The Vanishing Act

A charming book that warms your heart and bursts with creativity. 12 year old Minou, lives on a small wintery island with her father, a priest, and an ex-magician with a dog named no-name. Her spunky mother was once counted as one of the inhabitants but she vanished one night and all the adults on the island are positive that she is dead. Minou however is not convinced - a fan of the philosophers that her father loves - she makes a list containing all the reasons that support her theory. When they find a frozen dead boy on the beach and bring him to the house to await the next boat shipment - both Minou and her father start to reflect on her mother and the circumstances that led to her disappearing from the small island. Filled with fun, quirky characters - this adorable story told through a child's eyes is not one that readers will forget.

The Summer Wives

Atmospheric and beautiful; this historical coming of age novel of romance, mystery, and murder is hard to put down. Alternating between three timelines, but all set on a small ritzy island where the divide between the "families" who summer there and the islanders who live there year round is palpable and unchanging. When Miranda's mother meets and marries a rich islander in the early fifties they move to the island and Miranda becomes better acquainted with her new stepfather and stepsister. Miranda has no idea how quickly her life will change when she starts to crush on the boy next door (aka the lighthouse next door). The story alternates between that seemingly idyllic summer as a teenager and her life as a famous actress returning to the island nearly two decades later. There is a lot of unanswered questions about what happened that summer and how the ripples of their actions changed everything. Intrigue, secrets, murder, cocktails, romance, and more. For fans of historical romance.

The Inheritance

Book one of the Secrets of the Shetlands deals with the turmoil that Whales Reef finds itself in. After the death of their laird, David (the chief) finds that the money has gone dry. Will the tiny island be able to support itself? How will the wool factory workers get paid? David discovers that there will be no income until the estate is resolved and it seems like that may be a while since they aren't sure who the true heir should be. Is it David, the chief, or Hardy, his mean foolish cousin? Life on the Scottish island tries to go on as normal, but everyone is worried. What will happen to their traditions and their heritage? Meanwhile, Loni, a 33 year old American is trying to come to terms with her life as an assistant in Washington. Should she focus on her career, her faith, her boyfriend, her past? She doesn't know, but she soon has some surprises coming her way. An inspirational read that will charm fans of Scottish small town living.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Enchanted August

Bowen, Brenda. Enchanted August. 7 CDs. unabridged. 8.5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2015. ISBN 9781101915028.

Bowen, an award-winning children's book author, makes her adult debut with this captivating beach read. Young mothers, Lottie and Rose, spy an ad for a cottage for rent on Little Lost Island in Maine. Neither can afford it, but they are desperate for some space from their families, so they place ads of their own looking for two other boarders to share the rent. Their ad turns up the brilliant (albeit publicly shamed) actress, Caroline Dester, and stodgy old Beverly Fisher, who is trying to recoup after the loss of his pet. This quartet of quirky renters fall in love with the island and its ways and despite their differences, start to befriend one another. The island is the perfect place for them to come to terms with failed careers, marriages, dreams, and heartbreak. Narrator, Sierra Boggess, does a fantastic job of bringing to life the flawed, yet beautiful characters. Verdict For fans of light, breezy, beach reads. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN

Sweetland

Crummey, Michael. Sweetland. 8 CDs. unabridged. 9.25 hrs. High Bridge Audio. 2015. ISBN 9781622316256. $39.99. 8CDs. 

Crummey (Galore) creates a compelling and epic story of one man's quest to stay on his beloved island on the Newfoundland coast after a government buyout. Moses Sweetland refuses to leave the island his ancestors founded, it holds too many memories and he feels compelled to stay for reasons he can't quite articulate. As the island's residents slowly start to leave he finds himself  reminiscing on his and the town's history. From the eclectic residents to old traditions, Sweetland finds solace in looking back on the island's past. Soon he finds himself utterly alone and all he has to keep him sane are his thoughts. The story alternates between the present story, Sweetland's youth, and various other memorable moments in his lifetime. Narrated beautifully by the prolific John Lee, who does an impressive job creating distinct voices for all characters, most notably in Moses Sweetland. Verdict Fans of literary novels, and rugged island life will enjoy this astonishing tale of an old man determined not to let go of the past.  - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN