Southern Man

I have just finished reading Southern Man by Connie Chastain.  It is an interesting book about Troy Stevenson and his family, Maxwell Ingram, Troy’s best friend, Brooke Emerson, new employee and obsessed with Troy (this girl is trouble), and some other assorted characters.  Troy is the VP of Marketing at Shearwater-Ingram and they have just created an Equality and Fairness Office (EFO).   This book is set in the 1980’s and women were starting to climb the corporate ladder (mostly men were in management positions). This book follows Troy and his family as they deal with different situations/life events. The Stevenson’s are a good, southern family living in Verona, Georgia.   We get to see how the family handles the good times and the bad.  I enjoyed the book, but found it a little long (I felt that some parts of the book could have been shortened).  I enjoy Ms. Chastain’s writing and look forward to reading more books by this author.  I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  Happy Reading and have a lovely Sunday evening!

Kris

A Shenandoah Christmas

A Shenandoah Christmas by Lisa Belcastro is a sweet Christmas story.  It takes place after the last book in the Winds of Change trilogy.  It is a short novella about Andy and Allyson.  Andy is in love with Allyson and is going to propose to her during the holiday season.  However, Allyson seems to be withdrawing from Andy.  She has become distant and he thinks Allyson is no longer in love with him.  This story is about trusting in God, His love and timing, and having faith.  This book is also about the true gift of Christmas—Jesus and what He did for all Christians.  I truly enjoyed reading A Shenandoah Christmas.  It really gets you into the spirit of the season.  I did receive a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review!  A Shenandoah Christmas is available on Amazon.com starting December 1.  Happy Reading!

Kris

Paw and Order

Paw and Order by Diane Kelly is a delightful and funny book.  It is the second book in the Paw Enforcement series.  Megan Luz and her very smart K-9 partner, Brigit are off for adventures at the rodeo.  Megan and Brigit are local celebrities after solving the “Tunabomber” case from Paw Enforcement (the first book in the series).  Megan needs to solve a series of escalating robberies that are happening at the rodeo, deal with romantic issues, and try to keep Brigit out of her shoe closet.  I truly enjoyed this book with its humor (especially Brigit’s thoughts), romance, and mystery.  There is foul language in this book (not excessive).  I enjoyed this book and look forward the next book in this series.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

Paw and Order will be out on December 30!   Happy Reading!

Kris

When Mercy Rains

When Mercy Rains by KimVogel Sawyer is an enjoyable book.  It is the first book in the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy.  Suzanne Zimmerman has not been home in twenty years.  Suzanne became pregnant and her mother sent her away to have the child and give it up to a relative for adoption.  In their religion (Old Mennonite) it is a sin to have sex outside the bounds of marriage.  After having her child, Suzanne decides not to return home.  Suzanne goes to college and becomes a nurse.  Her family is now asking her to come home and tend to their mother, Abigail, who was injured on the family farm.

Suzanne decides to go home and take care of her mother for a short time until she can find a qualified nurse to take her place.  What the family does not know is that Suzanne has a daughter, Alexa that she is bringing with her.   Alexa is excited to find meet her extended family, but does not realize that Suzanne has not told the family anything about her. 

There is a lot of bitterness and unhappiness in the Zimmerman family.  They are all going to need to have faith and love to overcome their resentment, anger, and unhappiness.  Another wonderful book by Kim Vogel Sawyer. 

I received a free copy of the book from Blogging for Books for an honest review.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am off to watch Grimm.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis is a delightful story.  It is the second book in the Paw and Claws series.  Holly Miller (along with her dog, Trixie and cat, Twinkletoes) has moved to Wagtail to help her Oma run the Sugar Maple Inn.  The town of Wagtail has reinvented itself.  Everything in the town caters to the tourists and their animals (cats and dogs).  The tourists can take their animals everywhere with them.  The restaurants even have special meals for the cats and dogs (this is my kind of town). 

It is Halloween in Wagtail.  The Apparition Apprehenders have come to town to film an episode of their show.  They are ghost hunters!  Unfortunately, someone ends up dead.  Holly, along with various cute animals, investigate to find the killer.  This book is just delightful.  What a wonderful cast of characters and a good mystery!  I hope you enjoy The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer as much as I did! 

Krista Davis’ The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer will be out on December 2 on Amazon.com.  I did receive a free copy of this book from Krista Davis for winning a contest on Facebook.

Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

Forever Amish

Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd is an Amish Fiction book about Sally Bingham. Sally has been raised by her father, Honest Ed Bingham.  She has never known her mother.  Sally is engaged to Donald who treats who horribly (I am not sure why she agreed to marry this man.)  She has been breeding, raising, and showing Corgi’s.   Sally has been getting emails from Lizzie, an Amish teenager, asking her to visit Intercourse (near Bird-in-Hand, PA).  Sally decides to go and visit one weekend.  She needs to get away and think about her relationship with Donald.  Her father tries to talk her out of going, but Sally is determined to get away. 

Sally discovers a different lifestyle and it appeals to her.  The work is hard, but there is a lot of love and faith in God.  Sally also uncovers family secrets and finds love.  This is an enjoyable read by Kate Lloyd.  I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a great weekend! Happy Reading!

Kris

The Root of All Evil

The Root of All Evil by Ellery Adams is the fourth book in A Hope Street Church Mysteries.  I have really enjoyed reading the books in this series.  Cooper Lee is the main character along with her family, her Hope Street Church Bible Study friends, and her boyfriend, Nathan.  Things are going well for Cooper Lee.  She has gotten a promotion at her job.  She is now a supervisor.  She has Nathan in her life and her sister is going to have a baby.  The Bible study group helps out at the open house at The Hope Street Church School.  Cooper meets a nice art teacher and helps her out by making copies.  However, the next day the art teacher is dead.  The police wonder if this is related to the robberies that have been happening at local churches. The Bible study group decides to help the police solve the crime. 

Edward has started coming to the Bible study group.  When a new member joins the group, Edward states she is a con artist.  The group wants to find out the truth about the newest member of their group and Church.  Nathan has also been distant lately to Cooper and she does not know what is happening with him.  Cooper also is tempted by another man who looks at her with desire.

There are many things going on in this book, but the Bible study group is up for the challenge and so is Cooper Lee.  Cooper is in for a lovely surprise at the end of the book.   This was an easy and enjoyable book to read.  I look forward to the next book in A Hope Street Church Mystery series by Ellery Adams.

Thank you for visiting.  I hope you have a wonderful evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning is a delightful novel set in the 1800’s in Lauscha, Germany.  It is about the Steinmann sisters, Ruth, Joanna, and Marie.  The girls live with their father, Joost, who is a glassblower.  The girls decorate the glass, polish it, and pack it.  When their Father dies suddenly, the girls are at a loss.  Their Father never let them socialize with the young people in town, did not teach them to blow glass (it is only passed on to son’s), and did not even let them know about the finances.  The three girls are offered a job with Heimer who runs the biggest and most profitable glassworks in the town.  While the Heimer family is rich, they are misers and have horrible manners (they are very crude).  The business is not run the best way, and Joanna tries to suggest changes.  Mr. Heimer does not take them well and Joanna is left without a job.  Ruth and Miriam stay with Heimer.  Ruth fancies Mr. Heimer’s son, Thomas (one of three).  Miriam is a gifted and creative painter.  Mr. Heimer takes advantage of Miriam’s skills to make him more money while paying her a pittance.  Joanna gets herself a job in Sonneberg with a wholesaler, Mr. Strobel.  Joanna continues to work for Mr. Strobel, taking on more responsibility, until something horrible happens to her.  Ruth marries Thomas when she ends up pregnant and her marriage is not a happy one.  Thomas is a lot like his Father (stingy, mean, and abusive).

