Book Review: Louis & Louise (Contemporary Fiction)

Louis & Louise

by

Julie Cohen

Publisher: Orion
Publication date: 29th January 2019
Pages: 304
RRP: $29.99
Format Read: Trade paperback
Source: Courtesy of Hachette Aus via Books on the Rail

 

If you could look at one life in two different ways, what would you see?

Louis and Louise are separated by a single moment in time, a strike of chance that decided their future. The day they were born is when their story begun.

In one, Louis David Alder is born a male.
In the other, Louise Dawn Alder is born a female.

Louis and Louise are the same in many ways - they have the same best friends, the same parents, the same dream of being a writer and leaving their hometown in Maine as soon as they can. But because of their gender, everything looks different.

Certain things will happen in their lives to shape them, hurt them, build them back up again. But what will bring them back home?

 

 

Cohen’s idea of the same person living two lives, one as a female and one as a male simultaneously is novel and intriguing.

Louise Dawn Alder is born to Peggy and Irving Alder on 8^th September 1978 and

Louis David Alder is born to Peggy and Irving Alder on 8^th September 1978.

In the ensuing story the combined child is Lou. They pretty much do everything the same; climbing, whistling, talking but slowly small differences start to emerge by their 4^th year. Lou is best friends with twins Allie and Benny and it was interesting to see how the twin’s lives differed because of their friend’s gender.

The stories diverge at times and the chapters are headed by either Louise or Louis and we see how their lives take different paths, even though their dreams were very similar when they were younger, but it was not only Louis and Louise’s life that was altered but also those of the people around them. Showing how some choices have a domino effect, affecting others.

The town of Casablanca and the Paper Mill have important parts in the story. The residents of Casablanca, a small town in Maine, rely on the paper mill for their livelihood, either working in the mill or providing services to mill workers. The mill, owned my Lou’s grandfather is the lifeblood of the town but when the workers strike it tears the town apart and creates a rift in the friendship of Lou, Allie and Benny.

With a main theme of gender Cohen also explores small town communities, death, divorce, cancer clusters, love, pain and forgiveness.

A unique concept and emotively written, certainly food for thought. Do you treat your sons and daughters differently?

Content: coarse language

                  sexual references

                  violent scenes

My rating: 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

photo credit: Hachette Australia

 

Julie Cohen studied at Brown University, earning a summa cum laude degree with honours in English.

She moved to the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in English Literature at the University of Reading and this was followed by a career teaching English at secondary level.

She has written twenty books, including the Richard and Judy Book Club pick Dear Thing. She lives with her husband, a guitar tech for rock bands, and their son in Berkshire, where she writes full time.

 

 

Mailbox Monday - Feb 11th

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog. Head over and check out other books received during the last week.

I received three review titles this week:

Death on the Derwent by Robin Bowles
Publication date: 19th February 2019

When Bob Chappell disappeared from his yacht, moored in the Derwent Estuary near the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania's marina, on the night of 26 January 2009, he left behind his pipe and tobacco — something that his partner of 18 years, Sue Neill-Fraser, knew he would never willingly do. What she didn't know was that despite no body, no weapon, no cause of death, and no witnesses, she would soon become the only suspect in Chappell’s disappearance.

In their haste to wrap up the case, the police charged Neill-Fraser with murder. In her eagerness to assist police, she virtually talked her way into their hands. And after a lengthy trial that resulted in a guilty verdict, the judge delivered Neill-Fraser a crushing 26-year sentence.

But was the verdict unsafe? Many of Australia's leading legal minds have said her conviction is ‘the greatest miscarriage of justice since Lindy Chamberlain’. Other reasonable hypotheses have been mooted about what might have happened in the dark on the Derwent that night. The Tasmanian government has changed its laws to give Neill-Fraser one last crack at proving her innocence, because that is what it's come to now — proving her innocence.

Baby by Annaleese Jochems
Publication date: 5th march 2019 
 
Cynthia is twenty-one, bored and desperately waiting for something big to happen. Her striking fitness instructor, Anahera, is ready to throw in the towel on her job and marriage. With stolen money and a dog in tow they run away and buy ‘Baby’, an old boat docked in the Bay of Islands, where Cynthia dreams they will live in a state of love. But strange events on an empty island turn their life together in a different direction.

Baby is a sunburnt psychological thriller of obsession and escape by one of the most exciting new voices in New Zealand fiction.

The Glovemaker by Ann Weisgarber
Publication Date: 7th February 2019

In the inhospitable lands of the Utah Territory, during the winter of 1888, thirty-seven-year-old Deborah Tyler waits for her husband, Samuel, to return home from his travels as a wheelwright. It is now the depths of winter, Samuel is weeks overdue, and Deborah is getting worried.

Deborah lives in Junction, a tiny town of seven Mormon families scattered along the floor of a canyon, and she earns her living by tending orchards and making work gloves. Isolated by the red-rock cliffs that surround the town, she and her neighbors live apart from the outside world, even regarded with suspicion by the Mormon faithful who question the depth of their belief.

When a desperate stranger who is pursued by a Federal Marshal shows up on her doorstep seeking refuge, it sets in motion a chain of events that will turn her life upside down. The man, a devout Mormon, is on the run from the US government, which has ruled the practice of polygamy to be a felony. Although Deborah is not devout and doesn’t subscribe to polygamy, she is distrustful of non-Mormons with their long tradition of persecuting believers of her wider faith.

But all is not what it seems, and when the Marshal is critically injured, Deborah and her husband’s best friend, Nels Anderson, are faced with life and death decisions that question their faith, humanity, and both of their futures.  

  Whats arrived in my inbox this week.  

I  received this eBook through Lisa's newsletter. She often offers free and discounted books to her newsletter subscribers. You can subscribe on her website https://lisabthomas.com/
Lisa writes clean, traditional whodunits with a dose of humour.

 Sharpe Mind by Lisa B Thomas

Former teacher turned reporter Deena Sharpe craves more adventure than covering dull city council meetings in the small town of Maycroft, Texas. But when she follows a hunch to investigate a story lead, she finds a dead body and becomes suspect number one.

To make matters worse, a new psychic in town has residents on edge. Strange happenings multiply as quickly as the list of murder suspects, and Deena finds herself with more adventure than she had bargained for. No pedicure is too painful and no dumpster is too deep as Deena seeks to unveil the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
Sharpe Mind, Book 3 in the Cozy Suburbs Mystery series, offers readers a healthy dose of intrigue along with a generous sprinkle of humor. 

What I'm looking forward to reading. 
Here I choose one book from this week’s arrivals that I’m really looking forward to reading.

This week I have picked Death on the Derwent.  I don't read a lot of Non Fiction but this story has intrigued me as to how Sue Neill-Fraser was convicted with so little evidence. Watch out for my review.

What books did your postman deliver this week? Post a link to your Mailbox Monday or simply list your books in the comments below.



 


 

Book Review: Less You Know (Pyschological Suspense)

Less You Know

by 

Rowena Holloway

Publisher: Fractured Press
Publication date: 20th November 2018
Series: Ashes to Ashes #2
Pages: 319
Format Read: eBook
Source: Courtesy of author

 

 If everyone lies, who can you believe?

Journalist Charlotte Ashe unmasks the big lies. But uncovering this lie could endanger the one person she’s trying to save…

Charlotte is determined to expose Tyrone Garner—a former football star turned property developer and everyone’s darling. Everyone is wrong. But to prove he’s a fraud, she needs help.

Tired of her quiet life, Allie is thrilled to engage in a bit of espionage for her best friend Charlotte. Allie’s great with secrets. She’s guarded her own well.
Then the nightmare begins.

And the cracks start to show…

Allie vanishes.

Charlotte is desperate for clues. Is Allie alive or dead? What had she discovered that put her in danger? And how will Charlotte cope with her guilt? The more Charlotte learns about Allie’s secrets, the more she wonders how well she knew her best friend. And then she uncovers a lie so big she questions everything she believes…about Garner, Allie and herself.

Best friends share all their secrets… don’t they?

I will start by saying that I didn’t read book one in the Ashes to Ashes series and I was left totally confused at the beginning of book two as to what was going on as there are a few mentions of characters and events from the previous book that are paramount to the plot.

Charlotte’s friend Allie disappears right after she tells Charlotte she has important information on a story journalist Charlotte is chasing.

The story follows Charlotte as she tries to find out what happened to Allie. As more and more information is uncovered Charlotte wonders if she really knew Allie at all.

The story is told in both Charlotte’s POV in present time and Allie’s POV leading up to her disappearance.

Less you Know was full of mystery and each event added a new mystery to the growing number. Who is Allie’s boyfriend? What happened to Joey? (This was obviously from book 1). What was Garner up to? What did Allie know? Where is Allie now? Why did Charlotte flee Australia? Who is Allie’s stalker? Who is the motorbike rider? The mysteries weaved their way through the story and I was getting a little frustrated with all the questions and no answers. There was a big reveal at the end where I think all the loose ends were nicely tied up.

The story ended with some really good twists that I didn’t see coming. I will go back and read book 1 and my star rating of 3/5 may change with a better understanding of what’s going on with the characters.

My rating  3/5  ⭐⭐⭐

*This review is: 

part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Book #3  of the Australian Women Writers challenge

 

 

Photo credit: Goodreads

Rowena Holloway is an Australian writer of novels and short stories. Before settling on writing as a career, Rowena apprenticed as a hairdresser, played at receptionist in an engineering firm, indulged her love of learning by obtaining a handful of degrees, including a PhD in business, and was a tenured university lecturer.

All of which convinced her fiction writing was preferable to the real world. Rowena also tracks down leading authors and interviews them, and reviews fiction across a range of genres. All of which can be found on her website 






 

 

Book Review: The Secret Son's Homecoming (Romance)

The Secret Son's Homecoming

by

Helen Lacey

Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: 19th June 2018
Series: Cedar River Cowboys #7
Pages: 240
Format Read: paperback
Source: Won in giveaway

 

 
TO LEARN TO LOVE…HE WILL HAVE TO LET GO…

The illegitimate son of the wealthiest man in Cedar River, Jonah Rickard spent his life avoiding his father. Forced back home for a wedding, he’s brought face-to-face with the only woman to ever threaten his hardened heart. Connie Bedford knows what it is to be haunted by the past, betrayed by trust…scared by desire. Years ago, Jonah’s father saved her. Now only Connie and her love can save Jonah—and, maybe, his family…

The Secret Son’s Homecoming is book 7 in the Cedar River cowboys series set in South Dakota.

Each book in the series is a good stand alone focusing on the romance between two characters but it’s a good idea to start this series from the beginning so you have backstory on the residents of Cedar River and how they fit into each other’s lives.

The Secret Son’s Homecoming is Jonah Rickard and Connie Bedford’s story. I must admit I didn’t like this as much as A Kiss, a Dance & a Diamond (you can read my review here).

Connie’s relentless nagging to Jonah about opening up and forgiving J.D. and giving the O’Sullivans a chance, really grated on me. She just didn’t let up!!!

It took Connie a long time to open up about her own insecurities, and this was a truly devastating story, but Jonah was patient and kind. He never pushed or nagged. A true gentleman!

The Secret Son’s Homecoming is an enjoyable angst ridden romance with a strong message of consent. Themes of family, forgiveness and new beginnings run deep through the novel.

Although not my favourite Cedar River Cowboys novel I would recommend the series.

My rating 3.5/5  ⭐⭐⭐½

*This review is: 

Book 'S' in the AtoZ challenge

part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Book #2  of the Australian Women Writers challenge

 #AWW2019

 

Photo credit: Goodreads

Helen Lacey grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on The Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. Although, it wasn’t until the age of eleven when she read her first Mills & Boon, that she knew wanted to write romances. Her parents’ love of travel meant she saw much of the world in those early years and she feels fortunate to have had a diverse and interesting education over several continents.

She continued to write into her teens and twenties with the dream of one day being a published author. A few years and careers later, including motel operator, florist, strapper, dog washer, and retail manager, she got the call from Harlequin Special Edition. She loves writing about tortured heroes, both cowboys and CEO’s, and heroines who finally get the love of the man of their dreams.

From Welsh parents and a large family, she lives on the east coast of Australia in a small seaside town at the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, with her wonderfully supportive husband, many horses, two cats and three spoiled dogs.

   

Mailbox Monday - Feb 4th

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog. Head over and check out other books received during the last week.

 

I received one book this week  Home Fires by Fiona Lowe. This is a review copy from the publisher. Fiona Lowe's Birthright was my 2018 read of the year  so I am excited to receive Lowe's latest novel.

✿.｡.:* ☆:**:about the book:**:.☆*.:｡.✿

When a lethal bushfire tore through Myrtle, nestled in Victoria's breathtaking Otway Ranges, the town's buildings - and the lives of its residents - were left as smouldering ash. For three women in particular, the fire fractured their lives and their relationships.

Eighteen months later, with the flurry of national attention long past, Myrtle stands restored, shiny and new. But is the outside polish just a veneer? Community stalwart Julie thinks tourism could bring back some financial stability to their little corner of the world and soon prods Claire, Bec and Sophie into joining her group. But the scar tissue of trauma runs deep, and as each woman exposes her secrets and faces the damage that day wrought, a shocking truth will emerge that will shake the town to its newly rebuilt foundations...

 ✿.｡.:* ☆:**:.:**:.☆*.:｡.✿

 

I've read two books over the last week and reviews will be posted soon

The Secret Son's Homecoming -  a Harlequin Romance read. I enjoy these as they always have a happy ending, guaranteed.

Less You Know -  A mystery thriller with a few really good twists.

 ✿.｡.:* ☆:**:.:**:.☆*.:｡.✿

 

What has arrived in your mailbox this week? Feel free to leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post in the comments below.