War Brides

Book Title: War Brides
Author: Helen Bryan
4.5 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

(Taken directly from Amazon.com. Their description fits every plot point in perfectly. Also I apologize that it is a bit lengthy, but all points made here were crucial to the story and to understanding the review.)

With war threatening to spread from Europe to England, the sleepy village of Crowmarsh Priors settles into a new sort of normal: Evacuees from London are billeted in local homes. Nightly air raids become grimly mundane. The tightening vice of rationing curtails every comfort. Men leave to fight and die. And five women forge an unlikely bond of friendship that will change their lives forever.

Alice Osbourne, the stolid daughter of the late vicar, is reeling from the news that Richard Fairfax broke their engagement to marry Evangeline Fontaine, an American girl from the Deep South. Evangeline’s arrival causes a stir in the village—but not the chaos that would ensue if they knew her motives for being there. Scrappy Elsie Pigeon is among the poor of London who see the evacuations as a chance to escape a life of destitution. Another new arrival is Tanni Zayman, a young Jewish girl who fled the horrors of Europe and now waits with her newborn son, certain that the rest of her family is safe and bound to show up any day. And then there’s Frances Falconleigh, a madcap, fearless debutante whose father is determined to keep her in the countryside and out of the papers.

As the war and its relentless hardships intensify around them, the same struggles that threaten to rip apart their lives also bring the five closer together. They draw strength from one another to defeat formidable enemies—hunger, falling bombs, the looming threat of a Nazi invasion, and a traitor in their midst—and find remarkable strength within themselves to help their friends. Theirs is a war-forged loyalty that will outlast the fiercest battle and endure years and distance.

When four of the women return to Crowmarsh Priors for a VE Day celebration fifty years later, television cameras focus on the heartwarming story of these old women as war brides of a bygone age, but miss the more newsworthy angle. The women’s mission is not to commemorate or remember—they’ve returned to settle a score and avenge one of their own.

My thoughts: 

This is a book that really packed an unexpected punch. I am not saying this because I am a fan of books about war (yes, I have an odd fascination with learning about times that the whole world went crazy), but this book really took me by surprise. There were quite a few positives, and although it goes against my normal format, I will name the one negative thing first.

The thing I had trouble with about this book, is the sheer magnitude of characters. There were times that I would become a little confused about who was speaking, or what relationship certain people were to one another. There were five main characters: Tanni, Elsie, Frances, Alice, and Evangeline. With those five main characters were maybe ten more characters in each individual woman's life. Lili, Klara, Frau Zayman, Bruno, Laurent, Richard, Mrs. Osborne, the Vicar, Albert, Hugo de Balfort and his father, Mr. Falconleigh, members of the Home Guard--- the list could go on. They were all characters that enhanced the story, but there were so many it was easy to get mixed up.

Having gotten my one negative point out of the way I will dive into the sea of positives about this book. The first thing I loved about the book, was really just the spirit of the women. In a time where they had so little to be happy about, they still were able to bond and even though the bulk of the story takes place in wartime, I felt a sense of calm in the ladies friendships. Frances always made me a little nervous with her ambitions to help the Auxis but in general, the women helped keep the story at a level where they maintained some normalcy.

That leads me to my next positive, which may sound like it counteracts my one negative but hear me out. I loved the characters. I loved Elsie and her crude accent (I found myself reading it aloud for the full effect). I felt complex emotions toward Evangeline, because at first I felt she was selfish and how dare she steal Richard from Alice, but by the end I truly respected and understood her decisions. I loved Tanni, and even though she broke down, she was still a strong person. I loved Alice, her rule-following and by the book mannerisms kept the rest of the girls down to earth. And I loved Frances in all her wild frivolity. The characters were all so well written and they all changed so much through the course of the book-- even the de Balforts whom I loved to hate. 

Another thing I loved about the book, was just the writing style. The point of views easily shifted from one character to another, almost like a camera in a movie slides from one conversation to the next. The way that the author wrote different dialects of language were fun to read as well, when Elsie and Bernie spoke, their voices were clear and different from when Tanni or Alice spoke. I just felt that the author really added a lot of minor details that, left out of the book, would not have majorly effected the story, but that enhanced it so much by being in there.

The last good thing I would like to mention, and I promise not to give a spoiler, is the ending. I thought that the book was winding down, I was at the 96% mark on my Kindle and thinking, 'Okay, this is nice but everything was resolved so why are we still here?'. At 97%, my jaw hit the floor. At 99% (the epilogue) my eyes were brimming with tears. This is one that you should not stop reading until the very last word on the very last page (or screen, which for some of you who are like me means reading to the 'tweet/share that you read this book' screen). 

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone. If you want something light, there are some very heartwarming funny moments, if you want a more serious read-- its about war, you cant get more serious than that. 

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BSG026/ref=r_ea_s_f

Happy Reading and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Plain Truth

Book Title: Plain Truth
Author: Jodi Picoult
3 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Katie Fisher is an unwed, teenage, Amish girl, who lives on her families farm-- part of an Amish community. Katie is your typical Amish teenager, being courted by a strong man who is in line to take over the farm. Everything looks picturesque. Until one morning, Katie gives birth to a baby, whom she is then accused of smothering to death. Nobody has known that Katie was pregnant, and the odds were stacked against her, her memory of the night failing and her stories so seldom matching up. Against the Amish way, Katie hires an attorney, Ellie Hathaway, who is struggling with her own personal relationships and love life. Ellie moves in with Katie at the Amish farm, and both women have to learn a new way of life.

My Thoughts:

I am normally a huge Jodi Picoult fan, so when I picked up this novel, I was very excited to start reading it. Usually Picoult has a set cast of characters, which I almost feel familiar with as though they are old friends, but this novel didn't have any of them, so I was a little sad to start off with. Having gotten that out of the way though, there were some good things, as well as some bad things about the book.

I will start with the positives. The writing and editing style of Jodi Picoult has always been fantastic. She is a NY Times Best Seller, so it is no surprise that her editor is very good at their job, and that her writing is very fantastic as well. She has a way of easily changing point of views between characters so that it is not confusing, and she also has a way of building her characters so that you truly feel like you know them and you want the best for them. Which leads me to another major plus about the book- the character development. At first, Katie annoyed me. I could not understand how someone could be so detached when their own baby was dead, but as I got to know her, all of the pieces began to fit and I really liked Katie. I also really liked Ellie, although I didn't like her at first either. In a nutshell, her characters were written and developed in a really convincing and easy way.

I also really enjoyed learning about the Amish culture. This is a culture that is seldom seen in a really truthful light. So many times I have seen shows about the Amish (like Breaking Amish on TLC), I have found them to be depicted in such a negative light. I always wondered why anyone would choose to be Amish if they are always shown as oppressive. This book really opened my eyes to the gentle and peaceful nature of the Amish lifestyle, that I don't think is shown very often.

