Back of the book:

This #1 bestselling legal thriller from Michael Connelly is a stunning display of novelistic mastery – as human, as gripping, and as whiplash-surprising as any novel yet from the writer Publishers Weekly has called “today’s Dostoevsky of crime literature.”

Mickey Haller is a Lincoln Lawyer, a criminal defense attorney who operates out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, traveling between the far-flung courthouses of Los Angeles to defend clients of every kind. Bikers, con artists, drunk drivers, drug dealers – they’re all on Mickey Haller’s client list. For him, the law is rarely about guilt or innocence, it’s about negotiation and manipulation. Sometimes it’s even about justice.

A Beverly Hills playboy arrested for attacking a woman he picked up in a bar chooses Haller to defend him, and Mickey has his first high-paying client in years. It is a defense attorney’s dream, what they call a franchise case. And as the evidence stacks up, Haller comes to believe this may be the easiest case of his career. Then someone close to him is murdered and Haller discovers that his search for innocence has brought him face-to-face with evil as pure as a flame. To escape without being burned, he must deploy every tactic, feint, and instinct in his arsenal – this time to save his own life.

My thoughts:

This wasn’t my first taste of Mickey Haller. I read the second book, The Brass Verdict, about three years ago, so I was already familiar with him and his unconventional ways. This book is a great introduction to Haller, who is a stark contrast to Connelly’s other leading man, Harry Bosch.

Haller believes in doing what he has do to get the job done, whether it’s negotiate with drug dealing bikers or arrange for a client to drive him around to work off his bill. When a big money client comes his way in this book, he soon finds out that some things are too good to be true. Even the best lawyer can be out-manipulated from time to time.

I really like Haller as a character. He’s entertaining and loyal and charmingly still hung up on his ex-wife. The audiobook was very well-done, and I’ll probably continue digesting the series that way.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “The plot and pacing are the strong points in this one. I didn’t care for the main character, and some of the writing.” — Annette’s Book Spot
• “Connolly can write, and that makes this book worth reading.” — Peggy Blair – Getting Published
• ” The courtroom action had a more engaging pace and less objective pace than others I have read…” – Nightmares, Day Dreams, and Imagined Conversations

Past reviews:

2011: A Drop of the Hard Stuff (Lawrence Block)
2010: Desert Heat (J.A. Jance)
2009: The Chemist (Janson Mancheski)
2008: Grave Sight (Charlaine Harris)
2007: The Bone Collector (Jeffery Deaver)
2006: Visions in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: Jackdaws (Ken Follett)

Back of the book:

It all comes down to love or money in a harrowing custody battle over a little girl, set against the glossy backdrop of the magazine and advertising worlds in 1960s London.

A privileged girl from a privileged class, Eliza has a dazzling career in the magazine world of the 1960s. But when she falls deeply in love with Matt, an edgy working-class boy, she gives up her ritzy, fast-paced lifestyle to get married.

By the end of the decade, however, their marriage has suffered a harrowing breakdown, culminating in divorce and a dramatic courtroom custody battle over their little girl. Also at risk is Eliza’s gorgeous family home, a pawn in the game, which she can’t bear to give up.

True to form, Penny Vincenzi introduces a devious cast of characters seemingly plucked from the pages of sixties- and seventies-era magazines, as she deftly maneuvers between the glamorous, moneyed worlds of fashion and advertising, and a heart-wrenching custody battle going on in the courtroom where the social mores of the time are on full display.

My thoughts:

I love Penny Vincenzi, though I can’t tell you exactly why.

Part of it is the rich world she delivers. I know little about London in the 1960s, or about fashion magazines, or about real estate, but I was immediately drawn into Eliza and Matt’s lives. I enjoyed reading about how they flit in and out of each others’ lives before they marry. I also liked seeing the social changes happening in the world during that time period.

A larger part of it is the dialogue. Vincenzi relies heavily upon dialogue to tell her story, with some sections having no exposition at all. It can get confusing at times — there were a few sections where it took a paragraph or two before I was certain who was speaking — but her dialogue is so natural and effortless that I couldn’t summon a care.

As for the characters, there are definitely a lot. Not only are there Eliza and Matt and their respective families, but several friends, acquaintances, and coworkers. Each of them works to show a different aspect of the story; no one is superfluous. I liked both Eliza and Matt, and could see each of their points of view, but I definitely thought Matt was a bit too boorish. I understand that Vincenzi was trying to root him solidly in out-dated mid-century views, but sometimes his bull-headedness was a bit overdone. But I guess it balances out when you consider how ridiculously helpless Eliza is at times. You can see why they were attracted to each other, but you can also see that it was doomed from the start.

That all may sound like I really have a beef with the book, but I definitely did not. I loved this, from beginning to end. It was an absolute joy to read. It made me think, and it made me feel, and I’m not sure what more you can ask for.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “More Than You Know is an emotional and entertaining story of the Fullerton-Clark and Shaw families and their friends during a time of great change.” — Bookfan
• “I really enjoyed the time period that this story was written in as well. Penny has a talent for writing very strong female characters that fight for what they believe in.“ — Cozy Up With a Good Read

Past reviews:

2011: In the Name of Honor (Richard North Patterson)
2010: Food Rules (Michael Pollan)
2009: Can You Keep a Secret? (Sophie Kinsella)
2008: The Friday Night Knitting Club (Kate Jacobs)
2007: From Potter’s Field (Patricia Cornwell)
2006: Divided in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: Abandoned Prayers (Gregg Olsen)

Back of the book:

Trying to mix business with pleasure, KEY News correspondent Diane Mayfield has brought her children and her sister to the New Jersey Shore town of Ocean Grove to investigate a story on “girls who cry wolf” for the season premiere of “Hourglass,” television’s highly rated news magazine.

Diane lands an exclusive interview with a troubled young woman whose tale of being abducted and held against her will for three terrifying days had been disbelieved by the authorities. No sooner does Diane finish taping the interview, though, than a second victim disappears.

The small community, already in the grip of a record heat wave, is now wracked by fear and terror–no one knows who could be next. With only the first victim as eyewitness, Diane and the police turn to her for clues. But it may already be too late to save Diane and her loved ones from the mortal danger that lurks in Ocean Grove.

My thoughts:

I wasn’t particularly thrilled with this. It wasn’t bad, per se, it just didn’t excite me. The mystery is well-enough constructed that I was surprised by who the bad guy was, but I never really connected with Diane or her kids. She was always the victim, and I just found nothing about her to be the least bit interesting, not even her jailed husband. Her daughter was even worse — stereotype, through and through.

The part that really rubbed me wrong was the undertone the entire book had about eating disorders. It felt like the author had an agenda to push, and it was really forced. If you want to teach us something about eating disorders, please don’t make every teenaged girl in the story have one.

This was the first Mary Jane Clark I’ve read, and I don’t think I’ll jump at reading another.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “This is the third book I have read by Mary Jane Clark and is my favorite of the three.” — Confessions of a Book Addict
• “I found that this book takes a good look at what a troubled teen will go though to get the attention they need to feel loved and accepted.” – My Book Reviews

Past reviews:

2011: Blood Vines (Erica Spindler)
2010: Hit and Run Holiday (Carolyn Keene)
2009: In the Woods (Tana French)
2008: Midnight Bayou (Nora Roberts)
2007: The Black Echo (Michael Connelly)
2006: Purity in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: Wicked (Gregory Maguire)

Back of the book:

The Sandcastle Girls is a sweeping historical love story steeped in Chris Bohjalian’s Armenian heritage.

When Elizabeth Endicott arrives in Aleppo, Syria she has a diploma from Mount Holyoke, a crash course in nursing,  and only the most basic grasp of the Armenian language.  The year is 1915 and she has volunteered on behalf of the Boston-based Friends of Armenia to help deliver food and medical aid to refugees of the Armenian genocide.  There Elizabeth becomes friendly with Armen, a young Armenian engineer who has already lost his wife and infant daughter.  When Armen leaves Aleppo and travels south into Egypt to join the British army, he begins to write Elizabeth letters, and comes to realize that he has fallen in love with the wealthy, young American woman who is so different from the wife he lost.

Fast forward to the present day, where we meet Laura Petrosian, a novelist living in suburban New York.  Although her grandparents’ ornate Pelham home was affectionately nicknamed “The Ottoman Annex,” Laura has never really given her Armenian heritage much thought. But when an old friend calls, claiming to have seen a newspaper photo of Laura’s grandmother promoting an exhibit at a Boston museum, Laura embarks on a journey back through her family’s history that reveals love, loss – and a wrenching secret that has been buried for generations.

My thoughts:

I didn’t learn of the Armenian Genocide until I was the ripe old age of 19 or 20. I went to college in Waltham, Massachusetts, and one day on a drive through the neighboring town of Watertown, I spotted the Armenian Library and Museum. Realizing I had no idea where Armenians were from, I went home and looked them up.

Bohjalian, the grandson of Armenian survivors, has dropped us into the midst of the genocide, and has given us multiple points of view. First there is Elizabeth, the young Boston girl who is there to do mission work. Her counterpoint is Armen, a young Armenian engineer who is searching for his wife and daughter and surviving solely because of his usefulness. He searches every group of refugees that arrives in Aleppo, Syria after a ruthless march through the desert, but so far, the search is fruitless. These, and the additional points of view, give us the experience from many sides, and I think it’s a crucial part of the story construction.

In the present day, Laura is becoming increasingly obsessed with finding out the story of her grandparents, Armen and Elizabeth, a task made more difficult by their reluctance to talk about their experience. When she began her search, she had no idea the incredible story she would uncover.

I thought Bohjalian told a lovely story, full of joy and sorrow and missed opportunities. We get a taste of the Armenian culture, as well as an idea of the conditions of the genocide, without it being either too whitewashed or too overwrought. When a taste of the true horror is needed, he gives it to you, and when you need a taste of kindness, you get that too.

I’ve recently read another book that was very personal to the author: The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman, set in the time and place where she grew up. In that case, I felt that her closeness to the story was a huge set-back. The Sandcastle Girls is the complete opposite of that. This feels like a labor of love, and I think Bohjalian really did justice to the Armenian people and their troubled history.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “I’ve never read another work of fiction that has more completely and almost effortlessly captured the Armenian genocide of the early 2oth century.” — Devourer of Books
• “I feel comfortable recommending it to any reader, regardless of what kind of genre they like best, even a crime fiction lover like me.” — Don’t Mind the Mess
• “‘This is the most important book I’ll write,’ tweeted Bohjalian to me on July 7 when I mentioned on Twitter that I was starting the book.” — Red Shutters

Past reviews:

2011: Pale Demon (Kim Harrison)
2010: Rest in Pieces (Rita Mae Brown)
2009: Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead)
2008: Ice Trap (Kitty Sewell)
2007: The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
2006: Betrayal in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: Open Season (Linda Howard)

Back of the book:

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life is set to blow sky high when international murder hits dangerously close to home, in this dynamite novel by Janet Evanovich.
 
Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, and she’s flying back to New Jersey solo. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. And a ragtag collection of thugs and psychos, not to mention the FBI, are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.
 
Only one other person has seen the missing photo—Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.
 
Over at the bail bonds agency things are going from bad to worse. The bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke. Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their largest skip yet. Lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment. And everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii?

Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii.  And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is . . . It’s complicated.

My thoughts:

After a string of 4 or 5 lackluster books, I feel like Evanovich has managed to breathe at least a little bit of new life into this stale series. Some things haven’t changed – Stephanie’s still not the greatest bounty hunter, has horrible luck with cars, and can’t make up her mind about either Morelli OR Ranger. Though after her disastrous Hawaiian vacation, she’s not particularly anxious to be face-to-face with either of them.

Stephanie actually does a fairly good job of fending for herself in this one, fighting off fake FBI agents and apartment intruders with no outside help. Unfortunately, this also meant we didn’t see nearly enough of either guy. And I could do with a little bit less Lula. She’s actually managed to become a caricature of herself, all tight clothes and buckets of chicken.

As for the mystery of what’s in the photo, I found that part of the plot more than a little implausible. It felt like Evanovich was making a jump into technology that she really wasn’t prepared for.

I think it’s going to take a lot to get this series back to where it was at its peak, but this one was entertaining enough to keep me reading until the end. But maybe Stephanie can find some personal growth in the next one?

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “I am getting off the crazy train. If I want to read cars getting blown up, her sneaky snarkness, and some hot glimpses of two actual men…I’ll read the early plum books.” – Badass Book Reviews
• “This is the worst Stephanie Plum yet; I’m so disappointed.” — Peppermint Ph.D.
• “If you’re looking for an entertaining read filled with mishaps, explosions/fires, funerals, mysterious people turning up in Stephanie’s apartment and Stephanie stuck between her love for two men this would be your read.” — Mrs Q: Book Addict

Past reviews:

2011: Heads You Lose (Lisa Lutz & David Hayward)
2010: What Do We Do Now? (Keith Malley & Chemda)
2009: Soul Catcher (Michael C. White)
2008: Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)
2007: Full House (Janet Evanovich)
2006: Judgement in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: The Sigma Protocol (Robert Ludlum)

Back of the book:

Some secrets can’t be kept…

Years ago, they were all the best of friends. But as time passed and circumstances changed, they grew apart, became adults with families of their own, and began to forget about the past—and the terrible lie they all shared. But now Gordon, the youngest and wildest of the five, has died and the others are thrown together for the first time in years.

And then the revelations start.

Could their long-ago lie be the reason for their troubles today? Is it more dangerous to admit to what they’ve done or is it the strain of keeping the secret that is beginning to wear on them and everyone close to them? Each one of these old friends has to wonder if their secret has been discovered—and if someone within the circle is out to destroy them.

My thoughts:

I did not like this book anywhere near as much as I’ve liked Lippman’s other novels. She states that this is the most personal book she’s written, setting it in the area she grew up in, and I think the plot suffers for it.

The story follows the adult versions of childhood friends Gwen, McKey (nee Mickey), Tim, and Sean, awkwardly brought together after the death of the boys’ younger brother, Gordon. They are all keeping a terrible secret, which is supposed to be revealed to us in drips and drabs along the way, both through the present and the past.

The point of view jumps from character to character, which does not bother me at all. However, during the parts from the point of view of the children, the point of view is an unspecified “we”. It’s not like it’s one of the children and it’s a simple switch to first person – it’s apparent that it’s not any particular one of them. Those sections drove me crazy, and completely distracted me from the story.

The plot meanders along, and really struggled. By the end, it was difficult to muster any strong emotions about the “big” secret.  It felt like Lippman really wanted to use this setting, but had a hard time finding a story to go along with it. I think she was too close to it.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “Once you start, you will want to make sure you have time to devote to it, because you’re not going to be able to put it down until the very end.” — Life in Review
• “It’s an intriguing contemporary fiction read, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for something quick and gripping.“ – S. Krishna’s Books
• “The book moved really slow for me, but did pick up steam by the end . . . only to really annoy me.” – Laura’s Reviews

Past reviews:

2011: The Complaints (Ian Rankin)
2010: The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (Christopher Moore)
2009: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson)
2008: One Mississippi (Mark Childress)
2007: Deal Breaker (Harlan Coben)
2006: Witness in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: Ceremony in Death (J.D. Robb)

Back of the book:

Though a small town at heart, Lawrenceton, Georgia, has its dark side-and crime buffs. One of whom is librarian Aurora “Roe” Teagarden, a member of the Real Murders Club, which meets once a month to analyze famous cases. It’s a harmless pastime-until the night she finds a member killed in a manner that eerily resembles the crime the club was about to discuss. And as other brutal “copycat” killings follow, Roe will have to uncover the person behind the terrifying game, one that casts all the members of Real Murders, herself included, as prime suspects-or potential victims.

My thoughts:

This is one of Charlaine Harris’s non-paranormal series, and I liked it quite a bit. Roe Teagarden is our mild-mannered librarian heroine – tiny, bespectacled, and unable to keep her nose out of other people’s business. Though when she’s the one to find the body of one of her fellow Real Murders Club members prior to a meeting, it’s hard to argue that it’s not her business too.

Through Roe, we meet her other true-crime-obsessed associates and try to figure out which one could possibly be the killer. We also get a little bit of a love triangle, as Roe finds herself attracted to not only the detective assigned to the case, but her new neighbor, a crime novelist. In true cozy mystery fashion, the characters in Lawrenceton are quite colorful.

Definitely a series I will be continuing.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “This story has none of the trademark features of Harris’s writing that make her books so appealing to me: the charming evocation of life in the South; engaging portraits of quirky characters; snappy writing with humorous turns; and romantic interludes that are creatively complicated.” — Rhapsody in Books
• “This page turning novel kept me guessing who the killer was right up until the end.” — Cozy Book Reviews
• ” I mean it was okay in the end, but I felt as if it was missing something, I don’t really know how to describe my feelings though.” – Tales of a Book Addict

Past reviews:

2011: The Devil in the White City (Erik Larson)
2010: Shakespeare’s Landlord (Charlaine Harris)
2009: The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears (Dinaw Mengestu)
2008: The Death of Vishnu (Manil Suri)
2007: Mistral’s Kiss (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2006: Micah (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2005: The Vile Village (Lemony Snicket)

Back of the book:

In the small village of Edgecombe St. Mary in the English countryside lives Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson’s wondrous debut. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, the Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother’s death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and regarding her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?

My thoughts:

There was something quite charming about this book. Major Pettigrew appears to be a sweet old man on the surface, but beneath he’s quite opinionated, and more than a little dismayed at some of the changes in his life. His brother has passed away, his son appears ready to dispel with the family estate, and the pastoral view behind his home is in danger of disappearing. The sometimes-shy-sometimes-bold Mrs. Ali (an also-widowed foreigner) seems to be a perfect match for him, but others in his staunchly conservative traditional countryside town have different ideas.

This book has a lot to say about family, race, religion, age, and tolerance. The young in the story have much to learn from the old, and vice versa. The English countryside setting is relaxing, despite being a little stressful for its inhabitants. The concept of manor homes and Lords and family estates is a bit foreign to most of us in the U.S., but I think that’s part of what lends the setting its charm.

