Review: Six Days in Leningrad by Paullina Simons

Six Days in Leningrad - A Memoir by Paullina Simons

Synopsis:

The never-before-told story of the journey behind THE BRONZE HORSEMAN, now in print for the first time.

From the author of the celebrated, internationally bestselling BRONZE HORSEMAN saga comes a glimpse into the private life of its much loved creator, and the real story behind the epic novels. Paullina Simons gives us a work of non-fiction as captivating and heart-wrenching as the lives of Tatiana and Alexander.

Only a few chapters into writing her first story set in Russia, her mother country, Paullina Simons travelled to Leningrad (now St Petersburg) with her beloved Papa. What began as a research trip turned into six days that forever changed her life, the course of her family, and the novel that became THE BRONZE HORSEMAN. After a quarter-century away from her native land, Paullina and her father found a world trapped in yesteryear, with crumbling stucco buildings, entire families living in seven-square-metre communal apartments, and barren fields bombed so badly that nothing would grow there even fifty years later. And yet there were the spectacular white nights, the warm hospitality of family friends and, of course, the pelmeni and caviar.

At times poignant, at times inspiring and funny, this is both a fascinating glimpse into the inspiration behind the epic saga, and a touching story of a family's history, a father and a daughter, and the fate of a nation.

I read The Bronze Horseman back in 2011. I had heard of Simons, but she writes mostly romance novels from what I had noticed, so I didn't get around to trying her. But, then I heard that The Bronze Horseman was a very in-depth look at WWII Leningrad and I was curious. I remember flying through the pages and loving the book. Then I had to get Tatiana & Alexander to see how everything played out. While it is a trilogy, the first two books were really the best because they actually took place during the war and showed the life of two people in a war-torn landscape. I didn't even mind the romance.

Like me and many authors out there, I have not really read much from Simons since that trilogy. But, when I heard that there was a memoir about her experiences revisiting Leningrad in order to research The Bronze Horseman, I knew I had to check it out. When you read a novel and do not know the author, it is easy to miss how their lives can inspire them. Paullina was born in Leningrad in 1963, but her family immigrated to the United States when she was 10. This book captures her return to Leningrad with her father. It was a very interesting read. She found that it put a totally new perspective on things when she looked at Leningrad from the view of an adult when last she had looked on it as a child. As someone that had a very different childhood, it was really quite fascinating to see a place I read about all the time from a different perspective.

I a very glad I got a chance to read this as part of a TLC Book Tour. It is something you definitely should check out if you were a fan of The Bronze Horseman, or if you are just curious about this type of perspective in general. Recommended!

TLC Book Tour ~ Inkspirations - Fruit of the Spirit

Inkspirations: Fruit of the Spirit - Original art by Lorrie Bennett

In a world that's not always black and white, it's often challenging to put the fruit of the Spirit into practice, but this captivating coloring book offers an enjoyable way to quiet the chatter, tap into your creativity, and spend some reflective time with God. Illustrator Lorrie Bennett thoughtfully pairs stunning original art with powerful Scriptures that eloquently embody the fruit of the Spirit, inviting you to immerse yourself in the meaning of the messages and cultivate them in everyday life. With perforated pages for framing or sharing, this is a perfect way to relax and unwind as you create beautiful works of art while rejoicing in the blessings of the Holy Spirit. So grab your pencils or markers and celebrate your faith in full color!

It is amazing how adult colouring has taken off! I started out a few years ago with a Dollarama colouring book and 24 Crayola coloured pencils. At the time I had never seen an adult colouring book in a store, so I had no idea it was a 'thing'. I coloured for a while and then my life changed, so the colouring fell to the wayside. It was probably about a year later that I picked it up again and slowly, my whole colouring world changed. I had upgraded to 100 Crayola coloured pencils but I still didn't really know that Adult Colouring was a thing... And then, adult colouring sort of exploded and I discovered that I was not alone! I now have tonnes of colouring books and way more than just Crayola coloured pencils. When I broke my ankle last year, colouring was one of the main things I did. I know that people don't really get the appeal, but it really does help you de-stress and feel better. My experience with my ankle would have been ten times worse if I didn't have colouring to distract me!

Fast forward to now. I was really excited to discover that Colouring Book Blog Tours was becoming a thing. I very rarely do the review book thing any more, but there are so many pretty colouring books out there that I can't resist opportunities to check out more. So, when I heard about the tour for Inkspirations Fruit of the Spirit, I was very much Pick me! Pick me! So, let's look at the book!

1. | I colour with markers a lot, so it is important for the paper to be thick, quality paper. This colouring book has great paper! There are designs on the other side, but just a longer version of the quotes in the pictures, so not a big deal if ink runs through. (I have to admit that I typically copy my colouring books onto card stock because then you don't have to worry at all!)

2. | Bang for your buck. I am very moody. I am like that in my reading as well. I will never be good at starting at page one of a colouring book and colouring to the end. And, colouring books can get pricey. For me, it is important that there be more than a couple pictures in a book because I might not necessarily want to colour everyone. This book has 32 pictures, which I think is a great assortment! And, flipping through counting lead me to pause and think 'oh, I should colour that one next' several times. Are there are a couple that don't call to me? Sure, but that is not anything against the book itself and more about people's individual tastes.

3. | Additional pages. This basically means I like the colouring books that include some inspiration on colour ideas or some tips on technique. I will tell you my technique is fill in the square, but I do enjoy reading about what I could be doing if I wanted to get more advanced with my colouring. I also will get stumped on a colour theme and enjoy the all ready coloured pages and colour ideas. I enjoyed the colouring notes at the beginning of the book and look forward to trying some of the colour palettes.

4. | Most people that know me, know that I love quotes. I have a few other colouring books that are inspirational type messages, so I was definitely curious about this one because it was quote based. And, let's be honest here. I am not really what you would call religious, but that really doesn't take away from this book for me. I mean one of the pages is 'Love is patient, love is kind' or another is 'Let all that you do be done in love'. So, don't let the religious aspect turn you off the book because the quotes still work for me. And, those that maybe don't have great art, so I will colour them anyway!

5. | Lastly, we should talk about the pictures, right? I love it. It is a great assortment of pictures. It is not set in any one theme either. There are mandala type pictures, and then there is a fantastic picture of a lighthouse. (That one is my favourite, just FYI.) Every picture has a lot to colour and make beautiful pictures with. I think this is my first colouring book that is assorted. I find that they usually pick a method (like mandalas for example) and stick with it throughout. This means that this book can definitely be a great addition to a collection if you are moody like me!

So, all in all this was a great addition to my colouring book collection! And, writing this post I found out that Inkspirations has lots of colouring books that I wouldn't mind checking out! (Not that I need more colouring books... lol)

Bottom line: Recommended!

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this tour!

Midsummer by Carole Giangrande

Midsummer by Carole Giangrande

Completion Date: May, 2014
Length: 96 Pages

All her life, Joy's been haunted by a man she's never met -- her visionary grandfather, the artist Lorenzo. At work on digging a New York subway tunnel, his pickaxe struck the remains of an ancient Dutch trading ship -- and a vision lit up the underground, convincing him that he was blessed. As it turned out, his children did well in life, and almost a century later, his granddaughter Joy, a gifted linguist, married the Canadian descendant of the lost ship's captain. Yet nonno's story also led to the death of Joy's cousin Leonora, her Aunt Elena's only child. It was a tragedy that might have been prevented by Joy's father, Eddie, a man who's been bruised by life and who seldom speaks to his sister. Yet in the year 2000, he has no choice. Wealthy Aunt Elena and Uncle Carlo are coming from Rome to New York City to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They've invited the family to dine at the sky-high tower restaurant above the tunnel where nonno Lorenzo saw his vision long ago. On the first day of summer, Elena and Eddie will face each other at last. Midsummer is a story of family ties and fortune, and of Minding peace as life nears its close, high above the historic place where nonno's story began.

“Carole Giangrande's Midsummer sets sail in search of distant turning points. She holds the heart of her story gently, and she steers us gracefully through time, and memory. The elegance of her language casts long shadows. She moves us as she writes from the center of longing and wonder.” - Karen Lee Lewis, author of What I Would Not Unravel

"Midsummer is emotionally focused and charged with the power of archetype, its undercurrent of passion perfectly controlled. Carole Giangrande has mastered the novella form." - Eva Tihanyi, author of Flying Underwater: Poems New and Selected

When a book is so short I struggle with how best to address a review because it runs the risk of being as long as the book itself! I always want to read more novellas, but it never seems to happen. I am more of a novel reader than any of the shorter fiction out there. But, sometimes a novella comes along that I just have to read and this was one of them. I think that shorter works need to have that 'bang factor'. It did take me a bit to get into this one, but it was worth it in the end.

But, then there is only positive... I love family history. I am a bit obsessed with my own. So, a novel that shows that as a main theme is going to call for me. I am a bit of a history buff, too, so that all plays into it! The characters really came to life for me. My big complaint with novellas and short story is that they are not long enough. I get to the end and 'I WANT MORE!'  How can it be over? How can there not be more to the story? Even though Giangrande wrote fabulous characters and a great, engaging story... I wish it was a novel and not a novella and that is why I don't read much in the way of short fiction. It is not really a bad thing and just is a mark of how fantastic the works are. But, Giangrande made things work and I am glad that I had a chance to read this book!

Recommended!!

Book Review: Blossoms and Bayonets by Jana McBurney-Lin and Hi-Dong Chai

Blossoms and Bayonets by Jana McBurney-Lin and Hi-Dong Chai

Completion Date: May, 2014
Length: 316 Pages

"McBurney-Lin crafts…an engaging and entertaining read from beginning to end." --Midwest Book Review

"Impossible to put down—or to forget—authors’ grippingly suspenseful and deeply affecting historical novel limns the lives of a Korean family under Japanese rule with astonishing grace and power." --Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You

"Riveting internal dialogue and narration interspersed with quotes from those running the war efforts on various fronts combine to compel the reader forward. I say compel rather than propel, because I had to read. I had to know how this family and those around them would fare in the end."—Keri Rojas, bookseller at Cornerstone Cottage, Hampton, IA.

Hi-Dong Chai and Jana McBurney-Lin, the award-winning author of My Half of the Sky, turn their hands to a remarkable story of a family and country torn apart by outside forces.

The time is 1942, the place, Japanese-occupied Seoul, Korea. Fifteen-year-old He-Seung is full of fire, ready to take on these Japanese…if only he could convince his father, a Christian minister more concerned about saving his flock in a time when Emperor-worship has become mandatory.

Since occupation, the Japanese have eradicated the Korean language, names, even the country’s flower. Now they are seeking Korean boys as volunteers for their army. When his father is arrested by the Japanese, however, He-Seung must swallow his hatred of the enemy. Even harder, he must leave his mother and baby brother He-Dong to fend for themselves.

Based on a true story, Blossoms & Bayonets is suffused with the tense atmosphere of the period. The story lends an eyewitness perspective to events as they unfold. revealing an era of nuance and complexity, and shedding a bit of light on why --and how--one war led to the next.

The problem with getting away from blogging is that it makes it harder and harder to get back in the groove. I sit down to blog, but I wind up staring at a blank screen. Then, I fall behind entirely and that makes it seem like work to catch-up and blogging is supposed to be fun. I told myself I would make June a blogging month, but it has taken me this long to actually sit down and post. It's sad.

One of my favourite subjects to read about is WWII, so, when I saw this was set during then I knew I was going to have to snatch up a copy. Especially since I typically read books about the Canadian involvement and have been a bit slack with everyone else. This book is about the Japanese-occupied Seoul, Korea. This is something that I have been aware of, but never read a book that centres around it. And, it is based on the true story of Hi-Dong Chai, the co-author, so it definitely paints a picture of this time period. I think it is fantastic to take advantage of these resources before we don't have them any more.

Each chapter of the book opens with real quotes said during this difficult time. It helps frame the story and shows a wide-range of people around then. I loved how this book was written. It was very well-written with the three different narrators telling the story. The narrators, the wife and sons of a Christian minister, were great choices. This definitely was a story of love, faith, and courage during a difficult time. I am glad I read it!

Recommended!

Book Review: All That is Solid Melts into Air by Darragh McKeon

All That is Solid Melts into Air by Darragh McKeon

Completion Date: May, 2014
Length: 464 Pages

Russia, 1986. On a run-down apartment block in Moscow, a nine-year-old prodigy plays his piano silently for fear of disturbing the neighbors. In a factory on the outskirts of the city, his aunt makes car parts, hiding her dissident past. In a nearby hospital, a surgeon immerses himself in his work, avoiding his failed marriage.

And in a village in Belarus, a teenage boy wakes to a sky of the deepest crimson. Outside, the ears of his neighbor's cattle are dripping blood. Ten miles away, at the Chernobyl Power Plant, something unimaginable has happened.Now their lives will change forever.

An end-of-empire novel charting the collapse of the Soviet Union, All That Is Solid Melts into Air is a gripping and epic love story by a major new talent.

This book was outside my general reading in many ways... First, I don't typical read books that place so recently as 1986. My interests tend to be older history. But, I am interested in the Soviet Union and realized I had never really read a novel that takes place during that period in history. I remember kids coming to Canada for the summer from places in what used to be the Soviet Union because of the radiation from the Chernobyl Power Plant explosion. I have to admit it was not something I had thought of in a while, but it gave me even more interest in reading this book that sheds some light on that terrible time.

A mark of a good book, for me, is one that makes you want to read more about a certain subject. I think it is timely that Russia is in the news so heavily right now. While they have changed a lot since the country they were in 1986, there are still similarities that make you appreciate the fact you can read about it from a distance. And, McKeon puts a human face on the tragedy. I wish I paid more attention to the outside world and had read more on the Chernobyl disaster before now. There is just always so much happening in the world that you can't focus on everything like you would hope to. So, you read a novel about it instead and then feel guilty because you can't read everything. I think a lot of that relates to how events like WWI and WWII get so much exposure even now, but events like this sort of vanish into the background.

I read more young adult fiction that I used to, but I have to admit that I am not usually a big fan of adult fiction told from the point of view of teenagers. There are sometimes, though, that I think it makes a book even more human. I think there is a different level of sympathy for young people and animals than older people who have all ready lived a large part of their lives. I personally liked that there was a range of characters in this book, though. It worked better for me. I would sometimes have to slow down my reading to keep everything straight, but it all worked out in the end.

One thing I am finding this year with TLC Book Tours is that I am reading a lot of strong, well-written debut novels. I sometimes worry that I won't like them or they will try too hard and it will fall flat. It seems that 2014 is a good year for debuts, though. With a title like All That is Solid Melts into Air, I was worried this would be too literary for me, but I wound up just being impressed with the writing overall. McKeon is a fabulous writer and I hope that his next book is equally as well-written. He is definitely someone to watch!

