THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White

CMash April 18, 2018 6 Comments

THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published by Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: Jan. 16, 2018
ISBN-10: 1542048982
ISBN-13: 978-1542048989
Pages: 384
Review Copy From: Personal purchase
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 5

Synopsis (via GoodReads)

“This is an eye-opening and realistic exploration of mental illness—a topic that greatly deserves to be front and center.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things

Metal artist Katie Mack is living a lie. Nine years ago she ran away from her family in Raleigh, North Carolina, consumed by the irrational fear that she would harm Maisie, her newborn daughter. Over time she’s come to grips with the mental illness that nearly destroyed her, and now funnels her pain into her art. Despite longing for Maisie, Katie honors an agreement with the husband she left behind—to change her name and never return.

But when she and Maisie accidentally reunite, Katie can’t ignore the familiarity of her child’s compulsive behavior. Worse, Maisie worries obsessively about bad things happening to her pregnant stepmom. Katie has the power to help, but can she reconnect with the family she abandoned?

To protect Maisie, Katie must face the fears that drove her from home, accept the possibility of love, and risk exposing her heart-wrenching secret.

My Thoughts

I am a member of several book groups on Facebook and after seeing many positive reviews and comments on this book, I knew I had to read it.

Ten years ago, Katelyn MacDonald ran away from her life. After having a beautiful baby girl, Maisie, Katelyn suffered from Postpartum Depression and a severe case of “harm” OCD, which consumed her, she felt the only way to protect her daughter was to leave.

Ten years later, Katelyn has gotten her life in a somewhat better place. Known now as Katie Mack, she is an artist and has agreed to oversee a group of children at the Contemporary Art Museum. She soon discovers that one of the docents is Maisie. How can she continue after giving away her parental rights, but how can she not, being so close to her child. And what she sees, and believes is frightening. Could Maisie be suffering from the same illness? Will she be able to help her daughter?

Maisie was told that her birth mother died. Can her father, now remarried and with a new baby on the way and an Uncle who helped raise her, all come together to help Maisie? Will secrets come to light? Will promises be kept?

A heart wrenching and raw look at mental illness! Compelling!

The author gives a realistic insight into this illness. Her narrative of the internal dialogue and thought process of a person with OCD left me exhausted, with a new and sympathetic understanding of the disease.

A poignant and touching story! An emotional and dynamic read!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

REVIEW DISCLAIMER
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

Giveaway, Partners In Crime Tours, Showcase

ALICE AND THE ASSASSIN by R.J. Koreto (Showcase & Giveaway)

CMash April 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

Alice and the Assassin

by R.J. Koreto

on Tour April 1-30, 2018

Synopsis:

Alice and the Assassin by R.J. Koreto

In 1902 New York, Alice Roosevelt, the bright, passionate, and wildly unconventional daughter of newly sworn-in President Theodore Roosevelt, is placed under the supervision of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, ex-cowboy and veteran of the Rough Riders. St. Clair quickly learns that half his job is helping Alice roll cigarettes and escorting her to bookies, but matters grow even more difficult when Alice takes it upon herself to investigate a recent political killing–the assassination of former president William McKinley.

Concerned for her father’s safety, Alice seeks explanations for the many unanswered questions about the avowed anarchist responsible for McKinley’s death. In her quest, Alice drags St. Clair from grim Bowery bars to the elegant parlors of New York’s ruling class, from the haunts of the Chinese secret societies to the magnificent new University Club. Meanwhile, St. Clair has to come to terms with his hard and violent past, as Alice struggles with her growing feelings for him.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: April 11th 2017
Number of Pages: 280
ISBN: 1683311124 (ISBN13: 9781683311126)
Series: Alice Roosevelt Mystery #1

Get Your Own Copy of Alice and the Assassin on Amazon & Barnes & Noble & add it to your Goodreads list!!

Author Bio:

R.J. Koreto

R.J. Koreto has been fascinated by turn-of-the-century New York ever since listening to his grandfather’s stories as a boy.

In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He’s a graduate of Vassar College, and like Alice Roosevelt, he was born and raised in New York.

He is the author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes and Alice Roosevelt mysteries. He has been published in both Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. He also published a book on practice management for financial professionals.

With his wife and daughters, he divides his time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Q&A with R.J. Koreto

Catch Up With R.J. Koreto On his Website, Goodreads Page, Twitter @RJKoreto, & on Facebook @ ladyfrancesffolkes!

Read an excerpt:

I had a nice little runabout parked around the corner, and Alice certainly enjoyed it. It belonged to the Roosevelt family, but I was the only one who drove it. Still, the thing about driving a car is that you can’t easily get to your gun, and I didn’t like the look of the downtown crowds, so I removed it from its holster and placed it on the seat between us.

“Don’t touch it,” I said.

“I wasn’t going to,” said Alice.

“Yes, you were.”

I had learned something the first time I had met her. I was sent to meet Mr. Wilkie, the Secret Service director, in the White House, and we met on the top floor. He was there, shaking his head and cleaning his glasses with his handkerchief. “Mr. St. Clair, welcome to Washington. Your charge is on the roof smoking a cigarette. The staircase is right behind me. Best of luck.” He put his glasses back on, shook my hand, and left.

It had taken me about five minutes to pluck the badly rolled cigarette out of Alice’s mouth, flick it over the edge of the building, and then talk her down.

“Any chance we could come to some sort of a working relationship?” I had asked. She had looked me up and down.

“A small one,” she had said. “You were one of the Rough Riders, with my father on San Juan Hill, weren’t you?” I nodded. “Let’s see if you can show me how to properly roll a cigarette. Cowboys know these things, I’ve heard.”

“Maybe I can help—if you can learn when and where to smoke them,” I had responded.

So things had rolled along like that for a while, and then one day in New York, some man who looked a little odd wanted—rather forcefully—to make Alice’s acquaintance on Fifth Avenue, and it took me all of three seconds to tie him into a knot on the sidewalk while we waited for the police.

“That was very impressive, Mr. St. Clair,” she had said, and I don’t think her eyes could’ve gotten any bigger. “I believe that was the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen.” She looked at me differently from then on, and things went a little more smoothly after that. Not perfect, but better.

Anyway, that afternoon I pulled into traffic. It was one of those damp winter days, not too cold. Workingmen were heading home, and women were still making a few last purchases from peddlers before everyone packed up for the day.

“Can we stop at a little barbershop off of Houston?” she asked. I ran my hand over my chin. “Is that a hint I need a shave?” I’m used to doing it myself.

“Don’t be an idiot,” she said, with a grin. “That’s where my bookie has set up shop. I’ve had a very good week.”

***

Tour Participants:

Visit the other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for R.J. Koreto. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift card. The giveaway begins on April 1, 2018 and runs through May 1, 2018. Void where prohibited.

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

Mailbox Monday

CMash April 16, 2018 1 Comment

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Click on title for synopsis via GoodReads.

Friday: BAD TIME TO BE IN IT by David Burnsworth ~ eBook from Author
Friday: THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager ~ eBook via NetGalley Dutton/Penguin Books

2018 Challenges

Art ~ Blog All About It

CMash April 14, 2018 5 Comments

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This year, one of the Challenges I signed up for is Blog All About It, hosted by The Herd Presents. The guideline is basically a blogging prompt challenge. Each month there’s a different prompt that you can interpret as you’d like then create a blog post around it. The 2018 list of prompts can be seen here on my Challenge Page. I will be posting for this Challenge on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Why did I choose this Challenge? Well, if you have followed this blog, you know that I love Challenges, even though I may not complete all the ones I sign up for. I just find it to be fun. Another reason I decided to do this Challenge, is that I realized it has been ages since I have actually blogged, other than posting reviews, interviews, guest posts, giveaways, etc. Over the past few years, being busy organizing VBTs, I have slacked off with one of the main reasons I joined the Book Blogging Community. At the time, I told myself that I would create a blog just as a way to keep track of the books I read with a few notes on the specific titles. I was very lucky that I met Vicki from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who took me under her wing, mentored me and answered all my questions. I went back through my posts to see how it all began in 2009 with my first post, which can be seen here. And 8½ years later, I still thoroughly enjoy being part of this community.

This month’s prompt is: ART

Art is literacy of the heart. – Elliot Eisner

I have to admit, that when I saw this topic when I first signed up, I knew it would be a hard one for me. I am so inept when it comes to drawing painting, etc., however, I always wished I had the talent to draw or being an arts and crafts type person. The best I can do is along these lines:

As far as wall art, I do have eclectic tastes but I would say that I tend to choose scenery since my house decor is colonial.

And of course, tropical scenes because it reminds me of our favorite vacation destination, Aruba, which is where these photos were taken.

And for arts and crafts, I had to share this beautiful gift I received from my son and his girlfriend for my birthday. I was so impressed, and absolutely blown away, that they took the time out of their busy schedules to make this for me. A beautiful shadow box for my office/library. Maybe, just maybe, Paul has some artistic talent. He knew he wanted to get me something to do with books and searched for some ideas, but I’m guessing it was Michelle, who did the finishing touches.

What about you? Do you have artistic talents?

Next month’s topic: Organize

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday!

CMash April 9, 2018 2 Comments

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Click on title for synopsis via GoodReads.

Sunday: THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White ~ eBook Personal Purchase
Friday: YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky ~ eBook from Author/Oceanview Publishing

Mailbox Monday

CMash April 2, 2018 3 Comments

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Click on title for synopsis via GoodReads.

Monday: THE TRUTH IN MY LIES by Ivy Smoak ~ eBook win via GR
MOnday: A NANTUCKET WEDDING by Nancy Thayer ~ TPB from Random House – win via GR
Thursday: WOMAN SCORNED by Shannon Heuston ~ eBook win via GR

2018 Challenges

March 2018 Blog Discussion

CMash March 31, 2018 4 Comments

I am taking part in the 2018 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!

The last Saturday of the month, I will be recapping the books I have read for the month, what I thought and the links to my reviews, and what I hope to read the following month.

March Books Read

Click on titles to see my reviews

BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris (click on titles for my reviews)
Comments: Having read her previous books, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE BREAKDOWN, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I was not disappointed.

LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
Comments: Another psychological thriller that I wanted to read and another psychological thriller that I enjoyed!

THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Comments: This book has been hiding in my Kindle for about a year, and having seen a lot of buzz about it and it fulfilled two of my Challenge requirements, I thought it was time to read it. So glad I did!

HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts (Review will be posted on May 1st.)
Comments: This was a “new to me” author. I liked her writing style and it held me captive!

Current Read

KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
Comments: I am addicted to this series!

Upcoming April TBRs

BURN ONE DOWN by Jeffrey A. Cooper
Comments: This will be the first book that I plan on reading by this author

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn
Comments: I hope that I can get to this book this month

Your Turn

What did you finish reading this month?
What book(s) should I add to my TBR list?

Book Review

THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester (Review)

CMash March 29, 2018 2 Comments

THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester
Published by: Fiction Studio Books
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
ASIN: B07BN465JD
Review Copy from: Author
Edition: eARC
My Rating: 5

Synopsis (via Author)

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home and successful career. Everything is perfect—or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. After a horrific auto accident, an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) invades Mac’s fragile mind and drops him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner-chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system and the struggles of an invisible disease, his family is taken from him.

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes could contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

My Thoughts

He has done it again! Steven Manchester, as I have said in the past, is the master storyteller in matters of the heart. But this time, he raised the bar even higher.

THREE SHOEBOXES is a raw and emotional read, of a family that is dealing with P.T.S.D, depression, anxiety and severe panic attacks, and how it not only affects the person afflicted but those that love and care for him. A realistic look at the struggle and the power to overcome.

Mac Anderson, husband and father of 3, starts having intense episodes of anxiety but not sure why. These episodes begin to increase not only in severity but also in frequency until they are totally consuming him. As he turns inward, he starts to self-medicate, which results in angry outbursts, alienating his wife and children and jeopardizing his job. And to the lowest point of being arrested for domestic assault.

A story that will have you so frustrated with Mac one minute and rooting for him the next. A somber realism of the effects of mental illness that still holds a stigma today.

What’s in those THREE SHOEBOXES? You will have to read this exceptional novel to find out. But a warning, have the tissues close by.

An intense and compelling read of a serious disease and the triumph of faith, will, determination and love.

Having read many of Steven Manchester’s books, I truly believe his writing is like a fine wine. It only gets better with age.

Steven Manchester brings home the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for THREE SHOEBOXES.

I can’t stress enough what an extraordinary and powerful book this is!!!!!! Highly recommend!!!!

Check out my reviews on his previous books:
TWELVE MONTHS, GOODNIGHT, BRIAN, THE ROCKIN’ CHAIR, PRESSED PENNIES, ASHES, and THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB

Pre-publication endorsements:

“Compelling and emotional, Three Shoeboxes takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through some of life’s toughest challenges, always with the ever-present sense of the transforming power of love and hope. Three Shoeboxes is Steven Manchester at his finest.”
– Carla Neggers, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, Harbor Island and Echo Lake

“Raw, moving and brutally honest—Steven Manchester takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Grab your tissues for this heart-wrenching story—better yet, grab a box full!”
– Tanya Anne Crosby, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, The Girl Who Stayed

“Three Shoeboxes is a compassionate, accessible portrait of a vitally important topic, PTSD, how it affects the sufferer and the family—and how to find hope and healing.”
– Jenna Blum, NYT & International Bestselling Author, Those Who Save Us and Storm Chasers

“Three Shoeboxes is terrific writing. Manchester’s protagonist’s life becomes nightmarish, his rage palpable, and his ultimate redemption breathtaking. It was enough to bring this reader to tears.”
– John Lansing, #1 Bestselling Author, The Devil’s Necktie

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

REVIEW DISCLAIMER
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.