tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35515563380320023362024-03-05T00:46:03.080-06:00Bookmarks of My LifeBooks I'm reading...Thoughts I'm thinkingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-91412892268627414632016-02-21T14:40:00.001-06:002016-02-21T14:40:59.406-06:00The Ending...And a New Beginning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I am shutting down this blog
(Bookmarks of My Life) and transitioning to a new space at <a href="http://mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I originally started this
blog to track reading through my bookshelves after I watched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Julie & Julia </i>and was inspired to
read and blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As any of you (five –
thanks for being faithful!) followers can see, I didn’t do real great with the
bookshelf part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ooops!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are just so many great books out
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My “To Read” list grows far
faster than my “Read.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Anyway, so partly due to that
and partly due to my life changing, I feel like it’s time for my blog to change
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of that is getting an
easier URL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not wise in putting all
those hyphens in this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Mommy Reads Books is leaning
more towards where I want my blogging to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t in any way imagine myself some inspirational or entertaining
Mommy Blogger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do want to start
incorporating more of my everyday life and rambling thoughts into my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while there will still be book reviews,
there will be more personal posts as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I hope you’ll join me over at
my new blog (although right now the only thing there are the posts I
transferred from here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal at this
point is to post *something* once a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Feel free to post comments on things you'd like me to ramble about.</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-60573018671664518632015-11-18T21:39:00.002-06:002015-11-18T21:39:53.446-06:00The Wedding Chapel - Rachel Hauck<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K9QUsdi4ewYunyv38SOGAfoIm7Pbe9reblFEKSYUXmyncPxGr_Wv8UvtxyuWoyDqqyyCPvNaRosA1ZGqQKRJpdYIyaGLZ-mRNBqxRIUFjVouew66nDN6UVJxU9xb_yuJccv1CoMoHQY/s1600/Wedding+Chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K9QUsdi4ewYunyv38SOGAfoIm7Pbe9reblFEKSYUXmyncPxGr_Wv8UvtxyuWoyDqqyyCPvNaRosA1ZGqQKRJpdYIyaGLZ-mRNBqxRIUFjVouew66nDN6UVJxU9xb_yuJccv1CoMoHQY/s320/Wedding+Chapel.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title: <i>The
Wedding Chapel</i> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author: Rachel Hauck<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Zondervan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Market: Christian <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre: Christian Fiction; Christian
Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length: 384 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pub.
Date: November 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">An
old, forgotten chapel holds the key to love and forgiveness.<br />
<br />
Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy Westbrook never imagined anything
would come of his labor of love—building a wedding chapel for Collette Greer,
the woman he fell in love with in 1949. But now a realtor wants the land the
chapel sits on, and he sees no reason to hang onto the past.<br />
<br />
Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York.
Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind
her, including her family’s string of failed marriages. When she falls
head-over-heels for Jack Gillingham, a top ad man, their whirlwind romance and
elopement leave her with doubts. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor,
can never seem to find the right way to show her he really cares.<br />
<br />
When a post-mortem letter from Taylor’s Granny Peg shows up, along with an old
photo, she is driven to uncover family secrets and the secret to her own
happiness, starting with an assignment to photograph an unknown, obscure
wedding chapel back in Heart’s Bend.<br />
<br />
Taylor begins a mission to convince Jimmy that the chapel is worth saving—and
that forgiveness and healing might happen within the chapel’s walls . . . for
both of them.</span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
requested this book because I have read and enjoyed several of the author’s
books previously. So when I saw she was
releasing a new one, I started stalking NetGalley until it was available. I went into the reading expecting a sweet
romance on the lighter side. While that’s
not what I received, I wasn’t disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
book has more depth and tackles weightier topics than the others I had read by
Hauck. The narrative travels back and
forth between present day and the generation past. Telling the stories of newlyweds, lost love,
family dysfunction, and lies alongside first love, hope, and redemption. The romance was realistically handled in all
relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
characters were decently developed.
Their actions were a bit more predictable than I like, but I did still
feel like I could connect with them and understand their motivations. The narrative is told from multiple points of
view. So it was a very well-rounded
tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was confused at the start of the book and was sometimes startled out of the
story by a switch in time and point of view.
However, once I got into it the pacing was great; I had no issues following
the flow. There was a lot of conflict in
this book – both internally and between the characters. The conflict and the processing of it is what
moved the story along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were several grammatical errors and issues.
Those grated on my nerves.
However, I’m hoping and assuming they were fixed between the Advanced
Reader Copy and the final book printing.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
other slight gripe was the heavy spiritual content towards the end of the
book. The God content and spirituality
was there throughout. But more as
another character and in an incorporated way for most of the book. However, towards the end it got a bit
preachy. Which, I realize that sometimes
in our lives we just need to hear the Word clear and straight. So it’s only a minor complaint that it didn’t
all stay smoothly integrated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">While
I don’t think there is any graphic content, there are some trigger topics for
sensitive readers: premarital sex and
infidelity being two of the larger ones.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think this book appeals to women who like books about complicated relationships
but still enjoy a happy ending. I
certainly enjoyed the reading of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">***This
review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interweaving of
various stories past and present<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interesting
characters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dealt with
delicate topics in an appropriate way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Predictable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Spiritually heavy
handed towards the end<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wanted more from
the ending<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">: 3.5 out of 5 (Good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-38760788219728868822015-11-18T20:45:00.001-06:002015-11-18T20:45:09.487-06:00Goodnight, Ark - Laura Sassi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nL08Xw53Oq-RZPyAufUSWsZobrwtTM3PbIU2MH7UaXwpW-PhS9ATIdRoyV-Zh7RwXTc4-GivQLzU-GOoX8WxTDMXB-35pNAKgUqnwc-8gQBTqwwpVnJ2v-sXJMYmbLQONa6ZMAmpD4Y/s1600/Goodnight+Ark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nL08Xw53Oq-RZPyAufUSWsZobrwtTM3PbIU2MH7UaXwpW-PhS9ATIdRoyV-Zh7RwXTc4-GivQLzU-GOoX8WxTDMXB-35pNAKgUqnwc-8gQBTqwwpVnJ2v-sXJMYmbLQONa6ZMAmpD4Y/s1600/Goodnight+Ark.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary from Goodreads:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17395647662442541229"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The padded board book edition of <em>Goodnight, Ark</em> tells the story of Noah and the animals as they try to sleep through the storm that is raging outside. But when the storm gets louder boars, quails, elephants, snakes and a few other furry friends join Noah in bed, creating quite the commotion! Author Laura Sassi brings a new dimension to one of the Bible’s most popular stories, giving a delightful glimpse into the emotional bond between Noah and the animals in his care. With sleek, buoyant verse and eye-catching illustrations by <em>New York Times </em>bestselling illustrator Jane Chapman, this read-aloud bedtime tale is sure to become a favorite of children and parents alike.</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ran across this book in the book section of Sam's. After flipping through it briefly (while trying to keep Little Boy from grabbing all the books within reach), I decided to see if our library had it. I like to check out books from there before I make the commitment to buy. </span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is definitely buy worthy. Such a cute story. Little Boy has requested it at nap and bedtime for the last three days. The prose has a nice rolling, rhyming rhythm. It is easy and fun to read with all the animal noises. While he doesn't get the funny surprise towards the end, I chuckle each time.</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the illustrations by Jane Chapman - amazing! They add to the fun and feel of the book as a whole. Sometime we just flip through and look at the pictures, naming the animals while I admire the artistry. </span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a little one, I highly recommend this read.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-80004745164171935292015-11-18T20:38:00.001-06:002015-11-18T20:38:39.488-06:00Swift Summaries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SXGiPLliKdcC_P4x4j36ryLJ-N1DNgCSZpSonnXA-GjmsCl7ONGas8AweI78l3KrD2P9uYs8d7xhpJI5oiaMY69J5jkBglGhvZdk0YCx3XE-o-MRj_1x5yEzOD374M8sfgw5MYkAf9s/s1600/This+Is+What+Happy+Looks+LIke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SXGiPLliKdcC_P4x4j36ryLJ-N1DNgCSZpSonnXA-GjmsCl7ONGas8AweI78l3KrD2P9uYs8d7xhpJI5oiaMY69J5jkBglGhvZdk0YCx3XE-o-MRj_1x5yEzOD374M8sfgw5MYkAf9s/s200/This+Is+What+Happy+Looks+LIke.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">This Is What Happy Looks
Like <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Jennifer E. Smith YA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Synopsis from Goodreads:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">When
teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie
O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a
witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun,
except for their names or backgrounds. <br />
<br />
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for
his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to
in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with
an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's
spotlight at all costs?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">THIS! This is what YA romance should be like. No sex.
No grit. Not chock full of foul
language (Actually, there was none). Instead, a sweet, fun story of first
loves. I couldn’t help but like Ellie
and Graham from their first email exchange.
They are funny and sarcastic and just cute. I enjoyed the story that developed and was
excited to know there was a novella sequel.
Which I promptly read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1xXzBwpyjwHXqCedSqm1-w6g8uVorLwCIv-ABUKYUCT0DauPBiNkFX0l1QOEP2aU_JeCOYU5MxiCgT3ihrQxWyrcOxbM_B7nvFGC7Lue1XMg1Y6DOd0aavhH-GqBCnwysMToC0nZe0Q/s1600/Happy+Again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1xXzBwpyjwHXqCedSqm1-w6g8uVorLwCIv-ABUKYUCT0DauPBiNkFX0l1QOEP2aU_JeCOYU5MxiCgT3ihrQxWyrcOxbM_B7nvFGC7Lue1XMg1Y6DOd0aavhH-GqBCnwysMToC0nZe0Q/s200/Happy+Again.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Happy Again </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">(This
Is What Happy Looks Like #1.5)<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Jennifer E. Smith YA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Synopsis from Goodreads:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ellie
O'Neill and Graham Larkin fell hard for each other when a misspelled email
address unexpectedly brought them together. Now, over a year has passed since
they said goodbye with the promise to stay in touch, and their daily emails
have dwindled to nothing. Ellie is a freshman in college and has told herself
to move on, and Graham has kept himself busy starring in more movies, as well
as a few tabloid columns. But fate brought these two together once before—and
it isn't done with them yet.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">While I
didn’t love this one as much as the original, I did feel there was better character
development. I liked checking in on
Ellie and Graham while I felt the reconnection scenario was a bit
far-fetched. A fun follow-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguedlUf0DFHVp556y0-hmLXW01YJ2h8s-FCxD1guYFmF_WSF5I71_U5mOM_CRS8DaHBylhnE99fLCYC11buBm7qQAjUwCyJTIO7nFLCc-Gex1CNf6Y3fBSEUl78RRFgIkMYGniiW0fZGE/s1600/Between+the+World+%2526+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguedlUf0DFHVp556y0-hmLXW01YJ2h8s-FCxD1guYFmF_WSF5I71_U5mOM_CRS8DaHBylhnE99fLCYC11buBm7qQAjUwCyJTIO7nFLCc-Gex1CNf6Y3fBSEUl78RRFgIkMYGniiW0fZGE/s200/Between+the+World+%2526+Me.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Between the World and Me<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Ta-Nehisi Coates Non-Fiction; Social Commentary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Synopsis from Goodreads:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">In
a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history
and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi
Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history
and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race,” a
falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black
women and men—bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today,
threatened, locked up, and murdered out of all proportion. What is it like to
inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all
honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its
burden? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Between the World and Me</span></em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempt to
answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I’m going
to be honest. I didn’t make it far in
this book. Not because it wasn’t
interesting or because I didn’t desire to read it. The reason is simple: I have two little ones who aren’t affording
me much sleep these days. My brain is
fried. And this is definitely a book you
need your brain sharp and engaged for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">So I gave
it a shot. And now it’s back on my To
Read List. My hope is that I can try it
again in the new year. I think it’s relevant
and important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn9HpU-ryJiG_zin712qSJJdcjLwJ2PeVM4INvRVS_q7U6AHagn1HDo01_V5SqR8VEJQd-RDEUIgvtj1wHfOEbN6OwY7roQP9dO5pn2BdsRrl7v192-hboZN3nPz-sEU-oaN6lkzkI2M/s1600/Help+Thanks+Wow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn9HpU-ryJiG_zin712qSJJdcjLwJ2PeVM4INvRVS_q7U6AHagn1HDo01_V5SqR8VEJQd-RDEUIgvtj1wHfOEbN6OwY7roQP9dO5pn2BdsRrl7v192-hboZN3nPz-sEU-oaN6lkzkI2M/s200/Help+Thanks+Wow.jpg" width="111" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Help, Thanks, Wow<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Anne Lamott Non-Fiction;
Self-Help; Spirituality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Synopsis from Goodreads:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">New
York Times-bestselling author Anne Lamott writes about the three simple prayers
essential to coming through tough times, difficult days and the hardships of
daily life.<br />
It is these three prayers – asking for assistance from a higher power,
appreciating what we have that is good, and feeling awe at the world around us
– that can get us through the day and can show us the way forward. In Help,
Thanks, Wow, Lamott recounts how she came to these insights, explains what they
mean to her and how they have helped, and explores how others have embraced
these same ideas.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Completely
irreverent with some good nuggets tucked in.
I think I would have enjoyed this book infinitely more had I read it as
opposed to reading it. The author reads
on the audio, and I found her voice rather grating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do like
the overarching theme that the only prayers we need are “Help!,” “Thanks!,” and
“Wow.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God, I
need help with something.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be it a health
issue or a job issue; relational or world encompassing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks, God!</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For all of those things that we should be
appreciative of in our lives as well as His grace and forgiveness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then “Wow!”</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those moments when we are bowled over by
the majesty He has created and sustained.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good foundation for your
personal communion with God.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-80672212551647657362015-11-07T21:23:00.001-06:002015-11-07T21:23:02.759-06:00The Fruitcake Murders - Ace Collins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2A_86JVZLMF9d0jHeJNnwen-1NeAlvoqjs5zoN-XEP9V1YNzBlwYU_4hy0kAdM58NYzU5l_3RuXvwCrVUX-QzBUfpmEvFspf8lR0AvMUItNc8a0FZ7C53hupU3uHYqq46KkhwHz7Aw/s1600/Fruitcake+Murders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2A_86JVZLMF9d0jHeJNnwen-1NeAlvoqjs5zoN-XEP9V1YNzBlwYU_4hy0kAdM58NYzU5l_3RuXvwCrVUX-QzBUfpmEvFspf8lR0AvMUItNc8a0FZ7C53hupU3uHYqq46KkhwHz7Aw/s320/Fruitcake+Murders.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title: <i>The Fruitcake Murders<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author: Ace Collins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher: Abingdon Press<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Market: General<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre: Fiction, Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length: 320 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pub.
Date: October 6, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As
Christmas 1946 draws near, thirty-something marine officer-turned-homicide
detective Lane Walker has his hands full. Three men with seemingly no
relationship to each other have been murdered, including the powerful District
Attorney. The only connection between the crimes? The weapons: twenty-year-old
unopened fruitcake tins manufactured by a company that is no longer in
business.<br />
<br />
While some foods may be to die for, fruitcake isn't one of them! This heaping
helping of murder will be no easy task for Walker, and he certainly doesn't
need the determined and feisty Betsy Clayton, the political reporter for The
Chicago Herald, getting in the way.<br />
<br />
Employing witty dialogue and historical accuracy, <i>The Fruitcake Murders</i> offers equal parts murder, mystery, and mayhem
in a perplexing whodunit set in the days just after World War II.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
picked this book as I was in the mood for a good mystery. And, hello, the author’s name is “Ace
Collins;” how cool is that? Unfortunately,
I was somewhat disappointed in the actuality of the novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
first turn-off was all of the issues with the text. Several of the time stamps were off or out of
order or didn’t jive with the content of that section. There were many contradictions and
inconsistency as well as poor grammar, misplaced words and missing quotation
marks. As a former English teacher (as
well as having a penchant for details), all of those things strongly affect my
overall reading experience even if the story itself is exceptional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
just the whole tone of the book was a bit over the top for me. I think the author was going for a “classic
Dick Tracy movie” type feel with the swapping between first and last name
usage, trying on the 1940’s vernacular, etc.
But it just didn’t work. And the
continued reference to how good looking, gorgeous, and handsome everyone was
drove me a bit batty. Even with some of
the content and the date/time tags, it was hard to remember the historical
setting of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That
being said, I think the mystery itself has good bones. While I was pretty certain “whodunit” by the
end, I was waffling between a few different possibilities for most of the
book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
characters were definitely very character-y.
They were entertaining but hard to get attached to. And the love triangle was flat
ridiculous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
start of the story had me fairly lost.
However, I think that’s pretty typical of mystery books. That’s what
helps make them mysterious. So I was
okay with it. Especially as the book
kept me guessing through most of it. I
changed my thoughts on the murderer a couple of times throughout the course of
reading. That always makes it more
enjoyable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
don’t recall any spiritual or supernatural elements. If they were there, I missed them. As far as questionable content, there are
murders. But I think any reader would
expect that from the title. I really can’t
think of any particular triggers this book might contain for a more sensitive or
conservative reader. Even the descriptions
of the murder scenes were pretty tame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Readers
who enjoy easy to read mysteries would like this story as well. There were actually a few different mysteries
to be solved throughout. However, I don’t
know that I’ll be rushing out to buy the next thing Ace Collins writes. Maybe, though. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">***This
review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto and my Goodreads account.***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Good mystery
elements<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kept me guessing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Easy to read <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grammatical errors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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and contradictions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Annoying character
interactions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:
2.5 out of 5 (I feel like it was poor from a grammatical
and consistency standpoint. But as the
mystery itself was good, I’ll give it a 2.5 for average)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-23121346463405169242015-11-07T20:44:00.005-06:002015-11-07T20:44:59.242-06:00Quick Lit Reviews - October<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4D-dezWjGvDr2HPWYJ0HTNR2l0a0t0IeN36SnVNVIA-XTwn_N5ypqVKhWU-ijUFkNEI-YAx5JagVtbeJ3O8a4QHOpwlCqbJD1Z8zFgnxD88_e-2B8We9BLnHat4Nuf2EFhw2us-jrtU/s1600/51pKWDMafGL._SX323_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4D-dezWjGvDr2HPWYJ0HTNR2l0a0t0IeN36SnVNVIA-XTwn_N5ypqVKhWU-ijUFkNEI-YAx5JagVtbeJ3O8a4QHOpwlCqbJD1Z8zFgnxD88_e-2B8We9BLnHat4Nuf2EFhw2us-jrtU/s200/51pKWDMafGL._SX323_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="130" /></a><i>I’m Not Leaving </i>by Carl Wilkens</div>
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This was our book club book for October. Yes, an odd pick for a book club. However, one of our members saw him when he
came to speak at her school. When she
shared a bit of what he had to say with us (and as we’ve read many a book
dealing with the Holocaust genocide), several of us were interested in reading
his book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And the verdict was it was interesting. It was confusing at
times to keep different names and distinctions straight. Also mind-boggling was to realize this
genocide happened in such a short time frame.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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It made for interesting discussion on what we would each do
in a similar situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3 out of 5 (liked it)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgXWTV6x9C6RS2_2Y8KhYt04jIRzyMGIIj043bMPkdl73n1AQYYLB5i-dwgmmhXufFfvtGo3sIc59Je5GZUxCLpkvSx0OTH_HlKKiLAKLGQo_3r2q_RIJKLBmfvX6B-oH4NrCjTY0Zik/s1600/Light+Between+Oceans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgXWTV6x9C6RS2_2Y8KhYt04jIRzyMGIIj043bMPkdl73n1AQYYLB5i-dwgmmhXufFfvtGo3sIc59Je5GZUxCLpkvSx0OTH_HlKKiLAKLGQo_3r2q_RIJKLBmfvX6B-oH4NrCjTY0Zik/s200/Light+Between+Oceans.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<i>The Light Between the Oceans </i>by M.L.
Stedman<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been hearing about this book from different sources
for at least three years. While I’m thrilled to have finally read it, I’m
bummed that we never chose it as a book club book. Such good fodder for discussion between its
pages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The prologue gripped me right away. Then I was a bit bogged down with the
character building in the first several chapters. Then the story got rolling again, and I was
completely engrossed until the end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the story of Tom and Isabel and the baby who washed
up under their lighthouse. What a tale
it was. Some parts I saw coming. But I expected something completely from the
end than what Stedman delivered. I’m okay
with that (Again, would be a great discussion.). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Definitely a recommended read. My only caution would be the strong trigger
topics of miscarriage and child loss. <o:p></o:p></div>
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4 out of 5 (loved it)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Bringing in Finn: An Extraordinary Surrogacy Story </i>by Sarah
Connell<o:p></o:p></div>
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Definitely extraordinary.
While I did not love the writing style and some of the spirituality was
a bit out there for me, it was definitely an interesting read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As someone who dealt with infertility, the stories of others
who have walked through the same always intrigue me. Although we never got to the point of IVF or
surrogacy. The idea of a grandmother
carrying and delivering her grandchild is amazing to me. It is awe-inspiring all the crazy things our
bodies are capable of. <o:p></o:p></div>
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2 out of 5 (just okay)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The Fruitcake Murders </i>by
Ace Collins<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Stay tuned for a post with a full review I wrote for The
Christian Manifesto (thechristianmanifesto.com).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Far from the Madding
Crowd </i>by Thomas Hardy<o:p></o:p></div>
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I started this. The
introduction bogged me down, and I gave it up in the first chapter. I’ll try it again later when my infant and
toddler aren’t limiting my sleep to a handful of hours, if that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Toilet Training in
Less than a Day </i>by Nathan H. Azrin and Richard M. Foxx<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have a 26 month old.
I want him to be potty trained so I’ll just have one in diapers instead
of two. This book came highly
recommended from a mother of three boys.
It was a quick read for certain. The process is nicely detailed out. </div>
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However, I don’t think little boy is ready
quite yet. We need to work on the
obeying directions and knowing before he starts going parts. Maybe after the new year when he’s closer to
2.5. And I’ll visit this book again too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll decide how many stars out of 5 after I put it to the
test. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-3093319440526602852015-10-08T21:23:00.000-05:002015-10-08T21:23:09.865-05:00Mistress of Tall Acre - Laura Frantz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24933985-the-mistress-of-tall-acre" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Mistress of Tall Acre" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425340627l/24933985.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mistress of Tall Acre</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Laura Frantz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Revel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Romance; Historical Fiction</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>400 pages</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>September 8, 2015</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Description (from Amazon):</span></u></b></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is
starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy,
finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come.
But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a
mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress
of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from
the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling
family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who
will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?<br />
<br />
Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--readers find it all in the rich
pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.
Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her
emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both
old and new.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Review:</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review. </span><br />
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
chose this book based on both its cover and the description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a fan of historical fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy learning about times past cushioned
in a good tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did go into the book
expecting a bit of a mystery to be solved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since that wasn’t the case, I was a bit disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the writing was engaging and I
enjoyed the story overall.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
book had great descriptions and period information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really believe that the author, Laura
Frantz, did her research and immersed herself the in the revolutionary time
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I found the dialogue –
especially between Sophie and Seamus – to be stilted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even Lily Cate, the general’s young
daughter, seemed overly precocious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
flow of the story was choppy in a lot of places.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
the dialogue issues, I did find myself rooting for Sophie & Seamus to work
out their issues and find happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While there wasn’t a lot of character growth in an outward way, a lot of
it was implied internally.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
romance was both sweet and chastely written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The spiritual elements were well-integrated into the characters and the
story overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
only potentially questionable content would involve a spoiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suffice it to say there was nothing graphic
or offensive in the story.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
novel was very predictable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most historical
romances are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what makes it a
sweet, comforting read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it
would appeal to women who like to read historical fiction and sometime need a
book that doesn’t require them to think deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I enjoyed it overall.</span></div>
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<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Great immersion
into the time period</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Detailed descriptions
</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stilted
conversations</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Choppy flow</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.5 out of 5 (good)</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-8392082323451096302015-09-08T10:59:00.004-05:002015-09-08T10:59:26.979-05:00Hiding Places - Erin Healy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24345258-hiding-places" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hiding Places" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1438481862l/24345258.jpg" width="210" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hiding Places</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Erin Healy</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thomas Nelson</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Christian Fiction</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>368 pages</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>September 8, 2015</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Description (from Amazon):</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Eleven-year-old
Kate Whitby leads an invisible life, the youngest member of her odd family.
They live in their historic small-town hotel, where she is an expert at keeping
everyone’s secrets: her sister’s a thief, her great-grandmother isn’t as crazy
as people think, her mother lives in the past, and her beloved grandfather
might have killed his best friend.<br />
<br />
Devoted to the people she loves—more than they have ever been to her—Kate vows
to protect each one.<br />
<br />
Charlie Fuse has lived on the streets since his alcoholic father threw him out.
