random incredible acts of kindness

If you've looked at my sidebar lately, you know I'm participating in an event called Random Acts of Kindness at Book ♥ Soulmates. It's a brilliant idea where a compilation of all sorts of book wishlists is made public for everyone to see. The point is to randomly be kind and fulfill peoples' wishes!

Today, I received a package from the lovely Jacinda over at The Reading Housewives of Indiana. It contained TWO books from my wishlist. Is she an absolute doll or what? Check out what I got:

• Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
• Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
• A bookmark (button-thing...whatchamacallit) that looks gorgeous on DF!

I've been wanting to read Deadly Fear ever since I read Deadly Lies and Deadly Heat (yes, I skipped the first one in the series. I always seem to do that). Plus, I'm a huge Cynthia Eden fan!
And Chelsea Handler is one of my favorite comedians, so I've absolutely been dying to read her humor memoir. I'm already like one third in, and it is just hilarious.
A HUGE Thank you so much goes out to Jacinda! You're the best!!!!! ❤

p.s. Check out this public form to make a few wishes come true. Be random and be kind! :)

♥♥♥♥♥♥: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Blurb: "Your Christ is a God of peace—not war!” Erik the Red said. “He has no place in Greenland.”
Mr. Whittaker, a kind but mysterious inventor, has sent cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland through the Imagination Station. It’s the year 1000, and they meet Viking Erik the Red, who is angry about the new God. Mr. Whittaker wants the cousins to find a Sunstone, but what does one look like? And what does it have to do with the mysterious letter found in the inventor’s workshop? Most important, can Patrick and Beth find a Sunstone before Erik’s son Leif sails away with the Imagination Station on board his ship?

What Stephanie Thought: There were a couple problems I had with this book. For beginners, is it just me, or is the entire series just a poor ripoff of Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series? I grew up with Osborne's maniacally popular children's series, so it sort of offended me how suspiciously similar the two were. Not that I'm surprised someone would try to reinvent The MTH books, given how successful they were. 
And I am not just an angry elementary student all-grown-up; I'm serious about the congruences the books have to each other. In Magic Tree House, Jack and Annie find an abandoned tree house that can magically transport them to different times and places. Patrick and Beth find a similar "house", only it's an man-made machine, not-so-creatively named the Imagination Station. In Magic Tree House, the ethereal Morgan Lafay from Arthurian romance seeks Jack and Annie's help with finding the secret moonstone; in Imagination Station, the secretive Mr. Whittaker asks Patrick and Beth to find the magical sunstone. Okay, really? Doesn't that just make you furious?
I'll stop ranting about plagiarism here. Provided Random House doesn't sue Marianne Hering nor Paul McCusker for copyright issues, another thing that bothered me was how this was hardly a children's book. I mean, it was a children's book in terms of mildness and naivete ("Oh no, Patrick!"), but it seemed highly unlikely that a child age 7 and up could enjoy the story. Sure, it was full of adventure and suspense, but the female protagonist, Beth, didn't act like a seven-year-old. She just happened to know every little fact about ancient vikings and she's what...in second grade? I don't think so.
Negativity aside, the Voyage with the Vikings had an interesting, intriguing plot. Like I said, as a second grader, I probably would not have been able to relate very well to the characters, but lots of mystery was garnered into the danger and ruthlessness of the vikings, and as far as I know, the historical facts were accurate and presented in a way to interest young readers. I enjoyed how Christian belief was a strong element of the novel; in the end, Christ as the Savior was who saved Patrick and Beth from perishing on a viking ship. It's a clever way to get children willing to read, and also to incorporate religious values; better than Sunday school!
I recommend Voyage with the Vikings to young Christians as a learning tool, but as a story, it lacks originality and the same "I need to read the next book!" eagerness the Magic Tree House series has. In fact, Mary Pope Osborne even wrote a MTH book on vikings; I recall enjoying it much more than Voyage with the Vikings! But then again, I'm speaking relatively, since I knew Osborne was not a weak copy-cat when I had been reading her book. In absolute terms, Osborne and McCusker's writing styles may be similar, but we all know which of the two will continue to win the favor of young readers' hearts.

Stephanie Loves: "She was wearing a long white dress. On top was a long green tunic. Two brooches were pinned at the shoulders. The tunic was neatly tied together with a leather belt. Her animal-skin boots came up to her knees.

'I feel like I'm in a fairy tale,' Beth said. 'It's fun to dress up.' "

Where Stephanie Got It: Tyndale Media Center for review.

Radical Rating: 6 hearts- Would recommend to people. ♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: One Hit Wonder by Charlie Carillo

One Hit Wonder
Charlie Carillo

Page Count: 372
Release Date:
Publisher: Kensington Books
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via LibraryThing, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Back in the Eighties, Mickey DeFalco was America's teenage heartthrob with spiky gelled hair, slanted sideburns, and a number-one hit single—"Sweet Days"—a sappy love song he wrote after his high school sweetheart, Lynn Mahoney, broke his heart. Now approaching middle age, Mickey is lucky to land a singing gig at a bar mitzvah. So the one-hit wonder-boy is making a different kind of comeback—returning to his old stomping grounds in Queens, living with his parents, and sleeping in his childhood bed. Just like in high school. And speaking of blasts from the past, Lynn is also back in town—as beautiful, beguiling, and baffling as ever...

Sometimes life can feel like a broken record. But even a one-hit wonder deserves a second chance.

What Stephanie Thought: Oh, be still, my beating heart. Want to be swept away with charm, the kind we haven't seen since recluses like J.D. Salinger or S.E. Hinton? Want to laugh until your lungs ache, or giggle like a schoolgirl? Then read One Hit Wonder. Funny, poignant, and unforgettable, One Hit Wonder joins the leagues of my "favorites" shelf. And not only because Mickey DeFalco is my newest character crush either.

Charlie Carillo writes in easy prose that doesn't take too much effort to enjoy. But rather than his writing style that is made prominent in this novel, it's the characters he creates that really shine. Even the supporting characters, even the antagonists—the "villains"—are made likable. Not in a way where I wish the attention is taken away from Mickey, but in a way that I want to meet ALL of them in real life. 

No one can describe heartbreak better than a heartbroken man. And Mickey DeFalco was heartbroken twenty years ago; he still hasn't let go of the girl, though. Lynn Mahoney didn't just leave him—she disappeared. Everything had been going fine between her and Mickey, but she just vanished. Thus Mickey composed a song, a song only a girl like Lynn could appreciate, one that was heard by the wrong pair of ears and instantly made a #1 hit in the country. Mickey never asked for that kind of success, but with the numbness in his heart, he really couldn't tell the difference between fame and happiness.

Twenty years later, his song is all but forgotten, but he's a broke man who's just lost his pool-cleaning job. The solution? To go live with his parents in his hometown—the town where he lost Lynn Mahoney. I thought it was really interesting to really see what a one-hit wonder does after his success simmers. We all know of the ones from the eighties, and of the ones that are more recent. They're legends, but where are the physical people? One Hit Wonder gives a glimpse in the life of a former one-hit wonder, displaying how shockingly normal and uneventful it is.

To Mickey's dear fright, Lynn Mahoney is back in Queens after all those years too—finally. He attempts to rekindle the innocent childhood relationship they had, but she's more than reluctant, and Mickey's determined to find out why.

Personal tragedy, loss, and misconception are all illustrated penetratingly in Carillo's novel, with plenty of wit and humor to spare. I think anyone will enjoy reading about a celebrity who was once on top, then very abruptly fell to rock bottom.

The only reason I'm not giving One Hit Wonder ten hearts is because some of it seems unrealistic. There are about fifteen random women Mickey describes having sex with throughout his lifetime. At first, it's pretty amusing, but I got weary of it quickly because his "game" got stale after the first five times he described it.

Other than that, Carillo's One Hit Wonder is one of those books you'll start reading immediately after you finish it—yes, it's that good.

Stephanie Loves: "I played ["Sweet Days"] twice a day—once at the early show, then again at the later one. The rest of my repertoire included songs my the Carpenters, Captain & Tennille, The Commodores... love songs, nothing but love songs, one more dreadful than the next.

It was what was known in the business as an Insulin Set. You needed an injection of the stuff at the end of the night to prevent a diabetic coma from all those sugary sounds."

Radical Rating: 9 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease by Anne Cutter Mikkelsen

Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease
Anne Cutter Mikkelsen with Carolyn Stinson

Page Count: 192
Release Date:
Publisher: DiaMedica
Source: Complimentary copy provided by LibraryThing in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Guidelines to Taking Charge of YOUR Parkinson's Disease

Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to Put YOU in the Driver's Seat is for everyone affected by PD—those with the disease, families, and caregivers. With its focus on a healthy lifestyle that emphasizes nutrition and exercise as a way of maintaining optimal health, the book will appeal to readers who want to emphasize wellness and healthy aging while living with Parkinson’s disease.

Motivated by her husband Mike’s PD, Anne Mikkelsen developed a cooking style that blends her training in traditional French cooking and love of plants with emerging science on the importance of brain-healthy fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. Mike, an award-winning potter and sculptor, has skillfully adapted his art to accommodate the advancing stages of PD. Together, over nearly three decades, they have overcome the obstacles of living with Parkinson’s disease in a fashion that will be an inspiration to readers.

Healthy lifestyle recommendations and an extensive recipe section are interspersed with Anne’s memoir of her journey with her husband as they discover how to live well with Parkinson’s disease. A chapter on issues of caregiving and the challenges it presents to a relationship enhances the comprehensive coverage of living with PD.

Half memoir and half health guide, Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease is a thoughtful, easy-to-follow book stuffed with information about Parkinson's Disease, uplifting personal stories, and many clever recipes to help you through a healthy-as-possible lifestyle. With a history of Parkinson's Disease on my father's side, I thought this book would be useful to keep on hand. Although Parkinson's Disease affects mainly middle-aged and elderly adults and is very rare in individuals less than thirty years of age, it's still important to be informed on such topics. I'm obviously too young to be concerned about Parkinson's in myself, but the book was extremely descriptive, and is one of those books I should keep for the future (for my dad, uncles, and aunts).

Parkinson's Disease has no known cure, which is why a book to facilitate a lifestyle with the disease is a godsend. I especially loved all the recipes to promote a healthy lifestyle that were included at the end of the book. Even though Mikkelsen is not a doctor, she has studied French cooking, owns restaurants, and hosts cooking shows; she clearly knows what she's doing. I am eager to start using the foods recommended and incorporating them into my diet. Like I said, I'm too young to be concerned with PD, but with these things, you can never be too early.

Stephanie Loves: "Foods Tools to Keep Stocked in Your Pantry: olive oil, lemons and limes, teas and coffee, pepper, sea salts, cucumbers, onions, rosemary, nutmeg, kidney beans, nutrient-dense legumes, black beans, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, canola oil, chickpeas, raspberries, fava beans, and edadame."

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Starless Sky by Paige Agnew

Starless Sky
Paige Agnew

Page Count: 456
Release Date: 20 January, 2010
Publisher: Trafford (self-published)
Source: Jen at Romancing the Book for review

Life is funny sometimes. Little kids drop ice cream cones, people in general often run in to screen doors, there's even the occasional moment when one might trip going up the stairs. Kahlen could expect those things, deal with them even. But what she didn't expect, not even in her wildest, horrific nightmares, that just as something so terrible could happen, something so wonderful could follow after it.

When Kahlen Thomas has a difficult time dealing with the lost of her best and only friend, she has hopes that the new boy at school, Kennley Morgan, will be the perfect distraction from her pain. She slowly realizes that Kennley doesn't as much distract her from her problems as much as he adds to them because of his own interesting past.

What Stephanie Thought: Teenage heartbreak and fallen innocence are portrayed magnificently in Starless Sky. Having written the novel when the author was a teenager herself, Paige Agnew captures the essence of how much it sucks being a teenager, but how beautiful it can be too.

Starless Sky was enjoyable because of how much I could relate to both the scenario of troublesome high school days (the stresses of excruciating homework, boyfriend troubles, and friendship drama) as well as the main character, Kahlen's dilemma of not being able to come out of her shell completely. Labeled the school "bitch" (though to many, the "pretty bitch"), Kahlen, a self-declared introvert and failure, loses her best and only friend, Emma, to a terrifying car accident the beginning of junior year. If that isn't desolate enough, she almost immediately after Emma's death, falls into an intoxicating, mind-whirling relationship with the new bad boy in town, Kennley—one she isn't sure she can get out of. Kennley is everything a girl could want: impeccably smart, rich, popular, insanely good-looking, polite, funny, and best of all, he seems to have a huge thing for Kahlen. But Kahlen can't help but think there's something a little off about him. Something she can't quite put her finger upon.

