Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden used to be best friends. As Army wives at Fort East, they bonded during their book club and soon became inseparable. But when an unimaginable betrayal happened amongst the group, the friendship abruptly ended, and they haven’t spoken since.
That’s why, eight years later, Regina and Sophie are shocked when they get a call for help from Adelaide. Adelaide’s husband is stationed abroad, and without any friends or family near her new home of Alexandria, Virginia, she has no one to help take care of her young daughter when she has to undergo emergency surgery. For the sake of an innocent child, Regina and Sophie reluctantly put their differences aside to help an old friend.
As the three women reunite, they must overcome past hurts and see if there’s any future for their friendship. Featuring Tif Marcelo’s signature “enchanting prose” (Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake) and the books that brought them together in the first place, In a Book Club Far Away honors the immense power of female friendship and how love can defy time, distance, and all old wounds.
Review
Adelaide is about to have surgery. She is on her own because her husband is deployed overseas and she needs help with her recovery. She has a little girl and she just won’t be able to do what she needs to do. So she sends an SOS to her long time friends Regina and Sophie. These two ladies drop everything and make the long trip to help Adelaide. But, it is a very rocky start!
These characters are very real. I liked them and I hated them! Regina, Sophie and Adelaide have been through so much together. But, Regina and Sophie are on the outs. But Adelaide is going to TRY bring them together. However, Regina is not very forgiving and you will have to read this to find out.
I enjoyed these friends’ relationship and how they eventually found their way back together. I also loved the way the author wove in details of army life. Being an outsider, you just don’t know how hard it is…all the moving, raising kids alone, depending on others. Very well done!
Now…I did receive this novel from the publisher for a honest review. But, I never got to it. It is on sale now at chirp for $2.99. Since I am a fan of this author, I just jumped on that sale price. I listened to it in two days.
Need a good story about friendship and life…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
An atmospheric debut novel that spans place and time, Kerri Schlottman’s TELL ME ONE THING (Regal House Publishing; January 31, 2023) examines power, privilege, and the sacrifices one is willing to make to succeed. Against the backdrop of a rural Pennsylvania trailer park, and the complicated world of Manhattan during the AIDS epidemic, it delves into New York City’s free-for-all grittiness while exposing a neglected slice of the struggling rust belt, traversing decades from the 1980s up to present day.
Outside a Pennsylvania motel, nine-year-old Lulu smokes a cigarette while sitting on the lap of a trucker. Recent art grad Quinn is passing through town and captures it. The photograph, later titled “Lulu & the Trucker,” launches Quinn’s career, escalating her from a starving artist to a renowned photographer. In a parallel life, Lulu struggles to survive a volatile home, growing up too quickly in an environment wrought with drug abuse and her mother’s prostitution.
Decades later, when Quinn has a retrospective at the Whitney Museum of Art and “Lulu & the Trucker” has sold at auction for a record-breaking amount, Lulu is surprised to find the troubling image of her young self in the newspaper. She attends an artist talk for the exhibition with one question in mind for Quinn: Why didn’t you help me all those years ago?
While writing, Kerri Schlottman—who has a background in art and writes from a place of authenticity—was inspired by Mary Ellen Mark’s famous 1990 photograph, “Amanda and Her Cousin Amy,” which depicts nine-year-old Amanda smoking a cigarette in a kiddie pool in rural North Carolina. Upon Mark’s death in 2015, NPR interviewed Amanda and asked her why she allowed herself to be photographed. Her reply was: “I thought, ‘Hey, people will see me, I’ll get attention, it will perhaps change things for me.’ I thought it might be a way to get out, but that was not the case.”
Weaving back and forth between Lulu’s and Quinn’s perspectives, TELL ME ONE THING explores life-shaping moments in each of their stories—doubt, love, pain, and ambition—and unknowingly links one to another through a fierce determination to better their circumstances. Brimming with characters that won’t soon leave you, TELL ME ONE THING captures a portrait of two Americas by an exciting up-and-coming writer to watch.
About the Author
Kerri Schlottman is a Detroiter turned New Yorker who works to support artists, performers, and writers in creating new projects. Her fiction and essays have appeared in The Dillydoun Review, Belle Ombre, Women Writers Women’s Books, Muse Apprentice Guild, and The Furnace. She placed second in the Dillydoun International Fiction Prize, has been longlisted for the Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction, and was a 2021 University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize semifinalist.
