Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman

Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books; First Edition edition (May 28, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670025836
ISBN-13: 978-0670025831

Synopsis

A Southern novel of family and antiques from the bestselling author of the beloved Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel, Looking for Me.

Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop. Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky. It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last. But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.

Looking for Me brilliantly melds together themes of family, hope, loss, and a mature once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The result is a tremendously moving story that is destined to make bestselling author Beth Hoffman a novelist to whom readers will return again and again as they have with Adriana Trigiani, Fannie Flagg, and Joshilyn Jackson.

My Thoughts

When Beth Hoffman's first book, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt started showing up around the blogosphere, I knew I had to read it. The synopsis spoke to me. I read it and fell in love with the characters. Beth Hoffman is not only an excellent author but she is a wonderful person as well. She is so supportive to us bloggers and she is as down to earth as he characters she writes about.

I was so excited when I saw Beth had a new book coming out. It was released in May. I apologize profusely for taking so long to write this review but life has been so crazy for me this year. Let me tell you though, Looking For Me is just as fantastic as Saving CeeCee Honeycutt!

The storyline in Looking For Me has many layers and a bit of mystery. Teddi Overman follows her dreams from Kentucky to Charleston where she opens an antique shop. Teddi is a bit of a magician. She takes peoples trash and magically transforms it into treasures. She is successful but yet she is missing something in her life. Her brother, Josh mysteriously disappeared and his disappearance has remained unsolved. Josh is a very natural person who is very into birds and nature. He brings a bit of Native American beliefs to the story. I am not going to reveal too much about the storyline as this is a story to be experienced and savored.

Teddi's life is told both in the present and in flashbacks. The two time periods flow smoothly which is a testament to Beth's wonderful storytelling ability. The characters that the reader meets along the way are rich and memorable. The Southern charm shines through in the story and makes the reader feel right at home.

This book is just as wonderful as Saving CeeCee Honeycutt but is a very different read. I loved the element of mystery along with the Native American beliefs that were presented in the story. The characters were just as I hoped they would be. They felt like old friends and just like a visit with old friends, I was sad to see them go when I finished the book. These friends had me laughing and in tears throughout their visit.

Pick up Looking For Me. You won't be disappointed. It is one of my favorite reads of the year! Definitely a 5 star read for me!

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reissue edition (October 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062195166
• ISBN-13: 978-0062195166

To face the future, a woman must let go of the past. . . .
Returning to her childhood home in the golden hills of Northern California means regret and pain for Karla Esterbrook. Yet she can’t refuse when her ailing grandmother, Anna, asks her to help settle her affairs. After all, Anna raised Karla and her younger sisters after their parents’ death twenty years before. But from the beginning a powerful clash of wills separated Karla and her grandmother, leaving them both bitter and angry.
Little does Karla know that a very determined Anna will do everything in her power to bridge the chasm between them. But can the wounds of the past truly be healed? For Karla, opening her heart could lead to more hurt—or perhaps to reconciliation . . . and a love the likes of which she has never known.

My Thoughts

I enjoy a good story about families especially ones involving sisters. When I read about the reissue of Things Remembered, I knew I would love to read this book.

Anna has raised her three granddaughters after they lost their parents at a young age. Karla, the oldest is the only one who really remembers her parents. She owns a coffee shop and is recovering from a failed marriage. Heather is the mother of two young boys and is expecting a new daughter. Grace, the youngest is a struggling actress.

Anna has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and wants to tie up some loose ends while she can. Karla puts her life on hold to go to Anna to help settle her affairs. While spending time together, the two women face the past. Karla hopes to reconnect with the memories she has of her mother but has no intention of being warm and fuzzy with Anna. Karla is cold and all business. Anna is hoping to make amends.

While Karla is helping settle Anna's affairs, she meets Mark Taylor, a veterinarian and single father. Karla is not ready to give her heart to Anna nor Mark. She has walls up and she is not going to let anyone in! You could say she has a bit of a hip on her shoulder. Will Mark and Anna be able to break through the wall Karla has built?

I enjoyed this story. It was a nice read for a rainy day. It is a nice family story that has a bit of romance involved. The women are strong willed which kept me on my toes while reading the book. The ending left me satisfied and content.

