June's Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. 

We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...

My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. June's Book of the Month is: 

Beachcombers: A Novel by Nancy Thayer

Published as: Beachcombers in June 2010

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Birth Name: Nancy Patton

Born: 14 December 1943 in Emporia, Kansas

Canonical Name: Nancy Thayer

Pseudonyms: None

Beachcombers: A Novel by Nancy Thayer was the fifty-first book that I read in 2013. I have had this book on my TBR shelf since June 11, 2013 and it took me one day to read. It is definitely a keeper for me.

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Hillary Waugh - The Glenna Powers Case

57. The Glenna Powers Case by Hillary Waugh (1981)
Simon Kaye Series Book 1
Length: 218 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 28 June 2013
Finished: 29 June 2013
Where did it come from? It came as the third Hillary Waugh book in a package that I bought over the Internet from Augustine Funnell Books in Canada.
How long was it on my TBR pile? Since 1 March 2010
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and have read and enjoyed several books by the same author in the past.

She went looking for help - and all she found was death. She was one woman who singlehandedly faced down the ruthless drug dealers who were ruining the town's young people - and she did it alone. She had appealed to investigator Simon Kaye for help; but he had been unable to prevent her murder. Racked with guilt, he swore to avenge her.

He searched for her killers in the mean streets and greasy bars where the drug dealers plied their trade. But there was one thing investigator Simon Kaye didn't realize; drugs aren't only confined to the slums. Heroin can also be found behind the closed doors of the fanciest mansions in town. And so can murder!

I must say that this book wasn't really my cup of tea. I have read and enjoyed two previous books by this author, however I just don't enjoy gritty, drug-fueled plots all that much. I think that I will give this book a B+! 

B+! - (89-94%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Norah Lofts - A Rose For Virtue: The Very Private Life of Hortense, Stepdaughter of Napoleon I, Mother of Napoleon III

56. A Rose For Virtue: The Very Private Life of Hortense, Stepdaughter of Napoleon I, Mother of Napoleon III by Norah Lofts (1971)
Length: 278 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 25 June 2013
Finished: 28 June 2013
Where did it come from? I bought a hardcover copy of this book from a Library Book Sale in January of 2001 and then I acquired a paperback copy of this book from Paperback Swap in March of 2009.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 January 2001 as a hardcover; Since 28 March 2009 as a paperback.
Why do I have it? I like Norah Lofts as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Hortense Beauharnais finds herself rubbing shoulders with royalty when her mother remarries to become the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. As Napoleon struggles for power on the battlefields of Europe, so Hortense navigates her way through the French court - a precarious chessboard world where the motivations are jealousy and greed and the prizes are the thrones of conquered countries.

Despite attempts to retain her individuality, Hortense soon finds herself married to Napoleon's younger brother Louis - who is later crowned King of Holland. However, Hortense's heart belongs to Charles de Flahaut, a gallant young officer. Unwilling to cross her stepfather, Hortense must bide her time and wait and see whether time will take her to her lover.

I absolutely loved this book! It seems to be almost a forgone conclusion with me that I'll really enjoy any book written by Norah Lofts, I know, but that's just the way it has to be, I guess! :) In my opinion, she really captures the nuances of any particular historical period that she writes about.

Also, I find that the historical people who she writes about truly come alive - at least for me. I truly began to care for the characters as actual people, and not just as dry, historical symbols from a bygone era. I will certainly give this book an A+! and I definitely look forward to reading - or rereading - more books by this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Nancy Thayer - Moon Shell Beach: A Novel

55. Moon Shell Beach: A Novel by Nancy Thayer (2008)
Length: 309 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 23 June 2013
Finished: 25 June 2013
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 June 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and had read and enjoyed Beachcombers: A Novel by the same author in the past.

Lexi Laney and Clare Hart grew up together and lived an idyllic life in picturesque Nantucket. As children, they were forever sharing wondrous adventures and spending time together as best friends. And when it was time to share intimate secrets and let their imaginations run free, they escaped to their own private hideaway: Moon Shell Beach. But nothing ever stays the same. Once the complicated pressures of adulthood encroach, their intense bond of friendship becomes frayed, hurtful words are exchanged, and Lexi flees Nantucket for a life of luxury while Clare stays behind.  

A decade later, a newly divorced Lexi returns to make amends with those she left in her wake - particularly Clare, who still simmers with resentment toward her friend. Their emotional reunion is beset with challenges, as Lexi's return sets off a series of startling events. And as Clare's life takes an abrupt detour, Lexi wonders if the happiness and peace they once knew on Moon Shell Beach will, in the end, prove to be as fleeting as time and the tide.

I wish that I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. For the most part, it was very enjoyable, and I think Nancy Thayer is a wonderful writer. However, in my opinion, the plot began to derail slightly towards the end. The book certainly started off very strongly, but certain plot twists just didn't seem all that plausible to me.  

As a result, I had to give Moon Shell Beach: A Novel by Nancy Thayer an A! I'm very glad to have read this book, and will certainly read more from this author in the future. However, I think that I will hold off on that for a short while.

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Susan R. Sloan - Guilt by Association

54. Guilt by Association by Susan R. Sloan (1995)
Length: 529 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 20 June 2013
Finished: 23 June 2013
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 June 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and had read and enjoyed An Isolated Incident by the same author in the past.

December 22, 1962: A pretty young coed is found brutally beaten and sexually assaulted by her date - a handsome, wealthy Harvard law student. No one sees him do it and the police don't believe her story. Her life is entirely ruined while his flourishes. Now thirty years later, Senator Robert Drayton Wilmont has succeeded in becoming a suave, self-assured politician with aspirations of being America's next president, unless America learns the truth. 

Karen Kern has suffered more than enough. Thirty years after she was brutally raped, beaten and left for dead by Bob - a charming Harvard law student whom she innocently allowed to escort her home from a friend's Christmas party - she is still tormented by nightmares, trapped by fear and rage, and held prisoner by her shame. It was ultimately her word against his, and as the privileged son of an affluent and extremely powerful family, his claims were believed. Justice was denied to her, and Karen's life was completely altered from its original course.

Fueled by three decades of horrific memories, secrets and lies, Karen will do what most victims never do. She will get even. Justice delayed won't be justice denied for much longer if Karen Kern has her way...

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was an excellent plot with a very satisfying twist at the end. In my opinion, Susan R. Sloan is a brilliant writer. I give this book a definite A+! and am eagerly searching for more books to read by this author.

A+! - (96-100%)
          
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Anita Shreve - The Last Time They Met: A Novel

53. The Last Time They Met: A Novel by Anita Shreve (2001)
Length: 313 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 18 June 2013
Finished: 20 June 2013
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 24 April 2009
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

At a literary festival in Toronto, poet Linda Fallon encounters a face from her past: Thomas Janes, the famous poet, had once been at the center of Linda's life. Since last seeing him, she has married, given birth, and been widowed. Thomas' appearance rocks Linda, raising questions she had long since abandoned and inspiring new dreams. 

The Last Time They Met: A Novel moves backward in time to explore Linda's life years earlier. To age twenty-six, when an affair with Thomas shattered her life. And to age seventeen, thirty-five years earlier, when a chance first meeting on a rocky beach binds them fatefully together.

In my opinion, this was an absolutely excellent book. It did take several pages for me to get into the plot, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It may be because I had read The Weight of Water before this book - several characters from The Weight of Water were also in this book, although it can be read as a standalone - so the characters truly came alive for me and I became invested in their lives. I enjoyed The Weight of Water just as much as I did this book, and I will give The Last Time They Met: A Novel a definite A+! 

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Brooke Leimas - The Eighth Day

52. The Eighth Day by Brooke Leimas (1983)
Length: 284 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 15 June 2013
Finished: 18 June 2013
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 6 March 2013
Why do I have it? I like horror and Brooke Leimas is a new author for me.

The horror began without warning...The babies stillborn, monstrously deformed...The adults dying, one by one. Then, just as suddenly as it began - without cause or reason - it stopped. The beautiful New England town forgot. Once again healthy children skipped and played along its tree-lined streets. Everything was as it had been before. Except for eight children set apart from all the rest. Angelically beautiful...devilishly smart...unnaturally secretive. To get too close to them...to ask too many questions about them was to die. Horribly. Inexplicably.

One young doctor was willing to risk his career, his very life to know why. One beautiful woman, a child already growing within her womb, unknowingly held the answer. But time was running out. Soon no one would be safe. First Cayoga Falls, then the world, would witness the dark and terrible dawning of...The Eighth Day.

I'm not sure if the horror of the plot would be considered dated or not - at least by today's standards - however I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, the plot was unusual and gripping. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)
 
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight