Tomorrow's Lullaby (Chasing Tomorrow) by Lindzee Armstrong | A Book Review

This is the sequel to Chasing Someday. I am a member of the author's ARC team so I get a copy of her new books to review. Thank you again, Lindzee Armstrong. 

As I have mentioned, this is the next book after Chasing Someday. This is two years after Sienna delivered her baby and had it adopted. She met a cute guy in college named Aaron and he hated his birth mother for giving him up for adoption. The last thing Sienna needs is a guy with baggage. She can't afford any distraction now that she is getting another shot at Juilliard--her ultimate dream. She can't afford to lose it the second time. How would she deal with Aaron and Juilliard? Who would she choose--Arron or Juilliard?

I think this story is not as heavy and emotional as the first one but it has its own moments. Sienna has finally come to terms with her experiences at such a young age. She has accepted that she has to postpone her greatest dream as consequences of her actions. But she now feels better knowing that her baby is in very good hands and she's even allowed to visit and be part of the baby's life. What more could she ask for? Now, she has to focus on her self and her studies and practice more to get to Juilliard. This time there's no way anything or anyone is stopping her. That's what she thought.

Sienna did not expect to fall in love and more so with someone who has an issue with being adopted. Just her luck! Of all the people she will meet and fall in love with, it has to be with someone who would hate her if he found out that she did the same thing. This is some kind of a sick joke, right? 

It seems that Sienna is not only going to deal with Aaron and her baggage but also with the coming back into the picture of her ex--Dane. Yes, her baby-daddy. When it rains, it really pours! Seems like Sienna just got her hands really full and the last thing she needs is again, people who would only distract her and again might lead her to lose Juilliard again. Not this time. I commend Sienna for being a responsible adult this time around and knowing her priorities. She is sticking to her priorities, even though it's not easy and she might have her heart broken again. She deserves to get in to Juilliard and she had made enough sacrifices to just let other distractions ruin her again.

I give this book 4/5 pianos. Sienna deserves a happy ending. Though the story did not exactly tell if she did get in to Juilliard, but I would want to think that she did. She had the guy and her dream. She had worked hard for it and she also had laid bare her heart out to the man she loved, asking only to be understood for the decisions she had made. She was right in saying that what happened to her and her son is not the same as Aaron's. In the end, love overruled everything and she got her very happy-ever-after. After all, Sienna did what she thought what was best for her and the baby. I don't think it should be taken against her. I am also glad that Aaron finally has seen the reason why Sienna and his mom gave up their kids for adoption. Understanding has finally dawned on Aaron and he realized what odds his mom were facing when she had him at such a very young age. Sienna and Aaron were smart enough to realize that their pasts should not get in the way of their future together. They both deserved to be happy. 

Pasts had a tendency to follow a person, no matter how much that person changed.

- Lindzee Armstrong, Tomorrow's Lullaby -  

Chasing Someday by Lindzee Armstrong | A Book Review

I read this book way back early June. I thought I posted a review already. Yes, I am buried deep in unwritten reviews. I thought I have gotten it under control but something came up that I had to spend more energy and time on. Don't worry, reading books and posting reviews is already a permanent activity in my life. I will never give it up. This is the only thing that is keeping me sane enough in this chaotic and absolutely crazy world.

 

This is a story of married women who are having a hard time getting pregnant again or unable to conceive at all. Three women--Megan, Christina and Kyra. These three met in a school book drive and found that they have something more in common. These three will help each other get through the biggest problem in their lives so far.

 

The story is very realistic. It perfectly mirrors the emotional and psychological strains a woman goes through when she finds out that she her womb can't carry or grow a baby. It depicts the toll that is weighing on the persons involved, the marriage and the people closest to those persons. It creates a ripple effect of worry, concern and emotional drain on everyone involved, especially the main woman concerned and her husband. Infertility kind of brands or marks a woman for life of being unable to perform her duties as a wife and mother or has failed in being just a woman.

 

Chasing Someday is a very fitting title to this book. It explains the whole story in these two words. The three main characters were indeed chasing someday. The what could have been, what might have been and what will be if they were able to fulfill their greatest desire--to be a mother. These three women found strength in each other in their shared struggle to be the wife and mother that they wanted to be. To have that complete family they have been dreaming for. 

