Michael Baron (3)

The author of this book is variously shown as Michael Baron or Lou Aronica. I don't know if they are the same person, or if they co-wrote the book. It doesn't much matter. I downloaded it on my Kindle free over a decade ago and finally got around to reading it when travelling.

I liked the book very much. The style is that of women's fiction but the main protagonist is a man - a likeable, believable person called Gerry who was happily married until his wife suddenly died, as we learn at the start of the book. His teenager daughter disappeared shortly before, and doesn't yet know... and Gerry is left with a two-month old baby, whom he has to look after.

There's a romantic thread, one filled with poignancy as Gerry struggles to come to terms with what has happened. He has to make some hard decisions and find some way of moving forward, still grieving, but finding ways to put aside his feelings of guilt and depression. I thought this very difficult situation was very well handled - and if the ending is a tad too neat and tidy, it didn't worry me at all.

Recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/09/when-you-went-away-by-michael-baron...… (meer)

Anything by Lou Aronica
This story follows Melissa nd Ken. They are to be wed and he wonders bout her past life. He visits the unique shop and Stefon says he can bring him back to check out her life, not touch anything or interact.
He finds himself when Melissa was just a toddler, another time she's older and he witnesses abuse taking place. After that she no longer wants to be a concert pianoist. He comes back to the real world and she's no longer in his life, her parents aren't even around and he is depressed.
He wants to find her and get back to her. He does locate her playing a concert and it is her. He is told he needs to go after what he wants...
Never imagined the events taking place as they did, wow! Love hearing of the interactions that take place, the locations and the shops where exquisite objects are created.
Received this review copy from the publsiher The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.… (meer)

Leaves by Lou Aronica
Foliage of autumn leaves along Connecticut, breathtaking!
That and other things made me want to read this book as I love being able to see the colors now and love the scenery.
The siblings sat around the kitchen table to discuss plans for the annual tradition. No spouses or children, just the immediate family. Everyone would have a job to fulfill.
The Sugar Maple Inn had a yearly October Halloween open Inn event that both Bethany and Joseph Gold had taken special pleasure in bringing to the community. Now that they were gone the children were going to make sure it continued this year before the Inn was sold.
Love the references to the musical artists that I still follow.
Each of the children have their own lives and are at various stages of relationships and some have children of varying ages.
Love the photography and culinary skills.
Love how she experiments with herbs and spices to perfection.
The book is very detailed, descriptive enough and warm and welcoming that I feel a part of the family. Many of the events that do take place I've lived through myself so I know the pain and sorrow and joy and happiness.
Love how some things that occur bring up memories of the past, the siblings getting along and being a family.
Even though there are a lot of characters in this book they are very easy to keep track of and I love how the chapters are set up. Nothing in confusing in this book.
First you start out just meeting them and as time goes on you discover the relationship problems they are having, sometimes it's just the kids problems.
Love how the brothers and sisters can just drop in on another sibling and talk about their problems.
One thing I do when I find a new author to read and like what I'm reading is to go visit their site, which I did and I can't wait to find the other books he's written so I can read them as well. This book also includes a chapter of Micheal's other works.
Happy to learn this is one of a series, oh sweet!… (meer)

Spinning by Lou Aronica
When I was first offered this book I jumped at the chance as I've read and enjoyed other books by the author and knew this would be a good story.
Dylan is single and has worked his way up the ladder to a lead position and now with the great job he had done getting an account from another company to handle, he has many choices-job wise.
Problem is Diane who he knew a long time ago has reappeared in his life with a 3 year old and the child is not his. She moves on and gets a job herself and it comes with an apartment and day care.
Tragedy strikes next as Dylan is becoming accustomed to the child, Spring, she's grabbed a piece of his heart. He must now be her only living family, although they are not related at all.
The refreshing thing about this book is that it's about Dylan and how he copes with things from his perspective. Different that it's not from the woman's point of view but still a very good well written story as are the authors other books I've read.
When Family Services came knocking he had built up a relationship with Spring, routines, etc and finds himself at a loss but with help from his friends he gets in gear to fight for her. He's only a single guy and he's not blood related and considers again all the things left behind from Diane...… (meer)