I used to read all of Danielle Steel’s books when I was in my 30’s because I loved the romance and the happy endings. But as I aged, I noticed that the books had become formulaic, and I stopped reading them because they became an annoying waste of time. When I read a blurb about this book, I decided that I needed to read it because it was about a writer of crime fiction, my favorite genre. This book did not disappoint. Yes, it is sappy with romance, but it is also the fascinating tale of a young girl who faces and overcomes many tragedies and becomes a bestselling author. I adored her character of the editor who was like a curmudgeon who needed a friend and Alex, the budding author, befriends him. The whole story was well written, with a well-developed and actually intricate plot that encompassed forty years in the life of an author with a great talent. Believable characters and happy ending!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I read a library copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

I honestly had to make myself start this book because I had heard so many good things about it. Now that I have finished it, I can say that I was not disappointed, but it was a rather depressing look at war and its effects on youth. I compare it to THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and I must say that this work of fiction was excellent, if not true. One could actually imagine all of the events in the book happening and I felt sad for all of the deprivation caused by the war. I loved the character of Liesel, the book thief, who discovered the real meaning of words because of her horrible experiences with the war. The narrator is Death, and this is very well portrayed, also. The reader just keeps waiting for whomever the specter will visit next. This is not a book for young children, but it certainly is well worth remembering that all war has a big cost.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Just go to bookfun.org and click on the link shown below.  You can read about all of the new Christian books that are coming out, with interviews with authors and a big announcement about a new Ted Dekker book coming out in May.  Go to http://www.the49thmystic.com/bookfun for information about how to pre-order  his new book with a huge discount.

There is also a Kindle giveaway here.  Just follow the links of these authors and follow the directions.  If you already have a Kindle, that’s great!  But wouldn’t this make a  wonderful Christmas gift for someone who doesn’t have one?

Dawn Kinzer – Kindle Promotion http://www.bookfun.org/group/dawn-kinzer/forum/topics/october-16th-giveaway-1-kindle-fire-hd8-2-review-copies-sarah-s-s

Link to Ane Mulligan’s Kindle giveaway:

http://www.bookfun.org/group/ane-mulligan-author/forum/topics/october-16th-giveaway-1-kindle-fire-hd8

I am now reading excepts of books for bookishfirst.com.  Below is a review of the four chapters that I read in this book.

Intersting Start to a New Relatioinship

ROOMIES begins with a girl who works off-broadway for her uncle and who catches a taxi daily to the subway station just to hear a guitarist who is busking there. On one of her daily trips to be his personal groupie, Holland introduces herself and finds out that Calvin is a man of few words. When she is attacked at that subway station, Calvin makes sure she is okay and then quietly says nothing about how the event happened. Holland now has a broken arm and can’t work so she goes to a nightclub with her friend Lulu. And who is coincidentally there? Calvin is the lead guitarist for the band that night. The romance seems to be budding, and Holland is turning from a groupie into a real fan, or more. I’m interested in reading how they become roomies and how the relationship continues to develop. Good start to an interesting way for a relationship to begin!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE WHISPERING ROOM is more than a thriller; it is an observation of what our world can become like if we allow nanotechnology and the basic greed of men to persist. Jane continues her saga in this book, pursuing the money-man behind the nano devices that led her husband to commit suicide. D.J. Michael seems to be a foe that no one can get to, but Jane is intelligent and determined. There is another part of the story here; the nano devices have spread to rural areas, including one entire town that has been taken over by them. And there is a trigger phrase to get the people there to become automatically responsive to whatever command is given to them. Jane teams up temporarily with a small-town sheriff and together they make a difference in this small town. Luther is a lovable character, tough but fair and a welcome addition to the plot. At the end of the novel, you want more…you just want Jane to win all the time, but you can see a foreshadowing that this may come with a high price. This was a wonderful book that kept me reading late into the night, with my heart racing and my fingers crossed for the best outcomes for Jane and Luther. You have to read it to believe it; the author is an absolute master at drawing you into the story.

Lynette Eason always brings great entertainment as well as a clean read that holds your attention because her books are always full of suspense. MOVING TARGET is a wonderful example of the author’s talent. Maddy and Quinn are just developing a romantic relationship, but they have a lot of baggage to deal with before they can explore this relationship further. They are interrupted by a madman who kidnaps them and sets them up on an island to hunt and kill. How they escape is nothing less than miraculous, but the perpetrator continues to pursue them. The non-stop action continues all the way to the end of the book. This is a must-read for fans of Lynette Eason and Christian romantic suspense!

I give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars!  

Harlen Coben’s latest novel did not mesmerize me as his previous books have, probably because there was so much backstory to the real story that I got lost somewhere at the beginning and did not really figure out what was going on until I was about halfway through the book.  Don’t get me wrong; it was a good book and worth reading, but be prepared to get through about 50-75 pages before you are drawn into the intricate plot.  There are a lot of characters to keep track of, too, so that doesn’t help the reading flow.  However, the author does eventually draw you into the story and you really want to finish it so you find out the conclusion.  There are the regular twists that Coben always includes in his books, and there is an intensity of feeling as you get to the satisfying conclusion.  I would give this book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars and look forward to the next novel from this talented author.

Kinsey Milhone’s 25th adventure involves teens who made some really big mistakes in their youth and are paying for it now with blackmail and murders. Kinsey has to track down the blackmailer and the murderer and has some help from an injured lady in a wheelchair and a dog named Killer. There are lots of subplots, like the one with Ned Lowe who is still stalking Kinsey and is determined to kill her. It was a good read, but dragged in places. Looking forward to letter Z.  I give this book a solid 4 stars.

With much appreciation to Netgalley and publisher Howard Books for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

I have loved butterflies since I was a young bride, so when I saw this book on Netgalley, I just had to read it. Wow! I was blessed beyond measure by this book and all of the simple truths that it held. Roma Downey’s subtitle, “Discovering the Unexpected Blessings All Around Us” really describes the entire book. It is chapter after… chapter of descriptions of blessings and love that the Heavenly Father has given us and continues to give us daily. Ms. Downey presents a beautiful word picture of the Lord’s love for us, no matter what we may be going through. I loved all of the chapters of the book, but the ones on Love, Stillness and Gratitude particularly spoke to me.. Ms. Downey encourages the reader to look for God in the small things and we will see Him at work in our lives, every day and in every way. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and the poems and quotations throughout the book add to its inspirational tone. I cannot say enough about how great this book is, and I encourage everyone to buy a copy, read it and cherish its truths in your heart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”