Saturday, October 29, 2011

New to my Wishlist (1)

These are just books old or new that I found scouring the web, usually Goodreads, that I have since added to my wishlist.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg *February 21st 2012 by Penguin Young Readers Group

This one just sounds a little different than what I have been reading and it peaked my interest and oh what a pretty cover!

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?



Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock *2012 by Katherine Tegen Books - Harper Collins Children's

No way could I not be excited about this one! WEREWOLVES!

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.


Fated by Sarah Alderson *January 5th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Book

Demon Slayer! I'm there!

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?


Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale *February 2nd 2012 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

I love this cover and the story sounds full of emotion and buried secrets. Kinda reminds me of VC Andrews stories which I loved!

When seventeen-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty-per-cent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when she tells her mum’s best friend, ‘Aunt Sarah’ that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie was not her biological mother after all... Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, hitching along on her ex-boyfriend’s GAP year to follow her to Los Angeles. But all does not go to plan, and as Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply-buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonising decision of her own - one which will be the most heart-breaking and far-reaching of all...

Monday, October 24, 2011

Review - The Belonging by Eric Del Carlo

The Belonging by Eric Del Carlo
Released: October 6, 2011
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 261 KB
Format: EBook
Source: Publisher
Rating: 2/5
Authors Site: Eric Del Carlo
When first contact is made with the alien race Khondra, Flynn is excited and interested in the newcomers. So when a group of Khondra youngsters enroll in his high school, he'll do anything to be considered part of their clique.

But the most ordinary thngs are considered contraband for the Khondra. Flynn's longing to be just like his new friends leads him down a dangerous path. Will he really ever belong to the Khondra clique? Or, will he just learn to despise his humanity in the end?
While short the message in this story was still quite clear. Flynn has tried for so long to find a place in his own society and failed that when a new race makes contact he feels he has another chance to fit in someplace to the point of going out of his way to dress and change his skin color. Sadly Flynn has another lesson to learn which is you need to be yourself and no matter how much you change on the outside you still are who you are!

I liked the message of the story but still had some unanswered questions like what exactly did brazzhaf mean and why Flynn was such a social outcast to begin with?

Review - God's Eye by A.J. Scudiere

God's Eye by A.J. Scudiere
Released: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Griffyn Ink Publishing
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 419 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3/5
Authors Site: A.J. Scudiere

Katharine Geryon is living the life her family name has dictated, and why not? After all, it has given her a good job in the family company and a fine life with all the things she should want. But all that changes as increasingly disturbing events begin to occur: soot stains on the carpet, glimpses of strange black animals, and cryptic messages written on her bathroom mirror. Baffled and afraid, Katharine begins to doubt her own sanity.
Katherine was raised by her rich father and being groomed to take over his business when the time came. All she knows is work and really has no kind of social life until one day she encounters a new guy at work and then a new guy in her apartment building! Thus now we have the makings of a love triangle filled with good, bad, and well ugly because up until now I dont think Katherine has ever had so much sex but she finds it hard to turn either man away. Little does she know she is the pawn in a game of good versus evil and that one day soon she is gonna have to make a choice.

Is she losing her mind? Weird soot and messages begin appearing in her apartment as well as animals and other things just unexplainable to her and so she gets help from a new aquaintance, Margot the librarian, to help decipher what it all could mean.

This was a good read...a bit different than what I'm used to but still really good. It has a bit of several genre's mixed in one with your mystery, paranormal, and let's not forget the hot sex but in the end the main storyline is understanding that the choices you make impact those around you and that there comes a time when you have to grow up and take a stand and be held accountable for your actions.

Review - Intertwined by Gena Showalter

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Released: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 448 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5
Authors Site: Gena Showalter

Aden Stone is not your typical 16-year-old. Since birth he has had four souls trapped within him that possess special powers: the ability to time travel, raise the dead, possess a body, and predict the future. As a result, he has spent his whole life in and out of mental institutions diagnosed as a violent schizophrenic. Now able to control the voices in his head, Aden has moved to Crossroads, OK, to live in a halfway house for delinquent boys. His goal in life is to find a means to free these souls and at last be at peace. When he meets Mary Ann Gray, she miraculously acts as a neutralizer, and for the first time in his life, he truly feels normal. The two become fast friends, establishing a sibling-type bond. Little do they realize that when they first met, their connection sent a power surge throughout the world drawing every paranormal creature from fairies to vampires to Crossroads on a quest for power. To complicate matters, Aden becomes romantically involved with a vampire princess and Mary Ann with her werewolf bodyguard. Together the teens must figure out a way to protect themselves, and all of humanity.
Oh My Gosh this book is jam packed full, over the rim, and overflowing with everything you could ever imagine or desire in a paranormal story! I was flipping pages like crazy and never wanting the story to end. From the first couple of pages the reader is taken on a joyride with Aden and his voices as he encounters zombies, bullies, weres, vampires, and all other things he never knew existed.

I felt really sad over Adens situation because he had to basically walk on egg shells thru no doing of his own because folks thought he was crazy when in fact if they only knew...

