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All The Truth by Laura Brodie

All The Truth by Laura Brodie follows Emma and Maggie Greene. The story starts off with Maggie away on break from teaching, living in rural solitude with her husband and Maggie, who is then only five years old. Late one night, an intruder trespasses and Maggie witnesses her mother do something that changes her life forever. The story then resumes nine years later, finding Maggie living with her now divorced father in the same rural town, entering her first year of high school and some things make her confront that lone night in her past once she has an odd encounter with a math teacher.

When I first started reading All The Truth by Laura Brodie, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The book starts off slow … but boy does it pick up about 30-40 pages in. Laura does a wonderful job at capturing every emotion that the characters feel and she describes things in vivid detail so that it feels like you are experiencing everything first hand with the characters. My only complaint is that the big moment that I was waiting for toward the end of the book kind of left me hanging. Maybe I was expecting more of a confrontation? Either way, this book is incredibly sad but a great read. It was difficult reading about Maggie and her struggles but I couldn’t put the book down. Overall, a very memorable and captivating book.

[Rating: 4/5-5]

Challenge 2012:Post Reviews:September

September Reviews

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Prize for September: Three (3) winners will receive a print copy of Loving David by Gina Hummer. This will be open to US/Canada residents only. In order to qualify, you must post the link to your review in the Mister Linky below. This can be to your blog, GoodReads page, or other sources such as Amazon.

Don’t Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Catherine Ryan Hyde is currently on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Don’t Let Me Go. I was fascinated by this novel. The diverse group of characters, the range of Hyde’s writing skills, and a tightly wound plot equaled for a five-star review. The book switches back and forth between Grace and Billy, two completely opposite people. Grace is a nine year old girl with an addict mother, and Billy is a former Broadway dancer who is now an agoraphobic and has not stepped outside his apartment in years. When he keeps seeing Grace sitting alone outside the apartment building – day after day after day – he sums up the courage to at least make it to his porch and question the young girl. Her answer? “If I sit inside, then nobody will know I’m in trouble. And then nobody will help me.”
An eclectic group living in the apartment building bands together to help Grace. There is Billy, Rayleen the manicurist, older and quite lonely Ms. Hinman, bigoted Mr. Lafferty, and the kind Felipe. They take turns walking her to school, picking her up, caring for her in the evenings. At nine years old, Grace has an uncanny ability to understand that her mother is not doing the best job, especially when she is “loaded.” She clings to the stability and love her generous neighbors give her – but the situation takes a turn when the county is tipped off on what is happening, and comes poking around for answers.
Don’t Let Me Go was a heartwarming novel, and I loved every minute of it. The pages were filled with drama and love, and Grace just melted my heart. The unique relationship she formed with Billy was so beautiful, and I got tears in my eyes plenty of times while reading. This is a must-read!
[Rating: 5]

In My Mailbox: Week of September 2

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: The Twelve Days to Christmas

Author: Michele Gorman

Received: From Michele Gorman

Synopsis: Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.

Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question… because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.

As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

In Sara’s Mailbox:

Title: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

Author: Margaret Dilloway

Received: unsolicited

Synopsis: Thirty-six-year-old Gal Garner lives a regimented life. Her job teaching biology and her struggle with kidney disease keep her toggling between the high school, the hospital, and her home on a strict schedule.

Only at home, in her garden, does Gal come alive. It’s here that she experiments with Hulthemia roses, painstakingly cross-pollinating various specimens in the hopes of creating a brand-new variation of spectacular beauty. But even her passion has a highly structured goal: Gal wants to win Queen of Show in a major competition and bring that rose to market.

Then one afternoon Gal’s teenaged niece Riley, the daughter of her estranged sister, arrives. Unannounced. Neither one of them will ever be the same.

Filled with gorgeous details of the art of rose breeding, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns is a testament to the redemptive power of love.

