Literary R&R

{Review} The Viagra Diaries by Barbara Rose Brooker

2013-05-24T00:01:00.001-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1451688610

Page Count: 288

Copyright: April 30, 2013

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Just because Anny Applebaum qualifies for a senior discount doesn't mean she's ready for retirement. But if she wants to keep her job at the San Francisco Times, she'll have to find a way to spice up her lifestyle column. Even if it means posting her profile as an eligible single on JDate.com. Sure, Anny's a little out of practice. She hasn't been with a man since she found Viagra in her ex-husband's suit pocket, and he wasn't taking it for her. But she's got her friends to help her fumble her way through the strange and intriguing world of online dating.

After hearing cautionary tales from the trenches - about "boomer oldies" who drag around pictures of their dead wives and fixed-income misers who wine and dine their dates at chain restaurants - Anny is relieved to meet Marv Rothstein, a charming ... 75-year-old diamond dealer. Unfortunately, he's also a Digital Age Don Juan who prowls single sites for younger women. Not be outdated by this "Serial JDater," Anny realizes Marv is the perfect subject for her flagging column and chronicles his sexcapades for the reading public. But when the new column becomes an overnight hit, Anny can't help but feel conflicted - because now she's having sex with Mr. X ... and it's nothing less than extraordinary.

Mandy's Review:

Who out there likes to imagine their parents having sex?

Yeah ... me either!

You know what, though? Just because they're our parents, or in their older years, doesn't mean they don't want a life. There are many seniors who enjoy sex and dating and being with someone who makes them feel giddy. Unless you're a senior, you're probably not happy with my bringing this to your attention. Keep in mind that the younger generation will feel the same about us when we become seniors, so be careful how you treat the seniors you see now.

Anny is like Carrie Bradshaw's mother. She's a columnist, but she's also artsy. Anny's been so busy with her career that she's not thought a lot about dating. Finally, between her daughter and her friends, she decides to try JDate.com. Right away she meets Marv, a diamond dealer who seems perfect for her. He wines and dines her ... is it love at first sight or is he just trying to "get in her pants?"

Their relationship is a little reminiscent of Carrie and Big's relationship in the beginning. He's often aloof, a playboy, and doesn't want a commitment. She's infatuated and can't stop thinking about him when they're not together.

While reminding me of an older version of Sex & the City, it doesn't have the same finesse. Anny is a little too needy and naive when it comes to Marv. She catches him time and time again in lies, yet she still says she's in love with him and wants to be with him. There's a guy in the novel that she should be with, but she doesn't look at him like a potential partner.

And then there's Anny's daughter, Emily, who is very disrespectful of her mother. She yells at Anny about something in one instance and then Anny's thinking about how much she loves Emily. How weak is this woman?! She doesn't even get pissed off about her daughter yelling at her! Anny is like a walking doormat for anybody who wants to use her. She needs more of a backbone in order for me to appreciate her.

Okay, I'll admit that maybe I'm reading too much into this story. Perhaps I should just take it for a light, entertaining read. If that's the case, the novel is wonderful and will keep you turning the pages well into the night, but if you look deeper into the stories like I do then you, too, may have a slight issue with Anny as a character. I'll still stand behind my sentiments of the novel being entertaining and it will definitely keep you turning the pages. I just wish Anny was a little more like Carrie Bradshaw: an independent woman who didn't take (much) crap from a man.

*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Not My Mother's Son by R. K. Avery

2013-05-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1621830092

Page Count: 216

Copyright: November 20, 2012

Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC

Description:

Devious. Conniving. Deceitful. Insidious. David Miller thought he knew his mother. He thought kidnapping three children was the most appalling and horrendous thing any human being could do and she couldn't possibly do anything more monstrous. He thought there was nothing else she could do or say that would surprise him. How wrong he was.

After Beatrice Miller, David's serial-kidnapping mother, is sentenced to thirty years, David moves to Phoenix, Arizona; and with the help of a trust fund and an old friend, he starts the "Never Give Up" foundation, an organization dedicated to finding and returning exploited and missing children safely to their families. With all the wicked things his mother had done, David feels it is his unspoken duty to do something worthwhile.

Hesitant at first, but after reading his mother's journal, David is determined to mend their dysfunctional relationship. Every time David visits Bea in prison, she seems deranged, insisting that people are trying to kill her. She ends each brief encounter with the chilling statement, "Remember David, things aren't always what they seem."

As word about the foundation spreads, the services of "Never Give Up" are requested time-and-time again to help where other agencies have failed. That is, until the police come knocking on David's door and arrest him, taking him back to Bunting Valley, North Dakota, for the murder of a newborn baby boy.

Forced to shut down "Never Give Up," David is amazed at how quickly the entire world turns their backs on him. The trial begins and his mother's testimony is the only thing that can save him. Telling the truth is as foreign to Beatrice Miller as giving up drugs is to an addict. As everyone in the courtroom hold their breath, you will, too. Remember, things aren't always what they seem.

Charlene's Review:

Not My Mother's Son picks up where Ms. Avery's first novel Be Careful What You Wish For left off. With Bea in prison for kidnapping, David Miller, all alone now, moves to Phoenix, Arizona to start a new life. Using the inheritance he received from his late aunt, David starts an organization to help in finding missing children. His success is immediate, and he begins the process of forgiving his mother.

Without warning David is arrested and is taken back to North Dakota to stand trial for the murder of a baby boy. His organization shuts down, people turn away, and David is left to depend on only his mother to prove his innocence. I actually received this book at the same time as the first, so I immediately jumped in to see what happened next. I was not disappointed. Again, some of the details were far-fetched, such as the immediate success of his organization, but the premise of this book, redemption and forgiveness was evident. Adding to that the twists of betrayal and murder, this book left me breathless.

Not wanting to spoil it for others, I will just say that I had no idea what was coming, and was completely blown away. Ms. Avery took a good first novel and made it into an amazing second novel. This one is a 5-star book, solely on the surprise it holds. I'll be looking forward to seeing more from this author.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Be Careful What You Wish For by R. K. Avery

2013-05-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1936587414

Page Count: 236

Copyright: September 3, 2011

Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC

Description:

Bunting Valley, North Dakota - a scenic and picturesque town where nothing dreadful ever happens - is a place where people feel safe leaving their front doors unlocked and their cars running in the driveways. So when beautiful, blue-eyed, three-year-old Maggie Taylor mysteriously vanishes, the Bunting Valley Police Department begins a kidnapping investigation that uncovers unthinkable crimes spanning many years - not only in Bunting Valley, but also in surrounding states and jurisdictions.

Bea Miller is a penniless widow, living a meager existence among the town's residents with her four young, rambunctious boys. Her entire life she wished and dreamed of having a little girl of her own. When everything she did to have one of her own failed, Bea takes matters into her own hands and lives by the chilling words of her estranged father, "If you want something, take it."

She and the boys visit a local beach and find the little girl of her dreams. She snatches the girl and they disappear in seconds, only to leave the parents bewildered and devastated.

Through the handwritten journals of Bea Miller, she takes you on a journey into the deranged mind of an individual who believes you can make your own wishes come true - at any expense; and sadly, also at the expense of others.

Charlene's Review:

Be Careful What You Wish For takes us into the life and mind of Bea Miller. Drawing on the journals she wrote throughout her life, the reader is introduced to Bea as a child in an abusive, dysfunctional home, and follows her through life to the point where she decides to kidnap a little girl, the only thing she believes is missing in her life. When she is eventually caught and arrested, the reality of what Bea is capable of finally comes to light.

