Raising John by Jennifer Lesher (4 stars)

About Raising John

Publisher: Paperback: Cavu Press (Jan. 18, 2014)
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction

How do you go on living when you have done the unforgivable? How do you love a mother you barely remember? John is an orphan who misses the mother he hardly knew. Robert is the drunk driver who killed her. As the story opens we meet 4-year-old John, who wonders why his mother had to die. Robert wakes up in lockup, expecting to sleep off a blackout and go home, until he learns of the accident he caused.

John grows up under the care of his devoted maternal grandmother, who grapples with guilt over her daughter’s past. Just as John is on the cusp of manhood, he must confront his mother’s death anew and question everything he has come to believe about himself and the people he loves.

Robert is sentenced to 4 years in state prison. His incarceration begins a journey that will have a profound effect on not only himself, but on the life of the boy he orphaned, and on the legacy of the young mother who died.

Raising John was a semi-finalist in the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA Alumni Association Emerging Writers Contest.

Review

At its heart, this is a story about love and loss. It's about owning up to our mistakes and dealing with the consequences. John's life begins in loss when his mom dies in a tragic car accident. He doesn't know her and lives with a grandmother who struggles with the past.

Memorable characters and a moving story--one that tugs on your heart one minute and makes you fighting mad the next--make this an unforgettable read. We find out how many lives can be ruined by addiction and lies. At first, I struggled with the abrupt storyline changes (both in character focus and time shifts); but once the story founds its groove, I couldn't put it down.

With each revelation, I became more invested in the characters and desperately wanted them to find a way out of the vicious cycle they found themselves in. Then came a twist I wasn't expecting. It further intensified the emotional roller coaster I found myself on. And while I didn't find the ending very satisfying, I think it was realistic and appropriate.

Heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, Raising John is an emotionally-charged and memorable read.

Rating: 4 stars

About the Author

Jennifer Lesher is an author, mountain biker, travel junkie, non-sufferer of fools, and graduate of the School of Hard Knocks. Recently Jennifer left her job in the high-tech industry to pursue certification as an airplane mechanic. She will complete her schooling in the spring of 2015 and, FAA willing, will be certified shortly thereafter. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Connect with the author: her website, Twitter, Facebook, and GoodReads.

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. For more information, please visit the Raising John blog tour page. 

 

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

Woman On Top by Deborah Schwartz (4 stars)

About Woman on Top

Publisher: Laudan Press (May 30, 2013)
Genres: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction
Tour Dates: November 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 346 pages

A Woman’s Struggle To Find Herself After Losing Everything She Believed Was Important.

We hear a great deal in the media about women who become victims of wealthy and powerful men. Like a breath of fresh air, the heroine in Deborah Schwartz’s inspiring book, Woman on Top, does escape becoming yet another casualty… literally…all the way to the top of a mountain!

New York, NY, September 4, 2013 - One has to wonder has anything changed since Nora slammed the door over a hundred years ago in Ibsen’s iconic play A Doll’s House? Deborah Schwartz made sure that they did in her timely novel, Woman on Top (Laudan Press).  Like a breath of fresh air, the heroine in Deborah Schwartz’s inspiring book, Woman on Top shows the way things have changed…all the way to the top of a mountain!

Book Description

Falling prey to Len, a very wealthy Wall Street banker who is hell-bent on acquiring her as his next deal, Kate struggles after the death of her husband to keep control amidst the detours of a tempestuous New York romance. As witness to a world of power and greed that life in New York offers to a vulnerable woman, can Kate ultimately rescue herself from the lure that is Len’s world?

Throughout this compelling story, which is inspired by actual events from the author’s own life, Schwartz cleverly weaves self-empowering thoughts into her heroine’s exploits, making it less the ‘damsel in distress’ and more the infinitely successful ‘woman on top!’ In this amazing look at a woman’s journey to finding herself, readers will both laugh and cry as they relate to Kate and her decisions, emotions and experiences.

While following her quest for a reaffirmation of life and love, including a surprising adventure, Kate’s story touches on the unexpected pleasures and decisions we face throughout our lives. Readers who have dreamed of, or survived, a “Len” in their lives, will recognize themselves in Kate as she searches to find what matters most in her new life. What does a 35 year-old woman who seems to have it all do when the rug is pulled out from under her? Kate’s struggle to find inner strength on her journey down a slippery slope with a Wall Street man leaves readers wondering and rooting for her to land as the ‘woman on top.’

Review

After the loss of the love of her life, Kate struggles. Not only does she have to be both a mother and father to her two young children, she also has to figure out how to provide for them. Eventually, she decides to look for love again. Enter Len. He's a very rich and powerful man who answers her personal ad.

Unfortunately, Len is very controlling. He will tell Kate he loves her in one breath, and then criticize her in the other. Yet, there's something about him that she can't resist. Can she find love again?

I can't imagine putting my life together after such a loss as Kate experiences. Her husband, Jake, suffers greatly. The scenes where she remembers his cancer and the horrific effects broke my heart, but I could not understand why she stuck it out with Len. For most of the book, I wanted to shake her and beg her to see him for what he really was. My hatred of Len grew with each page. What elevated this book from a 3.5 to a 4 were two things: my affection for Kate and the heartfelt moments of her life with her first husband.

Sometimes a successful book is the one that makes you angry, because you care enough about the characters to care what happens to them. A passionate response is a credit to the author. Just don't go into this read expecting a lot of feel good moments, although there are some. Instead, be prepared to alternate between a tissue and anger.

Rating: 4 stars

 About the Author

Born and raised in New York, Deborah Schwartz graduated from Tufts University and then obtained her Masters in History at Columbia University where she wrote a thesis on “Feminism in Eighteenth Century England.” She received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Today, Deborah’s passion is writing and she incorporated her achievement of having reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011 into her debut novel. A New Yorker to the core, Deborah is most grateful to be the mother of her two grown children. 

For more information, please visit: www.deborahschwartz.net.

Deborah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deborah-Schwartz-Author/1376332242578553
Deborah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/schwartzd18
Deborah on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7166782.Deborah_Schwartz

Buy Woman On Top
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Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. For more information, please visit the Woman On Top blog tour page. 

 

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

Finding Lily, Lisa Ellis (4 stars) Review & Giveaway

About Finding Lily

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing  (January 22, 2013)
Category: Women’s Fiction, Literary Fiction, Relationships, Touching on supernatural
Tour Date: Mid May, 2013
Available in: eBook, 180 pages

Sometimes the ties that bind people together can also tear them apart. In FINDING LILY, first-time novelist Lisa D. Ellis explores that delicate balance that exists in all relationships and tries to find meaning in a world that is sometimes kind and sometimes harsh.

Her narrator Claire, who is reeling after the unexpected loss of a newborn baby Lily, walks the fine line between love, loss, heartache and healing. Unable to cope with her grief, which seems magnified by her husband Jim’s colder coping style, Claire leaves Jim behind and runs away to live in a lighthouse she had fallen in love with as a child.

At first all Claire wants is an escape but slowly, the lighthouse sheds new light on her situation and helps her reimagine her life in a new way, sometimes with her feet on the ground and sometimes lifting up beyond the boundaries of reality to help her reconnect with Lily. Claire’s memorable journey to the lighthouse — and back again — is a story of hope and of possibility.

Readers will fall in love with Claire and with the rich images and rhythmic tones that Ellis masterfully weaves from the very first page through to the satisfying conclusion of FINDING LILY.

Review

Losing a child is most parent's worst fear. Claire and her husband, Jim, only had moments with their daughter, Lily, before a heart defect took her away too soon. Claire feels suffocated by life, seeing her daughter around every bend. She needs a place to heal and seeks refuge at a place from her youth--a lighthouse.

Against her husband's wishes, Claire heads to this place of solitude and cuts herself off from the world. She even disconnects the phone at her new abode. Letters start pouring in from her parents and Jim asking her to return, but she knows she needs the time. There she has visions of her daughter and finds a way to begin the healing process.

Claire's emotions are told with heartbreaking honesty. As I was reading, Claire's pain became so real that at times I had to come up for air and put the book down for a moment. A mother myself, I could only imagine the depths of Claire's despair. Just as heartbreaking was knowing how much Claire loved Jim, but how hard she was finding it to reach out to him. As he fought giving in to his tears, she was craving crying with him.

Through Claire's journey, we not only see her coping with losing her daughter but we see pieces of her own childhood and learn about her relationship with Jim. With every tear, I became closer to Claire. I felt like I was reading the private journal of a dear friend. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer, because I wanted to know how Claire was still doing years later. But this complaint stems from how much I cared about Claire.

If you appreciate a beautifully written, emotional story, please pick up a copy of Finding Lily. Just make sure you have a box of Kleenex beside you. 

Rating: 4 stars

About Lisa Ellis

Lisa Ellis is a writer whose short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals and magazines. FINDING LILY is her first novel. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Boston University and provides health content regularly for hospitals and websites in New England and the tri-state area.

Lisa’s Website
Lisa D. Ellis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadellisauthor
Lisa D. Ellis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaEllisauthor 

Buy Finding Lily
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Book Trailer

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Giveaway

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. For more information, please visit the Finding Lily blog tour page. 

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.

Elusive Dawn, Gabriele Wills (4 stars)

About Elusive Dawn

Publisher : Mindshadows,  June 28, 2012
Category: Historical Fiction, WWI
Tour Dates: February, 2013
Available in: Print and ebook, 555 pages

It happened slowly at first. Thread by thread, the fabric of privilege and complacency enveloping the Wyndham family began to unravel. A carefree summer at their island house, disrupted by the arrival of long lost kin, ended in tragedy, betrayal, and war. 

Now, in the compelling sequel to the acclaimed epic, The Summer Before The Storm, Ria and her friends find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control. 

It’s late summer, 1916. While some members of the Wyndham family revel in the last resplendent days of the season at their Muskoka cottage, others continue to be drawn inexorably into the “Great War”, going from a world of misty sunrises across a tranquil lake to deadly moonlight bombing raids, festering trenches, and visceral terror. 

For Ria, too many things have happened to hope that life would ever return to normal, that innocence could be regained. Caught in the vortex of turbulent events and emotions, she abandons the relative safety of the sidelines in Britain for the nightmare of France. 

Her fate as an ambulance driver remains entwined with that of  her summer friends, all bound by a sense of duty. Living in the shadows of fear and danger awakens the urgency to grasp life, to live more immediately, more passionately amid the enormity of unprecedented death. Together, their lives weave a tale of liberation and loss, evolution and redemption. Those who survive this cataclysmic time are forever changed, like Canada itself. 

Impeccably researched, beautifully written, Elusive Dawn will resonate with the reader long after the final page has been turned.

Review

Victoria (Ria) Wyndham Thornton is a woman ahead of her time; her strength and determination forged by heartbreaking loss and betrayal. But the war has affected the lives of so many people she loves, leaving no one in her family untouched in some way. Major Chas Thornton, Ria's husband and an Ace fighter pilot, is struggling to win back her love and trust while trying to stay alive.

Determined to help others, Ria joins the Women's Ambulance and Transport Service (WATS). Although this brings a purpose into her life, it also puts her in the thick of danger and exposes her to the horrors of war. Chas can't bear to see her putting her life in danger, especially when he thinks he's the reason. Love is powerful, but is it powerful enough to bring them back together? And, can they survive long enough to appreciate what they have?

The book is overflowing with characters that draw the reader into the story. The author does an amazing job of interlacing each of them together into a beautiful tapestry that showcases the strength of family bonds and the ultimate power of love. By far, Ria and Chas were the center of the story and they captured my heart the most. But, the women Ria meets at WATS and Zoe, Ria's cousin, were also favorites.

Gabriele Wills not only crafts memorable characters, she also expertly depicts the war and its effects on both the men at the front lines and the women waiting for them back home. Or, in Ria's case and several others, the women who can't bear to sit around and wait.

Although I read the first book in this series, The Summer Before the Storm, this book can easily be read as a stand alone. The author does a great job of filling the reader in on important relationships and background from the first novel, often through intimate letters. These letters were such an effective storytelling tool--giving us an intimate look into the characters and their emotional makeup.

I recommend this novel not only to historical fiction fans, but to readers who crave an emotional experience with characters who start to feel like family. I, for one, can't wait to follow these characters to the next book, Under the Moon. Until then, I will miss them.

Rating: 4 stars

NOTE: My review of The Summer Before the Storm can be found here.

About Gabriele Wills

The author of five highly acclaimed historical novels, Gabriele loves to recreate an era in which she can immerse herself (and readers), by weaving compelling stories around meticulously researched facts. Her characters are best friends, whom others are now calling “cherished friends”.

With degrees in the social sciences and education, Gabriele has had a varied career as an educator, literacy coordinator, and website designer, and has been an active community volunteer, particularly in heritage preservation. But writing fiction has always been her passion. Her first short story appeared in the Canadian Authors Association Winners’ Circle 5 Anthology. In 2001, she produced an award-nominated feature on CBC Radio’s "Outfront".

Born in Germany, Gabriele emigrated to Canada as a young child. She grew up in Lindsay, Ontario, enjoyed several years in Ottawa, and currently resides in Guelph with her husband. She is the proud mother of an accomplished daughter, with whom she is collaborating on an historical YA novel.

For more information, please visit her at Mindshadows, her Facebook page, and on Twitter.

Buy Elusive Dawn

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Amazon Kindle

kobo and EPUB 

Buy The Summer Before the Storm

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Amazon Kindle

kobo and EPUB 

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. For more information, please visit the Elusive Dawn blog tour page. 

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.

Primal, D. A. Serra (4.5 stars)

Description of Primal

Publisher: Perry Street Pictures, Inc., May 13, 2012
Category: Crime Thriller, Suspense/Thriller
Tour Dates: January & February, 2013
Available in Print and ebook: 191 Pages

PRIMAL by D.A. Serra (screenplay originally purchased by James Cameron)

The most dangerous place on Earth is between a mother and her child…

With everything at stake – what are you capable of? What if the worst happens and you’re not a policeman, a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart? What if you’re a schoolteacher – a mom? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must learn to kill or watch her family die.

And then, things get worse.

Review

Full of suspense and intensity, this story hits the ground running from the very first page. Alison and her husband, Hank, are taking their son, Jimmy, on a fishing trip--not exactly Alison's idea of the perfect getaway, but she wants to be a good sport. Unfortunately, a band of evil brothers are heading in the same direction intent on breaking their brother out of jail.

Not long after Alison and her family arrive at the cabin near Lake Superior, an escaped death row inmate and his brothers seek shelter from a storm at the very same area. Alison manages to sneak out the back, but her husband and son are taken hostage. With a fierce determination, Alison realizes she's the only chance the hostages have. She finds a local man, procures a gun, and digs deep to find a way to take out these bad guys.

Even when she thinks she has succeeded, the ringleader escapes. Back at home, facing the press and trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, she knows Ben will come for her. Hank, feeling his own guilt for not being the hero, just wants her to move on. Is she right? Will Ben come for her? Or, is she being paranoid?

The action never lets up, and the author does an incredible job creating a character who harnesses the power to take down a madman, but doesn't know exactly how to handle the power once she unleashes it. As a mother myself, I respected Alison's need to protect her child and understood the lengths to which she needed to go. 

But instead of just giving the reader an intriguing story, D.A. Serra really dissected the characters and how they each dealt with such an unimaginable situation. It wasn't just about the action, it was about the human reaction to evil and preserving our families.

I highly recommend this book to readers who like an intense read with the added bonus of well-developed characters. It's a breathtaking ride with heart-pounding moments. 

Rating: 4.5 stars
Note: Worthy of rounding up to a 5 on GoodReads & Amazon

About D. A. Serra

Deborah Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, four feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC. She worked for top producers, directors, and actors. She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide. Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA.

For more information, visit the author’s website.

Buy Primal

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Book Depository

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. Please visit more blog stops on the Primal blog tour page.

The Summer Before the Storm, Gabriele Wills (3.5 stars)

Description of The Summer Before the Storm

Publisher: Mindshadows, 2006
Category: Historical Fiction
Tour Dates: November, 2012
Available in: Print and Kindle, 551 pages

It’s the Age of Elegance in the summer playground of the affluent and powerful. Amid the pristine, island-dotted lakes and pine-scented forests of the Canadian wilderness, the young and carefree amuse themselves with glittering balls and friendly competitions. The summer of 1914 promises to be different when the ambitious and destitute son of a disowned heir joins his wealthy family at their cottage on Wyndwood Island. Through Jack’s introduction into the privileged life of the aristocratic Wyndhams and their illustrious social circle, he seeks opportunities and alliances to better himself, including in his schemes, his beautiful and audacious cousin, Victoria.

But their charmed lives begin to unravel with the onset of the Great War, in which many are destined to become part of the “lost generation”.

This richly textured tale takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from romantic moonlight cruises to the horrific sinking of the Lusitania, from regattas on the water to combat in the skies over France, from extravagant mansions to deadly trenches – from innocence to nationhood.

The Summer Before The Storm, the first of the epic Muskoka Trilogy, evokes a gracious, bygone era that still resonates in this legendary land of lakes.

This novel was chosen by the Muskoka Chautauqua for their esteemed Reading List in 2010.

If you are a Downton Abbey fan, chances are you will love this book and the rest of the series!

Review

Rich in history and family ties, The Summer Before the Storm is the saga of the Wyndhams. When Jack comes to find the family that exiled his father, everything changes. He's determined to never be poor and hungry again and to force his father's family to recognize him. Augusta, the matriarch, has doubts. She rules the family with a strong will and tight purse strings, and she's the one he needs to impress.

Jack quickly realizes that Augusta is no pushover, so he looks for opportunity wherever he can. Enter Victoria, one of Augusta's favorite grandchildren, as intelligent as she is beautiful. But she has her heart set on Chas Thornton, who is wealthy in his own right. In the mix are several other siblings and other characters vying for their place.

Then each of the characters' lives is drastically changed by the war--several of the men, including both Jack and Chas, head off to do their part. Victoria, now fully committed to Chas, finds herself lonely and in quite a predicament. Needing to be with her true love, she books voyage on the Lusitania. Although she survives the ill-fated trip, she is forever scarred, as are most of the characters from their wartime experiences.

A sweeping epic, The Summer Before the Storm pulls you into so many lives, lives you can't help but care about. In fact, the cast of characters is so large, it was overwhelming at times. There's enough material here to make two books easily, especially since this book weighs in at 551 pages. Although I never lost interest, the author quite adept at creating memorable characters, I felt like I started reading one book and finished reading another. Both books were good, but something about them being put together stalled me for a bit.

The first part is an engaging story of family, and how people can tear it apart or lift it up with the smallest of actions. Then, the book is solely focused on the war, with the family split apart and a lot of characters' lives told through letters. Yet, I was still left wanting more... a whole book could be dedicated to sets of characters, especially prequels about Jack's family and Augusta as well as more details on some of my other favorites like Ellie (Eleanor) and Edelina.

For readers who love a good historical fiction tale, this certainly will not disappoint. But, it's as much about relationships, both in times of joy and suffering, as it is about the war or the Lusitania. And it was those relationships that will stick with me the most.

Note: My review is not full of details for a reason, I hesitate to give away much of the story. Several things happened that I was not expecting, and those surprises were part of the novel's allure. However, I will go on record that I did not like the ending. Not only because it was abrupt (granted this is Book One of a series), but because of its intense sadness. Of course, I was only sad because I cared about the character so very much.

Rating: 3.5 stars
(Worthy of rounding up to a 4 on Amazon and GoodReads)

About Gabriele Wills
 

The author of five highly acclaimed historical novels, Gabriele loves to recreate an era in which she can immerse herself (and readers), by weaving compelling stories around meticulously researched facts. Her characters are best friends, whom others are now calling “cherished friends”.

With degrees in the social sciences and education, Gabriele has had a varied career as an educator, literacy coordinator, and website designer, and has been an active community volunteer, particularly in heritage preservation. But writing fiction has always been her passion. Her first short story appeared in the Canadian Authors Association Winners’ Circle 5 Anthology. In 2001, she produced an award-nominated feature on CBC Radio’s “Outfront”.

Born in Germany, Gabriele emigrated to Canada as a young child. She grew up in Lindsay, Ontario, enjoyed several years in Ottawa, and currently resides in Guelph with her husband. She is the proud mother of an accomplished daughter, with whom she is collaborating on an historical YA novel.

For more information, please visit her at Mindshadows, her Facebook page, and on Twitter.

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. Please visit more blog stops on The Summer Before the Storm blog tour page.

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Praise for The Summer Before the Storm

“The Summer Before the Storm is a richly detailed, complex novel- one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. The details have been painstakingly researched, and when Gabriele Wills described a scene or a home, I felt as if I was actually right there along the characters. She makes her characters multi-layered, revealing only small parts of their personality at a time. The Summer Before the Storm offers a realistic reflection on the war from a uniquely Canadian perspective, and incorporates romance, betrayal, family dynamics, and loyalty within its pages.”- Jonita, The Book Chick

“I very much enjoyed the Muskoka-tale, describing a world I’ve never known and could not even have imagined before, and here it came alive in a way that made me almost feel part of it. And I was fascinated by all those different characters, whom I soon felt very close to, following their trials and adventures, hopes and despairs. Highly recommended!”- Gisela Kretzschmar, Focus on Books

“It was by chance that Gabriele Wills’ novel The Summer Before the Storm fell into my lap. It had been forwarded to the Forester for review and it was the cover that caught my eye. One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the glossy photograph of the prow of an antique boat and the line “The First of the Muskoka Novels” invited me in. I began to read and was immediately drawn toward the saga’s rich cast of fictitious characters – the aristocratic Wyndhams and their social circle of friends… It is impossible not to be drawn into the lives and emotions of the eminently believable characters… Wills melds historical fact and fiction with aplomb, giving the reader insight into Muskoka’s gracious bygone era and the horrors that faced so many young Canadian men and women in World War I.”- Gillian Brunette, “The Huntsville Forester”

“The Summer Before the Storm by Gabriele Wills is a beautifully written story that shows humanity from all walks of life – from the very wealthy to the poorest – playing out their differences and commonalities. The cover is colorful and eye-catching. The map and other front matter are very helpful. The opening paragraph serves several purposes – to show the era, to set the tone of the story, and to provide a hook that will keep fans turning the pages. All the dialogue is strong, natural, and true to each character. There is good balance between narrative and dialogue. The book sets the stage for the series extremely well. “- Writer’s Digest Magazine

“An endearing, engaging, and charismatic historical fiction set in the beautiful Muskoka’s in the year 1914. The cast of characters are endless and cover both ends of the spectrum from the proper, well-mannered and etiquettely correct, to the shifty, devious and flouting! I fell in love with Ria and Chas. Gabriele Wills deserves a standing ovation for the research and knowledge that went into this book, and for the skill she possesses in writing with such clarity and vivid detail that the reader is transplanted back in time, awakening your five senses as if you were there. Everyone young and old needs to peruse this brilliant piece of literary genius!!!”- Louise, The BookBag Lady

Curiosity Killed the Kat, Elizabeth Nelson (3.5 stars)

Description of Curiosity Killed the Kat

Publisher: Bristlecone Books, June 3, 2012
Category: Romantic Suspense
Tour Dates: November, 2012
Available in: Print and Kindle, 120 pages

Katherine (“Kat”) thought she had the perfect marriage to International Lawyer Steven Flynn. Until he tried to kill her.

Katherine was the perfect obedient wife. She would do anything for her husband. That is, until she discovers he’s the ring leader of a human trafficking organization. The action is fast and furious, the dialogue smart and the sex scenes hot. Meet Katherine in Curiosity Killed The Kat as she goes farther and farther down the rabbit hole of political intrigue, sex, and revenge. Will she let herself be saved by love or will curiosity and a thirst for killer justice kill the Kat?

Review

Katherine fell for her husband at first sight and quickly let his love consume her. Although she understands his domineering ways would be a turn off to some, she accepts their marriage for what it is. But is she being played for a fool?

During a business dinner with her husband's boss, something seems amiss. She can't shake it, and she can't walk away. When she decides to snoop around for more information, her world turns upside down. Everything she thought she could accept about her life and her husband starts to unravel. Her life hangs in the balance.

This is a quick read, full of intense situations and page-turning events. Katherine is a believable character. Even as the reader wonders about her choices, she admits to her flawed thinking. She blames love. Usually I want a woman to be stronger right out of the gate, but Katherine's open about her thoughts and she starts to find her strength by the end. Will it be too late?

Unfortunately, I have no idea, because this book ends on a major cliffhanger. The book is billed as Part One of a series, so I wasn't completely shocked, but the ending still felt sudden and rushed. Because the book is short, a mere 120 pages, the characters weren't as developed as I like. Yet, I must admit, I'm curious to read the next book and find out what happens. Or to be more honest, I want to read the next book to see Katherine grow even stronger and to see her husband get what's coming to him.

It's worth noting, too, that there are some uncomfortable intimate scenes between Katherine and her husband. Although I believe the scenes were necessary to show Katherine's confusion and her husband's nature, they were still hard to read.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a story that starts moving from page one and those who appreciate a flawed but memorable female main character.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Elizabeth Nelson

Elizabeth wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills and relationship techniques have helped hundreds of others find their mojo. After earning a master’s degree in secondary education from UNC, she worked abroad teaching English, bar-tended at late night clubs in Chicago, and continues various philanthropy projects that focus on empowering women. But she always returned to writing.

Though she’ll forever be a free-spirit at heart, she now lives in Los Angeles with her two dogs. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rock concerts.

Find out more about the author, at her Facebook page and on Pinterest.

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. Please visit more blog stops on the Curiosity Killed the Kat blog tour page.

*****

Additional Praise for Curiosity Killed the Kat

“A 5 star debut for sure!!! This book had ALL the elements I love; a kick-ass detailed story, a wealthy sexy man and strong female lead and my favorite; lots of hot, sweaty body tangling going on! Katherine and Steven’s relationship is electric. The plot intense. The dialogue superb. Not wanting to give too much away, this was a fantastic read. The author kept me guessing until the end of the book. Once you start reading this book, it is very hard to put down. Ms. Nelson thank you for the entertainment!!!”- Sophia Schippers, Amazon.com Reviewer

“You can’t put this one down ! This was my first Elizabeth Nelson book, and it was a lot of fun. It’s suspenseful, action-packed and keeps you guessing throughout the book. There’s never a dull moment. This book is one you will want to read in one sitting because you can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens with Katherine and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.”-Lori S., Amazon.com Reviewer

“I loved this book…. It had me chewing nails , I can’t wait to read the next book … Keep up the writing!”-Sissy, Amazon.com Reviewer

“I found myself speed reading I was so anxious for the outcome! Imagine your perfect life & marriage over in one stunning moment of realism. Human trafficking; a compelling story that does not read like fiction but keeps hold of your attention and eager for the next book in the series.”- Luvs2read, Amazon.com Reviewer

“I randomly picked this book on my wife’s Kindle for a couple of hours of relaxing reading and must say I am impressed with the story line of this book. The book grabbed me almost immediately from the start, always wanting me to find out more. This is really a great book that really riveted my imagination.”- Simon, Amazon.com Reviewer

“This book is fantastic, and it is a quality read. It really looks at the deception that can happen between a man and wife. This is an exciting book, and I think it empowers women. The wife, Kat, is someone many people will understand. I absolutely love the last line of the book: 'To get the revenge I deserved all I had to do was live.' Kat is dignity, grace, and strength — personified.”- Florence Mims, Goodreads.com Reviewer

“This was a very explosive book. I couldn’t put it down. I found it refreshing and was immediately drawn in from the beginning. There was passion, action, suspense, and I couldn’t get through the pages fast enough. I can’ t wait to find out how it ends.”-Meggin, Goodreads.com Reviewer