Review: Tough Luck

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't realize I had already read and adored one of this author's books. Little Souls I can say that I adored this one also! It was different but still magical.

As you can see by the book's description, Tough Luck is about a brother and sister who make their way across the country to find their Dad, who disappeared four years ago, to strike gold in Colorado. They face some hardships on their way West but make many new friends along the way.


The writing is tight, the plot is refreshing, the dialogue is delightful, and the characters are...well, true characters. I had a lot of chuckles during this voyage West and my heart in my throat during the rougher times.

Haidie Richards made such a good scoundrel that you sometimes forget that she is not really a boy but a nearly grown (for that era) woman. The side characters were wonderfully quirky and lent a lot to the story.


This will be a perfect read for those who like historical fiction, quirky characters, HEA's, and a good scam job! The ending may confuse you a bit as it did me, but it all works out for the best.

I'm on my way now to buy myself several more of Ms. Dallas's other books. Hmmm, now which one should I buy first?

*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.


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DESCRIPTION: "In this homage to True Grit, a young woman makes a perilous journey west in 1863 in search of her gold-mining father.

After their mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are put to work in an orphanage. Their father left four years earlier to find a gold mine in Colorado Territory, and since then he’s sent only three letters. Still, Haidie is certain that he is alive, has struck gold, and will soon send for them.

But patience is not one of Haidie’s virtues and soon she and her brother make a break for it. Boots and Haidie, disguised as a boy, embark on a dangerous journey deep into Western territory. Along the way, Haidie learns fast not only how to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men, but also that you are better off in a community. Hers includes a card shark, independent “spinster” sisters, and a very fierce dog. Once she arrives in Colorado and finds out the truth about her father, Haidie will need all her new friends for a get-even plot worthy of The Sting.

Filled with vivid period detail, colorful characters, and the irreverent voice of our scrappy heroine, Tough Luck celebrates both the tenacity of youth and the persistence of the heart in the great American West."

Review: Murder at Gulls Nest

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars DNF (I read 35% of this book)

The protagonist, who had been a Nun, is looking for another Nun (past Nun?) at the Gulls Nest, a boarding house for those who seem to be down on their luck. It is a nasty place (in my opinion) with horrible food and rules that boggle the mind. Missing people abound, and at least one murder occurs during the part that I read.

The characters are annoyingly cloying on one hand, and on the other, they and especially Nora seem to be nagging shrews.

The slang of the time (1954) was incomprehensible to me, and I nearly wore my poor Kindle down looking up things like "scrag-neck stew" and "stewed tea".

I just finally had to give up.

*ARC provided by the publisher Atria Books, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss.


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Description: " From Jess Kidd, the bestselling author of Things in Jars who “is so good it isn’t fair” (Erika Swyler, nationally bestselling author), the first in a cozy mystery series about a former nun who searches for answers in a small seaside town after her pen pal mysteriously disappears.

I believe every one of us at Gulls Nest is concealing some kind of secret.

1954: When her former novice’s dependable letters stop, Nora Breen asks to be released from her vows. Haunted by a line in Frieda’s letter, Nora arrives at Gulls Nest, a charming hotel in Gore-on-Sea in Kent.

A seaside town, a place of fresh air and relaxed constraints, is the perfect place for a new start. Nora hides her identity and pries into the lives of her fellow guests. But when a series of bizarre murders rattles the occupants of Gulls Nest it’s time to ask if a dark past can ever really be left behind."

Review: Gold Coast Dilemma

Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 (we need half stars!)

I enjoyed most of this book, but I did not love it. I don't know if it was that I couldn't identify with the main characters (I'm not rich, and I may be a little too old for this type of "romance"), or that the side characters were just cartoonish and clichéd.

Otherwise it was interesting to read about the problems both sides face when entering a black/white relationship.

The book may have been touted as a romance, but I found myself more interested in the publishing aspect, the food, and the bias that shone on both sides of the coin.

This would make a fascinating book for book clubs to discuss, and is definitely well worth taking to the beach!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Gallery Publishing Group/ Simon & Schuster, the author, andATTL-Edelweiss.

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DESCRIPTION: " From USA TODAY bestselling author Nana Malone, a romance about a Ghanaian American heiress faced with with the dilemma of choosing between culture and a love connection.

During an opulent publishing party, Ofosua Addo crosses paths with Cole Drake for the first time. Their flirtatiously witty exchange culminates in a kiss that etches a permanent mark on both their hearts.

