2017 – Page 8 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Review/ Midnight at the Electric

Posted on November 21, 2017November 30, 2017 by Cindy

Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Format: Hardcover
Published by HarperTeen on June 13th 2017
Pages: 272
Goodreads

Divided by time. Ignited by a spark.
Kansas, 2065. Adri has secured a slot as a Colonist—one of the lucky few handpicked to live on Mars. But weeks before launch, she discovers the journal of a girl who lived in her house over a hundred years ago, and is immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding her fate. While Adri knows she must focus on the mission ahead, she becomes captivated by a life that’s been lost in time…and how it might be inextricably tied to her own.
Oklahoma, 1934. Amidst the fear and uncertainty of the Dust Bowl, Catherine fantasizes about her family’s farmhand, and longs for the immortality promised by a professor at a traveling show called the Electric. But as her family’s situation becomes more dire—and the suffocating dust threatens her sister’s life—Catherine must find the courage to sacrifice everything she loves in order to save the one person she loves most.
England, 1919. In the recovery following the First World War, Lenore struggles with her grief for her brother, a fallen British soldier, and plans to sail to America in pursuit of a childhood friend. But even if she makes it that far, will her friend be the person she remembers, and the one who can bring her back to herself?
While their stories spans thousands of miles and multiple generations, Lenore, Catherine, and Adri’s fates are entwined.

This was a book I picked up to read on summer vacation and I actually did read it on vacation. As I was reading this I realized that I have never read anything by Jodi Lynn Anderson before this and I don’t know why considering I have a few of her books sitting on my bookshelf. This will be another author that I will have to make sure I read in 2018.

Midnight at the Electric is told in three perspectives ( Adri, Catherine and Lenore) and three different time periods (Kansas 2065, Oklahoma 1934 and England 1919).

As I was reading this I was always wondering how each of the girls would play a part in the book and how it would all join together at the end and I was happy to see Jodi Lynn managed to connect them all together.

The book begins in the year 2065, and one of our main characters, Adri has been selected to be one of the colonists living on Mars. How neat would that be? Adri is sent to go live with a distant cousin in Kansas that she had no idea she had, while she completes her final training. Its there that Adri discovers the journal of Catherine, a girl living during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, and letters from Lenore, an English girl coming to terms with the loss of her brother in World War I, hidden away in her closet and curiosity gets the better of her and she starts reading the letters and journal.

With Catherine we discover that she is a young girl growing up in Kansas during the great Dust Bowl, which is something that actually happened and was also known as the Dirty 30s. Something that I never knew actually happened and I have to say that I found Catherine’s chapters interesting and horrifying. She is finding first love who just happens to be someone who is helping taking care of the family land and she is also watching her farm be buried in dirt and her sister’s cough not going away. How scary would that have been in that time?

It is through Catherine’s story, that we learn about her mom and how she left England during the war and how her best friend, Lenore stayed behind. Even though the friends were separated they never lost touch and wrote letters to each other. With Lenore we learn what the war was like and how she struggled with the losses her town had suffered and her need to want to flee England and go to America so that she could be with her friend.

Having not read anything before I wasn’t sure what to expect but I am happy to say that I really enjoyed the book and the roller coaster of emotions that I would feel. Seeing as I was reading this on vacation I didn’t get to read it in one sitting but over a few nights. I would definitely continue to read Jodi Lynn’s previous and future books.

Cover Reveal/ Something Just Like This

Posted on November 20, 2017November 15, 2017 by Cindy

Today is the cover reveal for Something Just Like This by Tracy Krimmer. This cover reveal is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours.

Something Just Like This
By Tracy Krimmer
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age category: Adult
Release Date: February 14, 2018

Blurb:
Love? Second chances? That crap is for romantics, not realists like Juliette. She has a bad attitude about love and an even worse one when it comes to second chances. And she may dress like an elf for a few weeks out of the year, but that doesn’t mean she loves Christmas.

Stability? Purpose? Landon is surfing a pleasant wave of both until he’s fired. Devastating news from his sister certainly doesn’t help. At least he has the holidays to look forward to.

When Landon shows up at the mall and Juliette prevents a disaster, he can’t stop thinking about that sweet elf. Juliette doesn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas, but she can’t help but wonder why Landon was in her line that day. Could Landon deserve one of those second chances she’s so unwilling to give?

You can find Something Just Like This on Goodreads

You can pre-order Something Just Like This on Amazon for only $2.99 through February 15.
It will be available in Kindle Unlimited after release day.

Excerpt Something Just Like This by Tracy Krimmer

“Don’t be a Grinch!”
“Huh?” I lift my gaze and my best friend and co-worker Carly stands in the doorway, the smile so bright on her face it almost blinds me. “What do you mean don’t be a Grinch?”
“Oh, you know,” she says as she makes her way into the room, planting herself in my chair. “Like you are every holiday season.”
“I’m not a Grinch.” Maybe I am. I try my best not to show it. It’s possible I don’t have a convincing poker face. Poker was never my game, anyway.
“You most certainly are. Every Christmas party you sulk at the table drinking gin and tonic and refuse to join in on anything. This year, you are in. You’ll be the life of the party.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Shit, Jules, your stiff body would be a better time than you are alive at these functions.”
She’s right, and I know it. Why is she always right? I want to take offense but it’s no secret I’m not Christmas’s biggest fan. I may be the only elf working at the mall that despises it. The elf job isn’t for me, though. I do it for others. That’s festive, isn’t it? Isn’t Christmas about giving? I do plenty of that.
“Leave me alone. And why are you so bubbly? Did you drink a bottle of bubble bath or something?” I grab the container of pens, staples, and paperclips out of the box and place them on the desk. This is much easier to deal with than the picture of my family with our fake smiles.
“Oh, I don’t know.”
She dots her face with her fingertips, moving them around from one side to the other. Why is she acting so weird? “Wait.” I stop when I see it. “Are you wearing an engagement ring?”
She squeals and pops out of the chair, rushing over to show me. Her hand misses smacking me in the face as she shows off her princess cut ring, sparkles and all. “Pretty.”
“Pretty? Are you kidding me right now, Jules? This ring is gorgeous and fit for the fairest princess in the land.”
“Which is you, I assume.”
“What crawled into your pants this morning? Or should I ask who didn’t? Another bad date, huh?”
I shrug, not in the mood to discuss my date with Romeo. No joke. My cousin Dana claimed she found the perfect guy for me, and I said yes to a blind date. His name was Romy, like Mira Sorvino in that movie Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion. I’d only ever heard the name Romy from that movie. It turned out he used Romy as a nickname for Romeo. Yeah. Dana set me up with a Romeo because of course we’d be Romeo and Juliette. Barf. I don’t even spell my name like the Shakespearean character, and the last thing I would ever do is poison myself over a man. Dana had her fun. I did not. She’s never setting me up again.
“Let’s say I got home very early, watched an entire movie, and was asleep by ten.”
“Ouch. That is a bad date.”

About the Author:
Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day you’ll find her writing at one of her favorite spots–on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop.

You can find and contact Tracy here:
– Website
– Twitter
– Facebook
– Reader Group
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– Bookbub
– Instagram
– Newsletter

Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Something Just Like This. One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review/ Winter Solstice

Posted on November 19, 2017November 22, 2017 by Cindy

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
Format: ARC, Hardcover
Published by Little, Brown and Company on October 3rd 2017
Pages: 304
Goodreads

*The USA Today Bestseller* Raise one last glass with the Quinn Family at the Winter Street Inn.
It's been too long since the entire Quinn family has been able to celebrate the holidays under the same roof, but that's about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for a holiday more joyous than any they've experienced in years. And Bart's safe return isn't the family's only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle; Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society; Ava thinks she's finally found the love of her life; and Kelly is thrilled to see his family reunited at last. But it just wouldn't be a Quinn family gathering if things went smoothly. A celebration of everything we love--and some of the things we endure--about the holidays, WINTER SOLSTICE is Elin Hilderbrand at her festive best.

I quickly have to thank Little Brown and Company for sending me a advance readers copy of this fourth and probably final book in the Winter series. I would only hope that Elin decides to perhaps write a fifth book to kind of just tie up some loose ends as to what happens next and I could see that there could be another book but its always hard to tell in these cases.

I loved this series and I think it was a great introduction into Elin Hilderbrand’s writing and its peeked my interested that I decided in 2018 I need to do a Elin Hilderbrand reading challenge and read her other series. Is there a series I should start off with?

Like the previous books the Quinn family heads to Nantucket for the holiday season to be together as a family in what possibly could be the last one together.

In the previous book Kelly, the father has brain cancer and has decided to stop treatment so every day could possibly be the last day. He wants to be with his family and take it all in without being sick with chemicals in his body. He wants to go on his terms not anyone elses.

The book is told in alternating voices of the Quinn family like the previous ones. In my previous reviews I have always gone in order but this time I am going to start with Bart. He is finally home safe and sound but still dealing with the lingering affects of what he endured. He is secluded in his room dealing with the fact he watched his friends being killed. Mitzi is trying everything to help her son and things having a big birthday party is just the thing. He is against it the whole time but gives in because he wants to make his mother happy and I honestly think he is happy that he let her do it because he finally gets a happy ending and this is one of the reason I think Bart needs a series of his own or at least a book. I loved Bart.

Ava is now living in NYC and has a new boyfriend. She is teaching music at a private school and is loving it. She is on the right track with the new boyfriend but hits a road bump when his ex comes to town with her new boyfriend and his son. Things get off to a rocky start between everyone. I am happy that Ava didn’t give up and throw in the towel. I think this also could be another book.

Kevin and Isabelle are the happy little family and parents to two kids and their business is starting to take out.

Finally Patrick is trying to get his own business back up but is finding it hard. His wife, Jennifer is a interior decorator and trying her best to keep the family going but hits a road blog when a client is asking for more and puts her in a awkward position. Will she tell Patrick what really happens?

As I have mentioned throughout the review I think each of these characters could have a book or series of there own and I would clearly read them because I want to know more and what happens to them. As you can see I am invested in them.

I was reading that one of the characters in the book Eddie is actually a character in the book The Rumor so I think I will need to check that out because his character was tossed into the book and he had a shady past that I wanted to know more about because its like he came in from left field.

I hope that this is not the end of the characters. I really enjoyed these quick reads and so happy I read them.

Review/ Winter Storms

Posted on November 18, 2017November 20, 2017 by Cindy

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
Published by Back Bay Books on October 3rd 2017
Pages: 256
Goodreads

Are the skies clearing up at last for the Quinn family?
Some of the stormy weather of the last few years seems to have finally lifted for the Quinns, and if there's one holiday that lets them be grateful for the good times, it's Christmas. This year promises to be a celebration unlike any other as they prepare to host a family wedding at the Inn. As the special day approaches, a once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinns away from the place, and the people, they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough upheavals to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog, in this touching novel that proves when the holidays roll around, you can always go home again.

This is the third and what was suppose to be the final book in the series as I am updating this post. Check back tomorrow for my review on Winter Solstice which I do believe is the final book but you never know.

This was another pretty quick read for me and read it within a night or two. Going into the book at the time I really want to jump in and find out what was going to happen in this last book. After reading this series I am really interested in reading her other series and perhaps I need to make that a reading challenge for 2018.

Winter Storm picks up several months after the previous book and unlike the previous books they don’t take place within several days of each but over the course Spring, Summer, Fall and winter holiday season. Its told in the same format as the Quinn family telling the story.

In this story Patrick is released from jail and his family is excited but if you think it would be all honky dory you are in for a surprise just like Patrick was when he came out. Patrick and his brother Kevin have discovered that Patrick’s wife, Jennifer has a pill addiction and her supplier is know to the family who has changed a lot since she was last seen by the family. Will Jennifer get the help she needs? Will she be able to kick the addiction?

Kevin and his soon to be wife have moved out of the Quinn’s into their own little cottage and are getting ready for their winter wedding and life seems good for them.

Ava is still in that love triangle from the last book with Scott and Nathanial. Scott is dating his colleague and Ava while Ava is dating Scott and Nathaniel. Its like she wants to have her cake and eat it too but can’t handle anyone else doing the same thing. We all know love triangles never work and eventually it will happen in this case. Thankfully Ava gets whisked away to the Caribbean and its there that she meets a handsome stranger. Could this be the start of something?

Bart is found and is coming home which makes the family happy. Everyone is excited to blessed knowing that he is safe and sound but is he really?

With a storm bearing down on the east coast can the Quinn family make it home for the holidays before its too late? Will Kelly tell his family about his newest health issues or will be keep it a secret for awhile yet?

After reading this I kept thinking there has to be another book because they can’t end like this, can they? I had to know more about Kelly and what would happen so trust me when I say this I had so many unanswered questions that I am actually hoping for a fourth book. Please let there be a fourth book.

Review/ Wheeler

Posted on November 17, 2017November 17, 2017 by Cindy

Wheeler
Sara Butler Zalesky
Publication date: July 4th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Sports, Suspense

Known as the Ice Queen of the peloton, pro cyclist Loren Mackenzie rarely shows emotion in the heat of competition; she leads her team with quiet strength and determination. But her successes have not come without suffering, and her tragic past is hidden inside tarnished armor.

While out on a training ride with her cycling team near Enfield, England, a chance meeting quickly develops into an unexpected whirlwind romance. But a relationship with an A-list celebrity brings with it the microscope of tabloid-media attention, which expose jealousy and rivalry that threaten to undermine Loren’s leadership of her team.

The new romance also reveals a dangerous obsession, culminating in a terrifying confrontation with someone from Loren’s past. Her injuries not only put her chances at the World Championship in jeopardy but also bring forth memories of a life she had long buried – for good reason.

Can Loren open her heart to the love she has held at a distance, or will her fear ultimately defeat her?

The follow up novel in the Wheeler series is coming soon.

Before beginning my review I just quickly have to thank Xpresso Book Tours for sending me a copy of the book to read and for allowing me to be a part of this book tour.

As a book blogger you tend to want to step outside your normal reading zone every now and then just to read something new and this year I made it a point that I really want to do more of this because I was noticing that I read a lot of the same genre and tend to find that after a while it just all sounds the same. The same story but just by a different author, if that makes sense?

Wheeler was definitely outside what I normal read and I have to say that I enjoyed it this. Its got a little bit of romance and suspense which I think make the book a great read. Its a roller coaster of emotions of highs and lows and I think that is what makes the book a great read. You could tell that this was a passion of Sara’s because she filled you in without over whelming you.

Our main character is Loren and she is a professional cyclist who competes and has earned the nick name Ice Queen because when she competes she shows no emotion what so ever. I have to admit that I don’t know anything about being a professional cyclist and I don’t watch the races so basically I know nothing about this sport but Sara does a fantastic job in bridging the gap so you can understand what is going on.

Loren’s life might seem like its perfect but only Loren knows that things don’t appear as they seem. Loren has a dark past and has endured horrific things but she uses that pain and suffering as her motivation to be the best she can be.

This is where the love interest comes in and that’s in the form of Graham who is a famous actor. At first Loren is weary of accepting his help but figures she has no other choice. You could tell the two hit it off but both walk away without giving each other their numbers. Graham not willing to accept his mistakes remembers Loren’s jersey logo and enlists the help of his agent to track her down and I thought that this was sweet that he just didn’t let this chance encounter pass him by that he actually went out of his way to track her down and so begins their relationship. But can this relationship stand the test of time? What will Loren do when someone else is jealous of this new budding romance?

As the story progresses Loren ends up in a horrific accident and is rushed to the hospital and you know that this is where things start to go wrong and where you are rooting for Loren. Loren is determined to not let anything stand in her way of competing even though she really should be resting and taking it easy.

