September 2013 - Library of Clean Reads

Monday, September 30, 2013

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Shadow Mountain
ISBN: 978-1609074609
Published Sept 9, 2013
Trade paperback, 320 pages

I thoroughly enjoyed this Gothic regency romance and was swept away into this story with its unusual heroine. Kate Worthington grew up with her childhood friends Sylvia and Henry Delafield, who are from a well-to-do family. They have a stately manor named Blackmoore on the cliffs above the seashore where they spend their summers and where Kate has longed to go but has never been allowed because the Delafields do not approve of her family. When Kate becomes a young lady, she finally gets to visit Blackmoore, and all her longings unravel as she struggles to protect the man she loves.

The story alternates between the present and the past (4 years previous) as Kate's story comes to light and the mystery of why she is so adamant about not marrying is revealed. We also get to know exactly why the Delafields disapprove of her family. I must say that this built suspense and kept me turning the pages. There were a few twists and turns in the story. The dialogue is witty and propels the story along beautifully. This is not a typical romance but a proper Austenesque-like one where the tension builds between the two characters until I was so emotionally invested I couldn't put the book down. It's the best kind of romance. Full of real emotions, situations and circumstances. It's sexy without the sex.

Kate is a strong independent character. She is different and I never knew what to expect from her. She dreams of going away to India with her aunt. She is willing to sacrifice for the one she loves. Henry is a strong character too, with good principles and a certain subtle vulnerability the only enhanced his good character and manliness, if that makes sense. I loved how well the author built up these main characters. I loved their scenes together, past and present, which made me understand the extent of their relationship and what it was built on.

Now that I've read this book, I really look forward to reading Edenbrooke, also by this author. If you like a clean but tension-filled Regency romantic drama, this one is sure to please. I can't wait to see what else this author will come up with!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
To read more reviews, visit the Shadow Mountain tour page.

About the author:
Julianne Donaldson grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She learned how to ski in the Italian Alps, visited East Berlin before the wall came down, and spent three years living next to a 500-year-old castle. After earning a degree in English, she turned her attention to writing about distant times and places. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

Connect with Julianne on Facebook.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Shadow Mountain for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Sept 30 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Since our September hostess has been MIA, MM is being hosted here: Beauty in Ruins. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

For Review:

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren (Last book in this trilogy)

For Cora Kensington, the Grand Tour was to be the trip of a lifetime. She discovered the family she never knew she had, and may have even found the love she longs for in Will. And yet her life has just become infinitely more challenging …

Hounded by journalists chasing the beguiling story of the newest American heiress, Cora fights to remain true to her past, reconcile her present, and still embrace her future. But as Will struggles with her newfound wealth, she begins to wonder if their love is strong enough to withstand all that threatens to pull them apart.

Complicating matters is the stubborn pursuit of Pierre de Richelieu and the increased demands on her time and attention. Cora must stand up for what she believes—regardless of how that might challenge current family and cultural norms—in order to remain true to who she really is.

And as she glimpses the end of the tour, Cora knows it’s time to decide Who and what defines her … and who and what does not.

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given

On some days, seven-year old Julie feels like she’s living in a Fun House. Hers is a topsy-turvy world where the toaster sprouts a toothbrush, and a watermelon gets dressed up in pink underpants for Fourth of July! But on other days, Julie struggles with understanding why her Halloween trick-or-treating got cancelled, or why Grandma can’t remember her name. Julie is struggling with understanding her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s disease.

Authors Max Wallack and Carolyn Given believe that no child is too young to learn about this disease, or how to participate in providing safe care for their loved one. Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? is a sensitive, light-hearted children’s story that seamlessly provides its young readers with a toolbox to help them overcome their fears and frustrations. It shares easy-to-understand explanations of what happens inside the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, how to cope with gradual memory loss, with a missed holiday, or even a missing Grandma!

