In New York City, a pre-teen boy named Dmitri loses his mother to cancer, and without any other family, finds himself in foster care. His foster mother seems caring, but she is also parenting a crack-addicted baby, so her attention is divided.

In school, “D” meets a Muslim basketball star Keem when he is asked to tutor him in math. Both boys are enchanted by a young girl, Nyla, who has numerous piercings and an attitude.

These three African-American pre-teens connect and form an odd pack when they decide to go to the park with D, who enjoys bird watching.

A strange bird that talks and shape shifts appears to D one day, and from that day forward, nothing is the same.

What quest is D following with the bird as his guide? Why do Keem and Nyla decide to participate? When the three end up underground with an even stranger assortment of “characters,” what will eventually bring them back to their world?

A very short book, Ship of Souls was an inspiring tale that helps the reader understand how loneliness and not fitting in can lead to intriguing journeys. Despite the shortness of the story, I did find myself empathetic with each of the characters and rooting for them in their quest. Four stars.

Welcome to another edition of Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Should Be Reading.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Today I’m excerpting from an ARC, sent by Amazon Vine.  Ship of Souls, by Zetta Elliott, is an urban fantasy with issues of war, poverty, racism, Islam, and 9/11.

For Murphy, his dog Betty means more to him than anything else. He would do whatever it takes to protect and save his friend. Therefore, the long journey he takes roped me into his world.

Eric Coyote has delved into the underbelly of LA life in his portrayal of Venice and its inhabitants. From the homeless habitats that vary from day to day, we wander along with Murphy and friends to glimpse the wealthier portions of Venice through Murphy’s eyes, as he struggles to solve a murder mystery that could save his dog Betty.

The characters of THE LONG DRUNK are real, complex, and totally captivating. I found myself rapidly turning pages to find out what would happen next. Caught up in the somewhat convoluted logic of Murphy, I was rooting for him, despite my awareness that his plans, hopes, and dreams might come to naught. Until I read this book, I could only imagine what the lives of the homeless might be like. Delving into this gritty world felt important, adding a rich layer of understanding to my own perspective.

What did Murphy learn in his long journey to save Betty? What resources did he call upon to achieve his goals? In the end, how did he finally resolve his situation?

I am eager to read more from this talented writer. Five stars.

Welcome to another edition of Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill, at Breaking the Spine.

Today’s choice is a book from one of my favorite authors, to be released on  2/28/12.

Jonathan Kellerman specializes in psychological thrillers, and his latest, Victims, is no exception.

Unraveling the madness behind L.A.’s most baffling and brutal homicides is what sleuthing psychologist Alex Delaware does best. And putting the good doctor through his thrilling paces is what mystery fiction’s #1 bestselling master of psychological suspense Jonathan Kellerman does with incomparable brilliance. Kellerman’s universally acclaimed novels blend the addictive rhythms of the classic police procedural with chilling glimpses into the darkest depths of the human condition. For the compelling proof, look no further than Victims—Kellerman at his razor-sharp, harrowing finest.

Not since Jack the Ripper terrorized the London slums has there been such a gruesome crime scene. By all accounts, acid-tongued Vita Berlin hadn’t a friend in the world, but whom did she cross so badly as to end up arranged in such a grotesque tableau? One look at her apartment–turned–charnel house prompts hard-bitten LAPD detective Milo Sturgis to summon his go-to expert in hunting homicidal maniacs, Alex Delaware. But despite his finely honed skills, even Alex is stymied when more slayings occur in the same ghastly fashion . . . yet with no apparent connection among the victims. And the only clue left behind—a blank page bearing a question mark—seems to be both a menacing taunt and a cry for help from a killer baffled by his own lethal urges.

Under pressure to end the bloody spree and prevent a citywide panic, Milo redoubles his efforts to discover a link between the disparate victims. Meanwhile, Alex navigates the secretive world of mental health treatment, from the sleek office of a Beverly Hills therapist to a shuttered mental institution where he once honed his craft—and where an unholy alliance between the mad and the monstrous may have been sealed in blood. As each jagged piece of the puzzle fits into place, an ever more horrific portrait emerges of a sinister mind at its most unimaginable—and an evil soul at its most unspeakable. “This one was different,” Alex observes at the start of the case. This one will haunt his waking life, and his darkest dreams, long after its end.

***

I think I’m in for a thrill ride with this one!  What are you featuring today?  Come on by and share….

Welcome to another bookish celebration of Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Should Be Reading.

To join in, here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Today I’m reading Atonement, by Ian McEwan, a story of emotional intensity, misunderstandings, and secrets.

The novel opens on a sweltering summer day in 1935 at the Tallis family’s mansion in the Surrey countryside. Thirteen-year-old Briony has written a play in honor of the visit of her adored older brother Leon; other guests include her three young cousins — refugees from their parent’s marital breakup — Leon’s friend Paul Marshall, the manufacturer of a chocolate bar called “Amo” that soldiers will be able to carry into war, and Robbie Turner, the son of the family charlady whose brilliantly successful college career has been funded by Mr. Tallis. Jack Tallis is absent from the gathering; he spends most of his time in London at the War Ministry and with his mistress. His wife Emily is a semi-invalid, nursing chronic migraine headaches. Their elder daughter Cecilia is also present; she has just graduated from Cambridge and is at home for the summer, restless and yearning for her life to really begin. Rehearsals for Briony’s play aren’t going well; her cousin Lola has stolen the starring role, the twin boys can’t speak the lines properly, and Briony suddenly realizes that her destiny is to be a novelist, not a dramatist.

In the midst of the long hot afternoon, Briony happens to be watching from a window when Cecilia strips off her clothes and plunges into the fountain on the lawn as Robbie looks on. Later that evening, Briony thinks she sees Robbie attacking Cecilia in the library, she reads a note meant for Cecilia, her cousin Lola is sexually assaulted, and she makes an accusation that she will repent for the rest of her life….

***

Teaser:  Reading these letters at the end of an exhausting day, Briony felt a dreamy nostalgia, a vague yearning for a long-lost life.  She could hardly feel sorry for herself.  She was the one who had cut herself off from home.  p. 263

***

So far, the story has evoked all kinds of emotions, and I have very intense reactions to the characters, especially one or two of them.

What are you sharing today?  I hope you’ll stop by with your links….

Narrated in the voices of six characters, Mudbound thrusts the reader right into the midst of their lives, with the back-breaking work of farm life and the intimate portrayal of what it felt like in the Jim Crow era of the South.

Laura marries late for the times (in her thirties), just when she thinks her life will be all about spinsterhood and her work as a teacher. Henry is also college-educated, but at some point shortly after their marriage, his desire to own land surfaces. And the hardships, resentments, frustrations of this new rural life surround her, even as the poignant losses of her previous life fill her thoughts. But she strives to be a good wife. Which is not easy, since Henry’s cranky, frustrating, and sometimes evil father joins them on the farm.

One solace comes in the form of Jamie, Henry’s charming younger brother, who really notices her. In ways that Henry does not.

Florence and Hap are sharecroppers who become a necessary part of their lives; at times, Florence becomes a confidante and a comfort to Laura.

When Hap and Florence’s son Ronsell comes home from the war, the troubles begin.

What secrets hide within Ronsell, Jamie, and finally, Laura…and what harsh realities of the times soon descend upon each of them? How do they deal with what happens next, and will any of them recover?

In many ways, I am reminded that the setting of Mississippi had been the seat of much violence in the years to come, especially during the 1960s when social change began to make an impact. While these characters and their voices tell us much about the times, they also reveal a great deal about family, hardship, and dreams.

This was a very quick read, since I loved each of the characterizations. The absence of a voice for “Pappy” felt very right, too; he was the least likeable character and symbolized the evils of a time we must never forget. A definite five star read recommended for those who enjoy great writing, issues of social change, and wonderfully complex and layered characters.

Welcome to another edition of Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill, at Breaking the Spine.

Today’s choice is a book from one of my favorite authors, to be released on 4/10/12.

Come Home, by Lisa Scottoline, is “A white-hot crossover novel about the perils of mother love . . . Scottoline shifts gears at every curve with the cool efficiency of a NASCAR driver.”-

Jill Farrow is a typical suburban mom who has finally gotten her and her daughter’s lives back on track after a divorce. She is about to remarry, her job as a pediatrician fulfills her—though it is stressful—and her daughter, Megan, is a happily over-scheduled thirteen-year-old juggling homework and the swim team.

But Jill’s life is turned upside down when her ex-stepdaughter, Abby, shows up on her doorstep late one night and delivers shocking news: Jill’s ex-husband is dead. Abby insists that he was murdered and pleads with Jill to help find his killer. Jill reluctantly agrees to make a few inquiries and discovers that things don’t add up. As she digs deeper, her actions threaten to rip apart her new family, destroy their hard-earned happiness, and even endanger her own life. Yet Jill can’t turn her back on a child she loves and once called her own.

Come Home reads with the breakneck pacing of a thriller while also exploring the definition of motherhood, asking the questions: Do you ever stop being a mother? Can you ever have an ex-child? What are the limits to love of family? 

***

Doesn’t this one sound delicious?  I’ve already preordered it and I cannot wait!

What are you waiting for?  Come on by and share….

Welcome to another edition of Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Should Be Reading.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Today I’m excerpting from Penny Vincenzi’s Almost a Crime, a story of a power marriage, an affair, and life-threatening terror.  Sometimes, a power marriage is like a dance.  Full of movements that sometimes look like perfect symmetry.  Things are not always what they seem.

Meet Tom and Octavia Fleming. Attractive, rich and madly successful, the pair appeared to have the perfect power marriage until an affair leaves their lives in fatal danger. For this is no ordinary affair, but one that leads to life-threatening terror from which nothing and no one in the Flemings’ charmed circle can escape: not their children, not their friends, not even the one thing that seemed beyond reach – their own professional success.

Described by Dominick Dunne as a writer “with verve and heart, immersing the reader in a world of engrossing and unforgettable glamour and passion,” and praised by Barbara Taylor Bradford as “marvelously engrossing,” Vincenzi’s newest novel is a surefire winner with critics and readers alike.

***

Teaser:  In the finest suite of the Buchan Hotel (slightly flashy, very luxurious, on the edge of the Cotswolds), champagne on ice, Tiffany necklace in its turquoise box by the bed, Tom Fleming was waiting for the phone call that would tell him his guest had arrived, unable to decide if he was in heaven or hell. p. 150

***

I haven’t reached this part of the book yet, so it’s a mystery to me, too; however, I can guess what this scene is about.

What about your tempting tidbits?  Come on by and share....

Wow!  Today’s Booking Through Thursday is an in-depth exploration of our thoughts and feelings.

Our Interview Questions (from our leader to us):

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?

Anytime of the day, or all day long.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)

Sometimes…usually I am on the computer at breakfast, unless it’s a weekend.  But I do read during meals.

3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)

An omelet, but I don’t have one very often!

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?

That’s hard to say, since I usually read between other activities.  I pick up my book whenever I get a free bit of time.  Maybe three to four hours….

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?

Definitely, since I’m not working at a job outside my home any longer, I can read between my writing, blogging, errands, etc.  But definitely more.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?

I read fast, but I know people who read faster.  I like to savor some books, while speeding through others.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would love to have the ability to zap away all pain, fear, anger, etc., whenever the need arose.

8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?

Oh, yes, even on errands, because you never know when you’ll be on line somewhere, or in a waiting room.

9. What KIND of book?

Whatever I’m reading at the time, unless it’s a chunkster; I don’t carry those around.  Then I might grab Sparky, my Kindle.

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?

Eight years old.  I even remember that the first book I checked out was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Tomboy, perhaps?  lol

11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)

I have two books that were published in 1921, gifted to my mother from her aunt.  I’ve had them since childhood, when I read them over and over.  So probably I’ve had them since the early 1950s.  They are no longer in print:  Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley; and Cornelli, by Johanna Spyri (author of Heidi).

Two Books on the Left -- Oldest

12. Do you read in bed?

Every night!  I might read for awhile, watch a little TV, then read some more.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and read again.

13. Do you write in your books?

No!  I used to write in textbooks…but not in my beloved novels.  lol

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?

Read books that transport you, letting you soar away from your everyday life, whether they’re fantasy, romance, travel, or books about people you admire.

15. What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask? (Actually, leave the answer to this one in the comments on this post, huh? So I can find them when I need inspiration!)

I’ll be thinking about this one!

***

Now that was fun!  I’ll be eager to see what the rest of you wrote!

Joining a mix of celebrities and other high profile individuals, Bailey expects the weekend to be a bit of a snooze.

So when a model turns up dead, her instincts kick into high gear. Was the death due to foul play? Meanwhile, the weekend turns into a longer stretch as a snowstorm keeps the guests house bound. A power failure, along with mysterious events that suggest a murderer might be on the loose, keep Bailey’s senses tingling.

Home at last, she pursues the clues she has uncovered, but other obstacles threaten her life; someone unknown threatens her career; and at the same time, her boyfriend begins questioning her commitment.

A real page-turner, So Pretty It Hurts: A Bailey Weggins Mystery was a quick read that was full of intriguing and vivid characters and twisting and turning plots. This one earned five stars from me.