May 2011A Right Brain Wannabe: May 2011

May 12, 2011

Blog Tour: Book Review - Voices on the Waves by Jessica Chambers


Voices on the Waves by Jessica Chambers:
When Faye Wakefield runs a competition offering nine lucky winners a two-week stay at her beautiful farmhouse retreat in Cornwall, she promises an experience they will never forget. However, even Faye could not have imagined how bringing these people together would change their lives forever.

Just as she hoped, the competition yields a diverse mix of characters. Among them are Leah Shaw, a shy young woman with troubled eyes; the womanizing business tycoon Marcus Armitage; Karenza Jackson ruled by her deep-rooted need for independence; retired nurse Bronwyn Davis, and Patrick O'Leary, an Irishman with an affiliation for the whisky bottle.

So begins a gently unfolding story of love and illicit affairs, heartache and self-discovery. Yet, as sparks fly and the guests share their long-buried secrets, only Faye knows of her ulterior motive for inviting them all under her roof.
 

From the beginning of the book I could not figure out WHY the competition was put on, and why these characters were chosen. I had trouble at the very beginning figuring out WHO was telling story, and why it was being told the way it was. Jumping from character to character is something new to me, and at first I had trouble following. It jumped straight into the characters and names and was very full of information from the first page.

As I continued to read I was able to get deep into each characters life, really connect with each of them on a personal level. I saw myself in many of the characters if not all of them.  I loved how the relationships were not always your typical romance, and you explored the ups and downs of what felt to me like 'real people'.  I also really enjoyed Faye's character...you knew she was the reason for everyone being on the retreat, but she was never over played as a character. She came in and out in the perfect times of the book, and you really began to understand WHY she brought them there and really connect with her as well.

I really hope to see a squeal maybe? I am new to this whole review world, even the reading world when it comes to actually connecting with characters and wanting MORE from a specific author. I feel Jessica left it with more to be desired in the perfect way.  Either way, sequel or not, I loved this book and was so very excited to have been able to read it.

Over all, the book was an easy read and one I did not want to put down until I finished. I have done nothing but talk about this book as being a must read and I suggest you get a copy...it is definitely recommended. Thank you to the author for letting me participate in the blog tour, and I hope to see more wonderful books by Jessica Chambers!





May 1, 2011

2011 Reading Challenge

This will be my post where I keep track of my progress and what books I've read for the 2011 Chick Lit Reading Challenge!

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
  • Started January 1, 2011
  • Finished January 30, 2011
  • Format: Audiobook 
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
  • Started January 30, 2011
  • Finished February 12, 2011
  • Format: Hardback 
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
  • Started January 30, 2011
  • Finished February 11, 2011
  • Format: Audiobook 
    The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum
    • Started February 11, 2011
    • Finished February 18, 2011
    • Format: Audiobook 
    Save As Draft by Cavanaugh Lee
    • Started February 12, 2011
    • Finished February 13, 2011
    • 2011 Debut Author
    • format: Ebook
      The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton
      • Started February 14, 2011
      • Finished February 20, 2011
      • Format: Ebook 
      The Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton
      • Started February 19, 2011
      Good In Bed by Jennifer Wiener
      • Started February 20, 2011
      • Finished March 5, 2011
      • Format: Audiobook 
      The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews
      • Started March 12, 2011
      • Finished April 29, 2011
      • Format: Audiobook
      Little Miss Teacher by Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar
      • Started March 13, 2011
      • Finished March 27, 2011
      • Format: Ebook
      • 2011 Debut Author
      • Part of a Blog Tour and review will be posted on June 13th. 
      Voiced on the Waves by Jessica Chambers
      • Started March 30, 2011
      • Finished April 8, 2011
      • Format: Ebook
      • 2011 Debut Author
      • Part of a Blog Tour and review will be posted on May 12th 
      Family Pieces by Misa Rush
      • Started June 3, 2011
      • Finished June 6, 2011
      • Format: Ebook
      • 2011 Debut Author
      • Part of a Blog Tour and review will be posted on June 6th 
      Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker
      • Started June 1, 2011
      • Finished
      • Format: Ebook
      • 2011 Debut Author
      • Part of a Blog Tour and review will be posted on July 15thth