Special Feature: THE SECRET OF CLOUDS by Alyson Richman

I am thrilled that I have this book up for review next month, but I wanted to get the word out to my readers so that they didn’t miss out on what is sure to be a wonderfully moving novel!

Internationally bestselling author Alyson Richman’s captivating new novel, THE SECRET OF CLOUDS (Berkley Hardcover; February 19, 2019; $26.00), is a touching story about a mother’s love, a teacher’s promise, and a child’s heart.

When an immigrant family leaves the Ukraine for New York after the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, they carry the burdens of their past along with them. A son is born with a rare heart defect, and his health is too fragile for him to attend school. When a devoted teacher is sent to tutor him at home, she is determined not to let his happy days of childhood pass him by – and soon, she learns the impact that one child can leave on her own life.

Richman’s story is in part inspired by her son’s first babysitter, who lived in the Ukraine following the Chernobyl disaster. She spoke with Richman about her first-hand experiences, which informed Richman’s realistic, devastating depiction of a little-discussed tragedy.

One of Richman’s dear friends, who is a teacher, also inspired the novel when she shared how she once tutored a child who was too sick to attend school, and realized a decade later what a lasting impression this student had on her life.

THE SECRET OF CLOUDS is a novel that will make readers examine what it means to live life with a full heart. Continue reading “Special Feature: THE SECRET OF CLOUDS by Alyson Richman”

Review: More Than Words by Jill Santopolo

Jill Santopolo was an author that I wanted to read long before this book! I received an ARC of her THE LIGHT WE LOST a couple years ago and I just couldn’t fit it into my review schedule.

I still continue to eye THE LIGHT WE LOST whenever I am looking for something to read. It sounds like such a beautiful story, but for some reason, it just never makes its way onto my nightstand.

Then MORE THAN WORDS came up for review and I wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass me by a second time. I have heard people rave about her books so I was excited to start this one. Not to mention the cover is elegant and interesting so that was an added bonus. Continue reading “Review: More Than Words by Jill Santopolo”

Review: Secrets at Cedar Cabin (Lavender Tides #3) by Colleen Coble

I read one of Colleen Coble’s romantic suspense novels back in August 2018. It was the second book in the Lavender Tides series and I thought it was a really fun read and was eager to read more about this Pacific Northwestern coastal town.

Being from Oregon and loving the Oregon coast, is what initially drew me to this author. I love when places that I know and love are featured in books. Even though Lavender Tides is a fictional city, the descriptions of this little town are vivid and could easily be any Washington or Oregon coastal town.

Coble’s writing is suspenseful and thoughtful with the romance sharing the spotlight with the mystery rather than taking over the story itself, so when this third installment came up for review, I was happy to agree! Continue reading “Review: Secrets at Cedar Cabin (Lavender Tides #3) by Colleen Coble”

Review: The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

Tara Conklin is one of those authors that has a large cult following. With the success of her novel THE HOUSE GIRL, so many people love her and would eagerly read any of her novels. THE HOUSE GIRL has been recommended to me over and over again, but I just haven’t been moved to pick it up.

It came out at a time when I was working on my Master’s in American History and was knee deep in slave research for one of my papers, so the last thing I wanted to read was anything about slavery or the south or the Civil War.

Then THE HOUSE GIRL got buried under all of my other TBR books and long forgotten. Then her latest book started making appearances on  my social media accounts and I was once again struck by how many people rave about her books! I was thrilled when a copy landed on my desk for review—so excited in fact that I made room for it on my review calendar! Continue reading “Review: The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin”

Special Feature: Love Poems for Married People by John Kenney

I recently had the privilege of reviewing this hysterical collection of poems and I couldn’t resist talking about it today for Valentine’s Day!

This was a book of poems that I could read over and over again, and I frequently paused to share a few with my husband of fifteen years, who laughed just as hard as I did.

There is something refreshing and real about these poems and they are the perfect gift for your significant other on this special holiday. Whether you are a ‘long time’ married person, just staring out, or simply in a relationship—there is so much truth in these little poems about the day to day nuances of relationships.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book of poems and I hope that you consider checking them out or sharing them with a loved one this Valentine’s Day.

Recently John Kenney was interviewed on NPR and the interview was a hoot to read! This book has sky rocketed to number #7 in all books on Amazon and #1 on B&N.com – just ahead of Michelle Obama’s Becoming so the secret is out about this hilarious little book of poems.

The book has recently been optioned by Ryan Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort. “I’m stunned, thrilled and flattered that Ryan and his team like the book,” Kenney says. “As my wife said, ‘That’s amazing, considering that the poems aren’t that good.’”

 Based on his wildly popular New Yorker piece, Kenney presents a hilarious collection of love poems for, well, married people. The original selection, featuring a range of topics from parental gripes to dwindling sex lives, is a perennial favorite, skyrocketing to the top of the New Yorker‘s most-shared list each year, and now Kenney is writing a collection of new poems that dig even deeper into what it’s like to be married to the person you love. With an ironically elegant package, this is a delightfully funny collection that’s perfect for not only Valentine’s Day, but anniversaries, wedding season, and more.

John Kenney is the author of Truth in Advertising, which won the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and the forthcoming novel, Talk to Me (which Putnam published on January 15, 2019). He has worked for many years as a copywriter and has also been a contributor to The New Yorker magazine since 1999. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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