About The DNA of You and Me

• Hardcover: 256 pages

• Publisher: William Morrow (March 12, 2019)

“Refreshing.... Asks urgent questions about female ambition. Fans of Lab Girl have found a worthy successor.”--Real Simple

A powerful debut novel—a wonderfully engaging infusion of Lab Girl, The Assistants, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine—that pits the ambition of scientific discovery against the siren call of love.

Emily Apell arrives in Justin McKinnon’s renowned research lab with the single-minded goal of making a breakthrough discovery. But a colleague in the lab, Aeden Doherty, has been working on a similar topic, and his findings threaten to compete with her research.

To Emily’s surprise, her rational mind is unsettled by Aeden, and when they end up working together their animosity turns to physical passion, followed by love. Emily eventually allows herself to envision a future with Aeden, but when he decides to leave the lab it becomes clear to her that she must make a choice. It is only years later, when she is about to receive a prestigious award for the work they did together, that Emily is able to unravel everything that happened between them.

A sharp, relevant novel that speaks to the ambitions and desires of modern women, The DNA of You and Me explores the evergreen question of career versus family, the irrational sensibility of love, and whether one can be a loner without a diagnostic label.

Review

Emily Apell knows exactly what she want to do with her life.  When she gets the chance to join a renowned research lab, Emily knows this is her chance to make a breakthrough in the science of smell. Emily has never felt like she fit in with other people.   However, lab colleague Aeden intrigues Emily like no one before.  Unfortunately, Aeden seems to have no interest in Emily and only sees her as a competitor.  Aeden's research is surprisingly similar to to what Emily was brought in to work on. When Emily's research proves more promising and Aeden is faced with being kicked out of the lab, Emily makes a decision to make Aeden an equal partner in her research. Emily and Aeden begin a clunky relationship, but as things progress Emily realizes she is in uncharted waters.  Years later, as Emily is about to accept an award for her work, she tries to unravel what happened in their relationship.

The DNA of You and Me is a very different type of romance where a neurodivergent tries to piece together what happened to a relationship that almost changed her goal in life.  I could tell Emily's character was a bit different from the beginning and yet I could relate to her not attaching to any people and feeling like she was just fine without them.  I have to admit I found the science part of the book way more fascinating than the relationship part.  It was clear that the author had experience in the lab as well as an extensive knowledge of the science of smell.  I enjoyed reading about the process of tirelessly searching databases, finding something that looks promising, isolating the gene and seeing if it does what is expected.  The reality of research science is also highlighted, that most of what is worked on is a failure- or at least not what was expected.  Aeden was a conundrum to me, approaching his relationship with Emily as something he needs to hide, almost hate fueled and willing to ruin everything that she has worked on for what he believes is love.  I understood Emily's attraction more since Aeden seemed to be the first person she ever clicked with, ever felt that she needed to be around.  In the end, I felt that Emily made the right decisions for herself and highlighted the strength of women in the STEM field.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Social Media #thednaofyouandme, @tlcbooktours, @williammorrowbooks, and @andrearothmanauthor.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Andrea Rothman

Andrea Rothman was born in Brooklyn NY and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Her debut novel, THE DNA OF YOU AND ME, was published by William Morrow-HarperCollins in March of 2019. The novel has received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal, and won an award for Best Popular Fiction in English at the 21st International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles.

Prior to being a fiction writer, Rothman was a research scientist at the Rockefeller University in New York, where she studied the sense of smell. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and was a fiction editor for the VCFA journal of the arts-Hunger Mountain.

Her essays and short stories have appeared in print and online journals such as Literary Hub, Lablit, Cleaver Magazine, and Litro Magazine among others, and can be viewed at www.andrearothman.com.

Rothman lives with her husband and two children in Long Island, New York. She is at work on a second novel.

Connect with Rothman on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Little Wonders

• Paperback: 384 pages

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (March 17, 2020)

If you like SMALL ADMISSIONS by Amy Poepell or CLASS MOM by Laurie Gelman you will love this novel about super mommies, private schools, and getting your worst moment plastered across the internet.

Her mommy meltdown is seen around the world!

When Quinn Barrett’s son refuses to wear his hand-crafted costume to the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Parade and Dance Party she loses it -- complete with stomping, screaming, and costume-destruction galore. Not her best day. And caught on viral video.   Yep, “Halloween Mom” is now internet famous.

The posting culprit: tattooed, blue-haired, west-coast transplant Daisy McGulch, out of place in the posh New England town and unable to blend with the other perfect mommies of Little Wonders Preschool.

While she couldn’t care less about organic snacks (paleo-preferred) or the winter quarters of the Little Wonders chickens, she’s not about to admit she’s the one who accidently brought Quinn’s worst moment to the entire world—she’d be kicked out of town!

