Resurgence

I have been thinking a lot lately about changing the format of my little blog. I still want to include book reviews, but I want to explore more. I started Boomda's Little Corner what feels like another lifetime ago...before children and being a working mom.

One of the many things that I think about incessantly is how to support my Jabberwocky through the school system when it is becoming more and more apparent that he learns very differently from his classmates. In time we will need to explore assessments to better understand his strengths as a learner and how best to support his needs. Right now, books like the Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis and Superparenting for ADD by Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Jensen have given me some strategies to try. What I love most about the books is the approach that while a Learning Disability or ADD/ADHD may be a challenge, with love, support and understanding it is a gift when harnessed properly.

As parents we want our kids to live a carefree childhood learning about friendships, responsibilities and fun. It is a bit of a shock when we realize that there will be mountains to climb and roadblocks along the way. I work in Special Education and have for many years. Understanding that my child has a learning disability has been a real journey, and at times there has been a grieving process. It is not to say that I do not see my child's strengths, I do, there are many. I am now more aware that as a parent I will need to build and rebuild his self-confidence and stamina.

Back to the blog, I am going to start to explore all aspects of my life, including reading, crafting, parenting and anything else that comes along. Get ready, we call November Birthdaypalooza because every family member has a birthday coming up. Each child gets a cake on their birthday and at their birthday party which I plan with them and attempt to make. I foresee some minions and such making its way to Boomda's Little Corner.

I am excited about this adventure, and hopefully a few of you will be too!

T

Unravelled Review and Giveaway

UNRAVELLED by M.K. Tod

Two wars. Two affairs. One marriage. Set at the intersection of love and war, Unravelled delivers a page-turning mixture of emotion and sacrifice.

Edward Jamieson survived his duty in World War I as a signaller. Returning to life in Canada, eventually he meets and falls in love with Ann Winston. They marry and have two children, life is good until 1935 when they receive an invitation to attend the Vimy war memorial ceremony in France. Edward is uncertain about returning to the memories of the loss of war, and the memories of Helene Noisette, the love who got away. 

What ensues is a series of decisions that put their marriage in peril. Ann and Edward work to put their marriage back together as Hitler sets the stage for the Second World War. WWII sees Edward enlist with a top secret spy training, which once again forces him to keep secrets from Ann. In turn, Ann volunteers as a counselor for grieving women. The stress and agony of war wage once again on Edward and Ann's marriage. 

As the title suggests, stories unravel on the stage of the world wars. M.K. Tod creates a narrative that presents an honest look at marriage after adultery. It is a fantastic mix of fiction supported by research and nonfiction. What drew me to the story was an incredible balance of graphic detail and humanity.

If you would like an opportunity to read Unravelled by M.K. Tod, enter to win below.

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M.K. Tod writes historical fiction and blogs about all aspects of the genre at A Writer of History. Her debut novel, UNRAVELLED: Two wars. Two affairs. One marriage. is available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon (US, Canada and elsewhere), Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. Mary can be contacted on

Twitter: @MKTodAuthor, Facebook, and Goodreads.

A book launch event for UNRAVELLED will be held on October 8, 2013 starting at 7 p.m. at the Duke of York at 39 Prince Arthur Avenue in Toronto, Canada.

Read Chapters One and Two of UNRAVELLED and visit A Writer Of History for more information.  

CONNECT WITH M.K. TOD 

Blog: A Writer Of History

Facebook Page: M.K. Tod Author

Twitter: @MKTodAuthor

GoodReads: M.K. Tod

Book Review: Forgotten

Another fascinating book from Catherine McKenzie! What would happen if everything in your life was taken away, if you had to start all over again?

Following her mother's funeral, Emma Tupper pursues her mother's dream of visiting Africa. Hardworking, stubborn Emma takes a month long sabbatical from the law firm that she had been dedicating 80 hour weeks in pursuit of a partnership to explore Africa. Only, what was supposed to be a month long sabbatical turns into a six month journey following an earthquake and illness that leaves her stranded in Africa with no way to communicate back home. 

When Emma finally returns to her apartment, she finds all of her things missing and Dominic, a photographer who has just broken up with his fiancee, moving in. Emma tries to call her friends and boyfriend, but can only leave messages. Dominic takes pity on Emma and allows her to stay with him. Slowly the two become friends as they try to piece together Emma's old life, finding that it is not as easy at one might have thought. 

I am a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie's writing and I loved Forgotten as much as I adored Spin and Arranged. Emma is a strong character who has to work her way through some unique, but tough situations upon her return. She is real, she gets frustrated, confused and sometimes upset, however she is never whiny or annoying. Emma's pursuit of finding herself in the rubble of what remains of her life is a great read!

Book Review: The Night Shift

Dr. Brian Goldman has been an emergency room practitioner for decades. That alone, makes him remarkable, however, on top of his dedication to medical emergencies, he also prefers the night shift. In The Night Shift Dr. Goldman shares stories of cases during his twenty years in the Emergency Room at Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown Toronto.

What I loved best about the book is Dr. Goldman's ability as an author to intersperse factoids about the stark realities of the medical field with humane stories while also balancing respect, empathy, humour and truth. As one who reads non fiction rarely, and if I do it is generally around education, I started the book with a little trepidation. I was surprised at how much I truly enjoyed this book.

Book Review: Promise Me by Harlan Coben

Full disclosure, I am in love with Myron, I just adore his character (and yes, I am fully aware that he is fictional). Harlan Coben demonstrates his quick wits through Myron and Winn whose dialogue and banter is one of the many reasons I return to his books over and over again.

In Promise Me, Myron makes a promise to a friend's daughter that puts him in a situation that makes him suspect number 1 in her disappearance. While Myron has been on sabbatical for six years, he has to pull all the stops to clear his name, protect his friend's daughter and find the bad guys.

The worst part about finishing this book was knowing that I am quickly running out of books in this series.

Book Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Darkly Dreaming Dexter is the first book in the Dexter series that has also become a hit TV series.  Jeff Lindsay introduces readers to Dexter Morgan, an average citizen with a job as a forensic technician with the Miami Dade police department, whose specialty is studying and understanding blood splatters. What even his sister does not know, is that he is a serial killer of serial killers.

I have never watched the Dexter TV series , however I have heard plenty about it. While I really liked the concept of the book, I really struggled with being inside the mind of a serial killer. While I understood that Dexter has control over his urges, I really did not enjoy when he was battling moments of weakness. 

Having said that, I will likely read more of this series because I am drawn to this very unusual mind and life style, much like drivers staring at a car accident as they drive by...just can't help myself

Review: Can You Keep a Secret?

Emma Corrigan is returning to London after she has blown her chance at a promotion with Panther Cola, at a disastrous sales meeting. When she is seated on a plane next to an attractive stranger, she spills all her secrets to him when she thinks the plane is going to crash due to turbulence. Emma tells him everything from her desire for promotion, to watering her office mate’s spider plant with orange juice, to her dislike for g-strings. When the plane lands safely and Emma realizes she has just revealed absolutely everything to the attractive stranger she consoles herself with the idea she will never see him again.

Well, if only that had been true…turns out that the attractive stranger is the Panther Cola’s allusive CEO. Maybe he has forgotten the ramblings of a scared stranger…

Sophie Kinsella is a favourite author of mine. I can always count on her for some brain candy. Can You Keep a Secret? is no exception with many moments that made me laugh out loud. I loved Emma’s inner dialogue, her fears, her doubts and her triumphs. The supporting characters created a great cast around Emma; there were characters to cheer for and others to hate. A fun book, I thoroughly enjoyed! 

Dead is the New Black

Nightshade, California is home to the psychic Giordano sisters; Daisy, Poppy and Rose. Also home to a soul sucker who is attacking teenage girls around town. With an eclectic cast of paranormal characters and some norms too, the Giordano girls attempt to find out who is causing Nightshade's cheerleaders to seizure and be hospitalized.

Dead is the New Black is a fun YA paranormal novel and the first book in the series. Marlene Perez has created a wonderful role model in Daisy. The book was a quick read that was hard to put down. I am definitely going to be recommending this book to the YA readers I know!

Review- Fatal Fixer-Upper

Avery Baker, a textile designer from New York, gets an unexpected letter from her Great Aunt Inga referring to a need to put things in order and right some wrongs. After consulting with her mom, Avery decides to head out to small town Maine to meet with her Great Aunt. Unfortunately, when she arrives in Waterfield, Avery finds that Great Aunt Inga died a few days before and she is the sole heir. Unsure what to do with her newly acquired rundown Victorian cottage, Avery returns to New York to think about her next steps. Ultimately, she decides that with the help of handyman Derek Ellis and a little hard work she can turn a little profit if she fixes up the cottage. Moving her life temporarily to Waterfield, Avery meets a cast of characters, some of whom make her feel at home. She also stumbles upon some trouble and a few mysteries.

I really liked this first novel in the Do-It-Yourself Mystery series by Jennie Bentley. It took some time for the story to build; however once it did, I could not put the book down. The cast of characters are interesting with a mix of good, bad and evil that kept me trying to figure out what was going on. I am looking forward to continuing with this series.