He is bullied by a resident at the home he is staying at but can't get caught fighting or he may lose his spot at the home and not be allowed to goto school and be normal like he's always wanted and I can just feel the lonliness and despair he is projecting until he begins meeting these other creatures and Mary Ann. My heart just went out to him. Wanted to reach thru and smother him with hugs and let him know he was not alone that he was gonna be just fine.

Mary Ann came off a bit uppity at the beginning but I warmed up to her as her story began to unfold and bless her heart she had problems she never even knew she had but I'm gonna leave that for you to find out.....

Now Riley and Victoria I really was skeptical of them at first. I just knew they were gonna be more trouble for our boy Aden but alas they quickly became allies thank gosh because OMG Riley sounds so dang hot and furry with his werewolf self. Yeppers I love a good were! lol He is just so strong and viscious and then so tender when he needs to be.

OK enough said I have GOT to move on to Unraveled before I become Unglued!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rhiannon from The Diary of a Bookworm

Our hop prize for you is any book up to $10 from The Book Depository! Prize is International but Please be sure they ship to your country!
It's simple to enter.

You must be a follower of this blog and comment below with your email address and answer this question. What is the name of a book you read or movie you watched this year that gave you goosebumps?

+1 If you tweet this giveaway and provide link. (Put this in a separate comment along with your email address)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Dewey's Read-A-Thon Hour 7


Dewey's Read a Thon--Woohoo lets get our Reading ON!


Well it's been on for 7 hours now so thought I would do a quick progress update and thank all the wonderful cheerleaders and folks behind the scenes for making this so fun! I have crossed off books completed but I will not be doing any reviews until the read-a-thon is over.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
God's Eye by AJ Scudiere
Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2 by John Austin
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Unraveled by Gena Showalter
Carbavoid-Fuel of the Future by Cindy Fleck Howlett
The Belonging by Eric Del Carlo
The Next Thing I knew by John Corwin
Pyxis by KC Neal
The Blacksmith's Daughter by Arley Cole
Elemental The First by Alexandra May


OK here is my halfway quiz!

1. What are you reading right now? Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
2. How many books have you read/completed so far? 5
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Unraveled by Gena Showalter
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No
5. Have you had many interruptions? Yes had to run to town and cook real quick.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much I can read when I put my mind to it!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope its perfect!
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Probably bout same thing.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Not yet but I am a nightowl!
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Just kick back and relax and drift away into a wonderful world of fantasy!

Dewey's Read-A-Thon Begins

Dewey's Read a Thon--Woohoo lets get our Reading ON!


1)Where are you reading from today?
2)Three random facts about me…
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?


1)South Carolina

2)I have 3 adorable doggies(babies), I Love The Walking Dead TV Show, My favorite color is purple.

3)13 but some are very short and some I am trying to finish up and a couple ebooks.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
God's Eye by AJ Scudiere
Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2 by John Austin
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Unraveled by Gena Showalter
Carbavoid-Fuel of the Future by Cindy Fleck Howlett
The Belonging by Eric Del Carlo
The Next Thing I knew by John Corwin
Pyxis by KC Neal
The Blacksmith's Daughter by Arley Cole
Elemental The First by Alexandra May


4)Not really except to complete as many books as possible!
5)First Timer

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Follow Me Friday (8)


Welcome to Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead


This weeks Featured Bloggers
Book Savvy Babe & The Bursting Book Shelf



This weeks question:
Q.What superhero is your alter-ego?

A. I honestly had no clue so I took a quiz and the following was the results I was given. lol

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman
80%
Green Lantern
75%
Supergirl
75%
Hulk
75%
Wonder Woman
70%
Robin
70%
Spider-Man
55%
Catwoman
55%
Iron Man
50%
The Flash
45%
Batman
45%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.


Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Review - The Halloween Kittens


The Halloween Kittens by Maggie Kneen
Released: August 5, 2004
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 20 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

Trick and Treat, two mischievous kittens, cause all kinds of trouble as their parents try to prepare for a Halloween party.

What a cute little book about two adorable kittens who get into everything. Trick and Treat reminds me of my two mischievous children, who are always up to no good also. I loved the illustrations especially all those yummy treats. I cant wait to go trick or treating myself...Oh I mean cant wait to take the kiddies...

Review - Night Life (A Nocturene City Novel) by Caitlin Kittredge


Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge
Released: March 4, 2008
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Authors Site: Caitlin Kittredge
The first book in a thrilling, addictive new series by a talented new voice in dark fantasy. Welcome to Nocturne City, where werewolves, black magicians, and witches prowl the streets at night…
Among them is Luna Wilder, a tough-as-nails police officer whose job is to keep the peace. As an Insoli werewolf, Luna travels without a pack and must rely on instinct alone. And she’s just been assigned to find the ruthless killer behind a string of ritualistic murders—a killer with ties to an escaped demon found only in legend…until now.
But when she investigates prime suspect Dmitri Sandovsky, she can’t resist his wolfish charms. Pack leader of a dangerous clan of Redbacks, Dimitri sends her animal instincts into overdrive and threatens her fiercely-guarded independence. But Luna and Dimiri will need to rely on each other as they’re plunged into an ancient demon underworld and pitted against an expert black magician with the power to enslave them for eternity…

