Leyla Feldenburg has molded herself into the perfect wife and mother.  Doting on her husband and supporting her two children, Leyla gave up her career to make sure her children have every opportunity.  Leyla gives them everything her mother, Aurora, didn't.  Now, Leyla has insomnia, anxiety and a strong suspicion that her husband might be cheating on her with another school mom at an upcoming cannabis convention in LA. Meanwhile, Aurora has been living off her children's kindness for years, selling things at flea markets and always on the lookout for a quick money making scheme, finds out that her step-mother, Esther, has died.  Hoping for something left for her in the will, Aurora heads for her step-mother's home in LA.  With Leyla and Aurora both staying with their extended family, they join forces to try and solve both their problems. 

Fine, I'm a Terrible Person is a contemporary comedy about learning to let go in order to enjoy life and embracing your culture and family.  I was happy to read a book with Sephardic Jewish characters that integrated their culture, especially the food, family traditions and sayings.  The realistic tone of the writing effectively presented characters with flaws, emotions, and personal growth, making them relatable and authentic.   So much of what Leyla felt in the book resonated with me.  I connected with her anxieties and family traumas as she dealt with stifling her emotions, the ability to become invisible and her self-soothing social isolation. Aurora's character, while providing comic relief, was also very authentic.  Carrying generational trauma, divorce and the loss of her community, Aurora has acquiesced to simply do the least in life and go where the tide takes her.  Together, Leyla and Aurora are an unlikely, but heartwarming pair, getting themselves into hilarious situations. When they come together with their extended family, Leyla learns how to let go and Aurora takes steps to stand on her own. 

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

​Best Climate Change Stories: An Anthology of Original Short Fiction is a collection of 34 short stories centered around the general theme of climate change.  The collected stories are all by different authors, the result of a contest by Book Bin bookstore and Secant Publishing.  All of the stories were less than 20 pages long, resulting in a series of easy reads.  WIth different authors for each story, some stood out much more than others.  What I did enjoy about the anthology as a whole was that each story focused on a different impact of climate change from food scarcity to environmental justice, forest fires to flash floods and changes in human mood to economic impacts.  Some stories that stuck with me are:

American Mangrove by Paul Briggs: An insightful story of the intersections of environmental justice and climate change as an African American scientist reflects upon the ocean's attempt to swallow up land once tended by slaves who are buried there and her attempts to slow the ocean's intrusion.

Brownian Motion by Cedric Rose: A realistic climate change story of pollution in waterways that support towns and people.  An all too familiar story happening in many watersheds around the world, pollution caused by others for the sake of money is hurting the economy of those with the least. 

Collateral Damage by Jim Coleman: A regretful story of how climate change could affect our pets and domesticated animals that we have come to rely on.  When the animals realize that humans can no longer help them with survival, they abandon us for their own needs.

Desert Fish by K.M. Watson: How climate change can affect the human psyche in the midst of tragedy, highlights how humans can overcome with family and hope alongside other animals.

In Times of Change, Root Down to Rise Up by Jessica Marcy: A broad view of climate change from the perspective of a tree.  A timeless view of the positive impacts of the trees in the environment and human's relentless destruction. 

PLaNT Man by Maura Morgan: A bittersweet story of one scientist's surrender in hopes that what he unleashes is doing what is best for the planet no matter the consequences. 

RISE by Melody Cooper: An examination of social justice amidst climate change as the waters rise at Rikers Island and the prisoners are abandoned.  

The Island by Mary Ethna Black: From present to future, how climate change and plastic pollution have affected an island and the memories it holds as society has found new ways of living with the mess we made.

