Precision Reviews Best Books of 2012 and Best First Lines of 2012 will be posted soon.
R. Kelly released ten new chapters of soap opera Trapped in the Closet. In the new chapters, there is a book infomercial. Yes, R. Kelly is writing a book spin-off.
According to deadline.com, Gone Girl is coming to the big screen! 20th Century Fox acquired Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl in a seven-figure deal. Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea and Leslie Dixon to star in the film.
"There was no excuse for the way we treated you." ~ pg. 52
How much can one girl go through? How much misfortune can a girl experience in her young lifetime? How many kicks can a girl take when she's already down? Ebony grew up in a dysfunctional household and suffered from abuse in school. As a teen, she meets a handsome entertainer, Desmond, and is charmed off her feet. It isn't long before Desmond shows his true self. It turns out, he is like all the others in her life. Ebony really was dealt the worst hand.
Ebony The Beloved is a raw depiction. Some passages made me cringe or shudder because of the brutal, dehumanized acts. In fact, the story begins with a very descriptive scene that made me question whether I could continue reading. I'm glad that I did finish.
Ebony The Beloved is not your average urban novel. There is a lesson to learn within its pages. This book raises awareness about abuse, self confidence and survival.
Spivey did a wonderful writing job with descriptive words and emotions
that jump through the pages. Ebony The Beloved will cause you to react. While reading, I just kept saying aloud "Oh, Ebony. Know your worth!"
You may know someone in an abusive relationship or may have experienced it yourself. Know your worth! Know there is hope and a way to a better life. I recommend reading Ebony The Beloved. It raises awareness and just might encourage you or a loved one to realize you too are beloved.
DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the author for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Title: Ebony The Beloved
Author: Hannah Spivey
Published: July 2011
Pages: 305
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥
"She thinks it must be a dream... A dream inside a dream maybe." ~ pg. 237
Stella impulsively packs up her 14-year-old daughter, Willa, and leaves Hoosick Falls behind. A broken down car leaves them stranded in yet another small town. Unable to carry on with the original plan, Stella and Willa settle in the new town and start working for Omega Pearl Bodie. Curious Willa tries to keep one step ahead of her secretive not-to-be questioned mother, a handyman, an arsonist and escaped convict. It's a summer of lies and flames.
Every now and then, I read about a character that I feel really sorry for. Willa is that character. She was unfortunate to be stuck with a dysfunctional mother like Stella. I wanted to reach through the pages and just give Willa a warm hug. No child should feel neglected or think she's an ugly duckling. Abate did a great job developing this character and allowing the reader to feel emotion toward Willa.
A light read it is not. The story line is woven and complex. If you are looking for a light, fluffy read during the holidays, this is not the book. However, if you are interested in a layered story, then you will enjoy following this one summer in Willa's life. Abate writes with such vivid description that I could visualize the detailed setting. It's a heartwarming story with a bit of mystery that will occupy your mind while reading.
DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the author for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Title: Asleep Without Dreaming
Author: Barbara Forte Abate
Published: September 2012
Pages: 319
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥
Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
Read an installment of a series.
Share your review/recommendation below.
Include the title, author and series name.
"When
do I start saying no, I thought, instead of just reacting to whatever
crisis life sends my way? When do I begin to live Alex Cross's life?" ~ pg. 127
My Series Sunday pick is Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, the 19th book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. Well, maybe not so merry. On Christmas Eve, Alex Cross is called to church. Not to worship, but to catch a robber who is stealing from the church's poor box. He successfully catches the robber and returns home to decorate the tree. It's not long before his phone rings again—now Alex is being called to the scene as Negotiator for a hostage situation. As if that isn't merry enough, Alex is sent to Union Station to catch a most-wanted terrorist, Hala Al Dossari.
His wife, Bree, Nana Mama and the children can't get in the Christmas spirit with Alex gone and in possible danger. Is celebrating the holiday with family too much to ask? Is getting a good Alex Cross book too much to ask? Although this is a quick read for the holidays, it fell short of being great.Is it the "Must Get, Must Give" book for Christmas? No.
But check out the video below of the Merry Christmas, Alex Cross book trailer for amazing visuals to the plot.
Title: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
Author: James Patterson
Published: November 2012
Pages: 283
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♡
First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
Grab your current read(s).
Share the first line(s).
Include the title and author.
"It was pitch black. The only thing that allowed direct light into the daunting room was a hole in the window."
"...lies, hatred, murder even, are all knit up in it." ~ pg. 6
I finished reading Gone Girl a couple weeks ago and I am STILL thinking about it. Bookhearts, let me tell you. I have not read a book that gripped and haunted me like this in so long. I downloaded the eBook when I noticed two of my social network friends were reading it. Since the first chapter, there was not one moment when I regretted dropping everything to read this book. In fact, I curled up in Cocoa Comfy (my reading chair) with a snuggie and hardly moved until the last e-page was turned—excluding the moment when I damn near threw my NOOK across the room and cursed aloud. Gone Girl was unputdownable!
By now, you're wondering what the heck is this book about?! **deep sigh** Where do I begin and how do I explain without spoiling the story or the ending? And yes, that ending has stirred up rants everywhere. In this exceptional case, the less you know about the plot, the better.
On Nick and Amy's fifth wedding anniversary day, Amy disappears. The girl is gone. The house shows signs of struggle and like most disappearances, the husband is always the prime suspect. Clues and evidence are revealed as Nick tries to prove his innocence.
Readers will find that the characters are challenging and unpredictable since the story is told from alternating points of view between Nick and Amy. Readers will feel strong feelings toward both of the main characters, as a married couple and as individuals. Their thoughts, incomplete truths and actions unfold in a twisted mystery that grows with each chapter. It is a classic case of He Said, She Said in literary form.
Watch the video below of author Gillian Flynn discussing bestseller book Gone Girl on The View.
Psychological thriller Gone Girl is not overrated. It deserves to be named as one of the best books of the year. It deserves the awards, praises, 4,000+ positive reviews and conversations. Read it. Period. Point blank. Then come back here to discuss because you WILL want to talk about this book with someone else who has read it (like me)!
Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
Read an installment of a series.
Share your review/recommendation below.
Include the title, author and series name.
My Series Sunday pick is Live Wire, the tenth book in the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. Former tennis star Suzze T and her rock star husband Lex are expecting a baby. An anonymous Facebook post makes Lex run off. Suzze T asks old friend Myron to find Lex and bring her husband home. Of course, Myron sets out on a mission to find the missing Lex, but he also finds his estranged sister-in-law, Kitty. But where is his brother? The couple is usually joined at the hip, so Myron knows something is wrong. Now that Myron's father is in the hospital, it is urgent that Myron finds his missing brother soon, or he'll have to tell one more lie.
Coben is a master at the hook-and-twist. But Live Wire? Oh my goodness. It was very well written and gripping. I couldn't turn the e-pages fast enough. I learned so much more about the main character Myron. We also meet his nephew, Mickey, who stars in his own YA series. Of course, best friend and business partner Esperanza and savvy Win. I must say, Live Wire, defines Myron as a character. All of qualities and personality traits are expressed best in this installment of the series.
I appreciate Harlan Coben's writing. It takes talent and discipline to keep a series interesting for 15+ years. It takes a special author to create a character that readers love and are invested in. Myron Bolitar is a friend in my head. He may be emotional, sensitive, and smart-assed, but he's also a protector with everyone's best interests in mind. He'll save those he cares about, even putting his own life at risk. Myron is a guy with a big heart that you can't help but adore. He's a character I don't want to see go away any time soon.
More Myron please, Mr. Coben!
Check out the video below of the Live Wire book trailer.
Title: Live Wire
Author: Harlan Coben
Published: March 2011
Pages: 259
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
