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Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Monday, June 10, 2024
MONDAY BOOK LOVE (6/10/24 edition)
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Mailbox Monday (now defunct)
Books that I've gotten over the last couple of weeks...
Received from publisher:
Nothing Less Than Magic by Stacy Finz
When a popular marriage counselor’s own marriage falls apart, she’s forced to question her methods—and discovers the magical ingredient she’s been missing all along—in the dreamiest possible way . . .
Just one year ago, Chelsea Knight was living the life she’d always wanted. Marriage to the perfect guy, a thriving career, and a gorgeous condo overlooking San Francisco Bay. Then out of nowhere, her husband, Austin, left her. Ironic, because Chelsea fixes marriages for a living. In fact, she’s famous for her techniques. Naturally, she’s been using her expertise to win back her ex—and when he invites her for drinks, she’s sure her work has finally paid off. Until he announces he’s engaged.
Devastated, Chelsea seeks refuge in the beloved small-town lake cabin she and Austin now take turns using. When she arrives, the streets are dazzlingly decked out for Halloween, the autumn leaves are exceptionally vibrant, and the locals are especially warm and welcoming. It’s downright magical—and so is Knox Hart, a talented jack-of-all-trades who’s fixing her roof. Chelsea is instantly drawn to him—and to the simplicity of country life. Slowly, she becomes immersed in the townspeople’s problems and finds a sense of belonging—leading her to reevaluate her own path . . .
But something about the idyllic hamlet—and Knox—seems too good to be true. A trick more than a treat. And when she ultimately learns the truth, her heart is shattered. Miraculously, Austin is there to mend it. It’s everything she’d hoped for. Or is it? On the cusp of making all her dreams come true, Chelsea must find the strength to make an impossible choice . . .
Received through Goodreads:
Letting Magic In by Maia Toll
From Maia Toll, the best-selling author of the Wild Wisdom series and The Night School, comes the enchanted story of her own magical awakening, a journey from Brooklyn to Ireland that will inspire readers to uncover their own inner magic.
"Toll focuses on her own winding path, one that will resonate with seekers." — People
What is the word for craving a relationship with the earth, plants, rocks, and stars? What do you call someone who finds their spirit sparked by these relationships; whose concept of the sacred is altered by the scent of jasmine in bloom or the deep indigo of a sky awaiting nightfall? We’re taught that doctors know our bodies and priests know our souls. But what if you’re a person seeking to understand both for yourself without an intermediary? What is the word for these feelings and the person we become when we honor them?
For writer Maia Toll, that word is magic. Magic points to something intrinsic to, and necessary for, the wholeness of the human spirit. It’s a marker for the gnawing craving for a connection which includes, but also stretches beyond, the human realm. The exploration of this word was part of her search for both personal empowerment and a sense of cosmic connectedness, the yin and yang of our lives. In Letting Magic In shares the story of her own magical becoming—from the untimely death of a friend that leads her to abandon Brooklyn in favor of the small town of Beacon, NY, to taking a yearlong sabbatical of exploration, and finally to Ireland, where she studied under an herbalist and learned the true magic of listening to the earth itself.
This book is the story of one woman's becoming—the story of pushing past the boundaries of what once seemed possible to discover the extraordinary all around us. In it Maia shares how she learned to let magic in so she could live the life she longed for—one filled with curiosity, connection, and the deepest kind of inner knowing. In this soulfully written recollection—peppered throughout with magical learnings and rituals gathered along the way—Maia uncovers the things that change you in unexpected ways and guide you to become the person you never knew you wanted to be, but perhaps, always were.
This she could call magic.
And through Letting Magic In you will gain the courage and the wisdom to find your own.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints: Discover 100 Little-Known but Intriguing Bible Characters by Peter DeHaan
Discover the timeless relevance of Old Testament characters in your life today with MORE OLD TESTAMENT SINNERS AND SAINTS. This devotional Bible study explores the captivating stories of 100 more men and women from the Old Testament, revealing the profound lessons they hold for us today.
Delve into the lives of both inspiring heroes and broken individuals who faced mistakes and disappointments. Through these colorful and awe-inspiring stories, gain invaluable insights about yourself and our powerful God. From sinners to saints, these characters, with their familiar and unfamiliar names, will challenge you to live differently and offer you a fresh perspective on your own life and faith.
MORE OLD TESTAMENT SINNERS AND SAINTS invites you Transform your life through the wisdom of these Old Testament characters. Learn from the triumphs and mistakes of these impactful figures. Explore familiar Biblical stories from a new angle. Navigate this study alongside Peter DeHaan, a seasoned Bible teacher and author, as you uncover the hope, assurance, and abundant lessons found in the lives of these men and women. Whether you're studying individually, in small groups, or part of a Bible study, this invaluable resource will enhance your understanding of the Old Testament and its application to your life today.
Each day's study offers a concise reading, thought-provoking questions, and additional Bible passages for further exploration. As you move through the pages, you'll realize how these 100 captivating characters can reshape your perspective, deepen your faith, and help you trust in God's plan no matter what lies ahead.
MORE OLD TESTAMENT SINNERS AND SAINTS will not only take you on a journey through their impactful stories, but it will also invigorate your faith and draw you closer to Jesus.
Don't miss out on the transformative power of these rich, amazing stories.
Pick up a copy of MORE OLD TESTAMENT SINNERS AND SAINTS today and embark on a life-changing journey through the lives of these powerful men and women.
Under the Naga Tail: A True Story of Survival, Bravery, and Escape from the Cambodian Genocide by Mae Bunseng Taing, James Taing
A courageous and poignant memoir of one young man’s daring escape from Cambodia’s genocidal regime
Forced from his home by the Khmer Rouge, teenager Mae Taing struggles to endure years of backbreaking work, constant starvation, and ruthless cruelty from his captors—supposed freedom fighters who turned against their own people. Mae risks torture and death to escape into the dark tropical jungles, trekking across a relentless wilderness crawling with soldiers.
When Mae is able to overcome unthinkable odds in the hopes of reuniting with his family, fate takes cruel turn as he flees war-torn Cambodia. He becomes trapped as a refugee with thousands of others on the ancient temple mountain, Preah Vihear, a place surrounded by countless deadly landmines. Caught up in the terror once more, it is only his willpower to survive and dreams of a better country that give Mae the strength to face the dangers ahead.
This gripping and inspiring memoir, written with Mae’s son, James, is not merely an incredible story of survival, but a testament to the human spirit’s capacity in us all to endure and prevail in spite of great adversity. Under the Naga Tail will find its place among the most epic true stories of personal triumph.
Received through Amazon First Reads:
Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead
In this debut thriller, a troubled child psychologist returns to a small Louisiana town to protect her secrets but winds up having to protect her life.
Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her troubled mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past.
Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.
With waters dropping due to drought, mysterious barrels containing human remains have surfaced, alongside something else from Willa’s past, something she never thought she’d see again. Divers, police, and media flood the area, including a news reporter gunning for Willa and Travis Arceneaux—a local deputy and old flame.
Willa’s fate seems eerily tied to the murders. And with no one to trust, she must use her wits to stay above water and make it out alive.
Purchased:
A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
A historical thriller by the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning author that tells the riveting story of the Klan's rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them.
The Roaring Twenties--the Jazz Age--has been characterized as a time of Gatsby frivolity. But it was also the height of the uniquely American hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. Their domain was not the old Confederacy, but the Heartland and the West. They hated Blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants in equal measure, and took radical steps to keep these people from the American promise. And the man who set in motion their takeover of great swaths of America was a charismatic charlatan named D.C. Stephenson.
Stephenson was a magnetic presence whose life story changed with every telling. Within two years of his arrival in Indiana, he’d become the Grand Dragon of the state and the architect of the strategy that brought the group out of the shadows – their message endorsed from the pulpits of local churches, spread at family picnics and town celebrations. Judges, prosecutors, ministers, governors and senators across the country all proudly proclaimed their membership. But at the peak of his influence, it was a seemingly powerless woman – Madge Oberholtzer – who would reveal his secret cruelties, and whose deathbed testimony finally brought the Klan to their knees.
A FEVER IN THE HEARTLAND marries a propulsive drama to a powerful and page-turning reckoning with one of the darkest threads in American history.
What I'm currently reading:
A future where people who can't afford to have biological children can compete on a reality show where they raise virtual children in a virtual world and compete for the grand prize: To keep their virtual child or take the cash prize to try to have a "real" child in the Real World and have their virtual child "eliminated". Full of moral dilemmas and questionable decision-making!
Did you get or read any books this week that you really recommend or are looking forward to?
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Thursday, June 6, 2024
REVIEW: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Synopsis
SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s new novel has it all.
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.
But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?
A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.
Format 359 pages, Hardcover
Published April 23, 2024 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 9781250284525 (ISBN10: 125028452X)
Published April 23, 2024 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 9781250284525 (ISBN10: 125028452X)
About the Author
Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels.
Sally's books have been heralded “enchanting” by The Herald Sun, “smart and engaging” by Publisher’s Weekly, and New York Times bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin have praised Sally’s novels as “women’s fiction at its finest” and “totally absorbing”.
Sally's novels are available worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her three children.
My Thoughts
Three girls, Jessica, Norah and Alicia, are raised together for a time in a foster home called Wild Meadows with Ms. Fairchild. Their painful years at Wild Meadows draws them together and they become sisters. Decades later, bones are found buried at the home and they are called upon by the police to help with the investigation.
Jessica is a type-A personality. She always needs to be in control and requires order. She's always on edge and amped up. Jessica went to Wild Meadows at four years of age and spent the most time under Miss Fairchild's "care".
Panic was her constant state of being, as familiar to her as breathing. She imagined that even as a newborn she'd awoken each day with her heart in her throat, asking, What will today be like? Will I forget something, or say the wrong thing? How can I make everyone happy? What if I can't?
Norah is smart, beautiful and damaged. She views sex as transactional. She's defensive. She went to Wild Meadows when she was 10 yrs old, but she spent a lot of time before that bouncing around foster homes. She was damaged before she ever showed up on the doorstep of Wild Meadows.
It would have been useful, for example, if Miss Fairchild had given her a swift punch that first day. At least then she would've known what was coming.
Alicia was being raised by her grandmother before she found herself at Wild Meadows as a respite case. She showed up with three suitcases.
...one containing clothes, another with books, and a final one with photographs and keepsakes from home.
Alicia has taken the pain from her time at Wild Meadows and turned it into good by becoming a social worker who really tries to do her best by the children she is responsible for.
The story is told between the alternating perspectives of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, and between the present day and the past. It's an easy read but offers pretty good character development. Jessica isn't a very likable character through most of the story and her chronic anxiety put me on edge. Alicia felt a little one-dimensional, but I really liked Norah.
Five words: intriguing, muted, readable, predictable, triggering
My final word: This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the mystery. The time jumping could be a little disorienting, but generally speaking the author made it pretty easy to follow. The characters are some that you can feel something for to varying degrees. I was a bit put off with the way the young girls often spoke like they were in their mid-teens when they were more like 10-12 years old. The first half felt somewhat predictable, but then the twists started about halfway through and it got more interesting. Overall, I liked the story, but I fear it is one of those that I will soon forget. It's worth a read for anyone particularly fond of mysteries, although it could be potentially triggering for some.
Warnings:
Psychological child abuse, some vulgarity, drug use, mild sexual situations
Cover: B
Writing Style: B+
Characters: A-
Storyline/Plot: B
Interest/Uniqueness: B+
My Rating:
The Cerebral Girl is a middle-aged blogger just digging her way out from under a mountain of books in the deep south of Florida.
The opinions expressed are my own and based on my observations while reading this novel. The book that I received was an uncorrected proof, and quotes could differ from the final release. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Sunday, June 2, 2024
The List-- June Edition
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- The Days I Loved You the Most by Amy Neff
- Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
- Nothing Less Than Magic by Stacy Finz
- Burn by Peter Heller
- Southern Man by Greg Iles
- State of Paradise by Laura van den Berg
- A story of enduring love, I've already pre-ordered The Days I Loved You the Most.
- I watched an interview with author Cebo Campbell about his book Sky Full of Elephants and was interested in what he wanted to explore in this novel. It isn't just a premise of "Oh, the world would have been so much better without the white man." Rather it is an exploration of how different the world would be without the white man-- both the positives and negatives.
- Nothing Less Than Magic sounds like something right up my alley right now (I seem to be on a kick with books that have "magic" in the title-- the universe keeps bringing me these books as I scramble to grasp the magic in the world)! I won't share a little tidbit that I learned about this novel in order to avoid sharing spoilers, but let's just say that I'm intrigued!
- I loved Peter Heller's first book Dog Stars and I'm really looking forward to trying this novel about hunters emerging from the woods to find they are immersed in a world of secession.
- Greg Iles is another of my favorite authors and I've loved the first two books in this trilogy! He is a master at exploring the complexities of racism in the south, the dark beauty of the swamplands, and there is always an optimistic hope woven throughout. I'm looking forward to Southern Man-- the final book in the trilogy.
- And State of Paradise takes place in Florida where I live, so you know that it has to be bizarre! An author, a tech company, virtual reality, Florida. That's a mix for a fun ride!
What are you most looking forward to this summer?
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