"All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality -- the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape."
Atlanta is huge metropolitan area divided into many sections like most major cities. Atlanta: a novellais a character study of people living around Atlanta, all with their own problems and successes. No matter where in the city they live they all interact with each other or are connected through friends and colleagues or meet randomly.
Paul has agoraphobia and never leaves his house. Janine is a police officer who whole life changes in an instant. Chantel runs a pet store and Lorraine is just plain evil. These are just four of the diverse characters in this story.
My Thoughts
There are a lot of characters and stories in this little book. It is just a peek at a small snippet in time in these characters lives. Everything isn't settled within these pages, some conclusions are left to the readers imagination. One characters life takes a very unexpected turn, one life is very unsettling and others make friends of each other due to their circumstances.
This is a very fast and interesting read. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the author packed into this novella. She has a wonderful writing style and I am looking forward to reading her book, A 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach - One Woman's Trek of the Perimeter of Lake Michigan which is patiently waiting on my To-Be-Read pile.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Shelly has been bullied by girls who used to be her best friends. Her mother, Elizabeth, was bullied by her husband until he left her for a younger woman, she is now bullied by her employers. They leave London and retreat to Honeysuckle Cottage in the country. Elizabeth stills commutes to the same office everyday. These woman are MICE! Timid, nervous and put everyone before themselves.
They love their life in the country until the eve of Shelly's sixteenth birthday. Something horrifying will change their lives forever. Maybe they are not mice after all.
My Thoughts
I find myself really on the fence about this book. It addresses the very common problem these days of bullying. For the first half of the book I was right there turning pages, feeling the right emotions for what these women were going through.
Then the book took a very dark and even more horrifying turn that what these women had endured. I found it hard to keep going but I finished the book, hoping beyond home this dark theme would I don't know, magically go away. It didn't. I also found the whole premise very unbelievable. I know the author is trying to dramatize the extreme extent bullying can go to, but no, a mother and daughter couldn't turn into the women they created. If they do I hope and pray they are few and far between.
It is a well written book and the part of the bullied Shelly and how she kept the incidents to herself until they escalated to a point where she was so physically hurt the paramedics had to be called was very well portrayed. Her actions and her thoughts.
I understand this is a psychological thriller, but to me it's a thriller that goes off the rails. Maybe young adults will not have the reaction I had as a mother. I found myself very troubled by the second half of the book and had to wait to write this review and really collect my thoughts. Yes, there was suspense, yes the were varied psychological aspects at play. The author just went a little too far for me. Because I liked the first half and have warned you about the second half I will give it 3 stars.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Viking. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Atria Paperback A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Available August 16, 2011 ISBN-10: 1451609108 ISBN-13: 978-1451609103
Set in London, Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary have been together for eleven years. He is a successful painter and she works part time as a talent agent. They have two children, daughter Scarlett, and brand new baby boy Blake. They thought they would be together forever but clearly the party is over. Ralph really shows no interest in Blake, his artwork is faltering. Jem is exhausted caring for two children, getting up several times a night with Blake and trying to get back to work. If all that isn't enough Ralph announces he is going on holiday to visit an old friend in the states. He needs time away to recenter himself and he thinks some time apart would be beneficial. Jem is stunned but rolls with it as she knows their relationship is on a desperate path.
While Ralph is away Jem connects with someone new and so does Ralph. His life also turns in a direction he knows Jem will never understand but it rejuvenates him as he heads home. He returns with hopes of finding a way back together with Jem. Like the old days, the days after the party. But is it too late? Can their relationship be saved?
This book is said to be a sequel to Jewell's Ralph's Party published in 1999 but I had no problem reading it as a stand alone. It is definitely the story of a couple maturing and realizing that being adults with responsibilities is hard work and definitely not all sunshine and rainbows.
The book is very well written and the story flows effortlessly which is good as the book is 450 pages. She offers a keen insight of a modern family existing in today's world of more obligations than time. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jem and her sister Lulu. Lulu has no problem speaking her mind and telling Jem frankly what she needs to hear. The story between Jem and Ralph is an emotional one and this is not a light read, it gets really dark in places.
This was my first Lisa Jewell novel and while it did not leave me as moved as other books I read this week I would recommend it as a good book to escape into for a weekend. If you are a Jewell fan and liked Ralph's party this is a sequel I am sure you will enjoy.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Atria Paperbacks, a Division of Simon & Schuster. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Amazon Encore Release Date: July 19, 2011 ISBN-10:1935597655 ISBN-13: 978-1935597650
I can't wait to tell you about this book!!!
Celia Donnelly is overworked and downright exhausted, her marriage to her husband Jonathan, a bank president, has started to suffer, as has her relationship with teenage son. She is thrilled when Jonathan comes home and tells her they are taking a family vacation to Mexico. Getting out of the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest to wonderful sunny Mexico is just what this family needs.
Celia enjoying her vacation decides to go for a run along the beach. She is on her way back to the condo when she is approached my a man she met earlier at the pool. He tells her she needs to come with him, something has happened to her son. She rushes off with the man, gets in his car and very quickly feels something is very wrong. The man is working for someone else, someone who has hired him to abduct Celia and hold her hostage. Celia is not a random victim. She learns someone that she trusted has betrayed her and she needs to save herself. She partners up with a very unlikely ally and finds herself on a run to save her life. Pursued into the depths of the Mexican jungle she draws on all her strength. Nothing will stop her learning the truth and finding her way home.
Yes, I know that equals 15 stars!!!!!
I started this book Sunday night at bedtime, thinking I would read a couple of chapters and go to sleep. I finished the book at about 3 a.m. There was no way I could put this book down. I was tired when I started and energized when I finished.
The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can't help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page. You don't realize time is even passing because you are completely, effortlessly immersed in the action.
I believe this is the debut novel for this author and if that is the case she has a fabulous future as a writer. It takes years and usually several novels published and rejected to reach this level of expertise. I am trying to find words to describe her writing style. The literary rhythm she has attained is classic and profound. I am amazed by her talent. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Put everything but this book into the overhead
compartment,. Fasten your seat belts and get
ready to Escape With This Book Today!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Georgia Bottoms is beautiful, full of southern charm and goes to church every Sunday. She also cares for her elderly mother and sells hand made quilts all around Six Points, Alabama.
But she is also a woman with a secret life. She entertains some of the town's finest male citizens at night. Six different men and each has his particular night of the week and the night is customized to his particular tastes. They have all been trained to leave her a "gift" to help Georgia take care of herself and her mother. Plus each gentleman caller thinks he's the only lover enjoying Georgia's company.
Things start to fall apart when Georgia's minister, Mr. Saturday Night, decides to confess his sins to his wife and the entire congregation one Sunday morning. She manages to cause a diversion to stop this confession, but knows if she doesn't do something quickly her entire private life will become public knowledge. She has to protect her mother and herself. Six Points, Alabama will never be the same.
First I have to give credit where credit is due. This book has been recommended by several people/blogs even before it was released. So I could put a pretty big list here, but I won this book from a giveaway at Cheryl's CMash Loves To Read and she said to put in on the top of my To-Be-Read pile which I did. So I have Read, My Review will be below and I Recognize Cheryl for getting this book in my hands and encouraging to make time for this book. My first book in this wonderful challenge. Just a side note Cheryl is one of the hosts of this wonderful challenge.
Yes, I loved this story so much. I think it will definitely become a sort of Southern Classic. It is funny and heartbreaking. The entire town seems totally dysfunctional and perfect together at the time.
It amazed me that Georgia was able to keep up this ruse as long as she did, but Mark Childress is such a great writer I bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker. Maybe it's the Alabama heat that drives what would almost be called insanity of this town, but I loved it, each and every word. I may be a little biased here because I live far from the south but have learned that pastors can be some of the most hypocritical persons on the earth, so I had no trouble buying into this pastor's story or the replacement.
Childress has created a strong be it offbeat heroine. I had read several reviews before I read this book and some people actually hated it and hated Georgia. After reading it myself I decided those who panned this book must not have had much of a sense of humor, this book is comedic look at not only southern life but life anywhere. Every word may not be politically correct but with some minor changes like a long cold winter instead of a long hot summer this could easily have taken place in North Dakota as Alabama. Do any of really know what is happening behind the closed doors of our neighbors?
This is a great book to "escape" with and it will definitely tickle your funny bone. It is my first book my Mark Childress but it most definitely is not my last!!!
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was my personal collection. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I fell in love with the Tattoo Mysteries when I was sentDriven To Inklast year to review. I can't just read one book in a series so I quickly got copies of The Missing Ink and Pretty in Ink so that I could get caught up on the series and see the character's development. While I don't have any tattoos my daughter has several so I thought if I didn't like the books she definitely would.
Well I LOVED THEM!!!! I may not be the demographic the publisher had in mind, but I LOVED THEM!!! My daughter loved them too!!! I was so excited for the next book to come out and asked Karen to guest post here when it did. Sadly, Ink Flamingos is the last book in this series and I was not ready for it to end. I am sure a lot of Karen's fans feel the same way. But the book is great. I will post my full review at the bottom of this post but you already know I LOVED IT!!!
Karen I am so glad you are here!! I can't wait to hear how the unusual title of this latest book came to be.
********************************************
Thanks Lori, I am happy to be here today at Dollycas's Thoughts.
Until I started writing the Tattoo Shop Mysteries, I never had a title for a book before I started writing. I always figured I’d write the book and then a title would come to me, something that would be both meaningful and clever at the same time. But as I wrote this series, I had a list of titles that I’d come up with. Before writing each book, I just picked the title off the list and then determined what the books would be about.
I had absolutely no idea what INK FLAMINGOS would be about for the longest time. I loved the title, it’s such a great play on words, and I love flamingos. But what on earth would flamingos have to do with a tattooist? Especially one living in Las Vegas—the desert—where flamingos are clearly not indigenous.
But Vegas does have something that would lend itself nicely to the book: the fabulous Flamingo resort. The last time my family was in Vegas, when I was researching this book, we spent quite a bit of time at this original Vegas landmark. Bugsy Seigel built the Flamingo. I found out some really interesting things about Bugsy’s paranoia: He had a suite of rooms in the resort and while there was only one way in, there were five exits. Just in case someone was coming to take him out (which the mob eventually did, but in L.A., not Vegas). Bugsy’s suite is no longer there; when they renovated the Flamingo, they got rid of it. It’s too bad, but they did erect a plaque in his honor on the grounds.
There are flamingos at the Flamingo. They’ve got a fabulous aviary and all sorts of exotic birds wander around freely. The flamingos have their own little lagoon alcove. It’s possibly one of the only places you can see actual flamingos in the desert. They also have a very cool bronze flamingo that overlooks the casino.
Quite a bit of INK FLAMINGOS takes place at the Flamingo. But that just didn’t seem enough. So after some thought, I decided that there would have to be a flamingo tattoo that would prominently play into the plot. And who was sporting said tattoo? The lead singer for the girl group The Flamingos.
There’s also a plastic pink flamingo that wears a tiara, because I couldn’t help myself.
An Obsidian Mystery A Division of The Penguin Group
A Tattoo Shop Mystery 4th in the Series ISBN-10: 0451233794 ISBN-13: 978-0451233790
One of Brett's customers at The Painted Lady, a high class tattoo shop, has been found dead in a Las Vegas hotel room. She is found surrounded by several tattoo supplies including needles and ink pots. A woman matching Brett's description was witnessed leaving the crime scene.
As Brett is been profiled as the prime suspect a blog is found on the internet showcasing the dead clients tattoo. Then pictures of Brett start showing up on the blog and it even looks like the blogger is Brett herself.
Brett is frantic to find out who is behind this blog because she knows it will lead her to the real killer. The sooner she does that she can get back to her own life and see where the ink may lead her.
I loved this book so much. Karen is a wonderful writer and all these stories were pure pleasure to read. They almost have me convinced to get a tattoo, but no flamingos please.
The characters have depth and continue to grow, new sides are shown, romance is budding, each character is so overwhelmingly different but fit together so easily. The scenes are set in your mind clearly through the author's words, I have never been to Vegas but would love to go there now. The plots are well thought through and credible. The stories are some of the best I have read.
It is a fast paced mystery that will keep you up all night inking together the clues to solve the mystery, but in just four stories readers are emotionally connected to the characters that you are rooting for all of them, even some that may have lost their way. I for one am very sad that this is the last we will hear from Brett, Joel, Bitsy, Ace, Tim, Sylvia and Jeff. This is one reader who is having a hard time saying good-bye.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Karen E. Olson is a Shamus award finalist and the winner of the Sara Ann Freed Memorial Award. She lives in Connecticut, where there are no flamingos. You can visit her at her website at
Would you like to win a copy of the extraordinary book!!!
