Margo Kelly's Blog, page 25
June 9, 2016
Book Review: A MADNESS SO DISCREET by Mindy McGinnis
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book ruined me. (In a good way.)
Oh. My. Gosh.
Mindy McGinnis ... I am a fan for life!
This was the type of book that was so utterly compelling that I could not start reading another book for quite a while afterward. The characters are still in my mind. I'm still thinking about the choices they made. I'm still thinking about what I would have done in their situations. WOW.
And ... I usually HATE stories that deal with the sexual abuse of a child (it was an underlying element in this book) but McGinnis handled it SO WELL that it did not make me cringe at all.
But this story is about SO MUCH MORE than that. It's about women's rights. It's about respecting other people. It's about respecting yourself. It's about defending the defenseless. It's about justice and injustice. *sigh* Maybe I'll just read it again - right now!
Some of my favorite lines:
"Grace pulled her pillow tight over her ears, ignoring the feather shafts that poked through the cheap muslin and pricked her skin." (page 1)
"...patients seeming to evaporate into an unlit hell to rematerialize as tamed demons." (page 64)
"Sometimes the loveliest places harbor the worst monsters." (page 105)
If you like horror or darker mysteries, this is a must read!
Frankly, it's the best book I've read in ages.
View all my reviews
June 8, 2016
Cybersecurity is Our Shared Responsibility
Since my debut novel,
Who R U Really?
, features an Internet predator, I'm often asked to speak to groups of all ages about online safety. Here are a few tips I share with everyone:
NAVIGATE SOCIAL MEDIA SECURELY• Manage your settings both on your devices and social media platforms to control who sees your profile, photos, comments, and more.• Be selective and only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. Then monitor your list of friends to regularly reassess who has access to your information.
PROTECT SENSITIVE INFORMATION • Never share it via email or instant messaging. • Beware of contests and “free” offersthat require your personal information. • Use caution when entering information on websites.o SECURE = web address begins with “https” or has a closed padlocko TRUSTED = the official website of the organization
AVOID FRAUD ON THE INTERNET • Practice research strategies by considering the source, utilizing multiple websites, and relying on current information. • Exercise shopping strategies by using a single, dedicated credit card and monitoring your statements regularly.
UTILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• www.stopthinkconnect.org• www.aarp.org/technology/safer-internet • www.microsoft.com/security• AND check out my previous posts: Safer Internet Day Resources, Get CyberAware this October, Stop.Think.Connect., and 8 Ways to Use Gadgets Safely & Securely.
BECOME INVOLVED • Impress your friends by posting online about cybersafety. • Encourage your local community center, library, or school to host a cybersecurity program. • Discuss the importance of Internet safety with your family. • Distribute Stop.Think.Connect. materials in your neighborhood and community. • Report if you are the victim of online fraud to the Department of Justice at: www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting
Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The Campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
NAVIGATE SOCIAL MEDIA SECURELY• Manage your settings both on your devices and social media platforms to control who sees your profile, photos, comments, and more.• Be selective and only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. Then monitor your list of friends to regularly reassess who has access to your information.
PROTECT SENSITIVE INFORMATION • Never share it via email or instant messaging. • Beware of contests and “free” offersthat require your personal information. • Use caution when entering information on websites.o SECURE = web address begins with “https” or has a closed padlocko TRUSTED = the official website of the organization
AVOID FRAUD ON THE INTERNET • Practice research strategies by considering the source, utilizing multiple websites, and relying on current information. • Exercise shopping strategies by using a single, dedicated credit card and monitoring your statements regularly.
UTILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• www.stopthinkconnect.org• www.aarp.org/technology/safer-internet • www.microsoft.com/security• AND check out my previous posts: Safer Internet Day Resources, Get CyberAware this October, Stop.Think.Connect., and 8 Ways to Use Gadgets Safely & Securely.
