Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Review - Glimmerglass


Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Release Date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Faeriewalker #1
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
Buy It: Amazon

Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she’s had it with being her mother’s keeper, so she packs her bags and heads to stay with her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, she finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone wants something from her, even her newfound friends and family. Suddenly, life with her alcoholic mom doesn't sound half bad, and Dana would do anything to escape Avalon and get back home. Too bad both her friends and her enemies alike are determined not to let her go . . .

I was a little disappointed by this book, based on all the hype it got. I love all fairies, fae, etc. so I expected to adore this book. While I didn't dislike it, I was left wanting more.

I felt like the romantic attractions she had in the book were predictable, as well as the cliffhanger ending. I was frustrated every time I was able to predict what would come next. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the ending action and how that unfolded. There were many surprises I was not expecting.

I haven't decided if I will pursue this series all the way through, as I was hoping for something more to pull me in for a first book. This is still a good book, nonetheless.


I received this audiobook as a free download from Audible.com through a promotion. I was not required to post a review.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Mini Review - The Raie'Chaelia


The Raie'Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

Release Date: May 27, 2011
Publisher: Lucky Bat Books
Genre: Fantasy
Format: eBook
Buy It: Amazon

When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather's instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King's men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman who rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true friends and true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie'Chaelia.

This book is typical of fantasy in that it has adventure, romance... and names you cannot pronounce. That was one of the hardest things for me: the title of the book! I eventually got it, so it wasn't an issue, but it did bother me that the main character was named Chalice. The fact that she shares a name with a goblet bothers me, as if she was a lowly character who came out of nowhere to save the world. Other than that and the slow beginning, I enjoyed this book! If you enjoy fantasy, you'll enjoy her many adventures and her friendship with Jeremiah. Be sure to check out this book!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Review - I Kissed Dating Goodbye


I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

Release Date: April 2, 2003
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 238
Format: Paperback
Buy It: Amazon

Joshua Harris's first book, written when he was only 21, turned the Christian singles scene upside down...and people are still talking. More than 800,000 copies later, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, with its inspiring call to sincere love, real purity, and purposeful singleness, remains the benchmark for books on Christian dating. Now, for the first time since its release, the national #1 bestseller has been expanded with new content and updated for new readers. Honest and practical, it challenges cultural assumptions about relationships and provides solid, biblical alternatives to society's norm.

Tired of the game? Kiss dating goodbye.

Going out? Been dumped? Waiting for a call that doesn’t come? Have you tasted pain in dating, drifted through one romance or, possibly, several of them?

Ever wondered, Isn’t there a better way?

I Kissed Dating Goodbye shows what it means to entrust your love life to God. Joshua Harris shares his story of giving up dating and discovering that God has something even better—a life of sincere love, true purity, and purposeful singleness.

This book surpassed my expectations! My best friend had already read it, and she said she really liked it so I figured I would too. Just for fun, I read the reviews on Amazon. I was shocked when I saw how many horrible reviews there were! I became more worried going into reading it, nervous that I would not enjoy and would have to give a bad review.

I reviewed this book coming out of a hard break-up with my boyfriend, so I was glad I read this book then. It helped me realize what expectations I had put in past relationships and what I needed to change in myself before I even considered pursuing a relationship in the future.

I don't think I will ever stop dating, simply for the reason that I only date people I can see myself marrying. However, I do think the points in this book are very valid either way, and I plan to put them t use in the future.


If you are reading this from a feed reader, please come to the blog to see my review rating system! Would you consider rating this review? The more votes I get, the more my reviews reach other readers.


I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books campaign. I was not required to post a positive review, but simply an honest one.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

IMM: August 28

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.


For Review:

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson (Thanks Andrea!)

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Thanks Revell!)

Mini Review and Contest - Amish Values for Your Family


Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Release Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Religious non-fiction
Pages: 192
Format: Paperback
Buy It: Amazon

For readers who long for strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much to learn from the Amish. Values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car, changing your wardrobe, or moving out to farm country.

In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shows how you can adopt the wisdom of the Amish when it comes to family matters. In this inspiring and practical book readers will find charming true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what's truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

I love learning about the Amish, so I was thrilled to get the chance to review this book! I loved how each chapter was short and contained one lesson, so it could be read as a daily devotional if desired. Each chapter contained a story with the lesson, a review with a few questions, and some random quotes from readers. I loved each lesson, but I especially loved the ones that focused on spending quality times with others, whether it was family or friends. While I do often spend time with my friends, I tend to neglect my family, and I focus way too much on myself at times.

Contest!
Amish Values for Your Family Giveaway
Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family, her latest non-fiction release. "It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It’s a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful." -Mary Ann Kirkby

Read the reviews here.

To celebrate the release of Amish Values for Your Family, Suzanne has teamed up her publisher Revell Books to giveaway a Kindle, and with Bill Coleman (the amazing photographer used on Suzanne’s book covers) to give away a signed Bill Coleman original.


One Grand Prize winner will receive an Amish Values Prize Package (valued at over $200) and includes:

* A brand new KINDLE
* A Signed Bill Coleman original
* Amish Values for Your Family (for KINDLE)

Click on one of the icons to enter. Winner will be announced on 9/2 at Suzanne’s blog. Be sure to stop by the blogs on Suzanne’s blog tour – many have copies of Amish Values for Your Family to give away.

But, wait there's more! Suzanne is running a Bill Coleman caption contest during the month of August on her blog. Title one of Bill’s gorgeous photos for a chance to win a print from Bill’s Amish Photo site and/or a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

FF and Book Blogger Hop (8-26-11)






Question:

In the books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?

Answer:

Fairies of course! Heck yes!

Book Blogger Hop

Question:

Do you have pets?

Answer:

Yes! I have two cats and a rabbit.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Review - God's Love Letters to You


God's Love Letter to You: A 40-Day Devotional Experience by Larry Crabb

Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Devotional
Pages: 144
Format: Paperback
Buy It: Amazon

Forty devotional messages taken from the eternal story of God's Love, the Bible, as revealed in the conversational experience of 66 Love Letters.
Experience a unique conversation with God through a daily devotional reading based on twenty Old Testament and twenty New Testament books of the Bible. Written to help the reader listen to what God is saying in His Word, God's Love Letters to You offers a life-changing encounter with God through the story He is telling. Author Larry Crabb brings the big picture of God's story into clearer focus, helping readers catch an enticing glimpse of how each of these forty books of the Bible advances the story. The goal? To lose our story in His.
Each day's devotional includes:
  • selected Scripture reading
  • short devotional message
  • reflection questions
  • closing prayer

I didn't have a devotional for my mornings, but I tend to not have a lot of time in the morning so I wanted something quick but meaningful. This devotional was the perfect fit. It had a short page long reading section, and then would go into the questions that made this book more personal.

Each day was based on a certain book of the Bible, and would pull aspects of God's love from them for the reader to learn from each day. While each day was generalized for all readers, there were also things that made it personal. If you're looking for a new way to understand God, definitely read this devotional!



Sunday, August 21, 2011

IMM: August 21

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

I did not get any books this week! As disappointing as that is, it is a relief because I'm packing up to move back to college and trying to figure out which books in my growing TBR stack get to come. Hopefully I'll have more next week!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

FF and Book Blogger Hop (8-19-11)






Question:

If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?

Answer:

Luna, in the HP series. I've loved her character from the first time JKR introduced her in Order of the Phoenix! I just wish she was in more of the books :/

Book Blogger Hop


Question:

What's the longest book you've ever read?

Answer:

Hm.. that's tough. I would have to say the Harry Potter books I think... some of them are over 800 pages!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

School...

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let you all know that I am in the process of packing up my stuff and heading back to college for my third year. I move in on the 24th, but I'm using this entire week to clean out some of my junk and box up what I'm not bringing so I can keep it in my closet here at home.

What does that mean for you? Well I will still be reading this week. I'm about half-way through one book so hopefully that review will be up Monday. I also have another book for a blog tour that will be up sometime next week.

Once school starts my blogging will become less and less periodic. I'm taking 17 credits and working 10 hours a week, so I won't have a lot of time for side reading. I'm hoping to still do the weekly IMMs and FF/Blog Hops... but we shall see. I won't have a lot of room at school so if I even get books, they will only be library books and they'll be few and far between!

I hope that you'll still stick by me these next few months!

Monday, August 15, 2011

IMM: August 14

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.


Gifted:

Jaguar by Roland Smith [signed] (Thanks Jenna!)

Giveaway:

Forgive My Fins swag (Thanks Andrea!)

Review - The Colonel's Lady


The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Release Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Pages: 408
Format: Print
Buy It: Amazon

In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own--some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

Readers will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from reader favorite Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse readers in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.

I was a little hesitant to review this book at first, because I am not a fan of historical books, whether they're fiction or not. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I felt that the first 70 pages or so were a little slow, and I was left wondering when the romance would begin to blossom. Once Roxanna meets Cass, the book became much more interesting and their romance took flight.

Their romance fluttered back and forth throughout most of the book, as Cass is everything Roxie promised her mother she would never marry. However her attraction is unavoidable and deepens though each new thing she learns about him.

Secrets abound however, between Roxie and Cass, and throughout the rest of Fort Endeavor. The must race to figure out what is truly going on within the walls, or it just might be too late to win the war! I loved this book and am looking forward to reading more books by Laura in the future!


Thursday, August 11, 2011

FF and Book Blogger Hop (8-11-11)









Question:

How have your reading habits changed since you were a teen? If you are still a teen what new genres are you in love with currently?

Answer:

Well I'm not technically a teen anymore... but I've only been 20 for about six months :P Honestly my reading habits haven't changed much. Lately though, I've been getting into more contemporary and historical fiction novels!

Book Blogger Hop


Question:

Let's talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles! If you can't find any, feel free to find one on the internet!

Answer:

Actually, the book I'm currently reading has a pretty crazy title! It's called I Kissed Dating Goodbye :P Sounds insane right?? (Don't worry, it's actually really good!)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

IMM: August 7

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonder Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.


Bought:

None

Gifted:

My Life in France by Julia Child (thanks to my friend Rachel!)


Library:

None

Ebooks:

None

Friday, August 5, 2011

Review - Homeward


Homeward by Melody Carlson

Release Date: July 1, 1997
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Genre: Christian Fiction
Pages: 450 pages
Format: E-book
Buy It: Amazon

Returning home after twenty years absence, Meg Lancaster struggles to restore relationships with her family, but finds herself uncovering secrets hidden for decades. The more she learns, the more she is forced to reevaluate her long-held assumptions.

This book was a little slow starting, but quickly became intriguing. Meg is a unique character who has to decide between her past with her family, and her present with her career. Painful memories resurface for her while she goes down memory lane, but just as many pleasant ones return as well.

Meg meets many new friends, including a lawyer named Matthew who she knew from her camp days as a child. She also reunites with family, including her mother and grandmother who she left many years ago after a heated fight during her grandfather's funeral.

The book doesn't really seem to have much rising action for most up the book, up until the end when it suddenly hits the climax and has you rushing to find out what happens. While I appreciate the tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat, it would have been nice to have more a gradual increase.

This book is a good read for those who like Christian fiction or simply want to try something new!


This book is a RITA award winner and is now available as an ebook for $2.99!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Review - The Lost Barkscrolls (The Edge Chronicles Extra)


This is the synopsis from Goodreads:

A fantastic new adventure in the world of the Edge Chronicles. These exciting new tales are ideal for those new to the Edge, or as an addition to the collection of any fan.
The edition includes the stories CLOUD WOLF and THE STONE PILOT. It also includes a beautiful foldout timeline of the Edgeworld, linking all three trilogies together.


My review: 5 stars

Plot: This is actually a collection of four short stories, but all four were beautifully written. They fill in a few gaps between the trilogies, so the crazy fans (like myself! haha) can be fulfilled in knowing what happened in between.

Characters: Maugin has ALWAYS been my favorite character, even when she was first introduced in book one. So her story was by far my favorite. I did like Keris though, despite my eternal disappointment in Twig not marrying Maugin instead of Keris's slaughterer mom. (For those who are wondering, these are not spoilers. The family tree is in a few of the books. The spoiler would be why Twig didn't marry Maugin, therefore I'm not telling you.)

Setting: I liked how they had all the different places from all four stories. It was refreshing to be reminded of how much I loved the world in these stories!

Overall: Of course, I loved these side books as much as the full series. I would advise if you are going to pursue this series however, to finish the ten books first, then these. Otherwise... there will be spoilers!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

New Blog Design!

As you can see, I have a FABULOUS new layout made by Lori of Use Your Imagination Designs! I love it SO SO much.

Starting next Saturday with IMM, I will be changing up some of my post templates as well. I will have a solid post for IMM, and a slightly different review format for reviews. I will also be getting back into FF and Book Blogger Hops!

I hope you all like the changes!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Review - The Immortals (Edge Chronicles, Book 10)


This is the synopsis from Goodreads:

For readers who love fantasy, the most spectacular Edge story yet!

Nate Quarter, a young Lamplighter from the mines of the eastern woods, is propelled on an epic journey of self-discovery that encompasses tournaments, battles, revolutions and a final encounter with the Immortals themselves.

This is the final tale in the Edge Chronicles sequence and it is a fabulous climax to the most original and dramatic fantasy series being written today. Set years into the future, this book is ideal for new readers to discover the series before going back to read the “history” of Twig, Rook and Quint.

Packed with incredible illustrations from Chris Riddell, this is a wonderfully funny, moving and utterly inventive book.

My review: 5 stars

Plot: Were do I even start?! This final book surpassed my expectations. Stewart weaves in pieces from the original nine books, leaving a true fan (such as myself) tearing up at the little mentions of the past stories. The actions keeps you interested all the way until the end, even creating a sort of "false ending" 100 pages until the actual end.

Characters: Nate is a new character, having not been born in any of the previous trilogies. We learn about his life and are swept up into his adventures with Eudoxia and the others, and follow them until the end.

Setting: I LOVED the return of Riverrise and Sanctaphrax! While they were not the same as they were in the previous books, they were still sentimental scenes that made me cry like a baby.

Overall: This book is my new favorite book. It elegantly brought in a new story while wrapping up the loose ends of the other books. The ending shocked me, but it was an amazing ending that couldn't have been more perfectly done. Paul Stewart is an author that is not well-known, but he knows what he's doing and is one of my favorite authors.
 
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