Review - Snowed Over by Angie Stanton

Book Summary

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.

Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

 

 

My Review - 4 1/2 stars

 

I really enjoyed this gem, very charming Christmas read.  And that cover, a favourite winter festive one, it sold me.

 

College life is a big change for kids, the change of child to adult with new emotions and responsibility.  When holiday breaks come most children can't wait to spend time with their families doing the traditions they grew up with. 

 

What if everything changes, how do you deal it?

 

When Katie gets a ride with Alex to drive to their families they are aware of snow coming but not a blizzard.  I loved the conversation between the two, a genuine feel to getting to know others during college years and now having to deal with tragedy together. 

 

I think there is just something about snow which creates magic even in a blizzard.

 

I love when you read novellas and wish they were longer, I definitely could have spent more time with these characters.

 

There were a few grammar tense editing changes needed but over all I loved the story.

 

 

 

 

 

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Monday - Are you reading festive books?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2012 Wishlist.

Did everyone start Christmas early, the blogosphere has been very quiet.......

I have only read 2 festive reads so far but loved them, very charming way to bring in the holiday.

I completed this one, review will be up on Wednesday.

I reviewed this one here.

I'm currently reading a great Serial Killer Thriller.

I also reviewed this inspired noir true crime book.

What is next...  Can you recommend another festive read, one of your favourites?


 

Sundays in Bed with..... Snowed Over

My 5 year old woke me for breakfast, in her words "I'm starving", so quickly made breakfast and then hopped back in bed so I can finish Snowed Over.  A charming, romantic Christmas novella. If your looking for a quick Christmas read I would recommend it.

Book Summary from Amazon

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.
Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

 

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Review - The Prophet by Amanda Stevens

Book Summary

My name is Amelia Gray.

 

I am the Graveyard Queen, a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. My father passed down four rules to keep me safe and I've broken every last one. A door has opened and evil wants me back.  In order to protect myself, I've vowed to return to those rules. But the ghost of a murdered cop needs my help to find his killer. The clues lead me to the dark side of Charleston—where witchcraft, root doctors and black magic still flourish—and back to John Devlin, a haunted police detective I should only love from afar.  Now I'm faced with a terrible choice: follow the rules or follow my heart.

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My Review - 3 stars

I read this one as a ARC and just couldn't put my thoughts together.   This was suppose to be an end to a trilogy and was so successful, it is now being continued as a series.  I was absolutely loving The Graveyard Series, but unfortunately for me this felt like a transition novel, it didn't meet expectations and I was bored at times, so disappointed.

The creepiness is still there and done well, you can feel the presence of the ghosts and the eerie atmospheres.  Can a ghost manipulate, blackmail and make you feel emotions you don't understand, absolutely, especially when you are Amelia.

I couldn't wait to read more about Amelia and Delvin, well that suspense was for nothing, but in the end I felt maybe that is for the next installment.  Delvin is still haunted by his wife and child, this is done very well. 

Amelia doesn't follow the rules her father taught her, she has tempted fate, hmm, I can't wait for the overall consequences of this throughout the rest of the series.

Amelia is still learning who she is and why ghost come to her.  The Prophet does come together for this meaning and Amelia is fighting with understanding her past and her future.  I do think Amanda Stevens is a great author and I love the characters.  I am very excited to read more of this series and think the next book will be amazing.  Her fans of course are happy but I think the decision may have came to late in the writing of this one.

Favourite quote

But no rationale could convince me that the one crawling on my shoe had been an accident.  I no longer believed in the randomness of the universe or the happenstance of everyday occurrences.  Everything happened for a reason, and I was very much afraid this current synchronicity would be the death of me. 

My Reviews

 

The Abandoned

The Restorer

The Kingdom

 

Interview with Amanda Stevens

 

 

 

Review - The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

Summary inspiration from author to write Wicked Wives

When I was eight years old, I overheard adults in my South Philadelphia neighborhood discussing seventeen disenchanted and unfaithful neighborhood wives who allegedly murdered their husbands for insurance money. This was a fascinating topic for an 8 year- old boy eavesdropping on adult conversation. People were discussing the true story of Philadelphia’s infamous 1938 poison murder conspiracy scandals. My fascination led to obsession as I grew older, and I knew that I had to write about these women, their lovers and their husbands.



My Review - 4 stars

Suspense thriller meets historical fiction creating a great crime novel.   This had it all, love, sex, money, betrayal, crime, court scenes and some great charming, manipulative characters.

The author Gus was eight when he was hearing everyone around him talking about the wicked wives case.  This was his inspiration to write this 1937 noir true crime story from the neighbourhood of the city of Philadelphia.  Women falling for the same gigolo and then poisoning their husbands for insurance money.  They all thought a great plan until they realised they were competing for the same man.  It made me think what was keeping their mouths shut or from killing Giorgio themselves.

Rossi the Detective in charge is also running for District Attorney and is doing his best to keep upstanding morals but coming up against the worst scenarios, will he succeed or give in for his career.  He lived by this saying, also a great quote in the book "Take love away from life...and you take away life's pleasures." 

The suspense in this novel was thrilling, an edge of your seat couldn't wait for the next page, next chapter kind of book.  The court proceedings were nicely done and down right hilarious.

I love how it all came together and the mystery on who was behind everything, well done, you will enjoy this read, very entertaining.

A favourite quote, giving feel of book...........

The courtroom had an overflow crowd and everyone was sitting on the edges of their seats, waiting to hear the details of the case, waiting to be shocked, appalled, and delighted by the sordidness of it all.

 

Review - Yuletide Treasure by Andrea Kane

Summary

Just in time for the holidays, Andrea Kane's beloved short story Yuletide Treasure is available as an eBook for the first time ever.

Yuletide Treasure captures holiday magic as it transports us to a village in Victorian England, where an embittered earl seeks a governess for a lovely, defiant little girl named Noelle.

My Review - 5

Andrea Kane can do no wrong in my eyes, she has proven she deserves the place of my favourite author.  I came across her suspense novels 3 years ago and have loved every one.  I am still working my way through her back list.  Well this gem was announced to release as an ebook and I knew I wanted to try her holiday story.

This is not a suspense holiday read but an adult fiction, historical romance.  Andrea Kane is talented, she writes suspense, romance and historical fiction, I am so impressed.

This is a charming read I highly recommend.  The feel of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett mixed into one.  I loved both of those as much as this one.  I would have loved for it to be a full story but the short story was also perfect.

The characters attach to your heart and the lovely little Noelle adds a lovely touch for a 4 year old girl.  I would love to read more of these characters.

What is the meaning of life?  All the characters, young and old, figure this out.


 

The last month of reading, what are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2012 Wishlist.



I just finished a charming holiday read, review up tomorrow. 5 star

I completed this one, will try to review this week. 4 star

I have no idea what I want to read next, I went through my Wishlist and couldn't decide, what is up with that. 

If I do a Christmas read I have chosen........

 

WoW - More from Kristin Hannah

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

More by Kristin Hannah, so excited.  How gorgeous is the cover.

Publication Date - April 23, 2013

Book Summary

Kristin Hannah's FIREFLY LANE became a touchstone novel in women’s lives. Across the world, women embraced the story of Tully and Kate’s enduring friendship. They laughed with Tully and cried with Kate and anguished over Tully's fractured relationship with her mother. Now, five years later, in FLY AWAY, Kristin Hannah returns to the world of these unforgettable characters and asks the question…

How do you hold yourself together when your world has fallen apart…  FLY AWAY is the story of three women who have lost their way and need each other—plus a miracle—to transform their lives.　  An emotionally-complex, heartwrenching novel about love, family, motherhood, loss, and redemption, FLY AWAY reminds us that where there is life, there is hope and where there is love, there is forgiveness. Told with her trademark visceral storytelling and illuminating prose, Kristin Hannah reveals why she is one of the most beloved writers of our day.

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A walk down memory lane......

I had an amazing family moment yesterday with my 5 year old daughter and her dad.  I had been telling her about the movie E.T. and she said we have to get it.  I remembered it being a favourite of mine and seeing it in the theatre.

It was really amazing to watch again through her eyes.  The sitting on the edge of her seat, sad, laughing and the ultimate cry at the end, awwww.  What a beautiful experience down memory lane.

 

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

 

Hilary Cooper

 

 

The book moment I can't wait to experience with her is The Secret Garden.  My review of that one is here.

 

Review - They Won't Be Missed by Skyler West

Book Summary

The homeless are restless. One by one, they’re going missing.

For years, Mark Casey lived on the streets. But those days are behind him. He’s holding down a job and getting his life back on track.

But when a homeless man reaches out for help, it kick starts a chain of events that could see Mark lose everything, including his young daughter.

Until now, no one had noticed the homeless were missing. But for Mark, the cards are stacked against him. He’s getting too close. They’re watching him. He’s wanted for crimes he didn’t commit. And soon he realises what is happening is on a far larger scale than he could ever imagine.

A plot of unspeakable evil is occurring in the city, and Mark, whose choices are limited, risks becoming one of the missing to find out …

My Review - 3

I really enjoyed the first half of the book, a cop who had been through hard times, lived on the streets, worked through it and now is trying to prove he can have his daughter full time.  Mark is a little hot headed but we realise this is a coping mechanism that needs to be reformed.  He is so close to getting his daughter when we are caught by surprise with an unspeakable scene, immediately catches your attention and puts you on edge.

Mark ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, acting as a good Samaritan with the responsibility of a cop.  He gets involved in what looks like an innocent situation.  Those from the top don't like it and make his life hell with one tragic decision.

In order to prove his worth and the continuation of meeting his personal goal, his daughter, he starts investigating informally.

This is where the book took a dive for me.  I do not enjoy dystopian, other world type books and I felt this one went to far to the unbelievable.  I think sticking to a true secret experiment would have been more believable and getting a more in depth reason on why would have helped.

It all came together at the end but I really didn't enjoy the second half at all and had issues with story connections.  Some scenes could have been better and history of characters should have been more flushed out.

