Jarred Into Being by Pat Lawrence

Jarred Into Being by Pat Lawrence

I received a copy of this book from the authors to review. No promise of a good review was made. The review is based solely upon my honest thoughts and feelings. No offer of compensation was made nor was there any compensation given. 

 On Sunday night after TrueBlood, I was sitting downstairs waiting for Junior and had decided to check out the first chapter. Junior came home - I was still reading.  Junior brushed his teeth  and changed into his pajamas and I was following him around with the book open. I tucked him in, reading. When I finally checked I discovered I was on chapter 10! That's the kind of book this is. I forced myself to stop there with the promise I would continue it the next day. I picked it back up the next day and read it straight through in a few hours. We meet Eva as a well behaved child of two very loving parents. Then her parents leave her with her aunt and fail to pick her up. We know this is because they died in a car accident on their way to pick her up. She ends up living with her aunt and the downward spiral begins. Eva's aunt gets pregnant; continuing her abuse of drugs and alcohol. By the time the child is born Eva has grown up quite a bit and takes on much of the responsibility of her baby cousin. By the time Eva is 16 and Tina is two things have gone from bad to worse. Loretta, Eva's aunt, is now a prostitute and her boyfriend Dwayne  has moved in. One night Dwayne decides it is time for Eva to earn him some money too. The next day Eva awakes to find a note from Loretta telling her she left and Eva needs to take care of herself and her cousin Tina. She makes the decision to leave with Tina. Realizing that at 16, with only $22 she took while Dwayne slept, she is unable to take care of Tina.  Eva makes a heart-wrenching decision. The decisions Eva make that follow lead her to make a good friend but also unto more violence and abuse. When she takes a bag of money from drug lords her life changes once more and leads up to an explosive end.


As you can guess I really enjoyed this book. I liked that Eva kept having both good and bad things happen - that is how life is. Some parts were a bit unbelievable but I was fine with that. I was reading a fictional book. If I wanted everything to be believable I would have chosen non-fiction. I thought the characters were well developed and I could easily follow how Eva reasoned things out. I was able to make the connections on how experiences in her life affected how she thought and felt. Some of her actions were not the most honorable but they were human responses. The romance, I thought, was both sad and happy but, most of all, her love for Rafael was beautiful. The authors, a husband and wife team, wrapped things up nicely.  I would give this book 4 stars and recommend it if you are looking for a fast read thriller. 


Jarred Into Being by Pat Lawrence can be purchased in both paperback and hardback copies as well as E Book. It is available at OUTSKIRTS PRESS.
An audio sample is also available free at the above link.


A couple of questions with the authors, husband and wife, Pat and Lawrence. 


What would you say your book is about?


After the tragic death of her parents, Eva Lange must battle for her freedom; indeed, her very life. Fleeing her aunt's abuser, she falls prey to a murderous drug lord and his wife in their luxurious lair of lust. Using her wits, beauty and sexuality to save herself and break the bonds of captivity and degradation, Eva struggles against corruption and powerful political forces to reclaim her independence and save the life of the man she loves.


Why did you decide to write it?


We wanted to write the type of novel that we ourselves enjoy reading: a taut, suspense-filled roller coaster of a read that keeps you turning pages until you reach The End.


Congratulations. You succeeded with that goal. What types of readers  do you imagine will be interested in your book?


Anyone who enjoys fast paced, exciting fiction with a strong protagonist and convincing  fully drawn supporting characters will enjoy this book.


I liked that you made Tina real for me. Since she was only two and not a major part of the book, many authors would have chosen to just let her be without a real personality. You chose to give her life and it made Eva's decision all the more heartbreaking to read. 
So tell us please, why should we choose your book over others in this genre? What do you believe makes it different?


Our main character's physical beauty is both a curse to her and her ultimate salvation. Eva is preyed upon because of her desirability, and she learns to use that same attribute unapologetically to free herself and assert her total independence.


