Merry & Bright {A Book Review}

There is something about the holiday season that makes me want to curl up on my sofa, wrapped up in a blanket, and read my heart out. Of course my life makes it nearly impossible to do that as often as I would like, so when the opportunity arises I do it without hesitation. The only thing that makes reading in the winter even better is when I am reading a Christmas book. I adore Christmas, the anticipation in the air, and the all around cheerfulness that hugs the air. 

I recently got the opportunity to read Merry & Bright thanks to Chick Lit Plus. Merry & Bright is a collection of six short stories with one theme in common; they are all about Christmas cheer! I loved this book. If I am honest, I cannot think of a single instance in my life where I read a book filled with short stories. I have no idea why I have not, but now that I have? I definitely will more often! The stories were the right length to squeeze in reading time throughout my day and before I knew it I would be done with a story. 

If you are in the mood for some happiness and a read that will warm your heart, then this is your book. I highly recommend it to all of my book loving friends and family. Read it and you will be happy that you did (even if you aren't quite in the holiday spirit, this book will lift your spirits as it did mine). 

I have to give Merry & Bright five out of five stars--I adored it (and the authors' talented writing). Gift it to yourself and read it while you are curled up next to your Christmas tree.

About the Book

Sip your eggnog, linger under the mistletoe, and make a Christmas wish. Merry & Bright brings you six tales of Christmas cheer, featuring stories of budding romances, Southern charm, lost loves, heaps of humor, and lots of pie by authors Isabella Louise Anderson, Cindy Arora, Laura Chapman, Lauren Clark, Libby Mercer, and Nancy Scrofano. From sunny Los Angeles to the Rocky Mountains to the Deep South, Merry & Bright will take you on a heartwarming adventure you’ll love to visit again and again. Wrap yourself in holiday mirth and prepare to be swept off your feet.

About the Authors

Lauren Clark

Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. She is the author of Dancing Naked in Dixie, Stay Tuned, Stardust Summer, and Pie Girls. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local bookstores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Lauren is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, the Mobile Writers Guild, and a regular contributor to Parents & Kids Magazine's Mississippi Gulf Coast Edition. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Cindy Arora

Cindy Arora was a staff writer at The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, The Orange County Register and Sacramento Magazine. She’s been published in Saveur, Tasting Table, Orange Coast Magazine, and Fodor’s.  Her debut novel, Heartbreak Cake, was released November 2013 by Simon and Fig and her novella, “Cake Therapy”, appeared in the anthology Petit Four: Four Stories, Frosted with Love in November 2014. She’s also mama to an adorable little boy, a feminist, a whiskey enthusiast, and proud to call herself a Chick Lit author. To learn more about Cindy, please visit her website at www.cindyarora.com.

Nancy Scrofano

Nancy Scrofano grew up watching classic television shows, classic movies, and listening to oldies, all of which she still adores today. Nancy has a penchant for the fifties, mostly because of her favorite show, I Love Lucy. She has seen every episode countless times and will happily share the trivia she knows with anyone who will listen. Nancy worked as an editor and a journalist for her college newspaper, then went on to develop sociology textbooks for an academic publisher. She has a master’s degree in media psychology, as well as undergraduate degrees in communication, radio and television, and liberal arts. Nancy is a freelance writer and the author of True Love Way, Cupid on Deck, and American Honey.

Additionally, she is the founder and managing editor of Fictionella, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction. Nancy lives in southern California where she is at work on her next novel. For more about Nancy, please visit her website at www.nancyscrofano.com.

Isabella Louise Anderson

Isabella Louise Anderson grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. At the young age of ten, she was reading everything from Judy Blume to Danielle Steel, so in 2010, Isabella signed up for a creative writing course, deciding it was time to turn her passion for writing and books into a career. A year later, Isabella finished writing her first book, Redefined Dreams. Her second book, The Right Design, was published in 2014. Her website, Chick Lit Goddess, features books and other Chick Lit and Romance authors, along with sharing book reviews. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and has been featured on several blogs. Isabella lives in Dallas with her husband and cat. If she’s not eating spicy Mexican food and drinking margaritas, she can be found spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Texas Rangers, and reading books, often two at a time. For more about Isabella, please visit www.chicklitgoddess.com.

