“Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson

This character-driven story about family, Caribbean cultural heritage, relationships, and racism, focuses on adult siblings, Byron and Benny, who have been estranged, but are brought together by their mother’s death, only to learn upsetting secrets from her past. As they struggle with their confusion, anger, personal choices, and possible futures, the story of their mother, Eleanor, intertwines and reveals truths that help them open up to possibilities, and find the beginning of healing. 4 Stars (Wonderful book.)

“A Christmas Carol Murder” by Heather Redmond

I loved the premise of this book with Charles Dickens solving crimes in 1835 London, alongside his fiancé Kate, but despite the many historical details and the clever characters linked to Dicken’s later writings, the story seemed to drag on to the finish.  When Charles, Kate, and their friends go Christmas caroling. a man named Mr. Harley, found wrapped in chains, falls right in front of them from the window of a home owned by old Mr. Screws, which leads Dickens to search for the murder while at the same time sorting out personal affairs that threaten his engagement. 3 Stars (Fairly good read)

“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett

The fact that I listened to this novel read by Meryl Streep, only heightened the enjoyment of this heartwarming story of love and hope, of all that it means to be a family, of life choices made and avoided, and of the way children view the story of their parents’ lives.  During stressful harvest time on the family-run business of a Michigan cherry farm, Lara recalls her past for her twenty-something daughters, detailing her time as an actress doing summer stock, and as the
story unfolds, not only do we learn about Peter Duke, who later became a celebrity, but we also glimpse Lara’s coming of age story, and the heart of the loving family circle she now enjoys. 41/2 Stars