Words To Remember ~ Princess Diana 20 Years Later

Tags

Inspirational quotes, Princess Diana

I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that, I want to do that.

 

Thank You Mexico!

Tags

Hurricane Harvey, Mexican Aid

With Mexico being one of the highest crime Nations in the world, we must have THE WALL. Mexico will pay for it through reimbursement/other.

~ Donald J. Trump ~

Despite being insulted at every turn by Mr. Trump, Mexico has generously offered to provide aid and assistance to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey ravaged Texas. As Mr. Trump petulantly continues to tweet how Mexico will pay for “the wall” one way or another, and complains about what a horrible trading partner they, along with Canada are, Mexico released a statement Sunday just a few hours after Mr. Trump’s latest ignorant and offensive tweet, saying:

The Mexican government takes this opportunity to express its full solidarity with the people and the government of the United States as a result of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, and expresses that it has offered to provide help and cooperation to the U.S. government in order to deal with the impact of this natural disaster–as good neighbors should always do in trying times.

(Photo taken by Joe Raedle/Getty images)

Although Mr. Trump has not responded, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have accepted Mexico’s offer with thanks. This isn’t the first time Mexico has come to our aid. Back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, Mexico sent medical personnel, soldiers, and engineers to give aid to stricken residents. They helped distribute more than 184,000 tons of supplies, served 170,000 meals, and conducted more than 500 medical consultations. So, I’d like to thank Mexico for its continued spirit of generosity, and apologize for the current occupant of the White House. He does not speak for all Americans.

~

*Update*

And thank you to Canada for also pledging its support and assistance!

Ginny Moon, by Benjamin Ludwig ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Autism, Dysfunctional Families

Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

368 Pages

Synopsis: For the first time in her life, Ginny Moon has found her “forever home”–a place where she’ll be safe and protected, with a family that will love and nurture her. It’s exactly the kind of home that all foster kids are hoping for. So why is this 14-year-old so desperate to to get kidnapped by her abusive, drug-addict birth mother, Gloria, and return to a grim existence of hiding under the kitchen sink to avoid authorities and her mother’s violent boyfriends?

While Ginny is pretty much your average teenager–she plays flute in the band, has weekly basketball practice and studies Robert Frost poems for English class–she is autistic. And so what’s important to Ginny includes starting every day with exactly nine grapes for breakfast, Michael Jackson, bacon-pineapple pizza and, most of all, getting back to Gloria so she can take care of her baby doll.

Ginny Moon is a compulsively readable and touching novel about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and making sense of a world that just doesn’t seem to add up.

Ginny Moon has been receiving a lot of rave reviews, and for the most part I completely concur. 

The story is told from Ginny’s first person POV, which sets a personal tone from the first page. It took me a few chapters to get used to her voice, as she is autistic. Benjamin Ludwig has experience working with special needs children and it’s obvious that he put a lot of additional research into this topic. I have to give him kudos, for being able to climb into the mind of a young teenage girl who’s autistic. This is no mean feat by any stretch of the imagination! Ginny’s voice is so authentic, honest, and raw, that well before the halfway point, I absolutely loved her. While there’s quite a bit of sadness in both her past and current situations, there’s also a fair bit of humor as well.

The main reason why this isn’t receiving 5 stars from me, is because of what has become one of my biggest pet peeves. Unlikable, one dimensional adult characters. I honestly couldn’t stand any of them, but thankfully Ginny is such a strong protagonist that she pretty much carries the entire story on her young shoulders. 

The only other issue I have is that I think the book could have used a little more editing. There were parts of the story that got repetitious at times, and this somewhat slowed down the pace. There were also certain aspects of the storyline that were a bit crazy and unbelievable.

Overall though, Ginny Moon is a suspenseful story featuring an unforgettable new literary heroine, and I was loathe to say goodbye. Ginny is someone I believe everyone should have in their life to remind them of what’s important. While this excellent debut is definitely a standalone, I can’t help hoping that Benjamin Ludwig revisits this amazing young girl! 

Transgenger Vet Voice

In light of Mr. Trump officially putting his ban on transgenders in the military into action, Chris’s post is even more heartbreaking.

One Trans Voice

Dear White People,

I understand how much you are called to move this country forward with social justice actions and community involvement.  You uniquely probe into other races/cultures that are perceived as having less opportunity or less empathy and are able to superficially see the justification in your acts of altruism (to fight the just fight).  I’ll raise a hand to pat you on the back for that; thank you.  For sure, you have the energy and are willing to learn.  I have never felt more alone.  I looked to you, the social liberals, the progressives, the peacekeepers, the media, and the outspoken activists for change.  After each conversation with you I was more alone.  I do not fit into your box of progressive social movement diversity.  I am white.  I am transgender.  I am a veteran.  I am nothing special.  I’m an american.  I turned to my church, but…

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Last Star Burning (Last Star Burning #1), by Caitlin Sangster ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Dystopian Fiction, Eastern Culture, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Pulse for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 10th, 2017

400 Pages

Synopsis: Sev is branded with the mark of a criminal–a star burned into her hand. That’s the penalty for being the daughter of the woman who betrayed their entire nation.

Now her mother’s body is displayed above Traitor’s Arch, kept in a paralyzed half sleep by the same plague that destroyed the rest of the world. And as further punishment, Sev is forced to do hard labor to prove she’s she’s more valuable alive than dead. 

When the government blames Sev for a horrific bombing, she must escape the city or face the chopping block. Unimaginable dangers lurk outside the city walls, and Sev’s only hope of survival lies with the most unlikely person–Howl, the chairman’s son. Though he promises to lead her to safety, Howl has secrets, Sev can’t help but wonder if he knows more about her past–and her mother’s crimes–than he lets on.

But in a hostile world, trust is a luxury. Even when Sev’s life and the lives of everyone she loves may hang in the balance.

Perfection. Last Star Burning is absolutely sheer perfection from beginning to end! While the exquisite cover might suggest fantasy, and the story contains some allusions to Sleeping Beauty this is pure dystopian through and through. 

The world-building is spectacular. It includes everything you usually find in dystopian fiction: post-war/apocalyptic setting, divided societies, and the “us” vs “them” mentality. But by giving it an eastern setting, this stands out from the rest of the genre. The author mentions in her notes that she loves Chinese history, and her passion for it is more than evident. She also includes places to find more information on the historical events she used as inspiration, which I really appreciated. 

The characters are all larger than life, especially Sev. She’s intelligent, courageous, loving, and loyal to a fault, but because of what she’s been put through, she’s also insecure and has moments of despair, and doesn’t know who to trust. Her story is heartbreaking and brought out a lot of emotions in me as I was reading.

You would think with all the world-building and characters that are introduced, the pace would be slowed somewhat, but that’s definitely not the case. Even at 400 pages, I was captivated from the very first page and finished this over the course of two nights. The ending is exciting and perfectly sets the stage for the next book.

In my humble opinion, Last Star Burning is one of the best dystopian fiction novels I’ve read. What makes it even more incredible is that this is Caitlin Sangster’s debut. I highly recommend this for both teens and adults who love this genre. It’s going to be difficult to wait until October 2018 for the sequel!

#Harvey2017 ~ How To Help

 

Two kayakers try to beat the current pushing them down an overflowing Brays Bayou along S. Braeswood in Houston, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Rescuers answered hundreds of calls for help Sunday as floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey climbed high enough to begin filling second-story homes, and authorities urged stranded families to seek refuge on their rooftops. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)

I know many of you, like me, have been watching in horror as Southeastern Texas has been pummeled mercilessly by Hurricane Harvey. Here’s a quick list of organizations who are looking for donations of any size:

American Red Cross – Looking for donations starting at just $10. Visit http://redcross.org Call 1-800-Red Cross or text HARVEY to 90999.

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services – Donate online at https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Catholic Charities – You can donate online at https://app.mobilecause.com or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777

Austin Pets Alive! – This no-kill pet advocacy group is helping shelters in the direct line of Harvey and as of Saturday a.m. had already transported over 235 animals to their shelter. They’re looking for donations and other help  on their website. https://austinpetsalive.org

You can also visit The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). This is a coalition of all the reputable and trusted disaster relief organizations here in the U.S. – http://nvoad.org

Downtown Houston as seen from the JP. Morgan Chase Tower

THE STONE ARCH SECRET – A New Novel

This Is So Exciting! CONGRATULATIONS Karen!

Once Upon a Time....

My new novel, The Stone Arch Secret, a romantic mystery, is to be published November 1st on Amazon! Next week I will publish Chapter One, here on WordPress, please let me know what you think!  My Beta Readers have given The Stone Arch Secreta thumbs up and I am so excited.

Anyone who has written a novel knows how very complicated building a story can be, let alone development of believable characters.  Mysteries have their unique challenges too, for someone like me who is a fantasy writer.  Another challenge, and a very important one, is choosing a title and cover that works for the story content. For me, developing a title is agonizing!  I probably had five or six different titles until this one and this one fit perfectly.

Deciding on a cover that reflects what the story is, is more than challenging, it is exhausting, especially for…

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The Girl Who Was Taken, by Charlie Donlea – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Abduction, Adult Fiction, Mystery, Relationships, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

320 Pages

Synopsis: Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are both high school seniors in the small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. When they disappear from a beach party one warm summer night, police launch a massive search. No clues are found, and hope is almost lost until Megan miraculously surfaces after escaping from a bunker deep in the woods.

A year later, the bestselling account her ordeal has turned Megan into from local hero to nation celebrity. It’s a triumphant, inspiring story, except for one inconvenient detail: Nicole is still missing. Nicole’s older sister Livia, a fellow in forensic pathology, expects that one day Nicole’s body will be found, and it will be up to someone like Livia to analyze the evidence and finally determine her sister’s fate. Instead, the first clue to Nicole’s disappearance comes from another body that shows up in Livia’s morgue. that of a young man connected to Nicole’s past. Livia reaches out to Megan for help, hoping to learn more about the night the two were taken. Other girls have gone missing too, and Livia is increasingly certain that the cases are connected.

But Megan knows more than she revealed in her blockbuster book. Flashes of memory are coming together, pointing to something darker and more monstrous than her chilling memoir describes. And the deeper she and Livia dig, the more they realize that sometimes true terror lies in finding exactly what you’ve been looking for.

The Girl Who Was Taken is the first book I’ve read by Charlie Donlea, but I’m certain it won’t be my last! The only reason why I’m not giving this a perfect 5 stars, is because I thought the beginning was a little slow. There’s a lot going on with Megan and Nicole, with switching POVs and timeframes, and it took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the author’s writing style, but once I did I was completely glued to the pages and finished it in two sittings. 

Livia was my favorite character. She’s career driven and also shows a fierce determination to finding out what happened to Nicole. I can’t even imagine working as a forensic pathologist and having the ever present fear in the back of my head that the next dead body that comes in may be my missing sister’s. Yet Livia doesn’t let this effect her job performance, nor does it deter her from trying to find her search. Once Megan returns, and Livia finds what she believes may be the first clue on a body that shows up in the morgue, the two of them work together to uncover the truth of what happened that night. Other girls have also gone missing and while the police don’t see a connection, Livia does. Unfortunately, Megan is suffering from flashbacks and missing time, which further complicates things. 

As the narrative moves back and forth from months before Megan’s and Nicole’s abduction, to the present, in addition to the tension rising, you get to see how two girls who started off as good friends, wound up as enemies, although this was mostly on Nicole’s part. And the odd thing is, that even through these flashbacks, I found Nicole to be an obnoxious, jealous, attention-seeking twit, I was still fully invested in learning what happened to her. 

There were so many twists and turns, that all of my detective work wound up being wrong. There are definitely moments that require a little suspended disbelief, but nothing that’s over the top. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough because I needed to know what happened. The ending perfectly fits this harrowing tale, and while it leaves some loose threads, I’ve heard rumors there’s to be a sequel so I’m not taking any points off. 

