BRIANNA, MY BROTHER AND THE BLOG By JACK WEYLAND

“The thing I dread the most is the weekends,” Brianna said. “Each of my roommates is seeing someone, so they’ll all go on dates, and I’ll be left all alone in the apartment with only my 8 x 10 of Robbie. Actually, it’s his high school graduation picture. I keep getting older but he stays the same.”

She paused as though she wasn’t sure she should say what she was thinking. “You want to know something weird? Last week I realized I was starting to think of him as my nephew.”
That seemed like an odd thing to say, but it also made me very happy. “If you get lonely on the weekends, give me a call. I’ll never be doing anything.”
She hesitated and then asked, “Are you serious?”
“Totally.”
Brianna needs a friend, someone to keep her from being lonely while she’s waiting for her missionary, Robbie, to come home. And who better for the job than Robbie’s brother, Austin? He can keep the other men at bay while giving Brianna guy-type help, like hauling her harp around on weekends to play at wedding receptions.
Austin needs a friend, too. And Brianna is the perfect choice since there's no romantic involvement-of course not, how could there be, she's waiting for his brother, after all. As a friendship develops between Austin and Brianna, Austin is free to learn what it means to be "true and faithful friends" with a girl. He begins posting his findings in blog entries that quickly gather a following of interested readers. But what will happen to his friendship with Brianna when she finds out who the real author of the blog is? Because the truth is, Austin isn't looking for just a friend anymore, but something more. Will he have the courage to tell Brianna the truth-before Robbie comes home?
Even though this book was fairly predictable, I enjoyed it. Jack Weyland did an awesome job as usual.
It was a quick read. I loved the insight Austin was able to offer about relationships on his blog, and I kept hoping he'd follow his own advise in the way he treated Brianna.
The rationalization Brianna & Austin used in feeling OK about their relationship, while she was waiting for his brother.
All in all it was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone.
It is available in all the usual places, Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Amazon.com and inter library loan.

AGENTS IN OLD LACE by TRISTI PINKSTON

Shannon Tanner has it all a perfect family, a perfect job, and a perfect boyfriend. Or so she thinks. What Shannon doesn't know is that her boyfriend, Mark, is stealing money from her father and making millions doing it. When Shannon learns Mark's secret, he turns on her, and Shannon's life abruptly goes from perfect to perilous.

In an effort to protect Shannon, the FBI assigns their only female agent to go undercover as her personal bodyguard. But when the agent is injured the day before the assignment, they turn to the next best thing: their top agent, Rick Holden in a dress.

Life seems safe again for Shannon with Rick by her side and Mark apparently gone for good. Then Shannon gets word that her best friend has been kidnapped, and it becomes clear that Mark isn't going to stop any time soon. Shannon realizes the only way to save herself and her friend and stop Mark once and for all is by sending Rick, her only source of protection, away. Can Rick save Shannon before it's too late?
Agents in Old Lace is Tristi Pinkston's first Romantic Suspense Novel to be published. She is best known for her historical fiction.
This was a fun book. I had a hard time putting it down. I especially love agent Rick/ Aunt Anita. He really was a good sport. I would have felt safe with him too.
Shannon showed real courage in facing the dangerous situation she found herself in and handled Aunt Anita living in her apartment with humor.
I loved the interaction with the "boys" hidden next door, watching and listening to her apartment.
My only frustration was that they didn't figure out why the Dad was sick and not getting any better. But that was one of the mysteries in the story.
I would recommend Agents In Old Lace to everyone. It is a fun book & a quick read.

For more information about Tristi's books  click here

Agents In Old Lace is available at Deseret Book, Cedar Fort, Barnes & Noble, and directly from Tristi. As always you can also get it through interlibrary loan.

DEAD WRONG BY CLAIR POULSON

Kaitlyn Glenn is alone in the world. Disowned by family after her baptism, her only friend is the beloved horse she rides as a champion barrel racer. But loneliness is the least of Kaitlyn’s problems. Her competitor’s jealous father has vowed to sabotage her success. And her former boss—the handsome, rich, and extremely dangerous Jace Landry—stalks every move of this beautiful and talented cowgirl.

Aided by a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat, Kaitlyn escapes Jace’s iron grip and flees. On the road, she finds protection and companionship with a loyal trucker named Celia. But when Jace puts seedy private investigator Myler Keegan on Kaitlyn’s trail, she must outrun two men who will stop at nothing to feed their violent obsession. And when her cruel stepbrother joins the hunt, Kaitlyn faces lethal danger from every angle.
With deft skill, master of suspense Clair Poulson serves up nonstop action that pulls readers into Kaitlyn’s pulse-pounding race to freedom—and love.
Clair Poulson retired after 20 years in law enforcement. Jobs have included Utah Highway Patrol Duchesne County sheriff.
This is his 16th published novel. Most of his novels are crime drama/suspense type. He has been compared to John Grisham in his style.
Clair Poulson draws the inspiration for his books from his time in Law enforcement and the court system.
Dead Wrong is very suspenseful, Kaitlyn has more enemies than even she knows about. During the book we follow her around the intermountain west, from Cheyenne, WY to Logan, UT, to Boise, ID and other stops, always 1 step ahead of the bad guys. She is helped in her attempt to stay alive by a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat, a truck driver and a very insightful 9 year old girl.
If you are into suspense, and crime drama I would recommend that you read Clair Poulson.
This book is available in all the usual places,Desert Book, Seagull book, amazon.com and inter library loan.
Clair Poulson doesn't have a web site, but you can find some of his books on amazon.com.