I did enjoy the concept of using homeless people and the experiment undertaken.  Also, it felt like two books into one, I just didn't buy this mix of genres.



 

Waiting on Wednesday - Andrea Kane for Christmas

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Andrea Kane is one of my favourite Thriller authors so when I saw she was releasing a Christmas short story I was excited.  Different from what I am used to but willing to try and get ready for the holiday spirit.

Yuletide Treasure - releasing Nov 27, 2012

Yuletide Treasure captures holiday magic as it transports us to a village in Victorian England, where an embittered earl seeks a governess for a lovely, defiant little girl named Noelle.

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Review - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Book Summary

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

 

My Review - 4 1/2

 

What a great read, I actually enjoyed, almost loved a hyped book, I have to agree that this one deserves the hype, wow wow wow.  And............ it is YA, not my cup of tea but it had me engaged the whole time.  Something about the summary and reviews, I was intrigued, very glad I gave it a try.

 

An emotional book with lots of humour, dark humour, childish humour, many many many laughs throughout the story. 

 

I loved getting to know teenagers that are not the norm, almost everyone had cancer in different forms and a major plus is that the parents were included in the story.  Hazel and Gus had their own language, what I consider true soul mates.  I loved their journey, my favourite parts were the dialogue throughout the story, fascinating, beautiful, emotional and downright hilarious.

 

The scenarios of what Hazel and Gus chose has their wish, kind of Wish Foundation was so amazing I was touched.  Gus reaction to Hazel's was a favourite funny part.  Quote "Hazel GRACE!" he shouted.  "You did not use your one dying Wish to go to Disney World with your parents."  "Also Epcot Center," I mumbled. "Oh, my God," Augustus said.  "I can't believe I have a crush on a girl with such cliche wishes."  Seriously, that is the best dialogue ever. 

 

I think this book will pass the test of time and 10 years from now will still be on reader and book stores favourite lists.

 

I highly recommend this one, I think everyone will enjoy.  There is so much in this book and the reviews I have read give minimal, mainly I believe because you just have to experience it for yourselves without any prior knowledge of details.

 

I have to now go read more John Green, he may just become my YA go to author when I'm in the mood.

 

The bloggers review that finally made me add it to my Wishlist was Kimberly at On the Wings of Books, her review is here, she did more of a vent of amazement kind of review.

  

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ARC Review - The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn

Book Summary

Andrew Morrison sacrificed everything - his childhood, his education, and the girl of his dreams - to look after his alcoholic mother.  But enough is enough, and now he's determined to get out and live his life.

That means trading the hole he grew up in for a rented room in the house of an old chidhood friend - both of which are in sorry shape.

The only thing worse than Drew's squalid new digs and sullen new roommate is the envy he feels for the house next door: a picture-perfect suburban domicile straight out of Norman Rockwell, with a couple of happy householders to match.

But the better acquainted he gets with his new neighbors - especially the sweet and sexy Harlow Ward - the more he suspects unspeakable darkness beyond the white picket fence.

THE NEIGHBORS is an insidiously entertaining tale of psychological suspense and mounting terror by the boldest new master of the form, Ania Ahlborn.



My Review - 3 1/2

We meet the sexy, picture perfect neighbor, Harlow.  Well she is the ultimate soul mate of Norman Bates from the classic book, Psycho.  I could not stop thinking about that book when I was reading this one.  Harlow is a sick and twisted lady, multiple personalities for sure, even if no one knows it other than her beloved husband.

I enjoyed the idea of those running away from something in their past but as the saying goes, it is not always greener on the other side.  Andrew was a sweet gullible young man.  Reading about how he was manipulated seemed to simplistic but knowing he was not the 1st and maybe not the last victim created a mess with your head read.  Harlow gave a new dimension to the idea of neighborly love.

I did fell like the book could have gave us so much more or took us down an edge of your seat scary path but it didn't.  It was almost as if Ania restrained herself, thinking it may be to much or too dark.

Such a great dark read.  Ania Ahlborn has a debut book Seed which was a #1 Kindle read on Amazon.  I look forward to reading that one now.  She has a dark artistic side that she has created as her own personal style and I think will become known for. 


 

The Monday after........

To join this great meme, go over to Sheila over at Book Journey


To all my blogging friends affected by Hurricane Sandy, my heart goes out to you.  I guiltily have to admit that in Bermuda we do not really blink at category 1's so when I saw the disaster pictures after I was in shock.  "How can that be, it was only a storm and then category 1, how did that happen, omg"

I hope your family and friends are safe and coping.  I am saddened for you now.  Hurricane, flooding, snow storm, Megastorm for sure.

On to books........

I am currently reading an ARC.  It will be released November 27.

I started and think I will finish, decided to read slower.  I think I will enjoy better this way.

 

 

 

I reviewed this incredible memoir here - My review

 

 

 



I also reviewed this one - My review

Any I wanted to share my 2 favourite shots from Hurricane Sandy.  Amazing nature after disaster.
Pictures from Huffingtonpost.com