Another Woman’s Child by Kerry Fisher – Books On Tour (Review)

Jo and Ginny have been best friends for decades. When Ginny reveals she has terminal cancer, she asks Jo to take care of her teenage son, Victor. Jo is already struggling with her own teen daughter (drama!), but she feels she owes it to her oldest friend to help where she can. Jo has no idea what that ultimately means for her family.

This is the set up for this introspective and ultimately uplifting book about being steadfast and doing the right thing even when everything you’ve thought you’ve built seems to be crumbling.

I’m not going to lie. Jo really got on my nerves in the first part of the book. Everything always seemed to be about her, and how worried she was about what everyone else would think. She was a definite people-pleaser. Everyone knows the type: someone who tries too hard and it becomes painfully obvious that they’re desperate to be hitting the right tone and intent.

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Jo’s daughter, Phoebe, is a hellion. There’s no other way to put it. She acts like a spoiled brat and obviously likes to push boundaries (and her mom’s buttons) for entertainment. Jo’s husband, Patrick, has also known Jo long enough that he usually just steps back and lets her spiral. And poor Victor, who lost his mom, is thrown into all of this crazy in a new town where he is the only person of color.

However, when there is a big family revelation (right about halfway through the book), everything changes. Long-held beliefs are shaken, loyalties are questioned, and everyone is forced to take a step back to re-evaluate their perspectives on the situation.

I thought the author handled the challenges facing the family with awareness and insight. I thought that each character’s reactions were individualized. It was obvious that a lot of thought went into the various characters and their personalities.

The author also provides a searing, and accurate, commentary on racism. At times it was difficult to read, but as the white mom of an Ethiopian son, I am familiar with some of the prejudices that the townspeople showed towards Victor. It’s an unfortunate part of human nature to accuse what is easiest to see, not what is most difficult to understand. I think the author did a good job with handling this subject, especially when it came to how the family ultimately handled all of it.

I went into this book expecting one thing and feeling one way about most of the characters, but my opinion of them completely transformed through the author’s thoughtful portrayal. I highly recommend this book about resilience and the importance of family.

Author Bio
Kerry Fisher is a million-copy bestselling author. She writes women’s contemporary fiction, is a USA Today bestseller and her books have been translated into twelve languages. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica. After returning to England to work as a journalist, she eventually abandoned real life stories for the secrets of fictional families. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy, who joins in the huge dances of joy when her young adult children come home. 

Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman – Blog Tour (Review)

I thought that the setting for this book was interesting, and the main character was intriguing. This book also had one of the more unique perspectives that I have ever read in historical fiction.

I liked how it was set in the early 50s, because it allowed for the characters to have feelings and opinions that would be more reflective of just coming out of the war. Setting it in the 60s, for example, would have given a completely different dimension to the characters’ outlook.

I also liked how an NYC publishing house was central to the plot. It made sense for Charlotte’s character, as she was extremely literary. Given her father’s background (and her experiences in WWII Paris) this made sense.

I thought Vivi was also an interesting character, and the author did a good job capturing the questions a young teen girl would have, as well as the impetuous nature of teenagers. I liked her scenes as she was trying to figure out her heritage.

That was one of the interesting twists to this story – the whole question of whether Vivi and Charlotte are Jewish or not is an underlying theme both in Paris and in New York City. It certainly raised some interesting aspects to Charlotte’s actions.

All of that being said, I did feel that it was uneven in some places. Transitions were especially awkward. There were times that Charlotte was clearly in NYC, but all of a sudden was back in Paris. I realize that this could be due to formatting, as I read an ARC on my Kindle, and perhaps these transitions are smoothed out. But there were times I had to re-read a passage just to confirm where the action was occurring.

I also felt that there were some contrived plot points that didn’t entirely fit in the story. I don’t want to give anything away, but there were events and conversations that seemed as if the author thought of them and needed to put them in, rather than having anything to really do with the plot itself.

Overall, I thought there were some interesting points, and the author addressed the issues in post-occupation Paris with clarity and understanding. That’s something that is often overlooked.

Oh, and a special shout out for mentioning the Betsy-Tacy books. That’s still my all-time favorite series in the world, and I loved that it was in this book. For a literary person like Charlotte, I think this means the series is held in high esteem. As it should be.

Author Bio

ELLEN FELDMAN, a 2009 Guggenheim fellow, is the author of Terrible VirtueThe UnwittingNext to LoveScottsboro (shortlisted for the Orange Prize), The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank (translated into nine languages), and Lucy. Her novel Terrible Virtue was optioned by Black Bicycle for a feature film.

Buy Links

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/

Lies, Lies, Lies by Adele Parks – Blog Tour (Excerpt)

Trying something new on the blog today. Here’s an excerpt from a new release. Check it out and see if it’s something that grabs you!

Prologue

May 1976

Simon was six years old when he first tasted beer.

He was bathed and ready for bed wearing soft pyjamas, even though it was light outside; still early. Other kids were in the street, playing on their bikes, kicking a football. He could hear them through the open window, although he couldn’t see them because the blinds were closed. His daddy didn’t like the evening light glaring on the TV screen, his mummy didn’t like the neighbours looking in; keeping the room dark was something they agreed on.

His mummy didn’t like a lot of things: wasted food, messy bedrooms, Daddy driving too fast, his sister throwing a tantrum in public. Mummy liked ‘having standards’. He didn’t know what that meant, exactly. There was a standard-bearer at Cubs; he was a big boy and got to wave the flag at the front of the parade, but his mummy didn’t have a flag, so it was unclear. What was clear was that she didn’t like him to be in the street after six o’clock. She thought it was common. He wasn’t sure what common was either, something to do with having fun. She bathed him straight after tea and made him put on pyjamas, so that he couldn’t sneak outside.

He didn’t know what his daddy didn’t like, just what he did like. His daddy was always thirsty and liked a drink. When he was thirsty he was grumpy and when he had a drink, he laughed a lot. His daddy was an accountant and like to count in lots of different ways: “a swift one’, “a cold one’, and ‘one more for the road’. Sometimes Simon though his daddy was lying when he said he was an accountant; most likely, he was a pirate or a wizard. He said to people, “Pick your poison’, which sounded like something pirates might say, and he liked to drink, “the hair of a dog’ in the morning at the weekends, which was definitely a spell. Simon asked his mummy about it once and she told him to stop being silly and never to say those silly things outside the house.

He had been playing with his Etch A Sketch, which was only two months old and was a birthday present. Having seen it advertised on TV, Simon had begged for it, but it was disappointing. Just two silly knobs making lines that went up and down, side to side. Limited. Boring. He was bored. The furniture in the room was organised so all of it was pointing at the TV which was blaring but not interesting. The news. His parents liked watching the news, but he didn’t. His father was nursing a can of the grown ups’ pop that Simon was never allowed. The pop that smelt like nothing else, fruity and dark and tempting.

“Can I have a sip?” he asked.

“Don’t be silly, Simon,” his mother interjected. “You’re far too young. Beer is for daddies.” He thought she said ‘daddies’, but she might have said ‘baddies’.

His father put the can to his lips, glared at his mother, cold. A look that said, “Shut up woman, this is man’s business.” His mother had blushed, looked away as though she couldn’t stand to watch, but she held her tongue. Perhaps she thought the bitterness wouldn’t be to his taste, that one sip would put him off. He didn’t like the taste. But he enjoyed the collusion. He didn’t know that word then, but he instinctively understood the thrill. He and his daddy drinking grown ups’ pop! His father had looked satisfied when he swallowed back the first mouthful, then pushed for a second. He looked almost proud. Simon tasted the aluminium can, the snappy biting bitter bubbles and it lit a fuse.

After that, in the mornings, Simon would sometimes get up early, before Mummy or Daddy or his little sister, and he’d dash around the house before school, tidying up. He’d open the curtains, empty the ashtrays, clear away the discarded cans. Invariably his mother went to bed before his father. Perhaps she didn’t want to have to watch him drink himself into a stupor every night, perhaps she hoped denying him an audience might take away some of the fun for him, some of the need. She never saw just how bad the place looked by the time his father staggered upstairs to bed. Simon knew it was important that she didn’t see that particular brand of chaos.

Occasionally there would be a small amount of beer left in one of the cans. Simon would slurp it back. He found he liked the flat, forbidden, taste just as much as the fizzy hit of fresh beer. He’d throw open a window, so the cigarette smoke and the secrets could drift away. When his mother came downstairs, she would smile at him and thank him for tidying up.

“You’re a good boy, Simon,” she’d say with some relief. And no idea.

When there weren’t dregs to be slugged, he sometimes opened a new can. Threw half of it down his throat before eating his breakfast. His father never kept count.

Some people say their favourite smell is freshly baked bread, others say coffee or a campfire. From a very young age, few scents could pop Simon’s nerve endings like the scent of beer.

The promise of it.

Excerpted from Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks, Copyright © 2020 by Adele Parks. 

Published by MIRA Books

So, what do you think? Intrigued? Here are the purchase links.

And here is more about the author!

Twitter: @AdeleParks Instagram: @adele_parks Facebook: @OfficialAdeleParks Goodreads

Adele Parks was born in Teesside, North-East England. Her first novel, Playing Away, was published in 2000 and since then she’s had seventeen international bestsellers, translated into twenty-six languages, including I Invited Her In. She’s been an Ambassador for The Reading Agency and a judge for the Costa. She’s lived in Italy, Botswana and London, and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband, teenage son and cat.

Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass – Blog Tour (Review)

Holy twisted mind games!

This book started off a little on the slow side, and I thought I was in for a typical “why did the husband disappear” story. Which would have been fine with me.

I could not have been more wrong.

Little by little, the author started dropping hints that something more was at play than Faith’s husband Liam just disappearing. Then seemingly random events occurred that made Faith question what she thought she remembered. An email here found by a colleague there. Cryptic emails that indicate another person in the mix there.

As Faith tries to put all of the pieces together, she starts to uncover something much more sinister than a simple disappearance.

That’s all I’m going to say about the plot, because it would be too easy to give something away. And this book REALLY needs to be experienced without knowing too much.

The author did a fantastic job of scattering just enough information to keep the reader as off balance as Faith was. Being able to experience that feeling right along with her added to the tension of the story. Boy was there a lot of that! The good kind that makes you unable to wait for what happens next.

I would say that roughly halfway through the book it turned from a simple and interesting story into a “can’t-put-it-down-I’m-staying-up-until-3-am-to-finish” type of read. And the last quarter of the book was page-turning, psychological thriller at its finest.

I will also say that I am usually pretty good at figuring out at least part of “whodunit” in most books that I read. This one had me guessing right up to the 80% mark on my Kindle. I think that’s a record. But then the author pulled the rug out from underneath me that made me question what I thought. Just like Faith.

Honestly, I’m going to get myself in trouble if I keep going. Buy this book. The suspense will leave you breathless.

AUTHOR BIO

Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and Playwright-in-Residence at the University of Texas-Arlington, where she teaches Film Studies and Playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Smith College, and has optioned multiple screenplays to Hallmark and Lifetime. Someone’s Listening is her first novel.

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Thanks for checking in on my stop on the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour. Come back on 7/28 for the review of Lies, Lies, Lies!

Books On Tour (Review): Summer at Orchard House by Ellyn Oaksmith

Technically a romance, this story of three sisters trying to save their dad’s vineyard is also a testament to the importance of keeping the American Dream alive. It’s the perfect story for the times.

Right off the bat, I could tell that the author had a vast knowledge of the inner-working of vineyards, a thought that was confirmed the further I read. Whether it was from experience or copious amounts of research, it showed in the details. It also made the vineyard almost a character itself, instead of just a pretty setting for a story.

I think this was important because the vineyard is central to the plot, and it being more than an inanimate object was added depth to the importance of the plot of land. It became symbolic of everything the family had in life.

That was my favorite part of the whole plotline. From the first phone call that Carmen receives from her sister through the stories that unfold, the reason why the vineyard must be saved is clear. It’s their lifeblood, their representation of their family, and their part of the American Dream. Everything that America is to millions of people.

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I loved how Mr. Alvarez imbued that in his daughters, even if they didn’t exactly realize that at the time. I could relate to the feelings that Carmen had when she realized that she should have paid more attention to her father when she was younger. She regrets not learning from him more, and with his condition, it’s harder to do in the present time. That hit home for me.

I also liked how the author was fair to Evan, giving him depth as well. His character could have been the rich, annoying neighbor stereotype, and there were times that that kind of attitude appeared. However, I thought the author did him a great service in making him human and vulnerable. His first introduction where he felt lonely after meeting with Mr. Alvarez stuck with me through the whole book.

I really enjoyed the journey of all of the characters throughout the story. I would highly recommend this book for many reasons, but mainly for the attention to the heart of the story: the importance of maintaining and keeping sight of dreams.

Author Bio
Ellyn Oaksmith is a USA Today and Kindle bestselling author. After graduating from The American Film Institute, Ellyn was a screenwriter in Hollywood, pitching movies, rewriting scripts and navigating the Los Angeles freeways before Google Maps. Meeting movie stars was a fun and surreal perk.

Ellyn’s first book was published by Avon/Harper Collins. Other contemporary romances with smart, ambitious heroines followed.
Ellyn lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and their polydactyl cat, Forest. Ellyn is an avid competitive rower. 

Website: http://ellynoaksmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllynOaksmith 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellynoaksmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellynoaksmith  

Books On Tour (Review): Her Shallow Grave by DK Hood

This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. I came in late at Her Broken Wings (#8), but have been trying to catch up since then. I’ve seen the progression. The writing is crisp, the characters are realistic and likable, and the villains are always super-creepy. This installment is no exception.

I really like how the author doesn’t beat around the bush. The action starts right away so there’s no guessing about where it’s headed and this one really takes the cake. The Sculptor is definitely one of the most chill-inducing and prolific baddies I have “met” in a book.

The camaraderie between Kane and Alton has grown over the series. They’ve been working together long enough that they’re a well-oiled machine. But that doesn’t mean they’ve become complacent. There’s a scene early on that illustrates just how “on top” of things they still are, especially Kane. The man is a beast.

The author also pays attention to secondary characters, giving them their own times to shine. FBI Agent Jo Wells and Bobby Kalo have their own parts to do. I especially like Bobby’s story.

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Actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize these books read more like a popular tv show. The characters all have their strengths and together they make a team. The plots are self-contained, but have the through-plot lines that continue from book to book. I dig that.

I’m trying to avoid the plot, because I really think books like this need to be experienced, and I don’t want to be the one to spoil someone’s experience. I mentioned The Sculptor; he is as nuanced as the regular characters, and I appreciate the attention to detail. I also like that one of the victims did not act like a typical victim. I was rooting for her. And that’s all I am going to say about that.

This is one of the few series that I think you really can read as stand-alones, but I do think you miss the background of the team. So jump in now.

Author Bio:

I’ve always had a wicked sense of humour and was the kid who told the ghost stories around the campfire. I am lucky to have family all over the world and have spent many vacations in places from Paris France to Montana USA and Australia. I use the wonderful memories from these visits to enhance my stories.

My interest in the development of forensic science to solve crime goes back many years. I enjoy writing crime, mystery and thrillers. With many stories, waiting for me to write I’ll look forward to sharing many spine-tingling stories with you.

D.K. Hood is an active member of International Thriller Writers

Website: www.dkhood.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dkhoodauthor/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DKHood_Author

Blog Tour (Review): The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton

I want to start this review with a disclaimer. I read this book when a LOT was going on around me. Some significant changes were occurring, and my time was split, so I was not able to dedicate extended periods of reading time to this book. I had to read it when I could catch a few minutes here and there. I think that had a significant bearing on why I struggled with this book.

I was intrigued by the set-up. Marie looks after her best friend Nina’s family in honor of Nina’s last wishes. But there’s more to it because Marie has always been jealous of Nina’s life. Is she altruistic, or does she have ulterior motives?

What she doesn’t know, but quickly finds out, is that Nina may have had ulterior motives of her own. She certainly kept a lot of secrets from Marie. As Marie uncovers hidden truths, little by little, her plan for the perfect life starts to fall apart.

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As I said, it’s a great premise. My problem was continuity. Again, it could be due to the timing and how I had to read the book. But I felt like it was disjointed, and things did not flow smoothly.

I also never got a good grasp on Marie. Frankly, I didn’t like her. I thought she was manipulative and an opportunist. Perhaps that was the point, to have an unlikeable main character, but as everything was from her perspective, it made it difficult to get behind her. I found myself rooting for other characters to realize her duplicity.

There were some twists and curves, and the book did pick up after a while. It turns out that everyone Marie comes in contact with has secrets of their own. Ultimately everything is out in the open, and (no spoiler) Marie gets the ending she pretty much deserves.

I wish that I had been able to devote more attention to the book because I think I would have appreciated it a lot more. As it was, it was just okay. But give it a try if you have the time to devote to reading it.  You may have a completely different experience.  

Author Bio:

Social Links: Author Website Twitter: @KJHAuthor Instagram: @karenhamiltonauthor
Facebook: @KarenHamiltonWriter Goodreads

Karen Hamilton spent her childhood in Angola, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy and worked as a flight attendant for many years. Karen is a recent graduate of the Faber Academy and, having now put down roots in Hampshire to raise her young family with her husband, she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the world through her writing. She is also the author of the international bestseller The Perfect Girlfriend.

Thanks for stopping by my stop on the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Mystery & Thriller Summer Blog Tour. Be sure to check back over the next couple of months for more reviews!

Making Whoopie by Erin Nicholas-Blog Tour (Review)

The third book in Erin Nicholas’ Hot Cakes series does not disappoint. In fact, I think it might be my favorite so far.

I always enjoy how the author builds her characters through her series. We’ve met and gotten to know both Grant and Josie over the first two books, so we have an idea of what their characters are. But in this book, they take center stage.

I’m not going to rehash the plot, 1) because I hate book report reviews, 2) you can find details elsewhere, and 3) I hate spoilers.

I loved the chemistry between these two. The author always creates good heat between characters, but Grant and Josie were off the charts. I liked how he was a little bit domineering and how she was turned on by it, even as she thought she wouldn’t be. That was realistic and believable. And did I mention hot?

But it’s not just couple’s chemistry, the friends who own Hot Cakes have a camaraderie that is enjoyable and downright hysterical. Their conversation about cupcakes early on was laugh out loud funny. And I love Piper throwing her two cents in all the time. I truly can’t wait for her story; I think she’s my favorite character.

The conflict in this book is a familiar trope, but because of the relationship between Grant and Josie, it doesn’t feel like a retread. It feels fresh and actually makes sense in the bigger picture of the overall plot. Of course, there are screw ups and misunderstandings, but not as many as one might expect. It’s nice to see adults being adults and not acting like teenagers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but that’s no surprise, given how I felt about the first two: Sugarcoated and Forking Around. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.

Blog Tour (Review): The Black Swan of Paris

I’ll be honest:  this book had me at the theater. I always like finding unique settings in historical fiction novels, and this one certainly qualifies.

I loved how the author set everything up. The connections between characters were tenuous and not easily discernable, adding a bit of mystery. The backstory unfolds slowly, which adds to the tension that is already felt through the setting.

I think that there must have been copious amounts of research because the author captured the essence of theater. Having been in theater myself, I could picture the costumes and stage area, and I could practically smell the aroma that all backstage areas seem to share. Sweat, makeup, perfume, and grease (among others) all combine into a scent that is uniquely “theater.”

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Not only was the general theatrical atmosphere accurate, but the author also managed to balance the ominous presence of the Nazis against the magic of the theater. It was an interesting juxtaposition that gave those scenes depth.

As to the plot itself, has everything a good read should have. There’s intrigue, espionage, romance, and…oh yeah, don’t forget the Nazis. A stunning singer with a hidden past and her dashing manager (who is not what he seems) are the stars, but the secondary characters have just as much depth. And everyone has secrets.

I did think that the plot sagged a bit after the initial introductions and set-up. There were still important points, but the drive forward slowed. Fortunately, it sped up quickly, and the last third of the book was nonstop action. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but let’s just say that it was all very movie-worthy.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s attention to detail. She really created theatrical Paris in the last stages of the Nazi occupation, and made me care what happened to the characters.

AUTHOR BIO

Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards.

Author Website: http://karenrobards.com/
TWITTER: @TheKarenRobards
FB: @AuthorKarenRobards

Thanks for stopping by for the second entry in the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Check back in later this month for The Woman Before Wallis.

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