The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

 My Rating: 4.1

Lee never thought she’d find herself living on the streets—no one ever does—but when her restaurant fails, and she falls deeper into debt, she leaves her old life behind with nothing but her clothes and her Toyota Corolla. In Seattle, she parks in a secluded spot by the beach to lay low and plan her next move—until early one morning, she sees a sobbing woman throw herself into the ocean. Lee hauls the woman back to the surface, but instead of appreciation, she is met with fury. The drowning woman, Hazel, tells her that she wanted to die, that she’s trapped in a toxic, abusive marriage, that she’s a prisoner in her own home. Lee has thwarted her one chance to escape her life. Bonded by disparate but difficult circumstances, the women soon strike up a close and unlikely friendship. And then one day, Hazel makes a shocking request: she wants Lee to help her disappear. It’ll be easy, Hazel assures her, but Lee soon learns that nothing is as it seems, and that Hazel may not be the friend Lee thought she was.

This is one of those books that you just have to go with and, if you do, it is a wild ride with lots of twists. WARNING: There is domestic abuse.

Undoctored by Dr William Davis

My Rating: 4.8

A comprehensive program to reduce, reverse, and cure hundreds of common health conditions and break your dependence on prescription drugs. By applying simple strategies while harnessing the collective wisdom of new online technologies, you can break free of a healthcare industry that puts profits over health. Undoctored is the spark of a new movement in health that places the individual, not the doctor, at the center. His plan contains features like: • A step-by-step guide to eliminating prescription medications • Tips on how to distinguish good medical advice from bad • 42 recipes to guide you through the revolutionary 6-week program

This is everything I believe - that if you eat healthy you don't need a doctor. Doctor's are trained to treat the symptoms, not fix the root cause. A healthy person doesn't need a doctor. I have read a few other books by Dr Davis and love them all. This book is reassuring to know that a doctor recommends the exact same path that I am on.

All You Need Is Love by Peter Brown

My Rating: 4.2

This is comprised of intimate interviews with Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, their families, friends and business associates that were conducted by Beatles intimate Peter Brown and author Steven Gaines.

All the interviews, except for Yoko's, were done prior to John's death. This means they were very raw, honest and probably said things that wouldn't have been said if it had been after John's death. It was sad how, despite their love of Brian Epstein as a manager, they were so mismanaged. So many people who took advantage of them. That being said, it was interesting to hear of all of their exploits as well as the inner dynamics of all involved.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

My Rating: 4.9

1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation. Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.” But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

This was a wonderful book covering not only the girls' friendship but the Shah's reign and the politics and impact to the Iranians but particularly women. This was very reminiscent of The Kite Runner which is one of my all-time favorite books.

Assassin's Quest (The Farseer Trilogy Book 3) by Robin Hobb

  My Rating: 4.7

King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz—or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave, deeply scarred in body and soul. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin: Regal has plundered and abandoned the capital, while the rightful heir, Prince Verity, is lost to his mad quest—perhaps to death. Only Verity’s return—or the heir his princess carries—can save the Six Duchies. But Fitz will not wait. Driven by loss and bitter memories, he undertakes a quest: to kill Regal. The journey casts him into deep waters, as he discovers wild currents of magic within him—currents that will either drown him or make him something more than he was.

Hobb is a masterful writer. She makes her books feel light and easy to read but they actually pull you in where you care deeply for the characters as well as the world she creates. She does all of this effortlessly, or least it feels that way to the writer. Gifted! This is the last of the Fitz Trilogy until he reappears later in the series. I will miss Fitz. Next is the Mad Ship Trilogy I will definitely continue on in this series.

What Happened to Nina?: A Novel by Dervla McTiernan

My Rating: 4.4

Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family’s cabin in Vermont, and only Simon comes home. Simon’s explanation about what happened in their last hours together doesn’t add up. Nina’s parents push the police for answers, and Simon’s parents rush to protect him. They hire expensive lawyers and a PR firm that quickly ramps up a vicious, nothing-is-off-limits media campaign...  

This was the equivalent of watching an unsolved mystery on 20/20 or 48 hours. It kept me engrossed from the beginning despite knowing who did it. The media campaign was excrutiating, as were the press. I loved the ending.

Thanks to my book twin on Instagram #shoegaljeana for this recommendation ♥

Pines: Wayward Pines #1 by Blake Couch

 My Rating: 1.0

Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, with a mission: locate two federal agents who went missing in the bucolic town one month earlier. But within minutes of his arrival, Ethan is involved in a violent accident. He comes to in a hospital, with no ID, no cell phone, and no briefcase. He can't place any phone calls to the outside world, no one believes who he is and he discovers he not only can't leave the town but there is an electrified fence around the town.

This was akin to a very bad episode of The Twilight Zone. Oh the drama! It is hard to care when you don't connect with any of the characters, to go along with a VERY far fetched plot. It was one far fetched scene after another - all of which were supposed to be nail biters but failed since the plot dragged and the characters weren't likable. It was annoying, not scary. Ethan makes poor decisions and expects everyone to listen to him, give him free meals and hotels, etc. because he is a Federal Agent, despite having no I.D. This book was very poorly written. I loved Dark Matters by this author so was very disappointed with how much this book dragged. I will definitely NOT be reading the other books in this series and wish I could get my time back from this one.

