Merry Christmas everyone! It is only about a week away!! This is a time of year where warm fuzzy feelings are in abundance and "Rad Women Worldwide", by Kate Schatz, will definitely add to that. This book is full of inspirational stories of women across the globe. Women from the past and some currently changing the world. Each story takes up about one page and gives enough information to leave the reader feeling inspired without getting into deeper details. There are also illustrations to go with each story.
This book is perfect for anyone that loves to learn about the difference that women can make. The stories vary so much and provide something for every type of female out there. As the cover says, "Artists and athletes, pirates and punks, and other revolutionaries who shaped history." These are truly empowering stories and might encourage readers to look more deeply into these women's lives. It's not the type of book that you would sit down and read in one go, but read a few stories here and there. It would make a great present for any girls looking for some female role models. Check it out and let me know what you think!
I received a copy of "Rad Women Worldwide" from Blogging For Books for this review. Click here to learn more about the author, Kate Schatz.
There is something so satisfying about reading a book in just one day. Even when it isn't THAT big of an accomplishment because the book is meant for elementary aged kids. :) When I closed the back cover of "Friday Barnes: Girl Detective" I thought to myself, "Wow, I read that really fast". Then I had to remind myself that I am not a 10-year old and there were a handful of small illustrations placed throughout the book. However, that didn't stop me from smiling at my small accomplishment.
"Friday Barnes: Girl Detective," by R.A. Spratt, is an amusing tale of a young girl who is way too smart to handle. She solves a robbery case that stumped the cops and uses the reward money to send herself to one of the most expensive boarding schools in the country. Learning is the most important thing to her and all she wants is to melt into the background while the rest of the world goes on around her. Her hopes are dashed, however, when an accident on her very first day puts her at the center of attention. She stays in the spotlight as she helps her classmates find stolen assignments, vanishing desserts, and even a monster that is haunting the school swamp.
This is an engaging book for elementary aged children with a heroine that kids can look up to. Friday is a kind and intelligent young girl that doesn't fit in to any of the school 'clicks' which means she can be friends with just about anyone. Any child will enjoy following Friday as she helps her classmates and solves some of the biggest mysteries at her new school. The story is fun, with some unexpected twists, and is appropriately written for the intended audience. This book receives 5 out of 5 stars from me, in it's respective category. This would make a great present this holiday season! Plus, this is just the first to a five book series. Check it out and let me know what you think!
"My Fair Gentleman", by Nancy Campbell Allen, is a classic tale of the student falling in love with the teacher. Jack wants nothing more than to live his life as a sailor, but his grandfather has other ideas for him. He names Jack his heir as Earl of Stansworth, on the condition that Jack learns to fit in with the aristocratic society. Despite Jack's lack of desire to be the Earl, he takes his grandfather's offer because it enables him to provide his mother and sister with a very comfortable life. In an effort to fulfill his grandfather's condition, Jack takes on a tutor, the young and unpredictable Ivy Carlisle, to teach him how to impress the ton and ends up learning a lot more than he planned.
"My Fair Gentleman" is more than the ordinary 'proper romance' because the author adds some suspense to the storyline. When Jack inherits, someone decides to remove him from his position by attempting to kill him. Throughout the book Jack has to be on his guard at all times to avoid the attempts on his life. This added suspense deepens the storyline and further adds to the richness of the characters as they try to help each other through these trials.
This is an entertaining story about making the most of any situation while unconsciously falling in love. You will want to hug the characters one moment and then shake them the next for being so silly and shy. It is appropriate for readers of all ages and would make a great gift for the upcoming holidays. Or buy it for yourself to curl up with during the cold weather. Either way, you should get a copy and let me know what you think!
Hello! Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I am finding out that being a mother of two is twice as hard as being a mother of one. (And twice as time consuming).I have the baby sleeping and my toddler distracted, so now I can tell you about "The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis.
This is one of the most realistic post-apocalypse books that I have ever read. Civilization is nearly destroyed and the setting of this book is almost like an old western. The characters have to hunt and forage for their food, travel is done mostly on foot, and the cities that were salvaged consist of wood buildings and dirt roads. Elka, the heroine in this story, is an incredibly talented hunter. She learned all of her tricks and skills from her childhood caregiver, Trapper. Elka was content with the simple life that she and Trapper had carved out for themselves in the mountains. That is, until she learns what Trapper really does when he goes off on his own to hunt "wolves".
