Author Emily Wilson is in her 30s and going through a heartbreaking divorce. She is invited to stay at her aunt Bee's gorgeous home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, for the month. While Emily is trying to find material for her next book, she comes across a red velvet diary from 1943. While reading this diary, she can't help but notice similarities in the story told and her own life. Filled with standout characters such as her funny best friend Annabelle, her unique Aunt Bee, and her new-found sexy friend Jack; this story really warms your heart, opens your imagination, and touches your soul. Different than anything I have read before, this is not your everyday romance, or self-discovery story - this is much, much better. (AV)
The Look of Love begins with a decades-old flashback and ends with a bang! Jane Williams was given a gift when she was born - the ability to see true love. It isn't until many years later that Jane learns about the true meaning of her gift, and what she has to do to keep it. On her journey she learns about the six different types of love ranging from tame (Agape) to passionate (Eros) and witnesses them all through her friends. When she meets a neuroscience reporter she starts to question everything she knows about love. Can Jane find true love herself when she's never really believed in it? And will she be able to keep her gift or will she miss the deadline of her mission to keep it? Sarah Jio offers a different take on fantasy because, aside from Jane's gift, this is a realistic story. Filled with love, betrayal and sacrifice. I really enjoyed reading a fantasy that wasn't unbelievable. (AV)
Claire Aldridge, a reporter for the Seattle Herald, is assigned
to cover the freak snowstorm that has hit Seattle in May. She learns
that this kind of storm is called a "blackberry winter" and it also
happened on the very same day in 1933. Through her research she
discovers that a three-year-old boy named Daniel Ray was abducted that
night while his mother Vera was at work. Vera finds his teddy bear in
the snow but no sign of her son. The police were of no help since Vera
was a poor single mother. Claire vows to get to the bottom of what happened to little Daniel. She never imagines how interwoven her own story is with Vera Ray. Claire is dealing with heartbreak of her own and the more she digs
into Daniel's story the more she knows that she has to get justice for
Daniel and Vera.The story alternates from Vera's in 1933 to Claire's present day. Jio once again writes a suspenseful love story, flawlessly connecting two different eras. This story, by one of today's most talented writers, will stay with you long after you finish it. (AR)
