- Vivian Deliz
- Debs Desk
- Bingo
Monday, March 30, 2009
Winners - Outliers
Our winners for one of three copies of Outliers (audiobook) are:
Book Feature: GrayRider
Book Feature: GrayRider
Author: Bruce Skye
Pages: 206
Price: $23.50
Pub Date: 2008
Publisher: Eloquent Books
Description: Fantasy and magic in the land of Baaodhagh. An army is coming to attack and the King has no one to fend them off – so Gabriel takes care of things. When the King’s daughter Deirdre joins in – Gabriel and her fall in love. Will tragedy befall them?
Author: Bruce Skye
Pages: 206
Price: $23.50
Pub Date: 2008
Publisher: Eloquent Books
Description: Fantasy and magic in the land of Baaodhagh. An army is coming to attack and the King has no one to fend them off – so Gabriel takes care of things. When the King’s daughter Deirdre joins in – Gabriel and her fall in love. Will tragedy befall them?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Legs Talk: Let Your Legs do the talking
Legs Talk: Let Your Legs do the talking by D. E. Boon
Description: Two legs meet – flirt – and start a relationship. This book displays the love hate relationship that a couple can have.
Thoughts: This is one of those in between books. Not something you get to read because the story is great. But something fun that you may get one of your girlfriends. Maybe they can identify
Personally the leg story didn’t really stick out to me as a great one. I think I wanted there to be a little more story.
The pictures were interesting and artistic and definitely went well with the story.
What genre would you consider this?
Coffee Table Book
Overall:
Description: Two legs meet – flirt – and start a relationship. This book displays the love hate relationship that a couple can have.
Thoughts: This is one of those in between books. Not something you get to read because the story is great. But something fun that you may get one of your girlfriends. Maybe they can identify
Personally the leg story didn’t really stick out to me as a great one. I think I wanted there to be a little more story.
The pictures were interesting and artistic and definitely went well with the story.
What genre would you consider this?
Coffee Table Book
Overall:
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Very Valentine
Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Description: Valentine is a member of an outgoing Italian family. Her mother is the person who holds them all together. Her father is caring and loves his children. Her sisters have love and families. And her brother is still a bit of a stick in the mud - but he is the financial backing for the family.
Valentine quit her job as a school teacher to start working at her grandparents custom shoe design business. When her grandmother comes clean and says they are overextended Valentine doesn't know what to do. She wants the business (and the building) but her brother really wants them to just sell it and move on. (Doesn't hurt they can sell it for millions).
Valentine will do anything to save the business and make it her own. Meanwhile their is Roman - a fellow Italian american - who has his own business to run. Roman seems like the perfect man for Valentine. But they each have their issues. Can they work through the romance and have their businesses take off?
Thoughts:I loved the dynamics of the Italian family. How things revolve around food, behavior, and family. They are all close and that is both a blessing and a curse. And even though they are Italian they hold their own biases towards their kind (things like infidelity).
Valentine is a complex character. She fights for her grandmothers business as much for her grandmother as for herself. Though she grows to love the business and the process even more as time progresses. She wants love so badly, yet is attracted to men whose focus is their own careers and would ideally like her to not really do anything but spend time on them.
It was very hard for me to watch the relationship between Roman and Valentine. Yes there is love. But for love to be treated in that fashion is sad. They both are consumed by their careers - and that is not necessarily a bad thing to be that driven. But to let their careers have them do things to the other like they do is upsetting. I don't know what I would do in that situation.
I am interested in seeing where this trilogy goes. Are they going to continue to explore things from Valentine's point of view - or move around in the family. Is Roman a good guy who needs to learn to put his priorities in order (though to be honest - he did come clean and say that was why his first marriage ended) or is he going to be a cheating scumbag? Valentine is coming forward and doing all sorts of things for her grandmother's business. Can she really make it work?'
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Description: Valentine is a member of an outgoing Italian family. Her mother is the person who holds them all together. Her father is caring and loves his children. Her sisters have love and families. And her brother is still a bit of a stick in the mud - but he is the financial backing for the family.
Valentine quit her job as a school teacher to start working at her grandparents custom shoe design business. When her grandmother comes clean and says they are overextended Valentine doesn't know what to do. She wants the business (and the building) but her brother really wants them to just sell it and move on. (Doesn't hurt they can sell it for millions).
Valentine will do anything to save the business and make it her own. Meanwhile their is Roman - a fellow Italian american - who has his own business to run. Roman seems like the perfect man for Valentine. But they each have their issues. Can they work through the romance and have their businesses take off?
Thoughts:I loved the dynamics of the Italian family. How things revolve around food, behavior, and family. They are all close and that is both a blessing and a curse. And even though they are Italian they hold their own biases towards their kind (things like infidelity).
Valentine is a complex character. She fights for her grandmothers business as much for her grandmother as for herself. Though she grows to love the business and the process even more as time progresses. She wants love so badly, yet is attracted to men whose focus is their own careers and would ideally like her to not really do anything but spend time on them.
It was very hard for me to watch the relationship between Roman and Valentine. Yes there is love. But for love to be treated in that fashion is sad. They both are consumed by their careers - and that is not necessarily a bad thing to be that driven. But to let their careers have them do things to the other like they do is upsetting. I don't know what I would do in that situation.
I am interested in seeing where this trilogy goes. Are they going to continue to explore things from Valentine's point of view - or move around in the family. Is Roman a good guy who needs to learn to put his priorities in order (though to be honest - he did come clean and say that was why his first marriage ended) or is he going to be a cheating scumbag? Valentine is coming forward and doing all sorts of things for her grandmother's business. Can she really make it work?'
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Friday, March 27, 2009
Temptation and Surrender
Temptation and Surrender by Stephanie Laurens (Cynster Novel)c
Description: Jonas Tallent needs someone to run the inn that he is responsible for. The previous innkeeper wasn’t very good and the service went downhill fast. When he meets Emily Beauregard he is intrigued. She is one of five. She comes with great references (which he can tell immediately are falsified) and offers that the rest of her family will work as well.
Jonas can’t help but go with his gut and despite the warning signs hires Emily. Emily is a great worker and will be an asset to his inn. The only thing is that Jonas (and the town) doesn’t know what Emily and her family’s real reason is for moving to this small town village.