Libby Mercer

Born and raised in the Heartland of America, Libby Mercer's adventurous spirit kicked in after graduating from high school and she's since lived in Boston, NYC and London. San Francisco is the city that she currently calls home. For several years, Libby worked in fashion—first as a journalist and then as a shopkeeper, and for a while she dabbled in design. Libby is the author of Fashioning a Romance, Unmasking Maya, and The Karmic Connection. To learn more about Libby, please visit http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com.

Laura Chapman

Laura Chapman found a way to mix her love of romance and humor as a women’s fiction blogger and author. A 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Laura studied journalism, English and history. She spent four years traveling the country as a writer/photographer, and currently works in communications. Born and raised in Nebraska—in a city, not on a farm—she is a devoted fan of football, British period drama, writing in bars, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Her debut novel, Hard Hats and Doormats, was released in December 2013. For more about Laura, please visit her website  www.laurachapmanbooks.com.

Lucie Simone (Editor of Merry & Bright)

Lucie Simone has a passion for travel, romance and all things Chick Lit. She also has a degree in Journalism and a Master of Fine Arts in Television Production. She is the author of the novels, Picture Perfect and Hollywood Ending. Her short story, “Aprez Vous,” is featured in the anthology, Petit Four: Four Stories Frosted with Love. Lucie lives, loves and writes in the City of Angeles. For more about Lucie, please visit her website at www.luciesimone.com.

Where to Purchase

Are you in the mood to dive headfirst and absorb Merry & Bright? You can purchase your own copy at the following places:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus & the lovely authors of this book for allowing me to read and give my honest review. No other compensation was given, and I received one epub copy in order to provide my honest review.

The Hole in the Middle by Kate Hilton

About:

Sophie Whelan is the epitome of the modern super woman. When she operates at peak performance, she can cajole balky employees, soothe her cranky children, trouble-shoot career disasters, throw a dinner party for 10, and draft an upbeat Christmas letter—all in the same day.

But as Sophie’s 40th birthday looms, her seamless life reveals disturbing web-like fractures. Conflict with her boss, blossoming jealousy of her husband’s femme fatale business partner, and her feelings of hopeless inadequacy as a mother and daughter, are cracking the edifice of her life.

Rescue may be at hand when Lillian Parker, a wealthy widow who befriended Sophie during her university days, makes Sophie an irresistible offer. Why, then, does Sophie hesitate? The answer is the reappearance of Lillian’s nephew, Will Shannon, the great unresolved love of Sophie’s life. As she remembers the vivid drama of their college romance, Sophie confronts the choices she has made in life and in love and looks for the one answer that has always eluded her: what does she really want?

The Hole in the Middle is a heartbreaking love story, a laugh-out-loud portrayal of the twin demands of work and family, and a fresh take on the hot debate about having it all.

Thoughts:

When I saw that this book was a review opportunity, I jumped at the chance. Being that I am in my 30's and knowing that the big 4-0 is looming in the near distance, I felt a connection to the main character, Sophie before I even had a chance to open up the book. Sophie is a lovable character and a woman that I think a lot of us can relate to. So many women today try to have it all--and I have to wonder is that even possible? If you are questioning that yourself, this book is a must-read. It's the perfect book to cozy up with a drink of choice, a snuggly blanket, and lose yourself in. Kate Hilton nailed it when she wrote this book!

I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.


About the Author:

Kate Hilton has worked in law, higher education, public relations, fundraising and publishing.  She has an English degree from McGill University and a law degree from the University of Toronto.  She holds down a day job, volunteers for community organizations, raises two boys, cooks, collects art, reads voraciously and likes her husband.  In her free time, she writes. On good days, she thinks she might have it all.  On bad days, she wants a nap.

The Hole in the Middle is Kate’s first book.  Kate is represented by Beverley Slopen of the Beverley Slopen Literary Agency in Toronto.

