Tiffany's Bookshelf

The Spellbinder, by John Booth

2012-02-08T21:27:00.000-05:00

It's 1860 England, and magical ability is a matter of national defense. A special military force is comprised of people with various levels of magical ability, but Britain's most prized possessions are the Class A Spellbinders, the most skilled soldier. Which is why a teenage Laura is shocked to learn that she, in fact, is a Class A Spellbinder, and will be sent to a school in a top secret location, both for her own protection and to receive training. She is accompanied by her new friend, Tom, a skillful Healer. It becomes apparent upon their arrival at the school that all is not as it seems, and they are in grave danger.

Magic. Steampunk. British military. Espionage. Teenage hormones. What a combination. I loved every minute of it. John Booth once again creates a vivid storyworld with his revision of the Victorian British Empire as it might have been with the help of magic. I am beyond impressed with the rich, detailed backstory Booth weaves in order to set the story up, particularly because he does so in a way that does not detract from the plot. This is the first book in a new series, and I am so excited to see where the author goes with this series.

I found the characters to be just as vivid, and felt, quite quickly, as if I actually knew them. It was thrilling to me to see such strong female characters written by a male author. I liked seeing the surprising twists that occurred with some of the characters throughout the book, and it made me excited for the possibilities in the later installments in the series.

There are obvious similarities between this book and the Harry Potter series (especially the later Potter books), but there is a lot of unique content to the book as well. I think fans of steampunk and fantasy fiction will appreciate the series. While some themes are mature and adult, it seems no cheekier than many other young adult books I have read, and would be appropriate for most teen readers.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Never Eighteen, by Megan Bostic

2012-02-06T08:19:00.000-05:00

Austin is a 17 year old boy; he will never be 18. He knows this because he is battling a terminal illness. As Austin comes to terms with his fate, he is determined to make a difference in the lives of those around him. He decides to take time out to right some wrongs, accomplish some goals, and make sure those who love him know he loved them back.

Grab your tissues, because you are going to need them. Perhaps it was the fatalistic beauty, or perhaps having a 17 year old nephew named Austin made this hit too close to home. Whichever it was, this book was like a knife directly into my heart. As I neared the end, I literally wept in my bed. This book is so incredibly touching.

I absolutely loved Austin's character, and all the things he stood for. Here is an incredibly brave, and beautifully flawed young man on a journey. I really enjoyed learning about Austin through the visits he made and the goals he accomplished. I felt like he was written in a very realistic manner. I really enjoyed watching Austin complete his bucket list of sorts, and I found him to be very endearing. While we meet many lesser characters through Austin's activities, I never felt overwhelmed with characters or storyline. In the end, this is Austin's story.

I thought that this book handles some really tough topics adeptly. Terminal illness, rape, divorce, teen death, drug addiction, teen sexuality... many authors will not touch one of these topics, let alone take them all on. I feel like because this book did not shy away from the difficult topics, it will really resonate with teen readers. These issues are real, and teens face them every day.

I was really moved by this book. The writing is simple and straightforward, yet the story and characters are touching and poignant. A really powerful read about making the most of the life you are given, this book will appeal to both teen and adult readers.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Splattered Blood, by Michael A. Draper

2012-01-31T07:34:00.000-05:00

Johnny worked in security for a professional basketball team. When he turns up dead, it looks like a suicide. His widow Roseanne, her brother Graham, and her friend Randy, push the police to take a second look, and it turns out to be murder. The trio is dissatisfied with the lack of progress on the case, so they take matters into their own hands. Before they know it, they are deep into the world of drugs, gangs, and Russian mafia. But will they be able to catch the killer?

This book has a cinematic quality to it. There are serious action sequences quite early in the book. The title is completely appropriate, since less than a third of the way into the book I lost count of the bodies that had piled up. There is a lot of violence in this book, but it is not overly graphic or gratuitous. The violence serves the purpose to further the storyline. Nothing happens in this book without a purpose.

The character development is typical to a thriller murder mystery. We do not get overly close to the characters, except maybe for Randy. We do get a bit of a personal look into Randy's psyche. But all the characters are developed thoroughly within the boundaries of the story. In a story like this, we do not need to get to close to the characters, we need to focus on the action as apposed to the relationships among the characters.

Unfortunately, I do not know enough about the world of gangs and drugs to speak to the novel in terms of realism. From my point of view, the book seemed jam packed with a lot of intensity and action. The reader is pushed further and further into the book to learn who is behind all this death. I think fans of thrillers and murder mysteries will enjoy this book.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Chop Chop Winners

2012-01-23T09:10:00.000-05:00


Photo Source

Congrats to the winners of the Chop Chop Giveaway:

Sam Crossley

Bethie

Jessica Coil

Mesha

Melissa

Sarah

Kathi

A couple of the winners told me already started (and in some cases finished!) reading the book, and are loving it!

Thanks for entering!

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Blank Slate Kate, by Heather Wardell

2012-01-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

Kate wakes up with her memory ending when she is 17, without a clue what is going on, and in a stranger's apartment. It becomes clear that Kate is not actually 17, but is in fact suffering memory loss. The stranger quickly becomes a friend, as he tries to help her figure out who she is. Just when it seems their friendship may become more, they receive word that Kate is actually Donna, and her husband has tracked her down. Now Kate/Donna must try to unravel the rest of the mystery and figure out where she goes from here.

Having read quite a few books by this author, I felt like this book took on a very different feel from her previous work. Character development was handled a bit differently, and I would think this was purposeful in order to keep with the feeling of self discovery. How can Kate's character be fully developed when she herself has no clue who she is? We learn snippits of information about her, because that is all she is learning as well. In some ways, this is confusing and frustrating, but really, that is what draws us to Kate as a character; we are feeling the same confusion she is.

I actually quite liked the slightly stormy storyline. I liked watching Kate wrestle with her identity as Donna. I was quite surprised with the choices Kate made in terms of her romantic attachment, I really did not think it was going to go that way. All in all, a solid story, and most fans of Wardell, or chick lit in general, will like the book. I think they key to really enjoying the book is understanding the mental state of the main character, and the fact that the story is unfolding from her point of view. Push through the confusion, the resolution is worth it.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author as part of a blog tour. See full tour info here.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe

2012-01-17T17:57:00.000-05:00

The Shelby family owns a plantation in Kentucky, and within their plantation system, they own slaves. Yet these slaves see the Shelby's as loving masters. Having financial difficulties causes Mr. Shelby to sell two of his slaves, Tom, known as Uncle Tom by many, and young Harry, son of Eliza, a house slave. When Eliza hears of the plan, she takes Harry and escapes, in the hopes of making it to Canada. She is pursued by the slave trader who purchased her; eventually she is reunited with her husband and the family makes their way to freedom. Meanwhile, Tom is taken away and sold to the St. Clare family. The St. Clares are good to him, particularly the young daughter, Eva. After a series of family tragedies, Tom is sold by Mrs. St. Clare, and becomes the property of Simon Legree, a heartless and cruel master.

This book is a difficult read, for various reasons. Written and published in the 1850's, the books subject matter and language both seem so foreign to me. The main theme of the book is the evils of slavery, and the potential redemption of the sin of slavery through Christianity. The book is credited with bring the issue of slavery into the national political spotlight. Part of the evil of slavery, as shown in this book, is the concept of ownership over another human being. The idea that one man can own another, and that the Master-slave relationship trumps all others. I cannot even fathom the idea of ones child or spouse not actually being their own, but instead being merely the property of the master. Women lose their children, men lose their wives, and they are expected to just accept it, because they are slaves.

The masters portrayed in the book are varied; some treat the slaves well and eventually free them, while others beat their slaves mercilessly. It makes the subject matter complex, in that some slaves do not appear dissatisfied with their bonds. Similarly, one of the minor characters in the book, Aunt Ophelia, is an abolitionist, yet she appears to me as one of the most racist characters in the book. While she finds slavery to be evil, she also finds the black race to be distasteful. I find the complexity of this character, along with the complexity of the good Master-willing slave relationship, to be compelling, and find that it adds significant depth to the story.

The language, I will admit, is a bit difficult. Some of the slave dialect was quite difficult for me to decipher, yet I found it to seem more real that if the slaves had spoken grammatically perfect English. The realistic dialog helped the characters come to life. The language and social morals are so significantly different from our own modern ones that I can see how this book might be intimidating or off putting to many readers, but I urge them to stay with it, and try to find the deeper message in the story.

While this book is certainly not without its flaws, I have to respect it, and recommend it, if for no other reason that the important role it played in American history. We may not be proud of this portion of our history, but we have to acknowledge it in order to grow as a nation.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Three Cups, by Tony Townsley and Mark. St. Germain

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Follow the teachings of a family as they teach their children basic financial management. By using three different cups, the family shows how money can be portioned out for saving, spending, and charitable giving. The child learns to split his money between the cups, having a visible reminder that each day there is a choice in terms of how to handle one's money. The lessons are accompanied by lovely full color illustrations.

I thought this book was simply lovely. The writing presented the concepts in a very basic, easy to understand way that will be engaging to children. Parents can easily read this book to their children while presenting three cups of their own to institute the lesson within the story. I think it is quite valuable, and a great starting point that will allow parents to have discussions about charitable giving, and the fact that there are so many in great need. This is a lesson my own parents taught me at a young age, and I love that this book can be a vehicle to pass the valuable lesson on to other children.

I particularly loved the illustrations in the book. I read an ebook, but if I had a child I would prefer to have a hard copy so that he or she could go over the concepts spelled out in the story and illustrations on their own. In short, I thought the book was simply gorgeous and a perfect starting point. If you are looking for a book to help your child learn about money management, and charitable giving, then this is the book for you.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Chop Chop Giveaway

2012-01-10T10:34:00.001-05:00

Today, two wonderful things happened. First off, I broke into the top 1000 reviewers on Amazon. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way!

The second wonderful thing is L.N. Cronk, author of the Chop Chop series, has offered to give away 10 digital copies of Chop Chop, the first book in the series. The book description is as follows:

Ever since Laci was a little girl she's been growing out her pretty, brown hair and chopping it off to send to Locks of Love. When Greg moves into town and finds out what she's doing, he thinks it's a great idea...so he starts doing it too! It's just one of the things that reserved, young David must tolerate as their friendship grows throughout the years. As they near adulthood, they grow not only closer to each other, but closer to God as well. David finds himself content in every way, but when tragedy occurs David must struggle to find his way back to God.

Here is your chance to experience the book for yourself. All you need to do is complete the form below to be entered to win one of 10 ebooks for either Kindle or Nook.. Don't have an ereader? If you download the Kindle application to your computer, tablet, or smart phone, you can read your ebook on that!

All you need to do is tell me your name, email address, which format (Kindle or Nook), and why the book appeals to you. These are the only requirements to be entered into the giveaway.

For additional entries you can do some additional things, like:

Follow this blog and tell me how you follow it +2
"Like" the Tiffany's Blogs Facebook Page and tell me the name you used +2
Follow @tiffanysblogs on Twitter and tell me your Twitter handle +2
Post about the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, your blog, etc. and leave the links +3 for each link
Vote one of my Amazon reviews as helpful (this must be a new vote, ones prior to 1/10/12 will not count) +5

So, as you see, plenty of ways to earn extra entries, and with 10 copies being given away, lots of opportunity to win!

Contest will end at 12:01 EST on January 21. The email addresses of the winners will be submitted to L.N. Cronk, and she will send the ebooks directly to the winners.

Now the only thing left to do is enter!
<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

The Priest and the Peaches, by Larry Peterson

2012-01-10T07:20:00.000-05:00

The Peach kids have not had it easy these last few years. They lost their mother, which left them in the care of the grandmother and their father. When their grandmother also dies, their father is left taking care of the family. The hours he does not spend working to support his kids, he spends drinking to forget his heartbreak. When he also gets sick and dies, the kids are left to fend for themselves. Thank goodness they encounter plenty of divine intervention.

From the beginning, I had a very hard time connecting with this book. I absolutely adored the setting of 1960's Brooklyn, but I felt as though the setting could have been better described, to help create a richer storyworld. Also, I had a hard time connecting to the characters. While the back story of the Peach family is well explained, the characters themselves just did not connect with me. I think in a Brooklyn neighborhood such as theirs, ethnicity would have played a stronger part of family identity, so the fact that this was not at all described kind of puzzled me. The family's religious identity was well described, but I would have better connected had I been able to think of this as an Italian Catholic or and Irish Catholic family. It would have filled in a lot of blanks about their identities. Perhaps this was discussed and I just did not pick up on it.

The story moves pretty quickly, with the now orphaned children encountering bad luck and road blocks pretty much at every turn. I liked the story, and thought it quite sweet. I particularly liked the portrayal of the family's Catholic faith. The theme of love your neighbor is certainly one that we could stand to see more of in the world, so I greatly appreciate that being portrayed in the book. It also stressed not to judge people based on your impression. We are given the impression that Mr. Peach is just a drunk, when really, despite his drinking problem, he was a good Christian who had a huge impact on his community.

All in all I did enjoy the book, I just wish I could have felt a little more connected to it.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher as part of a book tour.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

We have a WINNER!!!

2012-01-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

I am happy to announce that the winner of the $50 Amazon Giftcard is....

Valette M.

Thank you all so much for reading, following, entering, and encouraging me as I moved toward my goal throughout 2011.

My reading challenge for myself is going to be classic literature. I have decided to not set a specific number, but instead will be read as many works of classic literature (that I have not previously read) as I can. The whole goal of my personal reading challenges is to strengthen my literary muscles, so why not spend some time with the masters?

Thanks again to everyone who entered!

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Gone, by L.N. Cronk

2012-01-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

David finds himself confused once in a while. These days, he catches himself doing an odd thing or two, but chalks it up to daydreaming. A devastating diagnoses lets David and Laci know that their lives together are about to change, quickly, and the results will be heartbreaking. Slowly, David is fading away, and soon, the David he has always been will simply be... gone.

Grab some tissues if you are going to read this book. I think, for me, this has been the most heartbreaking book so far in the Chop Chop series. First off, we are seeing the slow whittling away of a character we have watched grow up throughout the series. It is like losing a friend, truly. For me, the book had an even deeper impact, as my grandfather had a form of the same disease that David has. I remember, vaguely, what it was like to have a person slowly fade away. It is incredibly difficult, and I think Cronk does a beautiful job of portraying this reality in a gentle way.

There is quite a jump in time from the previous book in the series to this book, and in some ways I really like that. It is nice to know that this family had a long period of time where things were status quo, un-noteworthy. However, I secretly hope that once the series ends, Cronk will be inspired to write about the lost years of David and Laci. We learn that they adopt more children, who are minor characters in this book, but because Cronk is so wonderful at character development and dialogue, I do crave hearing how each child entered their lives.

The book certainly has a different pacing and tone from the previous ones in the book, which I personally appreciated. While I have loved every book in the series, I think it was a wise decision to make this one different; it helps keep long time fans of the series on their toes, and gives them something completely new, wrapped in the packaging of characters we know and love.

As always, Cronk writes with heart and honesty, which is why I find her books so touching. I wept my way through the ending, and found myself anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Learn Me Gooder, by John M. Pearson

2012-01-03T09:37:00.000-05:00

Jack Woodson is back for another year of teaching adventures. Each week or so, he recounts his adventures in educating to his friend and former coworker. Read about the continued trials of Mr. Woodson as he discusses the perils of third grade, the trouble with falling in love, and the ever dreaded Texas standardized tests.

I just love the way Pearson writes the story of Mr. Woodson. I think it is quite clever how Pearson uses the email format, once again, to help relay the weekly happenings. It makes the reader feel like they are eavesdropping on real life conversations. Since I know quite a few teachers, I know how much these amusing stories are grounded in reality!

I really liked the further development of Jack Woodson's character, and the peek into his private life. The relationship with Jill added a lot to the book, and it was nice to see a bit of vulnerability. And I just adore the cast of kid characters this time around. So many endearing and kooky kids.

All in all I thought the book was hilarious. It will appeal to teachers without a doubt, as well as lots of everyday readers as well.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

200 Book Celebration Giveaway

2011-12-27T21:45:00.001-05:00

At the beginning of 2011, I set a crazy goal to read and review 200 books this year. Believe it or not, I actually accomplished my goal, and tonight I posted the review of the 200th book! Amazing right? Since I accomplished my goal, I decided to celebrate.