What else have you written? Are you writing anything now?


We have previously penned Murder Mysteries and a two act comedy play, SQUIRRELS IN THE ATTIC. We do have plans to publish more novels;  in fact,  our second novel is already underway.

Thank you for answering a few questions for us. The authors webpage is the link to OUTSKIRTSPRESS.COM

Please leave your comments below. 

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one Thursday to the next. It is hosted by Readingbetweenpages Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

• A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
• Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
• Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
• It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
  

This week's theme is FEELINGS

My snippet is from Jarred Into Being,  found on page 6:

The unthinkable nightmare of that morning was merciless to Eva. She repeatedly pictured her parents smiling, laughing, hugging her, joking with one another, and her eyes spontaneously welled up with tears that blurred her vision and streamed down her face when she curled up in the corner of her room, hugging her knees to her chin.

 

Enter the GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN GIVEAWAY Here

Waiting on Wednesday and WWW

P.O. Box Love by Paola Calvetti

January 2012

I came across this book and was intrigued. I googled the author to get to her website. It is in French and is located here http://www.librairierevesetsortileges.fr/ . I clicked on her books and they sounds like awesome romances. I really want this one!

Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper

March 2012

I love Molly Harper! She is the queen of snark. This is the fourth in the Jane Jameson series. If you haven't tried her yet type fast over to B&N or Amazon, RUN to the nearest bookstore, call the library, whatever it takes, do it. You will not regret it. She is so funny.I first came across her from a book recommendation from my friend Robin Goodfellow, for How To Flirt With A Naked Werewolf, (set in Alaska). When I finished that I immediately purchased The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf. Her other books are And One Last Thing..., and of course, the Jane Jameson series starting with Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs, followed by Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men and Nice Girls Don't Live Forever. If you haven't read her and you are looking for some fun pick her up, (WARNING *These books may cause you to laugh so hard you tinkle*).

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? 
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Just Finished Reading:

  

I had a really bad week due to an out of control migraine that refused to leave me alone. So I am still working on everything from last Wednesday. :( 

Currently Reading: 

         

What's Next:

      

Reviews are coming for Jarred Into Being, Pirates of Savannah and The Caretakers. 

What are you waiting on? What are your three W's? Leave a comment and let me know. :D

Enter giveaway of Ghost on Black Mountain here

What's Cooking? & Teaser Tuesday

Cucina Provera by Pamela Sheldon Johns 
Hardcover 192 pages
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Expected Release today, September 13, 2011

Cucina Provera Tuscan Peasant Cooking by Pamela Sheldon Johns, with photographs by  Andrea  Wyner and published by Andrew McMeel Publishing LLC, is a new Italian recipe book releasing today. This is a beautiful book that is more than a cook book. This is a book you, (and your guests), will thumb through just for the beauty of it.  In my home, I suspect, you will find this book on the coffee table as often as in the kitchen. The stories from the people who lived in the regions during World War II were fascinating. The rebuilding and reeducation were inspiring. The amazing photographs give one a glimpse of Tuscan and mouthwatering views of the food. The recipes are ones that I found easy to make. The Ricotta Cake is super easy and amazing to serve to guest with coffee. The Acquacotta is now a simple but favorite soup in our home. We also love Uova ai Piselli alla Marelia, (Marelia’s Peas and Eggs).  This lovely “cookbook” is perfect for gift giving and is one you will want in your home as well.  A solid 5 star book!

Just Tacos by Shelley Wiseman
Paperback 176 Pages
Taunton Press Incorporated
Expected release date October 18, 2011



Just Tacos by Shelley Wiseman is now my favorite Mexican style cook book. The pictures are mouthwatering.  I love the many different recipes, going past juat tacos. I tried making a variety of things from Atole to homemade tortillas and salsa. Recipe directions were clear and easy to follow. Ms Wiseman included descriptions of equipment needed and lessor known ingredients. She gave tips that are usually ,from my personal experience, handed down through the family. If I were allowed only one Mexican style cook book on my shelf at home, this would be the one you would find there. I love this cook book!


Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has A Story by Kimberly "Momma" Reiner & Jenna Sanz-Agero
Hardcover 312 Pages
Andrews McMeel publishing
Expected release date October 25, 2011

This cookbook is a family dessert lover’s dream. The recipes are delicious. They are easy to read and follow. There are tips and secrets galore. There is a place to write your own notes and secrets. The pictures make your mouth water.  The stories included make you feel a part of the fun. Most of the recipes and stories brought back fond memories of times gone by for me. This cookbook is a treasure. One you will write in and hand down. Then your son or daughter will write in it and hand it down. You may find yourself telling the story while serving the dessert. And that will result in everyone sharing their stories of the first time they had that particular dessert. For the recipes are not new ones. They are well loved ones. 


All three of these cook books will be in my home, where they will be well used. Please leave me your comments as I love hearing from you!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB ofShould Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My spoilers come to day from a book I received Saturday. It is a taut, fast paced suspense thriller. My review will be on Thursday.

Jarred Into Being by Pat Lawrence

Outskirts Press, Inc.

Page 40

"I want you to hold this money tight in your hand," Eva continued, pressing the two one dollar bills into Tina's tiny hand. "I want you to sit here and wait like a good girl, okay?"

Page 69

The wedding took place exactly one month and one day after Maria was buried. Juan never knew if Carmella had personally slit Maria's throat or whether she had ordered it done. 

Enter here for THE GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN Giveaway

Don't forget to leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Ghost on Black Mountain Release & Giveaway

Releasing Today!

GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN by ANN HITE

This book is one of my favorite reads this year! This haunting story will stay with you long after you finish the book. From the start you are drawn in and held spellbound until you reach the satisfying end. An ending that, strangely, leaves you feeling good about how the story ends yet, at the same time, leaves you wanting more. Buy your copy today and prepare to be held captive by The Ghost On Black Mountain.

Ann Hite will be having several book signings this month and October. Many of the signings are in Georgia along with stops in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee. Please see her website for more information. If you live near any of the areas I hope you will stop and see her. I know she will be very happy to meet everyone.  Recently she wrote about the fictional community of Black Mountain on Caroline Leavitt's blog. 

CarolineLeavittville

ANN HITE WEBSITE

In celebration of the release of Ghost on Black Mountain by Ann Hite I will be giving  2 copies away. Sorry but this giveaway is only open to US residents. Winner will need to respond within 24 hours so be sure to use an email address you frequently check. You will need to provide a complete valid US address, via email, if selected as winner. Please be advised the blog host is not responsible for late, lost or misdirected mail.

Author Mark Rudolph talks about Facing the Son

Hi everyone. Sorry I have not been around much. I got knocked over by a migraine that has held on for 6 days. It is finally going away. I have asked author Mark Rudolph to speak with us today about how he came to write his book, Facing the Son, A Novel of Africa. 

Here is the synopsis from Good Reads:

American Matt Reiser travels to The Ivory Coast on a mission to locate his estranged son. His only guide is a three-year old postal address. Fighting cultural vertigo and disorientation at his arrival at the Abidjan airport, he relies on a glib and persistent limo driver who speaks just enough English to gain Matt's trust.

The next morning, Matt wakes up drugged, robbed, and dropped into a grim city slum. Without ID, without money, and with no idea where to turn, Matt forges unlikely alliances. Caught up in a local gang battle that takes him on a perilous journey out of the city and through the backcountry, he strives to stay neutral and continue his search for his son.

Loyalties form. He makes choices. Facing his son however proves to be his toughest challenge

Thanks Cristina for asking me to contribute to your blog. 

 

My first real job was working for a US multinational, based in Brussels, from where I was responsible for organizing the sales and delivery and maintenance of major truck fleets to West African countries.  This was in the early eighties when communication was by telex, when flights to Africa were infrequent, and when once you were there, you were largely on your own.  I would go for a month at a time to tour the West African countries where the State, AID, and United Nations organizations ran projects and kept offices.  These men, and they were all men, were my potential customers.  My competitors were the Soviets, the Chinese, the French, the British, the West Germans, and the Japanese.  All business was conducted in French, which slapped my textbook French into shape pretty fast.

 

Most the projects were meant to improve the lives of people living in near-Biblical conditions: improving access to water, building roads and bridges, establishing self-sustaining businesses, and improving agriculture.  Some projects were major buildings that provided jobs for the period of construction and afterward were intended to be a source of continuing employment, such as churches, stadiums, museums, administrative buildings, and other municipal structures.  Some projects were just excuses for politicians to get rich

 

Graft and corruption were rampant.  How much of the money lined the pockets of corrupt politicians and middlemen is hard to say, but it was obvious to me as a young executive that by complying with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which all my colleagues and I signed, we were at a significant competitive disadvantage.  We agreed not to provide payment to any middlemen not directly related to a project.  Our competitors labored under no such restrictions.  

 

Corruption however didn't stop the many people who spent significant portions of their lives in these countries striving to contribute to the improvement of the environment, and the quality of life, at the grass roots level. 

 

I observed the contrast between the world of multinational head-to-head competition, and on-the-ground person-to-person education.  I had many conflicting thoughts at the time as I became acquainted with a full range of people involved in all apsects of foreign aid.  Nearly everyone did the best they could with the tools at their disposal.  But the deck is stacked against the indigenous people.  The poorest of the world's poor are still the poorest of the world's poor forty years later, despite the billions of aid money poured into the region.

 

I devised a story so I could explore again what it was like to straddle the developed and the developing world at a pre-9/11 time, prior to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which in a geopolitical sense started the chain of events that brought us to today's dangerously polarized world.

 

Matt Reiser is a naive, untraveled American, who makes one huge simple mistake, which sends him on a journey that he is wholly unprepared for.  He needs to find his son and deliver a letter from his ill wife who desparately wants to reconnect with their son.  Matt's life until this trip has been orderly and predictable.  His son chose to strike out on his own for a different and more challenging life, joining the Peace Corps right out of college, and cutting off all contact with his parents for his own reasons.  

 

On the way to find his son, Matt discovers a West Africa outside the confines of the taxi-airport-hotel-embassy bubble which is where most tourists spend their time.  By the time he reaches his son, he's in a better position to understand him, and himself. 

 

My hope is the reader enjoys and respects the characters, and the countryside, as much as I did when I first traveled through the territory.  And will develop a deeper appreciation for the region and its ongoing challenges. 

 

Thanks for giving me this chance to connect with your followers, Cristina.  

Thank you Mark for sharing with us today. I will be reviewing Facing the Son, A Novel in Africa at a future date. 

MARK RUDOLPH'S GOOD READS PAGE

Information on purchasing Facing The Son, A Novel of Africa can be found at the following links:

FOR KINDLE

FOR NOOK

KOBO BOOKS

iTUNES

 

Canaries in a Coal Mine by Ted Krever

Today I am honored to bring you a special guest post by Ted Krever. Ted is the author of  several books. I first learned of him after coming across his book Mindbenders on Good Reads. I was looking for a book to take me into a genre I do not usually read. It turned out to be on my list of top 10 books I read in 2011. I will tell you more about Ted's books at the end of his post. Thank you Ted for sharing this with us.

Canaries in a Coal Mine

Canaries in a coal mine, that’s what I keep thinking.

Miners would carry a canary in a cage down the shaft with them to detect gas leaks. If the canary stopped chirping, that was the alarm to clear out, the early warning of something very wrong.

