The Sunday Salon: Back to the Books!

Happy Sunday all! I haven't done a post in awhile where I talk about the books I'm currently reading and listening to so I thought I'd do that today. I'll also update you on the status of my decision to move to Ohio. It's a rainy day here in central Florida, which doesn't bother me at all. It will make for a relaxing book-reading day for me.

With Thanksgiving days away, I'll be taking a break from clearing out my house in preparation of selling it. It's a lot of work when you've lived there for over 20 years, not to mention it's even harder when you are literally half blind.  I hired a guy to come and work in my yard last week and he did a great job! Now if only the leaves would stop falling! Hopefully, I'll be ready to start showing the house the week after. My mom and I met with a realtor last Monday (she's selling her house also and moving with me.) and that made it all seem very real! I know her house will sell very quickly but mine will probably take a bit longer as there are repairs that need to be done. Bur for the right buyer, it would make a great investment. I have a few people interested in looking at it so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Since my recovery from surgery, I've been making up for lost time with the house chores so that hasn't left a lot of time for reading. On the other hand, I am making progress with audios. I love that I can work around the house and listen to my books. It makes the time fly by! But at the end of the day when I think I'll have an hour or so to read, I'm so exhausted I can't stay awake past the first few pages. So my book reading is suffering.

I have two review books I need to read. I've started one called TENACITY by J.S. Law. It's a thriller set in the UK and centers around an investigator with the Royal Navy. She is probing a possible suicide on the British submarine, TENACITY. It's the first book in a new series that others have described as "riveting". I'm very anxious to get back to it. This book was released on November 3rd.

The other book is ALONG THE INFINITE SEA by Beatriz Williams. I've been very curious about her books over the last couple of years but haven't yet read one. So when her 'people' sent me a copy I jumped at the chance to read it. This one is in the historical fiction genre and has a bit of a romance. I was wary of the romance part because I don't usually read books for romance but I was assured it's a subtle element. I haven't read a historical fiction novel in awhile so I'm looking forward to this one. This book was released on November 3rd as well.

I have two audio books going right now but I had to take a break from one of them. A LITTLE LIFE by Hanya Yanagihara is a very long book at over 33 hours and it's a gut-wrenching story. I've reached the half-way point and decided to set it aside for just a bit.

The other audio I started last week is by an author with whom I've become quite smitten. Lucy Clarke's THE BLUE is her third novel and though I'm only about 2 hours in, I'm already totally engrossed and connected to the characters. All of Clarke's books have an adventurous aspect to them as they always revolve around the sea. THE BLUE is about a crew of a 50' yacht that is sailing from The Phillipines to New Zealand and the mysterious goings on amongst this group of people who haven't known each other long but each has a story aching to come out. I have grown to love Clarke's beautiful writing and how she is able to draw the locale into the story and make it seem like it is within reach of the reader. She is a lovely writer and is becoming a favorite of mine. I especially liked the Prologue of this book for it's wonderful prose. I even went back and listened to it twice! The narrator, Scarlett Mack, is doing a terrific job, especially with the different dialects of the characters.

I'm also moving forward with Karin Slaughter's Will Trent Series in between all these other books. I'm on Book 5, FALLEN, though I'm only about 25% done. There are seven books so far in the series and I am really missing it. I desperately want to get back to it. Her crime fiction/suspense writing is amazing but for some it's a bit violent. I have her latest, a stand-alone novel called PRETTY GIRLS on audio but I haven't started it yet. Probably won't get to it until January. :(

The other day, I went through my Kindle and took note of all the books I haven't read yet and I was ashamed of myself! I think it's time for me to ban myself from buying anymore books at least for the rest of the year, if not longer. I have some wonderful books that I'd even fortotten about!

So, that's what's going on in my book world. I'm hopeful I'll make a big dent in my reading this week and I can't wait! I'm starting today! First up I need to finish TENACITY and FALLEN. That is my first priority.

Usually I like to cook on Sunday, but I'm taking a break there too. Yesterday I made a recipe my mom makes all the time that is a cheesy, potato casserole. So I'll just be heating that up, adding a veggie and probably put some chicken in the toaster oven to bake. Easy, peasy!

Now I'm off to get comfortable and start reading! I'd also like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Sunday Salon: A Small But Meaningful Milestone

Though I don't post every Sunday in the Salon, I wanted to today for a couple of reasons. One, to update readers on what I've been reading and want to read,  and hopefully get some feedback or opinions. Secondly, I wanted to announce a (small) milestone concerning my blog's Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Girl-Reads/295150096094)

I'll get right to the exciting news first. Several years ago I created a Facebook page for Southern Girl Reads and right away the number of Likes began to rise. Then it kind of plateaued at around 80 and stayed there for a looooong time. Granted, I ran kind of hot and cold with it so I understood the inactivity. But then, about three or four months ago, I started posting to it more and I also began posting more regularly to The Sunday Salon page on FB.and interacting more with other Saloners.  Suddenly, the number of  Like's started moving again! To my surprise and amazement, I have now passed the 500 mark and still counting! With each week I've seen the numbers climb substantially and, in turn, I've seen the readership of my blog increase as well. Though I wish the comments would also grow, at least I do know my blog is being read and that makes me happy. I know that the other members of The Sunday Salon are greatly responsible and I just want to say Thank You! Thank you for recognizing Southern Girl Reads and for clicking that 'Like' button so that others can see what you like. It may seem like a little thing, but I take this to heart and really appreciate the it! Sometimes a spark comes from something little but means so much. That little Like button has given me a spark, and in a way, has re-energized me! So, again, to all of you who have contributed to my 500+ Likes, THANK YOU!

