Jeanette Cooper Novels

Some Books I've Read

By Jeanette Cooper

SOME OF THE MANY BOOKS I'VE READ  (Paperback)

Yellow Highlight—Books on hand

H-stands for hardback

A

H** As the Crow Flies By Jeffery Archer

H** Palaces of Desire By Karen Alexander

B

** A Killing Frost By Michael A. Black

** Hit List By Lawrence Block

H**Hour Game By David Baldacci

H** Saving Faith By David Baldacci

** Perfect Justice By William Bernhardt

**  A Killing Frost By Michael A. Black

** The DaVinci Code By Dan Brown

H** The Alibi By Sandra Brown

** The Silken Web by Sandra Brown

** The Switch By Sandra Brown

** French Silk By Sandra Brown

H** White Hot By Sandra Brown

** The Outlaw Hearts By Rebecca Brandewyne

C

** Time For Roses  by Elaine Coffman

** The Balance Wheel By Taylor Caldwell

H** Beulah Land By Lonnie Coleman

** The Ladies of Beverly Hills By Sharleen Cooper Cohen

** From Potter’s Field By Patricia Cornwell

H** The Last Precinct By Patricia Cornwell

H** Hornet's Nest By Patricia Cornwell

H** Blow Fly By Patricia Cornwell

** Where is Love By Barbara Cartland

D

** The Empty Chair By Jeffery Deaver

** Cut 'N Run By Frank Deford

** Threats & Promises By Barbara Delinsky

** Hooligans By William Diehl

** Adventure of the Heart By Anne Marie Duquette

E

** Song of Love By Rachel Elliot

** The Last Promise By Richard Paul Evans

F

** For Love of Audry Rose By Frank De Felita

** Above the Law By J.F. Freedman

G

** Love Makers By Judith Gould

**  Juliana of Clover Hill By Benda Knight Graham

** The Fifth Angel By Tim Green

** Final Justice by W.E.B. Griffin

** A Painted House by John Grisham

H** The King of Torts By John Grisham

H** The Summons By John Grisham

H** The Last Juror By John Grisham

H

** The Hurricane Years By Cameron Hawley

** Too High By Cordson Hirschfeld

** Retribution By Jilliane Hoffman

** Chill of Fear By Kay Hooper

** Point of Impact By Stephen Hunter

** Dark Paradise By Tami Hoag

**  Dark Horse By Tami Hoag

** Guilty as Sin By Tami Hoag

H** The Last White Knight By Tami Hoag

** Lucky's Lady By Tami Hoag

**  Kill the Messenger By Tami Hoag

**  Ashes to Ashes By Tami Hoag

** A Thin Dark Line By Tami Hoag

** Night Sins By Tami Hoag

** Cry Wolf By Tami Hoag

** Sara's Sin By Tami Hoag

** Still Waters By Tami Hoag

** Dust to Dust By Tami Hoag

** Lucky's Lady By Tami Hoag

H** Prior Bad Acts By Tami Hoag

** Magic By Tami Hoag

I

** Turning Angel By Greg Iles

J

** Blind Alley By Iris Johansen

K

** Easy Virtue By Janice Kaiser

** The Murder Book By Jonathan Kellerman

** Officer of the Court By Lelia Kelly

** Lovers By Judith Krantz

L

** The Hearing By John Lescroart

** Acquired Motives By Sarah Lovett

M

** The Seventh Sense By T. J. MacGregor

H** Total Silence By T. J. MacGregor

 ** Cloak of Darkness by Helen MacInnes

** Proof Positive By Phillip Margolin

** Ties That Bind By Phillip Margolin

** Wild Justice By Phillip Margolin

**After Dark By Phillip Margolin

** Burning Man By Phillip Margolin

H** Lost Lake By Phillip Margolin

** The Associate By Phillip Margolin

** Heartstone By Phillip Margolin

** Undertakers Widow By Phillip Margolin

** Sleeping Beauty By Phillip Margolin

** The Last Innocent Man By Phillip Margolin

H** Fugitive By Phillip Margolin

H** Sleeping Beauty By Phillip Margolin

Laurie McBain's books are among some of the best historical romance books I've ever

read. Her writing style is extraordinarily interesting. I have saved all her books and have read most of them twice.