In the second part of the book the girls decide to make some changes.  Miriam has been learning to blow glass in secret (she had the house to herself after Joanna went to work in Sonneberg and Ruth married Thomas).  She has been making small Christmas bulbs to be her canvas.  Ruth (after she leaves her husband for his abuse) takes Miriam’s beautiful bulbs into Sonneberg to show Mr. Woolworth (Frank Winfield Woolworth of the Woolworth Stores).  Mr. Woolworth bought many beautiful handmade items for his stores in Germany.  Mr. Woolworth loves her Christmas ornaments (the sound like they are gorgeous works of art) and places a big order with the girls.  For the first order Miriam continues to work at Mr. Heimer’s during the day and blow glass at night.  Ruth and Joanna paint the ornaments, silver them, and pack them.  The ornaments are a hit in the states.  Mr. Woolworth then places an order for heart ornaments.  Miriam can now quit her job and work full-time on the ornaments.  Joanna falls in love with Peter who has lived next door to the girls for a long time (he has loved her for many years).  Ruth falls in love with Mr. Woolworth’s right hand man, Steven (yes, she is still married to Thomas and Thomas will not give her a divorce). 

This is a wonderful book.  I loved the second half of the book more than the first part.  I have written only a little of what happens in this book.  The story will make you laugh and cry.  I hope you will take the time to read The Glassblower and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The American Lady!  The Glassblower is also available under Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.com.  I was provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Happy Reading!

Kris

Miriam's Secret

Miriam’s Secret by Jerry S. Eicher is a lovely, Amish novel.  It tells the story of Miriam Yoder and her family.  Miriam is one of ten children.  Her father believes that money is corrupt and evil and will not sell to tourists (with ten children you would think he would reconsider this view point).   Miriam has been working for an English neighbor, Mr. Bland, for the last two years.  Mr. Bland is elderly and needs someone to help him out during the day (cooking meals, housekeeping, etc.).  The pay is very generous and has helped the Yoder family tremendously.  One day Mr. Bland passes away suddenly.  Miriam comes to find out that Mr. Bland has generously left her one-third of his estate.  She received the farm, all the equipment and animals, as well as $2 million dollars.  Miriam knows how her father will react to this news and only tells him about the farm.  At first, her father wants her to give it away, but Miriam feels this will go against the wishes of Mr. Bland.  Miriam has the farm put into a family trust.  Her father and brothers will run the farm but it cannot be sold.  Mr. Yoder states he will run it until Miriam gets married and then the farm will go to Miriam and her husband (she is not seeing anyone at this time). 

Miriam had taken a liking to Ivan, a local young man.  However, just before she received the inheritance, Ivan starts taking out Laura Swartz, a young beauty who just moved into the area.  After Miriam receives the inheritance, Ivan now wants to go out with Miriam.  Wise to Ivan’s motives (he just wants a farm), she convinces her family to let her and her sister, Shirley, go to Oklahoma to visit relatives.  Shirley needs to get away because she has been going out with a local English boy whose family has money.  Shirley is determined to marry someone with money.  She does not wish to continue to live in poverty.

The Oklahoma Amish community is different than Possum Valley.  The community is very open and friendly.  They see more of a person’s inside beauty than their outside beauty.  Miriam is quite popular while Shirley, who is used to being the center of attention around the young men, is not.   Miriam meets Wayne who helps her forget about Ivan and helps her accept her inheritance. 

Miriam’s Secret is a good Amish book.  I was provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This book will be out in February 2015 according to Amazon.com.

Thank you for reading my review and I hope you have a lovely week!  Happy Reading!

Kris

A Christmas to Remember

A Christmas to Remember by Michelynn Christy is a short, Christian Christmas story.  It is about Samantha who is reluctant to go home for Christmas because of a break-up with her high school boyfriend, Travis.   Travis and Samantha went out for two years.  While away at college, Travis sent Samantha a text breaking up with her (you should never break up with someone via text message).  On the plane ride home, Samantha meets William.  He is going to her home town to be a youth pastor at a local Church.  Samantha and William seem to have an instant connection. 

Samantha arrives home to find out that her sister in now pregnant and engaged to marry Travis.  She has to find a way to forgive Travis and her sister.   Samantha also finds love with William and comes to find salvation.

It is a lovely, heartwarming story.  It is a very short story.  A Christmas to Remember can easily be read in under an hour.  I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a lovely Sunday evening!  Happy Reading!

Kris

I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas

I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper is a wonderful book.  I was so delighted when I received a copy of the book to review by NetGalley.  I have read the whole series and could not wait to read this book.  It is a short book (novella) and easy to read within an hour or two.  The book revolves around Gigi who is coming home from college for Christmas.  Gigi is the younger sister of Iris, who was just married and turned into a vampire.  Their "family" is a unique mixture of vampire friends.  Jane is my favorite.  I love that she is even more accident prone than I am.  I mean she lights her arms on fire with birthday candles (not good if you are a vampire).

Gigi is having to adjust to her sister's new nocturnal schedule, heavy duty sun shades on the windows, and lights that can only be turned on with a security code.  She has also Cal, her new brother-in-law, who is very protective of her.  He makes sure that she has martial arts lessons, vampire mace, and a super-duper pink stun gun!  Iris wants Gigi to have a "normal" Christmas.  I do not think that is possible even if they were all human, but with 99% of the family vampires who cannot eat food, forget it.  But Iris gives it a good try with candy making, cutting down their own Christmas tree, and decorating the house.  Also, Iris' attempts to keep Gigi was getting further involved with the vampire community and council are futile.  This book will have you laughing until you cry.  I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!  Looking forward to her next book coming out in 2015 (so long to wait). Happy Reading!


Kris

The Void

The Void by J.D. Horn is the third book in the Witching Savannah Trilogy. Mercy Taylor has been chased, terrorized, tortured, and received the gift of magic, but Mercy is now happily married to Peter and eagerly anticipating the birth of her son, Colin.  However, something evil and magical is happening in Savannah.  Someone is leaving body parts around the city of Savannah.  The body parts show no sign of decay despite being left days apart from each other.  The Taylor's know that this is magical and they try to figure out who is doing it and why.  Mercy's old foes are also still about and trying to harm her, her unborn child, and her family.  This is an action packed book and Horn gives the readers quite a twist towards the end of the story.  I was very surprised by the plot twist.  It was definitely not something I was expecting (or wanting) and it reminded me of the dream year on Dallas (original Dallas).  The ending felt unfinished.  I was left a little deflated and wanting to know more.   I hope that J.D. Horn writes more books about the Taylor family.  I feel that there are more stories that could be written about this magical family. Just because I did not like the ending, does not mean that I did not love the book.  I could not read it fast enough.  I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  I give The Void four (4)  stars (The Line—Book One was five stars and The Source—Book Two was four stars).   If you read the first two books in the series, you need to read the last book just to see how everything turns out.

I did receive a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Have a wonderful evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

Forever His Darling

I just finished Sarah Randall’s Forever His Darling.  It is a romance story set in England.  Pippa Darling arranges a photo shoot to take place at Melville House (a horse ranch and stud farm).  Pippa and Mrs. H. (the housekeeper) decide that Matt (Pippa’s older brother) needs someone to shake him up.  Matt has been in a recluse since his fiancé, Emily, broke things off and caused a scandal in the papers.  The last thing that Matt wants is for fashion people to come into the house.  Matt does not think much of models.

Ana is the model scheduled to wear to wear the clothes for the fashion shoot.  Pippa tells Matt about the photo shoot the day Ana is to arrive.  Matt picks her up at the airport in the nastiest vehicle the farm owns.  Matt is shocked at how beautiful Ana is and her feisty nature.  Ana travels straight from Rome where she was on another shoot.  The designer, Alix (and Ana’s best friend) and his staff are to fly in from London the next day.  However, snow intervenes and no one can travel.  Ana is snowed in at Melville House for the duration. 

Cute Cover!

Those ensues a lot of sexual tension, kissing, making out, and sex.  Matt also gets to know a little about Ana (that her Mother is a selfish woman who only uses her daughter to advance her own career), Ana’s favorite book is Little Women, and she wants to design fashion.  Of course, there is a falling out between Ana and Matt (mostly Ana leaving thinking she was causing the family harm).  Then Ana and Matt come back together and live happily ever after at Melville House.

I did not feel that the book had a lot of plot.  It was mostly two people meeting, sexual tension, sex, break up, get back together, marry and have kids.  Reminded me Harlequin romances that I read when I was 14.  The author also use the words (I do not even think they should be considered words) "er" and "erm" voraciously (I lost cost after a while).  If you love sappy romances, then you will love this book.   It was just not my cup of tea.  I was provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

Hope Street Church Mysteries - Book Three

The Graves of the Guilty by Ellery Adams is the third book in A Hope Street Church Mysteries.  This is a lovely Christian cozy mystery.  Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and Cooper Lee has high hopes for this holiday with her boyfriend, Nathan.  However, Ashley, Cooper’s high maintenance sister, finds a dead body in the trunk of her car.  Miguel, the dead person, worked at Love Motors which implicates Lincoln, Ashley’s husband, and the dealership. When another person is killed, Hector, and his mother works at Love Motors as well.   Cooper Lee and the other members of the Bible study group work to solve the murders.

Cooper is also finding herself attracted to another man, Edward (they solved his Father’s murder in The Way of the Wicked).   Cooper Lee finds herself attracted to him and does not know how to handle this attraction.  Quinton, friend in the Bible Study Group, fall for Gloria May, a new member of the church who also sings in the choir. 

This is a fun book to read and enjoy.  I was provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

Hope Street Church Mysteries - Book Two

The Way of the Wicked by Ellery Adams is the second book in A Hope Street Church mysteries.   This is another wonderful Christian, cozy mystery.  I have really enjoyed reading this series.  It is an easy book to read and I like that there if no foul language (believe it or not, I do not use foul language). 

Cooper Lee is enjoying her life.  She is still living in the apartment over her parent’s garage, but she has gotten over her louse of an ex-boyfriend and is seeing Nathan, from the Bible study group.  The group has volunteered to help pack and deliver meals for a local charity, Door-2-Door Dinners.   Unfortunately, someone is killing off the elderly people to whom they deliver dinners to.  If the killer is not caught soon, Door-2-Door Dinners will have to close and leave many elderly without meals and assistance.  The Hope Street Bible Group is determined to find the killer.  Cooper even visits the local prison in the book to meet with the son (Edward) of man that was killed.

Cooper Lee has a wonderful family.  Her Mother and Father are very supportive of Cooper.  Cooper’s Grandmother (she calls her Grammy) is a lively character.  Grammy rescues animals who find themselves in unfortunate situations (a hawk that was shot for example).

I hope you will give this enjoyable series a chance.  I look forward to more books in this series from Ellery Adams.  I was provided a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

House Broken

HouseBroken by Sonya Yoerg is an interesting book.  It is about families with their struggles and their secrets and how they overcome them.

It looks at the lives of Geneva Novak, a veterinarian (she prefers dealing with animals to humans), and her family (and what a family she has)!  Her husband, Tom, looks at life through rose colored glasses. Her children, Charlie and Ella, are seriously lacking discipline, rules, and someone to keep a close eye on them!  Geneva’s mother, Helen, is the worst of them all.  She is an alcoholic that refuses to reform.  Geneva has done her best to distance herself from her mother, Helen, and her behavior.  Helen started drinking heavily after her husband passed away. 