Bought:

Because it is my Blood by Gabrielle Zevin (audio book)

Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Received as a Gift:

Kathy at BermudaOnion kindly sent me this gift audio book to share with my kids. Thanks again, Kathy!

Matilda by Roald Dahl (audio book)

“The Trunchbull” is no match for Matilda!

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
The Best of Daughters Dilly Court (historical fiction)
Maggie's Island: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner (reviewed by Sandra)
Scare Scape by Sam Fisher (middle grade)

Currently Reading:
The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Kid Konnection: Scare Scape by Sam Fisher

Scare Scape by Sam Fisher
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0545521604
Published August 27, 2013
Hardcover, 352 pages
Ages 8-12

Morgan, his two siblings (a brother and teen sister) and their father move into an immense old house that is falling apart. Right from the beginning we could see how the kids miss their mom who has died and are still grieving. Morgan loves the house, especially after finding out it once belonged to the man who wrote the stories in Scare Scape, a comic series featuring horrible monsters that Morgan collects and loves to read.

Soon after, Morgan finds a gargoyle buried in his yard with a message on it stating they can each make a wish. Morgan and his siblings each make a wish and soon they find that what they wished for is linked to dark magic and therefore horrific things start happening.

Sam Fisher is a great writer. This book was very suspenseful and kept me and my son in anticipation. It also creeped us out. But more on that later. Fisher's portrayal of the three siblings and their relationship to each other was right on. No surprise there since he's a father of three kids. My son and I chuckled at some of the scenes between them because it made us think of the squabbles between my son and his sister.

We liked how, despite their differences, the siblings worked together to get themselves out of their predicament. And in the end it solidified their bond. The characters are flawed but likable and Morgan was a kid my son could relate to. Despite all this, this book had some gruesome scenes in it, and my son was scared to sleep alone in his room at night. I have to admit to skipping through some scenes for this reason. Also, we don't read books that includes black magic and this made us uncomfortable, although the story's message is clear that black magic is bad and should not be fooled around with.

The book includes a fully illustrated Monster Deck (a description of each of the monster creatures) which we only skimmed. Some were actually cool creatures with the ability to do extraordinary things but others were just plain demonic and we skipped them. My son and I are not a fan of horror, and although we liked the story, the suspense, and the way the author wrote, we certainly did not like the paranormal elements. And we don't encourage toys, books or games that feature the occult or demonic as entertaining.

Note: This book is rated P = Paranormal elements.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to Scholastic for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Maggie's Island: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner

Maggie’s Island: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner
CreateSpace Independent Publishing
ISBN: 9781466235199

Published Oct 16, 2011
Trade Paperback, 216 pages

Maggie McGill, psychologist, artist and amateur sleuth is back in her home town of Costa Mira, Florida in this fourth of a series of Maggie McGill mysteries. While on a beach walk Maggie meets tall, handsome blue-eyed Brit Timothy. There is a mutual attraction and they meet for an enjoyable lunch. Days go by with no word from Timothy. When he gets beaten up, stranded on nearby Manatee Island and begs for Maggie’s help, she realizes a mystery is swirling around him. Who is he really?

In this book we are reconnected with several familiar characters from the previous books, including Pascal, Maggie’s charming, French, art gallery owner. As well, the reader is treated to more of the warm, loving relationship between Maggie and her photographer daughter, Allie. Both Maggie and Allie are intelligent, strong, resourceful women, but it will take all of their strength, courage and wit to survive as the danger around them intensifies.

I loved the descriptions of the beaches, the warm sub-tropical climate, the beautiful sunsets, the animals and birds of Florida. “Sandpipers and sanderlings scuttled at the water’s edge, playing tag with each foamy wave, daring the waves to touch their tiny feet. The waves continued the contest but never won. The birds reminded Maggie of old-fashioned ladies going about their household chores.” Sharon Burch Toner delights the reader with her elegant writing!

