The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Recovering from a painful loss, Eva Ward travels to Cornwall and the centuries-old Trelowarth House where she once spent happy summers. One morning, she hears unfamiliar voices in the next room, and on a walk she encounters a mysterious man who seems to be from another time. At first she attributes these oddities to symptoms of grief, but when the “hallucinations” continue to occur and she actually converses with the stranger in her bedroom, Eva concludes she has traveled back 300 years. Though she can’t control her comings and goings between the past and present, she begins to fall in love with Daniel Butler, a dashing man with a dangerous secret. As Eva investigates local annals, she learns some of what Daniel faced, but she’s unsure whether she can or should interfere in historical events—or if she can or should find a way to stay with him forever. Told in first person and with understated sensuality, the story of Eva and Daniel’s devotion and dilemma will keep readers avidly engaged.

 If you could travel back in time to the past, where would you go?  Claire traveled back in time as well, do you think she was aware of Eva's traveling into the past all along or just when Eva was injured?

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah

Meghann Dontess is haunted by heartbreak. Twenty-seven years ago she was forced to make a terrible choice, one that cost her everything, including the love of her sister, Claire. Now, Meghann is a hotshot divorce attorney who doesn't believe in intimacy--until she meets the one man who can change her mind. Claire Cavenaugh has fallen in love for the first time in her life. As her wedding day approaches, she prepares to face her harsh, judgmental older sister. It is the first time they have been together in more than two decades. Over the course of a hot Pacific Northwest summer, these two women who believe they have nothing in common will try to become what they never were: a family.

Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel

On a warm May night in San Francisco, the Ritz-Carlton ballroom shimmers as a glittering, celebrity-studded crowd gathers for a charity dinner dance. The evening is perfect--until, just minutes before midnight, the room begins to sway.... In the earthquake's aftermath, the lives of four strangers will converge.... Sarah Sloane, the wife of a financial whiz, watches her perfect world fall to pieces.... Grammy-winning singer Melanie Free comes to a turning point in her life and career.... Photographer Everett Carson finds new purpose amid the carnage...and Sister Maggie Kent, a nun who works with the homeless, searches through the rubble--and knows that there is much to be done....

Beyond Tuesday Morning: Sequel to the Bestselling One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury

In this sequel to the best-selling One Tuesday Morning, to widow Jamie Bryan it is still September 12, 2001. What will move her from living in the past to living the life God has given her today?

Done with Sookie? Check out Rachel...

If you’ve read all the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries and are looking for fun, friendship, action and adventure in a paranormal world then look no further that Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series. The paperback copy of the first book in the series “Dead Witch Walking” has been on my ‘to-be-read’ pile for several years now, but with little time to actually read books, and lots more time to listen to them I was elated when I discovered the books were available on audio. An inter-library loan form, a couple of weeks waiting and into the Hallows I stepped to spend time with vampires, witches, pixies and many other mythical creatures. In an alternate world where humans fear tomatoes, Inderlanders come in all shapes and sizes and Cincinnati, Ohio has been forever changed by “The Turn” Rachel (witch,) Ivy (vampire,) and Jenks (pixie) band together to take down corrupt businessmen, mega-maniacal vamps and shape-shifting demons. Enter the Hallows and see what's lying in wait for Rachel and the gang.

The series reading order is:

Dead Witch Walking

The Good, The Bad, and The Undead

Every Which Way But Dead

A Fistful of Charms

For A Few Demons

The Outlaw Demon Wails

White Witch, Black Curse

Black Magic Sanction
Pale Demon
A Perfect Blood (coming spring 2012)

52 Waratah Avenue by Lynne Wilding

As Laura Beaumont struggles wih the loss of love, her other life's passion comes under threat…Someone is trying to sabotage Ashworths, the exclusive department store set up by Laura Beaumont. Is the company about to be taken over? The timing is bad for the Beaumont family because Laura's health is declining and they desperatly need to find a successor to the business. Caroline, Laura's eldest daughter, is an international concert pianist in search of a new career; perhaps at Ashworths. But her ambitious sister Michaela has her eye on the top job and is suspicious of Caroline's motives. Meanwhile, Joel, Laura's son, has to deal with his own problems before he can pursue his career as a doctor. Outside of Ashworths, the Beaumont women have other passions to contend with. Caroline's return to Sydney means facing her ex-husband. Nick wants Caroline back in his life — any way he can get her. Michaela finds herself attracted by young lawyer Leith Danvers.

The Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

After one of her patients commits murder, psychiatrist Julia Cates is asked to come back to her hometown by her sister Ellie to help with a child who seemed to appear from nowhere out of the forest. Julia's confidence is very low and her life has been almost destroyed. The found child is "wild" and no one knows where she came from. Julia becomes the temporary foster parent to help the young girl. Can Julia find out who the girl is? What her name is?
The book is hard to put down once you get started! I haven't finished reading just yet! The suspense of what may happens next has me hanging on, not wanting to put this book down!

True Colors by Kristin Hannah

The Grey sisters had only each other when their mother died. Their father provided for them physically on Water's Edge, the ranch that had been in their family for three generations, but he was emotionally absent. Growing up, the Grey sisters longed for love. Winona, an overweight dreamer, knew that she could never get it -- she didn't have the talents and strengths her father valued. Vivi Ann did. But when Vivi Ann makes a fateful decision to follow her heart, rather than take the route of dutiful daughter, events are set in motion that will test the love and loyalty of sisterhood.

A story that I could not stop reading, couldn't wait to see what would happen next!

The Time Traveler's wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Review by Julie Hale
The unconventional love story marks the arrival of a talented new author. Henry and Clare De Tamble are, by all appearances, a regular Chicago couple. Yet, all is not as it seems. Henry suffers from Chrono-Displacement Disorder, which means that, with no warning, he often disappears, only to resurface in the past or the future—most often at moments of special significance in his life. Thus, he travels backward into Clare's childhood, where, in a bizarre twist, he encounters her as a six-year-old. Skillfully shifting points of view, the author presents us with the perspectives of both Clare and Henry, with poignant, often hilarious results. As time's toy, Henry relies upon Clare—the one constant in his life—to keep him grounded. Their marriage, in fact, seems to grow stronger despite his peculiar condition and the strange paradoxes that ensue as a result. This touching, uniquely inventive novel was a national bestseller. The movie rights have been purchased by Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. A reading group guide is included in the book.

Would you call The Time Traveler's Wife a comedy or a tragedy, or are such classifications relevant to a work that plays havoc with time and allows one character to appear periodically after his death?
© 2004, All rights reserved, BookPage

Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber

On the anniversary of his beloved wife's death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written him. In it, she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request. "I want you to marry again." She tells him he shouldn't spend the years he has left grieving. And to that end, she's chosen three women she asks him to consider-a chef who owns Blossom Street's French Cafe, a compassionate oncology nurse, and an artistic eccentric who rescues strays (animal and human).
Well worth the read Debbie Macomber keeps you guessing right to the very end!

Sweetheart's Knitting Club

The Sweetheart's Knitting Club

by Lori Wilde

To be a member of the Sweetheart's Knitting Club you have to have married your high school sweetheart.... Flynn McGregor hostess of the Sweetheart's knitting club lost her high school sweetheart, Jesse Calloway after he was arrested and sent to jail for 10 years for a crime he did not commit. For 10 years Flynn never visited or heard from Jesse. Instead she has an on and off relationship with Beau Trainer, an old high school romance. Beau now sheriff of Twilight finds out that Jesse will be getting out of prison early and proposes again to Flynn in hopes she will say yes before Jesse arrives back in town. The fireworks are just beginning! This book is worth the read! Full of Romance and Action! Not your typical "knitting group" book!

Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

Augusta “Gus” Simpson, entertainer and star of her own television show on the Cooking Channel learns that she will have to share her show with another cook, Carmen Vega, supposedly the girlfriend of the head of the Cooking Channel. Carmen’s goal is to take over the show, but no matter what Gus always remains professional. While dealing with her two adult daughters and their relationships with boy friends and broken engagements and worried about losing her show, Gus persists with life and finds a new direction for herself and also finds love. The book is full of humor and moves at a fast pace. It’s a great read!

Books for April

Below are the books we will discuss in April, join in and blog about what you have read! Have another book you would like to discuss? Let us know by posting a book you would like to discuss!

1. Mystery: Burglar in the Rye by Lawrence Block



2. Romance: Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea



3. Literary Classics: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Have time to come to the book discussion in person? Visit our website for dates and times of our Book Discussions.