McTiernay Twins coming of age
938616
Crevan and his twin Craig epitomize the young Highland warriors. They are focused on fighting, clan business, but stay away from becoming entangled with women. Raelynd and Meriel, the Schellden twins are opposites, but each have their own charm. Their father can't bring himself to discipline his daughters after their mother dies, leaving them ill prepared for marriage. Sparks fly when the cagey Schellden Laird puts the four of them together as part of a plan to ward off an unwelcomed relation put forth to be his future heir.

Each has their reasons for not wishing to marry. These reasons, along with their particular immaturities make for lots of conflict. Throw in the charming, but meddlesome Laurel McTiernay and her minions, and tensions run high. A true villan is lacking, but having an unexpected romance with two of the secondary characters makes up for that. I enjoyed this character driven story, and watching as each grew and developed over the course of the book.

Though there was much less action than her other books, Ms. Sinclair provides an enjoyable read once again, particularly for those of us who have followed the McTiernay clan. With 3 single brothers left, I look forward to more, hopefully in the near future.
2107433
The author really does weave this family together like a warm quilt. This book is about the third generation of McClendon twins, Carson and Connor, and she does a really good job of giving them unique personalities. Breezy is a young woman from the wrong side of the tracks or in this case, wrong side of the pasture. She's lived mostly a hard life full of heartache and tragedy. They all come together because of her respect for a family that didn't treat her like the trash much of the town did when she was a kid when she arrives back to care for an elder McClendon. Old hurts are laid bare again and truths are revealed that will set some of the characters free. Very well written.
1998805
To the ninety-eight percent of the population who is not a twin, we often are curious about how twins cope with being known as a pair.  Despite being different people, they grow up always having each other to relate to. It forms a bond unlike any that typical siblings are able to form.

Mary Ellen Mark's fascination with twins has inspired a remarkable portrait series.  Traveling to Twinsburg, Ohio, for their annual "Twins Day" festival allowed her to photograph hundreds of twins. In the two consecutive years Mark visited the festival she used a complex set-up for the seemingly simple aesthetic. Every detail is captured through the Polaroid 20x24 camera Mark used. Between the camera and dynamic lighting every wrinkle, toned muscle, body hair, and freckle is visible. Using the studio, all attention of the festival is lost. Instead the attention is given to the twins themselves. A thoughtful decision that emphasizes Marks pure interest in her subjects. The final pages of the book are dedicated to bits of conversation Mark collected after shooting the photographs.  Each fragment from the conversations revels more about each pair connecting the viewer even more with every photograph.

As part of the festival, participants dress alike emphasizing their already very similar appearances. Their outfits give us a glimpse of the personality and lifestyle traits each set shares. It apparent that a majority of the twins are aware of the camera and Mark takes it a step further by posing several of the sets to accentuate their costumes and relationships. The only sense of individuality is provided through the facial expressions and stances of each twin. Even that allowance of distinction is not always utilized, leaving them looking entirely identical.
4490846
Racing the Moon (I still can't figure out the reason for this title) is a book about two Irish fraternal twin sisters, Sophia and Darcy.  From a very young age, Sophia is established as the prettier one, the more competent one, the more likeable one, while the overweight Darcy--who in reality is just as smart and competent as her sister--fades into the background.  Their parents dote on Sophia, from her desire to become fluent in the Irish language to her long-range career plans, while their father in particular despairs of Darcy's choices in life.

Yet it is Darcy who is the star of the novel.  Her wit and intelligence are showcased through her long-term correspondence with an American graduate student as part of a longitudinal study on relationships.  Although Darcy and her ersatz pen pal, Alex, can never meet, much of Darcy's life unfolds via her increasingly detailed letters to her confidante.  Darcy does have other relationships, from the ever-developing, complex relationship with her twin to a near-miss love affair, but it is in her letters, faxes, and emails to Alex that we get to know her best.  Although the majority of the book is narrated from Darcy's perspective, occasionally, there is a shift to Sophia's point of view, which is a bit unnerving but probably necessary to provide the requisite insight into her character (in a few instances, the perspective of the twins' mother is featured as well).

The main action of the novel follows the twins from their teenaged years until their late 20s; family, career, and romance all factor into their individual development.  The end of the book contains such a surprise that only the most astute of readers is likely to pick up the subtle clues which precede it.  Although this certainly adds interest to the story, it also brings it to a fairly abrupt halt, leaving many questions unanswered.  Yet I believe that most readers will not be disappointed, as they will have enjoyed the ride and gotten to know the characters enough to supply their own answers.
1076576
Breaking away from ones twin and growing up is tough. However Joel has found someone worth fighting for. Giving up on the kink he and his brother were so fond of and fighting small town minds with a questional reputation, makes a solid story in this series.
4798327
One thing readers won't have trouble with in regard to The Trouble with Twins is the the amount of time it takes to read - as a fairly quick reader I breezed through this book in just about an hour and a half.  Even slower readers won't have too much trouble with the easy to digest writing that Kathryn Siebel uses to tell the story of twins who get separated and their desire to be together again.  The story reads like a more modern version of a fairy tale in some ways.  There is some humor and plenty of things to overcome as well as the to-be-expected lessons learned.  The book comes off more as a tale about not judging by appearances or expectations, but getting to know the person for who they are.  It's not heavy handed.  It is a bit silly at times.  The illustration style didn't really jive with me, but readers who appreciate having the text broken up will enjoy the fact that there are pictures present.  Chapters are short, too.  While I enjoyed reading the book, I didn't love it and am not finding it entirely memorable.  Still, I bet actual twins will appreciate the lengths the twins in the book go to in order to try and survive without each other and figure out how to get back together.
526148
It was sad to see how the twin had been taken from their families. Yet, their perseverance and growth thru all of this made the book worth while a good read.
3080757
Identical twin sisters Tabitha and Harper and Tabithas sixteen-year-old daughter are the primary story tellers of this novel. None of them are particularly likeable at the beginning. Tabitha is upright and not good at expressing her feelings; Harper is laid back but doesnt have a real career and is having an affair with a married man; and Ainsley is a spoiled brat. The changes in their circumstances transform all of them over the course of the bookfor the better.

Tabitha and Harper haven't really spoken for fourteen years, since they were twenty-five when tragedy struck. Even before that, the twins, who had once been inseparable, started growing apart when their parents divorced and Harper moved to Marthas Vineyard with her father and Tabitha went with her mother to Nantucket. They were seventeen-years-old when their parents divorced, so that cant account for why Tabitha and Harper are so different. Had they been thirteen or younger, I would understand why Tabitha is so concerned with appearancestheir mother is a fashion designer with a boutique selling expensive outfits to the wealthy. Their father, however, lets his home fall into disrepair and, like her father, Harper just throws clothes on without concern for what she looks like as long as shes comfortable. With her string of waitressing and delivery jobs, she doesnt need to look stylish.

When their father dies (at the beginning of the book), the sisters are forced to talk, especially when new events call for them to essentially switch places. I liked reading about the characters transformations.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
4164014
Somehow, I think it would be hard NOT to like a memoir written by two grown men thats prefaced by a letter from their mom and dad! And what an appropriate opening, too, for a book that turns out to be not just about a couple of hunky twins who made it big on tv (which in parts of course it is), but also about the close family ties that bind them to each other, parents, brother JD, significant others, and friends. The same realness that infuses their showsthe twinning rivalry, the good-natured humor, the casual easiness of their relationshipis very much in evidence here, both in the brothers writing and in the voices of their families that shine through.

This was the first of the Scott brothers books that Ive read, having just discovered their tv shows this summer, and I find them even more likable now. It seems theyve been driven to achieve from childhood, having started their own (very successful) business making and selling decorative hangers door-to-door (JAM, or Jon-Andrew-Mom Enterprises!) after their dad told them to get jobs at age 7. The book tells how, in early adulthood, Jonathan became an accomplished magician and Drew an athlete, and then it describes how a divorce and an injury led them to fall back on real estate flipping and each other.

Fans of the brothers who want to learn more about them (rather than just their shows) will enjoy this autobiography and its many photos (though some female readers may be disappointed to have to read so much about the devotion of the very good-looking brothers to their wives!). I bought it along with&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Hot-Property-The-Scott-Brothers-Coloring-Book-An-Ultra-Fan-Tribute-to-Jonathan-and-Drew/dp/1945887427/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Hot Property: The Scott Brothers Coloring Book: An Ultra Fan Tribute to Jonathan and Drew</a>, which makes for a really fun companion book with a similarly light-hearted spirit. Both would make good gifts for fans, I think, either alone or together.

As a side note, I appreciated that one of the later chapters, which does focus on their tv shows, didn't shy away from discussing the unreality of reality TV  while they admit that they do sometimes reshoot revised versions of events (and explain why), they're clear about what they won't do, which includes not scripting lines for homeowners or creating fake storylines like plumbing disasters (or I might add from my own viewing experience, baby alligators constantly popping up inside houses being renovated!).
4783527
You don't have to be a twin to relate to this story of two women- Megan and Crystal- who have been separated by Megan's health problems which overwhelmed their childhood and adolescence.  Anyone who has had- or been- the sibling of a kid with medical or other problems can relate to one of these two.  Harrel has written a story which focuses on the two of them completing the bucket list of Amanda, her heart donor. It's really about more than that, of course.  There's a little love, a lot of faith, and a pretty good, if sometimes a tad slow, story here.  Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
184482
This is a beautifully written story about conjoined twins named Rose and Ruby. Abandoned by their mother at birth, they are adopted by a kindly couple, Lovey and Stash Darlen.  Lovey was one of the nurses present at the hospital when they were born.