The back of the book includes some recipes from the story and from the authors friends and family. That was a nice touch especially since I found myself very hungry every time there was a scene in which food was mentioned. There is also discussion questions in the back which makes it a nice read for your book group.

About Georgia Bockoven

Georgia Bockoven is an award-winning author who began writing fiction after a successful career as a freelance journalist and photographer. Her books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. The mother of two, she resides in Northern California with her husband, John.

I read this book for TLC Book Tours for my honest review.

Gone Girl

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Crown; First Edition edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030758836X
ISBN-13: 978-0307588364

Summary from Amazon

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

My Thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found myself hating the main characters. They were horrible and self centered. I thought they deserved each other. It was hard for me to decide who was the victim. The main characters are as twisted as they come. Still, I found myself riveted to the dark storyline.

Then came the ending. Oh boy! I was so disappointed! I kept reading the last page over and over hoping I had misread it. Nope. The ending was abrupt and I hated the way it ended. I despised the characters even more, after I read the ending.

To sum it up, I hated the characters, hated the ending but still found myself reading the book. It was like watching a train wreck. I found myself covering my eyes, so to speak, to keep from seeing the wreck but kept peeking through my fingers to watch the wreck happen. I think it takes talent to write about despicable characters and keep the reader immersed in the story, which Gillian Flynn definitely does!

If you like dark, twisted thrillers, this might be a book you will enjoy. I just wish it had ended differently.

I bought this book and read it for the Just For Fun Reading Challenge

After the Fog

After the Fog by Kathleen Shoop

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (March 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1469935708
ISBN-13: 978-1469935706

Summary

The sins of the mother… In the mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous 1948 “killing smog,” headstrong nurse Rose Pavlesic tends to her family and neighbors. Controlling and demanding, she’s created a life that reflects everything she missed growing up as an orphan. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her loving husband, dutiful children, and large extended family. When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life, making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin?

My Thoughts

When I was first approached to review this book, I had never heard of the "killing smog" of Donora. I love learning about historical events so I knew this was probably going to be a very interesting book for me. Before I even received the book in the mail, I was looking up Donora and the horrible smog that enveloped the town. It's both shocking and interesting. Once I received the book and started reading, I was hooked!

After the Fog tells the story of Rose and her family. Rose was raised in an orphanage and has struggled to get to where she is today. She has a husband and two teenage children and she is the community nurse. She juggles being a homemaker while serving the community as the townspeople. In the meantime, the killing smog of 1948 is covering the town making people sick without them even realizing what is happening to them. As Rose tends to the townspeople while trying to secure funding for the Community Nursing Program, her past comes back to haunt her. Rose is challenged in ways she never imagined.

I found Rose to be an amazingly strong woman even though I found her difficult to like at times. At times I found her cold. Other times I felt sorry for her. I did find myself hoping all would turn out well for Rose and her family. I found myself reading After the Fog into the wee hours hours of the morning, just to find out how Rose's story would end.

While reading this book, you can tell that Kathleen Shoop has done much research on Donora and it's killing smog. My hats off to her for writing a great story set in such a horrible, historical event. It made for a great setting for the story. I felt as though I had gone back in time and was walking the smoggy streets of Donora alongside Rose. I got an eerie feeling reading the book which is how I imagined the people of Donora felt at the time. The author nailed the setting perfectly!

I really enjoyed this book and think it would make for a great and interesting book club selection. I have not yet read Kathleen's debt novel, The Last Letter but it is going on my wish list. She is an author I will be keeping an eye on in the future.

About the Author
After the Fog is the second novel by bestselling Kindle author Kathleen Shoop. Her debut novel, The Last Letter, garnered multiple awards in 2011. A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.



Thank you to Kim from Book Sparks PR for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book!



I received this book for my honest opinion which in no way influenced my review.

What Happened To Hannah

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006208478X
ISBN-13: 978-0062084781

Summary

As a teenager, Hannah Benson ran away from home in order to save herself. Now, twenty years later, the past comes calling and delivers life-changing news: her mother and sister have passed away, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece.

Returning home to bitter memories and devastating secrets, Hannah must overcome her painful past to pave a future with her niece, the last best chance at a family for both of them. She begins to create a new, happier life with her niece and rekindles a relationship with Grady Steadman, one of the few people she’s ever called a friend.

