Whistling Women By Kelly Romo

 
 

Description
"Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she’s been running from dark memories ever since. For fifteen years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world’s fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.

Addie isn’t the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it’s not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.

Set against the backdrop of the 1935 world’s fair, Whistling Women explores the complex relationships between sisters, the sacrifices required to protect family, and the devastating consequences of a single impulsive act."


As a fan of historical fiction I really fell in love with this book. This is the story of 2 sets of sisters. We learn through flashbacks to 1918 about the relationship between Wavey and her sister Addie, and the awful circumstances under which they became separated. In the "present day" of the book's setting in the 1930s We have the relationship between the two sisters Rumor and Mary who are Wavey's daughters, growing up under Wavey's roof, without their father. The author paints a vivid and poignant picture of life in the early 1900s and the hardships faced, especially by women and children in those days. The story was beautifully descriptive from the excitement of the World's Fair to the lack of appropriate care for orphaned children.  This is a haunting story of the love between sisters, and the love of a mother for her daughters, and what she is willing to sacrifice to keep them all safe.

I received an advance copy for review

The Journal of James Halldon (Diary of the Displaced #1) by Glynn James

Description
"There is a place where nightmares are real. It is a dark and terrifying place, hidden from the world we know by borders that only the most unfortunate of souls will ever cross.

James Halldon woke up in the dark, alone, without any food or water, without a clue where he was, and with no memory of where he came from.

It only got stranger.

James has somehow found his way to The Corridor, a midnight place that no human should ever see and the prison of a creature that has destroyed entire worlds. Somehow James has to learn to survive.

But he is not alone. The lost souls of others who have drifted into The Corridor, and died, also haunt this world, and they have been waiting a long time for someone to come along.

The Journal of James Halldon is a dark sci-fi novel that follows Halldon's struggle to survive whilst trying to understand the strange, dark, and terrifying world in which he is trapped.

If it's dark when you wake up, and you can hear growling, then close your eyes and maybe it will go away.
But maybe it won't"



The Journal of James Halldon by Glynn James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 I must say it was quite original I don't believe I have ever read anything quite like it before.
A man awakens in a strange place, isn't even sure if he is indoors or out, or how he came to be there. No food, no water, and strange creatures the likes of which have never been seen anywhere else. Very original and imaginative. I was pleased to learn there will be more to come, since this is the first book in a series.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book for review.

The Word Game by Steena Holmes

Description
For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it’s a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin’s house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe.

But Alyson’s sense of peace is short lived. When Lyla comes home the next morning, she reveals something that could tear apart not only their family but also the entire community. Now, Alyson and Tricia must confront their painful shared past as they come together to help a little girl who they fear might be harboring terrible secrets similar to their own. Will the sisters be strong enough to face their demons in order to protect the child, even if it means telling their most private truths?



The Word Game by Steena Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a hard, sad look at dysfunctional families, guilt, and secrets long buried finally coming to light. The subject is harsh but it is told in a non exploitative manner. I felt a strong connection to the character Alyson, and though she was described as a helicopter parent she certainly had her reasons for being so protective of her daughter. This was a thought provoking story of the courage it takes to come forward even when you think nobody may believe you.

I received an advance copy for review
View all my reviews

A Cold White Fear by R.J. Harlick

Description
"Stranded by a blizzard at her isolated cabin, Meg Harris finds herself in a desperate and terrifying situation when two strangers arrive.

As night approaches, a major blizzard has cut off road access to Meg Harris’s isolated wilderness home, Three Deer Point. She is alone with her young friend Adjidamo, preparing for Christmas, when a knock suddenly echoes through the house. She finds two strange men at her front door, one of them bleeding. Against her better judgment, she lets them in.

At that moment, the power goes out, plunging the group into total darkness and severing all phone links to the outside world. So begin a terrifying twenty-four hours that have Meg summoning up a courage she didn’t know she had to get herself and Adjidamo out alive"

I really expected to like this book a lot more than I did. From the description it sounded very appealing. I do love a good trapped in a blizzard story. I was not able to muster up much interest in these characters. The dialogue felt unnatural to me and one character in particular whose name escapes me already since he was mostly referred to as "The Serbian" truly grated on my nerves with his stereotypical broken English. The main character's repeated thwarted attempts at escape began to bore me and I just couldn't make myself care much one way or the other whether any of them lived or died. I did start out at least rooting for the dog to live but after too many "little brown sausages" on the floor I can't say I cared too much for her either. I would give it 2 and a half stars.

I received an advance copy for review