Windswept Way

A charming and inspirational read that makes me want to go back and read the rest of this series. While this can easily be read as a standalone - it's clear that Hope Harbor and cute and quirky residents play bigger roles in other novels. In Windswept Way. Ashley Scott decides to move across the country to take a chance on an old estate. As a historian she loves to showcase old houses and use them as event venues, she is charmed by Edgecliff and convinces the elderly owner to become her partner and open up the grand estate in order to preserve it and its legacy. In the process she finds herself charmed by the beautiful seaside town and a certain landscaper who wants to do nothing more than hide. Jonathon Gray used to be a model, but now he hides behind his shades and scarves. During the war he was badly injured and his scars have a way of scaring people. Rather than get to close to anyone he decides to keep to himself - that is until Ashley. Charming and inspirational - the perfect kind of fluff!

The Nice House on the Lake

Intriguing concept - a group of people in their thirties are all invited to their friend Walter's lake house for a week of fun and merriment. They don't necessarily all know each other - some are friends from high school, college, work etc. but they at least all know Walter so it should be a great time. Except on their first night there they discover that the world is literally ending. Fire is reining down all over the world and people are melting to death. How are they all safe at the lake. What is happening?! They have a lot of hard questions for Walter - but he isn't exactly forthcoming with answers. In fact - he's making himself very scarce. The answers that they seek could be right in front of them - but the truth could be more horrifying than any of them can imagine. A dark graphic novel - I can't wait to see how this series continues. 

Be Frank With Me

A fun read with one of the most unforgettable characters I've read in a long time. When Alice is sent to California to assist the legendary and reclusive author, M. M. Banning in finishing her long awaited sophomore novel - she isn't sure what to expect. One thing she certainly wasn't expecting though, was having to be a full time nanny for the author's eccentric nine year old son. Frank is not like most kids - he dresses like a 1920s/30s movie star and has more knowledge of black and white movies than practically anyone living, has a tendency to steal or snoop through anything that isn't his and has nothing in common with kids his age. Eccentric is putting it mildly. But soon Alice finds herself growing to love Frank and developing feelings for Xander, the random fix it man who enters in and out of the house at will. If only she could get Mimi to like her or discover if she really even is writing behind her closed doors. Deeply real, flawed, and unique characters. The wit in this book is unmatched. 

After the Shadows

Heavy on the romance, light on the suspense and intrigue - this inspirational historical read will woo readers. When Emily Leland returns home she discovers not one, but both of her parents are dead. Emily had left the year before when she married George, a dashing man with a hot temper. When she failed to give him a child he quickly turned abusive and when he suddenly died she was not remotely sad. She was just ready to return to her parents home - but now with both parents dead and her sister furious at her; Emily doesn't know what to do. She decides to turn her childhood home into a boardinghouse so she can pay the taxes and soon she is introduced to the dashing new school teacher and his adorable son. He too is a widower and if they aren't careful they might start falling for each other. At the heart of the story is their romance, but in the background is a mystery - how did her father really die and will the new teacher help her get to the bottom of it? The first in a new series!

Reckless Girls

Quite literally the perfect breach read. This twisty thriller takes place on a deserted island with a dark past. When two girls convince Lux's boyfriend Nico to charter them to the middle of the ocean she is skeptical - but they can't say no to the $50k. When they arrive to the island they discover it's not so deserted as they thought. In fact another boat is already docked there. The two parties merge and proceed to have a blast. Lots of booze, food, and hot young bodies. But something isn't right. Who really are these people and is everyone who they claim to be. When a third boat enters the scene the party is over... or is it? Dark and twisty. This book made me wish I was lying out on a beach somewhere. 

Murder in Wauwatosa

Nearly a century ago, eight year old Buddy Schumacher went to go playing with his friends and wasn't seen again for seven weeks. When he was eventually found, he had been murdered and abused, a dirty handkerchief had been stuffed down his throat. Though his murder was heinous and terrifying for the entire community - no one ever stood trial for his killing. Local author (Columbus, Ind.), Paul Hoffman, goes over the case in great detail, examining all the false leads, yellow journalism, "moron" mania and more. It's compelling and heartbreaking. Evidence goes missing, kids keep changing their stories, and the "tips" that keep getting reported just keep leading police (and journalists) on wild goose chases. True crime junkies will eat up this well researched book; it's full of photographs, anecdotes about the era in which the crime occurred, and brings up issues (mental illness, abuse) that still take place today.  

The 5 Practices of Highly Resilient People

This self-help guide teaches readers how to hone their resiliency skills. We are all born resilient - but with practice we can really face adversity so much better. Dr. Stejskal breaks it down into five main practices - with steps, guidance, personal stories, and anecdotes for each. Besides just the five main practices there are sections on how to live out resilient practices and apply them in your life; parenting, leadership, and womanhood are touched on (I really got the most out of the parenting and women sections!). I really appreciated that when the author discussed vulnerability - she didn't just give platitudes about it, she was vulnerable herself. It lent the book an air of realness, that is many times missing in self books. This is definitely a book that I will refer back to. It's good, it's simple, it seems achievable!