The Midnight Watch

As the Titanic and her passengers sank slowly into the Atlantic Ocean after striking an iceberg late in the evening of April 14, 1912, a nearby ship looked on. Second Officer Herbert Stone, in charge of the midnight watch on the SS Californian sitting idly a few miles north, saw the distress rockets that the Titanic fired. He alerted the captain, Stanley Lord, who was sleeping in the chartroom below, but Lord did not come to the bridge. Eight rockets were fired during the dark hours of the midnight watch, and eight rockets were ignored. The next morning, the Titanic was at the bottom of the sea and more than 1,500 people were dead. When they learned of the extent of the tragedy, Lord and Stone did everything they could to hide their role in the disaster, but pursued by newspapermen, lawyers, and political leaders in America and England, their terrible secret was eventually revealed. The Midnight Watch is a fictional telling of what may have occurred that night on the SS Californian, and the resulting desperation of Officer Stone and Captain Lord in the aftermath of their inaction.

Told not only from the perspective of the SS Californian crew, but also through the eyes of a family of third-class passengers who perished in the disaster, the narrative is drawn together by Steadman, a tenacious Boston journalist who does not rest until the truth is found. The Midnight Watch is a powerful and dramatic debut novel--the result of many years of research in Liverpool, London, New York, and Boston, and informed by the author's own experiences as a ship's officer and a lawyer.

The Titanic has always been fascinating to me.  So many lost lives, so must potential never realized. So when I was given the opportunity to review this title I was intrigued to read a fictional account based on historical facts.  The author was so well researched that while it read like a fictional novel, it provided so much knowledgeable information.  I feel in love with some "characters" and tried desperately to understand why others didn't respond to the distress signals.  I found myself looking up more information outside of the book just because I wanted to know more!  The only reason I gave this a 4 star rating instead of 5 was at times the characters were hard to differentiate, but this could have easily been because I don't have an in-depth understand of maritime ranks.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction based on actual events.  I will be on the lookout for more novels by this author in the future!

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

 

Paris is Always a Good Idea

Rosalie Laurent is the proud owner of Luna Luna, a little post-card shop in St. Germain, and if it were up to her, far more people would write cards. Her specialty is producing "wishing cards," but where her own wishes are concerned the quirky graphic artist is far from lucky. Every birthday Rosalie sends a card inscribed with her heart's desire fluttering down from the Eiffel Tower - but none of her wishes has ever been fulfilled.

Then one day when an elderly gentleman trips up in her shop and knocks over a post-card stand, it seems that her wish cards are working after-all. Rosalie finds out that it is Max Marchais, famed and successful author of children's books who's fallen into her life. When he asks her to illustrate his new (and probably last) book, Rosalie is only too glad to accept, and the two - very different - maverick artists become friends.

Rosalie's wishes seem to be coming true at last, until a clumsy American professor stumbles into her store with accusations of plagiarism. Rosalie is hard pressed to know whether love or trouble is blowing through her door these days, but when in doubt, she knows that Paris is Always a Good Idea when one is looking for the truth and finding love.

This book had everything I love in a book - Paris, a grouchy older man, love, and mystery! Knowing this going in I wasn't expecting much because I didn't want to be disappointed.  But it blew me away.  I really enjoyed every second of reading this story.  The man characters were adorable and the grouchy man was endearing.  I would love to see this story continue.  I enjoyed how the chapters went back and forth between the characters and showed events through both perspectives.  I don't see this done very often, but will seek it out more in the future.  At times the mystery felt obvious, but I didn't care.  How they came to the realization was what mattered most.  If you are looking for a book that will read easily and delight, this is for you!  While I don't buy many books, I will be on the lookout for this novel to add to my shelves.

     * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

Only Ever You

Jill Lassiter’s three-year-old daughter disappears from a playground only to return after 40 frantic minutes, but her mother’s relief is short-lived–there’s a tiny puncture mark on Sophia’s arm. When doctors can find no trace of drugs in her system, Jill accepts she’ll never know what happened, but at least her child is safe.

Except Sophia isn’t. Someone is watching the Lassiter home in an affluent Pennsylvania suburb, infiltrating the family’s personal and professional lives. While Jill struggles to balance building her photography business with parenting high-spirited Sophia, and David is distracted by pressure to make partner at his law firm, both of them are holding on in a marriage that’s already been rocked by loss.

Three months after the incident at the park, Sophia disappears again, but this time Jill and David become the focus of police and media scrutiny and suspicion. Facing every parent’s worst nightmare a second time, Jill discovers that someone doesn’t just want Sophia for her own, she wants to destroy the entire family.

I absolutely flew through the first half of this book.  When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about how I could be reading it.  It was a solid book from the beginning.  I loved the mystery element coupled with the family dynamic because it made the story multi-layered.  Then I kind of hit a bump.  Some of the events required me to suspend belief because they seemed a little too far fetched.  The mystery seemed so easy and I kind of checked out.  I had felt the book went from a 5 star to a 3 star at that point.  And then...let's just say - keep reading!  The characters were human and easy to relate with.  And I loved the book because it gave me a satisfying ending without everything tied up all neat and perfect.  I ended up giving the book a solid 4 stars and will look for more works by Rebecca Drake in the near future!      