The Girl Who Was Taken, is a well written mystery and suspense story that’s filled with realistic and relatable characters, and will keep you second guessing right up until the end. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

 

The Other Girl, by Erica Spindler ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Thrillers, Romantic Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

352 Pages

Synopsis: Office Miranda Rader of Hammond PD in Louisiana is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis–but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from Jasper, just south of Hammond, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to leave the girl she used to be behind and earn respect in her position as an officer.

However, when Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the gruesomeness of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper clipping about a terrible night from her long-buried past. Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop, and not just any cop–Clint Wheeler, the cop who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common–except Miranda, 14 years ago.

And when her fingerprints turn up at the scene of the first murder, Miranda once again finds herself under the microscope, her honesty and integrity doubted, her motivations questioned. Alone again, the trust of her colleagues shattered, Miranda must try to trust the instincts she’s pushed down for so long, and decide what’s right–before it’s too late.

I’ve been a fan of Erica Spindler for several years, and have always been able to count on her for a good suspense/thriller with interesting characters. With The Other Girl, The prolific author has once again proven why she’s one of the most well-known authors in this genre.

The story grabbed me from the very first page. Miranda and her partner Jake Billings are fantastic characters, and I was thoroughly invested in the two of them. Miranda, a former wild child, is someone that readers will root for. She’s worked so hard to pull herself up and become a well respected homicide detective, and she’s done so without stepping on anyone else. And this makes it especially heartbreaking when Miranda finds that her past has come back to haunt her and threatens to undo everything she’s accomplished.

Although it was almost immediately obvious who the murderer was, there are still enough twists that prevent this story from being predictable. It’s very fast-paced and I wound up finishing it in two sittings. When real life had the nerve to interrupt my reading, I was reluctant to put this down. The ending with its epilogue is perfect, and left me completely satisfied.

Long-time fans of Erica Spindler won’t be disappointed in The Other Girl, and for anyone who is new to her writing, this is a great book to start with. There are so many thrillers that are currently out there, with strong female leads, but in my opinion, this truly stands out from the rest and I can’t highly recommend it enough!

 

 

Unraveling Oliver, by Liz Nugent ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, France, Ireland, Mystery, Psychological Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

272 Pages

Synopsis: “I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.

So begins Liz Nugent’s astonishing debut novel–a chilling, elegantly crafted, and psychologically astute exploration of the nature of evil.

Oliver Ryan, handsome, charismatic, and successful, has long been married to his devoted wife, Alice. Together, they write and illustrate award-winning winning children’s books; their life together one of enviable privilege and ease–until, one evening after a delightful dinner, Oliver delivers a blow to Alice that renders her unconscious, and subsequently beats her into a coma.

In the aftermath of such an unthinkable event, as Alice hovers between life and death, the couple’s friends, neighbors, and acquaintances try to understand what had driven Oliver to commit such a horrific act. As his story unfolds, layers are peeled away to reveal a life of shame, envy, deception, and masterful manipulation.

Oh my gosh. Although I requested this, I have to be honest and say as soon as I was approved, I started having second thoughts. I absolutely loved the premise, but wondered how on earth Liz Nugent could possibly tell such a complicated story in under 300 pages. Well, not only does she pull this off, she does it brilliantly!

As the premise states, every chapter is from the POV of a different person who has come into contact with Oliver and Alice in some way. All of these voices have something important to add, even if you don’t originally think so. I mean, do we really have to hear from neighbors, childhood schoolmates, ex-lovers, and so on?. Yes. Yes we do. You see, every character adds to the puzzle that is Oliver, and their voices are all completely distinct from one another. The most chilling chapters are from Oliver himself, and I actually got goosebumps while reading. I connected with every single one of them, which itself is pretty amazing.

The story is filled with moments that shocked me, and it’s so cleverly told that it’s only at the very end that you see the entire picture. Unraveling Oliver is a captivating journey into the psyche of a monster, as well as the people whose lives are forever changed by being in contact with him. It would be a perfect choice for a book discussion group as it invites debate over the nature vs nurture question. I highly recommend this to fans of dark psychological suspense. I cannot wait to see what Liz Nugent comes out with next!