Book Review: The Dress Shop of Dreams

by: Menna van Praag

**I received an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I also think it's good to know that I am the one who requested this, after I saw Sarah Addison Allen recommend it. And I'm so glad she did. This book was awesome. I didn't read it very fast because I didn't want to reach the end. Menna made me care so much for the characters that I couldn't stand it when they were doing it wrong! I wanted to shake them sometimes.

This is about a woman who stitches magic into the dresses she sells, Etta. She has a granddaughter, Cora, who is....a little socially awkward, but really she just has no interest in people or feelings. And Etta's neighbor and bookshop owner, Walt, who has loved Cora since he first met her as a little boy. They are the main characters. Secondary characters include Walt's boss, Walt's wanna-be-girlfriend, a police detective determined to help Cora solver the mystery of her parents death, and a priest whom Walt often confides in.

This book has wonderful flow between all the characters. And even when you can't stand who they are with, you don't dislike any of them. You just want them to get with the right people. There is such a sad undertone in everyone's life, but at the same time she touches all of them with the joy that only living can bring.

The basic plot is that Walt wants Cora to love him, and Etta wants Cora to open her heart and start feeling things already. Even if that means moving through the grief of losing her parents when she was a girl. Once she does that, Etta tells Cora what she has always suspected - the fire that killed her parents was no accident. That sends Cora off to investigate, while Walt is reeling from the assumed rejection from Cora. He decides to move on and meets Milly, but can he love her?

My favorite character was Devin, Walt's boss. He is such a sad man, and such a good man. When he isn't at work, he is caring for his aging father - who is suffering dementia. A while ago he started answering Walt's fan mail, and in that time he has learned so much about women. He had no idea that women had such feelings and realized what an fool he's been. It renders him immobile, until a love letter arrives for Walt.

There's a touch of magic in these pages.

Book Review: Stillwater Rising

by: Steena Holmes

**I received a copy of this book to review from BookSparks PR.**

The thing a parent never, ever wants to live through. Their child's death during a school shooting. 16 yr old Gabriel went to the town's only school, an elementary school and shot some children before turning the gun on himself. This book deals with the aftermath. There are three main characters, all women.

Jennifer is a mother suffering the loss of her only son and trying to be there for her daughter. Her husband is not being all that understanding or available to his wife, so she has found her own ways to cope...the main one being alcohol. She is understandably angry and desolate.

Charlotte, the town mayor and wife of the school principal. She is trying to heal the town and get everything back to normal. She is trying to be understanding to the suffering of grieving parents, but having no children of her own does make this a challenge.

And finally there is Julia. She is the mother of Gabriel. She feels an immense guilt for what happened. Not only does she blame herself, but much of the town does as well. Her house is regularly vandalized and she fears leaving her home. She also doesn't feel she has the right to mourn the loss of her son. She does have one good friend, who also happens to be one of the mothers who lost a child in the shooting. Julia has a hard time accepting help from her, because of the guilt she feels. When Charlotte realizes what is going on, she tries to help. Jenn isn't vandalizing the woman's home, but she does blame Julia.

I love how Steena handled this book. It is raw emotion, especially if you have children. But I love how she treats Julia with compassion. There is only so much a parent can do with a troubled child. There is only so much help available. And the fact is, Julia is also mourning the loss of her child along with having to live with what he did. This is a fictional book dealing with a serious issue. I think she took a very balanced and realistic approach. I know this is part of a series, and after coming to care so much for these characters and others in the book, I can't wait to see more.

Book Review: The Witch of Painted Sorrows

by M.J. Rose

**Release date: March 17, 2015**

This book is mesmerizing. I can't believe how much I enjoyed my time in this world. Sandrine is a wonderful character. She is grieving for her father and running from her husband. With little choice she ends up with her grandmother, who happens to be a courtesan. France certainly has a history of that. But her grandmother refuses to discus family history with Sandrine. A lot of trouble may have been saved if she had.

Sandrine discovers Julien, an architect with a growing career. Then she discovers the artwork of an ancestor, the one who had the house built, La Lune. The two events become intertwined with Sandrine's dual obsessions with her own artistic path and her affair with Julien.

The descriptions of events paint such a picture! When Sandrine is lost in her painting, it makes you feel the energy and passion. Then you want to paint, as well. Then when she is lost in her love affair with Julien...let's just say it is very sensual.

I can't really fit this book into any one category. It's part historical fiction, part romance, part women's literature. A seriously good read full of art, culture and steamy romance.

Blurb from website:

New York socialite Sandrine Salome flees an abusive husband for her grandmother's Paris mansion, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is closed and under renovation. Her grandmother insists it's too dangerous to visit but Sandrine defies her — an unexplainable force is drawing her home.

There she meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing architect, who introduces her to the City of Lights — its art world, forbidden occult underground, nightclubs — and to her own untapped desires.

From a mysterious fire at the Palais Garnier opera house, to a terrifying accident at the Eiffel tower and classes with Gustav Moreau at the École des Beaux-Arts, Sandrine's experiences awaken her passions. Among the bohemians and demi-monde, Sandrine uncovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter.

Then more ominous influences threaten — her husband is tracking her down and something insidious is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She's overcome by the spirit of La Lune, a witch, a legendary sixteenth-century courtesan, and an unsung artist in her own right, who exposes Sandrine to a darkness that could be a gift or a curse.

