Literary Litter

Magel's Ghost by Nancy Baker

2011-05-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Brilliant!

This book is the sequel to Magel's Daughter. In the first book, we meet Karin Olina and her Norwegian family. Karin is plagued by the ghosts of her ancestors, but is she crazy or blessed with a sight most of us don't have? In Magel's Ghost, we take up about a year after the ending of the last book. Karin is causing trouble and it's up to her cousin, Marit, to put a stop to it.

This just doesn't even begin to cover what's happening! Nancy is a genius! This is one seriously disturbed family. The way that Nancy writes it, I still can't tell if they're all crazy from inbreeding or if they're the only sane ones on the planet. This was a captivating, fascinating read that I couldn't put down. I even devoured the sex scenes! For those of you who read my reviews, you know that's unusual! Each one is important to the plot and executed in such a way as to add to the story instead of pulling the reader on an erotic side road.

If you're faint of heart and can't handle gruesome events, you might want to be careful. Though everything is executed with clinical accuracy, i think it would be a bit much for some people to handle. As for me, I can't get enough! I was enthralled with the knowledge contained in this book. Though I'd never do these things myself, I found myself wondering if that would really work and being impressed by the cleverness of the characters as well as the writer.

This book has everything! Humor, romance, intrigue and a healthy dose of the unimaginable will keep you suspended through page after page. For those of you who can't drive by a train wreck without craning your neck, this is a definite must read! This is your chance to see the very essence of evil in the human soul from the safety of your own living room.

Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo Review

2011-03-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

Meet Maggie Thorsen. She's a divorcee with a son in college, just trying to get her life back together. On the day that she and two friends have the grand opening for their new business, a coffee shop, she walks in to find one of her friends laying murdered on the floor. Maggie can't keep her nose out of the mystery and has to figure out who has killed her friend.

As a cozy mystery series, this was a great beginning. We start off in the beginning with the murder, so immediately you're sucked in. We have a larger sized small town full of interesting, yet suspicious, people. Sandra is a great storyteller who's created a wonderful setting for her mysteries to take place. As a main character, Maggie is witty and bright, with a penchant for getting into trouble. Just a hint of romantic suspense definitely adds to this story and I can't wait to see where Balzo goes with the romance line to the story.

So, what makes this different from every other cozy mystery series out there and sets it apart from the rest? That's a simple answer, as far as I'm concerned. I didn't solve the mystery. I went through the entire book, mentally filing away each suspect. I added motive and opportunity and calculated who was the most likely. Then I factored in the writer's ability to make the least likely suspect be the murderer. Then I took a few moments to think about the back stories in an attempt to find someone's 'fatal flaw'. Still, at the end of the book when everything starts wrapping up, I was shocked! I've read a lot of mysteries and I'm sold on any book where the characters figure out what's going on before I do.

Cozy mystery lovers won't want to miss this one. There are even a few 'laugh out loud' moments in the book. Watch for reviews of the next two books in the series, Grounds for Murder and Bean There Done That.

The Return of Black Douglas by Elaine Coffman Review

2011-03-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Magical time travel romance.

Isobella and Elizabeth are visiting Scotland whhen Isobella wishes she had her 'Mr. Darcy'. When she touches a painting of Black Douglas, all three of them disappear and reappear in the year 1515. Each of the sisters are 'picked up' by warring clans. Will they be able to find each other, let alone their way back home?

Ah so much fun! I love time travel and this one has such a great twist! The ghost of Black Douglas transports them back and then decides to stick around and drive the girls crazy throughout the book. Our ghost adds a much-needed humor element.

The romance portion of the story involves Isobella and Alysandir. Thankfully, Isobella has done her homework, so she knows how to behave and what to expect of the time period. Of course, they have the more than typical romance issues in coming together. The romance portion is excellent with just enough of that 'I'm a high school kid and this is my first love' feel to keep you tingling all over. There are a few sex sections, but they're easy enough to skip over if you like. I didn't find anything spectacular about them.

What I loved most about this book is the phrasing. There were some parts where I actually stopped and reread a section several times because it just sounded so beautiful in my head. In places the characters make profound comments that are absolutely lyrical. I've never read Elaine's work before, but if this is typical of her writing, I'm definitely a fan. Most of the book is a fun, quick, and quirky read, but once you hit these choice morsels you realize that you've really hit upon something special. I'm thankful the entire book isn't written this way, as I would never actually finish it (because I kept rereading so often!), but there's just enough in there to keep me coming back for more.

Recovery by Alexandrea Weis Review

2011-03-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

Strong romance, suspense!

Set against the backdrop of recovering Louisiana, turned writer Nicci finds that her beloved David was murdered by someone in her background, not his. An important figure from David's past turns up to ask Nicci to help uncover the murderer, along with the help of one of David's old friends.

Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first. I don't like the main character, Nicci. I find her flat and annoying and not someone that I would ever in a billion years want to be friends, or even acquaintances, with. Also, you all know how I feel about editing. Though it's not rampant with errors, it definitely became distracting in a few areas.

Though I haven't read the first book in the Nicci series, To My Senses, it really isn't necessary for this second installment. Dallas, the hero in our book, is amazing, as are the rest of the cast of characters. Weis has a real talent for creating strong, romantic heroes as well as outlandish and vibrant surrounding characters.

There's a strong blend of romance, intrigue and a healthy dose of giggling. I didn't solve the mystery until the end, along with the characters. I was captivated by the story as well as the characters and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Currently, Weis's screenplay, Blood Will Tell, is in pre-production in the movie industry and rights are being sought to produce a movie for recovery. I'd keep an eye on this author, as she has a definite flair for storytelling and with a few minor adjustments, could become a huge hit.

Bullet Work by Steve O'Brien Review

2011-03-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

Oh Steve, how I adore you!

You all heard me rave about Elijah's Coin, now I get to rave about Bullet Work. O'Brien is probably my favorite new author of the year. His writing sucks you in, regardless of the material. The characters are heartfelt and true. Best of all, there's a life moral in each work of art he creates that makes your subconscious sit up and take notice. Steve produces an entertaining read and uses it to help you change your life for the better. I can't wait until he publishes more. Get busy, Steve!

In Bullet Work, we're on the race track circuit. Our main character is Dan, an owner as well as lawyer. Someone is attacking horses in the backyard and charging $20 per head (horse head, that is) for 'protection'. Those that don't pay the fee, are winding up with injured and dead horses. When Dan's horse and his friend are attacked, he decides it's time to step up and do something about the problem.

I hate horses. I'm terrified of them because they have no soul. Feel free to argue with me! Everyone does! I know (knew) absolutely nothing about horse racing or betting or the tracks or anything of that ilk. I'm not a cowgirl at heart. None of that mattered. I was sucked into the horse racing world and became a part of it, and I didn't even fight it. I was right there brushing down horses and cheering them on. Not being a fan of horses didn't change how I feel about this book at all. I think most horse lovers would be even more drawn to this book than I am.

You all know that I'm especially tough on mystery books. I hate when I figure out who the culprit is before the characters and if the ride isn't interesting enough, then I don't even care. As expected, Steve surpassed my expectations. Dan and I were right in sync. I figured it out at almost the exact same moment he did and waited right along with him until we had the proof. The ride was definitely interesting enough. Even if I hadn't had the mystery to keep me busy, the background kept me enthralled.

Normally, I don't like to pick out characters and zoom in on them, but I can't help it here. There's a character named AJ. He's a sweet boy of about 20 that some of the other guys bully. AJ is an autistic boy who has focused on horses. We don't find out until the end more about him, but it doesn't matter. All of the signs are there throughout the book and you can't help but sympathize with this boy. I saw so much of my own son in him that it was heart breaking for me. There were a few points in the book where tears streamed down my face because I just couldn't help it.

I strongly suggest this book for everyone. Even if it isn't your normal cup of tea, I really think you'll find something valuable in it.

showmecables.com Review

2011-03-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

My dog eats everything! What he doesn't eat, I lose :) Recently, I needed a new camera cable and so I started the normal internet browsing to see if I could find the right one for the right price. I ended up ordering one from showmecables.com. The price was comparable with other places on the internet and the shipping fees were low. I didn't have to register as a member or anything. I simply told them what I wanted and gave them the shipping and payment information.

My cable arrived within three days. Quick! It was packaged nicely and in perfectly wonderful condition. Best of all, it was exactly what I'd ordered! Some of you internet shoppers know that mistakes do happen! The icing on the cake for me, though, was a sweet little bag that thanked me for ordering from them with a few pieces of candy in it :) Way to go showmecables! Candy is the way to a girl's heart! Any cables I need from now on will be ordered through them!

Alice in Zombieland by Lewis Carroll and Nickolas Cook

2011-03-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Ah, sweet deviant writing! From Dusk til Dawn meets Alice in Wonderland!

As Alice falls down the grave hole, we expect to find much the same story as when she fell down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. What's better, it is the same story! Of course, the white rabbit has become a black rat. Instead of a cast of interesting characters, we have a cast of interesting undead characters.

Most of this read felt like I was reading Alice in Wonderland all over again, with a few twists and turns added. Those twists and turns, slight though some of them were, definitely made this an entirely different story. Cook's wording is fabulously matching to that of Carroll, so if you don't know the original Alice inside and out, you may not know where one begins and the other ends. Even if you do know your Alice, you'll find yourself trying to remember if that was original or newly added.

I'd like to say this book was full of whimsy, and it some parts it was, but mostly I found myself disturbed. I love horror and gore and the more the better! I have no problem imagining playing croquet with a wriggling undead foot. There are lines that shouldn't be crossed though and I found a few areas where it was just a little too unsettling for me. Most of this book was a joy ride for a nightmare lover, but once we get to hacked up baby parts in a stew, I'm ready to exit.

If you can handle the extreme, this is a great read. I love it just as much as all the other classics I've read that have been remade into horror. I can guarantee you that you've never read anything like this, and aren't likely to again.

Final note: The end is EXQUISITE! The entire book I was wondering how a zombie Alice is going to wake up as if it were all a dream...and I was not disappointed! The ending was better than anything I'd imagined and it was totally worth the stewed baby parts to get to it! (As long as I keep reminding myself it's not real, anyway!)

The Answer by Allison Wynn

2011-03-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

A thought-provoking insight.

I read this book a full 24 hours ago, but I've been thinking about it before writing the review. My first instinct is to disagree with what the book offers, and upon reflection, I still somewhat disagree, but not wholeheartedly.

This book takes the meeting and friendship of Allison and Eric and uses it to show where anger comes from and how to control it, or better, dissolve it. I like that it's a short book and that it's segmented into journal entries. I also like that it shows different sides of the scale of anger, as well as going into great detail about the way that even though we rationally know what's going to happen next, we feel we can't control it. What I don't like is the premise that anger comes from being made to feel insignificant. Yes, that definitely is a trigger, but I don't believe it's the only one. Also, the methods they suggest for dealing with this anger don't work for me. I'm not saying they wouldn't work for someone else. Both characters began with severe anger issues that were affecting their lives. The solution worked for them and their surrounding relationships.

If you're suffering from anger issues, this might well be a book to give a try. If you're not, there's still a sweet friendship story to be found inside.

Conair Wet*Dry Straightener Review

2011-03-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

Put your credit card away and keep shopping.

After my dog ate my straightener this morning (Yes, I said it!), I ran straight to the store to replace it. Let's face it, a good needs all the beauty help she can get, and I'm addicted to my straightener. I chose the Conair for one reason alone, the wet/dry. At first glance, it seems great. It was on sale for even less than the one that I had previously owned. I wouldn't need to blow dry before using this one. It's a cute purple color and has a strange design that is supposed to be more comfortable for your hands. It's ceramic with cool touch tip. It has 30 second heat up and 25 heat settings as well as a turbo button and automatic shut off. Sounds awesome, right? Wrong! Here's what I actually found!

I started with freshly clean, towel-dried hair. The straightener heated up quickly like it said. No complaints so far. After 45 minutes, I had hand cramps (comfortable, my butt!) and wet hair that was no straighter than when I started. Once I dried it and tried again, I did end up getting straight results. The hand cramps and fact that the wet/dry option takes forever to work (I'm pretty sure if I'd have kept at it a few hours it would have dried), make this a poor option for me and I'm going to be replacing it as soon as possible.

The bonuses to this straightener: It's a cool color. It's inexpensive. It does work well on dry hair (if you can get past the hand cramps). Best of all, when you're attempting to straighten damp hair, you get this really cool 'ssssssssssssh' sound like sizzling hamburger :D That alone make this worth a try for me.

How Dare You Say How Dare Me! Pat Cooper

2011-03-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hysterical autobiography with amazing photographs!

This is the story of comedian Pat Cooper's life. It's my understanding that he told the story, and then Rich Herschlag wrote the book and Steve Garrin was in charge of the photography. If I'm wrong, hopefully one of them will post and let us know.

I have to admit, if you'd have asked me who Pat Cooper was two days ago, I would have responded with a shrug. Then again, the only comedians I can name off the top of my head are the two that I know personally. Most people will remember Pat from Howard Stern or as the friar in the Friars Club episode of Seinfeld. He's so much more than that, though! I found myself captivated by his life, as well as the storytelling. It felt like I was sitting in a big, cozy room with a fireplace, on a plush rug, looking up at a dear friend as he told me a story.

If Pat's fascinating life isn't enough to make you pick up this book, you'll also be entertained by stories of Jerry Lewis, Tony Martin, Frank Sinatra and Lisa Lampanelli to name a few.

The most interesting part of this book for me had to do with a theater scene. Recently, I reviewed Palm Trees on the Hudson. In both books, they described going to the movies. Though both loved the movies, what really struck me was that the movie theaters used to give out dishes. There were about 250 pieces in the set and each time you went to the movies, you got one. Evidently both mothers, from both stars of both books, were collecting them! Yes, it's a trivial little thing, but I found it fascinating that something I'd never heard of occurred in two books back to back!

The Thirteenth Gift by Charlene Costanzo

2011-03-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sweet fable with important message.

What is the attraction of stones? Simple stones. The thype we come across on hiking trails, country roads, beaches, and city sidewalks. What instict urges us to stopp for them? Hold them in pockets? Save them in jars?

A little-known fable offers an explanation. According to this story, even the appeal of gem stones is rooted in something deeper than dazzle...something we are all trying to remember. (taken from the back of the book)

I loved so much about this book. First, it's a quick, quick read. You can read the book in under an hour, even if you're a slow reader. The fable is medieval, although it's set in today's current times. Best of all, for me, the book holds an important message about seeing the 'good' in others.

Charlene is also the author of The Twelve Gifts of Birth, The Twelve Gifts for Healing, The Twelve Gifts in Marriage, and A Perfect Name. Be prepared if you meet her! She'll reach in her purse and hand you a stone, a reminder of the twelve gifts for you to keep. Charlene travels all over the country to schools, shelters, prisons, anywhere she can think of to spread her message. Charlene, I'd love to meet you and count the stones in your purse!

Palm Trees on the Hudson by Elliot Tiber

2011-03-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

A witty, fascinating memoir.

Elliot grew up the only son in an interesting Jewish family. Fighting to find his own way, he left for college in the hopes of getting into the design business. No matter what he did though, he couldn't get his mother's approval. Add to that the fact that Elliot grew up a homosexual in the 50's and 60's and the fact that he was pretty naive when it came to others. This book takes us through Elliot's life until the late 60's, at which point he continues in Taking Woodstock.

I know this sounds terrible, but I love gay writers. Yes, that's totally prejudiced, but in general they seem to have such an open and honest sense of humor. I'm not saying straight people don't. *sigh* My political incorrectness will be my downfall. Anyway, Elliot has a sparkling wit and snarky sense of humor. He uses these constantly to paint a comical look at his life...most of the time. It's not all comedy. Even when things are at what seems to be the worst, Elliot has a way of 'keeping it real' and giving us the best imaginable picture. Normally, with memoirs, I find them interesting, sometimes humorous. With this one, I really want to meet Elliot's family. It's almost like a tiny piece of interesting history. I want to see the bungalows they invested in and see a picture of his penny-pinching mother. Hmm....Hey, Elliot? Can you e-mail me a picture of your parents??? Pleeeeeeeeease?! I won't post them unless you say it's ok!

For memoir lovers, this is a must. The best scene in the book (for me, Miss Wizard of Oz), was a tete a tete Elliot and Judy Garland participated in. I was mesmerized by the scene! For those who aren't into the whole 'factual story' thing, don't worry. Most of this book is so outlandish (No offense, Elliot!) that you'll forget you're reading a true story and just have fun with it. Full of humor and depth, this is a great quick read for anyone.

Elijah's Coin Winner

2011-03-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

Due to some pretty severe changes in my life right now, I'm a little late in announcing the winner. My most sincere apologies to those who have been waiting :)

And the winner is.....................littlelatina who runs I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. If you get a chance, go check out her blog. She has some great reviews as well as giveaways and hops! Congrats!

The Case for Falling in Love by Mari Ruti, PhD

2011-03-11T19:07:00.000-08:00

First, let me say that I'm a cynic, no longer a romantic. This is important because I'll probably view this book differently than someone who believes in, and is searching for, love.

This book is separated into two sections. The first section is mostly an attack on other self-help books out there. Using several pop culture media references, Ruti draws out her reasons, as well as her own research, as to why these other self-help love gurus are antiquated and wrong.

The second half of the book is more geared towards understanding why we love, how we love, and how to make love successful. Complete with more references, this part makes a little more sense to me as a book. There's a bit of actual helpful information for those seeking it rather than just tearing apart someone else's work.

Over all, the book is nicely put together, entertaining and easy to read. Personally, I found the first half of the book interesting, but useless on the whole. The second half contains quite a bit of good material on figuring out who you are and what you're looking for. Regardless of whether you're looking for love, there are some really good tidbits about dealing with other people and relationships in general.

I'm There for You, Baby by Neil Senturia - Review

2011-03-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

The most entertaining 'nonfiction' I've ever read!

I picked up this book expecting to find a dry, step-by-step as to how to become a successful entrepreneur. That's not what I found at all. Senturia shares his mistakes and successes in a vivid, hilarious way, allowing the reader to learn from his mistakes. I kid you not, I snorted tea out of my nose 3 times before I even hit page 27. Although the entire book isn't laugh out loud funny, most of it is. Senturia's style kept me reading what would otherwise be a boring account of business ventures.

In all fairness, if you know nothing about lending institutions or real estate, you may find parts of it a little boring. Though Senturia's snarky attitude goes a long way towards brightening everything, there are some things that you just can't make entertaining if the reader isn't into it.

If you're thinking of becoming an entrepreneur, this book holds several valuable rules that you might find helpful. If you just want a book that will make you laugh until your nose bleeds, this is it. I look forward to seeing what Senturia has planned for Volume 2.

Note: This book is schedule to be released April 1st, 2011.

Shift by Takumi Yamazaki - Review

2011-03-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

Excellent self-help book!

This book isn't just about finding your motivation. It's about learning who you are and teaching you how to be who you want to be. Motivation will take care of itself from that point.

I love that abstract ideas are presented in concrete manners. Yamazaki uses everything from bowling to being in love to create lasting metaphors for the truths he's trying to pass on. Everything is simply stated, but this is no simple book. Each message forces you to take a good, hard look at yourself. While reading, there are 13 exercises presented for you to accomplish either by yourself or with a partner or group. I won't lie to you, some of these were quite difficult for me. Alright, most of them were quite difficult. Being honest with yourself is never an easy task, especially when it concerns who you are.

I don't feel like I walked away a different person from this book, but I do feel like I walked away crisper and clearer. It's almost like I can visualize life an in easier, more palatable manner. I'm not a fan of negativity to begin with, but this book helped me look at some of my mannerisms and how they affect my life in a different light than I had before. It's like the day you get new contacts and you notice leaves on the trees. This wasn't another step in my quest for the meaning of life, but it created an entire new staircase for my quest in the meaning of me.

Divide & Conquer by R.L. Geerdes - Review & Giveaway

2011-03-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

One of the best fantasies I've read!

This is the third book in the Mistress of Beasts saga as well as the first book that I've read (in the series, not of all time). Honestly, I'd never even heard of these books before and I can't figure out why! Unlike most fantasies, this one isn't dry and filmy. It's action-packed and full of adventure! I can't get enough! I laughed. I cried. I clapped my hands with glee. I mourned the end of the book.

So what's it about? Well...there's just too much to sum it up in a small paragraph! Even the back of the book doesn't do it justice. We have this group of people....sort of people...they're the good guys. We have an evil sorcerer and a few other guys with him who might be the bad guys...but we don't really know who the bad guy is until the end. We have bad guys being good guys. Anyway, so the bad guys have decided to divide & conquer all the good guys in order to take over the 'world'. Will all the good guys survive?! OK, seriously this doesn't do the book justice. Magic, mayhem, romance...it's all here. Best of all, one of the main characters is a GRIFFIN!!! YES!!! There are not enough griffins in books!

This was a quick, engrossing read that I strongly suggest to all my friends. I couldn't put it down and I was so sorry to see it end. I've already put the first two books, Wizard's Secret and Chasing Demons, on my wish list. Geerdes is definitely a new favorite author and I'm so thankful she was brought to my attention!

Want your own copy to check out? I'm giving away my review copy! Why? Because I want the full set! How do you win? Be a follower on Google, Networked Blogs and/or Twitter and leave me a comment letting me know where you follow. The other option is to leave me a comment telling me you want to win. You'll get one entry for each comment left. I'll announce the winner on March 25th!

Quicksilver by Joy Spraycar - Review

2011-03-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

You've read Charlaine Harris. You've read Terry Spear. You know your werewolves, right? Maaaaaaaaybe!

Quicksilver definitely has it's ups and downs. Through most of the book I was riveted and applauding. However, about halfway through the book, the crux of adventure had come and gone and the second half was spent taking care of the loose ends. The premise of the book is that Quinton is a werewolf who's been given a second chance with his true love, Serenity. He wants nothing more than to end his were curse so that he can live happily with her. The problem is that the first plan of action fails, even though it's the more exciting one, so we find ourselves in this grand adventure and having a wonderful time, gripping to the edge of our seats to find what will happen next. Then we plummet over a cliff and feel like the book has ended, only to find that we still have several chapters left. It felt sort of like the story was too short and so Joy felt like she had to keep adding. Honestly, if you read the book and stop at the point I'm talking about, you'll walk away with a satisfying read. If you continue on, you feel a little cheated. Joy does a great job of attempting to pull a mystery from the first half and bring it to fruition, but it really falls short of the initial energy the book has.

One of my favorite parts of Joy's writing is that she isn't afraid to put in a little gore. Instead of sugar coating, she gives you some graphic stimulation. Honestly, I could do without the sex scenes, but I'm sure you guys expect that from me by now. My biggest issue is that I never got to find out if the guy in the forest ever got his hacksaw back. Hopefully, that won't be an issue for you other readers.

Werewolf lovers will love the way that Joy has portrayed them here. Familiars and witchcraft with a little genetics tossed in make this a unique read. If you happen to be suffering from lycanthropy, I definitely expect you to pick up this book since the cure is published within!

Party for Two by Bruce Cadle - Review

2011-03-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

This ain't your mama's recipe book!

This book was established with one main purpose in mind. Bruce and his wife want to help other couples see how important a weekly date night is. No, there's no preaching, but they do combat every argument you can come up with. 'We can't afford it! We can't get a babysitter!' The only problem not solved in this book is how to have a date night when one party is unwilling, but they do give enough good reasons that you might be able to persuade them. Bruce and his wife have been happily married for over 35 years and both attribute a large portion of that to date night. They get the chance to fall in love all over again.

The recipes in this book are tasty! All of them are set up so that they take minimal kitchen time for your date night. It's organized into different courses to make meal prep easier. Simply go through and choose one item from each category for a tasty, romantic dinner. Personally, I'm down for some Grilled Pina Colada!

I think couples could really get a lot of great ideas from this book. Not part of a couple? That doesn't mean you can't try some of the great recipes :) My only complaint with this book is that I would have liked to see the food photos in color. They still look delicious and they're presented well, but I really think color would have made them mouth-watering and the book a bit more entertaining to read.

I am the Chosen King by Helen Hollick - Review

2011-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

England, 1044, Harold Godwinesson, a young, respected Earl, falls in love with an ordinary but beautiful woman. He marries Edyth despite her lack of pedigree, pitting him against his turbulent family and his selfish King, Edward.

In France, William, the bastard son of a duke, falls in love with power. Brutal and dangerously smart, william sets his sights on England, finding ambition a difficult lust to conquer.

With Edward old and dying, England falls vulnerable to the winds of fate - and the stubborn will of these two powerful men.

In this beautifully crafted tale, Helen Hollick sets aside the propaganda of the Norman Conquest and brings to life the English version of the story of the last Saxon King, revealing his tender love, determination, and proud loyalty, all shattered by the unforgiving needs of a Kingdom. Forced to give up his wife and risk his life for england, the chosen King led his army into the great Battle of Hastings in October 1066 with all the honor and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes. (Taken from the back of the book)

First, this is not a light read. I'm a quick reader and it still took me several days. Believe me, it's worth it! This book is absolutely epic. This isn't just a book. It's a reading experience.

The characters I found fascinating. Every one is imbued with realistic faults and flaws. Though we find ourselves despising them one moment, the next we find ourselves realizing where their thought process is coming from. Sometimes this even brings us to the point of empathizing with the 'villain'. It seems as though Hollick took years to perfect each character and then bring them together in one story. You really know and care about the characters.

Normally I'm not excited by politics. I'm even less excited by history. Those are character flaws, I'm aware, but I am what I am. That being the case, I was expecting to find myself bombarded with several historical and political passages in the book that I would have to muddle through. To my great delight, this never happened! I think I might have even accidentally learned something!

What I really enjoyed about this book is that it was able to be historically accurate, without having to result to child porn, as another book so recently did. Everything was tastefully portrayed and I appreciate it.

This is a definite must-read for serious readers. It's definitely not a beach read, but it's really worth the time invested. You'll find yourself sucked into a world from the past where everything is different, yet nothing is.

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick - Giveaway

2011-03-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Vera at Luxury Reading is currently giving away 3 copies of The Daughter's Walk until March 24th. Hop over and enter!

Pondering Grapefruit Spoons

2011-03-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

About a month ago, I was talking to someone and they mentioned grapefruit spoons. I know what you're thinking. Why was she having a conversation where grapefruit spoons were mentioned? Well, welcome to my life! Isn't it grand?! Stick to the point! They were mentioned! Anyway, I started thinking about grapefruit spoons and realized I've never owned any. That was a problem that must be remedied! I stuck my happy butt in my computer chair and started with the online browsing. I ended up ordering some really adorable ones that were all yellow with little pictures of grapefruits on them. Once they arrived, I was all excited to try them until I remembered that I'm not really a huge fan of grapefruit. Don't get me wrong, it's ok, but not something I wanna eat every day. So...what to do with the spoons???

They're awesome for digging in dirt! They have these great little serrated edges that slice right through tougher sections and they're strong enough that if you come up across a nasty rock, you can use some leverage and flick those suckers right across the yard!

They're great for jello fights! It works just like a normal spoon for flicking, but the awesome triangular design allows your jello to fly further!

They're darn cute :)

They're great for flicking kids in the head :) They work like a normal spoon except they look a lot scarier!

They make really cool tracks in play dough :)

World from Rough Stones by Malcolm McDonald - FREE e-book

2011-03-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

For a limited time, Sourcebooks is offering a FREE e-book copy of World from Rough Stones. I haven't read any of McDonald's work, so I can't tell you how it is. This is the first novel in the Stevenson Family Saga. Give it a shot!

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louse - FREE e-book

2011-03-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

For a limited time, Sourcebooks is giving away Darcy's Voyage for free in e-book format!

'In this retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth sets out for the new world aboard the ship Pemberley’s Promise. She’s prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.' (Taken from Sourcebooks site)

Kara is the author of Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, which I just recently reviewed. Definitely worth checking out!

The Liberation of Alice Love by Abby McDonald - Review

2011-03-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

An alright read, but not amazing. I'd wait until it's on sale somewhere.

Ah, poor Alice! She's worked so hard and been so responsible, only to become a victim of identity theft, leaving her stranded with nearly 100 grand in debt. The betrayed feeling is doubled once she finds out who the culprit is. Is this necessarily a bad thing, though?

The back of this book billed it as 'refreshing, fun, and sexy...a perfect beach read.' I don't know about the refreshing or sexy, but it would be a fun read for the beach, unless there happen to be a lot of hot guys walking around. In that case, I'm sure I could think of something better to do. Seriously, I don't have any problems with the book other than that it's mediocre. I didn't hate it enough to say anything bad and I didn't like it well enough to say anything good. Let's see what I can come up with though, shall we?

Good: There was one character that I actually cared about. Of course, she was one of the villains, but I actually found myself having a strong reaction to her. It's a brilliant character study.

Bad: There really isn't anything bad. It's just mediocre. It's readable, sure, but not something that I read and went 'Wow! I'm glad I read that!' It's not boring. It's also not exciting.

I have to apologize. This has to be one of the worst reviews I've written. It's nearly impossible to take several hundred words to write, 'This book was blah.' Honestly, if you have nothing else to read, this will pass the time. However, if you have something you know you want to read, definitely grab that first.

To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick - Review

2011-03-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

I would rather be repeatedly bashed in the head with a moldy 2x4 than read this book again.

The adored and spirited daughter of England's greatest knight, Mahelt Marshal lives a privileged life. But when her beloved father falls foul of the volatile and dangerous King John, her world is shattered. The king takes her brothers hostage and Mahelt's planned marriage to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk, takes place sooner than she expected. Mahelt and Hugh come to care for each other deeply, but Hugh's strict father clashes with the rebellious Mahelt. When more harsh demands from King John threaten to tear the couple's lives apart, Mahelt finds herself facing her worst fears alone, not know if she - or her marriage- will survive. (taken from the back of the book )

Sounds pretty exciting, doesn't it? I thought so too until I started to read. In fact, I had planned to put in this review in the morning, but I just can't sleep with this book rattling around in my head. I have a few things that I need to get off my chest.

First, this book is boring. I'm sorry, but it is. It may be historically accurate, but I can write a historically accurate depiction of me stepping in grape jelly this morning. That doesn't mean it's going to be interesting. There's a huge difference between carrying the reader with you to watch a beloved character being viciously kidnapped by an unjust king and a girl getting a letter that says 'Oh! By the way, the King took your brother!' Please! What a cop out! And this is a huge book! All those wasted words just make me angry!

Secondly, I don't care how historically accurate it is, I do not, DO NOT, care to read explicit sex scenes starring a 14 year old CHILD! I do not care that it was acceptable back then, it is not acceptable now and I for one want no part of it. I will admit that there are times when a sex scene can be necessary, sometimes enjoyable. In this book, it's simply there to show the progression of their relationship. It's portrayed as a loving scene and invites the reader to simply forget that this is a child bride and think of her as a fully grown woman, especially when shortly thereafter she becomes pregnant. Again, I realize this may be historically accurate, but it definitely could have been told without being told in the manner it was. I do NOT want to be told exactly where and how this child was being touched!

I was expecting an adventurous, romantic read and I ended up disappointed and angry. For once, I can't even cite flawed editing as my point of anger. I can tell you this: I'll never read another Elizabeth Chadwick book. And now, having purged my views on this book, I'm off to slumber :)

Elijah's Coin by Steve O'Brien - Giveaway!

2011-03-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Cadence Group for sponsoring this giveaway.

Elijah's Coin is one of the best books I've read in the past year. Though originally intentioned for young adults, I believe it holds an important message for everyone; the meaning of life.

Now, I get to give one of you a free, brand-spanking-new copy! It's sitting right here on my desk as we speak! So, how do you win? It's simple! Just leave a comment. You can tell me why you want to win. You can tell me your favorite color. You can just say 'Boo!' if you'd like! Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win, though. Good luck! I know this is a book that you'll treasure!

I will randomly draw the winner on March 12th.

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise - Review

2011-03-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

A nice twist added to this Austen fiction.

Poor Mr. Bennett has passed, leaving Elizabeth and the rest of the family with no home and no prospects. Elizabeth is forced to take a position as a governess. While watching a budding romance unfold between Mr. Darcy and a relative of the family she works for, she begins to see the man that she turned down in a new light. Now it's too late to even change her mind though. Her position is even lower than it was. Just as she realizes her heart's desire, she realizes it's too late to ever obtain it.

At this stage in the game, there are two major items that I judge Austen fiction on. First, is it readable and enjoyable or is it dry and a nightmare to read through? What has the author done to make this book stand out among the rest? We all know and love the characters and the settings. That doesn't normally change. Basically, it comes down to flow and creativity for me. With this book, Kara did extremely well. I can't say it's the best Austen fiction I've read, but it's right near the top of the list.

Once I began reading last night, I wasn't able to put it down. Kara kept me guessing at how everything would unfold. We have all the major beloved characters, but some of the more annoying and gruesome ones have been replaced with new ones. These new characters are created in such a way that you love to hate them. I'm not a revenge person, but I kept praying for a horrible accident to take care of these nasty creatures.

As for creativity, this is the first book I've read where Mr. Bennett dies. I'm not saying it's the only one out there, but it's the only one I've read. I can clearly see Kara sitting at the dinner table one night and her mind saying 'But...what if Mr. Bennett dies? That changes everything....' and her rushing from the table to start putting everything on paper. With one simple creative change, Kara has produced a new story from a tale retold repeatedly.

Austen fiction fans will love this. If you've not read any Austen fiction, this is a good place to begin. You don't have to know the characters to love them and delve right into the story.

March Book Of the Month

2011-03-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

J.R. Ward fans are celebrating! This month marks the next Black Dagger Brotherhood installment! I'll admit it, I'm a naughty girl and haven't even finished Crave yet, but I've already pre-ordered my copy of Lover Unleashed.

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them? (Taken from Amazon)

I'm a huge J.R. Ward fan, and that's why Lover Unleashed is March's book of the month.

It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare - Review

2011-03-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Highlander vampyres that will make you tingle!

The witches! The vampyres! The lycans! With a magnificent writing team that tosses these back into the Scottish Highlands, this book is a winner.

Anyone who's read any of my reviews knows how I feel about sex scenes. Usually they're tossed in and annoy me rather than entice me. I'm a typical romantic girl. What good is a sex scene if I'm not feeling the romance? This book is a perfect example of where sex scene excel. Before everybody's getting nekked, we're filled with that hunger and passion that make your skin vibrate and your senses heighten. Few books have held me captive as a romance, but this one definitely succeeded.

My goodness! I completely forgot to tell you what the story is about! Basically, James is a vampyre that's been trapped by a coven of witches because one of the witches believes that in the future he'll harm her daughter (who's unborn at the time of entrapment). So, they put him in a sleep stasis and leave him in the middle of nowhere, locked in a castle. Twenty years later, he awakens. On the other side of the story we have Blaire, who's a warrior witch. Her brother just inherited the castle, supposedly haunted, and she hears this strange 'ghost' talking at her from the basement (ok probably a dungeon). After setting him free, she has to find out what the story is because, like most of us women, she's darn nosy.

There's a great abundance of emotion, excitement and the paranormal. Although I haven't read the previous books in this series, they're now on my wishlist. Dare fans will love the switch from lycans to vampyres while those who haven't tried out Dare will feast on this book. This is a must read for paranormal romance lovers.

Lydia Dare is the writing name for Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. It was fascinating to me how they work. Every 1500 words they swap the manuscript, editing and adding as they go. In my opinion, it works great for them!

March Gift Card Winner

2011-03-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's March! This hopefully means Spring is on it's way! It was 80 here yesterday and I definitely enjoyed the nicer weather. It's time to get out of that wintery blah feeling and move on to the blooming rain. What does this have to do with this month's gift card winner? Nothing! I just like to talk! On with the real post.....

Every month I fill out little pieces of paper with names of those who follow this blog on Google, Networked Blogs and Twitter. Every month I add those pieces of paper to a little bin that holds all the pieces of paper from previous months in there. I've been doing this for a few months now, so some of you have quite a few entries into the drawing. You get one entry for each place you follow me, and every month I add to that. This month, lovely March, the winner for the $5 Amazon card is Daena! I'll be contacting her shortly to let her know she's won. Congrats, honey!!!

If you didn't win this month, you're still entered in for every future drawing. Good luck!

To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick - Sale!

2011-03-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

Sourcebooks has announced that until Monday, March 7th, To Defy a King will be available on e-book for just $2.99! Check out Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Books-A-Million or BooksOnBoard to order your copy!

Not an e-book fan? To Defy a King has just been released in paperback today!

Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower - Sale!

2011-03-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

Sourcebooks has announced that until Monday, March 7th, you can order Sins of the House of Borgia in e-book format for only $2.99! This offer is good through Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Books-A-Million and BooksOnBoard. Get your copy while it's on sale!

Not an e-book fan? Sins of the House of Borgia has just been released today in paperback!

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan

2011-02-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Too erotic for me, but still a fun read.

He wants her so badly he can taste it- Ever since their tempestuous fling years ago, incubus Lukas Sebastiani has known that siren Scarlett Fontaine was meant to be his. But when you're a sex demon with an insatiable desire, relationships are way more than complicated.

Her siren song brings men to their knees- Rock star Scarlett Fontaine is in desperate need of a break after a grueling tour. But with murder and mayhem surrounding her band, and the one man she never thought to see again put to the task of protecting her, life is going to be anything but peaceful.

With danger everywhere, and their feelings for each other in turmoil, Scarlett and Lukas may be destroyed by deceit and mistrust if they don't find their way back into each other's arms.

That explains the main part of the book in a nutshell. Honestly, I didn't care at all about Lukas and Scarlett's relationship, or lack of. As characters, they're interesting and likable. For their part of the story, I felt like I was reading an erotic Harlequin though. There really isn't a strong enough reason for them to have not been together in the first place. To me, they were both being idiots, placing them in their own predicament in the first place.

What grabbed me and kept me in this book was the back story. Someone is attacking high council members. We know who's doing it, but the characters in the book don't. It's fun to watch them trying to catch up with the information we've been given from the beginning.

This is a great, quick read for those of you who love the sex scenes. For those of you who don't, if you can overlook it, it's an inviting mystery where you get to be the passenger and take in the story.

Legacy by Jeanette Baker - Review

2011-02-25T20:42:00.000-08:00

A great mystery that transcends generations.

Christina Murray is elated to find that she's inherited a manor in Scotland. What she doesn't realize is that she's about to go on a journey that spans hundreds of years, a journey that inevitably leads back to the heritage that Christina doesn't even know she has.

I have to admit, I was severely disappointed in the beginning of this book. I just meet the character and I'm immediately tossed into a flashback! No thank you! Then as soon as I come back from that flashback I find that I'm about to have a whole lot more and they're not all to the same place and time. Forget that! That's too many characters and generations to keep up with! I don't even care about the main character yet! Work with me here, Ms. Author!!! That being said, I apologize for not having enough faith in your writing abilities. I was wrong, you were right. I still wanted to throw your book back at you in the beginning, but I concede that I was wrong.

At first the flashbacks really bothered me, because, as I said, I wasn't even invested in the main character yet. I did find that after a few chapters I really enjoyed the ride back and forth between time. It was kind of like being in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and never knowing which part of history I was going to be in next. I began to care not only about the main character, but about all of the others as well. I do have to admit that all the history and war bored me. The romance, the passion, the fire, the mystery....that's what kept me turning pages.

Merely Magic by Patricia Rice - Review

2011-02-25T14:04:00.000-08:00

A definite must-read for fans of the movie Practical Magic.

Ninian is a healer, but she's a Malcolm first and foremost, and Malcolms have always had a bit of magic - unpredictable though it is - to aid them on their pursuits. She knows she must accept what she is or perish, but then Lord Drogo Ives arrives, bringing the deepest, most powerful magic she's ever experienced and turning Ninian's world upside down.

Drogo Ives has no time for foolish musings or legneds, even if he can't seem tor esist the local witch. Thrown together by a series of disastrous events, Ninian won't give herself fully to Drogo until she can make him trust and believe in her, and that's the last thing he'll ever do.

As the danger and chaos surrounding them escalates, Drogo and Ninian will be forced to decide: their love or their lives. (Taken from the back of the book)

Ah such a fun book! I think what I enjoyed the most is that Patricia made full use of her writing talents. She's a good storyteller, but she didn't go for one specific angle. The book is romantic without being too erotic. It's paranormal while keeping it realistic. The characters are inventive but not too far-fetched to be believed. The mystery isn't anything outlandish. It's just enough to keep you interested. Basically, she took the best of romance, mystery, comedy and drama and mixed them all together in one magical tale.

I was expecting the fact that Ninian is a witch to be a focal point of the story, and it is, but not in the manner I expected. She admits that she's a failure as a witch. She doesn't have the powers she feels she should, but she's willing to work with what she has. We see people approach her from different angles as well. Some fear her differences while others go to her for help. As a leading character, I loved her! She's bright and spunky and sticks to her guns. The other characters are well-built and interesting, but Ninian makes the story.

For me, this book was like reading a previous generation version of Practical Magic. It's a completely different story, but it has that slight magical feel to it. It's that feeling that if you believe enough, you can bring a little magic into your own life as well. Of course, there are some definite concrete similarities, but I think you should draw those yourself.

CSN Gift Card Winner

2011-02-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

First, I want to thank everyone for entering. I'm overjoyed at the overwhelming response! I just might have to do more giveaways! The winner of the $20 CSN gift card is Mistee! Mistee runs her I Heart Giveaways. Her site is just as cute as can be and is updated with links to new giveaways often. Check her out! In the meantime, congrats, Mistee! I hope you have fun shopping :)

Now for all of you who didn't win, I sure hope you signed up to become a follower of my site. It's only a few short days before I do my next Amazon gift card drawing! You don't have to do anything to enter, just be a follower on Google, Networked Blogs, or follow me on Twitter! Admittedly my Twitter isn't updated as often as it should be, but you'll still get an entry for each place that you follow me. Happy Friday, all!

Giveaway CSN Stores

2011-02-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

I love doing giveaways, but as you all know, they don't happen that often on my blog. I'm approached with offers, but sometimes I don't feel the product is right or I'm not impressed with the company. I'm not going to tell you to go somewhere and buy something if I, myself, wouldn't do it. When I was approached by CSN stores recently and asked if I'd be willing to do a giveaway, I went into research mode. Is this a reputable company? Do they overcharge for items? Is shipping outrageous?

What I found is that they are a reputable company. They take several reputable shopping sites and link them all together on their website. The site is easy to navigate and you can shop for nearly anything from swing sets to home furnishings and furniture and toys. Some of the prices range in an area I'm usually not willing to pay, but most of the prices are reasonable and free shipping on most of the items was a definite bonus for me. If I'm buying grapefruit spoons for $4 but it costs me $11 to have them shipped to me, I'm not so happy with that purchase. Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I believe in getting value for my money and that's what I found with CSN stores.

So here's the deal. CSN stores is offering me the choice between doing a review and getting a $20 gift certificate, or letting one of you have a $20 gift certificate. Although I found several items I'd like, I'd much rather pass this gift certificate on to one lucky winner. This gift certificate is good towards ANY product in ANY store! Yes, that includes clearance and sale prices! I'm a clearance shopper and I had a blast looking through. Now, if you're skeptical like me, you're probably thinking that this is a ploy to get you to spend your hard-earned money at their stores and that a $20 gift certificate won't cover anything but a pencil. WRONG! I found tons of wonderful items under $20.

So, how do you win? It's easy! First, leave a comment. It's that simple. If you'd like a second chance to win, go shopping! Check out CSN stores and tell me what you might spend your $20 gift certificate on if you win! Pretty easy, right? I'll announce the winner on Friday, February 25.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Snow Day by Pamela Greenhalgh Hamilton

2011-02-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

Disappointed with the description, but enjoyed the story and illustrations anyway.

It's snowing! No school today! It snowed all night and now every kid's winter wish has come true. School has been cancelled for the day. It's a snow day!

At first it was fun. Tessa, Jake, and Molly got to wear their winter coats over their PJs so Mom could drive them to Grandma and Grandpa's. Then Grandma made them oatmeal and muffins for breakfast.

But now what? Grandma and Grandpa don't have a computer or video games. And it's snowing harder than ever. Suddenly the exciting day is becoming the longest day in their lives.

Never fear, Grandpa is here. He's full of ideas to fill up the day and rounds it out with a secret surprise. By the time the last snowflake has fallen, Tessa, Jake, and Molly have a Snow Day they won't ever forget.

Let's start off by rewriting that description: It's a snow day! The kids are spending it with their grandparents and have a wonderful time.

There's no mention in the book of breakfast or pajamas or no video games. When I requested the book, it was because I really wanted to see how the grandparents rerouted the kids' attention to get them to play outside versus playing video games or watching television. The moral that you can still have fun without technology is there, but it's not as strong as it would have been if we had seen the redirection. Instead, we start out with the kids arriving at Grandma and Grandpa's and they immediately want to go outside to play. Of course, this is just my opinion, but I really feel like the description could have been better written to convey what's actually on the inside of the book.

The story itself was cute. The children have a wonderful day hanging out with their grandparents. After the outdoors fun, Grandma and Grandpa have some great ideas for how to have fun inside as well. This would be a great story to read to a child that is going to be spending some time with the grandparents and is concerned that they'll be bored. The only problem I see with that idea is that this book is geared towards younger children, probably first grade down, and usually at that age they're still excited to see their grandparents.

The illustrations are bright and colorful and fitting to the story. You can see everyone enjoying themselves and there are plenty of details for children to pick out.

I don't mean to sound as if I'm giving this book a negative review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it adorable. Personally, I feel like the book could have served a better purpose if it were actually what it depicts it is. It's great that the children had a good day and it was a fun story. I just wanted a little more focus on the fact that they were actually spending time with their grandparents and having fun away from technology.

The Miracle of Music by Romel Joseph

2011-02-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

Fascinating first person account of Romel Joseph's life. All proceeds from book sales are donated to build the Haiti Performing Arts Center.

Romel Joseph is known for being a violin virtuoso. An eye infection at birth left him legally blind, yet he pulled his way through life after finding his love of music at an early age. We follow Joseph's life from birth to present day, with the crescendo being on his burial and survival during the earthquake in Haiti just last year.

I've never heard of Romel Joseph. I suppose that makes me uneducated and uncultured, but I could tell you anything about him now. His writing is smart and witty. His character shows through the words on the pages. I found myself captivated with his life. There are ups and downs, both severe, but he pulls through with the same stoicism.

Along the way, I learned more about Haiti than I ever dreamed possible to know. I'll be honest, I drowned a bit of the politics out in my mind as I read them. Politics just aren't my thing. Joseph did a great job of making the politics interesting though by infusing all the juicy scandal that goes along with it.

Of course, I strongly suggest everyone buy this book simply because the proceeds go to a good cause. Rebuilding Haiti is a long, drawn out process and I believe music is important. Those who enjoy autobiographies or memoirs will find this an enjoyable read. For me, the most interesting part were the photos included. They're absolutely devastating and mind-boggling.

Richer by Jean Blasiar

2011-02-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

Fun story about a teenager with an unusual life.

This book is the sequel to Poor Rich. Richard Cameron is a nerdy, asthmatic, genius recluse. One day his allergies seem to ease up and with the help of his parrot, U2, he emerges into a new world. In this sequel, we continue with Rich's life and find lots of ups and downs. Fitting in is hard for a nerdy kid, especially when girls come into the picture. Toss in a re-emergence of health problems and poor Rich is in for a ride.

Reading the back cover of the book, I was expecting more trouble from Rich's ex-au pair. I'm grateful she wasn't in it much though. I was happy with following Rich through his day to day life and watching him grow up just a little bit more. It didn't really feel like there was a point to the whole story, other than just having a good time with Rich. He's a charismatic, bright kid with a great future. His life may not be the norm, but it works for him.

I have to admit, this book was a nice break for me. It was engrossing, engaging, and easy to read. For me, it was a nice break from 'thought' books. I'm not saying it was all frivolous, but there wasn't anything in this book that required me to re-examine my own life and adjust accordingly. I was able to sit back and just enjoy the read.

This is a great teen read. It's simplistic enough for those with difficulty reading, but thoughtful enough for those who read often. Some of the happenings are a bit far-fetched, which make it that much more fun for those with creative minds. As an adult, I still enjoyed it so don't let the teen thing keep you from reading it :)

Edited!!! I only found one mistake and it didn't bother me at all! Woo hoo!

Elijah's coin by Steve O'Brien

2011-02-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

A few days ago on Facebook, I posted and asked what the meaning of life was. Sometimes it's fun to start a discussion like that. People pop in and give perspectives and usually a lively debate ensues. Here I am a few days later, and I realize that the meaning of life was sitting right here on my work desk, just waiting for me.

The book begins with the story of Tom, a young man who's lost his way in life. One night he breaks into a business with the intention of stealing. This attempt at crime will be the turning point in Tom's life, thanks to Elijah King. Elijah passes a coin on to Tom, leading Tom on the adventure of a lifetime. Come along on Tom's adventure and somewhere along the way, you'll realize that you're on an adventure of your own.

I cannot stress this enough. If you have a pulse, you need to read this book. As the Editing Nazi, I have zero complaints. As a reviewer, this book was entertaining, fast-paced and kept me sucked in. As a fiction story, it was tops. As a mystery, it kept me guessing. As a person, this book is in the top three most important books I've ever read. I normally read books and then pass them along to the next person. This book is an exception. The physical book, I'm going to pass along to my sister. What I've learned from the book, I'm going to pass on to everyone I meet in life from this day forward, as well as all those I already know.

The most beloved part of this book for me is that it comes complete with two of Elijah's coins. There is a coin for you to keep as well as one for you to pass on to someone else. Regardless of how much you pay for this book, it will be the best book value you've ever gotten for your money.

Don't Tell Nobody by Darryl Wayne

2011-02-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

A tale in an inner city ghetto, a young boy is imprisoned in a dark world where molestation, poverty and self loathing are a daily way of life. Repeatedly raped, an event that foreshadows a life of struggle with self identity and dysfunctional relationships with men. The inevitable happens as he takes many risks trying to find himself, until one day he does, becoming, not forever vulnerable. (Taken from the back of the book)

Let's start off with editing. You all know how I feel about it. The lack of editing in this book is unimaginable. Only once before have I read a book that was this poorly edited. There are commonly misspelled words, lack of paragraphs, confusing dialogue, improper grammar, omitted words, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Now, I'm not going to blast this book due to editing. In fact, it added to my reading experience. This book is written from the first person view of a young man who's spent his entire life in the depths of the ghetto. He's poorly educated and lived the type of life that I'm thankful I've never been personally exposed to. The lack of editing brings the man behind the story to life. As for the author, I can't say whether he did this on purpose, but it did bring about a desirable effect. Although parts are difficult to read because of the mistakes, it brings an ambiance of despair and grit to the story.

I did find this a fascinating read. It's not for the faint of heart though. There are some monstrous scenes that are graphically laid out there for us to see. The character's life hasn't been polished or made pretty. It's a dark read into a life most of us can't even imagine. It's vulgar and coarse and will appeal to the dark side of all of us. It will definitely satiate the hunger to see a darker side of human nature.

The Next Great Awakening by Ryuho Okawa

2011-02-16T18:25:00.000-08:00

Warning: Delicate material and concepts that may be offensive to some.

Ryuho Okawa is the founder of Happy Science, which is a new religion that is based on truth and unconditional love. Ryuho believes he is the reincarnation (for lack of a better word) of El Cantare, a consciousness on the same level as Jesus Christ and Abraham Lincoln that has the duty of spreading 'the law' to the universe. What Happy Science hopes to achieve is to bring a sort of Utopia to the world, eventually removing Hell.

I'm nearly at a loss for words. I read this book in the hopes of gaining some enlightening ideas that would help me personally further myself on my path. I can't argue with some of the theories presented in this book, but some of them are so outlandish that I have trouble rationalizing it. I'm not saying that anything said in this book is incorrect. I'm a firm believer that everyone has the right to their own religion as long as they've chosen it for their own. What I'm saying is that some of the ideas presented here don't make sense when I try to apply them alongside my own beliefs.

If you have firm religious beliefs, I strongly suggest you not pick up this book. I know several people who would be offended from page one. If you have an open mind, this might be a book for you. I can't say I suggest this religion for anyone, but you are responsible for choosing your own path, and it could be. Who am I to say? Either way, if you aren't offended by the thoughts presented in this book, it definitely is an entertaining read. You'll learn all about aliens from other planets here on earth, where we, as humans, were derived from as well as read interviews with four higher consciousnesses. An entertaining read, but definitely not what I was expecting.

A Pointed Death by Kath Russell

2011-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

After reading Deed So by Kath, I couldn't wait to get my hand on this book, the first in the Pointer Mystery Series. This book debuts Nola, failed entrepreneur who lives with her octogenarian mother and her dog. While out walking the dog, Nola stumbles upon a decapitated body, who just happens to be the person that caused the downfall of her company. Will her nosiness be the end of her budding relationship with a police officer, or will it be the end of her life?

You all know I love mysteries! This one was no exception. All you cozy readers out there should pay heed to this one. It has all the markings of a good series. It's a fun read. The mystery isn't over the top and out of reach, nor is it too simple. The characters are fun and inviting. It's sprinkled with humor and wit. Toss in a feisty old lady and a dog who thinks he rules the world and you're set.

My only complaint with this book is that the mystery centered around biotechnology and I just don't care. Kath did a good job of keeping me interested despite that. Her writing style keeps you immersed in the story regardless of how you feel about the content of the story. Also, I might add that it's not written in an 'over your head' manner. Everything is explained simply and without being too dry. Also, the biotechnology isn't really the whole story. There's so much more there that it's easily overlooked if you're like me in that aspect. If it's your thing, you'll eat this book right up!

How to Believe in Love Again by Laura Lee Carter

2011-02-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm bringing you a special review. Valentine's Day can be really rough for people. A few people spend time with their significant other, while most of the world deals with the fact that they're single. For them, it's like National Rejection Day. Look! You're single! Sit and watch the rest of us be romantic! For me, it's a day of mourning. We recently lost my father. All I've been able to think about today is how much I miss him. Every year he picked the perfect card and gift for my mother and waited anxiously until the time he could give it to her. In my life, I've never seen anyone as in love as my father was with my mother. So today, for me, it's a difficult day for different reasons than most of you other single people out there.

This book is not just for the single people out there. It's not just about finding the right mate. This book was written for all of us. From the time we're born, love, or lack of, is constantly surrounding us. It shapes who we are and what we believe. Love is the river that carries us throughout our entire lives. It's the legacy we leave behind as we move on towards whatever is next. Many will agree that love is the most important part of being a human. When we experience rejection or other negative experiences with it, we become tainted. Believe me, I'm the queen of failed relationships. I'm not saying you can't be the queen too, but I have a crown and everything. Ok, that's a lie, but I should have one!

Alright, on to the review! I was expecting another do-it- yourself self-help book, and that's sort of what I found, but not completely. This book is set apart in that there is actually wisdom contained that is useful and pertinent to everyone I know. While reading, images of loved ones kept popping up in my mind. I want to pass this book on to someone else, so that they can gain the same knowledge I found in it, but honestly there are too many people I want to share it with and I don't know who to choose. It's well-written and easy to read. There are wonderful quotations scattered throughout that force you to think. Basically, this book is a step-by-step approach to teaching you the core of love and why many of us have trouble with it as well as what we can do to fix it.

I strongly suggest this to every person out there. It's a quick and easy read. I can't imagine one single person that wouldn't take something away with them upon reading. It soothes the heart and gives you hope.

One last night....HURRAY FOR EDITING!!! Thank you for making sure this book was in a readable condition, Laura :)

Nana The Four Crystals by Guillermo Romano

2011-02-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Let me start off by saying that the title is a bit misleading. When I picked it up, I was expecting the entire story to be about Serge and his task involving the four crystals. It's in there, but not until the end. Most of the story is about Serge, who is a rare man. He has strong morals and expects others to show respect in his presence. He's loving and generous and knows that helping others is more important than anything. This story spans his life for many years, culminating in the four crystals experience.

At first, I was really disappointed in this book and didn't think I could read it through. The back story with Serge's wife was really annoying me. His wife's name was Stephanie. She was the love of his life, a good woman, a good mother and died in her sleep. I didn't need several flashbacks to show me who she was, because honestly I don't care and it had no impact on the story. It pulled me away and caused me frustration as a reader.

The rest of the story was actually pretty good. I enjoyed Serge as a character and seeing the reactions of those around him. I didn't like that several of my questions were never answered, but I did feel this was a satisfying read. After getting through a few chapters, I found myself engrossed in Serge's life, wanting to know more. The tale surrounding the four crystals is a fresh, exciting idea that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Though I found this to be a good read, I strongly suggest that you not judge the book by the title. It's more about the man and his journey through life than the story of the four crystals, at least in my opinion. Also, skip the parts about Stephanie. I'm sorry. I'm sure the author felt it was necessary to Serge's background, but it really detracts from the story. Everything you've read in this review is more than enough to tell you everything you need to know about Stephanie. OK, one more thing, Serge carries a lucky penny that he got from her and asks her for guidance when he feels lost. Now you know everything and you don't need to be distracted from the good story that is contained in these pages.

I'm afraid I have to make one last note. Editing. I cannot stress it enough. If you're going to go through the trouble of writing a book, go through the trouble of editing or hiring an editor. It may seem like a superfluous thing, but it really makes a difference. This book is in dire need of editing. Most of the time, I just continued on with the story and didn't let it get to me, but there were parts that I had to stop and reread several times until they made sense.

Dan Knight's Journey by Edward F. Smith

2011-02-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Dan Knight grew up a poor Manhattan kid in the forties. After his parents separated, he switched schools where he was confronted by Robert, a thief, who conned Dan into working for him. Years later, Dan is embarking on a successful career with two beautiful girlfriends when Robert resurfaces. He's going to need the help of his old friend, Paddy, to get things taken care of.

I started this book thinking 'Oh, great! Another coming of age story!' but was pleasantly surprised when it didn't stop there. I have to say, as a character, Dan Knight is the luckiest son of a gun I've ever heard of. I'm not saying he didn't have his share of problems, but sheesh! Good luck just flocks to the guy! But, I'm not hear to pick apart Dan, I'm here to pick apart the book!

Let's start with editing. You all know that it really bothers me when I pick up a book and it hasn't been edited. I'm not the grammar police or anything, it just stops you in your tracks. You're reading along, happily in the story, when 'BAM' it hits you! You get pulled out of the world you're in because something's spelled wrong or quotation marks are missing and you have no idea who's talking. Sadly, there were several errors in the book. The bright side to that is that I was so into the story that I was able to gloss right over them without giving it a lot of thought. I wasn't cursing Mr. Smith or anything!

The storytelling is great. I was pulled in from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. About halfway through I started wondering where the story was going. It seemed like everything was fine and I was beginning to get a little bored, but Smith pulled me right back in. I was a little confused at the end of the book because I wasn't sure why it was wrapped up in the manner that it was. Of course, I can't tell you what I'm talking about without giving away spoilers. I can tell you that after a little investigation, I found that it was ended that way on purpose to pave the way for another book. It's definitely going on my 'to read eventually' list.

One last note: It's obvious to me that the sex scenes were written by a man. Sorry, but it's the truth. I'm not saying they aren't executed nicely, but there's no romance. It's all 'Come and get it, Big Boy!' Honestly, for me, I don't care. I usually skim them anyway because I don't care about the characters' sex lives. I think men will find them fun while most women will deal with it without being drawn in. As usual, just my opinion though.

Deed So by Katharine A. Russell

2011-02-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

'Deed so' is the response of the people of a small Maryland town when presented with a truth. In the area I grew up, people responded with a prompt 'Amen!' instead. For example: 'We sure have seen enough snow this winter!' 'Amen!' or 'Deed so!'

Haddie is a young girl having to deal with a life of turmoil. It's the early 60's. Racism is still a huge issue as well as that of the Vietnam war. That doesn't even pull into play the normal issues of a child her age, such as experimenting with things she shouldn't and overprotective parents.

This was another wonderful coming of age novel. I started reading last night and just finished it. I had a horrible time putting it down. I was sucked completely into Haddie's world. Katharine is a great storyteller. For me it was comparable to the Jackie Lee Miles book I just reviewed a few days ago. They both tell the story of a young girl on the cusp of womanhood who deals with problems that no child should have to deal with. Where Jackie Lee wrote with the length and stature of a 12 or 13 year old child, Katharine writes more as an adult looking back. Another major difference is that Jackie Lee's book delved intimately into the emotions and thoughts of the main character, while this one skimmed the surface. Instead of being intimate, we get to know what she's thinking and feeling, though most of the time we aren't actually thinking and feeling it along with her.

For me, this was a bit of a difficult read for one reason. It holds some powerful happenings. I actually had to stop and put the book down at one point because I was sobbing uncontrollably. It wasn't just that I was into the story, but I could so easily see myself in the character's position since I have similar issues myself. If you're strongly repelled by racism, physical disabilities, mental disabilities or war, you may want to give this book a second thought before picking it up. The harsh realities of these things are brought to light in this book and it's not always pretty. Thankfully, the silver linings are there, you just have to look closely for them.

I strongly suggest this for you novel readers out there. It was an enjoyable read with lovable characters. I found my heart breaking in several spots and in others I found myself rejoicing. I fell in love with this small nest of a town and I was sorry to see it end.

Katharine also writes the Pointer Mystery Series under the name Kath Russell.

Mauria by Steve North

2011-02-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

I can't give this a typical review since it's most definitely not a typical story.

I think the main reason I prefer books to movies is that my brain has complete control over what everything looks like. Of course the writer gives you the main structure and usually puts in enough detail that you can envision the same thing they do, but nonetheless, I have final say in what everything looks like in my head as I'm reading. Keep that in mind as you read on.

Imagine, if you will, a land of tin woodsmen a la Wizard of Oz. The buildings are tall and metal. The people wear metal clothes. All is cold and made of alloy. Now imagine a countryside a la Hook. Everything is bright and colorful. It's filled with herds of anemic, tie-dyed sheep, who just happen to be the tin peoplies food. Let's push things even further by imagine that one of the woodsmen and one of the sheep fall in love and breed.

No, this isn't actually what the story is, but that's what my mind saw. Outlandish, yes! It's also the outer shell of a much deeper storyline. Each 'race' as well as their offspring have their own set of life beliefs and how they should be carried out. Every detail of each race has been carefully constructed with not so much as an idea out of place.

It's so difficult to review this because I've never read anything like it. There's a belief that the best way to learn a foreign language is to completely immerse yourself in it. That's how this book is. This is a whole world with different speech and characteristics than anything I've ever seen and Steve North just tossed me in and said 'Here! Go check it out!' At first, I was completely lost, but before long I was understanding the jargon and what was going on.

This definitely isn't a book for everyone. I did find it interesting, entertaining, imaginative and full of deeper thought issues. It was difficult to understand at first, owing to being a different culture. I did find that I began to care about some of the characters immensely and couldn't wait to find out what happened to them next, while others still lay flaccid for me. If you're into sci-fi or fantasy and up for a challenge, I say give it a read.

All That's True by Jackie Lee Miles

2011-02-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about being a reader is watching a writer go from 'good' to 'great'.

Andi is a typical teenage girl, with a few exceptions. Her brother has just died. Her sister's getting married. Her father is having an affair with her best friend's step-mom. Her mother's become a raging alocholic. Add to this the normal trouble of being a teenage girl. How can she ever survive?

Yes, ok, my description makes it sound like a teen book. I suppose it is. The chapters are a bit short and the sentences are succinct. I definitely think every teen girl would learn something from reading this book. But...it's not just a teen book. I'm an old lady (I use the term loosely!) and I loved every minute of it.

From the very beginning I was sucked in. Page one had me abandoning reality so that I could immerse myself in Andi's world. I barely even breathed for hours. Having read Jackie's previous work, I was expecting a good book. This one far surpassed my expectations. I literally couldn't pull myself away. She's become an amazing story teller. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Many of you know that I love coming of age books. This has to be my new favorite. I sincerely hope that after my sisters read it, they'll pass it along to my nieces. There are strong messages in the book that a teenager can only pick up from a friend, such as Andi.

I strongly suggest this book to all fiction fans. Just make sure you have a few hours cleared, a snackie and a drink close by. You won't want to put it down for anything.

Pursuit of Happiness by Sheldon Greene

2011-02-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

This book takes place during the American Revolution and stars a young man named Joshua. Though Joshua's family hasn't taken sides, Joshua agrees to aid General Washington by locating a shipment of French arms and talking a Jewish ship owner into running the British Blockade. Along the way, he meets and falls for Amelia, the wife of a brutal slave owner.

I'm having a really difficult time with this review because it took me several days to read it. There are days when I can easily wolf down three or four books at a time, but this one has taken me nearly a week. Honestly, this is my own fault and not that of the author. It's beautifully written, even poetic in parts. The characters are alive and interesting. It appears to be true to life and factual. The reason it took so long to read is that I had to take in every single word.

I've been sitting here trying to figure out exactly why I didn't absolutely love this book. There's nothing wrong with it. It's actually one of the best attempts at literature that I've seen in a long time. I think my problem with the book is that I just don't care about the Tories and Whigs. Ben, if you're reading this, I apologize. I felt in parts like I was back in history class my junior year. It was definitely more interesting than that ragged old history book I had, but nonetheless, it's politics and war. Overlooking that, this was a great read. Again, my fault...not Sheldon's.

I strongly recommend this to history buffs and those who love literature versus fluff. I personally enjoy both :)

Ice Cream

2011-02-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

I have become an ice cream junkie. I've never been a huge fan of ice cream other than visits with Gramma where we'd down a pint of cherry chip. That's not entirely true. When I was pregnant with both the boys I craved peppermint stick ice cream. I'd run to Wal-mart and grab a tub of it and eat it with a plastic spoon while waiting in line to pay for it. I suppose it's more accurate to say that other than Gramma and the boys, I've never been an ice cream junkie. That's changed though. I eat it every night now!

Today all of us are more conscious of what we eat than we were even five years ago. The main reason I never buy ice cream is that I don't want to pay the price for the brands that have ingredients in them that I actually recognize. The other day I randomly had a memory of a friend of mine making ice cream in her freezer. It wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible. So, I thought I'd do a little experimenting in the kitchen and see what I could come up with. I started off easy and I've become a bit more daring. What I found is complete success! I love this stuff and it's so easy! It takes less than 5 minutes to make and a few hours to fully freeze.

Grab a 2 cup measuring cup. Fill with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Fill the other cup with plain old milk. Toss the liquids in your handy spandy blender. Refill the same cup up to the 2 cup mark with frozen fruit. I started using just plain old frozen strawberries. Toss in 1/4 cup sugar. Blend a few seconds. Pour into single serving containers and toss in the freezer. The end! Today I used frozen peaches and added just a few drops of vanilla and it was divine! I'm totally making it again tomorrow! If any of you make this, I definitely wanna know what fruit combos you try.

Note- You can add more sugar if you'd like. I like it with less sugar, but you can keep adding until it's as sweet as you'd like it. I also want to experiment using yogurt instead of whipping cream, but I haven't gotten that daring yet!

Free e-books from Sourcebooks!

2011-02-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

I love Sourcebooks! I really do! Right now, through the weekend, if you go to their site they're giving away free e-books! Books include: Dreaming Anastasia, Love at First Flight, Lydia Bennet's Story and The Greatest Knight. I know that the last three are available only through Sunday. I'm not sure about the first one, but I say rush over and grab them all while you can! Enjoy!

Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski

2011-02-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

I think the most interesting part of the Austen writing craze is that within this one tightly tuned niche, there is such a variety. Austen fiction has become it's on genre, but within that genre you'll find a wonderful range of writing samples. Some are dry and stick to Austen's original writing stance as much as possible. Others take great liberties and toss an entirely different story at you. The one thing they all have in common is the entertaining Darcy family.

This book takes a new order for Austen fiction. It's written in three parts. The first takes a look at Darcy and Elizabeth, exploring the gentleman in the story. The second tells the story of the officer, Cousin Fitzwilliam. The third takes both stories in hand and pulls them together. The writing is crisp and clear without being dull. It's one of the more interesting Austen fiction books that I've read. Though the characters are known and beloved, Karen adds a new dimension to them. Don't get me wrong, they're the same characters, but we get to have a new visual. Particularly interesting for me was the in-depth look at Aunt Catherine. She's still a hard-headed snob, but she's so darn lovable!

Two important points on this book: It's easy to put down. I hate to say it, but it's true. It took me four days to get through it. I loved every second of reading it, but it wasn't a page-turner for me. My second issue is really rather small, but it really annoyed me. The boys continually call Aunt Catherine simply 'Catherine'. I can't put my finger on exactly why it bothers me, but I think it's the lack of respect and closeness. I would never dream of calling one of my aunts by just their first name. I realize this was a different time, but I can't imagine it was more relaxed then. Wow! I sound so nitpicky! You all know how I feel about giving my honest opinion though.

If you're an Austen fiction fan, this is definitely a book to pick up. It's one of the better ones that I've read and I did enjoy it.

February Pick of the Month II

2011-02-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

As I stated earlier, I couldn't just pick one book. I had to include Jericho's book, but I also have to include this one. I love the book cover, the title and the premise. It looks to be a promising read. Most of the reviews declare it to be a successful dark comedy. After doing a little research, I came across a few chapters online and had myself a peek. So, I figure I'll give you a short peek as well! No worries! I'm a cheater! This is just a paragraph out of the free peek you can get at Amazon! Go check it out for yourself if you're intrigued!