SISTER PACT BY CAMI CHECKETTS

Savannah Compton is devastated when her sister and best friend Allison falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Or was it an accident? Even with a charming and handsome detective at her side, it seems Savannah may never discover the truth. But if she doesn t, her family could be in even more danger. And Savannah s past holds its own secrets that could change everything.
Now she must prove her innocence to the one person who is beginning to matter most. Join Savannah as she struggles to summon hope and rely on faith, even in the darkest of circumstances, and learn how the bond between sisters can overcome anything.

The Sister Pact is a thrilling romantic mystery, full of unexpected twists. Cami Checketts delivers an exhilarating new novel that will keep you guessing to the very last page.

This is the first of Cami Checkett's books I've read, and I was not disappointed.
I would have to catagorize this as a "Whydunit". In the 1st chapter the author tells us "Whodunit", the mystery is how will they prove it, and will they prove it before he strikes again. Another mystery, will Savannah figure out she is in danger before its too late, or will her stuborn pride just get her in more trouble.

I loved this book from the beginning to the end, even though I knew who the bad guy was, there were a lot of twists and turns in the story to keep me guessing and interested.

This is another book I would recommend for Mystery/Suspense/romance lovers.

You will be able to find it at Amazon.com
Borders
Barnes & Noble
Deseret Book, Walmart, Costco,and Seagull Book and Tape. Also as always you can use Inter library loan.

check out Cami's other books here

ENGLISH TRIFLE BY JOSI KILPACK

What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery. First comes the discovery of a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor belonging to the family of Breanna's boyfriend, who is also heir to the family title. When the body comes up missing, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave. Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But when she seems to encounter one dead end after another, Sadie wonders if anyone is telling the truth- or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be.

Picture a cool gray rainy day. For me that is the perfect kind of day to sit down with a good mystery. Josi Kilpack's 2nd Culinary Mystery, English Trifle, is just the mystery I chose to read on our cool gray Saturday.
This book is fast moving and has a lot of twists and turns. More than once I thought I knew who did it and why, but I never suspected the real killer or the motive.
If possible, this book was even better than the 1st Culinary Mystery, Lemon Tart, written by Josi Kilpack.
click here  to learn more about Josi Kilpack and her other books.
Engish Trifle is available at the usual places, Deseret Book, Seagull book, Amazon.com and inter library loan, or if you live in my immediate area I will lend it to you.

EYES LIKE MINE BY JULIE WRIGHT

I have been reading a lot lately. I love to read, but at this time of year, I am usually working on Christmas projects. This year, I still can't bend my left index finger enough to be able to crochet, so I am indulging myself with reading books by my favorite authors.
I first read Julie Wright's books a few years ago. He first book "To Catch A Falling Star" intrigued me because it was set in Boston, and that's close to home. It turned out it was set in Northborough, MA (My home town) and Algonquin Regional High School (My school). I devoured every word and went looking for more.
Its been a long time since Julie had a new book published, so when I was in Salt Lake City in July and saw this one I had to have it.
I loved this story, I had a hard time putting it down, so I could sleep. I love Family History, and I was intrigued by the storyline involving an ancestor coming forward in time. (If only I could get my ancestors to come for a visit).

A story of family that transcends time William has been missing for two days. And even though the rest of the wagon company has decided they must continue on to Zion, Constance Brown refuses to go any further until she finds her husband. All she can think about is the last time she saw him-he lovingly touched her face and then sang their baby girl to sleep. Will that memory be all Constance has to hold on to?

In a future time and place, Liz King is a teenager struggling with her identity in the modern world. The embarrassment she feels because of her parents' divorce and her family's new found financial problems turns to bitterness.

Through an inexplicable twist of fate, Constance and Liz are brought face to face. Liz recognizes Constance's name from her mother's endless lectures on their family history, and she also recognizes her eyes-they are exactly like her own.

Were these distant relatives brought together in order to help each other? Will Constance be able to return to her own life and find William, and will Liz be able to keep from telling Constance how her story ends?

In this irresistible novel filled with gripping adventure and heartfelt emotion, two young women from drastically different times and settings learn that the challenges life holds for them are not so different after all.

I recommend this book, to anyone, from teens to adults.

It is available at Seagull Book, Deseret Book & Amazon.com, or check your library for inter library loan.

METHODS OF MADNESS BY STEPHANIE BLACK

It's been three years since the terrible night Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy-the death of her sister and the disappearance of her fiancee. She deserves another chance at happiness, and gentle, adorable Zach Sullivan is the perfect man to mend her shattered heart. But from the moment Emily opens the hand-carved box holding a glittering diamond solitaire, she's seized by an unshakable fear: she's going to lose Zach. That's exactly what Monica, Zach's ex-girlfriend, is banking on. Bitter with envy, Monica will stop at nothing to sabotage Zach and Emily's romance. Troubling notes show up in Emily's mailbox, fanning the flames of suspicion. A bloody photograph sends her reeling. But when someone is brutally murdered, will Emily be able to escape suspicion and the possibility that she might be next? Whitney Award-winning author Stephanie Black treats readers to another of her brilliantly thrilling stories that will leave the reader no choice but to keep reading well past the stroke of midnight.

Since publishing her 1st book in 2005, Stephanie Black has never disappointed. Her newest book "Methods of Madness" is no exception. I only wished I could stay up and read longer at night, or that my days at work were less busy so I could read longer

I love a romantic thriller, and Stephanie has delivered just that. From page 1 to the end there are twists and turns that leave you guessing, and just when you have the guilty person picked out, there is a new twist that leaves you guessing some more.
I would highly recommend reading Methods of Madness, if you love a good thriller.
This book is available at Seagull Book, Deseret Book or as always through inter library loan.

For more information about Stephanie Black's books click here.