Depression Cookies

Tia Bach & Angela Silverstone

ISBN: 978-1453567333

Publisher: Xlibris

Source: Review copy

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.

Highly Recommended

Hades

Review by Interview

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

ISBN:

Publisher:

Source: ARC from Shelf Awareness Giveaway

Purchase link: Hades (Halo)

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. 

Was the 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.**

Anasazi: The Thirteenth Chime Book 2

Author: Emma Michaels
Book 2 of The Sense of Truth Series
Publisher: Bokheim
Source: Blog Tour by Author

Synopsis:
One year ago, something happened to David. Following the only clue he had he headed out into the desert. Now he has asked me to come see him. But when I arrived, he was gone. The people in town claim they have never heard of him and everyone wants me to leave.

But I know he was here and he is in trouble.
He can't survive out there for long.
Can he?
David. I will find you.

About the Author:
Emma Michaels started book blogging in 2009, released her debut novel in 2010 (The Thirteenth Chime) and has been writing ever since. Now she spends her time writing biographical paragraphs in the third person and drinking an abundance of tea when she works on her novels. She thinks the word ‘she’ can be redundant in bios so she plans to use it as many times as she can and she loves reading almost as much as she loves reality. She has the amazing support of her fiancé and Chihuahua who keep her from forgetting that food is a necessity when she sits down in front of her computer and loses track of time. She obsessively follows book bloggers and other reviewers and loves e-mails from readers because readers really are an author’s best friend(s).

Connect with Emma:
Blog: http://EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Vum_DAYFw
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EmmaMichaels
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000677626402

Mini-Review:
Emma captivated me from the moment I picked up Anasazi. It is an intriguing tale that constantly peaked me curiosity, leaving me in wonderment at the outcome. It is a thrilling and original read that had me hooked until the end. Emma's writing is clear and descriptive without over indulging. I was able to picture the town, it's people, and the dessert easily. The pace of the book was well set. I found myself enjoying it without feeling everything was happening to quickly or to slowly. I hate being bored with a book and this book was anything but boring. Emma pulled out a few surprises with this novel. I definitely kept wondering what was going on and didn't ever completely figure it all out. Megan and Davis are quite opposite characters but they work well together. Megan is wild and crazy, a bad girl some might say. I feel she still has oats to sew and just hasn't completely matured. Davis on the other hand is on the more serious side, mellow and driven by purpose and planning. When Megan goes to see David and then cannot find him you get the sense that she wasn't expecting a mystery and a town full of odd characters. However the story pulls itself together and leaves you amazed. I enjoyed it for what it is. If you haven't yet read The Thirteenth Chime (A Sense of Truth) I suggest it! You'll want to read book one in anticipation of book two! The title will release on August 5th per Emma's website. I will keep you posted on purchase links. The Thirteenth chime was quite a hit debut novel and I expect Emma's readers will love Anasazi as well!

Giveaway:
I have one copy to giveaway thanks to Emma! Must be a follower or subscriber of this blog.  Simply leave a comment below.  Make sure you leave your email in the space provided (private) or in the comment section (public).  Leave a second comment with the link for sharing the giveaway for an extra entry.  Comments need to be seperate please!  US/CAN only.

4 Stars

Settling: Book Two of the Solid Series & Giveaway



Guest Post by Shelly Workinger, Author of the Solid Series

The leading lady of the “Solid” series – Clio – is certainly not just like me. But when she says, “I was definitely not going to be one of those weird girls who won’t eat in front of guys. The guy thinks you’re freaky while you sit there all hungry and crabby – totally a lose-lose,” she is voicing my exact thoughts.

Just because girls and food have had such a love-hate relationship for, well, ever, doesn’t make it any less ridiculous. Even as I write this post, my husband is telling me how he vividly remembers taking a girl on a date that wouldn’t even order anything; just watched him eat. Seriously. Well, it’s about time someone stood up and said Calorie is a far lesser evil than Crazy.

That’s why it was a given when I started fleshing out my “Solid” heroine that she would eat. Real food. Without obsessing over it. Hey, now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I can establish the opposite standard for my bad guys – that they don’t eat! That may or may not be a spoiler for my future books – you’ve been warned!

Anyway, my “FoodFic” campaign is about more than just saving girls from thinking that food is their archenemy; it’s also about giving food some of its dignity back! The vilifying of food is false, mean, and just plain wrong, since we all know that the aroma of a favorite meal can resurrect an apocalyptic day. Food is a hero! Okay, that may be going a little too far.  But food is integral to our lives – chocolate-dipped strawberries for romantic interludes; birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate life; casseroles to offer solace at funerals – and it deserves a place in our fiction!

The meals Clio dives into in “Solid” and “Settling” include fried chicken with mashed potatoes and snappy green beans, and a picnic of roast beef po’ boys with blue chips and Tabasco-laced guacamole. Sometimes I make myself hungry just writing the scenes, and I hope to whet your appetite for both good reads and good eats!

Mini-Review

I LOVE this series.  It's a step outside of my normal reading but both novels are intriguing and well written, they have captivated me from start to finish!  Settling is the second book of this series and picks up right where Solid left off.  Instead of leaving the campus, Clio and her friends decide they want to stay and continue their course of self -discovery.  They are all quite unique and not ready to give up the freedom and likeness they have with each other that they don't have outside the military campus.  However, not everyone on campus wants the same thing.  Some will stop at nothing and will kill, if that's what it takes to get rid of everyone.  This novel is every bit as good as its predecessor.  I really enjoyed it!  Shelley has a great writing style that hooks your interest and leaves you wanting more!  Beware, the third book is not yet out, you will want more!   Stay Tuned for my full review to come soon.  Read my review of Solid HERE.

To Enter the Giveaway:
Follow this blog by GFC or Subscription
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Leave a comment on THIS post!  You must follow or subscribe to enter.  Tell me which and then tell me +1 for each that you do and leave a total!

1 copy is available for a resident of the US or Canada thanks to Shelley!
Contest ends July 15th at 11:59pm. 
If you don't win the author is running a special promotion for the month of July with this title!
Check out her twitter, facebook or website for more information!

thesolidseries.com
facebook.com/solidseries
twitter.com/SWorkinger
bookfare.blogspot.com

Starring in the Movie of My Life

Author: Laurel Osterkamp
ISBN: 978-1-933826-677
Publisher: PMI Books
Purchase Link: Starring in the Movie of My Life
Source: CLP Blog Tours

Twenty – five year old Nathan is caught between two women who are both fighting for his love and attention. Samantha, Nathans thirty-five year old wife, is adjusting to her new marriage. Sam dreams of making her own movies and has recently set her attention on creating a documentary of her surrogate pregnancy. Nathan, who wants children of his own, has a difficult time with Sams pregnancy and lack of interest in being a mother. Sam, who isn't quite ready for a child of her own, struggles with her feelings over ex-boyfriend Collin, who also happens to manage their apartment building. In addition, Sam has secrets she's been hiding from Nathan.

Eighteen year old Melody is cold and manipulative. Her one desire is to make her life better, to change her circumstances, to escape. When Nathan, her teacher, saves her from being raped at a school dance, Melody turns her attention to him. This develops into a dangerous crush, especially since Melody has met Sam and is willing to dig for dirt on Sam in order to gain Nathans affection.

The story, a character study of Samantha and Melody, dives deep into the lives and thoughts of these two vastly different women. Each of them are years apart in age, yet both also have an age difference to Nathan. The story is told in alternating chapters between the two women. The author does a wonderful job giving relevant information from the past to help the reader understand the present. She also does a wonderful job bringing the details of their lives and decisions along with their age into the story to give the reader an understanding of why these characters think the way they do. It also helped me to understand how they arrived at being the person they have become and will become. The story is told in alternating chapters by Sam and Melody. The only thing missing from the story is Nathans perspective. I wondered what he thought and was feeling through all this. Insight is given from the views of the two women, but I would have enjoyed an occasional chapter from Nathan.

Overall, I enjoyed this dramatic tale. It weaves heartache, confusion, deception and self-discovery into one story that is hard to put down! I was sucked into it from the first page. The characters are well developed. Both women have issues and hang ups in their lives. Melody is manipulative and her actions are unlikable, yet I understood where she was coming from and how she became who she is. I wanted her to be happy and rooted for her to find happiness of her own. Sam is a character that is happy with the status quo but she is confused about what she wants because she never gives herself a second thought. She deeply underestimates her potential and doesn't see her own self worth. Though they both have hang ups that make them unique, I wanted the best for both and really rooted for them to find themselves. The story is simply a tale of life. It's one of making the best decision based off what you're given. Both women had plans, both plans fell apart. Both of them had to take a look inward to see what they truly wanted and re-group. The novel is a page turner. The author has a wonderful writing style. It's easy to read and I was instantly drawn to both women and their stories. I would recommend this versatile book to fiction lovers. YA, Chick-lit, women's fiction or general fiction!

Down From Cascom Mountain

Author: Ann Joslin Williams
ISBN: 978-1608193066
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Purchase Link: Down from Cascom Mountain: A Novel
Source: TLC Book Tours

About this Title:

Set in rugged New Hampshire in the aftermath of a fatal accident, this assured debut novel wrestles with grief and desire as a young woman finds her way over the course of one summer.

In Down From Cascom Mountain, newlywed Mary Hall brings her husband to settle in the rural New Hampshire of her youth to fix up the house she grew up in and to reconnect to the land that defined her, with all its beauty and danger. But on a mountain day hike, she watches helplessly as her husband falls to his death. As she struggles with her sudden grief, in the days and months that follow, Mary finds new friendships–with Callie and Tobin, teenagers who live and work on the mountain, and with Ben, the gentle fire watchman. All are haunted by their own losses, but they find ways to restore hope in one another, holding firmly as they navigate the rugged terrain of the unknown and the unknowable, and loves lost and found.

About the Author:

Ann Joslin Williams grew up in New Hampshire. She earned her MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and was a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. She is the author of The Woman in the Woods, a collection of linked stories, which won the 2005 Spokane Prize for Short Fiction, and her work has appeared in StoryQuarterly, the Iowa Review, the Missouri Review,Ploughshares, and elsewhere. She was the winner of an NEA grant for her work on Down from Cascom Mountain. Williams is an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire.

Visit Ann Joslin William’s website at http://www.annjoslinwilliams.com.

Review:

This story tells the tale of Mary, a newlywed, who takes her husband to the home of her deceased parents, which is located on Cascom Mountain. Having grown up in New Hampshire, Mary is excited to show her husband the area and enjoy her return home. However, a tragic accident on the mountain claims her husband’s life, leaving Mary to cope with the loss. While trying to find peace and understanding Mary becomes friends with a few workers from a nearby resort. Each character also suffers from loss and is trying to deal with their grief. The novel explores love, loss and the journey to healing and future happiness.

When I was offered the chance to be part of this tour, one of the initial elements that drew me to this book was its setting. I grew up in New Hampshire and so reading this novel was alluring to me. I was happy to find that the novel depicts New Hampshire beautifully. The author is very descriptive and paints a picture of the landscape for the reader. It made me miss the mountains. While the descriptive nature was accurate and beautiful, it was also lengthy. I generally don’t prefer overly descriptive novels because I like to fill in the blanks and set a picture of the scenes in my head. However, for this novel the description didn’t bother me much due to the setting, storyline and my need to confirm its authenticity.

The characters are complex yet easy to understand due to the author’s straightforward, simple and clean writing style. Each character has their own issues that leave them vulnerable yet open to healing. Their emotions and thoughts are in keeping with their age and what you’d expect from young adults today. The realistic nature of these characters was a wonderful addition to the story. It makes both the characters and the story easy to relate to because who hasn’t loved and lost? This story focuses on the mountain as much as it does the people. Everything weaves together to form an emotional exploration of grief, longing, regret and blaming oneself while also finding peace and comfort in a place of loss. Even the title of this book figures into the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was easy to read and though it couldn’t be added to your upbeat summer beach read list, it was enjoyable and thought provoking. I think this book would appeal to a large variety of audiences given its characters, story and relate ability. I enjoyed being part of this tour and I enjoyed reading Down from Cascom Mountain.

Follow the Tour: http://tlcbooktours.com/2011/03/ann-joslin-williams-author-of-down-from-cascom-mountain-on-tour-junejuly-2011/

Enter the Giveaway: Thanks to the publisher I have one copy of this title available for one lucky reader!  You must have a US or CAN address.  Fill out the form below and leave some comment love for the author!  As always, thanks for following and reading my reviews!

Exposure Review & Giveaway

ISBN: 978-0-345-51553-7       Publisher: Ballantine Books 
Purchase Link: Exposure: A Novel 

About the Book

In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.

Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns eighteen and is legally an adult. Anthony’s mother, Kim, who teaches at their school, knows—and keeps—their secret. But the couple’s passion is exposed sooner than planned: Amelia’s father, Harlan, is shocked and infuriated to find naked pictures of Anthony on his daughter’s computer. Just hours later, Anthony is arrested.

Despite Amelia’s frantic protests, Harlan uses his wealth and influence with local law enforcement and the media to label Anthony a deviant who preyed on his innocent daughter. Spearheaded by a zealous prosecutor anxious to turn the case into a public crusade against “sexting,” the investigation soon takes an even more disturbing and destructive turn.

As events spiral wildly out of control and the scandalous story makes national news, Amelia and Anthony risk everything in a bold and dangerous attempt to clear their names and end the madness once and for all.

A captivating page-turner, Therese Fowler’s Exposure is also a deftly crafted, provocative, and timely novel that serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of love in the modern age.

My Review

Wow! For awhile after finishing this novel, Wow, is all I could think. I had, and still have, so many thoughts running through my head that it’s nearly impossible to get them all out. Exposure is a must read for every teen, parent of a teen, relatives of teens, or anyone who works with teenagers. The story is not as uncommon as you’d like to think, though varying in nature. There are many teenagers and young adults who are cited with sexual abuse violations due to sexting crimes. Many of these teenagers are young and don’t realize the effect a simple photo can have on their life. The simple mistake of sending or receiving a photo via email, phone or social networking can place a young person on the national sex offender registry because of a sexting violation, even though both parties were consenting. Exposure is a novel that brings exactly this type of crime and it’s out of control spiraling nature to light.

Therese Fowler did a wonderful job writing this novel. In a note to the reader at the conclusion of the novel, she states that the novel was written based off her own turmoil and feelings regarding her son’s arrest at the age of 19, though this story is NOT his story or her story. As a reader, I could feel the personal connection Therese had with this novel. It is obvious through her writing that she was discussing issues and situations she wanted others to be aware of. The novel is written in a way that lets each characters thoughts and feelings be displayed to the reader, giving you a well rounded look at the entire situation as it unfolds. This book was engaging yet enraging. I wanted to read on and find out what happens next, but at the same time it was hard to read. I wanted to scream at points. The out of control nature of the novel and injustice, though a truth in everyday life, was hard to read. Exposure reminded me of reading a Jodi Picoult novel. Its topic is something that thousands of people deal with everyday, yet it is not freely talked about and can be controversial.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I think the author does a wonderful job of bring awareness to a very important topic. With social networking, cell phones, email and so many other forms of electronic data at our fingers tips, teens are not properly educated on the dangers of sending private photos and conversations. This book shares a very real possibility of what can happen to the life of a teen, if they are not careful with their actions. It is a wonderful and useful tool for parents, teen support groups, youth groups or teen book clubs to use. The topics of open and honest communication, sexting, safe sex, and more can be discussed because of this novel. Exposure is a riveting and quick paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

About the Author

Therese Fowler is the author of Souvenir and Reunion. She has worked in the U.S. Civil Service, managed a clothing store, lived in the Philippines, had children, sold real estate, earned a B.A. in sociology, sold used cars, returned to school for her M.F.A. in creative writing, and taught college undergrads about literature and fiction writing—roughly in that order. With books published in nine languages and sold worldwide, Fowler writes full-time from her home in Wake Forest, North Carolina, which she shares with her husband, four amiable cats, and four nearly grown-up sons. Her latest book is Exposure: A Novel. You can visit Therese Fowler’s website at http://www.theresefowler.com/.

Enter the Giveaway!!

To enter have a US/Can shipping address and fill out the form below.  If you like my blog and reviews I would appreciate the follow, since followers help me secure giveaway copies!! 

 

How Huge the Night

Authors: Heather Munn & Lydia Munn
ISBN: 978-0-8254-3310-8
Publisher: Kregal Publications
Purchase link: How Huge the Night: A Novel
Source: Litfuse Blog Tour

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.

Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.

Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.

Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.

Review:

How huge the night was a wonderful, young adult, historical fiction novel. I was impressed with how well written the novel is for having two authors, since collaborating as an author can be difficult. The story is not a light read. It chronicles the coming-of-age period in Julien’s life while also telling the story of Nina and her little brother Gustav who are on the run from the Nazis because they are Jews. The stories are told side by side, flipping back and forth between the two, until they meet and merge. From the synopsis on the copy I was provided with for this tour, which is not the same as the synopsis above, I expected that Nina and Julie would meet much earlier in the novel than they did. I also expected their stories to be more of one story than two. This was not the case for a majority of the novel. The stories are very separate for the most part.

Though the story has a slow and thoughtful pace to it, I still enjoyed it. I loved the point of view in this story. Not many historical are written about the children affected by war, though those who survived have grown up with plenty of stories to pass on, fears to overcome and memories of life lessons learned at far too innocent an age. I was also drawn to the setting of this novel. When I think of WWII I don’t immediately thing of Southern France, thought the war did have its place in France. I enjoyed reading a WWII novel that stepped outside the boundaries of Germany. I also enjoyed learning a few new things from the historical facts in this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel despite its slow start. The story compels you to keep reading to find out what happens next with the characters. I found the events and circumstances that lead to the choices and actions made by Nina and Julien to be interesting and well written. The story of their lives and how they intertwine amidst a harsh environment and unfortunate reality was eye opening to read. I think the authors did a good job working together and telling this story, which is based on actual events though it is fiction. While it is not your beach read for this summer, it is a thoughtful and compelling story of faith that is tested and tried, friendship, family, loss and turmoil in the midst of war. This story leaves you with plenty to think about and be thankful for.

About the Munn's:
Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in a Christian intentional community in rural Illinois, where she and her husband, Paul, host free spiritual retreats for the poor, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or addiction. When not writing or hosting, she works on the communal farm.

Lydia Munn, daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Brazil. She received a BA in literature from Wheaton College, and an MA in Bible from Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions. With her husband, Jim, she has worked in church planting and Bible teaching since 1983, notably in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France which forms the background of How Huge the Night. The Munns now live in Grenoble, France.

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Urban Falcon

Author: Jennifer Caloyeras
ISBN:978-1-935290-08-7
Publisher: Diversion Press
Source: Publisher for Review & Blog Tour
Purchase link: Urban Falcon
Reviewer: Megan Bennett for A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews

About the Book:
Evan Falcon was all set to finish high school in Elbow Creek when his dad's job forced the family to move to Lincoln Heights, a booming metropolis.  Now, his best friend won't even talk to him and he suspects that his mom is having an affair.  Caught between who he used to be and the possibility of who he could become, Evan is thrown in to a world of dating, out of control parties and family drama.

Review:
Evan Falcon is uprooted in the middle of his Junior year of high school. He must move from the small town he grew up in to a sprawling urban area away from everything and everyone he knows. Even worse than having to start at a new school in the middle of the year, his best friend won't speak to him and he suspects his mother is having an affair. Evan must cope with these struggles and finds himself forming new relationships, taking new risks, and learning that growing up isn't easy.


The author does a terrific job of telling this story from the point of view of a high school student. For anyone who ever struggled in high school they may be able to relate to this book. From the preppy, rude, and popular crowd to your first love, Evan has to deal with it all on top of problems at home. Overall I felt the book was a little depressing as Evan struggles throughout the whole book. It is tough being 16 and this book brings back many memories. However, I really formed an attachment for the main character Evan. I felt for him throughout the whole book and wished I could boost his self esteem and let him know that life would get better. He was an excellent character for the story and kept his head up even when things were very gloomy. I did find myself wanting more from the story and it was quite predictable. Also, I felt as though some parts of the story were unresolved at the end.


Interview between Tiffany & Jennifer:

Please tell me 5 things about you.
1. I was born and raised in Los Angeles (where I live now) and my husband grew up two blocks away from me.
2. My father is a comedy writer.
3. When I was in my 20’s I recorded two CD’s as a singer/songwriter.
4. I am an insomniac.
5. I love to dance.

What are 3 unique aspects about Urban Falcon?
1. It’s a contemporary, coming-of-age, young adult novel with a male protagonist.
2. I completed a draft of the novel as part of an independent study while receiving my MFA in creative writing at the University of British Columbia.
3. The protagonist’s name, Evan Falcon, came to me in a very surreal dream. (I get a lot of my ideas if and when I am sleeping)

If someone asked you for one reason why they should read Urban Falcon, what would you say?
I’d say if they’re searching for a nostalgic look at their own high school experience, they should read it. It seems to conjure up a lot of those emotions experiences for a lot of readers (but without all the acne and insecurity!)

Name 3 things you wished you knew about publishing before being published?
1. I wish I had known how important it was to “let go” when you deliver a completed manuscript.
2. I wish I had known how hard it is to sell books!
3. I wish I had had more experience with websites, blogging, social media…I have a blog now: www.meremade.blogspot.com but a year and a half ago I had less techno tools in my toolbox.

Name 3 things on your "to do" list.
Really? Like my daily to-do list? Hm…I feel like my day-to-day life it so boring!

1. Return library books
2. Buy diapers
3. Go to the farmer’s market.

Name 3 things on your bucket list.
1. Travel to Costa Rica.
2. Open an Etsy shop.
3. Write a cookbook.

What are your top 5 favorite books?
1. Birds of America: Lorrie Moore
2. We So Seldom Look on Love: Barbara Gowdy
3. Crime and Punishment: Dostoyevsky
4. Poems: John Ashbery
5. Pastoralia: George Saunders

If you could invite and 5 authors on a cruise who would you invite?
I mean, I’d have to invite the ones that are fun, right?

First off, Zsuzsi Gartner, short fiction writer extraordinaire, bon vivant and kick-ass thesis advisor, then the list would be as follows (George Sauders – because what is being stuck on an island without a little satire, Adrienne Rich (presumably an incredible conversationalist), Melissa Clark (my sister and fiction writer – she’s a good time on a cruise ship!)) and I’d also invite Rick Moody, because he’s easy on the eyes (and then there’s that whole brooding writer thing.)

Name 3 things that help you gain inspiration for writing.
1. Observing others (I can get lost in trying to guess other people’s worlds….it drives my husband crazy).
2. Reading
3. Being out in the world. As a writer, you spend so much time alone in front of a computer. It can be quite isolating and I can negate the whole purpose of what I’m trying to do….connect with others through my writing. So getting out and about it a great antidote.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
I remember being in the parking lot about to give my first reading / signing, all dressed up, looking down at the ketchup stains my 4-year-ld smeared on my dress during dinner and then nursing my 6 month old in the car, thinking, “is this what all writers go through before their first reading? Isn’t’ it enough that I’m terribly nervous?!?”

What's the most embarrassing author moment you've had?
I get thrown easily….I remember being at a book signing and forgetting someone’s name. I should have known their name. I tried to slyly say something like, “and how do you spell that?” their name was like, akin to “Pat” – you can’t misspell it. Insert foot in mouth.

If you were stranded on an island and could magically name 2 people, 3 things and 1 book you could have to have with you who/what would they be?
How can I not say my kids? But let’s say I didn’t…..

Jane Goodall, Cornell West, avocados (let me warn you all of my “things” are going to be food-related), mangos a bottle of Grenache and….drum roll please……The Confederacy of Dunces. Now that’s a good time!

Do you have another title in the works?
I do indeed! But because these things can be quite sensitive…I can’t disclose it! It’s another YA novel. It involves dogs and takes place in Santa Cruz. I also have a completed collection of short fiction (geared towards an adult audience.)

What is your favorite season?
Ohh, that one’s easy. Fall. Los Angeles doesn’t have real distinct seasons. But I love when it’s time to whip the scarves out and carve some pumpkins.

Your dream vacation would be?
Right now I have Costa Rica on the brain. I have a friend who lives there and I keep seeing photos of he and his three kids running along beautiful beaches. I love nothing more than watching my children run in open space.

But I wouldn’t turn down a food and wine tour of Italy!!!

Best childhood memory?
Summer camp. I went to an amazing farm camp in northern California. I made incredible, lifelong friends there.

Do you have a favorite past time?
I love to cook and play the piano.

If you were given the chance to do any one thing over again, what would you do over?
I feel like everything I’ve done in my life has led me to this moment in time…things are going well! I have a wonderful family and I get to write…things are good, so I don’t think I’d risk changing the course of things for a fouled up moment!

If you were given the chance to re-live any one moment, what would it be?
I loved the experience of living abroad when I was in my early twenties. To spend ten months in a new country (France) was such an eye opening experience. I got to travel to places I only dreamed of visiting: Spain, Scotland, Brussels, Italy….and Morocco. That was a fun year full of adventure.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Spending time with my friends and family in the water!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
All it takes is one agent, one publisher to like your work. Don’t get hung up on rejection. It’s a waste of energy. Keep a forward trajectory.