Emily’s family lived there many years before. And there has been rumors in the family that a treasure was buried there. Emily must find it – her family is destitute and she wants what is best for all of them.
Thoughts:
The Cynster family is a great family to read about (makes you want to be a part of it). They are wild and crazy but also loving and caring. I always enjoy these books.
I hope Stephanie Laurens keeps finding external family members to write about! The family tree is getting a bit crowded but a lot of their stories are told.
The idea of a female innkeeper who is single and providing for her family is something I have never seen before. I thought it was great.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description: Jonas Tallent needs someone to run the inn that he is responsible for. The previous innkeeper wasn’t very good and the service went downhill fast. When he meets Emily Beauregard he is intrigued. She is one of five. She comes with great references (which he can tell immediately are falsified) and offers that the rest of her family will work as well.
Jonas can’t help but go with his gut and despite the warning signs hires Emily. Emily is a great worker and will be an asset to his inn. The only thing is that Jonas (and the town) doesn’t know what Emily and her family’s real reason is for moving to this small town village.
Emily’s family lived there many years before. And there has been rumors in the family that a treasure was buried there. Emily must find it – her family is destitute and she wants what is best for all of them.
Thoughts:
The Cynster family is a great family to read about (makes you want to be a part of it). They are wild and crazy but also loving and caring. I always enjoy these books.
I hope Stephanie Laurens keeps finding external family members to write about! The family tree is getting a bit crowded but a lot of their stories are told.
The idea of a female innkeeper who is single and providing for her family is something I have never seen before. I thought it was great.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What I did for Love
What I did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Description: Georgie York was one of a famous teenage couple on TV. She was America’s good girl and they loved her for it. The years since have been hard on Georgie. She hasn’t become the actress that she always wanted to be – with big meaty roles. She was in a relationship with a very famous actor – but he just left her for another woman who saves the world (as well as having the parts that Georgie always wanted). Georgie is in a spiral and she can’t keep the paparazzi away from her.
Bramwell Separd was the other half of America’s favorite couple. He was a hard partying, womanizer when he was on the show and is the reason the show was cancelled. Georgie and Bram have never gotten along. When a night of drunkenness puts Bram and Georgie into a situation where they find themselves married –neither knows what to do. Staying married so as to not put their careers in further jeopardy might be the only choice.
Neither of them are the same people they were when they knew each other as teens. But what does that mean for their relationship?
Thoughts:
For me the comparison between good girl married action movie star who leaves his wife to go off with a do-gooder actress actually made me compare it to real life stories. And that made everything a little more realistic.
I love the idea of a teenage golden couple who hated each other falling in love.
The acting world is portrayed wonderfully in this book. It isn’t all good parts. It is bad agents, overprotective parents, lies and paparazzi. But it is all told without getting too depressing.
I found this book to be really great. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips,
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Description: Georgie York was one of a famous teenage couple on TV. She was America’s good girl and they loved her for it. The years since have been hard on Georgie. She hasn’t become the actress that she always wanted to be – with big meaty roles. She was in a relationship with a very famous actor – but he just left her for another woman who saves the world (as well as having the parts that Georgie always wanted). Georgie is in a spiral and she can’t keep the paparazzi away from her.
Bramwell Separd was the other half of America’s favorite couple. He was a hard partying, womanizer when he was on the show and is the reason the show was cancelled. Georgie and Bram have never gotten along. When a night of drunkenness puts Bram and Georgie into a situation where they find themselves married –neither knows what to do. Staying married so as to not put their careers in further jeopardy might be the only choice.
Neither of them are the same people they were when they knew each other as teens. But what does that mean for their relationship?
Thoughts:
For me the comparison between good girl married action movie star who leaves his wife to go off with a do-gooder actress actually made me compare it to real life stories. And that made everything a little more realistic.
I love the idea of a teenage golden couple who hated each other falling in love.
The acting world is portrayed wonderfully in this book. It isn’t all good parts. It is bad agents, overprotective parents, lies and paparazzi. But it is all told without getting too depressing.
I found this book to be really great. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips,
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Part of a Book Club! Fill out a survey and possibly get a free book!
What are book clubs reading? How often do they meet? Do they enjoy speaking with authors? We're going to find out the answers to these questions and more with the 2009 ReadingGroupGuides.com survey --- and we'd like your help reaching out to book club members. The goal is to identify trends and topics that are of interest to book groups. The information will be shared with publishers and authors so they can provide the resources needed to enhance book group meetings and discussions. The survey is only open to readers who are in book clubs.
The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZxioOza4dvM_2byCHuqQb0A_3d_3d
We estimate that the survey will take about 12-15 minutes to complete. As a token of their appreciation for filling it out, each of the first 2,500 respondents will receive one of 28 titles, which are being graciously provided by our publisher colleagues. All other entrants will be entered into a random drawing to win one of 200 books. See the full list of 28 titles, each of which is perfect for a book group discussion, at: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/surveys/2009-reader-survey.asp.
We hope you will mention the survey on your site and encourage your readers who are in a book club to participate. And if you are in a book club, we hope you'll take the survey yourself.
The survey will close on April 30th, so visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZxioOza4dvM_2byCHuqQb0A_3d_3d to answer the survey now!
The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZxioOza4dvM_2byCHuqQb0A_3d_3d
We estimate that the survey will take about 12-15 minutes to complete. As a token of their appreciation for filling it out, each of the first 2,500 respondents will receive one of 28 titles, which are being graciously provided by our publisher colleagues. All other entrants will be entered into a random drawing to win one of 200 books. See the full list of 28 titles, each of which is perfect for a book group discussion, at: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/surveys/2009-reader-survey.asp.
We hope you will mention the survey on your site and encourage your readers who are in a book club to participate. And if you are in a book club, we hope you'll take the survey yourself.
The survey will close on April 30th, so visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZxioOza4dvM_2byCHuqQb0A_3d_3d to answer the survey now!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Ten Year Nap
By: Meg Wolitzer
Pages: 383
Price: $16.00
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Publication Date: 2008
Description: Four friends who live their lives the best they can. Their lives have become defined by their husbands and their children. But they thought everything would be special for them - that they could have it all. Instead their lives took them in a direction where they stayed at home with their children. Now their children are growing - where does that leave them? Can they reenter the work force?
Size 2 for Life
Size 2 for Life by Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen, MD
Description: Did you always want to be a size 2?Dr. Paulsen and Ashley Marriott describe the way you can be your natural size. From covering exercises to how to eat this book tells you what to do and how to do it.
It even includes recipes and a day by day plan for you to follow. This book will show you how to change your life.
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the exercise photos. They are clear and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting it in this book.
For them this is much of a mental discovery as a physical one. So they make sure to charge you up mentally and then deal with things like diet, exercise, etc.
The recipes are great. For someone who wants everything in one book – this is the book that will fit your needs. No longer do you have to go out and buy a diet book, an exercise book, and a book to help you handle the mental hurdles.
What genre would you consider this?
Health
Overall:
Description: Did you always want to be a size 2?Dr. Paulsen and Ashley Marriott describe the way you can be your natural size. From covering exercises to how to eat this book tells you what to do and how to do it.
It even includes recipes and a day by day plan for you to follow. This book will show you how to change your life.
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the exercise photos. They are clear and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting it in this book.
For them this is much of a mental discovery as a physical one. So they make sure to charge you up mentally and then deal with things like diet, exercise, etc.
The recipes are great. For someone who wants everything in one book – this is the book that will fit your needs. No longer do you have to go out and buy a diet book, an exercise book, and a book to help you handle the mental hurdles.
What genre would you consider this?
Health
Overall:
A special award
Marie from from Daisy's Book Journal gave me the Friends Award! Because the award is a Friends Award it means even more to me. I have met many very friendly people by doing this - and want to continue it for a long time to come!
Here is what the Friends Award stands for:
These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
I am going to pass this award on to:
- Hudson - Hudson - I'm Kind Of A Big Deal
- J. Kaye - J. Kaye's Book Blog
- Cheryl - Cheryl's Book Nook
- Dar - Peeking Between the Pages
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Book Feature: Rogue (The Cat Star Chronicles)
Book Feature: Rogue (The Cat Star Chronicles)
Author: Cheryl Brooks
Pages: 343
Price: $6.99
Publication Date: March 2009
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Description: Kyra is a timid piano teacher who decides to do something totally out of character. Get a job teaching the children of a Queen of another planet - a lizard planet called Darconia.
Kyra has no idea what she is in store for when she gets to the planet. It is hot and dry and has very little water. Something that humans definitely need. Once she arrives there Queen Scalia gives her something she doesn't know what to do with - one of her prized slaves. Queen Scalia likes to collect different species - unusual species and this is definitely one of those. He looks very much like a man but is part cat. And he drives Kyra wild with desire. What does that mean for her? Can she live on a planet like this?
Author: Cheryl Brooks
Pages: 343
Price: $6.99
Publication Date: March 2009
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Description: Kyra is a timid piano teacher who decides to do something totally out of character. Get a job teaching the children of a Queen of another planet - a lizard planet called Darconia.
Kyra has no idea what she is in store for when she gets to the planet. It is hot and dry and has very little water. Something that humans definitely need. Once she arrives there Queen Scalia gives her something she doesn't know what to do with - one of her prized slaves. Queen Scalia likes to collect different species - unusual species and this is definitely one of those. He looks very much like a man but is part cat. And he drives Kyra wild with desire. What does that mean for her? Can she live on a planet like this?
Guest Post - By Meg Wolitzer, Author of The Ten Year Nap: A Novel
Mothers of Contention and the Money Wars
By Meg Wolitzer,
Author of The Ten Year Nap: A Novel
What will become of the mommy wars in the flailing economy? My fantasy (and it is just a fantasy) is that they will eventually fade into obscurity like, say, the Punic Wars -- relics from a past that seems to have taken place a very long time ago. The idea of working mothers pitted against non-working mothers in a sort of mud-wrestling championship -- in which the winner gets what, exactly? -- has a kind of luxury about it that many people, whether they work or not, suddenly no longer feel. While motherhood and work questions have special urgency and relevance in this crisis -- What happens when women leave the workforce to stay home with their kids? What are the financial implications down the line? etc. -- the rush to judgment is something for fatter, softer times. I haven't seen an appreciable increase in hostility or smugness on anyone's part. And I haven't heard about the publication of a new, lacerating non-fiction book called Ha Ha I was Right, or one called Even If I'd Been Working All This Time I Might Have Been Laid Off Like My Husband.
Maybe, instead -- and a girl can dream -- a kind of tolerance is taking over, fueled by the sense that the family of the woman who works and the family of the one who doesn't are both in trouble. A friend of mine says that she's been paying attention at drop-off at her daughter's school, trying to figure out whether or not different parents are working, and what their stories are, based on how they're dressed and other cues. The formerly suited-up man in his early thirties who now appears every weekday morning on the sidewalk in front of the school in casualwear: did he lose his job, or is he working from home? And the woman who until very recently spent hours volunteering at the school library, and who now hurries into the subway: has she traded Laura Ingalls Wilder for, say, Morgan Stanley? Or is she just out there looking? It's really hard to know what's going on in the enclosed world of anyone else's family, unless they're willing to talk.
And many people, right now, are talking. There's a new jabber in the atmosphere. You barely have to say anything at all, on a street corner or on line at the bakery or in a phone conversation, and the other person immediately knows what you're talking about: "Yes, things are terrifying," and "I know, I know." The financial crisis belongs to one-income and two-income families, as well to the families of the suddenly unemployed, who all share ownership of this strange new thing they don't yet understand.
Though the mommy wars have addressed real and powerful questions, even dipping lightly into those conversations could leave you shaking and defensive. It's still true that, even now, there isn't only one definitively right way to have a life. Regardless of this crisis and its cautionary-tale elements (of which there are many), I think it's a given that people still want to find some way to make their own individual decisions about work and home and motherhood.
Women who work full-time or part-time and those who stay home with their kids (as well as those who now spend their days answering help wanted ads on craigslist) may not experience Helen Reddy solidarity. It may be way too soon to speak about the mommy wars in the past tense, for no one has solved the problem of ambivalence about staying home versus working, or the lack of good, cheap daycare; and no one has found a way for some women not to feel they're damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Maybe not even the full-scale meltdown of the economy can keep these particular, familiar wars from raging. But it can try.
