Monthly Archives: October 2016

Book Review: Out of Practice

Out of Practice (Breakup Doctor #4)Out of Practice by Phoebe Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to read this fourth and final installment of the Break Up Doctor Series. I have loved every book and this one was no different.

Brook Lyn has grown over he series and this time, things started coming apart for her. After being ambushed on the morning talk show of her high school nemesis, Brook starts losing clients. Her mom is having a hard time with the loss of her father, her best friend, Sasha, is struggling with new motherhood and Brook, herself, can’t seem to figure out what she wants in her wedding to Ben. Ben thinks maybe she just isn’t interested.

Through it all, Brook comes to realize she needs to take some time out for herself and decide what she really wants in life. I’ve laughed and cried with this character and I’m going to miss her. Terrific book, terrific series.

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Book Review: The Candidate

The Candidate (Newsmakers #2)The Candidate by Lis Wiehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lis Wiehl is a smart gal and her book is a smart book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading!

I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. Erica Sparks is the host of the top-rated cable news show. She wants to host the presidential debate but her boss thinks her ratings are slipping and makes her feel like she needs to do something to raise them.

In preparation for moderating the debate, Erica decides to do in-depth profiles on the two candidates. While the Republican candidate seems to be what you see is what you get, the Democratic candidate, Sen. Mike Ortiz, seems to be a little “off”. Ortiz is married to the billionaire heiress Claire who has, along with her best friend Lily Lau, orchestrated Mike’s rise to the top.

When people don’t fall into line to help them achieve their goals, lives are lost and there’s a trail of dead bodies by the time Erica is snatched.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and you read to find out if Erica makes it out alive, if the Ortiz’s take the White House, and if the people behind the scheme succeed.

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Book Review: The German Girl

The German Girl: A NovelThe German Girl: A Novel by Armando Lucas Correa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! A deeply moving family saga that tells the story of Hannah, a young German Jew from the second World War and her great niece, Anna, a young girl who lost her father (Hannah’s grandson) in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2011.

Much of the book was Hannah’s story which Anna was so drawn to. Hannah left Germany with her family on the St. Louis on route to Havana where they had bought residency visas. As the ship full of nearly 1,000 Jewish passengers sailed closer to Cuba, it was learned that Cuba didn’t plan to accept the entire passenger list and, in the end, less than 30 passengers disembarked for their new lives in Cuba. Hannah and her mother were among those who settled in Cuba. Her dad and best friend were sent back. Her dad ultimately died in Auschwitz.

Although their situation seemed dire through the entire book, I grew to love this cast of characters. Excellent book! I hope to read more from this author.

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Book Review: Small Great Things

Small Great ThingsSmall Great Things by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. The funny thing is, sometimes I read the blurb describing the book and think I won’t like it and end up loving it. This book surprised me as it’s told first through the eyes of a black person.

The book is about racism, very topical for today.

Ruth is an accomplished labor and delivery nurse with 20 years on the job in the same hospital. She’s the widowed mother of a 17-year-old son, Edison. She’s worked her whole life to be successful. Her mother was a maid until her death and her sister lives in the projects. She wants better for herself and her son. Her son is also a high achieving student-athlete on track for college.

When Ruth is removed from a baby’s care by his white supremacist parents, she finds herself monitoring him after his circumcision because she was the only one available to do it as the unit was short-staffed. When the baby starts having difficulty, Ruth is torn because of the parent’s wishes and her training and desire to be a good nurse. She tries to help the baby but he ultimately dies. The parents bring suit against her.

The book covers the trial through her eyes, the eyes of her attorney who is learning what it’s like to see things through Ruth’s eyes, and the baby’s father.

The book is very thought provoking and an excellent story. The characters are wonderful and there are twists and turns you don’t see coming. I highly recommend this book.

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