Bloggin' 'bout Books

13 Treasures More Chilling Than Charming, But Still Enjoyable

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

No one believes Tanya when she talks about the fairies. Why would they? It's too fantastical to be true. But Tanya sees their ugly little faces, hears their menacing taunts, fears their potent magic. As hard as she tries to ignore them, the fairies refuse to leave her alone.

When Tanya's mum finally has enough of her daughter's wild stories, she sends Tanya to live with her eccentric old grandmother. Tanya barely knows the woman, since Florence has never made any effort to keep in touch. As if living with a stranger isn't bad enough, Tanya now resides in Elvesden Manor, a creepy old mansion that sits alone in an isolated, overgrown corner of the Essex countryside. A thick forest known as Hangman's Wood surrounds the house, making it feel even more sinister. The only part of Tanya's new home that feels at all welcoming is Fabian, the groundskeeper's 12-year-old son. But even he is just an annoying, bookish boy.

It doesn't take long for Tanya to realize Elvesden Manor is full of secrets. It's not just the fairies, either—although the house is home to plenty of otherworldly creatures—it's something bigger. When Tanya learns about a girl who disappeared in Hangman's Wood fifty years ago, she's determined to find out what happened. But solving the mystery will not be easy. In fact, following the clues will take Tanya and Fabian on a complicated and dangerous journey—one that will lead them right to the brink of the formidable fairy world. And beyond.

If you're expecting 13 Treasures, the first book in Michelle Harrison's middle grade fantasy series, to be a nice, calm Fablehaven-ish read, think again. There are similarities between the two books, for sure, but Harrison's has a sinister bent that's a little ... scary. Still, although the story's not particularly original, it is rich and absorbing. I enjoyed it. I did find the book more chilling than charming, which isn't a bad thing, just not what I expected. If your child's easily frightened, I would be cautious recommending this one, but my daughter really liked it and so did I.

(Readalikes: 13 Curses and 13 Wishes by Michelle Harrison; also reminded me of the Fablehaven books by Brandon Mull)

Grade: B

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scary situations and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: I borrowed 13 Treasures from my kids' elementary school library and read it as part of my volunteer work with the same.

Asfall Not the Most Brilliant YA Dystopian, But Not Bad Either

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:25:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Alex Halprin doesn't mind being left behind when his parents and younger sister go on vacation without him. In fact, the 15-year-old is thrilled. He's not planning any wild parties either; he just wants to enjoy a nice, quiet weekend without anyone bugging him. It looks as if Alex is going to get exactly what he wants. Then a supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park erupts, covering the Midwest and beyond in a thick, choking layer of ash. Fires break out, looting begins, and people become frantic to find food, water, shelter, help. As Alex watches his ordered world crumble into a brutal, post-apocalyptic wasteland, he forgets about video games and alone time—he just wants to survive.

After disaster strikes, Alex realizes he can't just sit around in small town Cedar Falls, Iowa, waiting for the world to go back to normal. Normal no longer exists. Alex decides to take action, to hike across 140 miles of ruined terrain in the hopes of reaching Warren, Illinois, the town for which his family was heading before the volcano blew. What he doesn't realize is just how much the world has changed in such a short amount of time. Alex thought the biggest challenge he would face on the road would be finding food, water and shelter. Not so. While those are certainly issues—vital, life-or-death issues—they're nothing compared to the monsters lurking around every corner. Only they're not monsters. Not exactly. They're good, Midwestern folks turned hungry, desperate and dangerous by their increasingly hopeless situation. Does a lone, teenage boy have any hope of surviving, let alone making it all the way to Illinois? Alex is about to find out.

Like most YA dystopians, Ashfall by Mike Mullin paints a pretty bleak picture of humanity's hope of surviving a catastrophic ecological disaster. It's not just lack of food and water that will destroy us, according to such stories, but our own selfish, savage selves. In the world Mullin describes, it takes less than a month for humans to turn into wild, cannibalistic beasts. While that may be far-fetched (let's hope), it does make for an exciting, action-packed story. While Ashfall's not especially original or brilliant, it's definitely entertaining. With a fast-paced plot, interesting enough characters and some food-for-thought situations, it's a decent YA dystopian. Not the best and not my favorite, but not bad either.

(Readalikes: The Road by Cormac McCarthy; The Last Survivors series [Life As We Knew It; The Dead & the Gone; This World We Live In] by Susan Beth Pfeffer; and a little like the Gone series [Gone; Hunger; Lies; Plague; Fear] by Michael Grant)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence and some sexual content (not graphic)

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

Perry's Newest Satisfies Almost As Much As It Unsettles

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:36:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Acceptable Loss, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier books in the William Monk series. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

I normally write my own plot summaries, but sometimes I don't feel like reinventing the wheel—especially when a book's jacket copy does it appropriate justice. So, I'm going to go ahead and cheat on this one (any typos/mistakes in the following are my own):

"Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil," The New York Times Book Review once declared, "and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens's eyes pop." And Perry's new William and Hester Monk story, a mesmerizing masterpiece of innocence and evil on London's docks, outshines all her previous novels in this successful and beloved series.

When the body of a small-time crook named Micky Parfitt washes up on the tide, no one grieves; far from it. But William Monk, commander of the River Police, is puzzled by the expensive silk cravat used to strangle Parfitt. How did this elegant scarf—whose owner was obviously a man of substance—end up imbedded in the neck of a wharf rat who so richly deserved his sordid end?

Dockside informers lead Monk to what may be a partial answer—a floating palace of corruption on the Thames managed by Parfitt, where a captive band of half-starved boys is forced to perform vile acts for men willing to pay a high price for midnight pleasures. Althugh Monk and his fearless wife, Hester, would prefer to pin a medal on Parfitt's killer, duty leads them in another direction—to an unresolved crime from the past, to blackmail and more murder, and to a deadly confrontation with some of the empire's most respected men.

To a superlative degree, Acceptable Loss provides colorful characters, a memorable portrait of waterfront life, and a story that achieves its most thrilling moments in a transfixed London courtroom, where Monk faces his old friend Oliver Rathbone in a trial of nearly unbearable tension—in sum, every delectable drop of the rich pleasure that readers expect from an Anne Perry novel."

I know what you're going to say and, for the record, I absolutely agree: the subject of this novel is repugnant. So much so that, at times, it made me feel physically ill, even though Perry steers away from describing all the lurid details of the so-called "pleasure" boats. Still, she gives enough of it and implies enough of it for readers to get the whole, sickening picture. For that reason, Acceptable Loss is not an easy book to read. There were several times I wanted to put it down for good, but I didn't for two reasons: because it was nominated for a Whitney Award and because, in spite of its distressing topic, it's an enthralling read. Why? Well, the paragraphs above sum it up nicely—Perry creates deep, interesting characters; vivid, carefully-drawn settings; and a plot twists that are unexpected, but masterfully executed (the Epilogue of this book is an especially brilliant example). So, while Acceptable Loss is disturbing in the extreme, it's also a rich, compelling story that satisfies almost as much as it unsettles. I'm not going to say I loved it, but it definitely pulled me in and kept me turning pages because I had to know how it ended. And, let me say, it ended well, my friends. Very, very well.

(Readalikes: Other books in the William Monk series; it also reminded me a little bit of Y.S. Lee's The Agency series [A Spy in the House; The Body at the Tower; and The Traitor in the Tunnel])

Grade: B

If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for violence, language (no F-bombs), and very mature content

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

Bloodborne Too Bogged Down With Plot/Character/Writing Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Reclusive Dr. Erin Cross, the 29-year-old scientist in charge of research and development at Timpanogos Research Industries in Lehi, Utah, lives an uneventful life. She works, she reads, she does little else. Until an ordinary lunch at her favorite deli goes horribly awry. When a shooter bursts into the restaurant, Erin assumes it's random violence. That assumption melts when she discovers the lab where she works has been locked down and her townhouse has been ransacked. Someone's trying to get to her. The question is who? And why?

