Wall of Silence

Wall of Silence opens with the point of view of a child who stabbed a family member ... their father, Patrick. 

All three siblings stick together and refuse to tell who did it. The family seemed perfect, and everyone in the community is stunned at this awful event. Melissa, the mother of the children is the one who came upon her husband surrounded by the children. Her devotion to Patrick and her children brings her to the brink of despair when the police deem it an attempted murder.

This book kept me wondering just who stabbed Patrick. Surprisingly, her children are not evil, and all of them are tortured by the event. Yet all three keep a tight hold on what really happened. Melissa, the mother, is the main character. I admired the way she protected her children while searching for answers. 

The child at fault chimes in from time to time with more insight into the awful event, (though I still wasn’t sure who this child is.) At times I wondered if it was one of the children after all. Was it an adult the kids are covering for? Was it someone else in the family, or someone else in the tight-knit  community? 

Even with the father finally waking from a coma, and telling who plunged the knife into him, the answers remain unclear.

I was grabbed by the throat, heart, and mind upon the the first few sentences, and never released until the last page of this book. 

First sentences of Wall of Silence:

I thought Dad’s blood would smell of him, that soft citrus scent I’ve known all my life. But all I can smell on my hands are bitter pennies.

I look down on his face. He’s so white, so quiet.

Is this really happening?

5 stars

The Happy Camper

The Happy Camper is predictable yet enjoyable, and inspirational without preaching. It kind of has the vibe of a Hallmark movie. (Who knows, maybe Hallmark will grab this fun story and film it.) In my opinion, romance, faith mixed with a lovable, albeit a bit of a grouchy character is the perfect recipe for any story. This does not disappoint. The Happy Camper is all about starting over, self-growth and love. Dillon is not looking for love ... which is the perfect time to fall hopelessly in it.

Delve into this book. The time you spend in Dillon's story is worth the smile and warm heart you'll end up with. I read it in a day, not because it's short, but because I couldn't put it down. So cute! You'll love it. 

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. What a prize! I wasn't asked to do a review in return, and all opinions are my own.

4 stars

You Were There Too

I'm so glad I won You Were There Too in a giveaway featured on Cover Lover Book Review. This is the first book I've read from this author. Colleen Oakley is now on my don't miss list.

You Were There Too involves a love triangle, but this one is skewed. It's not the run-of-the-mill love triangle I've read about in the past. The author created Mia, and forced her to make some heart-wrenching decisions. Oh Colleen Oakley, you made me feel for this character. This story was riveting, believable, and as a whole, very well thought out. Kudos to the author!

This is not the last I'll read from this author. I love her writer's voice, and imagination.

5 stars

In an Instant

I have never started a book review talking about the author notes at the end of the book. To be honest, I don’t usually read author notes, but I didn’t want In an Instant to end. I clung to each chapter like a blanket in a snowstorm. So yeah, I read past the last chapter. I’m glad I did. 

Only upon reading these notes did I realize why the storytelling was tangible, and sincere. The author, Suzanne Redfearn, wrote from experience.  She survived a disaster as a child. Though this isn’t autobiographical, she drew from the helplessness as a child, as well as witnessing the choices adults made to save their own children while leaving others in their care to their own devices.

In an Instant delves into the human psyche, and the difficult choices one must make in life-threatening situations. Finn, the main character is able to narrate the story in first person. She dips into each survivor’s view … because she is dead. This isn’t a spoiler, because it’s basically the main premise of this story. It’s not really paranormal, though that might seem a contradiction, but when you read the book, you’ll understand.  The story is beautifully told. It yanked me out of my reality and into Finn’s point of view.

Rarely can an author make me actually FEEL the story … and feel I did. I laughed and wept. I wanted to slap people upside the head, and embrace others in a comfort. I trudged through the frozen wilderness, thirsted for rescue, and huddled along with the survivors in the wrecked bus. I experienced Finn’s helplessness, anger, and despair. I whooped at her glee, laughed at her sweet memories, and wanted to hold her hand through the myriad of experiences in her journey.

But there is more to this story than survival and loss. There’s self-discovery, self-loathing, selfishness, and generosity. There’s courage, and finding strength despite depleted hope. There’s family dynamics before and after the accident. There’s survivor’s guilt, pseudo heroes, and true heroes. There’s love, betrayal, physical and mental healing. There's. So. Much.

This story both knocked the breath out of me and made me hold my breath in anticipation. I could go on and on about this story, but I will leave you to it. Read it. Experience it.

I give this book infinite stars. 

The Gray Chamber

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock initially drew my interest due to the true historical aspects, but the characters the author created made the story real to me. Blackwell Island Asylum was the first lunatic asylum in New York in the late 1800s, and plays a huge role in this story. Nelly Bly, the famed journalist who exposed the deplorable conditions at the asylum even plays a part in the book. Without a doubt, Grace Hitchcock blended research and storytelling. I loved every page she penned. 

Though The Gray Chamber is fictional, the author incorporated many true historical facts. I enjoyed the characters she created, especially Edyth Foster.  She’s quirky, and doesn’t care to follow social norms for a young woman of the times. Her passion is fencing, and her heart is hopelessly in love with her long-time instructor, Bane. He’s clueless to her admiration, but I still adored Bane. He’s kind, and a true friend to Edyth. I wanted to shake the man and force him to see the beauty in Edyth, despite her unconventional persona. 

I found Edyth simply charming! She’s kind to everyone, generous to a fault, and has a buried brokenness that pulls at ones heartstrings. Naivety is her downfall, and she isn't aware of her guardian’s betrayal until she’s locked away in the lunatic asylum on Blackwell Island ... and no one will believe she’s sane. 

The events throughout this book are vivid, brutal, heartfelt, and touching. Yes, a true rollercoaster of emotions. This story held me in an atmosphere of dampened spirit, and darkness throughout Edyth’s plight once she was committed. Her belief in redemption, faith, friendship with other sane women in the asylum helps her to hold on to sanity. That, and her undying love for Bane. 

The emotional journey I experienced while reading this book will stay with me for a long time. Read The Gray Chamber, and delve into the world that really existed. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.

5 glorious stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Once Upon a Sunset

I've been looking forward to yet another book from Tif Marcelo. I first discovered this author when I read The Key to Happily Ever After. 

Once Upon a Sunset is a story revolving around a mother, Margo, and her grown daughter, Diana. Though their relationship is close, yet it becomes strained when they accidentally discover family secrets. Both deal with the aftermath of this newfound in their own way,  and the differing views create a fallout between them. 

As in Tif Marcelo's first book, this one brilliantly portrays the Filipino culture. Though the story revolves around self-understanding and growth, there's a romantic vein to the book. I enjoyed both storylines. 

I connected with the mother, Margo, and her free-spirited was of handling what life threw at her. However, I still empathized with the daughter, Diana. Both characters delve deep into the pas, in in that process discover a lot about themselves. Their relationship gradually repairs, and deepens their understanding about each other's views. Their self-growth is gradual, believable, and touching.

I received an ARC from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

4 stars

As the Light Fades

The opening paragraph of As the Light Fades hooked me, and the characters who waltzed into the story without a misstep totally captured me until the last page. The author, Catherine West, definitely knows how to seamlessly weave characters into a story, and this reader came to know each one.

The storylines are told through several points of view, however I wasn't confused or taken out of the world this author created. I grew to care about the characters. I find it hard to pick a favorite. But here's a few I really liked: There's Liz, a woman who struggles with trust and is searching for a new path in her life. There's Mia, a teenager full of anger, yet seeks understanding. And there's her Uncle Matt ... Come to think of it, I guess I do have a favorite, because I adore him. He's unselfish, caring, and unwilling to give up on his niece's well-being. Last but certainly not least, there's Drake, Liz's father. He's a famous artist, but fading into a world of dementia. Oh, how this pulled at my heartstrings! There's more well-developed characters, and maybe one will capture you as well. You'll have to read this book to meet them all.

Sensitive subjects, such as dealing with past abuse, cutting, and dementia are handled with grace and understanding. Trust and faith are strong themes without being preachy. As the Light Fades is an emotional and uplifting read centered upon long-term residents in Nantucket. Lives entwine, and love abounds. This book is a must read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

5 stars

Whose Waves These Are

Whose Waves These Are is a dual-time period book. It drew me in from the first page, and never let go. Both of the time periods are equally compelling. I adore the twin bothers, Robert and Roy, in the WWII era. Annie, the present-day character, is seamlessly tied in. 

Even thought I fell in love with the primary people in this lovely book, the secondary characters are well developed, and adds more substance to the storyline..

This novel is the first I've read by Amanda Dykes, and I'm ravenous for more of her writing. This is the best book I've read in a long time ... and I'm a voracious reader. 

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

5 stars 

The Key to Happily Ever After

The Key To Happily Ever After depicts the myriad aspects in the loving and sometimes conflicting aspects between sisters. 

I'm the oldest of three sisters, and I totally related to the strong bond between Mari, And, and Pearl. Each one of these characters have their own personality, yet still allow qualities each can contribute to the de la Rosa company. I with there was more about their Filipino culture, as I found it a fascinating aspect of the respect given to the birth order of siblings. 

The family wedding boutique, Rings and Roses,  requires a lot of cooperation between the sisters, and many times there is a lot of give and take ... as well as a dose of conflict thrown in. I love how the family pulls together to solve the toughest of situations in both business and personal life. All of the primary and secondary characters feel real, and the visual settings throughout the book plays like a movie to me. I love it when I can fully immerse myself in a book like I did this one.

The bonds of sisterhood weaves thought this story. Though it's categorized as a romantic comedy, I feel it's more along the lines of women's fiction with a bit of romance sprinkled in. Either way, it's an enjoyable read. I loved it!

 4 stars. 

The ARC copy of this book was obtained through Net Galley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Glory Road

Glory Road brought me back to my southern roots, complete with a porch swing and sweet tea. I love the feeling this book evoked. The author, Laura Denton, has a way of making a reader actually discover the comfort waiting for you down the dirt road leading back home. 

Jessie returns home after a troubled life. She finds refuge for herself and  her teenage daughter in her childhood home on Glory Road. The story of the family members are told beautifully in three POVs. Each chapter is titled with a name, but I didn't need it because every character's "voice" rang clear. I was never lost in the the telling of this story. 

Jessie, a proud owner of a plant shop with a clever name, Twig, savors hard work and routine after her rocky marriage and divorce. She's raising her daughter, Evan, and their relationship is a beautiful thing to behold. ( I fell in love with this teenage girl.) 

Evan is at the brink of starting high school, and dealing with newfound feelings for a guy down the red dirt road. A bit of lovesickness and friendship rolled into a confusing ball leaves her confused. This teenager is close to both her mother and grandmother, and I love the open communication they share. 

Gus, a funny name that fits the spit-fire grandmother of Evan, and Momma of Jessie, stole the show in many scenarios. I laughed out loud several times at her antics and sharp tongue. Gus tries to hide an issue which frightens her, but when it becomes a blaring problem, she must finally accept help. This is a hard thing to do for such an independent woman, but it is well told, and believable.

The secondary characters are well-developed. The varying challenges force all to break out of their comfort zones. You will savor this story with its Southern charm. I didn't want this book to end. This novel is one of the very few that I will read again, and again to relive the feeling of home, trust and family dynamics. Don't miss out on this wonderful read! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley. Opinions expressed are my own.

5 stars