* RECOMMENDED BOOK CLUB CHOICE *

From Janis R. Daly, Award-winning, best-selling author of The Unlocked Path and The Path Beneath Her Feet

finds the courage to move forward through life's trials. One well-developed example of that reality is tackling the heavy issue of a medical diagnosis and the accompanying decisions which affect Suellen's trajectory in her mental and physical well-being.

Equally powerful are Suellen's friendships, especially those found around the workplace lunch table. The camaraderie and steady support of her colleagues become a quiet lifeline, reminding her she's never truly alone as she faces her biggest fears. Romantic entanglements ebb and flow with just the right level of tension to propel the story and further develop Suellen's character. Lunch Tales:Suellen is ultimately a story about second chances - and how with the support from those you love, and who love you, you need to make the most of those second chances. You never know what lies around the corner in life, so grab it now, just as Suellen does.

I understand Lucille Guarino has other Lunch Tales to tell. I'm looking forward to reading more of them.

Books I have recently read and would also make great Book Club reads:

Three women entangled in the publishing world meet quite by accident and form a supportive and empowering friendship as they take on the fickleness of the book industry, and the mistakes they made along the way in their professional and personal lives. In a climactic banquet hall scene where confrontations culminate, I was turning the pages as quickly as the actions of the characters. Author Perry's novel, Before the Next Mistake, is a supercharged women's fiction that will keep you wondering until the final page.

Life can be messy, and it doesn’t always dovetail with love and making commitments. Audrey and Jim rue the loss of opportunities and missed possibilities. As time moved forward and absence and distractions prevailed, I couldn’t help wondering if their love for one another would erode with it. How many more chances would they squander, or excuses would they come up with? Would it be too late? Would the timing ever be right for them? These were the questions that kept me turning the pages well into the night as I was eager to find out if Audrey and Jim would ever achieve their love story. Heartwarming and beautifully written.

After reading Welcome to the Bright, I fully realized the meaning behind the title. Having completed a chemo regimen and radiation treatments for cancer, author Lisa Febre describes what it was like trying to adjust to ‘normal’ again, using the analogy that it was like having to adapt to the light after being in darkness for a long period. It’s scary and overwhelming after a cancer diagnosis. Perspectives change. There are many thought-provoking metaphors like that in this book, where nature shares a strong analogy with the human body, and as she tries to move forward, Lisa sees a correlation between the bird who has gotten into her house and is trying to find its way out, but keeps hitting the window when an exit is clearly open. Beautifully written, Lisa shares her post-treatment experience with courage and honesty. For people living through it themselves or watching friends and loved one’s going through it, this book will open your eyes and give you a stronger sense of understanding and sensitivity, and especially relatability. An important book that touched me deeply.

Thanks for spending some time with me. Happy Beach Reading this summer!

Lucille