Book Reviews: Six Contemporary Female Fiction Authors

I am a lover of authors and books. My great escape in this world is to turn my head down and to bury my thoughts inside the words and books. 

Books next to my bed.

There is nothing more satisfying than taking a journey inside a novel. There is nothing more pleasing to the mind than to find a character that you can identify with, and say, “Yes, I feel like sometimes, too.” Some are drawn to nature. Some are obsessed with sports, bird watching, ocean loving, hikers, beauty, fashion, movies, friends and well, for me—BOOKS. I had so many that clutter my life, I have had to abandon them on occasion. Rather give them to a second hand bookstore.  In 2007, I walked away from over 500 books that lined the room of my walls like army of friends and angels protecting me when I lived alone with my son. When I do not take time to nurture my soul by finding a book within reach, I can feel overly sullen, then suddenly realize I haven’t been devoting enough “Me” time to myself. That happens to be turning off the computer, turning off the cell phone and sitting quietly with a story in hand without being disturbed by anyone. I went through a Biography phase in my early twenties, the must have “Self Help Guru Books,” when I lived in Hollywood, and the period of philosophy books when I felt rather intellectual for reading “The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. However, honestly nothing compares to an amazing novel.  A book that can take you somewhere else,  meet new fantastic characters and pull me out of my daily routine. John Irving once wrote in “Trying To Save Piggy Sneed” that he felt like he had known fictional characters better than those living. I can relate to that. I can relate to why I search out an author,  their many many books, and try to read them all in one sitting. Just briefly, I thought I would share with you my current favorite authors. You might see a trend; they are all women. There have only been a few authors that I love that are men, but that truly is another post, and I don’t want to get sidetracked into telling you why I prefer John Steinbeck any day over Ernest Hemingway.  So, get ready to meet some truly fascinating authors that are worth finding, buying and devouring their books in one full sitting when you can find the time.

#1  Luanne Rice Luanne’s writing is like visiting a sacred place. Her fiction novels all deal with truly deep moving issues we all must face at

Luanne Rice

some point like grief, loss, recovery or starting over. She also writes about the dynamics between families: Young characters to older;  sister relationships and broken family ties.  Luanne definitely writes character driven novels that pull you in right from the beginning of the book.  Magically written, her style is used sparingly with meaning and depth.  Her stories ring true to your bones.

The first novel I ever read of hers was “Cloud Nine.” This book dealt with the main character battling cancer.    Besides dealing with life battling issues, her books are filled with meaning and hope behind all of her plots.  There are lessons and answers you can find within yourself, while reading one of her books. Also, many of her books take place near the beach and sand. The air is full of sea salt and you can feel the wind brush your cheeks as you turn the pages in one of her books. Here are my top favorites by Luanne: “Home Fires,” “Follow The Stars Home,” “Beach Girls,”Deep Blue Sea for Beginners,” Angels All Over Town, “Cloud Nine,” “Summer Light,” and her newest novel, “The Silver Boat.”  Luanne has written 30 novels, and is a New York Bestselling Author.

 http://luannerice.net/

****Why do we love certain books and what makes them mean so much to us? Impact, I would say is the 1# thing for me when I consider why certain novels resonate deeper than others. At the time I discovered Luanne Rice’s novels, they were like white little beacons of hope touching my soul. I found them when I needed them the most. For this reason, Luanne will always rank as my top female modern author.

#2  Morag Prunty (a.k.a. Kate Kerrigan). Talk about making a great discovery in the year of 2010, Irish writer, Morag Prunty truly added some much needed fun back into my life. (This period I am referring to is shortly after being married to my husband, and all of fun single friends, well, yes, went on being single, while I found myself in the other category looking sideways at silly, which lead me to finding more books to read at Barnes and Noble.) “Recipes for a Perfect Marriage,” made me laugh. I loved the opening and I never even realized that how appropriate I should find that book then, but I just loved this book. I don’t want to describe it because I have just realized you will immediately think I saw the same correlation in my marriage, too, to the main character, which I didn’t. But let’s just say her witty style and selfless approach through the main character made me remember what it was like to laugh during a time I missed the laughter. The chapters open with a recipe, which the main character’s grandmother created. Each recipe reveals a foreshadow in it that fits with the evolving plot and character developments. What I loved most about this novel is how there are two love stories woven into the book;  the grandparents and the the granddaughter. Perfect, salty, sweet, and loved the recipes, this story brought me to all of Morag’s other books, so I will forever love it the most.

Here are some of her other books: “Disco Daddy,” “Dancing with Mules,” “Poison Arrows,” and “Super Star Lovers.”  I also loved her “Miracle of Grace.”  I’ll never forget the disappointment I had when “Dancing with Mules” arrived at my doorstep and I had already read the American printed version by Harper Collins!  My heart sank because I was so jazzed about reading another new book by Morag!  http://www.katekerrigan.ie.

Elizabeth Berg "Pull of the Moon," is one of my favorite novels.

#3 Elizabeth Berg  “Pull of the Moon,”  really spoke to me, you know, I literally could her “Nan” in my head.

She was real.  I went on that journey with her. I found myself looking for a solid green rock to keep next to my bed just like she did. And I wanted to congratulate Nan on taking off and finding herself when sometimes in life we do absolutely lose ourselves along the way. Where did that girl go?   You know, the one I was when I was 13, 22, 33 etc, etc?  This book deals with thoughts  like that, andwhy we lose pieces of ourselves in relationships or in the midst of our journey.  I have read it several times. When I read “Pull of the Moon,” I found myself rooting for Nan, begging her to find herself in that turquoise diary that was overpriced. And,  that green rock?  Well, I kept wondering, did she she take that on the trip, too? Berg’s writing is sharp and crisp and just like you are there with the tiny details that reveals more than just the setting, but also how they describe so much about each scene.  I will forever love her as an author because that book is in my top 5 of all time. http://www.elizabeth-berg.net/

“Pull of the Moon.” “Range of Motion” and “Open House.” The reason I found Morag Prunty was because Elizabeth Berg endorsed one of her novels.

#4   Sophie Kinsella  I know. I am a little late in the game and everyone has been reading “Chick Lit”  for at least ten years.

"Make Me Laugh, Cry and want to Live large."- That's what a Sophie Kinsella book does to me.

 Becky Bloomwood’s quirky disasters and her needs to own the latest must-have designers like an alcoholic, had me bursting with laughter through the entire series. Becky sense of love for her friends, self, family and husband add another texture to this funny and witty character that also depth and spunk in her heart, too… However, “Twenties Girl,” with a ghost named Sadie and a must have necklace may be my absolute favorite stand alone novel. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to be Sadie somehow, too. She inspired me to dig deeper into my closet and pull out the more fabulous things and retire the beach shoes. (Although, I’ve never been a flip-flop girl!)

“Undomestic Goddess,” “Gatecrasher,” (this title was under her married name) are also two of my favorites. I will wait patiently for Becky’s move to Beverly Hills with the rest of Sophie Kinsella fans.  “Can you Keep a Secret,” “Twenties Girl,” and all of the Shopaholic Books, period. Which is my favorite of all?

 Becky Bloomwood (Brandon)  is a modern day Holly Golightly with more fun and verve to her. I absolutely would follow Becky anywhere!

Alice Hoffman

 www.sophiekinsella.co.uk/

 #5  Alice Hoffman  The first book I ever read by Alice Hoffman was, “The Ice Queen.” I think I cried within two pages of reading this novel. I’ve never been so moved so quickly by such an up close first person narrative that I was entranced by this story about lightning striking human beings, the love story within and how sometimes icy roads must always be avoided. The brother and sister in this book both learned about life the hard way after losing a mother very on in life and how some pieces of our childhood can never be mended with time. The butterflies at the end, the baby on the way and the therapy group. Need I say more? Here are a few of her other books that I also loved: “Local Girls,” Here on Earth,” “Skylight Confessions,” “Practical Magic,” and “Blue Diary.”

Alice Hoffman can shatter me in two pages. Her writing takes you down to the depth of the characters muck and things you may not even want to see, but you go there because you can’t resist turning the page. At the end of each novel that I have read, I am always filled with a sense of hope, a small light shining across the horizon.  I know when I read a book by Alice Hoffman, I must prepare myself to be ready to feel.~

www.alicehoffman.com/

 #6  Maeve Binchy   I went through a period recently, where the highlight of my day was finding her paperpack novels and reading them all in a row, one after another. “The Lilac Bus,” what can I tell you? I want to go to Ireland just to ride this bus and meet the folks that rode it on this novel. “Quintins,” when can I get there to eat that this fabulous place? “Echoes,” where can I find this cave that sat at the bottom of the town?  This wind swept seaside, where a body is found floating in the water at the beginning of the novel? The fear in finding out the person that had drowned kept me reading for hours by my nightstand, lit in a yellow haze book- glaze of wonder at unraveling this plot, these characters with slow, delicate reading, for fear I might miss something. Maeve Binchy is also writes wonderful short stories of fiction. “The Return Journey” is perfect if you are looking for easy, light stories to read with heart, meaning and fun.

