New Release Tuesday: The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. She's my favorite author writing historical fiction today, and what I think I love most about her books is how they remind me of classic films. Her ability to write witty, fabulous dialogue (banter) just makes me smile every time I pick up one of her books. She writes incredible characters, perfectly interwoven storylines - plus her books are like the marvel universe of historical fiction books - characters from old books are always popping up here and there. It's so much fun. If I could choose an author whose work I wish I could have written as my own - Beatriz Williams is that author.

If you haven't ever read one of her books I highly recommend her very popular Schuyler sisters trilogy, start with The Secret Life of Violet Grant, then Tiny Little Thing (my favorite of the three) and finally Along the Infinite Sea. Or A Hundred Summers. They're all amazing.

So you can imagine my absolute delight when I received a copy of her latest, The Summer Wives, from William Morrow publishing - I literally screamed in surprise and happiness when I opened the package. I know - I'm not dramatic at all. This book is the book that I notated, dog eared and flagged all through my reading of it. I took this book with me everywhere and I could not put it down. This book is my summer book of 2018.

Please believe me when I say, this is probably one of my absolute favorite of Beatriz Williams' books to date. This storyline is everything. In 1951 Miranda Schuyler arrives on Winthrop Island with her mother - who is soon to be wed to Hugh Fisher, a notoriously wealthy man whose summer home on the Island is as exclusive as it is expansive. The union between her mother and Mr. Fisher introduces Miranda to the dazzling Island elite and their impressive world of ivy league schools, cocktail parties and families.

But beyond the stayed traditions of Winthrop's summer residents there is another population of people who inhabit the island year round - a group of Portuguese residents who make their living lobstering in the harbor and operating businesses that cater to the wealthy summer patrons. Among them is Joseph Vargas, a young lobsterman who is friends with Miranda's new step-sister Isobel. Miranda finds herself drawn to Joseph's easy manner and charisma - but when a tragic event occurs one summer evening, Miranda finds herself banished from Winthrop Island and Joseph is arrested for murder.

But in the summer of 1969, Miranda returns to the island where the affluent Fisher family home is now a crumbling artists retreat, her mother and step-sister barely reminiscent of the glittering people they once were. Hiding from the world and her very public life as an actress, Miranda seeks refuge and love with those who once were her family and friends.

Perfectly paced and plotted, this book is one of my favorites this year. Williams' draws her reader in with her trademark wit and observation of a secretive elite society. It's a novel of love, betrayal and loss that is truly transporting.

An advanced review copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Book Gawker's buy it or borrow it recommendation: Buy It

Buy It

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Indie Bound

New Release Tuesday: The Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser

Sarah Tolscer's debut effort, Song of the Current, is a swashbuckling YA Fantasy that is non-stop fun!
Caroline Oresteia is the headstrong daughter of a wherryman. Having grown up on a small cargo vessel in the riverlands, she and her father travel from port to port delivering whatever it is they've been hired to transport. It's an adventurous life and Caro wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps - to be blessed by the river god and live a wherryman's life on the river.

Our story begins with a pirate attack that leaves many a vessel burning in port; hired mercenaries seeking something valuable held within the port's keep. When her father is arrested by the harbor master on smuggling charges, Caro finds herself in a situation unlike any other she's been in. To free her father, she must deliver a mysterious box to a neighboring city. However, when it turns out that the cargo she's been hired to deliver is the same cargo that the pirates are seeking, a thrilling chase ensues as Caro must outmaneuver and keep hidden from the Black Dogs who pursue her.

Tolscer delivers a fast paced YA fantasy complete with mysterious shadowmen, a courier with a secret, plenty of intrigue, a little romance and a high stakes cat and mouse chase through the waters of the riverlands. Tolcser's cast of characters are a likeable bunch and many of the exchanges throughout the book are fun and engaging. The plot is well developed for a first novel, but leaves plenty to be explored in later volumes - which I'm hoping for! There were a few exchanges at later points in the book that I could have done without, but overall I felt the storyline was strong, the characters well developed and enjoyed the vivid descriptions of life on the water.

If you enjoy a unique, fast paced YA adventure you'll likely enjoy this book! I found it to be a fun addition to my summer reading list and anticipate the next installment!

Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for providing me a ebook copy of this book for review. 

Buy It

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound

New Release Tuesday & #SRC2017 In This Moment by Karma Brown

Karma Brown tackles some heavy themes in her latest work, In This Moment, releasing today. It's a gripping, emotional novel about the guilt we carry over time and how one incident can bring long buried feelings to the surface.

When Meg Pepper and her daughter Audrey wave Jack Beckett across the street after school one day, the last thing they expected was to witness a horrible and tragic accident take place right in front of them. Jack, Audrey's boyfriend's twin brother, is struck by a negligent driver as he crosses the street and in that moment, Meg's world is shattered. Racked by the guilt she feels for allowing Jack to cross the street, memories of another accident, long ago, begin to surface. As Meg processes her grief and guilt, she draws closer to Andrew - Jack's father, acting as his support and sounding board. But as she and Andrew spend more time together, Meg's world begins to spin off its axis impacting her family and friends.

