The Sweetest Thing: Book Review

Title: The Sweetest Thing
Author: Elizabeth Musser
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy the Book:
-HERE-

"Anne "Perri" Singleton's world is defined by the security of family, the camaraderie of friends at an exclusive Atlanta girls' school, and an enviable social life. She isn't looking for new friends when Mary Dobbs Dillard arrives from Chicago. Besides, "Dobbs", the passionate and fiercely individualistic daughter of an itinerant minister, is her opposite in every way.

But just as the Great Depression collides disastrously with Perri's well-ordered life, friendship blossoms--a friendship that will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets..."






Elizabeth Musser has woven a tale that will enchant readers from the first word all the way to the last. A story so real and touching, it's hard not to shed a tear or let a laugh slip out. Not only is the story gripping and entertaining, but it contains incredible lessons that everyone can learn something from.

The characters are deep and real. It's hard to come across a book such as this that allows you to feel this deeply connected to the characters. Mrs. Musser has created persons that are much like you and I with pain and struggles we can relate to.

The story is one of great depth as well. There is not only real history woven in, but every day struggles, adventures, and even a bit of mystery included in this enchanting tale. A person can't help but fall in love with the style and flow of this book. You'll be turning the pages eagerly long into the early morning hours.

What I admire most in a book is the strength of the writing. Was there passion poured into it? I can definitely say that Mrs. Musser's style is impeccable. She is an incredible storyteller filled with a true writer's spirit.

The Sweetest Thing has quickly made its way to being one of my top favorite books of all time. I can't begin to describe how enthralling it truly is. In fact, I was so impressed with Mrs. Musser's talent, skill and passion for writing that I am going to look up her other books immediately.

I highly recommend this book for people interested in touching tales of faith and perseverance aged 15 and up.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

What's Coming Up Next?
The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
Waterfall, by Lisa. T. Bergren
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Skin Map: Book Review

Title: The Skin Map
Author: Stephen R. Lawhead
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

(Read a sample on Stephen R. Lawhead's Facebook page!)


Watch the incredible trailer to The Skin Map -HERE-!

"Kit Livingstone's great-grandfather appears to him in a deserted alley during a tumultuous storm. He reveals an unbelievable story: that the ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legend or the weekend hobby of deluded cranks, but pathways to other worlds. To those who know how to use them, they grant the ability to travel the multi-layered universe of which we ordinarily inhabit only a tiny part.

One explorer knew more than most. Braving every danger, he toured both time and space on voyages of heroic discovery. Ever on his guard and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed an intricate code -- a roadmap of symbols -- that he tattooed onto his own body. The Skin Map has since been lost in time. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets.

But the Skin Map itself is not the ultimate goal. It is merely the beginning of a vast and marvelous quest for a prize beyond imagining."





This was one amazing read! As a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan, I'm drawn in easily to these kinds of books. Time-travel and adventures in other worlds has a certain draw to me. Yet, this was unlike any I have ever read. My first major compliment goes towards the descriptions and the flow of the writing. As an aspiring author, I'm always looking for well-written books, and try to figure out how each author's style works. Stephen R. Lawhead's writing is impeccable. He uses wording so unique and broad, yet easy to comprehend and understand. I don't usually fly through chapters quickly, but I found myself enraptured by the narrative and was at the next chapter mark in no time. Good job, Mr. Lawhead! Your writing is incredibly inspiring!

The adventure of the book was mind-numbly thrilling, as well. I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. I mean that in a very good way. I was left at the end of each chapter wanting to know what would take place next. In fact, I stayed up quite late last night willing myself to finish the book. I read over two-hundred pages yesterday. I can honestly say I have never read that much in a single day. You've left a good cliffhanger for us readers to dwell on, Mr. Lawhead. I'm eagerly anticipating the release of The Bone House this fall!

I just have a few negative comments (more like warnings for those who might want them). One, the main character Kit notices a little too much the attractiveness of a woman he must travel with later on. Second, while there is no foul language, there is a few repeated uses of the British slang word, 'bloody'. :)

All in all, I give high praise to this book. I recommend it to people who love a good adventure mixed in with sci-fi aged 15 and older.


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.



What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S.Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
The Sweetest Thing, by Elizabeth Musser
Waterfall, by Lisa T. Bergren
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Alex Rider: Point Blank: Book Review

Title: Point Blank
Author: Anthony Horowitz
My Rating: 4 Stars
Buy The Book:
--HERE--


"After getting into trouble with a drug dealer and the police, Alex Rider is assigned by M16 to investigate the deaths of billionaire's, Michael J. Roscoe in New York and General Viktor Ivanov on Black Sea. Each of them had a son attending Point Blank, an academy in the French Alps run by a South African scientist, Dr. Hugo Grief, and both died under mysterious circumstances."
-Taken from Wikipedia

Alex Rider isn't going to help M16 on any of their missions again. He's determined not to. But how can one stop something that runs in their blood? After Alex interferes in the lives of a couple of drug-dealers, he's in major trouble with the police for the damage he has caused. But before anything can happen, M16 rescues Alex from the hands of the police. Alex once again finds himself being asked to go undercover and further an investigation for M16.

Though he refuses to do anything for them again, he is convinced, a fancy term for 'blackmailed', to go through with their plan. Now he must go undercover at Point Blank, a French academy for troubled teen boys who are sons to billionaires. Two boys who attended the school had fathers who mysteriously perished. Could the school be a connection to their deaths? What happens when Alex finds himself wrapped up in a nefarious plot that is sure to ultimately end his life and change the world as it is?




What a great sequel to the first book! The plot was quite interesting and the results even more so. Once again we find out more about Alex Rider and begin to bond again with this reluctant British teen spy. Though I felt the flow of this book wasn't quite as easy and catchy as the first book, it still has a refreshing taste. It's packed with action and mystery and sure to not disappoint fans. I'm quite falling in love with the books.

I did get a chance to watch Stormbreaker the movie and really loved it! They kept swearing and sexual content out and brought just as much action as the book had. I highly suggest the film if you're a fan of spy movies. I wish they would have continued making the books into movies, but they haven't.

I do have one complaint for Point Blank, and that would be the swearing. While there really isn't a lot of it, there was more than in the first book. I took note of the page numbers the words were on, in case anyone wanted to know: pg. 15, 38, 95, 111, 142, and 190.
There was also a case in the very beginning of the book where we are introduced to Skoda, a drug-dealer. The worst kind; one who deals to teens. Thankfully, Alex recognizes this as wrong and goes out to expose them.

I recommend this book for people who enjoy action, adventure and mystery aged 13 and up.





What's Coming Up Next?
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz
The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Too Rich for a Bride: Book Review

Title: Too Rich for a BrideAuthor: Mona HodgesonMy Rating: 5 StarsBuy The Book:-HERE-

"Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed "suggestions" that young ladies don't belong in business. Will it take unexpected love -- or unexpected danger -- for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?"

After joining her sisters in Cripple Creek, Ida Sinclair wants nothing more than to advance her ambitions in the business world. How better to do that than to come under the tutelage of a successful businesswoman, Mollie O'Bryan, herself? Through trials, Ida finds out just where most people stand when it comes to the idea of women working outside of the home. Yet those oppositions are what makes Ida stronger.

From the moment she stepped foot in Cripple Creek she was constantly bumping into Tucker Raines, a traveling preacher who was temporarily taking over his ill father's Ice Company. Tucker and Ida grow closer through their encounters and strike up romantic feelings that she doesn't want to accept as true.

But do they each place God as first priority in their life? Or must they seek to discover Him as their only source of strength throughout the events that will unfold in each of their lives?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Mona Hodgeson has an entirely pleasant and gripping style of writing making it easy to follow along and enjoy. The story was both inspiring and convicting. How often do we place God as second, third or fourth priority in our lives, while focusing our mind, soul and strength on something else? Unfortunately for me, it is too often. Mrs. Hodgeson has woven a powerful message through the stories of both Ida Sinclair and Tucker Raines.

There isn't anything I can point out that I disliked in this book. There was only one occurrence where I put the book down for more than a week, but that had nothing to do with a lack of interest in it. Rather, I had to put it aside due to a busy schedule. So, yesterday, I set out to fix that and read the second half of the book. In fact, I stayed up pretty late finishing the book. No matter how tired I was, there was no way I was going to put it down.

I did find out that this was the second book in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series after I had requested the book. I didn't know whether I would be confused as to the characters or things taking place or not. Thankfully, I didn't run into that problem at all. It was easy to jump right in and have an understanding of who each person was. And, hey, now I'm going to be checking into getting the first book out to read.

I would recommend this book to girls who enjoy Historical Fiction ages 15 and up. There was a few instances of unscrupulous men, but nothing too graphic and much needed for the storyline.

Would you care to rate this review for me? If so, please go
-HERE-
Thank you! :)

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Point Blank, by Anthony Horowitz
The Skin Map, by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Sweetest Thing, by Elizabeth Musser
Waterfall, by Lisa T. Bergren

Alex Rider: Stormbreaker: Book Review

Title: Stormbreaker
Author: Anthony Horowitz
My Rating: 4 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

"They said his uncle Ian died in a car accident. Alex Rider knows that's a lie, and the bullet holes in his uncle's car confirm the truth. But nothing can prepare him for the news that the uncle he always thought he knew was really a spy for Britain's top-secret intelligence agency. Enlisted to find his uncle's killers and complete Ian's final mission, Alex suddenly finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with no way out. "



I picked up Stormbreaker from the library after having it recommended from a friend. The plot sounded incredibly intriguing to me. Of course, hearing that the book was transformed into a movie was one of the major factors in drawing me to reading it. You see, I'm a fan of book-to-movie conversions. I like to not only picture the images set forth in written word, but to actually see them on the big-screen brings me excitement.

Back to the book...I thoroughly enjoyed it! I don't read through books incredibly fast, but I found that I finished this within a week or so.

Alex Rider didn't think himself very special. In fact, if his Uncle Ian had not died in a suspicious car accident, his life would have gone on as normal. But one jaunt into the junkyard and an escape from death later, Alex's life is turned upside down by the discovery of bullet holes in his Uncle's car. If his Uncle was only a banker and he had only died in a 'car accident', why were there bullet holes in his car? When Alex is enlisted from a British secret intelligence agency to help finish his Uncle Ian's, who was revealed to not be a banker, but a spy, last mission, his life turns to the dangerous side. But Alex can supposedly handle that. After all, his Uncle had been secretly preparing him for this type of thing his whole life.

I found the writing was an easy read. While it wasn't completely descriptive in every aspect, I felt like the style was easy and perfect for this novel. The characters were well developed, enjoyable and realistic. The adventure was definitely eye-catching.

My only complaint was the small amount of swearing they spread in the book. The ones I caught were on pages 60, 79 and 140. The bad guy used his form of 'bloody' quite a lot. But seeming as it's really only a British swear word, I don't find it offensive. :P Because of this being a 'spy' book, there was some violence. Nothing was too descriptive or gory, but the thought might send some shivers up your body.

I'm going to be watching the movie in the upcoming week. If I feel like it, I might post a movie review. :)



What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C. S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Too Rich for a Bride, by Mona Hodgson
Point Blank, by Anthony Horowitz

A Cowboy's Touch: Book Review

Title: A Cowboy's Touch
Author: Denise Hunter
My Rating: 4 Stars
Buy The Book:
-Here-

"Hypertension is nothing to mess with, Abigail. You're so...restless. You need a break -- a chance to find some peace in your life."

With those words spoken, Abigail Jones was sentenced to three months in Moose Creek, Montana to check up on her Aunt Lucy. The aunt who seems to be going a little insane. But what workaholic, big-city girl like Abigail would cherish the thought of enduring three months of boredom in the middle of nowhere?

Only a few days into her venture out to Moose Creek, Abigail happens upon Maddy Ryan, a young girl who has just had her bike stolen. With her journalist instincts kicking up, Abbey promises the girl, who turns out to be the daughter of the widowed cowboy who owns Aunt Lucy's ranch, to help her recover her precious item. The two form a special bond during their short mystery adventure. Maybe her visit here wouldn't be boring after all...

To kickstart her summer stay in Montana even further, Maddy informs Abigail that her nanny has just bailed on her dad for the summer leaving the job wide open. Maybe this was just what she needed. After careful consideration and accepting the job, Abigail is now spending her time living with Maddy and her handsome father.

Wade Ryan seems a mysterious character to Abigail. He is a solemn man, and while he wishes the right life for Maddy, he seems so detached from her. Abigail sets out to fix that disconnection. But who could this mysterious Wade Ryan be? She knows he is hiding something.

What happens when this cowboy starts to find a place in her longing heart? How can she deal with an incredible discovery, an astounding opportunity, and a love that is only bound to be broken in the end?

This was a very fun read! Being a fan of stories that take place out West, I found this satisfying. Being a romantic, following along Abigail's sentimental adventure was endearing. The pace of the book kept the suspense just where it needed to be.

I rated this a four star because I felt the narrative writing seemed a bit clipped at times. While the author described things well, I feel like it took away from the flow of the book. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the dialogue. It's so hard to figure out how to manage writing good dialogue. Usually I complain more about how the talking just didn't seem realistic to me, but that wasn't the case in this book.

I highly recommend this for girls aged 14 and up who love to settle down with a good romantic book with a bit of mystery thrown in. :)

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.

What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis
Stormbreaker (Alex Rider Novel #1) by Anthony Horowitz
Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson