Tag: Book Review

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Book Review: Nine-The Tale of Kevin Clearwater

Yeah, I really don’t know know where to start with this one. It was truly unlike any romance I have read before. Anti-romance? I don’t know. But what I do know is that I loved it.

I was very unsure about it in the first few chapters. But as I read further, I understood why the set up needed to be the way it was and it made a huge difference in how I looked at Nine for the rest of the story.

(Here is where I add that this is the first of the series that I have read, so even though it is a standalone, I got the definite feeling throughout that there was backstory to be found. That being said, I’m glad that I hadn’t read any others, because the style and characters were all new, which added to my reading enjoyment).

Okay, back to the story. I thought it moved along at a rapid pace and I loved the interplay between all of the characters. There were a number of times where the notes in my Kindle were “HA!” “Funny” and variations thereof. And the backup singing “Boom Boom Pow” had me literally laughing out loud.

I liked the interplay between Nine and Lenny. I really enjoy when an author creates a palpable magnetism between the characters that can be felt through the pages.

I loved Bo. With everything going on around him, there’s no way he could be anyway but the way he was. My favorite was when he said that he was nine and listening wasn’t a strong point for kids his age. He gets it.

While we are on the subject of kids, the ending gutted me. I don’t want to give it away, but the mom’s speech in court was heart-wrenching. As someone who is adopted and knows that I was given up so that I would have an opportunity at a better life than my birth mother could give me….that speech touched me deeply.

My ONLY complaint is about the cover. It does not seem to be representative of Nine’s tattoos at all. When he unveils his main one, it has meaning to both him and Lenny. and it most certainly is NOT what is on the cover. That is disappointing.

Other than that, I enjoyed the book, and I know that I will enjoy reading the first eight books in the series.

Nine: The Tale of Kevin Clearwater (King, #9)Nine: The Tale of Kevin Clearwater by T.M. Frazier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the most interesting “romances” I have ever read. The hero is an anti-hero (he does lots of bad stuff), and the heroine is pretty much an anxiety-riddled alcoholic – but it all works to make one helluva story. In some ways, their flawed characters make them more real than the perfect pretty-boy billionaires and saucy ingenues that often populate romance novels. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just a nice change every so often). I liked the plot, I liked the tension, both romantic and in general, and I really liked the twist that I didn’t see coming. For more thoughts on this “not-cute” romance, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. I’m now going looking for the other stories involving these characters! This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC of the book.

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Book Review: The Dream House

I love a good thriller that keeps a reader guessing without overt manipulation. You know the kinds of books that I mean. The books that throw a last minute character or event in to tie it all together? I find those to be dishonest.

The Dream House definitely kept me guessing, but only because the plot was masterfully crafted. I knew that everything was going to tie together somehow, but the writer did an excellent job of sneaking those ties in subtly. As I have mentioned, I leave notes on my Kindle as I read so when I write my reviews, I can remember what I was thinking/feeling at the time of reading.

In this book, I have six separate times where I left a “Wow!” or “No way…” (and even one “Holy Shit!!!!”) in my notes.

Now, y’all know that I read a lot. And I’m pretty good at guessing plot twists. I will admit that I guessed one, and half guessed another. But the others totally took me by surprise. And that’s just freaking awesome in my bookish world.

I also want to discuss the subject matter. I imagine that domestic violence is a difficult subject matter to write about. It’s a fine line between wanting to get the cruelty and depth of abuse across clearly while still treating it with respect to the victims – all while making sure it doesn’t become overly dramatic or cartoonish.

I think the author thoroughly succeeded in getting the points across succinctly and without it becoming overwrought. I especially liked how the various types of abuse were explored (again, subtly) so that characters in the present showed signs of committing the same abuses that they were against.

I know that sounds a little complicated, but psychological abuse, making excuses for the abuser, and abuse causing personality changes (among other things) are all woven into the plot, creating a tapestry of abuse-related actions that are inter-related.

This is not to say that’s all the book is. Far from it. It’s an excellent character study with a tight plot, deep characters, and twists galore – a psych thriller that truly earns the moniker “unputdownable.”

Oh, and one more thing: The title of the book switched from The Guest to The Dream House. The new title has a double meaning (which you will understand when you read the book) and I think it was a good choice to change it.

The Dream HouseThe Dream House by Jess Ryder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are psych thrillers that are “unputdownable,” and then there are ones that keep giving you one-two jabs of “holy heck what just happened?!?” The Dream House is the perfect combination of the two. I read it in two sittings (only due to a prior commitment) otherwise I would have read straight through. It is masterfully crafted with a plot that is both brutally realistic and hauntingly beautiful. It should probably be mentioned that the subject matter (domestic violence) might be triggering to some readers; descriptions can be rather frank. But the author deals with it in an honest and true-to-life way. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more thoughts on this excellent book. Thank you to Bookouture (via NetGalley) for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC of this book (formerly titled The Guest).

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Book Review: On the Rocks

I was intrigued by the description of this book and was happy when I received an ARC. I did NOT expect it to be such a gut-wrenching look at love and loyalty.

I’ll be honest, the author kinda had me at “whiskey” anyway, but was still sucked in to the plot.

You know me, no plot recaps here. But the four Becker brothers and their mom are very interesting characters. The allusions to Jordan’s differences from the family and their father’s connection to the whiskey factory gave the story an air of mystery that I truly hope is explored in future books.

Both of these plot points were very subtle but were a nice addition to the romance, rounding out the story more thoroughly.

That being said, the story really belongs to Ruby Grace and Noah. I loved his strength and her grit, his grace and her loyalty. I thought the way their relationship built slowly was very effective and liked that there were nuances to it – there was emotion in addition to attraction.

And that is where the author was very successful. Ruby Grace’s actions and reactions were very true to form for a 19 year old Southern girl brought up to believe in doing what’s right for family.

Speaking of family, even though some may think that Ruby Grace’s family situation was beyond belief, I can attest that it was extremely indicative of small-town life. From everybody knowing everybody else’s business to the backroom dealings, it all happens.

I also enjoyed the references to various movies (whether they were intentional or not). I found Dirty Dancing, The Wedding Singer, and Runaway Bride, to name a few. Betty would love this book 😉 And by the way, she was a fantastic secondary character. I loved the role she played.

I’m new to this author’s books, but after reading this one, I am a huge new fan and can’t wait for Logan’s story. Color me excited to find a new author to explore!

On the RocksOn the Rocks by Kandi Steiner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this expecting a good romance, but what I actually got (in addition to that) was a surprisingly deep exploration of family expectations and dedication. I couldn’t put this book down, fell in love with the Becker brothers, and hope that the author continues to explore the history of Scooter Whiskey in future books, because I think there’s more to Patrick Scooter than meets the eye. Oh, and I had fun recognizing some movie references here and there. For more on that, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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Book Review: Paperback Writers Anthology

You can read my Goodreads review below to get an overall feel for the book. I very much enjoyed all of the stories, but, I’m just going to quickly go over a few of my favorites.

The book really started off right. “Don’t Want to Leave Her Now” by Effie Kammenou was touching and heartfelt. The way the author wove the emotion of the song (“Something”) into the story was seamless. The concept of soul mates has always been fascinating to me, and it was explored beautifully in this story.

“Fidelity” by Morgan & Jennifer Locklear was another good one. I am a history buff, so the setting of the establishment of the Berlin Wall was especially interesting (I knew it would be so when I saw the date of the prologue). The dual meaning of the word fidelity, both as it relates to records and sound and faithfulness were intertwined to create the story of loss and hope.

Melanie Moreland is one of my favorite authors, and I was very excited to see that she was included in this anthology. Her “The Taste of You” read like one of her novels, and that made me very happy. I loved how she used the sensuousness of food to introduce the two main characters and special kudos to the hero’s name. Food is poetry and love for Chef Byron Lord; that’s just genius.

The other stories were just as good, but these three stood out to me. There is something for just about every taste in Paperback Writers. Even better, proceeds from the sales will benefit the World Literacy Foundation.

The Beatles, great authors, and contributing to a worthy cause. Go get your copy now!

Paperback WritersPaperback Writers by Jennifer Locklear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful anthology that will make you feel “Glad All Over.” Each of the stories is based on a Beatles song. Some of the authors work lyrics and/or song titles into their stories and some use the lyrics of a song as a theme or the plot. When put “All Together Now,” the result is an extremely diverse and highly entertaining anthology. “Don’t Let Me Down,” please go to my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews to find out which stories I liked the most, then “Run For Your Life” to pick up your own copy! This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC. “The End.”

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Book Review: The Mummy Bloggers

This book is a must-read for anybody who has spent any time on social media (so, yeah, that means that everybody should read it).

The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that are easily recognizable. I especially liked how the three main characters were all linked in one way or another. It allowed for the plot to be woven seamlessly between the three, instead of just being three perspectives.

The plot itself was fun: the three women all write “Mummy Blogs” (it’s set in Australia). Elle is the Stylish Mumma, Abi is the Green Diva, and Leisel is the Working Mum. They have each been nominated in the “Best Parenting” category of the Blog-aahs Awards (clever name).

Where the author excels is in the “unmasking” of each of the mums, and how each is not exactly what they seem to be – or at least what they put out to their followers on social media. Liesel is the one who comes closest, but Elle and Abi both have lots to hide.

Abi was especially interesting because she typified the “angry feminist” type of person who is extremely hypocritical, shooting off about “white privilege” (and finding out the person she was complaining about wasn’t white) and capitalism from her iPhone.

Elle is the worst of them, though. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful she is, and the terrible things that she does. But because she is so evil, she is so much fun to hate. Honestly, she is the stereotypical woman you know has to be lying because nobody is that perfect.

Which brings me to the main point that I took away: social media is NOT real life. People lie. They stage events and act a part. And they get so wrapped up in “clicks” and “likes” and “followers” that they have forgotten how to be decent human beings.

And that, my friends, is the state we are in today.

This is a timely novel that delivers the above message with humor but in a very pointed manner. Very well done.

The Mummy BloggersThe Mummy Bloggers by Holly Wainwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book and thought that the writing was excellent. I liked how the characters were representative of the different people easily found on social media: the overwhelmed mom, the ‘appearances are perfect’ mom, and the crunchy granola mom. But the author did an excellent job of illustrating how there is always more to a story, and nobody can actually be categorized that easily. There were quite a few jaw-drop moments, including one near the end that had me yelling “NO WAY!” at my Kindle. For more insight into the stereotypical characters, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Legend Press (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read a complimentary digital ARC of this book.

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Book Review: Smitten by the Brit

I wrote about the first book in Melonie Johnson’s “Sometimes in Love” series (Getting Hot with the Scot) not too long ago, and I was head over heels with the series then. Nothing has changed, and I actually love it a little more with the second installment, Smitten by the Brit.

You can read the blurbs and other synopses elsewhere. I’m going to tell you why I love this book on a personal level. Simply put, I could be Bonnie. Well, minus the fiancé issue, but everything else is very familiar.

I am the biggest Shakespeare nerd, and always have been. I can find Shakespeare quotes for various situations. I loved how Bonnie was a smart heroine, and made no apologies for it. That’s an unfortunately rare find in romance novels sometimes. But it’s one of the things that makes this series stand out.

The romance between Bonnie and Theo is as swoon-worthy as all of the previews and blurbs say. There’s a slow-burn that makes the reader ache right along with the “meant to be” couple. And when they finally get together…holy combustibility!

But the real reason that I love this book so much is simple and personal. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favorite Shakespeare play. When I taught high school drama at a predominately Hispanic high school, we mounted a version of it that is still remembered nearly 20 years later (crap, was it really that long ago?!?)

I’d always loved Shakespeare, but watching those kids learn his language and bring it to the stage was a life-changing moment for those students and for me. In other words, the author had me at Bonnie’s adaptation of the play to include bootleggers, speakeasies and 1930s gangsters.

Just for good measure, she also has me at the opening party where everyone is in costume, and then went ahead and mentioned my OTHER favorite play (The Importance of Being Earnest).

Honestly, I think Bonnie is my book doppleganger.

Anyway, go for the Shakespeare, stay for the romance. It’s another winning entry, and once again, I can’t wait for the next one!

Smitten by the Brit (Sometimes in Love, #2)Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t think it was possible to beat the first book in this series, but the author did it. I absolutely loved book two in the “Sometimes in Love” series. I identified with Bonnie in the first book, and even more so in this one. I am a fellow Shakespeare nerd, and could totally relate to her quoting him and finding parts of her life that were similar to his plays. And I am jealous of the job she took in England; I would kill for that! Oh yeah, the romance is great too, but you knew it would be because Theo is the perfect Austen hero. This is one of my favorite series, and I can’t wait for the next one. To find out more about how I relate to Bonnie, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. A HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read a complimentary digital ARC of this book.

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Book Review: The Scent Keeper

Simply put, this was one of the most stunning books I have read in a long time.

The beginning was very mysterious, and I liked that the reader was kept off balance as to the location of the story. I felt that added to the intrigue of Emmeline’s story, and left the question as to whether her life was similar to those of the fairy tales that her father tells her.

The imagery is absolutely beautiful. One passage about the rain talking to the roof and the fire snapping at it to be quiet actually stopped me from reading for a moment. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that described quite so perfectly.

The author evokes so much emotion just through the descriptions of locations and events, but it’s not false emotion. I really felt like I was with Emmeline and feeling her experiences right along with her.

Especially school. I could totally empathize with that.

But what I liked best about this book, what will stick in my memory and what inspired curiosity and a desire to learn more was the whole concept of smells and what they can capture.

We know this to be true, right? I can name certain smells that take me immediately to places that I had thought long forgotten. For example, if I smell cinnamon and sugar baking (like Snickerdoodle cookies) I instantly remember what one of my best friend’s bedrooms looked like…because her mom was always baking Snickerdoodles.

Or the smell of Aqua Net brings back memories of high school. (Yeah, I’m an 80s gal, and proud of it!)

But the way Emmeline treats smells, and her thoughts later in the book about missing notes was fascinating. The author made me want to learn more about the science, as I am sure that it is accurate.

I have also found that I am more aware of my sense of smell when I enter a store. Read the book, and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

But seriously, this is one unique book, and you should really give it a try. It is one I plan to re-read (knowing how it ends) because I think I will have a different perspective on the beginning. I love when a book can do that.

The Scent KeeperThe Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I honestly did not know where this book was going when I first started reading, but I quickly became engrossed in Emmeline’s story, and then I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. At times poetic and haunting, at other times exhilarating – but always fascinating, I felt everything right along with Emmeline. I loved the concepts, especially of smells as colors, and was thoroughly intrigued by Emmeline’s abilities. This was a fantastic book that should go on everyone’s “Must Read” list. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more detailed thoughts on this book. A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press (via NetGalley) for a pre-release digital ARC of this book.

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Review and Blog Tour: Undeniable

Let’s be honest right off the bat: this book had me at “distillery” and “rye whiskey.” I knew I was going to like it based on that alone.

But for you guys, I’ll talk about the other stuff as well.

I loved the way the author rolled out the relationship between Chloe and Oliver and how we got to see it from both of their perspectives. It gave the story more depth and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations. I also liked how it was nearly the end of the book before we finally got the full story and background. That curiosity helped move the plot along.

(Yeah, I know it’s a romance and all that, but sometimes I like to have a little bit of substance in between the sexy, romantic times. So sue me)

And as to those sexy, romantic times? I make notes in my Kindle when I’m reading, because it helps me write my reviews. There is a scene in the bedroom about 1/3 of the way through that I just typed “Holy hell that’s hot.” But there was also another about 1/2 way through where I commented “le sigh.” I love that the author balanced hot sex and romance and got them both perfect.

Oh, and about that rye? I absolutely got into the story that Oliver told Chloe about the growing of the rye. That was a fantastic historical piece and added a lot to the story.

When I received this, I didn’t realize it was the second in a series, so I’m going to find the first one, and believe me, I will be looking out for the rest in the series.

Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms, #2)Undeniable by Melanie Harlow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Undeniably sweet, undeniably sexy, and undeniably romantic (with a little bit of snark), the author couldn’t have picked a better title for this book. Oliver and Chloe are a study in missed opportunities, but the inevitability that they will end up together cannot be denied. Everyone seems to know it except for them. The author deftly maneuvers between present and past and between Oliver and Chloe. It sounds complicated, but it all worked smoothly, and I was never confused. I loved how Chloe was no pushover and that she was a strong character in general (not just when it came to romance). At times dreamy and then steamy, this book covered all the bases, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for a more detailed review. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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Book Review: Just Past Two

Holy helluva hot book! Seriously, this book needs a warning on it, because it is hot, hot, hot and just about melted my Kindle.

The author deftly explores a marriage in which two people finally realize that they have desires that each can fulfill…they’ve just never thought to explore them. Abby has tried to forget her wild college days and make herself a better person, while Sam has always been straitlaced.

An interesting encounter at Abby’s college reunion (which was interesting on its own, because I would not recognize a single person from my college) leads the couple to question their interests. In turn, they decide to “experiment with fantasies.” And they have no idea what they have gotten themselves into.

The sexy times in this book were some of the hottest that I have ever read, but they were unique in that they were between a couple who had the ultimate trust in each other, due to almost a decade of knowing each other. It was such a refreshing change from the usual combustible 20 somethings who have no experience at all.

(Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s kinda been done to death.)

I really loved that Abby and Sam approached their exploration from a base of mutual trust, and that they remained solid in their commitment to each other as each new experience made them question the foundations of their relationship.

The secondary characters were well done as well…the only person I could have used more of was Angela (the Home Depot scene was great). She kind of seemed to appear only when needed, and it would have been interesting to see more of her.

I liked how all of the characters (main and secondary) were truthful in their commentary. Mitchell’s descriptions of his life were not just there for titillation; it seemed based in honesty and reality.

I also appreciated how the author built each of Sam and Abby’s experiences on the previous one. This allowed for a very natural flow to the story, which was enhanced by the characters’ thoughts and feelings about each event.

Truly, you should grab this book. It’s a fascinating exploration of what may lie beneath the surface of a marriage.

And did I mention it’s hot as hell?

Just Past Two (Comes in Threes, #2)Just Past Two by Elia Winters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t even know where to start with this book. I loved the characters, I loved the character development, and I loved the entire plot. It was very evenly paced and incredibly realistic. The way the author allowed the characters to explore their feelings and emotions felt natural and was very unlike many romances of this genre. Abby and Sam were so real and honest that they could be anybody going through the same issues. I appreciated that the author wrote about main characters who were older and married (instead of the usual young and inexperienced). The author hit the nail on the head with this one. I truly enjoyed reading about their growth and experiences, and I look forward to reading more from this author. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for some more detailed (and dirtier) thoughts on this book. Thank you to Entangled: Scorched (via NetGalley) for a pre-release digital ARC.

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Book Review: Waisted

Society has an unhealthy focus on weight. Fashion magazines feature rail thin models and it seems like every celebrity has a fad diet that “worked for them” (yeah sure, give me unlimited time to work out and a private chef that cooks to order and I could probably look like that too!).

The pendulum seems to be swinging the other way, however, with clinically obese models now gracing the SI Swimsuit edition. Don’t get me wrong, it takes courage and I love the pride they have in themselves, but promoting an unhealthy look is wrong regardless of whether it is too skinny or too fat.

Waisted by Randy Susan Meyers dissects this abnormal focus on weight through the experiences of Daphne and Alice (and a few other women) who sign up for a reality show that is ostensibly to help them better themselves and therefore learn how to lose weight in a healthy manner. Healthy mind/healthy body and all that jazz. Unfortunately, the program is anything but healthy.

As always, no plot spoilers here. But it is definitely a book worth reading. I appreciated the contrasting family lives of Daphne and Alice, as they served to enhance the message that no matter what someone looks like on the outside, they are probably dealing with their own issues.

There were some parts that didn’t ring true to me, however. First, there were the descriptions of the women who were overweight. For example, near the beginning, Daphne weighs in at 192.08 at 5’4″. Yes, this is obese, but the sizing seemed off. Claiming that she is wearing an 18 does not seem accurate. A person who is 5’6″ and 220 generally wears a 16. Now, I know that weight is distributed differently, but it still seemed odd.

Second, I was disappointed that there was not more to the reality show/documentary plot line. It could have been a major theme, but once it (semi-)resolved itself, it seemed to be more of a mechanism to cause friction between Alice and her husband than anything else. And that didn’t have enough follow through.

In fact, the last third of the book seemed to completely switch focus. Once the women were back with their families, the whole reason for them coming together became part of the background. I appreciated that we got to see the reality of the struggle of weight loss, but I didn’t care for the sole focus on the two women – only because the whole concept of the documentary was so good, and could have carried through to the end.

I also wish there had been a little bit more closure to each of the women’s stories. The other women who were in the documentary were essentially faceless by halfway through the book, and there could have been a great counterpoint between all of them if they had remained essential characters.

Overall, however, it is an extremely sharp commentary on how women perceive themselves and how they think society perceives them. There were some good lessons to be had, and I think it would be an informative read for anyone who has ever had even the slightest worry about her weight.

WaistedWaisted by Randy Susan Meyers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This unflinching look at how women perceive themselves in the face of excessive weight gain is sometimes difficult to read. The author hits the nail on the head when it comes to the focus that society has on “being skinny.” I appreciated the overall message that people need to love who they are whatever weight they may be, but I wish there had been a little more focus on the “being healthy” aspect. I also wanted a better resolution to the women’s experience in Vermont. I felt that the author let that plot point go in order to focus on the self-realization of the individuals, and the end felt a rushed. There were too many times that inner dialogues stopped the action. For some more thoughts on this, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Atria Books (via NetGalley) for a pre-release digital ARC.

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