Miller's Valley by Anna Quidlen

MILLER'S VALLEY
Anna Quindlen
3 stars MILD

Anna Quindlen's Miller's Valley is written in the form of a coming-of-age memoir, in the present-tense, first-person POV. Quindlen makes you feel the emotional battles taking place, through the flood, family secrets, relocations, deaths and births. Some confusion is found by the jumping from our main characters' memories to her present-day reflection of that memory. The long paragraphs make the sections feel drawn out and dialogue is few and far between in most cases. There are references to intimacy scenes but no descriptions. Christianity is discussed but not upheld. Recommended for fans of memoir's and coming-of-age stories.

SUMMARY: Mary Margaret "Mimi" Miller tells the story of her life from the 1960's to present. The town wants to relocate the Miller's from the valley they live in due to the water table level. As Mimi grows, she discovers that life is full of secrets and changes. Her brother goes to war and returns a different person and to find he has a son; her friends change and some move away; her discoveries in new relationships; unexpected pregnancies; and career choices.

(Random House, April 2016, 272 pages, $21.43)

ISBN: 978-0812996081

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTSHADE LOUNGE By Paul Krueger

LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTSHADE LOUNGE
Paul Krueger
3 star MILD

Last Call is an interesting read, written in the third person limited point of view. It gets off to a slow start but has heart racing scenes throughout.  You will be intrigued from the very first words. Enclosed are cocktail lore and recipes. We encounter immortality, betrayal, alcohol, magic, inferences to sex, gorey violence and strong language. Recommended for anyone interested in magic and mixology with a hint of romance thrown in.

SUMMARY: Bailey Chen is a college grad who got a job working in a bar, while waiting for her dream job to open up. Zane, the bar owners nephew, is a bartender and also in charge of protecting civilians from monsters who feed on intoxicated individuals. They must get over their past hurts to work together and save many lives.

(Random House, June 2016, 288 pages, $14.99)

ISBN: 978-1594747595

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

THE FRIENDS WE KEEP
Susan Mallery
4 stars MILD

Teen pregnancy, divorce, marriage struggles, and adoption are just some topics touched on by Susan Mallery in this highly original and fascinating page turner you may lose sleep over. Mallery brings our inner lives to the surface and evokes deep emotions from her readers. You will fall in love with the Girls of Mischief Bay.

SUMMARY: Gabby, a stay-at-home mom of twins and a teen step-daughter, Hayley, whose heart's desire is to be a mom, and Nicole, recently divorced mom, band together to battle lifes obstacles. Gabby wants to go back to work when an unexpected turn takes place; Hayley's husband wants her to stop risking her life with miscarriages; and Nicole has an unexpected mystery man enter her life. "The best things in life aren't safe. What moves up, what we want the most, always means taking a risk. Isn't that what makes things worthwhile?"

(Mira, February 2016, 416 pages, $12.55

)

ISBN: 978-0778318729

REVIEWED FOR RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Devil You Know by KJ Parker

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
K.J. Parker
4 stars

Parker writes a short, twisted, action packed book full of questions and deceit that keeps your mind activated and confused all the way, with clues thrown in to shift your thinking until the very end. It is written in the first person, with point of view changing between scenes keeping the reader engaged and thinking, however confusion is evoked in some beginning head-hopping scenes. I would recommend this book to fans of twisted, realistic science fiction.

SUMMARY: Saloninus, the greatest philosopher of all time, signs his life away to the devil in order to become twenty five again and receive twenty immortal years to finish some experiment he is working on. To the one assigned his contract, something does not seem right and there must be some underlying reason Saloninus would sell his pure soul for an afterlife in hell.

(Tor, March 2016, 128 pages, $10.99)

ISBN: 978-0765387899

Reviewed for RT Book Reviews

Jamberry Nail Wraps (Review)

Have you ever looked at someone's nails and went who, they look amazing? When you go into CVS sometimes you come across Nail Wraps like Sally Hanson. I have tried all the ones you can in CVS to get those amazing looking nails. Some work better than others but they all seem to snag my hair, some right away, some within 24 hours. It was easier just not to do my nails then to deal with chips, smudges, chips and snags.

I have recently encountered a different type of nail wrap. Jamberry makes nail wraps that I was skeptical to try after so many times of wasting money on designs. Lets just say that after trying these wraps, I was hooked and joined Jamberry as a consultant.

AMAZING is an understatement.  They are heat activated and approved for even nurses and pregnancy. Check out the website and my facebook group for all that is available.

There are over 300 designs

I was impressed with how the wraps stayed on my nails for over 2 weeks and my toes for almost 6 weeks. I was even more impressed on how they stayed on my 2 year olds nails for almost 2 weeks and her toes for almost 3 weeks. When applying polish to her little nails, if she sits still long enough for it to dry, she would only get 2 days out of the polish, if that.

Each sheet of regular wraps are $15 and you receive enough strips to do at least 2 manicures and 2 pedicures. And the BEST part? You can buy 3 sheets and get 1 free.

 

 

Would you be interested in hosting a 100% online group for your Facebook friends? Not only will they receive great information about the nail wraps but they will also be able to win free stuff and given the opportunity to buy and even create their own nail designs. As a host, you would get product credit based on any sales and just for hosting I would give you accent samples.

Love Jamberry? Some people join for the extra money but some just join to get the discount. By joining, not only do you get a discount, but you receive cash back and product credit from all your purchases.

 

 



This is what you get in your consultant kit when you join

 

 

 

Check out the website jennyfalcone.jamberry.com

Facebook Group: Jenny's Jamtastic Nails

Please ask me anything.