The Engagements By J. Courtney Sullivan

The Engagements

Those of you who read the blockbuster, MAINE, a couple of years ago are going to be over the moon with  Sullivan’s newest novel. I will go as far as to say it may be even better than the first one. And that’s a big statement.

THE ENGAGEMENTS, by J. Courtney Sullivan provides plenty of bang for your buck. I have become leery of second novels.  Too many of them are often rushed because the author has a dead line for the publisher. Not the case with THE ENGAGEMENTS.

I know enough about the diamond business to understand when “DeBeers” is mentioned. I know some of the behind the scenes chatter. I’ve heard much about the diamond mines and some of the less than stellar treatment given to the miners. Untold numbers of workers have died over the years to bring these precious stones to our eager …

THE ENGAGEMENTS is told in several stories. I’ve become fond of this form of literature since Elizabeth Strout made it so famous with her, OLIVE KITTERIDGE.  Each story will grab you harder and harder until you realize you are reading a real page-turner. The people, their situations, brilliant.

Did you know that in 1947 a woman named Frances Gerety came up with the slogan that took the world by storm. Her “A diamond is forever” is a phrase that is one of the best known in the advertising world. And it has only gotten stronger over the years. Frances was working for an ad agency that had De Beers as its most cherished and profitable client. Mad Men revisited.

And how does Frances Gerety fit into this equation? A woman who never married, and worked her tail off for less wages than the men? Her story is the story of working women back in the day, and many, still today.

You will surely be able to relate to at least one of these fascinating people. Either the working man who is just getting by. Or maybe the woman who is so upset because  of her son’s impending  divorce from the perfect wife and mother (her choice that is), and the new choice is actually  a mirror-image of herself.  Then there’s the woman who refuses to marry, but agrees to help her gay cousin with his own wedding planning.  But my favorite is the French woman who leaves her much older husband in Paris and travels to NYC with a much younger man. And the revenge scene is unbelievable.

I found myself liking this novel more and more as I read on. Then I found myself loving it! I do believe it is so cleverly written. And Sullivan’s a master at tying the story together. The ending will not disappoint. You simply must read this one.

This book covers decades. And takes you through the adventurous lives of these colorful characters. You are in for such a treat.

I’m adding a link to an article written by Ron Charles at the Washington Post. Sullivan just recently became engaged. Yes, how timely. And we get to see if she has a diamond.http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/06/12/j-courtney-sullivan-leaps-from-the-engagements-to-her-w

My galley came from Knopf at Random House. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity of an early peek.

Happy Father’s Day From Here To Paris

Tower Eiffel

One of the fathers in my life is having the Father’s Day of a lifetime. He’s also celebrating twenty years of marriage to my daughter, Alicia.  Chris and Alicia are strolling the avenues and boulevards of gay Paris this week. They’ve managed to send some video and take some great photos. I hear the food is great. No surprise there.

While these two very deserving people are enjoying a little getaway Jack and I are watching their two very busy little ones.

Baking A Cake For Pop Pop

Emerson was a big help this morning.  She is making a cake for PopPop for Father’s Day.  Liam was very busy watching Sponge Bob Square Pants. But he did take a break long enough to lick one of the beaters:)

The biggest challenge I’ve found so far has been one of food issues. Both children love fruit. That is all good. We love fruit too.  But when it comes to everyday dishes that we take for granted, well, we have stopped taking any food for granted. Spaghetti can be interpreted in different ways. For Emerson it means noodles with butter. For Liam it is pasta with red sauce and no meat. For us it is pasta with meat sauce.  And when was the last time you had Italian Wedding soup with the meatballs removed? We did it.

We do thank God for the pool and the nice weather to swim, swim, swim.

Paris Market

Meanwhile, the parents are sending pics of stuff like this Paris Market. Now, that’s a place I could get lost in.

We are so lucky to be able to have these two sweet children for this week.

Turtles, Bobcats, squirrels, birds, and stray ponies; you never know what will wander into our yard and make the kids’ day.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there who make such a difference in our lives, everyday.

Eve In Hollywood By Amor Towles

novella

EVE IN HOLLYWOOD, by Amor Towles is a continuation of the wildly successful novel, RULES OF CIVILITY.  It will be available in e-book only on June 25.http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eve-in-hollywood-amor-towles/1115250787?ean=9781101630921

I was just made aware of this little gem yesterday when Penguin notified me and made it available to me. I am so excited.

Towles felt he wished to know more about Eve and where she was going, so he put ink to screen, and came up with “more.” I am so happy.

We all love a deal. And this is a going to be a must-read all the fans of RULES OF CIVILITY.

Rules Of Civility

Giveaway! The Summer Girls By Mary Alice Monroe

The Summer Girls

I have one copy of THE SUMMER GIRLS by Mary Alice Monroe, available for giveaway! One very lucky winner will receive a copy of the first in a three-part series. You are going to fall in love with these characters. This is my favorite book of the summer. Good luck!

I fell in love with the dolphin featured in this story. And Sullivan’s Island, once again. The perfect summer read.

To enter, please leave a comment. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only.

Mary Alice agreed to answer some questions about her wonderful new story. I will be posting our Q&A next week. So, stay tuned. You will not wish to miss this.

I will be choosing the lucky winner on Wednesday, June 19. You have plenty of time. Tell all your friends who are fans of Mary Alice. This is an amazing series. Do not miss it.

My copy of THE SUMMER GIRLS is being provided by the publisher: Gallery, a division of Simon & Schuster books. It will be sent out by me.

The Silver Star By Jeannette Walls

Silver Star

THE SILVER STAR, by Jeannette Walls is sure to be a huge hit with her fans. This, her third book, is a novel.  And it’s full of all the shenanigans we’ve come to expect from Walls.

I’ve long been a fan of, THE GLASS CASTLE: a memoir that stalked the best seller list for years. It’s now become a classic.  For me, it’s my favorite memoir of all time.

THE SILVER STAR begins with two young girls living in a down and out town in Nevada. Their mom has been trying to raise them alone even as she runs amok darting here and there chasing moonbeams, and often leaving them to fend for themselves. But this time, it’s been longer than usual. And the authorities are peeking in their windows. Soon, if they don’t skedaddle, they fear they’ll  be herded into a foster home.

Picture two tenacious girls, alone, taking a bus all the way across the country to find their estranged uncle, the only relative they’ve heard of. Imagine the characters good and bad they could meet along the way. And then what will be at the end of the journey?

Jeannette Walls has once again given us a story full of strong young people. And zaniness.  And a mom who’s not quite right.

I read this little gem in a day. It’s short. Very short. And everyone’s going to be talking about it.

My galley came from Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster. Thanks a bunch! Loved it.

Big Brother By Lionel Shriver

Big Brother

BIG BROTHER, is the newest novel by Lionel Shriver. I discovered her a few years ago when I picked up, SO MUCH FOR THAT, a novel recommended by my favorite book reviewer, Ron Charles.

Shriver is no shrinking violet when it comes to diving head first into the most controversial topics. For instance, SO MUCH FOR THAT, took on the United States Health System in a huge way. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, tackled the hot-button topic concerning motherhood and serial killers. Very scary stuff.

This time, the topic is obesity. Since Shriver’s own 55 year-old brother was the victim of complications due to obesity, she is certainly qualified to write about this. And write she does. This could be renamed THE BIG CHEW. Food is ubiquitous. But not in a pretty and pleasing way. Often, the scenes of food gorging are obscene and disturbing.  I am a foodie. Most of my family are too. Our plans almost always include food.

Pandora picks her brother up  at the airport in Iowa. This is where she’s lived for several years with her husband and two step kids. She can’t find Edison. It’s not because he’s not there, she just can not recognize the person he has become. He’s gone for a normal weight to weighing hundreds and hundreds of pounds. In fact, he’s in a  wheelchair. Dear God in heaven, what will she tell the husband and kids?

The husband is a pompous ass. There, I’ve said it. The kids are spoiled brats. Everyone is living off of Pandora’s business. She got lucky with a strange business that is thriving. And now here is her homeless brother, come to eat her out of house and home But, he’s family, you say. But how far will we go to protect and help a family  member? How much of ourselves are we prepared to give up?

The subject of obesity and family protectiveness is right out there, in your face. How would you deal with something like this? God, I hope I never have to.

So many of us deal with issues of weight. But this is not that sort of problem. This is a matter of life or death Which will Edison and Pandora choose?

Harper Collins was kind enough to send me an early reading copy.  I am so grateful.

The Winner Of The Bookman’s Tale Revealed

The Bookman’s Tale

I am happy to announce the winner of THE BOOKMAN’S TALE by Charlie Lovett. Diane Sutta, you have one a copy of this fabulous new book. It’s also the June Barnes And Noble Recommend. You lucky girl! I will send you an email. Send one back with your mailing address so Viking can get that book in the mail asap.

Congratulations! And thanks so much for the big response for this new one. I will have another one in the next couple weeks. And it is going to be a real winner.

New Books Coming Soon

Bad Monkey

It’s been a few years since I’ve read a Carl Hiaasen novel. But I’m ready now. This one is perfect for my summer reading.

The Engagements

I’m reading THE ENGAGEMENTS right now. Sullivan is famous for her novel,MAINE, a couple years ago. This looks like another winner.

Silver Star

Just finished THE SILVER STAR last night. Jeannette Walls is back with another coming of age novel full of sassy characters. It’s a little gem.

Sight Reading

Daphne Kalotay gave us RUSSIAN WINTER two years ago. Now she’s back with a new novel. I love her style.

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

The Perfume Collector

THE PERFUME COLLECTOR, by Kathleen Tessaro, begins in London as a young women finds she’s suddenly become an heiress, but quickly moves to Paris.  This new-found money is coming from a French woman she’s never even heard of. And it begins…

What a way to begin a story. I was immediately  swept into this new novel full of intrigue and deception and troubled characters. I can almost hear the clicking of red high heels on the cobblestone streets and the long, smooth boulevards. Oh, I do love reading about anything in Paris.

Grace Monroe comes from a well-to-do area of Oxford, in England. She’s been raised well by parents who died when she was young.  She’s married now and living in London. But her marriage is not what it should be. And her husband is not being honest with her. It’s been this way for some time now. So when Grace receives the notice that she must visit the office of an attorney in Paris, she is off and running.

Who is Eva d’Orsey? And why is she leaving her estate to Grace? We find out just who Eva is and was in alternating chapters. Back and forth in time from the 1920′s to the 1950′s, this story unravels to show us what we need to know to solve the intricate puzzle this fascinating novel  becomes.  Using straightforward but alluring prose, Tessaro shows us the lives of the colorful characters that come vividly to life  throughout this story.

This exciting book will have you flipping the pages quickly trying to figure out who is who and what is what.  What an unexpected find it is! It just keeps getting better and better. What sweeter place to find yourself than on the streets of Paris, going behind the scenes of perfume making, and experiencing the French ambiance.

You are going to want to add this gorgeous book to your must-read pile for summer. You will not be disappointed.

My review copy arrived compliments of Harper Collins. Thank you so much!

The Winner Of LOOKING FOR ME by Beth Hoffman

Looking For Me

And the winner is….. Melissa Crytzer Fry!!! Congratulations! Please send me your mailing address at lomaurice111@comcast.net Your lovely book will come directly from Viking.

Enjoy!