Conjoined at the head, Rose and Ruby have a symbiotic relationship. Yet, for all their symbiosis, they are two very different and unique individuals. When Rose, who has a penchant for writing, decides to write her memoir, Ruby decides to add her two cents and write some chapters herself. This book is the story of their lives.

Written as two parallel stories, the author makes  the voice of each twin distinct. Each of their narratives is redolent of the personality and world view of the twin writing the chapter. This is difficult to do, and the author succeeds brilliantly.  This is certainly a book that will keep the reader turning the pages, At times heartbreakingly poignant, the book is infused with humor and wit, as well as a strong reminder that life is what one makes of it. Bravo!
107063
For four teenage boys, living on the mean streets of New York City, how soon is too soon to begin the mountainous journey called life and which climb will impact their lives most?  On the brink of manhood, between their dreams and life's harsh realness, those questions will challenge their characters and define their places in the universe.  Their goals are different, yet rooted from a similar base; they all see their respective destinies in entertainment: a dancer, a writer, a singer and an actor.

They first convene at the school of performing arts where they form a tight singing group, and build formidable friendships. As David, Tyrone, Faison, and Pascal begin their passage, a minute of recording fame overtakes them.  But individual goals and selfishness implode into a million pieces and the group has no desire to recapture those moments.  As they ride the waves of their individual sojourns, the secret lust of two of them, the out of the closet lust of the third, and the fruitless struggle to hit his pinnacle of the fourth morphs into disruptive and painful journeys for all of them.  Their stories span twenty years, as they seek fame and fortune.  The friendships suffer tremendously and even though a couple find that pot of gold, the many surprises and tragedies, tarnish the luster.

MANHOOD: The Longest Moan is a unique tale of youthful ambition and dreams of stardom, lived on paths littered with discreet sexual secrets and carnal exuberance.  I was surprised and captivated by the voice of L.M. Ross.  The writing is rhythmic, engaging, pulsating, and steeped in unrelenting, sometimes forbidden, passion. As the story crescendos, readers will almost hear themselves sigh, but the ending is not what readers will expect.  L.M. Ross' voice has the potential to plant him solidly in the literary arena.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers
59501
Who doesn't remember their heart wrenching coming of age experience? This story reminds us that even the Laceys and Margos, the pillars of popularity, as well as the Bens and Quentins and Radars, have to trudge through a mass of clues on their way to self-affirmation. Once again, Green reminds us that strong friendships are the only way to survive such a journey.
4816511
Ethan was kidnapped by strangers from the front of his small town Minnesota home at the age of seven.  Nine years later a sixteen year old returns to his family.  Though his six year old sister who wasn't even born when he disappeared readily accepts a newly found brother now thirteen year old Blake isn't so sure about this returned sibling. And Ethan's parents are fighting again over all the stress of the changes and attention to the family.  This is a fast read with a twist that should appeal to reluctant readers.  There is some rough language and sexy situations of which some prospective book buyers may want to be aware.
1740045
Danticat's deeply empathetic sense of the unique bond between twins makes this a moving, relatable story which will no doubt appeal to a wide YA audience. Novels about the special relationship shared by twins are not new but Danticat's comes at the theme from the perspective of Haitian-American heritage, lending her own signature flavor.

Giselle Boyer's wrenching, arduous journey after losing her twin sister Isabelle is complicated by the period in which her family believed she'd been the lost child. Coming to terms with her survivor's guilt is given that much more poignance when she must also reconcile the fact her family had at first mistaken her identity. So similar in most every way, it's only after her injuries rendered her unrecognizable from her sister that she, in essence, became her sister. Healing involves a deep exploration into what made her separate from Isabelle, as well as what drew them together.
1793600
What reader can resist a tale of two beautiful sisters-- and twins! The theme of duality is tantalizing--who among us hasn't wondered about a different life, another way of living? Told from the point of view of one twin, we are privy to her life just as we long--like our narrator--to know the other. A poetic and haunting examination of what it feels like to be alone in the world that seems so full of possibilities just out of our reach; it becomes a journey where the reader feels less alone at its end.
645157
I just saw this group at a Celtic Festival.  Their oldest members are now in the just turned 20 age range, and when you meet them up close and personal, the charm of Cape Breton (Canada) culture comes across strong.  Their youth and enthusiasm is overpowering.  "On Fire" highlights the excellent vocal harmony of the group.  They emphasized more of the instrumental, lively music at the festival.  (...) I would hope that they get exposure in Ireland and Scotland, as they may be a channel to connect young people in these countries with their traditional music.