Tuesday, October 29, 2019

"A Dog Called Hope" by Jason Morgan & Damien Lewis

A Dog Called Hope by Jason Morgan is the true story about a wounded warrior and the service dog who saved him.  It is fantastic!  Jason was hurt during an anti-narcotics raid in Central America.  Months later, he was told he would never walk again.  When he is finally doing a little better, his wife leaves him.  He has three young boys and really needs something to go right!

Napal is in training to be a CCI dog.  Napal is a special dog just waiting to be given a chance to be someone's special helper. 

I really enjoyed Jason and all the stuff he had to battle through!  Of course, I loved Napal, the great dog!  This book went fast and I was engaged from page 1!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 282 (large print edition): 
As I left, Napal threw me a look that could melt anyone's heart.  It spoke to me so powerfully.  There's so much love, devotion, and companionship in here if you'll only have me.  Stand by me, and I'll be your battle buddy until the day I die.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica is about the friendship of Nate and Abby, two 13-yr.-olds. They are best friends. Nate loves playing football and Abby loves art and watching Nate play football. Abby gets Nate to sign up for a football throwing contest that offers a prize of 1 million dollars. Nate is the quarterback on his team and idolizes Tom Brady, the Patriots QB. Nate has a great arm, but when he becomes distracted with family financial pressures, getting nervous about trying to win the million dollars, and finding out that Abby is losing her eye sight, he starts playing badly and loses his confidence. Can he get it back in time for the throwing contest? If he wins, what will he do with the million dollars?

This is a pretty good story about friendship, courage and football. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to kids or young teens. (Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 19: “You’re the one who’s always telling me that the very best part of sports is how it can make a new memory for you practically every day. And right now you’ve got a memory going that will last both of us our whole lives, whether you make the throw or not.”

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

"Cold Woods" by Karen Katchur

Cold Woods by Karen Katchur is good stuff! When the long buried bones of a man turn up, the detectives know that it’s a cold case. After all, they guess it’s been 30 years! Three women, who were teen friends at the time, know something about the man that was killed and buried. Will the truth of this come out after all these years?

I liked this book. The pacing of the book is good. It did go back and forth in time though of which I am not a fan. The surprise ending made up for that.
(Gerard’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 3:  Side by side, they tossed more and more dirt on him.  When they were close to finishing, their fear kicked into high gear.


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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

"Every Note Played" by Lisa Genova

Every Note Played by Lisa Genova centers on two people:  Richard and Karina.  They were married but separated and divorced.  Karina is having trouble moving on.  Her only child, Grace, has gone to college and has little interaction with her mom.  Karina has no one.  Richard is an accomplished concert pianist, but now he has ALS.  Soon he is going to need someone to take care of him 24-7!  He is not close to his family and has no one.

WOW!  I really enjoyed reading this book.  I liked both Richard and Karina.  Lisa  Genova does a great job with the story line.  I have loved all her books and this one is as good as the others!  I laughed, smiled and cried.  It is my book of the month so far!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 27:  Her stomach floods with emotion, her inner streets crowding fast as fervent protest stands upon its soapbox in her center, outraged that she has to deal with this, that Pam especially can't be more sensitive to her.  Richard's canceled tour isn't her concern.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Monday, October 14, 2019

"REBEL" by Marie Lu

REBEL by Marie Lu is told by two brothers, Daniel (Day) and Eden. Eden is the younger brother and Daniel aka Day is a legend. They now live in Ross City, Antarctica in 2142 AD where the higher level you are, the better standard of living you have. Eden gets mixed up with a mob boss who would like nothing better than to get rid of the levels and run things his way. Daniel is an Antarctic Intelligence Service agent who goes after the criminals. The deeper Eden gets involved with the mob, even Daniel might not be able to save him! This book is so good! I loved being back with Day and June again from The Legend series. This book had a good flow to it and had plenty of action.
(Gerard’s review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:
Eden, at an illegal drone race in the undercity. Eden is trying to become his own person and establish his place in the world away from his brother’s shadow. Daniel is still seeing Eden as his little brother who needs his protection.

I enjoyed this book, it just didn’t grab me like the others did. It was fun seeing the brother’s relationship develop as they both move into adulthood. The romance between Day and June picks back up and was kind sweet. I think if you enjoyed the prior books in the Legend series, you will enjoy this one as well.  (4 stars)


Teaser from page 13: Me? I’m the nerd with bad eyesight who likes building things and framing flowers. When I speak, my voice is higher and softer than my brother’s. He is the hero who never has nightmares anymore. I am the odd, quiet one that he still treats like a kid.



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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 12, 2019

"Good Girl, Bad Girl" by Michael Robotham

In Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham, a girl is found in a secret room.  Who knows how old she is?  She will not tell and there are no records of her birth!  She is given the name Evie.  She demands to be free from the secure children's home.  A forensic psychologist, Cyrus, is call in.  He has never met anyone like Evie.  In addition, a young high school girl is murdered.  Cyrus is called in to help find the killer.  Are these two girls somehow related?  Who is Evie really and who killed Jodie?

This is a wild book to say the least!  Something is always going on!  This book is told by Cyrus and Evie.  I enjoyed it!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 12:  "Evie has made an application to the court to be released, but she's not ready to leave Langford Hall.  She's dyslexic.  Antisocial.  Aggressive.  She has no friends.  Nobody ever visits her.  She's a danger to herself and others."

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

"The Good Father" by Diane Chamberlain

The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain centers on Travis and his 4-yr-old daughter, Bella.  Robin was very sickly and fragile when he got her pregnant and did not want the baby so Travis got full custody.  When his mother's house burns to the ground, he finds himself and Bella homeless.  Then he loses his job and moves to Raleigh to follow a job lead.  He meets a woman at a coffee shop, Erin, who is still grieving over the loss of her child but hits it off with Bella.  His job is not what he thought it would be and finds himself mixed up with drug dealers.  He left Bella with Erin while he went to work, but didn't come back!  What will Erin do with Bella?  Will Travis get out alive and see his daughter again?  What about Robin?  These are all questions answered when you read the book.

I enjoyed this book, although it started off a bit slow.  It really has three story lines about the three main characters, Travis, Erin and Robin.  This book looks at parenting and grieving.  This would be a good book for a book club to discuss.  It has discussion questions in the back.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 8:  The only thing was, she might be too good.  The kind of person who'd call the cops on me.  I just had to trust her not to.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 5, 2019

"The Pale-Faced Lie" by David Crow (True Story)

The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow is about his terrible childhood, his abusive parents, and his struggle to be free from his father’s control and the guilt and shame he felt most of his life. He also had an older sister and a younger brother and sister. This is a sad story and one that is hard to believe families like his actually exist. It sheds light about life on an Indian reservation and how much damage can be caused by abusive parents. His dad was an ex-con who got away with murder and expected David to help him in his criminal activities. The only times David’s father was pleased with David was when he did mean things to people that his father thought was hilarious. Although David had a lot of obstacles to overcome, including his upbringing, hearing loss, poverty and dyslexia, he had a lot of determination and mental toughness. He barely graduated high school and went on to graduate college, majoring in political science. This book made me want to keep reading to see what was going to happen next and how he succeeded (I knew he did since he wrote the book). This was heartbreaking, but at the same time, extremely interesting.
 (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review 9/25/19:
The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow is the true story about his family.  He had three siblings and they idolized their dad who told them stories about his World War II feats.  But, there was another side to Thurston Crow, the dad.  David tells the story of growing up with his dad and his mentally ill mother including plenty of action!What I enjoyed most about this book is that I really never knew what was going to happen next.
(5++ stars)

Teaser from page 8:  Other days, Dad tied me to the pine tree in our front yard.  He'd wrap a thick, scratchy rope around my chest and ankles and tug on it hard to make a tight know.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"You Owe Me a Murder" by Eileen Cook

In You Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook, Kim is headed to London on a class trip.  Good time for it because her life is not going very well.  She really needs this!  She meets a stranger on the plane and they have an instant connection.  In London, things go south in a hurry and Kim finds her life is at a crossroad!

I enjoyed this book!  Kim is a great character.  The pacing of the book is okay and I especially liked the last part of this book.  If you liked "Stranger on the Train," you will also like this!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page 15:  I was a walking black cloud of doom.  I hadn't bothered to get to know anyone else coming on the trip and now I was going to be miserable and alone.

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

"Just After Midnight" by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde centers on two women--Faith and Sarah.  Faith escapes her abusive husband, for now.  While at her friend's beach house, she befriends a young girl, Sarah.  Sarah is going through a rough time.  Her mom just died unexpectedly but the death is suspicious.  Also, her dad sold her house without saying anything to Sarah.

This book was pretty good.  I enjoyed Faith and especially Sarah.  I would have liked a little more action though.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 17:  "Faith.  What if it works this time?  What if I ride her and make her look really good, and it works, and somebody buys her?  Then what?"

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. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
Related Posts with Thumbnails