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Category: Women’s Fiction

SheKnows Book Club Pick: “Heart of the Matter” by Emily Giffin

[ 11 ] July 22, 2010

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin is the June/July pick for the SheKnows Book Club!

Reviewed by Vera (Luxury Reading)

Heart of the Matter was my first foray into reading Emily Giffin’s books; I’ve previously listened to Baby Proof on audio.

Heart of the Matter is narrated alternatively by the two leading female characters, Tessa and Valerie. Married to a brilliant plastic surgeon, Nick Russo, Tessa gave up her teaching career at a local university to be a stay-at-home mom to the couple’s two young children. Valerie, an attorney and single mom, has dedicated her life to raising her son Charlie and little else.

A freak accident leaves Charlie with serious burns over his face and arm, bringing the duo into Nick’s path. As he works to repair the damage, Nick’s concern for the patient and his mother evolves into something more than simple professional courtesy. Long room visits turn into daily phone calls; when Charlie is discharged from the hospital, Nick finds reasons to visit him, and Valerie, at home.

The quiet dissatisfaction Nick has with his marriage finds an outlet when he’s around Valerie, while Tessa is left to contend with Nick’s increasingly long “work” hours. Much of the novel grapples with Nick’s ultimate decision of whether or not to give into his growing affection for Valerie, and the potential ramifications of his choice on Tessa and their family.

Reading Heart of the Matter was akin to having a crush, and hoping that the other party felt the same way. The anticipation of mutual affection in real life and in Giffin’s novel was one and the same. In Heart of the Matter, she created the perfect combination of knowing what’s right, and still being able to sympathize with the side that’s wrong. While I felt for Tessa and understood that Nick’s actions were wrong, I also felt for Valerie and could not help but want her’s and Nick’s relationship to work out in some way.

Visit Emily Giffin’s website for more information.

This book was provided free of any obligation by SheKnows Book Club. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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“Sweet Misfortune” by Kevin Alan Milne

[ 7 ] July 14, 2010

Reviewed by Joanne L.

Are you familiar with the movie, White Christmas? There is a scene where Emma, the housekeeper of the Columbia Inn (played by Mary Wickes), is overwhelmed with emotion – and speaks of the big ‘schmaltz’ of the coming production. As I read Sweet Misfortune, I found it to be a big schmaltz…lots of bits and pieces inserted to tug upon my heart strings.

Kevin Alan Milne, the author, gives us a beautiful woman chocolatier with a tragic past. She has a grim view on life that distances her from others. Milne adds a handsome podiatrist (yes, that went a bit beyond formulaic) who is attracted to her, and sets the story in rainy Seattle. There are mistakes and misunderstandings, secondary characters who have overcome adversity with poignancy and grace, and an advert in the local paper to find true voices that define what happiness is.

Sophia Jones is the beautiful woman with a chocolate shop. She lost her parents in a car accident in the Seattle rains when she was nine years old. For twenty years she has blamed herself for the accident and lived in constant anticipation of disappointment. When her foster mom sets her up on a blind date with a podiatrist, Garrett – she resists and denies and then slowly succumbs to love.

Love, which of course ends in disappointment when Garrett cancels the wedding with no explanation.

Jump ahead about a year and Sophie is writing clever misfortunes and placing them in her misfortune cookies, an inedible cookie made with the bitterest of chocolate. The idea for these cookies was inspired by her luckless relationship. The cookies become a big hit with her customers; their messages were kind of the despair.com of cookies. This was the premise of the book that had appealed to me; the ability to influence others with a bit of baked in magical realism.

[amazonify]1599952971[/amazonify]Sophie never developed into a character that I cared about though. Her cookies and their audience were only lightly touched upon and I found her to be cold and off-putting with her constant negativity. The premise that the author used to justify her guilt over the accident also seemed forced and very incongruent with her career choice.

The story moves along predictably with the fiancé attempting to return and explain, and Sophie avoiding and being sour. It then turns out that not only was the car accident twenty years ago Sophie’s fault, there are a whole slew of people who also feel guilty about it and finally come clean, as though being washed clean by the Seattle rains.

And that was just a bit too much schmaltz for me.

Joanne is an organization development and human resources professional with a business background living in Ohio. She has lived in Europe, Africa (including her Peace Corps service in South Africa), and arround the United States. She loves to plays volleyball, read, write, and has a cat named Ender.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Center Street. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Summer Reading List

[ 10 ] June 29, 2010

Perfectly mowed backyard – $25
Handmade hammock, bought in Mexico – $40
Pina Colada – $5
A perfect book to spend a summer afternoon with – PRICELESS!

In the spirit of lazy summer afternoons (and morning and evenings), I’d like to share a list of books I loved reading or look forward to indulging in this summer!

What’s on your reading list this summer?

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Hidden Wives, by Claire Avery

What to expect: 15-year-old sisters, Sara and Rachel, live in a Fundamentalist Mormon compound, and are about to be married off to much older men who received “testimonies” from God for the girls’ hand in marriage. Sara is promised to her uncle, while sixteen men clamor to add beautiful Rachel to their hordes’ of wives.  Sara is determined to escape from the years of abuse, but Rachel’s religious beliefs may be too strong to break through…

What’s the fuss? Hidden Wives was hands down my favorite book this year! Full of suspense, romance and characters that you can’t help but sympathize with, it’s a gem that will make you forget the summer heat.
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The One That I Want, by Allison Winn Scotch

What to expect: Not only did Tilly Farmer marry her high school sweetheart Tyler, but she also works at a guidance counselor at the high school both she and Tyler attended. Following a reunion with a childhood friend, Tilly begins having futuristic visions through contact with photographs from the past. Soon, the visions begin coming true, leaving Tilly to re-evaluate the meaning of “happiness”. (read our full review)

What’s the fuss? Allison Winn Scotch has a knack for exploring people’s wishful thinking – going back and choosing a different path in Time of My Life, and being able to see the future  in The One That I Want. Either way, it’s a perfect opportunity to indulge your what-ifs fantasies!
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Bonobo Handshake, by Vanessa Woods

What to expect: In 2005, Vanessa Woods accepted a marriage proposal from a man she barely knew and joined him on research trip to the bonobo sanctuary in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. A fascinating memoir of hope and adventure, Bonobo Handshake traces Vanessa’s self-discovery as she finds herself falling deeply in love with her husband, the apes, and her new surroundings (adapted from the publisher’s synopsis).

What’s the fuss? Vanessa Woods writes with the polished prose of a seasoned fiction writer, affectionately sharing her intimate encounters with bonobo in the Congo. This is memoir writing at its finest, and a strong new voice from which I’m eager to hear more. (written by Jennifer J.)
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Red Hook Road, by Ayelet Waldman

What to expect: A marriage collapses under the strain of a daughter’s death; two bereaved siblings find comfort in one another; and an adopted young girl breathes new life into her family with her prodigious talent for the violin. (from the publisher’s synopsis)

What’s the fuss? Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) wrote that Red Hook Road was “a thoroughly gripping and elegantly written story about love, grief, friendship, and the unexpected ways in which disaster brings families together”.  Such praise from one of my favorite authors is reason enough to give this book another look!
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The Luxe, by Anna Godbersen

What to expect: The beautiful young Holland sisters, Elizabeth and Diana, rule Manhattan society. Or so it appears. When they discover their status is far from secure, everyone—from the ambitious socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor, Henry Schoonmaker, to the Holland’s dour maid, Lina Broud—threatens the girls’ golden future. (from www.theluxebooks.com)

What’s the fuss? I’ve had my eye on the Luxe series for a while (other books include Rumors, Envy and Splendor) and plan to finally dive into the drama and pretty dresses of 1800′s Manhattan this summer. Every now and then, I need some light hearted reading in between more serious literature, and I think The Luxe fits the bill perfectly! Best of all, the paperback is available on Amazon for $4.00.
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The Leisure Seeker, by Michael Zadoorian

What to expect: Well in their eighties, Ella Robina suffers from cancer and has chosen to stop treatment, and her husband John has Alzheimer’s. Yearning for one last adventure, the self-proclaimed “down-on-their-luck geezers” steal away from their home in suburban Detroit on a forbidden vacation of rediscovery. (adapted from the publisher’s synopsis)

What’s the fuss? If you’re looking for a book that combines, wit, humor, tenderness, love and a unique perspective on aging, eternal love and the fragility of the human body, then this little gem of a book is a must read. A brilliantly written tale of marriage, life and aging and choices. Think Romeo & Juliet meet Archie & Edith Bunker. Priceless & life changing. (written by Claudia R.)
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Where’s My Wand?: One Boy’s Magical Triumph over Alienation and Shag Carpeting by Eric Poole

What to expect: From the age of eight through early adolescence, Poole sought refuge from his obsessive-compulsive mother, sadistic teachers, and sneering schoolyard thugs in the Scotchgarded basement of his family’s suburban St. Louis tract house. When a series of tragic events tested Eric’s longstanding belief that magic can vanquish evil, he began to question the efficacy of his incantations, embarking on a spiritual journey that led him to discover the magic that comes only from within. (from the publisher’s synopsis)

What’s the fuss? Where’s My Wand? has been compared to Augusten Burroughs’ and David Sedaris’ memoirs, and sounds at once humorous and entertaining, as well as sad and touching.
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The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva

What to expect: A man is killed. A Rembrant is stolen. Again. Gabriel Allon is asked by a friend to try to find it. Gabriel finds a lot more than he bargained for: the history of this painting is soaked in blood and it’s future is not looking to bright either.

What’s the fuss? The Rembrandt Affair is a story of international intrigue, and a history lesson on the Dutch participation in the Holocaust. Most importantly, it’s a great read that’s keeping me on the edge of my seat. (written by Caleb S.)
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“Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English” by Natasha Solomons

[ 6 ] June 28, 2010

Reviewed by Jenny R.

Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English (originally a bestseller in the UK where it was titled Mr. Rosenblum’s List) is a whimsical and somewhat charming tale about a couple trying to build a life for themselves in England. Despite these qualities, however, which some readers will certainly find endearing, I felt a personal lack of connection to this book.

Mr. Rosenblum begins with Jack and Sadie Rosenblum’s escape to England from Germany during World War II. Jack immediately tries to assimilate with the new culture by becoming the perfect “Englishman”. Upon arriving in England, Jack is given a pamphlet with some rules about how to be an Englishman. Jack intensely adheres to this list and adds to it as he learns about the world in which he is now living.

Sadie, on the other hand, is not so excited to be in England and misses her family. She certainly doesn’t want to “deliberately assimilate” with the culture, and can’t understand her husband’s resolve. Years pass and Jack decides that in order to truly be an Englishman he must obtain membership to a golf club. He seeks out golf club after golf club only to find that no one wants him because of his background (for which they refer to him as a “kraut” — a derogatory term for a German soldier). So he decides to build his own. The rest of this novel revolves around him reaching this goal and further assimilating into his new community.

[amazonify]0316077585[/amazonify]As I mentioned before, some readers will find the Rosenblums’ story adorable and endearing.  I found it to be anticlimactic. I felt conflicted for much of the book with wanting Jack to reach his goal but, ultimately, feeling annoyed that he was trying so hard to be someone else. In that respect, I related more to Sadie, but I even felt a lack of connection to her.

The characters weren’t as fully fleshed out as I would have preferred. The plot  was slow moving and focused almost completely on the plot points that have already been mentioned here. Natasha Solomons has a talent for writing, however, and I enjoyed her easy but well worded narrative style.

Jenny is a social worker in her late twenties who lives with her husband and Jack Russell Terrier in the central Florida area. In her “”free”" time she loves reading books of all genres. She also reviews books on her book blog TakeMeAway.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Reagan Arthur Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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“The Icing on the Cupcake” by Jennifer Ross

[ 10 ] June 27, 2010

Reviewed by Poppy J.

The Icing on the Cupcake is a novel for anyone who has experienced the shame and embarrassment of having her words – words that were best kept private – come back to haunt her, or even destroy her.

Ansley Waller is a Southern debutante type ready to wed the love of her life. However, after she blabs out her true feelings, and he understands the sourness in her heart, he calls it quits, leaving her to pick up the pieces alone.

Not to be outdone, Ansley is determined to make the best of the situation, and decides to go and live with her grandmother Vivian. Vivian has some secrets that she will share, and others that are best kept hidden from Ansley forever. The two women must come to some middle ground as they realize how alike they really are, and how the memories of their lost loved ones still have a profound effect on their lives.

[amazonify]034549296X[/amazonify]Jennifer Ross has an eye for detail, making the story in The Icing on the Cupcake interesting and real. The reader will bond with Ansley, but maybe not right away. It will take some time to understand that what Ansley does to win her life back she does because she has no other choice. By the end of the novel, Ansley is finally ready to take the big girl look in the self reflecting pool, and know that she has arrived.

There are real recipes at the end of the chapters, and the names of the cupcakes are derived from Ansley’s feelings from within the chapter itself. The story is appropriate for women and young adults of all ages. It’s a great book to read anytime, and sure to inspire the baker in all of us.

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

This book was provided free of any obligation by BookSparks PR. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Giveaway: “Georgia’s Kitchen” by Jenny Nelson

[ 168 ] June 22, 2010

We will be reviewing Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson this summer, and you have a chance to win a copy prior to the book’s August 3rd release! Georgia’s Kitchen was recently picked by Target for a hot August read and is the perfect book to devour poolside!

Follow Jenny on Twitter or visit her Facebook page to learn more!

Win a copy!

1 lucky winner will receive a copy of Georgia’s Kitchen!

Mandatory entry: Please comment on this post with your e-mail address.

Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 2 posts for subscribing):
- Become a fan of Jenny Nelson’s on Facebook (2 entries)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. Click the “Share/Save” button at the end of this post (1 entry each)
- Become a fan of Luxury Reading on Facebook (2 entries)

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on July 6th.

A giveaway copy was provided free of any obligation by BookSparks PR. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: “The One That I Want” by Allison Winn Scotch

[ 260 ] June 15, 2010

Please join Allison Winn Scotch, author of The One That I Want, as she tours the blogosphere with TLC Book Tours!

Introduction by Allison Winn Scotch

I almost think of The One That I Want as a bookend to my last book, Time of My Life. The heroines are at opposite ends of the spectrum – Tilly, in The One, is content with living her life on a smaller scale, settling into the quieter corners, taking care of everyone else as her balm. Unlike Jillian, from Time, who was so discontent, and who thus propelled herself into the past, Tilly finds complete satisfaction in her life, and thus, when she’s given the ability to see into the future, it’s as unwelcome as it is jarring. A lot of readers ask why I use these supernatural techniques in my book (though I don’t in my next one, I promise!), and my answer is that by pushing the boundaries of reality, I can pose bigger questions to my heroines – and thus, my readers. What if Tilly discovers she’s not living the life she wants? What if she learns that happier ever after isn’t happier at all? What if my readers aren’t and don’t? What then? That’s what I love exploring via my protagonists, and hopefully, flash-forwards, time-travel and all of that aside, that’s what readers take from my books.

Check out our review of Allison’s last novel, Time of My Life. You can catch up with Allison at her official website or her blog, Ask Allison.

Reviewed by Jennifer J.

Tilly Farmer has never left high school. Not only did she marry her high school sweetheart Tyler, but she also works at a guidance counselor at the high school both she and Tyler attended. Ever since childhood, Tilly has worked hard to fix things. After the death of her mother, Tilly kept her family from further falling apart. She offered comfort and consoling to her two younger sisters Luanne and Darcy, and helped her father through his losing battle with alcohol. Rather than let all of the negativity in her life bring her down, Tilly moves through life with a smile on her face, believing with every ounce of her that this is the life she wants.

[amazonify]0307464504[/amazonify]As Tilly and Tyler contemplate parenthood, a reunion with childhood friend Ashley Simmons at the school fair leaves Tilly with a clarity about her life that she has never before possessed. The futuristic visions that Tilly now sees through contact with photographs from the past are frightening to her. When the visions all start to come true, Tilly must reevaluate the perfect life she has always thought she had, and redefine the meaning of “happiness”.

In The One That I Want, Allison Winn Scotch explores how seeing the future affects an individual’s life in the present. Being able to see her future and recognizing that it is out of her power to change things that have already been set in motion for the past 16 years leaves Tilly a total mess. Like Tilly, I’m sure most everyone would react just as shocked, hurt, and angry if the future revealed they were oblivious to a failing marriage and family secrets that were out in the open if they had just read the signs correctly. Even so, many of Tilly’s outbursts felt a little unwarranted and made her seem like a very spoiled, catered to woman. In those situations, I found it very hard to have any sympathy for her.

The One That I Want ends on a positive note as Tilly learns to look forward to an uncertain future. She is able to mend most of the relationships that she had jeopardized, including the renewal of her friendship with Ashley. Ashley proved to be a wonderful contrast to Tilly, and influential in helping her see that there is more to happiness than the memories of a childhood love, cheerleading, and planning high school proms.

I loved the subtle magical qualities of this novel, as well as the small town feel of it, and can’t wait to read more from Allison Winn Scotch.

Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She occasionally dabbles with her own fiction writing, particularly with the Young Adult and Paranormal genres. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and daughter.

Giveaway:

I have 1 hardcover copy of The One That I Want to give away, courtesy of the publisher!

Mandatory entry: Please comment on this post with your e-mail address.

Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 2 posts for subscribing):
- Subscribe via e-mail, follow or subscribe to the feed. You must verify the subscriptions. (1 entry each)
- Enter another current giveaway and tell me which one you entered (1 entry each)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. Click the “Share This Blog” button at the top of the sidebar (1 entry each)
- Become a fan on Facebook (2 entries)

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on June 30th.

Review and giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by Shaye Areheart Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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“Her Mother’s Hope” by Francine Rivers

[ 6 ] June 14, 2010

Reviewed by Amanda S.

In Her Mother’s Hope, Francine Rivers lays out the first two generations of a family that emigrated from Europe in the late 1800’s. Marta comes from a family that was abusive, strict, and hard-working. She vows to live a different life than the one she’s been dealt and sets off on her own at a very young age. Her mother kept telling her to “fly,” and so fly she did…all the way to Canada.

In Canada, Marta sets up her boardinghouse and meets her husband, who then moves her to America, but not without a fight. Marta doesn’t like the idea of doing what her husband tells her to do and so she fights it with all she has. Following the move, Marta gives birth to their second child, Hildemara Rose. Weak and ill from birth, Hildemara is a special child. But Marta refuses to coddle Hildie and is harder on her than on any of her other children. Rather than take these criticisms and turn them into a positive, Hildie internalizes the hurt and feels unwanted and unloved by her mother.

As Hildemara grows, she is determined to not allow her mother to bring her down and to live her life the way she wants to live it: serving others. Hildie becomes a nurse, marries, and starts a family of her own…only to become ill, forcing her to ask her mother for help. Will Marta come and help Hildemara or will she only push Hildie away like she’s always done?

[amazonify]1414318634[/amazonify]Francine Rivers weaves another beautiful tale for us that comes partially from her own family history. We see the pain each character goes through, their joys, their triumphs, and their sorrows. In many ways we can see ourselves in the different characters. Have we been harder on one child than on the others, especially if it’s for their own good? Or have we coddled one child over another because they were weaker or needed more help? Have we, like Marta, been so adamant not to relive our childhood that we pushed ourselves to the opposite extreme, and became almost hateful in our dealings with our spouse or children?

Her Mother’s Hope ends rather abruptly and with a huge cliffhanger, much like Voice In The Wind (from The Mark of the Lion series by Rivers). The main character is on the brink of death, and we have to wait until the next book to find out what happens….which is months in coming! While not liking the cliffhangers in Francine River’s books, I will never turn down the opportunity to read one of her works! The second book, Her Daughter’s Dream, comes out in the fall of 2010.

For more information, please visit Francine Rivers’ website.

Amanda lives in Missouri with her engineering husband and two boys. In between homeschooling and keeping up with church activities she loves to read Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and any Chick-Lit. She never goes anywhere without a book to read!

This book was provided free of any obligation by Author Marketing Experts, Inc. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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