Based loosely on her own abduction as a child, Ms. Avery takes her story to the extreme in the pages of her book. Her characters are simple, yet in Bea, we see a disturbed mind at work, and while occasionally a bit "far out," as the novel went on, I was hooked on the small details that led to a larger picture. Just when you think you figured it all out, a new clue emerges that leads down a new trail.

Relatively short, with just 228 pages, there is a lot covered. No fancy writing, or complicated metaphors, just plain, good entertainment with a crime thriller feel.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} A Cast of Stones (The Staff & the Sword) by Patrick W. Carr

2013-05-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0764210433

Page Count: 432

Copyright: February 1, 2013

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins - but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.

Mandy's Review:

I chose to read and review this book from the Bethany House Publishers review program because I do enjoy a fantasy novel every so often ... which has become an acquired taste for me. Unfortunately, I got about 17% into this book and just couldn't go any further. It's not due to the writing or story development as those were on par. I just couldn't lose myself in this story. Part of it may have been due to the length of the novel and my not wanting to take the time to read it. Another part may have been because I had other books/novels I was eager to begin and just kept putting this one aside.

From what I did read, though, I think that the fantasy-genre lovers out there would enjoy this novel. It just apparently was not for me or I would've made it a point to finish reading it.

*A physical copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Meme} It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2013-05-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

HHHHHAAAAPPPPPYYYYY MMMMOOONNNDDAAAYYY!!!!

Are you excited about starting another work week?!!

Yeah. Neither are we.

So let's get away from the negative and get to the positive - We're starting new books this week! Below are summaries of the books we're giving a go.

Mandy:

For Review

In the days after the Civil War, a solitary rider travelled the open frontier - but he wasn't alone, for Death seemed to travel with him. Or maybe it was the Devil himself who gave him the lethal pistol shot that earned him the name "Death's Acolyte." And when the stranger with the scarred face, who calls himself Ken Casey, rode into the peaceful Texas town of Wardell, maybe peace - for his own ravaged soul - was all he wanted. But in Wardell, all hell is about to break loose.

Awaiting a train shipment of gold, Angus Pugh and his army of outlaws, including notorious gunslinger Luke Draco, take the town hostage and kill a few innocent citizens as a lesson to any comers. Donning priestly vestments, Ken Casey, ordained man of the cloth, steps from the shadows to conduct the victims' funeral rites - and that's just his first revelation. For Casey can destroy souls as easily as he saves them, and earthly justice is delivered in gun smoke and blood.

For Review

Just because Anny Applebaum qualifies for a senior discount doesn't mean she's ready for retirement. But if she wants to keep her job at the San Francisco Times, she'll have to find a way to spice up her lifestyle column. Even if it means posting her profile as an eligible single on JDate.com. Sure, Anny's a little out of practice. She hasn't been with a man since she found Viagra in her ex-husband's suit pocket, and he wasn't taking it for her. But she's got her friends to help her fumble her way through the strange and intriguing world of online dating.

After hearing cautionary tales from the trenches - about "boomer oldies" who drag around pictures of their dead wives and fixed-income misers who wine and dine their dates at chain restaurants - Anny is relieved to meet Marv Rothstein, a charming ... 75-year-old diamond dealer. Unfortunately, he's also a Digital Age Don Juan who prowls singles sites for younger women. Not to be outdated by this "Serial JDater," Anny realizes Marv is the perfect subject for her flagging column and chronicles his sexcapades for the reading public. But when the new column becomes an overnight hit, Anny can't help but feel conflicted - because now she's having sex with Mr. X ... and it's nothing less than extraordinary.

For Review

In this one-of-a-kind collection of Reader's Digest's best military pieces, you'll meet ordinary people faced with extraordinary circumstances in the name of America and freedom. People such as Staff Sergeant Jeff Sarver, whose mission day after day was to get it right the first time or die as he and his team disarmed hundreds of improvised explosive devices in Iraq; and Colonel Greg Gadson, a double amputee whose inspirational message of courage, perseverance, and teamwork helped lead the then-struggling Giants to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. These articles remind us of all those in uniform who go above and beyond the call of duty, including the 1000-man crew of the USS Point Cruz who cared for an abandoned infant in Korea until his adoption in the United States, and the Green Beret who risked his life to save a dying Afghan girl.

For the 2013 TBR Pile Challenge

As the Inquisition spread its fiery fingers across the land of Spain, holding kingdom and king in its terrible grip, a new horror would rise to challenge even the invincible power of the Grand Inquisitor. A curse on the house of King Alonzo that came from the very Devil.

A curse that would leave his daughter unfit to marry or rule. A curse that would transform his only legitimate son, Rolon, into the very Hound of Hell, whose unspeakable secret bloomed under the full moon of a country where terror came in mother's milk and vengeance roamed abroad. Rolon, the chosen, the damned. Rolon, the kind, blessed with a compassionate soul and a great and tragic love; cursed by a secret plague sent by Lucifer Himself. Rolon, Heir to the Throne of Spain, who dared to defy the Inquisition in the ungodly raiment of The Godforsaken.

Kathy:

For Review

Michel Freij is poised to become the next president of Lebanon. The billionaire businessman's calls for a new, strong regional role for the country take on a sinister note when European intelligence reveals Freij has bought two ageing Soviet nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.

Maverick British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch has to find the warheads, believed to be on board super-yacht the Arabian Princess, before they can reach Lebanon. Joined by Nathalie Durand, the leader of a French online intelligence team, Lynch is pitched into a deadly clash with Freij and his violent militia as he pursues the Arabian Princess across the Mediterranean.

The partners at Finley & Figg - all two of them - often refer to themselves as "a boutique law firm." Boutique, as in chic, selective, and prosperous. They are, of course, none of these things. What they are is a two-bit operation always in search of their big break, ambulance chasers who've been in the trenches much too long making way too little. Their specialties, so to speak, are quickie divorces and DUIs, with the occasional jackpot of an actual car wreck thrown in. After twenty plus years together, Oscar Finley and Wally Figg bicker like an old married couple but somehow continue to scratch out a half-decent living from their seedy bungalow offices in southwest Chicago.

An then change comes their way. More accurately, it stumbles in. David Zinc, a young but already burned-out attorney, walks away from his fast-track career at a fancy downtown firm, goes on a serious bender, and finds himself literally at the doorstep of our boutique firm. Once David sobers up and comes to grips with the fact that he's suddenly unemployed, any job - even one with Finley & Figg - looks okay to him.

With their new associate on board, F&F is ready to tackle a really big case, a case that could make the partners rich without requiring them to actually practice much law. An extremely popular drug, Krayoxx, the number one cholesterol reducer for the dangerously overweight, produced by Varrick Labs, a giant pharmaceutical company with annual sales of $25 billion, has recently come under fire after several patients taking it have suffered heart attacks. Wally smells money.

A little online research confirms Wally's suspicions - a huge plaintiffs' firm in Florida is putting together a class action suit against Varrick. All Finley & Figg has to do is find a handful of people who have had heart attacks while taking Krayoxx, convince them to become clients, join the class action, and ride along to fame and fortune. With any luck, they won't even have to enter a courtroom!

It almost seems too good to be true.

And it is.

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, new threats are emerging from every direction.

Tyrion Lannister, having killed his father, and wrongfully accused of killing his nephew, King Joffrey, has escaped from King's Landing with a price on his head.