But Ofosua’s identity as a Ghanaian heiress comes before Cole. She loves the vibrant traditions of Ghana’s Gold Coast, and her hand is already promised to a man that even her overbearing mother loves. Yet, when her big Ghanaian wedding transforms from a fairy tale into a spectacle, she’s thrust into a whirlwind of heartbreak and self-discovery.

In the midst of it all, Cole enters her life once again, under circumstances far different from their magical first encounter. Can Ofosua and Cole’s rediscovered spark overcome the weight of tradition?"

Review: Climbing in Heels

Climbing in Heels by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I would have given this book a solid 5 stars if there hadn't been so many secondary and tertiary characters who did nothing to advance the storyline. Another issue was that it bogged down so much in the middle that I felt I was reading a thousand-page book instead of a three-hundred-page book. There was really no character growth and just a bit too much descriptive nookie and cocaine for me. But then again, that was part of this era!

The story itself was unique in that I have never read anything about Hollywood agents or the women who broke into this industry and shattered the glass ceiling. Reading about the back-stabbing that was going on in this industry was attention-grabbing. Also, seeing in print how the men treated women during this time period will make the younger generation of women understand just what their mothers and grandmothers went through while trying to climb the corporate ladder.

It was interesting to see how this author wrote about this era and the breakout of women in all industries/careers. I came of age during this time period, so I could relate to Beanie, Ella, and Mercedes.

This was a worthy read. I think it will interest most book clubs because it raises many questions that will be worth discussing.


*ARC provided by the publisher St. Martins Press, the author, and NetGalley.

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DESCRIPTION: "Climbing in Heels, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas's debut novel, is a fictional tale of the rise of three secretaries at the hottest agency in 1980's Hollywood, giving you a glimpse into the boys-will-be-boys club and the women who wanted a seat at a table where they were expected to serve. It's the story of friendship, betrayal, survival, standing up when they pass you by, and saying I won't go when they want you gone. And it's also a story about how some of those women became very much like the monsters who trained them.

Meet Beanie Rosen, the fast-talking and even faster-thinking Valley girl who knows where she wants to go, and doesn’t care if she doesn’t look the part.

Mercedes Baxter, who learned early on how to leverage the monied friends of her monied friends' parents until she found a foothold in Hollywood.

And Ella Gaddy, a sexy free-spirit anti-debutante from a white-glove Kentucky home who shakes up any room she walks into.

Read Climbing in Heels and watch these women meet, meld, fight, strategize and climb their way into your heart.

A rollicking tale of sex, drugs, and power – in heels."

Review: The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I really did like this book a lot, I had several problems with it. It was obvious that Cassie had some autism issues that were never explored, and that led to some frustration on my part since ASD has been understood since the '90s.

Then the bullying and not just by kids her own age. Yes, Cassie was fat, and I think that not exploring better clothing options for her during the shows and videos was a huge problem for me. There were choices out there even during the early 2000's.

As the book's description says, it is about two diametrically different sisters—one peppy and beautiful, the other a prodigy and fat and not beautiful—one who lives by her looks and meager talent, and the other who is talent personified. This is the story of how they got their fame and what came later.

This was a fantastic read, even with the issues I described (if you can get by the word "fat" being used every other page). It will be the perfect beach/book club read. For book clubs, there will be plenty to discuss, believe me!

I learned a lot about the recording industry in the early 2000's.

The characters are well drawn, very fleshed out, and believable. The story is intense, with a good bit of evil intent, although it is balanced out by good intentions later on. Apologies abound, but you are never quite sure if everyone is satisfied by how things finally turned out. I think that the death of one of the band mates/co-writers might have been a tad over the top, but there it is.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan, the author, and NetGalley.

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DESCRIPTION: "One of the most anticipated books of the year, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner, a glimmering novel set in the world of pop music about sisters, motherhood, young love, and the dreams we chase.

Sisters Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were born just a year apart but could not have been more different. Zoe, blessed with charm and beauty, yearned for fame from the moment she could sing into a hairbrush. Cassie was a musical prodigy who never felt at home in her own skin and preferred the safety of the shadows.

On the brink of adulthood in the early 2000s, destiny intervened, catapulting the sisters into the spotlight as the pop sensation the Griffin Sisters, hitting all the touchstones of early aughts fame—SNL, MTV, Rolling Stone magazine—along the way.

But after a whirlwind year in the public eye, the band abruptly broke up.

Two decades later, Zoe’s a housewife; Cassie’s off the grid. The sisters aren’t speaking, and the real reason for the Griffin Sisters’ breakup is still a mystery. Zoe’s teenage daughter, Cherry, who’s determined to be a star in spite of Zoe’s warnings, is on a quest to learn the truth about what happened to the band all those years ago.

