TLC Book Tour: Book Review: The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel

The Whiskey Sea

By: Ann Howard Creel 

Published: August 2016
Published By: Lake Union Publishing
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 3/5

I was sent a copy of The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel by the publisher via the TLC Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. 

Motherless and destitute, Frieda Hope grows up during Prohibition determined to make a better life for herself and her sister, Bea. The girls are taken in by a kindly fisherman named Silver, and Frieda begins to feel at home whenever she is on the water. When Silver sells his fishing boat to WWI veteran Sam Hicks, thinking Sam would be a fine husband for Frieda, she’s outraged. But Frieda manages to talk Sam into teaching her to repair boat engines instead, so she has a trade of her own and won’t have to marry. 

Frieda quickly discovers that a mechanic’s wages won’t support Bea and Silver, so she joins a team of rumrunners, speeding into dangerous waters to transport illegal liquor. Frieda becomes swept up in the lucrative, risky work—and swept off her feet by a handsome Ivy Leaguer who’s in it just for fun.

As danger mounts and her own feelings threaten to drown her, can Frieda find her way back to solid ground—and to a love that will sustain her?

The Prohibition era is a time I find fascinating and have enjoyed several movies and television shows set during those years. When I saw that this was the setting for The Whiskey Sea, I jumped at the chance to join in on the book tour.

During a time when a woman’s place was said to be in the home, our main character Frieda broke conventions to become a boat mechanic, in order to support her younger sister and adoptive father. This would lead her down the path towards the dangerous job of rum running.

I expected a story with a lot of excitement and danger, however it focused more on Frieda’s moral compass and romantic interest. It moved along a bit too slowly for my liking and I had a hard time connecting with the main character.

Although The Whiskey Sea might not have been the right book for me, I would recommend it to those who enjoy slower paced historical fiction. 

TLC Blog Tour: The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy

About The Mapmaker's Children

 • Paperback: 336 pages • Publisher: Broadway Books (February 9, 2016)

Have you ever wondered if your decisions could change the course of history? Questioned whether or not bad things happen for a reason?
 In Sarah McCoy's THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN: A Novel (in paperback February 9, 2016), two women's lives are inextricably linked as they struggle through personal conflicts and wade through mysterious secrets. As the chapters alternate between these two commanding female protagonists, the reader must redefine courage, family, and destiny alongside these two remarkable women. Sarah Brown, the fiercely independent daughter of abolitionist John Brown, is a talented artist in 1860s West Virginia. When Sarah discovers that she cannot bear children, she turns her skills toward helping others and becomes one of the foremost mapmakers for the Underground Railroad. Taking cues from Slave Quilt codes, she hides maps within her paintings as the United States moves toward a bloody civil war. Over one hundred and fifty years later, Eden Anderson, a modern-day woman struggling to conceive a child, moves into an old house in West Virginia as a last-ditch effort to save her marriage and start a family. When she stumbles across part of an old porcelain doll in the root cellar, Eden slowly uncovers a dramatic connection to the Underground Railroad.  McCoy, whose novel The Baker's Daughter was a nominee for the 2012 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction, spent three years researching the Brown family history. This research became the basis for her inventive narrative, one in which McCoy honorably portrays the spirit of the real Sarah Brown and imagines her ties to the fictional Eden. Skillfully plotted and magnificently transporting, THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN highlights the power of community and legacy, illustrating the ways in which history and destiny are interconnected on one enormous, intricate map.

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

My Rating: 4/5

The Mapmaker’s Children is a dual time period story that alternates between 2014, New Charlestown, West Virginia and pre-Civil War America. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the book that I learned that McCoy’s character Sarah Brown was in fact a real woman. Although this is a fictional account of the abolitionist’s life, it shows a great deal of research done by the author.

In the beginning I found Sarah’s storyline to be rushed and skipped ahead, leaving out some background detail. I also admit it took me some time to get into this story and to warm up to Eden. However the beautiful writing and my curiosity of how the two characters would connect, kept me reading. 

In the end I was glad I continued reading, as I would learn a lot about the Underground Railroad and even come to have a better understanding of Eden. A cute puppy named Cricket, next door neighbour Cleo and a town-full of wonderful residents also helped to make The Mapmaker's Children more enjoyable.

