Well, it’s been a long time since I read these books, but the new tv show on TNT whet my appetite for comparison.  As always the books are far superior.  The appealing aspect of the show is the humor.  Maura Isles is funny.  She reminds me of Temperance Brennan on “Bones.”  Both gals are so intelligent that they can’t relate to the average person, and come out with comments that make me smile.

I am rereading the whole series and am now on “The Sinner.”  The books are so much more serious and lack the “hometown” Boston flavor of the television program.  Jane Rizzoli has a unique relationship with her mother and needs to prove herself.  Her mother seems to prefer the boys in the family, which is true in some families, unfortunately.  She may be attractive, but she is not the knock-out beauty Angie Harmon is.  Maura Isles is not even introduced until the second book, and in the first book, Jane has a smaller part than she will later on.

The books are completely engaging and page-turners.  The television program has a different tone, even the theme song sounds upbeat.   Both the books and the television shows are winners, I just prefer the books!

About a month ago I wrote and asked for book ideas in order to have many ideas for my upcoming surgery.  Well, that surgery has still not happened.  First, it was scheduled for July 8.  My work insurance changed – I was told (incorrectly) that I would still be ok WRONG – then I asked them to check with my husband’s insurance, which I am also fully covered under – it was scheduled for July 14/15, AGAIN cancelled because they found out I had a primary insurance – this has been understandably a very frustrating experience.  SO, next I thought maybe if I shared a contract and went to part time work I could claim hubby’s insurance as my primary – well because of layoffs I would have to take whoever was next on the seniority list – not interested in sharing my classroom with a stranger – I was hoping I could get a gal that was laid off from my school.  SOOO my principal found out that the new insurance is supposed to honor what was already in place from the old insurance and now we are jumping through hoops to get it done.  I also have in place another doctor this new insurance covers.  To say the least this has wreaked havoc with my summer and what I was trying to avoid (missing lots of school) is going to have to happen in order for me to get this done.  WOW – I think I have tried everything.  Hoping this surgery still takes place in July.  School begins August 9.  Maybe I’ll heal miraculously quickly (never happened before (-:  Just pray this happens and happens soon.  I appreciate all of you and your support.  Keep sending those book ideas – I’m going through books and movies on Netflix instant streaming like crazy!

Also, if you have any other ideas of ways to keep me occupied, send them my way.  My house and closets and drawers are almost all cleaned and organized.

I’ve decided to look at this as extending my summer break!

I grew up in New Jersey, but now live in Southern California – the Inland Empire – about an hour from everything you’ve heard of.  Stay cool!

What would a loving mother not do for her child

Lawyer Danielle Parkman is at her wits’ end. Her son Max, a whip-smart teen with high-functioning autism, has always been a handful. But lately he’s shutting down, using drugs and lashing out – violently.
Desperate, Danielle brings Max to a top-flight psychiatric facility for a full assessment. But rather than reassurance, Danielle receives an agonizing diagnosis describing a deeply damaged, dangerous boy – one she’s never met.

Then Danielle finds Max unconscious and bloodied at the feet of a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death. A fiercely protective mother instinct rears its head – and Danielle is arrested as an accessory to the heinous crime.

In a baffling netherworld of doubt and fear, barred from contacting her son, Danielle clings to the thought of Max’s innocence. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her baby boy really a killer?

With the justice system bearing down on them both, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth – no matter how horrifying. It’s a path well on the wrong side of the law. But only finding the true killer will absolve her from having to choose between her son and her soul.

Release date is October 1, 2010

My Review: This book was riveting!  I could not put it down.  ”Saving Max”  includes two hot buttons – aspergers/autism AND mental institutions.  The third perk I found was the law aspect.  I love the character Danielle (New Yorker)  and her devotion to and belief in her son.  Her willingness to take any risk to save her son moved me.  She begins showing her devotion by taking her son to a psychiatric center in Texas at the recommendation of her son’s New York physician.  The meat of the story begins here.  Danielle, a lawyer by profession, meets Tony who just happens to also be a lawyer.  Tony (an Iowan) becomes her son’s (Max) and her lawyer.  ”Saving Max” is an engaging read.  This may not be your favorite type of beach/pool read unless you are smothered in sun screen and plan to stay a while!. For mystery lovers and lovers of law-related books or for those who just love a great escape, I recommend this book!

I reviewed this book for the publisher via Net Galley.

From the author of the successful White House Chef mysteries.

Everyone wants a piece of millionaire Bennett Marshfield, owner of Marshfield Manor, but now it’s up to a new curator Grace Wheaton and handsome groundskeeper Jack Embers to protect dear old Marshfield. But to do this, they’ll have to investigate a botched Ponzi scheme, some torrid Wheaton family secrets-and sour grapes out for revenge.

My Review: Daughter Amy gave me this book because she knows I love cozy mysteries.  I read this book in two days.  The story was engaging, the characters likable and this is the first book in what I hope are many more.  Grace is by herself, single, parentless, but she has obtained the job of her dreams.  Almost as soon as she is hired,  she encounters problems she wasn’t expecting and the police are understaffed which leaves it up to her to (help) solve the mystery.  Along the way I encountered some heart pounding situations which made me continue turning pages to find out what would happen next.  This was a fun new book and I look forward to many more in this series by Julie Hyzy.  She has also written the White House Chef Mysteries, and I think I may look up those as well!

Gripping, suspenseful, magical, and richly atmospheric . . . Ilie Ruby’s haunting debut novel, The Language of Trees, is exhilarating fiction that announces the arrival of a truly extraordinary storyteller.

Echo O’Connell knows that the summer holds its secrets. They are whispered in the rustling trees, in the lush scent of the lilacs, in the flurry of the mayflies batting against the screen door, and in the restless spirits that seem to clamor in the scant breezes on hot evenings. It is in summer that she returns home to Canandaigua, to confront these spirits, both living and not, and to share a secret with her first love, Grant Shongo—a secret that will forever change the lives of many people in the town and put to rest the mysterious disappearance of a little boy more than a decade earlier.

Grant, a descendant of the Seneca Indians who call this place “The Chosen Spot,” has also come back to face his past. After a broken marriage, he has moved into his childhood home, a lake house that has withstood happiness and tragedy. He knows the spirits of the past must be dealt with—that of the little boy who disappeared all those years ago; the boy’s sister, who never overcame the loss; and the love Grant still has for Echo. But before the healing must come the forgiveness. . . .

My Review: I enjoyed this book and it is a great summer/beach read. The characters are diverse and somewhat tragic.  Small towns hold lots of secrets and this small town, Canandaigua Lake, is no exception.  As the book progresses many of those secrets are revealed, sometimes surprisingly so.  Two of the biggest secrets involve one family.  Most of the book builds up to these revelations.  If you enjoy mysteries, small town life and imperfect people working through problems sometimes alone and sometimes together, you will enjoy this book!

This book will be on sale July 20, 2010.

It’s summer and for so many of us that means more time to read…yay! I often hear people talk about beach reads…generally these are books that you don’t mind bringing to the beach…they have a fun element to them and read quickly. So I was amused when I recently read found the following lists of “beach reads.”

First, there is Christianity Today’s “Seven Theology Books for the Beach”
They say,

Summer affords many of us a few spare moments to sit down someplace warm and relaxing and read a good book. In case you’re looking for something deeper than a celebrity magazine or cliffhanger novel, consider picking up these new releases that make theology accessible and practical while staying true to Scripture.

The books on the list include reads such as Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters and Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. Admittedly, almost all the books look great to me, just maybe not for the beach!

NPR also shared a list of books, these were in fact bookseller’s picks! These books are supposed to be books that are “light, but not fluffy.” I do have some thoughts on the issue of light and fluffy, but scanning over their list I’m not entirely sure I agree with their definition of light! For example, they have some definite wartime books on their list, such as Day for Night and The Postmistress.

What kind of books do you like to read during the summer? I have to admit I prefer reads like Emily Giffin’s Heart of the Matter, or Emilie Richard’s Fortunate Harbor. Elin Hildebrand’s The Island seems like it will be a PERFECT summer read! I also like to dive into a few thrillers such as Graham Brown’s Black Rain. Those are the reads I’m looking forward to this summer! How about you?

Now that Gabby is back on her feet after being in a homeless shelter, she has a new dream that will stretch her faith farther than ever.

Gabby expects a fight from her husband over custody of their boys, but she is taken aback when he leans on her for a loan to cover his gambling debts. When she turns him down, Philip makes a desperate move that puts Gabby, her friends at the shelter, and even the House of Hope at risk.

The props Gabby usually leans on–Jodi, her Yada Yada prayer partner; her friend Harry, the ex-cop; and Lee, her lawyer, who has fallen in love with Gabby–are not always there when she needs them most. Gabby must make a decision that could change the course of her life. But is it for better–or for worse?

My Review: I enjoy these books soooo much.  I think it’s because I wish I was in a group like the Yada Yada prayer group!  They so take care of each other and everyone else they come into contact with!  I can’t really relate to the character Gabby, I would just like to tell her what to do in the case of her love life.  I guess my mantra is don’t trust anyone for a while at least.  I always love Jodi Baxter and I can relate to her – happy marriage and public school teacher.  The only difference is I have three kids and they are older.

I  ordered the first parallel novel, Harry Bentley’s Second Chance by Neta Jackson’s husband Dave.  Can’t wait to get it.  These books take off on the secondary characters in Neta’s books.  It will be nice to read about Christian men from a Christian man’s point of view!  This book will help me wait until March 2011 when the next book in the series comes out, Who is My Shelter? These books rate at the top of my list of favorite Christian fiction books.  Keep them coming, Neta and Dave!

There is so much I could say about this publisher and their incredible books!  All these books have wonderful illustrations and totally engaged my second graders.  A bonus about these books is that they are ALL A.R. (Accelerated Reader) leveled.  I cannot recommend these books highly enough.  As well, our particular school is pushing, pushing, pushing the reading of nonfiction, and these books perfectly fit that bill.  If you are looking for fun, nonfiction books for science and math concepts please consider these books.  I also want to recommend the web site which is

www.SylvanDellPublishing.com

This will give you more information about ALL of their books including grade level recommendations. and AR levels.  Please check this out if you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, homeschooler, librarian, or just plain interested in these types of books.  The time spent will be well worth it!

Welcome to the grand opening of Fromagerie Bessette. Or as it’s more commonly known by the residents of small-town Providence, Ohio-the Cheese Shop. Proprietor Charlotte Bessette has prepared a delightful sampling of bold Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, delicious tortes of Stilton and Mascarpone, and a taste of Sauvignon Blanc-but someone else has decided to make a little crime of passion the piece de resistance. Right outside the shop Charlotte finds a body, the victim stabbed to death with one of her prized olive-wood handled knives.

This book will be released in early July 2010.

My Review: This is a great addition to the cozy mystery genre.  I LOVED it.  The characters have a French bend.  The main character has what would be called a “nontraditional family.”  The idea of a cheese shop with cheese products and cheese recipes is awesome.  The mystery is engaging with twists and turns at times, yet there is also character building along the way.  The main character, Charlotte, is very easy to relate to.  She is a single 30 something, yet she is helping to raise her cousin’s eight-year-old twin girls.  Some questions are left unanswered meaning, hopefully, that this is the beginning of a series of books!  Watch for the release of this book.  If you love cozy mysteries, you will love this book!