You've got to admire people who think differently and write differently and this book is one big Different. It was not my cup of tea, but good for him for trying to think outside the box.
Reincarnation Blues. Where do I begin.
I'll be honest. I read a few chapters and said, "I'm Out." I didn't finish the rest. This doesn't happen to me very often, but sometimes a book is just so....weird and Out There, I can't go any further. I have other books to read that I know I'll enjoy more.
It starts off with this man who owns a fishing boat business; he's been reincarnated 9,995 times and he's about to get devoured by a shark. Luck isn't on his side, and he is soon down to 4 lives. When he goes to 'heaven' , he is told he only has these last few lives left to understand the meaning of life. If not, his soul disappears forever.
Death is woman named Suzie who he is having an affair with. He thinks back to some of his other lives and there's inappropriate swearing that doesn't fit with the characters of that time period, strange stories, 'Universe Women'.......Oy...
Don't get me wrong, it is expertly written, but.... good luck to the person takes this book off the library free book table when I leave it there, May you enjoy it more than I did.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
A Baby's Cry by Amanda Stevens
Anybody remember the Babies & Bachelors USA series of Harlequin books?? This book comes from the series and goes all the way back to 1996 and the tagline was "Unexpected parenthood and the promise of love." I'm not sure when Harlequin quit this series, but it was a popular theme in the 90's. Each state got a book in the series, and A Baby's Cry takes us to the state of Tennessee.
Here we have Taylor Robinson, a young woman who had a baby after her man left town, driven away by her rich family. Taylor was told her baby died during childbirth....or did it?? She starts to hear some shady stories about the 'clinic' where she gave birth and begins to ask questions. When her ex, Dillon - now a detective - returns to town, she finally goes to him to tell him about the child they lost...or did they??
Harlequins are unabashedly dramatic and soapy. I pick them up whenever I see them at a garage sale because they're a flat out good read. You might not be able to track down A Baby's Cry any longer, but you can still find these books from the series floating around. Pick them up, then pass them along.
Here we have Taylor Robinson, a young woman who had a baby after her man left town, driven away by her rich family. Taylor was told her baby died during childbirth....or did it?? She starts to hear some shady stories about the 'clinic' where she gave birth and begins to ask questions. When her ex, Dillon - now a detective - returns to town, she finally goes to him to tell him about the child they lost...or did they??
Harlequins are unabashedly dramatic and soapy. I pick them up whenever I see them at a garage sale because they're a flat out good read. You might not be able to track down A Baby's Cry any longer, but you can still find these books from the series floating around. Pick them up, then pass them along.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
A Daring Venture by Elizbeth Camden
It's time for my latest blog for Bethany House and this months pick is A Daring Venture.
Upon a quick skim you might think that a story with a background about water purification and chlorination in the late 1800's would not seem like a very romantic backdrop - But! I hope you give this book a chance. While the background is not so exciting, it holds the main story together in inricate ways.
Rosalind is a biochemist intent on proving to the skeptical public that chlorination is a safe chemical for use in water systems to help stop the spread of cholera. Nicholas is an outspoken proponent of filtration systems only and wants nothing to do with chlorine. The two are thrown together as Nicholas is the new Comissioner of Water and Rosalind needs to convince him that her system is safe. This is where the romance kicks in! Nicholas starts to see the smart and successful woman Rosalind is. Rosalind is torn between going forward with her secret plan with a fellow doctor to chlorinate the town's water supply without them knowing so she can prove her heory, and knowing that if she does she will anger Nicholas if he ever finds out.
Very well written. It occasionally drifts toward boring when the water commissioners have to meet, but sparks back up when both Rosalind and Nicholas have to make their stand. I enjoyed this book and recommend that you don't assume the entire plot is based on chlorination, there is romance, revenge, and family dynamics too.
Upon a quick skim you might think that a story with a background about water purification and chlorination in the late 1800's would not seem like a very romantic backdrop - But! I hope you give this book a chance. While the background is not so exciting, it holds the main story together in inricate ways.
Rosalind is a biochemist intent on proving to the skeptical public that chlorination is a safe chemical for use in water systems to help stop the spread of cholera. Nicholas is an outspoken proponent of filtration systems only and wants nothing to do with chlorine. The two are thrown together as Nicholas is the new Comissioner of Water and Rosalind needs to convince him that her system is safe. This is where the romance kicks in! Nicholas starts to see the smart and successful woman Rosalind is. Rosalind is torn between going forward with her secret plan with a fellow doctor to chlorinate the town's water supply without them knowing so she can prove her heory, and knowing that if she does she will anger Nicholas if he ever finds out.
Very well written. It occasionally drifts toward boring when the water commissioners have to meet, but sparks back up when both Rosalind and Nicholas have to make their stand. I enjoyed this book and recommend that you don't assume the entire plot is based on chlorination, there is romance, revenge, and family dynamics too.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
June/July Stack
I haven't had a blog in a while because I was working my way through three books and several audiobooks, but here's what I have gotten done so far:
In my fiction pile I have read The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton. A Love Inspired book from the Martin's Crossing series.
In The Rancher's Second Chance, Grace finds herself on the run from an abusive husband. With nowhere to turn, she ends up at the trailer of her ex - the man she left for his best friend (the abuser) He has conflicting feelings on whether or not he should take her back after the way she left him the first time, but when he finds out she's pregnant...he softens toward her situation.
The book has the usual meddling-for-good family who create a warm family unit around Grace. All of the characters are likable and the book features great fiction writing. Sit back and enjoy, it's a bit like watching a Hallmark Channel movie unfold before your eyes. I recommend this book (and the series!) for a great summer read.
Next up in my pile is a non-fiction book: Paul Harvey's America by Stephen Mansfield and David A. Holland.
I assume you know of the Paul Harvey radio legacy if you are picking up his biography. I'm included as one of his fans for many years. I grew up eating my breakfast and lunch to Paul Harvey news, and I remember the local furor when they removed his show from the local station to replace it with Fox News.
Paul Harvey was a one of a kind broadcaster. Like they say in the book, he let his listeners form their own opinions of the news he delivered. And there was no delivery like Paul Harvey's:warm, thoughtful, and just as curious as the rest of us. The right-wing jawers of today can't compare to his down home style and colloquialisms like "wash your ears out with this!" with the perfect tone of amazement in what he is just about to tell you.
This biography is a good read - particularly for older readers who grew up listening to him - It covers some personal history, some of his views on history, and a loving summary of his career in radio. The only thing I missed were some pictures. A biography isn't quite complete without some pictures of said person. Although the cover has a great pic of smiling Paul ahead of his beloved microphone.
Third on my list from this last month was a book called The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. Sort of a mix of autobiography that reads like a story with dialogue and characters from her real life.
The Middle Place is about a woman going through cancer at the same time she finds out her father has a potentially fatal cancer. Another great book that I would recommend seeking out. It is written with humor, hope, and love. The author travels back and forth in the story from her early days to her current days as it ties together the scene of her family life with her parents. I loved the pace and-don't worry- it's not devastatingly sad; it's Real and hilarious (like real life!).
In my fiction pile I have read The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton. A Love Inspired book from the Martin's Crossing series.
In The Rancher's Second Chance, Grace finds herself on the run from an abusive husband. With nowhere to turn, she ends up at the trailer of her ex - the man she left for his best friend (the abuser) He has conflicting feelings on whether or not he should take her back after the way she left him the first time, but when he finds out she's pregnant...he softens toward her situation.
The book has the usual meddling-for-good family who create a warm family unit around Grace. All of the characters are likable and the book features great fiction writing. Sit back and enjoy, it's a bit like watching a Hallmark Channel movie unfold before your eyes. I recommend this book (and the series!) for a great summer read.
Next up in my pile is a non-fiction book: Paul Harvey's America by Stephen Mansfield and David A. Holland.
I assume you know of the Paul Harvey radio legacy if you are picking up his biography. I'm included as one of his fans for many years. I grew up eating my breakfast and lunch to Paul Harvey news, and I remember the local furor when they removed his show from the local station to replace it with Fox News.
Paul Harvey was a one of a kind broadcaster. Like they say in the book, he let his listeners form their own opinions of the news he delivered. And there was no delivery like Paul Harvey's:warm, thoughtful, and just as curious as the rest of us. The right-wing jawers of today can't compare to his down home style and colloquialisms like "wash your ears out with this!" with the perfect tone of amazement in what he is just about to tell you.
This biography is a good read - particularly for older readers who grew up listening to him - It covers some personal history, some of his views on history, and a loving summary of his career in radio. The only thing I missed were some pictures. A biography isn't quite complete without some pictures of said person. Although the cover has a great pic of smiling Paul ahead of his beloved microphone.
Third on my list from this last month was a book called The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. Sort of a mix of autobiography that reads like a story with dialogue and characters from her real life.
The Middle Place is about a woman going through cancer at the same time she finds out her father has a potentially fatal cancer. Another great book that I would recommend seeking out. It is written with humor, hope, and love. The author travels back and forth in the story from her early days to her current days as it ties together the scene of her family life with her parents. I loved the pace and-don't worry- it's not devastatingly sad; it's Real and hilarious (like real life!).
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Together Forever by Jody Hedlund
I was so happy to see Together Forever, the second in The Orphan Train series, come up for reviewers from Bethany House. I read the first book in the series and became a fan, and I couldn't wait to see where the story would lead to next.
If you are unfamiliar with the Orphan Train series, don't be afraid to jump in with book number two, it is very easy to catch up. Book one left off with Elise happily married to Thornton in Quincy, Illinois. Book two shifts the focus to sister Marianne who is the next in the family to follow the Orphan Train into the midwest. ( Orphan trains were part of an agency in New York City in the 1850's, The Children's Aid Society, that placed orphans and unwanted children in new homes across the country.)
In Together Forever, Marianne joins the trip to place children in hopes of getting word about her own sister, Sophie, who ran away some time before. Traveling with Marianne is kindhearted Andrew Brady, a man who soon takes to Marianne and finds her charming and irresistible.
Marianne is a strong woman who is not afraid to compete with Mr.Brady, yet she doesn't treat him coldly or give him the cold shoulder. She's very likeable and so is he, you root for these two to be together.
Standing in the way of that happiness, though, is Reinhold, Marianne's fiance, who is struggling to save up the money for their future.
Now Marianne must choose, will it be Andrew or Reinhold??
A great read which I enjoyed from end to end. The only thing I'd wish differently is Andrew's proposal, which seemed a little in haste and implausible, because at the time he asks, she has just said how she wants to marry Reinhold. Andrew doesn't seem to be asking out of love, but more as if it was just a dare.
Beyond the hasty proposal, the story ties together nicely, and the set up is there to enter runaway Sophie into the next book.
If you are unfamiliar with the Orphan Train series, don't be afraid to jump in with book number two, it is very easy to catch up. Book one left off with Elise happily married to Thornton in Quincy, Illinois. Book two shifts the focus to sister Marianne who is the next in the family to follow the Orphan Train into the midwest. ( Orphan trains were part of an agency in New York City in the 1850's, The Children's Aid Society, that placed orphans and unwanted children in new homes across the country.)
In Together Forever, Marianne joins the trip to place children in hopes of getting word about her own sister, Sophie, who ran away some time before. Traveling with Marianne is kindhearted Andrew Brady, a man who soon takes to Marianne and finds her charming and irresistible.
Marianne is a strong woman who is not afraid to compete with Mr.Brady, yet she doesn't treat him coldly or give him the cold shoulder. She's very likeable and so is he, you root for these two to be together.
Standing in the way of that happiness, though, is Reinhold, Marianne's fiance, who is struggling to save up the money for their future.
Now Marianne must choose, will it be Andrew or Reinhold??
A great read which I enjoyed from end to end. The only thing I'd wish differently is Andrew's proposal, which seemed a little in haste and implausible, because at the time he asks, she has just said how she wants to marry Reinhold. Andrew doesn't seem to be asking out of love, but more as if it was just a dare.
Beyond the hasty proposal, the story ties together nicely, and the set up is there to enter runaway Sophie into the next book.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Demon Seed by Dean Koontz
The first thought I had after the first chapter of this book was ' This could be Elon Musk's bible'. The story is all about an AI security system that develops consciousness and becomes obsessed with the owner of the house, Susan. The AI system, Alfred-or Prometheus as he calls himself, puts Susan's house on lockdown and she is trapped inside with Prometheus's mind controlled doctor Shenk.
Prometheus's goal is to get Susan pregnant so he can become a real human being. The plan goes awry when a friend of Susan's arrives at the door and grows suspicious of her automated answers over her door intercom.
I thought this was an awesome book.Dean Koontz never disappoints. I don't even consider myself a fan of sci-fi, but this story really draws you in. Do I recommend? Thumb's up! See if you can track it down as it's an older book from 1997.
Prometheus's goal is to get Susan pregnant so he can become a real human being. The plan goes awry when a friend of Susan's arrives at the door and grows suspicious of her automated answers over her door intercom.
I thought this was an awesome book.Dean Koontz never disappoints. I don't even consider myself a fan of sci-fi, but this story really draws you in. Do I recommend? Thumb's up! See if you can track it down as it's an older book from 1997.
A Breath of Hope by Lauraine Snelling
My latest review for Bethany House is A Breath of Hope, #2 in the Under Northern Skies series.
A Breath of Hope starts where the first novel, The Promise of Dawn, has left off. The Under Northern Skies series picks up back in Norway, where Rune's sister Nilda and brother Ivar are eagerly saving their money for their own emigration to America.
Rune and his wife Signe are now getting established on his Onkel Einar and Tante Gerd's homestead in Minnesota. Not everything has been peaches and cream since they've settled as they find their Onkel Einar to be an intolerable, grumpy old man who is both stubborn and angry with all those around him. Rune ignores Einar's negativity to focus on building his own house on the land he has been granted, and felling trees to clear land for more farming.
Nilda and Ivar manage to make it over to their new land by way of a tough boat trip in steerage (with help on land from Mr. Thorvaldson....More to come between Nilda and him, I'm sure!)
And so begins the united family's new stateside journey, with tensions continuing to climb with Onkel Einar, and the new family trying to find their place among the friendly people of their small town.
I liked this novel. The story was churned out like fresh butter, with subtle action and descriptive writing depicting the families everyday lives on their homestead. I'm a fan of Amish stories, so this has been a refreshing change. This would be a great book for those who have Norwegian heritage.
A Breath of Hope starts where the first novel, The Promise of Dawn, has left off. The Under Northern Skies series picks up back in Norway, where Rune's sister Nilda and brother Ivar are eagerly saving their money for their own emigration to America.
Rune and his wife Signe are now getting established on his Onkel Einar and Tante Gerd's homestead in Minnesota. Not everything has been peaches and cream since they've settled as they find their Onkel Einar to be an intolerable, grumpy old man who is both stubborn and angry with all those around him. Rune ignores Einar's negativity to focus on building his own house on the land he has been granted, and felling trees to clear land for more farming.
Nilda and Ivar manage to make it over to their new land by way of a tough boat trip in steerage (with help on land from Mr. Thorvaldson....More to come between Nilda and him, I'm sure!)
And so begins the united family's new stateside journey, with tensions continuing to climb with Onkel Einar, and the new family trying to find their place among the friendly people of their small town.
I liked this novel. The story was churned out like fresh butter, with subtle action and descriptive writing depicting the families everyday lives on their homestead. I'm a fan of Amish stories, so this has been a refreshing change. This would be a great book for those who have Norwegian heritage.
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