Now, on to what I've been reading lately. I have always been a fan of Mary Kay Andrews' books and have read all of them but last week I noticed one had slippedpast me. LADIES NIGHT came out two years ago but I had lost track of it.  I knew she had a new novel, BEACH TOWN, coming out this month but unfortunately hadn't received a review copy like I had previously. So I sat down the other day to start reading LADIES NIGHT, feeling like a teenage girl that didn't get invited to the cool girl's slumber party.  Well, I am not exaggerating when I tell you that within MINUTES of me starting LADIES NIGHT, I got an email from MKA's publicist wanting to know where to send my copy of BEACH TOWN! You can't tell me someone somewhere wasn't feeling my angst! So, now, I'm reading BEACH TOWN and loving it! It's the little things in life that make me smile and I was definitely smiling that day!  MKA's books are a breeze to read and her sharp wit and Southern locales, great characters and interesting storylines are what keep me coming back. I won't have my review ready for Tuesday's release, but later in the week for sure. I think this is going to be THE beach read of the summer season!

Lucy Clarke has a new book, THE BLUE, coming out later this summer and I've hoping to get a  copy of that one soon. I've been a fan of hers since SWIMMING AT NIGHT., which was her debut novel in March of 2013  She's become an author I always look forward to reading with all of the twists and turns, deep emotional connections and exotic locales.

TINY LITTLE THING by Beatriz Williams has caught my eye and since I've never read any of her books, I'm intrigued.   A LITTLE LIFE by Hanya Yanagihara is one that I'm leaning towards listening to since it's such a big book (700+ pages) and that's the type of book I enjoy in audio form. I started THE GOLDFINCH last year and about a quarter of the way through, I set it aside. So I'm planning to finish it this summer.

Tonight on television is the series finale of MAD MEN, a show I love and will miss greatly. Though I don't want it to end, I think it's probably best for the show rather than to compromising the quality of the stories just to keep it going. I will miss the handsome Don Draper even though he infuriates me so! It's bittersweet but I'll be glued to the TV tonight at ten o'clock.

As for today, I'll be reading early on, then later going to my friend's house to play cards and wish her step- father a Happy 91st Birthday! He's recently moved in with them and I've grown quite fond of him over the years and, I swear, he's going to outlive us all! Hope you all enjoy your Sunday and thanks for stopping by!

Review: Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman

I'll admit that I was ridiculously late in reading Beth's first book, SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT, but once I read, and fell in love with it, I vowed never to put off reading another of Beth Hoffman's books. So imagine how happy I was to be one of the lucky ones to receive an advance copy of LOOKING FOR ME. It was the highlight of my spring!

About the Book:
(No Spoilers Included)


LOOKING FOR ME is the story of a Kentucky family, told by Teddi Overman, the oldest daughter of two hardworking parents and sister to her younger brother, Josh. Teddi Overman knew what she wanted to do with her life as a young girl when she discovered her love of old furniture. She'd find old pieces from just about anywhere, take them home, fix them up and sell them on the side of the road. Much to her mother's dismay, Teddi packed up and moved to Charleston, South Carolina right after high school graduation to work at an antique shop where both her passion and talent grew larger and larger.

Through the years Teddi builds a good life for herself in Charleston and is quite successful but there is a sadness deep within Teddi that never goes away and that same sadness has taken hold of her parents as well. That sadness is the loss of Josh, her younger brother, who disappeared when he was seventeen, never to be heard from again. Though he is presumed dead, Teddi has a hard time accepting it and she can't help feel that her mother blames her for his disappearance. It has caused a deep sore spot between the two.  Teddi feels that if she could just get her mother to talk to her, it might make things better, but it's hard for her to even bring up Josh's name to her mother.

My Thoughts:

I'm not exaggerating when I tell you I fell in love with this book after reading the first chapter. Even the first page! What was glaringly obvious to me was how beautiful the writing was. Beth Hoffman swept me away with her lovely prose and I knew right away I was in for a real treat. When I read this book, I lost myself in it, completely tuning out everything that was going on around me.

Everything about this book was spot on, in my opinion. The storyline, the characters, and also the locations - both the family farm in Kentucky and Teddi's new hometown of Charleston only made this story richer. I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. This is the type of book that I absolutely love. Learning about Josh and his love of wildlife, especially the birds, really touched me and left me with lumps in my throat. It was just a lovely, endearing book that I enjoyed immensely.  Not since Jayne Pupek's amazing TOMATO GIRL have I been so moved by a book. LOOKING FOR ME ranks right up there. This is the highest quality of Southern Fiction.  It was obvious to me that this story came from a deep place and I thought it was amazing. If you are in a book club, you definitely want to add this to your selections list! I can hardly wait to see what Ms. Beth Hoffman will give us in her next book. I'd like to thank Beth for providing me with my advanced copy. I will treasure it always!

 LOOKING FOR ME
Author: Beth Hoffman
Publisher: Pamela Dorman books
Published: May 28, 2013
Length: 368 pp
Source: Author provided review copy
Recommend? ABSOLUTELY!!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This weekly meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and it's where we share the books we've read, reviewed and the books we plan to read in the coming week.

BOOKS I FINISHED:

I finished a couple of books last week, both of which I had been very anxious to read. The first book is DEAD EVER AFTER, the controversial final novel from the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris. The other book I finished was the highly anticipated new novel from Beth Hoffman, LOOKING FOR ME. I'll be posting reviews for both these books this week. 

