Afloat - book review

Strange and unusual lights below the water's surface. Unexplained darkness. Mysterious visitors.  All after a huge explosion rocks the foundations of a new development of floating condos.

In the wake of all the mystery, questions keep cropping up.  To stay or to go. Is is even safe to go?  Can Danielle trust developer Tony - her boss that she is having a relationship with?  Or should she trust architect Vance Nolan, with whom she has a strange connection? Who will keep her and son Simeon safe?

Murder, mayhem and mystery reign while all parties work through their own personal demons and explore the spiritual realm.

Check it out....

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com (http://BookSneeze®.com) book review bloggers program. 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 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html) “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stress Test - book review

Dr. Matt Newman is minding his own business, walking from the hospital to his car in a parking garage late one night .... and then everything changes.  Being kidnapped as he leaves work starts off a series of events that are truly bizarre - first he's a victim, frantic to escape his kidnappers. Then he becomes a murder suspect.....not quite sure who is after him, what scheme they might cook up next or if he'll be able to get his life back - or spend the rest of it in jail.

I truly enjoyed this book.  It was very fast reading and held my attention so much that I just about couldn't put it down, especially since I couldn't figure out "who done it" or why!  Yes, it is a based on a doctor and some of the story is in a hospital, but there isn't an overwhelming amount of jargon - certainly less than you'd see on a medical drama on TV. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced mystery novel.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com (http://BookSneeze®.com) book review bloggers program. 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 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html) “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fall Into Reading 2010 wrap-up

Things were pretty crazy through December, what with my earlier than usual Christmas party, the anticipation of the arrival of my newest niece, and then of course, heading home for Christmas.  So, I never did get around to blogging the end of the Fall Into Reading challenge.

My list of books to read was pretty thin in the beginning.  And, truth be told, I didn't read anything on that original list, except to finish the book duo I was reading when I started!  So, without further ado, here is what I read this fall:

Even Now - Karen Kingsbury

Ever After - Karen Kingsbury 

God's Gift - Dee Henderson

Before I Wake - Dee Henderson

The Silent Sea - Clive Cussler

Firestorm - Iris Johansen

Just Beyond the Clouds - Karen Kingsbury 

Three Fates - Nora Roberts

Eight Days to Live - Iris Johanson

Plan B - Johnathan Tropper

Kiss - Ted Dekker & Erin Healey

Black Hills - Nora Roberts

Our Red Hot Romance is Leaving Me Blue - Dixie Cash

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment - Nora Roberts

The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson

Born In Fire - Nora Roberts

Born In Ice - Nora Roberts

Born In Shame - Nora Roberts

Cosmic Christmas - Max Lucado

That Perfect Someone - Johanna Lindsey

Happy Ever After - Nora Roberts      

And yes, that is 23 books in total.  I read fast, so sue me!  (and that brings me to a grand total of 72 books for the year - the most I've read in a single year since I started keeping track in 2007) 

Fall Into Reading 2010

So it is time again for another seasonal reading challenge!  I don't typically have a list of books waiting to be read. Instead I usually find inspiration at the library.  This time, however, I do have several books on my agenda.

Started a book pair this week that I borrowed from my friend Sarah. I've never read any Karen Kingsbury, though she's been recommended to me for years (mostly by my friend Jenny).  The two books are Even Now and Ever After.


A new book in a series that I absolutely love....the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  She has written a graphic novel, The Exile, as a sort of prequel - and told from a different perspective. I'm intrigued by the idea of the new perspective - and interested to try out a new format.  I've flipped through a couple of pages and it is going to be different for sure!!


Got a new cookbook recently as well and it should be fun to read through. Hoping to pick up some tips and tricks and new maybe some new recipes from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything.  

Another book that has been languishing on my bookshelf is The Heart of the Artist by Rory Noland. Our worship minister provided this to those of us who sing on the praise team and I've just never picked it up to read. Maybe I will and maybe I won't between now and Christmas, but it is in the pile.

