Posts Tagged ‘family’

I’m always thrilled when I get a new book from Bette. I’ve read all of her stories and trust each new one will be filled with diverse characters and touching scenarios.

Before I get to my review of Blueberry Hill: A Sister’s Story I want to tell you about Bette’s fantastic deal!

Her $.99 Sale Starts Sat. Aug. 9 and ends Fri. August 15th so grab it today!

Blueberry Hill on Amazon to buy, borrow or read for FREE!

That means if you’re enrolled in Amazon Prime or their new program Kindle Unlimited, you can read this book for free.

Click on the cover to check it out!

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My Review

Whenever I get ready to read one of Bette’s books, I always have a new box of kleenex handy. Her stories are so rich in emotions I invariably cry with and for her characters, even if I’m smiling through those tears.

Blueberry Hill had that effect on my. But for a new reason.

I connected with Bette and her younger sister, Donna, because I went through the same experience with my older sister.

As far back as I can remember, my sister was a wild one with an endless stubborn streak. She would do what she wanted and to hell with the consequences. The difference in this story is the young sister, Donna, rebels and follows the wrong path, while my story has the older sister choosing it.

As Bette struggled to understand her sister, began to accept there was no changing her, I too felt the frustration and anger, the hopelessness. She realized, as did I, that all you can do is love them, be there for them, go through it with them.

So many times I felt like I was almost reading my own story. Loving an addict, whether with drugs or alcohol, takes from you, wounds your heart. Even though you understand the addiction is behind their actions, it still hurts when they brush aside your offers for help, ignore your advice. All that’s left is the memories of long ago, before the drugs or booze took that sister from you. Happier times to fall back on when the despair tries to settle in.

I may have read this book too soon after the loss of my sister. My heart is still bruised, my grief still lingering. But I found a new strength in knowing everything I felt, good or bad, was okay, and I still loved her.

I didn’t cry while reading Blueberry Hill. I cried afterwards, and the tears flowed freely as I wrote this review.

Two sisters, choices, consequences, acceptance, and love. That’s what this story is about. And the author wrote it honestly, bravely, revealing the bare bones of the relationship. What it gave and what it took.

5 STARS

Synopsis

CAN LOVE SAVE A SISTER FROM SELF-DESTRUCTION?

From the USA Today Bestselling Author of Spare Change comes the heartwarming story Blueberry Hill, a Sister’s Story.

Based on the realities of her own family, Crosby calls this a memoir of sorts. Traveling back to a time when the sisters were young enough to feel invincible and foolish enough to believe it would last forever, Crosby has bared her soul in a story of regrettable decisions and inevitable outcomes.

Blueberry Hill is a tale of family relationships, love and tragedy. It is a story that will touch your heart and stay with you long after you have closed the book.

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Other books by Bette Lee Crosby

Jubilee's Journey (Wyattsville #2)

My Review for Jubilee’s Journey

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Spare Change

My Review of Spare Change

**

What Matters Most

My Review for What Matters Most

**

The Twelfth Child

My Review of The Twelfth Child

**

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My Review of Cracks in the Sidewalk~ Coming soon!

**

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My Review of Cupid’s Christmas ~ Coming soon!

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ABOUT Bette Lee Crosby

Bette Lee Crosby Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win several more awards, including another NLAPW award, three Royal Palm Literary Awards, and the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal.

Her published novels to date are: Cracks in the Sidewalk (2009), Spare Change (2011), The Twelfth Child (2012), Cupid’s Christmas (2012) and What Matters Most (2013). She has also authored “Life in the Land of IS” a memoir of Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as the world’s longest living quadriplegic.

Crosby originally studied art and began her career as a packaging designer. When asked to write a few lines of copy for the back of a pantyhose package, she discovered a love for words that was irrepressible. After years of writing for business, she turned to works of fiction and never looked back. “Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Getting Back to Normal By Marilyn Levinson

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We give this 4 1/2 paws and if you are looking for a book for your child, definitely check this one out! ~Storeybook Reviews

Levinson has the incredible talent of combining life’s lessons with a bit of fun too, as she incorporates boys, ghosts, a runaway little brother, and an old mystery into this well-written story. ~Cindi at Mommasez……

The author “blends the stress of family life with a touch of paranormal for a light-hearted tale that will have you smiling.” ~Thoughts in Progress

This is a fast easy entertaining read. ~readalot

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Genre: YA/Grades 6-8

 Published by: Untreed Reads Publishing

Release Date: May 29, 2013

E-Book File Size: 289 KB

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Synopsis

Sixth-grader Vannie Taylor’s mom has just died. Her father’s completely lost without his wife and brings Vannie and her younger brother to live in a dismal cottage on the estate where he manages craft fairs, dinners, and other events.

A ghost named Archie befriends Vannie, and helps her prepare a wonderful supper for her brother. After Vannie discovers Archie’s secret, he asks Vannie to help him make amends for something in his past. But helping Archie means accepting a very large change in her own life. Things get back to normal for Vannie, but not in a way she’s ever imagined.

My Review

In movies, casting makes or breaks the film. The same can be said for books.

The author has a great cast in Getting Back To Normal.

Vannie’s almost twelve when her father uproots the family and moves them into a dumpy old cottage on the grounds of Merry Mount Gardens, the estate he works for.

She’s not happy with the move and neither is her little brother Robby. He’s obsessed with a stray cat he’s been feeding, Theodore, and worries if the new people living in their old house will take care of him.

Vannie worries about who will take care of them, as her father has immersed himself in matters of the estate and is often absent.

Her father looked to his wife for comfort and support. They all did. She was the glue that held them together.

Now that she’s gone, they are quickly becoming a dysfunctional family.

Vannie’s saving grace is Aunt Mayda. She’s not really her aunt. She was her mothers best friend. She owns Merry Mount and helped them to get the cottage.

Aunt Mayda lives in the city but makes frequent visits, lending her support where needed.

One day, Vannie makes a new friend.

Archibald Heatherton is Mayda’s grandfather. He’s also the resident ghost.

Vannie is the only one who can see him, and he’s asking for her help.

He chose to stay after his “foolish death” to ensure Mayda lives happily ever after.

Vannie thinks it’s a pretty tall order. Does anyone get their happily ever after?

Vannie is a brave young lady. Her situation adds a heavy responsibility on her small shoulders. Her dad is buried in his work, her brother is obsessed with a stray cat, she’s missing her home, her school, her friends.

Now a silly ghost wants a real life fairy tale ending. Can helping Archie maybe help her own family? Will they ever get back to normal?  What is normal anyway?

Without Archie the ghost, this could have been a heavy read. Archie, with his backflips and cartwheels, and aura of mystery, lightens the mood, making this a fun story told from Vannie’s point of view.

Getting Back To Normal is for young readers. I’d say middle grade. The characters are real and the situations are true to life, well, except for Archie, and the adventures are exciting.  And I’m all for a happily ever after.

This took me back to when I was young and I spent all my time in the library. I would grab my selected books and sit in a quiet corner, reading until it was time to go home. I loved taking those books home, choosing which one to read first, and diving into a new world.

I wish I had young children to share this book with. I would love for them to meet these characters and interrupt me when I’m busy to exclaim about something that happened in the book.

4 Stars

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Marilyn Levinson

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Marilyn Levinson, a former Spanish teacher, writes mysteries, romance, and books for children and young adults.

Her romantic suspense, DANGEROUS RELATIONS, is a love story entwined with an intriguing mystery. GIVING UP THE GHOST is an entertaining ghost mystery. The first of her Twin Lakes Mysteries, A MURDERER AMONG US, was awarded a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine. A new edition of A MURDERER AMONG US and its sequel, MURDER IN THE AIR, will be out soon.

A ghost, a mansion, and a feral Maine Coon cat feature in Marilyn’s brand new YA, GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. Three of her popular out-of-print children’s books, AND DON’T BRING JEREMY, NO BOYS ALLOWED, and RUFUS AND MAGIC RUN AMOK are now available as ebooks.

Marilyn is co-founder and past-president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on Long Island.

Links: web page: http://www.marilynlevinson.com Untreed Reads books: http://goo.gl/ktYzs Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson

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I have one ebook of Getting Back To Normal to giveaway!

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question,

“What’s your favorite fairy tale?”

Giveaway ends August 19th.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

Living on the Gulf Coast where humidity is so high it feels like you’re breathing underwater, What Matters Most is like a cool breeze.

What better way to spend the day then with a glass of chilly iced tea or a mint julep, the sound of gulls calling high above  and a really good book.

I had  a sense of familiarity while reading this book, like coming home.

Bette Lee has charmed me again.

What Matters Most

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Just when Louise thinks she has everything she ever wanted, her husband, Clay, throws a wrench in the works.

She has her family, her perfect home, and her circle of quilting friends. Louise would be perfectly happy to spend the rest of her life right where she is.

Clay, on the other hand, is tired of shoveling snow, and his boring job at the bank is draining the life out of him.

When a letter arrives, it looks like he’s saved. His Uncle died and left him a small house in Florida. They’ll move south, enjoy the balmy weather, make new friends, and enjoy the good life.

His nightmares of dropping dead at his desk are gone. Now that he has a chance to change things, he’s like a dog with a bone. Nothing will stop him now.

Louise is at her wit’s end. She doesn’t want anything to change. She wants everything to stay the way it is.

She gets with her best friend and they come up with a Plan A.

She hires the absolute worst realtor out there to list the house with. But, go figure, he gets a bite quickly and they even get the asking price, which she set high to discourage buyers.

Now what can she do?

Clay’s going through a mid-life crisis and Louise is pulling her hair out, trying to stop this run away train.

My thoughts

You know that saying, “Life goes on?”

I look back to that perfect time in my life and wish I could go back. But then real life comes crashing in, reminding me that time stands still for no one. You can never go back and nothing stays the same.

Poor Loiuse was always stable and secure in her life and now she’s ripped out of her happy home and driving to points unknown.

Clay changed from mister predictable to this dreamer. He romanticized the move, seeing a fantasy come true and his sights are set on Florida, believing the move will make him happy.

Poor Louise, you can feel her desperation, her panic. The road trip is insane. Her Plan B fails. I don”t know how she ever thought it would work.

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I guess she had nothing left to lose.

I was really hoping for this one thing to happen at the end of this story, and Bette didn’t disappoint me. I had my, “You go girl” moment.

I’ve read several of Bette Lee Crosby’s novels and each time I read a new one I say to myself this is the best one yet. I could never choose a favorite as they have all touched my heart.

Bette’s southern accent sneaks into What Matters Most, subtly charming you, while tickling your funny-bone, and leaving you happy and wiser.

5 Stars

Giveaway

I have an awesome giveaway from Bette!

Alert! This is a Tag Team Event!

Sherry and I, the Tag Team Sisters, are both posting our reviews and having a giveaway.

For a second chance to win visit Sherry at fundinmental

I have one paperback copy to giveaway.

*****Us/Canada Only. Sorry to my International friends.*****

Good news!

I also have one e-book to giveaway.

***Anyone can enter for the e-book!***

To enter, please leave your email address and specify if US (everyone will be entered for the e-book) and answer this question:

“Do you find it hard to except change or do you relish it?”

Giveaway ends June 10th.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bette Lee CrosbyBette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Other Books by Bette Lee Crosby

Spare Change

2010 Royal Palm Literary Award

2011 Reviewer’s Choice Award

2012 FPA President’s Book Award Silver Medal

My Review

The Twelfth Child

National League of American Pen Women

Women’s Fiction Award

Cracks in the Sidewalk

2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal

2009 Royal Palm Literary Award

Cupid’s Christmas

A holiday romance.

Spare Change  The Twelfth Child  Cupid's Christmas  Cracks in the Sidewalk  What Matters Most  Life in the Land of IS...the amazing story of Lani Deauville, the world's longest living quadriplegic

A Story of Triumph

Posted: March 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Title: Center of the Storm

Author: Ann Simko

Published by: Musa Publishing

 

Dodge, an angry teenager, grew up in the foster care system. Shuffled from home to home, he has never stayed in any one place for more than 6 months. A miracle would place him with the family of Kate and Mike Landry, on a horse farm in Pennsylvania. There he forms a bond with a horse named Storm, also a victim of abuse. Can Dodge let down his barriers and accept the unconditional love offered to him? Is this what he wants from life, could it really be that simple?

Flash forward. Dodge is now a grown man, married, with an adopted teenage son. Chris is also a victim of abuse, found near death in an abandoned shed. Dodge can’t seem to get past the walls that Chris has erected. There is a late night call from Kate asking Dodge to come to the farm. Maybe taking Chris with him on the 5 hour drive will give Dodge the chance to reach him.

This story flashes from Dodge as a teenager and as an adult. It is superbly written, allowing you to easily follow the story line. Ann Simko writes about the sensitive subjects of abuse, cutting, and suicide. With humorous scenes well placed to lighten it, she writes a moving tale of healing, hope and love.

Rarely have I felt so many emotions from a book. I laughed, I cringed in dread, and in several places I cried.

I received this as an ebook by the author in exchange for an honest review. I will be purchasing it as a paperback because I want to feel the cover as it softens from being read so many times.

I gave this book 5 stars only because I could not give it more!

For more about the author and her books visit her website.

www.annsimko.com