** Devil's Desire By Laurie McBain

** Tears of Gold By Laurie McBain

** Wild Bells to the Wild Sky By Laurie McBain

** Moonstruck Madness By Laurie McBain

** Chance the Winds of Fortune By Laurie McBain

** Dark Before the Rising Sun By Laurie McBain

** Tears of Gold By Laurie McBain

** When the Splendor Falls By Laurie McBain

H** In At the Kill By SK. McClafferty

**  Whitney, My Love By Judith McNaught

** Paradise By Judith McNaught

**  A Kingdom of Dreams By Judith McNaught

H** Every Breath You Take By Judith McNaught

** Tender Triumph By Judith McNaught

** Someone to Watch Over Me By Judiith McNaught

Double Standards By Judith McNaught

** Captive Passions  By Fern Michaels

**  Comanche Rose By Anita Mills

N

O

H** Unfit To Practice By Perri O'Shaughnessy

P

**  Blood Relations By Barbara Parker

** The Palace Affair By Una Mary Parker

**Cat & Mouse By James Patterson

** Saving the World By James Patterson

** Saving the World By James Patterson

** Cat & Mouse By James Patterson

**  Lake House By James Patterson

H**Honeymoon By James Patterson & Howard Roughan

** Dark Lady By Richard North Patterson

** Degree of Guilt By Richard North Patterson

** Escape the Night By Richard North Patterson

** Eyes of A Child By Richard North Patterson

** Silent Witness By Richard North Patterson

** The Angel Maker By Ridley Pearson

** The Oath By Frank Peretti

      A science fiction that will keep you glued to the pages right to the end.

** Random Winds By Belva Plain

** Homecoming By Belva Plain

** Evergreen By Bleva Plain

** Before the Darkness Falls By Eugenia Price

Q-R

** Dangerous  By Nora Roberts

H** Northern Lights By Nora Roberts

H** Visions of Death By J.D. Ross (Nora Roberts)

H** Divided in Death By J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)

