Book Review - Blue by Lou Aronica

BLUE by Lou Aronica

Paperback, 400 pages; Kindle

Published January 8th 2011 by The Fiction Studio

*This book is being reviewed through Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours. Book was provided for review. No compensation was received for review. All opinions are my own.*

Before I begin my review I would like to say that I purchased a Kindle version of Blue.  The author provided a paperback print copy. I  am donating this copy to Bartlett Regional Hospital' s  Chemotherapy Lab in my hometown of Juneau, Alaska. Tamara, who runs the lab, keeps a library for patient  use. We are a small community. Books for the patients are donated or bought out of pocket - not through the hospital. I hope the author does not mind this donation.

My Review:

This is my second time reading Blue. What I discovered reading it a second time is that it is a lot like reading Charles Dickens for me. What I mean by that is every time I re-read a Charles Dickens book, I come away with something new. Some little thing I did not get a previous time.  A new perspective based on my life experience since reading it a previous time. Blue did that for me. Not every book I read does. Another thing I have noticed with this book is that when you read a review or talk with someone who has read it, most likely they will have a different view from you. The book is amazing like that. I think this makes it the perfect book club choice. Everyone who reads it comes away with their own views and thoughts on it. I know, every book does that. What makes Blue unique in this is how different those views are. The story doesn't change. You do and what you get from it does.   

Blue is the story of a family dealing with divorce, a child with cancer, coming together and letting go. It is a book of reality, of fantasy and how the blurring of the two can lead us out of the dark and into the light.  It is a book about sorrow, hope, faith and joy that can even be found in letting go. 

Becky is a young girl with leukemia. She was just six when her battle first begun. She won that round. Now years later the leukemia has returned for a new battle.  As so often happens in the face of a serious illness the stress on the family was too much. The family that stood united and strong to face the battle now does not know how or what to be in the face of victory. And so, Becky's parents are now divorced. She is living with her mother. Blue revolves around Becky and her father. When she was six, her father made up stories to distract her while she received treatments. He encouraged Becky to participate in building this fantasy world. Chris would transport Becky there nightly. Sometimes when reality is too harsh, fantasy is what can become salvation. Chris and Becky create a new reality. One in which cancer is unknown. Pain and illness are not a part of this new reality. Good health, happiness and love are what are real in this world. It is this world that gets them through the treatment. It is this world that connects Chris and Becky. It is this world which leaves her mother feeling left out. 

Four years after the divorce finds Chris feeling as if he is the one left out. He has moved away to another town and sees Becky on his visiting days. He feels as if the little girl he knew so well is becoming a stranger. Another man has filled his placed inside the home and he fears he may lose Becky to him too. He spends his time trying to find a way back to his daughter. Then comes the news that the leukemia has returned. Once more the family must wage war but this time the family is divided. Chris and Becky once more retreat to their fantasy - reality world. Only this time a blight is upon the kingdom. Saving the kingdom becomes the focus because saving the kingdom is saving Becky. Except that sometimes saving the ones we love may mean we let go and let them fly on the wings of love. 

Blue is an amazing love story. One that will touch you deeply and stay with you long after you close the book. I do not know the author. I do not know his history with leukemia or a seriously ill child. I do not even know if he has ever personally dealt with these issues. I do know he writes as one who has intimately known both cancer and a seriously ill child.  Blue  is one book I would give a sky full of stars to. 

Blue has a prequel book out now. Until Again is a short novella which gives us the background of the breakup weekend. It is not necessary to read it before you read Blue but it helps. 

Lou Aronica is also the author of  the Full Spectrum Anthology Series:

  

He is also an accomplished publisher. He is part of  The Fiction Studio and The Story Plant. More information on Lou Aronica and his work may be found at:

http://www.fictionstudio.com

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/195467.Lou_Aronica

http://www.fictionstudiobooks.com/Fiction_Studio_Books/Home.html

Comments Always Welcome

guest Post with Jeanette Baker

I am delighted to have with me today Jeanette Baker. Jeanette is the author of Witch Woman, a book I reviewed yesterday. Jeanette has graciously agreed to write a guest post for us. Thank you so much Jeanette and welcome!

Witch Woman

by Jeanette Baker

WITCH WOMAN is my first Indie novel. After 15 books published by giant houses, Kensington, Pocket and Mira Books, I decided to branch out and test this brand new world of self-publishing with a book that is similar in tone to the Celtic paranormals I’d written previously and yet, completely different. Witch Woman is not a romance and it isn’t set in Scotland or Ireland, where I live during the summer months. Instead, I flew off to Salem, Massachusetts to investigate the city’s charm as well as its dark history. What came about was a paranormal with a contemporary heroine completely different from any I’d attempted to create before.

Readers of WITCH WOMAN often ask why I explored the possibilities of DNA memory and time travel or why I created a left-handed heroine with an interesting mutation, a clairvoyant who dabbles in white witchcraft.  The answer is, The unusual fascinates me. It has since that September 17, 1964 evening when beautiful, blonde Samantha Stephens, the star of the television series, Bewitched, twitched her turned-up nose, hooking me forever. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, I thought, to have the power to sway the mortal universe to my way of thinking? I remember rolling my pre-teen eyes at the doddering predictability of Samantha’s husband, Darrin who, with typical mortal myopia, wanted an ordinary wife. I empathized with Endora, her mother, over the stupidity of mortals and cheered when Aunt Clara’s magic actually worked.

Years later, during post midnight feedings, I introduced my infant children to the magic of Samantha’s spirit world, occasionally twitching my own nose in credible imitation, hoping that my colicky, wide-awake infants would magically fall asleep. Sadly, the gift of magic continued to elude me until I first put pen to paper and realized I could create my own bewitching heroines, endowing them with all the characteristics I longed to claim as my own.

The results of course, are my paranormal novels, LEGACY, CATRIONA, and my newest endeavor, WITCH WOMAN the story of a child sent 4 centuries forward into the 20^th century to escape the horrors of Salem’s witch trials, and her mother, aware of the dark forces that followed her, who frantically searches for the shrinking time portal to bring her child, now a woman, home.

Witch Woman: The lives of Abigail March and her daughter, Maggie, play out along parallel lines, both women blessed and cursed with a selective birthright and marked by a startling mutation. In 1692, Abigail and three-year-old Maggie are accused of witchcraft. Most women facing the hangman’s noose during this shameful time are innocent. Abigail is not. Summoning her powers she sends her child through a time portal into 20^th century Salem. Maggie grows to maturity knowing nothing of her past until her foster mother’s deathbed confession. Using her own clairvoyant abilities and medium of an ancient spinning wheel, she resurrects her past through a series of troubling dreams. Meanwhile, Abigail locates the time portal and slips through, changing her identity hoping to find her child. Unknown to both women are the dangers of the old world’s dark forces, a swiftly narrowing time portal and a missing child who desperately needs Maggie’s “sight” a sight that continues to blur as her ties to old Salem strengthen.

Slain abhaile,

Jeanette

Jeanettebaker.com

Facebook – Jeanette Baker, Jeanette Baker - author

A special thank you to Tracee at Pump Up Your Books Virtual Tours!

Comments Always Welcome!

Witch Woman By Jeanette Baker

Witch Woman by Jeanette Baker

ebook, 384 pages

Published January 31st 2011


*This book is being reviewed through  Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours. Book was provided for review. No compensation was received for review. All opinions are my own.*

Synopsis from Good Reads:

In two different centuries, four hundred years apart, the lives of Abigail March and her daughter, Maggie, play out along parallel lines, both women blessed and cursed by a selective birthright and marked with a startling mutation, heterochromia iridium, one brown eye, the other blue. 
In 1692 Abigail and three-year-old Maggie, are accused of witchcraft. Most women who found themselves facing the hangman’s noose during this shameful time are innocent. Abigail is not. Summoning her powers, she sends her child through a time portal into twentieth century Salem. 
Maggie grows to maturity knowing nothing of her birthright until her foster mother’s death bed confession. Using her clairvoyant abilities and the medium of an ancient spinning wheel, she resurrects her past through a series of troubling dreams. 
Meanwhile Abigail locates the time portal and slips through, changing her identity, hoping to find her child and bring her home through the narrowing portal. 
Unknown to both women are the dangers of the old world’s dark forces, a swiftly narrowing time portal, and a missing child who desperately needs Maggie’s “sight” a sight that continues to blur as her ties to old Salem strengthen.


