New Additions To The TBR Pile In January

A drastic reduction to the number of books arriving, which is probably a good thing as I am behind on my reviews and the catch-up time will be a blessing. Both of these new additions are actually audiobooks, one of which I have already listened to and the other will be "ear-read" in February.

Title: 10th Anniversary by James Patterson
Description: Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals--but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well. At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life--a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct? Lindsay's every move is watched by her new boss, Lieutenant Jackson Brady, and when the pressure to find the baby begins interfering with her new marriage to Joe, she wonders if she'll ever be able to start a family. With James Patterson's white-hot speed and unquenchable action, 10th Anniversary is the most deliciously chilling Women's Murder Club book ever.

Title: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Description: Life can turn on a dime—or stumble into the extraordinary, as it does for Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine. While grading essays by his GED students, Jake reads a gruesome, enthralling piece penned by janitor Harry Dunning: fifty years ago, Harry somehow survived his father’s sledgehammer slaughter of his entire family. Jake is blown away...but an even more bizarre secret comes to light when Jake’s friend Al, owner of the local diner, enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination. How? By stepping through a portal in the diner’s storeroom, and into the era of Ike and Elvis, of big American cars, sock hops, and cigarette smoke... Finding himself in warmhearted Jodie, Texas, Jake begins a new life. But all turns in the road lead to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald. The course of history is about to be rewritten...and become heart-stoppingly suspenseful.

REVIEW: House Broken by Sonja Yoerg

Title: House Broken
Author: Sonja Yoerg
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: January, 2015
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Description: In this compelling and poignant debut novel, a woman skilled at caring for animals must learn to mend the broken relationships in her family.…

For veterinarian Geneva Novak, animals can be easier to understand than people. They’re also easier to forgive. But when her mother, Helen, is injured in a vodka-fueled accident, it’s up to Geneva to give her the care she needs.

Since her teens, Geneva has kept her self-destructive mother at arm’s length. Now, with two slippery teenagers of her own at home, the last thing she wants is to add Helen to the mix. But Geneva’s husband convinces her that letting Helen live with them could be her golden chance to repair their relationship.

Geneva isn’t expecting her mother to change anytime soon, but she may finally get answers to the questions she’s been asking for so long. As the truth about her family unfolds, however, Geneva may find secrets too painful to bear and too terrible to forgive.

My Thoughts: With House Broken, new to me author Sonja Yoerg writes a heartfelt story about a woman’s journey to connect with her mother, siblings, children and husband. Geneva Novak is a typical woman trying to find balance between career and family. Her world is thrown a major curveball when her mother, Helen, is injured in a car accident while driving intoxicated. Geneva’s relationship with Helen has never been ideal and she is reluctant to invite her to move in to recover, but Geneva is Helen’s only option. Geneva doesn’t count on the impact Helen’s presence will have on the rest of the household and before long, Geneva finds herself facing long buried secrets about her family that she never expected and new problems involving her own children.

I admired Geneva and her courage to persevere with so many obstacles in her path. Her determination to uncover the truth behind the reasons behind her mother’s drinking, her oldest sister, Paris’s 30 year estrangement with their mother made me feel a lot of empathy for her. Geneva starts looking at the parallels between the relationship she has with her mother and the one she has with her sixteen year old daughter, Ella, and realizes she doesn’t want the same patterns to repeat themselves.

The plot switches smoothly between the past and the present and gives the viewpoints of Geneva, Helen and Ella. As more is revealed about Geneva’s parents and the secrets that have been long buried, Geneva’s belief system is shaken. I had a hard time warming up to Helen but the more I learned about her, I felt sorry for her but didn’t agree with the choices she made. I really liked Geneva and her brother, Dublin. Geneva’s sisters, Paris and Florence, don’t make much of an appearance in the story’s present timeline and the glimpses I did get of them, I didn’t care for them. I liked Geneva’s husband, Tom and their children, Ella and Charlie and thought they were flawed just enough to make them interesting.

When I first saw the cover of this book, I initially thought this would be a woman’s hilarious journey to potty train her puppy. This book covers a lot of painful and sensitive topics that took me by surprise. Kudos to the author for writing a book that addresses these topics with grace and class that drew a lot of emotions out of me.

My Final Verdict: If you are a reader that chooses their books based on the cover, then you will be in for a big shock as the adorable dog on the cover is only a minor character in the story. I recommend this story for the strong familial relationships and one woman’s determination to shine the light of truth on the dark corners of her family’s past.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of House Broken from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Mansell Spotlight Tour

The Unexpected Consequences of Love
By Jill Mansell
Sourcebooks Landmark
Women’s Fiction
February 3, 2015
ISBN: 9781492602088

Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her?

Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family’s hotel, he can't understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him—or any man for that matter—into her life. He also can't understand how he's been duped into employing Sophie's impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie’s indifference to love. But that doesn’t mean Josh is going to quit trying…

Buy THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE by Jill Mansell: Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo

With over 9 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella. She worked for many years at the Burden Neurological Hospital, Bristol, and now writes full time. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

Connect with Jill Mansell: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Excerpt from THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE by Jill Mansell

“Nearly done… Oh, it’s you.” Turning, she glimpsed him in the doorway and straightened up. Nodding at Griff, she said, “Have you come to get him? He’s shattered now. I’ve just finished the shoot.”
“I know, I saw the family driving off. And I am sorry. Dot did warn me about the door-opening thing,” Josh admitted. “I just forgot about it. Can I blame it on the jet lag?”
She gave him a look. “Only if you’re a complete wuss. You’ve had a whole week to get over it.”
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, silver-gray with very white whites. Her well-defined eyebrows were dark but tipped with gold and there was a smudge of mud on her left temple.
It wasn’t an expression he’d ever thought of using before, but it occurred to him that she had joie de vivre.
“True.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “All my own fault. So how did it go in the end?”
“Come over here and I’ll show you.” Leading the way across the room, she picked up her camera and began scrolling through the shots, starting with the half dozen or so pre-Griff originals, then on through the second stage of the shoot.
“These are great.” Josh nodded at them, genuinely impressed. “So it ended up not being such a disaster after all.”
“Thanks to me being a complete genius,” she agreed happily. He liked her attitude. “What’s your name?”
“Sophie.”
“Hi, Sophie. I’m Josh.”
“I know. Haven’t you noticed everyone whispering about you since you’ve been back?”
“Not really. Well, maybe a bit. You don’t take much notice after a while.” He paused. “Do you have a business card?”
She took one from an envelope in the side pocket of her black canvas camera case and handed it over.
Sophie Wells Photography. Portraits, Weddings, Commercial was written in silver on a black background, along with her contact details. Josh noticed that as well as the bracelets on her left wrist there was a key attached to a plain silver bangle. He reached out and touched it briefly. “What’s this for?”
“It’s the key to my secret Swiss bank account.” “Amazing. I didn’t know Swiss banks used Yale locks.”
A dimple appeared in her left cheek. “I started wearing it after I locked myself out of my flat three times in one week.”
“Look,” said Josh. “I still feel terrible about the photos.” “No need. I told Emma I’d do them for free.”
“But that means you’re losing out. Which is even worse.” Sophie shook her head. “They all like what we ended up doing instead. Emma’s still happy to pay.” “But their clothes…”
“They live on a farm. She says the mud’ll come out in a boil wash.” “But when I came back here with Griff, she was in tears.”
“I know, but you weren’t actually to blame for that. Relax,” Sophie said cheerfully. “It’s your lucky day. You’re off the hook.”
Women, he’d never understand them. Still, it was a positive result. Somewhat distracted by her eyelashes—were they also gold- tipped beneath the mascara?—Josh said, “Fine then. So long as you’re sure. Can I ask you a personal question?”
“You can try.”
He was charmed by her easy smile, playful humor, and feisty can-do attitude. Okay, and her body was pretty amazing too. “Are you single at the moment? Or seeing someone?”
If she were, he would have to say with good-natured regret, “Well, that’s a real shame,” and leave it at that.
“Me? Oh no, I’m not seeing anyone.” Sophie shook her head. “Completely and utterly single, that’s me.”
Excellent. Enjoying her honesty, Josh said, “So would you like to come out for dinner with me one evening?”
“It would have to be an evening.” Sophie nodded gravely. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be dinner; it’d be breakfast or lunch.”
“Definitely evening,” he agreed. “We could do it tonight if you like.” This is going so well.
“Oh, I can’t.”
“Yes, bit short notice. Friday, then? Or Saturday? You choose, whenever suits you best.”
But even as he was saying it, Sophie was shaking her head. “Sorry, no… I mean, thanks for asking, but I can’t meet you for dinner.”
“Right.” Taken aback, Josh said, “Not at all?” “No.”
“Okay. That’s fine.” It wasn’t remotely fine. What was going on? Did she have a small baby at home, or an elderly relative who couldn’t be left unattended? “Am I allowed to ask why?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Oh dear, are you offended?” “Of course not,” lied Josh.
Sophie gave him a who-are-you-kidding look. “I think you are. Don’t be. I’m just pretty busy right now.”
“So maybe in a couple weeks?” He couldn’t quite believe he was still asking.
“Look, thanks again, but no thanks. I just don’t really want to go out to dinner with…anyone.”
Aaaand another knock-back.
“No problem.” Josh wished he’d never started it. “Sorry.”
He managed a rueful smile. “Hey, all I need is a few months for my ego to recover. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not you.” Sophie’s mouth was twitching. “It’s me.”
Okay, now she was making fun of him.
“Well, obviously,” said Josh.

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REVIEW: 10th Anniversary by James Patterson

Title: 10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club, #10)
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: May, 2011
Genre: Thriller / Mystery

Description: Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals--but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well. At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life--a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct? Lindsay's every move is watched by her new boss, Lieutenant Jackson Brady, and when the pressure to find the baby begins interfering with her new marriage to Joe, she wonders if she'll ever be able to start a family.

My Thoughts: I was starting to get bored with this series and was debating whether or not to continue reading it. I’m so happy I gave the series another shot, because 10th Anniversary brings back the intensity that I felt was starting to lack in previous books. I really enjoyed how this installment brings major changes to several of the characters, starting with Lindsay’s wedding to Joe. One of the reasons I have enjoyed this series so much is that each member of the Women’s Murder Club is vital and have to play a central role in the storyline. In addition to Lindsay’s marriage, Yuki is in a new relationship and Cindy’s relationship moves to the next level. Claire didn’t have any changes, but she was present throughout the book interacting with the rest of the group.

I also enjoyed the multiple plots. I thought the missing baby case was intriguing and the case Yuki is prosecuting was full of intrigue. Both cases threw a few surprise curveballs at me but I really enjoy that. Cindy is working on a serial rapist story that brings her a little too close for comfort but I enjoyed the way it played out. The story ends with a bang that left me excited and looking forward to the next one.

My Final Verdict: If you enjoy long running series, this series delivers on so many levels with characters you really care about and plots that keep you interested in what happens. Some of the books weren’t as enjoyable as others in the series, but overall this is a very good series that any fan of the thriller or mystery genre will lose themselves completely in the books.

Honorable Mentions Of 2014

For the books that didn't make the top reads list for the year, I want to give an honorable mention to the titles I read in 2014 that didn't make the cut for the best but were still good reads and recommended:

I Love My Breakup by Sabrina Lacey
Never Google Heartbreak by Emma Garcia
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
He Texted by Lisa Winning
The Unofficial Guide To Harry Potter by Ellie Down
Broken Hearts, Fences And Other Things To Mend by Katie Finn
The Awakening by Erika Wilde
The Broken by Shelley Coriell
S Is For Silence by Sue Grafton
Cold Feet At Christmas by Debbie Johnson
A Christmas To Remember by Jenny Hale
The Scent Of Scandal by Carole Matthews

2014 Reading Review

Another year has come and gone and the best part of the reading year is upon me as I get to look back and evaluate what I read and how my stats measured up. I am happy to report that 2014 found me successfully completing my goal. However, I gave up on more books in 2014 than I did in 2013. I read 49 books, 6 of which I gave up on. My goal was to read 40 books in 2014 and I completed 123% of my goal.

Goal for 2015: 50 books

2014 saw many changes for me in regards to my reading. I joined the reviewer team at The Chick-Lit Club and became a member of NetGalley. Fortunately, this has given me more opportunities to read authors I have never read before and may have not gotten around to. In 2015, I hope to make more contacts through these websites and improve my reviewing skills. For the first time in many years, I completed my reading goal and though I am happy I did, I wish I could have met it without having to lower it. I took my goal back up to 50 and I am really committed to not only making it, but exceeding it.

The biggest change to my reading tastes in 2014 was the addition of Erotica and Horror and the complete absence of any Cozy Mysteries. This took me by surprise because I really love cozies and thought I had a few for the year. Young Adult made an appearance back into my reading year. 2014 also saw me reading more Christmas themed books which really boosted my holiday spirit. I hope to do that again this year.