However, Helen gets into a car accident, while drunk, and needs assistance while she recovers.  Tom suggests that Helen stay with the Novak’s while she recovers.  Geneva dislikes the idea, at first, but realizes it is the right thing to do and, maybe, she can repair her relationship with Helen.  Geneva and her family go through a period of discovery and revelations.  Geneva uncovers long buried family secrets that explains Helen’s behavior, Tom and Geneva grow closer together, and unexpected revelations regarding Ella and Charlie.

After I first started reading this book, I was not sure I would enjoy the book, but after a while, I could not put it down.  I wanted to see what would happen with Geneva, Tom, Ella, Charlie, and Helen.

This is an excellent debut novel by Sonja Yoerg.  It is about real life and real families. Not something that I would want to read all the time (because I see reading as a way of getting away from real life), but enjoyable.  I received a complimentary copy of this book through Penguin’s First to Read Program.  

House Broken is released January 6, 2015!  Thank you for visiting and reading my review.  I wish you Happy Reading!

Kris

Hope Street Church Mysteries - Book One

How is everyone today?  I have been on a reading frenzy and loving it.  One of the books that I just finished reading is the first book in A Hope Street Church Mysteries by Ellery Adams, The Path of the Crooked.

 

The Path of the Crooked is a Christian cozy mystery.  There is no foul language in this book (which I consider a bonus)!  Cooper Lee is having a rough time.  Her boyfriend of five years has broken up with her, she has had to move into an apartment over her parent’s garage, and her younger sister has gotten married.  Cooper is having trouble getting over the ex-boyfriend and moving on with her life.  Cooper is just going to work and coming home.   She works as a repair technician fixing copiers, printers, faxes, and laminators.  Cooper meets a nice lady, Brooke Hughes, while repairing a copier who gives her a brochure for Hope Street Church.   Cooper decides to visit the church and see if it is a fit for her.  Cooper ends up at the church early and finds herself in a Bible study group.  There are some interesting people in this group:  Savannah (the nearly blind folk artist), Jake, Bryant (a meteorologist), Trish (a real estate agent), Nathan (a web designer), Quinton, and more.  Cooper finds out that Brooke Hughes, who gave her the brochure for the Church, was murdered.  The evidence points to the husband, Wesley, as the murderer.   The Hughes’ were a loving couple according the Bible study group, and they decide to investigate to clear Wesley’s name.  They will not let an innocent man go to jail!  The book then follows the group as they go about clearing Wesley’s name.  Romance is also in the air for Cooper Lee and Nathan.  I hope you will check out this delightful book and the other books in this series.  I was provided a free copy of the book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Look of Love

I just finished reading Sarah Jio’s new book The Look of Love.  I am a big fan of Sarah Jio’s books and was thrilled when I got a chance to get an advanced copy of the book from Penguin’s First Reads Program.  This story is about Jane Williams who was born on Christmas Day twenty-nine years ago. Jane lives in Seattle, WA, and runs a flower shop in the Pike Place Market.   Just before her birthday she receives a mysterious card telling her that she has a special gift.   Jane finds out that she received a “gift” on the day she was born.  She has the ability to “see” love.  This explains the vision troubles she has been experiencing ever since she was a little girl.  To keep her gift, Jane must identify six types of love before her thirtieth birthday and write them in a journal that has passed down from each person who has had the gift starting with Elodie in 1893.  If she does not identify the six types of love, she will lose the gift and never find true love.  Jane then embarks on a year of finding out about the different types of love, about herself, and falling in love.  I enjoyed this book and look forward to Sarah Jio’s next novel.

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!  Happy Reading!

