Friday, February 28, 2014

The Innocent Sleep: A Novel by Karen Perry


Release Date: February 18, 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
After experiencing the devastating loss of a child in the midst of an earthquake in Tangier, Harry and Robin moved back to her native Dublin in order to rebuild their lives. Five years later their lives were turned upside down as Harry uncovered clues that their son might still be alive. He kept these secret until he could be absolutely certain it was the truth.

In the midst of Harry's plight, Robin found herself struggling with her own unexpected discovery. Soon each began to crack under the weight of their secrets and lies, leading to explosive revelations being laid bare. Can their marriage survive the layers of hurt, betrayal and deceit? Will they know the truth once and for all about the earthquake?

Review:
This title was available for review at NetGalley. Upon reading the description, I requested the book and was approved. I was intrigued by the description but the book itself turned out to be so much more than the sample hinted. The book wasn't one of those where the story began slow, gearing up to a climax and then dropped off into a neat conclusion, complete with a bow. No, this story kept its quick, steady pace from the end of the very first paragraph. I admit, it took a little getting used to the way the story would flip between Harry's and Robin's perspectives but having their names at the beginning of their chapters helped a great deal.

As mentioned above, the story was centered around a married couple which must deal with the horrible reality of losing a child and the unimaginable task of rebuilding their lives afterward. Neither of the main characters were completely honest with the other from the beginning. Instead, they began weaving such a web of lies and betrayal that leads the reader to wonder what else will be revealed at the end of each chapter. There was a sharpness, barely disguised angry edge, to many of the couple's interactions. At times I felt like an awkward bystander witnessing the disintegration of their marriage. These flaws and realistic reactions helped to make the characters seem real to me.

Even a revelation that should have been met with happiness, joy and wonder was tarnished by their past. I was sincerely worried for both of the main characters at different points in the story. One was slowly coming unhinged as the other was left alone to stew in their own thoughts and worries. As I read a third of the book, I was completely engrossed in their lives, both past and present paths, and couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next. As the truth became clearer, I grew hungrier for the next grain of truth, the next revelation.

The ending was not what I expected. I have read plenty of books with flawed characters, mysteries and twisted endings. But this was one that I hadn't seen coming. It was most definitely a pleasure to read though my heart was hurting for the ones dealing with everything in the end. Overall, I found the book to be very engaging and quite good at keeping my attention throughout the course of the story. If you're looking for a wild, emotional ride and an in-depth look at the destruction lies, grief and betrayal are capable of, I would recommend this book.

The Innocent Sleep: A Novel by Karen Perry is available at many online retailers in either hardcover or Kindle formats. You can purchase a copy by clicking the link provided below.
The Innocent Sleep: A Novel by Karen Perry

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Currently Reading

I'll be honest. This past week wasn't the best for me. I've been sick with bronchitis and then the flu. Now the temps outside seem to be riding The Beast from King's Island or something. So, this will be a short post today. Back to the regularly scheduled nutiness next week.


This week's TBR pile includes;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2) by Stephen King
The Adversary: The Sundering, Book III by Erin M. Evans


Finally finished these;
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
Asylum (Birch Harbor #1) by Kristen Selleck
Bonyo Bonyo: The Story of a Brave Boy from Kenya by Vanita Oelschlager 

Hope you all have a fantastic week.

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, February 24, 2014

House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty


Release Date: January 14, 2014
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Dr. Betsy Path has her hands full with her latest patient, sullen teen and Goth extraordinaire, Daisy Hart. Despite her best efforts, Dr. Path was unable to have any type of breakthrough until she was in the midst of her own personal crisis. The two lives became entwined as a series of unexpected events led them halfway around the world and explored the ramifications of history 400 years earlier.

Secrets from the pasts of both Dr. Path and Daisy played a crucial role in the continuing legacy of Elizabeth Bathory, one of the most prolific killers in history. While in Slovakia at the very castle in which a majority of evil deeds were committed, Betsy learned the truth behind her father's cryptic messages and found that sometimes it pays for life to be a bit logical.

Review:
I was able to read a copy through NetGalley and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. This was my first time reading anything by Linda Lafferty, something that I will look into rectifying as soon as I'm able. The author did a great job weaving together events that happen 400 years apart. Though it did get a little confusing at times (especially when I forgot to read the small bit of information at the start of each chapter), I was able to find my way in the story with little difficulty.

The author had a great many layers to her novel. From the legends surrounding an actual figure in history to incorporating Carl Jung's writings and methods of psychoanalysis, they all became as threads woven in a tapestry and revealed how interconnected human life can really be - even in the modern day. I loved that the author took the time to write what life might have been like living under Countess Elizabeth Bathory's rule. It was a departure from simply taking the historical information available and interjecting it throughout the modern side of the story. Instead, the world of Bathory came alive and shared the richness of the colors, the sharpness of its smells and the lingering tang of fear in air.

After a slow start, the pacing of the story picked up and continued steadily until the end. In fact, I'd say there were a few places where it seemed a little rushed but with the events unfolding, it was plausible to be moving at a faster rate. When it came to the characters, I felt more of a connection with those in the 1600s than with the main character and others from modern times. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the other characters. The cast as a whole were well-rounded and seemed to have enough personality differences to keep them from running together.

The only drawbacks I found with the book were small ones. As I mentioned previously, I felt like some of the moments were rushed and that left some explanations for things by the wayside. For example, there is a Bathory cousin who devotes himself entirely to Elizabeth's memory and yet there's no reason to explain why other than he's mentally ill. There was an attempted explanation within a letter left by Betsy's father, but it never conclusively mentioned a source of the obsession. Some decisions made by a few characters seemed off somehow such as Daisy and Kyle's meeting and his character not adding much to the story other than to fill a plot hole.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was a fairly good mixture of past and present that kept me turning pages to find out what was going to happen. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and this novel genuinely reflected that notion within its pages. If you're looking for a great way to spend a few night's wrapped in legend and family struggles, this is the book for you.

House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty is currently available at many retailers. It can be purchase in paperback, Kindle and audio-book formats at Amazon by clicking the link below.
House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty

Friday, February 21, 2014

A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert


Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Wolfgang Pike came to Waverly Hills in order to heal the patients, both physically and spiritually. He was a priest-in-training when he fell in love with Rose, the woman who laid claim to his heart and revealed his second passion for healing others. It was in her memory that he continued tending to the many patients fighting the scourge of the time - tuberculosis.

Yet, in the midst of the fight, forces all around the sanatorium seemed to pull Wolfgang in dozens of directions. Will he be able to follow his own moral and ethical code when faced with difficult decisions? Will he be able to withstand the unrelenting pressures of living within the shadow of death and disease at Waverly Hills?

Review:
The history of Waverly Hills has always intrigued me since I first learned of it decades ago. The amount of heartache, tests of faith, and sorrow experienced within its walls must have been overwhelming to those who struggled to care for the many patients who turned to the staff for healing. Therefore, my interest was definitely piqued when I saw this novel available at NetGalley.

The events written within the novel were fiction but based upon the rich history of Waverly Hills, the surrounding areas, the city of Louisville and the current events sweeping the nation during the time period in which the novel was set. To me, the author did a wonderful job of mixing the racial tension, animosity leftover from the World War I and the trouble between Prohibition keepers and the bootleggers. I truly enjoyed the many layers of the book and especially liked the moments where the injustices were challenged. That's not to say the book was all rainbows and happiness. There were real consequences for the characters in the book whenever they began to go against the norms society held in place.

Much of the book centered around Wolfgang Pike, a doctor and student in training for the priesthood. Within the walls of Waverly, he had a small group of devoted friends among the staff and patients. Each of them played their part well in the story as it unfolded. The sweeping changes that took place, both in the characters themselves and the sanatorium, were realistic to the time in which the story was set. It was very easy to become lost within the story and feel what Wolfgang was going through at certain parts of the book. That made it much more enjoyable for me.

I was surprised that the author was able to mix some actual history into the story. The descriptions of the various floors and surrounding landscapes created a picture within my mind of a majestic, state of the art hospital in its time and not the broken down vessel often shown on TV or in pictures today. The author's use of the hospital's lore also gave the story an added dimension of realism, especially the use of Nurse Rita and the story of the Death Chute.

All in all, this book was a wonderful read that kept me up late every night that I was able to read it. I was able to see the story as a movie within my mind as I read the words, a testament to the dedication to realism that the author employed. There were some moments when I felt the pacing began to slow down, only to have it pick up again in the next moment. For anyone who enjoys historical fiction, Waverly Hills or simply a well-crafted stories that hits all the right buttons for a reader, I recommend this one highly.

A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert is currently available in either paperback, hardcover or Kindle formats. You can purchase a copy from Amazon by clicking the link provided below.
A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Currently Reading

I'm really glad that it's Wednesday. Only a few more days until the weekend and an opportunity to do some hardcore reading! I feel so bad that my TBR is so long. Not only on my Kindle, but in print books as well. I see them sitting there, waiting for me to pick them up and open their covers, and it makes me feel sad.

I'll also be glad to be done with doctor appointments for the week. It seems the flu bug decided to settle in our home. I already had an infection I was fighting and bam! Hello, flu! Hello, another doctor appointment. Being sick is no fun, but it does give me the perfect excuse to feed my word habit. When I'm not sleeping, that is.


These titles are up next;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
Asylum (Birch Harbor #1) by Kristen Selleck


These have been crossed off this week;
The Godborn: The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp
The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson


Despite the sickness and everything that comes with it, I was able to edit a full chapter of my NaNo12 and work on a new story. Maybe it's the sickness making me delirious enough to work through the problems. Do you ever find being sick helps you to write? Please let me know in the comments below.

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, February 17, 2014

Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks


Release Date: November 24, 2012
Publisher: Parthian Press
Series: Tales of Alterra, The World That Is

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
All his life Gorgon knew one mission - to wipe as many Elves as possible from the face of Alterra. He was an abomination, created by the Darkness for the very purpose, and he relished each life he took. At least, he did before the day he crossed paths with a Woodland She-Elf by the name of Gaelen Taldin and her cousin, Nelwyn.

After the Elves witnessed his destruction first-hand, they swore an oath of vengeance for the lives lost and set out to exact their revenge. Their company increases in number along the way as they encounter others who join the quest, but for reasons of their own. Will the company be able to stop Gorgon before he accomplishes his task? Will the Elven realms fall, one by one, beneath the blade of the Elfhunter?

Review:
For as long as I remember, I loved stories with elves, dwarves, men and campaigns.  When I was told about this series, I put it on my list of books to check out and I wasn't disappointed. It was a bit slow at first as the author began to build the foundations of both the story and the world of Alterra itself. In my opinion, it needed to be slow because everything within Alterra played a part in the story. The characters, the land, the animals - they all played a role in the events which came to pass.

Right away the reader was shown why Gorgon was given his nickname. From the first strike of the sword, he set into motion a series of events that spanned the world of Alterra and came back upon him. The author did a great job in conveying how devastating the deaths were for all those affected by them. Gaelen and Nelwyn reacted realistically to the knowledge of the deaths of childhood friends. Thus, they began on their journey to find the party responsible and bring him/her to justice.

Of course, they encountered several obstacles and setbacks along the way. I was relieved that the two She-elves weren't left to go through all of them alone. Along the way they began to pick up companions whose destinies became entwined with Gaelen and Nelwyn's. Each one of the characters stood out in their own way. Rogond was stalwart and loyal to a fault. Galador's past blurred his perception of the present almost to the point of turning away the very thing he wanted. There were a number of other characters which impacted the story though they weren't among the main characters.

In the depths of darker times, there were moments of comic relief which provided a welcomed contrast to the battle and death scenes. Not only between the members of the Company but from the horses themselves. Rogond's horse reminded me so much of people in my own life that I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. I loved the descriptions of the horses and the insight of how their minds worked. The descriptions of the land and various realms painted vivid pictures in such a way that I could very easily envision them for myself as I continued reading.

Once the foundation was set, the pacing of the story picked up and continued on a steady path until it reached a fevered pitch. I was caught up in the world of Alterra by the first third of the book. By the end, I was scrambling for the next book in the series. Overall, I enjoyed spending time in their world and look forward to the sequel. Familiar to other adventure or fantasy stories, the author did a wonderful job of including enough differences and unique quirks to create a world and exciting saga all her own. If you're a lover of adventure and fantasy or merely attracted to Elves and Dwarves, this is the series for you. Be sure to pick up a copy of this book and its sequel!

Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks is currently available at various retailers in either paperback, hardcover or Kindle formats. You can pick up a copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
Elfhunter (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #1) by C.S. Marks

Friday, February 14, 2014

Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins


Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Random House

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
After a twelve year hiatus, Billy Collins is back with a large collection of poetry covering a wide variety of topics. Aimless Love includes more than fifty new poems among a generous selection from his early poetry collections - Horoscopes for the Dead, Ballistics, The Trouble with Poetry and Nine Horses.

A two-time Poet Laureate of the United States, Billy Collins uses his poetry to explore the every day things that we so often take for granted.  He explores the infinite landscapes of love, the various types of love, betrayal, confusion, eating alone within a Chinese restaurant and so much more.

Review:
In fairness and honesty, I haven't read as much poetry as I would have liked. When I saw a Goodreads giveaway for a large collection, I entered without a second thought. I was delighted to win a free copy. Before winning this book, I wasn't familiar with much of the author's work. Aimless Love was a great introduction to his previous volumes of poetry and his latest works.

The wide variety of poetry encompassed quite a lot of subjects. There were the usual suspects - love, nature, emotions, and special occasions. Yet, there were some out of the ordinary subjects as well. The author found inspiration in common items (houses, a sculpture, a lunch in a Chinese restaurant) and explored the different ways a person could conceive of the item as in his poems "The Lanyard" and "Envoy."

"Endless Love" and "Obituaries" were among those that I felt deeper in my spirit than I anticipated. And yet "Writing in the Afterlife", "Adage", and "Ode to a Desk Lamp" made me both smile and feel sadness at different points throughout the poems. I loved how I was able to see through his point of view and feel some of the emotions coursing through his veins at the time of his writing. The collection of poetry was seamless, timeless really, and easily read from cover to cover.

Overall, I enjoyed the entire collection. I even committed the sin of dog-earing pages to mark the various poems which grabbed me for various reasons. His work also inspired me to begin writing my own poetry, something I had given up years ago when writing was difficult. If you're looking for an all-encompassing volume of poetry, this is the book for you. I truly recommend this book for any poetry lover out there.

Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins is currently available at many retailers. It can be purchased in various formats including hardcover, paperback, Kindle and audio-book. Clicking the link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Currently Reading

What a horrible week! Okay, the week really wasn't that bad, but it sure did feel like it. I was (and still am) nursing a sore shoulder and then the weather decided to dip back down below freezing. Needless to say, I wasn't able to do much of anything besides feel like an ice cube.

I did manage to sneak one book into the finished pile. Knowing the amount on my poor Kindle and the ever-growing stack of printed books, it seems like a very small, almost negligible dent. But what can I say? At least I finished one! I'm almost happy to report that I'm still working through NaNo2012. I've been trying to do a page or two of editing a day to get working on the second draft. So many edits that I feel like I wrote a bad novel. I have to remind myself that first drafts are almost always crappy. It's finishing that second draft and polishing that works wonders.


This week, I'm reading;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
The Godborn: The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp


I've been able to finish;
Marysvale by Jared Southwick


Now that we're nearing the halfway point of February, I'm longing for warmer days and more hours of sunlight. Can't wait to spend some time on my screened porch soaking up those rays with a good book. How are you keeping the cold at bay? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,
Kay

Monday, February 10, 2014

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock


Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Atria Books

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Janet Mock spent much of her life hiding who she truly was. A girl trapped within a boy's body, she tried to free her spirit on several occasions but was shoved back into the box society placed her at birth. The moment she realized her authentic self was the moment when she dared to live her life her way.

Through the obstacles and hard choices, Janet forged a path of her own according to her vision of her true self. She presented her life for all to see, good or bad, in the hopes that her words might inspire another person to see their own true value and live their own authentic life.

Review:
I was always a lover of personal stories, especially when those stories vary from my own path. When I saw this particular book available upon request from NetGalley, I wanted to read it so that I could better understand Janet's journey. I don't think I was really prepared for the level of truth or how deeply Janet had come to terms with herself.

What I found in the pages was a mixture of courage, honesty and a true love for one's self that many aren't able to achieve in their lifetimes. No matter what path a person takes in life, many hide the differences that make them unique, lovable and human because they're outside the box society wants to place everyone. In truth, I had done that a number of times myself because I was uncomfortable about my illness or other things I felt set me apart. Instead of letting society demand obedience, Janet placed herself at the forefront of change, alongside a handful of others who advocate people accepting themselves as they are instead of contorting to fight society's image.

Janet put forth her story from her beginning to her present day. She gave voice to the struggles she faced within herself as she grew up, a girl born into the body of a boy and the social expectations that came with it. Add to that being a child of mixed race in poor living conditions, and she had the perfect storm for bad, desperate decision-making. Yet, she didn't shy away from the parts of her story which she admitted were unwise decisions. In order to give a true story, she wrote them anyway and I was thankful she did.

Knowing her reasons behind some of the paths she chose helped me to understand her better. It also helped to shine a light on the fact that we as a society still have a long way to go in talking the talk and walking the walk. When people who aren't the "norm" are left with little or no alternative to a dangerous path, we need to step up and say enough. People should be allowed to be themselves in this day and age. Overall, this book was truly enlightening for me. I'm very glad to have read it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about Janet's path to womanhood.

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock is currently available in hardback and Kindle forms. It can be bought at Amazon by clicking the link below.
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womahood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock

Friday, February 7, 2014

Blood Wine: A Quin and Morgan Mystery by John Moss


Release Date: June 17, 2014 (paperback)
Publisher: Dundurn
Series: Quin and Morgan Mystery

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
When Detective Miranda Quin wakes up to find the bloody body of her lover in her bed, she turns to her partner, Detective David Morgan, for support and guidance. She is unable to remember how she became the prime suspect in the investigation as both she and Morgan try to piece together the fragments of her memory.

What begins as an unofficial investigation turns into something much larger than either of the detectives could have ever imagined. After being shot at, nearly blown to bit pieces or drowned in a vat of wine, waking up with a dead body is the least of Quin's worries. Both she and Morgan are faced with an unknown yet resourceful enemy. Can they solve the investigation without one or both of them becoming victims? What do all the pieces mean for the world at large?

Review:
As a lover of mysteries and thrillers, I requested to review this book from NetGalley. There were many things that I enjoyed about the story but I was also confused at few points in the book. It very well may be a case of not having read the other books in the Quin and Morgan Mystery series. As this is the fourth book, most of the groundwork has already been written in the others.

The pacing of the book was pretty fast and steady, even in the confusing places. A lot of action scenes helped to keep my attention. There were a lot nail-biting moments for the main characters, as well as some of the supporting characters, that I felt added layers of vengeance and anxiety to the already heightened sense of paranoia both detectives were feeling.

Much of the interaction between characters seemed to be realistic to me. There were a few scenes where I felt confused and couldn't see why the people involved took the actions that they did. Truthfully, I'm one of the type of person who regularly suspends belief in order to really get into a book or a movie. I didn't have a problem with many of conversations or interactions where I was left thinking something was off. It was a mystery after all. We don't get everything laid out right at the beginning.

One scene in particular struck me as quite strange. Not long after the body was found in Quin's bed, she was back at home, alone and restless, when there was a knock at her door. Thinking it was her partner, she opened it without hesitation to find a traumatized woman on her doorstep. From the point where Quin begins to care for her to the arrival of both Morgan and another character was where the scene lost me. Quin refuses to let this stranger be taken from her home and instead cuddled with her in Quin's own bed after ushering her coworkers from her home. It didn't make sense with the events before or after that Quin would be so attached that quickly to a stranger.

Despite the confusion of that scene and a few other interactions, I found the story to be well thought out and engaging. The deeper I read, the larger the danger became. For me, that kept me turning pages to found out where all the connections were and how it was going to work out for everyone involved. Overall, it was a fast-paced thriller that nearly spanned the globe and was full intrigue and danger at the highest level. If you have read the previous books in the series or love multi-leveled mystery thrillers, then this is one book you should definitely consider adding to your reading list.

Blood Wine: A Quin and Morgan Mystery by John Moss will be available at many online retailers in June 2014. You can pre-order a copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
Blood Wine: A Quin and Morgan Mystery by John Moss

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Currently Reading

What a week! I can't believe how quickly it went by. I was able to have my first ever giveaway and it was a success despite the bumps along the way. Another round of thanks to all who participated and big congratulations to the winner! I hope to do more in the future, so keep watching!

The weather's been a pain - literally. Due in large part to that, I haven't done a lot of anything but sleeping and reading. I always remain hopeful to do more in the coming week, but we'll have to see what each day brings. My main wish is to continue knocking out these books on my TBR pile. They're begging to be read.


Set to work through these;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Marysvale by Jared Southwick
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley


Finished with these books this week;
Everybody's Got a Story (Toronto #12) by Heather Wardell
The Weight of Blood: A Novel by Laura McHugh
Joe Victim: A Thriller by Paul Cleave


Lots of good books were finished and I'm looking forward to quite a few coming up on the list. Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Until next time,
Kay

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

And the winner is...

And thus ends the first CoWA giveaway!

Huge thank yous to everyone who entered. Also big apologies to those who had trouble. I'm still learning the ropes and will know better next time. I appreciate your patience very much. Without further ado, the winner is...

Megan!

Congratulations on winning a signed copy of Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell. It's an amazing book that I'm positive you're going to love. I'll getting in touch with you shortly for details.


Out now!

Today is release day for Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell! 
Please pick up a copy of the book at your favorite retailer.


Author Links:
 Website - www.jenncrowell.com

Monday, February 3, 2014

The Resurrection of Mary Mabel McTavish by Allan Stratton


Release Date: June 7, 2014
Publisher: Dundurn Group

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
During the Great Depression, times were tough for everyone including Brewster McTavish and his daughter, Mary Mabel. In exchange for their work as a handyman around the Bentwhistle Academy for Young Ladies, Mary Mabel is allowed to attend the classes alongside the more affluent girls. Through the dreariness of her days, Mary Mabel holds on to only two things - her books and her death.

When her deceased mother appears to her with the hour and manner of her death, Mary Mabel is filled with joy, setting about putting the plan into action. However, her plan goes awry when she doesn't die. Worst yet, she revives a young boy who died from electric shock. Her world is quickly turned upside as she tries to discover if this was a one-time resurrection or if there's a greater force behind her actions.

Review:
When I read the description for this book on NetGalley, I was very much intrigued and requested the book for review. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the book until I was a little over halfway through the story. There was a lot to the story, not only in the cast of characters but locations as well. The story began in a small town in Canada but soon spanned the entire continental United States.

Though the story did have a handful of main characters, the supporting cast was quite large. Many of the well-known names of the Depression era appeared in the story as it progressed, including William Randolph Hearst and J. Edgar Hoover. Though they were supporting characters in the book, their depictions were every bit as big as the papers of the day described them. Each of the main characters had their own depth and background as well, making them stand out from the crowds in the book. It was easy to despise those who thought only of themselves (Floyd and Ms.Bentwhistle) or empathize with the ones caught in the trap of fame (Mary Mabel and Doyle).

I thought the author made a good decision in setting the story within the midst of the Great Depression. The overwhelming and crushing despair of many families during these years became a beacon for those with get-rich-quick scams. People were hungry for food, for hope and for some sort of financial stability. Combining all of this, the author had the perfect recipe for Mary Mabel's meteoric rise to fame. Unfortunately, greed never really goes unpunished and the characters soon come to realize exactly what that means by the end of the book.

Because of the large cast and number of locations, the story set a good pace in the beginning but stalled a few times along the way. Though it took a little while to build the momentum, what took place in those slower-paced chapters made me empathize with Mary Mabel's plight more. Because of that, I wanted to see how things turned out for her - whether she was able to rid herself of some weighty problems and find happiness. Of course, I was completely invested by the middle of the book and couldn't wait to turn the next page.

All the trouble and schemes that poor Mary Mabel found herself in made me smile and at the same time, I wondered how she was going to break free. I also enjoyed seeing how life was during the Depression for people on each side of the monetary fence. The author painted a larger-than-life picture of those who were rich during those years and at the same time gave an accurate depiction of the those suffering without money, food and jobs. All in all, the book was enjoyable. Those who enjoy historical fiction or a rambunctious, whirlwind of tale will definitely want to pick up a copy of this book.

The Resurrection of Mary Mabel McTavish by Allan Stratton is available for pre-order in paperback at many online retailers. You can reserve a copy at Amazon by clicking the link provided below.
The Resurrection of Mary Mabel McTavish by Allan Stratton

Sunday, February 2, 2014

February's Hopes and Dreams

I'm ready for whatever February holds for me. Last month was such a bittersweet month as I lost a dear friend, celebrated birthdays and remembered a beloved sibling who passed nearly a decade ago. January also saw growth in the blog's visitors, more pages of NaNo2012 edited and a half dozen poems written. And yet, I am hoping that February is filled with more strides in the wordy department.

I have been blessed with a huge TBR pile that I'm focusing more time and energy on this month. I honestly didn't think it was going to be a problem to read and review the books. I did that anyway without having this blog. However, my usual way of reading had to be modified. Now I have a schedule with a list. Organization, for the win! Hopefully, it will also help the turnaround time for the reviews.

Still finding it hard to revise/edit my novels, I have also made the decision to focus on doing only a few pages at a time. I start to feel overwhelmed by everything and worry I'll completely muck it up. That line of thinking usually ends with me chucking it out of my sight for a long time. I'm hoping to change things this year by taking baby steps. So I edit one or two pages at a time and then a break.

The only other thing on the docket for this month is continuing to work with the Brown-Brooks Project on my "off" days. This year, the project is doing a granny square collection drive in order to create blankets. I'm hopeful that the blankets will be given to the residents of a local nursing home but still awaiting permission to do so.

And with all this, it's time to get busy. Hope this month brings you all many productive days. What goals are you working to finish this month? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,
Kay B