TT FULL THROTTLE by Nicole Winters

Publisher:  Lorimer
Date to be Released:  March 2014
Pages:  264

About the Book:  Scott has one obsession: to fulfill his late father's dream of racing in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Races, the most dangerous and prestigious motorcycle road race in the world. Far from their home in British Columbia and still reeling from a recent tragedy, Scott and his roommates-turned-pit crew have only five days during Practice Week to secure a spot in the TT. Scott must qualify with a fast enough time or he doesn't race. But the pressure of working with a rookie crew on the potentially lethal course puts Scott's safety and his friendships on the line. As race day draws near he and his friends will have to swallow their pride to help Scott achieve his dream.

This is a high-octane motorcycle racing novel for reluctant teen readers.

Wanda's Review:  Kudos to the author, Nicole Winters, for creating a story that will certainly appeal to the young readers. Adventure, tragedy, pain, exhilaration and triumph are all included in this young adult book that never loses momentum. 

It was Scott and his father's dream of racing in the Tourist Trophy Races. Unfortunately his father died before this dream came true. For a long time Scott and his father had planned to travel together to the Isle of Man for this dangerous and prestigious race, but now Scott must do it alone and for his father's memory. 

The TT was the oldest and toughest road race in the world - there was nothing quite like it - sometimes called the Mount Everest of road races. The adrenaline starts to flow as the racers try to qualify. Race officials take into account your previous race history, and your reputation. To qualify for the big race, practice runs must be good enough. It is an inexperienced crew, and do they have the skills to get them through this race? Many conflicts arise, and the story unfolds ---

The author does a great job getting into the minds of the characters and the plot moves along quickly with interesting twists and turns along the way. A great YA read! 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher to read and review. All opinions shared are my own.

The Author - Nicole Winters
NICOLE WINTERS is the author of TT: FULL THROTTLE, her first novel for young adults published by James Lorimer & Company Ltd.

As a C average student with a learning disability, Nicole was herself a reluctant reader. That changed when, at the age of twelve, she was assigned S. E. Hinton’s classic YA novel The Outsiders. After devouring the book in a single sitting, Nicole came to understand how the right story can capture the imagination and enthusiasm of anyone – reluctant reader or otherwise. From there, Nicole gravitated towards tales of adventure, suspense and horror. The elements she loved in those stories are carried into her own work which combines fast-paced action-adventure with teens in realistic and believable situations. Her works focus on human relationships and the personal journeys of the characters, creating stories she hopes will excite and inspire young readers.

Nicole enjoys travelling the world, but calls Toronto home and is currently at work on her next novel, The Jock and the Fat Chick.

DOING HARM by Kelly Parsons

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Date to be Released:  February 4, 2014
Pages:  368

About the Book:  “It's amazing that there are so many different ways to die in a hospital that have nothing to do with being sick…”

Steve Mitchell, happily married with a wife and two kids, is in line for a coveted position at Boston's University Hospital when his world goes awry. His over-reaching ambition causes him to botch a major surgery, and another of his patients mysteriously dies. Steve’s nightmare goes from bad to worse when he learns that the mysterious death was no accident but the act of a sociopath.  A sociopath he knows and who has information that could destroy Steve’s career and marriage.  A sociopath for whom killing is more than a means to an end: it’s a game.  Because he is under a cloud of suspicion and has no evidence, he knows that any accusations he makes won’t be believed. So he must struggle to turn the tables, even as the killer skillfully blocks his every move. Detailing the politics of hospitals, the hierarchy among doctors and the life and death decisions that are made by flawed human beings, Doing Harm marks the debut of a major fiction career.

Wanda's Review:  This medical thriller devoured me from the beginning to its crescendo of suspense at the end. The complex characters display drama and powerful emotions with a plot that moves along quickly, but with meticulous detail. 

Dr. Steve Mitchell is a naturally gifted surgeon and one of the best to have come through the training program at University Hospital in the past ten years. University Hospital, located in the heart of Boston, is ranked among the best hospitals in the world. Only the best are chosen to train there and Steve is one of them. When he performs surgery, it is a total rush for him - totally exhilarating. But things go awry and patients are dying mysteriously. And the story unfolds ---

Sally Mitchell is married to Steve. She is smart, witty, and exudes confidence. She has the ability to win over many people with her smooth talking charm. She is now a stay at home mom for their two daughters after giving up a highly successful career at the hospital. 

Dr. Luis Martinez, a junior resident, is a few years behind Steve in his training program. His job is to take care of all details that arise with patient care in the hospital. He has supreme self-confidence, but always follows the chain of command. He spent time in the military before med school. 

Gigi (GG) Maxwell, a rather sinister character, is an attractive med student. GG is smart and a hard worker with a great attitude - a terrific student . But is she just putting on a facade? She is in her sub-internship and will be working closely with Steve and Luis. 

Doing Harm is a gripping novel with riveting dialogue . I couldn't put this one down. Definitely a 5 star novel. 

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of this book. All opinions shared are my own.
The Author - Kelly Parsons
KELLY PARSONS is a board-certified urologist with degrees from Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins, and he is on the faculty at the University of California San Diego. He lives with his family in Southern California. This is his first novel.

INTERVIEW COMING SOON ----

Interview with Antoinette van Heugten -

Author of The Tulip Eaters


About the Book: In a riveting exploration of the power the past wields over the present, critically acclaimed author Antoinette van Heugten writes the story of a woman whose child's life hangs in the balance, forcing her to confront the roots of her family's troubled history in the dark days of World War II… 

It's the stuff of nightmares: Nora de Jong returns home from work one ordinary day to find her mother has been murdered. Her infant daughter is missing. And the only clue is the body of an unknown man on the living-room floor, clutching a Luger in his cold, dead hand. 

Frantic to find Rose, Nora puts aside her grief and frustration to start her own search. But the contents of a locked metal box she finds in her parents' attic leave her with as many questions as answers—and suggest the killer was not a stranger. Saving her daughter means delving deeper into her family's darkest history, leading Nora half a world away to Amsterdam, where her own unsettled past and memories of painful heartbreak rush back to haunt her. 

As Nora feverishly pieces together the truth from an old family diary, she's drawn back to a city under Nazi occupation, where her mother's alliances may have long ago sealed her own–and Rose's—fate.

The Sinners' Garden by William Sirls

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Date to be Released:  December 17, 2013
Pages:  416

About the Book:  In a small town where hope and tragedy intermingle, things—and people—are not always what they seem.
Andy Kemp has suffered most of his life from both physical and emotional scars, and he believes that the scars on his face are proof that God doesn’t love him. Andy has grown into a withdrawn teenager, keeping to himself, until his uncle, ex-con Gerald Ripley, shows up and wants to be a mentor to Andy. Rip has turned his life around and wants to do everything he can to help mend Andy’s pain and the rift in his relationship with his sister.
Meanwhile, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering episode in one of the poorest homes in town. The masked man makes the sign of the cross, escapes, and Heather soon realizes that he has left $5,000 in gift cards to a local grocery store. As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy begins to hear strange and beautiful music, and Rip is convinced that he is hearing the voice of God.
As the lives and stories of the townspeople of Benning Township intertwine, extraordinary circumstances emerge and long-kept secrets are revealed.

Wanda's Review:  The mysterious flower garden, behind a ghostly factory, appeared like a dream. It was too perfect - like a painting on a photograph - absolutely beautiful! Any dark clouds hovering over your life just amazingly disappear when looking at the flowers and you are left with an overwhelming feeling of goodness.

This story, with a strong dose of inspiration, will certainly affirm your faith and touch your heart from the prologue, which sets the stage, to the conclusion. Sinners' Garden is filled with rich and complex characters that are brought to life through the author's skillful writing - he certainly spins a tale of emotions. There is also an added element of mystery, with a crescendo of suspense, as startling revelations unfold. And - a powerful and soul- stirring ending! 5 stars

I received a copy of this book to read and review from BookSneeze.

The Author:  William Sirls
Over the course of his life, William Sirls has experienced both great highs and tremendous lows--some born of chance, some born of choice. Once a senior vice president at a major investment firm, he was incarcerated in 2007 for wire fraud and money laundering, where he learned a great deal more than he ever bargained for. Life lessons involving faith, grace, patience, and forgiveness are evident in his writing. He is the father of two and makes his home in southern Michigan.

The Best American Short Stories 2007 by Stephen King (Editor) and Heidi Pitlor (Series Editor)

Reviewed by WC

Publisher:  Mariner Books          

Release Date:  October 2007
Pages:  448

About the Book:  In his introduction to this volume, Stephen King writes, “Talent does more than come out; it bursts out, again and again, doing exuberant cartwheels while the band plays 'Stars and Stripes Forever' . . . Talent can’t help itself; it roars along in fair weather or foul, not sparing the fireworks. It gets emotional. It struts its stuff. In fact, that’s its job.”

Wonderfully eclectic, The Best American Short Stories 2007 collects stories by writers of undeniable talent, both newcomers and favorites. These stories examine the turning points in life when we, as children or parents, lovers or friends or colleagues, must break certain rules in order to remain true to ourselves. In T. C. Boyle’s heartbreaking “Balto,” a thirteen-year-old girl provides devastating courtroom testimony in her father’s trial. Aryn Kyle’s charming story “Allegiance” shows a young girl caught between her despairing British mother and motherly American father. In “The Bris,” Eileen Pollack brilliantly writes of a son struggling to fulfill his filial obligations, even when they require a breach of morality and religion. Kate Walbert’s stunning “Do Something” portrays one mother’s impassioned and revolutionary refusal to accept her son’s death. And in Richard Russo’s graceful “Horseman,” an English professor comes to understand that plagiarism reveals more about a student than original work can.

New series editor Heidi Pitlor writes, “[Stephen King’s] dedication, unflagging hard work, and enthusiasm for excellent writing shone through on nearly a daily basis this past year . . . We agreed, disagreed, and in the end very much concurred on the merit of the twenty stories chosen.” The result is a vibrant assortment of stories and voices brimming with attitude, deep wisdom, and rare compassion.

WC's Review:  Stephen King, no stranger to short fiction, claims this collection of stories contains "not a single one ...that didn't delight me, that didn't make me want to crow 'Oh man, you gotta read this!'" Sadly, only one in this collection fits that category, generally reserved for masterpieces as Ray Russell's 1961 classic, "Sardonicus" and "To Build a Fire" by Jack London.
"Sans Farine", originally published in Harper's by Jim Shepard, is good. A tale of the strange under goings of the French Revolution, this riveting story features in part the history and development and initial usage of "the lady of mercy," the guillotine. Well done, perhaps enough to chortle about, although King has admitted his own works don't amount to much more than warmed up chicken noodle soup.

Don't Hurry Me Down to Hades: The Civil War in the Words of Those Who Lived It. (General Military) by Susannah Ural and Gary Gallagher

Publisher:  Osprey Publishing
Release Date:  October 22, 2013
Pages:  312

About the Book:  Don’t Hurry Me Down to Hades is the story of families enduring the whirlwind of the Civil War, told through the words of famous and ordinary citizens and ranging from the battlefield to the home front, from presidential councils to frontier revivals. The book reveals how Americans on both sides of the Mason and Dixon line withstood four years of brutal, unrelenting conflict. Of the hundreds of thousands of books published on the American Civil War, this is one of the few to approach the nation’s defining conflict from this powerful perspective.

Grounded in rare family letters and diaries, Don’t Hurry Me Down to Hades captures Americans’ wide-ranging reactions to the war and their astonishing perseverance. Some of the accounts are entirely unknown to readers, while better-known events are told from unusual perspectives. Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, for example, is shared from the viewpoint of Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée (and stepsister) Clara Harris, while Lewis Powell’s attempt on Secretary of State William Seward’s life is seen through the terrified eyes Fanny Seward, who was seated next to her father when Powell burst into the room. Madison and Lizzie Bowler help readers understand how the war brought a Minnesota couple together in marriage and then nearly drove them apart when Madison insisted that his first duty was to his nation while Lizzie believed it was to her and their newborn daughter. A thousand miles to the south, two Texas families also suffered through their soldiers’ absence and tried to explain to their young children why father had “gone to war” with “Santaclause.” And to the north in Kentucky, a runaway slave won freedom for himself and his family by joining the Union Army only to face prejudice as brutal and destructive as the life he’d left behind.

Readers are carried alongside these families, sharing their dreams that the fighting might end this year and suffering with them when the Reaper comes calling. Through these and other stories, Don’t Hurry Me Down to Hades invites readers to set aside previous assumptions to learn about the divisions and range of opinions on both sides from ordinary and famous men and women, black and white, slave and free. Esteemed Civil War historian Susannah J. Ural brings fresh insight into the war by delving into historical archives and private family papers to peal back the passage of time. Her consummate narrative weaves together a textured, powerful portrait of a nation at war with itself.

Wanda's Review:  The Civil War affected a far higher percentage of the American population than any other conflict. Either side could have won this dreadful war and even after the Civil War was ended, the wounds continued to run deep for both the North and South. 

Susannah Ural has cleverly woven together a chronological view of the Civil War through many descriptive documents and letters written from this era. She has truly brought the Civil War to life with rich historical detail. 

Varina Howell Davis was the 2nd wife of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy. Varina Davis was very opposed to secession, and her strong opinions, which she was not able to easily suppress, would cause problems for Jefferson Davis, but she was one of his closest confidents. 

Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Lincoln, impressed very few people. She was self absorbed and used people in any way necessary to add to her security and her reputation suffered. She became a social embarrassment. She misused government funds for fictitious improvements on the White House. The First Lady lost her husband's attention to an all-consuming war and it took its toll on her. As a result she lived an astonishingly tragic life. 

General Ulysses S Grant had a young son, Fred, who joined his father in camp during the war. While the war was separating nearly every family, North and South, the Grants' were determined to stay together. The General had his 12 year old son tagging along. Grant was a homebody who needed to be surrounded by his wife, Julia, and children. The General had a soft heart and reflective soul and Julia had been her husband's greatest champion. 

Lizzie Bowler had fallen in love with James Madison Bowler when he was a schoolteacher in Minnesota, but now her faith was wavering. In four years of war, they shared only a total of 12 weeks together. And now it was time for him to come home and focus on his family. 

The assassination of President Lincoln is told through Major Henry Rathbone and his wife Clara. The Rathbones attended the Ford Theater with President Lincoln and the First Lady, as their guests, on that fateful night. The Rathbone's story continues with lingering trauma and their lives end tragically. 

So many stories to be told, most of them poignant, but the stories continue to unfold in this beautifully crafted book by this amazing writer. The extensive historical research in this book just astounds me - a wealth of information. Don't miss this one! 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review. All opinions shared are solely my own. 

DANCING ON BROKEN GLASS by Ka Hancock

Publisher:  Gallery Books
Date Released:  March 2012
Pages: 416

About the Book:  An unvarnished portrait of a marriage that is both ordinary and extraordinary, Dancing on Broken Glass takes readers on an unforgettable journey of the heart. 

Lucy Houston and Mickey Chandler probably shouldn’t have fallen in love, let alone gotten married. They’re both plagued with faulty genes—he has bipolar disorder; she, a ravaging family history of breast cancer. But when their paths cross on the night of Lucy’s twenty-first birthday, sparks fly, and there’s no denying their chemistry. 

Cautious every step of the way, they are determined to make their relationship work—and they put their commitment in writing. Mickey will take his medication. Lucy won’t blame him for what is beyond his control. He promises honesty. She promises patience. Like any marriage, there are good days and bad days—and some very bad days. In dealing with their unique challenges, they make the heartbreaking decision not to have children. But when Lucy shows up for a routine physical just shy of their eleventh anniversary, she gets an impossible surprise that changes everything. Everything. Suddenly, all their rules are thrown out the window, and the two of them must redefine what love really is.

Wanda's Review:  This is, for sure, one of the most emotional and heart-wrenching books I've ever read. This is a wonderful story about deep family love, sacrifice, pain, grief, and survival.

Breast cancer has wiped out Lucy Houston's maternal line. She has faulty genes. Mickey Chandler is seriously flawed with bipolar disorder. Perhaps their captivating romance bloomed where seeds should never have been sown, but Lucy and Mickey marry in spite of the odds against them.

Lucy chose Mickey because he was a warrior. Because of Lucy, Mickey has a life he never dared to dream of. Every day he fights to be his best self, despite his illness, and when he slips, the consequences can be devastating. Lucy and Mickey both agree early on that babies will never fit into their equation, but that never takes away their want. Life with Mickey is like dancing barefoot on broken glass, but Lucy is determined to dance with him forever, if she can. 

This is just an incredible book, although it does make you feel saddened at the end. An outstanding debut novel! I'll be watching for more from Ka Hancock. I highly recommend.  

The Author - Ka Hancock

http://www.kahancock.com