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Peters, Elizabeth	Crocodile on the Sandbank
Publication Date	1975
Number of Pages	273
Geographical Setting	Rome, Italy and Egypt
Time Period	1880's
Series	The Amelia Peabody Series (12 books) - Crocodile on the Sandbank; The Curse of the Pharoahs; The Mummy Case; Lion in the Valley; The Deeds of the Disturber; The Last Camel Died at Noon; The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog; The Hippopotamus Pool; Seeing a Large Cat; The Ape Who Guards the Balance; The Falcon at the Portal; He Shall Thunder the Sky.
Plot Summary	Rather than marry, the wealthy and strong-willed Amelia Peabody wishes to travel. She hires Evelyn Barton-Forbes, a young woman down on her luck, as her companion. The two English women make their way to Egypt. Once there, they meet with two archeologists, the brooding Radcliffe Emerson and his brother Walter, who is smitten with Evelyn. Radcliffe and Walter are on the verge of their greatest find -- uncovering a lost Egyptian treasure. As the story unfolds, a stormy relationship evolves between Amelia and Radcliffe. A tale of daring and romance follows the discovery and disappearance of a two thousand year old mummy.
Appeal	Strong female character. Fast-paced story. Witty barbs exchanged between Amelia and Radcliffe. Plays like a movie in the reader's head.
Notes	Some stereotypical attitudes toward non-British peoples. Point of view in the first person through Amelia. Click on this link to a fan website titled Another Shirt Ruined! Elizabeth Peters is a nom de plume for Barbara Mertz (Barbara Michaels is another nom de plume).
Reviewer/Date	Stefanie Frame 6/29/00

Putney, Mary Jo	The Rake
Publication Date	1989
Number of Pages	352
Geographical Setting	England
Time Period	Regency period
Plot Summary	Reggie Davenport has spent most of his adult life drinking, fighting and wenching. He assumes ownership of an estate. His cousin calls him in to tell him that he is going to give him title to one of his estates and that from then on, he was going to have to support himself. After thinking about it he decided that is not such a bad arrangement and he sets off to become a respectable country gentlemen. After he arrives, he discovers that Alys Weston, the manager of his estate is a woman. The book then explores their gradually developing relationship as they deal with the problems of the estate. Will they fall in love and have a permanent relationship? Will Reggie succeed in becoming a respectable member of society? Will his relationship with Alys be the reason for the change? We don't find out until the end of the book.
Appeal	This book appeals to readers who enjoy romances set in this period. It also seems to be of interest to people who want to see the woman "win". Although there are many problems, the romantic relationship is the most important part of this story and will appeal to people who are interested in romances.
Notes	There isn't a lot of action to the story. This may be a problem for someone who was expecting more to the story then the relationship. If they are fond of car chases, this isn't the book for them.
Reviewer/Date	David Stephens June 29, 2000

Ripley, Alexandra	Charleston
Publication Date	1981
Number of Pages	501
Geographical Setting	Charleston, South Carolina
Time Period	1863-1898
Series	On Leaving Charleston
Plot Summary	Set in the background of the Old South, growing up in Charleston, in an environment of lavish wealth, society and tradition, Elizabeth Tradd was unprepared for the dramatic changes that the Civil War and the reconstruction years would bring to her family and herself. Lizzie's notions of romance and marriage are dashed when she marries a young man who treats her poorly. Lonely, in a world of unhappiness, Lizzie, who must abruptly take charge of her family's business, is faced with the consequences of power and the problems of responsibility. Yet she is willing to risk everything she holds dear for an impetuous relationship with a poetic and free-spirited wanderer who offers her a thrilling new life. Should she run off with this charming young man or see what else her newfound life may bring...
Appeal	In the tradition and saga of Gone with the Wind. Excellent depictions of family and tradition in the Old South. Follows the lives of varied and interesting characters over time. Features dashing, take-charge men, and determined, strong-willed women.
Notes	Author also wrote Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind.
Reviewer/Date	Carolyn Tutt 6/29/00