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

Keep Me Posted

Two sisters share the surprising highs and cringe-worthy lows of social media fame, when their most private thoughts become incredibly public in this fresh and funny debut novel.

Sisters Cassie and Sid Sunday have not done a bang-up job of keeping in touch. In their defense, it hasn’t been easy: life veered in sharply different directions for the once-close sisters. Today, beautiful and big-hearted Sid lives an expat’s life of leisure in far-off Singapore, while harried, iPhone-clutching Cassie can’t seem to make it work as a wife and a mom to twin toddlers in Manhattan.
 
It doesn't help that Sid spurns all social media while Cassie is addicted to Facebook. So when Sid issues a challenge to reconnect the old-fashioned way—through real, handwritten letters—Cassie figures, why not?
 
The experiment exceeds both of their expectations, and the letters become a kind of mutual confessional that have real and soul-satisfying effects. And they just might have the power to help Cassie save her marriage, and give Sid the strength to get her life back on track.
 
But first, one of Cassie’s infamous lapses in judgment comes back to bite her, and all of the letters wind up the one place you’d never, ever want to see them: the Internet...

 

 

This book was a disappointment.  Initially, I was very intrigued by the description but I didn't feel that it delivered what I was hoping for.  While the sections that described Cassie's motherhood adventures were hilarious, I found myself wanting a book that included more of that humor instead of the far off plot that just seemed too unbelievable.  Letter writing is a lost art and I was hoping for so much more.  Also, just a personal issue for me was the excessive use of the f word.  I just find it distasteful and didn't like how it was used so much in the book.  I gave this book two stars, but feel my actual rating would be 2.5.        

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

When I'm Gone : A Novel

Luke Richardson has returned home after burying Natalie, his beloved wife of sixteen years, ready to face the hard job of raising their three children alone. But there’s something he’s not prepared for—a blue envelope with his name scrawled across the front in Natalie’s handwriting, waiting for him on the floor of their suburban Michigan home.
The letter inside, written on the first day of Natalie’s cancer treatment a year ago, turns out to be the first of many. Luke is convinced they’re genuine, but who is delivering them? As his obsession with the letters grows, Luke uncovers long-buried secrets that make him question everything he knew about his wife and their family. But the revelations also point the way toward a future where love goes on—in written words, in memories, and in the promises it’s never too late to keep.

This was a unique read for me.  Initially, I was really interested in the story, then that sort of wore off.  I fully expected to give this book three stars, but then the ending... It ended at a place I that was exactly what this book needed.  I love these type of family stories that involve a "past" that must be discovered.  While some of it was a little unbelievable and too coincidental, I was able to suspend that enough to really enjoy involving myself in Luke's life.  I would definitely be interested in checking out other books written by Emily Bleeker.  

 

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

The Word Game

For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it’s a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin’s house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe. But Alyson’s sense of peace is short lived. When Lyla comes home the next morning, she reveals something that could tear apart not only their family but also the entire community. Now, Alyson and Tricia must confront their painful shared past as they come together to help a little girl who they fear might be harboring terrible secrets similar to their own. Will the sisters be strong enough to face their demons in order to protect the child, even if it means telling their most private truths?

Oh man, I had such high hopes for this story!  While the subject matter was difficult, I felt strongly that I would really enjoy the book.  And I liked it okay, but something just fell short.  There are very few times that I wish a book was longer, but in this case I did.  I wanted to know more about the relationships.  I felt bad for what happened, but I didn't feel affected by it like I usually am with this kind of story line.  I just wanted more!  Other reviews I have read, disliked Aly and her actions.  I actually fully supported her in every situation that she was involved in, past and present.  I wouldn't tell anyone not to read it, because it was a quick read.  However, it's not a book that I think readers will become emotionally invested in.  I gave this book 3 stars overall.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

         

The Girl You Lost

Eighteen years ago your baby daughter was snatched. Today, she came back.

A sinister and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the No.1 bestselling author of The Girl With No Past.

Eighteen years ago, Simone Porter’s six-month-old daughter, Helena, was abducted. Simone and husband, Matt, have slowly rebuilt their shattered lives, but the pain at losing their child has never left them.

Then a young woman, Grace, appears out of the blue and tells Simone she has information about her stolen baby. But just who is Grace – and can Simone trust her?

When Grace herself disappears, Simone becomes embroiled in a desperate search for her daughter and the woman who has vital clues about her whereabouts.

Simone is inching closer to the truth but it’ll take her into dangerous and disturbing territory. Simone lost her baby. Will she lose her life trying to find her?

This story was fast-paced, intriguing and a great thriller!  I did not want to stop reading and plowed through the whole book!  My only criticism would be that I would have liked to have a little more setup with regards Simone, Matt and Helena.  I felt terrible for what happened to them, but didn't feel as connected to them as I felt like I could have.  I love books like this, but so many times they seem predictable, unrealistic or just disappointing.   This book delivered!  While I knew there had to be more, I was never quite sure what that would be.  That's why I loved it - it definitely had me guessing until the end!  I will be picking up more Kathryn Croft books now that she is on my radar!       

   
 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *