Book Review: Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmoore: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate longs to escape her embarrassing family and run off to India with her single aunt.  Her one wish before she leaves is to stay at Blackmoore, the country house of her two best friends.  An opportunity to visit arises at last, but with a terrible cost.  She must secure and refuse three proposals while visiting in order to travel onto India.  It's a hard task considering Kate has no idea how to flirt and there is one man at Blackmoore that she would rather say yes to than refuse....

I give this book 3.5 stars.  I would have given it a much higher rating, but I was unsatisfied with the ending.  Normally that isn't  such a big deal to me, but knowing her other books and how well she summed them up, I expected the same for this one.  It wasn't a bad ending, just lacking in information.  The book is fun, clean, and romantic.  A good "get away from it all" read.  I will definitely read and probably purchase more books from this author.


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Book Review: Lucid by Adrienne Stolz and Ron Bass

Lucid by Adrienne Stoltz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sloane and Maggie are two teenage girls who couldn't be more different in appearance and personality.  They share a terrible secret and know everything about one other despite never meeting or speaking face to face.  At night, they dream that they are each other.  Which girl and life is real and which is the dream?

I loved the premise and overall concept of this book.  The chapters alternate between each girl's life (or dream) as they try to navigate through school, boys, jobs, family, and the horrible realization that one of them isn't real.  After a couple of chapters of each girl's story, I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down.  I haven't read a book this fast in a long time.  Fair warning:  the ending is not completely cut and dry, so don't expect to have all the answers.  It didn't bother me, but I know it can really annoy some people.  The language and sexual references (no scenes, just discussions and innuendos) are about the equivalent of a PG-13 movie, so I wouldn't recommend this for younger teens/kids to read.  Fascinating book and a great book club discussion choice.



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Book Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Read this for book club, it was great for discussion and I learned a lot about myself and how much being an extrovert or introvert affect your life.  It was very academic at first, and although the information was interesting, if you've had a long day, it could put you to sleep...not saying it did that to me or anything.  The second half of the book was a lot more real world application, I really enjoyed it.  I especially liked the chapters about relationships and raising children that are the opposite of your own personality.  There are so many facets to being an introvert or extrovert and I didn't realize how much of an introvert I am.  I love being with other people, just in smaller groups.  Fascinating book.



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Book Review: The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith

The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I think this is the last book in this series, but I'm not 100% on that.  I have loved reading the Isabel Dalhousie "Sunday Philosophy Club" series throughout the years.  In true Alexander McCall Smith fashion, this book is slow, steady and doesn't always give all the answers.  It does provide plenty of things to ponder, such as the proper time to teach children academics or how best to negotiate with disapproving parents or what is the best way to solve an art theft...particularly when the thief might be the owner's own child.  Isabel seems to find a way to help all of those around her by meddling in everyone's lives, whether they ask for it or not.  The Scottish countryside and dear Edinburgh are always featured, along with a healthy dose of Auden's poetry. It's best to start these books at the beginning, but they can be read alone, as it does follow Isabel's life from single divorcee to mother and wife.



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Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The night circus shows up in various towns without warning and leaves just as quickly.  The tents and performers are stunning in their black and white themed show, leaving patrons all over the world wondering where the circus will spring up next.  Inside the circus are a cast of characters and managers who are all part of a bigger picture: a game set up by two masters of magic.  Each has a protegee that he must guide to defeat the other.  The only problem is the two protegees are falling in love with each other...

I loved this book!  The imagery, the characters, the storyline, all seemed very original and vibrant as you read along.  I've never really read anything like it and will probably reread this book again someday.  Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy and/or Victorian novel.  A warning though: the book skips around a lot and can be confusing if you don't pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter.



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Book Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The saga continues in Victorian England.  Tessa, Jem, and Will, along with the rest of the Shadowhunters at the London Institute are preparing for the wedding, but keeping a close eye out for Mortiman, who seems to be biding his time.  They know he wants Tessa for his own evil scheme, but to what end?  There is the problem of the Gideon brothers and where their loyalty lies as well.  Will's sister is insisting on training, much to Will's disapproval.  Charlotte may be set down at the head of the Institute, if the Clave has anything to say about it.  The exciting conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

I really enjoyed this book.  Things wrapped up nicely and I have always liked these characters and time period.  I like this series more than the Mortal Instruments because it isn't as gory, since the demons they are fighting are almost all robotic.  Less blood and guts, more gears and oil.  Glad I stuck this one out, I could see myself reading these again someday.



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Book Review: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is one in a million and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.  The best way I can describe it is a cross between Monty Python, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and classic literature.  Someone has stolen the original manuscript of "Jane Eyre" and is starting to change the beloved story.  If a change is made in the original, than all other books are affected accordingly.  It's up to the Literary Detection team to stop this heinous crime.  This book is all over the place and you have to stay on your toes to figure out where (and when) Detective Thursday Next is going....well, next.  My favorite character in this first book is Thursday's father.  I think he is hilarious and hope he plays a more prominent role in the series. 



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Book Review: The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jack lives an unremarkable life in an unremarkable town until one day he forgets to take his daily medication.  All of a sudden, he is faster and stronger and more alert than he has even been in his life.  As he eventually learns, Jack is one of the last of the warriors, destined to fight for wizards in a tournament to the death.  With the help of a very dynamic and persuasive "aunt", a teacher/coach, and a couple of loyal friends, Jack tries everything he can to train for the upcoming battle...and to survive high school.

Fun, easy read and I really enjoyed the idea behind this series.  It dragged on a bit in the middle, but I am assuming with each new installment in the series, you will learn more about this wizarding/warrior world.  Fun book for preteen and teens.



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Book Review: I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer by Emily Watts

I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer: A Fitness Program for the Soul by Emily Watts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this little book.  I have read some of her parenting books and loved them and this was just as good.  The author has a way to make you laugh and still help you feel motivated and uplifted all at the same time.  I love her view of life and her way with words.  Highly recommend this to anyone who needs a little boost of motivation and/or spiritual enlightenment.



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Book Review: Palace of Stone (Princess Academy #2) by Shannon Hale

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I loved the first book in this series and this one was a typical 2nd installment.  I enjoyed reading about the characters again and liked the descriptions of Miri seeing a large city and all of it's comings and goings for the first time.  The story itself was a little flat for me.  I am hoping the third book will pick things back up and conclude nicely.  If you liked the first book and wish to continue with the series, you will probably like it enough to keep reading like me.  If you didn't like the first book, then don't bother.



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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Major Pettigrew is a widower who loves to do things the traditional way.  When he strikes up an unlikely friendship and eventual romance with Mrs. Ali, it is sure to stir things up a big in their small England village.  Between the local country club, the gossiping ladies, family traditions, and wearisome adult children, how can these two star-crossed lovers even think of being together? 

Loved this book and the characters.  Had some slower parts, but the overall storyline and some of the hilarious situations this poor retired Major has to go through are well worth the read.  The country club party scene is my absolute favorite, I laughed out loud several times.  Lots to talk about in this book, a great book club read or just to read on your own.



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Disney DIY Autograph Book

We recently returned from our very successful and incredibly fun trip to Disneyland!  My boys had so much fun and we are already talking about when we can go back again.  I knew my oldest would probably really enjoy meeting some of the characters and getting their autographs, so before we left on our trip, I purchased a standard sketch book from Joann's in their art supplies section.  It was less than $10 and I probably used a coupon.  I liked this particular sketch book because it was spiral bound for easy page turning and page removal if needed, had a nice hard cover that could withstand being shoved into bags and strollers, and it was a good size for attaching 4x6 pictures to the opposite pages of our autographs.

I used my Silhouette to cut out the word in white vinyl.  The font is Waltograph and can be downloaded HERE, free for personal use.

 While waiting in line for our turn with the character, we would choose the page we wanted them to sign.  I brought along a retractable Sharpie marker.  It was nice not to have to worry about a pen cap and the characters usually have on thick gloves, so a bigger writing utensil is easier for them to manage.  (The Princesses don't have as hard of a time signing, but as you can imagine, my boys weren't terribly interested in seeing any of them.)

Here's Pluto signing our book.  He had the hardest time signing anything due to his large nose.

 After the character signs your book, you can pose for a picture or two.

After we arrived home, I printed off all of our character photos and glued them into the book next to the signature.  The boys love to look through it.  We probably only got a dozen signatures and there are lots more pages in our book.  We are thinking of adding to it throughout the years.  We will add to our autographs with new characters' signatures, but will probably get some of our favorites, like Mickey Mouse, again too.  We can compare how much the boys have grown and have a wonderful book of memories for our family to look back on in between visits.

We Love Disneyland!

Book Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Reached by Ally Condie

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The concluding book in the three part Matched series.  I loved the first book and found it very entertaining and interesting.  The second book was a filler book if there ever was one.  This final book just petered out the story, although it did have a nice, complete conclusion.  The characters all seemed very hollow, not real or dynamic in my opinion.  The story itself was lackluster and I found myself bored and only reading to just find out what happened to everybody in the end.  The prose of the book was very lovely and there were some moments that were profound and even pretty, but the story was so weak that it wasn't enough to make up for it.  Glad I read the first one, wished it hadn't been made into a series so I could have enjoyed the beginning, untainted.



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The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Kate has been chosen by Hades (Henry) to save the world.  She must pass a series of tests in order to save her dying mother, and in turn, perhaps save Henry and the Underworld too.  The only problem is that someone is trying to make sure that Kate not only fails the tests but will die trying.

The premise of this book had such promise, I loved the idea and the opening characters were really good.  As the book went on, the plot became more and more flimsy until it kind of unraveled in your lap.  A good effort, just not enough substance there to keep me engaged in the end.  Don't think I'll keep reading these.



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Book Review: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Once again Percy, Annabeth, and their demigod friends are out to save the world from utter destruction.  Can they stop Gaea in time from fully waking and raising her giant army? Can the Roman and Greek demigods function together and work as a team?  Aboard their trusty air ship, the Argo II, the prophecy of the seven begins to unfold....

I loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series.  The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is that it wasn't quite as gripping to me as some of Riordan's others.  It seems to be the plight of the "middle of the series" books.  It's really hard not to have them come across as fillers for the books before and after them.  The plot did move along and we are making progress on their quest, but there wasn't a twist in this one like I have grown to expect.  Maybe there will be a double twist in the next installment to make up for it.  And I was completely wrong in my guess about how Hazel and Leo are connected.  There may be more to the story though, we'll see.  Can't believe we have to wait a year for the next book!



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Book Review: The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The stories of four women during the Masada massacre in 70 C.E.  According to history, only two women and five children survived the Roman attack.  This is a fictional story from the Dovekeepers' point of view of how the events leading up to that horrific day took place.

I liked the descriptions and some of the relationships between characters.  I had a hard time connecting with any of the women though, they just didn't seem like real people to me.  It was graphic at times and littered with scenes of these "bold, resourceful, and sensuous" women in situations I just simply could not believe, at that time period, they would have acted that way.  It was almost like the author took the ideal modern version of today's woman and threw her into the 70 C.E. world.  I can see some of them being bold in life threatening situations and definitely resourceful... you had to be back then to survive.  The sensuous vibe was just too much, not realistic at all and created a disconnect with me as a reader.  It made the characters more fictional to me than real life.

I did enjoy the cultural references, descriptions were vivid and clear, and there were a few aspects of the story that I really enjoyed. 2.5 stars, not really interested in reading more from this author unless I get a recommendation from a friend.



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Book Review: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Before he became Santa Claus, his name was Nicholas St. North—a daredevil swordsman without a care in the world. St. North eventually ends up seeking treasure at the legendary city of Santoff Claussen and the home of the wizard, Ombric Shalazar. But when North arrives, legends of riches have been driven away by terror and nightmares.  Can St. North save the day and find the other Guardians in time?

This was a fantastic book for kids.  I loved the illustrations and the side stories.  It was original and lots of fun.  I love the idea of Santa Claus having a past and eventually becoming who we know him as today.  I'm excited to read the other installments and will perhaps see the movie that is coming out this fall.



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Book Review: The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew

The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


It's the 1950's in Charlotte, NC and 13 year old Jubie and her family (minus her father and plus their black maid Mary) are on their way to Florida for a family vacation.  On their way, Jubie takes note of increase in segregation and hostilities towards Mary, whom Jubie adores.  The trip does not end well, as manifested in the first couple of chapters, the rest of the book being a flash back of incidences that occur to their family down in Florida and on their way back home. 

I did not like this book at all.  The characters fell flat for me, everyone being one dimensional in their personalities.  Mary was a saint, the dad was a monster, the mom was a complainer, etc.  The book jumped around so much at the end, I didn't know what was the point of all the incidences after they drove through Georgia.  It all seemed a bit far fetched that all of those things (funeral, business law suits, suicide, divorce, etc) would happen so closely together and resulting in the conclusion of the book.  I was told this book was like "The Help", which I loved, and it didn't even come close in my opinion.  I don't object to a sad book that deals with tough issues, but I didn't really see the point in this one.



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Book Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jacinda is a draki, a dragon that can change into human form, and there are very few of her kind left on the earth. They are hunted mercilessly and, due to a mistake on Jacinda's part, she and her mother and sister must go into hiding in the human world.  Jacinda is not happy hiding out, but finds solace and romance with Will, a boy that turns out to be the one person she should definitely not fall in love with, for Will is a draki hunter.

I didn't think I would like this book so much by reading the excerpt, assuming it was just another forbidden love/Romeo and Juliet/Twilight copy cat.  It did have those elements at times, but the draki idea was a fresh concept and the author does a good job of describing being a dragon, the feeling of flying, and how much it means to Jacinda.  I could have done with a lot less of the love sick teenager monologue in the middle of the book, and Jacinda's mom really bugged me, but the ending picking things back up for me and I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Jacinda and Will in the upcoming series.  



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Book Review: The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Wow, this book really has me torn, but I'm going with the lower star rating because I thought the ending was just so ridiculous that I may have exclaimed out loud, "You have got to be kidding me!  That is the lamest ending EVER!"  I shouldn't say it was the "ending" that was the bad part.  The last chapter of the book was pretty good, but it was the final clue to solving the entire mystery that was so ridiculous.  Sorry, didn't work for me and I can't say more without spoiling it for everyone.  I'm sure there are plenty that disagree, but it just didn't add up at all in my mind.

Jocelyn's twin brother was recently killed and she is devastated.  Suddenly, she starts receiving communication from him, in a way that only she and Jack knew about.  Did her brother fake his own death?  Jocelyn must know the truth.  She is led down memory lane of her and Jack's crazy and sometimes horrific childhood through the foster care system, making her way through each stop by clues that Jack has supposedly left for her to find.  With the help of their childhood friend, Noah, can Jocelyn solve the mystery and find Jack at last?  

Read it for yourself to see if you agree with me on the mystery of Jack's disappearance.  The writing was good and the story moved along.  Some of their childhood memories were a bit much for me, so many sad things happened to them!  I did enjoy the puzzles that Jocelyn and Noah had to solve, some were pretty clever.  That was probably the only thing that really saved me from completely hating the book.



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