Friday, February 26, 2010
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by Melody Carlson
Read the Back:
SHE THOUGHT SHE LEFT THE SUMMER BEHIND…
This year should be the best of Sophie Ramsay’s life. She’s friends with all the right people, she’s a shoo-in for editor of the school newspaper, and she’s managed to turn the head of one of the hottest guys in school.
But something’s not quite right. Sophie has a secret – one she won’t be able to keep under wraps for much longer.
What I Thought:
What an amazing story! I’ve always enjoyed reading Melody Carlson’s books as she gets right down to business with tackling the issues facing teens in today’s society. This book gave me a new perspective on how people, even Christians, can be really judgmental. Sophie is faced with a big problem and has many decisions that she needs to make throughout this book. Sophie begins to doubt and question her faith. Her friends can see a difference in her attitude. She falls away from God when she really needs him most.
As a Christian, I found this book really eye opening. It gave me a new perspective on how cold people can be. It also gave me the gentle reminder that God is there no matter what! Couldn’t we all use that reminder? Even though this book is written as young adult fiction, I think that any adult could benefit from reading it. I found myself crying right alongside the characters. I also got that desperate feeling too. Melody Carlson has done it again and I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone.
Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand 
Read the Back:
IN THE SHADOWS OF CHARLESTON, SOMEONE IS WATCHING HER…
RYLEE MONROE, a dogwalker in Charleston’s wealthiest neighbourhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.
Reporter Logan Woods is following the break-ins with the hope of publishing his coverage as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything.
As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?
What I Thought:
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I set aside some time to do so it was SO worth it. The characters in this book are really charming. You can easily relate to most of them. I enjoyed how the author made each of Rylee’s clients’ dogs a character as well. This mystery novel isn’t like most of the others I’ve read. It has a good blend of Romance (but not Harlequin levels) and Mystery. I’ve ready many different mystery books over the last few years and have usually been able to figure out “who dunnit” by about ½ way through the book. That wasn’t the case with this book. I really wasn’t sure until the chapter with the big reveal. To me, that’s how a mystery book SHOULD be. The authors did an excellent job at portraying each character’s thoughts as they occurred. The use of internal dialog helped me to really get into what each character was feeling.
I really like that even though Rylee was a victim in this book, the authors didn’t really make her seem all wimpy. I find that a lot of times women are portrayed as too vulnerable and unable to take care of themselves. While I found Rylee to act irrationally at times, I could easily see myself making those same decisions. I liked, however, that she did get in some peoples’ faces at certain points in the book and wasn’t afraid to tell people what she thought. You Go Girl!
Another great aspect in the book were the characters’ direct relations with God. Rylee finds herself coming back to got through a series of circumstances out of her control. We also see Logan turning back towards God after some encouraging words from his father. Sometimes I found the parts that referenced God to be a little out of place with the feel of the story, but overall the storyline continued to flow pretty well.
I think that if you like mystery novels then you’d like this book, and if mysteries aren’t normally your cup of tea, I think you’d like this book too. It really does have a bit of something for everyone. ENJOY!
Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Read the Back:
IN THE SHADOWS OF CHARLESTON, SOMEONE IS WATCHING HER…
RYLEE MONROE, a dogwalker in Charleston’s wealthiest neighbourhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.
Reporter Logan Woods is following the break-ins with the hope of publishing his coverage as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything.
As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?
What I Thought:
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I set aside some time to do so it was SO worth it. The characters in this book are really charming. You can easily relate to most of them. I enjoyed how the author made each of Rylee’s clients’ dogs a character as well. This mystery novel isn’t like most of the others I’ve read. It has a good blend of Romance (but not Harlequin levels) and Mystery. I’ve ready many different mystery books over the last few years and have usually been able to figure out “who dunnit” by about ½ way through the book. That wasn’t the case with this book. I really wasn’t sure until the chapter with the big reveal. To me, that’s how a mystery book SHOULD be. The authors did an excellent job at portraying each character’s thoughts as they occurred. The use of internal dialog helped me to really get into what each character was feeling.
I really like that even though Rylee was a victim in this book, the authors didn’t really make her seem all wimpy. I find that a lot of times women are portrayed as too vulnerable and unable to take care of themselves. While I found Rylee to act irrationally at times, I could easily see myself making those same decisions. I liked, however, that she did get in some peoples’ faces at certain points in the book and wasn’t afraid to tell people what she thought. You Go Girl!
Another great aspect in the book were the characters’ direct relations with God. Rylee finds herself coming back to got through a series of circumstances out of her control. We also see Logan turning back towards God after some encouraging words from his father. Sometimes I found the parts that referenced God to be a little out of place with the feel of the story, but overall the storyline continued to flow pretty well.
I think that if you like mystery novels then you’d like this book, and if mysteries aren’t normally your cup of tea, I think you’d like this book too. It really does have a bit of something for everyone. ENJOY!
Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
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When you go to buy a new book, what's the first thing you do? When I'm looking to purchase a book, I read the back (or inside sleeve) first to see if it'd even be a book I'm interested in. Since this is how most people buy books I figured I'd put the back of the book in each of my reviews from here on out. This way people can read what the author has to say about the book as well as what I feel after having read it. I hope this will make my blog more appealing and a better place to come to find out about books.
Also, for those that frequent my blog, you will have noticed the change in the background and layout of my blog. I find this layout to be much neater and more appealing to the eye. I hope you enjoy the new look as much as I do!
Also, for those that frequent my blog, you will have noticed the change in the background and layout of my blog. I find this layout to be much neater and more appealing to the eye. I hope you enjoy the new look as much as I do!
Monday, February 22, 2010
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by Michelle LaRowe 
This book is a VERY comprehensive compilation of lists that are helpful to ANY mom. The lists start with Common Pregnancy Symptoms and Solutions and go through choosing a childcare provider. There are also lists about what you DON’T need as a mom and places to take your child for the day. There are lists on so many subjects. The lists are easy to understand and are EXACTLY the type of lists mom’s need (especially first timers). This book would make an amazing baby shower gift!
As a mom of a toddler and an infant, I find the lists helpful in overcoming the inevitable “Mommy Brain”. Like any pre-fabricated lists, there will be some items that don’t apply and some that you feel you need that aren’t on the list, but at least you are given a jumping off point. With so much going on in your life, the last thing you want to think about is making a huge list of stuff to take with you on your first trip.
My favourite parts of this book are the recipes for freezer friendly meals and toddler friendly treats (i.e.: Dirt Cups). I found this book to also be a great reference guide for following your infant/toddlers growth and development (both charts are in this book!). It also lists the dietary needs of children along with the suggested serving sizes of each food category.
I would highly recommend this book to ANY mom with young children.
Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
This book is a VERY comprehensive compilation of lists that are helpful to ANY mom. The lists start with Common Pregnancy Symptoms and Solutions and go through choosing a childcare provider. There are also lists about what you DON’T need as a mom and places to take your child for the day. There are lists on so many subjects. The lists are easy to understand and are EXACTLY the type of lists mom’s need (especially first timers). This book would make an amazing baby shower gift!
As a mom of a toddler and an infant, I find the lists helpful in overcoming the inevitable “Mommy Brain”. Like any pre-fabricated lists, there will be some items that don’t apply and some that you feel you need that aren’t on the list, but at least you are given a jumping off point. With so much going on in your life, the last thing you want to think about is making a huge list of stuff to take with you on your first trip.
My favourite parts of this book are the recipes for freezer friendly meals and toddler friendly treats (i.e.: Dirt Cups). I found this book to also be a great reference guide for following your infant/toddlers growth and development (both charts are in this book!). It also lists the dietary needs of children along with the suggested serving sizes of each food category.
I would highly recommend this book to ANY mom with young children.
Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
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