The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

      The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine. Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins) to be published October, 2017. Adult fiction.

Looking for your next psychological thriller? Join the moneyed world of Daphne and Jackson Parrish of Connecticut. Seemingly the perfect couple, the perfect life, the perfect family, the two suck readers right into their perfect world. The first third of the story is told through Daphne's view. The second third of the tale is told through the voice of Amber Patterson, a young woman who becomes Daphne's friend. Amber soon establishes herself as very jealous, and wants Daphne's life and her husband. The last third of the book puts a new spin on the traditional gold digger, second wife tale and will have readers hurrying to find out what happens to them all. Love, friendship, manipulation, intrigue, all  play into this twisty and well written novel by two sisters who write under the pen name of Liv Constantine.

Anne of Green Gables (graphic novel) by Marsden and Thummler

 Anne of Green Gables, A Graphic Novel. Adapted by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Brenna Thummler. Andrews McMeel, to be published October, 2017.


If you know and love the Anne stories or are new to them, pick up a copy of this graphic novel. You will experience Anne in a whole new way. Thummler's colorful illustrations add to the classic tale of an orphan who comes to live on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Marsden's adaptation includes all of the key adventures and drama of the child as she matures into a young woman. This would make a great gift for cruise travelers or anyone who plans a trip to the area...a quick read with the flavor and sweetness of the original by Lucy M. Montgomery. Who wouldn't want to just move next door to Anne?

Caroline, Little House, Revisited.

Caroline, Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller. William Morrow, to be published September, 2017. Adult historical fiction.


Readers who grew up loving the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and/or television show will love this adult version from Ma's point of view. The story begins with Mary and Laura as little girls and Ma pregnant with a new baby. They pack up in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and head for Kansas and the Indian Territory. All the familiar details are there: Pa's fiddle, Ma's china shepherdess on the mantel, Mr. Edwards, and the warm family times. Although their lives were filled with hardships of raging rivers, strange new tribes of Indians, storms, and other scary things, the deep love and friendships carry them through the tough times.  Sarah Miller has done an excellent job of making the old stories seem fresh and new for adult readers.

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict.

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict. Sourcebooks Landmark, to be published January, 2018. Adult historical fiction.


Clara Kelley, a poor Irish girl, manages to take the identity of another girl and becomes a maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie, his brother, and his mother in Pittsburgh. She is clever, but terrified of being discovered and sent away. Her family depends on her income and Clara is well acquainted with poor people, poverty, and the differences in her new lifestyle and her old one. The book is truly historical fiction and really does not shed much new about Andrew Carnegie, but those who like to think of "what might have been" may surmise that Clara's influence spurred Carnegie to become the great philanthropist that he was. Benedict excels at descriptions of people and places of the past and weaves an interesting tale. This advanced reader edition did not have backmatter that might have told the truth vs. the fiction about the story.  See also The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict for another historical fiction novel by the same author.

Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery.

Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery.  HQN Books, 2017. Adult fiction. Romance.


Kelly Murphy raises tulips in Washington state. She lives with her father. Her mother abandoned him, Kelly, and her younger sister, Olivia, when the girls were teens. Now Olivia has come home to reconnect with her sister and father. Both women have their own secrets: about old loves, about their mother, about friends, and about their feelings. Their father refuses to say anything bad about their mother, but when she comes back to stay IN THE HOUSE with them all, the fuse is lit for emotional explosions! Filled with sex, old flames, new loves, and family drama, the Tulip Sisters is a book to take with you for light reading this summer.