Review: Mad Blood Stirring: The Inner Lives of Violent Men

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Review: Frat Girl

Frat Girl by Kiley Roache
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dates Read: December 30-31

Melissa's Musings

The sociologist in me loved this book. It features Cassie Davis, a high school student from Indiana, who comes up with an interesting way to earn the first year of a scholarship to a prestigious college. Conduct a social experiment in order to conduct research on culture inside a frat house, social norms within Greek organizations, and potentially disband the frat. What she doesn't anticipate is the far reaching effects, both on her personal life, and the lives of the fraternity brothers.

My own college experience was far removed from Cassie's. I didn't go to any frat parties, I only had a few friends. But I could definitely still relate on some levels. I lived in coed dorms all four years, so there was the general banter between all of us, that's similar to the banter between Cassie and her "brothers".

My sophmore year of college I had a roomate much like Leighton. Complete with Louis Vuitton luggage, and the haughty attitude that said she felt she was much too good to be sharing a room with the likes of me. I endured the riduculous screeching of her sorority sisters when they stopped by our room and I happened to be there. Frat boys sleeping over, and the ridiculous drama that came with too much drinking, (Hers, not mine) Needless to say, I had a single room for the remainder of my college life because the experiences with this roomate were not ones I wanted to suffer through again.

Cassie as a character is probably not too much like me personally, other than studying sociology and gender issues. I'm not a girly girl, and she seems to be one, at least on some level. But I do like her edginess. She stands up for what she feels is right, and doesn't give a fuck about it.

So much so that at one point she almost blows her entire experiment when she bursts out of an interview room to talk to one of the subjects after the recount a painful experience. The researcher in me was thinking "Oh no, what are you doing?!?! The other part was thinking "I probably would have done the same thing.

The author does a nice job of intermixing formal writing, for the research parts of the story, and the parts that deal with some of the heavier subject matter when the characters are discussing feminism, and keeping it real, and genuine. Although I really could have done without the use of the word "fuckbois". That's just an annoying textspeak term to me, but I see why she used it.

As Cassie gets more involved both with pledging, and with her project, you can tell that its going to be difficult to see how this all will turn out. She gets personally involved, which I know would be hard not to do, social experiment or not. But, because of the experiment, her experiences and friendships are based on mistruths.

The "relationship" she has with Connor is stereotypical. He only wants one thing, and turns into an ass when she says no. Her relationship with Jordan is sweeter. Though I didn't find it overly ridiculous, like it could have been. It felt just right.

I also really liked Duncan's character. He's the perfect mixture of a macho football player but someone who also cares about people. Cassie really seems to have an impact on him, as is apparent in one of his last scenes in the book.

The serious subjects of the book are important, and dealt with well. This also gave me some serious laughs. Since this is an ARC, I can't quote directly, because I can't compare with the finished book, but lets just say there is a scene where the frat brothers talk about "laying eggs" that had me laughing pretty hard.

The twist from Peter at the end isn't really one I had expected, but I definitely appreciated it. On the level of the impact of Cassie's influence, and on a personal level, I agreed with what he had to say.

Given that Cassie has to propose a new project each year to maintain her scholarship, I think there's room for Roache to continue with these characters and I wouldn't be disappointed to see more of them, but I imagine it'd be difficult to maintain the quality and keep it fresh like this was.

Does anyone have any college stories they'd like to share? Do you think you might consider reading Frat Girl?

*I won a copy of this via Goodreads Giveaways*

Book Review: The Rockin' Chair

Title: The Rockin' Chair

Author: Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Published: June 25, 2013

Format: Kindle

Pages: 272

Source: Received from the publisher

in exchange for an honest review

Read: September 23, 2013

Genre: Contemporary

In A Few Words: Poignant

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your To-Read Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy Grandpa John calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read

Melissa's Musings:

This is the 2nd book I've read by Steven Manchester. His first, Twelve Months, pulled me in from the very first page. The Rockin' Chair is no different. I don't know quite how he does it, but Manchester manages to create a world that the reader is immediately pulled into from the very first sentence. I settled in instantly, already feeling at home with the family from the start.

This book deals with some tough issues.

 At the forefront, we have John, the family patriarch. He's a beloved grandfather, a father, a hard worker, a devoted husband. We watch as he struggles with watching his wife Alice lose her memories to Alzheimers.

The relatioship between Alice and John is beautiful. The kind that most of us dream to have. Where someone loves us so much that they will take care of us through anything, no matter how difficult life gets.

 Upon Alice's death he calls his family back to his farm in Montana.  We watch as he pieces the family back together again, using memories. Some lighthearted and positive, some not so happy. He helps his grandchildren deal with some of their inner demons.

 Evan ran away from the farm, eager to get away from his abusive father and small town life. He was hoping to settle down with a girl who he thought he loved, who only turned around to break his heart by cheating on him. George, a war veteran whose time at war caused him to make some decisions that he wasn't proud of, is still fighting, even though he's returned home. Only now he's fighting to come to peace with himself. And Tara, who left for New York hoping to make it big, only to fall to the temptation of drugs and alcohol, who knows she needs to change her ways for her young daughter.

It's an emotional journey as you read on to discover how John manages to help each one of his family members. Painful as it is to relive some of these memories that John helps each family member recall, there are lessons in each of them. He even manages to bring some peace and redemption to himself, and repair his relationship with his son Hank.

The rocking chair that the story's title comes from is a central part of the story. It has an intimate significance to the bond that the family shares. The idea of a rocking chair holds different memories and ideals for each of the characters throughout the story. One thing I've noticed is that each of Manchester's recent books features a chair/chairs on the cover. 

 This book had me in tears several times over the course of reading it. I devoured it in a few hours. Even though the story was resolved well, it still left me wanting more. I can't wait more from this talented author.

Review: Montana Wildfire

Title: Montana Wildfire

Author: Rebecca Sinclair

Publisher: E Publishing Works!

Published:  June 9, 2011

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Historical Romance

Pages: 436

Source: Received in exchange for an honest review

Read: April 13-May 6, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

After her father's sudden death, lovely Amanda Lennox had no money for the long trip from Boston to the ranch she inherited in faraway Seattle. When she saw the advertisement for a wilderness expert to escort eleven-year-old Roger Bannister,III to Montana, the adventure-loving woman jumped at the chance, never guessing she'd end up lost in the wilds of Idaho with a twisted ankle. Then an arrogant halfbreed on a palomino stallion came to her rescue and comforted her with is healing touch. Rugged ranch hand Jacob Blackhawk Chandler knew from experience that prissy white princesses meant trouble. He'd seen Amanda Lennox's type before, haughty and citified and utterly unequipped to survive in the wide open country. He couldn't just ride off and leave the lovely minx alone and hurt but he sure wouldn't be taken in by that sweet smile, either!

Melissa's Musings:

Historical Romance isn't a genre I have read much of, I'll admit. But, I've been trying to expand my reading horizons, so when the author's assistant reached out to me to review this book, I was a little skeptical, but I'm glad that I decided to read and review it. 

The characters in this book are well fleshed out and somewhat complex. There's Amanda, a proper Bostonian lady, who's taken a job of chaperoning a young boy back to his father's home, to make some extra money to get home to her inherited ranch in Seattle. 

Then there's Roger, Amanda's willful, insolent charge, who ends up being kidnapped early in the story.

And there's also Jacob Blackhawk Chandler. A man who walks between two worlds, the white world and the Native American world as he is half white, half Native American.

Each of these characters goes through a great deal of growth and maturity throughout the novel, which is nice to see. I like to read multidimensional characters who are constantly changing for the better. They make for much more interesting characters than those who are too dense to have any real change or growth.

The author expressed Amanda's dislike for Roger so well that I grew to dislike him too, and was actually somewhat glad when he got kidnapped and the story switched focus to Amanda and Jacob. I was worried that when they finally found out what happened to Roger and caught up with him again, I wouldn't like the story as much because of Roger's personality, but he too, became more mature and changed his ways over the course of the novel.

As for Amanda, she learns to break free from the hold of proper societal norms (although you can sense a willingness to do this in her character from the very beginning.) She also manages to teach Jake a lot about himself and the way he carries himself, and how that makes him look to the rest of the outside world.

I have to note that amongst all this change, growth and racial tension, there is also a lot of sexual tension between Jake and Amanda. There are some racy sex scenes between Jake and Amanda, so if those make you uncomfortable, be forewarned. They are tastefully written, even the most heated ones.

The only thing that really bothered me about this book is that some of the language and phrasing got extremely repetitive. I understand the need for it, to keep the language consistent with the historical theme, but I would have really liked it if the author could have varied some of the phrases a little more. The same phrases every few pages just got old after a while.

That fact aside, if you're looking for a tension filled historical romance to read, this would be it.

Have any of you read this? Or are there any other historical romances you can recommend that I try out?

Author Spotlight: Debbie Martin

Hello fellow readers!

Today I am welcoming Debbie Martin, author of Chained Melody to Melissa's Midnight Musings. First let's learn a little about the book, then we'll learn more about the author herself!

About Chained Melody:

Publisher: Pink Press

Published: January 13, 2013

Formats: Paperback, Kindle

Pages: 428 

Buy the Book*: Amazon

* This book will be available to downnload FREE on Amazon on February 14th.

Synopsis:

When a man walks out of HM prison, it is with a decision to be made; a decision that requires him to review almost a lifetime of memories to be able to make it. Tom and Will are best friends from childhood and share vulnerabilities and self-discoveries the way only best friends can, but in their teens, their lives take two very different routes. Tom joins the army and Will goes to university at a time when the aftermath of the psychedelic sixties has openly embraced more exotic behaviour. Tom discovers the reality of life and death in Northern Ireland and that showing courage is nothing to do with display.  Will learns that what he thought he was, he isn’t.

                Since childhood, Tom has always been the alpha male and Will the enigma. Childhood experiences have influenced Wills view of the male-female relationship, but the bizarre and flamboyant he experiences in the Kings Road shop he works in, and his own confusing sexual experiences bring him to a cross-roads in his life when he realises that he feels the same as the pre-op trans-sexual he accidentally sees undressed whilst at the shop. He decides he is a woman in a man’s body and he must make the transition to find true contentment. As he starts the journey towards his dream, he experiences the prejudice, violence and abuse which regularly dog those treading a different path, but also friends and allies in the most unusual places. In the meantime Tom returns home from the army, psychologically and physically damaged, and finds solace in a childhood sweetheart, whom he marries too quickly. Her desire for children leads to the discovery that he is infertile - another failing. He accedes to her demands for infertility treatment, but the stress of it eventually leads to their marriage breakdown. Homeless and jobless, the only person he can think of to go to is Will.

After an explosive start, an act of courage by Will, now Billie, leads them to mutual accommodation of Will/Billie’s transformation, but also Tom’s continuing confusion with it and his feelings about Billie. Their relationship is gradually re-built, but the format changes as much as Billie does. For the first time Tom is able to examine his own vulnerabilities without being judged against the harsh criteria of the male world he is used to. Will/Billie’s experiences of ostracism, self-doubt, taunts and prejudice mirror Tom’s growth in self-respect, acceptance and finding an assured place in society. Their growing closeness and the disturbing emotions it awakens in Tom are brought to a summary conclusion when his wife reappears, threatening blackmail and public humiliation for both of them, as well as putting Billie’s hard-won imminent surgical treatment at risk. The accident that follows forces the relationship into sharp focus as Tom has to decide if he has the strength of character to face potential prejudice and social alienation in order to support Billie. He doesn’t believe he has so instead he sacrifices his freedom to ensure hers, unwittingly blighting both of their lives instead.

The letter that has arrived just before Tom leaves prison tells him that Billie survived despite his belief she’d died after an accident as he started his sentence, and encloses her diary. As Tom reads the diary, he slowly comes to understand Billie’s form of courage and the part he has played in it. It gives him hope he can at last find the same for himself. The story is told partly through the diary and partly through Tom’s own memories. Unexpectedly he potentially has a second chance at happiness. Is he brave enough to take it this time? The story ends with Tom finding the spark of hope that he actually created himself when he thought Billie was dying, and the melody between them becomes unchained at last. The plot explores what love is, and is it the gender of a person we fall in love with – or the psyche? Perhaps the psyche is neither male nor female, and true love has no real boundaries at all?

Author Interview:

What is your name? Do you use a pen name (if so, why?)?

I use my own name – Debbie Martin. Well, why wouldn’t I? I have to be proud of what I write I order to publish it so I stand by it and it goes under my own name.

Tell me a bit about yourself:

Almost a child of the sixties, I’ve had quite a varied – and sometimes disconcerting - life until now, but it has always been interesting!

I’m widowed and have two teenage daughters who I’ve brought up largely on my own. Sadly my husband died from cancer some while ago. My daughters are amazing – the eldest, at now 18 has just gone to Oxford University and the younger is 14, and a budding dancer. I am extremely proud of their maturity and strength of character.

Being on my own led me into trying to work out the best way of living a happy life as a singleton. About two years ago I took over a singles social business because, having tried internet dating, I had come to the conclusion that it was the worst possible way  to try to meet someone, whereas the no-pressure sociable way the business I took over approached it promoted self-esteem and  a good social life; win- win, it seemed. It is called Singles that Mingle and is still running – although ironically, with its own dating site now too because the members wanted one! It was because of this that I wrote the two other books I’ve already had published:

·         Are You The One? – a humorous look at internet dating.

·         The Strategy – ways of meeting people appropriate to you in terms of dating and sociability.

After that I got the writing bug big time, and not only was my current book, Chained Melody written but two more just waiting in the wings for all the buzz about it to settle before I publish them too!

I now also work for the University of Winchester as an event organiser for their business networking group, Wired Wessex, so I’m using my contacts and knowledge of business needs to identify speakers and workshop leaders to meet their business community needs too, which is fascinating.

           

What type of genre do you write?

All kinds actually. I would like to call Chained Melody literary fiction – but many will categorise it as LGBT. It is only because it writes about a transgender, however it is also a love story and a tale of inner courage. The next book I would like to have published is Courting the Dark, which is a psychological thriller, and after that the third novel that I have just finished the first draft is a psychological/supernatural thriller. My first two books were self-help and my daughters regularly nag me about finishing that comedy called ‘Trivett’ that I’ve written the first two chapters of …

What genre to you personally read?

Thrillers, psychological drama, literary fiction, supernatural, crime – and also I love a good classical blood and guts a-la Jacobean revenge drama style, so I still often read Marlowe, Webster and Shakespeare.

Tell me about your latest?

Chained Melody is a tale of two men’s journey from boyhood to maturity. They are best friends as children but are completely different in personality. Their lives go in extraordinarily different directions as one embraces his masculinity and the other realises his feminine side by changing his gender. Their worlds collide at a time of great personal discovery, and their feelings towards one another change dramatically too. Eventually their relationship evolves into something special and incredible against the backdrop of prejudice and their own confusing emotions but not before they’ve each had to challenge their beliefs and find their own version of inner courage.

What sparked your passion for books and the art of a good story?

I have always been a voracious reader. As a child I used to work my way along the shelves at the local library – a bit like a locust! I would come home with an armful of books and have finished them all within days and be champing at the bit to go back for more. I developed a love of literature per se at school and that lead me to university to study English and Fine Art – my two passions by then. I still love going to the theatre and visiting art galleries when I get the chance.

Is there a particular book that changed or affected your life in a big way?

There are many books that have had a lasting effect on me. Enid Blyton’s Famous Fives were probably the first major influence in getting me hooked on reading the next and the next and the next as quickly as possible. Shakespeare was a revelation when I started reading and understanding the skill of the writer in my teens. At university, I was struck by the drama and spectacle of the Jacobean tragedians but also knocked sideways by the punchiness of controversial writing like Selby’s ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’, yet I also love the epic other- worldliness of Tolkien. I would say overall that there are so many influences it would be difficult to lay the blame for my writing now on any specific one of them! 

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Why did I write Chained Melody, as I’m not gay, transvestite or transsexual? Because after discussing with my older daughter how Twelfth Night was one of the earliest plots to include gender confusion as an issue, I realised that it was a very serious and distressing issue, yet one that barely gets any really empathetic airtime. Much of the LGBT type fiction is blatantly erotica and I wanted to write an account that led non-transgender people to understand it as a serious issue, not a tacky joke. ‘Trannies’ are usually figures of fun, not sympathy. I hate prejudice and closed-mindedness, so I set out to write something that spanned a wide range of difficult situations including transsexualism, and get the reader rooting for the two main characters, who experienced these dilemmas, despite the fact that one was transsexual and they would therefore not normally be regarded as the hero(ine).

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?

Getting published is a continual issue for all writers. I lost all faith in the traditional system after meeting a range of publishers and agents at a literary conference last year via the university I now work for, and realising how blasé and dismissive they were of debut writers in their search for the next ‘Fifty shades of…’ money spinner. Literature should be about great writing not great piles of cash (even though we’d like some of it …)

What has been your best moment as a writer?

I suppose it has to be the time I held the first printed book in my hand and thought – ‘this is mine!’ There is a family photo of me with a grin bigger than the Cheshire Cat’s holding it up. Classic!

Who is your author idol?

P D James. I heard her speak at a writers group meeting I hd the privilege to go to last year and at over 90, she is still sharp, charming, interesting, relevant and a brilliant speaker as well as writer. Please may I be as quick-witted and skilled in my nineties!

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Yes, unfortunately. I think we always write a little of what and who we know into our characters – whether we intend to or not. Art has to imitate life as it’s the only way we’ve gained enough experience to w be able to write. However, now when I write a character, I am writing characteristics I am aware of – and how they determine or influence the characters behaviour and decisions, rather than copy-catting people I’ve met or known. Writing is also a rather good way of examining those elements I yourself and others and using that to work out why we do things to, so there’s always some self-analysis going on in any writing, I think.

Do you feel like your dream has come true or is there much more to do?

Well, a dream has come true in the sense that I have written and been published three times – and that is amazing for me, but it’s just the first step along the way. I still have so much more to write, I don’t quite know where to start…

What does your workspace look like?

It’s my dining room table – littered with bits of paper, my laptop, a cup of coffee and the biscuit tin, unless I’m feeling virtuous or on a diet. On the floor, where I will fall over her as soon as I get up, is my daft retriever called Rosie – who actually has a bit-part in ‘Trivett’, when I get round to finishing it.

Have you ever had a day when you just wanted to quit?

No. I’ve had days when I’ve wondered why I was doing it as getting published is often so hard to achieve, and then the love of writing – and the need to do it, kicks in again.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I have a rather hectic life most of the time, being a single mum, and also working and running my own business so I always tend to be rushing from one thing to another. When I can I like to play badminton, read, love live music, the theatre and just being sociable to relax. I’m a bit of a party-thrower, and then wonder afterwards why I did it because I spend most of my time rushing round being the host and not the party-goer. Maybe that makes me a workaholic?

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Staying determined even when it doesn’t feel like it’s going well, being observant because the next character or situation is often write under your nose, listening carefully because sometimes the smallest thing can make the difference to success or failure, taking criticism positively because you ALWAYS learn from it, letting rip to your friends when you’re frustrated (– and then shutting up so they don’t get fed up with you going on about it) and just keep writing …

Did you have a moment when you realized you were meant to be a writer?

When I realised I enjoyed writing and wanted to find the time to do it.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

·         Try to find some time every week to write something. You can draw on what you think as even disconnected ideas at a later stage

·         Always have something to record ideas wherever you are. It may not be possible to write every day, but the longer you don’t write the more the frustration builds and when it’s built up enough I always find that’s when the great ideas spill out – usually when I’m driving! Make sure you have some way of recording them wherever you are – notebook, dictaphone, phone even.

·         Have goals - even if they are small ones, so you feel you have achieved something.

·         Have a long term plan – if you want to publish, have that as your plan.

·         Join a writers group – they will encourage you and give you ideas; you will do the same for your fellow members.

·         Read, read, read.

·         Go to some classes if you aren’t sure on technique, style, content. One of the best inspirations I had was a course at Bournemouth University (my ‘local’) – the course teacher is now a personal friend and I learned so much from it, and the other people on it, it was invaluable.

·         Learn how to edit and ‘kill your darlings’ if you have to.

·         Find and take advice when it’s needed. We can’ all do everything perfectly – yo may  need someone else to edit, proof-read, critique …

·         Read aloud – it really pinpoints problem areas.

·         Be bold. No-one got anywhere without a little self-belief.

After this book, what is next?

Apart from editing and getting the next two novels that are already written published, I’ve just taken on a joint project to write a tale about the lap dancing industry. Its working title is ‘Private Dancer’ and I will be fictionalising real life memoirs, which is going to be tricky challenge to create a startling but non-cheesy story about principles in an unprincipled world. I’ve got the first sentence of the first chapter already in my head!

Your website?

http://www.debrahmartin.co.uk/

Your blog?

Blog: http://debbiemartin.wordpress.com/

Other websites?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DebbieMartin.Author?ref=hl

Linked In: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/debbie-martin/21/27b/3b4?trk=shareTw    

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6588010.Debbie_Martin

Twitter @Storytellerdeb

Where can your book be found?

On Amazon:

Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chained-Melody-Debbie-Martin/dp/1780035470/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1357295167&sr=1-1-catcorr

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chained-Melody-ebook/dp/B00AG39Q74/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1357295167&sr=1-1-catcorr

Thank you for reading J

I want to say a big thank you for Debbie Martin for stopping by Melissa's Midnight Musings. If you are as intrigued by this book as I am, be sure to download Chained Melody FREE from Amazon on February 14th.

Blog Tour Stop: Before You Say I Do Again by Benjamin Berkley

Hello fellow readers!

Today I'm going to be sharing my thoughts on Before You Say I Do Again: A Buyer's Beware Guide to Remarriage! by Benjamin Berkley.

Title: Before You Say I Do Again: A Buyer's Beware Guide to Remarriage

Author: Benjamin H. Berkley

Publisher: Frederick Fell Publishers

Published: September 1, 2009

Source: Received a free copy as part of a blog tour.

Synopsis:

Bookshelves are filled with warm and fuzzy titles authored by psychologists and family counselors. Their message is to teach how to listen to each other and improve the relationship. "Before You Say I Do, Again!" is not a how to book to get back together or to stay together. Instead it takes the gloves off and provides insight as to the issues one must consider before walking down the aisle a second time. Tackling a serious subject, but presented in a sometimes whimsical fashion, "Before You Say I Do, Again!' puts the brakes on the wedding ceremony and provides the reader with the questions that must be answered before you drive down the path of destruction.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Melissa's Musings:

Judging from the title you might think that this book is useful only if you've been married before and are considering taking that plunge again. That's not the case.

I've never been married, and while reading I was able to identify a lot of useful information that would be helpful to talk about within my own relationship. I also gained a lot of insight into the issues that couples fight about most often, and why it is that most marriages and remarriages fail. A lot of it has to do with not working on yourself as a person. 

A lot of times people want to put a lot of blame on their ex as being the reason that their marriage failed instead of accepting the fact that they were in part, also responsible, and that they need to work  on themselves and improve before they consider taking that trip down the aisle with someone else.

The book is really well laid out in terms of the chapters being clear and concise. There are  a lot of questions in each chapter that you can ask yourself and your partner to make sure that you are on the same page about things. This covers a wide range of subjects like finances, emotional health, physical health, legal ramifications etc.  I felt that the author was really trying to help people figure out their motivations for remarrying and steer them in the right direction, not by preaching one correct way to do things, but by getting people to really think about why it is that they want to get married again. Since the author is a lawyer, the influence is heavy on the legal ramifications of different aspects of remarriage, but it's not overwhelming, just consistent advice for a variety of situations.

One of the great things about this book is that there are a lot of example situations woven in with the more technical information. I feel that this made the book much more palatable. If it had been just statistics or dry, informational material, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did. With these examples mixed in it really gives a more clear picture of the point the author is trying to make and helps the reader relate to the information more easily. Plus the author takes a somewhat informal tone that shows that he's not just spouting off information but really just trying to help by sharing what he's learned.

The tone is very cautionary, which might make it seem like the author is against marriage, but that really isn't the case. What I took from it is that he's trying to help people avoid re-marrying for the wrong reasons, like wanting to be financially comfortable, or getting married again just because they're used to living with someone, and things like that. The main lesson I came away from reading this with is to always trust your gut. If something doesn't sit right with you about someone you're romantically interested in, it probably isnt. And while some of the questions this book asks you to consider might be awkward to bring up, if you are in a truly loving and comitted relationship you will be able to talk them through without much difficulty.

Blog Tour Stop: Scammed by Art Maines

Hello Fellow Readers!

Today I'm going to share my thoughts on Scammed: 3 Steps to Help Your Elder Parents and Yourself  by Art Maines

Title: Scammed: 3 Steps to Help Your Elder Parents & Yourself

Author: Art Maines LCSW

Publisher: Love Your Life Publishing

Published: October 12, 2012

Source: Received a free copy of this book as part of the book tour

Melissa's Musings:

My Rating: 3 stars

This book is excellently laid out. It is clear, easy to follow and provides detailed, step by step instructions on the actions to take if you or a loved one is scammed, or you suspect that something of that nature is happening.

This book is very easy to read in that the language is straightforward and easy to understand. Maines does an excellent job of providing the information without being overly forebearing. He cautions readers often not to take his advice as the ultimate word and to be sure to consult several types of experts. I also really appreciated the personal touch of using his stepfather's story of being scammed, because it makes the situation more real, personable, and easy to read. If you're just reading straight facts then you're likely to get bored.

This book is well researched, which is apparent by the numerous statistics.

There were a few sections that I would have liked to have been more thoroughly explained, particularly the section on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This sounds like a successful technique, and their is information on the types of issues this technique is used on, but it doesn't really go into the technique itself so that was a bit disappointing. 

Also, some of the information can be very repetitive, but that can be par for the course with books on such sensitive and important information. It has to be reiterated a few times to really sink in.

There are lots of excersises, checklists and resource lists to help people through these difficult situations, so this book is a great resource.

Review: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Title: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Author: Paulette Mahurin

Publisher: Self Published

Published: January 1, 2012

Format: Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 202 pages

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: January 4-5, 2013

In A Few Words: Enlightening, Entertaining

My Rating: 4 Stars 

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads  Synopsis:

The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

Melissa's Musings:

Let me start off by saying that historical fiction isn't a genre I normally read much of as I find that at times the stories can be dry and more focused on the history than the story. In this case, it was reversed and I was pleasantly surprised.

There are a lot of historical events incorporated into this novel, like Oscar Wilde's imprisonment, sovereignty issues, and racism. They are incorporated in such a natural way that you are immediately drawn into the story.

The story focuses on two women, Edra, and Mildred, who are cousins. They are also lovers. After hearing of the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde for gross indecency, they begin to fear that the true nature of their relationship will be, and they discovered and they will have to suffer the consequences of hateful prejudice. Mildred comes up with a plan to divert the towns attention from them, and begins courting a man named Charley, who has just lost his wife to illness.

Aside from the secret of  Edra and Mildred's relationship, there is a lot of animosity toward Mildred, as she is very wealthy and has a hold in many of the major aspects of the town. There are many women who are jealous of her money, and put her down by talking about her looks and mannerisms.

The characters in this novel are all very realistic and approachable. It's very easy to be drawn in to their world. As you read, you find that they all have their own secrets to hide. This paints a somewhat bleak (on the part of the general population of the town) picture of the closed mindedness of the time.

Mildred and Edna's relationship is very sweet, and very simply portrayed. You can see how much they care for one another in the way that they speak to each other and always have each other's best interests at heart. They find it difficult to let people into their lives but they manage to let a few select people in who are very trustworthy.

One thing that I really enjoyed were the Oscar Wilde quotes at the beginning of the chapters. They were all relevant and fitting to the chapters themselves. There are also numerous mentions of several classic books. You have to love when an author can incorporate other great books into their work. I learned a lot about Oscar Wilde from reading this novel. Many of his quotes resonated with me, just because they are such common sense, and yet still so true.

Some of the plot points are easy to guess at, but you won't really mind because the rest of the story is easy to get swept up in.

This is a simple, yet powerful story about family, love, friendship and what it means to truly trust and care for those around you. I would recommend this to anyone who's hesitant to read historical fiction because it will pull you right in.

Review: Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite *Contains Some Spoilers*

Title: Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite

Author: Lianne Simon

Publisher: Faie Miss Press

Published: September 18, 2012

Format: Kindle

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 232  pages

Source: Received from the author

 in exchange for an honest review

Read: January 2-3, 2013

In A Few Words: Interesting take on a difficult subject

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads:  Add This to Your TBR List

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the heart of an intersex teen, one who must ultimately choose male or female—family or true love—comes the story of a deeply emotional and perilous journey home. This is a young adult novel unlike any other—an authentic portrayal of the issues faced by a child growing up with a sexually ambiguous body.

Jameson can be like other boys after minor surgery and a few years on testosterone Well, at least that’s what his parents always say. But Jamie sees an elfin princess in the mirror, and male hormones would only ruin her pretty face. For him to become the man his parents expect, Jameson must leave behind the hopes and dreams of a little girl. But what is so wrong with Jamie’s dreams that they can’t be her life?

Melissa's Musings:

The topic of a person being intersex is a very difficult one to breach as it is a sensitive topic in general. The author does a good job of discussing intersexuality in a mostly neutral way, although Jamie/Jameson's parents clearly want her to be something she's not, and it's obvious that they have issues with her condition. 

They raised her as a girl until she was 9, then moved, cut her hair and tried to raise Jamie as a boy named Jameson. From what I understand, they were told that it would be easier to raise Jamie as a boy, so that's what they decided to do. Also, they were raising Jamie without any doctor supervision for her condition, which seemed really odd.

I feel like a lot of the background is missing, and should have been structured differently. For one thing, Jamie's parents reactions to situations are really harsh. And you don't know their true feelings about when they first found out about Jamie's condition. I think that explaining those feelings would have set the reader up to better understand why Jamie's parents treat her the way they do. 

You also  find out that Jamie was born with one ovary and one testis. Then about halfway through the book, you find out that these were both removed because Jamie had cancer at one point. It seemed odd to just throw that in there and wasn't necessary to move the story forward.

There are some nice quotes about not being able to change who you are, that I found really positive.

The struggle that Jamie goes through with herself and who she wants to be is significant, and can be confusing at times. It was almost like Jamie had multiple personality disorder. There's Jameson, her boy "self" who she pretends to be for her father. Then there's Jamie, which is who she truly wants to be. Then, there's also her sort of third "personality" if you will, "The Elfin Princess". What made me think of Jamie having MPD is the fact that she talks about compartmentalizing Jameson, taking him apart and putting him away. Then she also talks to The Elfin Princess in the mirror, often. It would have been clearer to just have Jamie describing experiences as Jamie and her experiences as Jameson. The Elfin Princess adds an odd element to the story.

There are also a lot of elements in this book that felt somewhat forced. The first being the blatant Christianity. It isn't brought up in a natural manner, and seems to be thrown into almost all of the significant events, which I found unnecessary and distracting.

There's also the fact that several people are just  "okay" with Jamie being a girl. I don't have a problem with that at all personally, I wish more people would be open-minded like these characters. It's just that structurally it seemed like the author went to the two extremes in this respect. On the one hand, Jamie's parents have such a problem with her condition and who she wants to be, to the point that they control and manipulate her. On the other hand, there are several people who just accept her without so much as a word. There wasn't enough conflict to keep things progressing toward the resolution, so it wasn't as significant as it could have been.

There's also a "secret society" of people from the same university that Jamie attends who all have different gender disorders. While the thought of it was nice because it gave Jamie people to talk to, it's completely unrealistic. The fact that these 4 other girls all just happen to go to the same school and somehow found their way to each other just doesn't seem likely at all.

As a character, Jamie isn't very strong. She's easily influenced and manipulated, so it was somewhat hard to connect with her. She also says "you know" at the end of her sentences a lot, to the point where it is irritating. And these were things that were already stated, or implied, so it almost felt condescending. It was things like, "I'm not a boy, you know,"  "We've only kissed, you know"

Overall, the story itself is in need of a little more setup, but I think that for a subject as difficult to write about as this one can be, the author did a nice job.

Review: The Man With the Green Suitcase

Title: The Man With the Green Suitcase

Author: Dee Doanes

Publisher: Wld Enterprises

Published: July 30, 2012

Format: Kindle

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 328 pages

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 31, 2012-January 2, 2013 

In  A Few Words: Unusual 

My Rating: 2 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis: What does... 

A prostitute, 

A corrupt businessman,and 

A disfigured young woman 

Have in common with a mysterious, old homeless man who carries a green suitcase? 

The old man comes into people’s lives because it is important for them to experience the visions that he is somehow able to show them—visions that even he doesn’t understand. But whoever he connects with will go through a transformation that will change the course of their life, for better or worse. The old man has no memory of who he is or even what the suitcase holds. But one day he will find out all about his own secret and dark past… 

This story is magical realism, realistic with paranormal elements, a mystery that needs to be solved, and a man and woman who will finally realize that they were meant to come into each other’s lives and remain forever

Melissa's Musings:

The overall concept of this book is really interesting. There's a homeless man who wanders the streets, stopping by a local shelter to get food and a shower, once a week. While there he's connected with several different people, some good, some bad, and he shares visions with them. This man doesn't remember who he is or his past and is pretty much a loner, all he knows is that he must pass on the visions to the people they are intended for.

 The interesting thing about this is the way the visions come about. When he is with someone and needs to pass along one of these visions, the energy builds up inside him, and the wrinkles on his face start to change. The energy buildup shines through the man as light. 

Of course this special ability makes people want to be around him even more, but he tends to shut people out and do his own thing. There are lots of other characters, but I don't want to talk much about them because I'll give away major plot points if I do. The main focus is on the man with the green suitcase and it's his visions that tie all of the characters in the book together. All of his visions do come true, in one form or another.

As interesting as this part of the plot is, I feel that the writing could have been a lot more polished to help pull the reader into the story more. The writing is somewhat stilted in places. It also feels like the descriptions are somewhat cluttered. I find it odd to be saying that there are too many details given, but that's what this felt like. It just feels like the author is trying too hard to set up the scene for the reader, and that leads the cluttered descriptions and halts the flow. Instead of flowing naturally, these overly descriptive passages feel clunky.

There are a few other weak spots in the structure that pull you away from the reading as well. The book switches tenses often, even in the middle of paragraphs. There are also a lot of instances of repetitive phrasing throughout the story, sometimes one right after the other. There's a section where the story alternates between Valerie and Gerald and they mirror phrases almost exactly, one right after the other. Sometimes this can work, but it didn't quite work here. The alternations with headings, in the middle of chapters was also unsettling. I think that if the story had simply been told from their perspective for the whole chapter it would have been better than alternating between them in the same chapter. 

Also, in a lot of sections there are sequences that I think are meant to be told as flashbacks which are all italicized. A few of these interspersed throughout the story would have been okay, but there are several and they are quite distracting.

One element of the book that I really enjoyed was the aspect of volunteerism. The author did a good job of really making it so that you can understand how life as a homeless person can be. It was nice to see characters who really enjoyed volunteering and helping others. There is also a character with mental illness in the story and while there was some description of that, it would have been nice to see that issue touched on a bit more thoroughly, in order to be able to better relate to Valerie's character.

