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Here Comes The Sun

It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark (Atria/Emily Bestler)~May 4, 2021



May 3, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Love is in the air, and it feels like Valentine’s Day… in the beginning of May.  Because of this, I have to share with you the most sprightly and heartwarming book. It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark has all the “feels” and I literally can’t stop smiling.  Love almighty love is the theme here, and Clark delivers a five star tale blending a sprinkle of Modern Love with a dollop of Love Actually.  This twenty-first century romantic comedy is a ray of sunshine and I can’t wait for the world to read it.

Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have been married for decades.  Their New York wedding planning company, In Love in New York is THE place to go for the ultimate wedding experience.  One night, Liv finds out that her husband had a heart attack while away, and died.  Soon after, Liv discovers that not only did her husband/business partner die, but that he left his half of the company to his GIRLFRIEND, Savannah (excellent time for your jaw to drop).  Why on Earth is he trying to bring these two women together after his death? 

Now that you have the backdrop of the story, let me continue with what happens next.  Liv is baffled when Savannah moves to New York to take on her “half “of the wedding business, and so begins their unexpected journey as business owners and women trying to discover love after loss. To enrich this story further, Clark brings in a cast of characters with their own unique love challenges that all link back to Liv, Savannah and In Love In New York. 

It Had To Be You is a must read for anyone looking for love,hope and a happily ever after.  LGBTQ themes, diversity, and romance were lovingly woven together to showcase the power of love. Clark magically melded together an incredible ensemble of characters that offered a different point of view for each new chapter.  The five storylines were distinct in their own quirky way and I was completely obsessed with each and every one of them.  As a woman in my 40’s, I personally relished reading about Clark’s characters my age and even older. It is so refreshing to see more mature women and men in romance books.  This writer truly knows how to tap into the human heart and I look forward to more books written by her.  

It Had To Be You is a treasure that belongs on everyone’s bookshelf.  It is a well needed hug after a long day kind of book and I can’t encourage you enough to read and savor this all inclusive love story.   

Love and Happiness My Friend!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly


P.S.  Georgia Clark shared her own happily ever after in Brides Magazine.  Check it out Right Here!

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Let’s Get It On

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters (Atria)

“But she has no time for these dangerous thoughts-she had a scheme to enact, a dowager marchioness to thwart, and a marquess to make miserable.  In short, she was busy.  Busy ladies had no time to dwell on kisses.”

April 6, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Do regency romance novels ring a bell? If I remember correctly, this sub genre was brought to your attention by author Lauren Layne when she wrote to you about her favorite comfort read back in February of 2020.  I have to admit, it has been awhile since I have sunk my teeth into one of these juicy romances set in the early nineteenth century, but after Bridgerton took the world by storm on Netflix this past winter, regency romances are back on center stage.  To Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters is out today and its flirty, fresh and everything in between.  An easy-peasy lemon-squeezy read is the best way to kick off spring in my opinion and Water’s latest historical rom-com will have you smiling from ear to ear.

“She did not wish for much in life-a comfortable house, an extensive wardrobe, and a plentiful supply of paint and canvas were all she really asked for.  But the sensation of winning a wager against Willingham?  Yes, she would admit to wanting that rather badly.”

Welcome to high society where the widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are center stage.  These two “friends” turn an argument at a ball into a full on wager.  Diana will turn over one hundred pounds if “playboy” Jeremy marries within the year.  Shortly after, Jeremy brings another proposal to Diana.  He recently received a harsh review of his bedroom skills from his last mistress.  He asks Diana to embark in a brief dalliance with him at his house party at Elderwild, his country estate.  During this affair, Diana can offer him some “constructive” criticism of his intimate most moves, while providing him with a much needed confidence boost. In addition, word will get out that Diana, the independent widow, is open to more interludes herself.  What sounds like a win win situation becomes more complicated as the banter, flirtation and romping intensifies. As Jeremy’s competence in the bedroom becomes oh so promising and Diana’s desire for independence dwindles, the two of them must decide how to proceed when the house party fun comes to an end.

“Jeremy was a man of simple pleasures: a glass of brandy, a hard ride on a horse, a good round of boxing at Gentleman Jackson’s, a tumble with a willing woman.  None of these occupations provided him with expertise that he generally had much cause to call upon, but in that moment, he knew one thing with the utmost certainty:  that moan had not been one of pain, but of pleasure.”

Here is my take.  To Love and To Loathe is an opulent tale that is sparkly and bright.   Who doesn’t love a fiery kiss against a ginormous tree with a gorgeous man who just dismounted his sweaty horse.  Don’t be afraid to raise your hand…mine is way up high. I am talking callous hands cupping your face, a few nibbles on your neck, hair askew, dress ruffled in all the right places, and panting from the sheer thrill of getting caught….you get my drift.   Place this scenario in the early 1800s on a grassy estate with nosy maids lingering around every corner and a few two a.m. booty calls (very classy mind you), and you have the key ingredients to a regency romance. 

Water’s story has a gorgeous atmosphere bubbling over with schemes and desire.  One thing I adored was how forward thinking the women in her book were during this male dominated time.  Waters weaved in contemporary themes of love, relationships and independence in a vivacious way.  Instead of keeping her innermost thoughts and desires stifled out of ear of polite society, her female protagonist expressed them using a paintbrush on canvas and in the bedroom with her “Misteress”, Jeremy.   I absolutely love the evolving relationship between Diana and Jeremy.  Their constant wordplay with one another and coy foreplay left me short of breath. The plot was straightforward, but the main characters’ pasts and individual hankering for intimacy and love kept me not only intrigued, but highly entertained.  To Love and to Loathe is a quick and chucklesome read that is heartfelt and down right a blast.  I hope this book brings you as much joy as it brought me.

Happy reading dear friend.

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. To Love and to Loathe is book #2 in The Regency Vows series.  Book one is called To Have and To Hoax.  I did not read the first book in this series, but will happily tell you that book #2 works perfectly well as a stand alone. I of course am running to get the first book posthaste!!!

Click on the book pic to purchase!

The Art of Seduction

Kill Me Tomorrow by Britney King

“When Ali steps up to the podium, she adjusts the mic.  She starts her talk with a question.  How many of you have ever been seduced?  What was it about that time in your life that felt exciting?

Ali knows the answer, of course, even if the audience can’t quite put their finger on it.

It was the uncertainty.  The highs and lows.  The push and pull.  Attraction without polarity cannot be sustained.  Once the excitement is gone, you might as well just be friends.”

April 1, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

You should know by now that my love of psychological thrillers is a real thing.  I will always adore your writing, but every now and then I need to read a book that really messes with my brain. A mind bending story with sharp turns and more twists than a pretzel is what I crave more often than not.  My go to author for this kind of fun is Britney King.  Any one of her books paired with a fabulous glass of pinot noir is my perfect Friday night.  Her latest book, Kill me Tomorrow is out TODAY, and let me tell you something….it did not disappoint.  Let’s take a look!

“Don’t focus on what you fear.  You know where all the walls are.  If you look at what you’re afraid of, you’ll literally steer into it.”

Ali is our leading lady of this story.  She is a well known sex therapist who practices what she preaches.  She is not afraid to put herself out there on a dating website with her gorgeous looks, complex past and mysterious baggage.  Her moodiness and habit of abruptly disappearing leave her men drooling for more.  Next we have Ethan who is a former FBI agent turned Private Investigator.  He is hired to investigate a possible suicide, but lands on a string of murders all with a common thread. All of the dead gentlemen were on the same dating website as Ali.  Ethan needs the money from this gig to provide for his kids who live with his ex-wife. He goes undercover on the dating website and lands a date with Ali, one of his suspects.  As the two get to know one another (lots of “sexual healing” going on guys), the plot truly thickens.  Ethan has his own theories about all of these murders, but in order to prove them right, he needs to stay alive.  Easier said than done in a Britney King book. A perplexing sex goddess, secrets galore and a potential serial killer keep this story moving at a tremendous pace.   At what cost will this mystery be solved?

“My cheek pressed against the cold tile.  I think, so this is how it ends.  There’s a rattling in my chest, the kind you hear stories about.  It tells me I don’t have long.”

I can only leave you with a taste of this story in order to not give ANYTHING away.  What I can tell you for sure is that King writes multifaceted characters who lack reliability and have killer charm. PERFECTION! There are three POVs in Kill Me Tomorrow:  Ali, Ethan and the killer. Mystery narrators in thrillers are my absolute weakness.  They add an extra layer of creepiness and “whodunit” to the story keeping me guessing until the very end. King’s latest creation is sensual, ominous and down right binge worthy.  I personally found this book (and her last book Savage Row) not as graphic as some of her previous books… just throwing that out there to curious readers.  The best part about King’s book is that you can try and guess your way through this story all you want, but she will stump you in the end!

Cheers to this thrilling tale!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Kill Me Tomorrow has a PLAYLIST. Check it out over on SPOTIFY! How cool is that!!!

P.P.S. Here is where you can find the lovely Britney King. Go say HI to her. She would love to hear from you!

Website: https://britneyking.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BritneyKing_

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/britneynking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britneyking_

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Britney-King/e/B00CDXPIFO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7035217.Britney_King

Click on the book pic to purchase

Be sure to read what I had to say about Savage Row and The Book Doctor. Add them as well to your Britney King TBR!

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

The Memory Collectors by Kim Neville (Atria Books)


“Her head is like a snow globe, a blizzard of glitter, a thousand tiny plastic flakes reflecting too many colors for her mind to track.  She closes her eyes and waits for the settling.”

March 16, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Memories, memories, memories.  Yes they live in our minds and in our hearts, but they are also nestled in the physical possessions that have come and gone from our lives.  I can look around my house at any given moment and be reminded of a time in my life.  My kitchen table alone evokes more memories than I can count.  It was passed down to me from my sister-in-law and was passed down to her from someone else.  Looking at this table instantly brings me back to arts and crafts done with my children years ago, family meals, homework drama, poker games and then some.  What if being in the presence of this table allowed me to experience the memories that others have had at this table before it came into my home.  This kitchen table has lived a thousand lives before me and I can’t imagine taking on its most intimate secrets from the past.  Kim Neville takes on this fantastic concept in her powerful debut novel, The Memory Collectors. Her fictional tale dives deep into the world of memories and how they can shape,define and even sometimes destroy us… if we let them.  Let’s take a look.

Evelyn is in her early twenties and has a mysterious capability that plagues her.  She can feel the emotions from the objects around her.  Objects and things are “stained” with memories that emit energy that Evelyn can deeply feel.  She can sense the weight of everything around her from the joy a stuffed animal brought to a child to the despair that seeps out of a lost button.  Her mind is in overdrive at all times and the energy she experiences from the world around her brings more fear to her life than joy.  She believes that objects with negative energy carry a danger and must be handled with care.   

“Most of Ev’s objects are stained with love or nostalgia.  Those are the easiest to sell, both for Ev’s wallet and her conscience.  She has pocket watches and pendants, fishing reels and baby rattles.  Some of them vibrate with longing-a compact mirror, a dog-eared copy of The Sun Also Rises.  She always has one or two items stained with lust.  This week it’s a shooter glass with a chip in the rim.”

Now lets meet Harriet.  Harriet is an older woman with a similar “skill set” so to speak.  On the outside she presents as a hoarder of stuff, but in reality she is a collector of treasures.  When circumstances force Harriet to move out of her apartment, she decides to create a museum with all of her treasures channeling the different energies they release.  

“She doesn’t normally shop in stores such as these, cheap ones full of new, vacant things.  Retail stores disturb her, rows and rows of empty objects.  Products with no souls, no energy, people buying and discarding them before they have a chance to take on any kind of life, the world growing more cluttered and at the same time more barren each day.”

In order to take on this overwhelming task, she reaches out to Evelyn, who she knows has similar talents.  She is hoping Evelyn can curate these objects in a way that uses their liveliness to heal or inspire those who come into their space. As the story unfolds, the past rears its ugly head and we learn more about these two women and the complexities of their lives.  Dark pasts, haunting memories and the need to live a more peaceful life torment them both daily.  As they work together and their lives merge closer, there is one question that begs to be answered.  Are these women a curse to one another or a blessing?  

“For better or worse, they belong to her.  She feels the flutter of her panicked heart as the shadows gather around her, the memories caged here, piled one on top of another.  The enormity of it overwhelms her and she can think of nothing else but her need to run away.  She presses down the flaps of the box and edges outside into the cool, early evening air, closing the door on all of it with an air of finality.”

If that sounds wild to you, stay with me.  Neville’s story is fiction at its finest with a splash of magical realism.  Even though there is a hint of sorcery, her tale isn’t that far fetched.  I connected with this story because I believe that possessions exhale energy on a daily basis. There are reasons why I  surround myself with things that bring me joy (thanks Marie Kondo), but that is not always the case for everyone else.  Evelyn and Harriet narrate the story in alternating chapters.  They are not the warmest or fuzziest characters on the block and their stories unveiled the truth one chapter after another.  Neville is a beautiful writer who flawlessly captures her character’s anguish and grief.  Emotions are high in her book and they bled into my reading experience page after page, leaving me wanting more.  The pacing of The Memory Collectors fascinated me.  The slow and steady start attracted me to the story right away.  As I settled into this mesmerizing tale, the momentum began to pick up.  Before I knew it, this contemporary fictional novel with a hint of fantasy turned into a suspenseful and gripping story that had me on the edge of my reading seat.  And finally, let’s not forget the supporting cast that not only compliment our leading ladies, but have their own story to tell.  A big shout out to Owen the artist, Noemi (Evelyn’s sister) and Brett (who I need to know more).  The Memory Collectors was a pleasant surprise that left me a very happy reader.

Cheers to an amazing book!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S.  Happy Pub Day to Kim Neville and her book, The Memory Collectors.  Click on the book pic below to grab yourself a copy!

I Have Some Ideas

The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry (Atria Books)

“The least understood, most important thing in the world is love?”

February 8, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

What do you think of soul mates?  I presume that many may think that because of your multiple marriages that perhaps you never had one.  I would like to believe that based on your writing, you did in fact experience heartfelt connections, and at the end of the day, loved the people in your life with passion and zest.  Speaking of passion and zest though, I just finished reading the most unique love story that weaved together science, human connection and the power of time.  Madeleine Henry’s latest book, The Love Proof struck a tender chord in my heart that continues to vibrate.  This five star read is the most intellectual romance I have ever come across and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

“Her name, of course, was Sophie Jones-”The next Einstein,” according to the New York Times’s profile.  In that piece, the three most decorated mathematicians in the world had predicted she would be the one to answer humanity’s legendary questions about space and time within the decade-the most profound, undefeated ones about what reality is, with transformative implications for mankind.”

All eyes are on Sophie Jones, a physics prodigy starting her first year at Yale University.  As she continues on her journey to solve the universe’s most intricate problems, she meets Jake Kristopher, a fellow freshman at Yale.  The connection between the two is instant.  As Sophie tries to focus on her work and proving her theories on time, she becomes consumed with their love and most intimate feelings and how they fit into the concept of time as a whole.  

“They were in a world of their own where time passed at a different rate, maybe not at all.  Sophie was peace, magic, stillness.  Even cramped on a hammock, he felt like they fit perfectly together, as if they were two parts of the same person.  He kissed her forehead.”

There is an intimacy to Sophie and Jake’s love that teeters between innocence and extraordinary.  In the beginning, they move through their days at Yale as one..bodies, souls and minds intertwined. As time passes though, Jake’s work life becomes grueling and intense, while Sophie chooses to follow her heart instead of proving theories on time.  When an unexpected change occurs in reality, Sophie immerses herself into her research that she had once relinquished in order to experience her relationship and love without interruptions.  Sophie continues to leave her mark in the world of physics as the decades go on.  But as the years continue to pass, is she really losing time?  Will she prove her greatest theory on love?   

“When you’re balanced, people look down on you.  You get judged when you care about relationships as much as work.  Nobody says that, but you can tell.  It’s not something that people here really respect.”

The Love Proof was an all consuming, wondrous read for me.   My senses came alive as my heart ached, my eyes watered and my mind wandered in the most sublime way.   I am as far from a science geek as they come and I was still drawn in by Henry’s magical writing.   How real love can impact or even change our perception of time is such a tremendous and groovy premise in my opinion.  What I found so appealing about Henry’s writing is how she had me constantly thinking about her main characters and their life choices.  In an attempt to satisfy my own curiosity, I detected myself playing out different scenarios in my head for both Sophie and Jake and longed to chat with my fellow book lovers about my overflowing thoughts and emotions.  Henry undoubtedly explored being trapped inside your mind verses being trapped inside your heart. Can there be balance between two worlds so vastly different from one another?  If you are anything like me, Sophie and Jake’s story will remain with you long after you finish, maybe even leaving you with more questions than answers.  

I urge you to grab a copy of this brilliant read and let yourself escape into our universe filled with love.  The Love Proof is a treasure that officially has a permanent place on my bookshelf.  

Enjoy my sweet friend!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S.  The Love Proof comes out Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  Be sure to grab a copy by clicking on the book pic below.  Also, be sure to check out what I had to say about Madeleine Henry’s previous book, Breathe In, Cash Out, RIGHT HERE!

Fashion Scenes & Low Rise Jeans

Everybody (else) is perfect

Everybody (Else) is Perfect:  How I Survived Hypocrisy, Beauty, Clicks, and Likes by Gabrielle Korn (Atria Books)

“Under the guidance of 29-year-old Gabrielle Korn, an out lesbian who lives in Brooklyn with her musician girlfriend, Nylon has become one of the most politically-aware, racially diverse, LGBTQ-inclusive, and feminist-forward digital magazines out there since Korn was appointed editor-in-chief in September 2017 (the same time the outlet’s print edition folded).”

January 25, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Women!  You were a fan…I am quite sure of that.  We empower one another to live life to the fullest, love who we want to love, feel confident in our bodies and demand equality in our everyday lives.  But the bottom line is…are we ever 100% happy within our own skin?  How can we get to a place of peace and acceptance of our most wonderful selves, especially when we are promoting this to those around us?  Sometimes a deep dive into the roots of these issues is more telling than a one size fits all answer.  Gabrielle Korn, a digital media expert, former editor at Refinery29 and former editor-in-chief of Nylon shares in her new memoir, personal essays relating to this very issue. Her story is an eye-opening, contemporary account of how damaging the fashion and beauty industries have been (and still can be) to women.  Her writing is fresh and alive and pretty much blew me away.  I hope you will read her book and find wisdom and courage in her words.

I will admit right away that I have never read Nylon (I have seen it referenced in books and on the internet though) and until I read Korn’s memoir, I didn’t even know who she was.  I am telling you this because I loved her book and I loved getting to know her through her writing.  I am not sure how much of a difference it would have made if I had more knowledge of who Korn was and what Nylon was all about.  FYI…Nylon is an international lifestyle publication that focuses on emerging culture (beauty, fashion, music, entertainment, etc.).  Korn’s book is a compilation of essays about her time spent in her twenties working in the fashion/beauty industry and her fast rise to the top of the publication, Nylon.  Korn had a great education, a supportive family and plenty of friendships.  Despite these blessings, she found herself in a cycle of eating disorders and body dysmorphia that not only impacted her health and well being, but had an acute influence on her intimate relationships with women.  Society’s view of sexualality was and still is in constant flux, making Korn’s goal of bringing diversity to this area and to all shapes, sizes and races to the media a constant battle. Fashion Week in New York City was one of the biggest culprits of all.  Stick thin models with dress sizes measuring an xxxs, is not ideal for anyone.

Korn talked a lot about trending body parts and their continuous sway on our self-esteem.  First it was a flat as a pancake stomach, then it was an oversized booty, followed by big boobs or bust.  Let’s not forget the thin waif look or the “strong is healthy” body.  What body part was the focus was and still is ever changing.   Looking in the mirror became a confusing vision for Korn and one that she battled everyday.    

“Even before hashtags, women’s body parts have been going in and out of style for as long as there’s been style.  What’s meant by that, really, is that for the moment, people with a certain physical characteristic are privileged. “ 

With popular body parts comes fashion to highlight them.  From low rise jeans, to high rise leggings, to crop tops to the no makeup makeup look, there is always a trend lingering around tempting us to conform or shaming us because we don’t.  Korn takes us through her days of dressing and undressing in the clothes of our time that were supposed to inspire us to feel beautiful but also had the potential of making one feel empty and not good enough.  She does mention that what you wear still can be valued.  Fashion has changed through the decades and for example, women being able to wear pants was a huge deal.  It was a sign of strength and equality that should be celebrated.  With this comes a hefty side order of  sexism, mental health issues and a variety of eating disorders that keep us from reaching our full potential and most happy selves.  Korn shares how her own eating disorder came to be and her battle to overcome it in a world that was determined to defeat her with unobtainable bodies and beauty standards. 

Through her years in the instrustry, Korn called out the fashion world for promoting diversity and women empowerment, while at the same time, not adhering to their own standards.  

“For any real change to happen in the fashion industry, all of the editors and bloggers and influencers would have to agree to stop showing up for designers that aren’t making an active effort to improve diversity.  That would mean going to probably four or five shows as opposed to the nearly one hundred that happen during New York Fashion Week.”  

Gabrielle Korn’s memoir was a deep-seated read.  I was beguiled with how she shared her most private moments in her life in a way that felt like she was talking in confidence with a close friend.  As a forty something year old straight woman who has never worked in the fashion industry, I could still relate to so much of what she revealed.  I have lived through my fair share of fashion/body trends and unreachable beauty standards and of course…sexism at its finest.  I can’t say that it was all bad (excluding sexism…that is always never welcomed here), but looking back now I wonder if some of it was even worth it.   Some trends worked in my favor, while others had me scrambling or left feeling pretty low.  Through the decades, I have witnessed media, fashion, diets and beauty products make strides towards diversity and inclusion of all shapes, sizes and even genders…at least from my perspective as a consumer. But is society moving in the right direction to meet the needs of our diverse and beautiful world?  Hopefully.  Do I still feel like I am reaching for the stars sometimes?  Absolutely.  But my one take away from Korn is that there are so many outside factors that influence our lives and we can’t change everything, especially all at once.  What we can change though, is our reaction to the cultural influences around us and how we let it seep into our minds and relationships.  We do not have to be a slave to our image.  We can just be who we are and love ourselves, flaws and all.   2021 continues to be an uphill battle. But as the steepness slowly decreases, our strength is increasing. Our bodies are our vessels that carry us through life.  I am focussing more on loving my vessel than hating it.  How about you?  

Much love, health and happiness to you!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Wallace ❤️❤️❤️

Click on the book pic below to purchase this book. It comes out January 26, 2021 🥰🥰🥰

The Jury Has Spoken

Savage Row by Britney King

Savage Row by Britney King

December 3, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Can you believe that it is ALREADY December? Between work, inconsistent school schedules for the kids, holiday shopping and the pandemic we are STILL IN, finding time to read can be a real struggle.  There is nothing worse than starting a book and only being able to read a page or two each night before sleep robs you of your last quiet moments of the day.  Today my friend, I have a book that will make it impossible to fall asleep after just a few pages.  This book has built in momentum, pages that practically turn themselves and a riveting storyline with an ending to please.  Britney King’s latest psychological thriller, Savage Row, is out now!  It’s time for your bedtime story!

“I remembered how he had looked from the jury box, like a cornered animal.  Vicious, glowering, savage.  And powerful.  The way he’d scan the courtroom, challenging anyone who dared meet his eye.  The way he looked at people was unnerving, as though it would be his greatest privilege to snuff them out, to annihilate them.”

Many years ago, Amy Stone was a juror on Jack Mooney’s trial (an undomesticated criminal), putting him behind bars for a very long time.  At the end of the trial, Amy went on with life with her husband Greg, their two daughters and working as a realtor.  Life was normal (ok, somewhat normal) until one day Mooney showed up at one of Amy’s house showings.  Mooney was released from jail after a decade of prison life and is seeking revenge on Amy for being one of the people in favor of his imprisonment.  After they reunite briefly, Mooney begins stalking Amy and her family.  Because he wasn’t doing anything obvious, the police were of no assistance.   As the stalkings increased and became more dangerous to her family, Amy and her husband took matters into their own hands to keep their family safe and get rid of Mooney once and for all.  Things get more complicated than they realize and unpleasant things begin to happen. Will they be able to keep their family safe and get rid of Mooney once and for all?  This my friend, is probably every juror’s worst nightmare…am I right?

So here is the scoop.  Savage Row is the ultimate page turning psychological thriller.  Your nights of falling asleep while reading end here. King is the queen of putting the pedal to the medal and hooking her readers in from the start. Her characters once again are complex and made me question everything about them (can you say trust issues?).  There was a touch of something devilish in each and every one of them that added to the suspense of the story.  King served me a plethora of twists, turns and mind messing characters all on a gorgeous silver platter.   I will say that I found Savage Row to be less graphic than some of her previous books.  This did not compromise the story one bit and is merely a side note for those who have read some of her previous work.  At the end of the day though, I am an ending girl. Guess what?????  King nailed it.

