Pat's Review: The Queen of Hearts

This one isn't a romance, either, but Pat loved it and maybe it'll be up your alley, too!

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
Publisher: Berkley (February 13, 2018)
Genre: Fiction

A debut novel that pulses with humor and empathy and explores the heart's capacity for forgiveness...

Zadie Anson and Emma Colley have been best friends since their early twenties, when they first began navigating serious romantic relationships amid the intensity of medical school. Now they're happily married wives and mothers with successful careers--Zadie as a pediatric cardiologist and Emma as a trauma surgeon. Their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina are chaotic but fulfilling, until the return of a former colleague unearths a secret one of them has been harboring for years.

As chief resident, Nick Xenokostas was the center of Zadie's life--both professionally and personally--throughout a tragic chain of events in her third year of medical school that she has long since put behind her. Nick's unexpected reappearance during a time of new professional crisis shocks both women into a deeper look at the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. As it becomes evident that Emma must have known more than she revealed about circumstances that nearly derailed both their lives, Zadie starts to question everything she thought she knew about her closest friend.

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo

More Info:

Author's Site
Add it on Goodreads!

Pat's Review:

[Pat's Review]: "Echoes of Time"

Echoes of Time by Anne Allen
Publisher: Sarnia Press (August 15, 2016)
Series: The Guernsey, 5
Genre: Contemporary / Family Saga

Betrayal, injustice and revenge echo down the years… 

1940. Olive marries farmer Bill Falla. The Germans occupy Guernsey. 
All too soon Olive realises she’s made a mistake. 
Her life changes when she meets Wolfgang, a German officer- 
but there’s a price to pay. . . 

2010. Natalie Ogier returns to Guernsey to escape an abusive relationship – only to be plagued by odd happenings in her beautiful cottage on the site of a derelict and secluded farm. Disturbing dreams, disembodied voices and uncanny visions from the past. She becomes increasingly ill at ease as someone else’s past catches up with her own… 
Her only immediate neighbour, Stuart, is the grandson of the original owners, Bill and Olive. 

Thrown together in a bid to find out what really happened to Olive, can they each survive the repercussions of the past and move on? 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | BN

More Info:

Author's Site
Add it on Goodreads! | Find the Series

Pat's Review:

[Pat's Review]: "Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop"

Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop by Rosanna Chiofalo
Publisher: Kensington (May 31, 2016)
Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction

In Rosanna Chiofalo’s touching novel, a unique pastry shop features mouthwatering creations that have the power to change one woman’s life…

Food writer Claudia Lombardo has sampled exquisite dishes by the world’s greatest chefs. But when she hears about the remarkable desserts that are created in a pastry shop operated out of a convent in the sleepy Italian hillside town of Santa Lucia del Mela, she wants to write a book featuring the sweets and the story behind their creator—Sorella Agata. But the convent’s most famous dessert—a cassata cake—is what really intrigues Claudia.

Everyone who samples the cake agrees it is like none other they’ve tasted. Yet no one can figure out what makes the cassata so incredibly delicious. Though Sorella Agata insists there is no secret ingredient, Claudia is determined to learn the truth behind the mysterious cake. As she samples each delectable treat—marzipan fruit, rich cream puffs, and decadent cakes—Sorella Agata relates the pastry shop’s history and tells of the young woman, Rosalia, who inspired her.

Kidnapped and separated from her family, Rosalia is subjected to a terrible ordeal—until the nuns find her. As she heals, she learns the art of pastry making, and soon she even finds love with Antonio—an apprentice in the pastry shop. But her heart still aches for the family she lost. And Rosalia knows she will not be whole again until she is reunited with them.

As Claudia unravels the secret of the cassata cake, she discovers a deeper, fascinating story—one that affirms food can do more than nourish the body…it can stir memories, heal the deepest heartaches, and even act as a bridge to those we love, no matter how far apart.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site
Add it on Goodreads!

Reviews of Chiofalo's Previous Novels:

Stella Mia -- Pat


Pat's Review:

[Pat's Review]: "Stella Mia"

Stella Mia by Rosanna Chiofalo
Publisher: Kensington (December 30, 2014)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Julia Parlatone doesn't have much to remember her Italian mother by. A grapevine that Sarina planted still flourishes in the backyard of Julia's childhood home in Astoria, Queens. And there's a song, "Stella Mia," she recalls her mother singing - my star, my star, you are the most beautiful star - until the day she left three-year-old Julia behind and returned to Italy for good.

Now a happily married school teacher, Julia tries not to dwell on a past she can't change or on a mother who chose to leave. But in an old trunk in the family basement, she discovers items that belonged to her mother - a songbook, Tarot cards, a Sicilian folk costume - and a diary. Sarina writes unflinchingly of her harsh childhood and of a first, passionate love affair; of blissful months spent living in the stunning coastal resort town of Taormina and the unspoiled Aeolian Islands north of Sicily as well as the reasons she came to New York. By the diary's end, Julia knows she must track down her mother in Italy and piece together the rest of the complex, bittersweet truth - a journey that, for better or worse, will change her own life forever.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site
Add it on GoodReads!

Pat's Review:

[Review/Reflection/Suggestion]: "How to Buy a Love of Reading"

How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson

Publisher: Plume (July 27, 2010)

Genre: Fiction

A playful, witty, and remarkably accomplished debut novel about how reading can save your life

Asked to name her favorite book, sixteen-year-old Carley Wells answers, "never met one I liked." Her parents are horrified and decide to commission a book to be written just for her. They will be the Medicis of Long Island and buy their daughter The Love of Reading. At first, Carley's sole interest in the project is to distract Hunter, the young bibliophile she adores. But as Hunter's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Carley begins to understand the importance of stories-and how they are powerful enough to destroy a person. Or save her.

Tanya Egan Gibson's debut novel is an irresistible work of metafiction that dazzlingly embeds a book within the book, and boasts an unforgettably fresh narrator whose journey towards embracing literature will make you fall in love with reading all over again.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Excerpt (See website, no direct link!)

Reviewer's Note:
As I am sure my regular followers know, I rarely read outside of the romance genre. When I do, it's for fantasy books (typically with a slight romantic theme in them) or YA fantasy. I am not huge on "regular" fiction novels, and very rarely do I bother reading any. With so many other books that I am dying to read out there, why waste my time with books that I *might* be interested in?

I came across this particular book while helping to clean out my great-grandmother's room. It's not an old book, however. It was one that she picked up during a "Bargain Sale" a few years back, but she never did read it. I saw the title and cover and instantly knew I had to read it, if for no other reason than to find out what, exactly, the book was about.

And let me tell you, even after reading it...well, it's hard to explain. It's one of those books that are best enjoyed if you actually experience it, not if someone tells you about it. So I won't even attempt to do a summary in this "review".

I wouldn't even really call this a review, or at least not like my usual reviews. Instead, it's more of a reflection on the book; my thoughts, boiled down to their simplest (and perhaps slightly confusing) point. For the most part, this is simply a shout-out to you about this book, a suggestion to all those who call themselves readers, all those who enjoy to read something different, something out of their normal comfort zones, to pick up this novel and prepare for a journey unlike any that you've experienced before.

I hope you enjoy my..."review". :)


My Review:

If you ever wish to read a “different kind” of book, pick up this one.

If you ever want to read a book that teaches you lessons about human behavior and English (literature). ..

If you ever want to escape into a world that seems both surprisingly familiar and at yet as alien as another planet...

If you ever want to pick up a book that makes you want to throw it against the wall, hug it to your chest, and reread it again---all at once....

If you ever want to read a tale that will make you cry, make you scream, make you smile and hope, all in one chapter....

If you ever want to read about characters that seem so real, so believable, yet are also flawed enough that you wish to shake them until they change...

If you ever want to read a book that tells a story in a story in a story....

If you ever wish to read a book that makes you question what's real and what's not...

If you ever want to curl up with a book and get lost in it for hours, to both learn from it and take pleasure in it, to pull it apart and enjoy it despite any flaws....

….This is the book you should read—How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson.

Believe me when I say that you will not regret it. It may seem odd at first, it may continue to be “odd” at times, but by the end you will be an emotional wreck: crying, smiling, yelling. But armed with a new appreciation for reading...as well as so much more!

4 STARS!


Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


 
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "A Good Confession"

A Good Confession by Bridget Whelan
FORMAT: PDF
PUBLISHER: Severn House Publishers (February 1, 2009)
GENRE: General Fiction
Summary (Amazon.com)
A captivating novel about forbidden love - Cathleen Brogan is a young widow, struggling to bring up her family in 1960s north London. Times are tough for the Irish immigrants who live there, their hardships comforted by local Catholic priest, Father Jerry Brogan. Over time it becomes clear that Cathleen feels more for Father Jerry than perhaps she should. She hopes confession will ease her troubled mind, not realizing that she is confessing to the man she loves..



Where to Buy*: Amazon | B and N
Other Info: Author's Website | Book Page | Excerpts



My Review:

Cathleen Brogan thought life was going well; she is married to the love of her life, Mick, they have two beautiful daughters, and while they might not live in the lap of luxury they aren't on the streets begging for food either. But when her husband suddenly gets sick, she never expected the worst to happen....Burying Mick is one of the hardest things Cathleen has ever done. Now how is she to go on with her life?




