Book Review: Girls of July By Alex Flinn

Four girls come together on a journey of discovery.

One of them needs to learn to have fun, one simply wants to be accepted with rich girl problems, the other needs to accept her disability rather than shy away, the latter needs to tone down her chatty bubbly self.

They come together for a trip to the mountains for a month only to learn they have more similarities than differences.

Not the excitement I'd hoped but it was good.

Book Review: "The Rest of the Story" By Sarah Dessen

Emma Saylor's mother passed away leaving her to figure out just where she belongs. Is it with the rich side or the poor side of the family?

She sways back and forth between both trying to understand her mother's passing, her fathers motives, and her families ideas.

She eventually decides to except her fate and welcome every piece that makes her whole.

For me this fell flat and I just felt like the book moved along but never really went anywhere.

Book Review: "The Desert Sky Before Us" By Anne Valente

Two estranged sisters ( former race car driver the other a recently released prisoner) embark on a journey they will never soon forget.

It's a journey to find the left over items from their mother ( a scavenger hunt) that takes them out west.
 
Painful secrets and betrayals forge to the front as these two sisters who've not seen one another in months are now trying to cope with the hurt and pain caused over the years as Rhiannon picks up Billie from the correction facility.

The sisters are certain of one thing. The trail will lead them to Utah at the quarry there mother spent years at researching dinosaur fossils.

The plane crash for me was insignificant at best along with the climate change references as it appeared to take away rather than add to this plot.

In the end the main point was that they wanted to let their mother know she was loved and that they followed through till the end together and accomplished the goal of letting their mother know they were there.

It was like a spiritual playground moment that led them there but they made it!
A pleasant and enjoyable read!

Book Review: "Enigma" By Catherine Coulter

"DNA tests uncover a startling fact: his cells are unlike any other—he's an Enigma."
It all reminds me of Dolly the Sheep and cloning but yet this world is not far from reality as we are beginning to understand.

What did fascinate me was the story took various routes to get the point across from the crazy man who stole a pregnant woman's newborn to a link involving a bizarre unknown drug used on John Doe along with the ultimate reasoning of why it was done especially in a private residents home.

This story takes off from there as we chase down a bank robber in the meantime as we are trying to uncover the truths.

Talk about crazy nutty world....Ahhh!

Book Review: "The Reckoning" By John Grisham

Pete Banning was a decorated war hero of WWII, a father, a son, a farmer, a faithful member of his church but all this changed in 1946 in Clanton Mississippi.

Paul may have been suffering from PTSD the moment he walked into his Methodist church and shot dead his best friend and pastor a Negro preacher named Dexter Bell.

Why he did this was anyone's guess but his only statement offering a hint of insight was this,"I have nothing to say." 

An impartial jury was sought as concerns to move the trial out of Clanton surfaced.
Pete also has kept hidden the fact that he transferred deeds to his kids just 3 weeks before this murder.

But why?

Was he really damaged from war?

He was ultimately found guilty and put to death in the worst way.

That didn't stop the town from gossiping and forming their own opinions especially with regards to the relationship that developed between his wife Liza a white woman and her affair with Jupe a black man.

Dexter assumed he was helping but all along may have been doing more harm than good in keeping secrets hidden.

A fascinating look back into a time reminiscent of Southern Gothic storytelling this one will have you guessing right up till the end.

Book Review: "The First Wave" By Alex Kershaw

With the 75th anniversary concluding on June 6th 2019 this is a wonderful new work examining a sneak peek into the WWII heroes of Normandy and what it took to lead the way to victory. The D-Day Warriors were courageous in battle and in life.

They answered the call to duty without hesitation or reservation and dropped what they needed to serve their nation in honor many giving the ultimate sacrifice so that others may know freedom.

The British Glider landing at Pegasus Bridge as well as the US Ranges at Pointe Du Hoc are discussed in full detail as well as other not so well known individuals and events.

I'm in awe of these stories because it provides an insight I would never have been able to procure and for that I'm eternally grateful to not only the author but those in sharing these remarkable stories.

Book Review: "Sacred Duty" By Tom Cotton

The Old Guard is a time honored tradition in providing respect, empathy, compassion, honor, and due diligence to those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This book describes what it takes to become part of this prestigious group of men, in time honored traditions, with dignity and respect for all.

It's a book that discusses more than just monitoring round the clock in all weather elements of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which was truly a fascinating read but it also addresses the service provided to all funerals and the respect given to our fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. There's a section in there about the passing of our 41st President and the scurry to be there for him to give last respects in full glory.

In depth details about the cemetery, the tomb, and the funerals is provided as well as the extent of the selection process to become part of this greatest active duty regiment of the US Army.

Tom Cotton is the person who can take you literally into the process from beginning to end showcasing how and why everything is performed to perfection.

A truly amazing read with insightful memories never before offered up to the general public.