Some Favorite Books of 2015

By Margaret Lucke

Happy New Year!

Some of my favorite reads for 2015 were books I had the privilege of reading in manuscript. Each of these was published in the later months of this year and is now available for everyone's reading pleasure.

The Only Woman in the Room, by Rita Lakin. In 1960 Rita was happily married homemaker with a hobby of writing short stories. In 1961 she was suddenly a young widow with three small children to support. She decided that if she had to go to work, she might as well do it as someplace interesting. Despite having no relevant skills or experience, she talked her way into a job as a secretary for two TV producers at Universal Studios. She spent her time answering phone calls and reading the scripts that came into her bosses' office. Before long she was writing -- and selling -- scripts of her own, which turned out to be a doorway into what was then a men's world. When she went to production meetings, she would find herself the only woman in the room.

In this witty, wise, and poignant memoir, Rita recounts the story of her trailblazing career in television, and the challenges involved in balancing multiple roles of breadwinner, writer, and mom. She provides a most entertaining glimpse behind the TV screen, revealing the personalities and practices that go into making a successful show. Everyone who has ever watched TV will enjoy this book.

The Killing Vote, by Bette Golden Lamb and J.J. Lamb. A perfect -- that is, perfectly chilling -- read for the upcoming election year is this standalone political thriller by the co-authors the Gina Mazzio medical thriller series. Corporate interests and corrupt politicians are conspiring to legalize euthanasia of vulnerable patients deemed too costly to care for. Can they be stopped? When semi-retired journalist Ted Yost launches an investigation into the scheme, he opens the door to kidnapping and murder by powerful people who don't want to be stopped. One of the pleasures of this book, in addition to the Lambs' usual fast pace and edge-of-your-seat suspense, is seeing a hero who is strong, smart, resolute, forceful -- and more than a few decades old.

Death Takes Priority, by Jean Flowers. It's an open secret that Jean Flowers is really author Camille Minichino, who launches a new series of cozy mysteries with this book. Cassie Miller has returned to her small hometown in western Massachusetts and become its postmistress -- a peaceful life until someone steals a stack of phonebooks from the post office, an unidentified man's body is found in the woods, and Cassie's first date with a handsome guy goes awry when he is arrested as they leave the restaurant where they've just had lunch. Jean/Camille offers delightful heroine and an engaging read that is sure to please cozy fans.

Payback, by Jonnie Jacobs. What is the price for a moment of indiscretion? While on a business trip Marta Crawford has a fleeting fling that she instantly regrets. But she can neither hide it nor forget it because the man involved shows up in her hometown and turns her life into a nightmare, befriending her husband and luring away her teenage daughter, Jamie. To protect herself and the ones she loves, Marta must draw on her deepest reserves of strength, courage and love. This is a gripping tale that will make you wonder: how you would respond if a malevolent person spun your life out of control?

The Law in Charity, by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. It's 1848 in what will become Colorado, and the village of Charity has just hired an unusual sheriff. Jason Russell is a world traveler, a former Bow Street Runner, and the illegitimate son of an English lord. He has learned the hard way about the horror and futility of violence. Though skilled with a gun, his preferred weapons are a baton and his wits. When a gang of murderous outlaws terrorizes the town, Russell's peace-loving ways and his mission to protect the people of Charity are put to a severe test. This novel offers an intriguing look at life on the frontier.

I wish you a wonderful 2016, filled with books as good as these.

Comments

[Camille Minichino]

Thanks for including me among these great reads. And, most of all, thanks for your continued support and valuable input to all of our work. Happy New Year!

[Margaret Lucke]

Happy New Year to you too, Camille! Looking forward to more great reads from you in 2016.

[Bette & J.J. Lamb]

Thank you, Peggy, for the honor, and an extra thank you for being mentioned along with such stellar writers. Bette & J.J.

[Rita Lakin]

And me, too, chiming in. Thanks for your kind words and including me in the company of our friends and fine authors.
Include yourself in, Peg, with the rest of us who love to write and care about what we write.

And a Happy New Year to all in a time of confusion.
Keep the faith.

[Carole Price]

Oh dear. My TBR is about to grow. But which one to read first? I've always said I'm the happiest when I have a stack of books waiting for me to read.