Future Tour: Masterpiece of Murder by Evelyn Cullet
Evelyn will be on tour August 12-19 with her romantic suspense novel Masterpiece of Murder Heartbroken art student Charlotte Ross, intent on locating her errant…
Blog Tour Sign Up: Killer Image by Wendy Tyson
Wendy will be on tour in October with her mystery novel Killer Image. I am looking for book bloggers to post reviews, guest posts, interviews,…
Book Review: The Time Between by Karen White
I received a copy of The Time Between by Karen White in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Eleanor Murray will always remember her childhood on Edisto Island, where her late father, a local shrimper, shared her passion for music. Now her memories of him are all that tempers the guilt she feels over the accident that put her sister in a wheelchair—and the feelings she harbors for her sister’s husband.
To help support her sister, Eleanor works at a Charleston investment firm during the day, but she escapes into her music, playing piano at a neighborhood bar. Until the night her enigmatic boss walks in and offers her a part-time job caring for his elderly aunt, Helena, back on Edisto. For Eleanor, it’s a chance to revisit the place where she was her happiest—and to share her love of music with grieving Helena, whose sister recently died under mysterious circumstances.
An island lush with sweetgrass and salt marshes, Edisto has been a peaceful refuge for Helena, who escaped with her sister from war-torn Hungary in 1944. The sisters were well-known on the island, where they volunteered in their church and community. But now Eleanor will finally learn the truth about their past: secrets that will help heal her relationship with her own sister—and set Eleanor free….
Review:
I highly enjoy and often recommend White’s titles because they bring that element I gush about so much – entwining the past and present. This book does exactly that, and also will give readers a history lesson; never a bad thing! The relationship between both set of sisters in this book is intriguing to read about. Since both sisters are alive and we can get both POV’s I was drawn more to Eleanor and Eve’s situation. It’s difficult to imagine the guilt that both sisters carried and for how many years they clung to it. Something that kept sticking out to me though while reading was a niggling feeling that I had already read this story, or else one extremely parallel to it. I’m not sure if I’m thinking of a past White title that involves sisters or a different author, but I kept finding it challenging to submerse myself into the book because of that. Still a solid read though, and I would continue to recommend her books!
4 stars
On Tour: Tainted Love by Erin Cawood
Erin will be on tour June 17-28 with her novel Tainted Love Is it possible for a heart to survive twenty five years of abuse…
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Eleusis by Genevieve Fairbrother
Genevieve Fairbrother is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Eleusis
Summary:
Macy needs a break to sort out her life. Her parents are dead and now a moody trespasser has set up camp on the property she has inherited. When the stranger confesses himself to be an ageless sea-god and tells Macy she has been guarding a secret she never knew existed, her simple life takes a drastic turn. Just when she thinks it can’t get any stranger, a back door to the Underworld opens up and it’s time to run like hell.
This fast-paced adventure romance novel explodes as the dark forces tracking Macy surface to capture her. In the transatlantic chase that follows, she learns of her forgotten past and an ancient connection to the sea-god who helps her escape.
As events challenge Macy, she must come to grips with her past, determine what she wants in life, and become a force in her own right. Family betrayal, sinister plot twists, and unlikely friends fill this exhilarating story of one woman’s journey to forge her own path as she learns her true identity.
She soon realizes that to gain real freedom and become legend, she must reject her assigned place in history and risk everything in the process.
Review:
I like stories that seem unique and original, and that is why I was drawn to Eleusis. Clearly there is a lot of plot points and story to work through, and I think if you read this book with an open mind you can really enjoy it. There are some beautiful descriptions in the book, along with an interesting love story, a fantasy twist, and a strong heroine with a chance to be a legend. Sometimes the dialogue was a bit choppy almost and there were parts I had to re-read to make sure I was understanding everything, but intriguing concept for a book overall!
4 stars
Wedding Update: Three Months Away!