Looking for a bedtime tale,well Night Life would certainly be the perfect book. What a total snoozzzzzer. Like most books you have to read a couple of chapters before you actually get into a book, but my Gawd I've gotten to chapter eighteen and still havn't gotten into it. The main charter Luna Wilder is a tough ass police officer who is also a werewolf. All during the story she gets suspended, gets put back on the murder case, gets fired WTF make up your mind. Luna has a bad attitude to top it all off and she fights her innerself from changing into her werewolf form. Let me tell you, Luna hasn't changed into a werewolf yet, came close and I'm on Chapter Eighteen.I just had to throw it down,I hate not finishing a book but I'm not wasting anymore of my time on this one....Just turn into a werewolf and be done with it already...

Monday, October 17, 2011

Review - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments Book One


City of Bones by Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments
Released: March 27, 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 496 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Authors Site: Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

City of Bones was quite an interesting book. It had me fully engrossed from the beginning. I connected with the charactters from the get go because it has vamps, werewolves, shadowhunters, and alot of magical elements that I enjoy. The story was easy to follow; a bit predictable but it's young adult. What do you expect for a YA book? What I really like about it is the author doesn't put in alot of those no nonsense words that you have to guess what they mean or yank out the old dictionary. Gawd I really hate those types, rolling eyes...What's the point in it if nobody can understand what the meaning is? Anyhow Clare used a word that I thought was kinda cool (Mundanes) word that the shadowhunters used meaning humans. They make us humans sound so dreadful, but yet they protect us. This day and age we need all the protection we can get...

Review - Blood Vines by Erica Spindler


•Pub. Date: March 2010
•Publisher: St. Martin's Press
•Format: Hardcover , 338pp
•Sales Rank: 648,227
•ISBN-13: 9780312363925
•ISBN: 0312363923
Author Site: Erica Spindler


A sinister, hooded figure…When Alexandra Clarkson starts having terrifying visions filled with blood and ceremonial images, she tries to find a rational explanation – maybe her mind is playing tricks on her, resurrecting creepy tableaux from her research on religious ceremonies and sects. But when Alex’s mother, Patsy, commits suicide without leaving behind any information, Alex is left wondering: could she be haunted by something from the childhood she doesn’t remember? Naked, writhing bodies…Detective Daniel Reed was the last person to speak to Patsy. What he reveals to Alex is shocking. Twenty-five years earlier, Patsy was married to Harlan Sommer, one of Sonoma County’s most prominent vintners, when their infant son disappeared without a trace. The loss destroyed the Sommers’ marriage, causing Patsy to leave and take Alex with her. A dead child…Called on to investigate the identity of a baby’s remains unearthed in a Sonoma vineyard, Reed had picked up a trail that led him to Patsy in San Francisco. Now Reed and Alex both wonder if the cold bones could be her baby brother Dylan, and Alex decides to accompany Reed back to Sonoma for the investigation. No sooner does she arrive, however, than she is drawn deep into the search for a twisted killer…

Blood runs deep in these vines,lots of twists and turns. Quite shocking had me guessing to the very end. Once I started reading I couldnt put this one down. I was so into Blood Vines that I forgot all about the time, I was almost late picking my kids up from school. Ooopps...So I highly recomend this book to anyone. Well not to the kiddies of course.LOL...It's a shelf keep for sure. I do belive it has a bit of everything that you would like, thriller, romance,and most defentaly lots of mystery,even had me in tears on some parts...

I dont know what Sonoma County puts in they wine but I sure dont want any of it. If Alex knew what was good for her she would have stayed in San Francisco, but who can blame her for wanting to find the root of her troubles.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Euterpe---An Imprint for YA Lovers in all Genres


Musa Publishing Launches Euterpe YA Imprint
An Imprint for YA Lovers in all Genres

Musa Publishing is thrilled to announce that its Young Adult Imprint, Euterpe, launches on Friday, October 21, 2011. With the growing demand for YA books, Musa is looking forward to offering diversity in genres for YA lovers from 13 to 113. From Sweet Romances and fantastical fantasies, to Sensational Sci-fi and a few more thrown in for flavor, Musa will offer something for everyone’s reading pleasure.

Come out for the launch, read about the authors, and join in the fun while picking up some new reading material.

The Blacksmith’s Daughter by Arley Cole is the first book in the Euterpe imprint.

She believes she is only a blacksmith’s daughter, but he must discover the truth or risk losing his land—and his life.

Acwellen Lex'Magen rules as liege lord of a small country bounded by forbidding mountains and powerful neighbors. When the neighboring baron, allied with a powerful wizard, attempts to take over his land, first by political, then by covert means, Acwellen finds an ally of his own in Enith Roweson, an unassuming blacksmith who possesses powers he’s only known of in legends. As he attempts to unravel both the plots against him—including the nature of the monsters sent to assassinate him—and the mysterious powers Enith is only beginning to understand she has, he also finds himself falling in love with the blacksmith’s daughter.

