Showing posts with label Karma Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karma Brown. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2018

The Tip of My Wish List: Summer Lovin'

If you're anything like me you've got a book wish list so long there is no way you will ever be able to read through it all. And, on top of that, it's never ending because you just can't stop adding more books to it! To try and organize myself I'm sharing 5 books from my wish list that I'm most excited to get to, usually with a common theme, on the last Friday of each month. I know a number of excellent bloggers who will be doing similar posts and I'll be sure to link to their posts as well so you can see all the goodies we're excited about and, hopefully, add a few new books to your own wish list. I'll also link the titles to Goodreads where you can read reviews and find the various ways to purchase a copy of the books if they sound like your style. I really hope you enjoy and let me know if you've read any of these or have others you would add to the list.
 
Now that May is almost over and I live in Florida I'm really feeling like it's officially Summer Season for me. Whenever it starts getting hot like this my mind starts wandering to "beach reads" - whether that means a page-turning thriller, fun chick lit, or a book with actual beach feels - and so I've decided to share 5 "beach reads" I'm now wanting to grab up and take to the shore this month. Does anyone else have these on their summer reading lists?
 
 
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One woman is about to discover everything she believes-knows-to be true about her life...isn't.


After hitting her head, Lucy Sparks awakens in the hospital to a shocking revelation: the man she's known and loved for years-the man she recently married-is not actually her husband. In fact, they haven't even spoken since their breakup four years earlier. The happily-ever-after she remembers in vivid detail-right down to the dress she wore to their wedding-is only one example of what her doctors call a false memory: recollections Lucy's mind made up to fill in the blanks from the coma.

Her psychologist explains the condition as honest lying, because while Lucy's memories are false, they still feel incredibly real. Now she has no idea which memories she can trust-a devastating experience not only for Lucy, but also for her family, friends and especially her devoted boyfriend, Matt, whom Lucy remembers merely as a work colleague.

When the life Lucy believes she had slams against the reality she's been living for the past four years, she must make a difficult choice about which life she wants to lead, and who she really is.



The Stranger


In the hushed hours of the night a woman is taken by the sea.


Was it a tragic accident? Or should the residents of Penhallow have been more careful about whom they invited in?

In the midst of war three women arrive seeking safety at Penhallow Hall.

Each is looking to escape her past.

But one of them is not there by choice.

As the threat of invasion mounts and the nightly blackouts feel longer and longer, tensions between the close-knit residents rise until dark secrets start to surface.

And no one can predict what their neighbour is capable of . . .

In a house full of strangers, who do you trust?



The Baby Plan


In The Lizzie Bennet Diaries creator Kate Rorick’s first adult fiction novel, we enter the wild, bewildering world of modern pregnancies. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shake your head as you wonder where everyone’s sanity went...


Meet the mothers…

Nathalie Kneller: Nathalie’s plan: to announce her pregnancy now that she’s finally made it past twelve weeks! But just as she’s about to deliver (so to speak) the big news to her family, her scene-stealing sister barfs all over the Thanksgiving centerpiece. Yup, Lyndi’s pregnant too, swiping the spotlight once more…

Lyndi Kneller: Lyndi’s plan: finally get her life together! She’s got a new apartment, new promotion, new boyfriend. What she didn’t count on—a new baby! She can barely afford her rent, much less a state-of-the-art stroller…

Sophia Nunez: Sophia’s plan: Once she gets her daughter Maisey off to college, she’ll finally be able to enjoy life as make-up artist to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and girlfriend to one of rock’s hottest musicians. But after 18 years she discovers the stork is once again on its way…

Now these women are about to jump headlong into the world of modern day pregnancy. It’s a world of over the top gender reveal parties (with tacky cakes and fireworks); where every morsel you eat is scrutinized and discussed; where baby names are crowd-sourced and sonograms are Facebook-shared. And where nothing goes as planned...



Something in the Water


A shocking discovery on a honeymoon in paradise changes the lives of a picture-perfect couple in this taut psychological thriller debut--for readers of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Shari Lapena.


If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?

Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .

Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?

Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?

Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman's enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we're tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.



 A Noise Downstairs


The New York Times bestselling author of No Time for Goodbye returns with a haunting psychological thriller that blends the twists and turns of Gillian Flynn with the driving suspense of Harlan Coben, in which a man is troubled by odd sounds for which there is no rational explanation.


College professor Paul Davis is a normal guy with a normal life. Until, driving along a deserted road late one night, he surprises a murderer disposing of a couple of bodies. That’s when Paul’s "normal" existence is turned upside down. After nearly losing his own life in that encounter, he finds himself battling PTSD, depression, and severe problems at work. His wife, Charlotte, desperate to cheer him up, brings home a vintage typewriter—complete with ink ribbons and heavy round keys—to encourage him to get started on that novel he’s always intended to write.

However, the typewriter itself is a problem. Paul swears it’s possessed and types by itself at night. But only Paul can hear the noise coming from downstairs; Charlotte doesn’t hear a thing. And she worries he’s going off the rails.

Paul believes the typewriter is somehow connected to the murderer he discovered nearly a year ago. The killer had made his victims type apologies to him before ending their lives. Has another sick twist of fate entwined his life with the killer—could this be the same machine? Increasingly tormented but determined to discover the truth and confront his nightmare, Paul begins investigating the deaths himself.

But that may not be the best thing to do. Maybe Paul should just take the typewriter back to where his wife found it. Maybe he should stop asking questions and simply walk away while he can. . . .


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 Check out these lovely blogs for more books to add to your wish list(updated as they become available):



Holly at 2 Kids and Tired
Stephanie at Layered Pages
Heather at The Maiden's Court
Erin at Flashlight Commentary
Magdalena at A Bookish Swede
 
 
 
 

Thursday, August 27, 2015

TLC Book Tours: Review of Come Away With Me by Karma Brown + Giveaway!!



Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: August 25th, 2015
Pages: 368


Synopsis



A heartbreaking and emotional story of love and loss, COME AWAY WITH ME is one woman’s discovery that life is still worth living, even if it’s not the life you planned.


One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.

Tegan is consumed by grief—not to mention anger toward Gabe, who was driving on the night of the crash. But just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences, and so begins an adventure of a lifetime.

From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape the tragedy and search for forgiveness. But they soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it. Heartbreaking, hopeful and utterly transporting, COME AWAY WITH ME is an unforgettable debut and a luminous celebration of the strength of the human spirit.


What Did I Think About the Story?



Please excuse me while I gush a little bit (well,  maybe a lot!) about Come Away With Me by Karma Brown. It has been quite a while since a book made me actually, physically cry...like big, fat, hiccup-inducing tears...but that is exactly what happened on and off as I read this story. The raw emotions these characters are experiencing are written so vividly I at times felt like I could feel their pain, anger, anxiety and hollowing sadness along with them. While this did bring about some strange looks from my husband and dogs I am so happy to have experienced these feelings along with Tegan. This is a story that will consume you, and in my opinion that makes one hell of a great read.

After the accident Tegan can't seem to get out of her own head or see past her grief, and is so filled with an emptiness and livid anger that she can't help but want to hide away from the world and lash out at anyone who even attempts to get her to think about a time when she can start healing and moving on. While I have thankfully never experienced a tragedy like Tegan's, my son was born two  months early and had to spend the first month of his life in the hospital. He is now a healthy, happy ten year old, but I will never forget going home from the hospital without  him and the abject emptiness I felt the first time I walked through the door without him in my arms. Ms. Brown nails describing this feeling and made me instantly sympathize with Tegan and the myriad physical and emotional symptoms that come along with an accident like she experiences.

As the story progresses the reader not only gets to go along with Tegan and Gabe as they travel to three dream locations but, disbursed throughout, are chapters that go back into Tegan and Gabe's life so we get to see how their love developed and the life they had been living up until the horrible accident.  These chapters are filled with laughter and love, and if you haven't fallen a little in love with Gabe by the end I would be shocked. He is such a kind, patient person with Tegan and his careful treatment of her as they travel to Thailand, Italy and Hawaii was beyond touching. Oh, and be prepared to add these three locations to your bucket list, if you haven't already, because Karma Brown's ability to transport the reader made me feel like I was riding an elephant, taking a cooking class filled with ripe tomatoes and garlic and learning how to surf right along with Tegan and Gabe. She hits all the senses with a bang and I am now ready to put my backpack on and take off!

There is a twist towards the end of the novel that actually made my heart start beating faster. I honestly didn't see it coming and it really hit me harder than I would have expected given the fact that these things weren't really happening. Regardless, I think it was perfectly done as it drives the story in a direction that will finally come to a conclusion with a sense of satisfaction and hopefulness. After all the tears I was very happy to come to this sort of conclusion!

I can't recommend Come Away With Me enough, to anyone who wants to travel along on a sometimes sad yet always fascinating adventure with some unforgettable characters. The fact that this is Karma Brown's debut novel is astounding to me, and I can tell you that she has found a forever-fan in this reader.

    

What Did I Think About the Cover?



Beautiful! If you just take it at surface value, it is eye-catching, colorful and makes you think of vacation and travel, which plays a huge part in the story. Looking a little further at what could be the symbolism of the cover, we have Tegan, currently in the bright, calm waters about to be overtaken by the much darker, turbulent waves. Tegan battles with her emotions throughout the story so this could represent that perfectly. However you decide to look at it, I think it's as stunning as the story.



My Rating: 5.0/5.0



 
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me with a free copy of Come Away With Me in exchange for an honest review! Be sure to continue below for information on the author, the blog tour and how you can enter my giveaway to win your own copy!
 
 
 

Praise for Come Away With Me 

 
 
“Karma Brown has written a book that will make you feel like you’ve traveled the world without leaving your seat. COME AWAY WITH ME is full of lush locations, memorable characters, and a turn of events that is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Brown’s work is as smart as it is effortless to read.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do
leaving your seat.
 
 

Buy the Book

 
 
 
 
 

About the Author

 
 
Karma Brown is a National Magazine Award winning freelance writer and journalist, and a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. She lives just outside Toronto with her family and writes powerfully emotional upmarket women’s fiction, in the vein of Me Before You. COME AWAY WITH ME is her first novel.
 
Find out more about Karma Brown on her website and on The Debutante Ball. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
 
 
 

Giveaway Time!!!

 
 
I am so excited to be able to offer up one copy of Come Away With Me for giveaway (US/Canada only)!! All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the giveaway form HERE. Please be sure to leave both your name and your email on the form so I can contact you if you are my winner (no email address, no entry!). For extra entries you can follow the blog in various ways (all links are on the right hand sidebar) and leave the name/email you follow with on the form. That's it!
 
 
I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner on September 3rd, 2015 and will announce the winner here as well as email the winner for their mailing address. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before I have to pick another winner. If you have already won this giveaway on another site please let me know so I can pick a new winner and give someone else a chance to win a copy of this remarkable book.
 
 
Good Luck!!
 
 
 

TLC Blog Tour Schedule for Come Away With Me

 
 
Monday, August 24th: Book Dilettante
Tuesday, August 25th: Kahakai Kitchen
Wednesday, August 26th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Thursday, August 27th: A Literary Vacation
Friday, August 28th: From L.A. to LA
Monday, August 31st: Romancing the Book – review and Q&A
Tuesday, September 1st: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, September 2nd: Patricia’s Wisdom
Thursday, September 3rd: The Bookish and the Romantic
Monday, September 7th: Lavish Bookshelf
Monday, September 7th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Tuesday, September 8th: Books a la Mode – author guest post
Wednesday, September 9th: Always With a Book
Thursday, September 10th: Bookmark Lit
Monday, September 14th: girlichef
Tuesday, September 15th: Why Girls Are Weird
Wednesday, September 16th: The Reading Date
Thursday, September 17th: Mom in Love with Fiction
Monday, September 21st: Book Mama Blog

 
 




 



Tuesday, August 4, 2015

COME AWAY WITH ME Bucket List Contest

Author Karma Brown's first novel, Come Away With Me, will be published August 25th, 2015 by Mira Books. I'll be reviewing this book on August 27th but wanted to share with you all the incredible contest the author has going on right now!

Here is all the information you need, from Mira Books' website bookclubbish.com:


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A note from Karma Brown, author of COME AWAY WITH ME…


The summer after I turned 17 I boarded a plane for Thunder Bay, and Outward Bound – a wilderness survival school that makes regular camping look like a 5-star hotel stay. Armed with a small backpack into which I stuffed one extra set of clothes and a sleeping bag, we headed into the wilderness for 30 days of canoeing and backpacking. We spent 14 hours each day on the water, reading lake maps and growing our paddling muscles. We bushwhacked trails. Rock climbed. White-water kayaked. We dug latrines, cooked over the fire, ate too many sardines and peanuts (I still can’t eat either). It was like nothing I’d ever done; it’s like nothing I’ve done since.

But it was what we did on our last day at camp that truly changed my life: I wrote myself a letter. In the letter I listed achievements I was proud of, along with what I hoped to accomplish over the 365 days. Then I sealed it, and promptly forgot about it.

A year later it arrived in my mailbox, and I saw how many items on my “hope to achieve” list I’d actually accomplished — without doing anything more than writing them down. That moment changed how I thought about my future: goals don’t happen without planning. Write it down, make it real. So I started my “bucket” list, and have been adding to it and crossing things off ever since.

In COME AWAY WITH ME, Tegan and Gabe have a list of experiences they keep in the “Jar of Spontaneity” – which was inspired by a real life jar my husband and I have. All three of their experiences in the book – Elephants painting in Thailand, Cooking Class in Italy, Learn to surf in Hawaii – came from my actual list, which has now grown to about 120 items. And on August 25th, when my novel hits shelves, I’ll finally get to put a checkmark beside item #34 (Write, and publish, a novel) …


Now it’s your turn. Post your top ten bucket list experiences on your blog for a chance to win one of them! (Up to $5,000 value).

 
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So here is my Top 10 Bucket List (in no particular order):
 
 
1. Take a trip to Italy with my husband (maybe even visit where his maternal family comes from!).
 
2. Take my son on his first plane ride.
 
3. Take a road trip to the Grand Canyon, stopping at interesting/strange sites along the way.
 
4. Open my own indie or second-hand bookstore.
 
5. Read through my entire collection of books (I'm not sure if this is possible but I can try :)!).
 
6. Travel to the best bookstores around the world.
 
7. Go to BEA America.
 
8. Go to the Historical Novel Society Conference.
 
9. Learn how to sew.
 
10. Travel to London and take tours of all the historic landmarks.
 
 
 
Clearly my list has a lot to do with traveling! What about you guys?  What's on your bucket list? Good luck to everyone who enters the contest....I know I have my fingers crossed!