Friday, February 13, 2009

True Colors

True Colors by Kristin Hannah



What was this book about?

Three sisters that love each other. They lived through their mother’s death. They deal with their sometimes hard father. They know that the people that are there for them to the most – is each other.

Winona can’t help but feel like no matter what she does it isn’t good enough. She is a successful lawyer and helps her father and sisters whenever she can – and yet her father gives her no acceptance. She knows she is overweight and can do nothing about it but let it eat away at her self esteem. She sees her younger sister as the golden girl who can do nothing wrong and those feelings eat away at her. It all comes to a head when the man she has always loved falls for her sister.

Aurora has children and a husband. But no big love of her life. She is hiding a lot from her sisters and often is forced to be a go between. For someone who is trying to deal with her own problems this can be difficult.

Vivi Ann is the youngest. Beautiful and the most loved by her father. She knows that people don’t think of her as being the brains. She wants to make everyone happy – but can’t do that if it means losing her dreams. Will she follow her heart? What will that one action do to her family? How will it affect the rest of her life?

What did you think about the book?


When I finished this book it gave me goosebumps. It really was that good. I just loved how it brought to life the relationships of the characters. The sisters and how they knew how they should feel about each other – but resentments and experiences sometimes put distance between them. The love of a couple who had so many reasons to not be together but they were. And once they were in love nothing was going to hurt the deepness of that feeling. How sometimes you can do everything you can to make yourself “perfect” and still not be good enough for someone you love. A father’s love for his children. A mother’s love for her son. A son’s inability to understand what happened when he was so young – and yet it changed his entire life.

It is well written and interesting. I wanted to keep reading. I think the tortured teenage son really got to me the most. It wasn’t that he was a bad kid (even though at times he looked and acted like one). It was more he just didn’t know his place in the world. Didn’t understand what was going on around him. Add to that the problems with hormones and just being a teen and you have one messed up kid. Yet despite all this he is likeable and you want things to work out for him. You want him to clean up his act.

I really didn’t know about the Win character. I understood how she felt the way she did (like her father loved her sister more) but didn’t know why when it came to something she really wanted she didn’t stick up for herself. Especially when it meant that her sister probably would have let her have Luke.

This is definitely a book that I am going to recommend to others that I know. If you like the family dynamic and relationship sort of books – this is for you.

What genre would you consider this?

Family Dynamics

Overall:

Question for You!
Do you believe in true love? Can it last forever?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Well-Read Commuter reviews People Are Idiots And I Can Prove It! By Larry Winget

People Are Idiots And I Can Prove It! By Larry Winget

America’s self-described “Pitbull of Personal Development,” Larry Winget definitely does not disappoint in his fifth book, “People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It.” As the title suggests, those who like their personal development advice with some hand holding and a mug of warm cocoa need not apply.

The book promises to combine advice on business, finances, parenting, relationships, health and it delivers. I have read Larry’s other books and I thought as I snapped the first CD of this new release in and settled in for my morning commute that surely Larry must be running out of common sense advice, but apparently we just keep giving him material! This book contained the most tactical hands-on information and Larry’s style is anything but typical. More than once I found myself revisiting chapters; it was that good.

There is no time like the present for Larry’s refreshing, kick-butt, wake up America, common sense approach for a better you, a better business, a better family and beyond. If your New Year’s Resolutions have already fallen by the wayside (I can’t even remember mine), then it might be time to pick up this book and give this still brand new year some direction. Let Larry tell you how it is!

The Terror

The Terror by Dan Simmons (Audiobook)

What was this book about?

Two ships Terror and Erebus are on their way to the Northwest Passage. It all seems to be going well when disaster strikes and the weather traps the ships in ice. When they are stuck there for many months bad things start to happen. The men are overcome by disease, they are running out of food. It looks like there may not be a way out.

What are the men to do? Will they resort to cannibalism? You see the story from several different points of view as the story is told.

There also seems to be some sort of polar bear like creature that is out to kill them. It seems smarter than a polar bear. The men that are caught in its trap never return.

What did you think about the book?


Ok I wasn’t sure what I would think about this book. On the pro side I really enjoy novels that have a historical twist to them. I don’t want them to be dry – but I want them to teach me something about living in that time. I want them to make me interested in what was going on during that time. On the con side I have tried other books with a nautical theme and they just didn’t interest me. (Maybe it has to do with me getting sea sick when I am on a boat …)

But I enjoyed this book. The historical fact is no one really knows what happened to these boats. The people in the book were realistic and you either loved or hated them. They did what they had to – to survive and you wanted to see what was going to happen.

