Winter in New York

Isabel Allende's new book In the Midst of Winter, is a sweeping novel about three very different people who are brought together in a story that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil. In the Midst of Winter begins with a minor traffic accident--which becomes the catalyst for an unexpected  love story between two people who thought they were deep into the winter of their lives. Richard Bowmaster--a 60-year-old human rights scholar--hits the car of Evelyn Ortega--a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala--in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn. What at first seems just a small inconvenience takes an unforeseen and far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor's house seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant Lucia Maraz--a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile--for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a  story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia. Tender and surprising, this is a lovely read.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde is definitely a keeper. In this love story, Gabi is such a giving person. She is so compassionate and tender hearted. She wants to make everyone happy, but inside she's in a great pain. She lost her older brother from cancer leaving her parents in distress. Joe is a charmer and a flirt, but he's a softie. He's always honorable. He makes Gabi feel alive. Gabi and Joe both endured so much. They deserve to find love and happiness. This book is remarkable and is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Lori Wilde knows how to weave a story that has it all. There is love, laughter, joy and pain. *JK*

A Winter Wedding

A Winter Wedding is a wonderful romance and it's part of Brenda Novak's entire Whiskey Creek series. It is a must read! I love the group of friends in the small community Novak has created. Kyle is one of the last to remain single. He gave his heart a long time ago to Olivia, but she loves and is married to his step-brother Brandon all because of a mistake he made with her sister, Noelle. In the previous books he is such a great guy, always there for his friends, successful in his business, but heartbroken. *JK*

Winter in the Country.

Fans of Flavia de Luce, the bratty, chemistry obsessed eleven year old, will want to read the latest in the series. In I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley, it's Christmas, and a film crew is at the crumbling mansion in the country Flavia shares with her befuddled dad and two mean older sisters. When the star of the film turns up with film tied around her neck in a strangulation bow, Flavia solves the mystery in spite of the adults who try to dampen her zest for all things sinister. Engaging writing,a precocious heroine and the gloomy country house that contributes to the mood make this a winner. M.L.

Winter in the Country

Fans of Flavia de Luce,the bratty,chemistry obsessed eleven year old, will want to read the latest in the series. In I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley, it's Christmas, and a film crew is at the crumbling mansion in the country Flavia shares with her befuddled dad and two mean older sisters. When the star of the film turns up with film tied around her neck in a strangulation bow, Flavia solves the mystery in spite of the adults who try to dampen her zest for all things sinister. Engaging writing,a precocious heroine and the gloomy country house that contributes to the mood make this a winner. M.L.