The one good thing, if you can call it that, that comes from Mick's untimely death is the reappearance of his cousin, a priest, who was more a brother to Mick than even his own brother. Father Jerry Brogan was even the man that married Cathleen and Mick all those years ago. Since that day, they've not seen him, but upon hearing the news, he leaves Italy (where he was currently stationed) to make Mick's funeral in England. His last gift to his friend and non-blood brother is to speak at his funeral.



As a priest, as well as a family member, it is understandable for him to stay around to try and help the grieving widow out. But the thoughts and feelings that Jerry has for Cathleen are anything but pure and innocent, and when she lets him know that she feels the same, he is torn over what to do. Does he honor his vows to the priesthood or allow himself the one thing he's always wanted: companionship and love?



A Good Confession is not so much a romance as it is a fictional story that has a few brief romantic elements in it. I knew this going into it, but I had still hoped for something more. But it was not to be, and instead I was left feeling disappointed and quiet upset by the end of the novel. Nothing turned out like I had hoped, like I had thought from the beginning chapter, and the ending (if you can call it that) seemed to come out of nowhere.



I wanted to feel for the characters, but there was little to them and what was there wasn't enough for me to sympathize with, except for during a few brief moments. Cathleen was a bit flighty, at least in my opinion. She only stood up for herself and her family once or twice and the rest of the time it was like she was simply going through the motions of life: get up, provide for the family, cook, eat, clean, get ready for bed. I wasn't able to connect much with her, though I tried.



Jerry wasn't much better; I can understand how his religion and his work, his very promises, would mean so much to him, but I can't quiet see how with all that passion, he was only able to offer Cathleen a brief affair. I would have thought he would have given it all up for her, for that chance to finally feel loved and have a family, but apparently his beliefs are more important to him. I can't judge him because of that, but it did make it extremely difficult for me to connect with him in any way, and I can honestly say I was angry with him, and Cathleen, by the end of the novel.



2.5 STARS! While A Good Confession is in no way a romance novel, it does touch briefly on the complicated feelings of love, especially love that cannot be. Perhaps for some readers, this will be a keeper, one that they return to again and again. However, I was almost relieved when it was over, as I couldn't stand it anymore. I only wish the descriptions of the mother country (Ireland) could have been more engaging, more captivating, as this would have at least provided some way to escape while reading the story. Do I regret reading this one? No, not exactly. But I won't be re-reading it ever again, and as for future reading, I'm not sure if Ms. Whelan's books are right for me.


 

~*~*~

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is not in any way based upon the fact that I received the book for free.

~*~*~

Enjoy!





 Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Like Mayflies in a Stream"

Title: Like Mayflies in a Stream
Author: Shauna Roberts
Publisher/Publication Date: Hadley Rille Books (October 5, 2009)
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Mythology Reference
Summary (Amazon):
In the great city of Uruk, there is no peace when Gilgamesh is restless, and he is never at rest. Shamhat, a priestess of Inanna, goes into the wilderness to find and civilize a match for Uruk's violently active God-King. Like Mayflies in a Stream brings new life to the Epic of Gilgamesh, diving into one of the earliest conflicts between civilization and wilderness, civic order and freedom, romance and sexuality. A book of the Hadley Rille Books Archaeology Series.

Places to Order Like Mayflies in a Stream at:

Amazon**

B and N

My Review:

The “Epic of Gilgamesh” comes alive with the vivid descriptions, characters, and crisp writing talent of Shauna Roberts! Although it is a retelling of an ancient myth, one that perhaps not all of us are as familiar with as, say, King Arthur, Like Mayflies in a Stream is written in such a way that it gives a fresh voice to an otherwise ordinary tale.



If you enjoy a good historical novel, or if you are already interested in anything related to mythology, then this is the book for you! No matter the age, from teens to adults, this makes a quick, fascinating read. Roberts provides a look into the past, during a time long ago, but connects the characters to the reader in such a way that you almost forget this is taking place centuries ago-- it feels real, and it's believable. As they say, human nature doesn't change much, even over thousands of years, but the strong connection to the characters is mostly because of Roberts' skills at weaving a story together.


My only criticism, if you can call if that, is the descriptions were a bit much at times. Not necessarily a bad thing, but due to my personal preference, there were times when Roberts' almost painted the scene too vividly-- such as during the battles or gory scenes. Again, this is more of personal preference, since I'm not one for gory movies/books and the scenes I talk about from Like Mayflies in a Stream are actually pretty tame compared to many stories out there.

