‘How to Change a Life’ Is Decadent and Delicious [REVIEW]

Navy Pier Fireworks
A chef sees fireworks when she meets a hunky ex-athlete in Stacey Ballis’ How to Change a Life. (Photo by Michael Mayer, Flickr)

What happens when you cross novelist Nancy Thayer with culinary maven Lucinda Scala Quinn? Meet Stacey Ballis, an author whose books are as delicious and decadent as they are hilarious and heartwarming. In her latest novel, How to Change a Life, three longtime friends reunite to dare one another to take leaps of faith that lead to unexpected consequences.  Continue reading “‘How to Change a Life’ Is Decadent and Delicious [REVIEW]”

‘The Doll Funeral’ Is Strange and Hypnotic [REVIEW]

Doll
Battered and left behind, a young child dreams of something more. (Photo by Jack Lyons, Flickr)

A young girl caught in a nightmare dreams of another life. In some ways she envies Lewis Carroll’s Alice, who disappeared down the rabbit hole to find herself in an enchanted world. Yet there is no magical fall into a land populated by cheshire cats and mad hatters for her. She does have a glimmer of hope, however, when she receives an unexpected revelation on her thirteenth birthday. Find out what happens to her in Kate Hamer’s new novel, The Doll Funeral.  Continue reading “‘The Doll Funeral’ Is Strange and Hypnotic [REVIEW]”

Restore Marital Bliss with ‘It Takes One to Tango’ [REVIEW]

Single rose
Sometimes the first steps you’ll take to improving your marriage are yours alone. (Photo by slgckgc, Flickr)

Marriage is hard. It takes lots of hard work to make it last. But sometimes, only one partner is interested in putting in the time and effort it takes to turn things around. Is it still possible to make a difference in your relationship if all the effort put in is one sided? Marriage and family therapist Winifred M. Reilly thinks no union is beyond redemption. Find out why in her new book, It Takes One to Tango: How I Rescued My Marriage with (Almost) No Help From My Spouse—and How You Can, Too.  Continue reading “Restore Marital Bliss with ‘It Takes One to Tango’ [REVIEW]”

‘Donna’ is the Envy of All Her Peers in V.C. Andrews’ New Novella [REVIEW]

Donna
Being both beautiful and gifted is more of a curse than an asset for high school student Donna. (Photo by Robert Bejil, Flickr)

Before readers discovered Mayfair in V.C. Andrews®’ Bittersweet Dreams, there were four other girls just as bright and beautiful as she is. Together, they comprise the Girls of Spindrift: First there was Corliss. Now there is Donna. Find out what brings her to the legendary school for gifted teens in this brand-new novella.  Continue reading “‘Donna’ is the Envy of All Her Peers in V.C. Andrews’ New Novella [REVIEW]”

Meet the ‘Sons and Soldiers’ Who Never Gave Up Hope [REVIEW]

Martin Selling questions German SS captives near the front in France, 1944
Martin Selling questions German SS captives near the front in France, 1944. (Photo by US Army Signal Corps)

Martin Selling. Stephan Lewy. Guy Stern. These are just a few of the names that the history books seem to forget when recounting the treachery and bravado of World War II. Yet even though these men may not be household names, they are nevertheless three of America’s unsung heroes, men who not only survived Hitler’s Germany, but who rose up to fight back for their friends, for family, and for vengeance. Now their account is finally being told in Bruce Henderson’s brilliant new book, Sons and Soldiers.  Continue reading “Meet the ‘Sons and Soldiers’ Who Never Gave Up Hope [REVIEW]”