Category: Books (Page 6 of 6)

Five Star review for “New Leaf” by Catherine Anderson

January 3, 2016 / / 0 Comments

New Leaf - Catherine AndersonTaffeta Brown grew up in the foster care system. She had been sick as a baby and by the time her medical problems allowed her to be adopted, she was an older child. She married the only son of a prominent attorney and for awhile she thought her life was perfect. True, her husband was spoiled and his parents gave him everything, but he had graduated with a law degree and was going to work for his father’s firm, and she was sure in time he would grow up.  Taffeta was happy when she found out she was expecting a child, until her husband informed her he wasn’t ready to be a father so she had to have a abortion.  She refused, informing Phillip that wasn’t going to happen.

When Sarah was born, Phillip’s parents fell completely in love with her. Phillip pretended to love her too, whenever his parents were around. During the pregnancy he had stopped bothering to hide his infidelities, but if Taffeta wanted to provide a stable life for her daughter, she had to look the other way. One night when Sarah was three she got up late at night, managed to unlock the safety gate on the stairs and fell. This was what Phillip had been waiting for! He accused Taffeta of abusing the child, divorced her and got sole custody of Sarah. Since a child wasn’t in his plans, he immediately gave Sarah to her grandparents.

Convicted of child abuse, Taffeta relocates to different town. Not wanting to draw attention, she dresses in dowdy clothes and spends all her time building her business. One day she will get the money to hire a lawyer and gain custody of Sarah, until then she has to fly below the radar and build a reputation as a model citizen.  Enter Barney Sterling, a local lawman who finds himself drawn to Taffeta. When Taffeta finds out that Phillip has removed Sarah from his parents home and is leaving her in the care of strippers and drug addicts, she turns to Barney. Barney is a Deputy Sheriff and every criminal he has known claimed to be innocent, but once he starts thinking about the story Taffeta tells him, he decides that if Taffeta is lying she would surely concoct a better story.

The book tells of Barney and Taffeta’s fight to get her little girl back, and their growing attraction to one another. By the time they get the child back, they find she acts like a 20 year old stripper with a language to match.

This is an excellent read.

As always I wish you happy reading,   Linda

 

Sitting around the table with Linda Laughlin

December 4, 2015 / / 0 Comments

I have written a book and I use my grandmother’s maiden name, so some of the people I am acquainted with don’t know that I am an author. I know two ladies who just read biographies, so I would not expect them to rush out and buy my book. Some people don’t like to read, and while I don’t understand anyone in this category, I respect their right to feel this way. On the whole, I don’t bring the book up when I am in a group. I love hearing how much fun you had, and that you couldn’t put it down until you had turned the last page, but if you haven’t read “Run For Your Life!”, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.

Tonight I went to a Christmas Party; the first one of the year for me. I was at a table for 10 and someone said, “I just finished your book and I really liked it. Two or three others spoke up to say how much they enjoyed it. One lady ask when number two was due out and if it would be a sequel?

I am happy to report that I have finished the second draft of the next one, and I am going to start on the final draft the first of the week. Hopefully I will have book 2, “Fight For Your Life”, out sometime in January if my editor does’t have too long a list of rewrites. You will find out what happens in Steve and Leah’s life. Ted, the bartender has a new love interest and it isn’t what you or Leah expect. Come by the Ocean Front Bar and Grill and say “hello” to all your old friends.

If you have read “Run For Your Life!” drop me a note and tell me how you liked it? If you haven’t read it you are missing a good book.

Happy reading, Linda Laughlin

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

November 26, 2015 / / 0 Comments

A friend of mine handed me this book and told me she thought anyone over a certain age would find it interesting. I found it disturbing and oddly very sad.

The story is about two lonely people who have lost their spouses. It is set in Holt, Colorado and tells the story of Addie and Louis, who live two doors down from one another. Addie pays Louis an unexpected visit. She tells him she is lonely, has trouble sleeping and she wants to ask if he would come and spend the nights with her. She is quick to explain that she isn’t interested in a sexual relationship, she just wants someone to talk to and share her empty bed.

They embark on a relationship that quickly turns into a special friendship. It is impossible to keep a secret in a small town and soon everyone is talking. When Addie’s son starts having financial and marital problems he brings his 6 year son Jamie, to visit Grandma. Addie and Louis discontinue their sleepovers until Jamie gets settled in. Louis and the boy soon bond and Louis is teaching Jamie to play ball and introducing him to a rescue dog. One night after Louis is back doing sleep overs, a storm comes up and Jamie ends up in bed with the older couple.

Of course the son finds out, although at this point I noticed the son seemed more worried about Louis trying to get Addie’s money, than Jamie. In the end the son separates the older couple by threatening to not let Addie see Jamie again. Addie gives in to pressure and moves out of town. A broken hip puts Addie in the hospital and Louis finds out about it and goes to see her. Of course the son is there and decrees that Louis can only have 5 minutes with his mother. The story ends with Addie getting out of the hospital and calling Louis on the phone. It leaves the reader with the impression that they may someday find their way back together or maybe that was my wishful thinking.

We are blessed with very few close friendships and it made me angry that Addie’s son would forbid her a loving relationship. Yes, there is a moral issue but who were they hurting? I think the story was set in the late 60’s and I don’t know if the son could make that work today. I have read about grandparents suing for visitation rights. I think I would have told my son that since money was his main concern, he should let me see my grandson or I would put every penny I had in trust so he couldn’t get anything.

Read the book and let me know your opinion!

Happy reading, Linda

J.D. Robb’s new book

November 8, 2015 / / 0 Comments

J.D. Robb, Devoted in Death If you know me, you know I am a big Nora Roberts fan, I have never read a Nora Roberts book I didn’t like. I am also a fan of the books she writes under the pen name “J.D. Robb”.  These books are set in the year 2058 and are about a futuristic cop named Eve Dallas. I’ll be honest; I am addicted, and when her latest, “Devoted in Death” came out recently, I had to have it. Like most book junkies I couldn’t wait to get it home so I could get my latest fix. Is it any wonder that I have to write a little murder and mayhem into my own books?

This one features a pair of Bonnie and Clyde types who go on a killing spree. While I could understand that Bonnie and Clyde might have been driven to what they did by poverty and therefore their greed for money, this couple is totally evil. They have killed their way across the country and end their reign of terror in Eve’s jurisdiction, New York City. You are pulled into the book when the “Star Crossed Lovers” capture a young women to torture for their perverted form of sexual pleasure, and then decide to add a young man to the mix, all because of their sick ideal of love. Eve works day and night to put the pieces of the puzzle together in time to save the young victims. This book centers, as most do, on Eve’s skill in tracking down the killer, but it also brings in a cast of characters that you have enjoyed seeing in past books. As usual I couldn’t put the book down until I turned the last page of the story.

If you like a good mystery then I highly recommend this. If you like a good author, just look for Nora Roberts name, because this lady is a master story teller. And, if you’re looking for something more in the romantic suspense genre, give my book “Run For Your Life!” a try, and then drop me a line and tell me what you thought.

As always, I wish you happy reading, Linda Laughlin

 

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