Book Review: Untitled by Jesseca Wheaton

 

Okinawa, 1945

Two brothers. Two Separate Paths.

A Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines, Jess Walker’s world is shaken as he struggles to aid the men around him. But the battlefield isn’t his hardest challenge. The nagging memory of how he lost his brother weighs on him, serving as a constant reminder of his failure. War has no mercy for anyone and Jess isn’t sure he can survive the war inside. As his world comes crashing down around him, he struggles to believe there is a future beyond the pain.

Clay Walker has moved on from the life he once lived. A successful Marine pilot, he wants nothing to do with his family and the God he left behind. Japan is on the brink of surrender when his unit is shipped off to Okinawa, and it’s there that Clay is forced to realize his past is not as deeply buried as he thought. Faced with heavy losses and questions without answers, Clay has a choice to make. Is he willing to step back and let God take the controls? Or is it too late for a second chance?

As WWII rages, the two brothers must face their demons — or be lost to the burning world around them.

GOODREADS

My rating:

Untitled isn't a normal novella.

I'd heard that it was heartbreaking and thought-provoking, but I suppose I was expecting a book like Jesseca's others.

It wasn't.

For once, this isn't going to be a fangirl-y review where I scream about everything in this book. I don't know how to describe it, really. Being close friends with the author gave me inside information (membership has its privileges, ya know) about the book's plot and themes. I knew they were going to be heavy. I knew Untitled was going to hit hard.

I read it almost completely in one sitting; while my fam watched a movie, my eyes were glued to my Kindle.

The book isn't one that had me sitting on the edge of my seat from page one. In fact, it's pretty slow-paced. But to read about Jess and Clay's struggles...wow. Regrets. Bitterness.

Jess was my favorite. His faith, his relationship with his fellow corpsmen, his very personality made me smile. (That date? Loved it. *grins*) The way the others looked to his quiet meekness and saw him as someone to talk to led to conversation topics that many of us would avoid was inspiring, and I loved the way Ms. Wheaton tackled them. Homosexuality from a Christian standpoint is not something that people like to talk about—it's uncomfortable and unsettling—and I so appreciated the way it was handled.

Clay. *sigh* Ohhh, Clay. Trying so, so hard, but not quite succeeding. The younger brother determined to make his own way in the world and prove himself. I seriously loved this dude. (and Ivan. Can't forget Ivan.)

Okay. Um. Wow.

This review is honestly really hard to write, haha! I don't know if it's because I just didn't pay enough attention to the book as I read it...but I think it's more because of the way I'm still thinking about it, two days later, and will still probably thinking about it tomorrow. And the next day.

War is horrifying. Seriously. I've always known it. But like...I've read books about war before, and they're heartbreaking. But nothing had made me realize this as much as Untitled has. I could hear the shells exploding. Ears ringing. Men screaming out of pain and fear. Grime coating every surface. Medics not bothering to wash their hands because it wouldn't do any good. Smoke filling the air. Shrapnel flying. Bodies littering the ground.

War is mind-numbingly petrifying.

And no one, no one comes home unaffected.

The ending...wow. It was achingly bittersweet. It made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

The author herself puts a note to the readers at the beginning of the book that it's not for younger readers, and she's right. It's not for people who are sensitive. Yet it has a message that everyone needs to hear.

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

On that bright note, THIS BABY IS RELEASING IN JUST A FEW DAYS (November 11, to be exact) AND I'M SOSOSOSO EXCITED FOR IT.

The tour is being hosted by my lovely friend Angela Watts, and there's plenty of blogs joining in the tour—so go check it out! (Also there's a giveaway running, so that's another reason to visit Angela's blog)

About the author:

Jesseca is a daughter, sister, and a child of God. When she’s not busy at her full time job as a first responder, her days are spent reading, spending time with siblings, watching movies that make her cry, and playing piano. Oh, and writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

Blog

Goodreads

If you haven't read Untitled yet, definitely go do so! You won't regret it.

Book Review: Fifteen by Amie Woleslagle

You’re not alone.

You’re not the only person who struggles with mental health issues, not the only person with
demons floating in your mind. Amie Woleslagle wrote Fifteen because she deals with them as
well. Not to fix your pain, but to reach out and hold your hand. 

