Synopsis:

Meredith, along with her two older sisters, Claudia and Ava, has not visited her childhood home, Aurelia (latin for “Golden”), in over a decade. A scuptor, Meredith resides in New York City, but has received word that the family farm her grandmother, Lavinia, so cherished will now be put on the auction block to pay off debts incurred by her first cousin, Cal, Jr., after he inherited Aurelia. But Cal, Jr. has been killed in an automobile accident.

Now Meredith must decide whether she has the fortitude to return the place where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood — until she was seven years old, at least. Aurelia comprised more than three thousand acres of golden Iowa cornfields. The Hathaway family was revered in the community for its success and, as a child, Meredith understood that, and felt special and privileged.

But now the farm lies in ruin and none of the surviving family members want anything to do with the land or the memories they carry with them. Yet Meredith feels she must return — perhaps to assuage her own guilt? She finds herself thrust back into the legacy of her determined, ruthless grandmother’s dream of elevating the family name to a place of honor, respectability, and prosperity — at any cost.

Review:

Author Nelle Davy

Meredith cared for the grandmother as she became elderly and frail. Sometimes coherent, sometimes not, Lavinia rambled on about the past, she revealed to Meredith the dark secrets she had zealously guarded — in some instances, for decades — beginning with how Lavinia met and married Meredith’s grandfather and how he came to inherit the family farm. Snippets of Meredith’s conversations with Lavinia are juxtaposed against the story of generations of Hathaways living and working together on Aurelia.

At the outset it is clear that Meredith and her two sisters are estranged, and none of them want to deal with the wreck that Aurelia has become, especially if it means returning there. Davy also immediately reveals that something horrible happened to Ava for which she blames Meredith. The source of Meredith’s guilt quickly becomes clear, but that is far from the end of this family saga. Finding out how the sisters’ lives amid people who, in Davy’s words, are willing to “sacrifice each other for their own ends” is intriguing and rewarding.

I chose to structure the novel this way because ultimately this is a tale about the women, and each of them has a pivotal role in their family’s history.…Though the farm is governed by men, it is the women who make this story, who guide their present, and who are instrumental in shaping their history.
~ Author Nelle Davy

The Legacy of Eden is a morality play about a woman who grows up wanting much and sets out to make herself the envy of all her neighbors. Lavinia is socially awkward, but escapes her family of origin at the age of nineteen by marrying the town doctor who is thirty years her senior. That fails to improve her standing in the community, but when she recognizes an opportunity to establish herself as a member of the Hathaway family, she seizes it, abandoning not only her husband, but her very identity. She remains a recluse on the farm, as she convinces her new husband to erect a stately home on the land and gives birth to two sons, sure that they will be rightful heirs to the dynasty she is building. Lavinia is not just determined; she is ruthless.

Claudia, Ava, and Meredith, daughters of Lavinia’s son, Theo, are oblivious to the scheming and plotting of their grandmother. They are loved by their parents and content growing up in one of the smaller houses on the property as their father works the land with his brother, Ethan, and their grandfather. But when their father dies suddenly, their world collapses. As their mother struggles with her grief, Lavinia steps in, but the void left by their father is never filled and Meredith frequently ponders if things might have turned out differently had Theo lived.

Davy’s matriarchal drama features portraits of women who approach motherhood from vastly different perspectives. Lavinia’s domineering, manipulative personality is juxtaposed against that of her daughter-in-law, Georgia-May, who tolerates Ethan’s abuse until she reaches her own breaking point. Julia, the stepdaughter Lavinia despised from the outset, falls victim to Lavinia’s scheme to drive her away from Aurelia, abandoning her own child in the process and setting the stage for devastating events that play out years later. Piper, Lavinia’s never-married, powerless sister-in-law is a mother-figure to the girls, as well, while their own mother surprises them — and readers — when she becomes ensnared in Lavinia’s plot to ensure the future viability of Aurelia.

Ultimately, Meredith and her sisters must resolve their past, each in her own way, but it is Meredith’s journey that is at the heart of The Legacy of Eden. Haunted by the ghosts of the family members who played significant roles in her formative years, Meredith returns to Aurelia to face her demons, seeking closure and forgiveness. She has lived with the knowledge she gained during her grandmother’s final days but must make peace with the brutal reality that, despite all of Lavinia’s machinations, The Legacy of Eden is that nothing good comes from ill-gotten gains and personal sacrifice means nothing when it is undertaken at the expense of others. The Legacy of Eden is a multi-layered, tautly constructed story filled with intriguing characters and numerous plot twists. It is an impressive first work and I look forward to reading more from Davy.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of The Legacy of Eden free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Media Muscle review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of The Legacy of Eden

Author Nelle Davy has generously provided one copy of The Legacy of Eden to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! To enter, post a comment in which you answer this question:

What is your all-time favorite dramatic family saga?

Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget. Note: The book can only be mailed to a United States street address. It cannot be mailed to a post office box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries will be accepted until Monday, February 20, 2012, at 12:01 a.m.

On the Same Topic:

• Book Review and Giveaway: Chasing Mona Lisa
• Book Review and Giveaway: A Whisper to a Scream
• Book Review and Giveaway: In Leah’s Wake
• Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Keeper

Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, Book Giveaways, Book Reviews, Media Muscle, Nelle Davy, The Legacy of Eden

Synopsis:

France is in Germany’s grip, but Bernard Rousseau and his fellow members of the Resistance are determined to see France freed from Nazi control and restored to its pre-World War II glory. Bernard would do anything to secure his country’s liberation, including risking his own life to stop a train loaded with priceless French works of art from leaving Paris, bound for Germany.

Two years later, August 1944, liberation is assured. Swiss agents Eric Hofstadler and Gabi Mueller are en route to France to deliver supplies on behalf of the Red Cross. Meanwhile, Colette Perriard is hard at work as a curator in the Louvre, from which some of France’s most famous valuable works of art were secreted away when Nazi occupation of France became an eventuality. Now she struggles through each day, eagerly anticipating the departure of the Germans who direct her work at the famed museum.

The world’s most treasured painting, the Mona Lisa, is tucked safely away at a secret location, but is about to become the object of intrigue and sabotage — a bargaining chip in Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring’s desperate plan to escape Germany and the punishment that surely awaits him for his war crimes and a pawn in a high-stakes political gambit led by Bernard to discredit Charles de Gaulle and the Gaullists in order to prevent them from assuming power after Allied troops liberate France.

Review:

Author Tricia Goyer

The story begins with Bernard’s exploits. He is principled, dedicated, and prepared to risk his very life for the sake of seeing France freed from German control so that it can reemerge as a Communist nation. Meanwhile, Eric and Gabi are OSS agents who have faced danger and found love together, while Colette is determined to endure the German occupation for the sake of her career as a curator in which she has worked hard to establish herself and the precious artworks she is equally determined to safeguard. Although she knows the whereabouts of the paintings that were whisked away to safekeeping, she is sworn to secrecy. It is not immediately apparent how the three stories relate to each other, but patient readers are rewarded when Eric and Gabi encounter Bernard, who has been involved with Colette.

Author Mike Yorkey

Chasing Mona Lisa is a well-researched thriller loaded with narrow escapes, shocking plot developments, and poignant moments in which the characters’ humanity makes them hauntingly sympathetic, all set against the backdrop of a proud country torn apart by war. The story was inspired by real events — the Mona Lisa was spirited from place to place to keep it from falling into Germans hands and indeed did hang over a little girl’s bed for a time — as well as actual historical figures. But Goyer and Yorkey have vividly imagined and expertly brought to life an escapade that could have unfolded during that tumultuous period. That is what makes Chasing Mona Lisa so entertaining.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of Chasing Mona Lisa free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Litfuse Publicity Group’s review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of Chasing Mona Lisa

Authors Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey have generously provided one copy of Chasing Mona Lisa to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! To enter, post a comment in which you answer this question:

Have you read any of Tricia Goyer’s other books? If so, which is your favorite?

Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget. Note: The book can only be mailed to a United States street address. It cannot be mailed to a post office box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries will be accepted until Monday, February 6, 2012, at 12:01 a.m.

On the Same Topic:

• Book Review and Giveaway: The Legacy of Eden
• Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile
• Book Review and Giveaway: A Whisper to a Scream
• Book Review and Giveaway: In Leah’s Wake
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Keeper

Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, Book Giveaways, Book Reviews, Chasing Mona Lisa, Litfuse Publicity, Mike Yorkey, Tricia Goyer

Synopsis:

Noelle Hueston has no idea how she got to the hospital or why she is there. She believes that she is a twenty-one-year-old college student majoring in art and insists that the nurses tell her when her parents will be arriving to take her back to school.

In reality, Noelle has been married to Eli for twenty-five years and raised three children, Kyle, Kelsey, and Kirby. En route home from Duluth to Deep Haven, the northern Minnesota hamlet where Eli served as sheriff for many years and Kyle has recently become a deputy, Noelle was the victim of a violent crime. Her confusion is the result of amnesia caused by head trauma. Whether she will regain her memories is uncertain.

What is certain is that Noelle and Eli were estranged from each other at the time of her accident. In fact, Eli was not even aware that she had made the trip to Duluth and now he is left wondering what she was doing there. Worse, Eli struggles with how to explain the past three years to Noelle — how much should he reveal to her and when? And he wonders what their future holds if Noelle has forever lost her memories of Kelsey, who was brutally murdered three years ago. Eli has spent the intervening years sleeping in the basement, escaping to his ice house, and spending two much time with Lee, the widow of Clay Nelson, the officer who also lost his life on that terrible day. Although Lee values the assistance Eli provides with chopping wood, plowing the driveway to the log cabin she shared with Clay, and other chores, she has felt herself increasingly drawn to the husband of her good friend and knows their shared loneliness and grief have inspired their deepening friendship.

Because Noelle has lost her memory, she cannot identify her assailants, but they don’t know that. Kyle is determined to catch those responsible before they locate Noelle and attempt to keep her from revealing their identity.

Review:

Author Susan May Warren

Prolific Christian author Susan May Warren challenges readers to ponder those questions in The Shadow of Your Smile, the story of Noelle Hueston. For most of their marriage, Noelle and Eli were happy. He served as the sheriff of Deep Haven and she devoted herself to raising their three children and serving as a volunteer. Kyle was a local basketball star who earned a college scholarship and Kirby seems destined to follow in his footsteps, while the beautiful Kelsey dreamed of a future as a singer-songwriter with her best friend, Emma Nelson. The Nelsons and Huestons enjoyed a close personal and professional relationship. In an instant, their lives were shattered when both Kelsey and Clay were brutally murdered.

Warren explores the aftermath of the tragedy from the perspective of each of the characters as Noelle struggles to remember the last twenty-five years. Eli is wracked with survivor guilt, convinced that he should have done more in his role as the local sheriff to prevent the violent crime that claimed the lives of his only daughter and best friend. His regrets and inability to share his emotions with his wife helped drive a wedge between them — he distanced himself from Noelle and gravitated toward Clay’s widow, Lee.

You have the unique chance … to break down all the barriers of the past and begin again. Don’t run from it.
The Shadow of Your Smile

Kyle lost his way for a time, as well. His basketball dreams in the past, he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement and has returned home to Deep Haven as a deputy sheriff. While in the process of moving from Minneapolis back to his home town, a chance meeting with Emma Nelson, Kelsey’s best friend and musical partner, causes Kyle to ponder why he never really noticed her in high school. But Emma is determined never to return to Deep Haven, convinced that the town holds no appeal and can never figure prominently in her future.

Noelle’s life is like a huge puzzle — she works, once piece at a time, to establish a picture of who she became during the years that she can no longer remember. There are some humorous aspects to her journey, including the moment when she finally looks in the mirror and finds that the face staring back at her is no longer twenty-one years old. She is as appalled by the body that has carried three children and been impacted by the passage of time, as well as gravity, as well as the age-appropriate wardrobe selections she discovers in her closet. There are also heartbreaking and poignant moments, such as when she learns that her parents will not be coming to the hospital because they are both deceased.

The core of Warren’s tale is, however, the issue of whether Eli and Noelle can find their way back to each other and the happy marriage they once shared. Initially repulsed by Eli, Noelle’s gradual appreciation of the man to whom she has devoted herself for so many years feels authentic and believable. So too does Eli’s self-reproach and eventual acceptance of responsibility for his own part in the marriage’s breakdown. The Huestons are revealed as having been a quintessential American family, neither perfect nor without problems, but loving and committed to each other and the life they have built in Deep Haven. Whether that life is worth reclaiming is very much in doubt at the outset of the story. The juxtaposition with the secondary storyline — the need to identify and apprehend Noelle’s assailants before they can further harm her — holds reader interest and keep the action moving.

Ultimately, as with Warren’s other books, the real key to the success of The Shaadow of Your Smile is her characters’ flawed humanity. Their challenges are believable, their redemption not at all assured at the beginning of the book. Their journey to peace is both interesting and compelling. Because the characters are essentially likable, readers will find themselves hoping they will at least be able to process their grief and forgive each other. The resilience of the human spirit and promise of hope through faith are very much evident in Warren’s work, but prominently so in The Shadow of Your Smile. That’s enough reason to build a fire, make a cup of hot cocoa, and curl up on the coach on a winter’s afternoon to get to know the good folks of Deep Haven, Minnesota.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one electronic copy of The Shadow of Your Smile free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Litfuse Publicity Group’s review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

On the Same Topic:

• Book Review and Giveaway: Chasing Mona Lisa
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Legacy of Eden
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Keeper
• Book Review and Giveaway: A Whisper to a Scream
• Book Review and Giveaway: In Leah’s Wake

Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, Book Reviews, Litfuse Publicity, Susan May Warren, The Shadow of Your Smile

Synopsis:

Julia Lapp is twenty-one years old and looking forward to her November marriage to Paul Fisher, whom she has loved practically all of her life. Julia is confident of her feelings for Paul and their future together. They were to have married last year, but Paul asked to postpone the wedding. Julie is convinced Paul was persuaded by The Bee Man, Roman “Rome” Troyer, who never settles down, instead roaming from place to place with his hives of brown bees. Seems that whenever Rome shows up, Amish men get cold feet and weddings are either called off entirely or rescheduled.

The eldest of Amos and the late Maggie Lapp’s children, Julia shoulders a great deal of responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of Windmill Farm now that Amos has been diagnosed with a serious cardiac disorder. At only fifty years of age, Amos refuses to place his name on a transplant waiting list, even though a new heart is his only hope for recovery. Son Menno, 17, works hard but requires constant supervision and direction due to his unspecified mental disability, while fourteen-year-old Sadie tries to recreate some of their mother’s favorite recipes. Little Mary Kate, known affectionately as M.K., is a high-spirited and precocious eleven year old.

As the story opens, Julia’s worst nightmare again comes true. Paul asks to postpone their wedding yet again! And sure enough, Rome is back in the region! A stern, nonsense woman named Fern arrives to manage the household, banishing Sadie from the kitchen and putting Amos on a strict cardiac-healthy diet. She seems to be acquainted with Rome who, before long, is ensconced in the family cottage, helping out around the farm while his bees pollinate the orchards, and rapidly becoming, along with Fern, practically a member of the Lapp family.

But Rome is hiding a six-year secret that explains his refusal to settle down, instead preferring a nomadic lifestyle sans commitment to anyone or any place. And there is a mysterious man in a panama hat lurking around Stoney Ridge. Who is he and why is he so interested in the Lapp family?

Review:

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher

Patriarch Amos has fallen ill, but refuses to place his name on a transplant waiting list because he believes God is revealing to him that his time to die is approaching. He refuses to be the beneficiary of a new heart because another individual would have to die in order for him to live, and he does not believe that can possibly be God’s will for his life. Once a healthy, robust farmer, he is wasting away before his children’s eyes and they are powerless to convince him to allow medical science to intervene.

Julia, the eldest, is a delicate-appearing beauty with inner strength and determination that will serve her well as her family faces its greatest crisis. She has always loved Paul Fisher, but believes that his meddling mother, Edith, along with “Roamin’ Roman” Troyer, has convinced Paul to insist that their wedding be postponed a second time. Edith accused her of being prideful about the price that her beautiful quilt fetched during last year’s auction, causing Julia to stop quilting altogether and instead focus on the family garden from which she sells produce by the roadside each day. She has absolutely no use for Rome, who is ruggedly handsome, a perpetual flirt, and the source of consternation for several local brides-to-be.

What Julia does not realize is that Rome conceals the unrelenting grief born out of a profound loss that compelled him to begin traveling from place to place six years earlier. Rome believes that if he never puts down roots and avoids developing attachments to others, he cannot be hurt so deeply again. He is determined to keep moving, unencumbered and free from emotional entanglements, in order to protect the tender heart that he hides so well.

Meanwhile, little M.K. steals virtually every scene in the book with her realistic and mischievous schemes. She is a little dynamo, determined to get Paul and Julia back together so that the big sister she adores will again be happy. She connives Rome into championing her cause, hiring him to offer Julia rides in his buggy and be seen with her in order to make Paul jealous. Rome plays along, not realizing that by doing so, he is placing his own heart in jeopardy.

And then there is “Stern Fern,” as M.K. dubs her, who takes over the Lapp home like a military general, issuing orders, delegating chores, and dispensing advice that proves, time and again, to be both perfectly timed and insightful. She’s a “Mrs. Doubtfire” who does not need to don a costume each morning. Like Rome, she harbors both a secret and a very big heart beats under her gruff exterior — her oft-cited wisdom has been hard-earned.

Rome is corresponding with the mysterious R.W. who has offered to buy the family farm he abandoned back in Ohio at an exorbitant price, well above market value. But why? What do R.W.‘s cryptic messages mean and why would he/she be willing to spend so much money to acquire his family’s land?

Fisher reveals clues to the various mysteries at play in The Keeper at expertly timed intervals, amping up reader interest with each subtle hint. That Rome and Julia will fall for each other comes as no surprise, but that does not spoil the charming way that the two characters come to appreciate their feelings. Fisher includes other plot twists and turns so deftly that The Keeper is elevated from what could have been a formulaic story to a delightful tale about an endearing group of people, each of whom is searching in a unique way for his or her destiny. It is the characters’ humanity that keeps the pages turning rapidly and, ultimately, makes readers care deeply about the Lapps, as well as Rome, Fern and even R.W.

As with Fisher’s other Amish fiction, the characters’ deep and abiding faith is seamlessly woven into the fabric of their lives and the manner in which they conduct themselves, enriching the story for those readers who share similar beliefs while simultaneously making it fully enjoyable for those who have divergent viewpoints. Fisher tenderly explores issues including the ethics of organ transplantation, caring for a special needs child, forgiveness in the face of unspeakable tragedy, and healing after suffering crippling loss in a thoroughly entertaining, never preachy fashion, making The Keeper a lovely surprise. Book Two, The Haven, is set for an August 2012 release and focuses on Sadie. I definitely look forward to reading that next installment in the series.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of The Keeper free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Litfuse Publicity Group’s review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of The Keeper

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher has generously provided one electronic or print copy of The Keeper to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget. (The book can only be mailed to a United States street address. It cannot be mailed to a post office box.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries will be accepted until Monday, January 23, 2012, at 12:01 a.m.

On the Same Topic:

• Book Review and Giveaway: Chasing Mona Lisa
• Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile
• Book Review and Giveaway: A Whisper to a Scream
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Legacy of Eden
• Book Review and Giveaway: In Leah’s Wake

Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, Book Review Party Wednesday, Litfuse Publicity, Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Keeper

Sarah Anderson loves her two young children, but feels much of the time like she has lost herself. She hesitates to tell people that she is a stay-at-home mother because of the reactions that announcement often provokes. Her husband, Tom, travels extensively for business and works long hours, often coming home to regale her with stories of his workplace accomplishments without even asking how their children’s day was. Even when he is at home, he spends hours holed away in his study and Sarah wonders if he will ever realize how much of their boys’ lives he is missing as he manages a series of projects for the tech company that employs him and she shoulders increasing responsibility for managing their home.

Sarah decides to join a book club devoted to discussing classics as a way of getting out of the house and having some time to herself just one evening per month — if, that is, she can manage to stay away long enough to read the books selected by the group.

Meanwhile, Annie Jacobs is growing increasingly desperate to have a child. At 37, she and her lawyer husband, John, have achieved career success and traveled the world together, as well as purchased and decorated a beautiful five-bedroom home, during their sixteen-year marriage. Annie is ready to enter the next phase of her life: motherhood — if only her body would cooperate. Pressure from John’s family, who insist that he play Santa each year because he is the only sibling who does not have a child of his own thus far, and Annie’s strained relationship with her emotionally distant mother add to her frustrations. Rather than consider adoption, Annie insists upon commencing fertility treatments — no matter what the cost, financially or to her marriage.

Like Sarah, Annie seeks a brief respite from the rigors of her life as a member of The Bibliophiles, led by the eccentric and formidable Edwina Hipplewhite.

Review:

Author Karen Wojcik Berner

Berner’s two lead characters are believable, their plights sympathetic. Sarah is the everywoman to whom many female readers will easily relate. She wonders what happened to the woman she used to be before she began answering to a new name, “Mom.” That she loves her children unconditionally is never in question, but she struggles to balance her responsibilities against her growing need to reclaim just a slight bit of her former self. Her resentment of husband Tom’s detachment from their home, children’s lives, and marriage grates on Sarah in an entirely realistic manner. More sad than angry, Sarah realizes how much he is missing, as are their sons, while longing for the husband she still loves and desires. When Tom accepts a long-term assignment in Boston, Sarah soldiers on at home. In one heart-breaking and poignant moment, she observes that “Dada” has vanished from her toddler son’s vocabulary in the wake of Tom’s extended absences.

[T]he idea of an overwhelmed stay-at-home mom (Sarah) came to me in the shower, probably because it was the only time I had two minutes to myself since my kids were very young at the time. I’m sure many of you can relate.
~ Author Karen Wojcik Berner

In contrast, Annie has until recently focused on her career with a public relations firm. She and John, a litigator anxious to become a partner in the law firm where he is employed, consciously chose to defer child-rearing while they enjoyed being a couple and attained a modicum of financial comfort. It never occurred to Annie that they would experience “unexplained fertility.” With each month that passes without a positive pregnancy test, Annie becomes increasingly fixated on conceiving a child. She convinces John to undergo testing and submit to expensive, invasive, and humiliating fertility treatments. For John, the stakes are not nearly as high — he would gladly explore adoption — even though he is also disappointed and baffled by their circumstances. Hormone treatments exasperate Annie’s erratic behavior, which threatens to derail her career. Simultaneously, John launches into professional hyper-drive. He is determined to make partner, but also seeks refuge from their increasingly strained marital relationship. Berner’s depiction of a couple mired in grief and aggravation, helpless to stem the tide of resentments, blame, and emotional isolation when they need each other most is the highlight of A Whisper to a Scream.

Against the backdrop of marital and maternal disappointments, Sarah and Annie learn from each other. While the issues explored by Berner are certainly neither new nor novel, she strikes just the right balance with characters whose problems are genuine, their emotional struggles compelling. Sarah is the more empathetic of the two, simply because she is more selfless and, despite her frustrations, never loses sight of what is most important in her life. Annie, meanwhile, teeters on the edge of narcissistic compulsion, but Berner deftly refuses to allow the character to spin completely out of control, reminding readers that fertility treatments have exacted a horrific toll upon Annie’s body, in addition to her psyche. A couple of surprising plot twists propel the story forward, although it does end abruptly.

A Whisper to a Scream is entertaining and its assortment of supporting characters intriguing, which bodes well for the next planned installment, How Long ‘Til My Soul Gets It Right? Therein, Berner will relay the story of Catherine Elbert, a would-be actress acquainted with rejection. Future volumes will focus upon the lives of other members of the book club. A Whisper to a Scream sets a realistic, compelling and promising tone for the series.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one electroniccopy of A Whisper to a Scream free of charge from the author in conjunction with the WOW! Women on Writing review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of A Whisper to a Scream

Author Karen Wojcik Berner has generously provided one electronic or print copy of A Whisper to a Scream to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget. (A print copy of the book can only be mailed to a United States or Canadian street address. It cannot be mailed to a post office box.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to all who participated!

On the Same Topic:

• Book Review and Giveaway: The Legacy of Eden
• Book Review and Giveaway: Chasing Mona Lisa
• Book Review and Giveaway: In Leah’s Wake
• Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile
• Book Review and Giveaway: The Keeper

Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, A Whisper to a Scream, Book Giveaways, Book Review Party Wednesday, Book Reviews, Karen Wojcik Berner, WOW! Women on Writing

Leah Tyler has an excellent future, full of possibilities. An accomplished soccer player — the best on her high school team — she is poised to earn a college scholarship, possibly to Harvard University. She is beautiful, has always maintained good grades, and been responsible. But she is tiring of soccer and her father, Will’s, drive to see her lead her team to the state championship and attend an Ivy League university. He dropped out of college, forfeiting an athletic scholarship and has always regretted it, so he does not want his daughter to repeat his mistakes.

Justine is a twelve-year-old eighth-grader who, like her sister, maintains excellent grades and stays out of trouble. She is a devout Catholic, about to be confirmed, has been selected to give a speech during the confirmation service. Meanwhile, Zoe, the girls’ mother, works as a counselor and presents motivational workshops.

When Leah begins to rebel, the family’s status quo is shattered. First, Leah cuts soccer practice, telling her father that she is burnt out on the game and the disciplined practice and game regimen it requires. Worse, she begins hanging out with a troublesome group of kids, including Todd Corbett, an older boy with a criminal record. Leah’s coach is angry and disturbed by Leah’s behavior, her grades slip, and she becomes openly defiant and disrespectful toward her parents. Her father reacts with angry threats, while her mother struggles to understand why her daughter is changing so dramatically — both of them feel completely helpless and symied, as their own relationship deteriorates under the strain of trying to stop Leah’s life from completely derailing. Meanwhile, Justine, who has always idolized her big sister, becomes increasingly lost, wondering why her parents seem to have forgotten that they have two daughters.

Review:

Author Terri Guiliano Long

In Leah’s Wake is told from the perspective of each of the four members of the Tyler family. Will’s primary reaction to Leah’s sudden irresponsibility and acting out is rage. He yells, he threatens, he attempts to reassert boundaries, all to no avail. When his efforts prove futile, in addition to failing to meet with his wife’s approval or support, he retreats from his family. Already traveling frequently on business, he begins drinking more and flirting with barmaids, contemplating the idea of a dalliance. Long’s portrayal of a committed family man who has become lost and bewildered rings true.

Zoe also retreats in her own manner. Following an accident while jogging, she relies increasingly on pain killers to numb her emotions and withdraw from her professional and family responsibilities. She is believably heartbroken, but unsuccessfully tries to stop Will from pushing Leah further away from them. Her methods — trying to be understanding and sympathetic while bribing Leah with expensive gifts — are, however, equally unavailing. She seeks solace in the friendship of the police officer who intercedes and develops an interest in Zoe that exceeds the bounds of professionalism. Like Will, Zoe’s reactions are completely believable.

The reality is that Leah, a confused high school junior lured into a life that she perceives as wildly adventurous, exciting, independent, and free from the drudgery of sports and studies, is in free-fall and no one can help her until she wants help. Long accurately and sympathetically describes Leah’s conflicting emotions — she is a girl who genuinely loves her family, but has fallen for a very bad boy who pressures her to have sexual relations with him and experiment with drugs and alcohol. Freedom is enticing, but Leah has to establish her own identity and want to succeed on her own terms, not her parents’. The question Long’s tale poses is whether she will ultimately make good choices that lead her back to a productive life and promising future.

Lastly, little Justine is trapped in the chaos that now characterizes the Tyler household. At only twelve years of age, she must grow up quickly and make choices, as well. Should she emulate some of the behaviors in which Leah is engaging, such as smoking cigarettes? Or should she remain loyal to the values her parents have instilled in her? As she tries to please her parents and Leah, she teeters on the brink of rebellion herself and develops anxiety about not only her sister’s future, but her own, as well as her constantly-bickering parents’ marriage.

Justine’s journey comprises the heart and soul of In Leah’s Wake. Her feelings of being abandoned and overlooked by her parents are heart-breakingly realistic, and compel readers to cheer for a happy ending to a very troubling chapter in the Tylers’ life. The characters’ dialogue is as authentic as their emotional struggles, making In Leah’s Wake a fascinating study of teen-age angst and rebellion against authority and expectations, and dynamic family drama.

Reading Challenges:
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
2012 Free Reads Challenge

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of In Leah’s Wake free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Pump Up Your Book review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of In Leah’s Wake

Author Terri Guiliano Long has generously provided one copy of In Leah’s Wakee to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget. (The book can only be mailed to a United States or Canadian street address. It cannot be mailed to a post office box.)

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Thanks to all who participated!

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Technorati Tags: 2012 50 Books in a Year Reading Challenge, 2012 Free Reads Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, Book Giveaways, Book Reviews, In Leah’s Wake, Pump Up Your Book, Terri Guiliano Long

Synopsis:

Twenty years have elapsed since Rusty Sabich stood trial for the murder of his colleague, Carolyn Polhemus, as detailed in Presumed Innocent. Following his acquittal, Rusty’s legal career again flourished — he is the Chief Justie of the Third District Appellate Court in Kindle Countyand and a candidate for a seat on the state Supreme Court. At the age of sixty, Rusty remains married to Barbara, although their marriage has been anything but peaceful or, at least for Rusty, satisfying. Following his trial, Rusty and Barbara separated but her ongoing emotional fragility and psychological instability forced Rusty to return to the marriage in order to protect Nat, who is about to graduate from law school. Married thirty-six years now, Barbara, a brilliant mathematician and professor, continues to struggle with bipolar disorder and depression.

As the story opens, Barbara is dead and Rusty has spent a full twenty-four hours in their home with her body before calling Nat with the news. He has failed to contact the authorities. It appears that Barbara committed suicide, but Rusty’s old nemesis, prosecutor Tommy Molto, is convinced by his chief deputy, Jim Brand, that there is more to Barbara’s death than the initial inquiry reveals. Molto has never fully recovered from the embarrassment of not convicting Rusty the first time around and is determined not to screw up again. Still, the opportunity to finally nail Rusty is tempting and he allows himself to be convinced that Rusty poisoned Barbara using her own medication.

Whether Rusty is a murderer or not, he has a few character defects. For one, he has again engaged in an extramarital dalliance, this time with a beautiful, and extremely ambitious thirty-four-year-old law clerk on his staff, Anna Vostic, even though he knew the affair could only end badly on every level. There is also the matter of a momentary breach of judicial ethics which, if revealed, would derail his career.

When Rusty is charged with Barbara’s murder, he again turns to Alejandro “Sandy” Stern, the elegant and articulate defense strategist who secured his acquittal so long ago. Now older and battling lung cancer, Sandy’s daughter, Marta. joins Rusty’s legal team.

Did Rusty concoct an elaborate scheme to murder Barbara and make her death look like a suicide?

Review:

Author Scott Turow

Rusty Sabich is again on trial for his life. He rebounded professionally after his acquittal, achieving his goal of being a judge. He is on the verge of attaining the highest pinnacle of legal success — his election to the state Supreme Court seems assured. But Rusty is, like all of us, a flawed human being, driven by the experiences and events that have made him the sixty-year-old man he is as the story begins unfolding with the death of his wife, Barbara. Why would an appellate justice, of all people, wait a full day before calling the authorities upon waking to find his body’s body in bed next to him? That’s the question his son Nat, now twenty-eight years of age and nearing the completion of his own legal education, asks him when Rusty finally calls to inform him of his mother’s death. And from there, Turow takes his readers on a legal and psychological thrill-ride punctuated with familiar characters and plot twists that keep the most astute readers guessing. Turow has ratcheted up the suspense through the introduction of technological aspects such as emails, Web searches, & computer tampering, but the heart of the story again beats in the chest of the complex, exasperating, but completely compelling character of Rusty Sabich.

Turow’s dialogue is crisp, his descriptions of legal maneuvering authentically spot-on. He never insults his readers by lecturing them about the fine points of the law. Rather, he demonstrates the legal principles intelligently and through meticulously plotted courtroom or investigative action. Turow plainly understands that American readers are fascinated by legal thrillers and fairly sophisticated, able to comprehend legal nuances. His technique is appreciated by legal professionals and lay readers alike. “I think that the way I do this is still a little bit different [from other writers],” he observes, “because I’m still anchored in the real procedure. I don’t want to cut corners with the rules of evidence. And that allows me to write about the nuances, things like the back and forth between lawyers before the judge takes the bench. Because I’m not trying to force a reality, I can do that.”

Where Turow really shines, however, is his searing, unflinching character studies, the fictional Rusty Sabich being a crowning achievement. He has attained his professional goals and is about to achieve the pinnacle of jurisprudence. So why does he risk everything by engaging in a completely inappropriate tryst with the much-younger Anna? What aspect of his life experiences to date drive Rusty to remain with Barbara when a staggering catalogue of resentment, anger, broken promises, and uncomfortable silences separate them? Why can’t Rusty simply walk away from his troubled and wife and the life they have shared? Turow deftly plumbs the depths of Rusty’s heart, a place where confusion sometimes reigns, causing him to make what appear to be completely self-destructive choices even though he is a man who, at his core, finds himself bound by honor, duty, and, somewhat surprisingly, genuine love and affection for the troubled mother of his child.

Many readers will think, as did I, that they have solved the mystery long before the book’s end. Many will be wrong, as was I, several times. Turow clearly delights in constructing a tale full of legal conundrums and injected with misleading clues. “I just take a primitive satisfaction in suspense and in the sort of post-modern reality of being the author who is sometimes winking at the reader. When I figured out the ultimate twist at the end of Innocent, I ran around the house hugging myself because of the way that twist interweaves with Presumed Innocent,” he says. Reading Presumed Innocent is strongly recommended before tackling Innocent in order to get the full import of Rusty Sabich’s journey, as well as experience Turow’s interim growth as a master of the genre. Turow is among the few authors whose books I will read simply because they were written by him. He is that good. Innocent receives my very highest and most enthusiastic recommendation.

I read Innocent in conjunction with the 2011 Read ‘n’ Review, Outdo Yourself, and Just for Fun Reading Challenges.

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Technorati Tags: 2011 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, 2011 Read ‘n’ Review Challenge, Book Review, Book Reviews, Innocent, Just for Fun Reading Challenge 2011, Scott Turow

Synopsis:

Jude Parrish is a haunted man. The demon that tortures him is sometimes just below the surface, but omnipresent nonetheless. An innocent woman and child died at the conclusion of a hostage stand-off. Convinced that he could and should have ensured a different outcome to that crisis, Jude left the Lake George, New York, Police Department and became a best-selling crime writer. In his first book, he detailed his own shortcomings and revealed his deepest fears to his readers.

On a cold morning, Jude witnesses a murder just outside the gym where he works out daily and is suddenly the key witness. The murderer held an iPhone up to his victim, demanding, “Scream for me,” before executing him at point-blank range. His death is the latest in what appears to be a series of killings carried out in the same manner: the victim is hunted and tortured before his screams are recorded just before his life ends. Allegedly, the prime suspect, Hector “the Black Dragon” Lennox, died a few years earlier. The man identified by Jude, arrested, and charged with the crime bears different fingerprints, but DNA cannot be altered. Will the judge be willing to order the defendant to undergo DNA testing to establish his identity and connection to the prior murders? Will Jude be deemed a reliable witness, in light of his law enforcement history and public confession of his insecurities, self-doubts, and self-recrimination?

Perhaps the real question is this: will Jude, his pregnant wife Rosie, and eight-year-old son Jack live long enough for Jude to testify against the Black Dragon? Can Jude slay the demon that plagues him before Lennox can carry out his methodically scripted first-person video kill game in which he intends to make Jude the “Player?” Or will it be “Game Over” for Jude and his family?

Review:

Author Vincent Zandri

Zandri’s locations always function as yet another character in his books. In the case of Scream Catcher, the charming tourist village of Lake George, New York, serves as the backdrop. Quietly nestled amid the splendorous beauty of the Adirondacks, Jude’s log cabin nestled on the lake and adjacent to the woods just outside of town provide the perfect locale for Lennox to carry out his penultimate kill game. Vulnerable in their somewhat isolated home paradise, Lennox penetrates their peaceful life and the layers of protection erected around them, violating his victims’ psyches as he forces Jude to navigate an obstacle course through the dark woods in order to save his wife, unborn child, and young son.

Jude, Zandri’s psychologically-damaged protagonist, is sympathetic and endearing, an “everyman” to whom readers can readily relate. He has spent years second-guessing his handling of the prior case, convinced that had he reacted sooner or differently, he would have saved those two unfortunate victims. No matter how many other police officers, including his own adoptive father, Mack, captain of the Lake George police force, reassure him that the outcome was beyond his control, he does not believe it and is wracked with guilt and remorse. Even writing about his experience has not purged his soul. Confronting his worst fears and inadequacies is the only way Jude can regain his self-confidence. Lennox’s sinister plan to make Jude the ultimate “Player” in his demented kill game will prove to be the decisive test of Jude’s convictions, courage, and tenacity.

Zandri combines time-tested techniques with modern-day plot points, in this case, the video game angle, to create a spell-binding story that never disappoints, once again demonstrating why he is considered one of the contemporary masters of the genre. Unlike in some of his other tales, in Scream Catcher, the characters’ virtues and loyalties are never at issue. Rather, Zandri clearly delineates the good guys and bad guys in this story, but whether or not the good guy triumphs remains an open question until the very end. But Zandri does so with his trademark crisp dialogue, unrelenting suspense, and captivating characters. I highly recommend Scream Catcher.

I read Moonlight Rises in conjunction with the 2011 Read ‘n’ Review and Outdo Yourself Reading Challenges.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one electronic copy of Scream Catcher free of charge from the author in conjunction with the Partners in Crime review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Technorati Tags: Book Reviews, Partners in Crime Tours, Scream Catcher, Vincent Zandri

Synopsis:

Jared Roberts has plenty of reasons to be angry. It has been nearly a year since his father, Joe, simply vanished after being fired from him job at Stone Industries because management believed he was stealing from the factory. Now, at thirteen years of age, Jared works part-time for the same company, while his mother, Mary, toils there full-time in addition to having taken a part-time job at a store in order to provide for Jared and his three siblings. The family was never wealthy to begin with, residing in the poorest area of town known as “The Sink.” Ironically, Stone Industries later caught the real thief and apologized to the Roberts family, but the damage was done — Joe has not been seen or heard from and Mary is struggling to accept that he is probably dead and will never return home. Jared and his thug-like friends are planning to do something terrible to the Stone family.

Meanwhile, Sarah Stone, the only daughter of widower Jonas, owner of Stone Industries, is a privileged and haughty thirteen-year-old living in a mansion and surrounded by servants. The only thing she isn’t surrounded by is love. Sarah’s mother was killed by a drunk driver a few years ago, robbing Jonas of the love of his life, and his focus has been on keeping busy running his business in order to manage his heartbreak. But in the process, his daughter has become a casualty, as well. Demanding, selfish, and cripplingly lonely, Sarah attends a private school but has no true friends and she secretly longs for her father’s attention.

Because of a nasty prank Sarah played on her chauffeur/chaperone, he quit. As the story opens, Sarah’s frustration over not being able to go to the mall to shop — one of her few pleasure — amuses her personal maid, who is barely able to tolerate her. But a strange little man named Nicholas is about to enter Sarah’s life, as well as Jared’s, and change everything.

Review:

Author Darryl Nyznyk

When Sarah looks out her bedroom window, she sees a strange little man being admitted onto the property and is instantly mesmerized by him. He insists that his name is simply “Nicholas” because he hasn’t used his last name in so many years that he can no longer remember what it is. He claims to be applying for the just-vacated chauffeur/chaperone position even though it hasn’t yet been advertised and is capable of some Mary Poppins-esque magic that confounds but beguiles Sarah, as well as the suspicious household staff and her father, Jonas. Thus, the adventure begins.

Whether Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas is a true story is not the real issue; for it is not the facts that matter but rather the message of love that comes from the truth of the birth of Jesus Christ.
~ Author Darryl Nyznyk

In Nyznyk’s short, entertaining story, Nicholas enchants everyone who meets him as he sets about accomplishing his goal: to teach Sarah and Jared what Christmas is really all about. But in Nyznyk’s hands, Nicholas is much more than just a jolly elf with mysterious powers who believes in the magic of the Christmas season. Rather, he believes that God became flesh in that manger all those years ago. He talks to God, prays for assistance, and reminds folks of why Christmas exists. When his initial efforts to touch Sarah and Jared’s hardened hearts fail, he resorts to drastic measures, teleporting them back in time to that most magical and mysterious night the world has ever known so that they can experience first-hand how Christmas came to be and return home to spread good cheer.

Sarah learns that Christmas is about giving rather than receiving gifts, Jared releases his anger, and by the time Christmas arrives, the lives and hearts of all concerned have been transformed by Nicholas. Because Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas is a holiday story, it will come as no surprise that it has a happy ending and a concise message about what really matters — family. It is a delightful, quick read that is appropriate for children and families. In fact, the book is the embodiment of a story that Nyznyk had heard years earlier and told in 1994 to a group of seven-and-eight-year-olds attending his daughter’s slumber party, so its re-telling could easily become a tradition for your family.

Click here to read author Darryl Nyznyk’s guest post, Remembering Jesus at Christmas!

I read Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas in conjunction with the 2011 Read ‘n’ Review and Outdo Yourself Reading Challenges.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas free of charge from the authors in conjunction with PR By the Book review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Enter to Win a Copy of Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas

Author Darryl Nyznyk has generously provided one copy of Mary’s Son ~ A Tale of Christmas to be awarded to a lucky Colloquium reader! Submit your entry utilizing the Rafflecopter widget.

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Thanks to all who participated!

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Technorati Tags: 2011 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, 2011 Read ‘n’ Review Challenge, Book Giveaways, Book Reviews, Darryl Nyznyk, Mary’s Son — A Tale of Christmas, PR By the Book

Josh Lansky is a screenwriter with a serious case of writer’s block. Although he optioned one script a few years ago, netting enough capital to flee New York City and purchase a home in suburban New Paltz, the movie was never produced and the script is presumably languishing on a studio shelf in Hollywood. Since then, he has been a stay-at-home father to Roland, age five, and three-year-old Maude while wife Stacy works in marketing at IBM. Josh has begun seeking freelance work and hopes to interview a rock star whose daughter attends the same preschool as Roland.

At the story opens, Josh has already slogged through the morning rituals associated with getting Roland, an “Aspie” (child with Asperger’s Syndrome), to school before taking Maude to a play date. The mothers of the other children are an eclectic group, but one in particular, Sharon, confronts Josh over coffee. Stacy is in Los Angeles for the week on business and Josh is already stressed out from having full responsibility for Roland and Maude, and missing Stacy. Sharon announces that she believes Stacy is having an affair, but has no time to explain her rationale due to the children’s demands, leaving Josh to wonder whether there could possibly be any merit to Stacy’s theory.

As the rest of a very long day of parenting unfolds, Josh ponders the state of his floundering career, as well as a marriage that has stagnated under the weight of domesticity and the pressures of caring for two young children, one of whom has special needs.

Review:

Author Greg Olear

Author Greg Olear takes readers on a fascinating and often hilarious journey into Josh’s psyche as he contemplates the possibilities while juggling his various responsibilities. From a school field trip that is cut short when Roland has a complete meltdown to Josh’s interaction with an unsympathetic traffic cop to his chance meeting with the rock star with whom he hopes to snag an interview to his interactions with their incompetent babysitter who has an exaggerated sense of her own worth and sense of entitlement to a pay raise, just reading about Josh’s day invokes reader exhaustion along with empathy for Olear’s protagonist. Josh is a bright, but largely hapless guy in the true sense of the word. He loves his family, but knows that Stacy’s observation about the state of their marriage is accurate. Josh hopes Sharon is mistaken, but can’t help writing a series of screenplays in his mind in which Stacy is unfaithful to him, even though he also fantasizes about some of the mothers of his children’s playmates as he gossips with them about other members of the group.

Olear admirably tackles the issue of Asperger’s Syndrome, providing a timeline of the discovery of and research into the condition juxtaposed against Josh and Stacy’s own observations of Roland’s development and search for answers. Olear also illustrates the various ways in which Josh manages Roland’s behavior, largely through structure and tested routines, while painting a realistic and heart-tugging portrait of an extremely bright little boy who loves to look at books about home floor plans and architecture, and listen to the “States mix” in the car — a CD compilation of songs such as “Hotel California” that mention the various states.

The story bogs down in the middle as Josh’s stream of consciousness, tangential ramblings become tedious, his insecurities about his marriage verge on whining, and it seems doubtful that the book’s plot is going to reach a dramatic climax and subsequent resolution. Just when readers might be tempted to give up and quit reading, Olear offers up a plot twist that will instead having them reading furiously to the end. Because in actuality, Olear very cleverly invokes empathy for Josh who, despite his flaws, is endearing, as are Roland and Maude. The only character who remains a question mark until the very end is Stacy — aside from a few brief telephone conversations and messages, readers get acquainted with Stacy only through Josh’s descriptions of her and recitation of their relationship history. The desire to find out if Josh’s depictions are accurate keeps readers guessing — and reading.

father-mucker is a smart, witty exploration of one day in the life of a harried father and husband who, like all of us, loses sight from time to time of what is most important. Full of pop culture references (Josh checks his Facebook account every morning, and opines about celebrity couples and the deplorable state of rock and roll radio, for instance), father-mucker explores issues with which readers can readily relate while providing plenty of humor balanced with an unexpected but refreshing poignancy and complexity. father-mucker packs a surprising emotional punch and, perhaps, that’s Olear’s point. Life often surprises us, just when we think we may drown in the mundane details of domesticity and parenting. Readers who stick with father-mucker to the very last page will be glad they did.

I read father-mucker in conjunction with the 2011 Read ‘n’ Review and Outdo Yourself Reading Challenges.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of father-mucker free of charge from the authors in conjunction with TLC Book Tours review and virtual book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own. This disclosure complies with 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Click here to read Greg Olear’s guest post, That’s Not What Friends Are For.

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Technorati Tags: 2011 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, 2011 Read ‘n’ Review Challenge, Book Reviews, father-mucker, Greg Olear, TLC Book Tours