Enter Loren’s former ex-boyfriend, Felix who is still basically obsessed with her and he will do anything to make her his again. How far will he go?

I am curious to read the follow up to see where they will go with it.

Book Spotlight/ Wheeler

Posted on November 17, 2017November 13, 2017 by Cindy

Wheeler
Sara Butler Zalesky
Publication date: July 4th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Sports, Suspense

Known as the Ice Queen of the peloton, pro cyclist Loren Mackenzie rarely shows emotion in the heat of competition; she leads her team with quiet strength and determination. But her successes have not come without suffering, and her tragic past is hidden inside tarnished armor.

While out on a training ride with her cycling team near Enfield, England, a chance meeting quickly develops into an unexpected whirlwind romance. But a relationship with an A-list celebrity brings with it the microscope of tabloid-media attention, which expose jealousy and rivalry that threaten to undermine Loren’s leadership of her team.

The new romance also reveals a dangerous obsession, culminating in a terrifying confrontation with someone from Loren’s past. Her injuries not only put her chances at the World Championship in jeopardy but also bring forth memories of a life she had long buried – for good reason.

Can Loren open her heart to the love she has held at a distance, or will her fear ultimately defeat her?

The follow up novel in the Wheeler series is coming soon.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Sara was born in the wee hours of a November night in New York City. When her family moved to a small borough in northwestern New Jersey, she had little choice but to move as well. Self-sufficiency is a tough thing for a toddler.

The dichotomy of being the middle child of three, but the only girl, was difficult, as typically no one really pays attention to a middle child. Mostly, Sara spent her time creating fanciful stories in her head when she should have been focused on other things, an issue that continues to this day.

Most of these stories have never been shared, let alone completed. This all changed in the spring of 2015, when Sara was encouraged by a friend to expand upon a short story she had accidentally emailed to him. The result is ‘Wheeler’, a romantic, women’s fiction/sport novel, which combines the author’s romantic inclinations and her passion for cycling.

Sara currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with her loving husband and their son. She is a paralegal for a boutique law firm in Chester County, Pa, an avid road cyclist and indoor cycling instructor at a national chain.

Follow the author’s blog at sarabutlerzalesky.wordpress.com or on Twitter @sarazalesky. She does a little dance every time someone ‘follows’ her on Twitter. Really.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal/ Right Kiss. Wrong Guy

Posted on November 17, 2017November 16, 2017 by Cindy

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Right Kiss. Wrong Guy. (Offsides #2)
by Natalie Decker

presented by Swoon Romance!

Be on the lookout for this upcoming title!

What do you think of the cover?

You’d think a girl with the most romantic name in the world would have her pick of boyfriends.

But Valentine’s Day sucks when you’re single. Just ask Juliet Valentine, whose last name happens to also be the name of the most dreaded made-up holiday ever.

A romantic at heart, this year is especially hard on Juliet. Her sister, Layla, is in a new relationship, her mom’s match-making business is doing great, and her school’s new fundraiser is “Love-Grams.”

Juliet’s miserable, a little jealous, and lonely.

Quarterback Jared Black is the most popular guy in school. A star athlete, Jared tops the most-eligible bachelor list year after year. But to Juliet Valentine, he’s all but invisible. She isn’t impressed.

Jared’s never had to work hard to get the attention of a girl before. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and he’s determined to ask Juliet out. After all, if Tyler can win over Layla, Jared ought to have a shot with Layla’s sister.

Unlike Tyler and Layla, charm, flattery and good looks won’t work on Juliet. So with the V-Day dance coming up, Jared uses the school’s Love-Grams to let Juliet know how he feels. Should be simple enough, right?

Wrong. Each attempt ends up either in the trash or thrown in someone’s face. Juliet won’t play his game.

Now, without a date to the dance Jared realizes it’s going to take a Hail Mary to win the girl of his dreams.

Right Kiss. Wrong Guy. (Offsides #2)
by Natalie Decker
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Available for Pre-order:
Amazon

Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads