Say You Swear by Meagan Brady is the first book in the Boys of Avix series. Arianna Johnson dreams of a college romance. As she and her twin brother, Mason, and their group of friends gather for the summer before their first semester, Arianna is filled with hope. She dreamt for years of what college would be like: the late night studying, parties and a college romance. While she always imagined it would be one particular guy, Chase, one of her brother’s best friends, a guy who never gave her any indication he felt the same, Ari wasn’t expecting him. Noah Riley is a college senior, captain of the football team and her brother’s teammate. As they hang out as friends, Ari and Noah find themselves being pulled to each other and the romance of her dreams begins. Until a tragic accident takes it all away and Ari must fight to find her way back to Noah.
I first discovered Say You Swear through a Facebook Reel and I immediately put the book on my wishlist. I recently was able to read it and it was not what I expected. First, I say I loved the story between Ari and Noah. They were a great couple. I didn’t care for the drama around the love triangle between Ari, Noah and another guy; however, I did understand it as I have seen it in real life. So it’s not like it is not in the realm of possibilities. Second, it is a very long book for a romance, almost 600 pages but I read it within three days, so it held my attention. Third, my only complaint is that the beginnings of each chapter were printed over a picture of a couple on the beach and it made the text very hard to read. Overall, I enjoyed it and I recommend Say You Swear.
Say You Swear is available in paperback (with alternate covers), eBook and audiobook
Under the Maui Sky is the first book in the Maui Island series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. It is the story of Ava Briscoe and her four children as they deal with the loss of a loved one and a betrayal that will shake them to the core. Ava Briscoe’s strength and resilience will be put to the test. Christel is the oldest Briscoe child and the foundation that she trusted to stand firm will be shaken. Katie is a wife, mother and businesswoman, she yearns for a chance to shine. Aiden makes a living rescuing people in trouble but can he rescue his family when they need him the most? Lastly, Shane, the baby, has been tagged as the ne'er-do-well. He does what he can to live up to it but deep down he wishes for the chance to prove his worth. Will they find a way to come together, stronger than ever? Or will this secret break them beyond repair?
With the beautiful tropical island atmosphere, Under the Maui Sky is an emotional ride of grief, heartache, and devastation. It is a story that will have readers quickly turning the pages to the end. It is a story that takes hold and will not let go. A dark secret is revealed that will turn their grief and heartache to anger. Ms. Coates Gilbert has an amazing ability to capture families and their dynamics. The reactions of each character were very authentic. The interactions between the siblings were realistic. I could easily imagine myself and my siblings bickering and bantering the same way. There were moments of tears and moments of laughter. There were moments of shock and despair. I closed the book with tears in my eyes and my heart filled with hope. I look forward to the rest of the series as the Briscoe family continues to deal with their issues. I highly recommend Under the Maui Sky!
Under the Maui Sky is available in paperback and eBook
The Boy Between: A Mother and Son’s Journey from a World Gone Grey by Josiah Hartley and his mother, bestselling novelist, Amanda Prowse. When Josiah, “Josh”, was nineteen, heading to university, the world seemingly opened at his feet, something changed. Without warning, his mental health deteriorated and he planned to take his own life. His mother found herself grasping for ways to help him with no clear idea if anything would work. Against all odds, they found a way out of the dark tunnel and they decided to write the book they wished was available to them at their darkest moments. While he suffered his darkest moments, his family suffered as well, dreading the day they might get the one call no parent wants to get. Their message is clear. For anyone with depression or a family desperate to help, you are not alone and there is hope.
I have been a fan of Ms. Prowse for a few years and her stories are family dramas with no clear resolution. She finds herself in the middle of a family situation as devastating as the ones she writes about. Switching between Josh and Amanda, the reader gets a picture of both sides. Josh’s voice is raw and at times, extremely bleak. He often speaks with humor but always with honesty as he accounts his life with depression. Amanda’s voice is the heartbreaking, gut wrenching account of her own pain at watching her beloved son descend into darkness and her helplessness to stop it. The Boy Between is a beautiful, honest account of this family’s battle with depression. There were multiple sections in which I cried. My heart broke as theirs did. It is a must read for both parents and their children to understand the depths of depression and the hope that there is a way out. I highly recommend The Boy Between.
The Boy Between: A Mother and Son’s Journey from a World Gone Grey
The Color of Heaven is the first book in Julianne MacLean’s The Color of Heaven series. Sophie Whitman is a successful columnist when her world falls apart. First, her daughter, Megan’s unexpected illness spins their perfect life off its axis. The next three years involve doctor’s visits, tests, painful procedures just for the hope of Megan’s survival. And just when Sophie couldn’t take anymore devastation, her husband, Michael, announces that he has fallen in love with someone else. She decides to get away from it all when her car skids off an icy road and plunges into a frozen lake. There, in the depths of the cold, dark lake, she begins a journey which will unlock surprising secrets from her family’s past and reveal to her what it means to truly live and love.
The Color of Heaven is my second book by Julianne MacLean and I started this book with hesitation as I was less than impressed with the previous book. However, The Color of Heaven is an emotional roller coaster of grief, life’s surprising twists and turns and learning to live again after a devastating loss. From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue, Sophie’s journey will grip you. You will cry with her. You will gasp at the secrets and you will smile and sigh at the great moments of life and love. It is a book that will keep you guessing and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another twist. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. As I finished this book, I received a notification that the second book was a free eBook. Fate? I don’t know but I eagerly downloaded it. I highly recommend The Color of Heaven.
The Color of Heaven is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
A Million Little Things is an American drama series
which premiered on September 26, 2018 and currently finished its second season
on Thursday nights on ABC. It has not been officially renewed for a third
season, although it’s creator, DJ Nash, has hinted that an official renewal is
coming. The show’s premise is “It has been said that friendship isn’t one big
thing, it’s a million little things.” It has an ensemble cast: David Giuntoli
(Eddie Saville), Grace Park (Katherine, Eddie’s wife), Romany Malco (Rome
Howard), Christina Moses (Regina, Rome’s wife), Allison Miller (Maggie Bloom),
James Roday (Gary Mendez) and Stephanie Szostak (Delilah Dixon). The show deals
with suicide, depression, cancer, the grief process and the struggle to move on
in a new light.
The show starts as just another day with this tight knit
friends/family. Gary is at his doctor’s office, waiting on important test
results. Rome is at home writing a suicide note before preparing to take a
handful of pills. Eddie and Delilah are together on their weekly rendezvous.
All seems normal until they all get the call. Jon Dixon (played by Ron
Livingston), Delilah’s husband has just jumped off his office balcony to his
death. His suicide is so out of the blue that the group of friends are left
wondering what they didn’t see and so many questions that can never be
answered. The four men, who became friends after getting stuck together in an
elevator, bonded together by their love for the Boston Bruins and Jon, their de
facto leader, their champion and cheerleader. Without him, the group struggles
to find their center again. As they grieve and cope with the aftermath, secrets
and drama are revealed as life goes on.
I started to watch the show because James Roday was in it. I
love him in the USA show Psych (2006-2014) and I was curious to see him
take on a dramatic role. From the beginning I enjoyed the show’s ability to
tackle hard topics with honesty and heart. First, I appreciate the honest and
openness about cancer especially male breast cancer. While rare, male breast
cancer occurs in an estimated one in a thousand men will be diagnosed. I also
appreciate the writers’ ability to show the truth about depression in men. Men
are taught to be tough, to hide their emotions, and not to talk about their
feelings. Depression occurs in about 9% of men while only 1 in 4 will seek
profession help (American Psychological Association, 2015). I also liked the
realistic portrayal of the grief process. The initial shock, the sadness and
anger, especially the anger. The show is raw, it is real, and it is sometimes
hard to watch.
There are a few things I don’t care for. At first, I didn’t
care for Katherine, the high-powered attorney, and felt bad for Eddie, the hen-pecked
stay at home dad. However, as season 2 opened, I started to like her
take-no-prisoners approach and I saw how hurt and devasted she was by the
situations. Actress Grace Park plays Katherine beautifully and I have enjoyed
seeing her character evolve since episode 1. Second, I really don’t care for
Katherine’s and Eddie’s son, Theo. I’m not sure if it how he is written or the
young actor’s acting, but Theo comes off as annoying and sometimes a tad
unbelievable as an 8-year-old. In season 2, Delilah gave birth to a daughter,
Charlie, and every time the child is on screen, the baby is wearing a beanie. I
understand that the show takes place in Boston so its cold, but a child doesn’t
need her head covered all the time especially when inside.
In conclusion, I recommend A Million Little Things as
a dramatic show which takes an honest look at grief, depression, cancer and the
human ability or inability to deal with it all. It takes an honest look at
suicide, its aftermath and its prevention. For fans of Psych, if you
haven’t already, I recommend checking out the show to see James Roday in a
dramatic role. He is just as talented in this role as he was in a comedic role.
Every actor in this show fits his or her role perfectly and as you watch, you
will grow to love the characters as you watch them in grief, struggle with
unanswerable questions and find a way to move forward. If A Million Little
Things open the conversation which saves lives from suicide, then it’s
worth watching.
Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt is the story of
Sadie Harlan, through a life and death situation, learns to confront the past
and move forward with her life. One weekend while her husband Tom is away on a
camping trip, Sadie realizes that items are missing from their home in South
Carolina. Fearing the worst, Sadie books a flight and visits their daughter,
Lauren, who is attending a summer internship in Yosemite. Lauren convinces to
take a short hike into the park and despite her anxiety, Sadie follows her.
Soon they get hopelessly lost and a sudden rainstorm catches them unaware and
unprepared. Their short hike turns into a fight for their lives as they search
for food, water and the way back. They face injuries, exhaustion and natural
predators. While facing almost certain death, Sadie and Lauren open up to each
other about the past and their future plans. Will they be able to get out of
the park alive? Will Sadie discover strength and resourcefulness? Will Sadie
finally forgive herself and learn to let go of the past?
One of my worst fears is being lost in the wilderness
without supplies and without a way home. Dancing with the Sun certainly
is a story to remind people to always be prepared when going into the wild. On
a deeper level, it is a great story about a woman who realizes that she’s
holding onto the past and refuses to allow herself to love and be loved and
experience the fullness of life. When faced with the possibility of death,
Sadie learns an important lesson about letting go and moving on. I was able to
finish this book in a few hours as it drew me in and refused to be put down. I
had to finish. I had to know if Sadie and Lauren survive. I highly recommend Dancing
with the Sun.
How to Walk Away
by Katherine Center is the story of one woman’s journey from one life to
another. Margaret’s life had been plagued with the fear to fly. Her boyfriend,
Chip, had earned his pilot license and to celebrate, much to Margaret’s dismay,
he decides to take her for a flight. During the flight, Chip proposes, she
accepts, then tragedy happens. The plane crashes and Margaret is left horrible
injured. As Margaret spends months in the hospital recovery, her estranged sister,
Kitty, reenters her life to support her. During her stay, Margaret learns of deep
secrets which were kept from her and threatens to tear apart her family.
Meanwhile, she is assigned to a surly physical therapist, named Ian, who’s sour
demeanor hides a a deep hurt. Will Margaret fully recover? How will she accept the
information she learns about her family’s past? And how will she look to the future?
I enjoyed How to Walk Away
a lot more than I thought I would. I requested to read this book based on the
brief description which I can say didn’t do the story justice. It was so much
more than the description gives it credit. It was deeply emotional, dramatic,
inspirational and proof that sometimes life has to give you a tragedy to open
your eyes to its beauty and a life so much more than you had planned. I highly
recommend How to Walk Away.
The Art of Hiding
by Amanda Prowse is the story of woman who must rebuild her life when her
husband dies and the life she had disappears. Nina McCarrick is 34 years old
with a wonderful husband, Finn, and two sons, Connor and Declan. One day she
gets the dreaded call that no one wants to get. Finn has been in a car
accident. After the daze and shock of his death and funeral starts to clear,
she learns that Finn had been hiding terrible secrets which leaves her and the
boys destitute. Having to leave their post home, they move back to her
childhood home to Portswood, Southampton to be near her sister, Tiggy. It is a
world away from the life they are used to; but Nina tries to their new home
comfortable. As they adjust and move on with life, Nina begins to question
herself, her abilities, even her own strength. She rediscovers who she was
before Finn came into her life and dictated everything for her. Can she finally
follow her dreams she long pushed aside? Will she be able to forgive Finn for
his mistakes? Can she and the boys truly be happy in their new life and home?
This is the third book I’ve read by Ms. Prowse and while I
enjoyed it, I must say it wasn’t as good as the other two. The Art of Hiding was so fast paced, I felt it was over too quickly.
Even though it takes place in England, I feel this story could have taken place
anywhere in the world. The pain, the anger, the tears, the recovery is
universal. Questions can be running through the readers’ heads: “How could Nina
not know?” While Finn never really speaks a word in the story, only through
memories, he is a strong influence and you understand how Nina did not know
about the details of their life. It wasn’t her job to know, which angers me but
it fit the story. It fit Nina as she focused being a wife and mother. I think
my favorite character is Tiggy. She was blunt and helped Nina realize what she
gave up without really wanting too. If you’ve enjoyed Ms. Prowse’s other books,
you will enjoy The Art of Hiding.
Everything We Left
Behind by Kerry Lonsdale is the sequel to Everything We Keep. At the end of the first book, James wakes up
from his fugue state confused and with no memory of the prior years. Everything We Left Behind picks up right
after the first book with James trying to figure out who he is. Is he James or
Carlos? The point of view switches back and forth between James in the present
and Carlos in the past, as he tries to rebuild his life once again. But now he
has two young sons who only know him as Carlos and a sister-in-law whom he has
falling in love with…as Carlos. James must also learn how to let Aimee go, who
has moved on with her life. Meanwhile the threat of his brother, Phil’s,
release from prison is hanging over his head. His other brother, Thomas, is
trying to unlock his memory, convinced that he has very important information
locked in his brain somewhere. Will Phil try to come after him? How can he
protect his sons? Will he ever remember what happened? Will he be able to
rebuild his life?
Everything We Left
Behind wasn’t as exciting as Everything
We Keep. I waited for the drama with Phil and Thomas which didn’t live up
to my expectation. However, I enjoyed the drama and struggle as James/Carlos
struggles with his memory as he comes to terms with his life. I only know the
basics of how fugue states function, it was interesting to see how Ms. Lonsdale
portrays it in this book. Your heart breaks for James as he comes to terms that
the life he knew is gone forever and it breaks for Carlos as he knows that he
may cease to exist and memory of his life in Mexico will be erased. The story
was dramatic and intense as the family must rebuild itself. The end of Everything We Left Behind gives a hint
that this story isn’t quite over yet. I look forward to the third book, Everything We Give, which is set to be
released next summer. I recommend Everything
We Left Behind. If you haven’t read the first book yet, I highly recommend
you read it first. You will not be disappointed.
The Twilight Wife
by AJ Banner is the story of Kyra Winthrop as she recovers from a diving
accident. She now suffers from anterograde amnesia (the difficulty forming new
memories) and retrograde amnesia (the difficulty remembering old memories). As
she struggles with her recovering, she begins to suspect something’s not right
with what she knows. She begins to question her husband, Jacob, and her life
with him. When she begins to search for clues of the memories she has lost, she
learns that everything she knows may be false. When she finally learns the
truth, she must play safe as she tries to recover the life she lost.
The Twilight Wife
is set on an island in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It is an excellent book
from the first page. Readers will feel for Kyra as she struggles to recover and
catch your breath as you learn the truth alongside her. It is suspenseful with
clues pointing to so many directions. Readers will decipher the clues with Kyra
as she tries to pierce the fog in her head and the lies she’s been told. I
highly recommend The Twilight Wife.
It’s an excellent, excellent book!
Always by Sarah
Jio is the story of Kailey Crane who seems to have moved on after the love of
her life disappeared from her life. Until one night, she stumbles across a
homeless man who she is convinced is Cade. The narrative moves back and forth
between the present of 2008 and the past and the events which led to Cade
disappearance.
Always is an
amazing book. From the first page to the last word, the story grips the reader
in as Kailey searches the streets for the man who believes is Cade. She must
fight against prejudices against the homeless as well as her own ideas about
what she wants in her life. I loved the flashbacks to the love story of Kailey
and Cade and I cheered her on as she was determined to find out happened to
Cade. I highly recommend Always.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll fall in love with a true love story.
The Women on the
Orient Express is a great story about three women in a world which often
didn’t appreciate their intelligence ot their very existence. At first, I
thought the woman in the title referred to Agatha Christie but I soon realized
that the woman could also refer to Katharine or Nancy as it is their story as
much as Agatha’s. Ms. Christie really did travel the Orient Express and toured
the dig sites of the Ur with the Woolleys. There she would meet her second
husband. The book also gives the insight on the inspiration for the books that
followed this journey. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, even if you aren’t,
I highly recommend The Woman on the
Orient Express was an adventure story which will introduce Ms. Christie to
you in ways you may have never seen her before.
The Woman on the Orient Express
is available on
Amazon in paperback and on the Kindle
I have a love-hate relationship with alcohol. I am not a big drinker. I do enjoy a rare cocktail. My favorite drink is Rum and Coke but I don’t seek out the alcohol and often times I will turn down a drink. I am a child of alcoholics. My mom is a recovering alcohol who has seen her life turned upside down because of her drinking. She has come a long way and is currently working to help others end their alcoholism. My dad has not been able to end his drinking. Despite his consistent reassurances that he has, I know when someone is drunk by their voice. Because of this, we do not have a relationship. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease with involves problems controlling drinking, the preoccupation with alcohol and the continued use of alcohol despite health issues. Alcoholism isn’t just a drinking problem. It becomes a life or death problem.
The symptoms of alcoholism are:
Unable to control amount of alcohol. An alcoholic can’t have just one beer or one glass of wine. They will drink until the whole case or bottle is gone and often without realizing that they have drank so much.
Strong need to drink. This need is constant and irresistible urge. Thoughts of getting a drink consume everyday activities and the person will not have relief until he or she has a drink in the hand.
Develop tolerance which leads to the need of more alcohol to feel the same effect.
Physical withdrawal symptoms when not drinking (i.e. nausea, sweating, and shaking)
Experience blackouts
Keeps alcohol in unusual places (i.e. in the bathroom, in the car, or at work)
Legal problems, relationship issues, unemployment or financial issues due to drinking
Loss of interest in activities and hobbies that you once loved.
The causes of alcoholism have been researched and debated. The consensus is that alcoholism has genetic, psychological, social and environment components. It makes sense that someone who has parents and even grandparents who were alcoholics can be predisposed. Is it a solely genetic or a combinations of the components? I think alcoholism a mixture of the social and environment components with interaction with the mental state of an individual. The risk factors of alcoholism are: 1) steady drinking overtime due to stress or an escape mechanism, 2) age at which someone begins drinking. The earlier someone starts, the higher the risk of alcoholism, 3) family history, and 4) social and cultural factors, if drinking is a part of parties and other gatherings, an individual would be more likely to drink.
The health complications from alcoholism are widespread. The most common health issue is the development of various liver aliments such as liver disease, cirrhosis and fatty liver. Alcoholism also can lead to digestive problems such as gastritis and pancreatitis. It can contribute to various heart ailments such as enlarged heart, heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke. There are hosts of other complications that alcohol can contribute to: diabetes complications (i.e. hypoglycemia), sexual and reproductive issues (erectile dysfunction in men and menstruation issue in women), eye problems, birth defects (i.e. mental retardation, organ defects, facial malformations, and impaired growth), neurological complications (i.e. dementia and short term memory loss), weakened immune system and a higher risk of cancer. Of course, death. Alcohol related deaths are the third leading cause in the U.S. In 2012, 31% of driving fatalities were alcohol related.
For me, alcohol isn’t worth it. The host of health and social problems that can arise is just not worth the alcohol. I suppose it is easy for me to avoid alcohol for various reasons: 1) majority of alcohol is not gluten-free (although manufacturers are now coming out with gluten-free options, 2) I simply don’t like how alcohol tastes or how it makes me feel and 3) alcohol is very expensive. I understand that for some people, the pull of alcohol is often too great. If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol, there are countless of organizations which can help. Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org) is the most well-known. Look for your local organizations for more information and help. The first step is begins with you.
A Fall of Marigolds
by Susan Meissner caught my eye in Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago and I immediately
put in on my list. It caught my attention for two reasons. One, marigolds are
October’s birth flower and therefore when I see or hear about them I think of
Ziva. Second, the story. It’s about two women separated by time who both suffer
through a great loss and their survival is linked to one scarf blooming with
marigolds.
The story opens with Taryn who works at a quilting shop in
Manhattan in September 2011. The 10 year anniversary of 9/11 is fast
approaching and she lost her husband on that tragic day and is fighting the
urge to hide until the anniversary memorials are over. She has been searching
for a client, material that will match this marigold scarf, the scarf that
saved her life. She is struggling to find a way to move on without leaving her
husband behind.
The majority of the story is about Clara, a nurse on Ellis
Island in 1911. She suffered a loss when the building she worked in burned. On
March 25, 1991, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was one of the deadliest
industrial disasters in the history of New York City and one of the deadliest
disasters until 9/11. It caused the deaths of 146 garment workers (123 women
and 23 men) when the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and the
exits which was a common practice at the time to prevent theft and unauthorized
breaks. Many of the workers could not escape. The victims either died from the
fire, smoke inhalation or falling and/or jumping to their deaths from the 8th,
9th and 10th floors of the Asch Building. Clara retreats
to the Ellis Island hospital where incoming immigrants are checked for diseases
and treated before sending them on to New York City.
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed going on Clara’s
and Taryn’s journey of recovery with the backdrop of two deadliest disasters in
New York City history. I liked how the author described Ellis Island as the
in-between place. It was between the old world and America. For Clara, it was
in-between the past and her future. The main theme of this story is grief
recovery and letting go of what might have been. There is a lot of history and
detail about Ellis Island that I was not aware of. I would like to continue to
learn more about Ellis Island and its history place in our nation’s history.
“Love is the only
constant in a fragile world” -Clara
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