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Title: Oystercatchers

Author: Susan Fletcher

Narrator: Colleen Prendergast

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-29-08

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Amy lies in a coma. Her older sister, Moira, comes to her in the evenings and sits beside her hospital bed. Here, Moira confesses. She admits to her childhood selfishness which deeply hurt her family; to her savagery at boarding school; to the wild, bitter and destructive heart that she carried into her adult life. Moira knows this: that she's been a poor daughter, and a deceptive wife. But it is as Amy lies half-dying that she sees the real truth: she's been a cruel sister, and it is this cruelty that has led them both here, to this hospital bed...

©2007 Susan Fletcher; (P)2007 W F Howes Ltd.

Members Reviews:

A brilliant emotionally disconnected girl who finally begins to understand love

This is the story of Moira, told at her comatose sister's bedside. Moira was an only child until the age of 11, and was by all accounts, an unusual child, likely borderline autistic spectrum disorder. She is brilliant, but has trouble with relationships and her world is devastated by the birth of her sister. When the opportunity comes to leave the local village school and go to boarding school, she goes as far away as possible, feeling betrayed by her parents and unable at all to relate to her sister. Moira adapts to the new school, but has few friends with the exception of the biology teacher, and her aunt, who seems to understand some of her uniqueness. She again has trouble relating to the girls her own age and on her visits home, fails to connect with her sister Amy. As she gets older, she meets a young man by following the other girls as they sneak out at night. He becomes fascinated with her and writes to her of his travels around the world. Moira falls for him and marries young, throwing away her university career to be with Ray. She again struggles with relationships which lead her to some devastating mistakes, which she deeply regrets. I know some people have had a difficult time with an "unlikeable" protagonist, but I found her to be just different, fragile and somewhat flawed. The only time I really did not understand her behavior is when she gave up the things she loved to get married, but her need to connect when she has never really been close to anyone makes sense and is a bit heartbreaking. I enjoyed this and hope others will see past the initial look at Moira to see the human being that lies beneath.

Five Stars

Really enjoyed this book. The main character is complex, but honest. Good read.

Poetic and evocative

One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Sheer poetry. Every sentence to be treasured and savored. If I could give this book a 10, I would. A book to reread, to keep. Will be reading all of her other books too. Susan Fletcher takes words and creates magic, she paints with them, they sing off the page, they entice and enthrall. I was mesmerized, lost within the pages of this book. Didn't want it to end. Every sentence in this book is perfection and it was hard to choose but here are a few I particularly liked.

Page 6: '...your stale smell and your thin green heart.'

Page 7: 'Watch your heart flinch on a screen.'

Page 11: 'Smelt a whole country on airmail envelopes.'

Page 18:' Calling out through the night-time house and altering the shape of it.'

Page 20:'...and moonlight survived in a jar.'

Page 79:' A map of skin rivers.

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Title: A Country Affair

Subtitle: Barleybridge, Book 1

Author: Rebecca Shaw

Narrator: Susannah Harker

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-26-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

But Kate has a big decision to make. Should she give up her faithful boyfriend Adam and train as a vet or should she be content to work in the practice as a receptionist? She confides in Scott because, although he is a bit of a womaniser, it is obvious that he is completely devoted to the animals and his work.

Tender, funny, and full of the warmth that has made the Turnham Malpas novels into bestsellers, this first Barleybridge novel is a sure winner.

Members Reviews:

Addicted to this Series

I'd never heard of Rebecca Shaw or her books. But because I absolutely adore the Thrush Green and Fairacre books of Miss Read, a friend recommended Rebecca Shaw's books. I got started and couldn't put them down. I'm fascinated by the characters and their stories. Very different from Miss Read but very enjoyable and more realistic because the happy findings come with a lot more conflict and drama. I began the series out of sequence with Country Wives and then A Country Affair, then Country Lovers and now Country Passions. I'm so into these books I can hardly wait to read what happens next. Of course I've already ordered the last two books of the series.

A Country Bore

As I loved the James Herriot books, I had high expectations of this latest foray into a country vet's existence, albeit in more modern times. Instead I found this book to be poorly written; the plot was lame and predictable, the dialogue was stilted and unbelievable, the characters one dimensional and the few actual vet stories seemed to draw heavily from the Herriot books. The Australian vet Scott was as stereotypical as he could possibly be and the reformation of Kate's creepy, stalking suitor seemed extremely unlikely.

I have no intention of reading any of the other books in this series.

interesting Village

first in a series had already read the next 2 so was fun to see what I had missed. Good read, not literature which is fine nice to just not have to feel too intensely connected some times

good

I absolutely loved this series, I felt like I was there My only regret is it did not continue on

An ok book to me

This book was just ok to me... I was expecting to like it alot more but just could not really get into it. I might try to read it again later to see if I enjoy it more.

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Title: Sing as We Go

Author: Margaret Dickinson

Narrator: Susan Jameson

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-08

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Kathy Burton longs to escape the drudgery of her life as an unpaid labourer on her father's farm. With only the local church choir and the occasional dance at the village hall for amusement, she yearns for the bright lights.

Spurning Morry Robinson's proposal of marriage, Kathy goes to live in the city with his aunt, Jemima Robinson. In turn, she finds employment for Kathy in a department store, but is anxious when Kathy is captivated by the sophisticated and handsome floor manager, Tony Kendall. "He has a reputation," the outspoken Jemima warns her. "He's had more girlfriends than I've got shoes in my closet.'"

Kathy has fallen deeply and irrevocably in love and, even when the country is plunged into war, she can see no obstacle to their future. But she has reckoned without the devious mind of Tony's invalid mother, Beatrice Kendall. "You'll never marry my son," she vows. "I'll see to that."

Determined that the possessive woman won't win, Kathy plans her wedding, but the day is ruined, and Tony is called up before another date can be arranged. Feeling deserted, Kathy is forced to face yet further heartache and shame alone. At last, she finds solace in joining a concert party entertaining service men and woman and war workers. But behind the songs and the smiles, her heart is breaking.

Members Reviews:

An okay read but not a keeper

Kathy Burton has had enough of bully of a father and has decided to leave her family's farm for the city. After a bit of luck she is able to get job in a department store where she soon fall for Tony Kendall the store's ladies man manager. With war coming, they decide to marry and the only thing standing in the way is Tony's mother. A woman who vow to let no woman to marry her son.

"Sing As We Go" by Margaret Dickinson is a decent read and not much more. I really didn't like the main character of Tony. Tony was so clueless and could not see how her bahavior was hurting Kathy. Also I can't believe that any man would let his mother run his life like that. Overall "Sing As We Go" was okay but not a book that I will be keeping.

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Title: Country Passions

Subtitle: Barleybridge, Book 4

Author: Rebecca Shaw

Narrator: Susannah Harker

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-06-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Joy, the practice manager, remembers the hearts he broke when he last worked there and also his abrupt departure. She refuses to agree to this appointment, however temporary it turns out to be, and leaves immediately.

Scott slips seamlessly into the practice routine, not guessing thesecrets that are about to be revealed, which will turn his life upside down and amend his callous attitude to women.

Once again the animals and their owners are as much a part of the story as are the members of the practice. We meet Petunia and Zinnia, two dairy cows; Francesca Goodwood and her herd of organically reared pigs; and Chang, the feisty pedigreed dog who gets into a brawl with Goliath, the tiny Yorkshire terrier.

Critic Reviews:

"A pacey, tender novel, in which Rebecca Shaw weaves her magic around the animals and the people in this busy veterinary hospital, bringing them to life and sharing with us their troubles and triumphs." (Bolton Evening News)

Members Reviews:

Nice brain vacay

when you need a break from the heavier books, this is a lovely village to visit

I loved this book as an interesting segment of the whole ...

I loved this book as an interesting segment of the whole series and the adding of more interesting characters to the vet practice. I just wish the series would continue.

Falls flat

This is the fourth novel in a series about a veterinary practice in Barleybridge, England. At the beginning of the book, one of the vets suffers a car accident, requiring the staff manager to fill a temporary position extremely quickly. In to this void steps Scott Spencer, the engaging, charismatic vet who has been noticeably missing in action since the first book in the series. However, since he left the practice and the country suddenly at the close of the first novel, not everyone is happy to see him back, dividing the office in half. Also, since Scott has always been a ladies man, hearts on the line abound.

The books in which Scott was absent from this series definitely fell flat compared to the first, so I was really looking forward to his inevitable return. However, it was not at all what I hoped for. The twists were not surprising, and there was not enough to keep the reader engaged. Let down.

great series

Loved this book and the whole series and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read and interesting characters. Service was great too.

Great Series

This is book # 4 in a series about a vet practice in England and I am going to start on book # 5 tonight. At present there is just 1 more book in the series by the author Rebecca Shaw. I would recommend this series to all lovers of books that take place in England.

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Title: Lessons in Heartbreak

Author: Cathy Kelly

Narrator: Aoife McMahon

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-03-08

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

On the other side of the ocean, Izzie's Aunt Anneliese discovers the pain of infidelity for herself. Her husband, Edward, has been having an affair with her best friend, Nell. Devastated and angry, Anneliese is facing the realisation that she is now alone.

When Lily, the matriarch of the family, is taken ill, the family must put their own problems aside. Izzie, intrigued by her grandmother's past, begins to discover things she never knew about wise, calm Lily. Annaliese feels despair build as Lily, the one person who could have helped her, starts to slip away. And the lessons each of the women learns - past and present - bring both joy and heartbreak. They are lessons they will carry with them forever.