But she can’t forget what she cannot forgive, or lay to rest those ghosts that will not die. Will love and trust—and the truth—give her the strength to stand her ground and fight for what she deserves?

My Thoughts

This book is a good character driven novel. Those who enjoy stories of abused characters that have overcome their abuse will enjoy this book.

Hannah escapes her family and abuse as a teenager. She is a successful adult who seems very well rounded when she receives a phone call telling her her mother has passed away and she is now the guardian of a teenage niece named Anna, that Hannah had no idea existed. She returns home to take care of her family's affairs and meet and care for Anna.

As a reader, you know Hannah has been abused and she left her home but the mystery revolves around what happened to Hannah the fateful night she left. Hannah has not been back since. As Hannah cleans out her mother's home, she also cleans out the memories which seem to haunt her from that horrible night. The story goes back to when Hannah was a teenager which is intertwined with the present day story. Not to worry though. The storyline is easy to follow.

There is a romantic storyline also. Hannah is reacquainted with Grady, her high school sweetheart. Hannah is not ready to welcome back anyone from her past as she has moved on and in her eyes has put the past behind her. Grady is sure Hannah is hiding something from her past that needs to come out. There is a tension between them but is it because they still have feelings for each other or is it because Grady is just doing his job as the local sheriff?

I enjoyed reading about Hannah's life. She was a strong willed child and woman who did what she had to survive. She was an easy character to like. I felt bad that as a child, the community turned a blind eye to the abuse happening in her home. I'm sure this happens everyday but it sure was hard to stomach as I became involved with Hannah and her story.

The story kept me reading and wanting more until I got to the satisfying ending. I would recommend this book to book clubs as there is much there to discuss. It's an excellent read for those who like to read about dysfunctional families and those who have overcome abusive situations.


I received this book for my honest review from Amazon Vine

The Replacement Wife

  The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge  

• Paperback: 482 pages
• Publisher: Open Road E-riginal (March 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1453258140
• ISBN-13: 978-1453258149

Summary

 Camille Hart, one of Manhattan’s most sought-after matchmakers, has survived more than her fair share of hardships. Her mother died when she was a young girl, leaving her and her sister with an absentee father. Now in her forties, she has already survived cancer once, though the battle revealed just how ill-equipped her husband Edward is to be a single parent. So when doctors tell Camille that her cancer is back—and this time it’s terminal—she decides to put her matchmaking expertise to the test for one final job. Seeking stability for her children and happiness for her husband, Camille sets out to find the perfect woman to replace her when she’s gone.

 But what happens when a dying wish becomes a case of “be careful what you wish for”? For Edward and Camille, the stunning conclusion arrives with one last twist of fate that no one saw coming.

 At once deeply felt and witty, The Replacement Wife is an unforgettable story of love and family, and a refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings.

 My Thoughts

  I am always attracted to a book that has a beautiful wedding dress on the cover so this book caught my eye instantly. As soon as I read the description, I knew this book was one for me! It did not disappoint. I found the story to be much different than what I was expecting. It was a pleasant surprise for me.

 There were times while reading this novel that I was highly disappointed in all of the characters involved. Camille is a matchmaker and is good at what she does. When she finds that she has cancer for the second time, she takes it upon herself to set her husband, Edward up with someone who will be there for him and their children when she passes on. Camille pushing a new woman on her husband and family was hard to read even though a part of me understood that she loved her family enough to want them taken care of in her absence. Edward disappointed me at times too. I wanted him to stand up for himself and stop Camille from picking out his next wife.

There are a few suitable women who are introduced in the story, some more likeable than others but each brought a uniqueness to the story. I enjoyed getting into the heads of all of the characters. It is such a different situation to read about. I can say the story really tugged at my heartstrings!

 The story takes an unexpected twist in the end. Even though it is not the ending I imagined, it is a satisfying ending. If you want to know more, you'll have to pick up a copy of the book and read it. This is a book you will want to read without reading any spoilers.

 I look forward to reading more of Eileen Goudge books as I enjoyed this one very much!



 I received a copy of this book from Open Road Media through Netgalley for my honest review

The Snow Child

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey  

Summary from Goodreads

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.  