Her world is shredded apart as she learns that the man she secretly calls father is actually a monster of the worst kind. She flees into the mountains with nothing more than her knowledge and a knife. Elka's survival skills will be tested as she tries to outrun Trapper, the law, and the horrors of her past.
"The Wolf Road" is a thriller that will keep your heart pounding from the first page to the last. Elka is a heroine that you will love one moment and hate the next. You won't know whether to root for her or be afraid of her. The story itself is a bit dark and demented with a plot twist that might make you sick. If you like books that are about survival and have an every-man-for-himself mentality, then you might just love this one. However, I feel like this book needs to come with a disclaimer. The language is unsuitable for youth and if I had known the turn the storyline was going to take, then I never would have picked this one up. However, that is my personal opinion. The author is talented and the book is written very well.
I received a copy of "The Wolf Road" from Blogging for Books for this review.
I joined a book club in my neighborhood to try to expand my horizons. Plus, who doesn't love to get together just to talk about books? "Challenger Deep", by Neal Shusterman, was the first book that we read and let me tell you, I am so glad that I had people to discuss it with.
Neal Shusterman takes you into the mind of Caden Bosch, a high school student that walks around with a secret alternative universe in his head. He has to differentiate between what is real and what is not. For a while, the reader does too. Caden's life is split, and he does a pretty good job of keeping his internal struggle to himself, until he can't contain the voices in his head anymore. His parents send him to get help. This is where the lines between worlds are the blurriest, before they all become clear and Caden finally realizes what he has to do to be free.
"Challenger Deep" is exactly what the title says - challenging and deep. It doesn't just give the reader an idea of what it would be like to have a mental disorder, it thrusts the reader so far into Caden's mind that you yourself have a hard time picking through the voices and all of the information. You really get to experience what it would be like to have all of these different voices telling you what is right and what is real and how confusing that would be. You can tell the author really put his whole heart and soul into this book. It is full of depth and raw emotion. If you are looking for a book that is more than just a 'light read', then go get a copy of this right now. It definitely earned 5 out of 5 stars. Check it out and let me know what you think!
If you haven't read the first three "Ever After High" books, you need to. They are so much fun. "Kiss and Spell", by Suzanne Selfors, is a continuation of those stories. You don't necessarily have to read the first three before this one, but it will definitely help you understand what is going on if you do.
"Kiss and Spell" takes you back to the world of Ever After High where the children of all of our beloved fairytale characters are going to school together. This story is about the best chef in all of the fairytale kingdom, Ginger Breadhouse (Daughter of the Candy Witch). She has her own cooking show that is about to be cancelled which will take all of her dreams of becoming a famous chef with it. In one last attempt to increase the number of viewers, Ginger decides to bake a wish cake. It will grant whomever eats it one small wish. Except the magic backfires and turns Hopper Croakington (son of the Frog Prince) into a permanent frog. The longer he stays in his amphibian form, the more froglike he becomes. Ginger has to figure out how to turn him back before the frog in him completely takes over.
"Kiss and Spell" is a fun continuation of the Ever After High stories. This one was written by a different author than the first three, but you have to pay really close attention to notice the difference in writing style. Since these books are meant for youth, I don't think any of the intended readers will see a difference. The story is so fun and describes what it was like for Ginger to grow up with the Candy Witch for a mom who always put something nasty in her recipes. Kids will definitely be able to relate to the characters and the story includes some old favorites like Raven Queen, Briar Beauty, Madeline Hatter, and Apple White. The text is clean and easy to get through. 5 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend this for anyone with fantasy-loving kids. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Does anyone else out there love murder mysteries? I eat them up. Especially when they include a twist of romance. "Brooklyn on Fire", by Lawrence H. Levy, just happens to be one of those books. Mary Handley is a female detective working privately out of the back office of a book store. Set in 1890, where female worker's were generally limited to clerical occupations, Mary is determined to fully support herself through her detective work.
Mary's first task is to look into a 20-year old murder that involves some of Brooklyn's elite. This case leads to two more murders and becomes very personal for Mary. She becomes mixed up in a web involving some of the most powerful and dangerous people in New York. While she digs into the case, someone else is trying to dig his way into her heart.
