Friday Photo

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Going book shopping today so I thought this was appropriate! :) 

The Reflections of Queen Snow White

On the eve of her only daughter, Princess Raven's wedding, an aging Snow White finds it impossible to share in the joyous spirit of the occasion. The ceremony itself promises to be the most glamorous social event of the decade. Snow White’s castle has been meticulously scrubbed, polished and opulently decorated for the celebration. It is already nearly bursting with jubilant guests and merry well-wishers. Prince Edel, Raven's fiancé, is a fine man from a neighboring kingdom and Snow White's own domain is prosperous and at peace. Things could not be better, in fact, except for one thing:

The king is dead.

The queen has been in a moribund state of hopeless depression for over a year with no end in sight. It is only when, in a fit of bitter despair, she seeks solitude in the vastness of her own sprawling castle and climbs a long disused and forgotten tower stair that she comes face to face with herself in the very same magic mirror used by her stepmother of old.

It promises her respite in its shimmering depths, but can Snow White trust a device that was so precious to a woman who sought to cause her such irreparable harm? Can she confront the demons of her own difficult past to discover a better future for herself and her family? And finally, can she release her soul-crushing grief and suffocating loneliness to once again discover what "happily ever after" really means?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Charming has been dead for a year and Queen Snow White still feels as if it were yesterday. In David Meredith's novel, The Reflections of Queen Snow White, a woman who has experienced so much pain has lost the hope that once bloomed inside of her. When she stumbles up the abandoned staircase of her deceased wicked step-mother, the Queen finds a mirror that helps her rediscover herself by showing Snow the life she lived and all she has overcome. 

Readers get an in-depth look at what happens when happily ever after, seemingly, comes to an end. Snow White is plagued with feelings of loneliness and a bleak outlook on life. She struggles to accept that life goes on after her true love has died. Meredith writes Snow's character as a strong woman who has lost her faith, leaving her weak and isolated. Readers will connect with the fairy tale princess as her reflection is presented in new ways. Though, this is not a fairy tale for young readers. The situations that Snow White reflects upon vary between degrees of horrendous torture while others are of a more adult nature. 

The novel is framed by Snow's discovery of the magical mirror and her daughter's wedding. The mirror takes the Queen, and readers, on a trip through the past, outlining her weaknesses and strengths. If Snow White can force herself to re-live the past, then perhaps she can find happiness once again. The Reflections of Queen Snow White tells an incredibly sad tale laced with brief shimmers of hope that leaves a resonating message with its readers. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (99)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith. Just a few words into this one, looking forward to delving deeper into this retelling of a classic tale.

02. Recently Finished:
Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester. Finished this love story last night. Another wonderful novel from Manchester.

03. Reading Next:
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. Can't wait to continue the Mortal Instruments series, considering the final book just came out yesterday.

Pressed Pennies

Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Steven Manchester pens a novel of new beginnings and life long love with his book, Pressed Pennies. Abby and her daughter, Paige, move to a new town after Abby and her husband separate. Nights of Patrick drinking and ugly fights have finally worn Abby thin. She wants to make a better life with her daughter and moving might just give them the fresh start they need. But with a fresh start comes an old flame.

Richard Giles was living in a loveless marriage. He believed that money was the key to happiness and bet his life on it. When he realizes that life requires more ingredients to be fully lived, he and his wife divorce. Richard and Abby were best friends as children and fate brings them back together promising a happily ever after if they're willing to do the work. 

Abby, Richard, and Paige are the three main characters of the book and they are all struggling to find happiness. Abby is a down to earth mom who focuses on making Paige her top priority. She's a dreamer with an innate urge to help others and readers will love her. Richard is a stand-up guy who learns that love is the answer to true happiness. He is friendly, loyal, dependable, and honest. Paige is a young girl who has just lost her innocence. Her rose colored glasses have been destroyed by her alcoholic father and his broken promises. Children of divorce will definitely relate to this little lady and readers will thoroughly understand her actions as she attempts to steer clear of any father figure who might do the same.

The entire novel spans a couple of years, beginning with Abby's separation. When Abby meets Richard again at an annual barbecue, the two begin dating and Paige hates it. Manchester shares the struggles of life after divorce,  accurately depicting fears and worries. Though the dialogue is cliche and sappy at times, as well as over the top sentimental, the core of the story is relatable and believable. Pressed Pennies is an emotional novel that touches readers, showing them that happily ever after is something to strive for.  

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (113)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Pressed Pennies (p.264)
   - Steven Manchester

Abby kissed him. "You're forgiven," she teased. "Now get over it."

Friday Photo

Pinterest Source: slayashell.tumblr.com

Isn't this just a wonderful combination of quote and photo? I couldn't help but share. Definitely a definition of my life. 

Dream of the Dead

A WEALTHY THEATRE PRODUCER IS FOUND DEAD.

A RARE, CORROSIVE POISON HAS BURNED THROUGH HIS STOMACH.

NO ONE KNOWS WHY.

Enter DI Jack Ravenshaw. A young, talented officer with a secret: he belongs to England's most famous dynasty of actors. When Scotland Yard uncovers his hidden past, his acting experience, and his formidable connections, he becomes the perfect choice to investigate the producer's killing. Against his wishes, he must return to London's West End.

Cast back into one of the most vibrant - and violent - areas of the country, Ravenshaw is quickly surrounded by sexy performers, shadowy assistants, and powerful investors. Finding the truth seems almost impossible. Devious suspects lie at every turn. Corrupt officers sabotage his inquiry. Even his mind tricks him with dreams and hallucinations about his past. Yet with the help of his mysterious partner, DS Emily Hart, Ravenshaw must put all his skills into action against an ingenious, twisted, and ruthless killer...

But can he solve the case before another person is murdered?

*May Contain Spoilers*

M.G. Scarsbrook creates a wonderful concoction of theatre, murder, and mystery with his novel, Dream of the Dead, the first book in the West End Murder series. Charlie Maitland is the novel's victim, but he isn't the only one, and Jack Ravenshaw is recruited to solve the case that was originally labeled as a suicide. 

Jack Ravenshaw became an investigator for one reason, to solve his father's murder. However, it is still too fresh for objectivity. He takes on other cases in hopes that one day, he'll be ready to face his haunted past. With Scotland Yard bringing him back to London, Ravenshaw is thrown into the world he tried to escape: that of the theatre. Jack is a character that's too easy to like. He's incredibly smart, full of common sense, and asks all the right questions. His creative mind assists him in his investigative work, allowing him to rearrange the bigger picture until it reveals all that is hidden. Readers will enjoy his straight-forward attitude as well as empathize with his past, laying a firm foundation for the continuation of the series. 

The plot begins when Ravenshaw saves a woman trying to commit suicide. Unknown to him, this woman is a witness to the mystery of Charlie Maitland's death. After their brief meeting, Ravenshaw is forced back to London to lead the investigation. Scarsbrook whisks readers into the world of theatre with his mysterious tale, thoroughly engaging readers and promising them more to come. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (98)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Dream of the Dead by M.G. Scarsbrook. Murder mystery revolving around The West End theatre district.

02. Recently Finished:
A Fool Among Fools by John Terracuso. A novel that showcased the advertising world for a junior copywriter in the eighties in New York City.

03. Reading Next:
Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester. Newest novel just released this month from Manchester. A story about love and if it can be rekindled after disaster.

Teaser Tuesday (112)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers


Dream of the Dead (Kindle Loc. 668-69)
   - M.G. Scarsbrook

"Some people really deserve a high five, in the face, with a chair. Your senior officer is one of those people, Hart."

A Fool Among Fools

It's 1986. Ronald Reagan is in the White House, Molly Ringwald is on the cover of Time and 29-year-old Michael Gregoretti is a struggling, underpaid copywriter at a big New York ad agency. He'd rather be writing plays; instead, he's writing awful commercials for a moisturizer formulated to conquer that dire, life-threatening condition: handruff.

Michael reluctantly accepts an assignment on a brand-new (and very secret) product – an aerosol butter – hoping it will lead to the kind of work that will land him a better job at another agency. But there's a catch: Working on this new account will also mean working for the rigid, compulsive and quite possibly insane Gwen Hammond, who thinks that Michael, with his off-the-wall ideas and unconventional campaigns, is just too much of a rebel to work with such a conservative client.

To further complicate life, Michael meets and falls for Craig Connolly, an absolute dreamboat from the South with a voice like FM radio and a face to match. Craig claims he'd like to be in a relationship and Michael wants to believe it. The problem is, Craig is already married – to his job.

Michael survives it all with the help of his two best friends: Irene Lucca, a witty book editor with a flair for vintage clothing and an eye for the art director Michael works with, and Anthony DeLorenzo, Michael's wise (and wisecracking) roommate and staunchest supporter.

*May Contain Spoilers*

John Terracuso gives readers an inside look at the advertising struggle in his novel, A Fool Among Fools. Michael lives in New York City and just wants one thing: to catch a break. Whether it be with work, with love, or with his writing. 

Michael Gregoretti is the main character of this humorous novel. He's complex and displays both admirable qualities and obvious flaws. The novel captures one year of his life, outlining his hatred for the copywriting job he has at an advertising agency and his hope for romantic comedy love. Michael is creative and funny with wit and the ability to complain about everything. He's very open with his feelings and opinions, knowing that the toes he steps on are the ones that will come back to haunt him. Readers will enjoy the bluntness of his character, connecting with his desire to fall in love and fulfill his career goals. Though the bond will be worn down by Michael's consistently pessimistic attitude as it becomes weary after only a short time. 

The story is the depiction of Michael's 29th year, his birthday introduces the novel and turning thirty ends it. During this year, he takes part in a selfish relationship and attempts to fatten his writing portfolio with commercial work. Readers will certainly enjoy the writing style of Terracuso but may have trouble forming a concrete bond with the main character. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (97)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

       

01. Currently Reading:
A Fool Among Fools by John Terracuso. A man struggles with happiness while working for an advertising agency and looking for love.

02. Recently Finished:
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn. A little light historical romance about two childhood friends who realize they love each other after an unexpected illness.

03. Reading Next:
Dream of the Dead by M.G. Scarsbrook. A murder mystery surrounding the death of a theatre producer. 

Teaser Tuesday (111)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers


A Fool Among Fools (Kindle Loc. 534-35)
     - John Terracuso

"Please, God," I muttered, "don't let this be another year of bran muffins when I really want chocolate croissants."

Just Like Heaven

Honoria Smythe-Smith is:
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) NOT in love with her older brother's best friend
D) all of the above

Marcus Holroyd is:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) NOT in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) all of the above

Together They:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever AND the world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love

It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you KNOW the answer is...

D) all of the above

*May Contain Spoilers*

Julia Quinn starts her Smythe-Smith series with Just Like Heaven. Two childhood friends, who were never supposed to fall in love, realize their feelings when a life or death situation is suddenly threatening their friendship. 

Honoria is the youngest sister of the Smythe-Smith brood. As a little girl, she followed her older brother and his best friend around until they couldn't stand it, always spying and making trouble for them. As a young woman of twenty-one, she's looking for a husband so she can have the big rambunctious family life she adored as a child. There's only one problem with her intentions and his name is Marcus. When Honoria's older brother left the country, he made Marcus promise that he would look after Honoria. The underlying meaning, of course, being to scare away any ill-intentioned suitors. When Marcus is hurt, keeping an ever watchful eye on Honoria, his simple twisted ankle and leg wound become a serious infection that threatens his life. Without any thought, Honoria rushes to his side, determined to save his life and unknowingly setting herself up to realize the love she holds for Marcus. 

Honoria is a wonderful character full of wit and love for her family. Readers will enjoy watching her discover the feelings she has for Marcus. They will connect with Honoria through her good nature and naive ways. Marcus, with his brooding and harsh features, will also capture the hearts of readers. He's a shy man who happened into the Smythe-Smith family as a young boy, quickly becoming an adopted son. Readers will enjoy his point of view as well as Honoria's and they will connect with him through his desire to be part of a loving family. 

Though the plot is quite simplistic, Quinn delivers a warm love story with her novel. It's an easy and relaxing book that historical romance readers will delve into, with the urge to continue the Quartet series when they finish. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Release of Pressed Pennies

Synopsis:
Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

Pressed Pennies is a nuanced, intensely romantic, deeply heartfelt story of love it its many incarnations, relationships in their many guises, and family in its many meanings. It is the most accomplished and moving novel yet from a truly great storyteller of the heart.

Meet Steven Manchester:
Steven Manchester is the author of the The Rockin' Chair, as well as the #1 best seller, Twelve Months (2013 San Francisco Book Festival award winner). He is also the author of Goodnight, Brian, A Christmas Wish, Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy, Jacob Evans, and several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or his four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. 

Visit his personal website: Steven Manchester

Buy Pressed Pennies on Amazon

Taking Stock & Giveaway

Just as Sheldon Mason is about to end it all, he meets his upstairs neighbour, a drug dealer named Sam. Sam gets him professional help, as well as a job at a local grocery store.

As he struggles to make sense of his life, Sheldon starts to notice something odd about one of his new co-workers, Gilbert Ryan. Gilbert seems to know about Sheldon's mental health issues - in fact, he seems to know secrets about everyone.

And Gilbert sees value in Sheldon...

*May Contain Spoilers*

 Scott Bartlett explores mental illness in his novel, Taking Stock. The main character is a young man who is dealing with the aftermath of his mother's death. Killed by a drunk driver, Sheldon's mother leaves him all alone in world full of secrets, guilt, and blackmailing.  

Sheldon struggles with suicidal thoughts and is attempting to take his own life when he's found by his neighbor. This neighbor steps in and tries to help Sheldon by taking him to the hospital so that Sheldon can deal with his depression and suicidal thoughts. Sheldon is filled with doubt, guilt, fear, and feelings of worthlessness. When his neighbor helps him land a job at a grocery store, things begin looking up. However, everything quickly takes a turn for the worse when Sheldon is confronted with drugs, pretense, liars, and the reality of human nature. Readers will connect with Sheldon while he is at his lowest, immediately hoping that he can turn his life around and mentally heal. This relationship will grow as he searches for a reason to want to live. 

The story line follows Sheldon's stay at a psychiatric ward and his life after, often switching back and forth between them. The time line weaves between the two events, combining them and separating them equally. Sheldon becomes privy to the grocery store secrets which comes to threaten his path to mental health. Taking Stock is an exploration of mental illness and how hard life can be to live. Though the situations that Sheldon finds himself in are not relatable to every reader, the struggle is the real focus and readers will empathize with Sheldon's journey through life with his illness. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

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Shemlan: A Deadly Tragedy

Jason Hartmoor is dying of cancer. But will his past kill him first?

After a lifetime of service around the Middle East, retired diplomat Jason Hartmoor is dying of cancer. He embarks on a last journey back to Lebanon where he studied Arabic as a young man at the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies, the infamous ‘British spy school’ in the village of Shemlan far up in the hills overlooking Beirut.

Jason wants to rediscover the love he lost when the civil war forced him to flee Lebanon. Instead his past catches up with him with such speed and violence, it threatens to kill him before the disease does. The only man who can keep him alive long enough to face that past is Gerald Lynch.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Our favorite group of Beirut agents is back in Shemlan: A Deadly Tragedy by Alexander McNabb. Gerald Lynch, an Irishman who works for British Intelligence, is brought in to find Jason Hartmoor before the competition can get their hands on him.

The story revolves around both Hartmoor and Lynch. Hartmoor is dying from cancer and before he dies he wants to see the woman who stole his heart when he was a young man studying Arabic. When he goes back to Shemlan to find her, Hartmoor inadvertently threatens to unravel a carefully covered up secret. Hartmoor is a simply good man who plays the fool too often. He is naive, gullible, and haunted. He's the man who is always in the wrong place at the wrong time which has ruined his career and love life. Readers will connect with him in his journey to find the woman he was forced to leave behind. They will also empathize with Hartmoor's unlucky streak of being used and abused by his supposed "friends." 

Lynch is a blunt British agent who has a soft spot for those he truly cares about. He is focused, thorough, understanding, and overly intelligent. Lynch has the ability to make connections, ask the right questions, and uncover old secrets. Readers will enjoy his banter and wit while also respecting him as an agent. 

The plot follows Hartmoor as he travels back to Beirut and Shemlan, where he studied as a young man, to find Mai, the love of his life. His personal journey to make peace with his past threatens the present and future of unknown men. As the story unravels, McNabb draws readers into the mystery of the dying Jason Hartmoor. Shemlan: A Deadly Tragedy is a novel true to its name. The story of Hartmoor is nothing if not a tragedy in which everyone has a target taped to their back. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups