Turn The Page ... Tuesday

It's summer time!!!! And with that in mind, I have a few of my must reads for you. Perfect for the pool side, sand in your toes, or your hammock - whatever (or wherever floats your boat - there too!).

The Impersonator 

From Amazon: "In 1917, Jessie Carr, fourteen years old and sole heiress to her family's vast fortune, disappeared without a trace. Now, years later, her uncle Oliver Beckett thinks he's found her: a young actress in a vaudeville playhouse is a dead ringer for his missing niece. But when Oliver confronts the girl, he learns he's wrong. Orphaned young, Leah Randall has been acting since she was a toddler.

Oliver, never one to miss an opportunity, makes a proposition―with his coaching, Leah can impersonate Jessie, claim the fortune, and split it with him. The role of a lifetime, he says. A one-way ticket to Sing Sing, she hears. But when she's let go from her job, Oliver's offer looks a lot more appealing. Leah agrees to the con, but secretly promises herself to try and find out what happened to the real Jessie. There's only one problem: Leah's act won't fool the one person who knows the truth about Jessie's disappearance.

Set against a Prohibition-era backdrop of speakeasies and vaudeville houses, Mary Miley's Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition winner The Impersonator will delight readers with its elaborate mystery and lively prose."

Yo! Adrienne says: I have told everyone who will listen to read this! I actually *listened* myself ... another audio book from my library (the only way I get to "read" these days"). I thought I had this book all figured out ... and then there was a twist. Ok - got it this time - I know what's up. BAM. Something (or someone ... ) else. It wasn't until the end that well, I knew the end ;-)  Definitely a satisfying and suspenseful summer read. It will have you uh-hu-ing and ah-ha at the end.

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

From Amazon: "Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat diner in Plainview, Indiana is home away from home for Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean.  Dubbed "The Supremes" by high school pals in the tumultuous 1960s, they’ve weathered life’s storms for over four decades and counseled one another through marriage and children, happiness and the blues. 

 
Now, however, they’re about to face their most challenging year yet. Proud, talented Clarice is struggling to keep up appearances as she deals with her husband’s humiliating infidelities; beautiful Barbara Jean is rocked by the tragic reverberations of a youthful love affair; and fearless Odette is about to embark on the most terrifying battle of her life. With wit, style and sublime talent, Edward Kelsey Moore brings together three devoted allies in a warmhearted novel that celebrates female friendship and second chances."

Yo! Adrienne says: This book cracked me up. It is so far fetched and full of eccentric people that I just wanted to find Earl's All You Can Eat and hang with The Supremes. The fact that a fair amount of the characters - a few (famous) ghosts, a pot smoking mother, and a fortune teller - are just a bit over the top just added to the crazy fun. It is a bit outlandish but ooooh so good. If you don't laugh out loud a few times and shed a couple of tears in a few places then well ... maybe you need to listen to the audio version. I loved how the narrator made you feel like you right there telling the Supreme's story just to you. Good all around read.

The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man

From Amazon:""The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man" introduces my favorite kind of flawed cynical protagonist in Ruddy McCann, former football star, now Repo Man in a small town full of memorable weirdos. It's suspenseful, action-packed, romantic, and above all, truly funny. I loved it."--Nelson DeMille, "New York Times "bestselling author Ruddy McCann, former college football star, has experienced a seismic drop in popularity; he is now Kalkaska, Michigan's full-time repo man and part-time bar bouncer. His best friend is his low-energy Basset hound Jake, with whom he shares a simple life of stealing cars. Simple, that is, until Ruddy starts hearing a voice in his head. The voice introduces himself as Alan Lottner, a dead realtor. Ruddy isn't sure if Alan is real, or if he's losing his mind. To complicate matters, it turns out Katie, the girl he's fallen for, is Alan's "daughter." When Alan demands Ruddy find his murderers, Ruddy decides a voice in your head seeking vengeance is best ignored. When Alan also demands he clean up his act, and apartment, Ruddy tells him to back off, but where can a voice in your head go? With a sweet romance, a murder mystery, a lazy but loyal dog and a town full of cabin-fevered characters you can't help but love, New York Times bestselling novelist W. Bruce Cameron's "The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man" is yet another laugh-out-loud, keep-you-up-late, irresistible read."

Yo! Adrienne says: Oh goodness. A man and his dog story with lots of bad guys, a ghost and a beautiful girl. Perfect summer read right?! This one had me giggling as well. There is definitely some serious subject matter but again an overall light read. I did find myself trying to tie up a few loose ends that I thought the authors missed but this was another audio book ... I might have been trying to actually pay attention while driving and missed a few things ;-) It's worth a read for sure. There are a few conversations between Ruddy and Alan that still have me shaking my head and laughing. I think you will find the same.

James

Yo! Adrienne says: I have so many verses I could quote from James that mean so much to me. I'll just list a few:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 1:2-3

I often have to remember this - despite difficult times/circumstances - He is still with me, holding me. I need (sometimes work/pray hard) to find the joy.

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 1:22

In other words, don't just talk the talk - walk the walk. I need to live out my faith and this is a great reminder to me. I have been given eternal life through Christ - that makes we want to "do good" and be more Christ like.

... mercy triumphs over judgement. 2:13

I am quite often reminding my boys that it's better to be kind that right. Again, I need this reminding just as much as they ...

I hope these few verses encourage you to read James (or any book in the Bible). I am a doodle/underliner in my Bible and I love to go back and reread/stumble upon where I marked a passage. Sometimes I wonder why something struck a chord with me and other times I know exactly what was going on; I'm usually back at that spot (see above verses) because either I am reminding my children but more often reminding myself of the grace that has been given me.