Book Review "Firstborn" by Tosca Lee

Photo credit: Goodreads

I feel like I waited FOREVER to read Firstborn (Howard Books), by Tosca Lee.  The first book in this series, The Progeny, was by far my favorite book of 2016-I still recommend it to literally EVERYONE!  So when I saw Firstborn pop up on Netgalley I was beyond thrilled to be approved to read the galley!  The first (half) of the book left me wanting more, which was a little tough after such an outstanding cliffhanger at the end of The Progeny.  It was so incredibly fast paced, but lacked a little in drawing me in.  Honestly, I don't think that's the writer's fault.  I think it's like when someone hypes something up so much telling you how much you're gonna love it and then you think it's just okay.  I kinda think I did that to myself.

Then the second half showed up.  And the twist, turns, and full speed of head were perfect.  I couldn't get enough!  Lee really is a masterful storyteller.  I missed the history of the first book, but we really didn't need it.  We needed to story of the characters of the now.  In fact those characters became more personal; a stronger connection was form.  Instead of focusing on the history and the mystery of that you are able to focus on the dynamics between the characters and how it relates to your own life.

Overall I finished the book truly loving it and would definitely recommend it.   But you HAVE to read The Progeny  first, that isn't even an option!

Firstborn will be released TOMORROW May 1, 2017.  So just go and buy both!

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book review: "The Whiskey Sea" by Ann Howard Creel

Photo credit: Netgalley

     There was something about The Whiskey Sea (Lake Union Publishing), by Ann Howard Creel, that drew me in the second I read about it.  Originality at it's best; I had never come across a book that was about a young girl repairing boat engines and taking part of the prohibition in a sea side small town.
     Frieda and her younger sister Bea are left orphaned at a young age and reluctantly taken in by the one man they believe has done them no wrong.  He teaches them the ways of the sea and Frieda falls in love with the sea wanting to follow after her "father" who would like her to have a more traditional life.  She learns to work on engines and uses her new found skills to make some quick cash during the prohibition.  She aims to make a better life for herself and her family, to the scrutiny of those she loves.  Will her past haunt her and will her tenaciousness ruin her future?  The different ways that grief and heartbreak effect those in the same family is always so intriguing. 

     I appreciate that Creel (almost) didn't sugar coat things. 99.9% of the book is real life, hard times, how am I ever going to get through this type of stuff.  The last page, maybe not so much, but even that wasn't perfectly perfect.

Overall I truly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

The Whiskey Sea was published August 23, 2016.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.