What to Read Next - May, 2015

I know! It's been way too long since I've done one of these posts. Since I've stepped up my writing output, though, I've been blogging less. In an attempt to make up for being a slacker, here are some fantastic books I've discovered this year. As always, a variety of genres, to please any literary palette.

Hello Love by Karen McQuestion

General/Women's Fiction

Looking for a heartwarming feel-good love story with a dog in it? This is it! McQuestion always delivers a story that anchors itself deep in your heart, touching upon topics that everyone can relate to. This one is about love lost and love found and how, when we open our hearts, anything is possible.

Andrea becomes an accidental first-time dog owner. Dan, recently widowed, has just lost his dog. What they don't know when they first cross paths is that it is the same dog.

Departureby A.G. Riddle

SciFi / Time Travel / Technothrillers

If you like fast-paced SciFi, grab this one fast! It's recently been picked up by Harper Collins and the price will increase soon. AND the movie rights have been bought by 20th Century Fox.

If that's not enough of a selling point, here are a few lines from the blurb:

"Flight 305 took off in 2014...
But it crashed in a world very different from our own...

With time running out, five strangers must unravel why they were taken...
And how to get home."

The Language of Hoofbeats by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Literary / Contemporary Fiction

If you read my What to Read Next posts at all, you'll know I'm a Hyde fan. This is her best book yet. Alternating view points between the curmudgeonly Clementine and her new neighbor Jackie, it centers around the fallout that occurs when Star steals Clementine's horse. As always, Hyde delivers complex characters in an easy-to-read manner and brings them full circle.

"New to a small town, Jackie and Paula envision a quiet life for their kids: a young adopted son and two teenage foster children, including the troubled Star. However, they quickly butt heads with their neighbor, Clementine, who disapproves of their lifestyle and is incensed when Star befriends her spirited horse, Comet... When Star disappears with Comet, the neighbors are thrown together—far too close together."


The Banks of Certain Riversby Jon Harrison

Contemporary / Family Life Fiction

As a runner and frequent visitor to Michigan, I found this book very enjoyable -- rich in description and sometimes heartrending.

Neil is a teacher and cross country coach raising his teenage son alone. Years prior, his wife suffered a debilitating brain injury that now requires full-time care in a nursing facility. Neil ends up falling in love with his mother-in-law's caregiver, but struggles with letting his son know about it. Meanwhile, he breaks up a fight on school grounds, but video surfaces that makes it look like he physically assaulted one of the students.

Just when you think Neil is going to survive the circumstances, something else happens to worsen his ordeal. Hang in there, though. This is definitely worth reading to its conclusion.

The Highly Sensitive Person (Urban Books)by Elaine Aron

Non-Fiction / Self-Help

This is one I'll be recommending for years. If you've ever had someone tell you you're being 'too sensitive' or know someone who is deeply emotional or creative, this self-help book will put it all in perspective. Aron explains that Highly Sensitive People aren't riddled with a fault, but actually possess a desirable trait which contributes to the empathy and ingenuity of society.

"Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Is time alone each day as essential to you as food and water? Are you "too shy" or "too sensitive" according to others? Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? If your answers are yes, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)." 

Next installment -- Romance!

Happy reading,
Gemi

What To Read Next - Oct. '14

Besides finishing my ninth book recently, I've been immersed in some wonderful stories. There are so many great emerging new writers out there, it blows my mind.

More on my upcoming release soon! It's in the queue for editing and cover art. Meanwhile, I've started plotting two more contemporary novels. Yay!!!

1) The Park Service, by Ryan Winfield

"What if the plan to save Earth includes the extinction of humankind?

Sometimes the best intentions ultimately lead to evil ends. That's what fifteen-year-old Aubrey VanHouten learns when he stumbles onto a post-apocalyptic paradise where the few remaining humans live on the run from deadly drones controlled by a mysterious Park Service."

Action-packed dystopian fiction. I read and enjoyed Winfield's contemporary romance Jane's Melody awhile ago, but I thought this book was even better because the world-building allows Winfield's descriptive talents to come to light. The second installment of the series, Isle of Man, is on my TBR list.

