TBR List

I've just added this lovely to by TBR (to be read) List and can't want to read it.

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about a woman who leaves her life behind in the US, and escapes to Ireland to start over fresh. As the years go by, she's settled in nicely and has a family of her own, along with a talent for art. Unfortunately, it's her paintings that may be her own undoing - the spotlight on her artwork is leading to journalists asking questions. Yep, seems like the secrets from her past won't leave stay hidden. Yikes! Talk about drama!

Now, how intriguing does that sound? What are these secrets? Why did she have to leave her life behind? What happened? Why can't she be free from her past? I have so many questions! Plus, the story takes place in Ireland - how lovely! Such a beautiful country. I'm excited to find out who Saoirse really is and what her story is all about. 

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

Factory Girls: A Novel by Michelle Gallen

(Thank you the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A funny, fierce, and unforgettable read about a young woman working a summer job in a shirt factory in Northern Ireland, while tensions rise both inside and outside the factory walls.

It’s the summer of 1994, and all smart-mouthed Maeve Murray wants are good final exam results so she can earn her ticket out of the wee Northern Irish town she has grown up in during the Troubles. She hopes she will soon be in London studying journalism—away from her crowded home, the silence and sadness surrounding her sister’s death, and most of all, away from the violence of her divided community.

As a first step, Maeve’s taken a job in a shirt factory working alongside Protestants with her best friends. But getting the right exam results is only part of Maeve’s problem—she’s got to survive a tit-for-tat paramilitary campaign, iron 100 shirts an hour all day every day, and deal with the attentions of Handy Andy Strawbridge, her slick and untrustworthy English boss. Then, as the British loyalist marching season raises tensions among the Catholic and Protestant workforce, Maeve realizes something is going on behind the scenes at the factory. What seems to be a great opportunity to earn money turns out to be a crucible in which Maeve faces the test of a lifetime. Seeking justice for herself and her fellow workers may just be Maeve’s one-way ticket out of town.

Bitingly hilarious, clear-eyed, and steeped in the vernacular of its time and place, Factory Girlstackles questions of wealth and power, religion and nationalism, and how young women maintain hope for themselves and the future during divided, violent times.

my thoughts:

Whoa! What a freaking fantastic story! I just LOVED Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen to bits! 

Set in 1994 during the Troubles in Ireland, we meet Maeve Murray. She's waiting for her GSCE exam results to find out whether or not she'll be attending school in London to study journalism - something she desperately wants. Because all Maeve wants is to get out of her small town and away from all the problems and troubles that reside there. So, to bide her time, she gets a summer job at a shirt factory with her best friends. It's the first time she'll be working alongside Protestants, which turns out to be an eye-opening experience for her, being a Catholic and all. Plus, her boss is known for being too handsy and forward when it comes to his female staff. Oh, and something sketchy seems to be going on at work which may test Maeve in ways she didn't realize she needed to be tested. Talk about a DRAMA-filled summer! 

Gallen has written a smart and hilarious story chock full of unforgettable characters during an unforgettable summer that you will fall in deep with - I know that I did. I really enjoyed getting to know Maeve and her friends and their hometown of Tyrone. Getting to experience a piece of Irish history via Maeve's story was just such a treat. I would happily recommend Factory Girls to fans of Gallen's work and to anyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on this book! Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Murder At Greysbridge: An Inishowen Mystery by Andrea Carter

(Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Summer has arrived in Inishowen and solicitor Ben O'Keeffe is greatly tempted by a job offer she's received from a law firm in America. 

Yet before making any life-changing decisions there is her friend Leah's wedding to attend at the newly restored Greysbridge Hotel, with its private beach and beautiful pier. It's the perfect location, everyone agrees, but the festivities are brutally cut short when a young American, a visitor also staying at the hotel, drowns in full view of the wedding guests. 

And when a second death is discovered the same evening, Ben finds herself embroiled in a real country house murder mystery, where all the guests are suspects . . .

my thoughts:

Murder At Greysbridge by Andrea Carter is the fourth book in her popular Inishowen Mystery series and it is excellent. I read it as a standalone, as it was my first time reading a book by Andrea Carter, and let me just say I LOVED it. The story had mystery, suspense, thrills, murder, and the perfect atmosphere of isolation and eeriness. Definitely a must-read for fans of Carter and anyone who loves a great murder-mystery. 

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about solicitor Ben O'Keeffe. She's just received a job offer in America and is definitely considering it. However, she's got to attend her friend's wedding first. It's being held at Greysbridge Hotel - newly restored and located right on the beach. Talk about an ideal wedding location. Except, turns out that murder doesn't care about beautiful weddings. Nope, there are two deaths on the same day. Yikes! Yep, looks like Greysbridge Hotel is housing some deadly secrets. Or at least the people staying there are. And, it's up to Ben to figure out what is going on and whodunit. 

Carter has written a terrific new addition to her series with this book. It is gripping, chock full of twists and turns, and the characters are unforgettable. I loved getting caught up in the drama and the mysteries surrounding the hotel. There are so many people to keep up with, but I enjoyed that chaos. And, I loved seeing Ireland through Ben's eyes. Such a great read!

I would happily recommend Murder At Greysbridge - you are going to LOVE this book and start adding the first three in the series to your TBR lists ( I know that I did ). Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book!

GIVEAWAY & Mini-Review of All We Shall Know: A Novel by Donal Ryan

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A breathtaking and redemptive novel from the award-winning and Man Booker nominated author Donal Ryan 

Melody Shee is alone and in trouble. At 33 years-old, she finds herself pregnant with the child of a 17 year-old Traveller boy, Martin Toppy, and not by her husband Pat. Melody was teaching Martin to read, but now he’s gone, and Pat leaves too, full of rage. She’s trying to stay in the moment, but the future is looming, while the past won’t let her go. It’s a good thing that she meets Mary Crothery when she does. Mary is a bold young Traveller woman, and she knows more about Melody than she lets on. She might just save Melody’s life.

Following the nine months of her pregnancy, All We Shall Know unfolds with emotional immediacy in Melody’s fierce, funny, and unforgettable voice, as she contends with her choices, past and present.

my thoughts:

Beautiful, lyrical writing that engages and captivates. This story is Irish literature at its very best! 

All We Shall Know is the story of Melody Shee, a young woman who finds herself pregnant.  The only problem (or maybe not) is that her husband is not the father.  Yep, turns out that the baby daddy is a seventeen-year-old Traveller student she had been teaching.  Say what?! Yep, Melody was unfaithful and now she has to deal with the aftermath of her indiscretion.  And lets just say, her husband is not a happy camper.  In fact, the whole town gets angry at Melody when they find out.  Considering its a small town, its not too long before judgement is doled out.  Struggling to figure out her new normal, Melody befriends a Traveller named Mary.  The two women become close and find that their lives are very similar, despite the fact that they come from two very different communities.  Through their friendship we learn about the Traveller community, Irish culture, and two very flawed  women whose pasts are affecting them in very vivid and powerful ways.  Reading about Melody and Mary was fascinating and eye-opening.  I absolutely hated and loved them simultaneously.  Their depths of loneliness was heart-wrenching.  

All We Shall Know is captivating, intense, and unputdownable.  I LOVED it! I can't wait to read more of Ryan's works.  And, I happily recommend this book to anyone looking for their next great read - you are going to LOVE All We Shall Know. 

GIVEAWAY:  Thanks to the publisher I am able to give away two (2) copies of this book! All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave me a comment. Don't forget to include your email address - that way I can contact you, if you win the book.  Last date to enter is July 15th.  US residents only. Good luck!!



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!