This is Sandrine's "wild night of the soul," her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love and witchery, and not until she resolves a tragic love story and family curse will she be free of the ghost's possession.

Effortlessly absorbing and richly imagined, with sumptuous detail and spellbinding suspense, The Witch of Painted Sorrows conjures the brilliance and intrigue of Belle Époque Paris and illuminates the fine line between explosive passion, and complete ruination.

Blog Tour - Here, Home, Hope

Ages ago by Internet time, May of 2011, I reviewed Here, Home, Hope. I loved it, and I've been enjoying Kaira Rouda ever since. You can see my review here: http://lilacwolfandstuff.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-here-home-hope.html

I signed up for a blog tour promoting this book, because I enjoyed it so much. Below are blurbs, an About the Author and links to purchase your own copy. Happy reading!

Back in 2011 I did receive a review copy in exchange for a review. This is just for fun.

Book Blurb

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9068791-here-home-hope?ac=1

Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

*National Indie Excellence Book Award for Chick-Lit (2011), Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Award Nominee for Mainsteam/Literary Fiction (2011), USA Best Book Awards for Fiction: Chick Lit/Women's Lit (2011)

About Kaira Rouda

Kaira Rouda is an Amazon #1 bestselling, multiple award-winning author of three women's fiction novels including HERE, HOME, HOPE, ALL THE DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR.

Tule Publishing Group's Southern Born imprint is publishing her new contemporary romance series set on INDIGO ISLAND: WEEKEND WITH THE TYCOON, Book 1; LINES IN THE SAND, Book 2; and THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS, Book 3. Four more books in the series will be out in 2015.

Her nonfiction title, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, continues to inspire women internationally.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and four almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, @KairaRouda, and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books. For more about Kaira and her books, please visit www.KairaRouda.com.

Where to buy:

• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Here-Home-Hope-Womens-Fiction-ebook/dp/B004YKTEHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420486302&sr=8-1&keywords=here%2C+home%2C+hope **kindle price is 99 cents right now**
  
• Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-home-hope-kaira-rouda/1100229617?ean=9781608320912
  
• Itunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/here-home-hope/id434938538?mt=11
  
• Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kaira_Rouda_Here_Home_Hope?id=YbJDAgAAQBAJ

Book Review: Forget Love

by Babsy Tom

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

This book was originally in German. In fact, the author's website is in German. It is translated into English and there are more than a few moments in the story where that is painfully clear. I think that leads to this getting less than stellar reviews.

I can give a lot of latitude when I know this up front. But really, spend a little time and care on translation.

The story starts in the Emergency Room with the main character, Penny. When she later wakes up she freaks out, she can't remember who she is. Then she sees her friends, her ex-husband, and co-worker and can't remember any of them either. As we start to find out more about her, alongside Penny, we all agree that maybe some do-over is a good thing. But she's not as shallow as she comes across.

When she comes home, where she lives with her ex, she realizes her mother-in-law is staying for an extended visit. But being that she doesn't remember their relationship, they do get a new start. And Penny does it right, I was happy to see. As she mends, she uncovers so much. But she can't help herself, even though they are divorced, even though he is in her phone under Asshole, she can't help but desire Tom, her ex. She wonders why she let him go. What happened between them? Can she win him over?

Now don't get this expecting some deep work of literature. I don't think this is a real category, but I would call it pop-romance. It's pretty shallow, not a lot of time spent developing characters. But you can't help but root for Penny and Tom. You can't help but root for Penny as she tries to get back into her life. She has friends who love her and really, Tom still lives in the same house so he can't completely hate her.

I enjoyed this light read. Great for a trip, it goes really fast.

Book Review: The Finisher

by: David Baldacci

This is one of those dystopian type fantasy novels. I stumbled upon this at the Scholastic Book Fair. It was on sale for $9.99 and it was hidden in a corner looking so sad and lonely. Never let it be said I never gave a book a home - lol.

It is about a 14 year old girl named Vega Jane. She is basically on her own. Her parents are in a place called The Care, basically a nursing home and are both unconscious. She has a little brother whom she looks after and a best friend, Delph. She works full-time as a finisher, where she literally finishes projects made of metal, wood or ceramic. She lives in a tiny village that is cut off from anything. They are told there is nothing else and to exit the boundaries is certain death.

But things aren't what they seem. The poor girl is naturally curious, but rarely has her questions answered. They know the founder of their village, but she asks where did he come from if there is nothing else out there? No answer. Her grandfather suffered an "event", but what happened? No answer. What dangers do the "Outliers" present? No answer.

As a reader, you are left with unanswered questions as well. What happened to her parents? How did they end up that way in the Care? Where did the founder come from and what is beyond the village? Is this dystopian or pure fantasy? I'm unsure if this is a series or a stand alone book.

I enjoyed the story, it was engaging to say the least. But the every exciting part left me with more questions than answers, and as I read the last page I was left with a bit of satisfaction at a book well read, but also frustration at what was left unaddressed.

**upadate** I see a rumor there is another book coming in 2015. Maybe some answers!

Book Review: The Glass Magician

by: Charlie N. Holmberg

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I selected this book because I had previously gotten The Paper Magician from Amazon as one of those early free books for Prime Members. I really didn't think I'd like it, but hey, always judge a book by it's cover, right?

I started reading The Paper Magician first, so I would be prepared for The Glass Magician. I'm not always a big paranormal fan. I swear it was I was dragging myself kicking and screaming into that book. Next thing I know, I'm halfway through and nothing can stop me. I did suffer the next day.

I finished that in one day. Then I immediately opened up The Glass Magician. I was so happy to see it continue the story of Ceony (rhymes with peony) and Emory. See, in the first book Ceony is assigned to Emory as his apprentice to train in the magic of paper. And is she ever mad about that. But the visual descriptions, the things that Emory teaches her are just so delicate and beautiful. As is the man himself. Kind of weird but smart and so kind, with a good sense of humor.

Now she is even more in love with Emory, and I have to admit I'm following suit. He's so sweet. In the first book he noticed she was sad about leaving her dog behind, because of his allergies. He stays up all night and crafts her an animated dog out of paper. He doesn't give her grief about being afraid of water, and he respects her wishes when she doesn't want to talk about something - even if she really, really should.

The thing she did in the first book has come back to haunt her in this one. Her life and those she loves are in the greatest danger. She is powerless, and hates that feeling. I can understand that.

What I love is that she's not a wimpy damsel in distress, but when she is told to stay put, she listens. She makes mistakes, but she admits when she is wrong and tries to do the right thing. She's a great character, I hope there will be more.

Oh and most importantly - this is the 2nd book in a series. I'm unsure how long it will be, but do yourself a favor - read The Paper Magician first. You might make it through, but knowing what happens in the first book will help you understand this one.

Book Review: The Wicked Flee

By: Matthew Iden

Good God I love this author! I put him right up there with Johnathan Kellerman, and better than Michael Connelly. This is the 5th Marty Singer novel. I've been reviewing these since the first. Marty is a tough, retired detective recovering from Cancer.

In this one, a current officer shows up late one night. His sister is missing, but being that she's a teenager he knows the police, even with his being one himself, won't do anything. She'd be considered a runaway. But Chuck knows something has happened.

What makes this especially exciting is that Chuck's sister, Lucy is incredibly bright. She has listened to all the tips her brother has given her, based on his own experience. He has told her what to do, and she keeps her head throughout the book. There's also another officer from another area working on an intersecting case. She's also quite bright and able to hold her own.

Marty mostly seems to be along for the ride on this one, but his thoughtfulness and insight prove invaluable to Chuck in his search for Lucy before time runs out.

Seriously exciting, and it more than touches on a wide extent of human trafficking that goes on in this country. It's a great value for $4.99. Now I'm stuck waiting for #6.

Book Review: Whistling Past the Graveyard

by: Susan Crandall

I've been dying to read this book. I follow the Susan Crandall on Facebook. Honestly, the cover caught my eye. It reminded me of Water for Elephants - which I adored. Didn't that get made into a movie? Anyway, it was on my wish list.

All that wishing, and I had it on my Kindle. I had completely forgotten I downloaded it from NetGalley months ago. I opened it up and got to reading.

Whistling Past the Graveyard is a young adult, coming-of-age story. A young girl, named Starla and only nine years old, has already had a hard life. She lives with her grandmother while her father works on an off-shore oil rig. Her mother lives in Nashville, working on her singing career. When she punches the local bully, her fear of the consequences sends her off on an adventure to find her mother.

"Like Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and Kathryn Stockett's The Help, Whistling Past the Graveyard is destined to become a classic." Karen White - New York Times Bestselling Author

She meets up with an African-American woman, Eula, who just took a baby from the church steps. Unluckily for this woman it was a white baby. To say her husband is angry is an understatement. Things spiral out of control and Eula, baby Jack and Starla are out on the road to Nashville.

This takes place during the height of the Civil Rights movement. Things are quite dangerous for the African-American community. Starla had lived with a woman who said the "Negros" were happy with the way things had always been done, and Starla didn't know enough about the real world to understand how unfair the system was. On her adventures she saw how Eula was treated, how dangerous it was for both of them. Starla bristled at the unfairness of it all. And it's true, no one should be treated like that.

Eula played a part in Starla's eye opening, and works hard to keep the girl safe. But in the end, can Starla return the favor?

It's beautifully written, intense, heart-breaking. You have to read this!

Book Review: After I Do: A Novel

by: Taylor Jenkins Reid

I kind of accidentally got this book to review. I didn't sign up for it, but Booksparks sent me the link from NetGalley. Hey, free book! No I didn't feel bad, I knew I'd review it for them.

I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. BookSparks kept talking about would you walk away from your marriage for a year? What would you do? Stuff like that. Well, marriage takes work. So, no I don't think walking away from it for any given time is a good idea if you expect to keep it going. Of course I have children so my perspective is also quite different from the main character.

I also think they blew the "I don't love you anymore" out of proportion. They didn't stop loving each other, not even for a minute. I mean, he kept writing her e-mails, he never changed his password. Wait, did I mention he didn't send them? They were collecting in his drafts folder. She kept logging in and reading them. Then she did the same thing, writing to him and saving the drafts. They really did miss each other. Didn't stop them from dating, though. That's the part I don't see a couple coming back from. Jealousy is never a healthy emotion.

So I don't think they stopped loving each other, they forgot how to talk to each other. Or they never really learned. He loved her so much he didn't want to tell her when he was sick of eating a certain kind of food. She loved him so much that she didn't want to tell him that she hated going to a ball game. The resentment just kept building because neither of them would speak up. That can happen. It's a difficult lesson to learn. In fact, we are still working on it in this house. I get that.

I loved that her family didn't just let her off the hook. They loved Ryan, they loved Lauren and told her that he was a part of the family. I don't know if they knew what was going to happen, but until it was final either way they weren't willing to let him go completely. Especially her brother. Ryan was there for him at a time when he really needed a man in his life.

I loved how the book dealt with not only Lauren and Ryan's issues, but the issues in the whole family. Lauren has one sister and one brother, their father left when they were little. I think that made it difficult for all 3 to have relationships when they had never really seen an intact loving home.

I just really loved all the characters, even the ones that got on my nerves. It was a book about a great family, a close family. And a loving marriage going through a rough patch. There were quite a few areas where I didn't know where they would end up. I mean, can you really walk away from your spouse for a year, date other people and then just come back together like nothing had happened?

This is a good one, I totally recommend it. It's not heavy on the romance, but there is a touch here and there. And not just for Lauren, either.

Book Review: The Revealed

by: Jessica Hickam

This is a new YA dystopian novel. There are 2 men vying for the presidency after a war that nearly destroyed our country. The 2 men used to be friends, in the before. Lilith Atwood is the daughter of one of them. Her father seems like a good guy. He is a politician, but he also wants to make things better. For example, get education back up and running. The other candidate has a son, Kai.

That, coupled with the threat of the Revealed leaves Lilith feeling trapped and under a microscope. The Revealed kidnap children who are 18 years old. Wealthy families keep their 18 year old children locked in their high security mansions - where we find Lilith at the beginning of the story. She goes from desperation and resignation. But she can't even escape her father's security.

I usually eat this genre up. I'm really torn on this one. It didn't grab me, but at the same time I couldn't stop reading it either. I guess I'd say it was a slow start that kept building. About midway thru the book there was a twist that I didn't see coming. Before I really felt for Lilith, but after I started rooting for her AND Kai - plus then I couldn't put it down.

Book Review: The One and Only

by: Emily Griffin

This is going to be one of those reviews that proves I tell the truth. While I did enjoy the writing, it kept my attention. It also creeped me out.

The main character, Shea, loves football. She lives for it and is very attached to the local college team, coached by her best friend's father, Clive Carr. She has known this friend since they were babies. Their parents were close friends. Coach Carr probably changed Shea's diapers along with his daughter. Ok, have I painted this picture well enough?

After the funeral of Carr's wife and some mourning, romance brews between Coach Carr and Shea. Naturally the friend takes serious issue with this. I think enough time passes, but the idea that this guy has known Shea since she was a baby is creepy. I side with the friend who is livid, btw.

Granted, it was well written enough to keep my attention, but the whole romance made my skin crawl. Shea is all mad at her friend, and I'm thinking "how selfish can you be?" This relationship is completely inappropriate, how can you not see that?

I won't tell you more, but it's a romance novel, so...

That being said, this book is also full of lots of football. I'm not joking when I say Shea is obsessed. I've read other reviews where women were turned off by this aspect. If you aren't into sports, that alone might make it hard to get through. I just glossed over that stuff. I'm not into football, but Shea's passion for it does come through.

Not the worst book, not the best book. If a book is really bad I won't be able to read it. This did hold my attention, but more like watching a train wreck. So there is entertainment shock value. lol

Book Review: Cure for the Common Breakup

by: Beth Kendrick

Summer is a flight attendant who has always kept her distance from the men she dates. But she just found out her boyfriend is going to propose in Paris. The plane crashes and he dumps her. Just too much for the poor girl to process. She goes to Blackdog Bay, a place famous for mending broken hearts.

There she finds new friends, a great new drink called "Cure for the Common Breakup" and has she also met a man worthy of her commitment? She just may find home yet.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It is a pretty fast paced story without being too heavy, and it is a lot of fun. Perfect beach read!

Book Review: One Hundred Names

by: Cecelia Ahern

Kitty Logan is a journalist who just messed up big time. Like career ruining bad. She is lucky to have friends in her corner. One friend, and her mentor, Constance reassures her that Kitty's career is not over and she will always have a job at Constance's magazine that she runs with her husband. Unfortunately Constance loses her battle with cancer just when Kitty needs her most. She is reeling from mourning her friend, her career and her boyfriend. Yeah, in this moment he just moves out without a word.

See, Kitty did a piece on a teacher that was untrue. The story was that he had inappropriate relations with his students and one of them was pregnant with his baby. Oh it was bad. He lost his job and his family. She lost her TV job and feeling of safety. People who really felt for this guy were constantly attacking her apartment. We're talking lots and lots of vandalism. To the point that she is evicted.

I don't know how Kitty survived. Her life was completely out of control. She was close to losing her job at the magazine as well. She comes up with the idea of an issue in honor of Constance. She is given the task of finding the story that Constance had never finished. What does she find? 100 names. She even finds the contact information in a phone book that has highlights corresponding with the list. Great - that took time to find given the insane organization skills Constance and her husband have.

So, she is off - to find out who these people are, how are they connected and she only has 2 weeks total to get it all together. There are twists and turns and all sorts of surprises in this book. I was on edge for Kitty, and you get to know and love all the characters. It's really a great book.

Book Review: On Grace

by Susie Orman Schnall

Have you ever been really excited about a few things happening in your life, and then they all go to hell? That's the premise of this book. Grace is content. Her boys are in school full-time, she has an exciting new writing job that is perfect for her and fits her schedule and she has a happy marriage. Life is good.

Well the job disappears and her husband confesses to cheating. Now what? Does she try to fix her marriage, can she ever trust him again? And what about work? It wouldn't be so bad, but after her marriage trouble Grace really feels the need to get out of the house. But she wants to be there for her boys when they get home as well.

Personally I can relate to the job thing. It's all but impossible to get back in the workforce after taking time to raise your kids. We are told to put our family first and when we do we get punished later for it. If you can even get an interview they are like, "what have you been doing all this time?"

I loved this book. It is a well written tale that is never boring. And any mom out there will be able to relate to something in this story.

Available at:

• Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1jo4Jop
• Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1mi8sXW

About the author Originally from Los Angeles, Susie Orman Schnall graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Schnall has written for national and local publications about parenting and health. She lives in New York with her husband and their three young boys. ON GRACE is her debut novel. Connect with the author

• Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1mi7NG9
  
• Twitter: http://bit.ly/1gKL0yQ
  
• Website: http://bit.ly/1iGYj40
  
• Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1ixBoYs

Book Review: The Walk-In Closet

by: Abdi Nazemian

Seriously great book. My heart is breaking for the main character, Kara. She shares a duplex with her best friend...who is also gay...who also can't tell his Iranian Persian family. They assume she is his girlfriend, that she will be their daughter in law someday. She has nothing better going on, and truly she adores Bobby's family. But you just can't miss that it isn't fulfilling her.

She feels like she is just gliding through her life. And honestly she is. Bobby's family supports him, as an unemployed writer. They bought the duplex, they buy the cars, they even pay for the vacations. But when they up the anti, to hint without much subtlety that they are ready to be grandparents...it's just too much. She loves them, loves Bobby...but even her friends are telling her this just isn't right.

There is also a serious twist that I will not divulge. I just couldn't stop reading, horrified and hopeful. And that's what you take away, hope for Kara and Bobby...and his whole family.

Oh yes, I do recommend this book.

You can find it on Amazon.

Book Review: Love and Other Foreign Words

by: Erin McCahan

This is a young adult book, about a teenage girl. I never think I'm going to like these, but then again quite a few surprise me. This is one of them. It's very original because it's not about some pretty, popular girl who whines because she can't go to the mall. This book is about an awkward girl who is super-smart and really doesn't understand people. Her family and her close friends know her quirks but when she has to deal with new people, she doesn't know what the right thing to say or what the correct reaction is.

Dear god, I thought it was just me. I wasn't nearly as smart as Josie, who is taking college classes part time while she waits to finish high school. But the awkwardness around people, that was all me. It was enlightening for my own experience to realize I wasn't alone. Also some of Josie's quirks are things I see in my son Ivan. It really gave me perspective on parenting him. Not only dealing with some of his issues in the now, but realizing that if I just relax and accept him just as he is, that he may outgrow the bigger issues.

Josie still has her moments, and it really comes out when her sister comes home with a new fiance. Josie hates him, really hates him. I don't like some of the things the fiance says, but her parents talk her through things and encourage her to figure it out for herself. I cried toward the end because...well you'll just have to read it. I don't want to spoil it.

It's really a great book for young and old. There's a smattering of romance, and lots of laughs, too!

Book Review: The Weird Sisters

by: Eleanor Brown

There is no problem that a library card can't solve.

The Andreas family is one of readers. Their father, a renowned Shakespeare professor who speaks almost entirely in verse, has named his three daughters after famous Shakespearean women. When the sisters return to their childhood home, ostensibly to care for their ailing mother, but really to lick their wounds and bury their secrets, they are horrified to find the others there. See, we love each other. We just don't happen to like each other very much. But the sisters soon discover that everything they've been running from-one another, their small hometown, and themselves-might offer more than they ever expected.

---

A book about sisters, after they are grown. All three have returned home, presumably to care for their mother as she recovers from cancer. But they have all made mistakes in their lives that they must also nurse. Being that their father is a Shakespeare professor, they all use quotes in their daily conversation. Their father barely speaks anything else. Their is so much love and support fom the parents, but the sisters need to work on being more compassionate to each other and themselves.

This story was so engaging, even my husband picked it up. I coulldn't put it down. I did't want to. I loved the family, the small college town, the conversations. If you like Shakespeare, you will enjoy this book full of beloved quotes. If you like books about families overcoming problems, you will love this bookk.

Book Review: Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts (The Crown) by: Colleen Oakes

I usually love these kinds of stories, that take a beloved classic tale and remake it. Queen of Hearts was no disappointment. It's full of action, intrigue and violence. Dinah is the future Queen of Hearts. As she grows up with her father, she longs to be queen and gain his respect. She even has her future king all picked out.

Her brother Charles is the Mad Hatter. He literally is mad and makes hats, there is great demand for a Mad Hatter hat.

She also has a half sister, whom she hates. Which honestly I think is unfair of Dinah. After all, it's not the girl's fault her father had a dalliance while away during war. Dinah treats her horribly and is then punished by her father.

Cheshire is also there, as the creepy adviser to the King.

In the prologue we clearly see where the story is leading, but not at all how we get there. I felt that instead of giving too much away, it created this crescendo within the tale. Every exciting moment leaves you asking, "is this it???" And at the end it's all moving so fast and the story is so good. I actually yipeed when I finished it and saw there's going to be another book.

The price is $3.99 for the Kindle version, and I think that is a great value for this tale.

Steena Holmes Interview

Today I have an interview with Steena Holmes, author of The Memory Child. I'm not the interviewer, but the content is interesting. Although one question makes me wonder if the interviewer read the book. They were married 13 years...how is that a "newly married couple"? But the book does make you realize the incredible amount of effort that goes into keeping a marriage going when both people are career oriented.

So - question for you, dear reader - if you are in a relationship, how do you keep romance alive? Do you find it takes considerable effort or does it seem to come easy? And, bonus question - if you have children, did they bring you closer together?

Just so you aren't alone I'll answer after the interview.

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1. You found critical success with Finding Emma and Emma’s Secret, this is a departure from those books. Why the change and what can readers expect?
   

   Writing the Finding Emma series was and is my happy place. I fell in love with Emma and Jack and even now, I still dive into their world and offer short glimpses into their lives to my readers via my newsletter - but I wanted to push myself with The Memory Child. The stories that resonate the most with me personally are those that hit my heart as a woman and as a mother and in The Memory Child, I wanted to go a step beyond where Finding Emma went and hit deep. Sometimes the story isn't always about the happy ending but the journey we take to to get to the point where we can see glimpses of happiness.

2. People had emotional reaction to Jodi Picoult’s My Sister's Keeper twist. Your book has an equally interesting twist. How do you think readers will react?
   

   What I loved best about My Sister's Keeper is that I still think of that twist and its been years since I read the book. Whether you loved or hated the ending, you still talked about it, thought about it and probably went back to see if you could see clues...and that's what I want from my readers. My goal while writing The Memory Child was to have that emotional reaction from my readers - because then I know this story will stay in their hearts.

3. The book is about the challenges a newly married couple faces with one spouse frequently traveling. Where did the inspiration for this story line stem from?
   

   The idea of a childless couple who were both career focused interested me. I wanted to write about a strong woman - a goal driven woman who knows what she wants and suddenly has her life turned upside down. Many woman in today's society are like Diane - strong, capable of running empires and I wanted to see how she would react to having those goals altered. The travel aspect came naturally to the story. While I was writing Finding Emma, I worked as a virtual assistant to a large corporation where many of the executives travelled abroad and so I knew that this aspect to Brian and Diane's marriage would be an ingrained aspect of their lives.

4. Is there a lesson you want your readers to take away from the book?
   

   Not really a lesson, but more of a reminder. There is a strength found in us women that we underestimate. While I was researching for this story I had countless women/mothers email me to share with me their experiences, and I was continually amazed at the overall theme of each story I heard. There is a strength inside of us that has the ability to alter destinies, to create paths were there were mountains and to forge ahead in the darkness when there is no light. A mother's love is unfathomable and never ending and even though we are not perfect, we are strong. When a reader has closed the last page of my book, I want them to walk away with that reminder.

5. What do you find is Diane’s best Trait?
   

   I love Diane's tender heart. She tries to hide in behind her cool veneer and the masks she wears when she's not at home with Brian, but she's such a softy. You see it in the little things that she does or says or takes time to enjoy.

6. What is your favorite scene from The Memory Child?
   

   There are a few that are my favorites. I love the scene where Brian and Diane are celebrating their anniversary and I cry each time I read the ending. Any scene where their love shines through catches my heart.

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This is me, Lilac Wolf, again.
My husband and I aren't particularly romantic to begin with. We value our time together, but it doesn't have to be a night on the town. We are happy to steal time alone when the boys are in school and he doesn't have to be to work until later. Or after the boys go down, we love watching new episodes of Archer or renting a movie from Amazon. Sometimes I read while he plays guitar. And of course all the other fun stuff that keeps us in love. lol

As for children. We love our children dearly. In some ways it has brought us closer together. We are really a family now, and regardless of what happens with Chris and I, we will ALWAYS have a relationship because of the boys. But on the other hand, the sleep deprivation, the stress of making sure the boys have what they need when they need it...is a strain on the best of relationships. So, Chris and I talk a lot. And when we disagree, we usually let it go. Very rarely is it something so important that we can't just let the other parent do it their way. The boys see that we aren't the same person. We have the same rules, but we might do things in a different order and in different ways. I think that while we do sometimes disagree, the boys see that no one always gets along and a fight doesn't have to be screaming and hitting (because trust me, that's how brothers fight!) They watch us discuss and come to some kind of compromise. And honestly, some days we are just doing the best we can to get through it.

I do think Chris and I will survive the children, and survive after the children mainly because we give ourselves both together and separately a priority.

Book Review: The Memory Child

The Memory Child by Steena Holmes

What a ride! This was by far the most terrifying book I've ever read. And I can't even tell you what happens. Just trust me.

You've got a high powered couple expecting their first child. Brian is over the moon, Diane is understandably nervous. She never wanted to have children. But they are clearly in love and it's a happy time. But once Diane has the baby with her she is happy, except that Brian is off in London. Luckily she has her nanny.

The story jumps from Diane's perspective in the present and Brian's in the past it's like this building crescendo that knocks you off your feet.

This is Steena Holmes' best book so far. Keep it up, girl!

Book Review: Lost Lake

Lost Lake by: Sarah Addison Allen

As I said yesterday, I love this author. This book felt a little different from her others. There's always been something painful for the main character, but it felt like the wound was deeper in this one. What's worse than your husband dying in a tragic accident? Said death happening immediately after deciding to divorce him. She was completely blown over by what I think is not only grief, but guilt as well. When Kate finally wakes up she is overwhelmed by where her life is heading. Her overbearing mother-in-law isn't helping matters. She must figure out for herself what would be best for her daughter and for her.

She finds a postcard from her great-aunt that really takes her for a turn. She had visited as a young girl. The trip was magical and there was a very special boy. Her aunt told her to come back anytime and even though it's 20 years or so later, she takes her aunt up on that offer.

I enjoyed the story, which covered not only Kate but some of her aunt's life and some of her aunt's best friend. She uses such descriptive language to move through the story. It's like watching a tapestry come to life. You can read this without having read the short story, Waking Kate. But it does give you more background on Kate and her family.

Book Review: Waking Kate

Waking Kate by Sarah Addison Allen

I just adore Sarah Addison Allen. Her writing is fine art. In this short story she introduces us to Kate. It's kind of a sad tale until she meets her older neighbor who just finished his last day of work. She shares some butter coffee with him and just listens. I feel like the experience grounded her.

I know this is short but it's a short story and I don't want to give everything away. Check it out, it's free. And if you like that you can move onto her novel Lost Lake.

I'm curious? Have any of you heard of putting butter in your coffee? And if so, have you tried it? If not, what do you think?

Book Review: An Imperfect Witch

by Debora Geary

Another series! I'm so happy. Debora's Witch Central books are like soothing balm after dealing with the real world. There is so much love and laughter. Lizard is back in this one - yeah! Josh is still with her, but he is losing patience. She needs to relax and let him in. Her problem is she doesn't like to plan ahead - she never really knew what her life would be like the next day much less the next year. But hopefully he can get her to just go with the flow more, take risks. And yes, commitment is considered dangerous to poor Lizard.

She also gets a big surprise in this book. And really, I won't spoil it. You'll have to read it yourself. This is very light reading, especially after reading something depressing. I'm now halfway through the next in this new series - An Unlikely Witch. It's just great to see all the characters that we know and love and catch up as their lives keep moving forward.

And Debora Geary is an exclusive Amazon seller, but she will hook you up if you need a Nook version. Simply purchase the Amazon e-book, e-mail (deborageary@gmail.com) her the receipt and she'll e-mail the file back to you.

Book Review: He Did You a Favor

He Did You a Favor: A Smart Girl's Guide to Breaking Up, Waking Up, and Discovering the Gift of YOU
by: Debra Rogers

I usually hate self-help books. Full of platitudes and BS. This book is entertaining and I can see where it actually would be useful. So way to go, Debra!

You may be asking yourself why I'm reading a book about breaking up. Well worry not, my marriage is as strong as ever. I honestly didn't read very closely and thought it was a romantic comedy type book. Imagine my surprise! I really did expect to hate it, but figured I made a promise to my peeps at BooksSparks.

I didn't hate it. Yes, it is full of stuff that you as a rational human being should know. But this book isn't written for the rational. It's written for women who are suffering through a painful break-up. Debra is taking these women gently by the hand and leading them through their grief. Even writing out to block them from your social networking circles and not cyber stalking them - like no logging into their e-mail or bank accounts. I was shocked to read that part, like "stalker much?" After thinking about it, I realized that if Chris just up and dumped me right now, I'd need someone to tell me that.

So if you know anyone who is in that place, this book along with your unwavering friendship are just what she needs.

Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver was brought to my attention by one of those "books you must read before..." lists. My library had it as an ebook. That really fulfilled my instant gratification. lol It caught me from the beginning. I couldn't put it down and read it this weekend.

Jonas starts out as an 11 year old boy in a seemingly utopian society. No one is unhappy, no one is hungry and no one experiences loss. Jonas doesn't think anything is wrong with this life, but you get from the writing how very dull and boring it is as well. The boy is selected to be the keeper of memories. The giver is the current holder of memory. He gives Jonas happy memories and painful memories. Memories of hunger, war, death, pain along with memories of snow, joy, love. It is with love and color that Jonas realized what is wrong. He is angered by the lack of choice. They are told what their job will be, who they can marry if they even can, and assigns them children to raise until they are old enough to leave. People stay as long as they are useful, they are cared for into old age and then they are released.

Sure, we have problems, but we also have joy. Maybe we need to find balance and to not let our sorrow overcome our best times in this life. I think this is what draws me to dystopian novels, the hope that things can change for the better.

Book Review: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

This winter I watched this series on Netflix called "Prophets of Science Fiction" which had a handful of episodes dedicated to the top Science Fiction authors and how their fiction is moving closer to being true. Philip K. Dick was one of them. I'd never heard of him before, but he was fascinating. Guy was into psychedelic drugs and made a habit out of paranoia. But they said what a brilliant writer he was.

Well I love a good Sci Fi book, so I hit up Kindle to see if any of his work was free. BTW - there are a bunch of short stories out there for free. It's good to test drive a new author when his books are around $7 a copy. My library had this both physical and a digital copy to check out.

Anyway, he's a B science fiction author. It borders on trashy. But the kind of trashy that you just can't put down. Turns out this is the book basis for the cult classic Blade Runner (which I've never seen). I will say this, the man weaves a story like it's nothing. I think that's one of the problems people had with the movie, it was hard to follow the plot. Likewise in this story. But if you just go with it, it kind of makes an illogical kind of sense. You really don't know what's going on, because you aren't supposed to. The main character can't even figure it out!

It makes for a story that can change each time you read it. So, do I recommend this story? Yeah! 5-stars.

My Babies #7

I was given #7 on this new Facebook meme about pregnancy. So here goes.

CW

1. I was only off the birth control pill for 3 months when I found out I was pregnant. We thought it would take awhile, because a Doctor had told me I had PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. After I gave birth, my OB asked if that Doctor was serious. Good to know!
   
2. I had low level nausea for most of the first trimester. I never threw up, just felt queasy.
   
3. For the first five months, I couldn't stand meat. Not even the thought of it. I did get lots of fruit and veg during that time, though.
   
4. I'm a heavy girl, so my OB was very careful about my weight and had me tested for gestational diabetes far earlier than usual. Good thing, too. I had it. Meds and shots to finish off this pregnancy.
   
5. CW had the hiccups a LOT. I remember sitting at my desk with my belly bouncing.
   
6. I didn't gain a single pound during my pregnancy and lost 10 immediately. Yeah! Didn't stay gone, as I had to recover from a C-section.
   
7. I was in labor (back labor!!!) for 36 hours before the emergency c-section. Dr. M offered the surgery when she saw I was only dialated to 5. Along with my pain and lack of progression, she was getting concerned. Chris leaned down to me and said, "maybe we should try a little longer." He nearly lost his face! Nope, I wanted drugs and that baby out of me.

Ivan

1. I was on birth control. We were leaning toward not having another baby when I found out I was 2 months pregnant.
   
2. Again, no vomiting. But I was relieved to have less nausea.
   
3. Because of my pregnancy with CW, Dr. M didn't even bother testing me for gestational diabetes. She assumed I had it, had me start testing my sugars and with those numbers she got me on medicine.
   
4. I can't remember a single weird craving from this pregnancy.
   
5. Again I didn't gain any weight, but happy day I didn't have bed rest either.
   
6. When my doctor saw how shocked I was by this pregnancy, she offered to help me get an abortion. She even broached the subject of doing it secretly. No, Chris wasn't the problem, I was just floored by being pregnant even though I was on Birth Control. I wasn't upset, just so surprised! I was touched that she is so concerned for her patients. She always listened to me like a friend. Not a lot of doctors today give you that kind of time.
   
7. Scheduled c-section made this a much more relaxing birth. Chris and I even had a date night the night before, because my mom took CW.

Hello Again Cyber-World

Well, what have I been up to during my time off?

The boys and I took our summer adventure up to Charlevoix to meet my friend and artist, Annie. It was a magical trip. We had the most darling cabin and Annie showed us all around her town. Ivan is still asking when we can go back.

Early this autumn, the boys found this huge mushroom. I thought they were exaggerating until they dragged me out to see it. I love that they know enough to not touch things they are unfamiliar with. My boys will make good mountain men someday. lol

And this is my niece, E. She is so adorable! She's generally very sweet, but so full of energy. Just like her dad.

And finally, when CW brought the sock monkey home, he had to find a good photo. Too bad mom dropped the ball and forgot to get the pic ordered in time. Oh well, we read the books and had fun within our own little family.

I've been cooking up a storm. I bake bread, muffins, cookies and cakes. Most recently I made a strawberry shortcake - diner style - and both boys have already requested it for their birthday cakes. Carolyn has requested a cheesecake for Christmas. Money is tight, so I am more than happy to do this for her.

I made home-made green bean casserole for Thanksgiving, perfected my pumpkin roll and pecan pie as well. I'm learning and my family benefits. Last night when I asked if they wanted breakfast for dinner or spaghetti - there was a resounding "spaghetti" shout out. I make it from scratch...ok I'm using canned tomatoes, but there's no sugar. It's sweetened with carrots and celery. Best of all, Ivan eats it up. I used ground venison from my Uncle and ground beef from the Agoff's. I thought the boys would turn their nose up at the gamey flavor of the venison. Nope, they cleaned it up!

I've been struggling with "what do I want to be when I grow up." The fact is, I have the accounting degree, but when I think about going back to an office, I panic. When I think of going to culinary school, I light up. I would make it happen, but there isn't one in my area...not even close. So until I figure out how to become a chef without formal training, I'll just keep cooking away.

I miss blogging and I am still reading, so I thought I'd start writing here again. I'm going to share my culinary endeavors, book reviews, and life in general.

Facebook isn't the only time waster...

there's also cracked.com.

If Famous Websites Were People -- powered by Cracked.com

I'm enjoying the utter lack of pressure with reading. Yeah! And I've been cooking up a storm. We had lots of cheese last week, thanks to Food Network Magazine and my father in law who let me snag it from him. lol

I've played with my boys more, which is priceless. And I've spent more time with my husband, which I also think is priceless.