Book Beginnings - 4/29/16

 

*Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.  *Taken directly from Rose City Reader's Blog Page.

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My book beginnings is taken from SO CLOSE TO HOME by Michael J. Tougias and Alison O'Leary:

"In January 1942, a handful of German submarines, called U-boats (short for Unterseeboot), cruised toward the American shores, ready to change the dynamics of the war that had been under way in Europe for over two years."

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I finished these books the last three weeks:

THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER by Phaedra Patrick:

 

An excerpt from my review:

 

"THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER is an adorable, enchanting, uplifting read.  Be prepared to fall in love with Arthur Pepper."

Absolutely LOVED this book.

Review and Giveaway on May 4.

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I LET YOU GO by Claire MacKintosh:

A chilling read.

Take a look at this post for more information about the book.

 

Review will be May 10.

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THE BLUE BATH by Mary Waters-Sayer:

Review and Giveaway will be May 9.

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WILDE LAKE by Laura Lippman:

Review on May 3.

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Book Blogger Hop - 4/29 - 5/5

 Question of the Week:

Do you read and review books mainly for publishers or authors?

My Answer:

I used to read equally from both publishers and authors, but now I read more for publishers.

I run more giveaways for authors than I used to, but I do have giveaways for publishers when I am unable to read and review a book because of a time constraint.

Are YOU in on the Secret?

 

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All Images Courtesy of Penguin Random House

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I LET YOU GO by Clare Mackintosh has a secret that everyone who has read the book will be talking about. 

I read it, and am a member of the club that knows the secret.

Are you a member of the I LET YOU GO club?

My review of I LET YOU GO will go live on my blog on May 10.

Read this book, and join the club. :)

The Other Widow by Susan Crawford

Was it really an accident?

Who was the other person in the car with Joe?

Why was a million dollar insurance policy taken out not even a month before the accident?

We meet Joe, Samuel, Karen, Dorrie, ​Edward, ​and Maggie.  Husbands and wives who were not faithful​, Joe's boss, and an insurance agent who used to be a policeman reviewing the life insurance policy.

​After Joe was killed in a car accident, the tension builds, the characters show their true colors, and secrets become revealed.

THE OTHER WIDOW is definitely a page turner with the reader questioning who might have been at fault for the accident and if the characters were as honest and upright as they made themselves appear especially Edward.

THE OTHER WIDOW kept me wondering what was up with the characters and how they played into each other's lives.  As you follow the characters, you can't help but become more involved in the story line and their lives.

I really liked the book and had a difficult time putting it down.  It was mystery and women's fiction rolled into one marvelous read.

The only puzzle not solved for me was the significance of the book's title, but the author cleared that up for me.  See if you are clever enough to make the connection.  :)

If you enjoy intrigue and family dynamics, don't miss reading THE OTHER WIDOW.  Loved it.  5/5
 
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.

The Secrets of Flight by Maggie Leffler

 

THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT is filled with writers, readers, secrets, life’s lessons, and​ laugh-out-loud situations.​

We meet 87-year-old Mrs. Browning also known as Miriam Lichtenstein who has a story that needs to be told and Elyse a 15-year old who helps record her story.

We learn about Mrs Browning's past through flashbacks and the story she has Elyse typing for her.

The two main characters were lovable and two people who would be wonderful to know.  I am wondering if the characters were actual people in the author's life.

I enjoyed flashing back to Mrs. Brownings' life and seeing her excitement and experiences with flying as well as her personal life.  I learned about The Fly Girls who were famous during WWII.

The friendship between Elyse and Mrs. Browning beautifully wove the story. 

THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT is a well-researched, marvelous debut filled with vivid descriptions.

THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT took a few pages to get the gist of the story line, but it was funny, endearing, and a must read for historical fiction and women's fiction fans.  

I enjoyed THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT and was anxious to get back to the book and to the characters.  

ENJOY when you read the book.  I did. 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the author and publisher in return for an honest review.

It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading? - 4/25/16

   

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I hope you had a great reading week.  

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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed last week, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish this week.

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Book Completed last week:

THE BLUE BATH by Mary Waters-Sayer 

The story line was predictable, but overall THE BLUE BATH is a thoughtful, introspective book.

Review and Giveaway on May 9.  

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Book Currently Reading:

I LET YOU GO by Clare Mackintosh

This book is VERY good.  :)

Books Up Next:

THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER by Phaedra Patrick

Doesn't this book look adorable?

A CERTAIN AGE by Beatriz Williams

 
SO CLOSE TO HOME by Michael J. Tougias and Alison O'Leary

 

NOTHING BUT ECHOES by Anne Montgomery

ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker

WHAT SHE KNEW by Gilly MacMillan

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How was your reading week?