Book Review: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey- Audio

Written By:  Wendy Wax

Narrated By: Orlagh Cassidy

Published By: Penguin Audio April 2, 2013

Length: 10 hours 24 minutes

Source: Publisher via Audiobook Juke Box


Summary from the publisher:

When the concierge of The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other…

Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money—for herself and for her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.

Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old world charm of The Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.

And then there’s Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She’s just starting to realize that it’s time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

For Samantha, Claire, Brooke—and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings—it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey. 

My Thoughts:

This was my first Wendy Wax book, and as a fan of Downton Abbey I was drawn to this book by title alone.  I was thrilled when I began listening and found that the character descriptions and the thoughts of each person were so well detailed.  I felt like I knew each one of them and what it might even be like to be a part of their group.  

Each character was likable, but came with faults of course.  I tried to decide which woman I most related to, but I find qualities in each I  admired and also became frustrated with.  Edward was just the kind of concierge we all wish we had, well don't we all wish we lived in a place where someone was downstairs keeping an eye on things, organizing things as needed and then some.  He's British and might seem prim at first, but he's just wonderful!!

The audio production was very well done.  The narrator was new to me, but upon review she has done some amazing work on other audio books.  I've even got a few loaded on my iPhone.  Her voice and diction seemed perfect for this book.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy Wax at the UCF Book Festival, and she was such a pleasure!  I'm really looking forward to digging into her very lovely backlist...I'm already listening to OCEAN BEACH...loving it! 

I've given this book 4 out of 5 stars, I really liked it.  You can find Wendy on facebook and her website.  Her books are a very nice treat.

Book Review: Orphan Train

Written by: Christina Baker Kline

Published by: William Morrow an imprint of Harper Collins April 2, 2013

Length: 273 pages

Source: Publisher for She Reads Book Club




I was thrilled when She Reads Book Club chose this book.  I first learned about the orphan trains when I listened to the book THE CHAPERONE last year.  I'm still feeling like a part of American history wasn't taught to me in school.  This practice of putting orphans from infants - teen on a train heading west was amazing.  While it helped many children in an era of mass influx of immigrants to the eastern US, when children were left without parents for various reasons the orphanages couldn't care for all these children, many children were left in abusive and tragically destitute situations.

This novel is the story of two very different women who surprisingly have much in common.  Molly Ayer is almost 18 years old, and is living in a tense foster care family.  She has always felt like an outsider, she is a Penobsot Indian and has never had a real family.  When Molly is caught taking a worn copy of Jane Eyre from the library without checking it out her only hope of staying out of further trouble is Community Service. 

Her boyfriends' mother works for a rather comfortable elderly woman, 91 year old Vivian.  Vivian allows Molly to serve her service hours helping her clean out her attic.  These two begin has strangers and then hidden in all the "stuff" in her attic an attic Molly discovers that Vivian's past has many parallels with her own life. 

Vivian  came to America from Ireland in 1927, her mother became very ill and she had to care for her brothers and infant sister Maisie.  Her real name was Niamh, pronounced Neev, and common in Ireland.  In a sudden and sad chain of events her father and brothers were killed in a fire, her mother was taken to a hospital, and Niamh was told she would not return, and that her baby sister had also died.  Neighbors were quick to turn her over to Children's Aid, and before she knew it she was with a group of 20 children heading west.  Her journey is heartbreaking and as she begins to think her life won't improve she reaches out to someone she trusts.........and perhaps there is a chance for a better life.

Not only is the historical significance of this book fascinating, but the stories of Vivian and Molly are gripping.  Told in alternating chapters of Vivian's youth and current times, I was eager to learn more about what led Vivian to the place and stature that her life has now taken her.  Her youth wasn't always happy but she was able to strive for what was most important to her, something her stories were also showing Molly.  I enjoyed the building relationship between the teen and elderly woman, something I wish could occur with all young people, they learn so much from people who have lived through their own battles.

Kline has written a wonderful story of struggle and survival, of overcoming and success.  I loved Molly and Vivian, their stories surprised me in many ways, and the ending of this book was nothing I expected.  I've given this a 4 out of 5 stars.  Please visit She Reads for more reviews, interview with Christina Baker Kline, recipes and more.  This month's twitter chat is taking place May 23, 8pm EDT. #srchat.  Join in!!

Book Review: The Glass Wives

Written By: Amy Sue Nathan

Published By: St. Martin's Press May 14, 2013

Length: 288 pages

Source: Egalley from Edelweiss via publisher




Evie Glass was once married to Richard and they also have ten year old twins, Sam and Sophie.  She now finds herself sitting Shiva in the home he recently shared with his former mistress and current wife, Nicole.  A tragic car accident has taken Richard from both of them.  While Nicole is now seen as the grieving widow, where does this leave Evie.  She's doing her duty, but secretly she hopes this tragedy will allow her to separate permanently from Nicole and the bad memories it brings up.  Her neighbors and best friends Beth and Laney are with Evie to support her, bringing food, listening, sharing, doing what friend do best. 

As life should be returning to normal Evie realizes this will never happen, Richard's death mean no more child support, her monetary source for paying the mortgage.  Her options don't look good, she doesn't want to move Sam and Sophie from the home they've always known.  Returning to work full time presents all kinds of issues with childcare.  Sam is not handling the loss of his father well, he does NOT want to return to school.  Add to this the returning presence of Nicole in her driveway and on her doorstep, Evie has quite a mess on her hands. 

When Nicole suggests she and baby Luca move in and help with the expenses Evie first finds this insane, but she lets her pride go and admits the arrangement has many positives for her.  She is still unsure what Nicole is getting, but the once bitter Evie begins to warm up to Nicole and she finds it hard to resist six month old Luca.  Things are never what they seem, and Evie must keep her guard up as Nicole again interferes with her future plans.

I was so thrilled to have an early galley of this book.  I first learned of Amy Sue Nathan on The Debutante Ball where Amy is a part of the 2013 class, a wonderful site for introducing debut authors.  I also began reading Women's Fiction Writers, where Amy is brainchild and host.  I connected with Amy on twitter and I was in love with her before I read page one of  THE GLASS WIVES.

The characters and relationships in this book are so very honest and broken in many ways.  It shows the perceptions we have of people who behave in ways we find distasteful and vulgar.  Evie is so very relatable, devoted mother and scorned first wife.  Many of us know women who have walked in her very shoes.  Beth and Laney are her friends and they are in her corner at all times.  They care for her emotionally and physically.  Laney sees things as very black and white, good and bad, while Beth is just a kinder less judgmental supporter and friend.

I didn't expect Evie and Nicole to become friendly, but I understood the motivation.  Evie learns something from Beth that will challenge their friendship and yet also teach both of them a lesson. 

This is a book about friendship, love and family.  I adored how Nathan took Evie and had her learn so much about all three.  Evie had me laughing and crying, not to mention wanting cookies, Evie is always making cookies in this book!  Nathan writes what she knows in Evie's Jewish heritage, the references were well placed and added to knowing who Evie really is. 

I've given this book 5 out of 5 stars, I loved it!! It was a pleasure to read, and I'm so happy publication day is here so everyone can go out and buy a copy!!  Please click to the links above to see more from Amy, and also her website. 

Book Review: Call Me Zelda

Written By: Erika Robuck

Published By: NAL Trade an imprint of Penguin May 7, 2013

Length: 323 pages

Source: Publisher

As this story of Zelda Fitzgerald opens, her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald is placing her in the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore Maryland.  The year is 1932 and as the author writes
     "The ward was never the same after that February afternoon when Zelda Fitzgerald stumbled into the psychiatric clinic with a stack of papers clutched to her chest, eyes darting this way and that, at once pushing from and pulling toward her husband like a spinning magnet.  "

With this opening sentence how can the reader not be pulled in?  This telling of Zelda's life is focused on the many years she was in and out of mental health care.  Zelda most often portrayed as the uncontrollable party girl wife to the brilliant F. Scott was in and out of clinics and hospitals most of the second half of her life.  As she arrives at Phipps she is met by Anna Howard, a psychiatric nurse who becomes her confidant and friend.  Anna sees in Zelda a broken woman, frightened and misunderstood, likely misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.  Zelda yearns to pull away from Scott and at once sheds the formality of Mrs. Fitzgerald, asking Anna and others to "call me Zelda".

