Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt By Beth Hoffman

 

Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt is about a 12 year old girl who takes care of her mentally ill mother, while her father is traveling for work. Cee Cee has no friends and her only escape is Mrs. Odell, an elderly woman who lives next door.  After her mother is killed in a horrible accident, her dad sends Cee Cee off to live with her great aunt in Savannah, Georgia. While living with her aunt, she discovers what it is like to have a family and not worry about taking care of anyone else.  She has some interesting adventures with her aunt's eccentric neighbors.  Cee Cee finally finds happiness, she develops a nice relationship with Oletta - the cook of her aunt's house.  Mrs. Odell comes to visit and ends up living with her and her aunt. She has everything she has ever wanted.  Her aunt gets her enrolled in a private school, while there taking a tour of the school she meets Dixie, who becomes her first real friend her own age.

It was a sweet story of a young girl who begins her life with heartache and ends up learning what it is like to just be a kid.   The author does a great job creating eccentric characters that bring southern charm to this story.  Her descriptions of Savannah make you feel like you are there right along with Cee Cee. A quick read you are sure to enjoy!

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

I have only started reading Kristin Hannah about a year ago, but have not been disappointed with any of the books I have read. 


Night Road was an amazing story!  First we meet Lexi Baill whose was born to a heroin addicted mother and spent most of her young life in foster homes until they found her Aunt Eva.  She promises Eva that if she keeps her she won't regret it.  Lexi and her aunt develop a beautiful relationship although Eva knew nothing of raising kids, never had any of her own.   

On her first day of  high school, in her new home in Port George, Washington, she makes her first friend Mia Farraday, an outcast, like herself. Mia was the twin sister of Zach Farraday, a popular jock who dragged Mia along in order to try to help her fit in. Soon Lexi becomes just like a family member, they do everything together.  Jude Faraday, the mother of Zach and Mia becomes the mom Lexi never had.   

This book shows how teenagers push the envelope, learning responsibilities come with consequences and make a decision that changes all of their lives.   A family once so close now broken apart.  This story is heart wrenching and I challenge you to read it without a box of kleenex by your side.  The  characters were so real, you felt like you knew them personally.


Kristin Hannah stirs up so many emotions in this book, you won't be disappointed if you read it. I could easily see this book on the big screen someday.   
 

10th Anniversary by James Patterson

I just finished 10th Anniversary by James Patterson.  This book is the 10th in a series about the San Francisco Women's Murder Club.  This club is made up of a police detective, medical examiner, lawyer and reporter.   Finally Lindsay (police detective) is marrying the love of her life - Joe.  After taking some time off she comes back to work and her first case involves Avis Richardson, a 15 year old girl who is found on the side of the road by someone driving by wearing only a rain poncho and is severely bleeding, seems she recently gave birth, but can't seem to remember what happened and how she got there or where her baby is.  Lindsay has to figure out what happened and if the baby is still alive.

Yuki (lawyer) has to win a big case if she is ever going to get that promotion.  She is sure to win this one, Dr. Martin is charged with shooting and killing her husband.  All the evidence points to Dr. Martin, but then Lindsay gets involved in the case and many questions come up. Will Yuki win this case or is she charging an innocent woman?

Cindy (the reporter) is in love with Rich Conklin, Lindsay's partner.  Working as a crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, she has to get a big break, it is a competitive career.  She gets the inside scoop on reports of women being found passed out near their homes with no recollection of how they got there or what happened to them in the hours before.  She tracks down a lead that could put her in a very dangerous position.

This book is full of twists and will keep you reading.  I could not put it down! If you are looking for a mystery novel full of suspense, I highly recommend 10th Anniversary by James Patterson.

 

Books

Welcome to Beach Reads a place to find book reviews.  I can't get enough of a good book and thought this would be a great way to share my love of books.  I will be posting reviews of new books and old favorites.  Hope this helps you find some books that you might enjoy.  Happy Reading!