Friday, August 30, 2013

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio


Release Date: May 2011 (first publication)
Publisher: Otherworld Publications LLC

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Ever wonder what it would be like to team up two paranormal research teams and toss them into an area with high paranormal activity? Throw in the fact that each team has their own style of investigating and a few members of the teams have their own unique abilities and you have a volatile mix ripe for twists and turns.

For Zach and his crew, this situation is a reality. As the investigators spend the 48 hours combing through Rosewood Asylum's history and chasing the ghost stories, hidden secrets and betrayals of both the past and present attempt to derail the entire operation. The main worry on Zach's mind is whether or not everyone gets out of Rosewood Asylum intact - mentally and physically - when the secrets are laid bare.

Review:
Right from the beginning, the reader is shown how deeply conflicted Zach is about what he believes he needs to be doing and what the network controlling his show thinks he should do. Whispers of doubt plague him after Zach begins to notice how things aren't adding up. The author does a good job of building the level of anxiety in the character. Although Zach is often a logical thinking, he can be misled by the amount of trust he has in those closest to him.

I was glad to see that all the characters in the book have distinct personalities. When the two groups of investigators merged, I had anticipated a certain amount of blending between the characters. It was great to see each one retain their own flaws and quirks. There are similarities among those that do each type of work in the investigation. The researchers share their passion for accuracy and are determined to find the answers needed. Tech guys seem to have their own common language although they are from different areas and backgrounds. Even Zach and his rival host, Bryce, share leadership qualities though their investigating styles are completely different.

The pacing of the story was well maintained throughout the book. When the story began, the investigation had also started. Things moved slowly before building into a feverish climax. Each chapter brought out a new piece of the puzzle. As both Zach and the reader put them together, it almost seemed as if the reader was a part of the investigation as well. There were a couple of points in the story that I had to go back and reread the passages simply because I had failed to note the date on the entry. Other than those few instances, I had no trouble being carried away by the story.

Overall, I think the author was able to mix present day elements with the known historical events that many people may recognize as they read the book. It was exciting to be able to connect with the story on that level. This book is among those that kept me turning the pages. I wanted, soon needed, to know what happened to the group as events reached their peak. If you are looking for a well-written story about ghost hunting from two points of view with a ton of scares in between, you should consider picking this one up.

Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio is available in hardback or paperback as well as in Kindle form. It can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking the following link.
Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Currently Reading

This past week seemed to speed away from me! I had so much planned and was able to do about half of the things I wanted to accomplish. Since my husband began a new job, we're trying to get used to a new sleep schedule. That doesn't bode well for my frequent bouts of insomnia so I've been turning to my Kindle for company more often than an actual book. So far, trying to cram as many written pages into daylight hours as possible has been like trying to clean dirt.

Nonetheless, I have managed to keep myself occupied in the book department. My pile of giveaway reads is slowly diminishing. Having an opportunity to clear out some of the books to be read on my Kindle will help to keep the thing from planning a revolt anytime soon. I'm super happy for this Wednesday because a close friend of mine and I are doing a book swap. She's got half a dozen books that I've been wanting to read. I've got a bag full of books for her to pick from. It's awesome to have a fellow addict to share with!


This week, I'm going to be reading:
The Kill List by Frederick Forsyth
Beautiful Whispers by Alice Ayden
Where We Belong by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Plastic Tulips in the Winter by Denice Vickers


I've finished these books so far:
The Haunted Hikikomori by Lawrence Pearce
Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo


Do you have someone or a group of people that you swap books with? If so, how often do you exchange books or titles? Hope you all are able to get some good reads this week!


Until next time,
Kay

Monday, August 26, 2013

Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly


Release Date:  June 18, 2013
Publisher:  Gallery Books

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Alexandra James covers the higher education beat for The Chronicle, a newspaper in the heart of Boston. Sent on what she expected to be an ordinary story about a student falling from the roof of a local university building, Alexandra quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems on the surface. The deceased, Thom Carlyle, is the son of a powerful Washington attorney and thus the wild goose chase has begun when it is revealed that certain aspects of the police investigation aren't making sense.

Using her reporter's intuition, she retraces Thom's steps during his time overseas in England as part of a student exchange program between Cambridge and Harvard. As the number of questions rise, so too does the level of danger that Alexandra finds herself in. What started as a straight-forward death investigation has now touched areas of secrecy inside the government that few are allowed to know about. Will she live to tell everything she knows? Will it be in time to prevent something catastrophic from happening?

Review:
From the start, I must say that I am glad to win this book from a Goodreads.com giveaway. From the very beginning of the first chapter, there is a sense that a much larger, grander scheme is at work and not just a simple death to be looked into. The reader is thrust into the action with little to no explanation. We have to figure it out alongside the main character, Alexandra James, as she does her investigating. In truth, that type of approach can sometimes put a reader off a story but I thought it was used very effectively in this book.

Each of the characters has their own distinct personality and quirks galore. I honestly believe their flaws are what make the characters more believable. The facts that Alexandra has a weakness for liquor and shoes (among other things) and has a bad habit of standing up her best friend make her seem more real than just a person on a page. This same can be said of her boss, Hyde and his love of all things exotic from wall coverings to the disastrously nasty liquors he keeps in his office as a form of punishment for the reporters.

The pacing of the book started off quite steady, maintaining a good speed for much of the first half of the book. It did seem a little slow in a few places in the middle but picked back up as it neared the crest of the action. As the plot neared the peak of activity, the feeling of panic was quite easily evoked by the author's descriptions and timeline of events. It was refreshing to me that the resolution of the story didn't end abruptly after a specific point. The characters were giving ample opportunity and time to do what was needed to tie up the loose ends. That door for a sequel is open just a tiny bit. We'll have to wait and see what the author has up her sleeve.

Overall, I enjoyed the world set before me in the book. Though I'm not very knowledgeable on the subjects of politics or reporting, I found it easy to get swept up in the writing and learn as I turned each page. There's only one question that the book left me asking. What happened to Philby? If you're looking for a well-paced, action-packed thriller to keep you busy, then definitely give this book a shot.

Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly is available at various online stores including Amazon.com. It can be purchased in either hardback, paperback or Kindle form. By clicking the link below, you can make your purchase.
Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Conditions of Love by Dale M. Kushner


Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Growing up fast in the last part of the 1950s wasn't easy for the likes of Eunice. The first decade of her life had been spent wondering who her father was and why he was never around. It was only when he unexpectedly showed up one morning that she began to think her life could be as normal as the way it was in the movies or for the kids she went to school with. Life's never that easy as she would soon find out as he left them for a second time, leaving more devistation and heartache in his wake.

Though she tried, Eunice never really received the affection she wanted from her mother. When they moved from their small hometown to start anew, Eunice began questioning everything she had ever been taught by her mother and reached within herself to find some semblance of belief. After a flood ravage the town, Eunice was left on her own, her mother taking off with the local deli owner to California, and began to cultivate a life in the forest with the kindness of a stranger. But even that love wasn't meant to last.

Being a minor, she was forced into a foster home until Fate itself intervened and sent her a sign that she belonged somewhere else. Following the direction of love's compass, she left the foster house and made her way into the arms of the only person who wanted her as much as she wanted in return. With all the secrets she carried, could she ever really find peace among the rows of crops or bleating of the sheep? Will she finally find the true Eunice buried underneath all that she had been told for so many years?

Review:
I'm very glad to have won this book from a Goodreads.com giveaway. It's not the normal type of book that I would have picked up but I was intrigued by the blurb on its page. I'm very thankful that I entered. Once I began to delve into the world of Eunice, I didn't want to come out until I had reached the very last page in order to know everything that I could.

The life of Eunice is broken into three parts or the three acts of love. Each one shows both us, the reader, and Eunice the perils and joy that love can bring in its many forms. From silly, childish love of her parents and those around her to the pitfalls of adolescent attraction, Eunice has to gauge everything in the scope of what she knows. That in and of itself is very little thanks to her mother who is caught up in her own wants and needs while often daydreaming of finding someone to swoop in and make everything better with the snap of his fingers. Somehow, Eunice seems to find some sort of strength within her to make peace with everything and do what needs to be done for those who have given her the most of what she sought - love.