As I sit here, with the 9/11 anniversary approaching, thinking about the people most directly affected by that day—the veterans of our foreign wars—that’s what keeps coming back to me: canaries in a coal mine.

Because what could be more telling than the way we treat the people who risk their lives for us?

What does our treatment of them tell us about ourselves?

From the beginning, the Bush Administration ruled no photographs of military funerals or even flag-draped caskets on transport planes. The Obama Administration reversed that embargo but if there’s been an uptick in coverage, I’ve missed it. It’s as though the dead embarrass us—or we’re simply pretending they don’t exist at all.

And what about the living?

While Iraq and Afghanistan were fought with far more electronic aids than ever before (nightvision, drones, satellite imaging, all sold to the government at huge profit margins), America tried to squeak through these wars with far fewer soldiers than military theory called for (until the Surge of 2007) because Donald Rumsfeld decided to test his pet theory of modern warfare with live troops.

The soldiers were trained for a strategic war against Sadaam’s Army and left to improvise for years once that Army melted away and left them in the middle of guerilla fighting and civil war.

They were sent into battle in Humvees with no armor. Remember families buying armor plate with their own credit cards for their soldier children? That scandal broke in 2004; the Pentagon was still scrambling to finish the job in 2007.

They were used as guinea pigs for Big Pharma. Soldiers in combat in 2004 were given a malaria drug that carried a suicide warning back at home. In Iraq and Afghanistan, no warnings—and when the suicide rate in those units spiked, the Pentagon said it couldn’t find any connection and tried to discharge affected vets over their ‘mental problems,’ as though the defect was theirs.

When their tours ended, they were forced to return for another and another, riding a vicious turnstile in places where every cardboard box or cellphone might be a bomb, where shoulder-mounted rocket launchers and ethnic infighting meant non-stop terror. I read a quote from a senior officer recently saying that, even in Vietnam, there were places to go to get away from the war temporarily; in these recent wars, there is no place to go.

Meanwhile, the justifications kept changing. We were there to destroy Bin Laden and the Taliban who supported him. Oh no, we were going to destroy Sadaam Hussein instead, because of his weapons of mass destruction…uh oops, no weapons, never mind, we were destroying him because he was a bad guy, like there were no other bad guys in power in the world. Then we were going to create a democracy in the Muslim Middle East, as a beacon for other countries. Uh no,  well, maybe not democracies as we know them…We were trying to win the hearts and minds of the local populations. And finally, inevitably, now we’re hoping to erect just enough government to hold on a year or two after we pull out.

If the reasons for our involvement were forever unclear, the results weren’t. Our oil companies got the contracts to pump Iraqi wells; Halliburton and its corrupt brethren got the contracts to repair Iraqi and Afghani infrastructure. They botched those jobs completely, of course, but at tremendous profit margins. And the United States—just by coincidence—managed to encircle Iran.

And, then, finally, the soldiers began to come home.

To a country indifferent to them. Not as openly hostile as we were to our Vietnam vets—not quite as disgraceful as that—just embarrassed, uncomfortable, the reception once accorded to epileptics or maybe lepers.

The media couldn’t cover honorable soldier’s funerals but it offered flurries of hand-wringing every time a disturbed vet killed him or herself, destroyed their families or their own lives. When twice as many soldiers committed suicide as died in combat in 2009 and 2010, there were few headlines and no national debate.

The VA announced two years free health care without asking vets to qualify, like this was doing them a favor, like two years was going to be anything but an aspirin in a cancer ward. And if vets got fed up waiting for help and went outside the system, the government tried to make them pay for it themselves (http://www.offe.org/public_html/news76.htm).

What’s brought this all home to me personally is that I’ve tried for months to get vets to come on my blog and tell their stories—even anonymously—their experiences of two wars and coming home. No one will take me up on it—because they’re scared. Soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for us are now afraid to tell the truth as they see it, afraid they’ll lose what little help they’re getting from the government that threw them over and over again in harm’s way.