Check out this book and other YA books
Follow the Euterpe Blog
And Like us on Facebook

In My Mailbox (6)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..

For Review:
Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies

Borrowed from Library:
Intertwined and Unraveled by Gena Showalter

Library Paperback Swaps:
Bullet by Laurell K Hamilton
The Missing Book 1 Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Bought: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Won fom Random House Publishing Group: MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche

Another Faust and Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri from Ivy Reads for The Fall Book Exchange hosted by Ruby Reads Thank you so much Ivy!!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Review - Give Me, A Fairy Tale by LK Rigel

I dont read alot of ebooks for the most part because I dont have any kind of ebook reader and have to stay glued to my computer to read one and because I really prefer the "book in hand" method of reading but feel that I am missing out on some good reads because of this so I have decided to challenge myself to read at least one ebook per week and I will be posting those on Saturdays so I think I will call them Spineless Saturday Scoops.
Give Me, A Fairy Tale by LK Rigel
Published: Aug. 31, 2011
File Size: 423 KB
Source: Author
Author Site: LK Rigel
A young witch with a good heart. Two lovers in mortal danger. A spell that ends in disaster.

Lilith Evergreen lives in the California desert, an ordinary woman until her fiancé returns from London with a ring he bought from a street vendor. When Lilith puts it on she dreams of a green land that's anything but desert, a tree at cliff's edge, a ruined castle, and a handsome prince.

Then she discovers that it's all real.
I really enjoyed Give Me, A Fairy Tale. It had all the entertaining elements of a great fantasy with witches, spells, and castles. The story grabbed me from the beginning with a twist I had not expected so soon between Lilith and her boyfriend which really got the ball rolling sending Lilith off on a fantasy vacation into a place far far away from her home in California and into the reality of her dreams.

The history drew me in of The Wyrding Witch and the God Aeolios who demanded she hand over one of her daughters for him to wed or pay the consequences. She refused him of course and had to perform a powerful spell to protect her daughters from him that damaged and weakened her heart.

Although this was a terrific fairy tale I still feel it was a bit rushed in places. I would have liked to have gotten to know more about a few of the characters. I wanted to spend more time with Elyse before everything went to Hades in her life and even afterward as she struggled with the things she had done. I hated seeing her as a bad person. My heart went out to her because no matter what her good intentions were nothing ever seemed to go as she planned.

My only regret is the story was not longer! I hated for it to end!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Follow Me Friday (7)


Welcome to Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead


This weeks Featured Bloggers
Confuzzled Books & Life Between Pages



This weeks question:
Q. If you could have characters from a particular book meet and form an epic storyline with characters from a particular TV series, which would you choose and why?

A. Angel and Sookie Stackhouse! I know! I know! She already has vampire men after her but OMG Angel is just so dang HOT!



On the Blog Recaps for this past week:

Review - Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Review - Balloons Over Broadway The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Review - Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

In My Mailbox

Feature & Review: Forever Contemporary Romance Blog Tour

Review - Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

Review - The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

Review - Virals by Kathy Reichs

Buz by Richard Egielski


Buz by Richard Egielski
Released: February 3, 1999
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 32 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Authors Site: Richard Egielski
When a young boy accidentally swallows poor Buz , a bug, along with his morning cereal, he's prescribed two pills to remedy the situation. Little does he know what is going on inside! In his award-winning signature style, Richard Egielski invents an ingenious behind-the-scenes adventure of two keystone cop-like pills in pursuit of a bug inside a human body. Buz eventually makes his escape, only to discover he has caught a bug of his own. On with the chase!

Buz caught my sons eye at our local library and like all little boys he loves all types of bugs. grrr I can't stand them myself, bugs I mean. Any how he absolutely loved this book, every time I turned around he was just a cackling at the characters. It's a simple short story and has great illustrations. BUZZ BUZ

Review - Finders Keepers by Will and Nicolas


Finders Keepers by Will and Nicolas
Released: August 1, 1989
Publisher: Sandpiper
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 32 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Two dogs find one bone and have difficulty deciding which of them owns it. “Here is a perfect combination of rollicking story and pictures that have strength, life and humor in every line.
Meet Winkles and Nags two adorable pooches whom are best friends. Well one day they dug up a bone and Winks and Nags started arguing about who's bone it was. Since they couldnt decide who had seniority of it they went through town asking everyone who they think should get the bone. Well nobody had time for there nonsense. They had other things on there minds. So Winkles and Nags just have to figure out a way to solve there own bone problem. How do they do it I wonder? Well you be surprised how these two pooches solve their bone problem...

This is a great book for the kiddies, they will enjoy the tale of these two dogs. It will teach your child about how they can solve there own problems, having friends and how to share. I enjoy spending time reading books with similar ideas like this book had to my kids. Spending time reading with my children is some of the most cherished moments I have.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Review - Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert


Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Released: September 1, 2005
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 40 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one's quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows.

