I recently read Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long and breezed right through it. For me especially, that is a sign of a good book. One that captures my attention so much that I stay up late reading and pick it back up at every opportunity is definitely a good read. Chasing Rainbows definitely fits that description; I read it in one night!
Bernadette Murphy likes her life. Really, she does. What’s wrong with carrying around an extra ten pounds from fertility treatments? Or having your dog kicked out of obedience school? Again? What’s that saying about the devil you know? For Bernie, it’s the devil she never expected that changes everything.
Her father’s sudden death leaves a gaping void in her life and is one in a series of events that rock her world. Her husband leaves for another woman, and her best friend announces an unplanned pregnancy at the age of forty-one. Bernie’s behavior goes from acting out to out-of-hand, and she finds herself in trouble at home, out of work and banned from the mall after a confrontation at the cosmetic counter.
When her mother discovers her father’s book of cryptograms, Bernie realizes his encoded lessons in living might be exactly what she needs to survive. From dealing with her family’s grief and bonding with her best friend’s thirteen-year-old daughter, to dieting, dating and mindless almost-sex with the landscaper, Bernie discovers what her father always knew.
In life, you either choose to sing a rainbow, or you don’t.
For Bernie, the singing is about to begin.
So, what kept my attention that much? Long’s writing style is easy to follow and this story has a bit of whimsy to it that I really enjoyed. From her brother’s dog that has to wear a helmet to her dog that chases planes, I was giggling right through. I enjoyed her interaction with her teenage niece and could see myself in some of her behaviors (both good and bad). Like, for example, her destruction of a pedometer or her complete lack of craftiness but inability to stop trying… but especially in her beloved sweatshirt that should have been tossed several years ago but you can’t let it go. I kept wanting to scream at her to get her self together and open her eyes… but at the same time wanted to hug Bernie for all she was going through. The relationship with her neighbor had me baffled and then grinning like little kid in a candy store. I wanted to punch Ryan and hold him and tell him it was okay all at once. And Number Thirty-Six? Every girl needs one of those in their life at some time or another.
I totally get the chasing rainbows meaning in this book and I love that even Poindexter, her pooch, was chasing his own rainbows. But, I have to admit something to you and it is a bit embarrassing. I still, after reading the book and seeing it mentioned several times, do not understand the phrase “sing a rainbow”. And, the cryptograms in the book… yeah, totally clueless. But, for me that makes a book even more interesting and will likely mean another read of this title at a future date. I wish I had seen more of the relationship develop between the characters as I live for those moments of love!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. In fact, I already have! You too can purchase this fabulous book… be sure to let me know what you think if you do! Be sure to visit Kathleen’s website to see more from her!
Kathleen’s bio:
A long time ago, in an elementary school far, far away, a very young Kathleen scribbled a story idea in her journal. Then she wrote another, and another. She added several poems, the lyrics to a song or two, a love letter to David Cassidy, and so on and so on. While her early writings never saw the light of day, many of her later works did. And while she did not marry David Cassidy, Kathleen did marry her own Prince Charming. Together, they are raising one drama queen and one obedience-challenged border collie mix in a kingdom divided between suburban Philadelphia and the Jersey shore.
Kathleen is the RITA® nominated, RIO Award and two-time Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence winning author of fourteen novels of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Her additional honors include National Readers Choice, Holt Medallion, and Booksellers Best award nominations.
She divides her time between plotting her next book, bribing her little one to pick up her toys, and begging the dog to heel. Life is good. Very, very good.
Guess what?! Anyone that comments on the tour page for Chasing Rainbows will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Be sure to head over and visit!
Disclosure: I was gifted this book for the purpose of review. Many thanks to Chick Lit Plus for including me in this blog tour! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kathleen Long says
Stefany — thank you for such a great review! I’m tickled you enjoyed the book and characters. As for the phrase, “sing a rainbow,” all Bernie’s father meant was that it’s up to us to create/find our own happiness. You take the hand you’re dealt and you make the best of it. ;o) Thanks again for being part of the tour! Warmest wishes.
Stefany says
Thanks Kathleen (for the explanation)! It was a pleasure to be on the tour!!!
Julie says
This one seems to be a nice read, I can’t wait to purchase it and read! Thanks for this great review, I’ve just got the idea for my next book!
Stefany says
Thanks for stopping by Julie!
Samantha says
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
Stefany says
Thanks for having me Samantha! 🙂