The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Genre: General Fiction/Mystery
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 373
Book Source: Own audio

It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.

Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.

Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.

Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.

Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.

Review:

Depressingly good! That's the first words that spring to mind when reflecting on The Weight of Silence. Not a feel good story by any stretch of imagination but a sensitive often painful exploration of family, alcoholism, abuse, secrets, and friendship.

I''m glad I listened to this one on audio, it gave the multiple narrations clarity and depth. The only narration I didn't care for was the voice of Petra's father, Martin; but that's probably a matter of personal taste. The story isnt overly graphic but obviously any novel dealing with the tragedy of emotional and physical abuse is difficult to read and particularly sad to listen to.

Calli, Ben & Petra are characters that tug at your heartstrings, Calli and Ben for what they have been through with an abusive, alcoholic father and Petra for providing Calli with a voice and loving her best friend unconditionally. The reader is educated about the heartbreaking circumstances behind Calli's selective mutism but her silence also adds another element of suspense to this mystery.

The Weight Of Silence is definitely a story that stays with you and I'm looking forward to reading Heather Gudenkauf's new novel, These Things Hidden.

Visit the author's website to find out more.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: Delirium #1
Publication Date: Feb 1st 2011
Pages: 440
Book Source:  HarperTeen & NetGalley

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review:

WOW! I fell in love with Delirium upon reading the synopsis and I'm so glad I wasn't disappointed after turning the final page. I know some have found it a little slow to start but I have to say I found it 'unputdownable' ... Haunting, addictive, beautiful ... I inhaled it!

Portland, Maine, where love is a disease, amor deliria nervosa, and the cure is something akin to a lobotomy. Where society is made up of the cured and those under 18 yet to receive the cure, and then there's the invalids, those who refuse to conform, those who escape to the wilds. I loved the world-building but I would also have loved to know the catalyst dictating this incredible change in society. Now the story is not without discrepancies and implausibilities but surprisingly I was able to look past these and be completely transported.

The pace is fitting with Lena as narrator, as she moves from fearful to courageous, from conformist to questioning, to risk taking and outright rebellion, the pace ramps accordingly and I cheered her on. Lena and Hana's friendship has real ups and downs but the cornerstone of this novel is the blossoming love between Lena and Alex and it's oh so beautifully written. Oliver's prose is simple and complex, sad and uplifting, effortless and powerful but above all; beautiful.

"my heart is drumming in my chest so hard it aches, but it's the good kind of ache, like the feeling you get on the first real day of autum, when the air is crisp and the leaves are all flaring at the edges and the wind smells just vaguely of smoke - like the end and the beginning of something all at once."

And finally ... Waaah!!! Stamps feet and pouts; cliffhanger tantrum in progress. I commend Lauren Oliver for the breathtaking ending but one can only hold one's breath for so long and I loathe to be left hanging :(

I enjoyed Before I Fall but Delirium was so much more and I'll be waiting with bated breath for Pandemonium in 2012

Visit Lauren Oliver's website and blog to find out more about this talented author and her work.

This month on The Eclectic Reader 2 readers will win a copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver or The Tudor Secret by C W Gortner, or Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

A Christmas Ball by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan & Alissa Johnson

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 336
Copyright: 2009
Book Source: Courtesy of author Emily Bryan

At one spectacular ball in the height of the holiday season, three couples find the greatest gift of all: their perfect match.

My first anthology and a good holiday read.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of Emily Bryan's My Lady Below Stairs. Jane Tate, scullery maid and illegitimate daughter of Lord Somerville impersonates her half sister Lady Sybil to save the family's reputation. Stable hand Ian Michael MacGregor is the hero of the story and Jane's love interest and the pair's escapades make for a fun, refreshing read with much of Emily Bryan's trademark humour and lusty love scenes.

The second story, The Longest Night by Jennifer Ashley is a continuation of her Nvengaria series and while I liked the characters I didn't particularly enjoy the story, although I'm sure followers of the series will. The hero, Valentin is logosh (a shapeshifting demon) and the heroine Mary Cameron is Scottish and quite an endearing character. Overall I felt a little lost with this one and the paranormal elements were disconcertingly at odds with the mainstream regency romances.

Lastly, Alissa Johnson’s Traditions was absolutely delightful with an unconventional heroine becoming the unlikely love interest of a well-to-do Earl with slightly 'anal' tendencies. Patience Byerly and William Renwick are adorable together, add a father with alzheimers to the mix and things become a little more complicated.

Emily Bryan (Mia Marlowe) is already a favourite historical romance author of mine and I loved Jennifer Ashley's The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, now thanks to this entertaining anthology I'm keen to check out more of Alissa Johnson's work.

This month on The Eclectic Reader 2 readers will win a copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver or The Tudor Secret by C W Gortner, or Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford

Genre: General Fiction
Copyright: Dec 2010
Pages: 214
Book Source: Review copy courtesy of Bell Bridge Books

Her life's a mess. And so is her kitchen.

Divorced, heartbroken and living in a lonely New York apartment with a tiny kitchen, Rachel Goldman realizes she doesn't even know how to cook the simplest meal for herself. Can learning to fry an egg help her understand where her life went wrong? She dives into the culinary basics. Then she launches a blog to vent her misery about life, love and her goal of an unburnt casserole. To her amazement, the blog's a hit. She becomes a minor celebrity.

Next, a sexy Spaniard enters her life. Will her soufflés stop falling? Will she finally forget about the husband she still loves? And how can she explain to her readers that she still hasn't learned how to cook up a happy life from scratch?

Review:
Life From Scratch blogging about life ... one scrambled egg at a time was such an entertaining read, it's a coming of age story, even if that happens to be at the ripe old age of 34, it's about finding your voice and learning to use it. 

... starting the blog was like the first breath of air after breaking the water's surface while swimming. The words came out fast and furious; I had finally found my voice again, that old friend who had disappeared over the years from disuse.

Blogging can seem a little self-indulgent; foisting your free therapy on everyone else in the world. But some of us can't afford a vacation from life and therapy, so free isnt half bad. Plus the night I got my first comment was like finding life on Mars.

Rachel Goldman doesn't have a clue about cooking, she can barely toast a muffin, but in her quest to learn she finds a "new found love of butter" and herself. Rachel was so easy to identify with; the whole divorced, blogging, venting online, 'finding yourself' premise certainly appealed to me and of course anyone who blogs knows that comments let you know that you're not just singing in the wind. But if that doesn't sound like your usual cup of tea please don't be put off. Ford's writing style is authentic, captivating and amusing, a most enjoyable combination.

I thoroughly recommend Life From Scratch and I can't wait to see what's in store for the characters in the sequel. Now I just can't resist leaving you with this excerpt.

... didn't I once say that the point of this year was to get myself an entirely new life? I learned to cook for the first time in thirty-four years. I'm writing a successful blog and working on a book. I kill my own spiders. Isn't having sex with an uncircumcised penis the last great frontier I need to conquer?

About the Author: An amateur chef and popular blogger herself, Melissa Ford is the author of the award-winning website, Stirrup Queens.  Her highly-praised first book, Navigating the Land of If, is a work of non-fiction about the emotional landscape of infertility. She is currently at work on the sequel to Life From Scratch.

Visit Melissa Ford's website to find out more about this author and her work.

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This month on The Eclectic Reader 2 readers will win a copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver or The Tudor Secret by C W Gortner, or Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Series: Lorien Legacies # 1
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 440
Book Source: Own audio

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

Review:
What a ride! I'm sure the aliens living among us theme has been done to death but for me, I Am Number Four was an action packed page-turner. I haven't read a lot of sci-fi and even less YA sci-fi but I was hooked from page one and any predictability or discrepancies were rendered null and void in the excitement.

Nine Lorien and their guardians (Cepan) are sent to Earth in an attempt to save their race after the Mogadarian decimate their planet. Bad news; only 6 are left. The Mogadorian are hunting them down, in numerical order, (sucks to be number one) and it's a race against time for the remaining Lorien to develop their legacies (super-powers) and fight back.

I Am Number Four has a bit  of everything; great alien lore, a little 'first-romance,' (nothing too gag-worthy for those guys looking for a sci-fi read) loads of action and some terrific battle scenes. I thought the bond between John and his Cepan Henri was well depicted, I liked sweet Sarah and geeky Sam but the star for me was 'super-dog' Bernie Kosar.

Pitticus Lore is the pseudonym for James Frey & Jobie Hughes and I Am Number Four is just the first in a series of 6. The Power of Six, book 2 is due for release June 2011 and it's definitely on my watch-for list.

This is going to be one awesome movie and not long to wait ... release date February 18th 2011. Alex Pettyfer got the lead role as Number 4. The cast also includes Timothy Olyphant as Henri, Dianna Agron of Glee fame as Sarah, Teresa Palmer as Number 6, Aussie Callan Mcauliffe as Sam, Kevin Durand & Jake Abel.

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romance
Series: Bride Quartet Book 4
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 476
Book Source: Own purchase

Parker Brown turned the quartet's childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she's the face of Vows—the one who meets every bride's demands; keeps every event on schedule; and brings Emma's romantic flowers, Laurel's delicious treats, and Mac's stunning photgraphy together in one glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true...

Mechanic Malcom Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker Brown—with her mile-long legs—is no exception. But as a good friend to Parker's brother, Mal knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hookup is a serious step.

No man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kissess always catch her off guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

Review:

As much as I love this series I honestly thought I'd be a bit bored with the Bride Quartet novels by the time it came to Parker's story but Happy Ever After was a favourite. It was such a *sigh* *aahh* feel-good read, one that made me feel all warm and fuzzy, one that made me tear up, just a little, and it was exactly what I was hoping for.

I love reading about Mac, Lauren, Emma and Parker's friendship, their easy banter, their family-like connection, their  mother-like figure, Mrs G and of course their love interests. Happy Ever After was a particularly captivating read as it was fun to see controlled, organised, obsessive Parker unbend, have some fun and even become a little bit ruffled. Of course it didn't hurt that Malcom was as hot as the chemistry between these two.

Nothing like reading a good "Happy Ever After" once in a while and this was a fairy-tale ending for the girls of Vows!

See my reviews for the rest of the books in the series

Savour the Moment # 3

Bed of Roses # 2

Vision in White  # 1

This month on The Eclectic Reader 2 readers will win a copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver or The Tudor Secret by C W Gortner, or Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Cousins' War # 2
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 382
Book Source: Own Purchase

The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty.

Review:
The Red Queen was a fascinating story and even though I loathed the main character I kept turning the pages; testament to Philippa Gregory's writing. It's the story of Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry Tudor, who goes on to become Henry VII. Covering much the same time period as The White Queen (Elizabeth Woodville) but from a different perspective, we follow the feuding House of Lancaster and York in what is known as the War of the Roses.

‘I was born for this, my son was born for this.’

Margaret is overly pious, scornful, self absorbed and extremely unlikeable. She hides her true character and motives behind a cloak of religious zeal; a most unpleasant combination. Margaret is little more than a religious hypocrite with an unwavering conviction that her son Henry Tudor is the rightful heir to the throne, she spends her life plotting and scheming, to see him take the crown. Any compassion I felt for Margaret as a child forced to marry the brutal Edmund Tudor was short-lived. While I'm sure her appalling treatment during her brief marriage in part contributed to her abrasive character, her subsequent marriage to Henry Stafford and finally Thomas Stanley did little to showcase any redeeming qualities.

My enjoyment of The Red Queen came as a quite a surprise considering my intense dislike of Margaret, quite the contrast to Elizabeth Woodville, The White Queen. However, the story itself, if not entirely historically accurate, is just as compelling. I'm sure this woman didn't win many friends but there is no doubt she was an influential historical figure and pivotal to the founding of the tudor dynasty.

According to Philippa Gregory's website, the final book in the trilogy, originally titled The White Princess has now taken a slightly different path. The Rivers Woman, the story of Elizabeth Woodville's mother, Jaquetta, is due for release in late 2011.