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

Lisa Lightstone moves to a small town in South Carolina during high school.  She is immediately taken in by Ginny, who recognizes her own foresight in Lisa as well.  Lisa finds camaraderie in Ginny and her friend group, Palmer, Jesse, Rollo, Peace and Tommy and understanding of her gift with Ginny and her mom, Cheryl.  While Ginny embraces her abilities, Lisa, now called LeeLee, prefers to suppress her own. The group remains close throughout college, but as they navigate adulthood and family life, some drift apart. This is especially true for Peace and Ginny, who both succumb to addiction. Years later, LeeLee is working as an attorney when Peace unexpectedly arrives at her office with devastating news: Ginny is missing. LeeLee immediately springs into action, hiring a private investigator and trying to uncover the truth behind an ominous email suggesting Ginny's death. Peace's presence complicates matters, as LeeLee finds herself drawn back to old habits with her ex-boyfriend, especially as her marriage faces its own challenges.  As the group of friends reunites, they rekindle their bonds and rally together in a determined fight to bring Ginny home.

Mean Low Water is a contemporary mystery with a supernatural twist. Centered around reunions and rebirth, the author has developed each of the characters in Mean Low Water fully from teen to adult.  I was intrigued by Ginny and LeeLee's gift and enjoyed seeing their gift in action and the different ways that they dealt with their visions and hearing others' thoughts.  The dual timeline effectively highlights the characters' development and the lasting impact of their shared past.     Through Ginny and Peace's journey, the struggles of addiction and abuse are explored while LeeLee's journey explores family and marriage dynamics.   The author's skillful writing weaves together drama, mystery, and intrigue, creating an exciting and atmospheric Southern drama.   

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

There There follows the interwoven stories of twelve Native Americans from the Oakland, California area on their way to the Big Oakland Powwow.  Included are a group of drug dealers intent on stealing the prize money, a filmmaker recording a documentary and collecting stories of Native Americans from the Oakland area, Powwow committee members, organizers and interns, artists and their families.  Building up to the Powwow plans are made, dances perfected, and meetings are scheduled.  Little does anyone know, the inaugural Big Oakland Powwow will end with a bang. 


Powerful, thoughtful and moving, There There explores the Native identity and what it means to be Native through a contemporary, authentic, Native voice. There are many characters in the book and I thought I would have trouble keeping everyone's story straight; however, after reading for a while, I found that I had no issues. Fully formed characters jumped off the page in each individual chapter that rotated through their points of view.  Each character has their own voice, perspective and story that is unique to them and yet unequivocally Native. Everyone's story had a revelation for me into the realities of Native life.  The concept of there there concerning land, development and destruction of collective memory, resilience as a people, addiction, suicide and erasure of a culture are all discussed.   The writing expertly built suspense throughout the story until the culminating event that wove everyone's story together.  

A mysterious pandemic has swept the world only affecting genetic females and has wiped out most of the female population.  Zinnia Browning and her daughter seem to be immune and go into hiding along with her son to escape the roving bands of men trafficking women and experimenting on them.  When they finally do find Zinnia and her family, one of the men is none other than Cy, Zinnia's first love and the father of her children.  Cy is discharged from the Army Special Forces and now working as a private operator. When he saw Zinnia's name among the list of women, Cy knew he had to claim her once again.  Zinnia and her daughter are removed and placed into a barbaric shelter.  When Zinnia and a few other women stage a coup in the shelter, she is once again removed by Cy to a different facility.  Within their time at the facility, Cy learns more of Zinnia's strength and will to survive and Zinnia learns of Cy's unyielding need for her.  


Acquired is a dystopian romance with a good dash of erotica.  The story dives right in with Zinnia and Cy meeting and forming an irregular sexual relationship, meant to be a one night experience.  These scenes are especially spicy and possibly traumatic with Cy in an experienced, dominant position and Zinnia in an inexperienced, submissive position.  I actually thought I started the wrong book since there was nothing about a pandemic; however, these scenes set up the dynamic for Cy and Zinnia in the future. The story then jumps into the future with Zinnia working as a nurse when the pandemic breaks out.  I was very interested in the unique target of the pandemic with just women falling victim.  I do wish there was a little more information about the pandemic, how it spread and how civilization disintegrated without women. The writing focused on Zinnia's character and her experience as one of the few remaining women in society, constantly on the lookout for her safety, learning to live off the land and defend herself. Zinnia's strength was the focus as she was transferred to the first facility and onto a second with the aid of Cy. I was confused about Cy's intention during all of these moves as well as the power dynamic between him and Zinnia.  I feel like any potential romance would have been broken with the abuse incurred. Zinnia was able to persevere through horrific treatment as well as deal with a confusing romance.  I was happy with the ending and definitely want to continue the series. 

The summer before her senior year of high school, Sage is recovering from an abusive relationship with a controlling boyfriend that resulted in Sage having panic attacks in crowded areas.  With the help of her best friend, Naomi, she is steadily recovering.  Neb is new to town, moving across Oregon to live with his mother after the unexpected death of his father.  Neb is adjusting, but misses his father and his avid love of science and outer space.  Neb is looking forward to the upcoming total solar eclipse, but it will be a bittersweet experience without his father.  Neb's friend throws him an epic bonfire to get to know some friends before the start of the school year along with a group text of everyone invited.  Through the group text, Neb gets to know Sage, but she opts out of the bonfire.  Through continued texting, Sage finds herself connecting strongly with Neb, but her fear of a new relationship stops her from going too far.  When an opportunity to view the eclipse on a school trip pops up, Neb jumps at the chance and Sage is convinced to come along.  When Neb and Sage finally meet, they see stars; but will Sage be able to overcome her trauma and will Neb be able to fully experience the eclipse without his father?


Chasing the Sun is a cute young adult romance centered around the 2017 total eclipse.  This character driven romance included strong male and female leads as well as an amazing supportive cast of friends.  Sage is strong willed and knows herself well, but has been shaken to her core by manipulative boyfriend, Pax.  Neb is caring and resilient but coming to terms with missing watching the eclipse with his father.  Their relationship forms very naturally, getting to know one another through text without ever seeing one another.  When Sage and Neb finally do meet, it is a moment of kismet.  With the backdrop of the approaching eclipse, there is magic in the air as the new couple is able to get to know one another over an epic three day date.  I loved all the space jokes and their easy nature with one another.  Sage and Neb's relationship showcased healthy relationships, respect for each other's boundaries and freedom of expressing yourself.  Sage and Neb's friends are also super supportive of each of their quirks and needs.  Overall, an amazing young adult romance with  spectacular  characters and settings. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        

​Klara is a middle aged archaeologist who has found her place teaching at a small university in Maine.  Klara makes a living studying other cultures' history, but has never thought to look into her own Polish-Jewish heritage due to her mother's aloofness and father's abandonment at an early age.  When Klara's mother unexpectedly contacts Klara about reparations from the Polish government for her father's death, Klara jumps at the chance to connect with the family she never knew about in Poland and finds a deep curiosity to seek more knowledge about her roots.  


Klara's Truth is a story of finding yourself and overcoming trauma.  I felt strongly for Klara as her whole world was changed as her mother divulged that the father she believed abandoned her died when she was a young girl.  Klara's trip to Poland was eye opening in many ways.  First of all, this trip allowed Klara to grow past the hurt of her mother's treatment and lies.  Klara found connection with her family and culture with her Aunt Rachel.  Aunt Rachel was an amazing character, offering Klara what she needed most, but also helping her understand the impact of her showing up after so long with no contact and not knowing why.  Klara's new connection with her cultural heritage and family history  is another important aspect of the story.  The history of the Jewish Polish population is one of tragedy and resilience. Filip's character, a Jewish cemetery caretaker, helped Klara foster this connection and introduce her to the deep history of Poland's Jewish people.  As Klara explored Poland, she saw the strength of her ancestors and how people rebounded and used those principles in her own life. 


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

​All her life, Kai Martin family and the Tyler's have been a tightly knit unit.  Kai is best friends with Stephanie Tyler and has always dreamed of marrying Stephanie's older brother, Josh.  Kai is fiercely protective of her twin brother, Kade and looks to her trusting and gentle mother for advice.  As she grows, Kai notices some cracks in the family's foundation.  Both her father and the Tyler's dad drink a lot when they are together, sometimes the dads get violent as well, especially the Tyler's dad.  Kai also notices her and Kade grow apart and struggle. as they develop their own interests.  As Kai goes through several tragedies, she learns to rebuild and move on, although not always with the greatest coping strategies. Now, both adults Kai and Josh find themselves together once again and Kai is willing to change herself to fulfill her dream of being with Josh.  However, like many other things in Kai's life, her time with Josh is anything but perfect. 


