Review: Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt

Novel Destinations

by Shannon McKenna Schmidt

Publisher: National Geographic Society

Pages: 392

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Follow in the footsteps of much-loved authors, including Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain, Jack Kerouac, Jane Austen, and many more. For vacationers who crave meaningful trips and unusual locales, cue National Geographic's Novel Destinations a guide for bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe. Check into Hemingway's favorite hotel in Sun Valley, or stroll about Bath's Royal Crescent while entertaining fantasies of Lizzie Bennett and her Mr. Darcy. The fully revised second edition includes all of the previous sites with updated locations plus color images and an expanded section on all things Bronte. The book begins with thematic chapters covering author houses and museums, literary festivals and walking tours. Then, in-depth explorations of authors and places take readers roaming Franz Kafka's Prague, James Joyce's Dublin, Louisa May Alcott's New England, and other locales. Peppered with great reading suggestions and little-known tales of literary gossip, Novel Destinations is a unique travel guide, an attractive gift book, and the ultimate bibliophile's delight."


Kritters Thoughts:  A very fun reference book that I enjoyed reading bits and pieces at a time.  From the birthplaces and childhood homes of authors to bridges and buildings that were significant in the best of books, I loved exploring this book.  This book made me want to make a trip that centers around seeing a few of these fun spots.  My husband the non reader may even enjoy a few of the more historical and less completely book related adventures.

I think this book is a perfect gift for the readers in your life.  Especially if you have readers that also love to travel.  I was glad to see that it had the name of the place, the address, a website and vital information and the blurbs were just the right length - they provided the right amount of information if you were unsure of who the author was you got a little background about the author and why this location was special to them.

After reading this book, I will be in pursuit of the first version to see what spots it highlights.  I am excited that this book exists and plan to purchase a few as perfect birthday or Christmas gifts.


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 Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman

The Garden of Small Beginnings

 by Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 368

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Give grief a chance . . .

Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not…

Kritters Thoughts:  Lilian became a widow almost four years prior to the start of the book and parts of her life are still at a somewhat stand still.  With two young daughters she has had to pull it together and move forward for them.  Without her sister, in-laws and co-workers she may not be in the place she is, but she still has some growing to do.  She is put on a project at work where she is asked to take a gardening class and what may seem like a minor move will send her life down a different path.

I loved this book from the beginning.  I loved that the reader hears about the time right after her husband's death, but we didn't live through it with her, instead the book focuses on the positive uphill climb that she is in the midst of.  It isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it isn't thunderstorms either - it is the prefect balance of sadness and the drive to move on.  

After I finish books, if I don't know the author I look them up to see if they have a blacklist that I can dive into or if this is their debut and have hopes for more from them!  This is Abbi Waxman's debut and like I have said recently and often, I hope she has quite a few more stories up her sleeve - I love the way she writes and would love another story that centers around a woman trying to do life the best way she can.


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 Berkley NAL.  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 Hideaway by Lauren K Denton

The Hideaway

by Lauren K Denton

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 352

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When her grandmother’s will wrenches Sara back home from New Orleans, she learns more about Margaret Van Buren in the wake of her death than she ever did in life.

After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags's ramshackle B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead, she learns Mags has willed her The Hideaway and charged her with renovating it—no small task considering Mags’s best friends, a motley crew of senior citizens, still live there.

Rather than hurrying back to New Orleans, Sara stays in Sweet Bay and begins the biggest house-rehabbing project of her career. Amid Sheetrock dust, old memories, and a charming contractor, she discovers that slipping back into life at The Hideaway is easier than she expected.

Then she discovers a box Mags left in the attic with clues to a life Sara never imagined for her grandmother. With help from Mags’s friends, Sara begins to piece together the mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed Mags’s destiny in both marvelous and devastating ways.

When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice—stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she’s grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans. 

Kritters Thoughts:  A dual narrative that hit the spot on a spring weekend.  Sara returns to a small town in Alabama as her grandmother has passed away and she must return to pick up the pieces of the town that raised her.  Mags/Maggie/Margaret is the grandmother that raised her after her parents die with Sara at a young age and she raises her granddaughter, but she didn't reveal herself much to her granddaughter.

I love a dual narrative when the reader knows what is going on in both stories and how they match up from the beginning.  The reader knows that Mags is Sara's grandmother, but the mystery lies in the life that Mags had before Sara was alive.  There is a quote in the book and at the time of writing this review, I can't find for the life of me, so I will semi quote it - "Isn't it interesting that our grandparents have this whole life before we are born and we don't know to ask about it until we are older and they are possibly gone."  I don't have any grandparents alive and haven't for awhile and this book in a sad way reminded me how much I wish they were alive to tell me the stories of their childhood to/thru adulthood.

This book hit me in just the right spot.  I loved curling up with it for a day on a rainy spring weekend.  I was excited to read that this was her first book and hopefully she has quite a few more up her sleeve!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

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: Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

Any Day Now

by Robyn Carr

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 384

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The rustic campground at the crossroads of the Colorado and Continental Divide trails welcomes everyone—whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a whole new lease on life. It's a wonderful place where good people face their challenges with humor, strength and love. 

For Sierra Jones, Sullivan's Crossing is meant to be a brief stopover. She's put her troubled past behind her but the path forward isn't yet clear. A visit with her big brother Cal and his new bride, Maggie, seems to be the best option to help her get back on her feet. 

Not wanting to burden or depend on anyone, Sierra is surprised to find the Crossing offers so much more than a place to rest her head. Cal and Maggie welcome her into their busy lives and she quickly finds herself bonding with Sully, the quirky campground owner who is the father figure she's always wanted. But when her past catches up with her, it's a special man and an adorable puppy who give her the strength to face the truth and fight for a brighter future. In Sullivan's Crossing Sierra learns to cherish the family you are given and the family you choose.

Kritters Thoughts:  The second in the series set in a small town in Colorado and this book focuses on a sibling of the main character of the first book.  Sierra has moved to town to escape a few things and she has decided that living close to her brother and his newly pregnant wife is the safest place she could be.  

I love series of books where we are in the same small town, but each book focuses on a different character.  Usually in these circumstances I would say you can skip book one, but Cal and his story from book one definitely impacts this book, so start there before you read this one.  

I am a fan of Robyn Carr and I read her romance series and love them, but this series seems to have a little less sexy times and a little more plot and I love it.  There is still boy meets girl and maybe boy and girl will get together angsty goodness, but girl has escaped a past and the mystery behind it is so satisfying!  If you hesitate because you are not a romance reader, I would say try this one out the plot is just the right amount of everything.


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 Little Bird 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: The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow

The Hidden Thread

by Liz Trenow

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Anna Butterfield's mother dies, she's sent to live with her uncle, a silk merchant in London, to make a good match and provide for her father and sister. There, she meets Henri, a French immigrant and apprentice hoping to become a master weaver. But Henri, born into a lower class, becomes embroiled in the silk riots that break out as weavers protest for a fair wage.

Kritters Thoughts:  Anna Butterfield comes from a small town and with the passing of her mother, her father sends her to relatives in big city London and with the culture shock she is expected to become a lady of society and find the match best for her family.  When a chance encounter happens right when she gets in town, it will turn her life upside down.

What a great book!  Another historical fiction book that informed me of what is going on in that time for society and women specifically and schooled me on the business of silk.  I have read a lot of historical fiction books that comment on fashion and the evolution, but I loved how this book zeroed in on silk and the complexities of making it, designing with it and the business of it.  I have said this before, but I love when a book makes me want to google and find out more and this one did over and over again.  

As I touched on before this book dealt with class issues and the importance for women at the time to pick the right mate, not for love, but for the future of themselves and their families.  It is always interesting to read a book where a character is conflicted with going along with the family expectations or completely rebelling and going the opposite direction!

I loved this one.  I was nervous about reading it after having read a lot of historical fiction in a row, but with a different setting and a different spot in time, this one felt unique compared to my recent reads.  


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

Ebook 2017 Challenge: 9 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Sourcebooks.  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?

This was one of those weeks where every night there was something!  From free baseball tickets to two nights where my parents were in town - (good dinners!), so the reading time was just non existant.  It was a half quiet half busy weekend so I got some time.  Its sad to know that next week will be another crazy work week, so counting days down til June!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson
The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow
The Hideaway by Lauren K Denton

Currently Reading:

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon

Next on the TBR pile:

The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Review: Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

Goodnight from London

by Jennifer Robson

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 400

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In the summer of 1940, ambitious young American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break: the chance to report on the European war as a staff writer for Picture Weekly newsmagazine in London. She jumps at the chance, for it's an opportunity not only to prove herself, but also to start fresh in a city and country that know nothing of her humble origins. But life in besieged Britain tests Ruby in ways she never imagined.

Although most of Ruby's new colleagues welcome her, a few resent her presence, not only as an American but also as a woman. She is just beginning to find her feet, to feel at home in a country that is so familiar yet so foreign, when the bombs begin to fall. 

As the nightly horror of the Blitz stretches unbroken into weeks and months, Ruby must set aside her determination to remain an objective observer. When she loses everything but her life, and must depend upon the kindness of strangers, she learns for the first time the depth and measure of true friendship—and what it is to love a man who is burdened by secrets that aren’t his to share.

Kritters Thoughts:  A story that was inspired by the author's own grandmother and I am so glad I knew that little grain of knowledge before I started this book because it gave my reading of the book so much more meaning!  Ruby is fairly new to the journalism world when she is called overseas to report the war from almost the frontline.  The reader gets to start from her journey from New York and travel the ocean and see her settle in and then travel Europe as she reports on this war and Ruby had some adventures.  

I am a fan of Jennifer Robson and was a fan before I started this book and after finishing - I am still a fan!  I love historical fiction, so that helps, but her stories and her characters just fit so perfectly together.  As I always love in historical fiction, I love learning something without picking up a textbook.  To learn about the ups and downs of WWII and a few of the different experiences living through it was just so enjoyable.  

I have read all of Jennifer Robson's books and I honestly can't pin one above another.  Start with this one and go backwards through her backlist or start at the front and go forward, you won't be disappointed either way!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

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: One Good Thing by Wendy Wax

One Good Thing

by Wendy Wax

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 432

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Before you can fix it up, you might have to tear it down...
 
Embroiled in a battle to regain control of their renovation-turned-reality TV show, Do Over, Maddie, Avery, Nikki, and Kyra find themselves holding tight to the frayed ends of their friendship and relationships. 
 
Maddie must face the realities of dating a rock star once again topping the charts and deal with her hapless ex-husband, while Avery is caught up in family drama even as she attempts to transform a tiny cottage into a home for the newly impoverished heiress who helped bankroll their last renovation. Put on bedrest, a hugely pregnant Nikki can’t quite believe love can last, or trust in her own maternal instinct. And Kyra, who has secretly put Bella Flora at risk in an attempt to salvage Do Over, must decide whether to accept a desperately needed bail out from her son’s famous father that comes with far too many strings attached…
 
But friendship is made for times like these, to keep each other—and their dreams—from crumbling.

Kritters Thoughts:  Another installment in this series and although I still haven't read book one or two, I absolutely adore this series, these characters and the mischief they get into!  

This book starts just right where the last ends and there are quite a few series you can read and enjoy out of order or can skip a book or two, I would say you need to start at square one or book one in this series.  The characters story build from book to book so it is best to just start at the very beginning.  

I love that in this series each character gets almost the same amount of air time.  There are moments where one character is highlighted more than the other but each book moves each character's story forward.  

In the previous books there was fun DIY adventures and I felt as though this story lacked in that aspect which was disappointing because those made for some fun reading, so I hope that the next book will have more of that DIY/home renovation fun!

Another solid book from Wendy Wax - she is definitely a go to when I am in a slump or just need a good solid read.  Her writing is easy to get into and although this may seem weird as a compliment this book is easy to put down and pick back up if life gets crazy!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  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 Promise of Pierson Orchard by Kate Brandes

The Promise of Person Orchard

by Kate Brandes

Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie

Pages: 286

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Long before fracking ever came to Minden, Pennsylvania, the fissures in the Pierson family were developing into major fault lines.

Green Energy arrives, offering the rural community of Minden the dream of making more money from their land by leasing natural gas rights for drilling. But orchardist, Jack Pierson, fears his brother, Wade, who now works for Green Energy, has returned to town after a twenty-year absence so desperate to be the hero that he'll blind their hometown to the potential dangers. Jack also worries his brother will try to rekindle his relationship with LeeAnn, Jack's wife, who's recently left him. To protect his hometown and to fulfill a promise to himself, Jack seeks out his mother and environmental lawyer, Stella Brantley, who abandoned Minden--and Jack and Wade--many, many years ago.

Kritters Thoughts:  A family drama, environmental lawsuit and a small town combine to make this quite the book to read!  Two brothers have been separated and will be reunited when one returns to town in hopes to get the neighbors to sell their land to the energy company he is working for in return for great dividends if oil is found on their land.  The brother who stayed in town is hesitant and sees the possible issues in this endeavor and must decide between brother loyalty or town loyalty.  Throw in a girl and a non existent mother and this was quite the drama.

I know in saying all of that in the previous paragraph this book seems like it is heavy on the drama, but it wasn't overtly dramatic.  I loved the combination of family drama with environmental, it completely worked in this book.  I loved that there was drama that run deep in this family and little by little the author unfolded all of the tragedy that this family is and has been dealing with.  

I was so excited to find out after reading that this was the author's debut and that she has had quite a few years of experience as an environmental scientist, hopefully this means more family/environmental drama in the future!


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.

April - a crazy month!

source

April was by far my hardest month I have had in reading probably since starting my blog.  My professional life just took every ounce of me and I barely had time to sleep let alone read.  I am proud of what I was able to accomplish but hoping for some over the top summer months ahead!

1. The Enchantment of Emma Fletcher by LD Crichton
2. Duplicity by Jane Hasseldine
3. The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White
4. The Widow of Wall Street by Randy Susan Meyers
5. The Forbidden Garden by Ellen Herrick
6. Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen
7. The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
8. Red Leaves by Paullina Simons
9. I Found You by Lisa Jewell
10. One Good Thing by Wendy Wax
11. The Promise of Pierson Orchard by Kate Brandes
12. Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

Total pages read, clicked and flipped:  4,493

Where having I been Reading?:
Detroit, MN

Georgia
New York City, NY
Germany
New Hampshire
Florida
Pennsylvania
Colorado

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

My corporate event is done, other than figuring out how much we spent and shipping out a few things, it is done and my reading time is back!!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

One Good Thing by Wendy Wax
The Promise of Pierson Orchard by Kate Brandes
Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

Currently Reading:

Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

Next on the TBR pile:

The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow

Review: I Found You by Lisa Jewell

I Found You

by Lisa Jewell

Publisher: Atria

Pages: 352

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  A young bride, a lonely single mother, and an amnesiac man of dubious origin lie at the heart of New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell’s next suspenseful drama that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Paula Hawkins.

In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better judgment, she invites him inside.

Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed.

Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town is passing by uneventfully, until an enigmatic young man starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something about him makes Gray uncomfortable—and it’s not just that he’s playing the role of protective older brother.

Kritters Thoughts:  I read mystery/thrillers often and the more I read the more I find I am less anxiously excited about the next page - BUT NOT WITH THIS ONE!  I couldn't stop reading it from page one to the end.  

The three different storylines were great, it was easy from the beginning to get into each of their storylines and get to know the characters within each one.  I loved how slowly the book unfolded, it kept me antsy and excited and I kept waiting and waiting and it came at just the right moment.  

One thing I love about Lisa Jewell is that each of her books are unique, she doesn't use a formula so I know going in I am going to love her writing, but I am going to get a fully unique story to enjoy.  I haven't read all of her books, but the ones I did read I thoroughly enjoyed.  When given a chance to read her books, it will always be hands down a YES!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

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.