Book Review: The Dirty Book Murder by Thomas Shawver

The Dirty Book Murder by Thomas Shawver

Completion Date: May 7, 2014
Length: 220 Pages

In this smart, fast-paced mystery debut, Thomas Shawver introduces a charming, unlikely hero from the rarefied world of antique books.

Book merchant Michael Bevan arrives at the Kansas City auction house hoping to uncover some hidden literary gold. Though the auction ad had mentioned erotica, Michael is amazed to find lovely Japanese Shunga scrolls and a first edition of a novel by French author Colette with an inscription by Ernest Hemingway. This one item alone could fetch a small fortune in the right market.

As Michael and fellow dealer Gareth Hughes are warming up for battle, a stranger comes out of nowhere and outbids them—to the tune of sixty grand. But Gareth is unwilling to leave the auction house empty-handed, so he steals two volumes, including the Colette novel. When Gareth is found dead the next day, Michael quickly becomes the prime suspect: Not only had the pair been tossed out of a bar mid-fistfight the night before, but there is evidence from Michael’s shop at the crime scene.

Now the attorney-turned-bookman must find out who wanted the Colette so badly that they would kill for it—and frame Michael. Desperate to stay out of police custody, Michael follows the murderer’s trail into the wealthiest echelons of the city, where power and influence meet corruption—and mystery and eroticism are perverted by pure evil. Unfortunately for Michael, one dead book dealer is only the opening chapter in a terrifying tale of high culture and lowlifes.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre?: Crime Fiction.

What Lead You to Pick-up This Book?: I read it as part of a TLC Book Tour, but I have to admit that I wanted to read it because I was expecting a book about books. I love those!

Summarize the Plot: The book opens discussing the bookstore that Michael Bevan owns. I enjoyed the descriptions and his trip to an auction that sets off the chain of events that makes up the plot of this book. Part of me was wondering when the book was going to get going. Then, there was this other part of me that wanted to see more of the bookstore. (I like books afterall!) After about 50 pages Michael gets into an altercation with Gareth Hughes. Gareth was at the auction I mentioned before and things didn't go so well for either of them. It is when Gareth turns up dead that things really get interesting. The world that this death opens up is strange. I am not sure what to even think of what this book explores behind closed doors. You will have to read the book to find out more.

What Did You Like Most About the Book?: Well, I always appreciate a book that has books as its background. Michael owns a bookstore that we get to explore a bit. The bookish connection is why I wanted to read the book in the first place.

What Did You Like the Least?: Unfortunately, the book was a bit predictable. The fact that I can almost always solve the mystery is why I don't read a lot of crime novels. The plus side was there was still a bit of mystery to other aspects of the novel that were slightly less predictable. I think it evened out.

What Did You Think of the Writing Style?: For a crime novel, I felt that the author was a bit too caught up in physical appearances. I really only need the basics from secondary characters and I don't really care if they are good looking or not. For whatever reason, the characters just didn't stick in my mind.

What Did You Think of the Main Character?: I didn't love Michael, but then I didn't hate him either. I think he is a character that has to be explored and the first book was only sort of an introduction. He has done so much in his life all ready that I am not entirely sure we really get to know the 'real him'.

What Did You Think of the Ending?: The ending just got weird. I think I was expecting lighter reading than what the book actually resulted in! I blame the cover. And, I also was expecting something entirely different when the title was 'dirty' books.

Overall, I didn't hate the book. I don't read a lot of mystery series and probably wouldn't have read this one if not for the tour, title, and cover. I am not entirely sure if the second book will work for me just because I think I was looking for something different for this series, but I am probably in the minority compared to people that read mystery novels all the time. That being said, I am curious about how the rare book element will play through the rest of the books.

Book Review: Incendiary Girls: Stories by Kodi Scheer

Incendiary Girls: Stories by Kodi Scheer

Completion Date: April, 2014
Length: 208 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Incendiary Girls explores our baser instincts with vivid imagination and humor. In these stories, our bodies become strange and unfamiliar terrain, a medium for transformation. In “Fundamental Laws of Nature,” a doctor considers her legacy, both good and bad, when she discovers that her mother has been reincarnated as a thoroughbred mare. In the title story, a mischievous angel chronicles the remarkable life of a girl just beyond death’s reach.In Scheer’s hands, empathy and attachment are illuminated by the absurdity of life. When our bodies betray us, when we begin to feel our minds slip, how much can we embrace without going insane? How much can we detach ourselves before losing our humanity? Scheer’s stories grapple with these questions in each throbbing, choking, heartbreaking moment.

I never know what to say about short story collections, so I am going to a 'bulleted' review:

• Generally, I am not a big short story reader because I just prefer the longer format of novels. I like to make exceptions once in a while and this was my recent exception.
• I read the descriptions initially, but then time goes on and I completely forget by the time I read the book. I was very surprised by this book! 
• I think this might be the best short story collection I have read in years. I read the book entirely in one sitting, which rarely happens with short story collections, and for the most part enjoyed all of the stories.
• The description above mentions 'vivid imagination and humor'. That sounds about right. Actually, I kind was thinking that Scheer's brain must be an interesting place to come up with these stories.
• If you are looking for something original you need look no further than this book!
• The stories are a bit unbelievable... I mean, how often do you read a story about a girl who believes her boyfriend has turned into a camel or a daughter who is thinks her mother has been resurrected as a horse. At face value, it seems kind of crazy, but it is really not because the stories are written so well.
• The only story I was a bit 'meh' about, funny enough, was the title story. I feel like I have to reread it because it just didn't seem to mesh with the rest of the collection for me. I might have missed something.
• Other than themes of fantastical and magical, the combining thread is medical. It is not something I would rush out and read typically, but it worked in this context. 
• I think my only major complaint with this collection, especially for some of the stories, was I wanted more... I hope Scheer plans to write novels because I am curious!

Bottom line... I don't generally like short story collections, but I loved this one!

Book Review: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, Book 1) by Erika

Johansen

Completed: April, 2014
Length: 448 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.

The Queen of the Tearling introduces readers to a world as fully imagined and terrifying as that of The Hunger Games, with characters as vivid and intriguing as those of The Game of Thrones, and a wholly original heroine. Combining thrilling action and twisting plot turns, it is a magnificent debut from the talented Erika Johansen.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre?: Fantasy. Fiction.

What Lead You to Pick-up This Book?: I read it as part of a TLC Tour.

Summarize the Plot: When you read the back of the book, or the synopsis I posted above, you expect a straight fantasy novel. That is not what you get! This actually takes place in a different version of our world. We only start learning about what happened to create this new world, but there are mentions of the society we live in now. I suppose that is where the comparision to The Hunger Games comes in... Something bad has happened, but the 'games' are wars and power struggles. Kelsea is a reluctant queen, though. She was brought up in isolation until her 19th birthday when she is collected to take over the kingdom. In many ways she is prepared, but in other ways she has a vast new experience ahead of her. She is also determined to be different from her mother which leads to a different sort of queen. It's hard to be original in such an explored genre, but I think Johansen is well on her way and this is her debut novel!

What Did You Like Most About the Book?: Firstly, strong female character. She definitely grows within this book, so, I expect she will even more as the series progresses. She still accepts help when she needs it so it is not unbelievable. I also like that there is no love triangle so far (and hopefully won't be!). As to the story itself, I liked how it was set in a different version of Earth. I wasn't expecting that in the beginning. Johansen really thinks everything out to both intrigue and inform the reader. I am curious to learn more about the events. I also enjoyed all the characters in their own ways.

What Did You Like the Least?: There was nothing that really stuck out as bad about the book.

What Did You Think of the Writing Style?: I liked it! She knew just how to keep the readers interest. There were quiet moments and more exciting moments. It was just enough mixture to progress the story, but also keep the reader interested. You also felt like you were getting to know the world and the people that inhabit it.

What Did You Think of the Main Character?: In the beginning, I wasn't so sure... But then the novel got going and Kelsea grew on me. She was basically a lonely young woman that had been thrust into a very important role. She has moments where you remember that she is 19. I like that there was a mixture there so that she wasn't so naive the whole book it was annoying, but also that she felt feelings for a boy and other things that 'normal' teenagers should experience. She was also a big reader and I appreciated that.

What Did You Think of the Ending?: Well, you obviously know this is going to be a trilogy or series or something along those lines. But, no cliffhanger ending! There are some things that obviously you still want to know more about and events that are in the workings, but the ending is satisfying. I was very happy with it!

Overall, I am very impressed that this is a debut! Bravo to the author. Definitely worth checking out and I can't wait for the sequel!

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Boyfriend by Annabelle Costa

The Time Traveler's Boyfriend by Annabelle Costa

Completed: April 14, 2014
Length: 183 Pages

Claudia’s geeky boyfriend Adam has just invented a time machine.

No, really—he has. She doesn't believe it either until Adam provides her with definitive proof that he does, in fact, have a functioning time travel device sitting in the living room of his Manhattan brownstone.

But instead of getting ready to accept the Nobel Prize, Adam has very different plans for his groundbreaking invention. He wants Claudia to use the machine to travel back in time and stop the accident that landed him in a wheelchair over a decade ago, and prevent the trajectory of events that he believes ruined his life.

When Claudia reluctantly agrees to become the first human time traveler, she knows she’s making a big gamble. If she succeeds, she could have the happy ending with commitment-phobic Adam that she’s always dreamed of. But if she fails, it could mean the end of the universe as she knows it.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre?: I guess this is almost science-fiction... And romance... Definitely fiction.

What Lead You to Pick Up This Book?: I read it as part of a TLC Book Tour.

Summarize the Plot: Well, there is a girl and a guy. Claudia is a school teacher and Adam is a computer programmer and inventor. He is in a wheelchair because of an accident that leaves him paralysed from the waist down. They are in their 30's and Claudia is feeling her time slipping away. She is ready to settle down and have a baby. Adam keeps putting on the brakes and blaming it on a relationship from his past. Then, Adam invents a time machine and asks Claudia to go back in time to try and stop the cab that hit him from succeeding. That's when Claudia takes the risk of being the first time traveler. You will have to read the book to see what happens!

What Did You Like Most About This Book?: First of all... I was worried I wouldn't like it at all. It is just another book in my attempt to branch out with my reading. And, you know what, while I wouldn't call it my favourite read of the year, I did find it a fun read. I liked Claudia most of the time. I thought the time-travelling angle was different. I liked that I didn't find myself groaning at the silliness. And, it was a book with real people. Claudia was just an average person and Adam was average other than being in a wheelchair... And inventing a time machine... I mentioned the other day that I get tired of everything being so perfect...

What Did You Like The Least?: Let's see... I sometimes didn't like the dialogue. It didn't flow or something. It was just in the beginning of the book, so I must have got used to it as I read it. I also found things were unnecessarily repeated over and over again. I wish those moments were used to add more to the story than to reiterate something we know all ready. I am sure if I didn't go into this book expecting a fun read, I would dislike a lot more.

What Did You Think of the Writing Style?: Not perfect, but not terrible either. It is just something that will get better with practice. I finished the book, so it couldn't have bothered me that much.

What Did You Think of the Main Character?: I mentioned above that I mostly liked Claudia, but there were times where I didn't. I think the only reason I reached the end of the book and liked her is because she goes back in time and encounters her younger self. Her younger self is much, much worse. I think a lot of it was that all Claudia seemed to be thinking about is her size, getting married, and having kids. It's really what the whole book is focused around. I couldn't help wishing she had some deeper thoughts.

What Did You Think of the Ending?: A bit predictable, but satisfactory. I don't think I would have liked it if the book ended any other way. I wouldn't expect the book to end any other way.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a cutesy, science-fiction-like, romance story... Give this a try! It won't knock your socks off, but you will have fun reading it!

Book Review: Trinity Stones (The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, Book 1) by L.G. O'Connor

Trinity Stones (The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, Book 1) by L.G.

O'Connor

Completed: April, 2014
Length: 366 Pages

Anxiety-ridden New York investment banker, Cara Collins, has little to smile about on her twenty-seventh birthday between a hostile work environment and her impossible romantic situation with her longtime friend and first love, Dr. Kai Solomon. But before the day ends, she learns she has inherited $50 million—a windfall that must remain secret or risk the lives of those close to her.

As Cara unravels the truth surrounding her inheritance, she makes a startling discovery: angels walk among the living, and they’re getting ready to engage in a battle that will determine the future of the human race. In the midst of these revelations, she meets mysterious and sophisticated Simon Young, who offers her the promise of romance for the first time since Kai—but when Kai and his daughter are kidnapped by dark forces, Cara must choose: accept her place in a 2,000-year-old prophecy foretold in the Trinity Stones as the First of the Twelve who will lead the final battle between good and evil . . . or risk losing everything she holds dear.

One of the reasons that I enjoy doing book tours is because it gives me a chance to hear about books I may not have heard about otherwise. I also enjoy getting out of my comfort zone a bit. I was originally interested in this book because of the fantasy elements. I was a little unsure about the religion and romance. I read books that include both, but they are not something I look for in my normal reading. While essentially a very different book, I was mostly intrigued because this series reminds me of the things I loved about the Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason. That's another series that was largely out of my comfort zone... (I had to enter the romance section of the bookstore even!) It was worth it, though, and has helped make me take chances with other books.

So, on to the book... First of all, I am a sucker for books with a strong female lead. Cara Collins is only 27 and is about to have her life changed entirely. And, we get a taste of that right from the very beginning. I appreciated that we are an audience to Cara's future before she even knows things are about to happen. We don't know everything, we will learn as she does, but it was enough of a teaser to get me interested in the story. Cara is really well. Her life has been turned upside down, but O'Connor managed to write her with the right mixture of kick-ass heroine and 'what the hell did I sign up for'. I sometimes find the character is too ready to accept their fate, which can sometimes seem unbelievable. Or, go in the other direction so much that they just annoy me. It is important to have a mixture to make the store work for me.

Then, there are all the religious connections to the book. I have to admit, I really liked how they were handled. That was a relief because if I wasn't, this would have been a very wasted book for me. And, really, any time you attempt to tackle such a subject you are taking a huge risk if you ask me. Anyway, O'Connor takes the typical religious stories and expertly weaves in Cara's story. I actually found it all really interesting. Sometimes stories about the battle between good and evil can be a bit silly, but this read more like a history lesson. As a big fan of history I was delighted to see how everything unfolded.

And, well, the romance is there. I didn't hate it... Sometimes I admit I groaned a bit. (Mostly in the beginning when meeting all the characters...) I liked Kai. There is one scene where he is dressed in a polo shirt and slacks and just looked like an average person. The rest of the men in the book mostly had 'amazing' bodies, appearances, blah blah. The women, too. I kind of get tired of a guy meeting a girl and liking her immediately and vice-versa. It's all based on appearance and it grates on my nerves. It could have been a lot worse, though. There were just a few scenes that bugged me. I won't go into detail because I know it is mostly me and other people like those kinds of scenes. No point in ruining it for anyway with my grumbling.

Other things to mention... I love Chloe. She's a dog. I am a sucker for animals in books.... I can't help it! And, she is such a great character all on her own! (The fact that we are in the process of hopefully getting a dog probably contributed!) I liked that Chloe played the right amount of a roll in the book... Is it sad that in many ways she was my favourite character? Don't mind me... I haven't had a dog in years and I am a tad bit excited about dogs in general at the moment!

Back to the book... Overall, I found it to be a page-turner. Any problems I had with it were minor. One other thing I will mention is that there is a lot of information dumped on you in this book... It might have been nice to have a bit more of a story, but it will definitely set up the rest of the series, so I understand it was necessary.

I recommend this book and look forward to the rest of this series. I am glad I took a chance on it!

Book Review: Alice Will by Ashley Chappell

Alice Will (Dream of Chaos, Book 1) by Ashley Chappell

Completed: April 2, 2014
Length: 297 Pages

With her leaky powers and premature smiting problem, fourteen year-old Trotter was still just trying to get the hang of the demi-godding business when the apocalypse began. In a world where the gods have withdrawn from humanity, leaving mortals bitter toward magic, she finds herself torn between the human and the goddess in her. When the world begins to fade away and she becomes the prime suspect, her search to determine the cause and prove her innocence ends up revolving around a mysterious little girl named Alice. Then she discovers that not all of the gods had been as distant as they seemed...

Now, with everyone against her and the gods fighting amongst themselves, Trotter is on her own to save her world and stop a spiteful god from using Alice to destroy everything.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fantasy. Mythological.

What Lead You to Pick up This Book? I am reviewing this book as part of a TLC Book Tour.

Summarize the Plot: We have two young girls: Trotter and Alice. Trotter is aware of who she is and knows that she has special powers. Alice is an orphan, being treated badly, who is growing into abilities she didn't know she had. Trotter is told that she holds the ability to stop some violence that is moving into the world. But, Alice's youth and innocence are making things even more difficult for the world. There is a war coming and it has interesting players. This book also has a talking cat named Prowler that serves as Trotter's companion.

What Did You Like Most About This Book? There were a few things... First of all, I really like talking cats in books. I know it is silly and drives some people crazy, but think it is fun and Prowler definitely added comedic relief. Then, I really liked the mythology in this book. It was a bit rushed in the sense I wish I knew more, but it was still a creative idea. And, as always, I enjoy books where women save the world without help from men. Just saying!

What Did You Like The Least? In the interest of full-disclosure, there were a bunch of typos in this book. Just words that should be other words basically. Sometimes it wasn't a big deal, but other times it sort of jolted you out of the story. I really don't have any major to say against the book, but it did take me a while to get into it. There were a few inconsistencies... Nothing major, but just little things that I didn't really either believe should be part of the narrative or didn't fit with the world she has created.

What Did You Think of the Writing Style? I always seem to answer this question in earlier questions... Basically what I said above... Bit hard to get into and needed a little more editing.

What Did You Think of the Main Character? I will talk about Trotter and Alice in this question. While this book is essentially about Alice, Trotter is the recurring character for the series. Alice is almost 7, an orphan, and rather naive about the world. When she discovers that she has amazing powers, she sets out to create a world that will make her happy. The problem is she has seen so little of the world and experienced so few things. This makes her limited in her creativity. She is a cute kid, though, and just wants to be happy and have people love her. Then there is Trotter. It is less of a secret to her about who she is and she is 14. This makes her less naive and innocent than Alice. Not entirely, though, because she is still just a kid. That's where Prowler, the cat, comes in. He keeps her balanced. Trotter is the one that we will see grow in Chappell's series, so it will be interesting to see where she is headed. Alice and Trotter may seem different, but they have a lot of similar characteristics and made for readable characters most of the time.

What Did You Think of the Ending? Well, it wasn't a cliffhanger, so it had that going for it. It might have been a bit too perfect, but maybe I am used to books having lots of lose ends in this world of constant series. Frankly, with a few interesting revelations, the ending was not amazing. It wasn't terrible either. It was just the ending.

Recommended, but with a few reservations!

Book Review: Coincidence by J.W. Ironmonger

Coincidence by J.W. Ironmonger

Length: 304 Pages

Thirty years ago, on the date in June known as Midsummer's Day, a young girl is mysteriously orphaned. Now, after a life of bizarre and troubling circumstances, she becomes obsessed with the idea that she too will die on Midsummer's Day . . . until she meets the one man who may be able to save her.

Azalea Lewis's life has been dominated by coincidences-a bizarre, and increasingly troubling, series of chance events so perfectly coordinated that any sane person would conclude that only the hidden hand of providence could explain them.

On Midsummer's Day, 1982, at the age of three, Azalea was found wandering a fairground in England, alone, too young to explain what had happened to her or her parents. After a brief investigation, she was declared a ward of the court, and placed in foster care. The following year, the body of a woman-her mother-was found on a nearby beach, but by then everyone had forgotten about the little girl, and no connection was ever made. The couple who adopted Azalea brought her to Africa, where-on Midsummer's Day, 1992-they were killed in a Ugandan uprising while trying to protect their children. Azalea is spared on that day, but as she grows into adulthood, she discovers that her life has been shaped by an uncanny set of coincidences-all of them leading back to her birth mother, a single mother on the Isle of Man, and the three men who could have been her father, each of whom has played an improbable but very real role in her fate.

Troubled by what she has uncovered-and increasingly convinced that she, too, will meet her fate on Midsummer's Day-she approaches Thomas Post, a rational-minded academic whose specialty is debunking our belief in coincidence: the belief that certain events are linked, even predestined, by the hands of fate. Even as they fall in love, Thomas tries to help to understand her past as a series of random events-not a divinely predetermined order. Yet as the fateful date draws closer, Thomas begins to fear that he may lose her altogether, and she may throw herself into the very fate she fears.

A warm and romantic, yet intellectually fascinating, story of two souls trying to make sense of the universe and our place in it, Coincidence is an unforgettable novel by a storyteller of masterful gifts.

This post was actually supposed to be up on the 19th, but I was thinking about everything still and decided to write my post while on vacation. That was very silly of me because I never turned my computer on the entire vacation. So, sorry I am late!

I tend to fit in similar 'niches' with my reading... I don't really do 'contemporary' or more modern works. That's not because I don't like them, but more because my reading tastes tend to go in a different direction. I make an effort to branch out from time to time, though. Firstly, it adds some variety and prevents burnouts. Secondly, I may be missing out on an awesome author while only reading the same ol' same. I chose to join in for this tour because Coincidence sounded 'different' from anything I would normally read. I like to think and a book about coincidences sounded like some food for thought.

I have to admit that I do really like books that move back and forth between time if they are done well. There has been a run in historical fiction that takes place in the past and then jumps to the modern period. This book doesn't go quite that far back, but it does use time to frame the story and look at the ideas of coincidences as they relate to Azalea's life. Right from the very first pages you know that interesting things are in store for the reader. Azalea is found at a circus when she is a young child. She has no memory of how she got to be there and this leads to a police hunt into her origins.