I think the only thing that I didn’t like was the supernatural twist of the monster. I really didn’t like it until the “almost” end of the book when the story changed tone and we learned what the monster really was and how he was connected (or not) to Silence. I liked that story on its own as well.

The voice of the reader is important for any sort of audio book. I have loved books or hated them based on the voice. For instance it was huge to me that all the Harry Potter books had the same reader. Whereas my husband thinks that some of the George R.R. Martin’s Ice and Fire series was ruined when they changed the reader half way through. For me this reader was fine. He didn’t overact. His voice seemed to fit the subject matter and I enjoyed his reading.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction with a paranormal twist

Overall:

Question for You!

How close to reality do you think something based on a historical event, should be?

Win an audio copy of 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life

This is is your chance to win an audio copy of 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life (Unabridged) By Joyce Meyer, read by Sandra McCollom

Same rules apply as usual - Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). Three people will be drawn at random on March 6th So enter now!

This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.

All entries are due by March 6th - so enter now!

Win an audio copy of Call Me Ted

This is your chance to win an audio copy of Call Me Ted (Unabridged) By Ted Turner with Bill Burke, read by the author

Same rules apply as usual - Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). Three people will be drawn at random on March 13, 2009 So enter now!

This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.

All entries are due by March 13th - so enter now!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Win an audio copy of Outliers

This is your chance to win an audio copy of Outliers (Unabridged) By Malcolm Gladwell, read by the author

Same rules apply as usual - Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). Three people will be drawn at random on March 20, 2009 So enter now!

This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.

All entries are due by March 20 - so enter now!

The Suburban Dragon

The Suburban Dragon by Garasamo Macccagnone Illustrated by Al Ochsner

What was this book about?

Three happy little kids are having fun when a dragon attacks their mother. They will do anything they have to – to rescue her. And it doesn’t hurt that it involves some fun games. When they find out who the dragon really is – they realize it was just a game.

What did you think about the book?


I liked the illustrations and I thought the book was cute. I would definitely read it to my nieces and nephew. It isn’t so long that their attention will wander. The words are nice and big so that if someone is learning to read this book would be good for them as well.

What genre would you consider this?

Young Children

Overall:

Question for You!

What kinds of books do your kids like to read?

Contest - Win an audio copy of Little Pink House

This is your chance to win an audio copy of Little Pink House (Abridged) By Jeff
Benedict, read by Maggi-Meg Reed!

Same rules apply as usual - Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). Three people will be drawn at random on February 27th So enter now!

This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.

All entries are due by February 27th - so enter now!

Welcome - The Well-Read Commuter!

I am really happy to announce that I will be having a guest reviewer stop by "A Blog of Books". The Well-Read Commuter is a great friend of mine and I am quite excited that she will be joining us. She is new to the book blogging world - but I am sure she will fit right in!

We are glad you are joining us!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Stop by Deadly Vixens - Keta Diablo is there!

Keta Diablo blogging at Deadly Vixens today.. Want to win free books? Go check it out and leave a comment: http://www.thedeadlyvixens.com/

Keta's Books include:

Decadent Deceptions
An erotica historical and 2008 Molly Contest Finalist
Noble Romance: http://www.nobleromance.com

Dust and Moonlight
An erotica fantasy/time-travel
Siren Publishing: http://www.sirenpublishing.com

Land of Falling Stars
An erotica historical and number one best seller at Ravenous Romance
(Once Upon A Time category) http://www.ravenousromance.com

Sweethearts

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

What was this book about?

Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were the best of friends in grade school . Maybe that was because they were both outcasts. One day Cameron doesn’t show up at school and Jennifer believes he is dead.

When the opportunity comes up for Jennifer to move and start a new school – she decides to change herself - becoming Jenna. She now has everything. She is cute and popular, has boyfriends and friends, people look up to her. Then one day Cameron returns.

Jenna is forced to reevaluate her past and how she got to where she was. And Cameron was part of that. Why did he leave? What does their friendship mean to either of them?

What did you think about the book?


This book is one of those books that made me think. Especially in your teen years (and general school years) you try to be whoever it is that makes you fit in. And yet most of the time no one fits in. Is it denying yourself to become something that you aren’t for people to like you? Do you become that person?

What about the people from your past? Can they see you as anything but what you were?

At least for me growing up I did my best to fit in. I remember a girl that I was “friends” with repeatedly giving me lists of what I needed to do to improve myself – so that I could be friends with her (and everyone else). It took me a while but it was something that now as a self-assured adult – I wonder why I ever gave in to her bullying. I guess it was this need to fit in. For me that is less important now, but I think it is important to realize that the need is there – and what you have sometimes done in order to fulfill it.

What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics/Teen

Overall:

Question for You!
Have you ever tried to change yourself in a new environment? How did that work for you?

Monday, February 9, 2009

Ecstasy

Ecstasy by Jacquelyn Frank (The Shadowdwellers)

What was this book about?

Ashla was a normal girl on the surface – but she had secrets. When a horrible car accident leaves her in a place she just doesn’t understand she does her best to continue to exist. She is in a dark and scary place – with no one around. It is like a post-apocalyptic world – with no one left but her.

Ashla doesn’t understand that she is in Shadowscape. A place that Shadowdwellers can go. Shadowdwellers cannot handle any sort of light – so darkness is important to them.

Trace is a Shadowdweller – and he has never before seen a human in Shadowscape. He can’t help but be attracted to Ashla – especially once she saves his life. But there is a war going on with his people. The new leaders Tristan and Malaya have overthrown the old government and are moving forward – but it seems someone else wants to take over.

What did you think about the book?


I really liked the Demon books that Jacquelyn Frank had written. This is in a very similar vein and in fact you may even meet a demon or two. It is the same world but just a different race.

So I definitely plan on continuing with this series. The books are interesting – and I love the new type of “race”. Shadowdwellers are new and interesting and not like anything I have ever seen before. While I enjoy the common vampire, witch, lycanthrope books – seeing something that is totally new and made up excites me.

The only thing I would question – is the submissive part of the story – where Ashla and Trace figure out that she is submissive. It is hard to have a story in which the heroine is both submissive and dominate – especially with the abusive past that she was part of.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:


Question for You!

Do you think you could live in a place where you had no human contact for months?

Kristin Hannah author of True Colors

Guest post by Kristin Hannah author of True Colors



All it takes is a quick look at the last ten books I've written, and it's easy to see that I'm a Pacific Northwest kind of gal. Washington state is more than simply where I live; in a way, this blue and green corner of the world defines me. One of my first queries when I begin working on a book is the setting. Where does this story take place? What I'm looking for is a place that can become almost a character in the book. An area that can be pure platinum to the jewel of the story. As a I reader, I find that there's a lot of fiction set in the Northeast and the South, but we in the west are woefully underrepresented. That's a loss I try to quietly combat.

In Firefly Lane, I chose a particularly personal setting, which made sense because Firefly was a deeply personal book. Like the characters in the novel, I grew in rural western Washington and went to the University of Washington. The book, which follows two women and their thirty year friendship, allowed me to pull back the curtain on a Washington state that doesn't exist anymore. On my fictional tour, you'll be taken to the old roller rink where I first learned that women could rock out (the group turned out to be Heart), to the town's first coffeehouse, where you got a cup of drip coffee and talked about the politics of the day. Remember that? When you used to sit down for coffee and only had one cup a day???


Honestly, after all the soul baring I did in Firefly Lane, I was ready to pull back a little, to take my own life out of the mix. That was my intent when I began True Colors, anyway. It wasn't until the question of setting that I found my own life creeping back into the story. First, I chose a wild, wonderful, secret part of the state, where I LOVE the beach, and secondly, I added in horses. As a girl, I was one of those horsey chicks. I grew up on acreage, with my horses in the pasture beside the house. From the time I was thirteen on, my horse was one of my very best friends. And best of all, my mom and I were together for horse shows. Many of my favorite mother-daughter memories take place in a dusty old barn somewhere, or sitting side by side in the front of our true.

In True Colors, I'll give you a glimpse into a world you might not know--a world filled with men and women who are connected to one another through their love of horses. Of course, the book is about more than horses--it's about a shocking crime, a stranger who comes to town and may or may not be dangerous, sisters who find themselves on opposite sides of the law, and a town that is changed forever by murder.

I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This past year I have been fortunate enough to speak to many, many book clubs about Firefly Lane, and I look forward to talking to even more about True Colors.

Aloha for now--

Kristin

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood

What was this book about?

Sophie Rose is a reporter who loves her job. She grew up the favored daughter of a man she didn’t really understand (but definitely loved) – the famed Bobbie Rose. Bobbie is the Robin Hood of the Chicago area – simultaneously loved and hated – which definitely puts Sophie in a tight spot.

After quitting her first job because she refused to give in to pressure to out her father – she now has a job at a small paper that leaves her doing human interest stories – but they don’t pressure her about her father.

