My take on: Unscripted

Every day you can find a reality show on TV. I think the market is over-saturated with them. I have to roll my eyes at shows like The Bachelor. It's not real. I don't understand the motivation to going on a reality show. Fame must be the motive. But what about the people behind the scenes? What is their motivation? I wonder about that sometimes. Like who are the geniuses that brought us "Joe Millionaire" and "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" Unscripted by Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz takes us behind the scenes of reality TV.

Abby Edwards is very cynical when it comes to love. Finding her next job and relationships with her friends are what's important, romance is not part of the equation. Her job as a producer on the dating show Matchmaker is about to end. Where is her next gig going to come from? Is this type of career what she really wants? Splicing together footage is the easy part of the job. Playing therapist/pastor/mom/dad/aunt/uncle/shoulder to cry on for the babies on her reality show are the hard part. Either the contestants come to her or the network forces her to deal with their petty problems. But even that wears on Abby. How many times can you watch a grown man or woman act like a baby?

Her friends are an interesting bunch, especially her closest friend and roommate Zoe. Zoe has found love, but for her it has an expiration date if her boyfriend, Jeff, doesn't propose. Even when she gets the proposal it was forced. Zoe wants marriage and family, but only if her husband has a sizable bank account. Jeff has a "good" job, but as soon as he takes a job with a lower salary there is trouble in paradise. It doesn't matter if the job makes him happy and could lead to an even better opportunity. All that matters is that Zoe might not be able to fulfill her dream of a big house, children, and life as a housewife. I found Zoe to be extremely selfish and self-centered. I'm surprised Abby and Zoe were friends. Abby doesn't care about appearances the way Zoe does.

Abby's life is thrown for a loop when she goes to work alongside Will, a handsome producer. She's not sure how this will work since the last time Abby saw Will she mistook him for a lowly production assistant. But it goes better than expected as Will comes to respect her ideas. Abby starts feeling butterflies whenever he is around, but does Will feel the same. Her jaded views about love keep Abby from acting on her feelings.

The relationship Abby has with herself is at the heart of the book. When her friendship with Zoe hits a rough patch, Abby is forced to look at her own life. Is she really happy? What will it take to make her happy? Is fantasizing about Will just a quick fix? The sooner Abby can answer those questions, the sooner she can be happy. The book also delves into the ugly side of reality TV. We get a very vivid picture of all the backstabbing, power struggles, and manipulation that goes on. Abby does more than her fair share of work, but someone with more power is always standing by to take credit. In the end, I wish some of the romance elements had been explored more. The ending, while very hopeful, leaves you wanting more of Abby's story. The way the book ended, life was just beginning for Abby.

Rating: Superb


Note: I received an e-copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: Redwood Bend

Driving down a long stretch of road you never know what is around the next corner. Could be just another driver running errands, which I'm more inclined to believe. Someone looking for an escape just like you or it could be the love of your life. In Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr one of her characters found more than she bargained for.

Before I go on a little disclaimer, if you haven't read  Hidden Summit STOP reading now. This is an ongoing series and if you haven't read the previous book it might spoil some things for you. But if that doesn't matter you, by all means continue reading.

After a long period of turmoil, Katie Malone and her twin boys, Mitch and Andy, are on their way to Virgin River. Her brother Connor is waiting to spoil his nephews and protect his little sister. Connor has always been a guiding force in Katie's life. After the death of Katie's husband, Connor was there. After months apart from each other, Katie is ready to build a new life in Virgin River. But along the way there Katie was thrown for a loop. After a flat tire Katie crosses paths with former bad boy Dylan Childress. The attraction is instant, but both of them want to deny it. Katie has her hands full trying to raise her boys. She has to get her life together. She has to find a job, a home, and a school for the boys. Romance is very low on the totem pole. When it comes to commitment, Dylan is a little gun shy. As a former child star with absentee parents, Dylan doesn't know what a healthy romantic relationship is. His movie-star grandmother took control of him before Dylan went off the deep end. He's used to a simple life and uncomplicated relationships. A widow with two kids doesn't exactly sound like Dylan's cup of tea. Or does it?

Of course it does, but Katie plays hard to get. Dylan thinks he doesn't want a relationship. He makes sure Katie knows that he's attracted, but he is just passing through Virgin River. Both of them have no illusions about this "relationship." They're both very clear that it's just a fling. A relationship with attachments isn't always easy. You could be perfectly clear about your intentions, but the other person becomes more attached than they should. In this case it's Katie. It sounds very cliche that the woman in the relationship becomes attached and even falls in love. But it does happen a lot. When the time comes for Dylan to leave, Katie puts on a brave front but misses him so much it hurts. Dylan doesn't know why he can't go back to his life. Katie is under his skin. He stayed on in Virgin River to look for ways to grow his failing airline business when Hollywood comes calling again. Getting back into the business could help grow his business, but it could also corrupt his soul again. Katie doesn't want a superstar, she just wants someone to love her and her boys.

I wasn't a fan of the romantic setup. It didn't seem very realistic to have any instant attraction to a man you met on a chance encounter. Also every man in this book is portrayed as the hero. When are the women going to take over as heroes in romance novels? Katie has her moments in this book, but overwhelming the men take charge. Connor is the stubborn, neanderthal who will protect his sister at all costs. He can't be rational when it comes to Katie's love life. He acts first and thinks later. Dylan even gets his chance to be the hero towards the end of the book, but I'm going to stop before I spoil too much on that front. If you're a fan of the Virgin River Series, than this is right up your alley.

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Harlequin) at the request of the author's publicist (Little Bird Publicity)

My take on: Losing Clementine

The cover of Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream sold me before I knew what the book was about. That's a woman teetering on the edge. Was she pushed to the brink by someone or something? Did she commit a crime? Did she just lose a family member? Is she distraught over this crappy economy? There are so many reasons why this woman is under distress. The potential answers to those questions drew me in. But outside sources have nothing to do with Clementine Pritchard's problems. The war inside her head leads Clementine to believe that suicide is the answer.

We meet Clementine 30 days before her planned suicide. She has stopped taking all the medication to treat her manic depression. She feels free and more clear-headed than ever before. She never felt like herself on the medication. But why is suicide the answer? If she feels better without the medication, why not try that route for a while? Clementine doesn't believe those moments of clarity will last. The low moments outweigh the highs, and she is tired of trying to fix her brain.

She's a successful artist, but even that isn't satisfying for Clementine. She fired her assistant Jenny and is content to let her career fall by the wayside. Her ex-husband Richard still cares about her, but Clementine seems tired of relying on him to clean up her messes. She lets the people that care about her believe she is dying of cancer. The truth is too hard to confess because someone might talk Clementine out of suicide. Clementine only feels comfortable spilling her secrets to her cat Chuckles. The cat is her best friend. Clementine is sure Chuckles is the only one who will miss her. She's done being a burden to everyone else.

Her life is in disarray, but Clementine is sure suicide will be much easier. Her plan is neat and orderly. She gets all her important papers together, sells her furniture, and puts Clementine up for adoption. She trots down to Mexico with Richard in tow to buy drugs to aid her plan. Richard is clueless to her real motives, but can't resist helping Clementine. They will always be tied.

Clementine is so witty and intelligent, it's sad that she thinks suicide is the answer. She can match wits with everybody, even a fellow artist she believes is copying her work. She can also be very blunt. She wonders how good her shrink can be if he's willing to have sex with her (Clementine was also quick to point out how bad the sex was). Not everything is upbeat, Clementine goes through some extreme highs and lows in the 30 days prior to her planned suicide. She tries to find her estranged father, and when they do find each other the experience isn't what Clementine hoped for. The reunion leads to a long-buried secret. The ending, which feels a little rushed, is open to interpretation. Clementine's head is so full of noise, she can't see how much she is loved and will be missed. Suicide is nothing to joke about, but Ream finds a way to make her character engaging and funny. What could easily be a morbid book, is rather witty and worth reading.

Rating: Superb


Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (HarperCollins) as part of tour with TLC Book Tours.

My take on: Outside the Lines

It isn't often that the end of a book makes me want to cry. I wanted to give the characters in Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany a hug. I was hooked from the very beginning.

Eden West is a successful chef. She has a lot more than most people. Close friends, her own home, a loving brother and a mother and step-father who adore her. But there is a hole in Eden's heart. A hole that can only be filled by her long-lost father David, whose deep descent into mental illness separated him from his daughter. Eden has long believed that her father, who is now homeless, stopped caring about her when she was a child. Their once strong bond was broken by David's suicide attempt, which Eden unfortunately witnessed.

David's mind was in constant turmoil. He wanted to be a good husband to Eden's mother Lydia, but lived in constant fear that he couldn't measure up to his wife's standards. Getting a job and providing for his family by society's standards were impossible. He was an artist, trying to be normal only stifled his creativity. Doctors, medication, and hospitalization worked in short spurts, but eventually he would let the voices in his head take over. Lethargy and constant depression while medicated was no way to live for David. In addition to his art, Eden was the one bright spot in David's life. He could feel a little more like himself around Eden. She wouldn't judge him the way Lydia would. Eden kept his secrets. They could bond together cooking a meal, leading to Eden's love affair with food. But Eden begins taking on more guilt and responsibility than any child should. In her mind, she has to make sure her father feels good, is taking his medication, and continues to paint. She's more like a parent than a child. If she doesn't keep track of him maybe he won't love her anymore. Maybe he will leave the family. If she tries too hard, he might even come to resent Eden.

Now that Eden is in her thirties, she wants to let go of the pain he caused. She wants him back in her life. The search leads Eden to a homeless shelter, run by Jack, a man whom she is instantly smitten with. Volunteering at the shelter is a way for Eden to not only search for her father, but to bring a little joy to her life. Cooking and interacting with people who appreciate it makes Eden feel good about her life, a feel she doesn't get working for her corporate clients.A romantic relationship with Jack doesn't hurt either!

The book is very thought provoking.  Eden's heart is in the right place, but is she really thinking about what would happen if they reunite? She's caught up in how his presence will improve her life. She's not really thinking about her father's life. He attempted suicide because he was in so much pain. Living according to society's standards just wasn't for him. Eden believes once they reunite her father will want to be medicated. Is sacrificing his happiness worth it just so Eden can be happy? Can you really force a person to live the life you want? Once Eden accepts her father's imperfections, maybe she can truly be happy. As the book title suggests, what is wrong with living outside the lines?


Rating: O.M.G. !!!


Note: I received a copy of the book from publisher (Simon & Schuster) in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: Pure

The only word that comes to mind after reading Pure by Julianna Baggott is WEIRD. Sometimes it was hard to believe what I was reading. The world has gone haywire in this book. It's a dystopian/post-apocalyptic world. If it ever gets made into a movie it would be a sight to see. A young girl with a doll head where her hand used to be. A young man with birds constantly fluttering on his back. A soldier who can never get rid of his brother because their bodies are fused together. A young man who makes a painful sacrifice just so he can see his mother again.

Powerful detonations have left two kinds of people in the world, the Pures, who live "blissfully" inside a dome, and those who live outside the dome. Outside the dome people are scarred physically and emotionally for life. Outside the dome people live in constant fear and with a sense of hopelessness. No one believes the world will get any better. Pressia, 16, doesn't remember life before the detonations. She's at an age where she should be enjoying life instead Pressia is trying to avoid getting picked up by the resistance. She has a doll head fused to one of her hands as a constant reminder of life since the detonations. She lives amidst the rubble in a barbershop with her grandfather. Pressia's grandfather is her only link to the past. He can remind her of the past. They have a strong bond. They're in danger of being separated. To Pressia, life inside the dome has to be better.

To Partridge, life outside the dome has to be better. His father is the ruler of the dome. People are told how to live, where to live, what to eat, permission has to be granted before you can reproduce. Internally Partridge has always felt differently. Unlike Pressia, Partridge can remember life before the detonations. His mother, whom he has been led to believe is dead, is constantly on his mind. Perhaps if his mother was in his life, Partridge would feel differently. But he feels lonely and incomplete. His father is distant. His brother Sedge "killed" himself. After his father drops the hint that Partridge's mother is still alive, he wants out of the dome. Once out of the dome, Partridge is thrown for a loop. Life outside the dome isn't what he hoped. It's every man for himself outside the dome. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Partridge and Pressia eventually band together on a journey to find his mother. They get more out of this trip than they bargained for. They're not fast friends. It takes a while before they trust each other. Does Pressia have an ulterior motive for helping Partridge? Does Partridge have an ulterior motive for accepting Pressia's help? But over time, they learn things about each other.  Pressia is a strong and she is a survivor. Partridge draws on an inner strength that he didn't know he had.

Along this journey there is A LOT OF WEIRDNESS!! Dusts, yes that kind of dust, that kill people. A society of women, whose bodies are fused with their children, that forces people to sacrifice a part of their body in exchange for protection. Soldiers who will hunt people for sport. Sometimes I was staring at this book with my eyes wide open. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Did that just happen? Did she really just write that? Is this really a YA book? That last question I'm unsure. Yes there are young characters, but some parts seem very adult to me. It's a very complex plot, and I probably have to read it again to understand it better. Normally a book like this isn't my cup of tea, but it was an interesting journey.

Rating: Give it a try


Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.

My take on: Wanted Women

Until a few months ago, I had never heard of Ayaan Hirsi Ali or Aafia Siddiqui, two Muslim woman juxtaposed in a biography by Deborah Scroggins. Ali, who was born in Somalia, grew to reject her Muslim upbringing as an adult. Siddiqui, who was born in Pakistan, embraced her Muslim upbringing, but from my point of view took it to the extreme. Wanted Women: Faith, Lies & The War on Terror: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali & Aafia Siddiqui delves into the lives and similarities of these women. I didn't see any concrete similarities between the two. They're both women, they were both raised as Muslims and they are both polarizing figures. But they took very, very, very different paths in their lives.

Ali came of age when Somalia was at war, leading her to seek and gain refugee status in Kenya. But living and working there was not enough, she aspired to have a new life in the Netherlands. Ali eventually became a prominent politician in Holland. How and why Ali came to live in Holland seem to be in dispute. She says she went there to escape an arranged marriage and possible death by an honor killing. Her former husband tells a different story, claiming Ali used him to gain entry into Holland. Her own family says Ali's claims weren't true. What's Ali's defense? It's not totally clear because she refused to speak with Scroggins for this book. But in several media reports, Ali gave conflicting accounts of her past. I didn't know what to believe here, but perhaps Ali's own books offer an explanation.

Ali used her political career to make several attacks against Islam. To her, Islam suppressed women's rights. She wanted women to reject Islam and embrace Western ways. She even went so far as to call the prophet Muhammad a pedophile. Everyone has the right to speak their mind, but sometimes you really have to think before you speak. Making an inflammatory claim like that is just asking for trouble. I was just stunned how she couldn't see that. Her radical views led to her needing bodyguards. Her own family distanced itself from her claims.

Siddiqui is on the other side of the spectrum. She was born in Pakistan, but college-educated in the U.S. She married and had three children. Her husband, Amjad, became a doctor. Outwardly, people might assume she was pursuing the "American" dream but that was not the case. Siddiqui embraced Islam way more than her husband wanted. She believes Jewish people are the cause for the problems of the world. She believed in violent action to bring about change. Her husband tried to play along, thinking she wasn't serious. Her views eventually tore them apart. There didn't seem to be any chance at reasoning with her. Everyone who is isn't Muslim is somehow the enemy.

After her divorce, the U.S. alleges Siddiqui was in contact with the mastermind behind 9/11, eventually marrying a relative of his. The U.S. also alleges she helped plan another attack, one that never came to fruition. I say "alleges" because based on what I've read I'm not sure what to believe. In the years following 9/11, Siddiqui was either in hiding or in a secret prison. Nobody knows for sure or they just aren't telling. She magically appeared again in 2008 after outcry from her family, the media, and Pakistani officials. It just seemed to be a little too convenient. She was captured by Pakistani officials and then tried to kill U.S. military officers, but she was the only one battered, bruised and had a gunshot wound. It just didn't add up for me.

Regardless of what I believe, Siddiqui is serving 86 years in a U.S. Federal prison. I don't agree with her views, but the circumstances that brought her to a U.S. court just seem suspect. Could she have eventually done something harmful if she wasn't in custody? Probably. I'm just not a fan of the suspect methods used here. I believe the U.S. had her in custody for years and when their hands were forced, a case was fabricated. U.S. officials probably weren't sure how to use her. She wasn't going anywhere, just admit you have her in custody and find a legal way to use her as a source of information to prevent further attacks. It's cases like this that make people hate the U.S.

The book shows very well how faith can shape who you are. It is a well-researched and interesting read. Scroggins never interviewed either woman, but still manages to paint a vivid picture of both.

Rating: Superb


Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (HarperCollins) in exchange for an honest review.

How about a Giveaway?

An Invisible Thread from UMBRASOLUTIONS on Vimeo.

Intrigued? Thanks to Authors on the Web, we have a copy of An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. How about a little sneak peek of the book?

"'Excuse me lady, do you have any spare change?'

This was the first thing he said to me, on 56th street in New York City, right round the corner from Broadway, on a sunny September day.

And when I heard him, I didn’t really hear him. His words were part of the clatter, like a car horn or someone yelling for a cab. They were, you could say, just noise—the kind of nuisance New Yorkers learn to tune out. So I walked right by him, as if he wasn’t there.

But then, just a few yards past him, I stopped.

And then—and I still don’t know why I did this—I came back.

I came back and I looked at him and I realized he was a child. Earlier, out of the corner of my eye, I had noticed he was young. But now, looking at him, he was just a baby—tiny body, sticks for arms, big round eyes. He wore a burgundy sweatshirt that was smudged and frayed, and ratty burgundy sweatpants to match. He had scuffed white sneakers with untied laces, and his fingernails were dirty. But his eyes were bright and there was a general sweetness about him. He was, I would soon learn, 11 years old.

He stretched his palm towards me and he asked again: “Excuse me lady, do you have any spare change? I am hungry.”

What I said in response may have surprised him, but it really shocked me.

If you’re hungry, I said, I’ll take you to McDonalds and buy you lunch.

“Can I have a cheeseburger?” he asked.

Yes, I said.

“How about a Big Mac?”

That’s okay, too.

“How about a Diet Coke?”

Yes, that’s okay.

“Well, how about a thick chocolate shake and French fries?”

I told him he could have anything he wanted. And then I asked him if I could join him for lunch.

He thought about it for a second.

“Sure,” he finally said.

We had lunch together that day, at McDonalds.

And after that, we got together every Monday.

For the next 150 Mondays.

His name is Maurice, and he changed my life."

The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents. There is no special form. Leave a comment on this post and a winner will be chosen at random by next Tuesday. All I ask is that you be a follower of my blog. Happy reading!!