All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax

Release Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Scribner


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Rita and Ruthie Carmichael have always known hunger and homelessness, but they've always kept their dreams of a big house with a pool and a full scholarship to Harvard alive. After breaking off a disaster of a relationship, the two set off on a cross-country drive with their eyes set on the East coast. Best laid plans often went wrong and for Rita and Ruthie, their plans go haywire before they could get close to their destination.

Stranded in a small town called Fat River, Ruthie and Rita find a sense of stability that they'd been missing for as long as they could remember. Their life took them on a new path, leaving them both scared and excited all at once. But a series of events test their long-held beliefs and the very relationship between mother and daughter. Will they be able to get through the tough times together? Will they find their paths going separate directions after all?

Review:
I found this book on NetGalley while I was browsing for something out of my comfort zone to read. The description provided by the publisher intrigued me. The book sounded like a mix of a down-on-your-luck type of story and a coming-of-age novel. Much of the book surrounded a portion of Rita and Ruthie's life that brought profound change and put them each on a path that they least expected.

Though the story is told through Ruthie's point-of-view, both Ruthie and Rita are the main characters in this memoir-like retelling of their lives. For as long as Ruthie can remember, life with her mother was always a series of jobs with low pay, men with hidden secrets or horrible qualities, and the ever-present dream for Ruthie to attend Harvard. The author set the story in recent times but with the struggle the gals are going through, it almost seemed as though they were living in an earlier decade. A small group of characters, which included a married diner/gas station owner, a transgender waitress, and a head waitress with powerful hot flashes, played crucial parts within the story. I think they had more of an affect on Ruthie than Rita, but there were plenty of moments where the secondary characters had their time in the spotlight as well. These added more depth to the story and the small town of Fat River itself.

One of the things I liked about this story was the pacing. Not only did the story start out with a decent pace and a bit of truth and action, but the pace of the story stayed steady until the end. The author didn't allow the story to become stagnate by recounting each and every detail of the hard life that the characters were living. Time did pass while Ruthie and Rita lived in Fat River, but the routines of their lives were acknowledged without overwhelming the main incidents. I can't say that I could relate to everything that the characters went through, but the feelings of worthlessness and dreams of becoming something more are something I believe most people can understand.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book and the way it looked at the American dream. It's not hard to look around and see people in our neighborhoods that resemble Rita and Ruthie (or any of the other characters, for that matter). The hard part would be in doing something to ease the burden for those whose weights are too much. Though it's not a book I would read over and over, I'm very glad to have gotten a chance to see life through Ruthie's eyes. The relationship between mother and daughter provided both comfort and conflict, which truly made for really good reading. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary in a small town with a flavor all its own or a story about overcoming the odds, this is the one you should be reading.

All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax is currently available at many online retailers as well as local bookstores in your choice of Kindle or hardcover format. The link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax

Prime Deception by Carys Jones

Release Date: April 7, 2014
Publisher: Carina UK

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Falling in love can be a dangerous thing, especially when it involves someone important. The night before she was to reveal her forbidden affair to the reporter of one's of the nation's biggest tabloid newspapers, John Quinn, a tragic car accident claimed the life of Lorna Thomas. Much to John's dismay, the story that could have made him a star reporter died with her - until her sister came to London looking for answers.

Laurie Thomas knew her sister better than most ever would. With death of her twin looming over her, Laurie set out to find the answers behind the so-called accident. She moved to London, began exploring her sister's last moments and enlisted the help of the very man involved in the secret affair. Will Laurie be able to process the truth behind the actions? Will she suffer the same fate as her sister for digging too deep?

Review:
Having received a request from the author to read and give an honest, fair review, I was more than happy to download a copy from NetGalley. The premise of the book fell into one of my favorite categories - Mystery. Right away there's a huge story about to break within the UK about a Deputy Prime Minister and his illicit affair. Initially I thought the book was going to focus on the reporter as he uncovered the truth about the affair and what happened to the players. Instead the twin sister became one of the main characters in which the story followed. The other was Charles, the Deputy Prime Minister, himself.

Given the details that the author included about Charles, it was easy to believe that a man in his position could find himself disenchanted by the pressures and scrutiny of political life. While his wife and other secondary characters reveled in the perks of being part of the elite, he seemed more down-to-earth and homey in ways. Laurie, the twin, was the complete opposite of everything Charles knew about Lorna. It showed well in the pages where she was the focus in the story. There was plenty of good description and exploration of the secondary characters such as Elaine, wife of Charles; Faye, his assistant; and Henry, the driver. However, I thought that Arthur, Laurie's boyfriend, needed to have some of his background explored earlier in the book. It was a little jarring to know so much about him so late in the game.

The book started off well, in my opinion. I was a little taken aback that the story shifted gears so soon after the beginning and went into a different direction than I expected. I truly thought the reporter and the twin sister would be on the hunt and found it entertaining that the ex-lover was driven to investigate instead. I found plenty of action within the pages of this book. In all honesty, there were a couple of times where I found some of the conversations and descriptions to be a little much, but they really didn't impact the story in a negative way for me. There were a few twists that I wasn't expecting, so I would have to say that the author did a good job of keeping me interested until the very end of the book.

Overall, I did enjoy this book more than I anticipated after getting past the first couple of chapters. Plenty of ups and downs to follow through to the end, I was hoping that we'd know the truth behind the death of Lorna. Thankfully the answers are given - though I won't say because SPOILERS! I think the best part of the book for me was the fact that we really got to know more about Charles than anything else. It's not an easy task to bring a character to life when it's the opposite of you, the author. I felt for him when it was all said and done. I do recommend this book to those of you that enjoy mysteries with a dash of romance mixed with a hint of thriller.

Prime Deception by Carys Jones is currently available for purchase at many online retailers in Kindle or digital format. Clicking the link below to visit the book's Amazon page.
Prime Deception by Carys Jones

Currently Reading

Another week has been laid to rest. So glad for it to be over, really. I haven't had much trouble with my health in quite a long while, so this roller coaster of a ride is wearing my patience thin. However, I have been trying to soldier through without getting too frustrated. Not achieving that goal on many days, let me tell you!

No matter what, the books will be read. Reviews will be written. Projects will be worked. Those are my main goals for the year. I want to write but every time I put my fingers on the keys or pen to paper, I stray off into things that aren't in the world I'm supposed to be writing. Maybe NaNoWriMo 2014 will make a difference and kickstart my ability once again. Maybe I needed a break. I don't know.


Climbing the mountain of books atop the pile are:
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen
All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry



Knocked off the top are:
Prime Deception by Carys Jones


For now, it's one step at a time. I truly hope the Fall brings much needed rest and restarts my creativity as it sometimes does. What's your favorite part of Fall? Is it the cooler temperatures or the yummy treats that come alive during this time?

Until next time,
Kay B

September's Hopes and Dreams

Ah, September!

By now, the kiddos have all been in school for a little while, freeing up time for moms and dads everywhere. That is, until all the after-school things begin. It's funny to think that school used to start in September. Around these parts, it's been in full swing for awhile.

September is looking a bit better than August for me. I've been able to see the amount of progress increase on both my projects and the dreaded TBR pile. The only thing holding out for more attention is my writing. I want to finish editing NaNo2012 so badly, but whenever I pick it up, my mind goes blank. I don't know if that's out of fear of it going nowhere or the fear it might be something special. Either way, I feel anxious whenever I put my hands on it.

Most of my crochet projects are coming to a close. Both the super secret gift project is on track, but I need to start putting togethe the granny squares that have piled all around me. I'm so grateful for the people who have given their time, yarn and love to help with the community project. Not wanting to let them down and to give someone a warm blanket to call their own is own of my biggest worries. One stitch at a time, one day at a time.

What does the month of September hold for you, dear readers? I hope it's filled with pleasant days and plenty of words, good memories and great times.

Until next time,
Kay B

Killer Ambition (Rachel Knight #3) by Marcia Clark

Release Date: June 18, 2013
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Series: Rachel Knight series, Book 3

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
When Hayley Antonovich, teenage daughter of a famed and beloved director, went missing, D.D.A Rachel Knight knew the case would be tough. But this time, the case wouldn't just push her to the limits of her abilities, it tested everyone in L.A.'s Special Trials Unit and the LAPD. Each lead forced Rachel down a different avenue, bringing out revelations that were darker than the one before it.

In the midst of their investigation, grim reality revealed that they weren't dealing with a simple kidnap and ransom. Now it was murder. Trials within Hollywood were always messy, but this one was Rachel's messiest by far. Would she be able to see that justice was served? Will she be forced to admit defeat before the opening gavel?

Review:
To celebrate the release of Marcia Clark's fourth book in the Rachel Knight series, NetGalley offered all of the books for reading. Killer Ambition is the third book in the series in which Rachel Knight is the Deputy District Attorney who worked in the Special Trials Unit in Los Angeles. This story was much longer than the previous two books, but the extra pages were necessary to relay the complete story to the reader. With so many players involved in this case, whether on Rachel's side or against her, I was glad to see that the author included a little bit of "refresher" information whenever reintroducing a past character.

Nearly everyone we've met in the previous books made some sort of appearance in this particular book. With it being the biggest case of Rachel's career to-date, it was easy to see why everyone was included. There were some fresh, new faces introduced into the mix as well. It will be interesting to see how Rachel sweeps them off their feet and into her side pocket for later contact. Much of the focus in this book was split between Rachel and the family of the missing teen for the first part of the novel. For me it was easy to see how well the characters related to one another because I've read the books almost back to back. However, the characters came alive on their own enough to allow this book to be read on its own.

The story had a rocky start, both in terms of the actual events and the pacing. However, it quickly righted itself and began a steady climb, building suspense as the pacing rose. There weren't a lot of action scenes outside of the courtroom in this book. All the fireworks were seen inside the legal arena as Rachel led the prosecution team against the suspect. Since it was a high profile case, she was under a lot of scrutiny before the actual trial began. It was interesting to get a glimpse inside the mind of a prosecutor all the while not knowing exactly how the scene was going to play out in terms of the plot.

In my opinion, this book was a really good read. Not because it was an over-the-top production, but because the author played to her strengths. Sometimes when I read these types of books, I can guess where and how it will end. While reading this one, I wasn't sure because just when there was break, something pulled that victory a little further away. Was I happy with the ending? Yes and no. I know that Hollywood has a brand of justice in and of itself, but I couldn't help feeling like something slipped through the cracks. Overall, it was a good read and one that I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys crime dramas or legal thrillers.

Killer Ambition (Rachel Knight #3) by Marcia Clark can be purchased at many online retailers and wherever books are sold locally. They are currently available in hardcover, paperback, audio-book and Kindle versions. Click the link provided below to visit the Amazon page for this title.
Killer Ambition (Rachel Knight #3) by Marcia Clark

Currently Reading

I'm so confused by the weather! It's supposed to be September but it's been a hot and muggy start to the month. I almost thought it was still August for a moment or two. Can you tell that I'm excited for snuggling, crisp nights, and Halloween? I do believe Fall is becoming my favorite time of year.

After a few bumps in the road, I think I'm on the mend. I've kicked the reading into medium-high gear so I hope to catch up with all the ones on my list soon. Each of the projects have been progressing forward. I'm grateful for that. It simply feels good to back doing what brings me joy - reading. I've truly felt worse for not being able to read at my usual pace for the previous months. With every page under my belt, I do feel better.

I'm also happy to announce that the crochet project for my Brown-Brooks Project has already reached their goal of 500 granny squares! These will be used to create blankets for the residents of a local nursing home. There is still plenty of time to participate as the drive continues until the end of October 2014. There's currently enough to create 20 blankets, but that only covers half the residents on one hallway. I have faith the stitching will continue.


Must finish 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
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Prime Deception by Carys Jones
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen
All We Had by Annie Weatherwax


Knocked off my list are;
Guilt by Degrees (Rachel Knight #2) by Marcia Clark
Killer Ambition (Rachel Knight #3) by Marcia Clark


With the weather still warm and muggy, it's not sweater weather here yet. I'm looking forward to sitting on my porch with my blanket and a good book (or my laptop) with me. What are you looking forward to the most this month?

Until next time,
Kay B

Guilt by Degrees (Rachel Knight #2) by Marica Clark

Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Series: Rachel Knight series, Book 2

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
L.A. prosecutor by day and investigator by night, Rachel Knight saw a number of high profile cases over the years as a part of the Special Trials Unit. When the case of a murdered homeless man nearly slipped through the cracks of the system, Rachel's fury prompted her to pick up the case. What began as a fruitless search for a killer turned into something more dangerous than she anticipated.

With her trusted circle at her side, Rachel continued to pursue the truth despite the warnings to back away from the case. She was up against a ruthless opponent who knew how to dig for dirt just as deeply as she did. Faced with danger at every turn, can she survive to bring the man's killer to justice?


Review:
Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark was the second book in her Rachel Knight series to be offered at NetGalley for review. In my opinion, this book seemed more like the first in a series than the original first book did. Maybe the first one was too cut-and-dry. Maybe she worked on her writing in the interim between the two books. Either way, I have to admit that this book was an improvement over the first novel.

As with the first book, the main character was Rachel Knight. She's a feisty D.A. who has her own way of doing things that weren't always by the book or without pain. Also returning for this book were her core group of friends and colleagues - Toni, co-worker in the Special Trials Unit; Baily, detective and sometimes bodyguard; Graden, newly-found love interest; and Drew, hot bartender at the hotel where Rachel lived. New characters were introduced throughout the book as well as more of Rachel's history. It seemed as though the characters had more personality and were more real in this book than the previous one because of how closely they interacted with one another. That made for a smoother ride through the story's landscape.

Much of the story followed the investigation of one case which we see in the beginning of the book. In what is fast becoming Rachel's style, it quickly became apparent that the first case was tied to one case, if not more, that led the group into a dangerous predicament. The pacing of the story was pretty steady from beginning to end, due in large part to the many sneak attacks that occur throughout the investigation. They really did leave me wondering if the particular targets were going to make it through unscathed or wind up in the morgue themselves. Action, both in the courtroom and outside the office, helped move the story along as well as reveal certain plot points instead of being mindless filler.

Because this book was such an improvement over the first one, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I was pleasantly surprised by how well events of the first book were acknowledged without overwhelming the current story. Some of the old questions were answered but were soon replaced with new ones after some of Rachel's background was finally revealed. I'm actually a little excited to read the next book in order to find out more about Rachel and her new and equally obsessive opponent. Though it is the second in a series, the story did well enough to stand on its own. You can definitely enjoy it without reading the first book. If you are a crime thriller lover or just want a wild ride through the streets of L.A. alongside a tough-as-nails prosecutor, take a gamble on this book. It's worth a shot!

Guilt by Degrees (Rachel Knight #2) by Marcia Clark is now available at your local bookstores and online retailers in hardcover, paperback, audio-book and Kindle formats. Click the link below to see the book's page at Amazon and pick up your copy today!
Guilt by Degrees (Rachel Knight #2) by Marcia Clark