Review: Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich

Published October 1st 2014 by BQB Publishing

Synopsis: Called to the bedside of their dying mother, three sisters reluctantly return to their childhood home in northern Minnesota. What should be a reunion of love and warmth is tainted by the ghosts of their childhood; their parents' farm is a place of painful memories. With their mother in a coma, Helene leaves behind a shell of a marriage in Atlanta---her country club lifestyle not at all what it seems. Alice has finally fled an abusive husband but is afraid her failing courage will put her children in danger. Waking up beside yet another stranger, Suzanne can no longer deny how an alcohol addiction may destroy everything she's worked for---an addiction that barely masks the terrible wounds on her soul. They may have escaped the farm, but Helene, Alice, and Suzanne find they are still perpetuating a cycle of pain, abuse, alcoholism, anger, fear, and bitterness. Seeing themselves through each other's eyes, the sisters are forced to confront their demons. Will they be able to tread through the wreckage of the past to create lives filled with hope, love, and triumph?

Review: I loved, loved LOVED this book!! I couldn't put it down. The characters and situations were so very real, very raw, and extremely relatable. Three sisters who had a not so great upbringing, who all left home as quickly as possible and never looked back. Who are forced together when their mother falls ill.

Helene looks like she has the perfect life- a rich husband, a smart kid, a big house with a maid. But when you really look at her life, it's not as great as it looks like on the surface. Alice is heavy, in an abusive marriage with 2 kids, who has no job and whose family does not respect her in the least. She is able to leave, but is she able to pull life together to make it for her kids? Suzanne suffers from alcoholism- will it ruin her entire life or can she overcome it and her childhood and make herself a better woman?

The plot is likable, the characters are lovable, the situations are real. The dialogue is funny, thoughtful, and completely sister-like. Not that I would know from experience, but the banter is real and at times comical. They were always trying to one up each other, even when it came to who's life sucked the most. It was so nice to see their relationships changing, evolving, and them figuring out who they were and what they mean to each other.

I highly highly recommend this book to anyone, especially fans of chick lit!!!

*I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Review: City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

Published September 9. 2014
Broadway Books

Synopsis: Years ago, the city of Bulikov wielded the powers of the Gods to conquer the world. But after its divine protectors were mysteriously killed, the conqueror has become the conquered; the city's proud history has been erased and censored, progress has left it behind, and it is just another colonial outpost of the world's new geopolitical power. Into this musty, backward city steps Shara Divani. Officially, the quiet mousy woman is just another lowly diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Unofficially, Shara is one of her country's most accomplished spymasters-dispatched to investigate the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless historian. As Shara pursues the mystery through the ever-shifting physical and political geography of the city, she begins to suspect that the beings who once protected Bulikov may not be as dead as they seem-and that her own abilities might be touched by the divine as well.

Review: This book was totally outside of my comfort zone. Epic fantasy is not a genre that I pick up very often. In fact, I don't know if I have ever picked it up. When looking on Blogging for Books, this cover was beautiful and the synopsis seemed intriguing so I decided to give it a go.

Right off the bat, there are a bunch of names in this book that I cannot pronounce. This also makes it difficult to keep all the characters straight. What made it even more difficult in this instance was the fact that half the 'characters' in this book were long ago Gods that all had different powers. Woah was I lost for a bit. But the more I read, the easier it was to remember who was who. 

The main characters, especially Shara and Sigrud, were very strong characters. Sigrud was probably my favorite of them all; in my head I pictured him as a heroic Hagrid. They had solid dialogue, and really had different personalities and language to keep the plot going. 

Now, I had never read anything by Robert Jackson Bennett. But man, can he write!! The creation of this world (as well as a few parallel ones), the cast of characters, the mystery, the magic...it takes a strong author to create a scene quite like the one in this novel.  The descriptions were vivid, the characters strong, the situations imaginative and fluid. The last half of this story grabbed me and held on tight, I read the last 200 pages in one sitting!

A great fantasy novel that may just prompt me to pick up more fantasy in the future!

*I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Finished one book, onto the next!

Hour 9. One book down. I finished City of Stairs, which I gave 4 stars. Look for my review soon!

Next on my list...

I am currently 39% done with this e-galley from NetGalley. Its getting good and I would love to finish it!!! This book was released September 23, 2014. Here we go...!

Review: A Sudden Light by Garth Stein

Published September 30, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Synopsis: In the summer of 1990, fourteen-year-old Trevor Riddell gets his first glimpse of Riddell House. Built from the spoils of a massive timber fortune, the legendary family mansion is constructed of giant, whole trees, and is set on a huge estate overlooking Puget Sound. Trevor’s bankrupt parents have begun a trial separation, and his father, Jones Riddell, has brought Trevor to Riddell House with a goal: to join forces with his sister, Serena, dispatch Grandpa Samuel—who is flickering in and out of dementia—to a graduated living facility, sell off the house and property for development into “tract housing for millionaires,” divide up the profits, and live happily ever after.

But Trevor soon discovers there’s someone else living in Riddell House: a ghost with an agenda of his own. For while the land holds tremendous value, it is also burdened by the final wishes of the family patriarch, Elijah, who mandated it be allowed to return to untamed forestland as a penance for the millions of trees harvested over the decades by the Riddell Timber company. The ghost will not rest until Elijah’s wish is fulfilled, and Trevor’s willingness to face the past holds the key to his family’s future.

Review: How would I describe this book? A family drama, ghost story and historical fiction all rolled into one. The characters are rich and dramatic, the plot line interesting with twists and turns, lies and deception, mystery and emotion. I really liked the flow of this story, there was some repetition of themes and ideas but they were purposeful and helped to build the plot. This story was very different than anything I have read and that's a huge plus for me. 

What a smart 14 year old Trevor is! First off, he starts seeing ghosts and doesn't panic. Um, I am well past 14 and if I saw what he did, I would hid under the bed. Seriously. He pieces together so many different parts of a puzzle and comes to the real conclusion. But will anyone believe him? 

Serena really made me angry throughout this story. She is rude and crazy from the get go. And the way she treats Grandpa Samuel was really what made me the most angry. Probably because I work with the dementia population, but I had to skim over certain sections of her text because I was annoyed. This was all a part of her character that develops and makes more sense as the story goes on. 

All in all, I would recommend this read. This was my first Garth Stein book despite having The Art of Racing in the Rain on my bookshelf for a while now. Looking forward to my next Stein book!

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

Publish Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far?
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He's bossy. He's cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie's grandfather, a scientist who's always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility.

Review: Jennifer Holm did an awesome job with this book!! They story was adorable and encouraging and motivating and...gah! I just ate this book up. The will definitely be on the bookshelf when we have kids.

Ellie is sitting in her house when her mother brings home a strange boy. But wait, he looks familiar...Grandpa?! Yeah, that's right...*SPOILER ALERT* it's her grandfather as a 13 year old! What?! *END SPOILER*

I found that this story did a great job at encouraging young children, especially girls, to like science and experiments and learning. Nowadays this push seems to be toward the boys and you see a lot less girls going into science based fields.

I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers, both male and female!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Meet Me in Barcelona by Mary Carter

Publish Date: July 29, 2014
Publisher: Kensington

Synopsis: A surprise trip to Barcelona with her boyfriend, Jake, seems like the perfect antidote to Grace Sawyer's current woes. The city is dazzling and unpredictable, but the biggest surprise for Grace is discovering who arranged and paid for the vacation.


Carrie Ann wasn't just Grace's foster sister. Clever, pretty, and mercurial, she was her best friend--until everything went terribly wrong. Now, as she flees an abusive marriage, Carrie Ann has turned to the one person she hopes will come through for her. Despite her initial misgivings, Grace wants to help. But then Carrie Ann and Jake both go missing. Stunned and confused, Grace begins to realize how much of herself she's kept from Jake--and how much of Carrie Ann she never understood. Soon Grace is baited into following a trail of scant clues across Spain, determined to find the truth, even if she must revisit her troubled past to do it. . .

Mary Carter's intriguing novel delves into the complexities of childhood bonds, the corrosive weight of guilt and blame, and all the ways we try--and often fail--to truly know the ones we love. (from goodreads.com)

Review: This book went a totally different way than I was expecting!! This sounded like it was going to be a fluffy, chick lit but wow....not the case. I finished this book in one day, stayed up way way way too late because I just had to know how it ended! There were so many twists and turns and mysteries here that it was a major page turner. 

I found Grace to be annoying and paranoid throughout this whole book. Does she have good reason to be during some situations? Yes. But other times she just seems very insecure and whiny, frequently jumping to the worst conclusion without any evidence. Carrie Ann was extremely mysterious. It takes a bit to get the whole background story on who she is and why she and Grace are not in touch. And then things get interesting. Each secondary character adds something to the plot.

I don't want to give any of the plot away but what a mystery! I would highly recommend this book!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark

Publish Date: April 20, 2011
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Series: Rachel Knight #1

Synopsis: Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation—and her life—to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

Review: Marcia Clark does a great job with this debut novel- her background definitely sets her up nicely for a career as a crime novelist!

I was hooked on this book from the first chapter. The characters are very likable and the plot is fast moving and engaging. It develops well and has plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued. What I liked the most was that the book takes you through an investigation involving multiple areas of law enforcement. It had action, adventure, mystery, and even a bit of romance. I have read my fair share of crime novels and this is one of the better ones! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

*Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney

Publish Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Random House

Synopsis: Wally Baker is no ordinary girl. Living in her grandparents’ Brooklyn Heights brownstone, she doesn’t like dresses, needlepoint, or manners. Her love of Wonder Woman comics and ants makes her feel like a misfit—especially in the shadow of her dazzling but unstable mother, Stella.

Acclaimed author Elizabeth Gaffney’s irresistible novel captures postwar Brooklyn through Wally’s eyes, opening on V-J day, as she grows up with the rest of America. Reeling from her own unexpected wartime tragedy and navigating an increasingly fraught landscape, Wally is forced to confront painful truths about the world—its sorrows, its prejudices, its conflicts, its limitations. But Wally also finds hope and strength in the unlikeliest places.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, including the increasingly distant and distracted Stella; Loretta, the family’s black maid and Wally’s second mother; Ham, Loretta’s son, who shares Wally’s enthusiasm for ants and exploration; Rudy, Wally’s father, a naval officer, away serving in the Pacific; and Mr. Niederman, the family’s boarder, who never seems to answer Wally’s questions—and who she suspects may have something to hide—Elizabeth Gaffney crafts an immersive, beautifully realized novel about the truths that divide and the love that keeps us together. (from netgalley)

Review: I had no expectations going into this book- the cover was pretty and the synopsis sounded interesting. Upon completion of the book, I really wished that it had continued a little bit more.

For the first half of the book, I was apathetic. Where is this book going? What is the point? There are a lot of different characters in this book and it took a bit to figure out who everyone was and how they fit together. The protagonist, a young girl named Wally, did have my heart from the beginning. Her spirit and innocence just grabbed me and held on through the novel. During the last half of this story, I felt the plot formation was improved but was still weak. There was also a better connection to more of the characters. I did want to see what happened next, which is where my initial comment comes into play- the book ended too soon. It was wrapped up nicely, I like the events that occurred. I just want to know what happens after!

Wally was from a more privileged family but led a difficult life- so much loss, so much change, so much for a little girl to understand and handle. The only thing that stayed consistent were her ants, so is it any wonder that she turns ants into her life and studies? Her best friend as a child, Ham, was set up to have a difficult life from the get go. It looked like things were looking up however he turns to self-harm which just creates more problems. They are unlikely friends, but I found them to be such a great match!

A lot of big events happen during this book including V-J Day and the Manhattan Project/dropping the Atom bomb. The author does a nice job at weaving these events into the characters' lives. Didn't love, didn't hate this book, so...3 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian

Publish Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Doubleday Books

Synopsis: Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is the story of Emily Shepard, a homeless teen living in an igloo made of ice and trash bags filled with frozen leaves. Half a year earlier, a nuclear plant in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom had experienced a cataclysmic meltdown, and both of Emily's parents were killed. Devastatingly, her father was in charge of the plant, and the meltdown may have been his fault. Was he drunk when it happened? Thousands of people are forced to flee their homes in the Kingdom; rivers and forests are destroyed; and Emily feels certain that as the daughter of the most hated man in America, she is in danger. So instead of following the social workers and her classmates after the meltdown, Emily takes off on her own for Burlington, where she survives by stealing, sleeping on the floor of a drug dealer's apartment, and inventing a new identity for herself -- an identity inspired by her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson. When Emily befriends a young homeless boy named Cameron, she protects him with a ferocity she didn't know she had. But she still can't outrun her past, can't escape her grief, can't hide forever—and so she comes up with the only plan that she can. 