I highly recommend this delightful, clean, light-hearted mystery.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Sandra

Disclosure: Thanks to Sharon Burch Toner for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Best of Daughters by Dilly Court

The Best of Daughters by Dilly Court
Arrow Books
ISBN: 978-0099562580
Published March 18, 2013
Mass Market, 448 pages (includes excerpt of The Workhouse Girl)

Last week I reviewed The Lady's Maid by Dilly Court which I truly enjoyed. (Read my review.) I liked The Best of Daughters even more. It takes place between 1912 and 1917 during the first World War years that signalled so much change in society, from the role of women to the class status. In many ways it reminded me of Downton Abbey.

Daisy Lennox grew up in a privileged household but she longs for more in life than just to be married and to become the lady of the house entertaining social events. When her father's business faces ruin, her family is forced to move to the country. Daisy eventually becomes engaged to her childhood friend, Rupert, a wealthy man with status, but she feels stifled from all the social obligations her new role will entail. Just before they are to marry, war is declared and Rupert who enlisted is now fighting. Daisy takes matters into her own hands and joins the FANYs, an organization of brave women who gave up their comfortable lives and were trained to help nurse the injured soldiers right in the midst of the battlefields.

Once again, Court entertained me right from the first page down to the last. The story is full of action and memorable characters brought to life through Court's deft penmanship and stirring dialogue. Daisy is a great character, vulnerable and struggling to find her place in her world, but courageous, bold and patiently striving to attain it. I love how Court developed her character from a naive young woman to one who experiences the horrors of war and comes out a mature and determined woman who makes the most of her experiences to pave the way for women who are strong and who work for a better society.

There are twists and turns in the plot and Court kept me guessing as to what would happen to the characters. Nothing was ever predictable or boring. The characters are flawed but likable and they seemed very real to me. I could very well see this story turned into a BBC mini-series.

If you like stories set in the Edwardian era, with strong female characters and a great plot, you will definitely love this one. Dilly Court is now one of my favourite authors.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
To read more reviews, please visit the TLC Book Tour page.
To find out more about this book, visit Great British Reads.

About the author:

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband.

Dilly is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author in the UK, where she has sold over a million books to date. Her books have this year been released for the first time as ebooks in the United States. Print and e-editions are available in Canada and Australia.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Mailbox Monday, and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Sept 23 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Yolanda at Notorious Spinks Talks is hosting for the month of September, but she seems to be missing in action. Anyone else hosting? (Update: MM is being hosted here: Beauty in Ruins)You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

For Review:

Danny's Doodles: The Jellybean Experiment by David A. Adler

Here's a fact: My new friend Calvin Waffle is 100% Weird

Danny Cohen and Calvin Waffle are two very different kids. Danny likes playing baseball; Calvin enjoys strange experiments. Danny follows the rules at school; Calvin tries to drive his teacher crazy.

Danny and Calvin decide to team up for the big jelly bean experiment. Will it lead to trouble? Maybe. Will they have fun trying? You can count on it.

The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole by Eric Pierpoint

"I need you to be strong."

Caleb O'Toole could hear his mother's last words as clearly as if she was sitting right next to him. He promised her he'd keep his sisters safe. But safety is over a thousand miles away in the rugged Bitteroot Mountains—past dust-choked deserts and thorny tumbleweeds and as sun so hot, it's hard to breathe. Tornadoes and hungry wolves wait for them on the path ahead. But with the infamous Blackstone Gang hot on their trail, Caleb has no choice but to keep going. There's no telling how far the gang will go to keep their latest murder a secret. And Caleb is the number one witness to their crime.

Caleb O'Toole can hear his mother's last words: "I need you to be strong." and he can't let her down.

Bought on sale:

Volition by Lee Strauss (Perception trilogy Book Two)

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.
They're in love.

Or at least that's what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike--thin and fleeting. Her heart can't be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen's new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.

CONTRITION, the final installment, is coming September 26th, 2013.

Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Possession by Elana Johnson

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Core: The Trainer's Inside Guide to Your Workout by Hollis Lance Liebman

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Mr. Monk Helps Himself by Hy Conrad (Sandra's review)
The Lady's Maid by Dilly Court

Bookish Post:
Interview with Hy Conrad, author of Mr. Monk Helps Himself

Currently Reading:
The Best of Daughters by Dilly Court (entertaining)

Listening to:
Shadows of Glass by Kassy Tayler (very good so far)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Lady's Maid by Dilly Court

The Lady's Maid by Dilly Court
Arrow Books
ISBN: 978-0099562566
Published Oct 15, 2012
Mass Market Paperback, 512 pages (includes an extract of The Best of Daughters)

I thoroughly enjoyed Dilly Court's The Lady's Maid, which captivated my interest from the first to the last page. Kate and Josie were born on the same night and because of circumstances were raised in societies far different from their mothers who were forced to give them up at birth. Kate is a servant and has known only poverty in her life, but she is kind and optimistic. Josie grows up a spoiled girl having known only luxury and privilege. These two girls grow up together and both face different hardships until the circumstances of their birth is revealed and it changes their lives.

Court has built believable and memorable characters in this novel. I liked both the main characters although at times I wanted to smack Josie. Although this is a character-driven story, there is a lot of action. The story is never boring. There is always something happening in the lives of these girls. I felt Kate's desperation and Josie's too, but the way the two of them handled it showed their true characters. Josie was impulsive and conniving to get her way, whereas Kate put others ahead of herself even in dire situations. Sometimes I thought Kate was too good, too perfect.

I went through a range of emotions as I read this book. Court deals with poverty, death, courtship, betrayal, friendships, injustice and family issues. Although there is romance, this is not the main focus of the story, but rather the lives of two girls whose lives are entwined more than they know. Another character that I really liked was Boy and I wished he would have played a bigger role in the story.

I couldn't help thinking that this book reminded me of those I've read by Victoria Holt and Catherine Cookson. Dilly Court is certainly in the same league as these authors. What's more, her novel is squeaky clean. For lovers of Regency historical fiction, this one is a winner.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
To read more reviews, please visit the TLC Book Tour page.
To find out more about this book, visit Great British Reads.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Interview with Hy Conrad, author of Mr. Monk Helps Himself

Yesterday I posted my review of Mr. Monk Helps Himself by Hy Conrad. (You can read my review here.) Today, Hy Conrad joins me, Sandra, as I ask him a few questions about this funny and entertaining mystery novel.

Please help me welcome Hy Conrad to Library of Clean Reads!

LCR: Where did you get some of the elements in Mr. Monk Helps Himself--specifically the Poop Store?

HC: I can’t take credit – or blame – for the Poop Store. That was the creation of Lee Goldberg, the writer who did the first fifteen Monk novels. When I took over the series, I did my best to make it feel seamless, which included taking over some of the new characters Lee had introduced, specifically Ellen and Yuki, his brother’s new wife. (FYI, at some point I’m going run out of poop jokes.)

If the series goes on long enough, I’m sure I’ll put more of my own stamp on Monk’s world. Luther, Monk’s emergency driver, will probably pop up more often as will Tony Rassigio, the owner of the only restaurant Monk will patronize. I would love to give Monk a recurring love interest who is borderline bad; everyone knows that she’s done some illegal stuff, but Monk has a blind spot. He can’t see it.

LCR: Monk isn't particularly funny in my estimation. In fact, he's a bit of a pain with all his phobias, but this is a very funny book. You obviously have a sense of humour; do you see yourself as a humourous person?

HC: Let me address your first comment first. Tony Shalhoub is a very funny man and he made the viewer laugh and sympathize with Monk more than the printed word might allow. When I was given the job of putting Monk into book form, I found, as you did, that without Tony to interpret him, the poor guy could be annoying. My way of dealing with it is not to try for comedy from Monk’s behavior but from people’s reactions to his behavior, particularly Natalie. She has some sarcasm to her that the TV version didn’t, specifically to help lighten the mood.

As for my own experience with humor, I was hired as the ‘mystery guy’ for the TV series and put in a room full of comedy pros who had no mystery experience. We had writers from “SNL”, Letterman, Leno, “30 Rock”, as well as guest writers from “The Simpsons”, etc. They learned a little from me, and I learned a lot from them: how to craft a comedy scene; how to word a joke. As a result, yes, I do think I’m funny. If you want more proof, go check out my 2012 book of dog humor, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know.

LCR: Yes, I've read that book, and it was very funny! Now, what kind of books do you read and do you have a favourite?

HC: I don’t read many mysteries, although I always buy the new Carl Hiaasen, just for old times’ sake. Right now I’m reading A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers, a great novel.

As far as non-fiction goes, I like social history – how people lived and thought and interacted. I’ll pick up anything by Bill Bryson, a great writer. Two favorites, At Home, about how home life evolved into what it is today and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, about growing up in America in the 1950s.

LCR: What is your favourite animal and do you have a pet?

HC: I refer you to answer 2, last sentence. I’m a dog lover. Because of my allergies, we’ve always had the hypoallergenic miniature Schnauzer. We keep two at a time and are into our third rotation.

As I write this, Nelson and Stella are out roaming the woods around our Vermont property, wearing GPS collars. That’s a collar with a power pack and an antenna. When I check my handheld, I can tell exactly where they are. Last year, when old Charlie was still alive, he used to wander as far as a half mile away, usually in search of deer droppings. Then I would take the handheld, get into the truck and bump my way over old logging roads, shouting his name. It was a game we used to like to play.

LCR: Thanks, Hy, for stopping by and chatting with me!

Sandra

Monday, September 16, 2013

Mr. Monk Helps Himself by Hy Conrad

Mr. Monk Helps Himself by Hy Conrad
Penguin USA
ISBN: 978-0451240934
Published: June 4, 2013
Hardcover, 286 pages

I was prepared to be entertained upon receiving this book and I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve read two of Hy Conrad’s books, What Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know and Rally Round the Corpse, both of which were very enjoyable, so I knew that I was in for a treat once again.

Adrian Monk is a brilliant investigator, a consulting detective for the San Francisco police department. He also has an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that sometimes threatens to overwhelm him. Fortunately, he is ably assisted by his side-kick and business partner, Natalie, currently studying for her PI license. This book is about how Monk and Natalie help the SFPD solve a couple of crimes, one of which involves the murder of a clown – despite Monk’s fear of clowns – number ninety-nine on his list of one hundred phobias!

This is funny, highly entertaining reading. Natalie is the narrator and at one point says, “Just last week, he (Monk) was watching Animal Planet and discovered his horrific fear of aardvarks. I don’t know why this didn’t come up years ago, especially since it’s probably the first fear in the alphabet. But, in order to accommodate aardvarks, he had to lump together spiders and insects, even though spiders are not technically insects.” The police captain who is well aware of Monk’s phobias says, “I didn’t think his clown thing was so bad. Isn’t it like one hundred on his list?” “It used to be. Now it’s ninety-nine. Aardvarks is the new one hundred,” responds Natalie. This is an example of the witty dialogue throughout the book. There are accurate descriptions of San Francisco (I recognized some of the areas) and a logical, clever resolution to the crimes.

I highly recommend this funny, clean, quirky whodunit.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Sandra

Disclosure: Thanks to Teddy Rose from Virtual Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Sept 16 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Yolanda at Notorious Spinks Talks is hosting for the month of September. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

Review books:

The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter from the nation's capital. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, and courageous, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.

The Fire by John A. Heldt

When Kevin Johnson, 22, goes to Wallace, Idaho, days after his college graduation, he expects to find rest and relaxation as his family prepares his deceased grandfather's house for sale. Then he discovers a hidden diary and a time portal that can take him to 1910, the year of Halley's comet and the largest wildfire in U.S. history. Within hours, Kevin finds himself in the era of horse-drawn wagons, straw hats, and ankle-length dresses. Returning to the same time and place, he decides to travel again and again and make the portal his gateway to summer fun. The adventure takes a more serious turn, however, when the luckless-in-love science major falls for pretty English teacher Sarah Thompson and integrates himself in a community headed for tragedy. Filled with humor, romance, and heartbreak, THE FIRE, the sequel to THE JOURNEY, follows a conflicted soul through a life-changing journey as he makes his mark on a world he was never meant to see.

Mr. Nice Spy by Jordan McCollum (Prequel to I, Spy)

Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. CIA operative Elliott Monteith has made it work, just like he’s made things work with his longtime fiancée Shanna. Until Shanna lays out an ultimatum: move forward or move on. Meanwhile, Elliott and his best friend and fellow operative, Talia Reynolds, try to track an elusive leak at the American embassy.

But something changes between Elliott and Talia as they close in on the man selling out his country. Professional and personal lines blur and Elliott has to choose—his fiancée or his best friend.

Audiobook for review:

Shadows of Glass by Kassy Tayler (Ashes Trilogy #2)

Wren’s world has changed. The thing that she fought for, escaping the dome has come to fruition, but it’s not the paradise she thought it would be. Most of the shiners have died, and according to James, she is to blame for many of the deaths, a burden which sits heavy on her shoulders. Still some have survived and Wren is determined to keep them safe as they fight to establish a home outside while hiding from the rovers who have weapons that can kill from far away. But as long as she has Pace she knows everything will be fine. Still Wren wonders, as she sees the smoke that continually pours forth from the dome, how did her friends inside fare? Will they ever find out if Lucy, David, Jill, and Harry, along with Pace’s mother survive the explosions?

Meanwhile, someone else has also seen the smoke. A band of explorers from across the sea arrive in an airship, curious about the dome, and offering help to those who survive. When Wren meets the handsome Levi Addison, she suddenly questions her love for Pace as Levi offers to show her the world from his airship. Does she really love Pace? Or was it just the circumstances that made her think she did? Meanwhile, word arrives from inside via Pip, and Wren is forced to go back inside the dome, a thing that terrifies her more than anything else, to save her friends. Once she’s back inside, will she be able to escape again?

Book Won:

I won this book from Laurel-Snow at Curl Up and Read! Thank you!

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Only a few years before becoming a famous silent-film star and an icon of her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita, Kansas, to study with the prestigious Denishawn School of Dancing in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone, who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle, a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip, has no idea what she’s in for. Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous black bob with blunt bangs, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will transform their lives forever.

For Cora, the city holds the promise of discovery that might answer the question at the core of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in this strange and bustling place she embarks on a mission of her own. And while what she finds isn’t what she anticipated, she is liberated in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of Cora’s relationship with Louise, her eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Can't and Able by Cynthia Fabian (children's fiction)
The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick (review by Sandra)

Currently Reading:
Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren
Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody
Scare Scape by Sam Fisher

Listening to:
Shadows of Glass by Kassy Tayler

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Kid Konnection: Can't and Able by Cynthia Fabian, illustrated by Daniel Stevens

Can't and Able by Cynthia Fabian, illustrated by Daniel Stevens
Strategic Book Publishing
ISBN: 978-1612043272
Published Dec 20, 2012
Softcover, 28 pages

Can't and Able is the story of two stars. Can't is teased by the other stars because he can't seem to shine as bright as they do. Able is an older and more experienced star who shines brightly and laughs at Can't for not being able to. When Can't ends up helping Able who gets hurt by a falling meteor, they both learn life lessons.

My son and I read this book together and although we thought it had a good message, we did not think the story was all that exciting. It was just okay for us. We found it a little wordy and sometimes confusing. It would have needed better editing. Able is introduced as Can't's friend at the beginning of the story but Able is a bully who teases him. Can't is unable to shine brightly “because of a slight defect in his ability to light”. Yet at the end of the story “suddenly, he began to shine brighter than any of the other stars shined.” Did this mean that he no longer had the defect?

The story suggested that if you believe in yourself you will truly be able to shine. However, if Can't had a defect with his lighting, how would believing in himself make him suddenly shine? I understand that metaphorically, one could shine as a person because of one's good actions or qualities no matter what disability they have. However, this did not come out clearly. It would have made more sense to stress Can't's actions as making him shine even though his light is dim and not as bright as the others, especially when the story ends with this sentence: “He was asked to join the Milky Way, where some stars shine brightly and some shine dimly, but where they all make up the light of the Milky Way.” (Italics mine)

The illustrations are very simple and cute with soft pastel colours, but it is hard to distinguish the difference between Can't and Able at times. In summary, this is a cute book with a good message but just an okay read for us.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to Bostick Communications for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402274626
Published: September 3, 2013
Trade Paperback, 576 pages

This is the story of Fulke FitzWarin, outlaw knight of 12th-century England. At 15 years of age he is a personal attendant to the future King John. Following a violent quarrel with John when the King gives the FitzWarin estate to another, Fulke renounces his fealty to the king and becomes an outlaw, a landless man, game to be hunted down like wolves. The hatred between Fulke and John is the main theme of this historical fiction; the secondary theme is Fulke’s recovery of his family’s estate, Whittington and his passionate love for his wife, Maude.

Elizabeth Chadwick is at her best in medieval historical fiction. She takes the reader back to that time by her descriptions of clothes, customs, people, and battles. The description of the kitchen of the Palace of Westminster preparing for a banquet is amazing not only for the amounts of foods but the kinds of foods eaten by people of those times. As well, the lives of young girls and women in medieval times were unenviable. I am still revolted by the idea of fathers “selling off” their daughters to the highest bidder or to cement political alliances. And as for the marital wedding sheet proving a bride’s virginity for all to see – how humiliating! But those were the customs of the times and no one brings them to life quite like Chadwick.

The story could have been told just as well and in fewer pages without detailing Fulke and Maude’s amorous adventures. Religious and other expletives are threaded throughout the story. Despite all of that, however, fans of Elizabeth Chadwick and medieval historical fiction/romance will enjoy this re-release of a book that was previously known as Lords of the White Castle.

Note: This book is rated S = explicit sexual content and P = Profanity for religious and other expletives.

Reviewed by Sandra

Disclosure: Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Mailbox Monday, and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Sept 9 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Yolanda at Notorious Spinks Talks is hosting for the month of September. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

Review books:

Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland (from Sourcebooks)

In the dark, mysterious tombs of Cairo, a thrilling puzzle awaits to be discovered.

Hattie Blackhouse is the daughter of famous Egyptologists who've gone missing at their latest dig site in Thebes. When Hattie arrives to investigate, it becomes clear that something is definitely amiss in the tombs of Cairo. Here, Hattie discovers the tracks of a double agent, working for Napoleon, with secrets buried deeper than the Pharoahs. In a foreign place, where friends can just as easily be enemies, Hattie must find a way to pull the pieces back together—including herself. In the tradition of Lauren Willig and Deanna Raybourn, Daughter of the God-King offers up an engaging, intricate puzzle.

Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers by Deborah Serani (Pump Up Your Book Tour)

Seeing your child suffer in any way is a harrowing experience for any parent. Mental illness in children can be particularly draining due to the mystery surrounding it, and the issue of diagnosis at such a tender age. Depression and Your Child gives parents and caregivers a uniquely textured understanding of pediatric depression, its causes, its symptoms, and its treatments. Serani weaves her own personal experiences of being a depressed child along with her clinical experiences as a psychologist treating depressed children.

Scare Scape by Sam Fisher (from Scholastic)

Three wishes go awry in a middle-grade debut as comical as it is spooky.

Toxic Vapor Worms. Shark Hounds. King-Crab Spiders. Two-Headed Mutant Rodents.

These are just a few of the beasts featured in the pages of Scare Scape, the creepiest comic book around. They are vicious. They are terrifying. They are, luckily, totally made up.

Morton Clay is a huge fan of Scare Scape, so he isn't easily frightened. He's not afraid of the dark, or grossed-out by bugs and slugs. But when Morton and his siblings, James and Melissa, find an old stone statue buried in their yard, they discover that there is good reason to be afraid. . . .

Spooky, funny, and fresh, Sam Fisher's middle-grade debut explores the bonds and rivalries that are unique to siblings . . . even as it revels in monstrous mayhem!

Ultra by David Carroll (from Scholastic)

Keep the legs moving…

keep the legs moving…

“Most people don’t even know why they are out here,” Kern said. “They don’t know if they’re running tosomething, or running from something.” I thought about this for a few moments. “What if someone isn’t doing either?” I asked. “What if he’s, you know, just running?”

Quinn takes on a huge challenge when he enters his first ultra-marathon, the punishing Shin-Kicker 100 — a 24-hour race that will push him to the very limit of his endurance.

A gripping debut novel by ultra-marathon runner David Carroll.

Can't and Able by Cynthia Fabian (from author)

What does it feel like when you just can't do what the other kids, I mean stars, do? Can't kept trying, but he never seemed to shine as brightly as the other stars, and was always teased and bullied by others. Can't feels that he is less than the other stars and just cannot shine. It wasn't until Can't realized he Can, that everything changed for him. Find out how Can't became a hero and ultimately became Can. Able is the star who had it all. Able helps Can't to realize that he can really shine. Connect with Can't, Able, and all the stars that live in their neighborhood and beyond in the star-studded children's book Can't and Able: An Inspirational Story.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Family Tree Book One: Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin (poignant historical middle-grade fiction)
Fierce Beauty: Preserving the World of Wild Cats by Bhagavan Antle

Bookish Posts:
Extra Extra Read All About It! (book news)
My Reading Plans for September 2013

Currently Reading:
Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren
Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Kid Konnection: Family Tree Book One: Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin

Family Tree Book One: Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0545359429
Published: May 2013
Hardcover, 240 pages
Ages: 8-12

My daughter and I didn't quite know what to expect with Ann M. Martin's new Family Tree series. We loved her Babysitters Club books and knew we would be in for a treat. This series is different from The Babysitters Club though. It is a series of four books that brings us four generations of one remarkable family. The family story begins with Abby's, then continues in the next three Family Tree books with Abby's daughter Dana, her granddaughter Francie, and her great-granddaughter Georgia.

So far, we think this new series is better than anything we've read by Martin. In Better to Wish, which is Book One, we are introduced to Abby, a young girl living in the 1930s in a small coastal town in Maine. The story is told from her perspective in the third person, and we watch her grow up from an eight year-old to adulthood. What struck me and my daughter is that Martin doesn't write a lighthearted story, although there are lighthearted moments throughout. Instead she brings alive childhood in the 1930s and deals with serious family issues, such as prejudice, depression, and death.

Martin creates believable characters that we come to care about. There is heartbreak, but there is also wonder and discovery. Once we got to know these characters, we really became invested in the story. Abby is a strong character and she is a good role model for today's youth. She recognized injustice and stood up for what was right, even if she could only do it silently at times.

It was refreshing to read about the life of a young girl growing up in the 1030s and some of the issues she had to deal with. Kids today will be able to relate to Abby even though she lived in a different era. Most middle-grade books do not span a century or several generations in the same family, which is what will make this series cool for kids today—to see how things changed from one generation to the next, including how kids grew up.

I really enjoyed reading this book with my daughter and we look forward to seeing how Abby's story will continue and what will happen to some of the secondary characters. We think this series would be a great addition to school libraries, and I will request this series at my own public library.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura and Daughter

Disclosure: Thanks to Nikole Kritikos from Scholastic Canada for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

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