Happy Reading!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S.  Be sure to check out Britney King and all of her work by clicking here.

Click on the book pic below to purchase!

Bits & Pieces

Pretending book cover

Pretending by Holly Bourne (Mira Books)

November 30, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

I am excited to tell you that I just read my very first Holly Bourne novel and I can’t stop thinking about it.   Bourne’s latest novel, Pretending, blew me away.  She tapped into all of my emotions in one swoop.   What I thought was going to be a light and fluffy experience, turned out to be an emotionally raw and engaging read with quite a few laughs on the side.  Let’s take a deeper look into this novel, shall we!

Before I dive into telling you about this book, I need to let you know from the start that Pretending includes rape, sexual assault and recovery.  There is no avoiding it or skipping past it in this novel.  If this subject matter is triggering or one that you are uncomfortable reading about, please gently put this book aside.  

April is single and in her early thirties.  As much as she wants to find Mr. Right and settle down, there is one thing getting in her way…SHE HATES MEN!  She makes it very clear how awful they are from the start.  Her angry tone towards the male population may seem over the top at first glance, but you will quickly learn its origin given her traumatic past.  Being sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend took away a part of April she can never get back.  Men want carefree women with no worries.  Women who ooze body confidence like no other.  Women who care, but not too much.  Women who are secure in who they are.  Women who are interesting and want to go to cool places… like Africa.  Women who effortlessly look fabulous all the time.  You get the idea.  The problem is that April is none of these things.  The potential to be that “type” of woman was stolen, along with a part of her soul by a man.  Who on earth wants to date damaged goods?  Baggage is only sexy at the airport on the way to a romantic destination with your lover…am I right?  April can’t get past that fact that once a man sees her for who she really is, they will no doubt run the other way.  

“I want to have someone in my life who completely and utterly knows me, and has earned the knowing of me by their unwavering willingness to stick around while I slowly reveal it all.  It only grows with time and commitment and dedication, and that only comes with someone deciding you are worth the investment to become knowable.  Someone who believes the bits they will learn about you will make them love you only more, not less.”

On a quest for revenge on her ex and on all men who walk the earth, April decides to test her theory out on a dating website.  Instead of being April (her true authentic self), she pretends to be Gretel, a fictional version of herself that encompasses all things that she believes men “want” in a woman. The plot thickens when she starts dating Joshua.  Being “Gretel” seems to be working.  Joshua is smitten with her.  However, as the weeks go by, the real April starts creeping in and Gretel becomes more exhausting to manage. Ultra cool Gretel is difficult to keep up with when flashbacks from April’s past make unexpected appearances while with Joshua.  Her feelings for Joshua become muddy while overseeing Gretel and April’s emotions simultaneously.  Will Joshua see through the lies and discover the “real” woman he is dating?

Pretending worked for me on so many levels.  What I absolutely loved about this book is Bourne’s writing style.  April’s journey toward healing and recovery was written with not only the greatest sensitivity to a difficult subject matter, but with a dark comedic vibe that had me laughing out loud.  Because her private thoughts and vulnerability are fully exposed between the pages of this book, it was easy for me to connect with April.  I personally enjoy getting into a character’s head space while reading.  It is the complexity of their innermost thoughts that oftentimes drive the story forward.   There were definitely times in the book where I wanted to shake what I thought was “sense” into April.  I may have even tried to push her into therapy to process her trauma if I could. However, this is April’s story, and as it unfolds, I quickly realized that what may seem like a traditional and more straightforward approach to healing, may not be her direct path.  “Pretending” to be someone else with an innocent man to seek answers you so desperately need may not sit well with the moralists out there (fair point).  But sometimes storytelling is what we need to truly digest the magnitude of awful things in life.  It also introduces the reader to Joshua, who I really want everyone to meet. Joshua, Joshua, Joshua!!!!

Pretending was the perfect afternoon read.  I am not going to lie, at first I thought the combination of rom-com with the sexual assault component was strange.  It felt weird, even slightly inappropriate to be chuckling and swooning over a gorgeous guy on one page and absolutely horrified and distressed on the next page.  It worked though.  Bourne weaved together an entertaining read about romance, love and self discovery while tackling the issue of sexual assault and recovery with thoughtfulness and grace.  I loved April and her journey and my feelings for Joshua…well lets just say, you will find out soon enough!!!! 

Much love and reading to you!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S.  Thank you to Mira Books for the advance reader copy of Pretending and for having me on this amazing Blog tour. Pretending is out NOW!!!!!

