Defiant Heart

Defiant Heart

by Marty Steere

 

Summary:

Our story begins in 1941 with young Jonathon Meyer, his parents and brother have been killed in a car accident so he is sent to live with his grandmother, who he has never met. He is leaving the big city of New York for small town Jackson, Indiana. Jon isn't so sure about such a small town but he arrives over the summer and gets to know a few locals after picking up a job at the local hardware store. Jon works part time over the summer to make some extra money for his grandmother so he can contribute to the household.

Jon begins the school year and meets Mary Dahlgren; Mary is the daughter of Jin Dahlgren the owner of Dahlgren's hardware store. Mary is by far the brightest most beautiful girl in school and Jon just can't get her out of his mind. Mary finds that Jon is also very well read and equally as smart and she begins to like him more and more every day. Jon is finding a hard time fitting into the new school and is picked on and put down constantly by the other boys at school because he is Jewish. Mary notices Jon is pulling more and more away from everyone do to the terrible harassment he is receiving from the local boys, especially hometown basketball hero Vernon King.

Before long Jon is let go from the hardware store, and Mary's father forbids him to have any contact with her. Jon is terribly disappointed and doesn't know what he has done to cause such an upset with Mary's father. Mary is outraged and puts her father on the spot and demands answer for his terrible behavior towards Jon. Jim Dahlgren tries to explain to his daughter that he is running for a senate seat in 1942 elections, and having an employee and/or friend of his daughter being Jewish could be a major setback in his chances as a United States senator.

Mary doesn't agree with this at all and begins seeing Jon in secret. Mary and Jon spend months keeping their relationship a secret from everyone. All is well until Mary is assaulted by a local boy and she is put into a coma, Jon takes the blame for the terrible act against Mary and is enlisted into the Army as his punishment, and is sent away not knowing if Mary will be ok or not. When Mary comes out of her coma Jon is away serving his country and has been told that Mary doesn't remember anything of the previous year, which means she has no recollection of Jon. Jon is heartbroken but continues on with his military training. Mary tries to return to a normal life or as normal as she can remember, when the events of the previous year comes back to her and she vows to find Jon and tell him how much she loves him.

Review:

I am so excited to bring this book to my readers. I was asked to read and review on behalf of the author. When I am asked to do that I never know if I am really going to enjoy the book or not. I generally stay away from historical fiction because honestly it is hit or miss. I either love it or hate it, but I have to tell you I absolutely love this story.

It is a beautifully told love story from the prospective of both parties. I was crazy about the main characters from the very beginning. I am pleased with how Mr. Steere created a wonderful love story without turning it into a cheap romance. I cannot say enough nice things about this book, but I hands down give it 5 out of 5 stars. If you want to read a beautiful and uplifting book this is definitely one I recommend!


I was giving one ecopy of this book for review purposes. I received no other compensation for this review.

 

 

 

 



33 Valentines

Today is my stop on the blog tour for 33 Valentines I'm so excited to bring this review to you for a great book. Along with the review I will be giving away this book in ebook format. Be sure to add your comments and I will choose a winner on March 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33 Valentines by Stephanie Monahan

 

Summary:

Sophie begins her least favorite month in just the way she should expect, in the emergency room with a broken left arm. And of course wouldn't you know it she's left handed, she had always taken pride being left handed. Now as if the impeding Valentine’s Day wasn't enough she's been sidelined with a casted broken arm. Maybe her best friend Sam could help if she would just get the nerve to own up to him how she is in love with him. But isn't that how she got the broken arm to begin with reading a stupid email from Sam stating he had found the girl of his dream and she was just "Perfect". What does perfect mean anyway? Oh yeah and let’s not forget new little-miss-perfect wanted so have the first date on Valentine’s Day. Sophie was pissed about this detail the most. Valentine’s Day had always been her day with Sam to watch horror movies and make fun of all the other people "in love". She tries to make up for it by making an ill-advised date with her exboyfriend but only follows Sam and new perfect girl so she can spy on them.

All this brings up Sophie's past and her family that she has tried so hard to leave behind but just can't seem to shake. Her dad has broken his own rule and has driven into the city for a visit but not without his own bombshell, he's getting married again, to a dental hygienist no less, with her own built in family just dying to meet Sophie.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book; Sophie manages to get herself in quite the interesting situation. I really like the way the characters are written and really well written story, the only thing missing is a better grasp on Sophie's situation with her immediate family. I would have like to have seen a clearer understanding of the falling it out, that part seemed to be rushed and a little passed over. I would definitely give this 4 stars out of 5. I look forward to other books written by Ms. Monahan.

 

I received a free e-copy of this book for review purposes

 

 

Beyond Parallel

Beyond Parallel  by Matthew Turner

 

Beyond Parallel is the story of Clark and Bella and how their lives are destined to be together. The story follows the pair as they live lives separately and together. Bella and Clark both struggle with general anxiety about long term relationships, having both been through a lot of heartache and pain. Their stories begin while travelling around the world, and a chance meeting in Thailand.

 

It's quite an interesting setup I am not sure I have every read a book quite like this, which makes it unusually unique.  I was drawn in immediately by the characters and their side by side troubles which lead them through life.  The characters are very well written, but I found the pace to be numbingly slow, it took me over 2 weeks to finish.  Beyond the pace of the book, I really enjoyed the storyline and found that most people have struggled in their twenties just like Clark and Bella but some bits were quite predictable.  This is the first novel published by Mr. Turner and I'm looking forward to following his work in the future.  I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.



Author Spotlight: Nikki Palomino/Dazed

Hey guys a little something different this week I want to talk about author Nikki Palomino and her book Dazed.

As a runaway, from the streets of NYC to the Strip of L.A., Nikki spent her youth as a grunge punk rock musician, racking up the confusion, frustration and passion leading her to writ DAZED (The Story of
a Grunge Rocker), the first in a series of novels about the drug and music culture
of the '90s. She learned life, drugs, and alternative music touring in a van packed with the rest of the band, equipment, and groupies, playing infamous clubs like CBGB's.

In 2003, Nikki was named Writer's Digest's Best Genre Short Story Writer. She's written stories for print rags, including Nightmares and Blonde on Blonde and has written erotica for Foggy Windows, as well as covering rock and country music for various rags, including Los Angeles Country Examiner, Buddy Magazine and Blast. She has studied under feature writers at both the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post.

Nikki was co-writer and co-producer of Palomino Productions' 2004 film noir, Baby, and the award-winning dark comedy from 2007, The Rug later a TV pilot entitled Our Way of Life, originally
for Fox. She is currently working on the second in the DAZED series and an upcoming series of novels entitled The Underground Diaries.