 

This is a very hopeful story yet you have to go through a very emotional state first before getting to the most amazing part. Just like the saying, it gets worst before it gets better. These three women went through the worst before they saw the silver lining in all the emotional turmoil and grief they have to go through. The waiting itself was almost killing them but like always, it's always worth the wait. Things seemed to have worked out for each of them with each other's help. Never giving up even when the odds were all against them. 

Aside from the three women in the story, there is another one mentioned here. She is Megan's piano student who got pregnant in her teens and the boyfriend did not want her to keep the baby. Her story posed a great contradiction to the three women's problems because here she is, in her youth and prime, with endless possibilities ahead of her. Yet, all her dreams and hopes seemed to have vanished because of a baby, while the three woman had been wanting and dreaming of one. This is kind of one of life's jokes, right? But no one's laughing.

I give this book 4/5 negative pregnancy tests. This s a very emotional story that will wring your heart out. I am in my mid-thirties and single and I pray that I wouldn't have to go through what all of these three women have when the time for me to want a child/children of my own. I know of a friend who also had a hard time conceiving and she was so frustrated that she somehow want to also make everyone around her feel that. She was so full of negativity that I had to distance myself from her because I don't have enough strength to battle her negativity. I too was going through some problems of my own during that time. For those who are fortunate to not have to go these very trying experience, be the best mother you can be and love your kids with all you have because some do not the privilege to have that gift. And for the rest of us, these women like the three in the story need our empathy and understanding. I don't think it's their fault if there's something wrong with their uterus or any feminine parts. If they have any control over those, they would have done everything to make them work right and get that bouncing beautiful baby they have been praying and dying for.

I never realized how much I want children until I was told it might not be possible.

- Lindzee Armstrong, Chasing Someday - 

Thank you again, Lindzee Armstrong for the copy. 

 

 

 

Where Jasmine Blooms by Holly S. Warah | A Book Review

I felt like such a slacker knowing that to date, I have only posted two reviews for this month. I have a lot of catching up to do. I have a lot of reviews to write. As I have mentioned in one of my posts, I was in another city for the past seven weeks trying to find opportunities but unfortunately, it was not enough time. I have exhausted my funds. I don't want to call it a failed undertaking because I have learned a lot about myself from my experiences there. I am very thankful for the kindness of new-found friends for all their help. I have now become so familiar with the feeling of being shown so much kindness that I can't help but feel like I'm dying. Yes, you can kill people with kindness. I have been in the receiving end and I attest to the truth of this saying. It's a feeling of being thankful at the same time embarrassed at being given so much kindness that you felt like you don't deserve any of it. So, to all those people, thank you so much. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I am not sure how I will ever repay all of you. I am humbled.

I love stories that span cultures, traditions and even religions beliefs. I am hungry for stories about other cultures, especially those that are often viewed as radicals like people born in the Middle East, etc. I think those people have a lot of stories to tell but they just don't get a lot of chance to tell them to the world. This story is a great example. This is a story of three women. Three women of diverse culture, origin and beliefs. These three were forced to deal with each one's eccentricities and learned to live with each other because they were bound by love, family and marriage. In the end, they all wanted the same things in life, in spite of their differences. This is a very touching story of Arab people who were originally from Palestine. How they came to the US and live a new life knowing they have family left in the war-torn confines of Jordan.

It was my first time to read a story where some of the characters where from Palestine. It was refreshing and a learning experience to be able to understand their experiences living or being caught in the cross-fire between two opposing countries, both in ideology and in their fight in protecting their territories. It was a sad plight, knowing they can't even visit the places where they used to frequent as a child. It was heartbreaking to hear that these people are depending on the government for their daily sustenance because there are very few or no jobs that they could find because of the turmoil their land is going through. I sympathize with them. We often hear of news about Israel but we seldom hear information about the plight of the other side of the conflict. This is an eye-opener for me. Both sides had their own casualties and difficulties because of this age-old conflict. The people who are mostly affected are the ordinary citizens trying to survive. I hope this conflict ends before generations are lost and the hatred gets passed on to the next generation who will inherit these lands. That is if there will be anyone left. God forbid.

