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#BookReview: The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen

Reviewer: Samantha I received a review copy Summary: How well do you ever really know the family next door? Bucolic Newport Cove, where spontaneous block…

#BookReview: Things You Won’t Say by Sarah Pekkanen

Reviewer: Samantha I received a review copy Summary: How far would you go to save your family? Every morning, as her husband Mike straps on…

New Book Releases: May 2015

Contributor: Allie Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey – May 5, 2015.  This debut novel is set in the south and told in two voices…

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.

Book Review: Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, “rising star” (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning “refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous” novels (Booklist) that had readers “flying through the pages” (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.

A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don’t realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.
Review:
I became a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen right off the bat, and I’m so happy I loved her latest offering! Readers take note – don’t miss this one! This story is so complex with different characters and their issues, but Pekkanen writes with such an ease that I simply flowed along from page to page, feeling all the issues and emotions the characters do while being transported to their B&B in Vermont. From Dawn being on the run to Alyssa and her baby story to Kira and her unsettled past, I loved this book from page one till the end. A definite 5 star read!
5 stars

In My Mailbox: Week of April 14

Title: Hold Her Down
Author: Kathryn R Biel
Received: CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: Elizabeth Zurlo is lost. She’s a wife, a mother, a teacher, a PTA volunteer—but somewhere along the way, she’s lost herself. Depression and despair can lead to desperate measures and when she is pulled back from the brink of suicide, Elizabeth slowly tries to rebuild her marriage and reclaim her life. Just as she has finally started to put herself back together, a scandalous novel rocks her small town … and costs Elizabeth her social standing, friendships and ultimately, her marriage. However, the man who seemingly destroyed Elizabeth’s life, helps her realize who she is and what she needs to do to become the woman she’s not only capable of being, but the woman she used to be.

Title: The Shadow Year
Author: Hannah Richell
Received: Still grieving the death of her prematurely delivered infant, Lila finds a welcome distraction in renovating a country house she’s recently inherited. Surrounded by blueprints and plaster dust, though, she finds herself drawn into the story of a group of idealistic university grads from thirty years before, who’d thrown off the shackles of bourgeois city life to claim the cottage and rely only on each other on the land. But utopia-building can be fraught with unexpected peril, and when the fate of the group is left eerily unclear, Lila turns her attention to untangling a web of secrets to uncover the shocking truth of what happened that fateful year, in order to come to terms with her own loss and build a new future for herself.

Suspenseful and moving, with a deep secret at its heart, THE SHADOW YEAR is Hannah Richell’s breakout book.

Title: Catching Air
Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Received: Simon and Schuster
Synopsis: From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, “rising star” (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning “refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous” novels (Booklist) that had readers “flying through the pages” (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.

A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don’t realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.

Title: Fly Away
Author: Kristin Hannah
Received: St Martins Press
Synopsis: Once, a long time ago, I walked down a night-darkened road called Firefly Lane, all alone, on the worst night of my life, and I found a kindred spirit. That was our beginning. More than thirty years ago. TullyandKate. You and me against the world. Best friends forever. But stories end, don’t they? You lose the people you love and you have to find a way to go on. . . .

Tully Hart has always been larger than life, a woman fueled by big dreams and driven by memories of a painful past. She thinks she can overcome anything until her best friend, Kate Ryan, dies. Tully tries to fulfill her deathbed promise to Kate—to be there for Kate’s children—but Tully knows nothing about family or motherhood or taking care of people.
Sixteen-year-old Marah Ryan is devastated by her mother’s death. Her father, Johnny, strives to hold the family together, but even with his best efforts, Marah becomes unreachable in her grief. Nothing and no one seems to matter to her . . . until she falls in love with a young man who makes her smile again and leads her into his dangerous, shadowy world.
Dorothy Hart—the woman who once called herself Cloud—is at the center of Tully’s tragic past. She repeatedly abandoned her daughter, Tully, as a child, but now she comes back, drawn to her daughter’s side at a time when Tully is most alone. At long last, Dorothy must face her darkest fear: Only by revealing the ugly secrets of her past can she hope to become the mother her daughter needs.
A single, tragic choice and a middle-of-the-night phone call will bring these women together and set them on a poignant, powerful journey of redemption. Each has lost her way, and they will need each one another—and maybe a miracle—to transform their lives.
An emotionally complex, heart-wrenching novel about love, motherhood, loss, and new beginnings, Fly Away reminds us that where there is life, there is hope, and where there is love, there is forgiveness. Told with her trademark powerful storytelling and illuminating prose, Kristin Hannah reveals why she is one of the most beloved writers of our day.
Title: The French For Always
Author: Fiona Valpy
Received: Bookouture
Synopsis: Five Weddings. The perfect venue. One little hitch…
Leaving the grey skies of home behind to transform a crumbling French Château into a boutique wedding venue is a huge leap of faith for Sara. She and fiancé Gavin sink their life savings into the beautiful Château Bellevue – set under blue skies and surrounded by vineyards in the heart of Bordeaux.