To remind you that you are not
alone, to ask you to stay and make the world a better place. 

Because the world will never be the
same without you and your unique take on life. 

Fifteen is a book of poems crafted from one
teenager dealing with mental health issues to another teenager in the same place. 

It walks
through the battle of pretending to be okay, of having people you thought were trustworthy
shatter your heart, and the battle of not giving in when your brain has given up. 

Fifteen covers
true friendships, embracing joy, self acceptance, and living your faith while struggling with
mental illness, all the while showing that, in the end, flowers will bloom in the ashes of your pain.

My rating:

Sooooooo...I've never really been into poetry. Like, at all. It's not my thing. I memorized a poem or two when I was in school, and I was forced to read some out loud in front of the other students. (other students: aka my siblings #intimidating) So I haven't had a whole lot of experience with poetry (it never really grabbed my interest), and what little experience I did have wasn't the greatest.

All that to say, I actually really enjoyed Fifteen! The cover is the most adorable thing ever, I love the lil' illustrations in the book, it's colorful, and the author has tiny little notes of understanding and encouragement sprinkled throughout the whole book, and this made it so. much. better. Don't get me wrong, the poetry was super good! (though...with as little as I know about poetry, I couldn't really tell you if it's actually *good* or not, I can just tell you from personal experience, haha) But to make this book extra unique and personal, those notes were on point.

The poetry was fun to read. After reading a tiny bit on my friends' blogs, the free verse poetry didn't completely drive me insane like it would've a couple years ago, haha! Most of the poems were relatable and engaging, though there were one or two that I was just blinking at the pages going "...what in the world is this supposed to mean?" Again, I'm definitely not an expert on poetry, so it was probably just me, haha!

The themes in this book are...*chef's kiss* Depression. Anxiety. Mental illness in general. Suicide. Just...yes. So much yes. Y'all know that those are issues close to my heart, and Ms. Woleslagle nailed it.

So I know this review is shorter than normal, but I...seriously have no clue how to review a poetry book. *hides* Anyway, if you enjoy poetry, definitely check this one out!!

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Are you a poetry fan? Grab your copy of Fifteen!

Books So Nice I Read Them Twice

I was looking through my Goodreads yesterday and saw a shelf I labeled as "re-read" and I thought, ya know, I so rarely re-read books, I should share about the ones I have. 'Cause, y'know, those that I actually take the time to read over again are going to be good, right??

(It's not that I dislike re-reading...in fact, I really enjoy it! But there's sooooo many other unread books that scream for my attention *cries*)

Some of those are just 'cause I started an old series that I loved as a kid and decided to read the rest, even if they didn't keep me hooked as much as they used to.

But others? Well, I'll just list 'em here for your convenience. And to rant about them. *grins* So, in no particular order...

(P.S. If you click on the covers, it will take you to their Goodreads page. You're welcome. *grins*)

Books so nice I read them twice

Defy by Tricia Mingerink

I know y'all have heard me rant about this series before, and I'll do it again! The Blades of Acktar series is sosososo gooooood. Like, hands-down one of my all-time favorite series ever. I was afraid that reading them again for the second time was going to detract from them (But I decided to read them all a second time since my amazing writing partner gave me book 6 recently), but noooope. Just as good the second time, and you know that's really saying something. (this is the third book in the series, but my favorite. *grins*)

In 27 Days by Alison Gervais

Not quite as good the second time around, but still amazing nonetheless. I love Hadley and Archer's story, and the plot and paranormal elements are super unique. Archer's family is sooo much fun, and getting to know his character is just...yessss. *hugs book* definitely a five-star read! You can find my review here.

Never Say Goodbye by Sarah Grace Grzy

This one is sooooo sweet, y'all! I read it to review, but once I finished, I couldn't decide what to rate it, so I picked it back up and read it again! After reading Live Without You, I reallllyyyyyy wanted to read Ty's story, and I definitely wasn't disappointed! Murrae was the most adorable lil' baby girl ever, and hearing her little voice say "gen'le" wasn't hard to imagine. *grins* Read my review here.

