Author:  Rosalind Noonan                    
Publisher:  Kennsington
Pages:  352
Genre:  Fiction
Source:  Edelweiss

Goodreads:    Chelsea Maynard has spent her lifetime planning for the much awaited start of her family, the joy of caring for a new life in the world, the intimacy of bonding with a child. But after a difficult birth, her careful planning is shattered by exhaustion. Numbness replaces her connection to the people around her and the baby daughter who needs her. Her husband Leo Green, her sister Emma and friends keep telling her she’s not herself, but no one can seem to help her find her way back to the happiness that had warmed her life before little Annabelle came along.

When Leo heads off for a business trip, Chelsea is overwhelmed by the endless duties of caring for a crying baby and the dark mood that pulls her down, immobilizing her. Her sister says it’s postpartum depression, but the doctor passes it off as the baby blues and encourages her to get exercise and eat right. Easy for him to say. He doesn’t have a soft, pink baby shrieking at the top of her lungs, eliciting looks of annoyance and horror at the park and the grocery store. Chelsea’s collapse is inevitable, but what’s the harm in letting a baby cry it out? She collapses in bed. Restored by sleep, Chelsea goes to the crib in the morning but finds it empty.

Her baby is gone?

Maybe she left her in the stroller…or the swing…or the bouncy chair? But her panicked search turns up no sign of Annabelle. 

 Her baby is gone…

And Chelsea doesn’t have a clue as to who would have taken her away.

When the police respond with a thorough search and endless questions, Chelsea realizes she can’t clearly recall the details of that night. Why can’t she remember? Has she blocked it out? Could she have done something to make her own baby stop crying? Did she act on the dark visions that have paraded through her fractured mind?

The race is on to find baby Annabelle. Time is of the essence in a case like this. Her baby is out there…somewhere…and Chelsea is determined to cooperate with the police, even if the evidence points right back to her.


Ope’s Opinion:  The beginning of the book drug on a little for me.   You know from reading the synopsis that the child is missing, I kept waiting for it to happen.  Rosalind Noonan writes so well, that you root for the characters.
           
                             During the investigation, I felt like I was being lectured to about the profile of a kidnapper of infants.  It did have a small twist as to who the kidnapper was – that was really good.

                            I have read several Noonan books and loved them.  This just wasn’t my favorite and as you see I gave it four chairs.   I will read her again.  She is an awesome writer.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like the book so much I know several friends to share it with.

FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 

      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.

 I was not required to write a positive review

  in exchange for receipt of the book;

         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

                                                       

Author:  Steven Manchester                                        
Publisher:  The Story Plant
Pages:  308
Genre: Fiction
Source:  author – Steven Manchester

Goodreads:  Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s grandmother, Angela DiMartino � who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.

An emotional tale about the strength of family bonds, unconditional love, and the perseverance to do our best with the challenging gifts we receive, GOODNIGHT, BRIAN is an uplifting tribute to what happens when giving up is not an option.


Ope’s Opinion:  The grandmother in this story is very strong and loves unconditionally.  I can only aspire to be like her.  She never gave up on Brian, even when many of those around him did.  Steven wrote the grandmothers voice so authentically, I wonder if he wrote from experiencing a grandmother like her.
                            Reading a story of a child struggling to do things we do on a daily basis so easily made me grateful for my healthy children.  It also gave me insight to people who deal with children with difficulties.  Steven gave you the perspective of both the adult and the child in this situation.
                           
                            It was written so that I rooted for Brian, fell in love with Mama ( the grandmother ) and wanted everyone else to care about these character.

                             I rarely cry while reading a book, but I did with this one.  It all felt so real to me.  I could see what was being written.

                            Overall, great story!  Keep writing Steven and I’ll keep reading!





Rating:  Four Chairs ( maybe four and a half! ) – I like this book so much I know several friends to    
               share it with.  

      




            FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 

Firstborn

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Not My Daughter

Then comes word of two more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily’s best friends-and the town turns to talk of a pact. As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students. As Susan struggles with the implications of her daughter’s pregnancy, her job, financial independence, and long-fought-for dreams are all at risk. 

The emotional ties between mothers and daughters are stretched to breaking in this emotionally wrenching story of love and forgiveness. Once again, Barbara Delinsky has given us a powerful novel, one that asks a central question: What does it take to be a good mother?