What an adorable little book about leafs. Ehlert has a very creative imagination when it comes to leafman.Who knew you could have so much fun with leaves?? IF my daugther wasnt learning about different plants and leaves in her class, I hate to think that we would have missied out on a great story. An the illustrations are breath taking,it has leaf cows,leaf ducks and birds all made form different types of leafs. I swear they so life like,I kept trying to pick one up. Yelp I can see my wee ones now outside looking for them a leafman. Humm maybe I can get them to rack the yard now. HEE HEE

A Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows....

Review - Balloons Over Broadway The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet


Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
Released: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 40 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Author
Authors Site: Melissa Sweet
Who invented the first balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

As a child growing up every year I loved watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and still do till this day. It's a time honoring tradition to see all those beautiful colorful floats and huge balloons. In this book Balloons Over Broadway tells you how and why the Macy's Day Parade originally started and also tells who created the puppeteer balloons we all have enjoyed for years. I enjoyed reading this book with my kids and we learnt so much from it. I was really surprised how much they enjoyed it being a true story but it was very interesting and kept us entertained to the very end.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Review - Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer
Released: April 17, 2008
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Author Site: Heather Brewer
Vladimir Tod wants to be popular like his friend Henry and cool and carefree like Henry's cousin Joss. He would so enjoy putting bullies Tom and Bill, who have been tormenting him for years, in their place. And, of course, he longs to tell Meredith about his feelings for her. All of this should really be a piece a cake for him. He is, after all, the only vampire "living" in Bathory, and he possesses extraordinary powers.
I had to take a few days to gather my thoughts on this book before reviewing it because for the most part I really must admit I am deeply dissappointed in Vlad. I'm not used to reading about wimpy whiny vampires and that is just how I felt about him. I kept gritting my teeth everytime I read he let the bullies bully him and then poor Meredith...she really really likes Vlad and he likes her but he is just so ignorant and wont even talk to her! I mean if I liked somebody I would at least try to express myself to them a bit to see if the feeling was mutual. He was always kinda sitting on the sidelines in Henry,his best friends shadow and complaining because he was not as popular as his friend and I was like well dude get a grip, jack up them bullies, kiss that girl, and quit your boohooing! Yes thats another thing...I have never heard tell of a guy crying so much in my life and he's supposed to be a vampire which made it just ughh for me.

It was really pretty predictable yet..something kept me reading so I can't say I disliked the entire book. In all honesty I had a hard time putting it down! Maybe I kept waiting on Vlad to get a backbone or to see if he got the girl in the end? It did introduce some interesting characters like Eddie who is determined to expose Vlad and Joss who is Henry's cousin. I do believe the plot is thickening up for book three and I have heard the series only gets better so maybe I will pick up book three and see how it goes before I totally give up on Vlad.

In My Mailbox (5)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..

For Review:
Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley
Home at Last Chance by Hope Ramsey
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
Give Me, A Fairy Tale by L.K. Rigel

Library:
Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

Library Paperback Swap:
Small Town Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Emissaries From The Dead by Andrea Cort Novel
Simply Sinful by Carly Phillips
Skin Trade by Laurell K Hamilton
Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots by Luann McLane

Bought:
Wither by Lauren Destefano
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Feature & Review: Forever Contemporary Romance Blog Tour


Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley
Released: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Author Site: Bella Riley
Ten years and two hundred miles. That's what separates Andi Powell from quiet, secluded Emerald Lake-and that's exactly how she likes it. But now her job brings her back to the hometown she's tried so hard to forget . . . and to Nate Duncan, the man she's never been able to.
In one word--Wonderful

Home Sweet Home is a story of going home only Andi Powell has ulterior motives. I really have to say I didn't like Andi at all. She came across as one of the coldest excuses of woman I have read. Her priorities are just all wrong for me from her younger years when she turned her back on Nate when he needed her so badly up until present day when she bounces back into her hometown head strong on trying to make huge changes to a place she left ten years ago and expecting folks including her own family to just step aside and not question her.

On the other hand I adored Nate who took on a huge responsibility when he was too young to really have to and he went on to become mayor of the beautiful town of Emerald Lake. He deserves a good woman in his life and I so totally felt he was to dang good for Andi.

Bella has created a wonderful town that makes you just wanna hop in your car and take off even if for just a weekend getaway and the hometown folks remind me of most small town people who know everybody and everything about each others business but who are usually always there when needed. I do eventually come around on Andi but not until towards end of story when she quit acting like a horses......well you know what I mean.

Bella Riley has always been a writer. Songs came first, and then non-fiction books, but as soon as she started her first romance novel, she knew she'd found her perfect career.

Since selling her first book in 2003 (under the name Bella Andre), she's written more than twenty "empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publisher's Weekly). Her bestselling books have been Cosmopolitan Red Hot Reads twice and have been translated into German, Thai, Japanese and Ukrainian.

If not behind her computer, you can find her reading, hiking, knitting, or lunching with her favorite romance writing friends. Bella lives with her fabulous husband and children in both Northern California and a ninety-year-old lakefront log cabin in New York's Adirondacks.

