Silver's Reviews: July 2016

Thursday, July 28, 2016

After Anna by Alex lake

A parents' worst nightmare....four little words: "Your Child Is Missing."

Anna disappeared without a trace as school was being let out for the day.

Anna's mother, Julia, was late picking her up and blamed herself. She and other family members were hoping that another family member had picked her up. Well....someone did pick her up, but they never brought her home.

Anna was missing for a week, and then surprisingly returned. Very strange in a kidnapping case, but she was safe and unharmed. But was she and were other family members really safe in such an odd turn of events?

AFTER ANNA had me on the edge of my seat as the kidnapper narrated what was happening and as we flashed back to the ongoing police investigation and daily lives of the characters.

AFTER ANNA is a must read for anyone who loves thrillers, chilling situations, a unique story line, and an evil, manipulating villain.

Mr. Lake did a marvelous job of keeping me guessing even though a few folks said they guessed right away who the kidnapper was.

I would consider this one of the top thrillers I have read this year. As I neared the end, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see the outcome.

ENJOY if you read AFTER ANNA. 5/5

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

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Lost Girls by Heather Young

Inheriting a house she had only lived in for one summer of her childhood seemed to be a way out of her current situation for Justine and her daughters.

Arriving at the house that Aunt Lucy left her was not what Justine had expected. The house was run down and no where close to anything but some odd neighbors.

Aunt Lucy's sister who had disappeared at the age of six and was never found was the main focus of the book along with the emotional lives of each character.

THE LOST GIRLS was a family saga that had chapters about the lives of the three sisters, Lilith, Lucy, Emily, and Justine both past and present. The Evans women lived unhappy lives which carried on from one generation to the next.

The father of Lilith, Lucy, and Emily was a bit disturbing. He was odd and strict. The girls were different but interesting. Justine and her daughters followed suit.

I enjoyed THE LOST GIRLS despite the gloomy feeling that seemed to overshadow everyone. Ms. Young has a marvelous, descriptive writing style that helped you understand and connect with each character and each situation. Her writing just pulled you into the story.

If you enjoy a bit of family drama as well as secrets and mysteries, you will enjoy THE LOST GIRLS. 4/5

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

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Celebration and Giveaway of The Reprint of A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

In celebration of the release of the reprint of the paperback edition of A CURIOUS BEGINNING by Deanna Raybourn, Loren Jaggers of Penguin Random House is sending a copy of the book to one lucky USA winner in this giveaway.

Entry form is at the bottom of the review. Good Luck!!

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REVIEW

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A secret past that she wasn't aware of puts Veronica Speedwell in danger after her aunt passed away.

Veronica Speedwell is now without family, and as an intruder enters her home and tries to harm her, a Baron saves her life just in time. Even though Veronica seems to be able to take care of herself, the Baron insists that he be her protector. The Baron and Veronica begin a journey to London to meet a friend the Baron believes can protect Veronica for him. During their travel time, the Baron tells Veronica he knows secrets about her past that he can't tell her just yet but will.

Veronica isn't too happy with the arrangements of having to be protected, but being interested in what the Baron will tell her makes her stay with the Baron’s friend, Stoker. Not even 24 hours after the Baron left Veronica in safe keeping with Stoker, the pair finds out that the Baron has been murdered. With that news Stoker whisks himself and Veronica away where the murderer who most likely is still after Veronica can't find them. Adventures and danger follow them.

A CURIOUS BEGINNING is the first book I have read by Ms. Raybourn and the character Miss Speedwell. The book is interesting but odd with odd characters. Miss Speedwell is very independent and Stoker is a taxidermist who once was with a traveling circus. The characters where Stoker and Veronica make their hiding place are all quite bizarre, but I guess when you are in a traveling circus, that is what you see.

A CURIOUS BEGINNING is adventure and murder investigations all rolled into one with some good twists. It was also comical at times.

A CURIOUS BEGINNING was a bit different from what I expected, but I kept reading because I wanted to find out who the murderer was as well as to find out what Veronica's secret past was. And....her past was an excellent revelation.

It wasn’t a favorite, but I did like Veronica, and the storyline picked up toward the end of the book. In fact, the ending was quite exciting and makes my rating go from my original 3/5 to 4/5.

Readers who like quirky characters, intrigue, mystery, and a bit of romance should enjoy A CURIOUS BEGINNING. 4/5

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

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GIVEAWAY

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USA ONLY

JULY 19 TO JULY 26

ENTER HERE

GOOD LUCK

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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

A small town, a perfect town, a town with secrets, and a town with the not so perfect residents they think they are.

The night Jenny Kramer is attacked is the night that the town gets turned upside down along with her family. Jenny's father is obsessed with finding her attacker, and the town can't believe something like this could happen in Fairview, Connecticut.

The horrible attack on Jenny brought about a decision her parents had to make concerning a drug that would erase Jenny's complete memory of the attack.

Mr. and Mrs. Kramer were at odds about the drug, but they did agree to go ahead with the treatment.

Along with the treatment comes a psychiatrist, Dr. Forrester, who administered the treatment as well as the doctor who provided therapy for the entire family.

The author definitely expands the reader's knowledge about psychiatric therapy as Dr. Forrester interviews Jenny, her family, and a character named Sean.

We the reader follow the investigation and question who really is the attacker.

ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN is a powerful, amazingly written read. The story line is highly developed, carried out in an organized fashion, and gives the reader a lot to think about.

You will be frustrated at first because you don't know who the narrator is, but it becomes apparent and is revealed a few chapters in.

By chapter 18 you will be biting your fingernails and be on the edge of your seat with the suspense, possible findings, and seeing how cunning and evil some of the characters are.

Reading ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN was a definite treat on an intellectual level, and the approach to the book's subject was unique.

ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN was a tense, stay-with-you psychological thriller and will make you wonder if folks are really who they appear to be. 4/5

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

Friday, July 8, 2016

My Beautiful, Precious Mother

Mary Jane Coscarelli, peacefully passed away in her home with her family by her side on Thursday, July 7, 2016, after a 2 1/2 year illness. She was born June 28, 1922. Her wonderful eight children and caregivers took care of Mary Jane in her home. Mary Jane worked at Alcoa as a secretary. Mary Jane used her artistic talent to draw plans for the kitchens that her husband built for Ralph's Cabinet Shop. Mary Jane loved fixing baby dolls, crafts, antiques, baking, bingo, and cooking. Mary Jane was a wonderful, loving mother to all of her eight children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Mary Jane always welcomed visits from family members, and loved having everyone for dinner no matter what day of the week or what time of the day. You could always find Mary Jane making something delicious when you stopped by. Her bread was everyone's favorite. Mary Jane won first prize in a baking contest sponsored by the Valley News Dispatch for her zucchini pie in 1996. Mary Jane will be dearly missed because she was what held the family together with her sweetness, her caring, her unselfishness, and her beautiful smile. Her children and her husband were her whole life. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Katherine Greco; her husband, Ralph; her sister, Diana; and an infant brother, Daniel. Survivors include her eight children, Kathleen (Ed) Wall, of Darnestown, Md., Elizabeth (Andrew) Petrovich, of Lower Burrell, Ralph Jr., of Natrona Heights, Daniel (Diana), of New Kensington, Michael (Valerie), of Cranberry, Frank (Carol), of Lower Burrell, Jane (Daren) Kissinger, of Deale, Maryland, Claire (Brian) Hall, of Clarksburg, Md. Mary Jane is also survived by her siblings, Beatrice Rivi, Dorothy Strittmatter, Rita Greco and John Greco; as well as 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A heartfelt, extremely grateful thank you to all of her caregivers. We can't thank you ladies enough for how lovingly you took care of mom: Bernie, Ginny, Joanne, Leanne, Margaret, Mary, Melissa, Pat and Patty. A heartfelt thank you to the Good Samaritan Hospice team and our wonderful nurses Steve and Trudy. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/triblive-valley-news-dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=mary-jane-coscarelli&pid=180602217#sthash.EeisIEg4.dpuf

Mary Jane Coscarelli, born June 28, 1922, peacefully passed away in her home with her family at her side on July 7, after a two and one-half year illness. Her wonderful eight children and caregivers took care of Mary Jane in her home.

Mary Jane worked at Alcoa as a secretary. Mary Jane used her artistic talent to draw plans for the kitchens that her husband built for Ralph's Cabinet Shop. Mary Jane loved fixing baby dolls, crafts, antiques, baking, BINGO, and cooking. Mary Jane was a wonderful, loving mother to all of her eight children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

Mary Jane always welcomed visits from family members, and loved having everyone for dinner no matter what day of the week or what time of the day. You could always find Mary Jane making something delicious when you stopped by. Her bread was everyone’s favorite. Mary Jane won first prize in a baking contest sponsored by the Valley News Dispatch for her zucchini pie in 1996.

Mary Jane will be dearly missed because she was what held the family together with her sweetness, her caring, her unselfishness, and her beautiful smile. Her whole life was devoted to her children and husband.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Daniel and Katherine Greco, her husband Ralph, her sister Diana, and an infant brother, Daniel.

