Brendan Jones' engaging novel is about a girl from Philadelphia, who, at the turning point of childhood into adulthood, decides to leave the mundane and venture into a challenging lifestyle working in a remote fishing village in Alaska. The author writes with a sharp grasp of brutal hard work, relentless cold and wet, and long and lonely days that threaten Tara Marconi's decision. She is doggedly determined to prevail in her battle with harsh Alaskan realities and in her newfound dream of owning an old wooden tugboat to call home. Tara's struggle to persevere, to understand "the grime and sadness of her past," and the possibility of renewing love offers an entertaining and unique reading adventure.

What a wonderful read. I so enjoyed meeting the Kopp sisters, especially Constance! What an enviable character and actual person of history! I marveled at her intelligence, her resilience, and her incredible bravery. In 1914 and 1915 a woman getting a gun to guard her home and family from real and frightening danger, and three sisters coping with brutal cold, food shortage and being shot at seems hard to believe. Stalwart and resourceful Constance, Norma and her pigeons, and Fleurette, with her delightful 14-year old outlook at life, provide an entertaining and unusual story. I loved reading about these three historical women, one of whom became one of our nation's first deputy sheriffs.

As a result of being a helpless witness to a horrifying crime in Haiti where she was covering the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, PTSD unexpectedly and violently crippled Mac McClelland's physical and mental health. Irritable Hearts is a brave and candid memoir of her relentless fight to be well, to continue in her work, and to be able to give her heart to the man she loves.

Irritable Hearts is a gripping page-turning story, giving the readers an informed insight into PTSD and the crucial need for continued medical research and treatment as well as compassion for those suffering from PTSD.

On a side note, according to an estimate from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, we lose 22 American military veterans each day to suicide - most are PTSD patients.