Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

This book was horrible. If I could give no stars, I would. I had to laugh at another reviewer say that they wanted to throw the book. I wanted to throw it and burn it. If I saw that the main character "say" the word, "honey" or "sweetie" one more time, I really was going to throw the book.

The other dialogue was bad, too. No one talks like the way the characters did. I almost threw up at some of the phrases the author used, like when talking about the one annoying, clueless step daughter "practically fell into [the EX stepmother's] arms." this girl was an adult, not a three year old, for crying out loud. SO dramatic.

The connection that Jill had with two EX step daughters was bizarre. I understand still having a connection, but she seemed obsessed, not to mention obtuse.

I can honestly say this is quite possibly the worst book I have ever attempted to read.

And who had the bright idea of using a kid on the cover running to someone when all three of the kids were actually a lot older?


This blog looks a little different because I had originally just posted this review on www.goodreads.com. However, I received 19 "likes" on it, so I decided to share it here. Any comments or thoughts are appreciated. :) 

Night Film by Marsha Pessl

Well, I wanted to love this book...and for a little while, I did. I thought the concept was brilliant, and then I thought the way the author used tools of immersion, such as pages that looked like real news articles was very original. 

The premise is this: Ashley Cordova, 24, commits suicide. She is the daughter Stan Cordova, a creator of night films. He is an enigma and never seen in public anymore. He is quite the mystery with legions of fans. The facts surrounding Ashley's death are hazy at best. Enter investigative journalist, Scott McGrath who once tried to tap into the dark world of Cordova and found himself ruined as a result. 

McGrath reopens his investigation on the Cordova family once Ashley's body s found. With the help of two others who encountered Ashley, they set off on a whirlwind investigation, trying to find out the real reason behind Ashley's suicide. 

The reader is then plunged into a dark netherworld of Stan Cordova's films and lifestyle, leading you to believe Ashley was a victim of her father's interests and likes. Without giving too much away, I was riveted to the book, really wanting to know what happened to Ashley. 

As it went on, though, I felt it start to drag. This is worse than a whole book dragging because I was so into it at first. I wasn't even that disappointed at the reason Ashley took her life. I was more disappointed in the very ending. I thought it was too much and over the top. 

This book took a lot of time. It is very long and while I see the originality in it, I am glad it is time for my next book. 

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Still Foolin' 'Em-Where I'm Going, Where I've Been and Where the Hell Are My Car Keys by Billy Crystal

You don't have to be a fan or really have to know anything about Billy Crystal or his work to enjoy this book. I really thought this was a fun book. It actually made me laugh out loud at some parts. 

What a life Mr. Crystal has had. While he is a major celebrity now, he really had to work hard to make it. Mr. Crystal lets us in on some never before known facts about his life and his journey through his work.  Personally, one of my favorite movies EVER is When Harry Met Sally... and there were stories in here that really deliver about that movie alone. He also tells stories about his childhood describing relatives that made me, at least, feel that I was actually introduced to some of them. 

And, just like I always say about celebrities, please keep in mind they are REAL people with REAL families and REAL lives. They entertain us as a JOB, not who they are. 

Also touching in the book, is Mr. Crystal's apparent love for his immediate family, especially his wife, Janice. While the book was humorous in a LOT of places, it was also very moving in others. He has an upbeat look at life at 65 and looks forward to more loving and more living.


I happened to be in New York one weekend when Billy Crystal was doing a book signing at Book Revue in Huntington, New York. So, I have a signed copy of this book. I was thrilled to meet Mr. Crystal. Unfortunately, the line was too long and we weren't allowed to take pictures WITH him, but my mom did get a good shot of him as he signed books: 

 Who doesn't love a good success story and a positive outlook? I recommend this one. Pick it up! Oh, it is nominated for a GoodReads award this year!  

The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for an honest review. I am a little biased when it comes to Beverly Lewis' books because her book, The Shunning was the very first Amish fiction book I read. I have been hooked ever since. Even better, I was thrilled to see characters from that book in this one.

This book is about Jenny Burns who has had a love for a simpler lifestyle ever since she can remember. She struggles because her own family can't understand her heart's desires. However, after starting a friendship with a young Amish woman, Marnie, Jenny makes up her mind to sell all her belongings and move to the heart of Lancaster County to attempt to become Amish herself. 

Jenny is welcomed into the home of Rebecca and Samuel Lapp to start her Proving time, the time in which she will learn the Amish ways. Jenny's hope is that eventually she can be baptized into the Amish church and officially join the community of Hickory Hollow. 

The problem is that just like with anything else, nothing is as easy as it seems. As one character in the book points out, no community is perfect. Jenny struggles with fitting in and finds that learning the Old Ways are harder than she anticipated. 

Jenny's journey continues to the point of where she has to make a decision. She feels that she can't live up to all that is expected of a typical Amish woman. Will she return to her old lifestyle? Will she be able to make it through her proving period?

I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen to Jenny and the family and friends she grows attached to while in Hickory Hollow. There was just one end that was left untied at the end, in my opinion and it had to do with Jenny's ex boyfriend. 

However, overall, I enjoyed this book and if you are a Beverly Lewis fan or just an Amish fiction fan, you will enjoy it, too. Thanks again to Bethany House. 

Porch Lights by Dorothea Benton Frank

This is my second review on a Dorothea Benton Frank book. I really enjoyed the first one, Folly Beach. And, just like Folly Beach, I listened to this one on CD on my way back and forth to work. Since I liked Folly Beach so much, I was excited to listen to this one, too. 

The premise is this: Jackie, along with 10 year old son, Charlie, comes back to Sullivan's Island after her husband is tragically killed doing his job as as firefighter in New York City. This is not a spoiler-the flap of the book will tell you this. :) Jackie stays for a big chunk of the summer with her mother, Annie in her beach front house, The Salty Dog. 

Jackie's parents Annie and Buster are estranged and have been for eleven years. So, not only is Jackie back to find some peace after losing her husband, Annie and Buster have a relationship to mend as well. 

Well, enter the next door neighbor who happens to be a handsome doctor, and you can see where this is going. 

This one I didn't like as much. I didn't like the characters as much as I did in Folly Beach and I found a lot of the dialogue, especially with the things the 10 year old son was saying. AND: 

SPOILER ALERT: (STOP HERE OR SKIP) 

What I found really annoying was this: Jackie is supposed to be devastated over the loss of her husband. Who wouldn't be? Mind you, she refers to him as the love of her life and just by spending a few weeks in the summer, she's already attracted and ends up with the doctor neighbor? Must not be too devastated, if you ask me. PLUS, at first Jackie is not impressed with him at all, and at first, I felt like I missed something, because then all of a sudden, she likes him and they are together. ????? 

PICK UP HERE AFTER SPOILER ALERT: 

So on to the next book. I am actually finishing up Dorothea Benton Frank's book, Plantation, right now,  so that will be my next review. :) Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you are enjoying whatever YOU are reading. 

Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank

This was the first book I read by Dorothea Benton Frank. Okay, I didn't READ it, I listened to it. But, when I get audio books, I make sure they say "unabridged" so I don't miss anything. And, funny story, this wasn't the first book I was supposed to read by this author. :) 

When I was on vacation in July in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, I was going to my favorite bookstore, Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue and it just so happened that Mrs. Frank was in the store as I was going in. I didn't plan on staying for the talk and book signing, because I had never read anything by her (sorry, Mrs. Frank!). 

But, I found myself saying internally,"Why not stay?" I found myself looking at the book display of Mrs. Frank's books when I felt a tap on my shoulder. A woman plucked a book named Plantation off the display and said to me, "This one is good." I smiled and said I had never read any of them so I would like to know which one I should start with. The woman said, "This one. Well, I wrote all of them!" I cracked up, not realizing I was talking with the author herself. I bought that book and still haven't read it yet due to other things on my list, but it is the one I am going to read after the one I am reading now.

Dorothea Benton Frank & me at the signing!

Anyway, I got Folly Beach from the library on audio because I needed something to listen to in the car. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and their stories. I also love any book that makes me want to look into things further. I have since Googled Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island and other things that I learned about in the book. 

The book centers on Cate and the tragedy of her husband's suicide. She must rebuild a life and moves back to Folly Beach to assist her elderly Aunt Daisy who raised her and Cate's sister, Patti, after being orphaned. Cate struggles to come to terms with her new life and problems that her husband has left her in death. 

The characters in this book are so REAL! Cate, Patti, Aunt Daisy, Ella, John, Cate's kids--I can't say enough! They are all focused on evenly and you really get a sense of each of their individual stories. PLUS, the chapters alternate between Cate's story and the story of Dorothy and DuBose Heyward who were authors and playwrights who worked with Geroge Gershwin in making the play Porgy and Bess. At first, I wondered how the two stories were going to tie together--but they do. 

I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read the rest of Dorothea Frank's books. I am so happy I stayed at that signing that night. Thank you, Mrs. Frank! Visit her website at www.dotfrank.com 

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Blogging for Books by Walter Multnomah. This was one of my choices for review.

Redeeming Love is actually based on a story in the Bible, specifically, the Book of Hosea. Hosea was a man who, when instructed by God, married a prostitute. Hosea followed God's Will instead of acting in response to his own feelings. 

So, on to this book. The man in the book is named Michael Hosea and the prostitute turned wife is Sarah. The story follows the same premise as the story in the Bible: Michael is told by God to marry Sarah (known as Angel, at first). Sarah doesn't trust Michael's love at first and leaves him, going right back to her old ways. 

 Doing God's bidding, Michael goes after her and tries to live a steady, Christian life as a living testament to God to teach Angel that there is a new life waiting for her. 

Through patience, hard work and love, Michael wins Angel over. They acquire new friends and build their home and life together. Angel still hasn't forged her own relationship with God, though. She leaves Michael again, but this time for what she thinks are unselfish reasons (I won't spoil it by telling you the reason she feels she is doing right by him).  

This time, however, Michael doesn't go after her. He feels that she needs to return on her own. Will she return? You have to read to find out.  

I went back and forth in this book from liking it, to thinking it was dragging, to liking it again. I understand Sarah/Angel didn't think she was worthy of love, but a lot of this book was repetitive. It could have been a lot shorter, but it really does teach a lot of lessons. Probably for me, the most important being we are all undeserving of God's love...it is only through grace and mercy that we receive it and should be eternally grateful for that. 

Read the first chapter here: First Chapter