BECOME INVOLVED • Impress your friends by posting online about cybersafety. • Encourage your local community center, library, or school to host a cybersecurity program. • Discuss the importance of Internet safety with your family. • Distribute Stop.Think.Connect. materials in your neighborhood and community. • Report if you are the victim of online fraud to the Department of Justice at: www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting
Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The Campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
June 7, 2016
Book Review: ROSES AND ROT by Kat Howard
Roses and Rot by Kat HowardMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
However, it was not what I expected. Based on the cover and the description - I anticipated more of a scary, nail-biting, horror story. While it was not that (and I don't want to give away what it was) - I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was unique. The setting was captivating. The characters were diverse and developed. And the plot line had a darker tone with underlying questions that kept me turning the pages to find out how the story would be resolved.
Beware, this is not a YA novel. There is ample usage of the f-word (but not enough to deter me) and there is a short explicit sex scene.
I look forward to reading more books by Kat Howard. Well done!
View all my reviews
June 4, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions for WHO R U REALLY?
Here are answers to the questions I most commonly receive regarding my debut novel ...
Q: Can you describe your book in five words?
A: Girl falls for a boy.
Q: How would you introduce Who R U Really?
A: A teenage girl falls in love with a guy online, and when he comes for her in real life, he is not the person she thought he was. Who R U Really? is a rollercoaster ride of thrills and chills. I hope that you read it in one sitting, and I hope that you reevaluate your online habits after you close the book … because people aren’t always who they portray themselves to be online.
Q: How did you come up with the title for your book?
A: This story went through multiple title changes before we finally came up with Who R U Really?. My editor, Jackie Mitchard, and I emailed back and forth for quite a while brainstorming ideas, and this title emerged from that process.
Q: How would you describe your protagonist?
A: Thea is a naïve teenage girl who hungers to be loved by a boy. When things go wrong with the boy she likes at school, she falls for Kit, a guy she meets in an online role-playing game. She ends up lying to her parents and her friends, because she’s convinced she’s in love with Kit, and she’ll do anything for him. Her world falls apart when she learns that Kit is not who she thought he was. Thea has to figure out who she can trust in order to save herself in the end.
Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Thea?
A: I had to get out of my “adult” head and climb into the head of a young naive girl. While you and I might have made different choices than Thea did in her situation, she made the best decisions she could with the knowledge and abilities she had at the time. Plus, we all make mistakes, even when we know better. If Thea had made all of the “right” decisions that would have made a boring story. Plots get exciting when the main character makes “wrong” choices.
Q: For those who are unfamiliar with Kit, how would you introduce him?
A: In theory, Kit is a sad teenager seeking out friends in an online role playing game. However, Kit is a figment of online imagination. He is basically a puppet, and the puppeteer is someone we should all be afraid of … or at least consciously aware of … because the puppeteer is manipulating the situation and as a result, manipulating the other players in the game.
Q: If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
A: I would introduce Janie (Thea’s best friend) to Lia of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, because moral support is essential in overcoming any addiction or illness.
Q: Who is your favorite character? Least favorite?
A: Favorite = Tim … Least favorite = Kit
Q: Is this your first writing project?
A: I have written non-fiction articles for magazines in the past, but Who R U Really? is my first novel to be published.
Q: What inspired you to write it?
A: Years ago, my daughter was nearly abducted by an online predator. After a counseling session one day, my daughter and I played the “what if” game. What if “this” had happened instead of that? What if “this” decision had been made instead of that? And a novel was born. There are many true scenes in the book along with many fictional ones.
Q: What was the hardest part about writing your book?
A: There are quite a few scenes in Who R U Really? that actually happened in real life. The hardest part about writing the story was making those real-life scenes translate into a believable fictional tale … because sometimes real-life events are too hard to believe.
Q: How much of the book is realistic?
A: There are quite a few scenes and conversations in the story that are based on real-life events. For example, the white chair scene actually happened, and that’s one of the scariest scenes in the book. However, the majority of the book is a work of fiction. All of the secondary characters are a work of fiction.
