The Great Escape: A Novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I have not had the pleasure of reading the other books in this series but "The Great Escape" was a fine book on its own. The characters were developed well and stayed true to their unique personalities. Lucy the main character was full of emotion. She was bubbly at times, sad, lost and on the fence of life. There was a lot going on in this book, maybe a bit too much at times but it did not really take away from the story. Lucy is running and hiding from life, what she is expected to do, want and feel and yet she is determined as a person. The second character in the book Bree is actually my favorite and I have high hopes she will evolve more into a book of her as the main plot. Bree also with problems because of life and what was handed her, example: Toby a strong-minded boy left to her to raise .. and although she doesn't run and hide, she struggles to deal with any of it face front; until Lucy and her meet and absorb knowledge and ability from their strange friendship. Another character Panda, (didn't like the name personally, rather awkward in the reading), was a great character and not exactly what you think he is. A motorcycle, rough guy or is he? He helped Lucy flee from or was it flees to?
This book did seem hurried at some points and as if too much was stuffed in between the pages but it was an enjoyable read. Bree was the more realistic character and provided that magic which kept me reading.
I received this book via goodreads first readers and enjoyed the ability to read it and meet an author I had not read yet.
3 out of 5 Stars

(Child's book) Felini the Flea by Bruno Rossi

Such a wonderful delight!! My grandson simply loved me reading Felini the Flea to him. He love the name Felini and loves to say it.. He walks around saying? "Felini the Flea is fun to read, fun to read indeed." with him walking around and singing this.. my parrot also loves to say "Felini." It has fast became their favorite book to read. My grandson was a bit upset that he couldn't see a flea on the cat, but between you and me.. I am okay with that. The story line was excellent and giving children the life building blocks they need in life. You don't have to be just like everyone else to be successful and do what you desire to do in life. Feline has only one leg but the heart and will power to over come his differences from others.
The bright vivid art work is a joy to look at with the wonderful detail to a flea city that lives on the lazy sweet dog. The amount of words on each page allows for the child to really inspect this artwork. The amount of words in the book as a whole is just the right amount for a nice reading time. I shall definitely look for more books by this author for my grandchildren and maybe a second copy for my grandson as he loves it so much. He is borrowing it to take to school for reading time the last day of school.
I won this book via goodreads first reads and was thrilled to receive it.
5 stars out of 5

Castle Grey - A Katt and Mouse Mystery

Not just a book I could not put down but a world that I became involved with. The plot was large in a natural way and much better than anything you could see on T.V. it was written so well the characters become alive in your heart and mind and you are able to see them. The characters unique with each being very much their own person; moves the story along in a perfected pace.
Two agents coupled together in seeking and stopping a very clever serial killer; who alone scares you in the thought, one could be this cunning. Both agents have a brutal real personality but have compassion and even humor that leads them to a common ground that is NOT just catching a killer. Katt is very quick in intelligence, sharp with ability and simply gorgeous. Mickey knows all of this, can't keep her out of his thoughts, yet he isn't looking for love either. The division between the serial killer case and the new friendship romance is done with precision. Neither overtakes the other but compliments the story at large. The setting was fitting to the story and the perverse killer.
The tension between the agents and the mystery murders keep you on the edge of your seat and the lights on. This story will follow you into your dreams to relive again. The ending will shake your world as you know it now.
I was given this book via goodreads first readers and enjoyed the ability to read this author's voice.
4 Stars out of 5

Jewelweed: A Novel by David Rhodes

This emotion stitched writing lived in my heart throughout the whole book. It reminded me of a patchwork quilt. It was sewn together by friends, family and a few visitors with a certain pattern of which, it does not stick to. And yet they with love, compassion, humor and acceptance make it work anyway. This story is the lives of magnificent authentic characters that became real to me. I loved them, hated a few, smiled and desperately wanted to help many and long for their return. The quilt sewn and finished is unique in its excellence, which is actually the flaws.
A father doing his best, deeply feels his emotions without the knowledge of what to do. He has questions, uncertainties and hope. A son with mistakes directed by love of another and a ten year pause in his life and his families. The time has come for him to blend back in and what? His own fears push speed bumps in the middle of his road to his new beginning. Memories guide each of the characters in different directions that we all can relate to, understand and bond us all together.
One of the best reads I have had this year. I shall follow this author and the unique real life in the voice on paper. The stitched quilt of life will remain with me many years and I will probably revisit this writing many times. The author's voice brings you humanity and all that comes with it.
I won this book via good reads first readers and feel very blessed to have been able to slip in between the pages of such a exceptional written world.
5 out of 5 stars

A Place For Us by Liza Gyllenhaal

It began with love,money and love onto marriage and a content life style. Years later the long time married couple moves back to their hometown with a son who is off at prep school. Life seems as it should until a visit from the son.. and a girl, alcohol, friends and then it happens. Their life now is thrown out in public eye, as the authorities and the parents try to figure out just what really did happen. Do the wealthy really get to buy themselves out of trouble or are they finger because they are wealthy and jealousy is strangling the decency out of everyone? Can life ever be the same or at least common again?
The family struggles in their own rite trying to understand. Is it possible they do not know their son? Is he capable of such viciousness? Can their marriage and family survive? The authorities raises the bar and hold the parents accountable for the claimed action of their son, even though.. they weren't even home.. Is there a happy ending?
The book was a good read, great in places along with the ability of this writer to give each and every character their own unique believable personality; impressed me. The flash backs, being constant within the pages of this story caused a bit of grief. Different points of view are often an addition to any book but they have to blend smoothly and be expected and many of these were not.
31/2 stars out of 5