4 STARS! After covering the “Epic of Gilgamesh” in my mythology class last semester, this was an interesting retelling of the story. I enjoyed the story Roberts created around the epic tale while still allowing the reader to glimpse the original “myth” beneath the story. Very well written, entertaining, and quick-- this is not like most historical novels, which cover 700 plus pages and seem to drag on instead of flow smoothly. A good recommendation for anyone, history fans or not, as a refreshing break from the normal paranormal and fantasy novels out there.



~~~
Thanks to the author, Shauna, for sending me this book via GoodReads' First Reads giveaway in late December!
~~~



Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

**As an Amazon Associate, if you happen to buy this book from my link, I get a very small percentage of the order. Any money I may get this way will go into a fund to help buy books/shipping to host more contests here on my blog this year. If you are already planning on buying said book from Amazon, please consider simply using my link to check out. Thank you!

[Review]: "The Historian"

Title: The Historian

Author: Elizabeth Kostova

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Publication Date: October 2006

Genre: Fiction, Vampires

Summary (B&N):

In this riveting debut of breathtaking scope, a young girl discovers her father's darkest secret and embarks on a harrowing journey across Europe to complete the quest he never could -- to find history's most legendary fiend -- Dracula.

When a motherless American girl living in Europe finds a medieval book and a package of letters, all addressed ominously to "My dear and unfortunate successor..." she begins to unravel a thread that leads back to her father's past, his mentor's career, and an evil hidden in the depths of history. In those few quiet moments, she unwittingly assumes a quest she will discover is her birthright -- a hunt that nearly brought her father to ruin and may have claimed the life of his adviser and dear friend, history professor Bartholomew Rossi. What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler, the historical Dracula, have to do with the 20th century? Is it possible that Dracula has lived on in the modern world? And why have a select few historians risked reputation, sanity, and even their lives to learn the answer?

So begins an epic journey to unlock the secrets of the strange medieval book, an adventure that will carry our heroine across Europe and into the past -- not only to the times of Vlad's heinous reign, but to the days when her mother was alive and her father was still a vibrant young scholar. In the end, she uncovers the startling fate of Rossi, and comes face to face with the definition of evil -- to find, ultimately, that good may not always triumph.

Other Places to Order The Historian at:

Amazon.com**

B&N.com

Borders.com

My Review:

Although it was a bit slow to start out, and at times I almost (though not quite) got lost in the flow of the story, The Historian is a truly thrilling ride, and one I would highly suggest to anyone looking for something new to read!

Despite the fact that this book is about vampires, I can honestly say it's not like any of the other books out there on this subject. Different, unique, and one-of-a-kind are great words to describe this novel. You'll find no romanticized vampires in this novel!

I enjoyed how Elizabeth Kostova managed to tell this captivating story, weaving together not only the story from Paul and Helen's point of view (through letters and some of it though story telling on Paul's part), but also from the point of view of Paul's daughter. While switching from the two POV's may, at first, seem a bit confusing, Kostova did a magnificent job at it, and I can honestly say that there was only one or two spots where I was momentarily confused.

Since the novel was told in such a unique way, and done well, I really felt the connection to not only the story but the characters as well. They were not just words on a page, but honestly seemed like they were real. This was partly due to the lush details provided and partly due to the talent of the author. Not every author can pull this off, but fortunately Kostova did because, to be quiet honest, if she had not managed this, this story would have been drastically different, and a great deal harder to get through without losing interest.

4 STARS! A seamless twist of history and myth, The Historian is a great read for anyone that enjoys a good mystery. Mystery, suspense, a bit of historical accuracy, and even a dash of romance--- really, who wouldn't be interested in reading it? And don't let the vampire plot turn you away, I promise, it's nothing like any vampire story you've read before!

~~~

Thanks to Book Soulmates, from whom I won this from in a contest back in October.

~~~

Sorry that I've been slacking on my posts this month-- I promise, I'll be back full time next month! :)

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

**As an Amazon Associate, if you happen to buy this book from my link, I get a very small percentage of the order. Any money I may get this way will go into a fund to help buy books/shipping to host more contests here on my blog next year. If you are already planning on buying said book from Amazon, please consider simply using my link to check out. Thank you!

[ARC Review]-- "The Postmistress"

Title: The Postmistress

Author: Sarah Blake
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Publication Date: February 09, 2010

Pages: 336 (Hardcover)

Summary (B&N):

Filled with stunning parallels to today's world, The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.

On the eve of the United States's entrance into World War II in 1940, Iris James, the postmistress of Franklin, a small town on Cape Cod, does the unthinkable: She doesn't deliver a letter.

