CrazyDogMama’s Book Reviews, May-September 2017

I had a very busy summer of reading, and it’s time to tell you all about it!  We’ve got a little of everything today – Chick Lit, Mystery/Thriller, Erotica, Erotic Fantasy, Science Fiction and even a book that was once banned!  I am going to review 10 books, so get comfy and grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or wine, or whatever your poison is…) and settle in for some CrazyDogMama Book reviews!

FYI – I get *really* excited about books, so you’ll probably think I’m a great, big nerd as you read this – but it’s true, so I’m OK with it. 🙂 How do I choose what to read?  Well, I have approximately 500 unread books in my library at any given time (I donate or trade as soon as I read them so they don’t take over the house) and it really is as simple as ‘whatever I feel like reading’ at that moment. Sometimes I have to go to the bookstore and browse for 1 or 6 hours, though, too, because I have a little bit of a book-buying problem. Ha! If you want to follow my insanity, you can stalk me at my Goodreads account here.  I need friends (I’m an introvert, ya know), so please come and visit!  You will see all my book ratings (by stars) there.

Book Review #1: ‘Road to Paradise’ by Paullina Simons

Love, passion, and friendship collide on the road trip of a lifetime in this breathtaking novel from Paullina Simons, internationally bestselling author of The Bronze Horseman and Tully.

There’s no telling where a journey will lead you 

Shelby Sloane has big plans for the summer of 1981. She’ll drive cross country in her graduation present — a classic yellow Mustang. In California, she hopes to find the mother who left her behind long ago, and then return East in time to start college. Her childhood friend Gina is desperate to reunite with her boyfriend in Bakersfield and has convinced Shelby to bring her along.

With Gina on board, Shelby’s carefully mapped-out itinerary is quickly abandoned. Soon, so is their ”no hitchhikers” rule when Shelby picks up a mysterious girl named Candy Cane, who sets them all on a new and dangerous course. Streetwise beyond her years and decked out with tattoos, piercings, and spiky hair, Candy is on the run from a past darker than anything the two suburban girls have ever known. Candy draws Shelby and Gina into her terrifying world, where life as they know it is turned upside down and there is no place left to hide. (excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

I got this book in MyBookBox – one of my subscription boxes (shocker!), and it came with a letter from the author (so cool!).  In the letter it explains that she actually drove the same route in a yellow Mustang so that she could write the story with more accurate details.  That is TOTALLY something I would do as a writer, and it made the story so much better!

I had never read anything from Paullina Simons before, and the description sounded intriguing to me, so ‘Road to Paradise’ got pushed to the top of my TBR (to be read) list.  I thought it would be the perfect summer read; a light and airy girl-buddy tale.

First, I was SO WRONG about the ‘light’ part – this book deals with some VERY disturbing topics.  If I told you what those topics are, it would spoil the book in ways, so I’ll refrain, but just keep in mind it is heavy and upsetting.  You were warned!

Second, this book is LONG.  If I were to complain about anything, it is that the author is a bit wordy and the book dragged on for a bit at the beginning.  BUT!  Because of all that wordiness, by the end of the book (which picked up big-time about half way through) I felt like I actually KNEW these characters and everything was in such full color in my mind.  So, if you can get past that, I would encourage you to stay with it.  The hitchhiker that is picked up (“Candy Cane”) is one of the most interesting fictional characters I’ve ever encountered.

Third, it is a pretty rare occasion that I cry at ANYTHING, and to admit to you that I was fucking BALLING by the end of this book should tell you that either a) I’m a certified nutcase, or b) the author is amazing.  I’m going with b), K?  It’s true, though, about the crying, and let me tell you how it went down.  I was getting my house tented for termites and Dale and I went to San Diego for a few days to make the best of it. Dale fell asleep in the hotel fairly early one night, and I of course, decided to read.  I stayed up most of the night because I was hell-bent on finishing it, and the weep-fest started at about 3 a.m. during the last 25 pages.  I am not a pretty crier, so I had to actually go sit in the shower and nurse my snot-bubbling nose for about an hour afterward.  Maybe it’s my peri-menopause, but GOOD GRIEF! Dale never woke up, but I did have to explain my puffy, blood-shot eyes the next morning.  Anyway, the story got to me, and it is a book I won’t soon forget.

A few side notes – I pretty much wanted to KILL the main character’s tag along friend Gina (Geeeeeena!).  Holy Mother of God.  And because of that, I was yelling at the main character (out loud) regarding putting up with her. (Perhaps we really should go with a) nutcase.) Also, I am more of a Camaro girl than a Mustang girl, so I was all “Who fucking cares?” when they fussed over the car.  But I digress.

A lot of people were really disappointed in this book and gave it horrible reviews.  I loved it.  Go figure.

Book Review #2: ‘Surrender’ by Tawny Taylor

I was his.
To touch.
Anywhere.
Any time he wanted. 

Abby is ready to agree to anything to stop her brother from going to prison, but Kameron Maldondo, the owner of MalTech Corporation, is asking for the unexpected. Enthralled by his commanding brilliance, she agrees to be his assistant, at his beck and call for whatever he needs–whenever and however he wants. What that means is for him to decide and for her to submit to. Frightened yet fascinated by what he promises, Abby becomes a willing captive to his caress, undone by his peerless touch, a quivering submission to an aching need for complete carnal surrender…(excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

So, if this is your first time here, you need to know that I’m a smut-lover.  I’m not ashamed to admit it, and the dirtier, nastier and more controversial a book is, the BETTER!  This book came in my Risqué Reads box subscription (see those box reviews here) and from the description on the back, I was all too excited to start reading it.

Let’s start by saying that I love a good BDSM read.  That being said, this book started out super promising.  A very intense dominate male, a meek and mild mannered woman, and a controversial situation.  I was enthralled!  The story began with a gruff, rich (and super hot) company owner that blackmails a woman employee into being his sex slave in exchange for helping her brother who is in legal trouble. Great! But then, not even half way through the book, the Dom started to puss-out (become a pussy), the woman got all strong and aggressive, and the storyline changed from illegal blackmail, sexual harassment and debauchery – to warm fuzzy feelings and helping the damsel in distress.  Bah!  It got all lovey-dovey, and I wanted whips and chains!  Bummer.  The plot was somewhat interesting, though, and I didn’t hate the writing, but it just fell a little flat.  There was a bit of a mystery to it, and a chase, but the sex felt like filler to me. It wasn’t what I was in the mood for, so that may skew my review a bit, but all-in-all I was a little disappointed.  It wasn’t the worst erotica I’ve read, but it wasn’t the best either.  I would classify it more as tame erotic romance, rather than edgy erotica.

Book Review #3: ‘Into the Water: A Novel’ by Paula Hawkins

An addictive new novel of psychological suspense from the author of #1 New York Times bestseller and global phenomenon The Girl on the Train

“Hawkins is at the forefront of a group of female authors—think Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott—who have reinvigorated the literary suspense novel by tapping a rich vein of psychological menace and social unease… there’s a certain solace to a dark escape, in the promise of submerged truths coming to light.” —Vogue

A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother’s sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she’d never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath. (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

I chose this book from  Book of the Month Club.  The author (Paula Hawkins) gained huge popularity from “Girl on the Train”, and this was her newest, and very highly anticipated next novel.  I had not read ‘Girl on the Train’, but I love the Mystery genre and figured I couldn’t go wrong jumping on the bandwagon.

Into the water, Paula Hawkins, Cairn Terrier, Reading, Lazy Sunday

Jack is always game for being lazy on the couch with mama while she reads.

The story started with a punch, and then began introducing a shitload of characters.  Other reviews I read complained that there were too many characters, and too many viewpoints that got confusing.  I didn’t really have any issue with that, but I can see how it might happen.  The author spent a lot of time telling backstory along side the current story from each different character’s point of view.  I actually really enjoyed that; there was both the element of logic and of mystic – letting you decide what was going on and why.  She also gave adequate descriptions to set the mood without belaboring too long on anything.  This is an important element for me; as some authors drone on and on and it drives me nuts.  The plot seemed to move forward nicely, and I breezed through this book in about 3 days.

Here’s my problem with it.  I kept hearing the buzz about a “twisty” ending, so I was expecting to be surprised.  I was not.  I guessed the ending early on and was totally right about it.  I think on the last page I said “What?!? Is that it?“.  I was kind of let down.  I feel like this book could have been so much better. I found myself wishing there was a little more to it; more oomph.  I think I wanted it to be a lot more sinister and spooky – and it was just an average mystery/thriller.  I did enjoy it to some extent, it just left me empty.  I don’t think I’ll be in a big hurry to read “Girl on the Train”.  Sorry Paula.

Book Review #4: ‘Naughty Bits: The Complete Novel’ by Joey W. Hill

To better serve the customers of her lingerie shop, Madison must explore the pleasures of giving up control… 
After inheriting her sister’s North Carolina lingerie shop, Naughty Bits, Madison jumps at the chance to dump her boring finance career and try her luck down South. But even before Madison can settle in, she catches the attention of the owner of the neighboring hardware store. Sexually dominant Logan Scott recognizes a submissive when he sees one. And what he sees, he wants.

He presents her with three very tempting gifts—handcuffs, erotic cards, and an open invitation to start her sexual training. She has to accept. After all, how can she hope to sell fantasies to lingerie customers without embracing her own? Now, she’s about to discover just how far her fantasies can take her—and how far Logan will go to make every one of them come true. (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

Paradise for me: Reading erotica by the pool on a hot, sunny day with an iced latte!

When I decided to read Naughty Bits, I had no idea it would become my favorite erotica novel of ALL TIME.  The description sounded interesting enough, but it wasn’t until Logan jumped onto the pages that my entire being lit up like Las Vegas at night. From now until forever more, LOGAN SCOTT IS MY BOOK BOYFRIEND.  Now, I know he isn’t real, but what if he is??  I really do wonder if guys like this exist.  He is the perfect male Dom.  He is intense, rugged, strong, sexy and dominating; preferring a lifestyle of BDSM, BUT he is also LOYAL, kind and principled. Yeah, probably doesn’t exist.  LOL!  Anyway, I’m pretty much obsessed with his character.

Are you tired of seeing my feet yet?

What I liked most about this novel is the way the author walks us through what Dominate/submissive really means.  Yes, it is about sex in many ways, but it’s not ALL about sex.  It is about the mind.  It is about the connection between two people.  It is about trust.  The main character Madison does not fully realize her submissive nature, but Logan puts her on a path of discovery and let’s her find her way.  He is a patient teacher, but also a friend. The other characters in the book steal your heart as well (Troy!), but the way it is written is what I’ve been looking for in erotica for quite some time.  Joey W. Hill gets it.  This book has no billionaires, no virgins, and the main characters are not beautiful, clueless 20-somethings. They are shop owners teetering on the edge of 40. Her sex scenes are hot and unique, and I never seem to get bored with them.  Her characters seem real and down to earth, and the plot realistic. This book gives the genre a fresh face, and I for one am a HUGE fan now!  I bought two more of her books and can’t wait to read them!

Book Review #5: ‘Given to Fly’ by K.L. Montgomery

Can you break your vow if it’s the only way to save yourself?

Annelise thought her purpose in life was to get married and have babies. That’s what her family and church have been telling her since she was a little girl. But when her marriage turns rocky, and she struggles with her weight and infertility, she fears the childhood dream thrust upon her will never come true.

Then she meets Trek Blue, the father of a little girl in her preschool class. After losing his wife to cancer, he’s moved to Indiana with his two young children to seek a fresh start. In need of a friend, Trek is immediately drawn to Annelise, who begins to think of him as a confidant and bright spot in her otherwise dreary life.

But when the two grow close enough to raise eyebrows, she is forced to make a choice. Will Annelise honor her faith, family, and wedding vows? Or will she spread her wings and fly away? (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

I get approximately 250 emails a day, and of those 250, approximately 100 of them are book related.  I know.  Through an email is how I found this book, and I downloaded it to my Kindle.  It is true that I prefer to hold an actual book in my hands, but I do occasionally use my Kindle account because I have over 1000 books on there.  1000!  This summer I finally got around to buying a Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader, and I *LOVE* it!  I can read in the sunshine without glare!  I got the hardcover for it, too (in blush pink) and then I found the cutest knit book protector EVER on Etsy!  You can get them here.

For the record, this book is not a typical choice for me.  I do read pretty much everything and stay open-minded, but I tend to gravitate towards naughty or the macabre.  The reason I chose this read is because not only have I struggled with my weight as an adult, but I stayed in a bad marriage WAY too long because of my beliefs and stubbornness.  So, in short, I could relate, and I was in the mood for something I could seriously relate to.  Given to Fly did not disappoint!

How the main character (Annelise) is treated by her family and husband is despicable, and it actually stirred some anger up inside of me as I read.  Even though she is a strong woman, I wanted to smack Annelise several times throughout the book. Then I remembered how I fared in a similar situation, and decided to come down off of my high horse.  I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but the ending of this book is quite satisfying and I almost wanted to clap my hands!  This is a frustrating and upsetting read at times, but it is also sweet and filled with heart.  It is a quick read, and I recommend it!

Book Review #6: ‘The Red: An Erotic Fantasy’ by Tiffany Reisz

“Deliciously deviant… Akin to Anne Rice’s Beauty series.”— Library Journal (Starred Review)

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series.
Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother’s art gallery. Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it’s in the red. 

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year. The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting…but surely her mother didn’t mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger. Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red…(Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

OK, FIRST, do I do a fabulous job of coordinating my nail/toe polish with my books, or what?!? It was a total coincidence, I swear! Hahaha!  The Red. What can I say about it? It is NAUGHTY!! This is erotic fantasy at it’s finest! I actually didn’t realize it was in the Erotic FANTASY genre when I purchased it from Amazon; I read the description and thought it was just regular erotica because I wasn’t paying attention. Fantasy adds that ‘otherworldly’ element to the story (think Anne Rice), and I do read it occasionally, but not often. This is Tiffany Reisz’ newest novel, and since she is one of the ‘greats’ in erotica, I had no choice but to give it a whirl!

If you are looking for nice, loving, monogamous vanilla sex, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. The sex in it is hot, but it is hardcore. It is a little violent at times, and it is DEFINITELY unconventional. Which is totally my thang. I have never read anything quite like “The Red” – it is unique for sure. It was a great time and if this kind of genre is your jam, I highly recommend! I blew through it in two days. It made me want to dye my hair red – lol! The author is a talented erotica writer, and she paints a world for you that can be both overwhelming and moan-worthy at the same time. Just when you think you’ve read it all – she blows you away with something you would never think of in a million years. I’m totally serious! I’m not surprised by much in the way of sexual writing, and I must admit she had me saying “Oh my GOD!” more than once in this story. What a fun read this was!

Book Review #7: ‘Dark Matter’ by Blake Crouch

A mindbending, relentlessly surprising thriller from the author of the bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy.

“Are you happy with your life?”

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.

Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.

Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.

Dark Matter is a brilliantly plotted tale that is at once sweeping and intimate, mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human—a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of. (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

I am obsessed with Quantum Psychics/Mechanics. It started in Chemistry class in High School when our teacher had us make “Quantum Numbers” charts. I was previously disinterested in such nerdy, complicated things (I was into art and exercising), but for some reason my friends and I had such a good time with our Quantum Numbers charts that it became a “cool” thing!  I was sporting a “C” average in that class up until then, and finished the quarter out with an “A”! And so began my obsession. It absolutely fascinates me! When I started college, my pre-major was Astrophysics. I did not end with that major (switched to Law) but it will always be near and dear to my heart. That being said, when I saw ‘Dark Matter’ offered by Book of the Month, I chose it immediately! (I promise to start doing BOTM box reviews soon!)

I don’t read a lot of Science Fiction, but every now and then one comes out that flips my lid. Dark Matter was a thrill ride! It is quick-paced, action-packed and super fun! I liked how the author explained the (very complicated) subject matter in a way anyone could understand. Yes, the plot was a little far-fetched, but it was a bit like Jurassic Park to me – a wild theory that the author made sound totally plausible! The author, Blake Crouch, also wrote “Wayward Pines”. If you watch that series on TV, you know how twisty and unique his plot lines are!

I loved this excerpt from the book so much, I took a picture of it for future reference. (Don’t worry, this is just an explanation the main character gave – the book doesn’t read like this the whole time!)