There were a few things about the novel that I didn't like so much. The first thing that bugged me a little bit was the court case itself. Realistically, (and this is coming from someone who is not an attorney but a big fan of CourtTV and crime novels), I do not think that the state-- ANY state-- would pursue first degree murder charges on a neonaticide. In most cases, I beleive manslaughter would have been pursued, given the set of circumstances in the book. This may not bug many people, but in all of the other novels by Picoult that I have read, the charges have made a lot more sense. It got in the way for me, for some reason I couldn't shake that it was a little ridiculous.

Another thing I disliked about the book, is that at times, Ellie's relationship status with her boyfriend and ex boyfriend detracted from the main story line a bit. To spend almost 50 pages on a less interesting story like Ellie's dating situation detracted from how interesting the other things in the book were. It made me forget what was going on with the court case and with Katie's flashbacks (which I found very interesting).

The last thing that took away from the book is simply pacing. It was so slow in some parts that I found myself skipping ahead to count the pages to the next chapter. Usually when I read the pages go by so quickly, but this novel just felt so slow at times. It was not weighed down by the legal jargon, which I like reading about as it is an insight into a world I hope to never know, but it was weighed down by wordiness and slow afternoons explained for long periods of time.

Overall, this was not a terrible book. I would recommend it if you enjoy crime dramas or legal mysteries, but if you are looking for a quick read you should probably stay away. I would suggest reading a different Picoult novel if you are looking to get into her books, start with the Love Pact-- that is one that will suck you in (expect a review on that one soon).

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the novel, when I purchased it, it was a little bit cheaper so I apologize that it isn't a bargain book:

http://www.amazon.com/Plain-Truth-ebook/dp/B000FC0STQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356236276&sr=1-1&keywords=plain+truth

Happy Reading!!!

Deal of the Day!

Hello all!

Today's deal of the day is a book I recently started reading, and can't put down. Best of all, it is only $1.99 (part of this months 100 books $3.99 or less). The book is called "Carry Yourself Back to Me" by Deborah Reed.

                                                              Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com


Here is a little plot (taken directly from Amazon):


Famed alt-country artist Annie Walsh has more than enough reason to sing her version of the blues, including a broken heart, a stalled career, and a troubled family. Annie seeks refuge from an upended love affair with her producer, Owen Pettybone, by sequestering herself at home with her old dog Detour, surrounded by a lush Florida tangelo grove. There, she spends her days furiously sanding down the house’s every veneer in a vain attempt at erasing the painful memory of the love she lost. Soon, however, this quiet, small town existence—far from recording studios, ardent fans, and affairs of the heart—comes crashing down around her. A violent murder connected to her brother Calder threatens to tear her family apart and forces Annie to shore up her loyalties and uproot profound disappointments from her distant past. The evidence stacks against Calder, compounded by his lifelong affliction with Tourette syndrome that causes some in the community to cast aspersions on the soundness of his mind. 

As the circumstances converge to challenge lifetime ties and forge unexpected new bonds, this soulful, stirring novel shifts its narrative from an imperiled and ever-changing present, where each hour brings an unforeseen and unwelcome piece of news, to the poignant childhood days of first allegiances and life-altering loss. Like a fine and forlorn love ballad, the gifted, conflicted Annie lulls the reader into a journey through love and loss that mines the mysterious, and, at times, paradoxical rhythms of the human heart.


Here is a link to the Kindle edition:


http://www.amazon.com/Carry-Yourself-Back-Me-ebook/dp/B004FPZ27C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354840783&sr=8-1&keywords=carry+yourself+back+to+me

Enjoy!

Ferris Beach

Book Title: Ferris Beach
Author: Jill McCorkle
1.5 out of 5 Stars

                                                              Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
Plot Background:

Mary Katherine Burns, AKA Katie, is a young woman growing up in the 70's. Her father and mother are and odd pairing, and her quiet family and simple life differs greatly from her new neighbors. The Rhodes family moves in across the street, and Katie quickly becomes best friends with Misty and Misty's mother Mo. Katie has a cousin, Angela, who lives in Ferris Beach, and she spends a lot of time thinking about Angela and her mysterious life. One fourth of July, everything changes and the girls' world is turned upside down.

My Thoughts:

This book, while it had its good points, was overall very weird to me. I will start with the good points.

The first good point, is the way that McCorkle writes. She paints a very solid and beautiful word pictures in a way that many authors struggle with. At first, I loved the novel. It reminded me so much of my own time growing up. The way that Mrs. Poole reminded me of my own parents friends is something that I found hilarious, and every time she said "lord forgive me while I whine" I couldn't help but laugh, because I used to think the same way.

I also really loved the characters. I loved Katie, Misty reminded me of my own best friend/ next door neighbor growing up (coincidentally Misty and my best friend growing up both had red/orange hair). I loved Mo also, she was so free and her spirit really shined in the book.

This book had all the right ingredients, it just seemed a bit half baked. I felt like I was reading a rough draft. I came across many grammatical/spelling errors (things that should have been caught in editing, like spme instead of some for example-- which occurred more than once, or constant confusing use of italics). I also noticed many places where the author must have forgotten that she already had told a place, but then in the next paragraph said they were at a different place (for example "The heat had just come on in the car when my mother blurted out.......... she held my hand as we sat on the ground in front of the grave."). I felt that, where McCorkle did a great job painting the pictures, the editor really slacked on their job finishing the masterpiece. An editor can sometimes make all the difference in a book.

Another half-baked thing in the book, which again made me feel that I was reading a rough draft was the plot. There were way too many plots over way too long an amount of time. I thought the main plot would be about Mo, but then once the big thing happened with Mo it was 20 pages before the story moved on. Then I thought it would be about Katie and her boyfriend, but it, again moved on quickly. I also thought that the main plot would be about Katie and Angela, the mystery of their relationship and their family, but again, the story skipped it. It had at least 5 story lines that, had the author picked just one, would have made an amazing novel. Then out of nowhere something happens to Katie's father. It almost seemed like the author was adding in sadness just for sadness sake.

I also felt that, where I liked the characters, I found their conversations to be unrealistic. A lot of things went unexplained, and their conversations were oftentimes confusing. I also found that the author would pose a question in the beginning of a paragraph, have an inner monologue, and then answer the question two pages later, so that I had to go back and see what they were talking about before she noodled away.

In general, this was a novel in DESPERATE need of an editor. If I were the author, I would either go back and fix it, reread it, or find a much better editor. It started off really strong but at about 30% (100 pages or so) in, I was over it.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition, when I purchased it I only paid $3, but now it is up to $9.39, and for some reason is cheaper in paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Ferris-Beach-ebook/dp/B003VWC1GU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354406848&sr=8-2&keywords=ferris+beach


Happy Reading!

Age Before Beauty(Sister-to-Sister Book 2)

Book Title: Age Before Beauty(Sister-to-Sister Book 2)
Author: Virginia Smith
2.5 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Allie Harrod has just had her first baby, a little girl named after her sister Joan (from book one), and Allie is desperate to stay home with her baby. She finds a way to cover her portion of the bills by selling "Varie Cose" (which is sort of like selling Avon). During this time of transition, her mother in law decides to come to town and stay with Allie and her husband Eric, which sends Allie over the edge of insanity. She is losing money, losing patience, losing everything but baby weight. Her sister, Joan, insists that God will be the answer to her problems, and Allie and Eric have to face these big decisions together.

My Thoughts:

There were some good elements to this story, but to me, overall it was not as good as the first book.

One thing I liked about the book was Allie herself. I think the timing of when I read this was sort of hilarious, my sister had a baby on the same birthday of Allie's baby, and Allie and my sister have very similar personalities. So for me, I felt like I have known Allie my whole life. I also really enjoyed how differently her point of view and Eric's point of view were on the same things. For example, Eric might see fixing a co-workers toilet as helpful and gentlemanly, and Allie sees him fixing that same co-workers toilet as shady and she immediately thinks the co-worker has a crush on her husband, where as Eric just thinks the co-worker is just needing someone to fix her toilet so she can use it!

Another thing I liked, that I enjoyed in the first book as well was the use of Point of View. The POV is never first person, but it shifts focus. What I mean by that, is that one chapter you will be mainly following Allie, and although it isnt first person, you get an insight into her thoughts, then the next chapter will be Eric's POV, and so on. I really enjoyed the subtle shift in the tone with each character too.

The things I didn't like as much about this book were similar to book one. The pacing was a bit off and the book felt slow to me. The plot seemed to not really have a big climax and it wasn't a "cant put it down" type of novel, I could put it down, and did a lot. The plot was good, and it was something I know a lot of people will be able to relate to, but the delivery was a little slow. That slowness really took away a lot of the enjoyment for me.

I also had mixed feelings on the delivery of the religious aspect of the story. I liked Joan and Ken from book one, and I know that Allie and Eric were needing to find God, so that would be addressed in this book. I liked that she turns to God like her sister did in book one, but it all felt a little rushed on Eric's end. He really didn't need much persuading even though he had a terrible experience that had previously kept him out of church for years. I was glad he also came to God, but it just felt like someone who went through what Eric went though might need a little more coaxing.

Overall it was not a bad book, but it wasn't as good as book one. This book would be a good standalone book, so if you don't want to read books one or three it would be good still. I also noticed a lot of set up for book three, so you all can expect a review coming on that soon!

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book-- and its only $5.38!:

http://www.amazon.com/before-Beauty-Sister---Sister-ebook/dp/B001OW5ZOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351866982&sr=8-2&keywords=age+before+beauty

Happy Reading!

Deal of the Day!

Hi everyone and Happy Halloween!

Today's deal was provided by a fan on our Facebook page, and I wanted to make sure that everyone got a chance to see it!

It is called Knowing God by EDOJA SANA (Author) and ARMSTRONG SHARI (Editor). It is a book that will be a source of encouragement and enlightenment to those seeking God. I will not post a plot synopsis on this one because it is pretty self explanatory.

AND its FREE! Here is a link to the Kindle edition:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHJMW

Thank you for sharing this with us Sana from Facebook! I look forward to reading it!

Happy Reading!

The Hurricane

Book Title: The Hurricane
Author: Hugh Howey
4.75 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Daniel Stillman is a teenager living in the digital era of today. He doesn't have many friends on Facebook, his cell phone (a basic older model) is never buzzing with constant text messages, and everyone around him is extremely plugged-in to their many devices. As a category 5 storm comes and silences the constantly buzzing world around him, Daniel is left to discover a great silence, a girl down the street, and the people that have been in his life the whole time.

My Thoughts:

Wow. That's my first reaction to this book. I literally could not put it down. It was fantastic. There were so many amazing things about it, and if the author of the book is reading this, I just want to say GREAT JOB! There was only one thing I didn't love about it, but I will get to that in a moment.

The first thing I really loved about the book is just the atmosphere. When I read this, the first part, during the party and up to the storm, I felt such a strong feeling of anticipation and nervousness. I felt like everything was, for lack of better words, buzzing-- it was like waiting for a rubber band that is being pulled and pulled to just snap. This was not only because of the impending storm coming, but just the state of unrest everyone was constantly in by being so hooked in to technology. His classmates are always walking around with their faces glued to various screens- from cell phones to Ipads. His brother, Hunter,  is always playing a video game while his sister, Zola, is constantly texting. His mother is always on her Blackberry working and his step-father, Carlton, is constantly using his Ipad. When Daniel was spending "family time" eating dinner around the TV, I could feel the strained setting and the author really painted such a clear picture of what happens in so many homes today-- everyone is so "connected" to everyone else (the people in their phones or computers) that they don't build the most important bonds with the people who are actually IN the room. In general, this all added to this anticipation feeling, and the author really did a fantastic job putting you IN the room as an uncomfortable observer.

Along the same lines, I absolutely loved the shift in atmosphere as the hurricane passed through, and the shift in all of the characters. I felt like I was in the bathroom hunkering down with the family. As I read, I could hear the creaking and shifting of the house. The author really put you right in the action, and his words painted a fantastic picture. Perhaps it is because I live in Florida and have been through my fair share of hurricanes, but I felt that strange wonder of not knowing what the outside world is going to look like once the storm passes.

Aside from the feeling of being in the storm, I was in love with the juxtaposition between the calm occurring INSIDE the storm and the chaos that preceded the hurricane. Daniel's life was in such turmoil before Hurricane Anna, where the calm usually comes before the storm, his calm occurred during the eye of the storm. The shift in all of the characters was also very well written as well during this time of waiting. Each character began to develop, the family unit grew closer and it in turn further developed the story. It almost seemed like a commentary on our current state of living in the modern American family.

I also really enjoyed Daniel's character. He reminded me so much of another Daniel I recently read ( from Catcher, Caught), perhaps its just the name. He was so, normal. Had he been born even five years earlier, he might have had a better shake at life, but being someone disinterested in trying to change himself for others and disinterested in spending all his time with technology, he really had a rough time. I won't give away what happens at the party before the storm, but it made me so mad at those mean kids and it made me truly glad that I graduated high school before the digital age really kicked into high gear. I also loved the character of Anna. She was so much like Daniel, it was perfect. She wasn't perfect-- it wasn't unbelievable that he would get a girl like her but she was perfect for him. She too was not a technology addict, and I just loved how clever she was and how imperfect her life was. She was really well written, especially for a character that wasn't introduced until halfway through the book.

