Week In Review - July 31, 2015

Stones on a Grave by Kathy Kacer
Pub. Date - September 29, 2015
4 stars



This book is part of an interesting series idea.  Seven older girls are left homeless after a fire burns down the orphanage.  Each book follows a different girl, written by a different author, thus guaranteeing each girl has her own distinct voice.  This book follows Sara, the oldest of the seven, who finds out that her mother was a German Jew who didn't survive the Holocaust.  Sara uses the little money that she has saved to travel to Germany and unlock her origins.  That back of this book states that this is Young Adult for 12+ and I think that is an accurate age assignation. It is simply written which makes the dark content more appropriate for the younger end of the teen spectrum.  I thought this was a really interesting book and I like the idea and execution of this series.  I received this book from a LibraryThing giveaway.


The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries
Pub. Date - July 21, 2015
3.5 stars



Jeremy Keane is a promising artist who finds the perfect muse in Lady Yvette.  Yvette is a smart woman whose past romantic disaster has made her very hesitant towards rogues like Jeremy.  I found Jeremy to be a very interesting hero.  His artistic talent and dislike of business adds a sensitive side not much seen in historical romances.  I liked both characters but I didn't feel that there was as much relationship/chemistry build-up that I like to see.  Overall, it was entertaining and I enjoyed reading this book.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Wrap-Up- July 27, 2015

Smoke on the Water by Lori Handeland
Pub. Date - August 4, 2015
4 stars



In the conclusion to the Sisters of the Craft series, Willow is the third of the triplet witches sent forward in time by their Scottish parents.  I have enjoyed reading this series over the summer and I think this may be my favorite of the three.  Willow has visions every time that she looks into water.  It has given her glimpses of her future but has also put her in a mental facility.  She is trying to keep the visions secret until she can get out of the facility, but when a man from her visions turns out to be her new doctor she has a hard time keeping her magic under control.  The tension between Willow and Sebastian is intense and the fact that he is her psychiatrist makes it scandalous.  I loved the quirky friendship between Willow and Mary and the relationship it is nice to see a happy conclusion to this series.  I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Under Water - July 24, 2015

The Gracekeepers by Kristy Logan
4 stars



In a future world where water covers almost all of the land, a woman lives alone in the middle of the sea performing under water burials and a circus travels around from island to island performing gender bending subversive acts.  This novel is written in a hauntingly beautiful way with a fantastical, yet also realistically imminent, dystopian setting. The story of how the earth ended up this way is only slowly revealed which helps move this story along.  I liked how the mechanics of this future world are revealed through alternating perspectives but that did make it a bit harder to connect to the two central characters of Callanish and North.  Overall, I enjoyed thoroughly enjoyed reading this exquisitely written book.  I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Romance Through the Ages - July 22, 2015

The Other Daughter by
Pub. Date - July 21, 2015
4 stars


I didn't really know anything about this book going into it... and then ended up reading it in one day.  Rachel grew up alone with her mother in a small English village having lost her botanist father years ago.  Now a governess in France, she is pulled away by a telegram professing that her mother is very ill.  She returns home to find her mother already buried and a longtime secret about her father's real identity.  What follows is an interesting romp through post World War I England high society and the secrets and rules it encompasses.  I really like Rachel as she struggles with who she was brought up to be and who she becomes with fancy clothes and a nice flat.  The dialogue is witty and the descriptions of society life feel authentic.  I enjoyed the romance aspect of the novel but would have liked to see even  more interaction between the two characters as it would have made the ending even more satisfying.  I really enjoyed this reading experience and now plan on exploring more of this author's work.  I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Pub. Date - August 18, 2015
3 stars



I went into this book without reading the first in the series and while it wasn't exactly needed, it might have made me more attached to these characters and their lives.  Tim is a seventeen year old recovering alcoholic with family issues and defense mechanism that likes to make light of all situations.  Alice is older and as the oldest girl of nine kids, feels a lot of responsibility towards her family.  I thought this was an entertaining book but dull at times and I thought some of the plot a bit unbelievable.  I can see how fans of the series would be charmed by this book because it is a sweet story but without reading the prior book, this did not quite hold up for me.  However, it was entertaining and I definitely did not have trouble finishing it.  I received this from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Wrap-Up - July 20, 2015

Next Species: The Future of Evolution in the Aftermath of Man by Michael Tennesen
4 stars



This book took me forever to read... mainly because it is just too ridiculously depressing.  I know there are probably lots of books that cover the fact that humanity is on borrowed time, but I really can't compare the research so I will just focus on what this book covers.  Tennesen spends a lot of space covering past extinctions and what the world looked like before humans.  Fish and birds that were here as recent as one hundred years ago are now no longer in abundance.  Food chains have been disrupted which damages an environment that is already being damaged by pollution.  He then discusses how animals have evolved and the future evolution of animals after the extinction of the human race.  The smallest section discusses the future of the human race and the possibility of an evolved human species.  This is all fascinating and I thought the research was well organized and relatively easy to understand.  It's not necessarily the best news but it does provide a lot of information to think about.  I received this EGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Pirate Hunters: The Search for the Lost Treasure Ship of a Great Buccaneer by Robert Kurson
4.5 Stars



I found this to be an exciting, fast paced and extremely interesting book concerning two veteran treasure hunters' expedition to find a rare sunken pirate ship off the coast of the Dominican Republic.  The pirate in question, Joseph Bannister, is as interesting a character as the divers themselves and book is engrossing and hard to put down.  I did think that the ending was rushed but in this case the journey proves to be much more exciting than the discovery.  I received this book in a LibraryThing giveaway..

Romance Reads - July 18, 2015

The Earl Claims a Bride by Amelia Grey
Pub. Date - August 4, 2015
4 stars



Harrison Thornwick is forced to give up his carousing ways when he discovers he is the new Earl.  Reeling from his brother and young nephew's death, he has thrown himself into work on his fire damaged new home when he receives word from the Prince that he has to marry and the Prince has just the woman in mind.  Amelia Rule is a fiery artist entering into her first season already in love with an military man and a plan for avoiding marriage to the arrogant Earl.  The two characters have great chemistry and kind hearts.  The Earl is just enough arrogant and charming.  The lady has just enough fiery independence.  There are obstacles to their relationship but nothing too melodramatic.  I enjoyed this historical romance and liked even more than the first in the series, which I also liked.  I received this EGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Wednesday Wrap-Up - July 15, 2015

Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly
Pub. Date - August 4, 2015
3 stars



I have mixed feelings about this book because while it is cute, funny and filled with great dialogue it also includes disappointingly flat characters and a surprisingly convoluted plot.  Zoe moves to a new town with her newly divorced mom and has to start over at a clique-y high school.  She meets Zigby right away and is immediately pulled into his trouble-making ways.  He is trying to find a missing teenager hoping that it provides leads to the case of him missing sister.  This could have all been so interesting but instead it tries too hard for quirky and loses some its potential in the process.  So, although I did find it entertaining and easy to read, I was left wishing there was a bit more depth to the story.  I received this book from Penguin's First to Read program in exchange for an honest review. 


Danger Wears White by Lynne Connolly
3.5 Stars



This is the second book in Lynne Connolly's The Emperors of London series that I have read and this one is definitely the better.  Imogen is running her family's estate by herself while trying to reign in her mother's spending and matchmaking.  While out for a ride she finds an injured man wearing the white ribbon of a Jacobite.  Due to her family's past, she is forced to hide him while he heals.  I like the unique historical details that are in Lynne Connolly's books and this one is especially interesting.  Imogen is a strong and intelligent heroine and I found Tony's story interesting.  I did not like how they immediately fell for each other, especially hard to believe since Tony was unconscious for a lot of their first meetings.  Once I got past this, though, I did enjoy the story and found their chemistry believable.  I received an E-Galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Women Past and Present - July 13, 2015

The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy
4 stars



Eden and her husband, Jack, have been trying to have a baby for years.  The countless fertility treatments, holistic approaches and multiple failures has left Eden completely stressed out and their marriage in shambles.  The latest move to an old house in a small town was meant to provide a quiet and stress-free environment for them to conceive but it hasn't worked.  In a last ditch effort to cheer up his wife, Jack brings home a dog and this simple gesture begins an unexpected chapter of Eden's life and unearths a hidden history of the house.  This book alternates between Eden's perspective and that of Sarah Brown, daughter of abolitionist John Brown.  Sarah has been left barren after illness and is left to deal with this knowledge as she falls in love with a family friend.  This is a fascinating look at the lives of women now as opposed to those during the years of the civil war.  Unfortunately, Eden comes out looking neurotic and somewhat selfish when compared to Sarah's bravery and common sense but in the end they both come to terms with their childless life and learn to take love where it is offered. I looked forward to both narratives equally and enjoyed all of the secondary characters.  While Eden is at times grating, especially toward her husband, I found that I did mostly sympathize with her plight.  I found this book to be very well-written and enjoyed reading about this time in history.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Friday Romance Reads - July 10, 2015

Her Stand-In Boyfriend by
Pub. Date - July 28, 2015
3 stars



This novella has one of my favorite romance story lines, the best friends.  Mac and Lexie have been friends since college but have always dated other people.  One fateful night their relationship changes and they have to figure out where to go next.  This was entertaining and I love how both characters had successful careers that they seemed to care about.  It did bother me how Lexie is so completely oblivious and also the dialogue is really bad at times.  However, it is a sweet story and provided me with an entertaining couple of hours.  I received an E-Galley of this novella from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin
Pub. Date - July 10, 2015
3.5 stars



Milly works as a castle historian and has an obsession with Disney fairytales.  Cameron just happens to own a fairytale castle and needs a historian to appraise it.  What follows is a sweet, romantic novel about two people with trust issues falling quickly in love.  The characters are really great with complicated pasts and great chemistry.  I actually think they had enough issues to deal with without the nemesis.  Yes, like all fairytales, this one contains an evil saboteur and I cringed and almost stopped reading when she was introduced.  I didn't think this was a necessary part of the story and just added unnecessary conflict.  I did, however,  keep reading and found this book very likable overall.  I received an E-Galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rainy Day Reading - July 8, 2015

The Shore by Sara Taylor
4.5 stars




The Shore comprises of several islands in the Chesapeake Bay.  Generations of family live and die there while battling poverty, abuse and changing commerce.  This book contains stories dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the year 2143.  The stories are all interconnected by people related in different ways.  The family connections are sometimes complicated and at some point I just gave up trying to keep track and just enjoyed the glimpse into these lives.  I really enjoyed this book.   Not only are the descriptions of the islands stunning but the intricate stories of these characters are completely compelling.  It is sad and weird and there were moments that I thought the writing was pure genius.  I will say that I looked forward to the last chapter the most, to find out what ends up happening to the Shore, but ended up being a bit disappointed.  Otherwise though, this may end up being one of my favorite books of the year.  I received an E-Galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Lady Scandal by Wendy LaCapra
Pub. Date - July 14, 2015
4 stars



I enjoyed this historical romance which had a brave, spunky heroine and a hero not afraid to admit mistakes and change his ways.  Lord Randolph served under Lady Sophia's father, a ruthless spy, and after his death has agreed to look after his daughter.  The backstory to this book is surprisingly complicated and while I eventually caught on, I would recommend that readers start with the first book in this series.  This book has a lot of action and adventure and very steamy romance and I CAN'T WAIT to read the third in the series about the Duchess Thea.  I received an E-Galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Holiday Reading - July 6, 2015

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
5 stars



I love Kate Atkinson's witty and insightful writing.  This novel is a companion novel to her book Life After Life and while written in a different style, it is similar in tone.  Teddy was everyone's favorite Todd child growing up.  Sweet and precocious, he was an adventurous nature lover.  He was lost in a boring bank job with his father when World War II begins and he becomes a bomber where the life expectancy is very low.  I loved that the characters fates were slowly unlocked as Teddy, his daughter Viola, and other family member's memories were explored.  I especially liked how this book interwoven with Life After Life.   I can see how this book may not appeal to everyone but after reading these two books, I am ready to delve into everything Atkinson has ever written.  I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in a giveaway. 

Friday Reads - July 3, 2015

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Pub. Date - June 23, 2015
4 stars



A man, Jean Perdu, owns a barge full of books in Paris and makes his living prescribing books to heal various emotional ills.  This book is so chock full of wonderful statements on reading and books that I highlighted about one third of it.  It is also about love and grief, friendship, starting over and the passage of time.  This book is slow and meditative and beautifully written.  I did find Jean's romance with Manon a little unbelievable, especially since he basically shut down for the twenty years following its demise, but really I found so much more to enjoy about this book and I recommend it to all fellow booklovers.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Poetry and Music - July 1, 2015

Miss Emily by Nuala O'Connor
Pub. Date - July 14, 2015
4 stars



This novel follows two narrators, Emily Dickinson and her maid, Ada.  At this point in history, Emily is a fortyish spinster who lives with her parents and her younger sister.  She is becoming increasingly isolated, to the point of agoraphobia, and relies on her writing and her interactions with Ada and her best friend Susan to sustain her socially.  This book is short with short chapters but it is beautifully written and gives a fascinating snapshot of Emily Dickinson's life at the time.  It is also interesting to have Ada's perspective and as her life takes tragic turns it demonstrates the difference between the two women even as they fully support each other.  I really enjoyed the writing and the subtleness of this book.  I received an electronic copy of this book from Penguin's First to Read program in exchange for an honest review. 



I am Charlie Wilson by Charlie Wilson
Pub. Date - June 30, 2015
4 stars



This is a straightforward, honest and inspiring memoir from a musician who saw success as part of his family band, The GAP Band, battled addiction and homelessness and came back to have a second chance at life and success.  Charlie Wilson grew up surrounded by music and religion and his stories from his childhood are some of my favorites.  His voice and musical skill propelled him into the spotlight but didn't protect him from shifty management and lots of exposure to drugs.  He tailspinned into a life of extreme addiction that only extreme faith in love and God helped him overcome.  His writing is clear-sighted and you feel as if he is speaking his life story instead of writing it.  He has worked with a lot of other R&B artists and included many interesting anecdotes.  I enjoyed this thoroughly even though I am not overly familiar with his music.  I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.