Rich and evocative page turner
925304
Got the eBook this weekend and am loving it! So rich and evocative. Had to make myself put it down because I had other things to do! Cant wait to get back into it.
390988
This is definitely a page-turner - the staccato writing style, the short chapters and the relative brevity of the book will probably mean that you won't put this down until you have read it in one sitting!  There is some beautiful and evocative language to enjoy, which is perhaps somewhat unusual for a thriller like this. Two examples: "She needed to tweak her expectations. Erase her preconceptions" or how about " this moment of moments was like a million pinpricks on her soul."  Every word is used to good effect and none is wasted.  In a crowded genre, I think the author has the talent to rise above the crowd and make a real mark.  Overall - very impressive.
2234093
For anyone who has visited the Outerbanks, this novel is an excellent read I highly recommend.  The descriptive parts of the Corolla, Currituck Sound and beach areas are outstanding in their portrayal and well done, transporting the reader right into the heart of the novel. You can almost feel the ocean breeze blowing and feel the warmth of the sun on your face.  It made me long for our annual family summer vacations in that spot.  The characters were thoughtfully created with much attention to detail and come from all walks of life and different perspectives.  The conflict was sharply drawn between the protagonistic and antagonistic characters.  You could feel the dramatic tension building between the two opposing forces as the story unfolds before the reader, pursuing the question:  Who is the true villain(s) in this piece?  The reader will be engrossed in their reading to the very ending which is filled with suspense and unpredictable twists and turns along the way!  Joe Ellis is a seasoned Ohio Valley writer, and this novel expresses his tremendous literary growth as an author.  I look forward to reading his future endeavors in the fields of fiction and nonfiction.
1017785
This is an unusual and engrossing page turner of a novel, beautifully and deftly written. In this, her second novel, the author sustains the quality of writing found in her amazing first book, "The House of Gentle Men". Those readers, who have read and enjoyed the author's first novel, will certainly love this book. I know I did.

"The Absence of Nectar" is a well crafted thriller, as well as an unusual coming of age novel. The author, a masterful storyteller, is highly adept at building suspense. This book will certainly keep the discerning reader turning its pages.

The story involves a precocious eleven year old girl, Alice Fendar, and her brother, Boone, who is two years older than his sister. He has an unusual pen pal, Persely Snow, a teen age girl who was committed to a mental hospital for allegedly trying to kill both her parents and succeeding in killing one. Persely has become a local folk hero, because of her legendary escapes from confinement, and Boone fancies himself in love with her.

Alice and Boone live with their mother, Meg, after their father abandoned the family over another woman. The mother eventually meets another man, Simon Jester, when he saves her from drowning, while she is swimming with her children. He later tells her that he is a widower, having lost his wife and three year old child in a drowning accident. She is swept off her feet by him, and they marry.

For some reason, the sassy and intelligent Alice does not take to her new step-father. Something about him, to her mind, is just not right. She scoffs at his assertion that he is a widower who lost his wife and three year old child in a drowning accident. In fact, she feels that there is something about him that seems to be downright evil. As time passes, Simon begins to reveal more and more of his true nature, and it appears that Alice just may be onto something, after all. Meanwhile, Boone is oblivious to all but his obsession with Persely Snow.

Alice, herself, falls prey to an obsession. She becomes convinced that Simon is trying to kill her and Boone. Her brother finds that the easiest course to take is that of the path of least resistance, and so he falls in with Alice in her schemes to thwart Simon. At times, the book is terribly funny, at other times, achingly sad. The events set into motion one night will reveal to the reader what is really going on. It will also reveal the role that Persely Snow ultimately plays in all their lives. It is a role that rises to almost mythic stature.

This lyrically written book is strangely compelling, quirky, and riveting, holding the reader in its thrall. It is a stunning and triumphant tour de force by the author.
1998634
It is rare indeed to discover a novel that not only offers the reader a rich and fascinating story but is eloquently written, as well. Times Betrayal is such a novel. The story line is a fascinating one, spanning the years of the Civil War to those of the twenty-first century, and moving from New England to various countries throughout Europe. One cares deeply for the characters in this novel and feels compelled to follow them on their journeys as their paths intersect in fascinating and thought-provoking ways. The authors marvelous storytelling ability coupled with his erudition and the beauty of his words make Times Betrayal a novel this reader will not soon forget.
3821233
Raised By Hand, Lifted By The Tides, by Willett Thomas, is told from the point of view of Lily (Lil Bit), a young girl living in small-town Arcadia, Florida, in the 1950s.  She is estranged from her mother and lives with her grandmother (her 'Bubbah') and uncle.

