How To Grow An Addict

How To Grow An Addict by J.A. Wright. Berkeley:She Writes Press, 2015. 295 pages. *****

Randall Grange  has been tricked into admitting herself into a treatment center and isn't quite sure what she is doing there with the others because she only used drugs or alcohol to make herself feel okay. Randall's childhood gives new meaning to a dysfunctional family. Randall started stealing things at the age of seven and knew how to mix her father's drinks, just the way he liked them by the age of 8. In the third grade, she found out that she had a half-sister who just happened to be her teacher and in fourth grade she was shoplifting extracts and flavorings and soaking toothpicks in them   rather than chewing on her finger nails. Randall loved her Aunt Flo and Uncle Hank more than her own alcoholic father and detached mother, they were a stabilizing force in her life and loved her unconditionally. Randall's life was forever changed when Uncle Hank dies and Aunt Flo marries Reverend Bob, who seems to have a penchant for young girls, especially Randall. In therapy Randall realizes that she blames herself for her father's and Uncle Hank's deaths.  The pills and the booze help her sleep and it pisses her off that she is referred to as an alcoholic when she really preferred pills.

When I started reading this book, I thought it was a memoir rather than fiction. A riveting story of how a young girl by reasons of her circumstances and role models embraces a life of booze and pills. Seeking acceptance and love, she is willing to suppress her feelings and self-medicate. What is truly amazing about this story is the humor that carries the seriousness of the subject and in some ways, the ordinariness of the family and extended family members. The title is absolutely perfect for this story. Anyone who is a member of a large boisterous family will relate to the family gatherings and interactions. Well-written and so easy to be drawn into Randall's story and hard to put down once started.

I received an Advance Reader Copy for a review.

J.A. Wright was raised in the Pacific Northwest and moved to New Zealand in 1990. With more than thirty years in recovery from drug addiction, she's been crafting this novel for years.

all in her head

all in her head: a novel by Sunny Mera. Berkeley:She Writes Press, 2015. 173 pages. ****

Sunny chronicles her life from her childhood growing up in the Midwest with all of the trauma associated with a cheating father who gets banned from their church to the present day life as a loving wife who experiences postpartum depression and psychosis. Sunny is excited and scared about her life: acceptance into graduate school and finding out she is pregnant. When she experiences the psychological phenomena of orgasmic labor, Sunny enters a world in which she doesn't know reality from delusion. Is her doctor sending her messages of love and why won't he answer her? 

While this is a memoir based on Sunny's experiences, because she can't differentiate between what she experienced and reality, she chose to label it as fiction. A riveting story of mental illness, depression, fear, acceptance and love. Her immediate family supported her when her husband didn't want to hear what she had to say and they loved her unconditionally. An honest look into the world of depression and psychosis and will perhaps help other women and families who don't understand this phenomena, there was a documentary on this topic Orgasmic Birth. 

I received an Advance Reader Copy from BookSparks for a review.

In the "About the Author" Sunny explains "I was inspired to write the book after my diagnosis of severe mental illness and my battle with postpartum depression, psychosis, and delusional disorder." 

A Criminal Magic

A Criminal Magic: a novel by Lee Kelly. New York: Saga Press, 2016. 422 pages. ****

The 36th state ratifies the Anti-Sorcery Amendment on January 16, 1919. It's now the mid 1920s and Prohibition is in full swing in Washington, D.C.  The Roaring Twenties bring with them the lure of forbidden fruit and the temptation of escaping reality. The anti-sorcery activists have driven the magic underground and into the hands of gangsters and those controlling the profits from the sorcerer's shine. Joan Kendrick, a young independent sorcerer from Virginia, wants to make a better life for her sister and cousin so she accepts an offer to work for a crime syndicate. Alex Danfrey, with a troubled past in illegal activities, agrees to work as a Federal Prohibition Unit trainee and infiltrate the crime syndicate and gangs. Joan and Alex meet and form an instant bond. While harboring their secrets and reasons why they shouldn't be together, they confide in each other with disastrous results. 

I'm not sure what genre this story falls under, maybe a fantasy historical fiction. Instead of banning alcohol, magic is prohibited. All the elements of the crime underworld are historically portrayed in its ruthlessness and violence. Human life comes second to big profits and power. Joan and Alex are each drawn into this underworld for their own reasons and find the humanity in each other. While I had an initial difficulty getting into the story and plot (could have been my tiredness or the craziness of the season, it's Christmas week) once I understood what was going on, I was captivated and enjoyed the inventiveness of the author. Definitely worth a read. 

I received an Advanced Reviewer Copy from BookSparks for a review.

Lee Kelly has wanted to write since she was old enough to hold a pencil, but it wasn't until she began studying fir the California bar exam that she conveniently started putting pen to paper. An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. She lives with her husband and son in Milburn, New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @leeykelly and on her website at http://www.newwritecity.com.

Christmas Quilt

ISPY quilt for a younger member of the family, 143 (there is one duplicate, missed in the layout) squares of different objects on fabric. I received 5 inch squares from another Group and made two charity quilts with enough left over to start this one.  While at the Sewing by the Sea Retreat in October, the ladies joined into the fun and donated additional squares. I added black and white corners to relieve the "busyness' of the overall quilt. A backing of cars and trucks with a black and white checked binding, quilt is complete!

The Word Game

The Word Game: a novel by Steena Holmes. Seattle:Lake Union, 2015. 215 pages ****

There comes a time in every mother's life when she is faced with the choice of letting a child attend an event outside of her sight and control. Alyson Wood, based on her life experiences, agonizes over letting her daughter Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin's house. With her Aunt and Uncle as chaperones, Lyla should be safe and be able to enjoy herself. When Lyla confides to her mother and admits to being uncomfortable by some of the actions of the other girls and especially her friend Keera, Alyson feels compelled to share the information with her sister and her mother, not realizing the impact to her family and the community. Is Alyson overreacting or are the girls lying about what was said? 

Holmes tackles a sensitive subject and handles it well. I was immediately drawn into the story and wasn't initially clear as to who the bad guy is and whether there is going to be a surprise twist to the plot. What could have been an innocuous story about different parenting methods instead becomes a compelling story about secrets, deniability and family dynamics. Not an easy story to tell and to read, but once started, impossible to put down. 

I received a Reader's Copy from BookSparks and NetGalley for a review.

With a passion for story-telling, Steena Holmes took her dream of being a full-time writer and made it a reality, writing her first novel while working as a receptionist. She has written five books and won the National Indie Excellence Book Award in 2012 for her bestselling novel Finding Emma. Holmes currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs. When she's not traveling, she is either dreaming of a new adventure or writing about it.

The Black Velvet Coat

The Black Velvet Coat by Jill G. Hall. Berkeley: She Writes Press, 2015. 338 pages. *****

Anne McFarland, a struggling twenty-eight-year-old artist keeps hoping for a big break and longs for a one-woman show or at least to sell enough of her art to pay the bills. Spying a black velvet Dior coat in the window of Rescued Relics Thrift Shop, she can't resist trying it on and discovers to her delight a rhinestone snowflake pin on the rounded collar and a a brass key in the pocket. Buying it on impulse Anne is drawn into a fifty year old mystery about the coat's original owner, heiress Sylvia Van Dam. Sylvia's story provides the inspiration for Anne's best work and the path to a gallery show. Their two worlds intersect in a way that neither woman could have predicted and provides an unexpected twist to their lives.  

I really enjoyed this book. Told in the alternating voices of Sylvia and Anne, both strong women, their stories intrigued me and held my attention. Sylvia's haunting tale is the perfect muse for Anne's art and style which leads to her success as an artist and quest to find love. I was sorry to see the story end and it's always a good book when it leaves me wanting more. This is a first novel for Hall and I am predicting, it won't be her last. 

I received an Advance Reader Copy from BookSparks for a review. 

Jill G. Hall facilitates creativity groups for artists of all types and curates exhibitions at Inspirations Gallery, NTC at Liberty Station. Her poems have been published in A Year in Ink, Wild Women, Wild Voices, City Works Press, Serving House Journal and The Avocet. She resides in San Diego with her husband, Jerry, and beagle-bassett, Lucy. Learn more at Jill G. Hall.

The Last Dreamer

The Last Dreamer: a novel by Barbara Solomon Josselsohn. Seattle:Lake Union, 2015. 259 pages. ****

In this debut novel, Iliana Page has it all, but after 15 years, she is questioning her suburban housewife life. She loves her husband and children, is active in her community, has supportive friends and always thought she would return to her journalism career. Has life passed her by, is she "old school" and her main purpose now is to support her husband in his quest to get a promotion? Iliana revisits an old crush when she looks up the heartthrob star of an old TV show on the Internet and discovers that he lives in New York. Is this the break that will get her byline back, TV star becomes successful businessman of a textile company? Through miscommunication and luck, Iliana scores an interview and discovers that he is as attractive and charming as she hoped. Iliana has to decide whether to risk her safe life in the suburbs or to follow her dreams.

Who hasn't Googled old boyfriends or been curious about people from the past? I found the story to be believable and understandable. Some woman who have a career that they love and give up to be a stay at home Mom probably expect to return to that career at some point. I know I did and was fortunate enough to be able to do so, I was really cheering Iliana on in pursuing her lead story. An enjoyable, entertaining read.

I received an Advance Reader's Copy from BookSparks for a review.

Barbara Solomon Josselsohn is a magazine writer specializing in articles and essays about home and family. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Consumers Digest, Parents, American Baby, was well as on numerous websites. She and her husband live in Westchester County, New York, and have three children and a lovable shih-poo. The Last Dreamer is her first novel.