Summer on Blossom Street

Summer on Blossom Street
by Debbie Macomber

While the story centers around Lydia Goetz’s knitting shop and her new class, Knit to Quit, the readers are brought up-to-date on the other families on Blossom Street. Newcomers on the block: Phoebe, Hutch, Casey, Tim, Mel, and Clark are introduced into the neighborhood as their personal lives are revealed.

I could hardly wait to read Summer on Blossom Street; and, as always, Debbie Macomber did not disappoint me. An excellent summer read!

- Rose

The Woods

The Woods
by Harlan Coben

Coben leaves behind his usual main character of Myron Bolitar to construct a tight suspense that leaves you guessing until the last chapters.

Twenty years ago when Paul Copeland was a teenage counselor at a summer camp, four teens were killed, one of them his sister. Now as a prosecutor in a rape case, a defendant's parent tries to dig up dirt on Paul to persuade Paul to drop the charges. They start looking into this episode in Paul's life and the effect is explosive.

- Rochelle

Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing

Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing
by Kathy Cano-Murillo

I love colorful things so I had to check this book out. There are 30 projects ranging from beginner to difficult with full color photos, templates and resource lists. Using garage sale finds or “it's been in the closet awhile” items, these projects show how to “re-purpose” (or should I say recycle?) things you already have around the house. Sections include: Power Purses, Wondrous Wearables and Embrace Your Space. The book has many sewing tips and funny stories too. Even if you don’t have the time to do one of these projects, check this book out and enjoy it!

- Dixie

The Deepest Cut

The Deepest Cut
by Dianne Emley

This is the third in the trilogy about Pasadena Police Department detective Nan Vining, who was brutally attacked and left for dead by a deranged and cunning unknown man. Nan and her teen daughter Emily have dubbed him "T.B. Mann" for "the bad man." As Nan struggles to get her career and life back on her terms, she obsessively takes the investigation of her attack into her own hands. I liked how the author puts the reader inside Nan's head and especially liked Nan's emotional and physical strength. Read these in order: The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, and then The Deepest Cut. Though not for the squeamish, they are well-written suspense novels with a little romance thrown in.

-Linda

Wintergirls

Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson has written a gripping book about the downward spiral of anorexia and the agonizing path to recovery. Like her book Speak, I found Wintergirls impossible to put down - recommended for both teens and adults.

- Lynn

Lavender Morning

Lavender Morning
by Jude Deveraux

Jocelyn Minton was five years old when her mother passed away. Her father remarried and Jocelyn gained a stepmother and identical twin step sisters, which she often referred to as the “Steps.” Joce didn’t have anything in common with her father or the Steps and became friends with Miss Edilean Harcourt, who was like a grandmother to her. When Miss Harcourt passed away, she left everything to Joce, including a house in Edilean, Virginia. When Joce moves to Edilean, not only does she become interested in two men who are cousins, but learns Miss Harcourt had secrets she never shared with Joce.

This is the first book in the Edilean series by Jude Deveraux and is cleverly written with a little mystery and a touch of humor. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

- Rose

Dead & Gone

Dead & Gone
by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is at it again. Her sister-in-law is found dead, nailed to a cross at the bar where she works. Did her brother do it? The fairies are at war - who will win out? Eric is struggling to keep his position as sheriff and Sookie gets dragged in. Typical Bon Temps activities!

- Rochelle