To say that I got lost within some of these characters would be an understatement. The author chose to set the book within a time when the world was on the brink of extraordinary change and I do believe it works well within the story. I don't believe the story would have been quite as believable if it were set in more recent history. The world was very much a different place in the late 1950s/early 1960s. People were much different then, as well, and the story reflects that difference with beauty and respect.

Many times I forgot that Eunice was still a young adult because she had been thrown into situations where she had to grow up fast to deal with what was happening around her. She still had her moments of childish behavior but by and large, she was a woman before she needed to be. I think that's a large portion of why the character has stuck with me after reading. Each of the characters come with their own backgrounds, secrets and quirks that add to the atmosphere of the story.

I had no trouble at all the pacing of the story. It was quick enough to keep me engaged in what was going on while slow enough to allow me to absorb the surroundings and the consequences of what happened to the characters. In the end, I would have never have guessed that this was the author's first novel. It is very well written. If you're looking for a good book to cool up to and get lost within, this is definitely the one you need to pick up!

The Conditions of Love by Dale M. Kushner is available in both paperback and Kindle forms. It can be purchased at Amazon.com in either form by clicking the link below.
The Conditions of Love by Dale M. Kushner



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Currently Reading

I cannot tell you how happy I am to not be sick this past week. Of course, I have my run of the mill worries, but nothing like the ickyness that I had the past few weeks. Being free of the crud, I was able to make a small dent in the pile of books. Hopefully the trend continues for the next few days.

The later half of the year looks to be an extremely busy one in this house. Not only are the books an ever present priority, but I have the end of the charity project coming up. The deadline is the last week of October so that we have time to sew in any tails and launder the hats and scarves before giving them to the children at the Behavioral Center in early November.

November 1st is also the start of NaNoWriMo. If you're unfamiliar with what that is, it's where people all over the world take the month of November to write 50,000 (or more) of a novel. I have attempted it many times, succeeding only twice. This year just might be the third. You can visit the NaNoWriMo website for more information by clicking the link ( www.nanowrimo.org) and signing up is free.


Working through these books:
Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo
The Haunted Hikikomori by Lawrence Pearce
Beautiful Whispers by Alice Ayden

Conquered these:
The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic
A Familiar Fate by Hope McLaren
Blood Flats by Edward Trimnell 
A History of Stone and Steel by Christopher Fisher


Hearing the groaning of my Kindle app tells me that I may have to spend some extra time reading these e-books that I've been collecting. So, readers, what books are you working on this week?

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, August 19, 2013

Tantra (The Anu Files #1) by Adi


Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Anu needed a break in the worst way from her life as a Guardian in New York. Despite all the warnings she had been given, she fell in love and allowed her guard to slip. That lapse in judgement ended badly for Anu and drove her to the land of her ancestors, India, in the hopes of finding vengenance and salvation within each fight she immersed herself into on the city's streets.

Unfortunately for her, the way of life in India is vastly different from that as she had come to know in New York. Her kick-butt-and-take-names-later type of approach doesn't go over well in the area and gets her into more trouble than she first realizes. She soon becomes embroiled in a situation that could impact the lives of everyone in the world. Anu must master herself in order to save those who have become close to her despite the longing to seclude herself from everyone. The only question is will she master it all in time?

Review:
Winning this book in a free giveaway at Goodreads.com allowed me to read a book that I might not have picked up otherwise. Nowadays I'm very reluctant to pick up something that has vampires in because there seems to be a ton of books flooding that particular genre. However this book soon showed itself to be much more than a story about vampires. Though they were present in the story and played a major role, we were also introduced to the spiritual side of India through the story. Ghosts, demons, goblins - they all popped up a time or two to make their presence felt.

Vampires within this story aren't exactly like the vampires we believe them to be. Explained within the view of the Karmic system, they are somehow stuck between incarnations on their way to enlightenment. To me, this was an interesting twist on the usual vampire lore. Combining this with the history of sattvic, tantra, and Indian deities made for a very interesting read.

The story is set at a good pace, neither too fast or too slow. The reader is introduced to the main character, Anu, and the reason for her journey to India early in the story but we're not given all the details. We are just as blind to the way the Guardians work in the Delhi area as she is when she begins her first night in town. The characters' reactions and dialogue seemed truly authentic to the events that happened and each one of the characters maintained their distinct personalities throughout the story.

In addition to all of the problems Anu faced in her working life, we're also given glimpses of the social/home life within Indian society. All of the rules and protocols one must follow to preserve the family's reputation are minefields that Anu must navigate all while keeping her work as a Guardian secret. I really enjoyed seeing the human side of Anu in these situations as they made a definite contrast to her work.

Overall, I loved that the location was somewhere in the world other than the usual locations for vampire lore. It brought a different feel to the story that was really enjoyable. Since this is the beginning of a series, I can't wait to see what other adventures Anu gets herself into. If you like things a little out of the ordinary in strange places, this is the perfect book for you to pick!

Tantra (The Anu Files #1) by Adi is available in both Kindle and paperback forms. The paperback was released in March 2013 by Apeejay Stya Publishing. Both versions can be bought from Amazon.com at the link provided below.
Tantra (The Anu Files #1) by Adi

Friday, August 16, 2013

The Suburban Abyss: A Novel by Cathryn Grant


Rating:  3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
When construction begins on the new medical center directly behind their homes, the residents of the neighboring cul-de-sac find their lives flipped upside down. Each has their own way of coping with the intrusion. Some choose to ignore the monstrosity. Others try to fight back in the small ways they know how. Yet others wait, plot and plan - just in case.

While the construction gives the individual residents a reason to come together, each one begins to realize just how little they knew about their neighbors. Secrets, no matter how deeply buried, have a way of creeping through the muck and revealing themselves for all to see. These residents begin to learn this the hard way as an unnerving discovery is made within the dirt pit of the construction site. They feared the outside intrusion but how well can they trust their neighbors?

Review:
After winning this book from a free giveaway at Goodreads.com, I couldn't wait for it to arrive so that I could delve into this neighborhood and discover what may be lurking under the shiny, pleasant exterior of those facades. I have to say that if I could give the book a half rating, then my final rating for this would be a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The author does a wonderful job of describing both the area in which the characters live and the characters themselves. Each one has a distinct personality with varied reactions to the threat of urban development lingering near their backyards. It was easy to tell how the person was going to react once they were established in your mind. I also liked how varied the backgrounds of the characters were. Yes, they had some similarities as neighbors sometimes do but in large part, they each brought some kind of different angle to the picture of the whole cul-de-sac.

While the story was engaging and the characters intriguing, the amount of time spent building up to the action was more than I expected. The action itself felt a bit rushed toward the end as everything came to a head and then resolved in a few chapters. To me, it felt like a ride building up steam and then jerking to a stop suddenly. I would have liked to either had the action begin a little earlier or more insight added to the conclusion.

Overall, I really liked the plot and the characters did remind me of some people that I've met along the way. The very fact that they resembled real people with real flaws brought the story a little too close to home a few times. It certainly makes you wonder who might be sleeping in the house next to you. If you're looking for a story that will draw you in and peel back the shiny layer of appearances to show you the dark side of reality, then this book is right up your alley. Better make sure you lock those doors first. You wouldn't want the neighbors to know your secrets.

The Suburban Abyss: A Novel by Cathryn Grant can be bought in either paperback or Kindle form. The book was originally published in paperback in January 2013 by D2C Perspectives. It can be purchased from Amazon.com by following the link provided below.
The Suburban Abyss: A Novel by Cathryn Grant

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Currently Reading

Yay! The summer cold that I've fought for the past two weeks have finally decided to leave! Now, I can get back into my groove as far as reading and reviewing goes. I tried to keep going the first week although the words kept melding together. Last week wasn't too bad but I still slept more than I wanted. So far this week is turning out to be a pretty good one.

My Kindle app on my laptop is beginning to groan. I'm going to have to do some serious reading over the next couple of weeks to get the numbers on it down. I pick up a lot of free books from Amazon.com whenever the authors put it on sale. Needless to say, the Kindle app is wanting to stage a revolt until I get myself back in gear.

The weather's shifting toward Fall here so I imagine that I'll have plenty of nights where I'm unable to sleep. Perfect time to whip out the laptop and read while everyone else sleeps. Not to mention that I still have my community project and writing to work on. So, back into the fray, I go!


This week, I am on a quest to vanquish:
Blood Flats by Edward Trimnell 
The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic
A Familiar Fate by Hope McLaren
A History of Stone and Steel by Christopher Fisher


I have conquered:
Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio
Cemetery Lake: A Thriller by Paul Cleave


Which do you find easier to read, e-books or printed?


Until next time,
Kay

Monday, August 12, 2013

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener



Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Can the events of one year impact our lives twenty or thirty years down the road? For Professor Richard Powell and his group of childhood friends, the answer is undoubtedly yes. In 1971, he and his friends named their group the Fellowship of the Rock in order to honor the bond between them forged by their friendship with a fallen friend as well as their conversions to Christ.

In 1976, the faith of those within the Fellowship will be tested as a new battle looms on the horizon. Richard and his comrades come face to face with what could very well be a demon on a mission to find something, an item it has been hunting for twenty-five years. Will the Fellowship stay strong as it is tested? Will their faith falter in the face of adversity? What will it all mean for those involved years later?
 
Review:
I won this book from a giveaway at Goodreads.com and was drawn in by the blurb used to describe the book. At the time, I didn't know that the subject matter was so heavy but when I dove into the book, it truly didn't matter. The story moved at a pretty good pace that the weight of the words didn't have time to bear down on the reader's shoulders for too long before moving onto the next subject.

This book is the second in a series that began with A Season of Miracles, where we're introduced to Richard and his band of brothers as they face some pretty grownup situations and come together in the way that tragedy and triumph can connect others. I was very pleased to learn that it also is a great stand-alone read. While some of the plot is impacted by events in the first book, the author does a good job of letting the reader know the necessary information without completely rehashing the first book.

For me, the book did start off a little slow but began to pick up the pace quickly as the main plot presented itself. I was drawn into the book by the characters. Each of them were distinctly written and enjoyable to read. It was easy to envision myself among the Fellowship of the Rock as they went about their adventures. At times I found myself cheering, anxious and angry - signs that the author did his job well, in my opinion. Though the thread of finding salvation is woven into the the story, it's not beating the reader upside the head on a constant basis. Yes, there are moments where characters are compelled to convert but it's not the central theme of the story though it plays a vital part. If you are looking for a captivating, eccentric and enjoyable read, I recommend both this book and its predecessor, A Season of Miracles.

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener is available in various forms including paperback and Kindle. The book was originally released in April 2013 and published by Kregel Publications. It can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener

Friday, August 9, 2013

Unseen by John Michael Hileman




Rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Jake Paris was a regular, average guy who had a live-in girlfriend and a job that kept him on his toes. He was promoted within the company at regular intervals with high hopes of landing a position near the top of his department. That was his plan until the moment everything changed and his world crumbled around him in every way possible.

After receiving an unexpected visit from a strange old woman, Jake is seeing children in places that children would never be expected. What is more surprising to his the fact that no one else around him can see or hear them. Just Jake. He turns to his friend, Dan, for help but before they can make progress in understanding the reasons why, Jake receives news that his nephew has been abducted.

As the drama surrounding the abduction unfolds, Jake is caught between two worlds. He does his best to manage both but the stress pulls him under. He begins to doubt himself. It's only with a little bit of divine intervention that he's able to find the right thing to do. But will it be in time to not only help himself, but to help Gabe as well?

Review:
This story will not end the way you think it will. Yes, it involves a serial killer. Yes, it has children being abducted and families ripped apart. But man, does it trick you! I thought I had everything lined up and knew where it was heading only to have the rug pulled out from under me! For once, I was genuinely wrong about a plot and enjoyed it.

The characters are well written and draw you into their state of mind easily. The only hard part about the entire book was trying to decipher the dialogue of the youngest children. The author spelled it as the child would have actually said the words. The characters were flawed in a realistic way. I have to say that the only downfall to the book that I could find was that the ending seemed a little rushed. It was more like a quick tying up of loose ends rather than anything. However, the conclusion of the book was very much worth the ride to it.

This is one of those quick-to-read books that takes you on a wild ride through a bunch of twists and turns only to leave you with a good feeling toward the end. Without spoiling the entire book, I will simply say that I had to give it 3.5 stars because it was a good story that didn't drag things out or try to make itself seem larger than it truly was. Although I don't think it's one that I'll read over and over again, I definitely enjoyed it while I had it. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary to spend some time with, this is definitely the book to turn to!

Unseen by John Michael Hileman is available in both paperback and Kindle forms. The book was released in August 2012 by Amlin Publishing. John Michael Hileman is the author of several other books including Messages and Voices. His works can be purchased from Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
Unseen by John Michael Hileman

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Currently Reading

Another week, another Currently Reading post!

This past week I admit doesn't have but one read book. Between being sick and seeing double, my mind refused to concentrate on the words. I tried switching between my e-books and actual books to mix things up to no avail. Thankfully the medicines have kicked the majority of the illness out of my body. There are currently two books that will be done either later tonight or early tomorrow. It feels so good to be back among my books!

For the next seven days, I working through:
Blood Flats by Edward Trimnell 
Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio
Cemetery Lake: A Thriller by Paul Cleave
The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic


I have been able to finish:
Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly


Since the kids are beginning to find their way back to class, is that opening up time for anyone to read? If so, what's on your list this week?

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, August 5, 2013

Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen



Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
In a person's lifetime, there is at least one moment that changes everything. Nothing is ever the same, experiences forever tinged with the haunting memory of what could have or should have been. This is especially true for James Milligan and those who care about him.

James was shy, introverted as a young boy until the summer he met his friend, Stephen. From that moment, his life was forever changed. It was changed again the night that Stephen was killed. For nearly two decades after his best friend's death, James wandered the world doing only what he had to do in order to get by and very rarely allowing anyone to see the real James beneath his hardened shell. The only small glimpses of his true self are revealed when he sits with the Veterans during their last moments on the earth at the Veterans Hospital, built and named after his own father.

Life has a funny way of teaching us the most basic principles. When it's time for a lesson, there is no stopping the education from happening. James learns this the hard way as a series of events calls up the horrible night in which he lost his best friend and forces James back into the world of emotions, love and simply living.

Review:
Having won this book from a free giveaway at Goodreads.com, I was a little apprehensive to begin reading it. Much like the main character in the book, James, I suffered the loss of someone very close to me and I wasn't exactly sure that I could read this book and review it in the way that it truly needed to be done. After taking a deep breath and settling into the first few chapters, it became apparent that I needed to read this book.

The story is truly tragic, uplifting, maddening and heart-wrenching at the same time. Just like traveling by train, the speed of the beginning was a little slow as we're introduced to James and the characters most important to him, his world of obligations and the emotions he constantly tries to avoid. And just as train begins to pick up speed, the story moves forward at pace that both James and the reader finds baffling at times. Once the destination nears, the story does exactly what it was intended to do - not only entertain for a few hours but to impart a bit of life's wisdom to each and every one of us.

The message in the book is crystal clear that we should never take a moment or a person for granted. The characters in the book teach this lesson to the reader in their own separate ways that will leave a lasting impression upon the reader long after the last word's been read and the cover closed. The book is full of love, laughter, tears, fears, brotherhood and life lessons. If you're looking for a story that is both heartwarming and tragic, this is definitely the book for you. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen is currently available for purchase in either paperback or Kindle form. The book was originally released in February 2013 by Ann Gillen Books. It can be bought at Amazon.com by clicking below.
Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

August's Hopes and Dreams

Wow! Is it really August already? Where the heck did the summer go?

It almost always surprises me how quickly the last half of the year seems to zoom by while the beginning appears to drag its feet. I'm actually grateful that the last bit of July and these first few days of August have been unseasonably cool. It's been a blessing for me in a lot of ways. Cooler temperatures around here generally means lower humidity. That allows my breathing to be less labored and my dependence on medication drops to more manageable and diserable levels. Let's just say, I won't have to lug a couple dozen pill bottles and various breathing apparatuses around with me just to go to the store!

The past few months haven't been all bad. Having been able to read some really good books has brightened my days more than I had imagined when I began this journey. I've always been a bookworm but this blog has allowed me to really explore books that I might have otherwise not read. If I'm to be completely honest, I almost never read romance novels unless they were the only option available. I just never really saw their appeal. Though I'm not a complete, avid fan of the genre, I do appreciate a well written romance novel now and again. Not to mention, I've found that not all government/conspiracy thrillers are poorly put together either. Historical fiction has been another genre that I've struggled with in the past. Now, they aren't so difficult to wade through - even if they aren't well-written.

Honestly, I believe that broadening my reading horizons has also helped my writing. I feel more relaxed in letting the words flow through my fingers. Hitting the backspace has become less frequent as I put everything down to go back through it later. Does this mean that I'll become the next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King? Probably not, but as long as I fulfill the calling within my heart, I'll be happy. Isn't that what life is all about anyway?

I'm sure you've noticed the changes in some of the reviews as of late. Still trying to find my exact voice in them, I have been visiting other blogs and seeing what publishers/readers want to know most from a book review. Therefore, I'm still finding my footing and playing with the format of the reviews somewhat. Please hang in there with me! I'll get it right eventually. It's my wish that this month brings more reviews and more exciting books!

Thank you for coming along with the ride!
Until next time,
Kay

Friday, August 2, 2013

I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker


 Rating:  3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Christine Bacon had plenty to worry about in her everyday, run-of-the-mill type of life. With her job as a teacher, her insurance selling husband and two girls, there was plenty to worry about - and then some since she's also a hypochondriac. Every little bump, bruise, mole, cough - it all is a small piece of a much larger, more terrifying puzzle that will ultimately lead to her death. Or so she believes.

Stepping out of her comfort zone in order to keep her world together, Christine decides to give into one of her husband's fantasies. Unfortunately, it all goes horribly wrong and she winds up on the receiving end of a divorce petition. While navigating her increasing number of symptoms to a myriad of diseases, fighting the good fight with both preteen and teenage angst, and learning to love herself completely, Christine must find a way to take back her identity or risk losing everything all at once.

Review:
This book is definitely written for a mature audience for its adult themes and language. Right from the start, we're thrown into the middle of Christine and Richard's marriage as it falls apart. They were living the all-American dream complete with the dog, house and two kids. Life was going well, or so Christine thought. As we ride along with Christine, we can see that she loves her husband enough to force herself from her comfort zone and battle the inner diagnostician as they arrive at the hotel for the encounter guaranteed to spice up their love life.

It all goes downhill from there for the characters. Each of them must deal with the fallout from the infidelity, divorce and moving on in their new roles. The honest way in which the author portrays the characters helps to keep the story moving at a steady pace as well as provides the emotional punches to which many can relate. Though divorce may be common in this country, the road labelled "moving on" isn't always an easy on to take. Both Christine's and Richard's journeys reflect that in the book.

All in all, I loved how honest the main character's reactions were. She clearly had issues stemming from childhood that no one really wanted to take time to address. Again, that's something many could relate to. The author is able to draw you in and make you care about the characters, leaving you with tears of both sadness and happiness by the time the end of the book comes along. This book is definitely a great story if you're looking for a guilty pleasure and want to root for the underdog!

I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker is currently available in both paperback and Kindle forms. The paperback version was originally released in Jul 2012 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Either one of the forms can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker