Monday, May 21, 2012
MAY REVIEWS
5/21 - THE TWELFTH CHILD BY BETTE LEE CROSBY
(Released today)
This is my second Bette Lee Crosby book and I have to say I enjoy each one more than the last. The characters in the book are always endearing and there is always someone we love to hate. I loved that there was another strong woman at the core of the story.
This book bring friendship, love, trust and faith all wrapped up nicely with a bow. I also saw greed, lying and selfishness throughout this book.
The devotion shown by Abigail Anne was amazing. Her sheer will against a father who thought that a female baby was worthless, a twin brother that she loved and respected and a mother she adored.
You can’t help but fall in love with the characters. In Spare Change, I loved Ethan Allen and in The Twelfth Child I loved Destiny and found myself cheering for her throughout this book. I loved that Bette Lee Crosby explored the exploitation of caregivers and the angst and greed of people. Her books are inspiration and yet, not preachy.
I thought I had the ending figured out, but there was still a surprise. The book leaves me wondering if there will be a sequel to this one.
If you haven’t read a book by Bette Lee Crosby and you enjoy books about strong women with a “Southern Flair”, go and pick up a copy of one of Bette Lee’s books and I am sure you will love it and want to read another one.
5/5 stars
Saturday, February 25, 2012
FEBRUARY REVIEWS
CITY OF BONES by CASSANDRA CLARE
Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones was a great read. Totally not what I expected, but that’s when I enjoy a book even more.
The beginning of the book started off a little slow for me with a bunch of details and a bit of confusion, but the more I read the more I didn’t want to put the book down. I don't want to give too much away...........
This book is about Clary Fray and it starts out that she is at Pandemonium (a club) with her friend Simon where she witnesses a murder that no one else can see. Her life changes dramatically from that point on. She is now involved in the world of the Shadowhunters, her mother has disappeared and she finds out that in New York City there are vampires, werewolf’s, ravengers and more demons. Not all are evil, but Clary will meet many of them.
Clary is a great character, she is strong and speaks her mind, she is not overbearing and annoying and you only grow to enjoy her character as the book progresses. Some of the other main characters in the book are Jace, Isabelle and Alex who are also Shadowhunters and struggle with their own personal demons.
There are adults in this book, but not very many “role models”. When you think one thing, something different happens.
There is plenty of action and adventure and lots of moments when I find myself surprised or gasping. At times I felt a little confused along my journey to the end, but it was a great journey and I’m anxious to read the next book.
4 of 5 Stars
Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones was a great read. Totally not what I expected, but that’s when I enjoy a book even more.
The beginning of the book started off a little slow for me with a bunch of details and a bit of confusion, but the more I read the more I didn’t want to put the book down. I don't want to give too much away...........
This book is about Clary Fray and it starts out that she is at Pandemonium (a club) with her friend Simon where she witnesses a murder that no one else can see. Her life changes dramatically from that point on. She is now involved in the world of the Shadowhunters, her mother has disappeared and she finds out that in New York City there are vampires, werewolf’s, ravengers and more demons. Not all are evil, but Clary will meet many of them.
Clary is a great character, she is strong and speaks her mind, she is not overbearing and annoying and you only grow to enjoy her character as the book progresses. Some of the other main characters in the book are Jace, Isabelle and Alex who are also Shadowhunters and struggle with their own personal demons.
There are adults in this book, but not very many “role models”. When you think one thing, something different happens.
There is plenty of action and adventure and lots of moments when I find myself surprised or gasping. At times I felt a little confused along my journey to the end, but it was a great journey and I’m anxious to read the next book.
4 of 5 Stars
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
JANUARY/FEBRUARY BOOKS - TO BE REVIEWED
My list of books to be reviewed in January:
Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott (read/review-pending)
Revolution (Chronicles of Charanthe #2) by Rachel Cotterill
Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby
Never Smile at Strangers by Jennifer Minar-Jaynes
Larkstorm by Dawn Rae Miller
Letters in Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin
Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott (read/review-pending)
Revolution (Chronicles of Charanthe #2) by Rachel Cotterill
Cracks in the Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby
Never Smile at Strangers by Jennifer Minar-Jaynes
Larkstorm by Dawn Rae Miller
Letters in Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin
Monday, December 19, 2011
December Reads
12/27/11 - Lyrics of the Heart by Alexandra Lanc.
I was given the opportunity by the author to read this novella. I must say that I feel like everyone should read it. Here is my summary:
***SPOILERS***
What a powerfully emotional read. It grabbed me from the first sentence and never let go till the end. The story of Kristi and how she dealt with her fathers tragic accident through the poems (lyrics) she wrote versus talking about it. I loved her meetings with Mark and how they never said anything but he was always reading her poems when she came in. There was a magical connection between the two of them. Mark ultimately gave her the strenght and empowered her to move on no matter what the circumstances were and to live her life as he intended to live his and make it a better life than before his tragedy.
This was an emotional roller coaster for me, but it was also spiritually uplifting.
Bravo Alexandra, for another wonderful book.
I especially enjoyed reading the end where you discuss how this book came about and your personal experiences. It was wonderful.
5/5 STARS
12/19/11 - The House On Olive Street by Robyn Carr:
I was given the opportunity by the author to read this novella. I must say that I feel like everyone should read it. Here is my summary:
***SPOILERS***
What a powerfully emotional read. It grabbed me from the first sentence and never let go till the end. The story of Kristi and how she dealt with her fathers tragic accident through the poems (lyrics) she wrote versus talking about it. I loved her meetings with Mark and how they never said anything but he was always reading her poems when she came in. There was a magical connection between the two of them. Mark ultimately gave her the strenght and empowered her to move on no matter what the circumstances were and to live her life as he intended to live his and make it a better life than before his tragedy.
This was an emotional roller coaster for me, but it was also spiritually uplifting.
Bravo Alexandra, for another wonderful book.
I especially enjoyed reading the end where you discuss how this book came about and your personal experiences. It was wonderful.
5/5 STARS
12/19/11 - The House On Olive Street by Robyn Carr:
What a departure from Carr's Virgin River series. In this book, the theme of coming together in a crisis as in the VR books prevails. This is the story of four women who come together after the tragic death of their friend. All of the women are writers and/or educators and they have formed a club and all meet at Gabby's house.
There is Elly, who is the matriarch. She is a spinster who has made a life for herself within the walls
of her own little home. She is a recovering alcoholic.
Sable, who is a best-selling novelist and who has had to dig deep to find herself after going from foster home to foster home and dealing with a mother that was not there for her.
Barbara Ann is a mother of 4 boys and a loving husband, who suddenly feels very underappreciated and sees her career spiraling out of control.
Beth, a mystery writer has an abusive husband and is very shy.
All of these woman come to live together at The House On Olive Street after the death of Gabby, who was their anchor, and they work together on a collaboration of one of Gabby's novels, an almost biography of Gabby's life she has written over the year, but with false name. In doing so, all the secrets that these women have kept hidden in their past and present come out of the closet, so to speak and the four of them, together with Gabby's mother, find a way to make a summer into a lifetime friendship and show their strength and conviction for one another.
A great read by one of my favorite authors.
4.5/5 stars
of her own little home. She is a recovering alcoholic.
Sable, who is a best-selling novelist and who has had to dig deep to find herself after going from foster home to foster home and dealing with a mother that was not there for her.
Barbara Ann is a mother of 4 boys and a loving husband, who suddenly feels very underappreciated and sees her career spiraling out of control.
Beth, a mystery writer has an abusive husband and is very shy.
All of these woman come to live together at The House On Olive Street after the death of Gabby, who was their anchor, and they work together on a collaboration of one of Gabby's novels, an almost biography of Gabby's life she has written over the year, but with false name. In doing so, all the secrets that these women have kept hidden in their past and present come out of the closet, so to speak and the four of them, together with Gabby's mother, find a way to make a summer into a lifetime friendship and show their strength and conviction for one another.
A great read by one of my favorite authors.
4.5/5 stars
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