Tag Archives: Novel

Book Review & Giveaway ~ On The Inside by Kim Cano

On the InsideWhen Kristen is sentenced to seventeen years for committing a white collar crime, she’s forced to leave her husband and two sons behind.Life in prison is a shock. She discovers that people aren’t always what they seem, love wears many faces, and friendship can make life worth living.But as she struggles to survive on the inside, Kristen must face something even more frightening than her fellow inmates. . . herself.On the Inside is based on true events, written from the authors own family tragedy.

My Thoughts:

I found it quite interesting to “see” life, on the inside, from a prisoner’s perspective. I liked getting to know the different inmates and how they relate to each other. Knowing their stories doesn’t excuse their crimes, but it does humanize them and makes me empathize with them. We all make mistakes, and most mistakes have consequences, these ladies are now paying the penalty for the choices they made.

As a mother, I felt sorry for Kristen having to miss seeing her kids grow up, but was happy that her sister in law kept her updated with her family through letters. I also liked getting to know the prison warden and her staff members. It seems like a hard job having to spend so much time “On the Inside” and then coming home at the end of their shift to a totally different reality.

While this book is a work of fiction, I think that because it is based on the author’s real life situation, that I now have a “feel” for how life behind bars is … and that I never want to experience it.

I’d definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more books from this author.

Review for On The Inside…..

This book will hook you from the very first paragraph, as you meet Lakeisha, a mail scanner for a women’s prison. She reads the prisoner’s correspondence, checks it for drugs and dangerous devices, and delivers the mail.Lakeisha is drawn into the correspondence Kristen has with her husband. And in this way, the reader is also drawn into the story about life inside a correctional facility for women.  Kristen is the main character. She’s in jail for bilking her employer out of a huge sum of money. In the process, she lost the trust of her husband and children and virtually bankrupted them. They are bitter and wary of her, but she continues to send letters to her husband telling him how sorry she is. The only family member to write back is her sister-in-law, Olivia, who extends a lifeline to her with family pictures and events.We also meet a panoply of colorful characters from the flashy inmate, Lupe, to the prison psychiatrist, Megan, the warden, Laura, Kristen’s antagonist, Jess, and many others. Each person has their story, their trials, and triumphs, and you’ll find yourself rooting for all of them.

Ms. Cano expertly weaves in multiple points of view to make you understand and empathize with all of these people. Each has his or her own pain and sorrow as well as aspirations for a better future. Necessarily, some of the stories end tragically whereas others move on as best they can. But Kristen and the others learn to take happiness in small places and to accept what can’t be changed.

The story is uplifting and poignant. You won’t want to miss this. I read this in a single evening because I not just wanted to find out what happened to the characters, but I felt for them and laughed and cried and wished so much for them to be victorious in their lives.

Everything was resolved and there were no loose ends. Even though there was sadness leavened into the book, the overall message is joyful and shows the power of love, devotion, and forgiveness. You won’t be disappointed with this wonderful story. ~ Clare Chu

 

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About the Author
Kim Cano debut novel was A Widow Redefined, which tells the story of a young woman’s journey through grief and the transformational power of friendship

Kim has also written two animal books: For Animal Lovers, a short story collection for kids ages 9 to 12 (also appeals to adult readers who are young at heart) 10% of the sale price is donated to the ASPCA® to help homeless pets.

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Photobucket I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

 

 

 

2 LUCKY WINNERS !! 1 Winner will receive $20 Amazon Giftcard – Open Worldwide  1 Winner will receive a Signed Book from the author – Open US/CA

 

Ending on Thursday 3rd April at 11.59pm EST

 

Enter Below and Good Luck !!

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LOVE AND OTHER SUBJECTS ~ A Book Review

For every woman who wonders if she chose the right career

Carolyn Jenkins strives for two things–to be the greatest teacher ever and to find true love. She’s as skilled at both as an infant trying to eat with a fork. Carolyn’s suburban upbringing and genuine compassion for people who don’t fit effortlessly into society are no match for weapon-wielding, struggling students, drug-using colleagues, and a wicked principal.

Meanwhile, her budding relationship with a mystery man is thwarted by his gaggle of eccentric sisters. Carolyn depends on her friends to get her through the hard times, but with poverty-stricken children at her feet and a wealthy man at her side, she must define who she is.

The reality of life after college can be daunting, the road to full-fledged adulthood long and unscripted. Can Carolyn take control and craft the existence she always wanted?

 

My Thoughts:

Carolyn Jenkins is a character I can relate to … she leads a real life with everyday routine as well as highs and lows. She has her ideals and dreams, yet she has to deal with reality.

Personally, I was more drawn into the “Other Subjects” of the storyline than the “Love” portion.

I was interested in her passion of learning how to be effective in this inner city school while coming from a suburban background. I liked how the author addressed the interracial relationships between the roommates and the students. I feel Carolyn showed her true calling as a teacher in finding techniques that fit her student’s needs instead of just following the prescribed one size fits all approach.

I also liked hearing the witty, sometimes hilarious, “dialogue” in her head as she worked through issues and eventually matured in her personal relationships with her roommates, her parents and her boyfriends.

Buy the book from……. Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble

About the Author

A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Kathleen has also written Love and Other Subjects, award winning After the Fog and her debut novel, The Last Letter, garnered multiple awards in 2011.  The author’s stories have also appeared in several of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

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Follow the Book Tour

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY !!

 

 

 

 

THREE Lucky Winners will each receive a $15 Amazon Giftcard,

 

courtesy of author of Love and other subjects, Kathleen Shoop

 

Ending on Thursday 6th February at 11.59pm EST

 

Open Worldwide

 

 

 

Enter  Below & Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOTH SIDES ~ Amazon Giftcard Giveaway !!!

3 LUCKY WINNERS WILL EACH WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFTCARD
Courtesy of author of Both Sides, Paul Stawski
Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide !!
Imagine if you were in a tragic accident – unable to move or speak but otherwise cognizant of everything around you. Imagine hearing doctors deciding your fate without you having a voice in the outcome.
Alex is a 16-year-old girl who finds herself in that exact situation in Both Sides, a novel that begins when – while on a class field trip – Alex and another girl, Sandra, end up in a horrible accident.
If the doctors act quickly, they may be able to save one body…and one brain. Amid the confusion and uncertainty, we hear everything that’s going on in Alex’s mind – from her initial disbelief to her quips about the absurdity of it all to her realization that she may have to go through the rest of her life living in the body of a girl she couldn’t stand. If she survives.
Both Sides tackles these issues and more. Within its pages every reader will find her own answers and discover, in the end, a story of courage and a girl who never before existed.
Award-winning author Paul E. Stawski captures the minute-by-minute struggles of a 16-year-old girl whose world is suddenly turned upside down in Both Sides. Radical brain surgery is the only option. Time is running out and Alex’s mind is racing: will she still be the same person when she comes out on the other side?

Buy the book from….Amazon.comBarnes and Noble

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

 

Some of My Favorite Authors

Tracy Helps You’s Thankful Thoughts for Today ~ 11-7-13

November 7 ~ Today I am thankful for good books. Reading for pleasure has been one of my favorite pastimes since childhood. One of my favorite memories of reading is from when I was in the 4th grade and my family had just moved. I had just transferred into a new school in April and hadn’t made any friends yet. I was a lonely little girl and will forever remember and be grateful for my new teacher; Ms. Clemens. Her routine was to read aloud to the class for the last 15 minutes of class. I remember she was reading “The Boxcar Children”. This was the first time I remember being introduced to chapter books. She would have us lay our heads down on our desks and just listen to the story. Ever since then, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies. One of my current favorite genres is Historical Fiction. I also enjoy contemporary stories … here’s my thoughts about BOTH SIDES ( in case you didn’t see my earlier post)

My personal definition of a good book is when the author tells the story in such a way that you can create the scenes in your mind. You are so drawn into the story that you almost feel you are a part of it. He introduces you to his characters and you feel like you know them as friends. I call it a great book when I wish the story didn’t end and I find myself missing the characters 🙂

♥ Today I will focus on spending some free time reading a good book ♥

BOTH SIDES ~ A Book Review

Imagine if you were in a tragic accident – unable to move or speak but otherwise cognizant of everything around you. Imagine hearing doctors deciding your fate without you having a voice in the outcome.

Alex is a 16-year-old girl who finds herself in that exact situation in Both Sides, a novel that begins when – while on a class field trip – Alex and another girl, Sandra, end up in a horrible accident.

If the doctors act quickly, they may be able to save one body…and one brain. Amid the confusion and uncertainty, we hear everything that’s going on in Alex’s mind – from her initial disbelief to her quips about the absurdity of it all to her realization that she may have to go through the rest of her life living in the body of a girl she couldn’t stand. If she survives.

Both Sides tackles these issues and more. Within its pages every reader will find her own answers and discover, in the end, a story of courage and a girl who never before existed.

Award-winning author Paul E. Stawski captures the minute-by-minute struggles of a 16-year-old girl whose world is suddenly turned upside down in Both Sides. Radical brain surgery is the only option. Time is running out and Alex’s mind is racing: will she still be the same person when she comes out on the other side?

Buy the book from….

Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

About the Author

Paul E. Stawski won the Highlights for Children fiction contest for his short story, Code Red, a science-fiction story about a little girl who has to make a very grown-up decision. As a child, Paul was the subject of Newbery-Award winning author Lois Lenski’s We Live in the North. Then, as an adult, he taught at an all-girls’ high school before becoming a full-time writer. Both Sides is his first novel, he is currently writing the second book in the Both Sides series, Taking Sides due to be released January 2014. He lives in Troy, Michigan, with his wife and two cats.

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Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and YouTube

Taking Sides is the second book in the Both Sides series. In BOTH SIDES, Alex grappled with the idea of her brain being transplanted into Sandra’s brain-dead body. In TAKING SIDES, she struggles with her new reality, starting with the ride home from the hospital and the ensuing media circus. She’s now a celebrity who literally comes face-to-face with her new identity every time she looks in the mirror – and every time someone else looks at her. How will her friends react? How will Sandra’s? And what about their classmates and their parents? With everyone taking sides, Alex begins to wonder: is anyone on her side?

Tour Dates

 

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

My Thoughts …

Are you familiar with the expression “you read my mind”?  In this book you do just that …

I was immediately drawn into Alex’s mind. I kept thinking, wow … how would I feel if I were in this situation, would I react any differently? How scary it would be to know what is going on, but not be able to communicate in any way except quickening or slowing your heart rate.

I think the author was pretty spot-on in his understanding and depiction of a teenage girl’s rollercoaster of emotions. I liked the way he introduced Alex as fairly self-centered and then showed her baby steps of growth toward maturity by her starting to see the situation from Sandra’s point of view.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series, “Taking Sides”.