For starters, he's secretive. He takes "important" phone calls randomly, always skips class, and admits to have getting kicked out of his old school for inappropriate behavior. As open as he is to Kahlen, there seems to be something else that he is hiding as well.

In the end, Kahlen finally discovers the secret—to both Kennley, and to herself. But the painful journey of getting there is what hurts the most, and every reader, age uninhibited, will be able to relate to each and every emotion.

Unlike many of the nitty-gritty young adult novels I've read, this one is methodically clean. It's one of those books your parents would let you read (as opposed to the Gossip Girl series or whatever). The romance is mild (kissing is the farthest Kahlen and Kennley go—although there is one attempted rape scene [nothing happens, and it doesn't involve Kennley] that may frighten younger audiences). The only drugs that appear are ones dealt by Kennley's friends (aka the bad influences)—but they are described by Kahlen in a way that they are terrible and unfathomable and you should never ever use them. The closest to swearing the characters come to are "heck" and once, "bitch". Probably the cleanest romance I've read all year ;)

This book, the plot, the characters, everything, was one I held on to and didn't want to let go of. But it is desperate need of an editor. I understand it's a self-published title, but aside from the weak verbs and adjectives (I found too many "very"s and "good"s), the flaws in the construction of the writing were really difficult to swim through. Most were petty little things like "it's" instead of "its", "there" instead of "their", and "lost" instead of "loss" (if you didn't catch that in the above blurb), but nonetheless, shouldn't a book, regardless of writing style and topic, at least have those fundamentals down and accurate? I learned how to distinguish between "it's" and "its" et al when I was in second grade. I'm not saying Agnew is less intelligent than a second grader; I'm just saying her writing assembly makes the reader assume that. 

Grammar and spelling apart, another thing I want to pick at are the incredible clichés throughout the entire novel. There is a fine line between profound and overused; Agnew seems not to understand that. The adage of the whole book is "Life without love is like a starless sky". Okay, obviously we know where the title of the novel came from. But honestly? Is it just me or are the "Life without love"s getting a little old? It's not that I don't comprehend what a starless sky is. I know what a starless sky is. It's bland. I know what a life without love is too. It's bland. Isn't that common sense though? If one attempts to make something sound so powerful and poetic, they should at least get the syllabic correct. "Life without love is like a sky without stars" would have sounded better than "Life without love is like a starless sky", even. Not any more penetrating, just slightly less awkward. I really shook my head at Agnew's attempts to be deep; almost laughed at it, in fact. The only thing is, she wasn't even trying to be funny—she was completely serious.

I really can't say I recommend this book as a whole, but I did enjoy the story Agnew weaves. I admit I am a little weary of the countless number of mistakes I found, but if some big-house publisher picks this one up and decides to sieve it and refine it until its pages bleed, I'd be willing to give it another chance. We'll see what happens.

Stephanie Loves: "It couldn't be more obvious that she was drunk. I had seen her a bit tipsy before but never like this. Even though she didn't know what she was saying she still meant it. A drunken girl's actions are a sober girl's desires. Her words hurt."

Radical Rating: 7 hearts: Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

❤author: Sarah Tucker Interview and Giveaway!

It’s my pleasure to introduce author, Sarah Tucker to the blog today. Sarah is the author of multiple an award-winning travel journalist, novelist, producer and broadcaster. Currently, she has multiple bestselling romance novels published, as well as two books on traveling with children. Sarah is a single mother and lives in South West London with her son and two tortoises. Please help me welcome her Sarah Tucker.

Hello Sarah! When and why did you begin writing?

It wasn't on my wish list to become an author. I know many have lists of things they must do before they are forty, but I never had that list or that deadline in mind. What happened is that I had a passion for travel and wanted to travel the sort of way I couldn't afford to. Not luxury travel but adventure travel. I started to write about my travels with my son as a baby, encouraging other mothers to travel with their children as much as possible. It helps with bonding and postnatal depression because it stimulates both you and child from a young age.   

What inspired you to write your first book?

I wrote Have Baby Will Travel, then Have Toddler will Travel; everything you would want to know about where and where not to travel with preschool children, and then was quite happy working as a travel journalist when my now ex told me he'd met someone else. Actually he didn't tell me he'd met someone else, he'd told me that he needed space, and that could I leave the house with our son (then two years old) and find myself a nice little flat, not too close by, just close enough so he could see his son now and again, and by the way could I get myself a proper job as a secretary to prove that I could earn a proper income and not just play at being a journalist. For any of those who have hubbies who work in the city, if they ever suggest this to you or that they need space, a) stay in the house b) go see a lawyer c) cling to the kids. For the next six months, my ex tried to emotionally wear me down, telling me he had married below his class and other things that are meant to chip away at self esteem. But a very strange thing happened. During those dark times, I started to write. Not about what I was experiencing, but what I had experienced many years ago when I was more the person I wanted to be than the one I had become married to this man. I wrote because I couldn't sleep. Because I had to. Because I had a story to tell about why just because you meet Mr. Right on paper, doesn't mean he's Mr. Right for you, or anyone for that matter.

That's a really eye-opening story and experience. How did you first get published?

I met a lady at a party and she told me to send in a synopsis and the first three chapters of the story, which was called The Last Year of Being Single. It is my first book; very visceral and will strike a cord with any girl marrying Mr. Right but not Mr. Right for you.  And there are many out there who every year do exactly that...

Do you have a specific writing style?

 

No, but I usually choose narrative first person. It's more immediate.

I totally agree. What books have most influenced your life most?

All Jane Austen. Keats. I am a hopeful romantic. James Herriot Vet books: he is a wonderful storyteller. The Bible: it has wonderful stories even if you don't believe in any of it. They are wonderful stories.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

 

The World According to Garp and The Incredible Lightness of Being.

 

Describe your writing in three words.

 

Visceral, honest, funny.

 

Certainly. Readers, check out my review of The Younger Man here. It's one of my favorites to date, and I recommend all of you to check it out :) Super secret giveaway (to those who actually read the interview): Everyone who comments on the review will be entered to win a book from my booklist. Back to Sarah. What’s the most challenging aspect of writing?

 

To stop writing.

And the easiest?

To start writing.

 

Well said! Is there a genre that you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?

 

I'd like to write crime fiction but stay away from bonk busters. I was asked to write it but when I read some of the 'best' I thought 'where's the story?' and 'I didn't know that was possible.'

 

LOL. For those of you from the US who have no idea what a bonk buster is, it's basically smut :) Which, can I tell you, is the raunchier version of erotica? I like spicy stories, but when "bonking" is all that goes on, it definitely gets old. Sarah, what’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?

 

'Bridget Jones but with real problems.'

Nice! What's next for you?

 

A children's book and my next novel about travel but it's fictional.

 

Where can you be found on the web?

Websites:

www.sarahtucker.info 

www.branchedolive.co.uk

Blogs: 

http://sarahtuckerauthor.blogspot.com/
http://sarahtuckerstravels.blogspot.com/

Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you’d like to ask our readers? 

For those who think they have a book inside them - why haven't you written it yet? For those who don't think they have a book inside them - why not?

Thanks so much for being here today, Sarah! Readers, Sarah is providing autographed copy of The Younger Man (❤❤read my 9 Heart Review!!❤❤) to one lucky commenter! To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is follow this blog. You must be a public follower through Google Friend Connect (or Twitter or Yahoo). Then, comment on this post with an answer to Sarah's question or a new question that hasn't already been asked for her to answer. Make it real; comments containing only "hi, please enter me" will be disqualified!

There are additional entries. Woohoo! If you want a higher chance of winning, do any or all of the following: Follow Sarah's author blog at http://sarahtuckerauthor.blogspot.com/ (+2). Additionally, you can follow me on Twitter @lovestephaniexx (+2).

The more entries, the bigger your chance of winning (you can earn up to 4 extra entries!!)! Just make sure you let me know in your comment (no need to comment multiple times).

The winner will be chosen at random on April 5th, 2011 at 11.59 EST. Winner has three days to claim the prize. After three days, consolation winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

♥♥♥♥♥♥: Not Without You by Jean Barrett

Not Without You
Jean Barrett

Page Count: 288
Release Date: 9 March, 2011
Publisher: Five Star (Gale)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

Falling in love while you are prisoners in side-by-side cells, unable to so much as glimpse at each other, is highly unlikely. But that is just what TV correspondent Kate Groen and army Lieutenant Efrem Chaudoir find themselves doing when they are held in a small jail deep within Iraq during the Gulf War.

In spite of all the complications of their relationship, they are unable to deny their powerful feelings for each other. But the promise of a future together is shattered after their escape. Efrem learns that the wife who intended to divorce him is instead pregnant with his child. He sees no choice but to remain in his marriage while a heartbroken Kate finds solace with the gentle Gordon May, who helps her to deal with her grief.

Kate and Efrem meet again during the Kosovo conflict when he aids her in rescuing a group of orphaned, Albanian Muslim children. Efrem is divorced now. He has never stopped loving Kate, but she will not abandon Gordon, who is ill with leukemia.

It is much later, after Gordon's death, that Kate seeks Efrem's help in present-day Afghanistan. The baby she gave up for adoption as a teenager is now a young soldier missing in action. There is no longer reason for Kate and Efrem not to be together... unless Kate finds it impossible to love the man he's become.

Not Without You is a sweeping, exciting romance as fresh as today's headlines—the story of a man and woman whose love is tested by time, sacrifice, and endurance.

What Stephanie Thought: Timeless love is ethereally portrayed in Barrett's powerful novel set in medias res the Middle Eastern wars. The way Kate and Efrem fall in love is romantic—they fall in love without even once seeing each others' faces. Sighhh :) The only problem? Efrem's sort of married. Not sort of. Still. He swears he is on his way to a divorce, but Kate won't have it.

And yet... they hook up before separating. This was the first thing that irked me about the story. Kate seems really distant when she finds out Efrem is married. She keeps repeating that she doesn't want to be the cause of a divorce. But she still has sex with him. A few conflicting emotions there, but I let it slide.

Then Efrem goes back to his wife only to discover—she's knocked up! Wistfully, he decides to stay with his wife, and Kate goes back to her life feeling nothing but pity for herself.

Fast forward a couple years. Kate and Efrem meet again. He's divorced, but this time she's in a committed relationship. Perfect timing, huh?

Fast forward a few more years. Kate's old flame has passed away, Efrem's still divorced... now they can finally be together and be happily forever after, right? Nahh. Efrem isn't the "same" anymore. Kate's curt change in preference seems uncharacteristic. Years later, finally reunited, the couple embrace. Efrem is a man she has secretly loved and longed for during the twenty-some years after she met him. But all of sudden she falls out of love with him because his kiss isn't the same (as it was more than twenty years ago). Shrug.  Only happens in romantic suspense, folks.

The incident of her teenage pregnancy (the result of a date rape when she was sixteen—another fascinating but abrupt twist to the story) is brought up rather suddenly also. I wish I would have been given some sort of warning, like foreshadowing of Kate's loss or something. I was able to tell she had trust issues because of the difficulty she had in accepting Efrem as someone she truly loved, but I had no idea it might be because of her illegitimate child.

Either way, it shakes up the plot a lot. In her early forties, the search for her son (who was put up for adoption when he was born) is now her top priority—one thing I could seriously sympathize with. Eventually, she finds him, alive but not well. They reunite, but it is up to the reader's imagination to determine exactly when she tell him that she is his birth mother. 

I personally thought Not Without You was really slow-moving, but it was drawn out for twenty years, keep in mind. The plot was very intriguing, I'll admit. My friend saw me with the book on the bus and she read the blurb and told me she was hooked. It was a great story, but the writing style was rather bland. When I read a good novel, I either hate or love the characters. Thankfully I didn't hate Kate and Efrem, but I couldn't really find solace or admiration in them either.

Stephanie Loves: "'And Kate?'

'Yes?'

'You might want to reconsider eating that sausage. They're pretty spicy. Unless,' [Efrem] added softly, his gaze riveted on her mouth, 'you like them hot. I seem to remember you did like some things hot.'

Was this a bold reminder of all his possessive, passionate kisses back in Iraq and Saudi Arabia? [Kate] was afraid it was and that, suddenly aware of his sensual mouth, she was susceptible to his suggestion. 

'People change in their tastes,' she informed him sharply. 'I have.'"

Radical Rating: 6 hearts: Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