Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline

 

Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline-408 pages

Franco dreams of owning his own plantation instead of toiling for someone else and getting nowhere.  He would do anything for the Baron he works for.  One day the baron asks him to kidnap a little boy named Dante; unknowingly setting into motion the making of the world's first Mafia family.  A book that takes you to the early history of Sicily and the rigid class system that ruled at the time.  It gives us a glimpse into a horrible madhouse where Dante is held for many years.  Gratefully there are also good people that come to his aid...but they find him too late for his family. 

Lots of characters and family dynamics.  Violence, corruption and heartbreak.  A good read, I give it 4 out of  5 stars.

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron-327 pages

Others have already reviewed this since it was our Book to Movie club.  It's a very sweet story as told from the dogs perspective.  After reading this I actually looked at my own dog differently!  They are the most loving, loyal creatures on the planet.  I enjoyed the book very much..though at times it seemed far fetched!

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens  by Colleen Coble  pages 341


Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.
Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame-181 pages

This is the story of the adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad and their friends. Toad goes from a frivolous, conceited being to being a humble, changed Toad, which, along with friendship and loyalty is the moral of the story. I enjoyed reading this, even though the target audience is children. It's cool that the author, Kenneth Grahame, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, since I have been there and it an interesting, historic city. I thought I had read this as a kid, but reading it now I don't remember. I wanted to read this for animals month, but didn't get it finished in time. However, I decided to finish it anyway.

Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride

Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride - 344 pages

Sam's life isn't getting any better.  He's just getting used to being a necromancer with a ghost, werewolves, and a werebear as friends.  Now his mentor has been killed and it looks like another necromancer did it. 
This is the sequel to Hold Me Closer, Necromancer.  I liked this one better.  It did take the first third of the book for setup.  It jumped right into the story.  I did think the characterization of the enemy was off - especially considering his past.

One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, 224 pages
(A 2014-2015 Truman Award Nominee)

Being a foster kid is hard. You feel a loyalty to your family but you also create a bond with your foster family. A severe beating lands 12 year old Carley Connors and her mother in the hospital.  When Carley recovers, she is placed in foster care with the Murphy family. At first, she is reluctant to let them in but after some time she grows attached to Julie Murphy and her three sons. The relationship between Mr. Murphy and Carley is a little more complicated as Carley doesn't trust men. The shame that some foster children feel is portrayed through Carley in her interactions at school and in the home. The desire for something better and the loyalty to return to your own family is also underlined. This story will tug at your heart and soul as you read through the emotions, thoughts and feelings that a young foster child goes through. The author definitely did her homework on foster children and foster care.