Submerged by Dani Pettrey Review

Summary from Goodreads

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.
Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town . . . until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.
Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a small town. She's returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.
Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer
has settled in his town and doesn't appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge.
She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they
move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

My review

I was a little disappointed in this book. It was ok, not great and there were a couple minor discrepnacies in details that for whatever reason struck a nerve with me. Maybe I'm not in a romance/suspense state of mind.

I liked the characters and the writing. I loved the small town Alaska setting and the underwater archaeology/history premise as well. Just can't quite figure out what my issue is with it. Maybe I was expecting more. Its a good book for what it is. Pleasant Christian fiction.

I was supplied a copy to review by Bethany House publishers.

Fire by Kristin Cashore Review

Summary from Goodreads:

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don’t need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven’t, you’ll be dying to read it next

Review:

When I first started reading this I was very disappointed that it was not about Katsa and Po from Graceling. But as I read it, it drew me in every bit as much as Graceling did and now I want more Fire and Brigan.

I love the world of the Dells with the beautiful monsters and their stark contrast of the semi-bleakness of the Dells. Learning the origins of Leck was an added bonus tying this to Graceling.

I look forward to Bitterblue and whatever else is on the horizon for this series!

Kids Book Corner #5

Not too much of a selection this week. Unfortunately, I had to spend four nights in the hospital with my 2-year-old. He's much better now, but that was not much fun!

"Color Chaos" by Lynn Rowe Reed



I love bright colored books!! This was a fun one about a principal who took all the color from school and an artist comes in and teaches the kids about colors. Fun story and educational. Always a plus!

"Where's Waldo?: In Hollywood" by Martin Hanford



Always a good book to keep kids occupied. Of course, my son has the attention span of a gnat so if it takes more than a minute to find it he moves on to the next page.

"How the Sphink Got to the Museum" by Jessie Hartland



We enjoyed this one! A fun trip back in time to see how a sphinx was built and ended up in the museum. A repetitive narrative similar to "The House that Jack Built". I admit to skipping some of the repeating parts, shhhhh....

"The Mouse Who Saved Egypt" by Karim Alrawi



My son was aking about Egypt so we got a couple Egypt books this week. I liked this one alot. The illustrations were lovely and the moral of the story was a good one. Never to small to help out and being kind to others.

"Detective Small in the Amazing Banana Caper" by Wong Herbert Yee



This story was ok. The Fireman Small from last week was much better. This was one was just lacking something I think.

No real standouts for my son this week but a couple I enjoyed for sure!!

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James Review

Summary from Goodreads:

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.
But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.
While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Review:

I sure get tired of saying how much I enjoyed a book but enjoyed it I did. I did think the very end was a little weird changing the genre of the story in a sense. I shall see what happens in book 3.

I liked seeing how the relationship changed between Ana and Christian. Amazingly, and so like real life ;), they learn the art of compromise and he begins to heal and she begins to grow as a person. I do find it distrubing that I can really relate to this relationship. It has helped me see it in a different and come to terms a few things.

Any book that can make you think about your own life, without intending to, I think is worth a read. Of course (and I certainly hope not),  not everyone can relate and could be offended or put off by the story but oh well. All books are not for everyone!

Kids Book Corner #4

Had another pretty big haul last week. We didn't finish reading two of them so holding those over until next week.

"The Great Truck Rescue" "Welcome To Trucktown" and "Melvin Might?" by Jon Scieszka



My boys love these books!! Most of Jon scieszka's book are alot of fun. My only issue with them is some of them were released with different titles but the same story. I have more than once picked up one thinking we haven't read it and my son will say "Heeeey, we already read this one mom" Kind of annoying but still good stories!

"Sleepy Time Ollie" by William Joyce



Just can't get enough of these books!! Just so cute and fun!

"Color Farm" by Lois Ehlert



This is a cool color and shape word book. Has cut out pages and shows how different shapes can make the different animals.

"A Birthday for Frances" by Russell Hoban



Another flashback to my childhood. My son picked it out because he knew I liked it. He can be a sweet boy when he wants too. ;) Also a good story about having a little sibling.

"Poggle and the Birthday Present" by Michael Evans



Poggle is a very cute little critter. Dragon or monster I'm not really sure but he is very cute! My son liked this story alot. Loved the illustrations!

"I Want Two Birthdays" by Tony Ross



These little princess stories are funny. My son really likes another one called "I Want My Potty" I think any kid can relate to this story about the princess who wants every day to be her birthday and she has very wise parents I think!

"Over in the Garden" by Jennifer Ward



This was one of the favorites of the week. A counting book and a bit of a hidden picture book. Great illustrations and fun bugs!

"Alphabet Adventure" by Audrey Wood



This is a cute and very colorful story about little "i" who lost his dot. My son really enjoyed this one. Another one with great pictures and a favorite this week.

Hope you enjoy!

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen Review

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Tricia Farni’s body floated to the surface of Alaska’s Birch River six months after the night she disappeared. The night Roz Hart had a fight with her. The night Roz can’t remember. Roz, who struggles with macular degeneration, is used to assembling fragments to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name . . . to find a murderer. This unflinchingly emotional novel is written in the powerful first-person voice of a legally blind teen who just wants to be like everyone else.

Review:

I was very excited to have won an ARC for this book a few weeks ago. Even signed by the author :) I actually stayed up late last night to finish this book. I could not put it down!

It has a "Girl, Interrupted" feel to it except for the YA crowd. Roz, who is fully capable is stuck in the special ed class because of her eyesight and feels she really doesn't belong. Tricia is the crazy girl dancing in the hallways in a cape. They impact each others lives without being aware of it and Roz does everything she can to help her even though she thinks they hate each other.

In a weird way it also reminded me of "Carrie" by Stephen King. Its far from a horror story but when the most popular boy in school is attracted to misfit Roz, I kept waiting for some bad prank to happen to Roz. Fortunately, it doesn't but still I couldn't shake that feeling.

This book really was so good. Like I said, I could not put it down and read it in one day. Its face-paced and well written with characters we all met in high school.

Definitely worth checking out when its released later this year!

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James Review

Summary from Goodreads:

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

Review:

I debated a little about reviewing this on my blog. Don't want to scare people away thinking I read these kinds of books alot, because I really don't. I decided to write it, one-because I did read it and as a reviewer I should review right? and two-I really enjoyed it and think it is getting a bad rap. So please don't go running and screaming from my blog!

I surprised myself by really enjoying this book and not in "that" way. I had it on my TBR list and figured I'd get around to it someday to see what all the hubbub was about. Someone left a copy of it in the lunchroom at work so I decided to read it. So not what I was expecting. All I heard about it was mommy porn so I pictured a lot of raunchy language and one giant sex fest. Really not something I'm interested in but I was curious.

I am officially on the bandwagon now. Outside the BDSM stuff, the story is so good. And as for the sex stuff, I was surprised at how relatively cleanly it was written, no raunchy names for body parts, no foul language outside of alot of the "F" word. I really didn't think the sex scenes were any worse than say a Jackie Collins or someone like that. Just because its a little deviant I think its getting a lot of bad press. I think if people read it, skim or skip the sex stuff if that's not their thing, they would find a fascinating story about very complicated relationships and messed up people trying to make things work.

I relate to Ana having a difficult relationship with a controlling, rule giving, dominant man and how hard that can be and the ambivalent feelings she has for him. Been there, still doing it and I really get it. Christian is as he says "Fifty ways "F"ed up". He has reasons for what he does but he is also full of emotion and finds himself challenged by feelings he's never had.

Now I really want to know where this is going and need to get my hands on book 2!  

Kids Book Corner #3

Last weeks trip to the library was a haul!! Got way too many books and barely made it through them all before having to return them!

"Me and My Dragon" by David Biedrzycki



I have a love of dragons so I always grab dragon books for my boys. Not necessarily their favorites but they did like this one. Very bright fun pictures and we did read it a couple of times. My son kept saying if you have dragon you don't need to worry about bullies!!

"The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man" by Michael Chabon



Definitely the favorite book of the week! Read it several times. What boy doesn't like superheroes and an arch nemesis that is a flaming eyeball?

"Fireman Small-Fire Down Below" by Wong Herbert Yee



Another favorite this week. The boys love fireman!! Cute story about a firman trying to get some sleep! I know how he feels ;) There are other books in this series I will have to remember to look for.

"Most Loved Monster" by Lynn Downey



Very cute story about a mama monster telling each of her baby monsters how special they are! I thought it was so cute. The boys... eh. But I don't think they really got the point.

"Has Anyone Seen Winnie and Jean?" by E.B. McHenry



I picked this one because I love Corgis!! Such cute dogs! My 2 year old really liked this one! Two little dogs that escape the back yard and enjoy thir freedom!

"Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers" by Laura Numeroff



Can never go wrong with aura Numeroff books. Always fun and great illustrations. I do like her other books better "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and those are so funny~

"The Man in the Moon" by William Joyce



Another one I enjoyed way more than my boys. The oldest did like the pictures hich really are beautiful. I loved the story but I'm more into fairy tales than my boys.

"Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook" and "Miss Smith Reads Again" by Michael Garland



My 5 year old loves these books! We read "Miss Smith and the Haunted Library" a while back and that was great too!! Who doesn't want a storybook that comes to life? Pictures are great and a punkish teacher with a button that says "The Clash" on it will impress parents I think!

Hope you enjoy!

Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl Review

Summary from Bethany House Publishers:

Moonblood Draws Near, and Soon the Dragons Will Wake

Desperate to regain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.

Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.

With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon's sleeping children, Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it's too late for Rose Red... and all those he loves.

Review:

Get some business out of the way first of all. I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for review and am not paid for this review. If you would like to review your own copies please contact www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers.

Now on with the review... The first thing that struck me about this book was the title. I just bugs me and makes me think of something with a completely different meaning if you get my drift. I think there could have been some better alternatives. As I started reading the book, some of the character names struck me as a little childish... Rose Red, Prince Lionheart....

However, once I got over my annoyance at these little things, I found the story to be so enjoyable. I did not know there were a couple books prior to this one and reading those would help fill in some of the backstory but not a big deal. The characters were very real, dealing with emotions we all feel and could  relate to in some way. I also didn't like seeing a unicorn turned into a bad creature for this story, but I guess we all can fall from grace, even something as innocent as a unicorn.

The book is full of Christian allegories with the Prince as a Christ-like figure and grace and forgiveness for all the faults of the characters. That's all fine and dandy to me, but I don't read to find symbolism or hidden meanings and had I not known prior to reading it, I probably never would have picked up on it. Takes too much effort for me to dissect a story. I read it and enjoy it in the moment. If something hits me later, great. If not, I don't feel I missed out on anything.

Overall it was far better than I expected when I first started reading it. I really enjoyed it and plan on someday reading the previous two books and whatever may come after. Fun, middle grade fantasy.

Hope you enjoy it too!

Kids Book Corner #2

Here's what me and my boys read this week from our Saturday trips to the library:

"The Knight at Dawn" by Mary Pope Osborn



Book 2 of "The Magic Tree House" series. We are really enjoying these! Usually read a chapter a day along with other books. In this one, Jack and Annie visit a castle and find another clue as to who the tree house actually belongs to.

"The Fungus That Ate My School" by Arthur Dorros



Great book for little boys! They loved the yuckiness of it and the illustrations were great!!

"Bedtime at the Swamp" by Kristyn Crow



By far the favorite book of the week. Beatiful illustrations and a fun chant for the boys to stomp around to "splish splash, rumba rumba, bim bam boom". Had to read this one a few times!

"Palazzo Inverso" by D.B. Johnson



My oldest likes art books and looking at the pictures. This one is based on M.C. Esher drawings and is a lot of fun to read. Start on the first page and when you get to the last page you have to flip the book to keep going back to the beginning where it starts all over again. My son enjoyed flipping it around and looking at it from all angles.

"Art and Max" by David Wiesner



This one had beautiful colors and a fun story about a little lizard who wants to paint. We read this one a cople times too. My only problem with it that it does have some pictures without words and I am terrible about what to do when I come to those pages. But thats my problem, not the book. Boys loved it.

"Snowie Rolie" by William Joyce



My boys love the Rolie Polie Olie books. The illustrations are wonderful and fun poem stories.


Hope you will check them out!

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James Review

Summary from Goodreads:

The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome and healthy sons in the nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband Bingley live nearby and the orderly world of Pemberley seems unassailable. But all this is threatened when, on the eve of the annual autumn ball, the guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland. As it pulls up, Lydia Wickham - Elizabeth's younger, unreliable sister - stumbles out screaming that her husband has been murdered.

Review:

I am kind of ambivalent over this book. On one hand, it's a decent story but on the other it messes with classic characters. It took me awhile to get used to some of my favorite characters being used in a different story. I have read other stories like this all of which were really not that great and don't get me started on the zombies!!

I think the author actually did well keeping with the characters, and even new characters such as the Bidwells and Alveston fit right in. But I was very disappointed in how rotten she made Colonel Fitzwilliam. I liked his character in P&P and did not like how he turned out in this story.

Overall, it is a good story. I just wish it had been different characters.