Thursday, February 3, 2022

Elaine Lolli 1951-2022

"May 27, 2013, marks the start of a blog that I have been discussing with friends and co-workers for quite a while. As an avid reader, I'm often asked, 'What book are you reading now?' or 'Can you make a recommendation?'

 And so, TheEZBookNook was born!"

In 2013, my mother requested help to start a book review blog.  She was an avid reader, but unfortunately technology challenged.  We discussed the nature of the blog, its title (all her idea), how to make posts, and how to format pictures and text (something she never really figured out).  On May 27, 2013, she sat down at a computer for the first time and wrote the words you see above.  

My mother devoured books.  She made weekly trips to the library, constantly exchanging old books for new ones (She had 27 books on reserve at the time of her passing - a list which would likely be entirely replaced in a month).  For almost eight years, she tread a well worn path from her chair in the family room to her computer in the office to draft and re-draft reviews.  Initially, she would agonize over each sentence, sending my brother and I copies to ensure that each word made sense.  She was critical of her writing regardless of how many read it.

She quickly developed confidence.  I stopped receiving drafts, she posted more frequently, and her friends read her work.  My mother called me, and with child like excitement in her voice, shared where in the world people read her reviews.  She was enthralled with the idea that others listened to her opinion and it provided new vigor for her writing.  She made business cards, passing along copious amounts to anyone that would take them and always keeping a heaping pile in her purse.  

At some point, others noticed her work as well.  My mother periodically published condensed reviews in the Columbus Dispatch.  Despite her repeated publication, it never stopped her from sending a picture of the article to my brother and I .  Eventually, publishers sent her advanced copies of books for reviews.  What started as a fun way to pass the time became a passion.  Her only wish was to get paid for one review, even if it was just $20.  I desperately wish I could have made that happen. 

The homepage of her blog tells me that she had 273 posts.  I have no doubt that number would have swelled if she was given the chance.  At the time of her passing, my mother was in the middle of Gytha Lodge's "Lie Beside Me."  I never discussed the book with her, but I heard she enjoyed it.  I plan to finish it in her memory.  I hope you will too.  

I could write pages and pages on what my mother meant to me, but my brother described her better than I ever could.  I loved her dearly and miss her immensely.  More than anything, I am proud to be her son.  

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

"The Holiday Switch"


"The Holiday Switch" by Tif Marcelo

Senior year of high school is looking pretty spectacular for
Lila Santos. Hard work and determination have paid off
for this young lady with lofty goals. 

She's been accepted into Syracuse University, her dream
school, and hopes to pick up extra hours at the Bookworm
Inn during the upcoming holiday break to help with all
those college expenses. The Inn, a snug, little slice of 
heaven, sits in the center of Holly, New York, a picturesque
postcard of a town, where the famous movie, Holiday by 
the Lake, was filmed years ago.

What people don't know about Lila, is that she is the anonymous
author of a popular book blog with a loyal following. Writing is a 
secret passion, one that her parents would vehemently oppose,
considering their distaste for social media. No harm in keeping
this one, little truth from the people she loves.

But plans often hit a snag, and Lila's comes in the form of a 
flirtatious, attractive young man by the name of Teddy Rivera.
He's the nephew of the Inn's owner, and, unfortunately, he'll be
taking some of Lila's hours while she trains him. Sparks fly 
between them, and infuriatingly exasperating as Teddy can be, 
the mutual attraction is undeniable. One day, when they 
accidentally switch phones, Lila discovers she's not the only 
one hiding a secret. Together, the teenagers learn that facing fear
and uncertainty brings clarity to what lies ahead. It's a recipe for
a growing friendship that just might lead to sweet romance.

Young Adult readers will enjoy this delightfully entertaining 
paperback that captures the essence of what it means to be a 
family. But other readers will also find it to be a light and fun addition
to the festive season head. The story examines the interaction of two, 
vibrant Filipino American teenagers who learn that dreams and 
aspirations don't always fall in line with what their parents might
choose for them, and honesty goes a long way in achieving
happiness. 

And be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book, that
describe how she's managed to pursue two careers while putting
love of family at the heart of it all, much like the special
characters she's created in this rom-com called "The Holiday Switch".










 






 

Friday, October 1, 2021

"The Santa Suit"


"The Santa Suit" by Mary Kay Andrews 

Christmas comes early in this charming novella guaranteed to
warm your heart with holiday cheer. 

When Ivy Perkins arrives at Four Roses Farm, she can't help but
wonder if she's made a huge, impulsive mistake. Buying this old,
dilapidated home, sight unseen, in the tiny town of Tarburton,
North Carolina, seemed at the time to be just what she needed
for this new chapter in her life. But maybe leaving bustling
Atlanta was nothing more than a colossal, bad decision after her
recent, emotionally-charged divorce.

