The Child Finder: Book Review

During the Winter there's nothing more relaxing than a good book and hot a bath.  In the Summer my favorite pastime is reading by the pool (with a cocktail but that's on hold this Summer).  I'm so happy I've found my way back to books and I have another one to share with you: The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld.  A five year old girl went missing in the forest while looking for a Christmas tree to cut down with her parents several years ago.  Three years later Madison's parents have found Naomi, a private investigator who has become known as the child finder.  She exclusively takes missing children cases and searches tirelessly until she has an answer.  The story is told between the rotating voices of Madison and Naomi and we find that Naomi's past is pretty dark.  She was a missing child herself and can't remember her early years.  As Naomi uncovers the truth about Madison's case more and more memories surface about her past.  Will Naomi find Madison and will she learn the truth about her own past?

I recommend this quick read that draws you in.  I thought some questions were left unanswered about Naomi but still worth the read.  I'd also like to note that parts of the book are very hard to read.  As a mother to a little one (named Madison no less) it hit very close to home and was difficult to stomach.

The Perfect Girl: Book Review

My favorite books are mysteries and The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan is a bit of a mystery about a teenage girl, Zoe.  Zoe is a brilliant pianist and has a genius IQ but has had a major bump in her road.  She was a underage drunk driver who caused an accident and killed three people.  Despite telling the truth at her trial she was found guilty and sentenced to time in prison.  The story begins once she is out and has started a new life, in a town, with a new family.  Her mother has made it her mission to erase the past and keep it a secret.  The story is told from several characters points of view which makes it very interesting.  Another tragedy happens in Zoe's life and as the story unfolds we find out what happened and who is at fault.

This book is an easy read but is a fairly long book.  I thought that the story ended somewhat abruptly but that overall I liked the book and would recommend it to others.

Dark Places: Book Review

Well it's a miracle I learned how to read again!!!  I used to be a book worm and loved reading a good book especially in the Summer by the pool.  However, I don't know what happened but I seemed to set down the books and just run out of time.  I became so tired that in my free moments or at the end of the day I chose to watch mindless television instead of feeding my mind.  I'm happy to report I've started reading again and wanted to share my reviews with you.

All the books I've read recently came from recommendations from my girlfriend Rema of Jewelry and Jeans.   Rema liked this book, Dark Places by Gillian Flynn and I've loved other books from this author so I decided to give it a try.

It's a quick and easy read but I give it about a B.  It's worth reading but not a page turner and not at the top of any list.  It's about a troubled young woman who was the only survivor in a tragic shooting when she was a young girl.  Her mother and two sisters were killed and her brother went to jail for the murders.  Decades later her past is reopened and she starts to uncover that the truth may be far different than what it seemed many years before.  The book follows her journey to uncover the truth.

The main character wasn't a very likable person and to be honest I'm not sure I loved or connected with any of the characters.  What I did like was that the story was told from present day as well as from the past.  It jumped back and forth which kept it a bit more interesting.  Also capturing my attention was telling the story from several points of view.

If you have any book recommendations I'd love to hear them!

The Glorious Heresies Book Review

One of my greatest joys in life is reading by the pool with a cocktail.  It's even more exciting if I get to read on vacation.  Recently I was able to sneak in some me time on a work trip and read a little bit but instead of a cocktail I enjoyed a warm cup of tea because it was a little brisk out (plus hello I was working).  Reading without any interruptions is good for my mind and soul and I wish I had more time for a good novel.  I love sharing book reviews with you so I can pass on some good reads. Unfortunately this time I do NOT have a recommendation for you.

I finally finished The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney which took me soooooo many months to finish because it was terrible.  I struggled to finish the book but I kept hoping it was going to turn around for the better.  To give the book the benefit of the doubt it was set in Ireland so much of the language and jargon was totally foreign to me.  I also hated the ending of the book which stopped abruptly without a true conclusion.

Set in a rough part of Ireland Maureen Phelan accidentally kills an intruder who sneaks into her home one evening.  The consequences of the unplanned murder are detailed through the rest of the book connecting four struggling misfits, Ryan, Tony, Georgie, and Jimmy.  Ryan is a young teen who has already dropped out of school who sells drugs.  Tony, Ryan's Father is an alcoholic widower who is failing at raising his 7 children.  Georgie is a drug-addict, prostitute who finds herself caught up with a born-again cult movement and Jimmy is a gangster who thinks he runs the dark side of the town.  I never connected with any of the characters.  The story line was slow and boring; never a twist or a turn.  

Think Happy

I think I lean towards more of a pessimist but I say all the time, "I'm not a pessimist I'm just a realist!"  Either way getting an extra dose of positive thoughts is totally necessary for me.  I found a fun and happy book called Think Happy by Karen Salmonsohn which is just the perfect remedy for the everyday pessimist.  It's a very easy and lighthearted read that could be tackled in one short sitting but I'm enjoying reading it each morning.  The book is divided by topics and has 5 solutions for each problem.  Problems like failure, feeling grumpy, or needing to forgive.

The collection includes 50 of these "pep talks" which can boost your mood and/or confidence and help you tackle the day.  The entire book is bright and filled with fun and whimsical illustrations.

I had a ton of take-aways from the book and these are some of my favorite quotes or "pep talks," 

" It's easier to be a saint for fifteen minutes than an hour,"  

"Thoughts are like a steering wheel," 

"It is what it is- but you have the power to turn it into an isn't-so-bad," 

"Perfectionism is a form of self-abuse," 

"No matter how awesome you are, you won't be everyone's cup of tea- but no worries.  You'll be many people's double espresso," 

"If someone is trying to pull you down, it just means they are beneath you," 

"You are a fine piece of china.  Don't let anyone treat you like a paper plate," 

"Realize how much you're worth, and don't give people discounts," 

"Hating someone makes them important.  Forgiving them makes them obsolete."

If you're looking for a some motivation you should grab this book!

If you want more info on the book click HERE or more info on the author click HERE.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Stealing a Mommy Moment and Book Review

Stealing a moment to unwind, relax, sip hot tea and read a book is a total luxury.  During the summer months my favorite past time is reading by the pool.  In the fall or cooler months there's not much more I enjoy than reading a book with a warm cup of tea.  (I guess it rivals a hot bath at the end of a long day.)  Although reading is one of my favorite pastimes, reality is I don't get to do it very often.  So when I do get to sneak away and steal a mommy moment I'm one happy lady.  Recently I was able to steal a few of those moments and read the book June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore.

I was intrigued as it began but it wasn't a page turner right away.  However, half way through the book it ignited and I couldn't put it down.

The story rotates between 1955 and 2015 telling the story from the past and the present.  In 2015 Cassie finds herself living in her grandmother's former mansion which is crumbling around her.  She gave up her life in NY to move back to St. Jude when her grandmother was on her death bed.  As the world is falling around her she gets a knock on the door that changes her life.  A famous actor, Jack Montgomery passed away and left his millions of dollars to Cassie alone.  She has no idea why this would be but soon she uncovers a past she had no idea existed.
In 1955, June, Cassie's grandmother is a teenager living in her uncle's grand home in St. Jude awaiting marriage to someone she loves but isn't deeply in love with.  The world's biggest movies stars are coming into the small town to shoot a movie.  Although June isn't caught up like the rest of the town in the excitement of the movie she does meet the leading man, Jack Montgomery.  We learn about her summer with Jack and how betrayal, lies, blackmail and murder change her life forever.
The story took turns and kept me on my toes wanting to learn more.  In the end your questions were answered and it's kept me thinking about it even once the pages were done turning.  There was only one question that was left unanswered that keeps bothering me.  I'm not sure why the book didn't answer this one mystery.
Even so, if you are looking for a easy and intriguing read I definitely recommend June.

You can learn more about the author HERE

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.

A Dose of Mystery from The Never-Open Desert Diner

I love a good mystery; a book that keeps me guessing or takes a turn totally excites me.  The Never-Open Desert Diner served a bit of mystery and an ending I wasn't expecting.  The main character is Ben Jones a truck driver on the 117 which connects two ghost towns in the Utah Desert.  He's a simple man but a honest worker and unfortunately he is totally broke and very close to shutting down his delivery business.  His customers are unique but loyal and just about all Ben has.  Ben is also just about the only contact his customers have to the outside world.  On a very ordinary day Ben encounters a woman living in a deserted home playing a cello.  He's instantly drawn to her and can't stop thinking about her.  He comes back for more and develops a strange relationship with her.  Eventually they fall in love but the woman's past comes back to haunt her and in turn Ben.  Along the way everything Ben knew about the only landmark in the desert, The Never-Open Desert Diner is turned upside down.  The woman is connected to the diner and it's decades of mystery come to light.  

The book didn't end like I expected and I'm having to come to terms that it didn't end the way I was hoping.  In a way that makes me like the book more because it wasn't predictable, however, I'm still a little saddened by the turn of events.

The book was a little slow to get started but once it did I didn't want to put it down.  I would recommend this book if you are looking for a fun summer read and mysteries are your cup of tea.

My favorite summer pastime is reading by the pool.

Click HERE to purchase or get more info 

This is James Anderson's first novel.  To read more about the author click HERE

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Hollywood Wives The New Generation

I love watching Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.  Awhile ago one of the guests was Jackie Collins.  It was a fun episode and she mentioned that her favorite book she's wrote is Hollywood Wives The New Generation.  So I picked it up and gave it a go.

Hollywood mega start Lissa Roman suspects her third husband is cheating on her so she hires a P.I., Michael Scorsinni to get to the bottom of it.  An instant connection with Michael proves to be an issue since she wants to keep it all business.

Nicci, Lissa's daugher, has always felt a little out of place growing up with a star for a mother.  Now at a young age she is engaged but fighting feelings for her soon-to-be brother-in-law.

The story follows Lissa and her friends, Nicci and her best friend, and Michael Scorsinni and his troubled past.  Behind the scenes an ex-con, Eric Vernon, is planning to kidnap Nicci for a large ransom.  

It's fun to read the juicy details and see what is going to happen to all of these Hollywood Women.  I did enjoy the book but Collins wraps it up very neatly in the end a little abruptly if you ask me.  

Lincoln on Leadership

A few weeks ago I finished reading Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips.  Phillips did extensive research on Lincoln as a leader and uses his presidency as a model for leaders.  Phillips claims that Lincoln was one of the best leaders in our nations history.  He attributes his success to several styles and tactics.
First of all Lincoln didn't sit in the White House but rather circulated amongst his people, he built strong alliances, and persuaded people to get what he wanted rather than using force.  When employees believe their boss is accessible and approachable they will be more loyal and trustworthy.  "By entering your subordinate's environment- by establishing frequent human contact- you create a sense of commitment, collaboration, and community.  You also gain access to vital information necessary to make effective decisions."  Looking at Lincoln's leadership shows that he believed in frequent casual contact with subordinates, keeping a good temper, paying compliments frequently, and setting a good example.
Phillips notes that Lincoln only used forced when absolutely necessary.  If you want employees to join your cause then "a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall."  Being kind and compassionate creates loyalty and dedication from subordinates.  Lincoln also empowered people and delegated responsibility.  He believed in elevating people and helping others climb the ladder of success.  When someone does a good job a leader should praise and reward them.  If they fail a leader should accept some of the responsibility.
When it came to criticism Lincoln was well versed.  By looking at the way he dealt with it a leader must have stamina, fortitude, and self-confidence.  Lincoln ignored most attacks unless they were important enough to make a difference.  Lincoln maintained grace under pressure and had lots of courage.

This book was a recommendation at a conference I went to so I picked it up at the library.  It wasn't one of my favorite reads.  It had so good ideas but it just wasn't that engaging.

Start With Why

Start With Why by Simon Sinek is a leadership book for just about anyone.  Sinek has a philosophy about inspiring others and how leaders should run their businesses.  The basic premise is to start with WHY.  Why are you selling this?  Why did you start a business?  Why do you do what you do?  In business there is the What, the How, and the Why.  Most companies and people know what they do/sell and how they do that but so many people don't get the why; they forget the purpose.  Sinek claims that knowing the WHY is the key to success.  You have to keep the WHY at the heart of everything you do.  It translates easily to the customer and they feel the reason you do something.  When your WHY is clear the success starts flowing.  

Some key ideas:

Trust is key to leadership.  A leader must provide his people with a practical or emotional net, like the net under a trapeze artist, so that the people feel supported.  Supported employees will put in the extra effort which benefits the group as a whole.  They put in the extra effort or take more risks because they know they have a safety net underneath them.

Charisma is another component to leadership.  Energy motivates people but charisma inspires.  The difference between energy and charisma is the WHY.  "It comes from the absolute conviction in an ideal bigger than oneself."  Energy will get people to do things in the short term. Bonuses, promotions, and contests get people to work harder in the short term but they do not create loyalty.  Knowing your WHY makes for a charismatic leader and employees/customers will naturally develop loyalty. 

The WHY is ultra important but the What and the How need to be consistent with the WHY.

When making decisions you should always go back to your WHY.  Does this make sense with my purpose? Not only should the leader know the WHY but the WHY should be clearly communicated to all employees so that everyone can make sound decisions.  If they filter decisions through the WHY then better decisions are made each and every day.

For far more details check out the book; I definitely recommend it.