Kris

A Christmas Bond

A Christmas Bond by Lee McClain is a lovely Christian, Christmas story.  Annie Bauer has gone home for Christmas to help her grandmother.  Her grandmother is getting on in years and refuses to leave her home despite the decline in her neighborhood.  John Moretti, a war hero, has opened a boys’ residential school next door to Annie’s grandmother.  Annie is worried about her grandmother being next to these juvenile delinquents (Annie’s term).  Annie and her sister were the victims of a horrible crime and her sister paid the price with her life.  During the Christmas season Annie gets to know the boys and changes her mind about them.  Annie and John must overcome their pasts in order to enjoy the future together.  I enjoyed reading this heartwarming, Christmas novella and look forward to learning what happens to the boys from residential school in Lee McClain’s future books.  Please note that I was provided a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

The After House

The AfterHouse by Michael Phillip Cash is a wonderful novel.   It has romance, mystery, and ghosts which are all the elements of a great book (at least, I think so!).  The book starts out in the mid-1800’s with Captain Eli on his whaling ship (it is horrible how the whaling trade decimated whales, but it was very necessary at that time).  Eli owned a house in Cold Creek Harbor, Long Island with his wife, Sarah and their children, Charlotte and Thomas.  During their trip home, the ship came across the biggest whale they had ever seen and they attempted to capture it.  Things go horribly awry for the captain and his crew.

Remy Galway and her daughter, Olivia, are starting over and they happen to rent the Captain’s 300 year old house.  Remy is just getting out of a horrible marriage.  Scott, ex-husband, cheated on her with another woman, stole money from her and her parents, and then hit her in a fit of anger. 

Remy and Olivia feel something in the house.  They feel like someone is watching them.  As they come to find out, it is Captain Eli.  Captain Eli has not been able to move on.  Captain Eli is not happy with the new occupants of the house.  He was very happy with the last gentleman, Pat, who was quiet and had no television, no phone, and no internet.  Captain Eli decides to do something about his unwanted renters who play loud music, have painted the walls pink, and they keep wanting to change things in his house.  He attempts to scare them by destroying a picture that Olivia received from her grandmother (it has kittens on it).  Captain Eli’s temper got the better of him and he ended up making a bigger mess.  He feels bad about what he did when he sees how much it upsets Remy.  What Remy does not know it that Olivia can see Captain Eli (and boy does she get even with him for upsetting her mother).

Someone then starts attacking Remy.  A bomb (Molotov cocktail) thrown into her yoga studio, running her car off the road, she gets poisoned (she writes it off to the flu), and then attacked in her home.  Remy also meets Hugh, who is the mayor and runs a local museum.  Remy, Hugh, and Olivia find out who is attacking Remy and help Captain Eli cross over to be with his family.  This is a delightful book.  I enjoyed reading it and look forward to more books by this author.  Please note that I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for reading my review and I hope you have a lovely evening!

Kris

Hello from The Gillespies!

Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney is a very interesting book.  It tells the story of Angela, her husband, Nick, and their children (what a group they are too).  Every year Angela sends out a Christmas letter to all their friends.  She normally does what many people do around the world--she tells half-truths and embellishes wherever she can!  However, this year, Angela's heart is not into it.  The family has had a rough time and she feels like venting.  So for the fun of it, Angela writes a letter and tells the truth.  She never intends for this letter to be seen by anyone but herself.  Just as she is finishing the letter an accident happens with her son, Ig.  He cuts off his finger and she has to rush him to the hospital.  The family all shares one computer (something that would drive me nuts).  Her husband, Nick, goes to use the computer and sees the letter.  He thinks he is helping by sending out her Christmas letter on time.  Unfortunately, Nick never takes the time to read the letter. The book covers the year after the letter and how the family changes, copes, and comes back together as a family.  If I had this family, I think I would have run away screaming.  Angela has the patience of a saint, and I can certainly understand why she has such awful headaches.  I love the ending of this book.  The author tied up all the story lines nicely and left us with a good ending. This book was a delight to read.  I hope you take a chance and read it and love it!   Happy Reading!

Kris

Please note that  I did receive a free copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read Program and NetGalley.