It's too late now, so along with her loyal pooch, Punkin, Ivy begins 
the overwhelming task of sifting through the piles of leftover 
mementoes and junk from the previous owner. And in one closet, she
finds a treasure; a vintage, plush, velvet Santa suit with a fervent note 
in a pocket. Written in a childlike scrawl, the author asks for her
daddy to return home from war, to make her mama smile again. 

Ivy sets out with steadfast curiosity to find out the story behind the
letter that touches her heart. Along the way, she meets characters
who reconnect after precious years apart, while welcoming her 
into their community with open arms. That definitely includes a
handsome realtor who seems to have been waiting forever for a lovely
stranger to arrive at this precise time in his life. Ivy's second chance 
at love, and belonging, are hers for the taking. 

An endearing, winsome prelude to the magic of the Christmas season,
this feel-good mystery/romance, set in a winter wonderland, and oozing
with joy, is the perfect start to your holiday reading. 




 











Tuesday, August 24, 2021

"Not a Happy Family"

 "Not a Happy Family" by Shari Lapena 

Money, Money, Money.

Fred and Sheila Merton have lots of it. Just look at their
magnificent home in the exclusive Brecken Hill estates in
upstate New York. Fred's shrewd acumen for business has
afforded him the life of luxury. 

But behind the scenes, the walls of this splendid home would
tell a story of a dysfunctional family with a vindictive, often cruel
patriarch, and a detached mother who couldn't be bothered with 
the monumental task of raising three very different children,
all longing for unconditional love.

The annual, obligatory Easter dinner this year with Fred, Sheila, their 
grown children and significant others, is especially contentious. And 
that night, after all the angry goodbyes, an unknown intruder bludgeons
Fred and Sheila to death, in what police describe as a vicious and 
brutal crime. Clearly someone hated the Mertons with a passion. 

The grieving children, of course, are overwhelmed with shock and
sorrow. But are they really? As recipients of a sizable inheritance, it
isn't long before investigators target each, or all of them, as prime 
suspects in their parents' violent demise. The millions coming their 
way would certainly solve insurmountable problems, but first the 
police have to prove it. 

The Merton family is about as unhappy as a family can be. And it's
been that way for a long time. Just ask Irena, the loyal housekeeper
and nanny who quietly observes every little thing that goes on.
She knows exactly what each child has endured throughout their 
childhoods. As adults, they're all hiding tawdry, salacious secrets, but who 
actually had the motive and means to carry out such a cold-hearted, 
dastardly deed? Then again, maybe the kids weren't the only ones
about to become filthy rich. 

Expect to be thrown off the trail time and time again, until the last
few pages in this fun, one sitting, whodunit with a divinely, delicious
ending.








Friday, August 13, 2021

"We Are the Brennans"

"We Are the Brennans" by Tracey Lange 

Potent secrets and lies by omission threaten to tear apart
a close-knit Irish Catholic family, when one of them returns
to face her painful past. 

Sunday Brennan's decision to drive after an alcohol-fueled
night of partying, forces her to call on the only person who
just might come to her rescue, brother, Denny. Quite a
favor to ask since Sunday suddenly moved five years ago
to Southern California with a flimsy story about a job 
opportunity, leaving her entire family in shock along with
jilted fiance, Kyle. Little do they know, the promise of a
new and exciting life on the West Coast, was only a flimsy
excuse to escape from something she never wanted revealed.  

Denny doesn't hesitate to fly cross country to her hospital bed,
bringing his sister back to the only home she's ever really known
in West Manor, New York. And it's here, where her bruised and 
battered injuries slowly heal, that Sunday is forced to revisit the 
half-truths and shame she's endured for so long. 

In many ways, it's like time has stood still for the Brennan family
since Sunday abruptly left her parents, siblings, and extended 
family to supposedly follow her dream of becoming a writer.
Denny's dealing with a recent separation from a wife and child he
adores, while preparing to open a second family pub with Kyle, who
moved on with a new wife and son after Sunday left him broken-
hearted. Their father Mickey, now old and frail, still rules with a
silent hand, and Shane, the sibling with special needs, is simply
thrilled to have his beloved sister back home.

As the bittersweet homecoming evolves, Sunday becomes more 
determined to start over, even if it means enduring the resentment
that her family has fostered over the last few years. She soon
realizes that they need her support as much as she craves the
closeness they once shared. Financial woes, brought on by Denny,
along with a dangerous scoundrel from way back when, are just a
few of the obstacles standing in the way of Sunday's redemption.
Their survival as a family is dependent on finally exposing agonizing
memories that have festered for so long. 

With a vast array of vulnerable characters that are certain to make 
you feel all sorts of emotions, this passionate drama about family 
loyalty, reminds us that it's never too late to forgive and make amends 
when it involves the people you love. 









 


 

Friday, July 9, 2021

"The Last Commandment"


"The Last Commandment" by Scott Shepherd 
 
It's Christmas in London, but the anticipation and sparkle of the season 
escapes Scotland Yard detective, Austin Grant. Unfulfilled dreams and
regrets haunt him every day since his treasured wife, Allison, died of 
cancer. 

After the New Year, the respected Commander will retire from a distinguished 
career that often took him away from his family. What's left, are bittersweet
memories with pride in a job well done. Austin knows he made a difference
with a devoted wife always by his side. But the unexplained, strained 
relationship he now has with his only daughter, Rachel, a shrewd, investigative
reporter living in New York City, continues to puzzle him, considering the 
closeness they once shared.  

Before he leaves a stellar career behind, dire news brings him back to the 
center of a hideous crime spree. An elusive, serial killer has randomly 
murdered three, innocent victims in London. The assassin then crosses the
sea to viciously take the life of a priest inside the magnificent St. Patrick's
Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan. And the details of his demise, just like
the others, are chilling.  

The disturbed killer leaves a distinctive calling card. Each victim has a set
of  Roman numerals gruesomely etched into their foreheads corresponding 
to an offense against one of the Ten Commandments. Four down, six to go. 
It's a race against time to warn potential targets that a devious mind is intent
on eliminating sinners one by one with The Holy Bible as witness to the crimes. 

When travels take Austin to New York City, he meets another capable cop, 
John Frankel, who's introduced to a certain hot-shot reporter close to 
Austin's heart. As Rachel becomes a vital part of the investigation, the wall
of the father/daughter estrangement begins to crumble. An incredulous truth,
lurking behind painful secrets, puts everyone in peril, as a deranged individual 
inches closer to the end goal.  

Accomplished screenwriter, Scott Shepherd, scores a hit with his debut novel,
creating dynamic characters, and heart-pounding scenarios. Centered around
a vulnerable, but likeable cop, the protagonist is someone that fans will 
undoubtedly want to follow in future adventures. Brisk chapters, gory but 
addictive, and an enticing plot (with a touch of romance), make this mystery 
thriller a welcome addition to your reading list. 

Check it out when it's released on July 13th. 



 

 

 








 

Monday, June 7, 2021

"The Plot"

"The Plot" by Jean Hanff Korelitz

There was a time when Jacob Finch Bonner basked in the
spotlight of penning a popular novel that earned him the
honor of being called an up-and-coming, promising, new author. 

But writers are only as good as their next book in progress.

Jacob hit writer's block a long time ago, and now finds himself 
teaching in the MFA program of  a mediocre college in northern
Vermont, living the monotonous life of a has-been, always hoping
inspiration will strike him when he least expects it.  

His job is to guide and mentor students who aspire to excel in his 
creative writing class. He reads and critiques their submissions,
then encourages others to provide honest, constructive advice. 
Most days, Jacob can barely do what his paycheck requires, but he's
good at pretending, and a smiling face pays the rent.

Then arrogant Evan Parker arrives for the requisite meeting with his
once illustrious professor, scoffing at any help Jacob gives him, insisting
that his novel-to-be has a plot that will sell millions and make him
famous. 

When Jacob finally reads the rough draft, he knows Evan is right. How could
an amateur with a lousy attitude and raw talent come up with a winner like this?
And so Jacob waits for the book to be published, but it never happens, spurring
him to find out why. A little research reveals that Evan Parker met an untimely
death, undoubtedly taking that incredible story with him to his grave. 

So, three years later, Jacob takes the story and makes it his own. Crib brings him
a level of success he always dreamed of, with packed book signings, radio
interviews, and adulation from fellow writers. When a silver-haired beauty later 
becomes his wife, life seems to be pretty close to perfection. He justifies what he's
done by telling himself that he, and he alone, took a fascinating story and turned 
it into a tale that millions are flocking to read. 

But then comes the day when Jacob receives a cryptic message saying 
"You are a thief", that suddenly changes everything. He continues to enjoy fame,
and the whirlwind of meeting admiring fans, while experiencing the pressure to 
grind out another hit release. A persisting, nagging feeling that the past is catching 
up to him just won't go away. Secretly, he begins to delve into the tumultuous life 
of Evan Parker in an attempt to learn who is behind what appears to be extortion. 
And as the pieces begin to fall into place, a chilling discovery turns Jacob's 
uneasiness into terrifying fear. 

This gripping thriller takes the reader on a suspense-filled ride that is truly hard
to put down, especially as the "Plot" begins to slowly unravel with its brilliantly
shrewd twists and turns. It's an incredibly good summer read. 

Kirkus Reviews predicts this one will be flying off the shelves, and I couldn't agree
more.