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Barley Tea Just For Me

The Story of Mina Lee Cover

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim (Park Row Books)

Questions & Answers with Author Nancy Jooyoun Kim

August 18, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Hello there and happy Tuesday! Today I am doing something different on the blog. I am sharing with you and all my readers a Q&A with author Nancy Jooyoun Kim about her debut novel, The Last Story of Mina Lee. I absolutely love reading about countries and cultures different from my own. It is a wonderful way to explore the world from the comfort of my own couch (perfect during a pandemic). In Kim’s book, Koreatown, Los Angeles and Korea are the backdrop, with family secrets taking center stage. During the Q&A, Kim talks about what inspired her to write this novel, the impacts of the Korean War on her family and mother-daughter relationships. She also talks about the importance of Korean food and why she incorporated it into her novel (drool worthy). Be sure to read the synopsis below and enjoy the Q&A with Nancy Jooyoun Kim. I hope this inspires readers to check out this book.

Until next time my friend,

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. The Last Story of Mina Lee comes out September 1, 2020. A big thank you to Park Row Books for the sneak peek of this anticipated read. Thank you also to Nancy Jooyoun Kim for participating in the Q&A. 🤗🤗🤗

Synopsis

THE LAST STORY OF MINA LEE opens when Margot Lee’s mother, Mina, doesn’t return her calls. It’s a mystery to twenty-six-year-old Margot, until she visits her childhood apartment in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and finds that her mother has suspiciously died. The discovery sends Margot digging through the past, unraveling the tenuous and invisible strings that held together her single mother’s life as a Korean War orphan and an undocumented immigrant, only to realize how little she truly knew about her mother.

Interwoven with Margot’s present-day search is Mina’s story of her first year in Los Angeles as she navigates the promises and perils of the American myth of reinvention. While she’s barely earning a living by stocking shelves at a Korean grocery store, the last thing Mina ever expects is to fall in love. But that love story sets in motion a series of events that have consequences for years to come, leading up to the truth of what happened the night of her death.”

Q&A with Nancy Jooyoun Kim

1. What was your inspiration for writing The Last Story of Mina Lee?

I wanted to write a story that I had never seen before, a story that explored the complicated interdependence between an immigrant mother and her American-born daughter, the ways in which they love, need, and sometimes resent each other. For example, as the only child of an immigrant single mother, the protagonist Margot loves her mother more than anyone in this world. She needs her. But at the same time, she resents how, growing up, she has to work at her mother’s store over the weekends and during school breaks. She resents how her mother refuses to talk much about her past, and Margot’s father, her origins as well. I also wanted to write a story that centered women, in particular marginalized women, and show how they not only live but lead extraordinary lives. Although this novel begins with a tragic ending for Mina, she is nonetheless very much the hero and the heart of this story—a woman who took risks and created change, a life for herself in surprising and unconventional ways.

2. Did you have to do any research during the writing process?

I didn’t need to do much research while writing this book because I’m very much a product of the communities that I write about. I might’ve asked friends or people I know some questions about Korea and Korean culture, but it was all very casual.

3. Korean food is mentioned throughout your book.  Was this done intentionally? 

As Margot tries to figure out what happened to her mother on the night of her death, she experiences Koreatown as an adult for the first time in her life. As she goes out to eat at Korean restaurants with her friend Miguel and spends time in her mother’s apartment by herself, Margot realizes that food was not only a way for her mother to show love; it was a way of teaching Margot how to nourish and take care of herself in a world that is often harsh.

4. How important is Korean food in your life and what is your favorite Korean meal?

I always say that “Korean food” is just “food” for me. It’s very much a part of who I am, and was perhaps, as it is in many immigrant families, one of the principal ways my mother showed me love. I don’t have a favorite Korean dish because I love so many of them depending on the occasion, the weather, the mood. But some of my favorite banchan (side dishes) include yangnyeom gejang (spicy raw crab), myeongnanjeot (fermented pollock roe), and kkaenip (pickled perilla leaves). All I need is one of those and a bowl of rice.

5. What was your favorite food-related scene to write and why?

There are so many food scenes, moments, and images that I love in this book. But the most memorable food scene for me is about three-quarters through the novel—after Mina and her friend Mrs. Baek reunite after over twenty years apart. They go to a restaurant and have soondubu jjigae together. I love the delicacy, the tenderness of this scene, how each of these two characters is attempting to rekindle and navigate this friendship with the guardedness that comes from being hurt and heartbroken so much. Mina also realizes that despite how strong and supportive Mrs. Baek has always been, Mrs. Baek needs Mina and friendship just like everyone else. Mina played and can play a large role in Mrs. Baek’s life and her survival too.

6. Which character in the book do you relate to the most?

I like to believe that I am both all of my characters and none of them at the same time. But I’m closest to Margot in age and certainly I know the challenges of being the daughter of an immigrant single mother. I also know how difficult it can be in your twenties. That was actually a terrible time for me because I found myself being pulled, or pulling myself in so many different directions. But I had to make all those mistakes to get to where I am today. I’m glad that decade is over!

7. Even though the Korean War technically ended in 1953, major turmoil still exists today between the North and South. How has Korea’s past and present situation directly impacted your life?

Both sides of my family come from what is now North Korea. As children, my parents fled the north during the war. So at the age of 13, my father left his home in advance of his mother and siblings, not knowing that a permanent border would forever keep them apart. For his entire life, he never knew what had happened to them, if they survived the war or if they continued to live behind the border, a border that continues to divide not only a culture and country but real families whose lives and identities have been shattered.