     

REVIEWS POSTED:

• THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone (Audiobook)
• SWIMMING AT NIGHT by Lucy Clarke
• ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline
• SIX YEARS by Harlan Coben (Audiobook)

BOOKS I'LL BE FOCUSING ON THIS WEEK:

Somehow I've managed to get my nose into three books this week, which I rarely do. I typically try to stick with two at a time, but I couldn't help myself! Here's what I'm reading this week:

• THE FIREBIRD by Susanna Kearsley. This book is being released tomorrow!
• WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY by Wendy Wax, a new-to-me author!
• SPRING FEVER by Mary Kay Andrews, one of my all-time favorite escapist writers! I picked this one up on a whim because I'd been missing her and wanted something fun to read!

I almost forgot, I'm also listening to a couple audios as well. 

• THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver
• BEST KEPT SECRET by Jeffrey Archer (Clifton Chronicles #3)

I'm excited about the books I've listed and I hope you'll come back and check my upcoming reviews! Have a wonderful week in books!

Review: Swimming at Night by Lucy Clarke

After reading the premise of this debut novel, I knew I had to read it and was thrilled when I got the opportunity for a review copy. Lucy Clarke's SWIMMING AT NIGHT struck a chord with me mainly because it is a story of two sisters who are not particularly close, are complete opposites and who have some unresolved issues between them. Personally, I can relate to that.  I have a tumultuous relationship with my own sister so this book really appealed to me on that level.

About the Book:
(No Spoilers)

Katie and Mia have recently lost their mother to cancer and have subsequently moved into a flat together in London. Katie, the oldest sister thought this would be a great idea and a way for them to have a closer relationship. Mia, the free spirit, wasn't so sure, but she reluctantly agreed to the arrangement. When Mia suddenly announces that she is going on an extended around the world trip with her best friend, Finn, Katie is taken aback and she becomes very worried by Mia's strange behavior. Its as if she can't get away from Katie fast enough. Even more troubling is that she rarely hears from Mia while she's gone. Katie's world is rocked when she receives news that her sister has died in Bali. What makes this tragedy even more alarming is that the authorities in Bali believe it was a suicide. But most troubling to Katie is that Mia didn't have Bali on her itinerary. She was supposed to be in Australia.  Katie can't rest until she finds answers to some very big questions so she sets out with Mia's travel journal and re-traces her sister's steps hoping some light will be shed on her sister's mysterious final journey.

My Thoughts:

Lucy Clarke wasted no time getting into this story of family, loyalty and secrets. It starts right away with Kate getting the news of her younger sister's death and the momentum keeps going strong. I felt an instant connection with these sisters and was drawn in immediately. Having a difficult sister relationship of my own made it even more real to me. I liked the way the story was told: alternating between Katie's 'here and now' and then to Mia's own voice as she wrote in her travel journal daily, sharing her innermost thoughts and worries. It was a clever way of bringing the two stories together.

The locales of this book were terrific as well. The book starts out in London, then goes to San Francisco, then on to Hawaii, Australia and finally Bali. The settings were so vividly described and added something extra to the book. I felt like I was right there with them with the sea air blowing around me. I was completely caught up in the story.

What I really liked about this book is that it was much more than a family drama. It was also a mystery on a couple different levels. Mainly, Kate needed to find out how her sister died, and the more she discovered, the more questions were raised. Kate went through a big transition herself as she made her way through this troubling adventure. She also learned a lot about herself and those around her. I enjoyed the journey very much and thought the plotline was original and genuine, like the characters.

I'm very glad I chose to read this novel and equally happy to have been introduced to Lucy Clarke's work. I will be looking out for her books in the future. I'd like to thank Jessica Roth from Simon & Schuster for providing me with my copy of this amazing debut.

SWIMMING AT NIGHT
Author: Lucy Clarke
Publisher: Touchstone Publishing, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster
Published: March 2013
Length: 386 pp
Source: Publisher
Recommend? Absolutely!

Review: SIX YEARS by Harlan Coben (Unabridged Audio Version)

I know it might be hard to imagine, but this is the first Harlan Coben novel I've ever read. When I learned this was a stand alone novel, I felt it would be the perfect segway into his work. Then after listening to a podcast from the NYT and discovering that he writes a lot about disappearances, that got me very curious. They even mentioned that this book was Gone Girl-esque, so of course, I had to give it a try.

About The Book:
(No spoilers included!)

Professor Jake Fisher has lived a quiet, uneventful life on the college campus where he teaches and lives, trying to move past losing the love of his life.  Though he has dated other women, he just can't get Natalie out of his mind or his heart, even though he attended her unexpected wedding to another man six years ago.

Then one day, he spots an obituary notice for the man he watched marry Natalie.  But none of the details match up. He can't stave off his curiosity so he boards a flight to the small South Carolina town and attends the funeral, fully expecting to see Natalie mourning her husband's death. But when he arrives at the church, Natalie is not the woman wearing black and accepting condolences of friends and neighbors. Going to the funeral only adds to the questions Jake has and the more he finds out about the dead man, the more he is convinced something is seriously wrong. He begins to doubt that Natalie was married to this man at all.
The more Jake digs, the more his life is put in danger and the people he questions from his and Natalie's past swear they've never met him before but he will not give up on finding the truth or Natalie.

My Thoughts:

Considering Harlan Coben's success and notoriety, I had pretty high expectations for this book. I liked the angle of a mysterious disappearance.  Jake Fisher seemed liked a pretty decent guy - just your average single college professor. I liked the way the mystery of the deceased husband started immediately so there wasn't a lot of build-up to get to the meat of the story. And the plotline was good, albeit a little convoluted and full of twists and turns. The story is told from Jake's point of view, which makes it seem like the reader is going on the ride with him.  Overall, I liked the story and the pace was good as well. There weren't a lot of characters but they each had a purpose and added to the dynamic of the plot. I can't say the build-up to the  ending was a big surprise but I was satisfied with the outcome.

If I were to rate the story alone, I would probably give it 4 out of 5 stars, however, I chose to listen to the audio version, so I must add that into my review. Honestly, I was disappointed in the performance by Scott Brick. I'd never listened to any of his audios before, though he has been the speaker for many very successful novels, including THE FIRM by Grisham. I even listened to a bit of that to see if it was different and it was. In SIX YEARS, his voice was very low and drawn out and I felt he was over-doing it a bit. Maybe he was trying to add drama to the mystery, but personally, I didn't care for it. So based on that experience it took away from the listening pleasure a little for me. That is why on Goodreads, I gave this novel 3 stars instead of 4. If I had read the printed version, I think I would've liked it better. But at least now I can say that I've finally read a Harlan Coben novel. I would be open to reading another stand alone from him but probably won't get into his series.

Are you a Harlan Coben fan? And if so, have you ever listened to one of his audios? I'd be interested to know your thoughts.

SIX YEARS (Unabridged Audio Version)
Author: Harlan Coben
Audible Pub Date:March 19, 2013
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Lenth: 10 hrs 37 minutes
Source: Purchased with a credit Audible.com

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Happy Monday everyone! This fun, weekly meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. We discuss books we've read and reviewed during the past week and talk about what we are planning to read in the coming week. 

Books I Finished/Reviewed Last Week:

I finished reading a new book by Doug Richardson called BLOOD MONEY. Its a fast-paced crime novel that has a bit of everything: murder; cops; feds; rich Hollywood types with a sense of entitlement; and a odd pairing of cops with totally different work styles. I'll be posting my review in the coming days.

I posted my review of BLACKBERRY WINTER by Sarah Jio. You can find it here. She is an author I am definitely going to be reading a lot more of this year. I have to catch up on her previous two novels, plus she has one coming out on May 28th called THE LAST CAMELLIA and she's currently working on her fifth novel.  

Books I'll Be Focusing On This Week:

My main focus will be on a debut novel that was released last month by Touchstone called SWIMMING AT NIGHT by Lucy Clarke.  It's a gripping story of two sisters from London. Mia is the younger, breezy sister of Katie Greene, the orderly and very pretty older sister. Shortly after Mia left with her friend, Finn to travel the world, Katie received the devastating news that Mia committed suicide in Bali. The trouble was that Mia wasn't even supposed to be in Bali. According to her itinerary, she was to be in Australia. Katie refuses to believe that her sister has taken her own life and sets out to find the truth behind her sister's death. I've only just begun reading but already I am getting drawn into the story. I think I like where this  one is going.so far.

I didn't spend much time on my audio, SIX YEARS by Harlen Coben, last week, so I'll definitely be working on that as well. I've already chosen my next audio and it will be THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone. As you know, this book got a lot of buzz when it first came out and I've heard the audio version is very good.

Upcoming Reviews:

• THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary (Audio)
• SHINE, SHINE, SHINE by Lydia Netzer (Audio)
• BLOOD MONEY by Doug Richardson

Friday Finds: Denial and Crime Fiction

Friday Finds is a great way to share books you've discovered this week whether it be by cruising the blogs, magazines or a book shop. I discovered my Finds while visiting blogs this week. The books couldn't be any more different from each other but they both stood out to me. Here's what I found:

THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary

I saw this book first on Book Fan's blog where she reviewed the audio version on Tuesday.You can read her review here. One of the other reviews that stood out for me was over at Book Mama's blog. You can read her review here. The reason this book has captured my attention is the main character, Hildy Good, a successful real estate broker battling alcoholism. She really stood out to me because of her realness and the believability of her story. I was so taken by this book's description and by Mary's review of the audio that I used one of my monthly credits at Audible.com and purchased it for myself.

BLOOD MONEY by Doug Richardson

I discovered this author/book while visiting Fiction Books' blog yesterday. I also visited Doug Richardson's website and was surprised to see how many books he's published. I am always looking for new crime fiction reads but many times when I read the synopsis I am turned off by over-complicated and confusing storylines and excessive characters. But in her blog post, Yvonne laid the story out beautifully and also included a bit about the Mr. Richardson's impressive career as a screenwriter. Honestly, I don't know how I've missed this author! I'm very anxious to get my hands on BLOOD MONEY, his new release set to come out in the Spring. This story is centers around a small town sheriffs detective's quest to track down the ex-Marine who shot down and killed his brother. This suspect has left a trail of death from Nevada to Los Angeles and the detective looks for help in the form of an LAPD detective who is not thrilled to have to 'babysit' the small town cop. It sounds thrilling and I am very much looking forward to diving in. One last thing I like about this book is the cover. I think it's a great cover that gives just enough hints to what's inside.

There are more Friday Finds over at Should Be Reading, so stop over there and see what other book lovers have discovered this week.

Its Monday! What Are You Reading?

