Book Review - Honor by Thrity Umrigar

 

Smita is an Indian American journalist who is reluctant to return back to India after she and her family left years ago. She returns after a close friend had requested her help with a story. She follows the case of Meena, a Hindu woman who was attacked by her village and family because she married a Muslim man. 

Smita struggles to deal with a society where traditions are held to the highest regard. As she reports on Meena's story, Smita's own story that she kept buried for years is revealed. Smita tries to help Meena while she finds herself attracted to Mohan, an Indian man she met through a friend.

I actually didn't read the blurb before getting this book because I would have been tempted to skip over the novel. I am very glad I didn't because it was an enlightening and poignant read. I find myself agreeing with Smita on her views of Indian culture and traditions. When I was reading the novel, I found the same ideas and thoughts I had was shared by Smita. However, I can't say I loved her as a person as she could be annoying at times. For example, she wanted others to trust and open up to her but, she was very hesitant to share even the most basic information about herself. Then she would complain how she didn't have any close connections with anyone. Overall, the book was endearing and heart wrenching read. I can't wait to read more books by the author.

 

Book Review - The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

 

In 1965, Ellie Hockley was raised in a well-to-down of Round Hill, North Carolina, to be a certain type of proper Southern lady. She is enrolled in college and is in a committed relationship with a bank manager. However, Ellie wants more out of life. She decides to spend her summer break helping to register black voters. As Ellie fights for her ideals and the civil rights of the marginalized, her parents are scandalized by her behavior and her own neighbors turn against her. Things become worse when Ellie falls in love with a fellow volunteer and realizes the frightening true nature of the people she once knew.

In 2010, architect Kayla Carter and her husband designed and bought a beautiful house for themselves in Round Hill's new development, Shadow Ridge Estates. It was supposed to be the perfect place for them to grow old and raise a family together. However, after an accident Kayla's husband died and leaves her and their three-year-old daughter behind. A mysterious woman who knew about his death has warn Kayla against moving in. People have claimed that the woods and lake behind the property is haunted and her house has been targeted by vandals. When Kayla meets her neighbor, Ellie Hockley, Kayla realizes that Ellie knows some of the long buried secrets and the dark history of the land.

I have a few books by the author but, this was my first book by the author. At first, the book moved a bit slowly and I did find some parts of the book to be predictable but, I found that the story stayed with me long after I finished the book. I like reading about Ellie and reading about her experiences with SCOPE and how she bonded with families she was helping. Overall, it's a heartfelt book and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck

 

In 1928 in upstate New York, two seemingly different women cross paths with each other and both of their worlds change.  Laura Kelley and her lover sneak away at night to attend a performance of the Ziegfeld Follies. As their night comes to a close, they make a decision that might have a dark consequence on their future.

Edna St. Vincent Millay and her husband are hosting a party on the same evening. They have a wild party in hopes of providing inspiration to Millay. She wishes for a new lover but, the young man is the first person who isn't willing to bend to her will.

Two years later has passed and Laura is an unwed seamstress with a young daughter and struggling to support her family. Millay is dealing with emotional and mental turmoil. Laura and Millay work together to create Millay's costumes for her next reading tour. However, they have to keep their complex friendship a secret otherwise, it would hurt the ones closest to them. As their friendship grows, the town condemns them as fallen women and they have to decide the price they are willing to pay to live a full life.

This book was an utter bore. I  didn't care for any of the characters. Laura was so passive and let people treat her like a doormat. She was protecting someone and her own heart from getting what she deserves. I found the Millay character quite annoying. She was so needy and doesn't seem to really care about other people but, her own needs. It took a while before their friendship started blooming and by then, I could care less. 

Book Review - Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

Photo Credit - Amazon

S.T. is a domesticated crow who enjoys the simple pleasures of life. He likes hanging out with his owner Big Jim, insulting the wild college crows of Seattle, and eating delicious human food such as Cheetos. 

S.T.'s day started like every other day until one day, Big Jim's eyeball falls out of his head. S.T. tries to do everything to make Big Jim feel better. He tries to feed him food and beer but, nothing seems to work. After being nearly attacked by Big Jim, S.T. and Dennis set out to the new world in hopes to find a new home.  They discovered that mankind has succumbed to this deadly virus and is now consuming each other. With the top predator from the food chain gone, local wildlife is taking over Seattle along with new dangerous predators. The human race is becoming extinct and S.T. is determined to do something about it.

Oh, this book had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions. At first, it took me a bit longer to get into the book but, after halfway in I was glued to the book. The novel had me laughing throughout the book and also rolling my eyes at S.T. (in a good way). I didn't like that at times the novel didn't seem to be going anywhere and the author had these long run on lists. I felt like this took away from the novel. We read this as a buddy read and we had a lot to talk about. This isn't usually the type of books we would normally read but, I am glad I did read it.

**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.**

Book Review - The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Marcus never expected to be the Duke of Haverly as he was the second-born son. When his father and older brother suddenly passed away from a carriage accident, he becomes the Duke with responsibilities he never wanted. Marcus goes against his mother's wishes and impulsively marries a bookish wallflower.  He thought since she was independent that he would be able to compartmentalize to his relationship with her and his duties as a secret agent for the Crown.

However, Charlotte is determined to become Marcus's wife and duchess. She wants to use her position to help women who were forced into prostitution due to circumstances out of their control. Her desire to pursue the charity is frown upon by society and by Marcus who wants her to remain in the background.

This was the second book in the novel and could be read as a standalone. The book was a quick and engaging read. I did enjoy reading more about the mysterious Marcus character. He has grown from his debut in the first book. I feel like he was more playful in the first book, while this book he is coming into his own as the Duke and learning his new role. I am excited to read the next book in the series and curious to know who would be the main character.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited 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

He only wanted a duchess for a day--but she's determined to make it a marriage for life When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she's meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life--as a secret agent for the Crown. But his bride has other ideas. She's determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society--the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she'd remain in the background as he ordered. Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

About the author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate. Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England. Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Book Review - The Heart of a King by Jill Eileen Smith

Photo Credit - Amazon

King Solomon was known for his wealth and wisdom. He could get anything he wanted, including many wives and concubines. King Solomon had four women he loved: Naamah was his first wife, Abishag was his father's caretaker, Siti was a daughter of a pharaoh and Nicaula was the queen of Sheba. Even with all his wisdom, was Solomon or his wives ever truly happy?

I was torn between liking this novel and hating it. I felt like the novel went into details for some trivial things and then other things were just glossed over. The novel seemed like it was all over the place and that I didn't get to know anything. I think this mostly applied to Solomon's wives. We get to know a bit of them before they get married and then a bit more after their marriage. Then they mostly fade into the background of the story. He also sings the same line of poetry to each of his wives, it makes me wonder if he was actually in love with any of them. The author does portray different sides of Solomon and his life but, it wasn't enough to keep me interested.

**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.**

Book Review - A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe

Photo Credit - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

In the year 1933, Jessie Lesage is an American woman traveling to Vietnam to start a new life with her and her husband. She and her French husband Victor, who is an heir to the Michelin rubber fortune, is certain that their new life will be full of promise and fortune. While the rest of the world is facing an economic downturn, the Michelins believe Indochine can improve their financial standing.

The Michelin plantations near Saigon have been plagued by scandals but, Jessie believes the plantations are the key to the family's success. She convinces her husband to move to Vietnam to secure their future along with ensuring her secrets in America stay buried in the past.

Jessie has trouble settling in Vietnam but, when she crosses path with the exuberant Marcelle de Fabry, Jessie's life will never be the same. Marcelle descends on Jessie's world like a whirlwind and becomes a guide to Jessie. However, beneath Marcelle's glamorous exterior she is hiding a deep secret. She wants to put the colony back into the hands of the people including, the Michelin plantations.

I was expecting this novel to be so much more but, instead, I found it to be very boring. I couldn't bond for any of the characters. The author paints Victor and Jessie has the heroes and is saving the colony. However, the plantation prosecutes and tortures people who spread the word of Communism. Jessie only gave money to the sister of one of her servants only after much prodding and complaining that the sister shouldn't be in her home. The author tries to weave Jessie's past life as a sad story of poverty and being abandoned but, it feels like she uses that as an excuse for her behavior. Her motivation to move the family to Vietnam was from her need for self-preservation but, she ends up putting her family in the crosshairs of Marcelle. Overall, the novel was interesting in the beginning but, then went all downhill towards the middle of the novel.

 **Disclosure -  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.**

Book Review - Shine! by J.J. Grabenstein & Chris Grabenstein + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Piper's hero is an astronaut, astronomer, and television host. Piper lives by Nellie Dumont Frisse's motto "Shine on!". However, Piper feels that there are two types of people: those who are born to shine and those who don't. She believes she falls into the latter category. When her dad gets a new job at the elite Chumley Prep, Piper is reminded that everyone is good at something and she isn't. Will Piper be able to find something she can excel in?

The book was a heartwarming read and filled with teachable moments. While the book was a bit predictable, it allowed readers to join a young girl on her journey on learning what type of person she wants to be. The book is packed with valuable lessons for children (and adults!) of all ages!

**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.**

Title: SHINE!

Author: J.J. Grabenstein & Chris Grabenstein

Pub. Date: November 5, 2019

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 210

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

"Inspirational, commonsensical, and a whole lot of fun." --James Patterson

Everyone deserves to shine in this sparkling new book from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library , Chris Grabenstein, and coauthor J.J. Grabenstein--just right for fans of Word of Mouse and The Fourteenth Goldfish.

"Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now."

Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in.

Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.

Co-author J.J. Grabenstein reads the first chapter of SHINE!:

Link:

https://vimeo.com/369610019

About JJ & Chris: 

J.J. Grabenstein is the co-author, with her husband, ChrisGrabenstein, of SHINE! This is her first novel as a co-authorbut she has been the "first editor" on everything her husband hasever written, including the award-winning/bestselling ESCAPE FROMMR.LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY series and more than fifty other works.

J.J. and Chris live in New York City with their cat Phoebe Squeak.

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY, MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY OLYMPICS, THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS, WELCOME TO WONDERLAND: HOME SWEET MOTEL and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including I FUNNY, HOUSE OF ROBOTS, TREASURE HUNTERS, and JACKY HA-HA. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., two cats, and a dog named Fred. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

Website

Follow JJ!

Goodreads 

Follow Chris!

Twitter | Facebbok | Instagram | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of SHINE!, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21018/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/5/2019	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
11/6/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/7/2019	@___nimraaa	Excerpt
11/8/2019	Books_andPoetrii	Excerpt

Week Two:

11/11/2019	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
11/12/2019	HBB Reviews	Review
11/13/2019	onemused	Review
11/14/2019	@fictitious.fox	Review
11/15/2019	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt

Week Three:

11/18/2019	Wonder Struck	Review
11/19/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
11/20/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/21/2019	Popthebutterfly	Review
11/22/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt

Week Four:

11/25/2019	Jaime's World	Excerpt
11/26/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review
11/27/2019	Smada's Book Smack	Excerpt
11/28/2019	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
11/29/2019	Fyrekatz Blog	Review

Week Five:

12/2/2019	BookishRealmReviews	Review
12/3/2019	She Just Loves Books	Excerpt
12/4/2019	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
12/5/2019	Owl Always Be Reading	Excerpt
12/6/2019	Two points of interest	Review