Books read July 30

Beach Bags and Burglaries by Dorothy Howell
Although this book is a series book this is the first I've read of the author.
Didn't feel so much in the dark but there are a lot of characters from past cases that have popped up as the investigations go on.
Four women take a vacation at a resort and find not only one hostess has been murdered but one of their friends is getting married -they were not invited.
But now that the family's relatives won't come to the resort island the friends are now the brides best friends. Also one of the girls lucky underwear is stolen.
Lots of drama from a lot of different people made this a funny book for me to read while they go through the clues. Loves the Sea Vixen bag although I'm not
a woman who cares what bag I carry I just found it amazing what some will do for a special bag.
Good book and I am pretty sure I will read the others in the series and by this author as she covers all bases.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

The Perfume Collector
1955 Grace Monroe finds her husband cheated on her and is given an inheritance. Book also follows Eva Dorsey in Paris and she has been told she must stop drinking.
An abandoned perfume shop and all the secrets they hold.  Loved when she found the shop with all the vials and they are able to read their names...
Kind of confusing as the chapters change to different years along the way and go back, then forward, then back, etc. Really good story if you can follow along.
Especially loved learning how to blend the items to create one's own special fragrance.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Wish List by Fern Michaels
Ariel is just about 50 when she realizes Hollywood has done its best for her and time to move on-the medical scare doesn't help her move on.
She buys a trucking company along with her lifetime maid and they proceed to educate themselves how to run it.
Men come into their lives and the relationships are interesting to hear about. Love the rescue dog that adopts her. Trucking business doesn't like having female bosses that they learn about firsthand.
Glimpses of her past life are given throughout giving us the full picture. Love who come to help her...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Beach Quilt by Holly Chamberlin
This summer novel is about teen girls who've been friends forever.  Cordelia and Sarah and they are starting to like boys, dating, etc. One ends up pregnant and it changes all their lives in the small Maine town near the ocean.
The story also not only follows their story but one of their mothers. Cordelia's mother, Adelaine owns the local quilt store.  Sarah's mother, Cindy works at the quilt store and they are all family friends, outside of work.
Sarah becomes pregnant and everybody's lifes are now upside down. Adoption comes up and keeping the baby would mean major adjustments to the family core as Sarah would have to continue going to high school. The women do open up to one another of their past lifes.
Reason I wanted to read this book was not only the story line, the beach but the quilt that binds and hold them all together. Love that they all know how to quilt=some like it more than others.
Was not prepared for the outcome although the families rally throughout the whole book, in support of one another.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin
This summer novel is about two women who met each other as girls and summered each year in the same town in Maine. Delphine Crandall not only works the family farm, but helps in the diner.
Maggie Weldon grew up on the other side of the tracks and has never wanted for anything in her life. They were the best of friends, even pinky promised some things and they were able to go off to college together.
Years later they reunite back in the town but Maggie can't get through to Delphanie. I found this a hard book to read because there are few characters but mostly they just needed to talk out their problems with one another
as to why they stopped communicating with each other. Del realizes when a family medical tragedy occurs that she has to back out of her plans with Maggie and doesn't give an explanation.
Maggie tries to help by intervening several times and Maggie doesn't see that side of things. Glad of the ending and getting things out in the open....
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
The money they had spent on Christmas last year was enough for a cruise to warm balmy weather in the Carribean and they decide this year to just skip the holiday.
The neighbors have strong feelings about the house being left alone-not decorated like all the others on the block. The kids are away for the holidays.
Neighbors bombard them with pleads of help for charity and it falls on deaf ears. Tanning salons and going on a diet are the plan of action so they will fit in on the island when they arrive.
Could one phone call change their minds about the plans? This really concentrates on all the drama and commercialization surrounding the holiday, makes me laugh.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee
Wanted to read this book for a few reasons, storyline sounded strong and something that interests me and that it's about one who cooks and bakes.
Like how this story starts out and the magic of the knowing. Fast paced til Portia gets to NYC where she moves into her apartment left from an aunt. Her sisters had sold their apartments.
She is now divorced and has not much money left and her sisters approach her with an idea that really does not appeal to her. I am so glad she brought the glass kitchen cookbook from her grandmother with her.
Love her ideas and the food selections from the customers ailments that she is able to cure with ingredients that are healthy.
She is able to not only help the children of Gabriel but she stands up for herself with help from others, vs. her ex husband and his dealings. Misunderstandings draw them all apart from one another and secrets, hidden well, will bring them back together.
I received this book from ReadingGroupGuides.com in exchange for my honest review.

Clifford's Pals
Audio version has turn page sounds and last section does not offer them.
Clifford the red dog and Elizabeth takes care of him. He waits for her after school but gets tired one day and found new dog pals to play with.
Ball at a construction area looks like fun but it's a wrecking ball. Paint spills on them...
Always mishaps with Clifford...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).