Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

I hesitated before reading this book, because I have found Delinsky's recent works annoying in the extreme. Inconsistent and improbable behavior by characters, stilted dialogue, and disappointing plots were in my mind as I began. However, I'm glad I read it. This isn't the best book I've ever read, but it's far from the worst.  It's definitely a higher caliber than the last few of  Delinsky's novels.

We have two women friends who haven't seen each other for years. One is a nomadic journalist; the other married in her mid-twenties and has a famous blog, with a related cookbook on the way. The blogger asks the journalist for help in writing the cookbook. They agree to meet and stay at the Maine island beach house of the blogger's parents (where they spent much time as younger people in the past, including the blogger's wedding).

As soon as the two women arrive on the island, secrets begin to "rock the boat". The rest of the book entails the unraveling of the past and a healing for most involved, as they decide the future directions of their lives.

There's romance, including sex (but not to the degree of erotica), and lots of inner dialogue. The island characters are interesting and mostly believable, and the setting is perfect for an entertaining summer read. I wasn't annoyed at all! Would certainly be interested in trying more of Delinsky's future writing. 

Reviewer:  Lorien Goodale

Letters from Skye: a Novel by Jessica Brockmole

What a love story! I was not sure I would enjoy reading another novel in the form of letters, but it was worth it. One set of letters were written 1912-1917 and the second set during WWII. 

After reading a book of poetry, a young American student named David writes to the poet, Mrs. Elspeth Dunn on the isle of Skye, and starts the correspondence from 1912 to 1917.  The second set of letters is between Elspeth's daughter Margaret and a few others, especially her boyfriend who is a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Margaret was born during WWI but knows little about her mother's early life and nothing about her father. When Margaret discovers a bundle of her mother's letters, her mother suddenly leaves their home in Edinburgh.  Margaret then begins searching for her mother and information about their past.

Reviewer: Betsy Griffies

Watching the Dark by Peter Robinson

When I picked up a copy of Peter Robinson's _Watching the Dark_, I noticed the note "An Inspector Banks Novel."  Having enjoyed a few episodes of "DCI Banks" on public tv, I had no idea they were based on books.  Now I want to read all the Inspector Banks mysteries in order since earlier events were mentioned in this book. 

The case in this book started with one murder in Banks' area in the Yorkshire Dales of England and led to a missing girl case in Tallinn, Estonia. Since I have visited both areas, I was even more interested in the story.

If you enjoy English mysteries, as well as the tv series, try this one.

Reviewer: Betsy Griffies

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

This is a young adult paranormal coming-of-age story with a twist - no undead here, no witches at all. Instead, the two main characters are sylphs - wind creatures that look just like humans and can even live among people. They are also teenagers. Audra knows she is a sylph, and in fact is protecting Vane without his knowledge. When Audra is forced to let Vane in on the secrets she's been keeping, life changes for both of them. They both have to face their past, and get ready to fight evil forces quickly - within a short time of Vane finding out he's something more than human.

Messenger writes very well. She has a plausible teenager "voice". The book switches back and forth from Vane and Audra's points of view. For me, this didn't interfere with the flow of the novel at all. I could relate to most of the characters in the book, and found their behavior and choices made sense. Some elements of the book were predictable, but there were also twists and turns I didn't foresee. If there's a sequel, I definitely want to read it.

Reviewer: Lorien Goodale

Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff

The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff is a love story set in 1919 Paris. The Great War is over. Margot has accompanied her father to support him in his work as a delegate to the peace conference. She is bored, and soon finds trouble - and romance.

I enjoyed the book and thought the writing was pretty good. However, some of the events and characters seemed contrived and artificial. I can't say much without giving the plot away. Pretty much everyone in the book has secrets, some darker than others. There's a feeling of unreality to the whole novel. Maybe some of that is because after a huge war, life feels surreal, and the writer does a great job of conveying this feeling. Or it may be that the machinations of the author are just too much for the story to bear.

If you like historical romance and can suspend your disbelief of realistic situations, you will enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Lorien Goodale