Why You Say It - book review

 

Why You Say It - The Fascinating Stories Behind over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases

Webb Garrison

(provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of BookSneeze)

I'm always interested in word and phrase origins - kinda reminds me of the old Paul Harvey radio bit "The Rest of the Story." This book lives up to its title by giving background information on many common words and phrases. Knowing the back story makes it more fun to pull out unusual words and phrases - and helps in completing cross-word puzzles! Anyone who is a trivia buff, enjoys the ability to make off-beat, inane or obscure references would love this book. Organized in groups like "Names and Games," "Why Don't Folk Say Precisely What They Mean" and "Action is the Name of the Game" there are definitely a wide range of definitions. 

Like any other encyclopedic book, the reader can't necessarily validate the information, but what is presented is at least interesting and somewhat plausible. Unless you are trying to get to sleep, it is probably not something that you will sit down and read cover-to-cover. But definitely a fun book to keep on the bookshelf and be able to pull out from time to time.
 

Spring Reading Thing 2010 Wrapup

Being the first day of summer, it is time now for the Spring Reading Thing wrap-up. My original post (here) outlines the few books I had on my list.

I made it through most all my books and then a few more. I'm still working on Why You Say It by Webb Garrison (one of my Book Sneeze reviews). I am still a big fan of Sandra Brown - good thing she is a prolific writer!

The most meaningful book I read this season was the Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman. I had heard of the original Five Love Languages book, but hadn't ever read it. This had the same determination quiz, but the stories and recommendations were geared towards singles. Taking the quiz reiterated what I've known for a while about what my love languages are and my parents both took the quiz while I had the book at my house. That enabled us to have a good conversation about how our family operates. More communication is always a good thing!

Hand of Fate - book review

Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

(provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of Book Sneeze)

When the host of a popular Portland, OR radio talk show is murdered, the Triple Threat Club—a federal prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a journalist—must narrow down the lengthy list of suspects who wanted him dead. Jim Fate, a very outspoken and controversial local radio talk show host, dies suddenly while his show, “The Hand of Fate” is on air. The manner of his death causes widespread panic and chaos as the downtown area is evacuated.

FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw and federal prosecutor Allison Pierce, three colleagues who are also good friends, team up to piece together the not-so public life of Jim Fate in order to uncover the stunning truth of who killed him—and why.

I was unfamiliar with Lis Wiehl and her stories, but this book will make her one of my regular reads! I was drawn in to the characters and the story very quickly and was completely surprised with the ending – a very good sign for a mystery. The characters were well written and each had depth that was explored and unveiled throughout the book. Twists and turns along the way as the investigation developed kept me turning the pages faster and faster. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

http://www.liswiehlbooks.com/

Spring Reading Thing 2010

It's time again! The Spring Reading Thing challenge, hosted by Katrina of Callapidder Days.

I don't usually have a *real* list -- I just keep you updated as I go along and make a wrap-up list at the end. Not so this time around.

I recently began doing book reviews for Thomas Nelson -- they send me a book, I read it, write a review on my blog and an online retailer and I get to keep the book. It is great fun since I get to choose the books I read and review.

So, here is my list:

currently reading:
Envy by Sandra Brown
Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman

(library books)
Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown
The Maze by Catherine Coulter
What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Switch by Sandra Brown
Demon Rumm by Sandra Brown

(Book Sneeze review books)
Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl
Why You Say It by Webb Garrison

Plain Pursuit - book review

A Review of Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman

While recovering from a traumatic event in her life, Carley Marek takes a vacation to visit her friend Lillian in Pennsylvania’s Amish community. Carley is more drawn to the Amish community than she expected to be, though is troubled by certain practices that seem to be in conflict with the community’s Christianity.

While Carley is visiting, Lillian’s step-son David becomes very ill. A doctor at the local hospital, Dr. Noah, seems to be very interested in David’s care, but is forbidden by the community to intervene in David’s case. As Carley becomes more involved with Lillian’s family, she is also drawn to Dr. Noah. This places her smack dab in the middle of an issue close to the entire Amish community.