Survivors include her eight children Kathleen (Ed) Wall of Darnestown, Maryland, Elizabeth (Andrew) Petrovich of Lower Burrell, Ralph, Jr., of Natrona Heights, Daniel (Diana) of New Kensington, Michael (Valerie) of Cranberry, Frank (Carol) of Lower Burrell, Jane (Daren) Kissinger of Deale, Maryland, Claire (Brian) Hall of Clarksburg, Maryland. Mary Jane is also survived by her siblings Beatrice Rivi, Dorothy Strittmatter, Rita Greco, and John Greco as well as fifteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A heartfelt, extremely grateful thank you to all of her caregivers. We can't thank you ladies enough for how lovingly you took care of mom. Bernie, Ginny, Joanne, Leanne, Margaret, Mary, Melissa, Pat, and Patty.

A heartfelt thank you to the Good Samaritan Hospice team and our wonderful nurses Steve and Trudy.

I won't be around for a few days so happy blogging until I return.

Friday Fill-Ins - 7/8/16

Friday Fill-Ins:

1. ___________________ was easier than I expected.

2. Bucket list: 1. _____________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________.

3. I cannot believe . 4. If I could , I would .

My Answers:

1. Walking my three miles a day was easier than expected.

2. Bucket List - I really don't have one. I am happy with what I have done in my life.

3. I cannot believe how fast this year is going.

4. If I could read faster, I would happily do so.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

PARK ROW BOOKS

INTRODUCING PARK ROW BOOKS
A New Literary Fiction Imprint from MIRA Books

ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF MIRA.

Last week MIRA announced Park Row Books a completely new imprint tht will focus on thought-provoking and voice-driven novels by both celebrated and new authors.

New York, NY, July 1, 2016—MIRA Books announced today the official launch of Park Row Books, an exclusive line of thought-provoking and voice-driven novels by both celebrated and new authors. Park Row Books will be led by Margaret Marbury, Vice President, General Fiction Editorial, and Erika Imranyi, Executive Editor. Park Row Books will publish unique voices and powerful stories that inspire discussion. Inaugural titles are slated for release in summer 2017.

“With the success of MIRA’s rapidly expanding literary fiction program, we decided to establish a dedicated imprint that focuses on the incredible novels we are publishing,” said Marbury. “Park Row Books allows us to create new opportunities for talented literary writers who want a boutique publishing experience with the support of a powerhouse commercial publisher.”

“We are aggressively growing our imprints that publish hardcover and trade paper original fiction,” said Loriana Sacilotto, Executive Vice-President, Global Publishing and Strategy at Harlequin. “Park Row Books is acquiring powerful and compelling novels by talented writers who are looking for a house that will shine a spotlight on their titles.”

The name Park Row Books was inspired by the landmark street that runs through downtown Manhattan and ends at the Woolworth Building, the former home of Harlequin’s New York office for many years. Once known as “Printing House Square” and the location of many of New York’s major newspapers, Park Row has a rich heritage of fostering free expression, creative ideas and important voices.

“MIRA Books has a long history as an industry leader when it comes to publishing commercial fiction,” said Imranyi. “The passion and innovation of the MIRA team is second to none and we have seamlessly parlayed our strengths as a commercial publisher into our literary fiction program. It is a great privilege to be spearheading the expansion of MIRA’s powerful list with the launch of Park Row Books, which will be an exciting destination for talented literary voices whose books have broad mainstream appeal.”

The launch title for Park Row Books is the blockbuster debut novel The Improbable Flight of Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig, which Park Row acquired in a significant preemptive deal. The highly anticipated novel follows a recently adopted teenager with autism who is desperately plotting to get herself kidnapped by her birth mother. Told in an extraordinarily fresh and wholly unique voice, The Improbable Flight of Ginny Moon is a compulsively readable and unforgettable story about finding a place to belong in a world that doesn’t always add up. It will be published around the world in 11 territories and counting.

Park Row Books will also be home to the much-buzzed-about new novels by New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kubica and Heather Gudenkauf. Kubica’s book, a psychological thriller about a young widow’s pursuit of the truth in the wake of the devastating crash that took the life of her husband, takes readers inside the dark, twisted corners of a psyche plagued by grief. Her first novel, The Good Girl, has sold over half a million copies and has been published in two dozen territories worldwide. Gudenkauf’s next book, a high-concept crime thriller about a protagonist with profound hearing loss, features the bestselling author’s most compelling heroine to date. Gudenkauf’s first novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant New York Times bestseller, spending 22 weeks on the list.

Other exciting titles forthcoming from Park Row Books include When I Think of You, from award-winning journalist and bestselling author Karma Brown, exploring how a woman’s life falls apart over a random act of courtesy; Hanna Who Fell from the Sky, a breakout literary novel set in the fascinating and unknown world of a polygamist society from award-winning Canadian author Christopher Meades; Undertow, by British journalist Elizabeth Heathcote, the much-buzzed-about debut domestic thriller in the vein of The Widow; and a new novel from Phaedra Patrick, the author of wildly acclaimed The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, that follows a down-on-his-luck jeweler whose life is changed when his estranged teenage niece makes a surprise visit to his quiet village.

Agents with manuscripts that feature strong, unique voices and groundbreaking content with mainstream appeal may send material to Erika Imranyi or Park Row Books editor Liz Stein.

About MIRA Books

MIRA Books is an imprint of Harlequin and features a lineup of some of the bestselling authors across North America as well as industry-anticipated debut authors. MIRA Books is committed to publishing the very best in commercial fiction, including women’s fiction, suspense and psychological thrillers, literary bestsellers, and historical. In 2015, 24 MIRA Books titles placed on bestseller lists (New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly) for a total of 194 weeks. MIRA publishes approximately 100 books per year in hardcover, mass-market and trade paperback formats.

About Harlequin

Harlequin (Harlequin.com) is one of the world’s leading publishers of books for women, with titles issued worldwide in as many as 34 languages and sold in up to 102 international markets. The company publishes more than 110 titles monthly and more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, and has operations in 11 countries. For more information, please visit Harlequin.com and Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks. Follow Harlequin on Twitter: @HarlequinBooks.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Melanie Dulos Shara Alexander

Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications Director, Publicity

Harlequin MIRA Books/Park Row Books

(416) 391-7008 212-207-7902

melanie.dulos@HarperCollins.com shara.alexander@HarperCollins.com

Nothing But Echoes by Anne Montgomery

Indian artifacts, reporters, and archeologists team up in NOTHING BUT ECHOES to bring us a well-researched, beautifully written book.

NOTHING BUT ECHOES goes back and forth in time from an Indian village with a famous "magician" to present-day reporters and archeologists trying to find out just who the magician was.

I always enjoy books that "dig" up treasures from the past as well as learning about different cultures.

NOTHING BUT ECHOES has everything for someone interested in the past and how it relates to the present.

There also is a sweet romance, wonderful characters, and an evil character from present day.

ENJOY when you read this book. Historical fiction fans are in for a treat. 4/5

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

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Ballet Noir by Caroline Miller

A ballet tour through Europe, a famous ballerina that has passed, and a former student of the deceased ballerina makes for an exciting read with the beautiful, descriptive writing of Caroline Miller.

Tagging along and traveling through Europe with the tour group was fun and exciting as we the readers learned about each city the ballet group stopped in.

Tara was the main character who kept seeing and hearing ghosts that turned out to be someone she knew.

The paranormal aspect of the book wasn’t a favorite because I usually do not read paranormal, but Ms. Miller's marvelous writing style and story line that included some romance took over, and the paranormal parts even though they were a large part of the storyline, didn't overpower the book.

If you enjoy traveling in Europe, a bit of romance, and paranormal, you will enjoy BALLET NOIR. 4/5

I received this book free of charge and without compensation by the author in return for an honest review.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Kick Off of a New App for Book Movement

Join in the fun.

Sign up for the new app for Book Movement, a reading site for book clubs and readers.

Go to the link below to sign up:

http://bookclubapp.kickoffpages.com/?kid=A7CYK

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From Mystica

You really know how to get someone intrigued!

Thanks for the review.

From Linda Nadwodny Moore - Facebook

"You do great reviews. Thank you for that. :) It lets me know if a book will be on my TBR list sometimes. If I'm on the fence about one and you've reviewed it, I know what to do."

From Terri Lynn - Goodreads

"Elizabeth, you always write the most beautiful reviews! I am reading this book now."

From Elizabeth B. of Thought Of An Evil OverLord

I have all of these on my TBR, you write such enthusiastic, erudite reviews I want to read everything you recommend.

From Ashley LaMar of Closed The Cover

Ok, that's it! I am SO buying this book! You are the second trusted reviewer of mine that I have seen post great reviews of this book. SOLD!
Ashley (Closed the Cover)

Ashley was commenting on my review of ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS.

From Author of Dangerous Past, A. F. Ebbers:

It really sends me soaring when a reader of my novel enjoys the story like you. It makes all the effort to write the book worthwhile. Thank you for your time and wonderful review

Author Caroline Miller's Comments:

In my delight with your review, I forgot to say you wrote a hell of a good review. Concise but hitting all the points and making it sound interesting to a reader. I'm surprised you haven't taken up the pen yourself!

Betty Alark’s Comments:

"I envisioned myself curled up in a warm blanket with a cup of tea as I read the review- I was there; that reflects how skilled a writer you are, Silver!

You're great at what "you" do - you pull a person in!"

Chatty Crone's Comments:

"Aha! You're a great writer."

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2022 Reading Challenge

Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews has completed her goal of reading 50 books in 2022!

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2020 Reading Challenge

Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews has read 3 books toward her goal of 50 books.

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