So let’s tick down the list here:

Sent into a long-term disaster with only short-term plans: Check!

Treated as inventory by people and organizations that were supposed to support them: Check!

Endless resources made available for (profitable) gadgets, (politically lucrative) contractors and Big Pharma field testing but as little as possible—and then only grudgingly—for the people whose lives were actually on the line: Check!

Nickled-and-dimed for every tiny bit of help, as though they should be ashamed of being anything other than robotic chess pieces: Check!

It turns out that our veterans really are a perfect example of the society that made them.

Maybe that’s why they make us uncomfortable; when we look at them, we see ourselves—and it’s not a pretty sight.

Pericles gave a eulogy somewhere around 400 BC at a mass funeral outside Athens, praising the city’s dead soldiers as the proof of the wonders of Athenian democracy.

“For the Athens that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her…none of these allowed…wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit…they joyfully determined to accept the risk…and to let their wishes wait…they thought fit to act boldly and trust in themselves. Thus choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they…met danger face to face…so died these men as became Athenians…For it is only the love of honor that never grows old; and honor it is, not gain, as some would have it, that rejoices the heart of age and helplessness.”

It’s hard to read those words today without cringing. We’re so skeptical of heroism, selflessness and honor these days, even of reaching imperfectly for those virtues. Maybe because we see so few examples in our own world.

The canary’s gone silent. Are we listening?

My review of Mindbenders: 

I got this from the author in a giveaway. I thought it sounded interesting but really it was not my first choice type of read. I was blown away by it! It is an awesome book. At times it was difficult for me to read. One of the characters was a vet suffering from PTSD. My son was in Iraq 10 years ago. Some of the scenes with the character of Greg brought back all the worry and fear. This is a fascinating book that is fiction based on fact. Ted Krever did an outstanding job! Read it even if it isn't the genre you usually read.

I relate to a lot what Ted speaks of. My son wasn't old enough to drink legally when he was sent to Iraq. He went there proud, healthy, strong and believing he was helping people both here at home and the people in Iraq. He came back broken. He can walk, (with assistance - which he had to fight for every step of the way), and years later he is still suffering from PTSD, ( this is a life long illness that can respond to therapy and meds - once again it was something he had to fight to get treatment for but finally, earlier this year, he started it). I am proud of him. He is my hero. I watched him barely able to stand tell someone, "if the people I met in Iraq needed me, I would do all I could to help them. Even if it meant going back there. I went to help them and try to protect them. Whatever anyone else's agenda was, whatever others chose to do, mine was to help people who needed me. I don't regret what happened to me because I know it happened while I was trying to help and protect women and children." I have watched how my son was thanked by his country for being a hero and I have read all the reports of "no room" for the First Responders. I am not shocked. I am not surprised. I am deeply saddened and offended. There was "no room" as the Towers went down yet they risked everything to "make room" to try to help and protect. I hope everyone takes the opportunity today to say thank you  to a First Responder - be they Firefighter, EMS, Police Officer, or any of the branches of our military. Let us do what our leaders are not doing. Let us, we the people,  pay our respect and honor these heroes.

In addition to the thriller Mindbenders, Ted is the author of Green, Howling at Wolves,A Crafty and Devious God ( all described by Ted as somewhat romantic), After, (a collection of short stories after 9/11),  and Bequest, (described as somewhat dark). They can be purchased on Amazon or Smashwords. Ted has a blog where you can find out more and also read some interesting posts.

                                       CLICK *TED'S BLOG* CLICK

Or you can type in your browser:   http://tedkrever.com/blog

IF I TELL, WWW & WOW

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Sourcebooks Fire

Paperback  256 Pages

Expected release date October 1, 2011

I received this book from Net Galley. No compensation was offered or received. A review while appreciated was not mandatory.

Jasmine Evans was born to high schoolers - the princess and the football player. He has his life mapped out with dreams of football and she doesn't have plans to raise a child in hers. So Jaz is lovingly raised by her grandparents, with visits to and from her mother. Jaz is pretty much a loner after being harassed, (and nearly drowning), by her fourth grade classmates, who weren't very accepting of her skin color. Not being accepted by either white or black kids she has had one best friend Lacey and a slightly newer friend Ashley. Lacey is a few years older and the "bad girl" while Ashley is a lesbian. While working at a coffee shop Jaz meets "bad boy" Jackson. Things are not great but not too bad when one night at a party Jaz walks in and sees Lacey kissing her mother's boyfriend. Feeling betrayed by her best friend and the man she considered a step father figure, she is determined to tell her mother. But unknown to her, Jaz's mother has news too - she is pregnant.

This book tackles many issues that could muddy the story or fail it completely. Janet Gurtler, however, writes a beautiful, gripping novel. She handles each issue sensitively. The writing is such a caliber that you are able to feel what Jaz is going through. You are drawn in from the start and, if you are like me, take sides right off. I was confused and indignant when Jaz's mother told Jaz she was pregnant and wanted Jaz to be happy for her. How could she ignore the fact that she did not raise Jaz? I was mad at her mother through much of the book. The issue of being biracial and being raised in a white home was handled intelligently. Jaz's feelings of not knowing very much of her father, his family and being black were explored. (There is a flip side to this but you can read it to find out.) The book makes you think about how far we have come, (or in some areas, not come), in acceptance of various races and mixed races in particular. A lot of value is placed on honesty and being open with those we care about. The consequences that are written in are natural and not watered down. The book has a very real feel to it. Reading it I felt the see-saw emotions that Jaz was going through and I was as confused as she was whether to tell or not.  If you are looking for an excellent YA novel that does not back away or play down issues, misconceptions, deceptions or consequences this is a book I would highly recommend.  I would also recommend it to YA reading groups, and mother-daughter teams. There is a lot of material in this book that would make awesome discussions.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? 
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Just Finished Reading:

    

    

Currently reading (finishing up):

    

Just Started:   

  

What's Next? Well since my Kindle died and I had to wait for the new one I am behind. :( I got the new one though so I should catch up. Amazon customer service is awesome!

    

This is the part that my family had better pay attention to! Yes, those of you that I carried for nine months and then raised for 18 years. And the special guy who needs to pay double attention because the dog cannot pick out anything.

          

Just Tacos by Shelley Wiseman,  and Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has a Story by Kimberly "Momma" Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero, ( both out October 2011) . I know I do not need to tell you who will benefit from these two. * To everyone else there are reviews for these two cook books coming up next week.*

Part Wild: One Woman's Extraordinary Love for a Creature Caught Between the Worlds of Wolves and Dogs by Ceiridwen Terrill, ( out October 2011). This book sounds fascinating and I love both wolves and dogs. 

Extreme Paranormal Investigations by Marcus F. Griffin, ( out October 2011). I love ghost stories. These are located in the Midwest. The book sounds awesome. I found this on Llewellyn Worldwide

Ghost Hunting for Beginners: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started by Rich Newman, (out October 2011).  Doesn't even need an explanation. Just says FUN. Another Llewellyn find.

Death by a Killer Mop Doll by Lois Winston, (out January 2012). Another book that just says FUN to me. *Children that I bore in pain, this book does contain instructions on how to make  Themed Mop Dolls - don't let that frighten you. Remember if I have a happy Christmas your New Year will be happy. * Llewellyn

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser, (out March 2012). This book sounds so intriguing! 

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose, (out November 2011). I will need a light romantic suspense to get me through the holiday stress.

I hope you find something interesting and/or just had a chuckle or two today. Check out the book If I Tell - it really is a good read. Look for the other reviews soon. Please leave me a comment so we can stalk, err,  check you out and see what your reading or waiting on.