"Brooklyn on Fire" mixes together mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Lawrence H. Levy takes the reader on an adventure with loads of unexpected twists and turns. The storyline is captivating and the characters really come to life. The only downfall is the language and some sexual scenes that are included. The pros of this book definitely do not outweigh the cons, so I would have to recommend that you do not read this book. 3 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from "Blogging for Books" for this review. You can get your hands on a copy by clicking here. Or learn more about the author by clicking here.
"The Reflections of Queen Snow White", by David Meredith, takes the traditional story of Snow White and adds on to it. Queen Snow White is now a grown woman with a daughter of her own about to get married. Prince Charming passed away and year ago and the queen is still mourning his loss, which means she has shut off the world, including her daughter. In a moment of desperation she goes to the one place in the castle that has been completely abandoned - the evil queen's tower.
Once she's there she finds a magic mirror that reflects images and memories of her past. The mirror helps her remember and face things that ultimately help her find herself again. She goes through the ugliest and best moments of her life through the reflections of the magic mirror. The reader gets to know a different version of Snow White through this book. Her past with the Evil Queen is dark and ugly and her life with Prince Charming is not as completely 'happily ever after' as we believe.
Although this is based off a children's story, this book is definitely not meant for kids. The author describes in detail the types of beatings and punishments that Snow White endured at the hands of the Evil Queen. Then goes on to describe, in detail, her wedding night with Prince Charming and some intimate moments after that. The story line is interesting and, like I said, the reader gets to know a different version of Snow White. The overall feel of the book was a little too dark for my taste and if you are looking for a clean read, then this is not the book for you. Otherwise, you can get your copy on Amazon now and take it with you on your next family vacation this summer. 3 out of 5 stars. I receive a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Check it out and let me know what you think!
"The Mapmaker's Children", by Sarah McCoy, is a beautifully written story that ties together characters from modern Washington, D.C. and their predecessors in 19th century New York. Sarah Brown is the daughter of a slave abolitionist. She believes in her fathers cause and she decides to offer her artistic abilities to help the underground movement. She learns that courage, bravery, and love are what she needs most in life and she lives hers to the fullest.
A little over a century later, Eden's life is crumbling as she experiences another failed attempt at starting a family. Her marriage is struggling and she has lost her purpose for living. By uncanny coincidence, she discovers a doll in her cellar left by a little girl on the run long ago. This doll holds the secrets to unraveling history from the days of the Underground Railroad, and also helps bring happiness and fulfillment back into Eden's life.
Sarah McCoy beautifully intertwines these two stories. The storyline simply flows as we go back and forth between reading about Sarah and reading about Eden. This story shows the strength of women and what a difference they can make. It defines bravery, family, courage and love. It is a beautifully written story, with wonderful morals tied in. It's fun, clean, and inspiring. 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this to readers of all ages. Check it out and let me know what you think!
I received a copy of "The Mapmaker's Children" from Blogging for Books. You can get your copy here. And learn more about the author here.
I was so excited to try something new this time around. I had so much to say about the "Throne of Glass" series, by Sarah J. Maas, that I decided to do a video to tell you all about it. So I got my room all set up, I had to set my laptop on a stack of books on a stool so I could get the lighting just right, and then....my video won't load. :( Turns out I had too much to say about this series and my video was longer than Blogger lets you post. SO, after almost a week of trying to get that video on here, I am going to just write my review instead. (Add pregnancy brain to the equation and it's no wonder it has been so long since my last post).
The "Throne of Glass" series is currently comprised of 4 books, with the fifth one being released this fall. The first book, "Throne of Glass", is about a young girl in one of the worst prisons imaginable. One day she gets an irresistible offer to be taken out of the prison and become a competitor in a tournament to become the kings champion. Because she also happens to be the most famous assassin around. Celaena, has to fight some of the most ruthless men in the kingdom to win her freedom. All while trying to figure out what evil is lurking in the castle and claiming lives of unsuspecting victims.
The next three books are as follows: "Crown of Midnight", "Heir of Fire", and "Queen of Shadows". Once Celaena gains her freedom she is thrown into situations that involve way more emotions than she has let herself feel in years. She finds friends in unlikely places and discovers new relationships. An irreversible tragedy occurs that turns Celaena's life upside down and suddenly friends become enemies and she has to travel to a different land. She meets someone (my favorite character) that helps her realize her true potential and guides her on her journey to fulfilling her destiny.
These books are full of rich characters, an interactive storyline, and twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There are assassins, princes, witches, demons, Fae warriors, and so much more. The setting of the story is unique as well. Sarah created an entire world where there is a mixture of old-fashioned, modern, and fairy-tale. You will live, eat, and breath these books. It satisfied my need for action, comedy, thrill, and of course, romance. This is on my top 3 favorite series list, and it will earn it's spot on your list too. High school age and older is who I would recommend reads this. 5 out of 5 stars. Check this out and please take the time to let me know what you think. I'm dying to know!
Disclaimer: I tried to keep this review as "spoiler proof" as possible. Each of the titles of the books will lead you to a more in depth description if you would like. :)
I just want to start off by saying that the author of this book is my uncle, (woot woot!), and I am really hoping that his talent at writing runs in the family and that I got some of it. I would take even being just half as good as he is. His book, "Jacob and Lace", is a story of surviving even when all the odds are against you. The main character, Jacob, has is life completely uprooted when his mom wakes him up one morning and runs out the door. He chases her to the bus stop and they leave everything that he has ever known behind. She takes him to a place where he meets wonderful, strange, and caring people. He also witnesses the uglier side of life and sees the consequences that come from ignoring people for the cause of "minding your own business". There is a brightness though that comes in the form of a girl named Lace. She teaches Jacob adventure, hope, and forgiveness. This story will keep you sucked in from the first page to the last.
This is one of those books that you simply cannot put down. Each page is filled with rich story and interesting and relatable characters. I actually snuck this book under the covers after my husband had fallen asleep. There aren't very many books that I will risk waking my husband up for. I just could not wait until morning to find out what happened next.The scenery is vibrant and the characters are full of detail and life. This is definitely an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. 5 out of 5 stars. This book is appropriate for readers of all ages and I strongly suggest that you get a copy. You won't regret it.
You can check out the author here - Tory Anderson. Click here to get your copy of "Jacob and Lace". Feel free to read other reviews here.
I know that I had the "Throne of Glass" series posted as my 'coming up next' book, but I have so much that I want to say about that series and it's going to take me a while. So I am throwing this book in before those ones. "The String Quartet," by Dan Hupalo, is written for elementary to junior high age kids. The story follows four 8th grade students through their adventures traveling between worlds. A magic cello and the quartet's powerful music is what powers their adventures. The group of 13-year olds has to learn to harness the magic to save a friend, and ultimately a kingdom.
The story itself is pretty good. The author has good imagery and his writing flows, but someone desperately needs to do some editing. There are countless amounts of spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text. Which, in a book meant for children, is a big no-no. They are still learning proper grammar themselves, so throwing in a book that is incorrect would only be confusing. There are also a handful of swear words included, and I don't agree with 13-years olds swearing. That was a deal breaker for me. I give this book 2 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for an appropriate book for your child, don't pick this one.
If you have any books that you are thinking about letting your child read, but you aren't sure if it is really appropriate...let me know! I will check it out for you and tell you how it really is. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reading Deals in return for an honest review.
"Hunters in the Dark," by Lawrence Osborne, was completely unexpected from start to finish. Nothing about it was predictable. What I thought was going to be a tale of someone running for his life turned out to be someone running from his life. Robert, an Englishman, visits Cambodia while on holiday from his job as a teacher and, following a few 'lucky' turn of events, decides he doesn't want to go back. The life of living day-to-day, never knowing what tomorrow will bring or when you will run out of money, calls to Robert in a way that nothing he has encountered ever has. The book was unpredictable because just as I thought I knew how the rest of the story was going to play out - a new character or scenario was added and my thoughts were derailed.
Lawrence Osborne has a way of writing that is so beautiful and descriptive, without being too detailed. He gives the reader only the necessary information for their imaginations to take flight and fill in the rest of the scenery. The story itself though is a little slow and at some points, boring. The first 40 pages of the book could probably be condensed into 10. There wasn't a lot there to hold a readers attention. This happened a few other times throughout the book as well. To the authors credit, I believe he was trying to convey what life would really be like as a drifter and that lifestyle would undoubtedly come with unexciting slow times. However, as a reader, I don't necessarily want to read three pages straight about the different restaurants that Robert ate at and what he had to eat at each place.