My take:


I have been fascinated with the Salem Witch Trials since I first learned of them in grade school. I tend to read everything, non fiction or fiction, that I can find on them.  When Tracee offered this book for a tour review I jumped on it. I was not disappointed. I loved reading this book. 

This book is a work of fiction based upon an actual event.  It goes between two different time periods;  Salem today and Salem from 1692.  The author takes us simultaneously between them, not missing a beat with different speech patterns and words. This, along with accuracy in the parts dealing with the actual witch trials, shows me the author did careful and thorough research.  Ms Baker writes an excellent story that she unfolds in both worlds at the same pace. The characters were likable. I would have liked to know more of Nathanial, John, Abigail, Judith and their story but perhaps that will be told in a sequel. *Hint. Hint, Ms. Baker.* I figured out some parts of the story ahead of time yet the ending was a surprise to me. I liked the beginnings of a romance between Scott and Maggie although I would ultimately want Maggie with someone who was more in tune with Wicca. I noticed that Scott was very much like Maggie's father, John March, even before it was brought out. I liked the way the author brought various characters from one world into the other, blending them in. I also liked the spells that were written in. They enriched the story for me. For me, Jeanette Baker wrote a fresh and interesting story. I was drawn into it. I enjoyed it. I would like more of it. I recommend this book if you are looking for something witchy in the YA category. 

Also by Jeanette Baker:

 

Website for Jeanette Baker:  http://www.jeanettebaker.com/

Blog is at: http://fromanamericanperspective.blogspot.com/

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51913.Jeanette_Baker


Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanette-Baker-author/269372107337

Please stop by tomorrow for guest post by 

Jeanette Baker!

Comments Always Welcome!

A Day with Miss Melanie

I Love You More Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn

I received this book for review in December 2011, (you can read the review here). It quickly became our favorite children's book from 2011. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have the author Melanie Milburn as a guest today! Valentine's Day is coming. If you are looking for a wonderful gift for a child, expectant or new parents and/or grandparents, I highly recommend this book. It is a chocolate treat that will be enjoyed over and over. I also share this book with grandchildren in another state. It is a wonderful book and song, (a CD comes with it), to let a child know how much you love them everyday. Many of you know Junior, (the child in the pictures labeled One Face of Autism). He asks me all the time, "Grandma, you love me more than chocolate?". When I say yes, he is so delighted and tells me, "I love you too, more than chocolate." . Please enjoy this video of her singing the song, I Love You More Than Chocolate. 

I hope you enjoy the very fun and musical guest post from Melanie below. I had a trip down memory lane with it and found myself playing all the songs once again. Amazingly, I remember all the words!  Please do check out her wonderful book!

A Day in the Life of Miss Melanie - Preschool Teacher

In 2010/11, our class was made up of 12 very energetic boys and 3 sweet, angelic, girls. 

Our day always begins with greeting time.  In the past, I have begun our day with this song:

Hello children, hello children, hello children

But this year my song of choice was:  WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

The first hour at preschool is free choice time; children have the opportunity to choose what they do and the teachers are there to supervise, interact with, and help the children solve problems.  They may choose to do an art project, play blocks, work at the woodworking bench, or read books.  This year’s favorite activity was, hands down, this:

EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING

After free choice, the children are responsible for putting the toys away.  I would sing …

IT’S TIME TO PUT THE TOYS AWAY,” and it worked very well.

Snack time:

Snack time is a very social time.  This year’s favorite topic was quite interesting.  It was all about bodily functions.  I have yet to figure out why this subject fascinates 4-year-olds, but every year it does.  Once again I found myself turning to song, to the tune of “Frere Jacques,” with some new words:

No more potty talk, no more potty talk, poop or pee, poop or pee

If I hear it one more time, I’m going to lose my mind

It must stop, it must stop!

Circle time is always fun.  Stories are a must, science experiments, math activities, and more, as long as the children cooperate, follow directions, and listen.

The hardest part is just getting their attention and I have found that after 18 years of teaching the best way is to start whispering.

Please be quiet.  No response.  Please be quiet.  No response.  PLEASE BE QUIET! No response.  So I use my big girl voice and say:

DON’T GIVE ME NO LINES, AND KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!

Right about now, an old Beatles song always crosses my mind.

HELP I NEED SOMEBODY …

Sometimes, I escape to my only place of sanctuary, the bathroom, where I proceed to give myself a much-needed pep talk.

“Come on Mel, you can do it.  You are not afraid of anything.  You are a Preschool teacher.  Get out there and carpet denim, I mean seize the day!!  You cannot be defeated!!  I am woman, hear me roar”!!  Or as Gloria Gaynor sang

I WILL SURVIVE

And then, it’s time to go.

We had so much fun, before you know it, our day is done

Goodbye children, Goodbye children, Goodbye children

It’s time for you to go

Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Melanie Milburn is Director of New Horizons Preschool in Durango, Colorado, where she has been teaching for 18 years.  She has been writing songs for over 20 years and has produced two CDs for children.  Melanie recently transformed one of her songs into a book titled, “I Love You More Than Chocolate”.  The book comes with a CD of Melanie singing the book and children love being able to listen to the CD while turning the pages of the book.  To learn more about Melanie and her book go to her website, 

www.melaniemilburn.com

Melanie also has a video on you tube of the very popular and fun song, Slippery Fish. If you have a preschooler you may enjoy it also. 

Thank you so much Melanie Milburn for guesting today! 

Comments Always Welcome!

Review of Exceeding Expectations by Lisa Smith

Exceeding Expectations by Lisa April Smith

* I received this book from the author. No promise of a review was given. No compensation was received.*

From the author:

It’s 1961 and Palm Beach socialite, irresistible rascal and devoted father Jack Morgan encounters genuine danger while staging his suicide to shield his beloved daughters from disgrace. Next, meet his daughter Charlotte (Charlie), an over-indulged 23 year-old struggling to cope with the traumatizing loss of her beloved father, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and the discovery that she’s now penniless. Fortunately Raul, an admiring young attorney, appears to offer assistance. As terrified as she is about daily survival, Charlie soon realizes that she has to learn what drove her father to kill himself. With Raul’s much needed ego-bolstering and new-found determination, Charlie discovers a practical use for her lanky 5’ 11” frame. This career will not only finance her sister’s costly treatment, but an ocean-spanning journey that leads to disturbing truths about her father, a family she doesn’t know, crimes great and small, a diabolical villain and a fireworks of surprise endings. 


My Opinion: 


What if within a few weeks you lost your father to suicide, you lost your home, your sister, your way of life? What if you then discovered you were not who you are? Your sister does not have the same father as you? Your father was not the man you believed him to be? What if you didn't know what really happened to your mother? If these questions intrigue you, you will want to read this book. 


I read and loved Lisa Smith's first novel, Dangerous Lies. Frankly, I was wondering if she would be able to maintain the level of writing in future books. When your first book is a 5 star read, it is hard to go up. Ms. Smith easily handled it.  Lisa April Smith has proven herself to be a master story teller. She spins a web and you are happily content to be stuck on it. I was engrossed from the beginning of Exceeding Expectations. Ms Smith writes well thought out stories. I believe she researches and knows her subject matter. She brings to the shelf a book she can be proud of and one we can get lost in. Exceeding Expectations does exactly that. Ms Smith handled writing a story that goes from one location to another, one generation to another without dropping the ball. I am a person who looks at the cover for first indication as to my level of interest. I'm not fond of the cover, although I do understand's relevance. If you are also not fond of the cover, remember to not judge a book by it's cover, even if it fits. Which it does in the way that art is involved in this story, bad art by a man who hides his true identity from everyone. Perhaps even his self, as I imagine each time he is reinventing himself he is losing more of who he is. An intriguing thought. Perhaps one that will become more apparent in the sequel to this book, Paradise Misplaced.  A sequel I am greatly anticipating.


If you haven't read it, Lisa also wrote: 

A captivating book telling the story of a mob mistress. My review can be read here.

You can find Lisa on her website at http://www.lisaaprilsmith.com/

She is someone to follow on Twitter where she does answer you back. https://twitter.com/#!/LisaAprilSmith

Of course she is a Good Reads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5118989.Lisa_April_Smith

Friend her on FaceBook http://facebook.com/LisaApril.smith

If you are looking for compelling well written books, Lisa Smith is your author!  Every month she has a giveaway of one of her books on her website. Be sure to check that out. I am sure you will like her! I know she would be thrilled to hear from you.

Comments Always Welcome!

Review of Vampire Blues by Stephany Simmons

Vampire Blues by Stephany Simmons

Book Two of Lian and Figg

Kindle Edition

*An Ebook copy was given to me for review by the author. No compensation was offered or received. No promise of a good review was made. Opinions expressed are solely mine.*

Good Reads Blurb:

Lian and Figg are still recovering from events that almost destroyed their lives, but when a good friend comes to them with a serious problem, they can't turn him away. Soon, Lian and Figg are neck-deep in local vampire politics and framed for a massacre they had little to do with. On top of that, the local werewolf pack is sniffing around, looking for favors.

My Turn:

I was happy to see this  sequel to Voodoo Dues, (review here),  pop up.  I had been eagerly waiting for it. I enjoyed Voodoo Dues but, as Stephany is a new writer, I was curious to see if she could keep it up. I am ecstatic to say YES SHE CAN. 

The action comes fast and steady in Vampire Blues. The characters we loved in Voodoo Dues are back and just as quirky as ever. Ms Simmons has brought  a gay ghost, vampires and werewolves into the story. Oh my! 

One of my favorite characters is Carl who, in this book, brings with him a gay ghost. I do wish Boyd, the gay ghost, had a bigger role. I would have loved to read the conversations between him and Carl.  I imagine they would be truly hysterical.  Here is a sample of Carl for you:

Carl Tharpe, necromancer, former cross-dressing psychic and as of late, waiter, climbed out of the passenger side, unfolding his massive frame, even the SUV was too small for him. “Do you think they’re dating?” Figg asked me. 

Carl was probably in his mid-thirties and easily six-foot-five. My best guess was that Rene was in her sixties, a diminutive five-foot-two at most. “I hope not,” I told Figg. “That would just 

be…”

“Weird,” we said at the same time. 

“Would you consider that a ménage à trios?” Figg asked. Carl had a constant spirit companion, a psychic ghost of a gay man who’d perished from a drug overdose in the late 1970s. 

(Kindle Locations 47-52)

and

The door chimed and John walked in, wearing a pair of sweat pants that I’d forgotten I had and an oversized X-men t-shirt that Figg liked to sleep in. “Figg will kill you if you mess that shirt up,” I said. She’d told me so many times that it was old-school and that she’d never find another one like it. 

“Give me a break, man,” John said, “It’s the only thing we could find that would fit me.” 

“We?” I asked. 

“Carl said I had to get dressed because his ghost was driving him nuts,” John sat in one of the club chairs near the door, “whatever that means.”

"Boyd is gay.” I grabbed a bottle of scotch and two glasses, walking over to join John. 
“If I didn’t need a drink before, I do now.” He took one of the glasses from me; I opened the bottle and poured. 

 Kindle Locations 667-675. 

In this book Lian and Figg are trying to figure out their relationship. Carl being harassed by vampires, John maybe turning into a werewolf and trouble with a vampire stalker all get in the way of them figuring it out. But that is okay as we get to be a part of the action. There is plenty of it in this edition. Skip has to be one of the most unlikely vampires I know of. Forget sexy. However Skip does have his charm.  Read on:


“For a few months now,” he looked up at me. “I know what you’re thinking. I thought the same thing.” 
“What?” I sat down across the table from him. 
“Vampires are supposed to be handsome and seductive.” 
It was exactly what I was thinking. I started to ask him if he could read my mind, but thought better of it. 
“I thought it would be like instant cosmetic surgery, at least liposuction.” He grabbed his gut and shook it up and down. “Have you ever heard of a fat vampire?” 
Kindle Locations 427-432

As you can see Stephany has a great sense of humor that shines throughout the book. She is also adept at writing action and romance, (clean), both of which are a big part of the book. The Lian and Figg series are not your usual paranormal  books.  Nobody is guaranteed to look perfect - not even the vampires who normally are. One gets the feeling that anything is up for grabs in the humor department and none of it appears to be truly mean spirited. Stephany writes of all types of paranormal so one never knows just who or what is going to be included in each book. I love this. It reminds me of Cracker Jacks - a surprise in every book. My one regret with this book is that it ended and now I must wait for the next installment. I hate waiting. Write more Stephany. Sleep is overrated. Haha.  

