Show No Fear by Perri O'Shaughnessy

This "author" is really two sisters who have written eleven other books with Nina Reilly as the main character. This book is a prequel to that series so we get a glimpse into Nina's past. If you are a fan of Nina Reilly, this is a must-read book!
We learn about her pregnancy and the birth of her son - plus the background on the father. There is also an intriguing story line about her mother and her brother.

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

When I read the jacket of this book I was expecting a familiar theme. I didn't mind since I was in the mood for an easy, warm-fuzzy book. The theme is simple - a bunch of strangers come together because of an interest - usually quilting or knitting. This time it is for cooking lessons. I cannot exactly explain the difference in this book - maybe the characters are simply a bit more real than usual. It was a very relaxing, soothing book to read - of course I was also very hungry while I read it! A good and gentle read! I highly recommend it!

Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King

Though Lady Macbeth will bring to mind images of murder and witches, this book has shed new light on the TRUE Lady Macbeth, and will remind us that even though Shakespeare was an exceptionally talented and gifted playwright, he was in NO SENSE a historian. I will give him credit for looking back in history for inspiration, but he really ignored the true drama, and sensationalized characters to fit his own plots. On the flip side, Susan Fraser King has produced an incredible piece of fiction based on extensive research of 11th century Scotland and understanding of Gaelic and Pictish culture. Here is a true heroine of Scotland that now invokes image of Boudicca rather than a demented queen from Shakespeare's imagination. Not familiar with Shakespeare's play? Then don't worry, this read will entertain, inspire, and transport you to the age of pre-Norman Britain and Vikings. I highly reccommend this book.

City of God by Beverly Swerling (Fiction)

I stumbled across the first book in this series while spending time in an airport several years ago. The series revolves around the conflict between the Turner and Devrey families, both involved in the history of New York City.

This latest offering takes place during the middle of the 1800s. Nicholas Turner continues the family tradition of being a doctor but is more interested in research than in actual practice. His main focus is the affect of germs on patient health - a new concept in the 1840s. His distant cousin, Samuel Devrey, continues to try to reclaim the family shipping line from the control of the Astor family. While married to the supremely respectable Carolina (whom Nicholas secretly loves), he is also juggling a secret life with his Chinese wife who lives in what will become Chinatown.

The characters' lives intertwine with those of real New Yorkers and the author makes life during that time period come alive. I enjoyed the pacing of the book as well as trying to figure out who was real and who wasn't!

The Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard (paperback)

This is the sixth book in the Ophelia and Abby mystery series. All of them take place in the fictional Iowa town of Summerset and revolve around the adventures of Ophelia, the town's librarian and reluctant witch.

At a library fundraiser at a local winery (where the owner is named Ron Mark), Ophelia is drawn to a visitor there. When he is shot while walking with her, she is pulled into the investigation. Was she the target? What do the dreams she's been having mean? Will she finally come to terms with her powers as a witch and reluctant practitioner of "magick"?

I enjoy these books - and not because the Friends hosted a library fundraiser for the author at the Summerset Winery a few years ago! The story moves along rapidly, the characters are fun, and the author manages to tell murder mysteries without using graphic violence, language, or sexual connotations. I think the strongest word she used in this latest offering was "dang." A fun read!

Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg 636.6 Pep

If you read my blogs (and I'm sure I have many faithful readers out there!), you know that I am a sap for animal stories. This is in the same vein as Wesley the Owl. As a matter of fact, this book was referenced in the Wesley book. Irene Pepperberg is a scientist who spent 30 years with Alex. Alex died unexpectedly and prematurely. The day before he died he spoke his final words to Irene. "You be good. I love you." If that doesn't bring a tear to your eye you are not a sappy animal lover. But maybe you'll like the book anyway! It's fascinating what Alex taught the world of science.
My favorite scene in the book is on page 126. Alex and Irene are traveling from Chicago to Arizona by United Airlines. The scene at check-in was a laugh out loud moment! I loved the book.

Multiple Bles8ings by Jon& Kate Gosselin 920 gos

I think this would be an interesting book for anyone - but if you watch the tv show Jon and Kate + 8, you will love it! I watch all of the episodes, so as I read the book I could actually hear the dialogue in my head with their voices! If you don't know the background of this couple, here it is in a nutshell. Jon and Kate fell in love and married. They couldn't get pregnant so they went to a fertility doctor. They had twin girls. Then a few years later Kate wanted to have another baby and Jon finally gives in and says okay, let's have another baby. She becomes pregnant with 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. This is the story of those times. I was exhausted just reading the book - but I loved it.

Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair 306.89 Per

This book is by Laurie Perry and it is non-fiction. It is a touching but humorous book about a 30+ year old happily married woman. Well, that describes her one day. The next day her husband announces that he needs to leave to "get his creativity back". From the title you can guess how she took the news. Her husband didn't fight over custody of the four-legged kids. In fact he just left them - all four of the felines- with Laurie. That, of course, made it a lot harder to find a place to live when she needed to downsize to a more affordable place.
I have read several books about women finding comfort and new friendships by knitting or quilting - but they were fiction! This happens to Laurie in real life. Yep, knitting saved her sanity and led her to new friends.
A delightful and easy read.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Ms. Genova is a first-time novelist. I'm looking forward to her next book already! This book grabbed me from the first page. It is the fictional story of a 50 year-old Harvard professor who thinks she is going into menopause after checking out the symptoms online. Memory lapses, lack of concentration and so on. She finally goes to her doctor. She is actually in the early stages of early-onset Alzheimers. The book is told from her point of view and is very compelling. Ms. Genova is a neuroscientist from Harvard and also writes a column for the National Alzheimer's Association. In other words, she wasn't sitting at her kitchen table making this stuff up. So it may be fiction, but there are millions of people who are living this story. If you don't need to have a 'happy-ever-after' ending, read this book!