But when Quinn and Daisy find themselves unlikely cohorts in the fight for Little Wonders Parents Association supremacy, they also discover they have more in common than they expected…but the internet is forever.  Can Quinn live down her new reputation?  And how far will Daisy go to keep the truth from coming to light?

Hilarious, clever, and unforgettable, Little Wonders offers a glimpse into the high-pressure world of modern momming, with natural toys, scrutinized playdates, PTA politics, and social media gone amok.

Review

Quinn Barrett strives for perfection.  It's her personal mantra, to appear perfect, to be perfect for her husband, her son, her work life and as the president of the Little Wonders Preschool Parent Association.  The next perfect event she needs to pull off is the Little Wonders Happy Halloween Parade and Dance Party.  However, when her three year old son Hamilton would rather not wear the perfectly hand crafted spaceship costume Quinn made, she has the mother of all tantrums. New Preschool mom, Daisy captures it all on video only to have it quickly spread around online putting Quinn in internet infamy.   Daisy is an L.A. transplant and does not fit in the posh suburb of Needleton with her electric blue hair and tattoos.  She wants the best for her daughter Carrie, but is finding it hard to be herself.  Daisy feels awful for sharing the video of Quinn, but also finds a friend in the now outcast Quinn and is finally finding her place in Needleton.  

As a mother of a four year old, many of the themes in Little Wonders hit home for me.  The first part of the book was a little hard to read as Quinn's character dominates with her endeavor for perfection.  I could feel the stress that Quinn placed on herself and everyone around her emanating off of the page.  It was difficult to connect to any of the characters at first because they all seemed like awful people.  I still felt bad for Quinn as the video was posted online and blown severely out of proportion.  However, after Quinn stopped striving for perfection everything lightened up and I really enjoyed reading the second half of the book.  Her growth was amazing and I liked watching her relationship grow with her son and Daisy.  As the point of view switched between Quinn and Daisy, I appreciated Daisy's journey in finding herself, losing herself and finding herself again.  Little Wonders serves as a reminder to all moms that we need to stop taking life so seriously, enjoy all the imperfections in life, embrace humor, and find a really good group of mom friends. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Social Media

Please use the hashtag #littlewonders, and tag @tlcbooktours, @williammorrowbooks, and @noblerorick.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Kate Rorick

Emmy Award-winning writer Kate Rorick is the author of novels about modern motherhood.  She is also a television writer and producer, most recently for The Librarians and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger.  She is one of the writers behind the runaway YouTube sensation The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and authored its two tie-in novels.  In her vast spare time she is a bestselling author of historical romance, under the name Kate Noble. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Find out more about Kate at her website, and connect with her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Photo by Stacey Cochrane

Madame Fiocca
Suzy Henderson
Publication date: December 13th 2019
Genres: Adult, Historical, Young Adult

A must-read gripping adventure based on the true story of Nancy Wake, Gestapo’s most wanted. Soon to be a major feature film.

February 1933: Nancy Wake is a gregarious twenty-year-old looking for adventure. Having fled her unhappy family home in Sydney, she becomes a journalist and is thrilled when she is posted to Paris. The city is glamorous, brimming with journalists, artists, and a growing number of refugees.

Later, in the French Riviera, she uncovers more than news following a chance encounter with wealthy industrialist, Henri Fiocca. Their relationship blossoms as Hitler makes waves across Europe. While on an assignment in Vienna in 1938, she witnesses Nazis whipping Jews on the street and she vows to fight for justice if ever the opportunity arises.

When Henri is called to the Front to fight, Nancy, determined to help the war effort, joins the Red Cross as an ambulance driver. Every day she witnesses atrocities. When Paris falls, Nancy flees the German oppressors and returns to Marseille.

A chance encounter with a British officer draws Nancy into the heart of the Garrow escape network, despite Henri’s reservations. Soon she finds herself caught in a deadly game of espionage.

As the iron fist of the enemy tightens, neighbours denounce neighbours. When the enemy closes in, Nancy and Henri face an impossible choice. Has she done more harm than good?

Based on a true story, Madame Fiocca weaves an extraordinary tale of survival and redemption in wartime.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your time.

Goodreads / Amazon

Review

Nancy Wake wants more from life than to stay in her homeland of Australia.  After receiving some money from her Aunt, Nancy travels the world and lands in Paris.  Nancy finds work as a journalist in the 1930's as Hitler's rise to power overtakes Europe.  During this time Nancy meets Henri Fiocca, a wealthy French industrialist and known playboy.  Nancy and Henry eventually fall for each other's charms and settle in Marseilles.  As Hitler's influence encroaches on France, Nancy knows she can not sit back and do nothing.  Together, Nancy and Henri join the Resistance to help people escape and then, after eluding capture Nancy joins the Special Operations Executive and is training in everything from parachuting to weapons and hand to hand combat becomming one of the most valuable members of her team as well as one of the most hunted by the Gestapo.

