Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Phoenix: Transformation Poems by Jessica Goody

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Descriptive, powerful, and beautiful is how I would describe Jessica Goody’s collection of poems. These poems cover a wide variety of subjects from nature, animals, and people to the normal everyday.

The main theme is transformation. Overcoming pain and trauma – showing the resilience of the human spirit through verse. Most who know me here on the blog or Facebook know that I lost my mom recently. So many of Jessica’s poems touched me deeply. Of course we know I’m not an expert in anything poetry but I feel if you read poetry and it has in some way affected you then you’ve read a beautiful piece.

There were many poems that I really liked but a few touched me on a deeper level. The one I’d like to share with you I think likely refers to a couple separating but for me it reminded me so much of my mom…

Reverie

Everything is as you left it.
The stack of books on your
nightstand, the photographs
lining the bureau, your shoes

lined up beneath the bed.
A crossword lies by your
place at the table, eternally
unfinished, a pencil guarding

the half-filled squares.
Your favourite mug sits empty:
Every crevice holds your spoor.
A strand of your hair still clings

to the cool whiteness of the pillow,
your scent like perfume in the air.

(From Phoenix: Transformation Poems by Jessica Goody)

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Source: Review copy received from the author for a blog tour with Poetic Book Tours. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing (Audiobook)

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Book Thoughts

This is surprisingly the debut novel from Samantha Downing and what a winner it is!  Millicent and her husband (we never learn his real name) have been married for fifteen years. They certainly look normal. They have jobs and children but they lead quite the interesting life between the two of them. Lies, secrets, deceit, and let’s not forget murder help to keep the marriage of these two alive. Or does it?

Audio Thoughts

This was a fantastic audio. The novel itself is told from the husband’s viewpoint and the narrator, David Pittu does an absolutely awesome job of portraying him! He is the perfect narrator for this story and I enjoyed every minute of this 10 hour audio.

Final Thoughts

Yes, yes and yes! I really enjoyed this one. It hooked me from the very beginning and never let go. It is full of twists and turns and most definitely kept this listener listening! Fabulous debut!

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Source: Personal copy

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon (Audiobook)

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Book Thoughts

Helen and Nate are ready to simplify their lives. They’re leaving the hustle and bustle of city life for a sprawling forty-four acres of land in Vermont. They are going to build their dream home. As they get started they learn that the property has quite the past. A past with a dark and violent history. And a parcel of land with ghosts of its own. Helen, being a history teacher, is fascinated with the history of the land and sets out to learn all she can. Is the past best left in the past though? And what happens when you start digging up things best left buried?

Audio Thoughts

I enjoyed this audio. It is narrated by Amanda Carlin and Justine Eyre, both of whom are new narrators to me. I thought both of them have great voices for narration and they really brought this story to life. The audio comes in at 11 hours and 50 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Ive read or listened to many of Jennifer McMahon’s books and have loved quite a few of them. While I did enjoy this book it is in the middle for me. I found it really slow to start and it just didn’t have the same intensiveness to it as, let’s say, The Winter People. It’s still very good but moves at a slower pace. Still I love Jennifer McMahon’s writing and her stories and I did find this one a fast and easy listen that I did enjoy and I’ll be anxiously awaiting her next novel!

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Source: Review copy received from the publisher. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline (Audiobook)

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Book Thoughts

Years ago, as teenagers, a group of friends get together to hang out. This time though they have a newcomer. A new boy has come to town and the teens decide to play a prank on him. He has to go through a sort of initiation in order to be a part of their little group. Imagine the scene – hormonal teenagers, alcohol, and a gun. The actions and consequences of that night change these kids for the rest of their lives.

Audio Thoughts

This was a good audio to listen to. Had I been reading the book I may not have made it through. However the two narrators of this book were really good and I enjoyed listening to them. Ari Fliakos is new to me and I liked his smooth voice. Brittany Pressley was also new to me and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to her again. She has a great tone to her voice that makes listening to her very enjoyable. This audio comes in at 11 hours and 42 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I’ve listened to many of Lisa Scottoline’s books and really loved them. This one I’m sorry to say not so much. It has many glowing reviews as well as some not so glowing. Mine is in the middle. I found the story slow to get anywhere and even when it did I didn’t find it as engaging as many of her others. Still I was curious to see where the story would go and it ended up being an okay listen for me.

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Source: Review copy received from the publisher. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Wednesday Book Love – Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle

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This week my pic for Wednesday Book Love is Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle.  I read this author’s book Three Days Missing and I loved it (review once again to follow one of these days).  Needless to say I’m really looking forward to getting to this one which releases June 25 of this year!

Book Description (from Goodreads)

From the bestselling author of The Marriage Lie and Three Days Missing comes a riveting new novel of suspense about a woman who, in a fight for survival, must decide just how far she’ll go to escape the person she once loved

Beth Murphy is on the run…

For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning–one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.

Sabine Hardison is missing…

A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she’s taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.

As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine’s carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that’s certain is that someone is lying and the truth won’t stay buried for long.

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Lies by T.M. Logan (Audiobook)

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Book Thoughts

Joe Lynch is on his way home with his son William when he notices his wife’s car in traffic. Of course they want to say hello so they follow her into a carpark. He is surprised to find her arguing with her best friend’s husband. Before he can say anything though his wife leaves and he decides to confront the husband Ben instead. That turns out to be a very bad decision on his part. Ben goes missing. All of a sudden Joe’s life is turned upside down via social media. Joe is a suspect. Even more he is left wondering if he ever really knew his wife at all..

Audio Thoughts

This was a very good audio. It is narrated by Leighton Pugh. Yet another male narrator and I really enjoyed listening to him. He has a great tone and is easy to listen to. This audio comes in at 10 hrs and 45 minutes and I can tell you it went by really quickly for this girl!

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It grabbed me from the first few lines and didn’t let go. For fans of psychological thrillers this is another one to add to your spring reading list. Well worth a read or a listen!

Source: Library copy