor and runs an orphanage. Christine had her fiance leave her a week before her wedding. Both are afraid to love again. Loved it.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

Dance Upon the Air

Title: Dance Upon the Air
Author: Nora Roberts

     Takes place on an island full of folklore. About a woman trying to escape her past and look to the future. She needs courage and "magic" to believe in herself. Book one of the Three Sisters Island trilogy.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

American Sniper: the Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

Title: American Sniper: the Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History
Author: Chris Kyle

     Chris describes his feelings and jobs he had as a Navy SEAL. Combat is one of them. He describes what war does to his marriage and relationships with his two children. He talks about his fellow warriors during combat and after. He talks about how the government affects his job as a SEAL and how America views the Iraqi war. It read of isolated incidents and didn't read like a novel. But it was good. I learned a lot about, government bureaucracy and marriages during wartime.

Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Finding Noel

Title: Finding Noel
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     The two main characters meet at a diner. They both come from broken homes but the circumstances are different. Their families have secrets. In their perseverance, faith in God and love for each other they find each other. Great ending.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

Lost December

Title: Lost December
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     The main character is Luke. His father is CEO and owner of a Fortune 500 million dollar corporation. He sends Luke to college to explore his independence but he gets mixed up with friends that use him for his money. When he has no more money his friends leave him. Now he's ashamed to ask for help from his father. It's about his life and the people he meets getting his life back on track; what he "thought" he wanted and what he "really" wants. It's about a father's love and a single mother's interaction in Luke "coming home". Great book!

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

The Carousel

Title: The Carousel
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     It's a wonderful love story between two people that face challenges in their relationship. One being she's rich and he's poor. This book proves that no matter how much two people love each other, their relationship must be strong or they're torn apart. It's about faith, loyalty and sacrifice. Great book!

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

The Europa Conspiracy

Title: The Europa Conspiracy
Author: Tim LaHaye

     The book is about Michael, a biblical archaeologist searching for biblical artifacts that could change people's view of "is there a real God". He encounters clues along the way by a friend that is also on his side. Also finding a spark of love between two women friends. Towards the middle of the book he encounters a murderer who tries to thwart his finding the relics as they are evil and planning to make a one world, one economic and one religious kingdom. Book was great. Can't wait to read the final book of the series.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

Babylon Rising: The Edge of Darkness

Title: Babylon Rising: The Edge of Darkness
Author: Tim LaHaye

     Michael again sets off to find another artifact of a god worshipped by the Philistines. He gets closer to finding "the evil 7" planning to take over the world while they thwart his attempt to find the artifact and them. It's a mystery combined with false miracles, false messiahs and thought-provoking messages about the end times. Great mystery but sort of left me hanging. Hope there's a fourth book.

Fiction: Rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

The Locket

Title: The Locket
Author: Richard Paul Evans

     The main character loses his mother and finds work at a nursing home. There he meets an elderly woman named Esther who becomes friends with him. She has a person she loved but never married and regrets it. Michael also loses his true love and through Esther gets a second chance. She teaches him about faith and forgiveness through her locket which is a symbol of her missed opportunity and Michael's second chance.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sue Roth.

The Rake

Title: The Rake
Author: Suzanne Enoch

     I loved the time period and I love the historical romances for this reason. I love learning about other time periods and getting to know the spins of each family. This particular author has other books based on the same circle of friends and family. This book gave the history of Viscount Dare and Lady Georgiana and shows how later on they were actually destined for one another and how sometimes we as humans let pride get in our way. Funny how fate works!

Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Dawn Vazquez