Book Review - Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

 

In 2018, Morgan Christopher's life has taken a turn for the worst. She takes the fall for a crime her boyfriend has committed and in the process her dream of finding a career in art has been put on hold. She feels that her world is closing in around her until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer she couldn't refuse. They can get her released from prison immediately if she can restore an old post office mural. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration but, she is desperate to be free. As she begins to work on restoring the mural she discovers that the painting has a few secrets buried.

In 1940, Anna Dale is an artist from New Jersey, who wins a national contest to paint murals for a post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Anna is desperate for a change of scenery after her beloved mother has passed away. She is hesitant at first to work in a town where prejudices run deep but, she finds herself entwined with the townfolk. As she works on the mural, she realizes everyone has secrets that they will stop at nothing to keep hidden.

This was my second novel by the author and I thought this novel was enjoyable as my first. The book followed the same basic format as the other novel with the dual timelines.  I thought this was an interesting read but, I was still confused on how someone can be so nice in front of you but, then take any chance to harm you when given the opportunity. The novel reminds me that you can never know someone's true nature. Overall, the book had a few twists and I would be interested in reading more books by the author.

Book Review - What I Want You to See by Catherine Linka + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

When Sabine Reye wins a scholarship to a prestigious art school; it feels like a dream after her awful senior year. During her senior year, her mother passes away unexpectedly leaving Sabine without a home. She longs for a place to call her own. However, Sabine didn't realize that the art world could be so cutthroat and that seems to feed on other people's failures. She hopes that Colin Krell, a renowned painter on staff who becomes her mentor but, instead he delights in tearing her down and criticize everything she works on.  He warns her that she will lose her scholarship if her work doesn't meet his standards.

Sabine feels helpless and humiliated and doesn't know who to ask for help. Then she crosses path with Adam, a gorgeous grad student who understands the pressure of art school. Adam gives Sabine access to Krell's unseen masterpiece that sold for a million dollars unseen. Sabine is conflicted about painting Krell's masterpiece but, he did tell her to copy a painting she connects with.

While the novel was a predictable read, I couldn't help but root for Sabine. I enjoyed seeing her find her path and working through life's crossroads.  I wished they included more background information behind Adam and his motivation. Not to say this wasn't an enjoyable story but, this would be great if told from alternating points of view (even though I know the main point of the story is Sabine). Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading other books from the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About the Book:

Title: WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE

Author: Catherine Linka

Pub. Date: February 4, 2020

Publisher: Freeform

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Winning a scholarship to California’s most prestigious art school seems like a fairy tale ending to Sabine Reye’s awful senior year. After losing both her mother and her home, Sabine longs for a place where she belongs.

But the cutthroat world of visual arts is nothing like what Sabine had imagined. Colin Krell, the renowned faculty member whom she had hoped would mentor her, seems to take merciless delight in tearing down her best work—and warns her that she’ll lose the merit-based award if she doesn’t improve.

Desperate and humiliated, Sabine doesn’t know where to turn. Then she meets Adam, a grad student who understands better than anyone the pressures of art school. He even helps Sabine get insight on Krell by showing her the modern master’s work in progress, a portrait that’s sold for a million dollars sight unseen.

Sabine is enthralled by the portrait; within those swirling, colorful layers of paint is the key to winning her inscrutable teacher’s approval. Krell did advise her to improve her craft by copying a painting she connects with . . . but what would he think of Sabine secretly painting her own version of his masterpiece? And what should she do when she accidentally becomes party to a crime so well -plotted that no one knows about it but her?

Complex and utterly original, What I Want You to See is a gripping tale of deception, attraction, and moral ambiguity.

"Linka delivers intrigue, betrayal, and a feast for art lovers."―Mary McCoy, author of Printz Honor Book I, Claudia

*"Clear-sighted and heartbreakingly true, this is a genuine portrait of a girl in quiet crisis learning to see things as they are."―Booklist (starred review)

"Tense, smart, and engaging . . . What I Want You to See is a stunning portrait of deception, artfully peeling back layers of secrets to reveal a meticulously crafted crime."
―Elle Cosimano, award-winning author of Nearly Gone

"A messy, heartbreaking and very real journey of learning to let others see who you truly are."―Carrie Arcos, author of the National Book Award Finalist Out of Reach

"A stunning page-turner that will tear your heart and paste it back together."
―Kim Purcell, author of This is Not A Love Letter and Trafficked

About Catherine:

Catherine Linka has been immersed in books her whole life, most recently as a writer and bookseller. She’s the author of the young adult novel WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE as well as the dystopian duology A GIRL CALLED FEARLESS and A GIRL UNDONE. Catherine lives in Southern California and watches hawks and hummingbirds when she should be writing. 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a signed finished copy of WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21048/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/3/2020	Texan Girl Reviews	Excerpt
2/4/2020	What A Nerd Girl Says	Review
2/5/2020	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
2/6/2020	Savings in Seconds / @savingsinseconds	Review
2/7/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Two:

2/10/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
2/11/2020	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
2/12/2020	fictitious.fox	Review
2/13/2020	momfluenster	Review
2/14/2020	Hurn Publications	Review

Week Three:

2/17/2020	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review
2/18/2020	A Bookish Escape/lindytgomez	Review
2/19/2020	notinjersey	Review
2/20/2020	Nerdophiles	Review
2/21/2020	Comfort Books	Review

Week Four:

2/24/2020	She Just Loves Books	Review
2/25/2020	One in a Million	Review
2/26/2020	Fyrekatz	Review
2/27/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review
2/28/2020	ChristenKrumm	Review

 

Book Review - Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose

Photo Credit - Amazon

Twenty-four-year-old Jenny Bell is trying to escape her past. She is trying to escape memories of her stepfather, a murder, and the two years she spent in Andrew Mercer Reformatory. Jenny is overjoyed when she is one of the twelve artists, who was invited to Louis Comfort Tiffany's prestigious artists' retreat. Determined to win the prize, Jenny tries to focus on her work but, finds herself drawn to Oliver, Tiffany's grandson.

