Review - The Pub Across the Pond by Mary Carter

TITLE:    The Pub Across The Pond
AUTHOR:    Mary Carter
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 360 pages
PUBLISHED:   Kensington, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Book Tour and Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Sometimes leaving home is the only way to find where you truly belong.

Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she's living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The prize: a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.

As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten, not just by the town's beguiling mix of ancient and modern but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near Galway Bay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges--from a meddling neighbor to the pub's colorful regulars--there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories and, in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub's charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart--and her luck--for the very first time.


MY TAKE: The premise of an American woman winning her own pub in Ireland and having the chance to reinvent herself in that magical country had me jumping at the chance to read this lovely book.  I think many of us dream of having an opportunity like this.  Getting a chance to live it vicariously in a great book is as close as most of us will come to it.

Mary Carter did not disappoint me.  Her heart-warming story of a woman who is always there for everyone but herself was one that I couldn't put down.  I became very invested in Carlene's tale.  I enjoyed watching her grow into an independent woman who makes her own decisions and starts to finally live for herself.  On the other side, Ronan is fighting his head and his guilt in losing the pub to an American woman that he can't fight or hide his attraction to.  Their budding relationship draws the reader in quickly ~ along with all of the townspeople. 


The Irish town of Ballybeog makes me want to move there NOW.  I love how Ms. Carter brought the townspeople to life for me.  I could hear their voices in my head and imagine being right there in the middle of Uncle Jimmy's with her listening to them.  Character development is very much a strong suit for the author.  The residents of Ballybeog are very believable; I wanted so much more when I was done with the book.  I found myself laughing out loud at a few parts as well as tearing up a couple of times.  Along with the romance; descriptive scenery, fascinating characters and the magic of Ireland make this a must read story.


I highly recommend The Pub Across the Pond and look forward to reading more of Mary Carter's stories.  Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours for including me on this tour.  You can find out more about Mary Carter by visiting her website at Mary Carter Books.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Grab yourself a copy:  

Amazon, Kindle, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Nook

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - My Year With Eleanor by Noelle Hancock

TITLE:     My Year With Eleanor
AUTHOR:    Noelle Hancock
INFO:    Hardcover, Memoir, 290 pages
PUBLISHED:   Harper Collins, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Book Tour

  

FROM GOODREADS:  After losing her high-octane job as an entertainment blogger, Noelle Hancock was lost. About to turn twenty-nine, she'd spent her career writing about celebrities' lives and had forgotten how to live her own. Unemployed and full of self-doubt, she had no idea what she wanted out of life. She feared change—in fact, she feared almost everything. Once confident and ambitious, she had become crippled by anxiety, lacking the courage required even to attend a dinner party—until inspiration struck one day in the form of a quote on a chalkboard in a coffee shop:

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

—Eleanor Roosevelt

Painfully timid as a child, Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated herself to facing her fears, a commitment that shaped the rest of her life. With Eleanor as her guide, Noelle spends the months leading up to her thirtieth birthday pursuing a "Year of Fear." From shark diving to fighter pilot lessons, from tap dancing and stand-up comedy to confronting old boyfriends, her hilarious and harrowing adventures teach her about who she is, and what she can become—lessons she makes vital for all of us.

MY TAKE:    This was a tough book for me to rate and review.  It was one that I enjoyed greatly at times and then became mildly irritated with at certain points.  

I agreed to be on the tour because the "memoir" was promoted as being akin to Julie Powell's "Julie and Julia" which I adored.  The fact that I have always admired the amazing and inspirational Eleanor Roosevelt really sealed my decision to read this book. 

My Year With Eleanor does have that certain something that made Julie Powell's story so engrossing.  Noelle Hancock writes with a light touch that makes you keep turning the pages; even if only to find out what absurd or mind-blowing thing she comes up with to try next. I don't know that this year long escapade was quite what Mrs. Roosevelt had in mind, but we should all take inspiration where we find it.  The author did a nice job of keeping Eleanor in the limelight alongside her.  I found that I learned many things about the great lady that I didn't know. 

There were several laugh out loud moments during the story which is always a plus for me.  This is not to say there aren't some serious issues also being touched upon as she is trying to get her footing on a path that isn't clearly defined in places.  Her visits and dialogue with her psychiatrist were thought-provoking and funny at times.  I liked that her close friends played a large role in her adventures and that she didn't come across as the solo, sword-wielding Amazon who could conquer everything in her path by herself. 

The age difference between myself and the author as well as the places we are in our lives may be a factor in some of the irritation that I mentioned above.  I can't quite relate with the need to "find oneself" at almost thirty years of age.  In my circle that task had mostly been accomplished seven to ten years prior and we were working on polishing what we'd become.  The notion of spending a year running around doing impractical and improbable things still doesn't fly with me or sit well, especially when I consider the financial aspect. 

That being said, the book was enjoyable for me as a light women's fiction type read even though it is marketed as a memoir.  I think readers of a closer age or with similar life experiences as the writer will be really able to relate to the tale. I also encourage those who are interested to read the actual books from Eleanor Roosevelt herself.  Noelle's book has reminded me how great a lady she was and how much she had to offer us.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Noelle Hancock

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Wedding Writer by Susan Schneider

TITLE:    The Wedding Writer

AUTHOR:    Susan Schneider
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 356 pages
PUBLISHED:   St. Martin's Griffin, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    Four talented women, one glossy wedding magazine: life should be as perfect as a bridal catwalk… right?

Lucky Quinn writes up weddings for one of the hottest bridal magazines. And it wasn’t easy to get there. From humble beginnings, she outsmarted her way into the center of New York’s glamorous magazine industry – making up for her background with a sharp mind, whip-thin physique, and ceaseless ambition.

Then, in one day, her life is utterly transformed; two of the magazine’s major competitors fold, and Lucky is named Editor-in-Chief, replacing the formidable, but aging Grace Ralston, who had been at the magazine’s helm from day one. Grace taught Lucky everything she knows, but now it seems that she taught her too well…

As the ripples of Lucky’s promotion spread, the intricate lives of four women begin to unfold. Felice, Your Wedding’s elegant and unshakable Art Director is now being shaken for the first time by troubles at home. Sara, the Fashion Director, is famed for her eagle eye for fashion trends and exquisite hair. But, for all her know-how, “the Angel of Bridal” has never come close to starring in a wedding herself – she’s picked the dress, but where’s the groom? Grace, recovering in the wake of her sudden, humiliating fall from power, must learn to accept herself – and love – after a life dedicated to fulfilling other women’s dreams. And, through it all, Lucky begins to discover just how lonely the top really is.

MY TAKE:    The publicity blurb for this book grabbed my attention right away as it made me think of "The Devil Wears Prada".  I had really liked both the book and the movie so I hoped to be similarly entertained with The Wedding Writer.  I am pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed.  The author's obvious experience in this field shines through brilliantly in both the plot and the starring players.

The characters appeared to be right on target with some of the bitchy, backstabbing behaviour that you would expect from certain types of women.  I must admit to not caring at all for Lucky at various times throughout the story.  Though I did like how her tale comes almost full circle and she became a much more sympathetic character for me as the story ends.  All of the leading women had interesting storylines with similar, but slightly unique challenges and obstacles.  Of the four, I think Grace was easily my favorite.  Her issues with sudden unemployment, odd effects of stress on her body, an unexpected love and the strained relationship with her daughter help add a lot of depth to this page-turner.  I found myself really rooting for her and the hoped for outcome on all of her trials and tribulations.

Susan Schneider's writing style is very easy to read and flows smoothly from one lady's chapter to the next.  She is quite descriptive and draws you right into the story.  I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others who like juicy stories with a bit of grit.  ~ I must say that it also made me glad that I'm not employed for this particular publication!

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Purchase a Copy HERE

  

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway - My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

A Deep Haven Novel

TITLE:    My Foolish Heart

AUTHOR:    Susan May Warren

INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 354 pages

PUBLISHED:   Tyndale, 2011

SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:   Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

MY TAKE:    While this is the fourth installment in the Deep Haven series, this book is quite enjoyable as a stand-alone read.  I'd like to thank Amy for including me as a tour stop for My Foolish Heart.  It's a story that I may have missed out on if not for her.  I don't usually read Christian fiction or books classified as inspirational so this was a departure for me.  I'm happy to have made this detour into a different genre.

The two main characters in this story are quite scarred ~ emotionally and physically.  It was interesting to see them deal with their issues both separately and together.  I think Ms. Warren has a real knack for creating characters that pull you into their life as well as into their head and heart.  I think most readers will be able to find something of themselves in the individuals populating this story.  I know I could relate personally with some of Issy's issues and situation.  I liked the aspect of getting to know each other through the anonymity of the radio show as I met my own husband online.  We knew each other intimately by the time we actually met in person.  We dealt with the "will he/she like the physical me?"  A few of her insecurities, though magnified, are still some that many of us will have to confront at some point in our lives.

The supporting cast of characters is quite strong.  Lucy is definitely one of my favorites as I have an awesome best friend too.  There is something about having that one person who will always go to bat for you.  Caleb is what many women dream of but he just can't see that anymore.  He also has a lot of emotional and physical "baggage" to deal with before he can move forward with his life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written story with interesting characters.  When you add in football, a nutty dog and a small close-knit town you have a winner on your hands.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY:  My Foolish Heart and The Book Depository

The Deep Haven Series

 
 

Learn more about Susan and her fabulous books by visiting:
Susan's website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!

To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan May Warren has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)

* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel

* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS! 

To read more glowing reviews for My Foolish Heart, check out the other stops on this 

Litfuse Blog Tour.

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway - Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax

TITLE:    Ten Beach Road
AUTHOR:    Wendy Wax
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 404 pages
PUBLISHED:   Berkley, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from TLC Book Tours for review and Blog Tour
  

FROM GOODREADS:  Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.

Throwing their lots in together, they take on the challenge of restoring the historic property. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time.

MY TAKE:    I found this to be a satisfying and enjoyable read.  The story of these three women who are initially strangers and ultimately friends is one that will strike a note with most female readers. 

The full range of emotions are pulled into play when reading this story.  I felt sympathy, sorrow, disgust, humor, hope and much more.  The author did a very nice job of bringing us into these ladies' lives and having us journey with them as they find their own strengths.  I think Kyra, Maddie's pregnant daughter ended up being one of my favorite characters.  She seemed to bring a balance into the house even though she was dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and problems of her own. 

While this isn't a sugary, fluffy story; it is a book that I felt good about after I finished.  I'd say it would make a good beach read only because it is one that you can get lost in and spend an afternoon with.  Due to some language and sexual inferences, I wouldn't recommend this to young readers.  It would fall into a young adult/over 14 range I think.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

I'd like to thank Berkley and Lisa at TLC Book Tours for including me on this blog tour as well as for providing one lucky reader their own copy of Ten Beach Road.  Here's the details:

• Must be 13 or older
• US Residents only
• Leave a comment with your email
• No PO Boxes
• Ends May 17th
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email

Learn more about Wendy by visiting her website or find her on Facebook.

The next two stops on this blog tour are: 

Wednesday, May 11th: Reviews from the Heart
Thursday, May 12th: Book Club Classics

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert

Happy Release Day!

TITLE:    The Coffins of Little Hope
AUTHOR:    Timothy Schaffert
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 262 pages
PUBLISHED:   Unbridled Books, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  Timothy Schaffert has created his most memorable character yet in Essie, an octogenarian obituary writer for her family’s small town newspaper. When a young country girl is reported to be missing, perhaps whisked away by an itinerant aerial photographer, Essie stumbles onto the story of her life. Or, it all could be simply a hoax, or a delusion, the child and child-thief invented from the desperate imagination of a lonely, lovelorn woman. Either way, the story of the girl reaches far and wide, igniting controversy, attracting curiosity-seekers and cult worshippers from all over the country to this dying rural town. And then it is revealed that the long awaited final book of an infamous series of YA gothic novels is being secretly printed on the newspaper’s presses.  

The Coffins of Little Hope tells a feisty, energetic story of characters caught in the intricately woven webs of myth, legend and deception even as Schaffert explores with his typical exquisite care and sharp eye the fragility of childhood, the strength of family, the powerful rumor mills of rural America, and the sometimes dramatic effects of pop culture on the way we shape our world


MY TAKE:  The unusual narrator of this story is what initially grabbed my attention. An 83 year old obituary writer is not the first to come to mind when looking for a tour guide through a small town mystery.

Unusual characters are actually what drive this book. Essie is our octogenarian storyteller. She's had an extremely full life and does tribute to the dead with her obituaries ~ even still typing them out on a 1953 typewriter. Essie is surrounded by other interesting folks: her grandson Doc who runs the paper, but wants to own a magic shop; her great-granddaughter Tiffany who has lived with Essie and Doc since Doc's sister Ivy dumped her there as a little girl.


One of the most mysterious and confusing characters for me is Daisy. She is the mother of the missing girl Lenore. Essie has the task of writing an obituary for the little girl as she is presumed dead. The question is: was Lenore ever even real or was she a figment of Daisy's imagination? This story is full of twists and turns and unanswered questions such as these.


The author created some fascinating characters that were a lot of fun to follow around Little Hope and the surrounding countryside. They were the highlight of the story. Some of the plot left me a little confused, but the characters made up for it.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.