A story of loss, adventure, and the search for friendship in the wake of catastrophe, Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is one of Chris Bohjalian’s finest novels to date—breathtaking, wise, and utterly transporting. (from netgalley.com)
Review: This was my first Chris Bohjalian book and I don't know why I waited so long to pick one up! The writing in this story was raw, real, and graceful. Told in first person narrative, it really made you feel connected to the main character. I stayed up far past my bedtime many nights in a row because I just couldn't put this book down! Phenomenal read, I really won't be able to say that enough!

I cannot even imagine being in Emily Shepard's shoes. The only surviving member of her family, not allowed back into her own home or even her own town, and feeling hated by everyone just because of her name. Though this story is narrated by a teenage girl, I never got a whiny, high school voice through the writing. She is very adult in very real and very scary situations. Sure, a handful of times the way she acted screamed immature, but these were few and far between. I loved seeing her maternal side as she cares for Cameron and the desperation she had to keep him safe and cared for. 

The title of this book was perplexing. You start to read and assume that it will weave into the story somehow. When it is finally revealed, it is extremely hard hitting. I had to re-read this paragraph a few times to grasp the severity and the correlation from the title to the character's situation. As Emily said, "It seems to me that if you didn't know the context of those words, they were kind of pretty."

This has to be one of my favorite reads of the year so far. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
Recommended For: Fans of contemporary novels, adult fiction. Even young adult contemporary fans though it does contain some adult content. Everyone should pick this book up!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Review: Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas

Publisher: Random House
Publish Date: Paperback release date of July 8, 2014

Synopsis: Josephine Hurst has her family under control. With two beautiful daughters, a brilliantly intelligent son, a tech-guru of a husband, and a historical landmark home, her life is picture perfect. But living in this matriarch’s determinedly cheerful, yet subtly controlling domain hasn’t been easy for her family, and when her oldest daughter, Rose, runs off with a mysterious boyfriend, Josephine tightens her grip, gradually turning her flawless home into a darker sort of prison. 

Resentful of her sister’s newfound freedom, Violet turns to eastern philosophy, hallucinogenic drugs, and extreme fasting, eventually landing herself in a psych ward. Meanwhile, her brother, Will, recently diagnosed with Asperger's, shrinks further into a world of self-doubt. Their father, Douglas, finds resolve in the bottom of a bottle—an addict craving his own chance to escape. Josephine struggles to maintain the family’s impeccable façade, but when a violent incident leads to a visit from child protective services, the truth about the Hursts might finally be revealed.

Review: I admit, when I started this book I thought to myself "Thriller? Psychological? I wouldn't call it that at all." But, whoa boy, once I really got into it, that psychology and thrill just snuck right up on me. This is a fast-paced thriller that I could NOT put down! I read this in one day because I really just had to see what happened next and how it all ended.

Dysfunctional does not even begin to describe this family. The mother, Josephine, is a few crayons short of a box; the father, Douglas, is an absentee alcoholic; the eldest child, Rose, is a runaway; the middle child, Violet, turns to drugs and ends up in a psychiatric hospital; the youngest child, William, is a 12 year old child diagnosed w/Asperger's whose mother flosses his teeth and bathes him. Wow. Just typing that out was overwhelming. 

I would have to say that my least favorite character in this novel was Josephine. As soon as I started really getting to know her character, all I could think of was Munchausen by Proxy syndrome (for those not familiar: a form of child abuse wherein the caregiver falsifies or exaggerates a child's illness to gain attention for themselves.) No wonder her whole family has issues and doesn't want to be near her!! Those crayons she is missing hold the whole box together. So many times I just wanted to yell at characters in this story and expose her for what she really was. And the fact that she dressed and bathed her 12 year old son, as well as pinched his bottom and flossed his teeth, gave me the creeps. She was all Joan Crawford on these kids (no lie- it's referenced in the book!) As the lies and the stories all start to weave together and the truth finally comes to light, it all makes sense. But the thrill was getting to that point, trying to figure it out, riding the tide to the end. 

One thing I really must say I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the story carried on after the main event. So many books that I have read get to the climax of the story and abruptly stop which leaves me wondering what happened next. Zailckas continues the story on, chronicling what happened to each of the family members and how they coped. It was nice not to be left in the dark for once.

I don't want to give too many details on the story at risk of giving something away, so I highly recommend picking this book up and checking it out for yourself.!

Recommended For: Fans of a good psychological thriller

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: Hexed by Michelle Krys

Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Synopsis: A stolen book. A deadly plan. A destiny discovered.