After months of hard work, the dream starts to become a reality – until Gavin walks out halfway through their first season. Overnight, Sara is left very much alone with the prospect of losing everything.

With her own heart breaking, Sara has five weddings before the end of the season to turn the business around and rescue her dreams. With the help of the locals and a little courage can she save Château Bellevue before the summer is over?

Title: The Last Time I Saw You
Author: Eleanor Moran
Received: Wunderkind PR
Synopsis: Eleanor Moran’s fourth novel takes readers on a deeply emotional journey of two best friends which begins when Olivia Berrington finds out her estranged friend Sally is killed in a car accident. She begins the cycle of grief and inadvertently dives into her past which leads her to the one place that may be too dangerous to go. Moran takes on powerful female friendships and opens a window into our own vulnerabilities when we confront our past and toxic friendships.

Book Review: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen

I received a copy of The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. Let’s be serious – how can you not love Pekkanen’s books? I was so excited to start reading her latest offering, and the synopsis had me practically panting. What a juicy, juicy little read! An all-expenses trip to Jamaica is the setting and we meet four women, all struggling with something in their own way. Pauline is the hostess, wife of Dwight, who surprises him by planning a trip to Jamaica to celebrate his birthday with some old college friends. Pauline loves her husband – and yes, his money – but she hasn’t filled him in on the biggest secret she’s keeping – the true story behind her disabled sister. Tina isn’t sure about accepting the invite when she receives it – she has four young children to mother and isn’t sure being away for so long is a good idea. Allie convinces her she needs the time off, but she is struggling herself with the news that a genetic condition runs in her biological family. And Savannah accepts the trip to try to help heal the wounds of her husband’s infidelity. The women and their husbands (minus Savannah’s) head to Jamaica to spend the week basking in luxury – until secrets are revealed and betrayals are made.
It just seems fitting that a hurricane also touches down while this group is on holiday, because all the swirling turmoil in that house just calls for it! Whew, what a bunch of fab little stories woven into one. I was hooked from the beginning, and highly enjoyed reading about each and every character. I did not expect some to act like they did. I was surprised at times, delighted at others, horrified even during a few moments, but my interest was always up. This story made me think a lot about marriages, friendships, love, even motherhood. A definite must-read!
5 stars

These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen

From Sarah Pekkanen’s debut novel, The Opposite of Me, I knew the women’s fiction world had gained a truly talented author. Not at all disappointed by her sophomore book Skipping a Beat, I was thrilled when offered the chance to review These Girls. Once again – immaculate story-telling, a build-up of memorable characters and situations, and another novel to add to my Favorites list.
The story follows the lives of three very different women. First there is Cate, newly promoted features editor for the lifestyle magazine Gloss. She fears that she may have gotten the job for the wrong reason, a reason that makes her think about a secret she is hiding from her past. Then there is her roommate Renee, who is desperate to get promoted to beauty editor at Gloss. She thinks if she is skinnier she might get the job over her competition, so she starts taking extreme risks to lose the weight. She also has her eye on the delicious Trey, who seems to have his eye on Cate…Rounding on the threesome is Abby, Trey’s sister. Abby fled to be by her brother when her personal life spirals out of control after she falls for the father of the little girl she nannies – who is very much married. Renee and Cate take Abby in, and the girls all form a bond that helps one another through their obstacles.
I thought These Girls had a little bit of everything – romance, love, heartbreak and scandal. It also had some fun chick lit ties in there with Gloss being a focus, and the focal point of the female friendship was really spot on. I loved the little dramas each girl was dealing. Abby’s story was particularly sticky for me, falling in love with a married man and the reason her parents have always been so cold to her was chilling – no pun intended. Pekkanen really hit another home run with her latest. I can’t wait to read what she has next for us!
[Rating: 5]

Interview with Sarah Pekkanen

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, ever since I was a kid, when one of my favorite things to do was to sit in my bedroom and write books on three-ring binder paper. A few years ago, my niece borrowed one of my old Nancy Drew books and discovered a letter tucked inside – I’d written it on Raggedy Ann stationery (oh so professional!) and it was addressed to a publisher, asking when my book, titled, “Miscellaneous Tales and Poems” would be in stores. Now I carry that faded old letter with me every time I go to New York to meet with my publisher, as a reminder that dreams really do come true.

