Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Cal, Fox and Gage are childhood friends who share the same birthday. To commemorate their 10th birthdays, the boys sneak off to the woods, where they swear a blood oath to one another, unwittingly releasing a centuries-old demon. Every seven years for one week, all hell breaks loose on their small town, resulting in a horrific crime wave. Now, 21 years later, the demon's strength is growing and the 3 men know this might be their final chance to end the reign of terror.

Quinn Black is an author who specializes in the macabre, and has come to town to research her book on the phenomena that take place in Hawkins Hollow. She and Cal not only share an instant attraction to one another, but also the ability to experience things that happened in the past. When Layla inexplicable finds herself drawn to Hawkins Hollow, Quinn recognizes a connection to the demonic events, and summons her friend Cybil to complete the group.

This is the first book in the "Sign of Seven" trilogy, and focuses mostly on Cal and Quinn. While it is traditional Nora Roberts fare, it is an entertaining and quick read. Fans of paranormal romance will enjoy this book, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Silas "32" Jones is the constable of a tiny town in rural Mississippi. His childhood friend, Larry Ott, still lives in the house he grew up in and "operates" his father's automotive business - a business that hasn't had a customer in years, as Larry has long lived under suspicion in the disappearance of a local girl when he was a teenager.

When a similar crime takes place, Larry is at the center of suspicion when he himself is the victim of a violent crime. Silas reluctantly gets involved, knowing that Larry is innocent of the crime. As Silas digs deeper into the crime wave hitting his tiny community, he starts letting go of his own secrets - secrets that provide important details in the girl's disappearance so many years ago.

Franklin has written a quiet and thoughtful southern novel that studies friendship, secrets and justice. The majority of the characters are not all that likable overall, which made for a rather slow read for me. However, the interest in the crimes and hope for reconciliation kept me reading until the end.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Set in the not-too-distant future (the year 2044,) Cline's dystopian yet hopeful tale is a fun, thought-provoking and clever story.

Orphaned high school senior Wade Watts lives in the "stacks" - giant stacks of trailers piled on top of one another - with his aunt and several others just outside of Oklahoma City. In an effort to escape his bleak reality, he spends his days logged into the virtual world, "OASIS," where he has created an alternative identity and also where he attends school. When not attending his online classes or hanging out in a chat room with his best friend, he devotes his time to pursuing the ultimate gaming challenge - OASIS creator James Halliday's complex multi-layered puzzle, the winner of which will receive Halliday's fortune.

When Wade solves the first puzzle, he (or his avatar, Parzival,) is suddenly thrust into the limelight, triggering untold fame and infamy, as he becomes the main target for the evil corporation, IOI, who employ thousands in the hopes of solving the puzzle (and gaining the fortune and power) first. The floodgates are then open, as Wade's best friend, online crush, and brothers from Japan also solve the first puzzle, soon to be followed by the IOI bots (i.e. "Sixers.") It isn't long before the Sixers have the advantage, and are the closest to solving the final puzzle.

Can Wade and his friends outsmart and defeat the Sixers? Or will they all go down in fiery defeat? Will Wade ever be able to function in reality, instead of just online?

Cline's love of pop culture shines through in this endearingly geeky homage to the 1980's. There are so many layers to this story, it has the potential to appeal to a wide audience. Rumors indicate that a movie is already in the works!

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This time of year is perfect for curling up with a hot mug of tea and a truly terrifying ghost story. Heart-Shaped Box fits the bill nicely. Jude Coyne is an aging rock and roll star with a taste for the morbid - so when he is tipped off about a "ghost" that inhabits a recently deceased man's suit for sale on an internet auction site, he can't resist. The suit arrives - in a black, heart-shaped box - a few days later. Jude, his live-in girlfriend, Georgia, and his personal assistant, Danny have no idea what is in store for them.

The ghost wastes no time making himself known to the inhabitants of the house, not only making personal appearances, but also infiltrating the dreams of the occupants of the house, as well as transmitting his voice over the radio and TV. Jude, a wee bit disturbed by all of this undead activity in his home, discovers that the dead man just happens to be the stepfather of his previous girlfriend, who committed suicide when their relationship ended. Presumably, the ghost has come back with the intention of enacting revenge on Jude - by goading Jude into killing not only himself, but also anyone who tries to help him.

As Jude and Georgia attempt to outlast the ghost, Jude is also trying to outrun his dying father, a cold and abusive man, who is on his deathbed in rural Louisiana, and who he has not seen in over 30 years. As Jude and Georgia flee his farm in an effort to solve their ghostly predicament, they grow closer to figuring out a way to not only outsmart their ghost, but also determine what really happened to Jude's former flame. Through this all, Jude learns to grow up and see what is really important in his life...but is it too late?

I really enjoyed this book, I thought the ending was surprisingly upbeat considering the subject matter. If you enjoy feeling the hair stand up on the back of your neck, give this one a try. It is interesting to note that the author, Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. He seems to have the same gift for story telling that his father does.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Brunonia Barry has, in her first novel, written an ambitious tale of family, tradition, mental illness, witches, romance, and just about anything else you can think of. The end result, for the members of our Three Rivers Book Club, ranged from something that people "loved," "hated," or, were "thoroughly confused by."

Towner Whitney, living in California where she house sits and reads screenplays, returns to her hometown of Salem Massachusetts when she learns that her beloved "Aunt" Eva has gone missing. Towner has a complicated relationship with her relatives there - her mother, May, her brother, Beezer and her Aunt Emma and Uncle Cal. We learn that Towner (whose real name is "Sophya,") also had a twin sister who committed suicide while still in her teens.
Towner comes from a long line of lace readers, including Eva - who can divine the future by reading the patterns in lace - but chooses not to utilize her gift, as disastrous things have happened when she has. However, the similarities between lace reading and Towner's life are always there, haunting her.

This is not a book to be read quickly or lightly. There is so much to like about this book - Salem, Massachusetts as a setting is a character in its own right. I will not spoil the ending here, but only say that I felt as if I needed to read the entire book again as the (surprise)ending was revealed. The book shifts around from first person to third person - be warned that when in first person, the perspectives are not entirely reliable - and was a little clunky to read. If you enjoy books with a historical or paranormal slant, give this one a try.

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

When nervous flyer Emma Corrigan is on a turbulent flight, she unwittingly spills embarassing details about her life to the handsome American sitting next to her, thinking either she would never see him again or they were going to die in a fiery crash. When he turns up the next day as the owner of the company she works for, she is completely floored.

As her boss, Jack Harper continues to show an interest in Emma's life, seemingly tormenting her with the (mostly) little white lies that she has based her life on, and as she responds to his interest, she begins to live a more honest, less duplicitous existence, beginning with splitting up with her seemingly "perfect" boyfriend and dating Jack.

While this chick lit tale is as formulaic as they come, Emma and Jack are both very likable characters - Emma is sweet, her little lies are things many of us can relate to, and very funny. Of course, Jack is ruggedly handsome, very sexy and also very droll. This quick read is a fun book with a satisfying ending just perfect if you are looking for a little pick-me-up!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Liesel Meminger has just watched her little brother death and burial in a strange town when her mother deposits her with her new foster parents in the small town of Molching, Germany and disappears. Needless to say, Liesel has some trouble adjusting to all the changes in her 9-year-old life, waking up every night in her new home with a nightmare. Luckily, her new Papa, Hans Hubermann, is a gentle, kind man, who takes Liesel under his wing, sitting up with her every night when she has her nightmares, eventually using this time to teach the illiterate child to read. His wife, Rosa, is rough around the edges, and while Liesel grows to love her as well, she is closest to her Papa.

Liesel, the Book Thief, stole her first book at her brother's burial - The Gravedigger's Handbook - when it fell out of the grave digger's pocket. Hans teaches her to read with this book and doesn't ask too many questions when she comes home with other books, but reads them along with her. Words become of utmost importance and comfort in Liesel's life.

