Tag: reading

Book Review | If You’re Not the One by Jemma Forte

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

BOOK REVIEW | IF YOU’RE NOT THE ONE

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ABOUT THE BOOK

“What if you could do it all over again?

Jennifer Wright is pretty sure her husband doesn’t love her anymore. She and Max used to be the perfect couple, but the pressures of work and kids have pulled them in opposite directions. Now , Jen is full of “what if” questions about whether her bland, suburban existence is all she was ever destined for.

When a terrible accident sends Jen into a coma, she is able to see what her life could have been if she had run off to Australia with the handsome, dangerous man she met on vacation, or if she had stayed with her workaholic college boyfriend. Would she ever have loved another child as much as she loves her daughters? Could she have become rich? More than anything, Jen wants to do the right thing for her family. But what she discovers may leave her with even more questions about the choices she made, and no easy answers about what to do next.” (Description from NetGalley.com)

MY THOUGHTS

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like had you stayed with someone else? Do you think you’d have the same friends or live in the same place? Do you think you’d be the same person? If You’re Not the One is a book that explores those possibilities through the character Jennifer Wright after she slips into a coma.

When I realized I’d be following multiple storylines throughout the book I got a little nervous, but Jemma Forte was able to keep the book from becoming confusing which is something I’ve seen in other books that have multiple layers to it.

There are four storylines to follow in If You’re Not the One: 1) Jennifer and her husband Max, 2) Jennifer and her Australian fling, 3) Jennifer and her college boyfriend, and 4) Jennifer and her boyfriend post college.  Each storyline started with how they met then progressed into where their relationship would end up.

One element of the book I enjoyed was Forte’s interpretation of what goes through a person’s mind while in a coma. Nobody truly knows, but I think many people might be thinking about things similar to Jennifer.

The final aspect of the book I want to mention is the ending. I don’t want to give away any details, but I will say that it didn’t end as I expected. Usually I’m not a fan of endings I didn’t see coming, but was pleasantly surprised and happy with what happened.  If you read the book please let me know what you thought of the ending.

If You’re Not the One is about accepting your past, learning from it, and not dwelling on what could have been. It’s about taking a chance on life even when the future looks uncertain.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to my followers who enjoy reading women’s fiction novels and are ok with a more complex story. if you don’t like following multiple storylines this book isn’t for you.

I received a digital copy of If You’re Not the One through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“I want to get out of this mire. I want to know that I’ve led my life in a positive way and that I haven’t missed out and most of all, when I ask the question ‘Is this it?’ I want to feel like if it is, then that’s ok.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Jemma Forte was a Disney Channel host in the UK for five years, and has gone on to host shows for ITV, BBC1, BBC2, and other channels in the UK. She lives in London with her family.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N | BAM | !NDIGO | INDIEBOUND | KINDLE | NOOK

PUBLISHING COMPANY: Sourcebooks Landmark

RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2015

GENRE: Women’s Fiction

OVERALL RATING

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Excerpt | If You’re Not the One by Jemma Forte

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

EXCERPT | IF YOU’RE NOT THE ONE

cover55355-medium

ABOUT THE BOOK

“What if you could do it all over again?

Jennifer Wright is pretty sure her husband doesn’t love her anymore. She and Max used to be the perfect couple, but the pressures of work and kids have pulled them in opposite directions. Now , Jen is full of “what if” questions about whether her bland, suburban existence is all she was ever destined for.

When a terrible accident sends Jen into a coma, she is able to see what her life could have been if she had run off to Australia with the handsome, dangerous man she met on vacation, or if she had stayed with her workaholic college boyfriend. Would she ever have loved another child as much as she loves her daughters? Could she have become rich? More than anything, Jen wants to do the right thing for her family. But what she discovers may leave her with even more questions about the choices she made, and no easy answers about what to do next.” (Description from NetGalley.com)

EXCERPT

Stay with us, Jennifer. Come on, love, you can do this. Hang
in there.”

Why was everyone yelling? She was so tired. All she wanted to do was sleep. She was so close to being able to slip away, yet wasn’t being allowed to. She felt very muddled and had a vague sense of being bullied.

“Patient’s suffering agonal respirations and has a CO2 of eleven. Probably in anaphylactic shock. Let’s commence CPR.”

“Jen, please hang in there. I’m so, so sorry. I love you.”

“Sorry, Mr. Wright. Can you stay out of the way? It’s very important.”

What is Max doing here? she wondered. For a second, she was tempted to open her eyes, but she wasn’t able to because a burning sensation swept through her so violently, she would have done anything to make it stop. It was pain on a level she never would have thought possible. Every cell in her body was on fire, doused in hot, white agony. Then, as quickly as it showed itself, it subsided, and once again she reverted to her numb state of nothingness.

Then someone was applying pressure to her that hurt in a different way. She didn’t want to be awake anymore. She craved peace and sensed a way she could achieve it. It would definitely remove the pain, and any further possibility of it.

But she wasn’t sure she wanted to go that way either. She reflected for a second, as though she were suspended in time and space, floating almost. She wasn’t ready for that, which meant there was only one option left. So, once more, she sank back into the gray fog, more cries of panic sounded around her.

As the paramedics went about their frenzied business of trying to save her life, the strangest things were happening in Jennifer’s bruised brain.

None of us can really comprehend what the human brain is capable of doing, in the same way that Jennifer had no clue as to the true capabilities of her laptop. All she tended to use her PC for was to write emails, do a bit of shopping, or social networking, meaning its dual core processor was never fully taken advantage of. She was always stunned when Max, who was far more tech-­savvy than her, did some simple task on her computer in a way that made her realize she was only ever utilizing around 10 percent of what it could do, if only she knew how to operate it properly.

It’s the same with the human brain, only on a far grander and more mysterious scale, its true power being so tricky to tap. Most of its work and activity happens at a deeply subconscious level, and yet even beyond that, there are areas of it that we never unearth, even when dreaming.

Psychics do better than most. Whether you believe in them or not, they at least have more awareness of the various possibilities that we could utilize if only we tried.

Right at that second, within Jennifer’s skull, a series of lightning-­fast connections were being made, ones that she never would have been privy to if her head hadn’t made contact with the ground
quite as brutally as it had. Something extraordinary was happening.

As her synapses furiously connected and fused, three tunnels of white light suddenly showed themselves to her. There was one to the left, one straight ahead, and one to the right. Is this what death looks like? Instinct told her it was something different, and suddenly she knew, without needing to be told, that rather than leading her to the afterlife, instead, these tunnels represented different lives she could so easily have led.

What she was being given here was a gift. The gift of being able to see what life would have been like had she chosen another route at three different points in her life. And so it was that Jennifer allowed herself to fall into a deep and very informative coma. As her own private miracle started, she began to glide toward the first tunnel, the one to the left, which was swirling with clouds of light at its entrance. This was the one marked Aidan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Jemma Forte was a Disney Channel host in the UK for five years, and has gone on to host shows for ITV, BBC1, BBC2, and other channels in the UK. She lives in London with her family.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N | BAM | !NDIGO | INDIEBOUND | KINDLE | NOOK

PUBLISHING COMPANY: Sourcebooks Landmark

RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2015

GENRE: Women’s Fiction

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Book Review | Throw Like A Woman by Susan Petrone

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

BOOK REVIEW | THROW LIKE A WOMAN

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“Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s toiling away in a cubicle instead, trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation and then more than that.

The Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. Soon, she’s standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists?” Not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner at both baseball and life.” (Description via NetGalley)

MY THOUGHTS

Susan Petrone has created a masterful story of a dream many girls who play softball or baseball have…a chance to play professionally. With every sentence I was imagining myself in Brenda’s shoes putting on the team jersey, tying up my cleats, and holding that ball in my hand in front of thousands of people.

I’ve never read a book, about baseball, that really touched my heart like this book did. Even in today’s society a woman playing professional baseball is unheard of and I think Petrone gave an accurate interpretation of how people might react. There were those who truly supported Brenda, but there were the “haters” who thought it an abomination having a woman play. Petrone also did an excellent job incorporating the emotions a single mother would have when taking on a job that requires a lot of travel in addition to having to deal with her ex-husband. If there was ever a Brenda to grace Major League baseball, she would change everything and be a part of something historical…something that would pave the way for others afterward.

Throw Like a Woman is about perseverance, courage, and strength.  It’s about knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself and embracing every moment of it.  

I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy reading women’s fiction and are baseball fans like myself.

An advance copy was generously provided through NetGalley for an honest review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“She started to walk toward the grass then sprinted, just because she could.  Out of breath, she reached her arms up and out and spun around a few times, looking at the perfect blue sky above.  And then she screamed ‘Yeeeeeesss!’ as loudly as she could.”

“For a second, Brenda had an image of her father standing in front of her, holding a beat-up catcher’s mitt, an ancient catcher’s mask on the top of his head.  ‘If you can just make the four-seam fastball fly as it wants to fly, you could be…anything,’ he’d said to her.”