Anna is in her mid 30's and has suffered her own losses, her husband was left missing in action in WWI and she lost her five year old daughter to illness.  She lives alone in Baltimore, but her parents live out in the country and she visits them often.  Her brother, a priest, is just returning from Rome and he will be in Baltimore also.  Her family is a warm haven for Anna, her brother a confidant and jolly reminder of life. 

Zelda and Anna's relationship grows and after some time Anna is hired by Scott as her private nurse and she practically lives with them at some points when Zelda is in a more frantic state. The relationship between Zelda and Scott is dysfunctional and manic at best, moving from overwhelming love and passion to brutally abusive words and actions.  The book takes the reader along a 16 year journey between Anna and Zelda, times of constant togetherness and years of no communication, a friendship that gave both women an unending gift. 

To say that I loved this book is simply not enough.  I found Erika Robuck's research and insight into the life of Zelda to be fascinating and heartfelt.  I was amazed at how close I felt to Zelda through the words that Erika wrote.  Taking a historical figure and creating a novel is a challenging task, but doing so and giving us a story like the one in Call Me Zelda is pure art and genius. 

I had the pleasure of talking to Erika Robuck this week after I finished the book, she was as gracious as I had imagined.  When I asked her how she had come up with the idea for the character Anna she told me that the discussion of nurses with Zelda had come up in much of her research and she decided to write about what that relationship might have been.  Anna is a broken woman in many ways as we meet her in the book, but it's as if as she is working to help heal Zelda and make her whole again, she is also mending her own heart and life.  In the book Anna takes a journey in search of something she had once promised Zelda, and in the descriptions of the places and people Anna meets I felt like I too was on that journey of places the Fitzgeralds had lived. 

Reading about the tumultuous relationship between Zelda and F. Scott was at times difficult, it was painful to read what two people who loved each other so could also do to each other.  Alcohol and mental illness were a lethal combination to their marriage.  Brilliant in their artistic endeavors and yet so harsh and hurtful to each other at times.  I was thankful for the character of Anna, her more loving family and friends, the way she was able to see the good in Zelda and Scott amid the turmoil.  One image stays with me, Robuck writes of Anna watching Scott and Zelda on a train ride, sleeping, peaceful, when you read it in the book the words just jump up and tug at your heart.

This is the second book I've read by the talented Erika Robuck.  I have thought that HEMINGWAY'S GIRL was what brought me to adore historical fiction, rest assured this book keeps me holding fast to the love of history and to the works of Erika. I've given this book 5 stars, highly recommended. 

Run, don't walk to get your copy of CALL ME ZELDA I assure you this book will grab your time and not let you go until complete.  Both the reader guide and interview with the author in the back of the book are worth the read also, giving us more insight into Erika's research and craft. 

600 Wednesday!!

I began blogging in June 2008, and admittedly things have changed.  I began with writing about my family, my thoughts, changing roles as my kids were growing up, my parents were aging etc. 

My first book review appeared on 3/25/2009, you can check it out if you'd like.  I still love the video attached, Transcending.  I was so afraid of writing this review, wanted to do it justice and wanted to share it appropriately.  Now I look at all the book reviews and I have mixed thoughts, some are well done, some read as if I was rushed or not 100% invested.  Not all make me proud.

So 600 in under 5 years, nothing to cheer and stand in awe of, but a progression of my blog, my life, me.  In just under 5 years our family has changed so much.  Two in college, one in high school, all growing, progressing, doing what they are intended to do....change. 

I've decided I need to return to more posts about life, it's not that books aren't interesting, oh they are, but my own world and thoughts on it are good too, and in the years to come those will be the posts I'm happy I wrote and can share.  I'd like to think it won't take me nearly 5 more years to reach 1200, but only time will tell.  Life's journey takes us down many roads, thanks for sharing a bit of it with me. 

Book Review: The Lost Husband

Written by: Katherine Center

Published by: Ballantine Books an imprint of Random House Publishing Group May 7, 2013

Length: 304 pages

Source: Publisher



Three years after the death of here husband Libby Moran decides she and her two children can longer live with her mother.  Her mother is self centered and judgmental, and the hospitality has certainly run thin.  Libby's Aunt Jean lives in small Atwater TX, and has offered her home and a small job to Libby.  Jean has a goat farm, and it's becoming more difficult for her to manage all the work.  In a sudden choice on New Years Eve Libby packs up herself and her daughter and son and off she moves them to small town life.  Unsure of this decision, Libby takes everything one day at a time.  Her mother has never had one nice thing to say about Jean, but to Libby's surprise Jean's home is warm and inviting.  There is always good food and Jean is sensible and kind.  Jean is in fact also the popular in town therapist...who knew southern small towns had the need of therapy, not Libby.  Libby also meets the other characters in town, handyman and goat helper OConnor, Jean's beau, Russ, and his granddaughter Sunshine.  Sunshine comes with her own colorful past.  While all this change is a journey, it's a journey that Libby needs to bring out who she is, what she's been missing, and putting her heart to rest.

From page one where Libby is talking about contacting her husband from the dead this book kept me interested and wanting more.  In some ways it's as if Libby has been acting out the motions of life since her husband Danny died in a horrific car accident.  She and her kids are still a mess.  Atwater and Jean are like fresh air, new chances and peace.  Jean doesn't give answers when Libby questions her about her kids problems, or the other people in town.  She instead gives her tips and hints and open opportunities for Libby to figure it out.

This is the fourth book I've read by Katherine Center, and I waited a long time for this one...well worth the wait.  Her characters are believable and oh so humanly flawed.  Center has captured the small town allure in this book.  If you've never lived in a town where you can go no where without seeing someone you know, it is a friendly yet often cloying place, but for Libby she learns a sense of safety and comfort.  It allows her to focus on a bigger picture of her family's life.

I've given this book a 4 out of 5 stars, and if you've never had the pleasure of reading Katherine Center's books, this is a wonderful place to start.  You can learn about Katherine on her website.   

Book Review: The Promise of Stardust -Guest Reviewer

Written by: Priscille Sibley

Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks  February 5, 2013

Length: 416 pages



When I read this book, I was in love....and so was my friend and author, Judy Walters.  I asked Judy if she would like to write a guest review, and she graciously wrote this wonderful review.  I couldn't agree more with Judy's thoughts.  A debut novel that gives us much to look forward to!!


When Elle suffers a fall in a freak accident and winds up brain dead, her husband Matt, a neurosurgeon, knows there’s only one thing to be done –disconnect her from life support immediately, so she doesn’t linger or suffer as her mother did when she died from breast cancer back when she was a teenager. 

But it suddenly isn’t so clear when Elle’s pregnancy test comes back positive.  She’s eight weeks along.  Elle and Matt have been longing for a family for years, both suffering through several miscarriages due to a blood clotting disorder Elle suffers from – as well as a devastating still birth just six months prior.  After an ultrasound reveals a healthy fetus, Matt decides to keep Elle alive on a ventilator until the baby can be born – still months away. But his mother, who practically raised Elle as her own, knows Elle wouldn’t want to be kept alive like this, and chooses to set off a court case fighting her son for the right to make this life and death decision.

Simply put, I loved this book. I read it in just over twenty four hours – even waking in the middle of the night to read some more. Its layers keeps you on its toes as it goes from present day court case and medical drama to the past – Matt and Elle’s teen years, their times apart, and how they fell in love and found each other again – back to the present to see  how things will end. Priscille Sibley, in my opinion, is the next Jodi Picoult, an up-and-comer you should take note of. Five 

stars!

You can learn more about Priscille Sibley on her website, she's also on twitter  @PriscilleSibley.

Judy's debut novel Child of Mine can be found anywhere e books are sold!!