To the north lies the great Wall of ice and stone - a structure only as strong as those guarding it. Eddard Stark's bastard son Jon Snow has been elected the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, but he has enemies both in the Watch and beyond the Wall. And in the east Daenerys Targaryen struggles to hold a city built on dreams and dust.

{Review} What I've Learned ... So Far, Part III: Banjos, Boats, and Butt Dialing by Mike Ball

2013-05-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0914303084

Page Count: 324

Copyright: March 21, 2013

Publisher: Glendower Media

Description:

(Taken from Amazon)

Banjos, Boats and Butt Dialing is the third installment in Mike Ball's What I've Learned ... So Far series of books. In it the Erma Bombeck Award-winning humorist grapples with topics ranging from becoming a grandfather, to rabbit hunting, to the Zen of a middle-aged guy trying to cope with cleavage. The book is a compilation of 74 entries from Mike's nationally-syndicated column, What I've Learned ... So Far. His homespun wit, sharp sense of humor, and ability to connect with readers on an emotional level have been compared to Mark Twain, Erma Bombeck, Robert Benchley, and Ernie Pyle.

Charlene's Review:

Banjos, Boats, and Butt Dialing is a collection of insightful nuggets directly from the heart and mind of Mr. Ball. Some I agree with, and some I don't, but I digress. Included in his third installment of What I've Learned ... So Far are entertaining stories of everyday life, friends and family, and the occasional poignant look into what matters most.

Perhaps my favorite, "why did I never think of that" moment was his description of his smart phone, which he fondly calls "Kierkegaard." He describes "app" as "App-arently you are kind of bored and need to kill some time loading some really crazy crap into your phone." Mr. Ball tends to put a fun spin on everything we so diligently take for granted every day, like phone books and tofu.

What I did not enjoy so much is his pointedly disgraceful view of republican politics. Again, I digress, as it is a decidedly small part of the whole and obviously his personal opinion, but I did find it unnecessary and offensive. Not all Republicans are dumb hicks as portrayed.

So, I have to say, overall, a fun, light read, but I'm deducting a star, because, apparently, as a past supporter of Bush, I may have trouble counting that high.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Stolen: Cinderella's Secret Diaries (Book 2) by Ron Vitale

2013-05-18T09:08:00.002-04:00

ASIN #: B00A3B4RUA

File Size: 423 KB

Page Count: 226

Copyright: November 6, 2012

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

For ten years, Cinderella has raised her daughter on her own in America. But a mysterious witch hunter finds her and gives her a message that the Faerie Queen, Mab, searches to destroy her and he asks her to return to England. Fearing that she will be pulled back into the maelstrom of war sprouting throughout Europe, Cinderella flees and wishes to remain free. Yet with Napoleon now Emperor of France and the pawn of Queen Mab, only England still resists him. Pestilence and War have sprouted throughout Europe and Cinderella's magic powers are needed to defeat Napoleon. The further Cinderella runs from her fate, the more she is drawn back. Her long lost love, Henri, is still ever in her mind and in running she learns of a dark secret that forever changes her and sets her off on a course she might never survive ...

Mandy's Review:

I rather enjoyed the first book in this series, Lost (which you can check out my review of it here), so I was eagerly anticipating reading Stolen. I must say that I didn't like Stolen as much as I did Lost. At first, it appeared that Stolen was about Cinderella's defeat of Queen Mab. Upon my reflection of the book after finishing, it seemed that this book was more of a set up for the third novel in this series.

Cinderella, Renee, and Phoebe are still in America when Stolen opens up. Cinderella's been traveling the dream line to go back to Henri over and over again, hoping that it will ignite his love for her. She's also been having dreams concerning Queen Mab, a witch hunter, and Phoebe's death. When the witch hunter finally catches up to her, it's to bring her back to her ex-mother-in-law, the Queen of England. Cinderella refuses to go back ... until the promise of seeing Henri and the potential harm to her daughter overcomes her selfish desire to stay away.

Speaking of Henri ... the man is a cad. Yet, for some unknown reason, Cinderella remains in love with him. Her obsession of him is a little much for me. It's been ten years, for Pete's sake ... let the man go. It's obsessions like hers that causes men to consider women as psycho. He doesn't love her and has told her as much several times, yet she refuses to believe it.

Queen Mab isn't who she appears to be. Yes, she's the Queen of the faeries, but she's "related" to someone very close to Cinderella. So, does that make Cinderella evil? Or is Queen Mab not as bad as the rest of the world seems to think?

I did enjoy the twists and turns that the author put into this story. Just when I thought I knew something about the story, it turned out I'd be wrong. I actually like it when that happens because a predictable book is a somewhat boring book. What I missed in this book was the purpose behind it. All that seemed to be accomplished was that Cinderella eventually came to terms with Henri's lack of love for her and the death of several people ... but not the ones that should have died. As I mentioned earlier, this book just seemed to be setting up for the third novel.

Stolen was well-written and engaging ... I just wished there was a greater purpose to the story. I'm still interested in reading the third installment to see what happens next.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Knightmare by Deborah Valentine

2013-05-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B00BI1CWOC

File Size: 546 KB

Page Count: 335

Copyright: February 18, 2013

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

France, 1209: A Knight Templar, riding through an eerie forest, is suddenly attacked by an assassin as a man and woman watch from a distant hillside. When his death seems certain, the woman takes up a sword ...

Present, Formula 1 race, Magny Cours: Observed by the very same couple, Conor Westfield, a career-obsessed Scottish driver, is in a horrible racing accident. Miraculously, he survives what seemed to be certain death.

As he is recovering from his injuries in London Conor's childhood nightmare recurs, a strange jumble of terrifying images that feel more like memories than dreams. Can it be mere coincidence that the very next morning he is informed a mysterious woman with whom he had a very brief affair has died and left him as her heir? But this was no ordinary woman and no ordinary affair. Dogged by a niggling feeling of deja vu, Conor travels to Amsterdam to identify the body. At her home he finds an illuminated book that transports him back in time, to a woman he left behind and a life lived in the shadow of tragedy that cries out across 800 years for resolution.

Weaving history with the present, fact with fantasy with brilliant assurance, The Knightmare is an unforgettable story of angels and alchemy, betrayal and sacrifice, and a truly extraordinary love.

Mandy's Review:

Reincarnation: The ability to live your life over and over again in different times and bodies until you get "it" right. What the "it" is depends on each person and their life. Many people believe in reincarnation as part of their spiritual beliefs or religion. If that's something you believe in, well, I don't really agree with you but I respect your beliefs. It is an interesting idea to think we have multiple opportunities to live our lives until we finally succeed at whatever it is our mission (for lack of a better term) is. The Knightmare is based upon this premise.

Conor's nightmares are actually memories that he's forgotten. Often times he remembers nothing upon waking, other than he has a fear of bodies of water. When he meets Mercedes, he feels an instant connection with her. Is it because she's so personable? So friendly? So willing to help him overcome his nightmares and fears? Or is she someone from his past lives that he has known? They only spend one night together in the present day, but it is enough for them both to be sure they are destined to be together ... too bad her death mucks things up. Despite the connection, Conor is shocked when he realizes Mercedes has left everything to him in her will.

As Conor tries to help the police solves Mercedes strange death, he takes a trip back into time ... literally ... through his dreams. He experiences the first time he and Mercedes ever met and came to know one another. How many times will they have to live their lives until they're finally able to be together fully?