OVERALL RATING

5-gold-star-rating

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER

Susan Petrone’s short fiction has been published by Glimmer Train, Featherproof Books, Muse, Conclave, and Whiskey Island. She is the author of the novels Throw Like a Woman (2015, The Story Plant) and A Body at Rest (2009, Drinian Press), which won a bronze medal for regional fiction from the Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY). Her short story, “Monster Jones Wants to Creep You Out” (Conclave, 2010) was nominated for a 2011 Pushcart Prize. On the non-fiction side, Susan’s work has appeared on CoolCleveland.com and ESPN.com, and she co-owns the Cleveland Indians blog, ItsPronouncedLajaway.com, for ESPN.com’s SweetSpot network.She holds a master’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Cleveland State University and lives with one husband, one daughter, and far too many dogs in a little house near some medium-sized woods. (About the Author found on Susan’s website)

Buy Links: 

AMAZON | B&N | BAM! | INDIE BOUND | POWELL’S

Publishing Company: The Story Plant

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Poll | Drink of Choice While Reading

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

I’m always curious (for some odd reason) what people prefer to drink while reading a book.  Does your choice depend on the book your reading or just your drink preference?

Personally, I love drinking wine while reading.  So, just to be a little nosy I created a poll.

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Stories Unfolded | 3 Year Blogiversary Celebration & Giveaways!

~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

3-year blogiversary

I can’t believe it’s been three years since I started this blog!  It’s gone through a few changes over the years and it took some time to decide on what it’s focus should be, but I’ve finally gotten it to a place that I’m very proud of.

I want to thank my followers for all the support you’ve given me over the years and I look forward to what this next year will bring.

To celebrate, this month I will be featuring a variety of authors from several different genres.  Each author will have various posts including interviews, excerpts, and giveaways!

Here’s the featured author schedule:

Jacqueline Smith: March 2nd – March 7th

March 2nd  – Jacqueline Smith Bio & Giveaway
March 3rd – Book #1 Excerpt
March 4th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 5th – Interview with Jacqueline Smith
March 6th – Guest Post by Jacqueline Smith
March 7th – Book Review of Book #1 & Giveaway Winner Announcement

Alva Sachs: March 8th

March 8th – Alva Sachs Bio & Book Blurbs

Carrie Cross: March 9th – March 14th

March 9th – Carrie Cross Bio & Giveaway
March 10th – Book #1 Excerpt
March 11th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 12th – Interview with Carrie Cross
March 13th – Guest Post by Carrie Cross
March 14th – Giveaway Winner Announcement

Farzana Marie: March 15th

March 15th – Farzana Marie Bio & Book Blurb

Edward Mooney: March 16th – March 21st

March 16th – Edward Mooney Bio & Giveaway
March 17th – Book #1 Excerpt
March 18th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 19th – Interview with Edward Mooney
March 20th – Guest Post by Edward Mooney
March 21st – Giveaway Winner Announcement

Amanda Gale: March 22nd – 29th

March 22nd – Amanda Gale Bio & Giveaway
March 23rd – Book #1 Excerpt
March 24th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 25th – Book #3 Excerpt
March 26th – Book #4 Guest Post by Amanda Gale
March 27th – Interview with Amanda Gale
March 28th – Guest Post by Amanda Gale
March 29th – Book Review of Book #1 & Giveaway Winner Announcement

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY PACKAGE

In addition to the various author giveaways, I will be holding an amazing Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway!  You’re not going to want to miss out on this giveaway. I can’t thank the authors who donated enough.  They have made this giveaway amazing! Links to their websites and my book reviews are below.

You can enter from March 1st-31st.  Winners will be announced the evening of March 31st PST. Please note that winners must reside within the United States.

The Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway Package includes the following:

(1) Grand Prize Winner

  • $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
  • (1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
  • (1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
  • (1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
  • (1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

  • $10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
  • (1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

  • $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

  • $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here:  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Celebration & Giveaway Starts March 1st

~ Danielle Olson ~ 3 Comments

Blogiversary

To celebrate my 3 Year Blogiverary I’m holding a month long celebration.  I will be featuring a variety of authors from several different genres.  Each author will have various posts including interviews, excerpts, and giveaways!  The festivities begin Sunday March 1, 2015!

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY PACKAGE

In addition to the various author giveaways, I will be holding an amazing Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway!  You’re not going to want to miss out on this giveaway. I can’t thank the authors who donated enough.  They have made this giveaway amazing! Links to their websites and my book reviews are below.

