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.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Hello everyone.  I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day. We don't go out to celebrate but I did receive a huge heart shaped box of chocolates and a dozen roses. I get a fair number of flowers. I used to receive them for it being a Wednesday, not so much anymore. However, hubby never forgets any special day and, despite my objection and insistence that there are cheaper places, always gets beautiful and long-lasting flowers from the florist, who does a great job.

I know I joke my husband a lot. It is kind of our thing. As a side note, when we were at our "pre-marital counseling" at the church where we were to be married, we argued about who was funnier leaving the preacher smiling and shaking her head (yes, a woman). At our wedding reception, the minister looked at my mom and said "they'll be fine, no doubts." The minister is retired now but I have often thought of sending her a photo of that day and telling her we are still indeed together. Anyway, hubby is a romantic. In fact, I could have you sitting here all day with examples but one of the first displays of his overall cuteness was on our first anniversary. Our wedding color was pink, meaning the flowers and bridesmaids wore pale pink. Don't shake your head, it was a spring wedding. What color did you feature, tartan plaid? So I am at the office, and in he walks with one hundred pink roses in his arms. Every woman in the whole office swooned....honestly, I think you could feel the building sway. See men, all those years later and I still remember.

Not all romantic gestures have been as elaborate or costly as a gazillion roses. Several times he has purchased a package of kiddie Valentines and written a memory on the back of each. Once they were all sealed in the envelopes to be explored and another time they were a heart speared by cupid's pixie stick and hidden all over the house. Yeah, he's a keeper.

So for some timely, holiday appropriate reading I just finished a romance novel called The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Before you go thinking this is any quick hit little story, I'll tell you it is a full on novel of over 360 pages. The premise is two higher-end employees at a publishing company (of all places) hate each other and are about to compete for a single job promotion. One will essentially become the other's boss. Well, that would certainly be annoying. The characters go to a few locations, apartments and such, but the story is basically all about the dialog, which is well done. The banter is witty, quick and sarcastic. Hey, who among us is not aroused by a little sarcasm?  Seriously, it is well done. Now while this story does not push forward at breakneck speed like my beloved thrillers, it isn't one of those read ten pages and pick in up in three months, either. The story will definitely call to you. Is this my all time favorite book? No. Is it likely to be in this year's top ten? No. Is it a nice romantic comedy that I am glad I read? Absolutely. If you are a romance lover, you will surely want to add this to your "to be read" list.

Incidentally, the way The Hating Game relies heavily on dialog reminds me of Nicola Niemc's Addicted to Love. So if you love The Hating Game, you might want to give Nicola's book a go. In either case, reading with the smell of roses wafting through the air is highly recommended.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Hello, hope you are well....blah, blah, blah, niceties over, time to move on! Forget chicken cooking, housework, etc. We must talk! I purchased a book called Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Do you know who Joe Hill is? Huh? Do you? Go on, guess, I'll wait. NO don't google! Unfair! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls...Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. You've heard of legacy acceptance into ivy league schools, multi-generational presidents, now we have father and son writers. No, no, not just any writers, horror writers!  Would he write like his dad? Was his dad actually writing for him and slapping sonny's name on it, kinda like a nice inheritance? Would the writing be juvenile? Would it be big words sending me repeatedly to the dictionary like he had something to prove? You know I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King. Okay, mostly love, I highly doubt you can have had the longevity he has as an author without a whole lotta love. But, his wordiness and tangents totally get on my every last nerve. What about the offspring?!?! Sit down, yes, I know you have far more interesting things to investigate in your life, congratulations Nancy Drew. I had to know if the son was like the father. Had to!

Do you want me to tell you? Draw it out longer? Build the suspense? I'll spill. Joe Hill is amazing! Yes, amazing! No tangents at all (picture me looking up to the heavens mouthing "thank you"). No wordiness. What is left? I'll tell you, a super strong plot. A great ghost story where you see the ghost several times but it is the tension...ah the tension of what is about to happen that spurs you faster and faster through the book. The plot unfolds in such a way that takes some kind of unlikable characters and slowly evokes your compassion and eventually you're rooting for them. The story twists and turns, when you think it might slow down it doesn't and the whole time it is scary. At some points, I couldn't read this book at night. Honestly. Then, I couldn't help but read it anytime I could fit in a page or two. It was so good. It reminds me of everything I love about Stephen King and eliminates the things I don't like. Reading this took me back to reading The Shining, and that is a huge compliment as it started my interest in pleasure reading.

Yep, Joe Hill has talent, bred or learned I don't care, long as it keeps coming. Long live the King and Crown Prince. I'll start practicing my curtsy.

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

A couple of months ago I read a great book by three authors, one of which is a favorite of mine, Karen White. I loved it, but more about that title in another review. When July's months Book of the Month choice list came out, I zeroed in on a familiar name....one of the other two authors of that story I enjoyed so much. The novel is The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams. Believe it or not, I consulted hubby about which title to get. The thriller, as always, had me drooling. What if reading a whole book by Beatriz Williams activated by raging case of "whole set-itis", requiring me to have a complete set of something, or in the case of books, read everything by an author? Let's face it, I need another author to follow like I need another hole in the head. (Side note, what an ugly saying. )Since you're reading a book blog, I'm sure you understand.  In any case, hubby urged me to get out of my thriller rut and venture on to The Summer Wives. For the record, I consider my love of thrillers to be loyal passion, not a rut, but I'm not arguing with someone who brought me a gift of a book last week.

The Summer Wives is about the differences between rich and poor, specifically on an island on the northeast United States. It kinda reminds me of the old mansions in Newport. Got it? While not the author's point, it also raised themes for me like 'us versus them', and 'locals versus visitors'. I live near a famous resort area. Tourists invade by the thousands in the spring, summer and fall. Traveling costs go up, traffic is tied in knots, restaurants are inaccessible. In short, it's a pain. However, thought must be given to the privilege of living in an area that people spend huge amounts of money to visit. In addition, the local economy would crumble without these tourists, willing to shell out up to $20,000 for a week in a "cottage", then more for food, souvenirs and let's not forget booze.

I know you think I have lost it and have no point, but I do. This book actually translated into issues in my own life, not intended, but really interesting. I've been reminded to be more grateful. In any case, Beatriz Williams weaves a story, not a page turner, but just a good old fashioned story about people. It has the ocean, a great big old house, a great lighthouse, lots of New England-ness, and a murder mystery. It is very interesting the way the story unfolds and despite appearing fairly straightforward there are several surprising twists. The writing and pace are perfect for the plot and kept me coming back for just one more quick chapter, then another and another. Yes, this was a very enjoyable read. Hubby gets an A+ for insisting that I make this my BOTM choice. Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to start looking at all the other books written by my new pal, Beatriz Williams. I can't help it, it's a sickness that I'm not interested in curing.