Book Review: Summer at Sea by Beth Labonte

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 2973 KB
• Print Length: 239 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00WNR92RU

Four jackets of varying weights, enough socks for the entire Confederate Army, three umbrellas, most of the antacid aisle from the local pharmacy, and six pairs of old people sneakers that all look exactly the same.

Have you ever helped your parents pack for a weeklong cruise?

No? I didn't think so. So shut it. 

So begins vacation for Summer Hartwell - twenty-six years old, living with her anxiety-ridden parents, and unwillingly booked by her brother on a weeklong cruise to Bermuda. Despite the nightmare of being trapped aboard a cruise ship with Mom and Dad, Summer sees a rare opportunity to fulfill The Prophecy – her mother’s declaration that she will live at home until she gets married. With two thousand passengers onboard, at least one of them must be husband material, right? 

The only problem is Graham Blenderman – her brother’s best friend who is joining them for the week, in all of his tall, blonde, extroverted glory. Graham doesn’t believe Summer needs a husband in order to break free from her parents. He thinks she just needs a little bit of nerve. And to Summer’s introverted horror, he’s willing to spend the entire week proving that he’s right. 

About the Author: Beth Labonte

Beth Labonte was born in Salem, Massachusetts and received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  She is currently an administrative assistant by day, a bored, frustrated, aspiring writer, also by day.  By night she complains about going back to work in the morning.

Beth resides outside of Worcester, Massachusetts with her husband, son, and two cats.

My Review: First off I must admit I am terrified of cruise ships.  I have seen one too many movies about cruise ships meeting bad ends for all passengers so I honestly feel I would relate best to Summer's mother at the idea of embarking on this vacation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I sat on a beach while reading a big portion and was so able to relate to the book it was astonishing.  I LOVED how I would be reading and something so very hilarious happens in the book and I am laughing out loud.  I also have already told a few friends about how fun this read was.  It is a fun summer relaxing light read for someone looking to pass a couple afternoons like me dreaming of vacations far away.  The fun dynamic of Graham and Summer kept me mesmerized at the next fun adventure he would spontaneously book them on.  I really liked the underlying message of "live your life for YOU" and Beth's writing style enabled me to become engrossed in the world easily.  I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.

Views expressed are those of Two Children and a Migraine and have not been influenced in anyway.  A book was supplied for review purposes only and no compensation was received for this post.

Book Review: Monday, Sunday by Fenton Grace

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1702 KB
• Print Length: 233 pages
• Publisher: Hanover Press (March 4 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0996153403
• ISBN-13: 978-0996153409
• ASIN: B00UAWBBZ6

Laney Secord is an attractive, 32-year-old single mother suffering from the recent loss of her husband. She blames herself for his death, and has been in a state of emotional paralysis ever since. One day, she meets Christopher, a striking 16-year-old boy in the prime of adolescence. He avidly pursues her, yet she knows the attraction she feels for him is wrong. He’s just a teenager after all – what could they have in common?  

Laney tries to push him away, becoming more paranoid, feeling that everyone in tiny Plainview, Colorado is watching her, mocking her. She begins a relationship with the boy’s father, Bill, who is more age-appropriate. But he isn't quite the right match. 

The week-long romantic triangle that develops culminates on Sunday, Mother’s Day, changing their lives in ways that none of them could have imagined. 

In this beautifully written and compelling novel, author Fenton Grace explores the consequences of flawed choices, the nature of betrayal and forgiveness, and the boundaries of sexual attraction.

About the Author: Fenton Grace

Fenton Grace was born and raised in New England.  A graduate of Brown University with a degree in French, she enjoys playing piano, tennis, and keeping in shape with Pilates.  Fenton has worked in the entertainment industry at several television and movie studios in a variety of business service roles.  Happily married for 17 years, she is the proud mother of two children.  She currently lives in beautiful Souther California.  Monday, Sunday is her first novel.

My Review: 

This was the first book I have read of Fenton Grace's. I can not remember the last time I held such strong feelings about a character in a book I have read. Laney was one character that I am thankful does not exist in my everyday life. This character is completely self absorbed in herself and it was difficult for me to read.  I had limited empathy for her reading she lost her husband and was in mourning...until I read about her internal battles and choices she makes. Fenton Grace is very good at writing as it's not easy for me to feel such emotion over a character.  I found most of the book was Laney making a bad decision then second guessing her decisions.  Then proceeding to make another bad decision. 

However as much as I was involved in the story, I was a bit disappointed at the ending of it. I felt like I was right in the middle of an intense part of the book and it abruptly ended.  Again a clear show how involved I became in the book, with the strong feelings I had about its ending.

 I give this book a 3 out of 5. 

Book Review: Starstruck by Ruby Preston

About the Book:

With her Broadway opening night a few weeks away savvy young producer, Scarlett Savoy, is finally ready for her brand new musical to take center stage. Only two major things stand in her way - the beautiful but mercurial Hollywood diva she's cast in the lead and a handsome familiar face from her past who flies back into her life. From high stakes rehearsal rooms, to paparazzi fueled scandals, to the star-studded red carpet of opening night, Starstruck is a page-turning journey behind the scenes of Broadway, all set against the glittering back drop of Manhattan. Will Scarlett make it to opening night before the curtain falls on her dreams?


About the Author:


Ruby Preston is a young Broadway producer currently working on several new musicals on the Great White Way. She couldn't be more thrilled to be living her dreams in the Times Square trenches of Manhattan. Starstruck is her third novel and includes many of the characters introduced in her previous books, Showbiz and Staged.

@BroadwayRuby

Book Link for STARSTRUCK:

Looking for additional reading material by Ruby?  Check these out:

SHOWBIZ

STAGED

Review:  This was such a fun read!  I have always wondered what it would be like to work on Broadway and be known to be among the best of the best.   Starstruck allowed me to glimpse what life would be like if I lived and worked in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan!  I really enjoyed the story and all the characters within the book.  This was the first book I have read by Ruby Preston and I hope it is not the last.  The story is entertaining with lots of ups and downs, but nothing too deep that it is still a book I could read anywhere. 

Views expressed are those of Two Children and a Migraine and have not been influenced in anyway.  A book was supplied for review purposes only.  No compensation was received for this post.