As secrets emerge, all three women must face the consequences of their choices: the ones they made and the ones the music industry made for them. Can they forgive each other—and themselves? And will the Griffin Sisters ever make music again?"

Review: The Page Turner

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I am afraid I will be one of the very few who did not fall in love with this novel. If it weren't for the retribution toward the 'villain' at the end of the book, I would not have finished it. Curiosity got the best of me, and I was disappointed.

The characters are annoying snobs with a hearty dose of pretentiousness and elitism thrown in. And this was just the secondary characters! The main character, Emma, is a composite of every cliche out there—strong yet childish, smart yet naive, and I could go on, but I won't bore you.

The 'villain' is just too evil, complete with evil laughs and mannerisms, and there is no subtlety whatsoever.

The parents...well, what can I say? Snobs, elitist, entitled, and on and on. And this includes the influencer sister Jess.

About the only person that I did like, and was an honest character, was VV.

Please read the other reviews. You might find that my opinion on this book is not in line with yours.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Graydon House/HarperCollins, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss.

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Summary: "A young romance writer finds success and vindication when she discovers a hidden manuscript at her family's summer home that throws her snobbish parents' high-brow literary careers into chaos. A sharp, insightful family drama for fans of Elinor Lipman and Jennifer Weiner.

Emma Page grew up the black sheep in a bookish household, raised to believe that fine literature is the only worthy type of fiction. Her parents, self-proclaimed “serious” authors who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages, mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream, while her sister, Jess, is a powerful social media influencer whose stylish reviews can make or break a novel.

Hiding her own romance manuscript from her disapproving parents, Emma finds inspiration at the family cottage among the “fluff” they despise: the juicy summer romances that belonged to her late grandmother. But a chance discovery unearthed from her Gigi’s belongings reveals a secret that has the power to ruin her parents’ business and destroy their reputation in the industry—a secret that has already fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous publishing insider with a grudge to settle. Now Emma must decide—as much as she’s dreamed of the day when her parents are forced to confront their own egos, can she really just sit back and watch The Mighty Pages be exposed and their legacy destroyed?

From the wealthy enclaves of the Hamptons to the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan, The Page Turner is a delectable glimpse inside the world of publishing, and Viola Shipman’s most glittering achievement yet!

Review: This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir

This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I usually stick with fiction, but there was something about this book that  called to me. I am so glad I listened to my inner voice because this was the most intriguing book I have read this year.

I had never heard of Zarna Garg, but I love books set in other countries, especially those set in India. But this book was so much more than being about the life of a comedian. It was the story of a late-in-life daughter who could not grasp the fact that she was unique.   I think that her father had some mental issues going on, which led to Zarna leaving home at a very young age. But you must read this book to understand what life was like, what the culture was like (If you are not from India, of course), what it was like to maybe be married off at 14.

Zarna's trip to her comedic career was remarkable. This strong and powerful woman may have come a little later in life to knowing what would fulfill her, but once she knew, she ran into it headfirst and flourished.

 I laughed, and I laughed a lot reading this memoir but I also cried for all the crap Zarna had to put up with. Yes, I realize it's a different culture from the one I grew up with, so I can only look at it through my American eyes. But still, I had to cry when I read of what she went through living some of her life on the streets.

I am now going to have to Google this funny woman and see what all the hubbub is all about. If it is more comical than some of the things I read in this book, then I might have to stock up on Depends!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Ballantine Books, the author, and NetGalley.

Expected publication date is April 29th.

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Description: "Award-winning comedian Zarna Garg turns her astonishing life story into a hilarious memoir—from narrowly escaping an arranged marriage in India to carving her own path in America and launching a dazzling second act in midlife.

Growing up in India, everyone called Zarna “so American” just for reading the newspaper, having deep thoughts, and talking back to anyone over the age of thirty. When Zarna’s dad tried to marry her off at age fourteen, Zarna fled the whole subcontinent for the glittering paradise of Akron, Ohio, where she got to become American for real.

On Zarna’s very American quest to find herself and her calling, she threw herself whole-heartedly into roles like dog-bite lawyer, crazy perfectionist stay-at-home mom, Indian matchmaker, prize-winning screenwriter, and more. It wasn’t until a dare led her to a stand-up comedy open mic that Zarna finally found her spiritual getting paid cold hard cash for her big fat mouth.

And as Zarna discovered, after surviving the brutal streets of Mumbai, the cutthroat world of stand-up comedy is nothing.

This American Woman is an exuberant story of fighting for your right to determine your own destiny and triumphing beyond what you ever dreamed was possible. And as Zarna always reminds If Zarna can do it, you can too."