On Tour: Tales From the Laundry Pile by Kathleen Kole
Kathleen will be on tour July 8-29 with her novel Tales From the Laundry Pile Claire Jamieson has moved back home to Boxwood Hills… And,…
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Somewhere Between Black and White …
Shelly Hickman is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Somewhere Between Black and White
Summary:
Romance, humor, family drama, with a touch of Buddhism. Sound interesting?
When approaching life’s problems, Sophie sees in black and white. That is, when they’re someone else’s problems. So when it comes to her sister, Sophie is sure she has all the answers, and offers them without hesitation. If only her sister would listen.
Then, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she’s known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it.
As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam’s ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate.
Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?
Review:
I found this to be a very enjoyable read. I liked the romance between Sophie and Sam, and the soul mate angle was interesting to think about. The plot line for Evie and her husband Christian was pretty intense. Sometimes I was more excited to read about their story because there was a lot going on there, a lot of depth, and I was curious to see how they would end up. I wasn’t too sure about the flashbacks that happen in the story; I think they could have either been cut out or there should have been more placed throughout the book. Overall I thought it was a well-written book that was paced well, and I liked the message that was delivered to readers.
4 stars
On Tour: Untimed by Andy Gavin
Andy will be on tour July 8-22 with his novel Untimed Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, his own mother can’t…
Book Review: Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby
I am excited to share my review today for Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby! I befriended Lydia initially through her book blog, Novel Escapes, and was so honored when she asked me to work on the editing for her manuscript. That manuscript has now turned into the wonderful Redesigning Rose, and let’s dive right into my review!
Summary:
Rose Parker’s husband has been lying. About everything.
When a conversation with her husband triggers questions, Rose Parker uncovers alarming answers that shatter her perfect life. But it is only when she shoves her belongings in her SUV and drives off that Rose realizes just how far from perfect her life actually was. She has nowhere to turn.
While debating between distressing sleeping arrangements–her mother’s house full of questions or a hotel room with too much solitude–Rose bumps into an acquaintance from her gardening class and allows bubbly, exuberant Becky to indulge her in a wild night full of whiskey, weeping, and whispered confidences. Suddenly, Rose has a new friend, a roof over her head, and two gorgeous men moving her out of her marital home.
As Rose struggles to settle into her new life, she remains determined to comprehend her past. And with time and distance and especially wine, comes knowledge. Frank wasn’t the only one lying to her. Rose was lying to herself.
Review:
I love that we start off right away knowing that Rose’s husband is an awful man. I think the story started off on the right foot; we are immediately in the action and backing Rose one hundred percent. Rose’s character is very well-written, a woman with flaws yet determined to move on with her life, yet she can’t resist meeting up with her soon to be ex-husband a few times. It would have been hard to believe if she just cut him out cold turkey, so even though I was screaming “don’t do it!” I knew she had to. I like the love interest in this story because it’s not easy. It’s messy and complicated but really fun to read about. The supporting cast is great fun as well, especially wild Becky (who gets a serious storyline that really added depth to the book) and Rose’s supportive mother. I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel!
5 stars
On Tour: Looming Murder by Carol Ann Martin
Carol Ann Martin will be on tour July 8 -29 with her novel Looming Murder Della Wright has come to peaceful and picturesque Briar Hollow,…
Future Tour: Is This All There Is? by Patricia Mann
Patricia will be on tour August 5-26 with her chick lit novel Is This All There Is? Beth Thomas has the perfect life. At thirty…
Book Review: Expected by Sarah England
I received a copy of Expected by Sarah England in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Red Alert.
Sam Sweet is terrified of giving birth.
Only, she doesn’t dare tell anyone. Especially her grandchild-obsessed mother, or her fiancé, Simon – top surgeon by day, mind-game expert by night.
Repressed by the expectations of others, Sam feels trapped. All she ever wanted was a career and a crack at independence, but as a catastrophically failed psychiatric nurse who now injects fillers into the crinkled faces of unhappy women, a career is proving tricky. There’s something wrong with the product and now clients are suing.
Nasty work colleagues stir up scandalous gossip, and soon Sam hits rock bottom, consoling herself with button-popping chocolate binges and terrifying spending sprees.
Sam is going to have to find her voice if she ever wants to be herself, fall in love, and follow her dreams.
Alas, the wedding date is set…
Review:
I struggled a bit with this novel. I understand that Sam could be trapped and like she feels, well, Expected, to do certain things, but I didn’t really get why she wouldn’t eventually stand up for herself. She seems to hate her fiancé who was portrayed as mind-game expert and was really quite a piece of work. She out and out said she wasn’t attracted to him and didn’t want to be with him, so why she stayed with him for so long confused me. It was interesting to read about her work and the bit of scandal that came with that, but then I also couldn’t decide if her friend Minnie was truly her friend or not. I spent most of time confused and unsure about the heroine, but still certain pieces of the story caught my interest.
2.5 stars
Blog Tour Sign Up: Adela Arthur and the Creator’s …
To Who Ever This May Concern;
I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland and that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths. I wish these were legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires. After all, that is what I used to believe.
I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…
I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought. But there are…
I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am…
I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.
The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.
Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life…
ADELA ARTHUR
Future Tour: His Fantasy Maid by Susan Blexrud
Susan will be on tour August 26-September 16 with her novel His Fantasy Maid On the eve of Jake Sinclair’s bachelor party, his best man…
