Starting Monday of next week we will be doing a Noontime Book Chat with J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog
The book we will be talking about is Anne River Siddons - Off Season. If you have it sitting on your shelf waiting for you to read it - DO IT! And then join J. Kaye and myself for a discussion next week.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Author Spotlight: Matthew Cory
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live with my wife and our two "kids" (a beagle and a cat) in El Paso, Texas, where I spend my days as a software developer. I was born and raised in El Paso, though I spent quite a bit of time in southern California and Washington state, both of which I tried to portray as best as possible in Like Glass.
What is your book "Like Glass" about?
The book deals mainly with a young man's struggle to reconcile his past with his present. During college, Rob Jackson fell in love with Janet, a fellow student. The relationship was intense but brief, as she cheated on him with his brother. They (Janet and the brother) marry, and years later Rob must face Janet again as his brother dies in an accident.
There are deep undertones of regret, family, and love, and Rob finds himself battling depression as things just keep getting worse before they get better.
What was your inspiration for this book?
At one time or another we've all thought or said we wished someone were dead. Well, what would happen if that person really died? I mean, that's an awfully harsh wish to have on anyone; what if the powers-that-be decided to grant it to us? That's how it started, mainly.
Another aspect that really got it going was what happens when someone you hate, with a fiery passion, has changed without you knowing it? Through the years between the time Rob says his "final" goodbye to Janet and the time that Rob's brother dies, the brother has gone from being a stupid college kid to being a "good man", raising a family and loving them more than Rob would have imagined his brother being capable of. It changes the question: what if the person you wished were dead actually died, but they were no longer the person you'd once known?
What do you like best about writing? the least?
The creative part is the best. It's wonderful, being in the zone, where the real world just kinda fades into the background. And you have this amazing sense of power, when you're really there. It's like, "I can do anything I want to. I can make the sky purple and the oceans pink. I can make the beautiful heroine fall in love with the nerd, I can make the strongest guy cry like a little baby."
On the flip side, doing the actual "grunt" work, the actual writing, has to be the worst. I consider myself a fairly fast typer, but I can't keep up with my mind and it's frustrating. I'll type out one scene, and by the time I've finished I've had thirty ideas for other scenes that are completely gone when I'm ready to work on them. Even just jotting down quick notes to remember later doesn't help much, because you can't recapture the magic you felt when they came to you. You sit there and re-read it, and it's like "Green Dragon in the bar? What the hell? This is a kid's book..."
Is there a character in this book that you see yourself in?
Most definitely Rob. I've heard that the first novel an author writes is mostly autobiographic in nature, and that's quite true for me at least. I mean, there's only a handful of scenes that were built directly off of personal experiences, but the overall character and "sense" of Rob comes from my own personality. Or, at least, what I think I would do, wish I could do, or am afraid I'd do in situations like what he faces.
What are you working on next?
Right now I'm working on a sequel to Like Glass, tentatively titled "Shattered". I'm planning on it being darker than Like Glass was. I'm also throwing around ideas for the third book, titled (also tentatively) "Broken Peaces". If I get to that one and it goes along what I'm thinking right now, it'll be the "happy" book out of the series. (I use the term "happy" loosely, too).
Where can people find "Like Glass"?
Like Glass is available on Amazon.com, and also from my personal site, http://chocolatefordogs.com/. I've got "Buy Now!" links all over the place there -- you really can't miss it.
The Turnaround
The Turnaround by George Pelecanos
What was this book about?
In 1972, three teens go from their area into an area where they know they are only causing trouble. The actions of themselves and the teens who live in the area leave one dead, one scarred for life, and several in jail.
Today they are all adults and living with the repercussions that their actions resulted in. One man reaches out to those that were hurt in order to get forgiveness and move on with his life. While another man reaches out to get what he feels is his due.
It has been may years and yet still their lives revolve around the actions of that day. Can each man move forward and make his life better even though this happened?
What did you think about the book?
This for me was a book about truth, relationships, and being the best person you can. Everyone lives a life where they make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes can take you to a good place, but many times those mistakes can change things for you and everyone around you in the blink of an eye.
You know that if you had thought about it or realized the implications you would have done things in a different way. And to be the type of person that realizes that of others and works towards forgiveness is key.
So this book took me on a journey that made me think about all of these things. About how many people who are out there who may be living a life of this sort. They screwed up and now they have to live with it. How do you live with it if you are the victim? What about if you are the one who caused the harm?
What genre would you consider this?
Crime Drama
Overall:
What was this book about?
In 1972, three teens go from their area into an area where they know they are only causing trouble. The actions of themselves and the teens who live in the area leave one dead, one scarred for life, and several in jail.
Today they are all adults and living with the repercussions that their actions resulted in. One man reaches out to those that were hurt in order to get forgiveness and move on with his life. While another man reaches out to get what he feels is his due.
It has been may years and yet still their lives revolve around the actions of that day. Can each man move forward and make his life better even though this happened?
What did you think about the book?
This for me was a book about truth, relationships, and being the best person you can. Everyone lives a life where they make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes can take you to a good place, but many times those mistakes can change things for you and everyone around you in the blink of an eye.
You know that if you had thought about it or realized the implications you would have done things in a different way. And to be the type of person that realizes that of others and works towards forgiveness is key.
So this book took me on a journey that made me think about all of these things. About how many people who are out there who may be living a life of this sort. They screwed up and now they have to live with it. How do you live with it if you are the victim? What about if you are the one who caused the harm?
What genre would you consider this?
Crime Drama
Overall:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Magic and the Modern Girl
Magic and the Modern Girl by Mindy Klasky
What was this book about?
Jane Madison part time librarian and part time witch is back. Jane has been busy with her life. Her mother is back in town, her grandmother is getting married again, and of course there is her job. So what if she has forgotten to use her powers? She doesn’t realize what can happen when you do that until it is too late. She must use her powers and recapture what she had. But can something go terribly wrong with her spell?
It doesn’t help that Neko her familiar has left to live with his boyfriend. Her best friend seems to have found love (and even Jane has someone special in her life). And her warder wants nothing to do with her (or her with him).
Can she get her powers back in time? Or will it be too late to save herself and the people she loves?
What did you think about the book?
What a week for another book in a series that I love. I really enjoyed the other books about Jane Madison, who didn’t know she was a witch until later in her life. Now she is powerful and has to train herself to use it properly.
I liked the book but was a little sad that she had lost her powers, but there is no way that I believed that she would lose them permanently. So really it was just a matter of getting them back. I think the side plot with a new “love of her life” kinda took things in a weird direction. There is a creature you created reeking havoc on the world and you don’t focus on stopping her? Not to mention your best friend is going to be lost to you? Yes, you slept with someone you shouldn’t and now have to deal with it but still!
But in all – I liked how it ended and can’t wait to see how Jane and David move forward with their relationship – after everything that happened.
What genre would you consider this?
Witches
Overall:
What was this book about?
Jane Madison part time librarian and part time witch is back. Jane has been busy with her life. Her mother is back in town, her grandmother is getting married again, and of course there is her job. So what if she has forgotten to use her powers? She doesn’t realize what can happen when you do that until it is too late. She must use her powers and recapture what she had. But can something go terribly wrong with her spell?
It doesn’t help that Neko her familiar has left to live with his boyfriend. Her best friend seems to have found love (and even Jane has someone special in her life). And her warder wants nothing to do with her (or her with him).
Can she get her powers back in time? Or will it be too late to save herself and the people she loves?
What did you think about the book?
What a week for another book in a series that I love. I really enjoyed the other books about Jane Madison, who didn’t know she was a witch until later in her life. Now she is powerful and has to train herself to use it properly.
I liked the book but was a little sad that she had lost her powers, but there is no way that I believed that she would lose them permanently. So really it was just a matter of getting them back. I think the side plot with a new “love of her life” kinda took things in a weird direction. There is a creature you created reeking havoc on the world and you don’t focus on stopping her? Not to mention your best friend is going to be lost to you? Yes, you slept with someone you shouldn’t and now have to deal with it but still!
But in all – I liked how it ended and can’t wait to see how Jane and David move forward with their relationship – after everything that happened.
What genre would you consider this?
Witches
Overall:
The Blame Game By Judith O’Reilly,
Author of Wife in the North
As a parent, you accept from the start that it is all your fault. Every last inhibition, weakness and thing that goes wrong in your child's life is down to you -- however old they are. If they get bullied, bully, pick the wrong course at university or marry the wrong girl, it is all because you did it wrong. As a parent -- deep-down, you know you suck. You know it is not the kid's fault (however old the kid is) -- you made a hash of it.
You drank a glass of wine when you were pregnant which is why your nine-year-old has ADHD. You had a caesarian which is why he has "trust issues" with women. You threw him out of the house when he was 21, papered over the steam-trains to turn his bedroom into your craft room and he never got over it. You did not throw him out of the house and he is still there at 28 and counting. You smacked him; he grew up to have a problem with authority figures and cannot hold down a job. You did not smack him; he grew up to be a bastard. You let him have a small watered down glass of wine with Sunday dinner and he became an alcoholic at college. You did not let him touch alcohol at home and he became an alcoholic at college.
You said he should have some fun while he was still young and he went travelling in the Congo and got murdered for his wristwatch. You said he should get a job straight after college, he ignored you, grew a beard and is still travelling eight years later. You made him write thank you letters for gifts he did not want, and he is an ungrateful wretch who has never thanked you for ruining your figure and eating up your life. You never made him write thank you letters for anything or to anyone, and now his children do not write thank you letters however much cash you put in with the card. You feel it is your fault whether they are a killer or a victim. If you taught them to avoid strangers or to reach out to strangers who then betray them. As a mother or a father you accept the guilt, responsibility and shame and live with these things.
I have wondered watching Sarah Palin if she blames herself for Bristol's teenage pregnancy. I am willing to bet most hockey moms would. Palin is an amazing role model for a daughter -- whether you agree with her politics or not -- she is a mother to five children and could end up President. Even so, if she didn't have some heartwrenching "What did I do wrong?" conversations with the First Dude over Bristol's predicament, I would eat my moose burger.
Stupidity, misadventure, tragedy can scoop up and swallow down a child in a blink and you know what? It is not necessarily your fault. Nice kids can grow up and do bad or idiotic things however hard their parents tried to bring them up to know the difference between right and wrong. The problem is too many parents blame themselves for every damn fool thing their children do. They say children never forgive their parents. Not true. Parents do not forgive themselves. Being a mother is misery. Years of fear your children get hurt one way or another, years of disappointment their lives aren't exactly the way they thought they would be. Worst of all, that conviction rolling and crashing around inside that if you had done things differently, it did not have to be this way. You know as you clutch your coffee in a worn, chipped mug that boasts you are the "World's Best Mom" or the "Number 1 Dad" that you could have done it so much better. You know that your innocent children are paying the price with their health, sanity or happiness for your own deep and terrible failings as a mother or a father. When bad things happen, it is natural enough to grope around in the darkness for someone or something to blame. The itinerant loner who took advantage? A bad crowd? God? But deep down you are not telling me that a parent does not blame themselves for whatever fate throws at her beloved child and however that child turns out. Suck it up -- it's your fault. You should have done something, been there, stood in front of the speeding bullet and caught it in your hand.
Surely though if parenting is about anything at all, it is about teaching your children to be responsible for their own decisions and actions. You wouldn't claim credit for a book that is not your own or a picture you didn't paint, so why feel the necessity to take on your children's screw-ups or bad luck? Let them own that really big mistake. Don't crowd them out of the spotlight when the jeering starts. There is enough research out there that indicates "helicopter" parents hovering mercilessly over their children from kindergarten and into the jobs market are not doing anyone any favours. In the same way, insisting that every bad thing that happens is "all my fault" is just one more way a parent lays claim to her child's soul. Sometimes you have to step away and leave them to it.
©2008 Judith O’Reilly
Author Bio
Wife in the North is published by PublicAffairs at $14.95. www.wifeinthenorth.com
As a parent, you accept from the start that it is all your fault. Every last inhibition, weakness and thing that goes wrong in your child's life is down to you -- however old they are. If they get bullied, bully, pick the wrong course at university or marry the wrong girl, it is all because you did it wrong. As a parent -- deep-down, you know you suck. You know it is not the kid's fault (however old the kid is) -- you made a hash of it.
You drank a glass of wine when you were pregnant which is why your nine-year-old has ADHD. You had a caesarian which is why he has "trust issues" with women. You threw him out of the house when he was 21, papered over the steam-trains to turn his bedroom into your craft room and he never got over it. You did not throw him out of the house and he is still there at 28 and counting. You smacked him; he grew up to have a problem with authority figures and cannot hold down a job. You did not smack him; he grew up to be a bastard. You let him have a small watered down glass of wine with Sunday dinner and he became an alcoholic at college. You did not let him touch alcohol at home and he became an alcoholic at college.
You said he should have some fun while he was still young and he went travelling in the Congo and got murdered for his wristwatch. You said he should get a job straight after college, he ignored you, grew a beard and is still travelling eight years later. You made him write thank you letters for gifts he did not want, and he is an ungrateful wretch who has never thanked you for ruining your figure and eating up your life. You never made him write thank you letters for anything or to anyone, and now his children do not write thank you letters however much cash you put in with the card. You feel it is your fault whether they are a killer or a victim. If you taught them to avoid strangers or to reach out to strangers who then betray them. As a mother or a father you accept the guilt, responsibility and shame and live with these things.
I have wondered watching Sarah Palin if she blames herself for Bristol's teenage pregnancy. I am willing to bet most hockey moms would. Palin is an amazing role model for a daughter -- whether you agree with her politics or not -- she is a mother to five children and could end up President. Even so, if she didn't have some heartwrenching "What did I do wrong?" conversations with the First Dude over Bristol's predicament, I would eat my moose burger.
Stupidity, misadventure, tragedy can scoop up and swallow down a child in a blink and you know what? It is not necessarily your fault. Nice kids can grow up and do bad or idiotic things however hard their parents tried to bring them up to know the difference between right and wrong. The problem is too many parents blame themselves for every damn fool thing their children do. They say children never forgive their parents. Not true. Parents do not forgive themselves. Being a mother is misery. Years of fear your children get hurt one way or another, years of disappointment their lives aren't exactly the way they thought they would be. Worst of all, that conviction rolling and crashing around inside that if you had done things differently, it did not have to be this way. You know as you clutch your coffee in a worn, chipped mug that boasts you are the "World's Best Mom" or the "Number 1 Dad" that you could have done it so much better. You know that your innocent children are paying the price with their health, sanity or happiness for your own deep and terrible failings as a mother or a father. When bad things happen, it is natural enough to grope around in the darkness for someone or something to blame. The itinerant loner who took advantage? A bad crowd? God? But deep down you are not telling me that a parent does not blame themselves for whatever fate throws at her beloved child and however that child turns out. Suck it up -- it's your fault. You should have done something, been there, stood in front of the speeding bullet and caught it in your hand.
Surely though if parenting is about anything at all, it is about teaching your children to be responsible for their own decisions and actions. You wouldn't claim credit for a book that is not your own or a picture you didn't paint, so why feel the necessity to take on your children's screw-ups or bad luck? Let them own that really big mistake. Don't crowd them out of the spotlight when the jeering starts. There is enough research out there that indicates "helicopter" parents hovering mercilessly over their children from kindergarten and into the jobs market are not doing anyone any favours. In the same way, insisting that every bad thing that happens is "all my fault" is just one more way a parent lays claim to her child's soul. Sometimes you have to step away and leave them to it.
©2008 Judith O’Reilly
Author Bio
Judith O'Reilly was the education correspondent for The Sunday Times of London, where she also reported on politics and news, and worked undercover on education, social, and criminal justice investigations. She is a former political producer for ITV's Channel 4 News and BBC2's Newsnight. A freelance journalist, she started her blog, www.wifeinthenorth.com in 2006. She lives in England.
Wife in the North is published by PublicAffairs at $14.95. www.wifeinthenorth.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Author Spotlight: Jeff Rivera
Did you intend for Forever My Lady to be a tear jerker?
Well, it was my dream that the book would make people feel something. I wanted them to feel like they were on an emotional roller coaster. To hear people have cried their eyes out reading it does feel good though.
There are a lot funny parts in Forever My Lady too. Have you ever thought about writing comedy?
Thanks, yeah I wanted to make sure that it wasn't just serious that there were characters that made you laugh to. It's easier for me to write funny moments than an all out comedy because I'd rather leave that to the professionals.
What challenges in writing a love story from a male's perspective did you encounter?
