Review: A Certain Slant of Light

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Slow in starting, but pretty good once it got going. I wanted to give it 3.5 stars, and usually I do round up. This time, however, it just didn't seem to warrant that fourth star. Hopefully the second book is as enjoyable as the first.



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Review: A Certain Slant of Light

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



Slow in starting, but quite good once it got going. Hopefully the second book is as good as the first.



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Review: Secrets She Left Behind

Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The more books I read by this author, the more I want to read. It helps a LOT that they are all either set or have scenes in an area I remember well - Camp Lejeune/Jacksonville, NC. This one in particular takes place almost exclusively in that area, as one of the main characters first came to the area due to her husband's being stationed on Camp Lejeune.

An odd sense of deja-vu came over me near the beginning of the book when the move to NC was discussed. One of the main characters, Sara (my name) moves from Michigan to NC in 1988 (the year I moved from MI to NC) because her husband Steve (my father's name) is a Marine stationed on Camp Lejeune (that's why we went)... a little bit creepy and a little bit cool all at the same time.

I have since discovered that this is a sequel, so I will definitely be looking for the first book in the very near future.



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Review: A Little Princess

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I have always loved this story. As a child, what drew me to it is the fact that the main character has my name. Now, I just love the idea of a child who is secure enough in her own ideas about who she is (at the age of 11!) to take all of the abuse that is heaped upon her but still maintain her imaginative spirit and ability to help others.

A great story and one that I will read many more times, I'm sure.



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Review: Durable Goods

Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book, but at the end I felt as though I had not found it. Katie's life is very similar to mine at that age (the major difference being the absent mother). I lived with a military father who was often more violent than he should have been with his two daughters, I didn't have many friends, and moving from place to place was simply a fact of life.

The ending seemed rather abrupt. Just as the story was starting to really move and I was getting interested, the book was over. No real conclusion, just *poof* turn the page and it's an interview with the author instead of another chapter.

It wasn't terrible - it brought back a lot of childhood memories of living on and near USMC bases and the lifestyle of a military brat. But I definitely was left wanting more.



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Review: Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale

Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Many Christians question their faith from time to time. But when a pastor questions his faith in front of the entire congregation during a service, things will never be the same for either the pastor or the church. This book is about just such a crisis of faith, and what the pastor does to reclaim his faith in himself and his faith in God.

I found this to be an exceptionally interesting, if not a fast read. I felt the need to stop and reflect now and then upon what I was reading or had just read. I like books like this - books that make me think about how my life relates to what I am reading. Chase's journey to discover whether he still believes in God is simple, yet takes some complicated twists and turns. I had hoped for a different conclusion, but it is what I was expecting.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. I was not required to give a good review; the opinions expressed herein are my own.



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Review: Rock Harbor Search and Rescue

Rock Harbor Search and Rescue by Colleen Coble

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a quick read - likely because it is geared towards upper elementary/middle school aged readers. I think it was good for this age group; it definitely gives the story from the perspective of a middle-schooler.

My biggest complaint was with Emily's father's attitude towards the situation. His daughter, who is nearly fourteen and has never lied to him, suddenly is someone he does not trust? Yes, the situation as described did make Emily look guilty, but if your teen has proven herself trustworthy, suddenly treating her as if she is a liar is not something most parents would do. Even my father, who I felt was exceptionally hard on me when I was a young teen, would not have treated me this way in this situation. I very much enjoyed his apology to his daughter, but his attitude grated on my nerves for most of the book.

Overall, this is a good book for kids who enjoy mysteries, dogs, or both!



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Review: Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life: A Fable of Self-Discovery

 At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book.  It seems geared towards those in management/business, and since that does not apply to me, I wasn't sure I'd be able to relate.
However, it didn't take me long to get into the story.  I enjoyed how the characteristics of each animal were used to illustrate the things that help people to succeed in life, not just in their business ventures.
I still feel that this book is most appropriate for those in business, but it was an enjoyable read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: The Maiden's Hand

The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Having read the third book prior to books one & two, some of the suspense was removed for me. I knew that Lark and Oliver would end up happy in their marriage, and I knew that their baby would be a daughter named Phillipa. However, there was still much that was a surprise. The source of Phillipa's name, for instance, was a touching moment not far from the end of the book. The whys and wherefores of Oliver and Lark coming together as a couple, and Oliver learning to be an adult rather than continuing to act the spoiled adolescent - both fun to read throughout the book.

I must say (and call me a prude if you wish) but I really like that there is not much sex outside of marriage in these books, and that which is mentioned is indicated as something that really is not appropriate and there are no details. Granted, there are some steamy sex scenes in these books, but every single one of them takes place within a marriage. With all of the flippant attitudes towards sex these days, it's nice to see something with a little more of an "old-fashioned" tune.



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