I Found You Review & Giveaway

May 1, 2017April 27, 201713 Comments

The last Lisa Jewell novel I read, The House We Grew Up In, I loved. It captured family dynamics perfectly and made a dysfunctional family seem fun. I was surprised to start her newest and find it to be suspense. I didn’t realize she wrote those types of books, but, folks, she did it incredibly.

I Found You features three different stories, two of which happen concurrently. We first meet Alice, a single mom of 3 who discovers a man on the beach. Her charitable instincts take over and she invites him in for warmth and shelter. Next we meet Lily, a young newlywed new to this country whose husband doesn’t return home from work one evening. Then we head back to 1993 and follow a family of 4 on summer holiday. Are all these stories connected? What ties them together?

As I was reading each chapter, I was so focused on the current story that when it ended in a cliffhanger, I was reluctant to move to the next character to continue their journey. But then I’d start reading and find the same problem all over again! This twisted read was very hard to put down. Jewell is a master at building suspense, pulling you deeper into the mystery eager to find out what’s happening.

After reading I Found You and loving it, I hope Jewell continues to write more of this genre. She has the knack of an original plot with sympathetic characters and a mystery that will keep the reader guessing.

A lot of this book reminded me of I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. If that was a favorite for you, I truly think you will enjoy this one.

Be warned: there are some dark elements to this story which may be a trigger warning for some.

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Forks, Knives and Spoons Review

April 19, 2017April 8, 20172 Comments

I miss college. And not the study for exams, write 12-page papers, ramen for dinner miss college. But the camaraderie, freedom to explore, and those tight friendships you discover as you enter the world of becoming an adult. So I was thrilled when I started Leah DeCesare’s debut novel and entered freshman year of college at Syracuse with roommates Amy and Veronica.

Before heading to school, Amy’s father gives her a pep talk about the Utensil Classification System: each boy she meets can be classified as a fork, spoon, or knife. I’ll let Amy and friends elaborate on the differences but ultimately, they’re all in search of their perfect steak knife.

I loved sharing their college experience with them from the beginning, all the way through graduation, and moving to a big city to start their careers. What made it more fun was college for them was in the ’80s. So not only was it nice to see dating life without the world of smartphones, GPS, and email, but I enjoyed all the musical and fashion references to that decade.

Its’s easy to fall in love with Amy and Veronica and root for them throughout the course of the book. We have all been through their ups and downs, trying to balance academics and first loves and heartbreak. The characters really are fully cemented and the dialogue is spot on. Their journey pulled at my heartstrings and made me smile when things went right.

My thanks to Leah DeCesare for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I would love to see these women again in a follow-up story, or even passing their utensil knowledge down to a future generation. A perfect beach read, too!

About the author:

Leah DeCesare is the author of the nonfiction parenting series Naked Parenting, based on her work as a doula, early parenting educator, and mom of three. Her articles on parenting have been featured in The Huffington Post, the International Doula, and The Key, among others. In 2008, she cofounded the nonprofit Doulas of Rhode Island, and in 2013 she spearheaded the Campaign for Hope to build the Kampala Children’s Centre for Hope and Wellness in Uganda. In a past life, DeCesare worked in public relations and event planning. She now writes, teaches, and volunteers in Rhode Island, where she lives with her family and talking cockatiel.

Follow Me Down Review & Giveaway

March 19, 2017February 24, 2017Leave a comment

When I saw one of my favorite thriller writers, Chevy Stevens, call this new psychological thriller “clever and remarkable,” I knew I’d be in for a fun ride. And that cover! This book was one I didn’t want to miss. It lived up to the hype and made me a new fan of Sherri Smith.

Mia Haas gets a phone call from the police department in her hometown that her twin brother, Lucas, is missing and she needs to get there immediately. When she arrives she finds out that in addition to his disappearance, he’s a suspect for murder. Knowing in her gut that he is not capable of murder, she sets out to prove him innocent, find him, and uncover the truth.

