Review: Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy 

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 304

Format: ARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  When other little girls were dreaming about becoming doctors or lawyers, Alex Garrett set her sights on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. And though she's prepared to fight her way into an elitist boys' club, or duck the occasional errant football, she quickly realizes she's in over her head when she's relegated to a kiddie-size folding chair with her new moniker—Girlie—inscribed in Wite-Out across the back.




Kritters Thoughts:  What a great behind the scenes look of what happens on Wall Street and a glimpse of how it was before our latest financial meltdown and as it was going down.  I experienced it while in the workforce and felt the impact at my former job, but didn't even think to see it from inside the belly of the beast - on Wall Street.


Alex Garrett has been itching to get a job on Wall Street since she was a young girl visiting her father as he worked on Wall Street.  She interviews and gets the job and is blindsided by how life really is working on the floor.  I loved recalling my first days on my first job and being so overwhelmed that you are not sure if you can show up the next day - life never hits you so hard as on your first day on your first job.


I would absolutely recommend this book to all readers, it has spunk, first job jitters and heart, by the end I was rooting for Alex to make a good decision for her future.  Note - this book ends perfectly for a sequel!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel


GR July-September 2012 Challenge: Do You Google?


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.


Other tour stops:

Tuesday, July 17th: Girls Just Reading

Wednesday, July 18th: Life In Review

Thursday, July 19th: Seaside Book Nook

Monday, July 23rd: The Book Garden

Tuesday, July 24th: Twisting the Lens

Thursday, July 26th: Life in the Thumb

Monday, July 30th: Kritters Ramblings

Tuesday, July 31st: A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, August 1st: Stephany Writes

Thursday, August 2nd: Walking With Nora

Wednesday, August 8th: Reflections of a Bookaholic

Review: The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

Publisher: Random House 

Pages: 352 

Format: book 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Every first Sunday in June, members of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children back for the festivities. In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee’s outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of the family. But just as the reunion is getting under way, tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core and setting the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change. 




Kritters Thoughts:  What I would describe as Southern fiction which has heart and soul, but for me it didn't go far.  Set in a family that starts with crisis and ends with crisis the middle dragged a bit.  Swan Lake is the daughter of Willadee and Samuel and as she attends the yearly family reunion, tragedy strikes, and her family must help pick up the pieces.  They stay in town for many reasons and life goes on until another tragedy occurs - I may sound vague, but if this book is your thing, I can not ruin it for you.


So the characters are what absolutely shined in this book, they kept me reading page to page because they were well rounded and trying to live life to the fullest surrounded by family.  I adored Swan Lake and watching her grow up through this book, someone blurbed my copy as an omage to Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird and I definitely agree! 


I wanted there to be a little more drama, but if you are a fan of slow Southern fiction than this book is one worth picking up.  


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more


GR July-Sept 2012 Challenge: A Book Chapter in My Heart


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.


Other tour stops:

Monday, July 30th:  A Novel Source

Wednesday, August 1st:  WV Stitcher

Monday, August 6th:  A Patchwork of Books

Wednesday, August 8th:  Reviews by Lola

Monday, August 13th:  A Musing Reviews

Monday, August 20th:  Colloquium

Tuesday, August 28th:  Sweet Southern Home

Review: The Language of Sisters by Amy Hatvany

The Language of Sisters by Amy Hatvany

Publisher: 

Pages: 256 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Ten years ago, Nicole Hunter left her troubled home behind her, unable to cope with the demands of a life with her disabled sister, Jenny. But when a shattering event turns her world upside down, she finds herself back in her hometown, caring for her pregnant sister and trying to heal her embattled relationship with her mother. And when she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life, Nicole rediscovers the beauty of sisterhood-and receives a special gift that will change her life forever...




Kritters Thoughts:  A heartwrenching story about sisters who come from the same home, but are completely different.  Nicole is a normal child and her life is very normal until her younger sister is born with disabilities that are never diagnosed.  She must live a life where the world revolves around her sister's care.  A tragic event takes her back home to confront everything that she ran away from 10 years ago.


Being a sister, this book hit so close to home.  I can't imagine my life without my sister to bounce ideas off of and to not be able to experience having someone always in your court is sad.  Although there are some many depressing points in this book, the author kept the story moving, so you didn't feel as though you were left wallowing in negativity.  


I was also charged to take a different look at people with disabilities.  Through Jenny's character you realize that no matter what mental capabilities a person can show, inside they have a heart and soul.  I have not had much interaction recently with persons with disabilities and I actually miss those who were in my life as I grew up.   


An ode to the relationship between sisters that should be read by all women who have the privilege of having a sister by their side.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel


Ebook Challenge 2012: 37 out of 25  


GR July-Sept 2012 Challenge: Q & A

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Ten Girls to Watch by Charity Shumway

Ten Girls to Watch by Charity Shumway 

Publisher: Washington Square Press 

Pages: 320 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  A funny and uplifting debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthood while taking (or not taking) the advice of the women who've gone before you.  Dawn West is trying to make her way in New York City. She’s got an ex-boyfriend she can’t quite stop seeing, a writing career that’s gotten about as far as penning an online lawn care advice column, and a small hometown in Oregon that’s her last recourse if she can’t make next month’s rent.  So when Dawn lands a job tracking down the past winners of Charmmagazine’s “Ten Girls to Watch” contest, she’s thrilled. Not only is she being paid to interview hundreds of fascinating women, but she’s also sharing office space with “Secret Agent Romance,” Charm’s resident dating columnist, and he just happens to be giving her butterflies.  As Dawn gets to know the life stories of these former winners, she’ll discover that success, love, and friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places. And even more importantly, she’ll find that though those who have gone before us can be role models, ultimately, we each have to carve our own way. 




Kritters Thoughts: A perfect chick lit book for the summer reading season - light and fun, but not too fluffy.  Dawn West has been living in NYC and trying to get into the publishing industry in any capacity.  While at a party with her ex boyfriend and his new girlfriend, she runs into the editor of Charm magazine; put on a project that will take her into the past of some significant women she learns that there are many paths to success.


I absolutely loved this book.  I took it with me on a work trip and loved reading about all of these women who were trying to find their way and decide how they each defined success in their own industries.  I thought Dawn as a character grew.  I read a few reviews after I finished and I agree that maybe she was a little obsessed with the men in her life, but what woman in their 20s isn't?  The ups and downs of her adventure were on pitch.  


On a personal level, I am about to enter my last year of my 20s and I am finding my definition of success and how I want to achieve it.  I think this book could be read by any girl in their 20s and they will find inspiration and heart.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel


Ebook Challenge 2012: 36 out of 25  

GR July-Sept 2012 Challenge: Colors or Numbers 


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Hell or High Water by Joy Castro

Hell or High Water by Joy Castro

Publisher: St. Martin's Press  

Pages: 352 

Format: ARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  Nola Céspedes, an ambitious young reporter at the Times-Picayune,finally catches a break: an assignment to write her first full-length feature. While investigating her story, she also becomes fixated on the search for a missing tourist in the French Quarter. As Nola’s work leads her into a violent criminal underworld, she’s forced to face disturbing truths from her own past.




Kritters Thoughts:  Sex offenders, New Orleans after Katrina and an investigation all wrapped up in an interesting novel.  Right from the beginning I was sucked into the story and wanted to know how it would unravel, but there are some definite plot points that I was questioning.  


I loved seeing New Orleans after Katrina in a fiction setting.  It was so interesting to read how the city was recovering and ways that the storm had changed the city.  Then to hear that sex offenders were given a second chance at life without the label was both uplifting and heart wrenching.  Not to be on a soap box but sex offenders are basically given life sentences as they have to register and make themselves known, as well as having to avoid certain places in town - so this was a perfect storm for some to escape town and start fresh somewhere new.  


The other aspect I found really interesting was the story she was researching and without giving away anything, to find out how it impacted her personally took my breath away.  I wasn't ready for the final twist, but sure glad it happened, it explained a lot in the end.


This book isn't for the faint of heart and it isn't the lightest read, but in the end it is purely satisfying.




Rating: definitely a good one, but can't read two in a row


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from JKS Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer

The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer 

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 320

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  L.A. is no place for widows. This is what forty-four-year-old Hannah Bernal quickly discovers after the tragic death of her handsome and loving husband, John. Misery and red-rimmed eyes are little tolerated in the land of the beautiful. But life stumbles on: Hannah’s sweet three-year-old daughter, Ellie, needs to be dropped off at her overpriced preschool, while Hannah herself must get back to work in order to pay the bills on “Casa Sugar,” the charming Spanish-styled bungalow they call home.
 
Fortunately, Hannah has her “Grief Team” for emotional support: earth mother and fanatical animal lover Chloe, who finds a potential blog post in every moment; aspiring actress Aimee, who has her cosmetic surgeon on speed dial; and Jay, Hannah’s TV producing partner, who has a penchant for Mr. Wrong. But after a series of mishaps and bizarre occurrences, one of which finds Hannah in a posh Santa Monica jail cell, her friends start to fear for her sanity. To make matters worse, John left their financial affairs in a disastrous state. And when Hannah is dramatically fired from her latest producing gig, she finds herself in danger of losing her house, her daughter, and her mind.





Kritters Thoughts:  Who would have thought that a book that centers around the first year in a widow's life would be so light and entertaining?  Right in the beginning we meet a great couple - Hannah and John, but right after meeting them the reader learns that John is killed in an accident leaving Hannah to raise their daughter, Ellie.  Hannah was the career woman, while John stayed home with Ellie, so this is a complete life change for Hannah, one that is going to take a lot of support from her friends.


Her friends were such a great comedic relief for the book.  I could picture my friends and they way they surrounded her and helped her in their own unique ways, every girl needs a friend who will take you to the spa or one who will try to get you out again.  Each friend had their own issue, so it was refreshing to see a truth in that just because you have something affect your life, your friends lives are still going on, they don't automatically stop and revolve around you.  I may have lost a few, but I just loved her friends!  


I fell in love with Ellie from the beginning.  I think the author did an honest job of betraying how a young child would react to losing a parent - her moments at school made me ache for the years that she will have without her dad by her side.


This may sound weird, but I think this lighthearted, quirky read would be perfect to throw in your pool bag this summer.  With so much comedy, this book deals with a downer issue in an unique way.  




Rating: perfect beach read


Ebook Challenge 2012: 34 out of 25  


GR July-Sept 2012 Challenge:  It's All The Rage


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Rare Bird Lit and Random House.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.