H** The First Cut By Peter Robinson

** Savage Desire  Rosemary Rogers

H** The Crowd Pleasers By Rosemary Rogers

** Interest of Justice By Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

S

**  McNally's Luck By Lawrence Sanders

** The Chase By Lynsay Sands

** Easy Prey By John Sanford

** Eyes of Prey By John Sanford

** Silent Prey By John Sanford

**  Creature By John Saul

** Sleep Walk By John Saul

** Hill Towns By Anne Rivers Siddons

** Dead and Gone By Dorothy Simpson

** Bloodline By Sidney Sheldon

** Master of the Game By Sidney Sheldon

** Nothing Lasts Forever By Sidney Sheldon

** The Stars Shine Down By Sidney Sheldon

** Terminal Condition By David Shobin

** Daughters of the New World By Susan Richards Shreve

** The Best of Enemies By Taylor Smith

**  Jewels By Danielle Steel

H** No Greater Love By Danielle Steel

** Vanished By Danielle Steel

** Her Secret Past by Amanda Stevens

** By Reason of Insanity By Shane Stevens

** Happy Endings By Katherine Stone

** Promises By Katherine Stone

H** The Love Machine By Jacquelin Susann

T

** Material Witness By Robert K. Tanenbaum

**  Chase the Wind By Janelle Taylor

** Destiny Mine By Janelle Taylor

** When A Texan Gambles By Jodi Thomas

** The Burden of Proof By Scott Turow

U-V-W

** The Secrets of  Harry Bright By Joseph Wambaugh

** Petals On The River By Kathleen Woodiwiss

** The Wolf and the Dove By Kathleen Woodiwis

** A Rose in Winer By Kathleen Woodiwis

** The Flame and the Flower By Kathleen Woodiwis

** Come Love a Stranger By Kathleen Woodiwis

** So Worthy My Love By Kathleen Woodiwis

**A Season Beyond A Kiss By Kathleen Woodiwis

** Ashes In The Wind By Kathleen Woodiwis

** Shanna By Kathleen Woodiwis

** Forever in Your Embrace By Kathleen Woodiwis

H**The Reluctant Suitor By Kathleen Woodiwis

H** The Unbidden Truth By Kate Wilhelm

H** This Stranger, My Son: A Mother's Story  By Louise Wilson

X-Y-Z

** Pride's Castle By Frank Yerby

** The Serpent and the Staff By Frank Yerby

Jubal Sackett
By Luis L'amour

Once I started reading this book, I truly couldn't put it down. Mr. L'amour's writing style is in first person and every sentence is filled wth interesting descriptons of the main character's experiences in the wilds of nature as he explores far-reaching lands not previously explored by the white man. He has chosen the life he wants and every day is a struggle to hunt and kill for food, to protect himself against unfriendly indians while he explores and enjoys the beauty of nature. If you love nature and the raw landscape (which we don't see much of anymore), you will love traveling with Jubal Sackett through the wilds on land and water.  An absolutely wonderful book.  I will be reading more of his writings (91 books in all.)

First We Have Coffee
By Margaret Jensen

This is the warmest, most inspirational book that I've read since my readings of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It is the gentle story of a Norweigian family and their lives as they moved from place to place in the ministry. It creates the hardships of a family who knew abundancy in love--not money. Ms. Jensen shows the extraordinary strength of her mother whose love and generosity to people made her a saint to those who knew her.  If you want a wonderful book to renew your faith and christianity then this is the book to read.

Flames of Glory

By Patricia Matthews

This book was a delightful read. It was about two young women, one American, one Cuban, who lived in Tampa while troops of soldiers were on their way to help liberate Cuba from Spain. The lives of the two young woman intersect along the way and they become very good friends while they go through the romantic period of their lives of choosing a mate. The antagonist creates just the right amount of suspense so the story held my interest to the end.

The Associate

By Phillip Margolin

I can’t get enough of Phillip Margolin’s thrillers.

I’ve read six of them so far and everyone I read seems just as good or better than the last one. One of the things I like about Margolin’s books is that his “good guys” (protagonists) aren’t exactly high up on the social ladder of wealth and prestige, but rather, are average Americans as noted in this book about Daniel Ames, a young attorney who has reached his dream as the associate at a prestigious law firm. His dream begins to crumble, however, when he finds himself in the fray between his law firm and another in a case involving a pharmaceutical company. There is some really twisted “stuff” in this book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading for more.

The Chase

By Lynsay Sands

An Enjoyable Read

Ms. Sands’ historical novel, “The Chase” is a light, sometimes humorous, read. It’s a no-frills account of a young woman who feels the bite of rejection when her betrothed keeps her waiting many years without any intentions toward sealing the betrothal agreement with a wedding. Not until he is ordered by the king does he finally travel from England to Scotland to carry out the wedding. By then, his bride-to-be is so indignant at being put on hold for so many years, that her pride takes over and she runs away, causing her betrothed to give chase to her. Ms. Sands is a terrific story teller and keeps the tale ripe with interest.

Undertaker's Widow

By Phillip Margolin

Philip Margolin’s Undertaker’s Widow, was a terrific read. It was a bit different from his other books I’ve read. This one didn’t have the numerous characters found in his other stories, although there were quite a few. The book started out as if it was character-driven rather than plot driven and I was beginning to wonder where it was going until all of a sudden—in that special writing mode of Margolin’s—it all started coming together in a tricky plot that is characteristic of his works in spellbinding action. Like his other books, I didn’t want to put this one down until I finished. This man does have great talent for spinning some intriguing tales.

Wild Bells To The Wild Sky

By Laurie McBain

This is my second reading of Wild Bells To The Wild Sky and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. Laurie McBain only wrote about six books—that I’ve been able to find—and she is a wonderful historical romance writer that captures the period remarkably.  In this book, Lilly Christian is stranded on an island with her mother, brother, half-sister, and Sir Basil, an agent to Queen Elizabeth Tudor in 1558, and is rescued seven years later by Valentine Whitelaw, the man who will later become the love of her life. With traitors plotting to overthrow Elizabeth to put Mary Stuart on the throne, Lilly Christian becomes a target of the traitors because she accidently overheard something she shouldn’t have and because Sir Basil kept a journal with notations about the plot against Elizabeth, which Lilly has carefully hidden away. The story is suspenseful and keeps the interest level high. A great book for lovers of  historical romance.  

 Ties That Bind
By Phillip Margolin

I simply can't get enough of Phillip Margolin's books.
"Ties That Bind" has so many twists and turns it keeps you guessing all through the book, and it keeps you turning those pages. While Margolin's introduction of many, many characters at the beginning of his books with scenes of each of their malfeasances, the story tends to be a little confusing at first; however, as you keep reading all those seemingly isolated events begin to come together into a single thrilling plot. There is a great deal of gruesome violence in his stories, but the fact that he spares nothing makes them more interesting to read.  His books certainly aren't for the faint-hearted, but for those who want some of the best mystery, police work, attorney investigations, court procedures, and strong characters, then Phillip Margolin's books provide it like no other author I've read. This is another book with a carryover of characters used in previous books. Frank and Amanda Jaffe are the main characters in at least four of the books I've read so far, and they only get more interesting each time as experiences encountered in other books follow them into the new story.

Proof Positive

Terminal Condition

By David Shobin

Suspense At Its Best

“Terminal Condition” by David Shobin, is a gripping “twisted” tale that takes you through a textbook account of medical strategies and procedures for trauma victims who become guinea pigs for a corrupt doctor who uses them for experimentation with a new drug. The plot thickens as the researcher who discovers the powerful drug is murdered. When a recent trauma patient and the doctor who previously ministered to her become involved, they set out to find answers to all the strange occurrences taking place that puts them in a dangerous arena between two factions: the mob, and the one who plans to profit from the drug.   The story is interesting, well-told, and held my attention throughout.  For anyone who likes mystery, suspense, and action, you’ll enjoy reading this book.

Kentucky: The Mountains I Call Home
By Joyce Bowling

A TRUE BIOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE--outstanding, remarkable, and inspirational, July 9, 2008 
KENTUCKY...THE MOUNTAINS I CALL HOME, by Joyce Bowling, is a beautifully written collection of stories and poems that offer heartwarming tales of the life and times of the author and revolve around family, friends and community in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky.

Joyce's book gives us a look at the geographical region of her homeland and the models for the heritage and culture that influenced her life into adulthood. Her stories and poems provide a refreshing read that is a labor of love as she shares her growing up years.

We see the early life of her relatives in a community setting where everyone knows everyone else. We see how they interact in a sharing capacity, how they make a living and provide for their own needs through planting crops, sewing clothing, making quilts, and we see their deep faith and how they worship. The stories are warm, friendly, and one feels the sense of the moment and place where Joyce's memories began and/or took place.

One story and its complementary poem drew memories from me. In 1970 I watched on television as news blasted the story of the mine explosion in Kentucky where thirty-eight miners were killed. It was news to me--it was reality to Joyce and her family as they stood by praying for family and friends who were in the mine. This is just one heart-rending story and poem you will read about Joyce's life in the mountains she loves.

If you love history, culture, and traditions centering on peoples' lives, you will also love Joyce's book of stories and poetry that show you the gentle side of a community way of life as folks grow, share faith, joy, happiness, and pain in their warm interactions together. I thought it was a wonderful read, and I plan to revisit it often because the poetry is like folk tales that give you something new each time you read it.

Kiss Me Darlin' - A Fine Romance
By Joyce Marie Taylor

A Great Read, February 19, 2007
Joyce Marie Taylor's book, Kiss Me Darlin' is a great read. Joyce is a wonderful writer whose writing style keeps the reader turning pages and lends to a reader's perception of experiencing exactly what the characters are experiencing. I didn't want to put the book down because it had an element of suspense that kept me wanting to find out what would happen.

Jasmine, a young teenager who suffers abuse by an alcoholic mother, runs away with her boyfriend, Billy, spending the next several years with him. She is not a polished young debutante, but instead uses the language of someone who is used to hard knocks in a not too easy life. When Billy leaves her for someone else at the same time she loses her job, worry and financial concerns trouble her. Needing solace, she takes a trip to see her best friend Lisa.

Kiss Me Darlin' follows a plot similar to the cliché "from rags to riches" as Jasmine's friend, Lisa, interests Jasmine in Feng Shui (The Chinese art or practice of positioning objects..., based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects.) Lisa gives her a Scarlett Milkweed meant to draw good luck according to Feng Shui beliefs, and ironically, her luck does change considerably.

Jasmine meets CJ who embellishes her world with a shiny new car and later other things that enrich her life. CJ is at the root of some extraordinary suspense that will unfurl right on up to the very end of the book, which will offer a great surprise ending.

If you'd like a good, fast-paced read that will keep you glued to the pages, then I highly recommend Kiss Me Darlin'.

Tales Along the Way Home
By Virginia Tolles

A Travelogue Adventure
"Tales Along the Way Home", by Virginia Tolles, is a journey you won't want to miss. You will share the camaraderie of the travelers and experience the anxieties they feel as they head toward home to meet the problems that have invaded their comfortable lives. Virginia has captured the travelogue settings, the joys, fears, and anxieties of the characters and gives you a book you are bound to enjoy reading.

Destiny Mine
By Janelle Taylor

A Wonderful Native American Adventure, June 5, 2008
Janelle Taylor's "Destiny Mine" is a wonderful read. Her native American characters come alive on the page and pull us into the story to vicariously live through the traditions and trials of the period. Not only does she give wonderful descriptions of the land and nature, bringing it alive as it must have been in those days, but it encompasses a heartwarming love story that will capture your heart right up to the last page. If you like Native American novels, "Destiny Mine" is a must read.

The Last Promise

By Richard Paul Evans

A Tender Love Story to Capture Your Heart, June 5, 2008
Richard Paul Evans' novel, "The Last Promise" is a wonderful compilation of beautifully described places in Italy that brings the Italian culture to the forefront of his story. While he shares the topography and landscape of the area he weaves it all around a wonderful love story of such gentleness and tenderness it will bring tears. He teases the reader with gentle touches of suspense so that you keep turning those pages. I couldn't put the book down until I read the resolution. If you like romance and tender love, you must read Richard's book, "The Last Promise".

Sarah's Sin
By Tami Hoag

A Tender Story, June 5, 2008
Tami Hoag is my hero among writers. I have read most of her books and have never been disappointed with any of them. They give me hours of reading pleasure. However, "Sara's Sin" diverged from her usual thrilling and suspenseful writes. Although I did enjoy reading it, it can not measure up to her thick, action-packed novels, but it was an interesting story that held my interest.

Wild Justice
By Phillip Margolin

A Riveting Tangled Web  July 31, 2008
"Wild Justice", by Phillip Margolin, is my third read by him and I'm fascinated by his stories. He weaves a tangled web of characters and sub-plots around his main plot that is mind-boggling and keeps you guessing the outcome right to the end. This book had me suspecting who the bad guy was in this story, but I was never sure until the evidence stacked up against him. Few books I've read make me read continually to get to the end so I can learn the resolution--Margolin's does. When I finish with a book of his I can't wait to start another of his books. "Wild Justice" is a violent story and not for the tame-hearted, but for those who like police stories, court room drama, murder mysteries and thrillers, then this is a book you will find extraordinarily captivating.

The Last Innocent Man

By Phillip Margolin

Brilliant Plot Strategist July 27, 2008

 “The Last Innocent Man", by Phillip Margolin, is a masterpiece of literary genius in plotting. Upon reading the first few chapters that told isolated stories about individual characters, I was beginning to wonder when the plot would kick in and the story would come together. Once it all merged into a courtroom drama,for me, there was no putting the book down until I finished reading it.