I really liked Major Pettigrew. He’s old-fashioned, yet forward thinking. Gentle, yet cranky. Intelligent, yet frighteningly obtuse at times. He really is the star of the story, and not just because his name’s on the cover.

I wouldn’t call this an exciting read, but it was certainly a good one. It was unanimously liked in my book club, and that’s not easy to find.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “I could hardly bear to put it down and frequently found myself itching with anticipation in the moments I wasn’t reading it.” — Caroline Bookbinder
• “This is a quiet book, at first, and its tone, combined with very strong, very realistic characters, reminds me of Ann Tyler’s Digging to America.“ — The Book Shark
• “Written with an absorbingly dry and witty sense of humor, the kind that’s hard to find nowadays, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand keeps us chuckling throughout.” — Life Wordsmith

Past reviews:

2011: The Woman He Married (Julie N. Ford)
2010: Black Seconds (Karin Fossum)
2009: An Ice Cold Grave (Charlaine Harris)
2008: Whitewash (Alex Kava)
2007: Op-Center (Tom Clancy)
2006: The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
2005: Blue Gold (Clive Cussler)

Back of the book:

Hidden deep beneath Manhattan lies a warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries, mostly forgotten by those who walk the streets above. There lies the ultimate secret of the Museum Beat. When two grotesquely deformed skeletons are found deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid the investigation. Margo must once again team up with police lieutenant D’Agosta and FBI agent Pendergast, as well as the brilliant Dr. Frock, to try and solve the puzzle. The trail soon leads deep underground, where they will face the awakening of a slumbering nightmare.

My thoughts:

I thought this was on par with the first book, Relic, and even a bit better in parts. There’s a lot here about the New York Underground, which is a much more interesting location than the Museum. The cast of characters is much the same, including Lieutenant D’Agosta and Agent Pendergast, but there are some colorful additions, such as Mephisto, the underground leader. I even felt like I came out of this book with a better understanding of the first one. Overall, this was enjoyable and I suspect I’ll read more in the series.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “Reliquary is a thriller that keeps the reader’s attention.“ – Jandy’s Reading Room

Past reviews:

2011: The Likeness (Tana French)
2010: The Seventh Commandment (Lawrence Sanders)
2009: Dead to the World (Charlaine Harris)
2008: Living Dead in Dallas (Charlaine Harris)
2007: A Death in Belmont (Sebastian Junger)
2006: A Long Way Down (Nick Hornby)
2005: The Bastard (John Jakes)

Back of the book:

Seth Quinn is finally home.

It’s been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, he’d been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who’d watched over him with love.

Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he’s back in the little blue-and-white house where there’s always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.

Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher since he’s been gone-and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who’s opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge-a challenge that she can’t resist.

My thoughts:

Eighteen years have passed since the third book in the Quinn Brothers trilogy, and some things in St. Christopher never change. The three oldest Quinn brothers are still building boats, the Quinn wives are still putting up with their shenanigans, and everyone still supports the other, without question. But Seth has been gone for five long years, running more from his past than from his present. Almost immediately upon his return, his artist’s eye is caught by the new florist, Dru, who is doing a little running of her own.

This was a solid finish to what was already a great trilogy, possibly my favorite Roberts series. There was a consistent theme of family, and how the ones you make can be more important than the one you are born into. And, of course, there was a tempestuous romance to fill in the gaps.

If you aren’t already a fan of Nora Roberts, this is a great series to start with. Particularly if you are turned off by the thought of her paranormal books. There are a couple of ghosts, but nothing that I think qualify as paranormal – they’re more visions than anything. What you get the most is a great family in a great setting.

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | WorldCat

Other reviews:

• “Roberts is very good with this type of romance, with enough tension to keep the story going, yet obvious in its conclusion. It is getting to the conclusion in Chesapeake Blue that touches the reader.” — Jandy’s Reading Room
• “I think the readers who’ll enjoy Chesapeake Blue most are the readers familiar with the other books in this series, which are Sea Swept (1997), Rising Tides (1998) and Inner Harbor (1998).” — Dreamworld Book Reviews
• “This book and the entire series on the Quinn Legacy are extraordinarily written with some of that Nora Robert’s humor thrown in.” — Book Reviews by Angie

Past reviews:

2011: Love in Infant Monkeys (Lydia Millet)
2010: Already Dead (Charlie Huston)
2009: Summer Knight (Jim Butcher)
2008: Mirror Image (Sandra Brown)
2007: The Cater Street Hangman (Anne Perry)
2006: A Caress of Twilight (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2005: The Ersatz Elevator (Lemony Snicket)