Tag: Family Drama

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The Wife’s Choice by Emma Davies – Books On Tour (Review)

This is the second book in a row that I was intrigued by, and enjoyed, but still felt like there was something missing.

I could identify with Alys’ outlook on just about everything: her feelings of being unimportant at work (with the work not exactly being fulfilling to begin with), the way she had to run interference between her daughter and her husband, being at a crossroads in her life…all relatable.

Especially that feeling of what might have been. I think every woman who has reached a certain age totally gets that one. Usually, it is in tandem with “the one that got away.” It’s almost that way for Alys, but with a little twist.

I’m not telling what it is (you can read that elsewhere).

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While I related to most of the situations Alys was dealing with, I found the writing style to be a little bit jarring. It switches from “I rush into the other room” to an inner monologue of “seeing you again has brought emotions back” – but Alys is not saying the second part to anyone.

It’s hard to explain, almost like these moments are supposed to be Alys’ inner monologue, but they’re not constant. As I said, it was jarring each time it occurred.

But I did like the trajectory and could understand how conflicted Alys was. I also liked how the secondary characters had just as much backstory as the main ones. And I especially appreciated the strong female friendship between Alys and Nancy. I thought that was a highlight.

I would recommend the book for some strong female characters and relatable situations.  

Author Bio

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea. 

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/
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My Mother’s Choice by Ali Mercer – Books On Tour (Review)

This story left me feeling conflicted. I thought the character development, especially of the main character, was realistic, and the plot was well thought-out, but overall…well, I can’t quite put my finger on it.

The gist of the story is Dani has grown up under the guidance of her aunt for ten years. She has random flashes of memory of her dad and aunt from when she was four years old, but not many memories of her mom.

Her aunt has set a lot of rules, and (like any 14-year-old) Dani rails against many of them. Her aunt calls in Dani’s dad, but nothing is really clarified for Dani.

Until she finds her mom’s diary in the attic and everything changes. The phrase “be careful what you wish for” came to mind.

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As she reads her mother’s diary, some of Dani’s questions are answered. But in turn, more questions arise. Dani pushes the issue with both her aunt and her dad until an explosive revelation brings everything out into the open.

In some ways, I thought that Dani was the most mature character out of the three of them. She seemed the most real to me. I especially appreciated how the author treated her as a real person and not a “typical teen.” I mean, there were definite teen moments, but Dani’s emotions and thoughts were deep and real. I liked that about her.

I understood the reasons for her aunt and dad to keep things from her, but I found it difficult to feel sorry for them. I got a definite “we know better” vibe, which just sat wrong with me for some reason.

I also didn’t feel like the revelation made as big of an impact as I thought it would. I don’t know if that’s because of my slight dislike for the adults, or what. But I think that’s where I am missing out on the bigger emotional punch of the climax.

I would still recommend this book, because I’m pretty sure that others will have a much different take than I did. I did feel for Dani, and commend the author for a teen character with more depth than many adult ones. That alone is worth the read.

Author Bio

Ali decided she wanted to be a writer early on and wrote her first novel when she was at primary school. She did an English degree and spent her early twenties working in various jobs in journalism, including as a reporter for the show business newspaper The Stage. She started writing fiction in earnest after getting married, moving out of London to the Oxfordshire market town of Abingdon and starting a family. She has two children, a daughter and a son who is autistic and was diagnosed when he was four years old. 
Ali is fascinated by families, their myths and secrets, and the forces that hold them together, split them up and (sometimes) bring them back together again. She always travels with tissues and a book and has been known to cry over a good story but is also a big fan of the hopeful ending. 

For updates and pictures, follow Ali on Twitter (@AlisonLMercer) or Instagram (@alimercerwriter), or on her Facebook page (AliMercerwriter)
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The Girls of Victory Street by Pam Howes: Books On Tour Blog Tour

World War II serves as a backdrop for this novel, which is ultimately a study about resilience and how life carries on even as it seems to be falling apart. Heartfelt and honest, it was a quick and thoughtful read.

I liked how the author started the story before the beginning of the war. It allowed the reader to get a feel for the town and the characters. The underlying knowledge that things were going to change added tension.

Not that there was more needed. Bella and her family face quite a few challenges, war or no war. I did feel like one particular moment early on was glossed over rather quickly. I would have expected it to have more impact and taken up more space in the plot.

I think because it happened so early, I hadn’t had the chance to get a good understanding of the character. That resulted in the event almost feeling more contrived that it should have been.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2WC2BnY

I really enjoyed Bella’s “professional” trajectory. I’m a big fan of the Andrews Sisters, so I imagined them quite often throughout the book. That brought back some happy memories of learning about their music (and the era) when I was younger.

While I love historical fiction, especially WWII, I also liked that the war served more as a backdrop rather than a main plot point. It was a reminder that people still had everyday worries with the war piled on top.

I thought the message of music as a relief from the personal strains of life was also a good one. The importance of finding something that makes you happy, regardless of what else is going on, should never be underestimated.

Oh, and just a nitpicky thing about the blurb: accurate events, not in the same order as the plot.

Author Bio
Pam is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren and roadie to her musician partner.

The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing. 

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Books On Tour (Review): The Sunset Sisters by Cecilia Lyra

On the surface, this book is about two estranged sisters. When their grandmother, Bertie, passes away, she specifies in her will that to inherit anything, they must reconcile by spending a month at her beach house. The premise itself is interesting, but there is also so much more at stake than initially appears.

I thought that the author did a good job setting the stage for the “reconciliation.” It was apparent from the beginning that although they used to be close, Cassie and Julie had gone completely separate ways for almost 15 years. The reasons for that are revealed slowly, with small hints in the form of inner thoughts and barbed retorts giving the reader clues along the way.

I was very interested in the dynamic between Cassie and Julie. Cassie was very prickly and a huge chip on her shoulder, where Julie was easygoing to the point of being a pushover. Cassie took advantage of that, which made her somewhat unlikeable to me at first. I warmed to her over time, though.

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What I found particularly intriguing were the life choices that each of the women had made over the years of estrangement. Julie picked a husband who she felt took care of her (and not much else) in the form of control, something she had missed as a child. While Cassie, on the other hand, had made choices that were more along the lines of Julie’s mother. I thought this was a fascinating juxtaposition that was deeply explored and expertly relayed.

I thought that point that they had the same eyes (also the same as Bertie) was especially telling. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Cassie and Julie were more alike than either of them were willing to admit.

I liked how Bertie had everything planned out, right down to involving Craig. With the memories of both girls, and the opinions of Craig, she came across as the mother that neither girl truly had. She was also someone who I would love to know (especially because of her “New Age-y” vibe).

What made this book truly unique to me, however, was Julie’s narrating the dual princess stories. I could see where that was going from the beginning. I was thrilled that the author used that as part of her character development. It was so illustrative, and I loved it. I was also pleasantly surprised that one character did something that I didn’t expect (no spoilers, but I expected a different choice to be made).

I loved the poignancy, and the story was heartfelt. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Author Bio
Cecilia is an author with a reading addiction — a serious one. She is a lover of wine and all things chocolate, and the proud mother of Babaganoush, an English Bulldog. She is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her. 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ceciliaclyra
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Books on Tour (Review): The Island Girls by Noelle Harrison

Even after reading the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. What I got was an in-depth exploration of family loyalty, sisterly bonds, and the different ways responsibility manifests itself. This book drew me in and kept me turning pages late into the night to find out how everything worked out.

I loved the through-line of sisterhood. Not only do we see the bonds between Katie and Susannah, Emer and Orla, and even Rebecca and Lynsey to an extent. I thought the author did an excellent job drawing parallels that were subtle but packed an emotional punch.

The story unfolds in alternating chapters between Emer’s life in 2011 and Susannah’s in the late 50s/early 60s, and the transitions were seamless. The story is such that there is no jolt between the time changes.

I thought that Emer was an interesting character. She was obviously seeking redemption for what she saw as a slight to her own sister, but she learned through Susannah’s history that there could be so much worse out there. I don’t know that she had that big revelation, but she definitely learned that lesson. And I thought that the moment when it all crystalized (when Susannah went looking for her) was poignant and powerful.

I did feel, however, that the romance between Emer and Lars was sometimes weak; it could have used a little bit more depth, as it was the only part (to me) that felt a little contrived. I think that is primarily because everything else that we learn, through letters and recollections, is so real.

I don’t mind saying that by the end of the book, I was in tears. The bravery that comes from getting through a loved one’s death is one thing. Sacrificing one’s entire life because of guilt (or a sense of duty or a sense of shame) is an entirely different animal. It is ultimately up to the reader to decide which one Susannah operates under as she makes her choices.

 Overall, I think the author managed to capture the mentalities of both small town “Island” inhabitants and those who wish to overcome that mentality (personified by Katie and Susannah’s opposing views on the matter). Ultimately, the realization that each of them comes to is that what is “right” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is right forever. And there are always options, even when it seems as if there aren’t.

It is a novel full of impactful insight that I will be thinking about for a long time.

Author Bio

Noelle Harrison is the Irish author of nine novels and five plays and has been translated into over 13 different languages. Her short stories have been published in Lines of Vision, Irish Writing on Irish Art, & Gutter Magazine of New Scottish Writing. In 2016, Noelle co-founded Aurora Writers’ Retreats building on 20 years’ experience of teaching creative writing in Ireland, Scotland, Norway and England.

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Apple Books: https://apple.co/2KbNElX
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Blog Tour (Review): Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer

I’m not going to beat around the bush. This was one of the most challenging books I have ever read. Oddly enough, that’s because it was so poignant and so relevant that I felt almost every page as if I was experiencing it myself.

I think part of that is because my father experienced a slow decline in cognitive awareness that ended with a complete inability to communicate. Those sections with Beth’s father were extremely emotional for me. They were well-written and accurate to what I (and I’m sure many others) have experienced.

I also found similarities between the four siblings and my mother’s side of the family. They, too, had similar conversations about what to do with my grandmother’s house after she passed away. Like Beth, the baby of the family (ironically, named Ruthe) was left with the brunt of the family history because the other’s had gotten “out.”

I know that this “review” hasn’t been much about the book itself.  But for me, it is because there were so many parallels. I think that authors ultimately hope to reach readers with stories that can touch them and make them feel, and this author absolutely succeeded in that regard.

Simply put, this book was extremely well-written with realistic characters in recognizable situations. It is heartfelt, emotional, and packs a wallop (have tissues handy). It’s also one of the best books I have read this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelly Rimmer is the worldwide and USA TODAY bestselling author of Before I Let You Go, Me Without You, and The Secret Daughter. She lives in rural Australia with her husband, two children and fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. Please visit her at www.Kelly.Rimmer.com

SOCIAL LINKS

  • Facebook: @Kellymrimmer
  • Twitter: @KelRimmerWrites
  • Instagram: @kelrimmerwrites

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Blog Tour (Review): The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne

I picked to read this book at the right time, as this charming story kept me interested…and distracted.

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At the heart of the story are three generations of a family. Olivia heads back home to help take care of her mother, Juliet, and has to also deal with her niece, Caitlin.

There are family secrets and old wounds that have never completely healed. The author does a fantastic job of weaving a story told from all points of view. There is never a jolt when the action shifts between the characters. Everything flows smoothly.

I did have a little bit of an issue with Olivia. I did not entirely buy her being down on herself about not acting differently in the face of a robbery. I understand that it provided significant insight into her character, and was indicative of how she handled her relationships. But it almost made her too “down” for me to be able to support her.

Fortunately, I loved Juliet’s feistiness in light of her diagnosis and subsequent fall. I have known many women in my life who are exactly like her, and I found bits of them throughout the book. I also liked Caitlin more than I expected to. I thought she was going to be a typical annoying teenager, but she had incredible depth, especially in light of her mother’s choices.

There’s a romance in here as well, and it is sweet and realistic. But what I liked better was how Caitlin and Jake’s friendship echoed her mother and Cooper’s. This was illustrative of the close ties that form between families in a small town, while also emphasizing how certain people are just meant to be in each other’s lives.

From looking at some of the other reviews, this was apparently not up to the author’s usual standards. You couldn’t tell that by me because I very much enjoyed this introduction to her work, and I look forward to reading many more.  

Author Bio

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

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Books On Tour (Review): The Forgotten Wife by Emma Robinson

I am an active reader. Whenever I pick up a book, I hope to find something that I can grasp onto that will give me a more profound understanding of character motivations or (at the very least) I hope to learn something new. A character might go through an experience that I can relate to, or have a familiar attitude. In the case of historical fiction novels, it might be details about a little-known event.

Sometimes, however, I learn something more profound about myself that I did not expect. That was the case as I read The Forgotten Wife.

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On the surface, it is the story of two women who find strength in each other as they transition from being new neighbors to good friends. I liked how each of the women, Shelley and Lara, were fully realized characters with distinct personalities. I appreciated how the author crafted their introductions so that the reader got to know the women gradually (as they did with each other). It made me feel like I was a third party to their friendship, not just an outside observer.

I also thought the author did a fantastic job of keeping the realism in the women’s stories, again, rolled out naturally as one would divulge in a new friend. Both women had revelations and realizations about each other and themselves as they opened up to each other. But this is where it got interesting for me.

I have been fortunate never to have experienced either of the events that affected these women, which allowed me to read their stories without becoming emotionally involved. That’s not to say that I didn’t empathize with them, because I absolutely did. But I did not have the background that would have hit me on a deeper level. I have read comments on this book where people were bawling their eyes out or so emotional that they had to stop reading for a time.

I found that this stopped me in my tracks. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that I was one of the people who Shelley and Lara both knew. The person who was aware of what happened to them, but didn’t have a personal connection to the event itself.

This struck me as strange because I still felt for them. I enjoyed being a part of their bonding (loved the clothing scenes) and experiencing their joy  (see what I did there?) and sadness.

I’m not doing a good job of describing this. Let me see if I can summarize it better.

The author made me feel like I was experiencing the growth of their friendship right along with them, but with a bit of detachment from the deep emotions they both went through.

I find that to be an exciting talent of the author. It is difficult to make people care about characters they have little in common with, but this author succeeded. I was rooting for both women, even as I had no real affinity for either one.

Still not sure I did a great job of explaining my thoughts. But I did thoroughly enjoy this book and loved seeing both women overcome their hurdles and (hopefully) move on to happier times. I also found out something about myself: that a personal connection to a book doesn’t always happen in the same manner and doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful to lead to the enjoyment of said book.

Author Bio

Emma Robinson is the author of five novels about motherhood and female friendship including The Undercover Mother.

Her fifth novel – The Forgotten Wife – will be out in January 2020.

When she is not writing, Emma is an English teacher and lives in Essex with a patient husband and two children who are an endless source of material.

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