The only one thing I can say I didn't enjoy about the book, was how quickly it ended. It almost felt like you are in this storm with them, you are an observer but you are part of it, and then suddenly the story almost zooms out and you are taken from living every minute with them to skipping ahead a few days. It felt like, were it a movie, someone zoomed out and hit fast forward. However, I do think the ending was a good one since the characters had come so incredibly far from where they started.

I will stop my raving about this book and let you all see for yourself. I highly recommend this for anyone. This author is amazing, the story flows so well and the characters are amazing. If you are looking for a "cant-put-it -down-just-one-more-paragraph-okay-just-one-more-well-might-as-well-finish-the-page,-well-almost-done-with-the-book-lets-just-finish-it-now-since-I-cant-stop" book this is one for you.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book-- and its only $0.99!:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hurricane-ebook/dp/B0052VU9G2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1351445284&sr=1-2&keywords=hurricane

Happy Reading!!!

Stuck In the Middle (Sister-to-Sister Book 1)

Book Title: Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister Book 1)
Author: Virginia Smith
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Joan Sanderson is stuck in a rutt. The middle child of three sisters, she feels her life is at a stand-still as her older sister Allie is starting a family and her younger sister Tori is starting a career. Joan lives at home with her mother and grandmother and has no prospects in her love life. Everything begins to change however as a handsome young doctor and his dog move in next door to her. Suddenly, she feels her life shifting and tilting on its axis- everything she thought she had moved past begins bubbling to the surface. Faced with a bit of rivalry from her younger sister Tori, Joan  must learn who she is and who God is in order to get to know Ken(the hunky doctor).

My Thoughts:

This book was a really funny one to me. I love books about sisters (big surprise, I have sisters myself), and this book drew me in because I too am a middle child.

I'll start with the things I loved about the book. Joan is such an honest and relatable character. I feel like I know her, and I felt like I have experienced so many of the things that she is going through in the novel. It was funny because as I was reading this book, I felt like the author must have written it about my life. It struck me how similar our situations were growing up, how much our relationships with our sisters compared, and how much our relationships with God have been. A huge part of the novel was Joan, who was raised in church but who had struggled to keep her faith, trying to get back to a place of trusting and believing God, even when her earthly father had let her down so much. It really spoke to me in a way that I needed to hear, and I very much enjoyed spending time inside Joan's head.

Another strength in the book was just the humor  It wasn't all melancholy and praise and worship songs, the novel had some really funny elements. I wont give anything away, but certain parts made me chuckle. The whole book had a lightness to it, which is something I needed greatly after coming off of a string of serious and dark novels.

There were a few flaws I saw in the book. The first major flaw I found was pacing. I felt like the book took a while to really get going, and then once it got going there were parts where it seemed like the steam was starting to run out, and then suddenly it was ending. A lot of the slower parts were parts with quiet reflection, which may have been the intent of the author, but there were quite a few parts that just felt like walking through sand.

Another flaw I found was Ken. He was just too, perfect? I am not sure that's the right word, but I kept trying to find flaws in him where there were none, which made him seem unhuman and therefore unrelatable. Aside from the fact that he almost doesn't like Joan because she isn't religious enough, he has nothing wrong with him-- he has abs and he jogs and he has a great dog and he is a doctor and he volunteers in third world countries. I have never in my life met someone as perfect as Ken, and the idea that this perfect person would randomly move in next door and fall in love with you was hard to wrap my head around.

Aside from that though, this was an enjoyable book. It was light and fun. If you are not a fan of religion this may not be the novel for you, but if you are okay reading about someone's spiritual journey with Christ and reading a little romance mixed with sister bonding, then you will love it.

Here is a link to the book on Kindle, best of all it is FREE!:

http://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Middle-Sister---Sister-ebook/dp/B001GMANO4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351199889&sr=8-1&keywords=stuck+in+the+middle

Happy Reading!

Deal of the Day!

Hello all!
Today's deal of the day is another Jodi Picoult novel. It is called The Pact, and it is now only $4.74! This is another Picoult novel I would get while you can, she is a NY Times best selling author, and her books do not  typically come, or stay cheap.

The Pact is one of my favorite books, I will most likely post a review on it again soon once I re-read it for the umpteenth time. Here is the plot: Two families, the Hartes and the Golds have been neighbors and friends for years. It came as no surprise when children of the two families, Chris and Emily fall in love during their teen years. The happy facade suddenly fades away, however, when Emily is shot and killed, and the gun is in Chris's hand-- part of a suicide pact. As the truth begins to come out about both teens, the parents are forced to not only face the reality that they never really knew their children at all, but are also faced with a very big battle in court. Picoult brings in her usual cast of character, like the ever witty Jordan McAffe, attorney at law.

I highly reccommend this book. Something about it has always stuck with me, and its not just because I am a big fan of Picoult's novels.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition (GET IT WHILE ITS CHEAP!):

http://www.amazon.com/The-Pact-ebook/dp/B001KDQ4KQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1350998052&sr=8-3&keywords=the+pact

Happy Reading!!!

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Deal of the Day!

Hello all!

Today's deal of the day is by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. The book is titled Keeping Faith, and it is only $2.99 for the month of October.

Here is a little plot:
When the marriage of Mariah White and her cheating husband, Colin, turns ugly and disintegrates, their seven-year-old daughter, Faith, is there to witness it all. In the aftermath of a rapid divorce, Mariah falls into a deep depression -- and suddenly Faith, a child with no religious background whatsoever, hears divine voices, starts reciting biblical passages, and develops stigmata. And when the miraculous healings begin, mother and daughter are thrust into the volatile center of controversy and into the heat of a custody battle -- trapped in a mad media circus that threatens what little stability the family has left.

Jodi Picoult is a New York Times best selling author, so it is always good to get her books when they're on sale when you can!

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Faith-ebook/dp/B001FA0U3G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1350686753&sr=8-3&keywords=keeping+the+faith

Enjoy!

Deal(s) of the Day!

Hello everyone!
I send my sincerest apologies for not posting in a few weeks, I have been taking care of some things that have kept me away from the computer. I also wanted to say a special thank you to those of you who emailed me with your concerns, you all are the reason I do this blog and your words of encouragement have been amazing.

Having said that, I wanted to post a few extra deals today in addition to the review/deal of The Summer Son. A few authors have posted these to our Facebook page, and I wanted to make sure to share them with you!

The first deal today is titled  Crazy in Paradise by Deborah Brown. It is only $2.99! Here's a little plot (taken directly from Amazon.com):

 Dying in the middle of the summer in the Florida Keys is sweaty business.Welcome to Tarpon Cove. Madison Westin has inherited her aunt's beachfront motel in the Florida Keys. Trouble is she's also inherited a slew of colorful tenant's - drunks, ex-cons, and fugitives.
Only one problem: First, she has to wrestle control from a conniving lawyer and shady motel manager. With the help of her new best friend, whose motto is never leave home without your Glock, they dive into a world of blackmail, murder, and drugs.
Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-in-Paradise-ebook/dp/B0059AJ8V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349484496&sr=8-1&keywords=crazy+in+paradise

The next deal today is called Spiritus, a Paranormal Romance by Dana Michelle Burnett. It is only 99 cents! Here's the plot (taken directly from Amazon.com):

"As I watched him vanish into a soft mist that faded away, I knew that he was no ordinary spirit...I knew that he was a dangerous entity that could be in some corner of another realm planning his revenge, but I also knew that I was hopelessly in love with him."
When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last.
Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/Spiritus-Paranormal-Romance-Series-ebook/dp/B005V02FD4/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1

Enjoy, and look for reviews on these coming soon!

The Summer Son

Book Title: The Summer Son
Author: Craig Lancaster
3.75 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Mitch Quillen is a middle aged man with a very big chip on his shoulder. His marriage is failing, his career has fizzled out; his mother has passed away, and his father is really the only connection to his past and his family that he has left. Following a series of mysterious phone calls from his usually silent father, Mitch decides (with a little push from his wife) to go to Montana to find out what is wrong and to settle the debt he feels his father owes him. When he gets there, he discovers that the problems and miscommunications begin to build up, and what he discovers will change him forever.

My thoughts:

I had mixed feelings on this story. I was torn between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I went with 3.75. I will start with the good elements of this book.

One thing that I loved about the book, is how simply beautifully the book is written. Lancaster has a real talent with words, and the way he constructed his sentences and the words that he used flowed together perfectly. I didn't feel that he dumbed anything down for the reader, and that is something that I respect greatly in him as an author. He didn't over explain things, but he didn't leave the reader wanting more explanations either. I would love to read more of his work, not for the story or plot but just because of how the words seems to have flowed out of him like water into something that was beautiful.

I also liked the character of Mitch. He was like so many people, lost. He felt he wasn't responsible for his happiness-- it was always someone else's fault. His wife's fault for infidelity, his fathers fault for messing up his childhood, his brother's fault for his mothers sorrow. He, like so many others, did not fully take ownership of his life until near the end. I also enjoyed the transformation that his character underwent during the novel. He was merely a dopple-ganger of his former self by the end.

Another thing I liked was that the author didn't overload the book with minor characters. The people that were met or mentioned, were all part of the bigger picture. For the most part, there weren't a lot of minor fluff characters to beef up the story, it was just a raw, simple yet complex story line.

This brings me to my next point, things that made this book not a 4 or 5 star book for me. The plot, while interesting, was a little slow at some points. I kept waiting for something big and terrible to happen to cause such anger and such a rift between Mitch and his father Jim. I thought maybe Mitch was abused, physically or sexually or otherwise, but the only major thing that happened was his father getting drunk and fighting with his ex-wife. Perhaps it is a sad commentary on our society that a drunk argumentative father does not phase me, but I kept waiting for the other shoe to fall so to speak. It was not until the end-- which I will NOT give away here, that I felt truly shocked, and even then it wasn't something Mitch even knew about growing up, so it wasn't something that would have been included in the reason for their rift. I just felt that Mitch was being, well, for lack of better words a whiny baby. I thought to myself "Everyone's parents have had fights, if I didn't talk to my dad just because  my parent's fought I'd never have a conversation with him. Mitch needs to grow up and get over it already!" Jim had plenty of reasons to be so broody and distant, but Mitch, well Mitch just seemed annoyingly selfish.

Overall this novel was worth reading. It was serious and dark in the end, but along the way it was a little bit dry and slow, no matter how beautiful and smart the author's words. I would recommend it to anyone who has had issues with their parents in their lives, or if you are looking for a deeper book to read.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book, best of all its only $2.99! And paper copy is only $3.99! You can use the Amazon searchbox for a paper copy on the side of the screen.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Summer-Son-ebook/dp/B003S9WBLG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350353962&sr=8-2&keywords=the+summer+son

Happy Reading!!!

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Easily Amused

Book Title: Easily Amused
Author: Karen McQuestion
3 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Lola is about to turn 30, and when her younger, meaner sister announces that the wedding is going to be on Lola's birthday, she needs a plan to show everyone that she is not the pathetic older sibling. Having recently moved into a house on King Street, left to her by her late aunt, she is not only dealing with all of her family drama, but being immersed into the King Street lifestyle, which involves block parties, searches for lost dogs, and a group of neighbors who are in constant contact. Meanwhile, Lola's best friend Hubert moves in with her, following a messy breakup with his girlfriend. Lola finds herself torn between two men, and torn between keeping to herself or joining the King Street madness.

My Thoughts:

This book is the second novel by McQuestion that I have read, the first being A Scattered Life, which I loved, so I came into this with pretty high expectations. Expectations aside, this was a pretty good book, there were some things I wasn't a huge fan of, but for the most part, this was exactly the kind of book I needed to read right now.

The first thing I really liked about the book was that Lola is hilarious. I laughed out loud at her inner monologue at times, and I really felt I could relate to Lola's humorous view on life. McQuestion is a very witty writer, which is something I loved so much about A Scattered Life. I also felt that Lola was a good example of the modern woman, shes insecure and realistic and funny, but surprisingly strong at times when her sister is being mean. I really connected with her, which sometimes in 'romantic comedy' type books I have a hard time doing. So many times the romantic books make women look like silly swooners and it was nice to see a character so realistic.

I also felt that Lola's friends were relate-able. Her friend Piper has a small baby, and is constantly having to tell Lola that she cant talk or having to leave early because of the baby, which reminded me so much of my own friends with children. Piper's husband Mike also made me laugh a little because of how formal he is with Lola, much like my friend's husbands.These characters weren't over developed, and in a way that vagueness about them that made it easier for me to relate them to my own friends and family.

I also liked the huge contrast of Ryan and Hubert. Ryan, the suave guy with the fancy car, the money and the mysterious travels, who is going to be Lola's date is so transparent and typical. Then there is Hubert, the teacher who drives the VW Beetle, who likes to read Aunt May's diaries and cook chicken, is more mysterious to me than Ryan. Hubert has more depth, and Ryan is like a shallow puddle that looks deeper than it is. I loved how obvious their differences were.

