Book Review: Derby Dames by Tara Chevrestt

It’s the Women’s Air Derby of 1929 and four women all want one thing: to win.

For Angeline Miller, it’s one last hurrah before she finally takes that leap into motherhood, but will her husband be waiting on the other side of the finish line?

For Penelope Burns, it’s a chance to stick it to her patronizing husband and win her son’s pride and affection back—she hopes.

Veronica Truman just wants to make her ailing mother proud.

Nancy Devine, Hollywood starlet and diva, wants to be the next Lady Lindy of the Air...and will pay any price.

One week, a group of very determined and capable women pilots, sabotage, and fate comes together. Who will fly to success? Who will "crash and burn"? And what awaits them in Cleveland, Ohio?

 
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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

 

My Thoughts 

Derby Dames is the sequel to Ride for Rights. This book finds Angeline, one of the sisters who rode motor bikes cross county, looking for one last thrill before motherhood. She joins the women's Air Derby along with historical figures like Amelia Eearhart and Marvell Crossen.  Even the fictional characters are based on real women who were part of the derby, which you can learn more about in the author's notes at the end.  The story follows closely with the real events of the derby, though elaborated for the sake of making the story more interesting. You follow each aviatrix as they experience excitement, fear, and sabotage. I loved all the characters in this story. Angeline has the same charm and spunk that she did in Ride for Rights, but there were some new women whose personalities were fun and colorful. I loved the cigar smoking Penelope and how she threw oranges at her husband's church, but each of the characters were well developed and all were based on real women even though their names were changed. You'll feel like you're riding beside the flyers as they race through the air, overcoming wing-eating cows, dog fights in the sky, and the constant challenge to prove their equality to men. Derby Dames is a wonderful historical novel with an original feminist voice and a unique storyline.

Book Review: Ride for Rights by Tara Chevrestt

 

 Be empowered by the story of two young women riding motorbikes across the U.S. in 1916! Based on real-life sisters.

In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone.

From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert.

Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

 

My Thoughts

Inspired by real suffragettes, Ride For Rights is the amazing story of two sisters who rode their motorbikes cross country to prove woman should have the right to vote and could assist in the war as dispatch riders. I loved the spunky personalities of the sisters and the way they stood up to adversity wherever they went, but it was the historical value of this story that really had me enthralled. Along their trip, the girls meets fictionalized versions of many historical figures. Angeline's diary entries also include tidbits of information of other events happening across the globe at that time. To keep things fun, there are a few comical mishaps like when they get arrested for being dressed as men. My favorite part is what happened when they were abducted in Utah, but you'll have to read it to find out what happens there. A great addition to the novel itself is the author's note at the end. It goes through the events in the book, separating fact from fiction. It gives you a little background info on the real Van Buren sisters who inspired the story. There is also a forward written by one of their descendents. I would ever have learned of these amazing women who fought for women's lib so many years ago if it wasn't for this entertaining read and I'm very grateful that this author has kept their memory alive in her work. Even though parts of the tale were enhanced for entertainment's sake, the fighting spirit of the women remains true. This book a wonderful inspiration to women everywhere.

Book Review: Dog Tails by Tara Chevrestt

 Meet Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy, three canine cuties that will warm your heart and make you laugh.

In Thank Dog It's Friday, Lola and her human mommy, Trisha trade bodies for a day! Can they cope with their new bodies and prevent Trisha's husband from throwing her into a mental institution?

Pugnacious introduces Pudgy, a very pugnacious pug. She takes her job in a dog bakery very seriously and when the bakery is robbed, it's up to her to save the day, the cash, and the canine cookies!

In Tail of Terror, Jazzy does the unthinkable and she runs away. If she can survive the mean streets, there may be a lesson in store for her and she may make a new friend.

Dog Tails is intended for dog lovers everywhere, but even cat lovers will smile and fall in love with Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy.


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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

My Thoughts

 What if a dog switched bodies with their human? What if a little pug stood up to a thief who robbed his owner. And what would a nervous Pekinese do when she gets lost and runs into a blind old woman in need of a helping hand? All of these questions are answered in Dog Tails, a humorous trilogy of stories told from the point of view of man's, or this this case woman's, best friend.  Each of these short stories is loaded with quirky humor and they are based on the very real personalities of the author's three dogs.  Dog lovers everywhere will enjoy this novella. Its a fresh and original take on canine fiction. 

Book Review: Hear Through My Ears by Tara Chevrestt

Hear Through My Ears is a motivational story of a young woman, Tara, who faces the challenges of growing up "hearing impaired" in a hearing world. Follow her stories as she recounts everything from childhood bullies to work related restrictions and funny misunderstandings from mispronounced words to fear of Federal Air Marshals. In this tale, straight from the heart, hear through her ears and find out what it's like to face adversity and rise above it.

 

 

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

 

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My Thoughts

Have you ever wondered what life would be like in a silent world? Hear Through My Ears follows the life of Tara Chevrestt, a deaf women .It gives you an inside look at the challenges and triumphs she has faced in the hearing world.  From being bullied in the schoolyard to being discriminated at work, Tara has faced it all and come out kicking. There are so many little things we take for granted every day, from being able to watch a movie without captions to the ability to hear the intercom at the airport. This book tells you about some of the challenges the hard of hearing face, not in a cry for sympathy, but in an attempt to educate and promote understanding on both sides.

   Hear Through My Ears is extremely well written and will alternately make you laugh and cry with its humorous and heartfelt tales. The author holds nothing back and willingly shares with us more than one embarrassing situation . Its incredibly brave to put your own life on the page for a complete stranger to analyze. I admire this author's strength and courage for being willing to share her story. Reading this book will help you understand the everyday challenges the deaf community faces. It will make you more aware.  After reading Hear Through My Ears, maybe you will enunciate if someone needs to read your lips. Maybe you'll repeat yourself instead of assuming someone is just being rude or ignoring you. Most importantly, maybe you'll remind your children to treat everyone with respect, even if they are a little different. Any book that teaches us these valuable lessons is one worth reading.

 

 

 

Book Review: Maiden Behind the Mask by Tara Chevrestt

When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again.

Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling. However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry.

Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever. Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

 

 

My Thoughts

 

Catalina is a beautiful senorita living in a dangerous world. One day while out to pick up medicine for her sick mother, she is brutally attacked. Though someone comes to her aid before the worst can happen, the experience changes her. She decides she'll never be a damsel in distress again. With the help of her swashbuckling Uncle Jose, she learns to fight. Under the guise of El Capitan, she heads out into the night to help others who might be in distress. She's so wrapped up in her crime fighting, she barely has time to think about her arranged marriage until they're practically in their wedding bed. Its a surprise for them both when they find they care for each other more than they expected. The only problem is, Catalina knows he'll never approve of her nightlife and she's not quite ready to give it up. 

Maiden Behind the Mask is a fabulous story with the type of strong heroine I enjoy reading about.  I  love that Catalina didn't let a terrible experience destroy her. She rose above it, took back her power, and put that power to good use. The story is packed with action, a little romance, and even some humor that comes in the form of a flatulent horse. Maiden Behind the Mask is great, quick read for anyone who enjoys historical romance. 

The Scary Hearing Aid Experience - Guest Post by Tara Chevrestt

I remember my first set of hearing aids. I was eleven and I was both ashamed and excited.

I was ashamed because I knew it would add just another reason for the kids in school to make fun of me. I worried people would see them and laugh at me. I tried to cover them with my hair.

I was excited because for the first time since I was four, I would hear some things I could never hear before.

At first, even the crackling of paper hurt my ears. My eardrums were super sensitive.

I remember the afternoon I first got the aids. My dad had taken the afternoon off work and I’d been pulled out of school for the day. After my appointment, my parents took advantage of Dad’s afternoon off to get some errands done. On the list was the hardware store.

In A Healing Love, Kimberly has her first breakdown in the hardware store, as she’s completely overwhelmed and shocked into a flashback by the noise around her.

It really does feel like that at first. Incredibly loud and scary. Sensitive, unused eardrums just thumping in your ears. Unlike Kimberly, my eleven-year-old self had never been in a war zone so I just covered my ears, fiddled with my volume knobs and complained to my parents about the noise. For Kimberly it’s worse as it brings back memories.

It’s both a frightening and exciting experience. And like Kimberly, it took time for me to admit I needed the hearing aids. I want to say, it should always be a choice. Friends and family members of hard-of-hearing people, I want to say something specifically to you.

You mean well and you want the best for your loved one, but hearing aids and cochlear implants are a personal decision. Sometimes the person may actually be happy in a soundless world. Baby cries, we don’t’ hear it. Dogs bark incessantly, no problem. Respect their decision, no matter what it is. And make sure you aren’t suggesting aids or implants just to make your life easier.

Kimberly and I both chose hearing aids. Her experience in the book with getting molds is my very own: the feeling of pressure, the coldness, the drooling around the mouthpiece. It really is quite mortifying. Here’s a blurb:

Just as Kimberly was about to jump up and gesture to Jasmine she’d changed her mind, the doctor transferred the blue mixture to a giant plastic syringe and with gentle hands, pushed her hair away from her ear and began filling it with the thick goo. Kimberly almost jumped in surprise. The pressure building up in her ear hurt, like the pressure build-up when on an airplane, and the stuff was cold, but she struggled to be still. She didn’t want to have to do it again.

When the audiologist had filled both ears, he handed her a paper towel and smiled. “For the drool,” he said and turned to leave the room.

Oh my God! How degrading! Kimberly immediately placed the napkin to her open mouth and knew her eyes were wide with horror, because Jasmine was laughing uproariously, her head thrown back and her mouth open.

Kimberly continued wiping her chin, feeling disgusting, while her sister-in-law appeared to be getting more amused with each passing moment. Finally, the other woman got herself under control enough to speak. “If you could see how funny you look. I’m not being mean, but the look on your face is priceless.”

Kimberly reached for her pad and pen, placing the paper towel in front of her mouth.

This better be worth it!

I promise, for those of you who want them, it is worth it. You can even hook these things up to the TV and for the first time ever, I’m able to hear doors slamming and footsteps on the floor...I only like sound during TV though, not the rest of the day. LOL

And for those of you shamed, don’t be. Tuck that hair behind it! Let it show. Never be ashamed of who you are. It’s no different than wearing glasses or braces.

Thank you for letting me talk about this.

Blurb:

Kimberly Rogers vowed to fight a tragic past the only way she knew how: she joined the Army and became strong. No man would hurt her again. But a war wound sends her to her brother's in Cripple Creek, WY, with vision and hearing impairments.

Whereas glasses can help her see and hearing aids can help her hear, nothing can force her to talk again. Is she really unable to speak, or is she hiding behind her disability to protect herself, her pride, and her heart? Regulated to the most menial of jobs, her world in shambles, Kimberly is finally convinced to seek medical assistance.

Carlos Medina is Jackson Hole's best therapist. If anyone can make Kimberly speak again, it's him. But Kimberly has to meet him halfway, and Carlos has his own past tragedy that the young, mute woman threatens to force him to conquer.

They both have wounds…and sometimes wounds must be reopened before they can heal. Can they open up to each other? Can Kimberly find her voice again and open her heart? Can love heal them both?

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

You can connect with her on Facebook or follow her blog.

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, dog mom, writer, and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.

You can connect with her on Facebook or follow her blog.