Looking for a sentimental story? Then check out my review of  The Art of Hearing Heartbeats over at City Book Review. You won’t be sorry!

WOW! If you enjoy reading and you’re looking to find new books that tickle your fancy, check out the February edition of the Sacramento Book Review. This issue has 83 jam-packed pages of reviews. Three of my reviews are in the print edition:

• Pickles, Please: A Dilly of a Book (children’s literature)
• Microstyle: The Art of Writing Little (reference)
• Saints Preserved (religion)

When I picked up Sere Prince Halverson’s The Underside of Joy, I immediately felt connected with Ella, the MC whose world is about to be turned upside down. See, things aren’t perfect in her marriage, yet, this smart woman ignores some of the telltale signs of trouble signaling her world is about to unravel.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow…”

But what happens when tomorrow never comes for one of the parties in that discussion? Ella’s husband, Joe, dies in a freak accident, leaving her to raise her two stepchildren. Who shows up at the funeral? Paige, Joe’s ex-wife, who abandoned her family a few short years earlier. Paige insinuates herself back into her children’s lives, threatening to take custody of Annie and Zach, leaving Ella with an empty nest and heart.

As Ella discovers a mountain of debt and a handful of half-truths, she questions her marriage and the motives of the man she loved. Can she save the family business? Will she lose the children she loves as her own? Will Ella forgive her husband?

As I began reading, I could not believe many of the parallels between the book and my life. I, too, lost my husband when he died of complications from a stroke. We, too, had a floundering business. We amassed nearly $250,000 in business and personal debt. And we were a blended family, each bringing three children to the marriage. His kids lived with his ex-wife; mine, with us.

I understand what it’s like to be a mother and a stepmother, trying to find balance between being the parent figure and the other mother. It’s a fine line, a tightrope that stretches until you teeter off, maybe never finding your way back.

While I appreciate Halverson’s resolution, I’m not sure real life works that way. Sure, in my life, the animosity from the insecure ex was present, but she never would have admitted her failings, nor would she have let me raise her – and his - children.

I’m not sure I would have wanted to.

Beautifully written, with fantastic descriptions of setting. Imagine looking at a photograph and stepping into it. You can, when reading this.

Want to join in the discussion? Visit BlogHer Book Club!

I received a copy of this book, as well as payment, for participating in this review as part of BHBC.

I’ll be honest, up front, straight with you.

Historical fiction is not my favorite. No, not at all.

But as I’m reading Stella Duffy’s first historical undertaking (her 12th novel), I find myself drawn into the seedy, greedy underworld of the Byzantine Empire.

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore draws on the story of Theodora of Constantinople, a quick-witted young star of the Hippodrome, who charmed the crowd with her comedics and acrobatics.

After her father is killed by one of the bears he trains. Theodora, her sisters and their mother struggle in the mean streets of an emerging empire. Set against the religious backstory from this time period, Theodora seeks to find her own way on her own terms.

Sometimes, that’s difficult for this young girl-turned-woman who discovers she can wield her psychological and physical prowess to get what she wants. Eventually, it leads her to Justinian, and Theodora becomes Empress.

She’s a strong-willed woman living in a time when being touch was a required skill. The meek and mild did not survive.

I’ll also admit that in the first few pages, the story feels bogged down with thick, descriptive paragraphs establishing setting and motivation. But I soon realized that Duffy’s precision of langague created a vivid portrait of this rough-and-tumble world.

I’m fascinated with this fictional piece that reads like a biography. Duffy’s attention to detail makes Theodora a successful and mesmerizing read.

I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

Join in the discussion at BlogHer Book Club and share your thoughts!

                Can a pet lead you down the path to self-discovery? Julie Klam shares three poignant stories rescued dogs and their effects on her life in Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself.

                Klam opens her home – and heart – to unwanted canines. First, she describes how finding a stray pit bull tied to a sign post led Klam and her husband to discover what’s been missing in their relationship. She also shares a tale about Clementine, a fecally-incontinent adult dog, who she rescues while sending two of her permanent pups to doggie bootcamp. In the final story, Klam visits New Orleans and examines rescue efforts following Hurricane Katrina wiped out parts of the city.

                Each example builds a strong case of awareness about rescue organizations and empathy for foster homes that take in a pup until a permanent home can be located. I live in rural Nebraska, and we acquired our chocolate lab, Copper, after someone dropped her off at the end of our lane.  I’ve worked with a rescue operation once. I hauled a dog from Illinois to New York City during a long road trip.

                I admire Klam’s efforts, and Love at First Bark supplies honest dialogue about pet populations, pet health, and society’s sometimes lack of social responsibility. This is what stands out while I read. Rescue organizations for any type of animal do not get the credit or funding they so desperately need.

                Am I captivated by Klam’s storytelling? Not really. At times, it feels like the book wants to focus on her relationships with her family and the rescue dogs are part of the dog-and-pony show. For me, an emotional connection isn’t established. Sure, she’s building a correlation, an analogy of sorts, but parts of the book feel disjointed, especially the first part of the “Clementine” chapter.  Is the focus the non-existent Christmas chocolates or saving the life of this medically disabled dog?

                While the stories should touch your heart, I’m lukewarm about them and how they mended her relationships. I mean, c’mon. You complain because you’re broke and the money issue is causing major arguments with the hubs. Yet, you house and feed three dogs in your NYC apartment?  Plus there’s the whole issue about dog pee and poop in the house. At least Klam admits that she doesn’t enjoy dodging puddles and piles. But still…

                I’ll be honest. I’m not a dog person. Those fluffy cats capture my attention. To quote the laughable “Meet the Fockers,” “…cats make you work for their affection.”  Now, if Klam had written about saving a Siamese, I’d probably lap it up.

~~Want to discover more about Julie Klam or her Love at First Bark? Join the discussion at BlogHer Book Club or follow the discuss on Twitter. We’re using the #BHBC hashtag.

Disclosure: This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club, but the opinions expressed are my own.