Well, I’m sad to report that my camera with the handy little video option has died. I haven’t been able to figure out how to prop my phone up long enough for me record a video on there, so I’m just going to have to resort to the old-fashioned way to talk about my wedding – writing! I am now just under 3 months away from becoming Mrs. Janning, and plans are starting to overtake my life. What am I working on now? We just picked up our invites the other day, so next on my list is buying a zillion stamps, stuffing the envelopes, printing our mailing labels, and getting to the post office. We are also trying to finalize our ceremony, and I’m very happy that I have finally picked out all the music. It was a lot harder than I thought finding songs for the wedding party to walk down the aisle to, myself walk down the aisle to, and then recessional, but I finally got that crossed off my list!
We are still working with our male wedding party to get them in and get fitted for their tuxes! Yes –we went with Vera Wang tuxes and I’m jealous of them! We have until August to get it done and I’m sure it will be just fine, but men are quite difficult to finagle I tell you! The guys are wearing grey tuxes and black bowties, and I can’t wait to see them 🙂
My dress fittings are going to start next month, so I’ve been on the hunt for shoes. My dress is the perfect length … for flats. No heels for me on my wedding day, and I’m actually okay with that. I’m afraid I would be so nervous I would trip or do something equally stupid, but it’s been quite the task trying to find cute flats that go with a wedding dress. My mother was so generous and purchased my bridal jewelry and veil so I’ll have those items with me for my fittings, but I need SHOES!!
Taking a deep breath. September 7 is going to be here in the blink of an eye, and I’ll be so excited to share as much as I can on the big day and then of course after 🙂 Thank you everyone for your kind words and emails that I am getting. I can’t wait to be a bride!
Book Review: The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty
I received a copy of The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Ellen O’Farrell is an expert when it comes to human frailties. She’s a hypnotherapist who helps her clients deal with everything from addictions to life-long phobias. So when she falls in love with a man who is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend she’s more intrigued than frightened. What makes a supposedly smart, professional woman behave this way? She’d love to meet her!
What she doesn’t know is that she already has. Saskia has been masquerading as a client, and their lives are set to collide in ways Ellen could never have predicted.
This wonderfully perceptive new novel from Liane Moriarty is about the lines we’ll cross for love. It’s about the murky areas between right and wrong, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Review:
I was really intrigued by the synopsis of this book, and I’m happy to report that I wasn’t disappointed by the story. I liked learning about hypnosis, as I know a few people who have done it for reasons as to stop over-eating and quit smoking, that sort of thing. It was really the dynamics between the characters that made this book hard to put down. Saskia was truly fascinating to read about, as you are never quite sure what she will scheme up next. I think this is a unique storyline, and one that people could really enjoy!
4 stars
Book Review: The Love Wars by L. Alison Heller
I received a copy of The Love Wars by L. Alison Heller in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Breaking up is hard to do. At least the first few times.
Even though Molly Grant has only a handful of relationships behind her, she’s already been through more divorces than she can count.
At the premier Manhattan law firm where she’s a matrimonial attorney, the hours are long, the bosses tyrannical, and the bonuses stratospheric. Her clients are rich, famous, and used to getting their way. Molly’s job—and primary concern in life—is to work as hard as possible to make sure they do. Until she meets the client who changes everything….
Fern Walker is the desperate former wife of a ruthless media mogul. Her powerful ex is slowly pushing her out of her young children’s lives, and she fears losing them forever. Molly—haunted by an incident from her own past—finds herself unable to walk away from Fern and sets out to help her. She just needs to do it without her bosses finding out.
Now, as complications both professional and personal stack up, Molly can only hope that her own wits, heart, and instincts are enough—both in and out of court.
Review:
What an incredible book! I love a smart chick lit book, and I think that is just what The Love Wars is. Molly Grant is a strong heroine, and her story was a blast to follow. It was interesting how much I learned from the book, mainly about law and the processes that go on during a divorce and the dynamics of a law firm. There’s a bit of romance thrown in between the pages, but that is not the focal part of the story, and I really enjoyed that. I zipped through this book in just over a day, and had to keep tweeting the author to let her know how much I was loving it. Another favorite to add to the list!
5 stars
On Tour: Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau
Chantel will be on tour June 17-24 with her novel Crime & Passion A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter…
