Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

My Rating: 4.6

Inti arrives in Scotland with her twin sister, Aggie, to lead a team of biologists tasked with reintroducing fourteen gray wolves into the remote Highlands. She hopes to heal not only the dying landscape, but Aggie, too, unmade by the terrible secrets that drove the sisters out of Alaska. Inti is not the woman she once was, either, changed by the harm she’s witnessed—inflicted by humans on both the wild and each other. 

I really enjoyed the education about the wolves. The interaction between the townsfolk and the biologists was also interesting. Some of the latter story line felt farfetched but I still enjoyed it and will read more by this author.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

 My Rating: 4.7

Designed to be read over the course of forty-two days, The Purpose Driven Life will help you see the big picture, giving you a fresh perspective on the way that the pieces of your life fit together. Every chapter of The Purpose Driven Life provides a daily meditation and practical steps to help you uncover and live out your purpose, starting with exploring three essential questions: 

The Question of Existence:  Why am I alive? 

The Question of Significance: Does my life matter? 

The Question of Purpose: What on earth am I here for?

I was so blessed to be able to read this book with two of my Christian sisters and it was a beautiful experience. Some of the chapters felt self-evident and a few were redundant but, it got us all to question ourselves, open up and share. This left me with so much to think about but, more than anything, it bonded me to beautiful Christian girlfriends so I will be forever grateful.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

My Rating: 4.9

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

This was adorable and so heartfelt. I loved all of the characters as well as how they grew/changed. What a precious storyline.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

 My Rating: 4.9

Ike has been out of jail for fifteen years yet, when the cops knock on his door, he knows it can't be good. It is worth than he thought. His son Isaiah has been murdered along with Isaiah's husband Derek. Derek's father, Buddy-Lee, and Ike band together to find out who killed their sons.

Wow, just wow. This is not for the faint of heart as it is raw grizzly violence - and oh so good. This had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to read more. 

Tomato Red by Daniel Woodrell

 My Rating: 4.6

Bev doesn't act like a mother to Jammalee and Jason . Jason is drop dead gorgeous...and gay, which is a dangerous thing to be in the back hills of the Ozarks. Along comes Sammy Barlach, a loser ex-con who fits in perfectly with the trio..

I feel like I just got immersed in the Ozarks and realize I am no where near tough enough to survive. Yowza. Raw, graphic and gritty - this is hillybilly noir. It was uncomfortable but also fabulous. Love Daniel Woodrell

The Painted Drum by Louise Erdich

 My Rating: 3.0

In New Hampshire, Faye and her mother live together and also have a business appraising estates, During an appraisal, Faye is startled to discover a rare moose skin and cedar drum fashioned long ago by an Ojibwe artisan. And so begins an illuminating journey both backward and forward in time, following the strange passage of a powerful yet delicate instrument, and revealing the extraordinary lives it has touched and defined.

Erdich is a difficult author to capture. Her writing is both funny and haunting. She captures the Indian ways. It can also borderline on depressing and, despite being beautiful it can also be boring.