Posts

Showing posts from May, 2013

The Tiferet Talk Interviews by Melissa Studdard with an Introduction by Donna Baier Stein

Image
  * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. 163 pages Published by Tiferet Press (2013) Synopsis:   The Tiferet Talk Interviews is a fascinating collection of twelve interviews transcribed from the Tiferet Talk Radio show, hosted by Melissa Studdard. Some of the world's most notable writers and spiritual leaders share their thoughts on writing, tolerance, and the world we live in today. Gain incredible insight into their perspective on ways to tell the truth of our lives, access creativity, and balance magic and craft. The Tiferet Talk Interviews includes a special introduction by Donna Baier Stein and interviews with Julia Cameron, Edward Hirsch, Jude Rittenhouse, Marc Allen, Arielle Ford, Robert Pinsky, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Robin Rice, Jeffrey Davis, Floyd Skloot, Anthony Lawlor, and Lois P. Jones. My Thoughts: The interviewees did include some interesting information, some of which was over my tiny blonde head. But

101 Things To Do Before I Die

My Mother recently had an E.R. visit, she has yet another UTI. The Nurse Practitioner was asking her history and why she was seeing an urologist. " I have trouble catherizing myself", Mom said. " Do you have anyone to help?", the NP asked. This is when  I  wanted to lift my hand as if I was in school and say " ME! ME!" but I refrained from doing so. This is the 2nd health care professional Mom has had this same discussion with. See, she has RA so it's hard to catheterize herself but I have offered to help her numerous times. After a year, I think she may be wearing down. You see, I have jackass genes. I understand where she's coming from...who wants their child to help them with such an intimate thing? It's not like it's on my bucket list, either- 57. Catheterize Mom- Done! Woo Hoo! Now I can die happy. My grandmother needed help taking a bath and going to the bathroom and  she hated being waited on. But she knew she couldn&#

Arabelle's Shadows

Image
* I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Formats: Paperback   Kindle   Nook   270 pages Publisher: Smashwords (2012) Synopsis:   Everything in Arabelle's life is coming together. She has confidence, great friends, she's even dating Naak, a wealthy Thai socialite. But there are too many models in Bangkok. Arabelle’s broke, she can’t find an agent in New York, and Naak isn’t as wonderful as he first appears. Slowly the Shadows creep back into Arabelle’s mind, bringing with them thoughts of hopelessness and despair. The vile Shadows know something Arabelle’s refusing to remember and, if she’s not careful, they’ll use it to destroy her. Based on a true story, Arabelle’s Shadows takes us on a journey through the struggles of growing up, not quite making it as an international model, and attempting to overcome a crushing depression. My Thoughts:   Loosely based on the author's life this book tells th

Purple Haze

Image
Yesterday my husband went to the ophthalmologist for his eye. As he was taking the initial exam when the tech adjusted the letters for him he asked if he could see any of the letters better. My husband replied, " You've got to be kidding." After some more tests, the doctor came back with the diagnosis- a retinal tear which could lead to a retinal detachment. The treatment for the tear was laser treatment to create a barrier so the tear wouldn't expand anymore. So I went back to the waiting room and the husband went into the laser tag room. After a few minutes he came out and I asked how it went. "Well, when they were doing it all of a sudden these bright lights starting exploding behind my eye. Especially purple, a bright purple haze. I thought I was experiencing the 60s again." Okaaay. Anyway he goes back in three weeks- and yes he is still wearing his eye patch and using pirate speak.

