Olivia by Julie Wright

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Feb 212012
 

 Olivia

Author: Julie Wright

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 2012

Softcover: 211 pages

Part of the Newport Ladies Book Club Series

FTC FYI: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary:  The Robbins household looks perfect from the outside: no dust, no stains, no wrinkles. Yet a glimpse into its heart reveals no laughter, no closeness, no joy. Olivia thinks that if she keeps everything tidy and serves delicious meals on time, family life is bound to get better. But when her husband, Nick, misses their anniversary, she realizes no amount of domestic success will compensate for failure in their marriage, or for her own failure to develop her identity, always busy as a mother, wife, and neighbor, she has forgotten how to be a unique and vibrant individual. Determined to make a change, Olivia joins a local book club, where she nurtures new friendships and explores new ideas. But her growing confidence falters when Nick declares his independence, and while her new friends lovingly encircle her with support, only Olivia can reach into the depths of her fledgling self to find the faith, hope, and love her troubled family needs.

After her disappointing anniversary dinner, Olivia tries to put it behind her.  Nick doesn’t even acknowledge their anniversary even passed.  Out running errands one day she sees a flyer taped to a door.

Looking for serious readers to join the Newport Ladies Book Club. Women only!  Eating and good conversation!  Space limited.

Olivia thinks of all the things that she needs to do.  Soccer games, schedules, dry cleaner runs, grocery shopping, school functions, Junior League meetings.  The list goes on and on.  Thinking of all that makes her tired.  Even the thought of her own lonely home makes her hurt.  After much inward discussion, Olivia decides to join the book club.  Meanwhile, her family life doesn’t improve.  Nick is still standoffish, and his silence is deafening.  Olivia wishes she knew what was wrong with him.  Nick was married before.  His two children from “The Ex”, Jessica and Kohl, feel his separation too.  Jessica is trying to plan a going away party for Kohl, who joined the marines to pay for college.  He is being sent to Africa.  Nick doesn’t want anything to do with him, Livvy wants to figure out why.  But it could cost Livvy her marriage.

Nick calls Livvy “The Giving Tree”.  Giving and giving until there is nothing left.  She calls him on that, and says he is the boy in the story.  Who takes all he can.  Nick also teases her about finding new friends.  Making her feel more hesitant and insecure.  Book club changes all that for Livvy.  It gives her confidence and courage.

I loved this book.  I loved loved Livvy.  She is too funny sometimes.  She talks to herself and always hears her mother’s words in her head.  I loved how she decides to do what she wants anyway, without Nick, to show her kids that life goes on.  And that’s not just joining the book club.  They go on picnics to the beach together, and do things the family hasn’t done in years.  I liked how flashbacks were used subtly.  I felt they never took me away from the story, and kept the current situation in my mind.  I was very proud of the woman that Livvy was at the end.  I loved (wow, saying that a lot) the other ladies in the book club too.  Especially Ruby.  I just wanted to give her a hug.  Each woman became a force in the book club, and they all grow to love each other.  Realizing that they need other too.

I’m excited for the other stories to be told in the series. Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack comes out in June 2012.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  Olivia is a must read for Julie Wright fans.  She does an amazing job with each character.  The story is told so beautifully, I didn’t want it to end.  When I did get there, I loved how Olivia’s story finishes.  So well written.

Find out more about The Newport Ladies Book Club here.  Follow Julie Wright on Facebook and Twitter.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON / SEAGULL / DESERET BOOK

 

 

 

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Guest Author Thursday: Julie Wright

 Posted by  Guest Author Thursday, Special Features
Feb 162012
 

Today we welcome Julie Wright to the the blog. Julie is the author of several novels, including My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life, Eyes Like Mine, Cross My Heart (for which she won a Whitney Award in Romance), Hazzardous Universe, and her newest release, Olivia.

Julie is one of the sweetest and most sincere people I have ever met. She’s a dedicated wife and mother, has a great sense of humor, and is generous with her time and talents.

Leave a comment and help us show Julie how much we love and appreciate her!

Keep reading for the Olivia Launch Party details.

*  *  *  *  *

Top Ten Reasons You Should Be An Author

At every signing I go to, a random stranger will confess their longtime dream of becoming a writer. I think they believe somewhere in the backs of their skulls that trying to peddle your art in a bookstore signing for several hours is glamorous. Don’t judge them . . . let them have their dreams.

Though the reality is that signings are frightening, wretched, degrading sorts of things, there really are perks to the whole writer thing.

Top ten reasons you should be an author:

1. It’s one of the few jobs that can be done in your pajamas.

2. When your spouse comes homes and finds you lounging around on the couch with a book in your hand, you can always smile and say, “I’m studying my genre.”

3. No one gives you a second glance when you start talking to yourself, because that’s just what crazy writers do.

4. You can write off vacations from your taxes as research as long as you use the locations in your writing.

5. It’s one of the few jobs (besides being a lawyer or politician) where you get paid to make things up.

6. If you’re in a foul mood, you can blame it on your characters misbehaving, or on a cruel Goodreads review.

7. Unlike reality, you have time to come up with smart remarks and clever comebacks so your characters can always sound brilliant even if you don’t.

8. You get to throw around words that make you sound important like, “My editor,” or, “My agent,” when you’re talking to people who were jerks to you in high school.

9. You can count the hours you spend messing around on Facebook as important marketing time.

10. If someone ticks you off you can write them dead in your next book.

Writing has been a million shades of awesome for me, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve met some of my best friends on the planet through writing and cannot imagine my life without them. And there is something truly humbling about reaching the end of your story and realizing that you accomplished something many people will talk about but never actually do.

My shameless plug: We are celebrating the release of the Newport Ladies Book Club! It’s Olivia’s launch party! What makes the Newport Ladies Book Club unique to everything else out there is that it’s written by four different authors through four parallel books following four different characters whose lives intersect in a few places but who have their own perspectives and struggles. Mine is Olivia and is in stores now. Daisy, written by Josi Kilpack, will be out in June. Paige by Annette Lyon and Athena by Heather Moore will be released before the end of 2012. It’s exciting to be part of something so different and fresh and yet something that gives me a greater appreciation for womanhood and friendship. We’re hoping everyone will be as excited by it as we are.

The Newport Ladies Book Club: Olivia Launch Party Details:

Saturday, February 18th 1-3 PM

Deseret Book 1110 FORT UNION BLVD MIDVALE, UT 84047

There will be food and prizes and fun and BOOKS! (food is mini cheesecakes, because I rock)

Please come join me in the celebration!

The Robbins household looks perfect from the outside: no dust, no stains, no wrinkles. Yet a glimpse into its heart reveals no laughter, no closeness, no joy. Olivia thinks that if she keeps everything tidy and serves delicious meals on time, family life is bound to get better. But when her husband, Nick, misses their anniversary, she realizes no amount of domestic success will compensate for failure in their marriage, or for her own failure to develop her identity, always busy as a mother, wife, and neighbor, she has forgotten how to be a unique and vibrant individual. Determined to make a change, Olivia joins a local book club, where she nurtures new friendships and explores new ideas. But her growing confidence falters when Nick declares his independence, and while her new friends lovingly encircle her with support, only Olivia can reach into the depths of her fledgling self to find the faith, hope, and love her troubled family needs. http://thenewportladiesbookclub.blogspot.com/

 *  *  *  *  *

Thank you, Julie!

 

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Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright and Kevin Wasden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Sep 092011
 

Hazzardous Universe

Authors: Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: March 2011

Softcover; 240 pages

Genre: Middle-grade Fantasy

ISBN#: 978-1608612062

Reviewed by: Sheila

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy at Julie and Kevin’s book launch.

A guy who works in his grandfather’s magic shop expects weird things to happen. But Hap Hazzard has never had a day like this. First, a freaky old man in a cape who calls himself “Torval” visits the shop and somehow makes a trash can explode. Then Torval delivers an ominous message to Hap’s grandfather, upsetting the old man so badly that he yells at Hap for the first time ever. Next, this girl Tara shows up to apply for a job, and for reasons Hap can’t understand, his cool magic tricks send her away in tears. But that’s nothing compared to what happens next. Under orders to apologize to Tara, Hap searches for the girl. But he can barely say he’s sorry before three spaceships appear, the biggest of the three looking like a burnt slice of pizza.

The weirdness only ramps up as Hap and Tara soon find themselves aboard the pizza-shaped ship piloted by a pair of aliens. Even though they were accidentally abducted, the two humans are now forced to join an out-of-this-world mission that includes razor-toothed multilingual beetles, a psychic queen bee, manic ape frogs, a coveted crystal, and a hundred other bizarre things that just might make sense-if Hap could only remember and understand Torval’s cryptic message. Join Hap and Tara as they begin a fantastic journey into the far reaches of the universe.

As a 2nd grade teacher I try to read as many books as possible that my students may like reading. Parents always ask me, “What books should I buy for my child?” I never like to answer, “Well I’ve heard that _________ is a good book, but I haven’t read it yet.” Seriously, that is not what they want to hear.

As I read a Middle-Grade book (books written for children ages 8-12), I try to read it from their perspective. In fact, I try to do this with any genre book that I read. I focus in on the target audience and judge/critique from their standards; what they like and would want to read. So, as I read Hazzardous Universe I shifted my thinking to my students. I knew right away that they would love this book! This age group (8-12 year old crowd) is so into space (Star Wars) and aliens. The idea of traveling on a space ship and exploring the Universe is right up their alley. There are great creatures and interesting planets to explore. Wonderful characters, Hap Hazzard and his eventual friend, Tara, learn some good lessons as they take a ride on Nana, the pizza shaped ship. I especially enjoyed the character of Mosh.

I have read books written by Julie Wright before, but this was a new adventure for her writing this Middle-Grade book. It is amazing what she has done with this story. Kevin Wasden, the illustrator, came up with the sketches for Hap and his alien friends back in 1993. When he met Julie, many years later, he knew that she was the one he wanted to write Hap’s story. The illustrations are really wonderful. You can see them by watching the book trailer.

There is a fun contest going on at their website: http://www.hazzardousuniverse.com Here is what it says on the blog.

“Kevin and I are in the process of creature creation for book HU3 (that doesn’t sound as cool as HU2, does it? I’ll work on it). This is your chance to get your work in a book! Draw us a picture of an alien creature. It can be as wacky or cool as you’d like. Give us a paragraph of background description on what your creature eats, where it lives, and what its life is like. The contest will run from September 1st through February 14th of 2012. Why February 14th, you ask? Well, because it’s Valentine’s Day, and I LOVE aliens, of course!

The winner of the contest will get a totally out of this universe T-shirt featuring Hap Hazzard and his cohorts, free copies of HU1, HU2 and HU3 when they are released, and your creature featured in HU3.”

To read more about it, head on over to their website for additional details.

I also want to thank Julie for coming to my school for an author visit. The kids loved her!! She got them excited about her book and about believing in themselves. Julie gave a super presentation!

If you would like to purchase Hazzardous Universe, (and why wouldn’t you?), click here.

Last, but not least, meet Julie and Kevin.

Julie Wright has written over a dozen books, but especially loves writing about the fantastic. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves life and everything life has to offer, except mayonnaise and mosquitoes. She especially loves reading, eating (especially ice cream), writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch videos. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner.

Visit her at her website: www.juliewright.com

Kevin Wasden has an overactive imagination, is unable to sit through meetings without drawing, and tends to be silly at the most inopportune moments. He is an advocate of creativity in education and enjoys speaking to youth, writers, artists, and educators. He studied illustration at Utah State University and has studied figure-drawing and painting from the exceptional figure artist, Andy Reiss, in New York City. Kevin teaches visual art at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts.

Website: www.kevinwasden.com
Blog: kevinwasden.blogspot.com

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To-Read Tuesday 8.23.2011

 Posted by  Special Features, To-Read Tuesday
Aug 232011
 

If you could read only ONE book from your to-read list, what would it be and why?
What are you looking forward to? Is it a sequel? Have all of your friends read it and you’re tired of being the odd one out? Is there a movie being released that is based on the book? Are you in love with the cover? Leave the link to your To-Read Tuesday blog post or just tell us which book you would read and why in the comments below.

Shanda

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My book club is reading The Help this month in honor of the movie being released. I’ve been wanting to read it for so long and everyone I’ve talked to has loved it.

Sheila

Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright

I have had this book since March. I can’t wait to read this new genre for Julie. I have loved all of her other books, and have a feeling I will also love this new book.

Mindy

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I loved the first books in the Mortal Instruments series. Excited to see what happens next.

What book on your to-read list are you really wanting to read next?

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Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright and Kevin Wasden – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 102011
 

11 days until summer!

Julie Wright has written over a dozen books, but especially loves writing about the fantastic. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves life and everything life has to offer, except mayonnaise and mosquitoes. She especially loves reading, eating (especially ice cream), writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch videos. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner.

Visit her at her website: www.juliewright.com

Kevin Wasden has an overactive imagination, is unable to sit through meetings without drawing, and tends to be silly at the most inopportune moments. He is an advocate of creativity in education and enjoys speaking to youth, writers, artists, and educators. He studied illustration at Utah State University and has studied figure-drawing and painting from the exceptional figure artist, Andy Reiss, in New York City. Kevin teaches visual art at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts.

Website: www.kevinwasden.com

Blog: kevinwasden.blogspot.com

Julie Wright has published 6 books and Kevin Wasden has done professional illustrating for 17 years.

Learn more about Hazzardous Universe on www.hazzardousuniverse.com and on Facebook.

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

JULIE: Young Adult fantasy or Science Fiction.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

JULIE: The Guardians and the Hidden Scepter by Frank Cole, Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, and My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite outdoor cooking recipe? (Can be grill, campfire, Dutch oven, etc.)

JULIE: Take out. :)

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

JULIE: Sunshine, ocean, sand, and a book.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much. Enjoy your summer!

Hazzardous Universe (Covenant; March 2011) is available for purchase at Amazon.

Where do you get your favorite summer take-out?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

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Two great romances & six reasons why you should read them- Courting Miss Lancaster & Cross My Heart

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jan 172011
 

If you usually shy away from romance, give me a few minutes to change your mind. Or at least tell you why you should give these two books a chance.

In the past week I read two novels that reminded me why I love a good romance story. One is a regency-era romance that is certain to be enjoyed by fans of Jane Austen, the other a contemporary romance that is both fresh and fun.

If that’s not incentive enough for you, let me give you six more reasons to read Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden and Cross My Heart by Julie Wright.

1) The Authors

Having met and spent several hours in the company of both Sarah and Julie, I can say without a doubt that they are two of the sweetest, most intelligent, authentic and witty women I know. I’m not just saying this because I think they might read this (we won’t talk about the $20 Sarah slipped me under the table- uh, I mean, what $20?)

Sarah has thoroughly researched the Regency Era and it shows in how well she writes her characters and setting. Julie embraces who she is, imperfections and all, and it makes her, and her characters, highly relatable. Both of these women do what they do–write what they write–because they must. They love it. The result: enjoyable, unforgettable stories.

2) The Setting

Courting Miss Lancaster takes place in Town during the Little Season. I love that Sarah gives her readers just enough detail to set the mood and lets the imagination do the rest. It keeps the flow of the story practically seamless. What makes the setting feel so authentic? How Sarah uses the words. The characters’ internal dialogue is as authentic-sounding as the conversations. Never once did I feel pulled from the story because of an out-of-time sounding phrase.

The majority of Cross My Heart takes place in Boston, MA, and the surrounding area. The main character’s love for the Boston area is obvious as she is willing to resort to a college-days menu of noodles for a place in the Back Bay and a view of the Charles River. At first she avoids the tourist attractions in and around Boston, which in turn made me even more curious about them.

3) The Heroes

No brooders here. In fact, both heroes are down to earth, sincere, and a bit unsure. Oh, and funny. I love a man with a sense of humor. Both have just the right amount of sweet, as well. What I loved the most about the heroes in both books is that they were good friends to the heroines. Was there chemistry and attraction? Oh yeah. First, though, there was friendship.

4) The Humor

I am glad to know Sarah for many reasons, and one is her sense of humor. Sign up for one of her classes at a writing conference and you will see what I mean. Let me give you an example from Harry’s thoughts in Courting Miss Lancaster:

“He knew Persephone had a good head on her shoulders, and he suspected Athena did as well. One could not, after all, be named for the Greek goddess of divine intelligence and be a complete featherhead.”

As for Julie, this girl is a blast to hang with. I have pictorial proof right here. She keeps the balance between serious and funny in Cross My Heart, and in some cases with Jillian’s mother, shock and laughter. I enjoyed the banter between Jillian and the main love interest.

5) The Heriones

Athena is young and a little naive, but in no way a “featherhead.” In fact, the heroines in both books are very intelligent. Athena had her romantic fantasy of a knight on a white steed, imagining she would know her true love the first time their eyes met from across the ballroom. She realizes rather quickly that she had better learn what she does want as fast as she was learning what she didn’t want after meeting a series of gentlemen with rather undesirable characteristics.

Jillian is in advertising and has a knack for knowing what a client will go for. She watches television for the commercials, reads magazines for the ads (which she then edits), and has survived many company layoffs. When another ad agency starts winning away clients using suspiciously similar ideas, Jillian’s boss sends her back to Boston to save their biggest accounts. She knows her stuff. She’s professional yet feminine, even if she does wear a lot of black. She might not always be the most tolerant person in the world, but she tries. She appreciates her family and friends even when they are embarrassing her, and vice versa.

6) The Romance

What is a romance without chemistry? Not a romance. However, there can be too much of a good thing. Not so in Courting Miss Lancaster or Cross My Heart.

Harry’s interest in Athena is known from the first pages of the book. He does not have a fortune, however, and is therefore ineligible to court Athena. He is asked by his good friend and Athena’s guardian, Adam, Duke of Kielder, to sort through the unsuitable prospects and find an acceptable husband for her. Harry accepts, knowing what torture it will be to spend so much time with Athena, yet wanting to make sure she finds a husband worthy of her. There is one particular scene near the end of the book that tops my chart of most romantic scenes ever. Yep. Ever.

Julie effectively and consistently sprinkles the chemistry-filled moments throughout Cross My Heart. To me, it’s the little things that make all the difference, and all those little things come together for a first kiss that is unforgettably romantic.

Despite all of the romancing going on, neither of these books ever felt unrealistic or over-the-top. Both have earned a spot on my bookshelf, and I look forward to reading them again. Many more times.

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