My greatest challenge was worrying if my female readers would have any desire to read a love story from a male perspective. I soon found that they did want to and I've felt really good about the emails I've been receiving from women and men about how much the book moved them and how much they could relate to it.
What are you working on next?
Now I'm working on a Young Adult book. I love writing love stories and stories for young people.
How can we pick up a copy of Forever My Lady?
You can pick up a copy at your local bookstore, www.JeffRivera.com or Amazon.com
You can pick up a copy at your local bookstore, www.JeffRivera.com or Amazon.com
Monday, October 27, 2008
Deja Demon
Deja Demon by Julie Kenner
What was this book about?
Kate was the typical mom – two children (a toddler and a teen) – a wonderful second husband (because her first died from a mugging) – and of course a great best friend. And she had a secret second life. Kate had been raised by the church in a group called Fourza. She is a demon hunter. She had given it all up to raise her children a long time ago. But fate calls and she has returned to her passion of killing demons.
Her first husband has returned from the dead – in terms of he never really was dead – until the last book when she brought him back to life with the Lazarus Bones. She has to deal with the fact that her first love is still alive AND he is in another body. Her daughter and best friend have found out what she does and can’t wait to help her in whatever ways she needs to be helped. Lastly, her husband is completely clueless about what is going on around them.
Now there is a demon that is ready to come back with a full army of the undead and it seems that Kate has been prophesized to be the only one that can stop them. But can she stop them and keep her wonderful life?
What did you think about the book?
I have loved Julie Kenner’s books about the demon hunting soccer mom (ie the title of her first book in the series). The fact that the main character has this other life that is invading in her “I am going to be the perfect wife. I am going to be a perfect mother. I am going to be a great friend” world is fascinating.
Then throw in the paranormal twist and you have gold. Part of it is the fact that she has a very small child and a teenage child each pulling her in different directions. If you believed in demons and them taking over human bodies you might actually feel this book is what is going on in real life.
So while I was really excited to see another book in the series and see what was going to happen with Eric/David and Allie her teenage daughter, not to mention her husband who has no idea what is going on, Stuart, I didn’t get all I wanted from this book. I think part of it was I spent the entire book wishing she would just fess up to Stuart what was happening. I imagined he would think she was darn right crazy and feel threatened by the secrets – but half of her problem with balancing both worlds was the fact he just didn’t know. So I just wanted her to get it over with and tell him. Once that was done I felt like the story could move on.
I still really enjoyed the book – and thought it was a nice addition to the series – but now I want to see more!
What genre would you consider this?
Family, Demons, Paranormal
Overall:
What was this book about?
Kate was the typical mom – two children (a toddler and a teen) – a wonderful second husband (because her first died from a mugging) – and of course a great best friend. And she had a secret second life. Kate had been raised by the church in a group called Fourza. She is a demon hunter. She had given it all up to raise her children a long time ago. But fate calls and she has returned to her passion of killing demons.
Her first husband has returned from the dead – in terms of he never really was dead – until the last book when she brought him back to life with the Lazarus Bones. She has to deal with the fact that her first love is still alive AND he is in another body. Her daughter and best friend have found out what she does and can’t wait to help her in whatever ways she needs to be helped. Lastly, her husband is completely clueless about what is going on around them.
Now there is a demon that is ready to come back with a full army of the undead and it seems that Kate has been prophesized to be the only one that can stop them. But can she stop them and keep her wonderful life?
What did you think about the book?
I have loved Julie Kenner’s books about the demon hunting soccer mom (ie the title of her first book in the series). The fact that the main character has this other life that is invading in her “I am going to be the perfect wife. I am going to be a perfect mother. I am going to be a great friend” world is fascinating.
Then throw in the paranormal twist and you have gold. Part of it is the fact that she has a very small child and a teenage child each pulling her in different directions. If you believed in demons and them taking over human bodies you might actually feel this book is what is going on in real life.
So while I was really excited to see another book in the series and see what was going to happen with Eric/David and Allie her teenage daughter, not to mention her husband who has no idea what is going on, Stuart, I didn’t get all I wanted from this book. I think part of it was I spent the entire book wishing she would just fess up to Stuart what was happening. I imagined he would think she was darn right crazy and feel threatened by the secrets – but half of her problem with balancing both worlds was the fact he just didn’t know. So I just wanted her to get it over with and tell him. Once that was done I felt like the story could move on.
I still really enjoyed the book – and thought it was a nice addition to the series – but now I want to see more!
What genre would you consider this?
Family, Demons, Paranormal
Overall:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Overnight Male
Overnight Male by Elizabeth Bevarly
What was this book about?
Lila Monroe works for OPUS a governmental organization that has her finding another covert op who has gone off the grid (don’t I sound all sorts of smart with my spy description here?) Anyways she is partnered with geek and computer wizard Joel Faraday. She finds that Joel isn’t exactly what she thought he would be like.
They must go undercover as college students to find out who is working with Adrian Padgett in creating a crazy virus that could destroy all the computers of the world. But Lila realizes that this time being undercover isn’t as easy as it used to be. Can she fight her growing attraction for Joel?
What did you think about the book?
Lila is fun, flirty, and hard core about her job. She almost takes being a strong woman to extremes. Then there is the quintessential hot nerd – Joel – her partner. And of course they can’t help but being attracted to each other and she isn’t going to be attracted to a wimp so he has to be more then just a nerd.
I haven’t read any of Elizabeth Bevarly’s other books – but I am guessing this one fits right into the series. There were no problems hopping in somewhere in the middle of it all and catching up. It seems to almost be a separate book with characters that appear in the other novels.
I found the premise interesting – hot spy woman meets hot geek who is going to be her partner. They need to find a big bad guy and will go undercover to do it. SPOILER: But that is where some things started to fall apart just a little for me. I hadn’t seen the bad guy before but it was hard for me to see him falling for anyone and becoming a random nice guy. Not to mention the wedding scene where she figures out she loves him.
So what do I think. Is it a good book – yes. Great? Probably not. But it might be worth checking out another of the books to see how I liked that.
What genre would you consider this?
Contemporary Romance
Overall:
What was this book about?
Lila Monroe works for OPUS a governmental organization that has her finding another covert op who has gone off the grid (don’t I sound all sorts of smart with my spy description here?) Anyways she is partnered with geek and computer wizard Joel Faraday. She finds that Joel isn’t exactly what she thought he would be like.
They must go undercover as college students to find out who is working with Adrian Padgett in creating a crazy virus that could destroy all the computers of the world. But Lila realizes that this time being undercover isn’t as easy as it used to be. Can she fight her growing attraction for Joel?
What did you think about the book?
Lila is fun, flirty, and hard core about her job. She almost takes being a strong woman to extremes. Then there is the quintessential hot nerd – Joel – her partner. And of course they can’t help but being attracted to each other and she isn’t going to be attracted to a wimp so he has to be more then just a nerd.
I haven’t read any of Elizabeth Bevarly’s other books – but I am guessing this one fits right into the series. There were no problems hopping in somewhere in the middle of it all and catching up. It seems to almost be a separate book with characters that appear in the other novels.
I found the premise interesting – hot spy woman meets hot geek who is going to be her partner. They need to find a big bad guy and will go undercover to do it. SPOILER: But that is where some things started to fall apart just a little for me. I hadn’t seen the bad guy before but it was hard for me to see him falling for anyone and becoming a random nice guy. Not to mention the wedding scene where she figures out she loves him.
So what do I think. Is it a good book – yes. Great? Probably not. But it might be worth checking out another of the books to see how I liked that.
What genre would you consider this?
Contemporary Romance
Overall:
Friday, October 24, 2008
Man of the House
Man of the House by Ad Hudler
What was this book about?
Linc Menner and his wife Jo decided when their daughter was born that he would be the caretaker. Jo has a wonderful job that financially allows Linc to be both mother and father to Violet.
Violet is now a teenager and the family moves to Naples, Florida for Jo’s job. But this move has done more then just change the family’s location. Linc has started to question his “man-ness” and started acting in ways that are not like he used to. Is he having a mid-life crisis? Why is he keeping secrets from his family? What has caused this big change and is it permanent?
What did you think about the book?
From the beginning this book had interesting possibilities. The fact that it wasn’t just a book written about a stay at home dad, but that it was written by someone who actually lived that life made it come from an interesting perspective. It definitely gave me all that I wanted from the book.
I think it definitely hit home for me because my husband thinks he wants to be a stay at home dad. We have no children yet – but the idea has been sitting in his mind for a while. And while it is something that is feasible economically with my job – it is just something that makes me worried. I don’t know that he thinks about the parts of staying home that I do. I know he would be a great dad and that he could definitely take care of the children and the house. I think for me parts that make me worry is the social stigma attached to being a stay at home dad and caretaker. As much as you shouldn’t determine your life from what others think I know that for many your friends, your family, and others in the community have thoughts about the correct place for a man. What happens to a man when he loses what is traditionally thought of as his man-ness?
This book gets into that – covering what it takes to recapture that feeling after living for so long without it.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
What was this book about?
Linc Menner and his wife Jo decided when their daughter was born that he would be the caretaker. Jo has a wonderful job that financially allows Linc to be both mother and father to Violet.
Violet is now a teenager and the family moves to Naples, Florida for Jo’s job. But this move has done more then just change the family’s location. Linc has started to question his “man-ness” and started acting in ways that are not like he used to. Is he having a mid-life crisis? Why is he keeping secrets from his family? What has caused this big change and is it permanent?
What did you think about the book?
From the beginning this book had interesting possibilities. The fact that it wasn’t just a book written about a stay at home dad, but that it was written by someone who actually lived that life made it come from an interesting perspective. It definitely gave me all that I wanted from the book.
I think it definitely hit home for me because my husband thinks he wants to be a stay at home dad. We have no children yet – but the idea has been sitting in his mind for a while. And while it is something that is feasible economically with my job – it is just something that makes me worried. I don’t know that he thinks about the parts of staying home that I do. I know he would be a great dad and that he could definitely take care of the children and the house. I think for me parts that make me worry is the social stigma attached to being a stay at home dad and caretaker. As much as you shouldn’t determine your life from what others think I know that for many your friends, your family, and others in the community have thoughts about the correct place for a man. What happens to a man when he loses what is traditionally thought of as his man-ness?
This book gets into that – covering what it takes to recapture that feeling after living for so long without it.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Genesis of Shannara – The Gypsy Morph
Genesis of Shannara – The Gypsy Morph by Terry Brooks
What was this book about?
The future has brought with it the destruction of the world and many of its races. They must bind together to defeat the evilness that will destroy it. Man must work with faerie (which they didn’t even know existed). They all must work with the Lizards – the creatures that were human that have evolved into something less.
The Knight of the Worlds must help everyone find their true mission in life.
This book is hard to explain in just a few paragraphs there is so much going on. I guess I would continue to say it is a saga of a world and of people doing their best to survive and help others.
What did you think about the book?
I have never read any of Terry Brooks books before and this was my first time into his world. I have to say it is quite complicated. It reminded me an of an extended Lord of the Rings. It kept me interested even though I felt like I had started reading half way through the book. There is just so much going on, so many characters, and he has written so many books that I think to fully appreciate it you should start at the beginning. Now I am just guessing – I haven’t read any more of this books yet – but I plan to. I am going to attempt to “start over” with at least this part of the series. He has written so many books that there is no way that I can try to start at the beginning but – it seems like there are mini-story plots in his world that I could take a look at.
So overall my thoughts are that I really enjoyed the book. I think I would have like it more if I had read more of his stuff and that just tells me how great a writer he is. Look for more on Terry Brooks here.
What genre would you consider this?
Fantasy
Overall:
What was this book about?
The future has brought with it the destruction of the world and many of its races. They must bind together to defeat the evilness that will destroy it. Man must work with faerie (which they didn’t even know existed). They all must work with the Lizards – the creatures that were human that have evolved into something less.
The Knight of the Worlds must help everyone find their true mission in life.
This book is hard to explain in just a few paragraphs there is so much going on. I guess I would continue to say it is a saga of a world and of people doing their best to survive and help others.
What did you think about the book?
I have never read any of Terry Brooks books before and this was my first time into his world. I have to say it is quite complicated. It reminded me an of an extended Lord of the Rings. It kept me interested even though I felt like I had started reading half way through the book. There is just so much going on, so many characters, and he has written so many books that I think to fully appreciate it you should start at the beginning. Now I am just guessing – I haven’t read any more of this books yet – but I plan to. I am going to attempt to “start over” with at least this part of the series. He has written so many books that there is no way that I can try to start at the beginning but – it seems like there are mini-story plots in his world that I could take a look at.
So overall my thoughts are that I really enjoyed the book. I think I would have like it more if I had read more of his stuff and that just tells me how great a writer he is. Look for more on Terry Brooks here.
What genre would you consider this?
Fantasy
Overall:
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Beyond the Highland Mist
Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
What was this book about?
Hawk is a 16th century hero. He has done everything he can for his leader and now it is time for him to settle down and live in his own castle with his family. But as a last minute “request” he is told that he must wed a girl of his leader’s choosing. And he hasn’t heard good things about this girl.
Adrienne de Simone is a modern day girl who has been burned by a beautiful man. Because of it her life can never go back to being what it was. When magically she is taken back in time and dropped on a man’s doorstep – where he tells her she must pretend to be his daughter and marry Hawk she is shocked. She doesn’t want to get anywhere near Hawk. He is even more good looking then the last man she loved and look how that turned out?
She can’t seem to stay away from him – and he can’t help but be attracted to her in a way he has been to no other woman. But the faeries that brought her to his time can just as easily take her from it. Can their love survive?
What did you think about the book?
I started Karen Marie Moning’s books with her paranormal romances. Where we the woman may have come from present day but the man was from some point in time or was some other sort of creature (faerie perhaps?). I enjoyed them and that is why I started reading her Fever books. I found those to be really exciting and quite interesting. I could see from there that an overarching plot was happening between all of the romaces and the Fever series and it excited me.
So whenever I pick up one of these books, I hope it gives me another piece of the larger part between faerie and man. This book (at least at this point) didn’t really do that for me. Was it a good book on its own? Yes. But do I see where it fits into the larger story? Not quite yet. I am hoping that when I get further in the Fever series I will see how Hawk and Adrienne fit in. But I am guessing based on their “timing” that they won’t. Instead they are just another look into the world of Adam Black (before he becomes human).
What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance
Overall:
What was this book about?
Hawk is a 16th century hero. He has done everything he can for his leader and now it is time for him to settle down and live in his own castle with his family. But as a last minute “request” he is told that he must wed a girl of his leader’s choosing. And he hasn’t heard good things about this girl.
Adrienne de Simone is a modern day girl who has been burned by a beautiful man. Because of it her life can never go back to being what it was. When magically she is taken back in time and dropped on a man’s doorstep – where he tells her she must pretend to be his daughter and marry Hawk she is shocked. She doesn’t want to get anywhere near Hawk. He is even more good looking then the last man she loved and look how that turned out?
She can’t seem to stay away from him – and he can’t help but be attracted to her in a way he has been to no other woman. But the faeries that brought her to his time can just as easily take her from it. Can their love survive?
What did you think about the book?
I started Karen Marie Moning’s books with her paranormal romances. Where we the woman may have come from present day but the man was from some point in time or was some other sort of creature (faerie perhaps?). I enjoyed them and that is why I started reading her Fever books. I found those to be really exciting and quite interesting. I could see from there that an overarching plot was happening between all of the romaces and the Fever series and it excited me.
So whenever I pick up one of these books, I hope it gives me another piece of the larger part between faerie and man. This book (at least at this point) didn’t really do that for me. Was it a good book on its own? Yes. But do I see where it fits into the larger story? Not quite yet. I am hoping that when I get further in the Fever series I will see how Hawk and Adrienne fit in. But I am guessing based on their “timing” that they won’t. Instead they are just another look into the world of Adam Black (before he becomes human).
What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance
Overall:
Monday, October 20, 2008
One Fifth Avenue
One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell
What was this book about?
We follow a building up on the prestigious fifth avenue. It has once been home to artisans and others and now over the years new blood has moved in that has affected things overall.
Edith Warton is a gossip columnist who has lived in the building for ages. She wishes it oculd be the place it once was. And even more she wishes her nephew (author) Philip would settle down. Philip has his own dreams. He has hit a low with his writing “real” books and doesn’t know what to do with his life. Head board member Mindy is starting to have things work out for her and her husband James. His book is getting published and her blog is taking off. Their son Sam seems to be doing well as well. Actress Sheridan returns back to New York for a new TV show and returns to her home in One Fifth Ave. Then there is the new up and coming wealthy Annalisa and Paul. He is a hedge fund manager and she was a lawyer. They have moved to NYC to follow his dreams. Lastly there is Billy – he doesn’t live there but has always wished he did. He hangs out with the rich and powerful but barely has enough to survive.
What did you think about the book?
For some reason or another I cannot remember ever having read a Candace Bushnell book before. I think probably everyone has heard of “Sex and the City” and in my case I have even watched it (though I never got really into the series). So when I found out about “One Fifth Avenue” I was excited. I was expecting something fun and light much like “The Devil Wears Prada” and that isn’t what I found here. Maybe that is why I found the book a bit dry. You were never able to fully identify with the characters – even with their flaws.
I felt like it was more like one big extended gossip column that was able to peak into people’s lives then a real true vision of what was there. I am sure that it probably is true that these people live this way. But half the fun of reading a book is to find something that peaks your interest (and even some missing jewels couldn’t do that for me).
So generally speaking I was disappointed. Then again maybe it is all about expectations – if I had other expectations of what it was going to be like I may have enjoyed it. Since I have read nothing else of her’s to compare it to – I will just go with my gut.
What genre would you consider this?
Up town Living
Overall:
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Supreme Courtship
Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley
What was this book about?
President Vanderdamp just wants to make a difference. He is vetoing all spending bills and has a very low approval rating. He isn’t interested in another term as president – he is more concerned with his current term. When an opening in the Supreme Court comes up he does his best to nominate people that he feels deserve the job and would be good at it.
But long time enemy in the Senate wants the job for himself and he is going to do everything in his power to make sure the only person who gets the job is himself. So the President throws him a curveball (and a popular one at that) he nominates TV Judge Pepper Cartwright. So there is nothing he can do about it but let her approval go through.
But life isn’t all roses for a new Supreme Court judge. How do you weigh the law with what you think is right?
What did you think about the book?
I thought this book was fun and light and quite enjoyable. The only thing that stopped it from being 5 stars was the ending. It ended to soon with not enough details for me. I wanted more – I wanted to see how the new justice could make a difference. I wanted to see how the relationships moved forward with the justices.
So I guess that shows you how it was with this book if my biggest complaint was that it ended to quickly. I felt like I had an inner look at something I hadn’t really ever thought about before – the Supereme Court. I felt like it was written tongue in cheek with some things matching the current administration and the feelings many would have in the populace if something like this really did happen.
What genre would you consider this?
Political Satire
Overall:
What was this book about?
President Vanderdamp just wants to make a difference. He is vetoing all spending bills and has a very low approval rating. He isn’t interested in another term as president – he is more concerned with his current term. When an opening in the Supreme Court comes up he does his best to nominate people that he feels deserve the job and would be good at it.
But long time enemy in the Senate wants the job for himself and he is going to do everything in his power to make sure the only person who gets the job is himself. So the President throws him a curveball (and a popular one at that) he nominates TV Judge Pepper Cartwright. So there is nothing he can do about it but let her approval go through.
But life isn’t all roses for a new Supreme Court judge. How do you weigh the law with what you think is right?
What did you think about the book?
I thought this book was fun and light and quite enjoyable. The only thing that stopped it from being 5 stars was the ending. It ended to soon with not enough details for me. I wanted more – I wanted to see how the new justice could make a difference. I wanted to see how the relationships moved forward with the justices.
So I guess that shows you how it was with this book if my biggest complaint was that it ended to quickly. I felt like I had an inner look at something I hadn’t really ever thought about before – the Supereme Court. I felt like it was written tongue in cheek with some things matching the current administration and the feelings many would have in the populace if something like this really did happen.
What genre would you consider this?
Political Satire
Overall:
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Lost Duke of Wyndham
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
What was this book about?
Grace Eversleigh was rescued by the Dowager Duchess when she was left with no family and no money. She was assigned to be her companion. But it is a hard life as the Duchess really isn’t all that interested in being nice. When Grace and the Duchess are held up by a highwayman the Duchess recognizes him as the spitting image of her dead son. And she wants him back in her family.
Things are all the more complicated for Jack Audley. He had no idea that his father (who died before his mother even knew she was pregnant) was in line to be a Duke. And there already is a Duke – his cousin. He can’t help but be attracted to Grace – but if he really is the Duke there will be no hope for the two of them. How can things work out?
What did you think about the book?
I felt this was a fun historical romance novel. It kept me entertained and on edge and I was happy how everything played out. I am interested in continuing on with this series and see where it leads. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing of what was to come with the next novel while not giving everything away.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical romance
Overall:
What was this book about?
Grace Eversleigh was rescued by the Dowager Duchess when she was left with no family and no money. She was assigned to be her companion. But it is a hard life as the Duchess really isn’t all that interested in being nice. When Grace and the Duchess are held up by a highwayman the Duchess recognizes him as the spitting image of her dead son. And she wants him back in her family.
Things are all the more complicated for Jack Audley. He had no idea that his father (who died before his mother even knew she was pregnant) was in line to be a Duke. And there already is a Duke – his cousin. He can’t help but be attracted to Grace – but if he really is the Duke there will be no hope for the two of them. How can things work out?
What did you think about the book?
I felt this was a fun historical romance novel. It kept me entertained and on edge and I was happy how everything played out. I am interested in continuing on with this series and see where it leads. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing of what was to come with the next novel while not giving everything away.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical romance
Overall:
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Book of Lies
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
What was this book about?
There has always been some that wondered about the story of Cain and Abel. The Bible makes no mention of what Cain killed Abel with and what happened to it afterwards. Because of this there are many powerful men and women that would do anything to find it.
Cal has a history of pain when his father killed his mother. But when he comes across him again – he is brought into a mystery like which he never imagined. He has no one to trust (including his father) and no idea what to do next.
This mystery of finding the “Book of Lies” the book that Cain killed Abel with is something Cal can’t help but want to figure out. It will bring him and everyone around him into danger. At some point he will find out there is a connection between the man that created Superman and this book. Can he figure it all out in time?
What did you think about the book?
I was highly intrigued as to how they were going to tie this Book that has to do with Cain and Abel and the death – to Superman and the creator’s father. And they definitely do so. I thought that parts of the book were great – while others were a little harder to get into.
It kept my interest but I would have loved to have more puzzles, have more feelings for some of the characters. From the get go there was almost no one to like or identify with. Everyone was acting suspicious.
I would definitely suggest this as a possibility for anyone who enjoyed the DaVinci Code not just because of the religious implications. This book has a touch of religion embedded in its meaning – but it isn’t something that redefines totally how you think of things (or makes you questions things ) at least in my case it was something I had never really though of before and it brought some interest about how much of it was possible.
What genre would you consider this?Suspense
Overall:
What was this book about?
There has always been some that wondered about the story of Cain and Abel. The Bible makes no mention of what Cain killed Abel with and what happened to it afterwards. Because of this there are many powerful men and women that would do anything to find it.
Cal has a history of pain when his father killed his mother. But when he comes across him again – he is brought into a mystery like which he never imagined. He has no one to trust (including his father) and no idea what to do next.
This mystery of finding the “Book of Lies” the book that Cain killed Abel with is something Cal can’t help but want to figure out. It will bring him and everyone around him into danger. At some point he will find out there is a connection between the man that created Superman and this book. Can he figure it all out in time?
What did you think about the book?
I was highly intrigued as to how they were going to tie this Book that has to do with Cain and Abel and the death – to Superman and the creator’s father. And they definitely do so. I thought that parts of the book were great – while others were a little harder to get into.
It kept my interest but I would have loved to have more puzzles, have more feelings for some of the characters. From the get go there was almost no one to like or identify with. Everyone was acting suspicious.
I would definitely suggest this as a possibility for anyone who enjoyed the DaVinci Code not just because of the religious implications. This book has a touch of religion embedded in its meaning – but it isn’t something that redefines totally how you think of things (or makes you questions things ) at least in my case it was something I had never really though of before and it brought some interest about how much of it was possible.
What genre would you consider this?Suspense
Overall:
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Faefever
Faefever by Karen Marie Moning (Book 3 in the Fever Series)
What was this book about?
Mac is out to stop the Lord Master who killed her sister and seems destined to want to destroy the world (oh yeah and capture Mac as well). Mac is a sithe-seer meaning she can see the fae for what they really are. And she can also find the relics that the fae have on earth by following their “path”.
She has been taken in by Barrons who she doesn’t know what he is or really what he wants. Which in her world means she cannot trust him. Then of course there is Fae Lord – V’lane who makes her want to rip her clothes off (not cause she likes him but because of his fae lordness).
Mac knows she must find the evil book the Sinsar Dubh before it keeps infecting people and making them kill. And before the Lord Master gets his hands on it. Unfortunately they are not the only ones who think that it would be a good thing to have.
What did you think about the book?
This is another book in the Fever series and I was sad to see it end. You just don’t know who to trust or really what is going on. You feel like things are moving forward but you just aren’t sure where they are going to take you.
You feel for Mac and want her to do well. But at the same time she is both very strong and distant. She has no friends, no family (where she is), she can’t love anyone because she could lose them like she lost her sister, and what she wants more then anything is to get back at the one that caused such a drastic change in her life – but she can’t focus on that. It is more important that she focuses on saving the world. Someone is out to kill us all.
If you like dark and intricate stories (that just couldn’t be true) then you will love this one. You should definitely begin at the beginning of the series or I think you will miss out on a lot.
P.S. I loved the interactions with the other sithe-seers. It is nice to see some other young, strong women that she can play off of.
What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal
Overall:
Spoilers: Oh my goodness Mac is taken over by sex crazed Fae lords who want to turn her over to LM and now she would die for him. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
What was this book about?
Mac is out to stop the Lord Master who killed her sister and seems destined to want to destroy the world (oh yeah and capture Mac as well). Mac is a sithe-seer meaning she can see the fae for what they really are. And she can also find the relics that the fae have on earth by following their “path”.
She has been taken in by Barrons who she doesn’t know what he is or really what he wants. Which in her world means she cannot trust him. Then of course there is Fae Lord – V’lane who makes her want to rip her clothes off (not cause she likes him but because of his fae lordness).
Mac knows she must find the evil book the Sinsar Dubh before it keeps infecting people and making them kill. And before the Lord Master gets his hands on it. Unfortunately they are not the only ones who think that it would be a good thing to have.
What did you think about the book?
This is another book in the Fever series and I was sad to see it end. You just don’t know who to trust or really what is going on. You feel like things are moving forward but you just aren’t sure where they are going to take you.
You feel for Mac and want her to do well. But at the same time she is both very strong and distant. She has no friends, no family (where she is), she can’t love anyone because she could lose them like she lost her sister, and what she wants more then anything is to get back at the one that caused such a drastic change in her life – but she can’t focus on that. It is more important that she focuses on saving the world. Someone is out to kill us all.
If you like dark and intricate stories (that just couldn’t be true) then you will love this one. You should definitely begin at the beginning of the series or I think you will miss out on a lot.
P.S. I loved the interactions with the other sithe-seers. It is nice to see some other young, strong women that she can play off of.
What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal
Overall:
Spoilers: Oh my goodness Mac is taken over by sex crazed Fae lords who want to turn her over to LM and now she would die for him. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
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