As I turn the pages

My take on: Ali in Wonderland

2012-01-30T06:01:00.000-05:00

I remember Ali Wentworth from In Living Color. Back then I thought she was a little ditzy. The characters she played were usually on the dumb side. I thought she must be a little ditzy in real life, too. After reading her book Ali in Wonderland: And other Tall Tales, I realized how wrong I was. She is quite smart and funny.

Who knew her mother was a social secretary for President Reagan. She grew up a privileged kid in the Washington, D.C. area. The tales from her childhood were some of the funniest. When her older sister Sissy ran away while recovering from spinal surgery Ali was tasked with bringing her back. "Ran" away is a loose term. Her sister was still in a full body cast, so she kind of waddled sideways out of the house. Her mother Muffie forced her to go after Sissy, despite Ali emphatically stating she didn't want to runaway, too. The only way Ali could convince her sister to return was by making her laugh. Ali covered herself in a garbage bag, mud, leaves and branches. A little dancing later, and her sister Sissy was on the ground laughing her butt off. The visual made me laugh.

Ali's mother Muffie seems like a bit of a pistol. A person you could sit down with over a cup of tea and have a long conversation. According to her, most problems could be solved by a stay at the Four Season. Ali's future husband, George Stephanopoulos, and her daughters disagreed. They didn't see the point of going to a hotel during a snowstorm. It was just a little hard for Ali to break a long-held habit.

In the early stages of her acting career, Ali was different from her peers. She wasn't a "struggling" actor. She could afford to pay her bills and eat more than ramen noodles. When she bought a home in California it wasn't really her home. Instead her home was overrun with family members and friends who overstayed their welcome. She did her best to break free of the political scene she grew up with. Which made me wonder how she ended up with George Stephanopoulos? He makes a living analyzing the political scene, a scene Ali wanted to get away from. But ultimately, she found the person who was just right for her.

If you're looking for a quick read or a distraction, pick this one up. The lasting image for me will be Ali under siege after throwing package over the gate of the home of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Wouldn't it have made more sense to just ring the bell? Maybe she embellished a little bit, but the story was sure hilarious.

Rating: Superb

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (HarperCollins) in exchange for an honest review.

It's Monday, what's on the cover?

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's Monday, so what's on the cover? Either that girl above is really tired or she can't handle her liquor. After the first 100 pages of Spin by Catherine McKenzie, it's obvious the main character can't handle her liquor. Kate blew her chance to land her dream job by showing up drunk. She'll get a second chance if she does well on her next assignment -- follow the "it" girl into rehab and get the scoop. If this hasn't been done already by one of the numerous entertainment rags out there, they will soon. A review and Q&A with the author will be posted on Feb. 17.

Home Front by Kristin Hannah looks a lot like her other books. A faint picturesque beach scene. That automatically makes me think of TV movie of the week. Her books tend to have a lot of melodrama, but that didn't put me off when I received a pitch e-mail. A mother suddenly has to go off to Iraq, leaving her two daughters in the hands of her husband and mother-in-law. Her husband would rather work at his law firm than have to play Mr. Mom. He doesn't understand his wife's sense of duty. So far, I really like the book. I'm just scared to read the end. I keep thinking this can't end well.

The cover of Fallen by Traci L. Slatton is very eerie. A lone woman walking towards her doom. At least I think she's walking toward her doom. There is no one around. There is fog everywhere. The Eiffel Tower and surrounding buildings are in ruins. Intriguing.

In my Mailbox

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

I had such a good book week, I had to do an In My Mailbox post. No video this time because I'm catching a cold, and my voice sounds a little wonky!!! In My Mailbox is a weekly meme brought to us by Kristi of The Story Siren. February and March and sure to be busy months for me, given the amount of books I received. Lets start off with....

Pure by Julianna Baggott (courtesy of Grand Central Publishing) is the first in a trilogy. I think it's YA, but can easily appeal to adults like myself. I'm not quite sure how to describe it. It's definitely dystopian. Here is a snippet of the GoodReads description, "We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies." I don't read many dystopian novels, but I thought it would be good to step outside my comfort zone. Plus, the book came with some other goodies..

A cute little button, tempting me to look inside the book. And when I did...

Out popped a paper butterfly. I've tried to duplicate it, but I can't get it to rest inside the book like before. Next up on the list...

Being Lara by Lola Jaye. I was sold on the cover alone when I saw it in the HarperCollins catalog. When I got a pitch e-mail about it, I was totally onboard. There has to be some story behind this girl. The main character, Lara Reid, has always known she was different from her parents. Her skin color and hair are different. Turns out Lara is adopted and this is her journey of self-discovery and where she came from.

Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream (HarperCollins). What do you think of that woman on the cover? Think she is about to jump? In thirty days Clementine Pritchard is determined to kill herself? Why? I don't know but I can't wait to find out.

Outside The Lines by Amy Hatvany (Simon and Schuster). A woman goes in search of her estranged father. He attempted suicide when Eden was 10, leading to her parents' divorce. Now 30, Eden goes in search of him.

The Boiling Season by Christopher Hebert (HarperCollins). The main character is trying to escape political unrest on a volatile Caribbean island.

Panther Baby by Jamal Joseph (Algonquin). A former Black Panther tells of his transformation from FBI fugitive to an Ivy League professor. I always love learning about people.

The Underside of joy by Sere Prince Halverson (Dutton). Two women are brought together by tragedy. Both claim to be the mother of the same two children. And I think that is just scratching the surface, there are many layers to this book.

That's it for me. What did everyone else get?

P.S.: Have look at the trailer for Pure...

My take on: It's a Waverly Life

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Waverly Bryson needs to grow up. No she is not a real person, but she is the main character of It's A Waverly Life by Maria Murnane. This is the second time around for this character. I didn't read the first book, Perfect on Paper, but I don't think that matters.

After a failed engagement and a career change, things are looking up for Waverly. She has a dating advice column and a greeting card business. She's also started dating the handsome Jake McIntyre, a physical therapist for the Atlanta Hawks. The relationship isn't perfect with Waverly living in San Francisco and Jake in Atlanta. She likes Jake, but she is afraid to let him into her inner circle. That job belongs to her two best friends Andie and McKenna. They know everything about Waverly. They can knock back a few cocktails and gossip about their relationships. Their friendship brought me back to the days of Sex and the City. Waverly is the writer (a la Carrie Bradshaw), McKenna is married and pregnant (paging Charlotte York), and Andie moves from relationship to relationship (a watered down version of Samantha Jones).

Every time Jake gets too close, Waverly just freezes. She's too afraid to get hurt. Waverly can tell men and women how to overcome their dating disasters, but can't follow her own advice.

"It was amazing how inarticulate I could be at times, given that I was being paid to use...words." (Pg. 57)

Her relationship with Jake is always filled with awkward silences, missed phone calls, and e-mails. All the while I'm thinking, "You idiot!!" Many women would love to be in her position. Friends, a man who is actually interested in you, and a fun career. Things like that don't just fall off trees. I kept thinking how many ways can you keep sabotaging this relationship? She has a pregnancy scare, but does she tell Jake right away? No. I can understand somewhat. Why speak until you're sure? But if you're so scared about the future, why not tell him? At the time, even Jake was going through some personal problems. Wouldn't it be good for your relationship if you could comfort him face-to-face. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to talk to? But Waverly is afraid to have deep conversations with Jake. Once the small talk is done, what else can Waverly say?

