Johnnie Come Lately by Kathleen M. Rodgers

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Johnnie Come Lately' A Novel by Kathleen M. Rodgers.

Kathleen M. Rodgers takes us into the life of a young woman with many demons in Johnnie Come Lately. Johnnie is raised by her grandparents after her mom has left her. Named after her Uncle Johnny, she has no idea who her father is. Having battled bulimia all her life she has gained a foothold over her insecurities and hurts. Now at 43 she is a wife and mother of three children, two of them already grown.

Never letting down her guard and keeping her bulimia in control, she has found that life seems to be passing her by. She wants more, and as secrets begin coming to the surface, and questions of her father come to life, she struggles to maintain her grip on the one thing that could take her back to the out of control young woman she was.  Her best friend and confident is her dog, aptly named Brother Dog. Second to him are her journals where she keeps even her most cherished secrets.

Her yearning though is to move forward, but she has secrets of her own that must be banished. She is ready to move on and pursue her own dreams but feels both lost and conflicted. As the darkness of her own background and that of her parents begins to unravel, she must find the strength to stand her ground against her own anxieties. But can finding the answers of her own past help her to move into the future she has always dreamed about?

Rodgers has given us a tale of hurt and anguish. Her characters are an eclectic mix with emotions and flaws that are the same you find in the people you meet every day. Yet some of the secrets and issues are things we only hear about, and with a steady hand she introduces us to the dangers of bulimia and its aftermath. She then gives us a reminder of why dogs are man’s best friend with the introduction of Brother Dog, and while he is not a main character he adds a more personal touch, a realism that creates a spark in the bits of darkness encountered.

If you enjoy mystery and strength, with a touch of empathy and humor you will find this a great read. Often life’s road is not what we expect , but it takes a great deal of energy and fortitude to move forward in some cases and Rodgers takes us there with this work.

Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY HTML embed code ($25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash):"http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2bf06796131/" id="rcwidget_8n9ahikb" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
 Kathleen M. Rodgers' Web Site: 
http://www.kathleenmrodgers.com/

Kathleen M. Rodgers' Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KathleenMRodgersAuthorKathleen M. Rodgers' Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KathleenMRodger

Kathleen M. Rodgers' Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2742306.Kathleen_M_Rodgers?from_search=true

Kathleen M. Rodgers' Blog:
http://siteblog.kathleenmrodgers.com/?p=3244Johnnie Come Lately Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22796938-johnnie-come-latelyTribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Johnnie Come Lately blog tour site:
http://johnniecomelatelyblogtour.blogspot.com

Kathleen M. Rodgers' Bio: 

Award-winning author Kathleen M. Rodgers is a former frequent contributor to Family Circle magazine and Military Times. Her work has also appeared in anthologies published by McGraw-Hill, University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books, Health Communications, Inc., AMG Publishers, and Press 53. She is the author of the award-winning novel, The Final Salute, featured in USA Today, The Associated Press, and Military Times. Deer Hawk Publications reissued the novel in e-book and paperback September of 2014.

Her second novel, Johnnie Come Lately, released from Camel Press February 1, 2015. Barnes & Noble in Southlake, TX hosted the official launch on February 7, and Kathleen signed copies of both novels for three hours straight. In 2014, she was named a Distinguished Alumna from Tarrant County College/NE Campus.

She is the mother of two grown sons, Thomas, a graduate of University of North Texas and a working artist in Denton, TX, and J.P., a graduate of Texas Tech University and a former Army officer who earned a Bronze Star in 2014 in Afghanistan. Kathleen’s husband, Tom, is a retired fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot, and they reside in Colleyville, TX with their rescue dog, Denton. Kathleen is working on a new novel titled Seven Wings to Glory and is represented by Loiacono Literary Agency.

Johnnie Come Lately Book Summary:

Would life have been different for Johnnie if she'd been named after a woman rather than her dead uncle? Or if her mama hadn't been quite so beautiful or flighty? The grandparents who raised her were loving, but they didn't understand the turmoil roiling within her. And they had so many, many secrets.

Why did her mama leave? Would she ever return? How did her Uncle Johnny really die? Who was her father? Now Johnnie Kitchen is a 43-year-old woman with three beautiful children, two of them grown. She has a handsome, hardworking husband who adores her, and they live in the historic North Texas town of Portion in a charming bungalow. But she never finished college and her only creative outlet is a journal of letters addressed to both the living and the dead. Although she has conquered the bulimia that almost killed her, Johnnie can never let down her guard, lest the old demons return. Or perhaps they never went away to begin with. For Johnnie has secrets of her own, and her worst fear is that the life she's always wanted--the one where she gets to pursue her own dreams--will never begin.

Not until her ghosts reveal themselves.

Price/Formats: $4.95 ebook, $9.75 paperback
Genre: Military Family, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction
Pages: 292
Publisher: Camel Press
Release: February 1, 2015
ISBN: 9781603812153

Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6J3DE8?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes & Noble buy link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/johnnie-come-lately-kathleen-m-rodgers/1120028327?ean=9781603812153

BAM buy link:
http://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=6197124450853&query=Johnnie+Come+Lately&where=All

This would be a great work for a reading group or book club, giving a variety of discussion opportunities.

Big Sale on Johnnie Come Lately......Now is your opportunity to own a copy.

This is a great opportunity to get a deal on this book, a Woman's contemporary and Military fiction. I will be posting my own review on July 14th. Take this opportunity to one up at reduced prices. 

The ebook normally retails for $4.95, but until July 31, 2015 the publisher is offering it at the specially reduced price of $2.99!

Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6J3DE8?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes and Noble buy link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/johnnie-come-lately-kathleen-m-rodgers/1120028327?ean=9781603812153

About the Book:

 

Would life have been different for Johnnie if she'd been named after a woman rather than her dead uncle? Or if her mama hadn't been quite so beautiful or flighty? The grandparents who raised her were loving, but they didn't understand the turmoil roiling within her. And they had so many, many secrets.

Why did her mama leave? Would she ever return? How did her Uncle Johnny really die? Who was her father? Now Johnnie Kitchen is a 43-year-old woman with three beautiful children, two of them grown. She has a handsome, hardworking husband who adores her, and they live in the historic North Texas town of Portion in a charming bungalow. But she never finished college and her only creative outlet is a journal of letters addressed to both the living and the dead. Although she has conquered the bulimia that almost killed her, Johnnie can never let down her guard, lest the old demons return. Or perhaps they never went away to begin with. For Johnnie has secrets of her own, and her worst fear is that the life she's always wanted--the one where she gets to pursue her own dreams--will never begin.

Not until her ghosts reveal themselves.

About the Author:

Kathleen M. Rodgers' stories and essays have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. Johnnie Come Lately is her second novel. She is also the author of the award-winning novel, The Final Salute, featured in USA Today, The Associated Press, and Military Times. She lives in a suburb of North Texas with her husband, a retired fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot, and their dog, Denton. 

About the Giveaway:

 

There is also a $25 Amazon.com gift card/PayPal cash giveaway going on at:
http://johnniecomelatelyblogtour.blogspot.com

The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel by Layton Green.

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel' by Layton Green.

Layton Green takes us deep into the underworld of drugs and murder in The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel.  When Grey is asked to look into the death of a friend by his old girlfriend, he can’t refuse. Little does he know that this cartel is run by a man known only as the General. a legend in the drug trade. He is invisible to those in the DEA who have been following the rumor of such a monster for years.

This character has combined religious ceremony using dark ceremonies as well as mythical assassins to keep the cartel in line and to keep all others away. He is ruthless but invisible. Also following the General are DEA agents Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano, who decide to hook up with Grey in his quest for information.


As the leads tend to create misdirection and the rumors of death by mysterious assassins continue to grow, Grey must rely on every investigation from his past to help them find this elusive yet invisible killer before he can kill again. His mentor is out of commission, yet Grey keeps him informed of the strange and shadowy secrets they are tracking. Viktor is unavailable, but his mind is as sharp as ever, and he helps guide them to connections where there seem to be nothing. The strange world of unusual religions happens to be Viktor’s specialty, and he has contacts and knowledge that keep Grey on track.

With all the help at his disposal can Grey find the General and keep the deaths from piling up?  Can he find the answers behind the mythical assassins before they strike again?

Green gives us characters that have guts and a strong survival instinct. They are smart and at times extremely dangerous. While many of the thugs are just that, they are always controlled by their own fears, and Green gives us that scary individual that hangs out in your nightmares in the form of the General.  His character Grey is quite heroic but also very caring about people. Those he cares about have a champion, but those he is after understand his drive, so he is constantly in danger. Green portrayal keeps you guessing.

If you enjoy mystery and things that go bump in the night you will enjoy The Shadow Cartel. Dominic Grey is an investigator with heart, and his past as well as his elusive mentor keeps him ahead of many of the situations. This is an exciting work and if you enjoy the characters you will be looking for Green’s past work as well.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.

Rating 4/5

Pleasantville by Attica Locke

Posted first to blog Critics as Book Review: 'Pleasantville,' A Novel of suspense by Attica Locke.

Attica Locke takes us into a shadowy world full of money, lies and secrets in her newest novel, Pleasantville. For Jay Porter, after a case that defines his career in the past, he finds himself both broke and tired. Because of all the appeals in his case, he has not seen a dime. That also holds true for his clients who are beginning to get restless. Fifteen years is a long time to believe in a promise. His newest case representing Pleasantville, is taking time as well, and he is ready to be done. He wants to spend time with his children.

When a female campaign volunteer disappears on the night of the Mayoral election, he finds himself with another client. This client is the nephew and campaign manager for one of the candidates. As all the signs point to his guilt, can Jay dig deep within his own wilting strength to find the answers and help guide the police who are quick to judgment on the case, in the right direction?

As he moves to make his mark, slowly and inexorably someone is working behind the scenes to take over his most promising case and many of his clients who have become close to him over the years as they continue to fight corporate greed. This is the one case that can help him reach his goals, but with his embroilment in his new work he has missed the signs of unrest.

Can he deliver on his promises and get his clients what they deserve before his reputation is gone for good, and can he save a young man from a crime he did not commit?  Everything is beginning to point to the possibility of the cases being related. Can he find the answers before it is too late?

Locke has created a group of characters that are irascible and likable. Along with them she has also given us those who have an unsavory edge, always looking for the bottom line uncaring of human cost. She creates pressure and tenseness by introducing just how easy it is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But there is also that question of ‘what if.’ You are lead to believe in a certain way, but without having all the facts, the answer may be the wrong one.

Jay Porter is a hero with a very human face. His life was once about money but time has changed him, he is there to fight for his clients many of who now number his friends. He is flawed as most are but his depth of personality draws you in. Locke creates an unlikely underdog, one that you grow quite fond of as you follow his exploits.

If you enjoy legal mysteries and suspense then this is the work for you. Full of red herrings and questions you find yourself wondering if you have missed the most obvious of clues. Locke takes us into the background of money and shows us the shadowy underbelly.

This would be a great work for a reading group or book club.


Rating 4/5

Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Sugar' by Deirdre Riordan Hall.

In Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall we meet a young woman named Sugar Legowski-Gracia. Food is now a part of who she is, and while she is not as big as her mama, she is certainly on her way. Her mom is so heavy she no longer gets out of bed, and she is mean. Nothing that Sugar does is right, and even though she waits on her taking care of her, her mom is ungrateful.

Her brother is even worse, he is heavy, rude and crude, and his attitude even outdoes that of their mother. Life seems nothing but downhill.

When Sugar meats Even, his father was illiterate so the spelling is correct, she has her first opportunity to have a friend that sees her, not her weight, but the real her. As their friendship builds, Sugar finds that she has more control; she begins to think of the future, something that has always seemed beyond her.

Can she become the girl that Even sees beyond the mirror? She must decide soon or sink into the mire that has become her role in the family.

