Tag: book blog

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

Title: The Radium Girls
Author: Kate Moore
Pub. Date: 2-May-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

I almost don’t know where to begin because The Radium Girls is a tragic story.  It is probably one of the most difficult books, emotionally, I have ever read.  It is the true story of the young women who worked in factories that applied a luminous Radium paint onto watch dials so they would glow. Of course, the women did not know it was dangerous and their employers went out of their way to make sure they remained ignorant of the facts. Their struggle to get answers about why they were so sick and get justice once they discovered it was caused by the Radium is inspiring.

For these “girls”, some as young as fourteen, it was a dream of a job. The pay was excellent and to be working with the wondrous new element Radium, that almost every day some new benefit was found, was an added benefit. You were indeed lucky to be hired on to work in the painting studio. The Radium dust settled in the women’s hair and clothes causing them to glow. Everyone wanted to be one of the alluring luminous Radium girls. Even some privileged girls would work for a short period of time to experience it. Continue reading “The Radium Girls by Kate Moore”

The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger

Title: The Singles Game
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Pub. Date: 12-Jul-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

When I was offered a copy of this book I jumped on it, for two reasons, I loved The Devil Wears Prada and the book meets task one on the 2017 Book Riot’s challenge. The theme of this book is buyer beware because sometimes you get more than you bargained for.

That is exactly what happened to Charlotte “Charlie” Silver. After a devastating injury Charlie is not hearing the words she wants to from her coach. She is a driven young woman and being told she may not be able to play tennis on the same level again does not sit well with her. Therefore, she fires her longtime coach and hires Todd Feltner, a no nonsense coach, with a reputation of being ruthless on his players and expecting the same from them. Continue reading “The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger”

The Angel Alejandro by Alistair Cross

Title: The Angel Alejandro
Author: Alistair Cross
Pub Date: 25-Jan-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

At the core, The Angel Alejandro by Alistair Cross is about greed and lust and its effects when all restraints are removed. A true good versus evil story. The book is rather long (521 pages) and took longer than I thought to read. The reason for the slow read was not the speed of the plot, but I found myself totally absorbed in the story and wanted to go slower and savor all the details.

Alejandro is an angel that has been pulled into this world when Madison O’Riley fell from the roof of her home. He saved her life, yet he cannot remember who he is and strange things happen around him. He hears voices calling for help in his mind and when he responds to one such voice his powers are revealed to the entire world. There is an immediate media frenzy and everyone seems to want a piece of him, including another new comer in town, Gremory Jones. Continue reading “The Angel Alejandro by Alistair Cross”

Come Sundown by Nora Roberts

Title: Come Sundown
Author: Nora Roberts
Pub. Date: 30-May-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

Come Sundown is the story of the Bodine family and is part romance and part thriller. The story opens twenty-five years ago when Alice, the prodigal daughter, who ran off to California to become a movie star, is returning home. Just miles from her family home she is abducted by a stranger known only as “Sir”.

Skip forward to the present and Bodine Longbow, she is the fourth generation, now runs the Bodine resort which sits on a sprawling thirty thousand acre ranch in Montana. Vacationers and honeymooners alike come to the resort to experience the cowboy life and Bodine runs the show seamlessly with the help of a large staff. Continue reading “Come Sundown by Nora Roberts”

Fatal Option by Chris Beakey

Title: Fatal Option
Author: Chris Beakey
Pub. Date: 21-Feb-2017
Rating: 4.5

Fatal Option is about choices and consequences. How seemingly random decisions by various people can align into the perfect storm. This is exactly what happened to the Porters.

Stephen is still mourning his wife’s death and after an evening of drowning his sorrows in a bottle he receives a panicked call from his daughter. She was supposed to be spending the night at a friend’s house just a short distance from their home. However, she has lied and instead gone to a teacher’s home. Now she is scared and wants to leave, but her car has died and with a snowstorm raging outside she calls her father to rescue her. Continue reading “Fatal Option by Chris Beakey”

The Beaumonts: The Kentucky Bourbon Series by Bobby Collins and Jimmy Star

Title: The Beaumonts: The Kentucky Bourbon Series
Authors: Bobby Collins & Jimmy Star
Pub Date: 5-Jan-2017
Rating: 3.5 Stars

The Beaumonts: The Kentucky Bourbon Series is the story of two rival Bourbon distilling families, the Beaumonts and the Taylors.  The families just became linked when Rickey Beaumont marries Donna Taylor. No one in either family even knew they were dating. Therefore, when Rickey and Donna arrive at the Beaumont estate it is quite a surprise.  Despite the shock, the Beaumont family welcomes Donna with open arms, the only exception being Cliff, Rickey’s older brother.

Rickey is not so fortune when the time comes to meet Donna’s father, Joe Taylor. Joe is livid and very vocal in expressing his displeasure over the marriage. He views it as the ultimate betrayal by Donna. He sees the Beaumonts as his enemy and declares that as long as Donna is married to one he will have nothing to do with her. Continue reading “The Beaumonts: The Kentucky Bourbon Series by Bobby Collins and Jimmy Star”

Ten by Kerriann Curtis

Title: Ten
Author: Kerriann Curtis
Pub Date: 3-Jul-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

Ten by Kerriann Curtis is a short collection of poems centered on life in the modern world. I found this group of poems to be thought provoking, entertaining and sometimes even humorous. Poetry should embrace you and I felt these did. Just like an old fashioned hug, the poems themselves were honest and not pretentious in the least.

The collection was made up of short and mostly straight forward yet thoughtful musings. I would even describe the collection as “what you see, is what you get.” No vague literary references that will have you scratching your head for days. Serious literary persons may not find this to their liking, but I consider myself the average reader that wants to enjoy what she reads… and enjoy I did. I actually read most of the poems twice and a couple three times.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley

Title: The Bedlam Stacks
Author: Natasha Pulley
Pub. Date: 1-Aug-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

The Bedlam Stacks is the first book I have read by Natasha Pulley. It is one of those books that gets under your skin. It is a slow build up and then you reach a point that you must finish reading or die trying. When the end comes you just let out a breath you did not even know you were holding. I know it is only March, but I suspect this book will end up being one of my favorites this year.

The story is about Merrick Tremayne who is currently at home in Cornwall convalescing after a tragic accident that almost cost him his leg. He has been contemplating what jobs a cripple can do and his current prospects don’t look so good. When Merrick starts seeing a garden statue move and a tree explode his brother thinks Merrick might be going mad like their mother. To Merrick’s dismay his brother is now insisting he take a position as a parson or be committed. Fortunately for Merrick, Clem, an old friend, drops by and convinces Merrick that he is well enough to make a journey with him to Peru for the East India Company, Merrick’s employer before his accident. Continue reading “The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley”

Herai by Aaron D. Key

Title: Herai
Author: Aaron D. Key
Pub. Date: 6-12-2016
Rating: 3 Stars

Herai is a debut novel by Aaron D. Key.  The main character is Herai and her story unfolds in two different realities. One reality is called “WITHOUT” and one “THE BETTER PLACE” because an all-powerful being has entered the one reality thereby greatly affecting it. It is not until the end that you know who this being is.

Since you are following two subplots and the book alternates between the two. It made for a slow and arduous read. The plot(s) were difficult to keep straight. I found myself constantly flipping back to see which reality I was reading about. I finally gave up and started making notes in an effort to keep track of everything going on. This is not my most favorite thing to do and made it hard for me to really get vested in the story.  Continue reading “Herai by Aaron D. Key”

A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock

Title: A Fine Imitation
Author: Amber Brock
Pub. Date: 3-May-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

It is the roaring twenties in America, a time of social change and speakeasies.  In 1920 women earned the right to vote and enjoyed more freedoms than ever before. Yet, for the wives of the elite high society these freedoms do not seem to exist. They are still stuck in the 19th century traditions and customs. For Vera this life is unrewarding. While she has plenty of money for all the trappings of high society:  fine clothes, jewelry, art, etc., the endless teas, charities and a weekly luncheon with her mother have left her empty and wanting more.

Vera went to Vassar College and studied art history but she never has been able to put that knowledge to use since she married.  Being the only person that understands fine art, she is asked to review the work of a French artist, Emil Hallan, whom is being considered to paint a mural for the luxury apartment complex her husband owns and they live in. She finds his work inspiring and makes the recommendation to hire him.

Once Emil arrives from France, Vera’s world is turned on its end.  He is like a spring breeze to Vera in the depth of winter and it is not long before their mutual love of art leads to friendship and romance. Vera begins to see the world through Emil’s eyes and begins to question all she has ever known. In the end Vera may have to give up the security and known for the unknown in order to achieve a sense of self and purpose in her life. The big question is, will she have the strength to break free from the chains that society, her family and husband have all used to bind her to a meaningless life?

This is a well written debut novel. Ms. Brock did an outstanding job setting the scene of Vera’s life and showing how hard it is to shake off the binds of tradition and obligation. My only quam, and it is minor, I wished that Emil’s character had been a little more developed.

This book will appeal to those who love historical fiction and women’s stories. Since the story has an element of romance it will appeal to those readers also.

I received a free copy of A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock from Crown Publishing, via the Library Thing Early Reviews program, in exchange for my honest review.