Book Review: Dear Emma by Katie Heaney

This is rather charming and sweet – recommended for those who enjoy YA/coming of age.

Dear Emma
by Katie Heaney

File Size: 2151 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (March 1, 2016)
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
ASIN: B0112T4ZLW
Genre: Coming of Age
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Harriet, the author of her college newspaper's pseudonymous student advice column "Dear Emma," is great at telling others what to do, dispensing wisdom for the lovelorn and lonely on her Midwestern campus. Somehow, though, she can't take her own advice, especially after Keith, the guy she's dating, blows her off completely. When Harriet discovers that Keith has started seeing the beautiful and intimidating Remy, she wants to hate her. But she can't help warming to Remy, who soon writes to "Dear Emma" asking for romantic advice.

Now Harriet has the perfect opportunity to take revenge on the person who broke her heart. But as she begins to doubt her own motivations and presumably faultless guidance, she's forced to question how much she really knows about love, friendship and well-meaning advice.

Review:
Emma is the pseudonym for Harriet, a sophomore at college. The advice she gives in the college newspaper is direct, logical and mostly fair. In spite of her skill on the articles, Harriet can't give, or take, the same smart advice for issues in her own life.

Harriet shares an apartment with two other sophomores, Mel and Logan. They share studying, partying, fashion tips and, of course, romantic support and advise.

Harriet meets Keith in a class and they begin to "hangout". Things seem to be going well until he stops texting and calling and pretty much ignores her in class. This turn of events is hard enough to deal with but then Harriet sees him out with Remy, a beautiful girl who is now working beside Harriet at the library. Should she warn her? Should she seek some type of revenge? Would she take Keith back if she could?

The writing is clear, crisp and the tone appropriate for college students. I did not immediately get the connection between Harriet and Emma but had to chuckle when I did. There are moments I smiled, although there were more moments that I shook my head and winced. It has been many years and I don’t think I relate well to high school or college romance anymore.

I think when I accepted this title for review I was hoping for more than teen or young adult dating angst. Unfortunately, my hopes were not realized. The best parts of this novel for me were the “Dear Emma” letters and replies. I also liked the ending that develops for Harriet and Remy. While going through the book I really wanted to get to the end and I didn’t like that attitude. It clearly reminds me why I don’t usually read coming of age or YA stories. They just don’t hold my attention.

In retrospect, as I am thinking of the story, I am thinking kind thoughts for a sweet book. I do think this is a good read for younger readers or those who do enjoy YA/coming of age stories.

I received this from Grand Central/Hachette through NetGalley for an honest review. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and Alphabet Soup.

Audio Book Review: Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1 by Sarah Noffke

The is a dystopian YA with nice characters and an interesting plot.
Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1
Written by: Sarah Noffke
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
Series: Reverians, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-11-16
Publisher: Sarah Noffke
Genre: Teens, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. Em is a Defect - one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead - but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.
©2015 Sarah Noffke (P)2016 Sarah Noffke

Review:
Em is an independent teen in a community that demands submission and compliance to the leaders' directives and goals. The Reverians are the privileged citizens, the Dream Travelers, who have special talents. The varying skills include mind reading, ability to predict the future, ability to generate fire, super attuned senses and more. The people without such talents are "Middlings" who work as servants under the control of the privileged class.

When Em reached puberty without exhibiting her talent, she was placed in a program with others of similar deficiency. They receive painful injections designed to help encourage the development of their gift. Or so they have been told. Over the past few years, as the program has grown, the youths have been named the "Defects".

Em begins to uncover secrets behind the true purpose of the lab and injections to the Defects. While investigating one day she comes upon a childhood friend, Rogue, whom she thought was dead for years. Em has the help of another young man, Zack, who clearly is interested in her and who was also best friends with Rogue.

A desperate situation escalates as the President announces the newest development to "help" the Defects, with Em designated as the first "lucky" recipient. If Em can escape the President and her father she will have to survive outside the community. And they will not want her alive, knowing her newly discovered abilities and with the knowledge of their monstrous secrets.

I liked the premise and it was presented well enough. The story pacing is good and the secrets, revealed bit by bit, maintained interest. Em is a likeable character as are Zack and Rogue. I just did not totally connect to understand why this was receiving rave reviews. I liked the dystopian elements, but I am guessing my standoffishness may be because of the YA elements. There is young teen romance, complete with first kiss, jealous siblings and jealousy and disappointment in a love triangle. I guess this is engaging for some audiences but it is not really my thing. I'm not sure I have enough interest to want to seek out the rest of the series.

Audio notes: I think Elizabeth Klett did a good job with the narration and presenting the voices and intensity of the story. Still, the narration didn’t help me connect with the story and I am not sure this wouldn’t have been better in print for me.

I received this from the narrator through Audiobook Blast. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge and Alphabet Soup challenge.

MBS February 2016 Reading Wrap Up

Martha's Bookshelf February 2016

My goals are repeated below the book list. I was ahead by two in January but am down by five in FEBRUARY with a net down of three. Hopefully I will have a month or two that picks up the loss.
Total read = 10
Audio/Audible = 5
eBook = 2 (tour reviews)
NetGalley = 2
Print (LBC) = 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBR = 4 (obtained prior to 2016)
New to Me Authors = 7
Series Continued = 1

There were three 5.0 rated books in February and three 4.5 rated.

Code for the list is:
A = Audible     ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox    ABB = Audiobook BLast
E = eBook
NG = NetGalley
P = Print
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2016

1. P-LBC-TBR-- Book Review and Giveaway: Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (Romancing America); Inspirational Fiction; Christmas Romance; my rating 5.0.
2. ABJ-- Audible Book Review: Singular by David F. Porteous; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.25.
3. ABB-- Audible Book Review: Star Crusader: Hero of the Alliance by Michael G. Thomas; Sci Fi, Space Adventure; my rating 4.25.
4. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Emmy Nation: Undercover Suffragette (The Suffragette Nation Book 1) by L Davis Munro; Historical Fiction, Women's Suffrage; my rating 5.0.
5. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: Classic Love Poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning and others; Poetry; my rating 5.0.
6. E(Tour)-- Book Review: Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.5.
7. ABJ-- Audible Book Review: The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1 by Andrea Perno; Fantasy, Young Adult; my rating 4.0.
8. E(Tour)-- Book Review and Feature: City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold; Mystery Thriller; my rating 4.25.
9. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14, by J.D. Robb; Mystery Thriller, Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
10. NG-- Book Review: The God's Eye View by Barry Eisler; Suspense Thriller, Political; my rating 4.5.

I have certain goals to reach my challenges and reading total for 2016.

The YEARLY reading goals:
Total = 180
Audio =  72
NetGalley = 42
Print = 12
Tours = 24
Ladies Book Club (LBC) = 12
Mixed in (hopefully includes TBR books I've won) = 18

My TBR goal is to read at least 100 from my shelves, whether Audible, Kindle, other ebook or print.

This breaks down roughly to 15 books on a MONTHLY basis in these formats (with TBRs, print, LBC and others overlapping at times):
Audio --  6
eBooks -- 2  (author review/tour or TBR)
NetGalley -- 3.5
TBR Print  --  1
TBR eBook -- 1
LBC -- 1
Other -- 1

Sunday Post March 6, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 7, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had another busy week and am still playing catch-up. Our son reported to his new base and our d-i-l and granddaughter are with him for the weekend. The girls will be coming back to spend another week with us.


Reading was good even with only two books finished. I am half way through two more. I finished one ebook and one audio again. I posted three reviews, one with giveaway, and I posted my other usual posts.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 28, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 29, 2016.

• March 2016 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge.

