Can you believe I hadn't read this book yet? :) A very easy, fun novel to read. Rowling's imagination can't be beat.Can you believe I hadn't read this book yet? :) A very easy, fun novel to read. Rowling's imagination can't be beat....more
I was drawn into the voices of the characters and the dire situations each faced, both the mom who's daughter was taken in a carjacking and the homeleI was drawn into the voices of the characters and the dire situations each faced, both the mom who's daughter was taken in a carjacking and the homeless teen girl who found her. Two hurting souls drawn together by a child. I didn't expect the LGBT theme that came out of the blue mid-way in the story. It's the reality of our world, and it gave me compassion for teens faced with situations similar to Molly's, but it wasn't what I set out to read with this novel. Overall, Hyde writes well and drew me into a story I might not otherwise have read except for her storytelling and characterizations. ...more
I've been a fan of Gudger's work from the beginning, and Catch doesn't disappoint. With her trademark humor mixed with some awesome suspense and charaI've been a fan of Gudger's work from the beginning, and Catch doesn't disappoint. With her trademark humor mixed with some awesome suspense and character-driven scenarios, the conclusion of the Guarded trilogy will tug at your heartstrings even as it pushes you to the edge of your seat. Highly recommended. This is gritty, real, and compassionate YA. ...more
3.5 stars. While certainly not a "bad" book, this one didn't have the flare of James' Bowers series. The plot and characters worked, but they seemed t3.5 stars. While certainly not a "bad" book, this one didn't have the flare of James' Bowers series. The plot and characters worked, but they seemed to lack the depth and emotion I would've preferred in a novel that tackles something so deep as what makes us human. Try the TV show Emergence for a more solid handling of the subject, IMO. So while the message overcame the story at times, it should still please loyal fans. Preachy? Maybe. Still a good story? Yes. ...more
I've been a fan of the dystopian genre since The Hunger Games, but it's hard to find a fresh voice when there are so many who just echo what's come beI've been a fan of the dystopian genre since The Hunger Games, but it's hard to find a fresh voice when there are so many who just echo what's come before them. Sami Eastwood's entry in the genre was fresh and exciting! I found myself looking forward to each "session" I had with the book. Main gal Andrea is strong, smart, and sassy, but she never loses her heart, even in the face of some awful abuse at the hands of her captors. It's easy to root for her, and we grow to care for her new friends too. Eastwood has penned a great tale that's easy to compare to the works of Collins, Roth, and Dashner except with much more hope, something this reader welcomes. More please!...more
3.5 stars. I'm a sucker for the type of down-on-their-luck heroines featured in Born to Run. And I love horses. Win-win, right? Mostly. The concept wa3.5 stars. I'm a sucker for the type of down-on-their-luck heroines featured in Born to Run. And I love horses. Win-win, right? Mostly. The concept was great, but a few things kept me from rating this one higher. Perhaps it was only in the Kindle version, but many scenes completely blend together, switching POV. Plus a few things just didn't make sense. For example, wouldn't someone only have to pay 10% of bail up front rather than the whole amount? And while I loved how accepting the North Oak "family" was of Alex, it seemed like there should've been more questions asked of her and a little more of trust earning. Not a bad read at all, but some things would've made it even better. ...more
It's time to head back to the Sunlit Lands. Our friends from The Crescent Stone are waiting. There's Jason, who's sworn to always tell the truth. MadeIt's time to head back to the Sunlit Lands. Our friends from The Crescent Stone are waiting. There's Jason, who's sworn to always tell the truth. Madeline, dying but determined to do what's right even to her last breath. Shula, a literal girl on fire determined not to love but unable to resist its pull. Darius, who's fighting battles within as much as out. A full cast of people determined to fulfill their destinies and ready for the continuation of their adventures.
Themes of heartache, revenge, and love fill the pages. Most importantly love. Mikalatos weaves a tale about sacrificial love between friends that is so needed in this hard world. Pull up a chair and a cup of coffee (or tea) and get ready for another tale of the Sunlit Lands. Questions will be answered. Journeys completed. And you'll find yourself lost in this imaginative world full of faeries, unicorns that look like rhinos, tree people, and more. ...more
Wow. That's the first word I can think of when reviewing this book. I am a happily single Christian, but there are still so many questions I have abouWow. That's the first word I can think of when reviewing this book. I am a happily single Christian, but there are still so many questions I have about singleness that are never discussed in the church. Can I be honest? I have been very disappointed in the church in general for its treatment of singles and the single lifestyle. I often feel looked down upon or like I don't fit in or that something's wrong with me. But this book totally validated everything I've felt in my heart but didn't know how to express. Here's the thing though. This isn't a book that bashes marriage to make singles feel better. I love that it values BOTH. Some comparisons need to be made, but ultimately there are good things about being single and good things about being married. There are challenging things about being single and challenging things about being married. It's so important that neither marginalize the other, but it's time someone actually stood up for single Christians a little bit and acknowledged that their lives are just as important as their married counterparts.
It means so much to have someone who actually understands what it's like and addresses all the concerns singles might have. Sam talks about the needs for emotional intimacy (that's not a bad word, folks), the vital importance of friendship, how needs for family can be met as a single, the danger of becoming selfish, whether or not our sexuality is wasted (spoiler: it's not), and more. But the final chapter on the myth that singleness is easy nearly made me cry as finally someone truly got what it feels like, the hurt that can be felt, when your friends don't need you as much as you need them.
I don't like to gush, but thank you, Sam, for writing this book. I have a lot to ponder. ...more
3.5 stars. Great concept in this parallel world story where a person's weight is monitored as if it's a drug addiction. The delivery wasn't perfect, s3.5 stars. Great concept in this parallel world story where a person's weight is monitored as if it's a drug addiction. The delivery wasn't perfect, some repetition and predictability, but kudos on the imaginative idea. ...more
I'm not usually a romance novel reader, but I was pleasantly surprised this one wasn't sappy or entirely unbelievable. Sure, there are coincidences, bI'm not usually a romance novel reader, but I was pleasantly surprised this one wasn't sappy or entirely unbelievable. Sure, there are coincidences, but these are the type you want to read about. Sweet moments and real-life soul searching entwine to create a compelling story. ...more
Not a book to be read quickly, this one would make a great companion to "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud. It delves into the inner work that's needed and nNot a book to be read quickly, this one would make a great companion to "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud. It delves into the inner work that's needed and necessary in our boundary work, all from a healing, loving Christian perspective. There are many psychology books out there. We need more like this which tackle the difficult subjects through the lens of faith and the knowledge that God loves us, even those hurting parts. Especially the hurting parts. ...more
A good thriller novella with James's trademark grit. Without being gratuitous she's skilled at showing us the underbelly of life without rolling us arA good thriller novella with James's trademark grit. Without being gratuitous she's skilled at showing us the underbelly of life without rolling us around in the gutter. The ending was refreshing too. ...more
This is the first Rick Acker novel I've read (it's more of a novella), and I hope it's not the last. Drew me right in and bounced back and forth betweThis is the first Rick Acker novel I've read (it's more of a novella), and I hope it's not the last. Drew me right in and bounced back and forth between the characters in a smooth way. I didn't see one reveal coming, which I love in a suspense story. These characters have appeared in other novels, so I might need to read them too. ...more
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