The Last Treasure by Erika Marks

• Title:  The Last Treasure: A Novel
• Author:  Erika Marks
• Genre:  Women’s Fiction
• Pages:  368
• Published:  August 2016 – NAL Accent
• Source:  Publisher

Description:  From the author of It Comes in Waves and The Guest House comes a novel of three lives entangled in the secrets of the sea and the enduring bonds of love.

As students with a shared passion for shipwrecks, Liv, Sam, and Whit formed a close bond searching for the mysterious Patriot, a schooner that disappeared off the Carolina Coast in 1812 with Aaron Burr’s daughter Theodosia aboard. But as the elusive ship drew them together, love would bring them even closer—and ultimately tear them apart.

It’s been seven years since Liv left Sam to be with Whit, and the once close-knit trio went their separate ways. Liv has given up her obsession with Theodosia Burr to focus on her career as a salvage diver and her passionate but troubled marriage to the reckless and hedonistic Whit. But when a diary of Theodosia’s is discovered in a collector’s estate, she is pulled back to the world of the Patriot, this time with startling new clues to what might have really happened. 

Diving back into the lost history of the Patriot could be just what Liv needs to find closure to a mystery that still haunts her. But when she and Whit reunite with Sam for one last salvage in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, buried romantic tensions begin to resurface, and once again Liv must choose between two men with very different hearts. (publisher)

My take:  The Last Treasure is one of those books that grabbed me from the start. I didn’t expect to read it as quickly as I did but I couldn’t stop reading. There’s the romantic triangle of Liv, Sam and Whit, a mystery that might never be solved, and diving for treasure – what’s not to love?!

The three meet in college and form a friendship that pulls in different directions over the years. Liv wants to solve the mystery of what really happened to Theodosia Burr (see description above). Sam and Whit want to help her find answers while figuring out where each is headed in life. She has real-life responsibilities that limit her choices and possibly have her feeling drawn to the wrong person.

I loved how Erika Marks’ story played out for Liv as well as Theodosia. I thought the then and now narrative revealed complex characters at a good pace and gave depth to the plot. Recommended to fans of the author and contemporary fiction. It was a perfect weekend read.

The Ones Who Matter Most by Rachael Herron

• Title:  The Ones Who Matter Most
• Author:  Rachael Herron
• Genre:  Women’s Fiction
• Pages:  432
• Published:  April 2016 – NAL
• Source:  Publisher

Description:  After her husband dies unexpectedly, Abby Roberts comes across something startling: wedding photographs of him with another woman, along with pictures of a baby boy. Shocked, Abby does something utterly impulsive: She embarks on a journey to discover the family her husband apparently left behind.

Money has always been tight for single mom Fern Reyes, and never tighter than now. But this month, in place of a child-support check, her ex’s pretty, privileged wife appears on her doorstep with far too many questions. Unfortunately, her young son is so taken with Abby that Fern doesn’t have the heart to send her away.

What begins as one woman’s search for truth becomes a deep bond forged between the unlikeliest of people, and the discovery that there are many ways to make a family—as long as you take care…

CONVERSATION GUIDE INCLUDED  (publisher)

My take:  I was immediately drawn into this story of two women trying to hold their heads above water. One, Abby, is newly widowed and finds out her husband was hiding another life from her. The other, Fern, drives a city bus to support her young son, ex father-in-law, and an elderly woman who lives with them. She’s not even close to making ends meet so when her monthly check from her ex doesn’t arrive she doesn’t know what she’ll do. When Abby finds out about Fern she feels compelled to get to know her.

Could these two even be in the same room together – much less, become friends? And what happens when they try? I loved Rachael Herron’s story. Even though the two main characters could be annoying at times I felt enormous sympathy for each woman. In other words, they were very human. Fern’s eleven-year-old son Matias was so endearing and quite astute in figuring out the adults in his life. The other characters (Fern’s brother, boyfriend, father-in-law and Elva) gave depth to the novel.

I loved that Abby was a botanist who carried different flowers, etc in her pocket to get various results, feelings. If only she could figure out what to carry to get the happiness she craved. If only she believed she deserved it. Fern was a tough nut – she had to be. She would protect her loved ones at all costs and she didn’t want Abby coming in and stealing her family. But one day things changed and Fern was forced to reconsider everything.

I think fans of women’s fiction, stories about what makes a family, and Rachael Herron will enjoy this novel as much as I did.

The House on Primrose Pond by Yona Zeldis McDonough

• Title:  The House on Primrose Pond
• Author:  Yona Zeldis McDonough
• Genre:  Women’s Fiction
• Pages:  400
• Published:  February 2016 – NAL Accent
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  After suffering a sudden, traumatic loss, historical novelist Susannah Gilmore decides to uproot her life—and the lives of her two children—and leave their beloved Brooklyn for the little town of Eastwood, New Hampshire. 
 
While the trio adjusts to their new surroundings, Susannah is captivated by an unexpected find in her late parents’ home: an unsigned love note addressed to her mother, in handwriting that is most definitely not her father’s.
 
Reeling from the thought that she never really knew her mother, Susannah finds mysteries everywhere she looks: in her daughter’s friendship with an older neighbor, in a charismatic local man to whom she’s powerfully drawn, and in an eighteenth century crime she’s researching for her next book. Compelled to dig into her mother’s past, Susannah discovers even more secrets, ones that surpass any fiction she could ever put to paper… (back of the book)

My take:  Susannah and her two children move to New Hampshire from Brooklyn a year after the death of her husband. They move into her family cottage on Primrose Pond and start a new chapter in their lives. While adjusting to her new circumstances Susannah makes a few discoveries that make her question all she knew to be true. There are issues of guilt and anger concerning her husband’s death and the fallout experienced by Susannah’s daughter and son. Family dynamics are certainly at the forefront in this novel.

Susannah, a historical fiction author, starts to work on a new book. It’s different from anything she’s written before. The research takes her on a journey that will, in some minor ways, affect how she looks at events in her life and bring her to a place of acceptance and, quite possibly, forgiveness. I’m a fan of historical fiction so I enjoyed the passages of the book Susannah was writing.

All in all, the novel held my interest. I liked most of the characters and wasn’t ready to let them go as I turned the last page.  Included at the end are a conversation with the author and discussion questions.

Second Chance Friends by Jennifer Scott

• Title:  Second Chance Friends: A novel
• Author:  Jennifer Scott
• Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
• Published:  May 5, 2015 – NAL Accent
• Source:  Publisher

My take:  On an early September morning four women witness or are part of a terrible traffic accident. That experience brings together the women whose paths otherwise would not have crossed.

Each woman is living her own personal drama that is close to boiling over. When they are drawn back to the diner near the scene of the crash they form an unusual friendship that will become stronger with each meeting. Each will feel support from the others and ultimately learn the meaning of true friendship.

I enjoyed Jennifer Scott’s story even when I was frustrated with one or two of the characters’ actions. Each time that happened Scott managed to bring me back to the supportive friends theme which I really liked. I appreciated the epilogue that answered all of my questions and wrapped the novel up perfectly. Recommended to fans of the author and novels about women’s friendship.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Scott is a national bestselling, award-winning author who made her debut in women’s fiction with The Sister Season. She also writes critically acclaimed young adult fiction under the name Jennifer Brown. Her debut YA novel, HATE LIST (Little, Brown book for Young Readers, 2009) was selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a VOYA Perfect Ten, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Jennifer lives in Liberty, Missouri area, with her husband and three children.

 

Please visit Jennifer Scott online at www.JenniferScottAuthor.com

Facebook: JenniferScottAuthor

Twitter: JenniferBrownYA

Falling Home by Karen White

Title: Falling Home

Author: Karen White

Genre: Fiction

About: Cassie Madison has been living in New York for fifteen years.  When her estranged sister calls with the news that their father is dying she packs up and goes home to Walton, Georgia.

Descriptive Words: Family relationships, love, acceptance, forgiveness.

Thoughts: I loved the small town Georgia setting of Falling Home.  Karen White’s minor characters (citizens of Walton) are warm and caring.  I could envision the places and the people.  The reason I mention all that is because a subplot of the novel is the wish of a few to modernize the town. Some feel if they don’t update with national chain stores, McMansions, etc. people will leave and the town will die. The local doctor, Sam Parker, is intent on seeing that doesn’t happen.  At least, not like the proposed plan.

Cassie, her sister Harriet, and Sam were classmates while growing up.  Turns out, Sam always had a crush on Cassie.  When she returns he makes his feelings for her known.  Cassie is resistant and constantly reminds people that she is engaged to a man in New York and doesn’t intend to stay after her father’s estate is settled. She’s still upset that her sister married the boy she loved when she was in high school and really doesn’t want to stick around to see them and their five children living happily ever after.  But things don’t go as Cassie planned.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel even though through much of it I was annoyed by Cassie.  At times she seemed to be perfectly happy wallowing in her self-pity which I found tedious. But, that aside, I really liked Falling Home. The strong characters, setting, and plot come together for a satisfying novel. I’ve heard there’s a sequel in the works and I can’t wait to read it!  I think Karen White is a terrific storyteller and I’ve added the rest of her novels to my reading list.

Source: From Joy Strazza of Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting.

Why I Chose: I’ve always meant to read one of Karen White’s novels so when an arc of her updated Falling Home arrived at my house I added it to my reading list. This book was originally published in 2002.

Recommend? Yes, I liked the family drama and the southern setting.

Rating: 4/ 5 stars