Category: #SRC2014 - Welcome to Handcrafted by MEG MUNSON

My Review of Gravel on the Side of the Road by Kris Radish

8/8/2014

About the Book:
A woman who worries about carrying a .38 special in her purse, nearly drowns in a desert canyon, flies into the war in Bosnia, dances with the FBI, tells Geraldo he shouldn't put guests in hotel rooms with rats and spends time with murderers, has more than a few stories to tell. Gravel on the Side of the Road-True Stories From a Broad Who Has Been There is a daring and revealing adventure itself. Beloved novelist Kris Radish returns to her non-fiction beginnings with her first book of autobiographical essays. Her writing career has spanned four decades and has included award-winning newspaper work, magazine features, a national syndicated column, eleven books and enough stories and adventures to fill up many more. Radish s talent for telling it like it is, sharing the wit and wisdom of a life lived mostly on her own terms and her keen sense of humor are highlighted in these stories some of them previously published, all of them offering a glimpse into worlds many never dare to enter. Kris is definitely a broad who has been there.

My Review:
This is my first time reading anything by Kris Radish. I loved reading all these great stories about her life. It was like catching up with an old friend. Her stories brought out all kinds of emotions. At many times I could put myself into these stories, or even other family members. You will definitely find many life lessons in this book and walk away having learned something new!

About the Author:
Kris Radish is the author of nine novels and two works of nonfiction. A former award-winning journalist, magazine writer, nationally syndicated columnist, waitress, worm picker, and university lecturer to name just a few of her past lives Radish is also co-owner of a wine lounge, the Wine Madonna, in downtown St. Petersburg Florida where she hosts books clubs and special literary events with groups from across the globe.

Connect with the Author:
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1rRAURb
Website: http://www.krisradish.com/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/WQuvep

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Review of Serenade by Emily Kiebel

7/28/2014

About the Book:
Suddenly the voice she prized is now dangerously seductive.

Lorelei Clark’s only concern was her future as a classically trained soprano, that is, until the day her father was tragically killed. Shattered by his death, she hesitantly accepts an invitation from a mysterious aunt to visit her lavish oceanside home in Cape Cod. She quickly discovers that her aunt and the two women who live with her are harboring a frightening secret – they are sirens, terrifying mythical creatures responsible for singing doomed sailors to their deaths. Even more astounding, Lorelei is one of them.

In this new world where water comes alive at her touch and an ancient power pulses beneath the tide, the most important rule Lorelei must learn is that a siren never interferes with fate. When she breaks this rule by rescuing a handsome sailor who should have died at sea, the sirens vow she must finish the job or face grave consequences. Finding herself inexplicably attracted to him, she must fight to keep him safe from the others, even if it means risking her own life – and her heart – in the process.

My Review:
This isn't the normal type of book I would read. I'd never heard about Sirens and I wasn't sure how this would work it's way into the story. Once I got past the slow start, I did really enjoy all the elements of this book. There was a lot of suspense and a few on the edge of your seat moments. Her characters were very well written and she always left me wanting more. This is an interesting read!

About the Author:
Emily Kiebel was raised in Colorado and went on to study classical music and English at Concordia University. She found a love for singing early in life and now sings professionally and directs a local church choir. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the natural beauty of the great outdoors with her beloved dogs, Ginny and Diggory, cooking for friends and family, traveling or dragging her friends along to obscure historical sites. Serenade is her debut novel.
Connect with the author:
·      Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1plaRTH
·      Website: http://emilykiebel.com/
·      Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1n6yXwD

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elly in Love by Colleen Oakes

7/11/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the book:
Curvy wedding florist Elly Jordan has had quite a year. First, she had to design her ex-husband’s wedding to the mistress who split them up, and then she broke up with the hottest musician this side of St. Louis. Three months have passed since then, and now Elly is primed for what promises to be the best wedding season of her life. Helped by her loyal friends, Elly is on the verge of opening a chic flower boutique uptown when BlissBride, a popular wedding reality show, asks her to design the wedding of a famous—make that infamous celebrity. Elly is about to get everything she’s ever wanted, when a stranger shows up at her store with a request that changes every aspect of her life–including her budding relationship with deli owner Keith. As she struggles to stay calm in the midst of growing chaos, Elly will learn the true meaning of love and sacrifices.

My Review:
This was my first time reading this series even though this is the second book (I had no problem following along and jumping right into the story). This was a quick fun read and I just love Elly!!! She is so much fun and I often found myself laughing out loud. She has just the right amount of sarcasm and humor. I love her character and feel like she is someone I have known for years. I would love to just grab a cup of coffee and sit with her while she works her magic on her flowers. I can't wait for the next book in this series and I'll have to go back and read the first one!

About the Author:
Colleen Oakes is the author of the Elly in Bloom series and the YA fantasy Queen of Hearts Saga, both published via SparkPress, a BookSparks imprint. She lives in North Denver with her husband and son. When not writing, Colleen enjoys swimming, traveling, and immersing herself in nerdy pop culture. She is currently at work on the last Elly novel and her second YA fantasy series, Wendy Darling.

The Walk-In Closet by Abdi Nazemian

7/6/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the book:
Kara Walker has never found much glamour in her own life, especially not when compared to the life of her best friend Bobby Ebadi. Bobby, along with his sophisticated parents Leila and Hossein, is everything Kara always wanted to be. The trio provides the perfect antidote to what Kara views as the more mundane problems of her girlfriends and her divorced parents.

And so when the Ebadis assume that Kara is Bobby’s girlfriend, she willingly steps into the role. She enjoys the perks of life in this closet, not only Leila’s designer hand-me-downs and free rent, but also the excitement of living life as an Ebadi.

As Kara’s 30th birthday approaches, Leila and Hossein up the pressure. They are ready for Kara to assume the mantle of the next Mrs. Ebadi, and Bobby seems prepared to give them what they want: the illusion of a traditional home and grandchildren. How far will Kara be willing to go? And will she be willing to pull the Persian rug out from under them when she discovers that her own secret is just one of many lurking inside the Ebadi closet?

My Review:
I found this book to be quite interesting and far from what I expected. This author did an amazing job developing these characters and describing a different culture. There was more mystery and plots twists than I could have imagined while being fun at the same time. I could not put this book down or wait to find out what would happen in the end! This was a great summer read filled with friends, family, drama and fun!

About the Author:
Abdi Nazemian is the screenwriter of The Quiet, Celeste in the City, Beautiful Girl, and the short film Revolution, which he also directed. He is an alumnus of the Sundance Writer’s Lab, a mentor at the Outfest Screenwriter’s Lab, and has taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension. He lives in Los Angeles with his two children, and his dog Hedy Lamarr. The Walk-In Closet is his first novel.

The Revealed by Jessica Hickam

6/27/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the book:
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.

My Review:
I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book as this isn't the type of book I generally read. I found it grabbed my attention and the story sucked me right in (I read it in one day). It has a little bit of everything...action, suspense, adventure and romance. There is a big twist in the middle of the story that I just don't see coming! I couldn't put this one down and I'm anxiously awaiting Book Two!

About the Author:
After graduating from Arizona State University in 2011, Jessica relocated to Los Angeles where she now works in the film industry. From acting to assisting on the Paramount feature Star Trek: Into Darkness, her experiences have only reinforced her love for living in other worlds – whether they be from her own imagination or someone else’s. The Revealed is her first novel.
Connect with the author: Facebook, Twitter, Website and Goodreads.

The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmieri

6/20/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Bronwyn "BitsyWyn" Whalen hasn’t set eyes on the red dirt of Magnolia Creek, Alabama, for fourteen years—not since her mama died. But with her brother, Patrick, imprisoned for the murder of her childhood best friend, and her eccentric father, Jackson, at his wits’ end while her eleven-year-old niece, Byrd, runs wild, Bronwyn finds herself once again surrounded by ancient magnolia trees and the troubled family she left behind. She becomes immersed in a whirlwind of mystery and magic as she tries to figure out what really happened that fateful night her friend died. And as her bond with Byrd deepens, Bronwyn must face the demons of her past in order to unravel her family’s uncertain future. In Suzanne Palmieri's thrilling new novel, The Witch of Belladonna Bay, readers will learn if love and magic are enough to bring a broken family back together.

My Review:
At first I found this book a little difficult to get into. The chapters are written in the voice of the different characters and it jumped around. Once I got into the story line and the background of this dysfunctional family, I became more interested to see how it would end. I didn't think I would like the aspect of the "magic", but it blended along really well with the story. I look forward to reading more of Suzanne's books.

About the Author:
Suzanne Palmieri Hayes is the author of The Witch of Little Italy and the forthcoming The Witch of Belladonna Bay (May, 2014). She is also the co-author of I’ll Be Seeing You under the name Suzanne Hayes. She lives by the ocean with her husband and three darling witches. She is currently hard at work on her next novel. Connect with Suzanne on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick

6/4/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Flight attendant Summer Benson lives by two rules: Don’t stay with the same man for too long and never stay in one place. She’s about to break rule number one by considering accepting her boyfriend’s proposal—then disaster strikes and her world is shattered in an instant. Summer heads to Black Dog Bay, where the locals welcome her. Even Hattie Huntington, the town’s oldest, richest, and meanest resident, likes her enough to give her a job. Then there’s Dutch Jansen, the rugged, stoic mayor, who’s the opposite of her type. She probably shouldn't be kissing him. She definitely shouldn't be falling in love. After a lifetime of globe-trotting, Summer has finally found a home. But Hattie has old scores to settle and a hidden agenda for her newest employee. Summer finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Leave Black Dog Bay behind forever, or stay with the ones she loves and cost them everything..."

My Review:
This was such a fun read! I grew to love Summer and her wonderful tell it like it is personality. The author takes such a serious topic as getting over a breakup and turns it into a fun story. I am ready to jump on a plane and go to Black Dog Bay (well maybe drive in a car LOL). All her characters really come to life and I just want to sit on a barstool and enjoy a drink with them. Another great book by Beth Kendrick...you will not be disappointed!

The Author:
Beth Kendrick is the author of The Week Before the Wedding, The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service, and Nearlyweds, which was turned into a Hallmark Channel original movie. She lives in Arizona with her two rescue dogs, but she loves to vacation at the Delaware shore, where she goes to Funland, eats boardwalk fries, and wishes that the Whinery really existed. Connect with the author on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and her Website .

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

5/30/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the book:
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.

My Review:

This was such a cute read. I instantly feel in love with Josie and her wonderful personality. Josie has many quirks and an amazing wit about her. Some of the exchanges between her and her sister really had me laughing out loud. Her sister can be quite the Bridezilla at moments and I love how they tortured each other. (I think any siblings could relate!) Josie has unique relationship with her parents, sisters, and friends. I love how she used the different languages she gave each to relate to each one of them. It makes you think about your own relationships and the different languages we all use. A great summer read with lots of laughs!

Buy the book:
Amazon Kindle/Amazon paperback

About the author:
Erin McCahan is the author of the YA book I Now Pronounce You Someone Else (Scholastic, June 2010). Erin’s debut novel was a 2010 Cybils Award finalist. She grew up in Michigan and worked extensively with teenagers before beginning her writing career. She lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Connect with the author:
Facebook * Twitter * Website * Goodreads

My Review of Emily Giffin's The One & Only

5/23/2014

About the book:
Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

Praise for the Emily Giffin:
“Emily Giffin ranks as a grand master. . . . She has traversed the slippery slopes of true love, lost love, marriage, motherhood, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption that have led her to be called ‘a modern-day Jane Austen.’ ”—Chicago Sun-Times

“Giffin’s writing is true, smart, and heartfelt.”--Entertainment Weekly

“[Giffin] excels at creating complex characters and quick-to-read stories that ask us to explore what we really want from our lives.”--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“A dependably down-to-earth, girlfriendly storyteller.”—The New York Times

“Giffin’s talent lies in taking relatable situations and injecting enough wit and suspense to make them feel fresh.”—People

“When it comes to writing stories that resonate with real women, bestselling author Emily Giffin has hit her stride.”—San Francisco Chronicle

My Review:
One word...WOW! This book is really amazing. I read it in just two short sittings. I have read all of Emily's books and I think this is her best work yet! Emily is truly talented when it comes to writing about relationships and human emotion. It is so easy to fall in love with her characters. That being said, I wasn't too sure I was going to like Shea in this book. She struggles with many things in her life and I didn't always agree with the choices she made. Just when I thought I knew what she would do next, she surprised me. There are lots of twists and turns along the way, making her story very hard to predict. This book has it all...love, friendship, suspense, drama and of course football. You will not be disappointed!

Buy the book
Amazon Paperback/ Amazon Kindle

About the author:
Emily Giffin is the author of six New York Times bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, Heart of the Matter, and Where We Belong. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law, she now lives in Atlanta lives with her husband and three young children.

Connect with the Author:
Facebook * Twitter * Website * Goodreads

Head over to Chick Lit Central to enter to win a copy of this book!

Summer Reading Challenge 2014

5/20/2014

I am so excited to be part of the #SRC2014 with BooksparksPR. The first book I am reading is by one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin. I will be posting my review on Friday, but here is more info on her new book...

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

About the author:
Emily Giffin is the author of six New York Times bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, Heart of the Matter, and Where We Belong. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law, she now lives in Atlanta lives with her husband and three young children.