What Are You Reading?

Sheila at Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. I use this this weekly meme as a way to give short, concise thoughts on the books I've read.

Last week I finished three books I had previously started that I put down during last month's difficulties.  In addition I did quite a bit of early spring cleaning that allowed me to complete two audios.  A couple of "Meh" books, but mostly good, entertaining reads.

Thoughts on the Books I Read Last Week:

The Last Days of California by Mary Miller

Jess and her family are on a road trip from Alabama to California. They want to arrive right before the "rapture". We learn about the family (Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and Jess) and their issues (there are a lot of them) as the road trip continues. As a lover of debut novels, this was just okay for me.

Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

Sue pretends to be someone she is not and  meets Holden.  He is intrigued by Suzanna and searched for her.  Not as fun a the first book, but still enjoyable. 

Blood Money by James Grippando (audio)

Jack Swytek is asked to take the case of  "Shot Mom", a young mom accused of killing her child. The verdict of not guilty sets events in motion that are only the beginning of a twisty ride. Brilliantly narrated by Jonathan Davis.

Do or Die by Suzanne Brockmann

This first book in the Reluctant Heroes series was a chunkser full of white knuckle action,  suspense and romance with characters that are easy to like. Former Seal Ian is pulled out of prison literally to help rescue two kids in a foreign consulate, by his lawyer, Phoebe and the FBI.  He is suspicious as he has never met this lawyer, and needs to stay where he is to keep his brother and family/friends safe.  Of course, he is not going to follow their rules and  sets off a whole lot of page-turning delight that Brockmann does brilliantly. 

One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands (audio)

Jake is asked by a family member bent on match making to take an undercover job as a housekeeper to protect Nicole, whose recent "accidents' are not adding up.  Funny, action-packed, narrated by Jack Dupont.

It's Always Been You by Jessica Scott

Book 5 in the Coming Home series featured Olivia and Ben. There is major changes at the base and Ben has been given a command position that he really doesn't want. Olivia is the lawyer assigned to make sure the commanders are carrying out their orders. Ben struggles with wanting to clean up the mess and loyalty to the men that he has served with, understanding the turmoil they have been through. The issues these men and women face are real and written with truth and raw emotion.

*Thank you to Forever Hachette for this review copy

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld (audio)

Identical twins Kate (Daisy) and Violet learned at an early age they had "senses". Violet embraced them, but Kate, after an incident as a teenager, hides hers. The sisters have a rocky relationship.Vi predicts an earthquake and Kate is mortified. The sisters story is told in past and present POVs  I enjoyed thoroughly until 2/3 of the way through when Kate makes a decision that totally wrecked the book for me, but I continued as I wanted to know how the prediction would come to fruition. Rebecca Lowman did a great job narrating.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Based on true life sisters Sarah and Nina Grimke's fight for abolition and women's rights in Charleston in the early 19th century.  Told in the alternating voices of Handful (Susan's family slave) and Sarah, beginning when the girls are 11 and spanning 35 years. Fact and fiction blend well in this wonderfully written book that had me mesmerized from beginning to end.  Don't miss this book.

Up Next
David by Grace Burrowes
FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell
The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger
River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

Book Thoughts Posted:
Desperately Seeking Suzanna
First Love (audio)