My Thoughts

  I finally have a few moments to be able to read and blog. This book is a wonderful read and has me excited to share my thoughts with all of you! First off let me say that I find it hard to believe that this is a debut book for the author. Her prose is beautiful and she can tell a story in a way that will keep the reader captivated throughout the whole book.

 This story is magical and it is a story I loved! Jack and Mabel tear at your heartstrings right off the bat. You can't help but feel for the couple who are grieving over the fact they are childless after losing their only baby. They go to Alaska to start over anew. When they build a snow girl in the yard, a young, wild girl miraculously arrives and finds her way into their hearts. The young girl, Faina, reminds Mabel of a fairy tale that was read to her when she was a child. She can't help but notice the similarities between the two young girls.

 Faina is a wonderful magical character and I really loved her. She is probably my favorite character in the book. Her carefree spirit really spoke to me.

 The Alaska setting is a character in itself in this story. You can tell the author is a native Alaska. Her descriptive writing makes you feel as though you are in Alaska yourself. I could almost feel the falling snowflakes!

 I highly recommend this book. Even though I don't have much time to read these days, this book kept haunting me until I found time to finish it. I couldn't wait to find time to pick it up and read it. I will definitely be watching to see what this author writes next!

Maisie Dobbs

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Paperback: 294 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books (May 25, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142004332
ISBN-13: 978-0142004333

I have been looking forward to reading Maisie Dobbs for quite some time. I have heard so many great things about Maisie and just knew she was a character I would enjoy! When Trish at TLC Book Tours invited me to join in on Maisie Month, I was very excited to start at the very first book in the series!

When Maisie is 13, she loses her mother and her father sends her into service to help make ends meet. Maisie grows into a young lady and when the Great War begins, she becomes a nurse on the Front.

In 1929, Maisie opens her own detective agency. Her first case is the kind of case she doesn't really wish to pursue but takes the case on anyway. She really wants meaty cases. Mr. Davenham is suspicious of his wife. He feels she is not being faithful to him. The case takes Maisie to a cemetery where Mrs. Davenham visits a grave marked only with the first name of Vincent. As Maisie watches Mrs. Davenham in the cemetery, she notices many gravestones marked only with a first name. Curious about the men buried there, Maisie investigates further. She uncovers a farmhouse called The Retreat, where soldiers who cannot rejoin society in the war reside. Maisie senses something wrong and she digs deeper into The Retreat and it's occupants. She is determined to find out what goes on at The Retreat.

The story goes back in time to Maisie's past through flashbacks, but the book flows beautifully. As a reader, we get to know how Maisie got to where she is and the trials and tribulations she has gone through.

I fell in love with Maisie. She is gentle yet tough. She is one of those endearing characters who stays with you long after the last page. I know I look forward to reading many more of Maisie's adventures. I highly recommend Maisie. She is quite a unique gal!

Jacqueline Winspear

Jacqueline Winspear is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Among the Mad and An Incomplete Revenge, as well as four other Maisie Dobbs novels. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Agatha, Alex, and Macavity awards for the first book in the series, Maisie Dobbs. Originally from the United Kingdom, she now lives in California.

I received this book from TLC Book Tours for my honest opinion.

The Orchid House

The Orchid House by Lucinda Riley

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Atria Books; Original edition (February 14, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451655789
ISBN-13: 978-1451655780

Summary

Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences.

As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.

When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come.

This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel.

My Thoughts

This story surprised me! I really didn't expect this story to grab me the way it did. The story starts out with a grieving widow and mother who just can't seem to find the will to move on with her life. Julia is a pianist who has lost her husband and son in a horrible accident.

When Julia attends an estate sale at the home her grandparents lived and worked at, she is given a diary that the new owner believes belongs to her grandfather. Kit, the new owner of Wharton Park, and Julia are not exactly strangers. Julia spent much time at the estate where her grandfather grew orchids. Julia returns the diary to her grandmother, Elsie who was a house maid at Wharton Park. Elsie and Julia take a trip back in time through Elsie's memories. Elsie's story takes Julia back in time to World War II where family secrets begin. The story goes back and forth from WWII to the present.

There are many layers to this story and many important characters in this book. I did not have any trouble following along with the story or the characters. I attribute this to the author's wonderful writing! The characters are well defined and I felt as though I knew them well. Sometimes when books have too many characters and go back and forth in time, it can be a bit confusing. Not this book! It was very well written.

There are many twists, turns and secrets in this book to keep the reader fully engaged. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going to go, something unexpected would happen. It kept me on my toes! It's definitely a page turner!

This book reminds me a bit of Downton Abbey as the estate, Wharton Park is much like a character in the story. The estate plays a huge role in the future of all of the characters, both past and present.

I look forward to reading more from Lucinda Riley. This book was originally published in Europe under the title Hothouse Flower.



I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh

Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh

ABOUT BAKER TOWERS

Bakerton is a community of company houses and church festivals, of union squabbles and firemen’s parades. Its neighborhoods include Little Italy, Swedetown, and Polish Hill. For its tight-knit citizens — and the five children of the Novak family — the 1940s will be a decade of excitement, tragedy, and stunning change. Baker Towers is a family saga and a love story, a hymn to a time and place long gone, to America’s industrial past, and to the men and women we now call the Greatest Generation. It is a feat of imagination from an extraordinary voice in American fiction, a writer of enormous power and skill.

MY THOUGHTS

This book captured my eye when it was first published. I love covers that have a nostalgic vibe to them. The colors on the cover are muted and somewhat drab which gives a clue to the atmosphere of the story. I don't mean that in bad way.

The story of the Novak family is not bright and cheery by any means. It is the story of a family who doesn't have an easy life. The Novaks live in a home owned by the company mine where Stanley Novak is a coal miner. The book begins with the death of Stanley. The story then focuses on the family and their survival. Life is not always pretty for them.

There are five Novak children. They all struggle in the way most blue collar families struggle. Some will do whatever it takes to leave the coal mining community and not end up like their father. The story meanders through all five children's lives as they become adults. Their saga is still on my mind long after I have finished the book.

The story is a quiet one. It doesn't move at break neck speeds, but at a slow pace, which reflects the time the story is set in. The story kept me captivated, even though it moves quietly and carefully.

Jennifer Haigh writes beautifully and her storytelling is wonderful. Her descriptions paint vivid pictures that I won't soon forget. Her glimpse into life in Baker Towers is both haunting and intriguing. I would love to see a second book so I could spend more time with the Novak family. This was my first Jennifer Haigh novel and certainly won't be my last.

I highly recommend this book and Jennifer Haigh's other novels.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Haigh is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Condition; Baker Towers, winner of the 2006 PEN/L.L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author; and Mrs. Kimble, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction. Her short stories have appeared in the Atlantic, Granta, the Saturday Evening Post, and many other publications. She lives in the Boston area.



Many thanks to TLC Book Tours for sending me this wonderful novel and allowing me to be part of the tour. Jennifer Haigh and her books are on tour this month. Be sure to check out the other tour posts here.

I received this book as part of the tour for my honest review.

One For the Money

One For the Money by Janet Evanovich

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Movie Tie-In edition (November 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312600739
ISBN-13: 978-0312600730

Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family.

Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder.

Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man.

My Thoughts

I just may be the last person on the planet to read this book. I have had this series recommended to me by so many different readers. I bought a used and abused copy of it a long time ago and pulled it out. I heard it was a laugh out loud read and I was ready for a good laugh. This book delivered in the laugh department. Stephanie Plum is hilarious. She gets herself into some of the funniest situations. I like her spunk!

Like any crime story, there is violence and some explicit scenes. Stephanie is a bounty hunter after all and criminals on the lamb don't exactly want to be taken in.

The ending was nicely wrapped up but not too tightly as we know the series does go on. I hope to be able to read some more of the series and look forward to seeing the movie at some point.

If you are looking for a fun crime novel, this might be the book for you! Thank you to all those bloggers and friends who recommended this series to me.


I read this book for the month of February for the Just For Fun Challenge.

Home Front

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312577206
ISBN-13: 978-0312577209

In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.

All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life---children, careers, bills, chores---even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own---for everything that matters to his family.

At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.

My Thoughts

Kristin Hannah does it again! You will need your tissues when you read this!

This story addresses some important issues. Jolene is a mom and wife but she also serves in the National Guard. When she is deployed to Iraq, she leaves behind her daughters and unhappy husband. I could feel the pain that our service members must feel when they have to leave their loved ones behind. They hurt but have to keep their heads on straight to do their job. Not an easy thing to do. I found myself admiring Jolene for her strength!