©2009 Meg Wolitzer, author of The Ten Year Nap: A Novel
Author Bio
Meg Wolitzer is the author of seven previous novels, including The Position and The Wife. Her short fiction has appeared in The Best American Short Stories and The Pushcart Prize. She lives in New York City.
To purchase The Ten Year Nap please visit http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594483547,00.html?The_Ten-Year_Nap_Meg_Wolitzer
By Meg Wolitzer,
Author of The Ten Year Nap: A Novel
What will become of the mommy wars in the flailing economy? My fantasy (and it is just a fantasy) is that they will eventually fade into obscurity like, say, the Punic Wars -- relics from a past that seems to have taken place a very long time ago. The idea of working mothers pitted against non-working mothers in a sort of mud-wrestling championship -- in which the winner gets what, exactly? -- has a kind of luxury about it that many people, whether they work or not, suddenly no longer feel. While motherhood and work questions have special urgency and relevance in this crisis -- What happens when women leave the workforce to stay home with their kids? What are the financial implications down the line? etc. -- the rush to judgment is something for fatter, softer times. I haven't seen an appreciable increase in hostility or smugness on anyone's part. And I haven't heard about the publication of a new, lacerating non-fiction book called Ha Ha I was Right, or one called Even If I'd Been Working All This Time I Might Have Been Laid Off Like My Husband.
Maybe, instead -- and a girl can dream -- a kind of tolerance is taking over, fueled by the sense that the family of the woman who works and the family of the one who doesn't are both in trouble. A friend of mine says that she's been paying attention at drop-off at her daughter's school, trying to figure out whether or not different parents are working, and what their stories are, based on how they're dressed and other cues. The formerly suited-up man in his early thirties who now appears every weekday morning on the sidewalk in front of the school in casualwear: did he lose his job, or is he working from home? And the woman who until very recently spent hours volunteering at the school library, and who now hurries into the subway: has she traded Laura Ingalls Wilder for, say, Morgan Stanley? Or is she just out there looking? It's really hard to know what's going on in the enclosed world of anyone else's family, unless they're willing to talk.
And many people, right now, are talking. There's a new jabber in the atmosphere. You barely have to say anything at all, on a street corner or on line at the bakery or in a phone conversation, and the other person immediately knows what you're talking about: "Yes, things are terrifying," and "I know, I know." The financial crisis belongs to one-income and two-income families, as well to the families of the suddenly unemployed, who all share ownership of this strange new thing they don't yet understand.
Though the mommy wars have addressed real and powerful questions, even dipping lightly into those conversations could leave you shaking and defensive. It's still true that, even now, there isn't only one definitively right way to have a life. Regardless of this crisis and its cautionary-tale elements (of which there are many), I think it's a given that people still want to find some way to make their own individual decisions about work and home and motherhood.
Women who work full-time or part-time and those who stay home with their kids (as well as those who now spend their days answering help wanted ads on craigslist) may not experience Helen Reddy solidarity. It may be way too soon to speak about the mommy wars in the past tense, for no one has solved the problem of ambivalence about staying home versus working, or the lack of good, cheap daycare; and no one has found a way for some women not to feel they're damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Maybe not even the full-scale meltdown of the economy can keep these particular, familiar wars from raging. But it can try.
©2009 Meg Wolitzer, author of The Ten Year Nap: A Novel
Author Bio
Meg Wolitzer is the author of seven previous novels, including The Position and The Wife. Her short fiction has appeared in The Best American Short Stories and The Pushcart Prize. She lives in New York City.
To purchase The Ten Year Nap please visit http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594483547,00.html?The_Ten-Year_Nap_Meg_Wolitzer
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Witch’s Grave
The Witch’s Grave (An Ophelia and Abbey Mystery) by Shirley Damsgaard
Description: Ophelia is just a good witch trying to recuperate from the last time something weird happened to her. She is trying to raise her new adopted daughter and maybe even meet a man. When she starts having dreams about a particular man and then she sees him – she wonders what their connection is. Is he her soul mate?
Unfortunately that question can’t be answered right away as he is shot! Ophelia (with the help of her grandmother Abbey) must figure out why he was almost murdered. Was the person after Ophelia instead? Are they after her now? A witch’s investigations are never done as Ophelia quickly learns!
Thoughts:Ophelia and Abbey’s relationship is fun and keeps you entertained. It is a relationship you can either identify with or say that you want.
While Ophelia gets herself into these situations it also seems like fate is playing a fun hand in getting her into trouble
This book touches a bit on the idea of soul mates and past lives. I actually found it really interesting. Righting wrongs and finding past loves in an appealing and possible way.
Ophelia and Abbey books are something that I will continue to enjoy and would pass on to anyone who loves mysteries with a twist.
What genre would you consider this?
Mystery
Overall:
Description: Ophelia is just a good witch trying to recuperate from the last time something weird happened to her. She is trying to raise her new adopted daughter and maybe even meet a man. When she starts having dreams about a particular man and then she sees him – she wonders what their connection is. Is he her soul mate?
Unfortunately that question can’t be answered right away as he is shot! Ophelia (with the help of her grandmother Abbey) must figure out why he was almost murdered. Was the person after Ophelia instead? Are they after her now? A witch’s investigations are never done as Ophelia quickly learns!
Thoughts:Ophelia and Abbey’s relationship is fun and keeps you entertained. It is a relationship you can either identify with or say that you want.
While Ophelia gets herself into these situations it also seems like fate is playing a fun hand in getting her into trouble
This book touches a bit on the idea of soul mates and past lives. I actually found it really interesting. Righting wrongs and finding past loves in an appealing and possible way.
Ophelia and Abbey books are something that I will continue to enjoy and would pass on to anyone who loves mysteries with a twist.
What genre would you consider this?
Mystery
Overall:
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Family Plots: Love Death & Tax Evasion
Family Plots: Love Death & Tax Evasion by Mary Kavanaugh
Description: Mary Kavanaugh only wants a husband and father for her small child. When she reestablishes a friendship with an old friend and it turns romantic it seems like nothing can go wrong. But her husband has secrets – many secrets. Mary is a private investigator and should be used to secrets (and solving them). But for some reason she looks past many of the warning signs and ignores them.
Eventually she will realize that her world is full of tax evasion, shady characters, fake weddings (and fake names), and even hidden bank accounts. What do you do when the person you love isn’t honest with you?
Thoughts:I love that this book is a book that is filled with truths. This didn’t maybe happen exactly the same way – but there is a hint of truth in everything that happens.
You spend the entire book going – how did you not see this? But for many people they see only what they want to see. And for her she wanted to believe that her husband was an upstanding person.
I really wish I knew what was true, what wasn’t and what happened next. It is an exciting life that Mary lead.
This is a pretty unique book – I haven’t read many books that cover what she covers in the same way. She doesn’t hesitate to show that she was oblivious and making excuses for everything. I really enjoyed the interactions with the in-laws. They were just odd. But odd in a funny way!
What genre would you consider this?
Fictionalized Memoir
Overall:
Description: Mary Kavanaugh only wants a husband and father for her small child. When she reestablishes a friendship with an old friend and it turns romantic it seems like nothing can go wrong. But her husband has secrets – many secrets. Mary is a private investigator and should be used to secrets (and solving them). But for some reason she looks past many of the warning signs and ignores them.
Eventually she will realize that her world is full of tax evasion, shady characters, fake weddings (and fake names), and even hidden bank accounts. What do you do when the person you love isn’t honest with you?
Thoughts:I love that this book is a book that is filled with truths. This didn’t maybe happen exactly the same way – but there is a hint of truth in everything that happens.
You spend the entire book going – how did you not see this? But for many people they see only what they want to see. And for her she wanted to believe that her husband was an upstanding person.
I really wish I knew what was true, what wasn’t and what happened next. It is an exciting life that Mary lead.
This is a pretty unique book – I haven’t read many books that cover what she covers in the same way. She doesn’t hesitate to show that she was oblivious and making excuses for everything. I really enjoyed the interactions with the in-laws. They were just odd. But odd in a funny way!
What genre would you consider this?
Fictionalized Memoir
Overall:
Friday, March 20, 2009
Star bright
Star bright by Catherine Anderson
Description: Lorraine Hall has had a horrible marriage. Her husband is manipulative and evil. He will do anything he can to kill her so that he can have her money. She has spent the last years in constant fear that he will beat her again – and he does – over and over again.
Rainie has figured out a way out of the situation. She will stage her own death and escape to a small town in Oregon that she has found. She doesn’t know what she will do when she gets there – other than stay out of the spotlight and away from her husband. For Parker Harrigan, Rainie is a confusing person. She seems to be a kind and caring person –but he can tell that beyond her bright exterior are a lot of secrets (and a lot of fear). He soon realizes he wants to help her and keep whatever is scaring her – away from her. But can Rainie trust in Parker? Can she trust herself as she begins to fall in love again?
Thoughts:Catherine Anderson takes the classic romantic tale and weaves it in a way that keeps you intrigued.
You don’t feel at all upset by the fact that Rainie is still married when she gets involved with Parker. I totally agree with Papa Harrigan in this one – that a relationship like the one she lived in is not a marriage.
While Catherine Anderson tells the story she keeps an undertone of religion and the Catholic faith that is not overwhelming but instead just a part of the story. It isn’t preachy or something that distracts from what is going on – instead it adds to the realism of the relationship. I am sure that many people had similar thoughts and discussions (like what religion to raise their children).
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Description: Lorraine Hall has had a horrible marriage. Her husband is manipulative and evil. He will do anything he can to kill her so that he can have her money. She has spent the last years in constant fear that he will beat her again – and he does – over and over again.
Rainie has figured out a way out of the situation. She will stage her own death and escape to a small town in Oregon that she has found. She doesn’t know what she will do when she gets there – other than stay out of the spotlight and away from her husband. For Parker Harrigan, Rainie is a confusing person. She seems to be a kind and caring person –but he can tell that beyond her bright exterior are a lot of secrets (and a lot of fear). He soon realizes he wants to help her and keep whatever is scaring her – away from her. But can Rainie trust in Parker? Can she trust herself as she begins to fall in love again?
Thoughts:Catherine Anderson takes the classic romantic tale and weaves it in a way that keeps you intrigued.
You don’t feel at all upset by the fact that Rainie is still married when she gets involved with Parker. I totally agree with Papa Harrigan in this one – that a relationship like the one she lived in is not a marriage.
While Catherine Anderson tells the story she keeps an undertone of religion and the Catholic faith that is not overwhelming but instead just a part of the story. It isn’t preachy or something that distracts from what is going on – instead it adds to the realism of the relationship. I am sure that many people had similar thoughts and discussions (like what religion to raise their children).
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Book Feature: Too Tall Alice
Book Feature: Too Tall Alice
Author: Barbara Worton
Illustrated by : Dom Rodi
Age: 7 -10 years old
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95
Pub Date: March 2009
Publisher: Great Little Books, LLC
Description: Alice is only a little girl but she is a whole FOUR inches taller than everyone else in her class. It is hard for her! Everyone notices that she is different. What is a little girl to do about it?
Author: Barbara Worton
Illustrated by : Dom Rodi
Age: 7 -10 years old
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95
Pub Date: March 2009
Publisher: Great Little Books, LLC
Description: Alice is only a little girl but she is a whole FOUR inches taller than everyone else in her class. It is hard for her! Everyone notices that she is different. What is a little girl to do about it?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
While My Sister Sleeps
While My Sister Sleeps by Babrara Delinsky
The perfect family. They work together, they have close relationships, all seems to be well. But for Molly Snow she lives in the shadow of her sister Robin. Robin is very likely to be an Olympic runner. Robin's life revolves around running and that leaves Molly out of the spotlight.
Disaster strikes and Robin has a heart attack while running. She is in a coma and they don't know that she will ever recover. What does that mean for the family that always lived Robin's running as well? What does that mean for a mother who loves her child so much and had a relationship for her more like a friend then a daughter? Where does that leave Molly - the daughter who always felt like she didn't belong - when she is the one who is left behind? What about the quiet brother, who is struggling to be a part of his own family - let alone deal with the problems that his sister is bringing?
Things that I think stuck out to me in this book:
This book is great! It brought out all sorts of emotion in me - which for me is a sign of a great book. There were tears and joy and that is spectacular.
I think in every family there are people who feel like they don't quite fit in. That they aren't what their parents wanted. They aren't best friends with their siblings. That something isn't quite right. But this book examines the fact that even some of the people you think truly belong - feel the same way.
The dynamics of a new father and his new wife are interesting. The fact that a relationship can be good - but needs to progress with communication is key. And that is highlighted in this book.
Lastly the idea of secrets. We all have secrets that we keep from someone. But eventually those secrets can come out. How do you deal with that? Do you confront the person? Does it change your relationship with them? All of this is dependent about how you feel - how you can handle things.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
The perfect family. They work together, they have close relationships, all seems to be well. But for Molly Snow she lives in the shadow of her sister Robin. Robin is very likely to be an Olympic runner. Robin's life revolves around running and that leaves Molly out of the spotlight.
Disaster strikes and Robin has a heart attack while running. She is in a coma and they don't know that she will ever recover. What does that mean for the family that always lived Robin's running as well? What does that mean for a mother who loves her child so much and had a relationship for her more like a friend then a daughter? Where does that leave Molly - the daughter who always felt like she didn't belong - when she is the one who is left behind? What about the quiet brother, who is struggling to be a part of his own family - let alone deal with the problems that his sister is bringing?
Things that I think stuck out to me in this book:
This book is great! It brought out all sorts of emotion in me - which for me is a sign of a great book. There were tears and joy and that is spectacular.
I think in every family there are people who feel like they don't quite fit in. That they aren't what their parents wanted. They aren't best friends with their siblings. That something isn't quite right. But this book examines the fact that even some of the people you think truly belong - feel the same way.
The dynamics of a new father and his new wife are interesting. The fact that a relationship can be good - but needs to progress with communication is key. And that is highlighted in this book.
Lastly the idea of secrets. We all have secrets that we keep from someone. But eventually those secrets can come out. How do you deal with that? Do you confront the person? Does it change your relationship with them? All of this is dependent about how you feel - how you can handle things.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Mighty Queen of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them
The Mighty Queen of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them by Amy Dickenson
Description: Amy Dickenson has a syndicated advice column “Ask Amy”. Many people ask her where she gets her advice from – and it is her own life. Amy talks about the mistakes she made in her own relationships as well as those she made with her daughter in this touching memoir.
Amy shows us her life and her divorce. How hard it was to date, what she did for her daughter (and what her daughter did for her). Mostly it centers around family and a small town –Freeville. Because that is where Amy’s heart is.
Thoughts:Opening yourself up to admit your faults, the good times and the bad in your life is not easy. And this book is definitely where that happens.
This isn’t a book where it covers her life from one time period to another in order – it jumps around a bit as she explores certain subjects in her life. Allowing her to reflect on everything that was going on and why she did what she did.
I haven’t read “Ask Amy” but after reading this – I see what has given her the insight into life that she has. I think that can only help her in gaining more readers.
What genre would you consider this?
Memoir
Overall:
Description: Amy Dickenson has a syndicated advice column “Ask Amy”. Many people ask her where she gets her advice from – and it is her own life. Amy talks about the mistakes she made in her own relationships as well as those she made with her daughter in this touching memoir.
Amy shows us her life and her divorce. How hard it was to date, what she did for her daughter (and what her daughter did for her). Mostly it centers around family and a small town –Freeville. Because that is where Amy’s heart is.
Thoughts:Opening yourself up to admit your faults, the good times and the bad in your life is not easy. And this book is definitely where that happens.
This isn’t a book where it covers her life from one time period to another in order – it jumps around a bit as she explores certain subjects in her life. Allowing her to reflect on everything that was going on and why she did what she did.
I haven’t read “Ask Amy” but after reading this – I see what has given her the insight into life that she has. I think that can only help her in gaining more readers.
What genre would you consider this?
Memoir
Overall:
Book Feature: Sleepwalking in Daylight
Book Feature: Sleepwalking in Daylight
Author: Elizabeth Flock
Pages: 345
Price: $21.95
Publisher: Mira Books
Description: Two women in a family on paths set to be destructive and lead to their unhappiness. Samantha Friedman is a stay at home mom whose life has revolved around her family. Samantha is starting to realize that she wants more out of her relationship with her husband and family then just being someone to drive them around.
Meanwhile Samantha’s teen daughter Cammy has started down a road that will lead her nowhere good. Sex and drugs surround her. Can either woman find each other before it is too late for either of them? What kind of mistakes are Sam and Cammy making and how is it effecting the other one?
Author: Elizabeth Flock
Pages: 345
Price: $21.95
Publisher: Mira Books
Description: Two women in a family on paths set to be destructive and lead to their unhappiness. Samantha Friedman is a stay at home mom whose life has revolved around her family. Samantha is starting to realize that she wants more out of her relationship with her husband and family then just being someone to drive them around.
Meanwhile Samantha’s teen daughter Cammy has started down a road that will lead her nowhere good. Sex and drugs surround her. Can either woman find each other before it is too late for either of them? What kind of mistakes are Sam and Cammy making and how is it effecting the other one?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Book Feature: Everyone is Beautiful
Book Feature: Everyone is Beautiful
Author: Katherine Center
Pages: 253
Price: $23.00
Publication Date: March 2009
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Description: Lanie and her husband have picked up everything and moved – for him. But life isn’t simple for Lanie – she is in a new location and has three very active boys to raise and her husband is concerned with his career so she has no help. Add to that a lot of stress about money (there is none) and Lanie is in a rut.
Lanie realizes she wants more out of life – but she doesn’t know yet what that more is. She is going to find out who she is beyond just being a mother. What are her hopes and dreams? With life’s complications going on around her – is this going to even be possible?
Author: Katherine Center
Pages: 253
Price: $23.00
Publication Date: March 2009
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Description: Lanie and her husband have picked up everything and moved – for him. But life isn’t simple for Lanie – she is in a new location and has three very active boys to raise and her husband is concerned with his career so she has no help. Add to that a lot of stress about money (there is none) and Lanie is in a rut.
Lanie realizes she wants more out of life – but she doesn’t know yet what that more is. She is going to find out who she is beyond just being a mother. What are her hopes and dreams? With life’s complications going on around her – is this going to even be possible?
Guest Author: Kim Hanks Author of Save the Best for Last
Character inhabiting in my book are not me and not you
Sincerely, I have seen crime novelist creating ruthless characters. But these writers' are not killers that they're writing about their killing practices. And creating a top notch bandit in a book doesn't imply that the writer is best at what is written. So, this is the same case, I'm not in my book in any way because I don't think my life did anything inspiring the idea of Save the Best for Last.
In my epic fantasy novel, save the best for last. I created zwick living in a small town of green oasis. The first book and latest in the series of save the best for last and up to this time I live with all the characters in my book because they're real to me. I have seen Zwick suffering through the death of a stunning Whitney, he's reborn after the trial consequences, and become a hero of his town. From being a choking guy, he's found a new romantic beauty Rai at the same school.
Zwick's, a handsome young man whose decision to date Rai as it was the only way to erase memories of Whitney from his head. Rai studied along with Zwick and they were of great help to each other during school times. Rai was also facing several challenges and great danger because of what she was.
When I'm writing about these people, I get inside them and peer out through the eyes. This way I can write about what each one's wearing, seeing, feeling, hearing and pain. They are as significant to me as any of my relatives or friends. In fact, I know them better than anyone because I created them.
Sincerely, I have seen crime novelist creating ruthless characters. But these writers' are not killers that they're writing about their killing practices. And creating a top notch bandit in a book doesn't imply that the writer is best at what is written. So, this is the same case, I'm not in my book in any way because I don't think my life did anything inspiring the idea of Save the Best for Last.
In my epic fantasy novel, save the best for last. I created zwick living in a small town of green oasis. The first book and latest in the series of save the best for last and up to this time I live with all the characters in my book because they're real to me. I have seen Zwick suffering through the death of a stunning Whitney, he's reborn after the trial consequences, and become a hero of his town. From being a choking guy, he's found a new romantic beauty Rai at the same school.
Zwick's, a handsome young man whose decision to date Rai as it was the only way to erase memories of Whitney from his head. Rai studied along with Zwick and they were of great help to each other during school times. Rai was also facing several challenges and great danger because of what she was.
When I'm writing about these people, I get inside them and peer out through the eyes. This way I can write about what each one's wearing, seeing, feeling, hearing and pain. They are as significant to me as any of my relatives or friends. In fact, I know them better than anyone because I created them.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Guest Post - Pulp Faction: Can it get you in or out of trouble?
By Mary Patrick Kavanaugh, Author of Family Plots: Love, Death & Tax Evasion
My first book, Family Plots: Love, Death & Tax Evasion, is a dark comedy based on the facts of my life. Most events are drawn from actual experiences; however, for the purpose of story momentum, I collapsed time, conflated characters, invented dialogue, and made a bunch of stuff up, purely for dramatic impact. Because so many first time authors draw heavily on their personal lives, I have always felt we needed to create a category for this genre of work. If it were up to me, I’d call it Pulp Faction.
Embracing Pulp Faction as a literary genre would give writers an outlet for blurring fact and fiction, which—if used properly—would have kept some of the big fat liars who promoted “true stories” on Oprah out of so much trouble. Like me, they could answer most queries about story details with, “I was so immersed in recreating the literary truth of my story, I know longer know what was true of those times.” And I kid you not. When people ask about what is and is not true about a certain scene in the book, I have to think long and hard. I was so embedded in the fantasy of my real life—fleshing it out with words and sensory detail—that those scenes became as real to me as any other memory I hold dear. That’s why, for the most part, I don’t believe anything I have to say about my past. And luckily, according to many great spiritual leaders, my past is irrelevant. In fact, it mostly muddles my ability to enjoy what’s going on in life today.
Pulp Faction not only can save a writers reputation by helping us sidestep the questions about “truth,” the mere process of transmuting the facts of our lives into a narrative with momentum allows us observe how much of our lives are boring, tedious, repetitive and superfluous to forward movement. This is helpful in day-to-day living. Through the experience of turning my life into literature I’ve learned that most of what I do, say and experience is irrelevant and ultimately meaningless—that most of our lives are pure fantasy and perception, made up out of the way we spin-doctor events to serve our theories or purposes at the time. Thus I’ve learned there is really is no real truth to my story, or anyone’s—only highly personal lessons and insights. For me, this is good news. Understanding that no one has the right version, or wrong version, of ANYTHING that is going on, allows me to relax more, accept others as they are, and take things much less seriously.
The only area I don’t think Pulp Faction gets you off the hook, is with the family members. I have a very large, opinionated, and supportive family, most of whom, for a variety of reasons, have terrible boundaries. For that reason, I didn’t get into too much trouble with any of them regarding the family secrets I shared. (My people seem to like any kind of attention.) The most criticism I got was from the family members who felt I’d left them out.
Family Plots: Love, Death & Tax Evasion, Mary Patrick Kavanaugh’s work of Pulp Faction, is available through her website at www.MyDreamIsDeadButImNot.com as well as www.Amazon.com
My first book, Family Plots: Love, Death & Tax Evasion, is a dark comedy based on the facts of my life. Most events are drawn from actual experiences; however, for the purpose of story momentum, I collapsed time, conflated characters, invented dialogue, and made a bunch of stuff up, purely for dramatic impact. Because so many first time authors draw heavily on their personal lives, I have always felt we needed to create a category for this genre of work. If it were up to me, I’d call it Pulp Faction.
Embracing Pulp Faction as a literary genre would give writers an outlet for blurring fact and fiction, which—if used properly—would have kept some of the big fat liars who promoted “true stories” on Oprah out of so much trouble. Like me, they could answer most queries about story details with, “I was so immersed in recreating the literary truth of my story, I know longer know what was true of those times.” And I kid you not. When people ask about what is and is not true about a certain scene in the book, I have to think long and hard. I was so embedded in the fantasy of my real life—fleshing it out with words and sensory detail—that those scenes became as real to me as any other memory I hold dear. That’s why, for the most part, I don’t believe anything I have to say about my past. And luckily, according to many great spiritual leaders, my past is irrelevant. In fact, it mostly muddles my ability to enjoy what’s going on in life today.
Pulp Faction not only can save a writers reputation by helping us sidestep the questions about “truth,” the mere process of transmuting the facts of our lives into a narrative with momentum allows us observe how much of our lives are boring, tedious, repetitive and superfluous to forward movement. This is helpful in day-to-day living. Through the experience of turning my life into literature I’ve learned that most of what I do, say and experience is irrelevant and ultimately meaningless—that most of our lives are pure fantasy and perception, made up out of the way we spin-doctor events to serve our theories or purposes at the time. Thus I’ve learned there is really is no real truth to my story, or anyone’s—only highly personal lessons and insights. For me, this is good news. Understanding that no one has the right version, or wrong version, of ANYTHING that is going on, allows me to relax more, accept others as they are, and take things much less seriously.
The only area I don’t think Pulp Faction gets you off the hook, is with the family members. I have a very large, opinionated, and supportive family, most of whom, for a variety of reasons, have terrible boundaries. For that reason, I didn’t get into too much trouble with any of them regarding the family secrets I shared. (My people seem to like any kind of attention.) The most criticism I got was from the family members who felt I’d left them out.
Family Plots: Love, Death & Tax Evasion, Mary Patrick Kavanaugh’s work of Pulp Faction, is available through her website at www.MyDreamIsDeadButImNot.com as well as www.Amazon.com
Triple Play Giveaway
Our friend Grumpy Dan is hosting a TRIPLE PLAY GIVEAWAY. Instructions on how to enter are below.
Three novels with three ways to enter.
I am giving away one each of the following gently used advanced reading copies:
AWAKE by Jack Kilborn
FIRST FAMILY by David Baldacci
BONEMAN”S DAUGHTERS by Ted Dekker
And there are three ways to enter (and no, just leaving a comment does not count).
1.) Become a subscriber of http://grumpydan.blogspot.com. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment to let me know you want in on this giveaway.
2.) Become a follower of http://grumpydan.blogspot.com. If you are already a follower, leave a comment to let me know that you want in on this giveaway.
3.) Post this giveaway on your blog and send me a link (either through a comment or email).
One winner for all three books.
This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Winner announced on April 1st (no joke).
The link is here
http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/2009/03/triple-play-giveaway.html
Three novels with three ways to enter.
I am giving away one each of the following gently used advanced reading copies:
AWAKE by Jack Kilborn
FIRST FAMILY by David Baldacci
BONEMAN”S DAUGHTERS by Ted Dekker
And there are three ways to enter (and no, just leaving a comment does not count).
1.) Become a subscriber of http://grumpydan.blogspot.com. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment to let me know you want in on this giveaway.
2.) Become a follower of http://grumpydan.blogspot.com. If you are already a follower, leave a comment to let me know that you want in on this giveaway.
3.) Post this giveaway on your blog and send me a link (either through a comment or email).
One winner for all three books.
This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Winner announced on April 1st (no joke).
The link is here
http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/2009/03/triple-play-giveaway.html
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Book Feature: Size 2 for Life
Book Feature: Size 2 for Life
Author: Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen, MD
Pages: 204
Price: $21.99
Publisher: Stance Publications
Description: Did you always want to be a size 2?Dr. Paulsen and Ashley Marriott describe the way you can be your natural size. From covering exercises to how to eat this book tells you what to do and how to do it.
It even includes recipes and a day by day plan for you to follow. This book will show you how to change your life.
Author: Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen, MD
Pages: 204
Price: $21.99
Publisher: Stance Publications
Description: Did you always want to be a size 2?Dr. Paulsen and Ashley Marriott describe the way you can be your natural size. From covering exercises to how to eat this book tells you what to do and how to do it.
It even includes recipes and a day by day plan for you to follow. This book will show you how to change your life.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Book Feature: Family Plots – Love, Death & Tax Evasion
Book Feature: Family Plots – Love, Death & Tax Evasion
Author: Mary Patrick Kavanaugh
Pages: 285
Price: $18.95
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Description: Mary Kavanaugh only wants a husband and father for her small child. When she reestablishes a friendship with an old friend and it turns romantic it seems like nothing can go wrong. But her husband has secrets – many secrets. Mary is a private investigator and should be used to secrets (and solving them). But for some reason she looks past many of the warning signs and ignores them.
Eventually she will realize that her world is full of tax evasion, shady characters, fake weddings (and fake names), and even hidden bank accounts. What do you do when the person you love isn’t honest with you?
Author: Mary Patrick Kavanaugh
Pages: 285
Price: $18.95
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Description: Mary Kavanaugh only wants a husband and father for her small child. When she reestablishes a friendship with an old friend and it turns romantic it seems like nothing can go wrong. But her husband has secrets – many secrets. Mary is a private investigator and should be used to secrets (and solving them). But for some reason she looks past many of the warning signs and ignores them.
Eventually she will realize that her world is full of tax evasion, shady characters, fake weddings (and fake names), and even hidden bank accounts. What do you do when the person you love isn’t honest with you?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Everyone is Beautiful
Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
Lanie and her husband have picked up everything and moved – for him. But life isn’t simple for Lanie – she is in a new location and has three very active boys to raise and her husband is concerned with his career so she has no help. Add to that a lot of stress about money (there is none) and Lanie is in a rut.
Lanie realizes she wants more out of life – but she doesn’t know yet what that more is. She is going to find out who she is beyond just being a mother. What are her hopes and dreams? With life’s complications going on around her – is this going to even be possible?
Things that I think stuck out to me in this book:
I love that Lanie's life isn't perfect. But she loves her kids and her husband.
I can only imagine how it would feel to have someone ask you when you were due when you weren't pregnant. She handled the situation like a real woman.
Lanie's discovery into what makes her happy is great. I love that it isn't easy. I love that it affects her relationships with other people - because that is what happens. Something has to go when you focus on yourself and for her it meant a change in her relationship with her kids, her husband, and also a change in relationships with those around her - making friends.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Lanie and her husband have picked up everything and moved – for him. But life isn’t simple for Lanie – she is in a new location and has three very active boys to raise and her husband is concerned with his career so she has no help. Add to that a lot of stress about money (there is none) and Lanie is in a rut.
Lanie realizes she wants more out of life – but she doesn’t know yet what that more is. She is going to find out who she is beyond just being a mother. What are her hopes and dreams? With life’s complications going on around her – is this going to even be possible?
Things that I think stuck out to me in this book:
I love that Lanie's life isn't perfect. But she loves her kids and her husband.
I can only imagine how it would feel to have someone ask you when you were due when you weren't pregnant. She handled the situation like a real woman.
Lanie's discovery into what makes her happy is great. I love that it isn't easy. I love that it affects her relationships with other people - because that is what happens. Something has to go when you focus on yourself and for her it meant a change in her relationship with her kids, her husband, and also a change in relationships with those around her - making friends.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
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