Sharing books is one of the many pleasures of blogging. Today I have two different types of books to share with you. Both are great reading/listening material for the summer.
Nothing buy bad luck seems to be the order of the day for florist Cara Kryzik, owner of Bloom, a Savannah (GA) floral shop specializing in weddings.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney does a superb job of giving distinct voices to each of the characters. Her cadence is perfect and her mannerisms will draw you in. Her interruption of the dialect enhances the author’s delightful story.
While at first glance everything seems to be going smoothly for Cara, it’s really falling apart behind the scenes. She owes a huge debt to The Colonel (aka her father) and he wants his money now. Her shop/home needs major repairs including the AC fixed immediately and her land lady won’t return her calls. Her usually trustworthy assistant, Bert, is acting strange. And just as she’s getting ready to go put the finishing touches on a wedding, her golden doodle, Poppy, runs out of the shop.
When Cara finally tracks Poppy down, she’s on the end of a leash being led by Jack Finnerty, who claims the dog is his dog, Shaz. They both call the police and are told to work it out themselves. Cara has to get to the wedding – it could keep her business afloat awhile longer. Seeing the man apparently cares for his own dog, Cara leaves determined to get her dog back as soon as possible.
Running into Jack at the wedding was the last thing Cara needed on top of everything else. Jack, a master carpenter specializing in restoring historic buildings, turned out to be the best man and brother of the groom. As the two clash over just about everything, tiny sparks begin to ignite between them.
Just as it seems Cara’s bad luck may be changing, her world drops out from under her. Cara is determined to keep her business going no matter what. The floral business isn’t all rosy when there’s a thorny competitor in the mix.
While you may guess where some of the story is going, it’s like a train wreck and you can’t (don’t want to) look away. You want to be wrong or at least find out how justice is served and happiness is found.
SAVE THE DATE draws you in and makes you feel the characters’ highs and lows. The author’s rich, beautiful descriptions of the location and surroundings brings it all to life. The protagonist is someone readers/listeners can relate to and cheer for. Brides-to-be may even get a few wedding ideas from Cara’s brides.
This is a charming and enjoyable story with ups and downs that will have you crying and laughing. It’s filled with humor, romance, friendship, and hope. A great story for the summer or anytime you want to enjoy the wonders of flowers, brides and love.
Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews, Performed by Kathleen McInerney, Macmillan Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1427239402, Unabridged, 11 Discs, Listening Time: 14.5 Hours
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the author’s publicist. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Sometimes secrets are buried deeper than we realize. In author Elaine Faber’s BLACK CAT’S LEGACY, the protagonist (Kimberlee Larsen) discovers secrets from her past she had long forgotten could now jeopardize her future.
Kimberlee and her daughter, Amanda, end up at Fern Lake by accident, fate or unknown desire. Fern Lake is the scene of her father’s cold case murder. Meanwhile, true-crime author Brett Clarke has also arrived at Fern Lake in search of his next big novel. They both cross paths with Dorian Dilman, a determined detective.
The trio work together to find out the truth as Kimberlee’s past returns to claim her. The three have assistance from an unlikely source, the resident black cat named Thumper. Having knowledge from his ancestors, Thumper watches over Kimberlee helping with clues where he can.
This intriguing murder mystery moves at a steady pace with twists to keep you guessing. The characters are well-developed, realistic and for the most part likable – there’s always got to be an unfavorable character or two.
The author mixes murder and mystery with the right amount of romance and a touch of paranormal for a well-blended tale. The setting is mesmerizing and quickly pulls you in.
BLACK CAT’S LEGACY is a fascinating tale of suspense with romance and supernatural undertones that will hold your attention to the very end. This is a great start to a promising series of mysteries, compelling characters, and innovating plots.
Black Cat’s Legacy by Elaine Faber, Elk Grove Publications, @2014, ISBN: 978-1940781020, Paperback, 284 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope I’ve entice to you to check out these amazing novels. What’s on your reading list at the moment?
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Two intriguing audios to share with you today!
When you find a book that blends two stories together smoothly, you’ve found a good book. When you find a book that is heart-wrenching and inspiring, you’ve found a wonderful story.
Author Sarah Thebarge has created a wonderfully, good book in THE INVISIBLE GIRLS: A Memoir.
Narrator Kirsten Potter does an excellent job bringing the story to life. Her vocalization of the emotions is an added delight to this mesmerizing story the author tells.
At 27, Sarah Thebarge’s life was great - she had an Ivy League degree, was on the way to having the successful career she dreamed of and had gotten engaged to her handsome boyfriend. Then her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. After surgery, months of grueling treatments and a number of losses in her life, Sarah decided to start over across the country in Portland, Oregon.
Once there, Sarah began trying to rebuild her life. A chance encounter on a train turned her world upside down again. This time, it was in a good way. She came to know and care about a young Somali refugee, Hadhi, and her five young daughters. Hadhi’s abusive husband had left them and they were on the brink of starvation as they were ‘invisible’ to their neighbors and the new world around them. As Sarah began to help Hadhi and the girls adjust to their new country, the family helped Sarah adjust to her new life after cancer.
I was touched first by how the author was able to hold onto her faith despite times of despair, anger and doubt. I was inspired by how she overcame all that she did and was able to give so much despite her own losses.
Second, I was amazed at the author’s care and concern for Hadhi and the girls. She was there when they needed someone the most and she continues to help them. Portions of the proceeds from THE INVISIBLE GIRLS goes toward the girls’ college education.
THE INVISIBLE GIRLS is a beautiful and poignant story that will tug at your heartstrings one minute and make you laugh the next. It’s a story that will have you re-examining things about your own life. This is a raw emotional story of not only surviving, but learning to live.
The end of the audio also includes an interview with author Sarah Thebarge that is both very touching and enlightening.
Author Sarah Thebarge’s website is http://sarahthebarge.com/theinvisiblegirls/
The Invisible Girls: A Memoir by Sarah Thebarge, Performed by Kirsten Potter, Oasis Audio, @2013, ASIN: B00CD8K2SW, ISBN: 978-1455523917, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time: 6 Hours and 21 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
There are several things I know for sure when it comes to a Mary Kay
Andrews’ book…..
* When you think a situation can’t get any worse, it does.
* When things are finally coming together, the other shoe drops and everything goes wrong.
* And when you finish, you’re smiling because all the pieces finally fit together more perfectly than you imaged.
That’s the way of Andrews’ latest release, LADIES’ NIGHT.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. She vocalizes the characters’ emotions with great emphasis. Her cadence has listeners believing there’s more than one narrator.
Grace Stanton has an ideal life - handsome husband, gorgeous mansion, and a fantastic career as a lifestyle blogger. Then she discovers her husband, Ben, is having an affair with J’Aimee, her assistance. She drives Ben’s expensive sports car into their swimming pool and leaves.
The next thing she knows she can’t return to her home and she has to move in with her mother, Rochelle, over her mom’s bar, The Sandbox. Then her blog, Gracenotes, is hijacked by Ben and J’Aimee and she’s forced to attend divorce therapy for six weeks with four other people facing the same divorce judge.
When the actions of the divorce coach turn a bit odd, the group - including one lone male, Wyatt Keeler - head to The Sandbox for drinks and conversation.
While out running, Grace discovers a charming cottage that needs redecorating and talks the owner into letting her do it. With a new mission and a new blog, Grace begins to reinvent herself. Along the way she and Wyatt begin to connect and find that divorce therapy may not have been so bad after all.
The ups and downs of the group’s members are hilarious with touches of heartbreak thrown in. Andrews makes the characters realistic and likable. Her vivid descriptions places the listener/reader in the middle of the action. Andrews has her characters, and you, going through an array of emotions as she plays out the highs and lows of divorce.
Take a group of enraged soon-to-be exs; add in a rescue dog, a couple of well-meaning parents, a touch of mystery and mayhem; top it off with lots of humor and you have a zany story you won’t be able to let go of until the surprising end.
Andrews has done it again with LADIES’ NIGHT. It’s a fantastic story filled with fun and eclectic characters you won’t want to leave.
Author Mary Kay Andrews’ website is http://marykayandrews.com/
Ladies’ Night by Mary Kay Andrews, Performed by Kathleen McInerney, Macmillan Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1427230812, Unabridged, 14 Discs, Listening Time: 17.5 Hours
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Thanks for stopping by today. Do you enjoy stories where the characters come to life and you feel you know them or at least someone similar to them?
