An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken 921 McC

Ms. McCracken is a successful novelist. She never thought she would get married and that was okay with her. Of course she meets another writer and falls madly in love. This is the story of her early marriage and her first pregnancy. The baby died in the ninth month and she had to go through labor to deliver him. It is a heartbreaking story. I am just going to quote from the book cover because it explains the book in the best way. "It is a story of true love and unfathomable sadness. It is a story of courageous recovery and bittersweet moments, of steadfast memories and deep affection. It is a story of the importance of friendship. It is a story of happiness and of hope." Definitely not a book for everyone, but it is well-written and very touching

Good-Bye and Amen by Beth Gutcheon

This is the follow-up book to Leeway Cottage. It was great. The format is a bit different. There are a lot of characters and they tell the story in snippets. It is interesting because we hear the same story from different points of view. It can be confusing sometimes - but at the back of the book is a list of characters. That would have helped if I had known it was there before I started reading! The story begins after the death of Sydney and Laurus, the parents of Eleanor, Monica and Jimmy. They all have their own scars from childhood. One of my favorite parts of the book is during the 'lottery' that takes place. The three adult children (with no spouses or children) are to choose what they want from Leeway Cottage, one at a time. I loved the reactions and strategies they each had! I really enjoyed both books.

Leeway Cottage by Beth Gutcheon

A new book caught my eye and I began reading the jacket. There I discovered that it was a follow-up book to this book, Leeway Cottage. Often it is not that important to read books in order since the author manages to bring you up to date with what has gone on with the characters. In this case I am very glad I read this one first. It is the generational story of a family who summer in a coastal village in Maine. The main character is Sydney who grew up with a loving father and a jealous, cold mother. At the beginning of World War II she falls in love with Laurus, a talented pianist from Denmark. They elope. A year later they begin a four-year separation when Laurus goes to London to help organize a Danish Resistance. I was fascinated by this part of the story that told about what went on in Denmark during that time. They rescued almost all of the 7000 Jews in their country.
Laurus comes back home and meets his nearly four-year-old daughter and begins the next phase of his life. The characters are interesting and the background is well-done. I am almost half-way through the second book which picks up immediately after the death of Sydney and Laurus. I'll be blogging on that one soon!

Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

Chloe Hobbs is the only human living in Sugar Maple. And she is their only salvation.

Descended from a long line of sorceresses, Chloe must find a way to get her magic in order to save the town from outsiders. A charm cast by her ancestor provided that as long as someone in her line was around to keep the magic going, the town would be a safe haven for all magical beings--werewolves, vampires, trolls, and the fae. However, with Chloe still not accessing her magic, that charm is losing power.

Then someone dies. The first death since Chloe's parents. And the investigation brings in an outsider--a cop who has to investigate. And suddenly, Chloe's whole world is turned upside down.

A humorous and charming romance story. For those who love knitting, you'll get a kick out of a main character who owns a yarn store, and can teach anyone how to knit. Tips and tricks are listed in the back of the book. If you don't really like magical beings, you'll still like the book!

The Distance Between Us by Bart Yates (Fiction)

At 71, Hester Parker is dealing with the end of her 45-year marriage. When she rents her upstairs apartment to a young college student, she has no idea of the impact he will have on her family.

Hester is handling a lot - the end of her concert pianist career many years before, her children who want nothing to do with her, the fact that her husband left her for another woman. She is bitter and angry. Her biting wit can hide many things but not this.

Many times while reading this book, I wanted to shake everyone in it. Although I didn't always agree with Hester, I found myself liking her and understanding where her actions were coming from.

I enjoyed the way the author wrote, especially about music and the way it affected all of the characters in the book. His characters were believable and compelling and the pages flew by all too quickly.

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!