#NewReleases: December 2014
Contributor: Allie The Look of Love by Sarah Jio – November 25, 2014. This book sounds mystical and enchanting. Jane was born during a Christmas…
Book Review: Goodnight June by Sarah Jio
Reviewer: Samantha I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Summary: The New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter…
New Book Releases: May 2014
I love the month of May. Spring is in full bloom and summer is on the horizon. This is a good thing – because I’m going to need lots of beach time to read all the books that are coming out. May’s new releases are full of chick lit bounty, written by some of the genre’s best writers. I can’t wait to read all of these books!
Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen – May 6th, 2014. Kira is a stressed out and over-worked lawyer, who jumps at the chance to leave Florida and buy a bed and breakfast in Vermont with her husband, Peter. Peter’s brother, Rand, and his wife, Alyssa, join them in their venture. Finding herself in a remote town in Vermont, in the middle of a snowy winter, living with a couple she barely knows, makes Kira question whether or not she’s made the right decision. Kira’s doubts multiply with the arrival of a strange young woman and the discovery that the idyllic little town where she lives has secrets of its own.
Cure for the Common Break-Up by Beth Kendrick – May 6th, 2014. Summer Benson is a flight attendant who loves adventure. She’s also been a free spirit when it comes to love. All that changes when tragedy strikes and Summer runs to the town of Black Dog Bay. It’s there that Summer experiences something she’s never felt before – the feeling of being home. Unfortunately, the hidden agendas of some residents threaten to destroy her newfound peace. Should she stay or should she go?
The One & Only by Emily Giffin – May 20th, 2014. Emily Giffin is one of my all-time favorite authors. I usually complete her books in one sitting. Her latest tale takes place in Walker, Texas, where Shea Rigsby has lived all her live. She grew up loving football and is best of friends with the daughter of Walker University’s football coach. Shea is so devoted to the university and football that she chooses to stay in her hometown following graduation, to work in the university athletic department. In the aftermath of a local tragedy, Shea questions her life choices and whether or not she can find the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.
Goodnight June by Sarah Jio – May 27th, 2014. Sarah Jio cleverly tells stories by interweaving the past with the present. I’m intrigued by her latest novel, which imagines the inspiration behind the classic children’s book, Goodnight Moon. The story centers on June Anderson, a high powered banker, who is settling her late Great Aunt Ruby’s estate. Aunt Ruby once owned a children’s bookstore. June discovers letters that her Aunt received from Margaret Wise Brown (author of Goodnight Moon). These letters lead June on a journey to discover how the “great green room” came to be. Love the premise of this novel.
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams – May 27th, 2014. Williams wrote one of my favorite books of 2013 (A Hundred Summers), so I’m eagerly anticipating her latest. The book is written in a style similar to that of Sarah Joi, by mingling the stories of two women living decades apart. Set in the Mad Men era of 1960s Manhattan, Vivian Schuyler is a privilege young woman who’s chosen the radical path of working at a woman’s magazine. Her family is aghast – can you imagine? After she receives a surprise parcel from overseas, Vivian discovers that she had an aunt – Violet Grant. Violet’s story unfolds in pre-World War I Germany. Vivian is determined to discover why her family disowned Violet and erased her past.
In My Mailbox: Week of April 21
Title: Tax Cut
Author: Michele Seigfried
Received: CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: “I saw him,” she said. “He handed an envelope filled with money to the tooth fairy.”
The ramblings of eighty-nine-year-old woman with dementia. The government employees are used to her regular phone calls and dismiss the crazy old lady; but the new municipal clerk, Chelsey Alton, isn’t so sure the woman is off her rocker. Something’s amiss in the Village of Coral Beach, a small, New Jersey shore town community, and Chelsey’s determined to find out what it is.
The former clerk of Coral Beach, Vinny Buttiglieri was murdered and dead bodies keep popping up all over town. Between being a single mom to a temper tantrum throwing two-year-old, bosses who humiliate her in public, the dead bodies, and a man named Mike Nero that is stalking her, she has her hands quite full!
Chelsey recruits her good friend, Bonnie, a voluptuous woman with an off-color sense of humor, to assist her on a few recon missions. The deeper they dig, the more they put themselves in danger, becoming entangled with sinister mobsters, criminal activity, and government corruption.
Not everything is as it seems. Chelsey thinks she’s doing the right thing, trying to uncover the truth and protect herself at the same time, but can she save herself when she becomes entrenched too deep in this Jersey shore mystery?
Title: A Bride’s Guide to Getting Married
Author: Jasmine Clara
Received: Jasmine Clara
Synopsis: Crushed by a sudden break up with her slick advertising executive boyfriend, real estate journalist Emily Novat feels like she is the only single girl in a world of happy couples.
At 32, Emily wonders if she will ever get her own happy ending.
Things start looking up however, when a tipsy Emily unwittingly enters and wins the prestigious Glam Bride magazine Dream Wedding Contest.
The only catch is, Emily must blog about her experiences in the lead up to her ”wedding day.”
With prizes including a Tiffany’s Bridal Shower, a High Tea Party – plus presents – at a posh hotel, and a wild Bachelorette party, Emily won’t let a little matter such as not having a groom stand in the way of enjoying the high life for a just little while.
After all the heartbreak she been through, Emily deserves a little fun. And it’s bonus if it makes her ex-boyfriend jealous.
As the popularity of her blog – A Bride’s Guide to Getting Married – sky-rockets, Emily finds herself becoming the IT girl about town,
A blossoming friendship with Glam Bride’s gorgeous nice-guy photographer Luke, assigned to capture the lead up to her big day makes it all the more fun.
As the big day draws nearer though, the guilt starts eating at Emily, who starts to finds extracting herself from her Dream Wedding is not as easy as she first thought it would be…
Title: Goodnight June
Author: Sarah Jio
Received: Penguin Group
Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter imagines the inspiration for Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Goodnight Songs) is an adored childhood classic, but its real origins are lost to history. In Goodnight June, Sarah Jio offers a suspenseful and heartfelt take on how the “great green room” might have come to be.
June Andersen is professionally successful, but her personal life is marred by unhappiness. Unexpectedly, she is called to settle her great-aunt Ruby’s estate and determine the fate of Bluebird Books, the children’s bookstore Ruby founded in the 1940s. Amidst the store’s papers, June stumbles upon letters between her great-aunt and the late Margaret Wise Brown—and steps into the pages of American literature.
Title: The Blonde
Author: Anna Godbersen
Received: FSB Associates
Synopsis: It’s early spring 1959, and the word desire is synonymous with America’s most famous blonde: Marilyn Monroe. She’s at the height of her fame, the object of a whole world’s worth of want and projection. Being desired is her drug, her kryptonite, the very definition of who she is. It’s so much a part of her identity that her own wants and needs have become fleeting at best, as if she’s seen herself through others’ eyes so often that she’s forgotten what she looks like through her own. But the deepest needs always surface, and there is one thing Marilyn wishes for beyond all else—to meet her real father.
That’s the part you already know, the legend—but here’s the part that’s never been told.
Ten years earlier a man named Alexei Lazarey met Marilyn before she was Marilyn, starving and alone at Schwab’s in Los Angeles. Before the day was out, he got her signed to the William Morris Agency and eventually transformed her from a poor, failed actress to America’s most famous sex symbol.
Now that Marilyn has reached her pinnacle, Alexei comes back for his repayment. When she hesitates, he plays his trump card: pulling out a photo of her estranged father with a promise to reunite them. The next day, Marilyn’s on a plane to Chicago with Alexei’s instructions ringing in her ear: John F. Kennedy is the favorite for next year’s Democratic presidential nomination. Find out something about him that no one else knows.
At first, Marilyn is almost bored by the thought of yet again using a man’s attraction to get what she needs. But once she meets the magnetic Jack Kennedy for the first time, she has a feeling that this isn’t going to be a simple game—for her or Alexei. As she gets herself in deeper and deeper Marilyn discovers that there’s something much more sinister at play. What started as the simple desire to meet her father now has grave consequences for her, for the bright young Kennedy, and for the entire nation.
Part biography, part spy thriller, and part love story, THE BLONDE is a whip-smart reimagining of history that reads like a chillingly true account. With a voice that explodes off the page, this novel is a massive ice cream sundae of American celebrity, sex, love, violence, power, and paranoia.
Title: Looking For Me
Author: Beth Hoffman
Received: Tandem Literary
Synopsis: A Southern novel of family and antiques from the bestselling author of the beloved Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel, Looking for Me.
Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop. Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky. It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last. But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.
Looking for Me brilliantly melds together themes of family, hope, loss, and a mature once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The result is a tremendously moving story that is destined to make bestselling author Beth Hoffman a novelist to whom readers will return again and again as they have with Adriana Trigiani, Fannie Flagg, and Joshilyn Jackson.
Title: Love on Location
Author: Claire Baxter
Received: Claire Baxter
Synopsis: A deliciously fun rom com about a girl who has big dreams and just can’t stop herself from falling in love.Shayna is this close to getting her dream job as a location manager for a new TV soap, she just needs to find the right house to film it in, and the job is hers.Luckily, she’s found the perfect place. Unluckily, the owner – who is tall, blond and more handsome than is fair – is stubbornly refusing to let her use it unless she goes to dinner with him. No harm in that, right?Lachlan swore he’d never go back into show business – not after his heart was broken – and the last thing he wants is a film crew traipsing through his house, but there’s something about Shayna that’s making it hard to say no . . .He won’t let anyone near his heart, and she’s not looking for love – what could possibly go wrong?
December 2013 New Releases
December New Releases
Yes, holiday season is upon us once again. Books are the gift that keeps on giving, and there are plenty of good ones to pick from this month. So make your list (and check it twice), before heading out to your local bookseller this December.
Morning Glory by Sarah Jio – November 26th. Ada leaves New York City after a tragedy, moving to a house boat on Seattle’s Lake Union. It’s there that Ada discovers the trunk of a former resident, Penny Wentworth. Penny was a young newlywed in 1959 and Ada is determined to learn her fate. The mysteries of the past get tangled in Ada’s questions about her future. I love the way Sarah Jio writes because she’s great at weaving together story lines of the present with those of the past, seamlessly transporting the readers to different times and places. I can’t wait to escape into this story.
Out to Lunch by Stacey Ballis – December 3, 2013. Jenna and Aimee were best friends and business partners in an events and catering company until Aimee’s untimely death at the young age of forty-one. Jenna is grief stricken and lost without her friend. She also has to deal with Wayne, Aimee’s Star Wars-obsessed widower. Complicating matters is the fact that Aimee left Jenna in charge of all her finances, which means Jenna gets to referee Wayne’s get-rich-quick schemes. What was her friend thinking? I haven’t read the book, but I think I might know the answer to that question. This book sounds charming and early reviews suggest that the food descriptions are Pinterest worthy, so you may want to read on a full stomach.
Undressing Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos – December 3, 2013. This book is another modern day twist on Jane Austen and it sounds like a hoot. Vanessa is a public relations executive who’s a master at social media. Julian is an Englishman who has written a book, My Year as Mr. Darcy, as a means to save his faltering estate. Along with the book, Julian hosts a Darcy themed talk show that features him, well, undressing. Did I mention that “Mr. Darcy” is hot? Throw in Austen fan festivals, a pirate encounter and a trip to merry ole England and I think we have ourselves a fun ride!
Hard Hats and Doormats by Laura Chapman – December 11, 2013. What a cute title. Lexi is a girl who likes to follow the rules, which is probably a good thing, since she’s the HR manager at a chemical company! After she gets passed over on a big promotion, Lexi begins to wonder if maybe rules are meant to be broken, especially the rules on interoffice dating. I enjoy stories based in the work place, because office politics and romance can be so complicated. I also love a story in which nice girls don’t finish last.
The Redhead Plays Her Hand by Alice Clayton – December 17, 2013. Actress Grace Sheridan has it all, a gorgeous British movie star boyfriend, Jack, and the lead role on a hit television show. When her curvaceous figure ignites an industry debate over thinness, producers order Grace to drop 15 pounds. While Grace is eating rabbit food and suffering through boot camp, Jack is hitting the Hollywood party scene. Jack’s fans don’t want him in a relationship, so when he shows up at her events late and drunk, Grace wonders if he loves his fans more than her. Forget playing her hand, I’m thinking she needs to re-deal the cards. I love Hollywood insider stories and this one sounds juicy.
2012 Favorite Reads: Samantha’s Picks
Sad Desk Salad Jessica Grose 5 stars Sarah’s Key Tatiana de Rosnay 5 stars Blackberry Winter Sarah Jio 5 stars Don’t Let Me Go Catherine…
Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio
I received a copy of Blackberry Winter in exchange for an honest review. This book is a 5 star – a must-read. That’s all I have to say……Okay, not really, of course. But wow, what a book! I actually got up out of bed one night because I couldn’t sleep without knowing what would happen. That does not happen often. The story switches back and forth between 1933 and present day, set in Seattle, and both during a blackberry winter. In 1933, Vera Ray’s three year old son Daniel disappears one night while she is working the nightshift. Vera makes it her mission to get her heart back. In present day, reporter Claire Hanson gets assigned to write a story about the blackberry winter – a late-season snow storm. Her research takes her to the story of Vera Ray and her son Daniel, and Claire soon becomes obsessed with finding how her story ended. What happened to Vera? Was Daniel ever found?
Like I said, you must read this book. I had goosebumps almost the entire way through, and the way the writing flowed with such ease yet intensity makes this a top read of 2012, hands down. The ending left me breathless, in tears, and wanting to literally jump into the book and be with the characters and this inspiring tale. I can keep raving about this book all day, but I’m too afraid I’ll give even the slightest detail away, and I would hate doing that. Read this!
[Rating: 5]
The Bungalow by Sarah Jio
The Bungalow by Sarah Jio is a unique and fantastical piece of historical chick-lit that is truly one-of-a-kind. With the world in chaos around her and the country at war, twenty-one year old, Anne Calloway, questions her future as the bride-to-be of a man that she has known her whole life and wonders if this is all life has in store for her. Having always taken the safe, logical route, Anne makes the decision of a lifetime and joins her best friend and enlists as a nurse, heading to Bora-Bora and embarking on a journey that will change her in more ways than one.
Shortly after arriving, Anne meets a fellow service man named Westry. Together, they work to repair an abandoned bungalow on the beach, and in doing so, their friendship blossoms into a romance. Then one night, they witness a shocking event that changes everything. With the crime lingering overhead, the timing couldn’t be worse as Anne’s tour is wrapping up and Westry is being redeployed. What will become of their love? Will Westry be able to find her once the war is over? Will the world ever go back to the way that Anne remembers? Only time will tell but I for one, loved being a part of the journey.
I absolutely adored The Bungalow. When I first picked up the book to read, I was quickly reminded of Sarah’s debut novel and how similar the two are, yet so very different. Sarah does a fantastic job at weaving together a historical backdrop, an enduring romance and a taste of mystery. I loved the progression from friendship to something more between Anne and Westry and I found myself leafing through the pages quickly to find out what would become of them. I was swept away by the visuals and descriptions that Sarah painted and found myself reading in fluid color as if I were there, right along with Anne on her journey. Overall, this book is an absolute GEM. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. This book is one of my new recommendations for an enchanting, enthralling summer-read. Kudos to you Sarah, you’ve done it again and have created yourself another winner!
[Rating 5/5]
