Island of Flowers by Nora Roberts

A newer cover pictured here than the actual book I read, but that's ok. This is one of Nora Roberts earlier works, and fits very well into the light romance genre it was published under. This was Book 10 in the Language of Love series. Romantic, a little twist to provide some tension, and the beautiful setting of Hawaii! What more could you ask? Oh...yes...boy does get girl in the end...but you knew that....right?

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

This followup book to "The Friday Night Knitting Club" was good, but a bit light for my taste. I found that the story seemed to skip around a lot, although in the end all those loose ends tied themselves together quite nicely and I liked that. We pick up the story again a few years further down the road and check in to see how all the Knitting Club members are doing and what changes have happened in themselves, and their lives. "Knit Two" is a comfortable, light read. Good for a quiet evening. I think it's necessary to read "The Friday Night Knitting Club" first, tho, to put this one in it's proper perspective.

The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are at it again, but this time they've left their usual environment and so part of the story revolves around how to solve the crime when you don't have all the resources you are used to. Some time has passed since the last story, as well, and so we are given tiny glimpses into the progression of the relationship between Rhyme and Sachs. (No first names...as Rhyme would say...it's bad luck)

Keep you guessing until the last chapter....even the last page! That seems to be Jeffery Deaver's modus operandi. It works. Although I wasn't as taken with "The Empty Chair" as I have been with the first two books in this series, it was still an enjoyable book. I'll be picking up the next in the series for sure! No disappointment here.

Everest: Book One: The Contest by Gordon Korman

A good Young Adult for the young adventurer in your life. A contest...a win...a dream come true. Who will be the next youngest person to climb Everest? There's actually a contest within a contest here. First you have to win by collecting the words that spell EVEREST, and then once you've one, you're competing with others to see who will be in the final pick to do the actual climb with a chance to be the youngest to ever climb everest, and therein lies the story. A group of adolescents who are competing against each other for those few spots include a troublemaker, a few with various problems, and a few to whom climbing is everything! Who wins the coveted spots, and how does it all work out? I'm off to read the next one in the series! Know any young adventurous types who might like a cool story to read and be entertained by?

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

I had to give this story some time to settle once I finished reading it. The story catches you up in the first few pages and you are mesmerized as you follow the lives of a father, a mother, a son, dealing with the loss of a daughter, a twin sister. A loss that is a lie known only to the father. A lie that becomes a catalyst unknown to those affected by it. How that lie can gain a life of it's own and create ripples of distruction throughout those lives. It is also a story of a woman with the courage to correct a wrong. To stand up for what's right while still keeping the lie secret. To love, care and fight for another's rights. This is the kind of story that will not leave you unaffected...good or bad. Yes, I recommend it.

The Scent of Jasmine by Jude Deveraux

This is the fifth book in the Edilean Series. The first three were great, but I think this one is even better. Now that I've sort of figured out the back and forth in history, I'm enjoying the series more. I think each book could be read on it's own, or in a different order with the same enjoyment. I loved the development of the relationship between Cay and Alex. The story moved quickly and the plot outcome unexpected...well, until we get to the boy and girl live happily ever after part. :) Book 4 is a Vook which I am not able to view and so I'm sorry that I'll be missing that part of the story, but not sure if it matters. Since this book was so great, I'm eagerly awaiting book 6, due out in Aug. 2011. I'll be interested to see where Ms Deveraux takes the story next.

Island in the Sky by Ernest K. Gann

Although this book is around 60 yrs old, at this time, the story is still vibrant and alive! The author, Ernest K. Gann, takes you into the heart of what being a pilot is. The comraderie, the love of flying, the risks taken and lengths they were willing to go to to save one of their own. The story is set during WWII when even airline pilots were called to duty, flying to support the war effort. When one of their own goes down in bad weather and an unknown location, they all come together to search for the crew with a "never say die" attitude. If you have a love of flying, if you understand what brings a pilot to the skies, then don't miss this book.

*PS. Many thanks to Karl Friedrich for reminding me of this great author! I'll be on the lookout for more books by Ernest K. Gann.