2) Crazy Little Thing, by Tracy Brogan

"If Sadie Turner is good at anything, it’s putting stuff in order. So when she finds her “perfect” life in disarray, she hopes a summer vacation at her aunt’s lake house will help her piece it back together. She wants to relax, reboot, and heal the wounds left by her cheating ex-husband. And that requires time away from men. All men.

Or so she thinks.

With two slobbering dogs and two cousins living there—one a flamboyant decorator intent on making over Sadie—it’s hard to get a moment’s peace at eccentric Aunt Dody’s house, especially with everyone so determined to set her up with Desmond, the sexy new neighbor."

This is my new favorite romance - EVER!  Intelligent, witty, and downright hilarious at times. Brogan had me cracking up on almost every page, but still emotionally invested in Sadie and Des's story. I auto-bought the next Bell Harbor Book, The Best Medicine. That says a lot!

3) The Plagiarist, by Hugh Howey

"Adam Griffey is living two lives. By day, he teaches literature. At night, he steals it. Adam is a plagiarist, an expert reader with an eye for great works. He prowls simulated worlds perusing virtual texts, looking for the next big thing. And when he finds it, he memorizes it page by page, line by line, word for word. And then he brings it back to his world.
But what happens when these virtual worlds begin to seem more real than his own? What happens when the people within them mean more to him than flesh and blood? What happens when a living thing falls in love with someone who does not actually exist?"

Another great story by the SciFi Master, Hugh Howey. This novella pulled me in immediately. It makes you think a lot about how intensely real our imaginary worlds can seem, to the point where you start to wonder. It brings to mind the saying, 'There is no reality; only perception.'

Happy reading!
Gemi

What To Read Next - Sept. '14, #2

Here are some more don't miss reads!

1) The Martian, by Andy Weir

"Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first."

Intense, page-turning, reflective and sometimes funny, Weir's The Martian is topnotch Science Fiction told in gripping fashion (even with all the math equations). Seriously, I cannot wait for the movie! Any Hollywood producer who doesn't see the potential here is simply daft.

2) Call Me Tuesday, by Leigh Byrne

"At eight-years-old, Tuesday Storm's childhood is forever lost when the death of her older sister, Audrey, sends her family spiraling out of control into irrevocable dysfunction. In the wake of the tragedy, Tuesday's mother, distraught and looking for a scapegoat, singles Tuesday out from her siblings to take on the blame for Audrey's death, and then targets her for unspeakable abuse. 

Suddenly the loving environment Tuesday has come to know becomes an endless nightmare of cruel "games" and twisted punishments, as she's forced to confront the dark cruelty lurking behind the beautiful face of the mother she idolizes."

 Emotionally intense, this novel gives you an inside look into mental illness and emotional abuse from the child's perspective. Tuesday's story alternates between hope and powerless despair. One word: POWERFUL.

3) Take Me With You, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

"August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his nineteen-year-old son died. Every year he’s spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philip’s ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go.

What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip—and the bonds that develop between them—would prove, driving each to create a new destiny together."

No secret, I'm a Hyde fangirl. It's not always easy to find stories that are told with so much clarity and simplicity, yet still strike a profound chord. Take Me With You has my favorite Hyde characters yet.

Happy reading!
Gemi

What To Read Next - Sept. '14

I know! Where have I been? Never fear. I have been busy. In a good way. My ninth book is two chapters away from completion. The editor and cover artist have been penciled in. New ideas keep popping into my head and going into the story ideas file. I can't wait to get started on the next Halo book, and then to return to the new Sam McNamee series I've begun. More on that later. Meanwhile ...

I've compiled a great -- and eclectic, as always -- list of books that I want to recommend. This will take two installments, or more, so stay tuned.

1) Sand, by Hugh Howey

"The old world is buried. A new one has been forged atop the shifting dunes. Here in this land of howling wind and infernal sand, four siblings find themselves scattered and lost. Their father was a sand diver, one of the elite few who could travel deep beneath the desert floor and bring up the relics and scraps that keep their people alive. But their father is gone. And the world he left behind might be next..."

Whether or not you've read Howey's Wool series, if you like world-building and imaginative storytelling, pick up the Sand Omnibus. I'm one of those who used to say, "I don't read that genre", but great writing can definitely change your mind.

2) Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, by Denise Grover Swank

"Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all."

Rarely does a series keep my interest after three books, but even after five novels and a novella, I'm still eager for the next installment of Swank's Rose Gardener mystery series.  This is a cozy mystery series (meaning most of the violence takes place off page), with an ongoing love triangle and a good dose of humor. Rose is absolutely endearing and her visions add an interesting twist.

3) When Shadows Fall, by Paul Reid

"Still haunted by the British army’s treatment of soldiers during World War I, Lieutenant Adam Bowen returns to Dublin in 1919—and discovers a new war destroying his hometown. When his well-bred family ignores the violence between Irish revolutionaries and the British government, Adam turns his back on Britain and secretly aligns with the Irish Republican Army.
Then Adam meets golden-haired, blue-eyed Tara Reilly, and finds himself drawn to her quiet beauty..."

Artfully woven, masterfully written. This is a wartime love story you'll long remember. Adam and Tara are on opposing sides - but neither is aware of the other's secret. Can love overcome?


More to come soon. I have a book to finish writing!

Happy reading,
Gemi

What to read next (April 2013)

It's time for another installment of 'What to read next'! Today, I've included recommendations for New Adult, Literary Fiction, Womens Fiction, Historical Fiction/Fantasy, and SciFi. Take your pick!

1) My Deliberate Mistake, by Claire Svendsen

"Drowning was supposed to fix everything. We were meant to die together. That's not what happened.

Ana Turner goes through shrinks like normal girls run through boyfriends. They'd probably be able to help her if she ever told them what was actually wrong..."

Svendsen shines in her debut novel My Deliberate Mistake, a New Adult psychological thriller. (If you're wondering what 'New Adult' means, it's like YA but grown-up, with more adult themes and situations.) This is a refreshingly original story about a girl on the edge who probably needs her meds to keep her mental health in balance. But what Svendsen does so artfully is keep you guessing as to what is real and what might only be in Ana Turner's head. This is a really fast-paced read with twists and turns. Brilliantly written. If you like something edgy and delve into this, you'll see why I'm so excited about discovering this new author.





2)  Don't Let Me Go, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

"The heart-breaking, funny, and life-affirming story of a building full of loners and misfits who come together to help a little girl survive—and thrive—against all odds."

 

 This is the second of Hyde's books I've read and as with When You Were Older, this one tugged at my emotions and made me feel for the characters. Don't Let Me Go is another great work of literary fiction about a bunch of misfits and loners in an apartment complex on the bad side of town who band together to care for a young girl in need. These people don't want to get involved, yet they can't not help. Gradually, they all draw closer together. At the core of the story is young Grace, who talks a little too loudly and says what's on her mind, and Billy, a former performer who shares his love of dance with Grace and in doing so takes steps towards overcoming his phobia.



3) A Scattered Life, by Karen McQuestion

"Free-spirit Skyla Plinka has found the love and stability she always wanted in her reliable husband Thomas. Settling into her new family and roles as wife and mother, life in rural Wisconsin is satisfying, but can’t seem to quell Skyla’s growing sense of restlessness. Her only reprieve is her growing friendship with neighbor Roxanne, who has five kids (and counting) and a life in constant disarray – but also a life filled with laughter and love." 

I enjoyed McQuestion's The Long Way Home so much I went in search of another book from her. This is a gentler read, but with heartfelt emotions.

Sometimes our friendships develop with the most unlikely people. Unlike Skyla's orderly almost mundane life, her new neighbor Roxanne's is full of chaos, but abundant with joy. A meddling mother-in-law threatens to upset Skyla's relationship with her new best friend. A poignant ending.








4) In the Moon of Asterion, by Rebecca Lochlann

"There is a beast in the labyrinth... a monster. The people say he is both man and bull; they call him Asterion.

Of all Crete's citizens, only two dare enter his lair. One bears his child. The other sees the Goddess in his eyes. Terrifying yet compelling, the beast offers Crete's only hope for redemption."

In the Moon of Asterion is the third book in Lochlann's Child of the Erinyes series (it's currently on sale for the introductory price of 99 cents, along with the first book The Year-god's Daughter). Lochlann again weaves myth and history in this epic tale filled with ancient gods and goddesses, prophecies, heroic men and strong women, in particular Queen Aridela who must lead her people from ruin to rebuild their homeland and rise again as the power they once were.

Lochlann is a true wordsmith who builds a detailed world on the pages. Venture back to ancient Crete with In the Moon of Asterion.




5) Shift Omnibus Edition (Shift 1-3), by Hugh Howey

"In 2007, the Center for Automation in Nanobiotech (CAN) outlined the hardware and software platform that would one day allow robots smaller than human cells to make medical diagnoses, conduct repairs, and even self-propagate.

In the same year, the CBS network re-aired a program about the effects of propranolol on sufferers of extreme trauma. A simple pill, it had been discovered, could wipe out the memory of any traumatic event.

At almost the same moment in humanity’s broad history, mankind had discovered the means for bringing about its utter downfall. And the ability to forget it ever happened."

 This is the prequel series to Howey's breakout Wool Omnibus. If you haven't heard about Wool yet, you're missing out. Even if you don't normally read Science Fiction, give these books a try. They're about people, expertly crafted by a truly talented storyteller.

Happy reading,
Gemi

What to Read?

One thing I love to do is share about books I've read that have left an impression on me. Ever since I got my first Kindle, almost two years ago, I've come across more wonderful stories than I could ever imagine. So here are just a few titles you can check out!

#1 - Wool, Omnibus Edition, by Hugh Howey


"This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside."

~~~ Still not sure? Grab the first installment for FREE!

 Hugh Howey is just one recent self-publishing phenomenon. Here's a New Adult novel from another:


#2 - Hopeless, by Colleen Hoover

"Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies...

That's what Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she's never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried."

~~~ If you like Young Adult novels, but prefer something a little more . . . 'adult', this one has a lot of raw, gripping emotion. (*Contains some sex and violence. You have been warned. Still, great story and worth considering.)


#3 - Out of Time, by Deborah Truscott

"Kathleen Findlay is married to a cad, her mother is driving her crazy and her life is falling apart. Then her uncle dies, leaving her the family’s Revolutionary-era home and, she believes, an escape from her chaotic marriage. But one afternoon, while searching for a rake, she discovers a man in her garden shed — and a free fall through the centuries.

As her life spins wildly out of control, Kathleen finds her heart and in the process, her own place in time."

~~~ A sweet time-travel romance that has me eagerly awaiting the sequel.


#4 - When You Were Older, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

"Russell Ammiano works on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. On the morning of September 11, 2001, the phone rings while Rusty is rushing to work. The news is devastating: Rusty's mother has died of a stroke, leaving his brain-damaged older brother Ben alone. This news also saves Rusty's life. He's still at home when two planes hit the World Trade Center--and only one of his friends and colleagues survives. In a single day, the life Rusty built in New York crumbles to the ground."

~~~ Loved, loved, LOVED this book. I never knew what was going to happen and there were several surprises along the way that kept me flipping the pages. There's a growing love story in this one, hindered by the misunderstanding of cultures post 9/11.


#5 - The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey

"Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees."

~~~ At times bleak and filled with desperation, there is a glimmer of hope in this beautifully written tale. This is the kind of book that wins awards.

*****
~~~ Thanks to everyone who trailed along on my virtual blog tour for Uneasy Lies the Crown. I want to thank all my tour stop hosts and Goddess Fish Promotions for their work in making it happen. I'll be picking winners of the giveaway in the next few days and notifying them via e-mail.

Happy reading,
Gemi