You guys - this book is so well written! This is an emotional story that I believe readers of Emily Giffin and Liane Moriarty will enjoy. It's complex and left me with very mixed emotions about the characters in this story. But I think that's a good thing. This book was messy, so well written, but the characters' actions deserved the consequences they experienced in the book. In some ways, I feel like Meg could be a very relatable character to some. She feels overwhelmed with her family/work life, struggles to connect with her teenage daughter - who pushes her away (as teenagers are sometimes apt to do). I found myself to be a very intrigued fly on the wall to her story and I think others will too.

In this Moment is out today - go grab a copy and add this domestic drama to your summer reading list!

This book was part of Booksparks Summer Reading Challenge! Learn more about the challenge here!

Buy It

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound

New Release Tuesday: YA Fiction & Historical Fiction

Happy New Release Tuesday!

There are a few wonderful books coming out today - I'm so excited that they're available to add to your shelves. Both are debut novels and are set in England! One is a modern dystopian novel, the other is historical fiction set during WWII.


Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1) is available to read! It's the first in a trilogy set in an alternate Great Britain. If you're a fan of YA dystopia - you'll probably like this one.
You can check out my review of this book here.

NOT ALL ARE FREE.
NOT ALL ARE EQUAL.
NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED.

Our world belongs to the Equals—aristocrats with magical gifts—and all commoners must serve them for ten years.

But behind the gates of England’s grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England’s most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of their noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family’s secrets might win her liberty—but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi’s brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

I love historical fiction - especially anything WWII era and I'm excited to pick this one up. It sounds like a wonderful story about female friendships and small village life during WWII.
Synopsis:

As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret; and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past.

An enchanting ensemble story that shuttles from village intrigue to romance to the heartbreaking matters of life and death, Jennifer Ryan’s debut novel thrillingly illuminates the true strength of the women on the home front in a village of indomitable spirit.

New Release Tuesday: YA Fantasy & Women's Fiction

 



Happy New Release Tuesday!
 

It's the first Tuesday in February and there is a ton of new book goodness on shelves today!

YA & Fantasy

For the YA Fantasy set - we have the highly anticipated third installment of the Red Queen series, King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard. We're FINALLY going to find out what's become of Mare as she's locked up by Maven.

Synopsis:

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.
As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.
When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

If you missed it, I wrote a full Red Queen Recap last week - check it out here.



Wintersong is also available. This is a book that I've been looking forward to for quite a while. It's Labyrinth meets Beauty and the Beast and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. I love the concept of this novel and the reviews have been very positive.

Synopsis:

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.
But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds―and the mysterious man who rules it―she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.
Rich with music and magic, S. Jae-Jones's Wintersong will sweep you away into a world you won’t soon forget.

For my friends who love chick-lit, there are a couple for you too!

Sarah Jio's latest novel, Always, tackles social issues and true love in Seattle. Believe me when I say, you'll love it.
You can read my review here.

Synopsis:

Enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with her fiancé, Ryan, at one of Seattle’s chicest restaurants, Kailey Crain can’t believe her good fortune: She has a great job as a journalist and is now engaged to a guy who is perfect in nearly every way. As she and Ryan leave the restaurant, Kailey spies a thin, bearded homeless man on the sidewalk. She approaches him to offer up her bag of leftovers, and is stunned when their eyes meet, then stricken to her very core: The man is the love of her life, Cade McAllister.
When Kailey met Cade ten years ago, their attraction was immediate and intense—everything connected and felt right. But it all ended suddenly, leaving Kailey devastated. Now the poor soul on the street is a faded version of her former beloved: His weathered and weary face is as handsome as Kailey remembers, but his mind has suffered in the intervening years. Over the next few weeks, Kailey helps Cade begin to piece his life together, something she initially keeps from Ryan. As she revisits her long-ago relationship, Kailey realizes that she must decide exactly what—and whom—she wants.
Alternating between the past and the present, Always is a beautifully unfolding exploration of a woman faced with an impossible choice, a woman who discovers what she’s willing to save and what she will sacrifice for true love.

NY Times Bestselling author, Sophie Kinsella has a new book out today as well!
My Not So Perfect Life is available for you to add to you shelf. I haven't read this yet, but it's on my list and I'm really excited to get it. It's had great reviews - and I'm a huge fan of Kinsella's work.

Synopsis:

Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she's desperate to make her dad proud.
Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.

New Release Tuesday: Happy Book Birthday to Caraval!

Happy New Release Tuesday!

 

Today's spotlight is on the highly anticipated new release in YA  fantasy fiction, Caraval by Stephanie Garber.

Here's a little synopsis on Caraval from Amazon:

~~~~~~~~~~~~



Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 



Ya'll - I am so excited to read this book! It has outstanding reviews and it sounds like everything I want in a great book - strong relationships, magical elements and a twisty plot.

I've had the book pre-ordered for quite some time, so I'm excited to read it as soon as it lands on my doorstep - which better be later today.

Buy it on

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Audible

New Release Tuesday: First Comes Love, Emily Giffin

Title: First Comes Love, Emily Giffin

Print Length: 401 pages

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: June 28, 2016

S Y N O P S I S

Emily Giffin is a master at writing stories about matters of the heart, they’re often times messy (did you read The One and Only?), honest and emotional – First Comes Love is no different. Ms. Giffin’s newest novel tackles the complexity of sibling relationships and family dynamics in a way that is heartfelt and relatable. Josie and Meredith are two very different sisters, they have difficulty finding common ground even in their adolescent years and especially in adulthood. In the aftermath of a devastating family tragedy, the two women find their relationship strained, their only common thread being the brother they lost. As each woman matures she finds herself struggling to come to terms with past decisions, happiness and future plans. Single Josie is in her late thirties and desperately wants a family of her own, while Meredith struggles to connect with her husband and live up to the illusion of marital bliss that she’s created. As the 15th anniversary of their brother’s death looms ahead, it forces each woman to acknowledge her own heart and where her past and present lie.

First Comes Love is a story about self-love, the choices we make and how healing, grace and forgiveness first come from loving and accepting oneself.

M Y  T A K E

Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all of her novels and loved each. First Comes Love ranks as one of my favorites that she’s written. She has a way of writing about family and friends that draws the reader into her stories. Her characters are highly identifiable, flawed and heartfelt – I find reading her books similar to a coffee date with an old friend; familiar and relatable. I felt as if I could be a friend of each woman, listening to her problems and watching on as she worked them out for herself. Is it strange that I find that I could possibly be a supporting character, sitting silently off the side, in all of her books?! I think that’s why I like them so much!

Character development aside, First Comes Love, is very well written and fast paced. I flew through this book in less than two days (as is often the case with work by this author) and really enjoyed the outcome. Giffin’s writing style is approachable and easily read, which makes this book suitable to a vast audience. I was satisfied with the ending and the paths each character took in her life. The only downside to finishing the book was that it ended!

You’ll most definitely want to pick this up for your summer reading enjoyment, and I highly recommend that you do!

First Comes Love is available today, June 28!

Buy it on Amazon
Buy it at Barnes & Noble

A B O U T  T H E  A U T H O R

Emily Giffin is the author of seven internationally bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, and The One & Only. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law, she lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children.


*I was provided an advanced copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

New Release Tuesday: 3 Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List

Happy Tuesday!

One of the best things about Tuesday is that it's a popular day of the week for new books to be released - and today is no exception. This Tuesday is especially fantastic because there are some really great books being released today. You'll be hearing about these books all summer long - now's your chance to get a jump on that poolside, park side reading list and read them before everyone else!

1. The Girls, Emma Cline

Emma Cline's novel, The Girls, is one of the most anticipated novels of the summer. Its generating a ton of buzz in the print world as well as the interwebs. You're not going to want to miss this Manson Family inspired coming of age novel.

I scored it a 4 out of 5 stars - you can see my review here.

2. Here's to Us, Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is back and she's bringing us one of summer's best beach reads. This novel about three different women who all share the same ex-husband. When his sudden death brings them together in honor of his final wish - chaos ensues. Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read - so I'm super excited to pick this one up.

*Also, if you're a fan of Elin Hilderbrand and you live in the Whatcom County area, Village Books is hosting her on June 22 at 7:00pm at the Jansen Art Center in Lynden. You're not going to want to miss this opportunity to see Elin live and have your book signed! Believe me when I say, I'll be there! More details here.

3. Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, Ramona Ausubel

Hailed as "One of the most anticipated books of 2016" by The Millions and "Aggressively Imaginative" by the New York Times, Ramona Ausubel's story of a wealthy family who in the midst of lavish summer holidays and party planning realizes that their fortune has run out is sure to be one of the summer's most talked about reads. I'm excited to pick this one up.

If you've read any of these - I'd love to know what you thought! I'll be sharing my thoughts on 2 & 3 as soon as I've read them.

Happy reading everyone!

New Release Tuesday: Burning Down the House by Jane Mendelsohn

It's new release Tuesday!
This week the much anticipated novel by Jane Mendelsohn, Burning Down the House is available on kindle and in print.

From Amazon:
"In cinematic, dazzlingly described scenes, we enter the lavish universe of the Zane family, from a wedding in an English manor house to the trans-global world of luxury hotels and restaurants—from New York to Rome, Istanbul to Laos. As we meet them all—Steve’s second wife, his children from his first marriage, the twins from the second, their friends and household staff—we enter with visceral immediacy an emotional world filled with a dynamic family’s loves, jealousies, and yearnings. In lush, exact prose, Mendelsohn transforms their private stories into a panoramic drama about a family’s struggles to face the challenges of internal rivalry, a tragic love, and a shifting empire. Set against the backdrop of financial crisis, globalization, and human trafficking, the novel finds inextricable connections between the personal and the political."

This sounds to be an interesting novel, I'm adding it to my list of new releases to check out. Have you read it? I'd love know what your thoughts were.

Buy it here.