Books by Stephany Simmons:

You may find out more from this author on her website http://stephanysimmons.com


Friend her on FaceBook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephany-Simmons/204354502914535


Follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/stephanysimmons


Fan her on GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5028646.Stephany_Simmons

Comments Always Welcome!

Review of Dangerous Lies by Lisa April Smith

Hi Everyone! Sorry but I had some personal issues going on and ended up away from the site. I have missed visiting so many of you! I am excited to be back and will be stopping by to catch up with what you are all doing and reading! Now on to my first review of the New Year! 

Dangerous Lies by Lisa Smith

 EBook & Paperback, 254 Pages

*An Ebook copy was given to me for review by the author. No compensation was offered or received. No promise of a good review was made. Opinions expressed are solely mine.*

Good Reads:

The trial had everything an ambitious prosecuting attorney could want: a solid case against a known crimelord and a seductively beautiful witness with a steamy past - ingredients guaranteed to pack a courtroom." From its first line, Dangerous Lies entices. Alternately raw, romantic, funny, and terrifying, this racy new thriller has two unforgettable protagonists. Tina Davis is the former mob mistress who inexplicably risks her life. Jake Stern, is the prosecuting attorney who hides a crippling fear behind a handsome stoic mask. Repelled by her past and obsessed with her presence, it's Jake's job to keep Tina alive.

My Turn:

Lisa sent me this book awhile back. Unfortunately, most of you know how it goes with TBR listings. I wish I could have gotten to it sooner. 

I found this book a thrilling read. I admit, I do love the "mob" stories. I  grew up in Chicago, (Al Capone, Tony Lombardo, Bugs Moran, Sam Giancana among others).  I grew up hearing of stories of the mob, reading of them in the local papers and seeing them on the local news. Lisa wrote a book that reminded me of those stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was so into the book that I had a hard time taking breaks. When I needed to do something or was interrupted by that thing called life, I was annoyed.  I found myself falling asleep with my Kindle in my hands because the hour was so late, only to wake up after an hour or so of sleep to read a little more. I was a grumpy camper in much need of solid sleep when I finished this book.  Lisa had sent me a tweet with this message attached: Warning: expect the unexpected. She didn't lie. The book takes many turns. Even though I did figure it out she still managed to get the unexpected in. I was interrupted right at that part and nearly had a heart attack. I commented on it on Good Reads. I rushed through what was needed and returned to finish the book. 
I loved Tina. I was rooting for her almost from the start. She triumphed over a hard life. It was hard to end the book and say goodbye. Jake had me then lost me. I know this man. I have met him a few times with different names. Rose I often wanted to slap. Then I started wondering what made her the way she was. Perhaps someday Lisa will satisfy that curiosity.
They are a few of many characters who will stay with you. I don't want to spoil the book by saying more but Lisa does play your emotions like Eric Clapton plays guitar. 

I was amazed by how compelling a read this book was. I have a hard time thinking of this as being Lisa's first book. She writes in a more experienced way. Recently she released Exceeding Expectations. I found the title ironic since I feel she did that with Dangerous Lies. I am looking forward to reading this one. Lisa is a truly talented storyteller. 

You can find Lisa on her website at http://www.lisaaprilsmith.com/

She is someone to follow on Twitter where she does answer you back. https://twitter.com/#!/LisaAprilSmith

Of course she is a Good Reads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5118989.Lisa_April_Smith

Friend her on FaceBook http://facebook.com/LisaApril.smith

She really is an open and friendly author. Check her out, especially if you like legal thrillers. Every month she has a giveaway of one of her books on her website. Be sure to check that out. I am sure you will like her! I know she would be thrilled to hear from you.

Comments Always Welcome!