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Thunder Book Review

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About the Book

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah’s really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.
Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers–and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander’s distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her–Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell. (Goodreads)

My Review

I am not sure what I expected with this book but it was so very much like Divergent and the Hunger Games. While I know this is popular right now, I wish authors could get a bit more creative. I feel like we get too repetitive when something is popular and create different names and slightly different characters with the same basic idea. That being said, I think there were some great twists to the book.  Selah's character I didn't really connect with but I enjoyed reading about the other characters, Bohdi especially. This book is rather slow, while you would expect it to be a bit faster paced. There were many parts that I enjoyed or thought unique, the romance wasn't overdone. The Lander idea is interesting. While this isn't a bad book, I think it could have been better developed with characters and dialogue.

I do think I will read the second book just to see where Bonnie goes with things.

Four stars.


To see an exclusive video trailer and to get more information on the Stone Braide Chronicles, go to www.BonnieSCalhoun.com.

"I received this book from Revell for free in exchange for an honest review."

Walking Home Book Review

About the Book

Life was falling apart. Within the space of three years, Sonia Choquette had suffered the unexpected death of two close family members, seen her marriage implode, and been let down by trusted colleagues. And sympathy was not forthcoming. “You’re a world-renowned spiritual teacher and intuitive guide,” people jeered. “How could you not have seen this coming?” Having intuitive abilities didn’t make her superhuman, however. Nor did it exempt her from being wounded or suffering the pain of loss and the consequences of our all-too-human traits such as anger, resentment, and pride—traits that can lead even the best of us to stray from our spiritual path.

In order to regain her spiritual footing, Sonia turned to the age-old practice of pilgrimage and set out to walk the legendary Camino de Santiago, an 820-kilometer trek over the Pyrenees and across northern Spain. Day after day she pushed through hunger, exhaustion, and pain to reach her destination. Eventually, mortification of the flesh gave way to spiritual renewal, and she rediscovered the gifts of humility and forgiveness that she needed to repair her world.

In this riveting book, Sonia shares the intimate details of her grueling experience, as well as the unexpected moments of grace, humor, beauty, and companionship that supported her through her darkest hours. While her journey is unique, the lessons she learned—about honoring your relationships with others as well as with your own higher self, and forgiving all else—are universal. (Goodreads)

My Review

This book surprised me in a lot of ways. I wasn't sure what to expect. Sonia's life starts falling apart and she is encouraged in many ways to walk to Camino de Santiago which I had never heard about until this book. I was so intrigued about this trail which has been walked for decades. This woman decides to go it alone! The book is an actual day to day account of her journey. Every day is recorded and the reader takes the trek with her. I really enjoyed the writing and organization and how she describes her walk. It's a process as she walks through her life in about a months time.

I think this is so good for a person, to be out in nature, which she was not used to, and being alone with God. Now this journey included a lot of Catholic practices, which I honestly don't know much about. But the general idea is a good one and I really liked reading this book and getting a new perspective on someone's life.

"I received this book from Hay House for free in exchange for an honest review."

Note: this book does have a bit of strong language in many of the chapters. Just so my usual readers are aware.

Deceived Book Review

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 About the Book

For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon's many fans have come to expect, "Deceived "is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plot line that accelerates to an explosive finish. (Goodreads)

Irene Hannon is the author of more than forty-five novels, including Vanished, Trapped, and the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

My Review

 Irene Hannon is a great author and she really knows how to create an intense story line. I have read the other books in this series, and they can all be read separately. But I do highly recommend them all! 

This book takes us into the world of Kate who has been left a widow and left with a  mystery of her missing son. I can't imagine what it would be like but she has moved on, until she sees a little boy at the mall. 

The main thing I noticed with this book is the crazy killer is not unrealistic, I can see how this could really happen. I really enjoyed reading about Connor and I thought his character was strong, while still not being over the top. I really couldn't put this book down as it's pure suspense with a tad bit of romance. The romance is typical and not surprising but I was focused on the puzzle anyway. 

I was left hanging until the end. I knew the killer, and I knew where, but the why kept me totally confused.

 Hannon has some great twists and for suspense lovers, this book is a must read!!

"I received this book from Revell for free in exchange for an honest review."

The New American Herbal Book Review

 About the Book

From modern garden master Stephen Orr comes a new, definitive book on herbs to finally replace the dusty and outdated classics. Here are entries on hundreds of plants that are extraordinarily useful in cooking, homeopathy, and more; dozens of recipes and DIY projects; and beautifully styled photographs so you know just what you're growing.

With more than 900 entries, each accompanied by brand new photography and helpful growing advice, The New American Herbal takes the study of herbs to an exciting new level. Orr covers the entire spectrum of herbaceous plants, from culinary to ornamental to aromatic and medicinal, presenting them in an easy to use A to Z format packed with recipes, DIY projects, and stunning examples of garden design highlighting herbal plantings. Learn about the herbs you've always wanted to grow (chervil, chamomile, and lovage), exotic herbs (such as Artemisia, the bitter herb used in Absinthe, or the anti-inflammatory Meadowsweet), and ornamental varieties (Monkshood and Perilla). For cooks there is indispensable guidance on planting and maintaining a bountiful kitchen garden and crafters will delight in dozens of exciting new uses for fresh, dried, and distilled herbs. Here, too, are 40 delicious recipes such as Ragu Bolognese with Fennel and Lemon Semolina Cake with Lavender, as well easy steps for projects such as a hanging herb garden and instructions on how to plant, dry, and preserve your garden’s bounty.

Meticulously researched and exhaustive in its scope, The New American Herbal is an irresistible invitation to explore the versatility of herbs in all their beauty and variety. (Goodreads)

My Review

What a great book! I was not expecting such a huge beautifully organized book. I love books about herbs because I always find something new. I grew up around herbs and usually them for everything. It's nice to have a book of info for the times when you don't feel good or just need a reference. The first part of the book is the Herbal Handbook, garden projects, how to dry herbs, and a bunch of other great ideas. Then the book gets into Herbs A-Z which lists herbs and their properties. There is a great index and the book is really well organized. I love the pictures and the history behind each herb plant. The only thing I wish was that there were more medicinal descriptions with each plant. Many of the herbs do have a recipe which makes it fun, you can cook with them too! 

This is such a great book and reference for anyone interesting in herbs, growing a herb garden, or looking for specifics. 

Highly recommend. 

Buy the book here.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

The Sea House Book Review

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About the Book

In 1860, Alexander Ferguson, a newly ordained vicar and amateur evolutionary scientist, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the remote Scottish island of Harris. He hopes to uncover the truth behind the legend of the selkies—mermaids or seal people who have been sighted off the north of Scotland for centuries. He has a more personal motive, too; family legend states that Alexander is descended from seal men. As he struggles to be the good pastor he was called to be, his maid Moira faces the terrible eviction of her family by Lord Marstone, whose family owns the island. Their time on the island will irrevocably change the course of both their lives, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after they are gone.

It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child's fragile legs are fused together—a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? To heal her own demons, Ruth feels she must discover the secrets of her new home—but the answers to her questions may lie in her own traumatic past. The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford is a sweeping tale of hope and redemption and a study of how we heal ourselves by discovering our histories. (Goodreads)




My Review






This book was way better than I expected. I have actually read a few novels set in this area and so I was curious to see how this book portrayed life. This book is mainly about the mysterious seal people or Selkies. The story starts with Ruth and her husband who find a baby mermaid skeleton underneath their house they are renovating. The storyline sounds odd but the mermaid part of it and folklore was really very interesting. The story goes between a few people so I had to really think about who I was reading about. Ruth wants to discover how the baby got under the house and the book flashes back to what happened so long ago.


I really enjoyed this book because it was different but I think it could have ended better. I didn't feel closure but maybe that's not a bad thing. There has been a lot of bad reviews written because there is some bad language. People make it out to seem like the entire book is full of it and it's really not, it's one sentence. While I don't appreciate cuss words in books, I think the negativity has blown up the true qualities this book is about.
I still recommend this book.


If you are in need of a cozy beach read or a summer afternoon break this book is a good pick.


Four stars.


"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Don't miss The Sea House, a stunning fiction debut from the UK. Set in a house on the windswept coast of the Outer Hebrides, Elisabeth Gifford's haunting tale effortlessly bridges a gap of more than a century. Adeptly interweaving two tales involving residents of the titular house, Gifford sets up an absorbing mystery revolving around local lore and myths about mermaids, selkies, and sealmen. Stretching seamlessly back and forth through time, layers upon layers of secrets are slowly and effectively peeled away in this evocative debut (Booklist).

Celebrate with Elisabeth by entering her Kindle giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at Elisabeth's Blog.

Watch the trailer:

Buttermilk Sky Book Review

 About the Book

Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she'll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change--and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she'd ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she'd left firmly behind.Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy's cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants. (Goodreads)

My Review

I have to say this is probably my favorite book by Jan Watson. I have read many of her other novels and this one has much stronger characters and depth of story line. I loved Mazy and reading about her daily life with silly women and life at school. In a lot of the books I read the schooling is not usually included but I really enjoy reading the things that they did back then. I was a bit confused on the start of the story and why it was so important to the rest of the book. I do think the story line could have been better organized, it jumped around a lot. Chanis' side of the story was not as interesting but the two story lines went together in the end nicely. 

I think this is Jan Watson's best book thus far and recommend for a light read. 

"I received this book from Tyndale Publishing for free in exchange for an honest review."

 

Forever Christmas Book Review

About the Book

This Christmas will change Andrew Farmer s life forever.

Andrew can t remember the last time he spent Christmas away from work. The end of the year is crunch time for literary agents. But when your career is your life, your life starts to suffer . . . beginning with your marriage.

When a heart-wrenching accident in a Christmas Eve snowstorm jars this high-powered agent from his obsession with success, a Christmas miracle will give him a second chance at love, life, and gratitude, but only if he can put aside his own ambition and learn to appreciate each moment.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to change a man s life and to teach him to treat every day as if it were his last." (Goodreads)

My Review

Every year I read a short Christmas read like this book. There is nothing wrong with simple Christmas stories, they usually have a good point. This book surprised me because I really didn't know what would happen in the end. I liked the characters and how realistic their marriage was portrayed in the book. Andrew had been a pretty ungrateful husband to Beth and for Christmas she wanted things to be special, until another woman answered her husband's phone.

At a startling turn of events Andrew had the opportunity to change. Yes, this is a bit like a Christmas Carol/Scrooge, but so much better! You don't know the ending and there is a lot more depth to the story.

In just a few short pages Robert Tate Miller made me think, feel extremely sad, and overly happy. I usually don't expect that from a book like this.

Highly recommend for the holiday season!!

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for free in exchange for an honest review."

The Art of Storytelling Book Review

 Goodreads

About the Book

Many of us would love to hold the attention of a crowd, a classroom, or just a group of our friends by telling them a great story. We have felt the pressure of a public presentation or the disappointment of a story that is ignored and we are ready for more.

In The Art of Storytelling, John Walsh talks through the steps to presenting a compelling story, outlining the strategies that helped him move from stutterer to storyteller as he fulfilled his calling of becoming a preacher. This book will help any person with a story to share, as it talks through all aspects of presentation, from what to do with your hands as you speak, to crafting a killer ending. It is especially relevant those who teach through the stories of the Bible or who would like to do so. (Goodreads)

My Review

 What a great resource! This book contains some great step-by-step examples on how to tell a story well. I really like how John broke down each detail to the point where you really have to think about what you are about to say, whether in front of a huge audience or just your family. When I speak I usually ramble, and this book talks about that and how to rein in that rambling and get you to focus on the topic. I wish I had this book in school, I think it would have been helpful for writing speeches and getting in front of the class. I also like this book because it can be used for writing a story as well. John makes things fun to read and this book is not boring in how it is organized. 

I highly recommend if you needing to tell a story. 

"I received this book from MP Newsroom for free in exchange for an honest review."

 

Be Rebellious Book Review

Fight Back Against a Culture That Doesn't Care About You

What if we were created for more than just “fitting in” to the culture around us? What if we were meant to change our world?

Young women today are being seduced by a culture of lies. When pop-culture says a woman has to be ultra-thin and movie-star gorgeous, Megan Clinton says, “Let’s rebel against such crazy conformity.” Women will learn to cultivate the inner woman they were created to be, love themselves, and serve God in a way that leaves people awestruck.

About the Author

Megan Clinton (now Megan Clinton Allison) graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Pre-Med/Biology and is currently attending Physician Assistant (PA) School at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. As part of the Extraordinary Women travel team with her mom, Julie Clinton, Megan has a passion to see young women find their identity in Christ, be set free, and live God’s dream for their lives. In addition, she is excited to be equipped as a PA to provide medical care to those in need through international mission work. Megan is the author of Totally God’s (with her dad, Dr. Tim Clinton), Totally God’s 4 Life Devotional, and Smart Girls, Smart Choices: Avoiding the 10 Biggest Mistakes Young Women Make (with Laura Captari). Megan was recently married to the love of her life and high-school sweetheart, Ben. They have a teacup Yorkie named Bella.(Worthy Publishing)

My Review

This book took me by surprise and I actually got a lot from it! The topics are organized in a way that didn't make this book boring. Pretty much it's about being in the world but not of it, rebelling against worldly standards. Some of the things I think could be geared more toward teenagers but really its a good book for women in general. One that made me think was "True Friends in a Fake World", especially pertaining to women. I think it's difficult to be ourselves when we are constantly judging and categorizing every other woman we know and see. I like Megan's point of view and thoughts on the matter.

For a non-fiction read this one is really pretty good and not a dull read.
I recommend to any woman teen and up.


"I received this book from Worthy Publishing for free in exchange for an honest review."

Mountain Autumn

Isn't he the cutest!? This is my nephew and he is getting so grown up.

There seemed to be a lot of red in the trees this year, which I love!