Her best friends since grade school are there to support her –Regan and Cordie. When something new happens in the news with her father – she starts getting death threats and attempts on her life. In comes friend of Regan’s Jack MacAllister. Jack is FBI – and Sophie knows to not trust the FBI.

Meanwhile one of the stars of a human interest story she was going to write turns up dead. Dead and in Alaska. Sophie wants to find out what really happened and in doing so starts a rollercoaster of a ride for her and Jack.

What did you think about the book?

Let me start off by saying I love Julie Garwood’s historical romances. I have many of them on shelves in my house (or packed away – a girl only has that much room for books). But I have read them over and over (and really am wondering if I should read them again so that I can post reviews for them – even if they are not newer books). I just really enjoy those characters. I love how they interact and re-meet each other. They just are books that entertain me no matter how many times I read them.

So this made me start wondering – what leads an author to staying in the same vein of writing – romance – but switching genres almost in terms of time periods and types of stories. I really don’t know. I liked this book. I liked her other contemporary work – but I love her historicals and wish there were more of them so that I could eat them up.

The first thing when I started “thinking” about this book was that. The second was wow – I remember reading about the Buchanan’s – I think I need to reread the book of Alec and his wife.

I liked this book. The characters easily could have been unlikeable (daughter of mob boss and FBI agent). They were both strong characters who needed to rely on each other. The plot was interesting and different and it was just a twist of fate that put Sophie and Jack in danger.

What genre would you consider this?

Contemporary Romance

Overall:

Question for You!

Why do you think author’s move from genre to genre?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Her Best Christmas Ever

Her Best Christmas Ever by Judy Duarte

What was this book about?

Country music star Greg Clayton just wants to return home for the holidays. So he can’t help but be surprised when the only person there to greet him is his Grannie’s housekeeper Connie Montoya. At first Greg is excited, he had an instant attraction to her the last time he saw Connie. Then he realizes Connie is very, very pregnant.

Trapped in a storm Greg is the only one there to deliver the baby. Does the experience bond the two? Can a single mother of a newborn really have a relationship with a country music star? Connie had dreams of her own but has given them up – why? How will that affect their budding love for one another?

What did you think about the book?

The feelings one gets when a child is born – whether the child is theirs biologically is something that the main “hero” finds surprising. He immediately bonds with the child. Did that make his relationship with the mother something he was more willing to follow through with? Possibly?

With these Silhouette books I usually feel the story is too quick. I barely get started and it is over. Sometimes that is a sign of something that is really good – and I don’t want to let go – and other times it is a sign that I didn’t like the book. With this book I didn’t feel that feeling of too quick or too slow. It seemed generally just right. I enjoyed the story. (I mean who wouldn’t want to be rescued by a country music star and swept away with their newborn baby and turned into their very own superstar?)

What genre would you consider this?
Contemporary Romance

Overall:

Question for You!
What is your favorite part of the holidays?

Friday, February 6, 2009

Houston we have a Problem

Houston we have a Problem by Gwendolyn Zepeda

What was this book about?

Jessica Luna doesn’t know if she is really happy in her life. Her so-called boyfriend doesn’t act at all like he really is her boyfriend. Her sister has moved on from being her best friend to being some guys wife. Her job isn’t really what she wants to do. Her parents relationship seems to have hit a rough spot.

So what does Jessica do? Consult her local psychic – Madame Hortensia. Jessica learned that there is such a thing as fate and that if she doesn’t do what she is supposed to (sorry plastic Virgin Mary) she will be in trouble.

But what does Jessica really need to learn to do? Listen to herself and those around her. Move on with her life and do what makes her happy. There are a lot of surprises out there for her if she just takes a real – honest to goodness – chance.

What did you think about the book?

The book was ok. I didn’t dislike it so much as never was able to get into it. I think I kinda always could tell (and actually appreciate) that the main character was very much into her culture. She didn’t want to really stray from it. It is important to have similar views and interests. With nothing in common a relationship will falter.

I think the other thing that was interesting but I just didn’t know how she didn’t see was a big scam – was the fortune teller/psychic. Even if she did have some sort of ability (which I am neither going to say are real or discount) the fact that she always had an extra to give her was a little telling.

I enjoyed the characters progression in realizing what was important to her and how she could get it.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance/Family Dynamics

Overall:

Question for You!

Have you ever realized that you were biased about something you didn’t realize you had been biased about?

Thursday, February 5, 2009

A Seduction at Christmas

A Seduction at Christmas by Cathy Maxwell

What was this book about?

Fiona Lachlan has had a tough past. While raised gently – her parents died when she was younger – and with her brother moving to America and leaving her behind (at her request) she is alone. She is barely making enough money to live on. So she takes a task that will bring her a little money. It brings her into an intrigue of murder and mayhem.

Fiona has meet the Duke of Holburn - Nick before. But this time she has become his ward. Someone is trying to kill him and she has no idea who – but she has a connection to him and it may be the only thing that can save either of them.

Nick has learned many years ago to stop trusting those around him. And he especially steers clear of innocence. Fiona is nothing if not innocent. Can he get past everything and love her? Can she love him even though they come from different backgrounds and she has a checkered past?

What did you think about the book?


I don’t know if it is because I write a lot of these reviews – but I feel sometimes if I run out of things to talk about when talking about particular romance stories. It doesn’t mean they are bad – in fact many times it is because they are generally entertaining – that I don’t have anything to say (I feel evil speaking as if the only things I have to say sometimes are bad things).

The plot of this story (as described above) is interesting and keeps you entertained. You move forward at a reasonable pace. The characters are people that you like overall and can root for them to get together. In many ways I don’t really consider this a “Christmas” book because the theme doesn’t really get to that point until the end. But even with that caveat I enjoyed the book.

As a P.S. of sorts. I would love to have a guest post or interview from a romance author. That seems to be one genre where I have heard little from. So if you are interested – please send me an email at blogofbooks@gmail.com.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance

Overall:

Question for You!

Do you enjoy books that center around holidays – only during that particular holiday?

Ritual in Death

Ritual in Death by J.D. Robb (Part of the Suite 606 Anthology)

What was this book about?

Detective Eve Dallas is at a society party with her husband Roarke when a man stumbles in naked and covered with blood. They find a woman dead (and it is quite a grisly murder) in another room in the hotel. The room – Suite 606 – but a quick bloody swipe has made the room much more menacing.

Eve will do anything to find the killers. But it quickly is figured out that there is more to this then just a murder. Satanists are involved. They have destroyed several people’s lives as well as killed. Can Eve stop them? Who could do this?

What did you think about the book?

If you have read this blog before you may have noticed that I have a thing for J.D. Robb books. They just make me happy. I love revisiting the characters I have grown to love over and over – and there is almost nothing that J.D. (Nora Roberts) can do to make that change.

So despite my overall hatred (maybe that is too strong a word) for short stories – I picked this book up. I find that authors who are not normally short story authors have a problem making a concise, short story that doesn’t feel rushed. I was afraid that would be the case with this one.

Maybe it is my love of all things Eve Dallas – or maybe it really is pretty good – but I didn’t feel that about this story. Was it short? Yes. Did I wish it was longer? Yes. But did I feel I got a complete story where I wasn’t rushed into the beginning or the end? Yes.

Overall, therefore I was happy with it.

What genre would you consider this?

Mystery

Overall:


Question for You!

What is your favorite short story author?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Lemonade Award & Special Thanks

Special Thanks to Hudson - I'm Kind Of A Big Deal . I think it is a great blog and has also been really encouraging to me. I think you all should check it out!

A shout out and pass the Award on to these wonderful blogs:

Legacy

Legacy by Kate Brian (Private Novel)

What was this book about?

Reed Brennan is a first generation student at the Easton Academy. She has been involved in the premier student group at her school – Billings Hall. It is special for a girl to be invited in to the group.

Now the group’s president and leader Cheyenne Martin has died. No one knows why she did it – but in many ways Reed is haunted by her death. They had an interesting relationship at the very least.

When the other girls automatically flock to Reed – she becomes the new President. She has no idea what sorts of perks come with the presidency. She doesn’t feel like she deserves it but over time will come to enjoy what it means to be elite.

Cheyenne’s death has had other repercussions as well. The Legacy ball has been cancelled. This is the event of the year for all students in private schools across the country. Now that Reed is president it is her job to figure out what to do about this. Is being president all it is cracked up to be?

What did you think about the book?


When I started the book I wasn’t sure if I would like it. It was like running to catch up and I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to catch up. I was very close to putting the book down and then I finally got into it. Overall I enjoyed it.

I would suggest though that anyone interested in this series start as much at the beginning of the series as possible. That way you get to know the characters and their pasts. It is mentioned (continuously) in the book – but it is nicer to know where the animosity, friendships, and history comes from.

I think this is an interesting read for a teen. It does have references to sexual activity, drugs, and overruling authority but it isn’t exceptionally descriptive or involved. To me that just means young girls looking for something to read shouldn’t go in this direction.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen

Overall:

Question for You!

Have you ever wanted a position with some power – only to regret it in the end?