The Last Warner Woman: A Novel by Kei Miller

About book:

Adamine Bustamante is born in one of Jamaica's last leper colonies.  When Adamine grows up, she discovers she has the gift of "warning": the power to protect, inspire, and terrify.  But when she is sent to live in England, her prophecies of impending disaster are met with a different kind of fear - people think she is insane and lock her away in a mental hospital.

Now an older woman, the spirited Adamine wants to tell her story.  But she must wrestle for the truth with the mysterious "Mr. Writer Man," who has a tale of his own to share, one that will cast Adamine's life in an entirely new light.  In a story about magic, migration, stories and storytelling, and the New and Old Worlds, we discover it is never one person who owns a story or has the right to tell it. 

My thoughts:

This is a book that you have to read for yourself to truly experience the magic that is Kei Miller's writing.  Seriously, I'm not going to write much, because I don't want to give anything away.  Plus, the summary above provides the gist of what the book is about.  So, I'm just going to tell you why I loved this book and think you should include it in your TBR pile.

• Writing: terrific!  Its lyrical, engaging and such a treat to read.  You can't help but get carried away by both "Mr. Writer Man's" and Adamine's narratives.  Their points of view are distinct and mesmerizing.  One feels rather traditional in the way it spells out what happened, while the other has more of a mythical feel to it.  In fact, I found the pairing rather odd at first, but somehow it worked.  Combined, both narratives created a spellbinding story that was rich in detail and vivid in emotion.
• Characters: unforgettable!  I absolutely felt my heart breaking for Adamine and Pearline - they were strong and determined women who had quite a few battles to to face.  I rooted for them and cried for them.  They became my friends. 
• Story:  interesting and gripping.  I could not stop reading!  I had to find out who was telling the truth - Adamine or "Mr. Writer Man?" I still have Adamine's voice in my head as I type this.
• Themes:  there are plenty of them.  Magic, truth, reality, relationships (mother/child), love, mental issues (insanity), and culture - to name a few.  These themes are explored through the story and also in the way the story is written.  The words (vernacular), structure and flow of the story all play a role in helping to connect with the magic within the story and the magic of the story.  
• Overall:  A must read!  This is one story that you will want to revisit, because you know that when you do, you will discover something new - something you didn't notice the first time you read the book.  And that is what makes this book special - the never-ending reading possibilities it provides you with.  I just love when that happens with a book!  

The Last Warner Woman by Kei Miller is a book that I am happy to have read and one that I will gladly recommend to anyone and everyone interested in a good read.  Especially those folks who enjoy a bit of magic in their stories.  

Thanks so much to Coffee House Press for providing me with a copy of this wonderful book!!  Check out their site for more info on The Last Warner Woman by Kei Miller.

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith

About book:

In this latest episode in the beloved, best-selling series, the kindest and best detective in Botswana faces a tricky situation when her personal and professional lives become entangled.

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a repeated dream: a vision of a tall, strange man who waits for her beneath an acacia tree.  Odd as this is, she's far too busy to worry about it.  The best apprentice at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law and stuck with the worst lawyer in Gaborone.  Grace Makutsi adn Phuti Radiphuti are building the house of their dreams, but their builder is not completely on the up and up.  And, most shockingly, Mma Potokwane, defender of Botswana's weak and downtrodden, has been dismissed from her post as matron at the orphan farm.  Can the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency help restore the beloved matron to her rightful position?

As wealthy and powerful influences at the orphan farm become allied against their friend, help arrives from an unexpected visitor:  the tall stranger from Mma Ramotswe's dreams, turns out to be none other than the estimable Clovis Andersen, author of the No. 1 Ladies' prized manual, The Principles of Private Detection.  Together, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutis, and their teacher-turned-colleague help right this injustice and in the process discover something new about being a good detective.

My thoughts:

I absolutely love this series! So,  imagine my surprise to learn that a new book had been released this past April - I was happy for a new book, but sad that I hadn't gotten my hands on it as soon as it came out.  Nonetheless, I sat down over the weekend and enjoyed reading about the world of Mma Ramotswe and her beloved Botswana.

In this latest installment, we find Mma Ramotswe dealing with some very interesting situations, all of which are riddled with the usual drama and tears that always seem to accompany her cases.  We have a stranger in a dream who becomes a fast friend; a falsely accused apprentice; a matron who is unfairly dismissed from her job; and a builder who is secretly constructing two homes instead of the one that he was paid to build.  Looks like Mma Ramotswe has her work cut our for her this time round.  Of course with all of the secrets that need to be uncovered and the wrong-doings that need to be corrected, Mma Ramotswe is going to need the help of her trusty assistant, Mma Makutsi.  Then again, sometimes three heads are better than two - thanks to a Mr. Clovis Andersen - the man of Mma Ramotswe's dreams.

Suffice it to say, McCall Smith has once again knocked it out of the park with this newest addition to his popular series, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.  Or at least that is my very biased opinion - and believe you me, I am extremely biased when it comes to these books.  I just love them!  They are one of my favorite series and in my mind, McCall Smith can do no wrong when it comes to writing Mma Ramotswe.  There is just something about her character that makes me feel as I've been enveloped in a warm hug when I read about her.  Maybe its her voice or the loving way she talks about her country, family and friends - I don't know what exactly, but there is just something about her that puts you at ease.  Either way, I love finding out what she's up to- what cases are calling for her attention, which friend is in need of help, and just how is Mma Ramotswe adjusting to the ever-growing and changing Botswana.  And with this book I had the pleasure of getting to know Clovis Andersen, Mma Ramotswe's go-to-guy for detective advice.  All in all, the Limpopo Academy of Private Detection was a thoroughly enjoyable and fun read.  Fans of the series will not be disappointed!

Review of The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier and GIVEAWAY!

About book:

Before there were blogs, there were journals.  And in them we'd write as we really were.  Not as we wanted to appear.  But there comes a day when journals outlive us.  And with them, our secrets.

Summer vacation on Great Rock Island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who'd lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident.  But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different from the cheerful wife and mother Kate thought she knew.

The new portrait of Elizabeth - her troubled upbringing, and her route to marriage and motherhood - makes Kate question not just their friendship but also her deepest beliefs about loyalty and honesty at a period of uncertainty in her own marriage.

The more Kate reads, the more she learns the complicated truth of who Elizabeth really was and rethinks her choices as a wife, mother, and professional - and the legacy she herself would want to leave behind.  When an unfamiliar man's name appears in the pages, Kate realizes the extent of what she didn't know about her friend, including where she was really going on the day she died.

Set in the anxious summer after the September 11 attacks, this story of two women - their friendship, marriages, private ambitions, and fears - considers the aspects of ourselves we show and those we conceal and the repercussions of our choices.

My thoughts:

How well do you really know someone?  That is the question at the heart of this book.  And that is precisely what makes this book so good - finding out that your best friend was more of a stranger to you than you ever knew.  Talk about drama!

In The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. we have best friends, Kate and Elizabeth - two women who became fast friends after meeting one another at the local mommy & me playgroup.  Kate has two kids and is married to Chris - she was a pastry chef, but has decided to be a stay-at-home mom.  Elizabeth has three kids and is married to Dave - her life is her family.  These two women rely on each other and confide in each other.  Of course, that is how Kate views their relationship.  When Elizabeth dies in a plane crash a few weeks prior to 9/11, Kate's world gets turned around.  Not only is she mourning the loss of her best friend, but now she has to contend with the idea of terrorists attacking the US - suffice it to say, she is terrified and sad.  In desperate need of a break, Kate and her family rent their favorite beach house for several weeks, instead of the usual one week they usually book.  R&R is on the agenda - nothing else.  That is until Kate gets a call informing her that she has inherited her best friend's trunk of journals.  Yep, Elizabeth decided to leave her journals to Kate and not her husband or kids.  This makes things pretty awkward and uncomfortable for Kate, who knows how hurt and upset Dave is over this decision.  But, what can she do?  Its what Elizabeth wanted, right? 

So begins Kate's summer of discovering the 'real' Elizabeth.  How else is she going to figure out what to do with the journals, unless she reads them, right?  Plus, Kate's pretty sure that is exactly what Elizabeth wanted.  And so, Kate starts from the beginning - Elizabeth's first journal from when she was a kid.  As Kate reads, we get to know Elizabeth, a woman who loved art, lived in Italy and didn't want children - a woman who resembles nothing of the woman Kate fondly remembers.  We get 'Elizabeth Uncut' and I'm not sure Kate likes what she reads.  I think that Kate is hurt and shocked at what she discovers, because it shows her just how little she really knew Elizabeth.  Plus, the journals make Kate look at her own life and relationships.  They make her more aware of things that she didn't want to be aware of.  These journals are making an impact on Kate's life in ways that she had not expected.  Her summer of R&R is turning into a summer of discovery.

