Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.
Five Days Left
We all know that we are going to die one day- but for Mara- she has decided the when and how. Mara has been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease- and wishes to pass away before the disease progresses to a point that she has no control over her body. With five days left before her deadline, Mara begins to consider things. Continue reading
Today, I have the lovely Ariel Lawhon stopping by to talk a bit at Traveling With T. Ever look at someone and think “How does she do it all?” Ariel is one of those people. She writes, she is one the creative geniuses behind She Reads, she has 4 kids and she’s a force to be reckoned with on social media. Ariel inspires me daily.
Ariel’s debut novel, THE WIFE, THE MAID and THE MISTRESS (read my review here) has book lovers all a-twitter! Political corruption, scandal, showgirls, and a missing judge- plus 3 women who all have their own reasons for keeping what they know about the judge secret- book clubs, you have met your next book (you’re welcome!) Continue reading
Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a honest review.
The Wife, The Maid, and The Mistress
When Judge Crater, a man who has risen to power with the help of the shadiest connections, leaves Club Abbey one night- no one knows how life will change. Or do they?
Judge Crater, after the last night at Club Abbey, after a night of drinks and talk of political corruption, is never seen again. What happened? Did he take a long drive and decide to never return? Or is he being prevented to return by other means? Continue reading
Today, Adria J. Cimino stops by and we learn a bit more about her- as the woman behind the book. You might remember Adria first appearing on Traveling With T as part of the cover reveal for Paris, Rue des Martyrs.
In today’s author spotlight- we’ll learn about Adria’s favorite books & her #literarycrush. Be sure and check back Thursday for the Author Interview- where Adria tells us all about Paris, Rue des Martyrs!
Author Spotlight: Adria J. Cimino
Adria, what are your Top 3 Favorite Books of all time?
Such a difficult question, but these three are always quite near the top…
The Great Gatsby
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Master and Margarita
If you could be best friends with a character in a book, who would you pick? And why?
Idgie of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café because she is loyal, compassionate and strong.
Do you have any #literaryconfessions?
As a journalist, I interviewed John Updike — but I hadn’t read his books. Oops! To make it a little bit less embarrassing, it was a very last-minute assignment.
Do you have a #literarycrush?
Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
What is your favorite color?
Purple, just like my mom. And now my little girl loves purple too. I think it’s hereditary!
What is your favorite opening line to a book?
It’s actually an opening paragraph so I hope this counts. From The Lover by Marguerite Duras:
One day, I was already old, in the entrance of a public place a man came up to me. He introduced himself and said, “I’ve known you for years. Everyone says you were beautiful when you were young, but I want to tell you I think you’re more beautiful now than then. Rather than your face as a young woman, I prefer your face as it is now. Ravaged.”
What is your favorite food?
Home-made pasta (made by my grandma years ago and my husband today)
Photo Credit: Author Provided
*Thank you Adria for answering these questions and letting us know a bit more about you!
Photo Credit: Author Provided
Adria J. Cimino lives in Paris and enjoys sharing her adventures in the city and thoughts about the writing life in her blog “Adria in Paris.”
http://adriainparis.blogspot.com/
Previously, she worked as a journalist for more than a decade at news organizations including the Associated Press and Bloomberg News.
Adria, who grew up in the sunshine, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida.
“Paris, Rue des Martyrs” is her first novel.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Starter House
Lacey and Eric, a young married couple, are looking for a house. Their 2 will becoming 3 in a short few months and both Lacey and Eric desire a place of their own to raise their child, in a neighborhood that has good schools and a nice look. Lacey, though, wants a house with character- not a square cookie-cutter house- a house with character. When Lacey sees this 1 house and finds out that it is for sale- she falls in love with the house. Eric is happy because it’s in the neighborhood they want, is in their price range, and makes Lacey happy. Too bad neither of them really listened to the real estate agent when she tried to discourage them from buying the house.
Shortly after moving in, Lacey begins having difficulty with her pregnancy- and is concerned. She and Eric begin making alternative arrangements- Lacey sleeping downstairs, her mother moving in temporarily and Lacey trying to keep stress to a minimum. Still, Lacey feels uneasy. The house, at times, has a different feel to it- not warm and welcoming; but dark and mysterious. There is a little boy who Lacey keeps seeing… in her house. This boy, Drew, appeals to Lacey and her teacher/maternal instincts. But, slowly, she begins to pick up on things- that Drew is not what he seems. That Drew is a jealous child and quick to anger- which Lacey finds out the hard way.
Determined to get to the bottom of what has happened in this house and the story of Drew- Lacey begins to look for clues. What she finds is dark and chilling. Will Lacey be able to put an end to evil in the house- before she and her baby pay the ultimate price?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
This is Sonja Condit’s first book and while I enjoyed it- I was a bit conflicted at times. Sonja’s characters- Lacey and Eric, I did not completely connect with either. Lacey, at times, seemed like she was cracking up and Eric, was an obsessive workaholic.
The story is compared to The Thirteenth Tale and since I have not read that book, I can’t accurately say if Starter House is like that book. I was a bit worried that it would be too scary- similar to the movie, The Conjuring, but it was not super-scary. Starter House has more of a creepy vibe- and Sonja Condit does that very well.
Would I recommend? Yes. Was it perfect? No. But, Starter House kept me flipping pages because I had to know what happened in that house- and if or when it would ever end.
*Thanks to William-Morrow for sending Traveling With T STARTER HOUSE. Above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Today, today, TODAY…. It’s a Cover Reveal day! Yes, readers of Traveling With T- we are the first to see the cover of Paris, Rue des Martyrs by Adria J. Cimino!
How did we get so lucky?
The details: Adria contacted me a few weeks ago after hearing about my love of cover reveals (seriously- cover reveals are like the sweetest candy to me- nothing but love for a cover reveal!) I’ve taken part in them in a group effort- but this was a first to be asked to be the blogger who gets to reveal the cover. I wasted no time in telling Adria I was in- and we started the process of emailing and working out logistics. Continue reading
Yes folks it’s time to announce the #bookloversunite selection for December- and I’m pleased to report that it will be:
Join in the fun as we read along and discuss Marci Nault’s debut novel. Who knows- Marci might pop in to chime in on the discussion 😉
The reading schedule will be posted ASAP- but if you are interested in reading the book- go buy, borrow from the library or steal (no- don’t really steal!)
A couple of notes:
1. December is going to be busy- I KNOW this. Between holidays, decorating, making memories with family and more- December is going to be BUSY. However, you readers of Traveling With T, need some time to relax- and there is not much better than relaxing with a book! Hope to see you around!
2. To add to the BUSY-ness of the first reason- I will also have some personal things happening in December. My niece, Little Baby Owl (seriously, that’s not her name- but for the internets it’s her name) will be arriving (hopefully the 2nd week of December). What does this mean for you? Not too much- as the bloggy-blog will keep on running even while I’m giving hugs and kisses to Little Baby Owl- however, my reply time might be a little slow. Fear not- I will answer- I’m just alerting to not send out a rescue party for T if you haven’t heard from me in a day or 2.
3. I NEVER do this- but if anyone has suggestions for January’s read- send them on! Just comment on this post!
4. Please tell your book loving friends to join in- the discussion is super-fun!
Kelly Harms, author of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane, stopped by Traveling With T for an interview today. She will be back later this week to reveal her #literarycrush and #literaryconfessions!
Interview with Kelly Harms, author of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
Kelly, how did the idea of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane happen?
The premise of the book came through obsessive and certainly excessive viewing of the HGTV network, where they give away a Dream Home every year. I wanted that house, and I knew someone had to win. Alas, it was not me. So I gave it to my imaginary friends. That’s healthy, right?
Is any of the characters in The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane like you, Kelly ?
Hah! They all are, I imagine. They are all seeds of the secret selves of me, grown into full blown people. We all have a shy side, a careless side, a daring side. These three women are expressions of mine—but by page six they had taken off running on their own, and I let them.
How long did it take to write The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane?
It took me six months to write it. And two years to edit it. I liked the writing part much, much better.
Kelly, is there a writing room or a writing space that you use when working?
No! I’m on my sofa right now, looking out over a sea of brightly colored toy construction trucks. My beloved little toddler calls the room in which I write “my living room.” As in, his. I’m just lucky he lets me use it after he goes to bed.
The cover of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane is really pretty and eye-catching. How did the cover get chosen?
Thank you, on behalf of Thomas Dunne Books. It’s beautiful and I had very little to do with it. Years in publishing have taught me, at the very least, how to stay out of my own way when it comes to all things visual. Left to my own devices the cover would have been an actual shipwreck.
Do you think The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane would make a good movie? Have you ever wondered who could make up the dream cast?
Well, I do love romantic comedies. So would I like to see mine on the screen? Naturally. The dream cast would be any actor who cared for the story. Janey and Nean are very visually amorphous in my mind. They could be anyone who brought their hearts to life. Though, I would tell the director, if she asked, not to make a mockery of Aunt Midge. Old broads deserve respect.
What are you working on next, Kelly? Are you still gathering ideas or do you have a book in mind?
I have been tapping away at something I feel pretty passionately about. But I’m wildly superstitious. I’ve gotten it into my head that if I tell anyone the plot, the story will leak out of me and into the air and I will never be able to pin it back down to the page.
I say things like this and think, my God, what an author I’ve become. Still, there we are. I’m writing, but I can’t tell you what.
*Special thanks to Kelly Harms for agreeing to be interviewed!
When Kelly is not writing in her son’s living room, or watching HGTV- she can be found on Twitter, Facebook and her website. Kelly is currently working on her second novel.
Two girls, best friends. Planned a future together, always vowing to be there for one another. Until one took a different path. Twelve years later, these former best friends meet again. Can they find a way to be friends again? Can they learn to understand what happened twelve years ago?
Katherine- beautiful, driven, and single. Katherine is an executive at Blend Cosmetics, an exclusive brand. Katherine’s days are filled with meetings, parties and more- she’s on the move always. New York City is Katherine’s home and she has a hard time imagining living elsewhere. However, once upon a time she was Kitty- shy, slightly insecure and set on a life with her best friend, Laney, by her side.
Laney, married, has a 12 year old daughter. She runs a spa, Oasis, in town- a job that she loves (besides her boos, that is). Laney’s days consist of family, work and living in Manchester- a town she never dreamed she be living in as an adult. Life has a funny way, though.
Luella Hancock, a kind and older lady who lived on the same street with Kitty and Laney. Luella welcomed both into her house and life- but it was Kitty that she took a bit more of a shine to over the years. Luella showed both the girls the finer things in life- sparkly dresses, beautiful jewelry and more.
Katherine and Laney both get notifications to meet at an attorney’s office regarding Luella Hancock. Both go, each without the knowledge the other would be there. Both are surprised because they haven’t seen each other in twelve years. Luella, loving both the girls in special ways, leaves her house to them- with the stipulation that both must work together to clean it out and they could sell and split the proceeds. Luella remembers a time when it was Kitty and Laney, best friends forever. She hopes that they might remember this time as well as they clean the house that Luella left them in her will.
Together the two ladies work on the house- but without discussing the past. The past is complicated with broken dreams, promises, and hurt feelings. While Katherine is in Manchester, she realizes that there is more than 1 set of unfinished business left for her to take care of. Can Katherine find a way to explain the past to another person she hurt? Can Laney forgive the past? Can Katherine forgive Laney?
Working on Luella’s house brings back memories of their friendship, of the sisterhood they shared before their lives took different paths. Katherine and Laney are both grown up- but is there still a spark of Kitty and Laney, best friends forever, in there? Or is the past too complicated, too broken to mend?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Emily Liebert’s debut novel, You Knew Me When, tells the story of 2 girls, Laney and Kitty, neighbors and best friends. The story is told in alternating perspective- present and past years. Emily Liebert weaves the past and present together to create a story that is about the heart of a women’s friendship.
Funny, charming, and sweet- You Knew Me When is an enjoyable story. A story that hints that friendship never dies, that a person can go home again and that love will happen in it’s perfect timing. Recommended for fans of women’s fiction- this book is a story to give to friends to read and discuss. Book clubs will love discussing this- as there is a little of Laney and Kitty in all of us.
*This book was sent to my by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Photo Credit: Amazon
The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim
Rachel, a young Mennoite woman, has a secret. The secret is shared by another person whose identity she wishes to never reveal because this secret would destroy all that she knows in life. Rachel has a little boy, Eli, and in the community she lives in- having a child out of wedlock is a sin. Compounding her sin and the disapproval she gets from the community is the fact that she refuses to reveal the father, the co-conspirator in her sin. Rachel knows it’s wrong to keep secrets- but this is one secret she’ll not willingly reveal.
Leah, Rachel’s twin, does everything in her power to keep her husband, Tobias the bishop, from banishing Rachel to a place outside the community. Leah’s sick and needs her sister- wants her sister to be with her. Tobias, though, is an unforgiving man- and he makes sure that Rachel knows she is no longer welcome in his house. Tobias knows about secrets as well- and knows that threatening Rachel about revealing her secret will be the fastest way to get what he wants- which is Rachel far away from his angelic wife, Leah.
Judah, Tobias’s younger brother, has loved Rachel since they were kids. He taught her about reading and shared books with her- they had a made-up language where Judah would confide his desire to experience a different world than Cooper Creek. As the community shuns Rachel for her sin, Judah does the opposite. He wants to marry Rachel, to love and cherish her- to be a father to her baby, Eli. Judah does not care that she refuses to reveal her partner in sin- he knows that life without Rachel would not be the life he wishes to live. Rachel, though, is hesitant. Loving Judah, marrying him is not something she’s ready for. Rachel can’t understand that while love from other me in her life has come with strings- Judah loves her for her- no strings.
When Eli gets sick, Rachel worries that her boy is being punished for her sin. As Eli gets sicker, the secret that Rachel has been trying to hide, to protect her sister- becomes important for Eli’s health. However some secrets are so deep in a community and held by people of upstanding background they will do anything, anything to keep it hidden.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Jolina Petersheim’s debut, The Outcast, is a compelling story. A fallen woman who will bear the brunt of shame of the community to keep her twin from pain. A man, a bishop, with secrets of his own. An unrequited love. Jolina weaves these pieces of the storyline- moving from perspective of each character to create a story that is worth reading and an interesting look in the Amish/Mennoite lifestyle. The plot flows and the reader wants to know what happens next. Recommended for book clubs!
Traveling With T 