Why I have this book: It's the third book in the series I've been reading (see previous post).
Really, really liked this conclusion to the series! It may have even been my favorite of the three.
The Kindle edition had some weird typo/editing issues here and there. (Like a random E thrown in at the beginning of several chapters, right in the middle of a sentence, or one instance where the name of a character was interrupted with several words right in the middle of the name. I know, sounds confusing… and it was when I was reading it, too.)
Thank goodness the story was smooth enough and engrossing enough that the disruptions were just a blip. If you like Christian/historical fiction, you would like this series. It had more depth than a lot of books in this genre.
I even learned that toilet paper was called "therapeutic paper" back in the day. I had to google that term, having never heard it before. (I thought the protagonist was taking something to read with her to the trees while she did her business… which didn't seem to fit the story at all. Haha…)
Clean.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Revealed (Tamera Alexander)
Why I have this book: I had read the first one, and liked it so much that with the very last of my Amazon gift card money, I bought the two sequels.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this one. As I read along, I thought it was going to be one of those sequels that doesn't measure up to the first. But it didn't take too long to get deeper into the characters and story, and I ended up enjoying it very much. I have the third book left to read, and I also have another series of three that I borrowed from the ebook library by this author.
These are Christian fiction, and the author doesn't shy away from talking about the teachings of Jesus.
Clean. It does include characters who were forced into prostitution, but who found redemption over time.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this one. As I read along, I thought it was going to be one of those sequels that doesn't measure up to the first. But it didn't take too long to get deeper into the characters and story, and I ended up enjoying it very much. I have the third book left to read, and I also have another series of three that I borrowed from the ebook library by this author.
These are Christian fiction, and the author doesn't shy away from talking about the teachings of Jesus.
Clean. It does include characters who were forced into prostitution, but who found redemption over time.
Friday, January 23, 2015
On the Way Home (Stephanie Wells Mason)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I liked things about it and I didn't like other things about it. I'm kind of torn.
On the one hand, it has an interesting story line. I really liked most of the characters and I thought she did a good job developing each one. In general, she writes well… it's smooth and easy to get sucked into the story.
On the other hand, the romantic interests with their conversations and so on… I just didn't feel like that developed as well and towards the end, I actually physically rolled my eyes at one part. The book took a nosedive in feeling realistic as it went on, especially closer to the end. So that was a bummer.
So… yeah. I'm not really sure what else to say.
Clean.
I liked things about it and I didn't like other things about it. I'm kind of torn.
On the one hand, it has an interesting story line. I really liked most of the characters and I thought she did a good job developing each one. In general, she writes well… it's smooth and easy to get sucked into the story.
On the other hand, the romantic interests with their conversations and so on… I just didn't feel like that developed as well and towards the end, I actually physically rolled my eyes at one part. The book took a nosedive in feeling realistic as it went on, especially closer to the end. So that was a bummer.
So… yeah. I'm not really sure what else to say.
Clean.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Season of Storms (Susanna Kearsley)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
Another winner by Susanna Kearsley! To be honest, it took me quite a while to get completely sucked in… it was about 35% into the book when I finally felt like I was settling into the story. It was like the whole first part was setting the stage (No pun intended! Haha…) (You probably would have to read it to get that…) for the rest of the book.
Forgive that horrible parentheses overload. And since I never can quite grasp the punctuation/parentheses rules, I'm sure I need plenty of forgiveness.
But back to the book… Yes, it was a very good read. I sometimes got a little bogged down with the scenery descriptions, but, wow, Ms. Kearsley is a beautiful writer. She really creates the atmosphere with her words. I read that her writing style is compared to Daphne du Maurier and I can see that in this book.
The amount of research she does with each book is incredible.
There was the occasional swear word in this book, and if my memory is serving me correctly, there may have been an instance of the Lord's name being used accordingly. There is a homosexual couple, whose characters play an important role in the story, but there are no sex scenes or anything crude about it. Their relationship is more a matter of fact than a focus of the storyline.
Another winner by Susanna Kearsley! To be honest, it took me quite a while to get completely sucked in… it was about 35% into the book when I finally felt like I was settling into the story. It was like the whole first part was setting the stage (No pun intended! Haha…) (You probably would have to read it to get that…) for the rest of the book.
Forgive that horrible parentheses overload. And since I never can quite grasp the punctuation/parentheses rules, I'm sure I need plenty of forgiveness.
But back to the book… Yes, it was a very good read. I sometimes got a little bogged down with the scenery descriptions, but, wow, Ms. Kearsley is a beautiful writer. She really creates the atmosphere with her words. I read that her writing style is compared to Daphne du Maurier and I can see that in this book.
The amount of research she does with each book is incredible.
There was the occasional swear word in this book, and if my memory is serving me correctly, there may have been an instance of the Lord's name being used accordingly. There is a homosexual couple, whose characters play an important role in the story, but there are no sex scenes or anything crude about it. Their relationship is more a matter of fact than a focus of the storyline.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Rekindled (Tamera Alexander)
Why I have this book: Apparently, I downloaded it for free back in the summer of 2014.
The ending had a few corny'ish moments… but they were small and the book itself was a good read. It's heavy on the religion (not so heavy as to bother me), and intriguing enough to keep me wanting to read it all day. (I had lots of interruptions, which made me feel a bit frustrated that I couldn't just keep reading!)
There are two sequels, but they aren't about the characters of the first book, so I'm trying to decide it I want to buy them. Maybe I'll check the ebook library first. All in all, I enjoyed it enough to read more books by this author.
Clean, with some "bad guy" moments.
The ending had a few corny'ish moments… but they were small and the book itself was a good read. It's heavy on the religion (not so heavy as to bother me), and intriguing enough to keep me wanting to read it all day. (I had lots of interruptions, which made me feel a bit frustrated that I couldn't just keep reading!)
There are two sequels, but they aren't about the characters of the first book, so I'm trying to decide it I want to buy them. Maybe I'll check the ebook library first. All in all, I enjoyed it enough to read more books by this author.
Clean, with some "bad guy" moments.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (Terry Ryan)
The title continues… How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less.
Why I have this book: It was this month's book club pick after we dropped the book with the pornographic chapter that I mentioned earlier. Actually, the gal who was hosting made an executive decision and picked this one, even though we were all throwing out different suggestions…
And I'm glad she did! I really loved this book. I had a hard time in the beginning, as I "watched" the kids destroy things in the house (must have hit a nerve with me!) and saw appliances break left and right. (I thought things were made better back in the day. Is that a myth?) And I was ready to smack the dad upside the head more than once.
But… as I kept reading, I fell in love the mom and her amazing attitude… and even wanted to give the dad a standing ovation by the end of the book (for at least one decision he made). What a beautiful story! I'd love to tell Terry Ryan "thank you" for taking the time to share her mom's life with the world. Such a lovely tribute to an amazing woman.
It's a story of what it can mean to be a strong mother, family, and friend. I feel inspired.
It also is a fascinating look at the contests that happened back in the 50's and 60's. I'm impressed with how big the prizes were!
There are a handful of swear words in this book, including using the Lord's name as a curse word.
Why I have this book: It was this month's book club pick after we dropped the book with the pornographic chapter that I mentioned earlier. Actually, the gal who was hosting made an executive decision and picked this one, even though we were all throwing out different suggestions…
And I'm glad she did! I really loved this book. I had a hard time in the beginning, as I "watched" the kids destroy things in the house (must have hit a nerve with me!) and saw appliances break left and right. (I thought things were made better back in the day. Is that a myth?) And I was ready to smack the dad upside the head more than once.
But… as I kept reading, I fell in love the mom and her amazing attitude… and even wanted to give the dad a standing ovation by the end of the book (for at least one decision he made). What a beautiful story! I'd love to tell Terry Ryan "thank you" for taking the time to share her mom's life with the world. Such a lovely tribute to an amazing woman.
It's a story of what it can mean to be a strong mother, family, and friend. I feel inspired.
It also is a fascinating look at the contests that happened back in the 50's and 60's. I'm impressed with how big the prizes were!
There are a handful of swear words in this book, including using the Lord's name as a curse word.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The Quilt Walk (Sandra Dallas)
Why I have this book: It's been on my Wish List for a while, so I bought it with my Amazon Gift Card balance.
I really liked this book. It's written for elementary age readers, but it definitely kept my attention. I liked everything about it… the history, the bit of a "quilting" theme, the way it shows that women need each other. I can't wait until my youngest daughter is old enough to read it. (I just hope she's not the kind of reader that only reads Fantasy! I need to share my favorites with my kids!!!)
Clean.
I really liked this book. It's written for elementary age readers, but it definitely kept my attention. I liked everything about it… the history, the bit of a "quilting" theme, the way it shows that women need each other. I can't wait until my youngest daughter is old enough to read it. (I just hope she's not the kind of reader that only reads Fantasy! I need to share my favorites with my kids!!!)
Clean.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Every Secret Thing (Susanna Kearsley)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
***AND I JUST FOUND OUT (on March 20, 2016) THAT SUSANNA KEARSLEY PUT THE NAME EMMA COLE ON THIS BOOK AS THE AUTHOR. Sorry for the shouting, but what? It was Susanna Kearsley when I read it, but it seems now she is using her "other" name, Emma Cole. Apparently, that is to differentiate between genres. (sigh)***
I'm a big fan of Susanna Kearsley. I love that she writes super involved stories without throwing any graphic sex or strong profanity into the mix. She is such a good writer. This particular story was something of a historical and contemporary mystery. (She takes the reader back and forth from current time to the WWII era.)
One problem with having books on hold with the ebook library is that I might not be in the mood for a book when it becomes available. I didn't think I was in the mood for this book, since it seemed to be a heavier and deeper read (as SK's book tend to be) and we all know that my brain has been very comfortable with light reads lately. Still, I knew I couldn't go wrong with an SK book, so I got started on the first page. It wasn't long until I was hooked. She knows how to grab the reader right away.
I stayed up way too late (1:30 am) last night to finish the book. I was dropping off to sleep every few minutes, not because I was bored, but because I was sooo tired. But I really wanted to know it all before I went to sleep!
I'm not entirely convinced everything was wrapped up completely satisfactorily (could have been because I kept dropping off to sleep), but I loved the journey this book took me on. I'm glad I have a couple other Susanna Kearsley books waiting to be read. I highly recommend her books.
Clean, although this IS a murder mystery of sorts. I don't even recall any swearing.
***AND I JUST FOUND OUT (on March 20, 2016) THAT SUSANNA KEARSLEY PUT THE NAME EMMA COLE ON THIS BOOK AS THE AUTHOR. Sorry for the shouting, but what? It was Susanna Kearsley when I read it, but it seems now she is using her "other" name, Emma Cole. Apparently, that is to differentiate between genres. (sigh)***
I'm a big fan of Susanna Kearsley. I love that she writes super involved stories without throwing any graphic sex or strong profanity into the mix. She is such a good writer. This particular story was something of a historical and contemporary mystery. (She takes the reader back and forth from current time to the WWII era.)
One problem with having books on hold with the ebook library is that I might not be in the mood for a book when it becomes available. I didn't think I was in the mood for this book, since it seemed to be a heavier and deeper read (as SK's book tend to be) and we all know that my brain has been very comfortable with light reads lately. Still, I knew I couldn't go wrong with an SK book, so I got started on the first page. It wasn't long until I was hooked. She knows how to grab the reader right away.
I stayed up way too late (1:30 am) last night to finish the book. I was dropping off to sleep every few minutes, not because I was bored, but because I was sooo tired. But I really wanted to know it all before I went to sleep!
I'm not entirely convinced everything was wrapped up completely satisfactorily (could have been because I kept dropping off to sleep), but I loved the journey this book took me on. I'm glad I have a couple other Susanna Kearsley books waiting to be read. I highly recommend her books.
Clean, although this IS a murder mystery of sorts. I don't even recall any swearing.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Her Good Name (Josi S. Kilpack)
Why I have this book: I am a fan of the author and the book was available to borrow on the ebook library. Always happy when I can borrow a good book!
Definitely liked this book about identity theft. Josi is a good writer… it's easy to get sucked into the story, the characters are well developed, etc. I had a hard time relating to the gun smuggling part of the story, but that's because I live in a bubble. Haha…
Clean. There sideline story involves murder, gun smuggling, and drug dealing.
Definitely liked this book about identity theft. Josi is a good writer… it's easy to get sucked into the story, the characters are well developed, etc. I had a hard time relating to the gun smuggling part of the story, but that's because I live in a bubble. Haha…
Clean. There sideline story involves murder, gun smuggling, and drug dealing.
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