She also just released a new series book in June 2011, The Look of Love (Chase & Chloe - The Sullivans Book 1) writing as Bella Andre
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Home at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay
Released: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Author Site: Hope Ramsay

Dear Reader,

You won't believe what's happened. My son Tulane has come back home! You remember Tulane? He'd set out to find fame and fortune in the big, wide world outside of Last Chance, and I'm mighty proud. But that's not the half of it-Tulane isn't only back, he's brought a young lady with him.

Now Sarah-she does PR for Tulane's stock-car team-she's from Boston, but she's just about the sweetest girl you could meet. I think she's meant to keep Tulane out of trouble after that story in the papers, but he doesn't want to talk about it. Anyhow, the Ladies Auxiliary can't wait to start matchmaking and introduce Sarah to our Reverend Ellis. But mark my words, Sarah is tired of being a good girl. And no one is better at breaking the rules and raising Cain than my son . . .

Listen to me going on and keeping customeres waiting. I best get back to work, but you come round again. The Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes
In One Word--Fantastic

I gobbled this book up in just one or two sittings! It was so totally Southern and I just LOVED it! The characters were so easy to relate to and fall in love with as much as the Southern locations; not to mention I am only about 45 minutes away from one of the places mentioned, Florence, South Carolina!

Tulane-(I love that name) just kept me in tears laughing at him and his teasing nature to Sarah who was handling public relations for his stock car team all the while driving her up the wall. I felt kind of bad for her though because bless her heart no matter how hard she tried to not be a good girl she would fail miserably. She cant even curse without blushing!

Her boss is wanting her to get some dirt on Tulane so they can get a new person to represent their new project but Sarah is fast falling for Tulane's charm not to mention his hometown and family.

I want to read all the Last Chance Books now! I have found a wonderful new author and series!

Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you’ll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She’s a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol’ Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Review - The Three Pigs by David Wiesner




Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books (April 23, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618007016
ISBN-13: 978-0618007011
Authors Site: David Wiesner
Three pigs... Straw, sticks, bricks... Huffs and puffs... You probably know the rest. It's an old story, And every time someone tells it The same thing happens.
But who says it's suposed to? Who's in charge of this story? Who gets to decide? Has anyone asked the pigs? No? Well, it's about time someone did. Here, Thanks to David Wiesner, Is the answer.


Hummm... Totally not what I expected, definately not your classic Three Little Pig tale. I'm just so glad that I read and reviewed this book before I read it to my kids because this book is pure rubbish.. It starts out like your ordinary three little pig tale but when the big bad wolf ate the first pig the story just got weird from there. And what does "Hey Diddle Diddle" have to do with anything in the three little pig story? I dont see the point and was completely lost. Oh my !!! I think I need a xanax to recover from the shock to my system. A big plea to the author....PLEASE leave the Classics ALONE....

Review - Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White


Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Holiday House (September 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0823413209
ISBN-13: 978-0823413201
Ever since she was a little girl, Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins. Baked pumkins, steamed pumpkins, boiled pumpkins. Stewed pumkins, mashed pumkins, rotten pumpkins. Enough Pumpkins!
When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, Rebecca Estelle shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in spring, and she finds herself wih a sea of pumpkins. What will she do with so many pumpkins, when she can't stand the sight of even one?

What a delightful tale about pumpkins. The lesson learned: You can not hide your problems by covering them up and forgetting about them like Estelle did with her pumpkins. Estelle learnt the hard way, when life gives you lemons you make lemonade and when a pumpkin falls off the pumpkin truck you get rid of it or you'll wind up with a huge pumpkin patch....

The illustrations are beautiful with a homey old timey feeling. You can almost smell the spices and pumpkins in Estelle's kitchen just by looking at the pages.

During the great Depression Linda White's aunt grew up on a farm and money was very scarce and pumpkins were all they had to eat at times. This sparked her to write this wonderful book!

Review - Virals by Kathy Reichs

Virals by Kathy Reichs
Released: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 464 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Author Site: Kathy Reichs

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage “sci-philes” who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot-if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer’s scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends- they’re a pack. They are Virals.

Kathy Reichs is a brilliant author and I love her hit TV show, Bones, but Reichs novels are way better. Virals is Reichs first Young Adult novel and would be a great book for any of our young adult readers. Not only does Reichs turn you on to her love of anthropologie and science but also leaves you wanting to learn more. I would like to read more about Tory and her pack of Virals and know more about there newfound powers and what they can do... In a way there powers seems cool it helped them solve a murder and manged to save there lives quite a few times. If anything like that should happen to me I would most defently be Freak INNGGG OUT and here a couple of teenagers just accepting a new rare vires as a part of everyday life.. I guess thats all they can do for the time being until they can learn or experience more about the problem...

Friday, October 7, 2011

My Bookworm Santa

The Magic Attic

My Bookworm Santa is being hosted by Michelle at Book Briefs, and Bree at The Magic Attic.