In London, American radio gal Frankie Bard is working with Edward R. Murrow, reporting on the Blitz. One night in a bomb shelter, she meets a doctor from Cape Cod with a letter in his pocket, a letter Frankie vows to deliver when she returns from Germany and France, where she is to record the stories of war refugees desperately trying to escape.The residents of Franklin think the war can't touch them- but as Frankie's radio broadcasts air, some know that the war is indeed coming.

And when Frankie arrives at their doorstep, the two stories collide in a way no one could have foreseen. The Postmistress is an unforgettable tale of the secrets we must bear, or bury. It is about what happens to love during wartime, when those we cherish leave. And how every story-of love or war-is about looking left when we should have been looking right.

Other places to Pre-Order:

B&N.com

Borders

Amazon.com

My Review:
Considering the fact that this is not my usual genre of choice (fiction, yes, but usually more along the fantasy, romantic, or YA categories), The Postmistress was an enjoyable novel, and one that I would probably have picked up myself, had I seen in on the shelf.
Sarah Blake is truly a gifted author, writing with a clean, fresh voice. Original and touching are two very good words to describe her work-- and this novel. It wasn't one of those books where you're constantly reminded of another book while reading it.
I've not read many novels set in this time period (World War II era), and although I know my history, this story still opened my eyes even more to war, and everything it contributes to in our daily lives. The way Blake wrote the novel, described the settings and actions, you're almost prepared to look up from the book and find yourself transported back to 1941, running for the bomb shelters.
However, my one complaint about her writing was that, at times, it was almost too much. Details upon details, piled up and slowing the story down. Description is great, and very much needed for the story, but too much of a good thing can also hinder a novel.
Also, there were a few spots where I had to flip back a few pages, trying to figure out which character's POV the story was being told from. For the most part, the changes in perspectives flowed smoothly, but there were a few that didn't. Then again, this could easily be due to the fact that this was an ARC, and in the final version it's fixed.
Blake also created wonderful characters, all of whom left an impression even after the final page was turned. They were real, and although it was hard to watch them struggle through this period of history, it was needed, and added to the enjoyment of the story being told. Depth of character is always a plus, and being able to accomplish that with more than just the hero/heroine of a story is remarkable. Well done Ms. Blake!
4 STARS! Despite these few flaws, the book was still very good. A "curl-up-in-front-of-a-fire-with-it-on-a-cool-fall-evening" kind of novel! Although it's not a short novel, the pages flew by, carrying the reader through an eye-opening journey set during a war that changed our world's history--forever.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to B&N First Look (October '09) for this book!

~~~~~~~~~~


Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

Reivew-- "Menu for Romance"

Title: Menu for Romance

Author: Kaye Dacus

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated

Publication Date: July 2009

Series: Brides of Bonneterre ISBN-13: 9781602604551

Summary (Amazon):

Cater to your craving for fabulous fictional fare with Menu for Romance, where a party planner finds herself torn between the contractor and the cook. After eight years of unrequited love, Meredith Guidry makes a New Year's resolution to find someone new and end her single status before the year's over. And when she meets a handsome contractor on New Year's Day, it seems like her prayers have been answered. Executive Chef Major O'Hara has forsworn relationships, knowing he could never saddle the woman he loves with a family situation like his. But when it seems he's about to lose Meredith Guidry to another man, he realizes he must concoct a menu for romance to win her back.

My Review: I'm not usually one for contemporaries, unless it's from an author I already know and love. But when I saw Menu for Romance on the ER list for August, I was interested enough to request it. And while this wasn't my favorite book of all times, it was a pleasant enough read that I may try other books from Ms. Dacus in the future. I did enjoy the lite, fluffy romance in the story, and it was a welcome reprieve from all the other books I've been reading. It had it's 'ah, cute' type of moments, along with a few witty ones. In other words, a sweet, and fairly quick read. However, the one main thing that I didn't like was the complete lack of sexual tension---of any sort! Only a few little pecks on the lips were even mentioned in the book. Now, I know, this is technically a 'Christian Fiction', and that means that it's no where near the erotica level, but does it have to mean no sexual tension, too? Come on, sometimes the build up and teasing along the way is far more interesting than the actual 'event'! If the author doesn't want to put sex scenes in the book before the h/hr are married, that's fine with me-- but what's so harmful in a few slightly heady scenes between a couple that you know will end up married in the end? Despite the lack of, well, passion, between the hero and heroine of the story, the characters themselves weren't too bad. They could have had a bit more depth at times, but over all, I didn't mind them-- and I have to say, Major's mother was by far the most unique out of the group. I only wish the author had played up interaction between them all a bit more, since at times I almost didn't really see the connection between them. It was more like a fine line than the strong one you usually want in a book, especially a romance. Christian Fiction or not, you still need that connection, that growth and development from the characters. 3/5 STARS! An enjoyable romance novel, which I would recommend to anyone, even a teenage girl. With an interesting (and not too common) story plot, which only added to the appeal, plus characters and events that are realistic, Menu for Romance shouldn't be passed over just because of its genre. Try it, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed in it either! ~~~~~~ See, I told you I'd get this review posted before Friday! :D Thanks for all the well wishes, ladies! :D I really appreciate it. I'm still feeling miserable, but not quiet as bad as yesterday. Thank God for Pseudoephedrine--- I swear, if you have a stuffy nose, grab this stuff, it's the best kind out there, and I've been using it for colds for most of my life! Still, if you don't see me around a lot for the rest of the week, you know why. I will have another post Friday, at least. And maybe I'll start on my next review tomorrow, though I probably won't have it posted until next week sometime...

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

REVIEW: "The Chosen One"

I know, I've been MIA for this month-- and only two reviews! That's terrible. I'm really going to work harder on it next month, I promise. I've just had so many things going on here, my summer college classes (and now finals), family issues, etc.... But next month I'm going to really work on posting daily-- or at least a few times a week. So please, stick with me! ;)

On to the review:

Title: The Chosen One

Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 224
Summary (B&N):
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

My Thoughts:

When I first picked up The Chosen One, I was a bit weary-- it's not the kind of book I usually read. I didn't know a whole lo about polygamy, except for the stereotypical information we get through the news. Could I get into this book even though everything about their life style goes against my beliefs and my morals? I didn't think so... but I would soon be proven wrong.

Though I still find polygamy wrong (and not just because of the multiple wives), I found out more about it through this book, and hopefully that knowledge will help me to be more open minded in the future-- after all, many of the followers are born into this cult/religion, but that doesn't mean they agree to everything their 'God' has said they should do. Kyra's family, for example, seems much closer, more loving, than the others, and they don't take everything they've been raised to believe to heart. They don't want Kyra to marry her 60 year old uncle (and become his 7th wife), and they wish they could change they would do anything to change the Prophet's decision.

Also, looking at Kyra and Joshua's forbidden love, you can't help but reach out and connect with the characters, even if they do have different beliefs. They love each other and want to get married, grow old, all the same things we want from life-- but their family, their whole community, is against them. Sound familiar? We've heard the same basic idea before, but never in this type of setting. That's one of the reason I love this book-- she connected it to things we could relate to, and in doing so make the characters seem real.
4.5 STARS! An in depth look at a culture we know very little about-- enlightening, interesting, yet gut-wrenching because of the clear pictures Williams paints in your mind. Emotional, compelling, and eye opening, Kyra's story is sure to make you stop and think, not just close the book and put it aside. Fast-paced and exciting, The Chosen One is sure to grab your attention from the very beginning!



Enjoy!





Until Next Time,

REVIEW: "Blood Bayou"

Title: Blood Bayou

Author: Karen Young

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Release Date: May 2009

Summary (B&N):

To Save a Victim, Camille St. James May Have to Become One Herself. Seven years ago, tragedy ended the troubled marriage of Camille and Jack Vermillion. Now, as head of the Truth Project, her life safe and orderly, she focuses her lawyerly skills on freeing wrongly incarcerated individuals on death row. Jack paid a bitter price for his mistakes. No longer a high-powered corporate attorney, he's now pastor of a small church in Blood Bayou. Unsure of her own beliefs, Camille is highly skeptical of the conversion of this man she hasn't seen in seven years. Then tragedy strikes again. Jack's sister is murdered, apparently by a prisoner Camille has set free. To prove his innocence, Camille must return to Blood Bayou. But that means facing the hostility of the town — and Jack. And as She Works to Find the Real Killer, Someone Is Determined to Stop Her...by Any Means.

My Thoughts: I have to be honest: when I first started the book, the story line was a bit dry, and it moved slow, too slow for my tastes. It wasn't enough to make me want to put the book down, unfinished, and it didn't make me hate the book in the end, but I think it's only fair that I say this, in case others happen to find themselves thinking the same thing, wondering if they should read the book. And here's my answer: yes. I don't regret reading this book, it was good. Maybe not at the top of my favorites list, but definitely not on my least favorite either. Moving on. After the story line picked up, I started to enjoy it. The characters were interesting, and Young did a wonderful job at making them seem real. They had flaws, they had pasts, but they knew what mistakes they may have made, and weren't wimpy or annoying. Good characters are a must for a good book, they're what holds the rest of the book together! The one thing that confused me a bit was how Young started the book out telling us about a murder mystery in this relatively small town, and it's Camille's job to help figure it out. But suddenly, less than a fourth of the way through the book, the mystery element kind of...disappeared, and suddenly it's all about Camille and Jack's rekindling of their previous relationship. Now, I like a good suspense/mystery that the author combines with a romance story, but the melting of the two elements in this particular book weren't the smoothest. Sorry, Karen, it's nothing really against your writing, maybe it's more of my own particular opinion on what I like to read in a book? It's hard to explain... However, as the story continued, I found myself enjoying it more and more. Jack and Camille's connection started to grow (again), and there were more than a few parts where I found myself chuckling (always a good thing). Most importantly, the mystery came back, with a powerful kick, adding drama and suspense back into the story. After they started putting more of the 'clues' together, I instantly knew who the killer was, but even figuring it out before the big climax didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. If there is one thing I would have liked a bit more of in the book, it's the back story of Camille and Jack. The author touched on it, briefly, a few times, but it always left me wanting a bit more. Jack was an alcoholic when they were married, but it finally became too much for Camille and she divorced him. After he sobered up, he became a man of God. (PAUSE) Wait, how did that happen? Don't get me wrong, I know it's possible, and I think it's great, but I would like to have read a bit about it! Talk about a strong, but previously tortured hero... So why not give us a little nibble of what he went through? And I know this was suppose to be more of a lite Christian novel, which means no 'R' rated sex scenes, but I wish they'd had a bit more passion along the way, even if it was only kisses. Even sweet, innocent ones are better than nothing! 4/5 stars. All in all, this was a very good book. Just the right amount of mystery and a light touch of romance (I loved how the story shows you that love can be won, even after it's lost). Not too fluffy, but not too much hard core suspense either. Great for a quick read by the pool side! ;)

Enjoy!

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REVIEW: "The Last Bridge"

Title: The Last Bridge

Author: Teri Coyne

Release Date: July 28th, 2009

Summary (B&N):

For fans of Jodi Picoult and Sue Miller, a dark, edgy, page-turning debut about the lengths one woman will travel to escape her past. After a ten-year absence, Alex “Cat” Rucker returns to her Ohio hometown because of a letter left on her mother’s kitchen table—a suicide note, carefully preserved in a bag, that reads: “He isn’t who you think he is. Love, Mom”

Thus opens this stunning debut novel from author Teri Coyne, who, with wry humor and sharp wit, follows Alex’s journey through the traumatic experiences of her youth and the haze of her adult life.While Alex tries to repress the memories of her brutal childhood—an abusive father, her estranged (and possibly illegitimate) brother, and the first love who would do anything to save her—she must face just how shattered she still is. At each step Alex confronts her biggest fears, realizes the impact of her choices, and inches closer to redemption. Can she embrace her vulnerabilities, talents, and desire for love, or will the revelations of her mother’s cryptic note prove too overwhelming for her to bear? The Last Bridge is a perfect blend of suspense, despair, and romance—and at its heart lies the question: are we a product of our experiences or our choices?

My Thoughts: The story itself was fairly dark, and not my usual type of book. However, it was still written nicely, and though I can't say that I hated it, at the same time, I can't honestly say that I was blown away by it. If anything, my opinion on the over all book is almost neutral. It was okay, not horrible, but not amazing. Nothing wrong with it, but it just depends on the individual person as to whether or not they will enjoy it. I know many other reviewers that really loved this book, and that's fine-- I have nothing against them, because even though I didn't give it a 5 star rating, I can't pin point what it is that made me think "okay" and "not bad"after finishing it. Maybe it just wasn't my type of book? After all, I usually prefer fantasy and romance, and this book had neither. True, Coyne tried to pull Cat's small love story in to it, but it didn't really work, in my opinion, and I think she knew that, which is why there was only a minimal amount. Maybe it's because Cat had so many things to over come and realize about herself, that there was no way for her to fall passionately in love right off the bat, without having to work towards that first? I hope that makes sense, it's hard to explain what I mean without spoiling too many things for future readers and/or taking up pages of explanation... Again, I can't really say why this was only a mediocre book for me, so I don't want to try bashing something that I have no real problem with. Instead, here are the things that I did think turned out fine: ~The characters. Though I had my own troubles dealing with Cat's personality/attitude sometimes, they were believable, and I applaud Teri for making them seem so real. They were flawed, sure, and they had troublesome pasts, but that's how real people are. ~The writing. True, there were a few places where I thought the writing was a bit rough (not as in grammatical errors that you expect to find in an ARC, but the actual flow of the story), but I can't judge, I know that my own writing isn't always perfect either! Over all, it was an easy read, and I finished it in only a few days (in between the twenty other things I have to do on any given day). That by itself should show that it did have the ability to keep my attention, and I wanted to finish the book. ~The conversations. Cat had a bit of a sarcastic bite, and I enjoyed reading some of the humor, both between the characters and in the rest of the writing. 3/5 STARS! As a new author, Teri Coyne managed to snag my attention with the book, and as a first novel, she did a wonderful job. :) The story was very brutal, but honest, since things like that happen more than I'm sure we want to believe. And I'm sure that when Coyne has another book published, I'll check it out as well, to see what she plans to give the readers next time.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

"Jumper: Griffin's Story"

Synopis from B&N.com:

Griffin has a secret. It’s a secret that he’s sworn to his parents to keep, and never tell. Griffin is a Jumper: a person who can teleport to any place he has ever been. The first time was when he was five, and his parents crossed an ocean to protect the secret. The most important time was when he was nine. That was the day that the men came to his house and murdered his parents. Griffin knows that the men were looking for him, and he must never let them find him.

Griffin grows up with only two goals: to survive, and to kill the people who want him dead. And a Jumper bent on revenge is not going to let anything stand in his way.

I read the book, I saw the movie, and then I found out that Gould wrote a second book, a prequel, about Griffin, whom we met briefly in the movie, but not in the first Jumper book. And I'm glad that I picked it up-- it was great!

Though it is different from the first book, and the movie too, for that matter, I still enjoyed Jumper: Griffin's Story. It had action, adventure, laughs, time travel ('jumping') and even a good dose of romance and coming-of-age subplot.

From page one, you'll be hooked, pulled deep into the story, wanting to know what will happen next, what Griffin's life is like. I like that it mixes real life fiction and science fiction together. Even the little bit of romance makes the book even better.

5/5 stars! A great book, with a little bit of everything in it, a definite must read for any book lover, a nice retreat away from everyday life.

~TBQ~

"The Nanny Diaries" Weaves a Wonderful Story.. Very Believable!

SYNOPIS from B&N.com:

Based on the real-life experiences, the inside story on the real lives of the rich and privileged from the women who know all the secrets - the nannies.

The Nanny Diaries deftly skewers the manner in which America's over-privileged raises les petites - as if grooming them for a Best of Show competition. A poignant satire, it punctures the glamor of Manhattan's upper class to tackle head-on the truer state of backstairs Park Avenue.

Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic apartment, Nanny takes a job caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved in ensuring that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.

When the X's marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny's nearly impossible mission becomes maintaining the mental health of their four-year-old, her own integrity, and most importantly, her sense of humor. Over nine tense months Mrs X and Nanny perform the age old dance of decorum and power as they test the limits of modern-day servitude.


I bought the book after watching the movie, which I loved. This is sometimes a mistake. However, The Nanny Diaries hits 'outstanding' either way-- in the book or movie. I suggest you do both, does not really matter the order. But since this review is on the book itself, lets go with the book first, okay? ;)

It took me a while to pick it out of my TBR pile, simply because I wanted to read romances, not chick lit for the longest time. But when I grabbed it Wednesday morning, I had it almost finished by the time I turned in that same night (Only missed finishing it by about 40 pages, but I was so tired from work that day that I finally just left it at that and finished it early this morning.) But from page one, I was hooked, and quickly reeled in, only being let go at the very end.

Knowing the way money and power can get to a person *thought yes, I know, not all people* it's not surprising that Mrs. X and her friends act the way they do. And it was not hard to imagine the same things that happened in the book to happen in some rich family's town house in New York. Emma and Nicola provide an amazing story that weaves both previous experiences and a touch of fiction together flawlessly, leaving you believe you are still reading a 'fiction' book and not an almost autobiography. The story combines chick lit, a touch of romance, a heavy does of love (As in the love that Grayer and Nanny have for each other.) and more than sprinkle of reality-- the perfect recipe for a perfectly witty book. The must read book for any woman to read, just right for an easy and fun beach read!

5/5 stars. The Nanny Diaries is the best 'chick lit' type book that I have ever read, sure to become a great 'classic' for women to read at the beach, at home, with friends, or even for a book club. (Well, you know what I mean!) Don't miss this book-- and the movie is very good too.***If slightly different during some parts from the book***

Until next time... Read plenty, laugh often, love unconditionally, and live each day to it's fullest!

~TBQ~