Series Sunday: Women of the Bible

(Bible Series)

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.

In the spirit of Mother's Day, my Series Sunday pick is Women of the Bible, a one-year devotional study of women in scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda. Like its title states, it is a series of study about women of the Bible. I have only browsed through but plan to begin this devotional in the new year.

Title: Women of the Bible
Authors: Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda
Published: October 1999
Pages: 432

 

First Lines Friday

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.

"I gaze out the window at thousands of snowflakes fluttering to the ground. I press my face against the pane, aching for freedom. But it isn't a thin layer of glass that's blocking me from the outside, it's the truth."

~ Unravel by Calia Read

 

Room

"We're like people in a book, and he won't let anybody else read it." ~ pg. 59

Room has been in my TBR pile for years. YEARS. It is a bestseller. It was on plenty of my fellow bloggers' best books lists. It was highly recommended. It still has major buzz. Yet it remained unread on the bottom of my never-ending pile of books to read.

A book narrated by a kid just did not appeal to me. A book with a setting of an 11x11 room did not seem interesting. It was finally Chickadee that convinced me to pause my current reads and start Room. 

To five-year-old Jack, Room is where he was born and where he lives with Ma. They learn, eat, sleep, bathe, read and play in Room. At night, Jack sleeps in Wardrobe because Old Nick comes to visit Ma. To Ma, Room is where Old Nick has kept her captive for seven years. She devises an escape plan that relies on Jack's bravery, imagination and intelligence.

My heart breaks for this little boy that was taught the world measured eleven foot by eleven foot. That everything else he saw on TV was make-believe. Outside was fantasy and weather is something that happens to TV persons. Perfect example of mind over matter; what you don't know won't hurt you.

If I had to pick books that are ***flawless from beginning to end, Room would be at the top of my short list. This is the point where I would drop the mic but I am too sad for Jack and the real life people in a captive situation.

By now, you have read numerous reviews of Room. What's one more? This review is for the bookhearts that still have Room in their TBR piles. This review is for the bookhearts that love Room and consider it a favorite. This review is for the neutral bookhearts that are looking for a recommendation. This brilliantly executed novel is it.

Title: Room
Author: Emma Donoghue
Published: September 2010
Pages: 198
Edition: eBook (Audiobook recommended by Chickadee)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Before I Wake

"It's a common misconception that comatose patients are always asleep—they're not. They have sleep and wake states like the rest of us, only it's not always obvious when they're in a wake state." ~ pg. 174

A mother with a past. A botched suicide attempt. A lying father. A secret that kills. A question with no answer.

Charlotte is smart, beautiful and popular. So why did she step in front of a city bus? Her mother Susan knows it wasn't just a freak accident. Something compelled her daughter to attempt suicide and she is determined to find out why. Starting with her fifteen-year-old daughter's diary, Susan digs into her daughter's life and events leading up to the accident. It doesn't take long before Susan realizes events from her own past put Charlotte in danger. 

The novel alternates between the main story line and Susan's diary entries from fifteen years ago. I'm glad the author chose this writing style so readers could draw their own conclusions and piece together clues. Both points of view reach a climax that kept me "all in" until the end.

Before I Wake includes a Reading Group Guide and Q&A with the author that makes it a great summer selection for book clubs. (Set for release in June) What's not to like about a novel of secrets and lies? It has my stamp of recommendation.

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: Before I Wake
Author: C.L. Taylor
Published: June 2014
Pages: 339
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

Unbreak My Heart

"On every page, in every sentence, with every anecdote I recount, I am daring to examine both the steps and missteps that have led me to this moment." ~ pg. 7

If you watch WE TV's hit reality show Braxton Family Values, then you are aware that bestselling R&B artist Toni Braxton started working on a memoir. Well it is here! I am happy for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. In Unbreak My Heart, Toni opens up about her past public unraveling, success and path to redemption.

All too often we think celebrities have the perfect glitzy life. But in reality, celebrities go through the ups and downs of life just like us. Toni Braxton shares details of her journey including the guilt she felt when accepting a solo deal and the humiliation of being forced to file bankruptcy twice. She also discusses medical issues like her lupus diagnosis and being the mother of an autistic child. Unbreak My Heart is a true story of how to take charge of your own healing physically, mentally and financially.

"Healing begins with acknowledgement." ~ pg. 55

Unbreak My Heart will be published in two weeks on Monday, May 20. You don't have to be a Braxton fan to enjoy this memoir though fans of her music will appreciate it more. Fans will notice the story behind her lyrics. Toni's intention is not to shame her family or friends, it is to free herself and heal. Watch the video below of Toni Braxton talking about why she chose to write a memoir.

Well done and thank you for sharing your intimate struggles, Toni Braxton.

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: Unbreak My Heart
Author: Toni Braxton
Published: April 2014
Pages: 191
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥

 

The Divorce Papers

"It's plain I shouldn't do divorces anymore." ~ pg. 303

Sophie Diehl is a 29-year-old criminal law attorney that is used to clients behind bars. With all the big partners out of town, Sophie is assigned to handle the intake interview for divorcee Mia Meiklejohn Durkheim, Mayflower descendant and daughter of the firm's most important client. Sophie warns the wife of 18 years that she's never handled a divorce before but Mia believes Sophie is the perfect lawyer to fight on her behalf. Hey, it's a first divorce for both women. Why not experience it together?

The Divorce Papers is Susan Rieger's debut novel. I like that she didn't choose a traditional method to tell the story of a messy high-profile divorce handled by a cynical lawyer. It was much easier to follow through correspondence (personal emails, office memos, handwritten notes and legal documents). Great way to offer a direct window into the characters' lives.

I read numerous reviews of how funny The Divorce Papers is. Even the front matter calls it "sometimes hilarious." Clearly I am missing something because I had zero LOL moments. I barely chuckled. To each its own comedy. Nevertheless, at just under 500 pages, it was an easy entertaining read.

Title: The Divorce Papers
Author: Susan Rieger
Published: March 2014
Pages: 461
Edition: Hardcover
Rating: ♥♥♥

 

Lit Pick: The Devils' Cradle

Title: The Devils' Cradle

Author: Darcy Daniel

Published: January 2014

Description:

A psychological thriller set in Tasmania, Australia.

On Australia’s island state, more than one species of Tasmanian Devil exists...

Beneath the surface of Nina Holt’s perfect marriage lurks a life of terror inflicted upon her by her politically powerful husband Michael and his brother Greg, a sadistic detective. For over a decade they have managed to keep Nina imprisoned, using her to satisfy their every whim.

Worse still, the only light in her life—her 9-year-old son, Sam—considers Michael a hero. When Sam imitates his father's violence by lashing out at Nina, she knows it’s time for both of them to escape before Sam truly turns into the monster Michael is grooming him to become.

After crashing her car in her haste to escape, kind motorist Case Herder offers her help. Unaware that he has his own plans for her, Nina accepts, igniting a deadly game of cat and mouse as they flee across Tasmania with Sam.

As Michael and Greg relentlessly hunt them down to Cradle Mountain, Nina finds herself with nowhere left to run. Cornered, she has no choice but to face evil head-on.

About the Author:
For more information about the author, visit her official website, Facebook or Twitter.