It's extraordinarily well-written.  The voice of the young girl (aged 10-13 during the time in the novel) is strong and consistent throughout, so the reader cannot help but be pulled into her world, experience what she experiences, and essentially live her life through her eyes and her words.  All of the characters are unique, credible and well-portrayed, and their interactions and dialogue are a delight to read.

There's a lot going on in the book:  the relationships Lily has with her grandmother, uncle, friends and the difficult relationship with her mother are a core part, but there's also an underlying mystery to be solved and other sub-plots that keep the story moving.

Overall,  I enjoyed  the quality of the writing the most.  It was engaging with a rich vocabulary  and plenty of wonderfully crafted passages.
4677183
This a rewarding read in so many ways. Characters (many of whom are based on historical figures) are richly rendered and have depth and nuance (even the antagonists are richly drawn with complex motivations). The storylines are engaging and page-turningly compelling. The world the author conjures is so realistically textured that at times I swore I could smell the salt air.

So happy to have found this book.  If your reading taste runs to Cape Cod, colonial history, seafaring tales, pirates, witchcraft or individuals/nonconformist v authority this is worth your time.

The cover copy promises that this is the first book in the Cape Cod Legends series , and I hope for a new title in time for my next trip to the Cape.
4223858
Ostensibly about a grand manor home and its rich history, Potter Hill rapidly assumes a much broader dimension, nothing short of a treatise on the elements of a meaningful life. Al Parillo is a master story teller whose writing is fueled by an uncommon insight into human nature. He possesses the encyclopedic knowledge of an art professor and the heart of a humanist. He brings both to bear in Potter Hill, skillfully exploring timeless human themes in a contemporary setting. Featuring a plot that seems to grow new tentacles at each turn of the page Potter Hill will lead the reader in quite unforeseen directions. The end result- a story that is completely unpredictable yet magnificently coherent. Ultimately it is an optimistic embrace of the human spirit.
Potter Hill is a joy that connects on many levels. I predict it is destined for wide acclaim.
3439023
Amazing, I was instantly hooked and drawn into the setting, the characters antagonists and all is not what it seems. There is such beauty and wisdom in the pages that I was left breathless. From start to end a superbly evocative book that will leave you clamoring for the next two. I know I did! I have become a huge fan.
3023180
Tony Hillerman's books are so much more than clever police procedurals set in an unusual setting exposing the reader to different cultures and beautiful landscapes.  I found "Skinwalkers" a deeply affecting read, where his love and respect for Native American communities was matched by an extra-ordinary warmth for the characters he has created and their personal contexts. The murder mystery is secondary, what really counts in his writings is the deep insight he shares about people and place which is profoundly humanising.  The people and communities he describes are not objects of passing curiosity, they are real, multi-dimensional human beings wrestling with the same day to day challenges as people anywhere in the world, drawing on a rich cultural past to help cope with complex contemporary pressures.  An allround reading delight.
1315819
This vivid and richly intelligent novel opens up a whole world: so alive are the characters, the setting, and the gorgeous (but not heavy-handed or laborious) descriptions, the reading experience is as immersive as that of a great film.  But while the scenes are cinematic and the plot compelling, the writing is also beautiful: the prose is fresh and soulful, both at once; the author's intellect shines and edifies, while never failing to entertain.  I can't wait for this author's next novel.
2222799
This is a book to be savored -  to be read with care over time. At 866 pages of detailed passages, it demands a commitment that many current, popular books do not require. At times the writing feels inordinately slow, but then the rich, evocative language would capture my imagination and interest to keep me engaged.

It all starts with an endearing story of Isaac Reznikoff, a Jewish immigrant from Minsk who is misunderstood when asked his name at Ellis Island and is assigned the improbable name of Ichabod Ferguson.  It is just such twists of circumstances and choices that leads the author to explore four parallel lives of the protagonist, Archibald Isaac Ferguson, the grandson of the above-mentioned immigrant.  These four storylines coupled with the author's creative vision offer a depth of character development rarely experienced.  The format is highly unusual and a bit confusing until you get into the rhythm of the narrative, which has very little accompanying dialogue.  The novel unfolds in sets of four distinct plotlines from Ferguson's birth on March 3,1947, through his childhood, adolescence and young adulthood up to 1971.

With this format we meet four unique, yet essentially the same, Fergusons.  Each one has his own path influenced by his relationships, life choices and relevant historical events.  While the book is organized by reading the same time period for each of the four lives (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) I think it would be interesting to re-read the book focusing on each life as a whole (1.1, 2.1, 3.1 etc.).

I have not read any of the author's other works, so I did not know what to expect with his writing style.  I enjoyed the book, but be sure you have the time to devote to this intricate and lengthy novel.
1417847
Having been a fan of Ms. Harlow's since reading her first novel, Crashing, I looked forward eagerly to Good To Her and it certainly did not disappoint.  Other reviewers have summarized the plot, so I'd like to attempt to convey the pleasures of this novel's rich, evocative prose.  Both characters (Sallie's high heels tapping on tiles, the "deep well" of Nate's mother's death, the hugs and slaps and joyous greetings of Dinty Moore) and setting (the wonders of Grand Central Station, the raw violence of prize fights in their heyday, the lights and rhythms of jazz clubs) are lovingly drawn in images that haunt.
1581856
Ragged Man is a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner, and suitable for a long train ride, a lazy weekend at the beach, or for cozying with by a fire.

Curley has created an ensemble of sympathetic and rich characters that are easily recognizable to any long term resident of the Pacific Northwest. The dialogue is clear and understandable, and the scene setting delightfully evocative. This is a well written work by someone who took the time to get it right.

Curley nicely fleshes out a fun whodunit with vivid sub-themes: the stark differences between siblings, urban preservation vs development, and the usefulness and limits of experience.

Highly recommended!
3627882
Although I read voraciously, I am rarely moved to write a review. I appreciate this author's ability to weave a masterfully unique tome in a genre that has become crowded with repetitious themes.

I'm not sure where Jay Archer David has been hiding, but his skill at characterization and grasp of metaphor and prose are in line with seasoned authors.  He does a wonderful job of placing the reader into the setting right alongside the characters.  This work is intensely personal and passionate to the point of wondering how much of the story the author might actually have experienced.

David does a remarkable job of bringing the stark landscapes of Canyon Lands and the Sonoran Desert to life with brilliant and beautiful description.  The characters are intensely real, complete with human hang-ups and shortcomings, and the sometimes painful, sometimes poignant transformation of the hero is woven into the plot with masterful skill.

This is a book about a man's spiritual journey, but it travels so far beyond the themes of The Secret and other "Law of Attraction" books, that I hesitate to even compare.  I lay awake half the night after finishing it, mulling the insights it provided about the time/space continuum, life, death and the bottom line of what we all really want.

I plan to re-read Road Signs several more times, confident I'll uncover new inspiration with each journey along this magical road.
1437345
A compelling page-turner that draws you in from the beginning, achingly tugs at your heart strings throughout, and at the end leaves you not only satisfied, but also reflective of your own life and the way in which you live it. Beautifully written, I Liked My Life is told from the perspective of each of its three main characters, three distinct voices that Fabiaschi brings to life with heart. It's a thought-provoking look at motherhood, marriage and family relationships that even offers a literal list of life lessons to walk away with. Although a seemingly dark subject, the story is not weighed down in the darkness of despair. Rather, Fabiaschi's storytelling style and characters are full of personality and richness of color. I Liked My Life will leave you thinking about these characters long after the Epilogue is read.
4057519
Sharon Newman's research and attention to detail weave a richly colored tapestry that explores history, religion, culture, politics, and gender roles in a fascinating way. Her vivid, intelligent, and interesting characters and plot twists make this a page-turner that's hard to put down.