Thanks to Obsidian I have 2 copies to giveaway!!!
U.S. & Canadian Residents Only!
Followers will receive an extra two entries!
Leave Karen a comment for an additional 5 entries!!!
Contest Will End at 11:59 P.M. CST on June 22nd
FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO ENTER
Connection: I received this book free from Obsidian, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Yes, it's another special addition. There are so many cozy reviews I need to publish before Release Day on June 7 and there are a bunch of cozy authors that will be guest posting all through the month of June. I am really excited they will be stopping by.
Today I just have to tell you about Lorna Barrett's next book in her Booktown Mystery Series!!
Cover Illustration
by Teresa Fasolino
Cover Design
by Diane Kolsky
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery A Division of The Penguin Group
A Booktown Mystery 5th in the Series ISBN-10:0425241866 ISBN-13: 978-0425241868
The star of this series is Trisha Miles who owns a mystery bookstore, Haven't Got A Clue, in Stoneham, New Hampshire. The whole town has been rejuvenated by a group of bookstores and other shops with a book theme, even a restaurant owned by Tricia's sister, Angelica, called Booked For Lunch.
As we return to Stoneham it is Founder's Day. The whole town is participating in the grand event planned Deborah Black. It is while Deborah is giving her welcoming speech that tragedy strikes. A small airplane that was hired to fly a huge banner around in the air during the festivities starts to rapidly lose altitude until it crashes into the gazebo where Deborah was giving her speech. The pilot and Deborah are both killed by the crash.
An accident right? The Sheriff's Department and the National Transportation Safety Board deems the crash an accident, but Tricia doesn't believe they have uncovered the entire story. Certain people around town are just acting weird especially after such a horrendous "accident". She believes there is a lot more mystery behind what really happened. She has read more than enough mysteries and helped solve more than her share of murders, she just has to figure out who issued Deborah and the pilot their "death sentence."
I have loved this series from the first book, Murder Is Binding. The author had me from book 1, page 1. This latest installment was no exception, I couldn't put it down last night. Sometimes I get close to the end of a who-dun-it and know who-dun-it, not the case here. The plot was pure perfection, drawing the reader in closer and closer and then twist, turn, surprise!!!
Great mystery, lovable characters, a beautiful setting (well the gazebo needs to be rebuilt and maybe a memorial for Deborah), a dash of romance, a bit of humor, Miss Marple meets a new friend, all the pages put together make it the purrfect cozy mystery. The whole series is not be missed!!!
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
There are so many great Cozy Mysteries coming out this month that there are not enough Wednesdays to tell you about them all, so that's why I am having a Special Thursday Edition.
Cover Design
by Annette Fiore Defex
Cover Illustration
by Hugh Syme
A Berkley Prime Mystery A Division of Penguin Publishing A Memphis BBQ Mystery Second in the Series ISBN-10: 0425241912 ISBN-13: 978-0425241912
An anonymous food critic is blasting the local Memphis restaurants with horrible reviews, some restaurants have even gone out of business because of the scathing remarks. Aunt Pat's BBQ has not even avoided the wrath of this critic who hides behind the name Eppie Curian (one with fine taste).
When the true identity of the critic is revealed to be Evelyn's cheating boyfriend, and daily visitor to Aunt Pat's, the restaurant owners and patrons are hotter than any BBQ grill. They want revenge and someone delivers him his own fatal review. The list of suspects is vast, including an fuming restaurant owner, two ex-wives and even someone from Aunt Pat's BBQ Restaurant.
Lulu finds herself on a mission to make sure the fire is put under the right culprit and contain her loved ones grilling to the kitchen.
Aunt Pat's is a family run restaurant located in heart of Memphis on Beale Street. It is known for it's fine Southern cooking and each visit there is a delight. I love not only the food, (Recipes are in the back of the book.) But the characters and the mystery too.
I really enjoyed Derrick coming out of his shell a bit and the way the whole group cared so much to snoop in on his date.
There are parts of this book when I found myself laughing out loud. The characters are true friends to help each other, spunky enough to keep everyone on their toes and their compassion resonates clearly to all.
This book has the perfect amount of seasoning and sauce to tempt everyone's taste buds. A mystery to be savored with a glass of sweet tea and a little peach cobbler.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
A Reagan Arthur Book Little, Brown and Company Release Date:May 25, 2011 ISBN-10:0316097713 ISBN-13: 978-0316097710
Ginny and William Owens have grown comfortable in their "empty nest". Their youngest child moved out 5 years ago. They enjoy their quiet times, Ginny volunteering at church, William reading his newspapers and working in the gardens. A nice relaxing life.
Then their daughter Lillian arrives for an unexpected "visit" with newborn baby Phillip and 3-year old Olivia in tow. Husband Tom is "home, buried in work."
Then a few days later Stephen arrives with his pregnant wife Jane for a short weekend visit. Stephen is going to be the stay-at-home Dad when the baby arrives and Jane will return to her high pressure, high paying job just 3 short weeks after the baby is born.
Daughter Rachel is not far behind, her life is crashing around her both financially and emotionally as her boyfriend leaves her. She needs some time at home to sort things out.
Ginny and William's empty nest is soon overflowing with family and their entire summer will be disrupted as their children are all facing very difficult issues. The days of a kiss, a hug, and a band-aid are long over. They have put the parenthood hats back on the help their children as only parents can.
Life as a parent never ends, whether your kids are 2 or 62, until of course the parent is no longer alive. Part of being a parent is to always be there for your children, no matter what they are facing.
This is a wonderful debut novel depicting modern family life and problems, bringing a family together to cope, learning responsibility and forgiveness and how to survive life today in this fast-paced world.
I must say William and Ginny showed so much patience as their home was overtaken by their children but I can say that is what parents do today. A lot of children are living at home longer or moving home just because with this economy they can't make it on their own. It doesn't even have to be the problems this family faced. It is hard for young people to make it on their own today and a lot of them stay longer than a summer.
This story was nicely paced, the characters were very relate-able, and I really liked the dialogue between all the characters, very well written. The story is interspersed with humor and wit that makes the story even more real and enjoyable.
This would be a great summer beach read. Another perfect "escape" story.
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hachette Book Group.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meg Mitchell Moore worked for several years as a journalist. Her work has been published in Yankee, Continental, Women’s Health, Advertising Age and many other business and consumer magazines. She received a B.A. from Providence College and a master’s degree in English Literature from New York University. The Arrivalsis her first novel. Her second novel will be published by Reagan Arthur Books in 2012. Meg lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with her husband, their three children and a beloved border collie.
Jacket Design
by Aaron Brown
Cover Image
by Mike Swope
The Fiction Studio Available Now ISBN-10: 9781936558063 ISBN-13: 978-1936558063
Marcus Williams is a retired New York City Homicide Detective that has left New York to move to a farmhouse in Texas that was willed to him by his aunt. He made a choice to save others and due to that choice it was definitely time for a change. Small town life has a great appeal.
At the same time Francis Ackerman, Jr. makes a different choice. He chooses to inflict pain and suffering to as many people as possible and happens to arrive in Texas at exactly the same time as Marcus.
They both become very unwilling pawns in a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of our government. Marcus becomes involved in a "game" with a psychopathic serial killer and a vigilante group with unlimited resources. He must wrestle his own demons all the while trying to stop one of the most ruthless killers in the world while trying to figure out and expose a huge political conspiracy.
Hold on tight, this book is going to shake you to the core!!!
A Spellbinding, Enthralling, Mind-Bending, Riveting Thriller!!!! Look out James Patterson, Ethan Cross is giving you some fantastic competition. This is an excellent book but it will definitely give you nightmares and it will be a book you will be telling everyone about for a long time to come. The best thriller I have read this year!!!
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Pump Your Book.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About Ethan Cross
When a fireman or a policeman would come visit his school, most of his classmates’ heads would swim with aspirations of growing up and catching bad guys or saving someone from a blazing inferno. When these moments came for Ethan Cross, however, his dreams weren’t to someday be a cop or put out fires; he just wanted to write about it.
And his dream of telling stories on a grand scale has come to fruition with the release of his new book, The Shepherd.
Ethan Cross is the pen name of a thriller author living and writing in Illinois with his wife, two daughters, and two Shih Tzus.
which is patiently waiting on my To-Be-Read pile.
. The author had me from book 1, page 1. This latest installment was no exception, I couldn't put it down last night. Sometimes I get close to the end of a who-dun-it and know who-dun-it, not the case here. The plot was pure perfection, drawing the reader in closer and closer and then twist, turn, surprise!!!
