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New Blog! 11 Sep 2013 7:29 AM (11 years ago)

Hi folks!  I'm sure you've noticed that this blog has been dormant for quite a while. I've started blogging again.  It's not a book blog.  More like a reflection, personal essay, slice of my life stories type of blog. If you want to check it out, I'll be at AGirlWhoIsAGeek.com. Thanks and I hope I'll see you over there!

Book Review: "Sisterhood Everlasting" by Ann Brashares 31 Mar 2012 4:30 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: On the cusp of turning thirty, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget are now living separate lives, out on their own. Yet despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness. Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

I became a fan of the Sisterhood books about seven years ago. I was past the age of the characters in the book but I fell in love with their story. Sure, some of the characters drove me nuts (Bee, I'm looking at you) but I loved Brashares writing and I enjoyed keeping up with the girls over the years. When the movies came out, I was both pleased and slightly disappointed with how they were portrayed. The first movie was wonderful while the second movie had me a bit annoyed with how situations were handled (I still don't understand why Tibby didn't just take a pregnancy test.) When I heard that a new book was coming out, about the girls ten years later, if this was going to be the end of the stories, I knew I wanted to read it.

Surprisingly, the pants do not make an appearance in the story. If you read the fourth book in the series, then you remember that Effie lost them causing much turmoil. I didn't really expect them to magically show up but neither does anything replace them. Let me tell you, I was shocked at the twist in the story. SHOCKED. Like I dropped my mouth open and went, "Did she [Brashares] really do that?!" And then I also realized that I was only a 1/4 way through the book. I still had a long way to go with the story.

It's been ten years so the characters have both changed in many ways while still retaining some of their trademark characteristics. The two that stand out to me the most are Lena and Bridget. Lena (and I will forever think of her as Alexis Bledel, the same with Bridget = Blake Lively) has always been this waif of a character who never seems to know what she really wants. She keeps being very wishy washy throughout the story especially involving Kostos (yes, him again!) and it was starting to drive me nuts. Bridget has always gotten on my nerves. I know she's supposed to be an independent spirit and I understand why she acts the way she does due to her background. But I'm tired of hearing about the comments about her hair and how it attracts men. I also wasn't pleased with how she's treated Eric throughout the series. Eventually both these characters do grow up and I really liked the transformation. However, it also came with a FINALLY on my behalf. I'm about the same age as the characters in the book (they are a bit older than me) but yet I still felt more mature than them.

Overall, I feel the story holds well for long time fans of the book. I suppose it could be read as a stand alone but I really don't think those readers will get as much out of it as those who read the previous books. I felt many emotions while reading this book. I am almost positive that this is the final Sisterhood book as I feel that to squeeze any more stories from these characters would be stretching it. Therefore I closed the book feeling satisfied and like the Sisterhood, full of wisdom and experience and ready to move on and live life after the pants.

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares is published by Random House (2011)

This ARC was provided by the Amazon Vine program

Book Review: "Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii" by Robin Jones Gunn 7 Mar 2012 2:04 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from the publisher: When a wealthy friend offers Sierra Jensen a vacation at an oceanfront beach house, she envisions a quiet retreat where she can plan her next move. Instead, she arrives at the start of the noisy surfing competitions and is surprised to learn that her friend had an ulterior motive—namely, introducing Sierra to Jordan Bryce, the tenant staying below them. Jordan is a photographer whose lens and attention are focused on the surfers, and he is not willing to let anyone get in his way of landing the next cover shot for Surf Days magazine.

Sierra and Jordan came to Sunset Beach looking for different things. But as the surf pounds the North Shore, will they discover something better than either of them had imagined?

Reading this book totally made me feel nostalgic. I grew up reading the Sierra Jensen books (as well as the Christy Miller series) by Robin Jones Gunn and have been eagerly awaiting to see what would happen to this favorite character of mine. When the series ended, I will admit that things did not turn out the way that I had hoped. I was a little ticked off at how one character chose to treat Sierra and I felt her pain. I am glad that with this book, time has healed wounds (for both Sierra and me).

I also love books set in Hawaii and since Gunn had spent many times there (and now currently
lives there) she really knows the setting. I felt like I was drawn into a paradise but not one that is entirely free of faults. What I have always appreciated from Gunn is her ability to portray realistic characters with real emotions that don't act too good to be true. Sierra is just one of those characters. She is torn between many feelings in this book such as her relationship with others (her sister, her former love, her roommate, the new guy) and decisions about her future. She does not come looking for love around every corner even though she does yearn for true love. Jordan is the same. He is not your typical romance hero, he is concentrating on his work and just happens to find love at the same time.

This is not your typical romance story which I greatly appreciated. I never once felt like I was reading something that made me want to roll my eyes because it was so unrealistic. Sierra and Jordan acted just like how I would expect a man and a woman their age would act. Even their faith was realistic. It's there and they both share strong beliefs however they don't purposefully exploit to to the point of becoming stereotypes.

Overall I was very impressed with this book. It brought a satisfying end to a story that I have been following for years. I still think readers unaware with Sierra's story will enjoy it but for those of us that have been avid fans, this is like a homecoming for us. I would love to see this couple pop up again in the future but if it's not meant to be I know at least that they are happy.

Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn is published by Summerside Press (2011)

This review copy was provided by the publisher

Around the World in 80 Kisses Blog Tour 8 Dec 2011 6:17 AM (13 years ago)

Around the World in 80 Kisses: Smooch Stop #9

The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams is the story of four best friends: Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy--the misfits of Paris, Texas. Their whole lives, they’ve dreamed of escaping small-town life and seeing the world. So when Piper is the victim of an embarrassing prank that goes viral online, she gets the idea that the girls should escape via the school’s international exchange program, in search of fun, love and internet redemption.

Emily McKay along with writing partners Shellee Roberts and Tracy Deebs writes under the pseudonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.

Top Ten Movies to watch when you’re home alone sick.

I have to preface this blog with a story. Back when my hubby and I were newly married, I had to have eye surgery for a detached retina. Most people who detach a retina doing something cool and active, like sky diving or rappelling. Not me. My big hobbies are reading and baking and yoga. So I have no idea how I detached a retina. The surgery wasn’t bad, but the recovery is two weeks of “taking it easy” (i.e. lying on the sofa) and dilated eyes—which means no reading! Ack! No reading? Two weeks lying on the sofa without books?

So sent hubby out to rent me some fun romcoms to watch while I recovered. Those were his instructions: “fun romcoms.” He came back with Romeo + Juliet, Le Miserables, and Rob Roy. Seriously. That was his idea of fun romcoms. I don’t know if he just has a different idea of fun or if he didn’t yet know the meaning of the term romcom. And just for the record, only one of those movies made it onto my list.

The Good

These are the movies that will just cheer you up when you’re sick.

You’ve Got Mail – Romcoms just don’t get anymore charming. Plus, Tom Hanks shows up to take care of her while she’s sick. How cute is that!

The Little Mermaid – ‘Cause you just can feel down when Sebastian sings Under the Sea.

Anne of Green Gables/Anne of Avonlea – Hey, if you’re sick, you have time to wade through six hours of movie to get to a single chaste kiss ... it’s so worth it!

Pride and Prejudice – I’ve gone on record as admitting that I’d watch this story if someone was performing it with sock puppets. I just love Lizzie and Darcy in any form. So bring it on, whether it’s the Colin Firth BBC six-hour extravaganza or the more recent Keira Knightly version. Or Bridget Jones. Or even Lost in Austen (if you haven’t seen this yet, get thee to a Netflix! It’s totally charming). Or you if

want to stretch, try the YA retelling, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Or, hell, you’re sick—watch all of ‘em!

The Bad

Here are the movies that you secretly want to rewatch every time you’re just a little bit blue. If you’re like me, it’s embarrassing. These movies are my secret shame. But I’m home alone, right? And I’m sick! No one can criticize my pedestrian taste under these circumstances!

Die Hard (All of them) – ‘Cause when you’re sick, sometimes you just want to see Bruce Willis blow shit up. That’s all there is to it.

The Twilight movies – These are movies I could never, ever, ever let my husband know how often I watch. I have them on iTunes and watch through Apple TV. I live in fear that someday Apple will add a feature that let’s you see what has been recently watched. But if I was sick, I couldn’t be held responsible for my bad taste in movies.

Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz – Because Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are frickin’ hysterical. When you’re feeling your most zombie-like, you can start with Shaun of the Dead, then when you start to perk up, move on to Hot Fuzz. Warning: Don’t watch these once your cold has moved into your lungs. You don’t want to be coughing up a lung and laughing your ass off at the same time.

The Ugly

The ugly cry, that is. If you’re having a phlegm-fest anyway, you might as well have a good cry while your nose is already red. One note of warning: drink plenty of fluids. You have to really hydrate to make it through these movies.

Out of Africa – This is my go-to cry-till-you-wanna-puke movie. We all have one, right? Well this is mine. I can’t even tell you why. Once, when I watched it and there were others around, I cried so much someone asked if I needed them to call the doctor for me. True story. Now it’s strictly a home alone kind of movie. Plus, Meryl Streep gets syphilis in the middle. So, no matter how bad you feel, it’s still better than syphilis, right? Oh, and this is Robert Redford when he was still youngish and pretty hot.

Romeo + Juliet – Guns, tripping acid, and suicide, oh my!

Harry Potter 7.1 & 7.2 – From the beginning of 7.1 when Hermione obliviates her parents until the final battle with Voldemort, it’s just a sob-fest all the way through. (And btw, that scene with Hermione isn’t in the book, ‘cause it happens “off screen” ... and it’s one of the few moments where the movie is clearly better than the books.) Plus, there’s the great Snape-sob-fest. At the theater, I cried so much I had to time blowing my nose with the explosions. By the time it’s over, you’re crying not just because Fred died (or was it George?) but because ... it’s over! The movies based on the best books ever written ... and it’s over! It still breaks my heart. Is there some sort of HP anonymous group therapy I can join?

Leave a comment telling me you’re favorite movie to watch whilst abed and be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.

Next Smooch Stop: Friday, December 9th at Mundie Moms

Mailbox Mondays 30 Oct 2011 8:00 PM (13 years ago)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Savvy Verse and Wit this month.

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

O Hai There 30 Oct 2011 4:49 AM (13 years ago)

Well, in case you noticed (or maybe you didn't) I haven't been blogging in a while. Even more of a shocker, I haven't been reading either. It's quite absurd I know. The result of me not doing either has been a snowstorm in October on the East Coast! That's how off balanced I made the world!

