Tag: Death

The Lives Between Us

Published on by macjam476 Comments

By Theresa Rizzo

The Lives Between UsBlurb

How far would you go to save the one you love?

Reporter Skylar Kendall has run from commitment all her life, pushing people away before they leave her, until her niece worms her way into Skye’s heart and settles in tight. Skye relaxes into a career she enjoys and relishes being a doting aunt.

Then her niece becomes gravely ill. Unable to bear yet another loss, Skye is determined to find a cure, but the girl’s only hope lies in the embryonic stem cell therapy Michigan Senator Edward Hastings repeatedly opposes. When Skye fails to find alternative treatment in time, she vows to end the senator’s political career.

Curious about the woman behind the scathing articles on his best friend, Mark Dutton pursues Skye. Dating Mark gives her access to Hastings’s life and secrets that would launch Skye’s career and satisfy her need for retribution… Only she hadn’t counted on falling in love.

Can she avenge the lives lost to politics at the expense of her new love and friends?

Editorial Review

“This charming novel gracefully addresses embryonic stem cell research and garnishes it with a powerful, tender romance… The author handles the complexities of science and morality with tremendous care and nuance; there are no hypocrites or villains here, only loving people doing their best in terribly difficult situations. Contemporary romance readers of all political leanings will be enthralled.” ~ Publishers Weekly

My Review

The author researched the controversy surrounding stem cell research. She presented both sides of the controversy through the characters of Skye, Mark, and Edward Hastings, a US senator. This book explores how much one will do for family, especially when the stakes are high. It is a highly emotional story.

The story and the characters were well developed and thought-provoking. In the beginning I didn’t like Skye because she seemed immature and extremely annoying at times. As I watched her grow up throughout the book, I saw her mature into a caring and warm individual. At times, I felt the story had too much going on with the death of Niki, Skye’s niece, Skye’s on-again-off-again relationship with Mark, her hatred-turned-to-friendship and respect for Edward Hastings, the accident, a troubled teen, all the privacy issues that surrounded Senator Hastings, and indiscretions by one of Mark’s key employees.  However, in the end, the author pulled it all together beautifully.

Because The Lives Between Us crosses several genres, I believe it would appeal to a wide range of readers.  I give The Lives Between Us 4 stars.

About theAuthorTheresa Rizzo

Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials. Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she currently lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty-two years. She’s raised four wonderful children who are now scattered across the country.

Find Theresa on the web at www.theresarizzo.com,

Or connect with her on Facebook, twitter or Amazon, and Goodreads.

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This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review

Michelle Clements James ©

The Faerie Tree

Published on by macjam4711 Comments

By Jane Cable

 

The Faerie TreeCover Blurb

How can a memory so vivid be wrong?

In the summer of 1986 Izzie and Robin hold hands around the Faerie Tree on the banks of the River Hamble and wish for a future together, but just hours later tragedy strikes and they do not see each other again for twenty years.

In the winter of 2006 Izzie spots a down and out on the streets of Winchester – a man who looks very familiar…

     The Faerie Tree pieces together Robin’s and Izzie’s stories and the people they have now become, but it becomes increasingly clear that their memories of twenty years before are completely different. Whose version of the past is right? And what part does the Faerie Tree play in their story?

Following on from the success of The Cheesemaker’s House, Jane Cable once again mixes mystery and romance with a sprinkling of folklore to keep you turning the pages from beginning to end.

 

My Review

In 1986 Izzie and Robin meet, and are drawn to the Faerie Tree on the banks of the Hamble.  The Faerie Tree is reputed to grant wishes, so amongst the ribbons, necklaces, and letters, Robin and Izzie wish for a life together.  Just a few hours later, tragedy sets events in motion and their lives take separate paths.

In the winter of 2006, after Izzie’s husband dies, Izzie and Robin’s paths cross once again.  They have each faced their own heartbreaking moments, and the tragedies of those moments have colored their memories of their last days together in different ways.

Izzie’s daughter Claire is the voice of calm in the rising tide of emotional outbursts.

This is a story of family relationships, love, and loss. A powerful telling of the events that shaped the lives of the characters, the story unfolds with sensitivity and warmth.

Author Jane Cable developed believable characters that are flawed and anguished, and yet ultimately strong and determined to get beyond their pasts and accept the love each has for the other.

The Faerie Tree was an enjoyable read from page one to the end. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend it to all fans of women’s contemporary fiction.

Why The Faerie Tree? You’ll have to read to find out.

A copy of The Faerie Tree was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Published through Matador, the book is available in all e-book formats and as a paperback.Jane Cable

Publication date for the ebook was March 21st and the paperback on April 28th

It is 300 pages long

The genre is women’s contemporary fiction (romance/suspense)

 

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NEST By Esther Ehrlich

Published on by macjam4710 Comments

NestNaomi Orenstein (known as Chirp because she loves watching birds and can tell you just about anything about them) and Joey Morell live across the street from each other.  Joey has two older brothers who have bad reputations, and Naomi is afraid of them and a bit afraid of Joey, even though they are in the same grade. They are as different as night and day, or so they think. But as the story unfolds, they have a lot in common.   They are very bright students, and they both live under difficult circumstances.

This is a story of tragedy, hardship, love, and friendship.  It is about a camaraderie born of trust and a need to connect with someone who understands.  The plot and characters are both well crafted. The characters are true to life. Chirp and Joey could easily be the kids down the street.

When I first started reading Nest, I wasn’t sure it was going to be a book I would enjoy. As I got to know Chirp, I found I wanted to know more about her, why she and Joey seemed to have a connection, and how Chirp, with Joey’s friendship, learned to come to terms with the way life had changed for all in the Orenstein household. It was a book I couldn’t put down.

Nest is for ages 8-12, but I would recommend it to anyone age 8 – adult. It deals with some tough subjects such as illness, death, and abuse, and the unlikely bond of friendship that was formed by two children living under different circumstances. It is a heartwarming and unforgettable story.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

To find out more about the author visit

Web page – Esther Ehrlich Author

Facebook – Esther Ehrlich, Author page

Twitter – @EstherEhrlich

Goodreads – Esther Ehrlich page

 

Buy the book on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound, iBookstore, Random House

The Rooms are Filled by Jessica Null Vealitzek

Published on by macjam475 Comments

The Rooms Are FilledMichael is the adopted son of John and Anne Nygaard and loves his life on his parents’ Minnesota farm. Then one day, the unthinkable happened. Michael’s dad collapses and dies and Michael’s mother has no choice but to sell the farm and move to Ackermann, Illinois where a job at her brother’s restaurant is waiting for her.

When they arrive in Ackermann, Michael has a difficult time making friends – he is the new kid, and the target of the 4th grade bully.  He is befriended by another loner.  Tina is in 6th grade and goes to the junior high. She lives across the street from Michael, and they become close friends, even though her moodiness bothers Michael. He doesn’t understand why she is nice to him one minute, and mean the next.

Michael’s teacher Julia Parnell has observed the bullying, but is powerless to do anything because there is no school policy against it. She befriends Michael, and they form a close friendship.  When Anne is asked to work Saturday’s, she asks Julia if Michael could stay with her during her shift.

Michael is drowning in his grief but can’t talk to his mother about it because he doesn’t want to make her sad. He misses his dad tremendously and dreams of talking with him.  His life was so much simpler with his dad, the farm, his chores, and his friends. Would his life here ever feel the same? Would he ever be accepted?  When each child had to tell something interesting about his life, Michael revealed that he was adopted. The other students treated him meanly, and he was even more ostracized.

No one knows Julia is running from her past, but when it catches up with her, will it affect her job, her relationship with Michael and her other students?  Julia has been best friends with Rose since they were young girls. A towns person knew someone from Julia’s past, and before long, rumors were spreading.  Her lesson plans had the word Homo written in bold black letters on them. It was hard enough to figure out who she was without others’ bigotries getting in the way.

There is a lot going on in this book, and a lot of prejudice and resentment.  Will each character be able to solve their personal conflicts?

I loved THE ROOMS ARE FILLED. It is a quick read, but a complex storyline. I fell in love with the characters of Michael and Julia and was rooting for them all the way. Jessica Null Vealitzek writes with enthusiasm and passion. She has woven the lives and problems of various characters into an intensely captivating tale. I highly recommend this book.

Learn more about Jessica:

Author Page Jessica Null Vealitzek

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