Taking two independent stories, rich and detailed, each revolving around a protagonist who doesn't quite feel as if he/she fits in from childhood on, Michele Young-Stone has released her debut novel, and what a debut it is. Alternating these two stories every few chapters, often taking place several years apart, the result is a dynamic and interesting novel called The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. The layout of this novel is akin to a bunch of puzzle pieces being laid out in a straight line upon the table, out of order but each piece large enough that a vision of the whole picture becomes clearer as you continue to view them down the line. Soon enough, you can begin to see how they will come together in the end. With many novels, it's easy to ...
Category Archives: Fiction
This Body of Death
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of a good mystery. I’m pretty partial to a British detective novel and its usual psychological suspense. So I was excited for the opportunity to read Elizabeth George’s This Body of Death and wasn’t undaunted in the least by hefty tome with its 650+ pages. As one might surmise given the length of the book itself, This Body of Death is no simple, straightforward story. Who wants a simple, straightforward mystery anyway? No, George weaves a complex tale that kept me riveted with every single turn of the page. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. It drew me in and kept me engaged until the last page was turned. Speaking of the last page, I always, always, always read the end of the book before finishing it. I don’t know why. I never ...
Good to a Fault
When Clara Purdy leaves her office for a quick stop at the bank on her lunch hour, she is a forty-three year old once-divorced woman who lives on her own in a quiet and routine driven life. One poorly timed left turn later, her path veers off in another direction, bringing her a new perspective, along with joy, pain, fear, and success on levels she never imagined her life reaching. Marina Endicott's new book, Good to a Fault, subtly poses the questions: What does it mean to be "good"? Why does one choose to be "good"? Who benefits most from our "good" choices, seemingly altruistic, but perhaps more steeped in selfishness than we'd like to admit? After the accident, Clara feels it is her duty, especially as a Christian, to help this family who is in ...
A Special Mother’s Day Giveaway from Hachette
Would you like to win this set of books graciously provided by Hachette? Just Let Me Lie Down By Kristin van Ogtrop God Never Blinks By Regina Brett The Cradle By Patrick Somerville Heart of My Heart By Kristin Armstrong Roses By Leila Meacham You don't have to be a mother, you don't have to be a woman, you don't have to give them to a mother -- just leave a comment and enter. You do however have to have a physical shipping address in the U.S. or Canada. The winner will be announced on May 19.
Motherhood is Murder
In Motherhood is Murder, author Diana Orgain continues to charm and entertain us with the exploits of new mom turned sleuth Kate Connolly. Motherhood is Murder picks up where Bundle of Trouble left off, with Kate wanting to begin work as private investigator all the while juggling the demands of a weeks-old baby. Everything I enjoyed about Bundle of Trouble (linked to my review) is here in Motherhood is Murder. The life of a new mom is brilliantly cast with all its ups and downs, insecurities and joys. Kate is endearing and her To Do lists hilarious. The mystery surrounding the Roo & You mommy club is complex and complicated, good things for a good mystery to be: First-time mom Kate Connolly may have found the perfect work-from-home mommy job: private investigator. After all, the hours are flexible, she can bring ...
So Much For That
The cover of Lionel Shriver's new novel, So Much For That, features a beach paradise postcard, torn in half with the pieces tossed in opposite directions. This casting aside of an idyllic image isn't just symbolic for Shep Knacker, a man who was prepared to drop everything and leave for the island of Pemba in his pursuit of his "Afterlife"- what he has worked and saved for his entire adult life. Instead, he finds himself in an alternative afterlife that involves caring for his cancer-stricken wife, attempting to navigate a health care system that is beyond complex and challenging, and watching the dollars fly out of his savings at more than an alarming rate. Shep and his family, along with the family of a close friend, are at the center of this book that completely blew ...
Threadbare Heart contest:
Who is your favorite mother-daughter duo?
The Threadbare Heart is a story about a mother and a daughter torn apart by grief, jealousy and misunderstanding — and the family heirloom that finally brings them together. To celebrate its publication, and in honor of Mother’s Day, we are joining with Jennie Nash, the author of The Threadbare Heart, and hosting a contest. Who is your favorite fictional mother and daughter? We want to know which fictional mother-daughter pair made you laugh? Made you cry? Made you cringe? Which pair revealed something true about your own mother-daughter relationships? (And yes, mothers and daughters in film are eligible too). Just leave a comment here with your entry about your favorite fictional mother-daughter pair. Be creative in your response. Your entry can be up to 250 words (This post to the 5th paragraph ending "understand" is ...
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Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor -
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