You can enter starting March 1st-31st.  Winners will be announced the evening of March 31st PST. Please note that winners must reside within the United States.

The Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway Package includes the following:

(1) Grand Prize Winner

  • $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
  • (1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
  • (1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
  • (1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
  • (1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

  • $10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
  • (1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
  • (1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

  • $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
  • (1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
  • (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

  • $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here:  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to all of the following authors who donated to the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway:

WWW Wednesday | Feb. 18

~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

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It’s that time of the week again when I participate in WWW Wednesdays hosted by Should Be Reading. Feel free to leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments.

To participate in WWW Wednesday, you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY READING

cover59223-mediumTitle: Autumn Getaway, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen brings together a colorful cast of friends and family in Book One of the Seasons of Love series, Autumn Getaway. Newly divorced mom Lydia is just getting back on her feet. Her college roommate’s wedding promises a much-needed getaway weekend with old friends, at a beautiful manor in Connecticut.

When she meets Sam, a handsome friend of the groom, she’s nearly overwhelmed by a confusing mix of hope and trepidation. Their instant connection feels intensely real, to both of them, but the ink is barely dry on her divorce decree. It takes all her nerve, and more than a little prodding from her girlfriends, to convince Lydia to give her heart — and Sam — a chance. But when the magical weekend comes to a close, Sam must return to Chicago, while Lydia heads back to her complicated life and young son in New York. Can their newfound connection survive the trials of physical distance and years of emotional baggage?

Written with an appreciation for the day-to-day struggles of a newly single mom, Autumn Getaway explores the burdens and blessings of family, revels in the spirit of friendship, and celebrates the power of romance and hope as Lydia and Sam take a second chance at love.”

RECENTLY FINISHED READING

cover58697-mediumTitle: Throw Like A Woman

Author: Susan Petrone

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Genre: Women’s Fiction

“Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s toiling away in a cubicle instead, trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation and then more than that.

The Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. Soon, she’s standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists?” Not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner at both baseball and life.”

WHAT I MIGHT READ NEXT

cover59222-mediumTitle: Winter Hopes, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: July 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen reunites sexy, sophisticated Sam and sweet but wounded Lydia in Book Two of the Seasons of Love series, ”Winter Hopes.” Newly divorced mom Lydia is still getting back on her feet, and still reeling from her intense encounter with Sam at a friend’s destination wedding. As they tentatively explore the demands and rewards of long-distance dating, their instant connection evolves against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Each begins to trust again – opening up is difficult, even painful, but the joy and hope they feel in each other’s arms demands they lay their hearts on the line. Can their love survive the miles that separate them, and the complexities of nurturing a relationship via email, text and phone? And when Sam finally meets Lydia’s family, will old resentments and unspoken biases bring them closer together or drive them apart? Full of the passion and tension any newly-joined couple experiences, this steamy yet hopeful book lays the foundation for Lydia’s budding relationship with Sam, and offers hope for second chances and a deep appreciation for the value of a loyal friend.”

(All book descriptions come from NetGalley.com)

Friday Finds | Net Galley Finds

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Happy Friday everyone! Time for another round of…What did Danielle find on Net Galley this week?!

Feel free to share your Friday Finds in the comments.  I’d love to see what all of you found.

cover60183-mediumTitle: If We Lived Here

Author: Lindsey J. Palmer

Publication Date: March 31, 2015

Genre: Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction

“Razor-sharp and thought-provoking, Lindsey J. Palmer’s incisive new novel both celebrates and skewers modern relationships and their milestones, offering a witty and wise look at what it takes to commit—to love, to a home, and to the life that’s right for you.

After three years of dating and trading nights at their respective New York City apartments, Emma Feit and Nick O’Hare are moving in together. Or they will be, as soon as they find the right place. For two happily-in-love professionals—Nick’s a teacher, Emma tutors college-bound teens—with good credit and stellar references, how hard can it be? As it turns out, very—in ways that are completely unexpected.

Suddenly Emma is filled with questions about cohabiting, about giving up her freedom—not to mention about who’s going to clean the toilet. And while her best friend plans a dream wedding to her wealthy fiancé, and her older brother settles into suburban bliss, Emma must figure out what home means to her—and how on earth to get there.” (NetGalley Description)

***

cover60566-mediumTitle: Change of Heart

Author: Jeanne Bishop

Publication Date: March 4, 2015

Genre: Biographies & Memoirs

“Change of Heart begins with tragedy: the murder of Jeanne Bishop’s sister Nancy, along with Nancy’s

husband and their unborn child, in their home some twenty-five years ago. In her dying moments, Nancy wrote a message in her own blood at the crime scene: a heart shape and the letter “u,” last words of love.

When the killer, a local teenager, was arrested for the murders, he denied responsibility for the crime and showed no remorse. After the murderer was tried, convicted and sentenced, Bishop determined to forgive and then forget him. Bishop became a public defender, an outspoken opponent of capital punishment, and a supporter of the sentence her sister’s killer received: juvenile life without the possibility of parole. All the while, she never once spoke the name of her sister’s killer aloud, never tried to engage with him.

Then she met a law professor who gave her a book espousing a radical idea: that as Christians, we have an obligation to work to reconcile with those who have harmed us. Bishop challenged the book’s author about that idea, and was challenged in turn to take seriously the prayer of Jesus on the cross and move beyond simple forgiveness to the hard work of personal reconciliation.

Change of Heart is the story of that uneven journey to confronting and reconciling with a murderer. The book takes on the larger issues of restorative justice, life sentences, and incarceration in the criminal justice system. It unflinchingly acknowledges the personal cost of advocating for mercy for people convicted of serious crimes.

In the end, the book is a story of moving beyond mere forgiveness to the deeper waters of redemption and grace.” (NetGalley Description)

Upcoming Book Review | Throw Like A Woman by Susan Petrone

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

UPCOMING BOOK REVIEW| THROW LIKE A WOMAN

cover58697-mediumTitle: Throw Like A Woman

Author: Susan Petrone

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Genre: Women’s Fiction

“Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s toiling away in a cubicle instead, trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation and then more than that.

The Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. Soon, she’s standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists?” Not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner at both baseball and life.”

(Description from NetGalley.com)

WWW Wednesday | Feb. 4

~ Danielle Olson ~ 5 Comments

www_wednesdays4

Hope everyone is having a good week so far and how about that Super Bowl! Did anyone else want to throw something at the TV after that last play by Seattle?

Anyway…it’s that time of the week again when I participate in WWW Wednesdays hosted by Should Be Reading. Feel free to leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments.

To participate in WWW Wednesday, you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY READING

cover59223-mediumTitle: Autumn Getaway, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen brings together a colorful cast of friends and family in Book One of the Seasons of Love series, Autumn Getaway. Newly divorced mom Lydia is just getting back on her feet. Her college roommate’s wedding promises a much-needed getaway weekend with old friends, at a beautiful manor in Connecticut.

When she meets Sam, a handsome friend of the groom, she’s nearly overwhelmed by a confusing mix of hope and trepidation. Their instant connection feels intensely real, to both of them, but the ink is barely dry on her divorce decree. It takes all her nerve, and more than a little prodding from her girlfriends, to convince Lydia to give her heart — and Sam — a chance. But when the magical weekend comes to a close, Sam must return to Chicago, while Lydia heads back to her complicated life and young son in New York. Can their newfound connection survive the trials of physical distance and years of emotional baggage?

Written with an appreciation for the day-to-day struggles of a newly single mom, Autumn Getaway explores the burdens and blessings of family, revels in the spirit of friendship, and celebrates the power of romance and hope as Lydia and Sam take a second chance at love.”

RECENTLY FINISHED READING

cover58697-mediumTitle: Throw Like A Woman

Author: Susan Petrone

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Genre: Women’s Fiction

“Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s toiling away in a cubicle instead, trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation and then more than that.

The Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. Soon, she’s standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists?” Not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner at both baseball and life.”

WHAT I MIGHT READ NEXT

cover59222-mediumTitle: Winter Hopes, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: July 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen reunites sexy, sophisticated Sam and sweet but wounded Lydia in Book Two of the Seasons of Love series, ”Winter Hopes.” Newly divorced mom Lydia is still getting back on her feet, and still reeling from her intense encounter with Sam at a friend’s destination wedding. As they tentatively explore the demands and rewards of long-distance dating, their instant connection evolves against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Each begins to trust again – opening up is difficult, even painful, but the joy and hope they feel in each other’s arms demands they lay their hearts on the line. Can their love survive the miles that separate them, and the complexities of nurturing a relationship via email, text and phone? And when Sam finally meets Lydia’s family, will old resentments and unspoken biases bring them closer together or drive them apart? Full of the passion and tension any newly-joined couple experiences, this steamy yet hopeful book lays the foundation for Lydia’s budding relationship with Sam, and offers hope for second chances and a deep appreciation for the value of a loyal friend.”

(All book descriptions come from NetGalley.com)