All I Know is a raw look at the realities of life.  Told through Kai's point of view, the author brings us on an emotionally charged journey through several life changing events.  The writing handles all of these events with tenderness yet still communicating the matter-of-fact points of alcoholism, abuse, depression and abortion.  Following Kai from childhood to adulthood, her journey is one of finding yourself and not losing hope.  I do wish some of the other characters would have been a better source of strength in Kai's life.  Kai's mother was amazing, always offering advice and a steady emotional state, telling Kai what she needed to hear even when it was difficult. I was glad that Kai pursued therapy and reading Kai's letters to Kade were some of my favorite parts.  Josh was an interesting character, he seemed to be a constant for Kai, but was definitely fighting demons of his own that resulted in creating more turbulence for Kai.  In the end, I think Kai made the best decisions she could for herself. 

​Three women with complicated and varied histories come together and clash over abortion rights.  Sylvie is a mother and Tony award winning director blindsided by a divorce.  Struggling for work and to find herself, Sylvie accepts a job at Linden College in upstate New York teaching playwriting.  While at Linden, Sylvie volunteers as an escort at a family planning clinic, assuaging some of the guilt from not being able to support her sister previously.  Caroline is a devout Catholic whose time within the church as a youth left her with unprocessed emotions.  Caroline loses contact with her children after her daughter came out but has found solace in lobbying for Pro Life and protesting at the family planning clinic.  Meg is an adopted and troubled teen turning her life around at Linden after a terrible accident who now must face another life threatening choice.  


This Was Not The Plan is a realistic, heartfelt and engaging delve into abortion.  Each character is introduced one at a time, digging deep into their past and complete story, growing empathy and understanding.   Each of these characters are thrown off balance from where they thought their life was going.  Much like Sylvie's character teaches in her class, the reader is able to see and identify with each character through their own unique lens.  The writing brought these characters together slowly, creating suspense for their ultimate collision.  As the story continues, interesting relationships are created as the characters grow and change making way for humorous situations even with such a heavy topic.  Some of the best moments were when all three of the characters were together as they navigated the tricky path they have found themselves on.  With an amazing ending that makes sense for each character, This Was Not The Plan weaves a genuine look at the realities of abortion. 


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

Long ago, a group of vampires went down with Atlantis in order to guard the monsters that Atlantis keeps imprisoned.  To help the vampires sustain themselves, previous leaders have enslaved the human Descendants of Atlantis to feed them.  Current leader, Ian believes differently.  When Ian gets word that one of his prisoners, Norgis, has escaped to Miami, he takes action and returns to the surface to hunt Norgis down.  Ian picks up Norgis' scent immediately along with the scent of his brother.  Ian also detects an irresistible scent of a woman, Katherine, that Norgis has targeted for an artifact that she has.  Now, Ian is trying to protect Katherine, track down Norgis and stop his brother's plot to rule Atlantis.  


Vampires of Atlantis is a fast paced paranormal romance. The story dives right into the action with Norgis escaping.  I felt a little lost or like I had missed something for the first half of the book with no knowledge of how Atlantis worked, why anyone was down there and why it was so important to find the monster and Ian's brother.  Regardless, the story is action packed and fun as Ian and his team track Norgis, come into contact with other dangerous groups and try to protect Katherine while she finds out the truth about herself.  Ian and Katherine have an insta love romance aided by vampire blood and a few steamy scenes.  I had a hard time with Katherine's character as she seems to blindly follow Ian and doesn't seem to have anything attaching her to her life.  Katherine does redeem herself a bit when she realizes several times that she might be being held prisoner and fights back. Once the team returned to Atlantis, missing pieces started to fill in and I enjoyed learning about how and why the vampires lived at the bottom of the ocean.  The ending was exciting and amped up the danger.  Overall, an exciting and enjoyable vampire read.