Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a honest review.
Driving Lessons
Sarah is tired of her job. Tired of life in New York City. When an opportunity arises to trade in their NYC life for a year in Virginia- a year where her husband, Josh, can teach at a university, where Sarah can figure out where she wants to be in life career-wise and oh yeah- where they can work on making a baby- Sarah jumps on it.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.
After I’m Gone
Felix Brewer is a man with a plan- he has big dreams. Wants to have a fancy house, money and security, all the creature comforts of life. Felix is not afraid of hard work- he’s also not afraid of breaking the law and bending the rules to get ahead in life. When Felix meets Bambi- there is an instant attraction. Bambi is Felix’s idea of a perfect woman- cultured and beautiful.
Felix not only has no problem bending the law for his own gain, he also does not have a problem breaking his vows- which he does with his mistress, Julie. When the law finally catches up to Felix, he does what a man with shady business connections does- he takes the money and runs- leaving behind, Bambi, his 3 daughters and Julie. 5 women- 5 women whose lives were irrevocably changed after Felix left. Bambi also feels that Julie knew more than what she let on- and resentment builds. 10 years after Felix disappears, Julie leaves- most think to join Felix in the new life he’s made. Until Julie’s remains are found- which shines a spotlight on the day that Julie disappears.
Enter Roberto “Sandy” Sanchez- former police officer- now he works on cold cases- he has a good track record following up with the clues and finding justice- even after everyone else has given up. When Sandy begins to search for clues about Julie’s disappearance- the trail twists and turns along with Felix’s disappearance and life of crime. Felix’s daughters and his wife, Bambi, all have reason for Julie to disappear. But, years later, would any of them had the ability to make this happen? Or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
Sandy knows the truth is out there. And he knows he’s the person to find out the answers.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
This was my first Laura Lippman novel- and I thoroughly enjoyed AFTER I’M GONE. A man disappears, his mistress disappears 10 years later- common sense tells you the 2 are together. But common sense meet Laura Lippman- she takes a story that has been told before- and creates a story with intrigue and mystery- a story that the reader will devour.
AFTER I’M GONE is told in “current time” and flashback tales- with clues and suspects littered throughout the story. The story, while the main focus is on what happened to Julie, the subplots of how Felix came to disappear and how life without Felix shaped the women he loves lives without him make for a great addition to the storyline. As the reader follows the clues with Sandy- they must question everyone and everything.
Recommended.
*This book, AFTER I’M GONE, was sent to Traveling With T by William-Morrow Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
What’s that sound you hear? Yep, it’s people rejoicing over the fact that Joshilyn Jackson has released a new book! I’ll admit that I’m a late-comer to the Joshilyn Jackson- love fest (I’m nothing if not honest!) For me, ole JJ had not even been on my radar till Deep South Magazine put A Grown Up Kind of Pretty on their Reading List back in winter 2011. The cover just called out to me (can you tell me the cover wouldn’t call out to you?!) and lucky for me, I found out she was going to be at TurnRow & I could get my book signed. So I did (here is where I met the incredible JJ)
But enough about a Joshilyn Jackson love fest- the point of today’s post is the review of Someone Else’s Love Story!
Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson
Shandi is 21. Shandi is not like most 21 year old girls, though- yes, she goes to college, yes, she is finding herself. But Shandi has a child- and she’s making her life better for him- while also learning some hard lessons of growing up. Life has taken a funny twist for Shandi- a twist that was not spelled out for some pages- kind of danced around. However, this twist gave Shandi (and the readers Natty) and it gave Shandi a reason to face reality. To face life and truth. Life is not quite finished with Shandi, though.
One day, as Shandi, Natty and Walcott are heading to the big city of Atlanta- they stop at a gas station. Just an ordinary, average, run of the mill gas station. After Shandi and Natty are inside and Shandi is eyeing this man- this man of Greek god proportions- another man walks in. A man that most would not pay a lick of attention. Except.. This man is holding a gun. What happens next in the Circle K twists and turns Shandi’s life- and unites William (the man of Greek god proportions) and Shandi in ways that are life-altering.
William Ashe, besides being of Greek god proportions, besides being a genius- is also autistic. High-functioning- but certain circumstances throw him. He also has a different way of looking at life- partly because of his autism, partly because of past circumstances.
William and Shandi’s time in the Circle K may not have been long- but that day- events were set in motion. Seeds were planted. And because of that, because of a day of fear- previous happenings in life start to take on a crystal clear glow. What William and Shandi do next, do with the knowledge that is afforded them- is part of their true destiny. Someone Else’s Love Story tells the story- with charm, with laughter, with tears and understanding.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Someone Else’s Love Story– is it a love story? An examination of faith and science- how they exist separately & yet co-exist together? A story of righting past wrongs and moving to a new understanding? Truth is……It’s all that. And so much more. Joshilyn Jackson takes 2 characters, characters that had nothing in common except being at Circle K at the same time- and writes a story that is thought proving, heartwarming and intensely filled with love- love for all her characters.
Recommended.
*This book was provided by William Morrow to members of She Reads Blog Network in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Stephanie Evanovich’s debut novel, Big Girl Panties, is a book about judging a book by it’s cover- or more accurately a person by their outward appearance.
Logan Montgomery, a personal fitness trainer with a body of a Greek god, is on a plane. In coach. Not his usual seat in first class, but he’s just ready to get home. Hoping to have an uneventful plane ride- he is less than pleased when he sees her walking down the aisle. She, who is not well dressed and is amply curvy. She who walks down the aisle with difficulty trying to not bump the aisle seats. Logan hopes that she will not sit by her- but his wish is not granted.
She is Holly Brennan. A widow at the age of 32, taking care of her dying husband has taken a toll on her. She’s always used food for comfort- but even more so in the wake of her husband dying. Holly is now at a size that she never dreamed she would be at- and sitting next to the hunk of physical perfection is creating an awkward feeling of trying to make herself as invisible as possible.
During the plane ride- Holly and Logan do strike up a conversation and Logan decides to help Holly. Turn her from the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan. Holly accepts and they begin to meet at Logan’s gym. Holly is determined to lose weight, to do the exercises, and to not fart while doing situps in front of Logan.
As they continue to work out, Holly begins to lose the weight and start to feel better about herself. Logan finds Holly funny and charming- and then one day realizes he likes her. Logan thought he was going to teach Holly a lesson or two about becoming a beautiful swan. But- it might just work out where Holly becomes the teacher and Logan becomes the student when it comes to love.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
I read this book pretty quickly. It’s a romance, it even has a life lesson about not judging a person based on their appearance. Holly has some great 1 liners. There is sex and even talk of a fetish in this book (it’s not just an overwhelming amount- but it is there). The story line is cute, and it’s nice to see a main character that is not perfect. I enjoyed Big Girl Panties– and feel it’s worth a read.
A few weeks ago, I was checking the book signing schedule at Lemuria Books- and I saw the signing information for Big Girl Panties. With a name like that, I was curious- partly because I’d been reading tons of historical fiction and women’s lit that was good- but not always something light and funny (which I so desperately craved). So I marked it on my calendar and made plans to attend.
I arrive and after buying my book and checking out the aisles, I walk to the signing area. Sitting at the table is this woman with a big smile and a big laugh- and I just knew then that this event would be fun! I was not wrong! As Stephanie and I sat around talking about books, her experience in the publishing world and much more- it was not a feel of author/book blogger-reader, it was more like sitting and talking to a person who was fun and friendly- a person you would like to share a glass of wine with.
As we talked, I asked about if there was a possibility of Big Girl Panties being made into a movie- there is, but according to Stephanie, “it’s step 1 on a path of a million steps”. However, she did have her movie cast picked out: Channing Tatum could play all 4 roles- “because you can never have enough Channing Tatum” 😉 In all seriousness- this is the people that Stephanie would like to see in roles of Logan and Holly: Logan would be played by Channing Tatum and Holly- she likes Melissa McCarthy or Rebel Wilson. When asked if she would rather Holly be played by an unknown actress- Stephanie lit up and said that actually was a dream of hers- to be able to give a shot to an unknown actress to play the role of Holly would be a dream comes true. Stephanie further explains that for years, she tried to find her big break in acting- but there are not enough roles for women with ample curves- and casting Holly with an unknown could be a step in the right direction. Plus to help a woman out, to help a woman achieve her dream of acting- that would be great!
While talking, I asked Stephanie if she had a #literarycrush- and she thought for a minute- then said: Bobby Tom Denton, from Heaven Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Stephanie’s #literaryconfession is something else: When she was teen, she found this book by S.E. Hinton titled The Outsiders– in fact, it was the first book she’d ever read. And she loved it- had such a reaction to the book, thought it was such a great book, the characters and everything. Her #literaryconfession, though, is about the author’s name- S.E. Hinton. Stephanie’s initials are S.E. as well- so she used to pretend that S.E. Hinton and her shared the same name- Stephanie Elizabeth!
Stephanie said to me “all I wanted to do is entertain”. She had thought it might be as an actress- but she’s happy now that it’s in a book deal. Stephanie firmly succeeds in that goal in Big Girl Panties– because it is entertaining; with a life lesson or two thrown in the book.
Big Girl Panties is the first of 3 book deal with Harper Publishing- the second book will focus more on the secondary characters of Big Girl Panties, Chase and Amanda. The second book, untitled as of now, should be out in 2014.
*Liked reading about my meeting Stephanie Evanovich? Look for my review of Big Girl Panties this week on Traveling With T!
***Congratulations to Stephanie Evanovich- while we were having dinner that night- she got the news that Big Girl Panties had made it to the NYT list!
Lori Carson, author of The Original 1982, writes a book that is daring- yes, I say daring. The Original 1982 based on book cover and synopsis has the potential to sound like a perfect beach read- but this book is a book that is more. It’s daring, and has these sections of honesty, real life feel. To find out more about Lisa, her music and other things, please visit her website or connect with her on Facebook.
The Original 1982
ISBN:978-0062245298
Paperback:240 pages
Publisher: William Morrow
Purchase: Amazon, Indiebound, Barnes and Noble
Source: TLC Books
The Original 1982 is a story of a choice- a choice that was made to appease a lover; not because it is what Lisa wants. Lisa is pregnant and her lover, Gabriel, does not want to a father. The story that follows is a 2-sided look at life- what really happens in Lisa’s life after the choice and what could have happened if she had not made that particular choice.
The story is written in almost a diary format- a diary to Lisa’s unborn child. Lisa writes about life- her daughter being born, daily struggles and more. As Lisa tells the story, she sometimes begins speaking of how things really happened instead of how she dreams life to be.
However, Lisa does not make the life she did not choose easier. Lisa writes a realistic life for a single mother in the 80’s in New York City. Later, the book allows the reader to see, in part, what made Lisa consider what would have happened if that crucial choice had not been made.
Lisa’s story, the story to the daughter, the re-writing of life- is partly bittersweet, but mostly daring. With The Original 1982– readers are exposed to 2 worlds- and the differences, yet similarities in how life could have played out.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
From the cover and the description, I thought of this book as more “chick lit” and was curious about the book. Then I opened the book and began reading- this is not “chick lit”- it’s not a fluffy beach read. The Original 1982 is more serious- alternating between the 2 lives, with each life being a viable and fulfilling option- and shows how life happened for Lisa. The topics introduced in The Original 1982 are serious and the ending is fitting for the type of story that Lori Carson wrote.
Did I like this book? Yes, yes, I did. I have no regrets about reading The Original 1982. Do I wish that it was the fluffy beach book I envisioned? No, not really. I think Lori Carson did a terrific job with the writing- and had it been any other way- it would not have been meaningful. This book is a book to add to the TBR list.
Traveling With T 