Artemis by Andy Weir

My Rating 4.6

Artemis is the first and only city on the moon. Life is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.

I enjoyed this a lot but could have done without the excessive swearing. Jazz was a fun character that you are rooting for, despite her being implausibly intelligent. Just go with it!

The Women by Kristin Hannah

 My Rating: 4.9

When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" realizes that women can go off to war, it is a revelation. Raised in the Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

This tells the story of the women in Vietnam - the grit, the heroics and the friendships. It also encompasses their return to the U.S., their bitter 'welcome' home and their struggle to acclimate after their experiences in the war. Hannah does a wonderful job of developing the characters and bringing us with them into the war scene. It is vivid, real and touching. Highly recommend.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

My Rating: 4.6

The story of a young man who risked his life to smuggle Bibles through the borders of closed nations. Now, sixty years after Brother Andrew first prayed for God's miracle protection, this expanded edition of a classic work encourages new readers to meet this remarkable man and his mission for the first time.Working undercover for God, a mission that continues to this day, has made Brother Andrew one of the all-time heroes of the faith. His narrow escapes from danger to share the love of Jesus will encourage and embolden believers in their own walks of faith. 

Working undercover for God, a mission that continues to this day, has made Brother Andrew one of the all-time heroes of the faith. His narrow escapes from danger to share the love of Jesus will encourage and embolden believers in their own walks of faith.

This story of faith was so inspirational - how God always provided exactly what they needed whether that was money or getting through a border to deliver Bibles. 

Killing The Witches by Bill O'Reilly

My Rating: 4.4

Killing the Witches revisits one of the most frightening and inexplicable episodes in American history: the events of 1692 and 1693 in Salem Village, Massachusetts. What began as a mysterious affliction of two young girls who suffered violent fits and exhibited strange behavior soon spread to other young women. Rumors of demonic possession and witchcraft consumed Salem. Soon three women were arrested under suspicion of being witches--but as the hysteria spread, more than 200 people were accused. Thirty were found guilty, twenty were executed, and others died in jail or their lives were ruined. Killing the Witches tells the dramatic history of how the Puritan tradition and the power of early American ministers shaped the origins of the United States, influencing the founding fathers, the American Revolution, and even the Constitutional Convention. The repercussions of Salem continue to the present day, notably in the real-life story behind The Exorcist and in contemporary “witch hunts” driven by social media. The result is a compulsively readable book about good, evil, community panic, and how fear can overwhelm fact and reason.

While this was very informative, I hate the way that O'Reilly's books meander....it started off with Kiling the Witches and next thing was covering the American Revolution and then modern day cancel culture - what? Silly me but when a title of the book says "Kiling The Witches" that is what I expect it to be about. It was all very informative but I just wish he would stay on topic.

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy Book 2) by Robin Hobb

 My Rating: 4.8

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz’s hands—and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice. This book focuses on the marriage of Prince Verity to Kettricken.

The more I read of this series, the more I want to read....it is popcorn! I am falling in love with several characters but especially Fitz, Verity and Burich. This is a light easy read that immerses you in the world of Buckeep and makes you want to stay there.

The Wife, The Maid and The Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

My Rating: 3.6

It's 1930 and Judge Joseph Crater steps into a New York City cab and is never heard from again. Behind this great man are three women, each with her own tale to tell: Stella, his fashionable wife, the picture of propriety; Maria, their steadfast maid, indebted to the judge; and Ritzi, his showgirl mistress, willing to seize any chance to break out of the chorus line. This mystery takes us into the smoky jazz clubs, the seedy backstage dressing rooms, and the shadowy streets beneath the Art Deco skyline.

I didn't care abuot any of the characters (some were less likable than others) but I did like the ending. I have loved many or Ariel Lawhon's books and will continue to read others by her. I appreciated that this was based on the true story and she created an interesting explanation for what could have happened.

Kill For Me, Kill For You

My Rating: 4.7

One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, including an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect plan: if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you. 

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She’s attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

This was VERY twisted and at times, uncomfortable. I didn't have everything figured out till quite far in to the book. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawton

  My Rating: 4.6

The twists and turns in Anna Anderson's 50 year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the Russian Grand Duchess, a beloved daughter and revered icon, or is she an imposter, the thief of another woman's legacy? Countless others have rendered their verdict. Now it is your turn. 

Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia, where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed. 

Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water or even acknowledge her rescuers, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious young woman claims to be the Russian grand duchess. As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre at Ekaterinburg, old enemies and new threats are awakened. 

The question of who Anna Anderson is and what actually happened to Anastasia Romanov spans fifty years and touches three continents. This thrilling saga is every bit as moving and momentous as it is harrowing and twisted.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book - would it be boring? Would it drag? the answer to both is NO! This starts with Anastasia and what she and her family went through during their exile - where they were moved, how they were treated by the guards and how they dealt with the revolt. "Anna" had to fight to be heard and others, including Romanov relatives, fought to deny what she said she was entitled to. Very well told.