Q: What was the hardest scene for you to write?
A: The scene where the mother and daughter played Scrabble was the hardest scene for me to write, because that happened in real life. The events that immediately followed the game also happened. As I wrote the scene, I got very emotional. Writing it from my daughter’s perspective rather than my own made it even more challenging.
Q: What is your favorite scene in your book?
A: My favorite scene would have to be the climax at the end, which did NOT happen in real life!
Q: Do your characters talk to you?
A: In the case of Who R U Really? … yes, the characters really do talk to me, because the main character was loosely based on my daughter. She read early drafts and immediately TALKED to me. ;) She told me the things she liked and the things she hated. She was a great help, making sure the “voice” of the character was just right.
Q: Did writing Who R U Really? bring back the trauma of your daughter’s experience?
A: The process of writing the story was very therapeutic for both me and my daughter. The tough part for both of us was when we received the advance reading copies from the publisher. That was when we both realized the story was actually going out into the world for everyone to read. I have to admit there was a flash of panic for me. It was an extreme moment of vulnerability—feeling naked. Not only would people be judging the story for its merit, but also people would be judging my parenting choices and my daughter’s naivety. We wish we could explain a couple of things to every reader: 1) This happened to my daughter many years ago when she was eleven going on twelve. 2) This book is mostly a work of fiction. While many of the scenes happened in real life, there are many more that are merely a product of my imagination.
Q: Was writing Who R U Really? a cathartic experience for you?
A: Yes, it was. It allowed my daughter and me plenty of opportunities to discuss what happened and what could have happened. We’ve both grown and matured through the process, and we’re closer than ever.
Q: Do you think you would have become a published novelist without your daughter’s harrowing experience to motivate you?
A: The simple answer is yes. The long answer is that the path to becoming a traditionally published author can be a tough and time-consuming one. While I wanted to share my daughter’s story and it served as a great motivator, if no publisher had picked it up I would have continued pursuing the publication dream.
Q: How is your daughter coping following her terrifying experience, and has it made her more cautious online and in life in general?
A: My daughter is thriving (through the assistance of a great counselor and the benefit of time). The experience definitely made her more cautious online and probably a lot less trusting of people in the real world as well. Her trust was violated in a very intimate way, and it’s taken time for her to get to a place where she wants to trust people again. But she’s there now (many years later). She’s happy. She loves life. And she’s seeking out new adventures.
Q: Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
A: It’s important for writers to tell the stories they feel passionately about … and that’s an understatement for why I had to tell this story. The laws of the land are not set up to keep you safe when using the Internet. The only person protecting you online is you. So be mindful of what you’re doing and saying when typing or posting anything online.
Q: What do you hope readers will get from your book?
A: I hope they get a thrill from the book. I hope they stay up late to finish it. I hope they strain their eyes to read faster to find out what’s going to happen to the main character! And then, I hope they reevaluate their online practices.
Q: How do you define success?
A: I have different definitions of success for different things in my life. For the publication of Who R U Really?, I had defined success as helping at least one teenager stay safer online. I’m thrilled to say I’ve received several emails from teenagers telling me that after reading the book they cleaned out their “friends” lists online and deleted the people they did not know in real, everyday life. That’s a huge success.
Q: Who are some of your favorite writers? The ones who inspired you to share your story in print?
A: Dean Koontz is my favorite author in the thriller genre, but Laurie Halse Anderson is the author who inspired me to share the story of Who R U Really? with the world.
Q: Who R U Really? is getting great reviews. Were you surprised to find such overwhelming success with your first literary project?
A: I’m thrilled with the reviews that have come in for Who R U Really? … and yes, I’m a little surprised, because as I continue to improve my writing skills, I see things that I wish I would have done better in my debut. But since there’s nothing I can do about that now, I’m focusing on making my next project better than ever. And I hope readers will keep coming back for more!
