Giveaway: A New Prospect

Check out my review from yesterday - December 13th.

Review: A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl

A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl

Publisher: Black Rose Writing 

Pages: 276 

Format: 

Buy the Book:Amazon

Goodreads: Sam Jenkins never thought about being a fish out of water during the twenty years he spent solving crimes in New York.  But things change, and after retiring to Tennessee, he gets that feeling.  Jenkins becomes a cop again and is thrown headlong into a murder investigation and a steaming kettle of fish, down-home style.

The victim, Cecil Lovejoy, couldn't have deserved it more.  His death was the inexorable result of years misspent and appears to be no great loss, except the prime suspect is Sam's personal friend.

Jenkins' abilities are attacked when Lovejoy's influential widow urges politicians to reassign the case to state investigators.

Feeling like "a pork chop at a bar mitvah" in his new workplace, Sam suspects something isn't kosher when the family tries to force him out of the picture.

In true Jenkin's style, Sam turns common police practice on its ear to insure an innocent man doesn't fall prey to an imperfect system and the guilty party receives appropriate justice.


Kritters Thoughts:  A who dun it with a small town police force and a wealthy family at the center.  Since living with a police officer, I have found myself enjoying these who dun its that have a strong police presence even more so.  The story begins where you are introduced to this man and wife, the man is more than despicable and she is living with him just as he is.  In the next moment, the reader meets a retired police officer who has been enjoying retirement in a small TN town where life is the exact opposite from his police days in New York City.  After scandal hits the Chief of police, Sam Jenkins decides that he needs to come out of retirement to keep his new hometown safe.


Filled with twists and turns, this who dun it had a great recipe of murder, deceit and lots of family history.  As my mom always says she hates it when the person who ends up being the killer is nowhere in the book until the very end, not so with this one.  Although, I may have been on a different path, the killer was in the book the entire time.  I was happily surprised as to how all the clues came together and even with the twist of an ending.


A perfect who dun it to curl up with in these winter months and take a journey with these characters to find out who really had the best motive to kill our less than honorable victim.  I would even recommend this to the men folk as the police aspect makes it an appealing read.


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 the author and Nurture Your Books 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.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (49)

A crazy week - one book holiday gift exchange, one book club meeting, one cookie exchange, a Capitals Game, a craft show and a music Winterfest.  It made for little reading time, but a good week to get into the Christmas spirit.

My week was so crazy that I didn't do this post last week in anticipation for a week that would be quite the busy one!

Did anyone else have a crazy week that took you away from your books?

Finished over the last two weeks:
Cobwebs of Time by Tessa Jones
Shades of Gray by Andy Holloman
Chocolicious by Geraldine Solon
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
The Daughter She Used to Be by Rosalind Noonan
One Pink Line by Dina Silver
Any Color But Beige by Catherine Larose

Books Currently Reading:
A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl

Next off the TBR pile:
Deadly Reunion by Amy Manemann

In My Mailbox (54)

A wonderful week in shopping and throughout my week of adventures, more on that later when I catch up on my reading.  With a jam packed weekend, this video was done nice and quick to share what has come across my path!


A meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.


Goodwill trip:
Short Girls by Bich Minh Nugyen (Goodreads Amazon)
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer  (Goodreads Amazon)
Holly's Inbox (Goodreads Amazon)


Swapping:
The Truth-Teller's Lie by Sophie Hannah (Goodreads  Amazon)
The Home for Wayward Supermodels by Pamela Satran  (Goodreads  Amazon)


From Jen: (thank you!)
When You Were Mine by Elizabeth Noble  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Bunheads by Sophie Flack  (Goodreads  Amazon)


Review:
They Always Win by Anthony M. Pesare  (Goodreads  Amazon)

Review and Giveaway: Any Color but Beige by Cat LaRose

Any Color But Beige by Cat LaRose

Publisher: FriesenPress

Pages: 232

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  After years of living a beige existence, Cat Larose, international color marketing expert, finally added a little color to her own life. All it took was a Paris sunset and a little red suitcase.

Everyone wanted Cat's life. She had a handsome husband, a stylish home and a fascinating career as an international color-marketing consultant. Work took Cat to some of the world's most beautiful cities but something was missing: ironically, it was color. One day she found herself in Paris watching a sunset and, in a moment of clarity, she caught a glimpse of her sepia-toned future.

When Cat got home, she did what she'd longed to do for years. She decided to paint her bedroom a magnificent Bordeaux red and put an end to her beige existence and her marriage. That was the beginning of a new life.




Kritters Thoughts:  A memoir that can also be described as a collection of short stories that connect to make a larger story about the author's quest for color in her life.  I loved how each chapter had a title with a clue as to what was the central point to each story/chapter and a quote that could be found within the chapter, it was like a little peak before you start reading.


The reader is taken on a journey with a woman who finds love, loses love and quests to make color a central aspect in her life.  I absolutely loved her constant reminder that before one can find love they must love themselves.  A true theme that each woman must grasp at all times of their lives, whether in a relationship or single.  


A great read for women of all ages and could bring great discussion amongst all women about the journey that we all take and the colors that impact the journey.  I am intrigued to describe my own life and the different stages in regards to the color that was the theme at each moment.






Rating:  absolutely loved it and want a sequel




Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author in conjunction with WOW Women on Writing.  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.

Guest Post by Cat LaRose

What Color Says About You by Cat LaRose

Color is often used to describe changes in our physical and emotional well-being. A ruddy complexion means you might be burning up with fever but it could also mean you are flushed with excitement or anger. If your face goes white you could be about to pass out or experiencing an emotional shock or intense fear. You can be green with envy or just a bit queasy; yellow can mean jaundice or cowardness. Feeling “in the pink” is good while Holly Golightly’s “the mean reds” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is bad!

Color can also change our physiological and emotional states and that’s the very reason that changing color in our wardrobe or our personal space can give us a much-needed lift, emotionally and physically. The blue induces a sense of calm and tranquility while orange encourages us to be more social. Need a dash of courage, try wearing red.  Teal is a universal color that looks on everyone.  And when we look good we feel good.

So what does color say about you? First, look in your closet. If you notice a preponderance of one color, what does that – let’s call it your color intuition – tell you about yourself? Which colors feel right when you put them on? Is there one color that has been languishing in your closet for months? That’s your color orphan. Give it away!

Next expand your vision to your personal space. How many of your favorite colors, or versions of, have migrated over and found their way into the most comfortable rooms of your home? This is another sign of color intuition at work.

Not sure you have a color preference or what you might be attracted to? Try this exercise. Visit the home furnishings department of your favorite retail store. Look at the kitchen and bath linens and accessories. These are usually grouped by color. Which color group are you drawn to? Which do you avoid?

Whether you’re a color maven or a newbie let’s take a quick look at what color says about you.


Red – is passionate, dangerous and sexy. It gives off one of two messages: Watch me! or Watch out!

Pink – is all sugar and spice and everything nice. It’s feminine and romantic.

Yellow – is the color of sunshine. Just as sunny days always lift our spirits, a dash of yellow induces cheerfulness and generates warmth and spontaneity.

Orange – is a color that combines the energy of red with the joy and sunny attitude of yellow. Frank Sinatra once called it the happiest color. When you wear orange you can say, “I did it my way.”

Green – is the most restful color for the human eye and is said to have a healing power. It symbolizes growth and freshness and creativity – it’s no wonder most traditional cures come from nature.

Blue – is associated with calm, tranquility and stability. Ever spent time contemplating the ocean or the sky and felt totally at peace? It also symbolizes trust, loyalty, faith and stability. And while it’s typically the favorite color of most men, women like it too. Light blue indicates softness while dark blue represents knowledge and dependability.

Purple – is a magical color. Leonard di Vinci posited that sitting in a purple light enhanced his meditative abilities ten-fold. I suppose that’s why we find a lot of purple in stained glass windows. It’s also a royal color full of wisdom and dignity. If you want to feel like “Queen for a Day” – array yourself in purple.

Brown –is a masculine color. It’s also a classic neutral, as dependable as your morning cuppa joe. Various shades of brown, from espresso to latte, will give you a sense of stability.

White –symbolizes purity, cleanliness and simplicity. If you’re into classics and perfection – or “nights in white satin” – white is your color.

Black – says style, grace and elegance (and also lops off a few pounds without any effort). It is the color of the quintessential must-have dress for every woman. Want to make an entrance? Wear black with a dash of red, and watch heads turn.

Thank you so much to Cat LaRose. I will be reviewing her book Any Color But Beige tomorrow on the blog! And check out tomorrow for a giveaway that is not worth missing!

Review: The Daughter She Used to Be by Rosalind Noonan

The Daughter She Used to Be by Rosalind Noonan

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation 

Pages:  352 

Format:  

Buy the Book:Amazon

Goodreads:  One woman is torn between loyalty to her family's ways and to her most profound convictions . . .

The daughter of a career cop, Bernadette Sullivan grew up with blue uniforms hanging in the laundry room and cops laughing around the dinner table.  Her brother joined New York's finest, her sisters married cops, and Bernie is an assistant District Attorney.  Collaring criminals, putting them away - it's what they do.  And though lately Bernie feels a growing desire for a family of her own, she's never questioned her choices.  Then a shooter targets a local coffee shop, and tragey strikes the Sullivan family.

Anger follows grief - and Bernie realizes that her father's idea of retribution is very different from her own.  All her life, she's inhabited a clear-cut world of right and wrong, of morality and corruption.  As Bernie struggles to protect the people she loves, she must also decide what it means to see justice served.  And in her darkest hour, she will find out just what it means to be her father's daughter.


Kritters Thoughts:  My first experience with a Rosalind Noonan, but as they came highly recommended from my mom, I would have to agree with her that this won't be my last Rosalind Noonan read. 


As luck would have it, I was asked to host this book for a book tour and what a great read.  I am now in a relationship with a police officer, so this book hit way close to home, but this new living situation, may have helped me love it even more.  The story centers around the youngest daughter of a retired police officer who spent 50 years serving the city of New York and lived through many things including 9/11.  Along with this main story is another story that centers around a young man who has some physical disabilities and is just getting out of prison, the way these stories intertwine is entertaining and heartbreaking.  


I thought I knew where this book was headed and was ready for it to end one way, but the story went a completely different direction and I loved every minute of it.  The surprises were enjoyable and came from out of the blue.  I would recommend this book to those who like women's fiction with a little more depth to them. 


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel 

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

Wordless Wednesday

A play by play of our holidays, here is us getting the Christmas tree 

(it hasn't been put up in the house yet)

Review: Inseparable by Dora Heldt

Inseparable by Dora Heldt

Publisher: Amazon Crossing 

Pages: 224 

Format: ARC

Buy the Book:Amazon 

Goodreads:  Still reeling from her recent divorce, Christine, the beloved protagonist of Dora Heldt's uproarious Life After Forty, is sure that yet another birthday is the last thing she needs.  But here it comes nonetheless, the big 4-4, in all its lonely mid-life glory.  Making matters worse is Christine's fear that, throughout her life, she  has relied too heavily on the support of her girlfriends.  As the big day nears, she begins to think that none of those women can understand just what she is going through.  Alarmed by Christine's growing despair, her best friend and sister hatch a plan to prove her wrong: they will gather together all of Christine's old friends from the various stages of her life and throw a surprise party the likes of which she has never seen.  Of course finding all of those women turns out to be easier said than done!  Nonetheless, the final result proves to be a priceless gift, a moving and laugh-out-loud portrait of one woman's life as told through the stories of her friendship.


Kritters Thoughts:  A wonderful sequel that lived up to the first because it took the story to another level.  Christine's friends have helped her survive a separation and a divorce and now they are determined to have her reconnect with her girlfriends of the past.  The book is the chronology of her friends finding her friends from the past and gathering them all to celebrate her birthday - it was a fun journey to go on with these characters.  


Throughout this book I was thinking of the girlfriends in my life that have been there through different phrases of my life - the childhood days, the college years, the single in the city phase and now the girlfriend days.  I just wish that I could pull all the girls that have been in my life into a room and just reconnect and revisit all the good ole times.  Reading this over the holidays was perfect to help me get into the spirit of what the holiday season should be about - pulling together those who mean the most to you.  


Ok now over the sappiness - this book was a great chick lit read that was centered around female friendships and how vital they are for our past, present and future.  Each woman will enjoy this book for the appreciation we should have of the friends that surrounded us daily.  


Rating:  absolutely loved it and want a sequel


GR Oct-Dec Challenge 2011: It's Starting to Get Chilly

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author and 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: Life After Forty by Dora Heldt

Life After Forty by Dora Heldt

Publisher: AmazonCrossing 

Pages: 224 

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  If you're nearing forty and your husband suddenly dumps you after ten years of marriage, and he has the gall to do it over the phone, it's bound to come as a blow. This is exactly what happens one fine evening to Christine, a publishing sales rep who is always on the road. When he calls, she’s sitting on her sister's sofa. What should she do? Even though she is in crisis, she has to do something – or so say her sister Ines and her many girlfriends. First and foremost, they insist: move out. It's only once she's left home and moved to the city that it hits her - Why did he leave? How ever will she get used to being on her own? She has to develop a whole new rhythm to her life, and boost her tattered self-confidence. But as her friend Marlene says: “Darling, in six months' time you'll be laughing about it all.” But do we really laugh off such serious matters as divorce? Dora Heldt might just convince you with this uplifting, humorous novel about starting life afresh.




Kritters Thoughts:  Set in Germany, this international chick lit is a great read for the older chick lit fans!  Our main character Christine, finds herself in the midst of a marriage that is falling apart piece by piece.  She ends up single in the city about to turn 40 and wondering what to do from there.  Her story starts there and ends in a completely different spot, it was fun to see where her journey would take her and who would be with her in the end.  


Although I am not one to enjoy a book that doesn't take place on my side of the pond, this book could have been set anywhere and because of that I loved the anywhere quality.  So I could completely immerse myself into Christine's story and get to know all of her friends and family that would be by her side through this difficult season.  I don't want to burst the bubble on this one, but I felt as though her ups and downs were real and happen to many women who find themselves single at a later time in their lives.  


A chick lit that I would recommend to young and old even though the younger generation may not be quite in the age range of the main character.  I think this story is one for everyone to read where each reader will come away with something different - may it be an appreciation for the relationship in or the guts to leave one that isn't working.  


With a sequel to be reviewed tomorrow - I will continue following Christine in her adventure as a single city gal. 

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

In My Mailbox (53)

A semi quiet week in the mailbox situation.  But a great visit to my local independent store - One More Page bookstore.  I can't share one book that I purchased because it is for a christmas gift.  I will have to do a christmas recap with all the books that my friends and family received over the holidays.


A meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.


Swapped:
Dirty Secret by Jessie Sholl  (Goodreads  Amazon)


For Review:
A Place to Die by Dorothy James  (Goodreads  Amazon)


Purchased:
The Radleys by Matt Haig  (Goodreads  Amazon)


Won: 
Conversations and Cosmopolitans by Robert Rave  (Goodreads  Amazon)
     Thank you Mary from Bookhounds

Review: Cobwebs of Time by Tessa Jones

Cobwebs of Time by Tessa Jones

Publisher: Rutledge Books 

Pages: 708 

Format: hardback 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Laura enters college in 1969, a sheltered young woman in love with her high school boyfriend, determined to change the world by becoming a teacher. Her first day, she meets Brad Malone and is magnetically drawn to him despite his reputation for breaking hearts. Cobwebs of Time is a sweeping novel of their lifelong love affair, set against the social upheaval of the seventies and the economic boom and bust of the eighties.




Kritters Thoughts:  A book that I have had in my possession for YEARS, maybe 8 or 9 years because it was a gift from my mom while I was in college as this book is set on my small campus of Elon University.  I finally sat down with this chunkster over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and completely devoured it.  With hints of a sweet love story, mixed in with soap operaness with a few characters being a bit on the promiscous side, but in the end this book hit home because of the setting.  


Centered around a college freshman who ends up being a woman who has found and lost love, but through it all is always striving for the best for herself and those around her.  I fell in love with Laura from the beginning because she reminded me of myself as a naive young woman entering college and having the world all in front of me.    


Separated in three parts, but within each part a few of the characters take on the position of narrator and guide the story ahead from their perspectives.  I liked the change in first person from character to character because you saw the relationships through both who are in it - I thoroughly enjoyed getting into the male characters minds and seeing how they react to situations.  The reader was able to follow these characters from their college days to adulthood and it was interesting to see where each character would end up - in some instances I was quite surprised.


The biggest reason that this book made one of my favorites of recently is because it started where I went to school and in some parts ended close to where I live now - Alexandria, VA.  How often has the setting of a book made the book for you?  


I do have to warn, if you are going to pick up this one, it did have quite a few sexy times, if that is not in your usual reading, I would potentially skip this one.




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


Off the Shelf Challenge 2011: 20 out of 50


GR Oct-Dec 2011 Challenge: Black, White and Red All Over

Review: Across Eternity by Aris Whittier

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier 

Pages: 298

Format: ebook 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died. 


Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar. 


For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.




Kritters Thoughts:  From first glance, this book reads as a love story that is at first sight, deep and life-changing, but upon further investigation the heart of this book is a matter of debate - reincarnation.  First, let me express that I wasn't quite sure about this whole reincarnation thing as I was brought up that beyond your one life that you live there are two options - Heaven and Hell.  Now that I studied religion in a school setting and I hold a minor in the study of religion - I respect the idea of reincarnation, but I still adhere to the one life that I live, now the after that one life I am still debating.


Now that you all know my thoughts on this aspect of the book which is the heart of it.  I still enjoyed the book because I read it as a sweet love story that is so moving that I felt for these characters that they found each other and would eventually have to part from one another.  Of course the language of the book, referenced that they would see each other again - take what you would like, but I was able to enjoy this book despite not completing believing in the reincarnation thought.


A love story that is endearing and makes you enjoy the thought that true love exists and can sneak up on you around any corner.  

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


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