Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 141

Dog Is My Copilot by Patrick Regan

This wasn't what I was expecting. For some reason, I thought it would be really heartwarming stories about pilots and their dogs. (Yes, I know, I got so excited, I didn't read the blurb thoroughly. Actually, there wasn't that extensive a blurb at first.) Well, the stories are heartwarming, but told in a way that made me think of a really long magazine article.

Though taken aback, I still consider it a very good read. It's not about pilots and their dogs, however, but about Pilots N Paws. There is a network of dog rescue crews on the ground and in the air. PNP consists of pilots that donate their time, their gas, their planes, their flight hours to make sure dog reach potential adoptive home across the country


The first 18 percent was just about the origins of the group. I started losing interest there.. I wanted the dog stories. We finally get them and they're sad and happy. There's a dog who was hit by a train, military service dogs suffering cancer and getting a Veteran's Day honor, dog that crap and pee all over the pilot's plane, a misunderstood herd dog. 


Thanks to PNP, however, the dogs got happy homes. There's also a chapter dedicated to the New Orleans dogs that had to be transported out and there's a pilot who uses snaked as neck warmers. Yep, he transports them too. Pretty interesting.


Some of the stories will make you cry at the abuse these animals have suffered, but in the end you turn the last page with smile, glad there is an organization such as PNP.


Four stars. I got this from netgalley.

Six Sentence Saturday

This Saturday's sentences are from Pugnacious, the second tale in Dog Tails: Three Humorous Short Stories for Dog Lovers.


Crystal was crying, a very unattractive skill that humans have. I'm thankful my face doesn't go into those wet convulsions and color changes. In her defense, however, she did rush to help me up. I have been called a cockroach on more than one occasion when I struggled to regain my fours from lying on my back. It's a difficult feat. My paws were waving in the air ineffectually until Crystal bent over to help me.

She Wore Only White by Dorthe Binkert

A very unusual book...think Love Boat in 1904 and take away the humor. 

You have a group of people thrown together on a ship. Love blooms, promises are broken, secrets are revealed. And the most fascinating thing of all and what makes this book quite incredible is that was inspired by a newspaper article of a woman stowaway in a white evening gown. This is how this story was born. "Every one deserves a story."


Valentina is fleeing a very unhappy life. Imagine being drive away from your home, you husband, you money, all that is familiar to board a ship one night, no luggage, no money, no ties.


On this ship, many stories besides hers  unfold. Henri...is a disturbed man whore of sorts. I didn't like him. I found him disturbing. From desire his father's mistress to his memories of Lisette to his replacing Lisette with Billie and him just basically thinking about every woman on the boat. He was weird. 


Billie a 1904 type tramp/mistress. William the cheater who wants to have it all. There's a disturbing brother/sister relationship and numerous other couples just give brief but insightful insight into what relations were between men and women back then.


Though told through alternating POVs, interviews, and flashbacks, the story didn't lose a beat. I was quite entertained by the interviews and sadly disappointed when they disappeared toward the end of the novel.


Well done, but I didn't like Henri, thought there was WAY too little of the most fascinating character on board: Lily, and didn't once buy into the immediate LOVE between Valentina and Thomas.


Four stars. I got this from Amazon Vine.

The Last Song by Eva Wiseman

This was a surprisingly quick read, not due to length, but the fact that one can't really put it down. It's fast paced, to the point, rich in history.

The Spanish Inquisition is wreaking havoc all over Spain. Isabella doesn't quite understand why. She just knows it's because of the Jews, and she's been taught they are horrible people. Imagine her surprised when she finds out that she's one of them. Her father, the court physician, is a descendant of Jews... The story unfolds, revealing to the reader the desire of a young girl to find her roots, honor her family, and that you can't believe everything you hear. 


In times of peril, you find out who your real friends are...as is the case for Isabella and her family. Some will shun them, some will aid them, love can be found or destroyed.


Though engaged to a Spanish noble, Isabella's heart is with a Jew. Will she be allowed to make a choice, or will the Inquisition make it for her? A letter can determine their fate.


Quibbles: 1. I was a bit put off by the fact the family owns slaves, especially after they speak of their own people being enslaved. 2. The family and Isabella are at times, TSTL. I mean, really, you think you're in the clear once you hand over that letter? And Isabella's mother.. I hated her, really. "Let's go to my sister's even though she slammed the door on our face...????" And her father, what kind of father lets his daughter risk her life for him? That really raised my eyebrows. 


Despite that, it was a very enjoyable read and extremely engrossing. I recommend it for anyone that wants to understand the plight of the Jews in the time of the Inquisition. It educates while it entertains.


Four stars. I got this from netgalley.

The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

What would possess a freed slave in the pre Civil War south to risk her freedom and go back to Richmond where any person of color can be grabbed and sold?


The chance to be  spy, of course...and in the process free ALL the slaves, not just herself.