Having grown up in this town where everybody knows everybody’s business, it makes it hard for her to investigate. On top of that, the police seem to be holding a grudge against Lucas.

One thing I loved about this book was how each character was flawed in some way or multiple ways. Including Mia. Not one person was presented as perfect. It was so true to reality that it kept me eagerly turning the pages. As Mia gets closer to finding the truth, more and more secrets of small town life and the people living it come pouring out, which exceeded this thriller lover’s expectations.

This story was told in a linear fashion, too, and I know many readers don’t like going back and forth in time, so for those who don’t, be sure to pick this one up. For a debut suspense novel, this has all the makings of a blockbuster. I was genuinely surprised by the ending and think you will be too. I’d love to see some of these characters return in a new book and eagerly look forward to what Sherri comes up with next.

Thanks to Tor/Forge for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher, I have 2 copies to give away to lucky readers. U.S. and Canada only, please. Enter on the Rafflecopter.
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The Orphan’s Tale Review & Giveaway

February 22, 2017February 21, 20173 Comments

If The Nightingale and Water for Elephants had a baby…Welcome to the world, The Orphan’s Tale! Exquisitely written and researched with unforgettable characters, this is the perfect read if you have any interest in WWII fiction or stories from the circus. Combine those two and you have this story, one you won’t soon forget.

It tells the story of Noa, a young Dutch girl who in the first chapter does something heroic, rescues a baby from a train car heading to what we can only assume is a concentration camp. She takes the baby and runs, and luckily she finds a quick home in a German circus. But in order to stay, she is forced to learn the job of an aerialist (trapeze artist) and to perform.

Her trainer is Astrid, a Jew who also is hiding among the circus performers. As the two women spend more time together, secrets from both pasts emerge, threatening their livelihood and their lives.

Even though this isn’t a thriller or mystery, its intriguing plot will have you flipping the pages to reach the conclusion. And I promise you’ll walk away with an appreciation for the performers of the circus who lived during this time. I gained a new understanding of the struggles of performing during this era of history. As soon as I finished, I went and grabbed a copy of her book previous to this one, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach.

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2017 Fictional Valentines

February 12, 2017February 12, 2017Leave a comment

Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or not, I know you all enjoy reading books. And who hasn’t imagined a fictional character in a book treating you the way you deserve, whispering sweet nothings in your ear?

I have to admit that I’ve never read Pride & Prejudice, so no Mr. Darcy here. Here are 6 newish releases I picked for this year’s fictional Valentines. Men only and no YA. Thought that might be a little awkward. So without further ado…

Josh from The Hating Game

Currently $7.99 on Kindle

A workplace love-hate relationship that turns quickly to love. You’ll enjoy the funny banter between the characters and whip through this read.

Alexander from The Bronze Horseman

Currently $1.99 on Kindle

This soldier will go to any length to protect his true love during war. A sizzling romance follows in Book 1 of this epic trilogy.

Pat from Center Ring

Currently $4.99 on Kindle

A Hollywood actor who spends his days with the most beautiful women on the planet falls for a PR executive and treats her like royalty.

Dominic from Falling

Currently $12.99 on Kindle

You’ll discover that family comes in all shapes in sizes when this single father landlord falls for his new tenant.

Patrick from I Let You Go

Currently $11.99 on Kindle

While only in this book for a short time, he’s the one that treats Jenna as she deserves, without asking questions of her past and judging her.

Andy from Who Do You Love

Currently $11.99 on Kindle

From first meeting Rachel as a child, Andy realizes throughout his life that love at first sight can happen at any time.

So who did I miss? Who would be your fictional Valentine? Please let me know! Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Dressmaker’s Dowry Review

February 8, 2017January 31, 2017Leave a comment

Writing an engaging historical fiction novel with dual timelines is not easy. I consider Sarah McCoy, Christina Baker Kline, and Ellen Marie Wiseman to be experts at it. And now Meredith Jaeger can join their ranks. Considering The Dressnaker’s Dowry is a debut novel, that is high praise.

