Thursday, Jun 4, 2009

Book Review & Giveaway: Sunnyside Blues

sunnyside_blues-11-200x300Author:       Mary Carter

Publisher:    Kensignton Books

ISBN:          978-1-7582-2919-9

Website:      www.marycarterbooks.com

Type:         Fiction:General

Pages:        336 Trade Paperback

Release:      July 1, 2009

Purchase:   $10.20 @ Amazon.com (HERE)

The Story

“Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right.  In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she’s found it.  But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase.”

Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve.  When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside Queens, on a quest she’s sure will prove fruitless.  But in this new, strange, and unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running.  And against all odds, she’ll discover a place, a man, and a new-found peace of mind that feel very much like home…”

(Above excerpt is from the cover of Sunnyside Blues)

The Review

marycarterThis story’s heroine is running from her past and she’s hiding from herself.  There appears to be no defined line between reality and her reality.  She has changed her name and created a past that never existed.  She suffers from nightmares and psychological disorders as a result of what her jacked-up parents did to her.  And, as if she hasn’t had enough, her 4th of July turns into a near-death-by-fire experience and she has a kid dumped on her.  How much more can this woman take?  Well, she is resilient, although in great denial, and she faces what is in front of her.  Despite all of the dysfunction in her life, she seems to have this strong moral compass and it shows in how she treats the people in her life.  

The “kid” is more than a nightmare!  Yet, our heroine tackles him head-on and refuses to leave him in any type of harmful situation.  Perhaps it is because this child is also broken and hiding from the truths in his life.  In many ways, these two spirits were destined to tangle as a life-long friendship would surely ensue.

The reader follows the heroine, Emily (aka ”Andes”), and the “kid”, Hector (aka “Chase”) from a sailboat home in Seattle to Sunnyside, Queens, New York.  They are there to avoid the trouble at home and ascertain whether or not Chase’s birth father is really a hunky fireman named Dave (aka “Blazing Dave”).  All the while, Andes and Chase are avoiding problems back at their homes… her past in West Virginia and his past in Seattle.  There is an arsonist on the loose in Seattle and the suspicions lay on this child, Chase.  Meanwhile, a reporter can’t seem to forget about a “snake girl” who once lived in West Virginia who was claimed dead.  This reporter’s efforts were stirring up Andes’ well-buried past.

So, as you can see… there is a lot going on in this book.  The beginning of this book was a bit confusing for me because there is that jumping from present-to-past thing going on.  In addition, you’ve got sprinkled throughout the book the wicked thoughts of the arsonist and of Andes’ father.  Throw in some of Andes’ memories and there are a few strands to keep straight so that you fully understand the book.  Although the beginning was a tad confusing for me, I rather enjoyed “the meat” of the book until the end.  Carter does tie up those loose strands at the end of the book as she does bring about the answers to the mysteries.  However, I’m a bit disappointed with the ending.  I don’t want to be a “spoiler,” so I won’t share what I would have preferred… but, just know that you may form opinions about this ending.

Win A Copy!

You can win a copy of this book by simply entering a comment below.   For additional entries, let me know if you are a subscriber, if A Novel Menagerie is on your blogroll, if you’ve tweet’d about it on Twitter or if you’ve blogged about it.  Entries will be accepted through June 12, 2009! 

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

Overall, I enjoyed the book and it’s definitely nothing like anything else that I’ve read all year.  It’s a good, overall fiction novel that is easily read by either a man or a woman.  It gives you that “what would you do?” mentality when you read it.  I think this would make a great made-for-tv movie, as well.  For the genre Fiction:General, I am going to rate this book an 8 OUT OF 10. 

My thanks to Mary for the thought provoking read!

 

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68 Comments

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68 Responses

  1. Belinda M

    June 4th, 2009 at 3:51 am

    Please enter me in your giveway

    I am an email subscriber

    I follow your blog

  2. Pam

    June 4th, 2009 at 4:29 am

    Sounds like a great read – I’d like to be included.

    I subscribe via google reader.

  3. Teresa

    June 4th, 2009 at 4:54 am

    I would like to be entered, too. Thanks for the giveaway.

  4. Julie P.

    June 4th, 2009 at 5:16 am

    Great review. Don’t enter me b/c I already have a copy. I do agree with you that it wasn’t like any other book that I’ve read this year and that sets it apart. At first I agreed with you about the ending, but then I thought about it and I kind of like that it wasn’t wrapped up with a neat little bow. Not entirely sure how I feel, but it is definitely something else to discuss about this book.

