Machel Shull's Blog, page 3

Amateur Night by Marla Martenson

Amateur Night by Marla Martenson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Marla is one of my favorite non-fiction writers! Two of her books have been at the top of my list and I am sure I will love this one, too.
Taking a break from SK
***Wow. Reading Amateur night by Marla just put me in the best mood! I love reading stories that take you to an immediate scene where the characters jump off the page & seem like you are there with them in person.
On Valentine's Day known as Amateur Night to some in the restaurant business, Marla recalls a particular crazy evening many years before when she was an actress and waited table part time...
From cheesy wedding proposals to one gal accidentally swallowing here engagement ring (hidden in the creme brulee), this short story is a must read about love, mixed with humor, wit and excellent story telling. I just read it on my Kindle app and it made my day! On Amazon to order via Kindle.
If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable read in between moments on your busy day, get this one right to your smartphone. I did. (I normally and the die hard 'real book' person, but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl's gotta do!



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My review on Love & The Goddess

Love & The Goddess by Mary Elizabeth Coen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


***I just have to say that this book is a must SUMMER READ for 2013~~! Don't skip this one. If you love Eat, Pray, Love, and Sophie Kinsella Books, you will devour this one, when your follow Kate on her journey. Mary E. Coen is gifted writer and a deft storyteller with a sense of humor and grace.

Update-Sometimes they say there are such things as in serendipity in the world. You could say that happened to me when I found this book in my hands as a wonderful treat for me to read. I am an avid reader and read many books. So how to rate a book? How do you rate a book? I rate a book on what kind of experience I had while I was reading it. I rate a book on how much I took with me at the end and if when I read the final sentence if I I felt like a sudden fabulous friendship had just ended. When I read books that go this distance for me, I am so inspired because I read a lot and that doesn't happen every time. Well. Well! Well!! I don't want to compare this book to any other because it really doesn't deserve comparison. This is like one of those books you read and now you are glued to that author for life. You know, waiting for the next book to come out because there is that type of connection you felt with the book when you read it.

Kate is the main character. Kate is ditched by her husband of many years and her perfect life has just fallen out from under her. Her only child that is now off to college, is also heartbroken by Trevor's sudden decision to break up their perfect unit.
However, just like in life, when something falls apart some new wonderful things can happen.

Kate's best friend, Ella, is spirited and lively. She offers that sidekick companion for Kate that introduces her to a world of dating via Match.com type sites. She also has a friend named James that balances out the equation. I sometimes found these two side characters just as enjoyable as following Kate on her personal journey on self discovery and learning on how to start over.

There is a fun trip to Brazil and Peru that had exquisite images that register with those that love the ZEN, MEDITATIVE quest. The part of the book felt like a spiritual quest for inner peace, which Kate does not necessarily find right away. The trip isn't perfect, but what she finds more or less is herself emerging as strong and confident woman.

Upon arrival in Dublin, there are family issues to be met when her father is in the hospital. When will Kate have her moment of fun and atonement? What does happen during this period is Kate finds some unanswered questions finally answered regarding her memories with her father. She discovers a family secret that she never knew. By learning this information she is drawn closer to her father again.
I feel as if I am giving away too much here. I don't want to spoil the story. I will just say that when Kate makes it back to Ireland so many choices will need to be made when there are so many new forks in the road. And the on-line dating under the three Goddess names?? (I failed to mention that) How does that work out?

That's what makes this story so much fun to read. Following Kate on her own personal discovery of who she is as a woman is also linked together with mad-cap adventures that are down right hilarious and fun. I found myself laughing and wincing along with Kate when some of these characters she met for a coffee appeared to be more like a shady character from Stephen King book. (You know, at first glance they look like they are nice and normal, but watch out! There could be a Dracula, A Carrie with telepathic powers or an alcoholic with an ax. Kate's dating escapades didn't turn up any serial killers, but sometimes you were wondering as you turned the page...of course in a fun, mild way I am speaking, not a gruesome and scary kind of way. This is after all, a fiction book that reads like a perfect movie script with beautiful scenic settings. If you could make a comparison on books,you might say Eat Pray Love crossed with Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. Coming from me, that's huge compliment. I love Elizabeth Gilbert and Sophie K books. I think that Mary Elizabeth Coen book belongs right up there on the shelf with them..and in the theaters, too.)

You could say that sometimes a book finds us. That sometimes one will find you by a twist of fate that you didn't know was just around the corner. You pick it up. You read it. And your life shifts slightly for the better. You find yourself smiling. You find yourself welling up with tears when certain marvelous moments finally do come together for the character you fall in love with in that particular book.

Yes! This happened to me with LOVE and the GODDESS. I found myself waiting for moments to read it whenever I could. I wanted to read it faster than I did. But Mother's Day weekend full of events pushed me with the final read in one sitting on a perfect, sunny moment in Cardiff by the Sea in California. The breeze was just right. My coffee tasted perfect even when I ran out of my half and half. And there was just me meeting Kate back at the end of her journey in this lovely story that conquers the most important theme of all:

Are you on the right road in your personal quest for happiness?

I look forward to reading Mary E. Coen's next book. I am sure it will deliver with a punch just like this one. A must read, especially for women that love to read about love, dating and looking within to find a deeper meaning than just a tube of red liptstick.

This is an exciting journey with taking. Ask me, I know.



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Why I love Goodreads

I found this marvelous site last a few years ago and I remember thinking that I found something fun and exciting. I was right. I had. This is my favorite on-line social networking site. Mainly because of all that it offers as in terms of books, their beautiful covers, the reviews and suggestions of finding other books to read. While some may love reading their other updates, I love to check out this feed here. I love to discover new stories and I value other reviews as well. So, thanks for dropping in. If you are here, you are just like me. You are a book lover. So welcome! I look forward to hearing your thoughts, connecting and discovering more incredible stories to read just like you are looking to do right now.
Here are a few contemporary authors I would suggest reading if you haven't yet discovered them:

Kate Kerrigan
Joanna Crispi
Mary E. Coen
Luanne Rice (MY FAV!)
Marla Martenson
Joseph Monninger
Sophie Kinsella
Alice Hoffman
Sue Monk Kidd
Lolly Winston
Susan Minot
Elizabeth Gilbert
Michiko Rolek

I am sure you know some of these by heart. But in case you haven't read one of their books, I am sure you will love them, too.

My favorite classic authors:

John Steinbeck
Charlotte Bronte
Jane Austin
Truman Capote
Charles Dickens

And my very favorite book of all time? It is surprising to me still that I love this book so much. But what makes a great book? For me it's the characters. The images and those indelible memories that stay with you like you actually experienced it for yourself in person.
CANNERY ROW by John Steinbeck is my favorite.
I hate to say that Jane Eyre got demoted but, alas, some crazy characters down by the water's edge living in hobbled make-shift like homes stole my heart. And that is just what a great book will do when you are not expecting it to do.

I just recently started reading the genius of a writer, Stephen King. I know. I am late in the game. But you know what they say...
And luckily for me, I have five lined up to read.
Happy reading to all.
Machel Shull