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won't stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn't want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie's world, she learns that her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn't get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that's seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she's a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie is about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid. (from goodreads.com)

Review: This book was essentially just as described. I have been seeing a lot of mixed reviews since its' release and it seems that the reasons that some people love this book are the same reasons that other people dislike it. For me, it took some looking past the high school drama occurring throughout the story to like the book.

The main characters of this book are teenagers. The main character, Indigo, is a senior in high school. Like a typical teenage girl, she is self-absorbed and a little whiny. Her biggest concerns, before the whole witch/sorcerer thing starts, are cheerleading and her social status. Will bringing a nerd to a party be social suicide?! Yeah...no. Bishop, though also an 18 year old, was less annoying to me. He seemed wiser beyond his years. Maybe it is because of his family situation, maybe because he's been doing this warlock thing for a while and understands the implications of being chased around by sorcerers. But either way, he didn't get under my skin too much. The third main character, Paige, is a nerdy girl who just wants to be friends with Indigo. She doesn't care about social status or what anyone thinks of her. I found myself relating with her throughout the story.

Indigo's mother owns an occult shop and has always wanted to be a witch. Though it seems that Indigo thinks it a bit strange, she goes with it. And she knows about the secret book that is stashed in the shop. Then Bishop comes along and says "Hey, you might be a witch. You will find out in a few days at the stroke of midnight." And everyone is cool with that. Indigo's mom arranges a seance type thing, Paige brings candles, and the three of them sit around waiting until midnight to see if she comes into her powers. This part of the book seemed to move fast for me- it was a matter of days until she found out and after she did, nobody seemed to think it was a big deal. That is, until the sorcerers start showing up more and more frequently. Indigo's teenage girl attitude really bugged me throughout this course. Who cares what you are wearing?! You are being chased, girl! By people that can kill you literally with the blink of an eye. Just shut up and run! 

The end of this book seemed to be wrapping up nicely. Knowing it was the first book in a series, it was wrapping up too nicely. I was thinking to myself "How is this going to continue on? Where's the cliffhanger?" And then...boom. There is was. Everyone breathing a sigh of relief that the situation is over until omg what happened to so-and-so? I can't get a hold of them on the phone, that's strange. Oh crap...*End of book* 

I will be picking up the second book when it is released to see what happens!

Recommended For: Fans of paranormal books, witch books. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard

Publish Date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Berkley Trade

Synopsis: Ruby Jewell knows flowers. In her twenty years as a florist she has stood behind the counter at the Flower Shoppe with her faithful dog, Clementine, resting at her feet. A customer can walk in, and with just a glance or a few words, Ruby can throw together the perfect arrangement for any occasion.
 
Whether intended to rekindle a romance, mark a celebration, offer sympathy, or heal a broken heart, her expressive floral designs mark the moments and milestones in the lives of her neighbors. It’s as though she knows just what they want to say, just what they need.
 
Yet Ruby’s own heart’s desires have gone ignored since the death of her beloved sister. It will take an invitation from a man who’s flown to the moon, the arrival of a unique little boy, and concern from a charming veterinarian to reawaken her wounded spirit. Any life can be derailed, but the healing power of community can put it right again. - from goodreads.com

Review: I would be lying if I said that I was hooked on this book from the start. The truth is, I started reading this a few times, each time getting through the first chapter and putting it down. But once I got past the first few chapters and the plot really got going, I was hooked. I could NOT put this down! Throughout the story, Ruby is prim and proper to the point that she was making me crazy. I wanted to yell into the book "Take a chance!!! Live a little!!!" But it turns out that's what most of this book is about. Taking a chance. Learning to let your guard down and let things or people in.

The cast of characters were all different but each lent their own wisdom, experiences, and advice. Ruby touches so many lives through her flowers that it's nice to see how many people touch hers as well. Though she is still grieving the loss of her sister 20 years prior, she has such a family with the people of Creekside, Washington. It made me yearn for small town life.

One of my favorite parts of this story was learning about the flowers themselves. Ruby knows which flowers are good for healing different ailments, which ones improve different moods, even which ones can give people a boost to fall in love. I found this extremely fascinating.

Overall, the moral of this story is to let people in because as they say..."All you need is love and lilies."

Recommended For: Fans of contemporary, women's fiction. Debbie Macomber fans.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Don't Let Go by Sharla Lovelace

Publish Date: April 11, 2014
Publisher: Beyond the Page

Synopsis: Noah Ryan and Jules Doucette spent every moment together, first as best friends and later as young lovers. The two had planned a life together—until one unspeakable decision tore them apart for good.

Twenty-six years later, Jules is still carefully living the life her mother planned out for her. She’s running her mother’s store, living in her mother’s house, following her mother’s rules, and keeping the secrets her mother made her bury.

Then Noah comes home and any sense of an ordered life flies out the window. Noah’s return does more than just stir up old memories—it forces Jules to see her life in a whole new way and uncovers secrets even she didn’t know were buried. Secrets that could easily destroy her world once more.

Review: I don't know if I will be able to accurately express how much I loved this book! It went something like this...

This book was an emotional roller coaster!! Jules is living the life that her mother mapped out for her. That is, until her high school love comes back to town after 26 years away. She hasn't seen or heard from him since he left, on the eve of a emotionally terrifying situation (that I will not spoil in this review.) At this point, both Noah and Jules, along with their families and friends, are forced to remember the events of years ago and confront demons that have been hidden away. 

The author did a wonderful job at character development. Each time something happened to Jules and Noah, I felt it. I was happy with them and cried with them. The chemistry between the two main characters permeates off of each page. You also are exposed to many other types of relationships including parent-child (multi-generational), sibling, ex-spouses, best friends.

I hadn't read anything by this author before but I feel like I need to buy all the books!!

This book appears to be available only in Nook or Kindle format but I highly recommend checking it out! 

Recommended For: Fans of new adult, women's fiction, contemporary fiction. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: A Bird on Water Street by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Publish Date: May 7, 2014
Publisher: Little Pickle Press

Synopsis: A Bird on Water Street is a coming of age story about Jack, a boy growing up in a Southern Appalachian town environmentally devastated by a century of poor copper-mining practices and pollution. Jack is opposed to the mine where so many of his relatives have died, but how can he tell that to his Dad who wants him to follow in the family trade? Jack just wants his dad safe and the land returned to its pre-mining glory with trees, birds, frogs, and nature—like he’s learning about in school. After Jack’s uncle is killed in a mining accident and the Company implements a massive layoff, the union organizes and the miners go on strike. It seems Jack’s wish is coming true. But the cost may be the ruin of his home and everything he loves.

Review: The premise of this book sounded great! Jack, a boy hero, who wants to save the day, save his father, save his town! However, it fell flat for me. It is based on a real place with a real situation in which a mining company destroyed an entire town. I couldn't help but ask myself frequently throughout this book "Why don't you move away?" This might be a snobby response to these folks' struggle as this was their livelihood. Definitely a case of me taking what we/I have for granted.

The character development in this story was satisfactory. You learn enough about Jack and his friends and family to build a loose bond with them. I really felt for Jack and his yearning for nature because I feel that is what I would be like as well. The plot, though, felt like it dragged on without a flow. You kept thinking something great was going to happen, but nothing ever really does.

Not to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read this, but the ending was the flattest disappointment. It had the potential, in my mind, to be great. But it just...ended. Like, I went to flip to the next page and there wasn't one. Abrupt. Made me sad. Like I said, you build a bond with the characters and want to see them succeed and then they are done and gone. I think the ending totally left the author open to a sequel however it does not appear to be planned this way. Overall, this was just an okay read for me.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: By Any Means by Chris Culver

Synopsis: At the end of a particularly grueling summer day, Ash Rashid is heading home to his wife and kids when he discovers a pair of bodies, shot execution style, in the front seat of a crashed vehicle. As the first officer on the scene, Ash finds himself and his department 20 minutes behind a killer in a race where every second counts. With two victims down and a third unaccounted for, the clock is ticking and Ash must find the killer before he strikes again.

Review: This book was middle of the road for me. It started off as a typical police mystery. The plot then split and for the majority of the book, it switched back and forth between two characters and their stories. Without giving too much detail, these two characters had one thread that connected them both to each other and the case. This kept me intrigued for the first third to half of the book. However, it got to be too many characters and story lines to keep track of, at least to me.  Some sections of this book were suspenseful however the story mostly flowed with the details of the case. The end wrapped up fairly quickly. I will admit I'm curious to see what happens to Ash Rashid next.

As an aside, this is the first Chris Culver book I have read. There are 2 other Ash Rashid novels and I wonder if reading these first would have made any difference.

Recommended For: Fans of crime fiction, murder mysteries.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Publish Date: May 6, 2014


*Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.