The Burning Soul (Charlie Parker, Book 10) , The Accident: A Thriller, Eyes Wide Open: A Novel, Broken: A Novel (Grant County), The Art of Fielding: A Novel, Down the Darkest Road, Blind Faith, Up from the Blue: A Novel, Distant Shores: A Novel, The Call: A Novel, The Courage Tree, Tomorrow River, Little Black Dress: A Novel, Turn of Mind, Faith: A Novel, The Condition: A Novel (P.S.), Mudbound, Redfield Farm: A Novel of the Underground Railroad, Beyond Nostalgia, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood, Woman at Point Zero: Second Edition, Second Nature: A Love Story, Dry as Rain, Mink River, The Red Garden, The Long Goodbye: A memoir, One Hundred Names for Love: A Stroke, a Marriage, and the Language of Healing, Stiltsville: A Novel,
Wholesome, Hope and Inspiration
Learning (Bailey Flanigan Series), by Karen Kingsbury
Karen's latest novel "Learning" will truly take you on a roller coaster of emotions and won�t let you go until you read the last page. Bailey and Cody are two of the main characters who find themselves living separate lives in different cities but their thoughts and hearts are never far from each other. They once thought they would be together forever, but find that life has a way of leading them in different directions.
Bailey seems to settle well in New York to work on Broadway in the musical "Hairspray." She soon learns that being on Broadway isn't an easy job. Meanwhile, her friendship with Brandon Paul continues to grow, but she still questions and sometimes regrets the loss of her relationship with Cody. Cody is doing well, coaching football at a high school in Indiana, and is growing closer to his friend Cheyenne while helping her recover from her car accident.
Brandon and Bailey's developing relationship was interesting to watch and I admire how greatly Brandon respected Bailey and treated her like a Queen! I always feel so satisfied after I finish a Karen Kingsbury book.
As Always, Great Issues and Inspired!
Sing You Home: A Novel, by Jodi Picoult
Zoe and Max Baxter have struggled with infertility for nine years, trying every measure imaginable, expensive IVF and trauma. Zoe finally becomes pregnant and seems to be carrying to term when tragedy occurs, miscarries. In the aftermath, Max decides he just cannot deal with this anymore. He walks away from his marriage, leaving Zoe to pick up the pieces of her life. On top of all this, Zoe discovers she has cancer and must undergo a hysterectomy. Zoe and her best friend, Vanessa, discover feelings that surprisingly reach deeper than they had expected. Max is conflicted and at the mercy of his brother and his church, while Zoe only wants to work with troubled patients and be a mother. While Zoe can no longer carry the frozen embryos left behind from her marriage, Vanessa can. All that is needed is Max's consent for Zoe to use the embryos. And therein lies trouble.
There are many issues to deal with that make the pages fly by. A lot of drama, human spirit, legal and moral issues make this a must-read book and I guarantee the impossibility of putting the book down.
Ann T. Mason
These are books this world needs more of!
EXPLOSION IN PARIS, by Linda Masemore Pirrung
Pirrung writes life-changing and empowering fiction with tasteful, fine-tuned prose.
I thought this was a powerful, finely crafted story that really lived up to the reviews. Usually, so many rave reviews scare me because then I have such high expectations that most of the time they disappoint me, but not this one. Rarely do I have time to read but once I started this book I was surprised how often I managed to slip the time in! I loved it! I drank it in and was drawn to the storyline and the refined writing. I found it almost impossible to put down as it touched all my buttons. I Love books that make me want to live life to the fullest and this book did just that. After reading it I feel a need to travel to my own dream destination. This amazing story stuck with me for weeks after I read it. In fact, it is still with me as her words in the back of the book, among many, made me reread them many times. "We need to forgive ourselves and everyone else for NOT being perfect," and "People will promise you the moon, offer you the stars, but in the end, the only heavenly body you can truly count on is your own." Like a beautiful melody, these quotes have stuck with me and I find myself repeating them in conversation. Pirrung's books inspire us to be better people.
This is not a "life is perfect" novel that only feeds you euphoric tidbits to keep your brain from having to work too hard. Pirrung tackles topics that are hard hitting and are a stark contrast to the multitude of light and fluffy typical romance novels floating around on the market. If you are looking for dramatic, gritty realism, a struggle to conquer, inspiration without being preachy and a demonstration of all facets of love to sink your teeth into, I highly recommend Pirrung's novels. She is authentic and real and there is always a strong moral fiber to her books. She writes incredible, compelling novels, detailing the intricacy of human emotions and human frailty. One of her outstanding qualities immediately evident in her novels is her inspired ability to describe real feelings. Few people seem to be able to grasp others' situations or understand or care to understand the feelings and struggles of others. There is the lack of common courtesy, civility, and respect in this world that needs to be addressed and she lovingly handles and addresses this loud and clear. This book is guaranteed to warm your heart and bless you beyond measure.
Peeling back the emotional layers is painful and sometimes impossible. While Angie's, Mitch's, Ross's, Courtney's and Shea's stories focus on the enduring quality of love, they also deal with cruelty and callousness. Cruel treatment does not shape the woman Angie is or the path she chooses. Her dream leads her to fight for her life and for justice. In the heat of turmoil she refuses to lose herself and become a soul without purpose. She chooses a lifestyle that drowns out her life with Mitch but also fuels the raging fire to fight for justice along with the memory of the wisdom, gentle encouragement and understanding support of Ross. Independence and taking a stand for righteousness becomes her new focus.
This story weighed on my heart and the unpredictable quick wit kept me entertained. The tumultuous, spine-chilling events, the romantic entanglements, the struggle for life, spiritual enlightenment, great insight and the "awe" factor carried this to completion in the beautiful, pulse-pounding conclusion.
This one should be required reading for every young girl before she makes a fatal mistake. Pirrung's fine-tuned writing is for everyone and casts blessings onto the world. I recommend her novels to the discerning reader who enjoys an incredibly powerful read. Every time I see her name on a book, I will buy it.
I also love books by Jodi Picoult and Karen Kingsbury. These are books the world needs more of. We need to bring respect, peace, joy, kindness and understanding back into the world before it's too late.
Ann T. Mason
A Dog's Purpose, One Step Away (By the Numbers), The Accident: A Thriller, Darkness, My Old Friend: A Novel, The Call: A Novel, The Condition (P.S.), Mudbound, Here, Home, Hope, Before Ever After: A Novel, A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novels), Kindred Spirits, The Mill River Recluse, A Young Wife: A Novel, Best Kept Secret: A Novel, The Arrivals: A Novel, The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes, Longing (Bailey Flanigan, Book 3), Longing (Bailey Flanigan Series), Ten Beach Road,
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