    Julie P.´s last blog post..Guest Blogger: Mary Carter & Giveaway

  5. Brittany

    June 4th, 2009 at 5:32 am

    This looks interesting, please sign me up. (I curious about the ending, now!)

    Also, I’m a subscriber.

    Brittany´s last blog post..Review – Walk Two Moons

  6. Llehn

    June 4th, 2009 at 5:38 am

    I’d love to be included in the giveaway please. Thanks!

  7. Indigo

    June 4th, 2009 at 6:20 am

    I’m all too familiar with what it’s like trying to escape my past. Please enter me in this drawing. Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo

    I’m also subscribed via Google Reader.

    Indigo´s last blog post..Jump…The Open Letter

  8. Kristi

    June 4th, 2009 at 7:19 am

    Hello,

    I would love to win this one. I follow your blog through feed demon – you are also in my blogroll!

    kherbrand at comcast dot net

    Kristi´s last blog post..Wonderful Win: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

  9. Kathy

    June 4th, 2009 at 8:16 am

    8 out of 10 sounds great for a book that had a disappointing ending. You’ve got me curious now.

    Kathy´s last blog post..We Have a Winner!

  10. Bridget

    June 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am

    Hi! Just posted on Win A Book. No need to enter me.

    Bridget´s last blog post..Time to Move the Party!

  11. Laura

    June 4th, 2009 at 9:29 am

    please enter me :)

  12. scottsgal

    June 4th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Am starting to read great reviews on this one – count me in

  13. scottsgal

    June 4th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Already a follower via google reader

  14. Tami

    June 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Would love to win a copy of what sounds like a wonderful read! I read your blog via Pageflakes (I put the RSS of your blog into my Pageflakes account)…hopefully that counts as “subscribed”. Thanks!!

  15. Kitten22

    June 4th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    This looks great! Please enter me!

    BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

  16. Kitten22

    June 4th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    I’m already a subscriber (through Google Reader)!

    BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

  17. Kitten22

    June 4th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    I tweeted about this!

    http://twitter.com/BookingKitten22

    BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

  18. mindy

    June 4th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    this sounds wonderful thanks for the giveaway

  19. Sandra K321

    June 4th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    This is the first time I’ve heard of this book but it sounds interesting with good characterizations.

  20. Sandra K321

    June 4th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    I think I just subscribed to your feed on Google reader, but it says title unknown instead of your blog name.

  21. Kim V

    June 4th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    Would like to read this.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

  22. lorene

    June 4th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    looks like a good read

  23. esme

    June 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    esme´s last blog post..Raspberry Scones

  24. Dawn M.

    June 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Sounds like a good summer read. Please enter me. :0)

    Thanks!

  25. Mary D

    June 4th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Now I’ve got to find out what she’s been running from lol
    Please enter me and thank you so very much :)

  26. Heather M

    June 4th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

    I’d love a chance to win! Thanks

  27. Alicia

    June 4th, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I’d like to read this.

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

  28. Tiffany

    June 5th, 2009 at 12:34 am

    Please enter me. Thanks!

    Tiffany´s last blog post..Review: The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle

  29. Allykatt

    June 5th, 2009 at 4:58 am

    I’d love a chance to win a copy. It looks like a fun summer read! Thanks for the review!

  30. Allykatt

    June 5th, 2009 at 4:59 am

    Email subscriber to your blog!

  31. Jason

    June 5th, 2009 at 8:36 am

    Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  32. Amber G

    June 5th, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Please enter me – this book sounds great!

  33. Cheryl S.

    June 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Enjoyed your review – please count me in!

    Thanks,
    Cheryl

  34. Cheryl S.

    June 5th, 2009 at 10:09 am

    I subscribe via Google Reader

  35. Jo-Jo

    June 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am

    This sounds like a great book, and I love the cover!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

    Jo-Jo´s last blog post..Winners of the Mother’s Day Giveaway!

  36. Jo-Jo

    June 5th, 2009 at 10:53 am

    I am also a follower.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

    Jo-Jo´s last blog post..Winners of the Mother’s Day Giveaway!

  37. Jo-Jo

    June 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am

    And of course you are on my blogroll.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

    Jo-Jo´s last blog post..Winners of the Mother’s Day Giveaway!

  38. Carlene

    June 5th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Carlene
    iluvreading(at)verizon.net

  39. Carlene

    June 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    I am a subscriber.
    Thanks
    Carlene
    iluvreading(at)verizon.net

  40. Tiffany K.

    June 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    This sounds like a great book. Please enter me. Thanks!

    tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Tiffany K.´s last blog post..Review: The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle

  41. Tiffany K.

    June 5th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    I’m also subscribed to your blog.

    tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Tiffany K.´s last blog post..Review: The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle

  42. wendy wallach

    June 5th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I would love ot read this during the summer…sounds like my kind of story.

    madamerkf at aol dot com

  43. Sharon A

    June 5th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Thank you for your review. I believe I would enjoy this book based on your review.

  44. Christina Brunetti

    June 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    I would love to read this.

    Thanks,

    darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)Com

  45. Belinda

    June 6th, 2009 at 4:08 am

    A novel with a unique storyline, please count me in to win this.
    Thanks!

  46. avalonne83

    June 6th, 2009 at 7:33 am

    Please count me in. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

    avalonne83´s last blog post..Pericolo: c’è ancora gente che pensa!!!

  47. MonieG

    June 6th, 2009 at 9:35 am

    Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    MonieG´s last blog post..Review: BoneMan’s Daughters by Ted Dekker

  48. Trin

    June 7th, 2009 at 3:31 am

    I would like to check out this one
    I am a subscriber
    You are on my blog roll and
    I posted about it on Friday (as you know)

    Trin´s last blog post..Living in the Rear View Mirror

  49. Marie

    June 7th, 2009 at 11:17 am

    I would love to read this, it sounds great!

    marielay@gmail.com

  50. gaby317

    June 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    this sounds like a good read. please count me in

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

    gaby317´s last blog post..Book Review: 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants by Tracy Disabato-Aust

  51. gaby317

    June 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    i’m a subscriber

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

    gaby317´s last blog post..Book Review: 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants by Tracy Disabato-Aust

  52. Marilyn

    June 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    this looks like a book I would enjoy

    Marilyn´s last blog post..Win Bora Bora Perfume by Liz Claiborne

  53. Carrie K.

    June 7th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    Great giveaway – this sounds like a perfect summer read!

    I’m a follower on Google Reader, you’re in my blogroll, and I blogged about it here:

    http://booksandmovies.colvilleblogger.com/2009/06/06/bookish-links-for-saturday-june-6-2009/

    Carrie K.´s last blog post..The Sunday Salon – June 7, 2009 (The “May reading wrap-up” edition)

  54. gwendolyn b.

    June 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I’d love to read this. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    gwendolyn b.´s last blog post..Awards: The Lemonade Award – Make Mine a Double!

  55. Allison

    June 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    Please enter me to win this great book!
    best!

  56. Linna

    June 7th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    I enjoy your reviews. It looks like a nice story. Please count me in.
    linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com

    Linna´s last blog post..譯者訪談（三）

  57. Nicole C.

    June 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Please enter me! It sounds like a great book!!

  58. summer

    June 10th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you. Curious to read this one.

  59. Beth

    June 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    Please enter me. Sounds like an entertaining book. Thanks.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  60. Jo-Jo

    June 11th, 2009 at 7:07 am

    I just blogged about this giveaway here:
    http://jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com/2009/06/current-giveaways_11.html
    [rq=2494,0,blog][/rq]Wondrous Words Wednesday-June 10

  61. DeSeRt RoSe

    June 11th, 2009 at 8:12 am

    I’m interested in this book but please enter me only if it is open internationally :)
    You have been added to my blogroll and I’m following you on Twitter :)
    My email is desert(dot)rose598(at)gmail(dot)com
    [rq=2677,0,blog][/rq]Kreativ Blogger Award

  62. Julie

    June 11th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    Soundsl ike a great summer read for the beach! Please enter me in your contest!
    Cheers,
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

  63. Julie

    June 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    I’m also a subscriber!

  64. Alexa

    June 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    enter me please!

  65. Renee G

    June 11th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    Please enter me. I enjoy reading books set in Seattle, since I used to live there.

    rsgrandinetti(at)Yahoo(dot)com

  66. Marjorie

    June 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    Sound like a great book to read.
    Thank you for this awesome giveaway.

  67. Patti

    June 12th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Sounds like a fun book.

  68. Patti

    June 12th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    I am a new subscriber.