1105 Yakima Street (Cedar Cove, #11)
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

May 31,2014 

4 of 5 stars

Read from May 24 to 31, 2014

Synopsis: You’ve probably heard that my wife has left me. Rachel’s pregnant, and she says that she can’t handle the stress in our household anymore. My thirteen-year-old daughter, Jolene, is jealous of her. Maybe it’s my fault. As a widower I spoiled her – Jolene was reading over my shoulder just now and says that’s not true. She claims Rachel ruined everything. But that’s not true. The real question is: How can I get my wife back? I don’t even know where she is. She’s not with Teri Polgar or any of her other friends from the salon. The other question is. . . when will Jolene grow up and stop acting like such a brat? Of course, I’m not the only one in town with problems. Linc Wyse’s father-in-law is trying to destroy his business. And you know Charlotte Rhodes? Seems she’s becoming forgetful, and the family’s worried about her and Ben. Lots of other stuff going on – but Rachel is better at keeping up with it than I am. If you have any idea where my wife is, please give me a call. Please. —Bruce Peyton

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this 11th book of The Cedar Cove Series. I like how I got to read about the continuing lives of the Cedar Cove residents. I feel like all of them are my friends.I read other books in between the books of this series but Debbie Macomber had a way of reminding me about the lives of all the residents and what their relationship issues were. The issues are very realistic. Some of the characters I really liked while others annoyed me. This book has cliffhangers which I am looking forward to seeing what the outcomes will be.

Four Friends
by Robyn Carr

 

4 of 5 stars

Read from May 15 to 20, 2014

Spoilers---

Gerri can't decide what's more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it's time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it's transforming.

Andy doesn't have a great track record with men, and she's come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja's lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he's through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There's no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it's BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.(less)
Paperback, 384 pages.

My review:

I liked this book because I enjoyed reading about 4 friends who were there for each other. As each one went through their marital problems, the others were there to help them through the problem. I was surprised to learn about BJ's past.She had to overcome so much more then Sonja, Gerri and Andy. I felt sorry for her, but I was glad to see how she turned it around in a positive way. Sonja had so much to deal with too when her husband left her. She was a definite mess that required group therapy. She was a danger to herself. BJ noticed the problem and alerted Gerri and Andy. Once again they were there to help her. I enjoy reading Robyn Carr's books even if they are not part of a series.

 

Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)
by Louise Penny

May 12, 2014

3 of 5 stars

 

Read from April 26 to May 10, 2014

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montréal and yet a world away. Jane Neal, a long-time resident of Three Pines, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it’s a tragic hunting accident and nothing more but Gamache smells something foul this holiday season…and is soon certain that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bow hunter.

My Review:

Louise Penny is a new author for me. This book is part of a detective series and I believe it is one of her first written books. I love this genre because it makes me feel like one of the detectives trying to solve the crime mystery. This book was good, but it went a little to slow for me. I didn't find it to be a page turner until the last 50 pages or so. I like how she gave clues as to who may have committed the crime. They all seemed very likely as to who the killer might be. I wasn't too surprised by the ending since I felt I knew who committed the crime. I will try reading other books by Louise Penny since she came highly recommended to me.