While I expected the book to have a happy ending, I did not expect the plot twists and surprises that are more often found in more suspenseful novels. It was a very easy read and I was pulled into the characters from the first chapter (which encouraged me to devour the book in just one day, even at 300+ pages). I enjoyed the depth to which several characters relationship with God was explored and found that I was able to learn some things about my own relationship along the way.

(a complimentary copy was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of Book Sneeze)

Fall Into Reading Wrapup

So, it is time for the Fall into Reading wrap-up post. Over here I made my original list. It was rather short. But, I don't generally have a large list of want-to reads. I just go to the library, see what I see, and come home with some books.

This fall, I started with books from the public library:

• The Bourne Betrayal by Eric Van Lustbader -- for an author to pick up a series created by another, this is very well done.
• River's End by Nora Roberts
• Hot Ice by Nora Roberts

Then moved to my own personal library:

• The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - a re-read in anticipation of Book 7 in the Outlander series
• Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - a re-read in anticipation of Book 7 in the Outlander series
• An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon -- the NEW book. The books in this series are published about 3 years apart. Definitely calls for catching up. And, as usual, this book does not disappoint.

On to a friend's Kindle library - I was traveling and she loaned it to me so that I could see how I liked it. If I traveled extensively, a Kindle would be great. However, I do not generally buy books and it could become quite expensive.

• Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton and Tim Keown
• Vision in White by Nora Roberts
• The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

Then to reread the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer in anticipation of the movie version of New Moon....

• Twilight
• New Moon
• Eclipse
• Breaking Dawn

And finally, one of my annual reads - an expanded version of what Mary's story might have looked like in preparation for Christmas.

Unafraid by Francine Rivers

I'm currently in the midst of another annual read: Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado (now published under the name "An Angel's Story")

Fall into Reading

It's time again for Fall Into Reading over at Callapidder Days. I have a very small list right now, comprised of books I checked out from the library.

1. The Bourne Betrayal by Eric Van Lustbader
2. River's End by Nora Roberts
3. Hot Ice by Nora Roberts

Then, I think I will re-read at least some of the Twilight series and my Outlander series - a new book comes out in a few days!!!

Views from the hammock

I enjoyed a lovely hour or so swinging in the hammock, watching the birds, and reading.....oh how fun this is going to be.

Spring Reading Thing Wrapup

I didn't have much of a list to start with .....so here is just the recap of what I did read:

The Shack by William Paul Young

--interesting read - my prior reading of Frank Peretti made it pretty easy to embrace the imagination of a different perspective of God

Heath Ledger: Hollywood's Dark Star by Brian J. Robb

--I have loved watching Heath Ledger since 10 Things I Hate About You - it was an interesting read with lots of fun pictures

Tribute by Nora Roberts

The Villa by Nora Roberts

--definitely found a new favorite author. saw the TV movie of Tribute not long after I finished it and was reminded why I prefer reading books to seeing movies of books (it was a lot different with lots of missing pieces)

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

--another new author for me....not sure what I think. Her books take me longer to get into than I ususally prefer, but they are not bad.

Amazonia by James Rollins

The Last Oracle by James Rollins

The Judas Strain by James Rollins

Excavation by James Rollins

--another new favorite author, courtesy of my Phillip-in-law......mystery, thriller, medical, spy stuff, etc

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

--chick lit, but not very uplifting and had more language and sketchy scenes than I usually prefer

Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs

--I love the TV show Bones, which is based on these books. I like the TV show better.

Memory in Death by J.D. Robb

--Nora Roberts writes under this nom de plume.....this one was a futuristic cop drama. Didn't love it so much. Probably will just stick to Nora Roberts writing as herself.

Currently I'm reading The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes by Bryan Burrough. It was recommended to me by a friend at church and since I work for a descendant of one of the 4 men profiled in the book, thought it might be especially interesting. So far so good, though it is a slower read than normal for me.

That's it for now.....tune in come Fall for more book reading posts!

Spring Reading Thing

So, it is time again for the Spring Reading Thing over at Katrina's blog....unfortunately, I don't have much of a list.  All I have right now is to read The Shack by William Young.

I will probably make a library run soon and pick up a few more.  I'll keep a list of what I end up with and let you know......

Update: Just remembered that I have a book on loan from a co-worker.  The Secret Lift of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Also had a recommendation from one of my elders wives while we were chatting at a wedding last night.....The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes by Bryan Burrough. 

Fall into Reading Wrap-up

I wrapped up my first phase of Fall in Treading 2008 here Now for the second phase - more books from the library!

• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (re-read) - loved it again.....might need to add this one to my library permanently!
• Kissing in Technicolor by Jane Mendle - interesting, but nothing too great. probably won't seek out any more of this author 
• Multiple Choices by Claire Cook - light, easy, quick read (actually not quite done, but will finish this weekend)
• "B" is for Burglar by Sue Grafton - ok.  not sure I want to follow through the whole alphabet
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - wonderful.  it was a little slow to get into, but not as slow as Kite Runner because I already knew the author's style
• Quicksand by Iris Johansen - excellent! will be reading more of her works
• How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo - easy ready, but bizarre and unbelievable story line. again, not seeking any more of her works
• Hold Tight by Harlan Coben - excellent. a co-worker turned me on to this author and I have enjoyed everything I've read by him

I'm on vacation for the next two weeks....might be reading some, but probably not.  

Fall Into Reading update

It's been a little while since the start of Fall Into Reading over at Callapidder Days, so I thought it might be time for an update.

My original list:

• Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon - better than other Lord John books I've read, but still not as much fun as Outlander
• "A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton - quick easy read....probably will make it through all the alphabet!
• Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers - another reason why I love Francine Rivers!
• Hunter by James Byron Huggins - pretty easy read, but didn't LOVE it
• Cain by James Byron Huggins - pretty easy read, but didn't LOVE it
• The Fourth Perimeter by Tim Green - good mystery
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - excellent!
• Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins

Now for the second phase - more books from the library!

• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (re-read)
• Kissing in Technicolor by Jane Mendle
• Multiple Choices by Claire Cook
• "B" is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
• Quicksand by Iris Johansen
• How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo
• Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
  

Book review

So, somewhere in blogland, I must have registered to win a book. Because one showed up on my doorstep not too long ago. I can't remember where I registered or if there was a requirement to review the book. So I'm going to review it just in case.

The book is actually an Advance Reader Copy of "Dark Pursuit" by Brandilyn Collins. To my knowledge, I've never read anything by her. But it was great.

Murder, suspense, faith....what more do you need? I'm looking forward to enjoying more of her books in the future!

Fall into Reading

Since Monday is the official start of Fall -- it is also the official start to Fall Into Reading over at Callapidder Days.

I have a small list going already of the books I checked out at the library last night (which now has self checkout! how long has it been anyway since I went to the library?!)

So, I will add books to this list. But here is my list "to-read" as of today:

• Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon


• "A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (heard about her for a while, so I thought I'd start at the beginning!)


• Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers


• Hunter by James Byron Huggins


• Cain by James Byron Huggins


• The Fourth Perimeter by Tim Green (anyone read any of his books? there are quite a few and they sound interesting....)


• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


• I'd also love to read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, but they are all checked out.....

Looking forward to seeing what other folks have on their lists as well!!

It's reading time again!!

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-Up

Well, the Spring Reading Thing is over once again.....here was my list:

Anne of Green Gables series -- read all 8 books. LOVED them. (well, there were one or two that I skimmed, but overall loved the series)

Chronicles of Narnia -- haven't even started! I have the first book in my bag, ready to start, but haven't yet. Some other things came up that just took away a lot of my reading time.