This brings me to my next point, the obviousness of some things. The book was very predictable. I knew from the second chapter what would happen, who would end up together, and how it would go down. There were times that I was a little disappointed because the author went for the obvious, but then other times I found this a little comforting. You can always count on the rich, mystery man to say something a little jerky, and you can always count on the sweet male friend to make it all better. Personally, I felt that more depth to the story might have been added if Ryan really was perfect, Lola's choices might have been made a little harder and she might have had a little bit more personal transformation at the end than what actually happens in the book.

Overall the book wasn't bad, but when I finished it, I felt like I had just watched a cheesy romance movie. I did enjoy reading it, I needed something a little bit lighter to read, and it delivered the much needed comic relief. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light quick read, great to read by the pool or while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book, of you can use the Amazon search box for a paper copy:

http://www.amazon.com/Easily-Amused-ebook/dp/B003X28734/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348343516&sr=1-1&keywords=easily+amused

Happy Reading!!!

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Deal of the Day!

Hello all!
I apologize that I haven't been able to post in the last few weeks as often as I would like, we have recently had a new addition to our family and she keeps everyone busy! :-) I will be back to posting at least two to three deals a week and at least one review a week starting this week, and this week I am going to be posting an a few additional deals to make up for lost time!

Today's deal is for a book titled "The Lotus Eaters" by Tatjana Soli. I am currently reading this book and you should expect a review on it by next Wednesday.

Here's a little plot (taken from Amazon.com): 

A unique and sweeping debut novel of an American female combat photographer in the Vietnam War, as she captures the wrenching chaos and finds herself torn between the love of two men. 

On a stifling day in 1975, the North Vietnamese army is poised to roll into Saigon. As the fall of the city begins, two lovers make their way through the streets to escape to a new life. Helen Adams, an American photojournalist, must take leave of a war she is addicted to and a devastated country she has come to love. Linh, the Vietnamese man who loves her, must grapple with his own conflicted loyalties of heart and homeland. As they race to leave, they play out a drama of devotion and betrayal that spins them back through twelve war-torn years, beginning in the splendor of Angkor Wat, with their mentor, larger-than-life war correspondent Sam Darrow, once Helen's infuriating love and fiercest competitor, and Linh's secret keeper, boss and truest friend.

This is an award winning book, so make sure you download this while its only $3.99!

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book, or you can use the Amazon search bar on the screen to locate a paper copy:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DYGNU6/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Happy Reading, and stay tuned for more deals this week and a review on this novel next week! 


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Girl Unmoored

Book Title: Girl Unmoored
Author: Jennifer Gooch Hummer
4 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

Apron Bramhall is a teenage girl who has seen stormy seas for a long time. Her mother has passed away and her father is now dating a very pregnant and very mean nurse, and her best friend Rennie has decided not to be friends with her anymore because the very popular Jenny Pratt has summoned her to be in the cool group. Apron is lost, until she meets Mike, the owner of a flower shop and actor who play Jesus in the play "Jesus Christ Superstar," and his boyfriend Chad whom also owns the flower shop, Scent Appeal. When she learns their secret, her world changes, and she suddenly finds that she knows more about love than she thought, and she knows more than the adults in her life. Apron finds that she must get herself to calmer waters, or be unmoored forever.

My Thoughts:

This was a book that was totally unexpected for me. When I read the plot on Amazon I thought this would be a light YA book, I thought it would be funny and short and an easy read. I was wrong in the best way. This book really gripped my heart, and I felt so attached to the people in it, especially Apron, and at the end of it I found that I felt like I wanted to reread it so it would never end.

Having said that, I will start on the first thing that caught my eye about this book: point of view. I love that this  is written from a thirteen year old's point of view, and not only is it first person (which is always my favorite) but it really felt like how I saw things when I was thirteen. Apron is a little bit detached at first, but I came to see that it only felt detached somewhat because thirteen year old's do not often get the full story from adults. For example, there were times that she would overhear a fight between her dad and "M", and as an adult you can infer a little bit of why they're fighting or what they're fighting about, but Apron doesn't know because she is a kid, so as the reader you're kept in the dark somewhat. The point of view really leads to the reader having to think critically to figure out what the adults are doing or saying sometimes, and it was fun to see if I was right at the end when the dad explains some things.

This leads me to my next point, which I mentioned previously: character development. I loved getting to know Apron, getting to see her change from the bitter, detached girl in the beginning, to the strong and smart young woman in the end. Her character changes so much, and since she is a child (even though child is a loose term), she is able to see things more purely. When adults are throwing bricks through the windows of Scent Appeal with homophobic slurs written on them, Apron knows those people are wrong, but her friends parents do not see anything wrong with that. The purity of a child really brings out a lot in the characters of this book. There was so much about Apron that I loved that I could go on for a while, but I will make one more point, which is that I loved that even though her mother is dead, her mother is so present through her. From painting a new lobster for the baby at the table to having a good attitude, you could feel the mother in the book even though she was never alive in the book. If that makes any sense.

I also loved Mike and Chad's characters. I loved seeing their love for each other, because even though the world told them it was wrong, it was the most pure form of love in the book. Apron's dad and "M" had such a complicated relationship, and you learn that her mom had a complicated relationship as well before she died, but the love between Mike and Chad was just easy and honest. ***************************SPOILER ALERT*************************
With Chad, you know from the first sentence you meet him that he is sick. AIDS is mentioned in earlier, so your mind can infer that this is what is happening to him. I have never been taught much about AIDS, as far as what it does, what symptoms it can cause etc, so reading this book was an eye opener for me. I found myself feeling heartbroken, not just for Chad, and not just for Mike for having to loose the love of his life, but for every other person out there in the world that has suffered with it. I found myself thinking of Freddie Mercury when he wrote Who Wants to Live Forever, and I found myself really feeling for all the people in the world, gay or straight who have had to suffer at the hands of this terrible disease, not only having to die from it, but having to LIVE with it. It really was heart breaking. So in that regard especially, the character development played a huge role and really the author did a fantastic job getting all of these emotions across.

A less important thing about the book, but still something that I wanted to mention because it really made the book fun, was the Latin phrases throughout, and the titles of each chapter. They were cute and added something extra. Also, way to go Jennifer Gooch Hummer for learning or finding all those phrases!

There were only a few downsides to this book that I can say. One is that it had to end. Silly, I know, but author, if you're reading this, a second book would be good, maybe a book about life with Daisy! :-)
The other negative I had was that when she went to Mike's going away party near the end, it felt like she was going to a party at "the Capitol" from The Hunger Games. Perhaps I am over thinking it, but it struck me as a little weird. I also would've liked to learn a little bit more about Toby, or even the relationship between M and the mother before she died. It is mentioned briefly in the end but I would've liked a little bit more on that.