An added bonus to this book was the inclusion of a readers guide, an essay by the author and a music playlist to pair with the story. 

I would recommend The Mapmaker’s Children to those who are interested in reading about the abolitionist movements and the Underground Railroad.   

About Sarah McCoy

SARAH McCOY is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the 2012 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction nominee The Baker's Daughter as well as The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico and the novella "The Branch of Hazel" in Grand Central. She has taught English writing at Old Dominion University and at the University of Texas at El Paso. She calls Virginia home but presently lives with her husband and their dog, Gilly, in El Paso, Texas. Sarah enjoys connecting with her readers on Twitter at @SarahMMcCoy, on her Facebook Fan Page or via her website, www.sarahmccoy.com.

I received a copy of The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy from the publisher and TLC Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. 

TLC Book Tour: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

About The Magic Strings Of Frankie Presto

• Hardcover: 512 pages • Publisher: Harper (November 10, 2015)

Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable character—Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist ever to walk the earth—in this magical novel about the power of talent to change our lives.

In Mitch Albom's epic new novel, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, Frankie Presto, a Spanish war orphan raised by a blind music teacher. At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six magical strings.

But Frankie's talent is touched by the gods, and it weaves him through the musical landscape of the twentieth century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll. Along the way, Frankie influences many artists: he translates for Django Reinhardt, advises Little Richard, backs up Elvis Presley, and counsels Hank Williams.

Frankie elevates to a rock star himself, yet his gift becomes his burden, as he realizes that he can actually affect people's futures: his guitar strings turn blue whenever a life is altered. Overwhelmed by life, loss, and this power, he disappears for years, only to reemerge in a spectacular and mysterious farewell.

With its Forrest Gump–like journey through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers an unforgettable story. "Everyone joins a band in this life," he observes, be it through music, family, friends, or lovers. And those connections change the world.

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

About Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is a bestselling novelist, a screen-writer, a playwright, and an award-winning journalist. He is the author of six consecutive number-one New York Times bestsellers and has sold more than thirty-four million copies of his books in forty-two languages worldwide. Tuesdays with Morrie, which spent four years atop the New York Times list, is the bestselling memoir of all time. Albom has founded seven charities, including the first-ever full-time medical clinic for homeless children in America. He also operates an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He lives with his wife, Janine, in suburban Detroit. Find out more about Mitch at his website, connect with him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, and sign up for his newsletter.

Rating: 5/5 
I was sent a copy of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. 
 

Earlier this year I read Mitch Albom’s book Have a Little Faith and just loved it. This authors writing style really captivated me and I couldn’t wait to read more of his books. After enjoying his non-fiction, I was interested and curious as to how his style would transition to fiction. 

If my 5/5 rating isn’t indication enough, it is safe to say that I loved this book. I was just as captivated with Albom’s fiction as I was with his non-fiction. The multiple time periods were right up my alley and the way he weaved real life people into Frankie’s story was so imaginative. 

Initially I was concerned that the shift between time periods would be confusing. The fact that most of the story is narrated by “Music” was quite different from anything I had ever read before. However the change in time was clearly noted and the narration offered readers a view of the characters life that was quite unique. 

Although I have very little music ability myself and couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, I consider myself a music lover. Most specifically I enjoy classic Rock and Roll and have always had a keen interest in the 1950’s and 1960’s. So The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto was a real treat and learning experience for me. As I read along I was very eager to see what music icon would be introduced next. 

I would definitely recommend The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto to music lovers young and old. This was such a clever story that I couldn’t put down. I am very much looking forward to reading more by Mitch Albom. 

Blog Tour: Excerpt of Merry Mary and Guest post from Ashley Farley

Today, in celebration of the release of Ashley Farley's novella Merry Mary, I am happy to share with you an excerpt from the story. Ashley has also been so kind to join in with a guest post talking about her favourite holiday memories.

Excerpt from Merry Mary

“Shh, don’t cry,” she said, rubbing the baby’s tummy.

     What would become of the baby? Scottie didn’t think the Commonwealth had the authority to place the baby up for adoption without permission of next of kin, which meant the baby would be placed in a foster home until the police could track down the father. If the father even wanted the child. If the father even knew he was the father.

