Month: November 2019

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Books On Tour: The Wish List of Albie Young

I don’t get emotional when I read books. I may hate/love/enjoy characters and their interactions, but I rarely have a deep connection that makes me feel more than what the story demands.

That is most definitively NOT the case with The Wish List of Albie Young. I felt this book deeply in so many ways I have a hard time knowing where to start. It has vaulted to the top of my best reads of the year.

From the beginning, it was thoroughly unique that the reader never actually meets the main character, the man who was the catalyst for the entire story. We only learn about Albie through the eyes of Maria, a woman who got to know him through weekly meetings at a local café.  

Maria is one of the most “real” characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Watching her move through the stages of grief was touching and emotional. I could visualize exactly what was happening to her and empathized with how she tried to cope with her new reality. It wasn’t always easy, but she drew strength when she needed to, and she did so with the help of Albie.

Her heartache (that preceded the loss of Albie) had caused her to withdraw from living until she became a shell of a person. She eventually realized that he was an amazing man, and if he thought she was special, then maybe it was time she gave herself a chance to live.

It is so true that sometimes the dead need to show us how to continue living. And this was the heart of the book for me. By continuing Albie’s wish list, Maria finds a new lease on life, learning that it is never too late to start living. Her blossoming brought tears to my eyes, which continued through the rest of the book.

I also had a feeling about one aspect of the plot (no spoilers), but that didn’t stop me from absolutely bawling like a baby when I read the section confirming it.

Honestly, even though there was sadness at missed opportunities, the hopefulness that Maria had by the end of her story absolutely leaped off the page at me. I wanted to spend more time with her to see her continue her journey.

This is a story that has everything, and it should not be missed. As we head into the holiday season, it is an excellent reminder of how simply we can have an impact on others and to be thankful for those interactions that improve our lives – if we just remember to look for and recognize them.

Author Bio

Ruby Hummingbird is a novelist based in the English countryside. She loves nothing more than writing uplifting and heartwarming fiction that gets her readers reaching for the tissues. When she isn’t storytelling, she can be found tending to her beloved sunflowers or sipping on hazelnut lattes. The Wish List of Albie Young is her debut novel, and it promises to be a real heartbreaker. 

Twitter: @HummingbirdRuby
Facebook: /ruby.hummingbird.58
Instagram: rubyhummingbirdauthor
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Blog Tour w/Review: A Proclivity to Prurience

I have read a lot of erotica and books that claim to be erotica. Some are tantalizing and keep things subtle until a big moment when everything becomes overt. Others are more “in your face” from the beginning. Both types have their place within the genre and can be significant in their rights.

The one thing that makes an erotic novel really work, however, is a plot that provides a reason for all of the sex the characters have.  That, unfortunately, is where this novel seems to be lacking.

There was a decent set-up, as the wedding that led off the story was the perfect situation to explore several different relationships and experiences. Unfortunately, there were a lot of characters that were introduced in short order and with very little detail, so it was difficult to get a full grasp of relationships right from the beginning.

While the scenes moved quickly from one to another, I had a difficult time keeping the thread of the plot as it seemed rather thin. Joe has a devil-may-care attitude towards life, which Abbie appears to be fascinated with, but events take some odd turns, and everything gets out of control.

This is the best that I can describe the plot because while there were times that the characters reacted realistically, there were others where it seemed like events were just in the story to move from one sex scene to another.

Joe, as the catalyst, was an unlikeable character, as he did not seem to have any compass or direction other than moving from one pleasurable experience to another. I will give the author points for creativity because Joe certainly experienced the gamut of sexual choices.

The author had a high command of the language, and her word choices were different from many other erotic novels. This kept the reading interesting, at least because it did not devolve into the more familiar gutter language of other erotic books.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what to think of this one. There were hints of a really good erotic story, but the cohesiveness left something to be desired. So, if you’re looking for a lot of well-described, quickie scenes, you should give this one a try. But if you prefer a plot with erotic scenes interspersed, you would be best to look elsewhere.

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Books On Tour: My Mother’s Silence

I’ve often distinguished thrillers as either moving fast with lots of twists or slower with a more ominous build to the reveal. My Mother’s Silence belongs in the latter category.

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Skye is returning home after leaving 15 years prior, shortly after her twin sister died and she was in a horrible car accident. She grudgingly agrees to return only because her brother tells her that her mom has taken a fall and is asking for her. There are family secrets, town secrets, and a whole lot of messed up for her to deal with.

Her memories surrounding the accident are missing, but as she speaks with old friends, she starts having flashes that she comes to realize are memories resurfacing. This is when the story really takes off because everything that she thought comes into question, which in turn leaves the reader wondering what the real story is.

I particularly liked the Celtic themes and perspective of the townspeople. I thought the author did a very good job of illustrating how small towns work, where everyone has a connection and they stand up for their own. I also wish I could hear some of Skye’s songs because they sounded beautiful in my mind 😊

There were a few parts that seemed like a little bit of a reach, but only because they didn’t seem to be as detailed as others. Skye’s mother’s state of mind is something that I found particularly fascinating, as her lucidity appeared to be directly linked to the facts of the past. I know that sounds a little cagey, but I don’t want to give anything away.

I do wish that we could have had more of Ginny’s diary entries because I thought they were interesting and gave a new dimension to the events of the past. I think a few more of those placed at strategic points in the plot could have added to the questions that Skye was trying to answer.

All in all, this was a solid story and I would definitely recommend it.

My Mother's SilenceMy Mother’s Silence by Lauren Westwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As psychological thrillers go, this belongs in the slow-build/reveal category. It is not particularly chilling as much as it is a story of family secrets and the consequences surrounding them. I liked the setting and thought the author did a great job of creating the small-town atmosphere. I also thought that Skye’s personality was very balanced and crucial for how she approached each new piece of information as she tried to piece her memories back together. This was a quick and intriguing read, and I would recommend it. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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Author Bio

Lauren Westwood writes dark and romantic women’s fiction and is also an award-winning children’s writer. Originally from California, she now lives in England in a persnickety old house built in 1602, with her partner and three daughters.

Lauren hopes you enjoy her latest book, My Mother’s Silence, which is a dark, emotional journey about homecoming and family secrets. Your opinions are important to her, so please do leave a review.

Author Social Media Links

Lauren loves hearing from readers, so if you wish to get in touch, please visit her website: https://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com/, or follow her on twitter: @lwestwoodwriter  https://twitter.com/lwestwoodwriter or Facebook: @Lwestwoodbooks https://www.facebook.com/Lwestwoodbooks/

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Books On Tour: The Child of Auschwitz

This is a compelling novel that carefully examines the triumph of the human spirit among the horrors of a WWII concentration camp.

From the prologue, the reader can guess at specific outcomes of events in the book. However, the journey the characters embark upon is both informative and heart-wrenching.

I thought that the author did an excellent job of describing the conditions at Auschwitz while illustrating the evil of the Nazis and the people who worked with them. The desperation to stay alive at any cost was apparent in both the prisoners and some of the workers.

The plot continued through Eva’s time at Auschwitz, even as there were flashbacks to the beginning of her relationship with Michal and the pending Anschluss. Sofie also had some flashback moments, as her story intertwined and eventually meshed with Eva’s. The author handled the importance and preciousness of memories very well through these flashbacks and emphasized it with Eva’s realization that personal photos should be saved.

I did think that the title did not do the story justice. Yes, a child born in a literal hell on earth is compelling, but I thought Eva’s story was so much more than that. Although, in thinking about it a little more, I suppose that Eva could also be considered the child of Auschwitz because she essentially went to Auschwitz willingly so she could find her husband, Michal.

She was very naïve and full of hope when she arrived, to the point where the ladies made fun of her idyllic point of view. Through all of the events and illnesses that Eva faced, she grew to understand the direness of the situation but always held on to a sliver of hope – which probably helped keep her alive. The Child of Auschwitz is an excellent book that should be read carefully for understanding if only to recognize the insidiousness of the Nazis and the horrors they brought to the world.

Author Bio

Lily Graham grew up in South Africa, and is a former journalist. She lives now in the Suffolk coast with her husband and English bulldog, Fudge.

She is the author of six novels, published by Bookouture, including the bestselling, The Paris Secret and The Island Villa. 

Her latest novel The Child of Auschwitz will be out in 2019. 

https://lilygraham.net/
@lilygrahambooks
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Blog Tour w/Review – Tell Me Everything

I have very mixed feelings about this book, mainly because it seems as if the author had a difficult time deciding what to focus on in the book.

On the one hand, it was a fascinating look at alternative lifestyles for adults, a topic that does not get enough honest attention. What two consenting adults do in their private life is really nobody else’s business, regardless of age or gender.

I found this first part of the story to be extremely interesting because I thought the author’s exploration of a married couple’s shared interest outside the marriage is not a usual catalyst in a novel. The actions and reactions of Jessica and Jake were honest and realistic.

When Jessica crosses a few lines, however, I felt that the plot sort of lost its way. It wasn’t so much her crossing them because that seemed like a natural progression in the relationships they had. It was that the character who was the catalyst for the “line-crossing” did not have enough depth to him.

Everything else to that point was carefully described and detailed. Then this guy pops up primarily (it seemed) to cause problems. I thought this whole interlude did not ring true and was thrown in to make it “interesting.” All it did for me, however, was to take focus away from the couple’s growth and dealing with issues.

That’s not to say that the conflict shouldn’t have happened. I liked how Jessica was able to use her experience to help another character, so I think that something should have happened – I just think it could have been done differently. I also felt that it was resolved way too easily, considering the trouble that it caused, and everything wrapped up rather quickly at the end, not to mention there were a few characters that were just sort of left hanging.

My other issue is in the author’s notes; she mentions that she wrote the book to be able to address “toxic masculinity…and rape culture.” I did not get that from ANY of this book and could not even begin to see where that would have had any place in the story. I would still recommend this book. I just wish it had been a little bit more streamlined.

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Blog Tour w/Review: Landon & Shay, Part One

I am not a huge fan of angst. I think there is enough of it in real life that I don’t seek it out in books that I choose to read. There is currently only one author who I make an exception for, as I am never disappointed at the depth of her characters.

It’s FREE in KU – what are you waiting for?!?!?

Landon and Shay, Part One is another of Brittainy C. Cherry’s studies of a relationship fraught with trouble, with seemingly insurmountable odds against the success of the couple. I could tell from the beginning that the animosity between Landon and Shay was mainly due to how much they actually had in common, even though they were not aware of that fact at first. Or, they might have been aware of their similarities subconsciously, which is what caused each of them to “hate” the other.

This is the strength of the author’s writing. She creates complex characters who are realistic. They have substance and personality and are intriguing enough to make the reader want to know more about them, to grow along with them. I particularly loved how she used Shay’s character, and her propensity for personality analysis, to dig deeper into the character’s psyches. That was brilliant and extremely well-done.

I know it seems as if I am speaking in riddles, but I think that one of the best things about her books is the journey that the reader undertakes right along with the characters. I can’t describe a plot point without giving away where the characters are at that time, which would, in turn, give away the beautiful arc of the plot.

And that would ruin the whole story.

Oh, and there is a twist that I absolutely did not see coming; it left me stunned, causing me to read more carefully to see what I may have missed.

Honestly, if you have read any of her books, you know what I am talking about. And if you haven’t read any of her books, why the heck not? As I said at the beginning, I am not a huge fan of angst, but her books leave me reeling and wanting more. “Epic love story” is a phrase that is often over-used, but it certainly applies to this story. I will be eagerly awaiting Part Two to finish the journey with Landon and Shay.

Landon & Shay: Part One (L&S Duet, #1)Landon & Shay: Part One by Brittainy C. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrecked and gutted. That’s how this book left m, but in the best ways possible. The author’s ability to capture every minute detail of a relationship and make the reader feel like they are experiencing it themselves is unmatched. I have virtually nothing in common with these characters, but I felt so deeply for them it was amazing. My only complaint about this book is that we have to wait for part two! For a complete review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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Books On Tour: The Other Daughter

I have read a couple of this author’s books before and am often left wanting (The Girl from the Sea comes to mind). But I think she does a decent job of throwing red herrings into her plots, so I keep coming back for more. I am happy to say that I believe The Other Daughter is one of her best books yet.

The action takes place in the present time with a few “Then” flashback chapters interspersed. Everything is seamless, though, so it never feels like too much of a jolt to shift time frames. The chapters detailing past events add much to the current developments and even allow the reader to question what is happening in the present. I love it when an author can craft a plot in that manner.

The characters are realistic. I can see each of them being a real person, and all of their reactions appear to be genuine. That being said, however, I do think that the “big reveal” (while a shocker) seems a little far-fetched – but I am willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt that extensive research was completed to portray the character’s actions and reactions accurately. Regardless, it made for a real “WTH” moment and kept me engrossed in the story to the end.

If I had to pick on anything, I would say that things were tied up and explained a little too neatly. I did like the twists that the author threw in that propelled Rachel’s actions while making me question Rachel’s stability. That was a delicate balancing act. However, there was an answer for everything, and a little bit of messiness might have added to the realness of the story.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a quick psych thriller.

The Other DaughterThe Other Daughter by Shalini Boland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This psychological thriller was a quick read that had me questioning the characters’ motives right up until the last page. I thought that the author did a good job of laying the groundwork for the reader to believe one thing while crafting a sub-story that was equally plausible. There were more than a few “Oh, no way” moments, and the big reveal did surprise me (that’s hard to do). For a more detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of this book.

View all my reviews
http://someonewotwrites.blogspot.com/ 
@ShaliniBoland
https://www.facebook.com/ShaliniBolandAuthor/

Shalini Boland is the million-copy, USA-Today bestselling author of eight psychological thrillers: ‘THE GIRL FROM THE SEA’, ‘THE BEST FRIEND’, ‘THE MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE’ (optioned for TV by Legendary Studios), ‘THE SECRET MOTHER’, ‘THE CHILD NEXT DOOR’, ‘THE SILENT SISTER’, ‘THE PERFECT FAMILY’ and ‘THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL’.

THE OTHER DAUGHTER comes out Nov 5th and is now available to preorder!

Her titles are published by Bookouture, Grand Central (USA) and Tantor.

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing psychological thrillers (in between school runs and sorting endless baskets of laundry). 

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Books On Tour: The Empty Nest

I will be blunt right from the start; this was not the type of psychological thriller I am used to reading. It ended up being quite engaging, but there were a few things that made it rough going in the start for me.

The first few chapters were told almost all in narrative, with Kat “remembering” events of the past. After finishing the book, I can see why the author chose to write it that way, but it took some getting used to in the beginning. I kept wanting the author to show me the action in a flashback instead of just telling me about it. Being inside a character’s head for that long became tedious.

(Of course, flashbacks are a much-used device, while effectively conveying someone’s thoughts can be more difficult, so I recognize the writing skill in this manner).

I also had a hard time connecting to Kat. She came across as a helicopter parent who over-reacted at everything, and frankly, she got on my nerves. Of course, there are revelations along the way that explain her behaviors, but that didn’t help me latch onto her to feel her concern through the first part of the story.

Fortunately, the interaction between characters picked up roughly half-way through, and the author did a great job throwing some twists into the plot, as well as allowing the reader to question the motives of particular characters, just as Kat was doing the same. There were more than a few “I did not see that coming” moments, especially in the latter part of the book, which made the second half a much more exciting read than the first half.

One other thing I must mention, and this has unfortunately become a common occurrence lately, there was yet another unnecessary barb at the current American president. I have mentioned it before, and I will call it out every time. If it doesn’t have a place in the plot, it doesn’t belong. It takes a reader right out of the story, and it garners the author no favor with many readers. I wish they would stop doing it.

Author Bio

Sue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked. 

USA Today bestselling author, Sue has written fifteen novels – many involving cake – which have been translated into several languages and involved tough ‘cake research.’ Sue is now exploring the darker side of life with her thrillers OUR LITTLE LIES, THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR and THE EMPTY NEST. Writing in this new genre doesn’t involve the deep research of baked goods and Sue’s hoping the change in direction will be reflected on the weighing scales.

Originally from Manchester, Sue now lives with her husband and teenage daughter in Worcestershire where much of her day is spent procrastinating, eating and watching ‘My 600lb Life,’ on the sofa.  

Web: http://www.suewatsonbooks.com/ 
Twitter: @suewatsonwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks/
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