Kerri Schlottman has delivered us the richest of reading experiences. I read Tell Me One Thing voraciously with equal parts intrigue and admiration, thinking how did she pull this off? Slinking expertly between time and location and point of view—the contrasts here are bright and nuanced, honest and vulnerable, jagged yet tender. This is a novel of great heart, examining the lines we draw as we become who we are. A devastating and rich exploration of trauma, art-making, love and the unmistakable hauntedness of what we cannot control, yet long to. I want everyone to read this book.” ] –Chelsea Bieker, author of Godshot and Heartbroke
“With a clear, empathic gaze, and with a sharp, startling intelligence, Kerri Schlottman’s Tell Me One Thing traces two paths–that of artist, and that of subject–through the cruel disparities of the Reagan eighties and beyond. The result is a book that asks enduring questions about what art is for and what we, all of us, owe one another. Tell Me One Thing is phenomenal.” –Matthew Specktor, author of Always Crashing in the Same Car
“At once the expansive story of two women navigating two disparate, intersecting lives, and a thoughtful meditation on the transtemporal power of photography, Kerri Schlottman’s TELL ME ONE THING is that rare book: an art world novel with heart.” –Rachel Lyon, author of Self-Portrait with Boy
“In TELL ME ONE THING, two women’s stories begin in an instant—with a shutter click. Divergent yet inextricable, the paths and aspirations of a photographer and her young subject leap and shatter through the passage of four decades and at the mercy of American dearth, all of which Schlottman relays with understated grit and unflinching humanity. As we follow the photographer through seedy 1980s New York to today’s commercially sterilized iteration, Schlottman proceeds to vivify a Polaraid snapped in a Pennsylvania trailer park, infusing viscerality and tragedy into a portrait that would have otherwise hung static on a collector’s wall. By reframing an object to be admired as a child to be protected, TELL ME ONE THING will both compel and confront readers with questions that only the finest of novels can posit.” –Jakob Guanzon, author of Abundance, longlisted for the National Book Award
“Fans of The Vanishing Half will love this novel written in alternating points-of-view: each one a perspective rooted in a starkly contrasting experience and yet one that echoes the longings of the other. Reading this was a much-needed exercise in empathy, one tempered by clear, endearing prose. In the parallel universes of two unforgettable characters, Schlottman renders on the page a simple and beautiful expression of our shared humanity. In TELL ME ONE THING, we see the private struggles of a famed photographer making it in the wild days of New York City and how her seminal work exposes and yet neglects the harsh truth of one of her subjects. My heart broke and rooted for both characters, and long after I’ve turned the last page, I am still thinking of them.” –Cinelle Barnes, author of Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir and Malaya: Essays on Freedom
Well! I always HATE January. It is the longest, coldest month of the year. But, this year…I had a fantastic January!
I went to my first ever Fiber Festival. I spent way too much money but boy did I have a blast! Being a new knitter…DO NOT ROLL YOUR EYES…this was a treat for me! Look at all this amazing yarn!
Plus it was in Oxford, MS. Which means a visit to…you guessed it…SQUARE BOOKS!
Now…on to the Escapes
I had quite a few five star reads this month….CHECK IT OUT!
A Zibby’s Most Anticipated Book of 2023* *One of The Root’s Most Anticipated Books of January* *A Good Morning America Best Book of January?* *An Essence Must Read Book of the Year*
“The Love You Save will console and inspire countless people.”—J.R. Moehringer, New York Times bestselling author of The Tender Bar
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings meets Educated in this harrowing, deeply hopeful memoir of family, faith and the power of books—from acclaimed journalist and human rights activist Goldie Taylor
Aunt Gerald takes in anyone who asks, but the conditions are harsh. For her young niece Goldie Taylor, abandoned by her mother and coping with trauma of her own, life in Gerald’s East St. Louis comes with nothing but a threadbare blanket on the living room floor.
But amid the pain and anguish, Goldie discovers a secret. She can find kinship among writers like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison. She can find hope in a nurturing teacher who helps her find her voice. And books, she realizes, can save her life.
Goldie Taylor’s debut memoir shines a light on the strictures of race, class and gender in a post–Jim Crow America while offering a nuanced, empathetic portrait of a family in a pitched battle for its very soul.
Profoundly moving, exquisitely rendered and ultimately uplifting, The Love You Save is a story about hidden strength, perseverance against unimaginable odds, the beauty and pain of girlhood, and the power of the written word.
Review
Memoirs have always been a staple in my reading. I grew up reading biographies from our little school library. So, sometimes I need a good memoir for a change of pace. This book hit the spot.
I had never heard of Goldie Taylor. She is on my radar now! She really pulled herself out of trauma and hardship with ALMOST no help.
Her story is told in a very matter of fact manner. she really does not discuss her feelings nor does she do the “Woe is me” bit. She just tells it straight out. I enjoyed this aspect. It let the reader decide how they wanted to feel about the situation. And let me tell you…I had a lot of feelings pushing through. I wanted to reach through the pages and pull her out!
Goldie’s escape from her reality was books and writing. This resonated with me on so many levels!
