Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a very nice day.

I'm gonna cry but I have to tell you about my mother.  She died suddenly when I was thirty.  I thought being the big three-oh would be the worst thing about that year, I was wrong.  It still is painful because she was such a great Mom, so I remind myself to be grateful.  My mom was stunningly beautiful. She was the kindest person you could ever meet.  Mom managed to deal with me as a three year old and newborn triplet girls (and we all know what a pain they were). Christmas was her favorite time of year. Mom loved to play games even video games, she would be amazed that my niece works on video games and would love the games of today. She knitted hats for the homeless. We had to walk up a large hill from the bus stop and in the winter, we would always have four cups to hot chocolate waiting. She hated having her picture taken but loved family photos. Mom would float around our pool, sitting on a ball, reading a book. She read a lot, thrillers, romance and Agatha Christie.  She didn't even get mad when we cannonballed her, soaking her book.  My mom loved model trains, so does my husband.  When my parents would visit, Mom and hubby would go "hobby" shopping together, each vowing not to tell their partner how much they spent. Mom adored her parents and my dad was her absolute soulmate.  Above all else, she would do anything for her children.

I recently read Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson.  I have enjoyed this author in the past so was anxious to read her newest book. This is the story of a woman, Bree, who has everything.  A wonderful life and family.  One day she thinks she thinks she sees an older woman looking through the window of their house.  The she believes the strange woman is following her.  Suddenly, while at her daughter's school, her baby, asleep in a stroller, disappears.  Taken by the old lady, she tells Bree to do exactly what she says or she'll never see her child again.  When Bree realizes that the kidnapper is a mother herself she is even more shocked, how can one mom do this to another? This book asks some very interesting questions.  What would you do for your child? Would you kill someone?  Would you sacrifice someone else from your family? Would you be set on revenge? Would you kidnap another woman's child? 

This thriller is easy to get into with limited characters.  It is fast paced, spacing twists throughout instead of just at the end.  You'll find this book enthralling and terrifying.  Perhaps if you're pregnant or the Mom of a toddler, skip this one.

I wonder what my mom would have thought of Mother May I.  How it would stack up against the thrillers of her time?  Coma still gives me the creeps!

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

Hello everyone.

When you were a kid did you ever go to a slumber party?  Okay, I realize sleep overs are more of a girl thing, but you men might need to learn about them for your daughters. At these gatherings girls often play games, spooky ones. Stiff as a Board Light as a Feather comes to mind. Someone lies on the floor, the others encircle that person putting two fingers under the edge of reclining person's body. Then a quiet incantation is repeated, "Stiff as a board light as a feather."  As the verse is chanted, the outside circle of participants lifts the center person who is now magically rigid and light, allowing them to levitate off the floor. Did you do this? I'm a chicken, if I was there when it actually worked I'd scream bloody murder and run away.

One time, I was at a slumber party where we were daring each other to go into a dark bathroom and look into the mirror. There was a mantra we were to say three times and you were supposed to either see a woman standing behind you or scratch your own eyes out. Of the two, I'd prefer the standing woman and less of the extreme itchy eye treatment. We all ended up being too creeped out to take the dare and settled on eating the edge of a dog biscuit. Ah, ain't life grand.

I recently read Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. This book will be available on July 30th. This thriller follows a woman, Amy, who has an unusual visitor at the book club she is hosting at her home. It is a new neighbor, Roux.  Roux is not the type of woman the book club is used to, she is much more outgoing, brash even. After inviting herself in, she insists that they don't discuss the book but instead play her version of the game Never Have I Ever. Roux is getting the women to divulge the worst things they've ever done. Secrets are exposed, lives are changed forever. Amy, however, likes her life just the way it is and the only thing she wants changed is Roux out of it.

One of my fellow bloggers wanted to know what I thought of this when I was halfway done. I was unsure how to answer, finally settling on "A bit slow for a thriller, but interesting."  I stick by that answer, but now see the author had a point. She spends a large portion of the beginning of the book discussing Amy's past. Obviously, this slows down the action in the present time, but it is necessary. So when you read this, if you are thinking perhaps this story isn't for you please stick with it. The details of the past come together masterfully and aid in the tension that is building to a shocking end, something I would never have imagined. A very enjoyable read.

I wonder if there are any thrillers about games that are more my speed, like go fish.