Julie from FSB Associates sent me Bending Toward the Sun by Leslie Gilbert Lurie, which I haven't been able to get very far into yet, but I'm very excited to read it and can't wait to give it my full attention. The book will be released tomorrow, and to promote the book Ms. Gilbert-Lurie will be on the Today show tomorrow morning.
Synopsis: The lasting impact of the Holocaust on a survivor and her daughter emerges in this joint account by Lurie-Gilbert and her mother. Lurie was five when a farmer agreed to hide her along with 14 Polish-Jewish relatives in his attic in exchange for jewelry and furs. While in hiding, Lurie witnessed the Nazis shoot a cousin and an uncle; her younger brother and mother died in the stifling, stinking hideout (years later her daughter, Gilbert-Lurie, wonders if the boy was smothered to quiet him and if her grandmother died of a broken heart). After the war, in an Italian DP camp, Lurie's father remarried to a stepmother Lurie resented; her father became increasingly depressed and remote when their fractured and traumatized family relocated to Chicago; and deep depressions haunted Lurie's own otherwise happy marriage. Gilbert-Lurie in turn recalls her mother's overprotectiveness, her career as a TV executive, a 1988 visit to her mother's childhood village and her own guilt, anxiety and sadness. Although the voices and experiences expressed are valuable, the writing is adequate at best, with none of the luminosity of Anne Frank, to whom Gilbert-Lurie compares her mother. Photos. (Sept. 1)
Here is a recent article from her
10 Ways to Minimize Your Child's Stress
By Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
Author of Bending Toward the Sun: A Mother and Daughter Memoir
In many respects my children are lucky. They have traveled extensively, attended outstanding schools, and have had the occasion to pursue talents and passing fancies. My childhood was not so privileged. I never imagined having had many of these opportunities. And yet I often find myself feeling sad for them and their peers. They feel a stress I also could never have imagined.
As a child, I generally had nothing better to do after school than play with my neighbors. Today, many of the children I know are too busy after school with lessons and sports to idly play.
When I was growing up, my family sat down together for dinner almost every night. Today, even when my children's schedules don't conflict, my husband or I are likely to be stuck in traffic, arriving too late for a family dinner.
When I was in school, many of my classmates tried out a new sport by joining a high school team. Today, children often need to have been playing sports like baseball, basketball or tennis for years to make the team.
Needless to say, we live in trying times, and many of the buffers my generation had no longer exist. Our children not only have less time for fun or family, but they know that their world is polluted, over-populated, and at risk of terrorism. They also have a sense that if they don't try their hardest, determined young people in developing countries around the world are prepared to take their spots in colleges and the working world.
My mind has turned toward thinking about stress in children after my recent experience in writing Bending Toward the Sun, a mother-daughter memoir that will be released September 1. I became more aware of the ways in which my mother's experiences in the Holocaust influenced the stress I experience, and the ways in which I contribute unnecessary anxiety to my own children. I also realize that even if we could wave magic wands and eliminate all stress from our children's lives, we might be ill-advised to do so. The lessons children learn in coping with small stresses make them more resilient; better able to cope with more complex problems later on. But the high levels of stress which many of them experience today deprives them of much of the joy of growing up, and, I fear, will render them ill-prepared to function optimally as adults. Some of this excessive stress, I believe, can be minimized. Toward a more "stress less" existence for our children -- and hopefully I will be the first to be taking my own advice -- here are a few of my suggestions:
Accept square pegs. Parents are constantly told what is "normal." They, and their children, are made to feel inadequate when the child does not act like every other kid, or reach milestones at a preordained time. Unless it is clear that a serious problem exists, encourage your child's unique interests, approaches to learning, or ideas about socializing. As adults, we rarely consider it a compliment to be called average, so why should we want our children to be?
Encourage children to participate in physical activity. Physical activity reduces stress and helps maintain a healthy balance between mind and body.
Help children to find balance in their lives. While academic and/or athletic successes are obviously important, these successes must coincide with other factors in order for children to remain healthy and stress levels to be kept in check. Children need time for nutritious meals, a good night's sleep, and fun. Families should set aside time, when possible, to have fun together as well. While not always possible, it's helpful when parents can model balance in their own lives.
Allow children to be bored. Children need free time to discover where their own imaginations will lead them. Educators, parents, and coaches should refrain from scheduling every minute in their day.
Help children arrive on time. Children are often reprimanded publicly when they arrive late to school or other activities, adding an unnecessary layer of stress.
Expose children to spiritual activities. In an uncertain world, rituals and traditions reduce stress. Children are comforted by sensing that there are forces in the universe greater than themselves.
Introduce children to nature and the outdoors. Exposing children to plants, animals, and the stars gives them a sense of wonder. Teaching them to garden and be in nature gives them confidence that they can take care of themselves.
Teach children deep breathing and ways to calm themselves. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises help children, as well as the rest of us, to relieve stress.
Encourage children to have a hobby. Stress is reduced when children get to pursue interests and hobbies about which they are passionate, particularly when competition is not the primary goal.
- When a parent experiences stress due to a traumatic past, expose children to healthy relationships and activities away from the family. As I discuss inBending Toward the Sun, children can inherit stress from their parents. The impact of my mother's traumatic childhood was transmitted to me, and years later, to my young daughter. Parents can help mitigate the stresses in their own lives from being transmitted to their children by exposing their children to healthy relationships, activities, and points of view outside of the family.
Also, I would recommend that a parent attempt to answer a child's questions regarding the parent's traumatic past. Children imagine the worst when a parent refuses to discuss a painful past, or seems evasive in answering questions. Parents do not need to reveal more than the child asks about, however, or is mature enough to understand.My long journey in writing Bending Toward the Sun has convinced me that not all stress can, or should, be avoided. But let's do what we can to raise not only high-achieving children, but healthy and happy ones as well.
©2009 Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author of Bending Toward the Sun: A Mother and Daughter Memoir
Author Bio
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author of Bending Toward the Sun: A Mother and Daughter Memoir, is a writer, lawyer, teacher, child advocate, and a member and past President of the Los Angeles County Board of Education.
Gilbert-Lurie also is a founding board member and immediate past President of the Alliance for Children's Rights, a non-profit legal rights organization for indigent children, chair of the education committee for the Los Angeles Music Center, and a board member of several schools including Sierra Canyon and New Visions Foundation. Finally, she has just completed serving as a member of the mayor's task force charged with developing a new cultural plan for the City of Los Angeles.
Previously, Leslie spent close to a decade as an executive at NBC, where, at various times, she oversaw NBC Productions, Comedy, wrote television episodes, and co-founded a new NBC in-house production company, Lurie-Horwits productions. As a lawyer, Leslie worked briefly at the law firm of Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg and Tunney and served as a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Law Clerk. She is a graduate of UCLA and UCLA School of Law.
Leslie lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, daughter and step-son.
For more information please visit http://www.
I saw this over on Todays Adventure and she saw it over on Brooke Reviews and thought it could be pretty funny. Using only books you have read this year (2009), cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It's a lot harder than you think!
Describe Yourself: Secrets of my Hollywood Life - Jen Calonita
How do you feel: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
Describe where you currently live: Super in the City -Daphnie Uviller
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Club Dead - Charlaine Harris
Your favorite form of transportation: Girls in Trucks - Katie Crouch
Your best friend is: A Woman Trapped in a Woman's Body - Lauren Weedman
You and your friends are: Are You There Vodka? - Chelsea Handler
What's the weather like: The Rain Before it Falls - Johnathan Coe
Favorite time of day: One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
What is life to you: Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss - Kyra Davis
Your fear: The Great Perhaps - Joe Meno
What is the best advice you have to give: Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman
Thought for the Day: I Was Told There'd Be Cake - Sloane Crosley
How I would like to die: Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris
My soul's present condition: Marked - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
If any of my readers decide to do this, please comment here and let me know so I can read yours.
First and foremost, I love medical memoirs. The stories are interesting and exciting, because most situations are life and death when it comes to the medical field. If you like medical memoirs I would suggest Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside. Its the same idea as Direct Red, but better executed. Katrina Firlik's novel features each chapter having its own story, but it still plays into the general story of the book. Direct Red reads more like a collection of essays on the medical profession. I wouldn't call this a memoir at all because of the choppiness of it.
Overall worth a read, especially if you are in the market for some short and interesting stories. Another book in a similar vein as this one, but focusing on the vet side of the medical field is Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon.
Bookish Blurbs in this edition:
Cowboy Thor is more comfortable with wild things than people. But his secret pain won't stop him from returning to the unknown reaches of Mars to uncover the mystery behind his best friend's fiery death. Even if it means dealing with the coy woman carrying his friend's baby....Glamorous Socialite Bella has her own reason for coming to town—Thor. The innocent beauty wants her unborn child to know the truth about its father's death, and only Thor can help her learn it. But their investigation is stoking some dangerous embers—and igniting a firestorm of desire that not even the darkest of secrets can put out.
Lila has always been closer to her twin brother Billy to anyone. In many ways, she's been completely dependent on him and information he's relayed to her. Lila remembers nothing of their past but occasional flashes of memory that make no sense. That's generally when Billy will tell her not to lose the plot. Billy is a genius who's nicknamed himself Goofus because he doesn't follow the beaten path. Lila is Gallant because she's proper and by the book. In ways, her husband is perplexed by her and a touch jealous of the bond she shares with Billy because at times she is untouchable to him.
One day, Lila's whole world comes crashing down and she's left alone to piece together her history and what's caused her to be who she is and why she can't remember her life unless it's been written for her by Billy. Billy's been killed by the police after he aimed a presumably loaded rifle at an elementary school in Center City Philadelphia. Suicide by police is what he aimed for, and it's what he got. Now his children, his soon to be ex wife, and his sister are left heartbroken and struggling to understand why he did what he did.
This story was complex and had several unexpected twists, and was quite compelling. I didn't really feel like there was much character development, but then none of the characters were wholly sympathetic because there were so many layers to them so apparently the character development was quite subtle and ultimately, enjoyable. The ending was sudden and swift and I appreciated the cleanness of it. Definitely check out this book when it's released on Tuesday!
Bookish Blurbs in this edition:
The first in the series of the House of Night novels is well worth picking up. Marked introduces us to a vampyre finishing school, a brand new take on becoming a vampyre. Most books I have read about vampires feature them being changed and having to adjust without a lot of guidance, and the change takes no time at all. In this series a person is marked by a vampyre tracker for the change. Once they have been marked they must move into the House of Night finishing school where they will spend 4 years making the change gradually. According to a High Priestess, about 1 in 10 of the vampyre fledglings do not survive the change, their body rejects it and they die, quickly.
The House of Night website has a lot of great features. Check it out and you can find out all there is to know about the series. Its great for people new to the series as well as hardcore fans. If you are new to the series you can read the first chapter here.
While you're there you can check out the House of Night School Yearbook. Its a lot of fun to put some faces to names. You can also Get Marked on the website. That's a lot of fun as well. Here I am rocking my mark with a little bit of sass.
Take this quiz to find out what your fledgling affinity is.
I do not have enough good things to say about this book. An excellent debut in the supernatural young adult market from author Becca Fitzpatrick. Hush, Hush hits shelves October, 13th 2009. Mark your calendars and add this one to your wishlist!
Thanks to Miriam @ Hachette, we have 5 copies of George Pelecano's The Way Home to give away.
Check out the video synopsis below
and more information at www.georgepelecanos.com
Usual rules apply, no PO Boxes, US and Canada only. The contest will end September 15th.
To enter, tell me which is your favorite book of his, or if you've not yet read him, one of your favorite mystery novels. Another entry if you're a follower. :)
After being so blown away by South of Broad (which I'm surprised to see is not as loved by long time Conroy fans according to Amazon reviews), I decided to buy Prince of Tides with my 40% off coupon from Borders (I love my Borders Reward Card, if by chance some of you don't have one, get one! It's free and they have awesome coupons they will email to you) and took a leisurely read through it.
Tom Wingo has been called up to New York City to help save his twin sister Savannah after yet another suicide attempt. This one appears to be far worse than the previous attempts though and Savannah's psychiatrist Dr. Lowenstein has asked for Tom's help in finding out the key to helping Savannah come to terms with her issues. The night before he leaves for New York City, he is told by his wife Sallie that she is contemplating leaving him and has been having an affair with a colleague of hers and is in love with him. She tells him that he's been lost to her for so long, and he seems to have just given up on life as it was, and she doesn't know what to do, or if she can do it anymore.
With that fond farewell, Tom heads to New York for an indefinite stay and begins to share the Wingo history with Dr. Lowenstein. At first, he tells only the surface stories which are bad enough, however as time lapses, he opens up telling truly horrific stories, stories which Savannah has repressed and has no memory of. The stories culminate into two horrific events which could turn out to be the nails in Savannah's coffin of mental health.
This novel was long at almost 700 pages, and I had to put it aside to read Before It Ends about 100 pages in, but I was already drawn into the book. I decided to take my time with it so that I wouldn't be perturbed when I finished it too quickly. A week later, I'm done and highly recommend this book. Again the prose was a bit florid, and at times felt a bit like it was bordering on extraneous for me, but I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if the excess wasn't there. This one didn't have me on the edge of my seat from the beginning as much as South of Broad did, but I ended up devouring about 200 pages last night alone, staying up until past 1 AM taking in what I could because Conroy had indeed pulled me to the edge of my seat. Again, I was not disappointed. As I sat at lunch reading the final chapter and the epilogue, I started tearing up a bit. While not necessarily a happy ending in many ways, the love that bound two people together, in addition to their mutual suffering at the hands of their losses and their childhood showed signs of being the threads that could help heal them again. I would highly recommend this book, and searched high and low (okay, not really that strenuously, but Best Buy, Amazon and even Borders and Barnes and Noble didn't have it) for the movie The Prince of Tides before finding it at FYE of all places, and tonight I will be watching that and comparing to the novel. If there is a rant tomorrow regarding the loss of symbolism in the translation from pen and page to silver screen, well I apologize.
Now for the avid Conroy fans, I need an opinion please. I'm torn between finding The Water is Wide, The Great Santini, and Lords of Discipline next. I've ordered My Losing Season from bookcloseouts and am anxiously awaiting, because I was told that he puts so much of his own life in his novels that a memoir has to be fascinating right? Anyway, which of the above three would you recommend most?
Thanks for the correction MJ! :)
The second in the "Secrets of my Hollywood Life" series by Jen Calonita is all that I expected it to be. Excellent light lit for young adults.
I want to read a graphic novel. The problem is, I have no idea how to pick one out! I am looking for suggestions for a good starter Graphic Novel. Preferably starring a kickass female lead, and maybe a hot hunk thrown in for good measure.
Helen never had children of her own, but that just saved more love for Hanna, her next door neighbor/ granddaughter. When Hanna was five, her parents separated and spent the summer apart from each other and from her. She spent the summer at Gran's house, and since then Helen has known that Hanna needs the fairy tale stories. And that's exactly what Helen gave her as Hanna grew up, asking about Gran's life. The truth however, is far different. Gran figured someday, when Hanna was an adult with children all her own, she could tell her the truth and Hanna would know it was out of love for her that Helen's llife was concocted to fit what she thought Hanna needed to hear. Now, however, as Hanna is nearing sixteen, she's pulling away and it hurts Gran deeply. Hanna is too worried about how to get Seth to feel about her the way she feels about him. However, Gran has become incredibly sick with Parkinson's Disease and is losing control of everything in her life. At Hanna's Catholic school, community service is mandatory. Knowing how scared of hospitals Gran is, and how little they can afford, Hanna asks permission to take care of Gran as her community service, and her request is granted. While Hanna is struggling with her relationship with Seth, Gran is struggling to find a way to let Hanna really know her, and how she came to be who she is. As Hanna takes care of a rapidly declining Gran, they share one of their common passions, reading. Albeit, an audio book. One unlike anything Hanna has ever read, full of anguish, tears, sadness and still, love. Love that overcame obstacles far greater than anything Hanna could imagine.
Check out more reviews at these awesome sites!
My Book Views: my-book-views.blogspot.com
Book Soulmates: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/
Just Jennifer Reading: http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com/
Debbie’s World of Books: http://debbiesworldofbooks.com/
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
Chick with Books: www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com
Bookin’ with Bingo: http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
Chick Loves Lit: http://www.chickloveslit.blogspot.com/
Poisoned Rationality: http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/
So Many Books, So Little Time: http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
Beth’s Book Review Blog: http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/
Park Avenue Princess: http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/
Half Deserted Streets: http://www.halfdesertedstreets.com/
Power in the Blog: http://jesharris.wordpress.com/
Metroreader: http://metroreader.blogspot.com/
Crazy for Books: http://crazy-for-books.blogspot.com/
Angieville: http://angieville.blogspot.com/
Every now and again I find a "Young Adult" series that I just can't get enough of. Think Twilight (swoon). This one however didn't quite do it for me.
Other people have suggested that if you are a fan of Stephanie Plum Novels by Janet Evanovich, that you would like this series by Julie Kramer. They are similar in the sense that they both have a strong leading lady who solves crimes-even though they aren't supposed to-and catch bad guys. I would say that Missing Mark is much more wordy than anything by Janet Evanovich. I was exasperated by all the in depth details about being a news reporter. I found myself wanting to skip ahead very early on in the book because of that.
That being said, I liked the characters in the book, they had some interesting aspects to them. I also like the way that the story unfolds, even if it is a bit slowly. Despite the positives, I just couldn't get excited to continue reading this one. I finished it, but didn't gather much joy from the process. The book is light to the point of being uninteresting.
Macy fell head over heels in love and eight months in, he proposed and they got married and were destined to live happily ever after on their ranch. When Finn's friend was killed in combat in the war, he decided to enlist to honor his friend's memory despite Macy's wishes to the contrary. He was shipped off to Afghanistan, and it wasn't too much longer before Macy got the visit nobody should ever have to endure. Finn was killed by a suicide bomber. In that instant, her world was shattered, and she didn't know how she could endure a life without Finn.
Three years later, Macy has remarried a wonderful man who helped her pick up the pieces, and she found love again, if not the passion and wont she shared with Finn. Wyatt loves Macy more than he ever imagined possible, and he's happy with his life in ways he never expected. Then comes another visit, Finn was held captive by Taliban forces in Afghanistan for the last three years but managed to escape and is on his way home to Macy. How can she choose between the two men she loves so dearly? She can't bear to hurt either one, and yet she knows that she has to.
I really enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated. It was a love story with a heavier storyline involved and I was worried that it would be a bit of a struggle. And yet, I zoomed through the pages enjoying all of it. I didn't expect much of an emotional attachment, but talk of Finn's PTSD and what he saw while captive as well as the heartache of Macy, Wyatt, and Finn really got to me. Macy was a lovely protagonist throughout and I was really rooting for her. The ending with her friend really didn't do much for me, because it seemed like a departure from her character throughout. I am hoping for a follow up novel with the guy not chosen finding love again.
Check out these other sites for their thoughts on this great book today:
My Book Views: my-book-views.blogspot.com
Book Soulmates: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/
Just Jennifer Reading: http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com/
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
My Guilty Pleasures: http://www.mgpblog.com/
Bookin’ with Bingo: http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
The Tome Traveller: http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
One Person’s Journey Through A World Of Books: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/
Foreign Circus Library: http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
Alpha Heroes: http://alphaheroes.blogspot.com/
Pudgy Penguin Perusals: http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/
Seductive Musings: http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com/
Bibliophiles ‘R Us: http://nightdweller20.wordpress.com/
Park Avenue Princess: http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/
Power in the Blog: http://jesharris.wordpress.com/
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
I was going to try and hold off for the paperback of the 9th Sookie Stackhouse book, but I broke down and paid the 20 bucks for it. I simply couldn't wait to find out what happened next!
When I saw the cover of the book I was feeling pretty snarly. Boo Bill! Fortunately the cover doesn't follow the theme of covers from the past, and it actually doesn't have much to do with the book itself.
Cathy Alter has changed since her divorce, and it's not so much for the better. She's sleeping with a lewd man at work who has a whole roster of bedmates, and is trying to work her way into a purse maker's heart, ending occasionally in his bed. When a friend of hers tells her it's too much, and she can't be witness to it anymore, Cathy firmly jumps into a plan she's been mulling over for a while. She's going to give herself over to several magazines for one year. Seeking awareness and self improvement, she'll be following their tips on how to become a better her. Each month will bring about a new topic to focus on. When her friend Karl tells her she deserves so much better in the men department, she wonders if maybe he's telling her he's interested in her. She invites him over one night for drinks, and soon a full fledged relationship blooms. With Karl at her side, and the magazines in hand, Cathy finds herself becoming much happier.
I really enjoyed this memoir. The author was up front about her faults, shortcomings, and hopes. She didn't paint herself in a sympathetic light which was nice to be able to form my own opinions on it. The relationship between Cathy and Karl and it's progression is nice to see. I wasn't sure about the magazines she chose for the project, but the end result was positive as was the revelation that it wasn't the magazines that fixed her, it was Cathy herself.
Just when I think that the series can't get any more exciting, I pick up this book. Action packed to the gilt, this book is a must for any Sookie fan. I should also mention that all of these books can be read as stand alone novels. Charlaine Harris explains backstory in each book for those who might not remember, or might not have read the previous books.
I've been reading an adorable chick lit novel that I was immersed in the last couple of days which I'll be posting a review for in a month.
I was browsing Shelfari for an idea on what to read next and came across So Long at the Fair
The cover of the paperback grabbed me, and the synopsis sounds so interesting!
The bestselling author of Drowning Ruth returns to the small-town Wisconsin she so brilliantly evoked with this gripping novel about love, marriage, and adultery.
In the summer of 1963 a plot for revenge destroys a career, a friendship, and a family. The consequences of the scandalous event continue to reverberate, touching the next generation. Thirty years later, over the course of one day, Jon struggles to decide whether to end his affair or his marriage. His wife, Ginny, moving closer to discovering his adultery, begins working for an older man who is mysteriously connected to their families’ pasts. And Jon’s mistress is being courted by a suitor who may be more menacing than he initially seems. As relationships among the characters ebb and flow on that July day, Christina Schwarz illuminates the ties that bind people together—and the surprising risks they take in the name of love.
As in Drowning Ruth, Schwarz weaves past and present into a richly textured portrait of the secrets and deceptions that simmer beneath everyday life in a small midwestern town. With page-turning intensity and in prose at once lush and precise, she beautifully conjures the emotional labyrinth of a marriage on the brink of collapse and proves that no matter how hard we work to stifle them, the secrets of the past refuse to be ignored.
Betrayal versus loyalty . . . lust versus love . . . infidelity versus honor. Welcome to the complex web of Christina Schwarz’s dazzling new novel, So Long at the Fair.
I can't wait to read this!
These books just keep getting more and more exciting! I really thought that the whole series was going to focus on Sookie and Bill's relationship, come to find out its all about Sookie. I love her revolving door of love interests. She always has some sexy hunk lurking in her life and she's not the best at resisting their advances.
This was a lot of fun to do! Thanks to Today's Adventure for posting about this activity. I really like the cover she generated, make sure to check it out! I have to say that I would buy my debut YA novel based on the cover. What do you think?? To make your own, follow the directions below.
I am in LOVE with this website I just stumbled upon; Finger Lickin' Fifteen. The site is packed full of interesting features based on the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. My favorite is a tour of the famous Burg. When you click on locations in the burg you get to go inside and tour! Stephanies house is a hoot, for anyone who is a fan of this series, this website is a must see. Enjoy!
I bought this book last year and found it while I was rotating my bookshelf again and the synopsis grabbed me.
Carlisle Cushing of the Wainwrights of Willow Creek Texas has come home from her new life in Boston as a premiere divorce attorney to help her mother find a lawyer for her latest divorce. When she gets there, she finds that the debutante ball her family throws to benefit the Willow Creek Symphony is in shambles. Her mother is adamant that Carlisle handle her divorce, and gives her a letter from her grandmother who's recently passed asking Carlisle to help get the debutante ball back on track for the sake of the symphony. To everyone else, this seems preposterous given her disastrous turn as a debutante. But ultimately she agrees to do both while she tries to figure out how to introduce her fiancee to her family, given her less than truthful tale about her background. Add to the mix that the very man she ran all the way to Boston to leave behind has shown up as opposing counsel and she is anything but shocked to realize her feelings for him are still there.
The narration of the Ex Debutante really grabbed me. It was as if a Texas debutante was speaking directly to the reader, and it was easy to delve into because of that. The story line was cute if somewhat predictable and made for a fast fun read. Interestingly enough, I read an excerpt from the paperback release, and just in the first chapter I found several subtle changes in the paperback edition. Anyone know if this happens a lot? I thought the only change was the binding.
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