 | Orphan Sister by Gwendolen Gross |
Clementine has always felt separated from her sisters. They were identical twins while she had been the third fraternal triplet. Very different in both looks and personality from her sisters, she was always a little jealous that they were a pair. As adults, she finds they had been a little jealous that she retained her own identity.
Read the entire review at Oh My Gosh Beck!
 | Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King Genres: Fantasy, Romantic Suspense |
My latest and last attempt, this month at least, to showcase King's non-horror work. This book is divided into four different parts. Each part is told in the first person narrative from different people's point of view. As the parts weave themselves together to form one continuous story, it becomes apparent that they all seem to revolve around Carol Gerber, though none of the narratives are hers.
Come play Duck Duck Goose with us. Participating sites have hidden a duck or goose picture somewhere within their pages. When you find the graphic, enter the url where it was found in the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win the weekly contest. Find the Goose or all of the ducks for the week and you can enter the monthly contest to win $25 cash through PayPal. There will be a new weekly contest every week this month, starting on Mondays and running until the following Sunday. Have fun and happy hunting!
Don't forget to enter to win $25 Paypal prize here!
 | The Friend Request by Alex Ford Genres: Romantic Suspense, Thriller |
If you aren't paranoid about giving out too much information on your facebook page, you should be. Alex Ford slaps us in the face with this story that points out how little privacy that we have in today's world, and it is at our own hands. How many personal items have you revealed on facebook thinking that only your FRIENDS would be bothered to read? How many people do you actually KNOW on your friends list? How often do you accept a friend request without actually knowing the person who sent it? These are all questions that we should ask ourselves.
 | Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense |
This was a pick of the month way back in January. I had picked it because I have suffered enough burns from my own glue gun to believe that they could easily enough be deadly.
Anastasia is having a really rough month. Her cranky communist mother-in-law moves in along with her equally hard to get along with pooch. Her husband suffers a heart attack and leaves her a widow. Her step-father suffers from an aneurysm leaving her mother a widow, again. Her mother joins the household, along with her pampered cat. With 2 mothers, their pets, Anastasia's Shakespeare quoting African Grey, and 2 teenage boys all stuffed into a 3 bedroom house things are just starting to get interesting. That's when Anastasia discovers an unpopular co-worker murdered in her very own cubicle.
 | Terrene: The Hidden Valley by Eric Liu Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction |
Flora is a 14yo with a disability. For unknown reasons, she just blacks out when over powered by emotion, be it anger, fear, or love. She lives in the lush valley of Terrene, an apocolyptic village that has thrived in the face of global warming. Flora begins to have dreams of Jane Ingram, an American biologist searching for an answer to stop global warming and the woman considered the mother of Terrene. Through this strange connection with Jane, Flora manages to pass the test to become an Institute scholar and seek the answers to her many questions.
 | Fate's Design Book one in series by Lola James Genre: Romance, Paranormal |
Morgan and Megan are twins that look alike, but that is where the similarities end. Morgan is bubbly and vivacious where Megan is dark and gloomy. Megan is troubled with bad dreams and has been for as long as she can remember. Morgan wins a fashion design contest and wins a trip abroad to study at a fashion house during the summer. She uses the prize money to bring Megan along with her, to encourage Megan to loosen up and so they can visit their family in Italy.
While in Italy, Megan meets a hot, sexy, rich native who seems too good to be true. He is annoyingly too perfect as I waited for the other shoe to drop and find out just what his deal was. Turns out he is just an unrealistic character, a male who is quick to express his feelings, is overly concerned about Meg's feelings, and isn't gay or already taken.
 | The Colorado Kid by Stephen King Genre:Mystery, Suspense |
This book seemed awfully familiar. I just bought the book a few months ago at a Salvation Army so know I hadn't read this actual book before. It's kinda short though so I'm wondering if maybe it was included in one of his anthologies that I have read.
Stephanie, a college grad student from Ohio, is fulfilling a journalism internship at the tiny newspaper named The Weekly Islander which reports the not so many adventures on the sleepy island of Moose-Lookit Island, just off the coast of Maine. Two old timers are filling Steffi in about an old story, that has more questions than answers.
 | The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction |
The setting is New York, sometime in the 1800's. The days when even New York had small town charm where everybody knew everybody. Though I'm not so sure that I would call it a charm, more like living in a fish bowl.
I almost think I prefer today's neighborhoods where you smile and nod to your neighbors, maybe exchange a short conversation in passing, but have no clue about their personal lives or whatever dirty laundry they may have shut away. I know that my life would not bear up to the haughty and judgemental "society" of yesteryear.
Have you joined us for Duck Duck Goose yet? Participating sites have hidden a duck or goose picture somewhere within their pages. When you find the graphic, enter the url where it was found in the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win the weekly contest. Find the Goose or all of the ducks for the week and you can enter the monthly contest to win $25 cash through PayPal. There will be a new weekly contest every week this month, starting on Mondays and running until the following Sunday. Have fun and happy hunting!
Congratulations to Kelly W. who won the weekly prize for week 1!
Don't forget to enter to win $25 Paypal prize here!
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Test your knowledge of The Wind Through The Keyhole and enter for a chance to receive a copy of the audiobook read by Stephen and a Wind Through The Keyhole tee shirt. Five lucky entrants will receive both the audiobook and a tee shirt and 15 others will receive just the tee shirt. |
Contest starts May 21st, please visit Stephen King's website for more information.
This is the monthly selection for my goodreads group. I haven't read any of Edith Wharton's books, nor ever heard of her. I must confess that I'm really not impressed.
I spent most of the first half of the book wondering just what the point was. There was no obvious storyline or plot. There was plenty of name dropping as the author gives us a finely detailed history of whom married whom and who gave birth to whom. It was very similar to the begats in the bible, but not half as interesting.
The story does seem to pick up speed though when Madame Ellen Olenska moves into town. She arrives from Europe in a cloud of rumors and disgrace after leaving her abusive husband and returning to her family in New York. Her cousin's fiance jumps to Ellen's defense by pointing out how hypocritical society is of women's actions versus what men can get away with.
While this book starts off at a snail's pace, I'm hopeful that it will get better, or at least have a point to it.
 | His Good Opinion: A Mr. Darcy Novel by Nancy Kelley Genre: Historical Romance, Romance, Fan Fiction Sequel |
It is not a sequel. It is not a continuation. It IS Pride and Prejudice but from Mr. Darcy's point of view. It makes me think of when I was a teen and rewrote Richard Matheson's Bid Time Return from Elise McKenna's viewpoint.
 | Arms of Love by Kelly Long Historical Romance |
When I think of Amish people, I think of people who seek a simple existence. They don't use electricity, or cars. So what set them apart from the masses in the late 18th century when there was no technology? Their beliefs. Beliefs that they were often ostracized for.
Read the rest of the review at A Goddess of Frugality.
3 stars.
 | Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King Genres: Horror, Suspense, Thriller |
Some readers may not like books that are "just" a collection of short stories. While King is never a "light" read, his short stories are the closest he gets to it as one story can be read within a couple of hours, unlike some of his thicker tomes. I can't ever read one of his books without marveling at his mind, a true genius at what he does.
 | City of Whispers by Katherine Sorin Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense |
They say that Manhattan is a jungle where survival is not guaranteed. They had no idea how correct that could be. The government demolished the bridges connecting Manhattan to the outside world. they were desperate to contain the deadly virus. The survivors begged for rescue swearing the virus was not airborn. It could only be contracted thru bite, vampire bite.
Remember playing Duck Duck Goose as a child? Our game is slightly different. Participating sites have hidden a duck or goose picture somewhere within their pages. When you find the graphic, enter the url where it was found in the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win the weekly contest. Find the Goose or all of the ducks for the week and you can enter the monthly contest to win $25 cash through PayPal. There will be a new weekly contest every week this month, starting on Mondays and running until the following Sunday. Have fun and happy hunting!
I'm hoping everyone has a great day today. May your children bring you breakfast in bed, along with the book you are currently reading, and then give you peace and quiet to read it while lazing in bed. Well, we can dream can't we? Whether you are spending the day with your own mother, wishing you could spend the day with her while settling on a phone call, or remembering her fondly from years past, I hope you have a wonderful day. Don't forget to spoil yourself too!
  | Lost Tribe of the Sith by John Jackson Miller Genres: Science Fiction, Action Adventure |
These books are really too short to review each separately, so I'm just going to review the rest of the series in one post. I have to reiterate that I found it hard to sympathize with the Sith. This series is definitely for the hardcore fan that wishes to be educated in all aspects of the "history" within the Star Wars saga.