Critic Reviews:

"A must for Kelly's many fans; a warm, moving read" (Daily Mail)

"Bursting with emotion, heartache and dreams... realistic and likeable characters that meet life-changing events head on" (Ireland on Sunday)

"An upbeat and diverting tale skilfully told....Kelly knows what her readers want and consistently delivers." (Sunday Independent)

Members Reviews:

No happy ending

Izzie is a happy, single Irish woman living in NYC. That is until she meets her married boyfriend, Joe, does her life become miserable. While Izzie goes through the tribulations of a disastrous affair, she learns of her beloved grandma having a stroke in Ireland. The book then goes on to tell the stories of a few women in the family and their broken hearts do to some kind of adultery. Whether they are the other woman or the woman being cheated on and how this takes a toll on either woman. You definitely learn to sympathize with both sides of the adultery story.

Izzie's Aunt Annalise's husband has been cheating on her with her best friend. Annalise takes this so hard, she almost doesn't come out alive. Izzie's dying grandma, Lily, tells her story through diaries set back in the war in the 1940's. Each story is interesting - but Lily's is much more fun to follow.

It was a fun book to read, but not if you're looking for any kind of romantic, happy ending.

Terrific writing

I gave this rating because I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it difficult to put the book down. This is Cathy Kelly at her best

I have read a few of Cathy Kelly's books but this one in my opinion is her best. Her descriptions are fantastic and her storyline is brilliant and again in this book leaves one guessing for awhile as to what will happen. Will she go back to her lover or will she make the break? This book is very well written and very enjoyable. I would recommend this book to all romantic readers,

Interesting Book from Cathy Kelly

I am a Cathy Kelly fan and really enjoyed this book. It's interesting how the lives of her characters are intertwined. I like the way Cathy Kelly has a little bit of romance (but not too much), some drama, some heartache - all in the right proportions.

I can recommend this book to Cathy Kelly converts and if you haven't read any of her books, what are you waiting for!

A nice read

A lovely story which follows the lives of some likeable characters. Unfortunately I found the story got a little repetitive & dragged on in parts.

Not her best. Love her books

Not her best. Love her books, but the title reveals that this read is going to be a bit of a downer.

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Title: Killing Helen

Author: Sarah Challis

Narrator: Sarah Sharborne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-26-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

When Harriet meets Robert, she is attracted by the easy confidence of the handsome, married older man. When their affair begins, Harriet finds it amusing - she is convinced she will enjoy a lustful relationship with no commitments.

©2001 Sarah Challis;

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Title: A Day to Remember

Author: Fiona Phillips

Narrator: Cait Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Here's a modern romantic comedy about love, loyalty, and limos from GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips. A Day to Remember is Jo's successful business, but when her right-hand man, Steve, runs away with their receptionist and the limo, Jo is left to pick up the pieces. Bookings are a mess, her home life is in chaos, and then her son accidentally damages the new neighbour's Mercedes. Far from a day to remember, it's turning into a week she'd rather forget.

(P)2007 W F Howes

Members Reviews:

I liked it.

I liked it.

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Title: The Secret Diary of a Grumpy Old Woman

Author: Judith Holder

Narrator: Judith Holder

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-05-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

"Obviously in a book this size I wouldn't be able to share with you ALL of my grumps," she says. "But I've decided to write down some of the secret thoughts that beset a woman of a certain age, some of the wicked things that occur to a woman who takes a lot of things to the dry cleaners, has to have her roots done every four weeks and finds it hard to wear high heels.

"And guess what: they still fancy people, still have silly little crushes on people at work, still - shock horror - have sex. You will discover that women of a certain age are just as provocative and turned on as women in their 20s. Probably more so. So get over it. Middle-aged women are sexy, funny, and infinitely lovable. They are also taking over the world."

Members Reviews:

If you like the books you will Love this

If you liked the grumpy old women books and TV series, you'll love this.

Great

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Title: Take Someone Like Me

Author: Jayne Buxton

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-08

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

But Libby soldiers on, taking her youngest to an environmental group to find answers to all those pesky universe questions, navigating egg-shells to confront her oldest about that tell-tale silver-foil packet of tiny pills, and cramming in some time for rekindling the spark in her marriage after the eight o'clock news. Until one day, she's had enough.

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Title: Mrs Zhivago of Queen's Park

Author: Olivia Lichtenstein

Narrator: Adjoa Andoh

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-08

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

When Chloe meets temptation in the shape of Ivan, does she dare risk a passionate Russian romance before gravity wins the battle with her face and figure? Can she get away with one glorious, final fling? Dr Zhivago didn't. And just look what happened to Anna Karenina.

Critic Reviews:

"Mrs Zhivago is like a script for the perfect comedy drama. And, reading between the jokes and comic situations, there's a real message about what keeps a marriage alive." (First)

"Olivia Lichtenstein's first novel is full to bursting with good things....[Her] writing is succinct, witty and often funny enough to make you hoot unbecomingly on public transport....[an] accomplished, enjoyable and surprisingly moral fable." (Independent on Sunday)

Members Reviews:

Not a fan

I didn't enjoy this audiobook and in fact did not bother listening to the end of it. The narration was fine but the characters were so unlikeable and the story was dull.