"What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty (We Both Liked This!)

In What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, Alice is 29, loves her husband and is expecting a baby--life is good!  She has a fall at the gym though and has to go to the hospital.  At the hospital, she finds out she is 39 and has three kids but is getting a divorce!  What is going on?  Has she really lost the last ten years?

I enjoyed this book very much!  Alice was interesting and for sure funny!  It kept my interest throughout.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty is a thought provoking contemporary fiction book about amnesia.  At age 39, Alice hit her head hard on the handlebars when she fell in her spin class and lost the last ten years of memory.  She forgot she had three children, forgot she was very involved in their school, forgot all the changes her and her husband made to their home, forgot her best friend, and forgot she and her husband were now separated!   Her husband, Nick, loves his kids and was a good husband but what happened?  Alice forgot and is anxious to reconcile and have Nick come back home.  What happens when she finally remembers?  Will their family reunite or will Alice and Nick go their separate ways?

This is a very interesting, thought provoking and fun read.  Makes you think what has changed in your own life in the past ten years.  This book mostly covers the week after Alice's fall but then jumps ahead at the end about ten years into the future.  I loved the humor in this and would have given it 5 stars except I did not care about the sister's infertility story line and all her miscarriages.  I thought that part was quite boring and the book would have been better if it just focused on Alice and her family.  I really enjoyed Nick and her children!  This book actually looks at love from several different perspectives:  lost love, dating love, marriage love through the ups and downs, late-in-life love, and unexpected love.  We both think this would be a great book for a book club.  It has some questions in the back.  (4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Paper Roses" (Texas Dreams Book 1 series) by Amanda Cabot

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot takes place in the 1800s in Texas.  Sarah is a mail-order bride with a younger sister to care for who is angry at her father for shooting her mother and then himself.  She leaves Philadelphia and the loneliness to start a new life in Texas but finds something very different than what she expected.

I enjoyed this story because of the mystery included to make it more than just another Christian fiction romance that is predictable.  Although the romance part was predictable from the start, I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end.  The theme of the book is that God can bring good out of bad situations.  I liked the characters and I always looked forward to getting back to reading it to see what would happen next. 

This is the first book I've read by this author but plan on reading more by starting with completing this trilogy.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

Alice thought about yelling, ACTUALLY, I'M GOING OUT OF MY MIND! but she didn't want to make the nurse feel uncomfortable.  Crazy behavior made people feel awkward.

From page 54 of What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.

Karen's:

Had it been less than an hour since she'd assured Thea everything would be all right?  How wrong she'd been.

From Loc. 229-3 on Kindle from Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot (Texas Dreams Book #1)
 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.   Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.  Happy Reading!

"New Boy" by Tracy Chevalier (a retelling of Shakespeare's Othello)

New Boy by Tracy Chevalier is the retelling of Shakespeare's Othello, but I never read or saw Othello performed so can't comment on how closely this book relates to it.  This is the story of the inter-relationships of several 6th graders at an all-white school with the exception of a new black boy from Ghana.  Osei is a diplomat's son who is used to changing schools often and being the new kid.  He just thinks that getting through the school day without getting beat up would be a success.  The story is placed in the 1970s.

Using the mundane ordinary school day of a 6th grade class, the author tackles racism, bullying and friendship.  This is a quick read that shows how mean children can be to each other.  I was shocked at the ending but will not spoil it for you.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)  

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Endure" by Sara B. Larson is Heart Wrenching! (Updated)

Endure by Sara B. Larson is the third and final book in the Defy Series which we both highly recommend.   Alexa again has her hands full trying to hold off the enemy and make sure King Damian is safe!  This book is probably the best of the series.  It has tons of action from the outset and the pacing of the book is very good!  I just had to see what was going to happen next!  This is one of the top series that I have ever read!  I LOVED IT!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review 3/19/16:
Endure by Sara B. Larson is not only the third book of the Defy trilogy, but also the best! Good characters are motivated by love and loyalty while evil characters are motivated by greed and power in a struggle to survive. Alexa and Damian’s love story continues on throughout this book and is heartbreaking. Alexa’s fight against Armando and his black sorcerers is amazing! There is lots of action in this book as well as the tender moments of friendship and love.

I loved this last book of the series which is captivating and even made me cry near the end. When Alexa left King Damian after his proposal to rescue her friend, Rylan, I thought she was nuts and was proved to be right! I actually felt she made a very bad decision there and didn’t have as much sympathy for her during her captivity as I otherwise would have. I felt it was her own fault for being so stupid to go back to Dansii with Eljin to save Rylan.

At any rate, this is a very entertaining and adventurous fantasy/clean romance series I highly recommend, especially for anyone new to fantasy. I was never bored and it moved along well. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)
This series reminded me a lot of THE THRONE OF GLASS series by Sarah J. Mass.  I discuss some differences and similarities in this video:
  



See my reviews of Defy-Book 1 and Ignite-Book #2

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

No matter how many times I struck him, he never died.  Instead, his eyes glowed with the fires of the demons whose power he'd wielded, as he laughed and laughed at me . . .

From page 13 of Ignite by Sara B. Larson (2nd book of Defy series).

"Do not thank me.  All I did was teach them to fear me."

From page 16 of And I Darken by Kiersten White.

Even with the door shut, the smell still lingered in my nose.  I looked down at his knife and tried to keep my expression neutral, despite the uneasiness in my gut.

From page 15 of Defy by Sara B. Larson.

Karen's:

Now someone new and different had entered the territory, and this made Dee look at the space anew and suddenly find it shabby, and herself an alien in it.  Like him.

From page 10 of Dew Boy by Tracy Chevalier.

"Hi--whoa there, look out for the mantelpiece!"  This was to Michael, who had suddenly risen from the floor and was swooping through the air, roaring with laughter, and just grazing the china ornaments on the mantelpiece as he passed.

From page 49 of Mary Poppins 80th Anniversary Collection by P. L. Travers.
 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.   Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.  Happy Reading!

"Ignite" by Sara B. Larson is a Fun Fantasy Read--Second Book of Series

Ignite by Sara B. Larson is book 2 of 3 in the Defy series.  King Hectoer has been killed and now Damian is the king.  Alexa is there to protect him.  Peace reigns in the land, but that is fleeting.  Soon there is danger, plenty of it!  WOW!  This book is so good!  It is as good as the first if not better because there is plenty of action and you do not know what is going to happen next.  Alexa is a fantastic character and the secondary ones are very good too.  The writing is great!  It gives you all you could ask for in a book.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)


Karen's review 3/17/16, 4 stars:

Ignite by Sara B. Larson is book 2 in the DEFY series that is full of attacks, betrayal, suspense and mind controlling magic!  King Damian and his kingdom are at a loss when it looks like Blevon is breaking their peace treating.  Alexa and Damian’s love story continues and Rylan gets into some major trouble. Alexa is jealous when he falls for a beautiful woman visitor. Damian’s younger brother is abducted and just when things seem to be going right for King Damian, Alexa suppresses some important information from him and that’s where this book ends. This book left me with several unanswered questions that make me look forward to continuing on with the last book in the series, Endure.  Will Alexa and King Damian get their happy ever after ending?  What will happen to Rafe and Dansii?  Will Eljin fully recover and be able to help save Blevon and the sorcerer's temple?  Will Alexa actually get to become the Queen?

I liked this book as much as the first of this series and can’t help but root for Alexa and Damian to finally find happiness together. There is lots of fighting in this book but with a twist when Alexa has no choice but to fight her friends to survive. I liked all the action in this book as well as the romantic story line between Damian and Alexa.

See our review of DEFY.

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"And I Darken" by Kiersten White"

In And I Darken by Kiersten White,  Lada and Radu are brother and sister.  Their father sends them off to another land.  Lada hates it and cannot wait to go to her homeland and claim her birthright.  Lada is a great character!  She knows what she wants and how to get it!  There is a lot more to this book than her story line; I enjoyed it all!  There is good action so I look forward to book 2 in this series.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"DEFY" by Sara B. Larson (Both of us Liked This Fantasy!)

Manny Boy being defiant--ignoring the book!

In Defy by Sara B. Larson, Alexa is a fighter, the best of the guard that protects Prince Damian.  She also has a secret that she hides, but when another guard and the prince are taken captive, Alexa finds out there are other secrets out there.  

This book was SO GOOD!  I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it.  From page 1 I was hooked!  The characters are really good and there is lots of action too!  I will continue with this series for sure!  This is my book of the month!  I highly recommend this one!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)


(Karen's review 3/4/16)
Defy by Sara B. Larson is a YA fantasy novel about Alexa, who pretends she is a boy to avoid being captured and put into King Hector’s “breeding house.” Instead, she serves with her twin brother as a guard for Prince Damian. She is actually the best sword fighter in the army and would be captain except she is too young.

There is some mystery and action throughout this first book in the series. Secrets are revealed, people feel betrayed and Alexa finally gets to be herself. With some magic and a love triangle, this book kept my interest and I enjoyed it.  I look forward to reading the rest of this series with Ignite and Endure.
(4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Dark Breaks the Dawn" by Sara B. Larson (We Disagree on the Ending)

In Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson, Princess Evelayn can now have access to her full power!  Her mother is at the war front fighting against the Dark Power!  When her mom is killed, it is up to Evelayn to somehow gain the peace between Dark and Dawn.  WOW!

This book is so good!  The pace is perfect and it all leads to an incredible ending that I did not see coming at all!  I need book 2 soon!  This is a "must read" for fantasy lovers.
(Gerard's review 6/28/17, 5++ stars) 

Karen's review, 7/11/17:

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson is a YA fantasy that held my interest from start to finish with no boring parts.  This has magic, romance, plots and betrayal.  It is not often I want to throw the book after I finish it, but this one got me riled up at the ending.  I really liked it all the way through up to the end which was heart breaking.    Because of the horrible ending, this one only gets 3 stars from me.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

Almost unconsciously, Neil Gallagher squeezed Hallie's hand between his.  She'd never held hands with a boy before. 

From page 23 of The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis.

Karen's:

"You ran into him in the forest?  When he tried to rescue you?  From what?  Or who?"

From page 25 of Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson.
 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.   Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.  Happy Reading!

"The Orphans of Race Point" by Patry Francis

The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis is about how a tragedy in the young lives form a bond between Gus and Hallie.  Hallie and Gus move forward with their lives, but when Gus gets involved in something what he thought he had dealt with comes back at him, Hallie tries to help.  This book starts out very strong, but drags in the middle.  If you stick with it, you will be rewarded with an unexpected ending!
(Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate (Historical Fiction)

In Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Avery Stafford has it all.  She was born into a wealthy family, a very good career and soon to be married to a handsome man.  A chance encounter with a member of her family cast light on a hidden secret that if gets out, her family name could be ruined!

I thought this book was very good.  I was into it from page 1 and loved the characters.  It is based on a true story.  If you get a chance, read this one--so far it is my book of the month!
(Gerard's review, 6/24/17, 5++ stars)

Karen's review, 7/8/17 (4 stars):
In Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, there is a mystery connection between two old ladies who are in a nursing home and the granddaughter of one of them who stirs up an old family secret.  The part of this book about the Tennessee Children's Home Society run by Georgia Tann and its evil practices between the 1930s and 1950s was interesting, captivating, and very disturbing.  I really liked Rill, one of the main characters who told that part of the story from her point of view.

This is a sad story with a happy ending that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about families.  The story is told from two different points of view and jumped back and forth between two story lines which eventually came together.  I think people with rough childhoods would find this book encouraging.  This was a complex book that dragged for me in parts during the one story line so that is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.      

Karen also read The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate and liked that one as well.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Sharing a book review is one of the options for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop today.  Go link yours up or maybe respond to one of the other prompts.

"The Whisper" by Emma Clayton (Juvenile Fantasy)

The Whisper by Emma Clayton is the follow-up to The Roar.  Mika and Ellie, telepathic twins, are back together again, but now they have to try to lead the brainwashed army of children that the government controls to freedom and to stop the war that is coming.

I found this book to be better than The Roar.  There is much more action and I enjoyed the parts leading up to the ending very much!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"No One Cares About Crazy People" by Ron Powers (Non-fiction)

No One Cares About Crazy People is a non-fiction book by Ron Powers.  The author is the dad to his two sons, Kevin and Dean who were both gifted but had to deal with Schizophrenia.  Some of this book is like a textbook so I just glossed over those parts.  The parts where he talks about how he and his wife dealt with their two sons was very interesting.  I hope something can be done to help the people who have this and their caretakers who are trying to do all they can to support them.
(Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays

Gerard's:

Finding them, he yanked them on, cursing as he trod on something sharp, then he rushed into the living area where his parents were sleeping on a fold-down bed.  "Mum!  Dad!  Wake up!" he whispered frantically.  "There's something weird going on!" 

From page 27 of The Roar by Emma Clayton.

Karen's:

"I have missed that more than you will ever know.  But this is something I have to do on my own."

From page 68 of Roar by Cora Carmack.
 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.   Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.  Happy Reading!

"The Roar" by Emma Clayton (Science Fiction Juvenile)

In The Roar by Emma Clayton,  Mika lives in a safe spot of London, away from the plague land.  He has lived there ever since his twin sister was taken away.  Mika is sure that Ellie is alive and knows secrets that he does not.  Now the government has a new program for children.  Will it help Mika find Ellie? 

The pace of this book was sort of slow at first, but picked up halfway through.  The ending really sets up what should be a good book 2!
(Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!