Rivers, Anne	Up Island
Publication Date	1997
Number of Pages	342
Geographical Setting	Atlanta and Martha's Vineyard
Time Period	Late 1990's
Similar Authors/Titles	Erica Abeel, Women Like Us; Margaret Atwood, Surfacing; Judith Henry Wall, If Love Were All
Plot Summary	Molly Redwine, middle-aged Atlanta housewife of a wealthy Coca-Cola executive, and mother of two grown children, has spent her life devoted to accommodating and enabling The Family. When her husband of twenty years, announces that he is planning to marry a younger woman, with whom he's been having an affair, Molly is devastated. Several days later, the sudden and unexpected death of her accomplished, and domineering mother, further stuns Molly. She attempts to cope with her losses and her grief by accepting the offer of Livvy Bowen, her thoroughbred Yankee friend, to spend the summer with her on Martha's Vineyard. Molly "stays on" after the summer, and moves "up island", an isolated part of Martha's Vineyard where the strongly provincial and clannish long-time locals live. While there, she takes a job as caretaker for a house, and tends to the needs of an endearing group of misfits, including two disagreeable swans that refuse to fly south for the winter. Molly's transformation on the island allows her to "rise from the ashes" of her despair, to come to terms with her family and to discover herself, anew.
Appeal	Woman scorned, redeems herself/Redemption and self-worth. Complex family dynamics/ Familial conflicts. Woman coming to terms with herself, finds her identity/Middle-aged transformation. Beautifully mysterious island setting. Empty nest syndrome.
Notes	Explicit language throughout. Sexuality/Graphically descriptive. Lyrically vivid portrayal of Martha's Vineyard. Clever humor.
Reviewer/Date	Pamela Richards 6/29/00

Roberts, Nora	Hidden Riches
Publication Date	1994
Number of Pages	395
Geographical Setting	United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
Time Period	1990's
Plot Summary	Philadelphia antiques dealer, Dora Conroy, purchases a few items at an auction in Virginia. Unfortunately, someone else wants what she has, and Dora becomes the target of a ruthless international art smuggler, who will stop at nothing to retrieve the goods. She teams up with her handsome new neighbor, mysterious ex-cop Jed Skimmerhorn, to discover the truth behind the antiques and finds romance along the way.
Appeal	Good mix of romance and suspense. Independent and outspoken female lead character. Fast-paced and funny dialogue.
Notes	Contains some violence.
Reviewer/Date	April Cota-Hobbs 06/29/00

Spencer, LaVyrle	Bitter Sweet
Publication Date	1990
Number of Pages	382
Geographical Setting	Door County, Wisconsin (Upper Peninsula)
Time Period	Contemporary
Plot Summary	Maggie Pearson Stearn is fighting a lonely depression that has all but consumed her after her husband’s sudden accidental death. Now, with her only child, Katie, ready to leave the nest to attend an east coast college; Maggie’s grief councilor has recommended that she reach out and make contact with old friends … the older the better! Maggie calls Brookie, her best friend from childhood who persuades Maggie to fly back to Wisconsin for a mutual friend’s wedding. Reuniting with many old friends at the wedding -- including her high school sweetheart (and first lover), Eric Severson -- leaves Maggie feeling cheerful and uplifted once again. Not looking forward to another lonely year teaching Home Economics back in rainy Seattle, Maggie decides to stay in Wisconsin and impulsively buys a lakeside, which she hopes to convert into a bed & breakfast. Eric, with his Nordic good looks, graciously offers to help the widowed Maggie with everything from acquiring the permits to the actual labor. As Maggie gradually learns that Eric is trapped in a loveless marriage, and the sexual tension builds as they both fight the growing attraction they feel for one another. Several sub-plots revolve around the rocky relationships between the three generations of women--Maggie’s mother, Vera, a “prim and proper” socialite of the Door County community; Maggie; and Maggie’s daughter, Katie, who drops into Door County over school breaks.
Appeal	Wonderfully descriptive setting -- the quaint tourist town of Fish Creek in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, with it’s charming bed & breakfast inns and enchanting antique shops.
Notes	Scandal and infidelity. The abridged Book-on-tape (Dove Books, 1990) strips the wonderful description of Door County and reduces the story to plot only…“reading the book” is highly recommended.
Reviewer/Date	Jacquie Foster 6/29/00

Steel, Danielle	Bittersweet
Publication Date	1999
Number of Pages	436
Geographical Setting	Mainly the U.S. east coast but also England and Africa
Time Period	The present
Plot Summary	India Taylor is a middle-aged woman who had, many years ago, given up an adventurous career as a photojournalist to become a wife and a mother of four. Although she had promised her husband that she would stay at home and raise the children, she comes to realize that she misses the excitement of what she had left behind. This becomes the bone of contention within their marriage. She eventually meets Paul Ward, a Wall Street tycoon who is married to a best-selling author. After Paul’s wife dies tragically, he and India turn to one another for comfort and support.
Appeal	Vivid descriptions of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. A strong female protagonist who is torn between her family and career. Descriptions of travel to faraway places. A vast array of emotions.
Notes	Depictions of infidelity. Some disturbing descriptions of child prostitution and abuse.
Reviewer/Date	Donna Marie Atmur 6/29/00

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