Raising Wild Ginger, Tara Woolpy (5 stars)

From Amazon: Parenting is hard. That's what Edward Rosenberg has always assumed, although his only experience with children has been as the drunken uncle. Now the love of his life, Sam DaCosta, is yearning for fatherhood. Edward's been sober for years. He and Sam are in a good place. Why rock the boat? On the other hand, how can he deny Sam his dream of a family? Then they meet Ginger. At twelve she's been through more than either Edward or Sam can imagine. She's seductive, secretive and dishonest. But somewhere between stealing his cash and alienating Sam, Ginger manages to wind herself into Edward's heart. Can the three of them create a family? Or will Ginger blow them all apart?

Excerpt from my Rebeccas Reads review:

Very few characters grab your heart like Ginger, and I must warn readers that her tale is a hard one to process. The abuse she suffers should never happen, much less to a child. When the author finally reveals the details, I could barely read the words through my tears. This book will stay with me for a long time. Kudos to Tara Woolpy for not shying away from exposing the horrors of sexual assault.

Raising Wild Ginger is the second book in the Lacland Story series, and I certainly hope there will be more. Maggie, a friend of Edward and Sam, is screaming for her own book. But this tale belongs to Edward, Sam, and Ginger. It’s a powerful stand-alone story of heartbreak and the ability of family to heal the wounds.

My full review can be found here.

Rating: 5 stars

I reviewed the first book in the Lacland series for Rebeccas Reads last year: Releasing Gillian's Wolves. Tara Woolpy is fast becoming a go-to author for me thanks to her character development and gripping stories.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Dying for a Dance, Cindy Sample (4 stars)

From Amazon: It takes two to tango--but only one to murder.

Lead-footed single mom, Laurel McKay, agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend's wedding. After she trips her instructor, crashes into a pair of dancers and breaks the heel of her new shoes, she thinks her evening can't possibly get any worse. Then she stumbles over another dancer. A dead one. With her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth.

The action moves from the California Gold Country to Lake Tahoe as Laurel searches for the killer amid the sequins and flying feathers of a ballroom competition. Can she samba her way into the heart of the handsome detective who has once again entered her life? Or will dancing and detecting prove to be a lethal combination?

One, two, three, four. Too many suspects on this dance floor.
Five, six, seven, eight. Find the murderer before it's too late.

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Excerpts from my Rebeccas Reads review:

If you like the idea of Dancing with the Stars combined with a murder mystery, you’ll love Dying for a Dance. Laurel McKay is trying to learn a ballroom dance routine for her best friend’s wedding. She has two left feet, but things only go downhill from there. One of the dance instructors is found dead with Laurel’s shoe heel stuffed in his mouth.

I only wish I had read Dying for a Date, the first in this series. I wanted Laurel, as fun as she was, to be more fleshed out. Maybe that was done in the first book, but I don’t know and neither would other readers who picked up this book first. The gap of not knowing is all that kept this from being a five-star read.

My full review can be found at Rebeccas Reads.

*****

This brings me to a question I keep facing as a reviewer: Should books in a series be judged as stand alones or only as part of a series (particularly if read out of order)?

I'd love your thoughts.

Happy New Year: Welcome 2012

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2012, a year that will include my 40th birthday. I am recommitting to reading thanks to Stephen King. I just finished his novel, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. In it, Stephen King reiterates a concept I've always believed: good writers read, and they read a lot.


My biggest 2012 goal... I plan to publish my second novel, our follow up to Depression Cookies. To focus on writing, I believe I have to also focus on reading. I have already joined the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge, and I plan to join a few more reading challenges this year. Stay tuned for announcements.

I will also continue to review for Rebecca's Reads. This allows me exposure to books I might never hear about otherwise. In January, I will review Stephen King's On Writing, Elizabeth Ann West's Cancelled (scheduled for tomorrow!), Cindy Sample's Dying for a Dance, and many more. Plus, I'll keep answering Should be Reading prompts and questions from my 30 Day Book Meme.

I look forward to sharing good books with all of you. Please do the same. If you've read a book you love, share it with me either in the comments below or on GoodReads, Facebook, or Twitter.

Shh, Don't Tell My Husband: Musing Mondays

Another Musing Mondays prompt by Should be Reading:

How many books do you read in a week? Month? Year?

I wish I could read more than I do! I go through spurts. Some weeks I'll knock down a couple of books, and some weeks I don't crack the bind (or Kindle cover) on anything. In a perfect world, I would read several hours a day.

Like everything else in my life, I do better when I set goals and challenges. I read and review two books a month for Rebeccas Reads and read a book for my monthly book club. So, at minimum, I read three books a month. I usually manage to squeeze in a few more. My goal for 2012: read at least one book a week in addition to my book club selection and review obligations.

Check back tomorrow to find out about the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge I just joined. Finally I will get to some of the books stacked up in my linen closet. Shh, don't tell about my secret hiding place... I'm hiding these books from my husband who is always getting on me about buying so many. Some women buy shoes, I buy books!

I am determined to read more small press and independently published books as well. I want to support the writing community on a more personal level because it's been so wonderful to me.

Wish me luck with my 2012 reading goals!

I'd love to hear from you... how many books do you read in a typical month?

Emeralds Never Fade, Stephen Maitland-Lewis (5 stars)

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For a girl who falls asleep as soon as her husband turns on the History channel, I love historical fiction. My first foray into the genre was Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, another highly recommended 5 star novel.

So imagine my delight when I saw an historical fiction novel awaiting review at Rebeccas Reads. I took it and am so glad I did.

From Amazon:

Before World War II, two German boys enjoy playing piano, and one visits each week to teach the other. When the Nazis seize power, the lessons must end -- one of the boys is Jewish. Leo Bergner, the Jewish pupil, escapes Germany while his piano teacher, Bruno Franzmann, is called to serve the Fatherland. As the war ends, Bruno escapes to Buenos Aires and Leo begins a career in banking, only to uncover a conspiracy of Jewish persecution that puts him in direct opposition to his beloved Israel, while also jeopardizing his career, his marriage, and his life. In Argentina, Bruno hatches an unscrupulous plot to finance a multi-national corporation, and in time, his efforts require a business trip to London -- his first visit to Europe since he escaped. After forty years, a lost family heirloom will decide their fate.

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My full Rebeccas Reads review can be found here. But here's an excerpt:

The author intricately weaves together the stories of Leo and Bruno throughout the novel. Each man is affected by the war, but uses different means to cope and move on. From the moment Bruno steals the emerald, we know their fates are intertwined. With each page turn, we eagerly anticipate how the two stories will collide. The author leaves us guessing until the very end.

Although the novel is a thrilling page-turner, it is still steeped in emotion. Both men are victims of circumstance. I found Leo’s letters from his mom particularly touching, and Bruno grew up under the thumb of selfishness and judgment. Neither man’s character is clear cut, both are just men held strongly in the often cruel hands of fate. You will enjoy this rich story, and its well-crafted characters, from beginning to end. An amazing cover seals the deal.

*****

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-told tale, full of twists and turns and memorable characters. If you love historical fiction, move it to the top of your to-be-read pile.

5 stars

For more information, please visit the author's website.

Parallel Lives, Martin Gwent Lewis (4 stars)

Intriguing, and a definite departure from the last several books I've read, Parallel Lives follows the story of a man meeting parallel versions of himself. Convoluted at times, but I'm not sure how you avoid that when dealing with the idea of parallel universes.

The idea behind the story... each time you make a major life decision it spins off another version of yourself, one where you did not make that decision. As a reader, I couldn't help but think about how many choices we make in our lives and how many versions there would be. Your head starts to spin.

But spinning isn't bad.

My full review can be found here at Rebeccas Reads. An excerpt:

Can you imagine being at the lowest point in your life and reviewing all your past decisions? Not just reviewing them, but meeting your alter egos who made different decisions. Thus is the basis of Parallel Lives, an intriguing story about a man struggling with life and past decisions. The story opens on Richard’s darkest day. He’s about to end it all when a voice yells, “Don’t do it! The repercussions are beyond your wildest dreams.” His savior is his counterpart in another reality, known as Historian.

If you enjoy a thrilling and thought-provoking ride, pick this up. Don't get frustrated in the beginning, the book gains momentum and takes you to a fast-paced conclusion. Enjoy!

Note: Back to my cover discussion, don't judge this book by its cover. When I first saw it, I thought it was some eBook business manual. The story deserves more.

WWW Wednesdays: Sharing the Love of Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:

Turning Point, Melissa Luznicky Garrett

I'm seven chapters in and love the characters and storyline so far. Bummed to have sidelined this for a few days so I could finish my book club read. But, I'm back to it and focused.

A brief synopsis: Convinced a fresh start is all she needs to escape the problems at home, seventeen-year-old Jenna Lyons runs away in the middle of the night. But when her car breaks down on the outskirts of La Grange, Missouri, population less than a thousand, she gets sucked into the small town, and one family in particular. Jenna discovers there’s a liar in La Grange, and he’s deceived everyone. Now she must decide whether to run away from the truth, or blow his secret wide open.


Recently Finished:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

Amazing! I rarely read nonfiction, but everyone told me this book read like fiction. It does! A powerful story about the woman behind HeLa cells. I have a block when it comes to science, it was one of my least favorite subjects in school, but only a few times did I feel bogged down in science while reading this.

The author did an excellent job weaving the family's story with the wonders of science. A must-read. Will publish a complete review later this week.

Will Read Next:

Emeralds Never Fade, Stephen Maitland-Lewis

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from RebeccasReads to review, set to be published November 30, 2011.

Synopsis (back cover): Before World War II, two German boys enjoy playing piano, and one visits twice each week to teach the other. When the Nazis seize power, the lessons must end—one of the boys is Jewish.

Leo Bergner, the Jewish pupil, escapes Germany while his piano teacher, Bruno Franzmann, is called to serve the Fatherland. His assignment to work at a concentration camp turns to peril as the war nears an end. With the Allied forces closing in, he risks capture and prosecution as a war criminal.

After the war, Leo begins a career in banking and uncovers a conspiracy of further Jewish persecution, involving the assets of concentration camp victims. His investigation into the corrupt dealings of his own bank puts him in direct opposition to his beloved Israel, while also jeopardizing his career, his marriage, and his life.

Bruno escapes to Buenos Aires and must begin anew, lost in a strange land where only his wits can save him. He hatches an unscrupulous plot to finance a multi-national corporation, and in time, his efforts require a business trip to London—his first visit to Europe since he escaped.

After forty years, a lost family heirloom will decide their fate.

*****

After this, I'm looking forward to reading some indie reads I just picked up through the great Come Back to Me launch party event (going on through tomorrow).

What are you reading?

Call Me When You Land, Michael Schiavone (5 stars): Just Released Today!

I reviewed this wonderful novel for Rebeccas Reads back in July. Today is the official release date and it's finally available to the public.

You can read my complete review here. An excerpt (as used on Michael Schiavone's website):

"Schiavone spins a heartbreaking tale of alcohol, drugs and self-destruction. What this author does so well is build a framework, revealing pieces of the characters’ backgrounds in digestible amounts. Just when I thought I knew a character, the author dug deeper. There was rarely a wasted word, and that’s the highest compliment I can give as a reader. Beautifully written and well-edited, the author reels you in with methodical care. There is no time to come up for air, and you don’t want to. It’s gripping and real, but there’s hope. Lesser characters would have been crushed by their circumstances, but Schiavone gives his an impressive strength to endure. I highly recommend adding this book to your must-read list. I only wish I could borrow Schiavone’s mastery of language long enough to compel you to read Call Me When You Land."

Don't just take my word for it. The New York Journal of Books says:

“The subject matter of Call Me When You Land might seem dark and depressing, but it’s not. It’s funny and human and real. The author writes his characters so well that he makes you want to reach out and shake some sense into them as they struggle with day-to-day crap. Michael Schiavone’s novel will cause you to wince and laugh and—if you have a beating heart—actually shed a tear here and there as you follow this bumpy family drama.”

This novel is for anyone who wants real characters who face obstacles with bravery but falter along the way. They are real, and they give us hope.

A must-read, 5 stars.

You can find the book at Amazon, or visit the author's website highlighted above. Enjoy, and as always, please share any new books (particularly indie or small press) you've heard about or read lately.

Dark Prince by Christine Feehan (4 stars)

I don't know where I've been hiding since 1999 (wait, I did have kids in 2000, 2002 & 2005), but I had not heard of Christine Feehan's Dark Series books. Rebecca's Reads sent me her Author's Cut Special Edition version of Dark Prince to review, and I have to admit . . . I'm now a fan.

Please check out Rebecca's Reads for my review under Recent Reviews (should be up soon). Also check out the Author's website to find out more about this NY Times Bestselling author with over 40 books, including 4 series, to her credit.

Note: This is not Twilight . . . if you want an adult version of a paranormal romance, this is for you. It's darker, deeper and more original.

4 stars - Skip Happily to the Bookstore (or happily press the buy it button on your ebook of choice)