Category: Reviews

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Don’t read this book! Seriously. Unless you’re prepared to buy all five books currently available in the series and lock yourself away, neglect your house, your kids, your husband—and just read, read, read until you’re done. Because it was that good. And if you’re thinking you can read just one book at a time, think again. This is the Lays potato chips of vampire stories—and each book ends with a killer cliff-hanger. But to back up a bit. . . My sister has been bugging […]

September 20, 2012 | 11 Comments

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

When Annika’s little brother faces the prospect of surgery, she is determined that he will pull through successfully. A firm believer in the power of positive thinking, she convinces Jeremy that she has a magic lamp that will grant him a successful surgery and his greatest desire—which she believes is a Teen Robin Hood action character. Jeremy upsets her well-made plans when he wishes instead to meet the “real” Teen Robin Hood, an actor from his favorite TV show. Annika sets off to make Jeremy’s […]

September 18, 2012 | 0 Comments

This Just In by Kerry Blair

I’m embarrassed to admit how long this one has been sitting on my night stand. I got it from a clearance stack at a local regional bookstore (so you might have trouble finding a copy, unless you want to buy the ebook). When I did get to it, I just about broke a rib laughing so hard! Clay and Jill are such opposites—he a serious mountain man and loner; she a society, looks-are-everything newscaster. Told from Jill’s point of view, this story is hilariously funny […]

September 16, 2012 | 0 Comments

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I do believe this book may make my all-time favorite list. I was so captivated by this story. The idea of having death as the narrator was intriguing. The characterizations were amazing. Every member of this small community was well-drawn and memorable. I instantly fell in love with Liesel and her love for books. Her life was so hard, and yet she discovered beauty in the people and things around her. She grew into a young woman of strength and courage. One of my favorite […]

September 14, 2012 | 0 Comments

Freefall by Traci Hunter Abramson

Freefall is the first book in the Saint Squad series. The Saint Squad is a Navy SEAL team where most of the members belong to the LDS (Mormon) church. Not all of the team members are LDS but they are all good guys. Each book in this series focuses on a different member of the team and a suspenseful mission. And there’s usually a romantic adventure, as well. I bought this one when it first came out but it sat in my To Read pile […]

January 5, 2009 | 0 Comments

Isabelle Webb: Legend of the Jewel by N.C. Allen

I’m not really sure which genre to put this one in. It definitely has a historical setting, just after the American Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln. It also has mystery and suspense, as Isabelle and her friends chase after the elusive Jewel of Zeus. There’s some romance—just a little, but it’s definitely a plot point. But there are some fantasy elements, as well, with the mystical happenings surrounding that missing jewel… But however you classify it, it was pretty good. This is […]

January 3, 2009 | 0 Comments

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

This was a fast, fun read. I wanted to be a spy when I was Cammie’s age and I would have loved reading a book like this back then. There is enough adventure to be entertaining and keep you on the edge of your seat at times, but it never dips down into the gore. The romance is sweet and light, some hand-holding and kissing but nothing I’d be embarrassed to have my mother or my daughters read. The characters are great. Cammie and her […]

November 14, 2008 | 0 Comments

Farworld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage

I was one of the lucky ones to get an ARC of Farworld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage. I looked forward to reading it because I’ve really enjoyed his Shandra Covington series (House of Secrets and Dead On Arrival). I love fantasy so when the package came, I ripped it open and started reading right away. I’ve had to wait to post my review—and that’s been hard because I’ve wanted to share the love for the two main characters in this book. Water Keep […]

July 8, 2008 | 3 Comments

Rules of Engagement by Stephanie Fowers

I read Rules of Engagement by Stephanie Fowers yesterday in just a few hours. It’s cute and fun. This book gives you a humorous look into college life while exploring the non-existent love lives of Samantha and her roommates. I enjoyed Samantha’s feisty character and personality. I laughed aloud at many of her antics—such as getting stuck in a window, sneaking into a boy’s apartment to steal a cross-stitched quote, and trying to avoid a stalker. It took me back to my college days. I […]

June 19, 2008 | 3 Comments

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Oh. My. Gosh. I loved The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I’ve read her Twilight books, and aside from the fact that they’re romance and Bella is an idiot, I’ve liked them just fine. But I’m not going to stand in line at midnight to get book #4. (Oh, wait. Actually, I am—but only because my sister and some other friends are having a Girls Night Out on the evening of the debut and we’ve decided to include that in our plans. But I digress.) But […]

May 14, 2008 | 0 Comments

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull is book #3 in the Fablehaven series. I didn’t get reviews posted of either of the first two books, but I gave them both a 4.5 out of 5. I really like this series and suggest it for middle grade readers and people who love simple fantasy. I felt this book could have been edited just a bit tighter, losing maybe 50 pages. There were a few places where it went on longer than needed. Also, I […]

May 12, 2008 | 0 Comments

The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner

[This is going to be a positive review. I promise. Just bear with me.] Before I review The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters, I have to say something about the only other James Dashner book I’ve ever read. I didn’t like it. While the basic plot was good, there were a few places where it got cloudy and confusing. I didn’t care for his writing style—it sounded too much like an adult trying to talk like a kid. There were also some typos […]

May 1, 2008 | 6 Comments

Her Good Name by Josi S. Kilpack

I got Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack a couple of weeks ago but I had to wait to read it because other less important stuff like cooking and cleaning and working my day job kept getting in the way. I started it a few days ago and then stayed up until 2:00 a.m. this morning to finish it. That right there should tell ya sumthin’. I liked this book for so many reasons. First, I liked Chrissy. She’s Latino and I think it’s about […]

April 18, 2008 | 5 Comments

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It is simply fantastic! I read it in two days, staying up until 3:00 a.m. the second day because I couldn’t put it down. Another 5 out of 5 book from me this year. I read Dragon Slippers and liked it very much. I gave it a 4.5 (although I never got around to doing a real review of it here. Sorry.) So when Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow came out, I rushed to get it. And it is worth […]

April 10, 2008 | 5 Comments

Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black

Stephanie Black is one twisted sister! Fool Me Twice is her second novel published by Covenant. I loved her first one, The Believer, but I love, love, love this one! I cannot believe the twists and turns in this book. This is an LDS suspense thriller. There are some religious elements to it but no one gets baptized in the end. I found that very believable. It’s not preachy and Stephanie doesn’t beat us over the head with the Book of Mormon stick. If you’re […]

March 31, 2008 | 0 Comments