Ripped: A Jack the Ripper Time Travel Mystery by Shelly Dickson Carr

Image
Formats: Paperback   Kindle   Nook   * I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 509 pages Publisher: New Book Partners (December 2012) Synopsis: After her parents were killed, Katie left Boston to live with Grandma Cleaves in London. It still seems like a bad dream. But she's doing okay, even making new friends. A bit of a history buff, Katie likes living in a city where so much has happened, likes walking the same streets as the authors of Dracula and the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. This cool, bookish teen is working on her British accent and even learning some Cockney rhyming slang from handsome Toby. When a museum visit with friends turns funky, Katie finds herself in a long, uncomfortable dress, wearing a ridiculous hat. What happened to her jeans and high-top sneakers? Where's her iPhone? It's London, 1888. Smart, gutsy Katie realizes she's here to stop a serial killer. She ca

A Caregiver? Me? by Lynda Bush

Image
* I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review. Formats: epub  mobi  pdf 108 pages Publisher: WestBow Press (2012) Synopsis:   Becoming a caregiver for a terminally ill family member is an enormous challenge. This guide is a gift to my late husband, who not only taught me how to live well but how to die well. I hope it will carry on his legacy of always teaching and sharing, even as he faced the end of his life. A compact guide that you can easily reference along your personal journey, it is filled with practical suggestions to help you, as the caregiver, honor the way your family member would like to create his or her final journey toward paradise. My Thoughts   A handy tool for caregivers- it offers practical advice with a wry sense of humor thrown in to help caregivers and loved ones on their journey.It was a very quick read. It even had tips I was not familiar with and will

The Difference Between Night and Day by Melissa Turner Lee

Image
* I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Formats: Kindle   Paperback   Nook Published 2013 by AltWit Press 317 pages Synopsis: Nathaniel Taylor was a Christian who thought believers were exempted from "dark times." That was until he entered his own long time in the dark. When he meets Lilly, a young woman in danger, it sends him on a journey to discover the difference between night and day and that during dark times, the light is hidden, not gone. My Thoughts: I thought the book started off slow but towards the middle it picked up and I found myself enjoying it more. Nathaniel was a great character and while I found Lilly to be a little annoying at first she quickly grew on me. I know the theme of the book was light vs. dark but I found it to be a little heavy handed at times- I thought the point the author was trying to get across could have been more subtle. That didn't stop me from enjoying the book though a

Rose Blossom by Renee Travis

Image
* I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Formats: Paperback Kindle Published in 2011 by CreateSpace 143 pages Synopsis:   High school senior Rhodanthe Watson dreams of a life like any other girl her age; boyfriend, pick a good college, and find the perfect shade of lip gloss. But her reality is an overbearing and overprotective mom, and actually making it to college by surviving the heart condition she's had for years. Meeting and falling in love with Julian, a handsome and mysterious new boy at school, was never on the list, neither was finding out that he's a vampire. Being the girlfriend of a vampire has its dark side; especially when a jealous classmate decides to do something about her relationship; a move that threatens to destroy the dreams within Rhodanthe's grasp. Rhodanthe must choose between her family, the fate that's been struggling to continue beating in her chest for years and a new love that comes w

Shiver Me Timbers

Image
The husband has been having trouble with his right eye. He doesn't want to go to the ER  so until we can get to the eye doctor next week he's wearing an eye patch. And pretending he's Jack Sparrow, 'cept he bathes. " Yar. Yar. Y'know yar." Makes me want to walk the plank. Cap'n Graybeard

The Disresptful Interviewer: Thirteen Interviews with Authors by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Image
Formats: Kindle   100 pages Publisher: Hat City Press ( March 2013) I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Just what the title promises! Thirteen disrespectful interviews with authors, including: Chris Cleave, Jon Clinch, Tish Cohen, Joseph Finder, Kristy Kiernan, A.S. King, J.A. Konrath, Greg Logsted, Lisa McMann, Lynn Price, Lev Raphael, Adriana Trigiana...and Lauren Baratz-Logsted - discover new favorites and see some of your favorite authors, like you've never seen them before! My Review:   These interviews were conducted when the author was " Writer-in Residence" in 2009-10 at the literary e-zine BiblioBuffet, which is now defunct. She wanted her interviews to be different so she decided to diss the authors, the result of which is now this tongue-in-cheeky book. I know for me when I have to interview someone I feel as if my IQ drops bout 40 points...and that's sad, cause I

Night Town by Cathi Bond

Image
E-pub Kindle  Print Formats 253 pages Publisher: Iguana Books ( May 13, 2013) * I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis   Maddy Barnes is the high-spirited daughter of a small town doctor and his beautiful, yet strong-minded wife. Maddy’s mother and grandfather hammer the family creed, “you must never falter” into the psyche of every child in the family. A philosophy her father despises, but Maddy embraces. Then something unthinkable happens and Maddy’s perfect family implodes. They deal with it the only way they know, each retreating into impenetrable silos to nurse their grief alone. But Maddy can’t. Her rage and pain are too unbearable to be contained. So on her sixteenth birthday, Maddy falls through the looking glass and leaves home forever. Only she doesn’t meet the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. Instead Maddy tumbles down through the rings of hell, into the unknown Toronto of the 1970s – an unknown world of

Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely by Alex Clermont

Image
* I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Paperback Kindle Nook Publisher: Alex Clermont November 2012 75 pages Synopsis:   Imagine leaving behind everybody and everything familiar to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language and don't know a soul. Worst yet, you look different from everybody there. People find your cultural norms insulting, and you can't get a date to save your life. Imagine you wrote a book about your time there... Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely is a collection of snapshots that cover the two years that Alex Clermont lived in the country of South Korea as an English teacher. Scribed with a flair for humor, emotion, character and depth, these introspective narratives do more than act as a travel guide. They are creatively written windows into the life of of someone discovering new things about himself, the world, and the people who he shares it with-all w

Avon Calling

When we went to pick up my husband's medicine the other day my Dad was driving. This is what took place when he drove up to the pick-up window. "Hello", Dad said. " You have to push the call button," I told him. " My arms ain't long enough." " Use my grabby tool", The Husband said. ( Yes that's the technical term.) " Ding Dong. Avon calling," said Dad. " Good grief, " I exclaimed. After a few minutes the tech still hadn't come to the window so Dad tooted the horn a couple of times. " Don't do that." " Well, they ain't coming." As the tech come to the window- " She done it," as he pointed to me. " I did not." " I was eating," the tech said. " Did you save me some?,' he asked. " Good grief," I exclaimed while trying to make myself invisible. " No, it's all gone," she said. " Well, can I lick the pape

Cropped to Death ( A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery # 1) by Christina Freeburn

Image
Paperback , Nook , and Kindle formats Publisher: Henery Press ( November 2012) 290 pages * I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Former US Army JAG specialist, Faith Hunter, returns to her West Virginia home to work in her grandmothers' scrapbooking store determined to lead an unassuming life after her adventure abroad turned disaster. But her quiet life unravels when her friend is charged with murder – and Faith inadvertently supplied the evidence. So Faith decides to cut through the scrap and piece together what really happened. With a sexy prosecutor, a determined homicide detective, a handful of sticky suspects and a crop contest gone bad, Faith quickly realizes if she’s not careful, she’ll be the next one cropped. My Review: A cute mystery set in West Virginia. It's filled with interesting characters and has the beginnings of a nice romance in it for the protagonist.

Framed: A Historical Novel About the Revolt of the Luddites by Christy Fearn

Image
Formats: Paperback Kindle Nook Publisher: Open Books ( March 2013) I received a copy through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: As French émigré Roman Catholics, Lizette Molyneux and her brother Robert are used to an existence on the edge of their Regency Nottingham community. But when Robert is arrested for a crime he insists he did not commit, Lizzie must draw on all her strength and courage to help him. Overcoming poverty, prejudice and the unwanted advances of her employer’s son, she unites with the frame-breaking Luddites to free her brother and to rectify social injustice. My Review: Although it got off to a slow start and was uneven in places I enjoyed the book overall. Real life history was woven nicely into the plot and I like how she used Lord Byron as a character. It was a quick read and I learned something about England's Industrial Revolution that I hadn't heard of before. I