See my review of the first book in this series The White Queen

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Patch by Mucheru Njagu

Genre: YA
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 240
Book Source: Phenix & Phenix

Prince of Wales Boarding School, nestled in a serene countryside, fondly nicknamed "Patch" was responsible for turning young boys into esteemed gentlemen who would one day occupy the hallways of world government power and authority. Behind the high walls lay a secret, a secret not told until now. Led by a group of students leaders known as "Prefects" the students were subjected to untold physical and verbal abuse, intimidation, fear and bullying. No one ever questioned their authority ... until Gabriel, a freshman transfer, a "rabble", forever changed what it meant to be in PATCH.

Review:

This is one of those books with a great premise that would have benefited from further editing and polishing. Patch is a quick read so my frustration with spelling errors and incorrect word usage was short lived and the underlying message of courage and hope wasn't lost.

The story is loosely based on the personal experience of the author which raised my already heightened levels of compassion and horror at the unimaginable abuse students experienced at the hands of Prince of Wales Boarding School prefects. For a culture of abuse to be tolerated in a school and perpetrated to such a degree it must be condoned by someone of higher authority than student leaders and that is certainly the case in this 'elite' boarding school.

Gabriel is a very likeable character, he's a beacon of hope that a system can be changed, he stands up for what he believes in and I teared up the day he "found himself". A poignant ending that I wasn't expecting, well worth the read.

About the author:

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Njaga moved to New York City after his time at Prince of Wales Boarding School. He currently lives in San Francisco with his fiancee and is working on a screenplay adaptation of Patch in addition to the book sequel.

Njaga experienced Patch from both the student and Prefect perspective - as a victim of the abusive system and one of its perpetuators. Since he understands both sides of what it means to be bullied, he is dedicated to bullying prevention by stigmatizing bullying as a cowardly act rooted in fear.

For more information on Mucheru Njaga or Patch visit http://www.mnjaga.com/

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Stay by Allie Larkin

Genre: General Fiction/Chick-lit
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 308
Book Source: Own audio

Synopsis: Savannah “Van” Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van is standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man she’s ever loved. Before Van’s mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy-tale ending will ever come true.

After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. But the pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak. Van is at the end of her rope...until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.

Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together they work to mend the pieces of Van’s shattered heart. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Joe’s vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted — proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better.

Review:

I adored this book, it was an absolute hoot and one of my favourites of the year for the pure enjoyment factor! Van is messed up, her mother has died, the man she has loved for years marries her other best friend, she's lonely, miserable and has a fondness for Kool-Aid Vodka cocktails.

When Van over indulges in her beverage of choice, orders a puppy over the internet and awakens with the hangover from hell I was almost rolling on the floor laughing. When Van lets fly with some very unladylike profanity after being knocked into a pile of poop I was giggling like a loon while grocery shopping (and getting some very strange looks) but there's a whole lot more to this story than a much appreciated gigglefest.

In Stay we get an up-close-and-personal view of Van's dysfunctional relationships, losses, loves, friendships and the unconditional love and acceptance she receives from Joe, the new furry member of her family. I was rooting for Van the whole way through, I laughed (a lot) and cried (a little) and cheered as she healed.

Van could easily be the girl next door, or my best friend, or me for that matter, although I'm not a fan of Kool-Aid *snigger* but I do have first hand experience with buying a puppy to mend a broken heart and bring some much needed joy into a family. Larkin's characters are just so real, I know that sounds cliched but they truly are. Louis (Alex's elderly friend) is an absolute darling, I wanted him to be my quirky old friend and Ms Larkin where do I find a vet like Alex??

Have I conveyed just how much I loved Stay? If you like a genuine, touching story with laugh out loud moments then I urge you to pick this one up ... go on, you know you want to :)

PS. Allie's German Shepherd Argo is pictured on the cover of Stay (cool hey)

Visit Allie Larkin's website to find out more about this author and her work

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink

Genre: YA Fantasy
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 343
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust. They just know they can't trust each other.

Review:
I started listening to Prophecy of the Sisters on audio and take my word for it, unless you like to be anaethetised I really wouldn't recommend it. The narrator has the most monotone voice ... not conducive to remaining awake. Fortunately I'd also purchased the paperback and what a difference reading this book made. Prophecy of the Sisters is dark and intriguing, Michelle Zink's writing is quite haunting, poetic at times, and the Victorian setting provides the perfect backdrop giving this story a gothic feel with ominous undercurrents.

I enjoyed seeing the character of Lia & Alice evolve as their roles in the prophecy and the ancient battle of good and evil are discovered. Brave Henry whilst not the most visible character, certainly plays a significant role and was a favourite of mine. The Prophecy itself unfolds slowly, a piece at a time and I found myself taking mental leaps ahead; often my assumption proving correct but the occasional nose-dive on my part had me applauding the misdirections, twists and turns. Call me strange but I also loved the fact that Alice herself and the dream travel scenes had the 'creep' factor *shudder, shudder*.

All in all Prophecy of the Sisters is an enjoyable debut novel, well set up for the continuation of the trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next installment ... Guardian of the Gate was released in August this year.

Visit Michelle Zink's website to find out more.

 

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Night Star by Alyson Noel

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Immortals Book 5

Copyright: 2010

Pages: 302

Book Source: Own Audio

Best friends make the worst enemies—they know all your secrets, your weaknesses, and just how to hurt you most...

After fighting for centuries to be together, Ever and Damen's future hinges on one final showdown that will leave readers gasping for breath. Don't miss this explosive new installment of the number one bestselling series that's enchanted millions across the world!

I'm gutted, I seriously thought this was the last book in the series. Imagine my dismay when I came to the end of Night Star and realised that the series couldn't possibly end there. I guess I was aware of the existence of the 6th book somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain but maybe I blocked it or maybe it was wishful thinking on my part that the series was over and my OCD could finally be layed to rest.

This installment was actually ok, albeit, a little dull. I can't even whinge about how dumb and annoying Ever is; maybe I just enjoy moaning about Ever but in Night Star she finally makes use of her brain. I can't say the same of Haven ... obnoxious cow and if I ever hear the word "fugging" again I'll have to puke for sure!

So here we are again ... I'm still criticising but I am still reading so there's obviously something addictive about this series and I'll be hanging out for book 6 in 2011. I've come this far, surely Ever and Damen deserve their happy ending ... I know I do!


Visit Alyson Noel's website or blog to find out more.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen

Genre: Memoir/Non-Fiction
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 208
Book Source: BookSparks PR

Synopsis: A personal and medical odyssey beyond anything most women would believe possible. At age forty-four, Alice Eve Cohen was happy for the first time in years. After a difficult divorce, she was engaged to an inspiring man, joyfully raising her adopted daughter, and her career was blossoming. Alice tells her fiancé that she’s never been happier. And then the stomach pains begin.

In her unflinchingly honest and ruefully witty voice, Alice nimbly carries us through her metamorphosis from a woman who has come to terms with infertility to one who struggles to love a heartbeat found in her womb – six months into a high-risk pregnancy.

What I Thought I Knew is a page-turner filled with vivid characters, humor, and many surprises and twists of fate. With the suspense of a thriller and the intimacy of a diary, Cohen describes her unexpected journey through doubt, a broken medical system, and the hotly contested terrain of motherhood and family in today’s society. Timely and compelling, What I Thought I Knew will capture readers of memoirs such as Eat, Pray, Love; The Glass Castle; and A Three Dog Life.

Review:

This was such an open, honest read for me. Actually it was more than a read, it was like sitting with a best friend and sharing your darkest thoughts and fears, things you don't usually tell others for fear of being judged. I found Alice Eve Cohen's candidness and amusing sarcasm refreshingly honest, it was an intimate look at thoughts and feelings not often voiced, in circumstances one would hope never to find themselves in.

I found it very easy to identify with the author having had my own struggle with infertility, high risk pregnancies and uncertain outcomes but I think this is a story that most people will find compelling. It could easily be titled "Pregnancy Disaster 101" but with Alice Eve Cohen's dark humour, understandably pessimistic views, the story's engaging format and my obviously warped sense of humour I saw the funny side in what really was a medical fiasco.

What I Thought I Knew is about life, love, losses and finding the courage to face all challenges. Kudos to Alice Eve Cohen for her courage during this journey and in bringing us her very touching story.

Don't forget to check out the author's guestpost and enter the giveaway for a copy of What I Thought I Knew here (hurry ends Dec 17th.)

Visit Alice Eve Cohen:

http://www.aliceevecohen.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Alice-Eve-Cohen/1046733364

http://twitter.com/AliceEveCohen




This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Genre: Young Adult
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 224
Book Source: review copy courtesy of author

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?

Girl, Stolen was a tense, nail-biting read and an insightful one at that. I've read a few YA kidnapping stories recently but what makes this one unique is Cheyenne's blindness. The story is told from the alternating view points of Cheyenne and Griffin, the teen car thief and initially unwitting kidnapper. The reader sees the story unfold through Cheyenne's sightless eyes, adding a whole new level of suspense, danger and terror to an already terrifying scenario.

Through flashbacks we get an up-close look at Cheyenne's blindness and it's impact with a degree of perception that could only be acheived by means of thorough research. The adjustments, the personal growth, the emotional toll, the heightening of other senses, it's all covered with honesty and in a way that could only be described as enlightening.

I found Griffin quite likeable and ended up having no trouble feeling compassion for this young man. Considering his upbringing, he had an innate sense of right and wrong, unlike his father and rotten cohorts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intense page turner and will definitely be checking out more of April Henry's novels ... Shockpoint one of April Henry's earlier YA novels has caught my attention, it sounds intriguing!

Visit April Henry Mysteries to find out more about the author and her work.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer

Genre: Children's
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 48
Book Source: Phenix & Phenix

When two young foxes set out to explore the forest, they encounter all kinds of creatures. Some of them are friendly, while others would like nothing more than to eat the two young explorers! Rusty and Ginger may be able to outfox bears, bobcats, cougars, and wolves, but can they unlock the mysterious box that awaits them on Treasure Island? And will the little girls they meet there turn out to be friends or foes?Join Rusty and Ginger as they travel through the woods. Author Tim Ostermeyer's beautiful wildlife photography provides a fox's-eye view of the forest. With a charming story to guide the way, and a fact page of wildlife information for every animal introduced in the book, readers can explore nature alongside Rusty and Ginger.

Review:
An adorable story about two young foxes, Rusty & Ginger. The stunning cover photo gives this book instant appeal and a simple story accompanied by beautiful wildlife photographs and a fact file on each animal the foxes encounter is sure to delight children.

Here's just a few of the facts I learnt while reading this book:

• foxes can run 45 mph
• deer have special stomachs that allow them to eat poisonous mushrooms
• wolves are born blind and deaf
• cougars cannot roar

I'll be passing this gorgeous book on to my 7 year old niece who loves animals, I'm sure she'll find it entertaining and educational. Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox would make a beautiful gift for a child in your life.

 

About the author:

Tim Ostermeyer is a Master Photographer who has won over 250 first-place awards for his photography. He has been named 'Photographer of the Year' nine times by various organizations, and has had fourteen images published in the Professional Photographers of America Loan Collection books. Tim has a studio in Allen, Texas, and travels around the world taking photographs of wildlife.

Visit http://www.rustyandgingerfox.com/ to find out more about Tim Ostermeyer and his work.

The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

Genre: Historical Fiction
Copyright: 2010

Pages: 622

Book Source: Borrowed from Alaine

Married to a king incompetent both on the throne and in bed, Emma does not love her husband. But she does love England. Even as her husband fails, Emma vows to protect her people-no matter what. For five decades, through love and loss, prosperity and exile, Emma fights for England, becoming the only woman to have been anointed, crowned, and reigning queen to two different kings, the mother of two more, and the great aunt of William the Conqueror.

Review:

Writers such as Helen Hollick really do breathe life into historical fiction, making it a joy for me to experience this previously little read era. With a lesser writer this could have been a disaster, but Helen Hollick takes a huge cast of characters and a complex, eventful period in history (1002 - 1042) and weaves an enthralling tale backed by meticulous research and insightful, convincing embellishment.

"Emma is the only woman to have been an anointed, crowned and reigning queen to two different Saxon Kings, yet she is barely known in history ...". (author's note)

I knew nothing of Emma prior to reading The Forever Queen. Daughter of Richard I of Normandy, married to King Aethelred of England at a tender age, re-married to Cnut, (pronounced K-noot) who became the Danish King of England after defeating Edmund Ironside (Aethelred's son) - phew ... complicated. Initially I was completely captivated by this strong young woman who endured a loveless marriage to a cruel, misogynistic husband & an ineffective King with dignity, who quickly grew to love England and become an astute & charismatic leader, who eventually found a mutual love and respect in her marriage to King Cnut. However, the forsaking of her children to foreign exile and subsequent actions, all stemming from a single-minded desire to retain her crown, somewhat lessened my admiration of this woman.

The Forever Queen has it all, a rich and descriptive tapestry of Anglo Saxon history, warring factions, political intrigue and betrayal, brutal violence, and yes, love. I had trouble putting this book down and considering the hefty size, what a credit to Helen Hollick's masterful storytelling. I’d recommend this book without hesitation to historical fiction buffs and I eagerly await the release of the follow up, The Chosen King (Harold the King) in March 2011.

Visit Helen Hollick's website to find out more about this talented author and her other work.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Matched by Allie Condie, or Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead or The Leopard Unleashed by Elizabeth Chadwick. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

My Soul To Lose by Rachel Vincent

Genre: YA
Series: Soul Screamers prequel
Copyright: 2009
Time: 1hr 48 mins
Book Source: free audio

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities ...

Review:

My Soul To Lose is the novella prequel to Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. It's a super quick, intriguing read; just a teaser really, for what I'm sure is going to continue to be a fascinating storyline.

Waking 15 hours after an extreme 'panic attack' to find herself in a psychiatric unit has Kaylee doubting her own sanity. I quickly connected with the main character, Kaylee is one tough cookie, she's funny, sarcastic and there's more to her than meets the eye. 

Dr. Nelson: “Do you have any family history of mental instability?”

Me: “Yes. My cousin thinks she’s twenty-one. My aunt thinks she’s eighteen. I’d call them both mentally unstable.”

Dr. Nelson: “Do you now, or have you ever, used or abused caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, or opiates?”

Me: “Oh, yeah. All of it. What else am I supposed to do in study hall? In fact, I better get my stash back from your rent-a-cop when I check out of here.”

Kudos to Rachel Vincent; I was hooked from the start, the narrator is good, there were plenty of skin crawly moments and I'm diving straight into My Soul To Take, the 1st book in the series.

Download the free ebook from the Soul Screamer's website - click here

or you can download the audio version for free on audible.com - click here

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Matched by Allie Condie, or Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead or The Leopard Unleashed by Elizabeth Chadwick. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Hunger Games #3
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 398
Book Source: Own Purchase

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Kattnis, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

Well after much anticipation, breath holding and yes a degree of sadness we say goodbye to Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and the whole Hunger Games crew. Collins' writing is masterful to the end making the Hunger Games series completely addictive and for me an overall favourite as far as series go. Brilliant, amazing, unique!

High praise, so why only 4 stars for Mockingjay? (still a good rating mind you.) I guess expectations can make or break a novel and whilst I expected violence, pain & suffering; it is war after all, I would have loved to see just a little joy with the heartache. I certainly wasn't expecting (or desiring) a sugar-coated happy ending but I couldn't help thinking poor Katniss ... give the girl a break!

Suzanne Collin's throws in a few 'curly ones' to keep the reader awake, some I anticipated and some I didn't, one that had me blubbering ... waahhh not fair and one I almost missed it was so anti-climactic. As far as the whole Team Peeta or Team Gale debate goes, I liked both equally for different reasons and would have been satisfied whatever the outcome in that department.

While Mockingjay left me feeling just a wee bit disappointed, don't let this put you off. The series on a whole is absolutely EPIC, one of the best I've read and any future novels by Suzanne Collins will qualify as automatic purchases :)

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Matched by Allie Condie, or Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead or The Leopard Unleashed by Elizabeth Chadwick. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.