Many of you in the blog world might know Mary Lee from her blog, Full Fathom Five.  I first "met" her about 2 years ago when I came across her blog and the current entry told of how she'd lost her beloved dog.  I felt the loss and compassion in her words and felt compelled to leave a comment and email her privately.  Since that time, we've become good friends and discovered we had much in common.  One of which was our desire to get our work published.  So I was thrilled to hear last year that this had been accomplished by Mary Lee.

And just a few weeks ago, her profound memoir was released.  I'd already pre-ordered it on Amazon and was anxious to read it.  And read it, I did......in one day!  I simply couldn't put it down.  So yes, it's a definite page-turner.

Mary Lee has flawlessly combined history, a romance, loss and redemption into a wonderful story.   Jim Coe was commander of a submarine lost at sea during WWII seven months before Mary Lee was born.  Her mother quickly remarried into a troubled relationship and Mary Lee's father was never mentioned.  It wasn't until her mother passed away in 1997 that Mary Lee began a search to "construct" a father she never knew.

Having grown up with a father that I was extremely close to, I felt a deep sadness for a woman who never had the chance to know her biological father.  And during my growing up years, I heard many stories about WWII and the fact that my father was part of the Normandy Invasion.  The older I got, the more I learned about the war in Europe.  But something that I never knew much about at all was the part that the submarines played in the Pacific during the war.

So it was with great excitement that I read about this in Mary Lee's story.  She was able to write in layman's terms about the patrols and day to day danger that was involved.  I was astounded by the volumes of research that she did in order to get her story correct.  She searched through old ships' logs, letters, naval communication, visited submarine museums, the Naval Academy and interviewed old friends and crew members that knew her dad and mom.  And all of her work culminates into her exquisite writing to share with her readers.

Mary Lee tells the emotional side of the story that affected not only her mother, but her sister and brother who were ages six and two when their father was lost at sea.  I was beyond impressed with the fact that she writes all of it without placing blame and without leaving the reader feeling sad.  I will admit though, there were parts of the story in reference to the brass where I got mighty angry.  But this author doesn't allow the anger to linger, because with her positive attitude and superb writing she allows the reader to do what she did.....move forward.

This book isn't just informational, it's uplifting and refreshing.  And when I read that final page, I knew I still hadn't finished it "in my head."  It was extremely thought provoking and in my opinion.....THAT is an excellent book.  One that leaves you still thinking about it days later.  And that's exactly what Full Fathom Five did to me.

Did she "find" her father, you might ask?  Well........I'll leave you to read the book for that answer.  However, not knowing Mary Lee as well as other friends that I've had for years, I will say this.......without a doubt, she IS her father's daughter.  And as I read the book and discovered little ways in which I connected the both of them......their love for dogs, their love for the sea, their diplomacy in social situations......it left me feeling joyful and gratified that this daughter's search had proved there is a very special bond between fathers and daughters.

My thanks goes to Mary Lee for enabling her readers to also come to know Jim Coe.....a very special man.  One that I know I would have liked.  And a man I'm sure she's very proud to call her father.

Do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Amazon so you can also get to know Jim Coe.

See you here next time..........

I discovered this author on My Space.  "One Dance in Paris" is actually her second novel.  And......Julia Holden is a pseudonym.  Now isn't that intriguing?  Hmm, so who really is Julia Holden?  I have no idea....except from what I've read about her, she's involved with Hollywood as an Executive and I read that she isn't using her real name for personal and professional reasons.  As I said......very intriguing.  And I won't lie, I love a mystery.  And okay, okay.......I'm also nosey.  But she's real, because Julia very nicely accepted my invitation on My Space to be my "friend."  Yeah, I know.....she might be my friend, but I really don't "know" her.  That's okay.......on My Space, that's allowed.  Especially for us authors.

All of this aside, lets get back to the book........in one word I thought it was spectacular!  I loved it.  I didn't want it to end.  I enjoyed every single page.

