Review: Alexandra, Gone by Anna McPartlin

Let me thank Sarah Reidy with Pocket Books for letting me participate in the blog tour.



About the Book

LETTING GO FOR GOOD . . .

Once, Jane Moore and Alexandra Walsh were inseparable, sharing secrets and stolen candy, plotting their futures together. But when Jane became pregnant at seventeen, they drifted slowly apart. Jane has spent the years since raising her son, now seventeen himself, on her own, running a gallery, managing her sister’s art career, and looking after their volatile mother—all the while trying not to resent the limited choices life has given her.

Then a quirk of fate and a faulty elevator bring Jane into contact with Tom, Alexandra’s husband, who has some shocking news. Alexandra disappeared from a south Dublin suburb months ago, and Tom has been searching fruitlessly for her. Jane offers to help, as do the elevator’s other passengers—Jane’s brilliant but self-absorbed sister, Elle, and Leslie Sheehan, a reclusive web designer who’s ready to step back into the world again. And as Jane quickly realizes, Tom isn’t the only one among them who’s looking for something . . . or traveling toward unexpected revelations about love, life, and what it means to let go, in every sense.

In this insightful and irresistible novel, by turns profound, poignant, and laugh- out-loud funny, acclaimed Irish writer Anna McPartlin tells a story of friendship and love, of the families we are born into and the ones we create for ourselves, and of the hope and strength that remain when we fi nd the courage to leave the past behind at last.

My Review

I really liked this book. The title would suggest that it is about Alexandra, and it is to an extent. But the real story involves the other characters and what they go through while trying to find Alexandra. Really the character Alexandra is just a catalyst to pull all of the other characters together. Not to say that Alexandra isn't part of the plot, because the entire book revolves around finding her, but she's not part of the main stories.

This book reminded me a bit of a Maeve Binchy novel. Even before I read the author bio, and realized that McPartlin also lives in Ireland. I guess it's a similarity in Irish authors, but luckily Maeve Binchy is one of my favorite authors so being similar to one of her books is a good thing (at least in my opinion). The writing is similar and the dialect is the same. While this story doesn't have a Binchy style happy ending it is still very similar.

There was really only one character that I connected with, and that was Leslie. I too have lost family to cancer, and like Leslie am scared every time I go to the doctor that they will find something. Even though I didn't really have a personal connection with the rest of the characters I still liked every one of them. Jane is the levelheaded one. She keeps everyone else "in line" so to speak. Elle is the one that adds drama and excitement to the story. Tom is the one we all want to feel sympathetic for. The rest of the characters help the plot along, but I didn't really feel anything for them. They were just kind of there.

The writing was very good. It was humorous, touching, and romantic. Everything in the story was believable. I didn't feel as if any of the characters were fake, and the dialog was real. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming. And while I knew how the story would end I didn't expect it to take the path it took to get there.

Overall this was a great book. I liked the characters, the plot, and the writing. It's very readable, and I think I could read this again.

For more information about Alexandra, Gone please visit Simon & Schuster's website.
For more information about Anna McPartlin please visit her website.

Alexandra, Gone

Guest Blog Post: Author Jaree Francis

Today is a special gust blog post. Author Jaree Francis is doing a post in honor of his mother who's birthday happens to be today! I'm glad to share this special day with him and his mother.



I am truly honored to be a guest blogger on this wonderful site. First off, let me introduce myself. I am Jaree Francis, author of Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss. It’s a fresh, urban fiction novel. Don’t turn your nose up at me because I said urban fiction. Thank you! With that said, I’ll be moving right along. Now some say there are no coincidences. Hmmm….maybe so, maybe no. But it wasn’t much of a coincidence that the day available for me to blog happens to be my mother’s birthday =) Yes, ladies & gentlemen, April 13th is my mother’s birthday. So I said to myself: I need to dedicate a blog to my mother. She undoubtedly deserves such treatment.

I can only imagine that being a mother is no easy task, yet they always find a way. Mothers know best, right? That’s more than just a catchy phrase, it holds weight in the modern world as it has throughout civilization. They can mold the future generations into works of art through their dedication to motherhood. And their work’s never done, continuing beyond those that society deems as adults.

To say my mother was and still is a motivator would be telling the truth. She inspires me because of her resilient moral fabric, facilitative skills, and ability to dream through it all. When I say dream through it all, I mean she always believes that there could be something special right around the corner. No matter the dream that I mention to her, she believes that it can be possible. That positivity I have incorporated into my own circle and it has benefited me tremendously. In a world where there is so much chaos & despair, it’s okay to dream. To know that things can be different and that we can be the source of change is a blessing.

Whenever I talk to my mom, she is always willing to give advice as well as just listen to my words. This is what friends do. So she’s a mother as well as a friend and not to mention a counselor, if you will. To see the world changing before your very eyes at such an alarming rate, you want some stability. And who have you been relying on such for so long? Mother, no doubt.

Feed you. Clothe you. Pray for you. Dream your dreams for you. Motivate you. Care for you. Sacrifice for you. These are things mothers do from New York to New Delhi. If your mother is alive, I want you to give her a call or shoot her an e-mail. Tell her thanks for all that she’s done and may still be doing ;) And if you’re reading this and you’re a mother, pat yourself on the back. And on the slightly more somber side of things, if your mother passed, just know that energy never dies. Her love remains. We are what we are. What we are are souls. These bodies are just shells that house us for the time being. So don’t cry; she will always be with you in spirit. That is the beauty within the circle of love. It’s constant rotation.

So in closing, I want to thank you for checking out my guest blog. It’s most appreciated and I wish you all peace & many blessings. And to my mother, Happy Birthday!!!

- Jay

Jay thank you for your post. Again I am so happy to have shared part of this day with you and your mother. And mothers are a great blessing. I know I've been bless with two great mothers and believe me I know how lucky I am for that. Not that my father isn't as great as a blessing but there's a special bond between mother and child. I wish your mother a Happy Birthday and hope that it was filled with great things!

Review: Sexaholics by Pynk

Let me thank Anna Balasi with Hachette Book Group for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.



About the Book

Miki, Valencia, Teela Raye, and Brandi share one thing...they are all addicted to sex. United through Sexaholics Anonymous, these women try to recover from their dependence on wild, spontaneous, and even sometimes, dangerous sex. From whips and chains, to sex in public, they have done it all! Led by Dr. Rachel Cummings, each woman takes the first step to recovery by sharing her biggest sexual act with the group. SEXAHOLICS takes readers through the outrageous experiences of four women on their long path to success.

My Review

When I started this book I didn't know what to expect. I've read some pretty steamy romance, but never erotica. So I figured that the book would be one steamy scene after another, given my past experiences with steamy romance novels. While there were some pretty intense scenes there was so much more to this book.

With everything in the news about Tiger Woods, Jesse James, and their mistresses I think people don't fully understand what a sex addiction is. We see it on the news but it's still limited information. That and when we hear about someone who is a sex addict they are almost always men. This book takes us into the minds of 4 sex addicts who just happen to be women. I think the story could have been just as good if the characters were men but think I related more to them because they were women. It made me feel a connection with them.

Like I said earlier, there were some pretty steamy scenes. But I thought they were written tastefully. To me it wasn't just a sex scene there was so much more going on deeper in the story with every interaction. The characters were so well developed. While I don't suffer from a sex addiction I was actually able to connect with the characters and understand why they were doing the things they did.

The story was great. As each of the 4 stories progresses to the end there were a few twists thrown in that I never expected. I won't give any details away, but let’s just say that everyone who's done what she did deserves that kind of punishment. I think it would put an end to those kinds of problems if people knew that's what was coming for them....

I'm glad that I read this book. I think the subject matter is something that needed to be touched on. There are real people who truly suffer from sex addictions. I think it took a brilliant author to write this book, keep it tasteful, and show (what felt to me as authentic) a look at the lives of sex addicts.

To find out more about Sexaholics please visit Hachette Book Groups website.
To find out more about author PYNK please visit her website.

I will be hosting a giveaway for 5 copies of Sexaholics so please check back on Thursday for the rules!

Sexaholics

Guest Blog: Author Robert Wacaster

I'm happy to announce another guest blog from author Robert Wacaster. Today Robert is blogging about his writing process. So here's Robert:



I thought I’d push one more guest blog on Jennifer. I saw that she wants to know what authors think about while they’re writing. I think about the story. It usually flows through me, and I can see the characters in my head, like a movie. Just a second…I need to see if I’ve sold more books. Nope, haven’t sold any more yet. Anyway, as I was saying, when I write, it’s like I’m just writing what I see in my head. The story just sort of runs itself. I just kind of…Ok, I need to check on book sales again…nope, still haven’t…oh wait, one was sold on the Kindle.

Did that last paragraph seem funny? That’s what authors think about sometimes. “How many books have I sold?” Sometimes we get more worried about that than we should be. It’s the craft we should be worrying about, not the sales! I finally quit EXPECTING people to buy, read, and review my books, and SENT books out to people so they could read and review them! I keep telling myself not to worry about the sales! I’m a working Joe and don’t have to depend on what I write to get by! But still…

Ok, back to what I think about when I write. I met a new friend online who has quite a bit more experience than I do. She’s put out more books than I have, and is much better than I am at editing. And now she’s offered to edit a new one I’m writing. Wow, someone good at editing. Now though, as I write I wonder to myself if what I’m writing is going to look good to her? Am I using the right expressions? Do the characters “smile” too much? (Yes, she’s pointed that out to me from one of my other books. ) I wonder if she’ll like the direction the story is taking? Now that people are paying for what I write, things are becoming more complicated.

But in reality, is writing becoming more complicated for me? The answer is no. I still sit at a keyboard and type what goes through my head. I sit here and type this up for Jennifer and act like I’ll be nervous writing, but I really won’t be. I’ll still type the story I want to tell, and my new editor will make the small changes she feels are necessary. It’ll still be my story, and will still come out the way I write it. So I guess I’m wondering the same thing Jennifer is: What am I thinking about while I write? Well, hopefully the same thing people think about when they read: The Story.

Adventures in Casino Security

A Writer’s Love Story

Frigate: November

Thank you Robert for another entertaining post. And just so everyone knows he didn't "push" another blog on me. I offered my blog to him for posts whenever he wants! I hope you've sold some more books. I just started Frigate: November so hopefully I'll have a review here real soon!

I think it's great that you've found a friend who has the editing experience to help you with your writing. I've never wrote a book, but I would think that if I had someone who's been in the trenches to help me out it would be a good thing! Again thank you Robert I look forward to hearing from you in the future!

Review: How to Never Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp

I won this book in a giveaway from Library Thing.



About the Book

The new groundbreaking style-guide from bestseller author Charla Krupp on how to look 10 pounds lighter, 10 years younger and 10 times sexier every day, all year--in summer, winter, at the gym, even in a swimsuit!

You'll never get dressed the same way again once you discover:

*smart, easy ways to hide arm flap, a big bust, a muffin top, back fat, Buddha belly, a big booty, wide hips, thunder thighs, and heavy calves-and that's only half the book.

*which fabrics, colors, and styles make women look fat

*absolutely the best shades, shapes, and brilliant buys to make the pounds invisible

*clever solutions for special fashion situations--workout gear, evening wear, and even swimsuits!

*which products, fashions, and services you shouldn't waste your money on

*the top ten tips that will make you look thinner by tonight!

So, if you've ever put on a piece of clothing and asked "Does this make me look fat?" Finally, here is the book that will answer your question.

My Review:

I'm a big girl, and even though in the beginning Krupp states that obese (anyone over 50 pounds) should loose weight before using these tips I think that anyone can really benefit from dressing nicer. I've always been taught that feeling good about yourself is the best way to make a change. If you dress up you feel better, and to keep that feeling you are then more willing to make other changes (such as loosing weight).

I like how the book was broken down. Krupp goes through each of the problem areas women have and gives tips on how to dress that area properly. Many of the tips transcend multiple areas so you won't be standing in a store thinking "this shirt helps here but not there". By including the same items through a few different body areas you can buy a few "no-fat" or "low-fat" pieces to add to your wardrobe, instead of paying for a whole new wardrobe.

I also like the section in the back where she tells you to go through your closet. She gives you a brief step-by-step to really get the "high-fat" clothes rid from your life. The reason I liked this section is that just going and buying a few new pieces and adding them to your closet isn't going to keep you from dressing in the "high-fat" clothes. To really take advantage of the tips in this book you need to start with a clean slate, so to speak.

After reading this book, seeing the pictures that show the tips she gives, and really analyzing the clothes you currently have and the clothes you are going to buy you should be able to dress thinner without ever stepping foot into a gym. Although even with a new wardrobe the gym is never a bad thing. (She even has hints on how to dress at the gym! How great is that!)

To find out more about How to Never Look Fat Again please visit Hachette Book Group's website.

How to Never Look Fat Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner--Without Dieting!