Friday, August 24, 2012

"Precisely Terminated," by Amanda L. Davis

"Precisely Terminated," by Amanda L. Davis

With microchips implanted in their skulls at birth, the slaves of Cantral and Cillineese have labored under the tyrannical rule of the Nobles and their computers for decades. Monica, a Noble who avoided the implanting and escaped a death sentence at the age of four, is now sixteen and is in hiding. She lives with the slaves inside the walls of the Cantral palace, pretending to be one of them while the slave council plots a way to use her chip-less state to destroy the all-powerful computers that strike down any hint of rebellion.
 
The Nobles hear of Monica’s survival and try to exterminate her before she ruins their upper-class utopia. The rebels send her to find a missing paper bearing instructions on how to shut down the computers that control the chips in Cillineese, a major city-state. The Nobles are alerted to the plan and prepare to seal Cillineese in a giant dome to gas the inhabitants, including Monica.
The fate of millions rides on Monica’s shoulders. As the only chip-less person in the world, she must find the paper, destroy the computers, and free Cillineese from the Nobles’ iron fist before they strike with the ultimate punishment—death for everyone inside the city walls.
 
First let me say this is not my normal genre of book.  Even the cover of the book is off putting if you ask me.  However I am so glad I decided to read this book, it was great, I couldn't put it down.  Honestly, I had to know what was going to happen next.  It hooked you from the first few pages.
 
Now reading what other people said, if you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you will love this book.  As I have never read nor seen The Hunger Games I have no idea.  Also someone said  "the story begins with gloom (which it does), which is perfect for the dystopian setting."  As you can see I have put a link for the word dystopian as I had no idea what it meant. 
 
I will say this book left me with a lot of questions unanswered; for instance - how did the Nobles come into power?  Where did the "Seens" come from?  What happened to our modern ways?
 
I am looking forward to the second book in the series, as the story left off with much more to tell.

Stars out of 5 : A resounding 5, loved the book despite it not being a book I would normally read.  I think it is aimed at young adults, but even though I am not young, I am an adult, so I felt qualified to read it!!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Foundation Distributing, Inc and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from AMG Publishers
". 

Monday, August 20, 2012

"The Haven," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

"The Haven," by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Spring brings new life, young love, and second chances to Stoney Ridge.
On a warm spring day, Sadie Lapp returns home to her quiet, unassertive life in Stoney Ridge after spending the winter in Ohio.
Gideon Smucker, an awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since childhood and eagerly awaits her return. But does Sadie feel the same about him?
Will Stoltz, a charming and impetuous college student, has been banished for a semester and sent to babysit endangered peregrine falcons nesting at the Lapp farm. He'd rather be anywhere else . . . until he befriends Sadie.
As the hopes and ambitions of these three young people converge, life in Stoney Ridge may never be the same.

This is the second book in the Stoney Ridge Series, and it was really good.  The story kept going and kept you interested all the way through.  I thought the story was going one way and it went another.  I like how you read about situations that you can learn from and apply to your own life.

The lead characters of Sadie, Gideon, and Will were well thought out, but for me M.K. is the best character ever and I'm pleased to say the next book in the series will focus on her.  What she gets up too makes you laugh out loud and there is plenty more to tell as far as her character goes.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Great book, kept me wanting more and wanting to know what happens next.  Super read and would recommend it to you all.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Thursday, August 16, 2012

"To Love and Cherish," by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

"To Love and Cherish," by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
Melinda Colson has been waiting months for Evan, the assistant gamekeeper at the Bridal Veil Island resort, to propose. Without an offer of marriage, she must return to Cleveland with the family she works for as a lady's maid.

Evan isn't afraid of hard work, and he hopes to be promoted soon. He wants to marry Melinda--but not until he's sure he can support her and a family.

Letters strengthen their romance until a devastating storm strikes the island. With no word from Evan, Melinda knows she must journey back to Bridal Veil in search of her beloved.

But the hurricane isn't the last calamity to shake up Bridal Veil. Melinda finds a new job on the island, but still no offer of marriage comes her way. Has she given her heart to the wrong person? Will she ever find a man to love and cherish?


Confession first.  The only reason I got this book is I read the first one in the series; this one is the second.  It didn't really appeal too me, but I figured as I had read the first I should keep on with the series.  So I was in no rush to read this book, but when I picked it up I couldn't put it down, as I loved the book.

It has so many twists and turns in it, it keeps you wanting to read more and more.  Then you think you know "who dun it," only to discover you're wrong. 

One of the lessons to be learned in this book is whatever sort of relationship you are in, you both must make your wishes known what you want out of your lives together and what plans you have, so it doesn't cause confusion.  One thing that would have helped in Melinda's and Evan's relationship.

Stars out of 5 : 5  I really enjoyed this book despite me not being that keen on reading it!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Taming the Wind," by Tracie Peterson

"Taming the Wind," by Tracie Peterson
Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she's living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow's. And Carissa's daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.


Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?

This is the third book in the "Land of the Lone Star," series, and it nicely brought together the characters from the first two books, so it would be good to read them in order.

The leading characters, Carissa and Tyler are good lead characters.  There is a twist in the book, I thought it would be one thing, but it was another thing, so that kept you on your toes.  One thing that did puzzle me; in one breath the women were strong and working hard to keep house and home.  Next thing it portrayed them as being weak and vulnerable?  

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 I did enjoy the series and it is well worth reading them all and not too hard to read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Monday, August 13, 2012

"Whispers in the Wind," by Lauraine Snelling

"Whispers in the Wind," by Lauraine Snelling

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.


Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?
 
This is the second book in the Wild West Wind series by Lauraine and it was very easy to pick up from where the last book left off.  There is no great depth to this book, but it was a very enjoyable read, and there were enough twists and turns in it, that kept you wanting to read more.
 
Without giving away the story, I am really looking forward to the next in the series, as it should be showing a more romantic situation arising.  Great lead characters in Cassie and Ransom and I think everyone should have a mother like Mavis.
 
Stars out of 5 : 4.5 I would have preferred more action, and can't wait to read the next book in the series in April of 2013.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Friday, August 10, 2012

"Dying to Read," by Lorena McCourtney

"Dying to Read," by Lorena McCourtney



Cate Kinkaid's life is . . . well, frankly it's floundering. Her social life, her career, her haircut--they're all a mess. Unemployed, she jumps at the chance to work for her PI uncle, even though she has no experience and no instincts. After all, she is just dabbling in the world of private investigating until she can find a "real" job.

All she has to do for her first assignment is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? But when she reaches the dark Victorian house, she runs into an hungry horde of gray-haired mystery readers and a dead body. This routine PI job is turning out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

I am not familiar with this author, but must say I did enjoy this book.  It was a simple read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.  I had no idea "who did it" until the end. Will say it did have some confusing twists and turns and occasionally I got a bit confused.

Loved both Cate and Willow, though how both managed to survive was beyond me at times.  Again though the Willow character got a bit confusing at times.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 easy read, you do have to pay attention, but a great book to sit in a deck chair in the garden or on the beach and wile away a day.




"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies

 "The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies 1925.  Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip...