Review: Outrageous Optimist by Lyne Noella

Outrageous Optimist

by Lyne Noella

Publisher: WavePlay

Pages: 327

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Outrageous Optimist is the story of family, friendship, romance, failure and fresh starts. Lisette Latour shutters her San Francisco marketing agency and returns to Playa Tiempo to regroup after over-investing in Silicon Valley startups. While applying for work, Lisette discovers that her San Diego County hometown has blossomed in her absence, with citizens as creative and unorthodox as those she left behind in San Francisco. An exploding microbrewery scene, a handsome but elusive attorney, clean skies and intrigue beguile Lisette, making it difficult to choose between family and friends in Playa Tiempo and the opportunities and lifestyle of the big city.


Kritters Thoughts:  Lisette has left San Francisco to go back to her home town regroup and decide what is next for her.  She closed her own marketing agency and isn't quite sure what is next on her plate.  Thankfully her sister has a house for her to stay in and a lead or two on some temporary work that will keep her going while she looks for her next move.  

A slow start for me, but once the book got going it went fast!  It is like a coming of age for the after mid life crisis group of people.  I loved that this book concentrated on Lisette's pursuit of career and love came alongside.  It was nice for a contemporary fiction book to not completely focus on her sad love life.  

Before you judge, I didn't love the title or cover, so don't judge this book by its cover or title.  


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

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 68 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  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: A Leg to Stand On by Colleen Haggerty

A Leg to Stand On

by Colleen Haggerty

Publisher: She Writes Press

Pages: 244

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Colleen Haggerty lost her leg in an accident during her senior year of high school, she could have retreated from life and let her disability become her defining quality and no one would have blamed her for it. Instead, she went the opposite way. In the years following her accident, Haggerty explored her physical world with vigor, testing the limits of her body by joining a ski team, playing with a co-ed soccer team, and taking up kayaking and backpacking. She also tested the limits of her heart, pursuing love and passion with restless men. In A Leg to Stand On, Haggerty recounts her life as a disabled woman, from redefining herself as a young woman after tragedy fierce and able, but haunted by hard choices and suppressed grief to choosing marriage and motherhood. That choice comes at great cost to the physical freedom Haggerty has fought for, but ultimately she redemption, fulfillment, and self-acceptance in the bargain. No one will read this book without being inspired to accept their past and create the future they always wanted." 


Kritters Thoughts:  A moving memoir that takes you into one woman's life before and after a tragedy that completely changes her life.  Colleen Haggerty found herself in an accident where she loses one of her legs and each day after the accident she learns something about herself and how the accident didn't just change her physical life but also her emotional life.

I absolutely appreciated that Colleen included a few moments before the accident and the accident itself - although the fact that she was awake for most of it was completely scary to read.  It helped the reading experience to know her life before the accident during and then knowing that most of it would be after the accident.  

Although I have been aware of the physical challenges that a disabled person would have; I don't think I really knew it until I read this story.  I had never thought of the gaining weight whether in pregnancy or just in life and the need for different legs if that were to happen.  The biggest thing that I don't think anyone "sees" is the emotional toll it can take and that it is a constant thing that a disabled person doesn't really ever heal from.  

I love it when I read a book that I know in my heart is true, but it reads like fiction with such ease.  I also adore when I really feel connected and honestly believe that I am learning something that will make me a more informed human and make me a little more sensitive to someone that I may not know personally.  Such a great book!


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 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: The Thursday Night Club by Steven Manchester

The Thursday Night Club

by Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Pages: 152

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.

As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.


Kritters Thoughts:  A short novella that takes the reader on a great ride in just a few pages.  Five college friends are in their senior year and the boys decide that they will try to out prank each other.  In the middle of the game, a tragedy occurs and the friends must take the game in a new direction.

Most books concentrate on one gender or another and if both genders are involved someone is in love - not so with this book, it was great to see a group of friends who were just friends and just enjoyed each other's company.  This book took me immediately back to my senior year of high school and that year where you are starting to change from a student to a full fledge adult and reminded me about the people that were there at that time.  

Steven Manchester was already an author that I completely adored and this novella is perfect to curl up with in the middle of the holiday hub bub.  If you haven't read a Steven Manchester book, try this one and then keep reading through his catalog - you won't be disappointed!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 67 out of 100

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

Two weeks was so pitiful that i didn't even post.  This week was better, but next week is quite the busy holiday jam packed week, so who knows!  Are you a reader during the holidays or does your reading take a back burner?
A meme hosted by Sheila at BookJourney. 

Finished this past week:

The Undertaking of Tess by Lesley Kagen
The Resurrection of Tess Blessing by Lesley Kagen
Another Night, Another Day by Sarah Rayner
Passionate Nutrition by Jennifer Adler

Currently Reading:

What is Found, What is Lost by Anne Leigh Parrish

Next on the TBR pile:

Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren

Review: Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes

Silver Bay

by Jojo Moyes

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 338

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Liza McCullen will never fully escape her past. But the unspoiled beaches and tight-knit community of Silver Bay offer the freedom and safety she craves—if not for herself, then for her young daughter, Hannah. That is, until Mike Dormer arrives as a guest in her aunt’s hotel.

The mild-mannered Englishman with his too-smart clothes and distracting eyes could destroy everything Liza has worked so hard to protect: not only the family business and the bay that harbors her beloved whales, but also her conviction that she will never love—never deserve to love—again.


For his part, Mike Dormer is expecting just another business deal—an easy job kick-starting a resort in a small seaside town ripe for development. But he finds that he doesn’t quite know what to make of the eccentric inhabitants of the ramshackle Silver Bay Hotel, especially not enigmatic Liza McCullen, and their claim to the surrounding waters.


Kritters Thoughts:  A small tucked away bay in Australia has been living as is with dolphins and migrating whales basically untouched except the current inhabitants and a few tourists here and there.  Mike an employee at a development firm heads to this small Australian bay to get research for his next huge project and while there learns the local culture and must decide if the development is right for the area.

Quite the roller coaster of a book, but not too dramatic.  I loved that there was a main plot of the development of the land, but there was a sub plot as to why Liza McCullen had escaped to her aunt's home for refuge with her young daughter.  Thankfully unlike some books the author didn't pound the fact of a secret too hard since it could be a sub plot instead of the main scene.  AND there was a twist at the end that I may have found out a bit ahead of time, but it didn't disappoint!

One of my favorite parts was the small appearance of one of The Ship of Brides characters, especially since I didn't see it coming at all!  Still a Jojo Moyes fan and have just one more book of hers that I currently own to read and review - The Last Letter From Your Lover.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

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: The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes

The Ship of Brides

by Jojo Moyes

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 464

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  1946. World War II has ended and all over the world, young women are beginning to fulfill the promises made to the men they wed in wartime.

In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on an extraordinary voyage to England—aboard HMS Victoria, which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers. Rules are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier’s captain down to the lowliest young deckhand. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined despite the Navy’s ironclad sanctions. And for Frances Mackenzie, the complicated young woman whose past comes back to haunt her far from home, the journey will change her life in ways she never could have predicted—forever.

Kritters Thoughts:  A boat full of navy men headed home after a long and dramatic war combined with 650 women who are war brides promised to men who will be at the end of this long journey.  The test will be trying to keep these men and women separate and safe during this six week journey.  

I loved that this story followed a few women and one of the men closely and it started before they got on the boat, so the reader knew what circumstances brought these characters onto the boat to England.  I had never heard of brides crossing the ocean to meet the men that they had only known for weeks or so, so I absolutely loved learning a bit of history wrapped into fiction.  

Not all of the characters were loveable, but all were honest and felt truthful.  The book was quite hefty and towards the middle it felt like it dragged a little, but I kind of feel like it gave the book a little something because I started imaging six weeks on a ship and how that would drag on as well.  

I was definitely confused by the prologue and I felt like it took awhile to connect to the full novel, but it finally met up with the full story.  I don't know that I would have omitted the prologue, but would have loved to have the connection come earlier in the book.

I have been a Jojo Moyes fan for awhile now and one thing I love about this author is that she doesn't write the same genre or story over and over again - each book is unique.  I did love the appearance of one of the brides in the book I will review tomorrow which is contemporary - Silver Bay.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

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: Inviting Fire by Emily Kimelman

Inviting Fire

by Emily Kimelman

Pages: 218

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Recovering from a near fatal attack that has left her with residual trauma, including haunting dreams and flashbacks, Sydney Rye is regaining her strength at the jungle training camp of Joyful Justice, the vigilante network inspired by her now legendary acts of vengeance. However, when a routine reconnaissance mission goes horribly wrong Sydney Rye looses the trust of the leadership of Joyful Justice. 

Her good friend and trainer, Merl, warns that if she wants to be in the action she’ll have to follow orders like everyone else. Never good with authority, Sydney struggles to suppress her independent streak for the greater good. 

When she runs up against an old adversary he blows apart everything she has gained. With her and Blue’s lives at stake, as well as the future of Joyful Justice, Sydney must push aside her fears and take a leadership role before it's to late.


Kritters Thoughts:  Another part of the Sydney Rye series and having read this right after the previous one, I loved being able to read two back to back.  Sydney is hiding out in Costa Rica to heal from the events in the previous book.  

Although this one was just as action packed as the previous, I was missing out on the other characters in this book.  With Sydney in Costa Rica, I felt like she was isolated and away from the group of characters and I missed their roles in this book.  As said before there was still plenty of action, so it wasn't lacking on that front, just quite a smaller cast of characters.

I asked Emily Kimelman how many books we will see from Sydney Rye and it doesn't sound like they will end any time soon.  I like these small installments into Sydney Rye's life almost seems like each book would be a good tv episode or two!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 71 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Viking/Penguin Books.  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 Devil's Breath by Emily Kimelman

The Devil's Breath

by Emily Kimelman

Pages: 222

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  One of Sydney Rye’s dear friends, Hugh Defry, has been accused of a brutal murder, but even though he has no memory of the night, Sydney believes he is incapable of such violence. 

Called to investigate by Robert Maxim, a man she has until now, considered her greatest enemy, Sydney flies to Miami searching for the real killer. Rye’s suspicions are raised when she learns that Maxim not only wants to work together but also wants to build a friendship. She doesn’t begin to understand his motives until her former lover follows her to Florida to tell her a devastating secret. 

As more people from her past turn up, and not knowing whom to trust, Sydney sees that her personal fight for justice has become something more than she had ever imagined and she is pushed towards making a decision that will change not just her life but possibly the future of the crime fighting. 

Kritters Thoughts:  The fifth in a series, so if you aren't up to date, you may want to pause here and go read the first books in the series.  Most of these books are just over the novella length, so don't feel like it will take you awhile to get caught up.  Take a weekend and you can maybe get to this point.

Sydney is back in the States and back to help right a wrong.  One of her friend's Hugh is being accused of murdering someone and he has no recollection of the murder or really the evening - so Sydney to the rescue with her team behind her to help find the real murderer.

The one thing that I loved about this was of all the books, this one felt like it reviewed major plot points of the past.  I liked the review and enjoyed seeing characters from the past come together and make appearances in this book.  

All of the Sydney Rye series is action packed - like an episode of Alias, she puts herself in the most crazies of situations, but her, the dog and her friends get her out of the predicament each time.  

Tomorrow I am reviewing the 6th book in the series, so come back tomorrow to check out my thoughts on the next in the series.


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

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 70 out of 100

Review: My True Love Gave to Me

My True Love Gave to Me

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 320

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays.


Kritters Thoughts:  A collection of stories from some heavy hitting YA authors and I loved that some of these stories were out of their normal publishing wheelhouse.  Reading contemporary stories from authors who normally write fantasy or sci fi was fun - especially since I am quite a contemporary fan.  There was still some magic in some of the stories, but mostly stayed in the contemporary genre.

I read these stories here and there over two weeks and I loved spacing them out and just curling up for a half an hour at a time and reading just one story.  I will not review each one individually, but I definitely loved most and only disliked two.  I loved how each author approached writing a story about Christmas or the holiday season.  

I would definitely recommend this book to readers of the YA genre and those who dabble in it from time to time.  I hope that there are more collections like this in the future.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Review: Heart of a Dove by Abbie Williams

Heart of a Dove

by Abbie Williams

Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The Civil War has ended, leaving the country with a gaping wound. Lorie Blake, a southern orphan sold into prostitution at fifteen, has carefully guarded her aching soul from the disgrace forced upon her every evening. Two years have passed, leaving her with little hope of anything more. Meanwhile, three men – longtime friends – and a young boy with a heart of gold are traveling northward, planning to rebuild their lives in the north and leave behind the horrors of their time as soldiers in the Confederate Army.

Fate, however, has plans of its own, causing their lives to collide in a river town whorehouse. Forced to flee, Lorie escapes and joins them on the journey north. But danger stalks them all in the form of a vindictive whorehouse madam and an ex-Union soldier, insane and bent on exacting revenge. At last, Lorie must come to terms with her past and devastating secrets that she cannot yet bear to reveal.

Kritters Thoughts:  An epic story that starts right as the Civil War is ending and animosity is still in the air.  Lorie has lost her entire family and at a young age is sold to a whorehouse where she learns to be very independent at a very young age.  As soon as she thinks that this will be the rest of her life something drastic happens that takes her on a different sort of journey.

When Lorie was in the whorehouse, I had a hard time reading because it felt so real.  I appreciated the authenticity, but it really was hard to read.  As I had read the synopsis I knew she was going to leave and I found myself hoping page after page that she would get rescued and I loved how it happened - right out of the blue!  

After she leaves the book takes a turn and she is on this journey that will hopefully end in a safe and happy home.  Right as I thought that the book was lagging a few things really turn it upside down and sold the book for me.  

I am not sure if I have read a book that focuses on the feelings that are still lingering after the Civil War ends and how both sides feel like cheated on a little by the other and it will take some time to trust each other.  I was completely educated on how even though the war was done and there was a winner that both sides were having issues with the other.  

If you are a fan of historical fiction and have read most of the books involving Civil War, don't pass this one off as just another - it was more than I could have imagined.

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

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 69 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Central Avenue Publishing.  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 Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman

The Reluctant Elf

by Michele Gorman

Publisher: Notting Hill Press

Pages: 100

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

Kritters Thoughts:  Single mom Lottie and her seven year old daughter, Mabel, have to run quickly to their Aunt's B&B and help her make an impression on a hotel critique.  Her Aunt is laid out due to an accident and she has to take this B&B and get it up and running and ready for an interesting guest.

Quirky, sweet and what a fun ride!  For me, Mabel made the book for me.  I loved how at times I thought she was beyond her seven year old age, but growing up with a single mom, I could see why she had aged a little faster than her peers.  She was just great!

Although short and quick, Michele Gorman easily got me the reader hooked on these characters and wanting to read more.  I wouldn't mind a sequel to put these character's in a new situation.

After reading this book, I am officially a Michele Gorman fan and will blindly go into any book she writes!
Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 65 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Notting Hill Press.  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.

November - thankful

source

November was good, but I had higher hopes for it!  I did a bit of reading of the holiday book kind for some great holiday reviews in December.  It felt early, but so nice to get ready for the holiday season with holiday reads.  When do you start reading holiday reads?

1.  The Vineyard by Michael Hurley

2.  Return to Oakpine by Ron Carlson

3. The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

4. Before the Storm by Steena Holmes

5. Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes

6. While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell

7. A Second Bite at the Apple by Dana Bate

8. The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman

9. Waking Up Joy by Tina Ann Forkner
10. The Thursday Night Club by Steven Manchester
11. Outrageous Optimist by Lyne Noella
12. Heart of a Dove by Abbie Williams
13. The Devil's Breath by Emily Kimelman
14. My True Love Gave to Me by Assortment of Authors
15. A Leg to Stand On by Colleen Haggerty
16. Inviting Fire by Emily Kimelman
17. Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
18. The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
19. Let it Snow by Assorted Authors
20. Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
21. A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White
22. Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis

Total pages read, clicked, and flipped: 6,531

Where Have I Been Reading?:

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Wyoming
Paris, France
Seattle, WA (3)
Washington, D.C.
Wales
Oklahoma
Boston, MA
San Diego, CA
Tennessee
Miami, FL
Costa Rica
Nantucket
North Carolina
Australia
Durham, NC