This was a great book though. I would recommend it to everyone, not just YA readers.

As always, here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book, or you can use the search bar on the side of the screen for a paper copy:

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Unmoored-ebook/dp/B0073HNMJY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346770244&sr=1-1&keywords=girl+unmoored


Happy Reading!!!

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Deal of the Day!

Hello all!

I apologize that I am posting a bit late this week, I have been attending events at the national convention being held in my city and have had limited time to log in. I may be a few days behind posting this weeks review (on Girl Unmoored), but in the meantime, here is a daily deal on a book called Angel by Mary E. Kingsley, and its only $1.99!

Here's a little plot (taken from Amazon):

Thirteen year old Angel Bishop is fed up with all the unanswered questions about her life, like why did her daddy run off when she was just a baby? And why has her Aunt Patsy, the only family member she feels she can talk to, been locked up in a place for crazy people all these years? It seems to Angel like her family fell apart right after she was born, which makes her wonder what her coming along had to do with it. 

Growing up with her mother, Ruth, who is often distant and preoccupied, and her bible thumping grandmother, Naomi, Angel is certain there's more to the story than she's been told. When her father, Calvin, telephones out of the blue one evening and says he's coming home for Thanksgiving, Angel thinks her dream of having a normal family is finally going to come true. Instead, she finds herself at the center of a dangerous scenario, threatened by secrets far beyond her understanding. 
Set in a small Appalachian town in the early 1970's, Angel is the compelling story of an innocent girl as the unwitting link between the two generations of her family's dark and unresolved past.

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book:

http://www.amazon.com/ANGEL-ebook/dp/B0067RFD6G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346269450&sr=8-3&keywords=angel


Happy Reading!!!

Author Q&A with Jane Carroll!

Hello All! 

I am extremely pleased to post a Q&A with the very talented Jane Carroll author of Bertha Size Your Life! To those of you who haven't had a chance to read it, I highly recommend that you do!
I will also be posting a short review later on today or early tomorrow morning as well.  
I would also like to take the time to thank Jane for taking the time to be a part of this interview and thank her for letting me pick her brain, so here it is!

Q: Bertha is quite a character, did anyone inspire you to write her, and how on earth did you come up with some of the funny scenarios she does (like dressing up like a clown, or telling off that gossip in the beauty parlor)? 

A:Originally, I wanted to write a book of self-discovery for women who were experiencing empty-nest syndrome. I started it, but it was pretty boring. In fact, I didn’t even like it. Then one day my life coach left me a message that her daughter had moved out and asked what she should do. She wasn’t at home when I returned her call so I shot her a flippant email, telling her to name her nest. I named mine Bertha and made up a little story about the benefits of doing that.
The next thing I knew…I was upset about something and I casually thought I should just let Bertha take care of it. And that’s exactly what I did. I wrote a story letting Bertha take charge of things. Later, when I reread the story I realized that it had some really great advice in it, but it was a little too revealing for my comfort level. So, I just changed the details of the situation until only I really knew what it was all about and the beauty parlor scene you mentioned was born.
And that, as that say, was that. One exercise at a time, Bertha took over the entire book I was writing and the energy changed. I guess you could say that Bertha replaced lectures with laughter. I took the wonderful self-help principles I’d learned over the years and turned them into outlandish antics and added in some nostalgia to make it more fun.

Q: I know this may sound a little random, but I've got to ask, will singing to a begonia really help it? 

A: I love this question. While I wish I could say that it did, I can only say that I have never had any luck growing begonias and the one that inspired the story didn’t fare any better than her predecessors. Of course…it could have been the choice of Bertha’s song!

Q: Do you feel like you relate more closely to the narrator or Bertha?

A:Honestly, I think most people would tell you that I closely resemble Bertha. I generally have a very upbeat attitude and have been known to be a little goofy. Of course, I don’t have her wardrobe and wouldn’t dare wear the heels she loves so you can definitely tell us apart.
But although I resemble Bertha, I identify with the narrator more. I believe the reason is that Bertha represents all the lessons I’ve learned in my life from a variety of sources. I’m still learning every day so I’m still that person.
A side note. Some people ask why the narrator doesn’t have a name. Honestly, I suppose it started because I was writing in my journal and in first person. But as the stories started to become a book I thought it was important to keep the details as blurred as possible so that any woman could identify with the narrator. It was my hope that the reader would feel as though she was actually in the room with Bertha. That’s also why the cat isn’t named. Almost everyone has known ‘a cat’ at some point and it was nice to let them identify with that cat rather than mine.

Q: I love how positive and uplifting this book was to read, and I loved how it really has no age limit. What do you hope is the biggest thing that people take away from your book?

A:I want people to come away knowing that they can be anything and everything that they want to be. There are no limits except those we impose on ourselves. And the more fun we have along the way - the easier it is to get there. That’s where Bertha comes in; she’s straight up fun!
One of my wildest dreams was to become a bestselling author. I have now a reached that status on not one but two continents. You can be anything you want to be; I’m living proof.

Q: Are you currently reading anything now? Who is your favorite author or genre?

A:Currently, I’m between reads. I’ve been so busy this summer that I’ve gotten behind. I will be remedying that shortly.
I enjoy reading non-fiction, self-help, motivational type books. Og Mandino was my all-time favorite author. I loved his ability to masterfully craft a story around the principles he was teaching. In many ways he is the inspiration for my writing style.
In fiction, I enjoy something that is mostly light. Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite authors. I love her mix of a hint of magic, intrigue, romance and delicious descriptions.

Q: I noticed it is part of "The Bertha Series", are you already working on the next book? Any idea on when the next book will be available (I know there are probably quite a few of us looking forward to another Bertha book!) 

A:Thank you. There is a Bertha sequel in the works. I had hoped to be finished by now, but Bertha is still teaching me some of the lessons that are in the book. I will say that there will be a twist or two in this one. Hopefully, it will be out in this winter.

Q: I think a lot of us are going to start looking through life in "Bertha-vision", I know I am, did writing this book change the way you see things in life?

A:First, I love the phrase “Bertha-vision” and you know that I am stealing it! Secondly, absolutely! Bertha has changed everything about my life. It’s like I can’t get away with anything anymore - she’s always there pointing out a more positive way of looking at things. I even read through the book from time to time when I need a bit of inspiration.

Q: Any shout-outs to anyone?