You can connect with Kate Hilton here:

Website: http://www.katehilton.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4342012.Kate_Hilton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateHiltonAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katemhilton

Buy the Book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/The-Hole-In-Middle/dp/1443429538/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_ACQW


A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus and Kate Hilton for the opportunity to read and review The Hole in the Middle. Any opinion expressed above is my own, and no other compensation was given. 

Finding Bliss by Dina Silver

Once upon a time I was introduced to an author by the name of Dina Silver. I fell in love with her her books after reading One Pink Line followed by Kat Fight. Some may call her writing style chick lit.

I? Say her style is kick-ass.

I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of her newest (and I must add my favorite) novel Finding Bliss. 

Here is the scoop on this summer must-read:


About:

Chloe Carlyle has always longed for the perfect family. 

Growing up with an alcoholic single mother, she has seen her share of heartbreak and disappointment, and is striving to build a new legacy for herself. After graduating from college, she takes a job working as a summer girl for the Reeds––a wealthy, accomplished family that personifies her American dream. Her summer takes an unexpected turn when the Reeds’ eldest son Tyler, the star quarterback for Notre Dame, shows up and turns her life upside down.

An ambitious young woman with a wry sense of humor, Chloe never imagined herself as the type to succumb to the looks and charms of the hometown hero, but she falls hard for Tyler, and is devastated when they part ways at the end of the summer. As she heads off to law school, Chloe tries to convince herself this was just a fling, but she can’t quite get over him. It’s not until Tyler contacts her out of the blue late one winter night that everything changes. 

After doing everything in her power to build the perfect life, Chloe soon learns that there are things beyond her control. She must draw on inner reserves of strength as her life takes unpredictable—and sometimes heartbreaking—twists and turns, and she finds herself faced with decisions she never thought she’d have to make. Poignant, heartfelt, and emotional,Finding Bliss is a reminder that you don’t have to live a fairytale life in order to have a happy ending.

My Thoughts:

As I claimed above, Finding Bliss is my new favorite Dina Silver novel. Chloe was lovable and while reading I saw myself as her. We all had the good looking guy in high school or college that we thought would never give us a second glance. It was fun to read Tyler and Chloe's journey from the beginning to the end.

There were moments in the book that broke my heart, and moments in the book that gave me butterflies. If you are looking for a book to toss in your beach bag as you head to the beach or the local pool, I highly recommend you giving Finding Bliss a chance. Between the romance and the flawless writing style of Dina Silver, you will finish the book wanting more and hoping your girlfriends read it so you can have a fun night of wine drinking and talking about the book.

I am giving Finding Bliss five out of five stars--no surprise there!

Where to Buy:

Now that you are dying to get your hands on the book, here are the details on where you can buy it.

Available now for pre-order and will be released on July 16th, 2013 through these retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

About Dina Silver:

A graduate of Purdue University, Dina Silver has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for the past fifteen years. After seeing the bulk of her professional prose on brochures and direct-mail pieces, she is delighted to have made the transition to novelist. Her debut, One Pink Line, was chosen as a 2012 Top Title by IndieReader and was also a finalist in their 2012 Discovery Awards. Silver lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

Want to connect with Dina? Find her here:

Facebook

Goodreads

Her website

I was provided with a paperback copy of Finding Bliss in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed above are my own. No other compensation was given. A HUGE thank you to Dina Silver for this opportunity!

What a Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr

About the Book

An unsettling, emotional and suspenseful novel of the unshakable bonds of motherhood, in which Michelle Mason not only loses her memory after a deadly car crash, but can't find her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day. But the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of everyone, even herself. A dramatic portrayal of the fragile skin of memory, What a Mother Knows is about finding the truth that can set love free.

My Thoughts

This book gripped me within the first chapter. As a mother myself I could not fathom losing my memory and finding out that my daughter was missing--and everyone kept it a secret from me. The very people that Michelle trusted were the ones keeping the secrets away from her and the one question that I asked myself was would I be able to forgive them if I was in her shoes?

A gripping read from beginning to end, this is a perfect book to read into the night during the summer months ahead. I give it 4 out of 5 stars--and hope that you will become as engrossed as I was!