Sounds like a good read, right?  Well, it is!! I absolutely loved reading The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.!  It was the highlight of my weekend! I started the book on a Friday afternoon and made myself read it at a slow pace, because I wanted to make the story last as long as I could.  Plus, reading it slowly, allowed me to digest each revelation that was discovered about Elizabeth, because let me tell you, there were some unexpected doozies in there.  Of course, that is what I loved about the book - reading Kate's reactions to Elizabeth's secrets (priceless!).  And I loved the writing - it was engaging, interesting and well done!  The characters were memorable and relatable - my favorite kind.  I would most definitely recommend this book to fans of women's fiction - you will not be disappointed!  By the by, here's a link to Nichole Bernier's website - check it out to find out more about the author and the book!

GIVEAWAY!!
Lucky for you, I have an extra copy to give away!!  All you have to do is leave me a comment and include your email address.  This giveaway is open to US residents.  And the winner will be chosen at random.  All entries must be in by June 26th.  I'll notify the winner via email.  Good luck!

Thank you to Danielle Crabtree from Crown and Hogarth at Random House for providing me with a copy of this book and an extra one to give away!

Saving Ruth: A Novel by Zoe Fishman

About book:
When Ruth returns home to the South for the summer after her freshman year at college, a near tragedy pushes her to uncover family truths and take a good look at the woman she wants to become.

Growing up in Alabama, all Ruth Wasserman wanted was to be a blond Baptist cheerleader.  But as a curly-haired Jew with a rampant sweet tooth and a smart mouth, this was an impossible dream.  Not helping the situation was her older brother, David - a soccer star whose good looks, smarts, and popularity reigned at school and at home.  College provided an escape route and Ruth took it.

Now home for the summer, she's back lifeguarding and coaching alongside David, and although the job is the same, nothing else is.  She's a prisoner of her low self-esteem and unhealthy relationship with food, David is closed off and distant in a way he's never been before, and their parents are struggling with the reality of an empty nest.  When a near drowning happens on their watch, a storm of repercussions forces Ruth and David to confront long-ignored truths about their town, their family, and themselves.

My thoughts:

Story:  Overloaded with issues/themes.

Writing:  Okay.

Overall:  Airport or beach read.

Saving Ruth is definitely an airport or beach read - a quick read that you won't mind leaving behind (in the off chance you forget it on the seat next to yours).  I feel harsh writing that, but its true.  This is  a book that is just too clogged with ideas for its own good.  Its as if someone asked, "How many issues/themes can you fit into a book?"  And Fishman answered by stuffing as many as she could think of into her book - such as, depression, marital discord, eating disorders, racism, antisemitism, self-esteem, etc.  Seriously, there are just too many heavy issues to deal with that they just get glossed over in the book and aren't ever really tackled.  Plus, having to mention all of these topics weighs down the flow of the story and doesn't allow any room for the characters to really grow enough; thereby leaving you with a rather disappointing read.  Ugh! The thing that gets me is that this story had so much potential to be a really good read - why, couldn't Fishman have just focused on one or two issues?!

Alright, so what exactly is the story about?  Its about Ruth Wasserman and her summer at home in Alabama.  She's just finished her freshman year at college (that exciting time when you get your first feel of freedom - no parents!) and is having to deal with adjusting to living at home again (regressing to feeling like a child).   Her plans for the summer are to work as a lifeguard at the local pool, hang out with her friends, and continue her diet of not eating so that she can remain super skinny - nothing too taxing for Ruth.  Of course, nothing goes as planned.  There is near drowning at the pool - on Ruth and her brother, David's, watch to be precise - talk about guilty consciences.  And then there are Ruth's rotten teeth - a result of eating tons of candy, but no actual food (her idea of a diet!).  Plus, her parent's aren't even sharing a room anymore (divorce? empty nest?) and David is blatantly ignoring her and their parents (unhappy? depressed? drug dependency?).  All in all, a very busy summer for the Wasserman family.

