“Sometimes leaving home is the only way to find where you belong….”
Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she’s living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The prize: a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.
As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten, not just by the town’s beguiling mix of ancient and modern but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near Galway Bay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges–from a meddling neighbor to the pub’s colorful regulars–there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories and, in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub’s charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart–and her luck–for the very first time.
Author: Mary Carter
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 978-0-7582-5336-1
Source: Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour
Rating: Must Read, Don't Miss it!
There's just something unique and alluring about the Irish and the notion of a pub.Whenever I think about an Irish pub, I think about warmth, love, friendship and fun.It's like watching an episode of Cheers, where everybody knows your name.The pub is a gathering place for friends, neighbors and family.No matter the celebration or disappointment, you eventually meet up at the pub.The Pub Across the Pond solidified this notion for me.Music, people, conversation, warmth, love and friendship are all part of this novel, the pub and the characters.It makes you want to be part of it all.
Mary Carter is a delightful and talented writer.I was immersed in this story from the moment I started reading.The cover drew me into this book from the moment I saw it.I wanted to know more about the story.The author kept me fully entertained with her well-developed characters and storyline.This novel made me laugh, which I love!I adored everything about it.Its unique plot gave me a wonderfully entertaining read, while the characters made me feel at home, as if I were part of them.I've only read one other novel by Mary Carter, entitled "She'll take it," which was just as wonderful to read.I will be picking up her other titles after enjoying The Pub Across the Pond, as well.
MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. The Pub Across the Pond is her fifth novel with Kensington. Her other works include: My Sister’s Voice, Sunnyside Blues,She’ll Take It, and Accidentally Engaged. In addition to her novels she has written two novellas: A Very Maui Christmas in the best selling anthology Holiday Magic, andThe Honeymoon House in the best selling anthology Almost Home. She is currently working on a new novel for Kensington.
Winner of:2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards, Silver Realistic Fiction and Finalist Chick Lit
2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist Chick Lit
Synopsis:
Written in two distinct voices, two stories are interwoven within the walls of family and love.
Abby needs some magic in her life, along with a white knight, respectful children, and an exciting career plan. Instead she is drowning in unfulfilled expectations, disappointments, and unmet needs. What she doesn't expect is to find the true essence of magic in the strength, friendship, power, and energy of the female spirit found in her mother and her mother's zany group of friends. Krista cannot believe it's happening again. Her father waltzes in and announces another move. And what does her mother do? Nothing. Don't they realize she's almost thirteen, and this could mean the end of her life? In the midst of teenage melodrama, she is determined to survive a new school, defeat the annoyances of two scene-stealing sisters, and deal with out-of-touch parents. Yet she quickly realizes the double-edged sword of growing up.
My Thoughts:
It always amazes me when two people can collaborate so well and produce an amazing book.While the career of an author is generally viewed as a solo act, I have been pleasantly surprised by co-authors, such as Tia and Angela, who pen a book together and leave you wondering where one left off and the other began.How do they make the book flow as one complete work when they are in fact two different people?It amazes me.
Depression Cookies tackles the life issues of a tween and her mom.Both find themselves with dealing with disappointments, friendships, understanding and wisdom.I think any woman can connect with both Abby, as a mother and wife, as well as Krista, as a daughter and tween who’s growing up and trying to understand the world and those around her.I loved the relationship between these two.Both mother and daughter are trying to navigate their way through life.Each has a different perspective of family, each other and life as a whole. They perceive things differently and I found their outlooks intriguing and honest.Both just want to be loved and accepted with stability and self- fulfillment.
I was really able to connect with Abby in this story.I appreciated the raw honest the character brings to motherhood and life as a woman.Women are emotional creatures; every aspect of our makeup is surrounded by our intense emotion and instincts.These characteristics are seen in the characters, one as a mother, and the other as a daughter trying to navigate through the difficult beginning of teenage life.The story reminded me of reading Judy Blume novels during my pre-teen and early teenage years.Both mothers and daughters will be able to enjoy this book.It is one of those novels that I feel I must read again because I’m sure I’ll get something different out of it next time.It’s easy to understand how this novel has won so many awards.
In Space, Emily Sue Harvey delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child”, complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowe’s existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith’s endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring both their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most, her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own.
My Thoughts:
This is my favorite title by Emily Sue Harvey thus far.I enjoyed the moving and poignant story delivered by Harvey.The story has a real life appeal to it, as it deals with the topic of a family on the brink.The parents, who have been saving their entire life for retirement and planning how to spend their time in an idyllic way, are thrown off course when the daughter, a recovering drug-addict, moves, back home.Their privacy, relaxation, and dreams disappear.The obvious stress on the parents is expected, but the story of Faith, their daughter, and her struggles with everything she cherishes takes the reader down an emotional path.The tree are forced to find peace with each other in the midst of the most chaotic and challenging time in their lives.
The novel questions love and its strength to hold people together.It is vivid and honest.I felt for each character and at the same time wanted to slap some sense into all of them.It really is a novel that reminds me of something families might deal with in today’s world, though I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.I enjoyed reading Emily’s take on this story.I also enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.Though the book dives into some serious subject matter that isn’t the easiest to talk about, it also gives hope.It reminds me that no matter what I might be going through, I’m not alone.Someone else may be going through the same thing or worse.Life is not staged to be perfect; it is full of surprises, difficulties, bad choices and many wonderful things as well.I was thankful for my loving family who support me every day.
I recommend this book.It is quite interesting and heartbreaking all at the same time.The story flows from page to page and kept me hooked until the end.I enjoyed this work of fiction very much.
Highly Recommended
Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?
When Parisian lawyer, Catherine Lambert, is offered the move of her dreams, she quickly accepts and heads to New York City.However, leaving Paris behind is not what she expects.When Catherine arrives in New York, her life quickly changes in drastic ways, making her life nothing like what she expected it to be.The culture differences are evident in her professional life and not entirely welcome.While Catherine tries to balance her social life with her professional life, she lives up the fashion and style expected of New York.When a handsome client enters Catherine’s world, the game changes, though the surprises don’t stop there and Catherine’s world remains anything but boring.
If you’re like me, you loved The Devil Wears Prada and titles similar to it.If you did, you’ll love J’ adore New York.I fell in love with this story, the characters and great writing style.This novel hooked me from the first page.It grabbed my attention easily and kept it.I loved Lafl`eche’s writing style.It flows effortlessly and is easy to read.I got lost in this book, unaware of my surroundings, which, to me, is one of the best qualities in a novel.I felt the emotions of the characters throughout the novel.It was if I was there and not reading a book.I cheered Catherine along, hoping it would all work out for her and I enjoyed the read.As a bonus, this novel has an awesome cover!I love how attractive and intriguing it is.This is a great debut and totally worth the read!
Introduction: Welcome to Review by Interview! This is my newest review format and one of the many I use. Below you can find common questions readers want to know about the books that interest them along with the answer based on my review of this book. Enjoy!
What is the book about? (Synopsis from back cover)
Heaven Help Her.
Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.
The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.
What did you like about the book?
The book had a good flow after the first chapter or two.I also liked how the places were described in enough detail to let me put myself there.
What didn’t you like about the book?
At first I did not like the main character’s (Xavier) name but it grew on me as the book went on.
Did you like the characters?
Yes, I did like the characters.They all had enough detail to seem real, or as real as an angel on Earth can be.No one person stood out more than the others to me.I was able to relate to the characters.The book enabled me to find a imagine myself as a character I would want to be.I found each of the characters personalities to fit how I looked at each person.Each person had enough book time to be fully fleshed out.I kind of liked the ups and down of each character so I wouldn’t change anything at this time.
Wasthe story believable for its genre?
Yes, I would say that it was.It put enough real world knowledge into something that could never be proven real or fake.
Did it flow well?
Yes, each chapter change brought enough meat to the story that you never thought it was a pointless break, or just to keep up the suspense.
What kind of writing style did the author use?
This was told by multiple characters.
Would you recommend?Why or Why not?
Yes, I would recommend to anyone who likes fiction that involves the long struggle between Heaven and Hell.
Would you read more from the author?
Yes, this one was the second in the story and I did not read the first but I will be looking for it right away.
Did the setting fit the book?
Yes
Overall opinion?
Overall I really liked the book.I found myself picking it up whenever I had a few minutes to read.Though I had some ideas of what may happen the author had a good writing style that enabled me to let the story be told rather than trying to figure it out.I would re-read this one after I obtain the first book and read it.It captured my attention and kept it.
Suspense Intensity level – 3 (medium)
Heat level – 2 (Kisses, making out)
**A special note to the reader:Think about the cover of the book when you get into the book.It may change your mind from what you thought it was originally.**
Sexy, stylish and successful, Nell always prided herself on her common sense. So why is she suddenly crazy for David, her married best friend of twenty years? With a single kiss, Nell s perfect Californian life turns upside down. All the safety of her well-adjusted marriage to a respected plastic surgeon and her growing fashion business pale in comparison to the passion experienced in that kiss. Can she go on as before, or will she make the biggest change of her life? Will she face disaster and tragedy, or perhaps adventure and a second chance? Or possibly both? Find out from this fast paced book where the sceneries are changing as fast as the movies. Life is full of surprises and challenges that anyone would call perfectly crazy yet they may become reality one day. Or will they?
Review:
Perfectly Crazy was a short yet fun read. The writing style is different. The narrator tells the story in a concise manner. I felt it was very straight to the point, without much fluff. This enabled me to read the story quickly and wonder what was going to happen, but I didn't ever feel connected to the story. I wasn't lost in the book. I never felt like I was there or forgot I was reading, even though I remained interested in the storyline.
The storyline itself was fun. It seems not uncommon to have a best friend of the opposite sex that one might fall for. I think this is why people say your spouse should be your best friend as well. I guess it would have helped Nell if she had realized her feelings for David before they both married. Regardless, this was a fun story to read, though it took me a little bit to get used to the writing style. I like to have a good short read every once in awhile, especially if I have just finished a longer book. This one did that for me. At 177 pages, the longest part of the process was obtaining Internet access to post this review!
The characters are conflicted among other emotions and show the human side of internal conflict well. The book has a few twist that make it interesting and enables certain events to take place. If the synopsis grabs your attention, give this one a try! I enjoyed it.
About the Author:
Mitzi Penzes grew up in Hungary, where she trained and practiced as a neurologist. She has lived in the US for the last twenty-five years, where she pursued a career in lab management before becoming an entrepreneur. She lives with her son, husband, and cat in Napa, California.
When Ginny’s parents die unexpectedly, Ginny, a sheltered and shy young woman, struggles deeply, seeking comfort within the kitchen. Cooking is the only thing has ever made sense to Ginny, a young woman with Aspersers syndrome. When she starts making recipes and seeing the ghost of the recipes owner, Ginny knows she must never reveal this fact to her sister, Amanda, who has been overbearing and pushy since their parents death. Realizing the ghosts are appearing for a reason, Ginny begins to call them on purpose in order to find clues to a well kept family secret. In the process Ginny discovers secrets about herself, her family and others and learns how to deal with her grief while trying to overcome her disabilities.
The Kitchen Daughter was a fabulous read. I loved every minute of this tragically inspiring story. The novel is surprisingly upbeat for a novel in which you’d expect otherwise. McHenry brings life and laughter into a challenging situation. Ginny, who discovers she has Aspersers syndrome, learns to deal with the challenges of her personality rather than hiding behind them. I loved learning about this syndrome! It was fascinating to read about.
I found myself with writers block while trying to write this review. There are some books that are simply wonderful, they click with the reader and leave them wanting more from the author. It can be hard to put words to these books. Instead I find myself recommending them to anyone and everyone without a lengthy review. The Kitchen Daughter is that book for me. I enjoyed it. I will re-read it. I will read more from the author, but I can’t seem to find the words to say exactly how I enjoyed this book. It was simply enjoyable and delightful to read. It was unique in its storyline which appealed deeply to me.
I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed reading a story that was realistic to life and not all fairy tales and happy endings. I also learned something new and found a new must read author to add to my growing list. It’s a beautiful debut that captures the attention of the reader and guides you through the story. I can’t wait to read more from Jael. I adore her picturesque writing style. It enabled me to envision the setting and characters while keeping a smooth flow and broad appeal. This one won’t disappoint you.
Author: William Kent Krueger
ISBN: 978-1439153956
Publisher: Atria
Pre-Order Now: Northwest Angle
Source: Publisher for review
I've decided to try something a little different this time around. Don't worry, if you don't like change I am still going to post my review in the "normal" format. However, when reviewing a title I ask myself a series of questions, though not all books receive the same questions. I simply answer until I have enough information and start to write my review. This time around, I decided to write a "review interview" in an effort to mix things up a little. Let me know what you think!
What's the book about? (Synopsis)
With his family caught in the crosshairs of a group of brutal killers, detective Cork O’Connor must solve the murder of a young girl in the latest installment of William Kent Krueger’s unforgettable New York Times bestselling series.
During a houseboat vacation on the remote Lake of the Woods, a violent gale sweeps through unexpectedly, stranding Cork and his daughter, Jenny, on a devastated island where the wind has ushered in a force far darker and more deadly than any storm.
Amid the wreckage, Cork and Jenny discover an old trapper’s cabin where they find the body of a teenage girl. She wasn’t killed by the storm, however; she’d been bound and tortured before she died. Whimpering sounds coming from outside the cabin lead them to a tangle of branches toppled by the vicious winds. Underneath the debris, they find a baby boy, hungry and dehydrated, but still very much alive. Powerful forces intent on securing the child pursue them to the isolated Northwest Angle, where it’s impossible to tell who among the residents is in league with the devil. Cork understands that to save his family he must solve the puzzle of this mysterious child whom death follows like a shadow.
What did you like about the book?
It was a well written and thought out book. It painted a nice picture of where it was enabling me to feel like I was actually there. I love feeling connected to a book.
What didn’t you like about the book?
I did not like some of the characters names. This is my first novel by Krueger and when I read the names "Mal and Cork" I had a difficult time picturing them. Mal is simply not a name. I was having a hard time associating it with a person. Cork is better but not by far. Malcolm would have worked. Cork just makes me think of wine.
Did you like the characters? Why or Why not? Are there specific characters that stood out to you? Were they relatable? Did they fit their personality? Were they well developed? What would you change about them if anything?
Yes, I did like the characters for the most part. Each character had enough of a back story written to enable me to understand their background and personality. The author lets you know what kind of jobs they have held and where they are going in life. I liked how the people were setup it made them feel real, like people you may already know.
Was the story believable for its genre?
Yes, it could be a true story.
Did it flow well? Explain.
For the most part it had a great flow. However, there were a few times, when you are in an action scene, that the flow just stopped and then went into a flash back moment or a sub character story. This left you to wonder if the scene would pick up again or not.
What kind of writing style did the author use? (Example: Told by main character, told by multiple characters, told by narrator.)
This novel was told by each character. I generally like the use of this format, however, the author didn't use names above the chapters to let the reader know who was speaking. It took a bit for me to know who was talking or realize that the characters had changed.
Would you recommend? Why or Why not?
Yes, It had a good story that was easy to read. It was also easy to relate to one or more of the characters. The novel kept me hooked from the start. I enjoyed it.
Would you read more from the author?
Yes I would. I have already researched his back list titles and plan to read them
Did the setting fit the book?
Yes, the name of the book was where it was located. It was also described and executed well within the setting.
Would you consider re-reading it?
Yes
Did it catch and keep your attention?
Yes, it did. I would pick up and read it even if I just had 10 minutes
Did you figure out the mystery or were you kept on edge?
It was a lighter mystery, so no, I was not on the edge of my seat but it did keep me wondering.
Intensity level? (1. Beginner 3. Medium 5. Out of control)
2
Overall opinion?
I liked the book and felt myself excited to keep the story going until it ended. It was well written, interesting, had great characters, names aside, and kept my attention.
Pillow Rating?
I hope you enjoyed this Review Interview! Let me know what you think!! Dont' worry, the original formatting will be posted as well. Until then check out the video for this book! Hope you enjoy it!
Pre-order your copy via the link at the top of the post!
Her town’s lack of men may make headlines, but it isn’t news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool’s Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town.
Finn Andersen will do anything to keep his twin brothers—the perfect contestants—off the show. Despite Dakota’s better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn’t dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV.
Review:
Only Mine is a charming, sexy and entertaining read!I love, Fool’s Gold, the town Susan has created for this series.The Fool’s Gold books keep getting better and better.Susan processes the ability to keep her series entertaining and original while leaving the reader both satisfied and wanting more.The idea of a reality TV show in Fool’s Gold, CA was brilliant.The issue of a man shortage was comical.After all, even if men are available, what woman hasn’t felt s shortage in men at one point in her life?
The characters are wonderful.I love how Mallery creates a sexy and desirable “hero” in the story.She met my expectations while throwing in a few surprises along the way.I loved the quirky yet humorous personalities of the characters.They work well together, it felt natural.The characters are realistic.I loved this aspect.It helped me to feel as if I was a part of the town rather than reading a story.
It seems easy to make everything seem perfect in a story that promises a happy ending yet Mallery focuses on keeping her books believable.While I knew the happy ending would come about, I had my moments of doubt.Only mine had its share of turmoil, complications, disappointments and real life drama that kept me glued to the pages.I wondered how the happy ending would find its way to the loveable characters and found myself cheering them on.I really enjoyed this aspect of the book.I don’t like to be handed a happy ending on a silver platter in an unrealistic manner.Only Mine didn’t do that.I look forward to Only Yours and Only His.I have already pre-ordered my copies.It was incredibly hard to find Only Mine in the stores since its debut.Reader’s everywhere have been scoffing them up!I can understand why……
Author: William Kent Krueger
Author: Susan Mallery