Fallen Angel by Jeff Struecker & Alton Gansky

Again, I know you've heard me rant about this series. I actually just reread them all but the last one this year (couldn't bring myself to read that last one bc 1 - it's so different from the others and that makes me nostalgic, and 2 - I didn't want the series to eeeennnnnndddd), and...yeah. Another all-time favorite series. Military thrillers, anyone??? (Again, this is the third in the series, and my favorite...I must have a thing for third books)

A Question of Honor by Jesseca Wheaton

So, to be fair, I beta-read this one back in...2015, I think? But I re-read it as soon as I got a paperback copy, and it still WRECKED me. *faints* I really, really wanna re-read the rest of the trilogy. Like, soon. Jesseca was the person that hooked me on World War II fiction, and this book helped her cause. David, Gil, the RAF...*nods and shoves the book toward you* go read it.

Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

This is one that's like coming home. It's a comfort read to me, and I don't even know why! I just know that I loved it the first time I read it...and the second...and I still go back and read parts of it sometimes. Maybe it's the historical aspect of the westward-bound Conestoga wagons, coupled with the found family trope. It's an old book, maybe even a classic I think (I'm not a huge fan of classics), but I love this one.

Do you enjoy re-reading books? What are your old favorites?

Book Review: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright

1928

The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.

Present Day

The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk's shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot's history, she's also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.

My rating:

Dude. That...wow. That was a wild ride. I'd never read a Jaime Jo Write book before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but her covers really made me wanna try it out. And I'm so glad I did!

Chandler and Pippa were two different characters nearly a hundred years apart, yet the way their stories intertwined was so cool. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the book—the word haunting should give you a hint as to why—and while the ghost talk made me uncomfortable, there was only one character that actually made it an obsession, and the rest of the talk about it didn't completely make me dislike it, sooooo.

(I'm having a really hard time organizing my thoughts, I shouldn't have waited two weeks after I finished reading it before I reviewed, haha)

BUT. I did love Chandler's character! She was so relatable, and so was Pippa (actually, Pippa was the more relatable one for me, I'd say)! Can you believe I actually found a book where I loved both female protagonists?! Actually, I think I liked them better than the male characters. *GASP* Yes, you heard that right. While I loved Jake (and Clive and the other circus dudes, for that matter) and enjoyed Hank (once I saw past his ego), my favorite characters were Chandler and Pippa. Pippa especially. So may we all just stand and applause Ms. Wright for accomplishing this?!

Okay, so, the plot. *grins and rubs hands together* the plOT! Duuuude. So, I don't remember the last time I read a historical mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Couple that with the modern-day mystery that hinted at the past, it made me want to SCREAM because THAT person was going to die and I just wanted to go back in time and warn the characters.

The mystery with Pippa was centered around the Watchman. This part confused me a bit, as I wondered just how she knew that he held the key to her past. But, he did, and duuuude. So, like, I had my suspicions about the serial killer. I thought I had the culprit pegged close to the beginning of the book. But then I thought "Nah, I don't think so." And ya know what? I WAS RIGHT. Liiiiiike...#mindblown And then to find out the rest about Pippa's past, and who the Watchman was, andandand *deep breath* Did I mention that this was a wild ride??

Okay, so, Chandler's mystery. Not quite as nail-biting—at least, not until she broke through the wall. (those that have read the book KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.) Every time I thought we'd get to the bottom of the mystery, a new development would pop up and screw everything and make my head spin. Aaaaaand then we find out who the bad guy is. And I was NOT expecting that and so once again, #mindblown

Sooooo, the last part to talk about is the romance. Actually, it wasn't so much that I would take it down a star! There were a couple scenes (especially that one with Pippa) that I could've done without, but the rest of the book made up for it.

All this to say, Jaime Jo Wright did a fantastic job on her latest book!

*I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Preptober: What I'm Writing in November

 November is less than one week away. Like...WHAT. #mindblown

Anyway, yeah, it's also the month where writers do dumb things like try to write an entire novel in thirty days. Do we learn from these experiences? If by 'learn,' you mean realizing that it's a bad idea, then...no, no, we do not. This year, I'm just trying to make November a month dedicated to writing over other hobbies. Will I succeed in fifty thousand words? Probably not. But one can always hope, yes? ;) I decided not to participate with the official NaNoWriMo this year (there's been a whole lotta conflict on this subject, so I won't add my own voice to it except to say that I just want to do my own thing this year), nor with the King's Daughters' Writing Camp with which I participated in July (mainly bc that group personally took more effort and interaction than I'm willing to give during a month dedicated to writing and not social interaction *cough*). I joined a tiny group chat on Instagram, but that's it and I have to say that I'm super glad that I'm not joining anything bigger! (less commitment, ya know)

So. After that boring spiel, what am I planning to work on writing-wise in November? Well.

I was originally going to work on a secret project that's been stewing in my lil' bwain and in which I finally wrote a few hundred words...but suddenly my mind went "HeY LOOk it's yOUr Old BUDdY wANtinG tO be WrITTeN" so I started listening to this other story's playlist nonstop (NeedtoBreathe, Glen Campbell, Simon & Garfunkel, Bryan Adams, Tim McGraw-esque), wrote a couple thousand words in it, aaaaand yeah. I'll be working on this other WIP in November.

At least, that's the plan.

So. What is this unnamed story???

Drumroll, please...

...unfortunately, that's exactly what this is. An unnamed story. BUT not only is it an unnamed story, it's also the sequel to Little Boy Blue! *queue applause and fanfare*

Honestly I wasn't planning to start this story at all until I had edited LBB. Buuuut I think maybe God has other plans. 'Cause this story...well, let's just say it's got a whole lot better foundation and set themes than its prequel. (For real, LBB is a train wreck that I don't even know will see the light of day)

What's it about? Welllllll...honestly I don't really wanna go into that too much. 'Cause I talked all the time about Little Boy Blue and look where that thing's sitting—buried in my docs with a few future years' worth of dust sitting on top of it. 

If I don't want to share much about it, why did I bring it up? Well, I figured it was about time to give y'all a quick writing update. And I wanted to see if any of you have any title ideas. ;)

I will say that this story doesn't follow the life of Micah, my protagonist in Little Boy Blue, but a different and very important secondary character. Who is trying to get on with life. And forget what's happened before. Because pAIN.

A few titles that I've thrown around:

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hush, Little Baby

Jack and Jill

Three Blind Mice

(Yes, I realize that those last couple sound a little bit strange, but I think they've got good potential if you pair them with a good plot line) (also notice how I'm trying to keep the three-word nursery rhyme theme going)

Anyway. There's my writing update, barely readable as it is. It's late evening as I write this, soooo I'll blame it on that. *nods*

What's your writing project, friends? Planning on joining NaNoWriMo? Have any title ideas for me?

Book Review: Tested by Fire by Kathy Herman

When a bizarre houseboat explosion rocks the close-knit community of Baxter, firefighters, friends, and neighbors stand powerless as the McConnells' blazing hull sinks to the bottom of Heron Lake. Grief turns to outrage as new evidence proves there was one survivor -- and points to murder, something this sheltered community has never faced in its hundred-year history. In a race with the FBI, Jed sets out to track down the sole survivor, coping meanwhile with his own painful marital struggle. Baxter's mystery and Jed's dilemma are ones only God can solve in this suspenseful, surprising story of redemption amidst despair in small-town America.

Series: Baxter, book #1

My rating:

Ohhhh boy. *Deep breath* after that wonderful week full of amazing book recs, we're back to another two-star review. *cringes* I don't know why I put myself through these. This isn't even a book I *had* to review, haha! But maybe it's because I have trouble actually giving up on a book I've started. Plus the fact that I've got the entire series. Plus the fact that I continued holding out hope that the book would improve. *sigh*

(Would y'all prefer I didn't post so many lower-rating reviews? Or do you like rant posts? *smirks*)

So. The first words that come to mind with this book are...cliche. Cringe-y. Seriously—I did cringe while I read this book.

First of all, there's a lot of points of view. Now, I don't mind a couple or even maybe three POVs. But when there's at least eight? Nooooo thank you. It seems to me that the story could've been told just as well without so many.

So, there was something that really annoyed me. It seemed unrealistic to me, but idk, maybe that's just me. But anyway, so, (POTENTIAL SPOILER) when Mike's family's houseboat exploded, and later he was found to actually be alive...every. single. person. (except maaayyyybe two?) that had been thinking of him so fondly when they thought he was dead, suddenly turned against him and was convinced that he murdered his own family. Oh, forget the fact that he was such a kind, fun-loving man! He's suddenly a murderer now that he's alive and not coming out into the open! This was, in fact, so obvious and so played up that it was obvious the author tried wayyyyy too hard to convince me that Mike was a murderer.

So, the writing style. Heh. Noooot my thing. Seemed amateurish to me (I'm probably just really hard to please. After becoming an author, I've really started to notice writing style/voice more). It just...was kinda jerky and didn't hook me like I wish it would've. Like...according to Goodreads, it took me about two weeks to read this thing. Which, if it were a novel that hooked me like it was supposed to, is about twice as long as it should've taken. *sigh*

The salvation message is really the only thing that saved this book from one star. It was very well put, and there were even some lines that really struck me. That being said, I am disappointed in the incredibly cliche ending. Idk, maybe it's just me, but...well...it seemed super unrealistic. Like, for real. All of a sudden I was left going "waaaiiiit for real? Whyyyy did this happen??" I would love to expound, but, ya know, #spoilers

(idk, maybe I'll regret rating this thing two stars instead of one. Oh well.)

I've heard that this isn't Herman's best work, so we'll see. Maybe I'll try another one sometime. ;)

Have you read any Kathy Herman books? Which one would you recommend?

Five Fall Favorites - Day 6: 2020 Favorites

TODAY IS THE DAY I GET TO SCREAM AND RANT ABOUT MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR SO FAR. *deep breath* AAAAAAHHHH.

*Coughs* Can you tell that this is my favorite day of FFF? *smirks* 

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

This would be the second book I've read by Dykes, but even after the first one, I knew that she would soon become a new favorite author...and I was completely right. Oh. My. Word. I adore her writing style, and while the split time was hard to get used to, I soon fell absolutely in love with both plots. You can read my full review here.

All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner

This one, y'all...wow. (pretty much my reaction for all the books in this post, haha!) I love Finkbeiner's writing style, and this story was so whimsical. I mean...the girl works in a diner. Her brother goes off to war. I'm just...*happy sigh* it made me laugh, it made me happy, but it also ripped my heart out. Soooo yeah. 

Concealed by Lisa M. Clark

I'M STILL SCREAMING ABOUT THIS ONE. That...wow. I should've seen it coming. I should've known it would've happened. But I didn't. And my heart is shattered. And I NeEEeD bOok THreE NOW. *curls up in a corner* the message in this dystopian novel is so, so, sososo good. It's one that everyone needs to hear, especially now. But liiiiike...*screams in frustration 'cause I can't share any more 'cause #spoilers* Just go read book one. And then book this one. So we can scream together.

Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin

I'll admit, since this was my first Austin book, I fully expected to low-key hate this book. 'Cause, I mean, it just really looks like something sappy and disgusting to me. *cough* but I now love this cover 'cause I know how amazing the book inside is. Wow. I was expecting a typical, fall-in-love-and-be-a-spy-because-she's-been-suddenly-converted story. While some might call it that, I wouldn't. This girl, Caroline, does so much soul searching and legitimately working hard to make up her own mind by doing her own research. And I was blown away. (maybe we wouldn't be in such a mess if people tried this method.)

Defy by Tricia Mingerink

Yes, I'm aware that this is the old cover for this book. But I happen to like the old cover better. So fight me. *smirks* But, anyway, I think this is the only series that I've read twice and still loved just as much as I did the first time I read through it! (except for maybe the Circle C books, anyway.) So yes, definitely an all-time favorite series. ;) Book three is my favorite, but I can't say why 'cause #spoilers. But just trust me when I say that for those that love intense, non-magical medieval fantasy, this series is for you. (though I'll warn you, there's some romance and some bloodshed. So if you don't love that, then...might wanna stay away.)

Do you prefer reading indoors or out? I can't decide, honestly! The house is cozy and there's more comfortable chairs...but there's just something about reading outside in the fresh air that just...it makes me happy. *grins* So brush the leaves off of these benches (am I the only one who loves the sound of crunching leaves?), have a seat, breathe in the crisp scent of fall, and dive right into the pages!

(The giveaway winner(s) is being announced today! Did you enter? Go see if you won!)

What are your favorite books of 2020 so far? Did you love these books as much as I did??