I find the idea of coincidences really interesting. I have often thought about things like preordained, free-will, etc. Coincidence is another thing worth thinking about and this is the first time I have read a book where they look into it. It makes you think about your own life and the events in them. Was everything all planned out for you? Are random events, you wouldn't even think about as linked, actually linked? I kind of think I thought about that more than I thought about the actual book. That is partly why it took me so long to write a review about this one.

There are lots of other things happening in this book, but I hate giving away too much about the plot. It was the first I had ever heard of J.W. Ironmonger. This was his first book released in the U.S., I guess. I hope he will release more because he definitely writes about things that will get you thinking amongst things that are a bit more typical. It makes for an interesting mixture.

Recommended!

What are your thoughts on coincidences?

Book Review: The Frangipani Hotel by Violet Kupersmith

The Frangipani Hotel by Violet Kupersmith

Completed: March 10, 2014

Length: 256 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Based on traditional Vietnamese ghost stories told to the author by her Vietnamese grandmother but updated to reflect the contemporary ghost of the Vietnam War, here is a mesmerizing collection of thematically linked stories, united by the first and last story of the collection.

Violet wrote these unusually accomplished stories as an undergraduate at Mt. Holyoke College in an attempt to update the traditional Vietnamese ghost stories her grandmother had told her to incorporate the more relevant ghosts of the aftermath of the Vietnam War on a generation of displaced Vietnamese immigrants as well as those who remained in Vietnam. From the story about a beautiful young woman who shows up thirsty in the bathtub of the Frangipani Hotel in Saigon many years after her first sighting there to a young woman in Houston who befriends an old Vietnamese man she discovers naked behind a dumpster to a truck driver asked to drive a young man with an unnamed ailment home to die, to the story of two American sisters sent to Vietnam to visit their elderly grandmother who is not what she appears to be, these stories blend the old world with the new while providing a new angle of insight into the after-effects of the war.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre?: Fiction. Vietnamese Ghost Stories.

What Lead You To Pick Up This Book?: A combination of a book for a TLC Book Tour and the fact that it is ghost stories and folk tales from Vietnam.

Summarize the Plot: A collection of Vietnamese ghost stories updated from old traditional stories to have the Vietnam War as a background. The stories all seem traditional in general, but there are strange, supernatural elements to each one. Sometimes it would be a while before you found out what they were. Then there were others that you found out about right away. There is enough connection between each story to flow together. And, the first and last story are connected eve more directly than that.

A bit about the stories:

'Boat Story' - A grand-daughter is asking her grandmother about her escape from Vietnam and gets an entirely different story than she is expecting. This story sets the scene for the unusual that was set to come. It ends with the sentence 'Did we ever really escape'. That could be a theme to the collection in many ways. A strange story that cemented my decision that I was going to like this collection.

'Reception' - This is the story that actually takes place at The Frangipani Hotel. (A word that I keep worrying I am going to spell wrong on a side note.) There were scenes in this story that had me laughing. But, like the rest of the collection, there are strange, dark elements. In this story they take the shape of a woman who the receptionist, the main character, finds after she almost floods the bathroom. That's just the beginning of the strangeness. I really liked this story! Even if it had those dark elements, it was actually one of the lighter stories in the collection.

'Skin and Bones' - Two daughters are sent from America to stay with their grandmother in Vietnam over the holidays. It all starts because the younger daughter eats too much and her mother thinks Vietnam food will help. Nothing is as it seems in this story. This was one of my favourites in the collection. It was kind of a Wait... What??? story.

'Little Brother' - In this story a truck driver tells stories from his time on the road. There is one about a shark which is very strange. The other one, though, was almost expected but not at the same time. At this point in the collection you definitely expect weird things to happen, but still... It was kind of another 'what is going on' story. I liked it, but it kind of creeped me out.

'The Red Veil' - I think this story was probably the creepiest one in this collection. It's the story of two sisters whose mother dies and their father remarries. It was the one story in the collection that I really, really wanted to know what happened in more detail. I think it would make a good novel. It really drew me in but I wasn't entirely sure about everything that happened. It is still running around in my head.

'Guests' - This is the story of Mia who had decided to work for the American consulate in Vietnam. Her father doesn't understand why because he has escaped from there and she wants to go back. Her job is to deal with the woman who have been impregnated and then abandoned by American men. In her personal life she has a live-in boyfriend also from America, but things are not going as well as she expects. This launches a counter story that winds up with an ending that I didn't really like all that much. It worked for the story, but, yeah, wish it had ended differently.

'Turning Back' - uh, yeah... This story was weird right from the very beginning! Another story that would make an interesting novel. It was a very intriguing retelling of a story that exists in many forms across many cultures. Definitely a page-turner!

'One-Finger' - A Calligrapher, a Poet, and a Guitarist sit around the Calligrapher's living room. They have been friends for 40 years after serving together in the Vietnam War. Their friendship is about to take a very different turn, though. The Calligrapher's past is about to catch up with him and he has a story to tell his friends. A good story!

'Descending Dragon' - A story that links from the beginning of the collection. It takes place in a Seniors Home. Ms. Nguyen is a very entertaining character! The Vietnam War is coming to visit her in a very real way. It is a great way to end the collection!

I don't read very many short story collections. I am so happy this one worked for me. I really really liked it! If not for the tour, positive reviews would have likely made me add it to my wish list, but I am not sure how likely my reading of it was. It is nice to have an enjoyable experience with something essentially outside of your comfort zone.

Strongly Recommended!

Book Review: A Snug Life Somewhere by Jan Shapin

A Snug Life Somewhere by Jan Shapin

Completed: February 24, 2014
Length: 296 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A Snug Life Somewhere is about Penny Joe Copper, daughter of a roustabout shingle weaver, who is caught up in a 1916 union tragedy known as the Everett Massacre. Her brother Horace is killed, as is the cousin of a radical organizer, Gabe. When her love affair with Marcel, a music student seven years her junior, is thwarted, she is pulled into Gabe as campaign to avenge the Everett Martyrs.She follows Gabe to Mexico (where they live in a household of Bolsheviks bent on smuggling jewels), then to Chicago (where she rediscovers Marcel, steals a Faberge egg and escapes from Gabe). Then a second event intervenes at the Seattle General Strike of 1919. Penny Joe returns to Seattle to confront Gabe and meets up with a mysterious stranger who turns out to be J. Edgar Hoover. Should she give the Faberge egg to Hoover as evidence against Gabe or just disappear and start a new life? Is she ever going to reunite with her lost love, Marcel?

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre? Historical Fiction.

What Lead You to Pick up This Book?: I read a review copy from the author as part of a TLC book tour. When Trish told me about her tours, she told me if I could only do one to pick this one. Historical fiction set during the early 20th-century? Of course!

Summarize the Plot: The novel follows Penny Joe Copper. She is the daughter of a shingle weaver father and a mother that she doesn't see eye-to-eye with. When her father is arrested, she finds herself following after her brother Horace who has gone to university in Chicago. When her brother is killed, she comes to the attention of one of his 'old' friends, Gabe, whose cousin has also been killed. She quickly discovers that Gabe controls her life now. In many ways now, the novel will centre around this meeting with Gabe and the plans that he has for her.

