"A Sliver of Light" by Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal & Sarah Shourd

A Sliver of Light by Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal & Sarah Shourd is an incredible tale of three people on a hike in Iraqi Kurdistan and then crossed over into Iran.  The border patrol arrested them and they were in a situation they will never forget.  This is a great story told by all three people in a way that reads like a novel except it was real life!  This was an eye-opening book for me that I won't soon forget.  Thanks for sharing! 
 (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!

"Too Close To Home" by Lynette Eason

Too Close To Home by Lynette Eason drew me in quickly and kept my interest throughout.  It is a Christian fiction thriller about a widower detective, Connor, with a 16-yr-old daughter, Jenna.  As Connor tries to hunt down a serial killer who keeps killing young teens, his daughter gets drawn in to the guy's scheme of finding girls on the internet and offering them a modeling interview.  Connor's partner, Andrew and computer geek, Samantha, working the case with him are both Christians who try witnessing to Connor.  Samantha resembles his dead wife and Jenna is immediately drawn to her.  Jenna blames her dad for her mother's death and deep down, he kind of blames himself too.

I really enjoyed this book even though you are introduced to the killer early on and it didn't take much to figure out who it was.  I could feel the frustration of the detectives as the killer seemed to keep one step ahead of them.  I recommend this highly to teens as there is a good warning in it not to meet up with people from the internet.  
(Karen's review, 4 stars, read this on Kindle so sorry no cat pictured with the book)

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!

"Panic" by Lauren Oliver -- An Entertaining Y/A Read (Updated 4/4/14)

Panic by Lauren Oliver is good right from the start and keeps getting better as it progresses!  It’s about a tradition in a small town where any senior who wants to participate in the Panic challenge at the end of the school year pays $1 a day into the pot.  After graduation, the winner and two judges who made up the challenges split the pot.  The pot was $67,000 that Heather, Nat and Dodge were competing for.  Each of the main characters had a different motivation for participating.  Most all of the class participated, which I found unbelievable considering the challenges were illegal or life threatening.  (No way would I have participated, but it made for a good read though!  The ending was great!  

I loved the suspense each challenge created and it was fun trying to guess the winner.  I’d recommend this if you are looking for an entertaining YA read.  

(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Panic by Lauren Oliver is a Y/A novel that happens in a small town.  Every year after the school year ends, the graduating seniors who want to play a game called "Panic."  The winner gets a lot of money.  The book focuses on Heather and Dodge who each have their own reason for wanting to win.  The people in the story are very true to life. 

I loved this book because I got into it really fast and it was hard to put down.  
(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!

"The Weight of Blood" by Laura McHugh

The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh is about a young girl who is determined to find out what happened to her mom and to her best friend who both went missing at different parts of her life.  I enjoyed this book from start to finish.  There were not a lot of "wow" moments but it kept me turning pages nonetheless.  I especially liked the ending!  This is a very good novel by a first-time author so give it a chance.
(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!

3 Tuesday Teasers

Gerard's:

I'm the platoon medic.  But most of all, I'm an American.  And when the bells sounds, I will come out fighting for my country and for my teammates.

From page 7 of Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell.

Then he saw Cheri's head, snagged on a piece of driftwood:  her freckled face, abbreviated nose, eyes spaced too wide to be pretty.  Stuffed into the hollow of the tree were the rest of Cheri's pieces, her skin etched with burns and amateur tattoos.

 
From page 4 of The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh.  (My review will be up tomorrow.)


Karen's: 

But she trusted him, right?  So, why did her finger hover over the enter key, hesitating?

Because another girl had disappeared and her dad was worried she might be next.

From Loc. 740 (Ch. 6) of Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason.

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!

"Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell tells the true story of four Navy Seals who fought a battle in Afghanistan against the Taliban by the lone survivor himself!  To me, this book breaks down into three parts:  (1) what you have to do to become an elite seal--and it's really a lot as you could imagine; (2) the battle which is told so well you can visualize it; and (3) after the battle and finally his rescue.  It is a fantastic story that is also a movie!  I enjoyed it very much, well worth the time!  Mr. Luttrell, thank you for your service!

(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!

"The Deepest Secret" by Carla Buckley

The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley has two main story lines: a hit-and-run accident and a young boy who cannot be exposed to light of any sort. Because there is even more to this book than that, including lots of "wow" moments and believable characters, I loved this book and consider it a "must read." It is my book of the month so far for March! They don't get much better than this!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley is about Eve, a hit-n-run driver who accidentally killed her best friend’s daughter.  She finds herself in a real dilemma because she has a teenage son, Tyler, with a very rare disease who needs special care.  Her husband is a lawyer who works out-of-town a lot and only comes home on weekends.  She also has a lying teenage daughter, Melissa who has secrets of her own.  This book poses a lot of questions along the way.  Tyler is like a prisoner in his own house because UV rays can be deadly for him.  He is only allowed out after sundown but manages to know more about their neighbors and what goes on in the neighborhood than anyone else in his family.  Each person in the family has a secret. 

 

This was a fast-moving book for me because it kept me wondering if Eve is ever going to confess.  My feelings about Eve and her husband changed as the book progressed, but I liked Tyler all the way through; Melissa not so much.  This is a good thought-provoking read that kept me turning the pages and would be great for a book club discussion. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Similar to Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner and Defending Jacob by  William Landay.

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!

"Blood Will Out--The True Story of a Murder, a Mystery and a Masquerade" by Walter Kirn

What a good book Blood Will Out by Walter Kirn is! It is a true story about a con man and killer who passed himself off as somebody important, Clark Rockefeller. He went by other names too and was able to manipulate people into doing things for him, including the author of this book. This book centers on a murder trial where Clark was the defendant. It's amazing! He fooled so many people, 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!

"Good, Clean Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton was Disappointing

Good, Clean Murder by Traci Tyne Hilton is indeed a plain Jane mystery.  It is about Jane, a 20-yr-old college student hoping to go to the mission field and cleaning houses to earn her way.  Unfortunately, she gets involved in a big mess because she refused to listen to her parents.  Although it started out with the murder which captured my interest, it quickly went downhill from there and I found myself plowing through.  I do not recommend this one—didn’t care for it.
(Karen's review, 2 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: 4 For You

Gerard's:

I saw parts of myself in nearly all of them, and each time I did I felt angrier and sadder, if a bit less lonesome.  We were the fools who were never supposed to meet, the very opposite of a conspiracy, who'd worked together for his betterment, oblivious and separate.

From page 92 of Blood Will Out--The True Story of a Murder, a Mystery, and a Masquerade by Walter Kirn 

He waited another moment, and then leaped at my nose.  I caught him mid-jump.  His teeth were sharp enough to draw blood and I did not want to spoil this sort-of-almost-hallowed moment of bestoing a name.

From page 26 of The Dog That Talked to God by Jim Kraus.  (Click link to see my review.)


Karen's: 

Why isn't she talking?  She should say something, anything, but Charlotte's holding her hand so tightly between hers; she's clinging to Eve and it's all Eve can do to stand beside her best friend as the police thunder up and down the stairs, tromp through all the rooms..

From page 71 of The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley.

"This could be an isolated incident, like a bad dream, or indicative of a psychotic episode," Judy explained.  "I've seen it before in some people as they age."

From page 38 of I Will Never Forget by Elaine C. Pereira.

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 Dog That Talked to God" by Jim Kraus (UPDATED)

The Dog That Talked to God by Jim Kraus is about a bitter widow who blames God for taking away her husband and son who died in an auto accident when hit by a drunk driver more than about the dog.  Mary doubted her faith and stopped praying to God for a long time.  She got a puppy she named Rufus and used it as a sounding board.  Then one day the dog talked to her.  This Christian fiction book dragged along for me but at least had a good ending.  I preferred the author’s other book better— The Cat That God Sent.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

The Dog That Talked to God by Jim Kraus is about a woman named Mary who decides to get a dog for companionship after her husband passes away.  She names the dog Rufus and what a tale tale they tell!  This book starts out a bit slow, but stick with it.  I loved Rufus and I grew to like Mary too as the book went on.  It has some good stuff that I did not see coming and a great ending!  It's worth the read!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars because Rufus is so good!) 

 

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 Long Way Home" by Lauraine Snelling (last of series)

The Long Way Home by Lauraine Snelling is the third book of “A Secret Refuge” series that kept my attention all the way with excitement and adventure including family drama, traveling with a wagon train, a bear attack, imprisonment, weddings, Indians and establishing a new home.  Although this is Christian fiction, it is not a predictable ending where all the loose ends get tied up.  It is a family saga that emphasizes all are created equal regardless of geographic location or skin color.  This takes place near the end of the Civil War and covers the effect the war had on both the lives of the south, the north and even the west.   

I enjoyed this entire series of light reading and was happy with the ending.  I liked that not all the slaves were mistreated.  My favorite characters in this series were Jesselynn, Thaddeus (her little brother), Meshack (a very smart, strong, Christian former slave) and Wolf (a half breed wagon master).   I highly recommend this series if you enjoy reading about the Civil War era or enjoy Christian fiction that has some depth to it..

 

This is the 8^th book I’ve read this year about the 1800’s during the Civil War era and I would rank it second to Michael Phillips’ Shenandoah Sisters 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!

Tuesday Teasers: 4 for You

Gerard's:

You know, I have a really great attitude about all this cancer thing.  I smile, laugh and joke about it.

From page 56 of This Star Won't Go Out--The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl byEsther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl. (Click link for my review--Esther died of cancer at age 16.  This is a beautiful book about her life!)

I kick him to get him on his side of the line and he cries and there is yelling and Momma is yelling back and Daddy is roaring and sounds like a lion with a big mane that shakes.  I don't like this Daddy that is shouting so much.

From page 15 of The Bear by Claire Cameron.  


Karen's: 

In fact, Bob hadn't moved a muscle when his covers had come flying off him.  Surely, if a big guy like him had moved, she would have noticed.

From location 190 on Kindle of Good, Clean Murder:  A Plain Jane Mystery by Traci Tyne Hilton.

She ignored that reasonable voice within her head and continued to hope.  Just the thought of seeing Wolf again set her heart to thumping.

From page 93 of The Long Way Home by Lauraine Snelling.  (Book 3 of A Secret Refuge 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!

"The Bear" by Claire Cameron

The Bear by Claire Cameron is based on a true story.  It is told by a 5-yr.-old girl who must look after her 2-yr.-old brother and her Teddy bear after her parents are attacked by a bear while camping in the woods.  It is well told and I did not know what was going to happen.  It was interesting to get the child's view on this.  Give it a chance; you will be glad you did!
(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!

"Sisters of the Confederacy" by Lauraine Snelling (A Secret Refuge Series)

This is the back cover (the front has a big library label on it)

Sisters of the Confederacy is the second book in the Secret Refuge series by Lauraine Snelling.  It is about God's protection of three sisters during the Civil War who each have different lives--one married and well off, Louisa living with her aunt in Virginia trying to save wounded soldiers, including her brother, and Jesselynn on her way to Oregon with her horses, her little brother, and her freed slaves to start over.  Jesse and her troop join up with a wagon train and her secret is discovered when she is thrown from her horse into a creek and getting all wet.  Jesse questions God about the war and why little children die but mean men get to live.  Both sisters are brave and feisty. 

I enjoyed this book because Jesselynn is such a strong woman and feels responsible for those traveling with her.  Sometimes she feels overwhelmed, especially when Daniel finds himself in jail and is about to be hanged for something he didn't do.  The horse race was exciting too and loved how she handled it.  I really liked the story line about Jesselynn, but the one about Louisa, not so much.  I look forward to reading the last one in this series.  (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!

"This Star Won't Go Out" by Esther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl

In This Star Won't Go Out --The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl, you get to know and meet a remarkable young lady, Esther.  This is her book and what a book it is—fun, thoughtful, loving and always interesting.  I went through a lot of emotions reading this one and was glad I had some tissue handy.  Esther’s friends talk about her and the bond they built with her.  These letters are the most touching part of the book.  Her mom and dad write in it too, and her dad’s eulogy at the funeral was so good!  I wish I could have met Esther.  This book will stay with me a long time!
 Here is a teaser from page 56:

You know, I have a really great attitude about all this cancer thing.  I smile, laugh and joke about 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!

"Fire and Flood" by Victoria Scott is Great!

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott is about a young teen girl named Tella.  Her brother is dying and one day Tella gets a package that offers a cure for her brother, but she has to win a race.  This is a great book with plenty of good action and "wow" moments.  I liked Tella right off.  This one is a "must read."  I look forward to book two of this series!
(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!

"Flora & Ulysses" by Kate DiCamillo is a Fun Read (Juvenile)

Every so often I like to read a fun book where I do not really have to figure out anything.  Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo is an enjoyable read that made me chuckle.  This book is about a young girl named Flora and a squirrel she calls Ulysses.  The story is pretty good and I especially liked the illustrations! (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!

Tuesday Teasers: Four for You

Gerard's:

Snow thudded off the branches of one of the apples trees, making Ruthie jump.  Had something else moved, something deep in the shadows?  She held her breath, waiting.

From page 57 of The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon. (Click link for my review)

The realization that I may be onto something slams into me.  My parents tried to conceal this.  My brother passed it off as a joke.

From page 20 of Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott.  


Karen's: 

David was able to answer every question!  The nurse was blown away.  She couldn't understand how someone with such extensive brain injury was answering questions as though nothing had happened.

From location 294 on Kindle of Miracles--32 True Stories  by Joan Hileman.(Click link for my review)

Sometime later Benjamin returned from a scouting trip, and after standing by the fire to warm himself for a bit, he turned to Meshach.
"I found somethin' real interestin'."

From page 38 of Sisters of the Confederacy by Lauraine Snelling.  (Book 2 of A Secret Refuge 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!

"The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon

Keep the light on after reading this one!

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon is about a mother of two young girls who one day just disappears and the girls try to find her.  There is so much more to the book than that, but to tell more would give away too much.  Suffice it to say this book will have you turning pages quickly.  If you read it at night, you might want to keep your light on.  There is plenty of "wow" moments in this one; it doesn't get much better than this!  I highly recommend it!  Read and enjoy! 

teaser from pg. 57:
Snow thudded off the branches of one of the apples trees, making Ruthie jump.  Had something else moved, something deep in the shadows?  She held her breath, waiting.
(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!

Miracles--32 True Stories by Joanie Hileman

Miracles--32 True Stories by Joanie Hileman is a collection of short stories of 32 different people who experienced a miracle in their life.  Some are healing when the doctors gave no hope, some are completely transformed lives, some deal with family issues and some with children.  Each story lists several scripture verses after it which apply. 

Here are the websites some of the stories mentioned about where they found help:

-Turn For Christ (www.uturn4christ.com) as a place that helped them get off drugs.
Teen Challenge USA (www.teenchallengeusa.com)
Hume Lake (www.Humelake.org)
Calvary Chapel Central Maine School of Ministry (www.ccbangor.org)

Jesus Is (www.jesusis.com)

I really enjoyed this book because it was so interesting and encouraging to see how great and wonderful God is and that He is still performing miracles today.  This is very inspirational and well worth reading!  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!