Q: Your debut novel, The Opposite of Me, was a hit! Where did the inspiration for Lindsey’s story come from?

Thank you! I’ve always been intrigued by the complex relationships my friends have with their sisters – and I always wanted a sister of my own. Since my parents didn’t cooperate (though they gave me two terrific brothers) I imagined what it would be like to be a sister – a twin, no less – and I tried to make the relationship of my main characters, Lindsey and Alex, as juicy and competitive and loving and tangled as possible. I’ve heard about twins who are so close that they create their own language, and can feel each other’s pain from miles away – but I wondered what would happen to twins who were completely different. What if two sisters had nothing in common, but were constantly being compared? How would that shape their relationship?

Q: When I was reading your novel, I kept thinking I would know what would happen next, and have to say I was surprised more than once. Why did you decide to give Alex more bad news when it came to her diagnosis?

Samantha – I’m worried this might be a spoiler. Do you mind if we rephrase the question or leave it out?

Q: Do you plan on writing another novel continuing the story of these two sisters?

I don’t have plans for a sequel at the moment, but definitely wouldn’t rule one out! My second book, which is scheduled to be published next spring, tells the story of a 32-year-old woman named Julia Dunhill who discovers her husband has woken from a dramatic and sudden medical trauma as a completely transformed man. It’s similar in voice and genre to The Opposite of Me, so I hope readers who liked my first book will enjoy it every bit as much.

Q: You had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Weiner when your book was set to be released. How great was it having her to help promote your work, and how flattered were you that you had her on your side?

Oh, my gosh, it was beyond any story I could ever dream up! Jen Weiner is simply the most amazing, generous woman in publishing. Perhaps even in the world! We have the same editor, and Jen read an early copy of my manuscript – then she endorsed it in an incredible way. She actually gave away hundreds of copies of her books to people who pre-ordered The Opposite of Me a week before it was published. I’ve never even met Jen in person, but she sponsored this huge giveaway – which prompted USAToday to interview me – because she remembered what it was like to be a debut author (excited and anxious and overjoyed!) and she wanted to help out another female author. I’m in awe of her kindness and I can only hope to pay it forward some day. And I’m dying to meet her in person, even though I’m such a fangirl I’m sure I’ll embarrass myself by getting all weepy, or I’ll spill a drink on her in my excitement.

Q: How were you able to break into the writing industry?

I didn’t have any real connections, so I just wrote my book, then I wandered around bookstores reading the acknowledgement sections of books I liked to find out the names of agents (authors usually thank their agents in the acknowledgements section – and if they don’t, you probably don’t want that agent). I complied a list of names, came home and Googled the agents to get their addresses, then sent off a one-page query letter which described my book to the agents. Most agents have public websites that tell you, step by step, how to submit a query letter for a book. They’re not in hiding; they really want to discover new writers and if you write a good query letter, you’ll get a good response.

Q: I saw on your website that you have a humiliating story of how you got a literary agent. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to open the page, but I am quite curious to hear this story! Can you give us a little background?

One author I admire is Karin Slaughter, and in her book she thanked her agent Victoria Sanders. So, I sent a query letter to Victoria and a week or so later, she emailed me back and requested my manuscript. Then I thought, “I’d just better check out this Victoria Sanders.” So I wrote a note to Karin via the address on her website, introducing myself and asking if Victoria still represented her. Literally two minutes later, I got an email back that began, “This is Victoria Sanders. I check Karin’s email when she is on her European tour….” I literally froze and even stopped breathing, but thankfully the next line said, “Don’t worry, I’m checking you out, too!” I ended up signing with Victoria – and we still laugh about it!

Q: How long did it take you to write The Opposite of Me?

Nine months – but I had long stretches of time because my two older kids were in elementary school. Now I have a baby, and the writing is coming more slowly because my schedule is so much busier! Still, I squeeze it in whenever I can.

Q: Where would your dream vacation be?

Any place that can provide a sunny beach, an unending stream of fruity frozen drinks with little umbrellas, a stack of books, and David Beckham to rub oil into my back! My husband can come along, but he is not allowed to complain about David Beckham. If he does, he’ll be sent back home (the husband, not the Beckham).

Q: What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Write one page a day. You’ll finish your book in a year! Sometimes it’s hard to write because the self-doubt sets in – the voices in our heads can be really cruel, can’t they? – but the main thing is to get those raw words down on the page. Once you’ve got a draft, you can reshape it into something special – but just getting the words down in the first place is the key.