Tag: romance

Vinegar Girl, by Anne Tyler

vinegar girl
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Crown Publishing.)

Anne Tyler is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of such books as The Beginner’s Goodbye and Breathing Lessons. Her newest novel, Vinegar Girl, is a re-telling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Kate Battista is stuck. She runs the house for her father—eccentric at best, “mad scientist” at worst—and attempts to care for her pretty—and to Kate’s way of thinking, useless—younger sister, Bunny. The kids at the daycare where she works love her, but their parents are less than impressed with her forthright opinions and inability to sugarcoat her thoughts. In short, she is smart, capable, and independent, with absolutely no prospects.

Kate’s father is on the verge of a breakthrough in his research that could help millions, but he’s about to lose his brilliant research assistant, Pyotr, who is about to be deported. Then Dr. Battista comes up with a plan:  have Kate marry Pyotr so he can stay in the country. Kate is furious at her father, and at Pyotr, but the two men begin a relentless campaign to bring her around to their way of thinking.

Vinegar Girl enters the life of tart Kate, the bulwark of her stagnant family, the always-dependable daughter who sacrifices her own happiness to the sake of her family. But will Kate continue her self-sacrifice, or will she finally stand up for herself and what she wants?

(Galley provided by Crown Publishing via NetGalley.)

What I Read (in May)

Yeah, it’s been a while since I posted anything but a book review. I’ll work on that this week. Promise. Right now, here’s what I read in May. (Quite a few books as a reward for living through the semester.)

  • The Cresswell Plot, by Eliza Wass (for review.)
  • Fried Chicken and Gravy, by Sherri Schoenborn Murray. (This was actually a really cute, sweet book. I enjoyed it.)
  • The Scarlett Pimpernel, by Emmuska Orczy. (No idea why I’d never read this, but it was great.)
  • Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, by Greg Paul.
  • Smoke, by Dan Vyletea (for review.)
  • A Trail of Fire, by Diana Gabaldon. (Love these books.)
  • The Raven King, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Fantastic author. Fantastic series. Sad it’s over.)
  • Blue Lily, Lily Blue, by Maggie Stiefvater
  • My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix (for review).
  • Someone Else’s Love Story, by Joshilyn Jackson
  • Mug Shot, by Caroline Fardig (for review).
  • Anything You Want, by Geoff Harbach (for review).
  • Echoes of Silence, by Elana Johnson (for review on Amazon).
  • A Drop in the Ocean, by Jenni Ogden (for review, plus author interview).
  • The Never-Open Desert Diner, by James Anderson (for review).
  • Jackson’s Trust, by Violet Duke (for review).
  • Gods in Alabama, by Joshilyn Jackson (Re-read and remembered how fantastic this book is.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Disney Book Group.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Doubleday.)
(This image does not belong to me. Image belongs to Quirk Books.)
Jenni Ogden, author of A Drop in the Ocean
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Loveswept.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Crown Publishing.)
(I do no own this image. Image belongs to Random House/Alibi.)
(This image does not belong to me. Image belongs to She Writes Press.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Sourcebooks Fire.)

 

 

A Drop in the Ocean, by Jenni Ogden

a drop in the ocean
(This image does not belong to me. Image belongs to She Writes Press.)

Jenni Ogden is neuropsychologist from New Zealand. After studying the human mind for many years, she turned to fiction. A Drop in the Ocean is her first published novel.

On Anna Fergusson’s 49th birthday, she finds out that the funding for her research lab has been cut. Now Anna, a neuroscientist and introvert from Boston, must discover what life holds for her and where it will lead. A spur-of-the-moment decision has her renting a cabin for a year on a tiny island on the Great Barrier Reef.

Turtle Island is not the indolent retreat she imagined, and she loves life with the eccentric islanders. Soon she finds herself spending time with laid-back turtle researcher Tom, emotionally invested in the lives of the great sea creatures who come to the island to nest. But secrets haunt even the sunny Tom, and these secrets, along with family on another island far away, will force Anna to make the hardest decision she has ever had to face.

A Drop in the Ocean is a through-provoking, emotional read that explores life in the sunlight, but also the shadows of the hardest times imaginable, and the decisions that these shadows demand. A well-written, gripping novel that will have the reader fully invested in Turtle Island, as well as the story of Anna and Tom.

(Galley provided by She Writes Press via NetGalley.)

Mug Shot, by Caroline Fardig

Mug Shot cover
(I do no own this image. Image belongs to Random House/Alibi.)

 

Caroline Fardig is the bestselling author of the Java Jive Mysteries series, as well as the Lizzie Hart series. Her newest novel, Mug Shot, is the second book in the Java Jive Mysteries.

Life has been super busy for Juliet Langley since taking over the management of her best friend Pete’s coffeehouse. Working every day doesn’t leave much time for romance, and Juliet throws herself into getting ready for the Holiday 5k fundraiser organized by Pete’s rich, snobby girlfriend. Since Cecilia is in charge, Juliet knows everything has to be perfect, and she makes sure it is. Until she stumbles over Cecilia’s body the morning of the event.

When Pete is arrested for the murder, Julia sets out to find out who the real killer is, defying her ex-boyfriend, a local Lothario, and her friend Savannah’s good-intentioned “help” to do so. But the real conflict is with Nashville’s high society upper class, who all seem to think Pete is guilty. Juliet is not above upsetting a few grande dames to clear Pete’s name. She just has to solve the puzzle before she becomes the next target.

Mug Shot lets the reader get to know Juliet just a bit better, and the high spirits continue as the mystery deepens. The characters are entertaining and lively, with lots of antics and bad luck to keep the reader hooked.

(Galley provided by Random House/Alibi via NetGalley.)

 

Jackson’s Trust, by Violet Duke

jackson's trust
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Loveswept.)

Violet Duke is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her newest novel, Jackson’s Trust, is the first in her Fourth Down Series.

Jackson Gray, sports analyst, doesn’t do relationships. Why is a secret. But when he’s assigned to train new sideline reporter Leila Hart, and they become friends, he starts to wonder if he can offer a woman more than a physical relationship.

Leila is finally close to realizing her dream of becoming an NFL sportscaster. With Jackson’s help, she’s well on her way, but as their friendship grows, so do the rumors. And Leila has some secrets of her own, secrets that could be the end of all she holds dear.

Jackson’s Trust features two strong characters struggling to reconcile their hopes and dreams with reality. The camaraderie they share as their relationship grows makes this book worth the read.

(Galley provided by Loveswept via NetGalley.)

I’m not even a football fan, and I enjoyed this book.

My Kind of Crazy, by Robin Reul

my kind of crazy
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Sourcebooks Fire.)

Robin Reul is a young adult author. Her newest book, My Kind of Crazy, hits shelves April 5th.

“Normal is overrated.”

Welcome to Hank Kirby’s life. His wisecracks occasionally get him in trouble with his overbearing, alcoholic father. But not nearly as much trouble as his attempt to ask the most popular girl in school to prom. With sparklers. Underneath a very flammable tree…. When the house almost catches on fire, Hank ditches his plan and flees the scene of the crime.

Too bad Peyton Breedlove saw the whole thing. She takes an interest in Hank and his “work,” and soon he finds himself involved with the quirky, secretive Peyton, whose issues make Hank’s trouble’s look like child’s play. Are Peyton’s secrets more than Hank can handle?

My Kind of Crazy is a thought-provoking read about characters that are deeply flawed but struggling to survive. Neither Peyton nor Hank come from a happy home and family, and their fight to adjust and thrive takes them places they never considered. But they are more than just their pasts, a lesson that is painful and dangerous to learn.

(Galley provided by Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley.)

You Were Here, by Cori McCarthy

you were here
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Sourcebooks Fire.)

Cori McCarthy was born in Guam, has lived in New England, the Midwest, Ireland, and Michigan, and has traveled all over, although she loves Washington D.C. She is the author of The Color of Rain, Breaking Sky, and her new novel, the multimedia You Were Here.

Jaycee has accomplished what her older brother, Jake, couldn’t:  live past graduation. Five years ago, daredevil, adventure-loving Jake died the night of graduation, and Jaycee’s whole world crumbled. She lost the brother she adored, and her best friend drifted away soon after. She feels lost, disconnected, and plans to reconnect by visiting some of the places Jake enjoyed going.

She doesn’t expect to have help, but her former best friend, a heartbroken poet, and her friend’s usually drunk, always childish boyfriend go along for the ride. And Mik, the enigmatic, selectively mute guy from Jaycee’s childhood, once Jake’s friend, now the one person who gets Jaycee to reveal more of herself than she thought possible, the one who gets her.

If you’re exploring an old asylum and an abandoned amusement park, it’s good to have company. No matter how crazy.

You Were Here explores many nuances of grief, and how people deal with it. It is not for the faint of heart, the characters are broken and flawed, but they learn to deal with those flaws and heal each other. Full of “Don’t try this at home” stunts and beautiful art, You Were Here is well worth the read.

I loved this book. From the first page, I was hooked, and I stayed up hours finishing it. The characters are fantastic, warts and all, and Jaycee’s growing relationships with the others, as she lets them into her wounded heart, are beautifully done. If you love YA books, you should definitely pick this one up!

(Galley provided by Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley.)

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, by Debbie Macomber

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(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Ballantine Books.)

 

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestseller writer. Her newest novel, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, hits shelves today.

Starting over isn’t easy, but having a friend in the same boat makes it a little bit easier. For Nichole, that friend is her mother-in-law, Leanne. When Nichole learns that her husband, Jake, has cheated on her, she knows her marriage is over and decides to forge a new life for herself and her young son. Inspired by Nichole’s decision, Leanne decides to stop ignoring her own husband’s unfaithfulness, and starts over as well.

Nichole juggles work, her son, and volunteer work, keeping herself busy while she heals. Then she meets Rocco, her husband’s opposite in every way. Just when things begin to progress, Jake steps in with a last-ditch effort to get Nichole back. Will she give Jake another chance, or overcome her fears of the future and choose Rocco?

Leanne has finally had too much—decades too much—of her husband’s cheating, and begins a new life as an English as a second language teacher. There she meets Nikolai, a charming Ukrainian baker. Before Leanne can put her past behind her and move forward with Nicholai, tragedy steps in, forcing Leanne to face the most difficult circumstance of her life.

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is a sweet, inspiring read. The characters are strong, with a few chinks in their armor, as they learn what starting a new life, and love, is all about.

(Galley provided by Ballantine Books via NetGalley.)

Suddenly Spellbound, by Erica Lucke Dean

suddenly spellbound
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Red Adept Publishing LLC.)

 

Erica Lucke Dean dropped her career as a business banker to pursue writing in the North Georgia Mountains. Her newest book, Suddenly Spellbound, is the second book in the Ivie McKie Chronicles.

Ivie McKie has a lot going on. Her job as a kindergarten teacher is always hectic. Her marriage to Jackson is fast approaching. And her father is back from the dead. A little magic would make things so much easier. Too bad she promised Jack she wouldn’t use magic.

But growing up without her father means when her dad asks her for help with a spell, she reluctantly agrees, and finds herself in the wreckage of her dad’s lab with his hot new apprentice. Soon she finds herself drawn to the mysterious stranger with forces beyond her control, as a promise made long before she was born threatens to alter her life forever, and a clan of Scottish sorcerers appear to make sure someone gets a happily-ever-after.

Suddenly Spellbound is a light-hearted read full of Ivie’s mishaps and mistakes, as she struggles to get her life back on-track despite her father’s interference. Disasters abound, in the spirit of Bridesmaids and the Stephanie Plum novels.

(Galley provided by Red Adept Publishing LLC.)

What I’m Reading Now: February

Reading is always a priority for me. However, I’ve been super busy lately, so it fades a bit under the need for sleep while working 12-14 hour days.  With only small increments of time at my disposal, I’m reading several things, in tiny chunks. So, here’s what I’m reading currently:

  1. Suddenly Spellbound, by Erica Lucke Dean. (Just started it, but I like the breezy voice.)
  2. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. (Will always be my favorite, but only time for a little bit at a time right now.)
  3. The Awakening, by Kate Chopin. (Just a few chapters in, but I’m liking it a lot.)
  4. Beginning Theory, by Peter Barry. (Quite dense textbook.)
  5. Fatal Revenant, by Stephen R. Donaldson. (Considering this series has been around since the year I was born, I’m really loving it.)