I wasn't sure if this book was trying to be chick-lit? Funny beach read? Or something deeper. There are the light-hearted moments with her friends, but then Waverly is constantly struggling with her confidence. I also thought she was afraid to grow up. It takes a while to get there, but Waverly does take control of her life. There is hope for her future.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the author's publicist (Little Bird Publicity) in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: The Queen of Mystery

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

I am a fan of books. I am a big fan of mystery books. I love the movies based on Agatha Christie's books. Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Evil under the Sun and Appointment with Death are some of my favorite film adaptations. I've never read the Miss Marple mysteries or seen any of the films. I think I just connected with Hercule Poirot right away. Albert Finney has his moments in Murder on the Orient Express, but I just feel Peter Ustinov had the right amount of campiness to play Poirot.

When the opportunity arose to read Agatha Christie's autobiography and one of her novels, you know I jumped on it. I've seen the movie adaptation of Evil Under the Sun, but I had never read the book. I was also intrigued about reading about the Queen of Mystery in her own words.

Right off the bat, Agatha makes it clear she doesn't care for chronological order. She wasn't kidding. Her mind wanders from moment to moment, so much so it was hard for me to follow her. She could be talking about her love for books and listening to her nanny's stories (of course she used the word "nursie" in her book), and then she's talking about her religious background. I kept thinking, "Pick a topic Agatha!" But on the other hand, it's a great insight into the mind of a writer. You have to retain a lot of information and creativity to write 80 novels, several short-story collections and plays, and six novels under a pen name.

She grew up privileged with several nursemaids. The family was thrown for a loop after her father died when she was 11. In those days, children weren't taken to funerals. Instead, Agatha was left to wander the family home. It seemed to me that Agatha didn't quite understand death. Agatha tells her mother that their father is at peace, isn't that good thing for him? Her mother wanted him back, she wanted him there.

While I respect and admire her creativity, I found Ms Christie to be a little snobbish and also a little racist. I have to remember that she started to write this book in 1950, and didn't finish it until 15 years later. To see the word "negro" and others like it in a book doesn't sit right with me. But again she grew up in a different time, and certain words were politically correct at the time.

When I finished Evil Under the Sun, I felt it was a stark contrast from the ending of the film version. The principal characters, Hercule Poirot, Christine Redfern, Patrick Redfern, Arlena Marshall, Kenneth Marshall, and Linda Marshall are still there. I kinda wish I had read the book first instead of seeing the movie first. Film versions are always different from the book, which is why I usually try to read the book first. With Evil Under the Sun, I didn't realize that some of the characters in the film are composites of those in the book. Some characters are cut out altogether. Emily Brewster's character becomes Rex Brewster in the movie. But the overall theme of the book just like the movie, as Hercule Poirot would say, is "murder!"

Arlena Marshall is a woman every man loves. She is also a woman every woman loves to hate. When she isn't draping herself all over Patrick Redfern, she is rubbing the Jolly Roger Hotel guests the wrong way. Linda and Arlena don't have a good relationship. Christine is still the "long-suffering" wife. All the while, Poirot is trying to enjoy his vacation, but the clever Belgian is still observing and taking mental notes. Mrs. Gardener is still a chatter box, but there is a key difference with her character in the book. In film she is with Patrick when he "finds" Arlena's body, but in the book that distinction belongs to Emily.

Just like in the film, you are wondering who did it in the book. It's a very quick read and wastes no time getting to action. Of course people don't like Poirot asking so many questions. He keys in on the details that others dismiss as insignificant. The little clues are all pieces to a larger puzzle, which Poirot must solve. You think he's crazy or eccentric, but there is always a method to his madness. He wants all the guests to go on a picnic during his investigation. It seems weird, but it's all a ruse to see if the murderer/murderers will slip up. It's all very tongue-in-cheek. Check both books out, they are worth the ride.

Note: I received copies of the books from the publisher (HarperCollins) in exchange for an honest review.

It's Monday, what's on the cover

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's Monday, so it must be time to take a look at the covers of books I'm reading. I did start Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie. As soon as I'm done with that (hopefully in a day or two) I will be posting a combined review of Agatha Christie's autobiography and Evil Under the Sun. The cover of Evil Under the Sun (the latest edition available) is rather boring, so I decided to skip a post on it.

The cover of Ali in Wonderland by Ali Wentworth is not boring. In fact I thought she looked a little wackadoo on the cover, which is what drew me to this book. I have no idea what it's about, but I'm guessing it's a funny take on her life. She's jumping into the chaos and wants all of along for the ride!!!

My take on: Fracture

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

A lot can happen in eleven minutes. Just eleven minutes into reading Fracture by Megan Miranda I was hooked. In this book, eleven minutes forever changed the life of Delaney Maxwell. Her best friend for life, Decker, ran across a frozen lake with Delaney trailing close behind. Decker made it to the other side with their friends, but Delaney wasn't so lucky. Delaney fell through the ice, and then panic set it. The pain was nothing like she had ever felt. Her struggle to reach the surface proved futile.

Delaney is eventually plucked from the frozen lake, thanks to the zealous efforts of Decker. But eleven minutes have passed. Despite being revived by paramedics, will Delaney ever be the same? How is it possible to survive after being submerged in such cold water? Won't she have brain damage? I know miracles happen all the time, but I found it hard to believe someone could survive an ordeal like that. Setting that aside, Megan Miranda pulls you into the story right away. I was thinking where else can this story go when it starts off with the action right away?

The book delves into Delaney's feelings of guilt. How could she survive when others in her situation haven't? What is she supposed to do with this second chance? Delaney is OK in the physical sense, but she is forever altered emotionally. After awakening from her coma, Delaney has this strange pull toward the dying. She wants so much to help these people, but doesn't know how. Decker and Delaney's parents have no idea how to help her. Her parents, especially her mother, just want to medicate Delaney with pills rather than listen to her fears. Delaney's mother thinks her daughter is losing her mind. Her mother has her own issues. She seemed very withdrawn from Delaney after the accident. She wants the old Delaney back. The new Delaney is behaving differently. She won't listen to her parents and does numerous things without her parents permission. The old Delaney would never do that. Her father would rather talk around the problem than acknowledge it.

Decker doesn't know what happened to his best friend. They've been best friends since they were little, but there is unspoken romantic tension between the two. Their relationship seemed very real. They're scared to have romantic relationships with other people because they worry what the other will think. If they cross a certain boundary it will ruin their friendship.

Delaney feels like she is going crazy. Is she? A mysterious boy named Troy enters Delaney's life to answer that question. Like Delaney, Troy has survived a life-altering accident. His parents and sister died in a car accident but Troy survives. He also has an unnatural pull to the dying just like Delaney. He tries to help Delaney cope with life. But is this really living or hell? How can Delaney truly live when she will always be pulled toward the dead? Despite wanting to help the dying, it won't always be possible.

I think Megan Miranda will be around for a while. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, it's very well-written. This book read like a psychological thriller with some paranormal elements. The ending isn't wrapped up in a bow, but you feel hopeful for Delaney's future.

Rating: O.M.G. !!

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Bloomsbury) in exchange for an honest review.

It's Monday, what's on the cover?

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

I thought I was looking at a woman being attacked by butterflies when I saw the final cover of What Happened to Hannah by Mary Kay McComas. Or perhaps the photographer was running by when that picture was taken. I think it's a beautiful cover. It has so much color and life to it. What did happen to Hannah? I'm not sure if the title is a question or a statement. The title character Hannah has returned to town after 20 years. She left an abusive household and never looked back. Her mother and sister are dead, leaving Hannah to care for her niece. It all sounds rather dark, something not reflected on the cover. A review and Q&A with Mary Kay McComas will be posted on February 10. Stay tuned!!

