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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Louisiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Louisiana. Show all posts
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Skenandore's Newest Offers Intriguing Look at Life With Leprosy in 1920's America
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the wife of a silent film star, 32-year-old Mirielle West lives a luxurious life full of glitz and glamour. Her two children are watched over by a vigilant nanny so she's free to indulge in illicit drinks, glittery parties, and whatever fawning needs to be done in order to advance her husband's career. Despite her enviable lifestyle, Mirielle is plagued by grief and guilt after the recent drowning death of her young son. She's managing the dark moods that so often sweep over her as best she can, while trying to ignore the fact that her husband seems to be purposely spending more time at the studio than at home. A visit to the doctor over a minor burn is the last thing she needs, especially when her physician notices a concerning lesion on her hand. Mirielle scoffs at his diagnosis of leprosy. A woman like her couldn't possibly have such a dirty, foreign disease!
Even though she's certain there's been a horrible mistake, Mirielle allows herself to be shipped off to the Carville Lepers Home in Louisiana. She and her husband have been in the tabloids enough already—she can't allow more spurious gossip to make the papers. Sure the stay will only be temporary, Mirielle turns up her nose at everything and everyone around her. It's clear she doesn't belong in such depressing circumstances, dwelling among the deformed and damned. The longer she remains, however, the more she must come to terms with her new life. Can she create a meaningful existence in such a demoralizing place? As Mirielle tentatively begins to reach out, she discovers friendship, hope, and love in the most unlikely of places.
Besides Hawaii's Moloka'i, I'd never heard of other leper colonies in the U.S., so this novel offered me a fascinating look into how the disease was treated here in the 1920's and 30's. Not only was it interesting to read about the medical procedures used, but it was intriguing (and heartbreaking) to learn how patients were seen and treated by those in the outside world. The fact that the disease was so misunderstood by both medical professionals and the general public is especially thought-provoking considering all that has gone on in our COVID world (particularly anti-Asian sentiment). For these reasons and more, The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore would make a good, discussion-worthy book club pick.
As far as characters go, the book is filled with complex and likable folk, of whom Mirielle is actually my least favorite. She's sympathetic, yes, but she's also hard to like because of her snobbery, self-centeredness, and constant self-pity. Her evolution as a character is evident throughout the novel, but I still found it difficult to really relate to her. Story-wise, this novel moves slowly without a focused plot to really keep it moving. Still, it's compelling and I definitely wanted to finish the book so I could see how it ended. While I didn't absolutely love this novel, I did like it for its intriguing subject matter, its sensitive portrayal of a devastating disease, its thought-provoking story, and its atmospheric historical setting.
As far as characters go, the book is filled with complex and likable folk, of whom Mirielle is actually my least favorite. She's sympathetic, yes, but she's also hard to like because of her snobbery, self-centeredness, and constant self-pity. Her evolution as a character is evident throughout the novel, but I still found it difficult to really relate to her. Story-wise, this novel moves slowly without a focused plot to really keep it moving. Still, it's compelling and I definitely wanted to finish the book so I could see how it ended. While I didn't absolutely love this novel, I did like it for its intriguing subject matter, its sensitive portrayal of a devastating disease, its thought-provoking story, and its atmospheric historical setting.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and The Island at the End of the World by Kiran Millwood Hargrave)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), blood/gore, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Second Life of Mirielle West from the generous folks at Kensington Books via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, October 01, 2020
"Perfect" Parenting Aside, She Gets That From Me Is a Buoyant, Upbeat Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Quinn Langston has always wanted a family of her own. With no marriage prospects on the horizon, the 36-year-old interior designer is considering using a sperm donor to have a baby on her own—just like her best friend, Brooke Adams, did. Then, Brooke dies suddenly and unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. Although Brooke's 3-year-old daughter, Lily, is technically under the guardianship of her 79-year-old grandmother, Quinn steps up to care for both the little girl and elderly Miss Margaret. Aiding the two helps Quinn grieve while also fulfilling her desire for a family.
Then, Miss Margaret throws Quinn a curveball. She wants to find Lily's birth father, insisting that only family can raise family.
When Zach Bradley donated his sperm back in college, he was thinking only about the money it would earn him, not about the children it could produce. Although he's shocked by the reality of having a child, Zach's prepared to step up. One problem: his wife, who has struggled for years to have a baby, can't stand the thought of watching him play daddy to another woman's baby. They're already in the middle of a move to faraway Seattle. What does Zach really owe Lily and her family?
As the lives of Quinn, Zach, Margaret, and Zach's wife, Jessica, converge, all of them will learn important lessons about love, duty, sacrifice, and what it really means to be a family.
She Gets That From Me by Robin Wells is an engrossing novel with an intriguing and very contemporary conflict at its core. It's peopled with a likable cast, each member of which I found sympathetic, even if I didn't agree with their particular choices and viewpoints. While the plot is mostly predictable, the story still kept me engaged. It's warm, upbeat, and heartfelt. Quinn and Zach both struck me as a little too perfect—each needed some annoying flaws to make them more human. I also chuckled at Quinn's almost seamless transition into single motherhood and her "struggles" with parenting. True, a little whining and projectile vomit isn't fun, but it's hardly the pinnacle of problems when it comes to dealing with a young child, especially one whose world has been rocked by death and upheaval. I get that She Gets That From Me strives to present single parenting by choice in a positive, respectful light, but I wish it had been a little more authentic. I've been through four 3-year-olds and it wasn't easy, even with a loving partner to help me deal with them! Quinn's experience just felt inauthentic, which made me roll my eyes instead of connect more strongly with her. These complaints aside, I enjoyed She Gets That From Me. Its premise is intriguing, its characters are relatable, its vibe is buoyant, and its lessons are valuable. Despite its flaws, I found it an engaging and thought-provoking read.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (1 F-bomb, plus a few milder expletives) and innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of She Gets That From Me from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Wingate's Newest Engaging and Moving
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As a first-year English teacher, 27-year-old Benedetta "Bennie" Silva knows she pretty much has to take what she can get in terms of job placement. Still, she doesn't quite know how she's going to manage her first assignment at an all-black junior/senior high school in little Augustine, Louisiana. The kids, most of whom are impoverished and jaded, are just as skeptical of her as she is of them. In a desperate effort to engage them, she begins researching the history of a nearby plantation called Goswood Grove. When she discovers an incredible story about three young women who set out on a remarkable journey, Benny becomes obsessed with the tale, especially when she finds a connection between it and one of her students.
Over one hundred years earlier, in the days of Reconstruction, a trio of teens from Augustine hie off for Texas. Hannah is a freed slave searching for her mother and siblings, all of whom were sold off when she was only six. Lavinia is the spoiled daughter of Goswood Grove's master, who disappeared without a trace, leaving his plantation and family destitute. A mulatto, Juneau is Lavinia's Creole half-sister, who goes along reluctantly to keep Lavinia from getting into too much trouble. Along the way, the unlikely road trip companions will deal with perils of every kind. Can they learn to rely on each other? Will each of them find what they're looking for? Will any of them?
The Book of Lost Friends, Lisa Wingate's newest, has been criticized for being slow and lacking depth. While I can understand these complaints, I actually really liked the novel. It introduced me to a piece of Reconstruction era history that I'd never heard of—"Lost Friends" advertisements that helped families torn apart by slavery find each other again. Not only did I find this aspect of the novel fascinating, but I also enjoyed getting to know Hannah, Lavinia, and Juneau. Their journey to Texas and into their own pasts had enough drama and intrigue to keep me reading. All in all, I found The Book of Lost Friends to be engaging, interesting, moving, and thought-provoking. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Book of Lost Friends from the generous folks at Ballantine Books (a division of Penguin Random House) via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, July 22, 2019
Exciting Action/Adventure Storm Novel Perfect for Fans of I Survived Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Tropical storms are just a part of life in Puerto Rico, so Alejo isn't really worried about Valerie, the latest one to blow in. The 12-year-old is helping at the fancy seaside resort where his uncle works as the groundskeeper when the wind and rain really start to pick up. Before he knows it, Valerie has been upgraded to a mega storm and the whole area is under evacuation orders. With his uncle off on an errand, Alejo is stuck at the resort watching in horror as his world descends into chaos around him. Although he knows it's smarter to hunker down in the hotel until help arrives, Alejo can't stand the thought of Padrino Nando—his aging uncle and guardian—out in the storm alone. Against his better judgment, Alejo ventures out into the one they're calling la tormenta del siglo, the storm of the century ...
In New Orleans, Emily's not too concerned about Valerie either. She's too busy trying to get the attention of her distracted mother, whose only focus has been on Emily's cancer-ridden brother. When a little sniffling gets her kicked out of her germ-free house, Emily decides to run away to an island in the middle of Audobon Park. Hiding out in her calm, secret fortress, she doesn't notice the storm brewing all around her. By the time she realizes what's happening, it's too late ... like Alejo, she's stuck. New Orleans is being evacuated around her and Emily has nowhere to go.
As the fates of two storm-tossed kids collide, Alejo and Emily experience the most terrifying, deadly adventure of their lives ...
Storm Blown, an exciting middle-grade action/adventure novel by Nick Courage, is sure to win over even reluctant readers. It's an adrenaline-fueled survival story starring two brave kids caught in a chaotic situation that grows crazier by the second. Readers young and old won't be able to look away! Courage throws in interesting storm facts that heighten the tale's suspense without bogging it down with unnecessary details. Hand this one to fans of the I Survived series and other action-packed survival stories. They won't be disappointed by this engaging, pulse-pounding read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis, Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes, and Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scary situations, and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Storm Blown from the generous folks at Random House Children's. Thank you!
Thursday, February 08, 2018
Teen Murder Mystery Twisty, Tense
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Five boys head into the woods for a hunting trip. Only four make it out alive. Grant Perkins lies dead from a gunshot wound that any of the boys could have inflicted on him. Who killed him? Accident or murder, someone was responsible for his death, but no one is talking. What really happened that day in the woods? Everyone wants to know.
Despite the fact that any of the remaining boys could be guilty, the DA wants to sweep the whole case under the rug. He owes his career to their wealthy, powerful families. Kate Marino, the boys' classmate, isn't about to let the so-called River Point Boys get off with a slap on the wrist. She has her own reasons for wanting the truth and she's determined to get it. Her internship at the DA's office gives her a unique opportunity to investigate Grant's death. The closer she gets to the truth, however, the more danger Kate is in. Someone out there is willing to kill in order to protect the River Point Boys. Can she identify the killer before she becomes their next victim?
This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston is an engrossing whodunit that kept me reading far into the night. Although it's populated with a host of unlikable characters, none of whom I really cared about, I still wanted to know what was going to happen. Overall, it's a depressing, unrealistic tale (where are all the parents?) that I didn't end up loving—even if I couldn't stop reading it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, references to illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Blackbird Fly An Important Story About Fitting in and Finding Yourself
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Analyn "Apple" Yengko and her mother moved from The Philippines to Louisiana eight years ago. Eight years. So, why does Apple's mother still insist on cooking weird Filipino foods, speaking in Cebuano, and acting so different, so un-American? All 12-year-old Apple wants is to be like the other kids. Isn't it enough that she has brown skin and black hair when everyone else is white and blonde? Does her mom have to emphasize the fact that they're not born-and-raised Americans?
Apple already feels like a misfit, but when she lands on the Dog Log—a list of the ten ugliest girls in her middle school—things go from bad to worse. No one in Louisiana can understand her humiliation, so she turns to the only people who can make her feel better: the Beatles. Escaping into music (Apple wants to be a songwriter) is helpful, but what she really needs is to escape for real. She already has an exit plan, one that involves busking in the Big Easy. All she needs to live out her dreams is a guitar. As soon as she can convince her mother to buy her one (ha!), Apple will leave Chapel Spring forever. And she'll never feel out of place again.
Of course, dreams are never that easy to achieve. There will be some major bumps along the way. Also, some new friendships that just might change everything for a lonely Filipino girl who just wants to belong ...
Back in the Stone Age (the 90s seem so long ago!), I spent my junior year of high school as an exchange student in the southern Philippines. That year abroad changed me—it broadened my view of the world; introduced me to a place marked by awe-inspiring beauty, loving people, and stark poverty; and gave me experiences I couldn't have gained anywhere else (yes, eating dog was one of them). The Philippines will always have a special place in my heart because of my year there. Thus, I'm always excited when I come across a book about the country and its culture. There aren't many, so I was thrilled to hear about Blackbird Fly, a debut novel by Erin Estrada Kelly, who is, herself, Filipino-American. The story echoes her experience growing up in Louisiana as one of very few Asian people. Apple's tale is heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful as she finds acceptance and comes to terms with her complex culture and identity. As Kelly says in a blog post on the subject, "Otherness is universal." Kids will empathize with Apple because they understand feeling different. They will root for her because they long for acceptance, too. Through Apple they will learn valuable lessons about empathy, inclusion, and celebrating the differences that define each of us. For all these reasons, I enjoyed Blackbird Fly. It's an important book, one that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever felt "other"—and, really, who hasn't?
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other culture clash middle grade/YA novels like Just Like Me by Nancy J. Cavanaugh; The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods; Black Boy White School by Brian F. Walker; Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim; Sell-Out by Ebony Joy Wilkins; When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright; etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Blackbird Fly from the generous folks at Harper Collins. Thank you!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Jacobson's Love Letter to Louisiana Will Hit Y'all Right in the Feels (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Once upon a time, my husband and I took a very last-minute flight from Phoenix to New Orleans. Since neither of us had ever been to Louisiana, we planned to do a little sight-seeing when we arrived. Didn't happen. As soon as we landed, we got a call from the paralegal who worked for our adoption lawyer, telling us we could pick up our new baby a day earlier than planned. Needless to say, we high-tailed it to Baton Rouge. We flew out of tourist mode straight into the parents-of-a-newborn frenzy. By the time we flew out of the state, we'd seen little of Louisiana except for hospital and hotel rooms. Although I was ecstatic about our new baby girl, I was a little disappointed that we hadn't gotten to experience any of her birth area's colorful culture.
Reading about a place can never match experiencing a place, but after sinking into Southern Charmed by Melanie Jacobson, I feel like I've spent a week being romanced by my daughter's hometown, with all its many enchantments. Although there is plenty to love about Jacobson's newest, it's the setting that makes it stand out. A native of Baton Rouge, the author has penned a passionate and persuasive love letter to the city of her birth. And it's lovely.
The story revolves around Lila Mae Guidry, a 24-year-old high school teacher who loves her life in Baton Rouge. Although eligible LDS men of a certain age are a rare species in the city, she's prepared to remain single forever if that's what it takes to avoid yanking up her deep, deep Louisiana roots. What Lila's not prepared for is the return of Max Archer, the boy who humiliated her at her first Stake dance. At 26, her teenage tormentor is smart, successful, and full of the good graces he lacked as a kid. Not everything about him has changed, though—Max still thinks Baton Rouge is a redneck, backwater town where he would never consider settling on any kind of permanent basis. Lila can forgive him for most things, but not for that. Trouble is, she's falling for him. Hard. When push comes to shove, can she abandon the city she adores for the man she loves? Or will her Louisiana-love be the thing that tears the couple apart forever?
Although Southern Charmed is a light, breezy romance like this author's previous novels, it has more depth than the others. Take Lila, for instance—she's a typical Jacobson heroine, but the fact that she cares so much about both her underprivileged students and her mother's grief makes her infinitely more likable than her successors. Her story is fuller than theirs as well, giving it more substance. Add in the vibrant, Technicolor setting and I think it's safe to say that Jacobson has upped her game in a most satisfying way. Like its predecessors, Southern Charmed sparkles with warmth, romance, and the witty banter that Mel does so well. The ending is predictable, even cheesy, and yet I found myself sniffling and applauding at the same time. All the feels, I'm telling you, all the feels. I've always liked Melanie Jacobson, but Southern Charmed is her best yet. I adored it, y'all.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Until Summer Ends by Elana Johnson; also of other novels by Melanie Jacobson, including The List; Twitterpated; Second Chances; Not My Type; Smart Move; Always Will; and Painting Kisses)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for very mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Southern Charmed from the generous folks at Covenant in exchange for participating in the book's blog tour. Thank you!
--
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Saturday, March 19, 2016
Southern Kate Morton-ish Saga Not As Satisfying As I'd Hoped
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Hope Stevens doesn't have a lot of reason to stick around Chicago. Her marriage is done, her part-time job at a graphic design firm is going nowhere, and she's feeling bruised all over. It's a perfect opportunity for the 31-year-old painter to get away, to recharge somewhere far from the stress of her everyday life. In little Wedding Tree, Louisiana, Hope's beloved grandmother needs help after being hospitalized from a bad fall. The 91-year-old can't be left alone. Hope volunteers not just to stay by her side, but also to help the elderly woman clean out her cluttered home so she can move in with her son in California.
Adelaide McCauley welcomes her granddaughter's help and company. Especially since Adelaide's mother has made it clear (from beyond the grave, no less) that Adelaide will not be "crossing over" until she's spilled the shocking secret she's been guarding for most of her life. The old woman can't just blurt it out, so she begins at the beginning, telling Hope all about her World War II romance with a man who wasn't her husband. Adelaide dreads the story's end, terrified that the heartbreaking truth will change the warm friendship that's blossoming between herself and Hope.
The relationship with her grandmother isn't the only one that's blooming for Hope. She's become enmeshed in the lives of her neighbors, a handsome attorney and his two young daughters. Although Hope is sure Matt sees her the way everyone else seems to—as a ditzy, impulsive screw-up—she's falling in love with him in spite of her best intentions not to. Does Hope dare to pursue a romance that has no chance of lasting? Can she learn her grandmother's secrets before it's too late? Will the floundering Hope find herself in Wedding Tree or will she leave town as heartbroken as when she came?
When I read the plot summary for The Wedding Tree by Robin Wells, I thought, "Ooooh, sounds like a contemporary Southern version of a Kate Morton novel." As you can probably imagine, that idea had me practically salivating. I adore multi-generational family sagas, especially those set in the South, so I expected to love this one. Why didn't I? It just lacked a little something for me. Weird considering The Wedding Tree is, overall, a happy, upbeat novel about forgiveness and renewal. Hope and Adelaide are both interesting women, sympathetic but spunky. Their voices give the story a funny, engaging tone that makes it enjoyable, despite sometimes difficult subject matter. What is missing from the novel, then? Well, subtlety. And conflict. And suspense. More of all three would have made the story richer, more substantial. The tale gets too predictable, wrapping up in a way I found anti-climactic. As a whole, I enjoyed this light read, just not as much as I wanted to.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of a Kate Morton novel [because of its premise, not its prose] or one of Karen White's Southern family sagas)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and some surprisingly graphic sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Wedding Tree from the generous folks at Berkley/NAL (a division of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Despite Compelling Set-Up, The Gates of Evangeline Leaves Something to Be Desired
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Still grieving the sudden loss of her young son, journalist Charlotte "Charlie" Cates begins dreaming of children in danger. Haunted by the vivid images, the 38-year-old realizes they're not caused by the desperate longings of her broken heart—the kids she's seeing are real. And they need her help. Of course, it's not that easy to figure out the confusing dreams, nor to convince others she's not completely insane.
When Charlie sees visions of a young boy in a boat on the bayou, she knows he's reaching out to her from the past. A little research leads her to Evangeline, a Louisiana plantation owned by the illustrious Deveau family. On the pretense of writing an article about their historic home, Charlie stays on-site, interviewing family members but secretly looking into the case of Gabriel Deveau. The 2-year-old disappeared from his locked-from-the-outside bedroom almost 30 years ago. Charlie's dreams indicate that someone in the present knows what happened to the toddler. The more she gets to know the Deveaus, the more she sees the cracks and fissures that mar their relationships with each other. She doesn't want any of them to be involved in whatever happened to Gabriel, but one of them knows exactly what happened. It's just a matter of getting them to talk ...
While she's sifting through the skeletons in Evangeline's closets, Charlie's growing closer to Noah Palmer, a divorced landscaper who's working on the plantation's grounds. Although she still aches for the child she lost, she realizes that maybe it's finally possible for her to start rebuilding her life. But the closer she gets to the truth about Gabriel, the more danger stalks her every move. Will she live long enough to find happiness again? Or will she, too, disappear behind the gates of Evangeline?
You've probably noticed that I'm a sucker for a premise which involves a Southern town, an old house, and some juicy family secrets. A set-up like that is always going to draw me in. The Gates of Evangeline, the first book in a planned trilogy by Hester Young, did just that. While I found the mystery at its center compelling enough, the characters (who seemed mostly flat and cliché) left something to be desired as did the plot (which felt a bit too obvious). I guessed some of the story's "twists" (though not all) too early, which left me wanting a storyline with more depth and nuance. Overall, though, I enjoyed the book. It didn't blow me away or anything, but I'm definitely up for reading the next installment in the series.
(Readalikes: I feel like I've read a million books like this one, but nothing's coming to my sleepy mind. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Ever Wonder What It Would Be Like to Be a Wolf? So Did Jala ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As part of the festivities for Multicultural Children's Book Day, I was matched with author Marti Dumas. Yesturday, I featured the first two books in her upbeat Jaden Toussaint series, which stars a genius kindergartner who uses scientific reasoning (and ninja dance parties) to solve everyday problems.
Dumas' standalone novel, Jala and the Wolves, focuses on another child who uses knowledge to overcome challenges. Jala is a 6-year-old who lives in New Orleans. She hates getting her hair combed, but she loves to eat, read, and learn facts about animals, especially wolves. One day while she's waiting (very hungrily) for her mom to make her breakfast, Jala notices something strange in her room—a magic mirror. Just as she's settling down to read a favorite book, her room starts to change. Then, Jala begins to transform. Suddenly, she can leap and smell and hear like a wolf because somehow, she is a wolf.
When Jala meets Milo, a nervous cub who needs her help to save his pack, she has to use all her skills to figure out what to do. With the pack, which is made up of very young pups, counting on her, she needs to come up with a plan—or else the cubs will die just like their parents did. Can she teach the babies what they need to know to survive? They're looking to her for
help, but what about her family back in Louisiana? Which is her real pack? How can Jala choose? She can't think her way out of this one—this time, it's her heart that must decide.
Like Jaden, Jala is an admirable character. Not only is she kind and loving, but she's also smart, logical, and brave. Throughout her adventures in the wolf world, she has to use all these traits to bring a struggling pack together. Her plight shows young readers the power of compassion, putting another's needs before your own, and using teamwork to solve problems. Not only does Jala and the Wolves teach some valuable lessons, but it's also a fast, exciting story that will appeal to anyone who's ever wondered what it would be like to be their favorite animal. And, really, who hasn't done that? Personally, I very much enjoyed this quick, engaging read.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for a little bit of blood/gore related to hunting
To the FTC, with love: I received a copy of Jala and the Wolves from the generous Marti Dumas as part of the festivities for Multicultural Children's Book Day. Thank you!
Monday, September 14, 2015
Thriller With Taut, Mind-Bending Potential Falls Flat
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Still vulnerable after the recent death of her mother, 26-year-old Bailey Browne travels to the Caribbean in an effort to soothe her grieving heart. While there, she meets Logan Abbott, a gorgeous Tulane graduate ten years her senior. Their whirlwind island romance feels like a dream, a fairy tale. A few weeks later, Bailey's still caught up in the surreal wonder of it all. Except now she's Logan's wife. She's left her home in Nebraska, along with her working-class background, to live in his luxurious home on a sprawling horse farm in southern Louisiana. Bailey can hardly believe her Cinderella-like luck.
Bailey hasn't been in Wholesome—Logan's tiny hometown—long before she starts to hear the whispers. She's so smitten with her groom that she refuses to believe the vicious gossip, rumors about what really happened to his first wife. Sure, she's a little unnerved by the similarities between herself and True Abbott, especially their quick marriages to the same enigmatic man, but Logan can't be responsible for True's disappearance three years ago. Or the more recent missing women. Can he? As the doubts creep in, Bailey realizes how foolish she's been, how little she actually knows the man who has swept her off her feet so completely. Logan insists he, and his family, have been misjudged and falsely accused in the Wholesome court of public opinion. Bailey wants to believe him, but can she take that risk? Especially considering what happened to Logan's first wife? Trapped in a difficult—possibly deadly—situation, she must decide whom to believe, before it's too late ...
Thrillers that mess with my mind, making me wonder what's real and what's not, are my favorite kind. The First Wife by Erica Spindler had the potential to be one of these taut mind-benders (which is why I picked it up) but in the end, the novel fell flat for me. The plot, although not super original, did offer enough twists to keep me reading. Still, I was able to piece together what happened to True way too early, which made the rest of the book both predictable and tedious. Coupled with the often cheesy dialogue between the two main characters and an overall depressing story line, The First Wife just didn't impress me much. I finished it, but can't really recommend it. Ah, well.
(Readalikes: Nothing's coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (one F-bomb, plus milder invectives), violence and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, March 20, 2015
Overly Ambitious Southern Novel Just Okay
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When a freak bicycle accident takes her husband's life, Vidrine Bell snaps. Needing "time to think," she dumps her 11-year-old daughter in Louisiana, at the home of the girl's paternal grandmother. Liberty "Ibby" Bell has never seen anything like New Orleans, let alone the giant, crumbling mansion in which she's going to be living. Then, there's Frances "Fannie" Hadley Bell, Ibby's eccentric grandmother who's been in and out of the insane asylum for years. Queenie, the maid who "came with the house," warns Ibby never to bring up Fannie's past and never to ask questions if Fannie brings it up.
Intrigued by all the secrets swirling around the big old house, Ibby slowly learns about her family's history. Under the tutelage of Queenie and her outspoken daughter, Dollbaby, she also gets an education about how to get along in the 1960s South. As Ibby's friendship with Queenie's granddaughter grows, she gets a taste of the vicious racism of which some people are capable. Despite the friction, Ibby feels her new home and family growing on her. What once was foreign is now not just familiar, but also comforting. As her definition of family changes, Ibby wonders what will happen when—and if—her mother comes to take her away. Can she leave behind The Big Easy, with all its charms, secrets, and people she's grown to love?
Told in the alternating voices of Ibby, Dollbaby and Fannie, Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal oscillates between the past and the present. It tells a compelling story, made even more layered by the different voices through which it is filtered. The novel definitely rambles in a way that feels unfocused and over-reaching, like the author's trying to cover a little too much territory. Much of it feels cliché as well as predictable. While these things tarnished my enjoyment of the novel, overall, Dollbaby kept me reading. In the end, I didn't love it, didn't hate it, just found it okay.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a bit of The Help by Kathryn Stockett)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, depictions of illegal drug use, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Dollbaby from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Another Just-Okay Read—and I Love NOLA Novels!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although her professor father can hardly contain himself at the prospect of studying history from the inside, 17-year-old Lucy Aimes isn't quite as enthusiastic. She'd rather be hanging out with her friends in Chicago than playing Gone With the Wind all summer in hot, humid New Orleans. Lucy promised her family she'd give life in Louisiana a shot and there is one thing she's excited about—interning with the preservation department of Le Ciel Doux, the antebellum sugar plantation/living history museum of which her father is the new curator. It's impossible not to be intrigued by the elegant old mansion with its stately columns and ancient secrets. Capturing it all with her trusty Canon is the one thing Lucy is looking forward to doing.
Le Ciel Doux's otherworldly atmosphere invades not just Lucy's camera, but also her dreams. At night, she's plagued by vivid, unsettling scenes from a distant past she shouldn't recognize, but somehow remembers. When she spies a mysterious stranger she's seen only in her night visions roaming the grounds of Le Ciel Doux, Lucy thinks she might be going crazy. How can she feel so much for a person she doesn't know, a boy she's not even sure actually exists?
When a local girl is brutally murdered, Lucy knows the incident is somehow related to her strange visions. Evil has descended on Le Ciel Doux once again and it's up to her to stop it, before it destroys everyone she loves—in the past and the present.