“Tara Road” was my first Maeve Binchy book that I had ever read.  I had read it when I was pregnant with my son. Those nine months rank up there as probably the worst due to  health conditions, fatness, and the fact I had just left Los Angeles, a career and my life. “Tara Road” walked around in my hands like a friend, as I remodeled a Ranch house in a  place called The Ranch.  I just felt so connected to those two women that switched homes one summer and rediscovered themselves again in a new environment. You see, as I write this, I can see how that book gave me comfort in the very thing that had been happening to me at that time…

Maeve Binchy

http://www.maevebinchy.com/

Books~ A place to be, to escape and to live in our dreams. Forget your iPad, your Kindle, your computer, your little phone that is giving you wrinkles as you try to read your stories On-line. (Ladies, remember, don’t wrinkle your squint your eyes!)  Pick up a book at your local Bookstore and take time to read, even if it’s just for fun. You might find that life is never better when you have a story to look forward to after the sun sets. I could keep going on and on about this journey of reading. Books have helped me discover things about my own soul that I know I might not have recognized without the insight and stories from other writers.  In the midst of busy schedules, friendships and other relationships, a book helps us focus our mind inward and become reflective about what we are reading. In the process, we find those hidden jewels we might have missed if we hadn’t buried our minds inside the pages of a book.

I love a lot of other women authors, too:

Billie Letts, Sue Monk Kidd, Emily Giffin, Lolly Winston, Barbara Kingsolver, Marian Keyes, Candace Bushnell, and Daniel Steele, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Gilbert, Kristin Hannah, Kathryn Stockett, and Susan Minot.

Book Reviews & Authors

This site is under maintenance. Previously published book reviews on other sites will be added. New Content and Author coverage coming, too

One of my favorite books. Review coming soon, plus information on author Lolly Winston.

“Machel’s Ranch,” featured Rancho Santa Fe News

Twelve years ago I moved from Los Angeles to Rancho Santa Fe. I remember driving down
Via de la Valle for the first time toward our new home in the Ranch thinking how
beautiful the eucalyptus trees were hanging over the road. I was pregnant with
my son and driving this huge U-haul with some of my past cluttered in the back
in packed boxes. I had no idea then what to expect. I had never heard of Rancho
Santa Fe. To be honest, I thought it sounded like a place in New Mexico. Tears
were streaming down my cheeks as I drove quietly to my new home. I must admit, I
was apprehensive and afraid. What kind of life would I find in San
Diego?

Jill Sorge and Columnist-Machel Penn Shull-fast friends since 1999

On April 3, Ranch resident Jackson Bernard Tuck (my son!)
celebrated his 11th birthday party at the Ultra Zone Laser Tag down in San
Diego. I had the good fortune of driving two of his buddies — Brett Vitale and
Brandon Catledge — along with Jackson down to the party.

Jackson Tuck's 11th Birthday party in San Diego

We met his other good
friends Matthew Sorge, Chloe Temple, Atiana Smith, Holden and Reese MacDonald at
the location. I included an exuberant group photo of them from that day and one
of me with Jill Sorge — my very first friend in Rancho Santa Fe. Thanks to all
of his good friends for coming out and making the day perfect.

New York Times Best Selling Author, Luanne Rice coming to La Lolla

Meeting My favorite American Author-Luanne Rice, in “Machel’s Ranch.”

Sometimes life takes time to heal. There could even be a few moments when it feels like
the gray clouds won’t break. But when we least expect it, a ray of sunlight will
find us and remind us that this world is still a beautiful place. Dreams can
come true.

Columnist-Machel Penn Shull meets her favorite American author-Luanne Rice

Of course, I am speaking from my own personal experiences recently. I
am speaking of loss from last year and how circumstances can change our outlook
when weren’t prepared for the change.

This week in my column I feel so
lucky to share with you a dream-come-true moment for me. How this day brought
the hope back to my eyes and showed me passages and chapters in my own journey.
How what we cannot change will change us forever but there are gifts in unseen
circumstances that can teach us beautiful life lessons. Don’t forget to keep
believing in your fondest desires. When you least expect it, your shining moment
could unfold for you, too.

Around town

On Jan. 7,
Mille Fleurs’ bartender Jill Drouin invited my husband and I over for dinner.
Can you say gourmet cook and should enter one of those cooking reality shows?
Jill made us a delicious exotic salad with European cheeses, candied pecans on
top of mixed wild greens. Sounds simple but so mouth wateringly delicious. The
main course was a risotto with candied pumpkin squash in a white sauce. Then
boyfriend Paul Savage, Robin and I enjoyed a fun game of Scrabble and discussed
things like the Droid verses the iPhone. I have included a gorgeous shot of Jill
and Paul for my column. I might add that Jill and I bonded two years back when
we went skydiving together. You could say an experience like that could make
anyone become fast friends!

On Jan. 10, I had the incredible privilege to meet my favorite author walking this planet,

New York Times Bestseller, Luanne Rice.

New York Times Best Selling author, Luanne Rice

If you haven’t discovered her trademark fiction novels yet, she has
written 30 novels and is promoting her next novel, “Silver Boat,” which comes
out in April 2011. The back story on this meeting is quite contemporary really.
We became friends on Facebook five years ago, becoming pen pals via the
Internet. So imagine me this month finally meeting my mentor in the writing
world as I walked across the San Diego Convention Center in the midst of the
Library Conference coming face to face with Luanne. I am sharing with you my ray
of light moment that reminded me that little dreams do come true on occasion.
Coincidentally, 12 years ago when I started reading Luanne’s novels, I had no
idea we would become friends through a social networking. Luanne in is even more lovely in person.

 

What I love about Luanne Rice’s books is her ability to place emotion, heart and soul in her characters and the plots of her stories. As an avid fiction reader, Luanne tops my list of writers.  Take my advice, don’t miss
out on Luanne’s newest novel, “Silver Boat.” There is indeed a silver lining
inside this beautiful novel. I had the privilege of reading the unedited version
last year. Here is a link to her website: http://luannerice.net/2011/01/book-lovers/

"The Silver Boat" by Luanne Rice

On Jan. 13, the assistant advertising manager and my good
friend Krista Lafferty attended the grand opening event of Massage Heights in
Encinitas. Ranch residents, this is an amazingly short drive to this new
wonderful business that caters to relaxation at its finest. Heavy thread count
sheets are just one of the perks you might miss at other locations. I met owner
Dean Goldschmidt and Retreat Director Brenda Videnoff that night. Krista and I
received a private tour of all of the rooms and then enjoyed fabulous
finger-foods with other invited guests. I have included two photos from this
event.

On Jan. 14, the fifth-grade class at R. Roger Rowe Elementary
participated in The Walk Through the American Revolution. I was thrilled to
watch the three competing classes re-enact this monumental moment in U.S.
history. Each classmate was asked to memorize certain vocabulary words, plus act
out what character they were assigned. I’ve never seen more enthusiastic
children that actually seemed to care and love being in school that
afternoon.

I have included a photo from that day. Congratulations to the
R. Roger Rowe fifth grade class members and to your exuberant spirits. I walked
away inspired.

Later that evening, my husband I and joined previous ad
manager Denny Fallon in celebrating the purchase of his new beautiful condo in
Old Towne San Diego. Denny is a fabulous host. He made a delicious fish with
pasta, and fresh Dungeness crabmeat with homemade cocktail sauce for his guests.
Charlene Done and Johnny Nipkur were also there celebrating the start to a
wonderful year to Mr. Denny Fallon. I have included one photograph from that
evening.

On Jan. 16, I drove to Fairbanks to pick up my son from a
sleepover he had in the Ranch. Tony and Jill Sorge have been Ranch residents for
years. Their son Matthew is one of Jackson’s closest friends. Tony is actively
involved in The Rancho Santa Fe Little League, and had a championship under his
belt from 2006. He will definitely be assisting this year again. I have included
this photo of Tony with my husband Robin from that beautiful sunny day in the
Ranch. Tony had just shown us his own personal batting cage he had built that
even had a radar detector for pitching! Now that’s what I call first class
practice for any lucky boy.

Thanks so much for letting me share that day
with the readers Tony, and good luck this season.

Denny Fallon-A wonderful person and great friend~