When Charlie’s powerful street family tests his loyalty by demanding that he
kill the son of a rival gang leader, he refuses. They frame him for the murder,
forcing Charlie to run.<br />
<br />
When Kate finds Charlie injured and penniless, she hides him from his enemies
and her uncharitable relatives, unaware that he has a connection to her family
as old as the hotel itself.<br />
<br />
The murderous gang tracks Charlie down. To flush him out, they take the
clueless family hostage and threaten young Kate. Even then, Kate keeps Charlie
hidden, putting all her childlike faith in one terrible hope: that the family
who has never been able to protect her before might learn how to do it now.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Review:</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
I saw that Erin Healy had a new book out, I was thrilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed her previous books written with Ted
Dekker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I believe that might have
set me up for some disappointment.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is the story of a young girl, Kate, who lives with her very dysfunctional, multi-generational
family in their historic hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And also
the story of Charlie and his search for freedom and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s also throw in the story of Fox, bent on
revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we can throw in a pawn shop
murder and a swindler for good measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Basically, there’s a lot going on in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too much to make it truly believable or
enjoyable.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kate
is more precocious than your typical 11-year old; her character felt a bit over
the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As did most of the characters
and a lot of the situations and events they found themselves in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just too much.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think the book would appeal to more YA readers than it did to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a caution would be there is some
drinking/drug use referred to, gang activity, and violence including
murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of it was over the top
descriptive though.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Overall,
I was disappointed in the read.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">***This
review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto and at Goodreads</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Easy and fast
paced read</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caricatures more than
characters</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Too much going on
to fully develop anything or anyone</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.5 out of 5 (poor)</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-57490298152021235112015-09-08T10:33:00.000-05:002015-09-08T10:33:02.516-05:00Hidden Agenda - Lisa Harris<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504613-hidden-agenda" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hidden Agenda (Southern Crimes, #3)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403554971l/22504613.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hidden Agenda</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lisa Harris</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fleming H. Revell</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Christian Fiction; Suspense</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Southern
Crimes #3</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>305 pages</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>January 1, 2015</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Description (from Amazon):</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Michael
Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the
undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been
blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police
department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His
only hope is the daughter of the man who wants him dead.<br />
<br />
This nonstop chase from taut suspense writer Lisa Harris will leave readers
breathless as they race to connect the dots before it's too late.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Review:</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
I picked up this book, I didn’t realize it was third in a series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happens to me a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, it was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I knew I was missing some details that
might have enhanced the reading, I wasn’t not at all lost or confused in the
text.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
liked the characters – both the heroic and the villainous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
didn’t find the story particularly suspenseful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt enough clues were left along the way that I had most things
figured out before they were revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I think it was still an entertaining read.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fast paced</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interesting characters</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Predictable</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:
3 out of 5 (liked it)</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-7013671879673575222015-08-29T14:24:00.003-05:002015-08-29T14:24:28.082-05:00Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24817626-go-set-a-watchman" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Go Set a Watchman" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428234289l/24817626.jpg" width="212" /></a><span id="freeText9847629401923227110"><i>From Harper Lee comes a landmark new novel set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.<br /><br />Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch--"Scout"--returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in a painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past--a journey that can be guided only by one's conscience. <br /><br />Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor and effortless precision--a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context and new meaning to an American classic.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
I went into this book with a lot of expectations since I had followed a lot of the hubbub surrounding it's publishing. <br />
<br />
<br />Is it the book that TKMB is? No, of course not. It was a first draft that was pretty completely reworked to create TKMB. And, as that, it is a worthwhile read.<br />Is Atticus a racist? You know, this is probably what I heard the most about prior to reading - that Atticus does a complete 180 and becomes a racist. And I really didn't find that to be the case. Perhaps because I expected to read about him parading around in a white sheet. Instead, I see him more as a man who is trying to deal with the changing times the best way he knows how given his background and society at the time. Were some of his actions disappointing? Yes. But I think that's because this book shows him as human with flaws and making mistakes in a way that TKMB never did. And I appreciate that because it also shows a lot about the character of Jean Louise. <br />
<br />It wasn't spectacular, but I'm glad I read it.<br />
<br />
<u>Pros:</u><br />
<u></u><ul>
<li>a look at Scout all grown up</li>
<li>an interesting perspective on how Lee's writing changed </li>
<li>a realistic picture of the times</li>
<li>flawed characters</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Cons:</u></div>
<ul>
<li>I think some of the media surrounding the book will drive some people away from reading it</li>
<li>I really wasn't fond of grown up Scout</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rating: 2.5/5</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-71965700484918781992015-07-08T16:15:00.000-05:002015-07-08T16:15:18.520-05:00Curiosity Keeper - Sarah E. Ladd<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23582599-the-curiosity-keeper" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey, #1)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416321543l/23582599.jpg" width="210" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Curiosity Keeper</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sarah E. Ladd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thomas Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Christian Fiction; Historical
Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Treasures of Surrey #1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>352 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>July 7, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s
egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse
whomever possesses it.”<br />
<br />
Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her
mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop
on Blinkett Street. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no
place to hide, Camille has no choice but to accept help from the mysterious
stranger who came to her aid.<br />
<br />
Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he
was content working as a village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made
him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only
the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family
from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness
Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may or may not be the answer to
his questions.<br />
<br />
Curious circumstance throws them together, and an intricate dance of need and
suspicion leads the couple from the seedy backwaters of London to the elite
neighborhoods of the wealthy to the lush, green Surrey countryside—all in the
pursuit of a blood-red gem that collectors will sacrifice anything to possess.<br />
<br />
Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, two
determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion
that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, each will have to decide how
much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
requested this book from NetGalley based on the description and, yes, I also
judged the book by its cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expected
an intriguing mystery about a lost jewel and two people searching for it (and
growing) together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
mystery wasn’t that intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
fairly easy to figure out all of the twists and turns and final
conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor does Camille or
Jonathan seem particularly interested in finding the missing ruby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both seem to be moving on with their
lives, both individually and together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
even though my expectations weren’t really met, I still enjoyed the reading of
the book and think it was worth the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
prose and dialogue flowed nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
there were a few inconsistencies in the text, it didn’t interrupt or really
detract from the overall story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
story structure itself was also satisfying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t lost at the beginning but there also wasn’t so much background
information that I grew bored before getting to the meat of the tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some lengthier descriptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were well written, though, so even they
were engaging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Both
Camille and Jonathan (as well as many of the supporting characters like
Jonathan’s sister and father) were well-developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were multi-faceted, changing, and growing
characters throughout the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
story is driven forward based on their personal struggles and the issues
surrounding the missing ruby and its effects on their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did feel like the romance portion moved a
little too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But overall it, too,
was believable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sarah
Ladd seemed to be well-versed in the period in England she chose as her
setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing to jump out
as glaringly impossible or inaccurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a satisfying read in all aspects.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
spiritual aspects of the book were handled appropriately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille struggles some with her faith while
Jonathan is more a solid rock believer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through situations and circumstances, Camille grows in her trust in God
and His good will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
only elements that might not appeal to ultra-conservative readers are the mention
a few times of the drinking of wine and some smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I believe that these customs were
very true to the times represented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
they are not really endorsed or offensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All
in all, this was a pleasant book to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not as gripping from a mystery or suspense standpoint as I had
hoped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, the characters and
the writing style made it enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sweet
romance<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Likeable
characters<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Wonderful
descriptions<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Not
much of a mystery<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Back
cover/description promised more than the book delivered<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.5 out of 5 (Good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-64968925797169568032015-06-15T09:33:00.003-05:002015-06-15T09:33:42.941-05:00The Crimson Cord - Jill Eileen Smith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504608-the-crimson-cord" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story (Daughters of the Promised Land #1)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403554242l/22504608.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Revell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> Biblical Fiction, </span>Historical Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Daughters of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promised Land #1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>368 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>February 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Wife
to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave
to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution by Dabir, counselor to
the Syrian king, Rahab despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her
self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her
house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime. In one
risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not
know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of
Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she
has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if
she will ever know the meaning of love.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rahab
is not a person from the Bible I have really spent much time thinking
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the basics:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she saved the spies and she’s in the lineage
of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I found it fascinating to read Smith’s
take on the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fills in the
details of Rahab’s life in a way that is believable even if speculative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rahab
as a character is multi-dimensional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
is shown with her flaws as well as her growth through those flaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interaction of characters is dynamic and
interesting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
will say that some of the supporting characters seem a bit flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the
book as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
conclusion, an interesting take on the story of Rahab, based on the information
found in the Biblical text and expounded on from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-48721069629644255872015-05-15T15:48:00.001-05:002015-05-15T15:48:33.508-05:00The Choosing - Rachelle Dekker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23627067-the-choosing" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Choosing" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417144814l/23627067.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tyndale House Publishers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>YA, Fiction, Dystopian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>464 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>May 19, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the
importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a
lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—would end in disaster. Ripped from
her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of
society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority. <br />
<br />
But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her
beliefs. The whispers contradict everything she’s been told; yet they resonate
deep within. <br />
<br />
Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always
dreamed of, but she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a
killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the
Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) from the publisher via Edelweiss
in exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
have been reading Ted Dekker’s books for years and have read most of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when I came across a book written by his
daughter on Edelweiss, I knew I wanted to read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of what it was about, I wanted to
see how her writing compared to her father’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While
there were some similarities between the two, Rachelle shows in this book that
she is more than capable of standing on her own and writing a story worth
reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very pleasantly surprised
with the story telling, character development, and overall message targeting
her Young Adult audience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book jumps right into the action of a Choosing Ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it was puzzling to jump right into the
middle of a scene and a character’s thoughts, it certainly made me want to keep
reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: black;"> I wanted to follow Carrington as she is questioning all that is occurring as well; I was putting the pieces together to understand what was happening. T</span></span><span style="color: black;">his book was definitely a page turner from
start to finish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
will say the text was full of typos, and that is probably the main negative I
have to say about the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
since I was reading an ARC, I imagine those have all been fixed in the final
copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, the story was so
engaging that I was able to overlook the annoyances, even as a former English
teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is rare for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
story is very smooth flowing between dialogue, character interaction, character
introspection, and description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
say the only thing that broke the flow was when the first few chapters each
ended with retellings of the society’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While this was necessary for an understanding of the story world, it was
jarring at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad when those history
lessons dropped off early in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Carrington
was a very dynamic character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a
very visceral struggle between all she’s been taught to believe as truth versus
what her heart tells her truth really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is her worth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does her
value come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you navigate
what your life is to be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you do
when you work so hard but don’t get the results you expect?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Her
challenges were portrayed in a very realistic way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other characters were equally as
realistic and their motivations as believable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could feel Carrington’s father’s emotion for her and her pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understood Larkin’s feelings of loneliness
at her ostracism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole set up of
The Authority and its cast system was troubling to its very core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The growing feelings between various
characters (including Carrington’s own conflicting emotions) were handled in a
manner appropriate to the intended audience and in a true-life manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of it together drew me in to the story
world and kept me captured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While
I did find parts of the story line predictable, like the mystery behind the
murdered Lint girls and the budding romance, that didn’t detract from the
overall story for me nor did the predictability detract from the well-developed
characters and plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The much needed
message of value and worth just because of whom we are and WHOSE we are (children
of God) more than compensated for the predictability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Scriptures
are quoted throughout the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
times, members of The Authority twisted them for self-serving purposes or to
justify actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This showed that if you
don’t know the Word for yourself you can be easily led away from the truth by
those in leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
is some violence in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
gratuitous in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
look forward to having both my tween and teen daughters read it and discussing
the book with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the book
definitely reaches its target audience of young adult girls and can be an
opening to important conversations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
did feel the book wrapped up too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It left several threads loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am hoping there will be a second book to carry on the characters and their
story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an important message packaged in a story that
is intriguing and focused; kept me up late nights turning pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want a sequel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 out of 5 stars (near perfect)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-24264256896871533472015-05-04T15:53:00.000-05:002015-05-04T15:53:56.619-05:00A Bit of a Sabbatical<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a new little one soon to join our family, I have much to do in the next few weeks and then even more to do afterwards as I adjust to a new normal. That being said, I probably will not be posting full reviews on here for a bit. I will be trying to keep up with some short few paragraph reviews of what I'm reading. And you can always check in on what I'm reading on Goodreads. At the very least I'll be keeping track and giving star ratings over there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">~becki</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-22768190423255273132015-05-04T15:48:00.001-05:002015-05-04T15:48:17.404-05:00London Tides - Carla Laureano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23590917-london-tides" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London Tides (MacDonald Family Trilogy #2)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416513711l/23590917.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>David C. Cook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Fiction; Christian Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>MacDonald Family Trilogy #2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>340 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>June 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Irish
photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the
helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and mentor in the field,
Grace is shaken.<br />
<br />
She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever
loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship
rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her
to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or
tear them apart for good this time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
is another book that the editor at The Christian Manifesto sent out for review,
and I picked up based solely on reading the description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, I didn’t have many expectations
going into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even know it was
a part of a series until I added it to my Goodreads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It definitely is a book that can be read as a
standalone as I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from the previous book while
reading this one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
really enjoyed the characters of Grace and Ian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace clearly has issues she needs to work through from her past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, she was in denial to that; it wasn’t
until push comes to shove that she realizes she doesn’t have it all as under
control as she thinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cheering
her along the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian is just a genuinely
nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, a picture of
forgiveness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, if I
have one issue with him it’s that he forgives even when I don’t think I would
be able to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s almost too
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But isn’t that how we like our
heroes in romances?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
supporting characters of Asha and others in the story strike just the right
night of supportive, adequately developed characters without stealing the show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book is well paced without dragging description or convoluted prose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last bit did seem rushed to get to the
conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost like the
author wasn’t sure what new conflict to add and so was ready to get to the
happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
story world of both London and glimpses Grace’s previous photojournalist life
were easy to immerse myself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having
been to London, it was fun to “visit” places again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
romance in this story was believable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ian and Grace seem to genuinely care for each other, yet their
individual issues (specifically Grace’s) seem to get in the way at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian’s patience goes above and beyond, a
picture of forgiveness that Grace needs to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book isn’t overtly spiritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace’s
faith is mentioned a few times throughout the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes into play that her belief in God and
Him taking care of her is what has helped her get through many of her difficult
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, her faith doesn’t seem
to be helping her work through the issues those difficult times created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of the characters seem to have a
vibrant, growing relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
are some scenes that get a bit steamy but none cross a typical conservative
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also words used that are
considered British curse words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think either of these things are enough to alienate any but the most
conservative readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to be
pretty conservative when it comes to those two areas and was not offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
think this book would appeal to readers of contemporary romances who want a
sweet story with authentic character growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can be read by both Christians and non-Christians alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sped through the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have no idea where they would take
the series from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the loose
strings seem nicely wrapped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps
the next book will bring one of the supporting characters into the spotlight?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>likeable characters; true feeling; realistic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a few seriously romantic scenes; some British
swear words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 out of 5 (very good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***This
review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto and Goodreads.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-17682364081416782352015-04-29T20:29:00.000-05:002015-04-29T20:29:01.161-05:00Justified (Mended Hearts #2) - Varina Denman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23168525-justified" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Justified (Mended Hearts, #2)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414558533l/23168525.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>David C. Cook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Contemporary Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Mended Hearts #2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>416 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>June 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes
others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt,
she yearns for grace while the local football coach treats her with gentle
respect.<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justified</i> perfectly captures the
rhythm and romance of life in a small town, telling the unforgettable story of
a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a
community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of
broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
really didn’t know what to expect from this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received an email from the editor at The
Christian Manifesto asking for a reviewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After looking at the description, it sounded like a book that would
interest me; so I took on the assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In hindsight, the description is deeper than the book itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
had a lot of issues with this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The book was written in first person from Fawn’s
perspective alternating with third person somewhat omniscient from Tyler and
JohnScott’s perspectives. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Can
we just pause here for a moment and say how much I hated pretty much every
character’s name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, small nitpick
done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fawn
is spoiled and whiney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> One of her main focuses being to get back into her pre-pregnancy designer clothes. </span>Tyler and
JohnScott are both more caricatures than realistic characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the supporting characters really
don’t seem to have much to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are really more plot devices, coming in to play their part and then stepping
out, than a part of the ongoing story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t feel that any of the characters were more than one-dimensional or grew
as the story progressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
dialogue was hard to follow and jumped around from topic to topic before
circling back around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters
also belabored their introspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
really didn’t get a grasp of the small town feel that is mentioned in the
description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters are going
back and forth between bigger Texas cities a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There really is not a lot of gossip or
condemnation (other than self) for Fawn to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of it seems to be in her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
romantic relating…wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a
lot of the interactions were cheesy or over the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really care if anyone got together
or had a happily ever after.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
far as spiritual elements to the story, it seems like Fawn tries to have some
sort of spiritual revelation of her worth and her forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it just missed the mark for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not a lot about redemption or
justification aside from a few conversations Fawn and JohnScott have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of the people who are nice to
Fawn are non-Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church
people who are supposedly condemning her just simply aren’t mentioned much
(other than throwing her a baby shower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Aside
from those overarching issues, there were so many minor things that just didn’t
make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, when a
character drank some water and its wetness “washed the soot of bitterness from
her lungs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully the water she drank didn’t get into
her lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That can be deadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you have Tyler being able to observe
nuances of actions and facial expressions from Fawn’s parents across the street
in their car from where he was sitting in his truck (although the text had
previously said he’d driven off).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fawn
states that JohnScott was at fault along with her for an altercation she has
with Tyler at a football game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowhere
does the text support that JohnScott has any guilt to hold in that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
were also smaller inconsistencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pastor walking to the front of the church then all of a sudden in the back with
other characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fawn thinking about
the football game and then the text saying by the time she got home she had already
pushed the game far from her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later
she goes to one of JohnScott’s football games with the rationalization that
going will put him out of her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
inconsistencies or head scratching incidents would include spoilers but suffice
it to say there were plenty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Then
there was just wrong information like when Fawn’s doctor said the lotion she
used interfered with hearing her baby’s heartbeat on the Doppler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my knowledge (and Google research), there
is no lotion that interferes in that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, Fawn was pregnant for longer than the normal 9 months, clearly had
no idea she was in labor, and was able to birth her baby in two pushes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m
a detailed person and so while I can handle an inconsistency or two with grace,
a book full of them can send me over the edge – as this one did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
are some edgier topics covered – premarital sex, physical abuse, drinking,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None are really written about in an
offensive way though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a pretty
safe book for all audiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
conclusion, had this not been a review book I would have quit reading long
before the predictable, anticlimactic end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***This
review also appears on The Christian Manifesto and Goodreads</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>full of inconsistencies; stereotypical
characters; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>0.5 out of 5 (waste of time)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-73536593449938389752015-04-21T14:09:00.002-05:002015-04-21T14:09:32.310-05:00Valiant - Sarah McGuire<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392476-valiant" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valiant" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408505672l/18392476.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Egmont USA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>General<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Juvenile; Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>384 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>April 28, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Saville despises the bolts of velvet and silk that her father
loves- he's always prized them more than he's ever loved her. Yet when he's
struck ill, she'll do anything to survive, even donning boys' clothes and
begging a commission to sew for the king.<br />
<br />
Piecing together a fine coat is far simpler than unknotting court gossip about
an army of giants led by a man who cannot be defeated. And they're marching
toward Reggen to seize the throne. But Saville knows giants are just stories,
and no man is immortal.<br />
<br />
Then she meets them, two scouts as tall as trees. She tricks them into leaving,
but tales of the daring tailor's triumph quickly spin into impossible feats of
giant-slaying. And mere stories won't deter the Duke and his larger-than-life
army.<br />
<br />
Now only a courageous and clever tailor girl can see beyond the rumors to save
the kingdom again.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via NetGalley in
exchange for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Apparently
this book is a modern retelling of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Valiant Tailor</i> by the Grimm Brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had no idea about that until I looked at Goodreads after reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve never read the original story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I will be making no comparisons between
the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
requested the book based solely on the cover and a recommendation from
NetGalley (since I had just joined).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
I really had no expectations going into it other than it was a fantasy story
aimed at young adult readers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book got off to a slow start for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was not very interested for at least the first quarter of the book, but it
picked up some from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was glad
to have stuck with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed the
last quarter plus of the book when the action started moving along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Saville
is a girl wise beyond her years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
mother has passed away, and she is being “raised” by her father, the
Tailor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tailor receives no sympathy
from me because as clearly stated numerous times, he loves his fabric far more
than his daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet she is still
faithful and true to him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
push comes to shove and things both at home and for the city of Regen get dicey,
Saville shines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has both wit and
wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had compassion and is able
to connect with those around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
she had no problem putting the pieces together to figure out what is really
going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kudos to her as there were
things that I didn’t see or put together until they were revealed in the
text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Even
the supporting characters – while initially seeming more caricatures – are fleshed
out by the end of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all
develop and change throughout the telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
is clearly a fantasy story complete with evil duke and human eating
giants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is even a love story that
slowly unfolds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stays chaste with just
a few embraces and kisses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
few supernatural or spiritual elements present in the story are really more
make believe than realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which I
think is perfectly understandable for this genre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also very secondary to the rest of
the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
far as questionable content goes, well, the giants eat humans and wreak
havoc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While unappealing it is to be
expected of giants and the eating is not ever described in detail, just mentioned
as fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also legend of a man
who cannot be killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The super
conservative reader might take issues with these items, but they are all far
tamer than anything Disney offers (and I’m sure more so than the Grimm’s
original).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
would put the target audience for this novel at upper elementary/young middle
school readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 6<sup>th</sup> grader
would like this story about a girl who has adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would mainly appeal to tweens more than
older teens who have cut their teeth on the edgier <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunger Games </i>and similar fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While the main character is an older teen, the story itself is appropriate
for younger kids, and there is nothing objectionable to label it otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At
its heart, it is a simple story of a girl with great courage, wit, and wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inspiring young female character; character
growth all around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>story drags at the start<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.5 out of 5 (good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***This
review will also post on The Christian Manifesto</span><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-28816194532107892652015-04-20T14:29:00.002-05:002015-04-20T14:29:18.543-05:00Taken - Dee Henderson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23411544-taken" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Taken" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414642011l/23411544.jpg" width="207" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bethany House Publishers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Fiction; Suspense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>432 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>April 28, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the
Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately
wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some
unfinished business to attend to. She has enough evidence to put her captors
behind bars for a very long time.<br />
<br />
When Shannon contacts private investigator and former cop Matthew Dane to help
her navigate her reentry into society, she quickly discovers that gaining her
freedom doesn’t mean her troubles are over. For one thing, her brother is the
leading candidate in the race for Illinois governor, and news of her escape
will create a media frenzy. For another, the ransom her family reportedly paid
years earlier appears to have been a scam; no one knows what happened to the
money. And then there’s the fact that Shannon’s escape involved faking her own
death. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they’ll stop at nothing
to silence her.<br />
<br />
If justice is to be done, and if Shannon’s life is ever to get on track again,
Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her–even if it means
stirring up a hornet’s nest of secrets.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest
review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
fell in love with Dee Henderson’s storytelling through reading her O’Malley
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read most of her other
books as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been more
hit-and-miss for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was anxious to
read her latest book and see where on the spectrum it fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
Dee Henderson books I gravitate towards enjoying the most are the ones filled
with suspense and action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taken </i>missed the mark on that for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely more of an
emotionally based book with most of the action being a discussion on past
events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a lot of strategy
to work towards justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there
was no suspense in the present day of the book’s setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that was a disappointment to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book does flow smoothly with the exception of a huge time jump between chapters
34 & 35.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did lose track of the
story time at other parts as sometimes it was delineated out and at other times
the story just moved along without time markers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, that wasn’t a big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The balance of dialogue and prose was right
on, and the conversations were realistic and helped to move the story line
further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
liked getting to know both Shannon and Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also enjoy how Henderson weaves in characters from her other books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I can see that being a bit confusing
for a reader who hasn’t read her other books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Shannon
and Matthew were both realistic – although I think Matthew was more human than
Shannon at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their relationship,
while predictable, was also sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Henderson
has shown in all of her books that she does know the world of police detective
work, the FBI, and that arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
scenario came across with believability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
did really like how Henderson handled spirituality in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shannon never lost her faith in God despite
what happened to her and what she witnessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this wasn’t just a given expectation or a rote response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a conversation with Matthew, she discussed
how God could let something like her kidnapping happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dive into the ideas of free will and
good versus evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concepts that I think
many people struggle with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all addressed
in a way that was thought provoking and not at all preachy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
really was not any questionable content in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite being more in the suspense genre,
there were no graphic descriptions of any of the crimes discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I believe
this book would appeal to primarily female readers as there is a strong female
lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could cross the boundaries
between ABA and CBA to be enjoyed by non-Christians as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you are looking for hardcore
suspense, this is not the book for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is much more subdued and focused much more on healing and
relationship building between characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
worthy read despite not fully meeting my expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well-rounded main characters; visiting old
character friends; excellent handling of free will and how bad things can
happen to good people<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not as much suspense and action as I like
from Henderson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
4 out of 5 (very good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">**This
review will also post on The Christian Manifesto website on 4.24.15.</span><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-68554037312747068652015-04-20T13:30:00.001-05:002015-04-20T13:30:33.630-05:00City of Thieves - David Benioff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6327123-city-of-thieves" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="City of Thieves" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406905747l/6327123.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">City of Thieve</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Plume<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>General<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Historical Fiction, WWII<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>319 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>March 31, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">During the Nazis’ brutal siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov is
arrested for looting and thrown into the same cell as a handsome deserter named
Kolya. Instead of being executed, Lev and Kolya are given a shot at saving
their own lives by complying with an outrageous directive: secure a dozen eggs
for a powerful Soviet colonel to use in his daughter’s wedding cake. In a city
cut off from all supplies and suffering unbelievable deprivation, Lev and Kolya
embark on a hunt through the dire lawlessness of Leningrad and behind enemy
lines to find the impossible.<br />
<br />
By turns insightful and funny, thrilling and terrifying, the <em>New York Times
</em>bestseller <em>City of Thieves</em> is a gripping, cinematic World War II
adventure and an intimate coming-of-age story with an utterly contemporary feel
for how boys become men.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While
I’ve read many a World War II book, I had yet to read any set in Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was interested in reading this book when
it came up in my book club roster for April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
story was fascinating even though it covered just a scant few days of
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pace kept me interested and
turning pages to see what Lev and Kolya would encounter next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And
then there were Lev and Kolya themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are such well-developed characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fully fleshed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I could
picture them, be walking next to them, know them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benioff did a great job creating dynamic
characters the reader can feel something for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
will not be giving this book a rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just torn on what it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on
the story itself and the character dynamics, It’s probably a 4.5 (or even a 5)
out of 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the language and crude
sexual discussions lean me towards giving it only 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t think I could set my personal
biases aside to recommend the book because of those (I felt) unnecessary
elements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>amazing character development; engaging
action<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a lot of vulgar language; almost constant
crude, sexual references and discussion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-70185076949610976882015-04-10T13:28:00.000-05:002015-04-10T13:28:14.110-05:00The First Principle - Marissa Shrock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21423893-the-first-principle" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The First Principle" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395617245l/21423893.jpg" width="207" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kregel Publications<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>YA; dystopian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>240 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>December 20, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of America has formed. Governors
hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the