Need a good memoir about a strong child which overcomes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this book from the publisher for a honest review.
They were eleven when they sent a killer to prison. They were heroes . . . but they were liars.
Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods is a thrilling novel about friendship, secrets, betrayal, and lies—and having the courage to face the past.
“Clever and deliciously dark.”—Alice Feeney, bestselling author of Rock Paper Scissors
“Shines an incisive light on the secrets of a small-town community…Great writing and boldly drawn characters bring a terrifying tale to all-too-vivid life.”—Kirkus, starred review
Naomi Shaw used to believe in magic. Twenty-two years ago, she and her two best friends, Cassidy and Olivia, spent the summer roaming the woods, imagining a world of ceremony and wonder. They called it the Goddess Game. The summer ended suddenly when Naomi was attacked. Miraculously, she survived her seventeen stab wounds and lived to identify the man who had hurt her. The girls’ testimony put away a serial killer, wanted for murdering six women. They were heroes.
And they were liars.
For decades, the friends have kept a secret worth killing for. But now Olivia wants to tell, and Naomi sets out to find out what really happened in the woods—no matter how dangerous the truth turns out to be.
“What Lies In the Woods is a gorgeous fever dream of a novel about the dangers lurking in the hearts and imaginations of little girls. Kate Alice Marshall deftly charts a winding path through her creepy woods, doubling back and changing course to build a labyrinth of secrets and lies in which I was delighted to lose myself for hours. Hands down, it’s the best thriller I’ve read in a long, long time.”—Chandler Baker, bestselling author of The Husbands
Review
Naomi was attacked in the woods when she was just 11 years old. Her two friends, Olivia and Cassidy were there and witnessed the attack. They all helped send the serial killer to prison. Now, the serial killer is dead and Naomi has returned to try and finally find peace. But, that is not at all what she discovers.
Naomi broke my heart in so many places in this book. She truly wants to do the right thing but she has to know what actually occurred. And even though the attack happened to her, she has no recollection.
I can honestly say, this plot is rocking it! I am not going to give it away but I may never walk through the woods with the same perspective I have now. It is amazing what secrets will do!
I love this narrator, Karissa Vacker. She made these characters come alive! Her voice is perfect for all the drama that takes place in this novel.
Need a book which has more twists and turns than a tornado…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Rebecca Albright has it all: a beautiful home, a spot on the New York Times Bestsellers list, and a successful husband by her side. From the outside looking in, her life is perfect.
When her debut novel rockets into an overnight success, Rebecca becomes a media darling. Travel, press, and book business devour her life, driving a wedge into her marriage. Family secrets unravel, and their union begins to fall apart.
When her ex-husband, Kelly Glass, suddenly comes back into the picture, behaving like the man she always dreamed he would be, Rebecca has a choice to make.
Review
Rebecca has a bestseller on her hands. She is busier than ever, traveling promoting and now a possible movie deal! She is taking Will for granted or is Will just jealous. It definitely is putting a strain on their relationship. Can their relationship survive all the hurt and damage?
This is a romance, but it is not your typical romance. It is really about how people make mistakes and it changes their lives. No one is perfect! You either grow and learn or you fall into a hole and struggle to get out. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few relationships in this novel which are front and center.
It is also uniquely formatted. This did take me a little bit to get the gist. The italic format in this novel is Rebecca’s bestseller. It parallels her life and her love with Will. When Will finally reads it…HE IS NOT HAPPY! This send him into a downward spiral and he almost loses Rebecca over it.
Now, y’all watch out! This book just might make you cry!
Need an all around good story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the author for an honest opinion.
A taunting text from a serial killer gives FBI agent Nolan Dalton only minutes to save the next victim. Former cop Adalyn Baxter—and Nolan’s ex-girlfriend—receives the same message. That’s just the beginning of a cunningly orchestrated plan that unearths a shocking secret about Nolan. As the Texas lawman struggles to come to terms with his past and protect Adalyn, a madman’s end game could bury them both.
The Law in Lubbock County
From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
Discover more action-packed stories in The Law in Lubbock County series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:
Book 1: Sheriff in the Saddle
Book 2: Maverick Justice
Book 3: Lawman to the Core
Book 4: Spurred to Justice
Review
Nolan and Adalyn have been lured by The Grave Digger to his next victim. These two join forces to try and stop this madman. But the further they get into his background the more Nolan’s background comes to light. Nolan’s family kept a big secret!
If y’all follow me at all, you know romantic suspense is one of my guilty pleasures. I have read a couple by this author. All of her books are fast reads with pretty good characters. I have not read the others in this series and I may have to get them just because these are great travel books.
I loved Nolan Dalton. He and Adalyn have a great connection. I did feel the story is rushed in places. And…this is just my personal opinion, I wish the author could have come up with a better name for the villain. “The Grave Digger” is used way too much.
Need a quick, intense, romantic suspense…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
A visit to Krakow intended to test a new relationship turns out to be fraught with danger when two Americans encounter a man pursuing a dark ambition in the waning months of the last millennium.
Adam Kasper is a historian delving into the archives of an old museum; traveling with him is Joan Templeton, a journalist. Although they have come to Poland together in hopes that their new romance might flourish, Adam’s work is all-consuming, and Joan finds better company with Rudy Vander Lage, a lecturer at the university who is coping with widowhood. By chance, they cross paths with Pawel Radincki, a man of unstable mind who hopes to transform his life by means both criminal and occult.
Adam’s obsession with his research leads him to commit a serious breach of academic protocol. Although their relationship is disintegrating, Joan decides to help him with a bold and risky plan, and she enlists the aid of Rudy. Neither realizes that the risks they take will stymie Pawel’s plans and put Joan’s life in danger. Theft, murder, and magic propel the plot, which reaches a climax at the turn of the millennium, when relationships are realigned and follies laid bare.
Review
Adam is a historian and Joan is a journalist. They have traveled to Poland for Adam’s research. But their budding romance is collapsing. And when Adam decides to break the law, Joan has his back. But this puts her life in severe danger.
I really enjoyed this setting of Krakow. I loved all the churches and places Joan visits on her meanderings through Krakow. But, I was not a big fan of Adam. This is probably by design of the author. He is distant and very engrossed in his work. When he and Joan start to fall apart in their relationship, I was definitely on her side!
The mystery itself is a bit confusing in places but once you figure out what is happening you can’t stop reading!
Need a good mystery with a bit of mysticism and a great location…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
The shocking true-crime story of two orphaned sisters who arrived at a health retreat as patients – but only one would ever make it out alive… An extraordinary and gripping account of the starvation doctor from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell.
In 1911 two British heiresses, Claire and Dora Williamson, read a brochure about a revolutionary fasting treatment that promised a lifetime of good health. The sanatorium in the village of Olalla, west of Seattle, was surrounded by a beautiful forest, sparkling waters and fresh air. The sisters agreed it sounded perfect and exactly the restorative holiday they needed.
But within a month of arriving, under the supervision of Doctor Linda Burfield Hazzard, Claire and Dora began to realise the frightening truth – they were not patients but prisoners at the isolated sanitorium.
Starved and on the edge of death, the sisters made several desperate attempts to escape. But only one would ever make it out alive.
Chilling and harrowing, Starvation Heights is a story of two vulnerable sisters, and how they were manipulated by a cunning and dangerous doctor into believing that her monstrous treatments would ‘cure’ them. Will totally hook fans of The Five and The Devil in the White City.
Review
It is hard to believe that this occurred in America and continued to occur for years! Dr. Hazzard starved her patients and kept them prisoners to obtain their wealth.
This is a case that was not brought to light until 2 citizens of Britain were brought under her care and one of them died. These were wealthy sisters and it is amazing what Dr. Hazzard did to these women. And they were not the only ones!
I learned a great deal about the victims but there was not a lot about Dr. Hazzard and her background. I wanted to know more. She was a fascinating woman. And how she came up with this plan is beyond comprehension. The author does not cover this and I just wanted more!
Stacey Glemboski is an excellent narrator. Very matter of fact!
Need a good true crime you just won’t believe…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.
For five authors, it’s meant to be the start of a restful week, filled with free food, drinks, and like-minded company. But shortly after their arrival, things take an unsettling turn.
Broken property, missing items, and strange noises are just some of the odd occurrences that have each member questioning their companions. As suspicions mount, the authors are pitted against each other.
Whom can they trust in a house full of strangers?
With tensions rising, the writers find themselves in the middle of their own mystery. Death, terror, and despair are common elements in their books, but at Black Hills Manor, the murders being plotted are their own…
Review
Five authors have been invited to attend a writing retreat. They each hope this relaxing vacation will get the creative juices flowing. But, as things start to mysteriously disappear and odd occurances begin to happen, tempers flare, no one knows who to trust.
There are quite a few characters. But, the author did a great job keeping them separate and believable. This can be tough. Nevertheless, each character has qualities which are easy to identify and keep them unique.
I especially enjoyed the setting. A creepy house that is set in the woods and it has a murderous past. I mean…what’s not to like! And the intensity just keeps building as you keep moving along. As a reader you just keep wondering what exactly is going on and when is it all going to explode!
I have read quite a few books by this author. Kiersten is a solid author with quite a few really good thrillers under her belt.
The narrator, Carly Robins, did a very good job, especially with all the voices.
Need a book which has a big secret…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
reecaspieces 