No seriously, I just haven't felt like reading lately. I'm not apologizing by any means. Obviously this is my blog and I can do what I want! Ok back to being serious, I'm just in a slump. It's not because of what I'm reading because I was reading some fantastic books and I got a bunch of great ones lined up. I think I was just pacing myself too much by trying to have a book reviewed every week day and if life got in the way, my schedule got screwed up.

I think I will take things a bit more easier. I don't have to compete with other book blogs and it's not like the publishers/authors/publicists will kill me if I don't put up a review when I said I was going to (well I hope they don't). I also really need to put up those movie reviews, saw yet another last night (so much for my "There's nothing I want to see in 2011 besides Harry Potter!" theory).

Moral of the story: Don't pressure yourself. I've been blogging for over 5 years. If people stop coming to my blog because I don't blog for a week, so be it.

Book Winner 24 Oct 2011 8:19 AM (13 years ago)

Congrats to the winner of Reasons to be Happy by Katrina Kittle:

Julie from Booking Mama

Mailbox Mondays 23 Oct 2011 8:00 PM (13 years ago)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Savvy Verse and Wit this month.

Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson
Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel

Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

Book Review: "A Necessary Deception" by Laurie Alice Eakes 23 Oct 2011 5:30 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?

I don't why international stories don't fare as well in Christian fiction but I adore them. I especially love stories that take place during the Regency era. While I'm not a huge regency buff, I do enjoy the time period, fashions, customs and history of the era. In this book, readers are introduced to characters who are debating with being loyal to their country or helping out those truly in need. A masquerade ball takes on more than one meaning as national alliances are tested. Romances with those those in enemy territory ensue. Spies, secret midnight rendezvous and never knowing who is really who are just some of the elements included in this story.

I would have liked to have known more about Lydia's relationship with her father. It seems that it has never really been on good terms. I wonder if in future books more about his relationship with his daughters is explained.

There were many times when I was horribly confused by the story. There was a big cast of characters to keep up with as well as many having disguises and multiple identities. I didn't know who was who or what side someone was on. It was very hard to keep track of in the story. Eakes also has a technique in her writing that I do not like at all. She will end a chapter on a cliffhanger and then in the next chapter we have moved on to something else. I feel like nothing gets tied up or actions happen off screen which is very frustrating. I have found many readers who are also frustrated with this so I'm hoping that in the future Eakes stops doing this because it is something that can make or break the entire book.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about the story. The setting, historical aspect and details of the story were fabulous. As I stated I do love regency era books and I really loved the international aspect of the story. I do want to read more about British/French relationships and I would like to hear more about the characters. I just did not really enjoy the writing of the book. It was just a bit confusing and not as strong as it could have been. I will have to wait and see if I decide to continue with the series in the future.

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes is published by Revell (2011)

This review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Review: "The Wonder of Your Love" by Beth Wiseman 22 Oct 2011 6:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?

I know most people think that if you've read one Amish book, you've read them all. This could be a correct statement of many of the books in this genre, but Beth Wiseman's books are different. Yes, they are about the Amish but they are not necessarily always the same thing. This book for instance tackles issues that you don't normally read about in Amish fiction. Infidelity, single mothers and Amish traveling are just some of them brought up in here. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I highly recommend reading it before reading this one because it introduces Katie Ann and her struggles that are a big plot in this book.

I was a bit surprised at the fate of Katie Ann's husband. I swore after reading the first book in this series that he had only left her and nothing else had happened. Next thing I know, I open up the book and he's dead. To me this seemed like a cop-out way to handle the situation. I would have much preferred seeing how infidelity in the Amish is handled. What we are left instead is the women having to deal with Ivan's actions. This rather bothered me because we never really know why he did what he did and what he was thinking. I didn't agree with how Katie Ann handled the situation. In fact, I was like "seriously???! Typical Christian fiction."

I'm not sure if the bit with Danielle was supposed to go somewhere. I felt that she was brought abruptly near the last bit of the story and then it didn't really go anywhere. I hope that she will be included in another book because I didn't really feel as if I knew her. One more small thing that irked me was that Katie Ann thinks in her head that Martha should join the Amish community because it is the only way. Many thoughts ran through my head while reading this but all I will say is that it irked me.

Other than these qualms, I rather enjoyed reading the story. I've enjoyed most of Wiseman's Amish books and for the most part this fit into that category. The writing wasn't as strong as her past books but it was still a good story. Fans of Amish stories will enjoy this one. I think it is interesting seeing the community in a new setting as it shows that they are not just limited to certain areas. I'll be interested to see where they will end up next.

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman is published by Thomas Nelson (2011)

This review copy was provided for a blog tour with LitFuse Publicity

Book Winner 21 Oct 2011 8:48 AM (13 years ago)

Congrats to the winner of Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson:

Beckie from By the Book

Book Review: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Susan May Warren 21 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from LitFuse Publicity: Dottie Morgan has no desire to share her home - or her heart - over Christmas. After all, her Christmas spirit froze over when Dottie lost her son in World War II. But when a blizzard of the decade traps Dottie in her home with four near strangers, she just might discover that opening her door just might open her heart a Christmas miracle...and a new reason celebrate Christmas.

