Okay so here's yet another good not great read. I know it seems that I mostly always post positive reviews for my books. Where's the dirt??...Where's the honesty?? Well the fact is I have been fortunate enough to come across some pretty good stuff. I may have issues with a few things within the book but for the most part there has been nothing that I hate from any book I have read so far. Some books are just okay good...others are absolutely amazing. Still I respect what it takes for an author to write something that they believe in...and I try my best to be honest in a positive way (and sometimes trying really hard to be positive if need be). There is no need to be nasty if I don't like something...and I have not come across one that I have just given up on and stopped reading. (Actually I did that a year ago with Infinite Jest...yeah, I know...everyone that has read it boasts so much for it...I on the other hand was driven completely mad by it and just quit it like a bad boyfriend...I just could not deal anymore..but we'll talk about that later) So with that..here is another book review:

 

I received my copy of the book keep·er: Sydney Keane Series: The Beginning by Laryl Dixon and I was excited to jump right in. With a cover like that how could you not want to??!!...it just kinda screams to be read!! You wanna know about this girl with the super cool glasses and the fiery hair..just so bold and out there smack dab on the cover. A slight whopper of a book at 332 pages. Perfect for a solid read...not too long to be intimidating. And if you noticed, the title states "Series" so it's interesting to see where this book is going...but first we have to get through this one: The Beginning.

Our journey starts with Sydney Keane. Haunted with a terrible past...her childhood...her innocence stripped from her by men in and out of her life...terrible things no girl/woman/human should face..she has become a person hardened by it all and yet ever so determined to seek the happiness she deserves. Sydney is content to be the perfect wife and mother...to overcome her demons and ignore the not so perfect things in her mundane and extremely dysfunctional marriage. However, there is one thing that Sydney will not ever compromise or see as second best and that is the safety and happiness of her child. OMG I almost choked up right now thinking of that...how real that feeling is for a mother....I felt that love in Sydney's character. There is so much going on in this story..in this book. So many "real life" experiences it's amazing and horrifying. The issues of sexual abuse..extra marital affairs...child abandonment...drugs and drinking as ways to cope/and/or forget life's struggles...teen pregnancy....the list goes on. A hard knocks life struggle of a book...I loved that the author was willing to take that story there....I loved seeing a character go through so much with a not so perfect family but still one that truly loved her..struggle and persevere...struggle and persevere. It was all very inspiring at times....but here's why I could not go past 3 stars...(not that I care for star ratings because I don't really)....I had some slight issues with the story. Now now....let me say first, yes I enjoyed the book...the whole story-line had me riveted. I was rooting for Sydney from the start and rooted all the way to the end. I was sad to see the grit and grime of reality put into words on paper. I was horrified to know that atrocities such as the ones presented in this story actually exist in the real world and I am quite impressed that Laryl is not afraid to go there...but, sometimes I had moments where I felt the way I was reading it was so simply put it almost made the issues not seem all that bad......eeeeek!! I don't know if that comes across the way that I mean it...I guess it just seemed to flow in a way that it was like "ok so that happened..that's sad...okay but here's the resolution to it...okay perfect...oh no, another bad moment, can't believe that happened...and great that worked out". I'm not saying that there could not be positive outcomes to disturbing experiences, I'm just saying that in this story it was happening sooooo perfectly. In the real world the scars are well, real..and yes I get that this is a book but since we are discussing the real issues we or rather I, could have used maybe a bit more grit and depth (if that's possible). I think I felt like it was just flowing one right after the other...next thing I know there's a trial and that all went better than expected. Yes sometimes that is life..and maybe I'm just being bitter for the people who's outcomes don't come out all that wonderful. It doesn't mean that I disliked this book. If you want an uplifting feel good at the end kinda read...then trust me this is it. And there are parts of this book that continue to resonate in me...haunt me more like it. I was angry and happy and sad and relieved...a whirlwind of emotions coming out of this reading experience. But did I want more grit and rawness??...yes, personally I did.

This is only "The Beginning" so I am excited to see how it goes with the other books. Sydney Keane is quite the character...I fell in love with her and all the craziness surrounding her life..but also the calm she continues to yearn for in her and her child's life. Actually...and almost forgot to mention, my most fave character was Sydney's always resilient and "moves to the beat of her own drum" grandmother Memaw...OMG that woman had me laughing. I wanted her to be a real life person I know. The role she plays in Sydney's life is a crucial one. It's beautiful..it's uplifting and it goes there....so get the book!! Read the book!! and anticipate the others to follow!!

With much anticipation, I received my FREE copy of this book via giveaway and thanks to the amazing talent Laryl Dixon for making that possible, all in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

The Restoration Of Otto Laird by Nigel Packer

...and another one!! Book review from another book that I read during the Holidays that I had to write a review about. A slow moving read but beautiful in many ways.

So this is the book The Restoration Of Otto Laird by Nigel Packer. Terrible Pic because you can't really see the design of the cover but no matter because I don't even think that is the official one. My copy is an ARC...and I was fortunate enough to be one of the many peeps that got to read it first. It took me a minute to jump right to it....only because I knew the reviews went on about it being slow moving and slow moving is completely okay with me but when you have a house filled with chaos created by kids "slow moving" can sometimes get lost in the world of oblivion and it's quite easy to get disinterested real quick. Did that actually happen??...Almost but not quite.

Here is the story of Otto Laird...living a serene and quiet life in Switzerland with his wife Anika. Once an eccentric architect with an eccentric sense of style he now spends his time writing letters to friends that he never actually mails out. All is well with the world until one day he discovers a building he designed in the 60's is scheduled to be demolished soon. This news prompts a sudden trip to London (in the hopes of saving this building from demolition) and eventually his past...the past having much to do with his first wife Cynthia and his son Daniel. After that it is a whirlwind of dramatic emotions and memories. It's a beautiful read that confronts many issues...many human realities, aging, estrangement, family drama, world (historical) issues, confronting regrets and bad decisions...a slew of raw emotions. The story is deep and poetic but sometimes rather slow.....still, beautiful. 

Did I love the book?? Yes, for the beauty that it is...the depth to which the writing style goes. Love it completely?? No. I found myself wanting more from Otto Laird. A name like that..the description for him initially I wanted more from it. At times I found myself a little bored..the reason for me thinking it was getting a bit slow. The book has potential. It gets into things..the rawness of life...but then it stop short...leaving me yearning for more. It's still a book that is unique in it's tale...beautiful in it's thoughts..but not quite "days later haunting". I wanted it to be...it almost was...but not quite.

Thanks to Nigel Packer and the great peeps at goodreads for making my win of this free ARC possible..all in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave!!

 

A Ghoul's Guide to Love And Murder by Victoria Laurie

I've been a-slackin' but I'm back with a vengeance....A current reading Frenzy and a backlog of books I've already read and have to review!!!

So I've been slacking on the reviews...life gets busy and priorities come first so doing what you love gets put on the back burner. But I have reading goals so I have to find the time..the kids can wait...I hope. YAY to no more annoying holiday events for awhile and no more sick family members puking all over me.  I've read quite a few books and I want to get some reviews put out. Some books I received free via giveaway, some I received via Christmas gift card shopping and some obtained book hauling at my local Goodwill. 

Let's see...first up and one I started and finished a few weeks ago: A Ghoul's Guide to Love and Murder(Ghost Hunter Mystery #10) by Victoria Laurie. I didn't even know there was a #1-9...so I def need to get on that ASAP!! The title called to me. Who wouldn't be intrigued by A Ghoul's Guide To Love And Murder??!! It's sounds genius..and amazing..and totally right up the Dalai Momma's Alley!!

The book arrived for me and my first thoughts: Aaaaaawwwwwwwwwww. Just like the book Daisies for Innocence Cozy Mystery, this one came in the form of a totally cute little mass market paperback pocket book size. Typically I don't like that but for anticipated cozy mysteries I make an exception. It's too adorable looking not to but also super useful to tote along for appointments or road trips...or anywhere else you don't want to lug a full size book around to. So cute size...cute cover...let's hope the story has just the right amount of flair and amazing-ness that the title seems to capture. 

Again, I had no idea that there was a #1-9 so I guess reading what I hear is the last book in the entire series is not the best idea. I might have totally ruined the entire thing for myself. I should have read all the details...but I didn't. I don't think all hope is lost. Actually, I am looking forward to purchasing all the others and do a reading marathon until I get right back to the last one to which I will just have to re-read...there!! problem solved!! and yet another reading goal!! And I know just when to do it....duh, Spring Break is fast approaching. Now I'll have something to keep me sane while dealing with 4 bratty screaming, always fighting kids for an entire freakin' week. But until then....I have read the book and what I get from it I like...even if it is the very last one in the entire series. 

So I kinda consider this something like a preview to what is to come. Yes backwards...but even though I figured out it was the last book I did not want to not read it..and I refused to wait. I wanted to dive in because it intrigued me so much. I love a good cozy mystery!! I'm giving nothing away because of this though...I can't even begin to say what I think of the book because I have not read all the others. I will say this...I loved the writing style...I love the characters. I loved the story line. It's a Kooky fun and quick read and I absolutely look forward to reading all the others!!! (and starting all over again with this one)

Other reviewers praise the entire series...and from what I get from this book I would more than likely agree. I consider my mistake of reading the last book in an entire series as just a preview of what I should be expecting. I am on a reading mission to get all the others...and come right back and review the entire lot of them. In the meantime I completely recommend this book. Not in the way that I read it...(get the other books first) but still I can assure you if they are anything like this one then it is worth it to get all the others. A great well written book...a quick read. My only regret is that I was not a part of the exciting loyal Ghost Hunter Mystery bandwagon...I had no clue these amazing books were out there for me to enjoy!!

A super huge thanks to the always wonderful peeps over at goodreads and Victoria Laurie for making my win possible...received this lovely in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave!!

BEASTS: 16 More Weird Stories by Brendan Detzner

So I had been anticipating this book Beasts: 16 More Weird Stories by Brendan Detzner ever since I signed up in the hopes to win a giveaway copy. Eagerly anticipating...overjoyed when it finally arrived, I rushed through my other commitments so I could get right into this book. It was such a quick read....breezed right through all 146 pages..and that includes re-reading a few stories. WTF...I mean seriously WTF did I just read??!! I am talking straight up twilight zone stuff. New age twilight zone stuff. These are not your typical horror genre stories...this is weirdness. The kind of weirdness that haunts you..the kind of weirdness that had me realizing on several occasions that my mouth was left wide open and my body was kind of rigid and frozen and again with that thought "WTF??". Was I anticipating this?? I'm not sure...I don't know what I was thinking. I guess when I saw "weird stories" I went right with horror and the scare factor that comes with it. This is different than that...abstract...sometimes sci-fi scary..and I loved it. 

It's a collection of short stories..odder and odder as you go along reading. A few stories I read right through them with a reaction of "what just happened??" A few I was kinda laughing maniacally and thinking "Is this craziness??.genius?? I love it" But I will say, there were moments that I had to go back and re-read because I would find myself engrossed in a story..then find myself in that "I'm totally lost" realm. Thinking, "did I just skip something here..miss something??" and then the confusion set in..and with Brendan's books it's easy to get confused if you miss something just because the stories are so unique. Some stories seemed to veer off...giving the effect that I skipped a paragraph or a page even. I felt that because of that the stories needed a bit more to them. I am not sure if anyone else had that same issue and if not then maybe I just did not get the story or how it should be read. And for some they were a riot to read. I mean come on, Sasquatch and Chupacabra..WTF??!! (please someone share with me your take on that tale). Ooooh oooh, I loved I-65, A Day And Two Nights When I was Twenty, and Spirits of the Wind (most fave). Good, solid, gave me chills, pulled the blankets a little bit more over my head, bizarre feeling feels.

Can we talk about the cover for a second??!! How unique..and odd..and creative and cult classic-ish. Night time...a street light blaring in the background (what's with street lamps and their way of making things appear extra creepy??) this huge dark 2 story house...with all kinds of STUFFED ANIMALS nailed to the outside walls and windows. CREEPY...like blaring child molester/murder creepy...like a killer clown probably resides there creepy. Like, "I want to know what's going on there and also I totally don't". My 7 year happened a glance upon it and gave a look of both dread and curiosity, flat out saying "Mom, why do you have that book??" The kid was freaked out..and that's just over a cover pic!! Buuahahaha!! I like the size of the book...the flip-floppiness of the book...the font size...the story notes.

Overall I would say this is a book that I could see as a cult classic hit if only for a few tweaks. Creepy...odd...Twilight Zone meets Rocky Horror Picture Show meets that weird house in the neighborhood that is shrouded in mystery and urban legends. This is a great short story read. A book you can enjoy in one sitting...haunting..at least a story or two is going to stay with you well after reading it.
Thanks to Brendan Detzner and the peeps over at Librarything for making my request for this book possible....via giveaway free in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

Also wanted to mention that this book was not the book I actually requested and was sent email that I would be receiving. That book was Scarce Resources: 18 Weird Stories, but it had been awhile and since I had received nothing I decided to make mention of it. Soon enough (which I was most appreciative about) Brendan Detzner responded to me right away via email apologizing for the issue and totally redeeming himself (which he did not have to do) by sending me BEASTS (signed) and 2 other books!! I love that about authors..when they go out of their way for their reading peeps!! So that's a big kudos to me in my book (no pun intended) and wanted to give props to Mr. Detzner for that.

The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher

Chock full of information..interesting..and had me amazed

aaah...the feel of a book...the velvety feel

I was very intimidated to read this book. Not sure what I was getting into and it being a whopper of a book at 448 pages..not to mention that it is classified as non-fiction (I always get a little intimidated to read anything non-fiction). Still I was very intrigued...very much drawn in to the subject that has anything to do with the great Harry Houdini. From beginning to end I was enthralled. I hardly ever read a 400+ page book in just a few days but I did with this one because it was so good...so much information...so much history...so much story behind it. I didn't have time to read this book when ever I could...BUT I made the time. I love books that grip me that much It's what I love about reading...finding something so engrossing...so captivating...so informative.

Also intrigued by the roaring 1920's this book gives me all the details of the time...but more so when it came to the psychic world...the invention(??) of a new way of communicating with deceased loved ones...spiritual realms, if there is one. OH...OOOH and this book is not just about Harry Houdini like I first thought. This book starts with a rich history of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle..the writer of the amazing Sherlock Holmes character and stories. I don't even want to give anything away about what the psychic world has to do with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and how the lives of his and Houdini's intertwined. One thing I will say, is they both loved their mothers..fiercely and in different ways they were the force and inspiration for who they were and why. And we are talking about The Witch of Lime Street so there is more to this story than Houdini or Sir Conan Doyle..there is another just as intriguing person a part of this time that is just as amazing and intriguing. So much rich history in this book. Just an amazing and wonderful read. Difficult, yes, when you consider that there is so much information..when you consider the era and the mystery around it especially if you are not familiar with it. But worth it, ABSOLUTELY. You will not be bored by this book!!

From the vibrant cover to the interesting contents inside this is a wonderful read. (Did I mention it has deckled edges for that added "old world" look...No...well it has deckled edges and that goes perfect with velvety feel, the rich dark coloring of the cover...the mysterious look of the book just as mysterious looking on the outside as it is on the inside) I learned many things...and am intrigued to know even more if that is even possible.

I received this book thankfully to the peeps at bloggingforbooks for honoring my request..to http://davidjaher/ for writing such a great read..and for it all being made possible for me to receive free in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

Daisies For Innocence (Book One of the Enchanted Garden Mystery Series) by Bailey Cattrell

Totally fun and suspenseful cozy mystery!!

An adorable Mass Paperback Cozy Mystery

So I received my gorgeous little copy of the book Daisies For Innocence by Bailey Cattrell and I was so excited to get right to it. I love a good cozy mystery especially during the cold rainy holiday vacation where I have the time and attention to snuggle in the blankets and focus on reading. Yes, my lazy butt will use any excuse or no excuse to read but what joy when there is an actual excuse. The kids don't go to school...they can't go outside to play if it's cold and raining and the hubby doesn't expect me to step out for anything. What's there to do??....READ!! And this book has been quite enjoying.

This is Book One in the Enchanted Garden Mystery Series. The story starts with Ellie, a citizen of the Poppyville community that owns and runs a gorgeous cozy garden/cottage style shop called "Scents and Nonsense" that specializes in handmade perfumes...scented candles..therapeutic essential oils and whipped up batches of aromatic body soaps/scrubs. Newly divorced she is settling into the life that she has made for herself within her very own hometown (the quaint little scenic Poppyville town). All appears well until a part-time employee of hers, Josie, ends up murdered right at the gates of her beautiful garden property right at the entrance to the public Boardwalk. A whole slew of mess ensues. Ellie becomes suspect #1, all of this happening just before and because she found out that her ex-husband (the arrogant self centered Harris) and Josie had been dating for quite some time, her ex husbands best friend (the biased jerkface Lang) is the detective heading this murder case and he is none too fond of Ellie, Ellie falling for a friends brother (the very gorgeous and athletic, nature loving Ritter), her eccentric best friend Astrid and Ellie's lovable pet Corgie Dash, by her side through out this entire ordeal, finding out that the victim had a very shady past...knew some very seedy people...all of this and some while she is on the hunt to find out who really killed this woman and why. A great suspenseful, fun read..I breezed right through all 336 pages in just a few sittings. I was entertained thoroughly by all the characters in this book and there are plenty. I was wondering and guessing to the end..and overall I simply had a lot of fun reading this.

 

What's more beside a fun story-line, I really enjoyed the added touches to this book..at the end there is a section devoted to Aromatherapy and Recipes...how freakin' adorable is that??!! A recipe for Astrid's Chewy Double Chocolate Chunk Hazelnut cookies....yum!! Aromatherapy tips and blends...quite unique!! And then.....AND THEN a sampler to the next read in the Magical Bakery Mystery Series, Brownies and Broomsticks...intriguing!!

As far as looks go the cover is typical of every cozy mystery...vibrant fun cover. I especially loved this one. Just a beautiful little book. Mass Market Paperback...didn't even bother me because it was such an adorable little book. Easy fit so I could tote the book anywhere I went which is just what I did because I really wanted to get through the entire thing.

I really enjoyed this read. Just right for a quick suspenseful fun book. Nothing too serious...and definitely a great book to take along for vacations...a quick trip to the park...waiting at appointments..or snuggling up at home. Anticipating jumping right into book TWO!!

I received my copy of this adorable book via giveaway FREE in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave!!