#theoneswechoose #debutnovel #julieclark #audiblestudios #saskiamaarleveld #summerof69 #elinhilderbrand #erinbennett #hachette #piecesofher #karenslaughter #kathleenearly #blackstoneaudio #undercurrents #noraroberts #januarylavoy #macmillanaudio #booksaboutsecrets
I had so much fun last month tugging at the common thread that tied my four selections together, I decided to do it again this month. This month’s theme is secrets which isn’t much different from lies since it’s hard to keep a secret without telling a lie! We have a father with a secret child, a mother with a secret identity, a family with a secret lifestyle, and a family where every member has a secret. There is a debut novel by a new author and a debut historical novel by an established author. Sprinkle this mixture with a few psychos and you have quite a menu for the month of July.
I usually save my favorite for last, but since it is no secret that anytime Nora Roberts publishes a new book, I’m going to be putting in my earbuds and listening, Under Currents gets to go first. I don’t automatically assign 5 stars to her books — some are better than others — but Under Currents is the best in a long time. Zane’s father is a secret psycho. A pilar of the community until he closes the door to his McMansion and takes his fists to his family. Darby’s ex-husband is a secret psycho. All-American frat boy until he takes his fists to his new wife. Fast-paced and with a gutwrenching theme, this one will surprise you because just when you think it’s over, a whole new story begins. I loved Darby’s character — she will definitely make you smile. 5 Well-earned Stars to Ms. Roberts and to narrator January LaVoy whose exceptional performance takes this heartrending story to a new level.
Because I was actually living when the events in Summer of ’69 took place, it brings back many memories for me. It was a time when our country experienced painful upheaval and unprecedented achievement.  It was also the year our author Elin Hilderbrand was born which she confesses inspired her to dip her author’s toes into the historical novel waters. There is a lot going on in this book and the storyline plays out to my favorite songs of that era which the author cleverly uses as titles for her chapters. If you are a child of the ’60s, as well as a fan of Elin Hilderbrand, you will no doubt enjoy this book showcasing that momentous summer and one family’s involvement in the happenings. As the story unfolds through the talented voice of narrator Erin Bennett, long-kept family secrets come to light along with incidents that hold secrets to this day. 4 Stars to the author and the narrator for this trip down Memory Lane!
Pieces of Her is going to supply you with plenty of what you’ve come to expect from Karin Slaughter — a twisted and convoluted tale that may or may not surprise you in the end. It seems to me the one who is most surprised in this book is Laura Oliver’s troubled daughter Andrea. I suppose none of us should assume our parents don’t have secrets in their pasts, but it would be devastating to discover a parent with a secret identity. And I don’t mean a secret identity like my ordinary everyday Mom is really someone famous, but rather my ordinary everyday Mom is not only notorious but deadly! As almost an aside, the author takes an effective and in-depth look at the mother-daughter relationship that exists between Laura and Andrea. Motherly love has many faces and there’s more to being a loving mom than fixing sack lunches and going to soccer games. 4 Stars to Karin Slaughter and narrator Kathleen Early.
Julie Clark‘s debut novel The Ones We Choose develops around a theme that is certainly relevant to our time when many women are choosing to be single moms and just about everybody is choosing to explore the mysteries to be solved or uncovered by DNA analysis. Paige Robson has a secret. Her son Miles is the product of an anonymous sperm donor which is her wish because she has Daddy issues. Life is good until it becomes increasingly clear her sperm donor is also the father of her son’s best friend. I’m sure most of you can conjure up all kinds of complex and compelling ways this could turn out and the author has done very well spinning her unique tale. There is a lot of scientific information given, so if that’s not your thing, be forewarned. You will also need a box — or two — of tissues available since it gets very emotional at times. Narrator Saskia Maarleveld gives a touching performance of this promising author’s well-written and well-researched book. 4 Stars to The Ones We Choose.
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