You can’t help but feel sorry for the main character, who is just trying to get his ‘life’ back – or at least the one he most remembers with his wife and son. The lengths he goes through to find his way back to them, though, is impressive! I hope I’m loved that much! I really enjoyed this one, and I noticed it was one of the more popular picks from Book of the Month, so apparently I’m not the only freak out there.

Book Review #8: ‘Tully’ by Paullina Simons

The time is the late 1970s. The place is the windswept heartland of America. The woman is Tully — defiant young rebel with an agonizing secret, devoted friend faced with a shattering betrayal, impassioned lover haunted by a man whose touch is more powerful than all her pain.

But in the years to come, beyond the torments and marvels of adolescence, into a world where men will vie for her and lie to her, Tully will dare to win everything, and risk losing it all, in one raw, reckless gamble of the heart.

From Paullina Simons comes an astonishing novel about passion and loss, love and revelation; about friendship that endures through lifetimes, and even beyond death; and about one unforgettable woman named Tully, struggling to make sense of it all. (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

I enjoyed ‘Road to Paradise’ so much from Paullina Simons, that I immediately (right after all the cryin’ in the hotel room), went on Amazon to choose another book by her, and downloaded ‘Tully’ to my Kindle that very night and started reading it. ‘Tully’ stuck out to me because it is about yet another troubled girl, and I was on crazy bitch roll, apparently. The reviews were much better for this one (remind me to get ‘The Bronze Horseman’ by Paullina after this); one reviewer even stated it was her favorite book in the whole world. I can’t say this was my favorite book in the whole world, but it was a good read that will stick with me.

This is Paullina Simons first novel, and it is a SUPER long read. It took me over a month to finish it, and it wasn’t because it was bad! I think that is just a trait of this author – lots and lots of detail and character development. It took a bit to get used to that, but I can truly appreciate how she brings characters alive to you by doing this. Tully is a very interesting character. I found her fascinating, even when she did not-so-likable things.  The book follows her life from her early years into her 30’s. There are tragedies, love, lust, loss and friendship – you know, LIFE. It deals with some tough subjects, but it is not as disturbing at ‘Road to Paradise’ by a long shot.

There are those who will definitely disagree with me, but I just loved the ending. To me, it was a happy ending and I felt satisfied with a sense of closure. The one thing about Paullina’s books, is that I can’t believe these people aren’t real!

Book Review #9: ‘Fat Girl’ by K.L. Montgomery

#20 on the 2014/15 50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading List
A 2015 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Finalist

What happens when you’re forced to swallow your pride and move back home during your divorce? When you’re about to turn 40 and you’re stumbling through a series of terrible first dates? When you’ve landed your dream job but you feel too fat to celebrate?

You laugh, sip wine with your gay best friend, and promise to start your diet on Monday, that’s what.

Join Claire Sterling on her journey to reclaim the word “fat.” You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and in the end you’ll realize that there’s a little bit of Claire in all of us.

Fat Girl is Book 1 of the Romance in Rehoboth Series, where the ladies are strong and independent and the men are actually nice guys. These delightful romantic comedies are set against the backdrop of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware’s top vacation destination. Make sure to check out the second book in the series, The Flip, coming July 20th, 2017. Book 3 is coming in 2018! (Excerpt courtesy of Amazon.com)

Much like my back-to-back author reading of ‘Road to Paradise’ and ‘Tully’ this summer, I also enjoyed K.L. Montgomery’s ‘Given to Fly’ so much that I did the same thing and ordered another one by her immediately after finishing. ‘Fat Girl’ is very similar to ‘Given to Fly’ in that it is about an overweight woman with marriage issues. The main difference is, this book is less upsetting, and more HILARIOUS! The main character is a hoot – very witty and funny. Another difference is that this book is about a woman approaching 40 who is going through a divorce – and it deals with her after-marriage struggles and adventures.

My favorite part was the extremely accurate description of dating sites! OMG I laughed so hard, not just because it was funny, but because it is SO FUCKING TRUE! I was howling! I got divorced at 38 and starting dating (via internet dating sites) approaching my 40th birthday, all the while struggling with my weight – and guess what?  The main character is also a writer! Like me! With a blog! Talk about being able to relate with a book – I swore this was ME at a certain point!

