FLIGHT OF DREAMS by Ariel Lawhon

Field of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon Using the real people who lived and died on the dirigible Hindenburg, Lawhon tells a fascinating story of what might have occurred during the Hindenburg’s last flight. Impeccable research into the passengers and crew lend credibility to the characters who include an acrobat, a family from Mexico returning home, businessmen conducting business, a spy, a murderer, a stewardess who wants out of Germany, a navigator who loves her, and a 14-year-old cabin boy among others. Her characters sparkle with life. Although we will never truly know why the Hindenburg exploded, Lawhon presents a credible answer as she relates how a dirigible stays aloft and what it is like to float 600 feet above the ocean in a luxury hotel. In the author’s notes she gives the website (www.facesofthehindenburg.blogspot.com) that details all that is known about each of the passengers and crew. This is a worthwhile site for those interested in the before and after of each of them. 5 of 5 stars.

WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE SEA by Walter Sonne

WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE SEA by Werner Sonne In the aftermath of WWII the Jews who remain attempt to establish a homeland for themselves. Judith, a Jewish survivor of the death camps, and Hana, a Muslim nurse at Hadassah Hospital, are bonded in friendship when a rare blood type infusion from Hanna gives life to a dying Judith. The novel follows Hana and Judith as Eratz Israel becomes the Nation of Israel. Hadassah Hospital, founded by Jews but serving both Jews and Arabs, becomes a focal point. Peace is lost when the UN drops the British Mandate. Jews and Arabs battle over the land of Palestine resulting in bloodshed on both sides. The novel reveals the complexity of finding a solution. Sonne avoids siding with either faction as his well-drawn and complex characters struggle to find honor and security in this moving tale of love, fear, sacrifice, betrayal, redemption, death, honor and brutality lurches to its conclusion. 5 of 5 stars

MISSING AND ENDANGERED by J A Jance

MISSING AND ENDANGERED by J A Jance Jance is one of my favorite authors and in this novel with Sheriff Joanna Brady as lead protagonist she does not disappoint. Brady is sheriff of a county near the Mexican border in Arizona. Murder is complicated by the retirement of her lead detective, endangered children and Joanna’s own daughter. Jance’s characters are as integral to her stories as the requisite murders and mayhem. Her characters change and adapt as their world changes just as in the real world. I read Jance as much for Brady (and Beaumont and Reynolds, et al, her other main stays) as for the intriguing plots and heart pounding conclusions. You won’t be disappointed. 5 of 5 stars

Smalltime by Russell SHorto

SMALLTIME by Russell Shorto Lots of individual vignettes are interesting in this memoir. Many individuals and their stories make for a challenging read trying to keep them all straight. Shorto has written a detailed narrative genealogy of his father’s family in an attempt to discover who murdered Pippy and to discover the “real” person who was his grandfather. I found it difficult to maintain interest in the book as Shorto leapt from person to person and time frame to time frame. A listing of the numerous characters with their relationship to Shorto would have been helpful. I did learn a great deal about small time criminals and how the numbers racket and other “mob” games worked. I do not think my book groups would be interested in discussing this book, but some folks would find it fascinating as an individual read. 3 of 5 stars

THE LAST TIARA by M J Rose

THE LAST TIARA by M J Rose The Russian Revolution plays a large part in this tale of love, betrayal, family, jewels, secrets, privilege and glass ceilings. Like Russian novels, this one has twists, turns, blind corners and secrets galore. Sofia, a young art restorer in Tsarist Russia, is friends with the Tsar’s daughters, Olga and Tatiana. All three volunteer as nurses as WWI encroaches on St. Petersburg and their life of wealth and privilege. In hospital Sofia meets a young soldier who suffers from amnesia. That is where the joys and struggles and secrets begin only to later crop up in 1948 in New York City. The main characters are, with one exception, clearly drawn and true to themselves throughout. Rose has done her homework and it shows in her descriptions of Tsarist Russia and later the New York architectural, fine jewelry and social scene. Her descriptions of Faberge and the gem studded works they created are spot on. Her depiction of women in the field of architecture shows the glass ceiling in stunning detail. A lovely novel that book groups will enjoy discussing. 4 of 5 stars

THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE by Marie Benedict

THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE by Marie Benedict Agatha Christie, renowned writer of mysteries, disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Although a country wide search was made, no one was able to find her until she turned up on day eleven claiming amnesia. What REALLY happened – no one knows. Marie Benedict makes an interesting and entirely fictional novel of the mystery. The result is a good yarn that Agatha herself would approve. My complaint - and it is a huge one – is the two different, and interwoven, timelines. I would just get involved in one timeline and the other would pop up with a different narrator and jump back or forward in time. When I finished the book, I knew why the author chose this conceit. However, there have been entirely too many novels recently with the same “jump around” timeline. It is annoying. Please stop. The characters are well developed. The plot is clever. The inclusion of true events lends credence to the tale. But still…. Those annoying time leaps. Book groups will have a field day trying to suss out the real story in their discussion. 3 of 5 stars

LIFE'S TOO SHORT by Abby Jimenez

LIFE’S TOO SHORT by Abby Jimenez Life should be fun with a dire medical prognosis. That is Vanessa’s mantra and the way she lives her life with the specter of ALS in her future. SO… she has rule. She doesn’t date. She travels where ever and when ever she pleases. She video blogs about her adventures. She takes care of her family. This book could be real downer. It is most definitely NOT! There is a laugh on nearly every page. There is romance and a baby and a dog with more problems than Vanessa and her neighbor! Her neighbor is gorgeous, and kind, and helpful, and steady, and on her vblog he is known as “Jesus” abs.” This could have en just a fluff book, but there is plenty of food for serious thought. The main characters are well developed and the plot is attention grabbing. Book clubs will love this book. (For those who wish to avoid it, be warned there is a fair amount of sex without benefit of marriage and a fair amount of “bad” language.) 4 of 5 stars