This story also delved into the intricacies of the Muslim religion. The traditions and celebrations of Muslims have to fulfill in order to keep their faith. The prayers, the celebration of Ramadan, how marriages are done, etc. It's a peek into the life of those non-Muslims who married into the Muslim community, whether they converted or not. 

I was fascinated with this story, because it brought me to new places and let me witness new experiences. Yes, this story strengthened my dream to one day visit the Holy Land. Part of the pilgrimage will take me into some of the places mentioned in this story that Palestinians are no longer able to visit freely. Only tourists are given the privilege. Someday, when I will finally have the opportunity to walk in the streets of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, I will remember the fascinating characters of this story which will just make the trip even more memorable for me.

I give this story 4/5 Muslim prayer mats. This story reminds me of the stories written by Khaleed Hosseini. This story resonates with the same theme of love and family. And just like the rest of us, Palestinians have the same hopes, wishes and dreams. We may have different beliefs and cultures but we all strive for one goal and that is to have a better life for our family. And like the three women in this story--Zainab, Margaret and Alison Mansour, we only wants what's best for the people we love. Wherever the jasmine blooms is where her roots find nourishment to grow and nourish. This is the story of all Muslim US immigrants. Just like the jasmine and Zainab, wherever you are in the world, no matter how far or remote you are from the land of your birth, as long as you have your family near, it will always feel like home. Yes, home is where the heart is. It's not necessarily anchored to a specific physical place.

 

Would she ever live in the one place she truly belonged? Or would she only be a visitor, a traveler carrying her homeland around in her heart?

- Holly S. Warah, Where the Jasmine Blooms -

Thank you again, Netgalley for the review copy.

Trembling Leaf by T. L. Kole | A Book Review

I got this book through Goodreads. I am a member of Oprah's Book Club and one of the members who is also an author posted about giving her books for free in exchange for a review. I got this way back November last year but was not able to read it until last March. 

The Trembling Leaf is a story of a woman who had a hard life. She was deprived of a mother's unconditional love. Her self-esteem is so fragile. This is a recounting of her sad life as an eldest child, a teenager seeking to fit in, a woman working hard and eventually finding love but then got her heart broken. This talked more of the pains than of triumphs.

The main character Yasmine, grew up disillusioned and hungry for a mother's love and attention. Her manipulative mother preyed on her to coerce her to do her bidding. Her father was her only source of comfort and strength at home. She grew up believing she's ugly and unremarkable. This insecurity has taken a deep root in her being that even after she found the love of her life, this insecurity kept popping to the surface and eventually led her to leave her husband instead of working out their marriage.

The story was written in  a way that it alternates between the retelling of the past in a form of a journal entry and the current time. This goes on from the beginning until the last part that there were instances where in I was confused whether I was reading about an event in the not so distant past or the current. That was the main issue I had with this book. I thought the retelling of her childhood was unnecessary but in the last part, it suddenly became clear that it was essential for the whole story to work. Though, I wished it was not so excruciatingly long. I think, the narration could have been more engaging.

The long narrative that lead to the current life of Yasmine, as I said, was justified because it strongly established the character flaws and personality of Yasmine. In short, there was only one thing that Yasmine was unable to do to change her life. She was powerless to change how her mother treated her but she had every power to make her marriage work. She should just have confronted Jack about whatever was bugging her and all her pains and fears after that should have been needless. She let her insecurity get the best of her and ruined her marriage because she refused to believe that she deserves happiness just like everyone else. She thought that by running away, it will make her problem and issues disappear. 

At least, the issue about the misunderstanding was resolved in the end, but only years after  which was too late but then the closure was what she needed. A lot of things have happened to Yasmine and Jack's individual lives in the years in between. 

I give this book 2/5 journals. I felt like this could have done better. The idea was good but the delivery, in a way, did not really appeal to me. It somehow failed to connect to me. There were a lot of passages here that contain wisdom and truths about life. That was one of the good things about this book. Also, I really love the prayer by Mother Theresa. It simply summarized how we should live our lives. So, here it is. It's one great code to live by.

