Monday, August 5, 2013

Reviews

Beauty Queens


The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

This crazy, yet funny book about beauty queens stranded on a no-so-deserted island makes fun of reality shows and so much more.  Fake commercials and fake reality shows included, this book reads like Gilligan's Island with beauty queens.  Enjoy!


My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, #1)



Great read.  This is different from the typical Zombie novel.  A truly "trashy" and funny read.


Confessions of a Murder Suspect (Confessions, #1)

This is a fantastic book and I can't wait to read the next in the series!


Whispers of Moonlight (Rocky Mountain Memories, #2)


Probably one of my least favorite books of Lori's simply because the ending is not tied up in a neat little bow that I am used to.  I enjoy the light reading, heavy scriptural references, and constant introduction to a relationship with Christ.  The ending is a little sad because of the wife's rejection.


St. Peter's Fair (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #4)


I have been delighted by the Monk Cadfael  mysteries.  I am so glad I found the series and enjoyed the twists and turn in this book as well.  Brother Cadfael finds out who the murderer is just when he rides off with his next victim. 


Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)


I know I am way behind the times, but was finally persuaded to read the first Harry Potter book. I am a big fan of Tolkien's and Lewis' fantasy novels and so I was hoping for a similar emotive experience.  I would compare the book to a big blockbuster summer movie which is high on special effects, but low on actual story. While reading the book it seemed to go from one magical trick or occurrence to the next with very little character development.  I will probably stop with reading just this first novel.  It was enough for me. :)


Fine Things


A gentleman named Bernie Fine worked for a very expensive store in N.Y.  He was sent to San Francisco to start a new store there for them.  While there he fell in love with a woman and her five year old daughter. They dated several months and he fell madly in love with her and they got married.  After about a year she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.  After the birth she became ill and later died from cancer.  He never got over her for a very long time, as she was the love of his life.  After several more years he fell in love with another woman who was a doctor and he stayed in California and started a new business called "Fine Things."



The House


 A wealthy man built the house for the woman he loved.  Times got hard when she took off with another man.  An elderly man bought it for investment and lived in a small room up at the top floor.  He became ill and never left his house. He had an attorney named Sarah and she took care of him all the time. When he later died he left her a substantial amount of money and she purchased the house.  After some research she found out the house was built by her great-great grandfather. Her grandma got married there and she grew up there as a very small child.  Then Sarah's mother got married there and Sarah fell in love with her architect who loved the ho use also and they got married there.


Libertarianism: A Primer


 The title is rather self-explanatory as this book offers and introduction to a history of the political philosophy of libertarianism (the belief in the right of the individual within the free market), overall it was quite compelling.


The Last Sin Eater


 The Last Sin Eater is the story of a young girl who turns from trusting a sin eater, as her people have always done, to take her sins away to trusting in God. It also has a good mystery twist that makes it very intriguing.


Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490


 I have always liked reading about other cultures. I loved this historical fiction book about Anacaona and the Taino's.


The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12)


Snicket is probably one of my favorite writers. His series of unfortunate events will make you laugh, cry, and be unsure what to think. Though some may think it's silly and choose another penultimate book.



The Beach House


A daughter returns to the beach after 2 years.  She got a letter from her mother to come visit.  She is so glad she did and she got to see the beauty of the sea once more and final days with her mother who died from cancer.  They became very close and had very special secrets.  After her death she decided to stay at the beach house instead of going back to Chicago.  She found a man she knew in school years before and fell in love. Very good book!


The Reef


 A young girl had a passion for treasure hunting in the ocean.  One she wanted to find was the mysterious amulet which she and her friend found.  Later - after 8 years she and this other scavenger fell madly in love and got married.  She and her new husband were able to set up a museum to see all the beautiful and precious things they found while diving in the great ocean.


Dying on the Vine (Gourmet Detective Mystery, Book 3)


This gourmet detective story has a good plot with interesting twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing.


Bon Appetit: (French Twist #2)



I was concerned about reading this book because it had been so long since I had read "Let them Eat Cake."  As soon as I started reading, the characters all came back to me.  The author does a great job developing the characters and helping the reader connect with them.  I'm enjoying following Lexis' triumphs and struggles.  I enjoy reading how her faith in God helps her along the way.  I'm excited to start the third book to see which relationship she chooses.  This was a great book ... I was glad to find there were more than just the one book.



The Gourmet Detective (Gourmet Detective Mystery, Book 1)


A fun mystery - The Gourmet Detective goes from locating "hard to find" food items to investigating a murder with Scotland Yard.


Bet Your Bottom Dollar: A Bottom Dollar Girls Novel


A fun story full of "real characters" about community, family, and challenges they face.



City of Shadows



5 stars! I don't do that lightly. This one is my current favorite book.  I loved the story line and the twist.  I did not see it coming!


Emily and Einstein


 It was an okay story. I like the main character.  It was an easy summer read.


Jewels of the Sun (Gallaghers of Ardmore / Irish Trilogy, #1)



 I love all of Nora Robert's Irish books.  This was a wonderful romance and kept my attention and I can't wait to read the other two books and see what happens to the other Gallagher brothers.


Piece de Resistance (French Twist, #3)



This was the last book in the "Let them Eat Cake" series and I loved it.  It completely summed up Lexi's life, troubles, etc.  Was very inspiring as far as going after what you want, doing what's right, and standing up for what you believe in.



The Tenderness of Wolves



A well written murder mystery set in the wilds of the Canadian Outback.  Moral of the characters were a little liberal for my personal taste.



At Home on Ladybug Farm



Pleasant tale of three retired friends trying to renovate.

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