"Pure Joy--The Dogs We Love" by Danielle Steel

Pure Joy--The Dogs We Love by Danielle Steel is a short memoir about her dogs she had over the years filled with funny, sad and touching stories, including pictures.  She also gives some advice for dog owners.  If you are a "dog person," you will enjoy this quick read.  I am and I did!  
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart" by Michael Phillips (series)

In this 3rd book of the Shenandoah Sisters series--The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart by Michael Phillips, Katie and Mayme continue to fight to save the plantation with the help of Henry and his son, Jeremiah.  Mayme gets a big surprise and Katie is thrilled to see her Uncle Templeton again and find the gold that was hidden in her house.  Will it be enough to pay off the loan on the plantation?  Will the bad men steal it from her?  How many more will find out her secret that her parents have died and what will happen to the four girls living on their own?    

This book has more surprises pop up, more action and some humor too.  I enjoyed this one too and look forward to finding out what happens next in the last book of this series. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

WOOL by Hugh Howey

WOOL by Hugh Howey is a science fiction novel.  The earth has been ravaged and people must live below ground in silos.  To go outside means certain death, or does it?  All is not well in the silos as good and bad people clash.  It took me a while to get into this, but once I did, I loved it!  There is plenty of action and well worth your time.  I plan on reading the sequel and hear there will be a movie too!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: Four This Week!

Gerard's:

The view of the dead world filled up the entire wall of his cell, just like all the walls on the silo's upper level, each one full of a different slice of the blurry and ever-blurrier wasteland beyond.  Holston's little piece of that view reached from the corner by his cot, up to the ceiling, to the other wall, and down to the toilet..

From page 4 of Wool by Hugh Howey.  (My review will be up Wednesday.)

She looked down at the words on the letter.
"You have been selected to die."

From page 36 of RED 1-2-3 by John Katzenbach.
Karen's: 

Spooked all the more by Emma's sudden appearance on the other side of him from where Katie was trying to calm him down, Dover reared and whinnied and yanked the rope from Katie's hand.  The next instant he bolted past Emma and through the open door, and disappeared into the house.

From page 77 of The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart by Michael Phillips.  See review of the 1st book in this series and 2nd book in this series.  My review of this one will be up Thursday.

     By the time he emerged back out onto the street two or three minutes later, a sober expression had come to the man's face--sadness tinged with a shadow of guilt.
     He knew what he had to do.  An apparently he had better waste no time doing it.

From page 91 of Together is all We Need by Michael Phillips.  (4th book of the Shenandoah Sisters series)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"A Woman's Passionate Pursuit of God—Creating a Positive & Purposeful Life" by Karol Ladd

A Woman's Passionate Pursuit of God—Creating a Positive & Purposeful Life by Karol Ladd took me several months to get through because I was reading it for a ladies Bible Study that met just once a month.  I finally just went ahead and finished it out.  It is actually sort of a commentary on the book of Philippians.  It has study questions in the back for use in group Bible studies in addition to the reflective thought questions at the end of each chapter.  I particularly liked that the author includes chapter summaries of the main points following each chapter to easily find main points.

After reading this book, I am going to make an effort to more gentle to all.  That is the chapter that spoke to me the most.  Although I liked her other book better, The Power of a Positive Woman, I would recommend this one too.  It has a lot of good advice and interesting examples.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Loved "Innocence" by Dean Koontz - A Must Read!

Innocence by Dean Koontz is about a young girl and a young boy who live away from people as much as they can because they both have issues with their appearance.  You will have to read the book to find out what they are.  When they come together one night, the story really takes off.  Wow, oh wow!  This is an amazing read!  I was into it from the get-go with plenty of action and characters I cared about.  It has a really , really good ending too!  I LOVED it!  This is my first "must read" book of 2014! 
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Zlata's Diary--A Child's Life in Sarajevo" by Zlata Filipovic

Zlata's Diary--A Child's Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic is her diary over a two year period of war in Sarajevo. She is 11 years old at the beginning and I was surprised to read how her life was much like that of American children. The book is pretty sad and depressing, day after day pretty much the same thing. It shows how terrible war is, how innocent people are impacted, and how very basic things made her so happy.

It made me thankful for all I have was a reminder to me that I have nothing to complain about! It goes fast but gives great insight into what it's like to live in a war zone.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Thank You For Your Service" by David Finkel

Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel is non-fiction focusing on the men and women who fight our country's wars and the toll it takes on them and their loved ones.  It contains very interesting stories and reads like a novel.  It kept my interest throughout.  I can't say it was an enjoyable read, but you should read it if you get a chance to get a glimpse of the sacrifices made and the tragic outcomes in some cases.  
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton" by Michael Phillips (Book 2 of Shenandoah Sisters Series)

Image source:  Goodreads (Read on Kindle)

A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton by Michael Phillips picks up right where Angels Watching Over Me left off and is just as good!  This series is about two white girls and two black girls all working together to run a plantation by themselves during the post-Civil war days when racism in the south was rampant.  Katie, the orphan of the plantation owners, has a warm heart and even though she is barely managing, takes in yet another young white girl to care for whose mother died and whose father is mean to her since being back from the war. 

The story is told by both a plantation owner's daughter and her former slave girl friend, but mostly from the slave girl's point of view.    This second book is about courage to survive and has both happy and sad parts to it.  Although it is the second of a series, it could also stand alone.  I loved it and can't wait to read the next one of this Shenendoah Sisters series.  It has interesting character development, excitement, suspense and a very good plot.  It's hard to put down and I highly recommend it!(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: Four Today

Gerard's:

She fills a drink container with enough water to weigh about as much as the baby, and as Adam continues driving and considering the gun, not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet, she rolls that off the edge, too.

From page 9 of Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel.

 He'll be back again and again and again until he finds you.  He'll never leave those wood for good until you're dead.  And then I'll be dragged into it.

From page 34 of Innocence by Dean Koontz.

Karen's: 

"Somebody came an' she had ter go wiff dem an' she put us down here so nuthin' would happen ter us or nobody fin' me."
"Who came, Emmas...who was it?"

From page 83 (Loc. 1158 on Kindle) of A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton by Michael Phillips.  See review of the 1st book in this series here.  My review of this one will be up tomorrow.

"The day before you give Jenna away," she had said, her hands and voice trembling as she handed me the heirloom, "give this to her for the gift."

I was puzzled by her choice of words.

From page 21 of Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans (my review posted yesterday.)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Timepiece" by Richard Paul Evans

Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans is about a couple in the early 1900's--their love, grief, forgiveness and loyalty.  It is an emotional romance between Mary Anne (David's secretary) and David  (wealthy business man) who find great happiness together but also experience tragedy, losing a child.  This is an interesting and enjoyable read including some excerpts from David's diary, but it took me a little time to get used to the writing style.     
(Karen's review, 4 stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The F It List" by Julie Halpern

T

The F It List by Julie Halpern is about two young teen girls, Alex and Becca.  Becca has Cancer and made a list of things she wanted to do.  Alex, her best friend, helps her accomplish them.  I loved this book!  I got into it and cared about both of the girls.  I liked how they handled the stuff life threw at them, and it was a lot!  Plus, it has a great ending!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

The title turned Karen off this one.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Angels Watching Over Me" by Michael Phillips

image source:  Amazon

Angels Watching Over Me by Michael Phillips is about two teen girls whose families both got killed after the Civil War. Katie is a daughter of a white plantation owner and Mayme is a black slave girl who grew up on a different plantation. Shortly after the death of their families, the two girls actually become friends and help each other. Although they have different backgrounds and different talents, they work together to protect each other, and run the plantation on their own. Mayme is practical and Katie a dreamer, but both girls open their hearts up to God and seek His direction when they find themselves in a desperate situation.

I loved this historical fiction book and look forward to the next in this Shenandoah Sisters series. It was a good page turner with likable characters and action too! The story is told from the slave girl’s point of view for the most part. I am so glad I finally found this author and can't wait to read more by him!

This is currently free for Kindle on Amazon--hurry!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Lies You Wanted to Hear" by James Whitfield Thomson

Lies You Wanted to Hear by James Whitfield Thomson is a real good page turner!  The two main characters are Matt and Lucy.  I liked Matt but he might have gone a bit too far and I did not like Lucy, but at the end I felt sorry for her.  You will have to decide how you feel about them and let me know!  I liked the ending too!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Chaser" by John W. Pilley is About an Amazing Dog

I give this book 4 paws way up!

Chaser--Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by John W. Pilley is the true story of a Border Collie who knows more than 1,000 words! John W. Pilley, a professor worked with Chaser and it's really something how he trained her.  LOVED it a lot!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays: 3 Today

Gerard's:

My heartbeat gradually slowed down after ten of the worst seconds in Sally's and my life.

     A few minutes later we were all having lunch together, laughing with Allyson about her flying grab of the leash.

 From page 62 of Chaser--Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by John W. Pilley.  (My review will be up tomorrow)

No matter what the misadventure--wrecking the car ( a Thornhill family tradition), stealing pills from Amanda's cache, getting caught in the TV room in flagrante delicto--the best defense was to pretend it hadn't happened.  Or lie about it.

From page 29 of Lies You Wanted to Hear by James Whitfield Thomson. 

Karen's: 

The brain is like other organs and works better when the body is healthy.  Exercising the body regularly appears to help ward off Alzheimer's disease, as do reducing body weight, lowering blood pressure, and eating a more healthful diet.

From page 21 of BRAIN THE COMPLETE MIND, How it Develops, How it Works, and How to Keep it Sharp by Michael S. Sweeney

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Doctor Sleep" by Stephen King

When I started reading Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, the sequel to The Shining, it did not make sense to me.  I picked it up a few days later to give it another go and then I finally caught on.  This is about a little girl who has a special power that some people want to use for evil.  Dad has the same power and fights against the evil trying to save the little girl from harm.

I enjoyed it once I got into it.  There is good action and I especially liked the parts about the little girl.
(Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"A Collie Rescue" by Lindsay Downs

A Collie Rescue by Lindsay Downs is a short book that I read on my Kindle. I thought it was going to be about Collies being rescued, but it isn’t. It’s about Collies being buddies for returning vets with PTSD. Actually, that is just a small part of the book. This is about the FBI hunting down terrorists with the help of a returning vet with PTSD who is homeless, and her new Collie, Taz, who has her back.

This started kind of slow and I lost interest for a while, but returned to it and liked the ending. I would have rated it higher if the characters were more developed. I think vets may like it and anyone who enjoys quick reads without a lot of description or in-depth characters. (Half the proceeds from this book go to the pet fund.)
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is a story about a young boy who tragically loses his mom at a young age.  To remember her, he takes a picture from an art museum.  This book mostly centers on the boy growing up and his placing with his foster families and then his dad who ran off and came back.  The boy also becomes involved in the criminal world.  Does anyone miss the painting he stole?  

Although this book is long, don't let that deter you.  It is well worth the time.  I enjoyed it. 
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)
 
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Words From a Fearless Heart--A collection of wit, wisdom and whimsy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

After being married 16 years, I decided to start reading some of my husband’s books that are in our bookcases and this is one of them.  Words From a Fearless Heart—A collection of wit, wisdom, and whimsy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a delightful read, especially since I always enjoyed watching “Little House on the Prairie.”  This goes very quickly and is as the title suggests, collection of short bits of wisdom, wit and whimsy.  It’s a great little book to read when you just have a few minutes.  I especially enjoyed the musing on pioneer eating that showed the huge contrast between then and our healthy focus on eating today.  Back then, not only did they eat lots of meat, but it was heavily salted!  Lard was used when cooking or baking and fried potatoes were a staple, cooked in lard.  Butter and sugar was considered good for you!   In fact, sugar was considered “essential to growing child’s health—a nutritious food.”   I recommend this quick inspirational read to anyone, but especially to fans of Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingalls.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Touchdown Tony Crown and the Mystery of the Missing Cheerleader" by Peter Guy George

Touchdown Tony Crowne and the Mystery of the Missing Cheerleader by Peter Guy George is a fun read about three elementary school kids, Tony, Judd and Ash and Tony’s 80 lb. dog, Curly. 

This book had several angels to it:  football, a bit of mystery, and the chasing down of the criminal.  It is a book of Tony saving the damsel in distress, the missing cheerleader, with the help of a real detective, a friend and his dog.  It is geared to kids, but I enjoyed it—especially the football game part and the dog.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

4 Teasers with Book Giveaway

Gerard's:

With both hands, he shoved me so hard I staggered and nearly fell.  "GET BACK FROM THE BUILDING!" he screamed, throwing up his arms with a flap of his rain slicker.  "NOW!"  He wasn't even looking at me; his small, bearish eyes were riveted on something going on over my head, up the street, and the expression on his face terrified me.

From page 49 of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

Shy tightens his grip.  Grits his teeth and tries pulling the man up.  But it's impossible.  He's not strong enough.  Their positioning is too awkward.

From page 6 of The Living by Matt De La Pena.  My review went up yesterday.

Karen's:

Tony ran to his spot next to the Lion's sideline still thinking about Ash's disappearance.  His mind was churning through all the possible reasons for Ash not coming to the game and how Felicity could be involved, when he realized the "THUD" he heard was Tim Crossman's opening kickoff.

From 37%, Location 900 on Kindle of Touchdown Tony Crowne and the Mystery of the Missing Cheerleader by Peter Guy George. (My review will be up tomorrow.)

Paul's secret of contentment emerges from a universal principle of human nature.  It is to trust God regardless of the circumstances and not to expect too much perfection in this life.

Giveaway Book--leave comment if you would like this with an email to contact you for address.

From page 177 of Holding on to your faith even . . . WHEN GOD DOESN'T MAKE SENSE by Dr. James Dobson.

There are a few highlighted passages in this book so I cannot list it on Paperback Swap but thought I would offer to our blog readers first before releasing it into the wild.  If you would like to have this book, please let us know in a comment.  We will keep it available until the end of this week.  If more than one person is interested, we will randomly choose a winner on Saturday, 1/11/14.  If no one expresses an interest by then, I will release it into the wild.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

 Happy Reading!

"The Living" by Matt De La Pena

This Living by Matt De La Pena is about a young man named Shy who works on a luxury cruise liner.  One day a man decides to jump off the ship and shy tries to save him but can't.  Who was that man and in the brief time they spent together, what did he tell Shy?  A huge storm comes and Shy finds himself in a lifeboat with the last person he wants to be with.

This book starts out slow but stick with it because there is action and plenty of it.  It is a quick read, finished it in two days.  A second book will be out later this year that I look forward to reading as well!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Save Our Bones Program" by Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

When I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and told to get a prescription for a couple drugs that promote bone density, I tried them but quickly quit because they made me feel worse.  I experienced side effects that I did not want such as pain in my legs and thighs and sometimes my leg even locking up on me.  Then my doctor advised me to take Prolia, a shot every 6 months.  I didn't do that because it even had worse side effects! 

I was thrilled to come across the New Expanded Edition of Save Our Bones Program-The Revolutionary Treatment That Prevents and Reverses Bone Loss Naturally by Vivian Goldschmidt, MA which gives an alternative to taking the prescription drugs to strengthen bones.  It contains diet information, exercises specifically geared to building bone density and lots of practical things to do to improve bone health without prescription drugs based on lots of scientific research!  I ordered it for my 60th birthday.

I like the specific lists of foods, the explanations for the do's and don'ts that affect bone health and that many of the things are easy to implement.  

I recommend it to anyone who is dealing with Osteoporosis.    Time will tell if it really works but others have testified that it has worked for them.  Visit www.saveourbones.com for more information or to order the book.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The System" is an Outstanding Book About College Football

The System--The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian is an outstanding eye-opening look at college football.  It tells how it works and in some cased, how it doesn't work.  This goes beyond the scoreboard by dealing with coaches, players, the athletic directors and even people outside the program who make a big impact off the field.  I LOVED it and learned a lot!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Accused" by Lisa Scottoline (Updated)

I liked Accused by Lisa Scottoline because it is about Mary, a criminal lawyer who tries to get a case reopened because the sister of the victim believes the wrong guy was convicted for the murder.  It also includes the subplot of her personal life which includes her engagement to her live-in boyfriend and her lack of excitement.  Who the real killer is was a well kept secret and I liked how things were wrapped up at the end.

It's a good read if you don't need a lot of action to hold your attention and find crime investigations interesting.  I liked the interaction between the lawyers in this book and the Christian overtones with the accused and his mother.  I recommend it.  I think it is one of Lisa Scottoline's more believable novels.
(Karen's review 1-3

-13, 4 stars)

Accused by Lisa Scottoline is about a 13-yr-old girl who hires two lawyers to get the man who was found guilty of killing her sister out of prison because she thinks somebody else did it and he is innocent.  Her parents don't want this and it becomes a test of wills.  It's a good book but doesn't have enough action for me to give it 5 stars so it gets 4.
(Gerard's review 12-11-13, 4 stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Fifteen Minutes" by Karen Kingsbury

It's always good to start off the year with a good book and Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury fits the bill. This is a great takeoff on American Idol and how one young boy deals with fame and fortune.  I really cared about the characters and got into it right away.  This book shows that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.  If you want a good read to kick start 2014, this is it.
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Our Favorite Reads For 2013

 Happy New Year!  Does anyone really care what our favorite reads were  for 2013?  Oh well, here they are whether you care or not.  Between the two of us, we read over 200 books last year so please do not think that these few are the only ones we liked.  We chose these as our favorites, but it wasn't easy.


Since I didn't read too many non-fiction books, I didn't make a separate list of them like Gerard did.


If you want to see our review of any of our favorites, just enter the title (or author) in the search box at the top left.

Books we both liked from 2013:

Champion by Marie Lu
The Program by Suzanne Young
In the After by Demitri Lunetta
The Blood of Lambs--A Former Terrorist's Memoir of Death and Redemption by Kamal Saleem (non-fiction)
Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Suspect by Robert Crais
Dinner With the Smileys by Sarah Smiley (non-fiction)

Have you read any of these? If not, hope you will this year. Happy Reading!