Where to Buy

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

About the Author

Prizewinning author and screenwriter whose new novel What A Mother Knows, is a literary thriller perfect for book clubs. Her previous novels are 66 Laps and Wife Goes On. She has written four nonfiction books, the film for "Heartless" and "Club Divorce" for Lifetime. Her essays are featured in The Honeymoon's Over, Becoming Fearless, and Mommy Wars, for which she was lauded on the Today Show. Read her work on Huffpost as well as her on her blog at www.Leslielehr.com where yo can find fun interactive maps and book club ideas. Say hello atwww.facebook.com/authorLeslieLehr or on twitter @leslielehr1.

I received an advance ePub from NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are my own and no other compensation was given. A huge thank you to all that gave me the opportunity to read this book.

Transplanting Holly Oakwood by Di Jones

About the Book

Finding her lover in bed with her best friend was the worst thing ever, but leaving London for Los Angeles pushed trouble to a whole new level.

Holly Oakwood’s cosy life is shattered when her boyfriend has an affair with her best friend. Determined to mend her broken heart by throwing herself into her career, but unable to hide her contempt for her new boss, she loses her job as well.

She lands a dream job in a Consulate in LA, but that’s when her troubles really begin. She struggles to settle, loneliness begins to bite, and everyone around her is thin and shallow. She loses her confidence, makes a fool of herself once too often, and her new boss hates her. Can she salvage anything from the train wreck of her new life, or should she return to England?

What ensues is a comically entertaining series of events that catapult Holly into new friendships, the promise of romance and the realization that home is where the heart is.

My Thoughts

I have to be honest; when I saw the reviews on Goodreads I was not sure if I would like this book. As soon as I opened it to the first page? I could not put it down! I read into the wee hours of the morning and carried my Nook around everywhere that I went.

I loved Holly's character. Di Jones did a great job on making her characters really stand out and easy to remember who was who--which is a huge bonus to me. Holly was likable from the start, and I found myself rooting her on throughout the book.

Her new boss was not a person that I would find myself liking in real life. She was shallow and so self-absorbed that I could not help but hope she would get knocked down at some point.

Bottom line? Great book, easy read, and perfect for lounging around during the upcoming summer months. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars--and I hope you will decide to pick it up and give it a shot. I cannot wait to read more by Di Jones!

Where to Buy

Transplanting Holly Oakwood

Meeting Miss Mollie

About the Author

I was born in Liverpool, England to parents who had a strong sense of adventure and moved many times.  I’ve lived in Canada, the United States, England and New Zealand.  I’ve worked in a variety of jobs ranging from envelope stuffer to bakery assistant, librarian to trade development executive, but none of my jobs were as much fun as the one that allowed me to write and get paid for it.  That was a few years ago, and each year it’s become more and more apparent what I want to do is write full time, a dream that first occurred to me at seventeen.

I write chick lit – light hearted and humorous stories for and about women who value their families, their friendships, their careers, their independence, who have a sense of adventure, and who live and love with passion.

Like my characters, I love my family and friends, beautiful shoes, anything sparkly, the ‘occasional’ drink, parties, and a good belly laugh.  I’m addicted to shopping, chocolate, bubble bath and anything else that smells nice, and the sort of tv programmes you’d never publicly admit to watching.

I live in a lovingly renovated home overlooking Auckland’s beautiful Waitemata Harbour, with my trusted friends Bronson Boxer and Dolce Dane.  They keep me fit and exercised, scare the burglars away, sit loyally by my side throughout my late night writing sessions, and hang on my every word when I read final drafts aloud.  They truly are my biggest fans, and I theirs!

I love my life, but not so much that there’s not room to live a load of other lives, through the hearts and minds of my characters, all of whom I adore, and some of whom I’m fortunate enough to call friend.

Connect with Di Jones

A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus and Di Jones for providing me an ebook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed above are mine and no other compensation was given.

The Green Ticket by Samantha March

Synopsis
College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself.

While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself – is is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.

Review
The moment that I opened this book, I was in love. Samantha's writing style is incredible: easy to read, the words just flow together in a way that makes reading so much fun! I loved reading the book from Alex's point of view. Her group of friends are the rock in her life, without them I don't believe that Alex would have succeeded in following her dream to manage a spa. Suddenly Alex has landed her dream job, has found Mr. Right, and if it all seems to good to be true? It is because it is. Shady things are being discovered daily about her dream job, which makes Alex wonder if going through the dramatics is truly worth it?
I rate this book a high five out of five stars--if I could, I would give it more! I stayed up into the night reading (that is how I know that I found myself a winner) and was finished within a few days. Samantha March knows what she is doing when she writes a novel--I cannot wait to add more novels by her to my collection as they become published.

About the author

Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up to date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and celebrity related. In 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and her debut novel Destined to Fail. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

Want to connect with Samantha? You can find her here:

http://samanthamarch.com

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Where to buy

Amazon: Print or eBook
Barnes and Noble: eBook

Kobo: eBook

Marching Ink: Print

I received an e-book of The Green Ticket in order to facilitate the above review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was given. A big thank you to Samantha March and Chick Lit Plus for this great opportunity!

Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

About the book:

Seattle, 1933. Single mother Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, goodnight and departs to work the night-shift at a local hotel. She emerges to discover that a May-Day snow has blanketed the city, and that her son has vanished. Outside, she finds his beloved teddy bear lying face-down on an icy street, the snow covering up any trace of his tracks, or the perpetrator's.

Seattle, 2010. Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge, assigned to cover the May 1 "blackberry winter" storm and its twin, learns of the unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth. In the process, she finds that she and Vera may be linked in unexpected ways...


My thoughts:

Although I have heard of Sarah Jio, I had yet to lose myself in one of her books. I decided on Blackberry Winter--and boy, am I glad that I did. I was immediately sucked into the story of Vera Ray and Claire Aldridge. This novel had me on an emotional roller-coaster, and the twists and turns were very surprising. I adored this book, everything about it. The writing was phenomenal, I immediately shared a connection with Vera and Claire, and the ending was spectacular. I give this book five out of five stars--and I am eager to read Ms. Jio's other novels.


Interested in Purchasing?

Amazon
Barnes & Noble


I received an ebook in order to facilitate this review. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this opportunity! No other compensation was given, and all opinions expressed above are my own.

Meant to Be by Karen Stivali

About the book:

Sometimes you’re already committed to the wrong person when fate finally brings you the right one.

When NYU professor Daniel Gardner’s career-obsessed wife convinces him to move to the suburbs, he hopes it’s a first step toward starting the family he longs to have. Instead of domestic bliss he finds his neighbor, Marienne Valeti. She loves her freelance design job, but must contend with a growing sense of isolation created by her husband’s indifference. A penchant for good books, bad movies, and Marienne’s to-die-for brownies sparks a powerful bond between them. Passion simmers, but they resist its lure, surrendering only in the seclusion of their minds. Their friendship helps them weather every hardship, from divorce to widowhood, leaving them both secretly wondering if it can survive a first kiss.


My Thoughts:

I am a sucker for any book with friends that are meant to be lovers. Karen Stivali's writing style was so lifelike, so real. I have read books where I never connect with a single character; this is the total opposite for Meant to Be. The characters are lovable, relatable, and I found myself sucked into this novel while unable to put it down. This novel definitely deserves a 5 out of 5 stars--it's a great book and I encourage all of my readers to pick it up!


Where to Buy: 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

AllRomanceEbooks

About the Author:

Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies and fictional British men. When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking extravagant meals and serving them to family and friends. Prior to deciding to write full time Karen worked as a hand drawn animator, a clinical therapist, and held various food-related jobs ranging from waitress to specialty cake maker. Planning elaborate parties and fundraisers takes up what’s left of her time and sanity.

Karen has always been fascinated by the way people relate to one another so she favors books and movies that feature richly detailed characters and their relationships. In her own writing she likes to explore the dynamics between characters and has a tendency to craft romantic love stories filled with sarcasm and sexy details.  

Karen has published three erotic romances with Ellora’s Cave: Marry Me (June 2012), Long-Distance Lovers (co-written with Karen Booth, March 2012) and Always You (Passionate Plume First Place Novella Winner, RWA 2012).

Karen’s first full-length novel, Meant To Be, released from Turquoise Morning Press on August 26, 2012. Its sequel, Holding On, released on November 26, 2012. A prequel to these novels, the short story All I Need, appears in the Foreign Affairs Anthology (Turquoise Morning Press, August 2012).

Coming in 2013 Karen will have several contemporary romances releasing from Samhain Publishing and Turquoise Morning Press. The first of these, Then, Again will be release from Samhain on May 23, 2013.


Want to connect with Karen? You can find her at any/all of the sites listed below:

http://karenstivali.com
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon
Publisher's Site: Turquoise Morning Press


A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus and Karen Stivali for the opportunity to read this book. I received one ebook in order to facilitate this review; no other compensation was given.

Don't Let Me Go by Catherine Hyde

About the Book:
Former Broadway dancer and current agoraphobic Billy Shine has not set foot outside his apartment in almost a decade. He has glimpsed his neighbors—beautiful manicurist Rayleen, lonely old Ms. Hinman, bigoted and angry Mr. Lafferty, kind-hearted Felipe, and 9-year-old Grace and her former addict mother Eileen.

But most of them have never seen Billy. Not until Grace begins to sit outside on the building’s front stoop for hours every day, inches from Billy’s patio. Troubled by this change in the natural order, Billy makes it far enough out onto his porch to ask Grace why she doesn’t sit inside where it’s safe. Her answer: “If I sit inside, then nobody will know I’m in trouble. And then nobody will help me.”
Her answer changes everything.

By the bestselling author of When I Found You, Second Hand Heart, and Pay it Forward, Don't Let Me Go is the heart-breaking, funny, and life-affirming story of a building full of loners and misfits who come together to help a little girl survive—and thrive—against all odds.


My Thoughts:

From the moment that I read the first pages I was in love with Don't Let Me Go. Ms. Hyde's writing style is flawless and will have you there, in the pages with the characters, as if you were in her novel yourself. The characters are lovable, likable, and I felt myself giving compassion to them while rooting them on. Don't Let Me Go definitely did not let me down while reading. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars--and possibly 6 out of 5! A must-read book, treat yourself to it today.


Where to Buy:

 ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Me-Go-ebook/dp/B00896POTO

 paperback: https://www.createspace.com/3909105

About the Author:

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of 18 published and forthcoming books.
Her newest releases are When You Were Older,  Don’t Let Me Go, Jumpstart the World , When I Found You, and Second Hand Heart. Forthcoming is Walk Me Home (Transworld UK, Spring 2012).

Other newer novels are Becoming Chloe, Love in the Present Tense, The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance, Chasing Windmills The Day I Killed James, and Diary of a Witness. 
Both Becoming Chloe, and Jumpstart the World were included on the ALA’s Rainbow List.  Jumpstart the World was chosen as a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards, received a third place Rainbow Award for Young Adult/Coming of Age Fiction and a tie for first place in Bisexual/Transgender Fiction. Love in the Present Tense enjoyed bestseller status in the UK, where it broke the top ten, spent five weeks on the national bestseller list, was reviewed on a major TV book club, and shortlisted for a Best Read of the Year Award at the British Book Awards.

Older works include the story collection Earthquake Weather, and the novels Funerals for Horses, Pay it Forward, Electric God, and Walter’s Purple Heart. 

Pay It Forward was adapted into a major motion picture starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries.  The mass market paperback was released in October 2000 by Pocket Books and quickly became a national bestseller.  It is still in print, and was rereleased in a trade paperback edition in April of 2010.

More than 50 of her short stories have been published in The Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train, The Sun and many other journals, and in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts and the bestselling anthology Dog is my Co-Pilot. Her stories have been honored in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and nominated for Best American Short Stories, the O'Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize.  Three have been cited in Best American Short Stories.

She is founder and former president (2000-2009) of the Pay It Forward Foundation. As a professional public speaker she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with Americorps members at the White House and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.

Want to connect with Catherine? You can find her at any/all of the sites listed below:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Facebook author page

Google+

Tumblr

Pinterest

I received a copy of the novel in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was given, and all opinions expressed above are my own.