Other than that, "Hunters in the Dark" was beautifully written and it has a very unique story. Robert is a character that has the guts (or the stupidity) that we all wished we possessed at times to be able to do something drastic with our lives. I didn't absolutely love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I probably will not be reading it again though, so 3 out of 5 stars. There are references to sex (nothing graphic) and a handful of F-words throughout the text. So if you are looking for something completely clean, then skip over this book. I don't think anyone who hasn't lived on their own, or had to pay their own bills, will be able to relate to Robert, so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone younger than at least college age. I received my copy of "Hunters in the Dark" from Blogging for Books for this review. You can get your hands on a copy by clicking here. Check it out and let me know what you think!
"In the Valley of the Mountains", by Anita Stansfield, is the last book to the "Shadows of Brierley Series." The first three books are about Ian and Wren and their journey, but this last book is focused on their oldest daughter, Gillian. Gillian's family has a nice home in Salt Lake City and she is trying her hardest to help out her parents in any way that she can, but even in a house full of people she feels lonely. Most of her friends are married and starting their own families and she longs for the day when she will have that. She goes from simply dreaming about it to suddenly being forced to choose between two amiable suitors overnight. Her head is telling her one choice, but her heart is leading her down a different path.
This book is my personal favorite of the series. Gillian's character is so full of life. She can be hard-headed one second, then blown away with her feelings the next. She has to choose between two very good choices and she doesn't come to a decision easily. There is laughter, heartache, and tears to be experienced with her story. You don't have to read the first three books to start this one, but I would recommend it. That way you won't miss out on some of the subtle references to events that occurred in the previous books. 5 out of 5 stars! This book is clean, witty, and a fairly easy read. I would recommend it to readers of all ages. Check it out and let me know what you think!
I love when my mom recommends books to me! She has such a talent for finding good books, especially series, and she always shares her books with me when she is done. Thanks Mom! :) One of the more recent series that she shared with me is the "Shadows of Brierley" series by Anita Stansfield. There are four books in the series, but the last book (which is my favorite) is told from a different person's perspective. So, I am going to talk about the first three books in this post, then I'll go over the last book in my next post.
"The Wanderer" is the first book and starts off in 1838, with Ian Macbrier trying to find himself. He is wandering about through London, drinking his days away and spending most nights in an alley, when he stumbles upon two men preaching about a book. He is directed by something other than his own will to buy a copy of the book and this starts him on the path back home. He doesn't actually read the book, and ends up throwing it in the bottom of his closet, but it comes in to play later in the story. Ian makes his way back home and tries to win back the heart of the woman he left. There are a lot of trials that both of their families have to go through, but love and family keep them strong. The same force that told Ian to buy the Book of Mormon also inspires him to go to America.
Which leads to the next book, "A Far Horizon." Ian has decided to take his family to America to search out the religion associated with the Book of Mormon. Their journey to New York leads to new life long friendships as well as incomprehensible heartache. The sorrow that they endure is outweighed by the blessings they receive, but nothing comes easy. It is a long and hard journey, but eventually they make it to Nauvoo.
The third book, "A Distant Shore," picks up in Nauvoo with Ian and his family making a home for themselves and settling in with the other Mormons. Then quite unexpectedly, Ian and his best friend Ward, get called to go back to England to serve a mission. Both have a wife and children and neither one of them knows what to do. They know that this is a calling from God, but how can they leave their families not knowing when they would return? The blessings that come from their willingness to serve are beautiful and Anita Stansfield does a wonderful job of weaving spiritual experiences into the story.
Truth be told, I don't usually like to read fictional books with characters who find the gospel. In fact I almost put this book down once I realized that's where it was going. I'm glad that I didn't. Anita Stansfield writes a beautiful story that has so much raw emotion in it. The characters feel real and the story will speak to your heart. These books will definitely give you a greater appreciation for what the early members of the church went through. You will be laughing on one page, then crying on the next and you won't be able to put it down. 5 out of 5 stars. These books are appropriate for young adults and up, so check them out and then let me know what you think!