Saving Ruth was just not my cup of tea.  I'm not going to be recommending the book, but I'm not going to deter anyone from reading it.  At the end of the day, its a somewhat solid read that does include a lot of relatable experiences/issues; which makes it a good airport/beach read. 

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Equal of the Sun: A Novel by Anita Amirrezvani

About book:

Legendary women - from Anne Boleyn to Queen Elizabeth I to Mary, Queen of Scots - changed the course of history in the royal courts of sixteenth-century England.  They are celebrated in history books and novels, but few people know of the powerful women in the Muslim world, who formed alliances, served as key advisers to rulers, lobbied for power on behalf of their sons, and ruled in their own right.  In Equal of the Sun, Anita Amirrezvani's gorgeously crafted tale of power, loyalty, and love in the royal court of Iran, she brings one such woman to life, Princess Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi.

Iran in 1576 is a place of wealth and dazzling beauty.  But when the Shah dies without having named an heir, the court is thrown into tumult.  Princess Pari, the Shah's daughter and protege, knows more about the inner workings of the state than almost anyone, but the princess's maneuvers to instill order after her father's sudden death incite resentment and dissent.  Pari and her closest adviser, Javaher, a eunuch able to navigate the harem as well as the world beyond the palace walls, are in possession of an incredible tapestry of secrets and information that reveals a power struggle of epic proportions.

Based loosely on the life of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, Equal of the Sun is a riveting story of political intrigue and a moving portrait of the unlikely bond between a princess and a eunuch.  Anita Amirrezvani is a master storyteller, and in her lustrous prose this rich and labyrinthine world comes to vivid life with a stunning cast of characters, passionate and brave men and women who defy or embrace their destiny in a Machiavellian game played by those who lust for power and will do anything to attain it.

My thoughts:
  
Story:  Epic.

Writing:  Rich and detailed.

Overall:  Excellent!

Equal of the Sun is a fantastic novel set in Iran during the sixteenth century.   It is filled with fascinating characters, a rich history and an inside look behind the scenes of all the politics involved in running a kingdom.  In fact, you will become fast friends with Javaher and his princess, Pari, that you won't want their story to end.  Or at least that is how I felt.  I couldn't help but fall under Javaher's spell as he told us the story of Pari and her quest to have a hand in ruling Iran, along with his own story about how he came to be a eunuch.  He tells these stories with such vivid and clear detail that not only can you easily envisage the way that women dressed and carried themselves during the sixteenth century, but you can almost hear the din of the chatter amongst the household staff as they discuss the nobles they work for.  And it is not just the details, but the tone of his emotion as he recounts these stories that leave you shedding tears for Javaher.  It is these memorable characters and their strong inclinations to do right by their country and family that really pull you deeper into the story.  Plus, Amirrezavani has a way of teaching you about a country and its people  that doesn't detract from the story.  What I mean is that she doesn't just throw in bits of history here and there for you to reference, but instead she blends the history into the story.  She weaves it in a way that makes the book engaging and informative; which I think illustrates what a terrific writer she truly is.  I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!

Okay, so what exactly is the story about? Well, its about a princess and a eunuch.  Princess Pari's father, the Shah, dies and he doesn't leave the name of the heir to his throne; which of course, throws the country into a state of unrest as it tries to figure out who should take the throne.  As her father's closest adviser, Pari is now left in a rather unsettled position - she loved helping her father run his kingdom, but now that her job is over, what will she do?  Hmmm.  If she gets her brother elected to the throne, then she can become his chief adviser and still get to do the job she loves - running the country!  However, things don't go as planned and soon Pari is at odds with her brother, the new ruler of Iran.  As for Javaher, he remains faithful to the princess.  As her confidante and spy, he has been able to procure information for her that allows her to gain a better understanding of the politics within the royal court - who is vying for power and who is feeling a bit traitorous.  All the while, Javaher has been using this role to find answers for himself.  His father, a man born into nobility was accused of treason and executed.  In order to show his loyalty to the royal court, Javaher chose to become a eunuch.  However, he has always planned on finding out about as much as he can about the man who falsely accused his father of treachery.  Both Javaher and Pari struggle to come to grips with decisions they've made and where those choices will lead them. 

Equal of the Sun was fantastic!  It had drama, history, and heart.  I fell in love with the characters and thought the writing was terrific.  This is a book that I will happily recommend to anyone and everyone who loves historical fiction.  Anita Amirrezvani has created a wonderfully rich and detailed epic story that is a must read!

