A Blonde and 3 Boys

Hello, Fellow Readers!

I Just finished the book…An Anonymous Girl
By Hendricks and Pekkanen.

Amazon:
Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed. 

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding.

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

I liked this book much better then the first book the authors published: The Wife Between Us. I just could not figure this story out, which is a good thing! At first I thought the book was going to bea little task after task that Jessica is asked to do for Dr. Shields to check on her husband. (Boring!) But, soon you realize that Dr. Shields is one if not two steps ahead of Jessica and boy is she good at staying ahead!! You, as the reader, start to wonder who to trust and who not to trust and what is real and what is a set up. It’s a mystery thriller that is well worth the read and will keep you guessing!

Definitely a 4 out of 5 stars!!

Hello, Fellow Readers!

I just finished the book An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.

This was actually one of Oprah’s Book Club reads in 2018…I started it three times and just could not get into it. So Friday night I decided to give it one more try and I was HOOKED! Finished it in three days.

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. While visiting Roy’s parents in their small Louisiana town, Roy is arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

This book is NOT a who-done-it or a what-really-happened the night of Roy’s arrest. The “court scene” is brief due to it not being the focus of the book. The book is focused on the couple’s relationship and when faced with being 12 years apart…how does a couple to stay together? How do you continue to love each other from afar (500 miles and one in prison)? As a wife are you expected to stay with a husband until “death do us part?” As a husband, should you expect your wife to put things on pause or slow down life while you are away or do you let her go and support/encourage her from behind bars? 

Once Celestial’s and Roy’s relationship is somewhat “decided” (without being said directly but more with actions) Roy surprisingly is released from jail in 5 years. So the questions becomes…now what…

The character development is amazing. You understand the point of view of Celestial and why she is doing what she is doing to keep her life going. You also understand why Roy has hope. Then you get mad at Celestial for her actions and not understanding. Then you get mad at Roy for his actions and not understanding. It’s all the emotions.

It’s not an action book, but definitely a great story.

5 out of 5 stars

Hello, Fellow Book Readers!

I haven’t done a review for some time! Imagine that!
The last book I read was the Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist tells the story of Lali Sakolov, who would tattoo new arrivals at the Nazi camp with numbers on their wrist, and his eventual wife Gita Furman, who he met while retracing her numbers when she entered Auschwitz.

I was hesitant to read this book due to the subject matter, but was intrigued by the story being told from the perspective of the tattooist, Lale. It is based on his memories and experiences  of being in the camp 60 years ago.  I must say the book felt as if it skims the surface of the horrible events that constantly occurred in these camps, but maybe due to Lale’s “job”, he wasn’t as aware of the atrocities happening around the camp.

I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

I must share, the epilogue of the book would have made a great book too!

Hello Fellow Readers!

I just finished reading the book The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger!

Annabel’s seemingly perfect life in Geneva is shattered when her banker husband Matthew’s plane crashes in the Alps. When Annabel finds clues that his death may not be all it seems, she puts herself in the crosshairs of powerful enemies and questions whether she really knew her husband at all.

Meanwhile, journalist Marina is investigating Swiss United, the bank where Matthew worked. But when she uncovers evidence of a shocking global financial scandal that implicates someone close to home, she is forced to make an impossible choice.

OHHHH…this was an unexpected fun read for my first book of 2019! The Banker’s Wife is told from three different points of view: Annabelle, Mariana and Zoe. Each are trying to figure out exactly what is happening in  the corrupt bank Swiss United. People have been killed, are missing and are being followed.  There are some twists and turns which I always love and found myself wondering what was the truth with Miss Zoe!  Some may feel the wrap up was a little too tidy (me), but others will prefer it that way. I was okay with it. It ended on a positive note and I even have a feeling that the characters will have a sequel in the future!

4.5 out of 5 stars