I love when books introduce me to real women whom I had never heard of before.  Nancy Wake was truly an extraordinary woman who made brave choices in order to help the Allies win World War II.  From the beginning, I knew that Nancy was going to be an amazing character.  She clearly knew what she wanted in life, had strong opinions, was able to teach herself many things and was not afraid to add her voice.  Nancy also had the opportunity to witness first hand the terrors that Hitler's rule forced upon other people.  I think this was a large influence upon her actions.  I was constantly amazed at Nancy's ability to keep going and do whatever it took to help with efforts during the War.  I do wish that the writing gave a little more insight into Nancy's inner thoughts and feelings to really give it a personal feeling. 

  This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Author Bio:

Suzy Henderson lives with her husband and two sons in Cumbria, England, on the edge of the Lake District. In a previous life she was a Midwife but now works from home as a freelance writer and novelist.

While researching her family history, Suzy became fascinated with both World War periods and developed an obsession with military and aviation history. Following the completion of an Open University Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, she began to write and write until one day she had a novel.

She writes contemporary and historical fiction and is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Suzy’s debut novel, “The Beauty Shop”, has been awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion. Her next novel, “Madame Fiocca” will be published in December 2019.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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About The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

• Paperback: 400 pages

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (March 3, 2020)

A cache of unsent love letters from the 1950s is found in a suitcase on a remote island in this mysterious love story in the tradition of the novels by Kate Morton and Elizabeth Gilbert.

1951. Esther Durrant, a young mother, is committed to an isolated mental asylum by her husband. Run by a pioneering psychiatrist, the hospital is at first Esther’s prison but soon surprisingly becomes her refuge.

2018. Free-spirited marine scientist Rachel Parker embarks on a research posting in the Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast. When a violent storm forces her to take shelter on a far-flung island, she discovers a collection of hidden love letters. Captivated by their passion and tenderness, Rachel determines to track down the intended recipient. But she has no idea of the far-reaching consequences her decision will bring.

Meanwhile, in London, Eve is helping her grandmother, a renowned mountaineer, write her memoirs. When she is contacted by Rachel, it sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to reveal secrets kept buried for more than sixty years.

With an arresting dual narrative that immediately captivates the reader, The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant is an inspirational story of the sacrifices made for love.

Social Media

#theforgottenlettersofestherdurrant, @tlcbooktours, @williammorrowbooks, and @kaytenunn2.

Review:

Rachel Parker is a research scientist who has just taken a position in the Isles of Scilly to study the effects of climate change on the warty clam.  Rachel has moved around a lot in life and has never bothered to form lasting friendships or relationships. When Rachel is caught in a storm passing through the Isles, she takes cover on Little Embers, inhabited by the cantankerous Leah, an artist who prefers to be alone.  While on Little Embers, Rachel discovers the suitcase of a former occupant of Little Embers and some unsent love letters that she is determined to return to their rightful recipient.   In 1951 Esther Durrant is unceremoniously dumped at Little Embers by her husband.  Esther has survived a tragedy and still isn't quite right.  Little Embers is run by Dr. Richard Creswell, a retreat for men suffering from the psychiatric effects of the War.  Dr. Creswell has agreed to treat Esther as well.  After fighting and trying to get back to her family, Esther comes to enjoy life on the island and the company of the people around her.  

The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant feels like is was written just for me; I love the dual timeline in the story, the mysteries of an isolated island, and finding yourself before finding romance.  The characters were carefully crafted and pulled me into their stories before revealing everything.  Both Rachel and Esther were guarding secrets and were difficult to figure out creating complex and interesting women that I wanted to learn more about.  The writing flows easily through time and from character to character making the book easy to read and always wanting to know what's next.  I appreciated that the other characters on Ember Island in 1951 were also taken seriously, even at a time when psychological diagnosis were still being developed.  I also loved that Esther in 2018 was also a strong character and that I was able to see how she was not defined by her tragedy.  The romances were handled well for both Rachel and Esther, I'm glad that they were able to make decisions for themselves and find happiness.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[caption id="attachment_77333" align="alignright" width="152"] Photo by Jane Earle[/caption]

About Kayte Nunn

Kayte Nunn is a former magazine and book editor, and the international bestselling author of four novels, among them The Botanist’s Daughter and The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant. Originally from Britain, she has also lived in the USA, and now resides in Australia, in Northern New South Wales, with her family.

Find out more about Kayte at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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