Q: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
A: Patience. The traditional publishing process moves slowly, but it is a very worthwhile process.
Q: What is the most unusual or interesting research you have done for your books?
A: I’ve read a lot of Psychology Today articles about our emotions and why we make the choices we do … but I suppose that’s pretty boring research. For this book, the most interesting research I did was watch a lot of YouTube videos on self-defense so that I could make the scenes realistic in the story.
Q: What are your thoughts on social networking and friendships?
A: I love social networks, and I love friendships. However, we need to be aware and alert. People online are not always who they say they are. I’ve partnered with a campaign called STOP. THINK. CONNECT., and I’ve learned some interesting statistics through them. 75% of kids will share personal information in exchange for goods and services. That means, even if you tell your kids constantly to not share personal information online … when they receive an email or a message stating that they can get a free iPod (or whatever product), they’ll quickly type in their personal information to claim the merchandise. That message could be from a malicious person. It is our shared responsibility to help educate ourselves, our friends, and our family regarding online safety.
Q: What practical advice would you offer teens today about staying safe while on the web?
A: Here are five tips:
• Only accept friend requests on social media from people you know in your everyday life.
• Be transparent with the people in your real life who love you.
• Trust your parents. You don’t have to always agree with them, but trust that they have your best interests in mind.
• Keep your actual birthdate, phone number, email, street address, even city private. No one online needs to have that personal information about you.
• Most importantly, remember that there is strength in numbers. Use the buddy system, and do not ever meet an online acquaintance by yourself. Not ever. Don’t even play with the idea.
Q: Can you describe your book in five words?
A: Girl falls for a boy.
Q: How would you introduce Who R U Really?
A: A teenage girl falls in love with a guy online, and when he comes for her in real life, he is not the person she thought he was. Who R U Really? is a rollercoaster ride of thrills and chills. I hope that you read it in one sitting, and I hope that you reevaluate your online habits after you close the book … because people aren’t always who they portray themselves to be online.
Q: How did you come up with the title for your book?
A: This story went through multiple title changes before we finally came up with Who R U Really?. My editor, Jackie Mitchard, and I emailed back and forth for quite a while brainstorming ideas, and this title emerged from that process.
Q: How would you describe your protagonist?
A: Thea is a naïve teenage girl who hungers to be loved by a boy. When things go wrong with the boy she likes at school, she falls for Kit, a guy she meets in an online role-playing game. She ends up lying to her parents and her friends, because she’s convinced she’s in love with Kit, and she’ll do anything for him. Her world falls apart when she learns that Kit is not who she thought he was. Thea has to figure out who she can trust in order to save herself in the end.
Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Thea?
A: I had to get out of my “adult” head and climb into the head of a young naive girl. While you and I might have made different choices than Thea did in her situation, she made the best decisions she could with the knowledge and abilities she had at the time. Plus, we all make mistakes, even when we know better. If Thea had made all of the “right” decisions that would have made a boring story. Plots get exciting when the main character makes “wrong” choices.
Q: For those who are unfamiliar with Kit, how would you introduce him?
A: In theory, Kit is a sad teenager seeking out friends in an online role playing game. However, Kit is a figment of online imagination. He is basically a puppet, and the puppeteer is someone we should all be afraid of … or at least consciously aware of … because the puppeteer is manipulating the situation and as a result, manipulating the other players in the game.
Q: If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
A: I would introduce Janie (Thea’s best friend) to Lia of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, because moral support is essential in overcoming any addiction or illness.
Q: Who is your favorite character? Least favorite?
A: Favorite = Tim … Least favorite = Kit
Q: Is this your first writing project?
A: I have written non-fiction articles for magazines in the past, but Who R U Really? is my first novel to be published.
Q: What inspired you to write it?
A: Years ago, my daughter was nearly abducted by an online predator. After a counseling session one day, my daughter and I played the “what if” game. What if “this” had happened instead of that? What if “this” decision had been made instead of that? And a novel was born. There are many true scenes in the book along with many fictional ones.
Q: What was the hardest part about writing your book?
A: There are quite a few scenes in Who R U Really? that actually happened in real life. The hardest part about writing the story was making those real-life scenes translate into a believable fictional tale … because sometimes real-life events are too hard to believe.
Q: How much of the book is realistic?
A: There are quite a few scenes and conversations in the story that are based on real-life events. For example, the white chair scene actually happened, and that’s one of the scariest scenes in the book. However, the majority of the book is a work of fiction. All of the secondary characters are a work of fiction.
Q: What was the hardest scene for you to write?
A: The scene where the mother and daughter played Scrabble was the hardest scene for me to write, because that happened in real life. The events that immediately followed the game also happened. As I wrote the scene, I got very emotional. Writing it from my daughter’s perspective rather than my own made it even more challenging.
Q: What is your favorite scene in your book?
A: My favorite scene would have to be the climax at the end, which did NOT happen in real life!
Q: Do your characters talk to you?
A: In the case of Who R U Really? … yes, the characters really do talk to me, because the main character was loosely based on my daughter. She read early drafts and immediately TALKED to me. ;) She told me the things she liked and the things she hated. She was a great help, making sure the “voice” of the character was just right.
Q: Did writing Who R U Really? bring back the trauma of your daughter’s experience?
A: The process of writing the story was very therapeutic for both me and my daughter. The tough part for both of us was when we received the advance reading copies from the publisher. That was when we both realized the story was actually going out into the world for everyone to read. I have to admit there was a flash of panic for me. It was an extreme moment of vulnerability—feeling naked. Not only would people be judging the story for its merit, but also people would be judging my parenting choices and my daughter’s naivety. We wish we could explain a couple of things to every reader: 1) This happened to my daughter many years ago when she was eleven going on twelve. 2) This book is mostly a work of fiction. While many of the scenes happened in real life, there are many more that are merely a product of my imagination.
Q: Was writing Who R U Really? a cathartic experience for you?
A: Yes, it was. It allowed my daughter and me plenty of opportunities to discuss what happened and what could have happened. We’ve both grown and matured through the process, and we’re closer than ever.
Q: Do you think you would have become a published novelist without your daughter’s harrowing experience to motivate you?
A: The simple answer is yes. The long answer is that the path to becoming a traditionally published author can be a tough and time-consuming one. While I wanted to share my daughter’s story and it served as a great motivator, if no publisher had picked it up I would have continued pursuing the publication dream.
Q: How is your daughter coping following her terrifying experience, and has it made her more cautious online and in life in general?
A: My daughter is thriving (through the assistance of a great counselor and the benefit of time). The experience definitely made her more cautious online and probably a lot less trusting of people in the real world as well. Her trust was violated in a very intimate way, and it’s taken time for her to get to a place where she wants to trust people again. But she’s there now (many years later). She’s happy. She loves life. And she’s seeking out new adventures.
Q: Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
A: It’s important for writers to tell the stories they feel passionately about … and that’s an understatement for why I had to tell this story. The laws of the land are not set up to keep you safe when using the Internet. The only person protecting you online is you. So be mindful of what you’re doing and saying when typing or posting anything online.
Q: What do you hope readers will get from your book?
A: I hope they get a thrill from the book. I hope they stay up late to finish it. I hope they strain their eyes to read faster to find out what’s going to happen to the main character! And then, I hope they reevaluate their online practices.
Q: How do you define success?
A: I have different definitions of success for different things in my life. For the publication of Who R U Really?, I had defined success as helping at least one teenager stay safer online. I’m thrilled to say I’ve received several emails from teenagers telling me that after reading the book they cleaned out their “friends” lists online and deleted the people they did not know in real, everyday life. That’s a huge success.
Q: Who are some of your favorite writers? The ones who inspired you to share your story in print?
A: Dean Koontz is my favorite author in the thriller genre, but Laurie Halse Anderson is the author who inspired me to share the story of Who R U Really? with the world.
Q: Who R U Really? is getting great reviews. Were you surprised to find such overwhelming success with your first literary project?
A: I’m thrilled with the reviews that have come in for Who R U Really? … and yes, I’m a little surprised, because as I continue to improve my writing skills, I see things that I wish I would have done better in my debut. But since there’s nothing I can do about that now, I’m focusing on making my next project better than ever. And I hope readers will keep coming back for more!
Q: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
A: Patience. The traditional publishing process moves slowly, but it is a very worthwhile process.
Q: What is the most unusual or interesting research you have done for your books?
A: I’ve read a lot of Psychology Today articles about our emotions and why we make the choices we do … but I suppose that’s pretty boring research. For this book, the most interesting research I did was watch a lot of YouTube videos on self-defense so that I could make the scenes realistic in the story.
Q: What are your thoughts on social networking and friendships?
A: I love social networks, and I love friendships. However, we need to be aware and alert. People online are not always who they say they are. I’ve partnered with a campaign called STOP. THINK. CONNECT., and I’ve learned some interesting statistics through them. 75% of kids will share personal information in exchange for goods and services. That means, even if you tell your kids constantly to not share personal information online … when they receive an email or a message stating that they can get a free iPod (or whatever product), they’ll quickly type in their personal information to claim the merchandise. That message could be from a malicious person. It is our shared responsibility to help educate ourselves, our friends, and our family regarding online safety.
Q: What practical advice would you offer teens today about staying safe while on the web?
A: Here are five tips:
• Only accept friend requests on social media from people you know in your everyday life.
• Be transparent with the people in your real life who love you.
• Trust your parents. You don’t have to always agree with them, but trust that they have your best interests in mind.
• Keep your actual birthdate, phone number, email, street address, even city private. No one online needs to have that personal information about you.
• Most importantly, remember that there is strength in numbers. Use the buddy system, and do not ever meet an online acquaintance by yourself. Not ever. Don’t even play with the idea.
Book Review: THE HEIST by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg
The Heist by Janet EvanovichMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh. My. Gosh. I freaking loved this book! Seriously. It was awesome. Do I have to write anything more? ... Well, I will.
This fun story was a cross between MISS CONGENIALITY and WHITE COLLAR.
I laughed out loud - so many times!
I loved all of the characters.
"He had a spray tan, tortoise-shell glasses, and crotch wrinkles in his tan slacks." (page 2)
""Got some butterflies in your stomach?" "Butterflies are awfully girlie for a woman who carries a Glock, don't you think?" "Okay. African killer bees."" (page 43)
Seriously, if you want a fun read - pick up this book! I am excited to read the next one in the series.
View all my reviews
June 3, 2016
Camping Pictures - Because I Know You're Curious!
I recently went camping for ten days. Yes, I love being in the woods. However, I hate dirt and bugs - so it's an interesting conundrum for me! Below are a few pictures, and over the next several days, I'll post reviews of some of the books I read during the trip. YAY for books!
Except for the creepy bugs - we had a terrific time! :)
Except for the creepy bugs - we had a terrific time! :)
June 2, 2016
Book Review: CATSKIN by Artemis Grey
Catskin by Artemis GreyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A terrific debut novel by Artemis Grey! This is not your typical story, and it's certainly not a typical YA read. The main character is eighteen and living on his own in the apartment above his parents' bookstore in Alaska. It's an interesting setting with diverse characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story of adventure, love, growth, and mystery.
There is a love story, but there are no sex scenes. There's no cussing (that I recall). There is a bit of violence, but it's not terribly gory.
Some of my favorite lines:
"Maybe people weren't much different from books after all. Maybe they could, with time and effort, be restored." (Kindle location 737)
"Somehow, I felt more like myself when I was around her. Or maybe I liked myself better when we were together." (Kindle location 2284)
"Every secret I kept felt like a little smudge of smut on my soul." (Kindle location 2389)
The story questions kept me turning the pages, and I couldn't wait to find out how the plot resolved in the end.
