Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Even tho' this book is fiction, it is based on a lot of truth. Little Bee and her sister run from the soldiers who are burning the village and killing the people. Reaching the ocean (which they have never seen before) they meet a couple who are on a holiday, but failed to stay within the "compound" of the hotel. When security comes to collect them, the young girls ask to be saved. The soldiers arrive on the scene and the white couple are "encouraged" to return to the hotel. This is the beginning of the story of Little Bee's life. Her trip to England, her time in the refugee center, her experience in London. Speaks to one's heart. Sandy Penton .

End of the Line by Mike Manno

When R J Butler is found murdered in the back of a bus, Detective Sergeant "Stan" Stankowski and advisor DAG Parker Noble, Stan's nemesis, are assigned to the case. There are many clues and a lot of motives that Manno does a terrific job of manipulating. Is the culprit the deceased's current wife, who had been filing for divorce? Is it the previous ex-wife, mother of his son? Is it because he knew who might have embezzled $80,000.00 from the bank he previously worked at but was fired from? Stan has his work cut out for him and is "aided" by newspaper reporter Buffy Coyle, not necessarily a good thing. Sandy Penton.

Angel Sister by Ann H Gabhart

It is 1936 in Kentucky, and Kate Merritt is struggling with the problems of being a middle child in a family strife with problems. Having always been uplifting, her mother is failing under the burden of an alcoholic husband, striving to put food on the table and keep her faith in God. A riveting story of faith, love and forgiveness. Couldn't put this one down. Sandy Penton.

The Secrets Beneath by Kathleen Fuller

Bekah has a little nose problem. The vacant house next door has captured her interest and when an old man shows up, digging little holes, at night, her curiosity is aroused. When her cousin Amanda arrives to spend the school year, no one will tell her why. Further, Amanda is silent and spends a lot of time either in her room or in the barn. When Bekah is told to mind her own business, she starts keeping secrets, telling secrets, and getting into mischief. What is the old man's secret? What is Amanda's secret? Will Bekah solve the mystery? A good youth book. Sandy Penton.

On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts

A group of knitting ladies are fed up with having to do holidays without their husbands help so they go on strike. If the husbands want a party, gifts or goodies, they will have to figure out the solution themselves. As the holiday gets closer, the gals aren't so sure this has been a good idea, but vow to stick it out, much to the husband's dismay. An amusing story, the reader can identify with several of the situations, also the women find maybe they need to look at their own motives which can be kind of painful. A good read in any season. Sandy Penton.

Plate Tectonics by Linda George

This is listed as Juvenile literature, but if you are interested in what causes earthquakes and volcanoes but feel intimidated by scientific literature, Plate Tectonics is informative and gives you a basic knowledge of how the whole thing works. Good pictures, good explanations. Sandy Penton.

The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lainey O'Toole returns to Stoney Ridge - needing to speak to Bertha Reihl about the past. Bertha has just sent for her grand-daughter, Bess Reihl, to come help her for the summer but with several objectives in mind. Lainey's car breaks down, and as fate or God would have it, a job in a bakery and a waiting apartment seems to fill the bill. Lainey and Bess become close friends but Lainey has a secret that she isn't sure how Bess will receive. Throw in a couple of love angles and Fisher writes a story that begs to be read. Colorful Bertha is just one of the characters that makes this story work. Read it. Sandy Penton.

Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse, My Life in Comedy by Phyllis Diller

Phyllis writes her biography giving the reader a poignant picture of a child/adult who could have grown up totally screwed up. Instead, she got her head screwed on straight and chose to have a happy life, choosing the half- full glass instead of the half- empty. We all should follow her lead. A good read. Sandy Penton.

Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline

Law professor Natalie Greco finds her world turned upside down when colleague, Angus Holt, talks her into teaching a seminar at a local prison. When a riot breaks out, she is attacked, then rushes to the aid of a severely injured guard who wants her to give a message to his wife. Finding herself charged with murder, she flees and tries to untangle the mystery causing ruthless killers to hunt her down. Refusing to involve her family, she rushes headlong into rescue mode, determined to see justice done. A great mystery. Sandy Penton.

The Devil's Code by John Sandford

St John Corbeil is the villain in this Kidd suspense thriller. A group of diabolical bureaucrats have figured out a way to line their pockets with stolen information sold to the enemy. To cover up their deceit, they have implicated a group called Firewall and provided a list of names of which Kidd's is one. After two unexplained deaths, Lane Ward, sister of one of the men, contacts Kidd for help in solving his suspected murder. Crafty Kidd and his help-mate LuEllen, through extraordinary feats manage to overcome the FBI, the NSA, and any other number of secret government agencies. An exciting read. Sandy Penton.

Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Captain Cordelia Naismith is forced into a temporary truce with her captor and chief opponent, Lord Aral Vorkosigan. When Vorkosigan is betrayed by his men, Naismith considers her options, and decides to join with him for survival. This book is a combination of two earlier books, Shards of Honor and Barrayar, forming a continuous story of the two lives destined to be together through the birth of their son, Miles. A good read. Sandy Penton.

A Hope for Hannah by Jerry S Eicher

Newly-weds Jake and Hannah Byler are setting up housekeeping in a log cabin in Montana, looking forward to their life together. Already they are finding out that life is not a bed of roses. Jake loses his job with the lumber company. Hannah is homesick and wants to return to Indiana. A grizzly makes short work of their food supply and Jake is given a position of responsibility in the Amish community, dashing Hannah's hopes. Eicher writes a great adventure for the newlyweds, am looking forward to book number 3. Sandy Penton.