Tag: Blog Tour

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Man I Loved Before by Anna Mansell

I wanted to like this book. The premise was promising, and the tagline was intriguing.

Unfortunately, everything mentioned in the blurb occurred in the first quarter of the book. After that, things seemed to drag on for much too long.

AMZ: https://geni.us/B084CWJ9FTSocial
Apple: https://buff.ly/2GMG6V2
Kobo: https://buff.ly/2ui42Ng
Google: https://buff.ly/2vOdCrX

That’s not to say that there weren’t good things in the book. I liked the relationship between Jem and her mom. I could relate to Jem’s realization that she needed to be strong for her mom (instead of always relying on her mom for strength). That’s something that I think every adult deals with as their parents age. Several touching moments between the two of them made me think of my relationship with my mother.

I also thought that Jem and Leanne had some good moments. Their friendship was close, and Leanne served as a sort of Jiminy Cricket/conscience to Jem (which Jem badly needed). However, not all of Leanne’s advice was helpful.

Enter Mitch. The best thing I can say about him is “Beware of Tinder – even if you know the person from school.”

I don’t have a lot to say about Ben either. I thought at the beginning that he might be the smartest of the group, having escaped Jem’s toxicity. But I was wrong about that, too.

I think my real challenge is that Jem wasn’t exactly likable, and her reliance on alcohol  (without judgment) became annoying. It was pretty apparent that alcohol was a crutch, making her a functional alcoholic, yet everyone around her seemed to enable her. That was bothersome.

I also never got a good grasp of where the story wanted to go. From the tagline, I was expecting something a little more “angst-y.” While there were moments of pure emotion, those were more between Jem and her mom, not either of the men Jem was involved with (which seemed odd). I also thought that Jem and Leanne verged on rom-com best friend banter sometimes, which threw me off-kilter.

I was happy to see some resolutions, but overall this book just didn’t do it for me. Other readers may have a different experience, however.

Author Bio

Anna had a brush with ‘fame’ as a magician’s assistant back in 1977. She later decided that being sawn in half by her magical performing father, at barely 6 months old, was too submissive a role. She vowed to channel the trauma into something much more pro-actively creative. Having failed at acting, singing and professional murder mystery parties (she was ALWAYs the one to die!), she fell to something much more solitary: writing. Anna lives on a dairy farm in Cornwall with her two children, her husband, and her ex-racing greyhound, Olive Dog.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMansellWriter/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AnnaMansell
Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Time for another entry in the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tour. We’ve already had one great read in The Grace Kelly Dress; I’m happy to report that The Henna Artist continues the trend.

Beautifully described with vibrant details, this book follows a woman in 1950s India as she navigates the political and social landmines of the period. It sucked me in immediately and held me enthralled to the very end.

Lakshmi ran away from an arranged marriage at age 15 to pursue a life of her choosing – but is it really what she thought it would all be? She learns how to play the games of the upper caste as a henna artist, decorating the hands and feet of some of the most powerful women in society. She is also known for her herbal remedies.

However, when her life is upended (not going to give away how in this review), she realizes just how precarious her accomplishments and reputation are, forcing her to make tough choices.

I found Lakshmi to be an interesting main character. On the one hand, she seems to be about female empowerment and acknowledging the importance of women’s voices in a turbulent time (the decade immediately following the withdrawal of the British).

On the other hand, she turns a blind eye to the true natures of the men she does business with as well. It takes a tragedy that hits very close to home for her to realize the harm she has done over the years and come to the realization that she may not have chosen the best path (even though she thought she did along the way).

The other main characters were just as vivid, as were the secondary and even tertiary characters. Nobody got short-shrift when it came to descriptions and motivations; everyone was fully fleshed-out and realistic.

I thought that the author did an excellent job describing the caste system and societal beliefs of the time. I learned a lot about both, but I never felt that it was a lecture. Everything was woven into the narrative in an informative and natural way. I especially appreciated that she tackled the topics of misogyny and sexism in the context of the period (it would have been easy to allow a more contemporary point of view sneak in – I’m glad she kept it time-specific).

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book, as the author was obviously knowledgable about the subject matter and relayed it entertainingly. As I mentioned at the outset of this review, the details are plentiful and highly descriptive. There were times that I could feel the heat and dust of the streets and smell the frangipani and herbs Lakshmi was preparing.

(One quick note: a character relates that they saw “Some Like it Hot” in color – it was filmed in black and white. Just a small pet peeve because it is one of my all-time favorite movies).

I highly recommend picking up this book about family, personal choices, and doing the right thing. I am sure you will enjoy your visit to India.

SOCIAL:
Author Website: https://thehennaartist.com/
FB: @alkajoshi2019
Insta: @thealkajoshi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18257842.Alka_Joshi

BUY LINKS

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): My Perfect Wife by Clare Boyd

Let’s start simple: this was one of the biggest mindscrews I have ever read.

I have read domestic suspense with tight and twisty plots, but I can’t remember one where I was so off-balance.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082Q5M324Social
Apple Books: https://apple.co/35uJtuw
Kobo: http://bit.ly/34w3XC0
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/34nOsM3

The author did a fantastic job of keeping me guessing the characters’ motives throughout the entire book. In some books, some revelations make things clear even as there are more twists to come. Not the case here; everything stayed murky, and the story was that much better for it.

I liked how the author dropped hints about past events, but always with something else still waiting in the wings.

(By the way, I know this is cryptic, but it’s challenging to write a review on a book like this without giving anything away – and this is one that you definitely need to experience for yourself).

I thought the characters were well-described, and most of them seemed realistic. I did think that the American couple (Bo and Walt) verged on caricatures, but perhaps that was purposeful. It didn’t detract from the story; it was just noticeable.

I also thought that Heather’s parents were a little under-developed. I didn’t feel like I got a good grasp on them (Salvation Army volunteers, gardeners, and…what else?) There were times that it seemed as if they were supposed to be Bible-thumpers, but others where they were “normalized.” I think that is why the revelations about them in the latter part of the book were a little harder to take.

The same goes for Heather’s relationship with Jason. It didn’t seem as solid of a plotline as other parts, and almost seemed more as just a convenience to get Heather away from the drama at Copper Lodge.

I did think that the heart of the plot, the relationship between Elizabeth and Lucas, was exceptionally well-done. I switched back and forth as to whose story I believed, and that is what ultimately drove the tension and all of the twists. Right up until the end, I still didn’t know who was in the right.

There were a few loose ends, or at least a couple of plot points that I think deserved better endings (Agata and Piotr are mostly left hanging, for example). But when I finished the book, I literally asked myself, “What the hell did I just read?” And I like that in a suspense/ thriller story.

If you pick this one up, be prepared to be UNprepared as you read. Sometimes things don’t have to make perfect sense; they just have to happen. That is certainly the case with this book.

Author Bio

Clare lives with her husband and their two daughters in Surrey, where her little green shed at the bottom of the garden provides a haven for her writing life. Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/clareboydclark
FACEBOOK: clare.boyd.14
TWITTER: @ClareBoydClark
INSTAGRAM: claresboyd
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz

I’m very excited to be a part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tours.

First up is The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz.

Spanning three generations and covering nearly 65 years, this charming book pulled me in from the very start. The story unfolds gradually, beginning with Rocky in 2020, flashes back to her mom, Joanie, in 1982 and then back further to Rose in 1958. The chapters are consistent in rotating through these three points of view in order, making it easy to follow each storyline.

BUY LINKS:

I was swept up most by Rose’s story. The setting of the Parisian bridal atelier was unique and informative. The author did some homework on how those types of shops ran at the time. I also liked the intrigue of this plotline. The characters and situation seemed the most real to me.

There were parts of Joanie’s story that I liked as well, mainly the 80s references. I understood the Long Island/NYC setting and the attraction that a “good girl” might have to the punk scene of the early 80s. I did not, however, get a strong feeling for the relationships and felt that the connections between Joanie and the friends that she eventually made were tenuous, even as they proved to be more serious.

I related least to Rocky, but most to her fiance, Drew. (How’s that for an odd one?) Rocky came across as a spoiled millennial who was determined to be anti-establishment (as personified by her disagreements with her mom). While she did mature some throughout her storyline, I still didn’t care for her that much.

Drew, however, I could completely relate to, both as an adoptee and the mother to an international adoptee. His situation felt a little force, to add drama to his and Rocky’s arc, but his emotions and realizations felt natural, and I could think of a few personal instances that were similar.

There were even a few surprises along the way to resolution. However, there was one thing that I was not clear on (mini spoiler alert), and that had to do with Rocky’s dad. I wasn’t sure if I missed something, or if I was supposed to infer from other descriptions, but that whole part of the plot seemed murky to me.

The three storylines converged nicely by the end, and most of the relationships are clarified. I did like the overall message of the importance of balancing family and traditions with forging one’s path. That came across in each of the character’s stories as well as the overarching plot itself. You won’t be disappointed with this one; it’s a lovely book that is perfect for spring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brenda Janowitz is the author of five novels, including The Dinner Party and Recipe for a Happy Life. She is the Books Correspondent for PopSugar. Brenda’s work has also appeared in The New York Times,USA Today, The Washington Post, Salon, Redbook, and the New York Post. She lives in New York.

Author website: http://www.brendajanowitz.com/
Facebook: @BrendaJanowitz
Twitter: @BrendaJanowitz
Instagram: @brendajanowitzwriter
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/241404.Brenda_Janowitz
Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): The Magnolia Sisters by Alys Murray

I came into this book expecting it to be about sisters (not much of a reach, given the title). While there were moments of sisterhood, this ultimately was more of a romance with the focus on one sister in particular, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2TysXVF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/32HPD9U
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2TyZdb2
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TtoXpf

There was still a lot of emphasis on family throughout the book. Both Luke and Harper always had their sisters’ best interests in mind, even as they ignored what was right in front of them. This made them realistic and not typical romance novel stereotypes. Their reactions were natural and entirely in tune with people just too stubborn to see outside of their bubbles.

That being said, the author did a nice job of building the tension between the two of them. I especially liked that Harper was a strong, dedicated woman without being a raging feminist. Her description of why she loved flowers, and what they meant to her, was heartfelt and stirring. And her devotion to the traditions of the farm and her family were well-described.

I did not care for her youngest sister May. I know that she was an important character and the catalyst for more than one plot point. However, I found her to be selfish and spoiled. Again, I know that this was vital to the story, but it wasn’t in any way endearing. Annie and Rose, however, were a hoot.

As to the setting, I loved it. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. My parents and I used to take Sunday drives around the Bay, finding backroads and small towns. The descriptions of both the town and the people of Hillsboro reminded me of those towns. It was a sweet memory to revisit. And the flower farm was unique and intriguing.

All in all, it was a pleasant read with natural emotion and realistic characters…and a perfect rom-com ending (no spoiler, you know it’s coming). Take the emotional journey with Luke and Harper. You’ll enjoy it.

Author Bio

Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories! Currently splitting time between her home state of Louisiana and London, she enjoys kissing books, Star Wars, and creating original pie recipes for all of her books. Tobey Maguire is her Spider-Man. 

Social Media Links

Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: Avenge the Dead by Jackie Baldwin

I have often written about my hesitation to come into a series in the middle. Sometimes authors create a story that is a complete standalone, but other times, there are several references to previous books that make understanding the current situation more complicated. This book falls squarely in the latter category.

That’s not to say that there isn’t a lot to like in this book. The characters are realistic and very accurate to law enforcement (at least in my experiences). I particularly liked the way the author gave the main characters particular traits while also allowing them to have a shared perspective. That sounds weird.

I don’t want to give the plot away, so I will be vague. Members of the unit have been affected by a previous incident. As a group, they deal professionally (some better than others). But personally, they each cope in their own manner. I appreciated this attention to the individual characters.

But herein also lies the problem that I had with the book, and this is solely on me. The references to past books were numerous, and I felt like I was missing a considerable section of understanding. The background is key to the current situations of the unit members, and without it, I had to “take their word for it,” which left me with only a superficial feeling.

Again, that is on me. The author does an admirable job of using references to set the scenes, but it’s just not the same as having “experienced” the events along with the characters.

The crime itself is unusual. I liked how the past affected the present.  I also appreciated how the clues were revealed naturally in the course of the investigation. It allowed me to follow along and try to solve it with the detectives (and I love books that present in that manner).

It’s a good read, but I am certain I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read the first two books in the series. I will be trying to remedy that shortly by grabbing them. To get the full depth of where DI Frank Farrell’s mindset is, read the first two books before picking this one up.

About Jackie Baldwin: Jackie Baldwin is a Scottish crime writer. Her debut crime novel, Dead Man’s Prayer, was published by Killer Reads on 2nd September 2016. The second in the series, Perfect Dead was published on 15th June 2018. For most of her working life, she has been a solicitor specialising in Family and Criminal Law. She later retrained as a hypnotherapist. Married with a grown family, she recently moved from Dumfries to East Lothian.

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieMBaldwin1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBaldwinAuthor/
Website: http://jackiebaldwin.co.uk/
Posted on

Books On Tour – The Tuscan Girl by Angela Petch

I thought that this would be a run of the mill WWII historical fiction novel, but it turned out to be one of the more unique stories I have read lately. Told from multiple points of view, the author does a fine job of creating an entire picture of the characters’ lives.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2SJ0Tzx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2wsYa4x
Apple Books: https://apple.co/37IgSSW
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2P8YkVt

I can’t stress this part enough, because by having chapters that cover the same periods but from differing character’s experiences, the entire storyline is more holistic, which in turn makes it much more emotional. The reader gets to dig down into motivations and the effects of the war on personalities and general outlooks on life.

As in other books that cover the era, I thought that the parts set in WWII Tuscany were the most interesting, except for Massimo’s experiences in England. I have mentioned that I love learning something new from novels in this genre, and the Italian POWs in England certainly fit the bill. I especially liked Molly’s attitude about relationships. I thought that it echoed Florian’s in that they were both trying to find a little piece of sanity and normalcy in the craziness of war.

I liked Alba’s contemporary story, as well. Although I felt the catalyst for her returning to Italy was a tad much, I understand why the author chose to make it that emotional. I found her and Lucia to be very similar in many ways. I also liked that it was not a usual romantic, “everything will be okay in light of what she learned” story. The strength she found was admirable.

There were a few times that it seemed as if there was too much going on to keep straight. As a result, there were a few plot lines that felt more rushed than they should have been, with Quinto’s standing out the most. However, if one believes in karma and the universe’s tendency to achieve balance, he was vital to the overall arc of the other’s stories.

I’ll admit the end got me, and I read the last few chapters through tears. By that time, all of the plotlines and various stories converged, and there were satisfying conclusions. This not a story in a traditional linear sense, but the world created by the author is memorable and leaves an impact.

Author Bio

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable. In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas. The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.  

https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com/
@Angela_Petch  

Posted on

Books On Tour (Review): When We Were Brave by Suzanne Kelman

I loved A View Across the Rooftops because it was my “gateway” historical novel that got me hooked on the genre. I was therefore very excited to see the second book of this type by Suzanne Kelman. I am extremely pleased to say that there is no sophomore slump here – it’s another winner! In fact, the author has outdone herself, as this is even better than her first one.

Writing a historical novel can be tricky because there is a delicate balance to uphold. It should be informative without being too much like a history lecture, but should also contain emotion and actions that are compatible with the era. Not to mention that history can sometimes be dry, and feelings and facts don’t always go together.

This author has succeeded again, as the characters are realistic and jump off the page. There are both historical and contemporary storylines and they mesh perfectly. Sophie (in the present) has suffered some terrible personal losses when a picture in an exhibition catches her eye, as the woman in the picture looks a lot like her mother. Intrigued and needing a project to focus on, she decides to find out more about the history of the woman in the snapshot.

Her investigation opens up the world of WWII France and England, and this is where the novel came alive. Vivienne (Vivi to her friends) is a member of the SOE, a British Spy Organization. She goes to France to help the Resistance fight the Nazi occupation. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what else I can say because that had me hooked right in from the start.

What follows is Sophie tracking down Vivi’s story, and trying to determine how everything went wrong for Vivi, leading the family to never talk about her. I don’t want to say much more (loose lips and all), but Vivi is one of the most interesting characters I have ever read about, and I loved everything about her journey.

I have mentioned before that I love to learn something new from a historical novel, and this fits the bill perfectly as well. I knew about the French Resistance, but not about the Prosper Network in particular. The author did an excellent job researching and relaying the information in the course of the narrative without breaking the storyline.

Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this book, but I don’t want to give it away. You really need to experience Vivi’s story and Sophie’s investigation on your own. Trust me on this one; if you like historical novels, you will not be disappointed with this one.

Author Bio

Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State. 

Twitter: @suzkelman
Posted on

Books on Tour (Review): Our Last Letter by Liz Trenow

I have had a difficult time trying to place this book. It is not historical fiction in the strictest sense (in my opinion). Maybe historical with a touch of romance? Or maybe it is a story about pre-WWII Suffolk England that follows two unique individuals as their paths cross and uncross.

Let’s go with that.

I found the underlying plot to be fascinating. The invention and establishment of what we have come to know as radar were very interesting, and it is evident that the author either has a background or did copious amounts of research because there was extensive detail. It is a tribute to the author’s ability that all of the ins and outs of a complicated scientific system were described in a way that a layperson could not only understand it but also grasp its importance.

I also liked the main characters, which helped a lot. I think Vic was a bold choice that could have veered into a preachy mode about acceptance and tolerance. Fortunately, the way Vic handled such moments in his life allowed for his character to shine through. I thought Kath was also unique because she grew up thinking that she wasn’t anything special, but found through hard work that she was much smarter than she (or anyone else) had ever given her credit.

The plot was woven between Vic and Kath in a way that felt natural and really traced the path of wartime communications. I did think that it reached a point, however, that it seemed as if the author felt the need to rush on. What once contained great detail was rushed into letters back and forth. I understand why the author did it for the sake of the plot, but it felt abrupt and it took me a minute to switch gears.

All in all, it was a good book. I learned a lot about the importance of radar and its usage during WWII. With two winning characters driving the plot forward, one couldn’t help but root for them. I would recommend this book.

Author Bio

Liz Trenow is a former journalist who spent fifteen years on regional and national newspapers, and on BBC radio and television news, before turning her hand to fiction.

She lives in East Anglia with her artist husband, and they have two grown up daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.

Author Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizTrenow
Website: liztrenow.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liztrenow/
Posted on

Blog Tour (Review): Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee

Every so often, amid psych thrillers and crime procedurals, I need a brain break. You know, the equivalent of watching reality television. That’s what I got with Temporary Wife Temptation (and that’s a good thing).

Honestly, there is nothing profound to talk about here. There are the usual tropes (business associates, opposites, etc.). But everything is described in a way that makes it easy to understand where the characters are coming from – there is no guesswork needed.

I liked Natalie’s motivation, as that was slightly unusual. It showed the depth of her caring and gave her some dimension. I also liked how Garrett was a little torn between Korean traditions and his life. It was like he knew what was expected, and wanted to comply, but also wanted to pave his way.

In fact, that was one thing that made this book different from many others of the same genre; I thoroughly enjoyed learning some Korean customs and expectations.

This was a quick read for me and gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it. I’d recommend picking it up.

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)