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Sunday, September 1, 2013

In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long

In Leah's WakeIn Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Title: In Leah's Wake
Author: Terri Giuliano Long
Length: 359 pages
Publisher: North Charleston, NC: Createspace
Published: March 23, 2012
Genres: Fiction; Domestic Fiction

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My Rating: ✮✮✮

Synopsis:
A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace

At the heart of the seemingly perfect Tyler family stands sixteen-year-old Leah. Her proud parents are happily married, successful professionals. Her adoring younger sister is wise and responsible beyond her years. And Leah herself is a talented athlete with a bright collegiate future. But living out her father’s lost dreams, and living up to her sister’s worshipful expectations, is no easy task for a teenager. And when temptation enters her life in the form of drugs, desire, and a dangerously exciting boy, Leah’s world turns on a dime from idyllic to chaotic to nearly tragic.

As Leah’s conflicted emotions take their toll on those she loves—turning them against each other and pushing them to destructive extremes—In Leah’s Wake powerfully explores one of fiction’s most enduring themes: the struggle of teenagers coming of age, and coming to terms with the overwhelming feelings that rule them and the demanding world that challenges them. Terri Giuliano Long’s skillfully styled and insightfully informed debut novel captures the intensely personal tragedies, victories, and revelations each new generation faces during those tumultuous transitional years.

Recipient of multiple awards and honors, In Leah’s Wake is a compelling and satisfying reading experience with important truths to share—by a new author with the voice of a natural storyteller and an unfailingly keen understanding of the human condition…at every age.


Nominated Global eBook Award (New Edition, 2012)
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Pick
Book Bundlz Book Club 2011 Favorites - First Place

My Review:
Terri Giuliano Long writes about intense family relationships and what life with a teenager can be like! Life with teenagers is probably never easy, and Long writes about extreme difficulties faced by the Tyler family in just trying to get Leah to survive her teenage years!

Although I feel that Long accurately depicted real-life troubles with teenagers, I feel that sometimes it was a little too drawn out throughout the story. After awhile, I was getting annoyed with Leah and her antics, and found myself just not wanting to read any more.

One review that I read described how the Tyler family depicts this perfect picture of Leah Tyler, how she is this phenomenal athlete, extremely intelligent child, however, not many of her actions throughout this book, live up to that description. After the intense descriptions of the trials and tribulations of Leah, I would have liked to learn more about her survival afterward.

The book is great at proving that even the perfect families, aren't so perfect behind closed doors. Even though one may be a doctor, and drive a nice car, have a nice house, with the perfect job and kids, things might not be quite as they seem!

In the beginning, I was slightly confused by Long's writing style, how it would go back and forth between characters, especially in the first few chapters, but I didn't seem to notice it as much throughout the remainder of the book.

Overall, this book won't suede me from reading another book written by Long. I wanted to love it, but could only bring myself to like it. But I enjoyed the subject matter and writing abilities of the author.

Disclaimer:
I received this book as a member of Sisterhood of the Traveling Book from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain

The Midwife's ConfessionThe Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: The Midwife's Confession
Author: Diane Chamberlain
Length: 417 pages
Publisher: Don Mills, Ont.: Mira
Published: April 26, 2011
Genres: Fiction

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My Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Synopsis:
Dear Anna,
What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry-

The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle - her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family - described a woman who embraced life.

Yet there was so much they didn't know.

With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives - and the life of a desperate stranger - with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit.

My Review:
How could one NOT want to read this book after reading the synopsis!! I was engulfed by this story from the first page to the very last page! This was my first read by Diane Chamberlain, and I have already reserved a copy of another book of hers! I was succumbed by her writing abilities. This was such a great, well-written, emotional novel.

The characters were so real and emotional, but they were so wonderful to read about! I was so involved in their lives while reading their stories, evening feeling their anguish as they learned the truths of their lives and their friend's lives! This is truly a story about real friendships and the lengths a real friend will go to protect one another.

This story was like an emotional roller coaster, but left plenty of twists and turns to keep you wondering what exactly was going on. There was not a moment that passed while reading, that I was uninterested in what was going on.

This is probably one of the best books that I've read in awhile and I can't wait until I get to read more from this amazing author!

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Shadowkiller (Nightwatcher #3) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Shadowkiller (Nightwatcher #3)Shadowkiller (Nightwatcher #3) by Wendy Corsi Staub
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Shadowkiller
Author: Wendy Corsi Staub
Length: 419 pages
Publisher: New York; Harper
Published: January 9, 2013
Genres: Fiction; Suspense Fiction

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My Rating: ✮✮✮✮

Synopsis:
The terror of Sleepwalker and Nightwatcher continues as this New York Times bestselling author presents a new novel of suspense so terrifying it may make you afraid of the dark ...

Allison Taylor MacKenna's peaceful life is threatened by murky childhood memories and the murder of a stranger in the Caribbean. NYPD Detective Rocky Manzillo knows something terrible has emerged from the shadows. Can he stop a killer before it's too late for Allison and her family?

My Review:
Wendy Corsi Staub didn't disappoint me again with Book 3 of her Nightwatcher Trilogy! I have grown very fond of her writing and find that she does a great job! I enjoyed this book, however, not as much as the first two!

As with the first two books, I have found that I still want more from Allison and Mac, and am disappointed that as of right now, this is the end.

Wendy Corsi Staub has done a great job of bringing us a totally different story, with these same characters that we've read about and grown to love in Nightwatcher and Shadowkiller! It was great to get a glimpse into Allison's ever so distant and mysterious past life.

This book will take you on a roller coaster ride that you'll love, leaving you with plenty of shocks and thrills along the way! It's amazing how the three books come together in this last book of the trilogy!

I certainly will not hesitate to read more from Wendy Corsi Staub, as she has quickly jumped up my list of favorite authors. After three books, she has yet to leave me disappointed!

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Disclaimer

All blogs and reviews posted here are the sole property of the blogger and represent my very own opinions. In some cases, books reviewed are supplied to me in exchange for an honest review. Such cases will be noted on the blog post.

All other books reviewed have been purchased or borrowed through the normal channels.

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Rating System

AMAZING!!! Go get this book right now!!

Great! Highly Recommend

It's ok. Borrow from a friend material.

Not that good but at least read the blurb.

Leave it on the shelf!

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