Review: Happy to Be Alive, Because

Happy to Be Alive, Because

by Chelsea Jacobs

Publisher: Nyree Press

Pages: 302

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building. Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.


Kritters Thoughts:  Avery was a great character, I loved her age and the point of life that she was in - trying to figure out what her next move will be and all without a parent.  I was amazed that she left home so quickly on this adventure that her mom had planned out for her - amazed and kind of excited to follow her!  

Avery was an honest character and I appreciated her true reactions to her mother's death and that there were ups and downs through her entire grieving process.  I loved her hesitation with people, but her complete openness with others, I understood her.  The secondary characters were fantastic - they completely added to the story and didn't take too much focus away from the central storyline.  The twists at the end were absolutely satisfying, I was beyond excited about what the author left to unveil and how she wrapped it all up.

I hesitated for a moment and debated about labeling this a perfect YA read, but there were just a few moments that were a little questionable in adult matters and I like to label my YA reads when they are completely on the innocent side.  If you are willing to read and approve this for your young YA reader, than I would recommend this one.
Rating: perfect beach read

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity.  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: Pressed Pennies

Pressed Pennies

by Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Pages: 355

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads: In an era of divorce and single-parenthood, it is a story about raising children and peacefully co-existing; making it work with mutual respect and consideration. The book's underlying theme is discovered in the evolution of the 80's child. Though life begins as wholesome and innocent, technology quickly takes over. Suddenly, two parents must leave the home and go to work. Day care, fast food and a list of coveted luxuries replace long talks in porch swings, tree forts and family suppers. The price for comfort proves very expensive, though, as the American family is traded in for the American dream. 


Kritters Thoughts:  A true love story that although may be predictable, is still sweet and tender and a good read.  Two high school sweethearts part ways due to circumstances and I think both of them always wondered what could have been if they had had to part ways in their youth.  Coincidentally they run into each other early on the book and although there are immediate sparks their love story takes a long time to get up and moving.

I absolutely adored Abby from the very beginning.  What a honest character who had such great qualities.  Although she may have been quite a goodie too shoes, I enjoyed the honesty that she portrayed both to her child and her blossoming relationship.  Manchester did such a good job of portraying the truth as to how a child can really react to a new person in their parent's life and the impact that it can have on all parties involved.  

Again, I may have been able to predict the ending on this one, I still enjoyed the story.  Sometimes a little predictability is ok when it is just meant to be a sweet story.


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

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from The Story Plant.  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.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

With a work trip to Nashville, I was able to read more than usual - no dog duty and lots of time in airports and on airplanes!  It was followed by a weekend with a very small to do list!  It was nice to get quite a bit of reading done.

A meme hosted by Sheila at BookJourney. 

Finished this past week:

Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester
Happy to Be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs
No Alligators in Sight by Kristen B. Feldman
Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins
That Night by Chevy Stevens
The Ways of the Dead by Neely Tucker

Currently Reading:

Eyes on You by Kate White

Next on the TBR pile:

Chasing the Sun by Natalia Sylvester

Review: The Beautiful American

The Beautiful American

by Jeanne Mackin

Publisher: NAL Trade

Pages: 384

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  As recovery from World War II begins, expat American Nora Tours travels from her home in southern France to London in search of her missing sixteen-year-old daughter. There, she unexpectedly meets up with an old acquaintance, famous model-turned-photographer Lee Miller. Neither has emerged from the war unscathed. Nora is racked with the fear that her efforts to survive under the Vichy regime may have cost her daughter’s life. Lee suffers from what she witnessed as a war correspondent photographing the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.

Nora and Lee knew each other in the heady days of late 1920s Paris, when Nora was giddy with love for her childhood sweetheart, Lee became the celebrated mistress of the artist Man Ray, and Lee’s magnetic beauty drew them all into the glamorous lives of famous artists and their wealthy patrons. But Lee fails to realize that her friendship with Nora is even older, that it goes back to their days as children in Poughkeepsie, New York, when a devastating trauma marked Lee forever. Will Nora’s reunion with Lee give them a chance to forgive past betrayals…and break years of silence to forge a meaningful connection as women who have shared the best and the worst that life can offer?

Kritters Thoughts:  Nora follows a boy across the world and they end up in Paris where they reconnect with a childhood friend who has made a name for herself and they are introduced to the glamorous side of Paris.  Things combust and World War II takes it toll on the world.  

The one thing that kept me reading from beginning to end was the ability to see Paris through an American's viewpoint and watching the beginning of Hitler's reign through her eyes.  It took quite a few pages to get to that point, but I cherished her descriptions of watching World War II impact Paris but in her heart being an American.  On the flip side, I found Nora to be whining and frustrating.  I wanted her to grow up and felt that she honestly didn't have much personal growth through her journey.

Now I am a big fan of historical fiction and absolutely loved the time period, but this book just plateaued for me and the pacing was just extremely slow.  If you are already a fan of historical fiction, this would be a good one to read, but if you are not already a fan, I would suggest reading a few others before picking up this one.


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

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 37 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Penguin.  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: Breathe by Kelly Kittel

Breathe by Kelly Kittel

Publisher: She Writes Press

Pages: 384

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Kelly Kittel never questioned her Mayflower Society mantra—“Family is the most important thing”—until the day her fifteen-month-old son was run over by her sixteen-year-old niece. Nine months later, Kittel’s doctor made a terrible mistake during her subsequent pregnancy and she found herself burying yet another baby. Caught up in the maelstrom of a malpractice lawsuit, Kittel and her husband battle not only the medical system, but their own relatives, in the courtroom. As their family tree begins to topple, the Kittels struggle to nourish the roots of their young family and find healing. Achingly raw and beautifully narrated, Breathe is a story of motherhood, death, and family in the face of unspeakable tragedy and, ultimately, how she learns to breathe again.

Kritters Thoughts:  A woman who always dreamed of a big family, loses two sons within 9 months and then continues to suffer devastating loss again and again.  Not the most happiest of books for the summer season, but bearing witness to someone's story made the emotional journey more than worth it.

There were way too many moments where I couldn't believe that I was reading non-fiction, my heart ached for this woman, not only for the loss but for the lack of family support.  Although I am not a mom, I could still understand her sense of loss, but what I came out with more than anything was how much family support can help you get through anything.  This book made me think about both my immediate family, my in-laws and my extended family and if something tragic where to happen I know that each and every one of them would RUN to come help put me and my husband back on our feet.  

I would recommend reading this one, but you may be prepared for the heaviness of it and may not want to throw this one in the beach bag - unless you are fine with heavy things and tears with ocean waves in the background!


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

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.

Review: The Never Never Sisters by L. Alison Heller

The Never Never Sisters

by L. Alison Heller

Publisher: NAL Trade

Pages: 352

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Sometimes you just need to get away….
 
Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt is counting down the days to summer, eager to reconnect with her workaholic husband at their cozy rental cottage in the Hamptons. But soon a mysterious crisis at Dave’s work ruins their getaway plans. Paige is still figuring out how to handle the unexplained chill in her marriage when her troubled sister suddenly returns after a two-decade silence. Now, instead of enjoying the lazy summer days along the ocean, Paige is navigating the rocky waters of a forgotten bond with her sister in the sweltering city heat.
 
As she attempts to dig deeper into Dave’s work troubles and some long-held family secrets, Paige is shocked to discover how little she knows about the people closest to her. This summer, the self-proclaimed relationship expert will grapple with her biggest challenge yet: Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?

Kritters Thoughts:  A family drama with drama being the operative word!  Two sisters who have been estranged for many years and I don't believe either really know the truth of their family's past.  Paige narrates most of the book and through her words she tells the story as she knows it, but the reader learns along with her that her truth may not necessarily be THE truth.

Paige being a therapist ad having her marriage melt down was so fun to read.  She is trying to get her husband to open up and tell her his problems while at the same time her sister re-emerges and wants to reconnect - lots of drama for her all at the same moment in life.  From page one it was easy to connect with Paige and learn all the characters that would take part.  Having a sister (although not estranged) made this book even better for me.

If you are a fan of a little family drama, then this is the perfect book for you.  Although not a completely light natured book, this would still be a good addition to your summer bag.

Check out my review of her previous book - The Love Wars, warning I loved it!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Wunderkind PR.  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: All Day and a Night

All Day and a Night

by Alafair Burke

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 368

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The latest story dominating the tabloids - the murder of psychotherapist Helen Brunswick-couldn't be further from Carrie Blank's world handling federal appeals at an elite Manhattan law firm. But then a hard-charging celebrity trial lawyer calls Carrie with an offer she can't refuse: Anthony Amaro, the serial killer police blamed for the murder of Carrie's older sister, Donna, has new evidence related to Brunswick's murder that he believes can exonerate him. Determined to force the government to catch Donna's real killer, Carrie takes on Amaro's wrongful conviction claim. 

On the other side of Amaro's case is NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher, who, along with her partner, JJ Rogan, is tapped as the "fresh look" team to reassess the investigation that led to Amaro's conviction. The case is personal for them, too: Ellie wonders whether they got the assignment because of her relationship with the lead prosecutor, and Rogan has his own reasons to distrust Amaro's defense team. 

As the NYPD and Amaro's lawyers search for certainty among years of conflicting evidence, their investigations take them back to Carrie's hometown and secrets left behind there. And when Carrie falls victim to a brutal attack, it becomes clear that the young attorney got too close to the truth.

Kritters Thoughts:  A thriller that had an interesting twist with a lawyer that has a connection to the case.  For those who have read the previous Ellie Hatcher books, this fifth book in the series will return you to characters that are fantastically matched - what a great working pair.  

The characters were the high point in the book for me.  Ellie and JJ were top notch - I could imagine them completely and loved how they were the usual detectives without being too cheesy!  Unfortunately, the beginning really dragged with a slow setup and it took me a little bit to get into the thick of the story, but once I was in, there was no stopping!  As any who dun it the real killer is either the best or the worst part in the book, in this case I loved the outcome.  I loved the choices that the author made.

As this was my first Ellie Hatcher book there were times where I was joining the story mid stream and wished that I had started at the beginning, I may have to rewind and read the first four books.  Thankfully with a strong ending I am definitely compelled to do so.

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


Ebook 2014 Challenge: 36 out of 100

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.

Review: The Revealed by Jessica Hickam

The Revealed

by Jessica Hickam

Publisher: SparkPress

Pages: 297

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Lily Atwood lives in what used to be called Washington, D.C. Her father is one of the most powerful men in the world, having been a vital part of rebuilding and reuniting humanity after the war that killed over five billion people. Now he’s running to be one of its leaders.

But in the rediscovered peace on Earth, a new enemy has risen. They call themselves the Revealed – a powerful underground organization that has been kidnapping 18 year olds across the globe without reservation. No one knows why they are kidnapping these teens, but it’s clear something is different about these people. They can set fires with a snap of their fingers and create a wind strong enough to barrel over a tree with a flick of their wrist. No one has been able to stop them, and they have targeted Lily as their next victim.

But Lily has waited too long to break free from her father’s shadow to let some rebel organization just ruin everything. Not without a fight.


Kritters Thoughts:  Lily is the daughter of a Presidential candidate, but not like in the world we live in today.  A war has occurred and the United States looks very different.  Her father could be the first President after this war has ended and a huge weight will be on his shoulders as he guides the country into its next chapter.  At the same time, there is a group that kidnaps 18 years old and they are never heard from again - as luck would have it Lily is 18 years old and lives in fear of being kidnapped.

What a fantastic action packed book!  From the beginning, I was invested in Lily's story and wanted to know where her story would lead.  Of course, there is a twist and I wouldn't spoil it, but I love where the story went.

I loved there was a hint at romance, but unlike some other YA dystopianish books the romance takes too much space, this was spot on!  I have my fingers crossed for a sequel or two!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 33 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Booksparks PR.  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.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

A pretty rough week at work and a week of cleaning up the house did not warrant much reading time.  Thankfully the two that I read were really good ones!  

A meme hosted by Sheila at BookJourney. 

Finished this past week:

The Beautiful American by Jeanne MacKin
Breathe by Kelly Kittel

Currently Reading:

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester

Next on the TBR pile:

Happy to Be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs

Review: Love and Other Foreign Words

Love and Other Foreign Words

by Erin McCahan

Publisher: Dial Books

Pages: 336

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Can anyone be truly herself--or truly in love--in a language that's not her own?

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

Kritters Thoughts:  Josie is in high school, but also attending college as she is quite the smarty pants!  With two older sisters and a few friends, Josie is at a turning point where she must find out what characteristics she will take with her into adulthood.  And learn about this love thing!

From the beginning, I loved Josie.  I wanted to know everything about her and ride alongside her in her journey.  Her family was perfectly executed - they were great second tier characters with enough storylines to not make Josie the entire central character, but at the same moment they did not distract.  And her friends!  I loved that although she may be a nerd of sorts, she still had a great group of friends who weren't all quirky and weird, but real - this book felt real which I absolutely adored.

This is a fantastic read for the YA audience and for those who are adult fans of the genre.  With a very witty and smart female lead, the language in the book, although not foul at all was sometimes even a little over my head, but I liked it!  I also loved the sweet nature of this book, I don't tend to go for YA books that are chock full of adultness (i.e. sex and things), so I love YA books where I would feel comfortable handing them off to true YA readers.

Rating: perfect YA read

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Booksparks PR.  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: Cutting Teeth by Julia Fierro

Cutting Teeth

by Julia Fierro

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 336

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Nicole, the hostess, struggles to keep her OCD behaviors unnoticed. Stay-at-home dad Rip grapples with the reality that his careerist wife will likely deny him a second child, forcing him to disrupt the life he loves. Allie, one half of a two-mom family, can't stop imagining ditching her wife and kids in favor of her art. Tiffany, comfortable with her amazing body but not so comfortable in the upper-middle class world the other characters were born into, flirts dangerously, and spars with her best friend Leigh, a blue blood secretly facing financial ruin and dependent on the magical Tibetan nanny everyone else covets. Throughout the weekend, conflicts intensify and painful truths surface. Friendships and alliances crack, forcing the house party to confront a new order.


Kritters Thoughts:  A playgroup takes a vacation and as personalities can probably handle each other for a few hours a week, a whole weekend is a lot!  If you are a long time blog reader you may know that my kids are of the four legged variety, but I have some fantastic nieces and nephews and love to read books with the kid and parent antics - this book did not disappoint.  

In the front of the book is a perfect chart of each of the families with the child or children they have.  Each family has a four year old and most are boys!  I loved that one of the couples was a lesbian and one involves the husband as the homemaker and of course one is with the mother has an overactive imagination for negative happenings.  I absolutely adore reading books where there are group dynamics and reading about how they all affect each other and this one hit the mark.  Not only did it have the dynamics of adults, but the kids had some peculiarities as well!

I definitely loved this one and think that those with children of this age or older, would absolutely adore reading the politics of the playgroup!  

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

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.

Review: The Last Time I Saw You by Eleanor Moran

The Last Time I Saw You

by Eleanor Moran

Publisher: Quercus

Pages: 507

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Olivia Berrington gets the call to tell her that her best friend from university has been killed in a car crash in New York, her life is turned upside down. Her relationship with Sally was an exhilarating roller coaster, until a shocking betrayal drove them apart. But if Sally had really turned her back, why is her little girl named Olivia?

As questions mount about the fatal accident, Olivia is forced to go back and unravel her untangled history. But as Sally's secrets start to spill out, Olivia's left asking herself if the past is best kept buried.

Kritters Thoughts:  Olivia Berrington has a friend that she hasn't spoken to in years and she finds out at the very beginning of this story that her friend has died and they are unsure if the police's findings of car accident are completely true.  She must delve into the past and learn about her friends recent past to find the truth.

The format of the book with chapters in the present unfolding the current story and stories from the past to mold your knowledge of their friendship's beginnings was fantastic.  I loved learning the ups and downs of their friendship while also learning about how Olivia was going to get to the bottom of it all simultaneously.  It made me think about those friends who I talk to often and those from the past and how friends come and go in the seasons of life.

My biggest disappointment in this book was the slowness in the middle.  Olivia didn't really do a ton of investigating about her deceased friend and instead spent too much time on her feelings, I wanted more action.  All the action was relegated to the very end and I wish it was sprinkled throughout the book.  I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who are ok with a little less action and love character development as a focus of a book.

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

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 34 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Wunderkind PR.  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.