{Release Day Review & U.S. Giveaway} Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

ISBN #: 978-1476712826

Page Count: 352

Copyright: July 9, 2013

Publisher: Washington Square Press

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Elsie Porter is an average twentysomething and yet what happens to her is anything but ordinary. On a rainy New Year's Day, she heads out to pick up a pizza for one. She isn't expecting to see anyone else in the shop, much less the adorable and charming Ben Ross. Their chemistry is instant and electric. Ben cannot even wait twenty-four hours before asking to see her again. Within weeks, the two are head over heels in love. By May, they've eloped.

Only nine days later, Ben is out riding his bike when he is hit by a truck and killed on impact. Elsie hears the sirens outside her apartment, but by the time she gets downstairs, he has already been whisked off to the emergency room. At the hospital, she must face Susan, the mother-in-law she has never met - and who doesn't even know Elsie exists.

Interweaving Elsie and Ben's charmed romance with Elsie and Susan's healing process, Forever, Interrupted will remind you that there's more than one way to find a happy ending.

Mandy's Review:

Well, the blurb at the top of the front cover is certainly correct: this is not your average love story. Within the very first chapter tragedy strikes and Ben is killed (if you read the summary, you know this is not a spoiler). The remainder of the book is dedicated to the reader watching Elsie go through the five stages of grief. Intermingled throughout are her reminisces of the time she met Ben through the time they were married.

Ben and Elsie met by twist of fate. Upon meeting they experienced an instant connection that spiraled them into a whirlwind relationship. Ben seemed perfect, but had his flaws. For instance, the man was unable to tell his mother about Elsie. It explains why he felt that way in the book, but his procrastination was an annoyance to me. However, had he not procrastinated then there wouldn't be the conflict between Elsie and Susan, Ben's mother, in the book which was something I enjoyed watching unfold.

Elsie's grief was palpable and is easily felt by the reader. My favorite part was when she punched a guy in the library. That's when I knew that Elsie would be okay. She had some fight left in her and, in the end, she was able to make good use of it.

Overall, the story is a very realistic one. I did feel that there was an abundance of explicatives in certain parts of the book. Of course, that could be just my prudish way of thinking. The book is a fictional depiction of real people and real people curse ... and often times more than they need to. I did enjoy Forever, Interrupted and would probably recommend it to those who enjoy reading novels that are based on real-life events/situations.


*A paperback copy of was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

U.S. Giveaway:

This giveaway will last one week and is for United States residents only. There are two copies of Forever, Interrupted up for grabs. The winners will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If they do not respond within 48 hours, or if they do not have a U.S. mailing address, another winner will be chosen in their place.

Also, we made a change due to the responses we read from last week's Book Blogger Hop question. We realized not everyone enjoys filling out the Rafflecopter forms. So, to give you non-Rafflecopter fans a chance to enter, we are including both a Rafflecopter form and a Google form for this giveaway. You do not have to enter both forms for a chance to win. You only have to fill out one or the other. However, if you want to take the time to fill out both forms, you are more than welcome to do so.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} The Clock of Life by Nancy Klann-Moren

ISBN #: 978-0988494411

Page Count: 364

Copyright: November 12, 2012

Publisher: AnthonyAnn Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

In the small town of Hadlee, Mississippi, during the 1980's, Jason Lee Rainey struggles to find his way amongst the old, steadfast Southern attitudes about race, while his friendship with a black boy, Samson Johnson, deepens.

By way of stories from others, Jason Lee learns about his larger-than-life father, who was killed in Vietnam. He longs to become that sort of man, but doesn't believe he has it in him.

In The Clock of Life he learns lessons from the past, and the realities of inequality. He flourishes with the bond of friendship; endures the pain of senseless death; finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right; and comes to realize he is his father's son.

This story explores how two unsettling chapters in American history, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, affect the fate of a family, a town, and two boyhood friends.

Our Combined Review:

This review is a compilation of Mandy's, Kathy's, and Charlene's thoughts

Yes, lovely followers, the three reviewers of Literary R&R have decided to come together, read the same book, and create a compiled review of all of our thoughts. This is the first time we've done this so we're hoping it turns out well. Let's begin, shall we?

Within the first few chapters of reading, the setting and premise of The Clock of Life seemed familiar to us. Many authors seem to be rejuvenating the "black versus white" theme in their stories, especially set in the Old South. The summary states the book is set during the 1980's but the writing style misleads the reader into feeling the story is much older than that, perhaps the 1960's or 1970's.

As far as the premise is concerned, Kathy's thoughts are that there are a ton of stories that start out the same way this one does: There's a kid who makes friends and enemies on his first day of school. Of course the friends that he makes are some of the more unpopular kids, which just makes him a bigger target to the bullies.

Jason Lee lives with his mother and Uncle. His mother, Cassie, has been widowed for quite some time. Her husband, Jason Lee's namesake, was killed in Selma during the 1960's. All of us would have appreciated knowing more about Jason Lee's father. His notebook was a great way to introduce what he did and thought, but we do not feel as if it were enough. The book makes Jason Lee's father out to be a hero, but Kathy was less than impressed with his continued use of the word "douchebag" and wonders if people even used that word during the 1960's.

Mooks is Jason Lee's Uncle and Cassie's twin brother. He was in the Vietnam War and came back injured. He now lives with Cassie and Jason Lee. Every day he sits on the porch carving the "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil" monkeys. Mandy wants to know what the significance of the monkeys are. The book briefly touches on them, but doesn't really delve into the why of it. All three reviewers would have loved to see Uncle Mooks fleshed out more. There just seemed to be a depth to him that wasn't explored.

We are going to try to discuss something that bothered us without giving too much of the story away ... There is a death that takes place in the book. We were slightly confused by it as it doesn't make sense. Based on the time period and the segregation of Hadlee, the incident that ignited the chain of events leading up to the death feels wrong. We don't believe that initial event would have taken place. If the death was inserted into the story to help make Jason Lee grow into a more manly mind frame, then Mandy feels as if a death closer to home would have been a better choice. The stage for such a death was set, but was then removed.

The oppression in Jason Lee's background resonated within Charlene. She feels as if he was almost doomed from the beginning due to dealing with his daddy's death, his Uncle Mooks' mental struggle (thanks to the Vietnam War), and the racial influence of the South. Despite those hindrances, Charlene feels that the author did a great job of introducing just enough hope and insight to a better future to keep the story from becoming dark. She enjoyed this novel. As a parent of a "mixed breed" child, Charlene has experienced some of the learned hatred that still permeates our world and remains hopeful for a more tolerable future.

Overall, all three ladies seemed to enjoy the novel, although it may not be a book one or two of them will re-read any time soon. For a burgeoning writer, The Clock of Life is a good start. Perhaps with a few re-writes it could become something great and turned into a "must read."


*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the author to all three reviewers in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Lost Causes: Silent Scream by Donna J. Thompson

ISBN #: 978-1478712862

Page Count: 256

Copyright: May 10, 2013

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

When beautiful psychologist Casey West goes to Detective Karl Larkin with a wild story about the mental hospital where she works, he quickly dismisses it. He has worked in Springfield for twenty years and Lakeview has never had a complaint lodged against it. But when Casey's friend, a nurse named Trudy Madison, is brutally murdered and the management's story doesn't agree with the evidence, Detective Larkin begins to think Casey's story doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore. Having friends in high places, Jerry Connors, who runs Lakeview, uses his influence to stop the detective's investigation. Casey then begs Larkin to allow her to become his eyes and ears inside of the place. Will she help him crack the case, or will she wind up dead like her friend?

Charlene's Review:

When Casey West goes to work at Lakeview Psychiatric Hospital, for her "Uncle Jerry," a family friend, she finds things going on that don't add up. Befriending a nurse, Trudy Madison, they begin to look into the treatment of the patients. When Trudy is murdered within the halls of the hospital, Casey goes to the local police.

Unfortunately, "Uncle Jerry" puts a stop to the investigation and Casey feels she has no choice but to continue on her own, despite the danger. She soon realizes that there is no one she can trust, even her beloved "Uncle."

From the first chapter, Ms. Thompson begins to spin a tale of deception, conspiracy, and murder. She uses such detail in her characters and their surroundings that you feel as if you are a spectator to the action. I was immediately drawn into the storyline, and it held me to the very end. As I tried to figure out the cover-up going on, the story took on a whole new life, with a lot of background that slowly unraveled to keep me guessing as to who the "bad guys" were, and what their motives were. Casey is a heroine, and like every heroine, there is a love interest, although you wonder at his motives as well. Her emotions as she struggles to know who she can trust are palpable.

All together, this is a masterfully written story of suspense. I highly recommend this to mystery buffs.


*A physical copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Tenderloin by Ty Hutchinson

ISBN #: 978-1482570106

Page Count: 372

Copyright: June 7, 2013

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

Life in San Francisco could not be better for FBI Agent Abby Kane and family. With white-collar crimes dominating her work schedule, chasing deranged killers is a thing of the past, until the body of a dead DEA agent pops up in Bogota.

Ordered to Colombia for answers, Abby's investigation takes her deep into the Amazon jungle where she discovers evidence of strange experiments at a rundown lab. When she later crosses paths with one of the scientists involved, she learns that a new drug has been invented, and its danger isn't the addictive high but the terrifying side effects.

Abby believes the cartels are behind the drug, but the locals think it's one man. They call him the Monster.

Charlene's Review:

In Book 2 of the Abby Kane Thriller series, Abby is once again called in to investigate some strange happenings. Arriving in Colombia to help investigate the death of a DEA agent, Abby meets her DEA contact, Special Agent Dominic Cabrera. Together they set out to find those responsible for the murder. They soon discover the locals believe it was a zombie, or a local myth, The Monster. What started out as a routine investigation, soon turns into the fight for Abby Kane's very life.

Mr. Hutchinson has done it again. Somehow he manages to come up with completely new bizarre ways to torture and mutilate his characters in each novel. (A bit frightening, perhaps. Don't get on his bad side.) While the murders are brutal, Mr. Hutchinson finds balance in his characters personalities, often with a wry humor. Mixing in the element of romance and exotic locations makes for a well-rounded story for any reader. As far-fetched as his mystery sometimes gets, I am always riveted to read straight through and see where it all ends.

I am hooked on Hutchinson!

5 out of 5 stars!


*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Book Blog Tour - Review} Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington

ASIN #: B009ZF5SLM

File Size: 583 KB

Page Count: 352

Copyright: October 30, 2012

Publisher: Imdalind Press

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar, only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

Mandy's Review:

This book opens the reader up to a world where there's paranormal entities, but not like you've read before (well, at least I haven't). The "kiss" is given by a creature to a half-bred human child who has the potential to do magic. The amount of time the child recovers is directly proportionate to the amount of magic the child has within him/her. Joclyn was "kissed" when she was five years old. It took her six months to recover from the "kiss," the longest natural amount of time ever known for a recovery ... which means Joclyn should be one of the strongest magical half-breeds ever created.

She is totally unaware of her powers.

Ryland, her best friend and budding love interest, grew up knowing about the magic, but Joclyn doesn't know that. When he finds her "kiss" mark on her neck, he knows exactly what it means for Joclyn and it isn't good. All she knows about her mark is that it's ugly and it caused her father to leave her and her mother shortly after her recovery.

The romantic aspect between Joclyn and Ryland felt a little awkward at first. It grows into something beautiful, though, and becomes an integral part of this story.

The way the story unfolds is expertly written. The introduction of the magic and magical characters is written so well that the story flows without any hiccups. You (the reader) get a feeling of depth to the story as you're reading it. I also felt the story was mostly kept in darkness and that the lightness of the "good" characters may later be revealed is subsequent books. I guess that kind of gives you a hint as to how this book ends, but not enough so that you know what happens.

I am really looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Eyes of Ember, to see how the story progresses.


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the tour host for the purposes of an honest review for this virtual book blog tour.