Book Review: Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad
Reviewer: Kate I received a copy of Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: After years of unsuccessful attempts…
Book Review: Undeclared by Jen Frederick
Reviewer: Joelle “The moral of the story is I can’t go around telling people my greatest fear because someone will use it against me.” At…
Book Review: Little Sacrifices by Jamie Scott
I received a copy of Little Sacrifices by Jaime Scott in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
How much would you risk to stand up for your beliefs?
When the Powell family moves to Savannah Georgia in 1947, they hope against hope that they’ll be welcomed. But they’re Northerners and worse, they’re white civil rights advocates almost a decade too early. The American South is deeply segregated.
At first May can pretend they’re the same as everyone else. It means keeping quiet when she knows she should speak up, but it’s worth the sacrifice to win friends. Unfortunately her parents are soon putting their beliefs into action. And when they wake to find that they’re the only family on the block with a Ku Klux Klan cross blazing on their front lawn, the time comes for them to finally decide between what’s easy and what’s right.
Review:
I’ve been a fan of this author for quite some time and was so excited when I found out that she would be writing a different style of book under a pen name. Although the material is different than I am used to from this author, she hands it wonderfully. I absolutely adored the historical aspect and I loved the rich details that are provided to accompany the story. Overall, the writing is smooth, the characters are fantastic and the story is truly one-of-a-kind. Little Sacrifices really is spectacular and is a must read.
Rating: 5/5 stars
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Looming Murder by Carol Ann …
Carol Ann Martin is now on tour with Looming Murder and CLP Blog Tours
Summary:
Della Wright has come to peaceful and picturesque Briar Hollow, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to realize her lifelong dream of owning a weaving studio. To promote her new business, Dream Weavers, Della is offering weaving workshops for all levels of ability. In her first class, she meets half a dozen of the town’s colorful characters, who seem as eager to gossip as to learn how to work a loom.
But when a shady local businessman is found murdered, Briar Hollow suddenly appears a lot less idyllic. And when one of her weaving students is suspected of the crime, Della can’t help getting entangled in the investigation—with some help from her criminologist friend, Matthew. But can she weave together clues as well as she weaves together yarn—and stop a killer from striking again?
Review:
I tend to enjoy cozy mysteries, and Looming Murder was no exception! The beginning started off just a tad slow for me, but it was easy to get into Della’s life and follow her story. Mysteries are fun for me and I like trying to figure out whodunit while enjoying the story. I thought Della was interesting to read about, especially when it came to her love life – and shoe choices! I loved that nod to chick lit 🙂 I also thought she was a strong heroine and someone who was independent, so more points for Della. Briar Hollow was a cute little community to immerse myself in, the supporting case was interesting to read about, and I recommend the book!
4 stars
Book Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
Reviewer: Andrea I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Summary: In a desperate attempt to…
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch
Monique Domovitch is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Getting Skinny Summary: Owning a restaurant is as crazy for Nicky Landry as an…
Book Review: A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard
I received a copy of A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
“Nothing ever changes at Wauregan.” That mystique is the tradition of the idyllic island colony off the shore of Long Island, the comforting tradition that its summer dwellers have lived by for over half a century. But in the summer of 1948, after a world war has claimed countless men—even those who came home—the time has come to deal with history’s indelible scars.
Helen Wadsworth’s husband, Arthur, was declared missing in action during an OSS operation in France, but the official explanation was mysteriously nebulous. Now raising a teenage son who longs to know the truth about his father, Helen turns to Frank Hartman—her husband’s best friend and his partner on the mission when he disappeared. Frank, however, seems more intent on filling the void in Helen’s life that Arthur’s absence has left. As Helen’s affection for Frank grows, so does her guilt, especially when Peter Gavin, a handsome Marine who was brutally tortured by the Japanese and has returned with a faithful war dog, unexpectedly stirs new desires. With her heart pulled in multiple directions, Helen doesn’t know whom to trust—especially when a shocking discovery forever alters her perception of both love and war.
Part mystery, part love story, and part insider’s view of a very private world, A Certain Summer resonates in the heart long after the last page is turned.
My Thoughts:
I absolutely devoured this book and thought it was fantastic! Set in a time that isn’t often written about, this novel brings the years following WW2 front and center. Part historical fiction and part romance, this book follows the effects that the war had on those returning from war and those who were waiting back at home for them. In a small, family oriented community, we see first hand the emotional impact. And through fabulous writing, Patricia really brings to life the characters, which she has written so flawlessly. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Helen and Frank, and although they were treading dangerous waters, I think Patricia handled the situation with comfort and ease. Overall, this story is light and and easy to read and is the perfect addition to any beach bag. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Book Review: Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee
I received a copy of Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
With her fiancé now her ex-fiancé, Ace has hightailed it back to Bugtussle, Mississippi, and back to her Gramma Jones’s house. Her best friends, Lilly and Chloe, are delighted she’s back, but Ace still has some challenges ahead of her.
For one thing, her replacement as Bugtussle High School’s art teacher, Cameron Becker, refuses to vacate the position. So Ace is stuck working as a substitute teacher while harboring fantasies of running Miss Becker out of town. On top of that, Lilly and Chloe are obsessed with setting her up on less-than-romantic blind dates—even though all she wants is a break from her pitiful love life.
To ease her troubled mind, Ace resolves to restore her grandmother’s gardens to their former glory. But in the well-worn gardening book she’s dug out of her grandmother’s attic there are a series of suspicious notes that indicate her grandmother may have had a special someone in her past. Now, with her faithful chiweenie, Buster Loo, by her side, Ace is determined to get to the bottom of her grandmother’s secret life, all the while hoping her own life isn’t about to implode….
Review:
I’ve been having a lot of fun read Ace’s series, and I was just as excited to get to Down and Out in Bugtussle. I wondered how Ace was going to be now that she is back in Bugtussle after fleeing her seemingly-charmed life in Florida. I supported her decision in moving but was still curious how the pieces would fall into place for her. With the same wit, charm, and crass that readers are sure to know and love by now, Ace’s journey will continue to keep you laughing through it all. From trying to get her job back to being made over into an eighties chick, Ace also takes on uncovering her grandmother’s secrets and trying to find love…kind of. Such a fun series and I hope there is more!
4 stars
More reviews from this series…
My 5 star review for Diary of a Mad Fat Girl!
My 5 star review for Happily Ever Madder!
I received a copy of Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
With her fiancé now her ex-fiancé, Ace has hightailed it back to Bugtussle, Mississippi, and back to her Gramma Jones’s house. Her best friends, Lilly and Chloe, are delighted she’s back, but Ace still has some challenges ahead of her.
For one thing, her replacement as Bugtussle High School’s art teacher, Cameron Becker, refuses to vacate the position. So Ace is stuck working as a substitute teacher while harboring fantasies of running Miss Becker out of town. On top of that, Lilly and Chloe are obsessed with setting her up on less-than-romantic blind dates—even though all she wants is a break from her pitiful love life.
To ease her troubled mind, Ace resolves to restore her grandmother’s gardens to their former glory. But in the well-worn gardening book she’s dug out of her grandmother’s attic there are a series of suspicious notes that indicate her grandmother may have had a special someone in her past. Now, with her faithful chiweenie, Buster Loo, by her side, Ace is determined to get to the bottom of her grandmother’s secret life, all the while hoping her own life isn’t about to implode….
Review:
I’ve been having a lot of fun read Ace’s series, and I was just as excited to get to Down and Out in Bugtussle. I wondered how Ace was going to be now that she is back in Bugtussle after fleeing her seemingly-charmed life in Florida. I supported her decision in moving but was still curious how the pieces would fall into place for her. With the same wit, charm, and crass that readers are sure to know and love by now, Ace’s journey will continue to keep you laughing through it all. From trying to get her job back to being made over into an eighties chick, Ace also takes on uncovering her grandmother’s secrets and trying to find love…kind of. Such a fun series and I hope there is more!
4 stars
More reviews from this series…
My 5 star review for Diary of a Mad Fat Girl!
My 5 star review for Happily Ever Madder!
Book Review: An Imperfect Wife by Grace Wen
I was giving a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An Imperfect Wife is a Novella about one of the biggest issues in a marriage…..How to keep your marriage going even through extreme changes and hard bumps. The main character finds herself in that very common situation of feeling isolated and alone, and very abandoned by her husband. She ends up turning to her husband’s boss because he gives her that amazing attention she is really seeking from her own husband. I love and hate this story. I love it, because I can truly relate-I have felt what she feels and I can recognize how easy it would be to do the wrong thing for the right kind of attention-I hate it for the same reason…..
However, in saying all that. The book was written very well. You truly do sympathize with this young wife who up and moved to a new place with no outside support and you watch as she begs her husband to help her adjust. I won’t spoil how the book ends…but I do actually like the ending very much. Alll in all this was a great read and it was very easy to attach to the character’s in the story.
