#fiction

Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray

never say neverWould you or wouldn’t you?

That is the question that is asked in Never Say Never. It’s an interesting question because most people have very definite views on cheating. However, Victoria Christopher Murray takes this question and runs with it. She writes a story- told from the viewpoints of Miriam and Emily- and writes a tale that is emotional. It’s not an easy story to read- Never Say Never can make you question everything or reaffirm your beliefs.

The Red, White and Blue- Michellelee, Miriam, and Emily, have been friends since college. Each of them have a connection that they never thought would fail. Until the day of the fire- and the aftermath that followed. The ladies are having a get together that day- then Michellelee gets a phone call about a fire. Miriam and Emily are immediately worried as both of their husbands are firefighters. Shortly, they hear the news- Miriam’s husband, Chauncey, died in the fire.

All of the ladies, plus Jamal, Emily’s husband, are devastated. Jamal and Chauncey are close friends- and Jamal is taking it very hard. Emily keeps telling Miriam that she and Jamal will help Miriam with everything- the funeral, being there for her, the children. However, Emily is a child psychologist- and in the aftermath of the fire, she finds herself having to devote time to a child who becomes a client. Jamal makes good on his word, though. He visits, hangs out with the kids, and tells Miriam stories about Chauncey from days past.

During their time of grief, Miriam and Jamal begin sleeping together. And slowly, each person finds out- and the world that the Red, White and Blue had- the world of sister-friends begins crumbling.

Told from viewpoints of Emily and Miriam, the tale begins with Miriam telling the readers about her affair with Jamal. The rest of the book is the lead-up to the affair and the aftermath. Forgiveness, faith, fidelity, love, and more are themes of this book. After reading Never Say Never– I had very definite feelings and ideas about Miriam and Emily- however, this is a book that could lead to an excellent discussion amongst book clubs or even just girlfriends.

 

This book was provided by Touchstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions above expressed are mine alone.

Discussion, Giveaways, & exciting news!

Doing a little looking around on the internet today & found some #giveaways to brighten up a Monday!

Giveaways:

Drey’s Library is giving away a copy of Randy Susan Meyers THE COMFORT OF LIES. Listen, I’m not going to even lie about how much I want to win this book. Ever since I heard from multiple sources about how much I’d love this- I’ve wanted. Needed it. But- I’m a nice gal- so I’ll share the links with ya’ll so you have a chance to enter as well. May the odds be ever in your favor! (I know, I know- so cheesy- but I just had to write it!)

Southern Spines is giving away a copy of Amy Franklin-Willis THE LOST SAINTS OF TENNESSEE. Plus there is a podcast! I haven’t read it yet- but the cover is intriguing to me. I was in Lemuria Books a few weeks ago- and I saw it. I kept looking at it and thinking “I’ll come back and get it”- then when I walked back over- a lady had reached up and snatched the last copy 😦 Moral of the story: If you want the book- grab it before someone else.

Drey’s Library is still giving away a copy of THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin.

Exciting News:

Southern Lit Lovers (a group on Goodreads) and She Reads will be teaming up for March! Both groups will be reading THE SILENCE OF BONAVENTURE ARROW by Rita Leganski.

Discussion:

Book Club Discussion for CALLING ME HOME by Julie Kibler is happening now. Going on all week. Come by, chat with me. I’ve already posted the first set of questions/thoughts- and will continue to update all week. If you were a fan of CALLING ME HOME- don’t miss out.

 

 

 

 

Dare Me by Megan Abbott

Cheerleaders. The girls who yell “Go Team”, paint their faces, and shake pom-poms all the while with big smiles and team spirit. If that’s what you think cheerleading is all about- Dare Me by Megan Abott is going to shatter that thought process in minutes.

Addy Hanlon has always been second best to Beth, her best friend, in cheering. Beth is the captain and Addy is the Lieutenant- and that’s the way it’s been for ages. The other girls on the squad don’t try to mess with the dynamic becasue Beth is that powerful, that in charge and cool and calculating. Enter Coach Collete French. She’s the new coach and is hungry for success- wants to take the squad to regionals. She wants the squad to be more than sexy pom-pom shakers- Coach French is determined that these girls will be the best. First step? Shake up the routine. Eliminiate the cheer captain position.

This starts the secret war between Beth and Coach French. But Coach French unknowingly adds fuel to the fire by taking an interest in Addy’s cheerleading talents-pushing her to be better, to really work at being the best cheerleader she can be. As the book goes on, the reader learns just how far Beth will go to be not only the #1 cheerleader; but also to be Addy’s best friend.

A psychological thriller- and just when the reader thinks they know what’s happening- another twist. Filled with teen angst- lying cheating, bullying, and more. After reading Dare Me– you’ll never look at a cheerleader the same way again.

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Julie Kibler’s debut novel, Calling Me Home, is a story that will make the reader think- how far a person is willing to go for love,  choosing between what you want and what your family expects of you, and standing on your own in the world.

They were two unlikley friends- one an aging white woman and the other a younger black woman. Hair helped them make each other’s aquaintance and friendship grew. However, a road trip for the two showed that they have more in common than one ever thought. Isabelle McAllister asks her hairdresser and friend Dorrie to accompany her on a road trip to a funeral in Cincinatti. Dorrie, feeling the need to escape from her worries for a few days, agrees to drive Isabelle.

As the 2 ladies embark on a journey- one heading toward a past that has painful memories and the other leaving her present for a few days- Isabelle begins to share the story- the story of Isabelle far before Dorrie ever knew her. Isabelle tells a story about her first love- her great love. A boy who was the son of the housekeeper that worked for Isabelle’s family. As Dorrie listens- Isabelle tells of Robert and the love they shared- a love that the town Isabelle lived in could not understand.

Calling Me Home– it’s a story that has sadness, much sadness at times. It’s also a story of love and hope- and being true to yourself.  Looking for a good book to read- a story of love, friendship, family consisting of the people you choose and much more? You have found the book then.

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes is a book that is touching- it’s heartfelt and quite an enjoyable read. However, Me Before You does have sadness- sadness that makes the readers hearts hurt; but the reader will not regret the book. This book is a love story- a beautiful love story. It’s not a typical love story- it’s so much more.

Louisa Clark, a young woman, has just been let go from her menial job- however, it’s a job that she loves. Louisa is proud of her tiny existence-steady boyfriend, lives with her family, has never been further than the area she lives in. She’s fine with that. She lives a small life and cannot see it any other way. Will Traynor, though, has been used to living a big life- traveling extensively, mountain climbing, having his pick of women, a job that he not only loves- but that he is successful at- which defines his personality. Will Traynor knows that life is for the living- and he intends to make the most of it; until the accident. Paralyzed and depressed- Will is not sure that life is worth living- if he can’t live like he did.

When Louisa takes a job being Will’s caregiver, she is put off by his attitude and ways. Will apparently feels the same way for some time. Though, with time, they get to know one another and see the good in each other. Each day, the two grow closer to one another- Louisa tries to get Will to see that life is worth living and Will tries to get to Louisa to see that being complacent about life is no way to live. Will wants Louisa to be out experiencing life- traveling, experiencing, going to events.As their time together continues, each makes an impact on the other one. Louisa thinks she has found a way to make Will see that life can be good in the chair- that life does not have to be over because he is paralyzed. Will, though, does have some hard lessons for Louisa about life and love.

Me Before You– a tale that is meant to be read and enjoyed. The reader will laugh and cry- experience a rush of emotions. When the last page is turned and the book is closed, the story of Will and Louisa- the journey they take the reader on, the lessons they teach, the feelings they share- will stick with the reader. And, for a writer, I think that’s the best thing.

Writers- and the peace they bring to lives…(plus escargot)

I’ve talked at length before in previous posts about how growing up, I always thought of an author as “really high up” in the world- walking around NYC, with shiny shoes, meeting interesting people, and cranking out best seller after best seller. I felt envious in the way of their life- pictured them going to fancy restaurants where the drinks and conversations would be free-flowing. I would see them in my mind, walking in a room- every eye on them and sitting down to dinner- perhaps eating escargot (Note: I was not envious of the escargot- I thought it sounded gross. But something an author would eat, no?)

As I’ve grown-up,  my view of an author has changed- while I still think they are “pretty high up”, I realize that not all authors are cranking out best seller after best seller, walking around NYC or eating escargot. There are some that probably are, but just as many who are not.

No matter,though, whether they are super-famous or just a teensy bit famous- reading the works, and finding some peace in my day makes me appreciative of the work. It makes me want to meet as many authors as I can- to hear the “behind the scenes” information on the characters- the inspirations. However, you can keep the escargot.

 

Stuck on Murder(A Decoupage Mystery) by Lucy Lawrence

Stuck on Murder (A Decoupage Mystery) is the first book in the series by Lucy Lawrence. Set in a New England town, the main character Brenna Miller is a recent transplant to the town. She teaches decoupage classes at Tenley’s (her former college roommate) store- Vintage Papers. The town is a perfect place to help Brenna forget a troubling incident from her past- as it’s small and sleepy. However, the small-town charms are questionable when the mayor asks Brenna for help in talking to her landlord, Nate, about selling some of his lake front property to a developer- which will in turn benefit the town. With relunctance, Brenna mentions this to Nate- which starts a feud with mayor when Nate refuses to sell. The situation escalates- then Brenna finds the mayor’s body stuffed into a trunk.

Did Nate kill the mayor to save the land? Or is someone taking advantage of the fact that Nate and the mayor have been seen arguing publicly? Could it be the hungry for fame newpaper editor? Or maybe another disgruntled citizen of the town?

Stuck on Murder is a lovely start to the series. Brenna’s a nice character-and the town and the other characters are great backdrops. The book also has the beginnings of a romance- however, be prepared for another twist in that department. For fans of decoupage- there are also tips.

Recommended.

What are your reading goals for 2013?

With all the fesitivies and resolutions of the new year- you may have not been thinking too much about reading goals. But, now that we are a few days into the 2013 year- perhaps it’s time to begin considering some potential reading goals.

My reading goals for 2013:

– Read 115 books in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. for 2012- I challenged myself to originally 100- then I changed it to 110. I ended 2012 with 111 books read.

– Reading at least 13 cozies in the Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013. 13 books will earn me the title of Super Sleuth. Currently, I’m on book 3 in the challenge. I’m anticipating reading some cozies that people have given me over the years that I had not read- as well as continuing with my favorite cozy authors.

– To read 1 or 2 classics- I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 2012. I anticipate reading another Jane Austen- and trying to decide on another classic.

– To read at least 5 books that have been sitting on my “to be read”shelf for some time. I buy books, people give books, books come in for review. And the new ones always catch my attention- so the ones that are on my shelf sit and patiently wait. I need to be more fair to them- it’s time for them to have some time in the spotlight.

– While it’s not a reading goal, exactly, I resolve to keep my Goodreads shelves updated and my real bookshelves organized and nice looking.

Fingers crossed that at the end of 2013- I’ll have met or exceeded my original goals.

Looking for more ideas for reading goals? She Reads has several! And they want to know “What are you reading goals for 2013”? Is it to read more of a particular author? Read the books on your TBR shelf? Try audio? Maybe e-books? Whatever your reading goal- it’s a worthy one- so drop back by and share!

The joy of reviewing books…

Reviewing books. Ultimate dream for a book lover- at least in my opinion. The joy of seeing a book that could possibly make best-sellers list before the majority of the general public sees it- be still my heart.  Getting to read a book before others is a treat that is almost hard to describe- it’s just a good feeling- especially when the book is great!

Being a member of the She Reads Blog Network has given me chances to review books that I might not have read- they’ve expanded my reading selection. Reviewing books for other publishers has also been a treat.  Through reviewing, while I may not make a major impact in the publishing world, just knowing there is potential- is enough for me.