Mother Theresa's Prayer

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others would destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. 

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. 

Thank you again, T. L. Kole for the copy. 

The Nearness of You by Amanda Eyre Ward | A Book Review

I received a good news yesterday but it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I am grateful but I just wished it was more. Well, beggars can't be choosers but I have waited for this news to come for so long. It felt like forever and I was shocked and a bit sad when it came. I was dumbfounded and couldn't believe it. It was like almost but not quite. Long story short, I said yes. I took it hoping there is a reason why this is what was given to me. Hopefully, far greater things than I ever imagined will come from it. Nothing is finalized yet and maybe, if I keep praying hard for it, it will be just as I have terribly wanted. I actually wish I could have a do-over. Rewind the events that happened yesterday and I will handle the situation differently so the outcome would be exactly as I have longed for. Life...oftentimes you will have to make lemonade out of lemons not the margaritas you crave.

This book is quite similar to what I have experienced yesterday. Sorry for the outburst. I just want to take that out of my chest. I can actually fill the whole post of my ramblings. Anyway, this book is about some decisions or events that we have no control of. Events that just went out of our hands and we are watching them unfold with our eyes open, too shocked and paralyzed to do anything about it. Exactly what I lived through yesterday. This book is about women. The pains and the strength needed to withstand the pains only women experience. This is also about motherhood. The pains and joy of motherhood. Of the hardships of trying to fulfill that calling.

The Nearness of You is a story of three women --Suzette, Dorothy and Eloise. Suzette a successful heart surgeon who doesn't want to have a baby because she doesn't want to pass on the mental illness her mother had to her children. Dorothy, the surrogate mother who volunteered to carry Suzette's and Hyland's fertilized embryo. Eloise, Suzette and Hyland's daughter who was delivered by Dorothy. These three women's lives are more entangled than they thought they were. Dorothy's connection to Suzette and Eloise did not stop until she gave birth and give up the kid, it went farther and deeper than that which what this whole story is. 

Stepping into the shoes of each of the three characters, I found that each person's convictions are valid and very reasonable. Suzette's fears are not unfounded and baseless. Being a medical practitioner and a brilliant one at that, she doubtlessly knows that her fears could very likely happen. She needed to put an end to the cycle of mental illness in her family by bearing the sacrifice. Dorothy, out of her desperation and the need to escape her current life, signed up to be a surrogate mother. Little did she know that she signed up way far more than she was paid for. And Eloise, the tie that binds between the two other women that could never be severed. It was Eloise that will eventually bring healing and closure to all the unresolved business between Suzette and Dorothy. All these women and the rest of the lives involved in their circle will finally live the rest of their good lives with a better understanding of what happened and will move onward to the future with large smiles.

I really love women's literature. Stories of strong and invincible women. Strong and resilient women who follow their hearts and come out greater for the heartbreaking decisions they had to face in their lives. I too want to be inspired by these women. That maybe I could gain wisdom from their difficult experiences. I too have my own struggles, like every other person in this planet and we all could use all the help we can get. 

This story will hit you right at your core. This will turn your heart into a melting puddle, aching and disintegrating into liquid goo. What these three women have gone through could very well happen in real life. It might be that some woman in some city or small town is living through the same scenario as we speak. Like Suzette, juggling her successful career with taking care of a kid, attending parent-teacher conferences, recitals, soccer games or cheer leading competitions, etc. Trying with her every breath to be a mother, a wife and a surgeon, along with some other roles demanded of her. Dorothy, keeping a low profile and not draw attention to herself and her family. Making the most out of a very hard and poor past to care for the people she value most. Trying to make good of the present to pay for the shortcomings she had made in the past. And Eloise, a teenager in the threshold of great possibilities yet unable to face them because something is holding her back. Something is niggling her to do something. To find answers to questions that she's scared to ask. To find the person who brought her into the light of the world. To find that connection that keeps her restless until she has rekindled it. 

And then, there was also Jayne, the little girl Dorothy crossed path with who was far mature and stronger than her measly young age. She also had a difficult and sad life. She and Dorothy found friendship, strength and family in each other. 

