Bridget Reviews Stalking You Now

Title: Stalking You Now

Author: Jeff Strand

Published: February 2013, DarkFuse

Summary (from Goodreads): The reprehensible man sits in the restaurant. Laughing with his friends. Entertaining them with a story about his wretched behavior.

He doesn't know that somebody at another table is watching him. Somebody filled with hatred. Somebody waiting for him to be alone. Somebody with duct tape and a gun.

It's a night for vengeance. And a hell of a lot more.

Review: This is a cute little novelette that I got from NetGalley. I’m totally into dark, thriller-y type things, so I thought this would be right up my alley. Don’t get me wrong, I was correct, but not for the reasons I thought.

Like I said (and like you would also think from the description), I thought it would be a dark thriller. Instead, it was more of a dark comedy, and definitely the kind that makes you say, “Wait, what??” and turn back to what you just read to make sure you didn’t read wrong. I thought it was a really clever plot: the guy with the duct tape and gun is the narrator, stalking the “reprehensible man.” However, you’re hit with a twist right away: the reprehensible man is not, objectively, so reprehensible; while you start out thinking that the stalker is seeking justified vengeance, you soon discover that it’s quite the opposite.

I can’t say much more about this without revealing major plot points, and since it probably works out to about 50 paper pages (I read it on my iPad), I imagine it won’t take anyone much more than an hour or so to read.

Bottom Line: I thought this was a pretty good little story. I thought the narrator’s voice was hilarious, and really enjoyed reading it.

I’d recommend this book for: Anyone who needs to amuse themselves for an hour or so with a darkly comedic, thriller-ish story.

Rating: 4 stars

Julia Reviews Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins

Title/Author: Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
Publisher/Year Published: 2013 by Avon
How I got this book: I got this from the library
Why I read this book: It was the FIRST time I got a Smart Bitches, Trashy Books bookclub book and had time to read it before the book club AND wasn't busy during the live chat!
Rating: 2.5 stars

This was my first foray into Jenkins' work, and it wasn't too bad. I just didn't fall in love with the writing or the characters really (except Alanza, the hero's step-mama) and when you have a love story where the character's development drives the plot like it does here, and you don't enjoy the characters, it makes it a rough read. 

Let's SCORE it.

The Story:
It's the 1860s (ish), Mariah is a women pretty much working as a slave to her mom in a dress shop in PA. Something finally pushes her over the edge and she leaves for the safety of her aunt's house, and finally to the new life in California. She goes there, lying about being a widow (lol I almost wrote window), so she can get a job as a housemaid. 

Her job is with Logan, a rancher in California who lives with his (awesome) Spanish step-mom breaking in horses and making the women love him with his looks. From there the story moves to focus on their love and how it develops. Over three days.

The story was okay. It wasn't my favorite because I like a little more conflict. It seemed like the characters overcame their obstacles with too much ease for it to be believable. I wanted more tension, more turmoil from Mariah over stepping outside the bounds of housekeeperhood or with Logan realizing that he may want to marry her, an institution he had actively avoided until that point. Since this is primarily character driven, let's look at them.

The Characters:
Mariah is the lead and she goes from meek mouse who lived under the thumb of her mom for 30 years to spitfire in the course of a cross-country train ride. I liked that she had spark, but the transition was hard for me to believe. No matter how much you want to change yourself when you have the opportunity, old ways still seep in. I have experience with this (I've not been trapped in a workhouse for 30 years though). 

Outside of that Mariah is a pretty strong woman. I loved she didn't get clingy to the hero. She was very much there to do her job and find her life. 

Logan was a little more well rounded from the beginning. His only flaw was that he breaks hearts and didn't want to settle with a woman. And that's all he had to grow from. His other character traits include, grumpy and stubborn (which was really fun to read when he and Mariah butted heads), friend to the natives and wanting Mariah. Not my favorite hero, but he was never a jackass. 

The secondary characters were pretty cool, Alanza (the MIL) leading the charge. She was a spitfire ranch lady. She was Logan's stepmom, and I loved that there wasn't that "She was my evil step-mom" storyline from either Alanza or Logan. That was refreshing.

One thing I have to say that was probably my favorite part of this was that the cast of characters contained so much variety. Spanish, African-Americans, Native-Americans. Loved that. And I want to seek out more of these.

The Romance
Eh. I liked when they were fighting with each other. I love sparks flying. And I also loved, like I said, how Mariah didn't get clingy after the sexin'. But overall I was a little cold with the romance. It was just okay for me.

