Myself in Blue

Myself in Blue #1

by Renny Barcelos

Romance, redemption, and psychedelic rock in 1989.

Sunday Morning is nineteen and recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma. She finds it fair: a deathly cancer to pay for her sins.

The fourth of five daughters, Sunday could never overcome the jealousy she felt for her sisters, especially the youngest and her Rett Syndrome with all the attention she required. She knows her resentment and rebellion as a wayward teen brought tragedy to her family, but never learned exactly the extent. Self-exiled in Brazil living a hard life of penitence for five years, she finally feels it's possible to come back and try to mend things.

Scott Goodwin writes bestseller biographies and always dreamed of writing about his idol, Grandma's Eye's vocalist, Iris Morning. The singer and her husband, Douglas Oshiro, have been reclusive since 1984, when their famous psychedelic rock band announced a surprising halt. Scott is thrilled when Iris finally agrees to let him write the book and even more so when she explains why. She hopes the bio will help finding her daughter Sunday and rebuild her shattered family.

It is Sunday, however, who finds Scott. Still too mortified to face her family, she offers her story to Scott in exchange for inside information about them. Scott has no idea how intensely the deal will change their lives when he agrees.

Through her own family's history, from the first Oshiros and Mornings, WWII impact on her ancestors and the struggle to form the band despite Iris’ abusive stepfather—the chain of events that led to the band’s success, the birth of a new generation, and the night that changed everything—Scott will try to show Sunday that nobody is perfect, and perhaps everything happens for a reason.

Sunday and Scott may not have much time, with her diagnosis and the fact that she doesn't feel worthy of redemption, but he will not give up easily. Scott has become Sunday’s only link to the past, and perhaps her only chance to have a future.

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book – Myself in Blue (Myself in Blue #1)
Author – Renata F. Barcelos
Publication Date – June 16, 2014
Type – Part of Series
Genre – Romance
Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary Copy generously provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.

Review
I can’t believe this book….I am speechless and that doesn’t happen very often. This book took me on a journey that I don’t know if I ever want to come back to reality again. I was captivated as soon as the story started picking up between Scott and Sunday.

This is a book full of emotions, which center around jealousy, heartbreak, rebellion, resentment and so much more that made Sunday take off to leave her family for so many years. Sunday just wants one thing from her family – she wants redemption but doesn’t think she deserves it.

This book isn’t just about Sunday though…we learn the whole history behind the Oshiro and Morning families spanning each generation.

This is a race against time for Scott to reunite this family before Sunday’s cancer takes her life. Did I mention that this book is full of so many emotions?? I couldn’t help but find myself tearing up time after time – my heart bled for Iris – for Sunday and for Scott.

Amazing…I can’t say enough about this book and Ms. Barcelos has found a fan in me!

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[Becky Sherriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** possible spoiler alert ***


I have read all of this author's books and have always rated between 4.5 - 5 stars so when I saw her new release I couldn't wait to get started on it. I loved her other books and when I read the synopsis for this one it is a completely different genre to her previous work but it piqued my interest. Renata is an extremely talented writer so I knew it wouldn't disappoint.

I will try not to spoilt the story with this review.

Myself in Blue is written in a clever style that I have never come across before. it is based around Sunday Morning (yes that is the character's name but as the story progresses you realise why this is such a fitting name for the character). Sunday is one of five daughters to Iris and Douglas Oshiro-Morning. Sunday is the fourth born and is bitter about the fact her parents went on to have one final daughter.

Sunday was raised in a privileged environment as her parents are members of a very successful band. Her parents are about as perfect as you can get but this is not enough for Sunday she resents her younger sister so much it consumes her.

When Sunday is a teenager something so horrific happens that she has to flee, she leaves the country and returns years later, this is where the story unfolds.

Sunday wishes to be reunited with her family but is so afraid of rejection that she seeks help from writer Scott who is currently working with Iris on her biography, this is where the book gets clever, as a reader I was treated to lots of different back stories for the characters. They are told by tape recordings Scott has made and also letters certain characters have written to each other. As with all of this author's works there are so many twists and turns you will be kept guessing right to the last chapter.

One particular part of the book I enjoyed was the story of Thomas and Joanne, this is a story I would love to read more about.

This book is a great love story but it also covers domestic violence, racism, World War 2 and Rett Syndrome all areas have been covered tastefully and evidently well researched.

5 stars from me!

Becky Sherriff.

[Marlin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tackle a novel that is outside the genre that I normally read, I have a tough time finishing the book. Renata Barcelos did such a great job with character development and story that I had no trouble reading this book from the beginning to the end. If you're looking for a new author then I suggest you give this one a shot. I don't think that you'll be disappointed.

[Denise Bartram · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received a gift copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***

"Scott Goodwin writes best seller biographies and always dreamed of writing about his idol, Grandma's Eye's vocalist, Iris Morning. The singer and her husband, Douglas Oshiro, have been reclusive since 1984, when their famous psychedelic rock band announced a surprising halt. Scott is thrilled when Iris finally agrees to let him write the book and even more so when she explains why. She hopes the bio will help in finding her daughter Sunday and rebuild her shattered family."

Having gorged myself on several Paranormal Romance novels one after the other, I was ready to read something different. 'Myself In Blue' gave me that something different. I will confess, my first thoughts during the first couple of chapters weren't the greatest. I thought the book was "okay".

As I read chapter after chapter of 'Myself In Blue', my husband asked me what I was reading. I described the book to him and called it a Sunday afternoon book. Why? Remember those old movies you'd sit and watch on a Sunday afternoon? Ones that were timeless but made ya feel good at the same time? That's how I felt as I kept reading.
It wasn't action packed like Paranormal fiction/romance books can be but it still made my heart pound when reading some parts.

This book is not to be taken lightly as there are some dark moments in it but when you get to the end, a sense of love and peace awaits. 'Myself In Blue' is heart-breaking but heart-warming at the same time and is best enjoyed snuggled up in your favourite reading spot with a big mug of your favourite hot drink.

Renata F. Barcelos has done such a fantastic job with this book. She has taken two strangers who have crossed each other's paths and slowly built a relationship between them and oh, she did it so beautifully. My heart melted and bled for Sunday as she shared her past with Scott. At one point, I swear my heart literally ached. I couldn't give this book anything less than 5 Shamrocks.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could put more star ratings on this book, just let me do it! This is a story that really captures you from page one.

I've never before read a book by this author Renata F Barcelos. I am going to look up all her books and read them. I honestly am.

This author has a unique style, her way of writing is so fluent, its rounded, its pure and it really gets into the heart and soul, no...kidneys, of each and every character in this book that they live right by the side of you.

Scott writes people's biographies. He sits with the person, records what they say, is honest, and before anything goes to his editor he gets the approval of the person who agreed to have their book written.
He's single, he lives in a condo. He has a lovely dog, and that's his life.

The person he is working for to get her book, things turn a bit and she asks him to find one of her daughters, Sunday.

I'm skipping on a bit here, so lets get to the bit of Sunday listening to some of his tape recordings. Those bits enthralled me. It was like I was listening to someone sat next to me relate the story of their life. But it was really Sunday who was learning about her family. It will all become clearer if you purchase this book.

Its not often I rave lately about a book that has really "got to me" but this one certainly did.

This is book 1. I so want book 2.

I notice that Merge, one of her other books is free for download, so guess what! I've just downloaded it. I've also purchased one of her other books. I can't wait to read them.

I have discovered another author that I can stalk! If this book is anything to go by, I am in for some treats :)

I would like to urge you to read this, you won't regret it. It captured me well into the late morning with no sleep!

I am so glad I get involved in some blog tours as I would have surely missed out on this gem of an author.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1989. Sunday Morning is the daughter of Iris Morning and Douglas Oshiro, who are the lead singer and a musician in the cult band, Grandma's Eye. Sunday is a bad seed, "dark inside, trouble waiting to happen." Something happened late 1983, when she was nearly fifteen, leading her to run away from home to Brazil. Five years later, now aged twenty, Sunday is dying of osteosarcoma and wants to return home but can't quite bring herself to do so. She believes she deserves the cancer because of her past behavior, especially her poor treatment of her younger sister Earth, who suffers from Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Scott Goodwin is commissioned to write the biography of Iris Morning, who also wants him to help find her daughter Sunday and reunite the family. Scott is left in an invidious position when Sunday seeks him out and agrees to tell him her side of the story as long as he keeps her return a secret from her family. Through Scott's notes and tape recordings we learn about Sunday's family history, and we are left to wonder what went so horribly wrong.

The story is told alternately from the points-of-view of Sunday and Scott. This leads to some repetition and too much introspection from both characters. There are numerous editing errors including lack of quotation marks, especially when Sunday is telling Scott her story. The book is overly-long and in need of a severe edit. It is apparent the author is trying to display her knowledge of Brazil, but there is too much irrelevant detail on topics such as the metric system, coffee, vegetarianism, pets, the Portuguese language, a homeless poet, food, cooking, diet, TV shows, and football.

On the plus side, there are some lovely and insightful lines, and the story is compelling.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a profound, stimulating story! It is nothing like the reader suspects it is like from the Title. It is not Sci-Fy nor a Fantasy but a down to earth human interest and mystery rolled into one great tale. Hopefully it has a sequel and doesn't leave to reader in eternal suspense.

The reader's interest is peaked in the first few pages and held throughout the story - awaiting the answer until it finally comes to fruition. Even when the questions are answered the story line keeps the reader captured.

Stuck in a childish emotion, a lot of bad choices are made in a rebellious attitude. Although loving, parental skills are lacking resulting in an ultimate "bad choice" which tears the family apart for years. In the end, there are still some questions unanswered.

The characters in this Contemporary novel are real and "down to earth". The background scenes are described sufficiently, allowing the reader a visual picture. Early into the story the Title is made clear so is very fitting and the book cover creatively covers the main point of the story.

The only two problems in the content I had is the use of mild profanity and the questions left unanswered at the end.- I feel certain they will be answered in the sequel forth-coming. Join me in the near future for the answer in a personal interview with Author Renata F. Barcelos.

My review of this book gives it a solid Four and a Half Stars rating.

*This book was generously gifted to e by the author for an honest review, of which I have given.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. It is about an author writing a biography about a musician who has been in seclusion for several years after an incident that caused one of her daughters to run away. The daughter, Sunday Morning, has returned but the mother does not know this and the daughter is staying with the author who is sworn to secrecy not to tell her mother. Sunday has been diagnosed with cancer, which she feels is just punishment for her past sins. It is very interesting as the author is learning about the life the daughter lead for the past several years and about the mother and the daughter is learning about her family from him while debating when to reveal that she has returned due to guilt over something that happened in the past.

When I started reading hours seem to fly by before I came up for air, which tells me it is a good book. It is one of those that grabbed my interest and held me captive, reading until I literally fell asleep over my kindle, I was so involved in the story. If I were not so worn out from traveling and having a wedding to attend, I would have probably stayed up all night to finish the book.

[Tabatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do I say about this book????? It's definitely a 5 out of 5 stars....... This book is captivating and intense with emotions. Sunday Mourning's story has to be one of the most compelling I have read in a long time!!!! Renata Barcelos pulls you in and went to great length to give the book some factual content with her fictional characters!!! I am in aaawwww there are truly no words to depict the true nature of what this book is!!! I would recommend this book to anyone.

Tabatha with Fictions our addiction book blog!

[Renny Barcelos]

[Sarah Fluharty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Renata could write a pamphlet and I would love it. She's such a talented writer; she has a great imagination for characters, remarkable talent with plot, and is a committed and thorough researcher. Each of her books is unique and unlike the other-- I can't wait to read what's next!

[Mika Jolie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more stars. This book caught my attention from page one and I couldn't put it down.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up Sunday Morning wanted everything for herself and felt like she was the black sheep of the family as her older three sisters were perfection and then she was born and as her parents were in a band -with each child came their own song and Sunday's was called "Myself in Blue" - it was the most popular song that the band released until Earth was born and she was born with Rett Syndrome and her song sold more. Sunday Morning hated Earth and called her "Planet" and tried to give her away. As the years passed , Sunday Morning grew more resentful at her family until one day when she was fourteen years old she disappeared and never returned home. This tore her family apart and her parent's band split up and her dad ended up in a nursing facility - everything fell apart the day Sunday Morning left. Now seven years later, Sunday Morning is back but nobody knows it yet except for Scott who happens to be writing Sunday Morning's mother's biography - Iris Oshiro-Morning. Soon Scott and Sunday strike up a relationship when he opens his flat to her and helps her get back on her feet as Sunday has a secret - she is dying and has the "C" word. Can Scott help bring Sunday Morning back to the family , that no matter what never stopped loving her ? Can he let Sunday know that it's ok to ask for help with her Cancer and that people out there do love her , including himself ?
Myself in Blue is a New Adult novel that is set in the late 1980's and surrounds a family pulled apart by secrets, and family tragedies that is looking for love and redemption before it's too late.

[Nora Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a raw passionate read. That said let me add that I do not believe this author meant all of her lines to be taken literally, no, five-year-olds, as a rule, cannot carry the weight of babies, fouteen-year-olds cannot, commonly, land jobs, even in Brazil, and eleven-year-olds seldom torture their families by bringing home their latest, ill-conceived date. I think this author added these details more in keeping with how we perceive our memories of things--often the dates and even some of the facts are fuzzy, but the sentiment is bulls-eye on target. This read is much like the emotions it portraits--it is real, evocative and hard-hitting. I found it mesmerizing, hard-to-put-down and very unique in both style and story-line... and, yes, I loved it.
Sunday Morning, yes, that is her name, is rebellious, selfish and childish, she is trouble waiting to happen. She finds it in a fashion no young girl should have to, and then blames herself for it. This book is like a good Chinese proverb, it offers insight, wisdom and a series of possibilities rather than solutions, solutions after all would be way too much of a fairy-tale ending. I thought this book was intelligent, deft and topical. (Also, the Brazilian facts and tidbits are scrumptious.) Sunday has been a bad girl, and now, she thinks she deserves the cancer she has contracted: what she needs is a loving, thoughtful, caring, beautiful strong man to show her the error of her thoughts and offer her a brighter future... Ahhh, is that what she gets? read the book to find out, it's certainly worth it.

[Lekeisha]

DNF for now. I may revisit in the future. I've been at this one for too long.