I have enjoyed reading some wonderful writers over the years, but Margolin is one of the best I've read in a long time. His twisted plots will keep you turning pages.

After Dark
By Phillip Margolin

The Best Mystery I've ever Read After Dark, by Phillip Margolin, is the best mystery/thriller I’ve ever read (and believe me I’ve read many). To me the evaluation of how good a book is can be determined in how long it takes one to read it. I read After Dark in less than two days. It is a masterful work of penmanship with a twisted plot that keeps you reading to see whodunit, but the plot is so intricately woven, you never can decide what the resolution will turn out to be. Publishers Weekly called Margolin’s style “whiplash plotting”, which is an excellent description.  This was a complicated story with a great deal of legalese that could only be done through Margolin’s background as an attorney. If you are a mystery/thriller buff like me, then read this book. I think it was wonderful. 

Dead and Gone
By Dorothy Simpson

A Well Told Story
Dead and Gone, by Dorothy Simpson, was an interesting story that I thought the author handled well with all the interviews of witnesses and possible suspects that were made by Inspector Thanet and his partner. It was well plotted with enough suspense to keep me reading. The story could have used a bit more conflict to keep interest high, but the Inspector's personality was staid and dry and set the mood. The ending was rather a shocker and was really the height of the story. Overall, Simpson is a terrific story teller and I enjoyed reading her book.

As the Crow Flies
By Jeffery Archer

A Masterfully Told Story

As the Crow Flies, by Jeffery Archer, takes the reader on a historical journey from 1900 to 1970 in a warm and wonderful story about Charlie Trumper who follows in his grandfather's footsteps as a street vendor, eventually becoming the owner of the largest department store in the world. A continuing battle with an old enemy threatens his empire and keeps Charlie busy in battle against losing all he has worked for his entire life.

Although the book is rather long, it definitely was a masterfully told story and an interesting read, offering great characters and a strong enough plot to keep the suspense ripe and inviting. The ending was absolutely wonderful. It was the kind of occurrence one might ask, "Who would of thought of it?"

The Lake House
By James Patterson

Suspenseful Science Fiction, July 15, 2008
James Patterson's book, The Lake House, was rather a surprise since I expected a gripping murder mystery and got a science fiction story about children with wings that could fly. Nevertheless, Patterson grabbed my attention early in the story, and by keeping the chapters short for easy reading and filling the pages with action-packed happenings and/or dialogue, he kept the story moving. While I am not a science fiction fan, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. The resolution to the plot was a bit downsized--a hospital and many personnel were involved, yet, they weren't part of the resolution--only the man responsible. I think I admired Patterson's writing style more than the story itself, but then that could be because I like his thrillers best.

Ten Times Guilty
By Brenda Hill

Brenda Hill’s novel, Ten Times Guilty is a terrific read. Brenda is a wonderful writer whose writing style keeps the reader turning pages and offers them a vicarious experience, exactly like the main character experiences, through descriptive actions, images, and feelings. The plot is cohesive and leaves a trail of suspense that kept me wanting to find out what would happen, which made the novel an interesting and fast-paced read.

 A rapist is at large, stalking innocent victims, and the first rape is a prelude to Tracy Michaels’ violent rape and the devastation it has on her life. As she struggles to overcome the intense fear consuming her, even though she knows the rapist, she is afraid to disclose his name to the police because of his threat against her small son. That doesn’t stop Detective Reese from making every effort to tie evidence to the man who raped and killed his sister.

Tracy is a lovable character, a young woman trying to better herself in order to set the foundation of a secure future for her young son. We feel her pain and despair after her rape when her plans to start classes are brutally disrupted. However, she is fortunate to have a wonderful support group in the characters of Diana, her apartment manger; Susan Banning, rape counselor; and the group of abused women residing in a women’s shelter.

Ten Times Guilty is more than just a good novel. Brenda Hill has researched her topic well, and the book offers some interesting information other rape victims might find very helpful.

If you like to read a great story that is well written, fast-paced, and interesting, I highly recommend Ten Times Guilty.