The Execution
This is where it probably loses most of the stars for me. The writing just seemed so cliched at times. The euphemisms drove me up a wall. The whole story itself was rather hurried, in writing and time in the story. The thing took place over a week. I think I would have liked it more if they took their time with the romance. I know it's the west, but I don't know it just took me out of the story. The other thing I had previously mentioned was the seeming lack of consequences. Everything just flew by too perfectly.

The Overview
I can see why people like it. Really, I can. It reminds me of this one series I read based around a family of eight kids in Texas. But it just didn't work for me. I liked the history laced within, and I liked some characters, but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea. It wasn't horrid, just meh. Hence the two and a half stars. 

If you want something light that has some interested sparks of history, that flys by fast and "treasures between her legs" don't bother you, check this out. I don't think I will continue this series, but I may try another one of the author's books. The multicultural aspect and finding a historical that isn't set in England are enough reasons to try again.

Tahleen's Top Ten Things to Read When You Need Something Light and Fun

For the future Top Ten schedule and how to participate go HERE!

This week we're picking our top ten books to read when you need something light and fun. Every once in a while I need something like this, so here are some of my favorites. And surprise, they are heavily skewed toward YA. But I do throw in some cozy mysteries! So there.

1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. Really, you can get any lighter or more fun than Louise Rennison. These books (the Georgia Nicholson series) are pure silliness, and I love it.

2. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy. I am reading this right now, and it is awesome. Super funny, with completely unique Princes Charming (get it right) who are obviously not perfect but still good guys. And did I mention it is funny?

3. Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt. This one has a little more depth, but it's still very light and happy. It's a nice pick me up.

4. Withering Tights by Louise Rennison. Sort of a spin-off series of the Georgia Nicholson books, following her 14-year-old cousin Tallulah as she goes through performing arts school. Again, pure silliness, and lots of laughing.

5. Cool Beans by Erynn Mangum. This one is a Christian fiction title so it might only work for Christians, but I love her books.

6. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. If you like your light and fun books with adventure and a bit of danger, and some time travel, this is definitely a great choice.

7. Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis. The first in a new series, this cozy mystery takes place on the island of Kauai and has a troupe of old lady hula dancers. Hijinks ensue.

8. Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash by Dixie Cash. Another first in a mystery/romance series, these are pretty funny with firecracker characters.

9. Take a Chance On Me by Jill Mansell. Or anything by Jill Mansell. Shenanigans!

10. The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Sure, it's about an alien invasion and there is a TON of crap to unpack with this one (part of why I love it), but it's just so damn funny and fun. The best sci fi out there, in my opinion.

I have to admit, while I was compiling this, I kept wanting to write down super dark and depressing and  heavy books and say "No, just kidding. This one is the opposite." Did that happen for anyone else, or am I just twisted?

Anyway, these are all pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on your face. What are your picks?

Library Fines

Lately I've been using the library for most I've the books I've been reading. I almost always return my books on time. But last week before I could check out Code Name Verty I has a steep $3.10 overdue fine to pay (I think I had two books that were overdue for about two weeks...and the best part is they were both did-not-finish books). 

How do you feel when you have to pay your library fines?

I'm always feel slightly embarrassed and feel like I'm doing a library walk of shame. I tell myself the librarians must not mind because over due noon fines = supporting the library. Or maybe the librarians are secretly judging me. I did find out that I can pay my fines online. Next time maybe I will try that, it's less embarrassing!

Tahleen reviews: "Wonder Show" by Hannah Barnaby

Title: Wonder Show
Author: Hannah Barnaby
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

This was one of the contenders for the Morris Award this year, given to the best debut young adult title (first book to be published by the author in any genre and for any audience). While I can see its merits, I can also understand why it didn't take the main prize.

Wonder Show follows the story of Portia Remini, who has been abandoned by her family and left at McGreavy's Home for Wayward Girls, under the "care" of someone everyone just calls "Mister." It's terrible there, but Portia has learned how to get from day to day, all while hoping to find her file and information about where her father might be. Until something so terrible happens that she knows she needs to get out.

This is how she eventually finds her way to Mosco's Traveling Wonder Show, a sideshow for circuses where "human oddities" are the main attraction. Portia is a "normal," someone who is useless for the show, but eventually finds herself as the apprentice for the ballyhoo, the storyteller that brings in the customers. As she learns to live and work with her new companions, she continues to look for her father, and wonders how long it will take Mister to finally catch up with her.