• Audible Book Review: Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14, by J.D. Robb; Mystery Thriller, Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: The God's Eye View by Barry Eisler; Suspense Thriller, Political; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 4, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/10/2016.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Christian, Military, Mystery Suspense; my rating 4.5. Open Print US; eBook Worldwide; Ending 3/14/2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #242 Comment Giveaway March 5, 2016. Ending 3/12/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 28, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MPE (ABB)

Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1
Written by: Sarah Noffke
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett
This is interesting and I will post my review this week.
I received this from the narrator through Audiobook Blast
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle + Print (LBC)

Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2)
by Ronie Kendig
My Ladies Book Club enjoyed this title. My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. ebook/Kindle (NG)

Dear Emma
by Katie Heaney
This started slowly for me but now I am well into it.
I received this from Grand Central/Hachette through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/ MP3 (TBR)

Agenda 21: Into the Shadows
Written by: Glenn Beck
Narrated by: Jeremy Lowell, January LaVoy
I am not quite midway and enjoying the dangerous escape.
I selected this from my Audible library for a TBR listen.
Publisher's Summary
The sequel to Agenda 21, from number-one New York Times best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck.
"I knew those men were our enemies, but they, like everyone else in the Republic, were nothing more than servants. Rule followers. They had no choice. But I did. I had a choice and I made it. I knew then and there that, no matter what happened, I would never go back. Never."
It was once named America, but now it is just "the Republic". Following the worldwide implementation of a UN-led program called Agenda 21, the once-proud people of America have become obedient residents who live in barren, brutal Compounds and serve the autocratic, merciless Authorities.
Citizens mainly keep their heads down and their mouths shut - but Emmeline is different. When the Authorities took her mother away, she started questioning the world around her. What happened to her mom? Why is everyone confined to grim living spaces and made to eat the same food cubes every day? Why was her own baby taken from her to be raised in the Children's Village? And are the rumors that somewhere out beyond the fence live those who got away during the Relocations - the so-called shadow people - really true?
When Emmeline's questions lead to the realization that she will never see her child again, she decides to escape the Compound with her partner David and their baby Elsa. Fleeing the armed enforcers of the Earth Protection Agency, and facing the unknown for the first time in their lives, Emmeline and David run into the shadows in the desperate hope of finding something they'd only heard stories about from those who'd lived before the Relocations: freedom.
©2015 Mercury Radio Arts, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2015 Simon and Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Path of the Bullet
by M C Jacques
This had to be pushed back for the other two that need to be read this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (Tour)

Those Who Walk In Darkness (Jacks Jackson Mystery Book 1)
by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene
I received this through Great Escape Book Tours for review on March 15, 2016.
Three years ago in 1867, Julia Jackson was a well to do young woman from Boston whose fiancé, Jonathon, was killed right before her eyes. Obsessed with finding the killer, a man whose face she saw only in a flash as he walked up and shot Jonathon, she leaves her family and her life behind. She starts a new life as ‘Jacks’ Jackson—a cigar smoking, dead eye, female Pinkerton agent…pretending to be a man.
Now Allan Pinkerton needs Jacks to find the man who kidnapped the wife and son of a railroad official, David Boyd. Their only clues are the severed finger from the man’s wife, complete with wedding ring, and a map of the Qualla boundary, the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina.
Jacks doesn’t like the way the whole thing sounds from the beginning. David Boyd isn’t important enough to target for a kidnapping. And why travel so far with two hostages?
But Pinkerton tells her that he believes the man responsible for the kidnapping worked with Jonathon’s murderer in a train robbery five years ago. Jacks agrees to go after the kidnapper with hopes of catching him before he can reach his home grounds.
Pinkerton insists that Jacks bring three men with her—Boyd, her new partner, and a Cherokee guide named Running Wolf, who’s always watching her, like he’s trying to figure it out.
Can Jacks catch the kidnapper with her secret—and her life—intact?

February 28, 2016- up to date -
Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.
I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted two reviews last week which leaves two for this week - once again up to date.
I don't think I will get too many TBRs this month as I have a month full of scheduled reviews:
Rel 3/1/16 Dear Emma by Katie Heaney - (NG) from Grand Central Publishing
3/5 Ladies Book Club - Talon
3/15 Those Who Walk In Darkness (Jacks Jackson Mystery Book 1)
by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene - Great Escape Book Tours
3/17 Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley – (NG) through Caffeinated Book Reviewer
3/24 The Ethical Coach Leader by Dwight Johnson - through iRead Book Tours
Rel 3/29/16 The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton – (NG)

In addition to those I have five more author reviews committed with no specific dates. Plus my NetGalley shelves with 10 books.

This week we added one of our childrens' titles at eTreasure's NetGalley:
Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story
by Clara Bowman Jahn and Susan April Elwood

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two new tour review titles this week.
TBR Triple Dog Dare update: It has been 66 days and I only bought one $.99 Kindle book.
However, I am looking at just succumbed to buying four Audible books on sale for $5.95.
I haven't selected my February Audible titles yet but most likely this week. :-).
I did add more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two titles by the same author to review through iRead Book Tours.

The Path
by Peter Riva
I enjoyed a mystery by this author and was interested in his sci fi series so I am glad to be reviewing books 1 and 2.
The first will be for April 21.
"All life on earth is about to be terminated by an entity as old as the galaxy itself. To make matters worse, Simon has broken everything already."

The second book will be for review on May 3.

Reaching Angelica

by Peter Riva
"For fans of cyberpunk and classic science fiction, Reaching Angelica is the second book in Peter Riva’s Tag series, the comic, thrilling, and continuing saga of Simon Bank—ex–master system computer wrangler and very unlikely savior of the universe."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I ended up buying four Audible titles on sale for $5.95 each
A Voice in the Wind -- Christian Fiction set in Ancient Rome
Written by: Francine Rivers
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

The Reaper: Autobiography of One of the Deadliest Special Ops Snipers
Written by: Gary Brozek, Nicholas Irving
Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

H Is for Hawk -- Memoir of bereavement turned to training a Hawk.
Written by: Helen Macdonald
Narrated by: Helen Macdonald

Death World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 5 I have books 1-3 so thought I'd get this on sale.
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Free

Over the past week I added 53 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 6, 2016

We had another good morning at church. We continued discussing Romans 12:12, moving on to the second phrase which reads “…persevering in tribulation,…” Other verses talk about us enduring hardship - 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4. Paul was writing from experience, explaining how to live and relate to others in the Christian life.  Although we have troubles we have already been told that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28. That raises the question of “how is your attitude”?

Hardships make us dependent on God. Even mature Christians need to recognize that they are dependent on Him. He may use trials to reveal God's character. He wants His children to appreciate all that He has given them. He perfects us through our weaknesses and we are to be careful to remain humble and give Him the thanks and glory. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Our Pastor’s sermon followed this theme. It was titled: “Just a Little More Time” and was based on the story of King Hezekiah found in 2 Chronicles 32:24 – 26. Hezekiah was a good King who removed the false worship and idols from the land. God have him wealth and victory over King of Assyria. But when it came time for Hezekiah to die, he prayed to God for more time. God granted the prayer with 15 more years.

Unfortunately, instead of giving thanks and glory to God, Hezekiah boasted to the visiting Babylonians of his treasury and successes, thus setting the country up for their attack. Hezekiah’s pride brought about the destruction of his kingdom. When he repented, God delayed the consequences, but still those consequences came in time. The lesson is one of caution: How vigilant are you? Are you seeking to serve God, do His will and give Him glory, or are you in danger of experiencing shipwreck? Humble yourself to His guidance and direction.

This is a good song recognizing God’s promise
and recognizing that His Grace is Enough!

Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.


I give you Thanks Lord that you have blessed me throughout my life. Guide me Each and Every Day and let me never forget that I have no success in school or life that isn’t the result of Your Blessings.