Erin's terrified, but has no idea to whom she can turn. She has few friends, none of whom she's willing to put into danger. There's only one person she can think of who could possibly help her—Sean Flannery, the ex-Marine who took on the shooter at the deli. Before she knows it, she's on the run with the handsome, enigmatic Sean. He makes her feel safe and maybe something more.

As the two of them try to figure out who's behind the threats and violence toward Erin, a greedy virologist is up to no good on a remote island in Hawaii. Can Erin and Sean figure out what's going on in time to stop Dr. Krantz, saving the lives of a small group of indigenous people, or will their own lives be snuffed out by a powerful organization bent on ruling the world?

In general, I like medical-type thrillers and one set in Utah—which seems (though maybe just to outsiders) to be the most placid place on Earth—sounded especially intriguing to me. Unfortunately, Bloodborne by Gregg Luke just ... isn't. The story could have been very compelling, but it gets bogged down by cliché characters, contrived situations, plot holes the size of Alaska, and a whole lot of telling vs. showing. If I hadn't been reading it for the Whitney Awards, I would have put Bloodborne down without reading past the first chapter. Sad, but true.

(Readalikes: Reminded me a lot of MICRO by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston and a little of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown)

Grade: C-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Bloodborne from the generous folks at Covenant Communications via the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!

LDS Suspense A (Surprisingly) Enjoyable Read

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Smokescreen, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier novels in the Saint Squad series. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

Studying art in Europe has been a dream come true for 24-year-old Taylor Palmetta. Not only has she learned a ton about painting, but she's almost—almost—forgotten all about Quinn Lambert, the Navy SEAL who broke her heart. But when someone breaks into her Paris hotel room, targeting her for some unknown reason, Taylor's so shaken up she's not sure what to do. Returning to her home in Virginia Beach seems to be the only solution, the only thing that makes her feel safe.

Until she can find her own apartment in Virginia, Taylor moves in with her sister, Riley, who's married to Tristan Crowther, a member of the same SEAL squad as Quinn. The fact that Tristan and Quinn are not just co-workers, but also best friends, means Taylor's thrown into the latter's company way before she's had a chance to prepare herself. And she really should have taken more time to steel her heart because as soon as she sees Quinn, she realizes her feelings for him have not cooled one bit. He obviously doesn't feel the same way, so, once again, Taylor's got to figure out how to move on.

In the meantime, Taylor's not feeling any safer. Even so far from Paris, she's still being harassed. She just can't figure out why. She needs answers—and soon. With the help of Quinn and Tristan's "Saint Squad," she'll get them, but knowing why only makes Taylor more terrified. And while the SEALS are figuring out how to save the world, she's got an even bigger mystery to tackle: Quinn.

As you can probably tell from the reviews I've been posting lately, I'm not big on LDS suspense. True, I don't read a lot of it, but when I do, I remember why I don't (if that makes any sense). Thus, I was surprised by how much I did enjoy Smokescreen by Traci Hunter Abramson. It could have used stronger writing, better character development (although, in the author's defense, I didn't realize Smokescreen was part of a series and, therefore, didn't read the first books in which the characters were introduced and, presumably, fleshed out), and tighter plotting. Still, Abramson, who worked for the CIA, seemed knowledgeable and surprised me with some of her plot twists. All in all, I found Smokescreen an entertaining read, although certainly not a flawless one.

(Readalikes: Other books in the Saint Squad series by Traci Hunter Abramson)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Smokescreen from the generous folks at Covenant Communications via the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!

Whitney Award Winner Doesn't Do Much For Me

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

When Mia Hardy dies in a car accident, it almost destroys her college roommate, Fiona Claridge. If it hadn't been for Fiona's impatience, the tragedy never would have happened. Even now, 8 years later, she can't quite forgive herself for the part she played in her friend's death. She's trying to move on, but it's difficult, maybe even impossible. Fiona's busy with her job as an assistant English professor, the renovations on her 83-year-old fixer-upper, and ... not much else. Still, she is moving forward.

Then, Fiona receives a sinister "gift" that tells her someone else can't forget the accident or her part in it. She tries to laugh it off—it's probably just a ticked off student trying to get revenge for a poor grade—but when the threats continue, Fiona hardly knows what to do. It doesn't help that travelling back to her hometown brings back memories of Mia and—even more disconcerting—of her old flame, Alan Taylor. Alan's wife isn't thrilled to see her husband's old flame and neither are several other townspeople who still blame Fiona for Mia's death. All the emotion stemming from these events leaves Fiona feeling weak, hopeless and scared.

As Fiona gets even more tangled with the people from her past, the threats against her get worse. Are they really just pranks from an upset student or something much, much more dangerous? Fiona must figure it out in order to save her sanity—and her life.

Rearview Mirror, an LDS murder mystery by Stephanie Black, just won a Whitney Award for best mystery written in 2011 by a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So, apparently, I missed something because, for me, this book just bugged. It's predictable; full of big, gaping plot holes; and features a heroine who is not just depressing, but helpless and annoying. The writing never engaged me, the characters annoyed me, the dialogue sounded unnaturally stiff—so yeah, Rearview Mirror didn't do much for me. Other people found it enjoyable, though, so this could just be another case of me being way too picky. It's been known to happen (okay, it happens all the time). All I know is that if I hadn't been required to finish this one in order to vote for the Whitney Award winners, I wouldn't have.

(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything right off the top of my head. Can you?)

Grade: C-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Rearview Mirror from the generous folks at Covenant Communications via the Whitney Award Committee. Thank you!

Historical Adventure Series Good, Clean, Well-Written Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Pharaoh's Daughter, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from Legend of the Jewel, the first book in the Isabelle Webb series. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

Former Pinkerton spy Isabelle Webb thought she was retiring from the adventurous life. Not so. After a harrowing adventure in India, she's now in Egypt, along with her 16-year-old ward, Sally Rhodes, and her boyfriend, 33-year-old blacksmith James Ashby. Although Isabelle is anxious to save Sally from any further mishaps (one kidnapping is more than enough, thank you very much), she's intrigued when a woman from her past offers her the chance to join a real archaeological dig. The opportunity is simply too intriguing to miss.

Isabelle is fascinated by the excavation site, a cave near Luxor that is rumored to be the tomb of a shamed pharaoh's daughter. But strange things are happening—Isabelle's hearing sinister voices near her tent at night; Alice Bilbey's birthmark burns like fire; and locals keep giving the Americans dire warnings and protective charms. The longer the group stays, the more danger they seem to be finding. Is finding treasure, even if it is more magical jewels, worth the risk? Is it worth their lives? Isabelle and her friends will soon find out.

I loved N.C. Allen's Legend of the Jewel, so I knew I'd be delighted with The Pharaoh's Daughter as well. And guess what? I was. There are so many things to like about this series—a tough, but vulnerable heroine; quick-paced plotting; fun, likable characters; mystery; even a little twist of the paranormal. It's good, clean, well-written fun and, believe me, that's not an easy combination to find. I never would have picked up this series if The Pharaoh's Daughter hadn't been nominated for a Whitney Award, but I'm so very glad I did. N.C. Allen's found a very devoted fan in Yours Truly.

(Readalikes: Legend of the Jewel by N.C. Allen; also reminds me of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters)

Grade: B+

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG

To the FTC, with love: I bought The Pharaoh's Daughter at Deseret Book with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

Second Book Blogger's Cookbook A Delicious Offering

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:06:00 +0000

There's nothing better than a good reading binge to nourish the soul ... unless, of course, it's accompanied by some delectable, book-inspired munchies. Author and book blogger Christy Dorrity understands how delicious this pairing can be, which is why, for the second year in a row, she's published The Book Blogger's Cookbook. Like last year's edition, the 2012 cookbook features bookish recipes inspired by popular novels, most of which are YA and MG. For each featured book, Dorrity includes a plot summary and—best of all—quotes about the story from some of the Web's most active book bloggers (including Yours Truly).

Now, I love to try new recipes, but I have to say that my favorite part about Dorrity's cookbooks are always the books. Even though I've been around the book blogging block a bit, The Book Blogger's Cookbook helps me discover not just new titles to read, but new blogs to explore as well. Nothing makes me happier than that!

Since my life has been a *little* bit crazy lately (flooding, head lice, a nasty cold AND end of the school year insanity), I haven't had a chance to try any of the recipes yet. I will, though, and I think I'm going to start with the Lost in Love Alfredo Pizza, which was inspired by Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith. I adored the book and from the looks of it, I'll do adore this pizza. too.

Cookbooks can be expensive, but this one is available as an e-book (print copies are not available) on Amazon for only $4.99. You also have a chance to win not only a copy of The Book Blogger's Cookbook, but copies of all the novels featured in it (22 books—a $200 value). All you have to do is follow along on the cookbook's virtual tour (see all the stops here). Every person who comments on one of the blogs during the tour will be entered to win the grand prize. There are other ways to get extra entries, too. Easy cheesy, right? Go and enter right now because, trust me, you want a copy of this fun, bookworm-y cookbook in your kitchen.

(Readalikes: The Book Blogger's Cookbook, 2011 by Christy Dorrity)

Grade: A (especially those amazing reviews by the brilliant lady who writes Bloggin' 'bout Books :])

If this were a movie, it would be rated: G

To the FTC, with love: I received a free copy of The Book Blogger's Cookbook from the very generous Christy Dorrity. Thank you!

TSS: The Extreme Home Makeover Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:40:00 +0000

Wow, it's been ten days since I posted anything. That might be a record for me. In case you're wondering, I do have excuses. Good ones, too. Things like a 3-day writer's conference, a flooded upstairs, head lice, and a needy 3 year old. See? I told you they were good.

I think a new Sunday Salon post is about the perfect way to dive back into regular blogging. It's Saturday evening, but whatevs. I'm flexible. Here goes:

Outside my window: The sun is going down, but it's still very, very warm outside. I believe today's high was 100 degrees. Boo hiss. My girls did convince me to go swimming today. It didn't last long as I very un-gracefully fell off a floatie and scraped up my foot. As I was bleeding out, we saw a mongo spider. Plus, the water was still pretty cold. So, yeah.

I am listening to: The very annoying background music to a video game my son is playing. Also, my kids arguing. It's lovely.

I am reading: Thanks to all the chaos going on in my life (see my good excuses listed above), plus the fact that I was so inspired after attending LDS Storymakers that I've been working on a novel of my own (not the one I've been taking to Boot Camp/Publication Primer for the last three years, but a BRAND NEW one) I haven't actually been reading much. I am, however, just about done with Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. It's non-stop action, with not a lot of actual plot. Entertaining, though.

I am going to read: Excellent question. I don't know. I'll decide when I finish Pandemonium.

On the Blog: Um, yeah ... did I mention I've got excuses? Really, really good ones?

Around the Book Blogosphere: I've barely had time to think about my own blog, let alone anyone else's. Sorry.

I am thinking: That once my house gets put back together (See Excellent Excuse #2: a flooded upstairs), it will look fabulous.

I am grateful for: Mothers. I've got a great one. So does my husband. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. Keep doing what you do because, frankly, you're awesome.

Around the house: I mentioned the flooded upstairs. Yeah. I'm not sure what happened exactly (I was out of town), but the bathroom flooded causing $10,000 worth of damage. After 4 days of heavy duty fans blowing 24/7, it's all dried up, so this week, we'll be having guys come to do drywall upstairs and in the garage, paint three bedrooms, and lay down new carpet. It will look great when it's done. I just want it to be done now. I'm tired of living in a construction zone, you know?

In the kitchen: The only thing that has happened in the kitchen this week is a pan of chicken enchiladas. It's one of my standard meals—we all love it. Other than that, we had some yummy sandwiches from Steve's Krazy Subs, Blizzards from DQ and I believe the kids had Panda Express while I was out of town. Yeah. We should probably eat real food sometime soon.

High of the Week: I've been on a creative high, writing like mad. It's been fun.

Low of the Week: Picking lice and nits out of my daughters' hair. Not. Fun.

Family Matters: Since the girls' bedrooms were both damaged in the flood, they've been bunking together in the guest room. Neither of them are getting much sleep, but it's funny to hear them chatting together at night. The boys went on a Father/Son campout on Friday/Saturday, so the girls and I had a sleepover in my room. Good times.

The coming week: Besides the aforementioned home repairs, I'll be cleaning, catching up on book reviews, and getting end-of-the-school-year stuff together. My kids only have 9 days of school left. Yikes!

Words of Wisdom: Don't sweat the small stuff. I've really learned that this week. A sense of humor goes a long way in times of chaos.

Have a wonderful week, everybody!

Mormon Desperate Housewives Mystery Not As Intriguing As It Sounds

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Deseret Book)

Kallene Ashton, a 29-year-old graphic designer, loves her cozy neighborhood in the southeast end of the Salt Lake Valley. Her house is spacious, the views from the deck are breathtaking, and she's made some good friends on her street. It's one of these friends—stay-at-home mom Linda Longdale—who's got Kallene feeling worried. Not only did Linda confide in Kallene about her impending divorce, but now she's gone missing, leaving behind an angry husband and a distraught toddler. Maybe Linda just needed some time away, but the longer she's gone, the more Kallene fears she's come to some kind of harm.

When Linda's dead body is discovered off the canyon trail where Kallene and Linda liked to jog, the question becomes: What happened to Linda? Who killed her? And why? As Kallene searches for the answer, prying into the secret lives of the neighbors she thought she knew, she makes some startling discoveries. Her sniffing around turns up some intriguing possibilities, but it also means she's on the killer's radar—and just might be his/her next victim. Can Kallene solve the mystery of her friend's death in time to save herself? Or will her days of running in the canyon end with her own body broken and discarded in the underbrush?

After my husband read If I Should Die by Jennie Hansen, he described it as a "Mormon Desperate Housewives." Since I kind of love that idea (I mean, how many times have you wondered if your totally-together Relief Society president or your perfect Peter Priesthood neighbor was hiding a deep, dark secret?), I was excited to read If I Should Die. Then, I actually read it and ... yeah. Despite the intriguing Desperate Housewives vibe, the novel's another run-of-the-mill Mormon mystery. It's not just predictable (I knew the murderer the minute I "met" her/him and I'm usually clueless when it comes to guessing whodunit), it's also far-fetched and poorly constructed. The characters are cliché, the dialogue is stiff, the red herrings way too obvious. Altogether, a disappointing read. A bummer, too, because I really do like the idea of a Mormon Desperate Housewives. I just know my R.S. president's hiding something. No one can be that sweet, spiritual and giving ...

A funny: In reading (well, skimming) Jennie Hansen's blog, I've come to the conclusion that she and I have completely different tastes. Her opinions on the Whitney finalists are pretty much the opposite of mine. So, maybe it stands to reason that I didn't care for her book—she probably wouldn't care for one I wrote either!

(Readalikes: Nothing comes to mind.)

Grade: D

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mature subject matter (including child neglect/abuse)

To the FTC, with love: I bought If I Should Die from Deseret Book with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:53:00 +0000

You know how all month I've been whining about how behind on reviews I am? Well, I'm still behind. Very behind. So behind that, not only was I unable to review The Minefields by Steven C. Eisner, but I also forgot to post the summary and excerpt I promised to post. Gah!

It's a day late, but here you go, anyway:

Sam Spiegel has it all: A promising career at a top Madison Avenue advertising agency, an apartment in New York City, and a beautiful wife. He also has strong family ties, so when his ailing father, Harry, recruits him to turn the family’s sleepy Philadelphia ad shop into a regional powerhouse, Sam cannot refuse. Once entrenched in reviving Spiegel Communications, Sam begins a delicate dance of power with Harry. While Sam enjoys increasing success, Harry Spiegel remains mired in old traditions and weighed down by financial worries. Sam’s wife, Amy, also joins the agency, but she deeply resents Sam’s decision to leave New York. The two struggle in their marriage, which appears to center too much on business and not enough on intimacy. It isn’t long before emotions come to a head, putting everything Sam has worked for at risk. Despite these challenges, he’s able to build an impressive ad agency, winning many prestigious national accounts. Then it all changes. In the aftermath of 9/11, an international airline account—Spiegel’s largest—finds itself in a vulnerable position. Now caught in a stunning professional reversal as his life starts a downward spiral, Sam must find his way through the minefields around him—and survive. (Text is from the book's jacket cover)

And, now, for the excerpt: We three watched Harry W. Spiegel, calm and inexorably still. I sat by the curtain. Twenty minutes later his breathing stopped. Sunday Morning came to its end. The trumpet cleared and the kettledrum was left to solo out with a light patter, fading to quiet.

That is all.

A Former Pinkerton Spy On A Case in India? Intriguing, Indeed.

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Deseret Book)

Isabelle Webb, a former Pinkerton spy, is still reeling after the recent assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. She blames herself for failing to warn him, failing to save the great man from the bullet that took his life. A vacation is exactly what the 26-year-old needs to take her mind off her part in the tragedy. Accompanied by Sally Rhodes, her 16-year-old ward, Isabelle heads to Bombay aboard a steamer ship. While en route to their destination, the women meet James Ashby, a Mormon blacksmith from Utah, who's traveling to India in the hopes of locating his younger brother. Phillip Ashby, a charming but senseless 20-year-old, has disappeared while hunting down a mythical jewel in the company of a known shyster.

Although she has retired from the cloak and dagger life of a spy, Isabelle can't quite restrain her interest in the mystery. She knows she should mind her own business, but the more she gets to know the serious-minded James, the more endearing she finds him. And, the more she ponders Phillip's disappearance, the more she realizes how much she misses the rush of the career she's left behind. So, with Sally in tow, Isabelle offers her sleuthing services to a reluctant, but grateful James.

It's not long before James has amassed a small group of searchers, an intriguing set of strangers, all of whom are intent on finding young Phillip. While all members of the party insist they are helping only out of the goodness of their hearts, Isabelle questions their motives, especially as the journey becomes increasingly more dangerous. Someone, it seems, is more intent on finding the jewel Phillip is hunting than the man himself and that person will stop at nothing to get the precious stone. Even if it means killing a nosy former spy in the process. With her life in danger, Isabelle must find the traitor—before it's too late.

Before picking up Legend of the Jewel, I'd never read anything by N.C. (Nancy Campbell) Allen. A shame, because, apparently, she began writing about Isabelle and her cohorts in her popular Faith of Our Fathers series. No matter. Legend of the Jewel works well as a standalone, but even better as the first installment in an exciting new series. Isabelle's a compelling heroine, someone who's tough, though grieving and vulnerable. The romance between her and James develops in a believable manner, while never feeling dull or stale. Although this is LDS historical fiction, it's not preachy (really, it hardly mentions religion at all); it's just a fun, clean mystery that's well-written and entertaining. I loved it.

(Readalikes: Reminded me of the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters)

Grade: B+

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for some violence and mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I bought Legend of the Jewel from Deseret Book with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

TSS: Round Two

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Outside my window: It's still dark (5:30 a.m.), so I'm not sure exactly. It's been a little cooler around here this week. We even had a grey, drizzly day, which was perfect!

I am listening to: Nothing but the birds singing outside. It's lovely.

I am reading:Now that my reading for the Whitney Awards is finished, I'm focusing on getting through the small pile of middle grade novels loaned to me by the librarian at my kids' elementary school. I need to read them and write tests for them by the end of the school year, which is less than a month away. Gah! At any rate, I just finished 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison. It's a fantasy/mystery book that's sort of like Fablehaven meets Nancy Drew. Now, I'm in the middle of the sequel, 13 Curses. Both books are a little dark, but also clever and compelling.

I am going to read: I still owe Stephanie Worlton a review of her debut novel, Hope's Journey. I'm also planning to read Psuedonymous Bosch's newest, since I enjoy his zany The Secret series and the librarian needs a test on it. Also, since I've got a couple of airplane rides ahead of me this week, I'm thinking I may be able to get a good start on The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott. We'll see what actually happens :)

On the Blog:I'm still way behind on reviews, but I managed to post 4 this week (Wow! I did?). I also shared some sweet pictures of my 3-year-old selecting books from her grandparents' Little Free Library.

Around the Book Blogosphere: Last week, in trying to figure out how this whole The Sunday Salon thing works, I found the TSS Facebook group. Not only did the peeps there give me some good advice, but they led me to some fun, new book blogs. Check out: Books in the Burbs and Still Unfinished (His blog scrolls left to right, a design I've never seen before.)

I am thinking: About my upcoming trip to Utah. So much to do before I leave. So much to do.

I am grateful for: Lots of friend time this week. I've been able to hang out and catch up with lots of lovely ladies. I need to do that more often.

Around the house: I'm gradually (very gradually) getting the kids' rooms cleaned out enough to have them painted. The husband keeps threatening to have the rooms done while I'm in Utah, which makes me a tad bit nervous. Especially because I think that by "painters," he means himself and the kids.

In the kitchen: Last weekend, we bought a big basket of produce from a local farmer's market, mostly because that's the only way to get the very yummy bread they sell. So, I've got lots of vegetables. It's too hot for soup, so I'm trying to decide how best to cook up all the veggies. Suggestions?

High of the Week: Book Club! My friends at church have tried several versions of book club, none of which have ever really worked. A girl who's fairly new in town just started it up again and I think it's going to go well this time since she's both organized and enthusiastic. We had our first meeting on Thursday, where we discussed (yes, we actually did discuss the book) Matched by Ally Condie and did a whole lot of chatting. It was lots of fun.

Low of the Week: My girls have both been scratching their heads a lot lately. Since their cousins just had head lice, I feared mine might have it, too. But, after thorough examinations of their scalps, I don't see any bugs or anything out of the ordinary, so I think it's just dryness and dandruff. Keep your fingers crossed that it is so.

Family Matters: Leaving my 3-year-old for a few days always makes me nervous since she's a *little* attached to her Mommy. Hopefully, she'll behave for her Daddy, whom she also adores.

The coming week: I'm heading to Utah on Thursday for the LDS Storymakers conference. I'm excited to hang out with my good friend Robin, as well as lots of other writerly/readerly kinds of people. I'm hoping to connect with some of my favorite Utah book bloggers as well (look for an email from me, Suey and Jenny—anyone else who wants to get together, let me know).

Words of Wisdom: Have a great week, everybody!

Biblical Drama Lacks ... Drama

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

I try to review books right after I've read them—that way, the story's plot, character, tone, etc. remains fresh in my mind while I dissect it for your reading pleasure. The longer I wait to write about a book, the more my memory seems to desert me. Especially in the case of a novel like Marilyn Brown's Fires of Jerusalem, the details of which stand out in my mind not at all. I remember slogging through the book, turning pages (well, scrolling through screens on my Kindle Fire) as quickly as I could so that I could move onto something more exciting. So dull was this reading experience for me that I remember almost nothing about it. Except that the story's chock-full of historical detail, while it skimps mightily on things like plot, character development, and engaging prose.

Since there's not a lot of plot to move the story along, it's going to be difficult to describe Fires of Jerusalem. There's no jacket copy to help me along either. Bother. Well, here's my best attempt at a summary:

The story concerns Jeremiah, the Hebrew prophet who's credited with authoring the Old Testament books of Jeremiah, 1 Kings, 2 Kings and Lamentations. It begins when Jeremiah is a young man, working in the Jerusalem's temple archives as an apprentice scribe. The city around him has become a dangerous place, filled with violence, crime, poverty and despair. Many who live there, and in surrounding lands, have turned away from God, choosing instead to indulge in drunkenness, whoring and idol worship. As the son of a high priest and as a scribe whose job it is to preserve holy scripture, Jeremiah finds the situation troubling, but believes there is little he can do to change it.

It's not until 14-year-old Jeremiah receives a vision from God that he realizes he not only can do something about the people's wickedness, but that he must. He has been commanded to warn the people that they—and their great city of Jerusalem—will be destroyed if they do not turn away from lawlessness and sin. Jeremiah accepts the assignment with great reluctance. Ultimately, though, he spends decades preaching to the wicked, risking his future, his family, even his life, to cry repentance to a people who would rather imprison a prophet than listen to him. Even though Jeremiah is not alone in his work (he gets a little help from people like Lehi, of Book of Mormon fame), he is ultimately on his own to save his people, his religion and himself.

There's more than enough raw material here to make for a very entertaining historical novel, but Brown weighs down the story with so much detail that it plods along far too slowly. The author's intense research is probably the most commendable thing about this book, it just isn't woven into a compelling plot, so Fires of Jerusalem reads more like a textbook than a novel. Other reviewers have commended the author for using her artistic license to make a dull prophet more vivid and interesting—I'm not sure what they're talking about since, to me, Brown's version of Jeremiah still seems very flat and dull. I think what the novel really lacks, above all, is dynamic storytelling. Because, I'm telling you, I had to fight to stay awake through this one. Now, I absolutely admit that I'm not a huge fan of fiction based on scripture and that I never would have picked up this book if it hadn't been chosen as a Whitney Award finalist, but still, the book had a whole lot of unrealized potential. It could have been a riveting page-turner, it just...wasn't.

(Readalikes: I don't read much in this genre, so I'm drawing a blank here. Any suggestions?)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for violence and mature subject matter

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF of Fires of Jerusalem from the generous folks at Parables via the Whitney Award Committee. Thank you!

My Bookish Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:24:00 +0000

Someone (I believe it was Gaye of Inside a Book) recently accused me of not posting any new pictures of my baby on this here blog. In my defense, it's a book blog, not a Mommy blog, so I try to keep things mostly book-related. However, my daughter has grown a lot since I last showed you a photo of her. She hardly even resembles the cute little toddler I'm holding in the photo on my right sidebar (*sigh*). Obviously, she's still cute, it's just that she's such a big girl now. It makes me a little sad to watch her getting so grown up and independent. Really, where has the time gone?

Luckily for Gaye, my mother-in-law shot some pictures of little Miss J. just a couple of weeks ago. not only are they dorable, but they're also bookish in nature. So, here you go:

Isn't she just too cute for words? That huge grin is always on her face. It's absolutely infectious and has gotten her out of trouble many, many times. Someone once said that this little girl's special talent is making people happy and I couldn't agree more. She brings joy into our lives every single day.

The pictures are of J. using the Little Free Library my in-laws set up in their front yard. Have you heard about this small, but ingenious movement? It's been a fun little project for my in-laws. Their lush, well-maintained yard has always received lots of attention, but now that it's got this small, take-a-book-leave-a-book library, it's become an even more popular spot!

In other news, I'm now only 8 reviews behind. Maybe I will finish writing them sometime in this lifetime! One can always hope ...

Book of Mormon Girl Power Story Has Definite Potential

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Maybe it's because she's got three brothers. Or because her best friend Ezekiel "Zeke" is a boy. Or maybe it's for some other reason entirely, but 15-year-old Keturah wants to be a soldier. All the teenage boys in the land of Zarahemla are gathering, forming an army they hope the prophet Helaman will command in the war against the Lamanites. Keturah longs to be part of that army, to prove herself on the battlefield. She knows she's at least as tough as her 12-year-old brother, who's getting combat training every day. So, she watches the boys in secret, practicing the moves they're taught, hoping to learn enough to show Helaman she can fight just as well as any boy. Maybe better.

Not everyone is thrilled about Keturah's desire to fight. Her mother and brothers would prefer she stick to something more ladylike. Keturah's boldness angers Zeke, her intended husband, even as it amuses Gideon, an intriguing stranger who's training with the other boys from Melek. Since she's the only girl in her household, Keturah's job is to help her mother. Keturah has no intention of shirking her responsibilities at home; she wants to train in addition to doing her chores. And she will—no matter how hard she has to work, no matter how much others disapprove, no matter what her nontraditional desires will cost her.

As the bloodthirsty Lamanites make their way toward Zarahemla—a place full of adults who have buried their weapons of war, vowing never to take them up again—every member of the rising generation must do what he/she can to defend the land of their inheritance. Keturah wants a chance to do just that. If only she can show the men in charge that she means business. It's a question of how far she's willing to go, how much she's willing to risk to get what she wants. As the Lamanites march ever closer, Keturah must battle her own heart to decide whether she should do what's expected of her or follow her own path, even if it means endangering her reputation, her family's good name, and her future marriage to the man who loves her as much more than just a best friend.

Obviously, Daughter of Helaman by Misty Moncur, isn't the only novel ever to have been inspired by stories from The Book of Mormon; it is, however, the only one I've read. For some reason, I shy away from this genre. I don't have a problem with it per se, I just find it a little ... strange. Is that weird? I don't know, something about a Nephite boy uttering, "Whatever, dude" (or some such) just rubs me the wrong way, you know?

At any rate, Daughter of Helaman has the potential to be a really exciting and inspiring story, especially since it features a heroine who's not only tough physically, but valiant spiritually. The problem is that Keturah's a little too tough. She shows little vulnerability and even less humility. Worse, she achieves her goal with almost no resistance—and in the middle of the novel, too! Plus, Keturah spends the majority of her time in training, not doing any real life-or-death type fighting. While her skirmishes with Gideon keep things interesting for awhile, nothing real really happens until the very end of the book. Now, I'm guessing (guessing, because I don't actually know) this is because Moncur's setting us up for a sequel, but still, nobody likes stories where nothing happens. Unfortunately, Daughter of Helaman qualifies. I would have liked the book a whole lot better if Keturah actually had to work to achieve her goal, if she had to suffer a little humiliation, if she had to struggle a bit to get what she wanted. As is, the heroine achieves her goal way too easily, the climax of her story comes way too soon, and I stopped caring about what happened to her way too early. I wanted to love this one, I really did, but I got bored with it long before I had a chance to get into it, you know? And that's a real bummer because I think this one has definite potential. It just didn't quite reach it, not in my mind, anyway.

(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF of Daughter of Helaman from the generous folks at Cedar Fort via the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!

Miss Delcourt II Another Light, Fun Read

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:31:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Miss Delacourt Has Her Day, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

It's been a week since 21-year-old Ginerva "Ginny" Delacourt became engaged to marry the debonair Sir Anthony Crenshaw and she couldn't be more thrilled. So deliriously happy is she that nothing can drag her down from the clouds on which she floats. Until Sir Anthony's cousin dies, leaving Sir Anthony as the "recalcitrant heir to death, duty, and the Duke of Marcross" (2). The event calls everything into question—Sir Anthony's future, his feelings toward Ginny and, most especially, their upcoming nuptials. Ginny can only stand helplessly by, her heart torn to shreds, while Sir Anthony decides what to do.

The last thing Sir Anthony wants is the heavy responsibility that comes with his soon-to-be elevated status. He would much rather frolic in the countryside with Ginny than play society games with London's elite. But that is not to be, not if Sir Anthony's uncle has his way. According to the ailing Duke of Marcross, Sir Anthony must choose a wife worthy of the title Duchess—not a lowly minister's daughter like Ginny Delacourt.

As much as Sir Anthony loves Ginny, he knows he cannot cross his uncle, especially not while the man lays on his deathbed. So, when the Duke comes up with a proposal of his own, a way for Sir Anthony to win the Duke's approval to marry Ginny, Sir Anthony doesn't hesitate. The tasks required of him are impossible, but he has to try. Whether it results in injury, even death, Sir Anthony will make sure that Miss Delacourt finally has her day.

Like Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind, this second novel in the series is a fun, lighthearted Regency romance. The characters may not be wholly original, but they're likable and compelling. The plot gets silly at times, but really, Miss Delacourt Has Her Day is lots of fun. I enjoyed this light, easy read about a resolute young woman, her dashing fiancee and all the loops through which they have to leap before they can achieve their Happily Ever After.

(Readalikes: Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by Heidi Ashworth)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Miss Delacourt Has Her Day from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

LDS Historical Novel Offers Fascinating Look at Maoist China

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:37:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Truth. In mainland China from 1949 to 1976, truth is all but eradicated, suppressed and supplanted by the iron will of Mao Tse-tung. Millions of people suffer untold anguish as their history, their culture, and their lives are brought under communist rule. Many flee to Taiwan and Hong Kong.

As a child, Chen Wen-shan was taken from her family home in mainland China and sent to live with her great-uncle—a former general in the Nationalist Chinese army who had become one of the first converts to the LDS Church in Hong Kong. For ten years, Wen-shan has carried the sorrow of abandonment in her heart, with few memories of her life before. But at the death of Chairman Mao, fifteen-year-old Wen-shan receives a mysterious wooden box that holds a series of beautiful paintings and secret letter that reveal the fate of the family she has not heard from in more than a decade.

As Wen-shan and her great-uncle read the letters in the jade dragon box, they discover an unbreakable bond between each other, their family—both past and present—and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box is a beautifully written LDS historical novel inspired by the real life experiences of one man who was offered truth that would heal his heart, his spirit, and his family. His story helps shed light on a time and a place where, despite all odds, truth refused to be broken. (Text taken from jacket flaps of Letters in a Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears)

As she did in her last novel (The Silence of God), author Gale Sears again takes a unique moment in not only world history, but also in LDS history, and weaves an inspiring fictional story based on the real people who experienced it. Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, however, focuses less on the Church and more on the devastating effects of Chairman Mao's vicious rule. Through feisty Wen-shan, we begin to understand—at least a little—the sorrow Mao wrought on the people of China, even those fortunate enough to escape the mainland. While the novel lacks a bit in plot and depth, I found the historical detail fascinating. Overall, the book is a fast, compelling read that I found both interesting and entertaining.

(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mature subject matter

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Letters in the Jade Dragon Box from the generous folks at Deseret Book. Thank you!

TSS: Am I Doing This Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:17:00 +0000

I've never done one of these before, but I wanted to do something a little more personal today. One of the problems with reading (almost) exclusively Whitney Award finalists for two months is that I'm reviewing lots of books that are kind of obscure and therefore, don't generate a lot of commentary. And, darn it, I like commentary. So, since I couldn't find an "official" format for this thing, I stole Suey's approach. I'm sneaky like that. You experienced Sunday Saloners, tell me if I'm doing this right, okay? Here goes nothin':

Outside my window: Ugh, it's hot. Already. It's only 6:30 in the morning, but the heat already feels oppressive. It was 100 degrees here yesterday, so my kids spent a good portion of the day in the pool. I was too wimpy to get in, even though the kids assured me the water felt great—after you got used to it, of course :)

I am listening to: Uh, nothing. Everyone is asleep but me and my 10-year-old daughter. She's reading a book, so a tornado could pick up the house and toss it into the Grand Canyon and she wouldn't notice. Haven't heard a peep out of her.

Song of the week: I've been listening to a lot of Disney princess songs in the car with my 3 year old. Does that count?

TV Talk: You know, I don't watch much t.v. anymore. I watch recorded episodes of Jeopardy! while I fold laundry and I listen to Battlestar Galactica while my husband and son watch it on Netflix. I don't really watch it—although my husband insists I should because it's just like all those end-of-the-world novels I like so much. He's probably right, but I usually spend the time reading or playing Words With Friends instead.

READING REPORT:

Books Finished: I finished my reading for the Whitney Awards. Phew! That was a lot of work. Books I took down this week (I think) are Smokescreen by Traci Hunter Abramson; Bloodborne by Gregg Luke; Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry; and Asfall by Mike Mullin (This one isn't a Whitney finalist—I read it for fun).

Books Started: Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin. This is the sequel to Ashfall, a YA novel about what happens when a dormant volcano in Yellowstone erupts, causing widespread post-apocalyptic destruction. I got it via Netgalley (Yes, I have finally taken a baby step into the 21st Century!). The book doesn't come out until October, so I'll probably wait until then to review it. But, so far, it's got lots of action.

Books Up Next: Well, now, that is a very good question. I've been pondering what to read next. I'll definitely read Hope's Journey by Stephanie Connelly Worlton this week. It's about two LDS teenagers dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. I've only read a chapter or so, but already I like Worlton's realistic portrayal of the situation, which I believe is based on her own experience. After that, I have a few middle grade books I need to read for the reading program at my kids' elementary school. Of course, I still haven't gotten to Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver or Defending Jacob by William Landay. So, yeah, we'll see.

I am thinking: About how even though I look really nasty in this picture, I want to post it because it represents the fun Suey (It's All About Books), Melissa (One Librarian's Book Reviews), Gaye (Inside A Book) and I had meeting each other and chatting it up at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. Picture is courtesy of Suey's cell phone.

(l to r: Melissa, me, Suey, Gaye)

I am grateful for: Modern medicine. Reading Ashfall, in which the survivors have to use primitive methods to take care of common health problems, reminded me of the fact that a person with my issues (Type 1 Diabetes, cancer, reading OCD [Ha!], etc.) would have a very hard time surviving in anything but the most modern of conditions. So, I'm thankful I don't live in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and that I have ready access to modern medicines. Also that I can afford (barely) to pay for them.

Around the House: We moved the boys into one bedroom and let the toddler have her own room, so there's been a lot of cleaning and organizing going on around here. As soon as I get things completely sorted out, we're going to have all the bedrooms painted. Finally!

Recipe of the Week: Recipe? Ha ha ha ha ha. Does strawberry cheesecake from Costco count? It's really good :)

Favorite Thing of the Week: Clothes shopping at Old Navy with my 10-year-old daughter. It was fun to hang out together.

Least Favorite Thing: Triple digits. Gah! The heat just zaps me of all energy and motivation. I think I might actually get in the pool this week.

Family Matters: We've been thinking a lot about what to do with all of ourselves over summer break. The oldest (13 yo) will be going to Scout camp and taking a swimming class at BYU. My 10 yo will be attending a fun bookish event in Provo, Utah, with her grandma. She's also planning to take a couple of art classes. The 7 yo is going to do a football camp at BYU and the baby (3 yo) will be taking swimming lessons and dance class. She'll be starting Preschool in August—we can't wait!

The Coming Week: I'm heading off to LDS Storymakers in Provo in about a week and a half, so I've got lots to do around the house to get ready for that. I also have book club, a wedding reception and who knows what else. I should probably take a glance at my calendar so I'm ready for whatever's coming ...

Blog Report: Just the usual reviews, with more to come. I'm about 10 books behind on reviews, so, yeah, I'll be playing catch up this week, too.

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone!

Well-Balanced Plot Makes LDS Historical Romance A Charmer

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:34:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

After breaking her engagement to her righteous, but utterly predictable, fiancee, 27-year-old Julia Darling knows she needs to get out of the Salt Lake Valley. Longing for adventure, she answers a newspaper ad written by a "desperate rancher" in Wyoming looking for a "chef of mature years" to cook for him and his ranch hands. A graduate of Boston's most renowned cooking school, Julia certainly knows her way around a kitchen. She ignores the "mature years" bit and accepts the position.

Before Julia's really had time to think about what she's doing, she's packed and on a train to Wyoming. Her new boss, a crusty rancher named Paul Otto, is startled by her youth, even though, at 35, he's not as seasoned as he made himself sound in his ad. More concerned with his empty stomach than by the impropriety of a young, unmarried woman living on a remote ranch full of men, Mr. Otto hires Julia. His new cook is nervous, but determined. Until she sees The Double Tipi. It's obvious she can't cook—let alone live—in such a wild, untamed place.

As much as she wants to run straight home to Utah, Julia's struck by how much she's needed at the dilapidated ranch. There are empty bellies to fill, an orphan child desperate for a mother figure, and, of course, an uncouth cowboy who grows more intriguing by the hour. It's adventure she's craving—this qualifies in spades. But can she really survive for a year out in the wilderness, so far from her family, her friends and her faith? She'll find out as she battles everything from rats to snakes to deadly weather to the traitorous yearnings of her own heart.

Before reading Borrowed Light, a historical romance by Carla Kelly, I'd never heard of the author, let alone read one of her books. Which is a darn shame because, frankly, I loved this one. It's one of those novels that has everything—adventure, mystery, romance, humor, even spirituality. Don't be turned off by that last one because the religious aspect of the story is interwoven so well with everything else that it doesn't come off as didactic or heavy-handed. In fact, it's that balance between all of the different story elements that make Borrowed Light so enchanting, so compelling and so thoroughly enjoyable. It might be a little far-fetched (Would a single LDS woman in 1909 really have been comfortable—not to mention safe—living out in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of men? Would her conservative, protective parents really have given her their blessing to do so?), but I don't care, I loved this book. And, believe you me, it won't be the last Kelly novel I read.

(Readalikes: Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes; the Sarah Prine novels [These Is My Words; Sarah's Quilt and The Star Garden] by Nancy E. Turner; Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner; and a little like Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson)

Grade: B+

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scenes of peril and mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF of Borrowed Light from the generous folks at Bonneville Books (an imprint of Cedar Fort) via the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!

Like Watching The Bachelor? How 'Bout Reading It?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:36:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

After being left at the altar by the man of her dreams, 26-year-old Kelly Grace Pickens doesn't know how to feel. She's humiliated, of course, not to mention lonely, angry, worried, and—most of all—confused. She hasn't heard a word from her fiancee. Is he lying dead in a gutter somewhere or, worse, has he just changed his mind about marrying her? With no answers, no money, and no husband, Kelly Grace can't just sit around tormenting herself with what ifs. She has to do something. But what?

Becoming a contestant on a reality t.v. show—especially one where a bunch of desperate women vie for the "love" of some narcissistic pretty boy—is a possibility that's never, ever entered Kelly Grace's mind. But when her cousin, the co-producer of America's most popular dating show, begs Kelly Grace to fill a last-minute spot on this season's cast list, she reluctantly agrees to participate. Kelly Grace is only in it for the money, of course, and has no intention of throwing herself at the show's star. No matter how good-looking or sweet or wealthy Dillon Black might be. Of course, things get mighty complicated when the suave bachelor puts the moves on Kelly Grace, who suddenly finds herself having to trying very, very hard to resist. The question now is: What (or who) does Kelly Grace really want and how far will she go to get it (him)?

I should probably mention right off the bat that I'm not a fan of The Bachelor or anything of its kind. Maybe that's what made Count Down to Love by Julie N. Ford so difficult for me to enjoy. Or maybe it's because the novel got so far-fetched, melodramatic and contrived I could hardly stand it. I think I would have actually found a behind-the-scenes look at reality t.v. interesting, but Ford skimps mightily on the "insider" details, focusing instead on the developing relationship between Kelly Grace and Dillon. Which might have been okay, except that the romance was totally predictable. Now, I realize it's a romance, so the guy and girl are going to get together, but to keep my attention, an author has to make me wonder if the couple can really overcome all the odds that stand in the way of their Happily Ever After. Ford didn't do that. I think the real problem with the book, though, is that Kelly Grace has no real goal, nothing admirable she's trying to do, nothing to make the reader root for her. Plus, she gets the guy way too easily, which throws the plotting all out of whack because the climax of the story comes in the middle of the book instead of at the end. So, yeah. While I kind of liked the premise of Count Down to Love, it just really didn't deliver for me.

(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson)

Grade: C-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF copy of Count Down to Love from the generous folks at Bonneville Books (an imprint of Cedar Fort) via the Whitney Award Committee. Thank you!

LDS Romance Funny, Uplifting And NOT Totally Nauseating

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Staggering under the debt of the fancy wedding she financed, but never got, 23-year-old Pepper Spicer has come back home to lick her wounds. There's nothing glamorous about the life she's living now—she's sleeping under her parents' roof, bunking with a 7-year-old, and working a dead-end job at a sandwich shop. She's got no social life, no romantic life, no life at all. Pepper's got plenty to complain about. And she does. Loudly. Constantly. Exhaustingly. It's wearing her—and everyone around her—out.

It's not until Pepper's therapist father suggests she start expressing a little gratitude that Pepper realizes her life might not be a complete waste. Through the weekly thank you notes she writes (at the insistence of Dr. Dad), she begins to see the truth: Pepper Spicer might not be quite as pathetic as she seems to be. She's got connections, a support system, maybe even some prospects for a brighter future. With that little glimmer of hope leading her on, she starts taking chances, praying they'll lead to something better than Handy's Dandy Sandwiches.

Before too long, Pepper's traded in her hairnet for a writing job in the city. It's a dream position at a start-up online magazine, something that doesn't pay a whole lot, but has enormous career-making possibilities. There's only one problem—she has to work her way up by producing a column on her experiences with online dating. By actually experiencing it. It's not an ideal assignment for someone as jilted and jaded as Pepper, but her snarky outlook on the whole thing strikes a chord with Salt Lake's similarly frustrated single crowd. Pepper's pleased with her popular column, even if she doesn't feel right about deceiving her dates. But, when she finally finds a man who's actually worth dating, her dubious job may be the one thing that stands in the way of Pepper getting what she really wants—true happiness.

Like The List, Melanie Jacobson's debut LDS novel, Not My Type offers a fun, lighthearted story about a girl struggling to understand who she really is and what she really wants. Unlike the former, the latter gives us a much more likable heroine, someone who's self-deprecating and sympathetic, with a focus that extends beyond just herself. The warmth and humor that has become Jacobson's trademark writing too, comes through loud and clear with this one, making Not My Type a quick, enjoyable read with a lesson about gratitude that's difficult to ignore. The story did get a bit contrived, with some bits that were difficult to believe (How does Tanner not realize Pepper's really Indie Girl?), but all in all, it's a happy book that's clean, uplifting and, unlike other LDS romances, not totally nauseating. As a matter of fact, I quite enjoyed it.

(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of The List by Melanie Jacobson and My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite)

Grade: B

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I bought Not My Type from Deseret Book with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.

If It Wasn't For That Big, Gaping Plot Hole ...

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Deseret Book)

Bostonian Emmalyne Madsen thinks she's ready for a big adventure. But when outlaws attack the train that's carrying the 22-year-old schoolteacher to Colorado, she realizes with a jolt that her "adventure" could very well end in her death. Or worse. Abducted at gunpoint, she's forced to follow grizzly Thayne Kendrich into the desert with no food, no water and no cover from the unrelenting sun. Emma's parched, sunburned and beyond exhausted—if the gruff bandit's going to kill her, why doesn't he just get it over with already? She can't understand the strange man who's dragging her away from his cohorts, deeper and deeper into the wilderness on some mysterious errand. Thayne insists no harm will come to her, but how can Emma trust the man who's just kidnapped her?

Thayne leads Emma into South Dakota's Black Hills, which can only mean one thing: he's going to sell her to a savage Indian tribe. But, as she soon discovers, that's not it at all. Thayne has an entirely different reason for abducting a schoolteacher. As realization dawns, Emma must ask herself who the man beside her really is, what he really wants, and how far he'll really go to get it. Can she escape his clutches, gain back her freedom? And, more importantly, does she even want to?

I didn't expect to enjoy Captive Heart, a historical romance by Michele Paige Holmes, nearly as much as I did. But, to my surprise, the novel offered an exciting, well-told story along with characters who sprang to life, quickly capturing my heart. Holmes did the romance the right way, too, taking time to really develop the relationship between Emma and Thayne, so that it felt authentic. True, the story itself gets predictable (it's a romance), contrived (Really? Emma's mother just happens to be deaf?), even melodramatic at times (the ending), but I still found it enjoyable. The main thing that stopped me from really loving Captive Heart is that I couldn't figure out why the kidnapping was necessary in the first place. Considering what I found out about Thayne along the way, it just seemed like the most difficult, illogical way he could have possibly chosen to accomplish his purposes. That gaping plot hole bugged big time. Still and all, the novel kept me entertained. If it weren't for that one little (okay, huge) problem, I would have really, really liked this one.

(Readalikes: Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would have been rated: PG for violence and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF of Captive Heart from the generous folks at Covenant Communications and the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!

Debut Regency Romance Not Without Its Charms

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:42:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

The last thing Sir Anthony Crenshaw wants to do is waste a day escorting a silly young woman out of London and into the English countryside. He's got much more pressing matters to attend to—sleeping the morning away being the most desirable. But the Dowager Duchess of Marcross has assigned him the task and Sir Anthony wouldn't dream of disobeying his grandmother.

Ginerva "Ginny" Delacourt feels much the same—she isn't at all enamored with the idea of traveling even a kilometer with the fussy Sir Anthony. But, as an unmarried woman of only one and twenty, not to mention the grand-niece and ward of a duchess, she has little choice in the matter. It's suffer the presence of a snobby, egotistical social climber or spend even more of her time trapped in the stifling confines of London society.

Both settle in for a dull, unpleasant journey. When their carriage is attacked by highwaymen, it becomes apparent that the trip will be anything but boring. Indeed, it grows more interesting by the hour. Forced together on this unlikely adventure, Sir Anthony and Ginny will spend considerable time together. Enough time to realize just how different they really are—and how little that matters when it comes to affairs of the heart.

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by first-time author Heidi Ashworth is an enjoyable Regency romance. The story is predictably lighthearted and humorous, with characters who aren't exactly original, but who are entertaining nonetheless. Though the plot gets a little silly (all the confusion between the characters could have been cleared up easily if they had just spoken plainly to one another), I still found the book to be a fun, easy read, the kind I like to enjoy between more demanding books. Like I said, it's not all that original or surprising and yet, it definitely has its charms.

(Readalikes: Reminded me of books by Sarah M. Eden)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

The Snark Is Good; The Selfish, Not So Much

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

If there's one thing 24-year-old Ashley Barrett has learned from her older sisters, both of whom married early and started families right away, it's this: that life isn't for her. Oh, she'll do the whole marriage/kids thing, alright—just not until she's good and ready. There are things she wants to do first. Twenty-five things to be exact. Things like skydiving, buying a sports car, and helping the disadvantaged in a third world country. Only after she crosses everything off The List will she even consider settling down.

Before starting graduate school in the Fall, Ashley decides to spend the summer in Huntington Beach, California, in order to work on #13. Learning to surf shouldn't be that tough, but Ashley doesn't seem to be catching on fast enough. That's why she needs Matt Gibson, a gorgeous 26-year-old surf god who just happens to attend the same singles ward she does. If she can snatch Matt's attention away from the gaggle of flirty girls that always surrounds him, she might even be able to kill two birds with one stone. After all, #17 on The List just so happens to be Have A Summer Fling.

As it turns out, getting Matt's attention isn't the difficult part. Hanging out with him isn't exactly a chore either—Matt's funny, down-to-Earth and just as much of an adrenaline junkie as Ashley. The problem is keeping their developing relationship from becoming more than just an easy, breezy fling. Ashley's been up front with Matt about the fact that she wants to go back to BYU with no attachments, but is that what she really wants? What's more important, after all, The List or Matt? It's a decision she'll wrestle with all summer, a choice she'll have to make before her time in California dwindles away completely.

So, you know how I'm always dissing on LDS novels, calling them melodramatic, cheesy and unrealistic? Well, I'm not going to hurl my usual accusations at The List, a debut novel by Melanie Jacobson. Which isn't to say the book doesn't have its issues, because of course it does. Still, it's much better written than most of the contemporary LDS novels on the market today. For one thing, it has a fun, lighthearted tone that promises a story that's quick, upbeat and, most of all, entertaining. Plus, its heroine actually has a discernible voice. And a personality! Amazing! Ashley's confident, sure of herself in a way most fictional females are not. Plus, she's snarky, something goody-goody Molly Mormon/Peter Priesthood story people usually are not. As a character, I must say I find Ashley Barrett quite refreshing. Irritating, but refreshing. What's not to like about her, then? Well, here's the thing: she's selfish. And shallow. Not to mention egotistical, self-absorbed and heartless. There's a reason heroes and heroines are supposed to have a story goal that's selfless, or at least admirable in some way—if they don't, they come across as narcissistic brats. Like Ashley. I kept wondering what in the world Matt saw in her and why he would keep chasing her when it was perfectly obvious the only person she was interested in was herself. So, yeah. Without that unfortunate aspect of the story, I would have enjoyed The List a whole lot more. Still, Jacobson's debut impressed me with its fun tone, its more realistic depiction of LDS life, and the fact that the cast (most of it, anyway) was made up of more than just the usual cookie-cutter Mormon characters. All of which convinces me that Melanie Jacobson can and will create LDS novels I actually want to read. And if that doesn't make her a writer to watch, I don't know what does.

(Readalikes: Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received a PDF of The List from the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!