DETAILS, TAKEN FROM MICHELLE'S BLOG:


My Bookworm Santa is the book blogger's version of 'Secret Santa.' So you sign up via the form below, and we'll pair you up with another random entrant. If you're only willing to ship to America, we'll pair you up with someone from America.(remember though, that the Book Depository ships free to most countries. This is a good way to meet some international book bloggers) We'll send their wishlist and address to you, and your wishlist and address to them. Then, before December 10th, we'll ask that you purchase a book from the wishlist we sent over, and send the book to your randomly selected blogger. And on Christmas (December 25th), you'll reveal yourself to the other person, and hopefully make new friends :) Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you're more than welcome to join us.

We'll also be having a small, separate giveaway during the sign-up period. If you tweet about this event, blog about this event, or follow our blogs via GCF, and grab the event button then you'll earn extra entries. Signing up for our My Bookworm Santa event earns you one point. At the end of the sign-up period, we'll randomly choose two participants (international people are more than welcome), and send them over one book from their wishlist.

Setting up a blog post about the event is a great way to get more named referrals. Each person that names you as a referral will get you an extra entry into the contest.

Another part of my Bookworm Santa is the "open wish list" form. Please only sign up on this separate form if you have already signed up to participate in the program. The additional form will be used for people to post their wish lists for everyone to see. This way, if anyone wants to send some additional books to spread the holiday cheer, you can browse the form and fulfill someone's holiday wish!



Rules, Terms and Conditions:

-If you sign up for this event, you're PROMISING us that you will, no matter what, fulfill your end of the agreement and send over a book to the blogger. If you have any problems, please come talk to one of us.
-International people are more than welcome to join :)
-Sign-ups close at the beginning of December
-Please do not reveal yourself to your assigned blogger until after December 25th
-You MUST send over a book before December 10th so that it can arrive to the blogger's house in time for, or a little after Christmas on December 25th.
-The book MUST be in in perfect condition, and listed in your assigned blogger's wishlist.
-This isn't created as a way to 'get new books.' Our goal through this is to help create new friends.
-Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you're more than welcome to join us :)


TGIF (2) - Follow Me Friday (6)


TGIF is a weekly meme to recap weekly blog happenings and propose a new weekly question for bloggers to respond to hosted by Ginger @ GReads

This weeks question is:

Answer to come:

On the Blog Recaps for this past week:
Review - Nowhere Hair by Sue Glader

Review - Kathryn the Grape's Colorful Adventure by Kathryn Cloward and Ginny Hornby
Review - The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within by Jeff Kinley
Review of Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
Review - Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
Review - Dog and Bear Two Friends * Three Stories by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Review - Melvin Might Trucktown Series by Jon Scieszka




Welcome to Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead


This weeks Featured Bloggers
Jagged Edge & A Neverending Fantasy



This weeks question:
Q. If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

A. OK I would love to be in Sookie Stackhouse's shoes! She is just one of my all time favorite paranormal gals and to have all those hunky vamps salivating over her well ok I know some were salivating for more reasons than one but still....LOL

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Review - Melvin Might Trucktown Series by Jon Scieszka


Melvin Might by Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by David Shannon, David Gordon, and Loren Long
Released: October 28, 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 42 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Author Site: Jon Scieszka
Melvin the worrying Cement Mixer worries about EVERYTHING... and doesn't think he can do ANYTHING. He watches nervously as Jack, Pete, and Rita roar, soar, and splash their way to cross a ravine. But when Rita cries out for help, Melvin knows he must do something. But how can he save her if he's worrying so much?

I Highly recommend this book and all of the other Trucktown Series for that matter to anyone. I give Jon Scieszka a ***** rating on these wonderful books. Both me and my son LOVES Jon Scieszka's Trucktown series. This is our second book in the trucktown series (Melvin Might).. Totally awesome book if you ask me..I love all the crazy chartcers, each one has there own personality and I really can't say which one is my favorite....not to mention the illustrations are breath taking, and we'd love to have the whole gang. So cuddle up with your little one and have a ROOAARRRRIIINNGGGG good time.
Also the Author of Smash Crash

Review - Dog and Bear Two Friends * Three Stories by Laura Vaccaro Seeger



Dog Bear Two Friends Three Stories by Laura Vaccoro Seeger

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (April 3, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596430532
ISBN-13: 978-1596430532
Authors Site: Laura Vaccoro Seegar



It's impossible to resist the charms of picture book pals Dog and Bear. Where Dog (a frisky daschund) is brave and boisterous, colorful stuffed animal Bear is shy, and--much like the beloved curmudgeons Frog and Toad have for generations--their playful misadventures illustrate the joys of having a best friend at your side. Young readers will delight in these clever little vignettes and marvel as they watch Dog and Bear animate each page with big, bold color and expression. Take a look at a sample of pages from Dog and Bear below--or listen to author Laura Vaccaro Seeger read from the book at the top of this page--and discover a new reading treasure that would inspire any child to plead (as Dog does to Bear), "Read to me!"