This novel tells the story of dressmakers Hannelore Schaefer and Margaret O’Brien, both struggling to survive their fathers’ lifestyles and provide food for their siblings. When Margaret fails to show up for work one morning, Hanna decides to take it upon herself to find out what happened with her new friend Lucas’ help. As they set upon the Barbary Coast looking for answers, they come face to face with debauchery and evil.

In the present, MFA student Sarah Havensworth discovers a news article from 1876 about these two dressmakers and makes it her mission to find out their fate. In doing so, secrets from her past bubble to the surface and she discovers not everyone in her life may be telling the truth.

As I read this, I couldn’t wait to get back to the historical section, which proves to me that the mystery was compelling. The present kept it moving forward as the reader made discoveries along with the characters.

Any reader who enjoys a good mystery will want to pick up this novel. And historical fiction fans will be thrilled at learning more about San Francisco during the 19th century, especially the antics found along the Barbary Coast.

I am eager to see what Meredith Jaeger writes next. If this book is any indication, I know it will be a bestseller.

Thanks to Harper Collins for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

About the author:

Meredith is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. She was inspired to write The Dressmaker’s Dowry by her own engagement ring, which is an heirloom from 1903.

Like the character Hannelore Schaeffer, Meredith is also the daughter of a European immigrant, who moved to California in search of a better life.

Meredith finds the urban immigrant experience a rich part of the fabric of American history, and is drawn to the lives of working-class Victorians.

She loves to wander around the Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco on her lunch hour, looking at the buildings which used to be dance halls, saloons, and brothels.

No matter how many startups move to San Francisco, its storied past will never be erased.

She can be reached via her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Best Books of 2016

December 6, 2016December 6, 20165 Comments

I know 2016 was a great year for books when all but one of these selections published for the first time this year. This list contains multiple genres, everything from memoir to YA and even a new one for me, sci-fi. So grab a cup of coffee and get your holiday gift lists ready!

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner: A fascinating memoir about growing up in a polygamist community in Mexico and it’s one of those cases where truth is stranger than fiction. Beautifully written considering the author’s trials and tribulations and a perfect book for fans of The Glass Castle.

All the Winters After by Sere Prince Halverson: This beautiful and haunting novel is not just words written on paper, but a multilayered story of a family and their grief over time. At its heart is also a love story, not only between two people, but one between a person and his home. The setting is chilling and the story is full of hope and promise.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris: I truly was holding my breath in spots as I turned the pages of this book. It had a hold on me that didn’t let up until I finished the entire thing. For a debut author, that’s quite an accomplishment. This is the one thriller I’ve recommended to everyone this year. I guarantee you won’t think of a “perfect marriage” the same way after finishing this book.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner: When I think of outstanding YA, my brain automatically goes to John Green for The Fault in Our Stars or Rainbow Rowell for Eleanor & Park. Make room on your bookshelves for Jeff Zentner. He had me laughing in one paragraph to crying in the next. I was so emotionally invested in these characters. They were extremely well drawn out that I couldn’t help but form a tight connection. I was sad to see them go as I turned the final page.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: As important as this novel is, so is the author’s note at the end. Jodi portrays three completely different characters with such grace and credibility. You know a ton of research went into creating them. It’s a story of race relations and it couldn’t have come at such an important time in our history. I applaud her for not shying away from writing this story, which needed to be written, when she knows people will react with hatred. I know when I pick up one of her books I will never be disappointed.

Aftermath by Clara Kensie: Lots of books have been written about a tragedy, where something happens to a family as they all have to deal with it. Aftermath takes place when a tragedy is resolved, and the repercussions of a kidnapped child and how the family handles it today. I loved the short chapters which made it easy to keep reading. The story itself was compelling and there were plenty of surprises along the way.

The One Man by Andrew Gross: Mix historical fiction with a thriller and you have this hard-to-put-down novel. Gross used to co-write with James Patterson but he clearly deserves the individual accolades for this one. It is an extremely well-paced story about trying to infiltrate the Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII and then having to break out. So far, this is the defining book of his career.

Center Ring by Nicole Waggoner: Nicole jokes that she was so homesick when she moved away from her hometown that she invented 5 best friends to keep her company and that’s how this story was born. I related to multiple characters in this book, especially when they were trying to balance it all, like the circus theme suggests. It ends with a cliffhanger but happy to report Book 2 in the trilogy, The Act, releases in February!

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi: A beautiful reflection of living life and living it to the fullest told by this neurosurgeon as he faces his imminent death from cancer. Yes, the story is heartbreaking, but his words will move you. This is a tiny book but it sure packs a powerful punch.

The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin: I knew I was in for a treat when I saw this debut was recommended and blurbed by both Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain, two of my favorite authors. This has one of the most unique storylines I’ve ever read and had me spellbound. It even has a mystery embedded in the story. I cannot recommend it enough.

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway: A sweet and fun contemporary YA. Oliver is kidnapped by his father and reappears years later in his hometown when all his elementary school friends are now teenagers. Emmy’s personality is full of wit and snark and just jumps off the page. A truly heartfelt read that answers the question, “Does absence make the heart grow fonder?”

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: Sci-fi is not a genre I normally read but when I heard all the rave reviews for this one, I knew I had to pick it up. It is a complete mind warp that has your brain working in new ways. As I was reading, I was envisioning it playing out as a movie right in front of me. So even if this isn’t normally your cup of tea, if you like thrillers and fast-paced books, please give it a try.

Did you read any of these books and feel the same way? What were your favorites of 2016? I’d love to hear and welcome any comments. Have a Happy New Year!

Small Great Things Review

October 26, 20162 Comments

I was in high school when I learned that OJ Simpson had been acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. I remember the Bronco chase, I remember the trial, and I remember exactly where I was when they announced the verdict. But because I was in school, I didn’t get to watch the day-to-day trial coverage or know much more than the jury found him not guilty. So recently my husband and I binge-watched the FX series “American Crime Story: The People VS. OJ Simpson.” I was fascinated to see how much race played a role in the trial and the outcome. I had no idea.

As I was reading Small Great Things, I was reminded of the OJ case. Everything from jury selection and being stuck with the assigned judge all the way through adding an African-American lawyer to second chair the case for image purposes. My point is this: OJ was acquitted 21 years ago. Jodi’s book released this October, of 2016. We haven’t made much progress in race relations.

Small Great Things tells the story of Ruth, an educated African-American labor & delivery nurse who is accused of murder after white supremacist parents forbid her from touching their baby and the infant dies after a routine medical procedure. Looking for a scapegoat, the parents, Turk & Brit, immediately take action against the hospital and Ruth specifically. The story is told through the points of view of Ruth, Turk, and Ruth’s white public defender, Kennedy.

I can imagine you, like me, will find sections tough to read because of how honest and real they are. It’s amazing to me how Jodi portrays three completely different characters with such grace. The words are important. I had to step away a time or two to remind myself that this was fiction because they were written with such credibility. And I applaud her determination to write this book when she knew she would get different reactions.

Equally as important as this book is the author’s note at the end. Please do not skip over that when you finish.

If you can imagine being shocked more at how race is handled in our justice system today, be sure to read Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. An incredible nonfiction book that should be required reading for every American.

My sincere thanks to Penguin Random House for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

About the author:

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers “The Storyteller,” “Lone Wolf,” “Between the Lines,” “Sing You Home,” “House Rules,” “Handle with Care,” “Change of Heart,” “Nineteen Minutes,” and “My Sister’s Keeper.” She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

Fractured Review & Giveaway

October 12, 2016October 9, 20166 Comments

Catherine McKenzie should stick to psychological thrillers. Trust me, I’ve read some of her earlier novels and was wholeheartedly recommending Arranged to all my friends who loved chick lit. But the speed at which Fractured reads was worth the wait for her writing in this genre.

I was able to devour chapters at a time so I could figure out how the mystery would play out. Told from the point of view of Julie Apple, a writer, and her neighbor John Dunbar, the book alternates between past and present as to who is harassing Julie and her family when they move into a new neighborhood in Cincinnati after escaping a stalker from their time in the Pacific Northwest.

Who thought the story of a neighborhood could be so exciting? I had a hard time putting this one down. Julie and her family start receiving threats and with her husband at work while she writes at home, she is left without anyone to confide in. That is until she meets John, a neighbor who was recently laid off and who she can run with.

All readers know from the outset is there is an accident in the present, and thr narrative past slowly builds up to its climactic ending. A lot of this story reminded me of Paula Treick DeBoard’s last novel, The Drowning Girls, where moving to a new neighborhood could be a cause of so much disastree. Fans of Mary Kubica and Heather Gudenkauf will fly through these pages and be thrilled they have a similar writer in style to follow.

As of this post, Kindle Unlimited members can read this book for FREE and everyone else can read for only $4.99!

And coming next month readers can download the actual book at the center of this story, The Murder Game written by Julie Apple.

I can’t wait for Catherine’s next book, especially if she writes another psychological thriller. She is meant to write this way.

About the author:

A graduate of McGill University in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal, where she was born and raised. An avid skier and runner, Catherine’s novels, SPIN, ARRANGED, FORGOTTEN, HIDDEN and SMOKE, are all international bestsellers and have been translated into numerous languages. HIDDEN was also a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Digital Bookworld bestseller for five weeks. SMOKE was named a Best Book of October by Goodreads, one of the Top 100 Books of 2015 by Amazon, and was a #1 Amazon bestseller.

Her first novel writing as Julie Apple (the protagonist of FRACTURED), THE MURDER GAME, will be published on November 1, 2016.

She is at work on her eighth novel.

And if you want to know how she has time to do all that, the answer is: robots.

Visit her online at her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours, I have 1 copy of Fractured to give away to a lucky reader. U.S. and Canada only, please. Enter on the Rafflecopter.
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Triple Love Score Review

September 23, 2016September 19, 2016Leave a comment

As a book lover, I also happen to be a grammar nerd and word fiend. Seems to go hand in hand, right? So the premise of this new novel, about a poetry professor who creates a brand wirh Scrabble tiles, seemed to be a winner.

Here’s the synopsis:

What happens when you stop playing games?

Miranda Shane lives a quiet life among books and letters as a professor in a small upstate town. When the playing-by-the-rules poet throws out convention and begins to use a Scrabble board instead of paper to write, she sets off a chain of events that rattles her carefully planned world.

Her awakening propels her to take risks and seize chances she previously let slip by, including a game-changing offer from the man she let slip away. But when the revelation of an affair with a graduate student threatens the new life Miranda created, she is forced to decide between love or poetry.

This was a for sure 4 star read. I found Miranda to be a risk-taker once that Scrabble board came out. She spoke her mind, not caring what (or who) ended up in her wake. It’s almost as if the game woke that part of her personality up. What I loved was that it was her love of words that did it, not a man, even though romance readers will find plenty to love in this story.

With a storyline that takes the reader on a wild adventure, including a trip across the ocean, Brandi has fully developed characters with several surprises along the way. You’ll be cheering for Miranda to get the career and love life she’s always dreamed of.

About the author:

Brandi Megan Granett is an author, online English professor, and private writing mentor. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University, Wales, an MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College, a Masters in Adult Education with an emphasis on Distance Education from Penn State University, and her BA from the University of Florida.

Granett is the author of My Intended (William Morrow, 2000). Her short fiction has appeared in Pebble Lake Review, Folio, Pleiades and other literary magazines, and is collected in the volume Cars and Other Things That Get Around. She also writes an author interview series for the Huffington Post.

When she is not writing or teaching or mothering, she is honing her archery skills. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

She can be reached on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her website.

Thank you to Brandi for the copy in exchange for an honest review.