Emerson's Attic: The Blue Velvet by Kathleen Andrews Davis

I had the privilege of meeting Kathleen Andrews Davis while at a writing conference a few months ago where she handed me a copy of her book series Emerson's Attic.

This review is of the first book in the series Emerson's Attic called The Blue Velvet. This book captivated me within the first few pages. As a middle grade book (my first review for this age group) I found myself wanting more. As Emerson is reeled back into time I'm reminded of the TV show Downton Abby and the staff that make the house and show a great success. 

Emerson is your typical teenager with technology being a staple in her life. When she is punished for an argument and forced to clean the hot, dirty attic Emerson finds herself rummaging through items that where once the objects of enjoyment to older generations. 

In her process of cleaning she finds a trunk that houses a blue velvet hat. Out of curiosity and glamour Emerson places the hat on her head and admires the old fashion style. Next thing you know she's taken off into a world in which she doesn't know or understand. But Emerson has little problems adjusting to this new world. 

With Lizzy's help, Emerson is able to navigate enough through the strange world without too many "slip ups" of the 21st century mindset she holds. Emerson travels for a reason, but to understand the reason she must understand and grow with the story. 

Davis does a great job of incorporating the young, old, new and historic together in this story line. I found that changing my mind set back to being a young kid helped me understand the writing style more than anything. As an adult the mystery of the book felt empty with extreme detail missing, however for a tween these details most likely would mean nothing to the reader. Adult books feel much more in depth vs. middle grade, but then again I can barely remember actually loving books at that age. 

This is a great book that dives the reader into many different genres; mystery, suspense, and time travel; a way to build the young readers interest on numerous levels and having them want more.

At the end of the book I wanted to know more about Emerson and her adventures; it's a good thing too because Davis has a second book to the Emerson's Attic series Smoke & Mirrors available now.

Ruby's Diary By Ruby Gettinger

I was formally a fat girl. I admit it, heck I have the pictures to prove it. So when I started watching Ruby on the Style Network years ago I instantly connected with her. No I wasn't 400 lbs, heck I didn't even realize I was close to 300 lbs.

She understood my journey and gave me courage to hit the gym. I owe many of my first completed workouts to her, I watched her TV show over and over again on my Ipod will sweating it out. I didn't feel alone or like the only fat girl in the room.

So obviously I was excited when she released her book Ruby's Diary.

The book lets you go past the TV screen and dive into her thoughts about her life. The memories and tone of the book will keep you in stitches for hours while reading it. Even after putting the book down I was still laughing.

But laughter is not the only thing you can pull away from Ruby's story. There is so much more to the reasoning behind Ruby's journey. Gaining a glimpse into Ruby's life through her Diary allows the reader to understand that weight isn't always about the food we put into our mouths. We all have a past, one that can either push us or hinder us, towards the future. In Ruby's case she can't remember a certain period of her life, on that is full of trauma. Her mind is protecting her from reliving the pain over again. But Ruby understands that these missing pieces to the puzzle are ones that are also holding the weight left on her body.

While comical in a southern sweet voice, Ruby expresses her desires of needing to know what happened to her so she can move forward with her life. With the help of her two best friends, Jeff and Georgia, she explores the journey of natural weight loss, the emotional roller coaster of finding out the missing pieces and loving life to the fullest.

Ruby's journey is inspirational even to those who only need to lose 10 lbs or those with a traumatic past. Her struggles are real and happening everyday throughout the world. Obesity is not just about too much food and Ruby does a great job of allowing the reader and watcher into the life of someone struggling with the psychological aspect of obesity.

I recommend this book for not only the laughs, but to gain an insight into the struggle of so many American's (particularly) dealing with the scars that have caused their obesity. It's a roller coaster ride and I'm "hacky" (Rubyisms as it's called) to share this with my followers as one of the best non-fiction books I've read.

The Murder's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

Lulu and Merry are orphaned sisters with the nightmare tale leaving their mother dead and their father imprisoned. Lulu blames her father not only for the death of their mother, but for stealing their innocents and future.

The sisters grow up complete opposites, one successful while the other is lost in the trauma of their past. Throughout the story you gain a great insight to the drifting relationships and angst towards their father.

Does time served really out rule the heartache of killing? The question that Lulu and Merry are plagued with when their father reveals that he is seeking parole after serving years for their mothers death. In his journey however, he also seeks the forgiveness of his daughters.

Meyers portray of each woman's thoughts and feelings of their situation is very well detailed and drawn out for the reader. Everyone responds differently to traumatic events, children especially when all they knew was that the person who hurt them was the one that was suppose to take care of them.

Lulu and Merry's stories are real in the context that they happen every day throughout the world. While it may not be murder, it could be death, rape, or illness, children use different coping mechanisms. Lulu spent years escaping what her father had done to her by burying her nose in a book while Merry's trust in men dwindles into loveless, sexually driven relationships.

The question is how would you handle living through a traumatic experience like theirs?  Knowing that the one person you used to trust hurt you the most? Would you want to keep them in your life? Is blood really thicker?

All of these are ones that Lulu and Merry faced constantly. Their minds and concepts of the situation grew drastically different as they grew up. Lulu refused to admit that her father was a murder while Merry finds comfort in giving her own attacker company at the prison. Forgiveness on his acts however, are not handed over easily. They are riddled with contempt and anger that will give both woman lessons of themselves that not even they could expect.

The book itself rest on emotions that are very rarely brought to the forefront of American literature as the main focus. Hope, redemption, forgiveness and fear; all make up the world of The Murderer's Daughters. 

Nickel Plated by Aric Davis

As a writer and lover of the written word I'm always on the hunt for something new. Yes I have my favorite genre, women's contemporary fiction, but dipping into something new is always fun and usually rewarding.

I was scanning the shelves of Amazon looking for something particular one day and found an article about this new breakout author, named Aric Davis. I read the story and thought to myself "if he can do it, then I can too someday." I became curious about the book being featured in the article, Nickel Plated. 

It was completely out of my normal realm of fiction, having a contemporary male heroine of the story. I downloaded the sample and within a few pages of reading I wanted to know more about this character. 

Nickel has a back story that pushes him to do the deeds he does. He's not your average preteen; living along, selling drugs and investigating pedophiles. However, his intentions are always for the good. Nickel is soon sequestered to help look into the abduction of a missing girl. Through his journey you step into the world of boy who is out to get back at those who hurt him by protecting others. 

Nickel's adventures are intertwined with a teenage mindset that allows the reader to empathize with him as he lives a adult lifestyle. His mind set is straight forward on his work; he knows what needs to be done and he's willing to do anything in his power to achieve the answer, including blowing property up. But when it comes to his emotional side, you feel his yearning for love and company even under his stubborn demeanor.

Nickel proves everyone wrong as he hunts for the little girl, even himself at some points. His actions show that even the most unexpected person can be the hero. 

I highly recommend Nickel Plated, although its marked as a young adult story, the context and story between the lines can fulfill any readers need for mystery, joy and a little bit of love.