WAITING FOR FITZ by Spencer Hyde

WAITING FOR FITZ by Spencer Hyde. Wow. What a book. It was one that I couldn't read quickly, but I couldn't put down. It was fascinating to me to learn more about mental illness and to see it from the point of view of a person struggling with it. I learned more about a phys ward and to appreciate what a true struggle it is. I loved the friendships that were created there and how Addie learned it wasn't the place but the people that mattered. It was a fascinating story that I would recommend to anyone.

:) :) :) :) :)

Addie loves nothing more than curling up on the couch with her dog, Duck, and watching The Great British Baking Show with her mom. It's one of the few things that can help her relax when her OCD kicks into overdrive. She counts everything. All the time. She can't stop. Rituals and rhythms. It's exhausting.

When Fitz was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he named the voices in his head after famous country singers. The adolescent psychiatric ward at Seattle Regional Hospital isn't exactly the ideal place to meet your soul mate, but when Addie meets Fitz, they immediately connect over their shared love of words, appreciate each other's quick wit, and wish they could both make more sense of their lives.

Fitz is haunted by the voices in his head and often doesn't know what is real. But he feels if he can convince Addie to help him escape the psych ward and get to San Juan Island, everything will be okay. If not, he risks falling into a downward spiral that may keep him in the hospital indefinitely.

Waiting for Fitz is a story about life and love, forgiveness and courage, and learning what is truly worth waiting for.

A MONSTER LIKE ME by Wendy S Swore

A MONSTER LIKE ME by Wendy S Swore. This was a very good read. It is a different approach to how a child dealt with bullying. At first I really like the excerpts from her Big Book of Monsters. It helped me see how Sophie's mind was working. I will admit though, by the end of the book I was skipping those excerpts. I really liked how things worked out and how she was able to find a friend to help her through things. In an author's note, she said, "This is my message to anyone who experiences bullying: Don’t let the bullies define you! I’ve been there, I know it hurts to be teased, but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want. Find something you enjoy—a hobby, talent, or challenge—and practice that skill. Know that someone out there, maybe even someone in your same school, needs a friend as much as you do. Be that friend. Stand up for each other. And know that you are not alone." I would recommend this book to any middle grader out there.

:) :) :) :)

Sophie is a monster expert. Thanks to her Big Book of Monsters and her vivid imagination, Sophie can identify the monsters in her school and neighborhood. Clearly, the bullies are trolls and goblins. Her nice neighbor must be a good witch, and Sophie's new best friend is obviously a fairy. But what about Sophie? She's convinced she is definitely a monster because of the "monster mark" on her face. At least that's what she calls it. The doctors call it a blood tumor. Sophie tries to hide it but it covers almost half her face. And if she's a monster on the outside, then she must be a monster on the inside, too.

Being the new kid at school is hard. Being called a monster is even harder. Sophie knows that it's only a matter of time before the other kids, the doctors, and even her mom figure it out. And then her mom will probably leave—just like her dad did.

Because who would want to live with a real monster?

Inspired by real events in the author's life, A Monster Like Me teaches the importance of believing in oneself, accepting change, and the power of friendship.

Ages 8 to 11, Grades 3 to 6

CATHERINE'S INTRIGUE by Paige Edwards

CATHERINE'S INTRIGUE by Paige Edwards. This book started out with a bang. It sucks you in very quickly. I immediately loved Catherine, Jack and Nick. They are easy to relate to on some level. The quest Catherine was on was also fascinating. I enjoyed seeing how it played out. I had a problem with the dialogue written so true to English terminology that I had a hard time placing what it meant. I had to think to much about what some words were referring to. I understand keeping things true to the country where the story it written, and many times the author defined those words well, but there were times when the definition and the word used were spaced far enough apart that I had forgotten the meaning. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to just about anyone.

:) :) :) :)

To fulfill her mother's last request, twenty-four-year-old historic design specialist Catherine Pressley-Coombes travels to England in order to investigate an elusive family line. Armed with an illegible diary, she is determined to discover the identity of her mysterious ancestress. Distracted by an Elizabethan manor and unused to British country roads, Catherine runs her car into a ditch. Luckily, Nick Davidson, a handsome, hard-working local rides in on his tractor to save the day. As the down-to-earth manager of his family's estate, Nick also happens to be one of England's most eligible aristocrats.

Nick is certainly not the kind of man Catherine would fall for, a man dogged by media and rumor. So why does she find the English lord so irresistible? Even though she can't overlook their differing values and beliefs, as she and Nick spend time together, their attraction deepens. While she battles through romantic turmoil, Catherine is beleaguered with far more sinister concerns: a series of unexplainable misfortunes that are not mere accidents. With her heart on the line, Catherine discovers her life is in jeopardy, and she has no idea who the perpetrator is but she has a growing suspicion that the danger might be connected to whatever secrets lie hidden in her ancestor's diary.

Tour Schedule

March 18^th

https://brightlystreet.com/
https://thekeeledeal.com/
http://mybookaday.com/
https://www.wishfulendings.com/
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

March 19^th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/
http://fireandicereads.com/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

March 20^th

https://rachellechristensen.com
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/
http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

March 21^st

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
http://empowermoms.net/

March 22^nd

https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

JANE AND EMMA

JANE AND EMMA. I have heard really good things about this movie so I was excited to see it. I usually watch these movies with my young children. For this one I was glad I watched it first. They are young enough that they wouldn't understand everything that is represented very accurately in this film. It was a very well done movie. It did take me a few flashbacks to figure out what they were doing with the plot, but once I figured it out, it made sense. Many things I hadn't made the connection on. It was very interesting and worth watching.

:) :) :) :)

JANE & EMMA is based on the life of Sister Jane Manning, one of the first black Mormons. She returns to Nauvoo to find that Joseph Smith, her prophet and friend, has been assassinated. Jane spends a ceaseless night with his widow, Emma Smith, sitting watch over the body of the prophet as a whirlwind of loss and confusion leaves them wondering how either one of them will be able to move forward. Through the long night, Jane wonders if the prophet’s promise to extend the blessings of eternity to her has died along with him. The film explores the possible events of that night, including Jane’s endeavor to remain amongst the Mormon people and Emma’s struggle to cope with her heartbreaking loss. Poignant issues of racism and polygamy threaten to break their bond of friendship. In the end, will Jane and Emma have the courage to follow the path each believes they must take? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SANCTUARY by Traci Hunter Abramson

SANCTUARY by Traci Hunter Abramson. Books by Traci are ones that I will pre-order before I even read the back cover. I have loved everyone of her books and this was no exception. The first page sucks you in and you can't put it down. There are unexpected twists, beautiful scenery, a bit of romance and tension at every turn. It's amazing to think that there could be situations similar to this happening around us and we'd never know. It's interesting to imagine. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone, especially those who love a fantastic suspense novel.

:) :) :) :) :)

Kristi Hartinger has come to terms with her life as a single, thirty-something woman. She was in love . . . once. But following her boyfriend's tragic death, no one else could capture her heart. And nothing else could fill that void, though the serenity of the ocean came close. Two years ago, Kristi left the craziness of her Wall Street career behind and embraced a simpler life on her family's private island off the coast of Main. As a resident of the small beach community, she anticipates a quiet future—until she comes face-to-face with her past.

Ace Samson is dead, or so the world believes. As a member of a secret organization known as the guardians, he was forced to fake his death years ago, leaving everything behind when he became an agent. So when he is selected to offer a potential new recruit a job with the organization, Ace braces himself: for the first time in more than a decade, he must face the woman he loved—and left.

Kristi's world is rocked by Ace's sudden reappearance, and she's soon drawn into his world of danger and cover-up. But when Kristi herself becomes a target, Ace will do whatever it takes to protect the only woman he has ever loved.

Tour Schedule

March 11^th

https://thekeeledeal.com/
http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
http://mybookaday.com/

March 12^th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
http://empowermoms.net/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

March 13^th

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://fireandicereads.com/
http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

March 14^th

https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
https://www.wishfulendings.com/
https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

March 15^th

https://brightlystreet.com/
https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/
http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A GUARDED HEART by Heidi Kimball

A GUARDED HEART by Heidi Kimball. I found this read really interesting. At first I didn't think I'd like the fact that each chapter was written three years apart, but the farther into the book the more I realized how I appreciated it. It allows the reader to really get to know Eleanor and Edmund. When the time lines merge you really have such a grasp on how they are feeling, how they got there and there's true empathy for both sides. It is a fantastic story that I highly recommend to any and everyone.

:) :) :) :) :)

Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin’s glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.

Edmund Fletcher thought he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?

Tour Schedule

March 4^th

https://brightlystreet.com/
https://thekeeledeal.com/
http://mybookaday.com/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

March 5^th

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
https://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
http://empowermoms.net/
https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

March 6^th

http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://fireandicereads.com/
http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/

March 7^th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

March 8^th

http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway