--Unforgettable story--
928442
In TARA ROAD, Maeve Binchy spins a fascinating story of an Irish woman and her life in Dublin. This story couldn't have been any better. I listened to the recorded book read by Jenny Sterlin and highly recommend it. What could have been, for me, long hours of boring driving actually turned into something to look forward to as Ria's life was revealed, tape by tape. At a certain point, I just had to know what was going to happen in the story and I finished the last four tapes over an afternoon at home.

The book takes Ria from her youth to her marriage to Danny Lynch, who is move-star handsome. Danny also has a fantastic way with him and is in a very successful real estate partnership. His first business venture allows he and Ria to start their marriage off in a fantastic old house on Tara Road. The Lynch family also includes their children, Annie and Brian. On the surface, what seems like a perfect family and marriage is revealed through the colorful and unforgettable characters that are woven through the lives of Ria and Danny. There are mothers, sisters, friends, mother-in-laws, mistresses, shopkeepers and the neighbors on Tara Road. They all seem to make it to Ria's big friendly kitchen. where she feeds them wonderful homemade food and where a cup of tea or coffee is always ready. Ria who is compassionate and generous is also a little naive. Unfortunately, she doesn't always recognize people for who they really are.

After an especially trying time in her marriage, Ria needs time alone and agrees to a two-month house exchange with an American woman named Marilyn.  Ria goes to Connecticut and Marilyn takes over the house on Tara Road. The home exchange gives the two women the opportunity to look at themselves and their lives carefully.  It also allows them to learn the secrets in each other's lives.

This is Maeve Binchy at her best!
2931339
This book was an unforgettable journey into a place we often hear about in the headlines.  Adam's masterful storytelling kept me spellbound.  I highly recommend this book.
262276
Great Story Telling! Leaves you thinking about it for a long time. Unforgettable.
2155373
This book is a about an unforgettable story of life involving love, passion, adventures, rape, and obsession. There was not a moment where I was bored. Each time I read it, I kept wanting more and more. It is as realistic as it gets. A story of loving, caring God-fearing family and friends. It's a book everyone should read.  It's a story of life's up and downs and getting back unto your feet to live again. Loved it.
232070
Here's a book so compelling, so heart felt that I simply could not stop reading, and read through it in a single sitting.  What makes it so is that it is written from the heart, with all the emotion of childhood dreams destroyed, all the courage of a woman who just refused to quit.  Finding her family was her quest; reconciling and forgiving what she found was her heart's blossoming. Maria's is an unforgettable story.

I'm not a big fan of Kindle.  In fact, this is the first Kindle book I've actually read from cover to cover, so I'm glad to report that there will be a print copy available in the not-too-distant future.  I will be getting a copy for my library and one for each of my children who may need a boost in finding their own strength in adversity much as the women in Maria's family found theirs.

Thank you, Maria, for an excellent book from a gifted writer.  I hope there will be more from you.

Five Stars!
4862600
What a read. This book's characters are well developed and I couldn't put it down. I just wish some of the mistakes in the book weren't to the detriment of understanding sometimes. But overall, this was an amazing story with an unforgettable ending. Well done, Ms. Sharona.
4478462
An unforgettable memoir! I've read it several times already.
2948622
This book was a page turner, you just didn't want to stop reading.  What a story....I'll never forget it.
323831
This story is gripping, unforgettable and completely possible in today's society.
Jonathan is a young boy who is raised by his mother who is a successful prostitute.
For all of Barbara's shielding, Jonathan becomes fully aware of this lifestyle and is affected by the exposure. The drugs, the violence, the sex, the pain - all of it.

I found this story to be compelling, dramatic and I could not put this book down. Jonathan's story could be any boy's story and I truly do believe that it is. This story reminds us that education and money are not enough...boys raised in single parent homes DO NOT turn out gay - that is the LEAST concern. Read this book, take the journey - I dare you to try and find out just who Jonathan Cruise really is.
4167380
OMG, what a fasinating story.  A must see for anyone, even those who are may not think they would be interested.  This story really promts one to think and how profound, that one incident could cause years of misery.
2674477
This compelling story has spoken to me about how incredibly important it is to live one's life through commitment, humility, unwavering determination and a relationship with G-d.  The author has brought to life one of the most tragic and yet loving stories anyone could read, no matter your profession or standing in life. I am blessed to have read this story...
4462957
From the first sentance, you know the outcome. But what keeps you reading is the author's wonderful ability to write about such a hard subject. The  writer writes with such passion that you wonder if this story has been  based on true experience.
We just read this story for Honors English,  and when I was finished I found myself crying. The symbolism in this book  is a bit heavy for children, but it's a deeply moving story. The story is  about a little boy who has been wishing for a younger brother. But when he  comes, he's not what he expected. The unnamed author's younger brother is  nicknamed Doodle and he is physically handicapped.
The incredible life  force this story carries is just amazing. This is the sort of story that  makes you feel everything ten times more. When I set down the story, I  thought about it for another hour, seriously. It is such an amazing story  and you cannot go through life without reading this book!
I propose they  make it into a movie, a good one hopefully, because I kept invisioning  cutie pie Frankie Muniz as Doodle. Anyways, read this story because it will  change your view on everything, definately!
1162636
An amazing story of strength and perseverance to find the truth about the unimaginable.  Author and mother tells her harrowing story/experience and you feel as though you are literally walking through this horrible tragedy with her and her husband as it all unfolds.  I am from Sonora where there are many stories of unsolved missing persons cases.  This particular story hits home through the raw and emotional writing of the author.  I could not put this book down.
You will take some strength and Faith with you after reading this story.
2720054
This is a great story and one that is truly unique and unforgettable. It's rare that a story stays with me like this one is. Looking forward to all the books in the SERIES!
2560499
When Kates famous, ballerina mother died, she was crushed. Her mother was everything to her. Shortly after, her grandmother, already in a nursing home, grows weak. Before dying, she gives Kate a sketch of a woman. The sketch is old and resembles her mother, but how can that be? Shortly after, Kate ends up in Corsica on an adventure, where she learns some things about her mother and the grandmother that she never knew before.

This is a story about the enduring quality of true love. No matter the events, be they war, misunderstanding, poverty, or distance, love endures all. It is also a story about the imperfections of life and the necessity, sometimes, to accept it as it is.

This story is nonstop excitement and mystery. The characters seemed so real, which made this story even more poignant and authentic. This is an awesome, unforgettable experience! I loved every moment!
2965944
The story of Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons is a remarkable tale of a young girl torn from innocence by a drunken father and the corruptible thought that her mother's death was the result of her ignorance.  The story starts with her mother's partial suicide.  From there, Ellen goes through a roller coaster ride.  From her art teachers home, a true pleasure for Ellen and their tight knit hippie family, the court awards custody of the young girl to her grandmother.  In Ellen's grandmother's guardianship, she grows to understand and respect the black crop workers more than her own flesh and blood.  The death of Ellen's grandmother left Ellen to fend for herself in the home of her Aunt and cousin.  Ellen's ungrateful attitude led her to the banishment from that house also.  Luckily, Ellen's dream family, the "Fosters," a women and group of well cared for girls that sit in the front row at church, signals as a safe haven for her.  With all that has troubled the young girl, you truly want her to find peace and security.  This, along with the way the author, Kaye Gibbons, portrays the innocent yet mature and unbelievably self-sufficient young Ellen makes this story a complex yet unforgettable tale of coming of age.  Not only does Ellen have to learn to fend for herself in all maters that are important to her, she also grows to understand and make her stand about racial differences and stereotypes.  I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt lost or alone in this world.  It proves that sometimes hope is the only thing that we have to hang on to.
3928040
this is an an extremly interesting and inspiring story. it makes you think about what is important. i could not put this book down. and i am sure ou won't be able to either