Happy Monday everyone! This weekly meme is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books.  We discuss what books we've read and what we're planning to read during the week ahead.

Books I read and talked about last week:

Last Tuesday I celebrated the release of Julie Kibler's debut novel, CALLING ME HOME. Its a moving story and I recommend it highly.

I finished reading Sarah Jio's latest novel, BLACKBERRY WINTER. 

I posted my review of THE RIVER WITCH by Kimberly Brock. If you enjoy a little goth in your southern fiction, I'm positive you'd love this novel. You can read my review here.

Books I'll be focusing on this week:

I'll be reading, and hopefully finishing, THE SILENCE OF BONAVENTURE ARROW by Rita Leganski. I'd planned to make a big dent in it last week, but I couldn't keep my nose out of BLACKBERRY WINTER. Anyway, I've heard some really great things about this book and though I'm not far into the story, I am already in love with the locale and the premise. I'm excited to give it my undivided attention. 

In yesterday's mail I was thrilled to find Beth Hoffman's latest, LOOKING FOR ME. As a late-comer to SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT, I've vowed I won't make that mistake again. 

Reviews I'll be posting include THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky, which I am a week late in posting. I'll also have my review for BLACKBERRY WINTER. 

I'm really looking forward to a great week in books and I hope your week is filled with great books as well. Thanks for stopping by!

Review: The Storm at the Door by Stefan Merrill Block (TLC Book Tour)

The past is not past for Katharine Merrill. Even after two decades of volatile marriage, Katharine still believes she can have the life that she felt promised to her by those first exhilarating days with her husband, Frederick. For two months, just before Frederick left to fight in World War II, Katharine received his total attentiveness, his limitless charms, his astonishing range of intellect and wit. Over the years, however, as Frederick’s behavior and moods have darkened, Katharine has covered for him, trying to rein in his great manic passions and bridge his deep wells of sadness: an unending project of keeping up appearances and hoping for the best. But the project is failing. Increasingly, Frederick’s erratic behavior, amplified by alcohol, distresses Katharine and their four daughters and gives his friends and family cause to worry for his sanity. When, in the summer of 1962, a cocktail party ends with her husband in handcuffs, Katharine makes a fateful decision: She commits Frederick to Mayflower Home, America’s most revered mental asylum.

There, on the grounds of the opulent hospital populated by great poets, intellectuals, and madmen, Frederick tries to transform his incarceration into a creative exercise, to take each meaningless passing moment and find the art within it. But as he lies on his room’s single mattress, Frederick wonders how he ever managed to be all that he once was: a father, a husband, a business executive. Under the faltering guidance of a self-obsessed psychiatrist, Frederick and his fellow patients must try to navigate their way through a gray zone of depression, addiction, and insanity.

Meanwhile, as she struggles to raise four young daughters, Katharine tries to find her way back to Frederick through her own ambiguities, delusions, and the damages done by her rose-colored belief in a life she no longer lives.

Inspired by elements of the lives of the author’s grandparents, this haunting love story shifts through time and reaches across generations. Along the way, Stefan Merrill Block stunningly illuminates an age-old truth: even if one’s daily life appears ordinary, one can still wage a silent, secret, extraordinary war. ~ from Amazon


My Thoughts:


There are a lot of words that have been used to describe this unique book based on the lives of the author's grandparents: lucid, heart-wrenching, passionate, fascinating.  I would have to agree that all of those words aptly describe this book. It's also been described as a 'beautiful love story', but I have to admit I do not see it as such. Granted, I do not read a lot of books in the romance genre, but this, to me, is not what I consider a love story.


I honestly did not know what to expect before I started reading THE STORM AT THE DOOR. I knew the foundation for the story, but I had no idea where Stefan Merrill Block was going to take me. As I started reading, I was looking forward to getting to know the characters and connect with them. However, I was disappointed when half-way through the book, I still hadn't developed an emotional connection with either Katherine or Frederick. I had compassion for both of them on a general level but not the deep connection I was anticipating.


I believe that one reason I lacked a connection was the sterile, almost clinical writing of the author, in my opinion. The chapters alternate between Katherine and Frederick's viewpoints yet I didn't feel passion coming from either person. 


That being said, the second half of the book garnered more interest from me than the first and I began to get immersed in the story, especially Frederick's experiences in the asylum and the repercussions he endured due to information he discovered about Dr. Cannon, who was in charge of the hospital.  


Stefan Merrill Block shares a difficult story focusing on his grandfather's mental illness and the subsequent journey his family endured during those years in the 1960's. He brings to light that in those days people suffering from Bipolar Disorder often went untreated or were simply labeled 'mentally ill'. Late in the book, Block even reveals some similarities between himself  and his grandfather.  


THE STORM AT THE DOOR is a troubling look at one man's life as he dealt with mental illness and the constant guilt and doubt that it brought to his wife after committing him to a hospital for the insane.  Instead of bringing her some measure of relief that Frederick was getting the help he needed, it made her question her decision and even the life she thought she had with her husband. 


I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours and Stefan Merrill Block for including me in this tour. Please visit TLC's website for other stops on the tour.  THE STORM AT THE DOOR will be released  June 21st from Random House. 




THE STORM AT THE DOOR
Author: Stefan Merrill Block
Publisher: Random House
Published: June 21, 2011
Pages: 368
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Source: TLC Book Tours

Mailbox Monday

I haven't participated in Mailbox Mondays for awhile because, frankly, I don't receive as many books each week as some of you do, but this week I'm happy to say I have three to share! There have also been some changes at Mailbox Monday! This month I'm Booking It is hosting. For a complete list of Mailbox Monday Blog Tour Stops for 2011, visit Mailbox Monday.

Here are the books I've added this week:

• THE TRINITY SIX by Charles Cumming -

There's been some great things said about this exciting espionage thriller from Cumming. I don't normally read books of this type, but I'm going out of my comfort zone and really looking forward to the change in genre. Click here for more about the book. Thanks to St. Martins Press for sending my review copy.

• BLOOD OF MY BROTHER by James LePore -

This is the second book from LePore that I now have but I have yet to read either of them. It sounds fascinating and I think I'll like it, but once again, its a bit out of my genre comfort zone. I'd like to thank Goodreads First Reads for sending me this copy.

• 61 HOURS by Lee Child -

This is a week of firsts for me and it is also true with this book. My birthday was last week and I decided to treat myself to a new-to-me author. That's right! I've never read anything by Lee Child! I know the Jack Reacher series has been out for a long time, but I've heard so much about this book and my Aunt just finished it and loved it so I thought I'd try it. I've always wanted to read Lee Child's work and I think this is a good place to start. The story sounds exciting!

Thanks for stopping by today and allowing me to share my new books with you. For more Mailbox Mondays, please visit I'm Booking It. Have a great reading week!

Friday Finds: A Couple of Mysteries

Friday Finds is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading where we share books that we've discovered during the week. They can be old or new, it doesn't matter! Its a great way to pass the word around about new-to-you books.

My Friday Finds:

• THREE SECONDS by Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom

This crime fiction novel written by two Swedish authors has gotten rave reviews and has put them in the same category as Stieg Larsson. This book was named Sweden's Best Crime Novel of the Year in 2009. This English version was just released this week. You can read a brief synopisi here on Amazon.

• IF WALLS COULD TALK: A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery by Juliet Blackwell

This book was released last month to positive reviews and it sounds to me like a promising new mystery series. It has some paranormal elements in the form of a ghost of a murdered collegue but it doesn't sound like it's too over the top. I like a little paranormal with my mysteries - how 'bout you? I think it sounds like a fun series to try. You can read the synopsis here on Amazon. If you're a Kindle user, ou can download it for only $5.99, which is a great deal!

Those are my finds for the week What books did you discover in your travels this week? Be sure to visit Should Be Reading for more finds and to play along! Have a great Friday!

Goodbye 2009 - Hello 2010

So we've come to the end of another year already. Where does the time go? Before I get into this post, I would like to apologize for being so out of touch lately on my blog. And I'd like to thank those of you who left me comments and messages in the time I've been absent. I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. The entire month of December has been a complete blur to me. I've had some things going on that have taken my time away from not only my daily postings but also from my books. Things are beginning to slow down a bit now and I will be getting back to my normal routine next week, just in time for the new year. Again, thank you to all of you who have kept up with me over these last several weeks.

This past year has been one that has broadened my reading horizons. Last January I mentioned that I wanted to read more mysteries and discover new mystery writers and I have done just that. I've really enjoyed the mysteries that I've read and I have so many more that I've added to my TBR pile. There are so many great mystery series out there!

Probably the biggest change in my reading this year is that I've delved into a genre that I had never considered before and I'm so glad I did. I finally took the big jump into the world of vampires. I've only just begun to explore their world, but so far I'm really enjoying it. Being a southerner, I decided to start out with Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Sookie and all of her interesting friends. These books have opened my eyes to a whole new world and I find it completely entertaining. I'm hoping to read the Twilight books this year as well.

With this new year, I'm looking forward to continuing my discovery of debut authors as well as reacquainting myself with some writers that I've gotten away from. John Grisham's recently released FORD COUNTY and Pat Conroy's SOUTH OF BROAD are just two that come to mind. I haven't read either of those authors in many years and their new releases have me intrigued.

I hope the coming year brings many wonderful books to all of you as well. I look forward to sharing my love of books and visiting you on your blogs. Happy New Year everyone!

Friday Finds 6.26.9

What great books did you discover this week? Friday Finds is hosted weekly by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Here's what I found this week:

• THE BIG STEAL by Emyl Jenkins - This is the second book in the Sterling Glass Mystery Series, the first being STEALING WITH STYLE. After reading Carrie's review at Reading To Know, I was hooked. You can read her review here. This new addition to the series is set to be released in July.
• BACK CREEK by Leslie Goetsch - This debut novel takes place in a fictiional small Virginia town and the writing of Leslie Goetsch has been compared to the early works of Pat Conroy. Publishers Weekly calls it 'an accomplished and impressive debut'. I discovered this book while visiting Staci's blog, Life In The Thumb. She wrote a great review [here] and is hosting a giveaway of this very intriguing book. The deadline is June 27, so be sure to stop by for your chance to win.

Did any books grab your attention this week?

Friday Finds 6.12.9

Friday Finds is a weekly event hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading where we talk about books we became acquainted with during the week. It's fun to share new finds with other book lovers even though it means your TBR pile will likely never go down!

My finds for this week are . . .

I did some catching up on my blog reading this week and while visiting Bermudaonions blog I found two very interesting titles. One is a thriller by George Pelecanos called THE TURNAROUND. I'm a newbie to his novels but I think this one could turn me into a fan! Read Kathy's review here.

She also posted a wonderful interview with actor(Deadwood)/author James Beaver about his new book LIFE'S THAT WAY. It's a collection of emails he wrote during a period of grief and loss in his life. This book really has me intrigued. You can read the interview here.

Over at Bookfan-Mary I came across her review of a book called APRIL & OLIVER a debut novel by Tess Callahan. She says it was a real page turner for her. She also said -

" . . . April & Oliver pulled me in little by little until I couldn't put the book down. I found my jaw clenched in the tense mood until I noticed it relaxing near the end of the book."

OK, I'm in! I love jaw-clenc

hing books!! You can read her full

review here. So there you have it - my favorite finds for the week. What books did you find in your travels this week?

The Last Child by John Hart

THE LAST CHILD is the story of 13 year-old Johnny Merrimon who is still trying to deal with the abduction, a year earlier, of his twin sister.  Since Alyssa’s disappearance, the life that Johnny had known is nothing but a distant memory.  As if it weren’t hard enough to lose his sister, the tragedy also proved to be too much for his parents.  His father walked out and his mother retreated into herself, not able to function and leaving only a shell of the woman she used to be.  

Johnny and his mother aren’t the only ones who are tortured by Alyssa’s disappearance. Detective Clyde Hunt, the lead investigator on her case hasn’t been able to let go either.  With little to go on and no hard evidence, Detective Hunt has allowed the case to take over his personal life and has cast a shadow of doubt on his professional career. His wife has left him, his son hates him and he’s always being scrutinized by his superiors at work.

Feeling that everyone has given up, Johnny vows that he will not stop until he either finds Alyssa or someone who knows what happened.  With his mom out of it most of the time, he is left unsupervised and spends much of his time scouring for information on known pedophiles hoping to find some answers. Detective Hunt keeps a distant watch over Johnny, partly out of guilt and partly out of genuine admiration for the boy. When another girl goes missing, Johnny is in the middle of it, which makes him more determined than ever to keep looking for answers. Even when those answers point to the most unlikely people. 

John Hart weaves a very realistic tale of mystery and suspense that I really enjoyed.  This story has a very compelling plot and constantly leaves you asking questions.  Just when you think you may have something figured out, something or someone else enters the picture and the questions begin again. I found that the more I read, the faster the pages were turning. 

I love when a story unfolds without predictability and that is what John Hart has accomplished here.  There’s more to this story than a simple abduction and the subsequent crumbling of a family. It’s also more than just a cop feeling guilty over a lost child. Even the title of the book has deeper meaning than what it appears.  Hart reveals all of it masterfully.

At first I did think Johnny’s ventures into the dangerous world of pedophilia were stretched a bit, but I quickly changed my thinking.  If I was a resourceful, determined boy, as Johnny is, and was left to fend for myself, and wanted answers as badly as he does, there’s no doubt I would do what I felt I had to do.  It’s common knowledge that we all think we’re invincible when we’re young. 

THE LAST CHILD is the first John Hart novel I’ve read, even though I do own DOWN RIVER, for which he won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2008. I don’t know why I have put off reading DOWN RIVER, but I am looking forward to it even more now and have moved it to the top of my TBR pile. 

THE LAST CHILD

Author: John Hart

Website: www.johnhartfiction.com

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Published: May 12, 2009

Pages:  384

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

  

Review - True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Winona Grey was fifteen years old in 1979 when her mother died of cancer.  She was the oldest of three daughters living on the family ranch, Waters Edge, in a small coastal town in Washington State with their hard-nosed father.  Being the oldest, Winona felt like she needed to be the strong one for her sisters, Aurora and Vivi Ann. Being a Grey came with a lot of responsibility and family tradition and if the girls ever started to forget, their father was quick to remind them.  Oyster Shores was a small community and the Grey name was a big part of the town’s heritage. 

Through the years, as hard as Winona tried to win her father’s approval, she never achieved it.  Her father lived and breathed the ranch that was in their family for generations, but as much as Winona tried to find a place where she ‘fit’ on the ranch, it just wasn’t her niche.  She grew up to become an attorney and had a successful practice but she still longed for her father’s praise.

 

Her middle sister, Aurora, was the peacemaker of the family, and was married to a physician and had two children and a seemingly perfect life.  But it was Vivi Ann, the youngest and most beautiful that had always been the light of their father’s eye. She knew the ranch and worked it as hard as her father did.  Like their mother, she was a skilled horsewoman and had an easy, gentle way with them. 

There had always been an unspoken jealousy between Winona and Vivi Ann and it only got worse when an old friend of Winona’s moved back to town.  Luke was the standard to which Winona measured all men. She had been secretly in love with him since high school but Vivi Ann was too young back then to remember.  Now, with Luke back, Winona was filled with new hope.

But when Winona hires a drifter named Dallas Raintree as a ranch hand, no one could foresee how life would change at Waters Edge. The strain between two sisters becomes unbearable, their father is openly prejudice against Dallas’s Indian heritage and as much as Vivi Ann tries to ignore it, there is an undeniable attraction between them. To complicate things further, choices are made and loyalties are tested to their limits when a local woman is murdered and Dallas is the only suspect the police are interested in.  

In TRUE COLORS, Kristin Hannah takes us on a journey through one family’s most difficult life choices.  Choices that will forever change how they look at one another and the repercussions of those choices.  

This was my first Kristin Hannah novel and I was thoroughly engrossed from the beginning.  For me, I felt an instant connection to the Grey sisters. I’m the same age as Winona, I grew up showing quarter horses, going to shows and cuttings on weekends with my family  and I have a sister, although she’s older than me,  that was my dad’s right hand and always a step ahead of me concerning the horses. I felt I was always in her shadow, so I can relate strongly to these characters in many ways.  

I liked the story itself, even as heart wrenching as it was sometimes.  Part of me though, feels it was a bit long. That said, I never got bored with it, I just felt the same outcome could have been achieved with a few less pages. Obviously with the connection I felt to them, the characters were very believable to me, which made the story all the better. 

My least favorite character was their father, who had a smaller role, but was consistent in his unpleasant behavior throughout.  I don’t think I have a favorite character, but Vivi Ann would probably be the closest.  At times, I thought Winona was so blinded by jealousy that she brought a lot of things on herself.  And other times she came across so arrogant, I didn’t like her at all.  Thinking back, maybe that’s exactly the way Ms. Hannah wanted her to be perceived.  She didn’t hide Winona’s flaws and that made her even more real. 

What I took away from the story is that if you’re going to make serious choices that affect your family, you better be sure you make them for the right reasons.  You may not always get a second chance to make things right. 

TRUE COLORS is Kristin Hannah’s seventeenth novel.  You can visit her website at www.kristinhannah.com 

TRUE COLORS

Kristin Hannah

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Published:  February 2009

Pages: 400

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Saints In Limbo by River Jordan Released Today!

One of the most interestingly different novels I've read in a long time is this new release by River Jordan.  Taking place in a sleepy southern town in the Florida panhandle, it tells the story of people living with regret and how they deal with it and so much more.

Here's a bit about the book from the author's website:

Ever since her husband, Joe, died, Velma True's world has been limited to what she can see while clinging to one of the multicolored threads tied to the porch railing of her rural home outside Echo, Florida.

Then one day a stranger appears at her door. Without knowing why, the agoraphobic widow welcomes him into her kitchen for coffee while she tells him stories of how life used to be, before her purposes were "all dried up." Just before disappearing as suddenly as he came, the man presents Velma with a special gift, one that allows her to literally step back into the past through her own memories to a place where Joe still lives and the beginning is closer than the end.

While Velma is consumed with the man's gift, her son Rudy is also being presented with a challenge to his self-centered, complacent lifestyle. And a teenage girl winds her way to Echo, determined to unravel the mysteries her dead mother left behind. As secrets old and new come to light, Velma finds herself unmoored from the fears of the past and feeling her way toward freedom.

I really didn't know what to expect from this novel, but as soon as I started reading I found myself intrigued by Velma and the ocurrences that happen as a result of the gift she is given by a stranger. You can feel the lonliness she lives with since the death of her husband and immediately get the sense that there are things in her past that still need to be faced. 

Along with Velma, we also meet her son, Rudy, who has quite a reputation in their small community.  It's many people's opinion that Rudy hasn't lived up to the potential his life could have been and we watch as Rudy comes to that realization as well. 

We also meet Annie, a young girl making her way to Echo, Florida, to find answers to questions she has about her life.  Annie has a feeling she's being followed to Echo, and when she finally arrives, it becomes obvious that she is being followed by someone - or is it something?

I really liked this story. It didn't take long for me to develop a compassion for Velma for the loss of her husband and the fact that she was afraid of so many things. The book also has several supporting characters that are likeable and interesting as well.  It becomes clear that the three protagonists are all on a road of discovery that ultimately lead to each other. 

This is a very interesting book that has some mystical elements mixed in that make it a unique story of faith and the power of one's mind over regret. It was described to me by the author's publicist as Christian Fiction, but the godly elements are subtle and does not overpower the story at all.

River Jordan is a southern writer with a knack for lyrical prose that keeps the pages turning fluidly while the story unfiolds.  You can visit her website to learn more about her and the other books she's written. 

SAINTS IN LIMBO

Author: River Jordan

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Published: May 5, 2009

Pages: 352

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (I really liked it!)

Teaser Tuesday: The Last Bridge

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for a teaser!  You know the rules, right? You grab the book you're reading, let it fall open to a random page and pick out a couple teaser sentences to share.  And be sure not to include any spoilers!  

My teaser is from Teri Coyne's THE LAST BRIDGE. Technically, I finished it yesterday, but I still wanted to use it today.  Here goes . . . 

In spite of the cold, the window was open, no doubt at my father's request in one of his lucid moments.  My father needed cold like a vampire needs blood.  ~ page 190

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted weekly by MizB at Should Be Reading. Stop by to check out more teasers!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading This Week?

Each week J. Kaye wants to know What are you reading this week? 

Today I'll be finishing Teri Coyne's THE LAST BRIDGE, an Early Review copy from Library Thing. What a quick read it has turned out to be! And very intense.

Next I'll be reading THE LAST CHILD by John Hart.  It has a release date of May 12th and sounds like a good mystery.  I'll also be reading BEACH TRIP by Cathy Holton as part of an upcoming blog tour with TLC Book Tours. 

Last week was not a great reading week for me with it being my first week as a 'layed off' employee.  I was busy cleaning out my office (it's amazing how much stuff you accumulate in nine years!!) and helping my former boss get familiar with all the 'how-to's" of my job.  I also attended a funeral of a friend, which didn't exactly put me in a reading mood.  I'm hoping this will be a much more productive week. 

I did manage to read TRUE COLORS by Kristin Hannah last week and I'll be posting that review in the next day or so.  Also, be sure to stop by on the 19th for my review of SAINTS IN LIMBO by River Jordan.  If you're looking for something different to read, you'll want to check that one out. 

So that's my plan. What are your reading this week?