Growing up in wartime Germany, Liesel is witness to many acts of cruelty, but also acts of great courage and kindness. Her neighbor, best friend, and co-conspirator, Rudy, is her loyal companion and continuously demonstrates his willingness to to anything for her. Zusak shines the light on the other side of Nazi Germany - not everyone was a goose-stepping idiot, there were plenty of good-hearted folks living within the regime.

The tale is narrated by Death himself, who is quite taken by Liesel the first time he meets her, when he collects her brother's soul. Through his telling, occasional asides and foreshadowing, we get to know and love Liesel (and sort of get a kick out of Death.) The writing in this book is absolutely lovely in its imagery, language, and style. Zusak has written an unforgettable book about the Holocaust, about life, about love and friendship, and also about death. Who could resist a book where books are so crucial to the story line? This book is actually marketed towards Young Adults; however, it is a wonderful read for adults and older teens alike. Do yourself a favor, stick with the beginning which can be a little daunting to get into, have the tissues handy, and dive right in to this book. You'll be glad you did.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Silas "32" Jones and Larry Ott were friends once upon a time, growing up in rural Mississippi. Larry was a quiet, nerdy white kid who loved to read; Silas, an African American was a star baseball player at the local high school. One night, both of their lives changed forever when a girl that Larry had taken on a date disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. Although Larry was never charged with a crime, he was ostracized by his community, where he lived a solitary life with only one friend - the strange and troublesome Wallace Stringfellow. Although Silas escaped the area for several years following the girl's disappearance, he ends up back in town as the constable.

When another young woman goes missing, Larry is immediately under suspicion, and when he is almost fatally attacked, everyone (but Silas) assumes he had it coming. Silas does a little investigating on his own, knowing that Larry is not a murderer, as Silas has a little secret from that night long ago...

This is a quiet novel with memorable characters and enough intrigue to keep me interested. Overall, there were more questions left unanswered than answered - the author did offer some quick and dirty explanations behind some of the mysteries; however the final result, although satisfying, felt a little rough around the edges.

Nerd Alert! Simon Pegg's Autobiography

Even if you are not a fan of Simon Pegg, chances are you've seen in him in one of his movies - Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Run Fatboy, Run and, most recently, Paul. As a particular fan of his work, I was super-excited to see that he had written an auto-biography, but hesitant because the vast majority of biographies that I have read usually turn me off of that person. Happily, this is not one of those. Pegg has written a poignant, sweet, and funny tale of his life thus far.

Born into a middle-class family in western England, Pegg's mother was an amateur actress and his father a musician, so his creative apple didn't fall far from the tree. Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, he details his triumphs and tragedies, first loves and bromances, and throughout it all his adoration of science fiction and other nerdy pursuits. He even includes the autobiography he WISHED he could write, interspersed with the factual accounts, detailing his superhero-like prowess, rugged handsomeness and robotic sidekick.

I don't believe this book will broaden Pegg's appeal beyond those who are already fans - but if you are interested in reading more about him and his background, give this bio a try.

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

This story of whimsy, friendship and secrets is a perfect read to cozy up to this fall. Set in Walls of Water, North Carolina, the book is based around the seemingly different lives of Willa Jackson and Paxton Osgood. Willa was the quiet prankster in high school, who only returned to her hometown following the death of her father and after the demise of her marriage; Paxton, of the prominent Osgood family, is a community leader who still lives with her parents and is spearheading the renovation of an old, decrepit mansion that at one time belonged to Willa's ancestors.

When a skeleton is unearthed under the peach tree on the renovation site, Paxton and Willa unwillingly come together to solve a mystery that involves both of their grandmothers, who, were the best of friends at one time until a change in fortune that saw Willa's grandmother going to work for the Osgoods as a maid. While both grandmothers are still living, Willa's suffers from dementia and Paxton's from sassiness that make it difficult for the women to string together the events that led to the mysterious skeleton.

