"Hill Women" by Cassie Chambers

Open your eyes and learn about the wonders of life in the Appalacian Mountains. See and hear the people who make it their home. Be spellbound as the story moves you. Feel the hardships but, most importantly, feel the triumphs and joy of family and neighbors.

As a nation, small towns in Kentucky are mostly forgotten. We live our lives and don't appreciate what we have until we hear about others. Although we may be doing better in our jobs, we are certainly lost in the neighborly way. Gone are the days when we play with our neighbors. Gone are the days where we're safe in our homes. In the mountains this is the opposite. It's pure life.

Beautifully written. True story.

I highly recommend this book.

Cassie, thank you for sharing your story with the world.

"Rachel Maddow: A Biography"

by Lisa Rogak

This book sheds light on Rachel Maddow. She's brilliant, matter of fact and is enjoys confrontation. I have always enjoyed watching her show because she is so good at what she does. She opens our minds to yet another viewpoint. Learn about her and how she became who she is today. Learn about her personal life and how truly perfect it is for her. What a lucky person she is.

This is one of my favorite books. It was such fun to read and so well written. I enjoyed every word. It made me smile, laugh, think and wonder. Learning more about Rachel was a gift. She's an incredible woman.

Lisa, thank you so much for writing this book. Rachel, you are a unique soul. A kind soul.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

"The Perfect Love Song" by Patti Callahan Henry

A sweet love story written like a poem. Patti Callahan Henry's talent with words moves you. This book moved me. I heard the song, saw the characters.  The book is a fairy tale for adults. A true fairy tale that brings you hope and love and Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas.

Looking for a holiday book? This is a great one to pick up.

Enjoy!

"Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World"

by Jonathan Reckford

Wonderful book teaching us how Habitat for Humanity changes lives. How kindness, community, empowerment, joy, respect, generosity and service move worlds. How they are important to all. How we can make lives better in more ways than a house. Creating lives of importance and happiness. Lives with meaning and hope.

What a wonderful book! ALL proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. A GREAT cause!

"Spy" by Danielle Steele

Historical fiction. Danielle brings you to the world of espionage in a country far away. She teaches you how the country's spies help fight the war, while traveling around. What you will learn is eye opening. The strength of characters. The darkness of war. The light when the war ends and how families enjoy life.

This is a very well written book with wonderful characters and descriptors of where it is. I enjoyed it.

"The Confession Club" by Elizabeth Berg

Reading this book is like sailing on the clouds. It's that good. This is the first novel I have read that moves you. You are taken by the heart strings as friends become good and so very special. Where family is precious and finding happiness and love are dreams that come true.

As soon as I finished the book, I thought this is a book about how dreams do come true. How it's possible for us to not only survive but soar.

Brilliantly written. Fantastic characters and environment(s). Truly a work of art.

Pick up a copy. This is a book for your bookshelf to read time and time again. I LOVE it!!!!!

Thank you for writing this, Elizabeth!

"Mercy Road" by Ann Howard Creel

World War I is here. This is a book of love and loss. It's about survival and survival skills. It's about helping. It's about the women who helped as doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers. When you read this book, you will be there. You will smile and wonder. You will be bothered and disgusted. You see what war does.

This book is very well written. The characters are well described and make the story what it is. A story of women's endurance, aptitude, and ability. We are strong!

Pick up a copy. You will be very glad you did.

"Jet Girl" by Caroline Johnson

Learn first hand how a woman, who dreamed of flying jets, actually made it. Hear her, see her. She will teach you what it's like to be one of the few females flying. What she faced both in the air and on land. Yes, this is a true story.

Caroline is an incredible woman. She sets goals for herself and strives.

Pick up a copy and learn what it's like to fly over enemy land and drop bombs. Feel the repercussions. This life is a challenge but it is for our country. Have you read a book that brings this together? Here it is.

Caroline, thank you for writing this book. I wish you the best in all you do.

"Christmas Angels" by Nancy Naigle

A sweet novel. Such a creative idea that brings you into the wonders of a small town and new people who settle there. This is one of my favorite books by Nancy Naigle.

I highly recommend this book. It'll keep you reading until the end!

Thank you, Nancy!

"America Is Immigrants" by Sara Novic

What a brilliant book! So well written and so interesting! We're all immigrants. Come from all walks of life from all over the world. This book proves that.

A MUST buy!

LOVE this book!!!!

"Barack and Joe" the Making of an Extraordinary Partnership"

by Steven Levingston

For one who loved the dynamic duo, this is a book that enlightens and enhances what

on behind closed doors, how their beliefs intertwined and lots more. If you loved

Barack in office, you will love this book.

Brilliant book! Truly brilliant!

"The Shape of Night"

Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen is a unique writer in the way she writes paranormal romance novels as well as detective novels. I have read them all and have enjoyed each and every book she has written. She has such an excellent way of describing the characters and environment of the story. You can see the characters and see the scene before you.

This book is a mixture of romance, ghosts, a small town, and questionable deaths. Great fun!

Wonderfully written. Pick up a copy!

"The World That We Knew" by Alice Hoffman

A brilliantly written story in a fairy tale, historic setting. Alice has a different way with words. She writes really well and has beautiful characters and scenery. When I read this book, I felt pulled in and saw it all. Creativity is one of her strong suits. I love the way she created another and how that creation helped save a life or more.

Instead of carrier pigeons, Alice creates a story where a heron carries messages to one particular couple. It's magical!

I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this book. You will enjoy it tremendously.

"Diamond Doris" by Doris Payne

Growing up poor and listening to her father beat her mother, Doris started preparing for her adulthood as a child. She dreamed and reached her dreams and more. Her world became one of travel, luxury, and, yes, lots of money as she stole diamonds all over the world.

"Diamond Doris" is a fascinating read. Her writing skills are superb. She introduces you to her life in total. It's a book you will enjoy time and time again.

"The Dark Side" by Danielle Steele

Danielle Steel has brought us a book that teaches us about Munchausen by Proxy. A story unfolds about a loving family, great friends, and professional jobs well done.  It's about trust and love.

If you are looking for a Danielle Steel book, this is one to pick up. It's an easy read. The characters are well described. You feel as if you are right there with them. You feel the love and happiness, the anxiety, and the twist of love/support/terrified.

I hope you pick up this book. You will enjoy it.

Judy's blog - judysreading.blogspot.com
She always posts her reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and facebook.

"Nothing Ventured" by Jeffrey Archer

Brilliantly written story with quite a twist! Sit down and enjoy a book that will keep you entertained from page one until the end. It's a story of a man who wanted to become a police officer since he was a child even though his parents expected him to do otherwise. It's about how his knowledge of art helped in the scheme of things. It's a story of love. It's a story of greed.

"Nothing Ventured" is a book I would read time and time again. It's a blast. The ending is priceless!

"Finding Home" by Denise Janette Bruneau

Wow. What a wonderful book! I laughed. I cried to the point where I had to put the book down for a few minutes to collect myself (this was a first). I smiled and felt warm. I felt good.

Denise has written a brilliant story bringing us into the world of a medical student who went through a medical crisis, relationships, good friends and finding home. Her cast of characters are wonderful. So much love, caring. One relationship was truly soul searching. A dream come true.

This is one of my favorite books ever. I look forward to reading it over and over again.

Pick up a copy. You need this book!

"Deceived by Desire" by Marie Force

Beautifully written, this love story will capture your heart. It will warm you and hold onto your interest, making it impossible to put down.

"Deceived by Desire" is a brilliant book. I enjoyed it tremendously. So well written. Wonderful characters. It's like a fairy tale.  An adult fairy tale that will sit on your bookshelf in anticipation of being picked up yet again.

If you want to read a great book, this is it.

Thank you, Marie! You are an amazing author! Love your work!

"The Pearl Dagger" by L.A. Chandlar

The Depression is full swing. The wonders of New York city sparkle and bring joy and tragedy. Dancing in beautiful restaurants. Fighting crime in high heels. Friends, family and devoted coworkers and bosses make this book a fun and adventurous one.

I have always loved the 1920's and 1930's. It was a time of Roosevelt. A time of great change in America.

This book is fun. Fighting crime. Enjoying life. It has it all.

Enjoy!

"I'll be Okay, It's Just a Hole in My  Head" by Mimi Hayes

This story shows us that, even with a bleeding brain, we can survive. Mimi brilliantly wrote a book about not only surviving a brain injury but how, step by step, she was able to do things she never thought she'd do again.

Mimi survived when a lot of people haven't and won't. She's smart and funny. She is grateful. She is kind.

This book brings light to what we go through each and every day. Some people take things for granted. I, for one, am not one that does. Each day is a challenge. Each day is an opportunity. Mimi has directed a wonderful play in which life's ups and downs are depicted, never losing sight of what's important.

Thank you, Mimi, for writing this book. I enjoyed it and plan on telling people to pick up a copy. You are a smile maker. Yes, I'm smiling now.

"How to Hack a Heartbreak" by Kristin Rockaway

COMING OUT JULY 30th

What a wonderful book! So well written. Nothing like being young and being a woman working in a man's field. A brilliant woman takes the world by storm. She's a good person with her eyes focused on what to do to help people.

The road that led her to her dream was filled with friends and strangers.

This is a really fun book to read. I read half of it in one sitting. Yes, the other half was read in one more sitting. Haven't done that in ages.

Pick up a copy. You'll enjoy it.

"Finding Home" by Denise Janette Bruneau

COMING OUT SOON - check Amazon for details

Wow. What a wonderful book! I laughed. I cried to the point where I had to put the book down for a few minutes to collect myself (this was a first). I smiled and felt warm. I felt good.

Denise has written a brilliant story bringing us into the world of a medical student who went through a medical crisis, relationships, good friends and finding home. Her cast of characters are wonderful. So much love, caring. One relationship was truly soul searching. A dream come true.

This is one of my favorite books ever. I look forward to reading it over and over again.

Pick up a copy. You need this book!

"The Ingredients of Us" by Jennifer Gold

What a hilarious book! Jennifer is really creative in how she writes her recipes. Love her style!

Us humans are notorious in how we look at our lives and plan our destiny without truly seeing the expanse of our life. Finding the right person and holding onto that person is paramount to a happy life when one wants a spouse. Wanting to start a business and then wanting to expand when her spouse wants children and no one budges, is no way to be happy.

Then it happens.

When life breaks them apart and they can't stop thinking of each other.

They return to a life they compromise on. Compromise is the magic word. Some people just don't understand that.

This book is very well written and truly hilarious. Love her recipes! Jennifer, have you tried any of the recipes? :)

Have some fun and pick up this book.

"The Truth is a Theory" by Karyn Bristol

What a fun book to read! I enjoyed the characters and, yes, enjoyed how she described each of the friends. Life is filled with the unknown and the whys and why nots. Each of us has so much to think about as we go on with our life. The friends we put in our lives are what makes our lives fresh and fun. Life is easier when you have people around you who care. Children are gifts.

The challenges of life also come into play. How would you handle the turns in life?

This book will make you smile and laugh, sad, hopeful and more. It's about life. The true joys of life.

"Window on the Bay" by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber brings us a fun read in this book.  Friendship, families, gratitude and loss all come together. Each chapter brings a character to light and you see it from her/his perspective and then the book continues as such. How interesting life is when we look at other perspectives. How wonderful it is when life works out.

An easy to read book, well thought out, fun characters, and interesting ideas on how to handle life.

A love story. A friendship story. A family story. No matter what you call it, it's a fun book. Engulf yourself. You'll enjoy it.

"The Flight Girls" by Noelle Salazar

There's nothing like inspiration to help you see what was and what can be. This book is inspirational. What a story! Read about the women pilots who helped in WWII. This book is so well written! The characters well described and you can see and feel where you are. For a first book, this is incredible.

Noelle writes like she's right there with the women. Well done!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the women pilots of WWII. I know I will read this book time and time again.

Thank you, Noelle!

"The Things I Know" by Amanda Prowse

A book that will hold you. This story is about a woman born with a few distortions. She's bold and knows what she wants. She lives in a loving family on a farm where she enjoys her chickens, she feels the need to see and know more.

Yes, she was bullied. I don't know about you, but weren't a lot of us? How did we handle it?

Excitement fills her life. How overjoyed!

This is a book that you will enjoy. It's a book for your shelf.

"The Dream Daughter" by Diane Chamberlain

A unique way of looking at how one can help one they love. Time travel for the adult readers. It's 1970, 2001, 2013 and then 1970. A child is born with a heart defect in 1970 and the only way to help her is to send her to the future.


Would you take a chance to help one you love? It made me wonder as there is nothing more precious than our children.


This is a novel about love, family and hope. It's a book that will have your attention from page one and you'll wonder what's going to happen until the last page.

Pick up a copy and see how life could be.

"Love on Lexington Avenue" by Lauren Layne

What a fun read! "Love on Lexington Avenue" is a book you will love. The romance and friendships. The characters are a hoot.

This is a very well written love story with a twist. Something like strawberry lemonade.

Do yourself a favor. When it comes out, pick up a copy! You'll laugh.

Thank you, Lauren, for writing such a fun book!

"Sunset Beach" by Mary Kay Andrews

What a fantastic book! So unique. So intriguing. So captivating.

This book is one for the books. It's one of my favorites and now I look forward to reading more of Mary Kay's books. She writes brilliantly. Her creative mind brings in all sorts of ways that keeps the book taking new turns and twists. "Sunset Beach" is a book that you will enjoy. It's a book to purchase so that you can read it again and again.

If you want a good read for the summer, this is the book for you.

Thank you, Mary Kay, for sharing your talent with the world.

"Passion on Park Avenue" by Lauren Layne

What a blast of a book! So funny. Filled with friendships, making it in the world, and, yes, passion.

There is nothing like a blast of fresh air from the world of novels. Lauren does an incredible job introducing and describing each character as well as the world they live in. The read is very playful and fun. Nothing like anything I have ever read. This is definitely a book for your short list. It's a must!

Thank you Lauren, for writing a beautiful novel. Thanks for all the laughs. Looking forward to your next book!