View all my reviews
Book Review: THE GIRL FROM HOME by Adam Mitzner
I love a good thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, turning pages as fast as possible! Was this one of those? Scroll on down for my full review at the bottom of this post.
The Girl From Home
A Novel
By Adam Mitzner
Published by Gallery Books
Hardcover: 336 pages
April 5, 2016; $26.00
9781476764283
Description
The acclaimed author, whose recent novel of suspense Losing Faith was declared "startling . . . a well-crafted story" (Kirkus Reviews), takes you on a gripping psychological thrill ride in this electrifying tale of a millionaire who will go to deadly lengths to get what he wants.
Jonathan Caine is a true master of the universe -- a currency wizard with a trophy wife, a penthouse condo with a view of the Statue of Liberty, and the desire for more -- when his world comes crashing down, spiraling him into a relentless fall from grace. Devastated, Jonathan returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father and attend his twenty-fifth high school reunion, where he becomes reacquainted with former prom queen Jacqueline Williams. Back in the day, Jackie didn't even know Jonathan existed. Now she is intrigued by the man he has become. But their budding relationship has problems, not the least of which is Jackie's jealous and abusive husband. Jonathan is determined to learn from his mistakes, but is he capable of complete transformation? Or will a shocking temptation test his desire for redemption beyond anything he could have imagined?
Author Bio
Adam Mitzner, author of The Girl from Home, is a lawyer by day and the author of Losing Faith, A Case of Redemption, and A Conflict of Interest. He lives with his family in New York City.
For more information please visit http://adammitzner.com.
My Review
The fact is, this story is very well written, and I enjoyed the non-linear structure of the first half of the book. However, I had a really hard time getting into this story at the beginning, because the main character is very unlikable (for me). The main character, Jonathan Caine, is egotistical, superficial, selfish, and money-driven. These are all traits that annoy me. Plus, there was his repetitive mantra: "I want what I want." And it seemed women in the story were only of value if they were good-looking. Hmm.
But I pushed through, hoping there would be plot elements that would allow for some character redemption for bothersome-little-old Jonathan. I can't say Jonathan ever grew on me, and I can't say he was redeemed in the end. Frankly, he was a liar, cheat, and a crook. Other than disliking the main character and the sexism in the book (a lot) ... the story questions kept me turning the pages to find out how the plot would be resolved.
Sexism:
"Ross raises a fist and flicks his wrist while making the pussy-whipped sound." (page 29)
"There are two tables of women in the back who appear to be well into their sixties, and Jonathan tries to imagine what event brings together a group of that age." (page 73) --- UH SERIOUSLY? Are women supposed to just stay at home and never go out in public after a certain age?
Cussing, sex, and violence: There was a bit of it all in this book.
I'm not sure I was the target market for this story. I read a LOT of thrillers and horrors, but ... I felt disconnected from this one. Do I recommend it? If you don't mind a main character that is unlikable - yes, because it's very well written.
[I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion at all.]
The Girl From Home
A Novel
By Adam Mitzner
Published by Gallery Books
Hardcover: 336 pages
April 5, 2016; $26.00
9781476764283
Description
The acclaimed author, whose recent novel of suspense Losing Faith was declared "startling . . . a well-crafted story" (Kirkus Reviews), takes you on a gripping psychological thrill ride in this electrifying tale of a millionaire who will go to deadly lengths to get what he wants.
Jonathan Caine is a true master of the universe -- a currency wizard with a trophy wife, a penthouse condo with a view of the Statue of Liberty, and the desire for more -- when his world comes crashing down, spiraling him into a relentless fall from grace. Devastated, Jonathan returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father and attend his twenty-fifth high school reunion, where he becomes reacquainted with former prom queen Jacqueline Williams. Back in the day, Jackie didn't even know Jonathan existed. Now she is intrigued by the man he has become. But their budding relationship has problems, not the least of which is Jackie's jealous and abusive husband. Jonathan is determined to learn from his mistakes, but is he capable of complete transformation? Or will a shocking temptation test his desire for redemption beyond anything he could have imagined?
Author Bio
Adam Mitzner, author of The Girl from Home, is a lawyer by day and the author of Losing Faith, A Case of Redemption, and A Conflict of Interest. He lives with his family in New York City.
For more information please visit http://adammitzner.com.
My Review
The fact is, this story is very well written, and I enjoyed the non-linear structure of the first half of the book. However, I had a really hard time getting into this story at the beginning, because the main character is very unlikable (for me). The main character, Jonathan Caine, is egotistical, superficial, selfish, and money-driven. These are all traits that annoy me. Plus, there was his repetitive mantra: "I want what I want." And it seemed women in the story were only of value if they were good-looking. Hmm.
But I pushed through, hoping there would be plot elements that would allow for some character redemption for bothersome-little-old Jonathan. I can't say Jonathan ever grew on me, and I can't say he was redeemed in the end. Frankly, he was a liar, cheat, and a crook. Other than disliking the main character and the sexism in the book (a lot) ... the story questions kept me turning the pages to find out how the plot would be resolved.
Sexism:
"Ross raises a fist and flicks his wrist while making the pussy-whipped sound." (page 29)
"There are two tables of women in the back who appear to be well into their sixties, and Jonathan tries to imagine what event brings together a group of that age." (page 73) --- UH SERIOUSLY? Are women supposed to just stay at home and never go out in public after a certain age?
Cussing, sex, and violence: There was a bit of it all in this book.
I'm not sure I was the target market for this story. I read a LOT of thrillers and horrors, but ... I felt disconnected from this one. Do I recommend it? If you don't mind a main character that is unlikable - yes, because it's very well written.
[I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion at all.]
June 1, 2016
#IWSG: Helpful Tips for #Writers
I love coming across blog posts with useful information, and today, I'm sharing links to a few that I've recently discovered. Simply click on the titles below, and it will take you to the full posting.
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgrou...
What It's Like to Land a Book Deal: "Landing a book deal is strapping on a parachute and opening the airplane door. Wonderful things can happen, and it only takes one small step. When you get here, you’ll understand. And when you finally hear that glorious “yes,” you’ll realize that “The End” is really just the beginning."
Not All Book Sales Are Created Equal: "In the hierarchy of power purchases the pre-order is the heavy hitter. Why? Because print runs (the number of books initially printed) for books coming out in hardback or paperback are set, in part, based on a title’s pre-order numbers."
16 Experts Share Online PR Tips: "You want to sell your story without coming across as pushy. But it’s often a delicate balancing act, one that’s always changing as new tools and practices emerge."
Happy writing! :)
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgrou...What It's Like to Land a Book Deal: "Landing a book deal is strapping on a parachute and opening the airplane door. Wonderful things can happen, and it only takes one small step. When you get here, you’ll understand. And when you finally hear that glorious “yes,” you’ll realize that “The End” is really just the beginning."
Not All Book Sales Are Created Equal: "In the hierarchy of power purchases the pre-order is the heavy hitter. Why? Because print runs (the number of books initially printed) for books coming out in hardback or paperback are set, in part, based on a title’s pre-order numbers."
16 Experts Share Online PR Tips: "You want to sell your story without coming across as pushy. But it’s often a delicate balancing act, one that’s always changing as new tools and practices emerge."
Happy writing! :)
May 31, 2016
School Visits = FUN!
I love visiting schools and chatting with readers about books and the writing process! Here are a few snapshots from my recent visit to Sawtooth Middle School in Meridian, Idaho.
Thank YOU, Sawtooth Middle School! I had a terrific time with all of you. ;) Happy reading.
Thank YOU, Sawtooth Middle School! I had a terrific time with all of you. ;) Happy reading.