Yes, if you read this book you are going to have the title song stuck in your head pretty much the entire time you read it and long afterwards. Interestingly even though the song has been around for a long time, I only first discovered it after the movie Elf came out. I personally seem to have different connotations of the song than most people but I will admit that it is catchy and you can't get it out of your head.

It's just like this story. Even though Susan May Warren is a favorite author of mine, lately I've been a little lukewarm towards her books. They just didn't have the zing I had grown to love. This one however brought it all back. I had a great time reading this story. Even though I obviously did not live during the time period of the book, I felt a great sense of nostalgia in the story. It's a total comfort read.

The main four characters in this book would have rather avoided each other but due to the snowstorm are forced to be together. I could totally see this playing out as a movie. You have all these relationships - Dottie and Violet, Violet and Jake, Jake and Gordie and Gordie and Violet - that play out throughout the course of the book. Secrets are revealed, trust is tested and realizations are made. I felt that some of the characters grew throughout the story and others we were able to get to know better. The romance in this story is realistic and bittersweet.

The only part of the book that I found a bit out of place was Arnie. I kind of felt he was totally out of place. He only comes into the story halfway through and except for the scare when they find him, most of the other characters kind of ignore him. He doesn't really add too much to the story other than softening Dottie's heart a little. Also the scenes with his imagination, while cute, I wanted to skim over. I also wanted to wallop Violet's mom on the head for her constant dismissal at not being girly enough. I know it's due to the time period but it just made me groan and feel sorry for Violet.

Other than those tidbits, this was a really enjoyable read. It definitely got me in the mood for Christmas. I loved the historical aspect of the story. It was nostalgic but not cheesy or making it seem too perfect. The characters are flawed but they have good hearts. If you're looking for a book to get in the holiday mood or just a cozy book to read near the fireplace, this is the story for you.

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren is published by Summerside Press (2011)

This review copy was provided for a blog tour with LitFuse Publicity

Book Review: "Wonderland Creek" by Lynn Austin 20 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.

But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. While Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

I love reading books about characters who love reading books. There's just something about reading about someone else who is passionate about my interests that makes me happy. What I don't like (and honestly don't understand) is when an author makes their character seem like a fool because they like reading. It always makes me think that the authors is trying to say that you shouldn't read books all the time but then why are they writing a book? Luckily Lynn Austin doesn't fall into that trap as we happily go back into time and see life through the eyes of a bibliophile

Alice is what I would like to call lovingly sheltered. She's a good person with a kind heart. She's just lived in her bubble and hasn't gone to experience the real world in person. When an unexpected stop happens, she is finally thrust into forced survival mode and finds that her reading has not prepared her for a life such as this. Alice didn't grow up in extreme wealth but she has been kept in the dark about how to take care of herself in situations without electricity, telephones and automobiles. Her struggles to fit her modern lifestyle with the primitive conditions are both humorous and a bit sad at the same time.

I really enjoyed reading about libraries and the importance of reading and literature even though we were in rural Kentucky and literary was low. Story telling and imagination were still useful to have even if one couldn't actually read a book. I found the historical aspects of the book to be very interesting, such as money from the government was helping to pay for the horseback librarians.

I was a bit perturbed at how much lying was in this book. I guess I was just rather annoyed that Alice was deceived into staying in Kentucky longer than she intended. People may have thought that they were benefiting her and them, but no one stopped to think that others may have been worried about Alice's safety. I'm glad that she was eventually able to call her parents and let them know as they sounded very relived to find out that she was safe. I'm not a fan of the hat on the cover model. I just think it looks very odd on her. I will admit that the girl does look exactly how I would picture Alice, right down to the slightly clueless look on her face.

Romance-wise, there's a little bit in the book. Not so much that I would classify this as a historical romance however. What was there however was very much in keeping with Alice's character as it is sweet and mostly innocent. Overall, this was a good read especially for readers. It was fun watching Alice grow throughout the story and still able to keep her love of reading intact. She's just now more aware of her surroundings and also what is out in the rest of the world. I look forward to Austin's next book.

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin is published by Bethany House (2011)

This review copy was provided for a blog tour with the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

Book Review: "Love On the Line" by Deeanne Gist 19 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: In 1904 Texas Ranger Luke Palmer arrives in Brenham, Texas, with one goal--to capture the gang of outlaws led by Frank Comer. Undercover as a telephone repairman, he uses his days on the range to search, not realizing there's another pair of eyes watching him.

Georgie Gail, switchboard operator and birder, heads out on a birding expedition, but instead of sighting a painted bunting, her opera glasses capture her telephone man, armed and far away from telephone lines. Palmer is forced to take this alluring troublemaker into his confidence and unwittingly puts her in harm's way. The closer he comes to the gang, the further she works her way into his heart--and into trouble. Soon it's more than just love that's on the line.

It's always funny how something can happen in real life and then you pick up a book and then find the same thing happening in the book. Over the past weekend, I had gone to see the movie The Big Year, which is a movie about extreme bird watching. I found the movie fascinating because I didn't really know that much about birds and never realized the deep interest people have in them. Then lo and behold the very next day, I started reading this book and find that our heroine has a huge interest in birds and saving them. It was like my real (well movie) life and my book life had somehow collided.

Georgie is a telephone operator right around the time period when telephones were starting to become popular in houses. It was really interesting reading about how the operator was the one completely in charge at the time as she had the power to transfer news, request help and hear all the gossip in town. It was a job that was in demand for women and I liked seeing them take control of the career. I was very impressed with Georgie's zeal for protecting birds from being needlessly killed for the sake of fashion. I had no idea that birds were being used in that way and I have no idea why in the world someone would want a decapitated bird on their dress or hat.

There were a few scenes when I got a bit annoyed with the characters. Luke laughs at Georgie. I just can't stand scenes where the female is doing her job and gets frustrated at the male and all he can do is stand there and laugh at her. She usually then just gets more frustrated but doesn't do anything to stop his laughing. There is also a scene that disturbed me quite a bit as a character allows others to hurt another character even though they care deeply for the other person. It's supposed to done because they are trying to save an even bigger issue but I was rather disgusted that it even took place to begin with.

I found this book to be a lot tamer than other books by Gist that I have read. There seemed to be none of the sexual tension or undercurrent that I've come to know with her books. Yes, Georgie and Luke had a lot of chemistry together but compared to other of Gist's couples, this was practically chaste.

Overall, I have to say that this wasn't my favorite book from Gist. It's a good story and filled with a lot of adventure, action, spunk and romance. I just personally thought that her previous books were a lot better. I still think fans of her books and of historical romances will enjoy this read. It might not be the best one to start off with but it's still fun and romantic.

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist is published by Bethany House (2011)

This review copy was provided for a tour with the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

Book Review: "If I Tell" by Janet Gurtler 18 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

I can now declare that Janet Gurtler is one of my top five favorite YA contemporary writers of all time. Seriously, after reading her two books, I am totally in love with her writing. She pushes issues that teens deal with and need to be brought out in the open. Since I read a lot of Christian fiction, one thing that I have major problems with that market is that it tends to be very few POC (person of color) main characters in the story. While Christian YA does tend to feature more POCs, it's still nowhere where it should be. That's why I turn to general market YA. This book clearly takes the subject of race and all the issues that come with it, from a teenage girl's perspective.

There's so much to discuss in the book but racial issues are the biggest one. Jasmine is a biracial teen that grew up in a very white environment. Luckily for her, her grandparents that raised her loved her unconditionally. Her relationship with her mother is on shaky terms but she does try to keep a good friendship with her. I felt for Jaz a lot in this book. I know what it's like to stand out and be teased for your ethnicity, which is something you can't control. I totally understood how hard it was for her to accept who she was because she had been unplanned and eventually unwanted by her parents. It's sad at the way her biological father chose to treat her and while there may have been reasons for his choice, I found it unfair and a bit selfish. Either way, his actions clearly have affected Jaz and caused her to have this anger, bitterness and low self esteem about herself. Her relationship with her own mother doesn't help much. Her relationship with Simon, her mother's boyfriend, seemed to help her until she catches him doing something that almost destroys their relationship.

There were times when I did get a bit annoyed with her as well. I wasn't really a big fan of how she treated Jackson sometimes. There's a lot of teen angst with her. It's accurately done. I just wanted her to snap out of it. I really wished she had discussed with Simon her fears earlier but I understand why she couldn't. It just would have saved a lot of trouble. Then again, her waiting so long probably helped to understand things better.

In addition to all this, there's also some romance, a near rape situation, Jaz's lesbian friend and her own difficulties, mean girls, postpartum depression, coffee shops and guitar playing. There's something for everyone! Overall, I really loved this book. There were times when I honestly forgot that an adult wrote this book. I truly felt like I was in Jaz's world as if I was reading her diary or seeing things through her eyes. Gurtler handles her situation with class and authenticity. I really enjoy her writing style as it is engaging and thought provoking. If you are searching for more contemporary YA books, I highly recommend her books. The problem now is that I want more and will have to wait. This book is just tops. HIGHLY recommended.

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler is published by Sourcebooks Fire (2011)

This review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Winners 17 Oct 2011 8:09 AM (13 years ago)

Congrats to the winners of Maman's Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan:

Beth S. from A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
Pam K.
Carol W.

Book Review: "Reasons to be Happy" by Katrina Kittle 17 Oct 2011 4:10 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com:
REASONS TO BE HAPPY

21. Cat purr vibrating through your skin
22. Jumping on a trampoline in the rain
23. Raw cookie dough
24. Getting yourself all freaked out after a scary movie
25. Dancing like an idiot when no one is watching

What happened to the girl who wrote those things? I miss that girl. She used to be bold and fun. Now she's a big chicken loser.
How could so much change so fast?
Let's see, you could be the plain Jane daughter of two gorgeous famous people, move to a new school, have no real friends, and your mom could get sick, and, oh yeah, you could have the most embarrassing secret in the world.
Yep, that about does it.
So, the real question is, how do I get that girl back?

Ok, the colorful cover fooled me into thinking this was going to be a light read. I was expecting a cute story about what it means for a young teen girl to be happy. I thought that this would be a quick read where I would go about my day after reading it. I got a 1/4 of the way in the book and then WHAM! I knew then that this was not going to be an easy story to read.

Hannah is the daughter of two Hollywood actors and the niece of a famous documentary filmmaker. One would think that she would have the perfect life but she's horribly dissatisfied with it. First off, her mother has caner. Then she goes to a new school and is immediately schooled by the popular crowd of what is in and what isn't. According to them, most of what Hannah does/wants to do is not in. Desperate to fit in, Hannah stops doing many things that she likes and starts doing things that begin to harm her.

This is one of the very few books I've that portray bulimia so realistically. Other books I've read kind of skim over the difficult parts. Kittle really takes us into the mind of a bulimic. We witness the entire process of Hannah's addiction with it. We see her first time trying it and the power she feels from doing it to how it becomes her entire life to where she almost gorges herself to death. It's a completely eye opening experience that is very painful to read. One scene that really stood out to me is when Hannah tells her aunt she would rather be anorexic because it's not as disgusting as bulimia. Her aunt then shows her how disgusting anorexia can be as well. Something else I really applauded was that Kittle shows that this is a struggle that Hannah will have to face the rest of her life. Relapses can happen and it's not just something that she can switch off. A lot of other books tend to make it end in a snap but that is clearly not the case.

In addition to Hannah's struggles at school and her bulimia, there is also a section where she goes to Africa with her aunt. This trip transforms her and makes her see more about her life and how to find happiness. It's done very well and it helps the reader and Hannah both see more about life outside of our bubble.

Overall, I really loved this book. As I said, I went into it expecting one thing and came out completely different. Even though the main character is a young teen, I feel readers of all ages (well teen and above) will benefit from reading this novel. This is Kittle's first YA book but I hope it is not her last. There needs to be more contemporary YA books like this. They will make lasting impact on their readers. HIGHLY recommended.

Reasons to Be Happy by Katrina Kittle is published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2011)

This ARC was provided by the publisher

I'm able to give away one copy of this book provided by the publisher. To enter, you must fill out the form below. This contest is open to US entrants only. Winner will be picked Monday, October 24.

PLEASE use the form only to enter the contest. For any comments about the book, review, etc. please use the comments link at the bottom of the post. All information must be filled out correctly or else your entry will not count. (ie. you must use FULL name and list your mailing address). Your info will only be used for this contest and will be deleted after the contest is over.

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Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart 16 Oct 2011 9:00 PM (13 years ago)

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

and the book:

Sunrise on the Battery

Thomas Nelson (October 11, 2011)

She wanted her husband to attend the town’s society-driven church.

Mailbox Mondays 16 Oct 2011 8:00 PM (13 years ago)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Savvy Verse and Wit this month.

Book Review: "I'm Not Her" by Janet Gurtler 15 Oct 2011 5:06 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that's okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. But, the smiles of her picture perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn't hold it together, who will?

As a lover of contemporary YA, I get very excited when I hear a new one has been released. I had been hearing good things about Janet Gurtler and her books so I was very eager to read this one. Let me start off by just saying, I loved how the inside of the cover of the book is a light shade of green. You rarely see color INSIDE the book! It was just a very nice touch. And it set the setting for a lovely read.

Tess's beautiful and popular older sister has been diagnosed with cancer. Tess has been used to being in the background and for the most part has been ok with it. Now with this secret she holds, she finds everyone wants to know what happened to Kristina. I'm never surprised at how insensitive teenage girls are. It was very obvious that Kristina's friends are not really her friends as they try to do anything to get the secret out of Tess and then proceed to act without thinking afterwards. Tess tries to handle this new found popularity with minor discomfort. It was good that she wasn't comfortable with it. Her relationship with Nick was a little painful for me because it felt very familiar. But I loved her character and enjoyed watching her grow throughout the story.

I got so annoyed with Tess's parents especially her mother. Before Kristina's diagnosis, it seemed that Tess was ok with living in the background and did her own thing. She didn't seem like she really cared about what her mother thought but still loved her and allowed her to fawn over Kristina. However after the diagnosis, it seems that Tess was the only one that grew up. It amazed me at how clueless her mother was. Her mother was very immature at times and seemed to be living her life through Kristina. It was horrible how she treated Tess and I felt so much pain for her when her mother makes the drunk comments. Her dad sadly is no help either as he chooses to withdraw and not face the reality either. I was quite angry at both their reactions to Tess's art competition and wanted to scream for her.

I was also not prepared for the fate of one of the characters. I did not see that coming at all and I literally gasped very audibly when I read it and said "No!" It was a turning point in the book and it made several characters change because of it. One of these changes involves the relationship between Kristina and Tess and I was quite pleased with it.

Overall, I adored this story. I always enjoy sister stories and this one is another one to add to my list. This book gave insight to many things: sibling relationship, parent/child relationships, how cancer affects families, popularity in school and following your heart. It's not an easy read at times but it's written very beautifully. I'm so glad that Gurtler's next book is in my TBR pile because after discovering her, I want to read more. HIGHLY recommended.

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler is published by Sourcebooks Fire (2011)

This review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Winner 14 Oct 2011 8:26 AM (13 years ago)

Congrats to the winner of Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie:

Book Review: "Holy Ghost Girl" by Donna Johnson 14 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: She was just three years old when her mother signed on as the organist of tent revivalist David Terrell, and before long, Donna Johnson was part of the hugely popular evangelical preacher's inner circle. At seventeen, she left the ministry for good, with a trove of stranger-than-fiction memories. A homecoming like no other, Holy Ghost Girl brings to life miracles, exorcisms, and faceoffs with the Ku Klux Klan. And that's just what went on under the tent.

As Terrell became known worldwide during the 1960s and '70s, the caravan of broken-down cars and trucks that made up his ministry evolved into fleets of Mercedes and airplanes. The glories of the Word mixed with betrayals of the flesh and Donna's mother bore Terrell's children in one of the several secret households he maintained. Thousands of followers, dubbed "Terrellites" by the press, left their homes to await the end of the world in cultlike communities. Jesus didn't show, but the IRS did, and the prophet/healer went to prison.

Recounted with deadpan observations and surreal detail, Holy Ghost Girl bypasses easy judgment to articulate a rich world in which the mystery of faith and human frailty share a surprising and humorous coexistence.

Even though I'm a Christian, I'm still very wary over a lot of these tent revivals and evangelists. While there are many who are genuine about their faith, there are plenty of others who are wolves in sheep's clothing. There are many who profess true faith but are really con artists and preying on others.

Throughout the book, we see through Donna's young eyes how deceptive and manipulative so called preacher Terrell is. I shuddered at the abuse that the children went through and how these so called Christians had no problems letting them suffer. It was hard reading about how their mother pretty much abandoned them for her new faith and preacher. It's always interesting about how many followers of these preachers tend to be women, especially women who come from abusive or needy backgrounds. The description of the book mentions that there are humorous parts but I just found it mostly sad and appalling of how everyone lived.

It's interesting that while I was reading, I kept feeling that the book was taking place during the 1800s due to how the commune tended to live. I kept feeling jolted when I realized that it was actually during the 1960s and 70s. Near the end of the book, the book speeds up very fast and Donna jumps from a little kid to a teenager in mere paragraphs. I have to admit that I was a bit let down by the book. I thought it was going to be a huge expose where Johnson completely turned away from the faith and would have some big confrontation in the end. Surprisingly this does not happen and it almost made me feel as if Johnson still believed in him. I googled David Terrell after finishing the book and was surprised to see that he's still doing preaching. It rather scares me that there are still that many gullible people out there listening to him and also that he's continuing to believe that his ways are right or at least still respects him.

Overall this book gives a very eye opening inside look at what some of these preachers really are like. It's even more sadder that it is told through a young child's eyes. I do wonder how much of it affected Johnson for the rest of her life. If you're in the mood for a memoir that is revealing, this is the book for you.


Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson is published by Gotham (2011)

This ARC was provided for a blog tour with TLC Book Tours

I'm able to give away one copy of this book provided by the publisher. To enter, you must fill out the form below. This contest is open to US and Canada entrants only. Winner will be picked Friday, October 21.

PLEASE use the form only to enter the contest. For any comments about the book, review, etc. please use the comments link at the bottom of the post. All information must be filled out correctly or else your entry will not count. (ie. you must use FULL name and list your mailing address). Your info will only be used for this contest and will be deleted after the contest is over.

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Book Review: "Reclaiming Lily" by Patti Lacy 13 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Dallas hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily. Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer...or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

My first thought when I started reading this book was I am so happy that Bethany House released two books on the same day that both have Asian characters in them. It's actually a bit sad that I'm so excited about this which goes to show what an anomaly Asians (or most POC characters in general) are in Christian fiction. I'm hoping that will change one day and since Bethany House is one of the major publishers in the Christian market hopefully this shows that they are leading the way.

The book deals with several issues: adoption, health issues, cultural issues and family issues. The main focus of the story is on three women all connected to each other: Gloria adopted Joy who is the biological sister of Kai. Joy and Kai were both born in China during the years of the Cultural Revolution in China. They've been reunited but things aren't so happy as Joy is rebellious and a health scare looms over everyone.

I will admit that there were times when I got a bit annoyed with Gloria. I felt that she just didn't understand Joy at all. It almost seems like she couldn't understand Joy's insecurities about being Asian in a mainly white community and didn't try to help her learn about her background and culture. To be honest, Gloria seems quite selfish at times because she was more worried about herself and what others thought about her. I understand that she had been hurt in the past by those she loved but she often came across as rude, arrogant and refusing to understand.

I really liked reading the story from Kai's point of view. Lacy does not make her into a stereotypical foreigner and treats her character with respect and graciousness. Kai is intent on keeping family honor and duty but it's also clear that she's searching for something else. I could very much relate with Joy and her feelings of insecurity over her ethnicity. Some of the things she said about how she looked and felt are things that have come out of my own mouth.

This is one of the few books in Christian fiction I've read that deals with the cultural revolution and communist China. Most books that do feature Chinese characters tend to be set in earlier times when foreigners were missionaries and Asians were exotic. This book instead shows how life was like for those who living in the country during the time period and the suffering that they faced when they went against the ideas of the government.

The only thing that I had any problems with was the cover of the book. I'm just a little bit confused by it. Obviously since the white woman on the front is supposed to be Gloria. I'm assuming that the Asian girl is supposed to be Joy. I'm just wondering why Kai is not featured on the book, why Gloria's presence is so huge when her story is only 1/3 of the book and why Joy is portrayed as so young. My only thought is that this is supposed to be Gloria and Joy when they first met? It just doesn't seem right to leave Kai off the cover.

Except for this minor bit, I really enjoyed this book. As I said, I was thrilled that there are Asian characters in the story. Plus, it's a well written and very intriguing story. There's a lot to mull over while and after reading, both regarding practical, cultural and faith issues. This is actually my first book of Lacy's that I've read. I have her others so I really need to go back and read them now.

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy is published by Bethany House (2011)

This ARC was provided for a blog tour with the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

Book Review: "The Measure of Katie Calloway" by Serena Miller 12 Oct 2011 3:00 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. But will trouble find her even here?The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home, conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a north woods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. I wasn't a fan of the cover and I was deathly afraid that it was going to fall into the historical romance pitfall I seem to find myself in. Luckily, that was not my fate this time. I think it was because the focus of the story was on life in the camp and not on romance. Oh, romance is in the story but it actually plays only a small role in the plot. More time was spent on Katie adjusting to being the new cook (or sharing the role) at the camp.

I really enjoyed reading about all the adventures in the kitchen. There's A LOT of food mentioned in this book which is always a plus for me. Katie and Jigger keep trading barbs and tricks with each other as they battle for control over the kitchen so many dishes are being served throughout the book. I wouldn't mind being in the camp myself it Katie was the one cooking. Doughnuts, meat pies, flapjacks all sound good to me. I'm really glad at how Katie stood up to Jigger. She got her one good cry (which she totally deserved to have) and then she fought back. I'm glad that she is portrayed as a strong woman who can fend for herself.

Katie and Robert actually never really have many romantic scenes throughout the book. This is partly due to Katie's situation and the fact that she doesn't want a relationship. Robert also treats Katie with respect and does not try to pursue anything. There is some chemistry but it's not something the author focuses on. Katie's husband is an interesting character to say the least. I would have been interested to find out more about him but from what I could gather, he got what he deserved.

The only thing I found a bit off the book was the role of Katie's brother. He didn't really seem to serve a purpose in the story for me. Most of the time I forgot that he existed. He just felt like Robin to Katie's Batman...why are you here? Other than this, I really enjoyed the book. Miller's writing helped me to understand what life was like in the logging camps as well as tensions after the Civil War. I liked Katie's character and was glad that she was able to stand on her own two feet. This is the first book from Miller that I've read and I hope that continues to write more stories like this.

The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller is published by Revell (2011)

This review copy was provided by the publisher

Book Review: "A Wedding Invitation" by Alice Wisler 11 Oct 2011 4:48 AM (13 years ago)

Summary from BN.com: After returning home from teaching English at a refugee camp in the Philippines, Samantha Bravencourt enjoys her quiet life working at her mother's clothing boutique in Falls Church, Virginia. When she receives an invitation to a wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she looks forward to reconnecting with her college friend. Instead her life collides with Carson, a fellow teacher and the man who broke her heart, and a young Amerasian refugee named Lien who needs Samantha and Carson's help to find her mother before Lien's own wedding. When the search for Lien's mother reveals surprising secrets from the past, Samantha must reevaluate her own memories and decide whether to continue to play it safe or take a risk that could change her life.

This book had win written all over it. One, I love the simplicity, beauty and uniqueness of the cover. Two, Alice Wisler is a fantastic writer. Three, the story is set (well half of it) in Northern Virginia near where I live. Four, the book has Asian characters in an adult Christian novel. The fourth one may seem strange for me to point out but believe me, this is a huge thing for me. So with this combination, I knew that I was going to enjoy this book.

This story takes place in the 1990s and follows Samantha, a young woman who works with her mother in the DC area. Her current life seems pretty normal but her past reveals that she worked in the Philippines helping out young Amerasian children in transition. A wedding invitation finds her traveling to a wedding of an old friend (or so she thinks) and begins an adventure that brings her past to her present. The whole wrong wedding bit was just crazy! What are the odds of that happening? (I'm sparing details so not to spoil things) Talk about being incredibly awkward. But it's a good thing that happened because it set the ball in motion for all the other things to happen in Samantha's life.

I don't think that I have read many books that deal with Amerasian characters from the Vietnam War. To be honest, I actually didn't know much about the situation in general as sadly high school history stops at WWII and I didn't take any classes in college dealing with the Vietnam War. It was really sad to learn about the number of children produced from failed relationships American soldiers and Vietnamese women. The soldiers left the country never looking back leaving behind children who were now outcasts. They were mistreated badly for something they had no control over. Interestingly, just a few days ago I saw a news story about an Amerasian man who found his Vietnamese birth mother after he had been sent over to the US when he was a young child in the 70s after the war.

Something I found interesting (or maybe I just missed it) was that Lien does not search for her birth father. I'm not sure if she had his information and that could have been why she didn't do it but it almost seemed like that would have been more easier to find than her mother. On that note, I do wonder what it must have been like for those American soldiers who fathered the children and then just left. Did they know they had children? Did they ever wonder what happened to them? Did they just forget? If anyone knows of a book from that perspective, I would love some recommendations.

Overall, this book was an absolute gem to read. Wisler skillfully takes the reader from Samantha's past to her present as we learn more about her, her work and the relationships in her life. The story is beautifully written and extremely informative as well. As I said, I was thrilled to see Asian characters in the story and even more pleased that no stereotypes were used at all. Faith is an integral part of the story but it doesn't feel forced on the reader. Instead it is just portrayed in the lives of the characters. This is a wonderful book and I am looking forward to Wisler's next one as well.

A Wedding Invitation by Alice Wisler is published by Bethany House (2011)

This review copy was provided for a blog tour with the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance