Marianne is a sixty year old German woman stuck in a loveless marriage and tries to kill herself. She is saved by three homeless men and her husband commits her to a mental institution. She escapes and ends up in a quaint town in Brittany, France where she makes herself a happy life with friends and joy. When her husband tracks her down will Marianne take him back and go back to her former life? Read a find out. I recommend this book. It was an easy read and you really root for Marianne’s happiness.

Once again Lynda Loigman enthralled me with her story of Augusta, a woman before her time. Although I had a preview of the story when attending her visit at East Meadow, I could not put this book down. It is filled with history and was a tribute to aging. Augusta reminded me of some Great Aunts, Aunts, and my own Mother who dealt with life events in the world around them. Kudos to Lynda for writing another touching book. Thank you!

Still Life by Louise Penny Really appreciated this sophisticated Mystery. Well written, well thought out, exciting, and engrossing. A different type of Mystery then many of the popular fiction I have read. Intricate plot planning, good character development, multi-dimensional characters, and a good mystery as well. I was very involved in trying to solve it. Also loved Armand Gamache, an introspective, honorable, diligent detective, interested in the people as well as the crime. I delighted in his manner of investigation, his desire to listen, to learn, to admit when he is stuck. Jane is dead, and many are suspected. As it is with small towns, everyone knows everyone and there are secretes, but there is also a marvelous feeling of community. The town itself becomes a character. A “Who done it”, of the highest caliber.

A prominent lawyer murdered: two sisters, vastly different and estranged, one is his widow, the other, not only her sister but his x wife. A son, staying with his dad and stepmom (his aunt) but secretly in touch with his biological mother, is accused of the murder. A twisty surprising novel. Much enjoyed.

This is Alison Bechel’s memoir graphic novel, which was also made into a Broadway musical. I think there were some interesting choices in what words she chose. Some of them were very academic. I am not sure if that was intentional to reference her father’s sophisticated preferences, but it made it a more challenging read. I did find the story interesting and it was a unique way to tell it through words and art. The book is very revealing and heartfelt. It helps tell a story of how we can all struggle with finding who we are.

A riveting historical novel/romance taking place during WWII in England and Ireland. It's the fifth in the Knocknashee series by one of my favorite authors. Grace and Richard have loved each other for four years, but it was never the right time to express their love.

I thought this was a very interesting book. When this book came out, I was too young for it, but I know it was a world wide phenomenon, and I always wanted to read it, so I finally got around to it. Even knowing the spoilers from hearing about them, reading about them, etc. it was still attention grabbing. I enjoyed how it told you parts of history and connected ideas you never thought of before. Even though it was fiction, it made you think about the world around you.

The Nemesis is the tenth book in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurtwitz. Evan is a highly trained former government assassin that now is a freelance hero. Each book is a high adrenaline entertainment thriller and character intensive. In this book he is dealing with a terrible personal betrayal, Tommy Stokack, who provides his weapons and is one of a very few true friends he has in the world. However, in the last book, ninth in the series, Evan saw that one of the worst murders he’d ever encountered was carrying Tom’s weaponry. Tommy refuses to explain and for Evan the next step is clear. Tommy is now a danger to the innocent and will have to be eliminated. I would read the series in order because the characters in this book have a deep relation with him and each other which develops with each book.

Zoe and Cassie Griffin were once very close, but twenty years ago became estranged. They were both members of a rock band and an incident occurred one night which fractured their relationship. The book weaves the past and present together skillfully as we gradually learn what happened. The themes are sisterhood and forgiveness. Realistic and satisfying ending.

Paddy Swan is a well known and charismatic chef who’s life is tragically ended one night when he is pushed off a train platform. His grieving widow, Nina, receives a lighter in the mail with a note from a man named Nick Radcliffe claiming that he used to work with Paddy and he thought she would like to have this memento. They exchange a few emails and start dating. Asche, Nina and paddy’s daughter, suspects something is off with Nick’s back story and investigates his past. Is Nick who he says he is? Can Asche prevent Nina from making a huge mistake? Do the women in Nick’s past come back to haunt him? Read and find out. I enjoyed this book with all of its twists and turns.