government has more control than ever before. For fifteen-year-old Vivica
Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems
pretty much the same--until one day, that controlling power steps right through
the door during study hall.<br />
<br />
When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh
treatment of Population Management Officer Marina Ward, she has no idea she's
sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn't long before she
discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the
mandatory abortion--or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly
ruin her mother's chances at becoming president.<br />
<br />
A rebel group called the Emancipation Warriors, who are fighting to restore
freedoms once held unalienable, offer her asylum. Can Vivica trust these rebels
to help her or will they bring everything crashing down around her? Accepting
their help may come with consequences she isn't ready to face.<br />
<br />
Marissa Shrock's debut novel crafts a chilling story of what may be to come if
we allow the economic and moral crises currently facing our country to change
the foundations on which we built our independence--and of the difference one
person can make when they choose to trust God's lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received this book as a review copy from the publisher in exchange for my
honest opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I requested the book for
two reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first being that futuristic
dystopian literature is still such a hot area for young adult fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to explore authors’ different takes on
the prevalent theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the bigger
draw for me was the author herself, Marissa Shrock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a middle school language arts teacher,
as I was once, publishing her first novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So my assumption was that she would have a good handle on what appeals
to teen readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fifteen-year-old
Vivica Wilkins is the daughter of a governor in the not too distant future
United Regions of North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has
been indoctrinated that government knows best and to toe the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vivica doesn’t question her life until she
discovers her illegal pregnancy and begins to wonder about the sanctity of life
and if the government is really looking out for the best interest of those it’s
meant to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Vivica
is driven by both internal conflict and external events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is surrounded by characters who are each
true to their own natures and have their own agendas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This at times creates support for Vivica and
her journey and at other times creates a lot of the plot tension that kept me
turning pages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While
the idea of a United Regions of North America and the government structures was
confusing at times, I think both were adequately explained throughout the
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just such an unfamiliar
(yet recognizable) “country” and government system that at times I had to pause
in the story and think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never a bad
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shrock creates a very believable
option of a future society full of government control and the acceptance of any
beliefs but those founded on Biblical principles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
qualms with the story came in two linked areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first being the relationship between Vivica and the father of her
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seemed a bit too dramatic
and forced to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also seemed in
place for the sole purpose of pushing Vivica to accept Christ and the
Emancipation Warriors beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
beliefs the Emancipation Warriors are fighting for in the book are unashamedly
Christian and biblically based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
good things to expose young readers of today too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, many times it seemed nothing more
than a plot device and will perhaps turn some readers off the book as a whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
far as questionable content for the conservative reader, there is both violence
(although not graphic) and, as mentioned, teen pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I believe it is perfectly acceptable
for young adult readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book brings
a perspective not really found in current YA dystopian novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most are based on the achievement of the individual
protagonist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Vivica is strong and
certainly does her part, it is clear that there is a bigger work at play and
that God ultimately helps people succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additionally, the story world created by Shrock is not as fantastical
and fictional as most dystopian worlds tend to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took trends we already see in our current
culture and simply magnifies them in her future story world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Overall,
I think this is a worthwhile book for both teens and adults alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me ponder some of the things I see
around me in society and government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was rooting for Vivica, which kept me turning pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the book ended in such a way that I
wonder if this is the first in a series – an idea that I would fully support as
a reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fast-paced; dynamic protagonist with
antagonists I loved to dislike; realistic future worldview<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some plot jumps; spirituality as plot device<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.5 out of 5 stars (Good)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
*This review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto website</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-20699496437559870042015-04-10T13:20:00.002-05:002015-04-10T13:20:57.020-05:00Come Winter - Clare Gutierrez<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25106362-come-winter" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Come Winter" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426033576l/25106362.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>River Grove Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>General<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Historical Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>408 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>February 19, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lady
Caterina Tabor, an extraordinary young girl who, en route to England, finds
herself captured and at the mercy of a stern and powerful lord. Forced to work
as a common kitchen maid in the dank halls of Dermoth Castle, Caty dreams of
her past as a free and autonomous maiden with a bright future in the English
courts—did fate have other plans?<br />
<br />
This early trial is but the first in a litany of shocking tribulations;
imprisoned, abused, accused of sorcery, and kidnapped, Caty’s life is for so
long anything but charmed—but you can’t keep a soaring heart shackled. As we
follow this misunderstood maiden’s journey through both the unexpected,
electrifying joys of new love and the pain of mind-boggling adversity, we
become eyewitnesses to the astonishing way she not only transforms herself but
also enchants, inspires, and invigorates those around her.<br />
<br />
Spanning decades of castle life, treacherous journeys, bloody battles, and
heartache, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come Winter</i> is a sweeping
yet personal tale of a brave woman who at once embodies and transcends the
prescribed, and oftentimes oppressive, roles her society demands. Let Clare
Gutierrez (author of Dancing with the Boss) curate your voyage back to the
Scottish highlands of ages past—a time and place in which simply staying alive
constituted a noble adventure, and becoming a patron of the oppressed and the
impoverished could make you a hallowed queen.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest
review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Coming
into this book, I didn’t really know what to expect; the write up on NetGalley
just seemed interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I turned
the final page pleasantly satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
was immediately drawn into the story of Caty and her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was she being sent to court?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does she get her strength?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is she going to deal with each new
obstacle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a book I didn’t want to
put down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caty is strong but not
harsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is compassionate and innovative,
not to mention intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
one complaint would be at times the narrative was confusing as I was unclear
how much time, if any had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
as the book progressed, the author got better at dileneating that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for at least the first half, the timeline
seemed sketchy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, for the most
part that didn’t hinder the story itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
will caution conservative readers that there are moments of passion sprinkled
throughout – no more than a handful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are always between married individuals and not described in great
detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, they were more than I
generally like in my reading.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>appealing characters; engaging plot;
fascinating book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>uncertain timeline in portions; some passion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4.5 out of 5 (excellent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-28061935855877782002015-04-08T10:24:00.002-05:002015-04-08T10:24:22.803-05:00Chasing Sunsets - Karen Kingsbury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609428-chasing-sunsets" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chasing Sunsets (Angels Walking #2)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422218757l/22609428.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Title:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Chasing Sunsets<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Author:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karen Kingsbury<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Howard Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Market:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Series:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Angels Walking #2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Length:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>336 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pub.
Date:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>April 7, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Description (from Amazon):<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From
#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes the second novel in
a brand-new series about divine intervention and the trials and triumphs of
life; the dramatic story of a woman desperate to find deeper meaning in her
life.<br />
<br />
Growing up in a comfortable home, Mary Catherine wanted for nothing. Though she
loves her wealthy parents, their lifestyle never appealed to her. Instead, Mary
Catherine pursues meaning through charity work, giving away a part of herself
but never giving away her heart.<br />
<br />
Mary Catherine lives in Los Angeles with her roommate, Sami, and volunteers at
a local youth center with coach Tyler Ames and LA Dodger Marcus Dillinger.
Despite Mary Catherine’s intention to stay single, she finds herself drawing
close to Marcus, and their budding romance offers an exciting life she never
dreamed of. That is, until she receives devastating news from her doctor. News
that alters her future and forces her to make a rash decision. <br />
<br />
Inspirational and moving, Chasing Sunsets is the story of one woman’s deep
longings of the soul, and the sacrifices she’s willing to make in search of
healing.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
an avid Karen Kingsbury fan from the start, I thought I had read every book she’s
written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I somehow missed book
1 in the Angels Walking series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps
because of that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chasing Sunsets</i>
seems to jump right into the middle of an in progress story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that was disconcerting for the first
few chapters, Kingsbury does a great job filling in any gaps for readers like
me who didn’t read the first book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
do believe the description of the book is a bit misleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book is as much about Marcus as it is
about Mary Catherine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the story of
their individual journeys in relationship with Christ and to find purpose as
well as the story of where their journeys intersect with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a story of reaching out to help
those in need of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intermingled is a
look at the story from a spiritual perspective – what is going on behind the
scenes that the human characters are unaware of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There
is a good balance of dialogue between characters as well as introspection of
the characters themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not
a lot of description of setting or appearance, but I didn’t feel anything was
missing as a result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual with
Kingsbury’s books, there was a long list of characters involved in the story
telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that can be overwhelming
initially, she does such a great job fleshing out each character, it doesn’t
stay confusing for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
mentioned earlier, this is as much Marcus’s story as Mary Catherine’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I found myself rooting for him more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Mary Catherine seemed a bit more
self-focused, Marcus was just an all-around likeable guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Mary Catherine’s quick emotional
changes and waffling a bit indulgent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One moment she’s secure in truly living her life and giddy with
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a few paragraphs later she’s
forgotten all of that and is scared and lonely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
budding romance between the two seemed to blossom quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a very sentimental person, so at
times their interactions seemed over the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But overall I think that most readers will enjoy that aspect of the
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
parallel stories of what was happening with the people alongside what was
happening in the spiritual realm with the angels were fascinating to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I have not ever thought much about
angels among us or what they are like personality-wise, I think the picture
that Kingsbury painted could be an accurate one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jag and Aspen, the two angels assigned to the
mission, were both believable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
days since I finished reading, I have found myself pondering the spiritual
realm occurring in conjunction with my own life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
book does deal with gangs, gang violence, and prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, none of these topics are handled
lightly or offensively in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give
dimension and movement to other aspects of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
ending left me with my mouth hanging open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t believe it was the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was so much still to be resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could it be the last page?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess that means I’ll be anxiously awaiting the third installment…and going
back to read the first book while I wait.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
major complaint about the book is that the text is full of little
inconsistencies (i.e. for Jag’s past failed mission is it Tom or Terrance
Williams?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t disrupt the
overall flow for the story but could be annoying to a discerning reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
book would appeal to teen girls and women who like sweet romances, character
growth, and pondering the spiritual warfare going on around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the spiritual realm would be
off-putting to some secular readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you are a fan of Karen Kingsbury’s other works, this latest novel will be right
up your alley.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pros</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fast-paced story; likeable characters; leaves
the reader wanting more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cons</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inconsistencies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My
Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 out of 5 (very good)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*This review will also appear on The Christian Manifesto website 4.13.15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-74465674711244605982015-03-26T13:21:00.001-05:002015-03-26T13:21:15.390-05:00Nowhere to Hide - Sigmund Brouwer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22544231-nowhere-to-hide" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nowhere to Hide" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407712285l/22544231.jpg" width="207" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;">March 25, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sigmund Brouwer</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harvest House Publishers<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 1, 2015<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Market:<br />
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secular</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Genre:<br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span></b><span style="color: black;">Young
Adult, Suspense</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Length:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span><span style="color: black;">224 pages</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">My Rating:</span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2.5/5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About This Book (from Goodreads)</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">William King and Blake Watt have just settled into
their senior year of high school when they receive a call for help--the
authorities need to use their computer skills to track down a father who has
failed to make child-support payments. The invitation to become cyber bounty
hunters is so tempting, they don't stop to ask why they were chosen for this
assignment.<br />
<br />
As they learn more about the man they are searching for, they discover the true
nature of their mission--to help the founder of a Seattle-based software
company prove that he is innocent of a much different charge. But the scariest
things they learn are why they were chosen and why they were supposed to remain
in the background.<br />
<br />
You'll love following the surprising twists and turns in this fast-paced
young-adult thriller from a gifted storyteller who has nearly three million
books in print.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How and Why I Acquired This Book</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I received this book as an ARC from
NetGalley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like an interesting
YA read by an author I was not familiar with.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Expectations about This Book</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
starting this book, I didn’t realize it was actually the second book in a
series, the first book being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dead Man’s
Switch.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I known that ahead of
time and read the initial book first, it might have changed some of my thoughts
on this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have made some
parts of the character interaction and the references make more sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nowhere
to Hide </i>is readable as a standalone (as I did), I don’t think I would
recommend it that way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also,
since my review copy was digital it had several grammatical issues and mistakes
as well as every few paragraphs the story was interrupted with either a tag
line of the author’s name or a statement about not reproducing the text in any
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both things that a reader doesn’t
need to deal with in the final digital and print versions, I’m sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for full disclosure’s sake, I think that
did interrupt the flow for me and make the reading less enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">CRITIQUE</span></b><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Were my expectations met?</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I expected
an intense, fast-paced YA novel about two teens helping out the CIA while being
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I received was a fast
paced novel, but about three teens on their summer break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, really, just one teen, King, was the
focus of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MJ and Blake played
roles intermittently but were not central to the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was primarily King and CIA Agent
Evans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, there
wasn’t very much to do with computer skills or cyber bounty hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of that was done by Blake, and you learn
about it in hindsight during the first few chapters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Still an
interesting story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also rather confusing
at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I’m still not sure I
fully grasped all of the plot twists and redirections.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prose & Dialogue</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
the most part, the scenes and the dialogue flowed well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few times I had to go back and re-read
as I thought I had missed something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
descriptions of the settings were great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just enough detail to make you feel like you’re there but not so much
you get bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
think that Brouwer nailed King’s dialogue as well as that of Evans and even
some of the other CIA agents involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The parents and other two boys seemed more like caricatures than realistic,
growing characters.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Characters & Points-of-View</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don’t know that I believed any of the characters or situations could occur in
real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two super-smart boys being
raised and homeschooled on an island that houses a prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CIA regularly utilizing the skills of
said boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it was true to life,
homeschooling really has worked out for King and made him advanced well beyond
his years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don’t believe there were too many characters to keep up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many plot twists and one-eighties in the
overall story, perhaps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Story Structure & Pace</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
pace of this story was quick, which will appeal to the YA audience
targeted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am used to reading
quick paced suspense books written on an adult level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this book confused me and completely lost
me at times more than any of those adult books have.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At
the start of the book, there is mention of Mr. King betraying his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the final page, I still wasn’t really clear
on what that betrayal was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was his dad
in on the whole thing from the start with the tech guru?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so but am not 100% positive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Questionable Content</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
don’t believe there is any truly questionable content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Targeting an audience of teen male readers
means that of course there are some references to bodily functions and smelly
socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I wouldn’t say any of
that is offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Originality & Predictability</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
will give the book this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was guessing
clear to the final page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And have still
been guessing since I finished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s
a book that sticks with you as you try to figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The frustration is that I’m not sure it can
be figured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, the story wasn’t
compelling enough for me to want to re-read the whole thing again with the
added value of hindsight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Audience Appropriateness & Appeal</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
target audience is young adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
even further define it as young adult (probably middle school through freshman)
males.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are only two female
characters outside of the mothers, and all female characters definitely have a
very background role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I don’t think
this book would appeal as much to girls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
do believe it would appeal to both conservative and mainstream readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a movie it would probably be rated PG.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Engagement, Entertainment & Investment</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
character of King and his dynamic with Evans is probably enough to pull off
additional books in the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
I would recommend reading them as a series and not as standalone titles<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">CONCLUSION</span></b><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In conclusion, I think this was an okay young
adult suspense novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciated the
lack of vulgar language and sex that seems prevalent in so much YA literature
these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed the story line for
the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just frustrated by
my confusion throughout.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pros</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A fresh approach to a YA world full
of language and sex<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An engaging character in King<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fast-paced<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cons</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Confusing at times – perhaps reading
the first book would help</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**Review will be posted on The Christian
Manifesto website 05.20.15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-41651069250899577802015-03-25T20:40:00.000-05:002015-03-25T20:40:00.527-05:00Raising Burning Hearts - Patricia Bootsma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="clear: left; color: #444444; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><strong>RAISING
BURNING HEARTS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parenting &
Mentoring Next Generation Lovers of God </strong></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFiQw8EfbbT2tvlGTQPHUjN4OXdh-2faqzOmsiFGdzak0KBiAB8mDXGIbh3w2qB_49ISn9clqcmhXcH1jVzkRMgU065Fk1D6nxK0fFz0Y6FgFEhGUagvuH8ev4Wz7-AodKF-6DB8ODNM/s1600/Raising.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFiQw8EfbbT2tvlGTQPHUjN4OXdh-2faqzOmsiFGdzak0KBiAB8mDXGIbh3w2qB_49ISn9clqcmhXcH1jVzkRMgU065Fk1D6nxK0fFz0Y6FgFEhGUagvuH8ev4Wz7-AodKF-6DB8ODNM/s1600/Raising.png" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;">March 23, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forerunner Publishing<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>January 1, 2015<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Market:<br />
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Genre:<br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span></b><span style="color: black;">Non-Fiction,
Parenting</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Length:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span><span style="color: black;">160 pages</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">My Rating:</span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.5/5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About This Book (from Amazon)</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Can the next
generation become passionate followers of God, equipped and ready to fulfill
their destinies? Christian parents and mentors are entrusted with the call to
nurture and train hearts, releasing children to excel in loving and seeking
God. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raising Burning Hearts</i>,
Patricia Bootsma draws on her experience of raising six children and mentoring
many others, and shares the profound and hopeful news that this calling is not
beyond our reach. Combining practicality and spiritual understanding, Patricia
covers important strategies that are often overlooked, like the power of
blessing our children, of prophetically declaring truth over them, and of
teaching young ones how to hear God s voice, seek Him in the Word, and be
constant in prayer. Sharing tangible applications and real-life testimonies,
Patricia assures us that parents and mentors can fulfill their heavenly mandate
to raise up and release next generation lovers of God into their epic purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">CRITIQUE</span></b><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The MoM
group that I’m apart of has been discussing this book this past month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is challenging in some areas and has
definitely presented some paradigm shifts for me in others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably my favorite chapter was “The Power
of the Blessing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this chapter
to be infinitely practical and something I could implement right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite
all my psych courses for my education degree, and all of the many opinions on
life stages, I had never come across the exact stages Bootsma presents and the
Major Life Question that goes with each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It makes sense though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as it
makes sense to speak blessings over your children, their lives, their
friendships, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words can bring life
or death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harness that power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I will say
the testimonies at the end of each chapter were my least favorite parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually I like things like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These seemed a bit stilted and even
redundant.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Regardless,
a worthwhile read for parents who are always looking for more ways to point
their children to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551556338032002336.post-14626696590690318452015-03-25T20:23:00.002-05:002015-03-25T20:23:20.987-05:00Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death - Sharon Linnea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196659.Raoul_Wallenberg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386921565l/196659.jpg" width="209" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;">March 22, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Jewish Publication Society<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May 1, 1994<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Market:<br />
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secular</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Genre:<br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span></b><span style="color: black;">Non-Fiction,
History, WWII, Young Adult</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">Length:</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span style="color: white;">–</span><span style="color: black;">151 pages</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black;">My Rating:</span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4/5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><i><u><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About This Book (from Goodreads)</span></u></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the last days of World War II, a young Swedish
architect, Raoul Wallenberg, was secretly sent to Budapest by the War Refugee
Board of the United States Government. There he did what no other country or
individual was able to do: he saved more than 100,000 Jewish men, women, and
children from extermination at the hands of the Nazi Colonel Adolph Eichmann.
This meticulously researched biography is based upon archival materials and
first-person interviews with Wallenberg's family, colleagues, and people he
saved. It is illustrated with original photographs. To this day, no one knows
the fate of Raoul Wallenberg, but his belief that one person can make a
difference endures as a legacy for us all.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">CRITIQUE</span></b><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 19.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is my
book club book for March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as
I’ve read about and even taught about the Holocaust, I had never heard of Raoul
Wallenberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this book is meant for
younger readers (think middle school), I thought it was a great introduction to
Wallenberg and his work rescuing the Jews of Budapest, Hungary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not get too bogged down in dates and
general war information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is
very specific in its scope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very
readable and engaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pictures
throughout only add to the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worth
the read for anyone interested in WWII and Holocaust history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0