This was an excellent writing week! In addition to two fiction-writing sessions, working on the Chasing Shadows revision, and two lessons in the Maggie Stiefvater class, I wrote seven book reviews + two other blog posts.
Happy writing!
Author: tamaramorning
Book Review: Sing Like No One’s Listening, by Vanessa Jones
Title: Sing Like No One’s Listening
Author: Vanessa Jones
Genre: YA
Rating: 4 out of 5
Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school–the very same school her superstar mother attended. With her mother’s shadow hanging over her, Nettie has her work cut out for her–and everyone is watching. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. But if Nettie’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion.
All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down?
This was a fun book! I know nothing about professional dancing or singing or performing, so I can’t say if it was accurate there, but if felt accurate. The author did an excellent job of connecting the reader to Nettie’s struggles and investing them in her journey.
The secondary characters were larger-than-life and a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing Nettie conquer her fears—all of them, not just the singing—and grow into her own person. A fun, inspiring read.
Vanessa Jones lives in Rome. Sing Like No One’s Listening is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Peachtree Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)
Best Books I Read in August (2020)
In August, I read 29 books, bringing my total for the year to 216 books read.
The three best books I read in August were:
Persuasion, by Jane Austen. Because, obviously. It’s not as good as Pride and Prejudice, but it’s still an excellent read and I enjoyed every moment.
Furia, by Yamile Saied Méndez. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a girl determined to play soccer like the men in her culture do, despite all the people who tell her she can’t. This was inspiring and an evocative look at life in an Argentina barrio.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, by Fredrik Backman. I have no words for how much I enjoyed this novel. From the very first page, I was entranced by Elsa, the protagonist, who is “seven years old and different.” The voice in this novel was extraordinary, and I had ration myself to keep from reading this straight through in one sitting.
What I Read in August (2020)
Books Read in August: 29
Books Read for the Year: 216/200
Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:
The God I Never Knew, by Robert Morris + The God I Never Knew devotional (spiritual).
Persuasion, by Jane Austen (classic). I’ve read all of Austen’s works, but it’s been a while (hence my comfort re-read). This is probably my second favorite and I enjoyed it so much!
Meet the Sky, by McCall Hoyle (TBR). I enjoyed this YA about being stuck on an island during a hurricane and dealing with your past.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, by Fredrik Backman (TBR). This book is amazing! I loved every single page of it, and it’s now one of my all-time favorites.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group, by Neta Jackson (TBR). Excellent read to start off a series.
For Review:
The Morning Flower, by Amanda Hocking. I’m just going to have to stop reading this author. Her writing style just isn’t for me.
It Came from the Sky, by Chelsea Sedoti. This tale of two brothers who create a hoax that aliens have descended on their town was funny—and I felt like I was reading about Sheldon from Big Bang Theory.
Paris Never Leaves You, by Ellen Feldman. This is set during the Nazi occupation of Paris, and I found myself somewhat traumatized from reading it, just from the emotional distress the characters went through. I did not however, really like the main character.
No Woods So Dark as These, by Randall Silvis. I’ve enjoyed this series so far. This one had a lot more introspection, and I’m not a fan of the ending, but I like the characters and I’ll definitely read the next one.
A Life Once Dreamed, by Rachel Fordham. This was a sweet, uplifting read that I really enjoyed.
Cry of Metal & Bone, by L. Penelope. I really enjoy the Earthsinger Chronicles series, and this was no exception. Diverse characters and cultures and lots of actions make this fun to read.
The Wrong Mr. Darcy, by Evelyn Lozada. Have you ever seen something and wished fervently you could unsee it? This is that in book form. Calling this a Pride and Prejudice re-telling is a grave injustice. Horrible, unlikable, one-dimensional characters, over-the-top, unbelievable drama, just…NO.
Death by Didgeridoo, by Barbara Venkataraman. This was a quick, fun start to a new series.
Scandalous Secrets, by Synithia Williams. I enjoyed this second-chance romance.
The Case of the Killer Divorce, by Barbara Venkataraman. The second book in the series, this had me laughing at the characters’ antics.
Into a Canyon Deep, by James Lindholm. I wanted to like this, but it ended up feeling like the author was writing a Gary Stu character and the whole thing was filled with completely not-believable characters and action.
Fable, by Adrienne Young. I loved this! A seafaring, swashbuckling adventure about a girl abandoned by her father who strives to survive and get back to him—if only to find out why. Gorgeous cover, too.
Peril in the Park, by Barbara Venkataraman. Another fun, quick read in this series.
These Vengeful Hearts, by Katherine Lauren. Does doing the wrong thing for a good reason make it okay?
Secret Crush Seduction, by Jaci Lee (review forthcoming). This was a decent read, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the spoiled characters.
Sing Like No One’s Listening, by Vanessa Jones (review forthcoming). This was a fun YA read, although I know nothing about singing/dancing/performing.
Road Out of Winter, by Alison Stine (review forthcoming). This was a solid dystopian read—and I felt like I was freezing while reading it!
What They Meant for Evil, by Rebecca Deng (review forthcoming). Poignant and inspiring read.
Before She Was Helen, by Caroline Cooney (review forthcoming). This was a bit odd and a little chaotic for me.
The Amish Newcomer, by Patrice Lewis (review forthcoming). I enjoyed this read about a reporter who goes into witness protection in an Amish community.
Furia, by Yamile Saied Méndez (review forthcoming). This was a fantastic, empowering read!
Just Because:
Why Jesus? by Ravi Zacharias. Ravi was probably the greatest Christian apologist of the last 100 years, and his thoughts on Jesus compared to different religions were fascinating.
Soul Harvest, by Tim LeHaye.
Left Unfinished:
Olive the Lionheart, by Brad Ricca. I didn’t make it very far into this. I loved the family myth at the beginning, but when Olive’s part started, I was just bored.
Above the Clouds, by Kilian Jornet. This sounded fascinating—but it ended up being a bit too much of the technical details of training (and, frankly, he did some crazy/dangerous stuff to his body during training).
Blunt Force, by Lynda La Plante. I didn’t make it very far in this, as there was far too many technical details thrown in to keep my attention.
The Moon is Missing, by Jenni Ogden. I read about 25% of this, but just couldn’t get into it or care about the characters.
A Door Between Us, by Ehsaneh Sadr. This was just a case of it not being the right fit for me at the time.
Comanche, by Brett Riley. I wanted to like this. I’ve been through Comanche, Texas countless times, but I found this boring. It jumped around a lot. It was repetitive. And why no quotation marks?
Book Review and Blog Tour: Secret Crush Seduction, by Jayci Lee
Title: Secret Crush Seduction
Author: Jayci Lee
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage—and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans…
Actually, Adelaide comes across as 100% pampered heiress, so there’s that…I feel like this book focused on the superficial layers and never got into anything “real.” The secret Michael was hiding was, I’m sure, painful, but the idea that he didn’t think Adelaide would stay with him because of it portrays her as superficial, too.
Solid writing, but everything seemed so over-emphasized: the fear of the paparazzi (then don’t make a fool of yourself in public), worry her grandmother thinks she’s incapable (then don’t act like you are), etc. I think maybe I just didn’t like the characters much.
Jayci Lee lives in California. Secret Crush Seduction is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)
Blog Tour and Book Review: These Vengeful Hearts, by Katherine Laurin
Title: These Vengeful Hearts
Author: Katherine Laurin
Genre: YA
Rating: 4 out of 5
Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Its members–the most elite female students in the school–deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities a secret known only to their ruthless leader: the Queen of Hearts.
Sixteen-year-old Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Two years ago, they caused the accident that left her older sister paralyzed. Now, Ember is determined to hold them accountable…by taking the Red Court down from the inside.
But crossing enemy lines will mean crossing moral boundaries, too–ones Ember may never be able to come back from. She always knew taking on the Red Court would come at a price, but will the cost of revenge be more than she’s willing to sacrifice?
This asks the question “Does doing the wrong/bad thing for a right/good reason make it okay?” Because Ember does some pretty horrible stuff to people as a member of the Red Court—and she keeps telling herself it’s okay because she’s trying to take the Red Court down.
I actually enjoyed reading Ember’s moral quandary. I thought her struggles were very realistic—and there are a lot of crappy people at her school! Her friendship with Gideon was fantastic and totally believable (everyone needs a best friend like that), and her crush was a nice counter to the darkness of the whole Red Court, even if it was bit predictable.
Katherine Laurin lives in Colorado. These Vengeful Hearts is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.)
Book Review: Fable, by Adrienne Young
Title: Fable
Author: Adrienne Young
Genre: 4.5 out of 5
Rating: Fantasy, YA
As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.
But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive.
I was intrigued by this from the very first page. Fable is clearly a better person than me, because if I’d been abandoned—basically to die—by my father four years ago, I wouldn’t have gone back looking for him like I cared. It did make her a strong person, though. The parts on the sea were well-done and vivid, and the land-based settings were vivid and realistic.
I liked all the characters and their relationships were believable. There’s enough escalating tension here to keep me reading late into the night, and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the second book. I saw a post pointing out the similarity between West and The Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride and now I can’t unsee that…which isn’t a bad thing. I liked the adventure-filled atmosphere and the setting was fascinating.
Adrienne Young is a New York Times-bestselling author. Fable is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Wednesday Press in exchange for an honest review.)
Sundays are for Writing #86
A good writing week again: four book reviews, two fiction sessions, two lessons in Maggie Stiefvater’s class, and I started writing the Chasing Shadows revision.
Happy writing!
Book Review: Peril in the Park, by Barbara Venkataraman
Title: Peril in the Park
Author: Barbara Venkataraman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5
There’s big trouble in the park system. Someone is making life difficult for Jamie Quinn’s boyfriend, Kip Simons, the new director of Broward County parks. Was it the angry supervisor passed over for promotion? The disgruntled employee Kip recently fired? Or someone with a bigger ax to grind? If Jamie can’t figure it out soon, she may be looking for a new boyfriend because there’s a dead guy in the park and Kip has gone missing! With the help of her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie must race the clock to find Kip before it’s too late
This is another fun, quick read in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series. A little bit of snark (from Jamie), a little bit of drama, and a few laughs, as well. Some of it seemed a little too easy, but it’s an easy read and as always, a bit of an adventure. The Renaissance Fair was fun, although I’ve never quite figured out just why renaissance fairs have elephants…but that’s a whole other topic.
Barbara Venkataraman is a lawyer and mediator. Peril in the Park is the third book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.
(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Book Review: Scandalous Secrets, by Synithia Williams
Title: Scandalous Secrets
Author: Synithia Williams
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Senatorial candidate Byron Robidoux always does the right thing. And, after years of focus and dedication, his life and campaign are going exactly to plan—until a blackmailer jeopardizes everything. No one is supposed to know that thirteen years ago, Byron told a lie to protect a college friend. And now that lie could destroy his career…and threaten the woman he never stopped loving.
Zoe Hammond hardly recognizes the refined and handsome politician Byron has become. The last time she saw him, he was the friend who saved her life by claiming to be the father of her unborn baby. For that, she’d do anything for him. Except Byron’s world of wealth, reputation and deceit isn’t a place where Zoe or her daughter belong. But when a menace from the past comes calling again, staying with Byron is best for them all. And, as the searing attraction between them builds, they soon realize some things are worth fighting for…especially love.
This was a solid read. Zoe was a strong character, although she took her independence a little too far at times, and she always thought Byron was at fault in everything, without waiting to hear his side of things (like his campaign manager releasing their photos, and Zoe had already decided Byron was the guilty culprit). This made her come across as pretty judge-y and a bit close-minded.
I loved the dynamics with the Robidoux family, although their father was a bit much. Byron himself was conflicted and contradictory. He was perfectly willing to marry someone who was the “right” choice—even though he didn’t love her—and years ago, he’d wanted to marry Zoe, even when his family thought she was wrong for him.
Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since she was 13. Scandalous Secrets is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/HQN in exchange for an honest review.)
Tomorrow Is Another Day 