Hall gives us characters that are quite real. As you delve into her work you think back to those you have met, and you can see the same circumstances and personalities of some people in your own past. The hopelessness of the situation draws you in, making you feel the pain of rejection.

Introducing Even, a young man who looks deeper than most, she creates a shift in the reality of the darkness consuming her title character. You can feel a weight lifted, as hope and joy begin to bud. At the same time, strength must be found for to go against family and move in a differing direction takes fortitude.

If you enjoy literary works that make you think, works that create hope and courage, you will find this to be a great read. Hall has taken us into the mindset of lost hope and grief, and shown us around, while bringing us the light to see our way clear.

This would be a great book for a reading group or a discussion group. There is a great deal of controversial dialogue available.

Rating 4/5

Orient by Christopher Bollen

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Orient,' A Suspense by Christopher Bollen. 

In Orient by Christopher Bollen, we are introduced to a small town on Long Island. The wealthy from Manhattan have discovered the area and because of that the costs of housing has skyrocketed. Many of the new people are artists, but there are also those that have dug in and refuse to lose their homes to those who are trying now to oust them.

Things become unthinkable when a body is found in the water surrounding the area, and the same day a strange deformed animal corpse is also found on the beach. The rumors abound about the type of work being done in a nearby research lab. As the talk begins, Mills, a young orphan from the West with no ties to the town is suddenly looked at with suspicion. Beth, one of the original natives of Orient asks for his help in uncovering the truth of what is happening.

Bodies begin to pile up as all eyes begin to focus on Mills, he is the stranger and it is only after his appearance that the strange happenings begin to gather strength. Can he and Beth find the answers before it is too late? Already he is targeted, and has nowhere else to turn.

Bollen has given us a story of greed and suspense. Using the fear of the unknown and taking advantage of the local’s gossip he has given us a great cast of suspects as well as individual characters that make you wonder. As each character is filled in, he takes you just a smidgen further creating your own worry about what and who they are.

As the deaths continue to occur, he takes you further as you follow his characters of Beth and Mill as they transverse danger while they both try to keep Mills out of the clutches of the police. All eyes are pointed at him, and Beth feels there is more below the surface. The author creates that feeling of you being a part of that struggle to find the answers.

If you enjoy suspense and mystery you will find this an admirable addition to your library. Add a dose of quirky and absurd and you will find this to be interesting and a bit off kilter. Bollen crates a novel of tragedy and suspense holding you enthralled to the very end.

Rating 4/5

The Kindness, A Novel by Polly Samson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:' The Kindness,' A Novel by Polly Samson.

Author, Polly Samson, has given us a romance in real terms, one that follows the course of the most basic human characteristics. The Kindness takes us into a romance of passion and need, one that ends one relationship but begins anew in a whole new exciting desire and obsession.

Julian cannot take his eyes off Julia, his brief glimpse of her flying a hawk, has captured his imagination and passion. Searching to find her he is lost as he realizes he may never see her again. Chance brings them back into contact, and it is here that she too realizes the connection. Living an unhappy life, she is ready for more, and Julian is just the one she feels she has been looking for.

Together in London, their happiness only grows with the advent of a daughter, Mira. She completes the circle of love in a way that seems unbreakable.

When Julian has the chance to buy his remote boyhood home, he decides that all they need now is paradise, and he aims to please. His own blindness in the feelings of those around him only makes things more difficult. When Mira becomes ill, he finally learns the truth, a secret that changes everything.

Samson has given us ‘true to life’ characters with feelings. She creates the personalities in such a way that it is difficult to dislike them, creating your own ideas of what is truly going on. She has given us a haunting story of pleasure, disappointment, and family, one that immerses you into their journey.  She sprinkles it with grief and betrayal and in her masterful style she delivers a reconciliation of sorts.

This is a work of mystery and romance, of truth and trust, one that evolves and moves in waves of feelings. You think you understand and yet she plots the story so well that you are taken aback at the final reveal. If you are looking for that special book for your library this is the one.

The Kindness by Polly Samson would be a great book for a reading or book club. The depth and creative flaws of the characters will create a strong dialogue.

Rating 4/5