IN PRAISE OF DIFFICULT WOMEN: LIFE LESSONS FROM 29 HEROINES WHO DARED TO BREAK THE RULES (Karen Karbo)

I thoroughly enjoyed Karbo's well-researched profiles of 29 very diverse women, women whose common characteristic was "difficulty," at least in the eyes of men and society in general.  In reality, they were creative, insightful, and larger than life.  Yes, they were oftentimes difficult, but what accomplished person hasn't been labeled as such at some time?  Karbo portrays such ground-breakers as Amy Poehler, Coco Chanel, Amelia Earhart, Hillary Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Josephine Baker, and Frida Kahlo.  Each of Karbo's subjects has an additional label (not all completely flattering) attached to their personalities, giving the reader some insight into WHY they are "difficult."  Elizabeth Taylor was "notorious," Martha Gellhorn is "brave," and Edie Sedgwick was "decadent."  Through we learn interesting tidbits about each woman.  Hillary Clinton, who is viewed as too ambitious and somewhat masculine, makes people feel intelligent and is very kind. Nora Ephron made no announcements when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and worked until a few days before her death.  Laverne Cox welcomes her detractors with grace and dignity.  Shonda Rimes, one of television's most successful writers and producers, notes that it wasn't until she lost 150 pounds that people found her "valuable" and worth looking at.

I think that my favorite was Kay Thompson.  I remember as a child sneaking up the stairs to the adult library so I could read Thompson's wonderful Eloise books.  I had no idea, until I read this book, that Thompson was a gifted and prolific song and dance coach and music arranger who coached some of the biggest stars of the 20th century and basically created the Hollywood musical.  She also had an incredible ego driven in part by insecurity about her looks and her short stature. She was a manipulative schemer with a taste for amphetamines and she had a long-term affair with singer Andy Williams, who was 18 years her junior.  In short, she was fascinating.

I really feel that I gained a lot of insight into what defines a "difficult" women and how societal norms and the media color our view of who someone really is at their heart.  Karbo has done an excellent job of making there 29 women real and human people.  Highly recommended!

ON SECOND THOUGHT (Kristan Higgins)

Imagine finally meeting the love of your life at age 39, marrying after a whirlwind romance, and finding yourself a widow just 4 months later.  Alternatively, imagine devoting 11 years to loving a man, including nursing him through cancer and editing his very popular blog about his illness, then being asked to move out of your house on the day you expect a marriage proposal.

Ainsley has discovered an engagement ring in Eric's closet and believes that he will take the opportunity to "pop the question" at their big party to celebrate beating testicular cancer (which, the truth be told, was not a particularly incredible feat on Eric's part since it was discovered early).  Just as Eric calls for everyone's attention and is reaching into his pocket, Nathan, the husband of Ainsley's half-sister, Kate, trips and falls, fatally hitting his head on the edge of a countertop.  Kate is now a grieving widow and Ainsley still not engaged.

I would call this novel satisfying.  It evokes emotions that are familiar to every woman - the possibility of losing someone unexpectedly, the realization that the future you planned is never going to happen, and the existence of possibilities for happiness that can change your life after a tragedy.  A deeper understanding of familial bonds, learning from the past, and recognizing that relationships are never static are the main themes of Higgins's excellent novel.  I will definitely read more of her women's fiction.

HERE WE LIE (Paula Trieck DeBoard)

This is one of those novels where you find out right at the beginning that something terrible that happened years ago is about to become big news, exposing secrets and changing lives, even, perhaps, healing some old wounds. 

The story revolves around two girls from completely different backgrounds who meet at a small Connecticut College and become best friends for 3 years.  Megan Mazeros, from Woodstock, Kansas, puts her dreams of college aside to help the family while her father dies slowly of mesothelioma.  When he asks her to help him end his pain and suffering she is horrified, but after his death, Megan's mother reveals that his insurance will provide enough money for Megan to attend college.  At Keale College she meets Lauren Mabrey, the troubled daughter of a U.S. Senator from Simsbury, CT.  Lauren is the Mabrey renegade, the child who refuses to conform and present the right image, yet who's mother always "fixes" her problems.  Megan and Lauren, despite their vastly different backgrounds, become best friends and confidantes, even sharing their deepest secrets.

After their junior year at Keale, Lauren invites Megan to spend several weeks at her family's summer retreat at a private island off the coast of Maine.  It is an idyllic vacation for the girls until Megan disappears without a word one day before her scheduled departure date.  It isn't until many years later that Lauren discovers the truth behind Megan's exit from her life and the depth of her family's drive to protect their own image no matter what the cost.

Although a bit predictable in some respects, this novel also offers a few surprises.  It was well worth reading. I can't say that I really LIKED the main characters, which is a bit unusual for me, but they definitely held my interest.

BETTER OFF WED (Laura Durham)

This is a cute series, not meant for serious mystery buffs but, rather, for readers looking for a fun, light experience.  Annabelle Archer, the main character, is a wedding planner who becomes involved in crime-solving when the mother-of-the bride is murdered at a wedding reception that she has planned, making her a suspect.  Aided by her close friend, Richard, the caterer who is also a prime suspect in the case, and her grammar-challenged assistant, Annabelle sets out to discover who is responsible for poisoning the overbearing woman.  Since Annabelle and Richard are also present when another suspicious death occurs they are desperate to solve the crimes and save their own businesses.

This series is may be "cute," but the mystery is very well done.  Maybe I'm just not that bright, but I was pretty surprised by the ending!  If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend a weekend, this might be a great way to do it.

DEATH IS NOW MY NEIGHBOR (Colin Dexter)

This was my first Inspector Morse novel, although I have seen several of the TV adaptations (including this one). It seems pretty straightforward at the beginning.  Two married men, Julian Storrs and Dennis Cornford, are in competition to be named the next Master of Lonsdale College to replace Sir Clixby Bream.  Julian is unfaithful to his wife, Rachel James being one of his secret lovers.  Dr. Cornford is happily married to a much younger woman who is the object of much interest and speculation.  When physiotherapist Rachel James is fatally shot through her kitchen window at 17 Bloxham Drive one morning, Morse and Lewis are called in to investigate.  Rachel was a quiet, pretty girl, apparently without enemies, and a motive for her killing becomes more and more elusive as the investigation progresses.  The neighbors, a source of much speculation and information, include Geoffrey Owens, an ambitious reporter who resides at 15 Bloxham Drive.

Morse diagnoses himself with diabetes during this case and spends 5 days in hospital, developing am incipient romantic relationship with a nurse, Janet McQueen, who insists on knowing Morse's first name (apparently this has been a source of speculation). 

Dexter (and Morse) does an excellent job of weaving together 2 seemingly unrelated groups of people into an intriguing and very satisfying mystery.  I would not be adverse to reading more in this series.

DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIE MURDER (Joanne Fluke)

Joanne Fluke's books are pure fun.  They are clean, interesting, and, of course, delicious!  I picked up this one because I happened to be reading a review of one of the later books in the Hannah Swenson series and I noticed that she was MARRIED, but not to Norman or Mike, both of whom have been pursuing her since very early in the series, so I had to find out how this new relationship developed.

As this story begins, Hannah is preparing to travel to Las Vegas to celebrate the surprise elopement of her mother, Delores, and her fiance, Doc Knight.  Hannah is also dealing with her imminent trial for vehicular manslaughter and the terror of possibility ending up in prison for what she knows was an accident, pure and simple.  On arrival in Las Vegas the Swensons discover that Doc's mysterious best man is Ross Barton, a friend and old flame of Hannah's. When she discovers that Ross is interviewing for a job in their hometown of Lake Eden, MN, Hannah is hopeful that her life might be taking an exciting new turn, aside from possible imprisonment.

When Hannah and her lawyer arrive at court for jury selection they are summoned to see the judge, who, of course, is murdered in his chambers and discovered by Hannah!  At least he had arranged to dismiss the charges against her before he was knocked off!

I read some of the reviews of this novel on Amazon and was a bit surprised by some of the critical comments.  Of course, 69% of readers gave it 4 or 5 stars, a rating with which I agree, but there were some pretty nasty (but vague) comments on the one-star reviews.  Fluke's readers love her characters and their personalities.  They also love the fact that her mysteries are cozy and comfortable (plus the recipes are great!).  They are not looking for the world's next Agatha Christie or Robert B. Parker.  They want home and family and the smell of cookies baking, and that's what Fluke offers, along with intriguing mysteries.  I enjoyed this one thoroughly!

CALLED TO JUSTICE (Edith Maxwell)

This series continues to be terrific!  Quaker midwife Rose Carroll attends a fireworks display where Hannah Breed, a young unmarried Quaker who has confided in Hannah about her pregnancy, is found shot to death.  Rose's quest to discover the killer, and possibly the father of Hannah's child, takes on new urgency when a fellow Quaker and freed slave Akwasi Ayensu is accused of the murder based on the evidence of unsavory factory manager Lester Colby.  Can Rose help to bring Hannah's killer to justice before she herself becomes a victim?

I just love Edith Maxwell's writing!  This series is wonderful historical fiction.

SURPRISE ME! (Sophie Kinsella)

Sylvie and Dan Winter have been together for 10 wonderful years and look forward to many more years of happiness, but when their doctor mentions that they could realistically live for 68 more years, they start to question how they could possibly keep love and interest alive for such a lonnnnnnnnggg time.  Sylvie decides that frequent surprises are the answer to keeping the excitement alive in their marriage.  It seems like a good idea to keep thinking of ways to delight each other - a cashmere sweater, tickets to a favorite comedy show, etc, except that the surprises don't turn out as surprising or delightful as expected.  Thrown into the mix is Sylvie's mother, widowed two years ago by a tragic accident that took the life of her husband, Sylvie's father, a golden, perfect philanthropist cut down in the prime of his life.  Sylvie starts to notice Dan and her mother engaged in furtive conversations about money and then starts to wonder if Dan is having an affair.  In other words, her plan is backfiring big-time and future bliss seems to be slipping away at warp speed.

Kinsella has another winner here.  I love her free-standing novels.  Despite their humorous themes, she always manages to take a look at serious issues with a new perspective.  This is evolved chick-lit at its best!