By the time Marylou Ahearn finally moved into the little ranch house
in Tallahassee, she’d spent countless hours trying to come up with the
best way to kill Wilson Spriggs. The only firm decision she’d made,
however, was that proximity was crucial. You couldn’t kill someone
if you lived in a different state. So she flew down from Memphis to
Tallahassee and bought a house on the edge of Wilson’s neighborhood.
Doing so had been no problem, because she had a chunk of money left
from the government settlement as well as her retirement and social
security. She furnished her new place quickly with generic “big warehouse
sale” furniture. Back in Memphis she rounded up a graduate
student couple she’d met at church—a husband and wife who both
needed to give their spectacles a good cleaning—to house- sit, and then
she transferred her base of operations to Tallahassee, informing friends
only that she’d be taking an extended vacation.

February's Pick of the Month

2011-02-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

We live in such a fabulous world. Do you realize that every single week there are over a thousand books newly released in hardback, paperback, ebook and cd format? It's astounding! Picking the book of the month has quickly become my favorite part of running this blog. There are just so many to choose from! This month, I couldn't pick one. I just couldn't. So, I picked two! There are so many wonderful books being released this month. Favorite authors such as Kim Harrison, Kresley Cole and James Patterson have books out this month. There's a new PC Cast book out. Several VC Andrews books are being formatted to ebook.

My first pick of the month was chosen because I'm a wrestling fan! That's right! I have to say I really miss the Boogeyman wrestling. John Cena is way bigger in person than he appears to be on television. I watched a tooth fly out of Triple H's mouth. Hacksaw Jim just cracks me up with his persona. Wrestling may be fake, but I don't care! The pain is real and the story lines are fun. Anyway, on with the pick!

This month Chris Jericho is releasing the follow up book to A Lion's Tale. In this book, Jericho recounts his life from 1999 until 2007 as a member of WWE. He tells not only about scripted life, but off screen as well with other wrestling giants.

As an aside, A Lion's Tale is available on Amazon used for next to nothing! If you pick up Undisputed, grab A Lion's Tale as well!

February Amazon Winner

2011-02-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

Every month I give away a $5 Amazon gift card to one follower. I toss all the names of followers from Google Connect, Networked Blogs and Twitter into a nice little bowl and randomly pull one out. What do you have to do to win? Follow on one or more of those items. You get one entry per following. That's it. You don't have to keep checking back in or anything! So, enough of this twabble...who's the winner this month?

Jo Book

Jo is a fellow book reviewer. She has a pretty good variety in the genres she reviews so check her out. She can be found at Books to the Rescue.

Congrats, Jo! Thanks for being a follower!

Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe

2011-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

In this Austen sequel, Elizabeth and Darcy have wed. Shortly after returning to Pemberly, Elizabeth finds a letter which begins to make her question her husband. Does Darcy have a deep dark secret he's hiding?

I have to admit, this one started out rather slowly. Through the first third of the book I kept wondering when something was going to happen. Once the story started to pick up, however, I realized that this beginning of the book was integral in establishing the day to day routines and characters. I still wish it could have been punched up a bit and found myself bored in the beginning. I found myself not really caring about Darcy's secret or whether dear Lizzie would ever figure it out. I did find both Darcy and Elizabeth as endearing as ever and the romantic love story is continued with a grand flourish.

Over all, I'd say this book was just an alright read, were it not for one thing. There was a wonderful back story! Darcy has decided it's time for his sister, Georgiana, to marry. Though her heart belongs to one man, she knows it's her familial duty to marry the one chosen for her. As little as I cared about Darcy and Elizabeth, I was enraptured with Georgiana's story. Had it been the focal point of the book and Darcy's secret secondary, I would probably have given this book a much better review.

In general, I have to give this book an alright rating. It's worth a read, especially for you Austen fans. It's written in beautiful art just as Austen wrote. Though the beginning was a slow starter, it did make up for it in the end. I'm just not a patient reader. It's definitely worth picking up just for reading Georgiana's story.

Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon

2011-01-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

When Katie doesn't return from Spring break, rumors start flying about what happened to her. The kids at school are told that her family decided to move to Florida, but some of Katie's friends just can't believe that. Her friends, Michelle and Tami, and her boyfriend, Brad, decide to do a little investigating of their own. What they find me be even more dark than what their young minds are imagining.

I have one really positive thing to say about this book and one really negative. First, though, it was a great read. I was immediately sucked in and didn't want to put it down until I'd finished. The characters are interesting and lifelike. The story is presented well and plotted well. It's definitely a satisfying read. Now on to the pro and con that really stuck to me.

First, the good stuff. When I had several chapters left, a good friend texted me and asked what I was doing. Of course, I responded with reading. They asked if the book was any good and so I went on a tirade about how I love mysteries but I always seem to figure them out half through and this book is no exception. At that point, I had the mystery all figured out and was just waiting for the characters to catch up to my brilliant deduction abilities. They asked if this meant the book would get a bad review and I responded with 'Heavens no! I usually do have the mystery figured out...it's all a matter of whether I want to keep reading once I have and I definitely want to keep reading this. Whether I have it figured out or not, I'm still having a blast with it.' So, before the good thing happened, I was already pleased with the fact that I could keep enjoying the book after the mystery was gone for me. Then, the most amazing thing happened. I was wrong! I freely admit it! A wonderful little plot twist was tossed right in and I was wrong! I love it! I sat the book down, looked out into space and said 'Well, I'll be, Kelli! Way to go!'

Now, sadly, the bad news. Keep in mind, this is just my perspective. Most of the time, through their actions and dialogue, I imagined them to be 12 or 13 years old at the most. Every time one of them talked about driving it really threw me. It was like my mind was on a yo-yo of imagining what they looked like. One minute they're girls on the cusp of adulthood and the next their supposed to be young adults. Definitely don't let this sway you from reading the book. You all know I have to be honest though and I don't want somebody reading it and thinking this and calling me a skunk for not warning anybody ahead of time.

One last note....it's edited well! I think I found only one mistake!!! Woo hoo!

It's Not Your Fault by Emanuel Barling, Jr., Esq. and Ashley F. Brooks, R.N.

2011-01-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

Having reviewed a book by Manny and Ashley before, I knew basically what to expect here. These are two very loving and sweet people who have been on the brink of death and figured out how to pull themselves back into health using nutrition. Neither of them are doctors and neither claim to be. They do their research well and present it in a manner that makes sense. They don't normally tell you anything silly, such as that they know more than doctors. They're coming from a place of having been there and wanting to help others. Since I know the true spirit that this book was meant in, it makes it a little difficult to review it, since I was disappointed in a few things.

First, this book takes a more in-depth look at the foods that we eat. We all know that fast food isn't healthy for you, but what about a sandwich from the deli? Fresh tomatoes from the supermarket? What about foods sweetened with Splenda? Surely these are healthy for us! A sandwich is meat, veggies and grains, right? Tomatoes are a vegetable! Nothing fishy about that, right? Splenda has to be better than sugar! Everyone says sugar is bad, right?

The premise of this book is to educate the populace on exactly what is in the foods that we purchase and eat. It's researched well and all notes are included for anyone who wants to check up on them. There are lists of foods that have 'hidden bad foods' in them to make it easier to cut out some of the foods that are 'naughty'. Manny and Ashley believe the chemicals, pesticides and preservatives in the foods we consume are what make us overweight and unhealthy. I have to agree with them to some degree.

Though the book is well-researched and I know they created it to help others, I had a few problems with it. I'm NOT suggesting you don't read this book! The information in there is incredible and definitely worth a look, even if you just skim it. There are some great ideas for alternative foods rather than the ones that we currently eat. It really is a fascinating read for anyone interested in nutrition, health, or just attaining a better lifestyle. So what's my problem? Though I know they meant this to come across in a loving and helpful nature, it just didn't feel that way to me. To be honest, I was a little biased throughout most of the book as a comment in the very beginning upset me to a small degree. Farmers were lumped in with the list of people that are 'poisoning' us. No, those weren't the exact words and I'm not trying to spark a debate, though any of you are more than welcome to respond. I'm definitely no farmer. I'm a gardener. A hobby gardener. When you get in the business of growing large amounts of plants for mass consumption, you have one huge problem. Pests. Insects and other animals attack your crops. This is just how nature works. The great thing about organic gardeners is that they grow on a smaller scale so that they can keep down this problem without having to resort to chemicals to keep the plants and produce safe. I agree that most farmers have to use pesticides in order to keep their crops safe and that those pesticides are probably not the most healthy. My problem is that in order for those farmers to sell their crops, they have to make sure they're government regulations are up to code. I don't feel it's fair to blame them for keep their crops free of pests and adhering to government regulations. Blame the government regulations, sure, but make sure you have a back up plan for keeping the plants and produce pest free. My biggest problem with this book is that it comes across as organic propaganda. 'Eat organic and you'll be skinny and healthy!' That's quite possibly true. The problem is that both sides aren't presented here. It's not a fair book because it only shows the upside to eating organic. Yes, you can easily make your own tomato paste at home. It's much healthier and takes fewer ingredients. It's also incredibly easy to do. What isn't listed is that it also takes hours to do. Now, if you're a stay-at-home mom or work at home, this could be an ideal alternative for you. You could be cooking your tomato paste while busy doing something else as well. This just isn't a feasible answer for most people who work full time jobs and have other responsibilities though. The response to that is to then only buy organic tomato paste. Great idea. One problem. Most people can't afford to only buy organic foods. They struggle just to buy chemically preserved items at the store without resorting to canned ravioli. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't have a problem with the organic lifestyle at all. I agree that it's way healthier. I just wish that it had been a section on how to change your lifestyle and start incorporating healthier eating into your life or even a chapter on how to make organic items at home. I wish that I hadn't felt as if farmers were being attacked. I wish that more of that loving 'we've been there and we want to help you' attitude was present throughout the book. Instead, I found more of a 'we're right and everyone else is wrong' attitude. I so hate typing that because I know for a fact that that isn't the way this book was meant to be presented.

Cute Eats Cute by C.B. Murphy

2011-01-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

Sam is a teenager having more than ordinary problems. His dad is a DNR agent. His mother is a free spirit member of Wicca. His girlfriend and best friends want to save the world. When the DNR decides the deer population in the local park is overrun, everyone has different opinions of how it should be handled, each wanting Sam to side with them.

This was actually a much better story than I'd expected. Though it deals with the difficult issue of whether or not animals should ever be killed, it's done so in a dramatic and 'close to home' way rather than politically. All sides are presented equally. I couldn't figure out which side I was on, and I have no idea how poor Sam could either. Each character is passionate about their position and willing to go to great lengths to do what they believe is right.

What really impressed me with this story is the way that C.B. was able to pull off the teenager mindset. Yes, I know he was once one himself, but it's really hard to put yourself back in that position, and that's not even taking into account how much teenagers have changed since I was one. They are more socially conscious now. It's almost like the hippie generation skipped my generation and moved right on to the next one. Yes, that's an overgeneralization, but it's my opinion and I'm holding onto it for now. The point is that it amazes me how well C.B. was able to put himself in their mindset and extract what each was thinking. Not only that, but the dialogue is incredibly well written for teens. It's not 'dumbed down' or talking down or full of that slang that most of us old people believe young people use.

This was a great story and a good read. It calls upon you, as the reader, to put the story in perspective as it pertains to your own life. What do you believe? It challenges you to go on your own spirit quest and discover a little more about yourself, while at the same time being allowed to sympathize with a poor teenage kid being ripped apart.

Mountain Dragon: Fulfillment by Bradley Clemmons

2011-01-23T20:17:00.000-08:00

First, thanks, Bradley, for sending me this book so quickly. You all need to know what a wonderful, understanding man he is. After my (very whiny) e-mail letting him know that I just couldn't wait to keep going with the story, he hopped right on it and made sure my every need was taken care of. I'm always fond of nice authors and very impressed by Bradley's attitude towards a poor, whiny reviewer.

On to the review! This is the second half of the Mountain Dragon book. The first, Mountain Dragon: Aspiration, you'll find reviewed last week. I loved it and just couldn't wait to get my hands on the rest. This book picks up right where the other left off. This was originally written as one book, but with being a new author and not wanting to charge too much for a book, Bradley ended up splitting it up into two segments. The first follows our heroine from age five until she begins her teen age. This one continues from there and brings us more of the story of our heroine. I'm encouraged by some writing at the end of this book that there may be more coming. Then again, this book was 9 years in the making, so it may be no easy feat to continue the story.

I loved the second half of the book just as much as the first. I have to say I got more out of it, but I'll get to that in the next paragraph. Though this book could be read alone (as can the first), I strongly suggest you read them back to back. Even after days in between, I was still sucked right back in by the first sentence. I couldn't sleep. I carried the book with me while eating and bathing and changing diapers and doing laundry. I even ended up burning an entire pan of melting chocolate because I couldn't put it down for a few seconds to stir. Honestly, I consider it chocolate well-destroyed because if I had it to do over again, I still wouldn't have stirred the chocolate! The storyline is just wonderful. If you read it as just a story without looking for higher meaning, it's dramatic and full of action and magic. No, I don't mean pulling coins out from behind ears, I mean that magic that tingles your soul.

On a higher level of thinking, this book is about all of the different levels of attaining enlightenment. As our heroine goes through the story we watch her learn each level and valuable lessons. Yes, this sounds boring, but it's really not. Bradley has a way of presenting thoughts and ideas in such a manner that you read them as just part of the story, but they sink into your brain and allow you to think about them later. After finishing the second book, I have a more complete line of events to piece it all together. I'm not finished, by any means. There's just too much there to ponder and roll around. I don't mean to sound like he brainwashes you. It's nothing like that. I just mean that it's made a part of the story so that you pick it up, but you're not bored and stuck on it. It's kind of like learning about ghost towns by visiting one. You get to see everything firsthand (ok, secondhand since it's a book, but you get the point!), but it's not a bunch of boring book learning staring at you. You learn more by living (even vicariously!) through something than simply being told about it.

So, here I've been rambly again. I'm pretty good at that. The point is that this is an excellent and fulfilling read. Though I wasn't fond of the title for the first book, this one was just absolutely wonderful and accurate. I felt such a wonderful sense of fulfillment upon finishing the book. Don't make the mistake of not reading the epilogue though! Trust me! Honestly, this is a book set that you won't want to miss. Whether you're reading it for entertainment or enlightenment, you won't be disappointed. Bradley definitely has my seal of approval and I hope he'll contact me in the future when he has more to be released.

Accidents Can Be Awesome

2011-01-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

First, this isn't a review for anything, unless it's reviewing my own ingenuity in which case I'd normally give myself an F+, except for the instance I'm about to tell you about.

Yesterday I was in the mood for these wonderful little Oreo balls that a friend of mine makes. I have no idea what they're called. They taste like Oreos and they're shaped like a ball. She's given me the recipe at least six times and I still have no idea what on earth to put in these things to make them. So...rather than risk the chance of looking like an idiot by calling her and saying 'Yes, I know you've given me the recipe a zillion times, but how do you make those Oreo ball thingies?', I decided to guess! Sometimes I get lucky with recipes and sometimes I don't, but at least I knew there were Oreos in it, which means I had more than a fifty percent chance of getting them right....right??? Nope! I decided milk must be the magical ingredient and began pouring hapharzardly into my bowl of crushed oreos. What I ended up with was a thick, syrupy, yummy-tasting, gooey mess. Sam decided it made great mud to cover his trains in, so he took half of the bowl. The other half, well obviously there was no way I was rolling these things into balls. I really didn't want to slurp down a bowl of goo, either. I started randomly opening cabinets, looking for inspiration. There it was! A cake mix that I'd tossed together about 3 or 4 months ago! I whipped up the cake mix and baked it. Then I slapped the goo, like day-old cement, in between the layers and topped with a sweet chocolate frosting. I have to tell you guys...this is the best cake ever! This Oreo goo is amazing and I wish I'd have accidentally happened upon it before! It sort of soaked into the cake, but not all the way. Instead of having a layer of Oreo goo in between two cake layers, I ended up having a fudge-like center to my cake! Yum! I sure hope I can make it again on purpose!

P.S. Nope, that's not my cake up there! I just really hate to post a blog without a picture and that cake looks yummy!

Threads West by Reid Lance Rosenthal

2011-01-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

This book is the first in a six part saga about a group of people that are migrating west in the 1850's. They all start out separately, having their own secrets, pasts and reasons for the journey. As the saga begins, their paths cross and the story begins to unfold.

Love it! My only complaint is that I'm not willing to wait around for the second book. I suppose I don't have any choice but to wait, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! According to Reid's blog, he's currently working on Maps of Fate, the second book and hopefully I'll be notified when it's published so I can let you guys know.

This book is gritty and dirty and doesn't hold anything back. On the other hand, it's definitely polished. Reid has a knack for making even the mundane, necessary descriptions alluring. I was sucked in from page one and I've had two sleepless nights because of Threads. I've found myself having every reaction from 'Aww...that's so sweet!' to 'YOU F^*%%^& B^%$^*&!!!' Sadly, those expletives were out loud and I'm ashamed of my behavior, but I'm not taking the blame! The characters are lovable and detestable and I need more of them!

The Threads West saga has been compared to Lonesome Dove. Personally, I've not seen or read Lonesome Dove, so I can't say for sure. I can tell you that this book will appeal to history buffs as well as those who enjoy, romance, drama, action, politics, westerns and a good old-fashioned castration while being hung. Alright, the castration and hanging part hasn't happened yet, but I sure hope it does! Reid's found a faithful reader in me and I'm eager to see what happens next. Also, on a personal note, you should go check out Reid's blog because that is one good looking cowboy!

I Want What She's Got! by Bette James Laughrun & Kathie Nelson

2011-01-17T19:47:00.000-08:00

Many women suffer from transitions in life. Not just women, though this book is geared towards them. It's that feeling where you just don't know what to do next. Where is your life headed? Why are you so unhappy and empty feeling? How do you flip it all around and make yourself happy?

I read this book immediately after reading The Hole and I'm thankful I did. I already had the thinking portion implanted in my brain. My mindset was that of wondering how to fix the hole that I myself am dealing with. Though I knew the ultimate goal for dealing with it, where did I start?

This book starts off with the story of one of the authors, Bette. She was in the same rut that most women find themselves in. Day in and day out it's taking care of the family and the house and the budgeting and the cooking and the cleaning and the laundry and the repairs and the homework and reminding of baths and scheduling play dates and all of those wonderful job titles that mothers and wives hold. Bette found her soul screaming to have a place of it's own, her spirit squashed by all of the titles that she held. I don't know of any woman that doesn't identify with this.

What I enjoyed about this book most is that it takes a step by step approach to fixing that empty feeling inside. Though there are entertaining, inspirational stories, I was more drawn to the self-help tools the book held. As a reader, you're presented with personal questions that you must ask yourself. Then it shows you how to take those answers and use them to turn around your life.

Both of these books together painted a picture for me of figuring out how to fix that empty feeling inside. One started me thinking about it while the other pointed the direction to get to the end result the first brought me to. Most of the questions asked are thought-provoking and meaningful. On a personal note, I can't answer most of them yet.

The Hole by Bruce Derman, Ph.D.

2011-01-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

It's always interesting to me when I read two books back to back that seem to work well together. I was tempted to review them both together, but that wouldn't exactly be fair to the authors, so I'm going to do them separately and let you figure the rest out.

The first book is The Hole. It's a fable written by a psychotherapist who deals mostly with patients that have that 'empty' feeling. Most of us have had this at one time or another. It's that little black hole that eats at us when we're having an identity crisis, going through a divorce or some other grieving process.

The story tells us about a couple who are picture perfect on the outside, but inside they begin to get that unhappy, empty feeling. A hole appears in their perfect home and they have to figure out how to deal with it.

As for the writing, it's a cute little story. It's written in a light manner that's easy to both read and comprehend for nearly any adult. I can't really say it's 'dumbed down', but it is simplistic. Difficult concepts are written in such a manner that most anyone can understand what's being said.

This book doesn't give you step by step instructions on finding your purpose in life or how to fill that emptiness inside. It presents you with ideas to think about. It's sort of like asking for the meaning of life and someone replies with a one word answer. You get what you seek, but you have to work for attainment of it.

Robblogger

2011-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Stop! Don't put that dollar twenty five in the soda machine! Yes, I know you need a Mountain Dew, but you'll have that finished in under a minute and I have a much better use for it! OK, actually, forget that. You don't have to spend the dollar for this...but you'll want to!

I received a fun little e-mail today asking me to check out an e-book called Don't Go There. Of course my first impression is always 'Woohoo! Another book to review!' but then I found out what this one is about and I was a little concerned. Robb runs his own blog titled Inspired by Caffeine & Nicotine. When his girlfriend was pressuring him to go out of the country for vacation, he began to write this book of reasons NOT to visit specific other countries. Of course, I was told ahead of time that Robb was funny, but let's be honest. That's like every mother saying that her child is beautiful. It's not that it isn't true, but it's definitely a matter of perspective. I've certainly seen some ugly babies in my time. So....what did I find?

I'll tell you, for 99 cents you can't go wrong! I dare you to read this and not laugh out loud! I laughed through almost the entire book. I don't mean I sniggered occasionally...I mean I was full on belly laughing. This guy is hilarious! I'll admit that it isn't for those of you that are squeamish with any mention of sex or hookers, but it's still rather tastefully done. Reading this book was like sitting back with a bunch of friends and watching the crazy one get drunk and start spouting off about traveling the world. Great entertainment! I also happened to learn quite a bit. There are excerpts from Wikipedia and tourism boards on each country as well as tidbits that the author dug up somewhere. I'm afraid this had the opposite effect on me that it was supposed to. Instead of wanting to avoid these countries, I now want to visit every single one so that I can stand there and say 'Yep! This is what he was talking about! Stranded in the desert with a sewing kit! This is the life!' and 'Ode to a beautiful stream! I'll make up something poetic for you!' :)

Honestly, just go check out the blog and if you're not hooked on Robb's wit, don't bother spending the 99 cents for the e-book. Me, personally, LOVED IT! That's the best laugh I've had in a long while. It was even better than the time I took the top off the computer desk and put it on the floor so I could reach the stereo and when I stepped on top of it it just crunched beneath my feet like it was made out of saltines and I looked like a pink daisied ninja who'd just chopped a board in half and had a room full of my girlfriends who'd watched the whole thing! Actually, I laughed even harder than the time that my girlfriends and I were having a weekend off and I had on this cute little black leather miniskirt and realized there was a cup behind the sectional and reached behind to get it only to go flying over the back and land in a completed folded position, stuck between the sectional and the corner of the walls with an old pair of blinds stuck up my skirt. Point being...check this out!!!

Mountain Dragon: Aspiration by Bradley Clemmons

2011-01-15T12:48:00.000-08:00

More! More! Yes, I'm emailing you in a few minutes, Bradley! I need more!

Honestly, if you're only going to pick one new author this year to try out, this is the one to go for. Don't let the fact that this is a self-publication stop you from picking this up. It was released a few months ago and I just now got my hands on a copy, but I tell you....get it as quickly as you can so you can sit down and devour it!

Alright, enough of my rambling...on with my rambly review!

This book is the beginning of the life of a young girl. Well, not really the beginning. We start with her being five years of age and follow the chronicles of her childhood. I can't give you her name because she has so many. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I suppose I can tell you that it starts out by her seeing her family being viciously slaughtered before being found by bandits. Great way to start as a child, huh? There's so much more to her than meets the eye though. She has special abilities and powers that she has to hide from others. This isn't modern earth where witches are welcomed.

Where to start? Where to start? This book is epic. There's action, adventure, romance, drama and magic. This book is incredibly well written and thankfully edited nicely. Bradley has a way of writing that just sucks you right into his world and holds you tightly, not allowing you to escape for even the mundane daily rituals. I've spent three days reading this book. I put it down when forced to, but it was always right next to me in anticipation of flipping to my next paragraph and continuing on my journey. I would never have picked this book up off of a store shelf due to the title (sorry...but it's lame!) but I'm thankful that the book was placed in my hands as it's easily the best story of it's genre I've ever read. What genre would that be? It's political, fiction, action, adventure and bildungsroman (Sorry! I love that word and it shouldn't be counted against me in spell check! Just ask my seventh grade teacher!). After all of the wonderful writing, we have beautiful illustrations throughout the book. Wonderfully done, JULIA WITWER! Any of you needing an illustrator, contact this girl! I admit, I'm not fond of the front cover title either, but the illustrations inside the book are absolutely captivating and add so much to the story. The very last page of the book has a picture of a Tibetan Guardian Dragon and it made me want to break out my colored pencils! Hmm...I wonder if the drawings in the book could be changed to be perforated....then it would be combination novel/coloring book. Honestly, I hate the fact that these beautiful depictions won't be seen again by anyone unless they read the book. I want to color them all and frame them and hang them up all over the place!

Ok, enough rambling. As you can all tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. My only complaint (and you all know I have to have at least one!) is the front cover of the book. It makes the main character look like a crazy little twit and the title doesn't do anything to endear me to the book. As I stated before, if I saw it sitting on a store shelf, I'd bypass it without a second glimpse. Don't let the cover ruin this book for you though. It's a true gem and I strongly suggest all fiction lovers pick it up!

Pilot Mountain by Robert Wall

2011-01-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

I'm disgusted and I feel cheated!

This novel is the fictional story of Robert Wall's great grandfather. Louis Wall was a member of the Confederate army during the war. This story takes us from the time he left for war until several years after he was released.

Over all, the book was a great success. Let me rephrase that. The story was a great success. The storytelling portion of the book was great. I felt like I was sitting and watching a series of moving pictures that were being narrated by a deep, graceful voice. It was easy to become engrossed in Louis' story. Throughout the book there are sprinklings of first account writings of actual soldiers in the war as well as factual statistics. I found these the most entertaining in the entire book. At the end there is a synopsis of the life of the real Louis Wall.

So, why am I so angry? I'm angry because I hate blasting a book! Robert Wall has previously published works. He holds doctorates of learning from reputable colleges. He spent long hours researching his family geneology as well as the war so that he could write this book. At first glance, this is a learned man. That's what I was expecting. The first chapter alone was gruesome to read and I had to force myself to continue on. We find fragmented sentences, run-on sentences, grammatical errors, misspellingss, and worst of all...misspelled, mis-capitalized words in the middle of fragmented sentences! Now, I'll admit that some poetic license is allowable in writing. I'll admit that most books I read haven't been properly edited and I let that slide. This, however, is not a matter of a few minor errors throughout the book. This is literally painful to read! Many times I found myself rereading paragraph after paragraph because I couldn't figure out what on earth was being said. The story is clear, but the errors in writing make it difficult to comprehend. I just don't understand what causes a person to go to the trouble of researching and writing a book and going through the rigors of publication without paying the nominal fee for an editor. If you don't want to pay the exhorbitant fees of some companies then don't! There are thousands of freelance editors available on the internet that would edit your book for a pittance of what some companies charge and they're just as reliable! In the case that you really can't come up with even the pittance for the freelancer, then at least invest in a writing program that offers spellcheck!

Alright, end of rant for now. Honestly, if you can get past the lack of writing ability in this book, the actual story is worth a look. If the book had been edited, this would have been a four or five star review for me. It's just too painful to read with all of the mistakes. My suggestions to the author: Take this book and have it edited and then rerelease it! The story is good enough to be picked up by a major publication company but you're severely holding yourself back.

Magel's Daughter by Nancy Baker

2011-01-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

At first glance, Karin is your typical housewife. Delving deeper, we find how skeletons in the closet have affected her delicate psyche. This book takes us from a solid woman looking to find herself in a world lost in dirty dishes and helping the children with homework to a place so dark that few tread.

One of the things I love most about reading is that each book is a different form of art. There are some that are just set in stone and we extract the facts and integrate them into our own lives. Most books, however, are put together in such a manner that the reader has to extract the images and put them together in a different manner. Your mind becomes the ending place for whatever you've filtered from the book. Each of us finds something different, as if determining what we choose to take away from a painting. The facts are all there but we interpret them differently.

I had so much fun with this book! It's dark and humorous and there are so many different ways to interpret it. The back of the book proclaims that we're watching the end of Karin's journey into insanity. I spent the entire book trying to rationalize her behaviors and thoughts because I don't want her to be crazy. Is she? That's up to the reader. In my opinion, she could be or she could not be.

Sometimes when I go check out other review before writing mine, simply because I want to know if others got the same thing out of the book that I did. Every single other review that I found focused on the matriarchal viewpoint of the book. It's there and it's definitely a focal point, but there's so much more. It's interesting watching Karin fight against the history of her family and her mother's controlling ways. For me, this wasn't the main plot of the book, however. Insert art viewpoint here.

As a read, this was definitely engrossing. I was immediately sucked in by the odd behaviors of the family and the entertaining comments of the 'ghosts'. The characters are all real and dark. You love them and hate them, all at the same time. You despise their weaknesses and inhumanity while at the same time relishing their intricacies and strengths. Don't pick this up looking for a light summery read, however. This is a dark look at life, though grossly fun.

The only complaint I have about this book is that I would have loved to have seen a study guide questionnaire added to the back. This is perfect book club material. After reading, there is so much that you have going through your mind and you need to discuss it with others. You need others to bounce ideas off of in order to gain the full potential of the book. Not only are there the major points regarding familial bonds and power within the family, but there are subtexts throughout the entire book. I can't imagine how long it took Nancy to develop such a stimulating book while entwining so many life views and possibilities without coming across as preachy and boring. Well done!

End of Marking Time by C.J. West free e-book!

2011-01-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

C.J. West is giving away e-copies of his book End of Marking Time. I haven't read it yet, but I did read Sin & Vengeance and loved it! To request your FREE copy, contact C.J. Don't worry! He's a personable guy and a joy to know! When you contact him, be sure to let him know which format you'd like. The book is available in Kindle (mobi), Nook (epub), Sony (Irf), or computer (pdf).

Also, CJ wants readers to know about an indie book group starting up on January 17th. The first book they'll be discussing is Marking Time.

Contact CJ either here or here. To check out the indie book group, go here. Have a beautiful day, all!

January's Amazon Winner

2011-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Alright, I readily admit it! I'm still lagging behind! I will get caught up eventually though. Here we are 7 days into the new year already. I'm really not doing that badly considering I'm only 7 days behind in posting this. So...let's skip the rambling and move on to the important information, shall we?

As all my faithful readers know, each month I give away a $5 Amazon gift card. All you have to do to be entered is be a follower on Twitter, Networked Blogs, or Google Friends. No comments to leave. No contests or questions asked. The only hitch is that you have 48 hours to respond to my request for your e-mail address. This month's winner is Mary S. You can check out Mary's blog at Crazy Cat Lady. Mary's site is a wonderful selection of giveaways and reviews. I heartily suggest you check it out. Congrats, Mary!!!

Case Closed? by Susan Hughes (Illustrated by Michael Wandelmaier)

2011-01-06T06:18:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I fell in love with this short television series that took stories from the Bible and attempted to either prove or disprove that they actually happened. Most of you have either heard of or seen those shows where they take cold case police files and use today's technology to try to solve crimes. One of my friends is a huge Billy the Kid fan and talks incessantly of the need to use DNA testing to find out for sure who the real Billy was and where he's buried.

This book takes nine different well-known mysteries and uses today's technology to try to solve them. I loved it!!! I'm sure you all noticed that I mentioned the illustrator in the title and I don't normally do that. In this case it was a must. The illustrations are smart, sharp and add so much to the book. Each mystery gives you a fact sheet containing all the pertinent information originally tacked to the mystery. It also talks about the person(s) trying to solve the mystery and how they plan to go about it. It goes in depth (but not to the point of being boring) into the scientific methods being used that we have available today that weren't available at the time the mystery came into being. It then tells us the findings as well as other interesting tidbits that are tied into the mystery being focused on.

For me there were three that were really interesting. The first was finding out what actually happened to Princess Anastasia Romanov. I'm sure there are plenty of you out there that already know the findings since the mystery was solved a few years ago. I was not among you, but now I am! Now I know what happened to her! Another was finding out what happened to the Anasazi tribe! Thank you elementary school education for teaching me about them and thank you brain for remembering who they were all these years! The pictures that go along with this mystery are absolutely astounding and have me planning my next vacation to go to Colorado and see everything up close and personal. The third most interesting for me was a story about a Chinese man I'd never heard of. The interesting part of this mystery wasn't the mystery itself, but how they went about solving it. I'm not telling! You have to pick up the book!

When I first picked this up, I thought it was geared towards children, and I suppose in some ways it is but not exclusively. I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled with this book. I know several people who don't read, which I just don't comprehend. It's not that they aren't able to, they choose not to because they don't enjoy it. I put this book in front of one of them and said 'Hey! Check this out!' and the response I was greeted with was 'Cool!' I can't honestly state that they read every word of the book, but they were fascinated by the pictures and did read at least snippets of it. It's fascinating, factual, and colorful.

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

2011-01-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

It's obvious to Georgiana Darcy that the lovely Elizabeth Bennet is her brother's perfect match, but Darcy's pigheadedness and Elizabeth's wounded pride are going to keep them both from the loves of their lives.

Georgiana can't let that happen, so she readily agrees to help her not-at-all-snobbish cousin, Anne de Bourgh, do everything within their power to assure her beloved brother's happiness.

But the path of matchmaking never did run smooth....-taken from the back of the book

I have to admit I love the Austen trend that's been going around the past couple of years. It's so much fun to watch authors take beloved characters and just run with them. Sometimes they put them in odd situations and sometimes they just retell the tale in a new manner. I have to admit that a few of the Darcy books that I've read have been boring failures, but I'm happy to proclaim that this is not one of them!

I found the writing absolutely alluring. It's witty and full of character. I was sucked in from the very beginning and couldn't put the book down. I found all of the characters to be completely lovable, although in different forms. Some of the characters are absolutely vile and I found myself loving every time they entered onto the scene. Their impromptu remarks and actions kept me giggling throughout the book. The wit of the main characters kept me smiling in between the giggling. No, this book isn't primarily humor but what's the point of romance if you don't smile throughout it? Ah, the romance part! It's in there! You won't find all the lackadaisical sex scenes that today often pass for romance. What you'll find is sweetness and love.

There are a few misunderstandings throughout the book, but I love the way that they were dealt with. One of the formula's for romance novels states that there should be a misunderstanding and instead of thinking about what happened like normal, rational adults, a character (or more than one in some cases!) holds onto their incorrect and childish way of thinking until the end of the book when the truth clobbers them over the head. I detest that! If you're too stupid to ask if Joe had an affair with your best friend then you're too stupid to be in a book I'm reading! If you don't have the good sense to realize that just because Sheryl is hugging a man it doesn't mean she's sleeping with him, then I don't want to read about you! I want to read about smart characters that have a bit of morality and a good bit of intelligence. What I loved most about this book is that throughout the misunderstandings, characters are dealing with situations as I would. Well, as I'd like to think any mature adult would (Not that I'm mature, mind you!) Instead of assuming the worst and carrying it throughout the book, they take the time to think about the situation and act accordingly. This made for a much better read for me. Instead of spending the book wondering why paper was wasted on such a dimwitted human being, I was able to enjoy all of the nonsensical things that went wrong.

This book is crisp as a spring day. It's fresh and charming. Some of the characters are deliciously annoying while others will capture your heart. A wonderful sense of adventure and intrigue are found. I strongly suggest this book for you Darcy fans out there, but also for anyone else looking for a fun romance or just a jolly good time.

