I have to admit, this one was extremely sappy and predictable and I didn’t really enjoy it all that much. But my teen daughter loved it. And it’s clean. So I guess it’s worth a quick review for teens and parents of teens who like sticky sweet drama without all the hot and heavy. Lurlene McDaniel […]
I've reviewed lots of books and written 20 of my own.
The Thief (The Queen’s Thief, 1), by Megan Whalen Turner
This particular book won Newbery Honors back in 1996, I believe, but I almost didn’t stick with it long enough to find out why. The story is, in essence, a quest. One that starts out slowly, with not much going on except characterization. Which is excellent. I just wasn’t sure where it all was going […]
Bingo Summer, by Dawn Malone
First time author Dawn Malone has crafted a winner in Bingo Summer. Charming, sweet, and artfully written, it takes top honors in my summer reading list. It’s just a superb example of middle grade lit. I loved it! Okay, the initial catalyst for the plot is pretty unlikely. (Summer wins ten million dollars with a […]
Lightning Road Series, by Donna Galanti (book trailer reveal and giveaway!)
Earlier this summer, I read the first book in Donna Galanti’s Lightning Road fantasy adventure series, JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD. It just so happens that today Ms. Galanti is unveiling the trailer for book two, JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM, which will be releasing on August 30th, so I waited to post my review […]
Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan
I’ve seen this one on a few different sites lately, particularly on the review blog of Patricia Tilton, who always has great taste, so I picked it up. It’s Ms. Ryan’s newest, released only last year, and it lives up to her classic style. It claimed Newbery honors this year. Being a writer myself, I […]
Bean Counting for Authors
Today’s post certainly won’t grab fiction readers, but I know there are plenty of authors who tune into my blog. I’m slipping this one is in specifically for them, because it’s the best resource I’ve read on the subject yet. Becoming a self-published author is frightening. Not only are you opening your creativity to significant […]
The Break (Tales of a Revolution), by Lars D. Hedbor
As you know by now, I’m a history addict and a fan of Lars Hedbor’s historical fiction series, Tales of a Revolution. Over spring break, I had the honor of reading two of his latest releases. The first, The Wind, posted right after I read it. This is the second. It’s sort of fitting that it’s posting on […]
The Beloved Daughter, by Alana Terry
READERS’ FAVORITE, 1ST PLACE GOLD MEDAL GRACE AWARDS, 1ST PLACE WOMEN OF FAITH WRITING CONTEST, 2ND PLACE BOOK CLUB NETWORK, 1ST PLACE BOOK OF THE MONTH INDIEFAB FINALIST, RELIGIOUS FICTION I don’t rave about books very often, but this one blew me away. I’ve familiarized myself with some of the inhumane activities going on in […]
Dumpsters and Dinosaurs, by Lois D. Brown
Just a quick note before I get to today’s review to let you know that Blood Moon is FINALLY available in paperback! __________________________________ This is a fun new release by fellow Emblazoner Lois D. Brown who, as you may recall, wrote a fantastic young adult series I really enjoyed. (The first book, Cycles, was a top 5 […]
Peak, by Roland Smith
I thoroughly enjoyed this teen boy adventure. Peak Marcello is a 14-year-old boy, the son of two well-known mountaineers, so he hardly can help it that climbing is in his blood. But when he’s caught climbing a New York skyscraper, he only escapes jail when his father, Josh, shows up and offers to take him […]