This was a great book not only was the stories good but the pictures are beautiful. I enjoyed every minute that my 7 year old daugther read it to me. She's in first grade and loves to read. YAY!!!! Yelp,I'm one a proud mama..lol...I have to say Laura know her audience well cause I do belive this book was specially made for my daughter. She loves animals, mainely you guessed it dogs.. When she's not reading she likes to play outside even if she doesnt have the propper attire on. An she always trying to get her little brother to play with her,reminds me so much of the dash hound in the story...play with me play with me....:)











Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Review - Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
Released: May 26, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 288 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Author Site: Elizabeth Scott

Tall, awkward Amy feels unloved by her parents, who are too smitten with each other to pay her any attention. Along with her beautiful, fearless, and free-spirited friend Julia, Amy turns to drinking and casual sex to feel loved.
After a devastating car crash leaves Julia dead and Amy only slightly injured, Amy goes into rehab. There, a therapist gives her a journal, which Amy uses to write letters to Julia, each dated with the number of days after Julia’s death.

I don't know where to begin. This was a fabulous book! You can feel the pain and guilt Amy is going thru from the first couple of pages and all thru the book. Thank goodness I never lost a friend when I was in highschool and had to feel like it was my fault but I could still relate to how she was feeling on other levels like an outcast and everybody talking about you and pointing fingers and then the ones who weren't doing that just totally acted like you weren't there which hurts just as much.

Amy slowly begins to find herself again with the help of a former friend, Caro, and two other classmates Mel and Patrick and oh yea Patrick has a secret crush on her but he has some healing issues of his own to work thru.

I just fell in love with Patrick and my heart broke for Amy. I rooted for the both of them to find peace and happiness even if not with each other.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Review of Wicked Ties by Shayla Black

Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
Released: January 2, 2007
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Author Site: Shayla Black
When a stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her, cable sex talk show host Morgan O'Malley turns to Jack Cole-a self-proclaimed dominant- for help. Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence. Because slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends her to his will, what's more shocking than her surrender is how much she enjoys it and how she starts to crave his masterful touch. A willing player in Jack's games, Morgan knows that his motives aren't pure. But she has no idea how personal they are.

WOW!!! Author Shayla Black had her creative jucies flowing in this book. I don't think you can get much more wicked or can you??? ummmmm......Well things sure could'nt get any more wicked for Morgan O'Malley. Morgan is a hostess for a cable sex talk show and she thought she heard and knew all about kinky until the day she met sexy Jack Cole. Jack is a former bodyguard and wants nothing more than to protect Morgan's body from her psycho stalker and from herself. Did I mention that Jack is also a sexy hot dominant alpha male and wants to dominant Morgan in more ways than one??? Yelp, Jack wants to fullfill Morgans deepest darkest sexual fantasies and turn them into reality. Whew, does Morgan have some fantasies needing to be fulfilled...I wouldn't dare compare my sexual fantasies to hers, she makes mine seem well nonchalant...So not only is Morgan worried about her stalker, she also wonders if she's really all that safe with Jack...


Monday, October 3, 2011

Review - The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within by Jeff Kinley

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within by Jeff Kinley
Released: October 11, 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 272 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Author Site: Jeff Kinley

Ben Forman was just an ordinary guy, a young professional starting his first job and falling in love with his girlfriend. Living in the outskirts of a southern city, he didn't think the zombie activity so common in the major cities would hit so close to home. But it was becoming clear that the mysterious infection reanimating the deceased was a growing epidemic across the country. The question was, would he stay alive or become the undead?
This was a wonderful double whammy of a zombie adventure tale. It's kind of like getting two stories in one...You have Ben's zombie story and then you have the theoretical story of how there is a little bit of zombie (sin) in all of us and how we can overcome our wicked side and live in harmony with God. It took me a while to get used to the way the the book was divided up. It would give us episodes of the ongoing zombie adventure with Ben and his family and then would lead into a chapter of the theoretical/nonfiction story. There were things I admit I didn't want to read in this book on the spiritual side because they "hit to close to home" but after doing so I had a greater awareness of my relationship with God and how I want to live my life.

There is a notes section as well as a discussion guide for each chapter of the book which I found very helpful in helping me follow along especially the notes section with the Bible verses that corresponded to the passages in the story.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Review - Kathryn the Grape's Colorful Adventure by Kathryn Cloward and Ginny Hornby

Kathryn the Grape's Colorful Adventure by Kathryn Cloward and Ginny Hornby
Released: August 1st 2011
Publisher: Kandon Publishing
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 44 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Author
Author Site: Kathryn Cloward and Ginny Hornby
Bling! You are colorful! Join Kathryn the Grape and her magical butterfly friend, Maggie, on an imaginative colorful adventure as Kathryn the Grape discovers how to make her colorful rainbow shine. With help from Maggie and a special charm bracelet, readers learn beautiful life lessons while discovering how to shine their colorful light into the world.
This was a fascinating and very beautifully illustrated book. It's simple enough for a youngster who is just beginning to read to be able to pretty much pick up and read for themself or to you as ours normally loves to do! I really enjoyed the message behind the story that you have to learn to express yourself in an orderly fashion to get things you want and not by yelling or being mean as well as learning to believe in yourself which I think children need to learn and begin to understand at an early age.