Michael is Jolene's husband. He struggles with his life being up ended. Michael is assigned a case where an ex-soldier has killed his wife. His client is not talking which makes his job difficult. To top it off he has to take care of his daughters while his wife is deployed.

I won't give away any more of the story. It would spoil it for the reader. This book is emotional and at times heart wrenching. It gives a look into the families who are left behind when a service member is deployed. My husband is retired military so I remember those difficult times. This book gives us a different look as mom is the one who is being deployed. The reader also gets to see what it is like for the service member when they are deployed.

Kristin Hannah always makes me see two or three sides to every story and this book is no different. She can take a character you are pretty sure you will hate and make you see things through their eyes. She does her research when she tackles a new book and subject. As a reader, I appreciate the work and research she puts into each story. I felt so many different emotions reading this book, which I pretty much read in one day. You can't put this one down! This is a book I won't soon forget. I look forward to Kristin Hannah's next novel!

I received this book for my honest review

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 391 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023491
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

My Thoughts

I loved The Hunger Games even though it is not my usual type of read. You can check out my review here. I think I may have waited too long to pick up Catching Fire. It took me awhile to get into it. I found the first two parts of the book not as riveting as The Hunger Games. It still is a very good read. I just found myself putting the book down and walking away from it. The Hunger Games was glued to my hands until I finished it.

The third part of Catching Fire really redeemed the whole book for me! Finally, I found all the action I had enjoyed in the first book. It was exciting and once again left me hanging at the end. I am hoping to read Mockingjay to wrap up the whole series. I am also looking forward to The Hunger Games movie though I will probably wait for the dvd to come out.

I borrowed this book on my Kindle Fire through the Kindle Lending Library with my free Amazon Prime trial.

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

Paperback, 304 pages
Published April 26th 2011 by Plume
ISBN
0452297036 (ISBN13: 9780452297036)

Summary

A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author.

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.

Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.

My Thoughts

I am so glad this was my first read of the New Year! I loved this book! I saw it on so many best reads of the year lists. I pulled my copy out and dug right in. I sat down with the book and read straight through the first half. If I had been home alone, I would have read the whole book in one sitting. Yes, it is that good!

I loved the setting of Bainbridge Island. I have never been there but have always longed to go. The descriptions of the island put me on the island, as if I were physically there. I could feel the sand between my toes! Sarah's descriptions are simply wonderful!

Emily has been dumped by her husband for another woman. She goes to visit her great-aunt Bee on Bainbridge Island. In the room she is staying in, Emily finds a diary from the 1940's. Emily, being an author, is interested and starts to read the diary and before long is mesmerized by what she reads. The big mystery is, who are the characters in the diary and what happened to them. I love a good story that revolves around a diary or letters from the past. I was instantly taken with the diary, much like Sarah. I was dying to know what happened back in the 40's and how did it relate to Sarah and her family. Esther, the diary's author, is as broken as Emily. We have the Esther's diary storyline and the story line of Emily and her future. I love how the two story lines compliment each other nicely. The flow of the two stories was easy to follow along with. It was really well done! I found myself anxious to learn how each story would end. However, I was sad to see the story end as I was really enjoying reading it.

I am amazed that this is a debut book! I would have never guessed that! It is a wonderful read and I am looking forward to reading The Bungalow by Sarah Jio. This book will make my favorite reads list as well. I highly recommend it!



I personally bought this book last year. I read this book for the Just For Fun 2012 Challenge.

Exposure by Therese Fowler

Exposure by Therese Fowler

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (May 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345515536
ISBN-13: 978-0345515537

Summary

In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.

Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns eighteen and is legally an adult. Anthony’s mother, Kim, who teaches at their school, knows—and keeps—their secret. But the couple’s passion is exposed sooner than planned: Amelia’s father, Harlan, is shocked and infuriated to find naked pictures of Anthony on his daughter’s computer. Just hours later, Anthony is arrested.

Despite Amelia’s frantic protests, Harlan uses his wealth and influence with local law enforcement and the media to label Anthony a deviant who preyed on his innocent daughter. Spearheaded by a zealous prosecutor anxious to turn the case into a public crusade against “sexting,” the investigation soon takes an even more disturbing and destructive turn.

As events spiral wildly out of control and the scandalous story makes national news, Amelia and Anthony risk everything in a bold and dangerous attempt to clear their names and end the madness once and for all.

A captivating page-turner, Therese Fowler’s Exposure is also a deftly crafted, provocative, and timely novel that serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of love in the modern age.

My Thoughts

This story is very thought-provoking and fascinating. It takes a look inside the flaws in our legal system and sexting. Both subjects could be a book in themselves. What happens when two young teenagers send each other nude photos of each other? Should they be deemed sexual predators if they are in a relationship? I felt for the characters, Amelia and Anthony. They did some pretty unintelligent things, but then again most teenagers do make mistakes. When Amelia's father finds nude photos of Anthony on his daughters laptop, all hell breaks loose. What he doesn't realize that he is making matters worse for his daughter. Amelia's father is pretty easy to dislike. He is one of those overpowering fathers who doesn't have a clue as to what is going on in his child's life. Amelia's mother seemed pretty spineless to me. Anthony is raised by a single mom who lets things slide at times. She seems a bit too lenient as a parent. The two parents are different as night and day which adds so much to the story. It made me question what type of parent is better..the strict overpowering ones or the ones who are more laid back?

This story will make you think about sexting and the legal system. Should teenagers be subject to prosecution for sending such photos to their friends? Should they be marked for life if they are prosecuted? Where should the legal system draw the line?

Therese Fowler was inspired to write this book when her own son found himself in a similar situation. This is not his story but a fictional story based on his experiences.

I highly recommend this book! You won't be able to put it down!


I borrowed this book from my local library

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins


Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Speak (August 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142419400
ISBN-13: 978-0142419403

Summary

Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits?

My Thoughts

I thought this was an adorable read. Anna is a character that is easy to love. She is a fish out of water when she starts school in Paris. She can't speak the language and doesn't know a soul. As she settles into her new school, she meets the handsome Etienne St. Clair, who made me a bit nervous. He is the guy girls like to fawn over and he is in a relationship. That made me a bit nervous for Anna. Anna has a possible love interest back home but St. Clair makes her feel things she knows she shouldn't. She is determined to remain just friends. Will she be able to pull it off? Well, you'll just have to read and find out for yourself.

Anna and the French Kiss took me waaaay back to those school days, full of high school and teenage angst. I wouldn't go back there for all the money in the world but it sure was fun to live through Anna for a short time. This is one of those books that leaves you feeling good at the end. Pure fun!

Thank you to all those bloggers and reviewers out there who recommended this book! I would have never read it if not for those recommendations! This was so outside my usual reading genre but I enjoyed it very much!



I borrowed this book from my public library

The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker

The Winters In Bloom by Lisa Tucker

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Atria Books (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416575405
ISBN-13: 978-1416575405

This is the first book I have read by Lisa Tucker but won't be my last. The first part of the book caught my attention and demanded that I read on. Kyra and David Winter experience one of the the worst nightmares a parent can experience, their son, Michael is abducted. We get a glimpse of what they are going through in the beginning and also get a glimpse of Michael and his abductor although the abductor's identity remains a mystery.

The book then goes into the past lives of Kyra and David. We learn how they got to be where they are today and the many people who have been a part of their lives, from Michael's ex-wife to Kyra's estranged sister to their parents. All of the people involved are very interesting characters. They are all very flawed and dysfunctional. This part of the book, while very informative, drove me crazy! It did not move fast enough for me. I wanted to know who had this young boy and why!

It felt like it took forever to get Part 3 of the book where we finally learn who took Michael. Part 3 made up for the all the aggravation I felt reading the previous two parts. The suspense was intense until the end. The story is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

If you like a good story about a dysfunctional family that is character driven, you may like this book. The story does bounce around a bit but if you have some patience, the ending is worth the wait.





I received this book for my honest opinion courtesy of Atria Books. This in no way influenced my review.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

This book was a surprise for me. First off, I would have never read this book if not for the great reviews of other reviewers, so thank you reviewers!

Jill is a teenage girl who is grieving over the death of her father. She is hurting and just wants her life to go back to the way it was. Her mother, Robin, is grieving also but decides she wants to adopt a baby. Jill doesn't understand how her mother can think this is a good idea. I sort of agreed with Jill at this point. It just didn't seem to be the time to be making these types of decisions. I think the thought of the empty nest really pushes this idea along for Robin. Jill tries to be supportive since she feels that is what her dad would want.