All Points North by Shelby R. Lee III

2011-01-06T06:00:00.001-08:00

Sometimes comical, always moving, and often starkly painful, the stories in this unique collection share one overriding similarity: an extraordinary ability to reveal the deep psychological complexities of the human experience. In All Points North, author Shelby Lee targets the unseen mental landscape that informs our daily lives. Here are 13 short stories that trace the roots of grief, anger, psychological torment and sorrow, and shine a much needed light on our seemingly unexplainable behavior and attitudes. -taken from the back of the book

Imagine you're in a waiting room. It could be at the doctor's office, the dentist's office, or waiting for whatever it is you're waiting for. You're sitting in one of those brittle and scratchy orange chairs that people used to covet in the 70's. The floor is covered in some type of scraped up linoleum and the walls have dull, peeling wallpaper. The only sound you hear is the ticking of a clock that's trapped upon the wall with a steel cage holding it tightly. The only other discernable thing about this room is that there are 13 other people in this room as well, all sitting in the same scratchy chairs and looking about the room for some form of entertainment while waiting. Some are old. Some are young. There are different genders and ethnicities. Every person in this room has a different background and a different outlook. You don't know any of these people, but what better way to spend your time than by getting to know them? As you go around the room, each person has something to share. Each has something pressing on their brain. It may be a memory they treasure or despise. It may be a story they heard that always makes them smile once the laughter has faded from it. It could be ranting about that nosy old neighbor that just won't die.

This book is a compilation of wonderful short stories, each in the tone and mannerisms of a different person with a different outlook and a different background. To me it was like sitting in the above-mentioned room and enjoying the time to listen to each person stand in the middle of the room and tell whatever tale they happened to have on their mind. The range of stories is random and incredible. Some stories I found rather similar, just as many of us have similar happenings in our lives. Some made me smile because it wasn't really a story, but rather like listening to a good friend vent.

The best thing about short stories is that they're short. You can read them in the bathroom or while waiting for the kids to be released from school. It doesn't matter. If you've got ten minutes, you can easily fit a story in. The best part about this compilation of short stories is that after you've filled all those ten to twenty minute gaps in and read all of the short stories, you can take the time to compile them together in your brain. Yes, these are all very different stories and in very different methods of storytelling, but at the end you find yourself putting them together to make a beautiful collage of human nature.

Sentimental Me by Charles L. Fields

2011-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Don't let this nostalgic title Sentimental Me fool you. This fast paced travel mystery is a true gem.

It takes Boston lawyer, Charles Stone to Agua Prieta, Mexico to see why a slain U.S. Border patrol Agent made a woman with known Drug Cartel connections the beneficiary of his $500,000 life insurance policy. Stone was ofen called in by the Franklin Life Insurance Company to investigate what they referred to as 'exotic cases.' He recently returned from an assignment in Ireland involving the Real IRA and a notorious international arms dealer. Exposing fraudulent activity almost cost him his life. needing a little R&R, he accepted the retainer and hoped the trip to Arizona and the Mexican border city would not be as dangerous, but nothing Franklin Life assigned him had ever been a 'piece of cake'. This investigative journey, rich in descriptive side events, introduces the reader to murder, drugs, arms smuggling and the powerful people who make it all happen. -taken from the back of the book

Well that certainly makes the book sound exciting, doesn't it?! I started off reading this book and it reminded me of the movie Funny Farm. Anyone who's seen the movie knows the scene where the wife is reading the husband's manuscript and she bursts into tears because there are so many flashbacks and flashforwards and possibly even a flashsideways. I'm sorry, Charles, but in the beginning I wanted to throw this book as far as I could instead of finishing it. It's not flashes that bother me, it's all the extraneous information. The first six chapters are really difficult to get through because there just isn't anything all that interesting going on and it feels like I'm constantly being sidetracked and forced to look at something I don't care about such as dentists and local trivia.

In chapter six things started to pick up and I finally found myself starting to enjoy the story. It was a little predictable in most spots and there were still a few areas where I found myself yelling out 'Get on with it!' but at least I was finally starting to enjoy it. Around chapter 20 I was finally hooked! This book may be a 'ride to Hell and back', but it sure took a long time to get to it! Things really started to fall in place in the ending parts of the book. It just felt like Charles finally got his flow going and the story was much more smooth and easy to stay interested in. Though it was still a bit predictable, at that point I didn't care. I was really enjoying the story by that point.

Though the book is really slow to begin, please don't let that put you off. After I finished the book, I definitely felt it was worth the wait for the story to really get going. In the end, it was worth slogging through the beginning. Also, I can't say this was a ride to Hell and back, but I can say it was a good mystery and an interesting adventure.

The sequel to this book, Canyons of the Soul, seems to be much more promising. In the next book we find Charles Stone again but this time he's up against a demonic prophet. Bring it on! Though I can't say I loved the first book and didn't have any issues with it, I'm really looking forward to Canyons. I hope that Charles will bring the easy flow to it that he found near the end of Sentimental Me.

The Reindeer Keeper by Barbara Briggs Ward

2011-01-05T19:24:00.000-08:00

As the title indicates, this book features a Christmas theme. I desperately wanted to review it before Christmas, but was unable to. I tried, I really did but I just couldn't. Everyone who knows me personally knows a few key facts about me. One of them is that I'm in love with Santa Claus and another is that I still believe in him. Scoff if you will, but you'll not get your stocking filled! One of the most important personal facts that my dear ones know is that I believe that the world should be filled with magic. No, I don't mean sawing ladies in half. I mean the kind that reap miracles and joy. The kind of magic that fills your soul with wonder and makes you believe that maybe, just maybe, life isn't as tough as it may seem sometimes. Now, I tell you those facts because it'll make you see how excited I was to get my hands on this book. Santa Claus, Christmas and magic...I'm there! What I hadn't counted on was just how.....well how deeply this book would affect me. For me personally, Christmas was tough this year. I wanted all the magic to be there, but having recently lost my father and being away from my family, I just couldn't fill those holes long enough to let the magic seep in. So, what this rambling paragraph is attempting to say is: I desperately wanted to read and review this book before Christmas but it tore at the wounds I was feeling so deeply that no words would come.

Now, please don't take that in the wrong manner. This is not a depressing and sad tale. It's glorious and uplifting and heartfelt and I'm deeply in love with it. In fact, It's going on my keeper shelf in a special section that I keep for the books that move me so much that I read them only once a year. Alright, enough of my rambling, time to get on with the review! This book just hit me really hard and even now, after weeks, I'm feeling it's power and I want to share that with all of you.

Through a series of events, Abbey and her husband inherit a century old farmhouse, complete with barn and animals. The only stipulation is that the animals stay. Right away, Abbey knows there's something special about this place. There's also something special about the odd little man that cares for the animals. With Abbey's cancer in remission, she's looking forward to her boys being home for Christmas at the new house. What Abbey doesn't realize is that this Christmas will be like no other.

This description of the book makes it sound so light and frothy. It's nothing like that. It's an in depth look at life and beliefs. It's a magical journey through a world filled with wonder. It's a vice that squeezes your heart until only the release of tears will ease it. It's a search through your own past to the very core of your childhood. This book will remind you of what you loved about Christmas as a child. It will make you an integral part of a family that you've never met before. It will immerse you in a land of sheer delight and tug you back into reality. It will ...enough of this. I honestly don't have the words required to describe this book. It hit me so hard and so deep on so many levels. It brought me the magic I was missing from Christmas. It brought me the release I desperately sought with my dad's passing. It reminded me that I do believe and I have no reason to stop. This book is a piece of the magic I so desperately long for and I truly hope that everyone I know will pick up a copy and read it. Don't expect just light Christmas tale, because that's not what this is.

I've spent nearly an entire page rambling about this book and I know I haven't adequately described it. I haven't even come close. To say I love it, would be inadequate. So, let me close out by saying just a few more short words. This is the book I always wanted to write, but so much better than I'd imagined it. Thank you, Barbara. I believe.

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome K. Jerome

2011-01-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

Several weeks (maybe months?) ago I reviewed a book and made mention of Idle Thoughts as one of my all time favorite books. It's the book that I read as a youngster that's really stuck with me throughout my life. I never owned my own copy, but after the first time I held this book in my hands and read the first page, I was in love. Now, I know that a lot of times we love things as children and then we grow up and have another gander at them and realize that with adult eyes and perceptions it just isn't the same. The original magic we were so fond of is lost. Well, I'm so excited to tell you all that one sweet person gave me a copy of Idle Thoughts for Christmas! After having looked at it through adult eyes, I'd really like to share it with you all.

The entire premise of this book is that Jerome is bored as can be and decides to write a book about...well...whatever idle thoughts enter his brain...hence the title. I remember as a kid reading it and thinking how brilliant it was that he was just randomly writing about subjects and what a great sense of humor he used when writing. For a book about nothing, it was definitely entertaining and touched me personally. As an adult, I feel exactly the same way. I do view it a bit differently though. It's more of a guide book for how to behave in certain situations. Of course this book is about a hundred years old and some of those situations don't apply to today, but you'll still get your head whacked for calling a newborn baby 'it' within earshot of the mother, so some do still apply. I still found the same dry humor and wit that originally drew me to this book. I didn't remember how well organized it is, but I was thankful to discover that it is. Each chapter is on a different thought.

I was really expecting for some of the original magic I remembered to be missing but as I held it lovingly in my hands, I knew immediately all the magic was still there. This book is a bit more difficult and expensive to find in comparison to many books, but it's definitely worth the search. At least for me. It's currently sitting in my top ten most loved book collection and I doubt it'll ever leave it's spot :)

HOLY CROW! I deeply apologize! Evidently it's not expensive or difficult to find at all! As I'm about to post a link to Amazon so that you guys can check it out, I find that it's been newly republished in 2010 and it's inexpensive! Amazon has several reviews so I strongly, strongly urge you guys to check this one out!

Together We Will Win by Karen A. McWhirt

2010-12-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

As a child, I used to get junk mail all the time. Having one of those ambidextrous names, you'd be amazed at the sort of mail I'd receive. I've always remembered quite clearly receiving mail that requested of me to have my testicles checked for cancer. At the time I was young and had no idea what either testicles or cancer were. The only reason I even remember this small bit of memory is that the look on my mom's face when she saw it went pure white and that was a rare occasion.

Until I read this book, that snippet of memory is all that I could tell you about testicular cancer. That was the extent of my knowledge. Sure, I've known people with cancer, but I couldn't tell you anything in depth about it. As for testicular cancer, well I only know of a friend of a friend. I can't say that I wasn't aware of it, but I certainly couldn't educate anyone.

'Together we will win' is the motto that was adopted by the author and her son during his battle with cancer. Ian contracted the disease in his teen years and sadly didn't survive far into adulthood. This book is his moving tale, told from Ian's perspective. A friend saw me reading this and scoffed a bit, stating that it just looked entirely too depressing to read. I admit that cancer isn't exactly a ride at the circus to read about, but I didn't find myself depressed and sad at all reading it. It was rather more like an educational tour with a few jokes along the way. Yes, it's terribly sad how much Ian suffered, but this book doesn't take us into that suffering for long. Ian doesn't focus on the pain, but rather on the love surrounding him.

Alright, I'm afraid I've gotten all rambly again. I'm blaming it on the cold weather and the snow freezing my poor little brain! In a nutshell, this book had me so engrossed that I felt as if I were an intimate friend of Ian's. I feel privileged that this wonderful family allowed me to be part of such an immense part of their lives. If you're looking for depressing and sad, this isn't it. This book is of love, hope, inspiration and education. Honestly I learned so much from this book. I found myself just the other day spouting off random cancer facts that somehow just clawed their way into my brain while I was engrossed in the book.

This book would be perfect for every young man out there to read. Sadly, the world doesn't work that way. None of them are going to pick up this book and read it just for the sake of reading. The ones that do read this book will be the ones that suspect that they themselves have cancer or know someone else who does. As a parent, I'm extremely glad that I've read it. I have two sons and the valuable information inside may one day help alert me if one of them is showing symptoms. In the meantime, I've enjoyed a touching story and I'm so thankful that both Ian and Karen have the strength to share Ian's story with the world.

A Rose for My Mother by Nancy Lee Canfield

2010-12-22T19:14:00.000-08:00

In this extraordinary true story, parapsychology expert Nancy Lee Canfield reveals how her early years shaped and prepared her for a lifetime of studying the paranormal. A Rose for My Mother chronicles Canfield's turbulent childhood in and out of foster homes and orphanages before the age of thirteen, her early marriage at seventeen, and her awakening to paranormal phenomena. A Rose for My Mother is an intriguing blend of memoir and the study of parapsychology. Taken from the back of the book

OK See what I've just copied from the back of the book? Read it, and then forget it! I'm not saying it's not all true, but...well it just doesn't fit as correctly as it probably should. Alright, alright! For me! It just doesn't fit as correctly as it probably should for me! I did get the paranormal parts of the story, although it wasn't as predominant as I thought it would be. Yes, I suppose you could say this is a memoir of sorts. I will, however, agree that this is an extraordinary true story.

Nancy starts out by letting us know that she obviously can't recall every single detail of what has occurred, so she's done some research to make it as true to life as possible. Yay! We all have memories from our childhood, but we all also have faulty memories that make us remember things being a specific way when, in reality, that was only our perspective of it. OK...marching on!

For me, there were two major points of interest regarding this book. The first is that I had such a sense of deja vu while reading and the second that I didn't find out the point of the title of the book until the end. Every so often, I would read an excerpt from Nancy's life and think to myself 'I've read this before...but where?' or 'That reminds me of something..but what?' Even now I still have that feeling of deja vu, as if I'd read this book before and remembered parts of it, but that's just not possible. Now, knowing that this book has a paranormal element to it, you may be asking yourself if I'm just saying that so that it'll seem to fit in better with the book. NOPE! If you've read any of my other reviews then you know I'm honest to a fault in my reviews, even if it comes across harshly sometimes. I'm honestly not sure why I had that feeling, but I've found it entertaining and enjoyed it. As for the title of the book, there's a key happening in the book. Well, that doesn't really help either...and I can't go into it without giving a spoiler. I'll explain it in a different manner. The title isn't really about a rose or Nancy's mother, at least not by my understanding. It symbolizes Nancy's realization that things are not always as they seem or how we remember them and that there's beauty even in the most dire of circumstances.

I strongly suggest this book for anyone who enjoys memoirs, drama, or just wants a fascinating read. If you're picking it up for the paranormal aspect, you'll find it, but if that's all you're looking for, you may be disappointed. There's so much more to this book that you'd have to cut away huge chunks of it to peel it back just to the paranormal parts.

After the Last PR by Dave Griffin

2010-12-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

PR stands for Personal Record. You may have already known that, but I sure didn't!

After the last PR is a book about the virtues of running. It's about the disciplines a runner develops and how those disciplines positively impact the runner's life. Taken from the back of the book

Basically this book is a short synopsis of Dave's life as a runner, from the very beginning to where he's at now. He's learned several life lessons from running and has passed those lessons on to his children. Dave takes an inspiration look at not only his own running career, but also at how running has changed the lives of others he's known.

The book is beautifully written. As a non-runner, I think I got something different out of it than a runner or prospective runner would. For me, it was more about watching a man find himself. I'm sure a runner would be more easily able to identify with everything that Dave's written. If you've been thinking about running as a hobby or lifestyle, I can't think of a better book to motivate you.

December/ January Book Choice

2010-12-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

I normally choose one book per month. There are more than enough awesome books released each month to pick a new favorite. Since I was such a slacker though, I really feel like I need to extend December's choice through the month of January as well. My apologies to all of those authors who have books being released next month, but you're out of the running for choice of the month!

Tempted by Fate is the third installment in Kate Perry's guardian series. Not only his this a wonderful series with kick ass female characters, Kate's just awesome. Over my reviewing career I've met several authors who just really impress me such as Desmond Evans and Pamela Grandstaff. Kate's another one of these authors who I just literally adore. She's just such a fun and amazing person! I can't get enough of her writing, but I also love reading her books because she's just awesome :)

If you haven't checked out the guardian series by Kate, I strongly suggest you do. It's action with a touch of paranormal, comedy and romance tossed in. That's not even to mention how inexpensively you can order them online! Enjoy!

Peas and Bananas: Outside with Lil Boo by Daddy Bookins

2010-12-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

Lil Boo is exploring outside! What fun! From eggplants to bats- off go my hats! OK, only one hat goes off, but this was just such a fun little rhyming book!

The pictures are bright and colorful. There is one sufficient paragraph on each page with a wonderful little rhyme at the bottom which leads to the next page. There are lots of fun little facts about several different items. Everything is covered from types of watermelon to spider facts.

My five year old grabbed this book and ran for dear life with it. I had a terrible time pulling it away from his grubby little hands long enough to review it. My only complaint with this book is the font. It's beautiful and flourishy, but makes it difficult for young readers like my son to make out the words and letters. My son was absolutely entranced with the book, however, and it worked wonderfully for me to read it to him.

Peas out, Daddy Bookins!

Schloss Valkuriz by Felicia N. Cheung

2010-12-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

A chance encounter with the handsome Lord Kessler leads iara to the magnificent castle of Schloss Valkuriz where she finds a new and exciting romance. Haunted by recurring dreams of past sorrows in which she relives the episode of her last encounter with her lover, Iara learns the truth behind a dark secret buried in the past. A secret protected by the immortal beauty of a sacred rose whose very essence is preserved by the faithfulness of a promise now forgotten. A promise which, if broken, would lead to horrifying consequences.... - Taken from the back of the book

I was really looking forward to reading this book. Sounds enticing, doesn't it? The front cover is awesomely done with the beautiful rose and lots of pretty blood. I can't say it was a 'bad' story. It wasn't even terrible, and I think I would have preferred if it were. At least with a terrible story I can find lots to say about it, even if it is all negative. This book just left me......well.....it left me. I enjoyed reading the book. It was subdued with a nice mysterious background. The characters were included in the story. There was a plot. It had a beginning, middle and end. Basically, I really hate saying it, but for me this book was mashed potatoes. They're decent to look at and they taste alright and they fill you up, but they're certainly no bacon mushroom burger. Though it was a decent read, it's forgettable....perhaps even bland. If you have nothing else to read, I definitely say go for it! I can't find one single thing wrong with this book that would keep me from suggesting it. Just, on the flip side, I can't find one single reason to suggest it.

I'm a Slacker!

2010-12-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

I didn't just capitalize slacker because it's the title of this post, but because I'm a slacker with a capital 'S'! OK, I haven't really been slacking, just not doing one job so that I'd have more time to focus on others, but sadly this was the job that has been let go for the past few weeks. Thankfully, I've finally caught up on Christmas demands (other than the prerequisite joy which will be going on for weeks yet) and I'm all settled into the house (except for painting the living room but that will wait until previously said joy has started to wane). Now it's time to crack down on reviews!

To start off, I still haven't drawn December's winner for the Amazon gift card! So...let's see what we have here.............Rick!

Check in soon to find out who January's winner is! Also, lots of reviews coming up soon! I've already done the reading and now it's time to tell you what I think!

Mush by Clay Morgan Wilson IV

2010-12-08T09:06:00.000-08:00

Seventy year old Clay Morgan and two of his sons are taking a three thousand mile, cross country road trip mostly down Route 66, to his third son's wedding.

Making a deal with their father, Dad will tell stories if they seek his favorite snack...microwave pigskins. He weaves a Christian based comic romance where a devoted Klansman and his daughter fall in love with people they shouldn't. There is a California town called Opportunity, where people are crazy about their pigs, a young pastor finds love for the first time, and lives are changed when God places a Ray Charles CD in the cafe juke box.

Through it all, Dad becomes a hero when he gives a heart-felt wedding toast to the newlywed couple and influences an in-law to stand up for himself. However, he creates unforgiving enemies by expressing a negative opinion at the rehearsal dinner. (Taken from the back of the book)

Ah, Clay Morgan, how I long to hear more! I think I enjoyed this road trip across the country more than the characters did. The story between Clay and his sons is sweet, but the 'chronicle' that Clay weaves is breathtaking. Everything is worded in such a manner that you just get sucked right in, but I found myself being disappointed every time I was pulled away from Opportunity.

I strongly suggest this book. It's a sweet and charming family story, but there's a real gem hidden inside. The town of Opportunity is truly a gem. I'm not sure what Clay has in mind for future, but I strongly suggest he write a book that is only about Opportunity and it's inhabitants. I'm just absolutely in love with it! We have murderers and lunatics and characters that are just so outlandish they have to be based on real people. I want more! Though this is an over all sweet read (Yes! I keep using the word 'sweet'! It just describes it perfectly!), I strongly suggest you pick it up just for the Opportunity factor. It's the best little made up town I've read since Mitford, and that's saying something!

Tranquillity Initiative by Joan Meijer

2010-12-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Tranquillity Initiative is a medical thriller in which President Charles Anderson-in order to put a stop to an endless war with Astrakhan, and to salvage his presidency and bid for reelection-authorizes the Tranquillity Initiative, the illegal use of anthrax weaponry.

Two of the bombs are stolen off of the Trabzon Base in Turkey. They are smuggled into New York by Micha Rodan's terrorist group. Seeking explosives for an IED, the terrorists open one of the weapons and find nothing but strips of tin foil. When they dump the foil and the invisible anthrax germs it accompanies outside a building off 42nd Street, the germs are swept into Times Square by a light evening breeze. As the disease unleashes its fury within the city and around the world, and with the terrorists always one step ahead of them, Doctor Cassandra Williams, an anthrax expert from the CDC, and Richland Powell, the junior senator from new York, race frantically to stop Rodan and his men before they properly deploy their second weapon and bring the city's death toll from hundreds to millions. (Taken from the back of the book)

As political/terrorist books go, I have to admit this was the most fascinating that I've read. In the beginning I found myself drifting off and having a little trouble staying in line with the context of the story. Basically, politics is dry to me and I was a little bored out of my skull. Soon, however, that changed. I began to get intimate glimpses into the lives of specific individuals and found myself anxious to find out what would be happening next.

The first big thing that hit me about this book is a specific talent that Joan has as a writer that I've rarely seen, and I've read A LOT of books. Throughout the book we're presented with several characters who have contracted the anthrax virus through one means or another. In a matter of a few short paragraphs, Joan was able to make me care about those characters. One character was presented on one mere page, but I loved her and cared about her as if she'd been a life long friend. I've been going over and over this in my mind and I still can't figure out how she did it. Even if this isn't a book you might be interested in, if you're a writer, you might consider picking up this book to learn a few hints on character creation. I'm stunned at the way that Joan has taken a mere glimpse at a person and made them someone I cared about.

Secondly, this is not the type of book that really affects you fully while you read it. Each individual story line does, don't get me wrong, but the over all tone and reflection of the book doesn't hit you right away. I found that once I reached the end, the entire story changed for me and I found myself clapping my hands with glee. It's a week later and still I'm churning this story in my brain and coming up with new thoughts that I'd missed before. Though during reading it can be dull and dry at times, the after effects of this book are what make me suggest it as a good, thoughtful read.

With Love; Now and Forever by RaeAnne Hadley

2010-11-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

From all outward appearances, Anastasia Cassadine has the perfect life; gorgeous looks, a very successful company and handsome men vying to be her companion. But outward appearances can be deceiving. Ana is still haunted by a dark secret from her past, one that involved her first love, Austin Troy.

Now, twelve years later, after finally gathering the courage to confront Austin, Ana is horrified to learn of his recent death. His widow, Jennifer, informs her that Ana is named in Austin's will and must come to england at once. Once there, Ana meets Rick Montgomer, a handsome medium that immediately puts Ana on her guard. Their mutual attraction however, is hard tod eny, and as Rick and Ana begin to get closer, dark forces are gathering to tear them apart.

Once more forced to relive the terror that forced her and Austin apart so many years before, Ana and Rick must join together to battle the darkness that will threaten everything they know. -taken from the back of the book

This was a fun read for me. Easy to pick up, difficult to put down. I have to admit that I found the heroin to be a pretty big twit who annoyed me, but it was easy enough to look past that. I can't say what it was about her that annoyed me without giving away spoilers, but I found myself reading and thinking, 'Really? Seriously? What's wrong with you???' Perhaps she's written that way on purpose, I'm not really sure. She's still lovable in spite of that one nasty character flaw, however. The rest of the cast of characters are equally fun and endearing, if at times a bit staged.

Basically, this was a romance with an attempt at horror/suspense thrown in. The reason I use the word 'attempt' is that it's sadly predictable. Still fun to read, don't get me wrong, but predictable. Those who enjoy Harlequin would definitely enjoy this meatier version.

Perform Like a Rock STar and Still Have Time for Lunch by Orna W. Drawas

2010-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

Take the guesswork out of success and focus on the actions that can make you a star. Filled with inspirational stories from successful executives, athletes, and ordinary people, Perform Like a Rock Star offers a clear road map for accomplishing impressive results that can move you forward faster than you ever thought possible. - taken from the back of the book

This book is definitely for the individual with their career in mind. I have mixed emotions and thoughts on this book. While reading it I felt rushed, as though the author was speaking to me and had a lot to say and minimal time to say it. Although, as a reader, I have all the time in the world to read this book, there was such a sense of urgency in the way it's written that I didn't feel like I could slow down and let everything sink in. On the other hand, the pop culture references, cartoons, inspirational stories and lyrics were well-worth being rushed.

The most useful part of this book is the second half. Most of the beginning of the book talks about being a star and finding your goals and other helpful tidbits. The second half goes a bit more in depth and gives you key information on taking care of pesky co-workers, formatting better e-mails and making meetings more productive. This book focuses on prioritizing, which should go without saying in the business world, but Orna shows ways to remove the clutter from your business life and make it easier to achieve those priorities. At the end of the book there's a section with discussions and activities. These are designed to help you personally make the most of your business life and become a 'rock star'.

Gar Fish and Long Gravy by Alexander Devereux

2010-11-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

Growing up poor in the small town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Alexander Devereux didn't have much. But there was no lack of remarkable personalities, each of whom left an indelible imprint on his life. Gar Fish & Long Gravy collects the stories, insight, tragedies, and uproarious wit of an unforgettable cast of characters. Meet Granmama Lia', who's hard-won wisdom on life, love-and mistresses-is dispensed to in her kitchen to her beloved grandson, sometimes over Johnny Walker Black. There's Ms. Peaches, who raises chickens in her ramshackle hut yet might be one of the richest people in town. Big Daddy is an imposing hulk, but his massive frame hides a vulnerable past and humiliating secret. Ms. Annie Laurie is a fabulously wealthy white woman who never had children of her own. But her love rains down on young Alexander. And that's just for starters. -taken from the back of the book

I've come to notice recently that most of the memoirs I read from the south have a definite hint of humor in them. I found myself grinning in several spots of this book. My favorite quote from this book is, 'If sense were common, everyone would have it.' It makes you smile and holds several grains of truth.

This book paints a picture of Devereux's life as a child, and it's not usually a pretty picture. There are so many hardships depicted that no one should ever have to live through, but each time it's taken care of with love and faith. Though not everyone in Devereux's life growing up was someone any of us would want to be around, the others more than made up for it with their depth of love and wisdom and sharing. I can't agree with all of the wisdom shared with him as a child, but I was still entertained while disagreeing.

For me, the best part of this book is the actual dialogue. The rest of the book is interesting and ads, but the dialogue is where the real meat of the story lies. It gives us insight into the characters and their beliefs as well as the truths that hide behind each person.

Though parts of this book are heart-wrenching, I strongly suggest it for you memoir readers. Also, for those of you handy with a baseball bat, let me know how the gar fishing goes :)

Kosher by Design: Teens and 20-Somethings by Susie Fishbein

2010-11-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

This cookbook is NOT just for those who are Jewish! Every recipe in here is kosher, but you'll find several American-style recipes in here too.

Also, this book is not just for 20-somethings. The recipes are designed for those with minimal kitchen space and utensils, but they're honestly good for anyone to use. Not only that, but they look absolutely divine!

Most of the recipes you'll find in here are just a step up from basic cooking. They're enticing, but not so difficult that you can't achieve them.

My personal favorite section of this book is a chapter on parties. It's full of party theme ideas!

The pictures in this book are stunning. The recipes are clear and concise. Everything has been well-collected and well-placed. Of all the cookbooks I own, I have to admit that this is my favorite and will be used often. I want to try every single recipe in this book!

Simple Times Crafts for Poor People by Amy Sedaris

2010-11-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

Most of you have probably heard of Amy Sedaris, but you've never seen her this way before. She spent years as Jerri in Strangers With Candy and often collaborates with her older brother, David. Though I've seen Amy's humorous side before, this was a whole new light that I just can't wait to share with you!

Whether you're a serious crafter or just want a good chuckle, this is the book for you. Amy covers crafting for everyone from those high on hallucinogens to shut-ins. Need to make a gift for the nudist in your life? Amy has it covered! How about that poor little poisoned mouse that's not quite dead yet? Make him a mouse ghetto for his final hours! Though most of the crafts I found to be rather jokish, there were a few that I found myself saying 'What a great idea!' to. There are definitely some useful tips and information in here among all the giggles. I do have to warn you about the chapter on safety though. Although I'm sure it's packed full of humor and useful information, I couldn't bring myself to read it. The pictures were just a bit too graphic for my own tastes.

Whether wanting a new style for your love patch, a new recipe, or crafting for Jesus, this book has everything. A friend and I spent hours going through it and we both found something entertaining on each page. Amy's brand of humor lends a whole new light to crafting.

Painkiller Ghosts by J. Marc Harding

2010-11-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

After his girlfriend's death, 30 something year old Thymothy X Exler moves back home with his mother, Suzanne, to get stability, and then changes his name to Thyme. While out walking, Thyme witnesses a tragedy that changes the direction of his life. meanwhile, Suzanne is stalked and threatened by a man she dated briefly and Thyme takes matters into his own hands, with kitchen utensils. Soon, the man begins appearing in the lives of Thyme's friends with disturbing consequences. Thyme begins to hear the jingle of his dog's collar occasionally, but his dog died years ago. And then Chastity disrupts things even more. - taken from the back of the book

I had a great time reading this book! The suspense kept me intrigued and the storyline kept me engrossed. The characters are interesting in that they aren't like anyone I've ever known. There's still a sense of realism, but they're behavior borders on the outlandish. I'm sure there really are people like these in the world somewhere, just not in my own personal reality.

What really hit me the most about this book is Harding's way of writing. It's nearly poetic. In the beginning it's more noticeable than later on in the book, but it's still there for those that are looking for it. The way the words are strung together is beautiful and haunting in the beginning. Later, as it becomes more natural, the tone of the poetry of his writing alters to match the mood of the book. Though the story was entertaining, it was Harding's flair with words that kept me from putting the book down.

A First Christmas; Friends and Festivity by Sean Noonan

2010-11-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Join Elannah and Sam as the half sleep takes them to their secret Tree-House in the Jungle..where they meet in their dreams.

Once again they're off to see their friend Rodger the Badger and onto another everlasting and fantastical adventure.

This time it's about a First Christmas Party.

From finding the perfect Christmas Tree, the Best of Decorations the excitement just keeps building as as for the lights...! Well these lights will be like no lights ever seen on a Christmas Tree before! But what will the Bridge Troll make of the party and what present will be the most unexpected of them all? -taken from the back of the book

Being a Christmas fiend, I had a great time reading this children's book. It's full of adventure and magic. Not just Christmas magic, but the wizard kind as well.

This book is geared towards children ages 6 and up. It's a little difficult for some younger readers, but I visualize this more as a night time read where the parent/guardian reads the book to the child. The story is bright and fun and should keep children on the edge of their bed, all snuggled in and wondering what will happen next. This would definitely be a great addition to your Christmas reading collection and a joy to share with your child.

I'd also like to extend a special thanks to Elannah for autographing my book for me. Elannah drew all of the illustrations for the book. Some of the illustrations are intricate, but all of them made me smile :)

Boost by Linda Edgecombe

2010-11-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

First, I want to state that I haven't read this book, although I plan to. Linda is a Canadian author/motivational speaker. Her first book, Shift...Or Get Off The Pot, is a motivational book that deals with changing your perspective on life in a humorous manner. Boost is geared more towards enjoying life. Whether at work or home, every day has it's own special challenges. Linda gives practical, fun advice about how to 'whistle while you work' and make those challenges a little less challenging. I can't say I strongly suggest you pick this book up since I haven't read it yet, but I can say that it looks like a pretty good read, even if you're already taking a spoonful of sugar with your medicine.

November's $5 Amazon Winner!

2010-11-02T19:08:00.001-07:00

Congrats to Julie of Knitting and Sundries! You've just won a $5 Amazon gift card to spend as you see fit!

November

2010-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's November already and I have no idea how that happened! This year is seriously just flying by! I know I normally put up the 'Pick of the Month' and draw the $5 Amazon winner on the first of the month, but I'm switching it up this month. I'll be using tomorrow as a catch up day, so I'll get everything caught up then. (Hopefully!) On the bright side, this gives you guys an extra 24 hours to scare up some extra entries into the giveaway! See you all tomorrow!

Legend Destiny by Nance Bulow-Morgan

2010-10-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

A dark overlord is ruining the city of Mareese. It's peoples are being oppressed and and controlled. The people believe there is no hope until a young girl, Diony, is believed to be a part of a prophecy. She finds she has extraordinary powers and takes it upon herself to fulfill her destiny and free her people.

It feels really strange that I just took such a deep read and condensed it into one mere, short paragraph! I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about this book. I've read fantasy off and on but they always seem to have that 'fantasy fog' over them. You read the book and you know what's happening, but it's more like watching it on tv than actually being there in person. This is the first fantasy book I've read with no 'fantasy fog'! Way to go, Nance! This is a fantasy book for those of us who like to be really involved in our books! I was sucked right in at the beginning and couldn't get out until I'd completely finished. There are a few graphic scenes, so if you're faint-hearted, take that into consideration. Personally, I loved them! If it's not your thing, it's easy enough to skip over them without missing too much of the story. The book does open up with a rape scene though, so be prepared.

This is a definite must read for you fantasy lovers! This is definitely more realistic fantasy than most of the fantasy that I've read. Those of you who aren't into fantasy, can read this as a strong adventure book.

Do Witches Make Fishes? by Jason Mayo

2010-10-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

A young boy doesn't want to eat his mother's healthy meals. He wants to eat sticky sweet candy! Who can blame him, right? After a particularly trying day of arguing about food versus sweets, a witch appears! Will the boy be able to save himself?!

I love this book! I knew from the title that it had the potential to be great. The illustrations (Thanks, Justin Wolfson!) are incredibly fun! They're bright and colorful and captivating. There aren't too many words per page, so younger readers could easily pick this up. Since it's a rhyming book, it's more fun to read. The story is exciting but not too scary.

I strongly suggest this book for children...especially right now with Halloween right around the corner. It's a fun little book with a strong message about eating healthy.

All proceeds from sales of this book will go to The Garden of Dreams Foundation. I only wish I could afford enough of these books to pass them out on Halloween!