Minx Deering is a carefree socialite, who is a dedicated friend to Jenny. She was always supportive of Jenny. However, a string of suspicious and disturbing events occur that suggests someone knows the truth about Jenny's childhood. Will Jenny be able to trust Minx and Oliver? Will she be able to get to the truth?

I found the novel to be quite an entertaining read. I like reading about the different art techniques each artist employed. I thought the portrayal of Louis and Oliver Tiffany to be marvelous. I found myself jealous that I couldn't be among the group of talented artists to learn and grow with the inspirational Louis C. Tiffany by my side. I thought the book had some plot twists but, I found it a bit slow in some of the parts. However,  it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The High Season by by Judy Blundell

Photo Credit - Amazon

Ruthie Beamish has the house of her dreams. Even if she can't afford it. No matter what happens, she knows she will always have her house. To be able to afford the home that she shares with her daughter, they rent out the house during the peak season: the summer.  As Ruthie and Jem begin packing up their belongings for their annual exodus, the ritzy Hamptons crowd arrive. The beautiful socialite, Adeline Clay arrives with her gorgeous step-son and manages to turn Ruthie's life upside down. Little by little, Adeline starts to infiltrate all aspects of Ruthie's life including her family and her friends. When her job as a museum curator is threatened, Ruthie feels her entire life is crumbling around her. Will Ruthie be able to fight back? Will Ruthie be able to regain her old life?

I originally picked this novel because I read a few reviews calling it a "must read". I thought it was going to be the perfect beach reach for the coming Summer.  However, I felt disappointed as the book was underwhelming. Ruthie's great revenge plot seemed to be laughable at best and in the end, she ended up hurting the ones who cared about her the most. There was a lot going on in the story  but it didn't add much to the plot. The book was a bit over 400 pages and I felt that it was longer than it needed to be. I was drawn to the first few pages but felt my interest waning towards the middle of the book. I can see this being an enjoyable cozy beach read for some but it wasn't for me.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Exhibit Alexandra by Natasha Bell

Photo Source - Amazon

Alexandra Southwood has the ideal life, she is married to her devoted husband, Marc and they have two beautiful daughters together. However, all that changes when Alexandra is being held in a room against her will. She is forced to view her family's suffering over her disappearance and how her family is coping with their loss. She is shown press briefings of Marc's appeal to the public for information about his missing wife but she can only think about her courtship and their marriage.

Marc refuses to think that his wife is dead even when they come across her bloody belongings near the river. Marc is desperate to find out what happened to his wife and he takes matters into his own hands. As he begins his search, he starts to uncover secrets about his wife and is confronted with how little he knows about her. 

The thrilling novel was an interesting read and perfect for a rainy day.  I was expecting the story have the clique murder-kidnap plot, but then slowly it became clear what the secret is since the author littered the story with clues. The book is predominately narrated by Alexandra after the events have already taken place and while it was interesting, I found the book to be a bit slow in the beginning but it did pick up towards the middle.  I am iffy on whether or not I like this book mostly because this was the first book  I couldn't really relate to the main character nor did I really care about her. However, I do believe that this book will leave readers with a lot of questions about identity, art, family roles, and self-happiness.

Book Review - Christmas at Grey Sage by Phyllis Clark Nichols

Photo Credit - Amazon

Maude and Silas deck out their adobe house with all the holiday trimmings that delight and thrill family and friends alike. Christmas at The Thornhills' Gray Sage Inn is always a day to remember until a tragic accident occurs. Now, Silas and Maude go on vacation during the holiday to escape the painful holiday memories. When Maude's best friend, Lily asks her to open the inn during the holidays for a group of eccentric travelers, she was hesitant to agree.

When the group of travelers arrives, they are surprised that Grey Sage Inn isn't decorated with Christmas decorations. After a snowstorm hits Santa Fe, the guests find themselves stranded and try to make the best out of the holiday as possible. Will Maude and Silas be able to heal and appreciate Christmas again?

The novel started with Maude's appreciation for Christmas; going into detail about her favorite decorations, traditions and moments. Then we get to meet the group of eccentric travelers and from there we find out why Silas and Maude don't celebrate Christmas anymore and the backstory of each traveler. I found the first few characters really boring and halfway towards the book, it finally picked up, but by then I was already over reading this book. It is a nice cozy reading novel for readers who loves Christmas stories, but this wasn't really my cup of tea.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepucki

Photo Credit - Amazon

When Lady Daniels' marriage is on the rocks, she decided to take a break from her husband. However, she needs someone to watch over her youngest son, Devin while she is working on her memoir about her relationship with her older son, Seth. Lady decides to take an ad out for assistance, when S arrives to help out. S is works like Mary Poppins for the Devin and becoming a confidante and trusted friend for Lady. However, everything is not what it looks like and the friendship becomes sour when secrets unfold. What secrets is "S" keeping? What is S's relationship with Seth? Will Lady be able to figure out her life?

An interesting read that kept me in suspense the entire time even though the secrets ended up being very predictable. The story is more of a cozy read as nothing exciting or titillating every happens.  I would be open to read other works by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**