Saturday, December 31, 2011

Flash and Bones..Review 24

Flash and Bones By Kathy Reichs
Dr. Temperance Brennan is at it again...this time inside NASCAR. We are most comfortable in our hometowns. But Dr. Brennan is about to find out more than she ever wanted to know about the world of NASCAR, private militia, personal grudges and old cases. In the style that I so love, we are lead through a maze of facts, bodies, strange poisons, government agencies and strange circumstances.
I love both the "Book Dr. Brennan" and the "TV Dr. Brennan" but each are very different. The current TV show Bones, is based on this series of books by Kathy Reichs. However, if you are a fan of the show, be prepared for a very different Temperance Brennan. Both are complex and intriguing, but this is not the same character! This was another wonderful glimpse into the life of a medical forensic anthropologist that keeps you reading until the very last page!
ISBN# 078-1-4391-0241-1

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Huckleberry Finished..Review 23

Huckleberry Finished by Livia J. Washburn
Delilah Dickenson is a "Literary Travel Agent". That means she arranges travel experiences based on great books or great Authors. Her first tour with a Gone with the Wind  theme ended in Murder in the first book, "Frankly my Dear, I'm Dead" This time Delilah is hoping her Mark Twain riverboat cruise will be smooth sailing. No such luck. She is beset with client complaints, riverboat staff complaints, murder, intrigue and danger. Everything you need for a good book. I very much enjoyed the first book in the series, and was pleased to discover that the second was just as compelling. I won't spoil the plot twists and turns, just don't be too sure you have everything figured out until the very end!
ISBN#0-7582-2569-5

Irish Dreams review 22

Irish Dreams By Nora Roberts.
This is actually two books in one! The first, Irish Rebel invites us into the world of Brian Donnelly, Irishman, horse trainer of some repute, ready to go to work as head trainer in the stables of Royal Meadows. The much loved dynasty of Travis Grant, his Irish wife and family. Brian is from "common stock" as he describes himself and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He is surprised to discover that Paddy Cunnane, head trainer for many years, quite well known in the racing world, has recommended him for the job.
Travis Grant's daughter Keeley also considers herself an outsider of sorts, known as an "Ice Princess", she lets no man into her heart. It's a ragged road that brings these two together, with lots of sparks and flame!
The second book is Sullivan's Woman. Cassidy St. John is half English, half Irish, but never really knew her Irish family as her mother died at her birth. There is a deep longing in her to connect with those Irish roots. She is a writer, but like many writers, she still needs to support herself so she is working as a salesperson in a fancy dress shop. Oh wait...was working in a fancy dress shop! Her honest mouth has cost her another job! wandering in the fog of her beloved San Francisco, she is grabbed by what she thinks is a mugger. It is not until the next day when she arrives to pose for him that she realizes he is Colin Sullivan, a world famous Irish artist! She really wants the money involved, so she decides to pose for him and there things start to get complicated.
Both stories are interesting and easy to read. The kind of books you start reading and find yourself closing the book at the end and...it's two am! Well worth the time.
ISBN#978-0-373-28151-0

Miss Julia Renews Her Vows..Review 21

Miss Julia Renews Her Vows By Ann B. Ross
Miss Julia is a matchmaker extraordinaire But she has a few secrets she wants to keep hidden from her new husband. Things that happened when she was a widow, before she met Sam. Etta Mae is being gossiped about by a client that many have bad memories of from her past. Hazel Marie and J.D. Pickens are off honeymooning while they wait for their twins to be born. then Dr. Fred Fowler blows into town to offer advice on "flaming the fires" of a happy marriage. Although he himself has never been married, he has lots of advice for others. He also has a secret that Julia is terrified he will spill, and she begins to think that her husband Sam is less than happy with their marital "fires". Lots of small town antics and suspicions ensue on the way to the final revelations.
I love the small town atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed this trip into Abbotsville!
ISBN#978-0-670-02155-0

Monday, December 19, 2011

The Marriage Carol..Review 20

The Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman


Jacob and Marlee Ebenezer are on the road toward a divorce....literally. Driving through the snow on the way to a meeting with a lawyer to dissolve their marriage of 20 years. There is an accident, and things change. Marlee has an experience that changes her. But is it real? With a clever nod to Dickens, Marlee sees her past, present and future in melting bowls of snow. She realizes that she shares the blame for their "failed" marriage. However, there is hope and possibility for change. No little boy to fetch the Christmas goose, but perhaps a future.
ISBN-13: 9780802402646

Saturday, December 17, 2011

A Clockwork Christmas..review 19

A Clockwork Christmas by J K Coi, P G Forte, Stacy Gail and Jenny Schwartz

This was my first venture into the world of steam punk. Want a marvelous world it is! Each story held little jewels of a never was technology that were fascinating And like all good Christmas stories, they all lived happily ever after, though not always in one piece. I really did like them all.
ISBN# 978-1-4268-9275-2

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Smitten..Review 18

Smitten By Kristen Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter
What a lovely story! In wasn't sure how I would like a story told by 4 different authors. I thought perhaps it would be awkward and cumbersome. It is none of those things! Everything dovetails seamlessly it weaves together the stories of four couples and the fate of their town. Lots of Faith, unexpected meetings (some quite rough) and misunderstandings But in the end, things are looking rosy for the future. A joy to read.
ISBN#978-1-4016-8494-5

Monday, December 12, 2011

Real Treasure..review 17

Real Treasure By.. Tish Davis
Chloe has been crushed by dominating, judgemental men. First her father, then Gary her first love, finally Trevor her fiance. She is a teacher at a local college, living at home with her parents. Every day her father lists for her the failures and omissions for the day.  She needs to get away, and realizes, she can't marry Trevor, who also makes sure she knows she doesn't measure up. Circumstances conspire to help her escape, and she ends up as a chaperone on a research trip with Gary, who is now teaching at the same college. As the trip goes on, there is intrigue, smuggling, and an "accidental" wedding! Finally she ends up where she should have been all along.
I was disappointed in the ending. I don't think her father would be so quick to completely flip his entire personality.
ISBN#1-59310-497-9

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Remarkable Creatures..review 16

Remarkable Creatures By Tracy Chevalier
This book opens with lightning striking the heroine. Perhaps that is why she is so different from other women. Fossils on the beach near the poor girls home support her family. When her father dies, she takes over the business and soon shows she has an "eye" for spotting them. When she finds something completely different than ever seen before...the world beats a path to her door. Mary Anning shares her facination with Elizabeth Philpot, a middle class spinster. I found myself irresistably drawn into her world, through intrigue, betrayal, vindication and all points in between! If you like historical fiction, based on facts, you will love this book! If you have never tried it, this should be the first one you read!
ISBN# 978-0-452-29672-5

Yuletide Cowboy..review 15

Yuletide Cowboy By Debra Clopton
Chance is a "Cowboy Preacher" who can't forgive himself after the death of a bull rider he had hoped to bring to the Lord. Lynn was an abused mom with two young boys who vowed never to risk loving again because her judgement in men is so bad. Will Chance go back to preaching? Will Lynn give Chance a chance? (sorry, I couldn't resist) Mule hollow is a great little town. You should visit in this fun book.
A bit predictable, but still a fun quick read.
ISBN# 978-0-373-87640-2

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Life Without Limits-Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life ..review 14

Life Without Limits-Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life 
By Nick Vujicic
What an amazing man! Born without arms or legs Nick Vujicic had it rough growing up, but blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and faith he has become one of the worlds most sought after motivational speakers. Handsome young Nick smiles out from the cover, clear eyed and ready to take on the world and help those "less fortunate" than himself. That gives you your first clue that this will not be a story you expected to read. He even gives us his "Ridiculous Rules" for life! A blessed man, you will be blessed to read about his life and thoughts.
ISBN# 978-0-307-58973-6

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson..review 13

The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson by Don Reid
The town of Mt. Jefferson was a sleepy town in the 30' and 40's. Three boys grew up together and their lives were permanently connected. One a jeweler, one a Cop and one a Pastor. They married, went to war and each came home changed by life. A story of friendship, flawed humanity, and the truth. A fun read, i enjoyed following all the twists and turns on the way to a surprising conclusion.
eISBN # 978-1-4347-0488-7

Saturday, December 3, 2011

From Sadie's Sketchbook Shades of Truth..review 12

From Sadie's Sketchbook
Shades of Truth
Book one  by Naomi Kinsman
Sadie loves her friends, her family, her life. Then her mom gets sick, her dad gets transfered and her life changes.....a lot. Sadie's friend sends a box with her that contains 10 reasons why they will always be friends. She instructs Sadie to only read each one when she really needs it. We follow Sadie as she tries to make friends, learns to draw, discovers God, and learns some hard lessons. This young readers story is interesting, full of feelings and rich descriptions of nature, people and truths. I would give this book to any of my children or grandchildren.
ISBN# 978-0-310-72662-3

The Friendship Dance of Women..review 11

The Friendship Dance of Women, By Michelle Cullum
Short, but an interesting read. I had never really considered the dynamics of how women's friendships work, or don't. This takes you from toddler tot's to moving forward tino new stages of adulthood. Good food for thought.
ISBN#978-0-9842879-0-1

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The First rule of Ten..review 10

The First rule of Ten By Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
Are you tired of formulaic mysteries? I know I was, until I read the First Rule of Ten. You have never met an ex-detective like Tenzing Norbu. Raised as a Tibetan monk, he came to the U.S. as a teenager, promptly ran away and ended up as an LAPD cop. Now he is on his own as a private investigator. Helped by his old partner Bill, his favorite computer hacker, and his cat Tank, he is embarking on a new life. What a wonderful new way to look at life and mysteries. I have never known a Tibetan monk and certainly never listened to the dialogue inside his head but this is a unique new perspective. Looking for the truth in cults, almond orchards and pig farms, following Ten, as he likes to be called, through the twists and turns of the mystery was something I will never forget. I find myself panting for the next in the "Rules of Ten". My appetite whetted by the nibble I read at the end of this volume.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Guardian Duke..review 9

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie
Gabriel Ravenwood, Duke of St.Easton is young, vibrant, wealthy and brilliant. What could possibly be missing? Alexandria Featherstone Lady of Holy Island Northumberland is young, beautiful and feels very alone. Her parents have been away most of her young life in pursuit of mysteries. She has been left feeling a bit unloved, maybe unlovable. Her parents have been gone for over a year, they have been presumed dead and the King has appointed the Duke of St. Easton as her guardian. Young Alex is convinced her parents are not dead, but in trouble and in need of her help. Gabriel is stricken with deafness and a suprising condition that allows him to see sound. We follow them both on a cat and mouse game as Alex searches for her parents and eludes the grasp of the Duke. Gabriel is falling in love with his ward, sight unseen, and is frantic to find her. We are left wanting to read the next volume of this story, on pins and needles for the next installment.

ISBN# 978-1-4336-7322-1

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Something New..Review 8

Something New by Dianne Christner
Lil is a conservative Mennonite with dreams of being a head chef, Fletch is the son of liberal Mennonite
missionaries who never wantsto be like them. They both think they know what they want, but neither is ready for where God takes them. From pig farms to fancy Italian restaurants but things don't stop there. You will be surprised where then end up..and so are they! A fun read with nice people you would like to know better.
ISBN# 978-1-61626-232-7

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sarah's Christmas Miracle..Review 7

Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis
I love the Amish fiction. Sarah Beachy has a job she loves at an english bed and breakfast, a boyfriend who wants to marry and a family who loves her dearly.  So why is she not content? Her english boss has two children who may not be home for Christmas and her own brother hasw been gone for 5 years to his life in the english world. She worries that she could have children some day who would leave and break her heart too. This is a wonderful story about what she discovers about life and herself.
ISBN#978-0-7369-2968-4

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Space..review 6

Space by Emily Sue Harvey
A moving story, tough to read, of how a family coped or didn't cope with the descent into drugs and all that goes with them. Faith, the miracle child, ached for, yearned for, turns her back on all that she has been raised to believe and lies, steals, from her parents and her family. She even loses her own child. We see how her mother tries to find a way to pull her out of her private hell. If you have ever had a friend or family member lost to drugs, this will be hard to read, but valuable in that it gives you a glimpse into the mind of an addict, and a peek at a way out.
eISBN: 978-1-611-88020-5

The Irish Healer..review 5

The Irish Healer by Nancy Herriman
I took a glimpse into the minds and hearts of a young Irish woman, a healer falsely accused of murder and a London Physician, not healed after the death of his wife. They both must face their own demons as well as the very real and ravenous demon cholera. Both are searching for a way back to their faith and to a peace that has eluded them for too long. An unflinching look at life in those hard times.I was fortunate enough to be able to read an advance copy. This is a book you should read.It will truely make you grateful for the lives we live today.
ISBN# 978-1-926034-78-9

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Life of Joy..Review 4

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston
What a joy to read more about the life of Lindsey and Jessica,Two young adult women, four years down the road after the death of their parents. Lindsey chose to stay in Bird-in-Hand with her Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Daniel, while Jessica returned to the "English" life with their parents friends. The two sisters butt heads over their very different life choices. The many Amish recipes made my mouth water! I can't wait to read more about the famlies and return for a visit to Bird-in-Hand.
ISBN # 978-0-310-31996-2

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Enduring Light..review 3

Enduring Light by Carla Kelly
This is an LDS (Mormon) inspirational Fiction.
Julia and Paul look forward to a long life together. Neither could guess at all the twists, turns and hardships life will throw their way! An inspiring read, even for a non-LDS reader like myself. Well worth the time.
ISBN 978-1-59955-984-1

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Unto These Hills..Review 2

Unto These Hills
 by Emily Sue Harvey
Just as Tony and Maria, Romeo and Juliet, Sunny and Daniel are star crossed lovers, destined to be together, but ripped apart. Serene faithful Sunny is slowly sapped of her joy and faith. Daniel is raised faithless, never trusting in anyone by a cold, faithless mother, abandoned too early. In a "Mill Hill Village" seemingly serene and joyful, undercurrents of deception, selfishness, and betrayal  weave a choking web that conspires to steal the serenity and celebration out of so many lives. You will find yourself drawn into their world, rooting for these two, if anyone, to find the way home to each other.
isbn 978-1-61188-026-7

Monday, November 7, 2011

My first review

A Winter Discovery by Michael Baron is a lovely story that tugs at the heartstrings, as do all good holiday stories. The little boy, his long dead mother, Dad and Sister all play their parts as he discovers his very own joy of Christmas. The "not melting" snowflakes come throughout until you realise the meaning in the end. A throughly enjoyable nibble of the sweetnessof the holidays.

isbn 978-1-61188-028-1

I guess I'm going to shoot for 100 books in a year first!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Life is what happens while you make other plans

Starting to wrap my head around just what it would take to read a book a day for a year. Really, finish a book a day as many books will take more than a day to read. I'll need to include some short books, likely kids or YA, to fill in for those days I spend most of my time on reading a longer book. I want to get the blog set up and working well first.
This is my first step.