Though a very long read, I enjoyed immersing myself in Mary's story the last four days. It starts with her as a child and her mother keeps telling her that Jesus has a plan for her.. (No, this isn't a religious book.)


There's so much food for thought in this book, I can't possibly cover it all... from "we in the house" to African Americans that are free looking down on those that aren't to the big question, "Why stay in slavery?" There's prejudice, there's white people that say their abolitionists yet boss servants around just like slave owners, there's a young African American woman trying to get educated and make the most of herself, realizing her place in life, risking all for family and love.  There's Quakers, snotty Philadelphia people, brash Confederate soldiers, Jeff Davis and  his horrid wife... There's an incredible cast of characters and at the middle of it all is Mary.


Having already ready much of Civil War history, I grew a tad bored as it got into war details, but I still learned something new here and there or read a different POV. I especially was impacted by the whole, "Lincoln isn't fighting for us. He's only freeing us to increase his army" part. That's not a direct quote, but a part of the book's story line. Too often, we nowadays forget some of the real history behind that war. It's been sugar coated to make people look like heroes. 
In my opinion, the real heroes were people like Wilson and Mary Bowser, and even Miss. Bet. 


Favorite quote: "History's not so bad once you get past who's who and start learning what they did to each other. Those whites can be as nasty to one another as they are to us, if they're kings and queens and whatnot."


This was an ARC from Amazon Vine.

Six Sentence Saturday

Today's six sentences are from my young adult historical, Ride for Rights.



Angeline could restrain herself no longer. "Sir, we have every right to be in your town, and we can discuss our rights any place we very well please! Obviously, your town needs women voters more than any other city we have been through, seeing as the voters you do have are voting for the likes of you!" Angeline's haughty chin went up in the air, and defiance laced her words as she tore off her cap and goggles.             The fuel attendant knew what was good for him and skedaddled back to the open door of his garage, shaking his head as he went. The sheriff puffed out his chest and stared Angeline in the eye.

Katana by Cole Gibsen

Modern day chick discovers she's reincarnated and in one of her past lives, she was a samurai warrior. Buffy meets Kill Bill. Whoa. What's not to like?

I'll tell you. 


Great premise and plot. The fighting was well done, the samurai stuff superb and suspenseful, but what really put me off about this book was the stereotypes. First, the gay friend. He does hair, believes he may have been Marilyn Monroe, and moans about stupid stuff such as sitting on his Fendi glasses. And he and the heroine, Rileigh kiss and hold hands and declare they love each other. Um, they're only in high school. Gay or not, I don't see this comfort level occurring with high school kids... And did I mention he calls her "Ri-Ri?" So ANNOYING. I don't have a problem with gays at all, but stereotypes make me sick. 


Then you have the martial arts expert. He's Asian of course. (But the rest of the reincarnated group is white?) And a bar full of biker chicks wanting to kick ass. (Um, I am offended by that. Biker chicks aren't really like that.) And let's not forget the tattooed guy. He's psycho, of course.


It was a little too predictable too. I knew whodunnit way before the book actually told me whodunnit though the book earns one point in surprising me regarding the doctor. I honestly thought the other way around. I won't explain. And what was up with "Ri-Ri?" She fought hard NOT TO Senshi, but when denied, she's all upset because she is going to die as nothing but "Ri-Ri." So I think the heroine is bipolar.


It wasn't a bad book. I would have liked to have seen some things done differently, obviously, and due to the extremely annoying stereotyped gay friend, I won't be reading the rest of the series, but the fighting was cool. My eyes did some rolling at the magical wind stuff though. That was a bit much. Reincarnation I can fathom. Magic wind? Eh.


Something I really liked: the descriptions of silk taking over her body when her past life character took over. That was pretty neat. Gave me tingles. 

Run Rabbit Run by Kate Johnson

[image error] "A car gets blown up, and it's either going to Al Queda or Sophie Green."


I haven't read the first four books of this series, but when Choc Lit released the fifth one, this one, I figured in order for them to release a book they didn't have the first four for, that it would be able to stand alone, and I can't resist a woman spy.

It can stand alone. Even though some characters were in the book that obviously had run ins and experiences with Sophie in previous books, I never found myself confused. 


Sophie is a woman spy...gone rogue and not by choice. She's been framed for murder. So she goes on the lam, a hot Jack in tow (Savvy?) and though at first they're at each other throats and pointing fingers, they end attracted to each other. Car bombs and bullets tend to draw people together, you know?


Exploding cars, fake passports, bugged phones, traces, debates on what agent friend to trust, grand theft, a nine year old genius, larceny, knocking out cab drivers...there's no end to the excitement. Or the humor. The best thing about this book is the humor. I laughed out loud many times.


"Well, we could buy her dinner," I suggested. "Or I could introduce her to to my associate, Mr. SIG-Sauer."


Luke: Is it anything in particular I've done?


His secretary: Begins with Sophie. Ends with Green.


Luke: I haven't done her in a week.