It's a Waverly Life by Maria Murnane comes to me courtesy of Little Bird Publicity. It says the book is a sequel, but I've never read the first book. Hopefully, that won't matter. I think the title character in this book must be living in disarray. The puzzle pieces are scattered about, nothing connecting. Perhaps the title character is still trying to put the pieces back together. Let's see what happens.

A new year, new goals

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's time to sit down and focus. It's early in 2012, and already I have several lofty goals.

No. 1 I'm applying to grad school, with the hopes that I can one day get a job in book publishing. Take a look at that "about me" section on my blog. It says, "one day I'm going to get my dream job in book publishing." I'm never going to make my dream come true unless I take some action. It took losing my job at the newspaper to make me focus on what I really wanted. If I wasn't laid off maybe I wouldn't be doing this. But I've come to the conclusion I will never get my foot in the door if don't go back to school. I could apply for a lesser program, but I think I will get more out of getting my masters degree. It's going to take three to four years for me to finish. Hopefully, I can find full-time employment soon because grad school ain't cheap. Of course, I have to get accepted first. I refuse to believe that I won't. It's a new year and I have to think positive.

What other goals do I have in my mind?

No. 2 I want to read more. I especially want to read more books from my own shelves. I'm not talking about ARCs that have been sitting on my shelves for a while (although I want to get to those too). I'm talking about books that I bought. I have hundreds of books collecting dust on my shelves. Starting next month, I'm challenging myself to read at least one book per month from my personal reading pile. Last year I only read one book from my personal pile. I think I got too caught up in review copies, I forgot I had my own books. I bought the hardcover set of Harry Potter last February. How many of those books have I read? ZERO. That's why Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone gets the honor of being the first one off my TBR pile.

My official reading goal, set via Goodreads, is 70 books, but I want to read at least 80. Will it happen? I don't know. I also don't want to shy away from long books. I just finished a biography on Jane Fonda, which was more than 500 pages. Page count, in addition to the plot and cover art, influence whether or not I will accept a book for review. I accepted the Jane Fonda book because I thought she would be an interesting person to learn about. She was. The book was great. Despite how long it might take to read 500+ page books, they are not the enemy. I'm contemplating reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. That one is more than 1,000 pages. The thought alone is already scaring me!!

What kind of goals does everyone else have?

The e-reading experience

2012-01-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

It took a while, but I'm finally delving into e-books. Like with most technology, I resisted until I couldn't anymore. I still love going to a book store and browsing the shelves. I like going to a store to discover new books. That's a feeling I can never replicate no matter how much I love having the Kindle Fire. Seriously, scrolling a digital screen with my index finger is rather boring. Perhaps that has to do with me being a little cheap. I refuse to buy an e-book that costs more than $4. Anymore than that, and I might as well buy the physical book. So far I've used it more to play Solitaire than to read.

But the overall goal is to read on it. The first book to get that honor is The Glass Case, a short story, by Kristin Hannah. What drew me to the Glass Case? The storyline perhaps? The author? No. I confess it was the $0.99 price tag. What about the story though? A frazzled mother frantically searches for her youngest son. April got pregnant at seventeen and soon married the father. Her mother had such high hopes. A hope that April would marry a successful man and have life outside of their small town. Instead April married young and wound up having three children. Her husband Ryan did become a successful district manager for Walmart. It might not be the success her mother dreamed of, but April is happy. She's happy until the day her youngest son Brad failed to come home from school.

OK, I'm going to spoil the ending for you. If you don't want to know STOP reading now.

You've been warned!!

Still here?

OK then. It's a rather short story, so I don't think I'm spoiling too much. The story ends happily. How? I won't tell you, but the point to this post isn't about the happy ending to The Glass Case. The point is I found that I like reading on my Kindle. As long as I remember not to eat and read at the same time. I made the mistake of reading and eating at the same time. I left some rather greasy streaks on my screen. A little tissue later, and it's as good as new.

After reading my first book on the Kindle, I starting thinking the younger generation has very little awareness of the joy of reading. These days kids come out of the womb with an iPhone. My little brother informed me that several of his classmates got a Kindle Fire for Christmas. But are any of them using it to actually read? According to little bro, the answer is no. The kiddies are using it to play games. While I like modern technology, I think reading was already a simple enough task.

It's Monday, what's on the cover?

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, but it's Monday and it's time to discuss the covers of books I'm reading. I vow to finish the Agatha Christie book before the end of the month. I just had to put other books ahead of it. These days I'm trying to amp up my reading pace since I have so much free time on my hands. So lets get down to business.

I've read another book (Delirious) by Daniel Palmer before, so I was happy for the opportunity to read his next book Helpless. I'm not sure what to make of the cover. Is someone lying suspended on a tree branch? Are they stuck in a frozen lake? Either way that person does look pretty helpless. This one seems to be another thriller just like his previous book. A man returns to his former home after nine years to raise his estranged daughter only to be accused of a horrible crime. Sounds good.

The cover of Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins reads just like a wanted poster. What could these two women have done? It's about women, war, faith, power, and Islam. I always like learning about real-life people and their cultures. It's another long one, so bear with me.

The cover of Fracture by Megan Miranda literally looks cold. If you look close enough you can see a mirror image of the young girl. She looks frozen in time. A young girl is trapped under a frigid lake. She shouldn't have survived but she did. What happens after? This one is part of a blog tour with Bloomsbury (see the little button at the top). Look for a review on January 20th.

My take on: Jane Fonda

2012-01-07T14:30:00.001-05:00

It took me awhile but at 2:18 A.M. I finally finished Jane Fonda: The Private Life of a Public Woman by Patricia Bosworth. It's a very thick book. I thought I would be able to finish it sooner, but life hit me. Having said that, this book is awesome. When it was all over I learned TOO much about Jane Fonda's sex life. While I'm reading it, I'm wondering when did this woman have time to act?

I've seen one of her movies, Nine to Five, and that was the extent of my Jane Fonda knowledge. I had heard of her anti-war stance during the Vietnam War, but wasn't really knowledgeable about it. I've seen Yours, Mine, and Ours, starring her father Henry Fonda, and that was the extent of my knowledge about him. After reading this book, he comes off as a cold, controlling, jerk. A jerk who loved his family, but had problems showing it.

Looking at celebrities, one could think they have it all. Money, power, and fame. How can those things be problematic. Jane Fonda was born into privilege, but affection was lacking in her family. Her father didn't care to truly understand his wife, Frances Fonda, who suffered from mental problems. He seemed to only acknowledge problems when they interfered with his career. Above all, his career was paramount. Jane Fonda seemed to have no emotional connection to her mother, but desperately wanted one with her father. She was always seeking not just his love but his approval (even as an adult). Her mother started Jane on her obsession with weight and body image.

Frances Fonda wound up committing suicide in a pretty graphic manner. Just before Frances had been pleading with her children to come to her. Peter Fonda gave into his mother, but Jane refused. She stayed upstairs, ignoring her mother's pleas. I found that odd and extremely uncaring. With parents like these wouldn't you strive to break the cycle? She was only 12, but made a very adult decision to ignore her mother.

As an adult, Jane Fonda had numerous relationships with men who wanted to control and exploit her. In all of her long-term relationships, the men seemed to have ulterior motives. Maybe they were subtle. Or maybe she was so in love, she ignored all the bad stuff. Her first husband, Roger Vadim, was always in debt. She poured a lot of money into the relationship. He shaped her into the actress she is today, but it was years before Jane broke free. It was around this time she became an anti-war activist. It was at this point where I lost some of the sympathy I had for Jane Fonda. She got out of a bad marriage, but left her daughter, Vanessa, behind to "find" herself. She went on a long tour protesting the Vietnam War. She's doing exactly what her parents did to her. Putting a career or in this case activism ahead of your child, something her daughter was angry about for years (Fonda confessed she thinks Vanessa is still angry to this day). You constantly seek your father's love and approval, but do nothing to avoid repeating his mistakes. Her son Troy, born during her second marriage, got more of her love and attention. She took him just about everywhere on her activist journey. Why put one child above the other?

Her second husband, Tom Hayden, turned her into a full-time activist and part-time actress. The acting roles she took during their marriage, which turned out to be some of her best, had to express a political message of some kind. Most of the money she earned at this time went towards funding his aspirations. Jane Fonda's career and reputation took a hit during the activist years. Henry Fonda, ever the lovable guy, didn't always agree with her politics because it also reflected negatively on his career.

The book is broken up into four sections, daughter, actress, movie star/sex symbol, and workout guru/tycoon wife. The "daughter" part was fascinating because it broke down the psyche of the Fonda family. The actress part of Jane Fonda was always wondering if her father thought she was good enough. The movie star/sex symbol part was a bit much for me. Who knew she had threesomes during her marriage to Vadim? Who knew she had relationships with gay men? It's a little more than I ever wanted to know, but kudos to Patricia Bosworth for being so detailed. I do wish the workout guru/tycoon wife part had been a little longer. Yes I wish a 500+ page book had been longer. Her marriage to Ted Turner seems like a footnote compared to the detail to about the other two. But that could also be because of confidentiality issues. Maybe Ted Turner didn't want to much detail out there, but again snippets of their sex life was included!!

There are so many layers to Jane Fonda. A flawed woman with a lot of issues, but Bosworth does her justice.

Rating: O.M.G.!!!

Note: I received a copy of the book from Authors On The Web in exchange for an honest review.

Q&A with Robyn Carr

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Let's take a little time out to for some Q&A with Robyn Carr author of Hidden Summit

Q: Do you ever find that it’s emotionally difficult to write some scenes or characters? What about the scene in Hidden Summit when Brie revisits her painful past to explain her place in Virgin River to Conner?

A: Harder than Brie remembering her sexual assault was actually writing it in Whispering Rock, the third book in the series. All such deeply emotional scenes are hard and yes, they make me cry. In A Virgin River Christmas there are a couple of them—the heroine remembering her last hours with her disabled marine husband and saying goodbye to the only man after him she could ever love. In Hidden Summit, Conner’s grief and anger at losing everything that mattered and resolving to be alone forever to avoid the hurt of being abandoned. And in Redwood Bend, Dylan’s feeling that he had bad relationship DNA and was a risk, no matter how much love he felt. But wait—because in Sunrise Point, Nora Crane has had a hard life, but is determined to get back on her feet for the sake of her baby daughters. She tore my heart out—she is so determined, so sincere, and she’s made several deals with God—never to lie, never to trust another man, always to be an excellent mother even though she certainly didn’t get any training from her own mother. She’s a lesson that we can do whatever we have to do, no matter how hard, as long as it’s the right thing to do.

The answer is yes, they make me cry. It’s not always a comfortable feeling, but I welcome it just the same. I shouldn’t be trying to write books that make you feel if they don’t make me feel. I don’t write books that don’t keep me awake at night—not if I hope to keep you up late reading.

Q: Do you find it's harder to write the male or female characters, and why? Unlike many romances, the men in your books feel as multi-dimensional as the women. Conner from Hidden Summit is a very strong male lead and Dylan from the forthcoming Redwood Bend is so much more than a former movie star heartthrob. How do you manage to make everyone seem so real?

A: They’re all hard, and a complete joy to investigate, study and develop. I imagine them. I think about them constantly. I create the ideal man or woman in my mind—stronger and better than me, absolutely. Admirable. People with flaws they desperately want to overcome, with desires they can’t quite figure out how to satisfy. In fact, sometimes they are so much smarter than I am, I can’t figure out how to get them out of their problems and off to happily ever after. We tussle. I wrestle them to the ground and try to hold them still until I can figure out what they want, what they need. And nothing, nothing is more satisfying than creating a whole, imaginary person that can speak to a reader, possibly serve as a role model for a reader who has had similar challenges and has been looking for her own answers. For HIS own answers—because many men write to me as well. After Paradise Valley was published I received dozens of emails from men who were amputees—and they were very positive letters. That’s what I live for—an endorsement from a real person!

Q: What’s the most interesting comment you’ve ever gotten from a reader?

A: Oh, you can’t print it! My readers never get my titles right—they write and ask me if I’m going to write any more of those “Virginia River” books. Or they want to know where Virgin River really is—they plan to move there and get a big, studly marine. But the funniest one ever was probably a typo: “Are you going to write anymore of those ‘Vagina River’ books.” Typo or Freudian slip.

I did get an email from a reader who was furious about my bigotry against Cubans. I was stunned and confused—I’d never written about Cubans. I suggested she had me mixed up with someone else. She wrote back with the direct quote, complete with page numbers—something about Jack being unable to shower off the stench of stinky Cubans. It was cigars! Cuban cigars! I pointed that out to her, but she was absolutely determined I had been bigoted in my remarks.

On a more serious side, a man who lost a leg in the war wrote me that he was changed by Paradise Valley, the story in which Rick Sudder lost a leg in the war and came home a messed up kid. My reader said that he realized from the book that he was an ass, thought it was a miracle his wife stayed with him through it, and finally understood how badly he needed counseling, which he was going to accomplish. I wrote back and asked him how he came across the book and he said his sister gave it to him—and his sainted wife was most grateful! Bless his heart!!

My take on: Hidden Summit

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Connor Danson and Leslie Petruso are both running away. Not just from love, but from their former lives. Leslie is running from a self-absorbed ex-husband. Connor is running for his life. The only eyewitness to a murder, Connor is trying to lay low until the trial. While they're trying to avoid all the complications of a relationship, that's unavoidable in Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr.

Virgin River is a small town where everyone knows each other. People look out for each other. You do something out of character, and the next day everyone knows about it. This is the town where Connor and Leslie seek refuge.

Connor is a hard-working guy. He has movie-star hero looks. Connor sounds like a hero. He loves working with his hands. He is used to taking care of his widowed sister, Katie, and her twin boys. He is used to working long days. But all of that has been taken away. He puts his life on the line to do what is right. He's the type of person you want in your corner. He sounds too good to be true. Connor's new life in Virgin River is complete with a new job with the local construction company and a small cabin by the lake. The No. 1 piece of advice he has been given is to avoid romantic relationships. That should be easy since his ex-wife cheated on him numerous times. He is a little jaded when it comes to love. That is until he first lays eyes on Leslie.

Leslie hopes a new job will give her a fresh perspective on life. In Grants Pass, Leslie's former home, it was all about her ex-husband Greg. How to make Greg look good. How to further Greg's career. Leslie's voice didn't matter. When he wanted out, Leslie was sure she was free of him. Greg has a new life complete with a pregnant wife, what does he want with Leslie? Greg's character just didn't make sense. He wants his ex-wife as a BFF and potentially have a big part in his child's life. Why? He made it clear Leslie didn't make him happy. But keeping her tied to him gives Greg some type of control. What he does to Leslie in this book are more like stalking than attempts at friendship. Sure former spouses can be friends, but what Greg was doing to Leslie in this book was out there. Virgin River offers Leslie an escape from Greg's madness. Love is not on the agenda. But as luck would have it Leslie and Connor are working at the same construction company. What could possibly happen?

Connor has spent so much time working he has forgotten what love feels like? How can he make an attempt at love given his situation? Who wants to be with a man who has to constantly look over his shoulder? What kind of future can they have? When Connor meets Leslie he feels something but doesn't know what it is. A spark? Attraction? Leslie takes a little more time to feel the sparks. Sure Connor is cute, but he's just one of the many guys she is surrounded by at work.

There are some very sweet moments between Leslie and Connor. They can connect in a way that wasn't possible with their former spouses. Before long the romance is hot and intense (if you're a prude it's not for you). Both of them are finally happy, but sometimes the relationship borders on sappy. Once the sex starts, the dialogue between them is so cutesy. It's a relationship with no attachments or expectations, at least that's what they hope. It's a house of cards as long as Connor is the only witness in a murder investigation. He wants to take control of the situation, but at what cost? The ending leaves you hopeful for the future, but it also seems wrapped up a little too neatly. It's a fun read and I'll be back for more in the series soon.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the author's publicist (Little Bird Publicity) in exchange for an honest review.

A day in the life of...a book publicist

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's a new year, and I would like to install some new features on my blog. I don't know how often I will be able to do this, but let's start off with a good one. I love books and I'm fascinated by jobs that include working with books. So let's learn what a day in life of a book publicist is like. Please welcome Sarah Burningham, founder of Little Bird Publicity. I have received lots of books from Little Bird Publicity, so Sarah seemed like the perfect choice.

For starters, what does Sarah look like. Here she is at the Design*Sponge at Home launch party at the New York City West Elm store. Sarah is the 3rd one from the right (with the glasses) and with the Artisan Books publicity team. Photo credit: Smilebooth.

1. Were you working in book publicity before starting Little Bird?

My very first real job (beyond babysitting or mowing the lawn) was at a local B. Dalton bookstore, which sadly, doesn't exist anymore. I earned a whopping $4.35 an hour but was immediately hooked by the smell of new books. (For the record, I like old book-smell too.) I loved shelving - yes, it's true! - and talking to people about what they were reading. Then, in college, I got an internship at a University Press, which turned into an official part-time job. I never turned back. After college, I was lucky enough to get a job at local publisher Gibbs Smith. From there, I moved to New York and worked in publicity and marketing at some of the best publishing houses in the world, including Workman, Miramax, and HarperCollins. The best part of the job, besides getting to work with books every day, is getting to work with other people who love books. The entire publishing industry is filled with smart, talented people who ultimately want to bring books and readers together. I can't think of anything more fulfilling.

2. How does a typical day go?

I'm an early bird, so I get up, make some coffee, and check my email first thing - usually by 7:00am. Then, after the clock hits 9:30 or 10:00am, I make some pitch calls. The calls themselves depend on the project I'm working on and I'm careful about who I call. That said, I'm a big believer in the phone. Email is great but people know you're serious when you're willing to call them. I do a lot of lunch and coffee meetings. Face-to-face meetings are still very important, even in this day and age. And my afternoons are usually spent writing, putting press materials and mailings together, and tending to the day-to-day business aspects of the job (hello, accounting). I go to events an average of two nights a week, which keeps my calendar full. I love the social aspects of the job.

(Little Bird office)

3. Have you always had a passion for books?

Always. My parents encouraged me to read as much as I could when I was little and really pushed the classics - old and new - from Black Beauty to From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I devoured them and everything else in sight, including the Baby Sitters Club series and Lois Lowry's hilarious Anastasia books. (Like many girls, I also harbored a secret desire to be Harriet the Spy, and re-read that book at least ten times.) I started a little library in my bedroom complete with check-out cards and I used to make my younger sister "check out" the books she borrowed from me.

4. What are your favorite/least favorite aspects of your job?

Not to beat a dead horse, but the books - and the authors - are definitely the best part of the job. That said, being a publicist is work. Real work. It takes a serious attention to detail and persistent follow-up. I keep copious notes on everything I do so that I can be consistent about who I pitch and what, specifically, I've pitched them. I also spend a lot of time reading (blogs, websites, newspapers and magazines), and I flip through the mornings shows every morning to watch the segments. You can't pitch media outlets if you aren't familiar with them, so I read and watch everything I can get my hands on. (I'm the process of switching some of my paper magazine subscriptions to my iPad. I feel guilty about all those trees!)

5. How would you advise a newbie who is looking to break into the world of book publicity?

Become a part of the industry before you're even in it. There are great industry newsletters, like PW Daily, Publishers Lunch, and Shelf Awareness, that offer reviews, author interviews, publishing news, and job listings. And they're free! Anyone who wants to work in publishing should be reading them every day. Most publishers have blogs, too. Not sure where to start or find a publisher's blog? Scan your own bookshelf and see which imprints are publishing the books you read and go from there.

6. Favorite memory since Little Bird was founded?

It's hard to pick just one! But a definite favorite was when I got to see the endlessly creative Amy Krouse Rosenthal give her "7 Notes on a Life" talk at TEDx Waterloo (link to talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWgIccldh4). It was a day of total inspiration and Amy awed the crowed with her unique perspective on everyday life. And to take the cake, I got snowed in Toronto and spent the day after the conference walking around, being further inspired. Such a treat!

P.S.: Be sure to come back tomorrow for a review of Hidden Summit and Q&A with author Robyn Carr, who just happens to be a client of Little Bird Publicity.

Q&A with Deborah Brown

2012-01-02T10:45:00.001-05:00

Here are a few questions I had for Deborah Brown, author of Crazy in Paradise

1. A lot of the characters (Spoon, Axe, Buckshot) have unusual nicknames. I was curious, why those names?

Coming up with unusual character names for me is fun and an important way for me to connect with them. I favor the unusual instead of Bob and Steve. I keep a list of every odd name, nickname that I come across from television, radio, reading. I’m a big car-racing fan and Buckshot is the nickname of a driver I rooted for because he was cute.

2.Would you consider continuing Madison's story?

My plan is to write three books in the “Paradise” series. Madison’s story continues in Deception in Paradise and introduces her ex-husband, who arrives in town and is quickly the suspect in a murder. Madison will evolve, learn from her experiences, and take charge.

3.What author or authors have influence your style?

A friend introduced me to the Janet Evanovich numbered series a few years back and I promptly read every book. When I finished, it was then I became inspired to write. I knew enough crazy characters to fill page after page and it was going to be fun to sit down and weave snippets of drama into a storyline. In addition, it was a perfect way to unleash my dry sense of humor.

4.How was the journey in getting your book published? Was it easy or hard?

I would say it was a gigantic learning curve. The challenge was balancing all the business decisions with the creative writing demands. I spent day and night working on my Indie venture because I’m literally an entrepreneur, owner of my own business. Honestly, it was fun, exciting and a little boring because the details got tedious.

5.In three words how would you describe your book.

Humorous, quirky and adventurous!

My take on: Crazy in Paradise

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Quirky is the best word I can use to describe Crazy in Paradise by Deborah Brown. There's a lot packed into this little book. What stood out to me the most is the names for some of the characters. Spoon, Slice, Axe, Topaz, and Buckshot to name a few.

The normal one of the bunch is recently divorced Madison Westin. She has just inherited property from her deceased Aunt Elizabeth. She sees it as an opportunity to start a new life. She can live in her aunt's home and run her rental property. It sounds great, but Aunt Elizabeth's attorney, Tucker Davis, has other plans. Plans that don't include Madison. But Madison is determined to fight for her rights.

One moment Madison is assertive with the local drunk Joseph, but folds quickly in certain moments of conflict. Tucker is the executor of Aunt Elizabeth's estate and never lets Madison forget it. All the while I'm thinking stand up for yourself. Don't let someone walk over you. Madison says she will hire her own attorney to protect her interests, but it takes a lot to get to that point.

Despite the legal distractions, Madison manages to form a romantic relationship with the mysterious and good-looking Zach Lazarro. The attraction is instant. If you've read my last couple of reviews, you'll know I'm dubious of instant attraction. Their first meeting was extremely unconventional and a bit of a stretch. Madison discovers Zach asleep and bleeding from a gunshot wound in her home. Yes she is taken aback by this, but Madison is also thinking of how cute Zach is. How about screaming? Hmmmmmmmm? Zach reassures Madison he's not a bad guy and even convinces her to call the local doctor instead of an ambulance or the police. I just had a hard time finding this scenario believable. A couple of chapters later and they're already having sex. Zach insists they're in a relationship despite Madison's protests. She doubts their relationship. Is it real or was it born out of extreme circumstances?

The storyline is fact-paced and has a lot of action. But some of it requires a stretch of the imagination. In Madison's quest to get control of Aunt Elizabeth's property, she overhears a plot to threaten her safety. She is shaken by it, but doesn't immediately inform the police, Zach or her family. Instead, she keeps it to herself. It isn't even brought up again until much later in the book. You know someone plans to intimidate and possibly harm you, why wouldn't you go to the police? Situations like that can't be resolved on your own.

The last couple of chapters made up for my issues with the plot. I can't give it away, but it kept me interested. From page to page you're wondering what will happen. Will it end badly or will everything work out?

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

2011: Is it really over?

2011-12-31T00:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year. Time to rap up 2011. Is it really over? Where did the year go? 2011 started with the hope that I could find a better job and be more independent. Well.....it wasn't meant to be. I was laid off and in the two weeks since I haven't really felt it yet.

I have had things to do in the last two weeks. Like finally cleaning up my cluttered room. It hadn't reached Hoarders territory, but I kept bumping into stuff. It's amazing how much larger this room seems without all the junk in it. Perhaps there is something to this cleaning thing. I tossed out eight bags of JUNK!!! It actually feels wonderful to have it gone. Sometimes you can't think with all the junk. Maybe I'll develop a better thought process now that all the crap is gone. I can start 2012 with a fresh perspective. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long before I can find a new job.

Now, how have I done with my reading goals for 2011? I'm going to fall short of my re-organized goal. My original goal was 75 books, but as the year went on I realized that was a pipe dream. I reset it for 65 books, but I'm going to fall one short. I also wanted to read 20 YA books, but I clocked in at 13. Still I exceeded my reading total (60 books) from last year. Here is to higher numbers in 2012!!

Now, how will 2012 be different for me reading-wise?

What's with the Star Wars pic? Well......

Yes, I have crossed over to the dark side!! I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I know I have knocked Amazon in some prior posts. Yes I know I have said I don't like e-readers. But like with most technology, I have to adapt to the times. More publishers and authors are steering bloggers to e-ARCs. I'm not a totally convert. I still shop at bookstores. To justify my e-book purchases, I went to Books-a-Million recently and bought more physical books. I figured that would balance the scales. So far, I am sticking to e-books that are $3.99 or less. So if you're an author, publisher or publicist I will start accepting a limited amount of e-books. I'm just not a total convert to e-books. I still prefer physical books.

So now that 2011 is over how about a recap?

Highs and lows of 2011

Books: Faith by Jennifer Haigh and Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson were my favorites. Obviously some newspaper reviewers would disagree with me. Books that end up on the best of the year lists tend to be ones I've never heard of. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, 1Q84 (who came up with that title?) by Haruki Murakami, and Swamplandia by Karen Russell are just a few. I know there is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more.

Weather: If you live in the tri-state area, you had put up with A LOT OF SNOW. It was just torture. One day it took me several hours to dig out my car. Our wonderful mayor, Mike Bloomberg, didn't see fit to have sanitation workers out plowing the snow. Perhaps if you shoveled every couple of hours it wouldn't have built up so much? No it makes much more sense to wait hours and hours after the snow has fallen and frozen to the ground before having it plowed. This dude even suggested New Yorkers to hit up Broadway and see a show. I swear I don't know what planet that man is from. It isn't Earth. But thanks to SNL we have this great skit...

Politics/News: Is it just me or is there a Republican debate every other day? What is there left for them to debate? Does the public like ketchup or mustard on their hot dog? I swear we aren't far off from a debate like that. And by the way it should be mustard!!

I'm totally disgusted by the Penn State scandal and all the others like it. To put a team above a child is 100% WRONG.

Entertainment/pop culture: I confess I saw the Royal Wedding. The day of the wedding I got up to go the bathroom and my mother was watching it. Hey curiosity got the best of me. Now, the other big "wedding" of the year....I've said it before and I'll say it again, I CAN'T STAND THE KARDASHIANS. A true mockery of marriage. What a family of media hounds. Everything for the almighty dollar. Mama Karsdashian is a true pimp. Everything that family does has to be photographed. But if not for Kim K's pending divorce we wouldn't have this gem....

Sports: The Cardinals won the World Series. Who saw that one coming?

I thought the Phillies had it locked up for sure. Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt, how could the Phillies lose? And this is coming from a Mets fan. But obviously championships aren't won on paper.

The NBA went into a lockout. I didn't sympathize with either side. Sure I felt bad for rookies and fringe players, but for the most part this was a bunch of millionaires and billionaires fighting money. The NFL had a lockout, but they came to their sense before losing actual money.

Gone but not forgotten: On a serious note, many influential people passed in 2011. There are many, but here are the ones I remember (in no particular order). Elizabeth Taylor....

There are just a few Hollywood legends left. Some of today's "starlets" are just no competition.

Christopher Hitchens, Jane Russell, Mike Starr, Jeff Conway, Peter Falk, Amy Winehouse, Jani Lane, Nick Ashford, Andy Rooney, Patrice O'Neal, Steve Jobs, Andy Whitfield, Bubba Smith, Betty Ford,

Smokin' Joe Frazier (above)

Heavy D (above), and the wonderful Clarence Clemons....

My take on: Well With My Soul

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have been out of the blogging loop for a few days. I’m currently out of town, but I did finish another book.

I always enjoy a good family drama. There are so many layers to stories like that. Layers that I don’t think you can find in a fantasy book. Well With My Soul by Gregory G. Allen tackles the deep bond between brothers.

Jacob and Noah Garrett have lived most of their lives in a small Tennessee town, raised by their religious mother. Jacob is the favorite son. He gets whatever he wants. He can get away with whatever he wants. To his mother, Jacob can do no wrong. Despite his mother’s religious convictions, she has found a way to accept her son being gay. As long as he is in her house his “soul” is somehow protected. But Jacob wants more than a small-town life. He has dreams of being an actor. Dreams his mother would like to squash.

Noah wants more out of life, too. But more than anything he wants to be acknowledged. He wants his mother to notice all of the hard work he has done, rather than fawning over Jacob all the time. Noah has a deep resentment for Jacob, one that he can’t share because it would upset his mother. It only grows when Jacob and his partner Gary leave for New York. Jacob’s departure could be a chance for Noah to finally grow a little closer to his mother. But it’s not meant to be as his mother constantly compares him to Jacob. His brother is brought up in every conversation. Jacob is no longer there physically but his presence will always be felt. It seemed a little selfish to me to hold one child in higher esteem. You can never measure up if you’re constantly compared to someone else.

Jacob eventually makes it big as a model. But it comes at a price. He’s no longer the fun-loving guy that Gary fell in love with. In his place is a big JERK!!! Everyone should kiss his feet because he is a big-time model. Jacob succumbs to the pressures of drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity. His next high is what’s important. Family and friendships take a backseat. When Jacob finally comes out of the clouds, he changes again. It wasn’t a change I was expecting. I don’t want to give too much away, but it didn’t seem like the transformation was for the better. Yes he gets off drugs and alcohol, but Jacob makes such drastic changes you begin to wonder is this the same character from the beginning of the book. His transformation still comes at a cost.

Noah finds his own inner peace. He won’t always agree with his brother, but deep down they love each other. Remembering the happier times in their childhood help ease the pain for Noah. I will say that this book is not for everyone. If detailed descriptions of sex, drugs, and alcohol make you a little squeamish, you should pass on this one. If not read it because it will teach you that change isn't always for the better.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: The Moment

2011-12-23T00:21:00.001-05:00

Our lives are made up of a series of moments. For some, one incident can make or break you. Will you come to regret a decision you only had a moment to make? Or will it be the best decision you ever made?

"Though you might think, at the time, that this "something" is rooted in an obvious need (sex, romance, or other variations on an amorous theme), the truth is: you won't understand what the true meaning of the moment was until long after it has been stored in that cluttered room we litter with memory." Pg. 25

In The Moment by Douglas Kennedy travel writer Thomas Nesbitt has struggled internally with a decision he made 20-plus years ago. In a moment, Thomas focused more on his own hurt rather waiting for an explanation. He has moved on and formed a life, but is it the life he could have had?

He is now a middle-age man with a daughter in college and a long-dead marriage. He's content to let the divorce proceedings begin while he is locked away in a cabin working on his next book. Thomas' heart belongs to his daughter and his books, everything else is secondary. Growing up with parents who constantly fought taught Thomas to find an escape. But a package from a long-lost love throws Thomas for a loop. Rather than open the package, Thomas chooses to read a long-buried manuscript. The meat of the book is one long look at Thomas' past in 1980s Germany. A time when the Berlin Wall, separating East and West Germany, still existed. Trust and honesty seemed hard to come by as long as that wall was there.

While in staying in West Germany, Thomas falls in love with a beautiful translator, Petra Dussman. While looking into a job lead, he sees Petra. In that brief moment, Thomas knows there is something about Petra. Is it attraction? Is it love? Whatever it is he has to explore it despite her surly demeanor. He is determined to crack that shell. This is where I have a little problem. Almost instantly they fall in love. They have deep conversations and long loving looks at each other. It's just too good to be true. I have never believed in love at first sight. It's like Thomas and Petra are living in the clouds. They're the only two people in the world. Before long they're living together with Thomas and his eccentric roommate Alastair, a flamboyant gay artist. Do they ask him if she can move in? Not really.

But their romance brings both characters back to life. Thomas finally believes he can have a loving future despite the example his parents set forth. Petra is finally forgetting about the torture she suffered in East Germany. On her former side of the wall, Petra is considered a traitor. Her son is taken from her. After a year of freedom on the West side of the wall, Petra truly feels free. With Thomas, a future is possible and less painful. But after all the time that is taken to build this romance, Douglas Kennedy totally flips it. I was starting to believe in their romance, and then I start to question everything. I can't tell you what he does because that would spoil the book for you!!

The first half of the book feels a little slow. There is so much build up to the moment when Thomas and Petra finally meet. Clocking in at 535 pages, I think the book could have been cut down as some chapters are a little wordy. The second half is where the action picks up. You want to keep turning the pages because there are some moments that will pull at your heartstrings.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy from the publisher (Atria) at the request of the author's publicist (Lucinda Literary) in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: Elizabeth and Hazel

2011-12-21T19:18:00.000-05:00

"In May 1957 school administrators set out to find the black trailblazers: children who were simultaneously old enough to attend to cut it Central, close enough to get there easily, smart enough to cut it academically, strong enough to survive the ordeal, mild enough to make no waves, and stoic enough not to fight back. And, collectively, scarce enough to minimize white objections." Pg. 26

On Sept. 4, 1957 nine black teenagers tried to enter Central High School, an all-white school that had been ordered to integrate following the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case. But it would be an exercise in futility. For one of those teenagers in particular, Elizabeth Eckford, it would be an extremely emotional day. Hazel Bryan made sure Elizabeth knew she wasn't wanted at Central. That moment is forever immortalized in a photograph by Will Counts. A photo that Hazel has worked her entire life to move away from. For Elizabeth, that day and all of her experiences at Central would be much harder to move on from.

Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock by David Margolick not only breaks down that iconic photo, it also examines the culture of Little Rock, Arkansas, before and after that day.

Elizabeth always had her nose in a book. At the time, segregation was still in full-swing and Elizabeth longed to a person who was more than her circumstances. There were dreams of going college. But those dreams were derailed by her experiences at Central.

Hazel was very outgoing as a child. She liked to perform. She even played with black children as a child. Which makes me believe her behavior on Sept. 4 1957 was learned. I don't believe people just wake up one day and decide they're a racist or have some racist beliefs. It's a learned behavior. Her family didn't believe in integration. To them, white people should stay with white people. Black people should stay with black people.

Sept. 4 1957 was a special day for both girls. Elizabeth and her sister labored over her dress. She wanted to look good. Hazel also wanted to look good, she wore a rather tight and "classy" dress.

On that day, Elizabeth had to walk alone. The intention of organizers was to have all nine walk together, but Elizabeth's family didn't have a telephone, so she didn't get the message. Despite all the hateful words, Elizabeth showed extreme grace on that day. Hazel did not, forgetting about that day soon after. At the time, Hazel didn't believe she did anything wrong. It was just another day to Hazel.

Denied entry on that day, Elizabeth and the eight other students were eventually allowed in months later. All of them were subjected too hateful taunts and violence. But the worst treatment was saved for Elizabeth. If they could break the strongest of the bunch, then the rest would leave with her. Elizabeth came close to her breaking point several times, but continued to attend Central. Many prominent black figures, including Jackie Robinson, were in awe of these students.

It's hard to wrap my brain around this era. How can you treat another human being with such hate? Why? What do you gain from it? Hazel Bryan came to question her own past. She didn't want to be known as that girl in the photograph? A few years later, she sought out Elizabeth and apologized -- something the media overlooked for decades. Why? It was probably easier to have a hateful image of Hazel than a redemptive one.

While, Hazel eventually found happiness as a wife and mother, Elizabeth's life took a different turn. She struggled with post traumatic stress disorder and with being a single parent. All of it can be traced to her experiences at Central. There is so much detail in this book. I could go on and on, it's very well researched. What struck me the most is that decades later Hazel and Elizabeth were able to form a friendship. A friendship that both questioned. Is Hazel doing it to look good in the media? Why does it seem Hazel is only around at media events? Has Elizabeth truly forgiven Hazel? Even the media questioned the friendship. Given their history, how can they possible be friends?

This book paints a full picture of a pretty awful part of history. But it's a part of history that everyone should read. Please, please, please read this book!!

Rating: O.M.G. !!!

Note: I received a copy of the book from Authors on the Web in exchange for an honest review.

Best of 2011: Books

2011-12-20T17:25:00.000-05:00

I've read a lot of books this year, some good and some bad. These are the books that stood out to me the most.

1. Faith by Jennifer Haigh: I loved this one. It's a take on the priest abuse scandals in Boston. It made me sad and mad at the same time. The main character didn't fight for himself as much as I thought he should.

2. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson: I seriously can't wait until this one is made into a movie. A woman wakes up every day not knowing who she is. Her husband is forced to remind her of her past. The ending is extremely creepy!!

3. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan: A dystopian society where "criminals" are branded by color. The woman in this book had an abortion and was branded red.

4. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones: Having a father who is a bigamist isn't what everyone dreams of. But that's what two girls are faced with in Silver Sparrow.

5. Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I read several romance novels this year, but this one was my favorite. It was very addictive. At times, I was speedreading just to get to the next chapter.

6. Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart: Who knew a book about bugs could be so good? It's funny and informative.

7. Coming up for Air by Patti Callahan Henry: I love family dramas. The death of Ellie's mom forces Ellie to re-examine her life.

8. Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer: The ending for this one just wasn't fair. I believe this one is supposed to be a five-part series. I really can't wait for the next one.

Honorable mention: Jane Fonda by Patricia Bosworth (yes I'm still reading this one, but it is very well researched); Elizabeth and Hazel by David Margolick (ditto!!); Until there was You by Kristan Higgins (her books are awesome); Wherever you go by Joan Leegant (it's always good to learn about other cultures); and Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt (learning how to forgive isn't easy).

It's Monday, what's on the cover?

2011-12-19T02:41:00.004-05:00

It's Monday, and I am officially unemployed. It's weird knowing that I don't have to get ready for work later. After seven years, I have to find a new career path. Until I do, I'm going to focus on my blog as much as possible. I've been reading some books for a long time, and my personal situation has something to do with that. Also, book reviews that had a set date, I had to put before others. My next reading choice, The Moment by Douglas Kennedy, has a set date (Friday). I have to get moving on that.

So, what's on that cover? When the book arrived I thought the cover was damaged. See those creases? I thought something was wrong with the book. But that's a snapshot of some woman on the cover. I'm not quite sure who she is. The book is told from the male perspective, so I'm wondering why put a woman on the cover? What does she want? Is she longing for someone? The paperback cover is so far removed from the hardcover....

This cover looks old. The paperback looks a little more modern, which is why I like it. What does everyone else think?

My take on: Airel

2011-12-16T00:08:00.000-05:00

I tend to stick to the real world when it comes to the books I read. But occasionally, I will step outside my comfort zone. Angels and demons just aren't things I can relate to. When I said say yes to reading and reviewing Airel by Aaron Patterson and Christ White, I did it purely based on the cover.

In my opinion, the cover is quite striking. Is this a dark story? Romantic? After reading the book, it really captures the main character Airel. The girl on that cover is longing for something. What or whom is she longing for? I wanted to find out the answer to that question.

Airel is your typical teenager. She lives in the suburbs of Boise, Idaho with her parents. She has a talkative best friend Kim. But something is missing from her life. She didn't know what it was until she met Michael Alexander. For Airel, it was love at first sight. Why? The first time she saw him it was very briefly. How can you find love so quickly? That's the problem I have with some books. I can believe in an instant attraction, but love? Michael is fawning over everything about Airel. He says over and over how beautiful she is. Romantic to some, but I found it to be a little sappy. Despite my doubts, they do have some sweet moments. She worries about how she looks to Michael. Is she pretty enough for him? Is she talking too much? Is she not talking enough. It doesn't matter because Michael loves the whole package.

But Airel's own body is fighting against her new found love. She often feels queasy. Like only a best friend can, Kim chimes in with her two cents, asking Airel if she was pregnant. Well there is no chance of that. But what is it? Could it be Michael? Just the sight of him makes Airel nervous.

The story shifts back and forth from present day to 1250 BC Arabia. My first thought was why? I was invested with Airel's story. Why are you taking me back to the past? How does this relate to Airel? Kreios has just lost his wife and is left to protect his infant daughter. Kreios is no ordinary man. He has special powers. He can fly. Kreios is after the Seer, who seems like he is out to destroy the world. Kreios' storyline seemed like it could be a book on its own. Why mix the past with the present? I didn't get why until the last 100 pages.

In the present day, Airel just wants to be a normal teen. But she realizes that isn't possible. She witnesses a murder and is convinced the murderer is after her. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Airel's body is going through some serious changes. She has the power to heal and read minds. Is this a gift or a curse? How can she use this? A mysterious man shows her the way. Is this what she wants or is it destiny?

"I always had to buy a book, even if I wasn't done with the one I was currently reading. I loved to read. I felt like the turn of each page echoed inside the world between the book's covers -- and each book had its own rules. There, within the mystique of that connection, was something special, and it was addictive." Pg. 161

In a figurative sense, Airel is writing her own book. How will it end? I can't tell you, but the book ended in a way I wasn't expecting. The ending is very action-filled, but not all of the questions are answered. It leaves you wanting more.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Stonehouse Ink) as part of a blog tour.

My take on: Wanna Get Lucky?

2011-12-15T15:18:00.000-05:00

Don't let that suggestive title fool you, Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts is a murder mystery with a dash of romance.

Lucky O' Toole is the problem solver for the Babylon hotel -- a well-known hotel on the Vegas strip. No problem is too big or too small for Lucky, just as long as she has her trusty Nextel on her hip. Whether it's a naked man in the stair well or a frequent guest who hides wild animals in his room or the shenanigans when the annual sex trade show hits the hotel.

Lucky is witty and cool. She has always dealt with challenges head on. She left her mother's home at 15. She felt her mother Mona was more interested in running her whorehouse than raising a child. Little does she know Mona was looking after her the whole time. Lucky convinced the Big Boss to give her a low level job. Years later Lucky is at the top of her game as the head of customer relations. Her assistant Miss Patterson keeps everything in order. Her best friend Teddie is always there to help her wind down at the end of the day. But now Teddie wants to be more than just friends. Did I also mention that he makes a living dressing up as woman and headlining one of the best shows on the strip? She hasn't been lucky in love in the past. Will a romantic relationship spoil everything Lucky and Teddie have built?

Can a dead body slow Lucky's cool? Especially one that feel out of a helicopter and landed in the lagoon. To Lucky, a dead body is just another little ripple in the water. She just has to figure out a way to minimize the damage to not just the hotel but the Big Boss. She doesn't believe Lyda Sue jumped from the helicopter. There is something bigger going on. Is the Big Boss in on it? He was in the helicopter.

Lucky seems to be more perceptive, sometimes a bit too much, than even the cops. She thinks two or three steps ahead. She gives tips to local reporters in exchange for a little patience. Paxton Dane, a new member of the security staff, is asking a lot of questions. Paxton seems to have an ulterior motive. Nothing he says rings true to Lucky. Is he out to bring down the Big Boss? Lucky will do anything for the Big Boss. She will protect him at all costs. He gave Lucky her first shot, she owes him a lot.

Watching Lucky break down the mystery is a fun ride, but I found her personal relationships way more interesting. How can a woman form a relationship with a man who makes a living dressing up as a woman? I initially thought Teddie was the token gay friend that a lot of women have. He helps Lucky with her wardrobe. That doesn't spell romantic relationship to me. But there is another side to Teddie, one that has a deep passion for Lucky. At the end of the day, Lucky and Teddie only want each other. Her mother is eccentric, but at the end of the day she wants the best for Lucky. Despite not knowing who her father is, he has been around in his own way. I loved finding about the inner workings of hotel management. Those people must have lots of patience. If you like mysteries, pick this one up because I intend to read and review the next adventure in the series (Lucky Stiff).

Rating: Superb

Note: I received a copy of the book from the author's publicist (FSB Associates) in exchange for an honest review.