My First 5K: Week 12: Ouch, My Ears

I completed my 30 minute run outside yesterday, and I ran into a big problem. I’ve run outside off and on throughout my training, and the weather has been warm, warm, warm. Now the days and especially the mornings/evenings are cooling off, I was reminded of an annoying issue that I have been plagued with since childhood – my ears. I suffered from multiple ear infections and horrible cases of swimmer’s ear. And these problems have stuck with me. Last year when I was visiting my family in North Carolina, we took a trip to Myrtle Beach. The weather was overcast and chilly, but we still braved it and took a dip in the ocean. Once I got water in my ears and then the wind started blowing, it was too painful for me to pretend I was having a good time. I had to get out of the water and out of the wind so I could think straight again.
I have noticed this problem with my ears even when I am running in the gym and the fans are turned on high. After a while, my ears start to hurt so bad that I either have to turn the fans off and tough it out, or give up. When my fiancé and I were running yesterday, there was a strong wind blowing the majority of the time, and when we were running into the wind, I felt like I might throw up because the pain was so bad. I’m worried now for the 5K, which is happening October 6. The weather will be much cooler, and if it’s a windy day, I’m worried I won’t be able to complete the run. I’m not sure if I should get ear plugs, wax, use cotton balls? Has anyone else run into this problem or know someone who has? I want to have a fun experience, but I’m worried that my inner ear problem will put a damper on the day. I’d be grateful for suggestions!
Below is my workout schedule for the week. Bold items are what I would normally complete, non- bold are the 5K training.
Monday: Run 10 minutes, walk 10 minutes
Tuesday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 60 minute elliptical, 20 minute treadmill incline walk
Wednesday: Run 15 minutes, walk 15 minutes, 10 minute cardio DVD
Thursday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 60 minute treadmill incline walk, 10 minute Pilates DVD
Friday: 20 minute treadmill incline walk
Saturday: 30 minute run
Sunday: Day Off

Novel Spotlight: Showbiz by Ruby Preston

After four years in Manhattan, slaving away as the under-appreciated apprentice to the brilliant but ruthless “King of Broadway,” Scarlett Savoy is finally on her…

GIVEAWAY: Dewitched by EL Sarnoff

After serving time for Snow White’s attempted murder, the Evil Queen is about to get a makeover. Just not the kind she expected. Thinking she’s…

Prepping For Lasik

After getting tested and approved for Lasik, consulting my bank account, and deciding I was going to go for it, I happily scheduled my surgery date for January 25, 2012. I had one week to prep – which included heading to my nearest pharmacy to stock up on eye drops. Oh, the eye drops. More on that later. For that week before, I used two eye drops to help prevent dry eye, and also one to help fight off infection. Also, I want to point out that if you wear contacts, these will have to be taken out at least two weeks before you go for your initial testing to make sure you are a good candidate for Lasik. If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, you cannot wear your contacts again.
So the week before surgery I was wearing my glasses and using Restasis and preservative-free tears to help keep my eyes moist. Restasis is something you will need a prescription for, and can be costly if you don’t have insurance. There are several types of preservative-free tears that you can buy without a prescription, are not as costly, and my eye doctor actually gave me quite a few samples to use first. The drops I used to fight infection was called Pred Forte, and a prescription is required for that. Your doctor will let you know how many drops/how many times a day to use each one. I was given a list that broke down before surgery, day of surgery, day after surgery, week after surgery, and then a more general after surgery schedule. KEEP THIS! I consulted it many times.
So all these drops helped get my eyes ready for this major surgery. Also before surgery I scheduled that day and the day after off work, and my fiancé was tapped to take me to my surgery and back, as you absolutely will need a driver after surgery. Now, I was just waiting anxiously for the surgery, and getting more nervous as each day passed, wishing for success.
Check back next week for my day of surgery experience!

Blog Tour Sign Up: Sparkle by Cara Alwill Leyba

Cara will be on tour in November/December with her self-help novelSparkle.Print copies will be available for US/Canada residents. Cara will also be open for a…