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver

About book:

In this gripping novel of motherhood gone awry, Lionel Shriver approaches the tragedy of a high-school massacre from the point of view of the killer's mother.  In letters written to the boy's father, mother Eva probes the upbringing of this more-than-difficult child and reveals herself to have been the reluctant mother of an unsavory son.  As the schisms in her family unfold, we draw closer to an unexpected climax that holds breathtaking surprises and its own hard-won redemption.  In Eva, Shriver has created a narrator who is touching, sad, funny, and reflective.  A spellbinding read, We Need to Talk About Kevin is as original as it is timely. 

My thoughts: (SPOILERS INCLUDED!)

I know I'm late to the game, having just read this book, but after reading Ti's review of it on her site Book Chatter I knew it was time to finally give it a go.  Plus, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about regarding this book, so now I know.  And truthfully, I'm not so sure how I feel about this book.

On the one hand I can see why it generated so much discussion (it tackles issues like, the mother/child relationship, nature vs. nurture, school shootings, marriage, motherhood, etc.), and on the other hand I can see why Shriver received so much praise for her writing (because it is darn good!).  Yet, for some reason I just didn't like the book.  I found it to be too predictable and emotionally disconnected - plus, I couldn't stand the protagonist, Eva.  Her voice is the voice of the novel and I just found it to be too self-righteous and apathetic and slightly disingenuous at times.  I found myself getting annoyed with her and wishing we had a different narrator for the book.  I didn't care that she was all alone and had lost her family, because I felt nothing for her.  I couldn't empathize with a woman who decided to have a baby on a whim - as if it was the next thing to do, so that she could see what would happen next (like ticking a box on a list of things to do).  And then for her to dislike her own baby, just because they didn't have that mother/child bond that she'd heard so much about.  Just because you and your baby didn't click right away, doesn't mean that its the baby's fault or that it was a mistake to even have a baby - maybe you have postpartum depression or maybe its something else entirely?  I just find it ludicrous that Eva blamed baby Kevin for not taking to her breast and instead choosing to imbibe on formula milk - seriously!?!  Some babies just don't like breast milk. And the fact that she felt he did it on purpose - OMG! How the frack can a baby do anything on purpose?  You see, what type of woman we are dealing with - crazy!

Aside from Eva, there is Franklin (her husband), Kevin (son) and Celia (daughter) - all of whom contribute to the story in significant ways.  Franklin is the all American husband, who Eva adores - until he starts to accuse of her not loving their son and distancing herself from their family via her job.  I must admit I didn't care much for Franklin either.  Yes, he did embrace being a parent more than Eva did, but he was also unwilling to listen to her when she had valid complaints about their troubling child, Kevin.  Of course, trying to blame Kevin in a way that made him seem as if he was malicious and intentionally trying to hurt her was rather the wrong way to get Franklin on her side.  Then again, maybe Franklin should have listened to her - perhaps, he would still be alive.  As for Celia, she was the youngest in the family and the most innocent.  She fell victim to Kevin's terrorizing ways more than once and as a result she lost an eye and her life. One would think that after their daughter has lost an eyeball under the care of her big brother that the parents would take measures to ensure that their daughter will not fall prey again and that their son gets some sort of psychological help (even if it means sending him away).  The only thing Eva did was to make sure that Celia was never alone with Kevin again.  Nonetheless, she dies at his hands.  And now for Kevin - the black sheep of the family.  From the beginning, Kevin has always struck Eva as odd.  He didn't want to eat in front of her; he refused to potty train and wore a diaper until he was six; he never decorated his room with posters or knick knacks; he had one friend, who seemed to be the only person he could somewhat stand; and he never seemed to care about anyone or anything (including his family, who he just barely tolerated).  In fact, the way Eva describes her son makes me wonder why she never thought he would be capable of such a horrific crime as murder.  I suppose, a part of her wanted to believe that as evil as her son may have been, he was not that evil.  Well, she was wrong.  Kevin was that evil and in the end he took every thing away from her - perhaps, she had been right all along.  Its obvious that Kevin is smug about what he's done and how its affected his mother, but I'm not sure he was plotting since birth to make her life a living hell.  Then again, a part of me is pretty sure that Kevin was a born killer, so who knows.

Suffice it to say, we learn all about Eva's family through these letters that she has been writing to her dead husband, Franklin.  We learn how she's handled being the mother and victim of a convicted killer.  We learn how she regrets having had Kevin long before he committed any atrocities.  And we learn that she has taken on the role of dutiful mother - spending all of her money to hire a lawyer for her son's defense and then making weekly visits to him, just so he can ignore her or shout at her.  These letters are her way of trying to see where she went wrong, or how she could have changed things.  And, these letters are her way to relive a past that was filled with lots of happy memories that she doesn't want to forget.

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a well written and tragic story.  It is compelling, evocative, and unputdownable. In fact, I got so worked up telling my sister about it, that she had to remind me that we were talking about a novel, not real life.  And that is what makes this book worth the hype - the way in which Shriver can turn a fictional reality into something more.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone - it is worth reading and discussing.  Yes, I know I mentioned not liking the book, and yet, here I am recommending it - what is wrong with me? Well, frankly, the fact that I reacted so strongly to this book tells me that it is a powerful read and those are usually the types of books that will leave a lasting impression - which this book did.  So, yeah, I do see the value in reading this book and that is why I wholeheartedly recommend it.  Check it out.

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

About book:

When young, pretty Catherine Bailey meet Lee Brightman, she can't believe her luck.  Gorgeous, charismatic, and a bit mysterious, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true.

But what begins as flattering attention and spontaneous, passionate sex transforms into raging jealousy, and Catherine soon discovers that Lee's dazzling blue eyes and blond good looks hide a dark, violent nature.  Disturbed by his increasingly erratic, controlling behavior, she tries to break it off.  Turning to her friends for support, she's stunned to find they don't believe her.  Increasingly isolated and driven into the darkest corner of her world, a desperate Catherine plans a meticulous escape.

Four years later, Lee is behind bars and Catherine - now Cathy - is trying to build a new life in a new city.  Though her body has healed, the trauma of the past still haunts her.  Trusting no one, she compulsively checks every lock, every window, every door of her apartment, and varies her route home each day.  Then Stuart Richardson, her attractive new neighbor, moves in.  Encouraging her to confront her fears, he sparks unexpected hope and the possibility of love and a normal life.

Until the day the phone rings.

Mesmerizing, skillfully drawn, vividly cinematic, Into the Darkest Corner is an ingeniously structured and plotted tour de force of suspense that marks the arrival of a major new talent.

My thoughts:

Story:  Suspense-filled!

Writing:  Soooo good!

Overall: A thrilling read!

This is one freaking good book!  Seriously, it is the epitome of uputdownable.  I sat down with it one evening and grabbed a cup of tea and the next thing I knew it was 2am and I was turning the last page. I just couldn't stop reading.  I had to find out what would happen to Cathy.  Would she be able to get a handle on her OCD and PTSD?  Would she and Stuart wind up together? How would she handle seeing Lee again - would she survive another encounter with him?  I had to find out!

Suffice it to say, Haynes has written an excellent debut novel. Her writing is spot on, the characters are engaging, and the story itself is gripping and intense.  This is seriously one good book.

Catherine Bailey is young and carefree.  She goes out with her girlfriends, has a good job and a place of her own.  Everything is peachy keen, until she meets Lee.  Well, at first things are great - he's sweet and loving and all of her girlfriends think he's the bee's knees.  Catherine can't believe her luck.  And then, Lee starts to become aggressive towards her - he starts to control her and eventually begins to hit her.  No one believes Catherine - her girlfriends all think she is just trying to sabotage a good relationship.  Left to deal with it all on her own, Catherine devises a plan of escape. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned. Instead of waking up in NYC, Catherine comes to in her own spare bedroom where she finds herself gagged and tied up.  For days Catherine lives in a hell created by Lee where he rapes and beats her and shares with her how he killed his first true love.  It is heart-wrenching reading about the abuse Catherine endured - you can't help cringe in horror and cry your eyes out at the same time.  Things are not looking good for Catherine.

Flash forward to four years later and Catherine is now Cathy.  She is living in London and working as an HR rep.  He life is consumed with rituals that consist of checking locks, windows and doorways.  Her OCD is severe - she can't rest until her checks are completed; she can't skip her scheduled tea breaks; and she can't even go out to buy tea unless it is the designated day to do so.  So you can imagine how Cathy reacts when a new neighbor moves into the building.  He's cute, but she worries that he will forget to lock the front door and that means that she will have to keep an eye on that even more now.  However, they soon form a friendship that leads Cathy to seek out help for her OCD issues.  She wants to enjoy her life and not be cooped up all day at home checking locks and windows.  She wants to be able to go out for a drink with a friend. She wants to be able to pursue a relationship with Stuart and not keep having flashbacks of Lee.  Of course, life throws a wrench in Cathy's plans once again. And I'm not going to tell you what happens, because you just have to read it for yourself to find out.  All I will share is that I cried at the end, again.

Cripes, I was definitely an emotional mess reading this book.  One minute I was sobbing, the next I was sighing in exasperation, or I was just biting my nails because I was stressed waiting to find out what was going to happen to Cathy.  I felt like I was reading a movie - the descriptions were so vivid and real that I couldn't help but easily imagine the events that were unfolding before me.  And what made it easy to flit back and forth in time was the fact that Haynes alternates each new chapter/section with a date at the top that shows you what year you are going to be reading about.  By having present day Cathy running concurrently with past Catherine, you are able to get an accurate history of Cathy's relationship with Lee and how she became to be such a neurotic mess.  Plus, I felt that going back and forth really provided us with an in depth look at what life in an abusive relationship can be like and how OCD/PTSD can truly affect every aspect of your daily life.  These serious issues are tackled head on with such honesty and rawness, that you can't help but become emotionally tied to Cathy.  You just want to give her a big hug and let her know what a strong woman she is - or at least I wanted to.   She is definitely one character I won't be forgetting about anytime soon.

Into the Darkest Corner is a terrific book that I am going to be recommending to my family and friends.  It makes for great discussion and provides plenty of food for thought.  I will most definitely be reading more of Haynes works in the future.  For now, I recommend you pick up a copy of Into the Darkest Corner and see for yourself what I've been talking about - just remember to have some tissues on hand (because you will cry). 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

About book:

Los Angeles, 1941.  Violinist Maddie Kern's life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto.  Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo.  Her brother's best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants.  Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day  after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent.  In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.

When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Julliard ambitions.  Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs.  As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.

My thoughts:

Story:  Epic.
Writing:  Thoughtful and thorough.
Overall: Unputdownable.

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is an epic story.  It is historical fiction and romance wrapped into one.  It takes place during WWII and focuses on the Japanese interment camps in the US.  We read about the experience of being forced to stay at these camps and how it affects the people that are interned, but also their loved ones on the outside. It is both riveting and heartbreaking to get through.  I must admit that prior to this novel I had no idea such camps had ever existed - talk about lack of history in history class.  Either way, I'm grateful that McMorris explored this subject and exposed us to an ugly truth in our history that I'm sure not many people are aware of (or at least that is what I hope, since I don't want to be the only ignorant one). 

Vivid in detail and rich in story, this novel showcases the impeccable and thorough research that McMorris undertook when she created this book.  All of her hard work makes for an incredibly authentic read, that leaves you feeling as if you've stepped back in time and are present for the drama and struggles involved with living during WWII.  You read about the difficult decisions people make:  joining the Army to fight for their country, sacrificing your dreams to follow the man you love, and struggling to come to grips with being treated like an enemy in your own country.  You can't help but get caught up in Maddie's, TJ's, and Lane's lives as they fight for the people they love in the only ways they know how.  McMorris is able to mix history and romance so seamlessly, that you aren't even aware of the shift in story lines, because the writing is just that good.

Told from three perspectives, we get a chance to peek inside each of these character's mind's and learn about what they are going through and their version of the truth.  I actually like it when authors' use this tactic to tell a story - I feel it provides us with more insight and offers a much more layered feel to the story.  And believe me, these are three characters that you want to know.  They are complex, emotional and relatable - which makes them feel like people you might just know.  Their internal and external struggles will tug at your heart strings and leave you an emotional mess.  You want them to get what they want and you won't forget them anytime soon.

McMorris has done an excellent job with this novel.  From the characters, setting, and exploration of themes, such as love, patriotism, and family loyalty, you can't help but be impressed by her talent. I would most definitely recommend Bridge of Scarlet Leaves to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out! You will not be disappointed!!

Thank you to Rare Bird Lit and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!