I love this story. I give this 4.5/5 hearts. All these strong women are worthy of emulation. They had been through a lot and they came out of the dark holes of their past with courage and strength they thought they never had. My only wish was that there should have been more in the ending. I wished it showed how the rest of the characters were after the meeting and the revelation. I wanted to see Eloise reconnected with one of the important persons in her life. I wanted to know how it turned out knowing there's another part of her that is alive and living. 

After this story, I want to know more of Amanda Eyre Ward. I want to know what other stories she has to tell. I will have to start hunting her books. Nice meeting you Miss Ward. What a great story.

Don't be the change, be the dollar.

- Amanda Eyre Ward, The Nearness of You -  

Thanks again, Netgalley for the copy of this book.

Armor For Orchids by Diana Anderson-Tyler | A Book Review

I signed up to review this novel. I think I saw this on Instagram. Thank you again, Diana Anderson-Tyler for the ARC.

Armor for Orchids is a Christian novel about four women. Their journey to rediscovering their faith, finding new friendships and support, through the beauty, uniqueness and strength of orchids.

In this book, you will meet four different women who were brought together through a movie. A life of an old pastor who resigned from his church because he committed adultery was made into a movie. While the movie was being made, Marissa, Charlotte, Elise, and Poppy, meet in a serendipitous way and became close as they found God, the chink in their armors, their strengths and new meaningful friendships. 

I can relate a lot to this book. This mentioned a lot of truth about human weaknesses and tendencies which in some ways I am guilty of. This book talked about recognizing and accepting our frailties and asking God to give us the strength and equip us with armor to fight it. To learn to accept our fears and forgive ourselves. Each character in this story has gone through something that broke her heart leading to the loss of faith in God and in oneself. By the power of the Holy Spirit, through Poppy, each woman was given hope and where to find strength to let go, to forgive and to accept.

I like the analogy and comparison of women to orchids. Like orchids, women are beautiful, strong and can thrive anywhere they are planted. Each has her own strength and has to harness it in order to survive and flourish. 

I found the pace a bit slow, thankfully it picked up in the last few chapters.

I give this book 4/5 orchids. There are a lot of very valuable quotes here that are right on the bull's eye. They sort of simplified some of life's mysteries. In a way, this book gives hope. In one way or another, I think each of us has been like each of these women. And like all these women, may we find the source of our strength to continue living and find hope, even the littlest spark. To find our armor as we battle life's storms and blows.

Here are a few quotes in the book that I found very inspiring.

From Diana Anderson-Tyler-

Doubt can be a harbinger of something good.

A born perfectionist, always made mountains out of molehills. The slightest bump in the road, the faintest disappointment, and the pettiest criticism would feel like a boulder bearing down on her. 

Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.

Everyone of us is capable of having our entire lives toppled by a single problem.

Did he understand how it felt to want to learn more about Jesus one minute, and then curse his name the next?

Most people shrink back from wind and rain simply because they don't know how strong they were made.

Be an original in a world full of copies.

...but the hardest things are typically the most worthwhile ones.

The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?

Some people come into this world with silver spoons in their mouths. Others were born with the hounds of hell snapping at their heels. 

Brake Failure by Alison Brodie | Blog Tour and Giveaway | Book Review

This is my first post for 2017. What a better way to start the year with a blog tour.

Happy New Year to us all! May this year bring forth more opportunities and blessings. May our hearts' desires and dreams be fulfilled this year. 

 Title: Brake Failure

By: Alison Brodie

Publication Date: January 9, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Brake Failure is a contemporary romance with a kick-ass heroine. The story is set in one of the most fascinating periods of America's history: the months leading up to Y2K "melt-down." "Is it too late to tell him you love him when you're looking down the barrel of his gun?"  Ruby Mortimer-Smyth is an English debutante, destined for Lady’s Day at Ascot and taking tea at The Savoy. She knows the etiquette for every occasion and her soufflés NEVER collapse. She is in control of her life, tightly in control. Until fate dumps her down in … Kansas.  Ruby believes that life is like a car; common-sense keeps it on the road, passion sends it into a ditch. What she doesn't know is, she's on a collision course with Sheriff Hank Gephart. Sheriff Hank Gephart can judge a person. Miss Mortimer-Smyth might act like the Duchess of England but just under the surface there's something bubbling, ready to explode. She's reckless, and she's heading for brake failure. And he's not thinking about her car.

Brake Failure is a story of a woman who had been repressed of expressing her true self. In her earnest desire to be appreciated and loved, she has denied herself of true self-expression. She just allowed herself to be molded into someone she's not, in the hope of getting the affection she most craves. Thinking that if she is obedient and submissive, she will be worthy of the love of a parent. 

I pity Ruby. She only got to know herself when she was transplanted to a place miles away from her comfort zone. A place where she is forced to reveal and be her true self. She was forced to be her own woman and in turn, became what she had wanted all along. She came out of her shell and she discovered her strengths with the help of some peculiar personalities that became her friends who just wanted her to be what she is. 

I liked how the story ended. It was not morally desirable but I think it was perfect. Those women, including Ruby, deserved a good life to make up for the lost times and years they had been deprived. High five on the bit for women empowerment! Anyone deserves a second chance and those women had made good of that opportunity though it was the worse possible way to get out from their individual situations. Nevertheless, it was so admirable because they made the most out of it.

There were some parts in the book when I sort of started making a face. Somehow the story slowed and became less interesting. I was almost tempted to give it up. Good thing, the ending saved it. And the title was explained which was what I had been asking all along. The last third of the book was the most valuable chunk of the story. I also liked the style it was written. The author backtracked. It started with the last event and went back about a week or two each chapter to narrate what happened that lead to the current situation. This was very unique and I think it was awesome.   

I gave the book 3/5 police cars. Somewhere in the middle of the story, it became a bit slow for me. The story picked up in the last part which was what I liked most. It somehow gave the story a fitting and satisfying ending. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It somehow made up for some parts that had not been engrossing. I just wished that the whole book captivated me the whole time. I believe the author can write really good mystery and suspense stories. This book promises to be one with a minor hiccup somewhere in the middle of the story. 

Pollyana is someone in denial, someone who don't expect nothin' bad to happen.

- Alison Brodie, Brake Failure - 

Alison Brodie is a Scot, with French Huguenot ancestors on her mother’s side of the family.  Alison was a photographic model, modelling for a wide range of products, including Ducatti motorbikes and 7Up.  She was also the vampire in the Schweppes commercial. 

A disastrous modelling assignment in the Scottish Highlands gave Alison an idea for a story, which was to become Face to Face.  She wrote Face to Face as a hobby and then decided to send it off to see what would happen.  It was snapped up by Dinah Wiener, the first agent Alison sent it to.  Three weeks later, Alison signed a two-book deal with Hodder & Stoughton.  Subsequently, Face to Face was published in Germany and Holland.  It was widely reviewed, ie:“Vain, but wildly funny leading lady.” -Scottish Daily Mail.  It was also chosen as Good Housekeeping’s “Pick of the Paperbacks.” 

Unfortunately, Alison then suffered from Second-Book Syndrome.  The publisher’s deadline loomed and she was terrified because she didn’t have an idea for a story!  She found the whole experience a nightmare; and this is why she cautions first-time authors to write more than one book before approaching an agent.  She managed to finish the book – Sweet Talk – but it bombed.

While writing Sweet Talk, she moved to Kansas and lived there for two years.  She loved the people, their friendliness, their free-and-easy way of life, the history and the BBQs!  Sadly, her visa ran out and she had to come back to the UK – although her dream is to one day live permanently in America.  Now, Alison lives in Biarritz, France.

Alison has taken the exhilarating steps to becoming an indie author.  Her second ebook, THE DOUBLE, is out on Amazon Kindle with some great reviews.  “Excellent.” –San Francisco Book Review.

Alison writes contemporary romance.  She aims for a strong plot line, set against the background of a world-changing event, coupled with touches of humour, sexual tension and character transformation.

She loves to hear from her readers.

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Thank you again, Promo Stars and Starangels Reviews and Alison Brodie for the review copy.