The main character, Linda Stone, barely remembered her mother.  She died when Linda was a baby.  But what she discovers about the woman who gave her life was way more than she bargained for.  Her mother was a famous.....and infamous.....international showgirl.  Her mother wore glittering high-heeled sandals.......and a dress that was barely there.  A dress that gave her the power to become the talk of the town, the queen of Paris, the star of the Folies Bergere.

As many of you know, I'm originally from the Boston area.  The character in the novel is from Somerville, Mass. which is where the story begins.  Many of you also know that I'm a confirmed Francophile and my favorite place in the world is Paris.  The character ends up in Paris.  So you're probably thinking, "well, sure, of course Terri would love this book."  While that added to the story for me, trust me, those aren't the main reasons I loved this book.

When the character takes off for Vegas to begin her journey of searching to learn about her mother, I was right there with her.  I felt like I was standing right behind Linda Stone's shoulder as she met Dixie, one of the first links to her mother.  When she flew to Paris, I was on that Continental flight with her (yes, the author chose Continental as the airline)  And when she arrived in the City of Light, I was just a few steps in back of her as she walked Rue Cadet, Rue Richer, Montmartre and everywhere else. Not because I've also strolled those streets, but because this author brought it all alive......whether you've been there or not.  When she met Claudine, the last link to her mother, I felt like I was meeting a real French woman by this name.  Because that's how vividly this author captures her characters.

Holden's writing is both witty and poignant.  But above all, it's real.  She's spot-on when it comes to character development.  And knowing Paris as well as I do, it was very gratifying to see how authentic her descriptions were of everything from street locations to the French culture.

The story itself was unique, refreshing, entertaining and satisfying.  All good things must come to an end.......just as this story did.  But it doesn't mean I have to like it.  I hated to close that final page.  And I have to say, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a novel about Paris as much as I did this one.

But the good news is, I've already ordered Holden's debut novel, A Dangerous Dress.  And I'm anxiously looking forward to losing myself in her writing once again.

So if you're looking for an extremely enjoyable book, whether you're a Francophile or not, do yourself a favor and get this one!  I don't think you'll be sorry.

See you here next time..............

Isn't that a great title for a book?  And isn't this a great cover?

Like most readers, I admit I'm pretty picky about my reading choices.  I love a great story, with characters that I feel I know when I finish that last page.  I like stories that have meaning, take me "away" (like that old Calgon commercial) or make me think.  And if the stories make me smile or laugh, all the better.  I even don't mind having a box of tissues next to me as I read along. (Think:  Marley and Me)

As you might recall, I got together with this author recently and bought a few copies of her latest novel.  I began reading it Sunday morning and literally couldn't put it down.  I finished it Monday morning.  It's been quite awhile since I enjoyed a book that much.

So what was it that grabbed me like that?  Everything about it.  Here's what the jacket blurb says on the back:

                                    When Skye Sebring, a hospitality greeter inside the pearly gates of Heaven, meets

                                    lawyer Ryan Blaine during his brush with death after a motorcycle accident, she

                                    falls so deeply in love that she follows him back to Earth, a world with strange

                                    customs she knows nothing about--until she discovers that all of life's lessons can

                                    be learned from the lyrics of five Beatles songs.

I admit.....when I first read that, I thought, "Hmm, sounds a bit silly."  Silly, it is NOT!  I must say that this little jacket blurb really doesn't do the entire novel full justice.  There's so much more to the story.  I did love the fact that the main character was a "hospitality greeter in Heaven."  I mean, come on, how many of those characters do you get to meet?  And that's how the entire story struck me.  The author came up with a very clever plot and I'm amazed at the ability of her imagination.  It's creativity at it's best, in my opinion.

Karin's writing is superb.  The story moves along at a very fast clip and has you turning pages to see what will happen next. (Hence, why I devoured it in 24 hours!) The characters are not only "real" (yes, even the Heavenly ones) but they make you feel happy to know them. 

I was really captivated with the author's concept and description of Heaven......When you check in there, everybody gets a "WishBerry."  She states in the book, "In Heaven, you can wish for anything you want, and, abracadabra, it appears!"  So that means all of us have to wait to leave Earth to get ones of those, I think.

