A Night on Moon Hill by Tanya Parker Mills

Review by Heather B. Moore

Award-winning author, Tanya Parker Mills (2009 Indie Book Award Winner for The Reckoning), delivers a fascinating story in A Night on Moon Hill when Daphne Lessing’s comfortable routine of life is disturbed when she discovers a body in her pool. The body belongs to her most talented creative writing student, and he’s left a poem for her.

When Daphne realizes that the student’s death is not random, but connected to her hidden past, she is faced with several uncomfortable changes that are about to take place. She learns that part of the student’s will includes the request that she take over the care of his half-brother, a ten-year-old boy named Eric, who has Asperger’s syndrome.

A Night on Moon Hill is a carefully crafted and beautifully-written story that follows Daphne’s journey as she discovers that the routine of her life is made much better when she shares it with someone. Eric changes everything, and in those deviations, Daphne finds a better self as she opens her mind to more possibilities in life, including moving forward with courage, and  allowing another person into her heart.

Purchase on Amazon here.

The Only Way to Paradise by GG Vandagriff

The Only Way to Paradise by G.G. Vandagriff
O. W. Press, 2011
Amazon Purchase Link

Reviewed by Heather Moore

My Review:

Author G.G. Vandagriff returns to women’s fiction with a flourish by the release of her new series, The Crazy Ladies of Oakwood (2011). With several notable and award-winning works credited to Vandagriff’s name, readers will relish this first volume, as they escape alongside the characters and indulge in all things Italian. Every writer would love to travel to the destination of their novel, and G.G. has done just that, enabling her to integrate the hum of Italian life as few others have. Spending months in Florence over a period of a couple of years, she crafted The Only Way to Paradise, a thought-provoking novel that follows four women as they try to make sense of their failing group therapy.

Each of the four women has their own dark valley to cross, but they have one thing in common—their therapy group has become toxic in more ways than one. Dissatisfied with the non-results, they band together in an unprecedented move, and decide to travel to Florence together. Using Enchanted April as inspiration, Roxie asks her friends, “If Italy is so healing and therapeutic what are we doing in Ohio?”

Mother-figure, Georgia, embraces the idea and encourages the women to seek solace in Florence—to lose themselves in all things Florence—in order to discover what path to take in each of their twisting lives.

Florence might seem the ideal location for any woman to rejuvenate her soul, but some of the women have haunting ties connected to the vibrant city. Reservations have to be overcome as the four women form endearing friendships, serendipitously calling themselves, “The Crazy Ladies of Oakwood.”

Georgia fights her own battles as she reminisces about the recent passing of her husband until she reunites with a man from the past who wants to fill the corners of her future.

MacKenzie might be viewed as running from her two rebellious teenagers and failed marriage, but in truth, she is faced head on with all that she has neglected as both wife and mother.

Sara, a woman who gave up her most precious talents to follow the path her parents set, discovers that love might be a possibility for her after all.

And Roxie, emboldened by the vivacious culture surrounding her, finally lets down her guard, only to be funneled back in to the nightmares of her childhood.

As each of these women immerse themselves in their own Italian Renaissance, their lives become intertwined with the local people, new loves, and fresh possibilities. True to her nature, Vandagriff has a way of weaving a story rich with details, emotion, and quotable prose that makes for an enriching read beyond the average novel.

The Only Way to Paradise is a deeply layered book with characters that will touch your life and stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Pieces of Paris by GG Vandagriff

Pieces of Paris
By GG Vandagriff

Shadow Mountain, September 2010

Review by Heather Moore


Every marriage is a web of complication with many aspects that go into weaving the fine interlocking threads. Our genetic makeup as well as our childhood years and past relationships combine to create the role we play in the give-and-take of a marital relationship.

When we first meet our spouses-to-be, we might be wearing rose-colored glasses so to speak. We might fall in love with the person we “think” they are. We might share our backgrounds, including our past relationships, but none of our personal history matters much to the person we are in love with. We have connected. We have become soul mates. And everything from this point on is just about us, just about our two-person universe, and nothing from the past can ever intrude.

Until the flashbacks start.

Annalisse has been married for several years to Dennis. They have a young boy and another child on the way. When Annalisse first met Dennis, she saw him as her saving anchor to root her into a stable reality, opposite of her previous stormy relationship. She clings to him as a boat in stormy waters relies on its anchor. She wants a change—a massive change, and that includes locking her past away.

Dennis knows he’s met someone unique and special when he is set up with Annalisse. A past relationship has broken his heart, but Annalisse is vastly different. She is stoic, she is trustworthy, and she is everything he needs to heal his heart. There is no question that they are meant to be together, and Annalisse will always be his one and only.

Their relationship collides when Annalisse starts to experience painful flashbacks into her past, crippling her from being content with her current married life. The pain is so intense, it threatens to pull Annalisse from all that she loves. She is too afraid to confide in her husband—sure that it will destroy their relationship. While Dennis is trying to understand his wife’s changed behavior, he is fighting against an industrial firm that is trying to cover up a toxic waste dump.

GG Vandagriff once again explores the intensity of human emotion, delivering a powerful story of second chances, the gift of forgiveness, and the depth of true love. This well-crafted story is absorbing from page one and the characters powerful and relatable.

Pieces of Paris is a literary symphony, a cacophony of words that delves into the hearts of all of us, as Annalisse and Dennis fight to reestablish the rhythm of their marriage. An emotionally-engaging and unforgettable journey.

Pieces of Paris available HERE.

Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes

Review by Heather Moore

Autumn Rain is far from normal. She has a dangerous gift, at least one that can bring danger to her. Touching an object that is important to a missing, or even dead, person brings flashes of memories. But sometimes they are too disturbing for even Autumn to handle.

When a woman goes missing, her parents are desperate for help. Autumn gets caught up in the events, even when it means bringing danger to herself and those she loves. Although Autumn has the power to read imprints, she doesn't always rely on those who are the most honest.

Author Rachel Nunes paints an intriguing character in Imprints. A story that deviates from Nunes' usual array, I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization and ambiance of this novel. The plot is far from predictable and takes several surprising turns. Suspense, romance, and a touch of paranormal rolls into one enjoyable read.

Kudos to the publisher, Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain, for printing a paranormal story that it clean and uplifting.

Imprints is available HERE.

Devil's Food Cake by Josi S. Kilpack

Review by Heather Moore

Sadie Hoffmiller is at it again! But of course it's not her fault she just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Bestselling author, and former resident of Sadie's hometown, Thom Mortenson arrives to give a presentation for the library fundraiser. When Thom's manager is mysteriously shot while getting the microphone ready on the stage, Sadie is right there to uncover all of the clues.

No, she didn't actually see the shot blast because she was savoring--eyes closed--a delicious bite of her very own Devil's Food Cake. But that fact would never deter Sadie's spry involvement.

As the whirlwind night unfolds, Sadie is drawn into a complex web of information, each turn more surprising than the next. But the only caveat is that she must follow the trail of clues without the police, which takes a bit of navigation on Sadie's part.

Sadie Hoffmiller is a delightful character, quirky, funny, and never fails to disappoint. Devil's Food Cake is another Kilpack classic, and like the other books in this culinary mystery series, the "whodunit" comes at a surprise.

If you haven't read any of Kilpack's Sadie Hoffmiller series, you need to catch up! Previous volumes are Lemon Tart, and English Trifle, with Key Lime Pie coming Fall 2010. They are fun to read in order but not entirely necessary!

Visit the author's website HERE.

Gravity vs. the Girl

Gravity vs. The Girl
by Riley Noehren

Review by Heather Moore

A few weeks ago, a friend recommended this book—a friend who I pretty much take her word for a book that she loves, I’ll love as well. I ordered it from Amazon, and finally had a chance to start reading it last night. I have no time to be reviewing books, but I really wanted to mention this one. Gravity vs. The Girl is an astonishing, thought-provoking novel. Funny, definitely quirky, but to fall-in-love with.

Premise:
Who’s Haunting You?

From the cover: Samantha Green has just spent an entire year in her pajamas, and she is beginning to regret it. What's more, she is haunted by four ghosts that are former versions of herself. First up is the overachieving and materialistic attorney, who is furious with Samantha for throwing away the career she worked so hard to build. Second is the lackadaisical college student who is high on life but low on responsibility. Next is the melodramatic teenager, who is consumed with her social standing, teal eyeliner and teased bangs. Finally, there is the scrappy six-year old, whose only objective is to overcome gravity so that she can fly. Samantha's ghosts alternate between fighting with each other, rallying around Samantha's budding sanity and falling in love with a string of good-for-nothing drummers. Despite her reluctance to do so, Samantha must rely on these spirits from the past to repair the present and ensure her future.

Gravity vs. the Girl can be purchased through Barnes and Noble, etc. .

Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes

Saving Madeline

By Rachel Ann Nunes
Shadow Mountain, 2009

Reviewed by Heather Moore

Caitlin McLoughlin is a talented public defender, assigned to cases where she finds herself defending the bad guy over and over. But in her position, she doesn’t mind when she loses a case—because that means the criminals go to prison where they belong.

But then a four year old is abducted from her home and when the police find the kidnapper, it’s the girl’s father, Parker Hathaway. When Caitlin is assigned as his public defender, she is eager to wrap up the case, until she discovers Parker’s motivations.

Saving Madeline has an intriguing plot that follows Caitlin McLoughlin through the twists and turns of the legal system, explaining why some criminals get let off and some don’t, and how the prosecutors and defenders are held to the specifics of procedure.

As Caitlin’s professional life collides with her private life, she uncovers those who are worth having in her life and those who aren’t. She also wrestles with giving love a second chance. She makes every effort to keep her personal feelings out of her current case with Parker, but it proves to be difficult as time is running out for both Parker, and his daughter, Madeline.

An enjoyable, unexpected journey of ethics and love with a dynamic plot that will keep you guessing! I consider Saving Madeline as one of my favorite Nunes book. Readers will be pleased with this new novel and Nunes' fresh endeavor.

Rachel Ann Nunes is the bestselling author of many books. Visit her website here.