I set this goal to build my literary muscle, so it makes sense that my celebration will be something that allows someone else to flex their mental muscles too. That is why I have decided to give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

So, here are the details for the Giveaway:

Giveaway begins right now, and ends at 12:01 am January 7th, 2012. Any entries received after that time will be invalid.

Anyone at all can enter. All you need to do is complete the form below with your name, email, and the title of your favorite book. The email address must be valid, as this will be how the giftcard will be sent to the winner. Pretty simple, right.

However, there are several things you can do to earn extra entries:

Follow this blog, and tell me how you follow it (GFC, Networked Blogs, RSS) +2 entries

Follow @tiffanysblogs on Twitter and tell me your user name +2 entries

Like the Tiffany's Blogs page on Facebook and tell me your user name +2 entries

Write a blog about this giveaway and leave me the link +5 entries

Give a helpful vote to one of my reviews on my Amazon profile, and tell me which one you voted for +5 entries

Share info on the Giveaway on social network sites (Twitter, Facebook, G+, etc.) and leave the links +3 entries per link

So as you can see, you can easily increase your chances to win by doing a few simple things.

Now, the only thing left to do is to enter through the form below:

<p>Loading...</p>

Friends Like Us, by Lauren Fox

2011-12-27T21:10:00.000-05:00

Willa and Ben were best friends in high school. They had a little oddball club of two members. After high school ended, however, they drifted apart, as high school friends sometimes do. Willa met Jane in college, and another best friendship bloomed. Now Willa and Jane are roommates, but when Ben re-enters the pictures something odd happens. Ben and Jane fall in love, and Willa ends up being left out. What will happen to the dymanics as these relationships cross all sorts of boundaries?

From the very beginning of the book, we know that there has been a sad sad turn of events in the friendship of Willa and Jane. Because we know something happened, but do not know what, we are hooked. We want to know what happened, and we want to try to fix it. I found myself adoring Willa and Jane both, and saddened to think that something was coming that would hurt them.

While the storyline is not the most original, the thing that really stood out to me was the character development of Willa and Jane. The reader can not help but feel for these women, and the wounds they suffer. I was completely wrapped up in the story. I will admit that I was not wholly satisfied with the ending of the book, but mostly because I wanted their story to continue. I think the book will really appeal to fans of contemporary fiction, particularly dealing with difficult relationships.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Summer of My German Soldier

2011-12-27T07:51:00.000-05:00

Patty Bergen does not have what you would call a happy home life. Abused by her father, Patty struggles to find her way through the world, and often resorts to telling lies. When a German POW camp is established in town, Patty is fascinated with the prisoners. One in particular, Anton, develops a rapport with her, and later Patty shelters him as he attempts to escape. As a Jewish girl, helping a German soldier is seen as a major betrayal, and has serious impact on Patty's life.

This was a difficult story to read, both in terms of the themes and the writing. First off, the subject of an abused child is always hard to read about. However, I found the book, and the way it handled the topic of abuse, to be so scattered. I just had a really difficult time finding a connection with Patty's character. While her situation was atrocious, the lying and other aspects of her personality made her hard to like.

I also did not really understand Patty's relationship with Anton. Was it a crush, was it inappropriate, was it a fantasy, or was it just purity of the human spirit? I have difficulty understanding what motivated her to help him, and what his view of the relationship was.

I know the book, while fiction, is semi-autobiogrpahical. I just felt like the author was working out some personal demons, as opposed to focusing on developing an engaging story. This is targeted to late middle grades, early young adult readers, but I am not sure this is the best demographic. While it is appropriate from a reading level standpoint, I am not sure that target group will be engaged by this book; it may be better received by older young adult readers.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Christmas Singing, by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-12-26T15:33:00.001-05:00

Mattie's heart was broken when her childhood sweetheart broke their engagement, but she moved on. She moved to a new town, and started a cake business. But when fire strikes her bakeshop, Mattie is forced to revisit her old town, her old life, and her old love. Suddenly, everything she thought she knew is not exactly as it seems.

This was a perfect holiday read for me. Cindy Woodsmall does a wonderful job creating characters that readers really care about. I found this story to be really unique, focusing on a strong independent woman in the Amish culture, which is a rarity. Mattie is a strong character, wonderfully written, and as a reader, you long to see her happy.

I really liked that the story showed struggle, and felt it emphasized the similarities between the Amish and the English. I think that is part of why Amish fiction is so popular, because it helps bridge a gap between cultures that seem so foreign and antithetical, when in reality the cultures share many commonalities. The story is one of my favorites by the author, and it made for a wonderful, peaceful, hopeful holiday read.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

A Clockwork Christmas, by Jenny Schwartz, J.K. Coi, PG Forte, and Stacy Gail

2011-12-26T00:12:00.000-05:00

A repentant thief who fall in love with her victim. A man in love with a very different
kind of woman. An Australian suffragette in need of a man, merely for political purposes allegedly. A woman who suffers from a tragic event. These are the themes of the short stories in this book, each set in an alternate reality with heavy steampunk overtones.

I have very mixed feelings on this book. Some of the stories were great, and some were quite weak. Some of the stories lived up to the Clockwork Christmas title, and some did not. As a collection of short stories dealing with the futuristic steampunk genre, I think the book certainly delivers. Each story has steampunk elements, some are subtle and some are bold, but each delivers. Where the book falls flat, in my opinion, is as a collection of holiday inspired or themed stories. I thought the first story in the book did the best job of blending the holiday and steampunk elements, but it went downhill from there.

As with all short stories, there was little time in the tales for detailed character development. Two of the stories did a great job developing both character and plot, but again the others fell flat. I greatly disliked the story set in a revisionist South, where the South won the Civil War; I felt that point added nothing to the story, and it just bothered me.

The book was also a lot more sexual than I anticipated; while this was intended to be steampunk romance, the additional holiday aspect somehow made me think the romance would be sweet. But there was quite a large dose of steam in these steampunk stories, and I am not sure the blend of clockworks, mechanical steam based inventions, Christmas, and sex was quite up my ally. However, I think fans of steampunk and romances, and especially steampunk romances, will probably greatly enjoy.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Other Mothers, by L.N. Cronk

2011-12-24T06:18:00.000-05:00

David has a beautiful life, with his wife Laci and their two children. They have recently added to their family by becoming foster parents to Amber, and David feels strongly that Amber should be a permanent part of their family. However, God seems to have different plans, and the family faces some of their toughest struggles yet.

Once again Cronk opens the world of her characters from the Chop Chop series, and allows the readers inside. I especially like this book, since it focuses a lot on David and his journey, much like the first book did. I feel that as the series continues, we really get to see so many of the characters blossom, and we see it through David's eyes; now it is his turn.

As always, Cronk bravely tackles some tough subjects, and I like the fact that she allows her characters to be imperfect. Sometimes Christian authors do not want to show negative emotions or situations in their writing, but I find that authors that do produce work that is more relatable to readers, and Cronk exemplifies that. Her writing is honest, and real; it allows readers to see pieces of themselves and their own struggles in the stories.

The book, and in fact the entire series, has wide appeal for both Christian readers and non-Christian readers. I continue to look forward to the next book in the series, and am secretly dreading when the series ends.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Identical, by Ellen Hopkins

2011-12-22T18:54:00.000-05:00

Raeanne and Kaeleigh are identical twins. Identical on the outside, at least, but inside, the girls could not be more different. Kaeleigh harbors a secret, Raeanne harbors one as well. As Kaeleigh deals with her fathers unwanted affections, Raeanne pines for them. As Kaeleigh binges, Raeanne purges. As Kaleigh pushes boys away, Raeanne juggles multiple partners. What happens when all the secrets bubble to the surface?

I have read many of Ellen Hopkins' young adult books, but this was, by far, the most powerful of them all. This book focuses on trauma, and the effects it can have on the lives of everyone involved. Trauma spanning generations, states, political affiliations. There is also an emphasis on seeking wholeness in unlikely and unhealthy ways. We see brokenness in nearly every character in the book, each of them using different means to feel whole again.

I thought the character development was so incredibly done, particularly once the secrets are all revealed. This is one of those books that, once you know the ending, you are compelled to go re-read it again, looking for all the hidden clues. And Hopkins is a master of hidden clues. I found this writing to be really brilliant, and it reminds me why I love novels written in verse form so much.

I know that books with tough subject matter are questionable for young adult readers, so parents should be fully aware of the content before allowing their children to read it. This book is probably most appropriate for young adult readers at the older end of that spectrum, late high school to early college age.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

What Ho, Automaton!, by Chris Dolley

2011-12-22T06:51:00.000-05:00

Reggie is an avid fan of detective novels, such as Sherlock Holmes. When he has the good fortune to cross paths with an automaton named Reeves, he adopts his as a personal assistant of sorts. First we learn of the pairing's fortuitous meeting, then we learn what happens when Reggie and Reeves team up to investigate the disappearance of several society debutantes.

While I have never read any Wodehouse, I am familiar with the premise of his stories, as well as his iconic characters, so I was able to appreciate the homage that this book was intended to me. It is a cocktail of Wodehouse and steampunk, with a Sherlock Holmes chaser, and it was intoxicatingly funny. I found myself snickering and snorting as I read, thinking the entire time "this is pure awesome".

Still a rather new fan to the steampunk genre, I really enjoyed the subtle steampunk aspects to the story. I particularly loved the Victorian revisionist setting, what with the Queen having mechanical limbs and all. I found the Reggie and Reeves characters to be well developed, and I loved their interactions. The first story is the pairing is just a short introduction to them as characters, and an explanation as to how the met. The real meat and potatoes of the book is the second story, which I found to be hilarious.

My husband is a big Wodehouse fan, so when I described the book to him, he fell in love with the concept; I think many Wodehouse fans will like the book. Fans of the steampunk genre will also greatly appreciate, particularly if they have an appreciation for good British humor. All in all, this book is full of win for me, and I would love to see the author write some follow up stories for Reggie and Reeves.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Ripper, by Amy Carol Reeves

2011-12-21T06:46:00.000-05:00

The year is 1888, and Abbie Sharp has recently relocated to London. She is living with her grandmother because her mother has passed away, and is finding life in society a bit dull. Abbie begins working at the Whitechapel Hospital, and shortly after she begins there, a series of grisly murders occur, all prostitutes who had been patients at the hospital. Abbie begins to have a series of visions regarding the murders and murderer, who is now being called The Ripper, and finds herself pulled into an uncertain world of dark, shadowy forces.

I have to admit, I find serial killers fascinating. So, when I first heard about this book, I knew I would most likely find it interesting. Set London in the late 1880's, the book involves the coming of age story of Abbie Sharp, which just happens to be occurring at the same time as a murder spree that will later be attributed to Jack the Ripper. I found the book to be unique and well researched. The facts of the Whitechapel murders are skillfully mixed with the fictional story of Abbie, and mixed with a dash of the paranormal, to create an interesting story about why the murders occurred. I quite enjoyed this alternative take.

The characters for the most part are very well developed. Abbie finds herself in a bit of a Victorian love triangle, which I feel could have been a bit more emphasized. The development of the romantic angle seems a little jerky to me, but I think it still helps add to the overall story. I really loved the paranormal aspect to the book, both with Abbie's visions and with what she later learns is the source of the violence in London.

All in all, I found the book to be an engaging read involving a fascinating historical event. I think the book will appeal to young adult fans of historical, horror, and/or paranormal fiction; some adult readers will also enjoy it, I certainly did.

I received a review copy of the book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Under the Same Sky, by Genevieve Graham

2011-12-20T22:49:00.000-05:00

Her whole life, Maggie has seen him. As a child, she saw him, as a young woman she saw him, and as her life embarked on a path of terror, she saw him. In fact, he is what saved her. Maggie endures a series of horrific events, and through it all, the vision of a man calms her, soothes her, saves her. The man is Andrew, a Scottish lad who also grew up seeing visions, visions of the American lass he will later learn is Maggie. Drawn to each other across years and miles, the two can only hope to survive together.

I told the author, when I was midway through the book, that it was stealing my breath and breaking my heart. She responded that she hoped it would heal my heart as well, and I am happy to say her hope was fulfilled. This book? Breathtaking. Honestly. This is not your typical damsel in distress with a heaving bosom beneath a ripped bodice type of romance novel. This, well, this is pure magic. The story is so incredibly written. The way that Maggie and Andrew have parallel lives, paths occasionally crossing on a metaphysical plane.

Maggie's character is what really broke my heart. This poor girl, her story is so painful. I cannot imagine any reader not having an intense reaction to Maggie's story. And yet, her strength, her will to survive is so beautiful. I felt more connected to Maggie than to Andrew, but I feel certain that without sometimes seeing through Andrew's eyes, this story would have been incomplete. I think it is brilliant the way Graham allows their stories to unfold simultaneously.

There is a deeply spiritual connection between Maggie and Andrew, and that is what makes this story so romantic. I am the type of reader who longs for that type of story in a genre that, despite its name, is often reduced to shallow sexuality. I think real fans of romance novels will enjoy this book, particularly those fond of historical romances and Highland romances.

Genevieve Graham has outdone herself this time.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author and publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Masters of Seduction, by Marsha Canham, Virginia Henley, Jacquie D’Alessandro, Jill Gregory, Sherri Browning Erwin, and Julie Ortolon

2011-12-20T06:30:00.000-05:00

What would you do if you had your heart's desire revealed to you in a vision? Follow the story of a mystical mirrored brooch as it travels through time, and the stories of six different women. Each woman sees a vision of what she truly desires, but how many of them will have the courage to actually seek it out?

With a title like Masters of Seduction, and a chiseled man on the cover, this book made me a little nervous. I tend to shy away from explicit romance novels, but I decided to take a gamble with this book. Well, lo and behold, I hit the jackpot. This books is amazing, pure and simple. Each of the six authors in this short story anthology write a beautiful story, with vivid characters. The stories were dreamy and romantic, passionate and steamy, but never crossing over into trashy or smutty as so many romance stories are apt to do. Most of the stories are historical romances, following the mirror from its ancient roots to more modern times. One story is a contemporary paranormal romance, and one is just a contemporary story. But the stories are woven together in this anthology to reveal the bigger story and mythology of the mirror itself.

For short stories, the character development was exceptional. The historical romances, in particular, really lept from the page in terms of vivid characters and setting. I think romance fans will love this book. I really liked the fact that it gave me a taste of some new romance writers, ones I am sure to revisit in the future.

I received a review copy courtesy of one of the authors.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

A Sound Among the Trees, by Susan Meissner

2011-12-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Holly Oak is a Southern mansion with a rich, and troubled, history. It was once inhabited by Susannah Page, who was rumored to be a spy for the North during the Civil War. Some older ladies in the community think that Susannah haunts the house, and the women of Holly Oak do seem bent toward tragedy. Currently the house is inhabited by Adelaide, who is Susannah's great-granddaughter. When a new bride moves into the house, many of the family secrets come tumbling out of the woodwork.

I thought this book was, in a word, magnificent. I loved the concept of a house being haunted, not so much by specters, but instead by the ghost of regret. I think that redemption is a strong theme among many of the characters, and I like how each of the main female characters has her own distinct journey to take. I found the characters very well developed, and enjoyed learning each of their stories. It was fascinating to me to learn the history of the house and the inhabiting family, all the while seeing how the past influenced the present.

I quite enjoyed the setting as well. As a Yankee, I find myself enraptured by the thoughts of the Deep South and the old fashioned ways so often seen there. Whether the chapters were about the War, or about a modern day garden party, I found myself really engaged in the setting. The house itself is a character, and I love that the reader does not know whether or not the ghosts are real.

The only criticism is that so much of the latter part of the book occurs through correspondence between Susannah and her cousin. I found reading nothing but one side of the correspondence tedious after a point. But that is honestly my only critique. I think the book will appeal to fans of historical fiction, as well as Southern fiction.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Other Brother, by L.N. Cronk

2011-12-19T07:07:00.000-05:00

Ever since his best friend, Greg, died in high school, David has watched over Charlotte, Greg's little sister, as if she were his own. When she had personal struggles during her senior year at high school, David and his wife Laci really helped Charlotte. Now she is in college, and learns of some shocking developments. David fears his relationship with his "little sister" will never be the same.

Once again, I am floored by the humanity and realism shown in the work of L.N. Cronk. This book continues the Chop Chop series, which follows a group of characters whose lives are forever changed by a young boy named Greg. In this installment of the series, we see the blossoming of a new generation of characters, and the continued evolution of their relationships.

I really love that we have seen some of these characters, like Charlotte and Jordan, grow up over the course of the last few books. It makes the readers fully connected to the characters, and invested in the story. I believe that is why these stories read so easily; it is less like reading a novel, and more like reading a letter from an old friend. There were a few surprises in this book, ones that make me excited to see where the rest of the series is headed. This book especially emphasizes that period when teenagers are transitioning to adulthood, and some of the struggles that ensue not only for the individuals, but for the people who have loved them as they have come of age.

I think these books are equally appropriate for adult and young adult readers, as the content is really wholesome, but also realistic. Once again, I am unable to find fault with this series.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Ask the Dice, by Ed Lynskey

2011-12-18T21:27:00.000-05:00

Tommy Mack has had one real profession in his life, as a hit man. Now that Tommy Mack is getting older, he is worrying about things like cholesterol and retirement.Now he finds himself framed for murder, and suspects his boss is behind the frame job.

This book is a great blending of contemporary crime literature and classic noir fiction. While the language and pacing are more contemporary than pulp novels, the themes and characters are reminiscent of old time noir. I really enjoyed the character of Tommy Mack. He is flawed, and that is part of his appeal. He is resistant to change, likes poetry and jazz, reflects on his life as an adopted child, all while being a contract killer on the run for a murder he actually did not commit. Talk about a paradox.

I thought the story was really engaging. This is not one of those books where you anticipate the plot from the get go; the storyline and characters are complex and surprising. And for a book centering around a hitman, there was not as much violence as one would expect. It was much more interesting that the books violence is subtle; to me that is so much more threatening and effective.

I think fans of noir fiction will really enjoy the book, as well as fans of contemporary crime thrillers, since the book so skillfully weaves a story borrowing from both genres.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Nine Ways God Always Speaks, by Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schuchmann

2011-12-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

What would you do if someone told you God spoke directly to him or her? What does it mean for God to speak; is it a feeling, an audible voice, a dream, or a physical presence? Does God really provide us with signs regarding His will for our lives? These questions, and many others, are pondered in this book.

I think I anticipated that this book would help me better recognize God speaking in my life. I am not sure anyone can actually help me in that area, and I think it was naive of me to think that this book would either. The book talks about ways people perceive God speaking in their lives, but it also does a fair share of casting doubt on the legitimacy of those claims. I kind of felt there was some double speak, since the book talks about ways God can speak, then seems to raise doubts as to whether those things actually are God speaking. Is God sending us a sign, or are we merely seeing what we want to see. I left the book feeling no more or less convinced about God speaking in anyone's life, let alone my own. A better title, to convey the message of the book, would be Nine Ways God May Speak.

The book has an anecdotal nature. In some ways this is good, and in some ways it is bad. It is good when relating actual anecdotes, stories of people who feel or perceive God at work in their lives. However, the anecdotal nature, when relating biblical stories, does not work for me, and instead comes across as irreverent. Some people may like this writing style, may feel better able to connect with the scripture that way, but for me, it was distracting.

I can see that this book could be very helpful and inspirational for those seeking books on spiritual growth. For me personally, however, it just did not connect.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

2011-12-18T00:21:00.000-05:00

Scrooge has lived his life as a skinflint, never showing charity and certainly never embodying the Christmas spirit. As Christmas nears, Scrooge is visited by spectors of Christmas past, present, and future, to show him the error of his ways, and teach him that Christmas spirit must be held in one's heart all the days of one's life. Will Scrooge learn this lesson in time to save himself?

This is a story with which most of us are familiar. There are countless adaptations in the form of children's books, movies, and abridged texts, so I am quite familiar with the story. However, I have never actually read the complete original text. Imagine my surprise when I found such elegance and beauty in Dickens' original words. This coming from me, someone who does not always have the greatest appreciation of Dickens.

I have always loved this story, and found the message so deeply touching. I have so much empathy for Scrooge as a character, have suffered a lonely childhood and gone without real happiness his whole adult life. It is nice to see the theme of redemption so clearly illustrated in this tale. This is probably the classic Christmas story, and I imagine it will be, in some form, a permanent part of my holiday traditions.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Their Last Suppers, by Andrew Caldwell

2011-12-17T17:05:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what a person's last meal was? We often hear of death row inmates requesting a special last meal. Many people never realize that their last meal is in fact the last, but it is still interesting to see what they had. Explore the final repast of many people throughout history, including Marylin Monroe, Abraham Lincoln, and Adolph Hitler.

The premise of this book is brilliant, being one part history book and one part cookbook. I think this idea is so clever, and particularly like that some of the more antiquated recipes are adapted for current preparation. Each chapter talks about a specific historical figure, gives a bit of backstory, then discusses the final meal before giving recipes from the menu. It sounds like a no fail book.

Unfortunately, I have some pretty serious problems with the book. Within the first two pages of the introduction, I found multiple typos and grammatical errors. Normally, I am not a stickler for these, and rarely do I mention them in reviews, but when you are talking recipes with precise measurements, typos in any section of the book make me very nervous. I would be livid if I bought pricey ingredients for a recipe, only to have it ruined by a typo. Finding them so early in the text make me have a critical eye, and as a result, I found a lot of flaw with both the historic and culinary aspects of the book.

Historically, the book seems to tout quite a few inaccuracies as truths, and contains no proof of research in the form of citations or footnotes. This is a huge error when writing any type of historical work. Even if the book is not attempting to be a strict, serious, scholarly historical work, if history is part of the selling point for the book, you should do historical research properly. Similarly, I found some of the recipes to be incomplete, instructionally, and generally poorly written/explained. I do not think I would feel comfortable attempting most of the recipes in this book.

The book is a bit of a let down. Wonderful idea, but poorly executed. With a bit better editing, and a considerable overhaul to the historical research, this book has the potential to be wonderful, appealing to historians and foodies alike.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The End of Marking Time, by C.J. West

2011-12-16T11:57:00.000-05:00

Michael is a highly skilled man. Skilled at burglary and various crimes. But, eventually, the law catches up with him, all while he lie sleeping. He wakes from a coma to learn that the justice system has completely changed, and his life will never be the same. Their are steps Michael must complete in order to completely re-enter society, and he has a difficult time following the rules. Will he be able to change in time to save his own life?

I found the premise of this book fascinating, and not all that difficult to imagine. I think that a scenario like this, involving a total rehaul of the penal system, is entirely plausible. In Michael, we see a character who really has to go through a rebirth of sorts. Not only has everything changed, but to him (having been in a coma) the change seems as if overnight. While everyone else has had time to adjust, Michael is in do or die mode, and it makes for an interesting internal conflict.

There is not a lot of external action in the book, a few conflicts between Michael and other characters. The story more focuses on that internal conflict, so the book has a much more pensive feel than readers might anticipate. I also think that the potentially prophetic nature of the book can make readers a bit squirmy. However, it will appeal to fans of dystopian fiction, and crime fiction, as it artfully blends the two genres.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Secret of Lies, by Barbara Forte Abate

2011-12-16T08:17:00.000-05:00

As an adult, Stevie finds herself running from the reality of her life, and chasing the ghosts of her youth. As a child, she and her sister would spend their summers at the shore with their Aunt and Uncle. During those summer holidays, crushes develop, friendships form, and somehow, inexplicably, the girls grow into women. Their final summer at the shore, Stevie picks up on a unusual bond forming between her sister and her uncle, until the situation reaches a boiling point, and tragedy strikes, a tragedy that affects Stevie for the rest of her life.

There was something soft and lilting about this book, even at its darkest points. There was a dreamy deja vu quality to the writing, particularly the portion of the book set at the seashore. It was if I could smell the sea air as the words unfolded from the page and danced around me. It was really breathtaking.

I loved the character development, particularly the young Stevie and her sister. As the summers wear on, and the situation becomes strained, the characters' tension absolutely simmers on the page. I just could not get enough. After the tragedy strikes, the story moves away from this and more towards how Stevie deals with the situation in the long term. Of the two portions of the book, I liked the part leading up to tragedy, which served as a turning point in the story. The second part of the book felt a little detached and disconnected for me, but still served to move the story forward.

All in all, I though this was a good contemporary fiction novel.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks, by KC McCrite

2011-12-15T20:47:00.000-05:00

This are a little cramped in April Grace's house. She lives with her parents, and her snotty sister Myra Sue. Now the neighbors, Isabella St. James and her husband, have moved in while Isabella recovers from a car accident. And now, April Grace finds out there is going to be a new baby! On top of the troubles at home, April finds that one of her closest friends has turned on her, and has created a new clique which ridicules April and other kids. Growing up is never easy, but especially not for April Grace.

I just adored this book. I found the storyline sweet and honest, and April Grace is one of the most endearing characters I have ever met. She reminds me so much of myself as a middle schooler! This is the second book in a series, but it does a great job filling in the back story, so I never felt lost or confused with the storyline or the cast of characters.

The book is geared toward a middle grade reader, and I think the storylines are quite appropriate for that age group. However, the 1980's setting will be foreign to a tween reader, more suited to adults like me who lived then. It would either work better as a tween book set in current times, or more developed into an adult book set in the 80s. As it is, it feels a little hit or miss with both demographics, though I personally loved the book.

This is classified as a Christian book, and while there were themes of faith and Christian messages in the book, they were not dominant, so the book can still appeal to a mainstream audience.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Trouble with Thieves, by Maurice X. Alvarez and Ande Li

2011-12-15T13:43:00.000-05:00

If you think life on Earth is wild, try living in Averia, where the natives are bird like humanoids. But how would one get there? Cecil finds himself there after he falls into a portal, owned by a thief named Kormer. Anndrew, Cecil's school mate, travels into the portal with Kormer and his traveling companion from the future, Jeransy, to try to get Cecil back to his own world. However, life in Averia agrees with Cecil, and he becomes incredibly powerful; why should he return to his mundane life?

I think the reason I struggle so much with reading fantasy novels is because I lack imagination. Clearly, the authors of this book do not have the same problem. Multiple planets, languages, and storyworlds have been artfully created for this book. As I read, I had trouble picturing it in my mind, not because it was not well developed (it certainly was) but because I lacked the imagination. It made me sad that I was not able to enjoy the story as fully as it deserved to be enjoyed.

I found the character of Kormer to be fascinating. He flits through time and space via his portal, creating relationships with individuals he knows he will never see again. He is an adventurer. I would have liked to seen the story focus more on him individually, instead of adding Jeransy to the mix. I found her presence a bit on the distracting side. Similarly, I liked Cecil's character, and enjoyed watching him grow in his powers.

Overall, I think this book is well written, and highly imaginative. It would appeal best to fans of fantasy writing, particularly that involving other planets or galaxies, such as the writings of Douglas Adams.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The House of Silver Magic, by John Booth

2011-12-14T11:31:00.000-05:00

Life for the Grange family is forever altered. Not only are the suffering from the lost of their father, the children and their mother also face the loss of their house, since their father secretly sold it before his death. But, through a seeming twist of fate, the family finds the means and opportunity to buy a grand house, a house full of magic and secrets. It is the magic of the house that will save the Grange family from their enemies.

John Booth writes a type of fantasy fiction that is nothing short of beautiful. This book is full of wonder, and enchantment like few I have encountered before. From the first sentence, the reader is endeared to the Grange family, and wants to see them succeed in their new lives. I found the characters to be incredibly well developed, and especially loved that the house has a character, nee, characters, of its own. It is exciting to watch the children learn of their heritage and discover their powers.

Often, adult fans of young adult books are criticized for relishing in childish stories. I can assure you, while this book will clearly appeal to young adult readers, there is nothing childish about it, and any adult reader can be proud to be a fan. The story is unique, the writing is sublime, and the magic is, well, magical. I am so pleased to learn that this is the first in a new series, and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for the Grange family.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Wish, by Alexandra Bullen

2011-12-13T21:27:00.000-05:00

Things are a little tough for Olivia right now. Her family has moved, partly in order to help themselves heal with the death of Olivia's twin sister, Violet. Olivia is starting a new school, and tries to make some friends, but finds herself wishing she still had her sister. Suddenly, Violet appears to Olivia, and helps her learn that sometimes, when wishes are made from the heart, the come true, and they come with consequences.

Who among us has not made a wish or two? Most of the time they are frivolous, but occasionally, our hearts ache for something with such longing. That is why it is easy to relate to this book. I found that in terms of the targeted young adult audience, this book was well conceived. The characters sound like real teens, and encounter real teen scenarios and dilemmas. I liked both Olivia and Violet's characters. Death of a sibling, particularly a twin, could be devastating for a teen, and I liked that this book centered around such a touch topic, using light humor to soften the blows.

I was a little troubled by the behavior of some of the teen characters, and the fact that there were no consequences for the drinking and sneaking out, but that is part of what makes the story more true to the life of a teen. We all know they encounter that kind of stuff all the time. I think that many adult readers would have a hard time connecting with the book, since it is so focused on the teen world, but for the intended audience, I think the book is great.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Jane Was Here, by Sarah Kernochan

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Jane shows up in her home town, trying to piece together her mysterious past. The problem is, she lived about 150 years ago. Apparently reincarnated, Jane lived part of her second life posing as an autistic woman. She has snippets of memories from her past, and returns to her New England home to try to piece them together. She encounters old enemies in her forms, and her appearance puts many peoples' lives in upheaval.

I really really wanted to love this book; instead I just found it to be o.k. I am intrigued by stories involving reincarnation, so the concept of this book fascinated me. And I think in terms of a the reincarnation story line, not only involving Jane but also her love interests, the author does a great job. I liked watching the wounds of the past manifest themselves in the present day; it reinforces the idea that everything has consequences.

However, I found there to be a bit too much going on in the book, too many characters, too many subplots. It was all just a little too much. Because there was just so much going on, including a child who makes her own religious philosophy (what the?), I found it difficult to connect to the story as much as I would have liked. I wanted to focus on Jane, but there was all this other literary noise that distracted me; by the time we got to the end of Jane's story, I had kind of checked out.

I think the book was well written, and many people will love it. But for me, it just did not connect.

I received a review copy courtesy of Crazy Book Tours.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Burden of Blood, by Wenona Husley

2011-12-12T23:00:00.000-05:00

After a strange encounter, Nicole realized she had some special abilities. She is now a police officer, who uses her seemingly psychic abilities to help catch the bad guys. When her life is endangered, she realizes that her abilities are not psychic, but instead mystical powers due to her mystical heritage. And to top it all off, her hunky partner is actually an ancient warrior sworn to protect her. Life will never be the same for Nicole.

Southern gothic meets Celtic paranormal. Sounds like an odd combination, but in this book it really works. I loved learning about Nicole's mystical heritage, and particularly liked that we learn it along with her, as opposed to being privy to information she does not have. I liked that the reader gets to experience these discoveries through Nicole's eyes. It makes them seem even that more fantastical.

I think the characters in the story are well developed, though I would like to see more of Nicole's friend as opposed to her big scene being at the end of the story. I love the ancient warrior romance angle, it puts an interesting spin on things. I am a big fan of the fact that Nicole is a much stronger character than Luke, both in terms of her character as well as in terms of her literal strength.

I found the ending of the book to be a bit surprising, and an interesting artistic choice for the author. It will lead nicely into a sequel. I think this book will appeal widely to fans of paranormal or fantasy romance, as well as those interested in Celtic folklore.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers, by Lynn Weingarten

2011-12-12T08:39:00.000-05:00

Lucy is so excited about her boyfriend's return from his summer trip; she has a surprise for him. Instead, it is she who gets a surprise, when he breaks up with her. Heartbroken and devastated, Lucy finds herself desperate to get him back. When Lucy is approached by three mysterious girls, and recruited to join their group of heartbreakers, she wonders to what lengths will she go in order to get what she wants?

When I first read the book description, I thought the concept sounded a little hokey and immature, particularly since this is a young adult novel. I doubted it would hold my attention, but decided to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised. I found the characters and plot both well developed and deftly executed.

This is a story with which so many teens can relate; how many of us suffered a heartbreak in high school? What would we have done if someone promised us we would never feel that kind of pain again? Teenage heartbreak is the worst, and I can certainly see the appeal of this story. I did feel like the book was a bit darker than I thought it would be, and the language was a bit rough, but neither of these things is unusual in mainstream young adult fiction.

I am sure there will be discussion on both sides about how this book is empowering to women and young girls, allowing them to own their sexual power. Similarly, the book can be seen as objectifying men a bit, using them as a means to an end. But I am choosing to not look quite so deeply for a sinister motive, or a voice of the female gender. Instead, I see this as sort of a young adult fairy tale, with a complex ending neither all happy for all sad.

The book will clearly appeal to young adult readers, particularly females, and anyone who remembers their first broken heart.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Addicted to Love, by C.J. West

2011-12-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

Wes thought he was going to get away for some quiet soul searching. Instead he finds himself immersed in a passionate love affair, and trying to solve a murder as the new (temporary) sheriff in town. It appears the previous sheriff was murdered by his own wife, and while Wes tries to untangle the crime details, he realizes something quite peculiar is going on in town.

Oh my goodness, this book had me so hooked. The storyline unfolds in a way that is pretty fast paced; the reader learns way before the end what is going on, and who is doing it, but the ending is still really riveting. I loved the plot of this book, and found it to be really unique and creative. I thought the book had just the right about of romance, sexuality, thrills, mystery, and just plain crazy to make it appeal to a lot of different readers.

I thought the male characters were a bit more developed than the female characters, which is fitting and makes sense, since this story is really about the men in town. Men will do pretty desperate things sometimes, and I think the men in this story personify that, right up to the last word.

Fans of mysteries and thrillers will really enjoy this book, but I think it could also appeal to other readers as well. It reminded me a bit of a sexier Stepford wife type of story, and I found I just could not put it down.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Outside, by Shalini Boland

2011-12-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

The world in which Riley lives is one quite different from our own, but it is the only one she has known. The world is in upheaval, and the only way to insure your safety is to stay within the perimeters. Riley knows this, yet when her sister is murdered and the suspect is not apprehended, she and her neighbor and love interest Luc leave the perimeter in search of justice. What Riley finds, instead, is a truth to terrible to comprehend.

This book, in no uncertain terms, messed with my head (in a good way). The setting of a post-apocalyptic world made me shudder to think that it could really end up being that way. One just never knows. I really enjoyed the storyworld that the author created, as well as the backstory to explain how things got so globally screwed up.

I really enjoyed the character development as well. I enjoyed having two stories running parallel, it forced me to pay closer attention, and honestly I never caught on to how the stories were related. When the truths are revealed at the end of the book, I was surprised, and impressed with how the author molded them together to form the larger overall plot.

Apparently this is the first in a series, and while I am interested to see where the series goes from here, I can safely say this functions quite well as a stand alone novel as well.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Mom's Ultimate Guide to Tween Girl Word, by Nancy Rue

2011-12-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

Tweens. This term never used to exist, but as society pays more attention to child development, it has become clear that there is a distinct difference between adolescent girls and teenage girls, and a period of development different from both. Thus, the tween label was born. Tween girls are mysterious creature, one minute neglectful of hygiene and the next minute hyper vigilant. They crave friends but still seek out the approval of their mother. They emulate older girls, without really understanding the motive behind their own actions. This book serves as a guide to moms of tween girls, helping them to understand this unique period of development.

This book piqued my interest because my niece has officially entered the tween stage. She craves adult interaction, and is quite mature for her age, yet I still see so much little girl in her, and I decided I wanted to understand better what her life at this stage was like. This has all changed so much since I was 11. And I thought the book did an excellent job of explaining the tween girl. I felt like the book did not trivialize what is going on in the young girls' worlds and minds, nor did it seem patronizing. It is clear that the author has spent time really interacting with tween girls and learning from them about their fears and insecurities.

I liked that the book incorporated little vignettes from tween girls and the author's blog, but I have to say the ebook formatting was terrible. Hopefully this has since been improved, otherwise I strongly encourage you to go for the print option. The vignettes were intended to be broken out text, and in the ebook it all runs together, so that a vignette may break into the middle of a block of author's text. Quite frustrating.

Content wise, I thought this book was excellent, and have already discussed with my sister and mom how a lot of the ideas apply to my niece. I felt like this book truly did improve my understanding of this unique developmental time (even if I do hate the word tween).

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

En Route, by Steven" Kelly" Grayson

2011-12-07T21:52:00.000-05:00

As a paramedic, Kelly has seen some wild situations. He has helped educate new EMTs and paramedics, and he has worked as hard as possible to save lives every time he gets called out. Some times the lives are saved, some times they are not, but on each call the paramedics do their very best to provide high quality care.

I went into this book knowing very little about emergency response personnel. In fact, most of what I know about emergent medical situations has come from watching 7 seasons of Gray's Anatomy, so to me it was very refreshing to see what happens in an emergency from the responder's point of view. I think that EMTs and paramedics are truly unique people, not every person could do that kind of job. The stories that Kelly relates are equal parts funny and heart breaking.

I know that within medical professions, their is a hierarchy. EMTs, paramedics, nurses, doctors. Each thinks he is the only one who knows the best way to care for a patient, and we clearly see that in the stories in the books, exhibited by Kelly as well as the professionals with whom he interacts. This may not be the nicest behavior, and Kelly's internal thoughts may not always be ones with which readers relate or agree, but the book does seem to paint a brutally honest portrait how how these situations play out. Medical professionals are human, they have mean or politically incorrect thoughts, but that does not mean they cannot still provide excellent care, as these stories clearly show.

I feel like the book really gave me an inside look at emergency medical personnel, and the types of situations they face. All in all, an informative and entertaining read.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Pon-Pon, by L.N. Cronk

2011-12-07T20:13:00.000-05:00

The next installment of this series finds David and Laci moving back to their hometown. Amazingly, the pieces fall together and they find a house for their family that allows them to be in their old neighborhood, where he can keep an eye on the younger sister of his best friend Greg, who died in high school. David begins tutoring the younger brother of one of his high school friends, and watches as the young man's life takes off on an emotional rollercoaster. Can David be the right type of support to his young friends?

So far, within this series, I have found each book to be better than the previous, and with a series that started out fantastically to begin with, that says a lot. Once again, Cronk allows us into the world of these characters. At this point, we know David and Laci quite well, but it is interesting to watch the changes within their family. Similarly, it is fascinating to watch David interacting with the younger siblings of his high school chums.

I like that Cronk continues to take on challenging topics. Foreign and domestic adoption, teen pregnancy, suicide. These are not typical topics for Christian novels, but they really should be. Cronk does an amazing job of showing how these types of hardships touch the lives of all people, regardless of their religion, and how even the toughest situations can be deal with in a loving way.

This series has the ability to touch so many lives, and I find it to be a powerful tool. Because these tough situations are so common, readers can find solace in the stories, and can relate to the characters. This serves as yet another brilliant installment in the series.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Crow, by Barbara Wright

2011-12-06T23:46:00.000-05:00

1898 Wilmington is an exciting time and place for a boy. Unfortunately, if you are a black boy, it can also end up being dangerous, as Moses soon learns. Only one generation away from slavery, Moses see that hostilities are still alive and well between blacks and whites. Yet he is proud of the fact that his father is not only one of the black aldermen, but also an employee of the largest negro run newspaper. It quickly becomes apparent that some people will go to any means necessary to prevent black men from gaining power, and Moses' life will be forever changed.

This book broke my heart, because while I knew it was fiction, I also knew it was based on very real historical events. The coup described in the book actually happened, and is a dark period in Southern history. And while the tale is one of sorrow, I think it is incredibly important that our youth learn these stories, so I am incredibly thankful that writers like Barbara Wright set their books against the historical backgrounds of oppression and racism. These are not easy tales to tell, but it is so important that they be told.

Books like this allow history to come alive for young adult readers, sparking an interest in both literature and history. I thought the characters were so vibrant in this book, and the story was very representative of postbellum, post reconstruction Southern life. The language and dialects sound authentic, and while there are some racial slurs used, it is within the scope of the story, being used by racist characters to represent their attitude. I think this is a wonderful middle grades book, and would be highly appropriate to read during Black History Month.

I received this book as part of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Saint Training, by Elizabeth Fixmer

2011-12-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

Mary Clare is part of a large, Irish Catholic family. And despite the fact that the family is big, and money is very tight, her mother is going to have another baby. Mary Clare decides the best way to improve her family's situation is to become a saint. This proves to be tougher than she anticipated, so she begins a correspondence with a Mother Superior.

Often, when I get a retailer is having a book promotion where the book is free, even for a limited time, I go into it with low expectations, and usually, I am still disappointed. This book, however, made up for every single one of those disappointments. I absolutely loved this book! Set in the 1960's, against the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and Vatican II changes in the Catholic Church, I found this book to be, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, profound.

Having grown up in a Catholic family, I fully appreciated the humor surrounding the faith of Mary Clare. I love the letter correspondence between her and the Mother Superior. Most good Catholic girls at one point consider a religious vocation, and when they chose instead to pursue a lay life, there can be tremendous guilt involved. I love that Mary Clare takes takes this particular journey and is no worse for the wear.

I found the characters in this book very endearing, and I like that we as readers see the world through a child's eyes. It seems as though she can make no more sense of the world in which she lives than the adults can. I really liked the historical setting, and seeing how it impacted the lives of the characters.

All in all, I really can find no complaint with this book. I think many readers will enjoy it, and fellow Catholics will especially relate and enjoy.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Sophie's Secret, by Nancy Rue

2011-12-05T00:15:00.000-05:00

Sophie has a wild imagination. Whether she is planning an archaeological dig in her back yard, or trying to determine if she was adopted, Sophie often lets her thoughts get the best of her, and lands herself in a lot of hot water. So, what will happen when she learns the truth about a family secret?

This is the second book in a series of Christian middle grades literature about a girl who can sometimes have difficulties dealing with reality. While I have not read the first book, I did find this book really engaging. Sophie is a likeable character, one to whom I think many middle grades girls will relate. Her struggles are not all that different from the ones we all had as kids.

I liked that Sophie was an imperfect child, that she struggled with obedience, social interactions, and most of all her faith. I think lots of girls in the target reading audience have similar difficulties, and it will be useful to watch how a literary character handles them. I think the girls who read this book will see parts of Sophie in themselves. This is the exact kind of book my niece (who is in 5th grade) would love.

All in all, I think this is a great book (and series) for middle grades readers. It will probably appeal to girls more than boys.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

When the Heart Cries, by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-12-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

Hannah has a secret that would shock her Old Order Amish family; she is in love with a Mennonite boy, and is considering leaving the Amish faith to marry him. But when she is attacked by an English man, her world, her faith, and her family are rocked. Her parents choose to not report the attack, but the consequences prove to be devastating to Hannah.

Call me a sap, but I typically prefer Amish novels to be a tiny bit lighter, and have a happier ending than this one. I was actually a bit depressed reading this book. I have read other Amish books that deal with heavy, serious topics, but still have a peaceful feeling to them. I found no peace at all within this book.

From a character and plot standpoint, the book is solid and leaves me no room to criticize. The characters are very well developed, particularly Hannah, and the scenes are written quite well. Hannah's pain is palpable throughout the progression of the story. And I like that the story touches on the differences between the Amish and Mennonite communities. So, from a writing standpoint the book is excellent. I personally just did not care for the story.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Mad Women, by Jane Maas

2011-12-03T12:47:00.000-05:00

Jane was one of those rare women who worked in advertising during the 60's. Office sex abounded, women were second class employees not trusted to work on the "big boy" accounts, and many a working lunch included drinks before, during, and after the meal. So, while the show Mad Men paints a somewhat accurate portrait of what it was like, there is so much more to the story.

I am a huge fan of the show Mad Men, there is something about it I find so decadent. And as a woman, I am fascinated by the gender power struggle at play. I often forget, however, that the show represents a real time in American history, a time when my salary would be so much lower simply because I am a woman. This book really helped me realize that the struggles of the women on the show were based in reality.

Jane Maas does a great job of storytelling, really tying in to the popularity of the show, and making the time period come alive to readers. I could really see her stories playing out in my mind. However, about 3/4 of the way through the book, I felt like she strayed away from the tie in to the shows themes and began simply writing a memoir about her life. Which was fine, but just felt out of theme with the book. The parts about the I Love New York campaign and her time working for Leona Helmsley just seemed a bit out of place to me.

All in all, I enjoyed the book, as I think many fans of the show will. I think my attention just started to drift by the end is all.

I received this book as part of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

No Place Like Homecoming, by

2011-12-02T12:19:00.000-05:00

Dorothy Gale is all grown up, and her adventures in Oz are now long in her past. She now trudges through the daily grind at a job she dislikes, and had more romance problems that any girl should. When her college friends plan a reunion, she gets her friend to pose as a fake boyfriend, and that is when the real magic begins.

Arh! I have so many mixed feelings about this book. Am many of my past reviews prove, I usually love all things Oz. And this book certainly takes a different spin on where Dorothy's life may have gone after Oz, but the story contradicts what some of the later Oz books tell about Dorothy's future within Oz.

I did not like that this story threw together all these fairytale/literary characters without really explaining why. Were they really these fairy tale characters, or just people who resembled them? It just did not seem very well developed or thought out. I feel like this could have been polished and with some character development, this could have been a great story.

As it is, the story is full of fluff, a typical romance chick lit story, using fairy tale characters. And it just falls short.

This book is a part of my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Scourge, by David H. Burton

2011-12-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Grim Doyle lives a somewhat unusual life. First of all, he has two dads, and five siblings, only one of which is a biological sibling. Their home is cluttered with steampunk inspired creations, and they are watched over by their annoying Aunt Patricia. But things take a decidedly weirder turn when Grim discovers his family is not originally from Earth, but instead from a place called Verne. Verne is a steampunk world fueled by absinthe, and full of malevolent paranormal creatures. In order to keep the children safe, their dads send them to live at an orphanage, but even there they are not safe.

This book is one part J.K. Rowling, one part Lemony Snicket, one part H.G Wells/Jules Verne, and all parts awesome! I truly never thought I would be a fan of steampunk literature, regardless of the targeted age group, but I honestly and truly am. I love the steampunk world that Burton creates. He spends a lot of time developing it, but I found it to be well worth it. I felt it was similar to how readers encounter Hogwarts for the first time in the initial Harry Potter books. As someone who does not read a lot of fantasy fiction, I often have difficulty imagining fantastical settings and creatures, so the more detail the better for me.

I loved the children's characters, particularly Grim and Rudy. I am hoping as more books are added to this series we will learn more about the other children, particularly Sam. And can I just say that I love that these kids have two dads, and it is not at all a big deal in the book?! It is as normal and accepted as a family with a mother and a father, and I love that. I think children need to see different types of families represented in literature, without it being the complete focus of the story.

This is a great middle grades chapter book, and particularly appealing to young male readers. I love books that can engage boys without being about cars or sports, and that exhibit strong female characters, so all in all I found the book really appealing. I think young readers will love it.

This book is part of my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Blood Awakening, by Wenona Husley

2011-12-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

Nicole is still healing from the loss of her mother. When she and her best friend Kat travel from their sleepy Alabama town to Panama City for a short getaway, Nicole encounters a mysterious man. As a result of this encounter, Nicole develops a strange ability. What will this mean for Nicole's future?

This book was a novella prequel to a new paranormal romance series, and I must say, it did an excellent job of pulling me in. Within the short story, we learn a lot about Nicole's character, and because the reader endures the traumatic encounter with Nicole, there is a connection, an interest sparked. I instantly felt like I wanted to see where Nicole's path would lead.

I liked that the story started off a bit light, as the young ladies are looking for some eye candy at the beach. When the story takes a darker turn, I find the timing perfect, and that it is this timing that really helps to hook the reader. I really enjoyed the writer's style, the dialogue seemed believable, and I liked the overall tone of the book.

So far, I am more than a little intrigued about this series, and am excited to read more.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Day-Day, by L. N. Cronk

2011-11-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

David and Laci are back, this time as young newlyweds. They move to Mexico so that Laci can begin missionary work, and the young couple longs to start their family. But when they suffer a series of traumatic blows, David begins to seek out God's will for their lives, and finds an answer was staring him in the face all along.

This is the second book in the Chop Chop series, and let me tell you, it is a major tear jerker. I wept, I mean really wept, as I read this book. I know so many women that have suffered through various fertility issues, so this book really hit home for me. I love that Cronk does not shy away from putting her characters through a lot of trials, because that is how life really is. Christians face so many trials, sometimes with grace and humility, sometimes with anger and fear. It is nice to see this represented in Christian fiction; it makes the stories so much more relatable. Fertility issues are not easy to tackle, so I applaud the author for doing so with tenderness.

I felt like the story was so real. It sounded like real people talking, having conversations I have heard my friends have time and again. I think Cronk has done a fantastic job of creating reoccurring characters to whom readers become endeared. Each part of their story reveals new, fresh sides to the characters, so that we want to keep reading, so as to see where the story takes us.

I think this story, and this series, will greatly appeal to most Christian fiction readers. Because the books are relatively free from any inappropriate content, save some tough issues, I think they would be appropriate reading for young adult readers looking to transition into more adult books. These topics are tough, but I think writing about them, particularly from a perspective of faith, is so necessary.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

An Amish Wedding, by Beth Wiseman

2011-11-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

Three different women, three different stories, all interwoven, all showing the trials of planning an Amish wedding. Priscilla King wonders if all the set backs and bad luck are God's way of telling her not to wed. Naomi Fisher is tired of playing matchmaker for everyone else, while she remains alone. Rose Bender struggles with allowing friendship to grow into love. Will these women find their own happiness in the end?

Sometimes, you just need to read a nice sweet love story. Or three. This book make me happy. Just plain happy. Not a lot of books do that, and while this book was not high literature, it did elicit a specific feeling, so in and of that, it is successful. I really enjoyed the way the book was three stories, with all the characters making appearances in the various stories. It made for nice short reading sections, with the added benefit of continuity. My only critique is that I might have changed the order of the three a bit, since we hear hints of Priscilla's troubles long before we actually read her story. However, I think with some of the action seeming to take place simultaneously, the order is kind of irrelevant.

I really enjoyed the three main female characters, but I have to say Naomi's story was the one I enjoyed the most. Having married later than many of my peers, I felt that was the one to which I most related. Each story was written by a different author, and I think each had their own unique voice, but never strayed from the main concept of the book.

Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy this three-in-one book, as will anyone in need of a nice sweet romance.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Girl Who Couldn't Say No, by Tracy Englebrecht

2011-11-25T15:31:00.000-05:00

Tracy was a young girl from South Africa who found herself in the "family way" at the age of fourteen. Through the book, we learn what it is really like to be a teen mom, how it affects your life in the long run, and how your life need not be the tragic cliche we all associate with teen parenthood. We also learn that in order to survive, one must have a sense of humor.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like Tracy gave an honest and endearing account of her experience as a teen mother. Our culture is currently obsessed with teen parenting, and the drama that it can create. One need only to look at MTV's program line up to confirm this. Yet Tracy shows that, while teen parenting is not what most girls dream of, nor is it the optimal situation, it does not have to mean a death sentence or doom the mother to a life of trashy drama. I loved that Tracy did what she needed to do to make life as good as possible for her kids. I also loved the fact that Tracy parents gave her so much support.

A few reviewers have criticized the fact that Tracy talked about her dating life, and (gasp) the fact that she had sexual partners after have a child at such a young age. Um, hello, what century are you living in? Why is it wrong for a young, healthy woman to have, and heaven forbid, enjoy sex? Why is it so awful that she sought out love and partnership?

There are definitely some parts of the slang and some cultural references which we foreign to me, being fairly unfamiliar with South African culture, but that did not hinder my ability to appreciate this book. It is a nice, lighthearted memoir (not all memoirs have to be heartrending and melodramatic by the way) that made me laugh. I appreciate the honesty, and really enjoyed the nice easy read. Memoir fans who appreciate lightheartedness would enjoy the book, as would many fans of the teen mom type reality television shows.

This book was from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Five Sons of Charlie Gisby, by Brendan Gisby and Phil Gisby

2011-11-23T10:49:00.001-05:00

Having grown up thinking he had few blood relations, Brenden was surprised when Facebook brought so many Gisby family members out of the woodwork. Through the miracles of social media, the progeny of Charlie Gisby were able to connect, and learn the rich tales of their family history.

I am a sucker for a great memoir, particularly when it involves family lineage. Having come from a family with its own rich history, I simply adore learning about other families, particularly of the same time period. Brendan and Phil allowed me, through this book, to glimpse the drama of their family. Since my own grandmother was born in the early 20th century, I was able to relate to a lot of the issues that the Gisby family encountered, including both World Wars, having seen the impact of the same issues on my own family.

I love that the history of this family blends personal accounts with historical documents from the same period. It helped to reinforce the living history which all our families hold. I found myself really rooting for all of Charlie's sons, and feeling quite connected to them.

If you are interested in genealogy, and the types of personal stories that can be revealed through genealogical studies, I think you will love this book. Additionally, the book will appeal to fans of historical writing and memoirs.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Two Moon Princess, by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

2011-11-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

Andrea is a princess in what seems to be a medieval town on a totally different planet. She finds it difficult to fit in, and wishes more than anything she did not have to become a proper lady. When she discovers an ancient portal, she is transported to California on modern day Earth, and realizes that her family is full of secrets.

Andrea is a character going a pretty typical coming of age journey, hers just happens to be taking place as she hops between two parallel worlds. I have no major problem with the concept of parallel worlds, nor with the coming of age storyline. I did not, however, enjoy the execution of either concept in this book. As a whole, the book seems to be halfheartedly executed. The book tries to weave Spanish history and culture into the story, but for someone unfamiliar, it is totally lost. The character and plot development seem inadequate, in my opinion. We learn little about Andrea as a character, and I found the story to be lacking depth. We learn very little of her experience on Earth, other than the fact she meets a cute boy, and it is never described to my satisfaction how she is able to adapt to her new and foreign surroundings so quickly and easily.

This is probably a perfectly fine book for a young adult reader, considering it offers lots of angles, and crosses several genres including fantasy and romance. But I felt it did not translate as well for an adult reader as some young adult books do, simply because I wanted it to be meatier, better developed.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Shatter Me, by Tahera Mafi

2011-11-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

Juliette's touch is lethal, a fact she has learned the hard way. In a split second, an attempt to help a fallen child has turned her into an instrument of death. Unable to deal with her, Juliette's parents send her away. Now she is in a prison, where life is even grimmer that it is outside in a totally destroyed world. But when Juliette learns the truth about her imprisonment and meets up with a familiar face from her childhood, life takes on a different perspective.

If this book and I were in a facebook relationship, our status would be "it's complicated". I really liked the concept of the story, as well as the character of Juliette, despite her obvious similarities to Rogue from X-Men. I really saw a lot of potential in this book, but to get to it you really have to wade through a ton of drama. So. much. drama. I felt like I was reading the diary of a 12 year old girl.

The writer's style is most certainly unique, and quite powerful when properly harnessed, but oh my word, the metaphors used are just too much. About 100 pages into the book, I felt like things calmed down a little. Whether this was due to me just getting used to all the dramatics, or whether this is because the writer's power was more appropriately channeled I honestly cannot say. All I know is, the first part of the book was a bit exhausting, but once I got into it, I really liked the story, and the romance of the situation.

The whole concept of dystopian fiction has actually grown on me since reading a few books with dystopian or post apocalyptic themes. And I think this book does dystopia quite well. Once I got to the part of the book where more action took place, I seemed to like it a lot better.

At the end of the day, I still say I liked the book quite well. Do I love it? Not quite, but it was entertaining and provided me with a good night's entertainment. Still, I am not ready to make our relationship committed, and I will still be looking for better dystopian fiction with which I have more in common.

I received this as part of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless, by Melody Carlson

2011-11-21T08:01:00.000-05:00

Adele thought her life might finally be on an upswing. Her mom got a new job in a new town, along with a condo. They move over the summer, and Adele starts off on the right foot at her new school. She is hanging out with popular kids, making friends, perhaps even finding romance. Then, in the blink of an eye, Adele finds herself abandoned by her mother, and homeless. Will she be able to survive?

I really commend the author for taking on the topic of teen homelessness. While the book itself was a little soft, the topic is one of real concern, and one we rarely see portrayed in young adult books. The storyline makes it easy to see how good kids end up in bad situations. Adele was not a runaway, or a drug user, nor was she suffering from mental illness, yet she ends up homeless. A good kid, who makes decent grades, and has a part time job, ends up homeless. Bravo to Melody Carson for breaking down stereotypes of the homeless. While Adele's mom has mental healthy issues that contribute to the situation, Adele herself is a fairly well adjusted, normal kid.

The thing that bothered me about the book was it seemed to keep the reader at arms' length. We never really get to know the characters, we are left with lots of unanswered questions, and we are only scratching the surface of the story and the issues at hand. I think this could have easily been developed into a more detailed, longer novel, with more depth and character development. As it is, I felt more like I was reading a blog of a homeless teen than a novel written about a homeless teen.

All in all, not a bad book. This book would be a great way to open up a dialogue about homelessness with young adults. Unfortunately, the book just left me wanting more. More about the characters, more about the story, and more about the impact of Adele's homelessness on her life in the long run.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Why We Broke Up, by Daniel Handler

2011-11-17T08:17:00.000-05:00

Min and Ed were an unlikely couple, as he is a jock and she is, well, artsy. But when they got together, the passion burned with the fire of a thousands suns, as teenagers are wont to do. And when they broke up, it had to be equally passionate. So Min is writing Ed a letter, and removing all traces of him from her life. She is telling him exactly why they broke up.

At first, as I was reading this, I thought the character of Min was unlikely to represent the normal teenage girl. She is highly intelligent, more than many adults, she like foreign films and is highly ironic. But what makes her like almost every other teenage girl in the world is her propensity for drama. One need only to read a few teenage twitter streams to realize everything, absolutely everything, in the teen world is highly dramatic. From a literary standpoint, this may not be the most well written book, but in terms of it representing how a teenager would react and write, it was actually pretty spot on. I also enjoyed the illustrations, which in and of themselves are full of emotion, yet very simple.

Min is a highly emotional character, and I have seen at least one reviewer refer to her as hormonal. Why must passion and emotion in a female character be classified as a result of hormones? Perhaps she is merely and artistic teenager. While not as dramatic as Min, I was an emotional kid, and I hated the fact that people assumed it was my hormones. As if this is the only reason women of any age are allowed to have actual feelings.

I loved hearing Ed and Min's love story, even within the framework of a highly emotionally charged break up letter. I think the book will appeal to many young adult readers, because this clearly relates to their lives, and the microcosms in which they reside.

I received this review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

31 Dates in 31 Days, by Tamara Durika Johnson

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tamara had been through quite a few breakups and failed relationships, so, upon turning 31, she decided to change her views on dating and relationships by undergoing a dating experiment. She would go on 31 dates in 31 days. The first 30 would all be first dates, some with people she knew, some with blind dates, and she would blog about each one. The final date would be on Valentine's Day, and she would let her blog readers help decide which of her 30 first dates would get a second date on Valentine's Day. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into.

I wish a book like this had existed when I was still single. I was the girl who was always in a relationship, from the time I started dating in high school. Consequently, I was also the girl who went through lots of bad breakups. By the time I was in my late 20s, I was starting to lose hope, so I know exactly how Tamara was feeling. I felt like this book spoke to my soul. Even though I have found my soulmate, and we married two years ago, I remember going through everything Tamara went through, and that is why I felt so connected to this book.

Tamara writes honestly, and from the heart. While she does tend to see the positive side of each of the dates, she is brutally honest about how she feels about herself. I loved the message of this book, and my favorite part is how, during an interview, she explained that while not all of her 30 dates were her prince charming, each of them was someone's prince charming, and deserved to be treated with respect. I also enjoyed how Tamara talked about the experiment changing her view of and love for all people, not just men.

I highly recommend this book for all single girls, to show not only do good men still exist, but that sometimes, to find love, we need to adjust our own ways of thinking, and step outside the box.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Wendy and the Lost Boys, by Barbara Silkstone

2011-11-15T21:56:00.000-05:00

Wendy Darlin, real estate agent, independent woman, modern day pirate? Not really the life Wendy envisioned for herself when she promised to look after the criminal miscreant Charlie Hook. When Hook basically holds Wendy, her friend, and an investigator hostage, they have no choice but to help him recover his ill gotten treasure.

Remember the old Rocky and Bullwinkle show, how there was a segment called fractured fairy tales? That was my favorite part of the show. So, to me, it is absolutely no surprise how much I adore Barbara Silkstone's "fractured fairy tale for adults" re-imagining of Peter Pan. I found this book to be, in short, a hoot. The writing is clever, and had me doing that really unattractive giggle-snort combination many times throughout my reading. I love the way the characters embody the essence of the original classic characters, with snarky modern twists.

Be aware, this is not the Peter Pan story you want your kids reading, it is clearly intended for adult readers. Yet it appeals to the childlike part of us that loved the classic original stories. Combine that childlike love with modern politics and technology, and you get this smart, snarky, hilarious mystery. The story is richly developed and leaves you guessing until the very end. I am liking this grown up version of Peter Pan even more than the original.

I received a review copy of the book courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Chop Chop, by L. N. Cronk

2011-11-14T07:41:00.000-05:00

For as long as he can remember, David has been friends with Laci. Even when she does things that annoy him, like chop off her long hair to send to a charity that makes wigs for cancer patients. David things this is the stupidest thing, until Greg moves to town. Greg becomes friends with both Laci and David, and a strong bond, as well as strong faith, develops between the three of them. When the tragedy strikes, with that bond, and that faith, be enough to see David through?

I loved this book. I will say it again. I loved this book. I was moved to tears more than once during the reading of this book. It is not often that I find a Christian book that has so much depth. This book deals with love, faith, death, forgiveness, and the pains of going from childhood to adulthood. We watch David, Laci, and Greg take a tremendous journey, and I felt as though I was taking it with them.

The characters in this book are really well developed, I think in part because we hear the story being told by David. To hear a character's thoughts allows the reader to connect with the character, and I felt very connected to David. I loved seeing that these kids were not perfect. As Christians, we often put a lot of pressure on our youth to be perfect, so I find it encouraging that these characters sometimes struggled with their faith, or with doing the right thing; young readers need to see characters in these types of situations.

The book is highly emotional, particularly toward the end. It was actually quite difficult for me to watch these characters go through the devastating event they went through, but it is a situation that is relevant and could have been taken from the headlines over the past few years. I think this book is an excellent read, to adult or young adult readers, and can actually be quite a source of comfort. As this is the first in a series, I can honestly say, I cannot wait for the second.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Hidden, by Shalini Boland

2011-11-14T06:56:00.000-05:00

After a life lost in the foster care system, Madison is happy to learn that she has enherited a house where she and her brother can live. And not just a house, a grand estate, complete with large grounds, caretakers, and resident vampires. We learn Madison's story as well as the backstory of the vampires, until eventually their paths cross, and romance ignites.

When I saw that this book was marketed as a paranormal romance, I guess I went into it with a certain mindset. I expected it to be, well, kind of drippy, as many young adult paranormal romances seem to be. I think in this case, marketing this as a romance is a bit of a misnomer. The romance does not even occur until quite late in the book, and the story is so rich with action before we even get to the romance.

The story and narrative change with each chapter, in a structure where we alternately learn about Madison and we learn the backstory of Alexandre and the other vampires. I have to say, of the two storylines, I preferred learning about the vampires. I found the writing so much richer, luxurious even, with brilliant historical context, and was much more interested in those portions of the book. I was actually sad when the storyline got the the point where the past had been completely covered, and the focus was solely on the present.

While I thought the character of Madison was sufficiently developed, I much preferred the character of Alexandre and felt much more connected to his story. The book seemed more focused on him, and as a result, I was more invested in him than in any other character. Once the book is completely focused on the present, the action does pick up, with a bit of a twist ending. As this book is the first in a series, I am interested to see where the next book goes, and if I am better able to connect to Madison's character.

All in all, I think fans of young adult paranormal fiction will enjoy this book. While it may be listed as a romance, it clearly has much to offer across several genres.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Triangles, by Ellen Hopkins

2011-11-10T07:36:00.000-05:00

Funny how someone's life can seem so perfect on the outside, while inside they are falling apart. Holly, a stay at home mom with seemingly the perfect life, finds herself restless and dives headlong into the world of extramarital sex. Andrea, Holly's friend, watches Holly destroy her perfect life, while Andrea continues to struggle as a single mother. And Andrea's sister, Marissa deals with a terminally ill daughter, a gay teenage son, and an unfaithful husband. All three women live vastly different lives, intersecting at points, forming a series of triangles.

Once again Hopkins delivers a powerful story in verse form. Being fairly familiar with her writing style, I felt at home with the pacing and the changing points of view in the book. I felt each woman's voice was distinct, allowing readers to come to know each woman individually, as well as seeing how their paths cross. I found each woman's story to be realistic and relatable, and I enjoyed watching them unfold.

This book is marketed as Hopkins' first adult novel. Honestly, I found it was not so different from her young adult novels. Sure, there was a bit more sex and eroticism in Holly's tale, but Hopkins has never strayed from adult themes within her young adult novels. The main difference I saw was the ages of the main characters; her young adults tend to focus on the story of teenagers. The writing style and tone are basically unchanged from her young adult books. This is not necessarily a criticism, as I think many young adult books are written on very adult levels. It serves to blur the lines between genres, perhaps not such a bad thing. I think this book would appeal to college age readers who have read Hopkins' work before and are now transitioning into more adult titles. But, I see no shame in an adult reading young adult fiction, so whether this was marketed as adult or young adult, I still would have enjoyed it.

I received a review copy courtesy of Crazy Book Tours and the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile.My Amazon Profile

Cedardale Court, by Nathan Lee Christensen

2011-11-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

Canner has taken his daughter, Chloe, to live with Uncle Henry, in the hopes that a nice quiet life will help them forget their loss. But life on Cedardale Court turns out to be, well, not so quiet. When an accident reveals the death of a local teacher, everyone is stumped as to why she was killed, and who did it. Turns out, pretty much everyone on Cedardale Court has a secret.

I am a huge fan of dark humor, of thrillers that make me snigger and snort. So, this book? Right up my alley. While the main intention of the story is a murder mystery/thriller, the writing is done in such a witty, droll manner that one cannot help but laugh at parts. Some of the villains in the story are so unlikely, bumbling and tripping their way through their nefarious deeds. Not since watching "The Trouble with Harry" have I giggled so much over a dead body. I just loved it.

Each character has their own unique story to tell, which flows nicely in the overall plot. It is almost like individual strands being woven together into a sinister tapestry. Everyone really does have a secret, and I love that slowly, all the secrets are revealed in the story. By learning each character's story or secret, the reader feels connected to them, slowly, without realizing it is even happening. It really hooked me and pulled me in to the book.

I think that fans of thrillers and murder mysteries will like the book, but I truly hope the readers will enjoy the wry humor of the writing as well, because to me that is what makes the book so memorable.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Killers, by Shaun Jeffrey

2011-11-08T20:07:00.000-05:00

As a police officer, Prosper Snow is no stranger to dealing with murder, and he is always determined to solve his cases. Sometimes, he gets a little to close to the case for comfort. So, when people start taking his murder investigations away from him, he is determined to find out why. He learns that the recent murders are tied to a scientific experiment got bad, and the agency in charge of solving the problem wants him on their team. They will get his cooperation, even if it means blackmale. But is the killer really the person they think it is?

I am a huge fan of thriller and crime literature, and I have a sick fascination with serial killers, so this book really appealed to me. While this is the second in a series, I can say, having not read the first, that this book serves as a great stand alone novel. The character of Prosper Snow, although a bit removed and mysterious, is well developed, and it is easy to find yourself rooting for him to get the bad guy.

I was quite intrigued with the story. As a student of psychology, I was fascinated by the concept of the experiment at the center of the plot. I was aware of some of the scientific concepts the study was being based on, yet it still felt like a new spin on old ideas, which I really enjoyed. I was surprised to learn who the real killer was, which is always a sign of a well written suspense novel.

Clearly, with a title like Killers, you know there is going to be some violence in the book, but I felt is was not gratuitous. It served the purpose of driving the plot, and I thought it was well written. All in all, I think fans of thrillers, crime dramas, suspense, and even mysteries will enjoy this solid novel.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Love You More, by Jennifer Grant

2011-11-07T08:26:00.000-05:00

Not all people are called to parenthood, and not all families look the same. Even those called to parenthood do not always get there in the same exact way. Jennifer Grant discusses her transition from young married to mother, and how the blessing of international adoption played a role in her family.

What a fitting book to review during National Adoption Month. And I can honestly say that this book is a blessing to me. Very few books are so honest and loving about the fact that not everyone is called to parenting, not every Christian is called to adopt, and not every adoption is a smooth as you see in the movies. I was moved countless times by Jennifer's courage as she related her doubts, not only as an adoptive mother but as a biological mother. I love that Jennifer is so candid about her fears, her negative opinions on international adoption, and the fact that this is her story, this journey worked for her family, but it may not work for every family.

I know several families who have been blessed by adoption, and I know that each family's situation is different. Each family has different struggles, and I think often adoptive parents feel that they cannot show frustration or anger or weariness with their children. They fought so hard to get these children, they feel they must be happy and grateful all of the time. Jennifer stresses that regardless of how a child comes into your family, as a parent you have a right, if not a duty, to express what is appropriate or acceptable for your child, and what is not. It is perfectly fine for a parent, adoptive or biological, to be angry or hurt because of their child's actions or words. It is perfectly fine to feel frustrated. You have the right to feel what every other mother in the world feels.

I personally thing this book is a wonderful, loving resource for all families considering adoption, in the process of adoption, or who have gone through an adoption already. I love hearing Jennifer's story, and I am sure it will bless many families.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Faith of Ashish, by Kay Marshall Strom

2011-11-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

Ashish's name means blessing, yet he is an untouchable. He was born to parents who are untouchables in the early 20th century India. When Ashish drinks from a cup that is not meant to be touched by an untouchable, his entire world changes. He suffers a terrible beating, and the only way his family can get medical assistance is for them to become the slaves of a wealthy landowner. Will his family lose their faith in all that is good?

Having very little knowledge of the caste system in India, I found this book to be fascinating. I had no idea that the social rules were so rigid among this culture. One thinks of India as what we see in Bollywood movies. I adored the fact that this portrayed such a honest, realistic story about a social class rarely shown or talked about in art.

I really loved the characters; Ashish is just a child in the book, so his faith is that of a child. He has no idea what it means for his life and future, the fact that he is an untouchable. He simply has faith that the world will continue to work the way it always has within his experiences. An ugly brutal act shows him how little he knows of the world. Later, when he meets the Christian missionary doctor and nurse, he sees just how little he understands.

The familial relationship between Ashish and his parents is so tender and heartfelt, the emotions leap from the page. I felt conflicted about the Christian landowner. In some ways, he is cruel, and greedy. Yet he tries, in his own mind, to be a good Christian. Is he a villain, or simply another product of the system into which he was born?

I enjoyed the story immensly, and am anxious to see where the rest of the series will take me. While this is not the type of story into which I could disappear, it is certainly one which captured my heart.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Every Me, Every You, by David Levithan and Jonathan Farmer

2011-11-04T07:31:00.000-04:00

Evan was Ariel's best friend, and now, he is part of the reason she is gone. So, when he begins finding mysterious pictures clearly intended for him, he has to wonder, is it possible she came back? The pictures lead him on a wild goose chase that has him, and others, questioning his own sanity. In the end, the bigger question is, did he ever really know Ariel at all?

Everything about this book was incredibly intriguing to me. The picture and print on the cover tipped me off that this was no normal book. The book is a combination of pictures and and plot, but instead of the pictures complementing the plot, they actually drive it, and I found that to be incredible. The pictures have a haunting quality that is equally matched by the shadowy nature of the writing.

I like Evan's character a lot, because he reminds me of someone I would befriend. I find it fascinating the pull that Ariel has over so many people, yet we know so little about her. In fact, we do not know what actually happened to her until near the end of the book, although I had some suspicions. In terms of literary techniques, this book took some getting used to. The author uses the strikethrough a lot in the writing, to allow us to see the thought of Evan's character that he is not quite willing to reveal yet. So they are struck through ~~like this~~. That felt weird to me at first, but you adjust quickly.

The novel has a dark feeling to it, not sinister, but still dark. I personally love that, it reminded me a lot of my teenage love affair with Twin Peaks. I think the book is so unique, it will appeal to a lot of young adult readers, and many adult ones as well.

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

The Predatory Kind, edited by Joe McKinney

2011-11-03T14:31:00.000-04:00

Some readers just love to be scared. Fear is a funny thing that way, how it can bring so much pleasure and so much dread all at the same time. And our world is full of things for us to fear, predators both seen and unseen.

Once again, we have a book full of frighteningly fantastic short stories. Why do I love horror shorties so much? Because I can read a story, get scared silly, take a break, and start all over again with a new tale of terror. And trust me, some of the stories in this book are that scary. The book starts off with a bang, a story about how and why roadside memorials, which I find terribly creepy anyway, really come into being.

My favorite story in the book is titled How the Wind Spoke at Madaket, by Lucius Shepard. In this tale, the wind is personified, and boy is he pissed. We learn the dangerous power of the wind, and the reason behind the anger. It had echos of "The Mist" by King, only we learn more about the reason behind the wind's destructive nature. I loved it.

If you are a fan of horror, check this out, I think you will like it. New monsters, new myths, new horror.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Out of A Far Country, by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

2011-11-02T21:52:00.000-04:00

For years, Chris struggled with the fact that he way gay, mostly because he knew how his parents would respond. When he is home from dental school for a visit, his parents confront him, and he confirms their suspicions that he is gay. He turns away from his family. His mother goes to visit him, preparing to say goodbye before she commits suicide. Instead, she finds new faith, a faith that saves her, and may one day save her son.

I really wanted to dislike this book, because I thought it was going to be one of those "let's reprogram the gays and make them straight" types of books. I was shocked to find something entirely different. This book is written in such an honest manner, and while the parts from the mom's point of view may come across as homophobic, it becomes clear that she is merely confused, dealing with Asian cultural norms, and trying to love her son as best as she can.

I really liked that we got the story from both the mom and Chris at the same time. I found the chapters in Chris' voice painfully honest, and heartbreaking. I like that this book did not shy away from him talking about his actively gay lifestyle, nor was the message that Chris needed to become straight in order to become a good Christian.

This is a delicate and private topic for many Christian families, and while this book may not mirror every experience out there, it certainly could be a good resource, or at least a starting point.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Holy Ghost Girl, by Donna M Johnson

2011-11-02T07:43:00.000-04:00

Donna was raised on the tent revival circuit. For many years, her mama was the right hand to Brother Terrell. It soon became clear that mama was also a bit more... Donna grew up watching miracles and sin, holy men and hypocrits, and trying her hardest to make sense of it all. This, to her, was normality.

I am a huge fan of memoirs, and this has to be one of my favorites that I have read in some time. Donna does an excellent job of weaving her story in such a way that you are totally transp
orted; you are in that tent with her. I have never read a memoir that is so vivid and creative in its storytelling. This would was written better than many fiction books I have read.

I have been around some people who were parts of the Holiness, Charismatic, and Pentecostal movements, so to me this book was a comfortable read. For those not familiar with this type of spirituality, or not comfortable with organized religion, the book may feel foreign, or far fetched, but I believe the book can appeal to readers across many genres. I have seen many of the things Donna talks about, which is why the book came so alive for me. Having never been to an actual revival, however, I was fascinated by the nomadic subculture the revival team developed for themselves.

All in all, this book was fantastically written. It really captured the reader. For me, it made me want to learn a whole lot more about David Terrell, and it also made me wonder what happened in the lives of his other followers.

I received a review copy courtesy of Crazy Book Tours and the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Live Out Loud, by Heather Wardell

2011-11-01T21:13:00.000-04:00

Amy has always been a big dreamer, not just her own dreams, but the dreams of her childhood friend who tragically died. But never in her wildest dreams did she think she would become a singing sensation, yet that is exactly what happens. Amy becomes the pop princess Misty Will. But the biggest question is.... Misty will what?

Once again Heather Wardell gives us a winner. Wardell has a way of creating characters and situations to which her readers can relate wholeheartedly. I just love watching Amy's character catapult to fame, and to watch her flounder when fame is a little too much for her to handle.

I liked that this story has a modern feel to it. Typically, I dislike a lot of pop culture in literature, but in this story it just fits. This is a story that we can imagine happening in today's world of pop music. I could totally imagine a singer like Misty rocketing to fame thanks to youtube. And as a lover of social media, I really enjoy how it factors into Misty's situation.

I was a little surprised at some of the more serious themes at work, dealing with abortion, teen death, and teen sexuality. I liked that this story had this meat to it, yet was still able to remain so positive. Well done.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Writing Fiction for Dummies, by Peter Economy

2011-11-01T10:19:00.000-04:00

How many people dream of being a famous writer? But how in the world do you get from plunking away on your laptop to actually getting published? There are lots of things you need to do to get from point a to point b, and this book will tell you most of them. Discussions on character development, plot, story line, and theme are just a few of the tools this book contains.

This was the first time I actually read one of the "for dummies" books, because I had a chance to get a good deal on it, and it pertained to an interest of mine. Which, lets be honest, is probably why anyone would read any of these books. No one reads about how to write fiction out of sheer curiosity. And good thing, because they would probably be a little bored. There is a reason I do not read much nonfiction, and that is because I find it incredibly boring, through no fault of its own.

I thought the book actually contained a ton of great information, was well organized, and easy to read or use as a resource. It just is not my kind of book, which is absolutely not a flaw. I am sure I will refer to this book as a resource if I ever get around to writing. A bit of the information regarding publishing was a little dated, since self publishing of e-books and small publishers have really changed the market over the past few years, but still the information was valuable, and hopefully will come in handy for me some day.

This book is from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

A Texan's Promise, by Shelley Gray

2011-10-28T08:53:00.000-04:00

Clayton came to the ranch when Vanessa was just a young girl. He has watched her blossom and grow, helped her through the death of her father, and now vows to protect her from the abuse of her stepfather. Clayton and Vanessa flee the ranch after a brutal attack by her stepfather, and head for safer territory. On the journey, it becomes clear that in order to protest her reputation as well as her as a person, Clayton must marry Vanessa. Can a marriage seemingly based on obligation turn out to be a marriage based on love?

I am kind of a sucker for a damsel in distress story. They pull at my heartstrings every single time. And it does not take long to know what Vanessa is in distress. And Clayton, well, he is the perfect knight in shining armor. And I love that about this story. Clayton's character is just such a good man. Sure, he has seen his share of horrors and evils, but he himself is just so good. He reminds me of my husband that way. I really love that Vanessa is flawed. She withholds truth, she is headstrong. I think it is more believable when characters are not perfect. I felt like the characters were so genuine, and the story was so engaging. I often forgot the time period the story was set in, because the themes were so universal.

This is marketed as Christian fiction, and while faith does play a big part of the storyline, it is not done in an overly evangelical way. You deal with some pretty heavy topics, abuse, suicide, adultery, alcoholism, so it is nice to have a little bit of faith sprinkled in to pull you through some of the darker issues. All in all, I thought this was a good book, even suitable for young adults to read.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Mean Streets, by Gord Rollo and Gene O'Neill

2011-10-27T08:28:00.000-04:00

Life on the streets may not seem normal to you or I, but to those who must live this way, it is the new reality, and the new normality. So when something, well, abnormal occurs in the gritty, sometimes seedy, ultra urban streets of the city, you know it really is unusual. This book contains short stories of amazing, frightening, beautiful, and horrific tales of life in the shadows, life on the streets.

Modern urban fables. That is how I saw these stories. Several of the stories focus on a kind of transformation of the self, in the most literal sense. And who among us has not undergone, or at least wished to, some type of major change. So even though these stories are fantastical in nature, we as readers are still able to relate to them. And I found the writing to be almost haunting. The characters are vivid, we see their stories unfolding not on the page but in our hearts and minds. We want to know these stories as intimately as possible.

Of the stories in the book, Moving Pictures is my favorite. It details a thug who tries to hustle an Asian tattooist, who, in exchange, gives him the most beautiful and dangerous tattoo. I love this story because its plot offers the thug a chance to transform, to be redeemed as a human. He has a choice, you see, as we all do. He chooses the tragic. But he still had a choice. I find this to be a bewitching tale.

All in all, I really enjoyed the book. Sometimes, short stories can be tedious, but not this book. Perfect pacing, timing, and character development in these tales, to the point that they were almost hypnotic.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel, by Seth Grahame-Smith and Cliff Richards

2011-10-26T06:21:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters are weapons of mass destruction when it comes to taking out the undead. The zombie scourge has taken over the lovely English countryside, and these girls will simply not stand for it. Their father encourages them to fight the good fight, while their mother only wishes them to marry and become proper ladies. When Eliza encounters Darcy, a formidible oponent in more ways than one, she is certain that she will not lose her head, which is less than can be said for the zombies she encounters.

I have long been an proponent of the monster mash up genre, particularly when it is done very very well. The paperback version of this story is what started my love affair with this genre. So, it is no surprise that I still really love the story, even in a different form. I still find it incredibly clever, and innovative.

The part I disliked was that graphic portion of the book I found it disappointing. The Bennet sisters were hard to distinguish from each other in the illustrations, which made the reading a little clunky. I think this would have most definitely benefitted from being in color as opposed to black and white. I think a lot of the story, and it's impact, is lost in the nondescript drawings as they are.

This is a mixed bag for me. I love the story, I just prefer it in novel form. I created much better pictures in my own mind.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

A Plague Year, by

2011-10-25T08:28:00.000-04:00

It is late summer of 2001 when Tom starts to hear about this new drug called crystal meth. He lives in a small mining town in Pennsylvania, where meth and mining are the main things to do. When September 11 hits, people in town have a hard time coping with the state of the world, and more and more turn to drugs as a way to cope. The town becomes frightening as meth zombies are sighted more and more often, and crime reaches a new high. What happens over this course of this year will change Tom's life forever.

I was so incredibly moved by this book. First of all, it was written in a way that is real, and honest, and young readers will easily relate. When meth gained popularity in the late 90's and early into the 2000's, these are the exact kinds of places that were hit, so I think the book is brilliantly set. These are the stories that rarely get told, and I am happy this one was. I am especially happy it is told from a young adult's frame of reference.

I thought that Tom's character was well developed, as well as most of the supporting characters. However, I did have an issue with the development and realism of the drug counseling group Tom attends. First off, the leader of the group is a Master's level therapist, yet she has never heard of pica, and then just levels a guess at what type of disorder it may be. This would NEVER happen; any Masters program has an abnormal psych class, and every abnormal psych class covers this disorder. And no therapist worth their merit would simply level a guess about a disorder they knew nothing about. But I digress. Some of the minor supporting characters seemed a little flat, but in some ways, that served a purpose. We were never supposed to get close to them, since this was Tom's story.

All in all, I think this was a good young adult book, appropriate for high school readers. It serves as a cautionary tale of how drugs can affect and entire town, and sadly is based in too much reality.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Wolf's Edge, by W.D. Gagliani

2011-10-24T15:59:00.000-04:00

Nick Lupo is back, fighting crime as well as his inner demons. His latest cases involve people being killed, but not just random people, each person or setting has something to do with the wolf, as if these murders are intended to send a message to Nick. He finds himself spiraling into a world involving Nazis, mad scientists, and a seemingly invincible subspecies of werewolves. What truths will be revealed as Nick tries to unravel the mysteries?

Nick Lupo never disappoints. As with his past books, Gagliani gives us a book that is, well, raw to say the least. In your face murders, overt sexuality, and the horrors on Nazi era Europe are delivered with a no holds barred fierceness. Nothing is sugar coated here, and for that I am truly thankful. Gagliani would never deliver wimpy monsters that sparkle or do an angsty emo pout. His monsters are a wonderful blend of the supernatural and the real evil we see in the world. And the grounding in reality is what makes his characters and stories seem so relatable.

I am excited that we learn a little more about Nick's family history. While we already knew from earlier books in the Nick Lupo series how the werewolf curse came to rest on him, we now learn that this is not the first time his family has been under the lupine spell. I liked that the past and present played out in turns throughout the book. To me, it gave the story even that much more depth. And as always, Gagliani's writing sent shivers down my spine. A perfect read for a dark, dreary night.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

No One to Hear You Scream, by Julia Madeline

2011-10-24T08:29:00.000-04:00

Brett thinks he has landed his dream home when he buys a foreclosed house. He moves his wife, daughter Justine, and new grandchild into the home, hoping for a better life for them all. Each of them is damaged in some ways, and the house comes with its own set of baggage in the form of its homicidal past owner. When the owner strikes up a relationship with Justine, her fragility makes for the perfect way for him to manipulate Brett into giving the house back.

Edge of my seat. That is where this book had me. There is a lot going on in this book. You have the relationships between Brett, his wife Pamela, and Justine; Pamela dealing with the loss of her daughter as well as a huge secret; Brett dealing with a failing business; Justine having mental health issues; and Rory, the original homeowner, and his plethora of issues. It is a lot to take in, but that is also what makes the story so captivating.

I thought both plot and characters were developed well, with nice even pacing. My favorite character, the one I love to hate, is actually Rory. He has a lot of depth and dimension, but you stop just short of empathy when you read about him. He helps the story maintain its high level of reader engagement.

Have you ever had a moment where a loud noise sounds, and then, for a split second, the silence that follows is deafening, leaving your ears ringing? That is what the end of this book was like for me. I loved the themes at work here, the flawed nature of the characters, the emphasis on keeping secrets. This one is well worth the read.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Also Known as Rowan Pohi, by Ralph Fletcher

2011-10-23T19:43:00.000-04:00

The summer before they begin 10th grade, Bobby and his friends decide to see if they can create a fictional teenager, Rowan Pohi, and have him accepted into the prestigious private school in town. They are all shocked when Rowan gets in, and Bobby secretly decides to take the experiment to the next level. Bobby assumes Rowan's identity, and actually attend the private school, even securing a full scholarship. But quickly, the ruse fails, and Bobby must decide who he wants to be, and what path he wants to take in life.

I have to say, I found this to be a really original story, and pretty well thought out. While it was a bit far fetched that such a prestigious school would accept a student that close to the start of school, without an interview or official transcripts, they author does do a decent job of trying up most of those loose ends. I liked that this story revolved around mostly male characters, something we see far too little in young adult books. This helps the book appeal to young male readers, without being a stereotypical male book. There is story here with real depth, and the framing helps male readers get in touch with real emotions.

There is some heavy stuff at play in the book, including alcoholism and abuse, so keep that in mind when allowing young adults to read the story, but it is handled in a way that makes the topics age appropriate. All in all, I thought this was a good, realistic young adult book.

I received a review copy as part of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Guest Post: The Dark Side; Werewolves 4EVR; and the Draw of Halloween, by W.D. Gagliani

2011-10-22T15:53:00.000-04:00

Since it is nearly Halloween, I decided to give all my readers a little treat: a guest post from one of my writer friends! Enjoy!

The Dark Side; Werewolves 4EVR; and the Draw of Halloween

By W.D. Gagliani

I've always been drawn to dark thoughts.

Don't ask me why, I don't know the answer. It's just always been a tendency I have to wonder "what if?" but then also to look to the darker side of the spectrum. Strolling inside a bank, I might think, "How would a gang (maybe my gang) rob this place?" while picking out and counting the cameras in the corners. I see a car pull up to a convenience store after midnight and immediately think the worst. I hear about some terrible tragedy and my raised-on-thrillers brain goes into overdrive to concoct some sort of criminal or highly-placed conspiracy to explain what happened, because… well, because it's more interesting to look upon the darker side of life.

In what we call "real" life, events are random. In fiction, random is seldom convincing. Coincidence is frowned upon. Multiple coincidences are the kiss of death to a novel's credibility. "Oh, right!" we whine, exasperated by the writer's gall in trying to put one over on us. (This happens just as much in movies and TV shows as books, by the way.)

"There are no small coincidences and big coincidences!" snarled the pretentious writer Rava on a notable Seinfeld episode. "There are only coincidences!” Sure, I’m quoting that line here only because I love the episode. No matter, my point that too many coincidences – whether big or small or medium or slight – will spoil a novel or story, even though "real" life sometimes stacks the deck and deals out a whole series of them anyway, is still valid. Now, on the other hand, coincidence may be frowned upon, but random can be made to work – especially in horror. There aren't too many things more terrifying than a random occurrence that kills you or hurts you or your loved ones. You know, the escaped convict finds your front door unlocked… the bridge collapses while you are driving over it… your neighbor’s name is Dahmer and he's been sizing you up…

My dark thoughts often revolve around random occurrences. Maybe it's the plotting mechanism in my brain, trying to line up what it needs for that next story. One interesting approach is to connect a series of random occurrences until they become some sort of dangerously lunatic conspiracy… practitioners write intriguing thrillers, or rant and rave on their television pundit shows. Either way, it's fiction. At its best, it's dark fiction.

What’s the attraction of the dark side? Why do some of us prefer to walk or bask in shadows? My assumption is that it’s a hard-wired preference. Sort of similar to why David Lynch can’t make a light movie. Some of us are just wired to prefer exploring darkness…

Which leads me to that werewolf preference I’ve always had. As a kid, raised on many influences, I could have gone in any direction. My early interest in SF was eventually supplanted by horror, and as I eagerly watched the classic Universal monster movies on television in the early 70s, I realized one thing. The other monsters scared me for what they could do to me – I was generically frightened of Dracula, the mummy, the creature (as any kid would be). But later I realized the werewolf was different – he scared me for what I might do if I were the monster. He scared me for the loss of control he suffered when he wolfed out. He was the only one I empathized with, because I could imagine being him rather than merely being threatened by him. It was a double whammy – I realized that I could be just as scared of being the monster as facing it. I think the lesson took, because many (if not most) of my story protagonists have dark sides, secrets, and are often arguably as evil as their opponents… though their reasons may seem more logical to them. When the time came to write my first novel, it was a foregone conclusion that I would write about a tortured werewolf who's trying to do the right thing, but finds himself consistently stymied. Dominic "Nick" Lupo's lycanthropy could almost be a superpower, except his lack of control makes him extra dangerous. In Wolf's Trap, I enjoyed playing with duality in almost every character, starting with Lupo (the wolf) himself. The werewolf metaphor just works for me, in so many ways, that I've stuck with it. I guess the lesson is, if you're lucky enough to find a valuable vein, mine it for all it's worth.

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Why wouldn't it be, given its dark aspects? But I rarely participate (except for handing out candy). I grew up in Europe until I turned eight, so I was behind by the time I figured out the trick or treating thing. I've always been shy, so dressing up in costume – rather than conferring anonymity – had me concerned about becoming the center of attention. Plus I've always been an observer, so from early on I preferred standing on the sidelines and observing others as they shed their inhibitions. A harmless bit of voyeurism, but well-suited to a writer in training. So Halloween continues to make me tingle, but not in traditional ways. I enjoy the chilly, gray weather. The smell of smoke in the dark, cloudy night. The tingle of mysterious goings-on behind closed doors. The sense that secret events and beings inhabit your peripheral vision, sliding between worlds. I prefer to observe, and leave the participation to hardier souls. I play Keith Emerson's soundtrack for Dario Argento's Inferno dozens of time – the plaintive, haunting piano part of the theme fits the chill and blowing leaves like nothing else. I prefer to keep an eye on the darkness, and my thoughts return to the dark in the month that contains Halloween. Then I find the universe agrees that it's good I prefer dark thoughts of werewolves on Halloween.

I've always been drawn to dark thoughts.

I don't know why, but it's perfect.

_____________________________________________________________________

W.D. Gagliani is the author of Bram Stoker Award-nominated Wolf’s Trap, as well as Wolf’s Gambit, Wolf’s Bluff, Wolf’s Edge (just released by Samhain), as well as Savage Nights, Shadowplays, and Mysteries & Mayhem (with David Benton), and dozens of short stories, book reviews, articles, and interviews. His article on writing werewolf epics appears in the October 2011 issue of The Writer magazine. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA), the International Thriller Writers (ITW), and the Authors Guild.
www.wdgagliani.com
www.facebook.com/wdgagliani
Twitter: @WDGagliani

Taste of Tenderloin, by Gene O'Neill

2011-10-21T08:25:00.000-04:00

The streets in the Tenderloin are mean, to say the least. And there are some interesting characters who inhabit that particular part of the city. But each of these people has a story, and many times, there is something bringing these people together. And sometimes, they play parts, large and small, in each other's stories. What stories would you learn, if you only took the time to listen to the folks in the Tenderloin?

Not being terribly familiar with any cities in California, I had to look up the Tenderloin area of San Francisco to learn a bit more about it. It does not sound like the greatest place to live, yet this book shows the dark beauty contained within the streets of the Loin. I really loved meeting some of the people from those streets, albeit fictitious people, but it really reminded me that each city, each place in this world, has it's cast of unusual character, and they each have their own story to tell. What we may see is the surface only; a cripple, a whore, a drug addict. What we don't see is the heart of a hero, the passion of a musician, the hope of a dreamer. I loved that this book made me see beyond the surface.

The stories in this book are gritty, to say the least. Some say the Tenderloin got its name because it is the underbelly of the city. And the reader does in fact see that in these stories. O'Neill does not sugar coat what happens on these streets; instead, he makes the truth beautiful, in its own way. And I personally love that one character ties all the stories together, to really make the book seem like the narrative of the neighborhood. I would love to learn more of their stories.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Seaview Terrace, by Kate Rigby

2011-10-20T20:23:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of different people living in the apartments at Seaview Terrace, and they form interesting relationships among themselves. Some are leaving their partners, some are mourning the loss, some are opening up a new chapter in their lives, and some are looking back on their lives with a bit of regret. But all of them have their own stories to tell.

I am a sucker for books that tell good stories about people's lives, which I think this book does brilliantly well. We meet many many characters, and hear stories from many different points of view. However, the characters are so distinct and well developed, we have no trouble following the path of the storyline. The only exception to this that I found was the same sex couple that gave all the tenants nicknames; those confused me a bit, probably because I was rushing to read the book to find out what would happen next.

I really enjoyed the stories of the people in this book. It was like a little soap opera or mini series playing out. It reminded me of the tv show Knots Landing; similar instances of high drama and human interest. Never getting overly deep into one storyline, the book instead masterfully weaves them all together. All in all, a nice fun read.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Modelland, by Tyra Banks

2011-10-13T14:31:00.000-04:00

In a world based solely on fashion and beauty as metrics of personal worth, Tookie de la Creme is the lowest of the low, a total Forgetta Girl. Her sister, Myrracle, on the other hand, is sheer perfection. As The Day of Discovery nears, when potential models fight for their shot at being discovered, Tookie plans to escape her town of Metopia. But on The Day of Discovery, she is chosen, instead of her sister, by a Scout to go to Modelland, and enter training to become an Intoxibella. Has some mistake been made?

Since I am a huge fan of America's Next Top Model (dirty little secret right there), I am fully aware of the ridiculous things that Tyra Banks does and says, so I was prepared, somewhat, for this book. Basically, imagine that Tyra took every shred of model and fashion related information in her head, including every single episode of Top Model, put it in a blender, made a smoothie, drank it, and then vomited it onto blank paper. That is pretty much what you are getting with this book. The story is terribly slow to develop, with the action not even picking up into almost 200 pages in. At that point, the story actually did get better. But those first 200 pages or so are painful, and had me unsure I would finish the book.

The book is marketed as fantasy, but really, it is not that different from reality, or at least the reality in which Tyra lives. The world literally revolves around fashion and modeling in this story. Men are merely accessories, and women only have value if they are beautiful enough to sell products. Way to ruin 50 years of progress toward sexual equality.

I kind of enjoyed Tookie's character, and at the very heart of it the story has a good message, but it gets buried under silly things like SMIZES and Intoxibellas. The places and people are named unclever things based on things or people in the real world. A place named Canne del Labra, a person named Evangalinda, a model named Bev Jo? Come on. I think this book is really Tyra's fantasy of her own journey into the modelling world.

Apparently, this book is the first of a trilogy, and that makes me sad. Sad that bad books written by a celebrity will continue to get published, while brilliant books by unknown authors get ignored by publishers.

Honestly, I am surprised I read the whole thing.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Harvest of Grace, by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-10-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

Sylvia has experienced a deep betrayal that makes it hard to remain at home with her family, or within her small Amish community. She decides to seek work as a farm hand to help assist a family in another Amish community that is having financial difficulties. When her employer's son returns to the family farm, Sylvia finds his motives at odds with her own, and plenty of reasons to dislike him. Instead, she finds herself drawn to him, and they develop a bond to which neither cares to admit. Will Sylvia ever heal from her past hurts enough to let him in?

My frequent concern with Amish fiction is eventually, there will cease to be any new, orignial, engaging storylines. So, I always approach Amish fiction with caution. However, I really enjoyed this book a lot. Unlike many of the Amish books I have read, this book focused less on the interation between the Amish and English, and more on relationships within and between different Amish communities. We also see, in Sylvia's character, the fact that while Amish women have typical roles to play, some certainly do branch out into more traditionally male oriented tasks.

To me, this book highlights the similarities between Amish people and their English counterparts. We are dealing with marital infidelity, substance abuse, and strained parental relationships, not to mention the overwhelming theme of forgiveness. Because of these univeral themes and topics, I found the book really relatable, and because of that, I found myself getting pulled into the story.

This book is part of a series, and I have not read the first two books in the series. A short recap was given at the beginning, but you do not seem to necessarily need to read them to fully appreciate this book. All in all, a nice, enjoyable story.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Dearly, Departed, by Lia Habel

2011-10-11T22:10:00.000-04:00

Welcome to life in New Victoria. It is 2195, and the world is not at all what people imagined. People have settled into new places, adopted neo-Victorian ideals, and are at war with the subversive Punks. And if that was not bad enough, it turns out the government and military have been covering up the fact that zombies exist. Nora is on school holiday when she confronts this reality face to undead face, and now is trying to figure out how some of the zombies can be good guys, and some can be bad guys. And more importantly, can she possibly find herself falling for a zombie?

Futuristic dystopian teenage steampunk zombies in love. Really? You say it out loud and it sounds ridiculous. And yet, I completely loved this book. Who would have thought? This is my first foray into anything remotely steampunk, and I am intrigued to say the least. I love the world that Habel has created in this book, a poetic blend of the future and the past, in terms of ideals and philosophies. One of my favorite scenes in the book talks about a computer than runs on steam energy. It seems to me that the book may have started out almost satirical, and somehow took on a life of its own as a legitimate, engaging piece of fiction.

Let's talk about the vivid language and imagery in the book. I saw this book play in my head like a movie. I thought it was really clever, and I loved that I was completely transported to this neo-Victorian era. And character development? Wow, off the charts. I can only imagine how hard it is to make zombies sexy, what with all the putrescence and brain chomping. Yet that is exactly what Habel does. She breathes new life into the idea of zombies, puts a creative spin on the monster creating a hierarchy of zombiism, and somehow makes the undead antihero of the book really sexy and romantic. Hard to imagine, and one of the numerous reasons you need to read the book for yourself.

In the realm of monsters, I always fancied myself a vamp fan, with my fandom of weres being secondary, my fandom of zombies tertiary, and my fandom of mummies nonexistent. But this book could movie zombies up to tie for my number one favorite monster, particularly if its sequel is equally fantastic.

So, yeah, futuristic dystopian teenage steampunk zombies in love. It totally worked.

I received a review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

I Was a Seventh Grade Monster Hunter, by A.G. Kent

2011-10-04T07:53:00.001-04:00

Hannah is not your typical seventh grader. She was born into a family with a legacy- a family of monster hunters descended from the great Bram Stoker himself. Her grandfather has left her with instructions and tools to help fight evil forces and protect her family, but does Hannah really have what it takes? Surely if Hannah can deal with boys, she can deal with monsters, right?

I absolutely loved this book. I have been a fan of horror and thriller books since I was a kid, but back then there was a real lack of these types of books that were age appropriate. By the time Goosebumps hit the scene, I was out of that demographic, and reading adult horror. So it makes me really happy that a good, quality, horror/thriller series is being published for older middle grades and young adult readers!

Kent does a brilliant job of resurrecting the movie monsters of old, and breathing new life into them. I can imagine after reading this book, a lot of kids will want to watch the old Universal classic horror films, which makes me ridiculously happy. I loved the character development and back story of Hannah's family, and am excited to see what secrets the rest of the series will share about Bram Stoker's progeny.

The story is really original, and I love that what we typically think of as monsters are actually, in this book, the good guys. The writing weaves together thrills and humor in a way that is sure to keep readers engaged. This book would make a great Halloween treat for your little ghost or goblin, and even perhaps an adult who is still a kid at heart (like me).

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Come the Shadows, by Wendy L. Young

2011-10-02T21:50:00.000-04:00

Campbell Creek seems to be a quaint Southern town. But appearances are not always accurate. Will, local police officer, is determined to solve the mystery of a dead body found in an abandoned building, even though the case is officially closed. Meanwhile, his wife, Laura, is determined to stop local development that finds many townspeople selling their property. Are these two incidents related? And more importantly, is anything as it seems?

When I first started this book, I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story. However, once you peel back a few of the layers on this seemingly sleepy town, the story gets much more interesting. I really liked the characters in the book, and watching the relationships, both long standing and newly developed, grow and strengthen, or in some cases wither and die. While the book does contain a lot of different characters, there is no chance a reader will confuse any of them, because they are so well developed.

In terms of the plot, I thought the story was well developed, and there certainly were plenty of dramatic twists. This does not feel like the typical mystery, there is a lot more going on than just a whodunnit.

All in all, this was a good book, one mystery and thriller fans will probably enjoy.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Want to go Private?, by Sarah Littleman

2011-09-30T18:00:00.000-04:00

Abby is starting her first year of high school, and no one seems to understand why she is less than thrilled about it. No one, that is, except Luke, a boy she begins chatting with on a website aimed at teens. When Abby's best friend Faith starts to pull away from her, she begins confiding in and depending on Luke more and more as her sole source of comfort and support. The two begin a serious online relationship, despite a huge age difference, and before long, Luke begins to ask Abby to do some questionable things. Wrapped up in Luke, Abby begins to slip in her classes, which gets her grounded. She decides to teach her parents a lesson, and runs off to meet Luke, her secret boyfriend. She has no idea what she is in for.

This book is truly, truly, frightening. It actually made me a little bit sick to read it, because I know without a doubt these things happen every moment of every day. When I first moved out on my own, and had no real friends where I was living, I started to try to connect with people online. It became very apparent that so many men will prey on vulnerable, lonely women and girls online, targeting those with low self esteem. I was shocked at the suggestive things many men did and said to me, and I can only imagine the situation is much worse and more manipulative when it involves a child. So, this book stirred powerful feeling in me, which is a sign that this book is important.

For the reader, it may be easy to see what Luke is doing to Abby, and where this is headed, but it is also easy to see why so many young girls fall into this trap. Who does not, as a tween or teen, want to be told she is beautiful, sexy, special, loved? Even adult women fall prey to this, so it is easy to see why Abby, a trusting young girl, could get so caught up. I am also glad that the book really accurately portrayed how the situation affected the whole family for month afterward. Often we hear the horror stories, and the seemingly happy endings, but we rarely see the fall out and long term resolution.

I cannot stress enough how good and important this book is. Yes, it is a delicate matter, and yes, online sexual predators are frightening to think about. The language in this book, and some of the scenes described,are really difficult to read. However, this is a young adult book, one I think appropriate. I would caution parents to either read it before hand to determine their level of comfort with their child reading it, or read it at the same time as their child, and talk about it afterwards. It is a powerful cautionary tale.

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Far Cry From the Turquoise Room, by Kate Rigby

2011-09-29T21:39:00.001-04:00

Hassan is a Persian man living in England with his family. Life is splendid; he does well at business and his family is perfect. But suddenly, life changes, when his oldest daughter dies in a tragic accident. At first, Leila, the younger daughter, does her best to fit in with the new family dynamic, trying to draw her parents out and make them happy. It becomes clear that her parents will not return to their previous way of life, however, when they threaten to send Leila to boarding school. This, coupled with the revelation that there will be a new baby in the family, prompts Leila to run away, and develop a new identity living with travelers throughout England.

The first few chapters of this book were like the soft introductory strains to a beautiful piece of music. They helped to identify the tone, mood, and voice of the entire piece. This music that the book creates is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The simultaneous stories of Hassan and Leila make for an incredibly original book.

I really loved watching Leila's character develop. We walk with her over the course of several years, and watch her come of age in the most difficult of circumstances. She feels abandoned, by her sister, her parents, and later by the people who promised to protect her. I also really enjoyed seeing Hassan's character begin to awake, albeit a little late, to the important place Leila has in their family.

This story is so moving, and I think it really lends a voice to people and situations not normally represented in modern literature. While the book is very British in feeling and vocabulary, this is a story to which anyone can relate. Many countries have immigrant populations, and many immigrants are misunderstood, as Hassam feels Persians are. Many wish to fit it and fully assimilate, as Leila does when she wishes she were white. And who among us cannot relate to the pain of tragedy and death.

I am honestly struggling to find the right words to convey how breathtaking this book is. So, instead of taking my very inarticulate word for it, just simply read for yourself.

I received a review copy of the book courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Dark Eden, by Patrick Carman

2011-09-28T08:14:00.000-04:00

Will has fears, but not fear like most people. His fears are darkly, deeply, crippling phobias. After two years of unsuccessful therapy, his doctor and parents decide to send him to a week long treatment program with six other teenagers suffering from other phobias. From the beginning, Will realizes something is wrong, that one by one they are being cured, but at what cost?

It seems like young adult fiction is taking a turn for the darker these days. And though stories of monsters or sparkly vampires have their own type of darkness, this book is somewhat more sinister because it plays on something we all experience- fear. I really enjoyed this story, and thought a lot of the plot twists were quite clever. The writing is really original, and I love the classic literary references sprinkled throughout. I can imagine a young adult reader, after having read this book, might be apt to look into a lot of those literary references, which to me is a bonus.

One thing that did trouble me was character development. The character of Will is well developed, since this is really his story, but I would like to have seen more development of the other six teen characters. I did not feel like I cared about them, nor did I understand why Will would care about them, and I even got some of the characters confused at times.

I really liked the ending of the book. It was certainly unexpected, and parts of it remain shrouded in mystery. To me, that is a brilliant way to end a story, with a few loose ends. It makes the story memorable. I think a lot of young adult readers will enjoy this book; it appeals to both male and female readers. While it is dark, it is also a fairly clean book.

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

To Die For, by Sandra Byrd

2011-09-26T08:26:00.000-04:00

Meg has been a friend to Anne Boleyn since they were small children, but now as young women, their lives take on new purpose: to marry and have children. It becomes clear to both girls that marriage is less about love, and more about politics. As Meg is pushed into a marriage with a much older man, Anne pushes herself into a life with the King. After many months of political intrigue Anne gets her wish and is married to the King of England, but she will soon find out the costs are high, not only to herself, but to those who surround her. Including Meg.

I am a sucker for books about the Tudor dynasty, particularly Anne Boleyn. The trouble with being fixated on historical stories is, well, history never changes, and neither do those stories. It can become stale, trite. Often authors exert little effort to breathe new life into a historical story, and instead regurgitate what we already know. I am happy to say that his book was certainly not like that. The focus of this book is of a somewhat fictionalized young woman who is a childhood friend to Anne. Meg, this friend, is the filter through which we get Anne's story. And within Anne's story, Meg has one of her own.

I really enjoyed the character of Meg, and am glad she took a more prominent role than Anne. Clearly, the story of Anne Boleyn cannot be told without Anne in the forefront, but in this instance, it also could not be told without Meg. I loved seeing how Meg's life fit into the grander scheme of things.

I felt like the book was well researched, and it flowed quite nicely. Once again, here is a story from the annals of history, one which we all know, and yet it somehow felt new again. Any fan of historical fiction, particular the Tudors and other British monarchy dynasties, will love this book.

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the author.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

From Ashes to Honor, by Loree Lough

2011-09-23T07:09:00.000-04:00

Austin was one of the first responder police officers the day of the 9/11 attacks. Not only did he watch many of his fellow officers and other emergency personnel suffer devastating injuries or perish, he also lost his twin brother to the tragedy. When the strain takes its toll in the months that follow, the department makes him see a psychologist. His anger surfaces, and she is forced to recommend he be put at a desk job. Years later, their paths will cross again, and sparks surface. The two share a common bond, but is that enough to build a relationship?

I have to admit, when I first was given the opportunity to read a book labeled as a 9/11 romance, I was highly skeptical. My concern was that it would capitalize on a terrible event just for the sake of a story. I could not have been more wrong, and for that I am delighted. Loree Lough does an amazing job of setting the tone of the story by opening with the attacks, but the majority of the book focuses on the long term impact on the people in the trenches that day. An honest picture is painted of PTSD, alcoholism, failed relationships, racism and bigotry, and the overwhelming survivor's guilt experienced by the emergency responders in the wake of 9/11.

I really liked the character of Austin, and felt like we really got to see him develop over the course of the book. I think his struggles are probably pretty typical of anyone suffering PTSD. And while many other readers have disliked the ending, I found it to be brave. Do you really think many of the actual first responders have gotten a happy ending?

The book definitely has a Christian tone, so readers should be prepared for that; however, it is not overly evangelical, nor is it out of the norm for the tone of other Christian romance novels. I think that differences of faith can be a very real, and very heartbreaking, situation, and again I comment the honestly of Lough by writing the book in the way she did.

Many other readers think that fiction based on 9/11 capitalize on the victims and those who suffered great loss. To that I say, put this in the proper perspective. 9/11 is a significant part of our history, albeit recent history. It is no different that a writer setting a book during the Civil War, or the attack on Pearl Harbor. Those were tragic events as well, where many lost their lives, but they are a part of our history as a nation and need to be included in art and writing. To sweep 9/11 under the rug and never mention it in works of art and writing would be a real tragedy. We must remember our past, so that we learn from it.

I received a review copy courtesy of the publisher.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire

2011-09-22T18:46:00.000-04:00

Before there was a Dorothy, before there was a twister, and before the Lollipop Guild sang in Munchkinland, a very strange girl was born, a girl with green skin, who was named Elphaba. As a tiny babe, she was a bit savage, and adverse to water. As she grew, she and her sister attended Shiz University, where Elphaba learned that the Animals in Oz were being oppressed. She made it her mission to join the resistance and fight for what is right and good. Though she seeks to fight the evil forces, those forces instead force her to the margins of society and vilify her to the point that she is deemed a wicked witch.

Wicked is a revisionist view of life in the land of Oz. As a fan of the Oz stories in both book and film since childhood, it only made sense to me that I give this alternate viewpoint a chance. My first exposure to this story was actually through the musical, which is quite different from the book. Where the musical is somewhat lighthearted, with a happy ending, the book is a dark allegory for past and current political actions throughout the world.

With the Animals in Oz being marginalized and repressed, one can see parallels to the Nazi treatment of Jews, as well as society's treatment of gays and lesbians. We constantly see the struggle between good and evil, and evil does not always look the way we expect it to look. Being different, whether because you have green skin or because you are a talking Animal, is ultimately deemed bad in the book, just like in society, and those who are different must be isolated, and if need be, punished.

The book is extremely dark, and it has significant political undertones which made it a little difficult to read. In fact, I had to walk away from the book for several weeks, and return to finish it later. It is funny, books with monsters like werewolves and vampires do not bother me as much as this one did. When the monster is hatred or bigotry, and wears a face like you or I, it is much more disturbing. Though it shares ties to childrens' books, this is clearly not intended for a young audience. There are adult themes, and some pretty serious violence.

Readers will appreciate this book much more if acquainted not just with the popular Oz movie from the 1930s, but also the original Oz books. Having read several of the Oz books, I was better equipped to recognize the mythology and characters from Oz. One thing that I did have trouble wrapping my head around were the different religions of Oz. I think there is a lot at play within the book, and it probably takes more than one reading to really allow it all to sink in.

This book was from my personal library.

If you liked this review, please rate it (and others!) as helpful on my Amazon profile. My Amazon Profile