K.L. Montgomery is an amazingly talented writer, and the most surprising thing I found? There were several MALE reviewers who gave it 5 stars! Love it! It really IS funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it.

Book Review #10: ‘Story of O’ by Pauline Réage

The notorious novel of dark obsession
 
How far will a woman go to express her love? In this exquisite novel of passion and desire, the answer emerges through a daring exploration of the deepest bonds of sensual domination. “O” is a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer, determined to understand and prove her consuming devotion to her lover, René, through complete submission to his every whim, his every desire.

It is a journey of forbidden, dangerous choices that sweeps her through the secret gardens of the sexual underground. From the inner sanctum of a private club where willing women are schooled in the art of subjugation to the excruciating embraces of René’s friend Sir Stephen, O tests the outermost limits of pleasure. For as O discovers, true freedom lies in her pure and complete willingness to do anything for love.

‘Story of O’ is a VERY controversial erotic story that was written in French by a French author in 1954. It won a French Literature prize, but soon thereafter was banned for several years. You can read more about the history here. All I had to see was “controversial erotica” and “banned”, and that’s all it took. If it causes a stink, I wanna read it!!

The reason it was banned is because it is the ultimate ‘objectification’ of women, and goes to the extreme in it’s genre. It is very sexually violent, and I would venture to say not too many people’s cup of tea. There is bondage, multiple partner sex, whipping and even branding. Among other things. MANY other things. That stuff doesn’t bother me, and what I liked about this book was the author’s ability to convey all the thoughts and feelings of the main character (a woman), so astutely. A ton of reviews claimed hatred for this book because they didn’t feel the woman really wanted to receive such harsh treatment and was merely ‘going along with it’ to please her lover. I disagree. The book’s whole PURPOSE was to explain not only her absolute love, but her desire for such treatment. I don’t know how they could have missed that. That being said though, I did feel it was all about punishment and pain, and not enough actual sex. The author goes into great detail about the welts and the blood, but completely glosses over any and all sexual encounters, sometimes in one sentence or less.

I would say for the most part I enjoyed the raw quality of this book, and the writer’s talents, but the ending was extremely abrupt and didn’t give any closure whatsoever. It is stated near the back of the book that the ‘real’ ending was removed. Once you learn the intended end, it won’t surprise you at all why it was struck out. It is very unsettling.  I’ve heard that a majority of readers need either a happy ending, or something that gives them a sense of closure. This book does neither. I’m fine with a tragic or horrific ending, but the non-closure thing kind of bugs me, so I’m glad they at least revealed a summary.

Sprout Bookmarks!  When I was downloading a book on Amazon, I saw these and decided that 4 million bookmarks just wasn’t enough and that I truly needed these.  I love seeking out different and unique bookmarks, so I thought I would include my newest finds in my book reviews!

Aren’t these the cutest?!?  Don’t mind the silly card I filled out for BOTM.  They give prizes for doing such things and then posting to Instagram!  I didn’t win, though.  Poo.

Well, that about wraps things up for now – thank God, right?  I am dog-ass tired after that gigantic post!  However, if you just can’t get enough and are interested in reading my other book reviews, go here!

I’m off to read!  TTFN! – CrazyDogMama


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About the Author

Hi, I’m Cheryl, a.k.a. "CrazyDogMama". Welcome to my blog - it's about time you visited! Anything and everything goes here - seriously. I'm a 40-something introverted writer and maker of body care products.

I am obsessed with books (mainly the Holy Bible of late), writing, essential oils, intermittent fasting, road trips, subscription boxes, and all geeky things related to earthquakes, space weather and the last days written about in Revelation. I exist mainly on coffee. I'm not above writing about uncomfortable subjects, and political correctness isn't my priority, I'm just real. I also love Jesus. So, if you're good with all that, take a look around and get to know me! Even if you're not, I try my best to entertain and offer up good advice occasionally, so hopefully there is a little something here for everyone.

Oh, and my dog Jack is my muse, so I like to exploit him here. ;-)

This is my life.

Simply Earth

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