Mandy is a pregnant teen with tons of baggage! She has been raised by a mother who didn't want to be a mother. There is no love lost between the two. Robin and Mandy find each other and before you know it, Mandy is on a train to come live with Robin and Jill to finish out her pregnancy, the goal being Robin will adopt the baby and Mandy will be able to start her life over, away from her mother. Mandy comes off as very manipulative and cold, which is no shock with her upbringing.

Jill and Mandy are not teenagers that are easy to like. They both have flaws. Jill is rude and unkind to Mandy. Jill seems to shut people out since her father's death. Mandy doesn't seem to be honest about her life and the pregnancy. She is not open to having relationship with anyone, including Jill. The both do grow on the reader eventually.

The chapters are alternately told between the two girls. The story flows well despite this. In fact, it was interesting to see where each girl's head was at. It was a perfect way to tell this story. You can feel each girl's pain. Even though the two girls are as different as night and day, you can't help but feel for both of them.

The story is beautifully told. The title fits the story perfectly. It actually made me think about whose life was being saved. All three characters seem to be in need of some saving. There is also the life of the unborn baby which needs saving. The book takes a surprising turn at the end which made for a satisfying ending.

I think this would make a great read for book groups as there is much one could discuss. I also would recommend this book for both adults and high school aged readers. This is a book you won't want to put down once you start reading it!

This was my first read by Sara Zarr but won't be my last. She tells a good, emotional story with characters that have some depth. Her writing pleasantly surprised me! I highly recommend this book! A 5 star read!



I received this book through Amazon Vine in exchange for my honest review

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston

This book is a book to be treasured! The story is wonderful and the way the story is told is fresh and new, at least to this reader. Caroline Preston tells us the story of Frankie Pratt through Frankie's scrapbook. At first I was afraid I would miss out on the story not being told in the traditional way one writes a story, through words. I was afraid I would get lost or miss out on something in the scrapbook. I need not worry. I caught on right away and before I knew it, I had read the whole book...in one sitting! The only thing that made me sad in this book, was turning the last page! I wanted it to go on and on!

In 1920, Frankie Pratt receives a scrapbook for her high school graduation, from her mother. Frankie dreams of being a writer but when circumstances force her to turn down a college scholarship, her dreams are set aside. Frankie keeps us updated on her life through her scrapbook. She uses her father's typewriter and her memorabilia to tell us her story. I found each and every page interesting. There are ticket stubs, newspaper articles, advertisements, postcards and so much more. On one page there were cards from a card game called The Authors card game by Walt Whitman. We had the same card game growing up, so it brought back great memories for me!

The story itself kept me reading. I had to know what happened to Frankie next. Her life is not always easy but she manages to rise above it all. Frankie finds her way into the reader's heart. She finds love, experiences scandal, travels abroad and through it all, Frankie grows as a person.

This is a book unlike any other! It is a book you will want to keep on your bookshelf to read again and again! There are delightful surprises on every page! This is a book not to be missed!

Be sure to check out the fun video below!



I purchased this book for my personal book shelf, where it will be for years to come!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 533 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; First Edition edition (January 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439813786
ISBN-13: 978-0439813785

Summary:
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

My Thoughts

If you haven't read this book, by all means get it and read it! Brian Selznik tells a wonderful story through his writing and through his illustrations, which I must say are remarkable drawings. This author is extremely talented! He brings the words and pictures to life.

Hugo found a place in my heart right from the start. The mother in me wanted to take him in under my wing. Hugo is a brave boy who does what he needs to survive. He is driven to rebuild a automaton that his deceased father was trying to rebuild at the time of his death. I found the idea of the automaton quite fascinating.

Hugo lives in a secret world behind the scenes which adds to the mystery in the book. All of the characters in the book are well developed and to me all had a bit of quirkiness about them.

My thoughts cannot do this book justice. The format is unusual and works well with the storyline. I cannot imagine this story being told any other way. It is not only a great story but a work of art! Trust me, this is a book the whole family will enjoy.

I am looking forward to seeing how the story translates to the big screen! I hope the movie is as wonderful as the book!


I read this book which I purchased for the 2011 Just For Fun Challenge