Kerry Anne King
Author of Whisper Me This
Works by Kerry Anne King
Relocating Christmas 3 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 20th century
- Gender
- female
- Education
- York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (BA|English)
Washington State University, Pullman (M.Ed.|counseling psychology) - Occupations
- registered nurse
- Nationality
- Canada
- Places of residence
- Washington state, USA
Members
Reviews
I found this to be a well-written and deeply touching story about finding your roots and your identity, with the help of loved ones both here and gone. Loved the setting and supporting characters, especially Savannah (who will tug at your heartstrings). This book had just the right mix of magic and reality for me, and was a great companion during a recent illness. There was enough intrigue to keep me hooked, and enough romance to make this just a really enjoyable read.
Funny And Evocative. This was a strong look at a woman who had had her joy figuratively beaten from her by life and who gets a second chance later in life... and it happened to reference one of my favorite jokes ever. :) As usual, King does an amazing job of showing how wondrous life can be if you simply embrace its quirkiness rather than trying to dictate rules to it, and here in particular she does a phenomenal job of showing a woman rediscovering the self she had allowed to die off many show more years ago. The singular sex scene is *smoking*, the jokes are rampant and hilarious, and the drama is perhaps all too real - on stage and off. :) As someone who has been all too familiar with the types of religion King shows here but who never truly let himself succumb to it the way Liz does, I felt her transformation deeply. I *lived* a version of it in my mid-20s, which wasn't too terribly long ago seeing as I'm only in my late 30s now. :D Truly an excellent book that the more talibaptist oriented probably won't like as much as I did... and which is all the more imperative that they read it. Very much recommended. show less
In a Nutshell: If you enjoy books with a bit of magical realism and some really memorable, albeit flawed characters, this is the book for you!
Story:
Where the story worked for me:
• The lead characters are AWESOME! In fact, none of the main characters are straightforward except for one somewhat-predictable fellow (charmer outside, snake inside.) Nicole is not a black or white character, but she isn’t even a typical grey. Her moral compass works on a very different level and you initially struggle to accept her justifications for stealing as “relocations”. But soon, you begin questioning your own preconceptions and wonder if there’s really some truth to her words. Andrea’s character is grey in a more typical sense. She is a pharmacist running from her past and her social anxiety is so extreme that she uses her training to mix and match medications. The way her mental health crumbles after Nicole’s latest endeavour is really well-written. That leaves us with Hawk. Sigh! Let me just say: if you are looking for a potential new literary crush (male), say a warm hello to Hawk. He’s your dream man: strong, protective, funny, caring, rushes to rescue women in trouble while still giving them their own space, and a GEEK. (Chick-lit writers take note: Wealth and looks aren’t part of my requirements.)
• The plot is based in Spokane and it uses this location so wonderfully. An apt setting for the story!
• I loved the overall story. It is so different compared to the usual magical realism plotlines. It’s more of reality with just a sprinkling of subtle fantastical parts. I especially loved these magical bits, even though they aren’t a dominant part of the narrative. The way Nicole could “feel” the energy of objects and couldn’t rest until she completed her “relocation” was quite innovative to read.
• Though the plot doesn't directly lend itself to other themes, the author still wove in marital abuse and family pressures seamlessly in the storyline. I loved how this flowed naturally through the story rather than seeming like forced add-ons.
• Extra points for being a very quick read in spite of being 350+ pages. I could not put this book down even after the story changed tracks towards the last quarter and traversed down the more clichéd route.
Where the story could have been better for me:
• The turnaround in the reactions of SOME of Nicole’s family members was too abrupt. While I did empathise with them -- (would you believe it if a family member stole things and called it “relocation”?) -- I wish the change in their opinion was also portrayed as realistically. I could also not see how so many intelligent people were being fooled by that secretive-snake character.
• The last quarter of the book goes very, very predictably. This should actually not be a major problem because this genre is meant to be predictable. But my expectations were so high because of the stupendous first half that the finale fell flat in comparison. Everything fitted in too conveniently to bring about the neatly-tied-with-big-sparkly-bows resolution.
There are many factors that make a book memorable: plot, writing and characters. In this book, the lead characters were brilliant and the writing was very good. The plot was outstanding in the first three-fourths. All this leads me to my 4.25 stars. (If the last 25% were as good as the rest of the book, I would have gone to 4.5 stars.) It is a beautiful book with mild Ruth Hogan vibes. Go for it if you want a little bit of magic within a realistic setting. I really enjoyed this book and found it as appealing as its cover.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever!, for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun. show less
Story:
Nicole is a self-proclaimed “jailbird, nutcase, and spectacular failure.” Reason? Society considers her a kleptomaniac, constantly on the lookout for things to steal. But Nicole doesn’t “steal”. She “relocates” objects based on the energy vibes she gets from them. Needless to say, this “Object Relocation Program” of hers getsshow more
her in severe trouble with family, friends and the law. Nicole, however, has stuck to her gut feeling all these years. But with her latest relocation, something drastic seems to have altered in her life and the consequences seem to spiral out of control. Add to this the fact that her soon-to-be-ex-husband Kent has assigned a private investigator named Hawk to retrieve what she had “relocated” from him. Will Nicole be able to handle this the change in her circumstances? Will she finally be able to figure out whether her urge to move objects is a gift or a curse?
The story comes from the first person point of view of Nicole, Hawk, and a local resident Andrea, who is a recipient of Nicole’s latest relocation activity.
Where the story worked for me:
• The lead characters are AWESOME! In fact, none of the main characters are straightforward except for one somewhat-predictable fellow (charmer outside, snake inside.) Nicole is not a black or white character, but she isn’t even a typical grey. Her moral compass works on a very different level and you initially struggle to accept her justifications for stealing as “relocations”. But soon, you begin questioning your own preconceptions and wonder if there’s really some truth to her words. Andrea’s character is grey in a more typical sense. She is a pharmacist running from her past and her social anxiety is so extreme that she uses her training to mix and match medications. The way her mental health crumbles after Nicole’s latest endeavour is really well-written. That leaves us with Hawk. Sigh! Let me just say: if you are looking for a potential new literary crush (male), say a warm hello to Hawk. He’s your dream man: strong, protective, funny, caring, rushes to rescue women in trouble while still giving them their own space, and a GEEK. (Chick-lit writers take note: Wealth and looks aren’t part of my requirements.)
• The plot is based in Spokane and it uses this location so wonderfully. An apt setting for the story!
• I loved the overall story. It is so different compared to the usual magical realism plotlines. It’s more of reality with just a sprinkling of subtle fantastical parts. I especially loved these magical bits, even though they aren’t a dominant part of the narrative. The way Nicole could “feel” the energy of objects and couldn’t rest until she completed her “relocation” was quite innovative to read.
• Though the plot doesn't directly lend itself to other themes, the author still wove in marital abuse and family pressures seamlessly in the storyline. I loved how this flowed naturally through the story rather than seeming like forced add-ons.
• Extra points for being a very quick read in spite of being 350+ pages. I could not put this book down even after the story changed tracks towards the last quarter and traversed down the more clichéd route.
Where the story could have been better for me:
• The turnaround in the reactions of SOME of Nicole’s family members was too abrupt. While I did empathise with them -- (would you believe it if a family member stole things and called it “relocation”?) -- I wish the change in their opinion was also portrayed as realistically. I could also not see how so many intelligent people were being fooled by that secretive-snake character.
• The last quarter of the book goes very, very predictably. This should actually not be a major problem because this genre is meant to be predictable. But my expectations were so high because of the stupendous first half that the finale fell flat in comparison. Everything fitted in too conveniently to bring about the neatly-tied-with-big-sparkly-bows resolution.
There are many factors that make a book memorable: plot, writing and characters. In this book, the lead characters were brilliant and the writing was very good. The plot was outstanding in the first three-fourths. All this leads me to my 4.25 stars. (If the last 25% were as good as the rest of the book, I would have gone to 4.5 stars.) It is a beautiful book with mild Ruth Hogan vibes. Go for it if you want a little bit of magic within a realistic setting. I really enjoyed this book and found it as appealing as its cover.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever!, for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun. show less
You know when people talk all crazy like they went to see this awesome movie and they start to tell you all about it, but you have no idea what they are talking about?
Well, let me tell you about this movie I just saw called “I Wish You Happy.” It’s about a girl who feels everything, like an empath. She gets tangled up with some chick on a bike. Then there’s this gorgeous hunk of a man who may be the one who can breach the walls around her heart. And then there are these adorable show more newborn kittens just waiting for someone to love them…
Ok, too cheesy?? Maybe. But seriously, this story transported me to a comfy, cushiony seat at the local movie theater. I could almost smell the buttery over-priced popcorn.
On the serious side, the words in this book have come together perfectly to craft a story of life’s uncertainties. The state of one’s mental health is fluid. We all have our good days and bad days. Some people are able to work through their bad days with instinctual coping mechanisms. Others need the help of others through counselling and medication. Then there are those who have reached rock bottom. Society is becoming more aware of the vastness of mental instability but hasn’t yet learned to read the signs of those desperate souls. The indicators may be as subtle as a minute shift in habit or personality, or as obvious as buying a gun or simply disappearing within themselves. Help is available. If living in the now is too difficult, try living for the promise of a better tomorrow. Suicide is never the answer. show less
Well, let me tell you about this movie I just saw called “I Wish You Happy.” It’s about a girl who feels everything, like an empath. She gets tangled up with some chick on a bike. Then there’s this gorgeous hunk of a man who may be the one who can breach the walls around her heart. And then there are these adorable show more newborn kittens just waiting for someone to love them…
Ok, too cheesy?? Maybe. But seriously, this story transported me to a comfy, cushiony seat at the local movie theater. I could almost smell the buttery over-priced popcorn.
On the serious side, the words in this book have come together perfectly to craft a story of life’s uncertainties. The state of one’s mental health is fluid. We all have our good days and bad days. Some people are able to work through their bad days with instinctual coping mechanisms. Others need the help of others through counselling and medication. Then there are those who have reached rock bottom. Society is becoming more aware of the vastness of mental instability but hasn’t yet learned to read the signs of those desperate souls. The indicators may be as subtle as a minute shift in habit or personality, or as obvious as buying a gun or simply disappearing within themselves. Help is available. If living in the now is too difficult, try living for the promise of a better tomorrow. Suicide is never the answer. show less
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- 9
- Members
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- Popularity
- #31,033
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 42
- ISBNs
- 27