     The baby began to wail, presumably with hunger. “Don’t worry, little one.” She picked the baby up and held her tight. “We’ll get it all sorted out. In the meantime, I have plenty of formula and diapers to keep you comfortable.”

     By the time Scottie got the baby inside, and mixed up a bottle from the supplies in her baby cabinet in the kitchen, the little girl was screaming, flailing her arms and legs in hunger. Scottie plopped down on the leather sofa in the adjoining family room, propped her snow boots up on the coffee table, and brought the bottle’s nipple to the baby’s mouth. The infant took the nipple between her lips, then thrust it back out with her tongue. Scottie turned the bottle upside down on her arm, letting a few drops of formula leak from the hole in the nipple, before returning the nipple to the baby’s lips. When she tasted the formula, the baby began to suck greedily.

     “Careful now, baby girl. Don’t drink too fast or you’ll upset your tummy.” The baby stared up at Scottie with bright eyes. “We need to give you a name, don’t we?”

     Scottie had been in the process of picking out names for her baby when her daughter was stillborn at thirty-one weeks. She’d been torn between Kate and Liza, after her grandmothers Katherine and Elizabeth. She ended up calling the baby Angel, which seemed appropriate for an innocent child who never drew her first breath.

     Scottie’s eyes traveled the room, coming to rest on the nativity scene on the mantle above the fireplace. “Why don’t we call you Mary after the Virgin Mary?” She caught sight of the needlepoint pillow Brad had brought down from the attic—a green background with Merry Christmas in curlicue script in red across the front. “Or Merry, which seems appropriate for a spunky little girl like you.”

     The baby stopped sucking and smiled up at her.

     “I agree,” Scottie said. “I like them both as well. Merry Mary it is, then.

Ashley Foley Guest Post

 

Holiday Memories

I have too many wonderful memories of the holidays to single out just one, but I’d like to share a few of them with you from different times of my life.

As a child, every year I anticipated my grandmother’s arrival for Christmas, almost as much as I did Santa Claus. The trunk of her Cadillac was akin to a pirate’s treasure chest. My grandmother was an amazing cook who spent the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas in her kitchen, baking. She brought triple-layered chocolate cakes and cheese biscuits and an assortment of cookies—my favorites were her Butterscotch Chow Mein Noodle cookies and her ultra rich chocolate fudge.

Sharing meals with my family has always been the highlight of my holidays—especially Christmas Eve dinner when anticipation is high, when the adults make merry while the children track Santa on their Santa-tracking apps. When I was young, our family spent hours crowded around the table in our tiny dining room, telling stories and catching up on the events of the previous year. Now, I’m the cook and the dining room is a bit larger, but the time spent together as a family is equally as special.

I’ve enjoyed every phase of my children’s lives, most especially the times we’ve spent together at Christmas. The parades and brunches and visits to Santa. The annual trip to Target to buy gifts for our angel-tree angel. My husband and I got a kick out of playing Santa Claus. We composed elaborate letters from Santa, which we printed on holiday stationary and stuffed in their stockings. My children cherished these letters as much as they did their gifts. 

As my children have grown older—both are in college now—my relationship with them has evolved. I look forward to our time together over the holidays. There are many things I enjoy. Visits with their friends, the constant revolving door of comings and goings. My son’s hunting gear crowding the back stoop. Making peppermint bark with my daughter. The last minute shopping, the joy and frustration of picking the right gifts. Staying up late on Christmas Eve, dancing in the kitchen and opening presents. I’m blessed to have a close relationship with my children, and I plan to enjoy them before I have to share them with their spouses and children. ;-)

I take so many things for granted, but I try to remember that the holidays aren’t necessarily a happy time for everyone. I reach out as much as possible through nonprofits or simply by saying a special prayer for those in need. Those who are homeless, or suffering from illness, or grieving the loss of loved ones. And we can’t forget the men and women in uniform who are stationed overseas, separated from their families during the holidays.

I wish you and your family a blessed holiday season.

I would like to thank Ashley for taking the time to share her memories with us. Reading her post has really made me take the time to reflect on my own memories and traditions. It is interesting to look back and remember how much changes over the years. One thing remains consistent throughout  and that is the focus on family.

I'd love to hear about your traditions and holiday memories as well. Please leave me a message in the comments.

Also check back tomorrow for the book tour and my review of Merry Mary.