Art of Survival: Part One

Art of Survival Part One (A STERN FAMILY SAGA BOOK 5)<br>By Monique Orgeron<br>5 Stars<br><br>I knew Catherine’s story would be a tough one to read….<br><br>This is book 5 of the Stern Family Saga Series. In order to fully understand this book, please read the first 4 books before diving into this one.<br><br>16 year old Katie had no idea she left one Devil and traded in for a younger, wealthier Devil. Hungry, Homeless and out of money when the man in the suit was noticed, how could you not feel a pull towards him. <br><br>While we’ve gotten a glimpse inside what Catherine lived through in the previous books. Art of Survival Part One is finally giving us what it took to make Catherine, the matriarch of the Stern Family. The woman who fought with all her might for her sons. Her life was lived in the way it was to protect her children. <br><br>She was no longer the weakling that was brought into the Stern mansion at the age of 16. She had blossomed into a woman that was planning her future from the very first night. <br><br>Good times in the mansion? Absolutely. <br>Bad times in the mansion? More than you can count. <br><br>But from the Good times and the Bad times came the biggest joy of all. Her boys. Now adults with wives and children, Catherine has fought the fight long enough. Hidden her secret long enough. Now though its all coming to a head and the family is suffering because of it. <br><br>This is the first book of 2 traveling through Catherine’s history. What will happen in part 2? Will the boys who are men now and have been primed since they were born to take over the family business be ready? Or will the vultures fly in to take apart the family piece by piece???<br><br>Bring on Part 2 STAT!!! <br><br>#BookBistroBlogApproved<br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/photos/1509458959p8/3637777.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>Follow us on:<br>FB – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookBistroBlog">https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...</a><br>Blog -<a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com">https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com</a><br>Blog -<a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com">https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com</a><br>Twitter - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro">https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro</a><br>Instagram - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog">https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog</a><br><br>

Art of Survival Part 1 is the 5th book in the Stern Family saga.<br /><br />This is a 10 Star read, I wish I could rate it higher than GR allows<br /><br />This book contains triggers such as rape and abuse so if this is an issue for you do not proceed. <br /><br /> This book is so powerful, full of raw emotions, alot of sacrifices and love. Yes it's the first part Catherine Stern story. <br /><br />My review is going to be vague, you need to into this book blind, so that you feel all the emotions I felt while reading.<br /><br />This book is written in multiple POV's, it takes us back and forth between the past and the present, to give us understanding of how this amazing woman became who she is today.<br />She is the epitome of beauty and strength.<br /><br />The daily struggles she endured are sure to break a woman not just a woman, any person, but not her Not Catherine Stern. She get right back up and fights for what she believes will protect her family. <br /><br />Monique has delivered us with this devastatingly beautiful book, that shows you what courage and strength can get you. <br /><br />Never give up, fight and keep fighting until your last Breathe!<br /><br />I can't wait for Part 2, I need it now!<br /><br />This is a must read, if you haven't read this series be sure to, the reading order is as follows with buy links below<br /><br /> Art of Seduction <br />Art of Forgiveness <br />Art of War<br />Art of loyalty <br />Art of Survival Part 1<br />Amazon US: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/2Jx8biz">https://amzn.to/2Jx8biz</a><br />Amazon CA: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/2rc7QdJ">https://amzn.to/2rc7QdJ</a><br />Amazon UK: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/2HCsDSv">https://amzn.to/2HCsDSv</a><br />Amazon AU: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/2KhzbUt">https://amzn.to/2KhzbUt</a>

<strong>Depressing</strong><br /><br />This is a depressing rehash of Catherine’s life. How many terrible things can happen to one person? It got to the point where it was just enough for me, but then still continued. Just don’t understand how someone with so much drive ambition and fight would wanted to roll over and die.<br /><br />Catherine preaches family and everything for her family her chooses death over them. Not true to her character.

Oh my goodness. I did not think that this series to get any better, but Monique Orgeron has blown me away with this story. I could not put it down. At times I had my heart clenching with tissues at the ready. My only disappointment is having to wait for part 2!!! Highly recommend.

Art of Survival by Monique Orgeron is book 5 in the 'A STERN FAMILY SAGA' series. This starts the story of Catherine Stern and how she became who she is today. If you have been reading the series you have been introduced to her as the family matriarch. Catherine life has not been easy and with this book we start to learn what all she has been through and now what she is going through. Catherine story is one that I have been wanting to read since book one in this series. So I couldn't put it down and read it til I was done...but her story does continue into another book (waiting patiently). Your heart goes out to her and how strong she needed to be throughout her life. Along with her children she has a man that she is totally in love with and he with her...but their are still problems that keep Catherine from claiming her happiness. <br />There maybe a few trigger line stories for those who are sensitive to certain story lines. It hard to put into words how you feel about this book...it takes you through so many emotions but overall it just a very good story that you will want to read. Loved it and hope to read more from this author soon!

Omg this book of part one of book five. You absolutely need to read this series. Best series ever. I can't wait for the next part. Catherine Stern is a patriarch of her family.

You need to read the other books in the Stern Family Saga first this is not a stand-alone. Catherine's biggest fight and it's for the person she thinks least deserves it...herself.  All she has ever known is struggle from her poverty stricken childhood, experiencing things no child should to living in an a viciously violent marriage. Finally outliving her abusive husband to become the powerful, strong determined mateiach who secures her sons legacy and not always ethically. She should now be relaxing passing things on to her heir Gabriel so she can enjoy her relationship with Theo but the universe has other ideas delivering a devastating blow and now we learn of the catalyst that launched her to make sure her sons found stability and strong wives. Training those wives, her daughter's in law.<br />Catherine is prepared to make the ultimate  sacrifice. This woman fears not death but something else the loss of herself her beauty and sexuality.  She fears vunerabilty or others seeing her as such. This fear makes her stubborn hurting Theo.<br />Part One gives us the backstory, stripped bare. Emotional?  Hell yes. Revealing? Most definitely. Doesn't  end on a cliff hanger as such more a that's all for now folks. I wasn't expecting that. Bring on Part Two. <br />5 well deserved stars.

While I enjoyed the series this far this one, Art of Survival is my least favorite of the bunch and also my lowest ranking.<br /><br />I knew that this would not fall in the same path as the Stern men books and yet I still think it just didn’t reach the same level for me.<br /><br />I did however find it to be a somewhat of quick read and am pleased the Orgeron has decide to break Catherine’s story into two parts. While I wasn’t a huge fan of book one I have high hopes for book two.<br /><br />I think it was the flashback scenes that just seems to be a tad overbearing for my taste. That vast majority of the book seemed to be set in the past. I think I would have much rather of hear the story from here POV as oppose to her memories. Although I applaud Orgeron for tackling tough issues that had occurred in our young Mafia queens life. There are many triggers within this story, rape being one of them.<br /><br />Reading about Catherine’s challenge it felt a bit over dramatic and a naive on our heroines behalf. But then I guess that because I have come to know her a strong systemic woman always with a plan. And witnessing her nativity just stole some of her thunder away from me.<br /><br />I also felt that throughout the series Catherine has been shown as softer in each book and with this book really topped the cake. For a woman who never gave up her decision through me loop even though it was thoroughly explained why she had come to such a conclusions.<br /><br />I just was not satisfied with the dramatic turn of events and how it played out.

I am a bit raw as I write this - the intensity and depth that Orgeron brings to these characters at times feels almost surreal - I have to remind myself it is fiction - Just a story<br />I do not want to give away any spoilers - this is one of those reads that even the smallest of reveals will lessen the emotional impact that makes this story (IMO) one of the best of this series<br />This is Catherine's story - The truth behind the woman - The backbone of the family<br />Be prepared as you go in - this is raw and emotional - nothing is held back<br />I suggest tissues - lots and lots of tissues (a towel might even be better), a stress ball (it may save your Kindle), a quiet room (if you are okay with public gasping then skip this recommendation) and a couple hours of recovery time (this will tax your emotional state )<br />Until next time - Chin up

Catherine Stern’s character piqued my interest in Art of Seduction. I have always wanted to know what made her the woman that she is. Monique does a phenomenal job of giving me what I asked for. I know my review won’t do the story justice, but trust me when I say that this is a must read. Catherine’s story is so much more than I imagined and I was hooked from the very first chapter! I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2.