Review: Max and Menna

Max and Menna by Shauna Kelley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came across this book through BookTasters. I am so happy I chose to read it!

This book destroyed me...in that good way that only a phenomenal book can. I am not going to lie. It is not your average teen issue but happy ending book. It has heavy topics and the ending? I'll leave that up to you.

Max and Menna are 11 years old twins. They live in poverty in a small southern town with their alcoholic mom and older sister. This is their coming of age story told from each of their viewpoints. There is so much that I want to say; that I want to discuss. But I don't do spoilers. And honestly, it has been 7 hours since I finished it and I still cry. Very few books touch me this deeply. I love Max, Menna and Nick. My heart just breaks for them and a few other characters.

The story is deep and, for me, feels real. I spent my childhood between small town southern life and big city life where the white supremacists had headquarters not far from my home. My city, Chicago, had a fence that divided a portion of the city; white on one side, black on the other. I can remember walking with a girlfriend and some boys. I remember the looks. I remember them having to cross the street, for their safety, and then a few blocks away, returning to us. Ironically, they were walking with us to make sure we got home safely. The story is not an easy read. You will read of abuse, neglect, alcoholism, bullies, racism, violence against girls and rape. It is an important story. When we look the other way we make a decision. When we ignore history we make a decision. When we choose words carefully, changing them, we make a decision. All decisions have consequences, good or bad. Books like this one have power. They have power to show how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

I have read books that I said were the best of the year. This is the first time I have read a book that I would call the best in a decade. In my opinion, this is a book for teens and up. Preteens if an adult buddy reads so they can discuss the issues. I think this is an excellent book for classroom and teen book clubs.

*I did receive an ecopy for review purposes. The actual book may or may not vary from my copy.

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Review: Max and Menna

Max and Menna by Shauna Kelley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review coming. I have to process. I have to stop crying. I have to think along with feel. For now I leave you with this: I have read books that I said were the best of the year. This is the first time I have read a book that I would call the best in a decade.

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Review: White

White by Angelina J. Steffort
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read many angel/demon-human romances. This, perhaps, keeps it fresh for me when I come across one.

I was captivated by the story. I liked Adam a lot. Claire, not as much. She was immature, especially for the experiences she had gone through. She acted and made decisions that I would expect from someone younger or one who had been sheltered from life. I thought she accepted the angel/demon part too easily for one never exposed to it. Perhaps, it will come out in another part of the trilogy that she had some prior talks about angels with her parents or something. That would explain the ease of her not being alarmed by wings sprouting out of nowhere. The other people in the book are well written as is the setting. The plot was really interesting. I'm curious to see what happens next. The story could have wrapped up on its own, except for the final chapter. There are a few hints that there is more to come before the final chapter but nothing that would prevent it as being a stand alone. The last chapter about Edward, though, really opens up the for the sequel. If you hate cliffhangers, don't read the last chapter about Edward, until the next book is released.

I like that this is a trilogy. It means it will wrap up quickly. These series with 25+ books kill me. I do think there may be potential for spin off books, depending on where the next two books take us. Spin offs I like much more than endless series. Don't get me wrong. I read a few of those 25+ series. I enjoy a very few of them greatly. It just is more likely that I get bored or think to myself, good lord what is going on in that small town! Are there any people left? Haha.

This is a clean YA fantasy. I would have no problem gifting it to teenagers. I would recommend it to friends who like fantasy. I think it would make a good selection for a teen book club.


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Review: The Girl Before

The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the psychological aspect of this book. So much of it made me stop and think. Who was the villain? Was anyone innocent? Do the things we go through in life makes us bad or good? How do they contribute to how we react to the house? How long we we last in a house like this one? Is a house like this one a good or bad one? Is it a possibility for the future? Was the reason to build it a true one or is it just a way to control someone? What are the positives and negatives and which outweighs the other? What could be the political and societal effects? I think too much, apparently.

The story kept me reading, thinking and guessing. Just when I thought I had Emma, Jane or Edward figured out, a twist would be tossed out. I would love to see this in movie form. Usually I'm against books going to movies. Hollywood just ruins them more often than not. However with all the remakes going on now, something fresh would be welcome. The plot in this has the potential to be an awesome thriller.

Answering the questions from the rental questionnaire was truly interesting. I just wonder what my answers say about me. Haha!


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Review: Behind Closed Doors

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the Audible version.

I found the story interesting. It definitely held my attention. I really enjoyed Georgia Maguire's performance. Perhaps it was her narration that kept me glued. I really liked her interpretation of the characters.

I listened to it from beginning to end. Normally, unless it is a novella, I take breaks the same as I do with paper or Kindle books. Yes, I did find a few things predictable but I also was surprised at times. In my opinion, that balanced out. The plot had my imagination going. I have had experience with a "perfect, oh so not, marriage". I did imagine and wonder what would I have chosen to do in Grace's position.

I am not the type of reader who has to have the story ring true to life. I read for enjoyment. I read to be entertained. For me, this book entertained me. I had no problem with whether or not the plot could or has happened exactly as written. If I want a book that mirrors life stories, I will turn to non fiction. If I want to read a true to life thriller, I look at true crime books. I would recommend the book to my friends.

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Review: On The Road To Villisca: The Hunt For The Midwest Axemen

On The Road To Villisca: The Hunt For The Midwest Axemen by Hank Brewster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I heard of the Villisca murders a few years ago and they stayed with me. I just couldn't get the facts of this case from puzzling my mind. Eight people, 6 children, murdered in their beds with only one showing signs of being woken up. This despite being in a shared room or even the same bed. How does that happen? As far as I have been able to tell, no sign of a drug being administered to prevent them waking. No struggle. No running away. No screams. It is a scary puzzle that gets scarier when you realize there were several murders that happened the same way around the same time. My heart cries for justice for these victims.
What I liked about this book was the use of the newspaper articles to tell the story. It was fascinating to read them. Newspapers told so much more back then. The coverage of the trial was amazing.
I know the author was trying to present things as they happened and in keeping with the language/spelling of the time. With so many newspaper articles and so many different cases, I think he did a good job. I learned things I didn't know. If he omitted or changed things, he stated it. I didn't agree with everything he did, but I understand his reasoning.
I don't think this is the best book out there regarding these murders but it is a book worth reading if you are interested in them. The author gives his opinion on who he believes did it. That does come out strongly towards the end. I'm not saying he is right or wrong about it; just letting you know his opinion is there.
I know the house in Villisca can be visited. It would have been interesting to know if he went there. To restore the home accurately and be able to provide tours, the current owners must have researched greatly. Perhaps, being from Villisca, they have something more to contribute. It would have been interesting to know if the author contacted them.
Would I recommend this book? Yes.


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Review: Intercepted by Love: Part 2

Intercepted by Love: Part 2 by Rachelle Ayala
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holey smokes! It's hot inside the book! Before I get started, though, let me say this is the second book in the series. You definitely need to read these in order. The first book ended on a cliffhanger as does this one. Normally I dislike cliffhangers but all the books are out in this series. Since I don't have to wait for a new book to come out I am fine with the cliffhanger.

I don't want to go into what the cliffhangers are in either book. My opinion on them though is they are some doozies! They definitely left me wanting to get on with the story. Andie and Cade are back with their dogs, Gollie and Red. We find out more about Roxanne and there is a new character introduced. I am enjoying getting to know Andie and Cade. They seem like a good couple but each has issues that need to be worked on. Huge issues. Will their searing hot passion be able to surmount those issues?

This series is considered spicy romance and is intended for mature audiences. It is definitely not for everyone. Those who object to explicit language and/or sex without marriage would enjoy a different book.

Chris Abell is back as the narrator. I enjoy his performance and am happy that he is continuing his role. Having the same narrator will be a bonus when I go back and listen to the series in its entirety.

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