Blackberry Winter
by Sarah Jio (Goodreads Author)
 

Read from February 21 to 24, 2013

Blackberry Winter has a little bit of everything, historical fiction, mystery and romance. The story is told from two different time periods, that of a young single mother Vera and her son Daniel in Seattle in 1933 during the Great Depression and Claire Aldridge, a reporter in Seattle in 2010. The ‘blackberry winter’ which occurred in both 1933 and 2010 leads Claire to uncover the story of Daniel’s disappearance when he was three years old.

I found this book was a quick and easy read. The plot pulled me in right from the beginning with some twists along the way that I didn’t expect, especially the one at the end that pulls both stories together. The format of the book, which alternates between the two time periods is one which I really enjoyed in this book. I was interested in both Vera and Claire’s stories equally. It was a very touching book at times with both characters trying to deal with their personal grief after the loss of a child.

This is my first time to read a book by Sarah Jio and I will definitely read her other books..

Feb 19, 2 013  ·  

Read from February 11 to 19, 2013

The Witness is a romantic suspense with the beginning of the novel being very suspenseful. I was pulled in right away. I couldn't believe how domineering and unloving her mother was. I could definitely understand why Liz let loose when she did. Nobody deserves to go through what she went through growing up and what she experienced that dreadful night.

After part one, the suspense slowed down for me. Since it was 12 years later after the dreadful night, I was wondering what happened in between. I am glad part 3 explained the missing years. It's amazing what those years were like for her. I can't even imagine living the life she was living. Her mission to bring justice is what kept her going. I am glad Brooks became a part of Liz's life and changed everything for her. She finally deserved happiness in her life.

I kind of wish it didn't take as long to get to the conclusion as it did. There was a lot of build up towards it and then it was kind of rushed at the end when justice finally prevailed. I like the plan that Liz and Brooks came up with to destroy the enemies. I didn't expect it at all. It was definitely a brilliant plan.

Injustice For All (J.P. Beaumont, #2)
by J.A. Jance (Goodreads Author)

Read from February 05 to 09, 2013

 This is my second book to read in the J.P. Beaumont detective series. I found this book to be more intense then the first book in the series (Until Proven Guilty.) The book pulled me in right away because of a dead man being pulled out of the water by a woman. We learn this on the first page. With a beginning like that it made me want to go on to see why and how that happened. Of course in most mysteries parts of them are not as intense as other parts. So I didn't find the book to be intense throughout but the ending definitely was and brought everything together. When I read a suspense book I am always trying to put the pieces together to solve the mystery/crime. That is another reason why they hold my attention. There are 20 books in the J.P. Beaumont series and I know I will continue reading them.

The Perfect Hope (Inn Boonsboro, #3)
by Nora Roberts

Phyllis Hoffman Jacobs's review

Feb 04, 20 13  · 

Read from January 28 to February 04, 2013

I really liked this third book of the trilogy much more than the other two. I am glad I continued with the series because I almost stopped reading them. I really wasn't interested in reading all the details of the designs of the new buildings. I found that part boring.

I liked the characters in the books and their interactions with each other. I got to learn so much about them that I thought they were my friends. The only 2 characters that I despised were Jonathan and Sheridan. They were just mean selfish people. They deserved one another. The ghost that was introduced in the first book seemed so silly to me and I couldn't figure out why Nora Roberts would include her in the plot but then as I read through the series and her story began to unravel I understood why. I liked the ending since it tied up all the loose ends and ended on a happy note.