A:Cynthia Dendy is not only my illustrator but, my sister. I love that she was able to take my stories and give Bertha a face, although I do believe that Bertha favors her!
I would also like to thank Debra Shiveley Welch and Saga Books for republishing Bertha. They have been awesome to work with.
And last but by no means least, is Kim Mutch Emerson of MasterKoda.com. Winning her marketing package, “The Extreme Author Makeover” at the beginning of the year totally shifted my writing career into high gear. Kim has been a continued source of encouragement and support and I can’t thank her enough.
And…last…last…a huge thank you to all of the women and men who have honored me by reading Bertha. I appreciate you more than you will ever know!!

Thanks again for stopping by the blog Jane! 

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of her book if you haven't read it yet (so read it!!!):

http://www.amazon.com/Bertha-Size-Your-Series-ebook/dp/B008873ZRM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345734585&sr=8-2&keywords=bertha+size+your+life

HAPPY READING!!!

Deal of the Day!

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a great week. Today's deal of the day is a book that I recently finished and quickly fell in love with. It is called Bertha Size Your Life(The Bertha Series) by Jane Carroll. I am also extremely pleased to announce that I will be posting a Q&A with this fantastic author either later today or tomorrow morning (stay tuned!!!). In the mean time, I suggest you all read this! If thats not enough convincing, the price is great too! $2.99!

Here is a little plot:

Bertha is a hilarious red-head who loves her spandex, and she appears in the narrators life one day during a walk in the park. From there, she moves in with the narrator, with a recently empty nest and the fun begins! This book reads like a series of funny and enlightening stories. Bertha will help you realize things about your own life and yourself, as she gets onto her soap box and dispenses life lessons. With Bertha, spandex, and the cat, you've got yourself a hilarious book!

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book (you can also purchase a paper copy on Amazon):

http://www.amazon.com/Bertha-Size-Your-Series-ebook/dp/B008873ZRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345668395&sr=1-1&keywords=bertha+size+your+life


Happy reading!!! And stay tuned!!!

Deal of the Day!

Hello and Happy weekend!!!

Todays deal is a book I found on Amazon's "The Big Deal" list that they currently have going on. It is called Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer, and its only $1.99!

Here is a little plot taken from Amazon:

Apron Bramhall has come unmoored. Fortunately, she’s about to be saved by Jesus. Not that Jesus—the actor who plays him in Jesus Christ Superstar. Apron is desperate to avoid the look-alike Mike, who’s suddenly everywhere, until she’s stuck in church with him one day. Then something happens—Apron’s broken teenage heart blinks on for the first time since she’s been adrift.Mike and his boyfriend, Chad, offer her a summer job in their flower store, and Apron’s world seems to calm. But when she uncovers Chad’s secret, stormy seas return. Apron starts to see things the adults around her fail to—like what love really means, and who is paying too much for it.Apron has come unmoored, but now she’ll need to take the helm if she’s to get herself and those she loves to safe harbor.

 

Look for a review coming on this one soon!

 

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book, and while you're there check out some of the other books on their "Big Deal" or "500 Books for $3.99 or Less" lists! (remember, these books may not stay at these low prices, so get them while you can!):

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073HNMJY/ref=s9_hps_bw_g351_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-8&pf_rd_r=1K204EY9R91G7BZQHFJS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389901282&pf_rd_i=1286228011#_

 

Happy Reading!!!

The Paris Wife

Book Title: The Paris Wife
Author: Paula McLain
4 out of 5 Stars

Plot Background:

This is the untold story of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley. The story begins in Chicago in 1920, when a young Hadley Richardson meets the very charismatic Ernest Hemingway. Soon after marrying, they move to Paris and become members of a social circle that would greatly influence modern literature (this circle included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, among others). The couple is very deeply in love, but Ernest quickly finds the Paris "Jazz Age" lifestyle tempting, causing him serious trouble keeping monogomy afloat in their marriage. As Ernest struggles to find his voice and his ideal life, Hadley struggles to keep her marriage together. Hadley is faced with a choice, stay with the man she loved even though he courts another woman, or break ties with the alchoholic quickly breaking her heart.

My Thoughts:

Before reviewing this, I would first like to give a disclaimer that I broke my rule and read something that is not considered a "bargain book", however, as a huge Hemingway fan I could not pass it up.

The first Ernest Hemingway book that I ever read was A Farewell to Arms, and I was in love. I knew coming into The Paris Wife that Ernest had been in World War I, and I knew he was an alchoholic in his later years with many ex-wives, so it was with a heavy heart that I started the book, knowing they would not end up together. (I do not count this as a spoiler because it is history.)

The author did such a great job harnessing the voice of Hadley. McLain definatly put in a lot of time and research on their relationship and who Hadley was as a person, and the work definatly comes through in the book. It was easy to see why Ernest and Hadley fell in love, and even though I knew the end of their marriage would come, I felt so attached to it. I saw so much of my own relationship in them, it was so easy to feel Hadley's heartbreak (and Ernest's heartbreak for that matter).

I was also really surprised with how much I liked Ernest. Knowing that he would have issues being faithful in his marriage and knowing that he was an alchoholic going into the book, I had it in my head that I would hate him for what he has done. However, I genuinly liked Ernest. He was just a young man, struggling to pursue his dream, which I can relate to. He had such a tenderness with Hadley, and the author really did a fantastic job sharing that tenderness and showing his softer side.

I also loved how well the author captured the Jazz Age. I always have enjoyed learning about the "Roaring 20's" and the idea of what changes took place then. This book definatly taught me a lot about what life was like in Paris in the 1920's, it really helps me understand how our cultures have gotten to where they are today. This is another example of where the author really did a great job with her research to make the novel really beleivable. So many times I will read a period peice where the author did not do their homework, and there are gaping holes in history and plot-- this is not one of those books. The lines of history and fiction are easily blurred in this novel and I really love it. I would also like to quickly mention that I enjoyed getting to know F Scott Fitzgerald (another of my favorite authors) a little bit in the novel.

So, having said all of these positives, there were just a few negatives I would like to point out. One negative would be pacing. There were some points where it felt really slow, and some points where it felt like we were flying through some scenes (like the "bull run" scenes in Spain). I also did not understand entirely the relationship that Ernest had with his children, I felt they could have had more interactions, but overall it wasn't a deal breaker for the book or anything.

In general, this book was work the extra money. It was a book I will likely re-read in the future. The author painted such a beautiful and clear picture. If you can't afford to buy this book now, add it to your wishlist!

Here is a link to the Kindle edition of the book or you can use the Amazon searchbox on the side of the screen-- again I would like to warn THIS IS NOT A BARGAIN BOOK! It is $12.99:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Paris-Wife-Novel-ebook/dp/B004DEPELY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345076549&sr=8-2&keywords=the+paris+wife

Happy Reading!!!

(Like this review? Disagree? Sound off in the comments!)