Tag: Book of the Month

The Women

January 3, 2025
War, remembrance and women empowerment are just 3 themes that come to my mind after reading “The Women” written by Kristin Hannah. When Frankie McGrath made the decision to join the war, her mission was to make her father proud and remember her brother. She couldn’t imagine what this decision would actually mean for Frankie’s life.

“The Women” was an eye-opening novel honoring the women of the Vietnam war and their sacrifices that they made during and even after the war. The book featured the story of Frankie McGrath who joined the war to gain respect from her father but at the same time honoring her brother who was killed in the war. She joined the war as a army nurse who took care of the injured soldiers and saved their lives.

Kristin Hannah does an amazing job doing what American failed to do during that time. We all know the stories of the men in the war and the affects that the war had on them. However, the women of the war was forgotten about and even were denied that they were even overseas in the first place.

However, there were thousands of women that were impacted by the war and they deserved just as much respect of the men that fought in the war. The story of struggle, heartbreak suffered and the preservice of these women deserve to be heard and honored and I am so glad that Kristin Hannah did a profound job with starting with this mission. I would highly recommend this story and then find some true stories of women from the war where the women were forgotten about.

Kill for Me, Kill for You

November 21, 2024

When two strangers are united in their grief and creates a plan for revenge anything can happen. “Kill for me, I’ll Kill for You” written by Steve Cavenagh, takes the reader on a wild ride of heartbreak, revenge and betrayal, and roller-coaster of twist and turns.

Ever since Amanda had suffered the tragic deaths of both her daughter and her husband, she had been on the track of revenge on the person who she believe was the person behind her grief. Then during one of her courts appointed counseling secession she meets a woman, Wendy who had the same goal of seeking revenge on the person that caused her pain years back as well. These two women than create a pact to help each other seek revenge.

This story is not only action packed but there is a deeper meaning hidden with the pages of this novel. The journey of grieving and the length in which loved ones would go to get peace and closure. It all takes us on an unexpected journey. However, if we don’t receive support and guidence, you might go down a dark path and wind up making decisions like the characters in this story. Yes, this story was entertaining entertainment comes a message that we should all hear.

We all grieve in our own ways and no one can tell us what is and what isn’t the right way to grief. There are good days and bad days but if you surround yourself with the support of people that love and support you, you can create a new normal.

The Kiss Quotient

June 17, 2024

Have you never had trouble admitting you needed assistance with something, have you ever tried online dating before? Well do I have a story for you. When Stella needs help in the bedroom, she turns to online dating apps for assistance and what could possibly go wrong with that.

Stella who has Asperger’s and has never really dated anyone and had slept with 3 men in her past. Really only for them and never to her satisfaction. So she figured that she turned to online dating/escorting sites for guidance. She made it quite clear she only wanted practice and never a relationship. That’s because she already had someone in mind. She just needed to build confidence. That’s was of course she met Michael. The escort from online.

Michael it turns out was the most down-to-earth patient man for the job. He accepted the fact that Stella had a checklist and that this was only going to be a one time thing. However, he shortly realized that things were going to go slow and that Stella was going to need more than one night to be comfortable.

Like I said in the past, it is the characters that make a story for me and it was no different with this one. Truthfully I wasn’t totally sold on the plot of the story at first. However, once I was introduced to Stella and Michael and got to learn more and more about them, I was sold!

One thing I truly appreciate about Helen Hoang is that she writes about characters with neurological disorders in such a bright light. So many times we read about these people in a bad light. And in Helen Hoang stories they get to shine and I absolutely love that! In this story both Michael and Stella had flaws and stars and they were treated all the same!!

The Maid

March 4, 2024

Have you ever read about a hotel maid, Murder and Deception? Well do I have a book for you! “The Maid” written by Nita Prose is a story of a very trustworthy, loveable maid and a murder that takes you on a wild ride.

Molly Gray loves her job and the consistency that it brings being a maid at the well-known Regency Hotel. Especially with the death of her beloved grandmother. Being able to work at the hotel has helped Molly cope with her loss. However, when Molly finds a high-class and long-term guest Mr.Black dead in his hotel room, she could have never predicted what could have transpired next.

