Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

June 9, 2012

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Cora arrives home from Normal School in the summer of 1913 expecting her parents to be waiting at the train station to pick her up. What is actually waiting for her is family, but not the family she was expecting. After learning about a dark family secret, Cora is given the chance of a lifetime if she's willing to leave the life she currently knows behind - the chance to be a part of a Grand Tour through Europe where she will be introduced to incredible fashions, food, culture, and people. Can she find her place in this new world without losing herself completely?

I loved this book. I read it while I was sitting by the pool and stayed by the pool long after the sun went down just so I could finish it. Cora is a great main character with a realistic mixture of humility, awe, and spunk. And with a great cast of supporting characters, especially her friend Will, the author really brings this story to life through their individual personalities. I also love the plot and the whole idea of doing a Grand Tour through Europe so maybe I just liked this book so much because I'm jealous of their opportunities. Or it's just a good book.

I really can only think of one thing that I didn't like about Glamorous Illusions, the fact that I didn't know it was the first in a series until the last page of the book. I was expecting the author to wrap the book up in a nice pretty package and instead, she expertly set the stage for a great series. And you better believe I will be ordering the next book in the series as soon as it's available. 5 stars

Want to know more? Check out more information and additional reviews for Glamorous Illusions. Did I convince you that it's worth reading? Lisa is doing a promotion during the blog tour and selling the ebook version for cheap through June - $2.99 from 6/9-6/15 and $4.99 from 6/16-6/22. And if you'd rather not buy it, Lisa is giving readers a chance to not only win her book but also to win a $350 Visa gift card.



One "glamorous" winner will receive a "Glam Prize Pack":

  • A $350 Visa Cash Card (Oh ... think of what you could do: treat yourself to a mani/pedi, a fabulous new dress, dinner for two, or even a two-night escape in a lovely hotel - you're only limited by your imagination!)
  • Glamorous Illusions (by Lisa Tawn Begren)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 6/26/12. Winner will be announced at Lisa's "Glamorous Illusions" Facebook Party on  6/27 {Fun begins at 5pm PDT / 8pm EDT}. Lisa will be hosting an evening of meaningful chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Lisa via video or phone.)

So grab a few of your friends and your copy of Glamorous Illusions and join Lisa on the evening of June 27th for an evening of fun.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter
Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. 
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Reviewed by Britni at 7:58 PM 1 comments
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May 20, 2012

Baroness by Susan May Warren

A coming of age story set in the Roaring Twenties, Baroness tells the story of two daughters of fortune determined to follow their dreams no matter what happens on the way. Rosie is determined to become a star on the newly energy silver screen and all Lilly wants to do is return to Montana to live on the ranch her family left so long ago. Neither realized the pathway to their dreams would be filled with so much pain, heartache, and of course, men.

This book was just okay. I started out really liking Lilly, the sort of nerdy, head in the clouds woman who was trying to avoid the incoming flapper era her cousin Rosie was trying to force on her. But I quickly found myself feeling that both women were both extremely ignorant and spoiled, shown time after time in their actions, and I just couldn't relate as they both did things in their lives that intentionally hurt those that loved them just to chase after a guy who didn't care about them. The plus side is that the writing was good, the characters were well developed (I just didn't particularly care for them), and the story is an interesting and unpredictable one. 3 stars.

Interested in reading this book? Check out other reviews from the Baroness blog tour.

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Reviewed by Britni at 5:57 PM 1 comments
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March 9, 2012

Her Frozen Wild by Kim Antieau

In "Her Frozen Wild” Ursula spends her time in the basement laboratories examining tattoos and body art of ancient mummies. In her spare time she fights with her cheating husband and listens to stories of the People told to her by her Siberian grandmother. As Ursula stays behind in the states, a team of her colleagues unearths a 2500-year-old mummy, adorned with tattoos and possessing a priestess headdress. As their plane crashes, Ursula is called to Siberia to finish her colleagues’ mission of identifying this woman. Blood and skin tests shows that the mummy’s DNA possess significant matches to Ursula’s DNA! How can she be connected to a 2500-year-old mummy? Well the answers to this question just scratch the surface of Antieau’s plot in “Her Frozen Wild.”

Also, as Ursula attempts to conquer her fear of flying in the middle of the Chicago airport, a suave Russian doctor helps her relax. Sergei Ivanovich Polyakov begins to seduce Ursula in his Russian mansion as she waits for her next plane to Siberia. One night she discovers that Sergei possesses the same tattoos as the ancient mummy, causing her to wonder about the connection between her, the mummy, and Sergei. Taken on a quest through time, Ursula begins to piece together this strange puzzle as Antieau creates a beautiful story centered on finding your true self and releasing the inner beast within.

I found this novel to be truly magical, filled with details that will make the reader feel as if they are standing next to the mountain in Altai, Siberia with Ursula. Ursula tries to find herself as she untangles details from her past, including the disappearance of her mother 30 years ago. In addition to breathtaking scenery, Antieau adds some steamy sex scenes into the mix. She describes sex as a primal act, so if you are a conservative, modest reader this book might not be for you. Ursula attempts to unlock the inner animal inside of her, meaning that she is trying to break through all of the stereotypes and rules put on to her by society.

One of my favorite lines of the novel sums up the entire mission of “Her Frozen Wild:” “Who you are is the who you were before someone told you you weren’t tall enough, short enough, skinny or pretty enough. Before anyone told you you were not right.” What a great and true statement! Antieau combines more of her wisdom with intricate plot lines, which seem hard to follow at certain points in the novel. In the beginning of this novel, the reader will be reading several plots that occur in different time periods. They eventually collide into one, cohesive story so do not be discouraged if at first you are a bit confused. Overall, great message, superb details, and interesting character development.

4 stars

*I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinions.

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Reviewed by Brittany Barry at 7:54 AM 2 comments
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February 14, 2012

On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor

Maggie has it all. She's beautiful, been accepted to Yale Law School, engaged to a superstar movie producer, and a talented photographer. But something is missing, herself. Ever since Maggie met fiance Jeffrey, she's been hiding from her true feelings and dreams because who wouldn't be in love with such a handsome and successful man.

One week after their engagement Jeffrey surprises Maggie with a two week skiing trip, just the two of them. Then it becomes the four of them as Jeffrey invites their best friends along. As soon as they arrive at the Ritz resort Maggie learns the real reason for the trip is for Jeffrey to do some pre-production work on a new skiing documentary he is shooting of a hot shot ski bum who lives in the area. Instead of the romantic vacation she envisioned, Maggie ends up with a lot of time alone to think, ski, photograph the surrounding area, and fall head over heels for that hot shot ski bum.

I won't give anything else away but you can probably figure out what happens next because well, On the Rim of Love was simply put, predictable. I really enjoyed the setting and the descriptions of the gorgeous mountainside but I found the story to be lackluster and the characters to be one-dimensional and lacking in depth. They were each written in a way that it was obvious whose side you should be on and which characters you should like and which characters were in the wrong. Take Jeffrey for example, an vengeful and arrogant producer who thinks his wife should stay at home while he makes the money, there wasn't one thing I liked about him. Same thing with most of the characters, they were either all good or all bad. When have you ever met anyone who didn't have one redeeming quality? It just felt flat and unrealistic to me.

If you're just looking for something to keep you entertained by the pool or at the beach for a few hours, this will do the job. Just don't expect to keep thinking about it or remembering the characters after you finish the last page. 3 stars.


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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 0 comments
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February 9, 2012

Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to earth to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

The setting switches back and forth between a heavenly scene and earth with Matt and Emily going back and forth between the two. The catch, Matt and Emily are only Matt and Emily in the heavenly setting, they are placed in the lives of other humans on earth, trying to remember who they are and what they are there for. While many young adult novels have one-dimensional characters, Amy Lignor's characters are anything but and I loved both the main characters but also the supporting cast. And I really felt the love and confusion that Emily felt as she tried to remember her true purpose, a feeling I think we can all relate to as we try to decide what we think we should do and what we feel. 

Until Next Time surprised me. While I was expecting fantasy, I was surprised by how many parts of it actually rang very true on a deeper level to me, which made this story much more than just your typical young adult novel.  Things like Emily and Matt learning and training in heaven to prepare them for their time on the earth. And that when they are sent to earth their knowledge being taken away so that they can be tested and learn during their earthly experiences. Other small insights throughout the novel give this story and the characters in it more depth and meaning to me and I loved it. This is Book 1 in the Angel Chronicles and I will definitely be reading the next one to see where Emily and Matt's partnership takes them next. 5 stars.
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Reviewed by Britni at 8:09 PM 4 comments
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February 6, 2012

The Informationist by Taylor Stevens

Governments pay her. Criminals fear her. Nobody sees her coming. I sure didn't.

Vanessa Michael Munroe speaks 22 languages. She can blend into any crowd and pull information out of thin air. And she's been trained to get the job done, no matter what it takes. She's paid  by governments and corporations to get information that is seemingly impossible to obtain. But this mission is different. She's hired by Texas oil billionaire Richard Burbank to find his daughter Emily who disappeared in Africa four years ago. Others have searched and others have failed. So far "Michael" has a perfect record, but is this where perfection ends?

I couldn't put this book down. Others compare Michael to Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series but other than the fact that they both had a troubled past and could obtain seemingly difficult information I didn't really see any other connections. And I personally liked Michael a heck of a lot more than I liked Lisbeth. Michael reminded me more of Jason Bourne mixed with Jennifer Garner on Alias - tough, sexy, and lethal while still allowing a hint of her personal life and emotions to play through. Maybe it's because it's everything I'm not, but I loved her character and I loved how she played different roles as part of the overall strategy to find out what happened to Emily.

On top of having a great main character, the story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing within the first few chapters. A thriller that allowed me to share in the adrenaline as Michael fought for the missing information. And finally, I loved the supporting characters in the book and how Stevens developed them well enough to make you curious and intrigued without giving away too much. I for one will definitely be picking up Stevens second book, The Innocent, to see what dazzling adventure Michael takes us on next.

I would definitely recommend this book to any adult who likes a good thriller, especially ones with a fierce female lead. But be warned, while not over the top, the book does have quite a bit of language and has a couple of gruesome moments. 4 stars
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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 1 comments
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February 5, 2012

The Silver Locket by Margaret James

Rose is the daughter of a rich gentleman. Michael is the son of a rich family. And Alex is the illegitimate son of a harlot. An interesting love triangle to say the least. Now add in World War I, Jane Austen like arranged marriages, and a lot of strange characters and you have The Silver Locket.

Rose's family wants her to marry Michael, a handsome man who is a good match, but Rose wants to do something else with her life. So she runs away, lies to become a military nurse, and meets all sorts of characters while finding her true place in life. Alex joins the army to forget about Rose, the girl he's loved from afar since he was 12. And in forgetting about Rose, he distracts himself with another woman Chloe who he eventually marries out of obligation, not love. And Michael joins the army out of obligation, hates Alex, and continually tries to convince Rose to marry him to gain her father's inheritance.

I'm not going to give away anything else but will say that as much as I wanted to, I didn't really like this book. I finished it because I have a habit of finishing books and I had to for the purpose of this review. But there wasn't a single character that I actually liked other than maybe Maria who was only in about 5% of the book. I felt like they all had major flaws that were infuriating to me, and they all criticized and judged each other when they were doing the same things, just in a different form. One example that killed me was that Rose thought Michael was a terrible person because he abandoned his own child, but Alex abandoned his wife and child but she didn't seem to care. I did however, like the fact that Rose broke from the mold of her society and ran away to do her own thing rather than being forced into a marriage she didn't want.

I also felt like the story just kept dragging on and on without any new developments. The same story that started in England moved to France and then to Russia. Rose worked a nurse, Alex and Michael fought, and they all worried about each other getting hurt. And it just kept going when in reality the same storyline could have been played out in half the pages. This book may be for some people but it wasn't for me. 2 stars.
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Reviewed by Britni at 11:55 AM 0 comments
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January 30, 2012

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I was expected a fast-paced adventure story about finding the Mona Lisa and chasing it around the world to keep it safe. And that did happen, it just didn't happen until about 3/4 of the way through the book. The first 3/4 of the book was full of the character and plot development that worked its way nicely into the suspense and adventure at the end. I liked all of the characters and felt that the authors descriptions, especially of Switzerland, were right on and accurate and I really appreciated that.

So while I didn't love this book, it was still a good read. 3 stars.

Want to learn more about the book? Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here or check out other stops on the blog tour for other reviews. And even better, the authors are hosting a giveaway that ends on 1/31 to celebrate the release for the book. Check out the giveaway here for a chance to win:

iTouch
Starbucks Gift Card
Moleskin Notebook
Invisible Ink Pen
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.
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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 0 comments
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January 26, 2012

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab: by Fiona Ingram

Whisked away on a short vacation with their aunt, cousins Justin and Adam find themselves on a tour in the middle of the Egyptian desert. Both cousins admire Mr. Kinnaird, an English archeologist, who suddenly went missing on a dig while investigating the ancient legend of the Scarab King. Fueled by these accounts, Adam convinces himself, along with his cousin, that there is adventure to be found in Egypt and treasure that is just waiting to be uncovered. While following their beautiful tour guide, Laila, the boys are approached by an unusual peddler outside the museum in Memphis. This odd looking man gives them three wooden scarabs in exchange for no money and utters odd words like “son of fire and light”, catapulting the boys suddenly into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure movie.

The book continues to pick up the pace as Adam and Justin begin to find clues connecting these plain looking scarabs with Mr. Kinnaird’s mission and the tomb of the Scarab King. Being chased by men dressed in dark robes, uncovering secrets of the dark Dr. Khalid, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Department, and inching closer to the location of the Scarab King’s tomb are just some of the details that continue to pour out of the pages of “The Secret of the Sacred Scarab” and will leave young readers mesmerized. As danger becomes a reality for both boys, their aunt and feisty grandmother begin to worry and slowly connect the dots, aiding these youngsters on the quest of their life.
Fiona Ingram creates the first book in the Chronicles of the Stone and “The Secret of the Sacred Scarab” does not disappoint. While adding in facts about Egyptian culture and history, I did not even notice that this book was a learning tool until after the last page. Laila, the tour guide, provides factual information about hieroglyphics, ancient culture, and the practices of the pharaohs and their priests. Stemming from Ingram’s trip to Egypt as a child, this novel imbeds history into the core of the adventure. Although simple in language and obvious plot details foreshadowing future action, this book is perfect for young readers, male and female alike. Adam and Justin are typical boys, and filled with imagination and a spirit thriving for adventure they invite other young readers on their remarkable escapade. Ingram excels at combining a foreign culture with an interesting plot and details that will jumpstart any child’s imagination.

4 stars

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Reviewed by Brittany Barry at 9:57 AM 1 comments
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January 18, 2012

Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster

Nine years ago, Molly Tanner witnessed a young girl's abduction in the busy city of Philadelphia, shifting her occasional clairvoyance into overdrive. Two days later, the girl's body was found, and Molly's life fell apart. Consumed by guilt for not acting upon her visions, and on the brink of losing her family, Molly escaped the torturous reminders in the city, fleeing to the safety of the close-knit rural community of Boyds, Maryland. 
 

Molly's life is back on track, her son has begun college, and she and her husband have finally rekindled their relationship. Their fresh start is shattered when a seven-year-old girl disappears from a local park near Molly's home. Unable to turn her back on another child and troubled by memories of the past, Molly sets out to find her, jeopardizing the marriage she'd fought so hard to hold together. While unearthing clues and struggling to decipher her visions, Molly discovers another side of Boyds, where the residents--and the land itself--hold potentially lethal secrets, and exposes another side of her husband, one that threatens to tear them apart.

 There were so many things that I liked about this book including the main plot, which was fascinating and mysterious all at the same time. Melissa did an excellent job with character development as well as representing the strain on familial relationships during hardships. She also did an excellent job of demonstrating both sides of the crime and helping the reader understand the confusion and fear felt by all sides.

So while I really enjoyed Chasing Amanda, there was one element that I just couldn't get past - the ending. Melissa did a good job of tying up all loose ends except for the one that was central to the entire plot - how the 7-year old girl was abducted and kept in the first place. Other questions were answered but the main one was left wide open and that frustrated me. I may have missed something somewhere but I just didn't feel like the case was as resolved as it was written to be. 4 stars.


*I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 9 comments
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December 27, 2011

The Bastard by Brenda Novak

Jeannette Boucher, a young French beauty from a family left penniless by the revolution, must marry against her will to save them all from ruin. But almost immediately after the vows are spoken, she learns that her old English husband is impotent-and in his desire for an heir, he plans to compromise her in the worst way. Determined to escape such a fate, she stows away on one of His Majesty's frigates. But a woman alone is in constant danger.
 
To Lieutenant Treynor, honor means everything....
 
Born a bastard to a wayward marquise, Lieutenant Crawford Treynor was given to a poor farmer to raise and was maltreated until he ran away to join the Royal Navy. Treynor is determined to prove he's as good as any other man and rise to captain his own frigate. But once he finds Jeannette aboard The Tempest he must decide whether to return her to the man he knows would abuse her-or risk everything, even his life, to keep her safe.

While this book wasn't incredible, it was a good way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. I really enjoyed both the main characters - Treynor and Jeannette - and how powerful they both were in their own way. There is definite sexual tension between the two of them and I have to warn you, there is a little bit of sex in the book as well as Jeannette and Treynor work together to protect each other. And unlike most romance novels there was actually quite a bit of plot to this one as well as Treynor tried to come to terms with his relationship with his mother as well as his relationship with Jeannette. 3 stars and recommended for someone who likes a good romance.

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Reviewed by Britni at 4:28 PM 0 comments
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December 6, 2011

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

From Amazon - The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

The Night Circus was fascinating. I'd never even heard of it but when I read the teaser I was sold. What's better than magic, competition, and love? A combination of The Prestige, Water for Elephants, and Possession, I read this book in about eight hours and couldn't put it down. It's well-written and has a great combination of mystery, intrigue, and romance. A great read for young adults and adults alike, this is one I really enjoyed. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I'm not sure how I felt about the ending. 4 stars
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Reviewed by Britni at 10:11 PM 1 comments
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November 29, 2011

The Lost Angel by Javier Sierra

During the great flood the earth was cleansed of all but a few choice survivors, Noah and his family. Thousands of years later the earth is threatened by another life ending catastrophe and Julia Alvarez is the only one hope to stop it, but she doesn't know that yet. All she knows is that her husband Martin has been kidnapped by a terrorist group and that she must find and save him.

Javier Sierra's new book The Lost Angel is an apocalyptic thriller that is part Da Vinci Code part National Treasure part historical fiction. Julia Alvarez has a gift, she can use stones (adamants) to communicate with God, communication channels that haven't been opened since Noah used the same type of stones on his ark. Now that the stones have been found, everyone is after them - Julia's husband and friends, foreign "terrorists," and even the US government. The book is full of twists and turns as everyone seeks to find the adamants and put them to good use.

While I normally love these type of books this one just didn't hook me. I actually put it down (which I never do) three or four times before finally getting through it. While the story was interesting, I felt that it lacked focus and mystery. There were too many people involved that took away from the storyline rather than adding to it, and I just couldn't keep it all straight. The plot was also fairly straightforward from the beginning and missing the intrigue and detective work that I love in other books like Da Vinci Code. This was a decent read but could have been much better. 3 stars

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Reviewed by Britni at 7:20 PM 1 comments
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November 22, 2011

Land of Mountains by Jinx Schwartz

Land of Mountains by Jinx Schwartz is a young adult novel that chronicles the adventures of Texas born ten-year old Lizbuthann (i.e. Elizabeth Anne) after she and her family move to Haiti.  She's a rough and tumble sort of child, always interested in snooping and getting into mischief.  The story follows her as she struggles with disease, political unrest, and the occasional zombie. 

Unfortunately, the first thing that stands out about this book are the formatting mistakes.  Perhaps it is only the Kindle edition but there were copious editing errors--sentences cut off in the middle and starting in the next paragraph, dialogue sometimes having a new paragraph for each speaker and sometimes not, missing quotation marks, and sentences lacking periods.  Every time that I as a reader encountered one of these mistakes it took me out of the magic of the story.

I like the main protaganist.  She's smart, she's sassy and funny, she's a little too curious for her own good, and she loves adventure.  Young adult novels could use more Lizbuthann-style main characters.  While this story is billed as a mystery, I feel that it falls more into the historical adventure genre.

Unfortunately, the episodic nature of Lizbuthann's adventures slows the story down.  Lizbuthann gets polio--and we hear about it for three pages, and it never really comes up again.  There are several interesting elements like that I would have loved to hear more about but are merely mentioned once and dropped.

While I enjoyed the idea of the setting as the lush forests of Haiti, the story was sadly lacking in locale description or setting description in general.  While we are treated to step-by-step descriptions of what the heroine actually does, it lacks any sort grounding in the wider surroundings.  It makes for a much weaker action scene when Lizbuthann is, for example, fording the river in small dam-building machinery, when I can't picture what the dam looks like, what the machinery looks like or even have a clear idea of what the machinery does.

2 stars (3 without the formatting issues)

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
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Reviewed by Beth C. at 1:20 PM 2 comments
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October 20, 2011

Giveaway: Twilight of Avalon Trilogy by Anna Elliott

Impossible love. Fighting and fantasy. A well-known time period but a story that most of us don't know.

The Twilight of Avalon Trilogy is made up of three books - Twilight of Avalon, Dark Moon of Avalon, and Sunrise of Avalon - and is about a story of impossible love between Trystan and Isolde in the time following King Arthur's death. Their story begins when the two of them are childhood best friends and ends, well I won't tell you how their story ends.

Set in a medieval time of turmoil after the death of the High Queen, the King's Council must come together first to decide upon a new High King and then, with the help of Isolde, to fight against the enemy Saxons to save their lands from destruction. The journey for both the armies and impossible lovers starts in book one and culminates on the last page of book three, and while the historical fighting story was fascinating, I really kept reading the books to see how and if Trystan and Isolde would meet again.

I'm not real familiar with the story of Trystan and Isolde so I couldn't tell you if these books stayed true to that story. If it didn't, I really don't care because I loved their story. At times I was frustrated with Trystan for being so hard on himself, but I loved how they both did what they had to for themselves, their country, and each other. There were various times in the book when I honestly didn't know what was going to happen so I had to read the next page to find out. And those are the kind of books that I enjoy the most.

I highly enjoyed these books and would highly recommend them to anyone who likes a good medieval tale full of romance, fighting, and suspense. 4 stars.

And if you'd like to read them yourself, I've got a copy of the entire series to giveaway just for leaving a comment on this post. US residents only. Giveaways ends Monday, October 24th at midnight EST.

I was provided with a copy of these books for review purposes  in exchange for my honest opinion.
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Reviewed by Britni at 11:30 PM 5 comments
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July 18, 2011

Reternity by Neal Wooten

I've been worried about myself lately, worried I may have lost my capacity for wonder. I rarely watch movies anymore because they all seem so desperate to shock, surprise, and enthrall that they've essentially reached the limits for such things and are becoming repetitive. Books aren't as bad because I don't read thrillers, but I'm willing to bet Clive Cussler and his ilk are running out of ways to imperil Earth. But this book has either proven I can still be amazed, or it's added another layer to my cognitive callous. Either way, I am, at the moment, thoroughly amazed.

Reternity is the story of a young man named Max who has lived a very sheltered life as a pastor's son in a small Mayberry-esque town. As he graduates from high school and begins studying at a nearby university, his parents fear that his newfound interest in physics will test his faith. Their fears are calmed somewhat when they learn that his professor hosts weekly Bible studies, but their worries mount as his involvement in a science project quickly evolves into an obsession. On Max's part, he struggles with the idea that his discoveries could cause harm that would far outweigh any recognition he'd receive for it. His investigations take him, his professor, and the reader on an incredible journey that will bend the mind and enliven the senses.

I have only two complaints about this book. First, the writing in the first few chapters is very shaky. It's supposed to be set currently, but the beginning reads more like something from the 50's. In fact a lot of the language and portrayal of female characters reminded me of my mom and her ways of speaking. Second, the female characters -with a single exception- are two-dimensional. The reader gets the impression that Wooten must either fear women or acknowledge his ignorance of them, as he seems to tiptoe around their characterization. For these reasons, especially the writing in the beginning, I can't in good conscience award a full five stars.

However, this is truly an incredible book. It's uncommon to find others that share the belief that Science and God are compatible, and that's not the only difficult topic covered in this book (that particular issue is mainly tackled in the Forward). The Bible studies described shed light on things I hadn't realized had left me in the dark previously. Some of it may be upsetting to some readers, but I hope most will be open to discovering the truth for themselves.

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Reviewed by Memarie Lane at 5:18 PM 2 comments
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July 12, 2011

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles Book One) by Rick Riordan

First I must admit that I have been a longtime fan of Rick Riordan and his Heroes of Olympus series is fantastic. I was excited to read his new series and had very high expectations. And Mr. Riordan - you did not disappoint!

I love Egypt and have ever since I was a kid. I think the whole civilization is fascinating and went into this book hoping I would get a healthy does of Egyptian lore and myths. Oh I did - and it was awesome.

The book follows the quest of Sadie and Carter Kane to rescue their father from a very angry Egyptian god. They have to navigate new magical abilities, commune with other gods, and fight demons of all kinds. There are twists and turns and shockers galore all cramed in with great action sequences and terrific dialouge. The only part of the book I have any negative comment on - and its not even really negative - is that the chapters switch back and forth between the two kids and in the beginning was slightly confusing. Once I got used to the characters, though, it was a lot easier to follow and I truly began enjoying the different viewpoints and sibling banter.

This is a fantasic addition to the YA genre and a great read for adventure lovers of all ages. 5 stars!

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Reviewed by Anonymous at 4:26 PM 1 comments
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July 6, 2011

The 39 Clues by Various Authors (Books 1-10)








I just finished reading (well listening to as they were audiobooks) numbers 1-10 of The 39 Clues series. There are more coming (book 11 - Vespers Rising - came out in April) but book 10 ends at a very good stopping point before starting the next phase of the story. The books follow the quest of the 11 year old Dan and 14 year old Amy Cahill around the world as they try to piece together the clues that form the basis of their families power. What power? Well, in the books, the Cahills are an extremely influencial family that has four branches. Famous people like Benjamin Franklin, Mozart, Shakespeare, and others are all included in the families geneology. Dan and Amy must follow clues and hints left behind througout the generations to find the ultimate prize - the power to rule the world.

These books are extremely well written. Each book features a new author - including big YA names like Riordan, Korman, and Haddix. And while that may seem like it would make the series choppy and disconnected, it doesn't. Rather, it gives an exciting and ever-changing quality to the books that fits in nicely with Dan and Amy's constant traveling and hunting. The characters are extremely well developed and I grew to care about Dan and Amy and their plight more and more with every book. The series has well thought out plot twists and the historical aspects are really engaging and highly believeable.

I must say also that the audiobooks, narrated by David Pittu, are some of the best recordings I have ever heard. He gives unique and distinctive voices to all of the characters. Check it out.

I would recommend these for all ages. 5 stars!


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Reviewed by Anonymous at 6:00 PM 0 comments
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July 3, 2011

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy is a book I've heard about a lot, maybe because it's a Newberry Honor Book. My little sister read it and loved it, and I've been meaning to pick it up for a while. When I heard the author Shannon Hale talking about how she came up with the characters and how she wrote the book at the National Book Festival a year ago my fate was sealed, I had to read this book.

It took me all of three hours sitting by the pool to finish the book. It's a very quick and fun read. The basic storyline is that the king's priests have determined that the next princess lives in a small town high up in the mountains. All of the girls ages 12-17 are forced to go to a Princess Academy for a year to prepare for a ball where the prince will choose his princess from one of those girls.

Like Hunger Games, this book has just the right amount of fantasy, romance, competition, and action. I loved the main character, Miri, as well as the other girls trying to become the next princess. And unlike a lot of other young adult lit I've read, the end actually surprised and delighted me. Definitely worth reading. 5 stars.

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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 1 comments
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June 3, 2011

Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Banished from the only home she's even known, Mariah Aubrey hides herself away in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative's estate. When Captain Matthew Bryan leases the estate to impress a girl, he has no idea what's in store for and neither did I.

Girl in the Gatehouse is a series of fun twists and turns as Mariah gets settled into her surroundings and tries to make the best of life in the gatehouse. She takes the time to work on her writing, plan theatrical performances for the orphanage next door, and rescue crazy ship captains from bondage. While the novel dwells on her past to give the reader a background of what happened to send her to the gatehouse, it really focuses on her life now and moving forward from her mishap. 

The author, Julie Klassen, was inspired by Jane Austen, and it shows in her writing. Unlikely romance, dashing adventure, big parties, and mysterious and comedic side characters that each have their own stories to tell all wrapped up into a story that really boils down to the relationship between a boy and a girl. I loved all of her characters and how she gave the reader a glimpse into each of their lives without taking away from the main plot too much. And I also loved how even though seemingly unrelated, she tied all of their stories together in a way that actually worked. One of the best parts about the book was going on the same journey as the characters as they step by step learned how they were all intertwined somehow. I've never read anything else by Julie Klassen but if given the opportunity would love to pick up another one of her novels.

**I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers. 


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Reviewed by Britni at 12:00 AM 1 comments
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