Library of Clean Reads: Contemporary Fiction

Showing posts with label Contemporary Fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies by Evy Journey (Review & Giveaway!)

A light romance book that include lots of delicious food and some intrigue. Check out my thoughts and enter to win a copy. One winner also gets a $50 Amazon gift card!

Book Details:

Book Title: Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies by Evy Journey
Category: Adult Fiction, 240 pages
Genre: Literary / Women's Fiction
Publisher: Sojourner Books
Release date: December 2017
Tour dates: Feb 1 to 16, 2018
Content Rating: R (Two bedroom scenes, some violence)

Book Description:

Cooking a wonderful meal is an act of love. An act of grace. A gift that affirms and gives life—not only does it nurture those who partake of a meal; it also feeds the soul of the person who creates it. These are lessons Gina learns from her mother.

Gina is a young woman born to poor parents; a nobody (her words) who wants to taste life outside the world she was born into and her passion for cooking is all she has to help her do so. She gets lucky when she’s chosen to cook at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area where she finds a world of a privileged class with money to spare for dinners that cost hundreds of dollars. A world of new friends and new challenges—one that exposes her to fascinating people who’re also gripped by dark motives.

Amidst her culinary adventures, she becomes good friends with pastry chef Marcia, and falls in love, in different ways, with, two very different men: Leon, a rich regular client who has been dating Cristi, her friend from childhood, and Brent, a brooding homicide detective. This other world, it turns out, is also one of unexpected danger that eventually threatens her life.

Can the lessons she learned from her mother about cooking and life help Gina survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure and unexpected danger?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

A few years back I read all three books in Between Two Worlds series by Evy Journey and I enjoyed them, especially the second book, Hello, Agnieszka!, which I thought was the best out of the three books.

I was therefore eager to read Journey's latest novel. Romance, French cuisine and intrigue are a perfect combination, especially when included with a catchy title and a great book cover that suits the novel well. Journey's writing flows at an even pace and for the most part this was a super quick read. It was also a light read and unlike her other books, I wasn't emotionally invested in the characters. I did like that the main character, Regine (Gina) Lambert, was a chef in an haute cuisine restaurant. This was a great setting, as I love to cook. Her family's history revolved around cooking and food, something I am very familiar with in my Italian culture. So I could relate to her passion for cooking.

I'm not a fan of insta-love, however, and that's mostly what the romance entailed. Apart from good looks, I was not taken in by either of the men that Gina simultaneously loved. I found the characters lacked maturity and there was what felt like teen drama throughout. There was some growth of character for Gina as she works hard to fulfil her dreams and accomplishes them.

There are two explicit sex scenes in the novel, hence the R rating but no foul language at all. If you like light romance books that include lots of delicious food and some intrigue, then this might be a fun and easy book for you to read.

To read reviews, please visit Evy Journey's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

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About the Author:

Evy Journey, writer, wannabe artist, and flâneuse (feminine of flâneur), wishes she lives in Paris where people have perfected the art of aimless roaming. Armed with a Ph.D., she used to research and help develop mental health programs.

She's a writer because beautiful prose seduces her and existential angst continues to plague her despite such preoccupations having gone out of fashion. She takes occasional refuge by invoking the spirit of Jane Austen to spin tales of love, loss, and finding one’s way—stories into which she weaves mystery or intrigue.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

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Sunday, February 4, 2018

Full Circle by Regina Timothy (Review)

A heartwarming tale of love and hope.

Book Details:

Book Title: Full Circle
Category: Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, 389 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Release date: December 24, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, Samia-Al-Sayyid, an Iraqi immigrant is living a quiet life in New York City after she fled her home to avoid eminent death. She works hard for her cold, heartless, high-strung boss, loves her seventeen-years-old-son, and cherishes the close friendship she has formed with her best friend Susan. Nothing can go wrong, or so she thinks – until the estranged brother she left back in Iraqi shows up on her door step. Then she finds herself in a cab, on her way to the hospital to identify her son, a terror suspect who has blown the city, and with it her boss’ husband, and her best friend’s son. With everything lost, she is forced to flee to Iraq where she confronts her past. Will she make peace with her past? Can she get forgiveness for all the damage she has caused? Full Circle is a contemporary fiction tale of friendship, family, and hope. It explores the devastation of loss, the great capacity to forgive and the lengths our loved ones will go to protect us.

My Review:

Reviewed by Sandra Olshaski

I was immediately captured by the prologue – the events of 9/11. Upon reading the first half of the novel, however, I was somewhat disappointed. It seemed liked a light-weight novel as the author was forever naming sofas, handbags, sunglasses, etc. – "Dale Tiffany Crystal Peony" table lamp, "Manolo shoes", "Jackie Onassis" sunglasses. But as I continued to read, my attention was once again captured by the very real events that are the backdrop of this story. And we see the effect of the Iraq war from the perspective of 3 different women, one a single-mother, who is also a Muslem. Samia Al-Sayyid is the most sympathetic of the 3, in my view. She experiences one heartbreak after another, but has the courage to survive.

The reader gets a close-up view of PTSD, racial/religious prejudice and the fallout of war and terrorism. Family dynamics are at the forefront of the story.

I was disappointed in the author's use of f-bombs and expletives.

All in all, it was an interesting read and very moving. Have Kleenex handy.

Sandra Olshaski's disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

There is a free giveaway promotion of this book on Amazon from Thursday, February 1 to Saturday, February 3.

About the Author:

Regina lives in a picturesque village in Kenya where she enjoys amazing landscapes, exotic wildlife, and beautiful sunsets and sunrises. She always had active imagination. By chance, she started blogging in 2010, which rekindled her love for writing and telling stories. When not writing she enjoys watching classic movies (she’s a movie buff), going to the theater and auto shows. You can join her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gina_wann and visit her blog at https://reginatimothy.wordpress.com/

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene (Review)

The Sky Between You and Me is a captivating and enlightening read. It can help teens, adults and parents become more aware of what it's like for a young person to live with an eating disorder.

Book Details:

Title: The Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene
Category: YA Fiction, 496 pages
Genre: Mental Illness / Social & Family Issues
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: Feb 7, 2017
Content rating: PG-13 + M for mature subject and a few f-words

Book Description:

An emotional and heart wrenching novel about grief and striving for perfection.

Lighter. Leaner. Faster.

Raesha will to do whatever it takes to win Nationals. For her, competing isn't just about the speed of her horse or the thrill of the win. It's about honoring her mother's memory and holding onto a dream they once shared.

Lighter. Leaner. Faster.

For an athlete, every second counts. Raesha knows minus five on the scale will let her sit deeper in her saddle, make her horse lighter on his feet. And lighter, leaner, faster gives her the edge she needs over the new girl on the team, a girl who keeps flirting with Raesha's boyfriend and making plans with her best friend.

So she focuses on minus five. But if she isn't careful, she's going to lose more than just the people she loves, she's going to lose herself to lighter, leaner, faster...

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Add on Goodreads

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The Sky Between You and Me caught my interest because it deals with mental illness as well as the struggles of a teen girl dealing with friendship issues and the loss of her mother. This is the second book that I read in verse and once again I enjoyed it. It's like a heady mix of poetry and narrative. I was so caught up in the writing and the story that I raced through it.

The Sky Between You and Me is the story of Raesha, a teen cowgirl who is on a Rodeo team and wants to compete at Nationals. Her mother died of cancer a few years back and she lives on her farm with her dad who is away a lot of the time purchasing cattle and taking care of their farm business. Dealing with her mother's absence, her desire to win so that she can honor her mother's memory, and the new girl in town Kierra who befriends both her best friend Asia and her boyfriend Cody, Raesha begins to eat less and less. She struggles with anorexia nervosa and loses respect for herself and blames herself for everything that is happening around her.

As a mother of a teen girl, I truly felt for Raesha. She misses her mom and although she has a good relationship with her dad, he is away a lot and also dealing with the loss of his wife. It was heartbreaking to see her go into this downward spiral alone. Raesha is a teen girl in a lot of pain. The author captures the struggles and inner turmoil of Raesha so well, especially since the story is written from Raesha's point of view and by an author who has fought hard to recover from this eating disorder.

At the beginning of the book we see a confident Raesha who loves the farm life, which is well described in this book (I'm a city girl through and through) and who loves her best-friend-since-childhood Asia and her strapping cowboy boyfriend Cody. But with the introduction of a new girl who seems perfect in every way, in looks and in cowgirl skill, Raesha's self-worth slips away and she becomes obsessed with losing weight so she can be lighter on her horse for the competition.

As she becomes more sick, it seems that both Asia and Cody are too busy with their own stuff to really notice. I was so frustrated by their lack of caring. These were the two people closest to her and they didn't do anything! None of the adults seemed to notice either. Asia and Cody actually were not pleased with her for not liking Kierra, and their standoffish behaviour only served to make Raesha feel like it was her fault they were distant, which just spiralled her deeper into her illness. Cody wasn't much of a boyfriend. He treated her more like a brother at times, showing some signs of affection, but that's pretty much it. There wasn't much substance to their relationship except that they shared the love of rodeo sports.

I would have liked for some acknowledgement from Asia and Cody that they could have done more to help Raesha. That they were sorry for not truly recognizing Raesha was ill. (Even though she was sickly thin, bruised easily, and fainted in school. Hello? Didn't it occur to them she could have had cancer? Or some other disease that was making her lose her appetite?) Yes, I get that teens can be selfish thinking mainly of themselves and perhaps not knowing enough about mental illness. But what about after learning that Reasha saw a doctor and was now in therapy? I don't want teens reading stories about mental illness thinking that it's okay to ignore blaring signs that their friend is ill. Even talking to a counsellor at school or an adult they trust about their concern for a friend would have been a start. This message has to come out in stories such as this one.

The Sky Between You and Me is a captivating and enlightening read. It can help teens, adults and parents become more aware of what it's like for a young person to live with an eating disorder. As a parent, it reminded me how important it is for me to keep telling my teen girl she is beautiful and worthy.

Disclosure: Thanks to Raincoast Books for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

About the Author:

Catherine Alene has an MA in teaching, and earned her MFA in writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Like the protagonist in The Sky Between You and Me, Catherine battled anorexia nervosa. Now in recovery, she is actively involved with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and regularly serves as a recovery speaker, talking to college students and professional groups about her experience living with, and finally recovering from, the disease. Catherine teaches language arts at an alternative high school in central Oregon, where she currently lives with her daughter, horse, cat, and black lab, Herman.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Silence Interrupted by Sania Shaikh (Book spotlight)

I love supporting young writers. Sixteen year-old Sania Shaikh started writing this novel in eighth grade and now she is a published author. Way to go, Sania!

Book Details:

Book Title: Silence Interrupted
Author: Sania Shaikh
Category: YA Fiction, 205 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Lanier Press
Release date: November 14, 2016
Tour dates: Dec 5 to 23, 2016
Content Rating: PG + M

Book Description:

Two months before Troye Saavedra’s senior year of high school, his father’s drinking problem skyrockets. When Troye’s parents make an impulsive move to Georgia in order to “help” him finish high school on a positive note, he is forced to leave behind everything he knows. Things couldn’t get worse for Troye. That is, until he meets three enigmatic teenagers: Adelaide, an independent violinist with radical ideas; Zaidan, fiercely loyal and always funny; and Arabella, a girl who harbors secret struggles. Together, the four friends try to pick up the jagged pieces of their lives without getting hurt themselves. An insightful tale of perseverance, Silence Interrupted is a young adult novel about the beauty and peril of traversing the world as a teenager.

Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Author:

Sania Shaikh is a junior at Cambridge High School. Inspired to write from a young age, she worked on Silence Interrupted, her debut novel, starting in eighth grade.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The House of Kane by Barbara Casey (Review and Giveaway)

I was immediately drawn into this story because it centers around the world of publishing. With readers more in touch with authors than ever before, this was a great inside look at what happens when a manuscript lands in the hands of a NY publishing company.

Book Details:

Book Title: The House of Kane by Barbara Casey
Category: Adult Fiction, 198 pages
Genre: Mystery / Suspense
Publisher: ArcheBooks Publishing
Release date: February 2014
Tour dates: Aug 15 to 26, 2016
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There is some light profanity.)

Book Description:

Aislinn Marchánt, a writer and editorial consultant, is hired by the major New York publishing company, Kane Publishing House, to help determine why several submissions sent to them have mysteriously disappeared only to be published later by another publisher. Are the editors at Kane simply not being diligent enough with the in-coming material, or is there something more sinister going on? Working from her West Palm Beach home, Aislinn quickly becomes involved with the House of Kane as well as with Caldwell Kane, the man who hired her.

As Aislinn works toward uncovering the various layers of truth of her former husband, her elderly neighbor, and Kane Publishing House, she continues to research her own novel, the story of a love between two people that becomes fractured because of the misunderstandings created by two different cultures. Her research takes her to a botanica where a Santerian priest reveals the truth in her own life and a destiny that is joined to that of Caldwell Kane.

Praise for The House of Kane:

Simultaneously wise and poignant, exotic and suspenseful, House of Kane is a fascinating story of loyalty, treachery and the power of destiny. With an insider's view into the world of high stakes publishing, Barbara Casey weaves a masterful story that haunts the reader long after the final page.
- Nancy Steinbeck, Author of The Other Side of Eden: Life with John Steinbeck

Barbara Casey's House of Kane is a touchingly tender love story, set in an intrigue-riddled
publishing industry. Her characters are interesting and varied. Her story is refreshing and engagingly told. Aspiring writers will want to read House of Kane to tap her wisdom about getting into print.
- John DeDakis, Former CNN Senior Copy Editor, Author of Fast Track

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

My Review

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The author Barbara Casey has written ten books in various genres in both both fiction and non-fiction, and has been involved in the publishing industry for over twenty-five years. Her experience in the field transmits well to this novel where our heroine, Aislinn Marchánt, who is a writer and editorial consultant, is hired by a major NY publishing company. That's when things get interesting.

The story flows smoothly and we get to meet a varied cast of characters that, in their own way and through their personal stories, allow the reader to understand the inside world of writing and publishing. I liked both Aislinn and Lottie's stories, but especially Lottie's. Aislinn is smart, kind and self-sacrificing. She was also a reserved character and I didn't always know what to expect from her. Especially with her love life. Each character is well drawn out and I smiled at the portrayal of an older man who is suddenly smitten and begins to act like a star-struck teenager. Funny!

The whole plot around stolen manuscripts was good, if a little predictable, but it brought up a great topic that is hot today with so many books being published independently and in ebook format. I loved the whole publishing world setting, of course, and this was well portrayed.

If you like books that revolve around the book publishing field with a good cast of characters then this is an easy and fast read. It mixes intrigue, mystery and romance and has a feel-good ending.

To read more reviews, please visit Barbara Casey's page on iRead Book Tours.

You can also read my interview with talented Barbara Casey.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not told how to rate or review this book.

About the Author:

Barbara Casey is a partner in Strategic Media Books, and president of the Barbara Casey Agency, representing authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. She is also a manuscript consultant and the author of numerous articles, poems, and short stories.

Her award-winning novels have received national recognition, including the Independent Publishers Book Award. Her novel, The House of Kane, was considered for a Pulitzer nomination, and The Gospel According to Prissy, also a contemporary adult novel received several awards including the prestigious IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction. Her most recent young adult novel, The Cadence of Gypsies, received the Independent Publishers Living Now Award and was reviewed by the Smithsonian for its list of Best Books.

Ms. Casey makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix, Fitz, a miniature dachshund, and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Heart Dancing by Kathryn Eriksen (Book spotlight and giveaway)

Heart Dancing: A Story Alchemy Adventure by Kathryn Eriksen
Infinite Joy Publishing

ISBN: 978-0990849728

Published: Nov 2014

Trade paperback, 249 pages

Book Description:

What if your heart stops dancing?

Brian, his wife Christine and their 14 year-old daughter, Savanna, are a typical American family. Their lives begin to unravel when a dark secret from their past threatens to destroy them. Divorce seems imminent unless they discover a miracle.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Her Sister's Shoes by Ashley Farley (Review & Giveaway)

Her Sister's Shoes by Ashley Farley
Leisure Time Books
ISBN: 9780986167218
Published June 2015
Trade Paperback, 380 pages

My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I was anxious to dig into a good Southern women's fiction novel and reading Her Sister's Shoes did not disappoint. It transported me to a coastal South Carolina town and into the lives of the Sweeney Sisters. I come from a family where we are three sisters, so I was able to appreciate the nuances and the strengths and weaknesses of the relationship of these sisters.

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Friday, February 13, 2015

Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning (Review & Giveaway!)

Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning
Beltor
ISBN: 978-0578136394
Published January 2013
Trade paperback, 319 pages

Audible Audiobook
Narrated by Caroline Miller
Length: 9 hours 7 mins
Unabridged

Most of you know I'm an eclectic reader. I like to read different genres, especially if I can learn something new from them. When I was sent this book I was attracted to it for two reasons. The first is that I've worked with children with autism and special needs. The second is that I wanted to know more about how animals, in this case dogs, could have a positive effect in the lives of these children.

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