Review: DragonSpell

DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the book. What I liked about it was the Christian undertones in a fantasy novel (as someone who has been accused of not being a good Christian because I enjoy fantasy novels, this was a big plus, and the reason for the fourth star). I didn't enjoy how easily everything seemed to go for the main character, Kale.

She begins as a slave. Suddenly, she is freed and wants to move up in the world to become a servant. She's waylaid along the way when it is discovered that she has the ability to locate dragon eggs. Her life only improves from there.
That's not to say that there is zero conflict in this book, but very little of it affects Kale directly, and all of it is easily resolved and tied up in a neat little bow.

I would recommend this book for kids/teens looking for a fantasy book with a Christian slant. I'd hesitate to recommend it to friends/family that I know are not Christian, because I'd be concerned that the implied message would be that I'm trying to convert them. I think anyone who enjoys fantasy could enjoy this book, but I doubt that someone who is not Christian would enjoy it.

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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Review: At the Queen's Summons

At the Queen's Summons by Susan Wiggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I had the misfortune of not being able to tell where this book fell in the series before reading it, so I ended up reading this one first, despite its being the last book in the trilogy. For what it's worth - I did not feel as though I had missed anything by not reading the previous books. This would have worked just fine as a stand-alone novel, and I am hoping that the other two books in the trilogy are equally as enjoyable.



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Review: Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother

Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother by Peggy Orenstein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Even though the circumstances that led us to infertility are very different, the fact remains that I, like Peggy, am coming into my late 30s and trying to conceive a child. This book voiced many of the concerns I have - am I too old? Will this ever work? Should I just give up? Financial considerations aside, each couple has their own emotional limits, and each family can only stand so much heartache.

I enjoyed the matter-of-fact way that Peggy presented her experiences with infertility treatments. It was also interesting for me to see someone else's perspective on the roller coaster that is infertility.



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Review: Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Joan of Dark a.k.a Toni Carr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



So many fun project ideas, so little time!! There are many projects in this book I would love to create.



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Review: Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Once again, I would have preferred to give this book three and a half stars. And once again, the comedy in the book is what swayed my hand from three to four when deciding which way to go.

There is still sex in the book, but the sex scenes seemed less graphic, and less prevalent. This book was less about Christian's dominance over Ana and more about her figuring out a way to tell him how she feels without it causing both of them to shut down.

I am not loving these books, and I don't find them to be particularly erotic, but I am enjoying them.



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Review: One Eye Laughing, the Other Eye Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss, Vienna, Austria, to New York, 1938

One Eye Laughing, the Other Eye Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss, Vienna, Austria, to New York, 1938 by Barry Denenberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed the character of Julie because she reminded me a lot of myself at that age (12). She frequently mentions how much she loves to read, and how important books are to her. One quote in particular really jumped out at me:
"I HATE borrowing books from the library. I don't like being compelled to return them by a certain, specified time. . .All last night I imagined I could hear the book loudly ticking away as I tossed and turned, vainly trying to go to sleep.

TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK, READ ME NOW, OR TAKE ME BACK"

As someone who frequently has fines at the library due to keeping things past their due dates - this really resonated with me - as well as making me laugh.

I do question her name, though. Julie does not strike me as an Austrian name. It seems to me a name chosen specifically so that during the story, someone can make fun of her and use her name to point out the fact that she is Jewish by calling her "Jew Lee."



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Review: The Wheel on the School

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Strangely enough, I had been thinking of this story only a month or so ago - trying to remember more than just the story of a little Dutch girl who wondered about storks. Then I was at the library and it caught my eye on the shelf. I just could not resist picking it up and reading it again.

I think the version I read as a child must have been a condensed version - possibly in an elementary-level Reading book. I remembered some but not all of the children's adventures as they look for a wheel, and usually once I re-read something, I remember having read it before. In this case, portions of the story were new to me.

This will be a book I read to my children some day.



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Review: Paper, Scissors, Death

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell-Slan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this book. I do some scrapbooking, but not much (yet) so I found most of the tips to be helpful. Some of them may be helpful later, when I get more time (and money) for scrapping.

I loved the character of Kiki. I feel as though I am not far off from her - personality wise. I have felt like a doormat most of my life, and, like Kiki, I am making some changes in my attitude towards my own self-worth. When it comes to money - well, after George dies we're in about the same boat financially - figuring out how to stretch the paycheck to meet the bills is difficult in a single-income household.
I found the social commentary on class divisions in the USA to be bold and surprising for what I was expecting to be a fluff-murder-mystery book, but spot-on as well. These statements are made somewhat regularly, but within a chain of thought and not viciously - comments on how wealthy people have freebies showered upon them while poor people get nothing for free is not only true but helps to perpetuate the situation of the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer. It is very difficult to move up the food chain of class in the USA, but exceptionally easy to fall down. Kiki mentions feeling like a piece of furniture or scenery while at her job, and that is a very true-to-life feeling for someone working retail - even upscale retail like a scrapbook shop.



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Review: Wicked Appetite

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Same level of fluff and fun as the Stephanie Plum novels, and just as quick to read. Another series I am sure to enjoy. :)



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Review: A Gift of Grace

A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I loved this book - adored it - until the end. I will read the other books in the series because I enjoyed the characters enough to want to know what happens next. But I simply can't get over what happened at the end of the book that led to my disappointment.

As a woman who has struggled with infertility, it was surprising (and a little refreshing) to discover a book with an Amish woman who is also infertile - who has been told by a doctor that she can never naturally conceive. And I know that God can cure anything and everything happens in God's time. But after a 15 year marriage, the lack of fertility, while still painful, is something that one comes to accept. When everyone around her either has several children or are falling pregnant (because the Amish do not believe in birth control), Rebecca has to swallow her pain and show happiness for her family and friends. I could definitely relate to that.

So WHY is it necessary to have the infertile woman suddenly fall pregnant?? And after an estrangement with her husband that has left him sleeping on the couch for over a month? Suddenly, right when they're about to apologize to each other and make up - she discovers that she is pregnant?

It felt like a slap in the face. Rebecca's pregnancy upset me more than any of the other Amish women's pregnancies. I have a friend (also infertile) who usually likes these types of books. I will suggest that she avoid this one.



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Review: Switched

Switched by Amanda Hocking

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This was recommended to me by a co-worker who enjoyed it. I'm so glad she loaned me this book (and the two sequels in the trilogy).

Yes, it's a fluff piece. Yes, it reads at around a high-school level, and seems to be designed to appeal to high school girls. In some ways, it's reminiscent of the Twilight series in that way. However, that is what I like about it.

For me, it's a quick, fun read that lets me escape from reality for a short time. By having books like this available to read during my breaks at work, I am able to take my 15 minutes (or hour lunch) and read my fun fluff, and then go back to work slightly refreshed and ready to once again deal with the crazy people who are separated from me by a counter that is way too damn small.

Sometimes all you need is a little fluff.



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