I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Finding Grace & The Obsessions of Harvey Usher; Movie: Amongst the Wolves

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Finding Grace and The Obsessions of Harvey Usher

Today, we are recommending Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild. Explaining this book without giving away too much is not easy. However, the gist is that it's about two people brought together after a tragic event because of a child, but one of them is holding secrets that may tear them apart. There is much more to it than that, but to say too much would be a spoiler. 

This story is completely unique and original. It is also full of appealingly shocking twists. The love story seems forced at first, however. Tom falls too easily in love because he is clearly trying to replace a lost loved one, and the woman he falls for fits the bill all too perfectly for good reason. It seems too insta-lovely and like he is in love with the idea of this woman rather than the woman herself.  However, as the relationship develops, it becomes more believable and sweet, not only to the reader but to other characters in the book, although some, including the surprising narrator of the story, have been rooting for them all along. 

Today, we are recommending The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam. When a young woman shows up claiming to be his wife of two years. 80-year-old Harvey Usher sets out to find out what is really going on with the help of his neighbor, Esther and a young detective named Eddie Gurski. However, getting to the truth not only causes him to relive his past with his beloved late wife, but also may lead to the revelation of dangerous secrets he has kept for decades.

This is a hard-boiled crime story full of quirky, dangerous characters trying to outwit one another. Even Harvey himself, although not exactly an anti-hero, is not above skirting the law when he needs to, although his reasons may be morally superior to those he is going against. The book reads like an action novel, and it is full of numerous acts of violence. Although some may enjoy this aspect, even those who wouldn't necessarily want to see violence right in front of them in the form of a TV show or movie, others may be disturbed by it and prefer to read something else. 

Movie: Amongst the Wolves

Today, we are talking about Amongst the Wolves. This is the story of a homeless soldier haunted by his past who becomes involved with a runaway teen, putting him directly in the path of the Irish criminal underworld. Although the relationship between the two is slightly touching, it doesn't develop enough in a way that makes you care all that much.  The movie is mostly depressing. However, those who enjoy movies with a very dark tone and full of violent action may enjoy it. 

Finding Grace and The Obsessions of Harvey Usher both publish today. Amongst the Wolves will be available in limited release in certain cities this Friday, July 11 and on streaming platforms.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday. 

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us hereand we will look into the matter

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