Sarah Addison Allen writes an enchanting tale that has a little something for everyone - romance, intrigue, humor, history, murder - even ghosts. Small town history and secrets are always a hit with me...and, as always, if you are a sucker for a happy ending, you will enjoy this latest offering from Allen.

Breaking Night by Liz Murray

Author Liz Murray is an amazing individual - emerging from extreme poverty and a situation most would consider hopeless, she has pulled herself up and out of a vicious cycle into a life meaningful not only to her, but to countless others worldwide.

Her story was first told via the Lifetime movie, "Homeless to Harvard," so the reader may already have a general idea of what she has endured in her young life. However, the book takes a much more in-depth look at the numerous issues Liz and her sister Lisa dealt with as children and young adults. The book is stuffed full of just about any dysfunction a person can think of - drug abuse, homelessness, child molestation, etc. - and is very difficult to read much of the time, especially when you consider that you are reading about a child that is going through all of these things.

Ultimately (and obviously) Liz breaks free from the restraints that have been placed upon her, goes back to high school and is accepted into Harvard. The rest, they say, is history. In Liz Murray's case however, it is history in the making. This is an inspirational story of forgivesness, strength, survival and overcoming. Stick with this one, it is worth the while!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This is a little book with a great big title and an even bigger heart. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is an unusual tale, told in the form of correspondence between numerous characters.

Juliet Ashton, who writes a human interest column in World War II London, is looking for a new project. The war is over, London is beginning to rebuild, and her column is played out. One day, out of the blue, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a resident of the isle of Guernsey, who spotted Juliet's name in a book. Juliet becomes intrigued by Dawsey's mention of the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," which was formed in order to prevent the members (who were violating curfew) from being arrested by the German soldiers who had taken over the island. She asks Dawsey to have anyone interested from the society write to her as well, in the hopes of doing an article on them.

Well, write to her they did - enthralling Juliet with life on the island and tales of coexisting with the German soldiers. Eventually, Juliet decides to visit Guernsey, despite the fervent wishes of her current suitor, the rich and powerful Mark Reynolds, who is looking to solidify their relationship. Will Guernsey spell the end of Juliet and Mark's relationship? Will the island and its people be everything Juliet hoped it would be? Will Juliet's career plans pan out as she hoped? Read this lively little book to find out the answers - you won't be disappointed!

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

Retired teacher Martha lives a solitary, yet she believes, fulfilling life on the farm that she shared with her now-deceased husband. One night, during a wicked storm, her life is altered forever when an odd couple show up on her porch, looking for shelter not only from the storm - but also from the "school" officials from where they had escaped from.

Lynnie and Homan are not only running to hide themselves - but also to hide a newborn baby to which Lynnie had given birth. When the couple is discovered, Buddy escapes into the storm, but Lynnie is taken back into custody, but not before hiding her baby in Martha's attic, hoping that Martha will shelter and care for her until they can be reunited. As Lynnie, who is developmentally disabled, is returned to the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded and Homan, who is hearing impaired, fends for himself in the world, Martha takes little Julia under her wing, becoming a refugee herself as she keeps her promise to Lynnie to hide her baby from the authorities.

This is a story of love, hope and loyalty that spans the ages. It is lovingly written and one of those books I just did not want to put down! Lynnie, Homan and Martha, among others, are such lovable and wonderful characters, you will root for them until the very satisfying conclusion.

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

I was a bit skeptical when I picked up this book - it immediately made me think of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea - but any concerns that I had were washed away as I lost myself in Grennan's tale of love, perseverance, heartbreak and self-discovery in Nepal.

When Conor Grennan decided to leave his job to travel around the world, he felt a little self-indulgent, so he made arrangements to volunteer at an orphanage in Nepal for a couple of months at the start of his trip. Plus, being a young single man, he figured the ladies would swoon over his obvious selflessness and sensitivity. He had no idea that his experiences in Nepal would be a life-changing event.

What Conor discovers during his brief stay in Nepal is that he cannot stay away. He returns a year later and becomes even more involved in the lives of the "orphans," who he discovers are not actually orphans. He discovers that they are the victims of a child trafficker and most, if not all, of their parents might still be alive. This leads him on an unlikely and unforgettable adventure into the Himalayas in search of the parents of the children.

What I like about this book is that it is so eminently readable. Grennan is a likable and self-effacing character, and his story is so inspirational. While there might be other more well-known stories of white-man-does-good-in-third-world-country, this one about reuniting families against near-impossible odds will stay with me. It truly demonstrates how one person, armed with a goal, good intentions and a heart can accomplish miracles.

This Mystery Series Has It All!

If you haven't read Julia Spencer-Fleming's excellent Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series, this is definitely one not to miss! The seventh book of the series, One Was a Soldier, is due out April 12th - but, don't start with this one. This is a series you definitely want to read in order.

Set in the fictional Adirondack village Miller's Kill, New York, Clare first comes to town as the new Episcopalian minister in the first book of the series, In the Bleak Midwinter. Here she is introduced to the sheriff, Russ. Clare is not your typical minister - not only is she a female, she is also a tough-as-nails former Army helicopter pilot. Russ, also a former army soldier, is the wizened married lawman of his hometown.

The two first come together to solve the mystery of an abandoned baby that is left at Clare's church, become friends who share a growing attraction to one another, and become a formidable team in solving the rash of crimes that go on in their little community. One aspect of the series that is very interesting is the different perspectives the two main characters come from in investigating the crimes - Clare from a sociological perspective, and Russ from a law enforcement perspective. Despite the fact that Clare is a reverend, this is not a cozy mystery series.

Here are the books in order:

1. In the Bleak Midwinter
2. A Fountain Filled with Blood
3. Out of the Deep I Cry
4. To Darkness and to Death
5. All Mortal Flesh
6. I Shall Not Want
7. One Was a Soldier

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

Moloka'i is the poignant tale of a young girl who is diagnosed with leprosy in the late 1800's, and sent to the leper colony on the island of Moloka'i, in the Hawaiian islands. Rachel Kalama is the baby of her close knit family. Growing up in Honolulu, the world is her playground, until one day an odd wound is discovered on her leg - her mother is able to keep it covered up, and warns the children not to tell anyone about it. One day, Rachel and her sister Sarah get into a knock-down, drag 'em out fight, and Sarah calls Rachel a "dirty leper" during the midst of it. The health inspector is waiting for Rachel when she gets home. She is removed from her family and taken to a hospital for testing, ultimately ending up at the leper colony on Moloka'i, far removed from friends and family.

Due to the extreme toll leprosy seemed to take on the Hawaiian natives and the lack of knowledge of communicable diseases, the Moloka'i settlement was created so that lepers would not be spreading their illness to others. What was not taken into account was the effect this isolation had on the patients' emotional and mental well-being. Despite the fact Rachel's uncle and girlfriend were already living on the island, Rachel had to move into a boarding school for girls, run by nuns. Here, Rachel grows into a young woman, forging relationships with both other patients and nuns that will span a lifetime. The book follows the course of her life - her loves, her losses, her triumphs and her defeats. Despite being banished to a remote island due to her illness, Rachel manages to live a full and satisfying life.

I do not want to give too much away, as I want you to fall in love with Rachel yourself, as I did. She is a strong and incorrigible spirit who fights for what and who she believes in. Despite being handed the equivalent of a death sentence when banished to Moloka'i, Rachel chooses life and love over death and misery. She refuses to be defined by her illness. Not only was Rachel's tale inspiring, the story of Moloka'i - a real place - was also intriguing. This book is a fine work of historical fiction, mixing just the right amount of fact with fiction, and I look forward to reading Brennert's latest, Honolulu.

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

Chelsea Cain's latest entry, her fourth, in the Archie Sheridan detective series does not disappoint. With serial killer Gretchen Lowell behind bars once again, Archie has slowly begun the physical and emotional healing process, and is back on the job at the Portland, Oregon Police Department with reporter Susan Ward at his side.

The city is undergoing the worst flooding it has seen in decades, and several people have drowned as a result - until the medical examiner discovers that the deaths were actually the result of a mysterious toxin only found in a rare type of octupus. The authorities are baffled by the clues they have to work with, until even one of their own falls victim to the serial toxin.

As Archie and his team tirelessly follow any and all leads, they are in a race against time as Portland's flooded streets become more and more dangerous and their colleague struggles to hang on. Will they be able to locate the source of the poisonous octopus and stop the killer before he strikes again? Will Susan piece together the historical clues from the vanished community of Vanport, washed away 50 years earlier in an earlier flood?

Chelsea Cain does a marvelous job in her first book where Gretchen Lowell is not a major player - she nicely ties in the historical back story with the contemporary crises. As always, her books are so well written, she keeps the action humming right along, and in this case, two mysteries are solved by the end of the book while the friendship between Archie and Susan deepens.

The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle

Camden Anderson has a pretty good life. She's a successful veterinarian, her husband owns and runs a popular restaurant, and they have a high-school age daughter who is smart, loving and responsible. Sure, her marriage has its share of rough patches, but whose doesn't? When she returns one day from a particularly nasty humane society rescue, Cami is completely blindsided by the fact her husband has left her.

Shattered by her sudden life change, Cami struggles to come to terms with the reality of her life, finding solidarity and companionship with an abused horse that she is boarding. Her friends, family and menagerie of pets support her and provide her with all kinds of distractions as she slowly begins the healing process. Cami's strength and ability to forge ahead yet still retain her vulnerability make her a very likable and real character.

This is a lovely story of love, friendship, camaraderie and forgiveness. The majority of the book is told from Cami's point of view, with just a few chapters from some of the other characters, which was interesting. I really appreciated the chapter that was from Cami's husband's perspective - it made him much more of a sympathetic character. This was a very engrossing story, with interesting characters and a plot that isn't rushed and doesn't gloss over the mess of relationships. I plan on checking out additional titles by this author.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.

When three friends who are up-and-coming young professionals in New York City wonder if the corporate fast lane is all it's cracked up to be, they decide there is only one way to find out. Leaving their jobs, their boyfriends and their lives behind, Holly, Amanda and Jen embark on a year-long adventure around the world.

After carefully researching and budgeting, the women begin their quest in South America. From there, they head to various locations in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Some aspects of the trip have been pre-arranged, such as relief work in Africa or studying at an ashram in India, but in between, the women leave themselves open to itinerary changes in an effort to broaden their experiences as much as possible.

As an armchair traveler, I loved reading about the different locations and cultures that the friends visited. Each of the women have a background in journalism, so they each took turns writing their experiences - although I did not really relate personally with any of the authors, the different perspectives were really interesting. This book is both a fascinating travelogue and a study in friendship.

Horns by Joe Hill

Joe Hill, author of Heart-Shaped Box, and son of horror legend Stephen King, continues to solidify his place among up-and-coming writers with his most recent work, Horns.

Ig Perrish awakens one morning with the mother of all hangovers...not to mention the horns growing out of his head. As he attempts to move through his day, he begins to realize that people aren't as freaked out by the horns as he thinks they should be. Plus, they tell him things that they normally would not tell anyone - secret, dark desires - then cannot remember the conversation or even that they spoke with him. In one such conversation, Ig's brother Terry reveals the who the killer of Ig's former girlfriend is, a crime that the community assumes was committed by Ig. Ig, with horns humming, decides to use his new power to trap the real killer.

Hill continues honing his storytelling abilities in this entertaining and thought-provoking read. He tackles age-old topics such as good vs. evil, what awaits in the afterlife, and what are people really thinking behind their public facades? Is forgiveness always an option? To learn more about this book and Joe Hill, see the widget below.