won – One Chapter

Penitence by Kristin Koval

3.5 stars Fiction

Why? Why would a thirteen-year-old girl shoot her fourteen-year-old brother, a brother that she loved and spent so much time with? As the parents try to make sense of the incident, there are other issues happening behind the scenes that need to be resolved. This is not just a case of murder but something more complicated with emotions running high on all levels.

Nora shot her brother Nico. There is no denying that she held the gun and pulled the trigger as she admitted to doing so and the evidence is clear. It’s the only hundreds of questions that accompany these facts that don’t make sense, with Why being the biggest one. Nora doesn’t tell anyone the reason behind her decision that day even though this reason will have a huge impact on everything else. Perhaps she doesn’t know why, perhaps she doesn’t remember, or perhaps she doesn’t want to talk about it, nevertheless someone must help Nora realize how important these details are to her future.

Martine is near retirement on her legal career but decides to take Nora’s case. It’s more like a guilt-trip case on many levels, but she accepts it. Martine has a son in Manhattan, that is a criminal defense attorney, which just might come in handy in Nora’s case. Julian hasn’t spoken to Martine in years, which brings into this story other family issues that need to be resolved before they can focus on Nora and the issues surrounding the murder of her brother.

With the death of their son and their daughter in jail, you can feel the parents start to separate. The blame game begins with fingers being pointed. They’re both on their own separate boat trying to stay afloat. I understand their feelings, but they need to put their energy into figuring out what really happened and less speculation.

This book dealt with past and present relationships and the complications within them. If only they had taken the time to understand and care for one another. There were times I thought the book dragged on or/and they rehashed information that had already been discussed multiple times which made the book slow for me. As the book ended, I still had questions and perhaps that is life. It was how this book was, I started off with questions and I now, ended it with questions. 3.5 stars.

I want to thank Celadonbooks and Goodreads for my copy of this book that I received in exchange for an honest opinion. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

4 stars Fantasy Fiction

Wow! When I received this book, I was overwhelmed by its size, 620 pages was a lot for me. Yet, when I started reading it, the pages fell away, and I was swept away by the story that unfolded in front of me. This is definitely a story! An interesting story to say the least. This adventure is filled with many fascinating characters whose lives you won’t forget.

Once I got used to the language of the book, I started to understand the individuals in the story and the flow of the story. The language felt choppy to me, the words direct and tight. The atmosphere was dark and isolated as Tracker led the chase. It was the bizarre stories along the way that I found myself enjoying as I read this book. The individuals for which Tracker found himself up against, I found I enjoyed the most. It didn’t matter who or where these encounters were, Tracker was always ready for them. Would there be conversation or fighting first? It didn’t matter, Tracker was ready. I do feel that Tracker enjoyed fighting these individuals as he was a fierce fighter. From the depth of the language in the book and the intensity of his fights, Tracker loved a good fight! Lives were lost and he’d continue, with his search. With the addition of demons, vampires, and witches, I never knew what to expect as Tracker hunted down the child. All of these characters made this book such a whirlwind of activity and adventure, some aiding tracker and some just getting in his way.

I thought after reading this book that I would listen to it and the audio of this book was fantastic! I had to laugh a few times as Tracker fought different individuals as the details in the book, when spoken, sounded more energized and intense. The stories that occur while Tracker is on his mission are captivating and engaging and make this an entertaining book.

I want to thank Goodreads and Riverhead Books for a copy of this book that I had received from them, in exchange for this honest opinion.

Exerts

“Smelled like he butchered a goat. Kicking his chest was kicking stone. He held me up as if admiring a precious jewel. I kneed him in the jaw so hard his teeth sliced his tongue. He dropped me, and I charged for his balls like a bull. He fell, I grabbed his knife, razor sharp, and cut his throat. The second grabbed for my arms but I was naked and slippery. The knife-“

“A piece of blue cloth torn from something bigger. The boy was wrapped in white. I put the cloth to my nose and one year of sun, night, thunder, and rain, hundreds of days of walks, dozens of hills, valleys, sands, seas, houses, cities, plains. Smells so strong it became sign, and hearing and touch. I could reach out and touch the boy, grab him in my mind and reel from him being so far away. Too far away, my head rushing and jumping and sinking below sea then flying higher and higher and higher and smelling air free of smoke. “

Audio:

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

4 stars Fiction Crime

She came up to that front door. She had no idea what was on the other side, but she felt that it had to be better than what she was facing out here. There were no other options. Whoever opened that door, she hoped that they would embrace her and lock out the monster that tried to claim her. Whose story would they believe? Whose side would they be on? Who would open this door?

Although this book was long, the story was captivating once I became involved. The story takes place in Texas. Odessa, Texas where I could feel the dry dirt inside my mouth as I read this story. It’s 1976 but it felt more like the 1960’s as the men felt it was their place to be at the top of the food chain. Women were expected to spend their days inside the home doing their “housework” and tending to their husband’s needs. Everyone had their roles, just follow along. Yet, as we read this powerful book, we see how the lives of those who live in Odessa challenge these expectations and the outcome.

The story begins rather quickly when Gloria finds her way onto Mary Rose’s porch. A victim of a brutal assault, Mary Rose tries to protect Gloria and the tension in the book quickly escalates as race and power become the central issue. What is right and wrong only matters if you’re the one in charge and everyone knows who is in charge in Odessa. There’s a handful of other females who get in on the action but in this town, it’s the males that run it, or at least that’s what they think.

I originally had a hard time reading this book as I didn’t like the formatting. The lack of punctuation inside the book kept throwing me off. I ended up picking up an audio of this book to listen to as I read along with my physical copy of the book, at the same time. This helped a great deal. I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway and Harper. 4 stars

Broken by Jenny Lawson

5 stars Nonfiction

Jenny is real. Jenny’s books remind me that I need to enjoy life, no matter what comes my way. Everyone faces issues in their life and I like Jenny’s approach to the obstacles that she faces in her own life. When I read Broken, there were many times that Jenny had me laughing out-loud or snickering, as I couldn’t believe how candid she was. Yet, there were times where she got serious in her conversations and she got me thinking, seriously thinking. Yes, life should be like this…… I follow Jenny on social media and I’ve read one of her previous books and her use of humor in dealing with her illness is shown again in this book. As I read Broken, I felt empowered. We all can and should apply Jenny’s approach to our own lives.

Jenny talks openly about her mental health issues and I appreciated her upfront approach and her honest opinions and emotions. Discussing depression and anxiety, she lets her readers know that we all have our own issues and that we all take our own unique path in life. I liked how Jenny described this in her book. For it’s all in how you look at it. You’re here at this specific spot, this right spot at the right second, for a purpose. It’s all about your perspective: literally and figuratively.

“It’s not the same path that everyone else takes, and that can be hard and lonely, but I was reminded that there are amazing things that I would never see with normal eyes and other paths.”

I liked that Jenny was not afraid to be open. Jenny was sincere and truthful with her readers. She’ll say what many individuals are thinking but they’re too afraid to say it out loud. She’s real and she’ll definitely make you feel accepted and normal. I really enjoyed this book.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jenny at a book reading a few years back and I was thrilled. I can tell you; she was as personable and friendly, as she is in her books. A calming atmosphere filled the room as she spoke, it was as if, a good friend had stopped by to chat. I read Broken poolside at a resort, this year on vacation. I had many people look at me as I laughed away the morning, so I’d just hold up the book and smile at them. Sitting next to my husband, I’d have to stop reading many times so I could read him parts of the book. Her stories were things I could relate it and some were so funny, I just had to share. I know I will be revisiting this book in the future. I want to thank Goodreads, Jenny Lawson, and Henry Holt for my copy of this book as I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This review is my own personal opinion of the book

We Spread by Iain Reid

5 stars Fiction Mystery

I was immediately drawn inside this story and I couldn’t stop thinking about it as I tried to close the book and go about my own life. Carefully and purposely, the author limited the number of words that she chose to include inside this book. Strategically placing the words in short and concise sentences, the author created a book that hit me on many levels. As I tried to close the book, I was left confused. I needed to read what others have said about this book. What had I just read? I was feeling relieved, confused, and just about everything in-between. Oh Penny, how do you feel?

The apartment where Penny and her partner have lived has been their home for decades. Penny is now living alone after her partner’s recent death. Penny has some health issues but she feels that she’ll be okay on her own, afterall she’s lived in this apartment for years. That is, until the day that she falls. When she awakens, Penny is more confused than ever. Moving into a long-term care facility creates even more confusion for her as she feels that the facility is not as it seems. Something is just not right about this place Penny is supposed to call home. Is this care-center deceiving its residents? Is there a threat within the doors of this long-term home? Is Penny’s health causing her to feel this way? The questions continued as Penny goes about her day and she tries to becomes familiar with the routine that the other patients adhere to.

The language in this book is beautiful and I found myself rereading passages to fully appreciate the meaning within them. Penny is lost within her own mind, she’s lost inside the care facility, and she’s trying to find her way out. I highly recommend this book but it’s an emotional book and it might trigger some emotions within you. I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, thank you to Gallery, Iain Reid, and Goodreads for the giveaway. This review is my own opinion. 5 stars

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

I liked how this book had an eerie feeling to it as I read it. When I finish reading a novel, I always take a few minutes to look at the novel’s cover to see if what I had just read, matches what the outside looks like. When I looked at this book’s cover, I realized that this cover described this book perfectly. It was everything: from that deer, to the variety of texts, to the use of shadowing and the dark colors chosen on the cover, this was the novel. I thought this novel had a taunting, shadowy feeling which I really enjoyed. I never knew what would happen when I turned the next page.

The novel is about what happened when four Native American guys were out hunting one day. It was the last time these four guys would be together hunting. Cass was driving, the weather was getting bad, but they couldn’t stop now, they wanted to end their season on a high note. They were hunting elk and they went into an area that was off-limits to them. Yeah, I was thinking all kinds of problems now but nothing like what was coming.

It’s been ten years since that day that the boys went hunting. Out hunting that day, Cass told his friends that he would take the heat for whatever happened that day but it doesn’t work that way because every single one of them was involved and they’ll all pay a price.

I like how Jones lets us get to know the characters. Jones has a unique style of writing. I love the times when I get so involved in my reading that I yearn to be inside the book and get the full effect. With Jones’ writing, I wanted to jump inside his book and witness first-hand what was transpiring. I wanted to see the characters faces, see exactly everything that they’re seeing and witness the events. This was an entertaining read for me.

Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

I love a great cover and I feel that this one definitely has one. This novel sounded interesting yet when I first started to read it, I was a bit confused. With alternating time periods and a variety of characters, it took a bit for me to get everything straightened around. As the story began to take shape, I soared through the pages.

Meeting Jonathan, I thought he was one of those individuals who was too-big-for-his-britches (I think I’m beginning to sound like my grandmother now). He came off as being too sophisticated and suave and he was using that to his advantage. I know some people like these types of people but me, I run the other way. Anyways, Jonathan owns the Hotel Caiette which is a 5-star hotel and I thought he basically, used this hotel as bait.

Jonathan, claiming to produce high results in the finance world, begins to climb up the ladder and build-up his clientele with his former bartender, Vincent on his arm. Afterall, he needs to keep up his image, when dealing with high-end clients.

As Vincent places the ring on her finger, she’s ready to step into some new shoes and get out from behind the bar at Hotel Caiette. The commitments that they made to each other had me shaking my head. It made me wonder if I would do what she did, was it really worth it?

I don’t know much about Ponzi schemes but Jonathan sure is a smooth operator as he works the players. He has quite a few individuals working beside him, making everything run smoothly and it made me wonder who knew what he had up his sleeve.

From making drinks to wearing elegant evening gowns, Vincent’s jump in social class is quite an adjustment for her and one that I’m not sure she enjoyed every day. I enjoyed it when she was able to be herself.

As I get further into the book, each page that I turned, I wonder if and when, things would go sour. I was just waiting for the ball to drop.

I want to thank Knopf Books and Goodreads for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

Believe Like a Child by Paige Dearth

I’m been wanting to read this book ever since I saw its cover many years ago and then, when I won a copy of it from a Goodreads Giveaway, I was excited. The book moved quickly yet it didn’t leave anything out. I hadn’t expected the hurricane of events that swept through the pages but it was the eye of the storm that walked into her life that scared me the most. That eye that looked so calm and who she thought was her answer. Her answer was actually another devil in disguise.

I knew this book would be difficult one to read based on the subject matter but there’s something about books like these that I enjoy. I feel it’s the energy these books deliver as the characters gain strength and control as the book progresses. It’s also their fight and spirit that they acquire along their journey. Alessa’s story, like our own, is unique.

As I met Alessa, my heart broke. She was still a child yet no one was looking out for her. She soon realized, she’d have to take care of herself and her own needs. This didn’t make her self-centered or hard, it made her resourceful. Not all of Alessa’s choices were great or “right” but they were what Alessa had at the time and what she knew.

I liked how the book told the story from different perspectives and how issues weren’t instantly solved. I wondered sometimes about Alessa’s choices but I’ve never walked in her shoes, so I couldn’t judge her actions. She did, what she did, so she see another day. The book moved quickly and I enjoyed that, we didn’t get blogged down in too much information about the events that were taking place. There were highs and lows throughout the book which keep the book moving along. I was not expecting that ending though. What was up with that?! As I started to read the ending, I had a feeling but I thought things would turn around but what the heck.

It’s a tough book to read but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it. Thank you to the author and to Goodreads for my copy of the book. This review is my opinion of the book.

Keeping Lucy

4.5 stars Historical Fiction

This was a terrific novel. At first, it seemed that Ginny living the perfect life. She stayed at home and cared for her son, Peyton while her husband provided for the family. As an attorney, working with his father, it seemed to me that they had a lot of things going for them. It wasn’t until the birth of Lucy that we really the truth.

The year was 1969 and things were winding down after her baby shower. It wasn’t punch that had soaked the couch where Ginny had sat and now, here she was, in the hospital, with a doctor staring down at her. Ginny couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of the doctor and the nurse. A girl? They’re sorry? She has a condition? Mongoloid? Lucy wanted her daughter and she wanted her now! Where was her husband? Ginny struggles to stay awake, the anesthesia takes over and she falls asleep,

When she finally awakens, Ginny wants to see her baby and her husband but it’s not time yet and I begin to get nervous as they tell Ginny to get more sleep and off to dreamland she goes. Hours later, when they feel it’s time, her husband and her father-in-law inform Ginny that the baby has been moved to a school where they will love and care for her. The doctor feels that the baby could have problems in the future so this is what they have done. Ginny wants to get the baby BUT it’s too late.

Fast forward to 1971, the family dynamics have changed, they’re going through the motions. Ginny hasn’t forgotten her baby and I can feel this void in her life. Her husband doesn’t talk about and their son doesn’t even know about his younger sister. Ab is working longer and is spending more time away from home, and now Peyton doesn’t bother asking when his father will be home. Ginny lives for Peyton and being a good wife. When she receives a phone call from her best friend Marsha, she becomes the person, I felt she was meant to be.

Marsha calls and informs Ginny about a reporter who went undercover at Willowridge. The same school that Ginny’s father-in-law put her infant daughter in years ago. When Ginny reads the papers, she’s hopeful that she’ll be united with her daughter with her husband’s help but that’s short-lived, after she talks to her husband.

Just like Ginny, I felt that her husband would read the papers and they would go rescue their daughter but the story is complicated. After reading the papers, Ginny just wants her daughter safe. I didn’t think she had it in her but with the help of Marsha, these two women lean against one another to do what they feel is best for Ginny’s children.

I enjoyed how the author showed us more of Ginny’s life, how she met her husband, and how this flowed into the present day. It showed a complete picture and a great flow. Ginny and Marsha’s relationship was fantastic and I liked how they figured things out along their journey. Peyton wasn’t a secondary character in this novel but an important one which I thought was needed.

I really enjoyed this novel, it was sad at times and it made my skin crawl and other times, it made me smile as I felt hope. The only problem I had with the novel was the last couple scenes in the novel. These scenes were a bit too much for me considering everything that had happened in the novel. 4.5 stars

I won a copy of this novel from St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you. This review was my own opinion.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

5 stars Fiction

This was my first story by Erica Bauermeister but I will definitely be watching out for her in the future and I will be looking to see what books my library carries of this fantastic author. With fluid movements, Erica painted a distinct picture of Emmeline’s world. I understood Emmeline’s confusion as she grew up on the island with her father where life was simple and carefree. When she moves inland later in life, she became more aware of the world and its complexity and realizes that there is now much more to consider for the return that she was getting.

Living on the island with her father, Emmeline led a simple life, under her father’s rules. Her father provided for her everything that she needed, allowing for just a few luxuries but what would happen should that system fail? Did her father ever think about the future? I had hoped that he had to have wondered about the day that she would get curious or the day that something would happen to him and his system failed. Did he even have a backup plan?

I loved the concept of the jars and the story behind them. The scent of smell is a powerful tool and to be able to capture that element would be priceless. I was glad that Emmeline found Fisher and they created a great friendship. This was an excellent story that I was wrapped up in, emotionally and mentally.

I won a copy of this book. Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for sending me a copy of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.