The Traitor

The Traitor by Grace Burrowes

Summary: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes delivers a passionate, danger-filled Regency romance... The past will overtake him... Abandoned in France since boyhood, despite being heir to an English barony, Sebastian St. Clair makes impossible choices to survive a tour of duty in the French Army. He returns to England hoping for the peaceful life of a country gentleman, though old enemies insist on challenging him on the field of honor, one after another. But this time, he will not fight alone... Millicent Danforth desperately needs her position as companion to the Traitor Baron's aunt, but grieves to learn that Sebastian must continually fight a war long over. As Sebastian and Milly explore their growing passion, they uncover a plot that will cost Sebastian his life and his honor, unless he does battle once more-this time in the name of love. Angie's Comments: The Traitor is the second in the Captive Hearts series, with the first being The Soldier. I strongly suggest reading The Soldier first before reading The Traitor, as to help with background. In first book, Sebastian St. Clair is portrayed as a traitor and torturer with no remorse, as seen by one of his victims. In The Traitor, Burrowes redeems Sebastian St. Clair in the eyes of the reader and the soldiers that he tortured. The characters in this book have had to make hard decisions, and they suffer for them. I was surprised by the ending, which revealed one of the many hard decisions that a character had to face. The characters are honest, and Millie is a forthright woman who has a practical streak. This is a book for romance readers interested in the Napoleonic wars, family, and making sacrifices during wartime.     Request this item

The Lewis Man

The Lewis Man by Peter May

Summary: Marilyn Stasio in The New York Times raved: "Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth." Among the many honors received, The Blackhouse, the first novel in May's acclaimed Lewis trilogy, won the Barry and Crime Thriller Hound awards. In The Lewis Man, the second book of the trilogy, Fin Macleod has returned to the Isle of Lewis, the storm-tossed, wind-scoured outer Hebridean island where he was born and raised. Having left behind his adult life in Edinburgh--including his wife and his career in the police force--the former Detective Inspector is intent on repairing past relationships and restoring his parents' derelict cottage. His plans are interrupted when an unidentified corpse is recovered from a Lewis peat bog. The only clue to its identity is a DNA match to a local farmer, the now-senile Tormod Macdonald--the father of Fin's childhood sweetheart, Marsaili--a man who has claimed throughout his life to be an only child, practically an orphan. Reluctantly drawn into the investigation, Fin uncovers deep family secrets even as he draws closer to the killer who wishes to keep them hidden. Already an international bestseller and winner of numerous awards, including France's Prix des Lecteurs du Telegramme, The Lewis Man has the lyrical verve of Ian Rankin and the gutsy risk-taking of Benjamin Black. As fascinating and forbidding as the Hebridean landscape, the book (according to The Times) "throbs with past and present passions, jealousies, suspicions and regrets; the emotional secrets of the bleak island are even deeper than its peat bog." Angie's Comments: Tormod Macdonald does have a very secret past! I enjoyed uncovering the layers of his life, which are numerous. His recollections, which May inserts throughout the book, are not the whole truth, but they help give life to the findings of Macleod.     Request this item

To Dwell in Darkness

To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie

Summary: In the tradition of Elizabeth George, Louise Penny, and P. D. James, New York Times bestselling author Deborah Crombie delivers a powerful tale of intrigue, betrayal, and lies that will plunge married London detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James into the unspeakable darkness that lies at the heart of murder. Recently transferred to the London borough of Camden from Scotland Yard headquarters, Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his new murder investigation team are called to a deadly bombing at historic St. Pancras Station. By fortunate coincidence, Melody Talbot, Gemma's trusted colleague, witnesses the explosion. The victim was taking part in an organized protest, yet the other group members swear the young man only meant to set off a smoke bomb. As Kincaid begins to gather the facts, he finds every piece of the puzzle yields an unexpected pattern, including the disappearance of a mysterious bystander. The bombing isn't the only mystery troubling Kincaid. He's still questioning the reasons behind his transfer, and when his former boss—who's been avoiding him—is attacked, those suspicions deepen. With the help of his former sergeant, Doug Cullen, Melody Talbot, and Gemma, Kincaid begins to untangle the truth. But what he discovers will leave him questioning his belief in the job that has shaped his life and his values—and remind him just how vulnerable his precious family is. Angie's Comments: I believe that this is the 16th installment of this series, and as my first foray into the series, I’ll be watching out for more. The plot was interesting, as there was more than one question that needed solving. This book focuses a lot on Kincaid and James’s home life, including children and kittens. I liked that focus, as it shows that the characters have multiple facets and don’t live at the police station. I recommend this book to readers of mysteries.    Request this item

Irene

Irene by Pierre Lemaitre

Summary: Pierre Lemaitre is known for writing crime fiction with an alchemical mix of white-knuckle intensity, fearlessly unconventional plotting, and psychologically intricate character development. In Irene Lemaitre ingeniously uses five contemporary and classic literary murder scenes--from William McIlvanney's Laidlaw to Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho--as the framework on which to craft a diabolical prequel to his Crime Writers' Association International Dagger Award-winning novel Alex. Camille Verhoeven, whose diminutive stature belies his fierce intensity, has reached an unusually content (for him) place in life. he is respected by his colleagues and he and his lovely wife, Irene, are expecting their first child. But when a new murder case hits his desk--a double torture-homicide that's so extreme that even the most seasoned officers are horrified-Verhoeven is overcome with a sense of foreboding. As links emerge between the bloody set-piece and at least one past unsolved murder, it becomes clear that a calculating serial killer is at work. The press has a field day, taking particular pleasure in putting Verhoeven under the media spotlight (and revealing uncomfortable details of his personal life). Then Verhoeven makes a breakthrough discovery: the murders are modeled after the exploits of serial killers from classic works of crime fiction. The double murder was an exquisitely detailed replication of a scene from Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho, and one of the linked cold cases was a faithful homage to James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia. The media circus reaches a fever pitch when the modus operandi of the killer, dubbed "The Novelist," is revealed. Worse, the Novelist has taken to writing taunting letters to the police, emphasizing that he will stop leaving any clues behind unless Verhoeven remains on the case. For reasons known only to the killer, the case has become personal. With more literature--inspired murders surfacing, Verhoeven enlists the help of an eccentric bookseller and a professor specializing in crime fiction to try to anticipate his adversary's next move. Then Irene is kidnapped. With time running out, Verhoeven realizes that all along he's been the unwitting dupe in The Novelist's plans to create an original work of his own. Now, the only person in the world the commandant truly cares for is in danger, and a happy ending seems less and less likely as it becomes clear that the winner of this deadly game may be the man with the least to lose. Angie's Comments: This book is not for the faint of heart! Its description of the murders are quite gruesome and shocking. Irene is an intense read, with a mystifying murders and shocking twists. I recommend this book to readers who can handle gory scenes and like mysteries. I am off to check out the second book in the trilogy, Alex.  Request this item

Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness

Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness by Donna Smallin

Summary: Finally, a way to get rid of the clutter -- and keep it away -- without making the process a full-time job! Organizing and cleaning expert Donna Smallin shows you how to enjoy the happy, healthy, inviting home you long for with hundreds of time-saving tips and solutions to your clutter and cleaning problems. Her approach is manageable and simple, helping you focus on the things that will make the biggest difference with the least amount of effort and time. You'll discover small, quick routines that will keep your spaces clean and clutter-free, as well as lots of things that you can do to introduce order and serenity in just one minute! Clear away the clutter once and for all, and enjoy the happiness you'll find hiding underneath!  Angie's Comments: Hands down, this is my favorite “get rid of clutter” book that I have ever read. When I was in the middle of reading this, I had to jump up and start cleaning and organizing. I finally donated two chairs that I had been meaning to get out of my house for over six months. The tips have been pared down so that the book isn’t full of text. It is more about reading as you need to get ideas or encouragement for cleaning out clutter. It is a cheerleader in book format, encouraging you as you clean. I expect to check this book out in the future, whenever I need some encouragement for cleaning or de-cluttering.   Request this item

You

You by Caroline Kepnes

Summary: From debut author Caroline Kepnes comes You, one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of 2014, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age. When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card. There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting. As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder. A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age. You is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to Gone Girl, American Psycho, and Stephen King’sMisery. Angie's Comments: I am of two minds about this book. The novel is told from Joe’s perspective, which took a while for me to get into his mindset. Also, Joe’s murders did not seem believable. Really, wouldn’t someone have noticed that the one girl did not actually drown? Some things are a bit hard to believe in this book. On the other hand, it is creepy. Joe seems somewhat rational as long as you think as he does, but once you start thinking not as Joe, you realize that he is way off base with his perspective. Some parts I liked, others l didn’t. All the characters seemed odd and everybody had issues. Joe is scary, and this book is haunting. I am still not sure whether I liked the book or not. I recommend this book to readers who like creepy stories about crazy personalities. Request this item

I See You

I See You by Patricia MacDonald

Summary: How well do you know the people closest to you?  Hannah, Adam and adorable young Sydney Wickes are living under assumed identities in West Philadelphia. Although she’s found it hard to adjust to life in the city, at least Hannah and her family are safe and slowly beginning to build new lives for themselves. But all that changes when an unexpected tragedy throws the harsh spotlight of publicity onto the Wickes family, putting them in serious danger. Because Hannah and those she loves are hiding a dark secret in their past, a secret that has torn their lives apart. For what do you do when the person you should love the most poses the greatest threat? The Wickes’ sinister family secret is destined to catch up with them – with terrifying consequences. Angie's Comments: This is a story that begins in the present, then goes back to the past, then continues in the present. I enjoyed the character of Hannah, who supports her daughter until she uncovers some dark secrets. MacDonald focuses mostly on Hannah, and her relationship with her daughter, than on Adam, Hannah’s husband. I wish Adam had been included in the action more. I have to admit that I did not guess Hannah’s daughter’s big secret. It was definitely sickening. If you enjoy dark secrets and family drama, I recommend this book! Request this item

Close to the Bone

Close to the Bone by Lisa Black

Summary: Forensic scientist Theresa MacLean stumbles across a murder rather too close for comfort when she returns to the Medical Examiner’s office following a late-night call to find one deskman missing and the other beaten to death. Written in blood above the dead man’s head is a single word: ‘Confess’. It’s the first time a homicide has taken place actually within the ME’s office. Medical Examiner Stone works on how to spin the news while Theresa works the scene. When a second victim is discovered, Theresa uncovers a link to the death of another co-worker, records secretary Diane Allman, who was murdered in her own home ten years before. As she painstakingly pieces the clues together, Theresa realizes that she has become an integral part of a ruthless killer’s murderous agenda. And if she is to survive, she must find out what really happened to Diane all those years ago. Angie's Comments: I liked Theresa, who is an older woman, divorced, with one daughter in college. She is a strong, believable character. The book is one of the quicker books that I have read. Most of the plot is fast, although in a few spots it seemed to be slower than I would have liked. And I love that near the end, you think all hope is lost, but then comes the twist. I couldn’t guess who did it until the end. This is the first Lisa Black book I have read, and I will be checking out Tipton Library’s other Lisa Black books soon! Request this item

Hush

Hush by Karen Robards

Summary: In New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards’s latest heart-pounding thriller, a woman must uncover a murderer—or risk being the next victim of a vicious killer. When Riley Cowan finds her estranged husband Jeff dead in his palatial home, she’s sure it’s no coincidence. The police rule it a suicide, but Riley thinks someone’s out for blood—specifically someone Jeff’s father ripped off in one of the biggest financial fraud cases of all time. She suspects that someone is trying to send a message to Jeff’s father: Tell me where the money is, or everyone you care about will die. Enter Finn Bradley, an FBI agent with a dangerous secret. He's after the money too, and Riley quickly becomes his chief suspect. But when someone tries to kill her, he has no choice but to protect her until he can uncover the truth. The question becomes, can they discover the killer’s identity in time, before he resurfaces—and strikes again? Dubbed an “exceptional storyteller” by the Chicago Tribune and “one of the most popular voices in women’s fiction” by Newsweek, Karen Robards’s latest action-packed novel will keep you glued to the pages until the final, shocking conclusion. Angie's Comments:  Another good romantic suspense! While it has suspense, it also focuses a lot on the relationship/attraction between Riley and Finn. I think it focuses more on that attraction than other Karen Robards books that I have read. Riley is a strong character, who has enough courage for anyone. I recommend this book for readers of romantic suspense and to all the Karen Robards fans.  Request this item

Trust No One

Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz

Summary: Following up on the incredible success of River Road, New York Times–bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz delivers another masterpiece of romantic suspense.  It’s no coincidence when Grace Elland finds a vodka bottle next to the lifeless body of her boss, motivational speaker Sprague Witherspoon. The bottle is a terrifying—and deliberate—reminder of the horrors of her past. Grace retreats to her hometown to regroup and tries to put everything she’s learned about positive thinking into practice—a process that is seriously challenged on the world’s worst blind date. Awkward doesn’t begin to describe her evening with venture-capitalist Julius Arkwright. She has nothing in common with a man who lives to make money, but the intense former Marine does have some skills that Grace can use—and he’s the perfect man to help her when it becomes clear she is being stalked. As Witherspoon’s financial empire continues to crumble around them, taking a deadly toll, Julius will help Grace step into her past to uncover a devious plan to destroy not only Grace, but everyone around her… Angie's Comments:  I absolutely loved this book! I haven’t read Krentz’s recent books, but I am glad I picked this one up. It has the romance, the suspense, the fun, and the writing that I expect from Krentz. There are many layers to this plot, and so the title Trust No One is very appropriate. I recommend this book for Jayne Ann Krentz readers and for readers of romantic suspense. Request this item

This Year I Will...

This Year I Will...How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True by M. J. Ryan

Summary: Are you really ready to change? Take this quiz and find out. Every New Year’s Day, my list of resolutions is: Ambitious. I aim for everything from losing weight to saving more money for my retirement. Realistic. I just try to bump my good behavior up a notch--be a better friend, give more money to charity---without giving myself any strict deadlines or goals. Precise. I decide exactly how many men I will ask for a date, or how many new jobs I will apply for. Whenever I decide to change something, it’s usually because: My doctor has put the fear of God into me. I read a magazine article about why making this change is important. I start daydreaming about how great life will be after I make the change. True or False: When you want to make a big change in your life, timing is crucial. Failure is: Impossible. Inevitable. Not in my vocabulary. (The answers are on the inside back flap.) Learn the secret to making changes that stick Every so often people get inspired (again!) to lose weight, get organized, start saving, or stop worrying –but a few months later they give up, frustrated. It doesn’t have to be that way. In This Year I Wil . . .l,bestselling author M.J. Ryan offers breakthrough wisdom and coaching to help readers make this timethe time that change becomes permanent. Why do people find it so hard to change? The secret is that everyone has their own formula for making changes that stick, but most people don’t know what theirs is. They think there is one way to lose five pounds, and another way to stay on top of their e-mail, but they don’t realize that for all changes, there is one system that works best for each individual. This Year I Will . . . helps you lock on to your unique formula for planning, implementing, and seeing a life change through, so you can use it again and again to tackle anything else you’d like to do. For anyone who has broken a New Year’s resolution, fallen off a diet, or given up on fulfilling a dream, the ingenious strategies, inspiring stories, and sheer motivational energy of This Year I Will . . . help you make a promise to yourself that you can actually keep. Answers to the jacket quiz: c, c, false, b. Take the whole quiz and learn your score at M.J. Ryan’s Web site, www.mj-ryan.com. Angie's Comments:  M. J. Ryan elucidates the steps that we need to take to actually change. The strategies that she offers are common sense, but it always helps me to see things better when someone else spells them out. Each chapter has a specific point, and the chapters are short and to-the-point. If you need help to change, this book might help you get there! Request this item