And Earthly Pleasures?  That's a special television channel that they have in Heaven.  That's where we can check up on what's happening to our loved ones here on Earth.  (Personally, I just love the thought of that!)

You'll meet Skye's client, 13-year old Chelsea, who entered Heaven before her time due to a skateboarding accident without a helmet.  And also Rhianna, Skye's best friend in Heaven and a whole cast of other characters, both earth-bound and celestial. 

When Skye gets the chance to return to earth, she must attend Dr. Mullins class, Earth 101.  This is where she learns about the Beatles songs and I have to say this was one of my favorite parts of the book.  The author has woven five of life's very important lessons into the lyrics.

The novel is humorous, witty, poignant and beyond entertaining.  I loved the life lessons from Earth 101, and the way the author wove them into her story was just part of the charm.  I believe in angels (very strongly) I believe that those who have passed on before us pay us visits here on earth in many various ways and now, I'd like to believe that Heaven is exactly as this author tells us it is.

Karin's latest release leaves the reader feeling delightfully entertained when that final page is read.  If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, I strongly recommend you get a copy at your local book store or Amazon.com.  And you can visit Karin's website at:  www.karenneches.com

See you here next time..........

I had a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weekend......and here it is Monday again already!

Ray and I attended the dedication of the Sculpture Garden (above) at the Arts Center Saturday evening.  It was very nice and a chance to socialize and gab with everyone. A lot of work and dedication went into creating the garden and it now provides a beautiful and restful spot in downtown Cedar Key.

 Upstairs in the Arts Center was the gallery opening and reception for this month.......Connie Nelson has lived on the island almost thirty years and is a mixed media artist with extraordinary talent.   Her work displayed both a sense of humor and the serious tone of her pieces following 9/11. 

Arts Center members also had their art displayed in the Members Gallery and I was pleased to see a wonderful piece by my friend Joyce's son, Thomas.  And I'm ashamed to say I didn't manage to snap a photo of his wonderful work.

All of the work will be on display at the Arts Center through the month of April, so if you're in town, do plan to stop by there.  This coming weekend is our annual Arts Festival which everyone looks forward to.

Saturday was also a red-letter day for me.............my signed contract from Kensington arrived along with the first portion of my advance.  I can now say that I'm officially on board and a Kensington author.  And yes.......how sweet it is! 

My webmistress is doing a fantastic job with my new website and I'm very pleased.  Still a bit more work to be done, but it won't be long before I'll be releasing it to the public.

Yesterday it poured for the entire day on the island.  It just made everything a more vivid shade of green and brought forth even more blossoms on trees and bushes.  It was also a great day to curl up with a good book and that's exactly what I did.  It was so good that I finished it in 24 hours. 

So join me here next time and I'll tell you all about it.  See you then...........

My birthday was March 19 and when Ray asked me what I'd like, my reply was a whiny "I don't know."  I really didn't.  I didn't need jewelry, clothes, tech-related items or any of the usual birthday gifts.  Then it occurred to me, I know what I'd like.  MORE book shelves!

I have bookshelves in the family room that go from a half-wall to the ceiling.  I have a bookcase in the TV room and another bookcase out here in my writers studio.  And ALL of them had books overflowing onto the edge of the shelves, stacked up sideways.

We all have that certain something that we just can't seem to resist.  Doesn't matter how much or how many of it we have.  There's a deep urge to have more.  There's always been one thing I can't resist......books.  Okay......so I lied a bit......I also have a terrible time turning down shoes or handbags that always seem to have my name on them.  But books.......yup, they're my addiction.  So it's not surprising that I've accumulated so many over the years.

So I told Ray I wanted bookshelves for my birthday.  I don't have anymore space for bookcases, but I do still have wall space out here in my studio.  So while I was in Augusta, he purchased some shelves for me and got them up on the wall.

I just love them and took one morning last week to sort through my books.  All the ones that were hanging over the edge of the shelves have now found a new home.  And the best part.......as you can see, I still have some room left for.......of course, MORE books!

See you here next time..........