I've been posting like mad lately so that you won't miss me too much while I'm gone on vacation. The fam and I are headed to Utah tomorrow - it's our favorite place to spend the 4th of July. I'll be reading books and email, but I won't be posting until I return in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are a few things to keep you busy (including 2 new giveaways!):

- You may have noticed on my review of If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor that I launched a new feature called If this were a movie, it would be rated ... I know a lot of readers wish books came with a rating system similar to that used on movies. This is my completely subjective version. If you disagree with my evaluation, feel free to let me know. Hopefully, this will be a valuable tool.

- If you're an adoptee, an adoptive parent, someone considering adoption, or if you are just interested in the topic, you might want to check out Adoptive Famiiles magazine's list of the best books about adoption. You can find the list here, or check out the magazine's bookstore here. They have some great recommendations.

- If you haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris (and I haven't), here's your chance. Melissa at Melissa's Bookshelf is giving away a set of the first 7 books. Go here to enter. Contest ends July 5 at 8 p.m. EST.

- Lisa at Online Publicist is doing a series of BEA (Book Expo America) giveaways. Currently, she has 2 children's books up for grabs. For more info, click here. Contest ends June 26, so hurry on over and check it out.

- Nymeth has a fun contest going on over at Things Mean A Lot. The winner gets a copy of any YA sci fi/fantasy book he/she chooses. Woo hoo. Contest ends Sunday, so get on over there and enter.

- Stephanie at Stephanie's Written Word is hosting a reading challenge. You may remember how I got myself in waaaay over my head with challenges last year - so much so that I unentered all of them and swore off challenges. Well, this one is just a little too tantalizing. So, I'm going to enter her Everything Austen Challenge. You have to choose 6 Austen-themed things to do between July 1 and January 1, 2010. The challenge includes prizes (woo hoo!). Here's my list:

Okay, about the giveaway ... I have two books up for grabs. I described each contest in the following posts. Hopefully, it all makes sense. Both contests end on July 10 and are open worldwide. Good luck

Have a wonderful 4th, everybody! I'll catch you all when I get back.

Hachette Book Group sent me several non-fiction books, one of which does not appeal to me at all. Since I'm not a Garth Brooks fan (although I used to know all the words to "I've Got Friends in Low Places"), and I don't have any interest in country music, The Garth Factor by Patsi Bale Cox just isn't for me. If you're a Garth fan, I'd love to pass this brand new hardcover on to you. All you have to do is make a comment on this post, and you'll be entered into the giveaway. Blog about it for an extra entry. I'll choose a winner on July 10. Good luck!

Here's the blurb from the front jacket cover:



Since his debut in 1990, country music icon Garth Brooks has sold over 128 million albums and has been certified by the RIAA as the #1 selling artist in U.S. history. But Garth had more than his share of controversy. Throughout his unprecedented rise he has been denounced as a media and market manipulator, a country music poseur, and a megalomaniac. Others claim he is simply a brilliant businessman and marketing strategist. Either way, his record-breaking success has had a revolutionary effect on the music industry.

Examining his career within the context of music history, author and industry insider Patsi Bale Cox goes behind closed doors at the labels and delves into the inner sanctum of the Nashville music community. The Garth Factor paints a portrait of how Brooks broke into the tight-knit country music community, his dealings with songwriters and label heads, and his relationships with fellow country stars, including how his friendship with Trisha Yearwood developed into love and marriage. The choices behind the making of each album, from songwriting through recording and marketing, will be shared by those who know him best. Garth's controversial and groundbreaking videos will also be examined as well as the true story behind his "alter ego" Chris Gaines. Finally, the book will cover the reasons behind Garth's retirement, and what he has been up to since.

A portrait of not just a hugely successful artist, but also a key period in American music history, The Garth Factor reveals an in-depth look at the industry that earned Nashville the nickname "Music City."

(Book image from Barnes & Noble)

Occasionally, I can be a bit of an airhead. Occasionally, this works in my favor. Like now. I received an extra copy of A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov from Disney Publishing. Turns out, I requested it twice. Duh. The good news is I'm going to pass this beautiful hardcover on to one of my readers.

I haven't read this book yet (although I plan to take it on vacation with me), but here's the blurb from the front cover flap:

After her father's death abroad, sixteen-year-old Miranda faces a broken engagement and a paltry dowry. Worse yet, she finds herself the ward of distant family relations, the Earl and Countess of Turbury, who are determined to bring her to court to marry her to the boorish Lord Seagrave for their own profit.

At Queen Elizabeth's court, Miranda soon learns that her survival is largely dependent upon knowing whom to trust. Once her exquisite sewing and embroidery skills distinguish her from the other maidens, Miranda discovers her chance to escape marriage to Lord Seagrave and establish an independent life as the queen's semastress. The smoothness of her course, however, is jeopardized by the jealousy and anger of other ladies-in-waiting and even a trusted "friend," as well as the queen's embattled history with Miranda's beautiful mother. Complicatin gher situation further is the arrival at court of Henry Raleigh,the man to whim Miranda was once promised - the man she has always loved.

Jacqueline Kolosov brings to life the intrigue and deception as well as the pageantry and high fashion of Elizabethan society in this lush second novel.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, leave a comment on this post. Blog about it and you get an extra entry. I will draw the name of one winner on July 10. Good luck!

(Book image from GoodReads; Book courtesy of Disney/Hyperion.)

For some girls, moving to New York, starting over at a posh high school, and buzzing to the city to visit trendy boutiques and galleries would be a dream come true. Not so much for sophomore Lucy Morgan. Her little fairy tale seems to be coming straight from The Brothers Grimm. She's got the absent dad, the wicked stepmother, even the evil stepsisters - if she resembles any of the Disney princesses, it's Cinderella. Pre-prince.


When Melissa Kantor's If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? opens, Lucy is the invisible new girl at Glen Lake High School. At home, it's more of the same - when her dad's not traveling for work, he's busy nuzzling his new wife; when her 12-year-old stepsisters (whom she dubs Princess One and Princess Two) deign to speak to her, it's usually to criticize her fashion sense (or lack thereof); and Mara, her new stepmother, blames Lucy for anything and everything that goes wrong. The only place she can find solace is in the school art room, where she can forget reality and lose herself in painting.

Then, one day, everything changes. Her offhand comment about basketball grabs the attention of Connor Pearson, the hottest guy at Glen Lake High. Suddenly, the cute senior not only knows she's alive, but actually wants to go out with her. Having been acknowledged by the prince, Lucy's popularity skyrockets. Just like that, she's going out with the coolest guy around, she has girlfriends to giggle with, and rumor has it she's in the running for prom queen. So what if things are a little rocky at home? She's finally living out her princess fantasy.

The funny thing is, the more Lucy gets to know Connor, the more she realizes they have nothing in common. She's much more natural around Sam Wolff, an annoying, but incredibly talented artist. Still, Connor's the hottest thing around. Besides, she reasons, "What did Prince Charming know about Cinderella besides her shoe size?" (54). With everything else going on, being with Connor just makes her feel good. Nothing else - not her dad, who always sides with Mara; not the Princesses who can't be bothered to lift a finger; and certainly not Mara, who cares more about finding antiques than getting to know her new stepdaughter - can give her that kind of satisfaction. She's Cinderella - so why isn't she dancing and singing with mice to celebrate her bliss? Where, exactly, is her happily ever after?

If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? is a lighthearted Cinderella story with lots of modern twists. Unlike Disney's bubbleheaded blonde, our heroine is smart, diverse, and not always sweet as honey. She's an EveryGirl, with whom teens will immediately identify. Her story's predictable, but still manages to be interesting and fun. Although Lucy does ask herself some big questions, there's not tons of depth to this novel. It's also not quite as innocent as it sounds - there's some language and while not explicit, there are references to underrage drinking, drug use and partying (see my note below). Overall, though, it's a fast, enjoyable read that will appeal to any girl who's stuck in reality but determined to make her own happily ever after.

Grade: B

If this was a movie, it would be rated: PG (for mild language, some suggestive content, and scenes involving drinking, drugs, and partying)

I still haven't heard back from Sarah, one of the winners of my copies of The Lost Hours. If this is you, would you please send me your snail mail at blogginboutbooks[AT]gmail[DOT][COM]. I hate to do this, but if I don't hear from you by Wednesday, I'll have to pick another winner. So, please, please contact me. I don't want you to miss out :)

Tiny Lake Eden's quickly becoming murder central, and much to her mother's chagrin, Hannah Swensen seems to be finding all the bodies. In Strawberry Shortcake Murder, it's Boyd Watson, the high school basketball coach, who's taken the bullet (actually the hammer). He's no one's favorite person - in fact, his snide comments during last night's stint as a cooking contest judge earned him even more enemies. No one blames Danielle for offing her unpleasant husband, especially since he'd used her as a punching bag on more than one occasion, but the battered wife claims innocence. She says she took a large dose of cold medicine, went to bed, and woke up to find Boyd laying in a pool of blood in their garage. As to who else would have motive to kill him - well, really, who wouldn't?


Although the town cops - Mike (one of Hannah's steady dates) and Bill (her brother-in-law) -warn her to let the professionals handle this one, the cookie chef's not about to back down. While she's pondering how to clear Danielle's name, another mystery saunters right into her cookie shop: Lucy Richards, Lake Eden's sad excuse for a cub reporter, decked out in expensive clothes and driving a new Grand Am. The newspaper hardly pays enough to keep her in steno notepads, let alone her pricey new wheels and wardrobe. She hints at an upcoming book deal, but Hannah knows Lucy can barely write her own name. What kind of publisher pays big bucks for an expose by an unknown, and not very talented writer? Hannah smells a lie. But, if Lucy's not collecting a big advance, where did she get the money?


With her sister playing Watson to her Sherlock Holmes, Hannah uncovers some disturbing truths about Lucy. The more she investigates, the more she realizes that Lucy's windfall and Boyd Watson's murder might be connected. But, just when she's about to confront the reporter, she finds that Lucy's up and skipped town. Desperate to free Danielle from suspicion, Hannah chases down clues until she knows exacty what happened to Boyd Watson. The trouble is she needs to confront an absent Lucy (the reporter's nowhere to be found), share her evidence with the police (which would mean admitting she broke into Lucy's apartment), and keep her own neck out of harm's way (which is getting increasingly difficult since she knows who the killer is and the killer knows she knows). Can Hannah expose Boyd's murderer in time? Or will hers be the next body to make an appearance at the town morgue? With Hannah on the case, one thing's for sure - it's bound to be one interesting (and delicious) investigation.

My eyes are seriously droopy this morning. I stayed up late waiting for my son to get home from cub scout camp; to keep myself awake, I read a freaky little book called Project 17. I managed a nightmare-less snooze, but I'm still really tired. Her Highness wanted her bottle at 7:30 (the nerve!), so I had to get up. As soon as I can, I'm heading right back to bed. Before I do, though, I wanted to announce the winners of The Lost Hours by Karen White. They are:

So, it's my husband's 33rd birthday today - he's finally caught up to me! It makes me feel better about robbing the cradle (he's only 6 months younger than me). Anyway, what that means for you is this: It's the last day to enter the giveaway for The Lost Hours by Karen White. I have 2 copies up for grabs. The contest is open to readers everywhere, so if you want to enter, do it today by commenting on this post. I'll announce the winners tomorrow morning.

I've been trying to keep up with all my book blogs, but it's becoming an impossible task. I clicked on a feed the other day that showed 100 new posts! Yikes. I feel badly that I'm missing so many of your posts, but I've got so much time during the day. Anyway, here are a few fun contests that I've noticed:

Karlene over at Inksplasher has been running an event she calles Come SNORT With Me. SNORT = Summer Not Road Trip. She's doing lots of fun stuff - you can win a CD and other prizes. Check it out here.

Um, okay, I guess that's all. Heh heh. I really am behind!

Don't forget to comment on this post if you want an entry into my first Fluke-a-Thon contest. If you're wondering what in the heck a Fluke-A-Thon is, get the 411 here.

Preheat oven to 350. Rack in middle position.

2 c. flour (no need to sift)
1 c. cold butter (2 sticks; 1/2 lbs.)
1/2 c. powdered (confectioner's) sugar (no need to sift, unless it's got big lumps)

4 beaten eggs (just whip them up with a fork)
2 c. white (granulated) sugar
8 T. lemon juice (1/2 c.)
1 t. or so of zest (opt.) (zest is finely grated lemon peel)
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
4 T. flour (that's 1/4 c. - don't bother to sift)

Cut each stick of butter into 8 pieces. Zoop it up with the flour and the powdered sugar in a food processor until it looks like coarse cornmeal (just like the first step in making a piecrust). Spread it out in a greased 9 x 13" pan (that's a standard sheet cake pan) and pat it down with your hands.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Remove from oven (Don't turn off the oven!).

Mix eggs with white sugar. Add lemon juice (and zest, if you want to use it). Add salt and baking powder and mix. Then add flour and mix thoroughly (This will be runny - it's supposed to be).

Pour this mixture on top of the pan you just baked and stick it back in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees F. for another 30 to 35 minutes. Then remove from the oven and sprinkle on additional powdered sugar.

Let cool thoroughly and cut into brownie-sized bars.

Susan's note: All of the recipes in Fluke's books include a note from Hannah Swensen. I omitted it in this case as it contains spoilers.

My thoughts on the recipe: Well, I'm not the world's greatest baker, so it's not surprising that I had a few problems when making these. Nothing big, though. I don't have a food processor, so I tried blending up the crust ingredients in my 12-year-old blender. It wasn't exactly up to the task, so I ended up just mashing it together with a fork. A bit of a pain since the butter was cold, but not a big deal. I also ended up baking it about 5 minutes too long, which resulted in burnt edges. That was my fault - I didn't check it when I should have.

The good news is, the lemon bars still turned out wonderfully. They have a nice, flaky crust, and the filling has just the right consistency - not too runny, not too firm. I also liked that these aren't sickenly sweet or too sour. They're perfect. Just delish.

A funny - As I was sampling these lemon bars, I kept thinking they were a lot less sweet than the bars I usually make. Curious, I pulled out my recipe (which comes from an old LDS cookbook), and guess what? The recipes are exactly the same! I guess that means it's a winner.

Another note: This recipe was used with permission from Joanne Fluke (actually, from her husband "for Herself"). I copied it directly from the book, then returned the book to the library, so any errors are my own. Oh, and I have no idea why these are identified as "cookies" - they're definitely bars. Bar cookies, I guess? Who cares? They're yummy.

I feel like I've been reading some "heavy" stuff lately, what with After Etan, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Hunger Games, etc. Then, because After Etan didn't freak me out quite enough, I watched Changeling (which is actually very similar to After Etan). What I'm trying to say is that I felt like I needed something a little lighter to even out my "heavier" reading. I immediately thought of Joanne Fluke's culinary mysteries starring Hannah Swensen.

Now, this series is not completely new to me. A few years ago, a copy of Sugar Cookie Murder was circulating through my family. I read it, thought, "silly, predictable, and why does the 30ish main character talk and act like a 60-year-old?" I set the book aside, vowing not to bother with the rest of the series. Fast forward a few years. A few months ago, my friend called asking if I wanted to go with her to The Poisoned Pen (a cozy little indie bookshop, which specializes in mysteries) in nearby Scottsdale to meet one of her favorite authors. Guess who? Joanne Fluke. I told my friend about my experience with Sugar Cookie Murder; she replied, "Oh, I know they're the cheesiest mysteries ever, but they're fun, clean and the recipes are sooo good." Duly convinced, I accepted the invite. And had a great time. Joanne was interesting, gracious and very personable (Don't believe me? You can check out the video of her interview at The Poisoned Pen's blog. Click on the video player on the right sidebar, then click "On Demand" and scroll down until you see Joanne's name. BTW: My friend is the one who asks Joanne why she decided to write "clean" mysteries.) Because I'm all about supporting indie stores, I bought a copy of the newest book - The Creampuff Murder - and had the author sign it.


You know me and series' - I can't start with the last book, or even one in the middle, I have to begin at the beginning. So, I decided why not make this into a reading challenge? It's going to be a personal reading challenge, although you can join me if you'd like. The best part about it is this - you can win prizes just for following along. This is how it's going to work: I'm going to read each book; write a review; then do a "Cookin' the Books" feature, where I make one recipe from each story. Here's where you come in: If you comment on the posts, you will receive one entry (even if you comment on one book review multiple times, you will only receive one entry/review) into my giveaways, of which there will be two. I will draw one name when I reach the halfway point (Book 7) in my Hannah Swenson adventure, and one when I complete the challenge. The first prize will be a new (unsigned) copy of Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder; the second will be my signed, hardcover, brand-spankin'-new copy of Cream Puff Murder. I can't give you a deadline for the challenge's end, because it will depend on the availability of the books at my local library as well as how fast I can read. Here's a rundown of the books in the Hannah Swensen series (which I will post on my sidebar, so you can follow my progress):

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

2. Candy for Christmas (a novella that appears inside special editions of Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.)

3. Strawberry Shortcake Murder

4. Blueberry Muffin Murder

5. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

6. Fudge Cupcake Murder

7. Sugar Cookie Murder (this will be a re-read)

8. Peach Cobbler Murder

9. Sugar and Spice (novella/short story - part of a collection)

10. Key Lime Pie Murder

11. Carrot Cake Murder

12. Candy Cane Murder

13. Cream Puff Murder

14. Plum Pudding Murder (to be released October 2009)

Easy Cheesy, as my 7-year-old likes to say. I call it "Light & Fluffy." Any way you describe it, it should be fun. And who couldn't use a little lightheartedness these days, eh?/

Once upon a time there was a village. A quaint little village nestled in the forest, far away from
city lights and noise. The residents lived simple lives - school, work, marriage, children, death. From the Cathedral in the middle of town, The Sisterhood ruled uncontested. Everyone followed their edicts without question. Well, except for the Unconsecrated. The undead just wouldn't listen.

In The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan's constructed a creepy postapocalyptic world in the form of an idyllic little community surrounded by strong, metal fences. On one side, people go about their daily business; on the other, flesh-hungry zombies clamber to get inside. A bite from one of the creatures means infection, death, and returning to "life" as a mindless zombie. This is the way it is. This is the way it's always been. At least that's what The Sisterhood teaches; thus, that is what everyone believes.

Everyone except Mary, that is. She's heard her mother's stories about the ocean, about buildings that touch the sky - despite what The Sisterhood tells her, she believes there is a world beyond her own. A world that's safe, unmarred by the Unconsecrated. She longs to find the ocean, but there's so much standing in the way - her family; her betrothed; the zombies; the danger; the uncertainty. More and more though, she's questioning what she's been taught and The Sisterhood is not happy about it. When Mary stumbles upon their secrets, her world begins to tilt. When the unthinkable happens, it threatens to fall apart completely. Suddenly, she's on the run, blindly chasing her dreams, dragging loved ones along with her in her desperate search. Relentlessly pursued by the undead, Mary must keep herself alive - somehow. But, what if this really is the end? What if she is the last person on Earth? What if there is no ocean? What if the stories she's been told are only that - fairy tales spun from her mother's imagination? How long can she survive before the Unconsecrated take her, too?

If the story sounds bleak, that's because it is. From its haunting cover to its last sentence, The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a dark, intense ride. It's provocative, compelling and just downright shivery. The chilling tone doesn't let up for one second. It's a pitch-perfect, brilliantly executed, absolutely unputtdownable little horror novel. Yes, it's dark; yes, it's intense; yes, it's bleak; yes, you should run out and get it right now.

Grade: A

(Book image from Barnes & Noble)

You may have noticed that things look a little different around here. Remember how I was hunting for a designer to spruce up my blog? Well, I found one - the fabulous Jeri Lyn. She hooked me up with a new header, a coordinating background and the cutest button ever. If you want to freshen up your blog, I highly recommend her. She posted instructions on how to grab my button - so please do! It's too adorable to keep to myself.

Now that I've got my fun summer look, I've got some other surprises coming up. Remember the reading challenge I mentioned? Yep, I'll be announcing that soon. I also have giveaways, interviews and, of course, reviews. So, definitely stay tuned!

Summer's been in full swing around here for a few weeks. The kids are bored out of their minds, and I'm feeling tired and lazy - something about having all my children home all day just makes me want to nap all day! Anyway, I hope you all are having a great summer filled with lots of great books. Happy reading!

"If there's anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of democracy, tonight is your answer."

- Barack Obama; November 4, 2008

There's a reason you don't see many political books reviewed on this site: Talk of checks and balances, electoral votes, Senate subcommittees and such just makes my eyes glaze over. I've tried to make myself less apathetic, less ignorant, but ... politics just isn't my thing. Even the recent presidential election failed to excite me. My inner cynic said the American public would never elect a Mormon (Romney), a woman (Clinton) or a non-white (Obama). Thus, I figured McCain was a shoo-in. Imagine my shock when Barack Obama emerged victorious. Although I don't agree with many of the president's views, his election seems to signal change, progress and hopefully, a step forward in the fight against racism. Whatever else he is, Obama is a fascinating man. So, when the ladies at MotherTalk offered me a chance to review Obama: The Historic Journey (Text is by Jill Abramson, managing editor of The New York Times), I eagerly accepted. I was especially thrilled to find that it's a Young Reader's Edition, perfect for a political ignoramus like me.

The book gives a quick overview of Obama's life, with several chapters on his unconventional childhood and his student years at Harvard Law School, but focuses mostly on his road to the presidency. Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His father was a black man from Kenya, his mother a free-spirited white woman. Their marriage was unusual, especially in the early 1960s, and didn't last long. After their divorce, Obama's mother married an Indonesian man, prompting a move to Jakarta, where the family lived until 1971. Back in Hawaii, he attended school while his mother returned to Indonesia to pursue her own studies. With his father and stepfather absent, and his mother abroad, Obama was raised by his beloved grandmother. After high school, he attended Harvard, worked as a lawyer, professor, and became a senator. He met and married Michelle, had two daughters, and began campaigning for president. In November of 2008, he became the 44th President of The United States, the first bi-racial person ever to hold that office.

Barack Obama's journey is documented in this book with glossy photographs, timelines, even a FAQs type page that lists his favorite foods, movies, music, etc. His favorite books are listed as Moby Dick by Herman Melville, Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. The writing is a bit choppy, especially when describing Obama's early years, but it's also straightforward and readable. There are a few editing issues - my copy had 2 pages transposed - but overall, it offers a fair, balanced look at a fascinating man in an easy-to-read format. It even offers quick sidebars to explain terms like "caucus," "primary," and "delegate" - just in case politics isn't your thing, either.

Grade: B-

Piper Mills barely remembers burying a tin box in the backyard of her grandparents' home. She knew it belonged to her grandmother - that was enough to prevent her from caring. Now, a decade later, she holds the box in her hands. Now, she cares. Now, when Ahlzheimer's has claimed her grandmother's mind, Piper wants answers. Once she thought her grandmother had no stories - now, she knows better. But is it too late to finally understand the enigma who is her grandmother?

This is the conundrum Piper faces in Karen White's new novel, The Lost Hours. The protagonist, a woman haunted by a serious equestrian accident, eagerly ignores her own rehabilitation to focus on the mysteries of her family's past. She knows the answers lie somewhere in her grandmother's childhood, but attempts to question the elderly woman only agitate her. So, Piper turns to her grandmother's old friend, Lillian Harrington-Ross, who shows no desire to re-visit the past. Clearly, the family mystery goes even deeper than Piper first believed. Determined to shake out Lillian's secrets - and thus her grandmother's - Piper infiltrates the old woman's ranch, posing as a renter. Although the idea of being anywhere near a horse scares Piper to death, she knows she can't leave Asphodel Meadows without the answers for which she has come.

As Piper attempts to draw Lillian out, she becomes enmeshed in the household, lured by the matriarch's wise granddaughter; her lively great-grandchildren; and their grief-stricken father. Each, including Piper herself, hides his/her own secrets. But it's Lillian's secrets in which Piper is most interested. Lillian, herself, prefers the past to remain where it belongs - in the past - but something about her mysterious boarder stirs up old memories, memories that refuse to leave her be. The truth about what happened all those years ago will be found, but at what cost? Will Piper's search destroy not one, but two elderly women? Will it bring her closer to the grandmother whom she never really knew? Will her tenacious search for truth finally allow her to heal - or will knowledge of past horrors rip her heart wide open? Piper's journey into her family's past will change her indelibly - will it be worth it?

Books about family secrets always appeal to the voyeur in me. This one tends toward the predictable. It's also a bit far-fetched - I kept wondering how a horse family like Lillian's could not figure out Piper's real identity - but I still found it compelling. The characters are believable, the setting seductive, the mystery intriguing. Although Lillian's truths won't surprise you, White's writing just might - it's poignant, atmospheric and appropriately moody. Her prose gets clunky in places, but overall, it's lovely. Despite some predictable plotting, The Lost Hours provides a very decent read. Although it's a little dark, it ends on a hopeful note, making it a perfect book to enjoy during the gentle days of summer.

Grade: B

P.S. Karen has generously supplied me with 2 copies of The Lost Hours to give away. If you're interested in entering, please leave a comment on this post. The names of two winners will be drawn on June 19 (hubby's birthday). Good luck!

Hi Karen. Welcome to Bloggin' 'bout Books!