Molly has been one of my favorite characters in a book in a long time. She is the most considerate, kind, and trustworthy person. However, with her hard time understanding people and understanding social cues, on top of her trustworthy nature, she finds herself in a troubling position.

I enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last page. All of the characters had important roles in the storyline whether they were loveable or not. I would highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys a good mystery book!!

The Reckless Oath We Made

April 16, 2020

Loyalty, Love and family are 3 words that come to my mind after reading “The Reckless Oath We Made” A story of Zhorzha or Zee, a young women at the lowest point in her life as she struggles with the recent disappearance of her beloved sister. When a Knight Sir Gentry that has been following her for the past two years shows up and rescues her.The Reckless Oath We Made

This books takes you along as Zee and her Champion Sir Gentry embark on the journey of finding her sister. Between the loyalty that Sir Gentry shows Zee throughout the book, to the love that the two of them develop and the family unit Zee tries to maintain for her nephew. This book is a captivating whirlwind of emotions.

I believe the loyalty that Sir Gentry has towards Zee show his true character. The love that blossoms between these two teaches us to except each other for our strengths and weaknesses. Also just like myself, maintaining a healthy family dynamic is important for both Zee and Sir Gentry

“The Reckless Oath We Made” is romantic, medieval thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat. It is full of twists and turns that will surely not disappoint. As Zee and Sir Gentry sent out to find the LeReigne the truth will be told. From what exactly occurred the night of the prison escape. To truth behind the two sister’s past will be revealed.

 

 

 

 

START UP

March 2, 2020

IMG_20200207_195751_679.jpgMy first thought starting this book is that it will have a predictable ending. A story would be published by the media company and the main character’s business going under. In one way it did and on the other it didn’t. Yes, the young reporter trying to prove to herself and to her boss published a “Breaking News” story. It will just have to be seen how that all play out. Mixed in with inter-generational conflicts and sexual harassment allegations.This book chronicles to the stories of two companies and their employees lives both personally and professionally. One company is a magazine company and the other is a startup app company headed by no other than Mack McAllister. Who is like the biggest guy in the Tech world. It is how these two companies intertwine with each other that is what makes the book interesting.It also touches on the millennial generation and how they are all go getters. They won’t stand around and watch things happen. They will make things happen themselves. As showed by the many Startup companies in this book. Many of them start their own companies since they don’t agree with the way “old fashioned” companies run. Also, this generation will tell it how it is and won’t hide anything. Having the ability of having social media at the tips of your fingers lets you have the ability to let you tell your own story. This could either be a good thing or a bad thing. You can judge for yourself.This story also touches on the very sensitive subject of sexual harassment in the work place. How important it is for the victim to be able to be free and able to tell their story the right way. How people should be picking up and supporting the victims instead of cheering on the often rich and powerful suspect. “Startup” showed women empowerment beautifully in this way.This book was certainly not the deepest book I have ever read. However, it made quite a good few points about the business world and how the world looks at the millennial generation.

Yes, Again Yes

July 27, 2019

“Yes, Again Yes” ~ Mary Beth Keane is a fantastic novel about family, love, trauma and forgiveness

In 1973 Brian Stanhope and Francis Gleasons were rookies in the NYPD and were partners for the first 3 weeks on the job. Both men were newly married and starting families . When Francis suggest to Brian to move the family orient neighborhood in Gillam. He takes him up on his offer.

However, what will happen between the two families when Brian son Peter and Francis youngest daughter Kate becomes best friends and their wives don’t improve?

The intention grows between these two families when the kids are in middle school and the childhood friendship blossoms into something more. After one minor incident where Kate falls and gets hurt. Along with the strange reaction that Kate mother had. Their mothers ban them from seeing each other.

As all star-crossed lovers or rebellious teenagers do. They set a plan to meet each other at midnight that night. It was that night and the events that occurred that night that ultimately ripped these two families apart!

How will these two families ever heal after tragic events from that night? Will these two crazy kids that were in-love ever find each other again and see where that love takes them? Will these families ever be able to forgive?

Mary Beth Keane did a beautiful job writing a family drama novel. Leaving the reader feeling real connections and empathy for each and every character.

From love, heartbreak, grief, to faith and hope this story full of every emotion. It is must read about how family strength .