The Knightmare is definitely an intriguing take on reincarnation and time travel. It had a slightly slow start, but not enough of one to make me stop reading this book. Once it got going, I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. While it's not one of my absolutely favorite books, it does rank high enough that I will probably read it again in the future.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara

2013-05-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0143107071

Page Count: 240

Copyright: April 30, 2013

Publisher: Penguin Classics; Reprint Edition

Book Summary:

In December 1930, just before Christmas, the Gibbsville social circuit is electrified with parties and dances, where the music plays late into the night and the liquor flows freely. At the center of the social elite stand Julian and Caroline English - the envy of friends and strangers alike. But in one rash moment born inside a highball glass, Julian breaks with polite society and begins a rapid descent toward self-destruction. Appointment in Samarra brilliantly captures the personal politics and easy bitterness of small-town life.

Brimming with wealth and privilege, jealousy and infidelity, John O'Hara's iconic first novel is an unflinching look at the dark side of the American dream. The most widely-known and beloved of his books, Appointment in Samarra is a lasting testament to the keen social intelligence of a major American writer.

Mandy's Review:

I feel like there's something wrong with me. Why? Because I've just read a classic and did not find much to like about it. And can someone please explain where the title came from? Not once in the book (unless I missed it) does it mention Samarra ... which is a city in Iraq, by the way. Nobody in this book travels to Iraq nor do they have an appointment there.

There are rave review blurbs by John Updike and Ernest Hemingway and I'm wondering if they read the same book I did. It's not that I didn't like the book or found it written poorly ... it's just that I didn't find it that amazing (sorry, Penguin).

Julian and Caroline's story, to me, just seems like any other marriage. Perhaps in the 1930s it would have been appalling or shocking, but it's hard for me to imagine. I think the aftereffects of the incident at the beginning of the book (involving Julian, a highball glass, and a prominent club member) was over-exaggerated. Anybody who knew Julian knew he was a drunk and liable to act out. His actions towards the end of the book were somewhat expected. Caroline was overly emotional and I did not feel sympathetic towards her one bit.

It's been said that fans of The Great Gatsby would enjoy Appointment in Samarra. From my experience, that's not true. The Great Gatsby has mystery, intrigue, suspense, deceit, murder, and so much more. The Great Gatsby has a depth to it that Appointment in Samarra cannot compete with. The only similarities between the two books was that they were written around the same time period. Please feel free to read this book for yourself and let me know if you agree with me or not. I'd be interested to see your opinions.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Meme} 2013 TBR Pile Challenge - Checking In

2013-05-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Howdy there TBR Pile Challenge peeps!

If you've been following along, you know that we (Kathy and Mandy) have yet to finish reading and reviewing another book on our 2013 TBR Pile Challenge list. We promise we will do better, but life has been C-R-A-Z-Y!!! Plus we're focusing on all you authors out there that we've promised reviews to. So, really, we could blame it all on you ... but we won't.

Hopefully, next month's check-in will be more successful.

{Review} The Supreme Warrior by John Viril

2013-05-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B009BM8D9I

File Size: 805 KB

Page Count: 344

Copyright: September 15, 2012

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Calidon Dannik has been in love with Alynde, the daughter of Horgeond's most powerful Baron, since he was 10 years old. Now, Cal's father schemes to win her hand for Henrick, Cal's older brother.

Unable to accept his father's decision, Calidon attempts a bold gambit to win Alynde for himself. The aspiring Knight soon finds himself enmeshed in elaborate plots that extend far beyond the confines of his homeland.

Cal's adventure takes him from his father's Barony to the vast dwarf warrens of Nidafall and finally to the fabulous City of Selinger - whose Prince has struggled for decades to bring the warring Barons under his sway. Cal must accept the destructive nature of knighthood before he can help Prince Keldrin thwart the corrupt powers that yearn to dominate Horgeond.

If you like epic fantasy that embroils you in vicious intrigue, takes you to far lands inhabited by strange creatures, and explores big themes like the relationship between war, religion, economics and ecology, then The Supreme Warrior is for you.

Kathy's Review:

Maybe I should stop agreeing to read fantasy/adventure novels. It's not my thing, I'm clearly not the target audience, and therefore I usually don't "get it" while I'm reading. If it's written well and has an engaging plot, I will usually enjoy it. But these "epic fantasy" type novels are far too long and far too complicated for me to really get on board.

The Supreme Warrior has its moments of enjoyment. I like the main plot line with Calidon, aka Cal, but pretty much everything else bored the pants off of me. (OK, my pants stayed on. But still.) There's a lot of political intrigue stuff happening here that really didn't hold my interest.

I think people who are inclined to read fantasy novels might really enjoy this one, as it is written well and has a very likable protagonist. However, it's not my cup of tea, and I honestly struggled to get through it.

*An ecopy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Protocol 7, Arctica Trilogy: Part One by Armen Gharabegian

2013-05-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0988848603

Page Count: 458

Copyright: 2013

Publisher: Arctica Studios LLC

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

2039:

Simon Fitzpatrick, a brilliant Oxford professor, grieves over the recent and mysterious death of his father Oliver, who has disappeared in Antarctica. An unexpected friend from Simon's past appears on his doorstep with an encrypted message from Oliver, leading him to believe his father may still be alive. Simon soon embarks on a mission which takes him half way around the world in search of his father.

A recent quarantine of Antarctica by the United Nations makes his journey almost impossible and dangerous. Through this perilous journey to find his father, Simon uncovers a conspiracy beyond his imagination; a revelation of global consequence and one of the greatest secrets ever kept.

Mandy's Review:

Reviewers: Please tell me I'm not the only person who has agreed to review a book only to regret doing so once you realize how thick the book is and how unfamiliar it sounds. This happened to me with this book. Once I saw it in my hands, I thought to myself, "Holy crap. I agreed to read this?!" But, you know what? I am so glad I did. I am not a huge science-fiction fan and I was a little leery that this novel would bore me to tears. I couldn't have been more wrong.

From the very first page, I was hooked like nobody's business. There was always something going on that kept me wanting to read more. With some books, that can be a little "much" (all the action and such), but it works well with Protocol 7.

All 458 pages focus on Simon finding his father with the help of his friends. That may sound boring to you, but I promise you this book is far from boring. This book has it all: secret societies, government agencies that "don't exist," deception, intrigue, race against time, action, adventure, unrequited love ... it is just simply amazing.

The writing is exceptional. I appreciated the short "chapters" as that had me feeling that I was covering a lot of pages, which is important for a book this size. The last thing an author should do is write long chapters making the reader feel like the book will never end.

What else do you want to know ... Simon's a bit of a hot-head, Samantha is a tad too weak for my taste (especially to be in the medical field), Max is a kick-ass best friend, Leon was a little creepy/weird ... I'm not sure what else to tell you. I could continue to gush on and on about this book, but I think you realize that I loved this novel. I sincerely promise you: If you do not like science-fiction, but you enjoy mysteries and thrillers, then you will definitely enjoy this novel. Please give it a try.

*A paperback copy was provided by the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen

2013-05-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0991832507

Page Count: 296

Copyright: February 28, 2013

Publisher: Ann Gillen Books

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

What happens when a bright young man's promising future is tragically derailed at the age of eighteen?

Thirty-five-year-old James Milligan, the solitary and impenetrable chief architect at one of Chicago's leading design firms, has never recovered from the gruesome death of his best friend nearly two decades before. He's learned that a distant heart is the only way to shut out the nagging guilt and pain that threatens to capsize him at any moment. Only the dying veterans at the Aaron Milligan Palliative Care Center know the depth of the overwhelming compassion that James harbors within himself, and he is determined never to let anyone else into his heart - or his future - again.

However, when caring and patient palliative care nurse Rebecca Doyle enters his world, his hardened exterior begins to crack against his will. Will Martin Diggs, the charismatic and perplexing Vietnam War veteran convince James that it's not too late to reclaim his future?

Charlene's Review:

The only witness to his best friend's death at an early age, James hides away from life behind a tough exterior. Only while visiting veterans at his family's palliative care hospital. Know as "the Shepherd" for his ability to sit beside the hospitals dying patients and ease their transition, James only allows his facade to crack in these tender moments. When he meets Martin Diggs, one of the hospitals veterans, James has no idea that he will soon be facing his past.

Beautifully crafted, Last Train to Omaha is a captivating story of loss and love. The storyline is multi-faceted, and while there are many supporting characters, every single one had an integral part in James' life. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis of the veterans and their stories, and felt Ms. Whitely-Gillen gave a tremendous tribute to our aging veterans.

Last Train to Omaha is a five-star book that elicits emotions that will stay with you long past the ending. I highly recommend this and look forward to Ms. Whitely-Gillen's next endeavor.

*A paperback copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Release Day Review} Inheritance (Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday, Book One) by Victoria Wilcox

2013-05-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1908483555

Page Count: 372

Copyright: May 8, 2013

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from the book jacket)

The name Doc Holliday conjures images of the Wild West and the shootout at the OK Corral, but before he was a Western legend he was a Southern son, born in the last days of the Old South with family links to the author of Gone With the Wind. Now this amazing story is told for the first time in a trilogy of novels entitled Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday.

The story begins with Inheritance, set during the turbulent times of the American Civil War, as young John Henry Holliday welcomes home his heroic father and learns a terrible secret about his beloved mother. His only confidant is his cousin Mattie, his childhood sweetheart who shares his memories of plantation life and better days before the War. But Mattie isn't around to comfort him when tragedy strikes and John Henry's young hero-worship turns to bitter anger. As the Confederacy falls, John Henry becomes a troubled teenager and joins in with a gang of vigilantes trying to chase the Reconstruction Yankees out of their small Georgia town. But when a murderous plot brings threats of military prison, he vows to change his reckless ways and leaves Georgia to attend dental school in Philadelphia, hoping to come home as a respected professional man worthy of asking for his cousin Mattie's hand. However, when he returns from two years in the North to begin dental practice in Atlanta he finds his courtship beset with challenges. There are family intrigues, lies and revelations, rivals for Mattie's affections and a violent encounter that changes everything.

Inheritance is the first novel in an epic tale of heroes and villains, dreams lost and found, families broken and reconciled, of sin and recompense and the redeeming power of love.

Mandy's Review:

Like many Americans, I was only aware of Doc Holliday's reputation as it was taught in classes. When presented with the opportunity to review the first of a trilogy concerning Doc Holliday's life I agreed wholeheartedly.

We're introduced to John Henry (Doc) Holliday while he's attending the funeral of his grandfather. We notice that he has a sensitive side, but one he has to hide from his father who believed that men do not show emotion. Personally, I believe that type of attitude ruins some men, but I know that's how a lot of men grow up. For the longest time, though, John Henry holds on to his sensitive side. I think he began to harden his heart when his mother died of consumption. The hardness began to solidify when his father remarried three months later to a young neighbor lady. Their marriage was so quick by society's standards that it was rumored they were having an affair while John Henry's mother was still alive. Add on top of that John Henry's (seemingly) unrequited love for his first cousin, Mattie.

John Henry was somewhat impetuous growing up. As a child, he was able to get himself out of trouble by using his good looks and charm. I think that may have somewhat hindered his sense of responsibility while growing up and led to some bad decisions.

The book ends shortly after Mattie and John Henry confess their mutual undying love and devotion to each other, but before he met up with Wyatt Earp. I would love to read the rest of this trilogy and get a more in-depth look at Doc Holliday's life.

Ms. Wilcox, who is a member of the Western Writers of America and founding director of Georgia's Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum, is a nationally known writer and lecturer on the life of Doc Holliday. It is apparent from this introduction to her trilogy that she knows Doc Holliday very well.

Inheritance is a stellar piece of fiction based on fact that brings Doc Holliday back to life. Fans of the historical fiction genre will add this to their list of favorite books.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Meme} It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, everyone!!! =)

We hope that your week is starting off wonderfully and that you have a book or two you're enjoying. Below is a list of books that Kathy, Charlene and Mandy are currently reading.

Enjoy!

Charlene:

For Review

What happens when a bright young man's promising future is tragically derailed at the age of eighteen?

Thirty-five-year-old James Milligan, the solitary and impenetrable chief architect at one of Chicago's leading design firms, has never recovered from the gruesome death of his best friend nearly two decades before. He's learned that a distant heart is the only way to shut out the nagging guilt and pain that threatens to capsize him at any moment. Only the dying veterans at the Aaron Milligan Palliative Care Center know the depth of the overwhelming compassion that James harbors within himself, and he is determined never to let anyone else into his heart - or his future - again. However, when caring and patient palliative care nurse Rebecca Doyle enters his world, his hardened exterior begins to crack against his will.

Will Martin Diggs, the charismatic and perplexing Vietnam War veteran convince James that it's not too late to reclaim his future?

Kathy:

For Back to the Classics Reading Challenge

Here is the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power. Astonishing in its candor The Prince even today remains a disturbingly realistic and prophetic work on what it takes to be a prince ... a king ... a president. When, in 1512, Machiavelli was removed from his post in his beloved Florence, he resolved to set down a treatise on leadership that was practical, not idealistic. In The Prince he envisioned would be unencumbered by ordinary ethical and moral values; his prince would be man and beast, fox and lion. Today, this small sixteenth-century masterpiece has become essential reading for every student of government, and is the ultimate book on power politics.

Just For Fun

Princeton. Good Friday, 1999. On the eve of graduation, two friends are a hairsbreadth from solving the mysteries of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a Renaissance text that has baffled scholars for centuries. Famous for its hypnotic power over those who study it, the five-hundred-year-old Hypnerotomachia may finally reveal its secrets - to Tom Sullivan, whose father was obsessed with the book, and Paul Harris, whose future depends on it.

As the deadline looms, research has stalled - until a vital clue is unearthed: a long-lost diary that may prove to be the key to deciphering the ancient text. But when a longtime student of the book is murdered just hours later, a chilling cycle of deaths and revelations begins - one that will force Tom and Paul into a fiery drama, spun from a book whose power and meaning have long been misunderstood.

Just For Fun

In Pam Houston's critically acclaimed collection of strong, shrewd, and very funny stories, we meet smart women who are looking for the love of a good man, and men who are wild and hard to pin down. Our heroines are part daredevil, part philosopher, all acute observers of the nuances of modern romance. They go where their cowboys go, they meet cowboys who don't look the part - and they have staunch friends who give them advice when the going gets rough.

For Review

Calidon Dannik has been in love with Alynde, the daughter of Horgeond's most powerful Baron, since he was 10 years old. Now, Cal's father schemes to win her hand for Henrick, Cal's older brother. Unable to accept his father's decision, Calidon resorts to intrigue to win Alynde for himself. The aspiring Knight soon finds himself enmeshed in elaborate plots that extend far beyond the confines of his homeland.

His adventure takes him from his father's Barony to the vast dwarf warrens of Nidafall and finally to the fabulous City of Selinger - whose Prince has struggled for decades to bring the warring Barons under his sway. Cal must accept the destructive nature of knighthood before he can help Prince Keldrin thwart the corrupt powers that yearn to dominate Horgeond.

Mandy:

Review For Book Blog Tour

For Review

One of the greatest novels of small-town American life, Appointment in Samarra is John O'Hara's crowning achievement. In December 1930, just before Christmas, the Gibbsville, Pennsylvania, social circuit is electrified with parties and dances. At the center of the social elite stand Julian and Caroline English. But in one rash moment born inside a highball glass, Julian breaks with polite society and begins a rapid descent toward self-destruction.

Brimming with wealth and privilege, jealousy and infidelity, O'Hara's iconic first novel is an unflinching look at the dark side of the American dream - and a lasting testament to the keen social intelligence of a major American writer.

{Review} Cinderella's Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost) by Ron Vitale

2013-05-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B005IHDX18

File Size: 612 KB

Page Count: 197

Copyright: August 21, 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

What happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince?

Set in the late 1700s as Napoleon is rising to power, Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to come to terms with her failed marriage and her inability to have a child. Torn between the Queen's insistence that she try all means necessary to conceive and her own desires, she agrees to travel to Paris to consult with a witch to help her become pregnant.

Her journey leads her to find her long lost Fairy Godmother and aids her to solve the mystery behind her mother's death. Yet the Fey Lord, the Silver Fox, also takes notice in her and her world is suddenly turned upside down ...

Mandy's Review:

I wanted to read this book because I thought it had the potential to go very right or very wrong. We all know the classic tale of Cinderella and how her Fairy Godmother helped her transform for the ball to win the prince's affections, allowing her to escape from the wicked rule of her stepmother and two stepsisters.

But ... what happened afterward? We all want to believe that she and the prince lived happily ever after in their own magical bubble, but that's not usually how life happens is it?

The story's set about 10 years after the prince finds Cinderella. The prince has many mistresses and Cinderella is a victim of unrequited love. Part of her believes if she could have a child that would help her win the prince's affections. The Queen requests Cinderella to see a witch in order to become pregnant, at which time the Queen demands the prince to forgo his mistresses for one year. Cinderella reluctantly agrees to see the witch because to deny the Queen is to sign one's death warrant.

By the time Cinderella sees the witch, many things have happened to change her view of the prince and her marriage. The witch, not at all as scary as Cinderella imagined her to be, agrees to help Cinderella escape her life ... as long as Cinderella agrees to stop trying to communicate with her Fairy Godmother.

Will Cinderella agree to go with the witch and deny the one person who helped her when she needed it most?

Ron Vitale has masterfully created the continuation of Cinderella's story. There are so many twists and turns (using the items and people that we're all familiar with) that it will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Evil and goodness are not as clearly discernible as one would think they'd be. I loved this story and the inclusion of the Fae. I cannot wait to read more!

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Sportman's Bet by Judy Nichols

2013-05-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B008OY00QS

File Size: 427 KB

Page Count: 229

Copyright: July 24, 2012

Book Summary:

Velma Saunders, the meanest woman in Tobias, North Carolina turns up dead in the Town Hall bomb shelter. The only clue to her murderer is a copy of a Nigerian Email scam message. It's up to British transplant Ian Dodge to find out who hated her enough to kill her. And what made her so mean.

Kathy's Review:

This small town mystery is engaging from the first page and doesn't let go until the end. Although the action kept up at a decent pace, I'd say that I felt like the way Ian Dodge was able to quickly zero in on the elaborate past that Velma had, and then was able to correctly guess and identify the murderer seemed a little too contrived. It just kind of happened within a couple of days, as opposed to a true police investigation which would probably have taken weeks, if not months, and might not have gotten solved. A seasoned mystery reader might have the same reservation about it that I had.

However, if you are able to give the author a little bit of leeway with these kinds of things, or if you're a casual mystery reader, then you will likely enjoy this book. It flows well, it's folksy, it's light and easy to get through. A perfect quick read if you're looking for something to enjoy in a weekend or over the course of a few evenings.

*An ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Fractured Time by Alan Draven

2013-05-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B005JPT5VQ

File Size: 386 KB

Page Count: 388

Copyright: August 27, 2011

Publisher: Black Bed Sheet Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Donovan Vicar is a "feeler" - a man who feels the vibrations of people around him. One October evening on his way home, he bumps into a man that he senses to be particularly evil. The man is heading to Dallas, Texas. Donovan embarks on a late bus ride to seek him out. As the empty bus leaves the station in foggy Bitternest, Louisiana, Donovan falls asleep. When he wakes up, he is disoriented by what he sees - he is still in Bitternest, only his surroundings seem more primitive and unfamiliar. He is shocked to realize that he has traveled back in time to the year 1957 and that the city is plagued by the mysterious disappearances of numerous young women. Everything points to Timothy Crane, a man alleged to have many shady associations and rumored to be dabbling in black magic.

Aided by Ritchie Campbell, a young man with his share of dark secrets, and his old friend Edgar Ward, Donovan finds himself caught up with the events unfurling in Bitternest. He is slowly coming to terms with his gifts as a "feeler" and only begins to get a glimpse of all the power brewing inside him. The stakes are raised and everything culminates into one fateful night leaving them less than a week to figure out what Crane is really up to and how to stop him. It might also be Donovan's only chance to ever get back home ...

Mandy's Review:

This book wasn't what I expected it to be. It's actually better than what I thought it would be. I've always enjoyed a good time travel story (i.e. Back to the Future) and this did not disappoint.

Donovan's gift is that he can "feel" whether a person is good or evil. There's no specifics with his gift; he cannot "see" or "know" what it is that makes a person good or evil. As a matter of fact, he's pretty much useless with his gift in the year 2007. It's not until he goes back in time to 1957 that he finally learns how to utilize his gift and becomes powerful.

Apparently, in 1957, the crap is about to hit the fan. Women are going cuckoo killing people, the weather is acting chaotic, and it all can be attributed to one person: Timothy Crane. Mr. Crane does not deny that he has power. He's more than happy to let everyone think he's the cause (which he is).

Using the help of a few newly found friends, along with a couple of police officers, Donovan makes it his mission to bring down Timothy Crane ... even if it means he stays stuck in 1957.

With a mixture of the supernatural, suspense, and the tried-and-true good-versus-evil conflict, Fractured Time will keep fans of the suspense genre on their toes and ready for more.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Princess (Alexander Trilogy, Book1) by Stan I.S. Law

2013-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B003VWCJ62

File Size: 286 KB

Page Count: 236

Copyright: December 15, 2009

Publisher: INHOUSEPRESS

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

A boy approaching puberty enjoys exuberant imagination which leads him through progressive stages of self discovery. His imaginary travels unfold an inner world within him, a reality he'd never suspected. An enigmatic Princess guides him in his search and finally rewards him with the realization of his own true and mysterious nature.

When a boy meets himself among the stars ...

Mandy's Review:

I'll just be blunt on this review, shall I? I suffered through this book. The only reason I did so was because I thought it was from an author or publisher for review. Then, after I had finished, I realized that it was a freebie I got off of Amazon one day because I decided to give it a try.

I am so glad I didn't pay for this book ... and yet I see it has nothing but 5-star reviews on Amazon (albeit there are only three of them). I'm not sure what book those reviewers were reading, but it must not have been the same one as me.

The boy mentioned in the summary is 13-years-old. He begins to hear an inner voice that is female. For the sake of the review, let's call her an inner guide. The boy and his guide go on these "spiritual trips" where the boy finds out who he really is. Not only that, but apparently he's a boy-genius who has skipped a couple grades in school, so he's also a deep thinker about life.

I really don't know what the point of this book was. I found the boy pretentious. I found his ability to deeply contemplate life and its meaning absurd for a 13-year-old. The spiritual trips with an inner guide I found to be a "nod" towards the demonic. You may not agree with me, but you're not writing this review. I am. These are my thoughts and I found this book to be a huge waste of time. In no way am I interested in reading the rest of this trilogy.

Review: Tears of Min Brock by J.E. Lowder

2013-05-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0615699769

Page Count: 388

Publisher: WordCrafts Press

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Dark and brooding, Tears of Min Brock follows a young girl of 14 summers, named Elabea, who hears a whisper calling her to the shining land of Claire; a kingdom that was supposedly destroyed in the devastating Dark War. Outcast from her family and village, with her childhood friend, Galadin, her only companion, Elabea sets out on an epic quest to become one of the most powerful beings in the world - a storyteller.

Kathy's Review:

I first read this book over a year ago, and enjoyed it then (first review is here). The author has rewritten and re-released the book in anticipation of releasing the sequel. As I read through, I remembered much of it, but it felt a little bit more rushed, especially in the beginning. Without the old version to compare it to, I feel like maybe some of the early stuff was edited out?

Most of this book felt the same, and as I read along, I remembered some of the key moments. Those are all intact. I'm not sure what all was different, but for the most part I think it's still an engaging, touching tale that sets up the action for the second installment. You will find an endearing character in Elabea, as well as her companion Galadin, and their coming-of-age journey together to find the legendary land of Claire. Most believe it no longer exists, that it was wiped out in a great war. But Elabea believes, and Galadin is loyal to her though he has his doubts. Lassiter is another boy on a journey of his own, with his father figure Newcomb. This side plot is given more prominence in this writing of the story, I believe. Lassiter will become very important in the second book.

If you want to get on board with a gripping adventure series that's just getting started, I highly recommend Tears of Min Brock. I am personally looking forward to see where this adventure leads Elabea next.

*An ecopy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Review} Alphie: a Yellowstone wolf pup by Brian A. Connolly

2013-04-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1621372004

Page Count: 176

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

When three month old Alphie, a wolf pup of the Lamar Pack, woke up from a long nap, he discovered that he was alone. His pack had moved to their high country rendezvous at Opal Creek accidentally leaving him behind to face the wild valley on his own. He was lost and frightened. His tiny howls attracted a grizzly and a mountain lion.

After facing many dangers during long days and longer nights, Alphie is rescued by an old wolf returning to the pack. Grandfather becomes Alphie's protector and teacher. Their meeting marks the beginning of a long friendship that weaves its way through all of the exciting adventures that Alphie experiences during his first year as a Yellowstone wolf pup.

Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup is a verbal map of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. Beautifully rendered sketches fill in the details. The story introduces young readers to this special wilderness and wild places in general. Wandering the Lamar Valley, with book in hand, a reader should be able to locate Druid Peak, the Ledge Trail, the rendezvous site, Jasper Bench, Chalcedony Creek, as well as other landmarks in Alphie's Territory.

Charlene's Review:

Waking up, alone and scared, Alphie begins an adventure to find his family. The wild country holds many perils, and lots of mischief for a young wolf pup, as Alphie soon discovers. Finally, meeting up with an older wolf, Alphie finds his way to his beloved family, and on toward adulthood.

Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup uses a picturesque narrative to tell not only the story of a young animal, but to paint a vivid picture of the famous National Park. Geared towards the 8 to 12 year old audience, Mr. Connolly makes an in-depth learning experience pleasurable. Including a glossary in the back of the book for those unfamiliar words, he gives special attention to making sure the reader is armed with necessary information. The illustrations are delightful, and Mr. Connolly's love of nature is evident in the details provided. Any nature lover would enjoy this look into the lives of a wolf pack.

*A paperback copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this tour and in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Giveaway} The Grace Painter by Mark Romang

2013-04-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1482687057

Page Count: 314

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Book Summary:

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is the one reflecting back at you from inside a mirror. Matthew London can attest to this difficult truth. Ever since the former NYPD hostage negotiator changed his identity and fled New York City for the backwaters of Louisiana, regret has ruled his life.

For eight years London has lived like a hermit in a declining plantation house. Only his talent for painting Renaissance-style murals and paintings keeps the inner-demons from totally destroying him. Each day the disgraced hostage negotiator longs for a chance at redemption, never expecting it to actually happen. But then a down-on-her-luck FBI agent shows up on his doorstep one evening. It turns out Jean-Paul and Sebastian Boudreaux, two local brothers famous for lawlessness have inadvertently kidnapped a little girl.

London is quickly thrust into the starring role of a daring rescue attempt. But before he can rescue the child from the dangerous Boudreaux brothers, he first must find a way to forgive himself for a past misstep, a blunder that forever altered his once promising life. But in the Atchafalaya Basin swampland, nothing is promised. Grace cannot be purchased or earned. It can only be given.

Author's Bio:

I was born in 1967. Avid reader, suspense novelist, faithful husband, baffled father, factory worker, reformed head-banger, failed musician, contact sports lover, MMA enthusiast, distressed KC sports fan, Lord of the Rings geek, workout fiend, dog owner, nature lover, proud American, disgruntled voter, pistachio addict, caffeine-riddled, screw-up saved by grace, sojourner. This is me in a nutshell.

Mandy's Review:

Cover/Title

I do love all of the green on the cover. It lends a somberness to the man standing in front of the easel which, when you read his story, you realize is an apt tone for Matthew's new life.

The definition of the title is also revealed while reading the story. I appreciated that the author gave a new view to an often disregarded entity.

Plot/Main Characters

Matthew has been dealt a crushing blow to his psyche. He witnessed his best friend commit suicide after murdering his wife and goddaughter. Instead of staying in New York City and dealing with the pain, he purchases a new identity and runs away to south Louisiana to start a new life. Once there, he rents a plantation house from an old lady while dabbling in painting and working as a crawfish and alligator harvester.

Annie is an FBI agent dealing with deep emotional issues from a kidnapping she endured 20 years prior. Her career is dedicated to her own personal vendetta against the Boudreaux family.

Annie and Matt meet under extreme circumstances. He eventually agrees to help her rescue Gabby, the little girl inadvertently kidnapped by Sebastian and Jean-Paul Boudreaux. What then ensues is a lot of action mixed with tension and a race against time.

Overall

This was an enjoyable thrill-ride that packed a lot of emotion. I was pulled in from the beginning and didn't want to stop reading it until the novel was over. Any fan of Christian fiction, who also enjoys action, needs to read The Grace Painter. Mark Romang will become one of your new favorite authors.

*A Smashwords coupon code was provided by the tour host for the purposed of this blog tour and in exchange for an honest review.

Various Links:

Kindle Buy Link

Nook Buy Link

Smashwords Buy Link

Mark Romang's Web Site

Mark Romang's Facebook Page

Mark Romang's Goodreads

The Grace Painter's Goodreads

The Grace Painter's Blog Tour Site

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook Page

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Trailer} A Delicate Truth by John le Carre

2013-04-26T06:17:00.004-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0670014897

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Viking Adult

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

A Delicate Truth opens in 2008. A counter-terrorist operation, codenamed Wildlife, is being mounted on the British crown colony of Gibraltar. Its purpose: to capture and abduct a high-value jihadist arms-buyer. Its authors: an ambitious Foreign Office Minister, a private defense contractor who is also his bosom friend, and a shady American CIA operative of the evangelical far-right. So delicate is the operation that even the Minister's personal private secretary, Toby Bell, is not cleared for it.

Cornwall, UK, 2011. A disgraced Special Forces Soldier delivers a message from the dead. Was Operation Wildlife the success it was cracked up to be - or a human tragedy that was ruthlessly covered up? Summoned by Sir Christopher ("Kit") Probyn, retired British diplomat, to his decaying Cornish manor house, and closely observed by Kit's beautiful daughter, Emily, Toby must choose between his conscience and duty to his Service. If the only thing necessary to the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, how can he keep silent?

Book Trailer:

Directed by Kim Gehrig and produced by le Carré’s son Simon Cornwell (of Ink Factory Films), and involved in the production were James Foster (Art Director on Skyfall), Andy Shelley and Stephen Griffiths (Sound Editors on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), and Mark Paterson (Oscar-winning Sound Mixer Les Miserables)

{Review} The Sapphire Storm (Tallent & Lowery, Book Two) by Amy Lignor

2013-04-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1482671926

Page Count: 286

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

After going up against a man who believed he was the Devil, himself, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery are beyond exhausted. Now they are about to embark on the most terrifying journey imaginable ... a trip to meet Leah's parents.

When Leah arrives where the 'home fires burn,' her sarcasm burns even brighter, while Gareth Lowery - the handsome adventurer - uses his charm to sway the 'odd' Tallent clan. But when a frightening call from Gareth's sister arrives telling him that her love has disappeared, the daring duo is soon running away from one horrific situation directly into another.

A new puzzle from the past has come to life. Following the clues left behind, the courageous couple becomes embedded in a world filled with liars, killers and greed. And when the riddle of a famous 'Bard' is solved, a strange woman appears who has far more in common with Leah than she can possibly imagine.

The heart-stopping suspense of this new quest takes them from Coptic Cairo to the magical world of Petra, in search of a cave deep underground that once housed a true 'Illuminator.' Yet again, they must find the answers and stay one step ahead of true villains who are determined to make sure that - this time - Tallent & Lowery do not survive.

Charlene's Review:

The second book in the Tallent & Lowery series, The Sapphire Storm reintroduces us to Leah and Gareth, and their families. When Gareth's sister calls with a request to help find her missing boyfriend, Leah and Gareth are caught up in a mystery that neither of them bargained for. Following clues that may, or may not, lead to Christianity's biggest secret, Leah and Gareth encounter resistance, and danger, every step of the way.

Having read, and loved, the first book, I could not wait to read Book Two. I was not disappointed, as Ms. Lignor, once again, swept me away into another world of mystery and conspiracy that she balances with the back-story of Leah and Gareth's passionate love for each other. The fast pace, the magnetic personalities of the main characters, and just the sheer amount of action keep the pages turning to the very end.

Ms. Lignor is DaVinci Code meets National Treasure meets Indiana Jones, and then some! She is the master of storytelling, and I am hooked! Bring on Book Three!

5 out of 5 stars!

*A paperback copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review/U.S. Giveaway} Glow: A Novel by Jessica Maria Tuccelli

2013-04-23T06:16:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0143122920

Page Count: 324

Publisher: Penguin Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

October 1941. Eleven-year-old Ella McGee sits on a bus bound for her Southern hometown. Behind her in Washington, D.C., lie the broken pieces of her parents' love story - a black father drafted, an activist mother of Cherokee and Scotch-Irish descent confronting racist thugs. But Ella's journey is just beginning when she reaches Hopewell County, and her disappearance into the Georgia mountains will unfurl a rich tapestry of family secrets spanning a century. Told in five unforgettable voices, Glow reaches back through the generations, from the eve of World War II to the Blue Ridge frontier of 1836, where slave plantations adjoin the haunted glades of a razed Cherokee Nation. Out of these characters' lives evolves a drama that is at once intimately human and majestic in its power to call upon the great themes of our time - race, identity, and the bonds of family and community.

Mandy's Review:

On the front of the cover there's a blurb that states, "Fans of The Help, this one's for you." (Ladies' Home Journal) I loved The Help, and I enjoy novels written during that time period, so I thought I'd give this one a try. Although the premise intrigued me, I quickly became confused by this book. Perhaps I'm just simple-minded, but let me begin with the characters and then I'll get into why I became confused.

Ella's put onto a train in Washington, D.C. by her mother (whom Ella thinks is her sister) to escape the dangers there. When she arrives in Georgia, the person she was to meet at the station is not there to pick her up. After waiting for awhile, Ella decides to head to the closest village she sees. On her way she's accosted by several males and left for dead.

Amelia is often impulsive. She lives with her mother, father, and brother. They are part Cherokee and part Scotch-Irish. While they don't endure the many injustices of the African-Americans, they do have to be careful on who finds out about their heritage because being a half-breed is almost as bad as being African-American. Amelia is in love with an African-American boy, though, and she often gets into fights over her inability to see a person's color.

Willie Mae was born and raised on a slave plantation. After seeing her mother die, she's sold and taken off to a new plantation where she's treated much better. She becomes a maid to the lady of the manor, who is slightly deranged and speaks to little people that only she can see in puddles of water. Willie Mae falls in love with another slave-girl named Mary-Mary, but winds up marrying a slave-boy named Alger. Alger's aware of the bond between Willie Mae and Mary-Mary, but woos Willie Mae despite that ... and wins her love in the process.

All three of these ladies are tied together. From the first to the third, the reader is taken back into time by a generation each. If the book would have been written in this format, I think my confusion would have been decreased or cease to exist altogether, but it wasn't. The book starts off with present-day Amelia, then jumps to present-day Ella, then jumps back to Amelia, but to when she was a little girl (which started my confusion a little bit). After jumping back-and-forth for a while between Ella and young-Amelia, the reader's taken to young-Willie Mae's story. There were a few more voices introduced after this and some more back-and-forth between characters. By the time the book returned to Amelia and Ella, I had to flip back to the beginning to remind myself of who they were.

I did enjoy the three or four generations that were explored in this novel. Their stories were captivating and I lost myself in each one of them easily. I just wish there was less flip-flopping between stories and told from one generation to the next in a straight line. That may seem a bit simplistic to some of you, but I enjoy my stories to start at the beginning (in this instance with Riddle Young's story) and then proceed along to the present. I probably would've kept up with the characters easier.

Also, there were times when I forgot what race the characters were. The Bounds' are white slave owners, but in future generations they're African-American. I often forgot Amelia was Cherokee and Scotch-Irish because the way she and her family talked reminded me of older African-Americans. Some of the dialect used in this novel made me stop and think about what I was reading. For example, "marse" was used instead of "master" or "masta" (i.e. Marse Tom). The dialect did lend an authenticity to the time period so I cannot complain about it, but it did make me pause several times until I understood what they were trying to say.

Overall, while I did have a few complaints, I rather enjoyed this book. I don't know that I enjoyed it more than The Help, but it is a novel I would cautiously recommend to readers who are a fan of generational period literature.

*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

U.S. Giveaway

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