204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber

Have I mentioned lately that Debbie's books are hard to put down? Well they are! 204 Rosewood Lane is the second book in the Cedar Cove series, and it just so happens to be Grace Sherman's address. We learn more about Grace and her two daughters, Kelly and Maryellen. Dan's, Grace's husband, disappearance really takes the family for a loop. I can't imagine going through that, and not knowing what happened. Another mystery pops up in the town of Cedar Cove too. A stranger shows up at the local bed and breakfast and mysteriously dies during the night. No one knows who he is or what he was doing. But I wouldn't worry too much, Roy McAfee the local PI is on the case. We also meet Zach and Rosie Cox, who are going through a messy divorce.

Again, this was a really good book. I believe I am going to enjoy the whole Cedar Cove series.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

This was such a good book. Last year I had set out to read as many of the classics I could, especially the ones that were set in Victorian times. I just love the Victorian era novels!
When I first started reading this book, I was not convinced that I was going to like it. It moved a little slow for me in the beginning, but it was able to hold my attention and I am glad it did. The story revolves around a young girl named Molly. There are so many lessons we could all learn from Molly when it comes to sacrificing ones own wants and desires for someone else's happiness. Molly is truly a selfless individual who puts others before herself.
Molly's world is taken on a roller coaster ride when her father decides to remarry in order to provide a mother for his only daughter. Molly welcomes a new mother and a sister into her life, and everything changes. This is a story about self sacrifice, patience, innocence, coming of age, and love all rolled into one. I really enjoyed reading this book. The ending is a little abrupt as the author, Elizabeth Gaskell, passed away before completing the story. However, you can tell the direction she was heading with the story line. For anyone who enjoys reading Victorian era novels this is a must read.