Yarn to Go by Betty Hetchman

Casey, who is a baker by trade, ends up taking over a knitting retreat after her aunt that had died.  Casey knew nothing about knitting, at all.  It was an interesting group and quite a struggle in the beginning.  People from different backgrounds, different knitting abilities, and different problems.  Then add I to the mix a murder and it was quite a weekend.  It wasn't predictable and Hetchman worked the characters really well and wrapped things up even better.  This is a first in a series so I am curious as to what will come next.

Sit! Stay! Speak! by Annie Englad Nobin

Addie inherited her aunt's house in Alabama.  She took this opportunity to get out of Chicago, escape some difficult memories and get some things in order.  She was there a short time and rescued a dog that in the end really rescued her.  Because of her curiosity she did not stay on the good side of some folks and got into some sticky situations.  She made friends and made it through the difficult times.  This book had very good flow and was a very easy and enjoyable read.  I really did not want it to end.

My Cat Spit McGee by Willie Morris

From someone whom was a consumate dog lover turned cat lover.  When Willie found out his future wife was a cat lover he wondered what he was going to do.  Over the course of time he fell in love with cats and there would be several at a time in his home.  He tried to figure them out, try to train them like a dog and learned that cats had their own way.  Willie is a great story teller and I laughed a lot.  If you are an animal lover of any sort you will enjoy this book!

Water Witches by Chris Bohjalian

This author never disappoints.   He takes challenging subjects and creates a wonderful story.  Scottie is an attorney for the local ski mountain and they want to do an expansion.   Vermont is having one of the worst droughts on record, an elusive animal was spotted on the mountains and jobs are needed.  His wife and daughter are dowsers and have their own things going on as well.  The story line weaves the mysticism of dowsing,  environmental issues and personal struggle is making the right decision.  Told beautifully and very touching.

Cocktails for Three by Madeline Wickham

What a fun story about three women who get together once a month for cocktials.  They all work together is some way shape or form and have a great time kicking back.  They each have very separate lives and each in their own way starts to fall apart.  Through each of their own distress they don't communicate well with each other and are not there when they need each other the most.  They find their way, but it is difficult.  A very enjoyable book full of laughter and emotion.

The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand

It is amazing how things can spiral out of control with what people think they hear.  A visitor becomes someone you are having an affair with.  The gardener becomes the father of an unborn child of a married woman.  Pictures are shared that are meant to be private.  Without speaking to the person you can ruin their lives and reputations.  Hildebrand does an amazing job developing the characters, twisting the plots and just reeling you in.  She never disappoints.

men and dogs by Katie Crouch

Hannah has never come to grips with the fact that her father drown.  Twenty years after it has happened she has ruined her marriage and her business and goes back home to recover from a fall.  This visit home rekindles her desire to prove her father was alive. As good as the book sounds it was quite a disappointment.  The writing was okay but there was nothing like about the characters, the situation or the ending.  I made my way through the book but it was not enjoyable.