Domestic Affairs by Bridget Siegel

When twenty-something political fundraiser Olivia Greenley is recruited by her close friend Jacob Harriston to join the Presidential campaign of Georgia Governor Landon Taylor, she is intoxicated by optimism and opportunity. Taylor’s commitment to social equality and economic responsibility in the post-housing-bubble era is palpable. Sacrificing her sleep, comfort and income are certain to help make the world a better place. Right? 

Domestic Affairs: A Campaign Novel vividly captures the fervor and idealism of campaign life—as well as the disillusionment staffers feel when told to make the inevitable compromises. Leaving a meeting with foreclosure victims to hop onto a private jet is one thing, but how to justify dining at a $2,000-a-plate dinner knowing how many lunches the money could buy for at-risk kids? How far does one go when the ends appear to justify the means? And what’s a girl to do when the most charming, erudite, capable and ostensibly honorable man in the free world wants to take her to bed (but he’s married and her boss)? How does it feel to keep the biggest secret of her life from her best friend and coworker, even as the three of them spend every waking hour together? The tension between characters, right and wrong, and between success and implosion are taut.

Domestic Affairs isn't my normal cup of tea simply because I don't like to read stories steeped in politics.  But, the synopsis sounded promising and I thought I'd give it a go.  I have to be honest and say I was pleasantly surprised on how well I enjoyed Domestic Affairs.  Siegel has a brilliant way of writing that kept me entranced with the story. 

The three main characters, Olivia, Jacob and Landon aren't by any means complex characters.  I liked them, but I didn't love them.  It's the plot, the suspense and why people do what they do that kept me riveted.  I soon found myself reluctant to put the book aside for other important things, like sleep.  I enjoyed getting a closer look at how a campaign runs.  Again, I didn't love the characters, but I wanted to know what motivates them to do what they do - it's amazing, really.  If you enjoy romance, suspense and a splash of politics, pick up Domestic Affairs! 

Bridget Siegel, author of Domestic Affairs: A Campaign Novel, has worked on political campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. A graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, she is now an actor, writer, and political consultant. She lives in New York City.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bristol House by Beverly Swerling

In modern-day London, architectural historian and recovering alcoholic Annie Kendall hopes to turn her life around and restart her career by locating several long-missing pieces of ancient Judaica. Geoff Harris, an investigative reporter, is soon drawn into her quest, both by romantic interest and suspicions about the head of the Shalom Foundation, the organization sponsoring her work. He’s also a dead ringer for the ghost of a monk Annie believes she has seen at the flat she is subletting in Bristol House.

In 1535, Tudor London is a very different city, one in which monks are being executed by Henry VIII and Jews are banished. In this treacherous environment of religious persecution, Dom Justin, a Carthusian monk, and a goldsmith known as the Jew of Holborn must navigate a shadowy world of intrigue involving Thomas Cromwell, Jewish treasure, and sexual secrets. Their struggles shed light on the mysteries Annie and Geoff aim to puzzle out—at their own peril.

This riveting dual-period narrative seamlessly blends a haunting supernatural thriller with vivid historical fiction. Beverly Swerling, widely acclaimed for her City of Dreams series, delivers a bewitching and epic story of a historian and a monk, half a millennium apart, whose destinies are on a collision course.

Bristol House starts with Annie Kendall being hired to look for the man who distributed Jewish artifacts in France and Germany in Tudor times; these were rumored to have been taken by the Templar Knights from Jerusalem.  Annie sees a ghost of a monk (Dom Justin) in her rented apartment.  He is identical to a man she has just met, Geoff Harris.  At first she doesn’t want anything to do with the ghost, but as her search for the artifacts continues she realizes he is helping her find them. 

Dom Justin tells his story from “The Waiting Place”.  He tells of spying for Thomas Cromwell on the monks in his order; of how he met and helped Giacomo the Lombard and his daughter Rebecca.  Dom Justin also tells of how he fell in love with Rebecca and in one moment of weakness gave way to his feelings.  When Thomas Cromwell finds out about this betrayal he orders the executions of all three.  They go on the run and hide in the tunnels where the Templar Knights hid their treasures.  We find out from Dom Justin and Giacomo that what happened in Tudor times affects what happens in modern day. 

Annie and Geoff work with his mother (Maggie) and her friend Rabbi Simon Cohen.  They were code breakers during WWII.  With their help Annie and Geoff find the clues to a mystery that is 500 years old.  During this time Annie also finds the strength and happiness that she has always needed.  I’m hoping that Beverly Swerling will do a prequel to this book.  I would love to see Maggie and Simon’s story! 

Bristol House is a great book and a wonderful ride, I loved it!!!  What started out as a search for these artifacts turns into a great suspense thriller/murder mystery, with a bit of a ghost story, historical fiction and romance woven in for good measure.  

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Stephanie

The Sword Dancer (Tang Dynasty #4) by Jeannie Lin

The Sword Dancer is the third romance by Jeanne Lin that I have read.  While it was my least favorite of the three, it was still a fascinating look inside Chinese culture, as well as a well-written romance. 

Zheng Hao Han is a thief catcher during the Tang Dynasty.  This is not entirely an honorable profession.  He is seen more along the lines of a garbage man than a law enforcement officer.  Raised in a family with a government official for a father, law and order is important to Han and though he is unable to rise to the same rank as his father, Han desires to uphold the law.  He has just dealt with a famous outlaw named Two Dragon Lo and he is now after a sword dancer.  Li Feng, a graceful and beautiful dancer, is an outlaw who is seeking some justice of her own.  Her family has been taken from her, and she has no intention of allowing herself to be captured by Han or any of the other thief-catchers in her trail.

Li Feng is involved in the theft of some priceless jade, and Han is determined to bring her to justice.  Unfortunately for him, he is compelled by her strength, wit, and beauty. The majority of the conflict between Han and Li Feng is centered on her willingness to break the law and Han’s desire to keep the law.  He has difficulty overcoming his sense of honor, and his unwillingness to let criminals get away with their crimes keeps the tension between these two characters taut.  I was not sure at all how they were ever going to come to a meeting of the minds.  The tension between the two of them was constant and seemingly insurmountable.  It is a testament to Lin’s writing abilities that I believed that the two characters would never overcome their attitudes and get their happy ending.  Both Li Feng and Han are well-drawn characters that behave in ways that you would expect, and they do not gloss over their differences.

In their search for justice, other crimes are uncovered involving salt, theft, and murder.  I had a bit of trouble keeping the characters straight (I always do!) but the conflict was a plausible one, and uncovering the identity of the true bad guys was fun.  Not that it was a high mystery, but it was fun to figure out.  There was also quite a bit of description of action scenes—scaling walls, swordplay, and graceful leaps from roof to roof.  Lin did a good job describing this in such a way that I could actually visualize the action.

One of the other things that Lin does well is to create a slow simmer between her romantic couple.  There are no fast marriages or beddings in her books.  The characters are kept apart (sometimes painfully), and the romance only moves along when the characters are ready to do so.  This is quite refreshing to read, and it is one of the reasons like Lin’s books so much.

My only quibble with the book is the political story line.  I found that I did not care so much about it, and I only wanted to get back to the interaction between the characters. Supporting characters were fun, but they were not the focus.  I would like to read more about Li Feng’s brother.  Maybe in another book?  Hint hint!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Regina

The Art of Wishing (The Art of Wishing #1) by Lindsay Ribar

He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.

Margo McKenna has a plan for just about everything, from landing the lead in her high school play to getting into a good college. So when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the chance to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Why should she put her life into someone else's hands?

But Oliver is more than just a genie -- he's also a sophomore at Margo's high school, and he's on the run from a murderer. As he and Margo grow closer, she discovers that it will take more than three wishes to save him.

A whole lot more.

 I really enjoyed reading this book; I thought the author did a really good job writing this story. I love to read young adult stories and I think this will be a really good book for young adults who like fantasy stories. I loved the Twilight series and I think The Art of Wishing is just as good as those books.

When I was reading the story about Margo I could picture myself in her shoes and having to go through things and make decisions like she did. I really loved reading this book; every time I opened it up to read it I would get lost in the story and I would lose track of time. 

I like how the genie in the book looked like a human being and not like most genies do on TV or how they are portrayed in other books; I also loved how Lindsay Ribar made the genie more interesting than him just being able to grant wishes.  I thought that was a great twist to the story.

 I would love to read more of Ribar’s stories, I think she will be a great author. I think this would be a great book for adults to read as well as young adults. I give The Art of Wishing an “A+.”

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Tiffany

A Man of Indeterminate Value by Ron Felber Review & Giveaway

In a world plagued by corrupt corporations and sinister forces that prowl the global landscape, John "Jack" Madson seeks salvation from deep within the man he is today and the man he aspires to be. In the tradition of Raymond Chandler, John Grisham, and Michael Connelly, this crime fiction series launches with three noir thrillers bristling with authenticity, insight, and social commentary.

From the boardrooms of Wall Street, to the steamy backstreets of Bangkok, to the secret Triads of Shanghai, award-winning author Ron Felber, originator of the FOX television series The Mob Doctor, takes his reader into the violent, surreal, and sex-crazed underbelly of 21st century America, the "empire in decline." Witty, riveting, and diabolically clever, the heart-pounding pace, exotic locales, and unforgettable characters make the "Jack Madson" series a welcomed innovation within the genre of crime fiction.

 A Man of Indeterminate Value (Book 1), introduces ex-cop Jack Madson as a disgraced Wall Street take-over artist and target of a failed suicide scam that leaves him the "most wanted" man in the Garden State of NJ. Madson is on a personal mission to take on corporate forces hell-bent on his destruction as they seek to IPO game-changing bio-medical technology to the Street worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

A Man of Indeterminate Value caught me from the first page and didn't let go.  It begins with Jack begging for sanctuary in a church and then beginning to write down his confession - before his death is proven accidental.  From there, the reader is given the guts of what has transpired and then it picks up where Jack is until a energizing ending.

Jack isn't a character I could connect with, he's a real jackass, truth be told.  But all life is valuable and Jack figures his has to be worth something.  He hates his job, hates his wife and he hates all of the debt he's accumulated - so he decides to fake his own death.  He figures he can get to Mexico and get the money he's been saving from selling intellect to China.  There, he can start a new life.  What he doesn't anticipate is his partner double crossing him.

Now, Jack tries to lay low and get back to the states and get more info to double his would-be money.  But, his partner is still after him and he won't be satisfied until Jack is really dead.  A fast-paced page-turner with compelling characters and nail-biting scenes, A Man of Indeterminate Value is one that I could easily see as a movie.  It has all of the key elements and includes a birds eye view of corporate greed, which gives the novel relevance in today's society.  If you're looking for a gritty thriller, pick this one up! 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Barefoot in the Sun (Barefoot Bay #3) by Roxanne St. Claire

When running is all you've ever known . . . 

Caught between fight and flight, Zoe Tamarin has always picked flight. Since she was rescued from a nightmare childhood by her great-aunt Pasha, they've been on the move, never staying in one place long enough to risk exposing their precarious past. But now that they've reached the sun-baked shores of Barefoot Bay, Zoe may have to stay and fight--for her aunt's life . . . and for a love she ran from years before.

Sometimes the bravest act of all is to stand still.

Oliver Bradbury came to Florida to start over, as both a doctor and a father to his eight-year-old son. He never expected life to hand him a second chance with the woman he lost years ago--but one look at Zoe Tamarin and he knows he'll do whatever it takes to prove that this time, he can be the man she needs. But when demands of family and friendship threaten to shatter their rekindled passion, Oliver must heal Zoe's lifelong wounds with more than hot kisses . . . but will that be enough to keep her from flying off with his heart?

 I started reading this book and I was a little lost in the story. I know there are two other books in this series, so I had a hard time trying to figure out who was who in the story. I also had a hard time finishing the book, but after a few days I made myself sit and finish the last 70 pages in one sitting.  I didn't really enjoy the story, but if someone is reading the series and into the stories then I think this would be a good book for the readers to read. 

But if a reader has never read the first two books in the series then it would be hard to start the third book and be able to understand what is going on.  I'd really suggest reading the first two books, first.  I think this is a good romance book for those readers who like the stories and the series. I think Roxanne St. Claire is a pretty gifted author I just think she should try writing other types of novels as well as the romance books.  I would like to see Mrs. St. Claire write other stories and I would be willing to read those as well. Overall I give this book a “B-.”

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Tiffany

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

Love in Bloom 

Giveaway Hop

Featuring Lighthearted/Contemporary Young Adult Romance

& Sweet, Clean Adult Romance

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Portrait of a Book

May 16th to 22nd

I'm offering a Kindle copy of Sweet Oblivion by Bailey Ardisone!

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May New Release Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the May New Release Giveaway Hop hosted by Book Twirps & Refracted Light Reviews! All blogs on the hop will have a book giveaway that releases in May!

I'm offering a copy of  Impostor by Susanne Winnacker!

Release Day is May 23, 2013

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Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol (The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries #6) by Gyles Brandreth

In OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL, the sixth in Gyles Brandreth's acclaimed Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries series featuring Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle, Reading Gaol's most famous prisoner is pitted against a ruthless and fiendishly clever serial killer. 

It is 1897, Dieppe. Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright, novelist, raconteur and ex-convict, has fled the country after his release from Reading Gaol. Tonight he is sharing a drink and the story of his cruel imprisonment with a mysterious stranger. He has endured a harsh regime: the treadmill, solitary confinement, censored letters, no writing materials. Yet even in the midst of such deprivation, Oscar's astonishing detective powers remain undiminished - and when first a brutal warder and then the prison chaplain are found murdered, who else should the governor turn to for help other than Reading Gaol's most celebrated inmate?

In this, the latest novel in his acclaimed Oscar Wilde murder mystery series, Gyles Brandreth takes us deep into the dark heart of Wilde's cruel incarceration.

In the latest installment of the Oscar Wilde novels, and the last, Brandreth outdoes himself with such a stellar novel!    

Oscar Wilde tells his tale of what happened while he was incarcerated in the prison of Reading Gaol for just over two years.  In fact, everything that transpires is gritty and gripping.  I couldn't stop turning the pages, so enthralled was I with Wilde's story - one he tells after his release.

While he's spending his time, Wilde's clever detective skills are put to use when a warden and a chaplain are found murdered.   But what I found the most riveting is the change in Wilde's character.  He really gives us, the reader, an indepth look into what he's thinking.  Being silence, when he's used to speaking whenever he wanted and how, not to mention that there is next to no humor in between these pages, it's clear that Wilde faces some of his own fears and humanity.   I'm sad to see the series end, but if this is, indeed, the last one, Brandreth did Wilde proud.  Excellent writing and character depiction. If you enjoy this series, you won't want to miss this one.  It's the best of the series! I can't praise this book enough!! 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard Review & Giveaway

"Nothing ever changes at Wauregan.” That mystique is the tradition of the idyllic island colony off the shore of Long Island, the comforting tradition that its summer dwellers have lived by for over half a century. But in the summer of 1948, after a world war has claimed countless men—even those who came home—the time has come to deal with history’s indelible scars.

Helen Wadsworth’s husband, Arthur, was declared missing in action during an OSS operation in France, but the official explanation was mysteriously nebulous. Now raising a teenage son who longs to know the truth about his father, Helen turns to Frank Hartman—her husband’s best friend and his partner on the mission when he disappeared. Frank, however, seems more intent on filling the void in Helen’s life that Arthur’s absence has left. As Helen’s affection for Frank grows, so does her guilt, especially when Peter Gavin, a handsome Marine who was brutally tortured by the Japanese and has returned with a faithful war dog, unexpectedly stirs new desires. With her heart pulled in multiple directions, Helen doesn’t know whom to trust—especially when a shocking discovery forever alters her perception of both love and war.

Helen is a strong character and I struggled  and became anxious right along with her as the story progressed. Set right after WWII, the men are coming home and trying to get used to civilian living again.  They can't share the horrors of war with their wives because it just wasn't something to discuss.  They just wanted to fit back into their lives and appear normal.  The wives tried to empathize with their husbands and understand, but not knowing the realities of what they endured makes it very challenging.

For Helen, her husband hasn't come home.  He's not dead, he's missing in action.  I can't imagine trying to come to terms with that.  A Certain Summer is set in a small town.  Growing up in one myself, I know how much privacy you really have.  Really none at all, someone always knows your business.  And in the town of Wauregan, it's not much different. 

Helen's husband's best friend, Frank, wants to fill the void that Helen's husband, Arthur, left.  While she can appreciate some of the stories of her husband that Frank shares with her teenage son, she also begins to have feelings for him, even though she also is filled with guilt.  That's not to mention the handsome Marine, Peter, who also vies for her affection.

Love story, yes, but also an emotionally filled journey that is filled with intricate details that held this reader riveted.  The characters are compelling and memorable and if you read just one book this summer, read A Certain Summer.  A captivating tale that I highly recommend!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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