Tag: Sisters

Book Review · Books

Carry The Dog

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Some books burrow a place into your soul. Carry The Dog has done just that. The last page has been read and my brain is reeling from this novel. This novel is NOT for kids or teens. If you are sensitive to dark topics then you may want to proceed with caution. It’s dark. Pitch black, can’t see ANYTHING in front of your face. The only thing you can do is listen to the main character, Bea’s thoughts.

How do you survive a childhood overshadowed by a famous mother? To have a parent whose loved and hated by society for producing what she considers art? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what if that perspective is twisted and marred?

Bea is on the cusp of the big 60 and her childhood that she thought was ‘normal’ keeps throwing her flashbacks. She’s trying to survive. One cig and drink at a time. Thankfully she has her younger sister, of sorts, Echo to keep her grounded.

When Bea’s ex tries to worm her into agreeing to allow someone to do a documentary on her mom she’s confronted with a past she’s trying forget. How does one process trauma? She thought ignoring it would make it disappear, but when Bea tries to confront her aging father, she realizes sometimes you’ve just got to dive into the pig sty and face crap head-on.

This novel tackles the intricacies of family on a whole different level. What is a family? Can a fractured one be pieced back together? Is it possible to pick up the shards of a disassociated self and make her whole again? How does our own perception morph between childhood and adulthood?

I received a complimentary physical and digital copy of Carry The Dog by Stephanie Gangi care of Algonquin Books and NetGalley. The views are mine and of my own volition. Thank you Stephanie, Algonquin Books and NetGalley. This novel is Gone Girl level on the psychological front. I almost couldn’t stomach it, but I’m glad I did.

Book Review · Books

How To Make A Life

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If you love family sagas then you need to go grab a stunning copy of How To Make A Life. This novel tumbles you first into Ida’s world, the old country, the Ukraine. Due to the first war she escapes off to America with her two young daughters, where she works to build a brand new life for them. Ida can’t wait to put away the horrors of the war behind her.

This novel touches on the tough subject of mental illness and how society has viewed it through the decades and how family members can view it very differently. Would you be strong enough to call it out when a family member may need help instead of keeping quiet since you speak out loud just may bring shame on the family?Another subject that is focused on is sisterhood. When is being a sister go from caring to usury?

Each chapter gives the point of view from a different family member through different eras. Join Ida, Bessie, Jenny, Ruby, Morris, Irene, Abe and others on their adventures through life.

I received my complimentary copy of How To Make A Life by Florence Reiss Kraut from She Writes Press, care of Smith Publicity. The views are mine and of my own choice. I love the cover of this book. I have a soft spot for WWII books and this cover gives off the rustic, charming, 1940’s antique look. It makes me feel like I could walk right out onto the cover and be there with the characters.

Book Review · Books

The Socialite

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If you love war romance novels then you are in for a treat. Enter the world of Katherine Whitfield who is determined to bring back her wayward sister, Eleanor from Nazi occupied France. Kat just wants to get convincing her sister to come back home over and done quick, but a handsome stranger seems to drop in the night Kat arrives to confront Eleanor. Who is this handsome man?

Barrett Anderson runs a local bar and seems to pop up anytime Kat needs help with Eleanor, but the person holding her sister back is Eric, her dashingly handsome Nazi boyfriend. This man makes Kat sick, but Eleanor seems blinded by Eric’s good looks and money.

Will Kat be able to get through her sister’s head how dangerous Eric is? Will this handsome stranger ever explain himself as to why he seems to be swimming in the same circles as Eleanor and Eric, but isn’t a Nazi, but a Scotchman with the brogue to boot. The more Kat tries to convince Eleanor to come back home to England the more Eric tries to block their goal. Will the sisters ever make it out of Paris?

I received my complimentary copy of The Socialite by J’Nell Ciesielski from Thomas Nelson, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To grab a stunning copy of your own support Thomas Nelson and to check out more about the author. This novel is rich in atmosphere, characterization and even has snippets of humor. The cover of this novel is beyond gorgeous. The dress the main character has on just ripples with elegance and the fashionable way her hair is coifed makes a woman want to throw on some classic candy red lipstick. It makes me wish for the classic beauty of that era.

Book Review · Books

The Moonglow Sisters

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Some books are life changers. Some stories take you down a long dark tunnel that is scary as Hell, but the story stays with you, to comfort and guide you to the end where your life becomes that much brighter. This story is one of those gems.

Gia, Shelley and Maddie were as close as three sisters could be until the night their bond was destroyed and they each went their own, separate ways. Five years pass and Gia gets a strange letter from their grandmother. Her request of Gia is to reunite the sisters. Gia is not quite sure if their grandmother’s request will be heeded, but she can try. Who knows if Maddie, or Shelley will come back to home base?

The C word is scary, ugly and something none of the sisters want to face, but all three show up. Wether or not their bond is able to be mended is still out for debate, but Gia hopes Maddie and Shelley will try. In order to help spur the truce along, Gia has a nuts idea to help get them to finish the quilt. The dang quilt tied to the day that reunited their sisterhood, but will Gia’s plan work?

Follow Gia, Shelley and Maddie as they embark on a journey of self discovery, challenges, hopes, dreams and the occasional road block. Hear from each sister, from their view of what transpired to ruin their sisterhood and what might be their saving grace. Can these sisters redeem their sisterhood?

I received my complimentary copy of The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde from William Morris, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To grab a copy for your own click here and to read more about the lovely author here.

This novel was EPIC. I didn’t want to finish this lovely, deep, challenging family drama. Each character was unique and I could see myself in each one. Gia, the youngest who is the ever peace keeper. Shelley, the free spirit and Maddie, the eldest who took her big sister role seriously. You will step into their lives and not want the last page to arrive.

Book Review · Books

Maggie’s Ruse

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Maggie and Marta are twins that are always together except for the time they went to camp as kids. Marta is the actress and Maggie is the painter. They share an apartment. Their mother remarried a rich man, so they are allowed to pursue their passions since they get economic outpatient care.

One day Marta and Maggie decide to play a twin prank on their guy friend, Josh, who likes Marta. They dress as alike with matching wigs. Josh thinks he’s chatting with Marta, but it’s really Maggie. When Josh kisses her, Maggie responds in kind. This display of affection angers Martha, but Maggie reminds her it was their idea to trick him. Due to this turn of events Maggie decides she needs space from Martha.

Maggie’s take off to stay with her old art co-op friend Leah in a small town not too, far from Maggie’s childhood home. She gets in a groove painting and feeling like Maggie finally has her own space. Marta back at home feels strange not having her twin home, but tries to adjust. Will Maggie and Marta clear the air regarding Josh?

This novel tackles the quandary of having a twin and being expected to get along and be similar, when in fact you are as different as days is from night. It’s about figuring out who you are a part from someone who understands you better than anyone else. I always wonder what it would be like to have a twin. It’d be instant best friend.

I received a complimentary copy of Maggie’s Ruse by Anne Leigh Parrish from Unsolicited Press, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are of my own accord and mine. To grab a copy via Amazon and to find out more about Anne Leigh Parrish. This book was fast paced in length, but had more of a mellow feel to the storyline.

Book Review · Books

When We Believed In Mermaids

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Josie and Kit are sisters, best friends and soulmates of sorts. Their lives are dominated by their dad’s Italian restaurant and their parents fiery marriage. Both sisters look out for each other the best they can. Their lives improve when Dylan washes up on their doorstep one stormy night. He’s only a kid himself, but lies to appear older. Josie and Kit’s mom takes Dylan into their family, like one of their own. He becomes Josie and Kit’s surrogate brother, parent and best friend.

When the big earthquake of 89′ hits their California town all their lives change drastically. To numb from the grief Josie buries herself into surfing, drugs and boys. Kit keeps to herself reading and studying. Josie takes off to numb her grief.

One day Kit and her mom get the news Josie has died in France. Can Kit and her mom handle any more grief? Kit moves forward becoming a doctor and pushing away the grief of loosing her wayward older sister.

Years later there’s a news report. Kit glances at the newscaster and notices a familiar looking woman in the background. Is it Josie’s ghost? Does her sister have a secret twin out there? Kit’s mom calls to ask if she saw what looked like Josie on the news. Why would her sister be in New Zealand? How is it that she’s alive? Kit’s mom begs her to go find her sister. Kit relents and goes to New Zealand. Will Kit find Josie? If Josie is alive, why would she fake her own death?

I received my complimentary copy of When We Believed In Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal from TLC Book Tours and the author. This novel is a masterpiece of literature that will leave you craving for more. This story delves into the complicated world of fractured families that are trying the best they can, how siblings can be your lifeline when it feels like you are all alone in the world and how we don’t always share everything with our family. If you are sensitive to the topics of alcohol and drug use and abuse then this novel may not be the best fit. I thought I’d read my top favorite book for 2019 and I was wrong. This novel wins 100%. To find out more about Barbara O’Neal check out her website and purchase your copy via B&N.