The way this story is told is not one I typically see in YA literature, but it was very effective. The chapters alternate viewpoints between third-person omniscient and first-person narration for each member of the Wonder Show. Almost every member of the Wonder Show gets a short chapter where they explain how they see the events and the world in general, and their views are not always what a reader might expect them to be. It was illuminating without giving too much of the story away; it was just enough to make us understand their world and their desires a little better.

Readers will also learn a lot about the American history of these sideshows, as well. In the end, the author's note talks about all the real people Barnaby based her characters on, including a pair of conjoined twins, a human pincushion, and giants. It is a fascinating world, one that is usually less than ideal for the so-called "freaks" who managed to make a living not only despite, but because of their physical differences during the Great Depression.

Despite its many merits, I'm not surprised this didn't win the Morris Award, only because it seemed like not enough to me. I wanted to know more about the characters, wanted to go deeper into their lives and further into their story. I also agree with the committee that Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, the winner, was indeed better.

I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who are looking for a darker, grittier realistic or historical fiction novel but isn't too graphic. I was often reminded of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen while reading this, so I would also recommend this to people who enjoyed that book. It's a lighter story than that one, but delves into the dark life of the traveling circus during its heyday.

Disclosure: I checked out this e-book from my public library.

A Cocktail and Conversation With TBTB Gang -- Dream Reading Spots!

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail & Conversation time. One of the TBTB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 

 Lori Asks:

Where in the world would you most want to read?  (For instance, I want to read at a sidewalk cafe in Paris)  Feel free to attach pictures!

Bridget says: I want to read in a reading nook like the one below. I don't care where it is (although I'd prefer it was in my house, obviously). I just want to cuddle up among all those pillows and read for hours.

 Bridget's Ideal Reading  Nook:

Jana says: First of all, I LOVE Bridget's reading nook picture! I'd love one of those! My favorite place to read is on a boat, or by the water. I love the breeze, the smell, and the water sounds!

 

 

Tahleen says: I'd love to go back to Kauai and read there again. I mean, nothing to do with the reading really, but location is everything. This is Tunnels Beach, and those mountains are incredible. (I will forever be talking about Hawaii, and I'm not sorry.)

Where would YOU love to read if you could pick anywhere?

With Our Last 20 Dollars - May Edition

With Our Last $20 is a feature here at The Broke & The Bookish wherein we answer the prompt of which book we'd purchase with the last $20 left in our pocket for each month -- be it new releases or older books..basically which ever book we'd be so excited to read that we'd be willing to spend the last $20 in our pockets on. I mean, we are The Broke and the Bookish after all. We'd no doubt live up to our name and forgo other things for a new book!



Julia's Pick  - Once Upon a Tower  by Eloisa James (Out May 28th)

Eloisa James is one of my favorite authors, so she it totally an auto-buy for me. Plus I am really into Fairy Tale retellings right now (I am looking at you Scarlet and Cinder), and thus I am curious to see how she weaves in elements from Rapunzel into a historical romance. Also is it bad that I want the hero to be blind somehow? Seriously. The Grimm's Rapunzel is a rough tale...


Jana's Pick - Adorkable by Sarra Manning

I mean, COME ON. 

"This novel is about an unlikely relationship, but it's also about roller derby, dogs on skateboards, dogs on surfboards, dogs doing any form of extreme sport, old skool hip hop, riding your bike downhill really fast, riot grrrl, those boys you want to kiss but punch in the face at the same time, dyeing your hair ridiculous colors just because you can, stitch 'n' bitch, the songs that make you dance, the songs that make you cry, being a bad ass, cake, love, death, and everything in between."

It sounds perfect!

Daisy's Pick - And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (out May 21st)

With A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini managed to break my heart into a million pieces, all of those pieces very much in love with this amazing book and even though I know I suck big time for not having read The Kite Runner yet, I'd give my last $20 to have And The Mountains Echoed in my hands. I have no doubt that it will be just as amazing as A Thousand Splendid Suns. And I really love the cover :)

Jen's Pick - The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene

First, the title has "Paris" in it. I would automatically pick this book up in the bookstore. The main character is forced to become a spy and the book takes place during World War II. For whatever reason I really seem to like books that take place during WWII.






Jamie's Pick - The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

With the hype that has been surrounding this book and the rave reviews I would definitely spend my last $20 on this one to find out what it is about! I've actually just read it this past weekend but I still wanted to put it as my pick because I had been just WAITING for May to come before it surprised me in my mailbox! ALIENS! END OF THE WORLD STUFF! I really, really enjoyed it!