Barack and Joe: The Making of an Extraordinary Partnership

Barack and Joe: The Making of an Extraordinary Partnership by Steven Levingston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The political bromance, Barack and Joe’s friendship, and collaboration will forever leave its footprint in American history.

Starting from political rivals, the two managed to build a strong foundation of the phenomenal President & Vice President team. This book tells the story of two democratic US senators who came from two completely opposite backgrounds but shared an important mission. This is not a biography of either man, this is a story of their bond, the way they were able to look past their differences, listened and accepted each other’s objectives, and most importantly – held one another’s back. An author made an excellent note regarding the two: the Barack-and-Joe friendship did something else: it stirred the imagination. It gave Americans hope that the nation could work together harmoniously. Barack and Joe looked beyond color and age and personal quirks to the importance of shared values.

This book is an easy read. I didn’t find any new information in it, however, it is a perfect guide for any political enthusiast that contains all the facts of Barack and Joe’s friendship and partnership during their time in The Office.

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No One’s Home

No One’s Home by D.M. Pulley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rawlingswood, or as locals call it – haunted/murder house, is a place that keeps the dark secrets of its multiple owners: the Rawlings, Klussmans, Turners, and Spielmans. Rumor has it – every man dies in the house and every female goes mad shortly afterward.

Besides the family’s secrets, the house has a history of its own. And pretty dark one too. A brutal murder has taken place on the current property of the Rawlingswood, and shortly after our famous house has been built on the same spot. Some would think that the Rawlingswood has been cursed from the start. Not one family has lived their “happily ever after” in the big, beautiful but hunted mansion. Will the Spielman family break the curse or would they follow the same road as all previous members of the manor?

No One’s Hom is a deliciously dark and tangled web of secrets and lies. Everything I adore in a psychological thriller! Twists at every corner that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a free advanced copy of the book, and D.M.Pulley for a phenomenal story.

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The Third Daughter

The Third Daughter by Talia Carner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“The Third Daughter” is a powerful story of courage, hope, and determination.

Pogroms have progressed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Russian, and many Jewish families found themselves fleeing their homes. Batya’s family was one of them. On their way to the Jewish colony, they run into a wealthy jew, whom after only a few days offered to take young Batya to Buenos Aires and make her his wife.

As you already guessed, Batya’s happiness was short-lived. Soon after being taken away from her family and on the way to Buenos Aires, the young girl has been raped, beaten, and starved. Upon reaching her destination, Batya’s spirit has been broken. And instead of promised life of freedom and luxury, she ended up in an upscale brothel and in a heart of Jewish mafia. Despite her unbearable situation, Batya never gave up hope of helping her family escape the horrors of Russia, and due to her patience and strong will power, the faith brought her new hope in the face of a fellow Jew.

The novel covers multiples subjects as corruption, kidnapping, sex trafficking, and suicide. It was hard to read at times, however, it was wonderfully edited and fitted into the story. In my opinion, the novel was too long and I wish there were more details shared about Batya’s family and their lives in Russian, also more details envolving Moscowitz and Co. Thank you GoodReads and William Morrow publishers for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

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Here To Stay

Here To Stay by Mark Edwards

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was not even close to what I expected since I read the synopsis. It started as any good quality thriller and turned very dark very fast.

It all starts with The Robinsons. Selfish, unrepentant and wicked family, that brings atrocity and misery anywhere they go. This time, their victim is Elliot – Gemma’s, the eldest Robinson’s daughter, new husband.

Since the moment the Robinson’s stepped their feet into Elliot’s beloved old Victorian house – his life as he knows it starts to shatter with a rapid speed. It takes a matter of days for the family to show their true colors and for Elliot to regret the day he met his wife. He finds himself in an ineluctable position, with his personal and professional lives on an edge of ruin.

How far the person can go to get their life back… While reading the novel, I kept thinking: what would I do if I were to find myself in a similar situation? Phenomenal read, with a spine chilling ending. I undoubtedly recommend this book to any suspense/thriller lover. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publisher for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

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Condé Nast: The Man and His Empire

Condé Nast: The Man and His Empire — A Biography by Susan Ronald

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Susan Ronals did an incredible job of composing a phenomenal book about the life of the publishing magnate Conde Nast, the founder of Vogue, Glamour, Conde Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, and many more world’s best-known magazines.

The book begins with a story of Nast family, their origin and background. Very early in the book, we find out that Conde has come from a broken family, however, it never reflected on his character. Opposit to his father, he remained close with his family, children, and ex-wives.

From the first pages of the book, Conde’s character showed affection to the circle of his friends and partners, dedication, fearfulness, honorable and strong will. He never has forgotten where he came from, and people who helped him succeed. Although, he was equitable with his frenemies and competitors.

It was very interesting to read about the way Conde has built and extended his publishing empire. He is a great example of a man who has been knocked down in personal and business lives, however no matter how hard the hit was – Conde always found ways to get back up. I’m fascinated by his life and accomplishments.

Thank you Susan Ronals for a remarkable story and introduction to the life of world’s famous publishing mogul. And big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press publishing for a free and advanced copy of the book.

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Mother Knows Best

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mother Knows Best is a thrilling novel about a love triangle and an illegal study that creates one of the captivating page-turners on the book market.

Claire’s family is a carrier of a genetic mutation that has been passed from generation to generation, affecting every member of the family, resulting early passing of the relatives and of course – devastation to the family. After Claire’s son passed away from the disease – she did not give up on the opportunity to become a mother again. And one day the Gods of the worldwide web brings Claire and Jillian, young scientist, together. Jillian shares a “tip” with her new friend. The “tip” contains information on a study that has not yet been tested on humans, however, the experiment could give a chance to a person with Claire’s disease to give birth to a healthy child. And a day later, Claire finds her way to the office of New York’s famous fertility doctor – Robert Nash who has been working on this study. And after a little convincing, Rob, Claire and Jillian create a first genetically modified child with three parents. And that’s when their problems begin…

Mother Knows Best is an easy read, with a very fast and intriguing storyline. I loved the experiment idea that was portraited in the novel. All adult characters were fascinating, my only issue was with children’s roles, their dialogs, a trail of thoughts and behavior were unrealistic for kids that age.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced free copy of the novel.

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The Russia Trap

The Russia Trap: How Our Shadow War with Russia Could Spiral Into Nuclear Catastrophe by George Beebe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The Russia Trap” is a great book that combines a political and economic history of Russia. This book is direct, short and up to the point guide for anyone who is not familiar with the history of Russia after the Cold War. Not only the author introduces the reader to the history of one of the largest countries in the world, but he also explains the relationship between US and Russia, or in other words – “the war behind the scene”.

This book would be a perfect present for any political or eastern European enthusiast. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Dunne Books publisher for a free and advanced copy of the book.

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