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Showing posts with label Contemporary Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemporary Fiction. Show all posts

A Hope for Emily by Kate Hewitt ~ Book Review


Book Description: 

Looking back, I wish I could find my way back to that moment. I’d snatch it and hold onto it and live in it for the rest of my life, if I could. When Emily could still throw her arms around me. Oh God, just give me that moment, or one like it again. That’s all I want.

From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.

But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision—one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.

Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James—and it’s his new wife, Eva.

As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves—what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?

A beautiful story that will break your heart into a million pieces, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Susan Lewis.

Purchase a copy on Amazon

About the Author: 

Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.

Author's Website | Goodreads

Review: 

Be prepared when you pick up this book to shed tears. This story is told by Rachel (the mother of Emily) & Eva (married to James, Rachel's ex husband). Rachel and James' daughter Emily has been very ill and is being moved to a palliative care unit, despite many treatments Emily is in a coma. Trying not to lose hope Rachel wants to take Emily to Italy to have a experimental treatment done to see if it would help little Emily.

Rachel, James and Eva have been through so much hurt, when they come together to help Emily, a new friendship is formed between Rachel and Eva. This is beautifully written story, with characters that are likable, secrets, hopes for the future. I did find a couple parts stretched on and I would have loved to have seen where Rachel's and Andrew's relationship will head.

This is a must read. I have now added a couple more of Kate Hewitt's books to my to-be-read list. After this book I need a feel good happy book to read.

~*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. *~

Adam & Evie by Marisa Concetta - Book Review

Book Description:

What could happen when the nerd of Roosevelt High becomes Hollywood’s next superstar? Answer: Anything. 
Before she became Evie Chase, Hollywood's Golden Girl, Evie was a nobody at the bottom of the high school food chain with only a handful of friends. Her best friend - Adam Fields - was a popular jock who always had her back. Until one day, he stopped, and they never spoke again. Fast forward three years, and everything has changed. Evie is out in LA living the dream as a seventeen year old popstar, Adam’s at home finishing off high school, and they are both trying their best to forget the past. They are living separate lives and everything is running smoothly. Until...Evie’s back. 
To avoid paparazzi, the young starlet returns to school in disguise. As the teenagers get to know each other again, Adam unaware that the new girl is his former best friend, they are both left wondering - did the past actually happen the way they remember it? And could their revived friendship turn out to be something more?

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA: USA Link
France: France Link
Germany: Germany Link
UK: UK Link

Connect with the Author:
Twitter: Twitter Link
Facebook: Facebook Link
Instagram: Instagram Link

Author Bio:
Marisa Concetta is a Massachusetts native and graduated from Merrimack College with her Bachelors degree in Biology. 
She began writing her debut novel Adam and Evie when she was only sixteen, and since then, the novel has gained nearly five million readers on both Wattpad and Inkitt where she has nearly nine thousand followers. 

When Marisa isn’t writing - or studying - she enjoys binge watching shows on Netflix, watching baseball (particularly the Red Sox), running, traveling, and really, anything involving Disney or Disney World.

Book Review by Carmen:
There were times where I enjoyed reading Evelyn Chase's narrative; and would have been really interested if the story had carried on with Evelyn and Adam fields relationship in the limelight. I gave this book a four star rating and got a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

*Please be sure to support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media.

Blood & Water by Katie O'Rourke - Book Review

Book Description:
Tucson, Arizona is a place for runaways. Everyone came from somewhere else and has a story about what they left behind. 
Delilah arrives on her brother's doorstep with a secret. She hasn't seen him in five years. He ran away from their family long ago for reasons no one talks about and she still doesn't understand. The stress of raising his teenage daughter alone sometimes makes David envious of his deliberately childless friends, Tim and Sara, but they're runaways too, harboring secrets of their own. Blood & Water tells their stories and traces the deep connections between this unlikely group of friends.
This novel is about family, in its various manifestations: the one you're born into, the one you choose and the one you create.

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA: USA Link
Australia: Australia Link
Brazil: Brazil Link
Canada: Canada Link
France: France Link
Germany: Germany Link
India: India Link
Italy: Italy Link
Japan: Japan Link
Mexico: Mexico Link
Netherlands: Netherlands Link
Spain: Spain Link
UK: UK Link

Connect with the Author:
Facebook: Facebook Link
Twitter: Twitter Link
Author Website: Author Website Link

Author Bio:
Katie O'Rourke was born and raised in New England, growing up along the seacoast of New Hampshire. She went to college in Massachusetts and graduated with a degree in gender and sexuality. She lives in Tucson, Arizona where she writes, loves and is happy. 
Monsoon Season, her debut novel, was a bestselling e-book. A Long Thaw was released in 2014, followed up by Still Life, a collection of short stories. Finding Charlie was selected for publication by Kindle Scout in 2015. 
She writes for todaysauthor.com.

Book Review by Carmen:
This was a heartwarming and easygoing story, and though I found David intriguing; I didn't agree with how he argued with Delilah. I gave this book a four star rating and got a copy in exchange for an honest review.

*Please be sure to support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media.

The Black Notebook by Isabelle Snow - Book Review

Book Description:
Trust is a funny thing, isn’t it? It’s great to be trusted by your friends, but when practically the entire school - even the popular kids - are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with you...that’s when things get messy.
Seven Warrilow has been keeping everybody’s secrets for as long as she can remember. She knows who likes who, who hates who, and all the hot gossip. But you know what? She’s sick of it! With all that classified info jumbling around in her head it’s hard to think straight, so Seven decides to write down every secret she’s ever been told into a small black notebook that she carries around for safekeeping. There, now she can breath a little. 
OR NOT!? Things take a turn to Disasterville when her notebook goes missing, and when it finds it’s way into the hands of notorious prankster, Colin Stillman, the trouble really begins. Seven’s going to have to use everything she’s got to keep her classmates secrets safe, but Colin isn’t going to make that easy. Afterall...where would the fun be in that? 

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA: USA Link
Australia: Australia Link
Brazil: Brazil Link
Canada: Canada Link
France: France Link
Germany: Germany Link
India: India Link
Italy: Italy Link
Japan: Japan Link
Mexico: Mexico Link
Netherlands: Netherlands Link
Spain: Spain Link
UK: UK Link

Connect with the Author:
Facebook: Facebook Link
Twitter: Twitter Link

Author Bio:
Isabelle Snow is a 20-year-old artist residing in the Philippines. Through her love of art and telling stories, she became a writer and has been writing since 2012. She is also an artist who specializes in graphic design and illustration, occasionally dabbling in animation. It was through her love of art and telling stories that she became a writer in 2012.

Book Review by Carmen:
This book had quite a light tone at times, and the second half of this book really caught my attention with the subtle romance. The romance wasn't the focus of the story, and the romance pieces that were done was done quite well in my opinion. I ended up giving this book a four star rating and got a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

*Please be sure to support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media.

In the Mind of Revenge by Liv Hadden ~ Book Review


Book description:

In the Mind of Revenge, book one of The Shamed Series, takes a deep look at how monsters are born. Set in a society that glorifies “normal” and demonizes different, this dark tale takes its readers on an emotionally wild ride of vengeance, murder, pain and desperation. Though the reader is warned by its main character, Shame, not to develop an attachment, the first person narrative combined with Shame’s uninhibited vulnerability makes it nearly impossible not to do so. 

Raw, vivid, honest, fast-paced and beautifully vulgar, In the Mind of Revenge is sure to have you emotionally twisted from beginning to end. Mine is a tale of pain, hate, lies, murder, injustice, vengeance, and love unreturned. It began much like yours; a hopeful innocent born to a world of endless possibilities. But my journey has rarely been paved with opportunities of light. Confronted by those who sought to eclipse what light I had found, the darkness came for me. Wrapped in its intoxicating embrace, I have risen from the dead to reclaim my dignity and the life that was taken from me. I have begun my journey into the mind of revenge. Revenge for me. Revenge for those like me. Those who are shamed. This is a story for the shamed, by the shamed. The question is, are you ready for it?

Purchase a copy on Amazon

About the author:

Author. Creator. Adventurer. Human. In that order.

Debut novelist Liv Hadden has been writing ever since she was a little girl. But, it wasn't until 5th grade when her teacher said she'd one day write a book that she started taking it seriously. 

Her Shamed series began in college, when Hadden employed her writing as an outlet for her feelings during a serious bout of depression. After a brief, yet impactful first night of writing, she dreamt of a shadowy figure, tormented and demonized by their own mind and realized this was the shadow of pain that hurting people everywhere felt.


She woke from her dream feeling more energized than she had in months, picked up her computer and began to write. "I felt if ever there was a story inside me and a character worth taking the leap, it was Shame and this story" says Hadden. "This one in particular is personal in nature, and perhaps the very reason it's so close to my heart."

Incredibly inspired by artistic expression, Hadden immerses herself in creative endeavors on a daily basis. She finds great joy in getting lost in writing and seeing others fully express themselves through their greatest artistic passions, like music, body art, dance and photography. "I get chills when I have the great privilege of seeing someone express their authentic selves," says Hadden. "I believe it gives us a true glimpse into the souls of others.

Hailing from the land of Ben & Jerry's, Hadden has since settled in Austin, TX with her partner and two dogs, Madison and Samuel.

ConnectWebsiteFacebookTwitterGoogle+ and Pinterest

Review:

4.5 stars

“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”

After an accumulation of years being treated like a freak because of his androgynity (yes society is judging everyone, lesson one), one big act of horrific violation finally leads to the big rupture of life as he knows it. I say he but the main character’s gender is left open throughout the entire book and in my mind he feels male. But just how unique is that? What a brilliant move! When asked for his name, he tells people it’s Shame because after all these years this is who he is, he even wears it with proud embroidered on his vest.

Shame was certainly an interesting character and although we are warned by Shame several times not to sympathize and not see him as a victim, it is exactly what I did. Shame is out for revenge but before he knows it, even more and bigger trouble comes looking for him. In his search for his youth friend Cassie, Shame made a victim, although he can’t help it. I kind of forgave him, again, for his acts of violence. Someone sprung on him, what is he to do right? But his actions have unforeseen consequences. He suddenly finds himself tied into a gang war between the Chinese on one side and a certain Big D and his goonies on the other.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, he also meets the utterly positive JB, the kind Margaret who really sees him and who he loves to be with, and the tattoo-artist Shadow who can see what colour his soul is. Did you know that most people have two colours, where one morphs into the other as we go from childhood into adulthood? Those little ‘fun facts’ make the book all the more interesting. Anyway, the inevitable fall of him originates from a feeling of responsibility and caring for someone else. It has a cliffhanger ending that really makes you want to start on the sequel right away. I have an inkling who Big D is also, another thing that we can speculate on, but could be wrong.

I can definitely recommend this novel to just about everyone because it is just so different and original, never have I read a story through the eyes of a victim like this one. It is beautifully narrated and makes you contemplate about people you know in real life that could be Shame. I think everyone should get to know this Shame, although he thinks he’s ugly and wants to embrace this ugliness, he remains very likable, and I'm very curious to know what his feelings and thoughts will be in the sequel. I'm very honored that I got the opportunity to read and review this novel from Liv who's also a fellow reviewer from Jennifer's review team!

*I received a free copy of this book from GenuineJenn in exchange for my honest opinion*









Becoming Phoebe by J. Michael Neal - Book Review

Book Description:

Eighteen-year-old Phoebe Rose spent her childhood in one foster household after another, never having a place she could feel safe or group of friends she belonged to. What kept her going was hockey. The rink was the only place she felt at home.
Now what she wants more than anything is to play on her college hockey team—to leave her past behind and start building a new life. But she knows things are never that simple. Becoming Phoebe is about painful secrets, unexpected friendships, and joining a team so you can become your true self.

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA: USA Link
Australia: Australia Link
Brazil:Brazil Link
Canada: Canada Link
France: France Link
Germany: Germany Link
India: India Link
Italy: Italy Link
Japan: Japan Link
Mexico: Mexico Link
Netherlands: Netherlands Link
Spain: Spain Link
UK: UK Link

Connect with the Author:
Disqus: Disqus Link

Author Bio:
(I unfortunately couldn't find a picture)
J. Michael Neal lives in Minneapolis where he owns a house and in turn is owned by three cats. His passions are history, fantasy and science fiction, role playing, prog rock, sports, good liquor and especially the Gopher women's hockey team. Unproductive at home he works primarily from various restaurants around the Twin Cities. His favorite authors include Guy Gavriel Kay, Jon Courtenay Grimwood and Alistair Reynolds.

He has been published in By Polaris Bright, an anthology from the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers. His story "Living After Noon" won the Open Division of the 2013 Minnesota Geek Partnership Society Writer's Contest, and his story "The Love of His Life" will be published in an upcoming issue of Tales of the Unanticipated.

Book Review by Carmen:

I knew that I was going to give this book a 5 star rating when I started reading it. I enjoyed reading about Phoebe's Ice Hockey career, but at the same time also found the story heartbreaking at places. It also would have been nice if Phoebe had met her parents (if they'd been alive). I also learnt about a new condition that I previously hadn't known about, and it was interesting to read about it. I got a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. 

*Please support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media.

Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer ~ Book Review


Book Synopsis:
After Queenie Wake is dismissed from her restaurant job, she returns to North Star to cook meals for death row inmates. Hopeful that the bad memories of her late mother and promiscuous sister (now the mother of the captain of the high school football team) have been forgotten by the locals, Queenie discovers that some people can’t be forgotten—heartbreaker Everett Coburn—her old high-school sweetheart. When secrets from the past emerge, will Queenie be able to stick by her family or will she leave home again?

Purchase a copy from Amazon
About Author Liza Palmer:
Liza Palmer is the internationally bestselling author of Conversations with the Fat Girl which Booklist says, "...manages to infuse a message of self--acceptance that isn't heavy-handed or cloying. This quick-witted author is sure to develop a following." Conversations with the Fat Girl became an international bestseller its first week in publication, being named a Target Breakout book, as well as hitting Number 1 on the Fiction Heatseekers List in the UK the week before the book debuted. Conversations with the Fat Girl has been optioned for series by HBO by the producers of Rome, Band of Brothers and Generation Kill. 

Book Review:
Queen Elizabeth Wake, a.k.a. Queenie, is running from her family’s haunting legacy that can be describe in many ways but only in hushed tones and definitely not in church. After roaming from city to city across the country, Queenie finds herself back in her small hometown of North Star, Texas, cooking last meals for death row inmates. 

After all her travels, college education and attempts to be an established chef, fate leads her back to a place where she is held responsible for choices she didn’t make; a life she never lived; and a town that never forgives or forgets. But, Queenie discovers she must first forgive her family’s past before other people can forget her kins’ transgressions. 

“For someone who struggles with faith, I base a lot of my life on things I can’t see. All these years looking for the answer and it comes down to the simplest question... Do I want to go backward or forward?” - Queenie

Queenie is witty, and a firecracker with a strong resolve. Nowhere But Home delivers a dialogue of hilarious quips followed by striking epiphanies and profound self realizations. What a read! This one earns a 4.5- to 5-star rating from me!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 


Painting The Moon by Traci Borum ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis:
When Noelle Cooke inherits a quaint English cottage and an art gallery from her famous Aunt Joy, she welcomes a departure from her San Diego routine. But the lure of the Cotswolds, combined with a locked cottage room and a revealing journal, entice her to stay and discover more, including a way to save the gallery from financial ruin. And that means remaining in England. 


When her childhood sweetheart, Adam Spencer, begins work on a restoration project in Noelle’s village, their friendship blossoms. But as her feelings for Adam deepen, she struggles with memories of what might have been and yearns for a future once thought lost. Faced with a life-altering revelation Aunt Joy took to her grave and a wrenching choice regarding the man she loves, Noelle could lose far more than her heart. 

Purchase a copy from Amazon
Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She's also an avid reader of women's fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she's written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.

Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater---must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it's the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to "look up, slow down, enjoy your life."

Learn more about author Traci Borum

Book Review:
For those of you over 30, ever felt like you have lived multiple lives, and felt a rip in the space time continuum when those past lives collided together? Has a trip down memory lane ever left you wondering “Am I really living and how disappointed would my younger self be with me now?” Sorry for the integration, but it is relevant to my review. 

Traci Borum’s Painting The Moon takes us on a literary journey that will hit all too close to home for many of us. As adults, we need to stop weighing risks and just live. Noelle Cooke is forced to face her past lives and dreams when her aunt dies, and Noelle must travel around the world to deal with her inherited estate and the mysteries of unanswered questions that her aunt left behind. What seems as a simple legal transaction turns into a life altering self journey.   

This is an adult fairytale, meaning very plausible - which I love! No fairy godmothers or mystical powers to grant our heroine a happy ever after. It’s just a profound self awareness, rare courage and bravo that can fulfill a little girls dreams and guide a grown woman to true happiness. 

Overall, Borum delivers a story that will have us all reflecting on past experiences, evaluating our decisions, and questioning our futures in this well deserved 4.75 to 5 star story.     

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 

The Customer is Always Wrong by CC Standish - Book Review

Book Description:




'90s grunge kid Conrad Jacoby is on the verge of graduating from Hiawatha High. Eager to leave the nest and his alcoholic Vietnam veteran father behind, Conrad joins the workforce where he tests his luck at minimum wage jobs in food service and retail, building his savings and his backbone with the goal of moving out. Although Conrad is determined, he quickly finds that his sheltered Minnesota upbringing has not prepared him for the life challenges and difficult personalities he will encounter in this coming of age comedy.

Where to Purchase:

Amazon:
USA:

Australia:

Brazil:

Canada:

France:


Germany:

India:

Italy:

Japan:

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Netherlands:

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UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Customer-Always-Wrong-CC-Standish-ebook/dp/B01A6IZCDK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1456651208&sr=8-6&keywords=The+Customer+Is+Always+Wrong

Connect with the Author:


Author Bio:




CC Standish is a Seattle based author and musician who grew up in the Twin Cities. As a college dropout and blue-collar worker, CC has learned a lot about the importance of a work/life balance, using his spare time to write on the side. Born into humble Minnesota beginnings in 1977, at an early age, the arts were CC’s chosen path over school and sports. Oddly enough, ’77 also marks the year that Elvis died, Star Wars was born and punk rock shook the world.

Book Review by Carmen:

I absolutely loved this book, and ended up giving it 5 out of 5 stars. Since I’ve worked in retail, I can definitely identify with this book. I would recommend this book to those that work in retail and those that don’t, people that love humour and teenage antics. I’m unfortunately not going to give any funny spoilers away, you’ll just have to read the book yourself, but there was a part where Jake and Minnie (Jake’s girlfriend) adopted a kitten, and there my heart just melted. I also found Jake sometimes angsty, and I loved the way he recalls his memories. There’s some good and surprising scenes as well. It seems like this is going to be a series, and I most certainly wouldn’t mind reading the other books as well. I got a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*Please support the author by buying their books and connecting with them on social media.









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