You may have noticed that I have a thing for novels set in The Big Easy. The colorful, atmospheric portrayals of the city, with its unique history, culture, and customs, always capture my fancy. So, when a book fails to bring all that richness to life, I feel a bit let down. Which might explain why I found Sweet Unrest, a debut YA novel by Lisa Maxwell, disappointing. The book's premise is intriguing enough, though not very original, so I had high hopes for a good read. While the mystery did keep me flipping pages and I did enjoy the back-and-forth in time narration, Sweet Unrest just wasn't anything special. The characters felt flat and cliché; the prose did a whole lot more telling than showing; the plot had some big holes; and the setting failed to come alive for me like it usually does in a NOLA novel. I definitely wanted more from this book—better character development, a stronger voice, more dynamic writing, etc. In the end, I felt this one was just okay. Not horrible, not wonderful. Okay.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Sweet Unrest from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Atmospheric and Alluring, Bayou Bridge Books Should Not Be Missed
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Some kids might find living in a dusty old antique store fun. Not 12-year-old Larissa Renaud. She thinks it's embarrassing. And creepy. Especially when she receives a mysterious call from a girl who refuses to identify herself on an antique telephone that's not even hooked up to an outside line! Impossible. Unless the anonymous caller is not of this world ...
As crazy as chatting it up with a ghost may sound, that's not even the strangest thing that's happening to Larissa. There's the creepy porcelain doll that moves when no one's watching, the swarm of magical fireflies that surrounds her on the banks of the bayou, and an intriguing plantation home that simply cannot exist. All of them are messages, giving her clues to the secrets of her family's past. Larissa wants to listen, but she's scared. Then, her mother disappears.
Larissa's desperate to keep the tragedies of the past from repeating themselves in the present, but what can she do? Listen to a ghost? Rely on an old swamp witch? Only by uncovering her family's long-buried secrets can she change its curse-ridden course. The task will take every ounce of courage, trust, and determination Larissa possesses—the only question is, can she do what needs to be done?
Ever since I read the first of Kimberley Griffiths Little's middle grade books set in Bayou Bridge, Louisiana, I've been fascinated by the world the author's created in these inter-related stories. With a rich, vibrant setting; memorable characters; and plots that are part mystery, part magic, they're infused with a whimsical warmth that continually enchants me. Like its predecessors, The Time of the Fireflies offers some chills with its charms, but that only makes the story more appealing. Atmospheric and alluring, the Bayou Bridge books offer something for everyone. Trust me when I say they should not be missed.
(Readalikes: Little's other Louisiana books—The Healing Spell; Circle of Secrets; and When the Butterflies Came)
Grade:
As crazy as chatting it up with a ghost may sound, that's not even the strangest thing that's happening to Larissa. There's the creepy porcelain doll that moves when no one's watching, the swarm of magical fireflies that surrounds her on the banks of the bayou, and an intriguing plantation home that simply cannot exist. All of them are messages, giving her clues to the secrets of her family's past. Larissa wants to listen, but she's scared. Then, her mother disappears. Larissa's desperate to keep the tragedies of the past from repeating themselves in the present, but what can she do? Listen to a ghost? Rely on an old swamp witch? Only by uncovering her family's long-buried secrets can she change its curse-ridden course. The task will take every ounce of courage, trust, and determination Larissa possesses—the only question is, can she do what needs to be done?
Ever since I read the first of Kimberley Griffiths Little's middle grade books set in Bayou Bridge, Louisiana, I've been fascinated by the world the author's created in these inter-related stories. With a rich, vibrant setting; memorable characters; and plots that are part mystery, part magic, they're infused with a whimsical warmth that continually enchants me. Like its predecessors, The Time of the Fireflies offers some chills with its charms, but that only makes the story more appealing. Atmospheric and alluring, the Bayou Bridge books offer something for everyone. Trust me when I say they should not be missed.
(Readalikes: Little's other Louisiana books—The Healing Spell; Circle of Secrets; and When the Butterflies Came)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for intense/scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Time of the Fireflies from the always generous Kimberley Griffiths Little. Thank you!
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