I'm so grateful the weather was bad and I could sequester myself away to read.
359784
I'm not an eloquent reviewer.  I love what I love.  I loved this.  I'm fascinated by the inner workings of the Vatican, and this book was an education in what it must be like behind the scenes in the seat of power for the Catholic church.  It is very similar to what I imagined quite frankly.  Men are human and while they strive to be godly, their feet are made of clay.  I loved the internal struggles the various cardinals endured to be true to what they believed their divine mission was during the Conclave.  I loved the details the author provided regarding the various functions of each of the cardinals and what a beautiful intricate dance it is how it has survived for the millennia.  I appreciated the struggle the Church has in determining the direction it must go while still remaining true to the very foundations.  So, I loved it.  I read it over the course of a weekend and when it was done, I was desperate to find another book about contemporary historical intrigue.  I'm open to suggestions!
4396874
When it's winter and cold, and you're under the weather, and you want to stay indoors and then you stumble on delicious reading like "Now That You Mention It" (although I admit, I'm not sure the name does much for the book!) and Kristan Higgins, a new author for me that I'm thrilled to have discovered, and you end up reading all day and night.

This book was such comfort reading, even when it got a bit dark and scary, Higgins did an extremely good job of keeping the shadows in the background of the plot while still showing us a fair picture of the ugliness in this world. I thank her for that. I could only handle so much. The setting of our story is in Maine and funny enough, Stephen King's name is mentioned a few times as a prominent Mainer or 'Mainah' and how I wish I could stomach King's writings more but I digress.

Nora Stuart is one hell of a woman! How she developed the inner strength to take her through a life of abandonment by an adoring father, the brutality of high school, the sheer will that it takes to go to med school and survive, and then the Big Bad Event which I imagine would leave a scar in the best and bravest of us. Then as if she hadn't had quite enough "luck" in her life, she gets hit by a van, dumped by her not-so-great trophy boyfriend, and goes back to Maine to face home, where she hadn't returned in 17 years. There, you meet Nora's mom, who is cold as a rock in Alaska, and wouldn't show affection to anyone except her stupid little bird ;), and Poe, the sullen teenage niece of her trouble sister (who is spending some time in prison), oh and everyone on the island who is far less than thrilled to see the girl who "stole" a scholarship way back when (she didn't! She won it fair and square!). I can't tell you what pulled me into this story so much. Was it Nora's infinite supply of patience and decorum in the face of all the snooty remarks and ugly encounter? Was it the mystery of her father or the Big Bad Event? Or was it just exquisite writing and superb story-telling? I don't know. Maybe I looked at Nora and thought, Oh god! I have the most wonderful MOMMY in the world! I have so much love in my life that I am in awe of those who survive without it. And Nora is funny. She made me laugh and she made me cry. The scene in the closing chapters where all is revealed had me sobbing for both Nora and Sharon (the mom). The ending was perfect.

As one other reviewer said, this book is about what we make of life with the cards that we are dealt. And this message, I for one cannot hear enough, so I'm beyond grateful for Kristan Higgins' story here. Highly recommend.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"And just like that, a wound closed up. People did change. The thing about mean teenage girlsthey were never happy. There was pressure and darkness in being a Popular GirlI knew, because Id watched Lily peel away her soul in exchange for hanging with the in crowd."

"You wonder how much abuse you can take and still love someone. You wonder how long they can treat you like nothing but still want them back. You wonder how many years it will take to forget how things used to be, how long youll burn yourself with that tiny ember of hope before the deluge of their neglect drowns it."

Sometimes, I said, tracing a finger along his cheek, sometimes it takes a few years before you understand what you're worth. And whos worth your time.

"When you found the right person, there was no hiding of flaws...there was just trying to do better. There was the comfort of admitting your weaknesses and trying to get past them. The knowledge that no one needed you to be on all the time, always fun, upbeat, attentive... He only needed you to be yourself. The security in knowing someone loved simply being with you."
3628481
I got this book on the snowing day which I thought I would not get it in time but it was.
3972482
I have had the opportunity to read all 4 stories due to bad weather, I couldn't put the book down until I finished.  I really enjoyed the twist at the end of each story.  I didn't expect it.  l like the way the writer described the feelings enjoyed by both parties. I was looking forward to book 5, and just started it.
2467468
This book has blessed me. I felt like I was all alone in the things I was going through and there was no escape. But after reading this book I know if God can do it for Ms. Wakefield he can do it for me. Thank you forallowing God to use you to show me a way out of my trials
3787966
This book took me out of the miserable life I have been experiencing lately. Maggie taught me that I need to do whats best for me and not worry about anyone elses thoughts or feelings on it. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book.
2302560
In the early days of December, 2008, I visited a friend for warm tea and conversation.  On her kitchen table, I found a copy of Jeanette Stoke's Hurricane Season.  I read a few paragraphs and asked if I could pay her for this copy - an early copy - of the novel.  I went home and couldn't put it down.  I came up for air long enough to write the following email to Jeanette:

The holidays and winter are nearing.  I should be wrapping gifts, worrying over seeing family, checking my list - twice, responding to email, baking, practicing my apologies to my lovely daughter and husband for being such a stressed out maniac... staying so busy that the pain of this dark season can be minimized, if not avoided altogether...

But then I read another piece of it.  And it gets me.  I'm in in it.  Fear, grief, pain, worry, longing, personal truth...  gut-wrenching stuff that is the making of us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this, for printing it.

Thank you for the reminder in your generous gift of sharing your experience that we are better for our pain, for the storms that loom large and small every day.  That feeling the pain, staying with it, even embracing it is vital.  That hope and love are clearer, brighter, surer after the storm and after the darkness lifts.

This is the message of the season of Christmas, Chanukah, Ramadan, Earth's solstice...

Every year, I try to watch for the moment, the defining experience that says:  Now, this is Christmas!  Well, Jeanette Stokes, for me this year that moment is when I am all alone in the house, curled up on my sofa, coffee cooling on the end table, dog curled up near my hip, tears welling in my eyes as I read this great gift you have given.

May this season of darkness and light bring you great joy, peace and love.
141541
I was so excited I received the bounce back but than was pissed because I had such a busy day at work and couldn't read it and than after work had a busy evening with my son's therapists (4) when I say couldn't wait for everyone to leave and but him to bed.  Now it quite and I have some time I couldn't but the book down needless to say I finished it the next day lol.  Thank you for your transparency thank you for sharing you testimony.
606674
Oh my I have had the worst luck lately. My computer had to be wiped and redone and now I can't load the kindle app on it. No worry, I have a kindle.
Well that was until it decided to no longer come on. I can't live without a kindle even though the library is less than 5 miles away. Tried telling myself that it would be ok, so I checked out some books. No sense of relief. I got another ipad and hooked up again. Now I am happy and stress free again. Thank you kindle.
3107731
I was having a bad day. I sat down and read this book. Now I am not sad anymore. The characters are just like us. They worry, get scared, and feel like there's no way out. But they find out they can be brave and loyal and help each other out of their troubles. I felt like I was right there with them all the way.
886516
I enjoyed snuggling up to this book on a cold day. Without realizing how time had passed, I managed to be locked into the pages and read this in one day. it was very good and I look forward to the next book in the series.
1715527
It's nice to be tucked up in a warm place to read this one. It's a wild ride with eddies of snow curling around your thundering need-to-know.
1977456
Reading this book was like taking the first sip of water after leaving the desert with a parched throat. One thing that I'm walking away with firmly in my heart is changing my viewpoint on forgiving. I desire to see it now as an opportunity to rain down with blessings. I am blessed to have enemies whom I can pray for.
1518058
I live in New England.  We have been clobbered by one snow storm after the other.  Too much ice yesterday so I Kindled Stuie's latest tome, "Strategic Moves". It was the best strategic move I've made in a while.  I knew I was grabbed from the first chapter.  Perfect intrigue and gripping plot development.  Didn't see much of the bomb shells coming until they hit. The weather here was so treacherous, I wasn't going anywhere anyway so confining myself to my recliner with my Kindle at hand was a damn fine way to spend an otherwise bleary day.  Having an exceptional book to read made it all the more rewarding.  Started reading just after breakfast and finished in time for dinner. I enjoyed the whole "Strategic Moves" reading experience so much, I just might read it all over again today. The weather is still dreadful. Nice job Stuart.
2305979
I took this book and coloring utensils on a retreat with some girlfriends.  It was a last minute solution to rainy weather.  We spent hours filling in the pages and had a wonderful and rejuvenating time.  this is a great buy and quite therapeutic.
3122448
I have very little time these days to sit and read anything, so I'm pretty picky with what I allot my precious time to. Absolution is such a good read that I found myself making time to sit and enjoy every word. The characters are warm, rich and have a lovely sense of normality about them despite what they face within the covers of this book. Jack is so very broken and weighed down by his guilt in the most delicious way for someone like me who loves angst. Ally shows a strength I'm not sure I would have myself, yet she is so believably fragile too. And Callum. Callum brings so much fire and heart to the story, that you can't help but love him. I'm sad that my time with these characters is over now. But you can bet I'll be lying up eagerly for the next book from this author.
2069474
I was so blessed to purchase  this new book at the beginning  of one our biggest  snow storms in many years. What a treat to enjoy at an otherwise  dreary time!