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.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Hello everyone.

Have you ever really looked at your house? Really looked?  Several years ago we had a house built. It was a wonderful, but stressful experience. Once completed, we discovered a few feet "missing" from the interior. We finally decided that the missing space was an area that heat and air ducts ran from the first floor, through the second, to the attic.

Our current house is an early 1900's craftsman, a Sears house. Shortly after moving in, the previous owner came to the door and wanted to know if we found the secret room and met the ghost. Having lived in a haunted house I can tell you this house has no ghosts. The owner swears his wife was constantly losing her keys saying a ghost was moving them. Frankly, I think she just forgot where she put her keys. When your house is haunted, you know it. Someday I'll tell you about it. What the old owner was talking about was that there is stained glass in several places on our house. On the second floor there are two stained glass windows on the outside but only one on the inside. One window is in a walk-in closet in a guest room, the other in the master bedroom. Only the master has no such window. For some unknown reason it was long ago walled in on the interior. I'm guessing because it was difficult to decorate around. Our bedroom has double divided glass pocket doors, five windows, a fireplace, a radiator, and closet along with the entry door. Not many good places to put any furniture. I imagine putting a wall over the stained glass was done to have a section of plain wall. Old buildings were built differently, they seem to have a lot more nooks and crannies. Now that you want an English muffin, let's talk about a book.

I recently read Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. I finished this book in one day, something I (the admitted slow reader) have never done before, and we are talking 360+ pages. This is the story of a young woman who lost her boyfriend, job and place to live all at once. She has found a great offer that helps with her situation, apartment sitting. Not only does she now have somewhere to live for the next three months but a great paycheck as well. In addition, this apartment is in an old building in NYC that she has been interested in for years and is the pinnacle of plushness. Because of the noteable people living in the building, the job comes with several rules like no visitors, no discussing the building on social media, and you must spend every night in the apartment. A bit odd, but not that unreasonable for rich people that want their privacy.

This book is a thriller through and through. It starts calmly, gaining the reader's curiosity, but as strange things begin happening it quickly builds to a page flipping frenzy. While the story progresses we are presented with several possible explanations for the events at the old privileged apartment building. Racing from one solution to the next until finally the reader is given a satisfying ending you'll never see coming.

This was my first Riley Sager, but certainly not my last. As soon as my eyes recover and my hands stop shaking I'll have to purchase his other two books. Now I know to clear my schedule and get the economy size eye drops!

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle

Hello everyone.

Years ago, I started learning about genealogy. During my quest I have discovered some remarkable things. I also realize all the questions I should have asked relatives that have passed on. I wish I could go back and ask those questions now and tell my family all the interesting things I have found. Some of them, like my grandfather, would be none too shocked that he was a direct descendent of William the Conqueror...and I'd NEVER hear the end of it. I found I share a branch of the old family tree with Wald Disney, George Eastman, and Daniel Webster.  The discovery is never ending, as technology gets better it seems to shrink the world and make information better quality and easier to obtain. My research actually started a lot closer to home. I began trying to find out about my husbands family.  They were very early settlers of North Carolina. There is a town and streets named after them, even a bird. They owned a lot of land, what do people with a lot of land do, they farm of course. Close enough to drive to, we were able to see the actual farms they owned, some of the early buildings still stand. It is quite an odd feeling to be right there where your family lived, hundreds of years ago.  The land is peaceful and beautiful as wind blows patterns through the crops, usually cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans or wheat. It seems like such an honest way to live, simple. You plant seeds, they grow, you harvest the crop, more seeds are planted and more grows. Okay, that is a simplified version but compared to working downtown, complaining about traffic jams, parking costs, and stuck elevators, it's pretty holistic.

I recently read The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle. While sold as an inspirational romance, it is much more.  There is a romantic element but it is really just a beautiful story.  The main character is a man, very unusual for anything romantic-ish. Jack is a farmer who has lost his wife, his neighbor Ruby plays matchmaker between him and her granddaughter, Ally. Things don't go quite as planned for the sassy Ruby, but she believes she knows what is best. In addition, we find out that Jack has a secret that threatens not only his relationship with Ally but essentially his future true happiness. This book talks a lot about farming. Wait, don't run. It is informative and interesting, not dry or boring and blends into the story seamlessly. (It is a farming setting, afterall.) I don't want to say much more about the plot as I will ruin it for you.

This story is full of characters that you will come to love and admire. This book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. The writing is excellent. While you may not have heard of this author or novel, the writing rivals any New York Times best seller out there. This book is a joy to read from beginning to end.

Next time I hear the song Old McDonald, I won't be thinking of ee-i-ee-i-o, I'll be thinking about Jack Allan.

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent

Hello everyone.

I can't give you any roast chicken or childhood memory talk today.  I feel terrible and it's best just to get this over with quickly. I have been putting off writing this for at least a month. I wanted to read Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent from the second I learned of its existence. I immediately put it on my "to buy" list on Amazon. Finally, I threw it in my cart. After arriving in my greedy hands I still had to wait as I had a sudden rush of advanced copies to read. If a publisher or author is so kind as to send me a book, I put them first, it's only fair. So Lying in Wait sat here, teasing me with the cover, calling to me with its thriller vibes. Last month I couldn't stand it. Everything came to a halt, I told my secretary to hold my calls, and I read the book I had been lusting after. I wish I had left it on the shelf where I could admire and wonder about it.

I am going to be brutally honest, as I would expect you to be with me if I were reading your review. Nobody likes everything, so I wouldn't trust a reviewer that experienced nothing but the Snow White forest of happy, adorable animals. Everybody runs into a bad apple now and then. Obviously, I didn't like this novel.

This is the story of a perfect family. A husband, wife and son who live in a nice area with a beautiful house. We soon discover things are not as perfect as they appear, especially since the husband and wife murder someone in the first chapter. No, I'm not considering the first chapter a spoiler. They bury their victim in the garden at their home. This book was much too slow for me and it really frustrated me as there were so many places this story could have gone, but didn't. Instead the book becomes repetitive, focusing endlessly on the son's extra weight. The mother, grandmother, girlfiend and school friends discuss this poor boy. It is in almost every single chapter. Honestly, I think you could see less about weight in a Weight Watchers book.

On the positive, the story was well written and an easy, smooth read. Because the writing is so strong, I will definitely try another book from Liz Nugent. This story just was not for me. As usual, I implore you to make your own decisions. Everyone's taste is different. People that read mostly romances don't expect the same pacing as someone who consumes a great number of thrillers. On Amazon, Lying in Wait is rated 4 stars and is currently 3.82 on Goodreads. Somebody likes it! I would love to know if you liked it and why.

For me, I feel like I went into Snow White's woods and instead of hearing strains of "Hi Ho", I got "Ho Hum". Hopefully my prince will come with his white horse to take me to the bookstore.

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

Hello everyone.

Ever see the movie Young Frankenstein, by Mel Brooks? If you say no, I'll gasp loudly. What is wrong with you? In the movie, Gene Wilder playing Dr. Frankenstein, sends his assistant Igor (played by Marty Feldman) to get a brain. After the brain is "installed," and the monster starts behaving oddly, Dr. Frankenstein asks Igor what brain he brought him. Igor responds, "Abby somebody....Abby normal."  So the abnormal brain has just been put into the body of a huge and sometimes aggravated monster. Honestly, if you haven't seen it, you are missing out.

That brings up the term normal. What is normal? I would say it is average. Not too far off from center.  Do you want to be normal if normal is average?

I recently read A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson. This story is about a mother who is an attorney, a father who is a pastor and their daughter. They appear to be a normal family, until the daughter is accused of murder. The novel is divided into three sections, each told from one of the main character's perspectives, giving the reader more insight as the story progresses. Things you think you know in the beginning, and how things outwardly appear, turn out to not necessarily be true. On your way to discovering if the daughter is guilty or innocent  you realize how dysfunctional this normal family really is. The other major issue explored is what would a parent do for their child? What did these parents do, and the morality given one is a lawyer and the other a pastor.

This book is well written and nicely paced, but is definitely a slow burn. If you want an interesting mystery you'll like this, however, if you are after a heart pounding thriller this may not be for you.  A Nearly Normal Family will especially appeal to those that like a little legal procedure in their story.

If you decide to give this book a go, on the way to your reading chair remember to "walk this way." (From the movie, go watch it!)

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Hello everyone. I hope you are well and happy.

Although I am married to a southerner and have lived in the south for a long time, I actually grew up in upstate NY. I've mentioned this before. The town was small, so pretty, safe, and in a river valley with views of mountains all around. It was one of those places where high school rivalries are huge and football games are attended by thousands. There was an independent department store and loads of specialty stores that all flourished. At Christmas there was usually snow but well plowed streets, topped with swags of tinsel garland featuring candles, snowflakes, or Santa at the center of each swag or light pole. Lots of houses would be decorated for the holidays, not with the elaborate, computer generated mini-Vegas shows people have today, but with the big C9 bulbs hand placed in shrubs and in each window as part of plastic fake drippy candles. It sounds like a movie, doesn't it?  Well, it really was amazing living it and remembering too.

The town and those nearby had an advantage that some others didn't, several big industries. The area was home to a major shoe making company. You wouldn't know the name now, but during it's prime it was so important it even made all the boots for the army in the World Wars. They had a huge commercial division as well. All footwear was made completely by hand. It was a lot of work for such a small town/area. My grandfather worked there his whole life. He did what they called piece work, meaning he was paid by the piece. He received one penny for a pair of shoes in which he had installed the eyelets. Think about all the eyelets, at least 24 in a pair. Ever set eyelets before? I have, it's hard. It our high tech, sit on your butt all day world, it sounds terrible. It wasn't. This company, headed by two brothers, loved their employees. They built beautiful houses at bargain rates for their workers to purchase, if wanted. The company held the mortgage, if you missed payments, not a big deal. You were not foreclosed on. Try that today. They had free hot meals during the day, free medical care, pensions, and many public parks built by the company with enormous historically significant pools and carousels. It was perfection. The owners loved their workers and the entire town loved the brothers.

As you can probably imagine the word got around, picturesque valley with loads of jobs. Pretty soon the area was a destination for settling immigrants. They came from everywhere, Greece, Poland, and Italy. I think there were more Italian people than any others. When I tell you I grew up with the best pizza, believe me! These new residents also brought their customs with them. I would imagine, to the locals already living there, some of the new neighbors' traditions seemed unusual. Arranged marriage, for example, I have never heard of anyone that had an arranged marriage but I'm sure it was done at times.

I recently read The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. If the author sounds familiar it is because she wrote the very popular novel The Kiss Quotient. If you liked the writers "voice" in that book, you will surely like The Bride Test. Helen Hoang, writes about people that can struggle with certain issues. The Bride Test, like The Kiss Quotient features a character on the autism spectrum. I was surprised to learn that the author herself has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Obviously, it does not hold her back, instead allowing her to put her insight to good use. In this new story a mother wants her son, Khai, to get married, but he has a difficult time processing feelings. Mom goes to Vietnam to find the perfect girl for him. After literally making several girls cry during her interview process, Khai's mom settles on Esme, the girl who was cleaning the bathroom. Esme is brought to America to see if her and Khai are a good fit. If not, she will have to return to Vietnam. This story is well written, quick moving and very cute. It will pull at your heartstrings and have you cheering on these very likable characters. I was pleasantly surprised finding that this story had much more depth than The Kiss Quotient.

This book is the perfect summer read, sweet and funny. If you are taking this novel on vacation, be sure to take a backup as you'll finish this long before you get the sand out of your... swimsuit... (hubby insisted I edit what I originally had there, use your imagination).

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

Hello everyone.

You know, the internet is a weird thing. Okay, maybe not for you youngsters ('youngsters', I sound like my grandparents) let me rephrase...the internet is a weird thing if you didn't grow up with it. Don't get me wrong, when hubby and I are having that once a week discussion about someone he sees on tv and thinks it is an actor that it obviously isn't, the internet backs me up, proving him wrong. You'd think he'd listen to his darling wife, but alas NO! Besides being an instant source of discussion winning gotcha moments, the internet is also a meeting place. Now that I'm hearing tacky fake porno jazz in my head I'll clarify not THAT kind of meeting place. Let's face it, I just used the word "youngster",  online hookup time for me has long passed. I am talking about connecting with people from your past.

This week I spoke with a life-long friend, someone I lived next door to from the time I was 3 until moving out after college. It has been delightful, I can't believe how old her kids are and how beautiful! I last saw her children when they were babies and they are now adults. It's like that when you reconnect with people from school, isn't it? You haven't seen each other for years, the personality is the same, but how could they have been married and divorced or even have grandchildren. We were just in chemistry last Thursday, how on earth did this happen. That's the thing with the passage of time, you feel the same inside. It seems like you should still be hurrying so you don't miss the school bus , but the reality is that you have a mortgage, kids that are counting down the days until their next Disney World vacation, and a lawn that magically grows out of control overnight. Thankfully, when you realize that this bizarre passage of time has been happening, you discover the same has been going on with your friends. You are not alone, your friends are pulling their back when putting on their bra too! Pass the ice pack please!

I recently read The First Mistake by Sandie Jones. Last year I read her book, The Other Woman and loved it. When I received an advanced copy of the new story I was thrilled. The First Mistake is about ordinary life.  A woman, Alice, has lost her first husband and has remarried, Nathan. She has a best friend, Beth, they have been through everything together. When Alice starts noticing some odd things going on with Nathan she, like any of us would, turns to her friend for support. This book asks the question what do you do when you start to doubt your friend, your rock. Is everything real or are you making a big deal out of nothing? Do you crumble or fight back? I think what makes these types of thrillers so creepy is that they are, for the most part, normal situations. It seems to hit harder when it is actually something that could happen. A thriller set on some purple planet with an evil green monkey is a lot less likely to seep into your dreams as it doesn't really exist.  Sandie Jones has produced another solid, well written, rapidly paced thriller, with a plot even more involved and twisty than The Other Woman.

This book would be a great one to read on vacation, certainly interesting enough to hold your attention but not too taxing. Perhaps you should read it with a friend. Don't blame me if you look at each other suspiciously afterward.