The lost tribe crashes on an oceanic planet, they know not where. Their ship is beyond repair in this strange world with no indigenous metals. They decide to make the best of their plight and do what Sith do best ... take over.
The series covers a few millenia and many generations. Eventually the Sith become bored with nothing new to conquer. Something needs to be done before they extinguish their race as they begin fighting amungst themselves. A new plan comes from an unexpected source.
 | Illegal by Paul Levine Genres: Mystery, Thriller |
Agustino, Tino to his friends, and his mother, Marisol, are running for their lives. They cross the Mexican border and enter America as illegal aliens. But things just go from bad to worse. The mother and son get separated during the crossing. The mother is a beautiful woman, who has been sexually harassed her entire life, and becomes the target of more unwanted advances.
I worked in construction and learned real quick to lose the makeup, pull my hair back into an unflattering ponytail, and not to wear tight or revealing clothes. It's fairly easy to go unnoticed when I want to. Granted it isn't right that women need to fear harassment, but it is a survival mechanism to learn ways to avoid it. Marisol is a smart, tough woman who can take care of herself and I find it a little unrealistic that she hadn't learned the art of blending in.
| UR by Stephen King Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Suspense |
This was the very first book that I paid for on my Kindle. I hate to admit it took me this long to read it. Although, at the time, I was working my way through Stephan King's many tomes. I was reading them chronologically. I had intended to read this, when its time came. Unfortunately, I got stuck after Insomnia. I don't own the next book, Rose Madder. It was one of many that was destroyed when my mom's basement flooded while I was relocating to another state and had stored what I couldn't immediately take with me. My local library doesn't have it. I have requested it several times, but have never received it. I swear the librarian hates me, but that is a different story.
I'm not sure what UR stands for. Wes Smith relates it to the city of Ur. It seems to be a gateway between alternate realities. But let me start at the beginning. Wes is a bibliophile. I had to laugh because while defending books vs. Kindle to his Literature class, he mentions that books have a smell. I had mentioned that fact in my recent post "Kindle vs. Real Books". But it is true, while I can't describe the scent as anything other than "comforting". For reasons that I won't go into, you'll just have to read for yourself, Wes buys a Kindle. I guess at the time, they only came in white and Wes's is bright pink. It has many more experimental features tham mine does, I must say.
I've been thinking that maybe I should mix things up a bit and throw in more than reviews every now and then. I was kind of thinking of adding an author biography each week. As I thought about this idea, I began asking myself some important questions. Does anyone really want to read a biography every week? Do I really want to research one every week? So instead, I decided to feature one author every month to write a bit about and then review one of their books every week. Of course this means starting with someone that I already have a lot of their books. Since I just happened to have finished reading a Stephen King book, I'm going to start with him.
| Stephen KingBorn: September 21, 1947 Main genres: Horror, fantasy, science fiction |
Author of over 50 published books, including 7 that were published under the pen name of Richard Bachman, that range in genres from horror to nonfiction. Though he is mostly known for his horror novels, don't just write him off as a horror novelist. Several dramatic movies were adapted from his short stories, such as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me. His ever growing Dark Tower series has a science fictiony western feel to them.
 | Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes about the Stars and Legends of the Movies! by Stephen Schochet Genres:Nonfiction, History, Humor |
I am so very glad that I signed up for this book tour. This is not a book that I would normally choose for myself. Yet, I enjoyed it immensely.
Imagine Tinseltown in its heyday. When movie stars were glamorous, mysterious, and extremely underpaid by today's standards. With entertaining anecdotes, the author gives his readers a glimpse behind the scenes of many classic movies. From historical tidbits that was the inspiration behind movies, to casting choices that may surprise you.
Remember playing Duck Duck Goose as a child? Our game is slightly different. Participating sites have hidden a duck or goose picture somewhere within their pages. When you find the graphic, enter the url where it was found in the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win the weekly contest. Find the Goose or all of the ducks for the week and you can enter the monthly contest to win $25 cash through PayPal. There will be a new weekly contest every week this month, starting on Mondays and running until the following Sunday. Those who sign up for my weekly newsletter will receive a hint as to where my duck may be found. Have fun and happy hunting!
 | Crater (A Helium-3 Novel) by Homer Hickam Book 1 in series |
Young Crater Trueblood was born on the moon. He had lived in the same mining colony his entire life. Though he was only sixteen … almost seventeen … he was chosen for a special mission, which would change his outlook on life forever.
You can read the full review at A Goddess of Frugality.
4 stars!
 | Ghost Hunting Diary Volume 1 by T.M. Simmons Genre: Paranormal |
I'm currently reading a book that I would not normally have chosen on my own. I have been enjoying it immensely. Keeping this in mind, I decided for my monthly nonfiction pick, to try something that I wouldn't normally read but seemed interesting.
Those that don't believe in ghosts, or atleast have an open mind on the subject, probably shouldn't read this book. They would just think it hogwash or superstitious drivel. There are quite a few interesting stories in this book, but I find it hard to judge if the quality of the storytelling makes up for all of the errors.
I know. I had said Fridays would be for reviewing monthly picks. But my brother, a huge sci-fi fan, had told me that today was proposed to be Star Wars day. As cheesy as the reasoning sounds explaining why today, the proposal was probably tongue-in-cheek and not serious. But it is hard to say for sure when there are die hard fans involved. So I decided to review a free Star Wars book that I downloaded on to my Kindle last year.
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| Lost tribe of the Sith - Precipice by John Jackson Miller First book in series Genres: Science Fiction, Action Adventure |
There are 8 books in this series. Our story begins in the year 5,000 BBY. I'm a little sketchy on my Star Wars history, but it is before the times of Luke Skywalker. It is before the days of little Anakin winning his first pod race. It is even back before Yoda was a twinkle in his mother's eye. It is the dark times when Sith were abundant.
The lost tribe of the Sith had been headed to the colonized planet of Yavin 4, that Luke later uses for his Jedi Academy. Anyhow, this book, and I use the term loosely, was fairly disappointing. Not for lack of plot, or even bad writing. More like lack of writing. It is very short, only 37 pages. It is reminiscent of Stephen King's The Green Mile that was also published as a series of chapter books. But don't fret, all of the ebooks are free on amazon, and have been for a while, so probably not a temporary "get it while you can" sort of thing that amazon loves to do.
I'm afraid to say too much as it wouldn't be hard to give away all of the short plot. Due to an unforseeable accident, the crew of the Omen are knocked off course as they jump into hyperdrive. Part of the ship basically dissolves as it is left behind somewhere during their warp speed travel. They crash on an unknown planet. The atmosphere is safe enough for humans, but something in the air is deadly to the warrior race of Massassi.
It's a good start to the series, and you can buy the collection as one book, if you don't want to mess with the individual files. I must admit that I am prejudiced enough to find it hard to sympathize with a starship full of Sith. But the books are short enough that it shouldn't take long to finish the story.
May the 4th be with you!
4 stars!
I have seen many arguments regarding the Kindle. Avid readers who proclaim that there is NO replacing real books and they would never use an e-reader of any sort. There really is no feeling like holding a book in your hands. The weight and smell of the paper is reassuring, and the Kindle cannot stand up in comparison.
A good friend of mine gave me a Kindle for my birthday last year. I admit I must have just seemed ungrateful because I really had no desire for one. I never thought that I could ever enjoy reading on it, and did not see the point. But you know what? I love my Kindle. It is a LOT better for reading in bed. It only requires one hand to turn the page so I can lie on my side, relax with one arm under my head, or laze in just about any position, I don't have to lie on my back with the book propped on my chest and both hands holding it open. Also, when I start to doze off, the Kindle doesn't hurt half as much when it comes crashing down on my nose. I also don't need to worry about losing my place if I fall asleep while reading. I cannot recall how many times I have woke up in the morning to find my book closed on the floor and my bookmark next to me in my bed ... if I can find my book mark.
I'm doing much better with actually reading my monthly picks. I got a little more organized and decided to read one of my picks per week and review it on Fridays. I not only read all of my April picks but most of March and February as well. So without further ado, here are my monthly picks for May:
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Nonfiction Paranormal My review |
Mystery/ Thriller My review |
 Historical Romance My review |
 Fantasy/ Sci-Fi My review |
 Humor/ Romance My review |
Please keep in mind that my monthly picks are merely free books available on amazon that have caught my eye in assorted genres. I can't guarantee to always pick winners or that these books will always be free.