Who is Luke? That's the good part. They are rarely together in this book as his girlfriend, Sophie is on the run, but the love between the two is great. Sophie and Luke alternate between the book. Luke's privacy is being violated left and right and he's worried to death about the woman he loves. I actually felt sorrier for Luke than Sophie! And Sophie was getting shot at and threatened...more than Luke.


Quibbles: At times I didn't like Sophie. She seems to need a man a lot. Though in all fairness, I think many of us would if we were being framed for murder and going through all this stuff, and Sophie never claims to be perfect. That's a point in her favor, and it makes her real. And there were times I felt the book was getting repetitive. Plane hopping, phone calls, find a hotel, plane hopping again... However, I don't feel this could have been avoided given the story line.


"It's all right for girls in films to rush around all over the place without knocking themselves out, but I believe that if God intended for me to be a runner, He wouldn't have given me a double D."


Conclusion: funny, fast paced, and keeps you guessing (as well as laughing.) Four stars. I received this from the publisher.

Never Coming Home, The "Wispa It" Blog Tour and Giveaway

Please welcome Evonne Wareham today. She's a new author with Choc Lit whose novel, Never Coming Home, is being release March 12. I had the pleasure of reading this great romantic suspense, and just in case you all missed it, will be reposting my review at the end of this post.

Meanwhile, Evonne is here to answer a question-and provide a wispa from her novel-I asked her before we give away a copy of Never Coming Home complete with a Wispa chocolate bar. 


'Wispa It...' Snippet No. 9 Kaz stifled what felt like a thread of panic. There was noreason for it. She could handle this. She wanted him gone.She needed … space … To get her thoughts in order. Thatwas it. No space with him sitting on the end of the couch,watching her. So strange to feel that he understood.'I've kind of dropped a bombshell into your life,' he saidquietly.'You could say that.'
Here's what Evonne had to say when I asked her about Italy. Much of the setting of Never Coming Home takes place in Italy. I wondered if she had been there herself, and I asked her to provide pictures.
One of my aims when I write is to take the reader to interesting places. (I also try to scare them to death, creep them out, make them sigh over the hero and laugh/cry with the heroine – but that is quite a different story.) When Tara asked me about the locations I used for the book I was pleased to be able to share pictures and information on some of them.
I lived for a long time in London, including three very happy years in Chelsea, when I worked in Eaton Square. My heroine, Kaz, also lives in Chelsea, although I gave her a house close to the Thames. The photo is of that area, looking over towards the river. The Albert Bridge, which features quite a lot in the story, is visible in the background. Kaz used to walk there often with Jamie, her daughter, so it has bitter-sweet memories for her.
Kaz's search to discover what really happened to Jamie takes her to Italy – to Florence. I used Florence because it is one of my favorite cities. The first picture is of the Ponte Vecchio, another famous bridge. This one is lined with shops. Kaz and Devlin take a romantic stroll along it in the evening, before making a break-though in their search, with devastating results. That's page 79 in the book, if you're looking.  
The second picture of Florence is a panorama of the city and is the view from the Piazzale Michelangelo, which Kaz and Devlin visit much later in the story.
I now live in Wales, which is where I was born, and I like to set at least one scene in Wales in all my books. The one in Never Coming Home is quite short – Devlin and Kaz make a brief visit to Cardiff, tracking down some information, travelling by train. This is the main railway station, where they arrive, on page 230.
That's a brief, lightening tour of a few of the key locations from Never Coming Home. I hope the pictures help them come alive, when you read the book.


I can't thank Evonne enough for taking the time to father all these photos and visit Book Babe. Please, let's show some support for Evonne and her new book. Leave a comment with an email address (I won't know all of you personally!) and one of my pampered pooches will choose a winner from their food bowl a week from today. The winner will receive a paperback copy of Never Coming Home and a Wispa chocolate bar. 


Now, A shortened version of the review I posted a while back:


When a man with a shady past as some kind of secret agent and a woman who believes her daughter is dead get thrown together by intriguing circumstances, sparks fly between them as they uncover one twisted horrific fact after another. Devlin presents new evidence that has Kaz rushing to find out what really happened to her daughter...

Very well told. The love between the hero and heroine grows gradually even though the attraction is instant. Both of their "narratives" have funny, sarcastic, and honest bits. Both characters are extremely likable. The mystery... I confess I had the "whodunit" part figured out early in the story, but there's a lot more twisted and gruesome details than I anticipated, and I was still surprised by a lot of things in the outcome. 


Loved this book. Perfect blend of sex, suspense, horror, mystery, passion, and warm-hearted moments. 5 stars. 

Six Sentence Saturday

Yea, I do mine on Saturdays. :)


The six sentences today come from Thank Dog It's Friday, a short story that can be found in Dog Tails: Three Humorous Short Stories for Dog Lovers.


Oh my Dog! (The two-legged species got that backwards for some reason.) How did this happen? Both my mommy and I stared at each other, eyes wide. My mommy finally found her voice and barked at me. I went to bark back, but all that came out was this awful croaking sound.