Friday, May 30, 2014

Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman


Release Date: April 22, 2014
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Liz Daniels knew her family as well as she knew the farm she worked every day to provide for their homegrown company, Roots. Living a wholesome life in a preservative-laced world wasn't easy, but she and her husband, Paul, made it work. When he suggested a family vacation to visit his parents in a city miles away from their home, Liz thought the idea odd but went along with him wishes anyway.

Before she knew it, her world was torn upside. Her worst fears came alive and taunted her every second of every day. Nowhere to turn, Liz grasped at small clues and looked for the one thing that would make all the pieces fall into place. The moment the big picture became clear, she realized that was up against something much bigger than even she expected. Can she recover what had been taken from her? What will she sacrifice to get it?


Review:
Offered by NetGalley, I requested this book because I thought the synopsis on the description page intriguing. I have always thought that losing one's children, in any fashion, was a parent's worst nightmare. However, I was drawn in by the lengths in which the main character, Liz, went through in order to find out the answers to why her children where taken and where they were hidden.

There was a great deal of tension in the atmosphere of the book from the very beginning. Liz's family rarely left the safety of their home in the mountains for a myriad of reasons. The weight of uncertainty and worry mixed with a series of events created an even greater level of paranoia and uneasiness within Liz. For me, this related well with the age-old theory that a mother knows when something isn't right. Even at a base level, there were signals that something sinister lurked around the darkened corners. As I delved deeper into the book, it was quite clear that Liz wasn't the only mother being put to the test. Others were wading through their own situations and clearly felt they were in over their heads.

Liz was one of a few well-defined characters in this story. Because of a jarring incident near the beginning of the book, the pacing felt frantic to me at times and left little time to really get to know a lot about some of the fringe characters. The reader was set up to be alongside Liz as she uncovered the truth behind her husband and a few of her closest friends. As a result, the story seemed to bounce from one place to another. There were a few moments when I really didn't understand the necessity of certain scenes or what they really brought to the story. One that stood out the most was an intimate moment between Liz and another character that seemed somewhat out of place. Although I can understand the notion that people do weird things in an overwhelming moment of crisis, the scene didn't advance the story at all or helped to clarify anything. It felt as though it was there as a filler.

Overall, the story was a good one and highlighted the determination and perseverance a parent, especially a mother, can have when faced with such a frightening situation. Though I expected a show-down at the end of the book, the one that took place wasn't really the one I had thought would happen. At least, the people involved with it weren't the ones I had picked. It was good to see Liz come into her own and gain a sense of confidence throughout the process even as I wished for a different resolution. If you're looking for a who-done-it with a brisk pace and can face the situation a parent never wants to happen, then this is the book you're looking for.

Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman is available at many online retailers. It can be purchased in a variety of forms including hardcover, Kindle and audio-book. Pick up a copy today by clicking the link below.
Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Currently Reading

Due to some health issues and the holiday weekend, I've been able to read through a few books the past seven days. I'm still not feeling up to par, but I'm on the med. At least I hope that I am. I've spent a majority of the year feeling behind on things. I'll be glad to get ahead once again.

It's warming up there. Humidity and mugginess have joined forces to keep me indoors. I have taken the opportunity to work through the TBR list and do some massive work on a couple of other projects. Hopefully I will be able to share more about those soon.


I'm working through these books;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Bones of My Brother by L. Frank Dunkin
Fifty Million Reasons by Heather Wardell
Wrecker by Dave Conifer


No longer on the list are;
Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman
We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt 


Short and sweet, that's the post for this week. When I feel more like myself, I'll be rambling. Hope you all have a pleasant week.

Until next time,
Kay B

Friday, May 23, 2014

Contest Reminder

No, this isn't the regularly scheduled post for today. I haven't been able to finish the books on my TBR list as quickly as I would like to. Instead, I am using this time to wish you all a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.


Whether you're spending it with family or friends, please take a moment to remember those who gave their lives in order that we might have the freedoms to enjoy the weekend. Please keep the current men and women of our armed forces in your thoughts.


The second anniversary contest is still running! From now until the end of May, you have a chance to win a $25 (USD) Amazon giftcard. Entering is easy for this contest. All you need to do is to comment below with your favorite book or send me an email to kaybrooks1977@gmail.com. Winner will be announced on June 1st.


Until next time,
Kay B

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Currently Reading

With so much going on this week, I haven't been able to read as much as I wanted to. In fact, I'm so far behind in my reading goal for the year that I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up at all. Not going to give up that easy though. I'm stubborn that way.

There's still so many books coming up on my TBR list that I'm excited to read. I can't wait to dive into these and so many more. New books are always exciting to me, especially new authors because I am striving for that goal myself. We'll have to wait and see how that plays out but I'm staying positive with the many avenues now open to new authors.


On the chopping block this week are;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Bones of My Brother by L. Frank Dunkin
Fifty Million Reasons by Heather Wardell
Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman
Wrecker by Dave Conifer



Finished off these books;
Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron


Friday will be the first time that I've missed a post outside of a regular vacation period. It makes me really sad, but it couldn't be helped. I've not had as much time to read as I'd like. However, there's still a contest going on here. A $25 (USD) Amazon giftcard can be yours simply by commenting to this post or emailing me at kaybrooks1977@gmail.com.

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, May 19, 2014

Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron


Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Series: Quilts of Love series, #14

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
A new promotion. New responsibilities. A new partner. All these things added up to a whirlwind of change for Tess. She was a professional at handling the duties that came with being a detective in St. Augustine, Florida. It was the mixture of emotions she felt when looking at her new partner and the return of a long-dreaded killer that turned her world upside down.

While juggling the stress from all sides, Tess found a small bit of peace within her quilting and her faith. As she and her new partner poured over the old case files, new clues came to light and lead in a direction no one thought possible. Can she keep those she loves safe from the killer in her past?

Review:
This book was a fun, quick read to fill a pleasant afternoon while sitting on my porch and enjoying the sunshine. I purchased it from Amazon during a promotional period but that doesn't take away from the story in any way, shape or form. This story had a bit of everything in it - faith, romance, mystery and even a bit of action. Added all up, the book was a treat to read.

Much of the story was centered around the leading woman, Tess, and her experiences while being a police detective in St. Augustine, Florida. The core group of supporting characters in the story were known to her intimately as she was born and raised in the small city. Many were family or friends who as close to her as family. The only outsider to have any sort of impact on her world was her new partner, Logan, who arrived from Chicago. I enjoyed seeing how uncomfortable Logan was when put in situations where Tess felt at home.

With the pacing steady from the first word, there wasn't a sense of increased anxiety in the beginning as the story builds up. The reader is already in the middle of an overwhelming situation by the end of the first chapter and will be there until the matter was resolved. I liked the amount of twists and turns as well as the emotional situations that were heaped upon the characters. I did wonder a time or two how things were going to come to a close when my predictions were proved wrong. That made the book a good one for me, the not always knowing despite reading dozens in similar genres.

Overall, I did enjoy the book more than I anticipated. Not only was the element of creating woven into the story, but the basic story was well-written and layered with details to keep me interested. Though this book was in the Christian genre, I was pleased to see that it didn't overwhelm the story. In fact, the moments where their faith was mentioned helped to shape the story and the characters themselves. The only drawback was the quickness in a certain situation. I can't reveal anything else without spoiling the story completely. I know it can happen that way. I just see it happening that often. If you're looking for a great, interesting way to spend an afternoon (or any other time), this book needs to be on your list!

Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron is currently available online at many retailers in either paperback or Kindle form. Click the link provided below to get your copy from Amazon today.
Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron

Friday, May 16, 2014

And the winner is...

Yesterday was the end of Anniversary Contest #1 here at CoWA! A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered. I have the winner's name right here.


So, congratulations goes to...Aaronette!


I will be contacting you shortly to ensure you get your prize! The second contest begins today and runs to the end of the month. You still have a chance to win a $25 (USD) Amazon giftcard. There are two simple ways to enter below:

1. Leave me a comment listing your favorite book or books.

or

2. Send an email to kaybrooks1977@gmail.com.


Easy peasy! I really can't believe the months is almost over. Thanks to all of you for making this month a great one so far. Let's keep it up until the last second ticks away!

Until next time,
Kay B

Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie


Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Permuted Press

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
The days leading up to Christmas are always hectic for adults. For children, it's a magical time and full of wonder and amusement. There always seemed to be time to put off playing with kids because there was always tomorrow. That was until Herod's Syndrome came upon the world.

The syndrome swept across the world, taking each and every child in its path. Families grieved, overwhelmed with the sudden, shocking losses. As they tried to pick up the pieces and find a way to move on, another horror washes over them. The children came back but they came back changed.  How long will the parents have with their children now? How far would they go in order to keep them?

Review:
I was invited to read this title from NetGalley. Right away, I knew it was going to be up my alley. It was creepy and filled with subjects that many wouldn't want to even contemplate. While the subject was a familiar one, there enough twists and turns to keep me reading until the very last page to see what happened. I'll admit, I wasn't sure how this was going to play out and was leery because of the saturation of vampire-like stories as of late. In the end I was glad to have given it a chance.

The story was told from the point-of-view of the adult characters. Most were parents but there was also a doctor and nurse who played big roles throughout the book. I felt that much of the dialogue between adults and children were appropriate for the ages of the children. None of the little ones sounded like miniature adults. There were the typical parent/child interactions that made me laugh but also made me feel the deepness of the pain when the children began their journey to become something other. As the world devolved from community into self-preservation, the behavior exhibited by the adults met my expectations and left me shaking my head at many points.

With shifting points-of-view by at least four characters, I feared getting lost or the story losing its momentum after the action began. The fear was unfounded for a large portion of the book as the world lost so many in such a short amount of time and then had a second wave of terror wash over it. In the middle was a sense of calm that left me feeling uneasy. When last act began, I knew there was no turning back for the adults, or the children for that matter. It was all much too late for anything to change the course.

Overall, I was drawn into the book's world and entertained. It was a quick read for me because I kept wanting to know how things were going to end. Although a lot of the information given and some of the actions were predictable, it all worked together to create a story that takes a parent's worst fear and turns it into the mother of all "what if" questions. The themes and ethical questions brought up by author leaving a person wondering what they might do if they found themselves in a similar situation. This book is definitely one of the creepiest ones I have read so far this year. If you're looking for something with a great creep and ick factor, then this is the book for you.

Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie will be available at retailers on May 20, 2014. It can currently be pre-ordered in various formats including paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. Click the link below to reserve your copy from Amazon today.
Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Currently Reading

Nearing the end of the first anniversary contest already! Say it isn't so!

I can't believe how time moves. Some days seem to fly by and leave you wondering what the heck happened. Others creep by so slowly that it feels agonizing. This week has been a mixture of both. Right now I'm wishing I had more time in order to finish all the things on my to-do list.

Still a lot of books on the to-be-read pile. Still a lot of stitches to add to my crochet projects. I also have a few cross-stitch projects that I want to finish before the end of the year. I need a clone or a few extra sets of hands to get this all accomplished. My momma tells me to take it one thing at a time. I am trying but it's frustrating.


Excited to be reading the following;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Bones of My Brother by L. Frank Dunkin
Fifty Million Reasons by Heather Wardell


Leaving behind these this week;
Hush by Stacey R. Campbell
Before I Wake by C.L. Taylor
Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie  


One more day to enter the first giveaway here at CoWA. The first winner will be announced on May 16th and will receive a $25 (USD) giftcard from Amazon. Buy more books or whatever you like (but who wouldn't want books). The second giveaway will begin the same day and run to the end of the month. So don't give up!

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, May 12, 2014

American Story: A Lifetime Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things by Bob Dotson


Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: Viking Adult (newest editions by Plume)


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Becoming a TV journalist was something that Bob Dotson knew he wanted to do, but what type of journalist was harder to figure out. During his time working for several stations, he tried several ways of making himself stand out. It wasn't until he land a job for the Today Show that he found an avenue to pursue.

Millions would watch his American Story segments over the next few decades. He captured the heart and soul of ordinary Americans who might have gone unrecognized for the work. After leaving the world of television behind, Bob chronicled the countless other small stories of positivity and American spirit that make up the fabric of our nation.

Review:
This book was among the first few that I won from a giveaway at Goodreads. I was really interested in the real life, non-fiction aspect of the books. With the media presenting the darker side of the news every newscast, I wanted something more uplifting and positive. This book definitely fulfilled that wish and more. What I thought was going to be a simple, good read turned out to be a great book that warmed my heart.

In the beginning, Bob chronicled his journey to discover what kind of journalist he truly wanted to be. These early chapters helped me to see his thought process and added weight to his decision to begin the American Story segments. I enjoyed watching those stories during my younger years. Reading the history behind them was an added delight.

Many of the stories Bob covered in this centered around average everyday American people who put love and kindness into everything they do. The various stories took place across the country, in big cities where many people are forgotten and in small towns where everyone is family. I was touched by a lot of the stories but a couple of them stood out for me. The first one covered a group of teenagers in a small Alaskan town who became the town's sole EMT providers. They stepped up because of the need and surpassed the expectations of others while earning respect along the way. The second story showed how a business can be so much more than a simple money-making venture. A businessman sold his company to start a new business and staffed it with former employees as well as other who weren't able to find jobs in their area.

Overall, the book was uplifting and heart-warming. I liked how the author was able to weave his thoughts and feelings into the stories without overshadowing the people involved. He put the spotlight on those who put their heart and soul into their work as it should be. We can learn so much by following in their determined footsteps. If you're looking for an inspiring book to lift you up, I would very much recommend this book.

American Story: A Lifetime Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things by Bob Dotson is currently available at most retailers. It can be purchased online in several formats which include, hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and Kindle. The link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
American Story: A Lifetime Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things by Bob Dotson

Sunday, May 11, 2014

May's Hopes and Dreams

The last month of spring brings a hearty bloom of all things green, animals multiply and around my neck of the words, storms creep through during the afternoon. Not to be deterred, I have a lot planned for the month of May. So much to do, I have to keep lists near me at all times so I don't forget a single thing!

I'm sure everyone's heard the news or read the previous posts by now. In case you haven't, May is also the anniversary of this blog, Confessions of a Word Addict. Began as a hobby to keep a record of what I thought of each book I've read, I can safely say that it's turned into an amazing experience and has brought a lot of awesome, interesting and talented people into my life. It has also opened doors to genres of books that I may not have read otherwise. I'm happy and grateful to have this blog.

My writing hasn't been as frequent as I want. In fact, it's been on the back burner until last week when I began working on some things to "get back on the horse," so to speak. Because of some real life issues, much of what I wrote was dark and I didn't want to be in that mode all the time. I know I have to let myself pour all of it out before I can get back to work on NaNo2012 or anything else.

In the meantime, I have plenty of crocheting to do when I'm not reading. The Brown-Brooks Project is collecting granny squares to piece together and give to nursing home residents in our local area. Our main goal for this year is 500 squares. We're a little over halfway there with plenty of time until the end of the collection period in October. Then we'll be piecing together the afghans and hope to deliver them in early 2015.

The past year has definitely been filled with some pretty big highs and some really bad lows. I know that's how this thing called life works, but I wish it was a bit more even. Maybe for a little while so I might accomplish a few extra things on my various lists. However, I'm going to push through the low times to make the next year here a great one. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming along with me. It means a lot to me. Here's to another year at CoWA.

Until next,
Kay B

Friday, May 9, 2014

Hush (Lakeview #1) by Stacey R. Campbell


Release Date: January 23, 2013
Publisher: Green Darner Press
Series: The Lakeview series, Book 1

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.


Synopsis:
Blakely Henry was your average seventeen year-old and was beginning her senior year at Lakeview Academy. Despite a normal childhood, she knew one thing made her different from everyone. She was adopted with no information about her birth parents. When she accepted never knowing the truth about her past, a series of events brought truth from the shadows and threw her world into chaos.

Hoping to begin his journalism career with a bang, Max Ryder stumbled onto a big secret that only one other family member knew. He traveled halfway around the world to chase his story, not anticipating the complications that would arise in meeting the objection of his investigation. But when push came to shove, can either Blakely or Max handle the pressures of secrets? Can they outwit those who would do anything to keep such truths hidden forever?


Review:
Stepping out of my reading comfort zone, I saw this title on NetGalley and requested to read it. The story was definitely within the YA genre as it centered around a teenage girl and a core group of her school friends as they dealt with the usual teenage problems and coming-of-age issues. Woven into the mix of classes, friendship and young love were the adult themes of hidden secrets and their heavy consequences. The way in which author presented each element gave the story a nice mix of action, adventure and romance that did keep me turning the pages.

Many of the teenaged characters were pretty accurate reflections of modern teenagers, especially with the interactions between girls and boys as well as the use of texting. I found the usual types - the athletics, the bookworms, the social butterflies. They were mixed well throughout the story. Now, I must admit that there a few times when I thought that the teens were a bit too good to be true. I know there are some really good kids out there, but I didn't see the other end of the spectrum within the pages often. While I liked many of the characters, I felt as though some of the more adult characters weren't as realistic as the teens. Some of them appeared only to move the story along, sort of like a prop. It didn't hurt the story but it didn't help it much either.

As far as the pace of the story, I found it to be pretty constant. There was enough chemistry between many of the teen characters to keep it moving steady. When I reached the middle of the book, the momentum began to build as revelations were coming to the surface. That's when I felt the need to keep reading though I should have been in bed a few hours earlier! I did like the way that climax and resolution of the story was handled. I couldn't help but cheer when a few of the menacing characters (no spoilers!) are presented with their own consequences.

Truthfully, this was a typical coming-of-age, hidden princess story with a sweet bit of romance mixed into it. The romance wasn't blown out of proportion, nor did it cross lines that I would deem too adult for younger YA readers. In fact, I think that tweens and teens alike will find this story entertaining and worthwhile. Since it's the first in a series, I do wonder what the next one will cover given the events toward the end of the book. Looking for a modern take on the classic princess fairytale, then this is the book you need!

Hush (Lakeview #1) by Stacey R. Campbell is available at many online retailers in either paperback or Kindle formats. You can purchase a copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
Hush (Lakeview #1) by Stacey R. Campbell

Thursday, May 8, 2014

One Week Left!

Only a week left until the end of the first Anniversary Contest!

If you haven't already, you can comment at the bottom of this post or the original Anniversary Contest post to enter until May 15th. Let me know your favorite book (or books if you have more than one) as well as your name and email. You can also send me an email ( kaybrooks1977@gmail.com) to enter.

One winner will win a $25 (USD) Amazon giftcard. The name will be announced on May 16th!

So, don't forget to enter and spread the word to all your fellow word addicts!

Until next time,
Kay B

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Currently Reading

What's that old saying about God laughing as we make plans? Well, I think maybe it's true since almost all my plans for the week fell through before my eyes. As much I as love this blog and will do my best to keep it going, family and those I consider family will come first. My family suffered a loss during the week, so all plans were modified.

Before the sad news came, I was able to get a fair bit of reading done. I'm currently in the middle of two books. Hopefully I will have those finished later this evening. A few new additions to the TBR pile were made over the past seven days as well. Never a shortage in that department, I can promise you that! A lot of the upcoming titles in the pile are ones that I've wanted to read for a while. I'm excited to finally be able to sit down with them.


During this week, I hope to read;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Hush by Stacey R. Campbell
Bones of My Brother by L. Frank Dunkin 


Crossing these off my list;
The Terminals: Spark (The Terminals #1) by Michael F. Stewart


There's still time to enter the first Anniversary Contest here at CoWA. Simply enter a comment with your name, email address and your favorite book in the section below the post or you can email the information to me at  kaybrooks1977@gmail.com. A $25 (USD) Amazon giftcard is up for grabs, so enter now!

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Terminals: Spark (The Terminals #1) by Michael F. Stewart


Release Date: April 15, 2014
Series: The Terminals, Book 1

Rating: 4 out 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Filled with guilt and shame for her act of cowardice, Lt. Col. Christine Kurzow decided to do the world a favor and end her life. She failed and found herself in the hospital. She was then visited by an underground agency, recruiting her to become a handler for a Terminal, someone who goes into the afterlife seeking information to help save countless lives in the living world.

Sending her first Terminal into the afterlife to find information on the abduction of eleven children by a ruthless dead serial killer wasn't going as well as she expected. More and more people are dying with her involvement as questions about the unit's commander began swirling in her mind. Will she be able to save the children in time? Will she find out the real reason she was recruited in the first place?

Review:
Another book that I requested to review from NetGalley, I was really wondering how the author was going to pull off the story without a lot of over-the-top antics. From the moment I began the book, it was clear that the author took the telling of this story seriously. I admit, I ended up liking this story a lot more than I initially thought I would. A great surprise, I really am looking forward to other books in the Terminal series as well as checking out some of the author's other works.

As I mentioned, the beginning chapter of the book got right into the action and why the main character, Christine, found herself in a hospital of sorts. Not all of her motives for her actions were made clear at the outset, but her thought process and beliefs were laid bare. It was easy to measure her feelings about herself from them. Despite her nearly constant desire to die, she was a complicated character with a sharp mind that interacted harshly with the other characters. I liked that not all of the other characters were staunchly good or bad. They each held secrets that made them the way they were and it made the story more interesting, in my opinion.

Under the guise of a secret unit which has to answer only to the top level, there were many avenues open for the story to explore. The characters were able to play fast and loose with the laws of the land as they went about their missions due to the freedom they were afforded by the secret status. Having the ability to move outside the law didn't always play in the unit's favor. In fact, on more than one occasion, it worked against them with tragic results and added more fuel to the fiery desire for death that Christine carried with her. Throw in some ghosts, different afterlives and a psychic and you got yourself a plate full of possibilities.

Speaking of the afterlives, I was impressed by the author's explanations of the different versions featured in the book and the exploration of each. I was able to understand many of the tenets of the different faiths he explored in the books without feeling as though the information was being dumbed down or important information was being left out. The visitations were often used to advance the story and they easily kept the story moving at a steady pace. With so many faiths to choose from, I believe the author has so many paths to walk down. The only question will be which one to explore next.

Despite my early worries, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a departure from other books that mixed the paranormal and serial killers in that it brought up so many things to think about. Whether it was a person's right to die, the weight of a soldier's death upon a commander's soul or the almost fanatical desire to ensure a lasting legacy, the author presented a definite thrill ride of a book. Looking for book with action, adventure, heart and soul, then this is the book for you!

The Terminals: Spark (The Terminals #1) by Michael F. Stewart is now available in Kindle format at various online retailers. Purchase your copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
The Terminals: Spark (The Terminals #1) by Michael F. Stewart

Friday, May 2, 2014

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares


Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Prenna spent the past five years trying to navigate the world of an American teenager after immigrating to the US at age twelve. She carried the burden of growing up as well as the burdens of her community - the rules, the obligations and the secrets. It wasn't just that Prenna was new to the US. She was new to her place in time.

Having come from a plague-ravaged future, she did her best to keep within the rules. Until she met Ethan, a time native with his own secrets. Prenna began to question everything she thought she knew and soon a new, heavier burden was given to her. She must stop her future from happening at all costs. Can she do what was asked of her? Will she ever understand where all the puzzle pieces fit?

Review:
Browsing through the offerings at NetGalley, the premise of this book caught my eye. The fact it was was both a time-traveling story and a YA book intrigued me. Stories about time travelers often fall victim to the "either like them or hate them" category. Because not everyone shares the exact outlooks, beliefs, etc., some readers find it hard to suspend enough belief in order to simply enjoy the story. Add the YA elements to that, and it may not go over well at all.
 
However, I think this story was able to pull off many of the elements that were attempted. While some of the information from Prenna's future seem far-fetched, I can see how the people within the story got to that point and how gradual that slippery slope led them there. It was hard to relate to Prenna in the beginning, but I feel that went along with the rigid rules under which her community lived in order to keep them and time natives safe. I'll admit that I had a couple of head-scratching moments when a few characters went completely against what I knew of them at the time. Some were later explained, while others were simply weren't.

The pace of the story did start out slow as the groundwork was laid. Once the basics were covered, the book gathered speed. In fact, it nearly reached a frantic pace as the emotional and mental health of a few characters neared their breaking points. The resolution was somewhat expected but written in such a way that the reader can see the hope in the characters. The fact that there are things left unexplained and a few doors still open lead me to believe there may be another visit with Prenna and friends.

Overall, it was a good book and I think it will work well within the YA genre. The Romeo/Juliet element as well the setting in modern times will help young readers to connect with it on many levels. Though there aren't many technical discussions about the time travel, the ones that appear aren't watered down completely. I felt the explanations were easy for the common person and yet not too easy. This actually made me want to keep turning the pages. If you're looking for a thrill ride into the future (and the past) and a bit of romance, pick up this book!

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares is currently available for purchase at many retailers in hardcover, Kindle or Audio CD. A link to the book's Amazon page is provided below.
The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Anniversary Contest #1

It's now May and you know what that means!

It's the one year anniversary of CoWA!

To celebrate this awesome occasion, I will be holding two contests this month. The prize for each contest will be a $25 (USD) gift certificate from Amazon. The first contest will run from today (May 1st) until May 15th and the will be announced on May 16th. The second will start on May 16th and run to May 31st. The winner will be announced on June 1st.

In order to participate, simply leave a comment below and tell me your favorite book (or books if you're like me and can't decide on just one). Be sure to include an email address for prize notification. One entry per email address, please. Winners will be randomly selected on the above dates. Only one winner per contest in a six month period.

So, let's get to it! Happy entering!

Until next time,
Kay B