There were so many painful things, worries, and regrets, traumas, that my father and mother did not talk about when I was growing up. Silence was a form of protecting us, and themselves. But the silences in my family also left me with a lack of understanding of my parents, just as Margot never quite knows her mother’s story, even if the reader does. It’s these silences that I’m attempting to capture and write through and out of in my work. I think one of the beauties of fiction is how it can bring together the impossible in one story. For me, the conversations that would and could never happen in my life happen in this book.

8. “Movement for her mother was essentially an experience of loss that Margot, American-born, could never imagine.  And yet, Margot herself had inherited the same anxiety about driving fast, particularly on freeways.  She thought too much about the experience of speed itself, its danger, rather than getting somewhere at last.”  Can you speak to the experience of movement for both women?

What I really love about the structure, the dual narrative, of this book is that we experience how both Margot and Mina, are at turning points in their lives; they are both thrust into new narratives about themselves, new ways of being alive. For example, the book begins for Margot with the death of her mother which forces her to question who she is without her. (Who is Margot if she is not someone’s daughter?) While the book begins for Mina when she enters the United States in order to start a new life after the death of her husband and daughter. (Who is she now without being someone’s mother or wife?) Both of them are in mourning, mourning the dead as well as their past identities and lives. They are both terrifyingly unmoored and free to reinvent themselves. What story should they each tell now about who they are? So movement is very much tied to identity in this book.

9. Why did Margot resist embracing her past so much?  

It’s important to note that Margot never experiences the Mina that we, as readers, see, know, and love throughout this book. Margot never witnesses her mother fall in love. She never knows the full story of why she had fled to America. Although her mother clearly makes so many sacrifices for her, Margot views her mother as often harsh, secretive, inaccessible. For this reason and in the context of a society that often doesn’t fully embrace other cultures, as an adult, Margot resents her mother; she is ashamed of what her mother represents because she has internalized some of the mainstream views, even xenophobia, and racism against her. She judges her mother by the standards of the larger culture: “Why didn’t her mother learn to speak English?” Of course, this is only until her mother dies, which opens up the opportunity to finally get to know her mother, not only as a mother but as a woman with an extraordinary story and life.

10. What is the number one take away you want your readers to leave with after finishing Mina’s story? 

I hope this book sparks conversation about the mysteries, the secrets, and the silences within our own families. I hope this story encourages readers to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask of the people whom they love the most. I hope we risk discomfort more.

11. At one point, she said that “the fear of hell kept her alive.” How much did religion play a role in Mina’s life?  

Religion and places of worship play an important role in immigrant communities, often serving as resource centers where people find each other and themselves. For Mina, the church is a place where she can simply insert herself every Sunday and feel as if she belongs through sermon and song. For the most part, she doesn’t involve herself too much socially in the church, but she finds solace once a week in the crowd.

12. Do you have plans for another novel? If so, can you share with us any details?

Yes, of course! I’m writing my next novel which also takes place near Los Angeles’ Koreatown and centers on the life of a Korean American family still grieving the mysterious death of the mother five years ago. Since I live in California where the housing crisis is very real and ongoing, the book explores issues of gentrification and homelessness through the lens of an immigrant family, struggling in their own ways to belong.

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The Bitter And Sweet of Cherry Season

By Molly Fader

Harlequin Trade Publishing~2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour~Women’s Fiction & Romance

June 15, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

I feel like so many of the books I have read lately have me thinking of you, especially your younger days. Today I am talking about a book that took place in one of your old stomping grounds. The story I just read was set in a cozy farmhouse surrounded by a cherry orchard in Michigan. You remember Michigan, right? You may not have been picking cherries, but you definitely enjoyed some high-quality outdoor time there. In Molly Fader’s latest book, The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season (and may I add her 50th book), the gorgeous state of Michigan is part of the spectacular backdrop of this heart warming family drama. Fader’s book stars three generations of women…Peg, Hope and Tink. Each one of these gals won me over with their courage, strength and willingness to start again. When Hope and her daughter Tink surprise Aunt Peg in the middle of the night on her doorstep, family secrets are slowly revealed, the taste of of new life is sampled and love is just a barn door away. There is nothing like cherry season to bring a family together. This homey and sweet tale was the perfect lazy afternoon treat!

Until next time my friend! Happy Reading!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Check out the synopsis of The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season:

Everything Hope knows about the Orchard House is from her late-mother’s stories. So when she arrives at the Northern Michigan family estate late one night with a terrible secret and her ten-year-old daughter in tow, she’s not sure if she’ll be welcomed or turned away with a shotgun by the aunt she has never met.Hope’s aunt, Peg, has lived in the Orchard House all her life, though the property has seen better days. She agrees to take Hope in if, in exchange, Hope helps with the cherry harvest—not exactly Hope’s specialty, but she’s out of options. As Hope works the orchard alongside her aunt, daughter, and a kind man she finds increasingly difficult to ignore, a new life begins to blossom. But the mistakes of the past are never far behind, and soon the women will find themselves fighting harder than ever for their family roots and for each other.”

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Check out Molly Fader’s Website for more feel good books.

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