Review: Totally Killer

Totally Killer by Greg Olear is the story of Taylor Schmidt, a 23 year old from Missouri who came to New York in search of her fortune. But this is set in 1991, where unemployment was the norm – especially for a recent college graduate with a meager resume. The narrator, Todd Lander (who is Taylor’s roommate), takes us back to 1991 to tell the story of Taylor’s final months. That’s right, I said final months. Poor Taylor is dead.

Taylor spends a lot of time in employment agencies trying to find the perfect job. Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot out there for her. When a post card for the Quid Pro Quo agency turns up in her mail, a desperate Taylor decides to give it a shot. The agency finds Taylor the perfect job – but the repayment is…totally killer. Taylor gets sucked right into the game. This book combines a murder mystery (how did Taylor die!? Who killed her?!) with conspiracy theory. It is intriguing in a way that makes you not want to go to work and keep reading.

While I never thought too much about the 90’s (especially 1991 – I was 12!), it was awesome to hear about it. Olear obviously did his research – or just vividly remembers the early 90’s! The slacker mentality, the ‘fashion,’ the music, all comes alive with his descriptions. The characters and the conspiracies keep you tied into this quick moving story.

If you are looking for a fun read – this book is Totally Killer, dude!!

Review: The Ice Chorus

The quote on the cover of The Ice Chorus by Sarah Stonich was the first thing that hooked me. “Any woman who ever had her heart cracked open by a man should read The Ice Chorus.” Wow, right??

The Ice Chorus is a story about Lise, a woman who is finding herself. She married young, and married the wrong man. While life with her husband hasn’t been horrible – she has a wonderful son – it hasn’t been happy or filled with love. While in Mexico, Lise meets another man – a man who changes everything.

The story is set in Ireland, where Lise goes to find herself and reexamine her life. It tells the story of her marriage, her affair, and even parts of her childhood through flashbacks. This story is so vivid – you can smell the salt in the air, you can see the sunset off the beaches of Mexico. There are so many different kinds of relationships, mother and son, husband and wife, new love, friendship, and each one is believable. The characters are so strong and every one is important to the movement of the story.

I don’t think you need to have had your heart cracked open to read and appreciate this novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good love story.

Thank you so much to Sarah Stonich for sending me a copy of this book!!!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to...

Rebekah!!!!

I've sent you an email for you to send me your snail mail address!! Congrats - I hope you love this book, too!!!

I have a couple reviews in the works right now! I just finished an amazing novel called The Ice Chorus by Sarah Stonich, and am in the middle of a thriller called Totally Killer by Greg Olear. I can't wait to get those reviews up for you - so keep your eyes out!!!

Thanks again for reading!!!

Review and Giveaway: Legacy

So, I have to be honest… I wasn’t 100% sure about reading a coming-of-age historical fantasy novel written by a 16 year old. But, seriously, Legacy by Cayla Kluver blew me away!!

Princess Alera is fast approaching her 18^th birthday, at which she must choose a suitor who will eventually take over the throne of the Kingdom of Hytanica. If she is unable to find a suitable match based on love, then her father, King Adrik, has already chosen someone to step up to that task. Unfortunately, the chosen match, Steldor, is arrogant and egotistical, and definitely not Alera’s idea of a good husband.

Another man enters Princess Alera’s life. Narian, a young man who was raised in the rival kingdom of Cokyri, comes to Hytanica. While the people of Hytanica believe that men are superior to women, and men serve in roles of power, the people of Cokyri believe that women are superior. Narian shows Princess Alera a different way of thinking, and different possibilities for life. Alera starts to question her duty.

You would never guess that this story came from a 16 year old (well, she was 14 when she wrote it!!! WOW!!!). The writing is so eloquent and the story flows from the first page. I didn’t want to put it down, and I REALLY didn’t want it to end. The characters were so well developed, I felt like I knew them. All of the supporting characters had distinct personalities and roles in moving the story along. The description of the kingdom and the castle, the market place and the scenery was very vivid. I do have to warn you, though… Legacy is the first book in a trilogy. I, for one, can’t wait for the second book to come out, and I know this book will leave you pining to know what happens next. Definitely check this one out!!

And to get you a little more excited, I've decided to do a giveaway!! Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win!! All you need to do is leave a valid email address (if you don't, your comment will be deleted, and you won't be entered!!). Oh, and blog about this contest (and leave a separate comment with the link to your post) and receive an extra entry!! The contest will run through Sunday, October 11, and I'll pick a winner on Monday, October 12!! Good luck, everyone!!!

Review: The Sky Isn't Visible From Here

I have only recently started reading memoirs and jumping into other people’s lives. I really enjoy that peek into someone else’s childhood, someone else’s thoughts, someone else’s existence. My latest memoir experience led me deep into a world of a mother daughter relationship and an emotional tale of the demons of addiction.

The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here, a memoir by Felicia C. Sullivan, is not an easy autobiography to read. It was so powerful, and even though I have never experienced addiction, I found myself drawn into the world and unable to let go of the story. It is a story about addiction, and dealing with all of that, but it is also a tale about how a mother can influence their child’s life and decisions – even into adulthood. Felicia mixes memories of her childhood dealing with her mother who struggled with an addiction to cocaine, with stories from her own adulthood and addictions. She writes with such passion and detail, it’s hard not to feel a part of the story.

All in all, this autobiography touched me in a way that I wasn’t prepared for. I can only imagine what it would do for someone who has actually dealt with the horrors of addiction. If you like memoirs, or even if you don’t, I highly recommend this book.

And the winner is...

Congratulations to...

GEORGE!!!

I've sent you an email requesting your snail mail address!!!

Thanks again to everyone who entered!! I promise to have more giveaways soon!!

**Winner chosen using Random.org Sequence Generator.

Retail Question of the Day and Giveaway reminder!

So, you might remember a time when I used to post Library Question of the Day. Well, I decided it's time to start incorporating that into the Retail Question of the Day. I mean, there are some questions that get asked in the retail world that are just as...um...interesting as in the library world, right? And who am I to deprive my readers of these very important questions.

So, here is the Retail Question of the Day:

Lady Shopper: So, these say "footless." Does that mean they are footless?
A Real Librarian: Uh...yes, that means they are footless.

Yeah. Great question. ANYWAY... I just wanted to remind y'all I have a giveaway going right now!! So far there are only 3 comments!!! Please, if you haven't entered, you totally should!! And, you should spread the word. In fact, I'll sweeten the pot a little - you'll get an extra entry if you post a SEPARATE comment on that review and giveaway post telling me you blogged about this giveaway - and posting a link to your blog post! Awesome, right? And, as always, remember to include a valid email address where I can get in touch with you - I wouldn't want you to miss out because I couldn't reach you!! Good luck!!!