I was fortunate to come across many new to me authors in 2014 and hopefully will visit with them again in 2015 as well as find additional new authors. In comparison to 2013, Chick-Lit and Romantic Suspense and Other Fiction rose by half, Mystery / Suspense / Thriller dropped slightly, Non-Fiction & Paranormal Romance dropped by half, & Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance and Urban Fantasy remained the same. Here's how 2014 stacked up:

Chick-Lit: 18
Contemporary Romance: 2
Erotica: 3
Historical Romance: 1
Horror: 2
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller: 8
Non-Fiction: 1
Paranormal Romance: 2
Romantic Suspense: 5
Urban Fantasy: 2
Young Adult: 2
Other Fiction / Literature: 3

A big shout out to the authors who were new to me and the authors that made multiple appearances in my reading year:

New To Me Authors In 2014
Gerry Bartlett
Josie Brown
Jane Casey
Shelley Coriell
Ellie Down
P.N. Elrod
Katie Finn
Emma Garcia
Anna Garner
Alena Graedon
Nicole Haddow
Jenny Hale
Elizabeth Haynes
Jeannine Henvey
Debbie Johnson
Andrea Kane
Sabrina Lacey
Martha O’Sullivan
Susan Rieger
Nic Tatano
Sue Watson
Michaela Weaver
Erika Wilde
Lisa Winning
Elizabeth Young

Authors Read Multiple Times In 2014
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Anna Garner
Kim Harrison
Sabrina Lacey
J.D. Robb
Nora Roberts
Nic Tatano

My selection for the best reads of 2014 in the order they were read are:
Caught by Harlan Coben
Lying To Meet You by Anna Garner
The Book Of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The Search by Nora Roberts
Sugar Spun Sister by Anna Garner
Angel’s Tip by Alafair Burke
Boss Girl by Nic Tatano
Ever After by Kim Harrison
Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
The Burning by Jane Casey
The Harlow Hoyden by Lynn Messina
Thankless In Death by J.D. Robb
Tweet Hearts by Nicole Haddow
Just In Case by Chrissie Manby
Sail by James Patterson
The Adventures Of Jillian Spectre by Nic Tatano
Taken In Death by J.D. Robb
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
Totlandia by Josie Brown
The Wedding Date by Elizabeth Young
Manic Mondays by Michaela Weaver
Tales From A Broad by Jeannine Henvey
The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman
Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

Here's hoping 2015 will be a more productive year!

REVIEW: Can't Always Get What You Want by Chelsey Krause

Title: Can’t Always Get What You Want
Author: Chelsey Krause
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: January, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: Fans of Ruthie Knox, Rachel Gibson, and Molly O’Keefe will love this deeply romantic and uplifting debut novel about losing everything you thought you wanted—and getting exactly what you need.

Sophie Richards has been looking forward to a much-needed girls’ night out: a Rolling Stones tribute-band concert, a few drinks, a distraction from her grueling nursing shifts in acute care. But when her best friend bails, Sophie gets stuck with a blind date.

Although Brett Nicholson may be the hottest carpenter alive, and Sophie may technically be single, she isn’t exactly on the market. Six years ago she found The One. He was everything Sophie dreamed a man could be—and then she lost him. In an instant, her whole life changed, and she forgot all about happily ever after.

But as she gets to know Brett, Sophie starts to wonder about the future for the first time. With a broken heart still clouding her mind, jumping into a new relationship feels impossible. When she’s in his arms, walking away feels even harder. Now Sophie faces an impossible choice: living in the past or choosing love in the here and now.

My Thoughts: Can’t Always Get What You Want is the debut title from up and coming author, Chelsey Krause. We meet Sophie Richards who is a nurse, but struggles in her career choice. She’s not a bad nurse, but you get a sense that her heart really isn’t in it. After her best friend bails on going to see a Rolling Stones tribute band, Sophie finds herself on a blind date. Sophie immediately feels a connection with Brett, but she is still heartbroken from losing the love of her life six years ago. Sophie finds herself facing the very difficult choice of whether she wants to try for happily ever after with Brett or keep her heart locked away.

I always know a book is going to be outstanding when I get pulled into the story from the very first page. This book made me laugh out loud immediately, but what really makes it truly extraordinary is the way Ms. Krause creates characters the reader feels a strong connection with. As a reader, it is so important to me to really care about the characters, what they have gone through, what they are currently doing and where they are headed. Ms. Krause does an excellent job of taking the reader into Sophie’s life. Instead of putting us into information overload with all of the events that brought Sophie to where she is when we meet her, Ms. Krause takes us gradually through the process. I really enjoyed this because I got to see it through Sophie’s eyes as if I was there with her. It gave me a better understanding of what she went through and how it shaped her into the person she becomes and the person that Brett meets.

Along with the many laugh out loud moments, there were many moments of tears that made me want to read more and find out what happened in Sophie’s past and how it was affecting her future. There were also moments of anger at Aaron’s mother and Dr. St. Luke. They were both very difficult and unlikable characters and I enjoyed how Sophie responded differently to both.

This was such a well-written story. The author draws on her own personal nursing experience to make Sophie’s actions relevant and believable. The story moved at a very good pace, giving me time to process what was going on instead of getting lost in the details. As a fan of the Rolling Stones, I loved that each chapter is a song title and how their music plays such an important role in Sophie’s choices.

I wanted to be angry at Brett for making Sophie choose. Initially, I felt he was being unfair and selfish, but this story really focuses on forgiveness so I forgave him. Sophie has to find a way to forgive herself before she could move on in her life and live the life she is meant to. Sometimes, we have to be nudged, and not in a subtle way, before our eyes are opened.

My Final Verdict: If you are looking for a story that will pull on all of your emotions, filled with characters you feel a strong connection to, run, do not walk to your nearest book retailer and get this book. Not many people have the chance to find true love more than once in their lives and this story gives us a first row seat to see it happen. Kudos to Chelsey Krause for the many hours of laughter and tears. I will never look at Oreo cookies the same way again and I will be looking for more from this talented author.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Can’t Always Get What You Want from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In December

The year wouldn't be complete without several review requests showing up in the final month. This next year will bring many hours of reading bliss...

Title: A Kiss And A Cuddle by Sophie Sloane
Description: Rose West is about to play the most important, breakthrough gig of her life, when Rex Byron swans into the club and steals the spotlight, with a flurry of fans and flashing lights. It was hate at first sight. Rex is the British heir to his father’s multimillion dollar art fortune and is known for getting into trouble around the world, particularly with no clothes on. Rose’s mesmerizing singing voice catches the eye of the playful and aggravatingly persistent heir, and he is determined to teach her the fine art of flirting, but she is not interested in being involved in his next American scandal.

But is there more to Rex than what meets the eye? Is he an arrogant, pompous twit or a sensitive soul with a troubled past? More importantly, will Rose even give him the time of day?

Title: Husband Hunters by Genevieve Gannon
Description: Clementine, a psychologist specializing in couples counselling, is reeling from the discovery that her boyfriend is married. Annabel, an ex-model, only seems to attract men who want her as a trophy. Belinda, a civil engineer, is stuck in the friend zone.

Abandoning the romantic notions of true love that haven't worked out for them, the three decide to use their considerable professional skills to find a partner. This isn't about hearts and flowers; it's about being practical.

Warm and witty, Husband Hunters is about what happens when you try to engineer love.

Title: If You're Not The One by Jemma Forte
Description: What if you could do it all over again?

Jennifer Wright is pretty sure her husband doesn't love her anymore. She and Max used to be the perfect couple, but the pressures of work and kids have pulled them in opposite directions. Now , Jen is full of "what if" questions about whether her bland, suburban existence is all she was ever destined for.

When a terrible accident sends Jen into a coma, she is able to see what her life could have been if she had run off to Australia with the handsome, dangerous man she met on vacation, or if she had stayed with her workaholic college boyfriend. Would she ever have loved another child as much as she loves her daughters? Could she have become rich? More than anything, Jen wants to do the right thing for her family. But what she discovers may leave her with even more questions about the choices she made, and no easy answers about what to do next.

Title: Party Girl by Rachel Hollis
Description: Landon Brinkley’s dreams are all coming true. She’s landed an internship with the fabulous Selah Smith, event planner for the Hollywood elite, taking her from small-town Texas to the bright lights of LA. Landon soon finds herself in a world in which spending a million dollars on an event—even a child’s birthday party—is de rigueur and the whims of celebrity clients are life-and-death matters. At first, the thrill of working on A-list parties and celebrity weddings is enough to get Landon through the seventy-five-hour workweeks and endless abuse at the hands of her mercurial boss. But when the reality of the business reveals itself, she’s forced to make a choice: do whatever it takes to get ahead, or stay true to herself.

Drawing on the author’s real-life experiences as an event planner to the stars, Party Girl takes readers on an adventure among Hollywood’s most beautiful—and most outrageous—people, revealing the ugly side of Hollywood’s prettiest parties.

Title: Poppy's 3 Men by Sophie Sloane
Description: It is the wedding day for Poppy Shillington, a young, American woman. Everything is perfect: the white dress, the veil, the orchestra, except for one thing. Who is the groom? She stares into the mirror in her dressing room, and reminisces about her relationships with the three men she dated in her twenties: Dax, Mike, and Simon. A good-looking guy with bad manners, a straight-forward sensitive soul, and an adoring intellectual.

She remembers the passionately devastating trip to Paris, her humiliating adventures in the Great Outdoors, and a traumatizing game of Scrabble with the in-laws. As she shares the embarrassing, funny, and romantic stories of each man, it becomes increasingly challenging to predict which man she will end up with.

Title: Saving Grace by Jane Green
Description: Grace and Ted Chapman are widely regarded as the perfect literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist and Grace, his wife of twenty years, is beautiful, stylish, carefree, and a wonderful homemaker. But what no one sees, what is churning under the surface, is Ted’s rages. His mood swings. And the precarious house of cards that their lifestyle is built upon. When Ted’s longtime assistant and mainstay leaves, the house of cards begins to crumble and Grace, with dark secrets in her past, is most vulnerable. She finds herself in need of help but with no one to turn to…until the perfect new assistant shows up out of the blue. To the rescue comes Beth, a competent young woman who can handle Ted and has the calm efficiency to weather the storms that threaten to engulf the Chapman household. Soon, though, it’s clear to Grace that Beth might be too good to be true. This new interloper might be the biggest threat of all, one that could cost Grace her marriage, her reputation, and even her sanity. With everything at stake and no one to confide in, Grace must find a way to save herself before it is too late.

Powerful and riveting, Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.

Title: Sudden Death by Allison Brennan
Description: Heroic Justice

When a homeless veteran is found dead in a squalid Sacramento alley, FBI special agent Megan Elliott vows to find the murdered hero’s killer. Her investigation gets complicated fast, for the victim, a former Delta Force soldier, is just one link in a nationwide spree of torture and murder.

Straight off a job rescuing medical missionaries, soldier-for-hire Jack Kincaid returns to his home base in the Texas border town of Hidalgo only to receive the news that one of his closest colleagues–also ex-military–has been brutally murdered. Faced with an inept local police force, Jack takes matters into his own hands.

Now, as part of a national task force to stop the sadistic killings, by-the-book Megan and burn-the-book Jack form a tense alliance, sparked with conflict and temptation. But they struggle against more than passion, for a vicious pair of killers has only just begun a rampage of evil . . . and the primary target is much closer than Megan suspects.

Title: The Divorce Diet by Ellen Hawley
Description: "Revenge is sweet. Reinventing yourself is even sweeter." --Cathy Lamb

Abigail is sure the only thing standing between her and happiness is the weight she gained along with her beloved new baby. Until she instantly loses 170 pounds of husband.

When Thad declares that "this whole marriage thing" is no longer working, a shell-shocked Abigail takes her infant daughter, Rosie, and moves back to her parents' house. Floundering, she turns to an imaginary guru and best friend, the author of her new weight-loss book. But surviving heartache, finding a job, and staying sane as a suddenly single new mom isn't easy, especially on a diet--sorry, life journey.

Make an inventory of your skills, Abigail's guru instructs. Abigail loves cooking and preparing food--real food, not the fatless, joyless dishes her diet prescribes, or the instant-frozen-artificially flavored fare she finds in her mother's kitchen. So far, following everyone else's rules has led to being broke, lonely, and facing a lifetime of poached eggs, faux mayonnaise, and jobs in chain restaurants. What might happen if Abigail followed her own recipe for a good life instead?...

Bitingly funny, wise, and insightful, Ellen Hawley's fresh new novel is an ode to food and self-discovery for any woman who's ever walked away from a relationship--or a diet--to find what true satisfaction is all about.

Title: The Unexpected Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell
Description: Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her? Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family's hotel, he can't understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him-or any man for that matter-into her life. He also can't understand how he's been duped into employing Sophie's impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie's indifference to love. But that doesn't mean Josh is going to quit trying...

Title: 'Twas The Nate Before Christmas by Sophie Sloane
Description: Daisy, a young, American woman, has moved to Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the town centre at Christmastime, she rather clumsily falls to the ground. She looks up to see the most handsome face she had ever seen. Nate. It was love at first fall.

He is a gardener at Friar Park, but things don’t seem to add up, as he is constantly jumping into black sports cars, using code names, and hiding her from his friends. At other times, he is the perfect gentleman; wining and dining her at fancy restaurants, zipping around on their scooters, and wooing her with his British wit and banter.

Will he tell her the truth, or will she end up alone at Christmas?