Reviews of traditional or indie published books, new and old!
Climbing the Stairs Author: Padma Venkatraman Publisher: Speak Genre: Young Adult Subgenre: Historical Fiction; Military; Lit & Fiction Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased at writer’s conference Synopsis: Life for fifteen year-old Vidya holds tremendous promise. Despite living in British-occupied India during the 1940s with a rigid caste system in place, she aspires to attend…
On Call in Hell Author: Cdr Richard Jadick © 2007 with Thomas Hayden Publisher: NAL Caliber (Penguin) Genre: Non-fiction, Autobiography / Memoir Subgenre: War – military, Medical, War Memoir, History Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased at book fair Synopsis: The memoir of Commander Richard Jadick tells the story of his time in Iraq during…
All Fall Down Author: Jennifer Weiner © 2014 Publisher: Simon and Schuster Genre: Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Women’s Literature, Domestic Life, Family Life, Contemporary Fiction Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased at book fair Synopsis: Mother, domestic engineer and paid blogger Allison Weiss has the picture-perfect life. She left full-time work to stay…
Mockingjay Author: Suzanne Collins © 2010 Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: YA literature & fiction Sub-genre: Self-esteem & reliance, self-respect; Action-adventure & sci-fi Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased by husband Synopsis: The revolution that President Snow eluded to in his threats to Katniss has come to life. District 13 is thriving and ready…
Call the Midwife Author: Jennifer Worth © 2002 Publisher: Penguin Books Genre: Memoir Subgenre: Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Belonged to family Synopsis: A young nurse in 1950s England embarks on a career move that moves her into a convent for her nurse-midwife training and early career. It takes her to some of…
Nightfall Over Shanghai Author: Daniel Kalla © 2015 Publisher: Forge Books Genre: Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Historical Fiction, Jewish Fiction, Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Gift from family Synopsis: Shanghai in 1944 is an increasingly dangerous place for the Jewish refugees, including the Adler family. Father, daughter and step-mother find themselves in…
First Comes Love Author: Emily Giffin © 2016 Publisher: Ballantine Books Genre: Women’s Fiction / Literary Fiction Sub-genre: Sisters, Domestic Life, Literary Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased on Amazon Synopsis: The Garland sisters, Josie and Meredith, shared a sisterly bond and love for each other that became a challenging relationship in their…
Author: Katrina Firlik, M.D. © 2006 Publisher: Random House Genre: Medical memoir / autobiography Sub-genre: Nervous system-surgery, Neurosurgery, Medical history & records Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased at B&N. Amazon book synopsis: “Katrina Firlik is a neurosurgeon, one of only two hundred or so women among the alpha males who dominate this high-pressure, high-prestige…
The Promise of Home Author: Darcie Chan © 2015 Publisher: Ballantine Books Genre: Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Women’s Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Psychological Suspense Reviewer: Sara Synopsis (Amazon blurb): These days, Mill River, Vermont, is a hive of activity. Karen Cooper bids farewell to her husband, Nick, as he leaves for Saudi Arabia to work…
Playing With Fire © 2015 Author: Tess Gerritsen Publisher: Ballantine Books Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Literary Fiction Subgenre: Psychological Thrillers, Suspense / Women’s Fiction – Contemporary Women Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Gift (not from author) Synopsis: The lives of two musicians of different eras are brought together by a single…
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