Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Sun That Shines & The Storm That Will Always Pass

28422060
This collection of poetry is about love, truth, life, and light. Four words everyone seems to live for. From the kings and queens of the world all the way down to the beggar on the street. All is a part of a living organism. It is of the wise soul who remembers his or her intrinsic personal philosophy while treading down the dark roads into the unknown.

**
 
Derek Warmington explores four main themes in his book of poetry, The Sun That Shines & The Storm That Will Always Pass. Those themes include love, truth, life, and light, outlined in the synopsis of the collection. Though how he illuminates these themes is the important aspect.
 
Warmington writes of love as something that can be chosen, as if it's sitting right in front of you. But also as something that happens, as if it's inspiration. The truth he writes of is a journey. He searches for the truth behind life, often including questions in his poems. The poems that focus on life hinge on the desire to live without fear and sometimes disagreeing with the search for meaning. He even toys with the idea that there is no meaning in life, it just simply is. And light, well, Warmington tackles the darkness of depression, exploring what exactly is meant by seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
 
Warmington uses a few specific techniques in his poetry. The main one he uses is rhyme. Now, I'm not a big fan of rhyme because I think it can cause a line to be misinterpreted due to it's obvious emphasis on certain words. And I think that happens in some of the poetry in this collection. With Warmington's lack of punctuation to show where a thought begins and ends, the reader makes those choices subconsciously, which in turn can change the meaning of the poem. Warmington also uses alliteration and personification. In "Big World, Small Mind" he writes: "silent sidewalks sing their songs of sincere serenity," which exemplifies both techniques. Though these themes are universal, I think the focus on rhyme will hinder Warmington's connection with poetry readers.
 
Rating: 2.5/5 Cups



Wednesday, March 30, 2016

WWW Wednesday (196)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?




12704827     28422060     20765972     28456841

01. Currently Reading:
The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe. After her mother and sister die on the Titanic, Sybil tries to contact them through a medium in town while looking after her father and brother.

The Sun That Shines and the Storm That Will Always Pass by Derek Warmington. A poetry collection that explores different themes and uses rhyming as a main technique.

02. Recently Finished:
Silent Night by C.J. Kyle. Murder mystery set in the small quiet town of Christmas, TN. A serial killer decides that it's the perfect place to continue his string of murders and one woman knows who he is. This book kept me hooked until the end.

03. Reading Next:
Sleeper Protocol by Kevin Ikenberry. Kieran has one year to find out who he is before he is killed. Mix that with a love story and there's book I don't think I'll be able to put down.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Teaser Tuesday (205)

TeaserTuesdays2014e

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. 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


12704827

The House of Velvet and Glass (p.134-135)
   - Katherine Howe

Her head slipped beneath the surface of the water and she was alone, suspended, listening to the movement of her blood in her body and the rhythmic pulse of her heart.

A bubble slipped out from one of her nostrils.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Silent Night

20765972Christmas, Tennessee, is a town where no one locks their doors and the worst crime is a stolen bicycle. Until the night blood is found . . . but there's no body.

Police Chief Tucker Ambrose hopes it's just a prank, but his years as a cop in Chicago tell him different. Then a body is discovered in the middle of the woods, staged with a bible, a crucifix, and a rosary . . . and Tucker knows something dark and sinister has arrived in his town.

Miranda Harley knows exactly what's going on. In fact, she's been tracking this serial killer, hoping to gather enough evidence to convict him. Trouble is, no one will believe her, not even the sexy police chief whose heated gazes promise nights of sin. But when Miranda falls into the crosshairs of a psychopath, Tucker must put aside his doubts and race to stop the killer from striking again.


*May Contain Spoilers*
 
Silent Night, by C.J. Kyle, brings terror to a quiet Tennessee town when a serial killer decides that it's the perfect place for him to finish his string of murders. This mystery novel is laced with romance, desire, fear, and even a little bit of fun. Kyle brings readers into the story to free an innocent man and catch the real killer.
 
Miranda Harley is a nurse who has traveled outside of the United States to help those that need it. She's a loving and deeply caring person. Readers will see that from the very beginning and side with Miranda as she tries to track down a serial killer. The same serial killer who framed her brother for three murders in Dayton, Ohio. Miranda is determined to see her brother released from prison, if only she can prove someone else committed those murders.
 
Tucker Ambrose is a former police officer from Chicago, set up now as Chief of Police in Christmas, TN. Tucker is a no-nonsense sort of investigator who falls hard and fast for Miranda, even though she's guilty of hiding her identity from him and keeps interfering with his investigation. Tucker became a cop after his sister was murdered when they were young. He believes in his work but is haunted by the fact that he was too young to save his sister. Tucker is a down to Earth, honest man that is irresistible to both Miranda and readers.
 
Silent Night begins with readers witnessing a grisly scene of a young boy being murdered. When the scene is found but there's no body, Tucker hopes it's a prank but Miranda knows it's her serial killer. The police in Ohio wouldn't take her seriously because of her familial ties, but she knows that Father Anatole is a serial killer and he hasn't finished his horrifying plan. When Tucker finds out who she is, he's furious. Though his attraction to her clouds his judgment a bit, Tucker wonders if Miranda could be right. He includes her in the investigation and falls in love with her along the way. Due to the brutal scenes and rough language, this book is not recommended for everyone. But it's interesting and intriguing enough to draw readers in and not let them go until the killer is caught.
 
Rating: 3/5 Cups

Friday, March 25, 2016

After Dad, A Novel

20664686"He was always there for me," Jenny Kovacek says in the opening of the novel After Dad, and indeed, her father is such a charismatic force in the family that despite his untimely passing, he continues to have a dynamic impact on his survivors. Set mostly in Southern California during the tumultuous 1960s, Ralph Cohen's debut novel tells the stories of the man's three children and widow as they cope with their loss. Though missing, the father is never far from their minds, and during critical moments in their lives, he seems to reach out in various ways, from simple memories of touch and voice to artifacts left behind to a sense of his ongoing existence. How each of the family members responds to his lingering presence leads to results that are by turn comic, tragic and transformative.

*Contains Spoilers*
 
Ralph Cohen writes a real and raw story of what happens to a family in the 1960s after the father dies unexpectedly from a heart attack in his novel, After Dad. Interpreting this title, a reader would think that it literally means "after Dad" died, but there is another way to see it. For a few characters it seems to mean following "after Dad." Or even, going "after Dad." Readers will witness this family's struggle and be entertained, appalled, afraid, worried, and hopeful for the Kovaceks.
 
The family consists of Ruth, the mother, and Jenny, Margot, and Toby, the three children. Frank Kovacek, the father who dies, was always imaginative and inspiring to his children. He'd tell them tall tales of his younger years, his soldier years, and how he fell in love with their mother. The three children undoubtedly loved their father and so did Ruth, even though it wasn't always easy.
 
Jenny is the most imaginative of the children. She dreams herself to other places and believes that Frank is with her, everywhere. She isn't the best student and struggles after high school ends. Readers will connect with her sympathetically after a horrifying (and inappropriate) encounter with an older man. Her family believes that her behavior stems from not going to her father's funeral and that's probably true, along with a few other things. She's picked on at school through a long duration of specifically targeted pranks. However, she survives. It isn't easy for her, discovering herself and her place in the world, but she goes on to win a scholarship to the same college her dad attended, following in his nearly forgotten footsteps.
 
Toby is the second most imaginative child and was quite young when Frank passed. He becomes a pretty troubled young man. Beginning with an unfortunate accident with a chain saw, leaving him with a disfigured hand and the status of an outsider. Readers will understand his outbursts and misguided sense of morality. Though he seems to be a good kid, his life becomes increasingly hard. Toby turns to breaking and entering to make him feel like he has a father. He disappears into homes, hiding, pretending, dreaming of a different world. Often, leaving with a small memento, which gets him caught by the police. He ends up in a juvenile detention center and hope slowly erodes to fear. Readers will be appalled at what happens to Toby. I know my jaw dropped open for a full minute. A difficult ending for a difficult young boy. 
 
Margot is the least imaginative of the children, but still feels her father with her at times. She turns from her family, needing to escape the darkness. But without a guiding light, Margot stumbles upon tough times as well. She's a smart girl who dabbles in acting, like her father. She chooses this path to be close to him again and finds that the feeling of connection is fleeting. Margot attends a community college and is reconnected with a girl from high school. This situation leads to her meeting Art and consequently getting married, though I'm not sure if she loves him or just felt like it was the next step. Margot then has a baby and experiences post-partum depression. Readers will connect with Margot through these struggles. I think out of all the characters, Margot is the only one that achieves happiness within the novel's confines.
 
Ruth doesn't garner much attention throughout the novel. She dates a bit after Frank passes, but her love is for him. It's obvious that she misses him and struggles to make enough money to provide for her children after he's gone. The novel ends with a dreamed conversation between Ruth and Frank, after the children have all reached their final places. These shared words will truly touch the hearts of readers, solidifying their connection with the family as a whole. After Dad is an account of one family's history without apologies, without a sweet dusting of sugar. It's real and uncertain. It's simultaneously sad and hopeful. And it isn't for everyone. The level of emotion and certain situations are only for the mature reader though the connection created between characters and readers is definitely one of strength.
 
Rating: 4/5 Cups

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

WWW Wednesday (195)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?




20664686     25159211     20765972

01. Currently Reading:
After Dad by Ralph Cohen. A family goes on after their father, and husband, passes away from a heart attack. But they can still feel him there in the oddest moments. Really enjoying the various points of view in this novel.

02. Recently Finished:
The Changing Season by Steven Manchester. A young man just graduating high school must navigate the growth that comes with adulthood while discovering his passion, falling in love for the first time, and dealing with a horrible accident that shatters lives.

03. Reading Next:
Silent Night by C.J. Kyle. A serial killer strikes in Tennessee and a woman knows what's happening but the detective on the case doesn't want to listen. Until she becomes the next target.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Teaser Tuesday (204)

TeaserTuesdays2014e

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. 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


20664686
After Dad (Kindle 29%)
   - Ralph Cohen

Though nothing in this apartment brought him back to me. In our old house, at least, you could always get a sense of Dad, if nothing else, from the way the light poured in through the picture windows he'd hung, or from the cherry wood furniture that he'd built and left behind.

Friday, March 18, 2016

The Changing Season

25159211This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy; one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left.

But that was before the accident that shook the entire town.

It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck.

And it was before Vicki.

This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

*May Contain Spoilers*
 
Steven Manchester writes of a time between things in his novel The Changing Season, showing readers that the time after an ending, before a new beginning, is when everything can change. William Baker has just graduated high school and is getting ready to leave for college, but there's a single summer left to enjoy, discover, and learn a few more things.
 
Billy has no idea what he wants to do with his life, a feeling a lot of people can relate to. After high school ends, it's hard to decide where your life should go. Or where you want it to go, for that matter. Billy is a likeable character who's loyal to his friends and his moral compass seems right on target. My favorite thing about Billy was his love for animals. His best friend is a rescue on four legs named Jimmy and readers will easily see how much he cares for him. Though Billy questions what he should focus on going forward in life, it'll be glaringly obvious to readers. With one summer left before college, readers will watch Billy grow from a video-game playing slob of a teenage boy into a man with direction and purpose. This growth will solidify the bond between Billy and the reader.
 
The Changing Season begins just before high school graduation. Billy and his friends, Mark and Charlie, are all looking forward to their futures. In a horrible accident, Charlie plays a critical role in the death of a fellow graduate, testing his friendships, his future, and his freedom. Billy hears his friend's confession and tries to push him to do the right thing. Meanwhile, Billy falls in love and finds a full time summer job. With the truth hanging over his head, Billy must move forward. This coming of age novel will resonate with readers and leave them with hope, as most of Manchester's novels seem to do.
 
Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

WWW Wednesday (194)

To play along just answer these three questions:

[x] What are you currently reading?

[x] What have you recently finished?

[x] What are you reading next?




25159211     13545600     20664686

01. Currently Reading:
The Changing Season by Steven Manchester. Between high school ending and college beginning, the world changes for Billy Baker. He learns about love, loss, hard work, and hope. Totally committed to this novel and enjoying it thoroughly.

02. Recently Finished:
Persuasion by Brenda Joyce. A spy in 1794 is brought back to British shores when his wife dies and runs into the woman he loved ten years before. Really liked this book even though the spy status was a little confusing.

03. Reading Next:
After Dad by Ralph Cohen. After a father passes away, the family left behind struggles with the loss. But he hasn't left, and at times they can feel their dad with them.

Cover Reveal - She Laughs in Pink



Today is the cover reveal for She Laughs in Pink, by Jessica Calla!

Blurb:
Four years after her twin is murdered, Juliet Anderson still struggles with guilt, her parents, and her relationships. Two things keep her from falling into a deep, dark place—dancing and her best friend, Ben. So when Ben decides to play football for New Jersey University, Juliet doesn’t hesitate. She follows. Finally away from her past, there is nothing to stand in the way. Juliet will win Ben's heart.
 
Then she meets Ben's roommate, Chase.
 
On probation and hell-bent on adhering to a “new life plan,” aspiring artist Chase leaves his New York City home for New Jersey University and meets Juliet before even stepping foot on campus. For him, their connection is instant. She’s the most vibrant girl he's ever seen. Her colors explode on his canvas, and he's never been more inspired in his life. Too bad she’s madly in love with his seemingly perfect, good guy roommate.
 
 
 
 
Title: She Laughs in Pink (Sheridan Hall Series, Book 1)     
Author: Jessica Calla      Genre: New Adult
Release date: May, 2016      Publisher: BookFish Books
 
Excerpt:
 



About the Author
Author Pic She Laughs in Pink Jessica Calla
Jessica Calla is a lawyer by day, romance writer by night. Her favorite time is "bedtime," when she's free to open the laptop, battle with the blinking cursor, and pour out the contents of her heart. Jessica is a member of Romance Writers of America, involved in the Contemporary, Young Adult, and New Jersey Chapters, and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and her dog. Besides reading and writing, she enjoys movies, coffee, and chocolate and considers herself addicted to Diet Coke and Netflix (in a good way).



 
 
 
 
One person will win a $25 Amazon gift card!
 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Teaser Tuesday (203)

TeaserTuesdays2014e

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. 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

25159211
The Changing Season (Kindle 20%)
   - Steven Manchester

"I have no idea," he said: he was so sick and tired of making up stories. "I'm enrolled in the Liberal Arts program for now. I'm just praying something comes to me sooner rather than later."

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Persuasion (The Spymaster's Men #2)

15810830Amelia Greystone was deeply in love when the Earl of St. Just abruptly ended his courtship and left Cornwall ten years earlier. So she is stunned when Simon returns, recently widowed. Now she must forget the past they shared and his betrayal and console him as any neighbor would. Simon has changed; he is dark and haunted now but he can still make her reel with a single look. When he offers her the position of housekeeper, Amelia knows she must refuse. But for the sake of his children, she throws all caution to the wind.

A British spy, Simon Grenville is now playing both sides in a time of war, his goal to keep his sons safe. Yet when he is brought face-to-face with the woman he once loved, he realizes nothing about his feelings for Amelia has changed; if anything, they are even stronger. Still, Simon knows he must stay away from Amelia; his life is too dangerous now. But sometimes passion is too strong to be denied.


*May Contain Spoilers*
 
The title was the first thing that caused me to pick up this book. Persuasion immediately made me think of Jane Austen. The love story intrigued me. Reunited after ten years, two people who were in love once have another chance. But it was the spy aspect that sold me. I'm a huge fan of spy novels (and movies). They add a certain intrigue to a character and a sense of adventure to the plot.  And let me tell you, Persuasion, by Brenda Joyce did not disappoint.
 
Amelia is the main character that readers follow throughout this novel. She's overly compassionate, faithful, extremely loyal, persistent, and very nosy. Readers will understand her remaining heartbreak from the first time Simon Grenville was involved in her life. And they'll definitely know that she's still in love with him, before she realizes it herself. Her character is quite loveable and understandable. She's a trusting woman who knows her morals yet still pushes the boundaries.
 
Simon Grenville is a man who does anything to survive. A man who is willing to do anything to protect his children. He's also a spy for Great Britain as they face France in 1794. But when he was caught, he also swore to be a spy for France. Playing the double agent is a dangerous game and Simon knows it. He's terrified of what will happen to him and his family. Readers will understand this and acknowledge (at least) his attempt at keeping his two (three?) lives separate. Simon is a dark and twisted character. He's witnessed too much terror and death to be able to escape it.
 
The plot of Persuasion hinges on the death of Simon's wife where Amelia sees Simon for the first time in a decade. She sees how much Simon and his children are hurting and she can't look away. Her compassion leads her to interfere, wanting to help in any way she can. Soon she takes the position of Simon's housekeeper in order to take care of the children, and Simon. Her feelings for him haven't disappeared, no matter how much she tries to fight it. And his feelings for her have only increased. As Simon tries to save his family from the war, Amelia tries to save Simon from himself. The story line was quite intriguing, kept me turning pages. The war sections were a little confusing to me. I am not a history buff and the whole double agent play mixed me up a few times. I found myself skimming through the details of his work, reading just enough to get the gist. Persuasion wasn't as light and easy a read as other romance novels, very serious and lacking in the witty sarcasm that some romance authors use, but it was still enjoyable. However, a war time love story is an enduring love story. Joyce did a great job at keeping the love story aligned with what was happening in the country.
 
Rating: 4/5 Cups

Friday, March 11, 2016

Record

26887562One word, one glance between a long-legged girl and a musician and so begins mankind's oldest story. But will their new-found ardour survive the darkness that lurks beyond the blinding sunlight of a magical summer? Will they be able to sacrifice promises given and commitments made?

Against a backdrop of Italian cities, Moro peels away in layers the depths of passion, ruthlessness and the urgency of lovers when need and desire overrule everything.


*May Contain Spoilers*
 
Record. A piece of evidence of the past or saving something in a permanent form. Alessandro sets his mind to writing down what brought him to his red-headed girl. Record, by Moro, is an account of how they met, how they connected, the pain they caused, and the happiness they found. A mixture of hurt and love. An honest confession that readers will witness.
 
Alessandro is the main character and the narrator of this short novel. He's been in the same relationship with the same wrong woman for eleven years. Meeting the red-haired beauty (who is never named) shifts something within him and suddenly he wants more from life. He's tired of living with and pretending to love a woman he's never loved. Alessandro is an intelligent character, a teacher, a translator, a songwriter, a poet. He's also a worrier who likes to impress. He's a dreamer and a philosopher. Readers will admire his intelligence and his passion. Though lying to his current girlfriend was a bit snakey. Going for a married woman with children was also a check in the 'dislike' category. Now that that has been said, when unhappiness is prevalent in a relationship, ending it is an understandable option. Though I think that Alessandro and the woman could have gone about it a better way. The woman was honest with her husband, after he saw an incriminating text message. So there's that positive note. Readers may be a bit wary about the blossoming love story between the two characters because of the complicated nature.
 
Record is the telling of Alessandro and the woman's love story. They met at an academic faculty get-together and both were intrigued. Alessandro plots to see her again and get her e-mail address to connect with her further. He finds out she's married, and he's in a relationship, but that doesn't stop either of them. They know they're both unhappy and believe that they can find, and create, happiness together. Even though their getting together involves lying and cheating, Alessandro isn't hiding that fact from the reader. He knows that it was wrong and I think writing it down is his way of apologizing to the people involved who may have been hurt. This interpretation increases the connection readers will feel with Alessandro and the book's ending will show that their love is real.
 
Rating: 3.5/5 Cups