The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

Hello everyone.

Have you ever heard experts say that we, as humans, sometimes have a fight or flight reaction? I think it might be real. When something really bad happens, for a split second I want to leave. The thought floats through my head to run away and start a new anonymous life somewhere else, without the awful issue of the moment. Of course I don't leave, it isn't responsible. People I love need and deserve my support but the fleeting thought is there.

Then there is the other kind of flight, the serious, well thought out kind. When I was a kid, I loved going to the beach. I know I've mentioned before that on one family spring break trip to Myrtle Beach I swore I would marry a pool boy. I must have believed that the pool boy was the epitome of beach-dom. I couldn't have aspired to a hotel owner or land baron, nope, teenage me thought that the pool boy was the top of the beach heap. Funny thing is my husband grew up just a few blocks off the ocean and his early jobs were working in hotels and renting bikes on the boardwalk. His brown hair was bleached pale blonde by the sun, he was super tan and had beautiful blue eyes (still does). He was a walking postcard for the oceanfront. Now, having been married for eons and living by the ocean for years I want to move. We can't, hubby's job is here. The problem is hurricanes. I have experienced way too many and am terrified of them. If I could, I would move far away from the ocean just because of hurricanes.

I recently read The Invited by Jennifer McMahon. This is the story of two teachers who decide they want to move. Helen is a history teacher and Nate adores science. They want to leave their jobs, buy an old house, and build a new life. After looking at all their options, this couple purchases a lot they like and decide to build a new house that looks like an old salt box home. Problems arise when they discover that the property they now own is where the house of town legend Hattie Breckenridge once stood...and the site of her death over a century ago. When Helen wants to give her new house a wink and nod to history she purchases several pieces of architectural salvage that had a connection to Hattie. Once installed, these pieces seem to bring odd happenings to their newly built home.

When reading the book jacket, you might think this is a straight up haunted house book. While it is a bit spooky, it really is so much more. The story of Hattie unfolds and the reader is witness to how she was treated, how a single moment in time can change everything including future generations, naturally it ties into today as well.  I love when a book ends up having a much more involved story than I thought it would, I feel like I am getting extra value for my money. That is exactly how this book is, more than I anticipated. The Invited is engaging, moving not at a thriller pace but quickly enough to keep the reader interested. Like in many books, I was sure I knew the answers to the mysteries presented but the author proved me wrong. If you like mild haunted house stories, stories concerning New England, houses, mysteries or just great tales, you'll like this book.

I am wondering if I should start tracing our deed back...perhaps not.

Book Talk

Hello everyone or no one as is more likely since this is brand new.

I wanted to quickly address how I want to write in this blog. I don't want to give you a plot rundown of every book, let's face it, you're likely already aware. If you haven't seen the cover or dust jacket, then you've read the general plot on line. What I'd rather do is pretend that we're friends and chat in a more natural way.

So for my very first discussion let us start at the very beginning. Queue clouds opening, sunbeams shining down and angels harmonizing in unison. The very first book I can remember reading for pleasure as a teen was.....ready for it.....ready? I don't hear group cheering, I do hear my husband groaning to get on with it already especially since nobody is reading this and I'm basically putting off making dinner to type to myself!  The very first I bought, with my allowance, and read was The Shining. Yes, when it was originally released. Hey, don't judge about my age, you'll be this age someday (frickin' whippersnappers). We were actually going to Myrtle Beach for Easter vacation, my whole family that is. As a teen I wanted to look oh so cool on the beach, The Shining had a very cool metallic silver cover, certain to get any boy's attention and then probably blind him for life with the South Carolina sun bouncing off that cover. But I didn't care about ruining eyesight! Of course, hubby just said my boobs got the attention, not Stephen King. He's probably right, don't tell him I said that he's right about anything. I'll never hear the end of it.

Back to The Shining by Stephen King, it was fantastic. I loved the whole thing! If you have only watched the movie, I implore you to get the book. It takes you to places that the movie never thought of going, literally, like the basement for example. The book tells you or shows you why The Overlook is the way it is and how it got to be that way. It also explains why Jack can't just up and leave when the going gets tough, or knife-welding crazy. Please, if you like to read, throw a couple bucks Stephen King's way and get it. Memorial Day weekend is coming up. Read it at the cookout when you're trying to avoid all the old people medical talk, or new parents' poopy diaper diatribes. I promise you, The Shining, will deliver like a holiday cheeseburger never could!