What Did you Like Most about this book?: I have to admit, I was very interested in a book set around WWI about aspects of history other than WWI. I find that when a book is set during any war it doesn't really branch out very much. It is brave, actually, to write about anything else.  It was great to learn more about other events during that time. The novel really moves forward.

What Did you Like the Least?: There was nothing that really screamed out to me that I disliked.

What Did you Think of the Writing Style?: I have to admit that I really liked the book, but there was something that didn't flow with me and the writing. Do you know what I mean when something bothers you but you can't put your finger on it? It didn't really detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. I think it was something that just started to work for me as the book got going.

What Did you Think of the Main Character?: I liked Penny. Sometimes I kind of wanted to give her a shake, but this was the early 20th century after all. Just because you think she is being crazy doesn't mean it was unusual for that time period. It was a very different world than now. I think she was a perfect narrator for this book and I often felt bad for her. That being said, she was constantly aware of her awkward situations and just needed the opportunities to get out of them. She was just lonely!

What Did You Think of the Ending?: I have no complaints. I think it was a fitting to a novel that I was impressed by how much I enjoyed.

Recommended!

Book Review: The Fixer by T.E. Woods

The Fixer by T.E. Woods

Completed: February 13, 2014
Length: 312 Pages

T. E. Woods delivers a fast-paced thriller—the first in an electrifying new series—peopled with sharp, intriguing characters and more twists and turns than a corkscrew.

Never a doubt. Never a mistake. Always for justice. Never for revenge. She’s the person you hire when you need something fixed—permanently. With a strict set of criteria, she evaluates every request and chooses only a few. No more than one job per country, per year. She will only step in if it’s clear that justice will not be served any other way. Her jobs are completed with skill and precision, and never result in inquiry or police investigation. The Fixer is invisible—and quite deadly. . . .

In the office of a clinical psychologist in Olympia, Washington, a beautiful young woman is in terrible emotional pain. She puts up walls, tells lies, and seems to speak in riddles, but the doctor is determined to help her heal, despite the fact that she claims to have hurt many people. As their sessions escalate, the psychologist feels compelled to reach out to the police . . . but it might be too late.

In Seattle, a detective gets a call from his son. A dedicated journalist, he wants his father’s expertise as he looks into a suspicious death. Together they follow the trail of leads toward a stone-cold hired killer—only to find that death has been closer than either could have imagined.

I am reviewing this book as part of a tour hosted at TLC Book Tours.

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?: Thriller. Fiction.

What lead you to pick up this book?: I have been getting into thrillers a bit lately. I thought this one with a female lead sounded interesting and decided to take a chance on it.

Summarize the plot: The Fixer gets the job done, but she has rules. We learn from the very beginning that she is not out for murder. She is out for justice and only takes the cases where she feels the person is in the wrong. She fixes the situation for you permanently. No one knows who she really is. She is invisible, deadly, and smart. The book also includes a psychologist whose newest patient has some troubling secrets that are bringing her pain. The psychologist, Lydia Corriger, is determined to get to the bottom of things. There is also Mort Grant, Chief of Detectives, who is trying to get through his own pain and bring a sense of justice to the world.

What did you like best about this book?: It surprised me. I was reading it last night and kept getting distracted. So, I admit I wasn't paying the best attention. But, there were lots of twists and turns in the book that impressed me. Originally I was hesitant about this book. This might be why I only read it at the last minute. I enjoyed the back stories and the strong characters. I look forward to where the series is going to go after all the reveals in this book.

What did you like the least?: hm... There was nothing really terrible about it. I find with thrillers, though, they are page-turners. This means that you might finish the book caught up in the story and then start nit-picking as time goes on.

What did you think of the writing style?: It was engaging and fast-paced. I wasn't sure about things in the very beginning, but once I got going it was a good read. I feel like what I want to say about the writing might reveal more than I should about the story, but Woods definitely keeps you guessing and intrigued.

What did you think of the main character?: One of the reasons why I was hesitant about this book in the beginning was because there seemed to be so many characters. Once they started to repeat, though, and things started to fit together it wasn't a problem. Obviously, the title makes one thing The Fixer is the main character, and she definitely was a readable character in the book. But, there was also Lydia Corriger and the skeletons in her closet. We see sides of her that no one else gets a chance to see. Then there is Mort who lost his wife a year ago and still misses her. There are also some secrets to be revealed dealing with his daughter.

What did you think of the ending?: I think the book ended well. It stands alone well, so that is always nice. I see that there is another book out later this year, though, so obviously there is more happening. If there wasn't a sequel, though, I would have been happy with how this book ended.

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. Check it out if you haven't all ready! Recommended.

Thanks to TLC and Alibi Books for my chance to read this one.

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear - A Look at the Maisie Dobbs Series

Once upon a time I heard about a historical mystery series that took place after WWI. I was intrigued to find it centred around a strong, female character that had been a nurse during the war and was a private investigator after the war. I knew I was going to have to check it out. So, I ordered book 1. I was not impressed. I was almost bored. It was not an amazing start to a series and that made me sad. I wanted to love Maisie and get caught up in her world. I didn't entirely forget her, though. In 2009 I rejoined the library and one of the first things I did was get book two in the series: Birds of a Feather. The series just sounded like my thing and I wasn't about to give-up so easily. I didn't feel it necessary to run out and buy the entire series, but that is why libraries are so great. Birds of a Feather was SO MUCH better than book 1. Winspear really came into her own and I started to get interested in the characters and the story-lines. I had found a historical fiction mystery series that worked for me.

In 2009 I read all of the books that were available through the library and then I received a review copy of the newest book. That started me collecting the ones that I had read for free through the library. Suddenly I did want to own all the books. Maisie has captured my reading heart and I look forward to a new book every year. I always pre-order and hug when the book actually arrives. (According to Winspear's website Maisie appeared in 2003, so this is actually her 10th year of capturing readers hearts. And, Leaving Everything Most Loved is book 10. You have to love a writer that can put out a new book in a series every year.) While I was a bit slow in joining the Maisie bandwagon I still can appreciate her longevity and hope that Winspear continues the series for a while, but also goes out with a bang.

Let's look at the characters shall we? First up is Maisie, of course. The young main heroine of our tales. Let's be frank. She bothers me at times. She can be a bit too perfect and things can work out just a bit too perfectly for her. This is not to say that bad things don't happen, but she is a bit too squeaky clean at times. This is also the probably I have with Bess Crawford from Charles Todd's historical mystery series. The women do not have to be saints. It doesn't give them enough dimensions. People are not perfect all the time. While this doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the series necessarily, it does make me annoyed at times. If it bothered me too much I wouldn't still be with the series 10 books later. In a lot of ways it is the secondary characters that make the books for me. Is that a sad fact? I really enjoy Billy Beale for example. He is Maisie's assistant and was injured during the war. Winspear makes the time to give him a compelling backstory and I just enjoy the way that he interacts with people. It makes for an enjoyable character. I feel bad for him, too. He has had some bad luck in life.

Then there is Maurice. It is because of his relationship with Maisie that she was even able to become the investigator she is today. I really enjoyed seeing his character grow in the books. He was a bit mysterious at times and it was nice to get some glimpses into the man of mystery. A series of books centred around him would be very interesting. He has lived a varied life and it would be interesting to see more of his past. He was like a second father to Maisie even though Frankie Dobbs is very much alive and beloved by his daughter. He is a quieter character and is usually involved in quieter scenes when we see him. In a way even though he is not front and centre you really get a taste of who he is without that being necessary. Other characters include Lady Rowan Compton, Maisie's former employer, who I love and would love to learn more about. There is also her son, James, who was mostly absent from the earlier books and has more of a presence in the later books. I enjoy him.

Another enjoyable character from the series is Priscilla. She is Maisie's very larger than life friend. Not to mention the exact opposite of Maisie. It makes for a most interesting contrast at times. Maybe she will one day rub off on her friend? She does try. That just leaves Detective Inspector Richard Stratton and Simon Lynch. The detective crosses paths with Maisie often because of her cases. He quite admires Maisie, but the feeling is not returned. Even the detective has time for a back story because we know he is a widower and has a young son. I enjoy secondary characters that are three-dimensional. As to Simon, he is more of a presence than anything else. He was Maisie's first love and was injured during WWI. She still goes to visit him sometimes and there are moments where there are flashbacks to the way things were, but sadly his present character doesn't have the ability to become more central to the story. He is damaged in body and mind. It's a shame.

This brings us to book 10 in the series. There has been a lot of things that needed to be addressed and this book starts a new chapter in Maisie's life. It makes her rethink some of the things that have been happening. I think it is a very important book to the series. The problem with later books in the series is it is so hard to review them without ruining so many things. That is why I decided to go about this post as an overview of the entire series instead of rambling about one specific book. I have to at least mention the latest book, though. I continue to enjoy the series and will be waiting for book 11 to be hot off the presses. Maisie is a character that definitely grows on you and I really want to see what happens for her next. And, because the secondary characters have stories, too, I want to see what happens for them.

Also, I really enjoy the covers to this series.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and Harper Collins for allowing me the chance to read the newest book in the series and participate in the tour.

Televenge by Pamela King Cable

Televenge by Pamela King Cable

 Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.
Completion Date: January, 2013.

Andie Oliver is a faithful woman—to God, to husband Joe, and to elevangelist Reverend Calvin Artury, a Godfather in a Mafia of holy men.

Raised to be subservient and submissive in the tradition of the Bible-belt South of the 70’s, she becomes a prisoner of that tradition. As a reluctant member of Artury’s evangelical megachurch, the House of Praise in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Andie’s dream of children, home, and marriage falls apart when Joe is hired on the ministry team.

The charismatic Reverend conducts faith-healing crusades, creating the largest religious TV audience in the world, surpassing the income and followers of Oral Roberts and the Reverend Billy Graham combined. Working limitless hours, Joe is sucked deeper into the ministry while Andie attempts to free him from the Reverend’s control and far-reaching influence.

But it is Mavis Dumass, Andie’s best friend since birth, a sassy African-American woman and aspiring recording star, who holds the secrets to Reverend Artury’s carefully veiled debauchery. What happens to Mavis will not be forgotten as it leaves Andie near mental collapse and struggling for freedom from the cult’s grip.

Andie is still unaware of the extreme danger their pastor wields until she witnesses the murder of a church member. Fearing for her life, Andie plummets from a dreadful existence to a horrific one as she uncovers Reverend Artury’s long-hidden truths, and loses everything. But she strikes back, threatening to expose the Reverend to the world.

Reverend Artury reverts to the twisted “cleansings” of his childhood. Raised by two psychopathic aunts, he mentally declines and quickly, Andie must go into hiding. Fighting for redemption for her family and herself, Andie confronts the very definition of sin, and shakes the Christian evangelical world to its core. Evading ruthless adversaries who will go to any lengths to protect Reverend Artury, Andie battles the dark side of televangelism, forever changing a nation of evangelicals.

With more twists and turns than the Blue Ridge Parkway, Televenge exposes chaos in the megachurch, and embraces those who discover unconditional love in a world of religious deception. A story of hope, of deliverance, and strength of the human spirit. An unforgettable tale of unconditional love, heartbreaking loss, an invincible spirit, and incredible courage.

When I agreed to this tour I wasn't entirely sure the book was for me, but I wanted to give it a try. I was told it wasn't 'Christian' Fiction even though it was set in the South. It still looked like it was, though, and I have never been a big reader of books that centre around religion. It's just my reading tastes. That is not to say I avoid it like the plague. I just avoid it. This lead to very slack reading of the book. I picked it up right away to start it, but then I put it back down after only a few pages. This was the relationship I had with the book until I made myself read beyond the over-arching theme and see everything else that was going on. Then, I quite liked it.

I really liked Andie right from the start. I felt really bad for her, though. You could tell that life was not going to be what she was planning. She got married when she was 17 and had a different outlook than the reality. It was sad to watch her dreams come crashing down with the reality of little money and a brain-washed husband. Although, he never seemed to have trouble 'sinning'. He felt bad the whole time but kept right on doing it. Even though things were rocky, though, you could also feel bad for Joe. He was the under-achiever of his brothers and was just looking for acceptance. Reverend Autury was there and made him feel accepted. As to the Reverend, I didn't like him at all and I think that was sort of the accepted reaction you were to have in the opening pages of the book.

While my preconceived notions of this book might have had mixed results in the beginning, the book really is compelling. There is a lot going on in it that you can't help getting caught up in the story. I also really enjoyed the characters. They stick with you and make you feel for them. I enjoy when I can get into characters like that. I am really glad I took a chance on this book and recommend that you give it a try. It seems to be going over well with everyone that reads it!

Recommended!

Note: I apologize that I am late posting my review. My computer got invaded by a virus and I had to get it fixed. It seems to be running fun now so fingers crossed there are no more problems!

Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Completion Date: September 5, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour

A Viking adventure, packed with battles, blood and gore, Raven is historical fiction at its very best, and marks the debut of an outstanding new talent.

For two years Osric has lived a simple life, apprenticed to the mute old carpenter who took him in when others spurned him. But when Norsemen from across the sea burn his village, Osric is taken prisoner by these warriors. Their chief, Sigurd the Lucky, believes the Norns have woven this strange boy’s fate together with his own, and Osric begins to sense glorious purpose among this fellowship of warriors.

Immersed in the Norsemen’s world and driven by their lust for adventure, Osric proves a natural warrior and forges a blood bond with Sigurd, who renames him Raven. But the Norsemen’s world is a savage one, where loyalty is often repaid in blood and where a young man must become a killer in order to survive. When the Fellowship faces annihilation from ealdorman Ealdred of Wessex, Raven chooses a bloody and dangerous path, accepting the mission of raiding deep into hostile lands to steal a holy book from Coenwolf, King of Mercia.

There he will find much more than the Holy Gospels of St Jerome. He will find Cynethryth, an English girl with a soul to match his own. And he will find betrayal at the hands of cruel men, some of whom he regards as friends.

I am a tad bit annoyed with myself as I write this review. Blood Eye appeared in my mailbox and I was immediately excited. It sounded like a perfect read for me and I enjoyed the look of the book. There was just something inviting about it all. So, I put everything aside and jumped into the book. So, why am I annoyed? I made it to page 200 and something and just put the book aside. I like this book, but yet I was struggling to read it. I hate when that happens. The book sat there for a while before I picked it up again to finish it. And then I struggled to do even that. And, it isn't the book! I thought it was written well, had an interesting cast of characters, and a compelling overall story. This is not the book for my friends that do not like a lot of battles in books, but otherwise I have no real complaint. It is just me.

So, go read other posts from the tour or try out the book for yourself before making any decisions about whether it is for you or not. I really hope this wonky mood leaves me soon. I would like to get some reading done between now and the end of the year that doesn't seem like a chore...