The ending itself made no sense to me. The book was so focused on the man with the green suitcase and his power, that the buildup to his back story and his whole reason for being the way he was felt rushed, and it wasn't revealed until the very end, so I didn't have as strong feelings for him as I might have had I learned more about him sooner. The ending fell flat for me, due to lack of character development. 

The story is described as magical realism, and I feel that it was too focused on the magical part to really connect to it.

We're All Different but We're All Kitty Cats: First Day of School

Title: We're All Different But We're All Kitty Cats: First Day of School

Author: Peter J. Goodman

Illustrator: Nicolas Milano

Publisher: DreamBIG Press

Published: July 1, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 52

Source: Received from publisher in

exchange for an honest review

Read: December 11, 2012

In A Few Words: Teaches an important Lesson

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads:Add This Book To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

“My name is Carlos and I have no fur,” the kitty cat announces on the first day of school. Using schoolroom situations that every child will recognize, author Peter Goodman creates a gaggle of feline classmates who show the way to respect and friendship for Carlos the hairless cat, who faces the challenge of being different. With the support of his mother and teacher, Carlos discovers something on the inside that makes him just as unique as he is on the outside.

Popping illustrations and expressive characters bring the tale of Carlos and his friends to life. The first in a series that brings adults and children together to discuss important social issues—this one is exceptionally relevant, given the current focus on anti-bullying efforts in schools—the book includes discussion prompts and fun facts to help parents facilitate engagement and learning at story time.

Children will be entertained as they come to realize, with Carlos and his schoolmates, what matters most: the thing we all have in common is that we are all different.
(less)

Melissa's Musings:

This story is simple, and well told, yet it packs a powerful message. It touches on the important issue of bullying. In the story, Carlos is a cat who has no fur. When he goes to school on the first day and the teacher asks the class to share two things about themselves, Carlos shares that he likes to read books and that he has no fur. When he shares the fact that he has no fur, the class begins to laugh at him. He is teased by another classmate, but then two other classmates step in to help him. He also talks to his mom about what happens and she tells him that he is special and unique and that he should feel good about himself.

The story shows kids that it's okay to be different. It also encourages children to step up and help out a fellow classmate who is being bullied, instead of just standing by doing nothing and letting it happen. It also teaches kids to open up to parents and teachers for help in dealing with issues like these.

The strong messages are accompanied by pleasant, fun, illustrations. There is also an excellent question list at the back of the book that parents can use as prompts for talking to their children about bullying.

Last Chance Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Title: Last Chance Christmas

Author: Hope Ramsay

Publisher: Forever

Published: September 25 2012

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352 

Source: Won from a Facebook contest

Read: November 28-30 2012

In A  Few Words: Sweet, a comfort read

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:
I've been wishing for a miracle for my oldest boy, Stone, and this Christmas my prayers might just be answered!

Her name is Lark, and she's here in Last Chance, looking into her father's past-and stirring up a whole mess of trouble without meaning to. As the chief of police, Stone sure has his hands full trying to keep up with her. Ever since his wife died, Stone's put everything into raising his daughters and dodging the Christ Church Ladies' Auxiliary matchmakers. And it's clear Lark has been through some trouble and could use a place to finally call home. I only hope Stone can let go of the past soon enough to keep her . . .Goodness, I need to stop talking and finish up Jane's highlights so we can make the town tree-lighting. You come back by because the Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, fresh-baked Christmas cookies-and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

Melissa's Musings:

About 6 months ago, I read and reviewed Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay. You can check out that review Here.

Last Chance Christmas picks up in a similar place. Only this time, the focus is on Stone Rhodes. He is the sheriff in Last Chance. He's also a widow, with two young daughters, one of whom sees angels. This story follows his unexpected journey to loving again, it promotes acceptance on many levels. 

The really great thing about these books is that although they are all part of a series, they work extremely well as stand alone books so you can just jump right in and not feel like you're missing something. It's easy to get to know the characters, and they're so well developed that you immediately feel like you know them. It's very easy to put yourself right into Last Chance, because you can see all the events so clearly through the characters' eyes.

I have to say that I love the names that this author has given to the main family that the books focus on. In Last Chance Beauty Queen, the book focused on "Rocky" Rhodes, the matriarch of the family is Ruby Rhodes, and then in this book we have Stonewall "Stone" Rhodes. The little play on words is nice. Also Stones' love interest is named Lark. I love when authors change things up with names that are a little more unique.

This just goes to show how much the characters have grown on me in this book, as when I read Last Chance Beauty Queen, I thought the names were too much of a pun to be realistic. After reading Last Chance Christmas, the names have grown on me, and pun like or not, they really do fit the characters.

There are two current romances in this book, the one between Stone and Lark, and the one between Stones' daughter Lizzy and David. Lizzy and Davids' romance is sweet and easy, as they are young. Stone and Larks' romance is a bit more complicated as they both have a lot of personal baggage that they have to work through to finally figure out that they want to be together. Lark is a war correspondent who has seen horrible things in all the trips she's made and she's dealing with the after effects of the events of her last assignment. Stone is a Marine who's also had some bad experiences, who also has lost his wife and is reluctant to love again. The romance between them is tentative at times, but it's also electric and easy to see that they both want to be with each other.

I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a quick, easy, comfort read. 

Have any of you read this? Or any of the other books in this series?